Hong Kong: Govt looks into tutoring group closure The Government expressed grave concern over the sudden closure of Brilliant Education and stated that the Education Bureau, the Customs & Excise Department and the Consumer Council are handling the matter. Upon receiving enquiries on July 25 about tuition fee refunds, the bureau immediately contacted Brilliant Educations person-in-charge who indicated at that time that the school had not ceased operation. While the school did operate as usual on July 26, it announced its closure on July 29. According to the bureau, Brilliant Educations branch in Kowloon City District is not registered under the Education Ordinance, whilst its other five centres located in Hong Kong East have been registered under the ordinance as private schools offering non-formal curriculum. The bureau said it will follow up with the non-compliance of the Kowloon City centre in a serious manner. Meanwhile, Customs set up a dedicated team to contact all informants in order to enquire about the details of each case. It also tried to get in touch with Brilliant Educations person-in-charge and staff to conduct an investigation. When handling reports concerning a sudden business suspension leading to a failure to provide goods or services prepaid by consumers, Customs looks into whether the trader has wrongly accepted payment under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it explained, stressing that it will take enforcement actions to protect consumers lawful interest. Furthermore, the Consumer Council pointed out that for payments made with credit card, consumers may try to request the credit card issuer to apply on their behalf to the merchants bank, ie Brilliant Educations bank in this case, for a refund of the unused portion of the pre-payment. If a liquidator has been appointed by the merchant, the consumer may register as a creditor with the liquidator. As at 6pm on July 31, Customs and the Consumer Council received 219 and 63 reports respectively, involving about $1.83 million and $0.66 million. The Government urged other consumers who have purchased Brilliant Educations services to contact Customs or the Consumer Council as soon as possible. This story has been published on: 2023-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Politicizing economic issues won't bring back British Empire Global Times) 08:39, August 01, 2023 Illustration: Liu Rui/GT While it is true that the entry of Chinese-made electric cars has brought fiercer competition to the European market, which has unnerved some European countries, it is even more upsetting to see some in Europe have gone too far by distorting market competition into a "security risk." In a report set to be shared with carmakers and regulators, Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry based in Hertford, UK, warned that Britons face "major security issues" from Chinese cars, The Telegraph reported on Sunday. A coming influx of Chinese electric cars represents a "security risk" as they could be remotely controlled to "paralyze" Britain, and there was "no way" of stopping Chinese cars coming under remote control, Saker said, according to The Telegraph. Saker's remarks lay bare nothing but the panic and anxiety of the British automobile industry about the upcoming competition in the electric car sector. Maybe as Saker cannot find other justified excuses to demean Chinese-made electric cars, security becomes the only choice, no matter how absurd it is. Perhaps some in the UK have already known deep inside, but they are reluctant to admit that the British auto industry is completely overwhelmed by the wave of electric cars. Far from seizing on the global electric car transition, British carmakers are waning instead. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, an automotive trade association in the UK, 775,014 cars were produced in Britain in 2022, the lowest annual output since 1956. That is 9.8 percent less than 2021 and 40.5 percent below the 2019 pre-pandemic level. Moreover, the UK is falling far behind in the global race to manufacture batteries. Britishvolt, UK's homegrown electric-vehicle battery supplier, was launched in 2019 but went bankrupt earlier this year, which means the country's efforts to transform itself into a post-Brexit clean car haven have failed to produce any substantial results. An influx of foreign brands may be one of the reasons behind the failure, but that doesn't justify any of the security reasons to create obstacles for Chinese-made electric cars. If anything, a fair and reasonable market environment is what the UK should create for its remaining economic dignity. It is no longer the era when the British Empire colonized the world, and indulging in its colonial-era glories to reject reality won't help the UK to find the right development path. In any competition, one must speak with strength. If the UK views China as a competitor, then UK has to improve its own competitiveness and try to compete in a fair environment, instead of smearing Chinese products with unfounded security claims. Similar absurd voices have surfaced not only in the UK, but also in other European countries. With the success of Chinese-made electric cars in some European markets due to their advanced technology and affordable prices, there are voices playing up the "threat" posed by Chinese-made electric cars in Europe. The emergence of such hype is, of course, a bad sign pointing to the rising pan-security competition in the European market. Blocking the entry of Chinese-made electric cars by hyping "security risks" is nothing but another form of politicizing market problems, which are supposed to be addressed in proper and professional ways. Experience shows that politicizing economic issues usually gets ugly and it's a dead end if anyone attempts to solve their own difficulties by cracking down on others. Therefore, vigilance is needed against the potential politicization of the electric car competition. A failure to properly handle the issue may hurt China's interests, and also be detrimental to Europe's transition to clean energy. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. NKR ombudsman: Human rights activists expressed their stance, its international arena political decision-makers turn Azerbaijan fires at civilians in Karabakh village, civilian car sustains damage (PHOTOS) ECtHR forwards to Armenian side Azerbaijan information on abducted Karabakh resident Vagif Khachatryan Lithuania FM: Crucial to ensure unimpeded movement through Lachin corridor Minister, UAE envoy to Armenia discuss promising domains of cooperation in economy US Senate Foreign Relations Committee representatives visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan Armenia parliament vice-speaker briefs Estonia envoy on growing humanitarian crisis in Karabakh Ocampo submits report to Karabakh president, concludes that genocide is being committed against people of Artsakh Armenia FM briefs Spain, Greece counterparts on humanitarian crisis in Karabakh Public TV: Another one joins trucks sent from Armenia for Karabakh, this humanitarian aid is from France Burbank mayor meets with protesting American Armenians demanding lifting of Karabakh blockade Armenia Security Council chief meets with US Senate Foreign Relations Committee representatives Armenia FM has phone conversation with Bulgaria counterpart Ex-FM: Armenians have only one lever in their hands which is to sign or not to sign peace treaty with Azerbaijan Russia MFA: Signal being received from Azerbaijan, Armenia doesnt mean parties are ready to agree to any conditions Armenia defense minister receives newly appointed France ambassador (PHOTOS) Which political party Yerevan residents will vote for the most in upcoming municipal election? Red Cross transfers 10 more medical patients from Karabakh to Armenia Azerbaijani economist is detained in Turkey, handed over to homeland Ombudsperson: Cases of fainting due to malnutrition continue to increase in Karabakh Armenia FM briefs Lithuania colleague on situation, growing humanitarian crisis in Karabakh Luis Moreno Ocampo: Azerbaijan blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh is genocide Los Angeles Armenians block street, march to Congressman Adam Schiff residence Crusaders detachment reaches area where humanitarian aid trucks sent from Armenia to Karabakh are waiting ARF does not find it proper to nominate its own proportional representation list for Yerevan elections Armenia premier congratulates Singapore counterpart on National Day Sputnik Armenia: Where, under what conditions father and son Smbatyan are detained? Newspaper: When Armenia ruling party election headquarters will start working? Armenia MFA spox: Abducting of patient under Red Cross care must be condemned Erdogan confirms Turkey participation in 2020 war against Karabakh Russia MoD records ceasefire violation in Nagorno-Karabakh President sends urgent appeal to international community to take immediate action to prevent genocide of NKR people Turkey army General Staff head of intelligence visits Azerbaijan Poland new envoy expresses readiness to assist reforms within Armenia internal affairs ministry (PHOTOS) Estonia ambassador to Armenia joins EU civilian monitoring mission patrol Congressman Adam Schiff: We must recognize Artsakh Republic independence if we truly stand for democracy, human rights Robert Khachatryan, Andrea Wiktorin discuss EU-assisted high-tech projects in Armenia Who are included in ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan's political team for Yerevan Council of Elders election? Armenia PM congratulates newly appointed Tunis colleague Armenia wins 1 gold, 4 silver medals at International Mathematics Competition for University Students US State Department spox.: Turkey can play productive role in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization Crusaders detachment members reopen avenue nearby Armenia government building Armenia national opera and ballet theater has new director Karabakh war-participating detachment members block avenue near Armenia government building Delegation visiting Armenia on US Senator Robert Menendezs instruction is in Syunik Province (PHOTOS) Protesters give Armenia government time until 6pm to have Lachin corridor reopened Red Cross transports 11 medical patients from Karabakh to Armenia after 11 days of complete blockade by Azerbaijan Karabakh war-participating detachment members protest outside Armenia government building Red Cross representatives visit 2 Azerbaijani soldiers who illegally entered Armenia With which party ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan will run in Yerevan municipal elections? Armenia responds to Azerbaijan letter regarding plant under construction in Yeraskh village Tasnim: Iran, Armenia security councils heads discuss regional situation Armenia Security Council chief briefs Iran diplomat on humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh Tesla CFO unexpectedly resigns Ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan to run in Yerevan election Health ministry: Comprehensive siege of Karabakh leads to considerable increase in mortality, morbidity rates Azerbaijan ombudsperson representatives visit detained Karabakh resident Rashid Beglaryan UN experts call on Azerbaijan to immediately restore free movement through Lachin corridor Karabakh state minister: Even in these conditions there are still people who are engaged in idle talk Worlds largest Nissan to go out of production Aram I, Vatican bishop discuss current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh Andranik Tevanyan: Mother Armenia movement will run in Yerevan municipal elections Newspaper: Armenia parliament new session to be heated, ruling force already has decision Azerbaijan slams UN experts for their objective assessments of situation in Karabakh US State Department: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement remains within reach Vardan Sargsyan: Humanitarian crisis in Karabakh is deepening, with widespread malnutrition Turkey ministers council discusses Armenia-Azerbaijan relations Armenia internal affairs minister, China ambassador confer on bilateral cooperation About 256,000 tourists visit Armenia in July Armenian Tourism Federation president: Whoever happens should not represent our country Karabakh legislature new head: We will continue fight for preservation, strengthening of Artsakh statehood at any cost Armenia Security Council chief has telephone conversation with newly appointed Iran counterpart UNICEF urges to place Karabakh childrens safety, survival above all other considerations Red Cross visits Karabakh resident Vagif Khachatryan, abducted by Azerbaijan Yerevan murder circumstances being ascertained, criminal proceedings launched (PHOTOS) Newly appointed UAE envoy ready to assist in Armenia justice sector reforms (PHOTOS) Hurriyet: Putin-Erdogan talks will discuss Turkey relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia What are most popular names given to Armenia newborns in first 6 months of 2023? European Parliament member considers Lachin corridor blocking a war crime Artur Osipyan: Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh turned down petition to escort motorcade to Hakari bridge Hakan Fidan: Turkey-Armenia, Azerbaijan-Armenia relations normalization process should proceed in parallel Karabakh residents protest in front of Armenia MFA American Armenians start sit-in, in support of Karabakh, outside Congressman Adam Schiffs office shamshyan.com: Shootings in Yerevan, man with gunshot wound in the head dies in hospital Person, 35, found dead in Armenias Lake Sevan Armenia MFA spox: Clear steps needed to implement all international calls, decisions regarding Karabakh Malta Armenians hold peaceful demonstration in support of Karabakh Karabakh has a cash problem World Council of Churches, Conference of European Churches call on Borrell to have Karabakh blockade lifted Karabakh National Assembly has new speaker Armenia-Azerbaijan relations to be discussed at Turkey government Cabinet session Karabakh legislature ruling faction nominates opposition ARF MP Davit Ishkhanyan for post of parliament speaker Military junta closes Niger airspace Azerbaijan fires at Armenia positions, also uses mortars President of Karabakh: Its as result of government activities that we have chance not to starve yet Arayik Harutyunyan: The West made effort to organize a Baku-Stepanakert meeting in 3rd country President of Karabakh: There seems to be tacit agreement to leave us all alone with Azerbaijan Arayik Harutyunyan: Azerbaijan wants to abandon tripartite statement, to continue the war Karabakh President: Humanitarian disaster border is crossed, now we are witnessing Azerbaijans genocidal policy Artur Abraham calls on the UN and the civilized world to intervene in the situation around the Lachin corridor ATLANTA Four Emory Healthcare hospitals have ranked prominently in this years regional rankings of U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospitals issue. For the twelfth year in a row, Emory University Hospital ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Georgia and metro Atlanta in the 2023-24 Best Regional Hospitals rankings. (Emory University Hospital includes Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital and Emory University Hospital at Wesley Woods.) Emory Saint Josephs Hospital ranked No. 2 in Georgia and metro Atlanta for the eighth consecutive year, while Emory University Hospital Midtown ranked No. 4 (a tie) in both Georgia and metro Atlanta rankings. For the first time this year, Emory Johns Creek Hospital ranked No. 8 in Georgia and No. 7 in metro Atlanta. In the 2023-24 Best Hospitals Specialty Rankings, Emory University Hospital ranked nationally in the following adult specialties: Cancer, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Urology. The hospital was considered high performing in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Orthopaedics and Pulmonary & Lung Surgery. Emory Saint Josephs Hospital ranked high performing in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Orthopaedics and Pulmonary & Lung Surgery. Emory University Hospital Midtown ranked nationally in Ear, Nose and Throat and high performing in Geriatrics. Emory Johns Creek Hospital is considered high performing in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics. We are proud that four of our hospitals ranked regionally and two ranked nationally in various specialty areas this year in U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospitals rankings, says Joon S. Lee, MD, CEO of Emory Healthcare. Congratulations and thank you to our team members who helped us reach these successes by providing expert, high-quality and compassionate care to our patients. U.S. News & World Report began publishing hospital rankings in 1990, as Americas Best Hospitals, to identify medical centers in various specialties that were best suited for patients whose illnesses pose unusual challenges because of underlying conditions, procedure difficulty, advanced age or other medical issues that add risk. Hospitals are assessed in 15 specialty areas for the rankings. In 12 of the 15 specialties, ranking is determined by an extensive data-driven analysis combining performance measures in three primary dimensions of health care: structure, process and outcomes. In the three other specialties, ranking relies solely on expert opinion. More than 4,500 hospitals were evaluated this year. U.S. News & World Report first published Best Regional Hospitals in 2011. Within a state or major metropolitan area, regional hospital rank is determined by a hospital's performance in the national adult specialty rankings analysis and by its scores across 10 procedure and condition areas evaluated. To see the complete list of 2023-24 Best Hospitals rankings, visit here. Although maternal mortality rates are down sharply from where they were 20 years ago, a recent United Nations report shows the worlds progress toward reaching the UNs sustainable development goal of reducing maternal mortality has stalled. Further, there is evidence that rates may be heading in the wrong direction. In 2020, the global maternal mortality ratio was 152 deaths per 100,000 live births, up from 151 deaths per 100,000 live births the year before. Results from the Year 2 Hologic Global Womens Health Index, conducted in 2021, suggest that many women also see the care where they live beginning to slip when it comes to providing pregnant women with high-quality prenatal healthcare. The majority of women surveyed in Year 2 (65%) said they think most pregnant women in their city or area receive high-quality healthcare during their pregnancies, down slightly from the 69% who said so in Year 1 (conducted in 2020). The Year 3 report, which will be available in 2023, will provide further insights into whether this decline continued in 2022. While maternal mortality rates are much higher in low-income economies than high-income economies -- illustrating the prioritization, resourcing and funding challenges behind the problem -- women in all country income groups were less likely in Year 2 than Year 1 to believe pregnant women in their area receive high-quality prenatal care. On average, 81% of women in high-income economies believe they have access to high-quality prenatal care, down three percentage points from Year 1 -- as do 50% of women in low-income economies, down nine points from Year 1, which qualifies as a significant change. ###Embeddable### The Best and Worst Countries and Territories for Perceived Quality Prenatal Healthcare Women in Northern European countries such as Finland and Norway and countries in Western and Central Europe such as France, the Netherlands and Switzerland were the most likely in the world to believe most pregnant women in their communities get high-quality care, with at least 90% of women reporting this. These countries with the highest perceptions of prenatal care among women have low maternal mortality rates, high GDP per capita and large investments in the health of their population, as demonstrated by their high health expenditures per capita. Meanwhile, the countries with the lowest perceptions of quality prenatal care among women include low-income to upper-middle-income countries situated all along the spectrum of maternal mortality rates. ###Embeddable### From Year 1 to Year 2, perceptions of the quality of prenatal care dropped most among women in high-income (Hong Kong, Hungary, Lithuania and Uruguay) and upper-middle-income (Serbia, Romania, Georgia and Jamaica) economies. Real-world conditions at the time could have contributed to these declines. For example, the measures taken to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted healthcare systems around the world. Many countries had to restrict access to care and treatment, which directly affected peoples healthcare experiences, including those of pregnant women. Suddenly, because of the risk of infection transmission, it became more complicated to have regular face-to-face interactions with healthcare professionals or have partners attend appointments. In addition, in some countries, shocks such as internal political conflicts may have worsened the situation. For instance, Myanmar has been contending with a shortage of doctors and the closing of healthcare facilities since the military coup in February 2021. In Hong Kong, civil unrest has disrupted the healthcare system. Conversely, some countries that showed a significant year-over-year increase have taken intentional steps to improve care for pregnant women. For instance, in Nicaragua, where perceptions improved by 13 points, maternity waiting homes providing care before childbirth are available in rural communities far from hospitals. As of 2021, the network included 178 homes. In Zimbabwe -- where perceptions of prenatal care improved among women by 14 points -- a voucher program offering affordable care to low-income women who cannot afford required copays has been available for years. ###Embeddable### Many Men Unaware of Womens Healthcare Experiences Women in Year 2 continued to evaluate the quality of prenatal care slightly higher than men did, with 65% of women and 61% of men agreeing that women in their communities receive high-quality care. Yet, there is more to the story. Many men answered that they do not know whether pregnant women get high-quality prenatal care. Globally, one in nine men (11%) said they do not know or could not say -- but these percentages are more substantial in some countries and rise to the majority level in a few countries, such as Latvia (53%) and Lithuania (51%). ###Embeddable### Implications The quality of care a woman receives is still intrinsically tied to where she lives. However, simply surviving pregnancy and childbirth shouldnt be the only marker of success for pregnant women. Improving access to and delivery of high-quality prenatal care is key to ending preventable maternal deaths. Despite progress made around the world, pregnant womens lives remain at risk. Where sociopolitical settings are in chaos and health systems falter, women are telling us how these institutions are failing them. Women should not fear death as they give life, and reducing the maternal mortality ratio should be a priority on the global development agenda. Mothers are the backbone of societies, and their children carry the future of our economies. Given the evidence of backsliding, it is time for policymakers and leaders to rethink how they can more effectively protect pregnant women and girls through strategic investments in maternal health. To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter. ###Embeddable### 23:48 Now 58, Najju had unleashed a reign of terror for close to 12 years in Shahjahanpur and adjoining areas. The former dacoit also shared stage with BJP MLA from Katra assembly constituency Veer Vikram Singh 'Prince'. On Monday, Najju alias Rajju along with the MLA offered the bell at the temple in Paraur area of the district. Referring to the former dacoit as "our respected uncle", the legislator, in a video, said Najju had "struggled a lot". "And, during this, whatever wrong was committed by him, he spent 23 years of punishment. Today, after 23 years, he has been released. I welcome him on this soil and honour him," Singh said. After offering the bell, Najju repented for the crimes committed by him and appealed to the younger generation to stay away from crime and pay attention towards their future and family. The Katra MLA said, "If any person wants to quit crime and join the mainstream of the society, then I will help him. He went to the temple with me and apologised for the crimes that he had committed. He also took a pledge to lead the life of a normal human being." -- PTI Najju alias Rajju, a former dacoit who walked out of the Bareilly Central Jail a week ago after 23 years, has offered a 101 kg bell at a temple in Shahjahanpur and appealed to the younger generation to stay away from crime. NewsVoir New Delhi [India], July 31: India's foremost pizza chain,Domino'stakes immense pride in celebrating the first anniversary of its acclaimed loyalty program, Cheesy Rewards. Conceived to elevate the gastronomic journey of pizza enthusiasts and reward their loyalty, Cheesy Rewards has emerged as a remarkable customer initiative nationwide. Throughout its inaugural year, the Cheesy Rewards Program has been embraced by over 16.8 million users, all of whom have eagerly signed up to become an integral part of this rewarding initiative. This substantial number of members underpins the trust and approval the customers bestow upon Domino's brand offerings and its customer-centric endeavors. Reflecting on this joyous occasion, Sandeep Anand, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Dominos India, commented, "We are absolutely thrilled to commemorate the momentous first anniversary of Cheesy Rewards, a program that has truly captured the hearts of our cherished customers. Throughout this incredible journey, we've shared the joy of serving our loyal patrons with more than just delectable pizzas. It's been a whirlwind of cheesy goodness, and we owe it all to our fantastic pizza enthusiasts." Dominos unwavering commitment to innovation and customer-focus continues to steer its goal of providing the most gratifying food experiences and solidifying its stature as the top-choice pizza brand across India. The Cheesy Rewards Program encapsulates this ethos by rewarding customers and adding another layer of joy to their Domino's pizza encounters. Join us in this celebratory milestone marking one year of Cheesy Rewards, and dive into a universe of delightful pizza experiences with exclusive members-only promotions. Apart from accruing reward points on each order, program members can now select a complimentary gift of their preference, which includes choices from a succulent free cheese pizza, delicious garlic bread sticks, to an irresistible chocolate lava cake, and more. To celebrate Cheesy Rewards with us, watch the video here: Link Jubilant FoodWorks Limited (NSE, BSE: JUBLFOOD) is Indias largest foodservice company and is part of the Jubilant Bhartia Group. Incorporated in 1995, the Company holds the exclusive master franchise rights from Dominos Pizza Inc. to develop and operate the Dominos Pizza brand in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. In India, it has a strong and extensive network of 1,838 Dominos stores across 394 cities. In Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Company operates through its wholly-owned owned subsidiaries which currently has 50 and 20 stores respectively. Jubilant FoodWorks also enjoys exclusive rights to develop and operate Dunkin restaurants in India and Popeyes restaurants in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The Company currently operates 21 Dunkin restaurants across six Indian cities and 17 Popeyes restaurants in four cities. In 2019, Jubilant FoodWorks launched its first owned-restaurant brand Hongs Kitchen in the Chinese cuisine segment which now has 15 stores across three cities. Note: All store counts as on June 30, 2023. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Brookfield Asset Management, a global alternative asset manager, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Industries. The MoU aims to explore opportunities for manufacturing renewable energy and decarbonisation equipment in Australia, fostering the nation's energy transition and fostering sustainable development. Australia's energy transition has been gaining momentum in recent years as the nation strives to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its emissions reduction targets. The MoU between Brookfield and Reliance Industries is set to play a pivotal role in accelerating and de-risking this transition by enabling the local production of clean energy equipment, including photovoltaic (PV) modules, long-duration battery storage and wind energy components. Under the terms of the MoU, Brookfield and Reliance Industries will collaborate on direct capital investment and the development of skills, knowledge and expertise in the renewable energy sector within Australia. By leveraging Reliance's vast experience in solar panel technology and long-duration battery storage, both companies aim to establish advanced manufacturing operations in Australia. These operations will focus on the production and assembly of equipment essential for the construction of renewable energy projects, catering to all market players, including Origin Energy Markets. The collaboration is a step for Brookfield, which is committed to bringing global manufacturing technology and expertise to Australia. Earlier in March, Brookfield signed a binding agreement with EIG to acquire Origin Energy, and along with its institutional partners, GIC and Temasek, has proposed investing between 20 billion USD and 30 billion USD over the next ten years to expedite the country's energy transition. The MoU's primary objective is to ensure a consistent and sufficient supply of clean energy equipment required to develop up to 14 GW of new, large-scale generation and storage capacity in Australia. Establishing onshore sovereign manufacturing capability for the energy transition could create around 18,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a particular focus on regions heavily impacted by the transition, such as the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and the La Trobe Valley in Victoria, Australia. Luke Edwards, Brookfield Renewable Head of Australia, emphasised the significance of the energy transition for the country and its local manufacturing industry. He said, "Australia has a proud history of manufacturing and an abundance of raw materials, but the industry is not currently cost-competitive. The energy transition creates an opportunity to bring advanced manufacturing processes created offshore to Australia, which would secure the supply of critical equipment for the transition to help drive down Australias emissions faster and contribute significantly to job creation." Anant Ambani, director, Reliance New Energy Limited, reaffirmed the company's dedication to a global clean energy ecosystem and its enthusiasm for investment opportunities in India and beyond. "We are confident that Reliance and Brookfield will explore avenues in green energy in Australia, accelerating the nations transition to a Net Zero future and providing a fillip to the global green energy movement," Ambani said. Brookfield's expertise in committing long-term capital to enable the energy transition makes it uniquely suited to support these manufacturing initiatives. Its track record in large-scale investments, such as the 30 billion USD Intel Chip plant in Nevada, demonstrates its innovative approach to reshoring essential and strategic manufacturing processes and supply chains. Brookfield Asset Management is a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately 825 billion USD of assets under management across renewable energy, infrastructure, real estate, private equity, credit, and other sectors. The company focuses on investing client capital for the long term, with a strong emphasis on real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. Reliance Industries Limited is India's largest private sector company with a consolidated revenue of INR 976,524 crore (118.8 billion USD) and a net profit of INR 74,088 crore (9.0 billion USD) for the year ended March 31, 2023. Its diverse activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail, and digital services. Reliance is the largest private sector firm from India to appear on Fortune's Global 500 list of "World's Largest Companies" for 2022, currently ranked 104th. The company is ranked 45th in Forbes Global 2000's list of "World's Largest Public Companies" for 2023, placing first among Indian corporations. Reliance has been named one of the world's 20 best companies to work for, ranking first among Indian corporations. Forbes' list of the World's Best Employers for 2022. It is listed as one of LinkedIn's "Top Companies." (ANI) However, the prices of domestic LPG cylinders will remain unchanged. The new prices will be effective from Tuesday and Delhis retail sales price of 19kg commercial LPG cylinder will be Rs 1,680. However, the Oil marketing companies kept domestic cooking gas rates unchanged, as told by sources. Monthly revisions for both commercial and domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders occur on the first day of each month, with the new rates becoming effective from August 1. Prices of domestic cooking gas were last revised on March 1 this year. Earlier in July, the prices of commercial LPG gas cylinders were increased by Rs 7 each. However, there is no change made in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders. Before this hike, there had been two consecutive price cuts for commercial LPG cylinders which were in May and June this year. While in May OMCs reduced the price of a commercial LPG cylinder by Rs 172, in June it was reduced by Rs 83. (ANI)On June 1, Prices of commercial LPG cylinders have been slashed by Rs 83.50 to Rs 1,773 per unit of 19 kg with immediate effect. However, there was no revision in domestic cylinder prices. Oil marketing companies generally revise the LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) prices on the first day of every month. Domestic cooking gas prices vary from state to state depending on local taxes. In May, petroleum and oil marketing companies slashed the price of commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 171.50. In April, too, their prices were reduced by Rs 91.50 per unit. Petroleum and oil marketing companies had on March 1 this year hiked the prices of commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 350.50 per unit and domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 50 per unit. The prices of the commercial cylinders were reduced the last time on September 1 last year by Rs 91.50. On August 1, 2022, the prices of commercial LPG cylinders were also reduced by Rs 36. (ANI) PRNewswire New York [US], August 1: Recognized for relentlessly pursuing innovative audience engagement solutions, Resulticks is now redefining the space with a laser focus on creating Connected Experiences for brands and their audiences through its flagship product RESUL. Addressing this next leap in the product's evolution, Dakshen Ram, Co-Founder and Chief Product and Innovation Officer of Resulticks said, "RESUL began ten years ago as an omnichannel stack with the aim of moving clients steadily toward digital transformation. Now, recalibrating what audience engagement really means, we have created the definitive solution to deliver end-to-end Connected Experiencesreal-time, contextual, everywhere, anytime, and across the phygital spectrum." Connected Experiences reimagines how businesses can engage with their audiences. Brands will be able to leverage non-conventional channels for data consolidation and communications. The shift will also incorporate new channels of communication including IoT interfaces such as digital billboards, smart devices, and facial recognition devices, enabling organizations to facilitate customer engagement across the physical and digital landscape. Operating at native latency, businesses will be able to deliver entirely hyper-personalized journeys at scale that are not only attributable but most importantly are limited only by end-point processing capabilities and speeds. Ram also noted that there is a marked gap between what audiences expect in terms of real-time engagement and what is being served to them today. The interpretation of real-time often has been understandably subjective. "But from the audience's perspective," he said, "it's time to move the needle from real-time engagement to right-now engagement, which means effortlessly syncing with audiences traversing spaces, channels, devices, and IoT interfaces." Commenting on edge computing and serverless infrastructure supported by the WebAssembly framework, Ram added, "Our next major release RESUL 5.5 slated for release in Q4 of 2023 as well as our work on a generative AI core will further equip brands to chart audience journeys leveraging the flexibility offered by technology rather than being bound by its limitations. This commitment to a connected experience framework is set to usher in, for brands, an era of audience engagement that is instant, creative, and attributable like never before." About Resulticks Resulticksis a global leader in real-time audience engagement solutions that deliver top-line growth for brands through connected experiences. Outcomes-focused and enabled by its proprietary cookie-independent identity resolution technology, Resulticks equips brands to make a transformational leap to true 360ocustomer engagement. With its AI-powered, audience-centric approach it is changing how brands worldwide reach, acquire, and retain satisfied customers. Resulticks Solution Inc. is headquartered in New York City. Media Contact: Name: Anuradha SriramanEmail:anuradha.sriraman@resulticks.com Photo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165938/Connected_Experiences_PR_Banner.jpgLogo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165967/RESULTICKS_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 1: GOPIZZAIndia, the esteemed South Korean pizza brand renowned for its perfectly sized pizzas for one, is thrilled to announce the launch of its most awaited Korean menu available across all outlets and on delivery apps - Swiggy and Zomato, starting at Rs. 150. Say annyeonghaseyo to GOPIZZAs new menu ranging from mouth-watering K- Starters to their heavenly Ramyun bowls, available with scrumptious pastas and of course, their authentic Korean pizzas that are sure to hit the spot! Whether you're looking for an appetising light bite, a grab-and-go snack, or something wholesome and filling, GOPIZZA has got you covered as all of these delicious items are available in both vegetarian and non vegetarian options. When watching K-dramas one cannot overlook the characters slurping on steaming hot Ramyun bowls and when in search of authentic Ramyun bowls to satisfy a Ramyun craving look no further as a real showstopper on this menu is the Korean Ramyun Noodles, a flavourful traditional spicy noodle soup straight from Korea. This generous bowl combines chewy noodles, vibrant veggies and a delectable broth with a fiery kick that will leave you wanting more. For cheese enthusiasts, GOPIZZA India also presents theKorean Cheese Ramyun Noodles, an all time Korean favourite with a burst of creamy, cheesy goodness intertwined with a tantalising spice. Get ready to groove to the infectious K-Pop tunes while indulging in the mouth watering magic of Korean pizzas. Just like the mesmerising performances of K-Pop idols, Korean pizzas are known for their visually striking and artistically crafted toppings, representing blended flavours of traditional Korean spices with a modern twist. Their Korean Jonmataeng Volcano Pizzas use a Korean household staple, chogochujang - a sweet and savoury chilli paste on their pizzas, topped with red onions and crunchy capsicum, with a side of marinated potato wedges or roasted chicken! Another exciting new addition is the Korean Jonmataeng Creamy Pizzas that combines pizza with the rich and velvety yum yum sauce to create a symphony of hot and creamy flavours, paired with black olives, crunchy onions and fresh white mushrooms, perfect for those who love Korean cuisine but prefer mild heat options. The new range of K-Starters like the Korean Yangnyum Spicy Chicken Wings, Korean Yangnyum Spicy Chicken Pops and Korean Yangnyum Spicy Wedges are bound to transport you to the bustling streets of Seoul. Putting a Korean twist on beloved favourites like Chicken Wings and Chicken Pops these appetisers are tossed in the authentic Yangnyeom hot sauce, which is a perfect blend of heat, sweetness, and umami, captivating your taste buds with its fiery symphony of flavours. The delectableFire Cream Pastason the new menu are an added delight, featuring a creamy fiery sauce, striking the perfect balance between smoothness and spicy heat. These pastas are a harmonious fusion of culinary delights, ready to serve your Asian-Italian cravings in one go. Mahesh Reddy, CEO, GOPIZZA India, shared his excitement for the new Korean menu, I am absolutely certain that this carefully crafted new Korean menu that serves the perfect balance between Korean flavours and the Indian palate will be an enchanting hit with our audience. From the spicy, crunchy appetisers to the steaming, soulful Ramyun bowls, this new menu will lead our eaters straight to the streets of Myeongdong - the street food mecca of Seoul. The flavours have been flown in from South Korea, preserving the authenticity of every dish on this Korean menu. Offering options of both veg and non-veg throughout the new menu of Ramyun bowls, pizzas, starters, and pasta, we wholeheartedly believe that there is Korean goodness in store for everyone. When it comes to pizza perfection, GOPIZZA India is the ultimate destination. With an unwavering commitment to quality ingredients, innovative flavours, and culinary excellence, GOPIZZA as a Korean brand can redefine traditional pizza by infusing it with unique Korean-inspired twists better than anyone else. Experience the revolution in pizza, one slice at a time. GOPIZZA is known for its one-person, oval-shaped, fire-baked pizza with quick serving speed and affordable price. With 200 outlets across South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong and soon to launch in Thailand, Malaysia and USA. The brand now has 30 outlets across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Anantapur, looking to launch its first store in Chennai, Delhi NCR, Pune and Mumbai, shortly. The brand aims to reach 70 outlets by the end of 2023 and more than 100 stores by the end of FY-2024. The single-serving pizza brand will also introduce its patented in-house technology - The GOVEN, an automatic pizza oven, the 'GOBOT' a cooperative robot, and the 'AI Smart Topping Table' to ensure timely, standardized quality and service to customers at all outlets. Approx. Price for two: Rs. 200 Instagram:gopizza.india (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Re. Vivian Carnahan's letter Let unvaxxed nurses work (Castanet, July 31) In Vivian Carnahan's letter, she suggests our health care issues are due to the government not allowing unvaccinated nurses to work. A simple Google search confirms over 90% of nurses in Canada are vaccinated. And, of course that number is high. Canadian doctors and nurses are by and large competent and follow established medicine. They aren't rogues. There is no plethora of unvaccinated nurses waiting to come back to work. The health care workers Carnahan refers to, who refused the COVID-19 vaccine and were terminated, were largely administrative staff. Bringing them back wont ameliorate the doctor and nurse shortage. With respect to the very few nurses nurses who refused the vaccine, why would we want negligent professionals who don't follow established medicine? I wouldn't trust them with my care. Andrew Kaszinski, West Kelowna New Delhi [India], August 1: The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) and Infinity Expo are proud to present the India Stainless Steel Expo (ISSE) 2023, under the aegis of the Ministry of Steel. The prestigious event will take place on 3rd August 2023 at the Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida. Key Highlights: - The Minister of Steel & Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, will grace the event as the Chief Guest during the inauguration ceremony. - The India Stainless Steel Expo (ISSE) 2023 will span three days, from 3rd to 5th August, and feature a two-day conference covering the entire Stainless Steel Value Chain. - Distinguished speakers from the industry, government, and research sectors will discuss topics such as Atmanirbhar initiatives, untapped opportunities, sector strengthening, growth, R&D, and innovations. Expo Details: Event Name: India Stainless Steel Expo (ISSE) 2023 Expo Days & Dates: Thursday to Saturday, August 03 - 05, 2023 Timings: 9:00 AM onwards Venue: India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida Event Agenda: The inauguration ceremony on 3rd August will be followed by enlightening round table sessions featuring key industry leaders from around the world. These sessions will delve into various aspects of the stainless-steel industry, discussing emerging opportunities, sustainable infrastructure, energy security, and much more. Prominent Speaker Lineup: The event will witness renowned speakers addressing crucial subjects throughout the conference: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Steel & Civil AviationNagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of IndiaAnil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Railway BoardAmarendu Prakash, CMD, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL)Ruchika Chaudhry Govil, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of IndiaAbhyuday Jindal, CMD, Jindal Stainless LimitedMarkus Moll, Managing Director, SMR GmbHTim Collins, SecretaryGeneral, World StainlessRajamani Krishnamurti, President, ISSDA Join Us at India Stainless Steel Expo 2023 ISSDA and Infinity Expo invite all professionals, industry experts, and stakeholders to participate in the India Stainless Steel Expo 2023 and contribute to meaningful discussions, networking, and exploring new opportunities in the stainlesssteel industry. The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) is the apex association of leading stainlesssteel producers in India. Established in 1989, ISSDA strives to promote stainless steel applications in the country and plays a significant role in increasing awareness about its numerous advantages. Infinity Expo is a renowned event management company dedicated to organizing highquality conferences, exhibitions, and expos across various industries. Infinity Expo aims to facilitate meaningful interactions and knowledge exchange within the business community. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The government was asked by a member whether there was any increase in traffic on national waterways in the past two years. The traffic between Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia (NW-l) increased from 10.93 million tonnes in 2021-22 to 13.17 million tonnes in 2022-23, minister Sonowal said in his written reply to a specific question on the increase in traffic between Varanasi and Haldia. The government was also asked whether any plan has been formulated to strengthen the infrastructure in view of increased traffic. The minister apprised the Rajya Sabha that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is implementing Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of National Waterway-l (NW-l) between Haldia-Varanasi (l390 km) at an estimated cost of Rs 4,633.8l crore. The objective of the project is to enhance the transport efficiency and reliability of National Waterways 1. The project comprises of several components such as the development of multimodal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia; the intermodal terminal at Kalughat; navigational facilities, among others. (ANI) Tripura Police is very vigilant on any infiltration bid by Rohingyas, said Manchak Ipper, DIGP, Tripura Police on Monday adding that 52 Rohingyas have been arrested this year and their crackdown would continue. Tripura DIGP Manchak Ipper said that the state police have a different action plan to apprehend the Rohingyas who infiltrated Tripura and go to other states on which Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma had raised concerns a couple of days ago. Tripura Police has a nationwide network to trace out the illegal trespass of Rohingyas who are trying to be in India by any means these days, he said DIGP Manchak Ipper said, "We have increased our efforts. Cases are being registered and Rohingyas are being arrested. Our focus is also on those who are helping them, we call them border touts. We are active on the ground, we are finding vulnerable points and routes. So this year we have got very good results. We work with the border states of the northeast. Our coordination is good with other states as well. We are strictly dealing with Rohingyas. 52 Rohingyas have been arrested this year. Our action will continue.'' Earlier Assam CM had raised concerns over a network of brokers who bring Rohingya into Assam through Tripura. CM Sarma said that anyone who enters a country without a passport or visa is a threat to our sovereignty. Rohingya infiltration is alarming. There is a network of brokers who bring Rohingyas into Tripura and from there to Assam and the rest of the country. Our Police are in Tripura now working with the State government to take action against them, he said during a press conference. Anyone who enters a country without a passport or visa is a threat to our sovereignty, he added. "They are using Assam as a travel road and it is a threat to the country...if a foreign national comes without a passport and visa, it is a threat to our sovereignty...anybody who has entered the country illegally whether it is Rohingya or non-Rohingya, whether Hindu or Muslim, is illegal and we cannot promote illegality, he further said. (ANI) Border Security Force personnel on Monday thwarted a smuggling attempt across the IndiaBangladesh border in West Bengal's Murshidabad. A cattle smuggler was killed in an encounter, said officials. "In a commendable display of presence of mind, fearlessness, and bravery, the jawans of Border Outpost Jalangi, 141 Battalion under South Bengal Frontier of Border Security Force (BSF), successfully thwarted a group of smugglers attempting to smuggle cattle across the IndoBangladesh border on Monday. Despite facing an aggressive attack from the smugglers, the vigilant jawans responded firmly, resulting in the death of one smuggler," stated a BSF release. A K Arya, DIG spokesperson of BSF South Bengal Frontier said, "On July 31, 2023, around 0130 hrs, while diligently performing their duty, the BSF jawans noticed suspicious movement and spotted smugglers accompanied by cattle heading towards the BSF Domination Line. Sensing the urgency to prevent the illicit act, the jawans confronted and warned the smugglers. However, the smugglers disregarded the warnings and continued their pursuit towards the Domination Line. To deter the miscreants, the BSF jawans initially used verbal warnings and non-lethal stun grenades, aiming to disperse them and halt their activities. Undeterred, the miscreants armed themselves with sharp-edged weapons and bamboo sticks, encircling the BSF personnel with the intention to inflict grave injuries." "Realizing the imminent threat to their lives and left with no alternative to protect themselves, the BSF jawans took decisive action by firing two rounds from their personal weapons. As a result, the miscreants were forced to retreat from the spot," he added. During a thorough search of the area, the jawans successfully seized one cattle, preventing its illegal transportation. Tragically, one smuggler, identified as Mominul Islam (35 years old) hailing from village Jinnatpara, PS Rani Nagar, district Murshidabad, lost his life during the encounter. The body of the deceased smuggler has been handed over to Jalangi police station, and the seized cattle has been handed over to Dhyan Foundation for further legal action. A K Arya, DIG spokesperson of BSF South Bengal Frontier, stressed that the jawans on the Indo-Bangladesh border display unwavering vigilance despite the inherent risks they face. He further emphasized that smugglers often resort to fatal attacks on the jawans when their nefarious plans are thwarted, leading to grave injuries. The BSF jawans remain steadfast in their commitment to protect themselves, government property, and curb smuggling activities, thereby ensuring the safety and security of the border. (ANI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday batted for the Bharat Ratna award for freedom fighters Udham Singh, Bhagat Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha. "Bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to these iconic martyrs will enhance the prestige of the award. These great martyrs really deserve this award because they made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches," The Chief Minister said after paying floral tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh at his memorial on his martyrdom day, stated a government release. However, Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that the "pseudo-nationalist" Union government is least bothered about honouring such sons of the soil. Rather, the Chief Minister alleged that the incumbent Union government is giving a severe blow to the legacy of these martyrs by "muzzling the democracy" in the country. He said that these nationalists had laid down their lives for the sake of freedom and democracy in the country but unfortunately, the Union government is jeopardizing the democratic system through ordinances. Bhagwant Mann said that this is totally in contrast to the country envisioned by the great patriots during the struggle for freedom. The Chief Minister said that the supreme sacrifice made by legendary martyr Shaheed Udham Singh will always inspire the youth for selfless service to the nation adding that the countrymen are enjoying fruits of freedom due to the enormous sacrifices made by such legendary heroes. He said that Shaheed Udham Singh was a true son of soil, who had in a heroic act exhibited exemplary courage by killing Michael O Dwyer, the prime perpetrator of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Bhagwant Mann said that the unprecedented sacrifice made by this iconic martyr at the altar of national freedom struggle helped the country to overthrow the yoke of British Imperialism. The Chief Minister further said that Shaheed Udham Singh waited for 21 years to avenge the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh and thus laid the foundation of the freedom of the nation. Bhagwant Mann said that he bows his head in reverence to such great martyrs and patriots of India's freedom struggle, who displayed heroism and valour thereby making supreme sacrifices to for attaining freedom for the country. He said that the rich legacy of unprecedented sacrifices made by martyrs would act as a lighthouse to guide the destiny of our future generations. The Chief Minister said that his government will make strenuous efforts to bring back the personal belongings of Shaheed Udham Singh from London. He said that the state government will raise these issues at all the relevant platforms so as to bring back these belongings at the earliest. Bhagwant Mann said that even the things associated with Shaheed Bhagat Singh lying in Pakistan will also be brought back. (ANI) According to the police, the criminals attacked an officer with sickles, prompting retaliation. The incident took place at Guduvancheri, on the outskirts of Chennai, police informed further. Two history sheeters were shot dead this morning, at 3.30 am, after they attacked on-duty police personnel with sickles during a routine inspection of vehicles at Guduvancheri, on the outskirts of Chennai, an officer said. Further information is awaited. (ANI) Pilgrims who were going to pay obeisance at the cave raised 'Bam Bam Bhole' slogans. The pilgrims will take twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal to reach the Amarnath cave shrine. Meanwhile, the pilgrims who returned back to Srinagar after paying obeisance at the cave hailed Jammu and Kashmir administration for having made arrangements for their Yatra. Speaking to ANI, a devotee said, "The Pilgrimage to the Cave proved to be satisfactory. The government had made all the necessary arrangements. I want to thank the government and the jawans of the Indian Army". Officials said that the total number of devotees who undertook the pilgrimage this year's Amarnath Yatra surpassed last year's number. "A total of 9,150 devotees took darshan at the Amarnath Cave shrine on July 27, taking the cumulative figure of devotees to 369,288. This surpasses last year's total of 365,721 devotees taking the Yatra," they said. An official statement earlier informed that since the influx of pilgrims is swelling with every passing day, the government made sure that transportation facilities be provided from Jammu to base camps in Kashmir. The Amarnath Yatra-2023 has also witnessed a significant increase in the number of foreign pilgrims visiting the holy shrine. The pilgrimage's allure extends beyond national boundaries, drawing people from all over the world to partake in this spiritually enriching experience. Two California, USA citizens, a Ukrainian woman, a group of 35 Nepali citizens and 30 citizens from Malaysia are among the pilgrims who paid obeisance at the Holy Cave of Amarnath. The annual Amarnath Yatra began on July 1. The 62-day pilgrimage will culminate on August 31. (ANI) The raids are being conducted at multiple locations in South Kashmir's Pulwama district in connection with terror links and terror funding cases, sources said. More details are awaited. Earlier on July 11, NIA conducted searches at five locations in South Kashmir in a terror conspiracy case. Similarly, in May this year, the NIA also searched 13 locations in Budgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Srinagar, and Anantnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir in a case that relates to the hatching of a conspiracy by terror outfits through both physical and cyberspace. As per the NIA, which registered the case last year, proscribed terrorist organisations hatched plans to unleash violent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with sticky bombs, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)and small arms. The agency had earlier said that the plans were part of a larger conspiracy by these terrorist outfits to commit acts of terror and violence, in association with local youth and overground workers, to disturb the peace and communal disharmony in Jammu and Kashmir. NIA is a specialised law enforcement organisation that fights terrorism. Under a signed decree from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the agency has the authority to handle the investigation of terrorism-related offences across states without the need for special consent from states. (ANI) Bihar police have arrested a smuggler of fake currency wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), from Raxaul in Bihar's East Champaran district, officials said on Tuesday. The arrested smuggler, identified as Aslam Ansari alias Gulten, used to supply counterfeit currency in India and was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh in his name, they said. According to police, Ansari, a resident of Inarwa village of Birgunj in Nepal, was arrested from the Indo-Nepal border during a search operation launched by sleuths following inputs of his presence in the area on Monday. East Champaran, SP, Kantesh Kumar Mishra said a police team headed by Sadar ASP Raj along with three SHOs conducted the operation and arrested the accused. "We received information that Ansari was active again in the border area. A special police team was formed. The team arrested him from Raxaul. No seizure has been made from him yet. He is being interrogated to get more information about his illegal activities," said SP Kantesh Kumar Mishra. Ansari had been arrested by the NIA in 2019 in a counterfeit currency case, and after being released on bail, he went absconding. NIA has been informed about his arrest and soon a team will take his custody, added SP Kantesh Kumar Mishra. Ansari has connections in Pakistan, Dubai, Malaysia and Bangladesh. From Malaysia and Pakistan, Ansari used to send consignments of counterfeit notes to India via Nepal which is supplied to different parts of the country, said the officials. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur to remain present before it on August 7 while saying that there was an absolute breakdown of law and order and machinery of the State". A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the State government to prepare a statement setting out the date of occurrence, date of registration of zero FIR, date of registration of regular FIR, date on which witness statements have been recorded, date on which statements under section 164 CrPC have been recorded, and date of arrests made. The bench also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra said, The investigation is so lethargic. No arrests were made. Statements being recorded after such lapse of time. This gives the impression that there was no law and a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Maybe it is correct that arrest could not be made because police could not enter the locality but even then there was a complete breakdown of law and order. Supreme Court also asked the Solicitor General to take instructions on who will investigate. "We are not in a situation where the State Police carry out the investigation. So we will need a mechanism," said Supreme Court. SC said, "We are clear about the fact that entrusting CBI with the investigation of 6,500 FIRs is impossible. At the same time, State Police can't be entrusted." "The government shall prepare a statement setting out the date of occurrence, date of registration of zero FIR, date of registration of regular FIR, date on which witness statements have been recorded, date on which statements under section 164 CrPC have been recorded, and date of arrests made," SC said. Supreme Court recorded that the report which has been filed on behalf of Manipur states that 6496 FIRs have been registered as on July 25, 2023. SC noted that "The status report stated that as per official reports, 150 deaths took place, 502 were injured, 5,101 cases of arson and 6,523 FIRs were registered. 252 persons were arrested in FIRs and 1,247 persons were arrested for preventive measures. The status report states that 7 arrests have been made in connection with 11 FIRs." Attorney General for India R Venkataramani appearing for the government said there are incidents occurring in the border areas which are deeply disturbing. We need to take calibrated approach. Solicitor General appearing for the Manipur government told Supreme Court that so far as 11 FIRs relating to violence against women and children can go to CBI. Moreover, the Apex Court said that "There is a need to be a mechanism to bifurcate these 6500 FIRs because the CBI cannot be burdened with all 6500 otherwise it will result in the breakdown of the CBI mechanism also." "It needs to know in how many FIRs specific names of accused have been taken and if there are names in the FIRs, what steps have been taken to arrest them?" Court added. Supreme Court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that of the 6,000 FIRs, how many of them involve serious offences like bodily harm, destruction of property, religious places, home, murders, and rapes, their investigation will have to be taken in fast track means. "That is how you will send confidence. Because it's clear that for two months, the state police were not in charge. They may have made performative arrests but they were not in charge. Either they were incapable of doing it or uninterested," the court asked SG. CJI Chandrachud said that if the law and order machinery cannot protect the people, what happens to them? Solicitor General said we have transferred the case to CBI. When Supreme Court asks how many arrest Manipur police has made, the Solicitor General said 250 arrests have been made and 12,000 arrests as preventive measures. "Have any arrests been made of the police? Did the DGP care to find out in all these months? What has he done? It is his duty. Did they interrogate the police officers?" asked Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Supreme Court observed that one thing is very clear there has been a long delay in the registration of FIRs. Referring to an incident of a woman being dragged out of a car and her son being lynched to death in Manipur, Supreme Court said the incident happened on May 4 and FIR was registered on July 7. CJI Chandrachud observes that it appears except for 1-2 FIRs there is no arrest at all. The investigation is too lethargic, FIRs are registered after two months, and statements are not recorded. Solicitor General for the Manipur government said all officers in all police stations have been directed to be sensitive to sexual violence reported by women and children. In the car wash incident where tribal women working were allegedly raped and murdered, the Manipur government says an investigation is underway, 37 witnesses have been examined, and 14 other employees of the car wash are in the process of examination. Seven accused were arrested including one juvenile. FIR has been transferred to CBI for early booking of culprits, Solicitor General told Supreme Court. The apex court was hearing pleas of victims who were paraded naked and a batch of petitions relating to the ethnic violence which has been going on in the State since May. (ANI) Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. auto safety regulators have opened yet another investigation into safety problems with Tesla vehicles. This time the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into a dozen complaints about loss of steering control or loss of power steering in the 2023 Models 3 and Y electric vehicles. The probe covers an estimated 280,000 vehicles. Five drivers alleged in complaints they couldn't steer the vehicles at all. Seven more cited a loss of power steering that required increased steering effort. There was one report of a crash but no complaints of any injuries. The agency says in a document posted Tuesday on its website that loss of steering control can be accompanied by messages to drivers indicating that the power steering assist has been reduced or disabled. The document says investigators will look into how often the problem happens, manufacturing processes and the severity of the problem. The probe is at least the fifth started by the agency into Tesla vehicles in the past three years. Investigators are looking into Teslas that can crash into parked emergency vehicles while running on the Autopilot partially automated driving system, suspension failures, steering wheels that can fall off, and front seat belts that may not be connected properly. A message was left early Tuesday seeking comment from Tesla. Amit Shah tweeted, "My heartiest congratulations to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on the occasion of Aviation Security Culture Week. May the weeklong celebration leave them with a renewed commitment to making our aviation installations more secure and safe than ever before". The week-long celebration, scheduled from July 31 to August 5, aims to enhance the security and safety measures at aviation installations across the country. It is held for the first time in the country. All the stakeholders of Indian aviation are participating in the security culture week with the theme of See it, Say it, Secure it. With India's civil aviation sector rapidly expanding, strengthening security measures has become a top priority. The theme "See it, Say it, Secure it," not only involves BCAS but also encompasses all stakeholders within the civil aviation ecosystem. Aviation Security Culture Week serves as a timely reminder for all stakeholders to collaborate and strive for aviation safety excellence. (ANI) Rajasthan Police used water canon on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers who were protesting against the Ashok Gehlot-led Government in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The BJP workers held the protest over the alleged corruption, atrocities against women, crumbling law and order and unemployment in the state. Hitting out the Rajasthan government during the protest, Leader of the Opposition, Rajendra Rathore said that the Ashok Gehlot government protects rapists, corrupts and stays silent on atrocities of people. "Being the fourth pillar of democracy, the media must show the anger and emotions of the lakhs of people who have come here and the people of Rajasthan have decided to throw out the Ashok Gehlot government who protects rapists, corrupts and stays silent on atrocities of people," Rathore said. Earlier on Sunday, calling the current state government in Rajasthan the most corrupt, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhwat hit out at the Ashok Gehlot government over the issue of alleged corruption in the state. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Shekhwat said that the corruption in the Congress government is at its peak in the state. This is the most corrupt party in democratic Rajasthan. Corruption is so prevalent in the state that even a common man knows that corruption is at its peak... A cabinet minister in the presence of thousands says that our government is the most corrupt government in the history of Rajasthan. Such statements are made in the Vidhansabha as well, he said. Notably, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot sacked Rajendra Gudha as minister of state, hours after he criticised his own government over the crimes against women in the state. However, Shekhawat further said that the instability of the Rajasthan government has put the state in an odd situation. The way their MLAs have been rivals in the past shows their incompetency. The people of the state have got to know that this government is unable to function smoothly, the union minister added. (ANI) In order to ensure that incidents like Chamoli (electrocution incident) do not recur, a high-level meeting of all executive organizations working in the state was taken by Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi at the Secretariat on Tuesday on the instructions of the Chief Minister. In the meeting, suggestions were taken from all the working organizations to bring changes to this system. While discussing the safety standards with the executive bodies, ACS Radha Raturi gave strict instructions that there should be the highest standards for ensuring safety, and equipment should be used according to those standards. ACS Raturi gave strict instructions that even after the completion of the project or work, the safety standards should remain as per the prescribed norms. She instructed that apart from the labourers currently working, it is necessary to give proper training to the workers or personnel to be engaged in that building, project or machinery after completion of the work and to get the safety standards tested from time to time. The ACS said, "As soon as possible, clear separate arrangements for civil work and electrical work for executive institutions in the state, adherence to the highest level of standards for safety standards, training of labourers and personnel and testing of safety standards. While preparing a related new policy, a high-level decision will be taken to implement it in all executive institutions". Notably, on July 19, 15 people were electrocuted to death as they came in contact with a railing of an electrified bridge above the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, officials said. However, the death toll later reached 16. After the report of the magisterial inquiry into the electrocution mishap found that the electrical arrangement was done by the contract, but, the electrical safety did not conform to the standards, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said that action will be taken on the gross negligence. Dhami said that the culprits will not be spared at all as FIR has been registered and strict action is being taken by fixing the responsibilities. The report of the magisterial inquiry has been received on the accident at the STP plant in Chamoli. Action will be taken based on this. The culprits will not be spared at all. FIR has been registered. Strict action is being taken while fixing the responsibility, said CM Dhami. Giving information, District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana said, "It has been found that the electrical arrangement of the STP plant was done by the contract but, the electrical safety did not conform to the standards." Earlier, Uttarakhand Police arrested three persons, including Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan suspended engineer, for alleged negligence which led to the electrocution mishap. On July 20, an FIR was registered under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Act, 1983, against Chamola, supervisor of the joint-venture company, and other unidentified officials. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to hold meetings with groups of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs from Uttar Pradesh's Kashi and Awadh region on Wednesday ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The dignitaries of the Cluster-3 meeting will be Union Minister Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah and it will be hosted by Anupriya Patel and Mahendra Nath Pandey. Meanwhile, PM Modi will chair Cluster-4 meetings with the MPs from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Island, and Laskswadeep. The dignitaries of the meeting will be BJP chief JP Nadda and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The host minister will be Prahlad Joshi and V Muralidharan Pandey. Earlier on Monday, PM Modi held meetings with NDA MPs from West Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Braj region as part of BJPs preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and urged them to maximise their connections with people, inform them of government schemes, remain grounded and give priority to programmes that have an impact at the grassroots, sources said. The Prime Minister who chaired the meeting, called upon the MPs to plan programmes for upcoming festivals to increase their reach among people and try to establish direct connections with people. PM Modi in a meeting with NDA MPs from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand said that the journey of 25 years of the alliance has been unprecedented and the NDA intends to take it forward. "The journey of 25 years of NDA has been unprecedented, we have to take it forward. Whatever role NDA has played is unprecedented. Together we will ensure victory in 2024," Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quoted as saying by a source in the meeting. Prime Minister Modi emphasised winning in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls because, he said, the NDA government in nine years of power has done "unprecedented work in infrastructure development". "It has to be done because if we compare the works of 10 years of UPA Government and 9 years of our government, then we have done unprecedented work in infrastructure development and this work has reached every household, today people are taking advantage of it," PM Modi said. In the meeting PM Modi also asked all MPs to be "active" and "communicate directly" with the voters ahead of the 2024 polls. "...That's why all MPs have to be active. We have to communicate directly with the public and tell the achievements of the government," PM Modi said. The meeting which lasted for around 1:30 hours featured some presentations given by the NDA MPs. PM Modi held Cluster -1 meetings with groups of NDA MPs from West Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Brij region at Maharashtra Sadan today. BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, BL Santosh, Sunil Bansal, and Tarun Chug were present at the meeting. Soon after the meeting, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said, "This alliance is serving the nation for the past 25 years...PM chaired this meeting as NDA has completed 25 years." The meeting is likely to be held between July 31 and August 10 with NDA 48 MP from West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha meeting at the Parliament annexe building in the national capital. The BJP will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NDA, with the ruling alliance seeking to set the narrative for the 2024 poll battle. The BJP leadership has identified 160 relatively weak constituencies and the party is putting up extra efforts to turn around its prospects in those constituencies. With the opposition putting up a united front, the NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held a mega meeting on July 18. The BJP-led NDA has 38 parties under its fold. (ANI) The appointment of former Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer Ramsubhag Singh as the Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh has sparked political controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) presented a video during a press conference where Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had accused Ram Subhag Singh of corruption during the BJP regime a year ago. BJP has opened a front against the Sukhwinder Singh government for the extension of service to former Chief Secretary, Ram Subhag Singh and appointing him as Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister. BJP General Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, Trilok Kapoor on Tuesday showed a video of the CM Sukhu's past statement in the Assembly, where he had raised corruption allegations against the then Chief Secretary. Kapoor questioned the CM's decision to appoint the same person as his principal advisor now. Has Mr. Chief Minister Sukhu washed him Ganga Jal to end his corruption who was corrupt a year ago and he has said it on record in the Assembly and today he has appointed him as the Principal advisor to the Chief Minister. Our government forced him to resign as Chief Secretary after the corruption allegations even though those allegations were not proved but what the Congress government has done today. The Chief Minister should answer it as the people of the state want to know the facts on this. The Congress government is becoming corrupt and won't last," Kapoor said. He said that for BJP there is no need for any kind of operation Lotus as the lack of coordination will take them to an end. We dont need any kind of operation lotus as they allege on BJP and you can see their infighting and lack of coordination. The State Party chief and now MLA Kuldeep Rathore and many other people have started speaking against their own government; the ministers are giving contradictory statements. Whatever has happened in other states, the same will happen here, Kapoor said. Addressing the media in Shimla, he said that whatever they have promised in the name of transformation has not been fulfilled instead they have closed hundreds of Institutions in the state. We could not return to the government despite the development of a double engine government in the state. They have come to power just after misleading and deceiving the people but now they are not able to fulfill the promises made to the people. They talked about transformation and has closed over 950 institutes siting the bad financial position of the state but on the other hand they have appointed 6 CPS and over 11 advisors and OSD, I want to ask will it not put an additional burden on the people of state and on the state exchequer, said Trilok Kapoor. (ANI) According to a new study from Sweden's Lund University, the dry summer of 2018 had a severe impact on Swedish woods, particularly managed secondary forests. Northern boreal forest ecosystems are predicted to experience more frequent summer droughts in the future. The majority of Swedish forest are secondary forests that are managed commercial forests with little diversity in species and structure. Only a small part is made up of primary forests that have experienced limited direct human impact. So far, it has not been known how primary forests and managed secondary forests react to drought. In a new study published in the scientific journal Environmental Research Letters, a team of researchers led from Lund, analysed how the drought of 2018 affected the forest types. We used a unique map of primary forests in Sweden and investigated whether there might be any difference in how these forests and neighbouring secondary forests were affected by the drought in 2018. The results showed that secondary forests in Sweden were more affected by the drought than primary forests were, says Anders Ahlstrm, a researcher in physical geography at Lund University. In the study, researchers used satellite images and a map detailing more than 300 primary forests in Sweden. By analysing a high-resolution vegetation index over these and the buffer zones surrounding the primary forests, which represent secondary forests with a similar environment and drought situation in summer 2018, the research team were able to gain a picture of how the dry summer hit the different forest types. That primary forests were less affected by drought leads to a number of interesting follow-up questions about what causes this difference. It could be the trees generally greater age and size that perhaps leads to deeper roots and more structural diversity. Or it could be that there is more water in these ecosystems, perhaps because they havent been ditched. Right now though, we have no idea what makes primary forests more stable during drought, says Julika Wolf, former physical geography researcher, now a consultant on cartography and spatial analysis. Primary forests are rare in Sweden and in Europe. They represent the most untouched forests we have left, and they inform us of how nature looks and how it functions without major direct human impact. The forests, therefore, are especially important in understanding how environmental changes and human land use affect ecosystems and their processes. This study is a good example of how we can use these primary forests in our research. In this case, we see that they are more stable during drought when compared with secondary forests that have been exposed to change such as felling, planting, ground preparation and ditching, concludes Anders Ahlstrm. (ANI) A parliamentary delegation from Malawi called on President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Welcoming the delegation to the national capital, the President said that both India and Malawi share cordial relations and there is immense scope for adding greater depth to the ties between the two nations. "Welcoming the delegation, the President said that India and Malawi share long-standing cordial and friendly relations, and there is immense scope for adding greater depth to our ties," the MEA release said. "She stated that our common faith in democratic values and pluralism makes India and Malawi natural partners," it added. Malawi's parliamentary delegation was led by the country's National Assembly Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara. During the talks with the delegation, President Murmu noted that India has been one of the largest trade and private investment partners of Malawi, and is also a preferred destination of Malawian nationals for health and education. "She was happy to note that India has a strong development partnership programme with Malawi and a number of projects have been implemented in Malawi in the areas such as infrastructure, health, water resources, capacity building and education," the MEA release said. Earlier on Monday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed the Malawi delegation in Parliament and said such bilateral parliamentary dialogue will strengthen India's multifaceted cooperation with the African country. Observing that India and Malawi enjoy cordial and friendly relations, Birla recalled that bilateral relations between the two countries have taken a new direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malawi President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. Lauding the peaceful transfer of power following the June 2020 presidential elections in Malawi, the Speaker hoped that it would strengthen constitutional bodies within Malawi. The Speaker also noted that the twoParliaments represent the expectations and aspirations of their citizens, and mentioned that realizing the expectations of a new India, India has constructed a new building of itsParliament. Assuring India's support for Malawi's economic development, Birla stressed the need to encourage trade in agricultural products, especially cotton products. (ANI) Following the recent Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, the United States has said that it is up to Kyiv to decide how to conduct this war. During a regular briefing on Monday (local time), US State Department official spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "First of all...I am not sure that I would agree with that interpretation of what 'symbolic centres' mean. I will say we neither encourage nor enable strikes outside Ukraine's borders...but as we have said many times it is up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war." He responded to a media query regarding Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy's recent statement in which he said that the war is "returning to symbolic centres" now. The reporter raised a question on whether the US administration supports that stand specifically with regard to "symbolic centres, which appears to mean civilian targets." Responding to the query on the same, Miller said, "And when it comes to strikes... as you raised on civilian centres, it has been Ukrainian, civilian infrastructures that have been targeted over and over." "Ukrainian civilians have been murdered in this war. Schools, hospitals, apartment buildings...I could go on down the list," he added. Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyon Sunday warned that the war is "gradually returning" to Russia, adding that it is an "inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process." He stressed thatUkraineis "getting stronger." Zelenskyy's remarks come after Russia brought down three Ukrainian drones. According to the statement released by theUkrainePresident's office, Zelenskyy said, "Russian aggression has gone bankrupt on the battlefield. Today is the 522nd day of the so-called "special military operation," which the Russian leadership expected to last for a week or two.Ukraineis getting stronger." "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia - to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," he added. Ukrainian drones attackedRussia's capital Moscow on Sunday morning, leaving one person injured, TASS News Agency reported citing the emergency services. "A security guard was injured in a Oko-2 building as a result of the blast. Glazing from the first to the forth floor were shattered as a result of a drone attack," a source told TASS. Regarding the incident that took place, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said the city was attacked by Ukrainian drones. Russia also said it had brought down three Ukrainian drones that were attempting to attack Moscow. It is the second reported attack in Moscow in a week. "Tonight there was a Ukrainian drone attack. The facades of two office buildings in Moscow City were slightly damaged. There are no casualties," he wrote on his Telegram channel, according to TASS News Agency. (ANI) The United States on Monday (local time) said that it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on North Korea and Russia when necessary as they have already done it in the past a number of times. The US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller's remarks came in response to a question about the Russian defence minister's recent trip to Pyongyang. "I am not going to speak in any more detail but will say that we have imposed a number of sanctions on North Korea in the past for various activities. We have also imposed sanctions on a no of entities and individuals around the world for assisting Russia in its war effort. We would not hesitate to do so in the future," Matthew Miller said during a regular State Dept briefing on Monday (local time). Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea last week for celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War, which is known as Victory Day there. Matthew Miller also emphasised that the close ties between Pyongyang and Moscow have "not exactly been productive" for the world's security. He said, "Obviously, there has been a close relationship between those two countries for a while...when that's not exactly been productive to increasing the security of the world, I wouldn't expect that to change as a result of this meeting." "I would certainly say that it did not appear that Defence Minister Shoigu was in Russia for vacation," the State Dept spokesperson, Miller said on the Russian Defence Minister's Pyongyang visit. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday last week for a three-day visit to attend commemorative events marking one of the North's key anniversaries on July 27, which the North refers to as Victory Day, Yonhap reported. Despite maintaining strict border restrictions since 2020 to contain the pandemic, the reclusive state has invited delegations from China andRussia, which share strong ties with the North, in a rare invitation of official foreign guests since the COVID-19 breakout. North Koreahas been strengthening its ties withRussiadespite international condemnation of Moscow's war with Ukraine, amid allegations thatPyongyanghas provided arms to Moscow for use in the war, Yonhap reported. During Shoigu's visit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un introduced weapons the North has produced under its national defence development plan and shared his views on the "worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy" and the security agenda facing the two countries. (ANI) The death toll has risen to six in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih attack that also left at least 75 injured, Al Jazeera reported citing the officials. The city of Kryvyi Rih witnessed a Russian attack on Monday that resulted in widespread damage. The search and rescue efforts in the area, according to Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to the Ukrainian minister of internal affairs, have come to an end. He shared images of a woman and her 10-year-old daughter who perished in the attack on the social media site X. Igor Klymenko, the minister of the interior of Ukraine, also verified the death toll on Telegram, according to Al Jazeera. "Mom and daughter killed by a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih today. RIP. Search and rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih is finished - head of National Police. 6 people died and 75 wounded by the missile strike," Gerashchenko tweeted. https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1686052240669147136?s=20 As per CNN, a rescue team comprising 230 people and 57 vehicles are involved in the search and rescue for people from the two buildings damaged in the attack. And they rescued three people, including a child born in 2013, from the rubble, while 30 people were helped out of what remained of the structures. Russialaunched a pair of missiles at the central Ukrainian city ofKryvyi Rih,Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said adding thata four-story school building was struck and parts of the fourth through ninth floors of a nearby residential tower were destroyed. Zelenskyy said the strike inKryvyi Rihwas part of aRussian bombardment in which "the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centres, shelling civilian objects and housing.But this terror will not frighten us or break us. We are working and saving our people, he added. After the attack, theRussian Defense Minister, separately, said that they have intensified attacks onUkrainein response to drone strikes on his countrys territory, including those in Moscow on Sunday, according to CNN. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, "The intensity of attacks on Ukrainian military facilities, including those supporting these terrorist attacks, has been increased several times." (ANI) Photo: The Canadian Press Donald Trump was charged Tuesday in a Justice Department investigation into his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, a frantic but ultimately failed endeavor that culminated in the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. The indictment, the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024, follows a long-running federal investigation into schemes by Trump and his allies to subvert the peaceful transfer of power and keep him in office despite a decisive loss to Joe Biden. The criminal case comes while Trump leads the field of Republicans vying to capture their partys presidential nomination. It is sure to be dismissed by the former president and his supporters and even some of his rivals as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the charges stem from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history. They focus on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured former Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. The indictment had been expected since Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department informed him he was a target of its long-running Jan. 6 investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding. The mounting criminal cases against Trump not to mention multiple civil cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president. In New York, state prosecutors have charged Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial begins in late March. In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts against Trump accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from the government. The trial begins in late May. The latest federal indictment against Trump focuses heavily on actions taken in Washington, and the trial will be held there, in a courthouse located between the White House he once occupied and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. No trial date has been set. Prosecutors in Georgia are investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there in 2020. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce a decision on whether to indict the former president in early August. The investigation of Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election was led by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. His team of prosecutors has questioned senior Trump administration officials before a grand jury in Washington, including Pence and top lawyers from the Trump White House. Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors as part of a proffer agreement, in which a persons statements cant be used against them in any future criminal case that is brought. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and elsewhere who came under pressure from Trump and his associates to change voting results in states won by Biden, a Democrat. Focal points of the Justice Departments election meddling investigation included the role played by some of Trumps lawyers, post-election fundraising, a chaotic December 2020 meeting at the White House in which some Trump aides discussed the possibility of seizing voting machines and the enlistment of fake electors to submit certificates to the National Archives and Congress falsely asserting that Trump, not Biden, had won their states votes. Trump has been trying to use the mounting legal troubles to his political advantage, claiming without evidence on social media and at public events that the cases are being driven by Democratic prosecutors out to hurt his 2024 election campaign. The indictments have helped his campaign raise millions of dollars from supporters, though he raised less after the second than the first, raising questions about whether subsequent charges will have the same impact. A fundraising committee backing Trumps candidacy began soliciting contributions just hours after the ex-president revealed he was the focus of the Justice Departments Jan. 6 investigation, casting it as just another vicious act of Election Interference on behalf of the Deep State to try and stop the Silent Majority from having a voice in your own country. Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Departments public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the 2020 election and Trumps retention of hundreds of classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as deranged and suggested that he is politically motivated, Smiths past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats. The Justice Departments investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election began well before Smiths appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the Jan. 6 rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy. The Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for the Bajaur suicide blast in Pakistan that killed 54 people, including 23 children, according to Al Jazeera. The bombing targeted an election rally in Pakistan's border district of Bajaur on Sunday in which nearly 200 people were wounded. A suicide attacker from the Islamic State [ISIL] detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd in the town of Khar, the armed groups news arm Amaq said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera. A bomber detonated an explosives-packed vest near the platform as some 400 members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party, a significant government coalition partner led by hardline politician Fazlur Rehman, awaited the start of the speeches. The gathering was hosted near a market beneath a huge tent, but Rehman chose not to go. Rehman has previously escaped at least two explosions that occurred at political rallies in 2011 and 2014, Al Jazeera reported. Police took testimony from some of the injured on Monday at a hospital in Khar, the biggest town in Bajaur. The provincial minister of information, Feroz Jamal, stated that police were "investigating this attack in all aspects." A First Information Report on the blast was filed with theCounter Terrorism Department on Mondayas theinitial investigation, according to the police, indicated that the terrorist groupISISwas responsible for the suicide attack. The suicide bomber detonated explosives whenJUI-Fmembers and supporters gathered in the town of Khar, near the border with Afghanistan. The convention started at 2 pm, and the explosion happened at 4:10 pm, according to the official.The FIR has been filed by the KP CTD against unidentified persons on suspicion of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and other offences, as per Geo News. According to Shokat Abbas, additional inspector general for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), nearly 1012 kg of explosives were used in the blast. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of theJUI-F, asked that Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, and Azam Khan, the interim chief minister of KP, look into the incident, Geo News reported. The United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia have condemned the terror attack and have sent their condolences to the impacted families. Since last year, when a truce betweenTehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) and Islamabad collapsed, attacks by extremists have increased in Pakistan. More than 100 people were killed earlier this year in a Peshawar mosque blast, reported Geo News. According to a recent UN Security Council report, the TTP may be looking to unite with Al Qaeda to form a single entity that would house all militant organisations active in South Asia. Although cross-border militancy persists, Pakistan has long held Afghanistan responsible for failing to uphold its promise to ensure that its soil was not utilised for terrorism in Islamabad. (ANI) The Taliban-appointed acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a meeting with US officials in Doha stressed the need for the removal of sanctions, said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, TOLO News reported. TOLO News is an Afghan news channel broadcasting from Kabul. Mujahid told TOLO News that Muttaqi also urged the US not to create obstacles for Afghanistans economic development. He said, The obstacles should not be created ahead of Afghanistans development. The sanctions on the banks should be removed and the Afghans should be allowed to take actions that improve the country. There was discussion with the Qatari side as well. Muttaqi on Saturday left Kabul for Qatar to meet with the US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West and the US special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights Rina Amiri. The Taliban-appointed spokesman for Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, said on Twitter the delegation, which was led by Muttaqi and comprised of representatives from Da Afghanistan Bank and Finance Ministry as well as officials from the Afghan embassy in Doha, met with the US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West and his 15-member delegation in Doha over the past two days, reported TOLO News. Balkhi added that the issues of trust-building and practical actions in this regard, blacklists and the removal of sanctions, the release of Afghan assets, continuance of economic stability of Afghanistan, counter-narcotics and human rights were discussed. (ANI) In the courtyards of the Golden Temple in the ancient Patan Durbar Square of Nepal, around half a dozen artists are renovating an eight-centuries-old Buddhist manuscript with gold. The 800 years old Pragya Paramita Buddhist scripture is being renovated by artists by reinstating the faded words and rewriting those damaged over the course of time. All the scripts in this holy manuscript are in the Ranjana script (the oldest form of Newa: scripture) and are written with gold. Believed to have been first inscribed during Abhaya Mallas regime before the unification of modern Nepal, the scripture is believed to have been prepared by Ananda Bhichhu (monk). Kept in the Golden Temple at other times and recited on a daily basis, the Pursottam Maas (also called Mala Maas) gives a break to daily recitation when the artists gather together to renovate the ancient manuscript. The artist involved in the renovation of the antique Buddhist manuscript, Hem Ratna Bajracharya told ANI, Currently we are renovating the Pragya Paramita written with gold. It is read out on a daily basis which has caused the gold to fade out and tear off. We are renovating it." The word Pragya means intellect and Paramita means wholeness thus making the meaning intellectual wholeness. It is followed and read in those countries which follow Mahayana Buddhism which aims to secure enlightenment. In this golden word manuscript, the eight thousand verses delivered by Gautam Buddha to one thousand three hundred and fifty disciples are recorded. It is believed that Buddha delivered those verses some 2500 years before. Following the ancient tradition of renovating it during the month of Mala Maas- Purusottam Maas. It has been followed since the past because for a month no religious functions are performed- based on this folklore, we have been renovating it. It is my tenth renovation, previously it used to be done by our father and forefathers and we have been following it since then, Bajracharya said. The month which does not have Surya Sakranti is called Mala Maas or Purusottam Maas which means there is no solstice of the Sun between one Aunsi Amavasya to another Amavasya. Sankranti means the entry of the Sun from one zodiac to another. Purusottam Maas comes with a difference of 32 months, 16 days and 6 hours. It is another fact that the solar year is of 365 days and about six minutes and the lunar year is of 354 days. Thus, there is an interval of 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes and 12 seconds in both solar and lunar years. As this difference widens every year, it goes from three years to one month which is called Mala Maas. This Buddhist manuscript in case of tearing or permanent damage beyond repair is rewritten on a special Lokta commonly known as Nepali Kagaj and locally known as Nilpatra which is made from the fibres of a plant called Daphne Papyracea- only found in Nepal. The paper is dyed in very dark blue ink which on drying almost appears black with has the special ability of being strong and retaining the special gold ink used to write the text very well. The artists work every morning for about three hours and 30 minutes on a daily basis to renovate the manuscript for a month. The gold is converted into fine dust which is mixed with boiled flaxseed. Bajracharya said, In the Newari language we call it Cholo the fine-dusted form of gold which is in the form of a sheet and is highly dissolvable in water and a special glue using the flaxseed is mixed in proportionate ratio to make the ink. If there is a variation in ratio then the writing becomes tougher as the gold is heavy and doesnt spread." "In case of disproportionate ratio, the gold would form a lump and writing get stalled. Thats why specially trained persons are involved in the preparation of ink," he added. (ANI) In a flare-up of violence that has left at least 11 people dead since it started, rival factions engaged in fighting in a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon for a third consecutive day on Monday, the New York Times reported. According to Lebanese state media and a commander for the Fatah division, another Palestinian gang killed a senior of the Fatah faction and four of his bodyguards on Saturday, sparking violence in Ein al-Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. The political group, Fatah, is in charge of the Palestinian Authority, which is in charge of running some of the occupied West Bank. The Fatah commander, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that his side was attempting to encircle the Jund al-Sham organisation, which he identified as being responsible for the attack on Saturday. An Islamist organisation called Jund al-Sham and Fatah had previously engaged in combat in Ein al-Hilweh, according to the New York Times. The clashes are expanding, said Riad Abo Elaynein, an administrator at a private hospital near the camp, adding, The sounds of shelling are still being heard from inside the camp. In an effort to advance towards Palestinian national unity, opposing Palestinian organisations such as Fatah and Hamas met in Egypt for reconciliation talks at the same time as fighting broke out. Since Hamas, the Islamist organisation that governs the Gaza Strip, won an election there and took over the coastal enclave from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, according to the New York Times, the Palestinian political establishment has been gravely shattered. The Ein al-Hilweh camp is home to more than 63,000 people living in a small area of densely packed buildings, most of them Palestinians and their descendants who were forced to flee their homes in 1948 when the state of Israel was established, according to the United Nations. Clashes in the camp, which is under the administration of Palestinian groups, are not uncommon. In 2017, following the dissolution of a joint security force in the camp that was aimed at preventing clashes between rival factions and cracking down on extremists, intermittent fighting over several months broke out between Fatah and Islamist groups, according to the United Nations. The fighting then left nearly 20 people dead and dozens injured, New York Times reported. The regular Lebanese army forces rarely enter the camp, which is surrounded by a wall, according to the United Nations. Lebanons army is just one of many armed forces in the country, which include Shiite groups like Hezbollah that control large parts of the south and northeast. In addition, there are Palestinian factions that hold sway inside the various refugee camps around the country. We support what the Lebanese government is doing to impose law and order and we affirm our keenness on Lebanons sovereignty, including Palestinian refugee camps, and maintaining security and law, the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, said in a statement. The clashes in the camp, which involved heavy weaponry including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades threatened to spill over outside the walls of the camp to the coastal city of Sidon, south of Beirut on the Mediterranean, the New York Times reported. The UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said the death toll rose to 11 on Monday, with 40 having been injured and some 2,000 residents fled their homes. A government hospital on the outskirts of the camp was evacuated and its patients were either sent home or to other hospitals, the Lebanese health ministry said. Palestinian factions in the camp have been meeting to discuss a cease-fire. Abbas and Fatah condemned the killing on Sunday saying it undermined the stability of the camp. He called it a terrorist assassination of Palestinian Authority security forces who were working to keep the camp safe. The refugee agency opened schools to accommodate those fleeing the fighting, and ambulances were waiting at the camp entrance to treat and transport the wounded, New York Times reported. Several Lebanese soldiers were injured after an artillery shell from the camp landed inside a military base and other army and observation posts came under fire, according to the Lebanese army. The Army Command warns of the consequences of exposing military posts and their personnel to danger, whatever the reasons, and stresses that the Army will respond to the sources of fire in kind, the army said in a statement. This news was penned down by Raja Abdulrahim. He is a Middle East correspondent based in Jerusalem covering the Levant. (ANI) Both sides in the Sudanese conflict have been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, according to a collection of Sudanese rights and professional organisations. The group has demanded an inquiry by the International Criminal Court in a letter sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to Voice of America (VOA). Both the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are charged with violating human rights against civilians in Sudan's Darfur area and elsewhere more than 30 rights organisations and professional bodies in the country. In a joint statement issued Saturday, the rights groups demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged violations and for the referral of the matter to the International Criminal Court through the United Nations Security Council, VOA reported. Nafisa Hajar, the deputy chairman of the Darfur Bar Association, told VOA that her organisation has evidence of a number of attacks and breaches, including mass executions, ethnic cleansing, and forced evictions, which she claimed would constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. She said, given that the judicial system of Sudan is now paralyzed due to the ongoing war, the international community should take action to bring the perpetrators to a court of law, VOA reported. Hajar said right now there are continued airstrikes on civilian buildings, civilians are forcefully displaced from their homes, and women are being systematically raped. All these atrocities, she said, should be counted as war crimes. On July 13, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, announced the opening of a new investigation regarding allegations of war crimes in the context of the war in Sudan, especially in the city of El Geneina in West Darfur state. Hajar said the motive behind the filed petition is to help the victims and to prevent the continued impunity of the alleged perpetrators, VOA reported. She said both the army and the RSF deserve to be investigated. Hajar said at the moment there are serious violations of all treaties and agreements that call for the protection of civilians. She said the rights of Sudanese civilians are now being violated by both warring parties. Sudanese lawyer Abdul Basit Al Haj criticized the Sudan Armed Forces for failing to protect civilians in El Geneina during RSF attacks in the city and elsewhere in Sudan, VOA reported. Speaking to VOA, Al Haj said the RSF has been attacking hospitals, occupying them, targeting doctors in Khartoum, and committing genocide and ethnic cleansing of non-Arab groups, specifically the Masalit ethnic group in West Darfur state. They are occupying civilians houses, he said. They occupy hospitals, schools, universities, and destroy all these buildings. ... According to the definition of war crimes, these are war crimes or crimes against humanity. Sudan Army spokesperson Nabeel Abdallah distanced the military from these atrocities, saying all were committed by the RSF. They took over the homes of citizens in Khartoum by force and turned them into military barracks," Abdallah told VOA. VOA reached out to the RSF commander's special adviser for foreign affairs, Ibrahim Mukhayer, for a comment, but received no immediate reply. War broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15. The conflict has since forced some 3.5 million people to flee their homes, including 844,000 who have gone to neighbouring countries in search of safety, according to the United Nations. (ANI) A United Nations-led mission is set to off-load a decaying supertanker carrying a million barrels of oil, anchored five miles off the coast of Yemen for more than 30 years, hoping to avert one of the worlds worst potential ecological disasters in decades, CNN reported. Experts are delicately handling the 47-year-old vessel, called the FSO Safer, working to remove the crude without the tanker falling apart, the oil exploding, or a massive spill taking place, CNN reported. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen David Gressly said that the operation, which is expected to cost USD 141 million, is utilising the skills of SMIT, the dredging and offshore contractor who assisted in removing the Ever Given ship, which blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week in 2021. The mission is funded by 23 UN member nations, with an additional USD 16 million coming from private-sector donors. The largest private corporation in Yemen, HSA Group, is one of the donors and contributed USD 1.2 million in August 2022. According to Gressly, the UN also participated in an innovative crowdfunding initiative, contributing to the fund that was raised over the course of a year. The Nautica is a replacement oil tanker for the decaying FSO Safer.The team is pumping between 4,000 and 5,000 barrels of oil every hour, and has so far transferred more than 120,000 barrels to the replacement vessel carrying the offloaded oil, Gressly said. The full transfer is expected to take 19 days, CNN reported. The tanker was carrying a million barrels of oil. That would be enough to power up to 83,333 cars or 50,000 US homes for an entire year. The crude on board is worth around USD 80 million. However, who gets the oil remains a controversial matter, CNN reported. The ship has been abandoned in the Red Sea since 2015 and the UN has regularly warned that the ticking time bomb could break apart given its age and condition, or the oil it holds could explode due to the highly flammable compounds in it. The FSO Safer held four times the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez off Alaska in 1989 which resulted in a slick that covered 1,300 miles of coastline. A potential spill from this vessel would be enough to make it the fifth largest oil spill from a tanker in history, a UN website said. The cost of cleanup of such an incident is estimated at USD 20 billion, CNN reported. The Red Sea is a vital strategic waterway for global trade. At its southern end lies the Bab el-Mandeb strait, where nearly 9 per cent of total seaborne-traded petroleum passes. And at its north is the Suez Canal that separates Africa from Asia. The majority of petroleum and natural gas exports from the Persian Gulf that transit the Suez Canal pass through the Bab el-Mandeb, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The sea is also a popular diving hotspot that boasts an impressive underwater ecosystem. In places, its banks are dotted with tourist resorts, and its eastern shore is the site of ambitious Saudi development projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The first step of the mission was to stabilize and secure the vessel to avoid it collapsing, Gressly said. That has already been achieved in the past few weeks, CNN reported. There are a number of things that had to be done to secure the oil from exploding, Gressly told CNN, including pumping out gases in each of the 13 compartments holding the oil. Systems for pumping were rebuilt, and some lighting was repaired. Booms, which are temporary floating barriers used to contain marine spills, were dispersed around the vessel to capture any potential leaks. The second step is to transfer the oil onto the replacement vessel, which is now underway, CNN reported. After The Safer is emptied, it must then be cleaned to ensure no oil residue is left, Gressly said. The team will then attach a giant buoy to the replacement vessel until a decision about what to do with the oil has been made. The transfer of the oil to (the replacement vessel) will prevent the worst-case scenario of a catastrophic spill in the Red Sea, but it is not the end of the operation, Gressly said. While the hardest part of the operation would then be over, a spill could still occur. And even after the transfer, the tanker will continue to pose an environmental threat resulting from the sticky oil residue inside the tank, especially since the tanker remains vulnerable to collapse, the UN said, stressing that to finish the job, an extra USD 22 million is urgently needed. If a spill occurs, it would shut down Yemeni ports that its people rely on for food aid and fuel, impacting 17 million people during an ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the countrys civil war and a Saudi-led military assault on the country. Oil could bleed all the way to the African coast, damaging fish stocks for 25 years and affecting up to 200,000 jobs, according to the UN. A potential spill would cause catastrophic public health ramifications in Yemen and surrounding countries, according to a study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine. Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Eritrea would bear the brunt, CNN reported. Air pollution from a spill of this magnitude would increase the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular or respiratory disease for those very directly exposed by 530 per cent, according to the study, which said it could cause an array of other health problems, from psychiatric to neurological issues. Given the scarcity of water and food in this region, it could be one of the most disastrous oil spills ever known in terms of impacts on human life, David Rehkopf, a professor at Stanford University and senior author of the study, told CNN. Up to 10 million people would struggle to obtain clean water, and 8 million would have their access to food supplies threatened. The Red Sea fisheries in Yemen could be almost completely wiped out, Rehkopf added. The tanker has been an issue for many people in Yemen over the past few years, Gressly said. Sentiment on social media surrounding the removal of oil is very positive, as many in Yemen feel like the tanker is a threat thats been over their heads, he said. However, who gets to keep the oil is a question hanging all along. The tanker issue remains a point of dispute between the Houthi rebels that control the north of Yemen and the internationally recognized government, the two main warring sides in the countrys civil conflict. While the war, which saw hundreds of thousands of people killed or injured, and Yemen left in ruins is far from resolved. Ahmed Nagi, a senior analyst for Yemen at the International Crisis Group think tank in Brussels told CNN, "The government sees the Houthi militias as an illegitimate group controlling the tanker, and the Houthis do not recognize (the government)." The vessel was abandoned after theoutbreak of the Yemeni civil warin 2015. The majority of the oil is owned by Yemeni state firm Safer Exploration & Production Operations Company (SEPOC), experts say, and there are some reports that it may be sold. From a technical point of view, the owner of the tanker and the oil inside it is SEPOC, Nagi said, adding that other energy companies working in Yemen may also share ownership of the oil. The main issue, Nagi added, is that the Safers headquarters are in the government-controlled Marib city, while the tanker is in an area controlled by the Houthis. The Safer is moored off the coast of the western Hodeidah province. Discussions to determine the ownership of the oil are underway, Gressly said. The rights to the oil are unclear and there are legal issues that need to be addressed. The UN coordinator hopes that the days needed to offload the oil will buy some time for political and legal discussions that need to take place before the oil can be sold. While the UN may manage to resolve half of the issue, Nagi said, there still needs to be an understanding of the oils status. It still poses a danger if we keep it near a conflict zone, he said. (ANI) UNESCO has recommended delaying a decision to place the Great Barrier Reef on a list of "in danger" World Heritage sites, but has emphasised it remains under "serious threat" from climate change and pollution, ABC News reported. ABC News is a public news service produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Australian governments management of the reef was set to come under the microscope at an upcoming World Heritage Committee meeting where members were expected to vote on whether the reef should be labelled as "in danger". However, UNESCO in a report released overnight, recommended delaying that crucial decision for at least another year. Its draft recommendation said the Australian government had taken positive steps to protect the reef in the past 12 months. But UNESCO said "urgent and sustained action" was still needed to improve the long-term resilience of the world's biggest coral ecosystem. The UN agency, whichoversees World Heritage sites, had been considering whether the reef should be placed on its "In Danger" list. The World Heritage In Danger list is used to highlight places that are under threat of losing the unique qualities that earned them World Heritage status in the first place. Once a site enters the list, it can be stripped of its World Heritage status entirely, according to ABC News. UNESCOs recent announcement follows years of back and forth about the reef's future as a World Heritage site. The UN body, in 2021, released a draft decision saying the reef should be added to its "In Danger" list. The Morrison government lobbied against that recommendation and it was not upheld. The organisation, instead, sent a mission to visit the Great Barrier Reef and assess its health in 2022, and those scientists also concluded that the reef should go on the "In Danger" list, as per ABC News. (ANI) Sonko, a prominent member of the opposition, was detained on Friday and is charged with seven offences including criminal conspiracy and preparing an uprising, the decision to shut off the internet services was made. Supporters of the PASTEF party, which Sonko will represent as a candidate in the February 2024 presidential elections, are outraged that his conviction could prevent him from running, RT reported. Violence erupted in Senegals capital, Dakar, and elsewhere in the country last month after Sonko, 49, was sentenced to two years in prison on a separate charge of corrupting the youth. Despite the sentence, however, Sonko had not yet been transferred to jail. Nine people were killed in the ensuing unrest, prompting authorities to impose a blanket ban on the use of several social media platforms, RT reported. Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome announced at the time that sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter had been suspended because demonstrators were using them to incite violence. Full access to mobile internet across the country was restored after a two-day blackout, RT reported. In a statement on Monday, Senegal's Communications Ministry explained that the move is in response to the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages relayed on social networks. Communications Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam directed mobile network operators on Monday to comply with the orders. (ANI) Iran's Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian during his speech at the extraordinary foreign ministerial meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held via video conference on Monday said that disrespecting religious sanctities is tantamount to a crime, Iranian News Agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. He regretted that some individuals denigrate ideas and principles while claiming to defend freedom of expression. We firmly believe that preventing any repetition of insults to religions, including Islam, is in the best interest of everyone, the Iranian foreign minister said. According to IRNA, he emphasised that the recent tragic events in Sweden and Denmark require the Islamic world as a whole to exert pressure on the governments of Europe to immediately put an end to such provocative actions, hold the perpetrators accountable, and punish them in accordance with the law. A wave of demonstrations has seen protesters in both Denmark and Sweden burn copies of the Quran outside the embassies of Muslim nations in recent days. The protests have been sparsely attended. Amirabdollahian also proposed dispatching an OIC delegation to Sweden and Denmark to meet with their respective authorities to express the deep concern and sensitivity of Islamic governments and the Muslim community regarding the recent offensive actions and demand "severe punishment" for those engaged in hate-mongering and anti-Islam activities. The Iranian foreign minister urged theOIC's jurisprudential agency and legal armto urgently address the crucial issue with the aim of devising strategies to criminalize such sacrilegious acts at national, regional, and international levels both in real and virtual space. He emphasized that the Islamic governments and the Muslim community, in case of any repetition of such moves in any of those countries, will undoubtedly have no option other than reducing the level of diplomatic relations or even severing diplomatic ties and imposing sanctions against the country in question, IRNA reported. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an emergency meeting with the participation of foreign ministers from member countries to address recent acts of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark. Hissein Brahim Taha, the secretary-general of the OIC, expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Iran for convening the emergency meeting on Monday to collectively address the incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran, IRNA reported. Addressing the virtual conference, Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister, voiced strong condemnation of the incidents. In recent years, certain European countries, particularly in Scandinavia, have witnessed instances of desecration and disrespect towards Muslim sanctities, often with the approval of authorities. (ANI) The two discussed ways to deepen bilateral trade and cooperation, as well as regional threats posed by Iran. Economic success is anchored in trade and investments, Hichilema said. That is why I want to explore the opportunities within the relationship between us, in light of the tremendous experience that Israel has in the field of technology in agriculture, health and water and more. Hichilema noted that he completed his undergraduate studies at a school in Zambia built by Israel, saying, This is just one example of our ongoing relationship over the years. The day before, the foreign ministers of the two countriessigned cooperation agreementsin Jerusalem to strengthen ties in the spheres of medicine, communications, agriculture and culture. The expanding ties are taking place in the context of Israels push to expand the Abraham Accords and counter Iranian influence in Africa. In recent days, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and his counterpart from the Ivory Coast, Kandia Camara, signed framework deals in the fields of agriculture, water and technology. Cohen led a business delegation to the Israel-Ivory Coast Economic Forum in the West African nation. Cohen also met with Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in Accra, in a bid to strengthen Israels position within the African Union. (ANI/TPS) The Emmie, a gluten-free baked custard made with oats and sesame seeds, at Loba Pastry + Coffee on July 27, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) After a nearly two-year hiatus, Loba Pastry + Coffee reopened earlier this summer at its new West Lakeview location. Originally housed for six years on North Lincoln Avenue, after making it through the pandemic, owner Valeria Socorro Velazquez Lindsten decided to upgrade the facility by taking over a retail space about two blocks north of the original location. Loba can now be found next to the Addison Brown Line stop at 1800 W. Addison St. Advertisement Velazquez Lindsten said Lobas menu was developed through an extensive process involving consciously moving away from the status quo. Going to coffee shops and going to bakeries, you always see the same things, she said. Instead of the classic blueberry muffin or chocolate croissant, Lobas customers can try a Golden Snail pastry, made with turmeric, citrus-soaked raisins and Tahitian vanilla syrup; or a pineapple sourdough muffin, a popular naturally leavened offering that reminds Velazquez Lindsten of summers in Mexico. Advertisement While Loba is likely on the more expensive side of the Chicago coffee spectrum, Velazquez Lindsten said the prices reflect her use of local organic grains, dairy and farm eggs. Quality dairy is very important for me, she said. So that drives the prices of pastries. Chef and owner Valeria Socorro Velazquez Lindsten works behind the counter at Loba Pastry + Coffee, July 27, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) A coconut sourdough bread at Loba Pastry + Coffee. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) While Velazquez Lindsten received much of her training and experience in Chicagos fine-dining establishments, through Loba she aims to take her expertise and cultivate a different working atmosphere. One thing that is really buzzing right now The Bear those are the type of restaurants that I worked in, she said. You see the depiction of this white guy and the way that he was treated in the kitchen. Just imagine a brown girl thats pretty short with a thick accent. If thats the way they treated this guy, you dont have to have a wild imagination to figure out how I was treated. One of Velazquez Lindstens greatest prides is that many of the employees who worked at the pastry shop two years ago decided to come back to work at the new location a testament to the positive work environment she aims to cultivate. Velazquez Lindsten infused her shops culture and menu with elements of her childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico. In Mexican culture, the act of feeding or sitting together for meals is so important, she said. Velazquez Lindsten described her shop as a true community effort. Advertisement One significant influence on the development of the shop were the women of her family, particularly her mother and grandmother. Growing up in a family of skilled cooks, Velazquez Lindsten recalled watching her grandmother caring for a coffee bush, so she could ground and prepare the morning coffee the way she enjoyed. Similarly, Velazquez Lindstens mother also prepared the family essentials at home. We werent allowed to eat bread unless she made it. We didnt really have dairy unless she fermented it, she said of her mother. This upbringing heavily influenced Velazquez Lindstens passion for fresh ingredients. If you plan on adding Loba to your morning coffee-run rotation, pay close attention to its hours. It is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, these hours shorten to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you plan on sticking around a little longer, the shop has five tables, where customers can enjoy the freshly baked pastries and welcoming atmosphere. 1800 W. Addison St., 773-456-9266, lobapastry.com More new and notable restaurant and bar openings, in alphabetical order: Clumsy Cow BBQ Mrs. OLearys cow, historically falsely accused of knocking over a lantern that started the Great Chicago Fire, is the honorary namesake of a new barbecue restaurant in the Loop. Clumsy Cow BBQ kicked off right next door to Central Camera on June 22. Youll find beef brisket, pork baby back ribs, plus even a vegetarian Southern fried lions mane mushroom sandwich and thats no bull unlike the old anti-Irish immigrant legend. 234 S. Wabash Ave., 708-330-4209, clumsycowbbq.com Advertisement Estacion Chef Mark Mendez, best known for Latin-inspired cuisine, has brought it back to his Puerto Rican family roots. Estacion, part of the Libertad Restaurant Group where Mendez leads as culinary director, quietly debuted in Evanston on June 14. The Caribbean menu features a jibarito night on Saturdays, sancocho with short ribs and a pina colada, invented on the island. 633 W. Howard St., Evanston; 224-714-2196; eatestacion.com Justice of the Pies Chef Maya-Camille Broussard cuts her tomato and basil quiche ahead of her grand opening at Justice of the Pies in the Avalon Park neighborhood on June 4, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) James Beard-nominated baker and cookbook author Maya-Camille Broussard finally finds a home of her own, with a fateful family connection to her sweet tooth. Justice of the Pies soft-launched in the Avalon Park neighborhood on the South Side of the city July 7, in a building that was once her mothers childhood dentists office. The Black woman-owned business bakes her signature strawberry basil key lime pie, plus new shokupan cinnamon rolls and ginger cardamom lemon bars. Do note the bakery has very limited hours for now. 8655 S. Blackstone Ave., justiceofthepies.com Kashmir From the creators of Beatnik and Porto comes the newest escapist experience by the Bonhomme Hospitality Group. Kashmir got their party started in the West Loop on June 29. Theres no food, but there is bottle service with a $2,000 Macallan, a $3,500 Fuenteseca and a $4,000 Yamazaki, all 18 years old evidently 2005 was a very good year for spirits. 1436 W. Randolph St., kashmirclub.com Advertisement Maman Zari Mariam Shahsavaranis grandmother lends her name to what may be the only finer-dining Persian tasting menu restaurant in this country. Maman Zari began serving a seasonal summer Iranian menu by chef Matteo Lo Bianco in the diverse Albany Park neighborhood July 27. The restaurant offers standard and vegetarian tastings featuring quail and tahdig fesenjan, rose petal flecked faloodeh, plus wine pairings and nonalcoholic drinks, including the Sparkling Saveh, named for the city in Iran famous for its pomegranate. 4639 N. Kedzie Ave., 773-961-7866, mamanzari.com Monarch & Lion What happens when a modern Indian restaurant group opens a British pub in Chicago? Monarch & Lion roared to life, from the owners of Bar Goa and Rooh, in Streeterville on June 29. Get British Indian classics including tikka masala with chicken or paneer, lamb shank rogan josh, plus turmeric gin and tonic. 302 E. Illinois St., 312-973-2623, monarchandlion.com Sifr What happens when two Indian chefs, including Sahil Sethi, previously at Bar Goa and Rooh Chicago, open a modern Middle Eastern restaurant in the city? Sifr, which means zero in Arabic, represents a fresh start from the team behind Indienne for the former Bernies space in River North since June 29. Yes, theres hummus, but with charred green and chickpeas, plus a Wahid cocktail with knafeh washed bourbon. 660 N. Orleans St., 464-204-8711, sifrchicago.com Advertisement Sip & Savor South Loop Founder Trez Pugh celebrated the fifth location of his beloved coffee shops just ahead of NASCAR weekend. Sip & Savor began pouring in the South Loop on June 22. The Black-owned business, 20 years in the making, will start your engines with their signature caramel royale latte, strawberry lemon summer sip and a turkey sausage breakfast sandwich. 31 E. Roosevelt Road, 312-285-2636, sipandsavorchicago.com Teamo Sweets Our Readers Choice Award winner TeAmo Boba Bar has expanded yet again with a new concept by founder Mia Wan. Teamo Sweets opened in Chinatown with a lucky red-ribbon cutting and traditional fresh flower displays June 12. You can order cute custom cakes from the Asian woman-owned business with pandan chiffon, plus find slices of white peach oolong mille crepe cakes and cups of mango pomelo sago jelly, but theyre not too sweet, perhaps the highest compliment for Chinese pastries. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > 2306 S. Archer Ave., teamosweets.us Restaurant closures, in chronological order: Wherewithall, the sensational seasonal sequel restaurant to Parachute, opened by Michelin-starred chefs and spouses Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, closed just shy of four years June 14. Johns Pizzeria, the thin crust tavern-style specialist since 1957 in Logan Square, sliced its last square June 22. Advertisement Dos Urban Cantina, once called the most important Mexican restaurant since Topolobampo, opened by chefs and spouses Brian Enyart and Jennifer Jones Enyart in Logan Square, closed after eight years June 30. Owen & Engine, the British-inspired pub in Logan Square, whose chef and owner Bo Fowler survived two stress-induced heart attacks and quintuple bypass surgery, announced it will close Aug. 29 after 14 years. Tragically, restaurant server Marshall Russell was fatally shot during an attempted robbery outside the California Clipper on July 16, according to Block Club Chicago. Know of a Chicago-area restaurant or bar thats new and notable? Email food critic Louisa Chu at lchu@chicagotribune.com. 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. Two police personnel escorting a polio vaccination team were killed on Tuesday when armed men opened fire on them in Quetta's Nawa Killi region, Dawn reported citing police. The attack on police personnel comes on the first day of a week-long campaign to administer the polio vaccination to approximately 2.6 million children under five years of age in Balochistan. Zarghoonabad Station House Officer (SHO) Asif Marwat has confirmed the casualties. Marwat identified the deceased asConstable Shaukat Ali and Syed Muhammad, according to Dawn. The SHO said that members of the polio team were not injured in the attack. However, he added that the polio campaign in Nawa Killi and its surrounding areas had been suspended, according to Dawn. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned what he described as a "terrorist attack" on the police team in Quetta. He expressed grief over the death of two police personnel. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed hope that the perpetrators of the attack will soon be put behind bars. He further said, "Concerned authorities should ensure foolproof security of polio teams, people should fully cooperate with polio workers." Five police officers were killed and 12 others, including nine personnel and three civilians, were injured in terrorist attacks that occurred within a few hours at a government building in Bara and a police station close to Peshawar, Dawn reported on July 21. Officials said policemen intercepted two suicide bombers at the entrance of the tehsil headquarters complex and police station adjacent to Bara bazaar around 11 am (local time) on Thursday. They said police engaged the bombers in a gun battle, which left one of the attackers dead, while the other blew himself up. A portion of the building collapsed due to the explosion, Dawn reported. Three policemen were killed and 10 others, including three civilians, were injured. According to Dawn report, officials of the bomb disposal unit said seven to eight kilograms of explosives were used by the suicide bombers. The officials further said that they had recovered pieces of hand grenades. They recalled that CTD had killed four members of an alleged extortionist gang and arrested 13 others during separate intelligence-based operations in the Akkakhel area a few days ago, the report said. They added that the deceased and the detainees were involved in extortion cases in Peshawar, Khyber and some other areas of the province. (ANI) The joint investigation team (JIT) constituted to probe the Jinnah House attack on May 9 has once again summoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for inquiry, ARY News reported. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has been asked to appear before the JIT on August 4. The JIT has summoned the PTI chairman in all nominated cases, including a case lodged in the Sarwar Road police station. It is the fourth time that JIT has summoned Imran Khan. However, he has appeared before the JIT only once, ARY News reported citing sources. Several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers had allegedly attacked the Jinnah House after they entered the area to hold a protest against the arrest of Imran Khan on May 9. On May 9, PTI chief Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court in the Al Qadir Trust case. After his arrest, protests erupted in Pakistan and military installations including the Lahore corps commander's residence and state properties were attacked in Pakistan. According to police records, 50 per cent of suspects, including the prime accused are still at large in the case related to the Jinnah House attack, ARY News reported. Law enforcement agencies are yet to arrest 50 per cent of suspects, including the prime accused in cases pertaining to the Jinnah House attack during the May 9 protests. As many as 151 suspects were arrested who carried out vandalism in the Jinnah House, ARY News reported citing Lahore police records. Furthermore, 425 out of 1400 suspects were arrested who spread chaos outside the building, ARY News reported. The records revealed the identification of 185 people who carried out vandalism in the building is still unknown, according to ARY News report. However, the authorities have been able to identify 915 suspects who held protests outside the Jinnah House. Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan the 'mastermind' behind the events that took place on May 9 which aimed to topple military leadership, reported The News International. Shehbaz Sharif also said that along with PTI workers, a group of politicians, some military men and their families were also involved in May 9 violence. Pakistan's military has described it as a 'Black Day' in the country's history. Shehbaz Sharif during an interview on Geo News's programme said, "Those involved in the May 9 incidents wanted to overthrow the military leadership."Shehbaz further mentioned that the planners wanted "anarchy" and "war" in the country, according to The News International. Pakistan's government and the military have arrested and detained several PTI workers and leaders for allegedly being involved in such events. After the attacks, the Pakistan army dismissed two senior officers and a lieutenant general, The News International reported. The army's spokesperson Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said two departmental enquiries and punishments were given according to the recommendations. Meanwhile, PTI has d in the attacks, however, the government and military have rejected their claims. (ANI) The High Commission of India in Singapore said that they are in "close contact" with the Sahani family, hailing from India, whose mother is missing after she fell off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Monday during a voyage from Malaysia to Singapore. Taking to Twitter, the High Commission of India in Singapore said, "The High Commission of India is in constant touch with the Sahani family since the news of the unfortunate incident reached us. We are also in close contact with Singaporean authorities to address related issues and are facilitating legal procedures." "HCI has also reached out to the India head of the Royal Caribbean cruise company to extend all cooperation. We remain fully committed to supporting the family in this testing time," it added. Reeta Sahani, 64, was vacationing with her husband, Jakesh Sahani, 70, on the Spectrum of the Seas when he woke up in the middle of the night and noticed his wife was missing, The Strait Times reported. Jakesh Sahani tried to locate his wife on the cruise ship but was not successful, so he informed the ships crew, who later told him the ships overboard detection systems had been alerted that something had fallen from the vessel into the Singapore Strait. Afterwards, Jakeshs son, Apoorv Sahani had a telephonic talk with his father and later recounted the entire episode to the Strait Times on a phone call on Monday night. Apoorv Sahani, 39, an architect said his family members, who are from India, are still unknown about the whereabouts of his mothers current status. Weve asked to see the CCTV (closed-circuit television) footage, but so far weve not received anything yet for us to confirm that it was her. All we know is that the ships crew thinks she jumped, he said. Eventually my father was told to get down from the ship because there was another cruise that was going to take place, but we think she may still be on the ship, stuck somewhere. Apoorv added: She was on a holiday enjoying herself and then this whole thing happened. It doesnt make sense. Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a statement on Monday night that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore was notified about the incident at about 7.50 am, as per The Strait Times. The passenger was on board the Cyprus-flagged Spectrum of the Seas and had fallen overboard, although no further details were provided. MRCC Singapore is coordinating the search and immediately issued navigational safety broadcast to vessels in the Singapore Strait and vessels in port to keep a lookout for the missing person and report any sightings to MRCC Singapore, said the statement. It added that the vessel was berthed earlier in Singapore to support the investigations and had departed at around 4.30 pm, reported The Strait Times. (ANI) He was shot and killed by them. The Israel Defence Force revealed only that one was a woman officer and the other an enlisted man. None of the soldiers were wounded. (ANI/TPS) A six-member bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a fresh petition seeking the constitution of a full court to hear pleas challenging the military trials of civilians, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The six-member bench of the Pakistan apex court included Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A Malik. Earlier, the Supreme Court had rejected the Pakistan government's plea to form a full court for the case. However, a fresh application related to the matter was filed on Monday by senior counsel Faisal Siddiqi on behalf of civil society members, according to Dawn report. It said, "The full court should include all judges willing and available for the adjudication on the fundamental and complex constitutional and legal questions," according to Dawn report. The petitioners stressed that the petitioners have no objection if all the judges of the apex court were part of the proposed full court. It further said, "t is categorically stated that unlike the governments malafide actions, the petitioners have no objection, whatsoever, on any judge willing and available to hear this case." During the hearing on Tuesday, Umar Ata Bandial discussed the plea with the other petitioners in the case after which the apex court reserved its verdict on Siddiqis application. Justice Bandial said the bench will announce its decision after holding a discussion. He further said that lawyers will be informed if there is a delay in the verdict. Speaking to reporters, a court associate said that the reserved verdict will be announced on Wednesday. At the outset of the hearing, Justice Bandial said that senior counsel Faisal Siddiqi had filed the petition to the court a day earlier to constitute a full court to hear pleas against the military trials of civilians. He further said that the bench will hear the arguments of the lawyer representing former Chief Justice of Pakistan Jawwad S Khawaja, one of the original petitioners in the case. Advocate Khwaja Hussain Ahmed said, "My client is the former chief justice of Pakistan. He further said, "My client wants the court to treat him like a common citizen, not a special person. He wants ex-chief justice to be removed from his name." Justice Bandial noted that the former chief justice was a prominent personality and stressed that his petition was "apolitical," Dawn reported. During the hearing, AGP said that a lot of caution was exercised during the arrests. He said that people who were "directly involved" were sent to military courts. He further said, "Those who entered the Lahore Corps Commanders residence have been sent to military courts," Dawn reported. The CJP noted that Awans claim could be proven only if there were evidence available. The AGP said that the court had questions regarding why the remaining suspects arrested for the violent events that took place on May 9 were freed. However, Justice Naqvi asked why an inquiry if it was carried out, was not brought on record. In response, Awan said that the inquiry was present. Meanwhile, Awan said a report on 102 suspects facing military trials had been presented to the top court. He also shared a breakdown of the arrests made after the violence that took place on May 9. During the court proceedings,Justice Bandial spoke about the plea filed by Siddiqi related to the formation of a full court and said the bench will first hear arguments on this petition. Siddiqi said that his plea "doesnt have anything to do" with the government's plea seeking the formation of a full court. The lawyer spoke about the three reasons behind the filing of the application. Siddiqi said, "The AGP has already said that no suspect would be sentenced to life imprisonment or death." He added, "The attorney general has also assured that military trials would not commence without the SCs knowledge." However, he said that the Pakistan government in recent days raked up questions on the legality of court verdicts and highlighted the importance of constituting a full court for a case as important as military trials of civilians. The CJP noted that some judges were not willing to be a part of the bench and asked how a full court could be constituted in such circumstances. Meanwhile, Justice Naqvi asked if other petitioners in the case had a viewpoint after which Pakistan's minister Aitzaz Ahsan expressed his views. Ahsan said, "This is very startling for me that the formation of the bench is being challenged at this stage of the case." He further said, We have gone to jail for the honour of the apex court," according to Dawn. The lawyer requested that the 102 people in military custody be handed over to judicial custody. After listening to the arguments, the court reserved its verdict on Siddiqis petition seeking the formation of a full court bench. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], August 1 (ANI/TPS): TheIsrael Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi on Monday held a discussion with senior IDF officers mainly generals on the controversy surrounding the growing number of IDF reservists who are threatening to refuse to report for duty when called up in protest over the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan to push through a controversial judicial reform program. I see great importance in these talks, a very deep process is going on here for Israeli society, and we have a heavy national responsibility for the security of the country and its citizens in one of the most complex periods, Halevi told those in attendance. He added that this is the time for the commanders to show leadership and responsibility and to act responsibly, sensibly and sensitively towards the subordinates when required, along with a high level of preparedness for the security challenges we face. On the ongoing political debate, the Chief of Staff reiterated his previous declarations that the military must be apolitical saying, everyone has an opinion that is equally important, we as uniformed officers are not involved in that. Halevi also stated that We embrace the reservists wherever they are, we praise those who chose to report under any conditions and we call on everyone to return and report. Thats right and thats how it should be. Both Chief of Staff Halevi and Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have warned the government that the threat of refusal to serve in the IDF reserves is harming the IDFs readiness and Israels security. The reservists in question charge that the judicial reforms will end democracy in Israel by stripping its Supreme Court of the power to serve as a check on government actions. Therefore, they assert, they will no longer be obligated to perform military service. (ANI/TPS) United States announced its first standalone trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea will take place on August 18. With North Korea's 'continued threat' as the top agenda further, the summit will address global and regional security challenges, reported The Japan Times. US President Joe Biden will host Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol, according to the White House. Adding to that, the White House announced that the summit will be held at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland as the three leaders look to expand trilateral cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. "The summit will advance a shared trilateral vision for addressing global and regional security challenges, promoting a rules-based international order and bolstering economic prosperity," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement, according to The Japan Times. In Seoul, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon told the Yonhap news agency that the summit will be an important opportunity to elevate the cooperation among the three countries to a new level. Earlier, the three leaders have held joint meetings on the sidelines of international events, but have never held a formal trilateral summit. Moreover, during the summit, the three are also likely to release a joint statement condemning North Korea's missile tests and nuclear sabre-rattling while also calling for Pyongyang to return to long-stalled denuclearization talks, The Japan Times reported. The talks, however, remain a nonstarter with Pyongyang, which in September passed a law that makes its nuclear status "irreversible" and bars any negotiations on relinquishing its arsenal. North Korea has fired off a volley of missiles this month, including the solid-fuel Hwasong-18, in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions that ban its possession and testing of the weapons. Pyongyangs unprecedented spate of more than 100 missiles tests since last year has helped push the Japan-South Korea bilateral relationship closer as they look to cooperate on security issues, including with their mutual ally, the U.S., after years of soured ties over disagreements about wartime labour and other historical issues, reported The Japan Times. Japan which called North Korea an increasingly serious and imminent threat" in its annual defence white paper released Friday warned that provocations by the North could continue, including a potential seventh nuclear test, a possibility that only grew with the appearance of the officials from United Nations Security Council members China and Russia. The two countries, Japan and South Korea have been pressurized by the US and its partners amid Moscow's war in Ukraine and the growing Sino-American rivalry. In the past, they have been sought to distance themselves from their neighbour's nuclear and missile ambitions, according to The Japan Times. However, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang has made a shift with Shoigu photographed viewing banned North Korean ballistic missiles with Kim at a defense expo. In response to a question about the Russian defence minister's recent trip to Pyongyang, the US said that it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on North Korea and Russia when necessary as they have already done it in the past a number of times. (ANI) Russian Aug. 1 strike on a hospital in Kherson killed one person and wounded five more, according to the updated information published by the regional governor. The killed man was a doctor, and the wounded are medical workers as well, Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram. "The victims were given medical assistance, and now their lives are not in danger," he added. A day before, Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast killed four civilians and injured 18, including a 16-year girl, Prokudin reported earlier. Kherson and other regional settlements on the Kyiv-controlled west bank of the Dnipro River have been continuously subjected to Russian shelling since Ukrainian forces liberated them in November 2022. Russian forces were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Georgia animal shelter is mourning a tragic loss after 12 dogs died on the way to an adoption event out of state. It happened over the weekend when the A/C unit stopped working on a trailer the shelter was using to transport dogs in search of a new home, LifeLine Animal Project wrote July 31 on Facebook. The shelter, based in Atlanta, said employees stopped frequently to check on the animals, though its not clear how long or how far they were traveling. Less than an hour after the last check-in, the team said it discovered the devastating mechanical failure. The temperature gauge for the trailer that was displayed in the cab remained around 72 to 65 degrees and did not indicate any issues, the shelter said. Eleven dogs died at the scene and a 12th died after it was rushed to an emergency veterinarian, according to the Facebook post. Using emergency supplies, the employees worked quickly to save 22 others. The shelter credited Southern Pines Animal Shelter in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for offering its help during the unfathomable incident. This tragic loss has shaken all of us to our core, the Facebook post states. In this dark hour, we wanted to let our community know about this tragedy and we ask that you please support the teams with your thoughts and kindness. What to know about hot car deaths Hot car deaths are most common in the summer heat, but they can happen at any time, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Leaving a window open is not enough temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. If you see a child or pet alone in a hot vehicle, officials said you should immediately call 911. 71-year-old hiker dies in 121-degree heat at Death Valley National Park, officials say Beloved police K-9 dies in hot patrol car while handler was training, Georgia cops say Puppy drinks from Chick-fil-A bowl after rescue from hot car in Georgia, photo shows Russian forces attacked nine oblasts over the past day, killing at least twelve people and injuring at least 104, local officials reported on Aug. 1. Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, Chernihiv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts were attacked. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, at least six people were killed and 81 injured in Russian attacks, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. Russian forces launched ballistic missiles against the city of Kryvyi Rih on the morning of July 31, damaging a residential building and a university building, according to officials. The strike killed at least six people, including a 10-year-old girl, and injured at least 81, Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said. Some 19 people are hospitalized, including two children, he added. According to the mayor, over 1,000 apartments and buildings in the city were affected by the attack. In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed and three wounded, Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko informed. Russian attacks killed two residents and injured one more in Zoriane, according to the governor. One more civilian was wounded in Toretsk and another in Krasnohorivka, Kyrylenko specified. At least one person was injured in Russian strikes against Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Russian forces launched Shahed kamikaze drones against the city of Kharkiv. The attacks damaged a two-story building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, injuring a 63-year-old security guard, Syniehubov reported. Russian strikes damaged several other residential and commercial buildings across the oblast, the governor added. In Kherson Oblast, four people were killed and 18 injured, including a 16-year-old girl, in Russian strikes, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. On the morning of July 31, Russian forces targeted a utility company building in the Kherson city center with a Grad multiple-launch rocket system. At least of the killed victims and six injured in the oblast over the past day were the company's employees, Prokudin said. Story continues At around 1 p.m. Russian forces launched another attack against the city, targeting the Korabel district, killing at least one person and injuring another. Another man was injured as a result of an attack on Beryslav, a city upriver from Kherson. In Sumy Oblast, Russian strikes injured one person in the Velyka Pysarivka community, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported. Several residential and agricultural buildings were also damaged in the oblast, the officials reported. Chernihiv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack but local officials reported no causalities. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The sun sets over Phoenix, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Phoenix sizzled through its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) and other parts of the country grappled Sunday with record temperatures after a week that saw significant portions of the U.S. population subject to extreme heat. (Matt York/AP) PHOENIX A record string of daily highs over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Phoenix ended Monday as the dangerous heat wave that suffocated the Southwest throughout July receded slightly with cooling monsoon rains. The historic heat began blasting the region in June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into Californias desert. Phoenix and its suburbs sweltered more and longer than most, with several records including the 31 consecutive days of 110 degrees Fahrenheit-plus (43.4 degrees Celsius) weather. The previous record was 18 straight days, set in 1974. Advertisement The streak was finally broken Monday, when the high topped out at 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 Celsius) at 3:10 p.m. The high temperature for Phoenix today is 108 degrees, Jessica Leffel, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said at 5 p.m. Advertisement The record streak of 31 straight days of 110+ degree temperatures has ended., the weather service said on social media. The high temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached 108 degrees this afternoon, which is only 2 degrees above normal. The reprieve was expected to be brief, with the forecast calling for highs again above 110 for several days later in the week. And National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Hirsch said August could be even hotter than July. But residents and visitors were taking what they could get. Its not going to last more than a couple of days, but Im enjoying this break, said Christine Bertaux, 76, who was cooling off Monday at a downtown day center for older people who are homeless. It has been REALLY hot here! said Jeffrey Sharpe, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, who was in town for a long weekend that on Monday included watching his sons two poodles frolic in a grassy dog park. But today it was about 85 degrees, more like Wisconsin. Phoenix also sweated through a record 16 consecutive days when overnight lows didnt dip below 90 degrees (32.2 degrees Celsius), making it hard for people to cool off after the sun went down. In California, Death Valley, long considered the hottest place on Earth, flirted in July with some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, reaching 125.6 degrees Fahrenheit (52.5 Celsius) on July 16 at the aptly named Furnace Creek. The planets hottest recorded temperature ever was 134 F (56.67 C) in July 1913 at Furnace Creek, according to the World Meteorological Organization, the body recognized as keeper of world records. Advertisement And in Nevada, also on July 16, Las Vegas briefly reached 116 degrees (46.6 degrees Celsius) to tie the record for that date set in 1998. The heat in Phoenix began to ease slightly last week with the citys first major storm since the monsoon season began June 15. The Southwest heat wave was just one kind of extreme weather events that hit the U.S. in July. Fatal flash floods swept people and cars away in Pennsylvania, and days of flooding led to dangerous mudslides in the Northeast. At several points during the month, as many as a third of Americans were under some type of heat advisory, watch or warning. While not as visually dramatic as other natural disasters, experts say heat waves are deadlier heat in parts of the South and Midwest killed more than a dozen people in June. Rudy Soliz, who manages the center where Bertaux was cooling off, said those who visit to get a meal and cool off out of the sun have been having a very hard time this summer. Older people have a harder time with the heat, there are a lot of diabetics, people who take medicines, he said. Advertisement The heat has been pretty bad this summer. Weve made at least five 911 calls from here this July for people who got heat stroke, said Soliz. Theyve found a couple of bodies around here this month but its not clear yet if they died from the heat. Maricopa County, Arizonas most populous and home to Phoenix, reported 25 heat-related deaths this year as of July 21. Another 249 deaths are listed as under investigation, and results from toxicological tests that can take weeks or months after an autopsy could lead to many being confirmed as heat-related. Maricopa County reported 425 heat-associated deaths in all of 2022, with more than half in July. R. Glenn Williamson, a businessman who was born in Canada but has lived in Phoenix for years, said he really noticed a temperature difference Monday morning as he washed his car in his driveway. Now we have to get rid of the humidity! Williamson said. But honestly, Id rather have this heat than a Montreal winter. Costley reported from New Orleans. A simple shift in mindset can make you see yourself in a whole new light. Unsplash/Jonathan Chen If you're feeling down about your appearance, you can make simple changes that have nothing to do with weight loss. Research suggests being kind to others and having sex can boost how you feel about your looks. Experts also suggest embracing humor and fixing your posture can also help with confidence. Most people will admit that they don't feel 100% at all times. Even the most beautiful and successful people have off days, but if you're feeling bad about yourself more than you feel good, you might need a shift in perspective. Despite common thinking, feeling more attractive and desirable may have little to do with your outward appearance. We consulted scientific studies and spoke to relationship and dating experts to find simple lifestyle changes that you can make to appear more attractive both to yourself and others. These tips can help you begin to see yourself in a more positive light. Get your sweat on. Break a sweat and it could help lift your spirits. Thomson Reuters You might dread exercise but it can play a big factor in helping yourself feel more attractive. We're not just talking about exercise's effect on your body physically exercise is a great way to take some time to get out your aggression, have some time for yourself, and release endorphins, a chemical that can improve your mood. A 2015 study by the University of Turku found that people who exercised reported an increase in confidence. "Exercise is a great way to feel more attractive," April Masini, a relationship and etiquette expert, told INSIDER. "Not only are you giving yourself a gift of fitness, but youre releasing endorphins and balancing work, play and self-care." Give some compliments. Let those close to you know how great they are. Unsplash/Annette Sousa Getting some love from others might seem like the easiest way to boost your self image, but actually you might want to practice giving some love first. Talking up good traits about others will help you seem more appealing in their eyes and make you realize the good things about yourself, too. Researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China suggested in a 2016 study that men who used metaphors to compliment women were found to be more attractive. Story continues "Learning how to properly compliment may just be the key to a second date," matchmaker Denise Levy told INSIDER. "Making other people feel good about themselves increases your attractiveness. People put effort into getting ready for a date so take the time to compliment the other person and mean it!" Put a smile on. Don't underestimate a good smile. Flickr/Ben Seidelman It's no secret that smiling makes you seem warm and inviting to other people, which can help how they see you. But it turns out you may even get the same benefits by looking in a mirror and smiling at yourself. "As social creatures, we are programmed to notice the body language of others and scan for cues of safety and welcome," relationship therapist, educator, and author Shadeen Francis told INSIDER. "Smiling is a universal signal for warmth, approachability, and attractiveness." "But this also works for yourself; if you smile at yourself in the mirror, you receive very similar neural cues as you would if a familiar friend smiled at you," she said. Researchers at the University of Cardiff in Wales in 2009 studied how facial expressions can affect a person's mood and found evidence that suggests people who smile more can actually feel happier. Give yourself a pep talk. It may feel silly, but it can work. lenetstan/Shutterstock It's always nice when someone close to you notices or points out a good quality, but you don't have to wait around for that extra boost. It may seem silly, but repeating positive affirmations to yourself in the mirror or saying things that you like about yourself will help you validate those traits and value them in yourself. "Attention is an exercise in intentional focus," Francis said. "Whatever you give attention to will expand in your field of consciousness. Taking time to actively notice positive qualities about yourself, whether external characteristics or internal skills and qualities, helps them become more salient to you. When you spend time acknowledging these traits, you can experience them more fully." A 2014 study from the University of Illinois published in the "European Journal of Social Psychology" suggested that people who talked to themselves had higher job success and confidence. Experiments showed that when people talked to themselves in the same way that they would speak to a friend it hyped them up. The study also showed that people injected more energy into saying the word "you" when referring to themselves. Don't self-sabotage. Identify what habits are getting in your way. Unsplash/dahiana candelo A study from the National Institutes of Health found that people who dwelled on negative aspects about themselves actually had a higher risk of self-doubt and may have a lower-rate of self-satisfaction. If you find yourself making negative statements about yourself, you need to pay close attention to why. These types of statements can make you feel worse about yourself and take a toll on your self-image. Psychologist Jodi De Luca recommends that people identify what is causing them to make these statements and eliminate the cause if they can. "In particular, pay special attention to what triggers self-sabotaging statements," she told INSIDER. "Is it a particular environment? Person? Situation? Once you identify the triggers of negative self-talk, you have a better chance of catching yourself, turning negative self-statements into positive ones, and even preventing them." Avoid making judgmental comments. If you judge others, it's probably having a negative impact on your self-confidence. Pheelings Media/Getty Images Similar to negative self-talk, speaking and thinking poorly of others can decrease your overall confidence, experts say. When we judge others, it often comes from a place of seeking safety when we can't know everything about someone else, according to Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, an assistant professor of communication at Michigan State University. But being overly judgmental can increase feelings of anxiety and depression and actually make us feel worse about ourselves overall, according to a February 2019 study in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. That's why Dorrance Hall suggested getting in the practice of giving people the benefit of the doubt when you feel like hopping into judgment mode. Assess your relationships with others. Cut out the toxic people in your life. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili The weight of a toxic person in your life may be preventing you from feeling your best. A 2015 study in "The Journal of Ethics and Education" surveyed people who had a relationship in their life that exhibited traits of "estrangement, change, mistaken friendship, and false friendship." The study found that they often didn't realize that others were dragging them down and saw toxic people through "rose-colored glasses," which can take a toll on their mental health. If there are people who are constantly putting you down, being rude to you, or are just bad influences on your self-esteem, do your best to cut those people out of your life or spend less time with them. More importantly, prioritize the people who spend their time supporting you and building you up. This can instantly boost your confidence, De Luca said. Have a sense of humor. Don't be afraid to laugh it off. William Stitt/Unsplash Laughing and joking can make you more at ease, so if you try and laugh off a small thing that would normally get under your skin, you can take some pressure off of yourself, which can make you see yourself in a positive light. "This is so important some people treat every aspect of their life so seriously and this shows in their face and in their personality," Alex Reddle, online dating specialist, told INSIDER. "It is perfectly okay to be imperfect no one has to be perfect all of the time. It is important not to let others define you and to just be you." Cracking a joke can help others see you as more attractive, too. A 2015 study by the University of Kansas found that laughing together can increase attraction in couples. In the study, 51 pairs of people who didn't know each other talked; the more times a man tried to be funny and the more times a woman laughed at his jokes, the more likely she was romantically interested in him. Additionally, the more the pair laughed together, the higher level of attraction they reported. Have sex. Not that you needed an excuse! Shutterstock Having sex is a great, fun, and pretty easy way to boost your self-image. People who had casual sex with a supportive partner were found to show an increase in confidence and self-image, according to a 2014 study from the "Journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science." Plus, the pheromones you release during and after sex can automatically draw people to you, making you more attractive to them too, according to research conducted by San Francisco State University. Fake it until you make it. Act like you are the most confident person in the room. Hernan Sanchez/Unsplash The easiest way to make yourself feel confident? Act like you already are. When you challenge yourself to feel good about yourself, it will show and others will take notice. "The way you enter a room or share a glance are indicators of your confidence working for you or against you," Levy said. "It is all about your smile, body language and even eye contact. When you feel odd or awkward people can pick up on that uneasiness which will equate to whether or not you are perceived as attractive." Need some inspiration? A 2013 study published in the "Journal of Experimental Social Psychology" found that simply recalling a moment when you were confident can increase levels of self-confidence. Rock some red. This color can automatically make you feel hotter. Ditty_about_summer/Shutterstock Having a wardrobe that makes you feel confident is a huge step in driving up how you see yourself, but feeling better about your appearance may be as simple as wearing a different color. A study from the University of Rochester suggests that wearing red can automatically make women more attractive to men. They were more likely in the study to ask out a woman wearing a red shirt than one in green. Jen Thoden, founder of the personal style site Your Color Style, told INSIDER that red "represents passion, power and sensuality." She recommends rocking red to be taken more seriously and to get a rush of empowerment for yourself. Stand up straight and tall. Improving your posture can change your thoughts. Shutterstock Having good posture can make you look good, but it can also make you feel good. One study from the Association of Psychological Science found that sitting up straight can make you feel more confident and powerful. They found that people who strike "power poses" reported elevations in testosterone, decreases in cortisol (a chemical found when you experience fear), and increased feelings of power. So, if you're looking for a mood boost and to view yourself in a more positive light, it might be worth keeping your chin up both physically and mentally. Read the original article on Insider The Canyon County Sheriffs Office will seek a manslaughter charge against a 14-year-old driver who struck a woman on her bike on the Fourth of July, a crash that led to her death, the agency told the Idaho Statesman on Tuesday. Kellei Bunn, 34, of Nampa, was riding her bike after attending the fireworks show in Melba when an SUV, driven by the 14-year-old, hit her around 10:45 p.m. on Southside Boulevard, near the Melba Road intersection in Melba, sheriffs office spokesperson Joe Decker previously told the Statesman. Bunn died at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, her father, Randy Bunn, told the Statesman in an email. The Canyon County Sheriffs Office is seeking charges of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and operating a vehicle without the owners consent against the Kuna teen, according to a news release from the sheriffs office Tuesday afternoon. The county prosecutors office will review the case before filing charges, the release said. A shock to see victims injuries, sister says The accident was a hit-and-run, according to the sheriffs office. After the teen ran into Bunn, he drove for a short distance, pulled over and went to his father before returning to the scene, according to the release. Though a 14-year-old can get a drivers permit in Idaho, Sheriff Kieran Donahue said in the release that the teen did not have a license. After the crash, Bunn spent a week and a half in a coma at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Randy Bunn previously told the Statesman. While she eventually woke up and became responsive, her family didnt expect her to recover from the crash because the damage to her brain was so severe, he said. Her injuries were extensive. Besides an aortic tear, which doctors fixed, she had a ruptured spleen, liver damage, brain bleed, broken ribs, broken left arm and broken left leg, said her sister, Amanda Stocking, who organized a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses and the familys travel to Portland. Story continues Stocking spent a couple of days with Bunn at the hospital. She looked better than I thought she would, but it was still a shock to see her like that. You can never prepare for something like that, she told the Statesman in a phone interview Tuesday. During that visit, Bunn opened her eyes a little but couldnt speak. Stocking said that when she asked her sister if she wanted to see photos of her kids, Bunn nodded her head, then looked at them. Accident will forever change drivers life The day before Bunn died, she wasnt responsive, Stocking said. Medical personnel were with her when she died, but her parents and daughter werent at the hospital yet because it was so early, Stocking said. I knew it was going to happen eventually, she said. (But) it doesnt really hit you until it does happen. Bunns life was finally coming together at the time of the crash, according to her family. She was 120 days sober after struggling with meth addiction and had just gotten an offer for a full-time job training horses, said her parents, Randy and Linda Bunn. It looked like she might be able to get custody of her 8-year-old daughter, Aleiah, who lives with her grandparents, Randy Bunn said. Now her daughter, whose father was fatally stabbed when she was a baby, is orphaned. As for the 14-year-old suspect, Stocking said she wants him to take accountability. But, she added, Its as much of a tragedy to their family and to him as it is to ours, because this will forever change his life. Fourteen-year-old Malachi Sicka gathered with family and friends for a barbecue on July 24. He was the life of his stepmothers 33rd birthday party, said his grandmother, Rachel Mejia. He was happy and joking around with everybody, Mejia said. He was in good spirits. At 9:45 p.m., Sicka left his grandmothers house to meet a friend at a nearby park. He said I love you grandma and I said too I love you too, Mejia said. Then he walked away. Mejias house is about a block away from Skyline Park in a neighborhood near downtown Wichita. At about 10 p.m., Mejia called her grandson to ask what friend he was going to meet. He answered the phone and said Grandma, grandma, Mejia said. The phone went dead and went straight to voicemail after that. Wichita police responded to a call around 10:12 p.m. in the 600 block of S. Laura near downtown Wichita. Officers found Sicka fatally shot in the 1100 block of E. Orme, directly across the street from Skyline Park. A member of the K9 unit works in Skyline Park on Tuesday morning. Crime scene tape surrounded the park. On Friday, police arrested three teenage boys from Wichita on suspicion of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and criminal use of a weapon in connection with Sickas death, police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said. The police blotter indicates that someone else was shot, but police have provided no details about that. Police had not responded to additional questions about the shooting as of Monday afternoon. Getting by day by day Sickas stepmother, Amber Hatfield, recalled her last conversation with him. She told him to be back home by 11 after he left for the park at 10. She saw police near the house around 11 p.m. Im the one who went up there because we hadnt heard from Malachi, Hatfield said. I dont know ... something inside of me told me that I needed to go up and ask a question. Hatfield told an Eagle reporter that she identified Sickas body around 11:20 p.m. A memorial of candles, flowers and teddy bears sits directly across Skyline Park in an area where police say Sicka was shot and killed. Hatfield, who came into Sickas life when he was 10, said the family is getting by day by day after his death. Story continues Its quiet, its sad, its depressing, Hatfield said. We had a good relationship and I was the closest thing he had to a mom. The two would often skate, go to the arcade or the YMCA, and take their dog, a Rottweiler named Pablo, on walks. We did everything, Hatfield said. There was no step in front of mom. It was just mom. Sicka had attended Hamilton and Allison middle schools, but was being home schooled for his final year before heading off to East High. He aspired to become a welder after graduating. His dad used to do welding and worked in bridges and stuff like that, Hatfield said. And I think hes always just been interested in doing that. Sicka also spent a good amount of time at his grandmothers house, where she said that he enjoyed playing sports, video games and rapping. Mejia recalled a memory from 2018 where she and his great-grandmother went to go pick up Malachi from Texas, where he lived at the time with his dad. They made a vacation out of it and spent a week in South Padre Island. We walked the ocean, saw jellyfish and collected big buckets of seashells, Mejia said. He never knew you could buy fruit on the side of the road when we stopped at a stand on the way back. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Sickas funeral expenses. Both Hatfield and Mejia said they think Sicka was robbed. At this point I dont think it was gang related, Hatfield said. I think these kids intentionally set him up to rob him for what he had in his pockets. Mejia said she asked police about Sickas cell phone and was told no phone was recovered at the scene. Wichita Eagle reporter Michael Stavola contributed to this reporting. NEW DELHI (AP) A huge crane collapsed at a highway construction site in western India, killing at least 16 workers, the country's National Disaster Response Force said Tuesday Television footage showed the collapsed crane on the ground as rescue workers looked for survivors near the site in Thane, a city just outside Mumbai. At least three people who were injured were rushed to a hospital. Press Trust of India reported the crane is used to install precast box girders while building highway and high-speed rail bridges. Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured, his office said in a post. The 14th convoy of mercenaries of the so-called Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) has arrived in Belarus, with 15 vehicles in it. Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet Quote: "The 14th convoy of Prigozhin's mercenaries is moving along the M5 highway from Asipovichy toward the camp in the village [of] Tsel'". Details: There are about 15 vehicles in the convoy, and most of them are trucks that carry large iron containers that look like sea containers. Some of the containers look converted to meet other needs. What exactly is transported in containers is yet unknown. In addition to trucks, a bus and several pickup vehicles are in the convoy. Licence plates are removed or taped up. Background: On Tuesday, 1 August, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said that he "joked" about the intentions of the Wagner mercenaries, who moved to Belarus after the unsuccessful rebellion in the Russian Federation, to go "on a sightseeing trip to Rzeszow (Poland ed.)". Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Petland Bradenton Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with an investigation into several animals being killed at an Oklahoma City pet store. The Oklahoma City Police Department reported the animals were killed on July 13, after a male and female walked into the pet store about 12 miles northwest of downtown. The man turned himself in Saturday after an arrest warrant was issued Friday. He was booked into the Oklahoma County jail on a complaint of cruelty to animals. According to a police report, the pair entered the pet store just before 3:30 p.m., and prior to the alleged killings, they interacted with a puppy at the store, which was unharmed. Inside the store, Police reported the man broke the neck of a caged parakeet, then reportedly strangled a rabbit while the woman exited the store. The report also indicated that the man stole a hamster and a guinea pig before leaving the store. More: Pair accused of stomping hamster to death, killing bunny at Petland identified by police The Oklahoma City Police Department has identified two people accused of killing animals at a Petland store in Oklahoma City on July 23, 2023. Police said the slayings took place after a male and female walked into the pet store about 12 miles northwest of downtown. According to an affidavit, the woman contacted Oklahoma City police on July 26 after seeing the department's Facebook post requesting the public's help in identifying the pair. She told police that she was unaware any animals were killed until she saw the post. After leaving the pet store, the woman told police she and the man drove to Mitch Park in Edmond to wash off the animals in the park bathrooms. She took the hamster into one bathroom and returned to her vehicle while the man took the guinea pig to the other bathroom, but when the man exited the other bathroom "after some time," the guinea pig was not moving. The woman told police the man took the guinea pig to bury it, told her the bathroom was covered in blood, and took a video of the blood to show her. When she dropped him off at a friend's house, the hamster was alive, court documents state. The following day, police said store staff found the hamster stomped to death in the Petland parking lot, and Edmond authorities found the guinea pig and a bloody bathroom at the park. The investigation into this animal cruelty incident is currently ongoing, with both Animal Services and the police involved. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Several OKC Petland animals killed; 19-year-old arrested Cambridge Estates apartments file LAFAYETTE, Ind. Miguel Tyler arrived in Lafayette from Chicago on July 25. On July 26, police suspect he was involved in a shots-fired incident in the 3800 block of Harrow Court in Cambridge Estates Apartments, according to police. An argument erupted outside of a residence, leading to the shots being fired about 11:50 p.m. July 26, police said. Bullets hit nearby buildings and some cars, police said. About 11 hours after the shots-fire incident, police found Tyler, 24, inside a Chauncey Village Apartment in the 1700 block of Chauncey Court North, where they arrested him on suspicion of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, police said. He also is wanted on a warrant out of Springfield, Illinois, according to police. He remained incarcerated Tuesday morning at the Tippecanoe County Jail. More: No one injured in shots-fire incident at Cambridge Estates On Sunday, officers arrested Roseann Redmond, 39, of the 1700 block of Wabash Avenue in Lafayette, on Sunday. Police said Redmond played a role in the shots-fired incident. Police jailed her on suspicion of false informing. She has since been released from the jail, according to online jail records. Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 2 arrested in July 26 shots-fired incident in Cambridge Estates For Black people, being told to ride in the back of the bus is a reminder of an era when they couldnt sit at the front because of legal restrictions. Two Black passengers claim a bus driver in North Dakota ordered them to sit in the back of an empty bus, prompting an investigation. Xavier Davis of Crookston, Minnesota, and Jarvis Greenhill of Grand Forks, North Dakota, met for the first time in the early morning of July 13 as they boarded a Jefferson Lines bus in downtown Fargo, North Dakota, The Dickinson Press reported. Davis and Greenhill said once they presented their e-tickets, the driver identified by Jefferson Lines management as Koby McFarlane insisted they choose seats in the back. Xavier Davis and Jarvis Greenhill, two Black men, met for the first time on the morning of July 13 as they boarded a Jefferson Lines bus in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. They say the driver told them to sit in the back. (Photo: Adobe Stock) Two Black guys just so happened to be getting on the bus together, Davis said, according to The Dickinson Press. This is a true story in 2023. Ive seen it on TV. Ive seen it in the history books, but I never actually had a white person tell me to go to the back. Davis, who has since filed a complaint with the transportation line, began filming the incident inside the bus shortly after the driver instructed him and Greenhill to head to rear seats. McFarlane, who has been working with Jefferson Lines since the summer of 2022, told Davis and Greenhill he loads passengers from the back to the front a method Greenhill had never heard of before, according to the footage. The two men are frequent Jefferson Lines travelers. Soon after the first video ends, Davis records another, in which McFarlane informs him he boards from the rear because one guy turned like this to put his bag in and brushed another dude, and that guy had a chip on his shoulder about it. So in an effort to try to avoid that, its easier to load back to forward so the last person getting on doesnt After that, the bus driver yelled at Davis, who was moving toward the front, Sit down, or get off. He complied. I have never been on a Greyhound or Jefferson Lines where we had the driver say Greenhill expressed. Story continues McFarlane interjected, saying, Take your seat before I have you arrested. We have done nothing wrong, Greenhill said to the driver. Call the police. Davis said he complied because he had other things to do and was worried that if the situation escalated into a criminal matter, he would be arrested for something I didnt do if the police arrived. Greenhill worried the driver might force them off in the middle of nowhere, so he also followed instructions. Both men said they felt disrespected and questioned the drivers intentions. I want that man to shake my hand publicly. I want him to write his feelings on how he felt at that moment in time and tell the truth, Davis said. He has to apologize to me as a man, face to face. He was wrong. Kevin Pursey, director of sales for Jefferson Lines, said there is no assigned seating on any company bus. Sometimes a driver will ask a passenger to move to make room for an elderly or disabled individual or to assist them in finding a more convenient seat. Pursey, who had not seen footage from the bus cameras, stated that McFarlane had never been the subject of any prior complaints. He added that he was unaware of any unusual events before Davis and Greenhill boarded the bus. For Black people, being told to ride in the back of the bus is a reminder of an era when by law they couldnt sit at the front. The segregation policy came under fire after Rosa Parks, as an African American bus passenger in Alabama, was arrested and fined for refusing to give up her seat for a white man. Parks arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which began on Dec. 5, 1955, and lasted until Dec. 20, 1956. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Montgomery, Alabama, had to integrate its bus system. I dont want to get wrapped up in that Black Lives Matter deal, Greenhill told The Dickinson Press. This is just human decency. I am just dumbfounded. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post 2 Black riders say driver ordered them to sit in back of bus; company is investigating appeared first on TheGrio. Two men have been charged with murder in the shooting death of a Detroit man in February in Adrian. Kenyatto Tiwaine Sylvertooth, 47, of Detroit and Gage Michael Winsett, 18, of Adrian are each charged in the death of 27-year-old Jonathan Marquise Simmons, who was shot in an exchange of gunfire between the occupants of two vehicles on the afternoon of Feb. 13 near the intersection of Frank and South Tecumseh streets. Simmons was taken by a private vehicle to ProMedica Hickman Hospital where he died. Evidence markers placed by Adrian police show the locations of bullet casings in the intersection of Frank and Tecumseh streets in Adrian after a shooting Feb. 13 between the occupants of two vehicles. Witnesses provided descriptions of the vehicles involved to police. One vehicle was located in Adrian Township, and the other was found in Detroit. A search warrant was issued for a residence in Detroit, and evidence of the crime was recovered when police searched the residence, Adrian police said in February. Sylvertooth and Winsett were arrested following an "extensive" investigation, Adrian police said Tuesday in a news release. Both are charged with open murder, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle causing death and felony firearm. The open murder charge allows a jury to decide the degree of murder, should the case go to trial. If convicted of first-degree murder, they would be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Sylvertooth was arraigned July 25 in Lenawee County District Court, and Winsett was arraigned July 31. They each had a probable cause conference scheduled for Aug. 1 before District Judge Laura J. Schaedler. Their preliminary examinations are scheduled for Aug. 8. Both are being held in the Lenawee County Jail without bond. Adrian police were assisted in the investigation by Adrian Township police, the Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department, the Lenawee County Sheriffs Office, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the release said. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 2 men charged in February shooting death in Adrian Officials in one Georgia county are urging caution after a rabid raccoon bit a 2-year-old trying to pet it, news outlets reported. It happened Friday, July 28, in Dacula, according to a news release from Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and officials with the countys health department. The raccoon later tested positive for rabies, officials said. Residents are advised to steer clear of animals behaving unusually and ensure their pets are up to date on vaccinations after a spate of incidents involving rabid animals. It marks the fourth time this year an animal has tested positive for rabies in Gwinnett County, WXIA reported. In May, someone was attacked by a rabid cat along a road in Dacula, according to WAGA. A second person was bitten by a cat with rabies in Buford two weeks later, and officials confirmed a kitten tested positive for the virus in nearby Lawrenceville in July, the station reported. If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected of having rabies, preventive treatment for rabies is necessary, animal welfare officials said in a statement. What to know about rabies Rabies is a virus typically spread to people and pets through bites or scratches from an infected animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its mostly carried by wildlife including bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks, officials say. The virus impacts the central nervous system and can cause disease in the brain, leading to death if a person doesnt seek prompt medical care. Those who believe theyve been exposed to rabies should wash their wounds with soap and water and go see a healthcare provider. To reduce risk of exposure, the CDC advises: Vaccinating pets against rabies Avoiding wildlife and unfamiliar animals Keeping pets indoors Dacula is about 40 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. Screaming mom scares off mountain lion attacking her child at WA campsite, rangers say Rabid fox wouldnt stop attacking woman so she bit it back, Virginia cops say Grizzly attack suspected in death of woman on trail near Yellowstone, officials say Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy. The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat. Advertisement Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesdays criminal case, with charges including conspiring to defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the bedrock function of democracy. Its the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next years Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, said Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nations process of collecting counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. Advertisement The Trump campaign called the charges fake and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them. Trump was the only person charged in Tuesdays indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in seven battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them. The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to exploit the violence and chaos by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Bidens victory. It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President Mike Pence that give gravitas to Trumps relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation called him too honest to stop the certification. Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters and even some of his rivals as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history. The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the riot at the Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that mote than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says. Advertisement Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he repeated and widely disseminated them anyway to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election. The indictment had been expected since Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding. The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution in this case, the right to vote. The mounting criminal cases against Trump are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself. In New York, state prosecutors have charged Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial begins in late March. In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts, accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. The trial begins in May. Advertisement Prosecutors in Georgia are investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks. As part of his federal investigation, Smiths team cast a broad net, with his team of prosecutors questioning senior Trump administration officials, including Pence, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results. Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors weeks before the indictment. Giuliani was not cited by name in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a good-faith basis for the actions he took. Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Departments public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trumps retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as deranged and called him politically motivated, Smiths past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats. The Justice Departments investigations began well before Smiths appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Lindsay Whitehurst, Nomaan Merchant, Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington, Jill Colvin in New York, Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Nick Riccardi in Denver, Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Claudia Lauer in Bensalem, Pa., contributed to this report. BEIJING Flooding in and around the Chinese capital of Beijing has killed at least 20 people, state media reported Tuesday, after days of heavy rain that caused flight cancellations, service disruptions and the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. The extreme rainfall, which began Saturday night and was caused by the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, was one of the worst storms to hit northern China in years. Beijing recorded an average of 10.2 inches of rain from Saturday night to Tuesday morning, according to Xinhua, Chinas state-run news agency, more than it usually receives in all of July. The maximum rainfall recorded was 29 inches at a reservoir in the citys Changping district. The fatalities include 11 in Beijing and 9 in the surrounding province of Hebei, Xinhua reported, citing local authorities. Twenty-seven others are missing in Beijing and six are missing in Hebei, the agency said. Chinese state media report some have died and others are missing amid flooding in the mountains surrounding the capital Beijing. (Ng Han Guan / AP) In Beijing, which has a generally dry climate, the downpour has closed scenic spots, shut down subway lines and canceled or delayed hundreds of flights at the citys two airports. In the suburban Beijing district of Mentougou, one of the hardest hit, streets were clogged with water, thick mud and forest debris that had rushed down from nearby mountains. At least a foot of water remained on some streets where multiple vehicles had been abandoned and heavy equipment including backhoes, forklifts and bulldozers worked to clear water and mud that still sloshed over curbs and covered sidewalks. The Yongding River, where cars had been seen being swept away by floodwaters, was still surging with muddy brown water littered with debris. People in the area, some of them wearing plastic bags over their shoes, struggled to move around, their motor scooters getting stuck. One man waded to his partly submerged car to collect items from the trunk, while staff at a local supermarket shoveled mud and broken tree branches from the front entrance. Story continues Local residents said it was unlike anything they had ever experienced. This is not the first time I have seen such a heavy rain, but there has not been such a severe flood, said a man surnamed Qu who has lived in the Mentougou area for most of his life. Residential areas are without water because pumping stations are flooded, he added. Chinese state media report some have died and others are missing amid flooding in the mountains surrounding the capital Beijing. (Ng Han Guan / AP) Chinese state media report some have died and others are missing amid flooding in the mountains surrounding the capital Beijing. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan / AP) Of the 27 people missing in Beijing, 13 are in Mentougou, while the others are in the neighboring districts of Changping and Fangshan, Xinhua reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts, the agency said. Mentougou and Fangshan remained at the highest flood alert level on Tuesday as heavy rains were expected to continue for a fourth day. Like many places in the world, China has experienced a range of extreme weather this summer, including flooding and drought. Torrential rain in the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing killed at least 15 people in early July. Even as the heavy rain persists, China is bracing for its third typhoon in as many weeks. Typhoon Khanun is expected to hit Chinas densely populated eastern coastal provinces later this week. Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Beijing, and Jennifer Jett reported from New York. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Flood waters run through the Shougang Bridge in Beijing NurPhoto / Getty Images Days of unprecedented heavy downpours around Beijing, China's capital, have triggered massive flooding and landslides, leaving at least 20 people dead and 27 missing. Authorities have deemed it the heaviest deluge in a decade, as the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri batter the area. Two days of intense rain prompted the city to close tourist attractions and mass evacuate residents. The worst effects were felt in the city's outskirts, "where downpours overwhelmed riverbeds that usually stay dry for much of the year," The New York Times reported. In Beijing, at least 11 people died, and 27 others were reported missing, per state broadcaster CCTV. An additional nine deaths were reported in the Hebei province just outside the city. Overall, the "sprawling megacity" saw "an entire month's worth of rainfall over 48 hours an average 175.7 millimeters (nearly 7 inches)," per CNN Weather. In the western district where most of the deaths were reported, "the downpours were far worse," CNN added. The storms are "marked by their long duration, large accumulative rainfall and high dangers of disaster," Fang Chong, a senior forecaster with China's Central Meteorological Observatory, told Xinhua, a state-run news agency. The deadly rain was caused by moist air that was pushed to the north by the recent typhoon, according to meteorologists in the area. The capital issued a "red alert" warning for residents in the most impacted districts to stay indoors. While it's not abnormal for China to experience typhoons and heavy rainfall during the summer, experts warn that the frequency and severity of the annual rain season have been worsened by climate change, CNN reported. You may also like Homepage Polls close in Wichita; early results released Updated 7:35 p.m. Polls closed in Sedgwick County at 7 p.m. The first unofficial results tallies for advance ballots were released not long after that. You can find updated results here. Find live updates in the Wichita mayors race here. Heat doesnt keep Wichita voters from polls Updated 5 p.m. Sweltering heat hasnt deterred Sedgwick County voters from making it to the polls. Turnout had already eclipsed the previous three Wichita mayoral contests ahead of the after-work crowd, Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater told reporters around 4 p.m. Almost 17,000 people had cast ballots in person Tuesday at that point. Another 7,300 voted early in person and more than 8,000 mail-in ballots had been returned by Monday. The turnout has been, in spite of the heat, really good, Rainwater said. The turnout so far of 12.8% has already topped the 10.2% of registered voters who voted in the 2019 primary and the 9.8% who did so in 2015. Rainwater said that percentage could tick up to 15% by the time polls close at 7 p.m. First results, which will consist of early and mail-in votes, are expected to be reported around 7:30 p.m. Rainwater said shes optimistic that unofficial results could be finalized by 9 p.m. Results will not be official until the county canvass on Aug. 10. Wichita voting goes smoothly early on Updated 8 a.m. Primary voting that started at 6 a.m. Tuesday has been going really smoothly so far, Rainwater said at around 7:40 a.m. She hadnt heard of any problems at any of the polling places. Westlink Church of Christ, where she had just left, had people trickling in. She said it would take less than five minutes to vote there. She then went to Reliance Community Church near Pawnee and 119th Street, which is a larger polling place, but there, too, there was no line. Based on Wichitas last two mayoral primaries, Rainwater said she estimates turnout to be around 10%. It was 5.9% as of last night for early and mail-in voting. There are just over 261,000 registered voters in the county, she said. Story continues Rainwater thought the expected record heat could have an impact on turnout. Anyone who still has a mail ballot will have to have it post-marked today to have it counted, she said, adding they could also drop it off at a polling location or at one of the drop boxes in the county. A list of the drop box locations can be found at sedgwickcounty.org/elections/. Michael Stavola, mstavola@wichitaeagle.com Polling sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County, and all those in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot. Go to Kansas.com on Tuesday night for results in the Wichita mayor, council and school board primary races. Original story: Wichita area voters will head to the polls Tuesday on what could be the hottest day of the year. The high temperature is predicted to be 105 degrees. Voters will narrow the fields for mayor and school board. They will choose between nine Wichita mayoral candidates in the primary: incumbent Mayor Brandon Whipple, Jared Cerullo, Shelia M. Davis, Bryan Frye, Anthony Gallardo, Tom Kane, Celeste Racette, Julie Rose Stroud and Lily Wu. The top two candidates face each other in Novembers general election. Candidates for the at-large seat on the Wichita school board are Jacob Bakk, Harlan Bascombe, Jesse Borosky, Brent Davis and Melody McCray-Miller. Voters in southwest Wichitas City Council District 4 also will slim down a pool of four candidates to two, choosing between candidates Bentley Blubaugh, Dalton Glasscock, Alan Oliver and Judy Pierce. Cheney Unified School District voters will see an at-large school board seat on their ballot, and Park City residents will vote on a 1% sales tax increase proposal. To learn about the candidates You can find The Wichita Eagles voting guide at kansas.com/election. To hear directly from Wichitas mayoral candidates, you can watch playback of the July 20 debate on the Eagles website. The event was hosted by PBS Kansas, the Eagle, KSN News and KAKE News. When can I vote? Polls in Sedgwick County open at 6 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m. As long as youre in line by 7 p.m. you can cast your ballot. Where do I vote? You can find your polling location on the Kansas Secretary of States registration information page, along with other resources online at myvoteinfo.voteks.org. Once youve accessed the voter information portal, enter your first and last name and your date of birth. After you click look up, you can view your voter registration information, a sample ballot and the address of your polling place. What do I need to bring? As long as youre registered to vote, all you need to bring is a valid photo identification, like a drivers license, passport or U.S. military ID. All valid forms of identification can be viewed on the Kansas Secretary of States website. What if I have problems voting? If you have problems casting a ballot, call the Sedgwick County Election Office at 316-660-7100. You can also let The Eagle know about any problems you have. Email tips@wichitaeagle.com or call 316-268-6216. Can I still return my mail-in ballot? Yes, you can drop off your advance ballot at your polling location or any of the countys drop boxes through 7 p.m. on Election Day. The county drop box locations for the primary are: Boston Recreation Center, 6655 E. Zimmerly, Wichita, KS 67207 Evergreen Park Recreation Center, 2700 N. Woodland, Wichita, KS 67204 Sedgwick County Health Department, 1900 E. Ninth St., Wichita, KS 67214 Orchard Recreation Center, 4808 W. Ninth St., Wichita, KS 67212 Linwood Recreation Center, 1901 S. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67211 Sedgwick County Courthouse, 525 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67203 Bel Aire City Hall, 7651 E. Central Park, Bel Aire, KS 67226 Maize City Administration, 10100 W. Grady, Maize, KS 67101 Fire Station 32, 7750 Wild West Road, Park City, KS 67147 You can also snail-mail your ballot to the Sedgwick County Election Office, but it has to be postmarked by Election Day and has to arrive by Friday, Aug. 4 to be counted. The mailing address is Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N Main St., #101, Wichita, KS 67203. Where can I find Wichita election results? The Eagle will have comprehensive coverage of Election Day, including returns Tuesday night at kansas.com. The Colosseum has repeatedly been vandalized. Matteo Colombo/Getty Images Tourists seem to be particularly out of control this summer. There are some travelers who commit faux pas so bad they make international headlines. The Colosseum in Rome has reportedly been defaced multiple times in recent months. Tourists are often considered an obnoxious and intrusive bunch, but some are so bad they make international headlines. From damaging hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of art while taking a selfie to causing flight delays by throwing coins into a plane's engine for good luck, there's been no shortage of tourist faux pas over the past few years. Keep reading for some of the worst tourist horror stories in recent memory. Madeline Diamond contributed to a previous version of this article. A tourist was caught on video in June 2023 carving his initials into the Roman Colosseum. Carvings on the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images In June 2023, a video showing a tourist identified by The Guardian as Ivan Dimitrov apparently etching "Ivan+Haley 23" into the side of the Italian landmark was uploaded to YouTube. It has almost 300,000 views, as of August 1. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Dimitrov could face up to $16,000 in fines and five years in prison. Insider reported that Dimitrov responded to the backlash with a letter addressed to Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri. "Through these lines, I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity," he wrote in the letter. "It is with deep embarrassment that only after what regrettably happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument," he wrote admitting that he didn't know how old the Colosseum was. It was built almost 2,000 years ago. Incredibly, that's not the first time it's happened. An Irish tourist etched his initials onto a pillar in the monument in 2020. A general view shows the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, on June 10, 2020. Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images Insider reported in September 2020 that Italy's Carabinieri police said a 32-year-old man from Ireland was caught using a metal point to etch his initials into the Colosseum. He was arrested and charged with aggravated damage to an asset of historical and artistic interest. Story continues According to CNN, at the time, Italian law dictated that the charges could result in up to one year in prison or a minimum fine of $2,400 (2,065). However, with the recent uptick in vandalism, the fines have significantly increased. A tourist was accused of defacing a 1,200-year-old UNESCO temple in Japan by carving his name into a pillar. The Toshodaiji Kondo in Nara, Japan. Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images As Insider reported in July 2023, a Canadian teenager was accused of defacing the 1,200-year-old Toshodaiji Kondo temple in Japan. The temple is one of eight protected historic monuments in the ancient city of Nara. According to BBC News, Japanese police said the 17-year-old carved "Julian" with his fingernail into a wooden pillar inside the Buddhist temple founded in 759 AD, and police questioned him on suspicion of violating the country's cultural property protection law. Under Japanese law, a person who has damaged an object of "important cultural property" could face up to five years in prison or a fine of 300,000 Japanese Yen (or $2,135). "The boy admitted his actions and says it was done not with the intent of harming Japanese culture," a police official told CNN. "He is now with his parents, who were with him when the incident occurred." Teenagers were caught spray-painting graffiti on a piece of art outside of Berlin's Museum Island. A stain is on Sarcophagus of the prophet Ahmose inside the Egyptian Court of the Neue Museum after smeared with a liquid in Berlin, Germany. Markus Schreiber/AP Museum Island, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Berlin's most popular tourist attractions. It has also been the site of various acts of vandalism, including a group of teens who spray-painted a piece of art in October 2020. The vandals sprayed a large granite bowl in front of the Altes Museum, the Associated Press reported at the time. Two of the suspects were temporarily detained at the scene, and museum experts said they believed the damage could be repaired, the AP reported. Earlier in the month, over 60 pieces of artwork inside Museum Island were "smeared with an oily liquid" in an unrelated incident, the AP reported. In 2019, authorities said visitors to Starved Rock State Park in Illinois drew their initials on a 400-million-year-old sandstorm formation that's also a sacred place for Native Americans. Starved Rock Lock and Dam. Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/Getty Images Over the Labor Day weekend in 2019, a sandstorm formation at Starved Rock State Park that is over 400 million years old and that has also been used as a sacred meeting spot for Native Americans for 8,000 years known as Council Overhang was vandalized, authorities said, Newsweek reported. According to a since-deleted Facebook post from the park, an intern found a photo on Instagram showing two people with the graffiti behind them. According to reports at the time, authorities identified the couple and spoke to the woman shortly afterwards. According to local station WLPO, Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire said it appeared the vandals had used a burned stick to make markings on the rock, and the damage was minimal, so they'd likely get a warning or a ticket. Two French tourists tried to take home 90 pounds of sand from the Italian island of Sardinia in 2019. A beach on Sardinia. AP/Frank Augstein While sand doesn't seem like it's the most popular souvenir, according to environmental scientist Pierluigi Cocco, tourists taking sand home is one of the two most pressing threats to the beaches of Sardinia the other is erosion. In August 2019, authorities said two French tourists filled 14 plastic bottles with sand from Chia, a beach on the southern coast of Sardinia. The BBC reported that the two were caught with the contraband while they were trying to get on a ferry back to France. According to an Italian newspaper, they were charged with "theft under aggravated circumstance" which can carry a sentence between one and six years of jail time. Sand theft has been illegal since 2017, though the couple claimed they didn't know it was against the law, CBS News reported. Also in 2019, an American tourist was reportedly hospitalized after falling from a statue in Italy during a night out drinking with friends. The statue of General Alfonso Ferrero della Marmora in Turin, Italy. Olena Kosynska/Shutterstock A 23-year-old American was reportedly rushed to the hospital in Turin, Italy, in June 2019. La Repubblica reported that at around 1 a.m., after a night spent drinking at a brewery, a group of tourists stopped at the Piazza Bodoni, where one of them climbed on the horse statue potentially to take a selfie. According to Torino Today he underwent brain surgery in the afternoon for life-threatening injuries. An American man visiting the former Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland was charged with attempting to steal a piece of the historic train tracks. The train tracks at Auschwitz. Czarek Sokolowski/AP Images On March 31, 2019, an American visitor to Auschwitz, one of the most well-known death camps from World War II, was accused of attempting to steal a piece of the metal train tracks leading into the camp. Many of the 1.1 million people who died inside its gates were transported to the camps via train. AP reported that the tourist was charged with "attempted theft of an item of cultural importance," which can result in 10 years in prison. Malgorzata Jurecka, a police spokeswoman, told ABC News at the time that since the man "has admitted his guilt, the sentence will be lighter, likely two years on probation." An Indonesian court sentenced a British tourist to six months in prison for slapping an immigration official in 2018. The exterior of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia. DICKY BISINGLASI/AFP/Getty Images British tourist Auj-e Taqaddas was sentenced to six months in an Indonesian prison for slapping an immigration official after she missed her flight in July 2018. The incident was even recorded. Taqaddas was filmed slapping the officer across the face at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia. She was upset that she had missed her flight to Singapore after having to pay Indonesian authorities a fine for overstaying her visa for 160 days, The Jakarta Post reported. Taqaddas failed to appear in court twice before authorities finally located her in a shopping mall. She was subsequently sentenced to six months in jail for assaulting the officer. A family traveling around New Zealand had their visas revoked after reportedly wreaking havoc throughout the country, including threatening tourists, stealing, and ruining a motel room. Takapuna Beach, New Zealand. Tim Clayton/ Getty A British family of 12 terrorized the people of New Zealand for a month as they traveled throughout the country, Insider reported in January 2019. For starters, two children from the family were reportedly caught on camera stealing a Christmas tree while shopping at a convenience store. The family also reportedly refused to pay for meals at several restaurants, claiming there were bugs in their food and drinks. The behavior is said to have continued in their motel, as staff accused the family of throwing cigarette butts, beer cans, and even spaghetti on the floor. It doesn't end there, though. At Takapuna Beach, the family was accused of littering, throwing beer, baby wipes, and chips on the beach. When a local confronted the family, they reportedly threatened violence. After another unruly incident at a Burger King, the New Zealand government revoked the family's visas, forcing all 12 of them to leave the country within 28 days. An 18-year-old visitor to the Denver Art Museum was arrested after vandalizing several pieces of art. One of the impacted pieces of art. Denver Art Museum In December 2018, an 18-year-old was arrested by the Denver authorities who said he'd gone on a rampage and vandalized 10 pieces of art. According to officials, he was "not in a state of mind that was reasonable." He caused $96,000 worth of damage, CBS Colorado reported, and some of the art potentially dated back to the 2nd century. The incident was reportedly caught on surveillance footage and turned over to the police, with officials noting this incident was "without precedent" at the museum. "Every object for us has a cultural value that is enormous. Our conservators are stellar and I am very confident that they will be able to conserve and restore hopefully most of the objects," museum director Christoph Heinrich told AP News. The teen pleaded guilty in March 2019, received a three-year deferred sentence, and was ordered to pay back the $96,000 in restitution. The judge also ordered him to stay away from the museum, CBS Colorado reported. Egyptian authorities investigated a photo that appeared to show a Danish couple having sex on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The pyramids. Shutterstock / Waj Andreas Hvid, a Danish photographer, shared a shocking photo of himself in which it looks as though he scaled the Great Pyramid of Giza with a woman, stripped naked, and posed as if they were having sex. He also posted a video of him and a woman appearing to climb the pyramid and explore in December 2018. The photo has since been deleted, but has been re-shared on social media. In an interview with a Danish newspaper, Ekstrabladet, he said they weren't having sex in the photo. "We did not have sex and we never had it. It's only the second time I've been naked on one of my pictures," he told the newspaper, Buzzfeed News reported. Climbing the pyramids is illegal, and Egypt is a strictly conservative Muslim country. Egyptian authorities investigated the photo, and whether or not the image and video were authentic. "The prosecution authorities will tell Egyptians how the two tourists were able to scale the Great Pyramid of Khufu, whether the video is real or fake, and negligent officials will be brought to justice," said Egyptian antiquities minister, Khaled al-Anani. Hvid left the country, but two people who authorities said helped the couple scale the pyramid were later arrested, Egypt Today reported. Tourists knocked over an entire wall of art by Francisco Goya and Salvador Dali in a Russian art museum while trying to take a selfie. A view of Yekaterinburg, Russia. Lars Baron/Getty Images On October 27, 2018, a group of women at the International Arts Center Main Avenue in Yekaterinburg, Russia, attempted to take a selfie with the works of famed artists Francisco Goya and Salvador Dali, knocking over an entire wall in the process. According to TASS, a Russian news agency, "Goya's work had its frame and glass broken. As far as Dali's artwork is concerned, apart from shattered frame and protective glass, it also suffered damage to the picture itself." The whole thing was caught on camera. While people are understandably upset, the Yekaterinburg police department refused to open a criminal case against the women, CNN reported. Two tourists narrowly avoided up to 10 years in a Thai prison for spray-painting a brick wall from the 13th century. Brittney Schneider and Lee Furlong in front of the Tha Pae Gate. Chiang Mai News via AP Travelers Brittney Schneider, from Canada, and Lee Furlong, from the United Kingdom, found a can of spray paint on the side of the road in northern Bangkok. The two were inebriated and decided to vandalize the nearest wall which happened to be the Tha Pae Gate, a popular tourist attraction that dates back to the 13th century. The two were found within a week because of surveillance footage and were immediately taken to jail. Their bail, which their families paid, was set at 149,000 baht, or roughly $6,000. They each faced up to a decade in prison, but Schneider told the radio show "Edmonton AM" that she deserved "a big fine definitely, but I don't think I deserve prison for this." She was eventually able to pay to get her case expedited, and she returned home in November 2018 after seven weeks in the country and with just a $4,000 fine. Furlong returned home that December and also paid a fine. A group of teens pushed a rock off a crag at Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire, England, causing irreparable damage to a landmark that's millions of years old. The natural rock formations known as Brimham Rocks. Homer Sykes/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images According to the North Yorkshire Police, in June 2018, a group of five young people were seen pushing a rock off a crag at Brimham Rocks, a National Trust site in North Yorkshire, England, that dates back millions of years. The rock formation has been shaped by centuries of wind, rain, and ice. "The incident has not only caused considerable damage to both the rock and the crag face, but those responsible also put themselves in danger and have created a potential hazard for other visitors to Brimham Rocks," the police said. A tourist damaged an 800-year-old museum artifact just so he could take a photo of his kid. The artifact before and after the damage. Courtesy of Southend-on-Sea Borough One family in the UK disregarded museum rules (and common sense) when they placed their baby inside an ancient artifact for a photo-op in August 2017, Insider reported at the time. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the family placed the child inside an 800-year-old sandstone coffin, which caused it to fall off its stand. While the incident only caused about $130 worth of damage, the disregard for historical preservation for the sake of a photo is priceless. A woman slapped an airline gate agent after she was told check-in had closed for her flight. It's not the gate agent's fault that you're late. ileela/Shutterstock Traveling can be frustrating, but there's no excuse for getting violent with airline staff. However, a passenger on an AirFrance flight flying from Wuhan, China, to Paris was reportedly captured in June 2017 on a security camera slapping a gate agent after learning that she had missed check-in for her flight. The passenger told airline staff she had an important conference to attend, according to the South China Morning Post. She was subsequently arrested and blacklisted from future AirFrance flights, according to reports. A woman shattered a piece of art worth $800,000 while taking a selfie and made the exhibit shut down for three days. The exhibit. AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis Artist Yayoi Kusama's mind-bending exhibit "Infinity Mirrors" is undoubtedly photo-worthy. However, one tourist in Washington, DC, took a selfie too far and severely damaged a piece of art in the exhibition in February 2017. The exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum was closed for three days after a visitor broke a glass pumpkin, causing an estimated $800,000 worth of damage, according to The New York Times. A tourist threw a glove at a member of the Queen's Guard in London just to mess with him. One of the Queen's Guard at his post. Paul Cunningham/Corbis/Getty Images Members of the Queen's Guard are known for their stoic disposition. But one tourist decided to try to get a reaction out of a guard (not pictured) by throwing her glove at him in June 2017. She was quickly reprimanded by another type of guard, called a Beefeater, as shown by a video posted on YouTube. "The Army's here to protect the crown jewels. He is not here for the public to make fun of," he said. The Beefeater returned the woman's glove before the tourists went on their way. A woman in Los Angeles destroyed $200,000 worth of art while taking a selfie. The artist, Simon Birch. Nora Tam/South China Morning Post/Getty Images A cringe-worthy video of a selfie gone wrong, captured on a security camera, racked up millions of views on YouTube after it was posted in July 2017. The incident took place at an installation by artist Simon Birch at The 14th Factory in Los Angeles. The installation, called "Hypercaine," featured a display of delicate crowns on pedestals. The video shows a woman crouching down to take a selfie in front of the art and falling, subsequently knocking over an entire column of pedestals, apparently causing $200,000 worth of damage. An airline passenger threw a coin into a plane's engine for good luck, causing her flight to be delayed. Don't throw things into an airplane engine. Alexander Tolstykh/Shutterstock While many people are superstitious about flying, most don't react by damaging the airplane they're about to board. A passenger flying from Shanghai to Guangzhou, China, caused her flight to be delayed after she threw coins into the plane's engine for good luck in June 2017. Mechanics recovered nine coins from the area, including one inside the engine. While the coins did not seriously damage the plane, they could have been detrimental if they'd been sucked in by the engine, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The 76-year-old woman was taken into custody, although it was unknown if she would face charges. A baby dolphin that became stranded in shallow waters in Spain in August 2017 died after tourists took photos with it, rather than seeking help. A newborn bottlenose dolphin. Wild Horizons/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Tourists on a beach in southern Spain were seen taking photos with the animal and taking it out of the water after it became separated from its mother, the BBC reported at the time. Rescue crews arrived on the scene about 15 minutes after the dolphin was first spotted, but it was too late, according to Travel + Leisure. Equinac, an animal rescue organization, posted on Facebook about the incident, saying that crowding around animals causes shock and respiratory failure. Tourists in Thailand were arrested for taking nude photos at a historic temple. The Wat Arun temple in Bangkok. Shutterstock Two tourists from the United States were arrested in Thailand in November 2017 after taking nude photos at the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, according to The Telegraph. The men traveled around the world posting nude photos on their now-deleted Instagram account, "Traveling Butts," including at the historic temple in Bangkok. After posting the photo, the tourists were detained, fined for public indecency, and blacklisted from returning to the country, according to reports. A man kicked and destroyed a stalagmite that was thousands of years old in a cave in China. A stalagmite cave. Belish/Shutterstock A man traveling in China's Guizhou province in June 2017 was in a group of tourists taking photos of a cave in Songtao county when he kicked a nearly 20-inch stalagmite several times, according to the South China Morning Post, citing the Beijing Youth Daily. A video posted on YouTube shows the man kicking the rock formation until it falls over, destroying something that likely took thousands of years to form naturally. Read the original article on Insider Asiana Airlines' Airbus A321 plane, of which a passenger opened a door on a flight shortly before the aircraft landed. Yonhap via REUTERS An Asiana Airlines passenger made headlines in May as he opened an emergency exit in mid-air. Now, four South Korean airlines are trying to prevent this happening again, per The Korean Times. Uniformed personnel including soldiers and airline workers will be prioritized for exit row seats. Four South Korean airlines have signed up to a new scheme to try and prevent a repeat of an incident where an Asiana Airlines passenger opened the emergency exit in mid-air, The Korea Times reported. In May, an Asiana Airlines flight was coming in to land when a passenger opened the emergency exit door at an altitude of 700 feet, minutes before landing. Nobody was seriously injured, but nine people were taken to hospital after suffering from suspected hyperventilation, and a 33-year-old passenger was arrested, The Guardian reported. Park Dae-chul, chief policymaker of the ruling People Power Party, said last month that the government had approved a new seating scheme to go into effect July 31, per The Korea Times. The newspaper reports that uniformed personnel including police officers, soldiers, firefighters, and airline employees, will have priority for seats in the emergency exit row. Park told reporters it would apply to 94 seats in 38 aircraft operated by Asiana Airlines, Air Seoul, Air Busan and Aero K Airlines. The political party started work on the idea shortly after May's incident. According to Paddle Your Own Kanoo, the Asiana Airlines flight attendant who was then closest to the emergency exit was sat on the opposite side of the aircraft so couldn't prevent the suspect from lifting the handle. Other airlines have faced similar incidents this year too. A Delta passenger was arrested after opening the emergency exit and escaping down the slide, minutes before takeoff Los Angeles International Airport. And in July, a man described by fellow passengers as "extremely drunk" forced a Jet2 flight to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria after trying but failing to open the exit. Read the original article on Business Insider From quesadillas and fajitas to nachos and enchiladas, who can resist a delicious Mexican meal? With over 2,000 full-service restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area, there are many eateries on the Grand Strand where you can get your fill. Whether you want to dine at Broadway at the Beach, Market Common or by the Boardwalk, theres a Mexican restaurant for you. Here are the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach, according to Tripadvisor. Location: 801 Main St., Myrtle Beach Phone: 843-445-2992 Rating: 4.5/5 with 240 Tripadvisor reviews Sun City Cafe has been serving what they call Myrtle-Mex since 2001. Located in downtown Myrtle Beach near the Boardwalk, diners keep coming back for their house-made salsa and old-school burritos. Location: 410 70th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach Phone: 843-497-2781 Rating: 4.5/5 with 712 Tripadvisor reviews Sip a margarita underneath colorful papel picado flags on Fiesta Mexicanas front patio. The family-owned restaurant serves a variety of dishes including tableside guacamole and carne asada, with weekly mariachi and karaoke nights. Location: 9906 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach Phone: 843-497-5960 Rating: 4.5/5 with 554 Tripadvisor reviews Start off your meal at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant with an order of cheese dip and end with sweet cinnamon churros. Senor Frogs in Myrtle Beach. Location: 1304 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach Phone: 843-444-5506 Rating: 4/5 with 2,287 Tripadvisor reviews With locations across the U.S. and Mexico, Senor Frogs has a family-friendly party atmosphere. At the restaurants Broadway at the Beach location, stop in for a drink or dinner. Nacho Hippo Location: 1160 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach Phone: 843-839-9770 Rating: 4/5 with 1,272 Tripadvisor reviews Located in Market Common, Nacho Hippo welcomes diners to a festive purple space. Choose from a variety of creatively named nachos and tacos, like The Carolina Kid and Hipponachomus. Credit - National Archives Catalog (3); U.S. Navy/Wiki Commons; U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command/Wiki Commons When most people think of women's contributions to World War II, the Rosie the Riveter poster is probably the first thing that comes to mind. But many of the women crucial to the war effort do not have that kind of household name recognition. About 350,000 American women served in uniformroughly the size of the active duty Navy today. They did everything from fixing planes and tanks to drawing maps to help horses get through the woods of Normandy. A new book out today, Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II, serves as an encyclopedia of key women who served in the war. They were at the heart of the support operations that essentially underwrote Allied victory, author Lena S. Andrews says. War is not just the frontline. It is everything. It is everything that gets those soldiers to the frontline. These are five of the most influential women during World War II. Oveta Culp Hobby National Archives Catalog Oveta Culp Hobby Andrews describes Hobby as the most famous woman in the U.S. military back then. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, she was running the Womens Interest Section of the War Departments Bureau of Public Relations (which an Ohio newspaper condescendingly described as summarizing "the activities of Mars to the wives, sweethearts, and mothers.) She then oversaw the Women's Army Corps, traveling nationwide to encourage women to enlist. After the war, she became the second female cabinet member in U.S. history, managing the newly-created Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in President Dwight D. Eisenhowers administration. Mary Sears U.S. Navy/Wiki Commons Mary Sears Sears was a scientist who earned three degrees from Radcliffe (now part of Harvard), including a PhD in zoology. She worked in the Naval departments now-defunct Hydrographic Office, responsible for mapping the Pacific Ocean and advising admirals on where to land their ships. The Navy relied on her to help understand the tides and the beaches that officers would be facing in the Pacific. Andrews says Sears is now considered a mother of oceanography" for her work during the war. Story continues Charity Adams National Archives Catalog Charity Adams A member of the Womens Army Corps, Adams ran the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the largest unit of Black Army women to serve overseas. The unit was responsible for delivering mail from the home front to the troops fighting in Europe. They clear the backlog faster than any civilians or military personnel who had been there before, says Andrews. Read More: 5 Black World War II Heroes to Know Susan Ahn, right, with her two brothers Ralph and Philip. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command/Wiki Commons Susan Ahn Ahn was one of the few Asian American women who rose up in the military ranks. She helped train naval aviators to fight in the Pacific via a flight simulator and taught them how to handle machine guns. Shes the epitome of how important women were for training men to actually do the combat tasks that they needed tosurvive, says Andrews. Jacqueline Cochran National Archives Catalog Jacqueline Cochran Cochran headed up the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), made up of more than 1,000 women who were some of the most talented fliers in the country. Before the war started, Cochran was likened to Amelia Earhart. "They were competitors," says Andrews. Among the star WASP pilots was Ann Baumgartner, the first woman to fly a jet plane. She flew the newest and most advanced equipment that would be deployed later in the war and even flew the B-29 Superfortress, the same plane that dropped the atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Correction, August 1 The original version of this story misstated biographical details of two female World War II heroes. Ann Baumgartner was the first woman to fly a jet plane and test the B-29 Superfortress, not Jacqueline Cochran. And it was Cochran who headed up the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, not Baumgartner. Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com. A 5-year-old girl attending a horse race at an Illinois county fair was seriously hurt in a mishap involving the starting gate, police say. It reportedly happened Sunday, July 30, at the Effingham County Fair in south-central Illinois. Effingham County Sheriffs officials said the extending starting gate of a harness race somehow entered the grandstand, striking 5-year-old Harper Finn, according to Effingham Radio. Its believed the starting gate didnt fold correctly or was still extended when it hit Harper, Sheriff Paul Kuhns told WTWO. It flew into the stands as Harper was throwing something away, according to WCIA. If you havent seen a pace car its a little difficult to explain. But the car has two large wings on the back that when they start off the races it keeps all of the horses in order, Kuhns told WTWO. It keeps them from passing the pace car. But after they get the horses started and, on the pace, then those gates, those wings, fold up along the side of the car and the car can go on or turn off. Harper was flown to a St. Louis hospital, WAND reported. Sheriffs officials said she suffered a serious injury, according to Effingham Radio, but the extent of her injuries is unknown. Its the first injury of this magnitude to occur at the annual fair, Effingham County Fair Board President Phil Hartke told the Effingham Daily News. Its such a tragedy and we feel it down to almost every person, because were such a tight-knit community, Kuhns told WCIA. The Effingham County Fair canceled its remaining horse races for the fair. Effingham is about 100 miles northeast of St. Louis. 10-year-old thrown from carnival ride and is hospitalized, Illinois cops say A 63-year-old man treaded water in the Atlantic Ocean for about five hours Monday after he was swept out to sea off New York's Long Island, police said. Dan Ho was rescued after he built a makeshift flag with a broken fishing pole and his shirt to draw attention to himself. Ho went swimming at around 5 a.m. and was pulled out to sea by the current, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement posted to Facebook. After about five hours of treading water, he found the fishing pole in the water, tied his shirt to it and waved it in the air. About 2 1/2 miles south of the beach where Ho entered the water, he was spotted by Jim Hohorst and Michael Ross, who were out fishing at the time and told the Newsday newspaper they thought Ho was a lobster buoy when they first saw him. First responders help Dan Ho, 63, after he was rescued from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New York, July 31, 2023. / Credit: Suffolk County Police Department They pulled Ho on board their boat, and Hohorst, who according to Newsday was a former officer for the New York Fire Department's marine bureau, called for help on the radio. He estimated the water temperature was about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, Newsday reported. "He was in shock and pretty incoherent at the time," Hohorst told the outlet. "We figured he had maybe an hour left. He was very hypothermic and said he had been drinking a lot of salt water." According to Hohorst, Ho told Ross, "I thought I was done." When police officers met up with the boat, Ho was conscious and alert but couldn't stand, police said. He was treated for hypothermia on the police boat and taken to a U.S. Coast Guard station. Ho was treated by a Coast Guard medic and then taken to a hospital, police said. Last week, three people were rescued from the water off Long Island, CBS New York reported. Police said lifeguards rescued two of the swimmers and a good Samaritan saved the third person. Doctors warn COVID hospitalizations are rising How school safety protocols may have prevented a mass shooting this week Jury weighing death penalty for Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter Eight people have been charged with federal crimes in connection with the March kidnapping of a group of migrants that began with a highway gunbattle and ended days later with FBI agents fatally shooting a suspect at a Houston hotel, officials announced Tuesday. The abductions began as a human smuggling effort in a South Texas border city but morphed into a kidnapping during a shootout on a rural stretch of interstate west of Houston, federal officials said. Three migrants were wounded by gunfire and three others were taken captive, beaten and held for days for ransom, the officials said. Six of the eight people charged in connection with the smuggling and kidnapping have been taken into custody but two remain at large and are considered dangerous, said U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani. He said the FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Santiago Hernandez Jr., 26, and Lorie Lin Flowers, 25, who are charged with aiding and abetting kidnapping and believed to be in Eagle Pass, Texas, or in a nearby area of Mexico. The federal indictments follow state authorities' earlier arrests of two teenagers for their alleged roles in the kidnappings. At a news conference Tuesday, federal officials also clarified and provided more details on the scheme that led two families to pay ransoms for the release of their loved ones. Do not put your hands in the life of a human smuggler, Hamdani said. Your family will lose all their money, or worse, they will lose you. On March 18, the smugglers were driving with six migrants through Waller County to Houston when several vehicles began chasing and shooting at their truck, Hamdani said. He said three wounded victims were left at the scene, with one in severe condition. In the following days, FBI agents searched for the three others as their captors held them at two Houston-area hotels, beat them and sent videos of the violence to their families, according to officials. Hamdani said two of the people were released after their families paid significant ransoms. Story continues On March 23, FBI agents found the hotel where the remaining hostage was being held and freed the man during a confrontation that led agents to shoot one of the alleged hostage-takers, 20-year-old Alberto Montes II. Montes' parents said in April that they'd struggled to get answers from the FBI about why their son was shot. FBI agent Jim Smith said Tuesday that agents opened fire after Montes walked out of the hotel room holding a gun. State and federal officials had previously offered competing counts of how many hostages were found during the rescue, but Hamdani said Tuesday that it was one man. Officials had not acknowledged before Tuesday that three other migrants were shot and wounded before the kidnapping. Hamdani said they are all now recovering. Clergy watch the unveiling of of temporary signage for the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument site at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ at 4021 S. State St., Aug. 1, 2023, in Chicago. It was the location of the 1955 funeral of 14-year-old Emmett Till. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) At the South Side church where Emmett Tills open casket funeral took place nearly 68 years ago, elected officials and other leaders gathered Tuesday to unveil a temporary sign marking the recently designated national monument honoring Till and his mother, both of whom helped launch the Civil Rights Movement. Illinois governor and lieutenant governor, Chicagos mayor, the states two U.S. senators, and several current and former members of Congress met with activists and others at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville. The church was the setting in 1955 where Tills open casket displayed the brutality of the 14-year-olds death when he was abducted, tortured and killed after being accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. Advertisement The power of an open casket, changed not only our nation, but changed the world, said former U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Chicago, who championed an anti-lynching bill named after Till that President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Tills murder and the activism of his mother that followed caught the nations attention about the harsh cruelty of racism and helped spur the fight for civil rights. [ Chicagoans celebrate Emmett Tills birthday as Biden expected to establish national monument in his honor ] Rush thanked Tills mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, for her bravery and activism following her sons murder. Till-Mobley died in 2003. Advertisement That open casket aint closed yet, Rush said. There is power in the open casket. The temporary signage came just one week after Biden signed a proclamation establishing a national monument honoring Till and his mother. The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument will be located across three sites, one in Illinois at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, and two in Mississippi. The proclamation means the sites become federally protected places. A temporary sign is unveiled for the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument site at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, Aug. 1, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) The crowd files past the open casket of Emmett Till inside Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ to pay their respects at his funeral on Sept. 3, 1955. (Phil Mascione / Chicago Tribune) Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth introduced the historic site act in the Senate two years ago and it establishes the church as a historic site to be managed by the National Park Service. National Park Service officials said Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ will be restored. It was listed as one of the nations most endangered historic places in 2020 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mayor Brandon Johnson said the story of Emmett Till serves as a marker for how much work still needs to be done. We all know this painful story, but its important for us to always remember because it is in that memory where we find our strength and our power, Johnson said. (Mamie Till-Mobleys) words, Let the world see, what I have seen. Isnt that the true marker of our fight for liberation? Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the monument the start of a new era for the national recognition of the awful struggle for Black Americans for civil rights. Here in Illinois, we ought never hide from the truth. Never. No matter how painful. We must embrace it, Pritzker said. Almost all the Democratic political leaders in attendance referenced recent attempts by conservative politicians to limit the teaching of Black history and slavery in public schools, as well as the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Its important to teach all parts of history, including the painful parts, said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. Advertisement Haaland said African American and Native American histories are vital parts of Americas history. Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Every person in this country should know our full and honest history. Our triumphs, our struggles, our progress and our failures, Haaland said. We will only change our future when we realize how the shortcomings of our past impact our present. She said Emmett Tills painful story is one of justice, one that every American deserves to have. Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > I want this designation to be part of the healing process that our country needs, she said. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said the Civil Rights Movement endures today, especially as some lawmakers are attempting to erase Black history. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Chicago noted he was born in 1941, the same year as Emmett Till. He said Tills death sparked his own passion for civil rights and justice. Advertisement Emmetts death and action generated and developed a multitude of young people, who at that time, decided that times that had been wouldnt be anymore, Davis said. Davis said Tills death was a turning point at the time for young people who realized they didnt have to wait to take action. Hes hopeful the national monument will do the same for todays younger generation. You didnt change the world but you could change how you responded and reacted to it. So this is indeed a day of thanks giving, he said. vla@chicagotribune.com Nine military enlistment offices have been set on fire in Russia ove the past 24 hours. Source: Baza, a Russian Telegram channel Details: Baza stated that attempts to set military enlistment offices on fire have been recorded in the cities of Mozhaysk and Podolsk in Moscow Oblast, Rososh in Voronezh Oblast, Kazan, Omsk, St Petersburg and Kaluga, and Verkhnouralsk and Kopeysk in Chelyabinsk Oblast. Almost all of the arsonists said they had received calls from fraudsters, as Baza reports. For example, on the night of 31 July-1 August, a 54-year-old employee of the Chelyabinsk steel construction plant was arrested for attempting to set fire to a military enlistment office in Kopeysk. She threw a Molotov cocktail into the medical office of the military enlistment office. Two hours later, there was an attempt to set fire to a military enlistment office in Verkhnouralsk. A 34-year-old local woman was arrested at the scene. Another military enlistment office was set on fire in Kaluga. There, a 78-year-old pensioner was detained for attempted arson. Background: On 31 July, a man rammed a car through the gate to a military enlistment office in St Petersburg and tried to burn it down. He claims that he was prompted to do so by the Russian FSB. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! One of Sacramentos Michelin-rated restaurants is getting ready to open its new location later this month in Land Park. The Kitchen a six-course dinner restaurant with a prix fixe menu announced its move from Arden Arcade to Land Park in December. The restaurants last day of service in Arden Arcade was July 23, said to Josh Nelson, head of Selland Family Restaurants. He confirmed the new location at 915 Broadway in Land Park is scheduled to open Aug. 10. The new location will neighbor the Selland Market Cafe, another restaurant owned by the Selland Family. Under the same ownership is also Ella Dining Room and Bar. Reservations for The Kitchen opened July 31, but the books are filled through the end of the year. You can still get on a wait list through The Kitchens reservation website. The Kitchen earned a Michelin star in 2019 and has retained it every year since. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. The man who once headed a highly respected bank in the South Carolina Lowcountry will spend seven years in federal prison for helping convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh steal nearly $2 million from clients' legal settlements. Russell Laffitte was sentenced Tuesday after a jury found him guilty of six charges related to wire and bank fraud back in November. The ex-CEO of Palmetto State Bank became the first of the disgraced former attorney's accomplices to face prison time following the June 2021 shooting deaths that stemmed from sprawling investigations into the Murdaugh family finances. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel also ordered Laffitte to pay more than $3 million in restitution, local media reported. Murdaugh will cover a piece of that sum. The former banker has said he will appeal the decision. Murdaugh is serving life without parole for killing his wife, Maggie, and their son, Paul, at the kennels on their 1,700-acre rural estate. Still outstanding are more than 100 other charges encompassing alleged financial crimes from insurance fraud to tax evasion. His trial this winter marked the swift fall from grace for a powerful family whose members served over 80 years straight as the elected prosecutors in tiny Hampton County. Laffitte similarly came from a prominent family that had built an upstanding reputation for Palmetto State Bank. The Independent Banks of South Carolina even honored Laffitte as the banker of the year in 2019. But that good standing tanked over his actions as the court-appointed safeguard for settlement money that Murdaugh won for some of his most vulnerable clients. Prosecutors argued he used the role to elaborately pocket tens of thousands of dollars and collect as much as $450,000 in untaxable fees. The position also allowed him to send large chunks toward Murdaugh who had grown desperate to repay mounting loans as an opioid addiction further depleted his accounts. Laffitte acknowledged by name each victim sitting in the Charleston federal courthouse on Tuesday, local media reported. He apologized for not fulfilling his duties to them. He apologized to the judge for erring in his judgment. And he apologized to Palmetto State Bank customers for failing them. Story continues Still, Laffitte continued to maintain his innocence. He has insisted for months instead that he didnt know he was committing crimes and was manipulated by a major customer. The defense sought a reduced sentence of three to five years imprisonment. Relatives, friends and business acquaintances vouched for his character in letters submitted to court. His lawyers pointed to his professional ruin and lack of prior criminal record as evidence that a stiff penalty is not necessary to deter future crimes. In addition, the name Russell Laffitte is now known throughout South Carolina and beyond, and not in a good way Russell will be forevermore tied to Mr. Murdaugh and known infamously as 'the Murdaugh banker, they wrote in a July 28 memo. Prosecutors asked the judge to put Laffitte behind bars for at least nine years. Rebuffing the claims of ignorance, they noted that the diverted checks were made payable to Palmetto State Bank and not Laffitte as the overseer of the funds. The sophisticated move, they argued, intentionally concealed the final destination. A lengthier prison stay is also necessary to atone for the damaged public trust in banking, prosecutors wrote in a July 27 memo. The Government does not dispute that Murdaugh is the more culpable actor in the criminal conspiracy, or that Murdaugh benefited more from the scheme," the prosecution wrote. "But the Defendant was the only person who could have stopped him. Instead, the Defendant enabled him. Repeatedly. ___ James Pollard 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. NEW YORK Images of migrants forced to sleep on Manhattan sidewalks in recent days are hammering home a point New York City Mayor Eric Adams has long been trying to make to President Joe Biden. We need help, Adams said Monday. And its not going to get any better. From this moment on, its downhill. Photos, videos and interviews from the street outside the midtown Manhattan hotel doubling as an intake center are circulating online and in the national media. Groups of newly arrived men resigned to sleeping on cardboard boxes have found that, as Adams has repeatedly warned the White House, there is no room for them. No one wants anyone sleeping on the street or being used as a pawn in a political fight, but its just plain reality that theres no more room, a City Hall adviser told POLITICO. And week after week, the pressure is going to keep mounting on Washington to do something now or wait for it to impact the 2024 elections. The images are stark, but theyre unlikely to prompt Biden and his top aides to take immediate action as theyve said the national immigration problem requires a congressional solution. Adams has blamed the White House for not sending enough financial aid or acting on requests like expedited work authorization. More than 93,000 migrants have come to the city since last spring. More than half remain in its care. There were bordering states that received more money than us, and theyre using the money to bus people to New York, Adams said Monday at an unrelated news conference. He said New York City has received only $30 million in federal aid thus far for a crisis he estimated would cost $4.2 billion by next summer. New York congressional leaders also announced in June that New York City was allocated nearly $105 million in FEMA funds for the migrant crisis. Adams said the city has yet to receive that money. The mayor and other Democrats have decried how Republican governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida bused and flew migrants to New York and other cities as political stunts. But the visuals of migrants sleeping on makeshift mattresses or in vans outside New York Citys Roosevelt Hotel could similarly catch Bidens attention. Story continues Adams has at times broken with national Democratic messaging, including on immigration and public safety. Last May, he was left off the Biden reelection campaigns list of 50 surrogates after accusing the White House of failing New York City on migrants. The exclusion came despite Adams touting of the working-class roots he and Biden share. Leaving migrants to sleep on the streets could also hurt Adams, whos been accused by more progressive Democrats of not doing enough to accommodate them. While the mayor insists the city is at its capacity, there are more options to house newcomers. There are spaces and there are opportunities to make space for people, said Democratic consultant Camille Rivera, adding that everyone from commercial building owners to parents at schools could pitch in. This is an operational juggernaut and intake is hard, but this is New York City, and you do what you need to do to make sure people are taken care of. Lupe Todd-Medina, another Democratic consultant, said the images may spur help from other corners. If anything, my hope is that the business community and the real estate community see what is going on and they also act, she said. Efforts to authorize the conversion of empty commercial space into residences have languished in Albany. Adams, for his part, has said that nothing is off the table when it comes to housing migrants. He has resettled asylum-seekers in Texas, Florida and as far away as China, bussed them north to the suburbs, temporarily set them up in public school gymnasiums and even considered using a shuttered prison for migrant shelter. Adams has opened 194 different sites around the city to accommodate migrants, including large-scale intake centers. Mayoral spokesman Fabien Levy said the city struggles every day to free up beds for migrants. He said children and families are prioritized and placed in shelter every night. We continue to do our best to at least offer adults a temporary place to wait off the sidewalks, Levy said in a statement, but, in all honesty, New Yorkers may continue to see more and more migrants waiting outside as hundreds of asylum seekers continue to arrive in our city seeking shelter every day. A White House spokesperson noted that Adams, New Yorks senators and the citys House Democrats met last week with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in Washington, D.C. Mayorkas said that he would appoint a liaison to the city to coordinate on migrants, according to attendees of the closed-door huddle. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that Mayorkas stressed in the meeting that an outdated immigration system is something only Congress can fix through bipartisan legislative action. The spokesperson added that the Biden administration has brought unlawful border crossings down markedly since the return to Title 8 processing." While New York City may have received less federal funding to support migrants than border cities, it has received the most of any interior city. DAYTON, Ohio The future of the U.S. militarys Adaptive Engine Transition Program is still up in the air, but one service is trying to fold the efforts technological innovations into an advanced jets propulsion system. In a Tuesday roundtable with reporters in Dayton, Ohio, John Sneden, director of the Air Forces propulsion directorate, outlined ways his organization is working to adapt AETP features into the future Next Generation Air Dominance platforms engines. That propulsion system, dubbed Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, or NGAP, is in a preliminary design phase, Sneden said at the Air Forces Life Cycle Industry Days event. Within the next few years, he added, NGAP should be ready to move into prototyping and testing, having learned multiple lessons from the previous work on AETP. The Pentagon has researched adaptive engine technology through AETP since 2016 as a possible replacement for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters current engine. GE Aerospace as well as Pratt & Whitney the latter makes the F-35s current F135 engine developed their own adaptive engines and are continuing to work on NGAP. In its March budget request, the Pentagon announced it had instead decided to stick with the F135 engines and upgrade them to provide more power and cooling for the F-35. The Pentagons proposed budget requested no money for the alternative AETP option. But some lawmakers have since moved to restore funding for AETP so the military can continue developing this technology for use in advanced fighter systems. NGAP is fully funded in the Air Forces proposed fiscal 2024 budget, with the department requesting $595 million an increase of $375 million over fiscal 2023. If AETP is not funded in FY24, Sneden said, the Air Force will shift its remaining AETP budget and activities to NGAP. Those include ongoing work developing controls for AETPs adaptive fan, cooling technologies and advanced materials, many of which will form crucial elements of NGADs eventual engine. Story continues Sneden said AETPs adaptive element allowing the engine to rapidly shift to the configuration that would provide the best thrust and efficiency for a certain situation and the use of advanced composite materials, which can withstand much higher temperatures, for turbines and other components will be central to NGAP. But its still undecided as to whether the NGADs engine will use the third stream of air that is another part of the AETP design, he said. While the technology used in both AETP and NGAP will be largely the same, Sneden explained, the future NGADs engines will be sized differently from those of the F-35. That means elements of AETP would have to be resized and redesigned to be suitable for NGAD. Well be able to port that tech over, Sneden said. Its not a one-for-one; you cant just pull it off of the F-35 and move it directly over to NGAD in its current state. While GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney develop the new fighters engines, Sneden noted, the potential designers of the NGAD airframe are also working closely with them to ensure the engines will fit. The Air Force last year also awarded contracts worth nearly $1 billion each to aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to work on prototyping NGAD engines, although Northrop in July confirmed it would not bid as a prime contractor on NGAD. The Air Force issued a solicitation for NGAD in May, and it plans to make an award in 2024. We are making one design that will fit into any of the [airframe] designs for NGAD, Sneden said. Later on, as we downselect and figure out who the final vendor is, there could be some optimization of that system and that particular design. But theyre all designing and moving around the propulsion constraints that weve studied and evaluated and provided to each. AETP testing that already occurred has been tremendously useful for NGAP, Sneden said. Because of the data that weve received off of that, we actually understand how the adaptive engine technology works, Sneden explained. We understand the types of changes that we need to make, and we can incorporate that into the baseline for NGAD. It will be crucial for the United States to redouble its efforts toward developing new and innovative propulsion systems, Sneden noted. Since about 2015, China has made considerable advancements of its own on propulsion, and is starting to catch up. We are losing our propulsion lead to China, which is investing heavily and developing and producing effective propulsion technologies, Sneden said. We have to maintain that propulsion edge. VERONA Nick Collins wants to find ways to allow members of the Augusta County School Board to share items that are important to them with the community, items that in the past might have been saved for the boards annual retreat. As chairman I dont want any board member to think that I am doing anything to suppress their interests, Collins said. At the same time, Mr. (Timothy) Simmons and Mr. (Mike) Lawson are new board members and there are a lot of moving parts in this school system. Im just trying to afford them an opportunity to say, hey, Id like to know more about this or that. I even have a thing or two Id like to know more about. Simmons, first elected in 2021, represents the Pastures District while Lawson, who first won a seat on the board in 2022, represents the South River District. Simmons and, to a lesser degree, Lawson have not been afraid to rock the boat so far, pushing the board to look at some things in a different way. Collins is fine with that, saying new eyes and new voices are never a bad thing. Last month, Simmons discussed his desire to join the School Board Member Alliance, an organization that supports school board members with resources and training opportunities. Simmons is paying for the membership out of his own pocket. Currently all of Augusta Countys school board members are members of the Virginia School Board Association. The board unanimously approved Simmons desire to join the new board at his own expense. At the meeting this Thursday, Aug. 3, the community will hear a little about what the school division has found out on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, something Lawson wanted to discuss. Collins said the issue, which he called very complicated, wont be on the agenda this month but the board will get an update from Lawson who has been part of some meetings on the subject. One thing weve learned is its just not a singular subject, Collins said. Its kind of like a spiderweb with webs into anything and everything we do. Mr. Lawson will address some of our progress in the comments by board members. Story continues Schools nationwide have been struggling with the impact of AI. New York City banned ChatGPT last January then reversed that decision in May. Other school districts have kept a ban on the chatbot that, in an educational setting, can be used to write essays or even answer test questions using AI. AI goes well beyond just ChatGPT though and, along with the possible drawbacks, there are benefits, including the use of the technology in tutoring programs for students and assessment systems for teachers that can possibly help them when working with students who are struggling in the classroom. On Thursday, the community will get a first glimpse at some of what the Augusta County School Board has been discussing concerning AI. Also, Collins said he doesnt expect much discussion from the board on Gov. Glenn Younkgins new model policies released in July. The board chair expects to hear from Superintendent Eric Bond that staff is reviewing the policies, but not much beyond that. He said the issue could find its way to the agenda in September. Wednesday, August 2 Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, 10 am. Augusta County Board of Supervisors special called meeting, 7 p.m. - A late addition to The Agenda, the board has scheduled a special meeting to "consider a Board resolution to request certain public records." It is currently unclear what records the board is looking to obtain. Thursday, August 3 Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals, 2:30 p.m. - Amongst the items in front of the BZA is another request for a nearly 200-foot telecommunications tower in Swoope. The last time a similar item was in front of the board, New Hope residents showed up in droves to lobby against the construction. Augusta County School Board, 7 p.m. - While the board is expected to have its first conversation around artificial intelligence on Thursday, most of the meeting will be regular annual approvals of plans and items before the start of the new school year. Monday, August 7 Community Policy Management Team, 1:30 p.m. Staunton Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee, 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 8 Augusta County Planning Commission, 7 p.m. - The big ticket item on the planning commission's agenda will be a proposed solar farm in Fishersville. However, many eyes will be looking towards the commission's decision on chairperson Carolyn Bragg. Bragg was appointed to the board of supervisors earlier this year, and commission bylaws state that the chair and vice-chair of the commission cannot be on the board of supervisors. Waynesboro School Board, 7 p.m. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: THE AGENDA: Augusta County school board set for first discussion on artificial intelligence in classrooms A network of over 1,000 cameras equipped with artificial intelligence is being used to monitor the California landscape for wildfires. The initiative is a partnership between UC San Diegos ALERTCalifornia public safety program and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE. The system operates by having the camera network monitor the wildland 24/7. It utilizes near-infrared night vision and makes 360-degree sweeps about every two minutes. The feeds are then analyzed by AI to spot smoke and alert fire officials. The Mountain Fire is a second blaze located in Siskiyou County, California. Currently, six of CalFires 21 units are receiving AI-generated alerts. THE FUTURE OF WILDFIRE DETECTION IS HERE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Footage from the camera feeds also allows firefighters to assess the topography around a fire. This gives them an opportunity to see which direction the fire might be burning down. Plus, it allows firefighters to monitor other natural disasters, such as mudslides and flooding. "What I hope that we can use the technology for is to make it safer for the firefighters to do what they need to do," CAL FIRE Intelligence Specialist Suzann Leininger said to FOX Weather correspondent Max Gorden. "That's really the bottom line is all of this technology is about making firefighters safer in the field." While the AI system has been beneficial for firefighters, it is not a perfect system. For example, the AI will sometimes flag dust or clouds to fire officials. Because of this, some people are tasked with analyzing the AIs work and improving the system. 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. The general public take a look at the camera feeds for themselves at the ALERT California website. The tactic of AI to fight wildfires is catching on. A system called FireScout has been implemented throughout the western U.S., along with Australia. Much like the UC San Diego-CAL FIRE system, FireScout utilizes over 1,000 cameras scattered across the landscape to monitor for wildfires. It then uses AI that has been trained with over 10 million images of real wildfires dating back to 2013 to detect smoke plumes from wildfires during the day and detect flames at night. According to FireScout President Bow Rogers, FireScout can identify a wildfire with 99% accuracy. Story continues FILE: Wildfires burn. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER As of Tuesday, an estimated 30,466 wildfires have burned 1,174,562 acres in the U.S. this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Causes vary, ranging from lightning, which ignited about 2,500 wildfires, and humans, which ignited about 27,850 wildfires. The NIFC noted that the states with the most wildfires caused by humans are California, North Carolina, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. A screenshot of a van rental in New York City on Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor Airbnb removed listings for three vans in NYC's Upper East Side neighborhood after complaints. Each listing featured a mattress, sink, and toilet that guests were encouraged not to use. Although Airbnb removed the listings, two of the vans appear to be listed on Tripadvisor. Earlier this year, if Airbnb users zoomed into New York City's Upper East Side neighborhood, they could spot three unusual listings. The listings weren't for luxe lofts or ritzy apartments in one of NYC's most expensive neighborhoods they were for vans. Starting at $96 a night, guests could rent the "lovely rv place," the "NYC Van Experience," or "The NYC RV," the New York Daily News first reported on July 25. Reviews for the listings on Airbnbs had gone back to February, according to the outlet. Inside each van, guests could find a mattress, a small sink, and a toilet with a sign reading, "For Emergency USE only please! Please avoid doing #2 here!," the Daily News' Ellen Moynihan reported. After complaints from neighborhood residents and an investigation by the Daily News, the listings were removed from Airbnb's platform in July but as of Tuesday, two of the vans appear to be listed on Tripadvisor. Images of a van available to rent in New York City on Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor Locals complained that van guests would use the streets as their bathroom The vans frequently moved around public parking spots within the neighborhood, the Daily News reported. The outlet noted that since the vehicles lacked a traditional bathroom and shower, the host required guests to use a bathroom located in a nearby apartment; in the now-deleted listings, the host told guests they could shower at her home and "just text" before they needed to use it, according to the Daily News. But local residents told the Daily News they saw Airbnb guests using the streets as their restroom. "Where are they going to do it?" a building super, who asked that his name not be used, told the outlet. "They don't care. They go between the cars or on the building stairs across the street." Story continues A resident named Stacey told the Daily News that she didn't spot the vans until she noticed "the smell of urine and feces." In the listings on Airbnb, the host stated that anything less than a five-star review was considered a negative review, according to the Daily News. However, that didn't stop Airbnb guests from leaving less-than-positive reviews. According to a review on the vacation-rental platform seen by the Daily News, one guest named Virgile thought the van they stayed in was too expensive. "Just have in mind *it's a mattress in a van in the street*. No restroom (a toilet you cannot use) and it was complicated to come take a shower to the host place," they wrote in the review, according to the Daily News. Airbnb removed the listings in July According to the Daily News, the Airbnb host was Magdalena Kulisz, who went by the name Magda Agata on the platform. Kulisz, the cofounder of the networking group Miss Immigrant USA, told the Daily News that the vans were legally registered with the state, and in the now-deleted listings for the vans, Kulisz wrote that each was "legally parked and insured." Kulisz declined to comment when contacted by Insider for this story. In January 2022, New York City adopted a law that requires hosts to register their Airbnb and short-term properties with the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement. However, the deadline to register those short-term rentals is September 5 of this year, according to the Office of Special Enforcement's website. A representative for the office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Kulisz told the Daily News that she was under the impression she didn't need to do that. "I'm not an attorney but it's not an apartment so I don't think I need to register it with the city," she told the news outlet. A spokesperson for Airbnb told Insider that the vans violated the vacation-rental company's policy, which doesn't permit hosts to have listings on public land. "Following an investigation, these listings have been removed from the platform," the Airbnb spokesperson said. Two of the vans appear to still be listed on Tripadvisor While Airbnb removed postings for the vans from its platform, two listings that appear to feature the same vans were still active on Tripadvisor as of Tuesday under a host named Sha K. When Insider reached Miss Immigrant USA to ask for comment from Magdalena Kulisz, she responded along with Sha Kenan, who is also a cofounder of the organization. Kenan declined to comment when contacted by Insider, and representatives for Tripadvisor did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. In the Tripadvisor listings, which were viewed by Insider, the host wrote that they "had happy guests staying for more then a month, weeks or just over night." As of Tuesday, the listing for the "NYC Cozy Van Camper Experience" had two one-star reviews (which you can see below), while the other for "Van Experience NYC" didn't have any. Two negative reviews of a van rental posted on Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor One reviewer of the "NYC Cozy Van Camper Experience" said it was "an uncomfortable experience with countless inconveniences," and wrote that they had trouble finding a time that worked with the host to use the apartment bathroom that had been offered in the listing. (As with the now-removed listings for the vans on Airbnb, the Tripadvisor host says in the listing that guests "are welcome to have shower in our home a block away.") "We were also told not to use the toilet in the van too much which was ridiculous," the reviewer who goes by Culture62288004542 on Tripadvisor wrote. "Basically, there were some days when we could not shower at all," they added, saying they had "to use public restrooms whenever we could." Another guest gave the listing one star, writing: "This 'van experience' is not a fun experience." Read the original article on Business Insider This article was originally published in Alabama Reflector. A program that allows college students to finish STEM degrees and earn teacher certification at the same time aims to address an ongoing shortage of educators in Alabama. UTeach Alabama, part of a program based out of the University of Texas, allows college students to earn a STEM degree and a teacher certification at the same time. Lawrence Cooper, STEM program manager at the Alabama STEM Council, an executive branch organization, said that the program will assist in lessening the STEM teacher shortage. Now they can do all that in the same four years, and it doesnt cost them any more as part of their college education, he said. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The program aims to address a major teaching shortage in Alabama and around the country. A Brown University study estimated there were 36,000 teaching vacancies nationwide in August 2022. According to the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services July 2022 report, Alabama does not track the number of teaching vacancies, and the Alabama State Department of Educations job board is not an accurate representation of vacancies. The commission also says education certificates from the Alabama public colleges and universities have been declining in the last decade and a half. The number of certificates granted in elementary education, math, science, English and reading and social studies have all decreased since 2010. Social studies certificates have increased since 2019. But in 2021, math and science produced the lowest number of certificates at 114 and 101, respectively, among those subjects. The subjects also had more nontraditional certificates than English and reading and social studies. In Alabama, non-certified instructors can get emergency certificates if a district has a need. Alabama also offers some alternative pathways to certification. Elementary education had the most nontraditional certificates (1,049), but also produced the most traditional certificates (1,279). Emergency certification grew 1052% from 2010 to 2021. Story continues The University of Alabama, Montevallo, Troy and Jacksonville State University were the only colleges to produce more elementary teaching certificates in 2021 than in 2010. Expanding program UTeach is growing from one (University of Alabama Birmingham) to seven sites (Athens State University, University of West Alabama, Alabama A&M, Auburn University and Auburn University of Montgomery) with money appropriated by the Legislature. Cooper said applicants were asked to submit projections for how many students will graduate with certifications in the next couple of years. He said that the state is estimated to gain 250-500 new STEM teachers. We know that theres a national problem, there are not enough people going into the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, so the UTeach model helps to fill those gaps, he said. At a July Alabama State Board of Education work session, State Superintendent Eric Mackey told reporters that they plan to review these sites. He said that the Legislature had appropriated the money for the six sites as a kind of pilot program. Cooper said each site can receive up to $3 million over the course of five years. My suspicion is by this time next year, the Legislature will increase that, and well probably add four or five more, he said. Cooper said that there is not anything specifically tied to UTeach in keeping the graduates in the state, but he pointed to Alabamas TEAMS program. In the TEAMS program, STEM teachers who work in hard-to-staff schools get an extra stipend. Cooper said that 70% of UTeach graduates work in a Title I school. Title I schools receive more federal funding and have high percentages of poverty. A report released by the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services earlier this month said that the program has spent $98.5 million has 2,608 teachers. The report said that the program is hard to define as successful or not due to a lack of reporting and clear goals. The report pointed to Alabama not effectively tracking teacher shortages as one of its hurdles and also recommended that the process to become a TEAMs teacher be streamlined. Although the TEAMS program had a short window to be implemented and lacks defined measures of success, there is still time to take corrective action to ensure the intended outcomes are being accomplished, wrote the report. The report said that the increase in pay was the main driving force behind teachers applying for the program, but the pay raise, and consequent disparity, caused morale issues among other teachers. Amy Marlowe, the executive director of the Alabama Education Association, a teachers organization said in phone interview Thursday that the historic pay raises passed by the legislature last year led to the lowest teacher retirement rates they have seen in 10 years. She also said retired teachers have returned to the profession. We didnt expect people who had been retired some maybe 10, 15 years saying, You know what, Ive got a chance here to permanently raise my retirement for the rest of my life, so Im going to go back in and take advantage of it, she said. In the 2022 legislative session, the Legislature approved teacher raises of at least 4%, with more experienced teachers getting as much as a 20% raise. This year, lawmakers approved a 2% pay raise. Marlowe said they are also advocating for raising the starting salary from $44,226 to $45,000 to encourage graduates to stay in Alabama. And I think thats gonna have a lot to do with keeping them in state, she said. And then other than those factors, you know, it comes down to just the same socio economic factors that play into anyone moving into a state or out of state, if theyve got the cost of living, what that looks like, the education opportunities, the business opportunities, all those things that go into an attractive community. Mackey said that a financial incentive could be implemented in the future and referenced previous incentives. He said in the 1990s, the Legislature was trying to get teachers to use computers and said if teachers took three technology classes, their masters degree would be paid for. You can entice people into what you want them to do if you offer the right incentives, he said. I guess thats the thing: And, so, I think that we could see us in offering some incentives with these UTeach teachers to stay in the state. Related New Mexico Teacher, Once a Lab Scientist, Applies Real Science to Lessons Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., blasted President Joe Bidens decision Monday to keep the headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado, after rejecting former President Donald Trumps plan to move it to Alabama, saying this is absolutely not over. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI July 31 (UPI) -- Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., blasted President Joe Biden's decision Monday to keep the headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado, after rejecting former President Donald Trump's plan to move it to Alabama, saying "this is absolutely not over." According to a senior U.S. official, Biden decided against relocating the headquarters -- which oversee the military's operations of space assets, including the defense of satellites -- to Huntsville on the advice of the head of Space Command Gen. James Dickinson, who said Colorado would be fully operational next month and that moving it now could jeopardize military readiness "Today, following a thorough and deliberate evaluation process, and after consultation with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and weighing the input of senior military leaders, President Biden notified the Department of Defense that he has selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters," Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. Tuberville and other Republicans were quick to condemn what they call Biden's "politically motivated" decision, claiming it goes against the Air Force's choice of Redstone in Alabama as the preferred basing location. "As soon as Joe Biden took office, he paused movement on that decision and inserted politics into what had been a fair and objective competition," Tuberville said Monday, "not because the facts had changed, but because the political party of the sitting president had changed." President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Maine One in Washington, D.C. Biden's decision to keep the headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado, and reverse former President Donald Trump's plan to move it to Alabama, was announced Monday. Photo by Nathan Howard/UPI Tuberville and other Republicans, who pointed out that the Biden administration waited until Congress was in recess to announce the decision, claim Alabama's restrictive abortion laws played a role. Tuberville also emphasized that the top three choices for Space Command headquarters in the Pentagon site selection process were all in red states, specifically Alabama, Nebraska and Texas. Story continues "Colorado didn't even come close," Tuberville said. "This decision to bypass the three most qualified sites looks like blatant patronage politics and it sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are now to be used as rewards for political supporters rather than for our security." Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., called Biden's decision to keep the headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado "partisan politics." File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., also called Biden's decision "partisan politics," as she called Huntsville the Defense Department's first choice with Colorado coming in at number five. "President Biden is now trying to hand the Gold Medal to the fifth-place finisher. The president's blatant prioritization of partisan political considerations at the expense of our national security, military modernization and force readiness is a disservice and a dishonor to his oath of office as our nation's Commander-in-Chief," Britt said. Following Monday's announcement, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall -- who had recently recommended that the headquarters be moved to Alabama -- said he planned to "fully support" Biden's decision. "The Department of the Air Force will now work expeditiously to implement the decision," Kendall promised. "This is absolutely not over," Tuberville said in a statement. "I will continue to fight this as long as it takes to bring Space Command to where it would be best served -- Huntsville, Alabama." National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan fields questions Nov. 10, 2022, at the White House in Washington. U.S. envoys pushed ahead with their effort to realign Middle East politics by brokering the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times) For President Joe Biden, a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is the Holy Grail of diplomatic deals in the Middle East. Normalization would have positive ripple effects throughout the region, fully incorporate Israel into the Middle Easts political order and bring the White House a significant foreign policy win less than a year before the 2024 presidential election campaign gets underway. Advertisement Thats the conventional wisdom. But is it correct? How beneficial would an Israeli-Saudi normalization accord actually be for the U.S.? Would it be as groundbreaking to the regional order as we are led to believe? And what would Washington have to concede to make it happen? One would hope the Biden administration is asking all of these questions as U.S. officials travel to Saudi Arabia to cajole Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman into making history. Advertisement What cant be questioned is the degree to which the White House is interested in bringing Israel and Saudi Arabia, arguably its two closest security partners, into a formal embrace. In May, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited the kingdom, followed by Secretary of State Antony Blinkens shuttle diplomacy in June, when he briefed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on what Riyadh may be willing to consider. Sullivan made a return trip to Saudi Arabia last week in what was billed as an attempt to advance a common vision for a more secure and peaceful Middle East. The Biden administration is trying to hash it all out by the end of the year. The practicalities are difficult, to say the least. In addition to the compressed time frame, a lot will have to go right. Prince Mohammed considers himself a transformational figure and would theoretically like to see Riyadh establish normal diplomatic relations with Israel. But the Saudis are highly unlikely to do this without landing some concrete assurances to the Palestinian Authority in the process. In other words, Israel-Saudi normalization will happen only if Israel is willing to provide the Palestinian Authority with a diplomatic win as well. What form those concessions would take is anybodys guess, but examples could include allowing the authority to administer more territory in the West Bank, capping settlement expansion in territory the Palestinians claim for a future state or promising to end unilateral Israeli counterterrorism operations in areas that the Palestinian Authority nominally controls. The problem is that all of these concessions could be politically treacherous for Netanyahu, who leads a coalition opposed to the very notion of a Palestinian state. Even Biden, who prefers to settle differences with Israel in private, lamented that some of Israels ministers are the most extreme he has ever seen. Would Netanyahu, the definition of a political survivor, do his part if it meant jeopardizing a job he reclaimed just nine months ago? Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Then there is the question of whether a formal diplomatic normalization accord orchestrated by the U.S. is even needed. The Israelis and Saudis have made considerable progress improving bilateral ties on their own over the years. A relationship that was traditionally seen as adversarial is now anything but. Sure, the two countries still have their issues, particularly on the Palestinian issue. But the lack of progress on Mideast peace hasnt prevented Riyadh from gradually working with Israel when its interests call for it. Israeli and Saudi intelligence agencies have been cooperating with one another for quite a long time, and that once discreet relationship is slowly making its way into the public domain. Last year, Saudi Arabia agreed to allow Israeli aircraft to travel through Saudi airspace on their way to other destinations. Israeli business leaders have been invited to the kingdom and courted as potential investors, and rumors of Riyadh investing in Israel are never far away. The fact is that Israel and Saudi Arabia may not even need the U.S. to push them together; realpolitik is a powerful force. The most problematic aspect of a potential Israeli-Saudi normalization deal, however, is what the U.S. would have to concede to make it happen. Prince Mohammed knows full well that the Biden administration wants an agreement, and hes prepared to milk it for all its worth. Normal relations with Israel wont come cheap. According to New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, the Saudis want the U.S. to grant them a NATO-style defense treaty that would require the U.S. to come to the kingdoms defense in the event of an attack; U.S. support for a Saudi nuclear program that includes the right to enrich; and more access to U.S. weapons platforms such as the world-renowned Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile defense system. Advertisement This would be a huge lift for any U.S. president, let alone Biden, who has a long history of being one of the more high-profile skeptics of the kingdom in Washington. Its doubtful the average American would sympathize with, let alone support, sending U.S. soldiers to fight and die for a country that continues to leverage its status as the worlds swing oil producer to raise prices at the pump. If the price of Israeli-Saudi normalization is turning U.S. soldiers into security guards for the ruling family, then the trade-off simply isnt worth it. Addressing campaign supporters on Friday, Biden declared cautious confidence that two of the regions most powerful states were edging toward a new era. Exciting stuff. But he needs to ensure that the cost Washington is willing to pay is not disproportionate. Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. By Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's decision to nix his predecessor Donald Trump's plan to move the headquarters of the U.S. military's Space Command from Colorado to Alabama is unrelated to a dispute with Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville or concern over Alabama's abortion restrictions, the White House said. A day after Biden's administration announced that Space Command headquarters would remain in Colorado Springs instead of relocating to Huntsville as Trump had planned, the White House denied that partisan motivations were behind the decision. "The deciding factor for President Biden in deciding to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs was operational readiness, pure and simple," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday. Space Command is responsible for American military operations in space. Tuberville, who represents Alabama in the Senate and is an ally of the Republican Trump, has put a hold on hundreds of Pentagon appointments to protest a Defense Department policy that provides paid leave and reimburses costs for female service members who travel outside the state where they are stationed in order to obtain an abortion. The Pentagon policy followed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last year to overturn a 1973 ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. Numerous states including Alabama have since imposed Republican-backed abortion restrictions. The Space Command headquarters decision had "nothing to do with Senator Tuberville's holds, had nothing to do with partisan politics," Kirby said. Alabama, which now prohibits nearly all abortions, has threatened to prosecute residents who travel out of state for abortions. "Alabama's restrictive reproductive care laws were not a factor in this decision," a White House official told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Biden, a Democrat, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have criticized Tuberville's block on military promotions. The blocks are preventing armed forces personnel from retiring, disrupting relocations and school schedules and undermining the military, according to the administration. Story continues The U.S. Marine Corps is without a Senate-confirmed military leader for the first time in more than a century because of the blocks. The Pentagon said Biden's Space Command headquarters decision would ensure its "peak readiness" during a critical period. The U.S. Space Force, which supplies troops and training to Space Command, has grown to 14,000 enlisted and civilian personnel since it was started in 2019 during Trump's presidency, and has often highlighted hiring and promotion of women. Tuberville said in a statement on Monday that Biden's decision "looks like blatant patronage politics, and it sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are now to be used as rewards for political supporters rather than for our security." The planned move to Huntsville would have resulted in 1,600 new jobs in Alabama, local media reported when the relocation was first announced in January 2021. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham, Heather Timmons and Caitlin Webber) Two children were playing with toy guns over the weekend when one of them picked up a rifle and fatally shot the other one, Alaska State Troopers said Sunday. Troopers responded to Mountain Village, a town that's home to roughly 600 people, around 1:45 a.m. Sunday after tribal and village police officers notified them of a deceased child, officials said. Investigators said two children had been playing inside with Nerf guns when one of them picked up a loaded rifle and pulled the trigger. The child, who has not been publicly identified, was declared dead at the scene, authorities said. The State Medical Examiner's Office asked for the juvenile's remains to be sent to Anchorage for an autopsy. "Due to the size of the community that this tragic event occurred and our requirement to protect juvenile information we will not be releasing the ages of those involved and are identifying them as young children," John Dougherty with the Alaska Department of Public Safety said. An adult was at the residence at the time of the shooting, but no charges will be filed in connection with the incident, Dougherty said. Alaska State Troopers did not explicitly say whether the shooting was accidental but so far this year, there have been at least 229 unintentional shootings by children in the U.S., resulting in 81 deaths and 156 injuries, according to data analyzed by advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. Unintentional shootings involving children are rare in Alaska. Everytown, which last updated its database on July 25, does not list any incidents in the state this year. There were no unintentional shootings in Alaska involving children last year or in 2020 either, according to Everytown data. Despite the low number of unintentional shootings involving children, both Everytown and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence note Alaska has some of the weakest gun laws in the U.S. Alaska does not have a secure storage law, though state Rep. Ashley Carrick introduced a bill earlier this year that would require the secure storage of firearms when a child or prohibited person may be able to access them. The bill has not been passed. Story continues Around 4.6 million minors in the U.S. live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm, according to Giffords data. Having a gun in a home is a major risk factor for a fatality for a child in that home, Dr. Eric Fleegler, a pediatric emergency physician and researcher with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said. "A child who sees a gun, regardless of whether they recognize it as a toy versus an actual gun, does not think about the consequences, does not have a notion of the harm, does not have the sense of the damage they could be causing to themself or somebody else as they engage with it." Fleegler said. Evidence against Gilgo Beach murders suspect includes surveillance video of victim, prosecutors say U.S. sending $345 million in military aid to Taiwan Destination weddings trending again, but are they good? Manatee County officials say they will now conduct regular testing for toxins until a bloom of blue-green algae in the countys main supply of drinking water subsides after a test recently revealed a trace level of one toxin. The bloom in the Lake Manatee Reservoir is producing a non-toxic compound called geosmin that is causing a musty smell and taste in residents water. Some species of blue-green algae can also produce potent toxins. County officials previously said that based on the behavior of past blooms in the reservoir, they did not believe the current bloom would produce toxins. But after concern from citizens and pressure from a water quality advocacy group, the county had the water tested by an independent lab. The test revealed pre-treatment water from the Lake Manatee Reservoir was at safe drinking levels. Three of the four toxins tested for were not found. A fourth, called saxitoxin, was observed at a trace level of 0.1 micrograms per liter. That is well below the threshold of 3 micrograms per liter that the World Health Organization defines as a health risk in drinking water. But toxicity levels can change as a bloom develops. Blue-green algae toxins are not federally regulated in the U.S., and while some states choose to regulate them, Florida does not. That leaves it up to local water facilities to choose how they monitor for the toxins. The WHO says the limited data available on saxitoxins in drinking water suggests that they can be effectively removed by typical drinking-water treatment processes. Saxitoxins are the same toxins responsible for most paralytic shellfish poisoning. They can cause temporary neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. While extreme cases of toxic shellfish poisoning can result in death, the WHO says that exposure to a dose high enough to cause severe symptoms is unlikely from ingesting drinking water, based on the currently available data. Keep algae monitored, experts and advocates say Dail Laughinghouse, a professor of phycology (the study of algae) at the University of Florida who has studied blue-green algae for 20 years, said that toxin levels below WHO guidelines in pre-treatment water should not be a cause for concern. Story continues However, he recommended that officials monitor toxin levels as long as the bloom continues. Toxin production changes. It can increase or decrease depending on several factors. I would say to keep it monitored. If the toxin concentration is lower than what the guidelines are saying, then theyre doing it correctly, Laughinghouse said. After the county announced the test results last week, Suncoast Waterkeeper commended officials for going above what is currently required by law to ensure the safety of drinking water. But the group also called for continued testing. The report indicates, however, that trace amounts of saxitoxin were detected, Suncoast Waterkeeper executive director Abbey Tyrna said in an email. This means that the algae in the lake can and do produce a potent toxin. Thus, if the bloom intensifies, we can no longer assume that the water is safe to drink. The water must be retested with changing conditions to ensure that the water remains safe to drink. This assurance does not cost the county much and is both reasonable and affordable. In an email on Wednesday, the county confirmed that it plans to continue testing the water while the bloom lasts. Considering the high amount of algae enumerated during this bloom, this trace level of saxitoxin does not raise alarm, the county said. However, it does indicate that the algae are capable of producing the toxin. We will continue to monitor for algal toxins until the bloom subsides. The county said additional water samples are being sent to GreenWater Laboratories for testing, and county staff are also using field strips to test for some algae toxins on site. The county has identified the algae causing the taste and odor issues as Dolichospermum circinale. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection also took a sample at Lake Manatee on July 25. A state report noted the presence of dead insects on the surface of the water and another type of blue-green algae, Microcystis aeruginosa, present in the lake, but no toxins were detected. Are blue-green algae issues here to stay? Laughinghouse, who is studying what triggers blue-green algae blooms and how they can be better managed, says that climate change could make future blooms more frequent, intense or unpredictable. Cyanobacteria are common in ponds and drinking water sources. You cannot have healthy water without them. The problem is when they overgrow and sometimes produce toxins, Laughinghouse said. And blooms like it hot. More algae does not necessarily mean more toxin, Laughinghouse said. Unlike red tide blooms, where higher cell counts mean higher toxin levels, blue-green algae toxicity is highly variable. Laughinghouse said some data suggests that certain blue-green algae species may even produce less toxin as the water gets warmer. But climate change can introduce a multitude of new factors that make it best to be prepared. For instance, Laughinghouse said, increased heat could stress organisms in a marine ecosystem and make them more sensitive to a toxin than they would be otherwise. Even though the future is blue-green, we can be happy to know that our knowledge about the issue is growing and were developing new technology, Laughinghouse said. The emerging tech includes new molecular testing methods, plus physical probes and floating platforms that can be used to measure changing water conditions, Laughinghouse said. Currently, he said local water utilities often do not have enough resources to test for a growing number of issues in drinking water, from blue-green algae toxins to PFAS contamination. I think dollars should be spent for monitoring our waters, Laughinghouse said. Both for cyanotoxins and other compounds that are public health risks. Laughinghouse said state legislators also have the option to establish regulations for toxin levels in drinking water. Harmful algal blooms are a bipartisan issue, he said. Residents that want to be extra cautious can filter drinking water again at home, Laughinghouse said. Activated charcoal will remove most of these compounds. Especially if youre having geosmin, some of the at-home systems can help with that taste. What to know about blue-green algae in Lake Manatee Reservoir We asked county water officials for some more background on Lake Manatees blue-green algae bloom. Heres what they said. Has this happened before? Blue-green algae blooms have been a regular occurrence in Lake Manatee since 1967. Weather conditions dictate that some years are worse than others, but the County typically has to treat for taste and odor seasonally most years. We would expect these issues to continue in the future. Are the countys water facilities capable of filtering out saxitoxin and other cyanotoxins if they became present at elevated levels? The powdered activated carbon being utilized for taste and odor compounds as well as our conventional surface water treatment process have the ability to remove algal toxins. Testing would need to be done to fully determine the level of removal our processes can achieve. How much does it cost the county to have a cyanotoxin test conducted, and is it feasible to have the water regularly tested during a bloom? We paid $1,550 for GreenWater to analyze the first samples. This was for two samples and with a 2x mark-up for rush results. It is feasible to have more regular testing done when needed. Is the county prepared to increase monitoring and testing efforts if blue-green algae blooms become more frequent or severe in coming years, as some scientists predict? Yes. The County has a long-standing algae monitoring program which includes prevention efforts, algae enumeration and identification and analysis for taste and odor compounds and algal toxins. The algal toxin testing program is where we have the most room for expansion since we have not fully developed our in-house testing methods and rely on contracting out most of that work. Additional staff to fully devote to toxin analysis was included in this years budget request for our laboratory. GRAND RAPIDS A man who authorities described as a leader of a Lansing-area street gang has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison on a weapons charge. Damonte Latrell Johnson, 27, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in April, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou gave him 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. An attorney for Johnson did not immediately return a phone message left for him by the State Journal on Tuesday. In a news release, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten described Johnson as "the self-proclaimed 'General'" of "Money Bound Mafia," a group he said has been tied to gun violence, illegal weapons, non-fatal shootings and homicides. Group-involved violence and illegal firearm possession have no place in our communities, Totten, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said in the release. Totten suggested the case stemmed from collaborative investigations by the Lansing Police Department's Violent Crime Inititiative, Michigan State Police and the ATF to "disrupt the cycle of violence" on Lansing streets. The Lansing Police Department values the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal resources regarding criminal investigations, Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee said in the release. Prosecutions and sentences such as this are an excellent example of the quality of work and the impact these efforts can produce. Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Alleged Lansing 'gang' leader sentenced to prison on weapons charge Senseney Music is selling to Missouri-based Palen Music Center, which plans to rename the store after its own name. This is the second time the business has changed names. It opened in 1978 as Hume Music, according to Music & Sound Retailer, and then Denny Senseney purchased it in 1984. The publication said Lori Supinie, who had been a Senseney Community Band bassoonist and then worked at the store in various capacities, purchased the business upon Senseneys retirement in 2008. Supinie died July 12. Lori was a dear friend and industry colleague for many years, said Palen Music president Eric Matzat in a news release. It is a privilege and honor to carry on the legacy of Lori Supinie and Denny Senseney. The store, which is at 2300 E. Lincoln, carries a variety of instruments and accessories and offers lessons and instrument repairs. The sale is expected to be finalized by November. Star Bright Stars are a miraculous balance between the pull of gravity and the extreme pressure from a stars white hot core pushing back. From this equilibrium, heat and energy churn in a complex and brutally powerful balletic dance that make stars twinkle and glow from our distant vantage point. In a new study out from Nature Astronomy, a team of scientists developed detailed computer simulations that model the cataclysmic flow of heat and energy inside these colossal cosmic bodies, and how it ultimately impacts how a star flickers or twinkles. Modeling this complicated process could help astronomers better understand how stars evolve and collapse at the end of their life cycle, and in turn provide missing pieces to the mystery of how galaxies are formed and perhaps even how our universe flared into existence in the first place. "What I find really fascinating with astronomy is how much we can learn just from studying the light of stars," University of Sydney astronomer study coauthor May Gade Pedersen told Scientific America. "Because thats all we really have." Heat Waves In all stars, there is a convective zone where heat and energy flow from the core to its perimeter. When this flow collides against the perimeter, it causes what are known as gravity waves, which echo throughout the star and make it flicker or twinkle. "Waves inside a star are like the waves you see in the ocean," Pedersen told SciAm. "So if you throw a stone into water, you see it generate waves thats moving away from where you threw the stone in." In an attempt to understand this phenomenon better, the team created computer simulations that model the convection flow of heat and energy within a massive star, using previously collected data, to predict the flickering quality of stars or their "stellar photometric variability," as the paper calls it. "Motions in the cores of stars launch waves like those on the ocean," said Evan Anders, an astronomer at Northwestern University and another of the study's co-authors, in a press release. "When the waves arrive at the stars surface, they make it twinkle in a way that astronomers may be able to observe. For the first time, we have developed computer models which allow us to determine how much a star should twinkle as a result of these waves. This work allows future space telescopes to probe the central regions where stars forge the elements we depend upon to live and breathe." More on stars: Scientists Astounded When Two Stars Collide in Brain Melting Explosion The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued an AMBER alert for a 14-year-old girl. A van that police believed was involved in the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl Monday in Daytona Beach has been found, according to a 4:30 a.m. update by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. An AMBER alert was issued for Barbora Zdanska who was last seen in the 100 block of Boynton Boulevard wearing a black Adidas sweatshirt with white stripes on the sleeves and black jean shorts, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. An Amber Alert for was sent Monday, July 31, 2023 for Barbora Zdanska 14, who went missing in Daytona Beach. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 136 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes. Police reported she could be in a 2014 blue Dodge Caravan with Florida tag number CZ8613. The vehicle has a butterfly sticker on the right rear window and a University of Florida "F" sticker on the left rear window, according to the alert. While the van was found, the girl is still missing, FDLE said. Barbora Zdanska, 14, went missing Monday. Zdanska is "possibly in the company of 'Carlos,'" a Hispanic male, approximately 14 years old, according to a Daytona Beach Police Department Facebook post on Monday. Authorities are asking people who have information about her whereabouts to call the Daytona Beach Police Department at 386-671-5100, contact the FDLE or call 911. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Vehicle found but 14-year-old girl still missing in Amber alert case American nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were abducted last Thursday from a small health clinic near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Both Haitian and U.S. authorities are investigating the abduction, but no information has been publicly released on who abducted her, what they want, or what it will take to free her. The incident highlights what the U.S. State Department has deemed a rising risk of kidnapping and other crimes against Americans in the country. Heres what we know. Who is Alix Dorsainvil? Dorsainvil is an American nurse who was seized by kidnappers last Thursday while working in a small brick clinic of the nonprofit Christian ministry El Roi Haiti, according to The Associated Press. Originally from New Hampshire, Dorsainvil visited Haiti soon after the 2010 earthquake while still in college and fell in love with the people, continuing to visit during her breaks from school, according to a blog post from El Roi. In an El Roi promotional video, Dorsainvil said she came to Haiti at the request of El Rois founder, and now her husband, Sandro Dorsainvil. She served as the community health nurse for the organizations school children. What happened to Dorsainvil? Witnesses told the AP that that a group of armed men infiltrated El Roi Haitis clinic and seized Dorsainvil, demanding a ransom of $1 million. A patient added that one of the perpetrators held her at gunpoint and told her to relax. The organization released a statement two days after their disappearance confirming the incident and asking for peoples prayers for the mother and daughters safe return. El Rois press releases have repeatedly stated that it is working with Haitian and American officials and partners to rescue the two, though it has not shared any specifics. Growing concern over kidnappings On the same day of the kidnapping, the U.S. State Department asked that all nonemergency government officials leave Haiti due to the escalating disputes between criminal groups and Port-au-Prince law enforcement. Story continues The $1 million ransom demand is not unusual for abduction negotiations in Haiti. But kidnappings in Haiti are not limited to the wealthy. A United Nations report said that kidnappings have increased in recent years, rising to 1,014 reported abductions between January and June of this year. The victims of these incidents included women, girls, and boys. The State Departments advisory warned about rife kidnapping in the country, adding that U.S. citizens are frequently targeted. In October 2021, 17 missionaries from the U.S. and Canada were abducted in a similar manner. They were gradually released after a ransom was paid. Whats the latest? Six days have passed since the abduction. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller declined the APs request for comment on the demands from Dorsainvils abductors. Obviously, the safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority. We are in regular contact with the Haitian authorities, Miller wrote in a statement Monday. Well continue to work with them and our US government interagency partners, but because its an ongoing law enforcement investigation, theres not more detail I can offer. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday the situation is still precarious but that Biden has been briefed on Dorsainvils case, and the administration is working to secure her release. Were working on this as hard as we can. We want to see her released. We want to see her back home with her family where she belongs, Kirby said in a briefing with reporters. But again, I think its probably the most prudent thing for us to do to not publicly talk about those efforts in any great detail, as the situation is still precarious, Kirby added. So were all very, very mindful of her case and certainly mindful that she has a young child with her and doing everything we can to try to secure her release. Senior advisor to the Haitian prime minister, Jean-Junior Joseph, told USA Today in a WhatsApp message that the Haitian National Police is working on it. In the meantime, protestors have taken to the streets demanding the release of Dorsainvil and calling for peace. Community members told the AP that they are worried the abduction will lead El Roi to close their facility, one of few that still provides basic needs such as health care and education. Others, including Doctors without Borders, have already suspended services to the area after 20 armed men abducted a patient from an operating room. The AP reported that the doors to the organizations clinic were shut and the building was empty this week. El Roi has not commented on the status of the clinic but said on its blog that it will continue to provide appropriate and relevant updates. Laura Kelly contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pablo Zapato, 14, of Mission, shakes water off his head after jumping into the creek at Upper McKinney Falls at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin on Saturday. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune On a recent sweltering afternoon, Doug Cochran stood outside the visitor center of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and pointed an infrared thermometer gun at the black tarmac in the parking lot. The display read 141 degrees. He swung it over to a nearby patch of dry soil. Even hotter: 163 degrees. Heat Warning! Feels Like 110, read a sign at the entrance to the park, famous for its exposed rock domes that have essentially spent the summer baking in the sun. Know your limits! As superintendent of the park just north of Fredericksburg in Central Texas, Cochran likes to see well-prepared visitors come to Enchanted Rock in the summer. But hes also happy when Texans opt for other outdoor experiences, often with water access, instead of the minimally shaded grasslands and bare granite. We cant tell them, You cant go, but we want them to make wise decisions, Cochran said about warning park visitors of the heat. Weve had 39 people get injured this year and we dont want you to become number 40. Texas has already seen several heat-related deaths in state and national parks this summer, though its not alone. A 17-year-old hiker died after he was rescued from the Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon State Park on June 21. Two days later, a 14-year-old died while hiking the Marufo Vega Trail in Big Bend National Park in 119-degree heat. His stepfather died while trying to get help. Superintendent Doug Cochran checks the surface temperature of the granite floor at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located north of Fredericksburg, on a hot summer day. The surface temperatures in the area ranged from around 140 degrees to over 160 degrees Fahrenheit . Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune This years brutal summer even by Texas standards poses serious risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and, in the most serious cases, death. But the blistering heat, as sweat-inducing and uncomfortable as it is, hasnt deterred nature lovers from enjoying the collective diversity of Texas 89 state parks, historic sites and natural areas this year. There was no dramatic decrease in the number of visitors to state parks in May and June, despite record-breaking temperatures in some parts of the state. In June, state parks collectively logged 1 million visitors the third highest number for that month since 2016 despite recording an abnormally intense period of extended high temperatures that month. Story continues While some parks become less hospitable in the hot, summer months, others have attracted more visitors because of aquatic amenities. It might drop at Stephen F. Austin Park where there's not a water feature, but at Galveston Island their visitation is increasing to counter that, said Justin Rhodes, a deputy director in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Rhodes, like Cochran, is happy Texans are opting for parks with places to cool down, given the risks extreme heat can pose to the public at parks. We're seeing more and more new users come to Texas state parks who may not have experience in the outdoors and they're dipping their toes in the water, if you will, and just may not realize those dangers exist, Rhodes said. *** Just southeast of Austin, McKinney Falls State Park typically offers the antithesis of Enchanted Rock for park visitors. Cool water pours from limestone cliffs into a wide pool, which brazen youth jump into when water levels are high. But a persistent drought paired with the heat wave has left the swimming holes of McKinney Falls with less and warmer water. When Onion Creek runs through McKinney Falls at lower levels, the pools warm under the relentless sun. Yet for some Central Texans, the allure of relief from the triple-digit temperatures is enough to draw them to McKinney Falls. I like to be outside, said Hannah Foote, an Austin resident who normally goes to that citys beloved Barton Springs Pool to cool off but also wanted to hike around the park on Friday. Im trying to hit all the water spots near the city, Jailyne Garcia, 20, holds hands with Ezekiel Reyes, 4, while walking toward the creek to swim at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin on July 29. Garcia and Reyes drove from Houston to spend a day at the state park, a trip they do about three times every summer. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune Alberto Mendoza IV, 18, of Mission, cannonballs into the water at Upper McKinney Falls at McKinney Falls State Park. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune Pablo Zapato, 14, of Mission, climbs out of the water and up through a hole in the limestone. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune By Saturday, the park was drawing more people. Burning rays of triple-digit sunlight reflected off empty cars foldable silver sun shades. Sounds of splashing water resounded in the near distance. A group of 11 unpacked a truck with the essentials for the day: a blue inflatable kayak, a clear inner tube with pink flamingos and a cooler full of drinks on ice. The Mendoza, Zapato and Alonzo families spent the morning driving up from Mission, and they wasted no time before jumping off the parks short cliffs into its emerald green creek, joining a growing crowd of about 50 people cooling off in the natural waters. Streaks of water meandered down 14-year-old Pablo Zapatos skin as he climbed through a hole in the rock for several rounds of cannonballs. Alberto Mendoza IV, 18, Zapatos cousin, joined in as his sister, Pamela, 17, sat atop the limestone, watching the others wade down below trading the summer heat for a day of cool water. At one point, two state park police officers walked around, checking to make sure the depressed water levels were still high enough for people to safely swim and jump into the water. *** Back at Enchanted Rock last week, Ludwig Koops admired the bulbous, granite slabs known as exfoliation domes as he stood under a rotunda providing some of the only shade in the park. In the distance, a single group of hikers descended what appeared to be a massive ant hill under a magnified sun. Koops, who was visiting family in San Antonio from the Netherlands, was on a tour of Texas when he made a detour to see Enchanted Rock. But the view from the shade was enough for Koops and his family. He said the extreme temperature swings so indicative of Texas summers from the scorching heat outside, to the artificial cold of air conditioning was both unpleasant and unfamiliar compared to the Netherlands less-infernal climate. But for other Enchanted Rock visitors, who are more acquainted with the inescapable heat, this summer is just another chance to get outside. If you grew up doing something and you always do it, then its not a big deal for you, said Cameo Davis of Cypress, who was hiking with her daughter and two grandchildren last Wednesday. I think its a mindset. Davis, unlike Koops, grew up in Texas and spent her childhood camping at nearby Inks Lake State Park. Davis said she goes jogging in this weather. One hundred years ago, no one had AC and everybody did just fine, right? she said while descending from the summit of Enchanted Rock in 105-degree heat, equipped with four water bottles and an umbrella. Ludwig Koop, along with family members living in San Antonio, have made their way to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area while on a summer visit to Texas from the Netherlands. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune A visitor hikes downward from Enchanted Rock's summit. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune Cameo Davis holds an umbrella as she and her family hikes down the rock's summit. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune When prospective visitors ask Cochran what its like to hike in Enchanted Rock in the summer, he says similar to opening an oven door when baking a pizza. We dont have that wonderful smell but its that hot, Cochran said. Kevin Good, the president of the nonprofit Texans for State Parks, said the summer isnt too much of a deterrent especially for those traveling to state parks in air-conditioned recreational vehicles. I think folks just sort of get to where they accept it as part of the reality, Good told The Texas Tribune recently. One way Texans for State Parks supports natural areas and historic sites is through friends groups, Good said. These collectives draw together volunteers who are passionate about individual parks and offer their help to conserve and protect these areas. That can include teaching park visitors how to safely enjoy state parks in the summer heat. In some parks, those friend groups station themselves at trailheads to offer additional water and warn hikers how much hotter the heat index is the external temperature that the human body feels considering humidity than the measurable temperature, Good said. To prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke, Cochran recommends carrying at least one quart of water, per person, per hour of hiking; taking frequent breaks in the shade; and hiking with a buddy. In the event someone needs to call emergency assistance, either the park headquarters or 911, Cochran emphasized the importance of staying in one place so rescuers can quickly locate the individual in distress. But the best advice, Cochran said, was to come visit Enchanted Rock in the spring or fall instead. Days that dont manage to exceed 100 degrees are a blessing in the summer, he said. Double digits? Weve got a cold front, Cochran joked as the white-hot sun beat down on his exposed neck. Disclosure: Texas Parks And Wildlife Department has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. More than 200 speakers are now confirmed for the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23. Each year, the Festival engages, challenges and surprises attendees with unexpected talent mashups, must-see interviews and more, curated by the award-winning journalists at The Texas Tribune. See the lineup and get tickets today. ATLANTA (AP) The Los Angeles Angels placed right-hander Griffin Canning on the 15-day injured list with right calf tightness before their game Tuesday night at Atlanta. The Angels recalled right-hander Victor Mederos from Double-A Rocket City. They also recalled outfielder Jordyn Adams from Triple-A Salt Lake. Infielder Michael Stefanic was optioned to Salt Lake after Monday night's game. Manager Phil Nevin said Adams is needed to provide support for outfielder Mickey Moniak, who is trying to continue playing with a bruised foot. Moniak fouled a ball off his foot last weekend. He's grinding through this, Nevin said, adding that Adams could be a late-game defensive replacement for Moniak or possibly give him a day off. We really needed another outfielder who can play defense, Nevin said. Jordyn brings that. Outfielder Jo Adell (left oblique strain) was transferred to the 60-day IL. He has been out since July 14. Nevin said Canning (6-4, 4.46 ERA in 16 starts) felt the calf tightness during his last start. We feel confident there's not any damage in there and it won't be too long, Nevin said. The Kansas City Royals acquired left-hander Tucker Davidson from the Angels for cash in a trade on Tuesday. Davidson had a 6.54 ERA and two saves in 18 games with the Angels before being designated for assignment on Thursday. Davidson, 20, made his major league debut with Atlanta in 2020. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb A person looks out through a window on Dec. 16, 2020, at the Cook County Juvenile Center in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Its hardly news that the juvenile justice system in Illinois is failing the young people it is supposed to serve. In the Cook County detention center alone, advocates and journalists in the last year have detailed conditions that leave detainees isolated, deprived of normal human contact. The conditions in Cook County are not an outlier. In the 16 other county detention centers in Illinois, children face similarly egregious conditions. But a loophole in the Freedom of Information Act in Illinois prevents the public from accessing the full scope of issues. Advertisement A statewide review by my organization, the Better Government Association, used existing audits and inspections and found examples of neglect in a number of facilities. These included locking children in their rooms for 36 hours for reasons as frivolous as having a pencil and a letter with rap lyrics. In response to concerns about flooding, one facility would frequently turn off the water overnight to an entire section of the building. Inspectors even found unjustified use of chemical restraints, which include pepper spray, tear gas and mace. One facility had 10 instances of using chemical restraints in 2021, with inspectors finding that some cases appeared to be in violation of the standards of use and naming one case in particular that was a clear violation. But under current law, the public is unable to learn more about the other cases of unwarranted use of chemical restraints, or of any other instances of misconduct within these facilities. Advertisement The incidents we know about are probably only the tip of a much larger iceberg. The judicial branch is exempt from providing information to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, and because the county detention centers fall under the jurisdiction of Illinois courts, they arent legally obligated to respond to requests for information. While court systems statewide including the juvenile detention system have no obligation to respond to public records requests, they create public records footprints as they meet other disclosure obligations. Facilities must comply with periodic audits and inspections by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, which were used in the BGA Policy report I mention above. These give the public glimpses into what happens in these facilities. But such disclosures only scratch the surface and are not enough to ensure that the youths in these facilities are safe. Worse, many facilities do not fully comply with the audits and inspections in the first place. The BGA found that only three of Illinois 16 county detention centers have completed a federally mandated audit meant to ensure young people are protected from sexual assault. And auditors from the Department of Juvenile Justice noted several facilities where data was scarce, with the Champaign County facility failing to provide basic information in 2021 and 2022. [ Ciera Bates-Chamberlain: End isolation for Cook Countys youth ] The states failure to require facilities to respond to public requests denies public access to detailed data or aggregate information. This denies family members, researchers, journalists and advocates the ability to discover just how pervasive these problems are. Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > When the BGA sought this information through a standard records request, officials at most centers did not respond to questions about use of force and use of room confinement, or even provide the policy and procedure manuals that govern the use of force or confinement in these government facilities. A bill introduced in the General Assembly this spring would have brought the Freedom of Information Act to the states court systems, including county juvenile detention centers, court finances and other judicial entities. The legislature should take up the bill and work quickly to apply the act equally across all branches of government. Once the courts are subject to FOIA requests, researchers, advocates, journalists, family members and other interested parties will be able to request information from county detention centers and shed light on what is happening in these facilities. In the case of the juvenile detention system, such information could be used to enact future change to protect detained children. The people of Illinois, and our government, have a duty to keep all children in the state safe as they prepare to enter adulthood. For many young people who wind up in the juvenile detention system, respectful and compassionate treatment in a safe environment is their best hope for growing into adulthood as conscientious members of our community. Advertisement Ensuring the safety of children in Illinois detention facilities is the least the public can do. We can protect these youths by shining a light on the facilities that house them as they await trial. Sophia Van Pelt is a policy analyst with the Better Government Association policy team. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Angus Cloud in 2022 On a warm New York summer night, Eleonore Hendricks saw Angus Cloud, the 25-year-old actor who died on Monday, walking down a Manhattan street. It was 2018 and Ms Hendricks was casting a new HBO show called Euphoria, a racy teenage tale of love and loss, addiction and hope. Shining the light of pop culture on issues of drug abuse and mental health felt a bit dangerous, but also important. And she was still searching for the man who would play Fezco "Fez" O'Neill. It was past 10pm and she was off the clock. But when she saw the 20-year-old Cloud on Mercer Street, the man imagined in the pilot script "crystallised" before her eyes. "The character is written as somebody who is a drug dealer kid, but not a bad drug dealer kid," she told BBC News. "Someone who is streetwise and has a certain swag, and also someone you could trust and feel safe with." More about Angus Cloud and Euphoria Angus Cloud Cloud had "something so distinct and special" from the moment she spotted him, and she stopped him and his friend to chat. Having been a casting scout for some two decades, Ms Hendricks knew how to approach total strangers and convince them to do an audition - known in the industry as street casting. Her phone was dead but she explained she was casting on behalf of Jennifer Venditti, who scoured everyday faces for advertising, fashion, film and TV spots. Cloud was working at the time at a chicken-and-waffles restaurant in Brooklyn and has said in interviews he had no aspirations of being a Hollywood star. He told GQ in 2019 that the encounter with Ms Hendricks was confusing and he thought "it was some type of scam". Cloud's Fez had genuine concern for the lead Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, and resonated with viewers But under the light of a pink neon sign, he told her, among other things, about his move from Oakland, California to the Big Apple and his interest in the graffiti scene. Story continues Visually, he was dreamy. His voice was laconic and melodic, as if he was articulating a lullaby when he spoke. "I don't always know that they're right for the role, but I do see really special people at times," Ms Hendricks said. "I love when you've been looking and looking, and then suddenly you see someone that stands a head above other people. It happens sometimes." She remembers scribbling her phone number on a piece of paper and being adamant that he reach out. Despite his apparent scepticism, he reached out by text the next day and she directed him to the casting office, where Ms Venditti interviewed him on camera to assess his screen presence. "He was not what you would expect," she told Variety last year. "He has this rough, street quality about him, but he's a very sensitive and curious and open person. Just really warm, and incredible on camera." Ms Hendricks said Cloud's audition tape quickly sealed the deal. "Not all actors can take material, and make it their own and say it so truthfully," she said. "He took the dialogue and just said it as though it was himself. It came out of him so naturally." Fez was never meant to be a series regular, but HBO audiences fell in love with his magnetic blue eyes and his big heart, his active listening and genuine concern for the lead Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya. By the time Euphoria was renewed for another season, Cloud was its surprise breakout star and his guardian angel character was rewarded with more storyline development in season two. Cloud with Hunter Schafer, Sam Levinson and Zendaya Euphoria was Cloud's first acting credit. He went on to appear in two films - North Hollywood and The Line - as well as in music videos with Becky G, Karol G and Juice WRLD. Tributes have poured in since the news of his passing on Monday. The cause of his death has not been confirmed. A family statement said: "Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." In his final appearance on Euphoria, Cloud's character is shot in the act of helping his "brother" Ashtray, played by Javon Walton. Walton paid tribute to his co-star Monday on Instagram, writing: "Rest easy, brother." "It's a real American tragedy," said Ms Hendricks. "Everybody was in love with Angus and he shared a lot of his love with a lot of people. I don't know if he had any left for himself. "I feel so sad for his family, for his friends and for his fans. I wish everyone a lot of comfort." Ice Slice Researchers are increasingly concerned about a huge chunk of ice larger in area than Mexico failing to refreeze as seasonal temperatures drop in Antarctica. The continent's sea ice had already hit a record low in February, for the second year in a row. Now, there's far too much ice on the move around Antarctica, worrying scientists who are now hurriedly trying to get a better understanding of what's happening. In other words, it's just another troubling sign of cascading climate effects that could be felt across the entire planet. "Unprecedented is a word that gets bandied around a lot, but it doesnt really get to just how shocking this is," Hobbs, a sea ice scientist at the University of Tasmania, told The Guardian. "It is very much outside our understanding of this system." Frozo Baggins Usually this time of year, sea ice returns to Antarctica at a somewhat predictable rate. But the extent of refrozen sea ice is falling far short of predictions this month. According to satellite data, 5.4 million square miles of ice refroze, falling roughly 0.9 million square miles short of where experts would expect it to be. The news was met with bewilderment among researchers. "Theres a sense that something weird is going on," Walt Meier, a senior scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado, told The Guardian. "Its dropping way below anything we have seen in our record." We've seen strong declines in the amount of Antarctica's sea ice since 2016, with experts still debating how much human activity is contributing to the trend. Concrete evidence is proving hard to come by, due to the complexity of the continent and its surrounding ocean's dynamics. Ocean Motion Now, in light of these off-the-chart numbers, scientists are calling for a very different conversation. "The Antarctic system has always been highly variable," Ted Scambos, a glaciologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, told CNN. "This [current] level of variation, though, is so extreme that something radical has changed in the past two years, but especially this year, relative to all previous years going back at least 45 years." "Since 2016, its remained low, and now the bottom has fallen out," Scambos added. "Something major in a huge part of the planet is suddenly behaving differently from what we saw for the past 45 years." More on Antarctica: Antarctic Ice Reaches "Record-Smashing Low," Alarming Scientists The Lose Cruz PAC, a super PAC dedicated to defeating Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as he runs for reelection, rolled out its first attack ad against the senator Tuesday. The spot, titled Find Your Beach, hits Cruz over a trip he took to Cancun, Mexico, in 2021 as an extreme winter storm battered the Lone Star State and left millions without power. An actor, whose profile resembles Cruz, is shown sitting on the beach in the ad and listening on his phone to unfavorable coverage of his trip to the vacation destination two years ago. The ad wraps with the actor throwing his phone into the water, with the caption Make Teds Vacation Permanent. The ad is set to air in Houston as a part of a digital campaign. As millions of Texans suffered without power or heat, Ted Cruz wasnt coordinating a response or serving his constituentshe was making plans to visit a five-star resort in Cancun, said Sawyer Hackett, a senior adviser to the PAC, in a statement to The Hill. Cruz abandoned his state and left Texans to die while he sipped drinks on the beach in Mexico, and we wont let him make a punchline out of it. With Congress heading home for the August recess, Lose Cruz is reminding voters that in their greatest time of need, their senator abandoned them. The PAC has lobbed a number of attacks at Cruz since launching last month with a seven-figure backing. Earlier this month, the group rolled out a video making fun of the senators recent criticism of the Barbie film. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Introducing the Ted Cruz doll collection. Thats right. The senator more focused on Barbie than his own job now has his own line of toys inspired by his work, begins the fake commercial, which was posted to Twitter by the group. A Democrat has not won a statewide race in Texas in 30 years, but Democrats are eager to oust the Republican senator in 2024. Cruz already faces two Democratic challengers Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D). The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as likely Republican. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- Marc Rowan of Apollo Global Management and Stan Druckenmiller of Duquesne Family Office are among the donors hosting a fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott in the Hamptons next week. Most Read from Bloomberg Scott will visit East Hampton, New York, on Aug. 9 for a reception as polls show him gaining ground in the presidential primary contest weeks before the first Republican debate. Other hosts include Gary Cohn, a former president of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and onetime chief economic aide to then-President Donald Trump; Sabin Metal Corp. owner Andy Sabin; Lee Hobson of Highside Capital Management and Ann Hobson; Vanessa Daniel and Nick Muzin of Stonington Global; and former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. To attend the East Hampton fundraiser, hosts needed to contribute $10,000 per couple or $5,000 per person, while attendees must give $2,000 per couple or $1,000 per person, with the money going to the Tim Scott Victory Fund, according to an invitation obtained by Bloomberg News. Scott has received a warm reception from the finance industry. As the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, he has deep ties with Wall Street, which will aid him in the crowded GOP contest. The RealClearPolitics average of Republican polls shows Scott in sixth place with 3.1% support, but the US senator from South Carolina has been polling better in early-voting states. RealClearPoliticss averages show him in third place in both Iowa and New Hampshire behind only frontrunner Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Scotts campaign is looking to gain ground in those states at a challenging time for both DeSantis and Trump. DeSantis, who is seen as the top challenger to Trump, is in the midst of a campaign reboot sparked by donor anxiety over his operations spending and sliding poll numbers. Story continues Trump leads DeSantis by a wide margin, according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll, but is facing mounting legal problems and a cash crunch from the legal bills associated with his indictments and ongoing investigations. Tim Scott is the one candidate in this race that has shown movement and momentum, said Scott campaign spokesman Nathan Brand. His consistently conservative record, positive message, and ability to connect with voters everywhere is why Tim Scott is resonating. --With assistance from Stephanie Lai and Laura Davison. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. TAMPA Last August, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Tampa and made a stunning announcement: He was removing Hillsborough Countys twice-elected state attorney, Andrew Warren, and replacing him with Susan Suzy Lopez, a county judge and former prosecutor in the office. On Tuesday, nearly a year to the day after DeSantis made the announcement, Lopez called her own news conference to tout what she described as accomplishments and progress made in the last 12 months. And like DeSantis a year ago, Lopez invited some well-known local leaders to back her up. I was asked to bring this office back to basics by making sure we prosecute based on the rule of law, not on political convenience, Lopez said at the event held at the offices downtown Tampa headquarters. I realized as the first female state attorney in Hillsborough County, I had a chance to make a meaningful impact on my community. When youre called to serve your own hometown, she said, you answer that call. But the process that led to that call has been mired in controversy from the start. DeSantis suspended Warren, a Democrat who in 2020 was elected to a second four-year term, on claims of neglect of duty and incompetence. DeSantis cited Warrens decision to sign pledges with prosecutors around the nation against pursuing abortion and transgender cases. And the governor claimed Warren had policies of presumptive nonenforcement of minor offenses such as trespassing at a business and disorderly intoxication. Warren has disputed these claims, called his ouster an illegal political stunt, and is fighting in the courts to get his job back. He also has not ruled out running for the seat in 2024. After Tuesdays news conference, Warren released a one-sentence statement through a spokesperson. Shes an unelected political puppet who occupies that office illegally, and her pretending to uphold the law is a threat to public safety, freedom and democracy, Warren said. Story continues Lopez, a Republican who announced last month that she plans to run for the state attorney seat, must convince county voters that she deserves to keep the job. Lopez said Tuesday that one of her most important accomplishments is restoring the offices relationships with law enforcement agencies. She said those connections were strained and in some cases nonexistent prior to her arrival. My very first priority as state attorney was to show our law enforcement partners that we are serious about prosecuting crimes, and we are serious about supporting them in the heroic work that they do every single day, she said. She said her team has weekly meetings with representatives from the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office to talk about crime trends, prolific offenders and other issues. The office has also launched a program called Bridging the Badge where prosecutors and law enforcement officers do ride-alongs and shadowing to better collaborate on cases. Lopez said her office has placed a renewed focus on crime victims, and that she has personally met with families of some three dozen homicide victims. Lopez noted that the office has resolved two long-standing homicide cases: Michael Keetley, a Ruskin ice cream truck driver who was sentenced to life in prison for a double murder in 2010; and Steven Lorenzo, who killed two men in 2003 and has been sentenced to death. The office also secured four consecutive life sentences for Howell Donaldson III, who pleaded guilty to four random homicides in Seminole Heights. Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, a Republican, had seen eye to eye on some reform issues with Warren, such as creating diversion programs for low-level offenders. But Chronister grew dissatisfied with Warrens approach and agreed to host DeSantis news conference last year and spoke then in support of Warrens removal. Chronister was the first to speak after Lopez on Tuesday, calling her tireless, passionate and compassionate, and said she has restored Hillsborough County law enforcements faith in the criminal justice system. Chronister said the county jails average daily population is about 3,200 people, up from roughly 2,700 a year ago. A 500-person increase, and its because were holding individuals accountable for the crimes that they committed, while still fixing people, taking this holistic approach to accomplishing our goal of being there for victims, pursuing justice and continuing to keep Hillsborough County such a safe and wonderful place to live, Chronister said. Tampa police Major Ruth Cate stood behind Lopez but did not speak. But Cates former boss did. Former police Chief Brian Dugan has been one of Warrens most vocal critics and spoke in support of his ouster at DeSantis news conference. Dugan said Tuesday that cases are moving more swiftly through the system under Lopez. Theres been so many things that have been put to rest, we have instantaneously brought back credibility to this office, Dugan said. You know, it makes me want to come back to work. Others who spoke in support of Lopezs efforts were Mindy Murphy, president and CEO of the Spring of Tampa Bay; Clara Reynolds, president of the Crisis Center of Tampa; and Johnny Johnson, co-founder of the anti-gun violence group Rise Up for Peace. Asked to elaborate on the jail population increase, Lopez said more people are getting arrested and are being held longer. Theyre not getting a one- or two-day time-served offer for smaller crimes such as trespassing or petty theft, Lopez said. That is what we are doing to clean up our streets. Its holding people accountable, and so sometimes that means that they have to stay in jail for longer periods of time. Warren has disputed DeSantis claim that he had blanket policies against prosecuting certain violations including specific nonviolent misdemeanors and said his prosecutors were able to apply discretion. He said his main focus was prosecuting violent offenders, and that his policies were working. Warren also has said he was confident the community doesnt want to go backwards and pointed to Lopez rolling back his policies on not prosecuting arrests that resulted from a police officer stopping a bicyclist known locally as biking while Black. Lopez did not mention that move on Tuesday. Warren first challenged DeSantis decision by suing him in federal court, arguing that DeSantis had violated his right to free speech. A federal judge agreed but ruled that he didnt have the authority under the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reinstate him. Citing that ruling, Warren then asked the Florida Supreme Court to reinstate him. The court, whose seven members include five DeSantis appointees, elected in June not to take up the case after a majority of justices decided that Warren waited too long to ask the court to intervene. Warren has appealed the federal judges ruling. He presented his case to a three-judge panel in Alabama in May and is awaiting a ruling. The Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday asked Lopez what she would tell Hillsborough residents who dont believe she is a legitimate office holder, and that DeSantis, in a politically motivated move, usurped the will of the countys voters by removing Warren. Id tell them to come spend the day with me, she responded. Im all over this very large county every single week... Im in the courthouse every day. Im boots on the ground. Im with Mr. Johnson and other members of the community on the weekends. I am the state attorney. But a news release by the American Bar Association issued a day earlier showed how the issue is not yet settled. The association announced Monday that Warren is one of two recipients of its Curtin-Maleng Minister of Justice Award, which according to the news release is given to prosecutors who exemplify the associations principles, particularly that the Duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, not merely to convict. The release said Warren, the state attorney of Floridas 13th Judicial Circuit, has been tough on violent criminals, fraudsters and repeat offenders and has used innovative reforms and created successful diversion programs to hold low-level offenders accountable while steering them away from the downward spiral of the system... The associations release also praised Warren for focusing on treatment, prevention and rehabilitation for offenders with substance abuse problems and mental illness to reduce recidivism rather than further the revolving door of the criminal justice system, and said he has minimized poverty traps that criminalize people because they are poor. Warren is set to receive the award Friday during the associations annual meeting in Denver. A federal grand jury investigating the efforts of Donald Trump and others to overturn the results of the 2020 election returned an indictment against the former president on Tuesday. Ohio lawmakers shared statements in reaction to the indictment. U.S. Senator JD Vance issued a statement that said in part that the credibility of the American legal system is being attacked: >> RELATED: Trump indicted in 2020 election interference probe; Smith says attack on Capitol fueled by lies The credibility of the American legal system is being attacked because Biden is afraid of facing the consequences of his disastrous policies. Luckily, the American people get a say, and when they reelect Donald Trump, it will be time to clean house at the Department of Justice, Vance wrote. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan tweeted When you drain The Swamp, The Swamp fights back. President Trump did nothing wrong! In a brief news conference Tuesday, Special Counsel Jack Smith called the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 an action fueled by lies. Each of these conspiracies -- which built on the widespread mistrust the defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraud -- targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election, the indictment said. Trump has been summoned to appear at 4 p.m. on Thursday before Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington. We will update this story as more statements are released by both parties. The Piaget store is located near the prestigious Place Vendome (STEFANO RELLANDINI) An armed gang robbed a Paris store of luxury jewellery and watch brand Piaget on Tuesday, making off with 10 to 15 million euros worth of goods in broad daylight, police and prosecutors said. According to early indications, three people were involved in the robbery at around 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), with at least one of them carrying a weapon. The gang fled the scene with their bounty, estimated at between 10 million euros ($11 million) and 15 million euros ($16.5 million). Nobody was hurt, a police source said. The store is located on the Rue de la Paix in the heart of the French capital, situated near the prestigious Place Vendome and home to several stores of high-end jewellery brands. The last high-profile heist in the neighbourhood occurred in April, when three people on motorbikes robbed the Bulgari store, making off with several million of euros worth of jewellery. Piaget, founded in Switzerland, makes luxury watches with price tags that can reach several tens of thousands of euros, and high-end jewellery. It is a subsidiary of the Richemont group, which also owns several other luxury goods companies including Cartier, Baume and Mercier, Chloe, and Van Cleef and Arpels. mk-sm/jh/sjw/rox PARIS (Reuters) - Armed robbers raided a store of the luxury Swiss watch brand Piaget in central Paris on Tuesday, escaping with between 10 million to 15 million euros ($11 million to $16.5 million) worth of jewelry, the Paris prosecutors office said. The robbery took place around lunchtime at the store on the Rue de la Paix in the upscale Place Vendome area, home to several jewelers, watchmakers and luxury brands. The area has seen a spate of armed robberies in recent years. An investigation is now underway and a source close to the matter said police were looking for three suspects. In May last year, armed thieves robbed a Chanel watch and jewelry store in the area and then sped off on motorbikes. Bulgari and Chaumet stores have also been robbed in recent years. Piaget is part of Swiss luxury goods group Richemont. ($1 = 0.9123 euros) (Reporting by Augustin Turpin, Editing by GV De Clercq and Angus MacSwan) Race Matters While messing with an AI image generator, an Asian-American MIT grad found that the bot's way of professionalizing her headshot was to make her... white. In an interview with Insider, 24-year-old Rona Wang said prompted the Playground AI image editor to make her headshot seem more "professional" and instead, it lightened her skin and, well, basically changed her race. https://twitter.com/ronawang/status/1679867848741765122?s=20 CEO No Unsurprisingly, the post went viral, garnering a quick response from Playground AI's CEO Suhail Doshi, and soon after, an interview with the Boston Globe about the debacle. Futurism and Insider both reached out to Playground for comment without response, though the CEO did respond to the Globe's interview questions with a few rhetorical ones of his own. "If I roll a dice just once and get the number 1, does that mean I will always get the number 1?" Doshi quipped. Should I conclude based on a single observation that the dice is biased to the number 1 and was trained to be predisposed to rolling a 1?" Unbearable Whiteness Though Wang had been using AI image generators for some time her commentary about it was even republished on MIT's admissions blog just a few weeks before the Playground incident this time seemed much more personal. "I was like, 'Wow, does this thing think I should become white to become more professional?'" she told the Globe, adding that she hopes that the "people who are making software are aware of these biases and thinking about ways to mitigate them." In that initial interview, Wang said that she didn't "want to jump to conclusions that this AI must be racist," but in her latest comments to Insider, it seems like her views may have changed. "Racial bias is a recurring issue in AI tools," she said. "I haven't gotten any usable results from AI photo generators or editors yet, so I'll have to go without a new LinkedIn profile photo for now!" While she's far from alone either in having an image generator turn her white or in getting a racist output in general, this flash-in-the-pan controversy is yet another example of AI messing up hugely even as companies rush to replace human workers with this very imperfect and imprecise software. More on AI fails: When AI Is Trained on AI-Generated Data, Strange Things Start to Happen Donald Trump, as the world now knows, already had been charged in two criminal cases. But now a federal indictment has been issued that charges him with actions he allegedly took as a sitting president to overturn the will of the American people and illegally stay in office after losing the 2020 presidential election. It is the first time such criminal charges have been levied in U.S. history. And the new case, constitutional scholars and legal analysts tell USA TODAY, is exponentially more serious and historically consequential than anything Trump has faced before. The new indictment, first disclosed by Trump himself in a post on his Truth Social platform, was handed up Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Washington and his legal team was then notified. That means the former president will soon be taken into custody for the third time in recent months, and will make a court appearance. He will likely surrender voluntarily under some agreement between his lawyers and federal prosecutors from the office of special counsel Jack Smith. The 45-page indictment charges Trump and at least six co-conspirators with three conspiracies, including a scheme "to defraud the United States by using dishonesty, fraud, and deceit" to overturn the results of a presidential election. Trump is also charged with a conspiracy to corruptly obstruct and impede the January 6 congressional proceeding" at which the collected results of the presidential election were to be counted and certified on Jan. 6, 2021. And the third conspiracy, the indictment said, was a "conspiracy against the right to vote and to have one's vote counted." "A self-coup, using lawyers instead of soldiers Legal analysts, speaking broadly about the charges, say the new case is unprecedented. These alleged offenses go to the very foundation of our democracy, namely, interference with the votes of the American people that give legitimacy to the functioning of our entire political system, said Norman Eisen, an ethics and governance scholar who served on the House panel investigating Trump's first impeachment. Story continues You cannot get more serious possible crimes than that, Eisen said. What Trump was trying to do was a self-coup, using lawyers instead of soldiers. More: Is Trump indictment in big Jan. 6 case imminent? Jack Smith's background may hold hints Noah Bookbinder, a former federal prosecutor who is now executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said no one should take lightly Trumps two prior cases, in which hes charged with allegedly hoarding classified documents when he left office in 2021 and paying hush money to a mistress while campaigning for it in 2016. There's credible evidence that he engaged in a wide variety of criminal activity and that's extraordinary, said Bookbinder. But when Donald Trump engaged in a course of conduct to try to keep himself in power after losing an election, that really endangered the viability of democracy in America. It really was an assault on this republic and on the form of government that we've had for centuries, Bookbinder said. And that is just about the most dangerous and serious thing that a leader in this country, maybe that anyone in this country, can do. Heres a look at the charges brought by Smith as well as a looming one by a Georgia prosecutor and why legal experts say they are so significant: What is Trump being indicted for? Trump has been under investigation on two fronts for allegedly illegal activity in the weeks and months after losing the 2020 election to Biden. One probe was launched almost immediately by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia for Trumps alleged efforts to overturn Bidens win in the critical swing state. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis poses for a photo at her office, Feb. 24, 2021 in Atlanta. Willis, who represents the broad Atlanta area, has since widened her investigation to look into alleged efforts by Trump and his team of lawyers and other associates to overturn Biden election victories in other states too, primarily by creating a false slate of electors who could then be approved by Trump allies in Congress. Trump is widely expected to be indicted soon in that case. More: Will DOJ's target letter to Donald Trump lead to a new indictment? Here's what it could mean. The Justice Department also launched a wide-ranging investigation into the events of Jan. 6, including Trumps efforts as president to overturn the election. When Trump declared himself a candidate for office in 2024 last November, Bidens politically appointed attorney general, Merrick Garland, tapped Smith a former DOJ lawyer and war crimes prosecutor as a special counsel to take over the various Trump probes in an effort to prevent the appearance of a politically motivated conflict of interest. Close to the vest, but glimmers of details Both Smith and Willis are well-known for keeping their investigations close to the vest, but glimmers of what charges they were likely to seek have emerged from their respective investigations, which remain independent of each other. In the federal case, Smith had sent Trump whats known as a "target letter" based on evidence that prosecutors have brought before grand juries sitting in Washington and South Florida. The target letter, which Trump has confirmed, notified the former president that he faced at least three criminal felony charges relating to the events on and before Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol and stopped Congress from certifying Biden's Electoral College win and initiating the orderly transfer of power. In the indictment handed up Tuesday, he was actually charged with four: Conspiracy to Defraud the United States; Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding; Obstruction of and Attempt to Obstruct an Official Proceeding; and Conspiracy Against Rights. Special Counsel Jack Smith speaks to the press at the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2023, announcing the unsealing of the indictment against former President Donald Trump. Several of the charges in the new indictment give prosecutors extremely wide latitude in deciding how to prosecute Trump and suspected co-conspirators for allegedly teaming up after the election to overturn its results. One of the charges appears to focus on obstruction or attempted obstruction of an official proceeding, presumably regarding the orderly transfer of power that was temporarily halted at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Another involves a post-Civil War civil rights statute that makes it a crime for people to conspire to threaten or intimidate others from exercising their rights under the Constitution and federal law. In the Georgia case, Willis has all but said she plans to indict Trump and potentially a host of other people in a broad-ranging racketeering or conspiracy case. The Georgia conspiracy law is much broader than the federal conspiracy statute, because it only requires a corrupt agreement between two or more persons, even if they never take steps actually to do anything. Willis has used the state anti-racketeering law before, including in a case against Atlanta public school administrators and teachers accused of conspiring to inflate test scores illegally. To be guilty, she said in her opening arguments in that case, all co-conspirators have to do is all be doing the same thing for the same purpose. You all have to be working towards that same goal. But neither Smith nor Willis has given any hint of who else might be indicted along with Trump in the alleged conspiracy, and for what. The federal indictment handed up Tuesday lists six people as co-conspirators in Trumps alleged schemes to illegally stay in power, including Jeffrey Clark, a high-ranking Justice Department official in the Trump administration. It also says there are other potential co-conspirators "known and unknown to the grand jury," suggesting future charges are possible. The indictment does not name any of the alleged six co-conspirators it describes by their roles in the conspiracy. But referring to Clark, it says co-conspirator 4 is a Justice Department official who worked on civil matters and who, with the Defendant, attempted to use the Justice Department to open sham election crime investigations and influence state legislatures with knowingly false claims of election fraud. The other co-conspirators allegedly helped Trump in his criminal efforts to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election and retain power. The indictment described one an attorney who was willing to spread knowingly false claims and pursue strategies that the Defendant's 2020 re-election campaign attorneys would not, while another attorney devised and attempted to implement a strategy to leverage the Vice President's ceremonial role overseeing the certification proceeding to obstruct the certification of the presidential election." A potentially large group of Jan. 6 co-conspirators In both cases, the possibilities of who besides Trump might be charged are wide open. Trump's former White House director of trade and manufacturing, Peter Navarro, openly boasted about scheming to delay certification of Biden's 2020 election with the help of longtime Trump adviser Steve Bannon. In Navarro's 2021 book, "In Trump Time," he referred to it as operation "Green Bay Sweep" and said it was the "last, best chance to snatch a stolen election from the Democrats jaws of deceit." Navarro, who has denied wrongdoing, said in a later interview that Trump was on board with the strategy, according to the special House Jan. 6 committee investigating the attacks. Smiths investigators have brought many of Trumps closest political allies and White House associates before the grand jury for questioning, including former chief of staff Mark Meadows and Trumps personal and campaign lawyers, such as Rudy Giuliani. But there are perhaps six other potential conspiracies involving Trump, according to legal analysts and the Jan. 6 committee, which referred three charges to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution based on its 18-month investigation and series of public hearings. More: Somewhat dicey' and problematic: Inside Trump's bid to have fake electors overturn 2020 election One was Trump's alleged effort to steal or illegally obtain votes in several states, notably in Georgia, where he called Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and demanded that he help him "win" Georgia: "So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, because we won the state," Trump said on the call, which also included aides and lawyers. Another possible scheme involved cultivating fake electors in at least four swing states in an effort to illegally replace the Electoral College votes legitimately given to Biden because of his wins in those states' popular vote. There is Trump's alleged conspiracy with Justice Department official Jeff Clark to have the Justice Department investigate election fraud that didn't exist. And there is Trump's unrelated effort to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to certify the election, which Pence refused. Trump also faces potential liability over his efforts to raise millions of dollars by lying about losing an election he knew Biden had won. And last but certainly not least, according to the Jan. 6 committee and legal analysts, were Trump's alleged efforts to send his supporters to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and stop Congress from certifying the election. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Rory Little said the fact that the two new potential cases involve the actions of a sitting president make them a critically important test for the viability of American democracy. The wide-ranging scope of charges is almost unheard of. It's really like an organized crime case against the boss of a very large crime family, said Little, a professor of constitutional law at the University of California School of Law, San Francisco. But its also a crisis for the rule of law, because either our system is going to sort of get through this with a feeling of integrity, or we're going to emerge from this with a great loss of public confidence in what the law can accomplish and what the law means. More: A breakdown of the 187 minutes Trump was out of view on Jan. 6 as aides urged him to act Will criminal indictments for Jan. 6 hurt Trump politically? So far, Trumps mounting legal jeopardy has done little to help his presumed Democratic rival in the 2024 election, Joe Biden, or even to break the political stalemate that has deadlocked Congress and the American people in terms of who theyll support. In fact, the more Trump faces increased criminal jeopardy, the more it helps him politically as the 2024 Republican presidential primary field takes shape. President Joe Biden usually holds a slight lead over Trump in a general election contest but one recent poll, the New York Times/Siena College poll released Tuesday, found Trump and Biden to be tied at 43 percent in a general election matchup. Tuesday's indictment was unsealed less than an hour after Trump sought to preempt prosecutors by announcing to supporters that he expected to be charged. "Why didnt they do this 2.5 years ago?" Trump posted on his Truth Social account. "Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct!" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Trump's indictment on Jan. 6 charges is a test for US democracy CPEC generates sustainable development in Pakistan, says Pakistani economist Xinhua) 08:44, August 01, 2023 Engineers hoist the last rotor of the Suki Kinari Hydropower project in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, on June 10, 2023. (China Gezhouba Group Corporation/Handout via Xinhua) CPEC is giving strong hope to Pakistan amid contemporary challenges as it is providing employment opportunities and increasing connectivity, which is quite significant for the equitable environment of the society, says the economist. ISLAMABAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has delivered infrastructure, trade and employment to Pakistan, resulting in sustainable development in the country, a Pakistani economist said. The enhancement in infrastructure through roads, railways and airport is not just going to provide connectivity within Pakistan but in the region and beyond, Badiea Shaukat, an economic consultant at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, an Islamabad-based think-tank, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Launched in 2013, CPEC, the flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation. "It will also bring Pakistan to that stage where it can build its regional connectivity with other Central Asian countries and the Western side of the globe. So, I think that CPEC in real term is a sustainable development model," the economist said. This aerial photo taken on Feb. 28, 2023 shows the view of the Thar Coal Block-I Coal Electricity Integration project in Sindh province, Pakistan.(Thar Coal Block-I Power Generation Company (Pvt) Limited/Handout via Xinhua) Shaukat said the project enhanced social equity and apart from the financial revenues, it gave a social boost to different segments of the society. CPEC is giving strong hope to the country amid contemporary challenges as it is providing employment opportunities and increasing connectivity, which is quite significant for the equitable environment of the society, said the economist. By the end of 2022, CPEC has brought 25.4 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment to Pakistan and has created about 236,000 jobs for the country, according to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan. On the one hand, he said, CPEC is generating trade improvisation which is helping the local manufacturer with lower cost of trade. On the other hand, the regional connectivity is enabling the Pakistani exporters to export at a much lower cost to other neighboring economies, increasing the trade prospects for the South Asian country, Shaukat added. Reflecting on the decade-long journey of CPEC, he said that China came to Pakistan when it was going through a severe economic crunch and there was no foreign direct investment in the country. CPEC brought a renewed spirit in local Pakistani companies as they went into collaborations and joint ventures with Chinese companies, Shaukat said, adding that it provided a big opportunity to the local companies and the workers in terms of capacity building, technology transfer, and skill development. Aerial photo taken on April 9, 2022 shows a view of the Karot Hydropower Project in Punjab province, eastern Pakistan. (CTG/Handout via Xinhua) Shaukat said human resource generation is one of the most important aspects of CPEC as working on the latest state-of-the-art technologies considerably resulted in the skill development of Pakistani professionals and the labor force. On top of everything, the economist said the special emphasis on corporate social responsibility in CPEC projects has been vital in the socio-economic uplifting of the surrounding areas in particular and the country in general. "We see a strong humanitarian side under these projects, we have seen that there are a lot of corporate relief projects, which are initiated by the Chinese companies, and they helped at the local level, even at the county and the district and the town levels," he said. The Chinese have been distributing ration bags and helping out the victims, who were affected by natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. "They are quite active, which delivers the local people a friendly gesture from these companies to develop a friendly environment," according to the economist. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In their op-ed, Charles Cully Stimson and Zack Smith make the audacious claim that the election of reform-oriented prosecutor Kim Foxx ushered in a wave of violence (Kim Foxxs pro-criminal policies are to blame for rising violence, July 20). Advertisement They specifically cite the year that Foxx took office, 2016, as the year that homicides in Chicago hit a record high. Foxx did not take office as Cook County states attorney until Dec. 1, 2016, after the vast majority of the record number of homicides had taken place that year. Foxxs predecessor, Anita Alvarez, who comparatively was known to be much more punitive in her policies and practices, was in office during those homicides. Stimson and Smith then compare the aggregate homicide rates for the handful of years preceding and following Foxxs election, ignoring the fact that the first two full years of Foxxs term saw significant drops in homicide rates about 35% from the 2016 rate by the end of 2019. Blaming Foxx for increases over a span of years while ignoring significant decreases during that same time is illogical. Advertisement The high average for the period after Foxxs election is in part due to increases in shootings in and after 2020 that were seen all over the country, even in places without reform-oriented prosecutors. Blaming policies like bond reform, which show no negative impact on public safety, for such national trends is irresponsible and misleading. The additional claim that Foxx is responsible for a skyrocketing rise in retail theft follows similarly flawed logic: It ignores that retail theft has risen and fallen significantly during Foxxs tenure. Stimson and Smiths opinion piece is just that their opinion. It is not informed by fact, logic or evidence, and it makes incredibly lazy arguments about the causes of violence in Chicago, a complex issue that has various confounding causes, such as severe disinvestment in some of the citys hardest-hit neighborhoods. The authors push for harsher and more punitive policies, like longer sentences, which have been shown not to keep our communities safe. If we are going to get results we have never gotten, we have to try doing things differently than we always have. The first change we must make is to base our conversations about criminal justice reform on facts, not feelings, fearmongering and blame-shifting. This is how we will make Chicago safer. Briana Payton, senior policy analyst, Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts Petty way to discredit senator Thank you to the Tribune Editorial Board for emphasizing that U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is a senator from a former Confederate state (GOP Sen. Tom Cotton overreaches in sending a warning to big law firms about DEI efforts, July 26). I had previously been impressed with the former military officer but didnt realize that because of which state he is from, his actions must be racially motivated. Therefore, his views are severely flawed and should be belittled. Joe Juszak, Sugar Grove Advertisement Federal judge pushes back It looks like Hunter Bidens lawyers rolled the dice and thought U.S. Judge Maryellen Noreika wouldnt peel the onion and look at the innards of this very generous plea deal. This sleight-of-hand strategy didnt pan out. So, what now? Scott Thompson, Bloomington, Indiana The slogan I believe in I proudly display a decal on my car that states, Make Truth Great Again, instead of MAGA, or Make America Great Again. Isnt it ironic that the politician who has a social media site named Truth Social is the biggest purveyor of lies in the history of politicians? Its a mystery why intelligent people support such a habitual liar and egomaniac. Support Make Truth Great Again. Tom Beck, Glen Ellyn Problem with Oppenheimer After teaching high school English and film studies for 36 years, I am rarely able to see anything except through the prism of how a high school student would view it. Thus, I was quite conflicted when I saw Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. It is a brilliant film that will probably lead to Academy Award nominations for Nolan, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. Advertisement It would be a great movie for every high school student in the country to see except for the graphic and totally gratuitous nudity that permeates the film and quite correctly earns it its R rating. How unfortunate that a generation whose future will deal with this films same kind of moral questions as regards to artificial intelligence, climate change and fake-news character assassination wont be able to see this film during their formative years. Ironically, by putting sex in the film in order to sell it, Nolan simultaneously blocks it from the very people who could learn the most from it. Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Steven Fischer, Itasca Disservice to Wirtz, readers When a great person dies, or any person, it is an honorable thing to focus on the positive contributions that person made to the world and to ignore, at least for the moment, any negative. Shame on the Tribune for not holding to that honorable standard when announcing Rocky Wirtzs untimely death (Hawks hit highs, lows under his leadership, July 26). He gave so much to the city of Chicago, and the world, and was such a kind and ethical man. (I knew him in high school; he was so, even then.) Shame on the Tribune for very needlessly noting an allegation of someone elses misconduct in a front-page headline (Fans return, 3 Stanley Cups later offset by sexual assault allegation). It was needless, irrelevant and distracting. Rocky deserved better, as did the thousands who are mourning his passing. So did your readers. Advertisement Phyllis Beattie, Winnetka Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Myanmars military has pardoned five of 19 offences for former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, state media reported (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Myanmars military junta has reduced the prison sentence for Aung San Suu Kyi, having been pardoned of five legal charges but the 78-year-old still has more than a dozen cases against her and faces the prospect of being detained for the rest of her life. Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her championing of democracy, is still expected to serve a total of 27 years out of the 33 she was originally imprisoned for, a sentence that was widely derided by the international community as an attempt to discredit her and legitimise a 2021 army takeover while preventing her return to politics. The head of Myanmars military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, granted the clemency order to reduce the sentences in five cases against Suu Kyi in which she was convicted for allegedly violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition, according to a report on the state-run MRTV. The latest announcement was part of an amnesty of more than 7,000 prisoners to mark Buddhist Lent. A close ally of Suu Kyi told The Independent: More meaningless words from the military. They are still playing the political game but we are still fighting for her freedom. Suu Kyi has always denied all of the charges for which she was convicted, ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption, and has been appealing against them. Several of her cases are awaiting final appeals. Last week, Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrest in the capital, Naypyitaw. Notice of Suu Kyis pardon (Supplied) Former president Win Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Suu Kyi after the 2021 coup, was also pardoned on some offences by the military government, reducing his jail term from 12 years to eight. He had faced eight cases, but this has been reduced to six. An informed source said both Suu Kyi and Win Myint would remain in detention. She wont be free from house arrest, said the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Story continues Photo taken on 24 May 2021 shows detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi (L) and detained president Win Myint (R) during their first court appearance in Naypyidaw, (MYANMAR MINISTRY OF INFORMATION/) Daughter of Myanmars independence hero, Suu Kyi was first put under house arrest in 1989 after huge protests against decades of military rule. She was only fully released from house arrest in 2010. She swept a 2015 election, held as part of tentative military reforms and her party won the next election in November 2020. A protester holds up a poster featuring Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup at in front of the Central Bank of Myanmar in Yangon on February 15, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images) But the military complained of election fraud after the 2020 vote and said it had to take power in early 2021 to ensure that the complaints were investigated. Suu Kyis party rejected the accusations of election fraud. Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing (AFP via Getty Images) Many governments have called for the unconditional release of Suu Kyi and thousands of others who were detained in a bloody crackdown that the junta unleashed against pro-democracy protests following the coup. The United Nations called on Monday for Myanmar to return to democratic rule. It wasn't immediately clear if any of the released prisoners in the amnesty included some of those thousands of political detainees. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organization, 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. At least 3,857 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. At the same time as the announcement, state television said it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for an election. That proposed election will now be delayed by that extension. The clemency also came three weeks after the Thai foreign minister, Don Pramudwinai, met Suu Kyi in prison, becoming the first foreign visitor to be granted access to her since she was detained. Mr Don told journalists she was in good health and conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her nation. Suu Kyi has been unable to give her version of the 9 July meeting, said to have lasted about an hour-and-a-half. Myanmar's military confirmed the meeting had been held, but said it had no details because its was one-on-one between the ousted leader and the Thai diplomat. One diplomatic source described the latest pardons as a cosmetic move. This is a signal to the international community - without doing anything substantive, said the source who declined to be identified. TORONTO (AP) Austin Hays made a leaping, game-saving catch of Whit Merrifields liner in the ninth inning, and the AL-best Baltimore Orioles remained unbeaten at Toronto this season, outlasting the Blue Jays 4-2 on Monday night. Orioles closer Felix Bautista walked two with one out in the ninth before Merrifield lined a 99 mph fastball to left-center. Left fielder Hays sprinted toward the gap, dove for the ball and grabbed it just before he hit the turf, a catch Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde called unbelievable. That was an enormous play in the game, Hyde said. Hays said he wasnt sure hed be able to dive far enough to make the play, one the All-Star called the top highlight of his six-year career. Thats got to be number one, just with the situation of the game right there, too, Hays said. Id say thats the best catch Ive ever made. Bautista then struck out Santiago Espinal to complete the five-out save, his 29th in 34 opportunities. The Orioles dominant closer threw a season-high 35 pitches while lowering his ERA to 0.87. We have the best closer in baseball and he showed why tonight, Hyde said. Espinal had come on in the third to replace Blue Jays shortstop and AL batting leader Bo Bichette, who departed with a sore right knee. Manager John Schneider said Bichette told him he felt his knee jam while slowing up between first and second after a single. Were still gathering information to see what were going to do next, Schneider said. Gunnar Henderson homered for Baltimore, which swept a three-game series at third-place Toronto in May. Ryan Mountcastle doubled twice and drove in three runs as the Orioles maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL East. Were playing really good baseball, Baltimore right-hander Kyle Gibson said. Gibson (10-6) allowed one run and four hits in six-plus innings to win for the first time in four starts. Chris Bassitt (10-6) took his first loss since June 13 at Baltimore, allowing four runs and seven hits in six innings. Story continues Mountcastle hit a two-out, two-run double in the first. Henderson led off the third with his 17th homer, and Mountcastle added a sacrifice fly later in the inning. Gibson left after walking Matt Chapman to begin the seventh. Left-hander Danny Coulombe came on and walked Daulton Varsho on four pitches but recovered by getting Alejandro Kirk to pop up, then striking out pinch-hitter Jordan Luplow and Kevin Kiermaier. Yennier Cano gave up a leadoff homer to Merrifield in the eighth and left after issuing a pair of one-out walks to Brandon Belt and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Bautista came on and struck out Chapman looking, then retired Varsho on a flyball. Toronto finished 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. BICHETTES INJURY Bichette hit a two-out single to right field and made the turn for second, but started to slow up as he saw Anthony Santander throwing the ball to the infield. Bichette then stopped running and reached for his knee. Shortstop Jorge Mateo came over and tagged Bichette to end the inning. Bichette had two hits before departing, boosting his AL-leading total to 144. TRAINERS ROOM Orioles: RHP Mychal Givens (shoulder) and LHP Keegan Akin (back) each threw one inning for Baltimores rookie-level Florida Complex League team Monday. Akin allowed three runs and four hits, while Givens struck out two and gave up one hit and didnt allow a run. BLUE JAY BASHER In 46 games against Toronto, Mountcastle is batting .313 (55 for 176) with 10 doubles, 15 home runs and 39 RBIs. Hell be in the lineup tomorrow, Hyde said. MERRIFIELD MASHING Merrifields home run was his ninth. Seven of his homers have come since July 6, when he went deep twice against the White Sox. SPRINGER SITS Blue Jays OF George Springer was held out of the starting lineup. Springer is hitless in 29 at-bats. HELLO, HICKS! RHP Jordan Hicks, acquired from St. Louis on Sunday, joined the Blue Jays Monday. ROSTER MOVES Toronto placed RHP Jay Jackson on the family medical emergency list and recalled RHP Bowden Francis from Triple-A Buffalo. Jacksons son JR was born prematurely earlier this month. UP NEXT Blue Jays LHP Hyun Jin Ryu will be activated off the injured list to make his season debut on Tuesday. Ryu had Tommy John surgery in June 2022. RHP Kyle Bradish (6-6, 3.29 ERA) starts for Baltimore. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Mikhail Dianov with a friend Mykhailo Dianov, who participated in the defense of Mariupol during the opening stages of the war, clarified that he did not meet with U.S. film actor Kevin Costner, suggesting a post he made days earlier was published in jest. Read also: Marine Mykhailo Dianov talks about torture and abuse in Russian captivity As it turns out, Dianov posted a photo of himself with a friend on July 30, asking his followers if they recognized the person in question. After the replies started saying it was Costner, Dianov decided to have a bit of fun by playing along, taking advantage of how much his buddy looked like the famous actor. Eventually, on Aug. 1, Dianov came clean and made it clear that Costner did not travel to Kyiv to meet with him. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine With the first day of school around the corner, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida is offering Central Florida teachers a discount on their purchases. Goodwill will give teachers and educational staff 10% off their total purchases when they shop at any store in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties. The deal runs through the whole month of August. A valid school ID must be presented at checkout for the discount to apply. Goodwill is also hosting a community-wide Old School-New School Donation Drive to repurpose and recycle old, gently-used clothes and other household items. All Central Florida Goodwill locations will participate in the drive on Aug. 5. Read: Back to school: Heres when schools start across Central Florida Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Soon, the sounds of kids at the pool, parks and playgrounds will start to quiet down as summer comes to an end in Northeast Ohio. It's that time of year again...back to school. Students across the area will be boarding school buses and filling the halls after an unusually warm summer, but when exactly does school start? Below, is a list of start dates for area schools across Summit and Medina counties. See when your child's school starts back up for the 2023-24 school year. Back to school: Free shoes, haircuts at back-to-school event on Aug. 5 in Akron SUMMIT COUNTY Akron Public Schools July 31, 2023: I Promise School Grades 3-8 Aug. 16, 2023: STEM High School Students in Grade 9-12 Aug. 16, 2023: AECHS Students in Grade 9 Aug. 17, 2023: AECHS Students in Grade 10-12 Aug. 24, 2023: Akron Public Schools Grades 1-12 Aug. 28, 2023: Akron Public Schools Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten New APS principals: Akron Public Schools names new principals for 10 school buildings this fall Barberton City Schools Aug. 17, 2023: Grades K-12 Copley-Fairlawn Schools Aug. 23, 2023: Grades 1-9 Aug. 24, 2023: Grades 10-12 Aug. 25, 2023: Kindergarten Tax free weekend: Ohio sales tax holiday offers deals on back-to-school supplies, clothing from August 4-6 Coventry Local Schools Aug. 16, 2023: Grades K-12 Cuyahoga Falls Schools Aug. 17, 2023: Grades 1-5, 6 and 9 Aug. 18, 2023: Grades 7-8 and 10-12 Aug. 21, 2023: Kindergarten Field Local Schools Aug. 30, 2023: Grades K-12 Back to school support: Where to find free school supplies for 2023/2024 academic year Green Local Schools Aug. 22, 2023: Grades K-12 Hudson City Schools Aug. 16, 2023: Grades 1-9, plus kindergarten with last names from A-L Aug. 17: Grades 10-12, plus kindergarten with last names from M-Z Aug 18: All kindergarten Manchester Local Schools Aug. 16, 2023: Grades K-12 Mogadore Local Schools Aug. 21, 2023: Grades 1-12 Nordonia Hills City Schools Aug. 24, 2023: Grades 1-12 Norton City Schools Aug. 24, 2023: Pre-K, Grades 1-12 Aug. 30, 2023: Kindergarten Story continues Revere Local Schools Aug. 22, 2023: All Grades Springfield Local Schools Aug. 24, 2022: Grades 1-12 Aug. 28, 2023: Kindergarten (last names A-G) Aug. 29, 2023: Kindergarten (last names H-Q) Aug. 30, 2023: Kindergarten (last names R-Z) Stow-Munroe Falls Schools Aug. 22, 2023: Grades 1-12 Aug. 28, 2023: Kindergarten Tallmadge City Schools Aug. 16, 2023: All Grades Twinsburg City Schools Aug. 18, 2023: Grades 7-12 Aug. 21, 2023: All Grades Woodridge Schools Aug. 16, 2023: Grades 1-12 Aug. 16, 2023: Kindergarten (last names A-M) Aug. 17, 2023: Kindergarten (last names N-Z) MEDINA COUNTY Brunswick City Schools Aug. 23, 2023: Grades 1-12 Aug. 24, 2023: Kindergarten (A-M) Aug. 25, 2023: Kindergarten (N-Z) Cloverleaf Local Schools Aug. 21, 2023: Grades 1-12 Aug. 24, 2023: Kindergarten Aug. 28, 2023: Preschool Highland Local Schools Aug. 21, 2023: Grades K-5, 6 and 9 Aug. 22, 2023: Grades 7-8, 10-12 Medina City Schools Aug. 17, 2023: All Grades Wadsworth City Schools Aug. 24, 2023: Grades 1-12 Aug. 30, 2023: Preschool and Kindergarten This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Public Schools schedule: First days of school in Summit County Coffee is acidic what does that mean for your stomach? Coffee is acidic what does that mean for your stomach? Whether you didnt have time or youre just not the type of person who regularly eats breakfast, its common to drink coffee on an empty stomach which youve probably heard is bad for your gut. But is it really? The good news is that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not inherently bad for you, and your stomach can usually adapt to protect itself. But it may cause some discomfort, in which case youll likely want to change up your routine. There are a lot of benefits associated with coffee consumption when it comes to the gastrointestinal tract, said Louisville, Kentucky-based gastroenterologist Dr. Sunana Sohi. The drink gets vilified because of the caffeine it has and because its sugared up a lot now but, medicinally, it has been used for centuries. That being said, Sohi explained that coffee plays around with stomach acid levels in multiple ways. As a result, some folks may deal with issues namely dyspepsia, which is basically indigestion that could be easily solved by avoiding caffeine or, perhaps, indulging in a cup alongside some food. Specifically, coffee itself is an acidic drink. In addition to that, explained Boston-based gastroenterologist Dr. Supriya Rao, caffeine stimulates the production of the hormone gastrin, which is responsible for our gastric acid production. Although the latter compound helps kick off the process of digestion, it also adds acidity to the stomach. Finally, phenols, which are compounds found in coffee, also contribute to the guts level of acidity. But, what exactly happens when the stomach is hit with a flow of acid? Acidity In The Stomach Coffee has a pH level of about 5 while our gastric acid boasts a pH of about 2, making the latter more acidic, Rao noted. As a result, our stomachs should be able to handle the acid that drinking coffee causes. However, its all patient-dependent, Sohi explained. Anything you eat causes the production of gastric acid, but coffee [produces] more of it, she said. So if you feel bloated or are dealing with upper abdominal pain and nausea after drinking coffee on an empty stomach, you know you are having some issues with it. Story continues Rao echoed those sentiments. Its not necessarily that too much acidity is a problem, because the stomach can handle it and there is actually a lot of mucus in it that protects it, she said. Its more about your esophagus not being able to withstand that kind of acid damage. Nothing dangerous is going to happen to you its not like coffee causes ulcers but you may just feel uncomfortable. That theory has been proven true by a few studies, including one published in the Library of Medicine. Specifically, according to the survey, coffee may contribute to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing food to escape into the esophagus and cause heartburn. To put it simply: Drinking coffee on an empty stomach increases the production of gastric acid. Higher levels of the fluid dont cause any problems for many people but may lead to discomfort in some others. If you happen to belong to the latter group of individuals but cant part ways with the caffeinated beverage, try enjoying it with some food alongside it. Food gives you a bit of a buffer in terms of the acid, Rao said, explaining that having food with coffee will offset the acidity levels by absorbing some of the fluid. Rao also clarified that having a cup of java with milk or, perhaps, indulging in a cappuccino over a straight-up black coffee, may help offset the pH levels. Some people can tolerate it on an empty stomach fine but if it upsets yours, taking it with food can help, Sohi agreed. Do Different Beans Cause Different Reactions? Decaffeinated coffee inherently contains less caffeine and, since the stimulant has been proven to contribute to higher levels of gastric acid production, it follows that a cup of decaf coffee may lead to lower amounts of the gastrointestinal fluid. Rao said that choosing a dark bean over a light one might help out your stomach, as the former boasts less acidity than the latter. The process of roasting darker beans is long, so they lose a lot of the acid, she explained. Interestingly enough, cold brew is also a lower-acid option, at least according to researchers at Thomas Jefferson University, who published their results through the American Chemical Society. Cold brew coffees across all three roast temperatures were slightly less acidic than their hot brew counterparts, reads the study. As roasting temperature increased, the total titratable acidity (TA) of all coffees decreased. With an increase in roasting temperature, an increase in the TA differences between cold and hot brew coffees was also observed to increase slightly, indicating that roasting influences extraction processes. Finally, opting for an entirely different caffeinated drink tea, perhaps may prove to be your best option if youre dealing with dyspepsia after drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Green tea and black tea also have a lot of benefits, Sohi said. They have less caffeine but theyre also less acidic so if your stomach is bothering you, consider them instead. Related... (Reuters) -The Bahamian government on Tuesday welcomed Kenya's decision to lead a multinational force in Haiti and committed 150 people to support the effort if the United Nations authorizes the force. The announcement from the Bahamas' foreign ministry follows a request on Monday from U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres that Haiti's neighbors join forces with Kenya, which last week said it was willing to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to help stem gang violence. "The Bahamas has committed 150 persons to support the multi-national force once authorized by the United Nations Security Council," the ministry said in a statement. The Bahamas' statement echoed comments from Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua, who described the security intervention as an opportunity to stand "with persons of African descent across the world." It added the Bahamas looks "forward to cooperating with hemispheric partners including the United States and Canada." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday commended Kenya for "considering to serve as the lead nation" for the multinational force and expressed support for its authorization from a UN Security Council Resolution. In a statement on Tuesday, the Washington-based Organization of American States said the group's general secretariat "welcomes with appreciation" Kenya's announcement. Haiti's government requested international security assistance last year, attracting the UN's support for a security force to be deployed by member states, but no country had been willing to lead such an effort until Kenya's commitment. Regional governments have been reluctant to support the unelected administration of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity. (Reporting by Brendan O'Boyle and Jasper Ward; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Chris Reese) Bankrupt Madera Community Hospital has identified a new partner and a path toward reopening, but low-income Madera County residents seeking medical care could be relying on area health clinics or emergency departments in neighboring counties for the better part of a year. Adventist Health confirmed Friday that it plans to take over management of Madera Countys only hospital, potentially saving it from liquidation and pledging to provide a sustainable future for healthcare in the county. Adventist, a faith-based, nonprofit health system operating in California, Oregon and Hawaii, already operates a number of hospitals and clinics in the San Joaquin Valley. But the hospital still faces several hurdles before it could reopen and the bankruptcy only complicates matters, state Sen. Anna Caballero, a Democrat from Merced, said in an interview with The Bee on Friday. Its never good to have such an important resource in bankruptcy court, she said, because then you lose the ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. Madera shut down in late December after Fresno-based St. Agnes Medical Center and its parent company, the Michigan-based hospital chain Trinity Health, walked away from a proposed merger. Madera Community Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March and has been seeking a new partner ever since. On Tuesday, a federal bankruptcy judge will hear a request for an extension on the hospitals spending plan through Aug. 24. One item that the judge will want to see is whether Madera Countys Board of Supervisors vote to allocate $500,000 to help fund the hospitals operating expenses through the month of August. The vote is taking place Tuesday in a meeting held at the same time as the bankruptcy proceeding. Adventist is also requiring that the hospital secure state funding from the Californias Distressed Hospital Loan Program and the California Health Facilities Financing Authority for the deal to go through. Madera applied for $80 million from the state loan program. A decision on the loan determinations is expected in August. Story continues If Madera succeeds in getting the financial resources it needs, Adventist Health will provide Madera Community Hospital with the expertise of a large healthcare system, helping to secure a sustainable future for healthcare in Madera County, said Kerry L. Heinrich, chief executive of Adventist Health, in a press release. Adventist Health and Madera Community Hospital also have to negotiate and sign a management services contract, subject to court approval. Once an agreement is signed, it could still take months for the hospital to start operations. A sign with a handwritten Closed sign stands outside Madera Community Hospitals ER on Monday, July 24, 2023. The hospital closed early this year. In a report presented to the Madera County Board of Supervisors last week, Force 10 Partners a financial advisory firm hired by the county to analyze hospital reopening options estimated it would take six to nine months for the hospital to reopen once an agreement is reached with a system-affiliated operator. Its unclear how many jobs could be saved or restored until more details of the potential management services agreement are finalized. Its also unclear what level of service might return under Adventist management. But one thing is clear for Paulo Soares, chief executive at Camarena Health, a community-based healthcare provider that has taken on nearly 7,000 patients since the hospitals closure. The lack of an ER (emergency room) here locally, he said in an interview with The Bee, has been a huge, huge deficit. Madera clinic absorbs thousands of patients after hospital closure Without an emergency department in Madera County, Camarena has had to expand its urgent care operations since the hospitals closure. Weve more than tripled our urgent care provider staffing in Madera, Dr. Joel Ramirez, chief medical officer of Camarena Health, said in an interview with The Bee last week. Patients should still go to a hospital in nearby Fresno or Merced counties for things like a heart attack, a stroke, or a large wound, but really aside from that, we can do a lot in urgent care, he said. Camarena has also added a number of specialty services to its operations to meet patient needs services that patients used to receive at Madera Community Hospital. With more patients and more services, Soares said wait times at their clinics have increased. Prior to the hospitals closure, patients were generally getting appointments within a week, he said. Now, it can take a month or longer for patients to see a doctor, depending on the specialty or location. Soares said it could be worthwhile to rethink other services the hospital could provide and sustain, if and when it reopens, but the county needs an acute care facility. I think some of those emergent services, maybe some impatient beds, would make such a huge impact, positive impact for the community, he said. Medical staff work in a collaborative work station at Camarena Health Clinic in Madera on Monday, July 24, 2023 where the clinic has expanded services for patients to alleviate health issues due to the closure of Madera Community Hospital. Local leaders optimistic for Madera hospital reopening Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, a Democrat who represents Californias 27th district, which includes Merced, Madera and Fresno counties, said that shes hopeful local residents could soon get their hospital back. Working closely with Callabero, Soria introduced a bill in February to establish the state emergency loan program for distressed hospitals, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in May. Although I am aware that it will take time, Soria said, I remain optimistic that Madera Community Hospital will reopen its doors and be able to provide the critical care that families in our region need and deserve. Caballero said she was excited about the news of a potential partner especially because the state had been hesitant to commit funding to the hospital without a clear plan. While a lot of pieces have to fall into place for the hospital to reopen, Caballero said shes confident that everything will come together. I think its going to happen, she said. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean along Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Monday, the second such crash along the East Coast in a matter of days. The wreck took place about 11:30 a.m. near the 40th Avenue public beach access, the FAA told USA TODAY. The single-engine Piper PA-18 was towing a banner when it crashed and only the pilot was on board, a FAA spokesperson confirmed. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash. People walk and play along the shoreline near evacuated hotels along North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Tuesday, Sept 3, 2019 when the Hurricane Dorian dawned. Pilot taken to a hospital Myrtle Beach Police Department Sgt. Christopher D. Starling told USA TODAY the pilot was treated at a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The plane remained in the ocean for several hours until crews towed it out as beachgoers looked on, officials said. Starling said police are working with the FAA, the Coast Guard, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in connection to the crash. Deadly California plane crash: 3 dead after plane crashes into airport hangar in Upland, California Second beach banner plane crash in days Just two days earlier a single engine Piper PA-18 crashed into the ocean off a New Hampshire beach. The pilot, who was also pulling a banner advertising a concert, evacuated the aircraft after Saturday's crash just after 4 p.m. outside in Hampton, a town in Rockingham County. The pilot suffered minor injuries, the FAA reported. Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on, X formerly Twitter @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Myrtle Beach banner plane crash: Piper aircraft crashes in ocean There's a difference between the fulfilling relationship mothers can have with their children and the patriarchal institution of motherhood. Jens Kalaene/Getty Images Editors note: This article contains plot spoilers for Barbie. The wildly popular Barbie movie has been touted for its celebration and critique of femininity. As a mother and a media scholar, I couldnt help but see Barbie through an even narrower lens: as a film that, at its core, is about mothers and daughters. The films plot centers on a life-size doll, known as Stereotypical Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, who begins to malfunction: Her feet go flat, and she cant stop thinking about death. So she leaves her perfect plastic life to embark on a quest to restore the boundary between the real world and Barbieland. Along the way, she learns that the real world is nothing like her girl-power wonderland, where Barbies hold all the positions of power and influence and Kens are just accessories. But its thematic heart rests in the films examination of the tensions around being a mother a role often taken for granted, even as the cultural fantasies of motherhood clash with the actual sacrifices that moms make. Motherhood as mere drudgery? I was immediately struck by the movies funny but chilling observations about motherhood. Since the beginning of time, unseen narrator Helen Mirren intones sardonically in the films first line, since the first little girl ever existed, there have been dolls. (Cinephiles will immediately recognize this scene and its setting as an homage to Stanley Kubricks famous dawn of man opening from 2001: A Space Odyssey.) Girls appear on screen, wearing drab, antiquated dresses and playing house with their dolls in a primitive setting, expressionless and practically drooping with boredom. The problem with these dolls is that girls could only ever play at being mothers, which can be fun Mirren pauses meaningfully for a while. Then, she adds, her tone turning cynical, Ask your mother. The appeal of motherhood, Mirren seems to suggest, eventually morphs into unwanted drudgery a reality underscored moments later when the girls meet their first Barbie, who towers above them, larger than life, inspiring them to smash their mundane baby dolls. Story continues Barbie a doll of a young, beautiful woman compels kids to leave the ennui of motherhood behind for the pink plastic sparkle of Barbieland, where all the Barbies live their best lives forever, embodying feminine perfection and possibility. The framing of motherhood as thankless and undesirable echoes mid-20th-century feminist critiques of child rearing and housework. These roles not only bound women to the home but also forced them to perform repetitive tasks that didnt reflect their abilities and derailed their ambitions. In her 1949 book The Second Sex, French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir argued that women, to empower themselves, needed to reject the myth that motherhood represented the pinnacle of feminine achievement. American writer Betty Friedan would echo this sentiment in her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique, railing against the image of the happy housewife heroine who finds fulfillment in being a wife and mother. Its no coincidence that these ideas overlapped with the invention of Barbie in 1959. While predating the womens movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Barbies creator, Ruth Handler, did design the toy to allow girls to imagine their future adult selves, rather than simply play-acting as mothers using baby dolls. The value in motherwork And yet, not only do many women enjoy being mothers, but motherhood also plays an essential role in society and life. In her 1976 book Of Woman Born, feminist poet Adrienne Rich draws a distinction between the fulfilling relationship mothers can have with their children and the patriarchal institution of motherhood, which keeps women under mens control. Sociologist Patricia Hill Collins coined the term motherwork in the mid-1990s to highlight the experiences of women of color and working-class mothers, many of whom dont have the resources to pursue their own ambitions over caring for their families and communities. When youre just trying to navigate the day-to-day without wealth or other forms of privilege, options like hiring a nanny or paying for graduate school arent feasible or a priority. For these mothers, the survival of their children is not a given. Instead of tedium and oppression, motherwork acknowledges that mothering can be a radically important labor of love and a source of empowerment in its own right. In Barbie, the mother-daughter relationship between Gloria, played by America Ferrera, and her daughter Sasha, played by Ariana Greenblatt, contains these contradictions. After experiencing a vision of the person whose sadness seems to be the source of her malfunctions, Stereotypical Barbie initially assumes its Sashas tween angst thats disturbed the perfection of Barbieland and drawn her into the real world. Instead, Barbie discovers its Glorias loneliness and her nostalgia for a simpler time when she played Barbies with her daughter that has caused the rift between reality and fantasy. America Ferrera, left, as Gloria, in Barbie. Ariana Greenblatt, right, plays Glorias daughter Sasha. Warner Bros. Sasha and Glorias adventure with Barbie first escaping the Mattel executives who want to lock Barbie in a box and then journeying back to Barbieland to rescue the other Barbies from the Kens, who are trying to take over repairs the relationship between mother and daughter. Gloria remembers what its like to find joy in motherhood, and Sasha realizes that her mother isnt just a bland set of values against which to rebel. Gloria is a fully fledged person with a rich inner life who, by her own estimation, is sometimes weird and dark and crazy, which Sasha admires. Sasha and all the Barbies have something else to learn from Gloria, too. Stunned that even someone as perfect as Barbie feels like shes not good enough, Gloria delivers a poignant monologue encapsulating, in Barbies words, the cognitive dissonance required to be a woman under patriarchy. Gloria, as a mom struggling to reconcile her deep love for her child with the fear that shes constantly failing at motherhood, knows all too well how this cognitive dissonance wears women down. Letting go In her 2018 book Mothers: An Essay on Love and Cruelty, scholar Jacqueline Rose argues that motherhood is tied to notions of citizenship and nation and, for this reason, can become the ultimate scapegoat for our personal and political failings. The ending to Barbie rejects the notion that mothers are to blame for their childrens mistakes. Instead, the film offers another perspective through the character of Ruth Handler, Mattels founder, whos played by Rhea Perlman. Handler helps Barbie see what awaits her if she chooses to become human. Symbolically letting go of her creation and encouraging her to forge her own path, Ruth tells Barbie that she cannot control her any more than she could control her own daughter, and that mothers should pave the way for their children, not hinder them. We mothers, she explains, stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far theyve come. Ruth Handler, the inventor of the Barbie doll, with her creation in 1999. Matt Campbell/AFP via Getty Images This sentimental and self-effacing message seems at odds with the films nuanced portrayal of motherhood through humor and critique. But, throughout, Barbie invites viewers to question even its own structure, tenets and messaging and presents multiple perspectives on motherhood. Mothering is hard work and sometimes may even be thankless labor. It may bore or disappoint. It can be affirming or heartbreaking or both. It involves leading and following, holding on and letting go. Being a mother shouldnt have to be about sacrifice or about fitting some impossible ideal. Instead, motherhood can highlight the possibilities of living in and with the contradictions. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters. It was written by: Aviva Dove-Viebahn, Arizona State University. Read more: Aviva Dove-Viebahn 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. A seemingly innocuous proposal to name July 23 as the National Day of Egypt in Burr Ridge drew a protest from one resident at a July board meeting. The meeting and the proposed designation happened a day after the proposed National Day of Egypt, a recognition meant to signify the independence of Egypt after British rule in 1952. Burr Ridge has a Coptic community of Egyptians and the recognition a first for the community would have simply marked the prior day as important for that community. Advertisement In part, the proclamation read it was intended as recognizing the start of the 1952 Egyptian revolution which culminated in Egypt gaining its independence from British colonialism. The attached proclamation declares July 23 as the National Day of Egypt in the Village of Burr Ridge in recognition of the Egyptian population living, working or otherwise contributing to the civic health and cultural diversity in the Village of Burr Ridge. The Village has, in the past, passed resolutions as in support of various ethnicities and nationalities, including a resolution supporting Ukraine, at the start of the war against Russia. Mayor Gary Grasso said the resolution did not imply the village would pass another resolution next year. Advertisement The Egyptian community in Burr Ridge is represented mostly by Copts, a Christian sect, dating to the earliest days of Christianity, and the community has a large Coptic church, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church. The resolution was intended to show widespread support for that community. From left, Nathan Gaines with Jodon Farms in Wisconsin helps Lucy Walley, Bella Walley and Gabe Walley off a camel at a prior Taste of Egypt event at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge. (Jesse Wright / Pioneer Press) Nevertheless, one resident, John Szynal, opposed the proclamation as offensive. First, he argued only Congress could create a national day although the proclamation was not a national day for the United States and he demanded to know how the proclamation event came to be. Egyptians arent the only ethnic group residing in Burr Ridge, he told the board. Further, he said he felt such a declaration would force residents of Burr Ridge to honor a group of people against their will by calling on residents to recognize the contributions of Egyptians in the community. Do other ethnicities not deserve the same recognition? he asked. The Egyptian revolution may be a joyous occasion, he continued. But, Szynal said, if the Egyptians got a proclamation of their independence, every single other ethnicity in Burr Ridge should get one, too. Again, however, the action would have been a retroactive recognition of a day already past. In response, the Rev. Theodore Labib of St. Marks Church in Burr Ridge a large Coptic church said he didnt particularly care about the language of the motion but he did appreciate the gesture. If this is a matter of semantics we as the Coptic community living in Burr Ridge and who have been living here for a very long time appreciate the gesture, Labib said. Advertisement Labib noted hed recently become a citizen 20 days ago and he is happy to make Burr Ridge his home and felt welcomed by the gesture. It does mean a lot to us when our presence and our history are understood, he said. A proclamation like this doesnt begrudge other people in this community. Michael Durkin, village attorney for Burr Ridge, pointed out the proclamation had no national significance and thus didnt require an act of Congress the national day referred only to the Egyptian holiday but even so, the board voted to rephrase the wording, even as Mayor Grasso added that the board had honored other ethnicities in the past. This is not out of the ordinary for what this village has done, he said. Im OK the way it is but if someone wants to amend it thats all right. The board then amended the proclamation delete the word national from the text and it passed unanimously. Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. ROCHESTER, N.H. For $1, New Hampshire voters were invited to drink beer with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday in Concord. But barely more than two dozen people showed up at the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, which slashed the ticket price for the general public from $50 late in the week in order to build the crowd. By the time the event started, an hour late, there were just 30 people in the room. For a campaign that promised allies a new approach while shedding staff amid a cash crunch and declining poll numbers, the meet-and-greet with homebuilders was just one of a string of events in Iowa and New Hampshire in recent days that were distinctive less for any change in DeSantis tack than for the appearance of waning interest in his candidacy. At least at the outset, DeSantis has reset in name only. When youre not gaining traction in the polls, theyve got to do something, said Jim Tobin, who attended DeSantis economic policy speech in Rochester on Monday, and is leaning toward voting for the governor. If he was even in the polls, they wouldnt be doing anything." In campaign memos and conversations with donors, DeSantis advisers have talked of a path forward by making the governor more approachable through retail politicking diners and barbecues and town-hall forums that emphasize his policy ideas (the economy and foreign policy in August) and military service. DeSantis economic policy speech to a crowd of about 100 people here Monday, along with appearances at restaurants, a house party and former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Browns barbecue, followed that plan. His campaign says he's hitting his marks. "The media will continue their obsession with endless clickbait stories that do nothing to inform voters, and Ron DeSantis will keep sharing his plans to declare American's economic independence and restore sanity in our country as the next president," campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo said. Story continues "While some candidates think they are entitled to the nomination," Romeo added, "the governor will not be outworked and will fight for every vote, one day at a time." While his four-day swing through the Granite State and a bus tour of Iowa last week bore some of the trappings of a candidate trying to make a sharp turn, DeSantis often reverted to his norm, both in substance and style. He remains committed to the basic message that, as president, he can export his agenda from Florida to the rest of the country and, despite beefing up his stump speech with broadsides against President Joe Biden and a handful of policy promises, he still emphasizes the culture-war issues that dominated the early days of his campaign. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in Iowa (Sergio Flores for The Washington Post via Getty Images) At a coffee shop in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Friday, he began his remarks with some sharp zingers against Biden and a tight section on economic conditions. But he then spoke at length about destroying woke culture and defended the Florida Board of Educations decision to approve a Black history curriculum that said middle school students should learn about the personal benefit slaves received from learning trades. And there were signs that the campaigns focus on retail politics on showing that DeSantis can connect with people outside his bubble eluded the candidate at times. A 15-year-old at the Oskaloosa coffee shop asked about military service restrictions on people with mental health disorders a topic right in line with the DeSantis campaigns desire to highlight his military expertise. I cant legally vote, the teen said, but I struggle with major depressive disorder. DeSantis interrupted the teen with a rejoinder: Its never stopped the other party from not letting you vote. After letting the youngster finish, DeSantis swung back around to acknowledge that he wasnt sure what restrictions might be in place and stressing that such rules are made with whatever is best for the unit in mind. It wasnt the only moment on the two-state trip in which the governors attempts to project intimacy by making small talk seemed to backfire. Oh, what is that? An Icee? a puzzled-looking DeSantis asked one kid during his Thursday visit to the Wayne County Fair in Corydon. Thats probably a lot of sugar, huh? At the Wayne County fairgrounds in Iowa. pic.twitter.com/qEIpsKwxPo Gabe Gutierrez (@gabegutierrez) July 27, 2023 Later that evening, in Osceola, an 82-year-old farmer told DeSantis that he tends fewer acres since his wife died of cancer five years ago, and asked about the candidates thoughts on ethanol, a corn-based renewable fuel used in cars. DeSantis passed up an opportunity to offer sympathy, launching into a stump-speech promise to turn back this rush to electric vehicles. Agreeing with DeSantis view on electric vehicles, the farmer said he couldnt afford to transition his tractors and other equipment. In that case, it seemed, the voter found a way to connect with DeSantis rather than the other way around. DeSantis defended his personal touch in an interview with NBC News last week, arguing that critics are off-base when they say he has difficulty connecting. That hasnt been the truth, he said during the Iowa tour. The truth here on this trip, weve gone to all these counties, people coming up to me saying, 'Im so glad that you showed up. You know, youre the first guy to actually show up here where people are signing up committing to caucus for us and really significant numbers in terms of the percentages of people that are showing up.' DeSantis said thats a sign that his campaign is moving in the right direction. So were making big, big progress, he said, pointing to his visits to smaller counties. Im going to say I have been in your community. Weve listened to your concerns, and were going to deliver results for you. DeSantis cash-strapped campaign has turned to his super PAC, Never Back Down, to defray costs by sponsoring events that DeSantis attends. Ostensibly, part of his new strategy is to get closer contact with voters at slimmed-down meetings. That has the obvious benefit of portraying sparse attendance as a virtue. There were some bright spots on DeSantis most recent campaign swing, which was due to wrap up Tuesday with a town hall-style event televised by WMUR in New Hampshire. After his Lincoln Dinner speech to the Iowa GOP Friday night, DeSantis hung out with supporters at an after-party sponsored by his super PAC, beer in hand. The speech itself, part of a cattle call of candidates delivering remarks to a crowd of more than 1,000 Iowa Republicans, drew applause and praise from attendees. DeSantis was in danger of being written off by many Iowa Republican Party leaders and activists, said Will Rogers, a former chairman of the Polk County, Iowa, GOP who has not endorsed a candidate. His performance at Friday nights dinner clearly shows that he has a lot of life left in his campaign, and this might have been the start of his comeback. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shakes hands during a campaign event, Monday, July 31, 2023, in Rochester, N.H. (Charles Krupa / AP) On Sunday, at Browns barbecue, DeSantis spoke to an energized crowd of well more than 100 people more than at the homebuilders event but still short of the audiences that flocked to see him in Iowa during his pre-campaign book tour. Despite out-raising the field, earning enough media coverage to make himself a household name in political circles and securing second place in polling, DeSantis campaign looks more like the operation of a second-tier candidate now than the juggernaut it was expected to be. This month, DeSantis fired more than 40 percent of his campaign staff after a filing with the Federal Election Commission showed that he had tapped out top donors and burned through cash. Out of $20.1 million raised in his first six weeks as a candidate, he had spent $7.8 million. Under federal election law, roughly $3 million of the remainder cant be used in the primary because it is reserved for the general election. At the same time, DeSantis poll numbers have sagged. A New York Times/Siena College survey released Monday showed former President Donald Trump at 54 percent and DeSantis at 17 percent. The remaining candidates in the crowded field were all below 4 percent. DeSantis donors and allies have long been concerned about his campaign. Some expressed optimism about his chances of resetting his trajectory after the staff layoffs. But other Republicans say the campaign is still falling well short of expectations. I think hes got a very good team in Iowa and I think hes heavily focused, said a GOP lawmaker who has not endorsed in the race yet. But am I disappointed overall? Yeah. I think people thought the rollout was going to be better. I think they thought there would be a more robust campaign, that theyd be making more progress. And so, yeah, I think its been disappointing over the last six weeks. The attendance at Saturday's Beers With Builders event was measurably smaller than the crowds DeSantis drew at several stops on his first trip to the state as a candidate this year. Originally, organizers had made the event free to members of the homebuilders association and charged $50 per ticket for nonmembers. But in an effort to pack the room, the association dropped the price to $1 for nonmembers a nominal fee designed to prevent tickets from being reserved by malicious actors. I charged a token $1 because the bots fill up events with bad emails, association executive director Matt Mayberry said in a text exchange with NBC News. But a cheap ticket and free beer could only do so much. Allan Smith and Emma Barnett reported from New Hampshire, Henry J. Gomez from Iowa, and Jonathan Allen from Washington, D.C. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said that Iran and Belarus are deepening bilateral cooperation as they both support Russia's war in Ukraine, with Belarus seeking to secure an agreement on Iranian-made Shahed drones production on its territory. Source: ISW Details: ISW noted that "Belarusian Defence Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin arrived in Iran on 31 July and met with his counterpart, Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and a bilateral military cooperation plan for 2023". ISW noted that Ashtiani, as Iran's Defence Minister, is responsible for negotiating the purchase and sale of military equipment. "Khrenin and Ashtiani likely discussed arms deals during their meeting. Belarus may have also been seeking to secure an agreement on Iranian production of Shahed drones on the territory of Belarus." Background: Ukraine's National Resistance Center has said Russia is considering manufacturing Shahed drones in Belarus. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Belarus has warned Poland of a possible flight of several military helicopters, witnessed on Tuesday by residents of border settlements; Polish authorities later confirmed that the helicopters crossed the state border. Source: European Pravda Details: On the morning of Tuesday, 1 August, Polish media reported the sighting of Belarusian helicopters in the city of Biaowieza, in the Podlaskie Voivodeship near the Polish-Belarusian border. Military exercises often take place there, so at first, the locals did not pay much attention to the aircraft. Photos of Belarusian helicopters were posted by local volunteer Eliza Kowalczyk, who stated that they entered the airspace of Biaowieza. So did the locals who said helicopters flew over the rooftops of their homes. Local OSINT researchers who analyse the open data from the photographs found that the helicopters flew from Belarus to Poland near the village of Grudki, moved about three kilometres inland, turned around and flew over Biaowieza. Photo by sluzbyiobywatel.pl At the same time, the Polish side denies the fact of crossing the border from Belarus. Lieutenant Colonel Jacek Goryszewski, a spokesman for the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, told the state-run PAP news agency that the radar systems did not record a violation of Polish airspace. He added that Minsk told Warsaw that on Tuesday, there could be a maximum of three helicopters near the Polish border, and their flights should have been of a training nature. Quote: "It can be seen as normal flying, it's not an anomaly. This is a common phenomenon in the border region," he stressed. Independent radio station RMF FM also reported that there were no signs of violation of the airspace of Poland. Media sources in military circles say that with sufficient visibility, helicopters could be spotted from Biaowieza and give the impression that they are on the Polish side. Update at 8:35 p.m. On Tuesday evening, the Polish Ministry of National Defence confirmed the violation of Polish airspace by two Belarusian helicopters. Story continues After an attempted rebellion in Russia, the militants of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) relocated into Belarus. The Polish side has repeatedly emphasised that the Wagnerites pose a threat to Poland, and reinforced the Belarusian-Polish border. Earlier: Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the relocation of a group of mercenaries from the Wagner Group to the Suwaki Gap, which connects the country with the Baltic States and also separates the territory of Russian Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Belarusian helicopters fly over Belovezha While conducting training flights, two Belarusian helicopters briefly crossed into Polish airspace, Polands Defense Ministry said in a message on its website on Aug. 1. Minsk has subsequently denied the allegation, saying Poland's accusations are "fabricated" and designed to "justify the buildup of forces near the Belarusian border." Read also: Ukraine intel says Polish military would 'quickly' deal with any Wagner advance - intel agency According to Warsaw, two helicopters entered Polish airspace in the Bialowieza region at an exceptionally low altitude, making them difficult to detect with radars. Consequently, the Polish army reported earlier in the day that they had detected no airspace violations. The Polish ministry stated that the Belarusian regime had previously announced exercises near the border. In response, the head of the defense department, Mariusz Blaszczak, ordered an increase in the number of soldiers stationed at the border and the deployment of "additional forces and means," including combat helicopters. The incident has been reported to NATO command. Read also: Lukashenko walks back threatening Poland with a Wagner incursion The Polish Foreign Ministry intends to summon the Belarusian charge d'affaires for an explanation. Earlier, Polish volunteer Eliza Kovalchik posted a photo of Belarusian helicopters flying over on Polish territory. Local open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts determined that Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters had flown over the center of Bialowieza, as captured by local residents. Read also: Polish ambassador summoned over officials comments that Ukraine is ungrateful The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces had earlier denied any airspace violations. Lt. Col. Jacek Gorishevsky told Polish news agency PAP that Belarus had notified them about the presence of three helicopters in the border zone and characterized their flights as "of an educational nature." Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A group of left-wing senators led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., are demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecute the fossil fuel industry over its alleged climate disinformation campaign. In a letter Monday to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Senate coalition joined also by Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. argued fossil fuel companies have conducted a "longstanding and carefully coordinated campaign" to mislead Americans about the risks posed by global warming and "discredit climate science" in pursuit of profits. If the DOJ were to pursue such a case again the fossil fuel industry, it would mark the first time the federal government got involved in climate nuisance litigation. "The actions of ExxonMobil, Shell, and potentially other fossil fuel companies represent a clear violation of federal racketeering laws, truth in advertising laws, consumer protection laws, and potentially other laws, and the Department must act swiftly to hold them accountable for their unlawful actions," the four senators wrote to Garland on Monday. "The fossil fuel industry has had scientific evidence about the dangers of climate change and the role that burning fossil fuels play in increasing global temperatures for more than 50 years," the lawmakers continued. "Despite these companies knowledge about climate change and the role their industry was playing in driving carbon emissions, they chose to participate in a decades-long, carefully coordinated campaign of misinformation to obfuscate climate science and convince the public that fossil fuels are not the primary driver of climate change." HILLARY CLINTON BLAMES 'MAGA REPUBLICANS' FOR MAKING IT HOT OUTSIDE Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is pictured at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on April 20. According to the lawmakers, fossil fuel companies funded a multimillion-dollar "illegal misinformation" plan through the American Petroleum Institute (API), the industry's main national trade association, decades ago. Story continues READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP They likened the campaign to the plan coordinated by the tobacco industry. A federal judge ruled in 2006 that the tobacco industry was guilty of a decades-long campaign of lying about the dangers of smoking. GROUP LEO DICAPRIO FUNNELED GRANTS THROUGH TO FUND CLIMATE LAWSUITS MOVED TO LARGEST US DARK MONEY NETWORK "Thanks to the illegal lies of the fossil fuel industry, climate change is wreaking catastrophic damage upon the United States. Floods, droughts, extreme weather disturbances, and wildfires are causing unprecedented damage," Sanders and the other senators wrote. "These costs, and the costs of repairing our environment and transitioning away from fossil fuels, must not fall on American taxpayers. Instead, they must be borne by the parties responsible for driving climate change and lying about the negative impacts of their products," they added. "The polluters must pay." In addition, the letter argued the alleged disinformation campaign has allowed the industry to enjoy trillions of dollars in profits over the last three decades. It stated those profits have been made "off the backs of people all around the world, especially frontline communities." A pump jack operates in front of a drilling rig near Carlsbad, New Mexico. And the senators pointed to recent "record breaking heat levels" as evidence of the urgent need for a DOJ prosecution of the fossil fuel industry. Over the last several weeks, large swaths of the U.S. have been blanketed by extreme heat, and 46 million Americans across the South remain under heat alerts. However, in a statement, API pushed back against the letter Monday, saying it was committed to advocating for policies reducing emissions. "The record of the past two decades demonstrates that the industry is achieving its goal of providing affordable, reliable American energy to U.S. consumers while substantially reducing emissions and our environmental footprint," a spokesperson for API told Fox News Digital. "Any suggestion to the contrary is false." In 2021, API published its Climate Action Framework, which stated the group shares the "goal of reduced emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation and use by society." The effort to push federal litigation against the fossil fuel industry comes amid dozens of similar climate nuisance cases filed at the state and local level over the past few years. Such cases have been filed by Delaware, Minnesota, Rhode Island and New Jersey, and the cities of Washington, D.C., New York City, Baltimore, Honolulu and San Francisco, in addition to several other cities and counties nationwide. And the effort comes after a Democratic-led House investigation into Big Oil disinformation collapsed after Republicans won back majority control last year. How well do Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager really know each other? The pair found out when playing a spirited game of best friend 4eva? on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on Aug. 1, a Newlywed Game-style game in which they each jotted down answers to simple questions about the other, hoping to match their counterparts responses. What is the best way to reach Hoda email, text, phone call or FaceTime? was the first question. Hoda and Jenna both held up their cards, with matching answers: FaceTime! I always pick up a FaceTime, Hoda said. Its true, Jenna said. They couldnt make it two answers in a row, though, because Hoda guessed key lime pie was Jennas favorite dessert, while Jenna said it was either ice cream or banana pudding. Hoda Kotb (Nathan Congleton / TODAY) I was trying to give you a lot of choices, Jenna said. I said it was going to be a hard one, she added. They were off yet again in the third question when Jenna failed to correctly guess Hodas favorite movie. She said it was Maid in Manhattan, while Hoda said Love Actually, although she did concede Maid in Manhattan is in her top five. The pair managed to right the ship on the last question, in which Hoda named Jennas favorite holiday: Christmas. Hoda and Jenna, of course, know each other pretty well, although Jenna is slightly miffed at Hodas penchant for going to a party and then sneaking out without letting people know shes leaving, something known as an Irish goodbye. In 2022, Jenna asked Mary Robertson, one of Hodas sorority sisters from Virginia Tech University, how that started. Im wondering when this originated. Hoda now likes to go to a party, do a quick circle and then sneak out before anybody can even witness it. Its called the Ho-dini. Did she do that sort of Irish exiting thing when you were (in school)? she asked. No, but I am Irish so I could see how that might have (influenced her), Robertson said. Are you telling us that you taught her the Ho-dini? Jenna asked. Maybe? My family knows how to get out the back door, Robertson said. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Behind-the-scenes tensions appear to be boiling to the surface after last week's congressional hearing on UFOs after a top Pentagon official's "personal opinion" ripping the witnesses' testimonies became public. Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), said the hearing "was insulting" to the officers in the Department of Defense and intelligence community who joined AARO, which is a specialized department of the DoD tasked with studying UFOs. "Many (joined AARO) with not unreasonable anxieties about the career risks this would entail, have been working diligently, tirelessly and often in the face of harassment and animosity, to satisfy their Congressionally mandated mission," Kirkpatrick said as part of his lengthy statement. AARO's top man's comments are his "personal opinions expressed in his capacity as a private citizen," DoD spokesperson Susan Gough said in an email to Fox News Digital. "We won't comment directly on the contents of the post." RUSSIAN UFO ENGAGEMENTS, SECRET TIC TAC REPORT AND 3 KEY FIGURES FLIP UNDER RADAR AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING Former Navy pilot Ryan Graves, ex-Navy commander David Fravor and former U.S. intelligence officer David Grusch testify before the House of Representatives subcommittee focused on UFOs. Kirkpatrick took offense to UFO whistleblower David Grusch's under-oath statements that alleged whistleblowers faced physical assaults and threats to their lives, including his own. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "I can't get into the specifics in an open forum but what I personally witnessed myself and my wife was very disturbing," said Grusch, a former U.S. intelligence officer and Air Force veteran. "I've faced brutal, unfortunate tactics" of retribution that he called "administrative terrorism." UFO WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIFIES HIS LIFE WAS THREATENED OVER SECRET ALIEN TECH RETRIEVAL Grusch said he couldn't divulge specifics in an open forum, like last week's House Oversight Committee hearing, because there's an open whistleblower reprisal program case against him, but he told lawmakers that he can detail them in a classified setting. Story continues Grusch, along with Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor, testified about their firsthand encounters with UFOs, or UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena) as they're called now. Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, testified before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities on April 19, 2023. "Allegations by (the hearing's) witnesses of retaliation, to include physical assault and hints of murder, are extraordinarily serious, which is why law enforcement is a critical member of the AARO team," Kirkpatrick said. He called his team at AARO "truth-seekers." "But you certainly would not get that impression from (last week's) hearing," he said. UFO WHISTLEBLOWERS TO TESTIFY UNKNOWN OBJECTS ARE FAR SUPERIOR TO US TECH, GOVT OPERATING WITH SECRECY He went on to say a "central source of those allegations" refused to speak to AARO. The statement didn't specifically mention Grusch, but it was clear that's who he referred to. Grusch said in interviews and during the congressional hearing that Kirkpatrick or AARO never spoke to him or reached out to him. Kirkpatrick's statement shifted to address Congress, specifically the bipartisan House Oversight Committee that said it's pushing to uncover the truth about UFOs and extraterrestrial life "Furthermore, some information reportedly provided to Congress has not been provided to AARO, raising additional questions about the true commitment to transparency by some Congressional elements," said Kirkpatrick, who said the House subcommittee never asked AARO for an update. UFOS: IS THE GOVERNMENT HIDING SOMETHING? "A rational person watching the hearing might reasonably assume that both the witnesses and the members had an understanding of the Department's and the IC's progress since the establishment of AARO around this time last year, only naturally leading to conclude that AARO has been ineffective, non-transparent and delinquent in its legislated mission." Kirkpatrick appeared before Congress in April and joined NASA's May presentation, which is running its own UAP investigation that runs on a separate but parallel track as AARO. VIDEO: DOES CONGRESS NEED A SELECT COMMITTEE ON UAPS? "I am deeply disappointed at the denigration of AARO's dedicated men and women hailing from the Department of Defense, intelligence community and civil partners who are pouring their hearts our working this issue on the behalf of Congress," Kirkpatrick said. He ends his lengthy statement by saying AARO has yet to find any credible evidence to support allegations of a reverse engineering program for non-human technology. CONGRESSMAN HAS GRIM TAKE AFTER ACCESS TO UFO FOOTAGE: THIS TECH COULD TURN US INTO A CHARCOAL BRIQUETTE That's in direct conflict with Grusch's allegations that the government "absolutely" has UFO tech and "biologics" of "non-human origins" since the 1930s, and he knows the exact locations where they're being held. Gough, on behalf of the DoD, emphasized Kirkpatrick was speaking as a private citizen, and the DoD "has no information that any individual has been harmed or killed as a result of providing information to AARO." "Any unsubstantiated claims that individuals have been harmed or killed in the process of providing information to AARO will serve to discourage individuals with relevant information from coming forward to aid in AAROs efforts," she said in an email. UAP reporting trends presented during April 19, 2023, senate hearing AARO doesn't have any "verifiable information" to substantiate claims that a reverse-engineering program of alien tech "has existed in the past or exist currently," according to Gough. "We do want to reinforce the Departments unwavering commitment to openness and accountability to the American people and Congress," she said. FOX EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: STRANGE OBJECTS ON OCEAN FLOOR MAY BE UFO CRASH DEBRIS "The dedicated military service members, civilian personnel, and federal contractors who support AAROs efforts are deserving of the full confidence of our lawmakers and the American public. While much remains to be done to fulfill AAROs mandate, AAROs committed team has made great progress since its establishment only a year ago." She said AARO welcomes the opportunity to speak with any former or current government employee or contracted who believes they have information relevant to the investigation. UAP reporting trends presented during April 19, 2023, senate hearing A new office dedicated to studying UAP (UFO) sightings has finally secured full-funding in the upcoming 2024 defense budget. "AARO looks forward to increasing the publics understanding of UAP through the declassification of historical and contemporary UAP information." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPA As of May, AARO was investigating about 800 cases, according to Kirkpatrick. About 2% to 5% of those 800 cases are "truly anomalous," he said. NASA is also investigating UAPs, running on a separate but parallel track as AARO. Both NASA and AARO are expected to release separate reports this summer. Gen. James Dickinson, head of U.S. Space Command Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images President Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command's headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, reversing a January 2021 decision by former President Donald Trump to move the command to Huntsville, Alabama, the White House said Monday. Trump had elevated U.S. Space Command to its own four-star combatant command in 2019, and Colorado Springs, its temporary home, had been the frontrunner for the permanent headquarters until the final days for Trump's presidency. When Biden took office, he placed the move to Huntsville on pause to review the decision. Keeping U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado Springs "ultimately ensures peak readiness in the space domain for our nation during a critical period," Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Monday. He added that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, and Space Command head Gen. James Dickinson all supported Biden's "objective and deliberate" decision. In Washington, the fate of Space Command headquarters has been a point of bitter contention between Alabama and Colorado lawmakers. Biden's decision to keep the "multimillion-dollar economic driver" in Colorado Springs "is a win for Democrats and Republicans alike in Colorado," who have argued to more than two years that Trump's last-ditch decision was "politically motivated," The Colorado Sun reported. Trump actually "credited himself for 'single-handedly' putting the command in the red state," Politico noted. Alabama GOP lawmakers argued that Biden's move to overrule Trump was driven by politics. "This fight is far from over," House Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said Monday. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who has clashed with the Pentagon and White House over his six-month-long protest hold on senior military promotions, argued that Biden's decision "looks like blatant patronage politics." Story continues Biden was convinced to keep U.S. Space Command in Colorado by Dickinson, who "was staunchly in favor of staying put," arguing "that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness," The Associated Press reported, citing U.S. officials. Kendall had "leaned toward Huntsville." National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said that with the decision now made, U.S. Space Command's headquarters "is expected to achieve 'full operational capability' at Colorado Springs" in August. U.S. Space Command is charged with defending U.S. national interests starting at 62 miles above sea level, facilitating satellite navigation and communication for the U.S. military and tracking missile launches. It is separate from the U.S. Space Force, a new branch of the U.S. Armed Forces also created at Trump's behest in 2019. You may also like Homepage President Joe Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, reversing plans by the Trump administration to move the headquarters to Alabama. The location of Space Commands permanent headquarters has triggered a political feud in Washington, pitting Alabama lawmakers against their Colorado counterparts and threatening to draw the Pentagon into abortion politics once again. Today, following a thorough and deliberate evaluation process, and after consultation with (Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin and weighing the input of senior military leaders, President Biden notified the Department of Defense that he has selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. Army Gen. James Dickinson, commander of the Space Command, during a Senate hearing on March 8, 2022. (Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call via AP file) Austin, the secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, and Space Command chief Army Gen. James Dickinson all supported the presidents decision, Ryder said. Dickinson had argued against shifting the headquarters to Alabama on grounds it could put military readiness at risk. A decision on the headquarters had been pending for months, and coincided with another political argument between the White House and an Alabama lawmaker. While the administration weighed how to proceed, Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has held up hundreds of military promotions over his opposition to the Pentagons abortion policy, which covers the costs of female service members seeking abortions across state lines. NBC News first reported in May that the Biden administration was reconsidering plans to move Space Command headquarters to Alabama partly because the state has imposed a near total ban on abortion. White House officials have denied Alabamas restrictive abortion law was a factor in their review. Alabama lawmakers expressed outrage over the decision and vowed to overturn it. This fight is far from over, Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. Story continues The decision showed that far-left politics, not national security, was the driving force behind this decision, Rogers said. Colorado's Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, who had argued against the move to Alabama, welcomed the news that the command would remain in Colorado Springs. Over the past two and half years, we have repeatedly made the case that the Trump administrations decision to relocate U.S. Space Command was misguided. Todays decision restores integrity to the Pentagons basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions, Bennet said in a statement. The Air Force originally recommended the headquarters remain in Colorado but later changed its stance in January 2021 after a White House meeting during the final weeks of President Donald Trumps administration. Trump later said he was single-handedly responsible for the states selection over others that were under consideration, but the review did not support that claim. The Biden White House directed the Air Force last December to conduct a review of the process that led to the Trump administrations decision to move Space Commands headquarters from Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama. The review followed two previous, extensive reviews that took place after Biden took office that found there was no improper political influence on the process that awarded the headquarters to Alabama. Space Command is a unified Pentagon command with elements from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and it is distinct from the separate military branch known as Space Force. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a tough call to make. Two senior Defense Department leaders were at odds over where to locate the permanent headquarters of U.S. Space Command, a decision at the center of a drawn-out and bitter fight on Capitol Hill laced with parochial politics. Gen. James Dickinson, the four-star chief of Space Command, recommended keeping the headquarters at its temporary location at Colorados Peterson Air Force Base, to avoid disrupting the schedule for the command to become fully operational in August. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, on the other hand, wanted to move the facility to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., in line with an 11th-hour decision during the Trump administration that was based on the services review of six sites. Austin brought both arguments to President Joe Bidens desk and asked the commander in chief to settle the debate. Biden on Monday determined that the command should stay in Colorado, infuriating Alabama lawmakers and touching off a round of accusations that the current president was only seeking to punish the former one. This story is based on information provided by two U.S. officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations between the Pentagon and the White House. The Associated Press was first to report the split between Dickinson and Kendall. The disagreement between Dickinson and Kendall had put Austin in an awkward position. The defense secretary had previously backed the original decision to move the command to Alabama, which the Pentagons Inspector General determined complied with the law despite Trumps own claim that he single-handedly overruled the Air Force in the waning days of his administration, sending the command to deep-red Alabama. Upon taking office, Biden directed a review of the decision. Months later, Kendall told lawmakers in March that the headquarters decision was the Air Force secretarys to make. Secretary Austin delegated it to me and thats where it stays today, Kendall said. Story continues With Dickinson and Kendall split, the defense secretary brought the issue to Biden. He did not make a recommendation to the president either way, the officials said. On Monday, Biden notified the Pentagon of his decision, agreeing with Dickinsons argument that moving the command would risk disrupting the militarys ability to respond to space-based threats at a time when adversaries such as China are making gains in the domain. Despite the disagreement, Kendall said in a statement that he fully supports the presidents decision, and the service will now work expeditiously to implement it. On Capitol Hill, the Alabama delegation promised to fight. Lawmakers accused Biden of playing politics and vowed to investigate the choice. But National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Tuesday flatly denied their claims. Let me put this as plainly as I can. The deciding factor for President Biden in deciding to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs was operational readiness. Pure and simple, Kirby said told reporters. It had everything to do with making sure that Space Command could, in an undisrupted way, continue to operate at peak readiness levels in what is one of the most critical domains across the spectrum of military domains. Despite speculation that the decision was a rebuke of Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) for his months-long blockade of military promotions over the Pentagons abortion travel policy, Kirby said the decision had nothing to do with the Alabama senator or partisan politics. Asked specifically whether Alabamas strict abortion laws played a role in keeping the command in Colorado, one of the U.S. officials said no. The official noted the Pentagons policy of reimbursing troops who have to travel to seek reproductive healthcare, the very rule that Tuberville is protesting. Nothing is changing in terms of our footprint inside these states, the official said, explaining that the Pentagon is not moving troops out of red states. Although its not unprecedented for the commander in chief to weigh in on basing decisions, its certainly unusual. U.S. officials say there is no tension between Biden and his Pentagon chief, and its not indicative of a larger pattern of weighing in more on Pentagon issues. But the decision marks the second time in just a few weeks that the president has intervened in affairs normally in the Pentagons purview. Last month, Biden named Adm. Lisa Franchetti to be the Navys top officer and first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, against Austins advice. Days later, the president overruled Austin on another prominent national security issue: sharing evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court. Its so much fun, I love doing this, said Alexis Hex of Chicago who is reading a book during Drag Story Hour with Alexis Hex under shady trees along a playground at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Families and individuals gathered Saturday for a four hour event in Evanstons Ridgeville Park for the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA Community Picnic. The event sponsored by Evanston Pride featured games, crafts, more than 20 information tents or tables and a Queer Makers Market. Attendees could enjoy purchased fare or bring their own picnic instead. Advertisement The schedule of events included free dancing lessons from the Firebrand Second City Country Dance Association, a performance by Lakeside Prides Tiny Bubbles Ukulele Ensemble and Drag Story Hour with Alexis Hex. Its so much fun, I love doing this, said (left) Alexis Hex of Chicago who is reading a book during Drag Story Hour with Alexis Hex under shady trees along a playground at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Its so much fun, I love doing this, Hex said, who read aloud childrens picture books under shady trees along the parks Ridge Avenue playground. Advertisement Both in Western hats, after the group completed country line dancing lessons with picnic attendees, Ruth Lipschutz of Evanston did a swing dance with one of Firebands teachers Herb Moore of Roscoe Village. Dancing, is life, for me, Moore said. Firebrand Second City Country Dance Association line dancing lessons were popular. On far left to right, changing things up after line dancing lessons with swing dancing are Herb Moore of Roscoe Village and Ruth Lipschutz of Evanston at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Its like the highlight of my life, hes (Herb Moore) a great teacher, Lipschutz said about dancing. Lauren Wszolek of Hoffman Estates was seen country line dancing too with the large group of participants. I was really excited, Wszolek said with a smile about the chance to dance. Firebrand Second City Country Dance Association line dancing lessons were popular. Showing delight while dancing is Lauren Wszolek of Hoffman Estates at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Each year, Evanston Pride donates 20% of proceeds from Pride Month fundraising to local nonprofit organizations working on behalf of the LGBTQIA community on the North Shore. This years recipients were Brave Space Alliance, Rebirth Garments and Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. The Evanston Public Library, Open Studio Project and the Evanston Art Center had a community picnic presence also. Rada Yovovich, a founding board member of Evanston Pride and the organizations co-president, said about the turnout, Its pretty good, its a good vibe. Advertisement I cant tell you how thankful I am for this amazing weather, the North Side of Chicago resident said. We just couldnt have asked for anything better. Im really thankful for such great energy and so many people showing up especially immediately following the hate act that happened. Three small Pride flags with pride death written on them were found in the city. Police are investigating the incident and havent ruled out a hate crime. In the face of hate, we rise with love and resilience. This act of hatred only strengthens our commitment to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and fearlessly, read a statement from Evanston Prides website. Together, we will turn adversity into an opportunity for education and understanding. Let us continue to stand tall, proud, and unyielding, spreading love, empathy, and acceptance as we pave the way toward a future where every individual is celebrated for who they are. Yovovich is an Evanston business owner, grew up in Evanston and graduated as part of Evanston Township High Schools Class of 2002. The Evanston Pride organization was launched in November of 2020 and achieved 501c3 status at the beginning of 2021. We have a long history of challenges, setbacks, and violations of our people in our community and we just keep showing up time after time, Yovovich said. I couldnt be more proud. The Free Mom Hugs organization had a tent, offering hugs to persons welcoming the greetings. Advertisement The reason that we give hugs is that they are affirming. The purpose of Free Mom Hugs is to affirm everyone, no matter how they identify, said Kristine Binder of Norwood Park, State of Illinois chapter leader for Free Mom Hugs. Binder is a cisgender woman who has a gay son Jack. Kristine Binder of Norwood Park, State of Illinois chapter leader for Free Mom Hugs, documents the fun at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) There are a lot of people in their lives that have not been affirmed by people that love them and people that dont understand who they are, she said. To give a hug is an affirmation of you as a human being, Max Shanks, 11, a rising sixth-grader of Evanston, showed pride by wearing flags. I got bullied when I was in fourth grade and I changed schools, Max said, who recalled starting to use they/them pronouns in second grade, Im pretty sure. Max Shanks, 11, a rising sixth-grader of Evanston, shows pride with flags at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Being at the Evanston Pride picnic as a welcoming place feels, really good, Max said. You can be queer. Maria Requena of Logan Square wore a flag tucked into a ponytail which sent a positive message, Requena said. Advertisement Its really fun and important because it just kind of shows that support, that community solidarity, Requena said. Maria Requena of Logan Square has a flag tucked into a ponytail at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Parents Liz and Ashley Leverentz of Evanston attended with their children Seamus, 7, a rising second-grader from Evanston and Jude, 3. We are not only an LGBTQ family from Evanston, we both are educators (parents), we are very dedicated to supporting our LGBTQ family and fighting for our rights because right now we know that our rights are at stake and so we just want to be in community with others that are liked minded, Liz Leverentz said. We should all have the same freedoms as everyone else. Marveling over the buttons being made at a picnic table is Seamus Leverentz, 7, a rising second-grader from Evanston. Making the button is Maira Egan of Logan Square at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) We should be able to live comfortably and be loving out loud, Leverentz added. Luckily we live in Evanston where I feel like were very supported. Learn more about Evanston Pride at https://www.evanstonpride.org. Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press. Third from left, Katherine Gotsick, outgoing treasurer of the board for Evanston Pride, shows enthusiasm for line dancing lessons offered by the Firebrand Second City Country Dance Association at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) From left, Katherine Gotsick, outgoing treasurer of the board for Evanston Pride and Hannah Viti of Humboldt Park, try line dancing lessons offered by the Firebrand Second City Country Dance Association at the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic in Evanston on July 29, 2023 at Ridgeville Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press) Devon Archer (right) testified behind closed doors Hunter Biden put his father, Joe Biden, on speakerphone up to 20 times while speaking with business associates, a US congressional panel has heard. But Hunter's business associate, Devon Archer, told lawmakers Joe Biden did not discuss business on the calls, according to those at the hearing. Conservative Republicans are urging the party to consider possible impeachment proceedings against President Biden. The White House accused Republicans of "an evidence-free wild goose chase". President Biden said in 2019 that he had never discussed with his son or anyone else in the family "anything having to do with their businesses". The Republican-led House of Representatives Oversight Committee is investigating whether President Biden could have been improperly involved in his son's dealings. Archer, a former Abercrombie & Fitch model, appeared behind closed doors before the panel for more than five hours on Monday to discuss Hunter Biden's overseas business interests, including in Ukraine. Both Archer and Hunter Biden sat on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma in 2014, while Joe Biden was vice-president. Archer said Hunter may have put his father on speakerphone about 20 times during calls with various contacts over a decade, according to lawmakers from both parties who attended Monday's hearing. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican, said Archer had told lawmakers that Burisma would have folded without the "Biden family brand". But Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat on the committee, told reporters afterwards that Hunter was merely selling "the illusion of access" to his father. "It was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, what's going on," said Mr Goldman. He added that it was unclear whether President Biden was even aware who was on the other end of the call. Story continues Mr Goldman said Archer had "repeated over and over and over again that President Biden never discussed any business dealings or interests with Hunter or anyone else". But House Oversight Committee chair James Comer argued Archer's testimony "confirms Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he had no knowledge about his son's business dealings". The White House poured scorn on the Republican inquiry. Spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement on Monday: "It appears that the House Republicans' own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his son's associates, or doing anything wrong." Archer's testimony came as he negotiates with the US Department of Justice on when he should report to prison to begin serving his sentence for a 2018 conviction in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, said Archer's testimony confirms that he "did not involve his father in, nor did his father assist him in, his business". Earlier this month, Republicans released an FBI memo with unverified allegations - but no proof - that Joe and Hunter Biden had accepted multi-million dollar bribes from Burisma. Last week Hunter Biden's plea deal with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax evasion charges fell apart. Joe Biden and Donald Trump are tied in a hypothetical rematch at 43 percent support for their return to the White House in 2024, according to a July poll from The New York Times and Siena College released Tuesday. When asked who they would vote for between Biden as the Democratic nominee and Trump as the GOP's, both saw 43 percent support among the surveyed registered voters. Trump saw slightly more support from his base than Biden, with 88 percent of registered Republicans selecting Trump versus 83 percent of Democrats choosing Biden. Independents favored Biden with 42 percent support over 37 percent for Trump. The Democratic party has coalesced behind Biden and Trump is dominating in GOP primary polls, according to primary numbers from the same poll released Monday. The survey also found voters are not excited about their options, with 55 percent of respondents saying they view Trump either somewhat or very unfavorably, and 54 percent for Biden. The poll, conducted between July 23 and July 27, sampled 1,329 registered voters. Biden and the DNC reported raising $72 million in the second quarter of 2023. Trump's joint fundraising committee earned $53.8 million in the first half of the year but his camp spent $57 million in the same time period, according to POLITICO's analysis. Biden is making the economy a central tenant of his 2024 platform, going all out on Bidenomics messaging amid an economic boost. Fifty-four percent of respondents said they somewhat or strongly disapproved of Biden's job performance, compared to 39 percent approving. Trump, again running on his America First agenda, is currently embroiled in a series of criminal investigations, including an investigation into his bid to interfere with the 2020 presidential election. President Biden and former President Trump are deadlocked in a hypothetical 2024 match-up, according to a poll released Tuesday. The New York Times/Siena College poll found that 43 percent of registered voters said they would support Biden in a 2024 rematch, while another 43 percent said they would back Trump in such a contest. Both the sitting president and former president appear likely to secure their respective parties nominations. Biden continues to hold a substantial lead over two long-shot Democratic candidates, with 64 percent of Democratic voters in the poll saying they would support the president in the primary. Another 13 percent said they would back anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while 10 percent said they would cast their ballot for self-help author Marianne Williamson. However, half of Democratic primary voters also said they would prefer their party nominate someone other than Biden as their 2024 presidential candidate, while 45 percent said the party should renominate the president. Among those who want a candidate other than Biden, 39 percent pointed to his age as the most important reason for their opinion, the poll found. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage In polling among Republican primary voters released Monday, Trump was leading his closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by 37 points. While 54 percent of GOP voters said they would support the former president, 17 percent said they would back the Florida governor in the primary. The New York Times/Siena College poll was conducted July 23-27 with 1,329 registered voters and had a margin of error of 3.67 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Most of Ron DeSantis former top donors arent ready to back his presidential bid. Roughly three-fourths of the Florida governors largest gubernatorial contributors havent donated this year to a super PAC supporting his White House candidacy, according to a preliminary analysis of campaign finance documents filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. Their absence from a list of donors through the end of June is a reminder for DeSantis of the stark challenges of running for the presidency, where even once-strong supporters arent guaranteed to cut big checks amid possible doubts about the campaigns viability and conflicting loyalties with other candidates in the field. Since launching his campaign in May, the Republican governor has struggled to gain traction, slipping in polls of the 2024 primary amid criticisms that his campaign has failed to make an effective case against renominating former President Donald Trump. Overall, the DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, showed it had raised more than $130 million, an enormous sum even in presidential politics. More than $82 million of that total, however, came from a DeSantis state PAC that predated his 2024 campaign. (McClatchys analysis included 2023 donors to the state PAC among DeSantis supporters this year.) Never Back Down also spent nearly $34 million since its inception in late February, according to documents it filed. An official with Never Back Down said the group would ramp up our fundraising efforts this quarter after avoiding donor outreach during DeSantis campaign launch. Since the Governor entered the race this last quarter, Never Back Down held off holding fundraisers and aggressively soliciting donors, the official said. We wanted to stay out of the way so donors would be more likely to donate hard dollars directly to the campaign instead of donate to the super PAC. Among the prominent names missing from the donor rolls is the Florida governors biggest financial backer during his first 2018 campaign: hedge fund billionaire and philanthropist Ken Griffin. Despite stating that he would support a DeSantis presidential bid late last year, Griffin has yet to contribute to either the pro-DeSantis super PAC or the presidential campaign. He gave $10.75 million overall to DeSantis state political groups in Florida, with his last donation in April 2021. Story continues Griffin said that he is still taking stock of the presidential field. A person familiar with Griffins thinking said the businessman has been discouraged by legislation out of Florida this year that he feels undermined individual freedoms. As the Presidential campaigns unfold, I am assessing how the policies of each candidate will address the challenges facing our country, Griffin said. I care deeply about individual rights and freedom, economic policies that encourage prosperity and upward mobility, all children having access to a high-quality education, ensuring our communities are safe, and a strong national defense. RELATED CONTENT: This billionaire and major DeSantis donor gave Miami Mayor Francis Suarez $1 million Also missing are billionaire former Marvel chairman Ike Perlmutter and his wife Laura, who collectively gave more than $2.5 million in previous years to support DeSantis Florida PACs. The couple have also been among the biggest supporters of Trump in the past, writing checks for more than $25 million to committees supporting Trump in his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. A spokesman for Ike Perlmutter told NBC News last month that he plans to provide meaningful support for Trump again this cycle. The Seminole Tribe of Florida gave $2 million to support DeSantis in 2022 but has not supported his presidential bid yet, either. The Tribe declined to comment. DeSantis and the super PAC supporting him have been able to cash big checks from donors newer to the fold. The top donor to Never Back Down is Nevada real estate magnate and UFO enthusiast Robert Bigelow, who gave the group more than $20 million in March. Bigelow first gave to DeSantis in July 2022. At the time, Bigelow said he hadnt even realized DeSantis was up for re-election for governor. Never Back Down also got $2 million in support from billionaire venture capitalist Doug Leone, who never supported either of DeSantis bids for governor. Some of the Florida governors biggest historical backers have opted so far to contribute only to his official presidential campaign, which is subject to a $6,600 contribution limit for the entire presidential cycle. All told, a little more than a third of DeSantis gubernatorial runs have given so far to either his presidential campaign or Never Back Down. Super PACs are subject to looser campaign finance restrictions than a candidates official campaign, able to collect uncapped contributions that often reach, or even exceed, seven-figure sums. And although these groups are not legally allowed to coordinate with the campaign, they still play an essential role in bolstering a candidate with voters, often spending more money on TV and digital ads than the official political apparatus. Never Back Down, in particular, has played a key role for DeSantis, even helping fund and coordinate on-the-ground events last week in Iowa. The super PAC has touted an extensive voter-outreach effort that sends paid staffers to visit voters at home, known as a field program. The group announced last week that it had knocked on a million doors of potential voters. READ MORE: Pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down makes up for governors financial shortfalls One name that might not be a surprising absence from the list of DeSantis supporters is August Busch III, the former CEO of Anheuser Busch, who gave $200,000 to a Florida group supporting DeSantis in 2018. DeSantis has taken aim at the beer manufacturer which is no longer owned by the Busch family over a Bud Light marketing campaign featuring a transgender influencer named Dylan Mulvaney, even saying the state of Florida should consider legal action against the company. Busch wrote a check in June to support a super PAC backing Vivek Ramaswamy. McClatchys analysis looked at the top 100 individuals and businesses who supported Ron DeSantis gubernatorial races in 2018 and 2022. McClatchy then compared that list of supporters with donors to Never Back Down, the DeSantis presidential campaign and 2023 donors to the state PAC that transferred more than $82 million to Never Back Down. In a step that moves a 110-year-old mansion closer to demolition, the Kansas City City Plan Commission on Tuesday voted to deny historic designation to the home, whose owners want to sell it as the possible site of a future high-rise. The commissions 3-2 vote (with three commissioners absent) is a blow to neighbors and preservationist groups, such as the Historic Kansas City Foundation, which hoped that placing the Classical Revival home on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places would help save it from the wrecking ball. Historic designation would prevent demolition for at least three years. Indeed, documents show that the homes owners already have a buyer a Kansas City developer who has built numerous apartment buildings. Honestly, we are disappointed, said Laura Burkhalter, president of the Southmoreland Neighborhood Association, where the home is located, near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. We feel we made a strong case to preserve this house. We havent lost hope that we can still be successful. Thats because the Plan Commissions vote is non-binding. It does not seal the fate of the mansion, but instead is a recommendation to be passed along to a committee of the new Kansas City City Council, which was sworn in Tuesday as the commission held its monthly meeting. The councils Neighborhood Planning Development Committee following public testimony and discussion will make its own recommendation to the full council, which would then vote. In May, the citys Historic Preservation Commission voted the other way and recommended to the Plan Commission that the house at 4526 Warwick Blvd. be deemed historic because of its architectural qualities. Ornamental plaster ceilings in the home at 4526 Warwick Blvd. across from Southmoreland Park. Built in 1913 for George B. Richards, the wealthy owner of the Richards & Conover Hardware Co., the red brick home is fronted by four white Corinthian columns, a long, elegant portico and white balustrade. It has five bedrooms, three and a half baths, carved fireplaces, a music room, ornamental plaster ceilings, fluted moldings and a grand staircase. A carriage house sits out back, while, out front, a view of Southmoreland Park sits just beyond a gently sloping lawn. Story continues The home was built for $26,000. For the last 61 years, it has been owned by the Vawter family. Brothers Matt Vawter of Boulder, Colorado, and Stephen Vawter of Kansas City inherited the home following the death of their mother, Susie Vawter, in February 2020. Since 2021, it has sat empty. Controversy ignited this year when a For Sale appeared on the property, saying that the 0.9-acre site might be made available as the future site of a hi rise. The Vawter brothers contend that the house, despite its beauty, is practically uninhabitable and in need of monumental repairs to its plumbing, heating, cooling and electricity and other matters that would cost $1.5 million to nearly $2 million. Such costs, they insist, mean they couldnt sell it as a single-family home. But the property, they believe, has value for future development. They initially placed its value at $2.5 million, but later lowered it to $1.9 million Documents sent in July by their attorney to the Plan Commission state that the brothers now have a buyer. They said George Birt, who has developed numerous loft and apartment buildings in and around downtown Kansas City, has agreed to purchase the property for $1.9 million, but only under the condition that the house not be designated as historic, and its zoning be changed to accommodate high-rise, multi-family development. Decorative molding in the home at 4526 Warwick Blvd. Owners are selling the property for possible high rise development. Neighbors want the 7,400-square-foot house designated historic and saved from feared demolition. Matt Vawter said Tuesday that Birt, at this point, has no drawings or solid plan for the site. The houses parcel is currently zoned R-5 for single-family. The home stands at 41 feet tall. The commissions decision certainly is a win for the Vawters, who, with their real estate broker Whitney Kerr Sr., argued that the commissions decision is one that pits homeowners interests against those of the neighborhood. I am very concerned with what you are having to struggle with, Kerr told the commission. This is not Soviet Russia, where you have groupthink and people coming in and saying, Im going to take your property and keep you from doing what you want to do with it. The preservation of private property rights is extremely important. Thats the basic issue here. Once they learned that the Vawters intended to sell their house for demolition and development, two area residents, Ryan Hiser and his partner, David Tran, offered them $1.1 million and later $1.3 million to purchase the home, with the intention of turning it into a boutique hotel. Hiser and Tran already own two bed-and breakfast boutique hotels in the Southmoreland neighborhood, created from renovated homes. One, The Truitt Hotel, at 4320 Oak St., is highlighted in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler in a piece titled 23 best places to go in the U.S. in 2023. The other, The Aida Hotel KC, is at 206 E. 44th St., in a renovated 1903 limestone home. The Vawters turned down the offers, believing the property is worth more. To slow and possibly stop any demolition, the Southmoreland Neighborhood Association filed an application to have the home placed on Kansas Citys historic register. It is an unusual move, in that the application came without the permission of the propertys owners. My brother and I do not consent to this designation, Stephen Vawter told the commissioners. I repeat, we do not consent. I understand its close to unprecedented to designate against the owners wishes. The Vawters and Kerr also argue that a high-rise development would not materially change the nature of the neighborhood. The home is the only single-family house left on the block, which is bounded to the north by All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church and the Kansas City Art Institute and, to the west, the Simpson House event space inside a 1909 limestone mansion. To the south stand multiple apartment complexes including the 12-story Oak Hall. Neighbors meantime, said that seeking historic designation was the only tool available to to them to prevent or slow the Vawters from razing a still beautiful home from a time gone by. They insist that the Vawters have never actually tested the house on the open market, as they have yet to place it on the real estate MLS, the multiple listing service. The Southmoreland neighborhood has other grand homes that have been renovated for other uses. The Simpson House as an event space. Just south of the Vawters home is the Jannes Library, a mansion turned to use by the Kansas City Art Institute. No such uses have been explored, they said. Although a potential buyer has been identified for the property, no actual plan has been presented. Neighbors fear that once the property is sold and the house is demolished, there is no reason that the property might not just sit as an empty lot. More, they simply believe that a beautiful, old home should be preserved. This is the last single family home in this part of the neighborhood, Burkhalter told the commission. They just dont make them like they used to. So we find that its very important to maintain the historic fabric of our neighborhood and continue with trying to preserve this house. A body was found in a 55-gallon drum Monday near Malibu's famous Surfrider State Beach, authorities said. A report was called in around 10:30 a.m. about a body in a barrel that had washed up on the beach. Details about the cause of death or the identity of the person in the barrel were not immediately available. Homicide detectives were investigating, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department technician A. De La Torre said. Deputies at the scene of a body discovered in a barrel in Malibu, Calif., Monday July 31, 2023. (NBC Los Angeles) The location of the initial report was 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, De La Torre said. That corresponds to Surfrider and the 110-acre Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Except for an area being used by investigators, the beach would remain open, state parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno said by email Monday afternoon. "California State Parks is working closely with the lead investigative entity on the incident Los Angeles Sheriffs Department," he said. The beach, west of Malibu Pier, was made famous by early 1960s beach and surfing movies, and remains a prized location among California surfers. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Rank-and-file police officers and firefighters in Boise have thrown their support to Mike Masterson, Mayor Lauren McLeans most prominent challenger in the November election. Masterson, a former Boise police chief, has the backing of public safety unions, both of which supported former mayor David Bieter in the 2019 election. Bieter lost to McLean in a December runoff. A crowd of more than 50 firefighters donning red t-shirts saying Firefighters for Masterson met at the Boise Firefighters Local 149 union hall at 10 S. Orchard St. on Tuesday. They were joined by leaders of the Boise police union Local 486 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers and the Fraternal Order of Police, a membership organization that supports police. It is a great honor to earn their trust, and its a trust that I have to reciprocate, Masterson said at the campaign event. I assure you that I will continue to work on public safety issues. Members of all three organizations have a history with Masterson, who served as chief from 2005 until 2015. Tony Ostrander, the president of the Treasure Valley Fraternal Order of Police, said at the event that Masterson hired him to work for the Police Department in 2008. I found him to be an honest man and one of complete integrity, Ostrander said. I genuinely believe he will restore a sense of pride, ethical decision-making and unquestionable integrity to the city of Boise mayors office, he said. The union represents about 300 officers, corporals and sergeants. The union regularly negotiates with city leaders over pay and working conditions. The Fraternal Order of Police provides legal services to members and has a political action committee. Sworn officers from around the Treasure Valley can join, though Canyon County has its own chapter. Ostrander told the Idaho Statesman membership includes personnel from the Ada County Sheriffs Office and other local agencies. McLean has had a tense relationship with law enforcement during her tenure. Some officers took umbrage at a statement she made after revelations that a retired captain, Matt Bryngelson, had made white supremacist statements online. McLean started an investigation into whether the problem was pervasive in the department. Story continues I expect, and this community deserves, your full cooperation, honesty, and integrity to the oaths youve sworn in this investigation, McLean said in a November 2022 statement speaking directly to members of the department. This is no time to consider circling the wagons, and I will not tolerate anyone who tries to impede this investigation in any way. She went out there and threw us all in front of the bus, Kip Paporello, the police unions secretary, told the Statesman on Tuesday. He also pointed to a recent police shooting in the North End. A suspect died after a shootout with police in the residential neighborhood. She hasnt said a word about the shooting, Paporello said. When its politically convenient shell say something about it, but when its not, shes quiet. Paporello said union members voted to endorse Masterson at a recent meeting. Jason Shuey, president of the firefighters union with close to 300 members, told the Statesman that the union conducted a survey of its members, and that 90% of them said they wanted to support Masterson. While the union generally hosts candidate forums before issuing endorsements, he said it did not this year, because of the clear preference among members for Masterson. Boise agreed to new labor contracts with the police and firefighter unions this year, which resulted in large raises for both sets of city employees. The firefighters contract afforded 16% wage increases for members between last October and this fall. The police contract increased wages by 13% over the same period. For firefighters, the wage increases push base-level salaries to around $71,300 per year. Boise Firefighters Local No. 149 President Jason Shuey speaks on the unions support of Mike Masterson, a former police chief, for Boise mayor. Shuey, who said he has been a lead negotiator for the union on four firefighters contracts, said he thought the new pay structure is fair, but that the negotiations resulted in the union losing a provision called binding fact-finding, which he said helps resolve disagreements during the negotiations themselves. It was the most unreasonable and distrusting negotiation Ive ever been a part of, Shuey said. In a statement emailed by a spokesperson, McLean told the Statesman that she is thankful for the service of first responders. I want to be clear that, though I did not expect to have the support of the unions in this race, it has no impact on how we treat and take care of the first responders who bravely serve the citizens of Boise 365 days a year, she said. I am proud to be making record investments in public safety, including a 16% raise over the next two years for the men and women of Boise Fire. McLean has received endorsements from prominent city leaders like former City Council Presidents Holli Woodings and Elaine Clegg. She has also been endorsed by Conservation Voters of Idaho and Emilys List, a national group that endorses women candidates who support abortion rights. City elections in Idaho are nonpartisan, but party politics sometimes plays a prominent role anyway. McLean is a Democrat. Masterson was registered as an independent voter while serving as police chief, he told the Statesman. After he retired, he registered as a Republican to vote in the state partys closed primaries, he said. In 2023 he switched back to independent, which reflects my views on a variety of issues, he said in a text message. The Nov. 7 election is for a four-year term. The mayors job pays $150,961 per year. John Bolton said Monday he would write in a different candidates name on his ballot in 2024 if the election is a rematch between former President Trump and President Biden. I would do the same thing I did in 2020, Bolton said when asked by CNNs Laura Coates what he would do in such a scenario. I live in Maryland, which permits write-in voting. I always like to vote for a conservative Republican. Between Biden and Trump, there was no conservative on the ballot. So I wrote in the name of a conservative, and I would do the same in 2024. Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, also suggested most of the former presidents Cabinet members and senior advisers would say Trump is not fit to be president. Its not a question of the drama or his personality or something like that, he said. Its a question of his basic lack of competence to do the job. The potential for a Trump-Biden rematch in 2024 appears increasingly likely because both maintain sizable leads over challengers in the polls. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump leading his closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by 37 points and Biden leading long-shot Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by 51 points. Bolton added on Monday that he is still open to launching a bid for the Republican presidential nomination. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Im still considering it. If you look at The New York Times poll that came out today, with Trump at 54 percent and only Ron DeSantis in double-digits, I dont think anybody has caught fire yet, he said. Its entirely possible one or more of them will by the time of the debate later in August, but right now, I dont see that path. We should give them a chance, but I think late August could be a very important point for the Republican Party, Bolton continued. I really think people should be saying that if the candidates havent shown a chance to defeat Trump, they ought to seriously consider getting out at that point and maybe other people who have not entered the race should consider coming in. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Boston Police are investigating a shooting in Jamaica Plain that left two people injured on Monday night. Officers responded to the area of 127 School Street around 9:30 p.m. for reports of two people shot. When officers arrived they located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to Boston Medical Center to be treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. There is no word on any suspects at this time. This is an active and ongoing investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A Massachusetts suspect has been arrested for allegedly stealing a pickup truck with a child inside this month. Boston resident Cristofanes Mendes, 33, was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle on Monday morning. He was arrested without incident. The Boston Police Department reported that they located Mendes in the South End of Boston at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The suspect was in the vicinity of Massachusetts Avenue and Chesterton Street in Roxbury. The pickup truck theft took place on July 14 in Dorchester. A family told police that they pulled over near Geneva Avenue to take care of their 2-year-old child, but the suspect jumped into their vehicle and sped down the road. MASSACHUSETTS MAN PLOTTED $10K MURDER-FOR-HIRE SCHEME TO KILL WIFE, PROSECUTORS SAY The pickup truck theft took place on July 14 in Dorchester. The suspect eventually came back and dropped off the child, who was sitting in the car seat. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Moments later, the suspect returned to 430 Geneva Ave. and placed the infant, who was still in the car seat, on the sidewalk," Boston Police Department said in a previous press release. "The suspect then fled in the stolen truck toward Bowdoin St." PILOT OF PLANE THAT CRASH LANDED AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD AIRPORT DIES Boston resident Cristofanes Mendes, 33, has been charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle. "The infant was reunited with the parents and Boston EMS responded to evaluate the infant," police added. The truck was later located at 156 Columbia Road. Police had asked for the public's help in locating the suspect. The Hinsdale District 86 school board voted to approve a contract with School Exec Connect, an education consulting firm, to carry out a national superintendent search. School Exec Connect has been operating out of Oak Park for nearly two decades, consulting schools across the US, but with a particular focus on Illinois and the Midwest, according to School Exec Connect President Kevin OMara. Advertisement Every single search that we have ever done has been on time and within budget, OMara said during the firms presentation to the board. Documents from the districts human resources department advising the search indicate that a full-time superintendent should begin work by July 1, 2024. Advertisement It has been a busy summer for the board, on May 25 the board appointed former Glenbrook North High School principal Jason Markey as assistant superintendent following the departure of Christopher Covino who left to become superintendent of La Grange District 102. On July 20 the board hired Linda Yonke and Raymond Lechner as co-interim superintendents to serve out the remainder of the 2023-24 school year. Not once have we had a contract broken by any school board, OMara said. In June District 86 all but severed ties with former superintendent Tammy Prentiss. Prentiss and the school board agreed to an amended contract reducing Prentisss time with the district while paying out the remaining $277,470 of her yearly salary. The contract also includes a nondisparagement clause stipulating neither Prentiss or the boards members and employees may intentionally place one another in a negative light. There have been some stumbles especially recently, OMara said referring to the boards dealings with Prentiss. But the right leader sees those challenges possible door openings. David Hunter, 76, was released from custody on Monday after being sentenced to two years in jail for manslaughter - VICTORIA JONES/PA A retired miner who killed his seriously ill wife to end her suffering has visited her grave for the first time, the day after being freed from prison in Cyprus. David Hunter, a British expat, was released from custody on Monday after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his wife of 52 years. After her death in December 2021, Mrs Hunter was buried at a cemetery minutes from the couples home in Tremithousa - a small village near the coastal resort town of Paphos. But Mr Hunter, 76, had been unable to visit the grave as he was admitted to hospital immediately after Mrs Hunters death following a failed suicide attempt, after which he was taken into custody and prosecuted for murder. The pensioner spent 19 months in prison before being cleared of premeditated murder, but found guilty of manslaughter by a three-judge panel. He was jailed for two years but allowed to walk free within 15 minutes of being sentenced at Paphos District Court because of time already served and good behaviour. David Hunter by the grave of his wife at a cemetery minutes from the couples home in Tremithousa - a small village near Paphos - VICTORIA JONES/PA On Tuesday morning, he paid an emotional first visit to Mrs Hunters grave. Mr Hunter could not initially find the grave and was guided to it by Michael Polak of Justice Abroad, which represented him during his trial. Carrying a bouquet of pink, purple and yellow flowers, he immediately knelt down by the grave and appeared to be silently shaking. He stayed at the site for around half an hour. The couples daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, said previously that she believed her father would choose to temporarily remain in Cyprus to be near his late wifes grave and say his goodbyes properly. Mr Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, said at his trial that his wife cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. He broke down in tears as he said he would never in a million years have taken Mrs Hunters life unless she had asked him to. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became hysterical. Judges heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose, but medics arrived in time to save him. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The British government has recognized the genocide that ISIS forces carried out against the Yazidi people in 2014. In this image former ISIS captive and Yazidi activist Nadia Murad, speaks in Washington DC. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The British Government on Tuesday officially acknowledged the Yazidi Genocide, which was carried out by ISIS in 2014. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the decision was made after the German Federal Court of Justice found a former ISIS fighter guilty of acts of genocide, noting that Britain prefers to have genocide designations made by "competent courts" rather than governments or non-judicial bodies. "Today we have made the historic acknowledgment that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice," said British Minister of State for the Middle East Tariq Mahmood Ahmad. Following the decision, Britain recognized the acts of genocide against the Yazidi people along with the Holocaust and other acts of genocide in Rwanda, Srebrenica and Cambodia. In 2016, a U.N. panel found that ISIS had committed acts of genocide against the Yazidi people in Syria including brutal abuses of men, women and children that amounted to crimes against humanity and war crimes. Britain made the announcement ahead of upcoming events marking nine years since the genocide and vowed to "continue to play a leading role in eradicating ISIS" including by "Rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda." "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," Ahamad said, using an alternate name for ISIS. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated." Flora Sandes in uniform, about 1918. Also shown on stamp from British Heroines of the First World War in Serbia. Very few women fought in World War I. As militaries instituted health screenings for recruits, they generally caught the soldiers with innies instead of outies. "Hey, um, recruit, it shouldn't look like that." But a few women found their way to the front and fought anyway. One of them, and the only known British woman to fight, was Flora Sandes, who served with Serbia. The future World War legend Flora Sandes Flora was born into a middle-class household in 1876 England. She reportedly shunned normal past times for her gender and wealth and, instead, rode horses, shot guns, drank alcohol and smoked tobacco. She later said that, as a child, she prayed "every night that I might wake up in the morning and find myself a boy." She traveled through the U.K., to Egypt and the U.S. And she joined an ambulance unit before the war. When World War I broke out, Flora joined a nursing unit destined for Serbia. She treated patients during a virulent typhus epidemic in Valjevo and received Order of St. Sava. Then headed to the front lines to aid soldiers wounded in combat, sleeping rough in hay cots, even in the winter. During a retreat, the Serbians allowed Flora to become a soldier. Serbia was reportedly cool with women joining up, as long as they could ride and shoot. She was later wounded by shrapnel and bled so badly that it soaked through her stretcher and dripped beneath. For her bravery while defending the country, she received the King George Star. She had risen to the rank of sergeant major and then became the only female officer in the Serbian military. In the closing days of the war, she treated patients with Spanish Influenza as it swept through the trenches, a fight that continued long after the war. Flora Sandes after World War I She left military service in 1922, became a taxi driver, and married. The couple moved to Yugoslavia and enlisted to fight at the outset of World War II. Nazi forces quickly defeated the country, occupied Yugoslavia, and imprisoned Sandes and her husband. The Germans eventually let them go, but her husband died soon after. After the war, Sandes returned to traveling before settling down once again in England, the country of her birth. Today, she is remembered for being a trailblazer and stalwart defender of Serbia. Serbia named a street in the capital, Belgrade, after her. A Brooklyn man was arrested following a grand jury indictment Monday for a crash that killed two women and a young father in Queens three years ago. Adama Diakite, 27, was hit with aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the first and second degree, and multiple counts of criminally negligent homicide, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Diakite was behind the wheel of a Nissan Altima carrying Dior Berkeley, 19, Kimani Foster, 20, and Ali Mohammed, 21 at 3:50 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2020, when he smashed the red sedan into a tree on North Conduit Avenue near 122 Street in South Ozone Park. Diakite was the only survivor. Berkeley, Foster, and Mohammed died at the scene. Prosecutors now believe Diakite was intoxicated at the time of the crash, court documents show. Immediately following the crash, investigators suspected Diakite was speeding when the Altima veered into the tree, police sources said. I heard one big noise. One bam! neighbor Dave Singh said. I jump out of my sleep and think, I am dreaming but then I look outside and I see it. Singh and his neighbors believe the car was speeding when it hit the curb and went airborne before slamming into the tree. It flew, Singh said. We heard one impact and didnt hear any more. Diakite was a friend of all three of his slain passengers, his brother told the Daily News in 2020. They were his friends, said Yacouba Diakite. And he loved Ali. They were friends since childhood. An attorney for Diakite did not immediately return messages seeking comment. A motion to dismiss the indictment that accuses Bryan Kohberger of murdering four University of Idaho students, filed last week, would have far-reaching implications for the way grand juries indict people in Idaho if it succeeds, two retired Idaho Supreme Court justices told the Idaho Statesman. Kohbergers defense attorneys argued in the motion posted Thursday that grand jurors were incorrectly given a lower than necessary standard of proof to indict him. The state court system announced in May that the grand jury for the case indicted him with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in connection with the fatal stabbings in November. At the time, Kohberger was a graduate student in Pullman, Washington, roughly 9 miles from Moscow, where the killings took place on the border of Idaho. The victims were U of I seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, as well as junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Kohberger. Jay Logsdon, chief deputy of litigation for the Kootenai County public defender, said in the motion that the Idaho Constitution and state law say a grand jurys standard of proof should be beyond a reasonable doubt. If Kohbergers defense team succeeds in the motion, retired Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones told the Statesman in an email, they would overturn longstanding Idaho law regarding the standard that must be met to support a grand jury indictment making the new standard beyond a reasonable doubt, not the current, lower standard of probable cause. But Jones said its unlikely Kohbergers attorneys will win. Its really hard to flub a grand jury, he said in a phone interview. Theres not much you can do to screw up the process. I dont think this has any chance of success. Logsdon argued that an Idaho statute states, The grand jury ought to find an indictment when all the evidence before them, taken together, if unexplained or uncontradicted, would, in their judgment, warrant a conviction by a trial jury. Story continues Former Attorney General David Leroy, now a Boise criminal defense lawyer, agreed with Logsdons interpretation. Its a quirky situation that has lain undetected in Idaho criminal procedure for more than a century, he told the Statesman. Joel Horton, a retired Supreme Court justice, told the Statesman that the statute, which does not use the phrase reasonable doubt, is ambiguous. The state constitution doesnt offer much clarity about the standard of proof issue either, he said. Horton said the motion will be an uphill battle to win. A successful ruling could essentially result in the end of grand juries in Idaho without new legislation, he said, because it would make it more difficult to charge someone through that process and require the presentation of more evidence. Even Logsdon acknowledged that succeeding on the motion would be a challenge. The defense recognizes that the whole of modern jurisprudence on this issue is against it, as well as at least one founding father of this state, he said in the motion. But Logsdon framed the motion as something that would help others, too, by overturning a tragic and unconstitutional misinterpretation of the grand jury indictment standard in Idaho. Mr. Kohberger is asking this court to recognize the long string of error that led us here and give back the people of this state the protections they are owed, he said. Jones sees it as a more self-serving tactic. I think they are looking for some kind of Hail Mary thing, he said. Theyve already got a tough job. Second District Judge John Judge will hear the motion on Aug. 18. That day, he will also hear a defense motion to compel discovery that seeks more information from prosecutors about the DNA techniques used to find Kohberger, as well as a motion in which the defense asks to pause Kohbergers case because of issues with convening grand jurors. The defense addresses its rationale for the third motion in a sealed affidavit, but not publicly. A dilapidated two-story building in Detroits historic Chinatown was unexpectedly demolished Saturday, leaving some in the Chinese American community stunned as city council members and advocates were still attempting to save it. Local politicians, several generations of Detroit residents and others spoke Monday morning in front of the 3143 Cass Ave. site, as yellow cranes loomed behind them amid a clear blue sky. They emphasized the need for a Chinese enclave in the city and recounted stories of generations of family-owned businesses operating out of the building, which was built in 1883, according to Michigan state Sen. Stephanie Chang. A unanimous vote by the Detroit City Council on July 25 had delayed the demolition, originally scheduled for last week, until September, to allow for review by the citys historical advisory board. But less than 24 hours later, the citys corporation counsel allowed the demolition to go ahead, according to The Detroit News. The citys law department found that the councils vote was not legally binding, Buildings Safety, Engineering & Environmental Director David Bell said. The demolition crew wears Tyvek suits due to the presence of asbestos while they tear down the building at 3143 Cass avenue (Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK) The city council first ordered the building to be demolished in 2018 because of its condition, which only worsened in recent years, Bell said in a statement to NBC News. It has been the position of our inspectors for some time that this building is a public safety hazard that needs to be addressed. We were of the opinion it needed to be addressed immediately, he added. The owners obtained a valid permit to demolish the building and in the interest of public safety were free to act on that permit. Olympia Development Management (ODM), which owns the property, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A history of Detroits Chinatowns Jacob Molewyk, who is Chinese and Dutch American, was visiting the area on Saturday for a family gathering. Knowing the fate of the building was up in the air, he said he planned to take photos of it when, to his horror, he realized the demolition was taking place. Story continues No centralized Chinese community exists in Detroit today, but that was not always the case. In the early 20th century, recent Chinese immigrants created an ethnic enclave near Third Avenue and Bagley Street, according to Molewyk. But in 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhowers expansion of the freeway system across the U.S. upended majority Chinese and Black neighborhoods in Detroit. Chang, who is Taiwanese American, on Monday said the construction of the John C. Lodge Freeway, or M-10, cut through Detroits first Chinatown, and the construction of Interstate 375 cut through Black Bottom, a Black neighborhood in Detroit, displacing hundreds of thousands. The building at 3143 Cass avenue after demolition, in Detroit (Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK) Many of the Chinese families living in Detroits first Chinatown were forced to move and settled a few blocks north to what became known as Cass Corridor Chinatown, which never saw the bloom of the original one, Molewyk said. Instead, many Chinese American families eventually moved to the outer suburbs of Detroit, leaving an abandoned Chinatown and a dilapidated building at 3143 Cass Avenue. James Lees grandparents founded Shanghai Cafe, a restaurant that operated out of the building in the 1940s. Lee spoke Monday, saying the building was important to him, not only because of his familys restaurant, but because the second floor headquartered the Chinese Merchants Association, which advocated for Chinese business owners like his grandmother when they had difficulty due to language barriers. Other speakers on Monday highlighted the historical significance of the 3143 Cass building in Detroit Chinatowns history. Jasmine Rivera, a Filipino American and co-director of Detroit-based advocacy group Rising Voices, said that the building held particular significance as the birthplace of American Citizens for Justice, which was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit civil rights organization following the death of Vincent Chin. Richard Mui, a history teacher by trade and a board member of the Association of Chinese Americans, said that it is vital to preserve spaces like Detroits Chinatown as gathering places for the Chinese American community to shop, dine and celebrate their culture. Its more than just a Chinatown. Its an entry point for a lot of immigrants who dont speak English, he said. Its more than just a building. Chang said Monday that she remembered starting the Detroit Asian Youth Project with a group in 2004. It held its first meeting in the On-Leong Merchants Association building on the same block as the 3143 Cass building. The Chinese American community still considers this area to be historic Chinatown, Molewyk said, and they are working on preserving that memory for current and future generations. Chang agreed. Theres so much that has happened on this block, in this area of the city that is so rich with history for Detroits Chinese community, she said. Weve got to recognize it. Weve got to make sure that it doesnt get erased and weve got to find ways to lift up the history. CORRECTION (Aug. 1, 2023, 9:52 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated Michigan state Sen. Stephanie Changs background. She is Taiwanese American, not Chinese and Taiwanese American. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Superintendent Rob Jackson announced on July 27 two new administrator positions for Buncombe County Schools for the 2023-24 school year. ASHEVILLE - Superintendent Rob Jackson announced on July 27 two new administrator positions for Buncombe County Schools for the 2023-24 school year. There are 22,079 students who attend BCS, according to the National Center of Education Statistics with a total of 45 schools, according to its website. More: What to know before Asheville-area school starts: Supply costs, after-school programs Anna Austin Anna Austin is the new principal of Buncombe County Early College and Middle College and the Buncombe County Center for Career Innovation. Austin is the new principal of Buncombe County Early College and Middle College and the Buncombe County Center for Career Innovation. She graduated from Mars Hill University with a Bachelor of Science degree and received her master's degree in school administration from Western Carolina University. Before becoming principal, Austin was the assistant principal at Buncombe County Early and Middle College since August 2022. While she was assistant principal, she was also the School Safety Team and testing coordinator. Austin was also an administrator at Johnston Elementary School from July 2018 until June 2023 and before that she was the assistant principal at Erwin High School for three years. She has taught third, fourth and fifth grades in the Buncombe County School District. Austin has been working in North Carolina public schools for 26 years, and she is replacing Donna Lanahan, who is now the director of secondary education, according to a news release from BCS. Michele F. Smith Michele F. Smith is the new career and technical education director for Buncombe County Schools. Smith is the new career and technical education director. Smith earned her bachelor's degree from UNC Asheville and Western Carolina University. She went on to get her masters in secondary education from Western Carolina University. Smith was named the Western Region Instructional Management Coordinator of the Year in 2018. Before starting this position, she was the BCS middle school career development coordinator and project lead for the Way, a STEM education program, since 2019. She was also the career development coordinator for Reynolds High School for six years and the business and information technology instructor at North Buncombe High School for 13 years. Smith brings 31 years of experience to her new role, and she is replacing Taylor Baldwin, who transitioned to a position outside of Buncombe County Schools, according to a BCS news release. Buncombe County Schools will start on Aug. 28 for the 2023-24 school year. More: Who are the new Buncombe County Schools principals, administrators for 2023-24? More: Buncombe County Schools superintendent talks student safety, praises teachers McKenna Leavens is the education reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at mleavens@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @LeavensMcKenna. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Two new admin are added to the Buncombe County Schools team this year A mysterious investment company is buying up large tracts of land around a California Air Force base, raising questions about who is behind the firm and its intentions amid growing fears about Chinese businesses acquiring land near American military sites. The investment firm Flannery Associates has bought around $800 million worth of land around Travis Air Force Base in northern Californias Solano County, which is midway between Sacramento and San Francisco. Flannery Associates filed a lawsuit in May against a group of landowners, accusing the farmers of conspiring to inflate the value of the property drawing further scrutiny from policymakers including Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.). Since 2018, Flannery, registered as an agricultural company, has purchased more than 50,000 acres in Solano County, according to public records and detailed maps obtained by The Hill. The acquired property runs directly up to Travis Air Force Base. Garamendi, a House Armed Services Committee member, told The Hill that he has been investigating the land acquisitions for nearly two years and has come up with few answers to his questions. We have no idea who they are, Garamendi said. Flannery Associates is opaque. We have no idea where the nearly $900 million dollars has come from. They bought well over 55,000 acres of land in the area and [the purchase] raises a major concern. The Hill could not immediately contact Flannery Associates for comment. The firm claims that 97 percent of its investors are U.S.-based, but Garamendi said there is no way to verify that claim. The business registry address for the company is located at a packaging shop in a shopping center in Folsom, Calif., according to the business registrar for California. Also concerning to Garamendi and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), who is also looking into the shadowy company, is why the land is being purchased. The land is dry farmland, good for agricultural grazing, but the approaching $1 billion price tag seems astronomically high and would take decades to turn a profit, according to Garamendi, who noted there are also wind turbines on the land. Story continues The Air Forces Foreign Investment Risk Review office is reviewing the land purchases from Flannery, according to Garamendi. Garamendi also said the FBI and the Treasury Department launched inquiries into the decision about a month ago. Garamendi alleges the lawsuit filed by the company against landowners is a classic SLAPP suit specifically designed to force the landowners to lawyer up, and ultimately rack up legal fees until they are exhausted and agree to sell. Chinese businesses and affiliated entities own more than 300,000 acres of land across the U.S., and acquisitions near land bases have raised growing concerns in Washington and at the state level. In the past few months, lawmakers in more than two dozen states have passed or considered legislation restricting Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland. And former President Trump has promised that he will ban Chinese investors from buying U.S. farmland and other critical infrastructure if he returns to the White House. Earlier this year, the Air Force signaled it was opposed to a planned sale of farmland around North Dakotas Grand Forks Air Force Base to the Chinese-owned firm Fufeng, citing a national security risk. Shortly after, the local city council voted in February to halt the acquisition, putting a stop to the plan for Fufeng to build a corn mill in the area. To address the larger problem, Garamendi said he included a provision in the annual defense bill to require military bases to pay closer attention to acquisitions near them. Another provision would include the bases in a process that is overseen by the Treasury regarding foreign investments near a base. Garamendi said he was particularly concerned about Travis Air Force Base because it was the gateway to the Pacific. A good portion of the munitions that are destined for Ukraine are brought to Travis, Garamendi said. It is the busiest transit airbase in the nation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two suspects were arrested near the Strawberry Manor neighborhood after a California Highway Patrol airplane assisted the Sacramento Police Department in arrests last week, authorities said. Around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, a CHP fixed-wing aircraft observed the suspects allegedly attempting to steal catalytic converters in the 3000 block of Western Avenue, police said. The airplane guided ground units to the suspects vehicle as they were leaving the area, according to law enforcement. Police said officers then attempted to conduct an enforcement stop on the vehicle but the driver failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. Authorities said the suspect vehicle then collided with a parked car, and the two occupants ran from the car on foot after which they were detained by police. Officers said that an investigation revealed a loaded firearm inside the suspect vehicle. The suspects were arrested for charges related to the catalytic converter thefts, police said. Suddenly, Californias 2024 Republican presidential primary looks like its positioned to give former President Donald Trump a huge boost. The states GOP executive committee changed the rules over the weekend so that any candidate getting a simple majority 50% plus one wins all of the states 169 delegates. If no one gets a majority, delegates would be awarded according to candidates vote percentages. Tuesday, Trump quickly took advantage of the new rules. The state GOP announced he will visit its annual convention Sept. 29 in Anaheim. It will be the first time since 2016 Trump has appeared at a California Republican convention. Trump is far ahead in California polls, and winning the states delegate votes would be an important step in his bid to collect the 1,234 delegates needed for nomination. The previous California system awarded delegates according to who won each of the states 52 congressional districts. There were also 13 at-large delegates allocated according to the statewide vote total. In theory, that could have meant Trump alternatives in less conservative areas think San Francisco, Los Angeles or Sacramento could have had a better shot at more delegates. The rule is also a self-inflicted wound, as candidates now have no incentive to organize and spend money at the district level. Very disappointing, said Dave Gilliard, a Rocklin-based GOP consultant. Matt Rexroad, a Yolo County-based strategist, said that the congressional district allocation method was designed to encourage presidential candidates to campaign all over the state. That is lost with this change. It may be good for Trump but it is bad for the Republican Party. Of course, Trump does not care about the party at all except as a funding vehicle, said Rexroad, a Yolo County-based GOP consultant. Trumps campaign had enthusiastic praise for the change. President Trump looks forward to working with the California Republican Party to Make America Great Again as he continues to dominate statewide polling by over 50%, said spokesman Steven Cheung. Story continues He chided Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who reportedly had hoped to gain ground on Trump in the primary, calling the California Republican decision a a humiliating defeat as they tried to manipulate the party rules. At Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis Super PAC, founder Ken Cuccinelli was highly critical of the revision. Smoke filled back rooms do not reflect the will of or benefit voters in any state. Yet across the country games are afoot to enhance the potential outcome of primary elections for one former president who half of the Republican electorate no longer wants as the party leader, he said, noting that other states have adopted delegate selection rules that could favor Trump. Even with these asinine primary rules changes, we remain confident Governor DeSantis will become the Republican nominee and 47th president of the United States, Cuccinelli said. Trump and the primary California Republican Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said the change, approved by the partys 100-member executive committee Saturday, was needed to comply with national party rules. If the state did not comply, it would lose half its delegates. She was upbeat about what the rules mean for the state. Republican presidential candidates will not only be encouraged to spend real time campaigning in our state and making their case to voters, but Republican voters will equally be encouraged to turn out to support their chosen candidate to help them win delegates, Patterson said in a statement. California politicos had high hopes that its primary would be consequential this time. In 2016 and 2020, the states June Republican primary was virtually meaningless, since the nominations had been decided weeks or months earlier. Next year, though, California will be one of at least 14 states voting on Super Tuesday March 5, just weeks after the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada vote. Under the previous system, with his rivals able to pick off delegates in less Trump-friendly areas, they would have a decent shot at picking up blocs of delegates. So far, Trump is ahead by almost any measure, despite two criminal indictments, the likelihood of a trial starting next spring, and perhaps more indictments shortly. Trump was the preference of 50% of Californias likely Republican voters in the June Public Policy Institute of California poll. Next was DeSantis at 24% and former Vice President Mike Pence at 10%. Another June California poll of registered Republican voters, conducted by Emerson College, had Trump with 53% and DeSantis with 19%. Trump also leads the money race. He has raised $3.1 million in contributions of over $200 in California since November, when he announced his bid for a second presidential term, according to the nonpartisan OpenSecrets, which analyzed the data for McClatchy. DeSantis, who announced in late May and held a June fundraiser in Sacramento, has received $2.1 million from donations of over $200. Smaller contributions do not need to be reported as part of the Federal Election Commission campaign filings. At the moment, said John Pitney, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California, Its just hard to see any outcome other than Trump getting the nomination and clinching very early. La Grange Parks Board of Trustees unanimously swore in a familiar face as the Villages permanent finance director at their July 25 meeting. Larry Noller, who previously held the position for eight years, will replace interim director Daniel Wiersma, beginning July 31. Advertisement This is the right thing to do at this time, Noller said before being sworn in by Village Clerk Meghan Kooi. La Grange Park is a great community and the Village staff is awesome. Wiersma also served as interim finance director between the time that Noller left in June of 2022 and Austin Haacke being hired in December of the same year. Advertisement Noller returns as a non-contract, at-will employee, with an annual salary of $157,000, in addition to a $3,000 for serving as the Village treasurer. He will participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and be eligible to participate in the Villages other benefit programs. When the Village contracted with the search firm, GovTemps USA, that came up with Haacke, it had a guarantee clause that the firm would pick up the cost of one replacement search should he not serve a full year. So, except for advertising, the Village was spared the full fee of another search. Noller received his undergraduate degree in geology from St. Louis University. He also has a masters of science in environmental science from Indiana University and masters of public administration with a concentration in fiscal administration from Northern Illinois University. Prior to his eight years at La Grange Park, Noller served as Assistant Finance Director for the City of Wheaton, and as interim and assistant finance director for the Village of Glen Ellyn. During his time in La Grange Park, Noller was responsible for the Government Officers Finance Associations Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for three consecutive years. Noller was especially grateful that members of the Villages finance staff had turned out to see his return. It means a lot to me, he said. Advertisement Trustee Jamie Zaura was happy with Nollers return to La Grange Park. Were happy to see you back, Larry, she said. The next La Grange Park Village Board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 8 at the La Grange Park Village Board Room, 447 N. Catherine Ave. Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. The primary industry in Lodi, California, is agriculture. About 40 miles southeast of the capital city of Sacramento, this land flanking the Mokelumne River is blanketed in grapevines dating back to 1850. But in this grape-producing powerhouse, which produces 20% of all of Californias wine grapes, just 80 independent wineries stand. Farmers sell most of their crop to other winemakers in other regions, especially Napa County and its 475 wineries producing more than 1,000 different brands. Lodis position as a region that grew and sold its grapes rather than making its own wine was solidified in the 1920s during Prohibition. When other winemaking regions crumbled, Lodi flourished by capitalizing on one provision in the Volstead Act of 1919 that permitted every head of household to make up to 200 gallons of fermented fruit juice for their own consumption. In the blink of an eye, Americans across the country all became winemakers. Lodis farmers quickly turned their businesses from growing grapes for local winemakers and co-ops to growing and shipping grapes to home winemakers across America and the model stuck. Over the past three decades the crop value has quadrupled in Lodi, and the number of independent wineries is edging up, in an effort to encourage wine tourism and local winemaking and, in effect, creating a career pathway for area students. The nonprofit group San Joaquin A+ partnered with the Lodi Unified School District, Delta College and the Lodi Winegrape Commission to design a technical education curriculum and internship pipeline to prepare students for careers in the winegrowing, winemaking and hospitality industries. The program, Growing Futures, is now in its first year, and has been described as an innovative solution to the skills gap, a financially rewarding career path for many young people, and a much-needed economic boost for family farms. The Future of HS How Americas high schools are evolving to better prepare the next generation of teens for college, future careers and a changing society Police in Northern California have solved a gruesome cold case murder more than three decades after it happened. Vicki Johnson was killed on Jan. 3, 1991 in Seaside, a city previously known as East Monterey. Johnson's body was found near a playground in the city's Sabado Park neighborhood after she was strangled, suffocated and set on fire, Seaside Fire and Police wrote in a Facebook post shared on Monday. "Ms. Johnsons' death shocked the Seaside community due to the details of the brutality," authorities said. "For decades, the case remained cold and left Seaside with a reputation of a violent and unsafe community." Johnson's case was "one of many" reopened by the Monterey County District Attorney's Office when it launched its cold case task force, Seaside Fire and Police said. Authorities were then able to identify a suspect in connection with the murder, after submitting additional evidence to the California Department of Justice for DNA testing. A sample taken from Johnson's fingernails led authorities to identify Frank Lewis McClure as her suspected killer. He died in 2021 at 77 years old. It is not known if there was a relationship between McClure and Johnson, officials said. "McClure left significant DNA underneath Ms. Johnsons' fingernails, which could only be a result of Ms. Johnson fighting vigorously for her life," police wrote on Facebook, adding, "The motive of her murder is still unclear. We do know McClure had a history of violence before his passing." Seaside police are asking anyone with information about unsolved cold cases in the area to contact the department by calling 831-899-6748. White House blames Republicans for U.S. credit rating downgrade Jan. 6 committee lead investigator discusses Trump indictment What to expect from Trump's Jan. 6 probe arraignment Illustration by Daniel Zender for Yahoo News Whats happening The rise of artificial intelligence has led to the creation of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, that provide automated predictions based on large amounts of data. But as the use of AI reaches new heights, experts say the booming technology increases racial bias and discriminatory practices. Those tools are trained to make predictions based on historical data of what's happening or has happened before. So automated predictions will mirror and amplify the existing discrimination in the context in which it's used, Olga Akselrod, senior staff attorney in the Racial Justice Program at the American Civil Liberties Union, told Yahoo News. In a 2020 study by Cambridge University, researchers found that AI causes unequal opportunities for marginalized groups. But AI continues to grow despite the inequities. Currently, 35% of companies are now using AI, and 42% are exploring the future adoption of the technology, according to Tech Jury. Predictive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, have been implemented in virtually every facet of our day, by both government and private entities, and impact truly critical decisions, such as who gets a job, who gets a loan, who goes to jail, and a host of other decisions, Akselrod said. Why theres debate According to experts, AI tools lack transparency and could cause disparities at an unprecedented level. Predictive tools pose a great threat to civil rights protections [because] they are used at an incredible scale that is sort of unmatched by individual decisions of the past, or even systemic decisions that weren't made with the kind of speed and frequency that decisions are made today, using predictive tools, Akselrod said. Since racial and economic inequities already exist in society, Akselrod says AI tools will only add to that burden. Depending on how AI systems are set up, they can facilitate the redlining of mortgage applications, help people discriminate against individuals they dont like, or help screen or build rosters of individuals based on unfair criteria, Darrell West and John Allen wrote in a report published by the Brookings Institution. Story continues But according to a recent Pew Research poll, more than 50% of Americans think racial bias in workplaces will decline if employers use AI during the hiring process, and that AI will ultimately help fight against discrimination. Broderick Turner, director of the technology, race and prejudice lab at Harvard Business school, says AI is not racist, because it is only a tool. However, depending on the data and rules it is trained on both created by humans it can be used in a racist manner, Turner said at an Assembly Talk at Harvard. Whats next In July, President Biden announced plans to work alongside seven AI development companies to set guidelines that would create a safe and trustworthy AI system. "Realizing the promise of AI by managing the risks is going to require new laws, regulations and oversight," Biden said on July 21. "In the weeks ahead, Im going to continue to take executive action and help America lead the way to responsible innovation." He also called on Congress to pass AI legislation. But Akselrod says the government is playing catch-up. These more modern tools of discrimination have not yet been met with the regulation legislation and government enforcement that's needed to protect civil rights and civil liberties, she said. Perspectives AI 'learns by example' AI is just software that learns by example. So, if you give it examples that contain or reflect certain kinds of biases or discriminatory attitudes ... youre going to get outputs that resemble that. Reid Blackman, author of "Ethical Machines," on CNN 'AI has a race problem' "AI has a race problem. What it tells us is that AI research, development and production is really driven by people that are blind to the impact that race and racism has on shaping not just technological processes, but our lives in general." Mutale Nkonde, former journalist and technology policy expert who runs the nonprofit AI for the People, to CBC News AI creates new roadblocks for marginalized groups Artificial intelligence, invisible but pervasive, affects vast swaths of American society and will affect many more. Biden must ensure that racial equity is prioritized in AI development. ReNika Moore, director of the Racial Justice Program, ACLU Solutions are top of mind for experts The solution isn't just to make tech more inclusive, but to root out the algorithms that inherently classify certain demographics as 'other.' There is a need for accountability and transparency in AI, as well as diversity in the development of AI systems. Regulatory oversight is also a critical part of this solution. Without these changes, the future could see current racial inequities become increasingly entrenched in our digital infrastructure. Meredith Broussard, data journalism professor at New York University, to Yahoo News AI systems can have gender and racial bias We often assume machines are neutral, but they arent. My research uncovered large gender and racial bias in AI systems sold by tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon. Given the task of guessing the gender of a face, all companies performed substantially better on male faces than female faces. The companies I evaluated had error rates of no more than 1% for lighter-skinned men. For darker-skinned women, the errors soared to 35%. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Time The dangers of AI should be prevented before it's released to the public Fundamentally, we have to have a robust human and civil rights framework for evaluating these technologies. And I think, you know, they shouldn't be allowed into the marketplace to propagate harm, and then we find out after the fact that they are dangerous, and we have to do the work of trying to recall them. Safiya Noble, professor of gender studies and African American studies at UCLA, to NPR A 36-year-old man is facing a decade in prison for hit and run that killed a 73-year-old woman in Pasco last fall. Julius E. D. Pulliam pleaded guilty on Tuesday to five crimes all linked to hitting Maria Larios Torres and her 67-year-old husband, Jesus Vargas-Orozco as they were walking home from the SuperMex grocery store. Pulliam, who was wearing a court ordered GPS tracking device, then drove away from the scene. He pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, fatal hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle and witness tampering. While normally people would face a range of dates, Pulliams sentence range can only be 10 years. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 17. Prosecutors plan to ask for the 10-year sentence at the hearing. A GoFundMe has been organized to help the family of Maria Larios Torres killed while crossing the street. Its unclear how this will impact the previous outstanding case against Pulliam for attempting to elude Pasco police, possession of a stolen vehicle, and illegally possessing a firearm. He was wearing a GPS monitor after being released on those charges when he killed Larios Torres. That information combined with security camera footage and GPS data helped lead police to his arrest. He had previously been convicted of fleeing the scene of an injury collision in Oklahoma in 2019, according to court records. And he only recently moved to Washington after meeting his wife online and marrying her in 2022. Deadly Pasco crash Larios Torres and Vargas-Orozco were crossing 20th Avenue on their way home from a grocery trip to the SuperMex El Pueblo Market about 7 p.m. on Nov. 22 when they were hit. Security video showed a maroon two-door Honda hit them and speed away. They were rushed to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, but doctors werent able to save Larios Torres. Her husband survived his injuries. The two had lived in Pasco for their entire lives and were field workers, according to a GoFundMe campaign that was organized to help with funeral expenses. Pasco police are searching for a driver who struck an older couple crossing 20th Avenue in Pasco on Tuesday night, killing a woman. The morning after police found the empty sedan parked in the backyard of a vacant home in the 400 block of 22nd Avenue. The car had been reported stolen the day before the crash. Story continues A tip identified the driver as Awax, which is Pulliams street name, according to court documents. The tipster told police that Pulliam admitted to hitting the couple. The witness claimed Pulliam was the only person in the car. Security camera footage from a grocery store in the hours before the crash showed Pulliam arriving in the Honda. GPS ankle monitor Pulliam was wearing a GPS ankle monitor as a condition of being released from jail in June on previous charges. Suspect Julius Pulliam, 36, makes his preliminary appearance via video link in Franklin County Superior Court. He is being held on hitting and killing Maria Larios Torres, 73, and injuring her husband on Nov. 22. In that case, he was allegedly driving a Honda stolen from Richland when an officer tried to stop him, according to court documents. He sped off at 60 mph down Lewis Street. The officer didnt follow, but later spotted Pulliam as he was walking on A Street. The GPS data reportedly shows he was at the scene of the Nov. 22 hit and run, as well as being near where the stolen car was abandoned, say investigators. When police tracked down Pulliam about a week after the fatal crash, they discovered he had taken off the monitor minutes before his arrest. The St. Louis Cardinals have completed their second trade with Toronto in three days and third in the last two weeks, with the Cardinals sending shortstop Paul DeJong to the Blue Jays, the teams announced Tuesday. In return, the Cardinals will receive minor league reliever Matt Svanson. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette left Monday nights game after pulling up while running the bases. The team has thus far only announced discomfort in his right knee, but Toronto immediately pivoted to seeking reinforcements. Given the Cardinals familiarity with their minor league system after their work together in recent days, the St. Louis shortstop was a logical, natural fit. Toronto acquired relievers Genesis Cabrera and Jordan Hicks in those two recent trades, and the Cardinals received three prospects. Swanson, a right-hander, is 24 years old and, like DeJong, from the greater Chicago area. In 26 appearances split between High-A Vancouver and Low-A Dunedin, hes allowed just four earned runs in 32 innings, striking out 39. DeJong, whose 30th birthday is tomorrow, was drafted by the Cardinals in the fourth round in 2015 from Illinois State University. He burst on the scene in 2017, hitting 25 home runs in just 417 at bats and finishing second in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. He was productive through the 2019 season, in which he was the Cardinals only representative at the All-Star Game, but saw a dip in his results that would be magnified in the following years. That fall off culminated last season, which saw him optioned to the minor leagues just days before his service time would have allowed him to block such a move. Despite some of that instability at the plate, DeJong remained a steady, consistent presence at shortstop. After a significant overhaul of his spring this winter, hes rebounded to deliver 13 home runs and post a 93 OPS+; thats his best mark since 2019, and places him at just seven percent below league average as a hitter. His splits have been significant, posting a superior OPS against left-handed pitching by approximately 150 points. Prior to the 2018 season, DeJong agreed to a six-year, $26 million extension which was, at the time, the largest deal ever signed by a player with less than one year of service time. Under the terms of that deal, DeJong was subject to team options in both 2024 and 2025, for which he will receive a $2 million buyout if next years option is not exercised. Via Twitter At least six civilian cargo ships have seemingly ignored warnings issued last month by Russia with one entering the Danube River and five others apparently anchored in the Black Sea near the mouth of the river. The ships have indicated they are heading to the Ukrainian up-river port of Izmail, according to openly shared Automatic Information System (AIS) data published on the vessel-tracking MarineTraffic website. On July 19, after it withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia issued a warning that all vessels sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo. That reinitialized a blockade on Black Sea shipping to and from Ukraine it imposed at the beginning of its all-out war on Ukraine and put on pause during the time period when the grain deal was put into play. News of the vessels ignoring the warning on July 30 was first reported by Markus Jonsson (@auonsson), an open-source tracker, in a tweet that day. https://twitter.com/auonsson/status/1685574858611077120 The ships - Ams1, Afer, Bosphorus Queen, Sahin 2, Sealock and Yilmaz Kaptan - were all declaring their intent to sail to Izmail as of 2 p.m. Eastern time, according to the data posted on MarineTraffic. The Ams1 is the only one to have entered the Danube. Jonsson reported that Ams1, Sahin 2, and Yilmaz Kaptan - sailing respectively from Israel, Greece, and Turkey headed across the Black Sea, "openly advertising destination Ukraine over AIS. Ams1 and Sahin 2 passed through the Bosporus Strait, while Yilmaz Kaptan sailed west from northern Turkey, he reported, later corroborating his report with satellite imagery. Three more ships Sealock, Bosphorus Queen, and Afer sailed through the Black Sea toward Ukrainian ports on July 30 as well, according to Jonsson. He also noted that the "[u]sual AIS-caveats apply. AIS-data is possible to manipulate. Further, there might be more ships that I have not found." Story continues Ukraine's Black Sea ports have become a particular target Russia in the wake of Kyiv's July 17 attack on the Kerch Bridge. The importance of the Danube River ports - some 130 miles to the southwest - has increased since those attacks were launched. More shipping is headed to the Ukrainian port of Izmail in the wake of Russian bombardment of Odesa (Google Earth image) The Russians have destroyed at least 60,000 tons of grain according to Kyiv, as well as port facilities and infrastructure in a barrage of missiles and drones aimed at Odesa and nearby ports. Russia also launched a drone attack on the Ukrainian Danube River port of Reni, less than a half-mile across the river from Romania, on July 24. https://twitter.com/OAlexanderDK/status/1681658643865821184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1681658643865821184%7Ctwgr%5Ec2ef379760361dadc6ff88665c1fb2662e588e6e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Frussia-directly-targets-ukrainian-grain-in-reprisal-airstrikes International ships headed toward Ukraine largely came to a halt as a result of the Russian warning, The New York Times noted Tuesday. More than a dozen vessels dropped anchor, the publication reported, staying near the coast. "Slowly and cautiously, shipping has started to return in recent days," the Times reported. "This weekend, one vessel, Ams1, crossed into the Black Sea and set course for the small port Ukrainian port of Izmail on the Danube. At least two more vessels have followed." Ukrainian officials, said the Times, "celebrated what they saw as a decision by a few shipping companies to call Moscows bluff. But they were just as quick to caution that the movement of a few ships to river ports did not eliminate threats to those transport routes." While the ships sailed through the Black Sea on July 30, several U.S. and NATO aircraft were overhead, according to OSINT aircraft trackers. This list included at least three U.S. aircraft. That list includes a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance jet, an RQ-4B Global Hawk drone, an Airborne Reconnaissance and Targeting Multi-Mission Intelligence System jet (ARTEMIS). There was also a NATO U.S.-made E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) flying overhead. https://twitter.com/wipljw/status/1685586350144139264 It is unknown if there was a direct connection between those flights - which occur frequently in this region - and the transit of the ships through the Black Sea despite Russian threats. But it is conceivable that these aircraft could have been sent aloft to monitor any Russian naval and air activity in the area in relation to the vessels' movements. It is also unknown what cargo those ship contain and exactly why the Russians let them pass, especially after staging an ominous demonstration of its anti-ship capabilities to highlight its warning. On July 23, the Black Sea Fleet conducted conducted live-fire drills in that body of water, sinking a vessel it captured from Ukraine in 2014. You can read more about that in our story here. https://twitter.com/Capt_Navy/status/1682282909594685440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1682282909594685440%7Ctwgr%5Eedead79af8dc1a541725f1ee4a33e30ad9413c99%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fominous-russian-anti-ship-missile-drill-sinks-ex-ukrainian-corvette With one ship having already entered the Danube, it is unclear whether Russia will intervene against the remaining vessels in the Black Sea. Using Ukraine's most westerly port, one that sits right across a river from a NATO ally, does make sense when it comes to circumventing Russia's blockade. These ships would have to be targeted far from the normal lanes that run north, past the Crimean peninsula, to Odesa. Once they get close to Romania, they are then under or very near NATO's area of control. Targeting the vessels with standoff weaponry once amongst the littorals is problematic for Russia and fraught with danger if such an operation would to go awry. Strikes on ships underway very near or in the river using tactical aircraft would be intercepted by NATO fighters or Ukrainian ones. Once the ships have docked, they do become vulnerable to Russian cruise missile and drone attacks as seen in the recent attack on the port. On the other hand, if this port is being used as an alternative artery for grain shipments, moving the grain there for loading could be more logistically challenging. These ships also have to leave the port and enter open waters again, which could put them in a very vulnerable position without escort. We are monitoring this situation closely and will update this story when warranted. Update 5:50 p.m. Eastern: Several people have noted on Twitter that other ships have traveled through the Black Sea after Russia issued its warning on July 19. But Jonsson, as we noted earlier in the story, stated that was only referring to those ships that openly announced their Ukrainian destination via AIS. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Carlee Russell. (Family handout) An Alabama lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would make faking an abduction a felony, after Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who went missing in July after she reported seeing a toddler walking along the interstate, was charged with two misdemeanors for lying about her own kidnapping. This fictitious kidnapping caused fear and shock not only throughout the legislative district I represent but also throughout our state and nation, Alabama state Sen. April Weaver, a Republican, said in a statement Monday, calling Russells actions a hoax. Individuals who concoct and carry out sham kidnappings and lead our law enforcement officers on wild goose chases must be given severe penalties for their deceptive actions, she said. Weaver said she plans to prefile the bill ahead of the 2024 regular session, which is scheduled to reconvene in February of next year. The bill, she says, will include substantial prison sentences and mandatory restitution requirements for the full cost of resources expended by law enforcement agencies during a hoax abduction. Weaver did not respond to Yahoo News request for comment. Russells punishment On Friday, less than a week after admitting she was never kidnapped, Russell was charged with filing a false police report and filing a false statement, both of which are misdemeanors. At a press conference that day, Hoover, Ala., police said Russell had turned herself in and had been released on $2,000 bond $1,000 for each offense. Each charge faces a maximum of one year in prison. Russell's mug shot. (Hoover Police Department) Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has stated that if Russell is convicted, he will seek to recover the investigative costs expended during her disappearance. It is no doubt that part of the role that we have in this case is not only to develop the facts to present before the prosecution, but also to develop an argument relating to restitution, Marshall told Fox News. Two other lawmakers, state Reps. Juandalynn Givan, a Democrat, and Republican Leigh Hulsey, have also said they are working on legislation to enhance penalties for lying about an abduction, according to a WBRC report. They also plan to prefile the legislation this month, however the duo stopped short of saying what the proposed legislation would entail. Story continues You had a huge amount of resources uitalized that are taxpayer resources across multiple agencies searching for someone who was never in danger. And that is a problem, Hulsey said. That took resources away from investigations and helping solving crimes that are real crimes that are ongoing right now, and we need to do whatever we can to prevent that from happening in the future. Experts say the new law could backfire Eric Guster, a former criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator based in Birmingham, Ala., believes the rush to impose stiffer penalties on future false reports like Russells is overzealous. They have to be careful about these knee-jerk reactions because this kind of thing only happens every five to 10 years, he told Yahoo News. I don't think it's very smart. Russell Gold, an associate professor of law at the University of Alabama, says hes not surprised that legislators are calling for stricter criminal charges, but he fears the impact of its implementation. Its the most classic story of the political economy of criminal law: Politicians feeling the need to respond to a high-profile instance and typically making bad law as a result being overly punitive, overly reactive, Gold told Yahoo News, adding that these tactics give prosecutors additional power. Russell (Hoover Police Department) The more and more stuff that gets criminalized, the more the legislature has basically kicked the can down the road and just let prosecutors make the important decisions about what to charge, he said. Guster also questioned the notion that imposing stiffer penalties will prevent others from falsifying abductions in the future. People steal and know its a felony. People shoot and know its a felony, he said. So making it a felony doesnt necessarily stop people from doing it. When people commit crimes, they rarely think of the penalties of what that crime entails. With the contest for the Republican presidential nomination capturing all the political attention, South Florida members of Congress, along with actual or potential challengers, their staffs and donors, are quietly preparing for next years battles. Most of the activity, so far, involves money. More than $26,000 a day has poured into the campaigns of the six incumbents from Broward and Palm Beach counties so far this year, with some bolstering substantial war chests. Four challengers have collectively taken in more than $8,000 a day. One thing that hasnt emerged: a challenger to U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat serving his first term representing a Broward/Palm Beach county district, even though his 2022 victory was closer than many expected and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis carried his district. Stability Overall, a review of campaign filings and interviews with party insiders and analysts paints a picture of stability for the six incumbents who represent all or parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. Five of the six are seen as exceedingly safe bets for reelection. And the sixth, Moskowitz, is favored to win another term. All six are, so far at least, seen as so safe that neither of the national political organizations for Democratic and Republican congressional races are targeting contests in the two counties. Three incumbents U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel, Brian Mast and Debbie Wasserman Schultz had million-dollar war chests at the beginning of summer 2023 more than a year before the states primaries and more than 15 months before the November 2024 general election. Frankel, who represents Palm Beach County, and Wasserman Schultz, who represents Broward, are well known and heavily favored. But the two Democrats each have two challengers who are out raising cash. Part of whats going on, said Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University, is that the congressional districts in the two counties are crafted in a way that gives a big advantage to one of the parties. Gerrymandering by state lawmakers who crafted the district maps last year means none of the Broward and Palm Beach counties are especially competitive. Story continues We have the same districts as the last time around. We know what to expect, Foreman said, adding the ultimate results are very baked in. We know a Democrats going to win here and a Republicans going to win there. Candidates, especially incumbents, are raising and spending money. A formidable war chest, along with signs of fundraising prowess, can help ward off potential challengers or make some people less likely to finance opponents. If the political environment shifts, and the elections look tighter than expected, campaign money is available in the home stretch. If they end up with easy glide paths to reelection, they can divert some of their own campaign money to colleagues in tighter races, with some of that already taking place. Wasserman Schultz, for example, transferred $150,000 from her campaign to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the party political organization that helps other candidates. Moskowitz Moskowitz is the only South Florida member of Congress in their first term. The first reelection campaign has often been the toughest; after one win its harder to dislodge an incumbent. A former elected state representative and Parkland city commissioner, former appointed county commissioner and state emergency management chief, and son of the longtime late Democratic Party leader Mike Moskowitz, the congressman is well known. He won the 23rd Congressional District last year with 51.6% of the vote to Republican Joe Budds 46.8%. Two no party affiliation/independent candidates receiving a combined 1.6%. Budd won the Palm Beach County part of the district; Moskowitz won the more populous Broward territory. The nonpartisan Inside Elections newsletter rates the 23rd District as likely Democratic. (The other five Broward and Palm Beach county districts are solidly for one of the parties.) And the partisan voting index from the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the district as D plus 5, which means it performed 5 points more Democratic than the nation during the past two presidential contests. And the Moskowitz-held 23rd District isnt on the Republican National Congressional Committees list of districts its looking to flip or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees list of districts that warrant extra efforts to defend. Late last year, Budd said he was considering another run, but his thinking has changed. Im not likely running again, Budd said. The national party would have to recruit me to run and come up with the money. I dont think thats something that would be in their plans. Budd said that support would be essential, but the 23rd District is too far down on the list of districts national Republicans see as a pickup opportunity. I think this past (2022) election it was a missed opportunity, he said. Had they spent the money, we would have won in 2022. Foreman said its surprising that Moskowitz doesnt have a challenger. He said it likely reflects the assessment Budd said hes gotten from people at the national level. Republicans are looking around deciding where to spend resources, and figure its better not to challenge moderate Democrats and go after more flippable seats. Tom Powers, chairman of the Broward Republican Party, sees an undercurrent of voter sentiment that could help a Republican unseat Moskowitz. Thats not an unwinnable race, Powers said. I have not heard of anyone whos ready to announce, but we have several people who have very strong interest. People want to see this country move in a different direction. And we will have candidates, Powers said. Until those candidates are ready to announce Im not going to get out in front of them. I am optimistic we will have a very strong presence, everything from commissioner up to being involved in the presidential race. Would-be challengers dont have a lot of time even though the 2024 primaries seem as if theyre in the distant future. If someones going to be running for Congress, theyre gearing up their campaign now, or at least they should be, Foreman said. Someone who wants to start in January or later would be late. Were at the point now where people need to decide if theyre going to jump in or not. Campaign disclosures filed in July with the Federal Election Commission show Moskowitz took in $310,335 during the first six months of the year, which averages more than $3,400 a day. He spent $225,756 and had $167,203 in his campaign account on June 30. The Moskowitz campaign still owes $225,700 in loans he made to his campaign for the 2022 primary campaign. In 2022 he showed the ability to raise lots of campaign money when needed. Top Democrats have shown their support this year. Contributions include $4,000 from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and $14,000 from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and committees affiliated with her. Related Articles Florida focus One South Florida district is getting national attention. Democrats are targeting U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Miami-Dade County Republican serving her second term. The Cook Political Reports partisan voting index is even, with neither party having an advantage. Inside Elections rates it likely Republican. One problem for the Democrats (like the challenge for Republicans in the Moskowitz-held district) is they dont have a candidate against Salazar. Its hard to see who that strong challenge will be to Representative Salazar, who is now the incumbent and has been very active in office. She has her detractors, but shes been putting forth possible solutions to problems, most of all with immigration. Democrats are also targeting U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Tampa Bay Republican in her first term. The Cook Political Report partisan voting index is R+6; Inside Elections rates it as likely Republican. In an email, Justin Chermol, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, argued that Luna and Salazar were more focused on catering to the far-right than delivering real results for everyday families. The DCCC is busy at work ensuring these MAGA extremists are held accountable for stonewalling progress and voted out next November. And Republicans are challenging U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, a Central Florida Democrat serving his fourth term. The Cook Political Reports partisan voting index is D +8; Inside Elections rates it likely Democratic. Darren Soto has voted against funding the military and protecting parents rights and has embraced an anti-law enforcement agenda. Soto tows the extreme Democrat party line and Floridians are looking for a change, Delanie Bomar, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said via email. Trump, DeSantis One unknown factor is the impact that the top of the ticket the presidential candidates will have on other races. A lots going to come down to whos on the top of the ticket and the Trump factor, one way or another, particularly in Florida, Foreman said. In 2022, DeSantis, now running for the Republican presidential nomination, cruised to an overwhelming reelection and the Democratic gubernatorial campaign collapsed, congressional races were affected. With solid Republican turnout and poor Democratic turnout, well-known Democratic incumbents didnt run up the kind of margins they usually do. Wasserman Schultz won reelection with 55% of the vote, but it was a lower percentage than shes ever received before in Broward. She had averaged 63% in her previous elections in Broward, though the district was significantly reconfigured this year as part of the once-a-decade redistricting to adjust for population changes uncovered in the 2020 Census. Frankel finished 20 percentage points ahead of her challenger in 2020. She won reelection last year, but finished just 10 percentage points ahead of her challenger in a district with boundaries somewhat changed because of redistricting. Democratic turnout is generally better in presidential than midterm elections, and party leaders hope thats the case next year. Wasserman Schultz The Broward County 25th District is currently represented by Wasserman Schultz of Weston, who is serving her 10th term and is the senior Democrat in the Florida congressional delegation. She holds a leadership role as a cochair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and is the top Democrat on the military construction and veterans affairs subcommittee. The 25th District has a partisan voting index of D +9 from Cook Political Report and is rated solid Democratic by Inside Elections. In the first six months of the year, reports filed with the Federal Election Commission show Wasserman Schultz raised $776,190, spent $497,633 (including the $150,000 to the DCCC) and had $1.06 million cash on hand on June 30. Weston Commissioner Chris Eddy is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Wasserman Schultz. He is a retired Air Force brigadier general and a retired FBI intelligence leader and has been an adjunct professor teaching national security, foreign policy and intelligence issues. Eddy became a candidate in March. Through June 30, he raised $72,838, including $12,180 he contributed or loans to his campaign. Hes spent $27,122 and had $45,717 in cash. Republican Carla Spalding, who has run for Congress several times, has filed paperwork to run again. Spalding raised $186,496 and spent $180,315 during the first six months of the year. She had a cash balance of $19,101 and her campaign committee owed $20,550 in outstanding obligations. Frankel Frankel, a Democrat in her sixth term, represents the all-Palm Beach County 22nd District. Frankel is a former mayor of West Palm Beach and previously was a member of the state House of Representatives where she served as Democratic leader. The 22nd District has a partisan voting index of D+7 from Cook Political Report and is rated solid Democratic by Inside Elections. Frankel raised $434,771 from January through June, spent $135,107 and had $945,371 cash on hand. Republican challenger Andrew Gutmanns said in a statement that major demographic shifts and the Democratic Partys radical shift to the left has made this race winnable for the first time in a very long time. Gutmanns campaign describes him as an anti-woke education activist, businessman, and author and declared hes the partys frontrunner based on fundraising. He raised $301,911 in the first six months of the year, with more than one-third ($110,000 ) in loans to his campaign. He spent $14,348 and had a cash balance of $287,563 on June 30. Republican Daniel John Franzese, whose website describes him as a businessman who has worked in finance, is running again. He narrowly won the 2022 primary but lost to Frankel, 55% to 45%, in November. Franzese reported raising $202,883 in the first six months of the year with more than half ($150,000) in loans to his campaign. He spent $124,808 and had a cash balance of $86,055 on June 30. He has a total of $1.3 million, in debt to himself mostly from his previous candidacy. Deborah Adeimy who narrowly lost the 2022 primary to Franzese barely registers financially for the coming election. She didnt report raising any money this year, loaned her campaign $2,000, spent $1,947, and reported $497 in her campaign account on June 30. She reported total outstanding debt to herself of $13,440, mostly from last years campaign. No challengers Moskowitz isnt the only member of Congress who represents Broward or Palm Beach counties who doesnt have a challenger raising money. U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Democrat who represents parts of both counties. She raised $144,368, spent $40,401 and had $106,746 in cash on June 30. She also reported $3.85 million in outstanding loans to herself, mostly from a 2021 special congressional primary, which she won. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, a Republican who represents northern Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties, raised $661,811 from January through June, spent $727,308 and had $2.05 million cash on June 30. U.S. Rep Frederica Wilson, a Democrat who represents south Broward and Miami-Dade counties, raised $87,798, spent $76,420 and had $574,987 cash on hand as of June 30. She has outstanding debt to herself of $15,250, from previous campaigns. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com, on Twitter @browardpolitics and on Post.news/@browardpolitics. Charlotte businessman Wynn A.D. Charlebois, 53, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Monday for leading a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Feds to seize of 2 homes owned by NC woman accused of healthcare fraud Charlebois was released on bond following his plea hearing. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Charlebois used companies he owned and controlled to perpetrate an investment scheme that caused at least 39 victims to lose more than $5.3 million, according to court documents and the plea agreement. Read more here. VIDEO: Organizer of failed LKNFest arrested, accused of fraud On AI Jesus Twitch channel, chatbot Jesus answers questions on personal and spiritual matters. Twitch user ask_jesus Jesus has been portrayed in many different ways: from a prophet who alerts his audience to the worlds imminent end to a philosopher who reflects on the nature of life. But no one has called Jesus an internet guru that is, until now. In his latest role as an AI Jesus, Jesus stands, rather awkwardly, as a white man, dressed in a hooded brown-and-white robe, available 24/7 to answer any and all questions on his Twitch channel, ask_jesus. Questions posed to this chatbot Jesus can range from the serious such as asking him about lifes meaning to requesting a good joke. While many of these individual questions may be interesting in their own right, as a scholar of early Christianity and comparative religion, I argue that the very presentation of Jesus as AI Jesus reveals a fascinating refashioning of this spiritual figure for our AI era. Reinterpreting Jesus Numerous scholars have described how Jesus has been reinterpreted over the centuries. For example, religion scholar Stephen Prothero has shown how, in 19th-century America, Jesus was depicted as brave and tough, reflecting white masculine expectations of the period. Prothero argues that a primarily peaceful Jesus was perceived to conflict with these gender norms, and so Jesus physical prowess was emphasized. By contrast, according to scholar R.S. Sugirtharajah, around the same time in India, Jesus was represented as a Hindu mystic or guru by Indian theologians like Ponnambalam Ramanathan in order to make Jesus more relatable for Indian Christians and to show how his spiritual teachings could be usefully adopted by faithful Hindus. A third presentation of Jesus is reflected in theologian James Cones work. Cone depicts Jesus as Black to highlight the oppression he endured as a victim of political violence. He also shows how the Black Christ offers hope for liberation, equality and justice to oppressed people today. The point is not that one of these representations is necessarily more accurate than the others, but instead that Jesus has been consistently reinterpreted to fit the norms and needs of each new context. Story continues The AI Jesus who engages individuals online in the form of a chatbot is the latest in this ongoing pattern of reinterpretation, geared to making Jesus suited to the current times. On AI Jesus Twitch channel, users consistently treat this chatbot Jesus as an authority in both personal and spiritual matters. For example, one recent user asked AI Jesus for advice about how best to stay motivated while exercising, while another person wanted to know why God allows war. AI Jesus at work AI Jesus represents one of the newest examples in the growing field of AI spirituality. Researchers in AI spirituality study how human spirituality is being shaped by the rising influence of artificial intelligence, as well as how AI can help people understand how humans form beliefs in the first place. For example, in a 2021 article on AI and religious belief, scholars Andrea Vestrucci, Sara Lumbreras and Lluis Oviedo explain how AI systems can be designed to generate statements of religious belief, such as hypothetically it is highly likely that the Catholic God does not support the death penalty. Over time, such systems can revise and recalibrate these statements based on new information. For example, if the AI system is exposed to new data challenging its beliefs, it will automatically nuance future statements in light of that fresh information. AI Jesus functions very similarly to this kind of artificial intelligence system and answers religious questions, among others. For example, in addition to fielding questions referring to war and suffering, AI Jesus has responded to questions about why sensing Gods presence can be difficult, whether an action that causes harm yet was done with good intentions is considered a sin, and how to interpret difficult verses from the Bible. This AI Jesus also adjusts his responses as the chatbot learns from user input over time. For instance, as part of the running stream of questions from some weeks ago, AI Jesus referenced past interactions with users and nuanced his responses accordingly, saying: I have received this question about the Bibles meaning before. But in light of the question you have just posed, I want to add that . AI spirituality beyond AI Jesus This chatbot guru is facing increasing competition from other sources of AI spirituality. Visitors and attendees during the AI-created worship service in St. Paul Church, Bavaria, Germany. Daniel Vogl/picture alliance via Getty Images For example, a recent ChatGPT church service in Germany included a sermon preached by a chatbot represented as a bearded Black man, while other avatars led prayers and worship songs. Other faith traditions are also providing spiritual lessons through AI. For example, in Thailand a Buddhist chatbot named Phra Maha AI has his own Facebook page on which he shares spiritual lessons, such as about the impermanence of life. Like AI Jesus, he is represented as a human being who freely shares his spiritual wisdom and can be messaged on Facebook anytime, anywhere provided one has an internet connection. In Japan, another Buddhist chatbot, known as Buddhabot, is in the end stages of development. Created by researchers at Kyoto University, Buddhabot has learned Buddhist sutras from which it will be able to quote when asked religious questions, once it is made publicly available. In this increasing array of easily accessible online options for seeking spiritual guidance or general advice, it is hard to tell which religious chatbot will prove to be most spiritually satisfying. In any case, the millennia-old trend of refashioning spiritual leaders to meet contemporary needs is likely to continue well after AI Jesus has become a religious presence of the distant past. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: Joseph L. Kimmel, Boston College. Read more: Joseph L. Kimmel 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. Illinois young people with disabilities and mental health medical needs in the care of the states Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will get more attention closer to home as the result of recently signed legislation. When the Illinois Youth in Care Timely Provision of Essential Care Act arrived in the state Senate in March, state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D- Buffalo Grove, became its chief sponsor. Advertisement Johnson shepherded the legislation through the upper chamber before the end of the session in May to ensure youth in residential facilities will get better care and, when outplacement is necessary, it is closer to home. Gov. J.B. Pritzker electronically signed the legislation Friday, charging DCFS with developing a plan in a timely fashion to assure youths in its care receive timely access to essential treatment. Advertisement We can do better, and we ought to do better for these children who need care, Johnson said. Their lives have value. We want to make sure they get timely care and we can do it in Illinois. Part of the motivation behind Johnsons effort to hold DCFS more accountable for the care of at risk youths is the disproportionate impact on minorities. Often already in foster care, the youngsters can be separated from people they know. Black and Brown youth are often sent out of town because of the long wait for care, Johnson said. They dont have anyone around who knows them. As the Illinois General Assemblys got closer to adjourning in May, Johnson enlisted the help of state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, and state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville. They were the two Senate co-sponsors. Morrison said it must also be easier for the level of care to be decreased, as a child has less needs and residential placement is no longer necessary. As they get better, they need more room to grow. We needed to hold DCFSs feet to the fire on this important issue, Morrison said. As a child improves, they must be able to step down to a less restrictive environment. They must be able to step down in our state. Edly-Allen said the new law will give DCFS the tools it needs to improve a situation which has required updating for a long time. An educator as well as a legislator, she sees the necessity from a variety of angles. As an educator, Im always looking to help those who are the most vulnerable, Edly-Allen said. Advertisement With the legislation now law, DCFS is required to develop a written, strategic plan to comprehensively improve timely access to quality residential treatment locally, according to the legislation. The plan must be finalized within a year. Along with provisions for residential treatment, the plan must include specialized foster care with significant emotional, behavioral and medical needs, according to the legislation. A transparent process with comments from stakeholders is required. When done, the plan must also include a timeline for implementing each provision and ongoing stakeholder engagement while it is being put in place, according to the legislation. Two days before this legislation became law Friday, Johnson was present when Pritzker signed a law she helped push through the Senate codifying to executive orders he issued during the coronavirus pandemic to reduce homelessness. Johnson said the law creates the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness. It is designed to implement the governors goal to make homelessness essentially zero in 2025. DINWIDDIE State police are investigating a drive-by shooting on southbound Interstate 85 Tuesday morning that sent a young woman to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The incident happened around 10:50 a.m. on southbound I-85 near the U.S. Route 1 exit, about a mile south of the Petersburg city line. State Police Sgt. Jessica Shehan said the victim was driving her 2017 Kia Optima when she was shot by someone in a passing vehicle. Shehan said the driver crossed over the southbound lanes and crashed onto the highways right shoulder at the exit to Route 1 northbound. The victim is a 19-year-old from South Chesterfield County, Shehan said. Southbound traffic on I-85 at the crime scene is moving smoothly. Only the northbound ramp remained closed as of early Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to call the Virginia State Police by calling (804) 609-5656 or dial #77 from a cell phone. That info can also be shared through email to questions@vsp.virginia.gov. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Chesterfield woman shot while driving on I-85 in Dinwiddie County A former longtime janitor at Duval County Public Schools was sentenced to a little more than four years in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of lewd and lascivious molestation. Wayne Willis Williams trial was set to begin following jury selection Monday, but the last-minute plea deal means Williams will head straight to prison to begin serving a sentence of 51 months, with credit for 265 days served. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon release. Williams had been charged with 11 counts of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation, kidnapping and showing obscene materials to a minor. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped the other charges, including seven counts of sexual battery. At the time of his arrest on Nov. 8, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office suspected Williams of potentially inappropriate behavior with students. However, the charges he faced did not involve a student where he worked. Teacher arrest:Ex-Jacksonville teacher Thomas Hazouri Jr., son of late mayor, sentenced in child porn case Naughty school employee:Clay High janitor sentenced to 20 years for voyeur video shot in girls' locker room Dirty cop:Clay County deputy is sentenced to 35 years in prison for sexually exploiting children Williams, 63, was arrested after a girl reported shed been sexually abused by him from January 2019 until August 2022. At least one time, she said she was tied up and restrained during an assault. Williams worked as a janitor for nearly 30 years at several Jacksonville schools. According to Duval County Public Schools officials, he was removed from Ramona Boulevard Elementary School in September after they learned of the investigation. He previously worked at Raines High, Kirby Smith Middle, Brentwood Elementary, Matthew Gilbert Middle, Louis Sheffield Elementary, San Mateo Elementary, Biscayne Elementary, First Coast High and Highlands High. Wayne Willis Willams makes a court appearance following his November 2022 arrest. The former school custodian was charged with multiple sex charges involving minors. The school district said Williams was investigated in 2021 on allegations of asking a student for nude photos. The state Department of Children and Families, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the school district could not substantiate the accusations. Story continues At the time of his arrest, Lt. Jacob Vorpahl said, "While the initial allegations against the suspect did not include any students, as the investigation progressed detectives learned there were highly questionable and likely criminal interactions between the suspect and students at some of these schools. Vorpahl asked additional victims, if there were any, to come forward. "To our knowledge this is the first time the suspect was accused of sexually battering a child, however from information weve been able to obtain thus far after interviewing multiple people, there are indications that the suspect has engaged in this type of activity going back to the early 90s," the lieutenant said. This story was first published by First Coast News. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: School janitor Wayne Williams guilty of molestation in Jacksonville The News China is accusing the U.S. of effectively kidnapping two of its citizens whom American authorities suspected of drug trafficking, the latest development in the escalating row between the countries over the narcotics trade thats playing out globally. In late June, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it had indicted two Chinese nationals for dealing the precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl after conducting an undercover sting operation. The pair was apprehended in Fiji, American officials said, and then extradited to Hawaii. Chinese officials tell Semafor they have now sent a formal diplomatic complaint to the U.S., charging that the Biden administration conducted an illegal rendition by spiriting the suspects away from Fiji in an American plane before they could get access to Chinese consular officials or lawyers. The two suspects are currently being held in New York where theyre awaiting federal trial for narcotics trafficking. Beijing has asked that they be sent back to China. Beijing reacted angrily to the news of the arrests in June. But neither Chinese nor U.S. officials have previously suggested that a U.S. plane was used in a rendition. This is typical arbitrary detention and unilateral sanction, which is completely illegal, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement released at the time. It seriously harms the basic human rights of the Chinese nationals and the interests of the Chinese companies concerned. The View From Foggy Bottom The Biden administration last month praised the arrests, and the indictments of Chinese chemicals companies, as the first prosecutions of Chinese individuals and entities related to the trafficking of fentanyl directly into the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration said it seized more than 200 kilograms of fentanyl-related precursor chemicals through the operation, which also included Fijis and Thailands law enforcment. Asked how it was responding to Chinas complaints, a State Department spokesman told Semafor that the administration had made very clear to the PRC that we are open to resuming cooperation on dealing with synthetic opioids and fentanyl, including by exploring setting up a working group or joint effort so that we can shut off the flow of precursor chemicals which help fuel this crisis. Story continues Jays view The U.S. counter-narcotics operation in Fiji, and Chinas response, illustrates how tensions between the countries remain high, despite stepped-up diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing in recent weeks. The Biden administration is making cooperation in combating fentanyl trafficking among the top issues it raises with China, according to U.S. and Chinese officials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Chinese counterparts discussed it last month in Beijing, and both sides agreed to pursue the establishment of this working group on counter-narcotics. But Chinese officials say Beijing is maintaining its position that such cooperation depends on Washington lifting economic sanctions on two Chinese law enforcement institutions something the State Department is considering. The View From Fiji One interesting subplot in this fight is how its thrusting Fijis government into the center of U.S.-China tensions. The countrys prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, took office in December and has aggressively moved to distance his country from Beijing, and both the U.S. and China have sought to cultivate influence among the Pacifics small island nations. In April, he snubbed a senior Chinese diplomat visiting Suva, citing the need to attend a family funeral. Last month, he told New Zealands leadership that he was considering ending Fijis 2013 policing agreement with China that allows for Chinese police officers to be stationed in the country. Rabuka has also raised the prospect of formally recognizing Taiwan, and his government is prosecuting on corruption charges Fijis former prime minister and police commissioner, both of whom pressed for closer ties with China. Last week, the Fijian leader, in a bizarre social media post, said he was postponing his July visit to China due to what he said was a cut he sustained on his head after falling down the stairs while looking at his cell phone. The Justice Department publicly praised Fijis law enforcement agencies last month for their role in the counter-narcotics operation. Their close cooperation with the U.S. is seen by Asia analysts as another step by Rabuka to move closer to Washington, and could explain why he publicly snubbed China a second time. Notable Chinese controls on exports of two metals critical to making semiconductors came into force on Tuesday (STR) Chinese controls on exports of two metals critical to making semiconductors came into force on Tuesday, a day after Beijing imposed curbs on the foreign sales of some drones. The Biden administration has in recent months stepped up measures to restrict Chinese companies' access to the most advanced semiconductors. China, which seeks to become self-sufficient in semiconductor design, says those measures are aimed at maintaining US supremacy in the field. From Tuesday, Chinese companies seeking to export gallium or germanium will need to obtain a licence, according to a directive from the Ministry of Commerce. Under the new rules, they will also need to provide information on the final recipient and give details about their end use. China accounts for 94 percent of the world's production of gallium -- used in integrated circuits, LEDs and photovoltaic panels -- according to a report by the European Union published this year. For germanium, essential for fibre optics and infrared, China makes up 83 percent of production. The export curbs "send a clear signal that China holds all of the power in this dangerous game", analyst James Kennedy told AFP, calling the curbs "an unambiguous message" to the United States. "If the US chooses further escalation, China's next response will have consequences." For now, he said, China "aims to cause a minimum of damage" to the United States, because their needs in gallium and germanium are "low" and the metals can be acquired elsewhere. The measures come as the Biden administration mulls fresh curbs on Chinese access to high-tech chips, as well as on outbound US investments in China. - Drone export ban - They also follow curbs by Beijing on the exports of certain types of unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones. As of September 1, exporters will require a licence laying out their end use as well as other details before they can be sold overseas. Story continues A China commerce ministry spokesperson said the move was not aimed at "any specific country or territory". But they did cite the risk of drones "being converted for military use" in justifying the restrictions. China is a major exporter of drones, with the US-blacklisted DJI representing more than 70 percent of global market share, according to CNBC. The company's drones are reported to have been used extensively by both sides in the war in Ukraine. In April 2022, DJI said it was temporarily suspending business in both Russia and Ukraine while it "internally reassess(ed) compliance requirements". The United States has accused China of mulling arms shipments to support Russia's campaign -- claims Beijing has strongly denied. A US intelligence report last week said Beijing likely supplied Moscow with dual-use civilian-military equipment employed in Ukraine, but noted that it is "difficult to ascertain the extent to which (China) has helped Russia evade and circumvent sanctions and export controls". sbr-oho/reb/mca (Bloomberg) -- President Xi Jinping has overhauled the military leadership managing Chinas nuclear arsenal amid reports of a sweeping corruption probe in the rocket force that would play a key role in an invasion of Taiwan. Most Read from Bloomberg The Chinese leader replaced the two most-senior leaders in the Peoples Liberation Armys Rocket Force, a report in state media showed, bringing in new blood from Chinas air force and navy a highly unusual step that suggests a desire for wholesale change in the units upper echelons. Wang Houbin, previously deputy commander of the navy, is now commander of the rocket force with the rank of general, according to an official Xinhua News Agency report on Monday. Xu Xisheng is now the rocket forces political commissar, the report said. He previously served in the air forces Southern Theater Command. Wangs appointment as commander indicates a desire to clean house within the PLARF leadership, said M. Taylor Fravel, director of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fravel noted it was the first time in 40 years that the top role went to someone from outside the rocket unit: The appointment of an outsider as a leader often occurs when the senior party leadership has serious concerns about the departments management. Until recently, Li Yuchao was commander of the rocket force. He is now reportedly under investigation for disciplinary violations, along with two of his deputies. The 60-year-old had only been in the job for 16 months. If confirmed, the probes would deal another blow to Xis signature campaign to clean up the PLA, an effort which has spanned nearly his entire tenure. In 2014, China started opening investigations into some of its top current and retired generals, including two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, the body that oversees the PLA. There was also a 2018 inquiry of Fang Fenghui, who sat on the CMC at the time. Story continues The abrupt changes come as Xi faces other senior personnel issues: last week, his handpicked foreign minister, Qin Gang, was removed from that post without explanation after dropping from public view for one month. Military Moves Xi who as head of the CMC runs the worlds largest armed forces by number of active members has has made three public calls to strengthen military management in less than two weeks. The Chinese leader ordered the party to maintain absolute leadership over the PLA in mid-July, days before calling for strengthened military governance at a gathering of the elite Politburo. Last week, he instructed the military to push ahead with anti-graft efforts during a visit to an air force facility. At the same time, in an unusual move, Chinas military launched an inquiry into corruption cases linked to hardware procurement going back more than five years. The PLAs Equipment Development Department listed eight issues it was looking into, including leaking information on projects and army units and helping certain companies secure bids. The military said it was investigating problems going back to October 2017, without saying why that date was significant. Chinas current defense minister, Li Shangfu, headed the equipment department from September 2017 to 2022, though there is no sign that he is suspected of wrongdoing. Those signals have prompted speculation about the military on Chinese social media. A report by Shanghai-based outlet The Paper saying that Wu Guohua, a former deputy commander of the rocket force, died on July 4 of an unspecified illness sparked intense discussion over potential military wrongdoing on Chinas Weibo last week. The article was later deleted. Taiwan Implications The PLAs Rocket Force was established in 2015 based on its predecessor, the Second Artillery unit. It was given responsibility for Chinas nuclear arsenal and conventional missiles as part of sweeping military reforms, and is in charge of the nations land-based missile system. The unit played a key role in Beijings live-fire military drills around Taiwan last August, after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-ruled island that China claims as its territory. China fired 11 ballistic missiles during those drills, including several that passed over the island. As military tensions with Taiwan climb, Xi has pushed Chinas military to modernize, including by stepping up innovation. Under his watch, China set a goal of fielding a modern military by 2027. The USs top uniformed officer, General Mark Milley, has told Congress that Xi wants the ability to overrun Taiwan by 2027. The ousting of the rocket forces senior figures could potentially slow efforts to improve the capabilities of the unit central to any potential attack on Taiwan. Wen-ti Sung, non-resident fellow at Atlantic Councils Global China Hub, said that an uptick in prioritizing political loyalty will likely distract from Chinas military modernization push and give it greater cause for caution on Taiwan policy. --With assistance from Xiao Zibang. (Updates throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By Greg Torode and Albee Zhang HONG KONG (Reuters) - After months of intensified and increasingly ambitious drills to project power, Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking ahead of Tuesday's 96th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), told China's armed forces to speed up modernisation. In his address, Xi said the military must broaden its combat capability and readiness, the official Xinhua news agency reported. "We need to push for new equipment and new forces to accelerate forming combat capabilities and integrate into the combat system," Xi told the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force's western theatre command during a visit last Wednesday, Xinhua reported on Sunday. Marking the anniversary on Tuesday, an editorial in the official PLA Daily newspaper said the military had "enhanced its ability to carry out diversified military tasks in a wider space". China has flaunted its military might this year, ramping up military manoeuvres and drills, signalling that its third and most advanced aircraft carrier will soon start sea trials, and tightening its military relationship with Russia. Some analysts say that the moves reflect China's perception of increased external threats from the United States and its allies, and that Beijing is flexing its military muscle to send political messages. "The reason is simple: the world is not peaceful and the external environment that China faces continues to deteriorate," said Chinese military analyst Song Zhongping, noting the increasing intensity and frequency of Chinese drills. The U.S. is also expanding regional deployments and tightening ties with longstanding allies and newer friends - sparking calls from Chinese officials that Washington should steer clear of China's coasts if dialogue between the two militaries is to resume. Drew Thompson, visiting senior research fellow at National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, told Reuters that China's drills represent more of a political message than a military one. Story continues "Everything the PLA (People's Liberation of Army) does is inherently political," Thompson said. "When the Chinese military conducts an exercise, it is showing force - it is bestowing or sending a message to other countries," he said. LONG-RANGE CAPABILITIES Starting with the military drill in the Taiwan strait after Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in April, China has conducted at least a dozen exercises and patrols from the Sea of Japan to the Western Pacific. At sea, China is readying its aircraft carriers to extend and assert its power beyond its home waters. Although they remain in training mode, Beijing has deployed the Shandong farther into the Pacific than previous sailings. Regional military attaches and analysts will be scrutinising the expected sea trial of the more advanced Fujian carrier for signs of technological and operational progress. State broadcaster CCTV said in June that the sea trial would start "soon" but no date has been fixed. In the sky, China is fortifying its long-range abilities. Videos posted online showed China's J-20 stealth jet fighter taking off with domestically produced WS-15 engines, the South China Morning Post reported in early July, while another report said the new engine will put U.S. military bases in South Korea, Japan, and Guam within the range of J-20. China has worked for decades to build its high-performance jet engines that can compete with Western and Russian models, but the capabilities of the WS-15 are not publicly known. The refuelling variant of its long-range Y-20 cargo aircraft was also displayed in a formation with jet fighters at a recent air show. "It delivered a positive signal that Chinese air forces can conduct distant sea training and its systematic and long-distance combat capabilities are getting stronger and stronger," state media cited Shi Yunjia, a J-20 pilot, as saying last week. (Reporting by Greg Torode and Albee Zhang; Editing by) San Francisco has the oldest and largest Chinatown in the U.S. Eric Risberg/AP Photo The origins, demographics and settlement patterns of the approximately 60 million people worldwide who make up the Chinese diaspora, including immigrants and their descendants, are becoming increasingly diverse. Illustrating this diversity are two mass shootings during the 2023 Lunar New Year in Californias Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, communities that include Chinese immigrants ranging from middle- to upper-middle-class residents to farmworkers. We are researchers who study international migration. One of us coined the term ethnoburb to describe suburban communities that have mixed racial and socioeconomic groups. Ethnoburbs defy the traditional assumption that Chinese immigrants arrive poor and have to settle in urban Chinatowns before earning enough money to move to the suburbs. Instead, educated and wealthy Chinese immigrants arriving in the past few decades have settled in upper middle- to upper-class neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Chinese immigrants working low-wage jobs have increasingly settled in rural areas and cities that arent considered gateways to the U.S. And Chinese restaurateurs are scattered across urban and rural areas in many countries. The evolution of these communities involves a two-way integration process, with newer and older generations of immigrants, as well as long-term non-Chinese residents, adjusting to one another. Shifting Chinese immigrant settlement patterns reflect the changing profile of Chinese immigrants and the effects of globalization and geopolitics. Changing Chinatowns Large-scale emigration out of Chinas Guangdong province started in the 19th century, propelled by poverty and oppression at home and promising opportunities abroad, such as the gold rush in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., and railroad construction in North America. Chinatowns inner-city, compact Chinese residential and commercial quarters represent the prototypical ethnic enclave, a geographic area with high concentrations of a particular ethnic group. The first Chinatown in the U.S. emerged in San Francisco in 1848 as a gateway and transnational hub for Chinese immigrants. Story continues When the initial gold rush and railroad construction jobs ran dry and anti-Chinese racism became rampant, Chinatowns soon became refuges for Chinese immigrants to shield themselves from the harsh reality of legal exclusion and racist violence. A number of Chinatowns were displaced in the name of urban development or because of violence. From the 19th to mid-20th centuries, racist legislation like the White Australia Policy and the Chinese Exclusion Acts in Canada and the U.S. severely curbed Chinese immigration, causing Chinatowns to dwindle or disappear altogether. While some Chinatowns have become tourist attractions, others, like that of Washington, D.C., have experienced gentrification and shrinking Chinese communities. Wei Li, CC BY-ND Since the repeal of those policies, the fate of Chinatowns in different locations has varied dramatically. Some, such as those in New York and San Francisco, became prime tourist attractions and gateways for new immigrants working low-wage jobs. Most have experienced gentrification and international investment from Asia. This has led to shrinking Chinese communities and business districts in cities like Washington, D.C., while other Chinatowns, like those in Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, have expanded into thriving neighborhoods. Some intentionally developed Chinatowns, like the one Las Vegas opened in 1995, are commercial plazas with mostly restaurants and shops. Emergence of ethnoburbs Another type of immigrant community has been emerging since the 1960s as a result of changing immigration policies: ethnoburbs. These are suburban settlements with multiethnic residential and business areas, where a single ethnic group may not necessarily constitute a majority. To attract highly skilled and well-educated immigrants, a number of countries instituted point systems that evaluate an applicants education, professional experience and language proficiency, among other qualifications. Meanwhile, economic growth in their countries of origin allowed wealthy immigrants to settle directly in the suburbs rather than urban Chinatowns. The shifting geographic center of Chinese settlement in Los Angeles County showcases the development of an ethnoburb. The first half of the 20th century witnessed slow southward movement away from downtown, largely due to Chinese residents moving out of Chinatown. Then, during the second half of the century, the center moved steadily eastward as large numbers of new Chinese immigrants directly settled in the suburban San Gabriel Valley, signifying the emergence of an ethnoburb. Because of the diverse local industries and demographics of immigrants around the world, each ethnoburb evolves in different ways. For example, ethnoburbs in Silicon Valley emerged with high-tech industries attracting skilled and affluent Asian Americans who are highly politically involved. And unlike the predominantly Chinese ethnoburb in San Gabriel Valley, Sydneys super-diverse ethnoburb is characterized by multiple different ethnic groups from various countries of origin. Ethnoburbs are different from Chinatowns Ethnoburbs coexist with Chinatowns in many countries, but they differ from ethnic enclaves not only in their location but also in terms of their ethnic concentration and class differences. Residents in ethnoburbs are more racially and socioeconomically diverse, suggesting greater potential for racial tensions and class conflicts than traditional ethnic enclaves. For example, the growing presence of wealthy Asians in Arcadia, California, fueled increasing housing prices and a McMansion boom that concerned local residents. However, unlike the self-contained communities in ethnic enclaves, residents in ethnoburbs are more likely to interact with other groups, which makes it easier for them to forge economic ties and build political alliances. For instance, Asian Americans in Silicon Valley have established business councils and parent associations made up of different Asian ethnicities and exhibit higher political awareness and engagement. Many ethnoburbs have supplanted Chinatowns as the commercial and cultural centers of contemporary Chinese diasporas. Obviously, not all Chinese people live in Chinatowns or ethnoburbs. Many live in other locations, and theyre not always surrounded by other Chinese people. Geographers coined the term heterolocalism to describe immigrants and minorities who live in areas with less ethnic diversity but are still able to retain their cultural identity. Geopolitics and integration Changing political climates may also lead to shifting trends in immigration. Recent decades have seen increasing anti-Asian hate amid rising geopolitical tensions with the Peoples Republic of China, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The long-term effects of these trends on Chinese diasporas are unclear. But many are already experiencing the backlash and face racial violence. In the U.S., Chinese scientists are facing racial profiling, Chinese business owners have had their properties vandalized and many Chinese Americans have been violently attacked. States have passed or proposed laws that bar or restrict citizens of China from purchasing properties. These laws resemble 20th-century U.S. Alien Land Laws that prohibited Asian immigrants from owning land. Anti-Chinese violence is also happening in other places like Canada and Europe. We hope that ethnoburbs will not become, like historical Chinatowns, the only refuge for Chinese immigrants to live. Learning from historys mistakes is key to building a fair and just society for all, the Chinese diaspora included. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: Wei Li, Arizona State University and Yining Tan, University of Arizona. Read more: Wei Li receives funding from US National Science Foundation, Canadian Government, Fulbright. Yining Tan 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. Sun Police Officials at China's Hangzhou zoo want you to know that their resident Malayan sun bear is not, in fact, a human in a suit thank you very much! As multiple outlets report, a video of a sun bear named Angela looking particularly human-like went viral over the weekend, prompting speculation that the bear was not a bear, but was instead a human in a suit pretending to be a bear. Sun bears, like humans, are known to stand on their hind legs, and are small the smallest bears in the world! and thin in comparison to species like black bears and grizzlies. Skeptical netizens who caught wind of the viral clip, however, took these characteristics as a sign that the zoo might be trying to pull a fast one on zoo-goers, with the conspiracy ultimately becoming so popular that the zoo had to issue a statement to correct the record. "I'm Angela the sun bear I got a call after work yesterday from the head of the zoo asking if I was being lazy and skipped work today and found a human to take my place," read a Sunday statement from zoo officials, which was inexplicably written from the bear's perspective, as translated by CNN. "Let me reiterate again to everyone that I am a sun bear," the statement continued, "not a black bear, not a dog a sun bear!" Sure, "Angela"... exactly what a human pretending to be a sun bear would say. (Although, in all seriousness, if a zoo is hoping to dispel the notion that one of its animals isn't a human in a suit, they'd probably do better to not anthropomorphize said animal. Mixed messages.) Public Ignorance Experts have chalked the case of mistaken identity up to a lack of public education about the animals, which are native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. "This just shows how little the public knows about the species," Wong Siew Te, a wildlife biologist who studies the sun bear and founded the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center in Malaysia, told The Washington Post. "Sun bears stand on their hind feet for a broader view of their surroundings, and those in captivity are used to interacting with humans because they expect food from visitors." Per WaPo, a zoo employee elsewhere emphasized on national television that the currently scorching summer temperatures in China would be a little much for a human in a leather and fur bear suit to withstand, which is also a fair point. Still, we must admit, does kinda look like she could be a dude in a bear suit. Never say never! More on animals: Elephants Love Hanging out with People, Scientists Find [Source] A zoo in Chinas Zhejiang province is in hot water after being accused of hiring humans to play bears for one of its most popular exhibits. What critics are saying: The allegations reportedly erupted earlier this month after photos and videos of a sun bear at the Hangzhou Zoo made rounds on Chinese social media. In the accusatory posts, at least one black-furred bear can be seen standing like a person with pants-like folds under its rear raising suspicions that the whole exhibit was just a giant cosplay. What the zoo is saying: An employee at the zoo reportedly rejected the allegations last week and insisted that the zoos sun bears are real. They explained that sun bears typically have a mild temperament that allows them to interact with visitors. Additionally, they said that the high temperature on the day the photos and videos were taken 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) would make a costume intolerable for a person to wear, according to Phoenix New Media. More from NextShark: Former NBA center advises Kevin Durant tweet Free Taiwan' to get traded off by Nets owner Joe Tsai They also mentioned that arrangements were made for reporters to see the bears for themselves. Story continues The big picture: This is not the first time a Chinese zoo has been accused of having people wear animal costumes. In 2013, a zoo in Louhe, Henan province, tried to pass off a large and hairy Tibetan mastiff dog as a lion. In 2019, a zoo in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, dressed staff workers as gorillas, later defending the stunt as an April Fools prank. More from NextShark: Taiwan singer Aaron Yan surprises accuser at press conference, apologizes for leaked sex tapes No, she's not a dog. Or a black bear. She's definitely not a person dressed in an animal costume. At least her caretakers say so. Her name is Angela, she's a Malayan Sun Bear at The Hangzhou Zoo and she's clapping back at critics after photos and video of her standing on her hind legs and looking suspiciously human have the internet questioning her identity. In a statement written from the perspective of Angela, officials from the zoo in Eastern China responded to the rumors Sunday, denying she and her fellow zoo bear companions are human imposters. Two sun bears interact in their enclosure at Hangzhou Zoo in Hangzhou, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on August 1, 2023. A Chinese zoo has been forced to deny that its sun bear is actually a human in a costume, after footage of one standing on its hind legs raised online accusations of a furry imposter. Police kill 'agitated' bear: Alaska police shoot and kill 'extremely agitated' black bear after it charged multiple people The Hangzhou Zoo says the sun bear is real A post on the zoo website this week led with "I'm working hard, but someone suspects that I'm looking for a substitute?" The post is written in Chinese and Google translated to English. This is a real bear, not a human dressed in costumes! A four-year-old Malayan sun bear named Angela in a Hangzhou zoo went viral on China's social media as a video showed the world's smallest bear standing upright and waving to tourists just like a human. pic.twitter.com/Azv2tTVJhv Yicai Global (@yicaichina) August 1, 2023 It appears Angela was offended. "Yesterday, after I got off work, I received a call from the director, asking me if I was lazy and did not go to work, so I hired two legs (a human) to replace me," the post reads. "Unexpectedly, I was sitting in the mountains, and hot searches fell from the sky. Some people think that I am popular when I stand up. It seems that you don't know me too well. Think about it, there were tourists who thought I was petite and not a bear!" Story continues The statement then reiterated: "Let me emphasize again: I am a sun bear! Not a black bear! Not a dog! It's a sun bear!" A bear in a jacuzzi? Video shows bear trying to escape California heat by chilling in a backyard jacuzzi Sun bears divide the internet People took to social media this week with some saying it's a bear and others saying it's a human. "The sun bear in China wasn't real. The head you can see was a mask. The eyes never moved," one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. That #sunbear in China is obviously a man in a bear costume right?..Right? GhostingItSlo (@ghosting_it_slo) August 1, 2023 "They are real," another user wrote. Added another person, "Do people just not know what a sun bear looks like?" do people just not know what a sunbear looks like? i so pale (@aahsoopayuhl) August 1, 2023 A zoo in the United Kingdom, Paradise Wildlife Park, shared a clip of one its sun bears, showing how the bears can exhibit human-like behaviors while standing. "We can confirm that Kyra is a sun bear ," the zoo captioned the video. What are sun bears? According to National Geographic, sun bears are named for the golden patches of fur on their chests, which may resemble a rising sun. Only about half the size of an American black bear, they have long tongues and grow anywhere from 4 to 5 feet in height and weigh between 60 to 150 pounds (males are usually larger). Sun bears are omnivores and their average lifespan in the wild is 25 years. Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chinese zoo's sun bears divide the internet: Real or human in costume? The following items were taken from the Lake Zurich Police Department reports and news releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Theft Advertisement Antonio Jacinto, 34, of the 1100 block of Johnson Drive, Buffalo Grove, was charged July 23 with retail theft in the 800 block of South Rand Road. Jacinto is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 1 in Mundelein. Moving violation Advertisement Juan Sanabria, 45, of the first block of North Old Rand was charged July 24 with driving while license revoked following an incident near Route 12 and Wooded Ridge Road. Sanabria is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 1 in Mundelein. Maria Skibniewska, 65, of the 2900 block of Sunset Lane, Franklin Park, was charged July 25 with driving while license revoked and speeding followed an incident near Route 12 and Deerpath Road. Skibniewska is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 1 in Mundelein. Frank Slaninka, 57, of the 2500 block of South 14th Avenue, Broadview, was charged July 28 with driving while license revoked, operating an uninsured vehicle, no valid safety sticker,and no valid registration following an incident on Route 12 near Miller Road. Slaninka is scheduled to appear in court Sept.1 in Mundelein. Outstanding warrant Frank Slaninka, 57, of the 2500 block of South 14th Avenue, Broadview, was arrested July 28 on a failure to appear warrant following a traffic stop on Route 12 near Miller Road. Slaninka was wanted for failure to appear for driving under the influence by the DuPage County Sheriffs Office. Slaninka is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 1 at the DuPage County Courthouse. A Malayan sun bear at a Chinese zoo stands on its hind legs A Chinese zoo is denying that its Malayan sun bears are humans dressed in costumes after visitors claimed the bears behaviors strongly resembled that of a person. A video of the bear, named Angela, was posted on social media and went viral, showing the bear standing on her hind legs and facing onlookers before sitting down and walking away. Hangzhou Zoo, located in the eastern province of Zhejiang has insisted the video is of a bear, clarifying that they are just smaller than the bears people are typically used to seeing. When standing on their hind legs, sun bears stand at only 51 inches tall, making them the smallest of their species, the majority of which stand at roughly 110 inches tall. Read more Photo: AP News (AP) Some people think I stand like a human, and it seems that you dont understand me that much, Hangzhou Zoo wrote on its social media account on Sunday. Speaking from the perspective of the bear, Angela, the post continued, Previously, some tourists thought that I was too tiny to be a bear. I have to emphasize again: I am a Malayan sun bear! Not a black bear! Not a dog! A sun bear! It is not unusual for Malayan sun bears to stand on their hind legs as the height allows them to reach higher ground and better observe their surroundings. Although walking upright is a rare trait in bears, female sun bears have been observed cradling a cub in their arms while walking on their hind legs, according to National Geographic. Hangzhou Zoo did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment, but an employee adamantly told a Beijing TV station that Angela is not a human. In 40-degree Celsius [104 F] summer heat, a human in a leather and fur suit would pass out in a few minutes, he said, adding that using stand-ins doesnt normally happen in state-owned zoos, The Washington Post reported. Story continues Photo: AP News (AP) However, concerns that Angela is a human are not completely unfounded as several Chinese zoos have been accused of replacing animals in their enclosures. In 2019, a privately owned safari park in the eastern province of Jiangsu faced backlash after it allegedly hired a human to dress as an orangutan. The zoo later claimed it was an April Fools Day prank. In 2013, a visitor noticed a zoo in Louhe, a city in the central province of Henan, was passing off a Tibetan Mastiff in an enclosure labeled African Lion. Another zoo in Sichuan province had a golden retriever also labeled in an enclosure for an African lion while other Chinese zoos were criticized for painting dogs to look like wolves and keeping donkeys in the zebra enclosures. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. In Texas, figuring out whether a private citizen can make an arrest is a complicated question. Generally, however, the answer is yes, but the law is very limited, according to Texas criminal defense attorney Tad Nelson. Making a citizens arrest can get you sued or even facing criminal charges yourself, so its encouraged to call the police or notify security instead of confronting a suspected criminal yourself. Dont get me wrong, your police department and all of surrounding law enforcement agencies are thrilled that we have brave citizens who would step up to assist, Officer Rickey Antoine told The Orange Leader. But we would rather you and others be safe and give a detailed description of the actor(s)/suspect(s), like clothing, race, sex, vehicle description, direction of travel and what crime(s) you observed. What is considered a citizens arrest in Texas? A citizens arrest is the temporary detainment of a person who has committed a crime in their presence, per Delta Bail Bonds. The citizen temporarily detains the suspect until police arrive. Texas law states: A peace officer or any other person, may, without a warrant, arrest an offender when the offense is committed in his presence or within his view, if the offense is one classed as a felony or as an offense against the public peace. That means a citizen can make an arrest if they see a felony or a breach of the peace being committed. Texas courts have defined breach of the peace in this context to mean that the persons conduct poses a threat of continuing violence or harm to himself or the public, according to Fort Worth criminal defense attorney Brandon Fulgham. An exigency or emergency must exist at the time the arrest for a misdemeanor is made. When can a citizen make an arrest in Texas? Article 14.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states that a peace officer or other person can make an arrest without a warrant when an offense is committed in their presence or within their view. That means you actually have to witness the crime yourself, Nelson says. Story continues The person you arrest must have been committing a felony or a crime against the public peace. Inversely, someone committing a misdemeanor offense that is not against the public peace cannot be arrested by a private citizen. If you get these mixed up, then your citizens arrest is illegal. Timing of the citizens arrest is limited to when the offense was committed or if there is an ongoing threat of violence, Fulgham says. In Texas, what happens if you make an illegal arrest? Under Texas criminal law, you could face charges for unlawful restraint, kidnapping and even assault. Unlawful restraint for one is a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in jail time. Worse, you could be sued in civil court for false imprisonment, according to Nelson. The arrested individual could request monetary compensation for violating their rights. They could go after your property or bank accounts to fulfill a court judgment. Gathering evidence in violation of Texas law can create problems for future prosecutions because it could prevent the state from introducing the evidence into court. If police violate a persons constitutional rights, then the evidence obtained in violation of those rights must be thrown out of court, otherwise known as suppressed, Fulgham writes. By Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing (Reuters) - An obscure cloud service company has been providing state-sponsored hackers with internet services to spy on and extort their victims, a cybersecurity firm said in a report to be published on Tuesday. Researchers at Texas-based Halcyon said a company called Cloudzy had been leasing server space and reselling it to no fewer than 17 different state-sponsored hacking groups from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, India, Pakistan and Vietnam. Cloudzy CEO Hannan Nozari disputed Halcyons assessment, saying that his firm couldnt be held responsible for its clients, of which he estimated only 2% were malicious. In an exchange over LinkedIn, Nozari told Reuters: If you are a knife factory, are you responsible if someone misuses the knife? Trust me I hate those criminals and we do everything we can to get rid of them. Digital defenders say the case is an example of how hackers and ransomware gangs use small firms operating at the fringes of cyberspace to enable big hacks. Halcyon estimated that roughly half of Cloudzys business was malicious, including renting services to two ransomware groups. It's a rogues gallery on that through one provider, said Halcyon executive Ryan Golden ahead of the reports publication. Halcyon arrived at its conclusion by mapping out Cloudzys digital footprint, in part by renting servers directly from the firm and by tying it to known hacking operations. The cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which wasnt involved in the research, said that it hadnt seen state-sponsored hackers using Cloudzy. But it had seen other cybercriminal activity connected to it. Cloudzy's geographic base of operations is unclear. Halcyon researchers analyzed Cloudzys employees social media, including LinkedIn and Facebook postings, and found the firm is almost certainly" a front for another internet hosting company called abrNOC, which Nozari runs from Tehran. Nozari, who says he lives outside Iran but would not be more specific, told Reuters the companies are separate, although he acknowledged that abrNOC employees helped with Cloudzys operations. He didnt provide details. Story continues Cloudzy is registered under its previous name, RouterHosting, in Cyprus and the U.S. state of Wyoming, according to corporate records reviewed by Reuters and confirmed by Nozari. He said the company needed U.S. domicile to be able to register internet protocol addresses in America. Its not clear whether Nozaris registered agent CloudPeak Law, a Wyoming law firm based in the small city of Sheridan was aware of the allegations against its client. A woman who answered at CloudPeak Laws office confirmed that her firm was RouterHostings agent but said that, due to client confidentiality, that is the extent of what anyone in our firm is going to be able to tell you. The firm didnt respond to a follow-up email. Cloudzys business model is typical of several small virtual private server providers that rent internet hosting services in exchange for cryptocurrency, no questions-asked, said Adam Meyers, an executive with CrowdStrike. Theres a whole ecosystem of neer-do-well kind of folks who are in this business, he said. (Reporting by Christopher Bing; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Runway finland highway While the Finnish Air Force, or Ilmavoimat, is well known for its use of highways for distributed operations, the sight of military aircraft operating from roadways is always something to behold. Case in point: the video below from the Ilmavoimat, which shows a pilots-eye view from an Airbus C295 twin-turboprop transport as it operates from a newly constructed highway specially designed with a runway at its center. https://twitter.com/FinnishAirForce/status/1686044815799029765?s=20 A new section of road on part of the countrys recently renovated Valtatie 4 highway (National Road Four) near JyvaskylaTikkakoski Air Base located north of the city Jyvaskyla played host to Ilmavoimat aircraft from across the country as they performed highway operations. Kesabaana 23, the exercises official title, ran from July 24-28. A view of the base and the specially-built highway runway next to it. Google Earth The portion of the highway used for Kesabaana 23, the exact length of which is unknown, currently remains closed to public transport due to ongoing paving work. At least part of said highway section features a unique design, whereby a dedicated reserve runway is sandwiched between four highway lanes. Location of JyvaskylaTikkakoski Air Base. Google Maps The following aircraft were used as part of Kesabaana 23: F/A-18C/D Hornets stationed at Kuopio and Rovaniemi AB, Learjet 35 and Pilatus PC-12 transports, Airbus C295 twin-turboprop cargo aircraft stationed at Tampere-Pirkkala AB, and Hawk Mk 66 training jets of the Air Operations Support Squadron stationed at JyvaskylaTikkakoski AB. In the video above, we see the C295 circling the highway after taking flight. It also provides views of the aircraft landing. At present, the Finnish Air Force only has two C295M transports, as well as one which is adapted for SIGINT (signals intelligence)/ELINT (electronic intelligence). C295M landing view. Finnish Air Force via Twitter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Wj5A4cdlE Towards the end of the same video, F/A-18 Hornets can also be seen taking off. As of 2021, the Ilmavoimat had a fleet of 62 upgraded F/A-18C/D legacy Hornets, which the service began acquiring in the mid-1990s. Finland chose to replace its Hornet fleet with F-35A Lighting II Block 4 multirole fighters in 2021. The Ilmavoimat will receive 64 of those aircraft beginning in 2025. Story continues F/A-18 Hornet takeoff. Finnish Air Force via Twitter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU6NgC1ZW4M The footage also shows a Hawk Mk 66 taking off from the strip. Although Hawks have been in service with the Ilmavoimat since 1980, it is only since 2011 that Hawk 66s have been used by Finland following a deal to procure 18 airframes from Switzerland in 2007. As of 2020, the Ilmavoimat had a fleet of 32 Hawks, including 16 Mk 66s. Hawk Mk 66 takeoff. Finnish Air Force via Twitter Below you can see video of a Hawk Mk 66 performing a touch-and-go landing during Kesabaana 23 which involves landing on a runway and taking off again without coming to a full stop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRRgYI9tnCE According to local Finnish media, in order to facilitate the exercise much of the training area remained closed to the public, aside from a small spectators area to the south. Its unclear exactly how much preparation work was needed prior to the start of Kesabaana 23. As The War Zone has noted in the past, highway strips sometimes require fairly significant changes to be made, such as removing crash barriers, power lines, signage, and lighting, for aircraft takeoff and landings. However, the footage seen above shows that significant lighting and signage remained around portions of the strip. This is likely due at least in part to its unique design where the runway was built into the center of the roadway instead of sharing the car lanes as an operating area. Given the proximity of National Road Four to JyvaskylaTikkakoski AB, it makes good sense that a reserve runway would be constructed close by. JyvaskylaTikkakoski is home to the Finnish Air Force headquarters, alongside the Finnish Air Force Academy. The strip itself is part of a new 16-kilometer (roughly 10-mile) stretch of motorway between the city of Jyvaskyla and the municipality of Laukaa. The main construction effort, which is set to be completed this year, has seen the creation of a two-plus-two-lane motorway with a central barrier. National Road Four connects the capital Helsinki to the more northern parts of the country. Part of the 16-kilometer (roughly 10-mile) stretch of new highway. Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency/Destria Speaking to Finlands MTV News, aviation photographer Tim Ollikainen, who was present for the exercises on July 26, noted, This is a significantly different Baana [the Ilmavoimats annual road-based training exercise] than others found in Finland. The runway and the driving lane are separated from each other, while in other places the runway is over the car lanes. Looks impressive and will certainly respond well to F-35 operations in the future. The use of various motorways, specifically for practicing distributed operations, by the Ilmavoimat very much remains routine. Just last year, Finland closed a two-kilometer (1.24-mile) stretch of National Road Four for the first time in decades, specifically for road-based exercises. Those similarly lasted for five days, involving some 200 personnel and F/A-18 jets, Hawk Mk 51 trainers, and other military aircraft. A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet gets ready to take off from the E4 Highway in Joutsa, Central Finland during the Baana 2022 training event on September 28, 2022. Photo by MARKKU ULANDER/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images Annual road-based operations of this sort have formed a core training component for Finnish pilots for some time. Over the past 50 years, starting during the Cold War, all Ilmavoimat pilots flying all aircraft types have been required to be qualified on highway strip operations as part of their training. The need for distributed operations training beyond conventional airbases owes much to Finlands proximity to Russia with Finland sharing an 845-mile border with Russia to the east. In any potential conflict between the two countries, as weve noted previously, it would be important for the Ilmavoimat to get as many aircraft in the air as rapidly as possible to shield them from standoff attacks on its established airbases, which would certainly be prime targets. Training with Hornets in particular, which have made a noticeable appearance at various road-based exercises in recent years, makes sense given the important standoff strike and air defense roles those aircraft would play in such a conflict. Indeed, Finland has often scrambled its Hornets to intercept Russian aircraft near its land and sea borders and has accused them of violating its sovereign airspace on multiple occasions in recent years. Finland's Hornets are capable of launching AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) glide bombs and AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cruise missiles, both of which have stealthy features and would be essential for penetrating Russia's dense integrated air defenses in order to engage targets, as well as neutralizing those defenses themselves. Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet, pictured on August 17, 2018. Airwolfhound via Getty Images All of this has taken on even greater significance since Russia began its all-out war against Ukraine in February 2022. As Colonel Vesa Mantyla, head of the Finnish Air Force Academy, said of last years road-based operations to Reuters, The threat from Russia or the actions from Russia with the cruise missiles and ballistic missiles [in Ukraine] proves that the concept of dispersed operations is right. Dispersed operations have also seen a resurgence in other European countries as of late in light of the war in Ukraine, notably the U.K.s Royal Air Force, which plans to demonstrate highway and other dispersed operations with F-35Bs and Typhoons. The U.K. Typhoons will operate from Finnish highways within the next few months, while F-35Bs will do the same likely from locations within the U.K. Moreover, distributed operations involving roadways have even become a part of some U.S. Air Force training exercises stateside in recent years. The service has conducted highway operations with aircraft, such as A-10 Warthogs and C-130 Hercules, as well as uncrewed platforms such as MQ-9 Reaper drones. These initiatives fit broadly within the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts of operation. ACE is centered on irregular and unpredictable deployments at speed, something which the service has been testing specifically in the Indo-Pacific context for some time. For the Ilmavoimat more specifically, Finland, along with Denmark, Norway and Sweden, formed a unified Nordic air defense alliance in a bid to better cope with threats emanating from Russia back in March. As Major General Jan Dam, commander of the Danish Air Force, told Reuters, the impetus behind that initiative to develop a Nordic concept for joint air operations based on already-known NATO methodology was triggered by Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Those countries have upwards of 300 fighter jets between them as well as training, transport and surveillance fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. https://twitter.com/IPC_DK/status/1639261399460327427?s=20 Meanwhile, in April, Finland officially joined the NATO alliance after applying for membership in May of 2022 owing to concerns about the ongoing war. The Finnish Air Force has played a key role in NATO exercises since becoming an official member. Exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23), the largest air combat exercise in NATOs history, saw Ilmavoimat Hornets participate in a number of interoperability demonstrations alongside aircraft from Germany, the U.S., the U.K., France, and Japan. Finnish air force Master Sgt. Sami, plane captain, prepares to launch F-18 Hornet aircraft during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Hohn, Germany, June 14, 2023. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Samara Underwood With that said, Kesabaana 23 underscores Finland's commitment to maximizing the utility of the Ilmavoimats various aircraft from a variety of operating locations. Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com Months after its president was ousted by a new board, New College of Florida announced three finalists for its top position, including interim president Richard Corcoran. Other finalists include Tyler Fisher, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida; and Robert Gervasi, former interim president at the University of Mount Union and the previous president of Ohio Dominican University and Quincy University. In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis recast the New Colleges Board of Trustees with six conservative appointees in what he said was an attempt to improve the schools enrollment and performance. At the first meeting of the new board, former president Patricia Okker announced she was being terminated. The board announced Corcoran, former education commissioner and Florida speaker of the House, would serve as interim president. Matthew Spalding, one of the newly appointed trustees, later said he had recommended Corcoran for that role. Corcoran is earning a salary of $699,000 as interim a nearly $400,000 pay raise from his predecessor. A news release from the university said the 15-member search committee that convened in April received 63 applications and conducted eight interviews. A bill that took effect last year makes all presidential candidates confidential until they are named as finalists. Spalding, who chaired the search committee, said in the release that the committee worked diligently through a long list of highly qualified applicants to find and forward these outstanding finalists. Fisher is a faculty fellow at the Burnett Honors College at UCF who helps students apply for international scholarships. He is also a professor of modern language and literature and a former Rhodes scholar. Reached by phone Tuesday evening, Fisher said as a product of the Florida university system, he believed he brought a perspective to bridge interests between students, faculty and administrators. He said he believed the honors colleges could be the model for the future of higher education. Story continues New College is in an especially prime position to do that because it is Floridas honors college, Fisher said. He said he enjoyed meeting with the Board of Trustees via Zoom and looked forward to meeting with students and faculty on campus. Gervasi serves on the board of the Fulbright Association and holds masters and doctoral degrees in the classics, in addition to an master of business administration. David Harvey, former faculty chair, said in the release that the process was exceptionally thorough. He added, this is a critical time for New College and Im very proud of the quality of the finalists weve identified for consideration by the trustees. Current faculty chair Amy Reid and New College faculty union chair Steve Shipman declined to comment. Statewide faculty union president Andrew Gothard said he didnt know much about Fisher or Gervasi. The only candidate I know anything about is Richard Corcoran, he said. Based on his track record as education commissioner and his lack of higher education experience before New College, Gothard said he wouldnt support a Corcoran presidency. We tend to support candidates with experience, he said. In 2021, Corcoran applied for the presidential job at Florida State University. After faculty raised concerns and the president of the accreditation body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities, inquired about a potential conflict of interest, he was not named among finalists. New College Student Senate President Catherine Libby Harrity said Tuesday that the search process lacked meaningful input from existing students. Previous presidential searches have typically included members of student leadership, Harrity said. Its baffling to all involved that we had no say in this search, Harrity said. The only student representative on the committee is Joshua Broyhill, a third year political science major who transferred to New College in 2022. Broyhill has previously worked as an intern for the Republican Party of Florida and most recently as a legislative intern, according to his LinkedIn. According to the news release, Broyhill said, participating in the search process has been a great experience and Im excited about the quality of the finalists we identified to continue New Colleges growth and development for the future. Alan Levine, a member of the Board of Governors who served on the search committee said in the release that the group meticulously followed the BOG regulations to provide a fair review of all applicants and efficiently reveal three great finalists. New Colleges Board of Trustees meets Aug. 10, and candidate forums will be announced on the Board of Trustees website. Divya Kumar covers higher education and Ian Hodgson is an education data reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, working in partnership with Open Campus. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is the bearer of bad news for Arizona families that rely on state aid to pay private school tuition. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press) Camille Edelman is doing the best she can. Even with her and her husband working, the Phoenix-area couple cannot afford to send their three special needs children to the specialized school best suited for them without financial assistance. And for more than a decade, that assistance was Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. So why would Katie Hobbs, the state's Democratic governor, want to take that away? She wouldnt. But she might have to. She said last week that the program is on track to be about 50% over budget, costing taxpayers $1 billion. Republicans in the state predictably rushed to frame this fact as Hobbs ghoulishly preying on families in need. The reality is that families like the Edelmans are caught in a decades-long political tug of war that's barely about education, sort of in the way that the Civil War was about "states' rights." This nationwide struggle is really about race, and it's coming to a head in certain places because of money. Arizona's previous administration budgeted only $624 million for the voucher program the Edelmans use, which is about $320 million short of whats needed. Keeping that program pushes the states budget into the red. And while revenue shortfall is hardly a new conversation in any level of government, this time is likely to play out differently. You should pay attention to Arizona, because its school finance battles could well be used to reopen a national debate about the Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. Read more: Opinion: Your tax dollars for their private school? More and more states are saying yes It was after that 1954 decision outlawing public school segregation that the U.S. saw a boom in the number of religious private schools and universities. In the decades after the Brown decision, white students left public school in droves to avoid integration, particularly in the South. According to Forbes, between 675,000 and 750,000 white students enrolled in private schools located in former Confederate states during the early 1980s. Of that group, as many as 75% were in schools that were at least 90% white. For those who could not afford to pay out of pocket, vouchers were created. Under the guise of religious belief, parochial schools could discriminate for any reason. Story continues What does all this have to do with the Edelmans? Mostly they're just collateral damage seven decades later. School choice was always a Trojan horse, a rebuke of the Brown decision. It was a system designed to use taxpayer dollars to fund "separate but unequal" schooling in the name of God. Read more: Column: Arizona shows us the messy, winding path out of Trumpism The reason Betsy DeVos wanted to be secretary of Education under President Trump was to push school choice nationally. Her family has used its wealth to promote a conservative Judeo-Christian theocracy in the schools and the government for decades. When her husband ran for the GOP nomination for governor in their home state of Michigan, school vouchers were key to his platform. Proponents will tell parents its about moving kids from failing schools, but the history shows its about moving kids from integrated schools. The current numbers show the same thing. More than 70% of Arizonas school vouchers are going to the states wealthiest ZIP Codes. The state now offers the largest school choice voucher program in the country, and it is likely to face a referendum allowing voters to halt its expansion. Legal challenges are all but certain regardless of which side prevails, and religious justifications are inevitable. Read more: Opinion: Reality deniers like Kari Lake fit right in with Arizona's history of wishful thinking The Arizona program didn't have to become Exhibit A for school-voucher abuses. It was intended for families that legitimately needed educational help they weren't able to find through public schools. The budget deficit that Hobbs inherited is not caused by that function of the program. It's a direct result of the previous administration ballooning its scope beyond foster kids and students with special needs, to become a vehicle for universal school choice. We have always started our kids in the public school system, but it never is a good fit, Edelman said. We end up pulling them into the specialized private schools to accommodate and support their needs." Those schools allowed Edelman's children to have specialized teachers in classrooms with lower student-teacher ratios. But now the Edelmans are worried about whether theyll be able to continue. Not because the current administration is out to get them, but because the former was only serving a political agenda. @LZGranderson If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Want to know whats coming to the just-closed LaRosas Pizzeria on Richmond Road? Think coffee. And doughnuts. And what American runs on ... Thats right. Think Dunkin. One Holland CEO Gary Holland said that he plans to bring a Dunkin (sometimes known as Dunkin Donuts or DD to hardcore fans) to the location between his First Watch and Skyline Chili restaurants. Holland said that he anticipates the new drive-thru coffee shop opening in March 2024. Dunkin is known for its fresh pastries, including doughnuts, and specialty coffees. The LaRosas building will be rebranded as a Dunkin and is expected to open in March 2024. Holland closed the LaRosas Family Pizzeria restaurant at 2890 Richmond Rd. on July 30 after four years in business. Richmond Road coffee shops The new Dunkin will have lots of caffeinated competition in the area: Theres a Common Grounds Coffee House at 2901 Richmond Rd. Unit 160, in Lakeview Plaza, with a drive-thru. Human Bean just opened a drive-thru kiosk up the road at 2644 Richmond Rd.. The chain, which opened July 27, serves specialty coffees, real-fruit smoothies, teas and breakfast items to go. 7 Brew opened a drive-thru across the street at 2895 Richmond Rd., next to what will soon be a second Slim Chickens, on the spot where OCharleys was torn down. Panera in late April moved into a new location at 2887 Richmond Rd. Suite 110, with a drive-thru. Theres a Krispy Kreme at 2983 Richmond Rd. where you can get doughnuts hot and fresh daily. And theres a Starbucks at 2703 Richmond Rd. near the intersection with Old Todds Road. From the Cold War period (1945-1989) through present-day globalization, the importance of maintaining reliable security coalitions and positive international relationships cannot be overstated. As modern-day warfare relies on technology for achieving military readiness and strength, collaborating on interoperable technological advancements remains an enduring mission for the U.S. and its coalition partners. To perfect military technology, nations must plan strategically beyond tactical units. This is especially important today, as warfare is no longer focused solely on the destruction of enemy forces. By acting as a unified front, coalition partners can integrate more effectively, generate deterrence and thwart adversarial actions by enhancing the training, deployment, coordination, and real-time situational awareness of allied nations. For instance, in the Indo-Pacific theater of operations, the U.S. maintains a highly capable cross-section of command-and-control technology that supports situational awareness in todays battlespace. But near-future warfare requires a new paradigm that provides a comprehensive intelligence picture and detailed situational awareness of joint forces across the theater. We must consolidate this information to inform tactical and operational decisions that prioritize deterrence and the saving of lives. Commensurate with this future paradigm is the ongoing race to develop and deploy multi-domain technology and command and control systems, which are helping to shape a new era in modern warfare: developing Multi-Domain Capabilities to address Gray Zone Competition. Gray Zone Competition Gray Zone competition tactics, deployed globally to avoid all-out conflict, are becoming increasingly common. Recent examples include Chinas recent statements on Taiwans independence and subsequent U.S. response s . Even the recent incident between North Korea and South Korea, where warning shots were fired over a maritime dispute, demonstrate the persistent need to avoid all-out conflict. Nation-state governments recognize the potential for Gray Zone competition to bleed into the general population. Social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, struggling to maintain credibility amidst the presence of bots and foreign propaganda , and the use of naval, coast guard and aircraft assets to physically harass and intimidate opponents, are all being deployed to gain an upper hand in military efforts. These incidents underscore the urgency to develop and deploy a range of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities across multiple domains, including space and surface. These capabilities can then be digitally applied to command-and-control platforms, which can utilize Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence software solutions to provide our forces with a decision advantage. The ongoing Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) modernization efforts by each service are being driven by these multi-domain operational imperatives. This is not aspirational; we are already experimenting and fielding innovative new technologies in both Gray Zone and multi-domain operations. Strength in Numbers Achieving strength in numbers is crucial for effective deterrence. The moral dimension of war calls for a global effort to ensure democratic nations maintain their leadership role in the global world order. Within a theater strategy, coalition partners possess powerful political-military capabilities that can help maintain a strong global presence. This collaborative approach enhances military command and control technology while strengthening support within an integrated coalition. Creating interoperable systems that enable coalition warfighters to access real-time data and tools across ground, air, sea, cyber and space, is critical for developing the necessary command-and-control capabilities to compete against our pacing challenge. Seamlessly integrating once-disparate systems delivers a competitive edge for our Joint Force and Coalition Partners. In this way, technology must serve our shared mission, with edge computing and data links being two systems that are critical for achieving interoperability. Leading at the Edge Edge computing already forms a foundational part of existing mission partner environments. For example, Commercial Coalition Equipment is a core component of a Mission Partner Environment (MPE), facilitating expeditionary coalition or commercial network connectivity. This connectivity enables mission command, network communications (e.g., voice, video, and data), and situational awareness among Army, Joint and coalition forces. By implementing data links and aerial mesh networks supported by non-detectable video data links, warfighters will be better able to receive fast and reliable internal communications between coalition partners. This technology ensures that synchronized strikes and real-time mission updates can be executed or communicated with clarity, uniformity and efficiency. One notable example of video data link technology that continues to improve is the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Unified Video Dissemination System. The UVDS architecture and its related services consistently meet Airborne, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Full Motion Video requirements. In both the Gray Zone and multi-domain operational environments, its future importance lies in providing persistent, focused, real-time operational information flow to tactical and enterprise end users worldwide. Not a New Cold War A Competition Despite the view of some, modern warfare is not a stalemate. Rather, it is a fiercely competitive landscape where nation-states strive to achieve independent goals. For instance, China recognizes U.S. multi-domain efforts and is now working (according to reports) to develop a competing technology for the JADC2 initiative, known as Multi-Domain Precision Warfare (MDPW) . The US remains highly competitive against Chinas MDPW efforts and is deploying new JADC2 technologies. Ours is a never-ending relay race, where each capability baton helps us extend our lead in this relentless pursuit of assured communications and decision advantage. Every effort by our industry partners and service program executive offices is critical in this race. This is not a drill. U.S. Army Lieutenant General (Retired) James Terry is Senior Vice President at Cubic Defense, which designs, integrates and operates systems, products and services focused in the defense training and secure communications markets. Kashish Bastola, a rising sophomore at Harvard University, speaks outside the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29. Justices ruled against affirmative action in college admissions. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) A few weeks before the Supreme Court ruled that race-based college admission policies were unconstitutional, Florida native Jon Wang claimed on Fox Nation that he was rejected from MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley and other elite colleges because of affirmative action. His SAT score was 1590 and his GPA was 4.65. Social media buzzed with sympathy, with many claiming that Wangs rejections were proof of the need to ban affirmative action. I bristled at Wangs reasoning, but did sympathize with his disappointment. My son and his friends all among the top 15 students in their senior class of about 750 had also received unwelcome news from exclusive colleges in the spring. Most are Asian and my son is Latino. All had GPAs ranging from 4.8 to 4.9, earned in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program, and a well-rounded list of extracurricular activities that included sports, leadership and awards. Wang was among countless other qualified students, not all of them Asian or white, rejected from dream colleges. That doesn't make him a poster child for the anti-affirmative action movement so much as a typical applicant. Getting into a top college these days is difficult, even for well-qualified students. Many top schools accept less than 10% of applicants. Applying to college in such competitive times means the effects of the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling probably will be severe. If my son and his friends faced difficult odds before the ruling, what will admission rates be like when my daughter applies to colleges next year? What will they be for students from less privileged backgrounds? Read more: Editorial: Supreme Court's affirmative action ban is a catastrophic blow to the American dream The only way to counterbalance this dreadful ruling is to ensure students from underrepresented communities have the same educational opportunities much earlier. For now, it's urgent that colleges abandon legacy and other admission policies that favor white and wealthy students. It's encouraging that's starting to happen. Story continues In July, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into whether Harvard University discriminates on the basis of race and ethnicity in its legacy and donor policies. Also in July, Wesleyan University joined other selective colleges in ending legacy admissions, which favor students whose relatives are alumni or donors, and tend to be white. In a blog post explaining the decision, Wesleyan president Michael S. Roth outlined a robust approach the university is taking to ensure a diverse student body. This includes bolstering outreach to community groups, college access programs, community colleges and Title I high schools, which are high schools with higher percentages of lower-income students. Increasing financial aid is a key aspect of the multi-pronged plan to recruit students from more diverse backgrounds. Read more: Commentary: Ending affirmative action won't level the playing field. It took me over 30 years to do that for my family This is a welcome approach, but ensuring that students have equitable access to the most elite colleges in the United States needs to start much sooner. Affirmative action was a response to the fact that many people face a multitude of inequities throughout their lives, often perpetuated by historical systemic racism such as redlining that impedes wealth accumulation and health. The race toward college really begins at birth, with research showing that parents who speak more words to their babies spur brain development that leads to better language skills. Imagine how many more words college-educated, stay-at-home parents are able to speak with their babies than immigrant parents working six days a week. The gap only widens as time marches on. Many believe that students who do not read at grade level by third grade are more likely to drop out of high school. Such dire forecasts play out in various ways. Some students are shuttled toward remedial classes, while those on the other end of the academic spectrum are tested for gifted classes. Such testing should include all students regardless of their academic performance, but often teacher referrals are the decisive factor. There has been a lot of controversy over who is selected for testing and who enrolls in these classes because these higher-level, fast-paced classes often help shape future valedictorians and other high-achievers. In California, enrollment in gifted and talented education (GATE) classes is 11.6% Asian, 7.1% white, 4.7% Latino and 3.5% Black students. Read more: Opinion: Now that affirmative action is banned, the way to level the field is one Black student at a time In my kids school district, the students in gifted classes usually choose to continue high-level studies by enrolling in the IB program in middle and high school. My sons high school is 62% Latino in a student population of 3,000, yet he was just one of three Latinos in the graduating class of about 30 IB students. Of course, my son, a former GATE student, is smart, hardworking and ambitious. But I certainly do not think hes the only Latino student with these qualities. After the hardships I endured in my childhood as a low-income immigrant, I have worked hard to ensure my kids have the support and guidance they need throughout their schooling. I knew it would be more difficult for them to gain admission to college at a time when there are more applicants than ever at elite colleges, though I never would have anticipated how competitive this process would be. Even my alma mater, USC, has gone from a 69% admittance rate in the 1980s to 9.9% in 2023. Such odds make it difficult not just for the Jon Wangs of the world, but also and especially underprivileged students. With affirmative action policies gone, universities must get rid of legacy policies, and lawmakers need to ensure that students who start out with fewer resources end up on a level playing field. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Video shows someone throwing a liquid at the rapper, who throws her microphone into the crowd A concert-goer has filed a battery report with Las Vegas police after a video showed Cardi B throwing a microphone into the crowd during a July 29 concert. The I Like It rapper went viral over the weekend when video footage surfaced on TMZ that showed her throwing her microphone into the crowd. From the footage, the move came after a fan threw liquid on the rapper while she performed on stage. Cardi B attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) Per TMZ, a woman hit by the thrown microphone reported the incident to the Las Vegas Metro PD the following day. The Los Angeles Times reported that Cardi B wasnt named in the report, though the location and time of the complaint match the venue of Cardi Bs performance. Why are people throwing things at concerts? The incident comes as a growing trend at concerts this summer continues to rise: throwing objects at performers. From Drake, P!nk, Bebe Rexha, Latto, and now Cardi B, concertgoers seem increasingly comfortable throwing objects like cell phones at artists. According to a NBC News report, Morgan Milado, the managing director at the Berklee Popular Music Institute at the Berklee College of Music, said the need for having attention-grabbing moments may be at the root of this growing trend. Its not so that we can have a viral moment on TikTok for ourselves, Milardo explained. Concerts are supposed to offer a community where people can come together to share in the magic of live music. Kristin Lieb, author of Gender, Branding, and the Modern Music Industry and professor at Emerson College in Boston, told the outlet that people forget pop stars are people. Lieb added, Audiences think: I paid for this. She needs to do what I want now. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Concert-goer files battery report after Cardi B concert incident appeared first on TheGrio. If you're a voracious reader, this column's for you. After Donna Vickroy confessed her love of reading, she was rewarded with dozens of book suggestions from fellow readers. (B58706315Z.1 / Sun Sentinel) A good book becomes a part of you. Once its in your head, or more specifically, your heart, its there forever. When a story comes to life by virtue of interesting, complex characters, often the best-worst feeling in the world is reaching that last page. There is a triumphant sadness, a bittersweet blend of exhale and panic, when you close the cover. Advertisement And thats why the next best thing to a good book is a recommendation for a next book. A few weeks back I wrote a column about how semi-retirement has reopened the door on reading, particularly fiction, for pleasure. And now I know I am hardly alone but I guess it makes sense that newspaper readers would be avid readers in general. Advertisement You all are right there with me, kicked back in your recliners, lounging on your chaises, or comfy in a corner of the library. Reading, reading, reading. Life never follows the plan but for many of us it can be like a hurricane, manic in young adulthood as we try to get established at work and on the home front, and exhausting in our later years, when illness or degeneration can bring a flurry of doctor visits and planning. But for the lucky, there is a chapter of calm in between called retirement. The kids are grown, the commute is over, the extracurricular volunteerism is no longer needed, and the daily rush to get everything thing done has downshifted into whats the hurry? In the quiet of the eye of lifes storm, you can hear the stories calling. And what glorious sirens they are. In that recent column, I shared many of own book recommendations and, in return, many of you shared yours, via email and social media. And now I am obliged to pass those suggestions on. Feedback included gratitude expressed for parents and other family members who instilled a love for reading. Kudos came in for particular authors and for several suburban libraries, including ones in Flossmoor and Highland Park, the latter of which is where Arlene Davis admits she practically lives. Ive always been a voracious reader and now, since retirement, even more so, if thats possible, Davis wrote. My eyesight responds more favorably to hard covers rather than smaller print paperbacks, and I simply cant afford to purchase all the books I go through in a month. My kids have offered a Kindle every birthday and Mothers Day, since they were first available, but I love the feel of a real book in my hands. "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr is on Arlene Davis' highly recommended book list. (Scribner/TNS) Davis has several recommendations, some going back a few years. Among them: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin; The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker; A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles; The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg; Me Before You and One Plus One by JoJo Moyes; The Rent Collector by Camron Steve Wright; The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak; The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd; Tara Road and Evening Class by Maeve Binchy; Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford; Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer; Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens; The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons; The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman; All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Rose Follenweider, of Tinley Park, is a lifelong reader who hit a wall during the pandemic. Advertisement I could not concentrate on the written page reading the same page over and over until I would give up. Lost two years of book reading, she wrote. But then a friend who was compelled by the shutdown to read some 300 books gave her a tip: Set time each morning, afternoon and evening, either for 30 minutes or 50 pages. And it worked. Rose Follenweider, of Tinley Park, highly recommends Mary Kubica's books, especially "The Good Girl." (Harlequin / Harlequin) Now, Follenweider has some recommendations of her own: authors Riley Sager and Plainfields own Mary Kubica, particularly the latters The Good Girl. Naperville Sun Twice-weekly News updates from the Naperville area delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Pat Browne, of Lemont, recommends her book clubs recent selection, Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe, a work of historical fiction from a writer who grew up in Chicagos Robert Taylor Homes. For fans of historical fiction, Debbie ODonnell, of Elmhurst, recommends the works of Philippa Gregory. I have read just about every one of her books and even have reread several of them. She does great research and really delves into her characters so you feel you are right there with them living and experiencing their joys and pitfalls. Doug Steinman submitted a pitch for No Ordinary Assignment by Jane Ferguson. It is a memoir and autobiography by Ms. Ferguson who, at the age of 39, has been a war correspondent for 15 years, he wrote. Donna Hornik, of Geneva, says "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin is the best book (she's read) in a year. (Knopf/Knopf/TNS) My dear friend Donna Hornik, a retired English teacher who lives in Geneva, offered her list of recent reads, with reviews: Advertisement Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (very good); Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (best book in a year); The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (very good); Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan (good); Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (very good). There you have it, even more reading recommendations. Remember, as a member of the universal book club, you are obliged to share and share alike. And if you come across a reason to revisit this topic, please reach out. donnavickroy4@gmail.com Donna Vickroy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years. Florida's controversial new African American history standards have stirred up strong reactions among political leaders, even leading to splinters within the Republican party in Florida. On July 19, the Florida Board of Education unanimously approved a new social studies standard for African American history. In doing so, the board pushed pushed through criticism of the standards. Some critics said the curriculum downplays Florida's role in the historic oppression of Black people and others said the standards blame the African-American community for some of the crime they suffered, Ana Goni-Lessan of the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Vice President Kamala Harris slammed the new standards at an speech in Jacksonville days after it passed, prompting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to challenge her to a debate in a letter Monday. Harris fervently rejected his invitation Tuesday while speaking in Orlando, Florida at the African Methodist Episcopal 20th Women's Missionary Society Quadrennial Convention. "I'm here in Florida, and I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact. There were no were redeeming qualities of slavery," she passionately told the crowd. Here is what to know about Florida's new education standards that led to the Harris and DeSantis feud: What is in the new Florida African American history curriculum? Florida is required by state law to include history, culture, and experience of the African American community in K-12 curriculums. The same statute also created the African American History Task Force that reviews the standards for the curriculum. Despite it's nearly 20-year history, this is the first time that the state has created separate standards for the subject, chancellor of public schools Paul Burns told the Tallahassee Democrat. Here are some controversial parts of the new curriculum standards: "Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." "Instruction includes acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans but is not limited to ...1920 Ocoee Massacre" (The Orange County Regional History Center called the Ocoee Massacre the "largest incident of voting-day violence in United States history." A white mob lynched a Black man after he attempted to vote and then went on to kill an unknown number of other African American citizens and burn down their homes.) The curriculum does not include Florida's role in upholding slavery and segregation by seceding from the Union during the Civil War or by passing a resolution that opposed the Supreme Court's decision, Brown v. Board of Education, according to Genesis Robinson, political director for advocacy group Equal Ground, and other critics according to the Tallahassee Democrat. Critics also say that the new curriculum does not use person-first language by using the term "slave" instead of "enslaved people." Story continues Kamala Harris: 'They want to replace history with lies.' Vice President Harris spoke at the Ritz Theatre and Museum in Jacksonville, Florida two days after the new African American history standards were passed by the FBOE. She criticized the new standards for indicating that enslaved people benefited from slavery and victims of violence were also perpetrators. "Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worse examples of depriving people of humanity in our world," Harris said. "So in the context of that, how is it that someone could suggest that in amidst of these atrocities, that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization?" She called the revised history curriculum "propaganda," that intended to mislead children. "They want to replace history with lies," she told the packed room in a historically Black neighborhood in Jacksonville. "They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not have it." Ron DeSantis, Byron Donalds and William B. Allen react On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis penned a letter to Harris defending the state's policy and inviting her to Florida to debate the issue. "You have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents 'extremists.' It's past time to set the record straight," the letter states. The letter also mentions William B. Allen, a conservative politician who sits on Floridas African American History Standards Workgroup, which spearheaded writing the new standards. Allen criticized Harris for promoting false criticisms of the curriculum. "It was never said that slavery was beneficial to Africans, he said in an interview posted by ABC News. Allen also went on to say, "It is the case that Africans proved resourceful, resilient, and adaptive, and were able to develop skills and aptitudes which served to their benefit, both while enslaved and after enslaved." As reported by the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida GOP Congressman Byron Donalds, a prominent Black supporter for Donald Trump, supported the majority of the curriculum. He still found himself in a Republican fire storm for criticizing the part of the standard that suggests enslaved people benefited from slavery. What's crazy to me is I expressed support for the vast majority of the new African American history standards and happened to oppose one sentence that seemed to dignify the skills gained by slaves as a result of their enslavement. Anyone who can't accurately interpret what I https://t.co/b6hqaSJtlp Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) July 27, 2023 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris, DeSantis and the Florida fight over African American studies Congressional candidate Celeste Maloy speaks with the Deseret News editorial board at the Triad Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 30, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Special congressional election candidate Celeste Maloy announced a rigorous debate schedule on Tuesday morning, saying her two Republican primary opponents, Bruce Hough and Becky Edwards, had accepted her challenge to participate in 10 debates in 10 counties in under two weeks a claim the Edwards campaign has denied. There has been no confirmation of any debates at this point, a spokesperson for the Edwards campaign told the Deseret News in a phone call Tuesday morning. Maloy told the Deseret News that the confusion was the result of a misunderstanding between the Edwards campaign and the Maloy campaign. Maloy told her campaign last weekend that Edwards was willing to participate in the scheduled debates but apparently had not received a formal agreement from the Edwards campaign. This ones on me, Maloy said in a phone call with the Deseret News, explaining she thought she was accurately reflecting Edwards feelings about participating in the debates and had no intention of misrepresenting them. I would love for her to participate in any debate shes comfortable with, Maloy said. The new controversy in the race to replace Rep. Chris Stewart comes just one day after a lawsuit seeking to disqualify Maloy over concerns about her voter registration when she entered the race was rejected. In the weeks following her win at the special GOP nominating convention, Maloy issued an invitation to Hough and Edwards to join her on the debate stage in all 13 counties represented within the district. Hough responded, saying he was ready anytime and anywhere, but Edwards hadnt committed. She later told the Deseret News that she was looking forward to having another opportunity to debate and bring our ideas in front of people across the state if the state party were to host one. On Tuesday morning, Maloy publicly announced a debate schedule beginning on Aug. 4 and running nearly every night through August 14. I appreciate my opponents willingness to accept my challenge to debate throughout the district, and I look forward to highlighting the differences that exist between the candidates, she said in a post on social media. Story continues However, soon after the debate schedule was reported, a spokesperson for the Edwards campaign denied the campaign had agreed to participate and said that the press release made false claims. A spokesperson for the Hough campaign confirmed to the Deseret News that they had coordinated with the Maloy campaign to schedule the debates. We plan on attending every debate thats offered. We will be at all 10 debates, Houghs spokesperson said. The debates will be organized and hosted by county Republican parties and will be moderated mostly by county GOP officials, the Hough spokesperson said. The final debate will be hosted by KSL and will be moderated by Boyd Matheson and televised across the state, according to a Maloy press release. The first debate will be this Friday at the Farmington City building, followed by a debate on Saturday in Washington County. Photo: ZikG (Shutterstock) A disturbing voicemail detailing a plot to murder Black children in the Sacramento area was left on the phone of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum in the wee hours of Sunday morning. But local police say theres no need to sweat about it. Black Lives Matter Sacramento released a recording of the voicemail on their Facebook page after the museum founder forwarded it to them, according to KCRA 3 News. Read more In California, agendas are active to murder Black children in the Sacramento area. Murders are to be in cold blood with no remorse. The intel relay has contacted more than 100 schools in the Sacramento area to structure this agenda., the recording said. In the post, the organization said they werent sure if the threat was real or not but encouraged Black families in the city to be on their toes and practice forms of self-defense and protection. BLM Sac founder Tanya Faison told ABC 10 News it seemed like the message was doctored but doesnt imply its any less of a concern. It sounds like they used some type of AI technology, voice messaging system and probably a fake phone number but they threatened to kill all Black children in Sacramento. They said its organized, Faison said. -Even if they dont think its credible, they need to act like they think its credible. Read more from ABC 10 News: The Sacramento Police Department told KCRA 3 it is aware of the voicemail and that detectives are looking into the threats. Police said Monday that preliminarily they did not believe the threats to be credible. KCRA 3 reached out to several school districts across the Sacramento region to see if they had heard of any of these messages. A Sacramento City Unified School District representative said its Safe Schools Department had not received a complaint about a voicemail, though schools are closed for the summer. The San Juan School District said it also did not directly receive the voicemail. Anyone with information is asked to call the police departments non-emergency line at 916-808-5471. Story continues Hopefully, the idiot behind the voicemail will be tracked down before the threat becomes credible. Payton Gendron had a mean digital footprint of white supremacist garbage leading up to the day he shot and killed 10 Black people in a Buffalo grocery store. But, he wasnt considered a threat to society until it was too late. On the other hand, some families have been waiting years for justice in the unsolved murders of their loved ones. In 2022, the Murder Accountability Project reported that 100 percent of the countrys unsolved homicides were attributed to Black victims while homicides for white or Asian Americans were steadily resolved over the past three decades. Consider the latest example: the unsolved murder of three little Black girls in Texas. Their murder was ruled an accidental drowning until their autopsy revealed signs of strangulation turning the case into a homicide investigation one year later. Another example is the murder of 20 Black children by serial killer suspect Wayne Williams, known as the Atlanta Child Murders of the early 80s. The case is being reinvestigated with old DNA evidence to find matches between each victim and Williams. However, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also opened a secret probe on the suspicion that the Ku Klux Klan was behind the murders of two or more of the children, attorney Ron Kuby told The Daily Beast. Threats against Black people and children are very real. But alas, as of 2020, only 59 percent of Black families have received closure in the murder of their loved one, per CBS. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Progressive lawmakers are voicing concerns over Cornel Wests third-party bid, worried that a figure they respect could cripple President Bidens prospects in 2024. West launched a Green Party campaign earlier this year to inject more leftism into the election cycle. Hes challenging both the Democratic and Republican establishments, raging against them in equal measure and raising the stakes of being a spoiler in the fall. Now, with the Republican nomination of former President Trump seeming more and more plausible, progressives are becoming more outspoken about their worries. I think he has a very long record of service and academic thought leadership, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told The Hill last week. I think just right now, given the Electoral College, its very difficult to square the very real threat of a Republican presidency [with] the risk of giving up the very small margin of electoral votes needed to ensure that President Biden wins. Until recently, lawmakers on the left didnt feel much need to voice any reservations they had about West. When he first announced he was running for president in early June, he did so under the grassroots Peoples Party, without much fanfare. Democrats werent really applauding him but werent criticizing his bid, either; there seemed little cause for concern on Capitol Hill. The shift happened after West changed his affiliation to the Green Party just a few weeks later. The move promoted bad recollections for Democrats of 2016, when third-party nominee Jill Stein captured enough votes that election analysts said helped contribute to Trumps edge in certain states. The difference now is that West, unlike Stein, is a revered part of the progressive movement who has garnered goodwill from sitting members of Congress for his activism on behalf of working-class people. I care about the quality of your life. I care about whether you have access to a job with a living wage, decent housing, women having control over their bodies, health care for all, de-escalating the destruction of the planet, West said in his launch video this summer. Story continues Some liberal lawmakers also personally know and like him, having crossed paths with him over the years. He worked as one of Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) top surrogates in 2020. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who served as a campaign co-chairman for Sanders, has expressed kind sentiments about him despite publicly supporting Biden this cycle. Biden has earned overwhelming support from the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and no elected progressive has primaried him. Even Ocasio-Cortez, who has at times been critical of the presidents policy decisions, officially endorsed his reelection bid. And Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the chairwoman of the left-leaning CPC, threw her support behind a Biden reelection effort even before he formally announced, despite initially backing Sanders in the Democratic primary last election. The progressives coalescing around Biden are starting to share their concerns about the damage Wests bid may cause to the presidents reelection effort. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass), a prominent member of the CPC, credited West as a thoughtful guy. McGovern has had close proximity to West over the years in Massachusetts, where the philosopher and historian taught at Harvard University. But McGovern didnt mince words about his third-party bid. The stakes are too high this year, especially if Trump is the nominee, he said. I think everybody, including the most progressive elements of our country, need to protect our democracy by stopping Donald Trump and supporting Joe Biden. McGovern said he was worried about a scenario in which West gained enough traction to help the GOP nominee win again. I worry about those things because Cornel West is a very effective speaker and can be very persuasive, he said. I am not here to question his motives or bash him, because Ive followed him for many, many years, but I just wish he wasnt doing it. Moderate Democrats have been quick to paint West as a potential spoiler running a glorified vanity campaign. Theyve been the most publicly against possible challengers to Biden and third-party bids, including from their own centrist flank No Labels, a group that wants to recruit a credible third-party rival. Progressives, on the flip side, are often critical of the countrys two-party system and have been hesitant to outwardly dissuade West or other progressives from competing for the White House. Their wing proudly embraces intraparty primaries and outside bids when necessary to push a progressive agenda. Many believe thats often better than the status quo, and its how several prominent progressive lawmakers rose to power themselves. One Squad member, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), is personally familiar with the power of insurgent campaigns. She was elected to the House in 2018 after ousting longtime Democratic Rep. Michael Capuano (Mass.) by running on a more liberal platform. While Pressley is still a staunch progressive, shes more measured in her approach to the presidential election. Asked about Wests bid, she tiptoed around the issue but noted the popularity of his ideas. The CPC is the largest ideological caucus in Congress, which I think proves that, as the caucus continues to grow, their progressive ideas are popular, Pressley said. As much as they try to fringe and marginalize them, people want transformational change like universal basic income, like unionization, like reparations, she said, careful not to criticize the platform that liberal candidates have run on each cycle. The anxiety around West is also illustrative of the broader concerns Democrats have about Biden. They understand that his approval rating isnt where theyd like it to be, and that Trump still has a firm grip on the Republican Party. They also see poll after poll indicating that at least some percentage of voters want someone else as the Democratic nominee. In another sign of the frustrations surrounding Biden, moderate Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) has been eyeing a possible primary challenge against him. Defenders of Wests candidacy, however, feel strongly that its important to let voters decide whom they prefer in an open election. To progressive lawmakers who prefer to name-call and to label him as a spoiler candidate, please take a moment to remember that votes are always earned and never given, said Cullen Tiernan, a progressive activist based in New Hampshire who has been critical of the partys establishment class. Too many of these lawmakers have changed from, We will push Biden left, to now, We will endorse anything he does. As Dr. West says, You cant save the people if you dont serve the people, and I ask: Who are you serving by trying to eliminate voices from a democratic process? Cheyanne M. Daniels contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Corrie Ten Boom House Foundation "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 1892-1983 Latest News: 'The Hiding Place' Movie (2023) A filmed stage performance adapted from Corrie ten Booms autobiographical book The Hiding Place, in which she recounts her and her familys efforts to shelter Jews during the Holocaust, is coming to movie theaters this month. Nan Gurley stars as Corrie ten Boom, alongside Carrie Tillis and John Schuck. The new movie premieres in the United States on August 3 and 5, prior to its international release on August 16. Who Was Corrie ten Boom? Cornelia Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who, along with her family, harbored hundreds of Jews amid the Nazi Holocaust to protect them from arrest during World War II. Its believed their efforts saved nearly 800 lives. Eventually betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen, the entire family was imprisoned. However, Corrie survived and told her story in an autobiographical 1971 memoir The Hiding Place. Having grown up in a devoutly religious family, ten Boom also started a worldwide ministry and traveled around the world as a public speaker. She died in April 1983 on her 91st birthday. Quick Facts FULL NAME: Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom BORN: April 15, 1892 DIED: April 15, 1983 BIRTHPLACE: Haarlem, Netherlands ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aries Early Life Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom was born on April 15, 1892, in Haarlem, Netherlands, near Amsterdam. Known as Corrie all her life, she was the youngest child, with two sisters, Betsie and Nollie, and one brother, Willem. Their father, Casper, was a jeweler and watchmaker. Cornelia was named after her mother. The ten Boom family lived in the Beje house in Haarlem (short for Barteljorisstraat, the street where the house was located) in rooms above Caspers watch shop. Family members were strict Calvinists in the Dutch Reformed Church. Faith inspired them to serve society, offering shelter, food, and money to those in need. In this tradition, the family held a deep respect for the Jewish community in Amsterdam, considering them Gods ancient people. Story continues Watchmaking Career After the death of her mother and a disappointing romance, Corrie trained to be a watchmaker and, in 1922, became the first woman licensed as a watchmaker in Holland. Over the next decade, in addition to working in her fathers shop, she established a youth club for teenage girls, which provided religious instruction as well as classes in the performing arts, sewing, and handicrafts. Efforts During World War II In May 1940, the German Blitzkrieg ran though the Netherlands and the other Low Countries. Within months, the Nazification of the Dutch people began and the quiet life of the ten Boom family was changed forever. During the war, the Beje house became a refuge for Jews, students, and intellectuals. The facade of the watch shop made the house an ideal front for these activities. A secret room, no larger than a small wardrobe closet, was built into Corries bedroom behind a false wall. The space could hold up to six people, all of whom had to stand quiet and still. A crude ventilation system was installed to provide air for the occupants. When security sweeps came through the neighborhood, a buzzer in the house would signal danger, allowing the refugees a little over a minute to seek sanctuary in the hiding place. The entire ten Boom family became active in the Dutch resistance, risking their lives harboring those hunted by the Gestapo. Some fugitives would stay only a few hours, while others would stay several days until another safe house could be located. Corrie became a leader in the Beje movement, overseeing a network of safe houses in the country. Through these activities, it was estimated that 800 Jews lives were saved. Capture and Imprisonment On February 28, 1944, a Dutch informant told the Nazis of the ten Booms activities, and the Gestapo soon raided the home. They kept the house under surveillance, and by the end of the day, 35 peopleincluding the entire ten Boom familywere arrested. Although German soldiers thoroughly searched the house, they didnt find the half-dozen Jews safely concealed in the hiding place. The six stayed in the cramped space for nearly three days before being rescued by the Dutch underground. All ten Boom family members were incarcerated, including Corries 84-year-old father, who soon died in the Scheveningen prison, located near The Hague. Corrie and her sister Betsie were remanded to the notorious Ravensbruck concentration camp, near Berlin. Betsie died there on December 16, 1944. Twelve days later, Corrie was released due to a clerical error. Work and Honors After the War Ten Boom returned to the Netherlands after the war and set up a rehabilitation center for concentration camp survivors. In the Christian spirit to which she was so devoted, she also took in those who had cooperated with the Germans during the occupation. In 1946, she began a worldwide ministry that took her to more than 60 countries. She received many tributes during her lifetime, including being knighted by the queen of the Netherlands. The Yad Vashem Remembrance Authority honored ten Boom in December 1967 as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, or non-Jewish individuals who risked their lives to help Jews during the Holocaust. Other notable individuals to receive the honor are Varian Fry, whose actions inspired the Netflix series Transatlantic, and Oskar Schindler, whose story was adapted into the 1993 Steve Spielberg film Schindlers List starring Liam Neeson. 'The Hiding Place' and Movie Adaptations Getty Images In 1971, ten Boom wrote a best-selling memoir about her experiences during World War II, titled The Hiding Place. Four years after its release, the book was made into a movie starring Jeannette Clift as Corrie and Julie Harris as her sister Betsie. The 1975 movie was produced by well-known evangelist Billy Graham. Shop Now The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom $8.79 amazon.com The book was also adapted into a stage show and a new movie, which is showing in select theaters before an international release in August 2023. The production stars Nan Gurley as Corrie and Carrie Tillis, the daughter of country music star Mel Tillis, as her sister Betsie. The updated screen version was commissioned in honor of Clift and filmed in Nashville, Tennessee. Ten Boom also published another memoir about her life, In My Fathers House: The Years Before the Hiding Place, and wrote a series of other religious books. Final Years and Death In 1977, at age 85, ten Boom moved to Placentia, California. The next year, she suffered a series of strokes that left her paralyzed and unable to speak. Ten Boom died on her 91st birthdayApril 15, 1983. Her passing on this date evokes the Jewish traditional belief that states that only specially blessed people are granted the privilege of dying on the date they were born. Quotes Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength. Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. Happiness isnt something that depends on our surroundings... Its something we make inside ourselves. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us! You Might Also Like The third highest-billed district for legal expenditures was Lakota Local Schools, which spent nearly $450,000 since last June. That's more than $27 per student. Whether its negotiating with unions, contracting work for building renovations or fighting in school culture wars, every school district will need to cough up funds for legal advice at some point. But some districts pay more significantly more, upwards of $1 million than others. The Enquirer obtained invoices from 12 local school districts through open records requests to see how much the regions largest school systems spent on litigation and legal counsel in the 2022-23 school year. Because of attorney-client privilege, those records do not reference particular court cases. The district that spent the most on legal fees was predictably Cincinnati Public Schools, which is the largest school system in the region. CPS was followed by Forest Hills School District and Lakota Local Schools. But breaking down the cost per student, Forest Hills took the lead for legal expenses, followed by CPS and West Clermont School District. Cost per pupil for legal fees CPS serves the most students in the region and is one of the largest employers in Hamilton County. The district has in-house counsel, which means it pays for three employees salaries and benefits. Those costs made up the bulk of the districts legal expenses, which totaled nearly $1.2 million. Outside of its in-house counsel, CPS budgeted for more than $675,000 of outside professional legal services and actually spent just over $304,000. What do school districts need lawyers for? The office of general counsel for CPS provides legal advice and assistance to the school board, superintendent and administration. Dan Hoying, the district's lead legal counsel, attends all of the school board's meetings and is often called upon to provide context and advise on state legislation, policy and governance, labor issues, real estate purchases and other topics. Hoying assists principals and schools with matters involving enrollment, custody, student discipline and students with disabilities. And, of course, he responds to lawsuits and other complaints filed against the district. Story continues CPS had two cases active in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court during the past year. One dealt with an unfair labor practice complaint filed by a former Dater High School teacher in 2019, which was appealed in 2021. Another dealt with a property tax dispute between the district and the Hamilton County Board of Revision. There were also two federal cases active against the district. A Civil Rights Act complaint filed by a teacher in 2021 claimed the district did not approve full health insurance coverage for her to undergo "facial feminization surgeries as a medically necessary procedure for her transition from male to female." Some of those procedures included rhinoplasty, hair transplant, facelift and liposuction. The teacher also claimed the district did not accommodate her diabetic needs to limit interacting in person with others during COVID-19. The case was settled in October and dismissed in March, according to court records. The other federal case was also brought forth in 2021, on behalf of a student with a disability. The complaint said the school district did not provide a free appropriate public education for the child during online learning. The case was tried by a jury in January and dismissed in favor of the school district. Hoying's office also takes on the district's records requests including The Enquirer's request for this story. Other districts who contract with outside attorneys use them for similar tasks. Law offices working with school districts spend their contracted hours in meetings with administrators, working on settlement options and pre-trial matters, reviewing contracts for construction and other school services, reviewing board meeting agendas and going to school board meetings. Forest Hills spent more than $533,000 on legal fees last school year Forest Hills School District spent more than half a million dollars on legal fees and services between June of 2022 and June of 2023. Per student, Forest Hills School District spent the most in the region. Forest Hills spent more than half a million dollars on legal fees and services since last June. That's about $75 per student far more than any other school district in The Enquirer's analysis. CPS, by comparison, spent about $33 per student. Other districts spent $8 or less per student on court costs and legal advice. Forest Hills School District has defended itself against claims it feels are without merit and will continue to do so. The district feels it is in the best interest of taxpayers to fight against the unreasonable and exorbitant claims of other parties involved, district spokesperson Josh Bazan wrote in an email to The Enquirer. While some might attribute Forest Hills high legal bills to an ongoing court case over the school boards highly controversial anti-diversity resolution, Bazan said the majority of those legal costs are covered through liability insurance. The bigger culprit? According to Bazan, a large portion of last years legal costs is connected to lawsuits stemming from past construction projects that were part of the 2014 bond issue. Forest Hills had invoices from Ennis Britton Co., L.P.A., Liberty Mutual Insurance and Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. Its largest legal expenditure was $58,637.76, made to Ennis Britton in June of last year. Its smallest expense was $62.06, paid in December to Liberty Mutual. Alana Cropper is treasurer for the Forest Hills School District. In Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, four cases filed against Forest Hills were active last school year: One complaint, filed in October, says Forest Hills missed a payment in September which breached a prior settlement with a district parent. The district made the payment a month late, and the complaint was dismissed with prejudice in March. A complaint filed in May 2022 says the school board broke Ohio Open Meetings Laws when it did not take proper meeting minutes and went into executive session without giving a reason at several meetings in 2021 and 2022. The district agreed to some fault in the matter and agreed to pay court costs for the case when it was dismissed with prejudice in March. A case filed in October of 2019 regarding the nearly $23 million Anderson High School renovation project is still being litigated, according to court records. Aggressive Construction Inc. claims the district improperly terminated its contract. Forest Hills failed to obtain necessary construction permits, which caused delays, according to the suit. Then Forest Hills hired another construction company to speed up the process, which ended up backfiring and causing even more delays. The case was supposed to go to a jury trial last summer, then was moved to this summer, and now has moved again to April 2024. Another complaint, filed in July of 2020, is connected to a 2018 vehicle crash involving a Forest Hills school bus, which resulted in multiple injuries. The parties reached a settlement in October. There is also a federal lawsuit still pending against the school board. It was filed last June after the board approved a "culture of kindness" resolution that bans discussions of race, diversity and critical race theory (which educators say is not taught in K-12 schools). West Clermont superintendent says personnel issues can be costly West Clermont Local Schools had the third-highest legal expenses per pupil about $30 per student. In total, the district spent more than $230,000 since last June. Natasha Adams, superintendent of West Clermont Schools, said the district recently completed several construction projects and is finalizing contracts with new vendors, sponsors and co-partners. Those contracts need to be negotiated from scratch or reviewed by legal counsel. "These are necessary up-front costs to establish strong contracts that will protect our school district moving forward. In some instances, such contracts may actually generate money or other benefits for our District," Adams wrote in an email to The Enquirer. But a school district's legal spending is not linear, she wrote. Legal expenses vary significantly from year to year depending on labor and personnel issues and other circumstances. "A school district may carefully vet job applicants and diligently train their employees and still encounter a year that results in a much higher than normal number of contested employee discipline referrals," Adams wrote. When labor unions challenge districts, it can be costly. And sometimes, Adams said, districts need to shell out for legal fees in order to replace underperforming employees with teachers who better serve students. "I believe this is money well-spent," she wrote. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How much money did Forest Hills Schools spend on legal fees last year? Psychdelics such as LSD, ketamine and psilocybin, used by therapists to assist in the treatment of certain mental illnesses, could receive billions for state-funded research under a newly proposed bond initiative. Dr. Jeannie Fontana, a Los Angeles internal medicine physician, filed paperwork last month to place a $5 billion measure on the November 2024 ballot to create a new state agency for studying the effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy for people diagnosed with PTSD, substance abuse and other mental health issues. The Treat California Initiative an acronym for Treatments, Research, Education, Access and Therapies has a long way to go before it qualifies for a ballot, including the collection of approximately 1 million signatures from California voters. Yet, Fontana feels optimistic about gathering the necessary support. Our mental health programs are falling far, far short of what needs to be done for the citizens of California, she said. It makes sense that we try something new and make sure we do it thoughtfully and carefully. Research into psychedelic medicine began in earnest in the 1950s following the discovery of LSD. But that came to a screeching halt in the 1960s due to growing political concern over the recreational use of psychedelics. Over the past 20 years, there has been a renewed and growing interest in the therapeutic potential of drugs like MDMA, LSD, ketamine and psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms. Studies over the last decade have found that psilocybin has the potential to treat substance abuse disorders and depression. MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, has shown promise for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. The Food and Drug Administration in 2019 approved limited use of Esketamine, a form of ketamine, for depression in patients who did not experience relief from other antidepressant medicines. Paul Hutson, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies psilocybin and leads the schools center for psychedelics research, said he anticipates within the next five years there will be enough evidence for the FDA to approve MDMA and psilocybin to treat PTSD and depression. Story continues What makes psychedelic-assisted therapy unique is that studies are showing that the drugs appear to have long-lasting effects after just one or a few doses, as compared to daily antidepressant consumption. These types of medicines really represent a paradigm shift in the way we approach mental health, said Dr. David Olson, director of the UC Davis Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics. The barriers around psychedelics and mental health treatment The federal government does not recognize a medical use for most psychedelics. Yet, universities across the globe, including almost every prominent one in California, are studying their use to treat certain psychiatric diagnoses. Most of the research is funded by private pharmaceutical companies and nonprofits such as the Santa Cruz-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, which has raised over $130 million for research and education since it was founded in 1986, according to its website. The state agency and funding model proposed under Fontanas bond measure would be the first of its kind for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Fontana envisions an agency similar to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which was established through a $3 billion bond measure approved by voters in 2004 to accelerate research into stem cell treatments. With those funds drying up, California voters in 2020 agreed to an additional $5.5 billion in bonds to further the Institutes work. The research conducted on psychedelic-assisted therapy is strong but not yet conclusive, according to Charles Grob, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. Grob, who first conducted his first research on patients in the early 90s, said a new state agency could help strengthen the science around the topic and guard against dangerous outcomes. More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. are living with a mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fontana sees her initiative as complementary to a $4.7 billion bond measure proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to build up to 10,000 new behavioral health beds across California. Newsoms measure is expected to go before voters in March. While some hope that psychedelics could soon be part of the states official medicine cabinet, they wont be the answer for all of those afflicted. For people diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, psychedelics may actually worsen their condition. Some studies have also found adverse outcomes from the use of certain psychedelics. Ibogaine, a natural psychedelic drug that comes from a plant, has shown promising results for treating substance abuse but it caused heart damage and deaths to several patients. Theres certainly ample promise to move forward with research, but one really needs to be careful with safety parameters, Grob said. Psychedelic treatment is time-consuming and costly. It typically consists of an initial exam, a supervised dosing session of about eight hours sometimes with an overnight stay and then a debrief session. All told, a single dose requires 32 to 40 hours from trained mental health practitioners and is estimated to cost $3,000-$8,000, according to Hutson. In addition to cost, two major barriers to broad access are a lack of trained health care professionals and uncertainty around whether insurance will pay for the expensive treatments. Will California voters fund psychedelic treatment research? Fontana is hoping to gather support from veteran groups and unions representing first responders populations especially vulnerable to addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. The initiative comes as a bill authored by Senator Scott Wiener, D- San Francisco, makes its way through the legislature with hopes of decriminalizing psychedelics across the Golden State. More than six out of ten registered U.S. voters support legalizing regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics and more than three-quarters favor making it easier for researchers to study the substances, according to a recently released survey by the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. If successful, Fontanas measure will join a crowded 2024 general election ballot in California. Lawmakers have proposed nearly a dozen bond measures to address statewide issues ranging from affordable housing and schools to climate change and fentanyl use. Other citizen-led initiatives proposed for ballots next year seek to expand rent control, limit the ability of lawmakers in California to increase taxes and authorize city and county leaders to spur more housing production by overriding state land use statutes that conflict with local regulations. Two referendums one to reverse a recent voter-approved ban on oil and gas wells near schools and homes and another to prevent a hike in minimum wages for fast food workers have already qualified for the November ballot. Boston Borough Council is set to give the go-ahead to plans to accommodate four refugee Afghan families in town, as part of a 1.1m newbuild scheme. Costing between 1,084,920 and 1,142,700, the five-home project is part-financed by the government, who will provide a grant of 471,950. The council says the properties could be used as temporary accommodation for homeless families in the longer term. Thousands fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Those Afghans who helped British and US armed forces have since been offered refuge by the UK government. The Boston housing scheme is part of the council's continuing commitment to support them. Four properties will be reserved for Afghan households, while the outstanding property will be used as general, temporary accommodation by the council to meet wider housing needs. "For the purposes of clarity, the scheme is not aimed at households who have arrived in the UK illegally, outside of government-sponsored resettlement schemes," the council report states. The council will need to contribute up to 670,750 from its own coffers, if the project is agreed by council leaders at a meeting on Wednesday. The homes would be made available to the families by end of March 2024. Once the properties are vacated by the Afghan families, the homes will then be made available for other local homeless families needing temporary accommodation, the council says - potentially reducing further council costs. "The scheme will provide housing that the council can utilise for other needs over the longer term... which has the potential to bring about cost avoidance benefits for the council," the report concludes. Boston Borough Council has previously agreed a 1.6m scheme to build eight homes for seven Ukrainian refugee families and one Afghan refugee family. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. A look inside the renovated church. Brian Ellis Sales Team Sacred Hearts Church was built in Ontario, Canada, in 1888, but it sat dormant on a half-acre of land. Jonathon Harmer and Lynn Perreault of Harper and Co. spent two years renovating the property after purchasing it in 2018. The house has 26-foot-high ceilings, a second-story loft, and refurbished pews. When Sacred Heart Church in Princeton, Ontario, hit the market in 2018, Lynn Perreault and Jonathon Harmer said it was "love at first sight." "This church was begging us to save it," the owners of the home-decor business Harper and Co. told Insider in an email. Sacred Heart Church was built in 1888 in the Princeton community in Ontario, Canada. Harper and Co./Brian Ellis Sales Team That November Perreault and Harmer purchased the church and began plans to revamp it into a single-dwelling home. The church had been relatively unused for 10 years, and the white front doors looked distressed but that was part of the building's charm. Inspired by the front doors' chipped paint, the pair dubbed their renovation "The Chippy Church Journey" and documented the two-year process on Facebook. In March 2021, the renovated home went viral on TikTok, where realtor Brian Ellis who sold the property for $ $954,798 ($1.2 million CAD) shared videos of the sprawling property. The pair incorporated many of the church's original features into the new home, which has three bedrooms and three bathrooms built on 3,589 square feet of living space. There's an original church pew in the foyer. Brian Ellis Sales Team The double-door entry leads to the home's foyer, where the reclaimed wood ceilings are just over 11 feet tall and include nostalgic remnants of the church. "Many of our fixtures, such as the existing church hanging lights, were refurbished by myself," Perreault said. She added that the lights were handcrafted by a past church member. Perreault and Harmer refurbished some of the church pews, and placed one of them in the foyer under a coatrack. The church's pews were removed and donated to members of the community. Jonathon Harmer and Lynn Perreault removed several rows of pews. Harper and Co. Part of the renovation involved ripping out old red carpet and removing rows of pews. Instead of discarding the pews they didn't refurbish, Perreault and Harmer found homes for them in the local community. Story continues "Our church pews were sold to the congregation members who had sat in these pews since they were children," they said. The main room combines the kitchen, living room, and dining room into an open-plan concept. An overhead shot of the home's kitchen, dining room, and living room. Brian Ellis Sales Team Perreault and Harmer told Insider that they salvaged nearly all of the original structure during the renovation. The home has kept its Ponderosa pine floors, wainscotting, and some of the original wooden trusses across the ceiling. The living room's ceilings are 26 feet high, and the kitchen has a 13-foot-long island. The space is open plan. Brian Ellis Sales Team According to the home listing, the kitchen has notable features like leathered granite countertops, a walk-in pantry, and a 13-foot-long island. The island is made of a reclaimed material that was initially an 1895 hardware-store counter from Harmer's hometown of Drumbo, Ontario. A church pew was made into a hood vent cover over the stove, and there's a handcrafted bar near the stairs to the loft. Perreault and Harmer partially converted the former sanctuary into a second-story loft. The second-story loft functions as a multipurpose room. Brian Ellis Sales Team A winding staircase in the home leads to a multifunctional office space decorated with checkered floor tiles and an original light fixture. The master bedroom was also built into the former sanctuary space, and is located on the first floor near the back of the home. The entrance to the master bedroom. Brian Ellis Sales Team Two double doors open into the master bedroom and a five-piece, en suite bathroom. There's ample space in the master bedroom. A photo of the home's master bedroom. Brian Ellis Sales Team The main bedroom has double closets and overhead storage spots. The master bathroom includes a vintage chandelier and sinks. The master bathroom. Brian Ellis Sales Team The church's original front doors from 1888 were relocated to the master bathroom. The bathroom also has two vintage sinks from the 1970s, an original 1960s vanity, a chandelier dating to the 1940s, a soaker tub, a towel heater, and a glass shower. On the other side of the home, a staircase leads to another upstairs area with more bedrooms. One of the bedrooms in the home. Brian Ellis Sales Team In addition to the master bedroom and a "bonus room" on the first floor, there are two additional bedrooms upstairs and a hangout spot. Outside, there's a 2,000-square-foot workshop a new addition to the property. The workshop and yard. Brian Ellis Sales Team The workshop was built this year and has a wide-open upper level. A fire pit flanked by Adirondack chairs sits in the yard nearby. People from Thailand to Florida have expressed interest in the $1.2 million home since it hit the market. This home is being sold for $1.2 million. Brian Ellis Sales Team When the dream house hit the market, Ellis said that locals and people from as far as Thailand, California, and Florida have inquired about the property. "I've seen it done with other churches and schoolhouses, and sometimes it's not done very well," Ellis said, speaking of renovations. "Here, it's done immaculately it's a work of art." Read the original article on Insider Total COVID-19 hospital admissions jumped by 12.1 percent in the past week, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking the highest jump in admissions since last winter. This weeks hospital admission rate follows last weeks rise of more than 10 percent. While this data suggests more infections, a metric the CDC does not track anymore, it remains unclear how concerned people should be. While hospital admissions have risen by more than 10 percent in each of the past two weeks, the number of patients currently hospitalized has risen by a comparatively smaller degree. Compared with last week, the number of patients hospitalized for COVID this week rose by 7 percent to 6,121. Deaths due to COVID-19 have also not changed in recent weeks as hospital admissions have risen. The most recent wastewater surveillance data from July found that the majority of sites in the U.S. are seeing lower levels of the COVID-19 virus. Only 7 percent of sites are reporting levels between 60 and 100 percent, encompassing the two highest categories of viral wastewater detection. The number of sites reporting data has been declining since June, but the majority are still providing information. Pfizer sees revenue for COVID products fall, expects new booster authorized this month It has been almost three months since the public health emergency for COVID-19 expired and life has largely returned to pre-pandemic rhythms for the majority of people. After three years of living with COVID-19, a small surge in cases during the summer may be a new norm to get used to. We have had a summer wave of COVID for the last few summers and so its not surprising to see an increase in COVID right now, Jill Rosenthal, director of public health policy at the Center for American Progress, told The Hill. A smaller summer wave of COVID cases has been observed each year since the very start of the outbreak. Coronavirus cases began to climb in mid-June of 2020 after having previously plateaued for a few weeks. A larger surge began around July 2021, and cases remained elevated throughout May and August of last year. Story continues Many people rightly associate increases in respiratory viral infections to colder weather, when people are driven indoors and transmission more easily occurs in smaller spaces with less air flow. But the warmer weather comes with its own factors that encourage behaviors that could lead to more infections. Just as colder weather drives people indoors, warmer weather invites people to go outside, let their guards down and gather together. This urge to be outside is perhaps even stronger with the official end of the public health emergency. The summer also sees higher rates of travel, which may be spreading viruses like COVID faster than they normally would. A survey from Forbes found that half of consumers said they planned to travel more in 2023, and 45 percent said they were budgeting to spend more on travel this year. And while people may be spending more time outdoors, Rosenthal noted that extreme heat also drives vulnerable populations, such as homeless people, to public indoor cooling centers where crowding could be worse and infections spread more easily. Speaking on heat waves and COVID, Rosenthal said, Theres an indirect link between the two. She noted that some people also believe in the myth that ambient heat and sunlight can eradicate the coronavirus, leading them to be less cautious in public. While UVC rays have been found to help reduce microbes in the air, the American Academy of Dermatology has previously pointed out that the atmosphere blocks those rays from reaching the Earths surface. At the same time as hospital admissions are rising, officials are working on efforts to prevent a major surge later in the year. Federal health authorities are currently preparing for a fall vaccine campaign this year, the first that will mimic a normal flu shot campaign. Both Moderna and Pfizer have filed for FDA authorization of their respective shots updated to protect against the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gail Robinson, 68, holds up her bright red stop sign and safely leads students heading to Thomas Middle School across a busy intersection at Arlington Heights Road and Thomas Street on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/ChicagoTribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Niles trustees last week approved a contract with Andy Frain Services to provide school crossing guards in the village, and a Police Department spokesman said the plan calls for having local schools pay for their share of the costs. One local citizens group is objecting to the idea, however. Village police recommended the change, which follows a trend around the north and northwest suburbs, saying it would redirect resources currently devoted to crossing guards to other public safety programs. Advertisement The cost of the contract with Aurora-based Andy Frain is $147,311. A June 27 memo from the police department to village leaders states that it costs the department about $103,000 to run the program in-house. Deputy Chief of Police Nicholas Zakula said in an email to Pioneer Press that the department plans to bill schools and school districts by crossing. He said the contract with Andy Frain covers 12 crossing guards, meaning the village would invoice crossings at $12,275.91 each. That would cover the $147,311 cost of the Andy Frain contract. Advertisement Niles taxpayers also pay taxes to public school districts. According to a memo from the police department, the department currently employs 14 crossing guards at six public and private schools throughout the village. East Maine School District 63s Gemini School also has two traffic aides who are not covered under the new arrangement with Andy Frain, Zakula said. Current crossing guards were able to apply to work with Andy Frain, Zakula said. All were part-time, non-unionized employees. The department said using Andy Frain for crossing guard services would let them reallocate resources to other department initiatives and ensure that crossings were consistently staffed. Local activist group the Niles Coalition has organized a letter-writing campaign in opposition to the change. Shifting the burden to school taxing districts could lead to increased expenses for residents without clear benefits, the group said on its website, asking residents to write to the village. According to the webpage associated with the groups campaign, residents had sent 216 letters opposing the change to the village as of July 31. Its unclear how improving services and ensuring the safety of local students is burdensome, Zakula said. Additionally, by invoicing the schools (and school) districts, the cost of the program will be spread among all the communities that feed into the schools/districts, not just Niles residents. Advertisement Police also said that maintaining the program adds stress to the Niles Police Departments School Resource Officer and other members of the department who cover for absent crossing guards. The village first considered outsourcing its crossing guards to Andy Frain in August 2022, according to village documents. Zakula said the village advised schools and school districts of the potential change at that time. Niles is one of several municipalities making the move to privatize its crossing guards. Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Skokie, Evanston, Glenview, and Wheeling also use Andy Frain for crossing services, Zakula said. District 63 includes portions of Glenview, Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove and Des Plaines; Park Ridge-Niles Community School District 64 includes Park Ridge and portions of Niles. Park Ridge cited similar resourcing pressures when it moved to outsource its crossing guard service to Andy Frain over the winter. The change met mixed reception among the private schools and public school districts with whom the city asked to share the costs of the program. Mary, Seat of Wisdom and St. Paul of the Cross School each offered to pay $4,000 as their contribution to the program. St. Andrews Lutheran School representatives said the school could not afford to contribute. Maine Township High School District 207 and District 64 each agreed to help pay for the program, the latter after some back and forth with the city. Advertisement District 64 spokesperson Chris Lilly said in an email to Pioneer Press that the Niles Police Department staffs three intersections for the school district, which has buildings in Niles. We are working through what the recent Niles decision means for us, but as with any financial decision, it will have to be approved by the Board (of Education) first, Lilly said. East Maine School District 63 spokesperson Janet Spector Bishop said the district has historically paid the village of Niles about $36,000 annually for crossing guards, Bishop said. Officials from St. John Brebeuf School and Niles School District 71, which includes Culver School, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Pioneer Press. Another school week had just begun at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis when Orlando Harris, armed with a recently purchased AR-15-style rifle and 600 rounds of ammunition, burst into the building with a declaration: You are all going to die! Harris, a 19-year-old graduate of the school, opened fire that morning in October, killing Alexzandria Bell, 15, and Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old physical education teacher. More than half a dozen others were injured before the police fatally shot the gunman in a third-floor room where he had barricaded himself. Harris had struggled with mental health issues so severe that his family had him committed more than once, triggering an automatic rejection on the federal background check system when he tried to purchase a gun at a licensed dealer 16 days before the shooting. But Missouri is one of 29 states that have no background check requirement for private sales. So, Harris found a weapon by browsing the online site Armslist. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Federal law requires background checks only for purchases made through the approximately 80,000 businesses that sell, ship, import or manufacture weapons licensed through the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Unlicensed private sellers, by contrast, can legally sell their wares at gun shows, out of their houses and, increasingly, through online platforms such as Armslist that match buyers with sellers. The growing digital loophole is causing alarm among gun-control advocates, and some of those whose relatives were targeted with powerful weapons purchased with relative ease online. Its not like selling a car radio, Alexzandrias father, Andre Bell, said in an interview. Its a gun. But the regulatory landscape might be changing. Senate Democrats, long blocked in their attempts to require universal background checks, negotiated a provision into the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law last year, that is expected to vastly increase the number of background checks in the unregulated gun market. Story continues The regulations required to put the new law into effect expected to be released soon would require anyone who earns a profit from selling firearms to obtain a federal license and conduct background checks. Previously, dealers were required to join the federal system only if they derived their chief livelihood from selling weapons. Failing to register carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The new measure is an attempt for the first time to regulate dealers such as Armslist, Florida Gun Trader and GunBroker.com, an online marketplace responsible for selling tens of thousands of guns in the United States every year. In March, President Joe Biden included swift implementation of the provision in an executive order on gun policy. Senior officials from the Justice Department and the ATF have been working closely with the White House to draft the regulations, targeting the second half of 2024. The regulations will set a threshold number of transactions that would define a dealer; gun-control groups hope to see it at five sales a year or lower. The rules will be backed up by a renewed push to prosecute businesses that refuse to register, by accessing bank records, storage unit leases and other expenses associated with running an off-the-books gun business. While the law does not include any explicit reference to online gun sales, legislators say it is their best chance to impose minimal safeguards on the rapidly growing percentage of sales that occur through internet retailers. Most people still think that the majority of unlicensed dealers are operating at gun shows, but thats really a passe idea, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a longtime proponent of strict gun control. The real area of growth in firearms sales are online sales through sites likes Armslist. A Craigslist for Guns Armslist, the best-known of the online gun-trading posts, was founded in 2007 by two college students from the Pittsburgh area looking to fill a market niche created when Craigslist banned firearms sales. From the start, the companys business model did not involve actually selling guns, but instead creating a virtual marketplace. Visitors are asked to attest that they are older than 21, that they will indemnify the company for damages and that they will not use Armslist for any illegal purpose. There is no specific mention of disqualifying factors under federal law, such as a criminal record, involuntary commitment to a mental institution, a history of domestic abuse or drug use. The site receives no cut from sales. Its founders initially intended to sell advertising, but the company has gradually switched from a free, ad-based platform to a pay-to-sell model based on premium memberships of $6.99 to $30 a month, referring on its website to the never-ending legal assaults on Armslist that it says has made the site harder to keep afloat. One of those legal cases involved the family of a Chicago police commander, Paul Bauer, a 31-year veteran of the department. On the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2018, Bauer chased Shomari Legghette a felon described by his own lawyer as a long time drug dealer who routinely wore body armor and carried a gun to protect himself into a stairwell. Legghette drew a 9-mm Glock and fired a fatal volley of bullets into the officers head, neck and chest. The gun was traced to an Armslist post in 2017 and a prolific vendor on the platform: Thomas Caldwell, a military veteran from Wisconsin who, according to court documents, described his obsession with selling firearms as an addiction. The Glock was one of 13 weapons sold by Caldwell that law enforcement authorities recovered at crime scenes. (The gun used to kill Bauer was initially sold to someone else and eventually found its way into Legghettes hands.) In September 2018, Caldwell pleaded guilty to engaging in the business of selling guns without a license one of a small number of such cases brought even before the change in the law and was sentenced to just over three years in prison. In an email, Caldwell did not address his own role but criticized the judge in his case, James D. Peterson, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, for having what he viewed as an anti-gun bias. Hanging judge just didnt care as long as the left-wing radicals won, he wrote. Numerous crimes have been linked to guns purchased through Armslist, among them the 2018 fatal shooting of a woman by her estranged husband near Appleton, Wisconsin; a 2012 mass shooting at a spa in Brookfield, Wisconsin; and the 2011 murder of a woman in the Chicago area. None of the purchasers underwent a background check. Imagine if the TSA had two lines for security one where you are screened and one where you arent, said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, which has pushed to close the private sales loophole. Many lawsuits targeting Armslist have been dismissed. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit upheld the prior dismissal of two suits one brought by Bauers family in Wisconsin. The court found that Armslist was not liable because it was not an arms dealer, but a marketplace. Jonathan Gibbon, who runs Armslist, did not respond to requests for an interview. But he noted in a legal motion in 2019 that users of the site might have legitimate reasons for avoiding federally licensed dealers, including convenience and the philosophical issue of asking for governmental approval to buy a gun. In a recent podcast, Gibbon urged his users to narc on actual criminals they discovered on the site. A Variety of Private Gun Markets A majority of weapons sold by unlicensed gun dealers never end up being used in crimes. Nobody knows for certain how many guns are sold outside the background check system. Many recent mass shootings have involved guns bought with background checks through federally licensed dealers. From 1966 to 2019, 77% of the suspects in mass shootings lawfully obtained some of their weapons, according to a survey compiled by the National Institute of Justice. And many unregulated sales still take place offline. Some are decidedly low-tech. In May, a federal jury in Pennsylvania convicted an Amish dairy farmer named Reuben King of engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license after he sold nine guns to undercover investigators. His sales floor was a barn on his property. Law enforcement authorities discovered around 600 long guns, many marked with price tags, arrayed on tables. His lawyer, Joshua G. Prince, said that King mostly sold to other Amish people who could not buy from licensed dealers because their faith precluded them from sitting for the photographs needed to obtain the requisite government-issued ID. Prince argued unsuccessfully that the government had not established a bright line differentiating a casual trader from a profit-seeking dealer. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives brings a relatively small number of such cases each year. And even with the new changes to the law, prosecutors still have to prove that dealers willfully operated an illegal business, and they have been reluctant to seek indictments unless the evidence is overwhelming. One recent example: In 2021, agents served Armani Morris, an unlicensed gun dealer operating from a city south of Dallas, with a cease-and-desist letter. He read it, but said he did not want to sign it. In January, Morris pleaded guilty to running an illegal gun business and was sentenced to more than four years in prison after prosecutors presented evidence that he spent about $24,500 to purchase more than 50 firearms to resell for profit including a 9-mm pistol equipped with a mechanism that allows it to operate as a machine gun. Where to Draw the Line? Tom Chittum, a former top ATF official, said there were risks to drawing bright lines around the number of sales an unlicensed dealer could make, which might encourage illegal dealers to scatter sales through surrogates moving three or four guns a year. Others, including Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who drafted the provision in the 2022 law, are pressing the Biden administration to set a low, specific threshold. Everybody agrees those people should have to perform background checks, he said. But laws are only as effective as their enforcement. What is remarkable about the school shooting in St. Louis is not just what went wrong, but what went right. On Oct. 8, about two weeks before he attacked the school, Harris was stopped from buying a gun at a licensed shop in St. Charles, just outside the city, the police said. Harris was listed in a prohibited category in the federal background check system: Adjudicated mental defective/committed to a mental institution. His status was entered into the system in December 2021, according to three senior law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Harris family had had him committed on occasion for mental health problems, the investigators said, one of the most common reasons for halting gun purchases during background checks. It was at this point that Harris turned to Armslist, according to two of the senior officials, where he arranged to buy a semi-automatic rifle; the seller was not required under Missouri law to screen him, and the person was cleared of any wrongdoing. A lawyer for Armslist did not comment on the incident. The authorities had one final opportunity to stop Harris. On Oct. 15, his mother, having discovered that her son had managed to obtain a gun, contacted the police. The officers who responded removed the weapon. But the police held onto it for only about 48 hours, one of the senior officials said. A police spokesperson told reporters days after the shooting that the police had returned the gun to an unidentified adult known to the family who was lawfully able to possess it. By that time, the police should have been aware that Harris was barred under federal law from buying or possessing a weapon. The FBI had sent local authorities, including the police in St. Louis, a required notification that Harris had failed the federal background check, with a boilerplate recommendation that the police contact the ATF if any further action was required, according to law enforcement officials. Somehow, the rifle ended up in Harris hands again. Following the attack, a Police Department spokesperson said officers had returned the gun because they had no legal authority to even temporarily confiscate it. Missouri has no red flag law allowing relatives or law enforcement to seek a court order to prevent an individual experiencing a mental health crisis from accessing firearms. Missouri does prohibit people currently adjudged mentally incompetent from possessing a gun. But it is unclear whether the police who recently declined to discuss details of the case, citing an ongoing investigation contemplated using that statute. Joe Kuczka, a son of the teacher killed in the shooting, said Harris family had apparently tried to do the right thing. They knew he had a mental health problem and tried to get the gun away from him, he said. But it didnt work. c.2023 The New York Times Company A four-count federal indictment against Donald Trump accuses the former president of conspiring with his allies to overturn the results of a democratic election and deprive Americans of their constitutional rights in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Mr Trump knew he had lost the election but continued to pursue efforts to remain in power, including the so-called alternate elector scheme to fraudulently certify the results submitted to Congress, according to federal prosecutors. A detailed, 45-page federal indictment on 1 August outlines three criminal conspiracies and Mr Trumps alleged obstruction of the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election, a multi-state scheme built on a legacy of lies and conspiracy theories to undermine the democratic process. The indictment also lists six unnamed co-conspirators who are likely to include Trump-connected attorneys and former administration officials and advisers. Charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Obstruction of an official proceeding The crime of obstruction of an official proceeding has already been brought against hundreds of people in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021. The House select committee and a federal judge who was involved in cases stemming from its inquiry previously argued that there is evidence that Mr Trump sought to corruptly obstruct the certification of electoral college votes in Congress a crime punishable up to 20 years in prison, if convicted. Then-President Trump exploited the violence at the Capitol, fuelled by his ongoing and baseless narrative that the election was stolen from him, by calling on lawmakers to pause the certification of the election results, according to the indictment. Conspiracy to defraud the United States That same federal judge and the House select committee also have argued that there is evidence to convict Mr Trump on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the government, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. Story continues Mr Trumps efforts through his legal team and his inner circle to block the certification of Mr Bidens victory in states that he lost, while falsely claiming widespread voter fraud and manipulation had stolen the election from him, form the basis for that charge in the federal indictment against him. The former president also is charged under this statute in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, where he is accused of using a lawyer to lie to the US Department of Justice. The illegality of the plan was obvious, California Judge David O Carter wrote in a ruling from a civil lawsuit involving John Eastman, who was central to the so-called alternate electors scheme. Mr Trump, ignoring the nations history of the peaceful transition of power, vigorously campaigned for the vice president to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election, the judge wrote. The indictment outlines Mr Trumps efforts to push election officials in battleground states that he lost Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to subvert election outcomes, then advance a bogus alternate elector scheme to transmit false slates of electors to Congress. On 18 July, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel charged 16 fake electors in that state, marking the first criminal charges brought against so-called alternate electors who sought to overturn 2020 results. Mr Trump then leveraged the Justice Department to promote the scheme and pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to fraudulently alter the elections outcome by rejecting the results on January 6, according to the indictment. Conspiracy against rights A crime of conspiracy against rights invokes Section 241 of Title 18 of US Code, a law that dates back to bedrock civil rights protections in the Reconstruction era in the aftermath of the Civil War. It carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. It was among criminal codes under the Enforcement Acts, also known as the Ku Klux Klan Acts, designed to protect Americans civil rights enshrined under then-newly enacted 13th, 14th and 15th amendments allowing the federal government to protect the rights of enfranchised Black people to vote, hold office, serve on juries and receive equal protection under the law. Section 241 criminalizes conspiracies to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person from exercising such rights. But it does not require a conspiracy to be successful to prosecute. Prosecutors also dont have to prove intentional racist discrimination. The Defendant has a right, like every American, to speak publicly about the election and even to claim, falsely, that there had been outcome-derivative fraud during the election and that he had won, according to the indictment. Mr Trump was entitled to formally challenge the results of the election through lawful and appropriate means, such as by seeking recounts or audits of the popular vote in states or filing lawsuits challenging ballots, the document states. Indeed, in many cases, [Mr Trump] did pursue these methods of contesting election results all of which were uniformly unsuccessful, prosecutors wrote. But each of these conspiracies built on the widespread mistrust [Mr Trump] was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraud targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government, according to the indictment. HalfPoint/Westend61 GmbH/Newscom Groups sue over Illinois and Vermont laws targeting limited-service pregnancy centers. An Illinois measure signed into law last week subjects crisis pregnancy centers to penalties and fines if they employ "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" to entice people in or to dissuade women from using emergency contraception or getting abortions. The law (S.B. 1909) is being pushed as a fraud deterrence measure. But opponents fear that it will "chill and silence pro-life speech under the guise of 'consumer protection,'" as Peter Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation for the Thomas More Society, said in a statement. Breen himself is misleading when he says "politicians are targeting these ministries with $50,000 fines and injunctions solely because of their pro-life viewpoint." The real concern is these pro-life centers misrepresenting the services they offer (for instance, by purporting to be clinics offering a full range of reproductive care while actually existing to convince pregnant women not to terminate pregnancies) or misrepresenting staff's medical credentials while spreading false information about the effects of abortions on womenboth tactics some crisis pregnancy centers have been slammed for in the past. But I'm skeptical that the state couldn't go after any fraudulent practices by pregnancy centers under existing laws, and I share Breen's concerns that this measure will be used to target speech. The law's scope is broad, barring not just "deception" and "fraud" from "limited service pregnancy centers" but also "false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation," as well as "the concealment, suppression, or omission of any material fact." This gives the state a lot of leeway to go after pro-life pregnancy centers for all sorts of marketing tactics, attempts at persuasion, or statements that blur the line between opinion and fact. Story continues And pro-choice politicians have a history of targeting crisis pregnancy centers in overbroad and overzealous ways. For instance, last year, 21 Democratic senators asked Google to "limit the appearance" of anti-abortion pregnancy centers in search results for abortion. And California passed a law in 2015 forcing such centers to notify patients about state services, including abortion, for low-income pregnant women. The law was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. The Thomas More Society is now suing over the Illinois law. A complaint filed July 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeks to stop the state's attorney general from enforcing it. The complaint was filed on behalf of several Illinois pregnancy centers and pro-life groups as well as the Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). Breen said that the state has "not had cause to take legal action against pregnancy help centers, using the tools of the law that were already available." And according to Breen, a Freedom of Information Act request filed by his group showed that "the Attorney General has received zero complaints from members of the public against an Illinois Pregnancy Help Center for alleged violations of the Deceptive Business Practices Act." NIFLA is also suing over a Vermont law regarding crisis pregnancy centers. That law, which took effect in May, states that "it is an unfair and deceptive act and practicefor any limited-services pregnancy center to disseminate or cause to be disseminated to the public any advertising about the services or proposed services performed at that center that is untrue or clearly designed to mislead the public about the nature of services provided." The NIFLA lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and plaintiffs also include two pregnancy care centers. Vermont's law "suppresses the free-speech rights of faith-based pregnancy centers," said ADF Legal Counsel Julia Payne. "The Vermont Legislature specifically didn't apply this law to anyone except for pro-life facilities," Payne told VTDigger. "It doesn't apply to abortion clinics. It doesn't apply to centers that refer for abortion. And so this law is different, because of that viewpoint discrimination." But according to the Vermont Attorney General's Office, the discrepancy is because abortion clinics are already subject to the state's false advertising laws, since they charge a fee for their services. "In the suit, the plaintiffs also call into question the law's provision that only licensed health care providers can provide health care services, information and counselling," notes Vermont Public. "Payne argued that this limits the ability of non-medical centers like Branches to provide 'general pregnancy information, drug store pregnancy tests or counselling about pregnancy options.'" Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark told Vermont Public that "the law prohibits lying and deception in the marketplace. Who would be against that? I look forward to defending this lawsuit for Vermont." FREE MINDS The California Department of Education (CDE) is trying to stop two professors from testifying about COVID-era educational policies. The professors, Sean Reardon and Thomas Dee, were asked to testify on behalf of students who are suing over the state's pandemic education policies. That case is Cayla J. v. State of California. The ACLU is threatening to sue California for violating the First Amendment rights of two professors. The professors want to testify against the State in a case about the disastrous learning loss caused by COVID policies, but are being barred from doing so. The absurd claim is pic.twitter.com/5sQpziiPB5 Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) July 31, 2023 The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California says it will sue the CDE if it won't let the professors testify. "Observers say the dispute has the potential to limit who conducts education research in California and what they are able to study because CDE controls the sharing of nonpublic data," notes EdSource's John Fensterwald. "At issue is a restriction that CDE requires researchers to sign as a condition for their gaining access to K-12 data that is not available to the public. The clause, which CDE is interpreting broadly, prohibits the researcher from participating in any litigation against the department, even in cases unrelated to the research they were doing through CDE." FREE MARKETS State Republicans aren't all abandoning free market economics. In which @RameshPonnuru reminds us that the national conservative types are really an unrepresentative DC-centric, DC-focused faction, at least on economics. In the states, Republicans are still doing free-market conservative things. https://t.co/pL8Sp7xdt2 Ryan Bourne (@MrRBourne) July 31, 2023 "A common claim about Donald Trump's Republican Party" is that "Republicans are well along in the process of jettisoning their old free-market orthodoxy," writes Ramesh Ponnuru at The Washington Post. But in some states, "Republican legislators keep doing what they always do: cutting taxes." "The party has a stronger protectionist wing than it used to, and it has cooled on trade with China especially," suggests Ponnuru. Besides, "the purity of the party's past free-market convictions has also been exaggerated." But "the biggest changes in the party since the 2016 presidential campaign don't have to do with how it thinks about the size and scope of government." FOLLOW-UP Cop who parked squad car on tracks and got woman hit by a train is guilty of reckless endangerment. "A Colorado police officer who put a handcuffed woman in a parked police vehicle that was hit by a freight train has been found guilty of reckless endangerment and assault but was acquitted of a third charge of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter," reports The Denver Post: Jordan Steinke was the first of two officers to go to trial over the Sept. 16, 2022, crash that left Yareni Rios-Gonzalez seriously injured. Steinke testified that she did not know that the patrol car of another officer she was helping was parked on the tracks even though they can be seen on her body camera footage along with two railroad crossing signs. Steinke said she was focused on the threat that could come from Rios-Gonzalez and her pickup truck, not the ground. Reason Roundup covered the incident when it happened back in September 2022. "Rios-Gonzalez stopped her vehicle a little past the railroad tracks when she was pulled over," we noted at the time. "The Platteville cop stopped behind her, on the tracks. He left his car there while detaining Rios-Gonzalez and then continued to leave it parked on the tracks even after she was handcuffed in the back seat, as he and several officers from Fort Lupton searched her car." Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, then 20, was hospitalized with serious injuries including nine broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured sternum, and multiple injuries to the head, back, and legs. NEW: Another point of view from the Platteville Police. "Was she in there?" "Oh my god she was in there" And then later "Was she in there?" "She was in there" "Oh fuck. Oh fuck." This clip has the first min of audio redacted/missing. pic.twitter.com/AvkRQUKLci Jeremy Jojola (@jeremyjojola) September 23, 2022 Thank you for registering! You've unlocked our best deal yet. Unlimited Digital Access $2 FOR 6 MONTHS 1-Time Payment of $2 at Checkout GET THIS DEAL Already a Subscriber? Log in or Activate No Thanks Thank you for registering! You've unlocked our best deal yet. Unlimited Digital Access $2 FOR 6 MONTHS 1-Time Payment of $2 at Checkout GET THIS DEAL Already a Subscriber? Log in or Activate No Thanks Thank you for registering! You've unlocked our best deal yet. Unlimited Digital Access $2 FOR 6 MONTHS 1-Time Payment of $2 at Checkout GET THIS DEAL Already a Subscriber? Log in or Activate No Thanks QUICK HITS The FBI made "inappropriate use" of its foreign surveillance program to spy on U.S. citizens, a White House advisory board says. Reason is launching a new limited-run podcast hosted by Eric Boehm. Why We Can't Have Nice Things looks at "how markets could deliver the goods for consumersif only the government didn't keep getting in the way." A federal judge has temporarily blocked Arkansas from enforcing a law that allowed librarians and booksellers to be criminally charged for allowing minors to access "harmful" material. "Rudy Giuliani, who as Trump's lawyer helped propagate the claim that systematic fraud delivered the White House to Joe Biden, belatedly admitted that he had falsely and repeatedly accused two Georgia election workers of participating in that imaginary conspiracy," reports Reason's Jacob Sullum. Confidence in the U.S. military has hit its lowest level in two decades. "The 20th-century conceit that a technocratic elite should replace politically accountable appointees is based on the myth of disinterested agreement about the 'right kind of civilization,'" writes Virginia Postrel. "A Tennessee man drowned last year as police watched and actively discouraged others from helping the man," notes Reason's Emma Camp. "Now, the man's mother has filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming their negligence caused her son's death." "If you want to experience the full force of the state," writes Casey Newton at Platformer, "to have an army of city administrators descend on you, with speed and ferocity that's easy. Just put up any sort of structure without permission, and wait for them to beat down your door. Elon Musk learned that lesson the hard way on Monday, when the enormous lit-up X he had erected in recent days atop the former Twitter's Market Street headquarters was unceremoniously removed." The post Crisis Pregnancy Centers File Free Speech Suits Over Illinois and Vermont Laws appeared first on Reason.com. Russian passengers were greeted with jeers and heckles when they arrived in Batumi, Georgia. Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images Locals jeered at Russian passengers on a cruise ship in Batumi, Georgia, on two occasions. The ship departed earlier than scheduled on Thursday and later returned to the port on Monday. Georgia has long had tension with Russia about disputed territory and opposition to the Ukraine war. A cruise ship with Russian passengers docked in Batumi, Georgia, was met with jeers from locals who were protesting the Ukraine war and the disputed territories occupied by Russia. The cruise ship Astoria Grande was met with a large protesting crowd when it docked in the Georgian port of Batumi on Thursday and Monday, according to various media reports, including the local outlet Georgia Today. On July 27, the ship was forced to leave Batumi earlier than intended after the protests broke out, Radio Free Europe and Meduza reported. The ship's original departure schedule is unclear. Videos shared by Twitter users on Monday captured chaotic scenes of protesters in Georgia heckling the cruise ship after it arrived for the second time in five days. Helen Khoshtaria, a Twitter user who identifies as a human-rights activist, posted a video on Monday that received more than 39,000 views: "The protest in Batumi continues for about 20th hour now, with more people joining. It will only stop when the Russian cruise ship leaves, hopefully earlier than scheduled." The local media outlet Formula News tweeted a video of protesters on Monday: "Protesters condemn the arrival of Russian cruise ship carrying pop stars and journalists supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the Georgian port city of Batumi." Formula NEWS | English (@FormulaGe) July 31, 2023 A Twitter user called @KShoshiashvili shared pictures of protesters' signs on Monday, with one reading: "We choose Europe, not Russia." Story continues The cruise's Turkish operator, Miray Cruises, told the Russian media outlet RBC that it had no further stops planned for Batumi. Insider could not independently verify the ship's docking schedule. In response to last Thursday's protests, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said: "Proud of our people protesting peacefully the latest russian provocation a Russian cruise liner visiting the Georgian port of Batumi while Putin blocks grain shipments and hinders free navigation in the Black Sea." Zourabichvili was seemingly referring to Russia axing the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal that expired on July 17. The deal previously allowed food to be shipped from Ukrainian ports despite a Russian blockade. A March survey by the International Republican Institute found that Georgians remained sharply opposed to Russian foreign policy. Only 4% of Georgians surveyed said that Russians were welcome in their country after the invasion of Ukraine, and 76% said that Russian aggression against Georgia was still ongoing. The Republic of Georgia exited the Soviet Union in 1991 and has been involved in a frozen conflict with pro-Russia forces about the disputed territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, culminating in Russian occupation of a significant part of Georgian territory in 2008, per the BBC. Georgia's internal-affairs ministry told Insider on Tuesday that 23 people were arrested in connection with the protests. Miray Cruises did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours. August 1, 4:51 p.m.: The story has been updated to include a comment from Georgia's internal-affairs ministry. Read the original article on Business Insider The mystery person behind a $500,000 donation to a super PAC supporting Miami Mayor Francis Suarezs bid for president was revealed in a Monday FEC filing as Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO and cofounder of MoonPay, a Miami-based technology platform for buying and selling crypto currencies. The half-million-dollar contribution to SOS America PAC on Oct. 28, 2022, was reported as made by PassionForest, LLC mirroring the name of an online artificial flower vendor from China. The scant details regarding the source of such a high-value contribution piqued the interest of the Campaign Legal Center, which filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission last week alleging that the PassionForest donation likely violated federal straw donor bans. Federal laws prohibit routing contributions through third-party entities or other people, thus masking the identity of the actual contributor. Following the complaint, the PAC added a memo to a routine filing Monday listing Soto-Wright as the CEO of the company behind the contribution. A spokesperson for Soto-Wright told the Miami Herald that the tech entrepreneur personally donated the $500,000 through PassionForest, LLC, a company solely-owned and controlled by Soto-Wright that has no affiliation with the Chinese vendor of the same name. Even if the donor company is owned entirely by Soto-Wright, Saurav Ghosh, director of federal campaign finance reform at the Campaign Legal Center, said the basis of the FEC complaint remains the same: Straw donor bans were likely violated because the money was given by an individual who funneled it through an LLC en route to the PAC. Really what our complaint was alleging was an LLC made a contribution with money that was not its own money, Ghosh said. The larger issue is this is Ivan Soto-Wrights money. Thats exactly what straw donor schemes look like. Through his representatives, Soto-Wright denied any wrongdoing. Ivan Soto-Wright made a personal contribution consistent with federal campaign finance laws, said Samuel Brown, a partner at Holland & Knight, the law firm used by the tech executive to file his contribution. Story continues The Campaign Legal Center complaint first drew the apparent connection between the PassionForest, LLC that made the political donation and the Chinese Amazon storefront. PassionForest, LLC was incorporated in November 2021 in Delaware, the same week that the online vendor applied for a U.S. trademark. Delaware laws do not require disclosure of the company principals or executives. The spokesperson for Soto-Wright said the complaint was typical politics, likely pushed by an opposing campaign trying to tie Suarez up in several negative news cycles. In its July 31 FEC filing, SOS America noted that Soto-Wrights name was added to the PassionForest contribution because the original filing was missing a partnership attribution. FEC regulations require that contributions from single-member LLCs, like PassionForest, be attributed to the member, not the company. FEC spokesperson Judith Ingram said the commission does not comment on complaints or potential investigations. Neither SOS America nor Suarezs campaign immediately responded to the Heralds request for comment. A spokesperson for the PAC previously said the complaint was nothing more than a political attack and it will be seen for what it is. A former DJ and investment firm founder, Soto-Wright has been a vocal supporter of Suarez since moving to South Florida just before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he sat for a short video interview with the mayor part of a series dubbed cafecito talks in which he espoused the virtues of headquartering a global technology company in Miami. It was great meeting with Mayor @FrancisSuarez yesterday, Soto-Wright tweeted after the interview. We spoke about how Miami is a great fit for @MoonPayHQ and the future of #crypto and work. Lots to be done here! Photo tweeted by MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright (left) after a Cafecito talk with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (right) in February 2021. Twitter In a comment to Refresh Miami, which covers Miami tech and startup news, Suarez described his first meeting with Soto-Wright saying, I immediately understood his energy, his vision, and his intellect. Soto-Wright and other top company executives sold $150 million of MoonPay shares in late 2021, just months before the bottom of the crypto market fell out, according to a report in Fortune.com. He then bought a waterfront mansion in Miami Beach for nearly $40 million. The cryptocurrency executives donation is the among the largest donations received by SOS America, the PAC responsible for launching an AI version of Suarez and a college tuition raffle soliciting one dollar donations in an effort to reach the 40,000 individual donor threshold needed to participated in the Aug. 23 Republican primary debate. A July 31 FEC filing shows SOS America raised nearly $1.3 million so far this year more than $200,000 less than it spent since the beginning of 2023. As of the filing, the PAC holds about $5.6 million in cash on hand. Suarez launched his presidential campaign in June amid controversies over his outside employment, in particular a $10,000 a month consulting agreement with a developer seeking help with permitting, which is currently under state and federal investigation. He is currently polling at far below 1% in national polls, according to FiveThirtyEight. Crystle Stewart, who won Miss USA in 2008, will no longer serve as president of the organization. Eric Jamison/AP Images The Miss Universe Organization announced Crystle Stewart will no longer be president of Miss USA. Stewart took over the pageant in 2020 and was suspended this year following rigging allegations. The Miss Universe Organization said Stewart had been cleared in the investigation. After a chaotic year full of headlines and controversy, big changes are coming to Miss USA. The Miss Universe organization has announced that Crystle Stewart will no longer serve as president of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, a position she has held since November 2020. The Miss Universe Organization said information on the new national director for Miss USA, and more information on this year's pageant, will be released shortly. A representative for Stewart did not immediately respond to Insider's request for further comment. Stewart was suspended from her position in October after more than a dozen Miss USA 2022 contestants claimed that she and her company, Miss Brand, had rigged the pageant in favor of Miss Texas R'Bonney Gabriel, who took home the crown and went on to win Miss Universe in January. R'Bonney Gabriel during the 2022 Miss USA pageant in Reno, Nevada. Finesse Levine In a statement released Tuesday, the Miss Universe Organization said a "thorough and extensive investigation" had found that the rigging allegations "were false." "Sincere gratitude to Crystle and the entire Miss Brand staff and employees for their unwavering cooperation and transparency throughout the entire investigation," the statement read. "Their willingness to provide full assistance and support during that challenging time is a testament to their professionalism and integrity." But, the statement continued, the Miss Universe Organization and Stewart "were unable to reach an agreement as to Crystle and Miss Brand's continuing involvement with Miss USA and the Miss Universe Organization." "Crystle has decided to leverage the success she has had with the Miss USA Organization to pursue other entrepreneurial passions," the statement read. "We wish Crystle, and her team at Miss Brand, all the best and have no doubt that she will excel in this next chapter." Story continues Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel celebrates after winning the 71st Miss Universe competition. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images Stewart and the Miss Universe Organization became consumed in controversy after Gabriel was crowned Miss USA 2022 on October 3. Insider spoke to many of the competing contestants, who pointed to multiple conflicts of interest between Gabriel and Miss USA's national sponsors including Miss Academy, the pageant school owned by Stewart. "A lot of the girls felt like it was the organization's plan from the beginning for R'Bonney to win, no matter who else was competing," Miss Missouri, Mikala McGhee, told Insider at the time. Contestants also told Insider they received no mental health support during the competition, which occurred just months after Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst died by suicide. As the rigging allegations became headline news, it was also revealed that Stewart's husband, Max Sebrechts, had stepped down as vice president of Miss USA after multiple contestants from the 2021 pageant said he had sexually harassed them during the competition. Stewart and Sebrechts at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant on December 8, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Paras Griffin/Getty Images In a statement sent to Insider in October, a spokesperson for Miss Universe said the organization was made aware of the allegations against Sebrechts in late December 2021 and "immediately requested a review." "The Miss USA franchisee, Miss Brand, removed the employee from its organization in January 2022 and new protocols and processes were established and put in place," they added. When Stewart bought the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA licenses in November 2020, she promised to usher in a new era called "Pageantry Reimagined." Crystle Stewart after winning the Miss USA pageant in 2008. Denise Truscello/WireImage Many pageant fans were excited that Stewart the first Black woman to run Miss USA was taking the helm. She was a former Miss USA herself, winning the crown in 2008 while representing Texas, and a former director of the Miss Houston pageant. Stewart told fans in a letter posted on the pageant's website that she wanted to make pageants relevant again after years of flagging ratings and interest. "At the mention of pageants, what comes to mind for most people is a stereotypically slim woman, with big hair and superb polish, but this is not enough for the image of the future," she wrote. "Our mission in reimagining pageantry is to catapult our competitions into the mainstream audience by showing people the confidence and power that pageantry can give to young women." Read the original article on Insider Convicted killer Lori Vallow in a Monday statement expressed her belief that two of her children, Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow, and her husband's first wife, Tammy Daybell all of whom were murdered in 2019 are "happy and busy" in the "spirit world." Vallow, 50, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday for murdering Tylee and J.J. in September 2019 and conspiring to murder Tammy in October 2019. "I have had many communications with Jesus Christ, savior of this world, and our heavenly parents. I have had many angelic visitors have come and communicated with me and even manifested themselves to me because of these communications," Vallow told an Idaho courtroom on Monday during her sentencing hearing. "I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in the spirit world. Because of my communications with my friend, Tammy Daybell, I know that she is also very happy and extremely busy." She added that she has "always mourned the loss" of her "loved ones" and has "lost many in this mortal world" with whom she believes she is still in communication in the spirit world. LORI VALLOW TRIAL: CULT MOM SENTENCED IN MURDERS OF 2 OF HER CHILDREN, HUSBAND'S FIRST WIFE A February psychiatric diagnosis revealed that Vallow suffers from a "delusional disorder" mixed with "hyper-religiosity" and a "continuous and unspecified personality disorder" with narcissistic features, according to District Judge Steven Boyce on Monday. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP LORI VALLOW TRIAL: HEAR CULT MOM, HER SISTER SPEAK AFTER VALLOW'S CHILDREN FOUND DEAD Vallow and her husband, Chad Daybell, who is also charged with murder and conspiracy to murder, met in 2018 at the Preparing a People conference. They bonded over their apocalyptic religious beliefs and shared the idea that they had been married in a past life, FOX 10 Phoenix first reported. Story continues They referred to each other as biblical figures and discussed their beliefs that people can have light or dark spirits some so dark that they could be considered zombies who needed to be removed from Earth, prosecutors said, according to FOX 10. HAWAII POLICE SERVE SUBPOENA TO BIKINI-CLAD LORI VALLOW RELAXING POOLSIDE: VIDEO Tylee and J.J. went missing from their home in Idaho in September 2019, and the couple did nothing to try and find them. The next month, Tammy Daybell died of asphyxiation by homicide, though her death was initially determined to be natural. Lori and Chad Daybell were accused of killing 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old J.J. Vallow in 2019. While J.J. and Tylee were missing, and directly after Tammy's death, Vallow and Daybell married in Hawaii in November of that year. LORI VALLOW CASE: JJ VALLOW'S GRANDMOTHER DOESN'T RECOGNIZE SO-CALLED CULT MOM SMILING OUTSIDE COURT Investigators found the children's bodies in shallow graves on Chad Daybell's Rexburg, Idaho, property in June 2020, months after they disappeared. The 16-year-old's remains were burned while the 7-year-old was bound in duct tape. Vallow is also charged with conspiring to murder her ex-husband, Charles Vallow, in Arizona in 2019 prior to her kids' disappearances and deaths. LORI VALLOW TRIAL: IDAHO CORONER REVEALS JJ VALLOW, TYLEE RYAN'S CAUSES OF DEATH In her statement to the court Monday, Vallow said she "died in the hospital" while she was in labor with her daughter, Tylee. Doctors revived her, at which point she began seeing spirits. Lori Vallow was accused of killing two of her children, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan, her husband's ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, and her ex-husband, Charles Vallow. "One of the times that Tylee came to me as a spirit after she died she said to me, Stop worrying, Mom. We are fine. She knows how I worry and how I miss her," Vallow said. "The first time J.J. visited after he passed away, he put his arm around me, and he said to me, 'You didn't do anything wrong, Mom. I love you. And I know you loved me every minute of my life.' J.J Joshua Jackson was an adult spirit, and he was very, very tall when he put his arm around me. He is busy. He is engaged. He has jobs that he does there. And he is happy where he is." Finally, Vallow said Tammy Daybell has visited her and brought her "peace and comfort." Lori Vallow is shown in a new mugshot taken after her murder conviction. Boyce, who oversaw weeks of testimony in her trial this year, sentenced Vallow to life in prison without parole for five counts, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He also sentenced the so-called "Doomsday mom" to 20 years for grand theft after she tried to steal her children's Social Security benefits after killing them, allegedly with help from Chad Daybell. Prior to his decision, Boyce said Vallow has proven that she feels no remorse for her crimes. "I don't think, to this day, you have any remorse for the effort and heartache you caused," Boyce told Vallow in court on Monday. "Others looked for your children when you knew where they were and knew they were dead. They were found dead, burned, mutilated and dismembered and buried like animals. After you knew they were dead, you collected public-funded assistance payments meant for them, and that was blood money you kept for yourself." The defense team for Lori Vallow who was convicted of killing two of her children does not believe she "actually participated" in the murders. He continued, "[T]he most shocking thing, really, I can imagine is that a mother killed her own children, and you simply have no remorse for it. Even sitting here today, there is no remorse for what you did after all of this evidence through trial. You haven't shown any remorse. You haven't said you're sorry. You haven't done anything to seek leniency from this court." Chad Daybell has yet to face trial for his charges in connection with the murders of Tylee, J.J. and Tammy Daybell. He and Vallow were indicted in late May 2021 on multiple counts each of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, grand theft by deception and first-degree murder related to the deaths of Tylee, J.J. and Tammy Daybell, officials announced at the time. . The city of Akron is hiring a nonprofit organization to negotiate the eradication of millions of dollars of medical debt held by private citizens. In the last meeting before summer recess, Akron City Council unanimously voted Monday to authorize Mayor Dan Horrigan and his staff to enter a contract with RIP Medical Debt. The organization has worked with dozens of cities, counties and other organizations across the Midwest to payoff private medical bills. It was the moment Councilwoman Nancy Holland, who was first made aware of medical debt relief by a group of students at Northeast Ohio Medical University, has been working toward since late last year. Holland, joined by council leadership and Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville, launched a public campaign in March to convince Horrigan of the merits of the plan. Council passed a resolution days later urging the Horrrigan to find unspent federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act to seed the program. The mayor responded by saying hed commit $500,000 to the effort. The legislation passed Monday allows the city to draw up a contract with RIP Medical Debt for that amount, giving the organization enough money to leverage the retirement of up to $50 million in medical debt held by Akron residents and their families. So many people have asked, 'Is this ever going to happen? Councilwoman Holland said Monday. This is one of the biggest causes of becoming unhoused, becoming divorced, becoming bankrupt and sliding into depression and substance abuse issues. So, this is a very big deal, Holland said of the burden of medical debt . For those of you watching and wonder what (happens) next? Holland said to people viewing the council meeting online. You dont have to do anything. How the process will work Finance Director Steve Fricker agreed. This is not something that our individual citizens will sign up for or apply for. So, I just want to be clear about that, he explained. Once the contract is in place, RIP will buy medical debt in bulk in batches without personal information from the citys three major hospitals at a discounted rate. In other municipal deals, the organization founded in 2014 by a former debt collection executive has been able to buy and retire $100 in debt for every dollar its been given to spend. The organization has or is working with Chicago and the county surrounding it, Toledo and Lucas County, Cleveland and Columbus. Story continues In each deal, debt is purchased from the hospitals. Based on federal guidelines tied to the spending of ARPA funds, RIP uses a standard formula to determine eligibility. Individuals and families must hold debt equal to at least 5% of their annual income. And annual income must be no more than four times the federal poverty level, which comes out to about $111,000 for a family of four. The debt holder will not know their medical bills have been paid off until they get a letter saying so. How far will $500,000 go? No one knows the total medical debt held by eligible Akron families. Thats something RIP can typically determine within three to six months of signing negotiating with hospitals after it signs a contract with a local government like the city of Akron, said Fricker. The total debt and negotiating power of RIP will ultimately determine how far the $500,000 goes. It all depends on what the universe of debt that is out there is. Its unclear at this point what percent of the debt will be cleared until they work with the hospitals to see what that debt portfolio is, Fricker said. Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron hires RIP Medical Debt to erase $50 million in medical bills CVS, the fourth-largest U.S. company by revenue, is also among Rhode Island's top employers, with 5,000 to 10,000 jobs. WOONSOCKET Woonsocket-based CVS Health announced Tuesday it plans to lay off 5,000 of its 300,000 employees nationwide. The layoffs will affect jobs mainly at its corporate facilities, and cuts at its stores, pharmacies, clinics and customer-service centers will not be in jobs that deal directly with customers, the company said in a news release. Although the company did not announce the target number for layoffs yesterday, an internal message to employees on Monday said it was 5,000. The health care giant declined to specify how the cuts will affect Rhode Island workers. "At this time, we dont have a regional breakout of job impacts to share, but this decision applies nationally across the company to primarily corporate positions," said a statement from Mike DeAngelis, executive director of corporate communications for the company. As of April, CVS had 60 pharmacy stores in nearly 30 Rhode Island municipalities, as well as 20 corporate facilities spread across five communities in the northern part of the state: Woonsocket, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Cumberland and Lincoln. As of Tuesday morning, the state Department of Labor and Training had not received a "WARN" notice from CVS, according to department spokeswoman Edwine Paul. The federal Worker Adjustment And Retraining Notification Act requires companies to give public notice of its intent to lay off workers. It sets a threshold, depending on the nature of how the jobs are organized. It can be as few as a minimum of 50 at a single work site, up to a minimum of 500 company-wide. "Our industry is evolving to adapt to new consumer health needs and expectations," Tuesday's company statement said. "As part of an enterprise initiative to reprioritize our investments around care delivery and technology, we must take difficult steps to reduce expenses." The company added, "We do not anticipate there will be any impact to our clients and customers as we remain focused on our mission continuing to provide the exceptional care and support our customers, patients and communities deserve and depend on." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: CVS laying off 5,000 Pinellas County will help fund a planned expansion of the Salvador Dali Museum, but for now its contribution will be $9 million less than the St. Petersburg institution had requested. County commissioners on Tuesday voted to put $25 million in tourist-tax funding toward the project, which is designed to add 60,000 square feet of space, most of it focused on education and immersive experiences, to the Dali. The museum had asked for $34 million, half of the expansions total price tag. The countys Tourist Development Council recommended in May that the county fulfill the full request, despite a Visit St. Pete-Clearwater staff report that suggested $25 million in funding. That figure was based on how much they anticipated the expansion boosting the bed-tax revenue that funds projects like the Dali expansion. Several commissioners were wary of dedicating as much money as the Dali is looking for, they said Tuesday, largely because of uncertainty around how the county will have to spend tourism money in the near future. The biggest question mark concerns the replenishment of the countys eroded beaches amid a yearslong standoff between the county and the Army Corps of Engineers. The county has started to consider paths forward that dont involve the Corps, but they would be costly. Meanwhile, its still waiting on requests for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and an overhaul of the Philadelphia Phillies spring training site in Clearwater. County Administrator Barry Burton said Pinellas just brought in a consulting firm to dig deeper into the beach renourishment options, but it will take time. I dont think it should hold off moving forward with some of these projects, he said. An expansion to the Dali has been in the works, in various forms, for several years. In 2019, the County Commission approved $17.5 million toward what was then a $40 million project, much of it focused on parking. But the pandemic hit before work could begin, and the Dali never got any of that money. Story continues Part of our revamping of our request was to create new assets that would appeal to a broader demographic, that would appeal to younger people and people who are not accustomed to going to art museums, the museums executive director, Hank Hine, told commissioners Tuesday. We have adjusted to that because of the problems of the pandemic and cultural shifts, economic shifts in this country. Commissioners acknowledged the money the county had promised for the previous version of the expansion, and none wanted to renege on that, though some were hesitant to offer anything more: Commissioner Chris Latvala said he was prepared to not support anything above $17.5 million. Others signaled a willingness to spend the full $34 million. Commissioner Kathleen Peters suggested funding the project at the level tourism staff had recommended, but allowing the Dali to come back and ask for more once the county figures out what to do about its beaches. Theres no question the Dali is probably one of the very best museums in this country, in my opinion, she said. Its an amazing museum and it does bring people here. Its just not arguable. Peters motion passed 5-2, with Latvala and Dave Eggers voting against it. Doing a scaled-down expansion for a scaled-down cost isnt feasible for the museum, Hine said. The museums builders have told him that site preparation alone will consume about three-quarters of the budget. And he stressed that time was a major factor: Four years on from the countys first funding promise, and two from when the museum started rethinking its expansion, he doesnt want to lose interest from donors. The museum will need them to cover its half or more of the project. Hine said he could accept Peters proposal, given an obvious difficult situation here, but he encouraged commissioners to look at the museum as a sure bet for tourism. We are the bird in hand, he said. Were the proven cultural driver in the area. We are filling the coffers. The following items were taken from area police department reports and news releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Oak Brook Advertisement Property Damage A window was reported to have been broken at 7:53 p.m. July 25 at a residence on the first block of Regent Drive. Advertisement Theft Tamika Fentress, 32, of the first block of Wedgewood Road, Matteson, was charged with retail theft at 3:06 p.m. July 21 after taking unspecified merchandise from Nordstrom, 10 Oakbrook Center. Jeremiah Pitts, 23, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Quinniesha Oneal, 26, of the 9000 block of South Dobson Avenue, Chicago, both were charged with retail theft at 6:09 p.m. July 23 after taking unspecified merchandise from Macys, 1 Oakbrook Center. Nikitaben Patel, 42, of the 18300 block of Century Court, Tinley Park, was charged with retail theft at 6:31 p.m. July 24 after taking unspecified merchandise from Macys, 1 Oakbrook Center. Hilton Head Island Middle School teacher Mardy Burleson never thought shed consider buying a gun to protect herself. Then David Cook started a series of events that changed her mind. Burleson, who teaches multimedia design and engineering at the school, was recently called out by a far-right newsletter for displaying district-provided rainbow stickers and giving students a survey asking about preferred pronouns. It was the same survey shed given out for the past four years, and shed thought nothing of the bright stickers. I was terrified, she said. I feared so much for my safety that I was willing to compromise my values to protect my family because I felt so unsafe. The newsletter was published February 22, about four months after Superintendent Frank Rodriguez pulled nearly 100 books from Beaufort County School District library shelves for review in October and the district plunged into the highly politicized nationwide discourse on book banning and parents rights over schooling. Since the titles were removed, BCSDs review process has garnered national news coverage. Burleson and other Beaufort County employees have been labeled as sexual groomers predators who build a relationship with a child to abuse them on social media, reported to law enforcement officers, targeted in public information requests and harassed on social media, in-person and in front of their bosses. Much of the harassment comes from Cook, a Hilton Head Island resident whose children attend Beaufort County public schools. Its made teachers like Hilton Head Island Middle School literary coach Kathleen Harper, who has been in the classroom for over 25 years, fear for their safety, and personal and professional reputation. Cook has access to school grounds as a parent and has specifically been targeting Burleson and Harper, who have taught his children. Despite Cooks claims and complaints, he didnt ask to have his children removed from Burleson and Harpers classes, according to the women. Story continues In response, the district submitted evidence of email and social media harassment from Cook to the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office, who are actively investigating according to reports obtained through a Freedom of Information Act submitted by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. Harper filed her own report, and there are incident reports with both The Beaufort County School District and Harper as the victim of Cooks harassment. The district also placed Burleson on paid leave in February. But as Burleson and Harper return to school this August, they say they still feel concerned for their and their familys safety, leaving them questioning whether or not to stick with the profession that they love. These are people that are strong supporters of guns and violence and vengeance and, you know, vigilante-ism, Burleson said. The more and more I think about this, the more and more uncomfortable I am. Cook didnt respond to multiple emails and calls requesting comment. Kathleen Harper, left, and colleague Mardy Burleson are two teachers in the Beaufort County School District that have been bullied by Hilton Head Island resident David Louis Cook, whose children attend the public schools system. Both women have taught one of Cooks children. They told me he was dangerous Cook calls himself a Dad-vocate. This year thats taken the form of throwing chicken feed at the Beaufort County school board and harassing teachers on social media, email and in person. Cook is harassing Harper over one of her district-database-sourced texts mentioning circumcision in a unit on modern-day slavery that she read aloud to a class in February. From there Cook took to calling and emailing Harper, demanding in-person meetings, saying her actions are grounds for far more than a nasty email, threatening criminal or civil action, and calling her sexually abusive. A paragraph mentioning circumcision from an 11-page district-database-sourced texts for a unit on modern-day slavery. When he would come in the school people would warn me and tell me to stay out of sight, Harper said. When we had a fire drill and he was in the school one day they told me to go to a different area of the building so he couldnt see me. During the week of May 29, he hand-delivered a thank you note to the school accusing Harper of indoctrinating students. It was the last week of school and Cook also posted on Facebook If youre in support of giving sexually explicit material to children, its important to remember......Dead Pedophiles Dont Re-Offend. I was scared, Harper said. I was frightened. The next day, she said the districts director of protective services David Grissom told her the district was worried that Cooks recent social media posts had escalated. On May 31 the district filed its report supplemented with email and social media evidence to the BCSO. They told me to watch my back in public, Harper said. They told me he is dangerous and theyre concerned for me. They encouraged me to file a police report which I did that day. Harper hopes that Cook will be served a no-trespass order for school property, but so far no action has been taken according to BCSO spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens. District spokesperson Candace Bruder declined to comment on the situation between Cook and the teachers specifically but provided a written statement saying that the district has safety measures designed to keep students and staff safe including armed law enforcement and emergency notification systems to law enforcement. District-provided Safe Space stickers. This is a bullet Burleson, who has been with BCSD for 10 years with five as a full-time teacher, said she fell in love with teaching from the moment she stepped into the classroom and is passionate about helping disadvantaged children. In February of last year, Burleson had to stop doing what she loves. She was put on paid administrative leave because the survey she asked students to complete has caused concerns with some parents and community members, according to a letter from Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer Alice Walton. Burleson said Walton repetitively told her it was because of her safety. At the beginning of each semester, Burleson gave out an optional survey in-person and on students Google Classroom, which is accessible to parents, although the survey said I promise to keep these just between you and me. The survey asked questions like What are your preferred pronouns? and Do you want me to use your pronouns in class and in messages home or is it private between you and me? Burleson said that many other teachers have a survey like that, asking the same questions. Bruder, the district spokesperson, said in a written statement that get-to-know-you surveys are a typical practice and the district doesnt have specific rules about teachers asking students pronouns. But in February, when Burleson had one of Cooks children in her class, her principal asked her to remove questions about pronouns and the sentence about keeping answers between her and the students. Bruder said there should always be open dialogue and transparency between teachers and parents. Burleson said its more complicated than that. During mandated training, teachers are taught to be trusted adults that students can confide in, according to Burleson. A trusted adult is not always the family, said Burleson, who said her highschooler, Blu, has lost a friend to suicide after they were unable to come out to their parents as LGBTQ+. In 2022, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide, according to the Trevor Project, an American nonprofit organization focused on LGBTQ+ suicide prevention. The nonprofit also found that LGBTQ+ youth who said their school was LGBTQ+ affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide. Burleson said that if a parent came to her asking about their childs pronouns and it seemed like an unsafe situation she would call in district administrators and professionals before telling the parents. I love these kids, Burleson said. Many of us youve already seen jump in front of a bullet (for students). And for me, in my personal experiences, this is a bullet that I will jump in front of. Later in February, her name and photo were on a far-right newsletter, The Overton Report. The newsletter is Charleston, South Carolina based and run by extremist Corey Allen, who also live streamed the Jan. 6 insurrection on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with the caption get ready, because the best is yet to come. The newsletter said Burleson spent years up to this point transitioning her own daughter into a son and has made no secret expressing her own full-fledged support for the controversial ideas behind gender-ideology. Burleson didnt fully process what was happening until later that evening. After school, after the kids all left, I sat down and I read it and just about lost my (mind), she said. You pulled my (child) into this (...) youve crossed a line now. Burleson said Blu, her child, was bullied worse because of the article, but Blu is handling the attention better than she is. They get bullied a lot in school, Burleson said. Most trans kids do here (...) If anything (theyre) more strong and capable and compassionate and empathetic than I am. Two days after the newsletter was published, Burleson was placed on paid administrative leave. The letter from human resources said that it was because her survey caused concerns with some parents and community members, despite Burleson saying she was told it was for her safety. Is Cook allowed on school campus? As of now, yes. Cook is still allowed on school property. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner said that there have been conversations between the school district and the sheriffs department about serving Cook with a no-trespass order. However, since school is still out for summer he said it would not be something we would entertain at this particular moment. Tanner said the BCSO will consider the no-trespass order once school starts. Were not going to allow someone to come in and breach the overall purpose and intent of a school, Tanner said. Were not going to allow it. While school ended for the summer June 2, Cooks social media harassment didnt. He continues to single out Harper and school board members on Facebook. He threw chicken feed at the school board during a public meeting June 27. The board wrote him a letter directing him to not violate public comment rules again. Its caused a heavy mental toll on Burleson and Harper. Both said they feel unsafe in their own community, even when getting groceries or gas. I go through all the social media and just scour it, Burleson said. Ive spent hours, hours, Googling my name to see where this is popping up. Students go back to class August 21, but Burleson and Harper return to the building in the first weeks of August to prepare for the upcoming year. As the pair of teachers wait to see if BCSO will issue a no-trespass order, the uncertainty forces them to weigh their safety against their love for students, teachers and the Hilton Head Island community. Were starting to feel concern for safety and our familys safety as the school year approaches, Burleson said. The only reason Im back this year is honestly because of my colleagues that are going through it. And I dont want them to go through it themselves. KYIV, Ukraine When Russia blockaded Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea after its full-scale invasion last year, grain that could feed millions worldwide was piled up in silos. Crude iron that supplied some 30% of American steelmakers stopped arriving. Roughly half the worlds supply of the neon used in lasers to make chips was taken off the market. But while Russian ships menaced off the Ukrainian coast, the small ports in the Danube river on the Romanian border kept working, offering a small but vital lifeline. Their importance continued to grow even after an internationally brokered deal with Russia stabilized the shipping routes on the Black Sea for the limited movement of foodstuffs. Now, two weeks after the collapse of that deal, the small Danube ports are the only shipping outlet for millions of tons of grain once again trapped in Ukraine and Russia has made clear that they, too, are under threat. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The Danube is our gateway at sea to Europe and the world, Stanislav Zinchenko, CEO of GMK, a Kyiv-based economic think tank, said in an interview. The river ports are now so essential to Ukraines throttled export economy, he said, that the impact of losing them is hard to calculate. The river ports lie on the lower Danube, where it forms part Ukraines border with Romania before emptying into the Black Sea. The Danube originates in Germanys Black Forest and flows southeast through Central and Eastern Europe. It is the largest river in the European Union, by length and volume, and its waterways connect Ukraine to the sea and eight other European nations. Before the war, the Danube ports were barely utilized. In recent months, they have accounted for roughly one-third of agricultural exports, including grain, according to industry analysts. Most of the shipping goes downriver to the sea; a much smaller amount moves upriver to other parts of Europe. Russia has made clear that any vessel entering the Black Sea is at risk, seemingly creating a de facto blockade and threatening the fate of the Danube ports. On a near-daily basis Russian missiles and drones have battered Ukrainian ports, including one on the Danube only a few hundred feet from Romania. The Kremlin has warned that all vessels sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo. Story continues To avoid running afoul of the Russian warning, international ships headed toward Ukraine largely came to a halt. More than a dozen vessels dropped anchor, huddling close to the coast. Slowly and cautiously, shipping has started to return in recent days. This weekend, one vessel, Ams1, crossed into the Black Sea and set course for the small Ukrainian port of Izmail on the Danube. At least two more vessels have followed. Ukrainian officials celebrated what they saw as a decision by a few shipping companies to call Russias bluff. But they were just as quick to caution that the movement of a few ships to river ports did not eliminate threats to those transport routes. I understand the positive emotions, but we need to be more restrained, Serhiy Bratchuk, the head of the Odesa regional military administration, said on national television. We need to see how these ships will act further, because today we cannot say that this is a deliberate effort to unblock our ports. Andriy Klymenko, the head of the Institute for Strategic Black Sea Studies, said the term blockade did not exactly apply to the Danube ports, which were never covered in the grain deal and have been working almost nonstop through the war. The Russian threats presented more of a dare, he said, with Moscow clearly hoping that the implicit threat of harassment and violence would intimidate international shipping companies and sailors. At least 16 ships are still anchored south-southwest of Snake Island, just off the Ukrainian coast, waiting to go to the ports, Klymenko said. The ships have navigated their way to Ukraine by largely staying within 12 miles of the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, within the territorial waters of those countries, both part of NATO, in hopes of avoiding Russian warships and Russian naval mines, shipping experts said. Tensions remain high off the southern coast of Ukraine. On Tuesday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that two of its patrol ships the Serhiy Kotov and Vasily Bykov came under attack by Ukrainian naval drones overnight. They claimed all of the attacks were thwarted. The Ukrainian military did not comment on the Russian claim. Ukraine has a growing fleet of unmanned attack boats, and has repeatedly targeted Russian warships at sea and in port. Ukrainian officials have been stepping up their pleas for international intervention to end what they call Russias tyranny of the sea. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine told Brazilian journalists in an interview published Tuesday that Russia is guided by only one law, the law of force. The international community, he said, must respond with its own projection of force to keep the sea lanes open. NATO officials have said that the alliance and its member states had already begun to increase surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region before Russia pulled out of the grain deal last month. On Tuesday, NATO said in a statement that it had used sophisticated surveillance aircraft known as AWACS, or airborne warning and control system, flying over Romania as part of that effort. Russia must stop weaponizing hunger and threatening the worlds most vulnerable people with food instability, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement after a July 26 meeting with Ukraine on Black Sea security. Before Russias full-scale invasion, the Danube ports were an afterthought underfinanced and responsible for just 4% of Ukrainian exports, or around 6 million tons of cargo, Zinchenko said. Now, Ukraines ports on the river Izmail, Reni and Ust-Danube are a vital economic link to Europe. Dmytro Barinov, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Seaports Authority, said that after Russian forces seized some major ports in southern Ukraine in the first weeks of the war, it was clear the river ports were going to take on a greater role. Ukraine was able to evacuate many of the ship pilots from Black Sea ports occupied by the Russians, allowing them to expand the number of pilots working on the Danube from 15 to 71, he said. It increases the possibility for us to make more maneuvers, more passages, through these different channels, he said. Workers are busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In May 2022, agricultural exports rose to 800,000 tons from these ports, up from essentially nothing before the war. The next month, they exported 1.3 million tons. This May, 2023, it was absolutely a record, even when compared with the Soviet past, Barinov said. We moved more than 3 million tons. Still, there are significant limitations, making it unlikely Ukraine could ramp up exports still higher from its Danube ports. They are not deep-water ports, so most of the work is carried out by barges, moving 3,000 to 8,000 tons of goods at a time. Those barges travel a short distance along the coast to the Romanian port of Constanta to load larger cargo vessels capable of carrying tens of thousands of tons of goods, or trucks carrying goods overland. The Danube ports will never be able to handle more than a fraction of what Ukraine was able to export from its sprawling Black Sea ports. But Ukrainian officials said that the growth of the river ports represented a triumph. From my point of view it is a real miracle, Zinchenko said. But in Ukraine, he said, miracles do not come easy, and it remains to be seen if Ukraine can keep Russia from severing its last remaining link to the sea. c.2023 The New York Times Company Many of those crossing the jungle are families with young children Record numbers of migrants are braving the Darien Gap, a dense stretch of jungle straddling Panama and Colombia. More people have taken the trek so far this year than in all of 2022, Panamanian officials say. Almost a quarter of a million people crossed the wilderness on foot in the first seven months of 2023, despite international efforts at curbing the flow. Most of them are Venezuelans, Haitians and Ecuadoreans trying to reach the US. According to data collected by Panamanian officials, a fifth of those on the trek were children. Marisela Silva Chau, of the regional branch of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), called the situation a "major humanitarian crisis". Read: 'Too dehydrated to cry' - a lethal trek for migrants The Darien Gap is an expanse of thick rainforest which creates a natural barrier between South and Central America. There are no roads and it can take a week on foot. Migrants run the risk of criminal gangs, who rob and extort them, while hot and humid weather and wild animals pose further dangers. The International Federation of the Red Cross has set up areas where migrants can get first aid and have access to water. It says many of those who survive the trek arrive "in a devastating and inhumane condition". "They are injured, dehydrated, with severe allergic reactions, and complications from pregnancies or chronic illnesses. Many have been victims of abuse and violence," said Veronica Martinez, who leads the organisation's humanitarian response in Darien. At least 36 people are known to have died attempting the crossing last year, according to the International Organization of Migration. It says that the real figure is likely to be much higher as the remains of many victims are never recovered. In April, the governments of the United States, Colombia and Panama launched a two-month campaign to curb migration through the Darien. They announced they would use "new lawful and flexible pathways for tens of thousands of migrants and refugees as an alternative to irregular migration". Story continues However, officials gave little detail about those pathways. Figures released by the Panamanian authorities on Monday suggested that July had seen a jump in the number of migrants with 52,530 making the journey through the Darien. Officials from the Central American nation said this was particularly worrying as in previous years they had seen a drop in numbers in the rainy months. Drownings are one of the main causes of death in this area crisscrossed by streams and rivers. David Baddiel has questioned the casting of Cillian Murphy as Jewish theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans film. The comedian and writer, who is Jewish himself, has previously spoken critically about non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles in film and TV. In a new interview, Baddiel, 59, shared his unease regarding the casting of Murphy and Tom Conti, who plays Albert Einstein, in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. Both Oppenheimer and Einstein were Jewish, but are played in the film by non-Jewish actors in the film. Authenticity casting I think of as an a priori thing that exists, Jews Dont Count author Baddiel told The Times. Whatever the rights and wrongs of it, I can promise you that in this business and I am in this business still casting directors are now frightened to cast except in line with the minority they are casting. But they are not so worried about Jews. The Independent has contacted Nolans representatives for comment. Conti (left) as Albert Einstein and Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer' (Melinda Sue Gordon) The casting of Murphy as Oppenheimer had previously drawn criticism from reviewers and watchers of the film. In her four-star review of Nolans film, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey wrote: [Oppenheimer] feared deeply, as a Jewish man, about what would happen if the Nazis were to develop a weapon of such deadly capability (that a non-Jewish actor has taken on a role in which identity plays such a central role is, in this light, somewhat strange). The casting decision was also highlighted in The Guardians review, where Peter Bradshaw noted that Nolan, rightly or wrongly, uses non-Jewish actors for Oppenheimer and Einstein, two of the most famous Jewish people in history and in fact doesnt quite get to grips with the antisemitism that Oppenheimer faced as an assimilated secular American Jew. The real-life Oppenheimer was the child of two Jewish immigrants, and was raised in a secular Jewish household. Baddiel has previously criticised non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for The) However, historians have noted that the physicist faced antisemitism throughout his life and would often deny his Jewish heritage. Story continues Biographer Ray Monk, the author of Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the Center, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: To the outside world, he was always known as a German Jew, and he always insisted that he was neither German nor Jewish. In 2022, Baddiel addressed the debate about whether non-Jewish actors should play Jewish roles, following comments by Maureen Lipman that Helen Mirren should not play former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir as she is not Jewish. Casting a non-minority actor to mimic that identity feels, to the progressive eye, like impersonation, and impersonation may carry with it an element of mockery, he said. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden's decision to make Colorado the permanent home for the U.S. Space Command headquarters intensified an already heated feud with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who accused the White House of "injecting politics into the military." Biden's decision, announced Monday, overturned a last-minute move by the Trump administration to relocate the center to Alabama, Tuberville's home state. The reversal comes amid a bitter standoff between Biden and Tuberville, who the White House has accused of endangering national security by blocking the promotions of senior military jobs to protest a Pentagon abortion policy. Tuberville slammed Biden for setting a "dangerous precedent that military bases are to be used as rewards for political support rather than for national security." He added, "This is absolutely not over," vowing in a statement Tuesday to continue to work to bring the Space Command headquarters to his state. The White House rejected Tuberville's assertions. "The deciding factor for President Biden in deciding to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs was operational readiness, pure and simple," said John Kirby, the National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communications. "Had nothing to do with Senator Tuberville's holds, had nothing to do with partisan politics." Biden was swayed by the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness, the Associated Press reported. But Air Force leadership, with studied the issue at length determined that relocating to Huntsville, Alabama was the right move. A report released by the Government Accountability Office in June 2022 found the Alabama site the "preferred location" over five locations including Colorado Springs, Colorado, which has served as Space Command's temporary home since the command was formally created in August 2019. Story continues Senate Armed Services Committee member Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) prepares for U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Timothy Haugh's confirmation hearing to be the next leader of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. The review was prompted by former President Donald Trump's announcement in his final days of presidency in 2021 to back Huntsville, Alabama for the headquarters after Air Force and Space Force leaders initially recommended it stay in Colorado. Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said keeping the Space Command headquarters in Colorado ensures "peak readiness" during a critical period in the space domain. "It will also enable the command to most effectively plan, execute and integrate military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression and defend national interests," Ryder said. Other Alabama Republican members of Congress echoed Tuberville in blasting the choice. "It's clear that far-left politics, not national security, was the driving force behind the decision," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He said Biden's decision warrants a congressional investigation. "This fight is far from over." President Joe Biden greats a group of Thunderbird pilots after arriving at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a last-ditch decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama and ending months of politically fueled debate. Proponents of keeping the command in Colorado argued that moving to Huntsville and creating a new headquarters would set back its progress at a time it needs to move quickly to be positioned to match Chinas military space rise. And Colorado Springs is also home to the Air Force Academy, which now graduates Space Force guardians, and more than 24 military space missions, including three Space Force bases. Colorado's two Democratic senators cheered the decision. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said the move "restores integrity to the Pentagons basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions. Colorado is the rightful home for U.S. Space Command, and our state will continue to lead America in space for years to come." And breaking with their Alabama colleagues, Colorado's Republican members of Congress also praised the selection of their state. Rep. Ken Buck, R.-Colo, said, I applaud the decision today by the Biden administration to keep U.S. Space Command where it belongs in Colorado, Even Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., one of Biden's most outspoken critics, commended the choice, calling Colorado Springs Space Command's "rightful home." In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, watches with Vice President Mike Pence and Defense Secretary Mark Esper as the flag for U.S. space Command is unfurled as Trump announces the establishment of the U.S. Space Command in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. President Joe Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a last-ditch decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama and ending months of politically fueled debate, according to senior U.S. officials. Contributing: Associated Press and USA TODAY White House correspondent Francesca Chambers Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden's space command decision escalates feud with Tommy Tuberville The Polish Defense Ministry confirmed late on Aug. 1 that two Belarusian helicopters violated the country's airspace during exercises near the border. Photos depicting the helicopters flying over the Polish village of Bialowieza appeared on social media earlier in the day, but the military initially denied the incident. "The border crossing took place at a very low altitude, making it difficult to detect by radar systems," the defense ministry then explained. According to the ministry's statement, the Belarusian side had previously informed Warsaw about the planned training. A meeting of the Committee for National Security and Defense Affairs was convened to discuss the incident. After the meeting, Poland's Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak ordered to increase the number of troops at the Polish-Belarusian border and deploy additional equipment, including combat helicopters. Poland also informed NATO of the airspace violation and decided to summon the charge d'affaires of Belarus to the Foreign Ministry for an explanation. Read also: Poland to double the size of military in response to security threat "We would like to remind you that Russia and Belarus have recently intensified hybrid activities against Poland," the defense ministry wrote. "Due to possible further provocations, we call for responsible dissemination and commenting on information that the Russian and Belarusian regimes may use." The Belarusian Defense Ministry called Warsaw's statement "far-fetched," claiming it was made "to justify the build-up of forces and means near the Belarusian border." On July 29, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Russia's state-backed mercenary Wagner Group could infiltrate Poland from Belarus, where its fighters are currently stationed. According to Morawiecki, over 100 Wagner mercenaries were deployed in the Grodno region of Belarus near the Suwalki Gap, an area southwest of the Lithuanian-Polish border. Read also: National Resistance Center: Wagner recruiting fighters in Belarus on condition of readiness to fight in Poland, Lithuania Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Biden is facing fierce bipartisan backlash over his decision to cancel the planned move of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters from Colorado to Alabama, including from one of his staunchest allies. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., released a statement late Monday sharply attacking Biden over the decision, calling it "shameful" and accusing him of bowing "to the whims of politics over merit." "This Administrations decision to keep Space Command in Colorado bows to the whims of politics over merit. Huntsvilles merits won this selection process fair and square," Sewell said. "In three separate reports, Huntsville reigned victorious, whereas Colorado did not come in second or even third." "This reversal is as shameful as it is disappointing. I expected more from the Biden Administration. A decision of this magnitude should not be about red states versus blue states, but rather what is best for our national security. To be clear, the Alabama Congressional Delegation stands united in opposition to this decision," she added. BIDEN KEEPING SPACE COMMAND IN COLORADO, REJECTING TRUMP'S PUSH TO MOVE HEADQUARTERS TO ALABAMA Biden's decision to cancel the move despite Huntsville separating itself as the clear choice for Air Force leaders to relocate Space Command has fueled accusations that politics played a role. His administration's ongoing feud with Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., over the Pentagon's funding for abortions has been the main driver of those accusations. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Tuberville responded to the decision by accusing Biden of having "inserted politics" into the debate over whether to move Space Command to Alabama. "The top three choices for Space Command headquarters were all in red states Alabama, Nebraska, and Texas," Tuberville said in a statement. "Colorado didnt even come close. This decision to bypass the three most qualified sites looks like blatant patronage politics, and it sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are now to be used as rewards for political supporters rather than for our security." Story continues Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Biden had consulted with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and senior military leaders before deciding that Colorado Springs, Colorado, will remain as the permanent location of Space Command. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for its reaction to Sewell's criticism, as well as asked whether its feud with Tuberville contributed to the decision, but did not immediately receive a response. GOP INVESTIGATING DOJ'S SWEETHEART PLEA DEAL WITH HUNTER BIDEN AFTER JUDGE'S REJECTION Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., and President Joe Biden. Having Space Commands headquarters remain in Colorado Springs, Ryder said, will ensure that the U.S. maintains "peak readiness in the space domain during a critical period." In addition to Tuberville, Sewell was unanimously joined by her fellow Alabama congressional delegation members, all Republicans, in slamming Biden over the decision. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Ala., whose district includes Huntsville and would have been home to the new headquarters, said the Biden administration was "ignoring what is best for the nation's security" and vowed to make it answer for its decision. POPULAR DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR BREAKS WITH PARTY, SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SEX CHANGE SURGERIES FOR MINORS Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., arrives for the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. "President Biden has irresponsibly decided to yank a military decision out of the Air Forces hands in the name of partisan politics," Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said in a statement "Huntsville finished first in both the Air Forces Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase, leaving no doubt that the Air Forces decision to choose Redstone as the preferred basing location was correct purely on the merits." "That decision should have remained in the Air Forces purview. Instead, President Biden is now trying to hand the Gold Medal to the fifth-place finisher," she added. House Armed Services Committee Chairmen Mike Rogers, R-Ala., echoed Britt, accusing Biden on social media of having the military "settle fo fifth-best and call it national security." "I will be continuing my investigation into Biden's deliberate, political, taxpayer-funded meddling in this decision. This is not over, and Colorado Springs will not be the permanent location for US Space Command," he vowed. BIDEN FACES POTENTIAL NEW CHALLENGE FROM FELLOW DEMOCRAT IN 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE Senator-elect Katie Britt, R-Ala., makes her way to a meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and incoming Republican Senators-elect in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Ala., also promised not to give up on the Space Command moving to Huntsville while Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., called the decision "unacceptable," and "another broken promise." "It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Biden Administration has chosen to prioritize partisan politics over national security by rejecting the objectively best location based on the DoDs own criteria simply because it isnt a blue state," Rep. Barry Moore said in a statement. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., called the decision "the latest chapter in the long saga of the Biden Administrations failing national security record." Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey joined the delegation in blasting Biden over decision, stating she heard about it in a report from a liberal media outlet rather than the president himself. Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey speaks in Woodstock, Alabama, on March 15, 2022. "The White House choosing to not locate Space Command Headquarters in Alabama the rightful selection is very simply the wrong decision for national security. The fact that a CNN reporter is who first delivered the news to Alabama should say all," she said. Fox News' Bradford Betz and Liz Friden contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) Dozens of Democratic members of Congress asked the Biden administration Tuesday to end expedited screening of asylum seekers in Border Patrol custody, calling it a rushed practice that has allowed little access to legal counsel. As the administration prepared to launch speedy screenings at Border Patrol holding facilities this spring , authorities pledged access to counsel would be a key difference from a Trump-era version of the policy. So far, that promise appears unfulfilled. A coterie of involved attorneys estimated that perhaps 100 migrants secured formal representation in the first three months of the policy, The Associated Press reported last month, and only hundreds more have received informal advice through one-time phone calls ahead of the expedited screenings. That represents a mere fraction of the thousands of expedited screenings since early April, though authorities have not provided a precise count. The letter to the Homeland Security and Justice Departments, signed by 13 senators and 53 members of the House of Representatives, said conducting the credible fear interviews as little as 24 hours after arrival in a holding facility was inherently problematic, especially without access to counsel. Affording people fair adjudication including adequate time to obtain evidence, prepare ones case, and obtain and work with counsel is particularly key for individuals fleeing life-threatening harm or torture, the letter states. Those signing include Alex Padilla of California, chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Rep. Nanette Barragan of California, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The Homeland Security Department said it has taken significant steps to ensure a safe and efficient process for asylum seekers that includes access to phone booths for consultations with legal counsel and others. Story continues Also Tuesday, the National Immigrant Justice Center said it would no longer serve asylum seekers in Border Patrol custody after more than two months attempting to overcome obstruction by the Biden administration that made it impossible to provide meaningful legal information and representation. The group says it has represented about 30 people under the new policy. The administration ramped up the speedy screenings as it ended pandemic-related asylum restrictions, known as Title 42 authority, and introduced new rules that make it far more difficult for people to seek asylum without applying online outside the U.S. or first seeking protection in a country they pass through. The percentage of people who passed asylum screenings fell to 60% during the first half of July, after the fast-track process picked up, down from 77% the second half of March, just before it began. The administration has faced criticism from immigration advocates that the new rules ignore obligations under U.S. and international law to provide asylum and from those backing restrictions who say authorities are acting too generously through the online appointment system, which admits up to 1,450 people a day, and parole for up to 30,000 a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. A pair of Democratic senators is challenging Justice Samuel Alito to testify before lawmakers, just days after the justice said Congress had no authority to regulate the Supreme Court. Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) both called on the justice Monday to testify before lawmakers after Alito told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday that Congress lacks the jursidiction to regulate the court. This comes as Democrats attempt to mandate stronger ethics rules since Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas have come under recent scrutiny for ethics controversies. If Justice Alito is willing to expound to the Wall Street Journal that Congress has no authority over the Court, he should come before Congress to tell us directly whyin testimony before the Judiciary Committee, Blumenthal posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. And while hes there, we can talk about ethical lapses & a Supreme Court code of conduct, he added. Whitehouse reposted Blumenthals comments, adding that Alito can also explain how its ethical to offer opinions on matters likely to come before the Court thats not what they tell us in confirmation hearings. Blumenthal and Whitehouse both serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee and have both been outspoken about the recent ethical controversies the Supreme Court has faced. Whitehouse also blasted Alitos interview with the Journal in a separate post on X on Monday. And why would they not offer opinions about matters that might come before the Court? Right, because it would be unethical, Whitehouse wrote. To belabor the point, Alito just did something colleagues have called unethical, to protect his ability to do things that are unethical. Rich. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new Democratic-aligned initiative dubbed the White Stripe Project has a novel idea for winning white working class voters back to the Democratic Party: lean more into talk of equity and race. Organizers say traditional methods in wooing white voters are ineffective, often relying on knee-jerk recommendations from an elite group of Democrats that pushes a race-neutral economic message. White Stripe organizers say this approach is misguided. They are calling for a more targeted and data-driven approach that they argue will be a better return on investment. The project has plans to build a robust infrastructure to attract white voters who are open to Democratic messaging but who are less likely to vote. Once identified, organizers are betting with targeted messaging and pinpoint engagement that enough of these voters will show up for the party at the ballot box. White voters have disproportionate political power, Erin Heaney, Executive Director of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) told organizers during the Monday afternoon launch of the project. We need a strategy for engaging and organizing them alongside communities of color. While President Joe Biden's performance among white voters in 2020 improved over Hillary Clinton's in 2016, Republicans still dominated this segment of the electorate. According to Pew Research Center , Biden carried 33 percent of this bloc, while then-president Donald Trump carried 65 percent. The caveat, according to Pew, was that the vote total Trump carried with non-college educated white people was nearly identical to what he pulled in 2016. The White Stripe Project believes these voters are gettable. We need to have a public, non-defensive, data-driven conversation, said Steve Phillips, a Democratic political analyst and author who serves as President of the Sandler Phillips Center which studies voting demographics. Its one of the progressive groups that formed the project. Story continues One group that may not buy the message is Democratic donors. Phillips says far too often Democrats and deep-pocketed donors settle on narratives about past elections that then inform future contests with little empirical data. As an example, he said he has heard rumblings from those in the party that Stacey Abrams's two-time loss in Georgias gubernatorial contest is proof that race and equity issues do not fare well in close elections. Phillips doesnt believe that race-centered issues should be abandoned in favor of a more race-neutral economic message. He is quick to point to another Democratic loss in Ohio last cycle. We also don't talk about Tim Ryan in Ohio, who really did manifest this playbook about downplaying race and leaning into economic issues, and he lost badly, Phillips said. So what do we make of that? But race as a wedge issue cant be ignored, say the White Stripe organizers. Instead, it should be tackled head on as Republicans embrace culture-war issues like critical race theory and battling the so-called "woke agenda." We know that race is an incredibly powerful tool to keep people, white people, silent and separated from the multiracial coalitions we need to win, said Heaney, who leads one of the principal groups spearheading the project. As Biden begins to form the contours of his reelection campaign, it is clear economic issues will be at the forefront. The president is running on Bidenomics, a term first coined by his political opponents to describe an economy that's since showed signs of rebounding this year. To drive home this point, during the last month Biden has traveled to South Carolina , a state Democrats have little chance of flipping in 2024, to tout his message of innovation and investment and how those are paying dividends in red-leaning districts. Hes also planning to visit the North Georgia district of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene one of his biggest Republican detractors to attend the groundbreaking of a solar facility . Joe Biden is going to go into areas that may not have been available to us before, said Simon Rosenberg, a longtime Democratic strategist who is not involved in the White Stripe Project. Politically, that is very smart and I think will be successful for him in 2024. What's successful mean? If it's one or two percentage points nationally, we know that can be the difference in winning and losing the election, he added. Officials with the Democratic National Committee tell POLITICO despite recent campaign stops to majority-white districts, there is no plan to abandon his championing issues of racial equity. They point to the contrast in the last week where Republicans were having intraparty strife over whether there was a personal benefit to being enslaved, the same week Biden signed a bill creating a national monument to Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till-Mobley. The Democratic Party is a party that fights for diversity, fights for equality, says Lis Smith, another Democratic strategist not associated with the White Stripe Project. She adds the party needs to be doing more than just be focusing on white working class voters. Democrats have been underperforming generally with working class voters, whether they're white, Latino or Black. And that's an issue that we need to work on, Smith said. But the solutions won't be found in turning our back on some of our most devoted voters. Organizers with the White Stripe Project say they are spending the summer ramping up. They plan to test some of their targeted messaging in turnout operations in this falls Kentucky gubernatorial race, where Democrat Andy Beshear is running for reelection in a state Biden lost by nearly 26 percentage points three years ago. The group expects to compile a report with recommendations on ways to win with a multicultural coalition by the end of the year. Northeast ethnic barbecue culture, flavor embraced across China Xinhua) 08:52, August 01, 2023 This photo taken on June 19, 2023 with a mobile phone shows traditional barbecue food of China's Daur ethnic group in Hala New Village, Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Yue) HARBIN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Kang Yan, a member of China's Daur ethnic group in the northeast Heilongjiang Province, cannot remember when she first tried their traditional barbecue as a child, because in her memory the dish has always been part of the Daur's ethnic culture. Now a waitress in a cafe at the entrance of her home village named Hala New Village in Qiqihar City, the 43-year-old woman talks about traditional barbecue culture every day to tourists who see barbecue as a calling card for the city. "Barbecued beef mixed with Artemisia willow buds was once unique to the Daur ethnic group, but was gradually accepted by other ethnic groups and so became a traditional dish here," she said. The campsite and cafe outside the village are both new, but it is an old dish that brings tourists from across China to Qiqihar to enjoy these new facilities. Born in Hala New Village, Kang moved to another county after marriage, but as her parents grew older, so her desire to return to the village to work and take care of her parents also grew. An opportunity came last year, when, to develop its tourism industry, the village built a campsite, a cafe, homestays and pubs. Kang managed to land a job in the cafe, which sells barbecue meals along with fried chicken and potato chips. The cafe, named Great Journey Camp Coffee, was so popular in the tourism season that visitors had to make reservations two weeks to a month in advance. This allowed Kang to earn more than 6,000 yuan (about 840 U.S. dollars) a month. She is not the only one to benefit from the iconic barbecue culture in Qiqihar. When walking in the streets of the city, one can easily find barbecue restaurants of various styles. Guo Xu, executive president of Qiqihar's barbecue industry society, told Xinhua that like the cafe in Hala New Village, many restaurants are exploring the possibilities and potentials of combining barbecue with coffee and camping, so as to effectively promote this traditional dish. In fact, this form of barbecue has spread beyond the province to other parts of China. According to Zhou Tao, vice head with the commerce bureau of Qiqihar, there are currently about 21,000 Qiqihar barbecue restaurants in China, while e-commerce enterprises based on this form of barbecue have grown to 50. It is estimated that the combined revenue of the Qiqihar barbecue industry this year could reach 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). Zhou further noted that Qiqihar barbecue, which originated in about 900 A.D., also helped spread the culture of once nomadic ethnic groups. Qiqihar, which means natural pasture in the Daur language, is home to Mongolian, Daur, Ewenki and Oroqen ethnic groups. An exhibition at the barbecue museum in the city shows that in ancient times people had used stones for the dish, before later replacing them with iron pans. These days, baking trays especially designed for barbecue have been created and are being improved, with even the curves and grooves meticulously crafted. After China optimized its COVID-19 response measures, the barbecue culture in Zibo catapulted the old industrial city in east China's Shandong Province to internet stardom and attracted nationwide food lovers to Zibo for the spring break. Kang Yan hopes that Qiqihar barbecue will achieve similar glory. "The phenomenon of Qiqihar barbecue becoming increasingly popular showed, to some extent, the inheritance of ethnic culture," said Kang. "I hope that more people will love the dish." This photo taken on June 28, 2023 with a mobile phone shows the exterior view of a barbecue restaurant in Hala New Village, Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Yue) This photo taken on June 19, 2023 with a mobile phone shows a view of the Great Journey Camp Coffee in Hala New Village, Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Yue) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The following items were taken from Park Ridge Police Department bulletins. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Theft Advertisement An unknown subject took an unlocked Trek mountain bike from Centennial Park July 21, police said. An unknown male subject took several items from a gas station on the 1200 block of Touhy Avenue without paying July 27 and left the scene in a black Honda Pilot, police said. Advertisement Burglary An unknown subject accessed an unlocked 2020 Hyundai Accent parked on the 1100 block of Harrison Street and removed a purse later found on the parkway July 26, police said. An unknown subject accessed an unlocked Chrysler Pacifica parked on the 1100 block of Peale Avenue and took several items before fleeing the scene July 27, police said. An unknown subject accessed an Infiniti JX35 parked on the 1000 block of Washington Avenue, moved items around and took a gift card July 27, police said. Criminal damage An unknown subject opened three fire hydrants on the 300 block of Grand Boulevard July 22, causing flooding on the property and in the basement, police said. Suspicious circumstances An unknown male subject was observed taking pictures of a child shopping with a parent at the Whole Foods on the 2200 block of Touhy Avenue July 27 and fled when the childs parent observed him taking photos, police said. Advertisement Battery Jeffrey Tabares, 53, of the 1000 block of Harrison Street, Park Ridge, was arrested July 24 for aggravated battery in a public place and use of a deadly weapon, police said. Dominic Bonelli, 45, of the 2400 block of Hessing Avenue, River Grove, was arrested July 20 for domestic battery at the Chicago Police Department at 26th Street and California Avenue, police said. James Tripi, 38, of the 0-100 block of Trail Ridge Court, Streamwood, was arrested July 26 for aggravated battery in a public place, two counts of unlawful restraint and false impersonation, police said. Traffic violations Alexandra Boiwka, 31, of the 1000 block of West Touhy Avenue, Park Ridge, was arrested July 24 for speeding 26-34 mph over the posted speed limit and following too closely on the 1000 block of Touhy Avenue, police said. Advertisement Kevin Castro, 19, of the 1600 block of West Morse Avenue, Chicago, was arrested July 24 for speeding 26-34 mph over the posted speed limit, operating an uninsured motor vehicle with revoked registration and tinted windows and failure to carry a drivers license on the 1000 block of Touhy Avenue, police said. Tadeo Lisandro-Pedraza-Perdoma, 19, of the 2400 block of North Kildare Avenue, Chicago, was arrested July 24 at the Park Ridge Police Department for driving without a valid drivers license, improper lane usage, damage to city property and leaving the scene of property damage, police said. Luis Figueroa-Cruz, 31, of the 9700 block of Bianco Terrace, Des Plaines, was arrested on the 900 block of Northwest Highway for driving on a suspended and revoked drivers license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle with its registration suspended, police said. Rocio Betancourt-Apaez, 44, of the 0-100 block of Highwood Avenue, Highwood, was arrested on the 1100 block of South Dee Road July 26 for driving without a drivers license, speeding 15-20 mph over the posted speed limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, police said. Alejandro Lopez, 27, of the 1900 block of South Chestnut Street, Des Plaines, was arrested July 27 for driving without a drivers license at the intersection of Algonquin Road and Oakton Street, police said. They arent thrilled with 80-year-old President Biden as their partys standard-bearer in the 2024 election, but Democrats appear far from ready to cut bait with the president due to his connections to his son Hunter Bidens expanding legal scandals. Former Hunter Biden business partner Devon Archer on Monday told members of the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door interview that the younger Biden included his father on speakerphone while meeting with business associates at least 20 times. The Republican controlled panel is investigating Hunter Bidens business dealings with foreign companies and what, if any, role his father played in those interactions. The closed-door interview revelations will likely fuel Republican attempts to link the president to Hunter Bidens business transactions, which could politically wound the elder Biden as he runs for re-election in 2024 to a second term in the White House. But a Democratic lawmaker on the committee argued that Archers testimony does not show that then-Vice President Biden was involved in son Hunters business dealings. A TOP HOUSE REPUBLICAN SAYS DEVIN ARCHER INTERVIEW VERY PRODUCTIVE IN BIDEN FAMILY PROBE At center, Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, arrives for closed-door testimony with the House Oversight Committee at the O'Neill House Office Building July 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. "The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of 10 year relationship, Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings," Rep. Dan Goldman of New York told reporters on Capitol Hill. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, Whats going on?" Goldman added. And he emphasized that "there wasnt a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had." WHAT FORMER HUNTER BIDEN BUSINESS ASSOCIATE SAID ON CAPITOL HILL Devon Archers interview comes in the wake of a whistleblowers allegations that the FBI and the Justice Department are in possession of an unverified document that claims a criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions. And House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently floated that the Republican majority in the chamber could consider an impeachment inquiry into the president over the unproven claims of financial misconduct. Story continues President Joe Biden (L) and Hunter Biden (R) The presidents approval ratings have been underwater for nearly two years and polls suggest Democrats are anything but enthused with Biden seeking a second four-year term in the White House. But regardless, Democrats don't appear buying at least right now what the Republicans appear to be selling. Veteran Democratic consultant and pollster Doug Schoen argued in an opinion piece this past weekend that Hunter Bidens multiplying legal controversies "are now Joe Bidens problems." But Schoen, a top political adviser to then-President Bill Clinton and on Michael Bloombergs unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign, told Fox News Digital on Monday that "from what I have seen, there still has been no direct evidence, or even testimony today from Devon Archer, Hunter Bidens former partner, that President Biden was involved in their business dealings." "At this point there is nothing to lead me to say anything about the president's likely candidacy being impacted by any developments in the Hunter Biden case," Schoen emphasized. WHAT THE COLLAPSE OF THE HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL MEANS FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN IN 2024 Devon Archer golfing in the Hamptons with Joe Biden and Hunter Biden in 2014 photo Asked if Democrats would look to jettison Biden as their partys nominee if the president becomes increasing entangled in his sons legal predicaments, Democratic strategist and communicator Chris Moyer told Fox News "no way." Moyer, a presidential campaign veteran, scoffed at suggestions that party leaders would consider asking Biden to step aside in 2024, adding that "Republicans are always going to try to find something to drum up." "Theres good news about the economy almost every day. Thats whats going to matter most not just to Democrats but also to key swing voters in the general election," he argued. Longtime political scientist Dante Scala of the University of New Hampshire emphasized that "until Democrats are confronted with incredibly solid evidence that the father himself has some wrongdoing in all this, their default is to confine the sins of Hunter Biden to Hunter Biden." Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands alongside a bust of his late uncle, President John F. Kennedy, outside city hall in Nashua, New Hampshire, on June 20, 2023. Hunter Bidens legal saga and the mounting inquiries come as the battle for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is heating up, and as Biden faces long-shot Democratic presidential primary challenges from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - the environmental lawyer and high-profile vaccine critic, and scion of arguably the nations most famous family political dynasty and best-selling author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson, whos making her second straight White House run. And progressive activist and professor Cornel West has launched a third-party bid for president that has some in the party nervous he might siphon votes from Biden in November 2024. "The Hunter Biden circus is a concern for Democrats if President Bidens opponents in the primary begin to bang the same drum as Republicans," warned longtime progressive strategist and communications consultant Michael Ceraso. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Ceraso, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign and now-Transportation Secy. Pete Buttigiegs 2020 White House bid, noted that "we have a short-term memory in politics, but Bernie benefited from the allegations stacked against Secretary Hillary Clinton. Her past propelled him to be competitive. Whether West or RFK lean in and step in line with Republicans to propel themselves in the primary is anyones guess. But six months of weathering Hunter-related attacks from primary challenges before advancing to the general election is not ideal for the president - especially when he needs to drum up support from voters around the policies the Democrats and his White House passed." "Many Americans - those who are likely to elect to stay home on Election Day, or flip parties based on the candidate and their personality, and not the issues - need convincing that the president deserves a second term," Ceraso argued. GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he supports an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, just a week after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) floated the idea. And the inquiry into Biden, I think that they should pursue that, he said in a Newsmax interview that aired Tuesday. The corruption is just incredible with whats happened there. McCarthy said last week that he expects the GOP-led investigations into the foreign business activities of Bidens family to rise to the level of an impeachment inquiry. His comments prompted pushback from both sides of the aisle, with some Republicans calling a potential inquiry a distraction from other work. Republicans have been working to tie President Biden to the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden. Closed-door testimony Monday from former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer added fuel to those allegations, with McCarthy saying it proved President Biden lied when he made campaign trail statements that he had never talked to his son about his foreign business dealings. Democrats, however, said the testimony showed the opposite that President Biden had never been involved in those business affairs. DeSantis in the Newsmax interview also pointed to Hunter Bidens art sales. He does these paintings, someones paying him a million dollars. You know, my six-year-old daughter does better paintings than him I dont see people paying her a million dollars for them. So, it stinks to high heavens, and they should get answers for all of that, he said. Republicans on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee have questioned Hunter Bidens art sales and have asked for information about an agreement with the White House to keep the buyers of the artworks confidential. DeSantis also said he wasnt concerned about a government shutdown if it meant cutting government spending. He said spending has gotten to this point because Republicans are so worried about a government shutdown. First of all, the government doesnt actually shut down, he said. They take nonessential workers, and then they dont work. But why do we have nonessential workers to begin with? I think its ridiculous. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) invited Vice President Harris to Florida amid their ongoing feud over African American history standards in the state. In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues, DeSantis wrote in the letter. And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. In the letter, DeSantis accuses the Biden-Harris administration of spreading misinformation about the new standards to Americans, saying D.C. politicians chose to malign our state and its residents. He said that he could meet with Harris as soon as Wednesday, adding that he hopes she is feeling up to it. Our state pushed forward nation-leading standalone African American History standards one of the only states in the nation to require this level of learning about such an important subject, he wrote. One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History. But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents extremists, he continued. Its past time to set the record straight. Floridas Board of Education approved controversial new rules for teaching Black history in the state earlier this month, prompting immediate pushback from critics, including Harris, who say the new standards are a big step backward. The new guidelines require lessons on race to be taught in an objective manner that does not seek to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view. In a trip to Florida earlier this month, Harris said the state was pushing propaganda onto children, citing the new standards. They dare to push propaganda to our children, Harris said in Jacksonville. Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother. Story continues DeSantis has pushed back on these comments, accusing Harris of creating a fake narrative with her remarks. Harris doubled down on her criticism, saying Monday that it was ridiculous to have to say that slavery had no benefits. I think that this is just a matter of whether one chooses to speak fact and truth or not, and its pretty much that simple, Harris said in an interview with with ABC Newss Linsey Davis. I dont think this is up to any ideological debate to say that people who were enslaved did not benefit from slavery, period. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will court high-dollar donors in Kansas City and Wichita next week amid an ongoing attempt to reset his struggling presidential campaign in a Republican race dominated by former President Donald Trump. DeSantis will appear at luncheons in Wichita on Aug. 7 and the Kansas City area on Aug. 8, according to invitations circulating among Republicans. Access to the luncheons begin at $3,300 per person, with a VIP reception priced at $6,600 per person. The fundraising events are coming two weeks after the DeSantis campaign laid off more than a third of its staff in a cost-saving measure as the second-place candidate burns through cash. In addition to taking in donations, the appearances may help the candidate build support in Kansas and Missouri two states that could prove important in a drawn-out battle with Trump for the nomination. But Trump is the favorite for Republicans in both states, according to interviews with current and former GOP elected officials and party leaders. In a New York Times-Siena College national poll conducted in late July, 54% of likely Republican voters say they support Trump, compared to 17% for DeSantis. Kansas City area Republicans interviewed by The Star on Monday offered a roughly comparable, though anecdotal, view of the race regionally. Its clearly Trump, Trump ahead, said former Kansas Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer, who Trump tapped to lead a federal panel on rural health care in 2020. When you drive down I-70 or I-35, youre seeing these signs Trump 24 up and no other candidates ever shown that sort of loyalty. Colyer places Trumps lead in Kansas at 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 based on his conversations with voters. Colyer, who was governor in 2018 and early 2019, said he expects to announce who hes supporting in the coming weeks. Despite facing multiple criminal indictments and a civil jury finding he sexually abused the writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s, Trump retains a strong base of support among Republicans. After falsely claiming he won the 2020 election, he has promised in a second term to seek the death penalty for drug traffickers, order the Department of Justice to investigate radical left prosecutors and has said he could settle the Russian war on Ukraine in one day if elected. Story continues DeSantis is campaigning as a hard-right alternative to Trump who supporters say could effectively carry out the former presidents agenda without the legal and rhetorical baggage surrounding Trump. DeSantis has aggressively promoted his decision to quickly lift pandemic restrictions and hasnt hesitated to wield government power against perceived ideological enemies, including Disney after the company opposed Floridas Dont Say Gay law. Spokespeople for the DeSantis campaign didnt respond to questions on Monday. The campaign hasnt announced any public events during the visit and hasnt disclosed the locations of the fundraisers. An email accompanying the invitations says the campaign hopes to see you at one of the events in Kansas, suggesting the Kansas City event is on the Kansas side of the metro. Governor DeSantis is the first presidential candidate to visit Kansas during this presidential campaign, and we hope you will join us for one of the events supporting Team DeSantis 2024, the email says. This trip wont be DeSantis first visit to Kansas, however. In September 2022, DeSantis held a rally in Johnson County in support of then-Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who was the Republican candidate for governor. Schmidt went on to lose to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in November. The Kansas side of the Kansas City metro is increasingly becoming a Democratic stronghold, with Trump losing Johnson County in 2020. The main super PAC supporting DeSantis, Never Back Down, is being advised by Jeff Roe, who founded the Kansas City-based political consulting firm Axiom Strategies and managed the 2016 presidential campaign of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The PAC had $97 million cash on hand in June, The Washington Post reported Monday. Wichita is home to Koch Industries, the massive privately-held company led by billionaire Charles Koch, who funds an extensive network of political groups that often support Republican candidates. Koch is spending tens of millions to oppose Trump, but hasnt endorsed a candidate. Koch Industries and the DeSantis campaign didnt respond to questions about whether the candidate plans to meet with Charles Koch while in Wichita. Trump may be able to effectively clinch the nomination quickly next year if he sweeps early nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and has a very strong showing on March 5 Super Tuesday when more than a dozen states will hold caucuses and primaries. But if DeSantis can remain competitive until then, other states such Kansas and Missouri will grow in importance as the candidates scramble to win delegates. Some Republicans cautioned against writing off DeSantis in the area as Republicans weigh whether Trump could again win a general election. Trumps already significant legal troubles are expected to continue to grow, but others said in interviews the investigations are so far boosting his support. Trump has been indicted on New York state charges of falsifying business records and on federal charges related to retaining classified documents at his Florida club and obstructing investigators. The former president has also said he anticipates another federal indictment over allegations related to his quest to remain in power after his 2020 election loss. And a Georgia district attorney will likely seek to indict Trump related to his post-election efforts in that state. It is helping Trump. It helps him a lot, Mark Anthony Jones, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Committee, said of the indictments and investigations. Kansas state Rep. William Sutton, a Gardner Republican, said that while the indictments and investigations have driven up Trumps support, he expects the race to become more even as the rally effect subsides. I think DeSantis, if hes on the ground in Kansas, has a real shot, Sutton said. Again, theres a lot of Trump supporters who are married to Trump and thats it. But I think theres still a lot of people who are persuadable. Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka who has closely studied the Iowa caucuses, said Trumps legal problems remain a wild card in the race. DeSantis stops in Kansas City and Wichita, in addition to raising money, shows the Florida governor is networking with supporters he may need to mount a campaign in Kansas and Missouri this spring. A primary can be a true slog, a battle to the finish, Beatty said, referencing the long Democratic nominating fight between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2008. It took Obama until June to secure enough delegates to lock down the nomination. Its very possible it could happen again, Beatty said. Its a hell of a thing to watch, thats for sure. DeSantis efforts to convert Trump supporters could end up benefiting Democrats nationwide, said Jeff Smith, a former Missouri Democratic state senator. As Trump and DeSantis fight to win over hard-right Republicans who vote in primaries, more moderate voters may be left in the lurch. If the ideological terrain of the national Republicans that theyre fighting over moves so far to the right that theyre far from the 40-yard line of American politics, that gives a national Democrat more running room, more opportunity to seize the great middle of American politics, which is why we won independent voters in 2020, Smith said. And why we won independent voters in the 2022 Senate races. In the primary, Kansas state Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall, a Paola Republican, said Trump has a strong hold on Kansas Republican voters that DeSantis will not be able to overcome. Some of the support, she said, is loyalty for a politician who meets them at their level. The only path that he would have in Kansas would be if Trump wasnt in it, she said. The Stars Katie Bernard and Kacen Bayless contributed reporting Deep-pocketed political donors have flooded Ron DeSantis super PAC demonstrating his campaigns reliance on an outside group funded by a small circle of wealthy people. The donations laid out Monday night in the first official filing of the Never Back Down PAC supporting the Florida governor show DeSantis can benefit from nearly $100 million the organization had on hand as of June 30. Between Never Back Downs deep coffers and DeSantis early campaign cutbacks, his operation will largely be powered by what is in essence a shadow campaign that cannot legally coordinate with the candidate. The super PACs biggest single donor, Robert Bigelow, gave $20 million accounting for more than half of the total from individual contributions Never Back Down has raised since March. Bigelow is not a new donor: He gave $10 million last summer to a Florida state PAC that DeSantis set up as governor. That account, now called Empower Parents, shifted $82.5 million to Never Back Down in May making it the largest influx of cash. Bigelow, who has said he would go without food in order to support DeSantis White House ambitions, cuts an enigmatic figure. A Las Vegas real estate tycoon, he poured some of his fortune into studying the possibility of life after death and has long expressed curiosity about unidentified flying objects over a ranch he owned in Utah. Much of the money came from Florida-based business people, according to the filing that covers contributions made through June 30, including real estate developer Jay Odom, who gave $400,000 to Never Back Down. Odom was indicted in 2013 over a straw donation scheme supporting 2008 candidate Mike Huckabees presidential campaign. Other major contributions to the PAC include $2 million each from Stefan Brodie, the founder of a Pennsylvania chemical company; and Douglas Leone, managing partner of Sequoia Capital; as well as $1 million each from Saul Fox, a major GOP donor and collector of Israeli antiquities; Story continues David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries; and Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, the longtime GOP donor power couple. DeSantis' reliance on big-dollar donors is contrast with the small-dollar prowess of former President Donald Trump, but those aligned with DeSantis highlight their advantages. Every conversation at the door, every text message reply is making us smarter and more efficient. We are running a full-scale operation that has never been done before at this level by either party. Donald Trump is using most of his donors money to cover his legal fees. This isnt close," said Chris Jankowski, CEO of Never Back Down. But while DeSantis has drawn from a wide cross-section of the GOP donor class, several prominent GOP megadonors who have given to DeSantis in the past have yet to contribute to Never Back Down. Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, who has reportedly soured on Trump and is looking for a different Republican to back this cycle, was absent on the Monday night release. Griffins associates recently told the Financial Times the executive is frustrated by DeSantis positions on international relations and teaching about gender and sexuality as well as his ongoing fight with Disney. Jeff Yass, one of the wealthiest people in the world and an early investor in TikTok, didnt continue his financial support of DeSantis through Never Back Down, according to the filing. Yass had contributed $2.6 million to the Florida governors state committee earlier this year. Yass did, however, donate to two PACs backing other GOP presidential candidates this year: $600,000 over several months to Opportunity Matters Action Fund, which backs Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, and $250,000 in June to Tell It Like It Is, which supports former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Though the DeSantis campaign cannot legally coordinate with its aligned super PAC, the two entities often overlap on the campaign trail. Never Back Down spent $33.7 million through the end of June as it effectively morphed into an arm of the campaign even hosting DeSantis on recent bus tours through Iowa. DeSantis campaign, by contrast, spent $7.9 million between his launch in May and the end of June. Never Back Down spent $4 million on canvassing, $1.5 million on polling and $1 million on payroll examples of how it is beginning to pay for standard campaign activities. And as the DeSantis campaign sheds staff en masse as a cost-cutting measure to shore up his campaigns finances, Never Back Down is considering picking up some of the axed employees. CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to include David Millstone's proper title. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and an exhibit of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity items. (Rich Lipski/Washington Post via Getty Images and Octavio Jones/Getty Images) Just two months after the NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for Florida, warning visitors that the state has become openly hostile toward African Americans under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantiss leadership, two major Black organizations are moving their annual multimillion-dollar conferences elsewhere. Now advocates hope the momentum from the relocations translates to real change that affects the ballot box in 2024. It is our hope that the outcry and loss of revenue will force legislators to repeal the terrible bills that were passed in the last few years, Melba Pearson, a Miami-based civil rights and criminal law attorney, told Yahoo News. We hope that voters will make solid decisions in the upcoming elections, based on now knowing the impact these negative laws have on their neighbors, friends and communities. Organizations pivot from Florida Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the countrys oldest and largest intercollegiate Black fraternity, and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the U.S., have decided to move their conferences that were scheduled to be in Florida in 2025 and 2024, respectively, to other states, citing a potential hostile environment for their members. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha in 2020. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Alpha Phi Alpha, which was founded in 1906 and boasts a membership of more than 200,000 members and 700 chapters around the world, last week said that due to DeSantiss harmful, racist, and insensitive policies against the Black community, the organization would find a new home for its 119th anniversary convention, slated to be in Orlando in 2025. The group says the event was expected to generate $4.6 million in economic impact. "Although we are moving our convention from Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to support the strong advocacy of Alpha Brothers and other advocates fighting against the continued assault on our communities in Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis," general president Willis L. Lonzer III said in a statement. Story continues The organizations membership has included figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall, as well as politicians David Dinkins, the first Black mayor of New York City, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. NSBE, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, similarly decided after much deliberation that Florida did not offer its members enough safety and an ideal membership experience to be the setting for such a milestone event. We made the decision that the environment in Florida is not the backdrop we want for that 50th annual convention, Avery Layne, national chair of the organization, which reports having more than 18,000 members and nearly 800 chapters worldwide, told Yahoo News. The Summer Engineering Experience for Kids program, offered by SAE International and the National Society of Black Engineers. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post) Layne and his board of directors decided to pull out of Orlando in 2024 and relocate their conference to Atlanta in March. Many of them, he said, considered the fact that the organization was founded during the Black Power movement a time of racial pride but also heightened racial animus. At the organizations first conference, at Purdue University in Indiana in 1975, advisers shared stories, according to Layne, of how members traveling there from out of town were told not to stop before reaching campus because of the potential danger in that region, which was Klan country. When we are thinking about the things that are in the history and the founding of our organization and the experience that we want to provide for our members going forward, that's really what our move is about, Layne said. The organization said it expects the conference to contribute multimillions of dollars in revenue for the local region through vendors and local businesses, though it did not specify an exact figure. NSBE CEO Janeen Uzzell, who leads the headquarters and operations side of the organization, added that the move came after conversations with the NAACP, the National Urban League and various political leaders around the state, like Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., and Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones, to help it make an informed decision. This is an example of what a revolution looks like in modern-day terms, Uzzell told Yahoo News. [Its about] young people having the ability to pivot and change course of direction. Controversial Florida policies At the center of the decisions are what critics say are the state GOP leaders attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity programs in Florida schools. Last month, state leaders passed new Black history standards for Floridas public schools, in which students must learn that some Black people benefited from slavery because it taught them useful skills. In May, DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits colleges from spending public funds on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In the months prior, he signed into law the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts how workplaces and schools can discuss race, and blocked an Advanced Placement African American studies course in the states public schools, claiming it lacked educational value. Demonstrators outside the Florida state Capitol on Feb. 15 protest DeSantis's plan to eliminate Advanced Placement courses on African American studies. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Florida is home to more than 22 million people, 17% of whom are African American, according to the latest census data. The confluence of moves to upend diversity initiatives has been met with fierce opposition from political leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who traveled to Tallahassee late last month to blast what she called an attempt to replace history with lies. But the growing backlash seems to only further embolden DeSantis and his own allies to double down. The governor has openly mocked the notion that any kind of boycott or travel advisory would be effective, calling it a joke during a news conference the day after the NAACP state conference in March. In all, at least 10 other conferences that were slated to be hosted in Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Orlando have been moved or canceled in recent months, with event organizers citing concerns over the states laws related to LGBTQ rights, abortion, gun laws and more. The lost revenue has cost local businesses, hotels and others in excess of $20 million, according to local tourism officials. DeSantiss office did not respond to Yahoo News request for comment. This is power Yvette Lewis, the NAACP's Hillsborough County branch president, has been encouraged by the decisions to move the conferences, and hopes others follow. This is power, she told Yahoo News. I am so proud of you, Alpha Phi Alpha and NSBE, for standing for justice. A sign with the NAACP logo at a rally at the Lincoln Memorial. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Lewis, who leads the largest chapter in the state, first presented the idea of an advisory to the NAACP state conference in March, after feeling as though all other options had been exhausted. The travel advisory is already having an effect on the economy, she said. As the legal redress chair for the NAACP's South Dade branch, attorney Pearson sees both moves the conference changes and the advisory as a win against bigotry. The goal of the travel advisory was to educate people on what was happening in the state of Florida, so that they can make choices on how best to move forward in deciding where to host their conferences and spend their hard-earned money, she said. The fact that conference organizers have taken a deeper look and made decisions accordingly is a positive. By Kanishka Singh and Costas Pitas WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Monday he would aim to deter China from invading Taiwan if he wins the 2024 presidential election, saying China would refrain from such an attack if the costs outweighed the benefits. "So my policy is going to be to deter that from happening," DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, told Fox News on Monday when asked what he would do if China invaded Taiwan. "China respects hard power. If they think the costs are going to exceed any potential benefits, they are not going to do it," the Florida governor said in the interview. DeSantis said such deterrence would involve both "hard power" in the region, an apparent reference to U.S. military power, as well as economic levers that the U.S. could pull. U.S.-China relations have been tense for years over a range of national security and trade issues, including China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. Among the other sore points are U.S. export bans on advanced technologies, China's state-led industrial policies, human-rights issues, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and trade tariffs. The Biden administration has sought to take a step toward repairing ties between the world's two biggest economies through recent visits to China by senior U.S. officials. DeSantis criticized President Joe Biden's handling of the China-Taiwan issue. "I do think under Biden we are on a course where in the next five or 10 years, they probably would be able to take it," he said, referring to China and Taiwan. "If we change course I think we can prevent it." DeSantis, like other Republican candidates, has been hawkish on China and has called it "the No. 1 geopolitical threat" for the United States. Former President Donald Trump currently leads the Republican field in public opinion polls, with DeSantis a distant second. Story continues In a separate interview published on Monday in the Wall Street Journal, DeSantis said he would consider a national ban on Chinese-owned short video app TikTok. I am inclined to not want TikTok in the United States, DeSantis told the newspaper. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Costas Pitas in Los AngelesEditing by Matthew Lewis) Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he would consider a national TikTok ban if elected, amid bipartisan security concerns about the Chinese-owned video-sharing app. I am inclined to not want TikTok in the United States, the Florida governor told The Wall Street Journal. I think its creating a security vulnerability for us. I think they are mining a lot of data. However, he emphasized he would stop short of instituting something like the RESTRICT Act. The bipartisan legislation, introduced in March, seeks to give the federal government more power to regulate and ban technology linked to foreign adversaries, such as TikTok. At the end of the day, I dont want Big Brother to be getting into everybodys apps, DeSantis told the Journal. Its about vulnerabilities to our country. The Florida governor signed a bill barring the use of TikTok on government and school servers and devices in the Sunshine State earlier this year, as part of a slate of legislation aimed at curbing the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Florida. We think whatever utility that these applications have is clearly outweighed by the benefit that the CCP gets from data mining and being able to collect information, DeSantis said at a press conference in May about the new legislation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said he did not pick the fight over the states new curriculum on slavery, which calls for students to be taught that enslaved people developed skills that some used for their benefit, that has stirred widespread controversy. DeSantis said in an interview with Bret Baier that aired Monday on Fox News that Vice President Harris has lied about what the states standards are. Harris slammed the curriculum earlier this month during a visit to Florida in which she accused extremists of trying to push propaganda to students, while DeSantis has said the curriculum is being misrepresented. We didnt pick the fight, Bret, DeSantis said. You cant bend the knee to the lefts lies. When the left lies and creates these phony narratives, youve got to push back, he added. Harris is not the only prominent official who has criticized the standards, with the curriculum also yielding attacks from several Black Republicans serving in Congress. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), another presidential candidate, denounced the standards on multiple occasions, saying that no silver lining exists to slavery and that the institution is antithetical to who we are. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and DeSantiss campaign clashed after Donalds said he supported the vast majority of the curriculum and considered it good, robust & accurate but took issue with an attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery. Aides to DeSantis accused Donalds of taking talking points from Harris and other members of the Biden administration. Donalds said he was surprised to receive criticism over his comments, posting online, Anyone who cant accurately interpret what I said is disingenuous and is desperately attempting to score political points. Reps. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) and John James (R-Mich.) also criticized the standard. The curriculum requires teaching on race to be objective and not indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view. One part requires instruction on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Story continues DeSantis said in the interview that the adoption of the curriculum was a public process in which objections could have been raised previously. He said Republicans should have pushed back against Harriss comments. What Republicans should have done is push back against her, say Youre operating in bad faith, he said. DeSantis has said students are to be taught under the provision that enslaved people received the skills in spite of slavery, not because of it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged to end the weaponization of government and allow Americans charged with crimes in Washington, D.C. to stand trial in different jurisdictions as former President Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his role in interfering with the 2020 presidential election. In a tweet posted just minutes after news of Trumps indictment broke, DeSantis dodged the question of whether the 2020 election was rigged, as Trump has repeatedly alleged, but broadly accused jurors in D.C. of an ingrained bias that deprived Americans facing charges in the district of a fair trial. Washington, DC is a swamp and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of the swamp mentality, wrote DeSantis, a former three-term U.S. representative. One of the reasons our country is in decline is the politicization of the rule of law. No more excuses I will end the weaponization of the federal government. Trump was indicted on federal criminal charges on Tuesday related to his role in trying to stir distrust and obstruct the certification of the results of the 2020 presidential election. The indictment has been expected for days. Trump announced in mid-July that he had been informed by Special Counsel Jack Smith that he was the target of an ongoing investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump, who has held tight to the claim that the election was rigged against him, has accused the Justice Department of prosecutorial misconduct and spread the idea that hes the victim of a political witch hunt by liberal government officials who are trying to shut down his 2024 White House bid. President Joe Biden defeated Trump in the November 2020 election by about 4.5 percentage points nationally, or 74 electoral votes. Trump refused to concede the race following his loss, claiming without evidence that widespread voter fraud and electoral malfeasance skewed the results and that he was the rightful winner. Story continues His weeks-long campaign to remain in the Oval Office reached a fever pitch on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as members of Congress were certifying the results of the 2020 election. DeSantis, who is competing with Trump for the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination, has walked a fine line in the debate over the 2020 election. Hes acknowledged Biden as the president, but has been reluctant to take a stance on Trumps allegations of a rigged election. Hes repeatedly accused prosecutors and government officials of unfairly targeting conservatives and has said that while Trump could have done more to quell the Jan. 6 riot, the former presidents conduct doesnt necessarily rise to the level of a criminal offense. The election inference case isnt the only legal trouble for Trump. He was charged earlier this year in Manhattan for his role in an alleged hush-money scheme. He was also indicted in June on charges related to his retention and handling of classified government documents after he left the White House. Abortions rights demonstrators gather outside the Old Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point on Monday, July 31, 2023, on the eve of Indianas near-total abortion ban going back into effect. (Alex Dalton/Post-Tribune) For old friends JoAnn Mosby and Deb Rakers, the more things change the more they stay the same. The two were friends in high school and found themselves demonstrating for abortion rights in 1973 at age 20 in the lead-up to Roe v. Wade. Back then we were just in awe that the government would tell women they couldnt do this, said Mosby, who lives in Valparaiso. What do you mean, if I was married I would have to get permission from my husband to get birth control? Advertisement Fifty years later theyre still at it. It just kind of always stayed in play, Mosby added of the laundry list of womens issues theyve been keeping tabs on in the ensuing decades. Across the region and across the state Monday evening, the Indiana National Organization for Women held vigils in support of abortion rights in advance of the states near-total ban on abortions slated to take effect Tuesday, though there was a glimmer of hope for reproductive rights supporters. Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana asked the states high court Monday to keep Indianas near-total abortion ban on hold while it pursues a narrower preliminary injunction in a trial court to address the scope of the bans exemption allowing women facing serious health risks to obtain abortions. The petition seeking a rehearing will delay the ban from taking effect while the Indiana Supreme Court considers the matter. The ACLU of Indianas request comes after the high court ruled on June 30 that Indianas Republican-backed ban doesnt violate the state constitution. Indianas six remaining abortion clinics including the Merrillville Planned Parenthood location have stopped providing abortions ahead of the states near-total abortion ban officially taking effect, clinic officials said Tuesday. Planned Parenthoods four Indiana abortion clinics stopped performing abortions Monday in accordance with state guidance that providers received in July alerting them that on or around Tuesday abortion would become illegal in Indiana in clinic settings with really very, very limited exceptions, said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of the Planned Parenthood division that includes Indiana. Indianas two other abortion clinics have also stopped providing abortions, with one calling it a dark day for Indiana. Indiana became the first state to enact tighter abortion restrictions after the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated federal protections by overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022. JoAnn Mosby, of Valparaiso (left), and Deb Rakers, of Burns Harbor, have been protesting abortion bans for 50 years. (Shelley Jones/Post-Tribune) Mosby and Rakers reconnected at the Valparaiso demonstration in 2021 commemorating the one-year anniversary of Ruth Bader Ginsburgs passing. Monday evening they were again on the courthouse lawn in Valparaiso at the vigil put on by the Northwest Indiana chapter of NOW on the eve of the states abortion ban taking effect. We made the progress and its just one step forward and two steps back, added Rakers, who lives in Burns Harbor. Behind Mosby and Rakers, longtime NOW member and Chesterton resident Margaret Willis gave the crowd a history of reproductive rights in America. Its essential for us that we gather like this, she said. That we know that were not alone. Were not a few. Were the majority. Advertisement A hefty police presence ensured there were no disturbances to the vigil, and there were no signs of opposition, either among the dozens of attendees or those driving by. For its part, Porter County Right to Life issued the following statement regarding Tuesdays change in abortion law in Indiana: We are thankful to the Supreme Court of Indiana for their decision to let our law stand. We pray for all the other states. Our work is not yet done. We will continue the fight for all life, from conception to natural death! Willis isnt convinced. When they claim to be protecting life, they only mean an embryo, not a woman, or her family, she said after telling the crowd that the FBI says one in four American woman are the victims of rape or sexual assault, and that the leading cause of death of pregnant women is murder by their partners, or that the majority of the 17% of children living in poverty do so in maternal-supported households. Mosby and Rakers held signs along the north sidewalk of the courthouse lawn cheering with dozens of others as semis and other vehicles honked their support on Lincolnway. Rainbow flags were in abundance, as was Kelly green, the color of global feminism and reproductive rights around the world. But this vigil, while in solidarity with global womens issues, was very much about local voices and their support of womens reproductive rights and the Equal Rights Amendment. Advertisement Protesters of Indiana's abortion ban listen to speakers at a Northwest Indiana NOW vigil on the courthouse lawn in Valparaiso Monday evening. (Shelley Jones/Post-Tribune) It brings home the idea that every community is impacted, said Julie Storbeck, president of both the Indiana and Northwest Indiana Chapters of NOW. Doctors are shutting down their practices because of these abortion bans, she added, gesturing toward the surrounding streets. We dont go to the Statehouse to have our babies. Storbeck says shes seen pictures of ERA author Alice Paul, who wrote the still-unratified amendment outlawing inequality on the basis of sex 100 years ago, working the phones well into her 90s. And we are still not written into the Constitution, she said. It was not an oversight. I cannot believe, as of tomorrow, my daughter will have fewer rights than I had. Her daughter, Hannah Trueblood, is running as a Democrat for mayor of Valparaiso. Trueblood told those gathered that they must vote and they must elect candidates who are feminists, unlike current Republican city and state officeholders representing Valparaiso. Were literally losing our rights tomorrow, she said. In addition to Valparaiso, NOW held events in Michigan City, South Bend, Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis and Bloomington, as well as Crown Point. Around 50 demonstrators attended the Crown Point demonstration in front of the old Lake County Courthouse on South Main Street. Participants voiced their frustration with a state legislature that they believe has turned its back on the interests of Hoosier women, their remarks punctuated by frequent honks of support from passing motorists. Indiana is brutal, NOW member Rocky Davis, who helped organize the rally, told the Post-Tribune. None of us want to go backwards. We dont want to be treated like second-class citizens. Advertisement Several signs and speakers invoked the symbolism of the coat hanger, calling to mind a pre-Roe era during which desperate women lacking access to legal abortions sometimes turned to dangerous and potentially deadly means of terminating a pregnancy. I marched in 1973 on this issue, Pam Putzel told the crowd. Here I am at the age of 73 and were still fighting the same ... battle. When will we be heard permanently? Womens rights are everybodys rights. Electoral action was the rallys running theme. State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, urged participants to turn out at upcoming elections and exert pressure on their elected officials. State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, joins other abortions rights demonstrators outside the Old Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point on Monday, July 31, 2023, on the eve of Indianas near-total abortion ban going back into effect. (Alex Dalton/Post-Tribune) Voting is the best way to let your voices be heard, she said. Not just voting today or voting in November or in the primary and forgetting about what theyre doing on the day-to-day basis, but following them, asking questions, coming to the Statehouse. The events organizers distributed election guides, voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications alongside information on how to access the drugs necessary for at-home medication abortions. The ACLU of Indiana, representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinic operators, had challenged the constitutionality of the abortion ban. A county judge later ruled that the ban likely violated the state constitutions privacy protections. Advertisement But in its June ruling, the high court struck down the county judges injunction that has blocked a 2022 laws restrictions banning the vast majority of abortions in the state since September. In its decision, the court said that while the state constitutions liberty clause protects a womans right to an abortion that is necessary to protect her life or to protect her from a serious health risk, the provision does not protect a fundamental right to abortion in all circumstances. An exemption under the ban states that it is limited to circumstances in which an abortion is necessary to prevent death or a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. In Mondays petition for rehearing, the ACLU of Indiana wrote that the high courts ruling had left open the possibility that this constitutionally protected right may be broader than the current statutory exception. Its unclear how long it may take the high court to decide the matter. The Indiana Attorney Generals Office filed a response to the ACLUs petition on Tuesday saying, Artificially prolonging an erroneously issued injunction through an exercise of raw judicial power would contravene this Courts precedents, subvert the purpose of preliminary relief, and undermine the democratic process, according to court records. Advertisement The states ban will eliminate the licenses for all abortion clinics in the state and ban most abortions, even in the earliest stages of a pregnancy. It includes exceptions allowing abortions at hospitals in cases of rape or incest before 10 weeks post-fertilization. It also allows abortions up to 20 weeks to protect the life and physical health of the mother or if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. Current Indiana laws generally prohibit abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy and tightly restrict it after the 13th week. Indianas abortion ban also faces a separate court challenge over claims it violates the states 2015 religious freedom law signed by GOP then-Gov. Mike Pence. The states intermediate Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments in that case Dec. 6. Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. adalton@chicagotribune.com The Associated Press contributed. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Tim Scott are battling as each tries to fill the lane as the non-Trump candidate in the GOP primary. DeSantis has been the clear No. 2 in polls in the GOP primary all year, but there are signs that his campaign is faltering amid a reset and negative headlines. While Scott has yet to emerge as the clear alternative from the crowded pack, his campaign has seen a few bright spots, including some momentum in early state polls and increased interest from donors. The two candidates have also gotten confrontational with each other in recent days, as the two spar over Floridas Black history standards. The candidates also represent two starkly different options for Republicans open to a non-Trump alternative: One a pugilistic populist focused on the culture wars, and the other an optimist leaning into his inspirational trajectory. What the Never Trump side or the people open to candidates other than Trump are telling you is that Tim Scott has an optimistic message, and right now that optimistic message is stronger than DeSantiss resume, said Florida-based GOP strategist Ford OConnell. When asked whether he thought Scott was a threat to DeSantis, OConnell said absolutely. Tim Scott rising speaks more to Ron DeSantis underachieving expectations, he added. Last week, Scott offered his most pointed criticism of DeSantis yet when he was asked about Floridas new standards for teaching Black history, including language in the curriculum that says students should be taught that enslaved people developed skills that benefited them under the system of American slavery. There is no silver lining in slavery, Scott said at a campaign stop in Iowa on Thursday. Slavery was really about separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives. It was just devastating. The senator doubled down on the criticism in an interview on Friday, in which he said, Whether youre Kamala Harris or Ron DeSantis, having an opportunity to restate your position against slavery is always something that should be welcomed by all people. Story continues DeSantis responded to Scotts criticism when asked about it during a campaign stop last week, saying that D.C. Republicans all too often accept false narratives, accept lies that are perpetrated by the left. And to accept the lie that Kamala Harris has been perpetrating even when that has been debunked thats not the way you do it. Scott was not the only Black Republican who spoke out against the curriculum. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R), along with Reps. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) and John James (R-Mich.), all of whom have endorsed Trump, criticized the plan. Donalds appeared to temper his criticism on Friday, telling NewsNations The Hill that he only disagreed with one line in the curriculum. However, some Republicans say DeSantis has fumbled in his handling of the backlash. This was yet another unforced error from the DeSantis team: While these standards seem to not be what the left and media have made them out to be, DeSantis needs to be having less distractions, said Alex Stroman, a South Carolina-based GOP strategist. Politics is about addition not subtraction and at this point, DeSantis unfortunately seems to be trying to alienate every group of voters. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage The back-and-forth between the two men comes as the Florida governor has suffered a slew of negative headlines in recent weeks, including lagging poll numbers, layoffs in his campaign team and donors reportedly considering other candidates to support, like Scott. Adding fuel to the fire on Monday, the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America knocked DeSantis after he declined to say whether he would back a federal abortion ban in a recent interview. The group called DeSantiss position on abortion unacceptable, several months after he signed a six-week ban in Florida into law. Governor DeSantis delivers results and acts, especially when it comes to protecting life. He did so in Florida by signing the heartbeat bill and will be a pro-life president. He does not kowtow to D.C. interest groups, DeSantis campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin said in response. This unjustified attack on him is another example of the D.C. political games that have seen conservatives falter in Washington while Governor DeSantis has produced unmatched conservative victories in Florida, he added. Meanwhile, Scott has largely avoided swiping at the other candidates and has seen some modest bumps in polling from early states like Iowa and New Hampshire something his campaign largely credits because of his message to voters. But his campaign said they see their prime target as President Biden first and foremost. Our chief opponent is going to be Joe Biden, because Tim is working towards being the nominee. So were looking at contrasting ourselves not only from Joe Biden, but obviously he has a unique voice within the field of candidates, said Scott campaign spokeswoman Nicole Morales. Other Republicans, too, believe Scott could present a serious challenge to DeSantis. I think Iowa is do-or-die for both of those candidates, and I think Tim Scott has the ability to do very well in Iowa, said GOP strategist Alex Conant. Ron DeSantis is very dependent on major donors, and Tim Scott appeals to a lot of those same donors, he added. Yet national and local polling still underscore the reality that Trump remains the frontrunner in the GOP primary. A New York Times/Siena College poll released Monday showed Trump with 54 percent support, while DeSantis placed next at 17 percent and all others placed at less than 5 percent, including Scott. Some donors are batting away the polling right now, saying its still early. You got to realize Tim Scott only really started in April, all right? said metals magnate and Scott donor Andy Sabin, before pointing to Trumps legal controversies and whether it could affect if he can even run in the GOP primary. Sabin is hosting a fundraiser for Scott along with others on Aug. 9 in Bridgehampton, N.Y., and has said hed like to host several others in Manhattan and at the Ocean Reef Club in Florida. He suggested by the end of the year or even sooner, Scott would be outpacing DeSantis. But other Republicans say candidates seem to be battling for second place while not consistently going after Trump. It sure looks so far like its a replay of 2016 where everybodys trying to get in position to capitalize on a Trump collapse that never materialized in 2016, explained Arizona-based GOP strategist and Trump campaign alum Brian Seitchik. And I get the environment is different. Certainly, President Trump has a lot more baggage this time than he had years ago. But I dont get this concept of trying to play yourself into second place if you want the kings job, you got to go after the king, he added. On Monday, DeSantis unveiled his economic plan in Rochester, N.H. The governor declined to take any questions unrelated to that topic. No matter how much the media and D.C. elites try to destroy Ron DeSantis, they cant change the fact that this is a two-man race for the nomination, said Andrew Romeo, a spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign. Ron DeSantis is ready to prove the doubters wrong yet again and our campaign is prepared to execute on his vision for the Great American Comeback as we transition into the next phase of winning this primary and beating Joe Biden. His supporters are brushing off the notion that Scott or anyone polling below DeSantis is in any way a threat to the Florida governor. I dont think anyone can dispute that its a two-person race for the GOP nomination between Trump and DeSantis, said Justin Sayfie, a Florida-based Republican strategist, referring to the numerous polls showing Trump leading DeSantis. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday that he supported a blockade by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) on hundreds of military promotions, asserting that the Pentagon was violating the law with its abortion travel policy. The new policy which pays the travel costs for service members who dont have local access to reproductive health care, including abortions is not consistent with longstanding U.S. law, DeSantis said Monday during an interview in New Hampshire with FOX News Bret Baier. I think it plays into a larger problem that we have seen in the military, the Republican presidential hopeful added. You have a lot of civilians forcing them to engage in political and culture issues that are detracting from [the] mission this is one of them, but the pronouns and the drag queens and all those other things. Tubervilles hold is set to leave the Army and Navy without Senate-confirmed nominees to replace retiring leaders by mid-August. The monthslong logjam has already left the Marine Corps with a temporary commandant the first time in 100 years the branch has not had a Senate-confirmed leader and has kept more than 270 military promotions in limbo. DeSantis, who during the interview on Monday noted that his own experience in the military differentiated him from the crowded GOP field, said it was the Pentagon that picked the fight with Tuberville by violating the law. So I think that standing up for that is the right thing to do, DeSantis said. Both the Senate GOP and Alabama Republicans are split over Tubervilles blockade, while President Joe Biden has warned that the hold will lead to a growing cascade of damage and disruption. On Monday afternoon, the White House announced that the permanent headquarters of the U.S. Space Command would be in Colorado , instead of Tubervilles home state of Alabama. The move prompted outrage from lawmakers in Alabama, including Tuberville, who called the decision shameful in a statement on Monday evening. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wants to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss her criticism of the states Black history school curriculum standards after she joined widespread outrage over newly approved guidelines that diminish the impact of slavery and racist violence. In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues. And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice, the governor wrote in a letter on 31 July, referencing her recent remarks in the state. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards, he added. The administration also has invited William B Allen, one of the members of the working group that developed the standards who has a long history of inflammatory remarks and partisan rhetoric. The Independent has requested comment from the office of Ms Harris. The vice president travelled to Orlando on Tuesday to deliver remarks at the 20th Womens Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Quadrennial Convention. Her visit follows remarks in the state on 21 July to condemn the states propaganda and the extremist, so-called leaders who support it. Though she did not name him or any other Florida officials, the vice presidents speech was directly aimed at the governor, whose administration has sought to radically overhaul public education and establish a parents rights agenda that restricts honest lessons of race and racism, threatens discussion of LGBT+ people and events, targets libraries and reshapes local school boards. A new set of standards for African American history in Florida schools will teach middle schoolers how enslaved people developed skills that could be applied for personal benefit. Another guideline instructs high schoolers to be taught that a massacre led by white supremacists against Black residents in Ocoee to stop them from voting in 1920 included acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans. Story continues Civil rights advocates, educators and lawmakers have warned that the guidelines present a distorted, revisionist picture of American history. Adults know what slavery really was. It involved rape, it involved torture, it involved taking a baby from their mother, it involved some of the worst examples of depriving humanity of people in our world, Ms Harris said in her remarks in Jacksonville. Members of the working group and the Florida Board of Education have defended the unanimously approved standards, assuring that they include comprehensive lessons on American history, including its darkest chapters. Mr Allen, a Black professor emeritus at Michigan State University who also sits on the national advisory board of the right-wing think tank Center for Urban Renewal and Education, has repeatedly defended the working groups guidelines. A review of his past statements from Popular Information reveals a history of incendiary, contrarian remarks used to bolster and legitimise right-wing ideology. In 1989, he faced protests while participating in a panel titled Blacks? Animals? Homosexuals? What is a Minority? on which he claimed that special classes of protection for LGBT+ people and other minorities are a fatal mistake that heighten tensions and antagonism. Creating legal protections for minority groups is the beginning of the evil of reducing American blacks to an equality with animals and then seducing other groups to seek the same charitable treatment, according to prepared remarks. His speech was denounced by the US Civil Rights Commission on which he was then serving as chair as disgusting and necessarily inflammatory. That same year, he also was charged with kidnapping a 14-year-old girl from a Native American reservation in Arizona while she was the subject of a custody battle between her mother and a white couple who adopted her. Mr Allen also has opposed race-conscious admissions in higher education, including leading a campaign with a group that included members of the conservative Christian Hillsdale College and right-wing interest group the Heritage Foundation. He also has criticised The 1619 Project, which is explicitly banned from Florida schools, and has rejected concepts including systemic racism, institutional racism [and] white privilege. Mr DeSantis has routinely accused the left and Democratic officials of indoctrinating students in the state while he promotes an agenda that bans honest discussions of race and racism, sexuality and gender. The governors administration also recently approved materials from right-wing political advocacy group PragerU to be included in K-12 classrooms. The founder himself has said that those lessons are explicitly designed to indoctrinate. The campaign for Mr DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2024, has fired back at Black Republicans in Congress who have joined criticism of the African American history standards, including US Reps Byron Donalds and John James, as well as 2024 rival and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Both Mr James and Mr Donalds have endorsed Donald Trump. Democrats and Republicans are offering clashing interpretations of the significance of former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archers closed-door testimony, which lawmakers said included assertions that Hunter Biden was selling the illusion of access to his father and that Hunter Biden sometimes put President Biden on speakerphone to talk to his business associates. The revelations are fueling Republican attempts to link the president to his sons business dealings. Republicans, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (Ky.), say the testimony shows that President Biden lied when he made campaign trail statements that he had never talked to his son about his foreign business dealings. But Democrats say Archers testimony to the House Oversight Committee on Monday actually shows the president was not involved in Hunter Bidens foreign business affairs. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who attended the hours-long transcribed interview, said Archer testified that because Hunter Biden was under pressure from Ukrainian energy company Burisma, he had to give the illusion and he used that term, the illusion of access to his father, and he tried to get credit for things that he that Mr. Archer testified Hunter had nothing to do with, such as when Vice President Biden went to Ukraine on his own. Lawmakers clash over whether testimony implicates president Archer was on the board of Burisma with Hunter Biden. Republicans have said then-Vice President Bidens call to remove Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whose office was investigating Burisma, was directly related to his sons involvement with, and sizable payments from, the company. But the investigation in Burisma had been opened before Shokin took the position, and Shokin was widely criticized for failure to prosecute corruption, with his ouster supported by numerous U.S. officials. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement that Archer testified that President Biden was not involved in his sons business affairs, and that President Biden was never asked to, nor did he, take any official actions in relation to those business matters. Story continues White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said last week that the president was never in business with his son. On the other end of the partisan spectrum, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who also attended the transcribed interview, said he thought Archers testimony implicate[s] the president. Reading from his notes of the transcribed interview, Biggs said Archer testified that Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand. According to Biggs, Archer said the Biden brand referred to President Biden. But Goldman later said that Archer clarified the brand was based on a D.C. brand based on his own experience in lobbying and in conjunction with the fact that his last name was Biden. Burisma bribery allegations Both Biggs and Goldman said that Archer had no knowledge of an alleged $5 million payment to Biden from Burisma, an allegation relayed by a confidential FBI source in a form released by Republicans earlier in June. Goldman argued that Archers testimony undercut the premise of the Biden-Burisma bribery allegations. Even though it was perceived by Burisma that they had the Prosecutor General Shokin under control, quote unquote, that Joe Biden advocated for his firing which of course, was not coveted or desired by Burisma, and would potentially be bad for Burisma, Goldman said. Raskin said that Republicans appeared to be chasing the bribery allegations, and pointed to a recent letter to Comer from Lev Parnas, who was involved in an effort to dig up dirt about the Bidens in Ukraine ahead of the 2020 election, urging Comer to abandon efforts to chase the conspiracy theories. Comer, on the other hand, took issue with Hunter Bidens work with Burisma. When Burismas owner was facing pressure from the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating the company for corruption, Archer testified that Burisma executives asked Hunter to call D.C. after a Burisma board meeting in Dubai, he said in a statement, which a press release said raised concerns that Hunter Biden was in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Phone calls with the president Archers testimony did appear to partially back up Comers statement to the New York Post last week that he expected Archer to discuss the times he witnessed Hunter Bidens putting then-Vice President Biden on speakerphone with foreign business partners. Democrats downplayed that concern. The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of a 10-year relationship. Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings, Goldman said. As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, Whats going on? Goldman said, adding that there wasnt a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had. Democrats also stressed that there were especially frequent conversations between Hunter Biden and his father after his brother, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer in 2015. Biggs pushed back on Goldmans characterization. He probably forgot to tell you that Devon Archer himself said that was an implication of who the big guy is, Biggs said, referring to communications drawn from a laptop hard drive that purportedly belonged to Hunter Biden. The House Oversight GOP also said in a tweet that President Biden attended a 2014 dinner with Hunter Biden and some of his foreign business associates at Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C. White House slams GOP after much-hyped witness testimony Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, also argued that the Archer interview poked holes in the GOP attempts to directly link President Biden to his familys foreign business dealings. It appears that the House Republicans own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his sons associates, or doing anything wrong, Sams said. House Republicans keep promising bombshell evidence to support their ridiculous attacks against the President, but time after time, they keep failing to produce any. In fact, even their own witnesses appear to be debunking their allegations. Raskin said that the Biden family investigation is a desperate effort to distract everyone from former President Donald Trumps mounting criminal indictments and deepening legal morass. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was also in the interview, told reporters that Archer had revealed new information, but declined to elaborate further. Abbe Lowell, counsel for Hunter Biden, said in a statement that House Republicans keep swinging and keep striking out in their obsessive pursuit of the President through his son, Hunter. Mr. Archer confirmed one more time that Hunter Biden did not involve his father in, nor did his father assist him in, his business. Its well known that Hunter and his father speak daily, and what Mr. Archer confirmed today was that when those calls occurred during Hunters business meetings, if there was any interaction between his father and his business associates, it was simply to exchange small talk, Lowell said. Like the relatives of Donald Trump, Senators Ron Johnson and Ted Cruz, Rep. Lauren Boebert, and many others, family members of elected representatives meet people and may get opportunities because of those connections, he continued. Congress would be busy investigating many of their own if thats their idea of an offense. Archer did not answer shouted questions when entering or leaving the transcribed interview, and his attorney declined to take a side in the debate over his testimony. We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archers voluntary interview today. But all Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely. Mr. Archer shared the truth with the Committee, and we will leave to them and others to decide what to do with it, said Matthew L. Schwartz, a managing partner of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, met with lawmakers behind closed doors on Monday to testify about the younger Biden's business dealings and what, if any, involvement his father, President Joe Biden, had with them. Archer and his attorney Matthew Schwartz were on Capitol Hill for several hours for an interview with the Republican-led House Oversight Committee. Archer was expected to provide details related to Hunter Biden's business dealings in Ukraine, ABC News previously reported. Archer subsequently told lawmakers on Monday that Hunter Biden would frequently take his father's phone calls in the company of business associates and put him on speakerphone, according to lawmakers and sources familiar with the testimony -- a development that sparked partisan jockeying over its significance. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the Oversight Committee, called it evidence that "Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he had no knowledge about his son's business dealings and was not involved." Democrats framed those interactions as benign pleasantries: "Not a shred of evidence of a single conflict of interest of President Biden ever doing anything in connection or in relation to Hunter Biden's business ventures," said Rep. Dan Goldman of New York. Hunter Biden "was selling the illusion of access to his father," Archer told the panel, according to Goldman -- but never directly involved his father in any of their business dealings. Comer also said Archer told the committee that Hunter Biden's value to Burisma, a Ukrainian oil and gas firm, was the "the brand" associated with the Biden family. A Democratic source disputed that -- claiming "the brand" referred to Washington, D.C., not the Biden family, specifically. An attorney for Archer would not comment on the specifics of what his client told the committee, only telling ABC News in a statement after the testimony that Archer answered questions "honestly and completely." Story continues "We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archer's voluntary interview today," said Schwartz. "Mr. Archer shared the truth with the Committee, and we will leave to them and others to decide what to do with it." MORE: Who is Devon Archer? Ex-Hunter Biden business partner worked with him in Ukraine PHOTO: Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, arrives for closed-door testimony with the House Oversight Committee at the O'Neill House Office Building July 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Archer and Hunter Biden previously partnered in the investment firm Rosemont Seneca and the two served together on the board of directors at Burisma. Hunter Biden wrote in his 2021 memoir that it was Archer who initially "raised my name for a possible board seat" at Burisma. ABC News has reported that Hunter Biden and Archer, who also secured a seat for himself, raked in $166,666 payments each month for their work with the firm. Republicans have portrayed Archer's testimony as key in their investigation into the Biden family, and it came as House GOP leaders prioritize efforts to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden by attempting to link him to his son's business dealings. When the panel subpoenaed Archer in June, it stated he played a "significant role in the Biden family's business deals abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia, and Ukraine." "Mr. Archer's testimony is critical to the committee's investigation," Oversight Chair Comer said at the time. "Mr. Archer was Hunter Biden's business partner in a number of transactions involving foreign nationals and foreign companies." However, Comer's office said on Monday morning he wouldn't be in attendance for the testimony. Some lawmakers spotted arriving for the session were House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, Rep. Goldman and Republican Rep. Andy Biggs. Jordan, stepping out during the interview, told reporters it "very productive" but declined to get into specifics until it was over. Congressional Republicans have repeatedly claimed President Biden was more involved in his son's business affairs than he's disclosed -- allegations Joe Biden and the White House have denied. So far, their investigations into the Biden family have revealed little new information. PHOTO: House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan arrives to hear from Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's former business partner, as he gives closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee in Washington, July 31, 2023. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre has said that President Biden "was never in business with his son." Goldman said Monday that Archer indicated "Hunter spoke to his father every day and approximately 20 times over the course of a 10-year relationship. Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings." Archer clarified that it was sometimes people they were trying to do business with, and it was sometimes friends or other social engagements, according to Goldman, who spoke with reporters about halfway through the closed-door interview. "The witness was very, very consistent, that none of those conversations ever had to do with any business dealings or transactions," Goldman said. "They were purely what he called casual conversation." "There is no evidence connecting President Biden to anything related to Hunter Biden. We have been told by the Republicans repeatedly that this is an investigation into Joe Biden, there is no evidence that connects Joe Biden to any of this, and we've now had witness after witness come in and they have testified to the same thing," Goldman said later. "The witness repeated over and over and over again, that the President Biden never discussed any business dealings of hunters with Hunter or anyone else," Goldman said. Goldman added, "So, the implication that because Hunter put his father on the speakerphone with people that Hunter was doing business with, had meant that President Biden had any discussions about business is false." MORE: What to know about the Hunter Biden federal investigations Rep. Biggs of Arizona confirmed Archer said President Biden never spoke with Hunter Biden's business associates beyond pleasantries. Biggs highlighted what he said was testimony from Archer claiming that Burisma would not have survived without the Bidens. According to Biggs, Archer told lawmakers, "Burisma would have gone out of business had the Biden brand not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand." Biggs contended that the "Biden brand" refers to Joe Biden. White House spokesman Ian Sams downplayed Archer's testimony later on Monday, saying that "it appears that the House Republicans' own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his son's associates, or doing anything wrong." "House Republicans keep promising bombshell evidence to support their ridiculous attacks against the President, but time after time, they keep failing to produce any," Sams said in a written statement. "In fact, even their own witnesses appear to be debunking their allegations." Archer arrived on Capitol Hill Monday with his own legal travails. He was convicted on federal tax charges in 2018 as part of a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. The conviction was overturned, reinstated, and appealed. Archer is expected to report to prison in the coming months to serve his one-year sentence. But his counsel recently said a report date would be premature in light of "his anticipated continuing appeal," according to court documents. ABC News' Ben Gittleson and Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report. Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's former business partner, testifies before House Oversight Committee originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Illustration of an archery target pinned with an photo of Hunter Biden Illustrated / Getty Images Like Erwin Schrodinger's eponymous cat, former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer's closed-door congressional testimony this week offered a masterclass in the powers of perception and their limits as House Republicans and Democrats each scrambled to stake their divergent narrative claims in the wake of his highly anticipated appearance on Capitol Hill. For conservative lawmakers, Archer's testimony offered further damning evidence in their ongoing, and thus far unsuccessful, attempt to link President Biden to his son's questionable business dealings. For Democrats, Archer's appearance was not so much a silver bullet of impeachable criminality as it was a chunk of fool's gold shiny, but ultimately worthless. "Joe Biden was 'the brand' that his son sold around the world to enrich the Biden family," House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) crowed, following Archer's claims that the younger Biden had occasionally put his father on the phone with various potential business partners over the years. Not so, countered Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who said that although Hunter seemed to have sold the "illusion of access" to his father, Archer had nevertheless stressed "over and over and over again that President Biden never discussed any business dealings or interests with Hunter or anyone else" in all that time. "To the extent that Hunter Biden used his father ... in any furtherance of any of his business dealings, it was not in consultation or collaboration with his father," Goldman told Axios following Archer's testimony. "Did he want to have the appearance of influence" to his various business associates, Goldman conceded. "Yes, I think he did. And that was ill-advised," he continued. By providing both Democrats and Republicans with enough grist for their respective mills, Archer's testimony is now being simultaneously touted as a major bombshell for some, and a major dud for others. Is it really one or the other, or could it be a little bit of both? Story continues What are the commentators saying? "Will the president have to apologize for misleading the public during the 2020 debates, when he categorically denied his son's influence-peddling overseas?" The Wall Street Journal's William McGurn asked following Archer's testimony. Ceding that Archer's testimony "doesn't prove Joe Biden discussed business terms or shared in any profits," McGurn stressed that "at the very least, it exposes Mr. Biden's gaslighting of the American people in 2020" when pressed about Hunter's business dealings during that year's presidential elections. "As the layers of this onion get peeled back, it's starting to smell incredibly bad," former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker told Fox News, claiming that Democrats have remained quiet following Archer's appearance because "most of these people in the House on the Democrats side impeached Donald Trump for asking [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy to look into this exact situation." "Archer's interview on Monday didn't seem to provide the smoking gun [House Republicans] were looking for," The Daily Beast contended. Rather, Archer "reportedly provided no evidence that directly connected Joe Biden" to Hunter's business machinations. House Republicans "keep promising bombshell evidence," agreed White House Spokesperson Ian Sams. "But over and over, they can't produce any." "Republicans have claimed repeatedly and so far without proof that the investigations implicate the president in corruption and crimes," the New York Times wrote, cautioning that nevertheless, "Mr. Archer's testimony underscored that Mr. Biden had made false or misleading statements regarding his family members' finances." "Hunter Biden's constant stream of scandals and his history of being a brazen nepo baby have made him a perfect political target for the GOP," MSNBC's Zeeshan Aleem wrote shortly before Archer appeared before the House panel. That "constant stream" has ultimately helped conservatives create "a false symmetry between Joe Biden and the Trump clan's systematic exploitation of political connections for personal gain." What comes next? For the immediate time being, the GOP effort to pursue and exploit Hunter Biden's legal challenges and alleged business practices seems guaranteed to continue apace. "Now that we have proof that Joe Biden is on record lying," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told Axios. "That is a very, very big deal in regards to impeachment inquiry" of which she herself has become a leading proponent. "It's highly unlikely that Hunter wanted to talk with his father about the weather," The Wall Street Journal editorial board wrote after Archer's testimony concluded. "He knew what he was selling, and we'll see what else we learn as the House keeps looking." Meanwhile, House Republicans have begun probing the younger Biden's recently derailed plea agreement over tax and firearm allegations, with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Miss.) and Comer jointly asking the Justice Department to clarify the "unusual" nature of Biden's deal. That plea agreement has been temporarily paused for a month while Justice Department attorneys and Biden's legal team work to file new paperwork in the hopes of moving ahead as initially planned. Archer himself seems content for now to back out of the political spotlight, and focus on his own legal challenges. "We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archer's voluntary interview today," his attorneys stated after he'd left the committee hearing. "All Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely. Mr. Archer shared the truth with the Committee, and we will leave to them and others to decide what to do with it." You may also like Homepage Tuesday, August 1 is Washingtons Primary Election and were taking a look at some of what you can expect to see on the ballot. The top two candidates in each race will advance to the November General Election. Follow KIRO 7s August Primary coverage Ballot drop-offs end at 8 p.m. You can find drop boxes in King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County and Thurston County, or use the statewide drop box and voting centers map. >>KIRO 7 will be on air with the first results at 8:30 p.m. Seattle City Council Seattles council will see a major upheaval, with voters sorting through more than 40 candidates. Seven of nine seats are in the hands of voters. Four current council members are not returning, so the council will be getting a facelift. Council members not seeking reelection this year include Kshama Sawant, Alex Pedersen, Debora Juarez and Lisa Herbold. Voters in Magnolia depending on where they live will have a new council member representing them. New district maps, which were approved in November 2022, split Magnolia between two districts 6 and 7. King County Council There are two open positions for the Metropolitan King County Council: District 4 and District 8. In District 4, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, current King County council member and vice chair, will retire from her position after her term ends this year. Competing for her open seat are Becka Johnson Poppe, Jorge L. Baron and Sarah Reyneveld. In District 8, incumbent Joe McDermott is not running for another term. Competing for his slot are Teresa Mosqueda, Sofia Aragon and the ever-present GoodSpaceGuy. Tacoma City Council Two positions are up for grabs, with eight candidates. In District 3, incumbent Keith Blocker isnt running for reelection, leaving the field open to five candidates. Meanwhile, incumbent Kristina Walker is running for reelection to her at-large Position 8 seat. Snohomish County Executive Three people are running for Snohomish County Executive, including incumbent Dave Somers. Story continues Somers is facing Republican County Chairman and Precinct Committee Officer Bob Hagglund and entrepreneur Christopher Garnett. Bellingham Mayor Six people are running for Bellingham Mayor, including incumbent Seth Fleetwood. Four of his challengers are on the ballot, while one, Joel Johnson, is running as a write-in candidate. Fleetwoods other four opponents are Kim Lund, Kristina Michele Martens, Mike McAuley, and Christopher J. McCoy. Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne, David Ross, and Desiree Toliver all seek to replace the incumbent, Mayor Cheryl Selby. Selby did not run for reelection and instead is shifting her focus to being a community volunteer with either the Olympia Armory or the Inspire Olympia program. Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 3 In the South Sound, West Pierce Fire & Rescue is hoping voters say yes to a replacement levy that funds a quarter of the departments operating budget. The current maintenance and operations levy expires at the end of this year. If not approved, staff may have to be cut, according to Fire Chief Jim Sharp. He says staff cuts could potentially be dangerous, especially at this time of year. The department is fighting more brush fires this year than they did in all of last year. The department, which serves about 150,000 people, is asking for $16.9 million each year until 2028. Sharp says fire risks seem to be increasing every year. We see this as a continuing trend, weve seen this for several years now. If it had been one or two years, we would not have thought much about it, but each summer gets longer, hotter, drier, so its definitely something we have to plan for, said Sharp. In all, there are 11 fire levies in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Taylor Swift performs on her Eras Tour in Nashville on May 5. (George Walker IV / Associated Press) Are you one of the countless Taylor Swift fans who waited in a queue for hours on Ticketmaster but still didn't get any tickets? Although SoFi Stadium in Inglewood can accommodate 70,000-plus people, many Swifties find themselves unable to get seats for any of the Eras Tour's six sold-out shows there. Some enterprising fans have found another way into coveted concerts: By joining one of the temporary crews working on the show. And you don't have to be a whiz at sound engineering, lighting or other technical field to join them you just have to be 18 or older. Gig work apps have become more popular in recent years for filling temporary jobs in roles such as bartender, cashier and concessions, dishwasher, prep cook and event staff. The good news for ticketless Swifties is that the hospitality staffing app Tend just released its Eras jobs list, and it's looking for candidates. Read more: The ultimate guide to seeing Taylor Swift at SoFi Stadium Here's how to apply. Download Tend and create a profile. Creating a profile takes about five minutes. You'll need a government issued-ID (a driver's license will do), a phone number, email address, and home address to round out the profile. The app also recommends submitting a professional photo that reflects what you want to communicate to your employer. You must be at least 18 years old. After profile approval, complete the questionnaire for "Cashier/Concessions." Under the Application Hub section, go to "Quick Apply" and find "Cashier/Concessions." Submit your responses related to your years of experience and type of event. It's OK if you don't have any. But be honest. You should be approved within a few minutes to see open jobs. Decide whether you want to be part of the parking or wristband crew. Currently, there are two categories of jobs listed by Nowsta Talent, the staffing agency, for the Eras Tour: parking attendant and wristband crew. More types of positions may open up for the L.A. concert dates. For each concert date from Aug. 3 to 9, there are roughly 80 to 110 people needed for wristband crew to hand out LED bracelets that light up in sync with Swift's performance. Read carefully before clicking apply, as only some wristband crew members will work during concert hours. The job pays $18.50 to $20.50 an hour, depending on your shift time. Transportation is not provided, so you'll have to find your way to Inglewood on your own. And bring only a minimal number of items in a clear bag, as the agency does not have any space to store your personal belongings. Approximately 25 LAZ parking attendants per day will work from 1 p.m. to midnight at lots that, judging from LAZ's website, aren't on the SoFi grounds. This job pays $18.25 an hour. You won't be able to see the show, but you may have a chance to hear Swift sing (SoFi is an open-air stadium). Ace the interview. After submitting an application, wait for an interview. Demand is high, so you may not get a response if your profile does not match what employers are looking for. According to a Washington Post article, Taylor Swift tour jobs have received triple the usual amount of applications for concerts. Volunteer groups such as California Triathlon are also partnering with SoFi to staff concessions, so there are fewer slots now for gig workers. Unfortunately, you won't get to wear your Eras Tour planned outfits because the attire will be all-black. Think of it as being in your Reputation era. Do your job well. But also enjoy the ambiance as a Swiftie. Don't suddenly "run off to the bathroom" to sneak into the show and avoid your responsibilities. Many Swifties will be depending on you for a smooth concert experience. You'll also be permanently banned from Tend if you abandon your post. On the other hand, feel free to lip-sync along with the songs and enjoy the concert atmosphere. Getting into SoFi to work the show may not be as great as getting in with a ticket, but it beats not getting in at all. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In 2014, California police discovered a woman dead of starvation in an apartment. Then they found a second womans body in a box under the kitchen table, Monterey police said in a July 31 news release. But the true identities of the two women remained a mystery until a new analysis of their DNA in 2023, police said. The first woman, who had lived in the apartment for 12 years, had a drivers license identifying her as Francesca Linda Jacobs, born in 1955, according to the release. She left a handwritten will identifying the woman in the box as her mother, Florence Jacobs, police said. However, the woman identified as Francesca Jacobs looked older than her drivers license seemed to indicate, police said. Police also could find no records for Francesca Jacobs from before she arrived in Monterey in the 1990s, and few records for Florence Jacobs, leaving their true identities unknown. As a result, foul play could not be ruled out for the remains found in the box, which were too decomposed to reveal a cause of death, police said. In 2022, a cold case task force took up the case and sent DNA from the two bodies for analysis. Testing identified the woman found dead in the apartment as Linda Rae Jacobs, born in 1942, and the body in the box as Ida Florence Jacobs, her mother, police said. Investigators were able to confirm the identifications with people who knew them and determined that no foul play was involved in the death of Ida Florence Jacobs, according to the release. The reasons Linda Rae Jacobs assumed a new name or why she would keep her mothers body in a box under the kitchen table will likely never be known, police said, adding that the people who could help answer those questions are now also dead. Police ask that anyone with information on other cold cases in Monterey contact detective Bill Clark at 831-646-3971 or bclark@monterey.org. DNA from steering wheel links school bus driver to decades-old rapes, NM officials say Slain woman found near Texas highway 44 years ago, cops say. Shes now been identified 12-year-old got off bus and vanished 30 years ago, Florida cops say. Now man charged Law enforcement officers searched the office and properties of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast military enlistment head, suspected of illicit enrichment, the National Police reported on Aug. 1. According to the investigation, during Russia's full-scale invasion, the official and his relatives acquired property worth around $350,000, which significantly exceeds his legal income. The National Police's press service didn't disclose the suspect's name, but it is known from open sources that the chief of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast military recruitment office is Anatolii Pikalo. At the time of the all-out war, Pikalo allegedly registered several cars and two apartments in Dnipro for his father. He also registered an enterprise for a family member, which purchased non-residential premises of about 500 square meters, the National Police wrote. "However, no income reports from the business entity were submitted to the tax authorities." The investigation is ongoing. If convicted of illegal enrichment, Pikalo may face up to 10 years in prison. Earlier, the former head of Odesa's military enlistment office, Yevhen Borysov, was charged with illicit enrichment and violating the order of military service, later taken into custody. After journalists discovered that Borysov's family had purchased property worth $4.5 million in Spain during the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a nationwide inspection of military enlistment offices. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Area police officers bow their heads as they stand with their K-9 partners during a memorial service for fallen police K-9 Falco at Gary's Marquette Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Gary Police Cpl. Angel Lozano and the rest of the department have put their gentle giant to rest. Officers from all over Lake and Porter counties and Cook County, Illinois, as well as members of the community, joined Lozano in celebrating Falco, his K-9 partner, during a Tuesday morning service in front of the Marquette Park Aquatorium. Falco was killed July 13 during a foot chase; the man who shot him was arrested and charged. Advertisement K-9 Falco sits with Gary handler, Corporal Angel Lozano, between training sessions on Monday, June 10, 2019, for the first day of a weeklong K-9 training operation at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative in Valparaiso. (Kyle Telechan/Post Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune/Post-Tribune) Gary Police Chief Anthony Titus marveled over the connection officers have with their K-9s. The partners spend more time with each other than they do their own families, and you can see a love like no other between them, he said. Gary Police Officer Donald Briggs hugs corporal Angel Lozano during a ceremony honoring Lozano's fallen K-9 partner Falco in Gary's Marquette park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) A K-9 also serves to remind officers why they do what they do, he said. Advertisement On that fateful day, Falco didnt hesitate, didnt ask, Why were we going on this call? he just answered the call. He listened to (Lozano) and he did his job. Its unfortunate what happened, but its what we do every single day, Titus said. As officers, we have to remember why we took this job; why did I decide at whatever age I decided it to raise my right hand and take a vow why we took a vow to how to treat my fellow man, why did I decide that if I were in a situation that to be in the middle of the life and death of another individual, I would do that. I understand that these are trying times for our profession, but we took an oath, and we have to remind ourselves of why we did. Gary police Chief Anthony Titus speaks during a memorial service for fallen K-9 Falco in Gary's Marquette Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Titus also thanked each and every one of the K-9s and their handlers, acknowledging that it may feel like departments and administrations dont understand the time and love it takes to have a K-9 partner. We understand the training, we understand the washing, we understand that you get in the car and sometimes, you look at your K-9 and go, What did you eat that day? because sometimes, they dont smell like they did when you took them to work that morning. Again, thank you for your service. Gary police corporal Angel Lozano holds a flag dedicated to his fallen K-9 partner Falco during a ceremony in Gary's Marquette Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Gary Mayor Jerome Prince called Falco a noble warrior and said its everyones responsibility to continue to find ways to make the city safer. Gary Police Cmdr. Sam Abegg called Falco family. K-9s live on your love for them, he said. Falco did what he was trained to do in the pursuit of justice; he was selfless, courageous and ready to serve for nine years. Gary police corporal Angel Lozano views a shrine dedicated to his former partner, K-9 Falco, during a memorial service for Falco near the Marquette Park Aquatorium on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) East Chicago Police Patrolman and K-9 handler Jalen Morris said being at the service makes him appreciate how well they have to train with their partners because what happened with Falco and Lozano can happen to any one of them. Griffith Cpl. Robert Gutierrez, who started with Griffiths first K-9, Geno, and now works with Kaz, agreed. Every day is different, but you always have a partner by your side. You cant beat that, he said. Advertisement A procession of area police vehicles make their way through Marquette Park in Gary in honor of fallen K-9 Falco on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Titus said the outpouring of support the department has received from around the country has been comforting to everyone and was especially grateful to the officers who came to the service. They couldve been doing anything else at 9 a.m. on a Tuesday, but they came out, he said. We know were not alone. Gary officers stand at attention with their K-9 partners during a memorial service for fallen police K-9 Falco at Gary's Marquette Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Falco in his eight years with the department was one of the first K-9s Gary got when it revived its program in 2011, K-9 leader Sgt. John Artibey said. He was involved in more than 1,000 deployments. Titus said the department has an offer from a company to fully fund a new K-9, which theyll do when Lozano is ready. Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. A video circulating on social media claims vaccines brought to Vietnam by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation led to a massive increase in the number of autism patients in the country. This is false; research shows no link between vaccination and autism, and Vietnamese experts said growing awareness and changes to diagnosis criteria have contributed to more people being identified with the neurodevelopmental disorder. "No autism in Vietnam before Bill Gates," says text over a video shared July 17, 2023 on Instagram. A man in the clip claims Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his foundation introduced a vaccination program to the Southeast Asian country, leading to a spike in cases. "There's no such thing as autism in 1975, year 2000, year 2001 -- there's no such thing," he says. "Now Vietnam has over a 300 percent rise in autism." Screenshot of an Instagram post taken July 26, 2023 The same video has circulated in Vietnamese and English on Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn and Twitter -- which is being rebranded as "X" -- since at least 2019, garnering thousands of views. Some posts indicate the speaker is Anthony Phan, a doctor based in the US state of California. But Phan does not specialize in autism -- and health authorities and experts told AFP his claims are false. "There is no link between vaccination and autism in Vietnam or other countries," said Quyet Minh Nguyen, a psychiatrist at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability. Scientists are still researching its causes, which may include genetic or other factors, according to Nguyen. "Saying vaccination causes autism is unscientific," he told AFP. Origin of the video The footage shared online includes a watermark that indicates it was cut from the controversial documentary "Vaxxed: From Cover-up to Catastrophe." The film was directed by Andrew Wakefield, a British doctor whose medical license was revoked after he falsified data in a 1998 paper linking autism to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Lancet retracted the study years later, but it continues to fuel misinformation. Story continues Scientists have repeatedly quashed claims that autism and vaccination are connected (archived here): A 2002 study (archived here) found that among 537,303 Danish children, 82 percent of whom had received the MMR vaccine, the risk of autism was the same in both the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. In 2009, researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia examined seven studies looking at a possible association between thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative in vaccines, and autism. All of them failed to support the link (archived here). The Journal of the American Medical Association published a 2015 study on more than 90,000 children confirming the MMR vaccine did not increase the risk of ASD (archived here). Autism rates in Vietnam There are no official nationwide statistics on ASD rates in Vietnam, according to Cong Tran, a professor at Vietnam National University. Monitoring the progression of the country's ASD cases is further complicated by changes to how the disorder is diagnosed. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association introduced the single umbrella diagnosis of ASD, which covers four separate subcategories that had been used since 1994. "The change also makes it harder to compare the numbers of autism patients over the years," said Nguyen of the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. In 2021, researchers from Hanoi University Public Health published what they said was the first national survey of ASD prevalence in Vietnam (archived here), finding that about "1 in 132 children" had the condition. "ASDs amongst children aged 18 and 30 months in Vietnam tend to be increasing and are similar to this rate in other middle-income countries," the survey concluded. Tran, who has studied autism for 20 years, said growing awareness of ASD has led to more children being diagnosed, but "saying there was a 300 percent rise in autism in Vietnam is nonsense." Tran also works with many adults aged 30-40 who are living with ASD. "This means Vietnam definitely had autism patients before 2000," he said, refuting assertions in the video. Vaccination in Vietnam In 2015, the World Health Organization formally certified that Vietnam had a fully equipped national regulatory system that ensured the safety and efficacy of vaccines produced and used domestically. Vietnams Expanded Programme on Immunization has helped control measles -- and eradicate polio and neonatal tetanus, according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. "While no vaccine is 100 percent safe, very few adverse events are shown to be caused by vaccines," the US National Academy of Medicine said in a 2012 report (archived here). Vietnam has received support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), which counts the Gates Foundation as one of its major donors. But there is no evidence the vaccination programs are linked to autism. Gates and his foundation are regular targets of misinformation. Asked about the Vietnam claim, the foundation said in a July 25 email: "We can confirm that these claims are false." More of AFP's reporting on vaccine misinformation is available here. If youre job hunting or even just need a change of pace, work in state government is known for its security, steady pay and good benefits. In Kentucky, the average annual pay for a government employee is $53,792, or about $26 an hour, according to employment site ZipRecruiter. Weve rounded up several well-paying open government jobs, and in many of them, you may end up earning more than the average. As of Monday, each of the positions are still unfilled, but you may not want to put off applying. Heres a look at whos hiring in Kentucky and where to apply. You can search all open positions through the Kentucky Personnel Cabinets website at personnel.ky.gov. Fisheries biologist II Salary: $3,172.18 to $4,699.50 (monthly) Location: Frankfort Hiring Agency: Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet If youre looking for an unconventional job that isnt office work, this may be perfect. In this position, youll work outdoors to preserve the Bluegrass States fish and wildlife. Your work will focus on studying the states water reservoirs, specifically the overall health of its fish populations. According to the job description, responsibilities span everything from gathering samples in the field, organizing and executing long-term research projects and potentially educating the public about your findings. Apply before Aug. 17 for a shot at reeling in this job. Administrative branch manager Salary: $4,094.14 to $6,065.28 (monthly) Location: Hanson in Hopkins County Hiring Agency: General Government Cabinet The job title might sound mundane, but it belies a vital role within the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs helping to run the Western Kentucky Veterans Center. In this role, youll oversee supervision and management of the centers human resources, payroll, financial services and procurement departments. Youll coordinate with other government agencies and officials, train new supervisors and make disciplinary decisions at times. Ultimately, your job is to ensure an environment for compassionate care. Story continues The advertisement for this position closes Aug. 3. Policy and research consultant Salary: $70,768.32 (annual) Location: Frankfort Hiring Agency: Cabinet for Health and Family Services If you have a knack for research, this may be a perfect fit for you, and youll get to study issues related to human services and child welfare. The mission of this position is to help guide the Department of Community Based Services strategic planning efforts. Overall, youll be using your research skills to discover new ways the agency can run more effectively and efficiently. The advertisement for this position closes Aug. 6. Office of Inspector General investigator II Salary: $53,171.52 (annual) Location: Varies Hiring Agency: Cabinet for Health and Family Services If youre a crack detective, Kentuckys Office of Inspector General is looking to hire someone who can conduct internal investigations of waste, fraud and abuse. Your work will help maintain the integrity of Kentuckys government, including its important programs like its food stamps and Medicaid, among others. Job responsibilities include establishing contacts and performing surveillance, gathering evidence, analyzing said evidence and presenting your findings in writing and in the courtroom. The advertisement for this position closes Aug. 3. Kentucky Horse Park Equine operations section supervisor Salary: $36,913.92 to $54,687.36 (annual) Location: Lexington Hiring Agency: Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet In this position, youll oversee activities at the Kentucky Horse Parks Big Barn, a facility that houses six different breeds of draft horses and one of the busiest at the facility, according to the job description. As a supervisor, youll still be expected to get your hands dirty. Job responsibilities include feeding and watering the horses, bathing them, saddling, mucking stalls and generally keeping the horses and barn in a healthy, presentable condition. Your job also has a public-facing component, as well. You should be able to confidently drive a trolly and share information about the Kentucky Horse Park on tours open to the public, following a memorized script. Overall, its your job to serve as a source of information about the park, including all its activities and programs, so you should know the park inside and out. The advertisement for this open position closes Aug. 8. Do you have a question about employment in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com. California is one of only several states along with Nebraska and North Dakota that explicitly require doctors and nurses to make police reports of adult domestic violence-related injuries, even when doing so is contrary to their patients wishes. While doctor-patient confidentiality and patient autonomy are basic tenets of medical ethics, California law criminalizes medical professionals who fail to report adult domestic violence to law enforcement. Untreated injuries, decreased safety and criminalized survivors and healthcare providers are just some of the consequences of Californias outdated medical mandatory reporting law. Opinion When it was proposed 30 years ago, the law which requires California doctors and nurses to be mandated reporters for domestic violence was opposed by the American Medical Association and domestic violence advocates. Yet it was enacted in a time of few services for survivors of abuse and scarce research about domestic violence interventions. Now that we know better and can do better, its time to end mandatory police reporting by health providers that, in actuality, prevents the most vulnerable from accessing healthcare, often decreases safety for survivors and wrongly presumes police reporting as the solution to abuse. Instead of mandated police reporting, Assembly Bill 1028 Centering Health and Safety, introduced by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), mandates advocacy support. AB 1028 recognizes multiple pathways to safety, centers patient care and directs abuse survivors to vital services, including advocates who work with survivors to address safety planning, childrens needs, finances, civil restraining orders, emotional and spiritual support and emergency shelter and housing. As domestic violence service providers, we see the harms of medical mandatory reporting firsthand. Jenesse Center, which provides services to abuse survivors in Los Angeles County, recently had a client experience horrific acts of abuse. She entered the program with multiple untreated injuries because she avoided going to the hospital for fear of losing her children due to Californias medical mandatory reporting law. Because her healthcare was so delayed, doctors feared she could lose her leg. Story continues Another organization in Californias Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, worked with a client who sought healthcare following abuse but was arrested and faced deportation when her healthcare provider contacted law enforcement. Clients of the UC Irvine School of Law Domestic Violence Clinic who seek medical care often do not disclose the cause of harm they have suffered due to fears of unwanted police contact. Without patient disclosure, doctors cannot provide early intervention in domestic violence, offer safety resources or document the abuse. Over the last few decades, research has shown that mandatory reporting often endangers survivors. In one study, 83% of abuse survivors who experienced medical mandatory reporting said it made their situation much worse, somewhat worse or did nothing to improve it. In addition to medical mandatory reporting interfering with patient confidentiality and choice, it has been noted to result in case identification which is biased against minorities. Extensive research has established that mandated police involvement disproportionately harms survivors of color, LGBTQ survivors and immigrants who lack secure immigration status, and it particularly escalates homicide rates for Black survivors. In contrast, when survivors are able to openly disclose abuse to their nurses and doctors, research by the University of Pennsylvania has shown they are four times more likely to utilize domestic violence resources and agencies, which is key to their safety. Like domestic violence, mandatory reporting to police removes survivors autonomy and self-determination in deciding what is best and safest for them. Instead, our organizations are focused on health and survivor services, believing medical providers can be powerful allies for domestic and sexual violence victims and that survivors should have access to healthcare separately from criminal legal systems. Jane Stoever is a professor at the UC Irvine School of Law and director of the UCI Law Domestic Violence Clinic and the UCI Initiative to End Family Violence. Karen Earl is the CEO of Jenesse Center, Inc. and co-lead of the Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network. The News Former President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday in connection to his efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election, including his actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Trump, who remains the lead Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential race, is now facing criminal charges in two federal cases, after he was indicted in June over his alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort after leaving office. And hes facing local charges in New York, and possibly in Georgia. In the latest case, Trump was charged with four federal counts: Conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding Obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding Conspiracy against rights He was summoned to appear in a Washington, D.C. court for a hearing on Thursday. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, Special Counsel Jack Smith said during brief remarks to the press Tuesday. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government. The 45-page indictment alleges that Trump was determined to remain in power despite having lost. In a statement Tuesday, a Trump campaign spokesperson called the charges fake. The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes, the spokesperson said. Know More Special Counsel Jack Smith was appointed last year to investigate Trumps role in the deadly Jan. 6 riot and his efforts to subvert the 2020 election. The probe was wide-reaching; the indictment includes a state-by-state breakdown of Trumps alleged scheme to overturn his losses in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It also included his allies larger plan to assemble groups of fake electors across the country. Story continues For months, witnesses have been subpoenaed and have testified before a grand jury in Washington. The list includes former Trump staffers, election officials from across the country, and former Vice President Mike Pence, who tried and failed to avoid testifying. Trump said in mid-July that he received a letter informing him that he is a target in the investigation. Meanwhile, in the classified documents case, a federal judge set a trial date of May 20, 2024 in Florida. Insights Former US President Donald Trump has been charged with plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat. He is accused of four counts including conspiracy to defraud the US, tampering with a witness and conspiracy against the rights of citizens. The indictment caps an inquiry into events surrounding the 6 January 2021 riot at the US Capitol. Mr Trump, 77, who is again running for president, denies wrongdoing. On social media he called the case "ridiculous". The Republican politician has already been charged in two other cases: with mishandling classified files and falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star. The election investigation has focused on Mr Trump's actions in the two-month period between his loss to Joe Biden and the riot in Washington DC, where his supporters stormed Congress as lawmakers certified the Democrat's victory. The man leading the inquiry, special counsel Jack Smith, did not charge the former president with inciting the mob that day but he told reporters: "The attack on our nation's capital on January 6 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. "As described in the indictment it was fuelled by lies." Mr Smith wrapped up his brief statement by pledging to seek "a speedy trial", while emphasising that the former president "must be assumed innocent until proven guilty". Mr Trump is due to appear in court on Thursday in Washington DC. The 45-page indictment lists six unnamed co-conspirators: four lawyers, a justice department official and a political consultant. The court document accuses Mr Trump of a "conspiracy to impair, obstruct, and defeat the federal government function through dishonesty, fraud and deceit". Rioters clash with police at the front doors of the Capitol on 6 January 2021 Addressing Mr Trump's allegations of voter fraud in 2020, prosecutors say: "These claims were false and the defendant knew that they were false." Story continues They also say Mr Trump tried and failed to convince Vice-President Mike Pence to attempt to block Mr Biden's certification as president on January 6, 2021. "As violence ensued, the Defendant and co-conspirators exploited the disruption by redoubling efforts to levy false claims of election fraud and convince members of Congress to further delay the certification based on those claims." The indictment also lists the numerous US officials and senior Trump campaign workers who, it says, informed the outgoing president that he had lost and that there was no evidence of voter fraud. Each of the four charges against Mr Trump are punishable by prison time. Obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to obstruct, both carry up to 20 years, while conspiracy to defraud the government is punishable by up to five. The fourth charge - conspiracy against rights - carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Trump allies have claimed the charge is punishable by the death penalty, but that is only the case if the crime involves murder, rape or kidnapping. The indictment does not allege Mr Trump's actions led to the deaths that occurred during or after the Capitol riot. Mr Trump, who now faces 78 criminal counts overall in three different cases, is currently the frontrunner in the Republican Party's contest to pick its next presidential candidate. Whoever wins will challenge the Democratic nominee, expected to be President Biden, in November 2024. These latest charges mean Mr Trump will have three criminal trials to attend in the next 12 to 18 months, complicating his second run for the White House. The BBC's North America editor Sarah Smith said these are the most serious charges he has faced so far. But the Trump campaign said in a statement that Tuesday's indictment amounted to election interference. "The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes," said the campaign. It added: "These un-American witch hunts will fail." His 2024 Republican rivals were quick to respond. While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the charges showed the "weaponisation of the federal government", Mr Pence said anyone who put themselves over the Constitution should never be president. Democratic leaders in Congress gave a joint statement which said: "This indictment is the most serious and most consequential thus far and will stand as a stark reminder to generations of Americans that no one, including a president of the United States, is above the law." Dozens of top Trump administration officials and advisers were interviewed as part of the investigation, including Mr Pence and former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Prosecutors in the state of Georgia are also investigating the former president on similar grounds, focusing on whether he illegally pressured officials there to discard Mr Biden's poll victory. A decision by prosecutors in Atlanta on whether to indict Mr Trump is expected this month. Republicans in other states are being investigated for allegedly helping Mr Trump's push to stop Mr Biden from taking office. State prosecutors in Michigan charged a former Republican attorney general candidate and another Trump supporter with tampering with voting machines in an effort to prove that Mr Trump had lost due to widespread voter fraud. The riot at Congress led to Mr Trump's second impeachment in the House of Representatives - making him the first US president ever to be impeached twice. News Daily banner Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. Donald Trump speaking to supporters at a rally ahead of the riot at the Capitol. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump has been indicted as part of the Department of Justice's investigation into the events leading up to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The riot was the culmination of efforts by Trump's supporters to block the certification of Biden's election. This is Trump's third indictment in less than five months. Former President Donald Trump has been indicted again by a federal grand jury, this time over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the events leading up to the January 6 Capital riot. It is the third indictment for the ex-president this year and yet another unprecedented legal obstacle for the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race. Federal prosecutors allege Trump broke federal laws by engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the government and obstructing an official proceeding by plotting to block Congress from certifying the electoral victory of now-President Joe Biden. The Justice Department, in a team led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, brought the charges. Trump announced last month that Smith's team had served him a target letter indicating he may be indicted in the investigation. Earlier on Tuesday, he said on Truth Social the indictment was forthcoming and said Smith was attempting "to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024." The 45-page indictment lays out how Trump lied about losing the election, falsely claiming he had won in numerous states, and then used those lies to try to overturn the results in several states. Trump and six co-conspirators also attempted to rope then-Vice President Mike Pence in their scheme and use the Justice Department to keep Trump in power, the indictment alleges. Trump's actions led to the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, Smith alleges, which was an attempt to obstruct Congress's certification of the vote. When the riot succeeded in delaying the certification, Trump exploited that time by trying to pressure more lawmakers to go along with his scheme, according to the indictment. Story continues At a brief press conference Thursday, Smith called the January 6 insurrection an "unprecedented assault on American democracy" that was "fueled by lies" from Trump. Smith also praised law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol and said the Justice Department would seek a speedy trial in Trump's case, Smith's team is also overseeing a separate prosecution, based in Florida, for a 37-count indictment alleging Trump illegally spirited away government documents from the White House after he left the presidency. Prosecutors say Trump held on to classified documents and, with his co-defendant Walt Nauta, a personal assistant, conspired to obstruct justice and lied to law enforcement. In March, Trump was indicted in New York. The Manhattan district attorney's office brought a 34-count indictment against the ex-president, alleging he falsified business records to disguise hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet ahead of the 2016 election about an affair she says she had with him. Trump pleaded not guilty in both of the previous criminal cases. What the Justice Department investigated In December, the House of Representatives' January 6 committee, which investigated the Capitol riot, recommended that the Justice Department bring four criminal charges against Trump: conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to make false statements, obstruction of an official proceeding, and inciting an insurrection. The recommendation doesn't bind prosecutors, but the voluminous evidence and under-oath interviews collected by the committee offer insight into what prosecutors may have focused on. Special Counsel Jack Smith speaks to the press at the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images For months, prosecutors have brought Trump's associates to testify before a grand jury in Washington, DC, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and former chief of staff Mark Meadows. Throughout their investigation, the DOJ has zeroed in on the meetings that Trump had with politicians between December 2020 and January 2021, as he repeatedly and falsely claimed that he had won the election, according to The Washington Post. His actions as the riot broke out were also being investigated. The investigation has also probed how much Trump's lawyers coordinated efforts by Republican state electors who tried to confirm Trump as the election winner. Trump's lawyers at the time, John Eastman and Giuliani, are also being probed for their individual roles, the Post reported. Outside of this case, DOJ prosecutors have brought more than 1,000 charges against rioters who ransacked the capitol and combed the halls for politicians, according to NPR. What's next in the January 6 investigation Trump will now have to show up for an arraignment in court, where the former president will enter a plea when presented with the charges. Prosecutors will likely try the case in Washington, DC, the site of the grand jury, where the indictment was filed. The bulk of the hundreds of criminal cases against the January 6 rioters are being tried in the district. Donald Trump. Win McNamee/Getty Images As in other cases, Trump's legal team will likely try to delay a potential trial until after the 2024 election. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis empaneled a grand jury last month in Atlanta that is expected to bring charges against Trump as well, for trying to overturn the election results in George. Her investigation also focuses on "fake electors" who tried to award Georgia's electoral votes to Trump even though Biden won the state. This month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel brought criminal charges against Republican "fake electors" in the state for a similar plot. Trump has a number of other legal headaches to deal with, including upcoming trials in New York over his business dealings and his endorsement of a multi-level marketing scheme, another rape and defamation trial from E. Jean Carroll, and several other lawsuits and investigations. This story has been updated. Read the original article on Business Insider Special Counsel Jack Smith said the attack on the US Capitol was fuelled by lies - AP Donald Trump led an unprecedented assault on American democracy according to a federal indictment that on Tuesday charged the former president with defrauding the United States. Mr Trump was charged with four counts by a grand jury in Washington DC, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. Special Counsel Jack Smith said the attack on the US Capitol was fuelled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at disrupting a bedrock function of the United States government. The indictment alleges Mr Trump conspired with six other unnamed individuals. Mr Trump, 77, has been summoned to appear before a federal court on Thursday. In a statement, the Trump campaign said he has always followed the law and characterised the indictment as a political persecution reminiscent of Nazi Germany. It is the third criminal indictment against Mr Trump, who remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. 06:48 AM BST Thanks for reading Our live blog coverage on Donald Trumps indictment has come to an end. You can read the full story here. 06:31 AM BST What happens next? Donald Trump is set to make his first court appearance on Thursday, when prosecutors will outline the charges against him and a judge will set his bail conditions. He might enter a plea at that time, but his arraignment could also come at a later date. A judge will then set a schedule for pretrial motions and discovery, the months-long process when prosecutors hand over documents and other evidence to defence lawyers. Mr Trumps attorneys will likely file a motion to dismiss in coming months, but those are rarely granted in criminal cases. Both sides are also likely to file motions seeking to shape what evidence and legal arguments will be permitted at trial. 04:43 AM BST Mike Pence: The Constitution is more important than any man's career Former US Vice President Mike Pence said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the country was more important than one man. Story continues Our Constitution is more important than any one mans career, he said. On January 6th, Former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will. Today's indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States. Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) August 2, 2023 03:35 AM BST Indictment claims Trump refused to tell rioters to leave As rioters ransacked the Capitol and disrupted the certification of the 2020 election results, Mr Trump repeatedly refused to approve a message directing them to leave, the indictment claims. He allegedly resisted the urgings of Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, and several other top officials. The indictment accuses Mr Trump and his allies of exploiting the disruption caused by the violence and redoubling their efforts to spread false claims of election fraud. On the evening of Jan 6, as the Capitol was being cleared of rioters, Mr Trump and an unnamed co-conspirator in the indictment called lawmakers to try to convince them to delay the certification, the indictment says. Indictment 02:51 AM BST Trump lawyer calls indictment an attack on free speech Donald Trumps attorney John Lauro has called the latest indictment of the former president an attack on free speech and political advocacy. Mr Lauro said in an interview on CNN on Tuesday night that it is an effort to not only criminalise, but also to censor free speech from Mr Trump. He said Mr Trump was being told by people after the 2020 presidential election that there were problems with it and he also saw in real time that the rules were changing without the state legislatures weighing in. Mr Lauro said the former president was relying on the advice of an attorney, John Eastman. Mr Eastman was the architect of a legal strategy aimed at keeping Mr Trump in power. Pressed on how Trump is being indicted for using unlawful means to discount legitimate votes & trying to subvert election, Trump attorney John Lauro says, What's the unlawful means? There was an effort to get alternate electors." Yes, fake electors who were not legitimate. pic.twitter.com/50lNeDoaFe Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 2, 2023 02:02 AM BST Biden heads for a fish supper and avoids comment on Trump indictment As Donald Trump was being indicted for a third time on Tuesday, President Biden was on his way to Matts Fish Camp, a chowder and fried fish restaurant near his Delaware beach house, for an early supper. The White House kept the pool of reporters who travel with Mr Biden far from the president, allowing him to avoid questions and maintain silence about his top political opponents mounting legal problems. After dinner Mr Biden, who is on vacation for the week, headed to a screening of Oppenheimer. The White House and the Biden re-election campaign declined to comment on Tuesday. We would refer you to the Justice Department, which conducts its criminal investigations independently, said Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson. Joe Biden is on holiday for the week - REUTERS 01:51 AM BST Trump offers free T-shirts in exchange for donations Donald Trump wasted no time before launching a campaign fundraising blitz off the back of his latest indictment. The former president offered free T-shirts to any supporters who donated $47 or more to his campaign. An email sent to supporters accused shadowy deep state actors of indicting Mr Trump in a politically-charged witch hunt. It urged people to show they stood by the presidents side through every phoney indictment with a limited edition I stand with Trump T-shirt. It states: So please, make a contribution of $47 to help peacefully DEFEND out movement from the never-ending witch hunts - and well send you your very own limited edition shirt for FREE. The T-shirt could be yours for just $47 - Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee 01:23 AM BST Trumps rivals for nomination condemn indictment Former Texas congressman Will Hurd and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson two of Donald Trumps most vocal critics among the runners for the Republican nomination issued statements saying Mr Trump should not be the next US president. Mr Trumps denial of the 2020 election results and actions on Jan 6 show hes unfit for office, Mr Hurd said in a post on X. Let me be crystal clear: Trump's presidential bid is driven by an attempt to stay out of prison and scam his supporters into footing his legal bills. Furthermore, his denial of the 2020 election results and actions on Jan. 6 show he's unfit for office. Will Hurd (@WillHurd) August 1, 2023 Mr Hutchinson said that Mr Trump is morally responsible for the attack on our democracy, and should end his presidential campaign for the good of the country. However, Mr Trump received a staunch defence from biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who has campaigned as someone ideologically aligned with the former president and even promised to pardon him should he win the White House. Ramaswamy said Mr Trump isnt the real cause for what happened on Jan 6 but instead blamed the riot on systematic and pervasive censorship of citizens. 12:54 AM BST Trump told Pence you're too honest, according to filing The indictment filed against Donald Trump follows closely the account of the insurrection detailed by the 18-month US House investigation of the 2021 Capitol insurrection. But it also produces new evidence that was not detailed in the committees final report. The report lists several conversations between Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in which Trump attempted to persuade Mr Pence to delay certification of the 2020 election or reject the presidential electors. In one call, on Jan 1, 2021, Mr Trump told Mr Pence, Youre too honest, according to the indictment. Mr Pence, who fled the mob of rioters at the Capitol, declined to testify before the House committee. But he testified before the federal grand jury investigating Mr Trump. The new details shed light on how the vice-president was pressured by Mr Trump, and Mr Pence responded: You know I dont think I have the authority to change the outcome. Trump and Pence 12:29 AM BST We followed the facts, says Attorney General Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Departments investigation of Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election followed the facts and the law wherever they lead. Mr Garland made brief comments in Philadelphia on Tuesday shortly after Mr Trump was indicted. Mr Garland appointed special counsel Jack Smith last year to take over the investigation into the Jan 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol and Mr Trumps efforts overturn the election results. The Attorney General said the investigation, which led to Mr Trump facing four charges of conspiracy and obstruction, was the largest in the departments history. NEW: Attorney General Merrick Garland delivers remarks after former Pres. Trump indicted by special counsel: Mr. Smith and his team of experienced, principled career agents and prosecutors have followed the facts and the laws wherever they lead." https://t.co/DSLzsOcExa pic.twitter.com/HxL2xdEJ2K ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 1, 2023 11:50 PM BST Trump tried to use fake electors, say prosecutors In the indictment filed on Tuesday, prosecutors said Mr Trump and his unnamed co-conspirators knowingly made false claims of election fraud to convince officials in seven battleground states Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to submit fraudulent slates of electors. Electors are people appointed by state parties to certify the winner of the popular vote in their state. Prosecutors said that after Mr Trumps attempts to deceive state officials met with repeated failure, he began in early December 2020 to marshal individuals who would have served as his electors in those states and to send false certifications stating that they were legitimate presidential electors. 11:24 PM BST Judge overseeing case was appointed by Obama The judge randomly assigned to Mr Trumps case is US District Judge Tanya S Chutkan, a former DC public defender, who was appointed by Barack Obama. Judge Chutkan graduated from George Washington University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She consistently took the hardest line against Jan 6 defendants of any judge serving on Washingtons federal trial court. 11:17 PM BST Watch: Special Counsel Jack Smith says he hopes for a 'speedy trial' Speaking to reporters Mr Smith described the Jan 6 Capitol attack as an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy which was fueled by lies. He said prosecutors will seek a speedy trial... so our evidence can be tested in court and judged. BREAKING: Special Counsel Jack Smith of the United States Department of Justice makes a statement in Washington after former president Donald Trump was handed a third criminal indictment.https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/4d3iyzQgTv Sky News (@SkyNews) August 1, 2023 11:12 PM BST Ron DeSantis calls for reform of DoJ Mr Trumps Republican rival Ron DeSantis wrote on X, formerly Twitter: As President, I will end the weaponisation of government, replace the FBI Director, and ensure a single standard of justice for all Americans. While Ive seen reports, I have not read the indictment. I do, though, believe we need to enact reforms so that Americans have the right to remove cases from Washington, DC to their home districts. Washington, DC is a swamp and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of the swamp mentality. One of the reasons our country is in decline is the politicisation of the rule of law. No more excusesI will end the weaponisation of the federal government. Ron DeSantis 11:07 PM BST Charges partly based on post-Civil War law to protect the rights of Black people Federal prosecutors base one charge, conspiring to deprive citizens of constitutional or legal rights, on a law enacted during post-Civil War Reconstruction in 1870, when lawmakers sought to integrate into society enslaved people who had been freed. Kristy Parker, a former federal prosecutor, said many efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to overturn the election targeted urban areas with large populations of Black voters who voted for Democrat Joe Biden. Those included Atlanta, Detroit and Philadelphia. 11:00 PM BST Who spoke to investigators? Members of Mr Trumps inner circle, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and his former White House aide Hope Hicks, are reported to have testified before a grand jury in the case. Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Mr Trumps lawyer, was recently interviewed by prosecutors, according to US media. Investigators have also seized the phones of Trump advisers who spearheaded his campaigns legal challenges to the 2020 results. A demonstrator walks past the Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington DC - GETTY IMAGES 10:55 PM BST Trump charged with three counts of conspiracy and one of obstruction Trump is charged with three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction . The purpose of the conspiracy was to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election by using knowingly false claims of election fraud, the indictment said. The indictment accused Mr Trump and co-conspirators of organising fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to submit their votes to be counted and certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6. 10:52 PM BST Trump likens his "persecution" to Nazi Germany and the former Soviet Union Following confirmation of the indictment, the Trump Campaign put out a statement comparing the persecutions of Mr Trump to that of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes. He claimed the fake charges are nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family to interfere with the 2024 election. He said he had always followed the law and the constitution, adding: These un-American witch hunts will fail and President Trump will be re-elected to the White House so he can save our country from the abuse, incompetence and corruption that is running through the veins of our country at levels never seen before. 10:45 PM BST Trump charged with four counts A 45-page indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith outlines the charges which include conspiracy to defraud the United States 10:42 PM BST Trump summoned to court on 3 August The former president has been summoned to appear in federal court in Washington DC on 3 August at 4pm, according to the DoJ 10:40 PM BST Flurry of activity as new broke There was a flurry of activity in the US capital as the news broke, Rozina Sabur writes. Washington has been bracing for the indictment since Mr Trump revealed on his Truth Social platform earlier this month that he expected to be arrested and charged by the Department of Justice as part of their investigation. For days, reporters and satellite news trucks have surrounded the citys Elijah Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse, where the grand jury meets. At least two grand juries in Washington have been hearing evidence related to Mr Trumps alleged illegal efforts to stay in office. A trial in the case would most likely be held in the citys district court, the same venue where many of the January 6 rioters and leaders of two far-right groups, the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, were prosecuted. If the case comes to trial, Mr Trump could face a jury composed of residents of a deep blue city, where he received just five per cent of the vote in 2020. 10:37 PM BST Trump indicted by grand jury The former president has been indicted as part of an investigation into his attempts tp overturn the 2020 election leading up to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. This is the third time the Republican frontrunner has been criminally indicted. 10:26 PM BST Judge seals the indictment A judge agreed to seal the indictment, meaning there was no information given about the number/identity of the defendants, according to CNN. A summons for the defendant(s) to appear in court was also approved by the judge. 10:23 PM BST Possible charges While we are still awaiting details of the indictment, previous reports have claimed three of the charges will be on the grounds of the deprivation of rights, conspiracy to commit an offence against or defraud the United States and tampering with a witness. 10:18 PM BST Grand jury hands up indictment The grand jury hearing evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election handed up an indictment in the federal courthouse in Washington, DC, according to CNN The foreperson of the grand jury along with a Justice Department prosecutor were present in the courtroom when the indictment was returned. 10:15 PM BST Trump decries 'prosecutorial misconduct' Donald Trump has shared on Truth Social that he expects to be indicted tonight in the federal investigating into the 2020 election. He said: Why didnt they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct! Also, why are they putting out another Fake Indictment the day after the Crooked Joe Biden SCANDAL, one of the biggest in American history, broke out in the Halls of Congress??? A Nation In Decline! Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. WASHINGTON House Republicans have been talking a lot about impeaching President Joe Biden over what they say is his improper involvement in his familys business dealings. But with a long to-do list when lawmakers return to Washington after August recess, for now, it's all talk. Former President Donald Trump however, is pressuring GOP lawmakers to put action behind their words and begin the impeachment process against Biden or face electoral consequences. Any Republican that doesnt act on Democratic fraud should be immediately primaried and get out, Trump told supporters at a campaign rally Saturday in Erie, Pennsylvania. We got a lot of good, tough Republicans around. People are going to run against them and people are going to win. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has dismissed the notion that he is facing pressure from the former president to go after Biden, calling an impeachment inquiry an appropriate course of action. If (the Biden administration) does not provide the information we need, then we would go to an impeachment inquiry, McCarthy said at a news conference last week, referencing House Republicans' various investigations into whether Biden benefited from Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings. 'They're trying to deflect': Democrats link GOP push to impeach Biden to Trump indictments Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he enters the Erie Insurance Arena for a political rally while campaigning for the GOP nomination in the 2024 election on July 29, 2023 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Republican lawmaker: Impeachment is walking 'the plank' McCarthy and other GOP lawmakers are finding themselves in a political bind over Trumps comments. House Republicans have roughly three weeks when they come back to Washington in September to approve must-pass spending bills, and an impeachment inquiry could take up valuable time needed to avoid a government shutdown. There are also multiple House Republicans representing districts Biden won in the 2020 presidential election. Proceeding with an impeachment inquiry could put those vulnerable lawmakers in a politically fraught position heading into the 2024 election, something House GOP leaders want to avoid considering their razor-thin five-seat majority. Story continues Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., warned that impeachment could force vulnerable members to walk the plank. Every time we walk the plank we are putting moderate members, members that won Biden districts, we are putting those seats at risk for 2024. We are putting the majority at risk, Mace said on Fox News Sunday. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., holds a news conference as the House prepares to leave for its August recess, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, July 27, 2023. Trump urges GOP lawmakers to fight back for him Trumps attempts to pressure House Republicans to impeach Biden comes as he faces a multitude of legal troubles, including a possible indictment for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. In the face of those legal woes, Trump has accused Biden and the Department of Justice of targeting him because he is the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. As a result, Trump has implored GOP lawmakers to fight back on his behalf. They impeach me, they indict me, Trump said at his rally in Erie. And the Republicans just dont fight the way theyre supposed to fight. Republican leaders also face pressure from their right flank in the conference as members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus call for impeaching Biden. I dont know how anyone, any objective reasonable person couldnt come to the conclusion that this appears to be impeachment-worthy, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., a member of the Freedom Caucus, said last week, reiterating unsubstantiated claims that Biden was involved as vice president in his sons business dealings. Related: Meet Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's former business associate answering questions in Congress House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry, R-Pa., left, and Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., clasp hands before denouncing the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process and so-called "woke" spending by Democrats and President Joe Biden, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. House Republicans walk fine line between investigations and impeachment Stuck between the former presidents warnings and the upcoming 2024 elections, GOP lawmakers are struggling between continuing to investigate Biden or swiftly moving to impeach the president. Were working through the process, our constitutional duty to have oversight over the executive branch, Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., chair of the Republican Study Committee, told reporters last week. Hern said Republicans are thoroughly investigating whether the president had connections to Hunter Bidens business dealings and said Democrats jumped to conclusions when they impeached Trump. The speaker has said that there may be an impeachment inquiry. That is not impeachment. That is Congress continuing its responsibilities to look into the issues that have been raised, said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who represents a district Biden won in 2020. Its just an ability to get more information, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said at a news conference last week, and an inquiry is not in of itself an impeachment. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., listens as Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, and Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., speak during a press conference on immigration outside the U.S. Capitol Building on May 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump threatens House GOP to impeach Joe Biden: 'Get out' Former President Donald Trump will take his 2024 campaign to California after the state Republican Party changed its presidential nominating rules to his potential advantage. The California GOP announced on Tuesday that Trump will address the state convention in Anaheim on Sept. 29 during a lunchtime keynote speech. As California Republicans prepare to play a major role in deciding who our Partys 2024 presidential nominee will be, I look forward to President Trump speaking with our delegates about his plans to move our country forward, said Jessica Millan Patterson, California GOP chairwoman, in a statement. The state GOP made its announcement on the same day a federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment of Trump for his alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election. This marks the third criminal indictment for the former president. Trump is also facing New York charges related to 2016 hush-money payments and federal charges related to classified document handling. Trumps visit comes after state Republicans changed their presidential nominating procedure during the weekend to give all of Californias 169 delegates to anyone who wins the March 5 primary with more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate wins with 50% plus one, the delegates are divided based on their percentage of the primary vote. Candidates need 1,234 delegates to win the Republican nomination, meaning the state could provide the primary winner with a sizable chunk of votes. Previously, the state GOP awarded presidential delegates based on which candidate won each of Californias 52 congressional districts. A California boost for Trump? The California GOPs new nominating framework is expected to help Trump, who appears to be the states clear front-runner. A Public Policy Institute of California poll from June showed Trump leading the current Republican field with 50% of likely GOP voters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trailed with 24%, and former Vice President Mike Pence was in third place with 10%. Story continues An Emerson College poll from June also showed California voters favoring Trump. He led DeSantis and Pence among registered Republicans, with 53% preferring him as a presidential nominee. The state GOPs new nominating scheme may have prompted the rare West Coast visit from Trump, who came to deep blue California only a handful of times during his 2016 campaign and subsequent presidency. Trump last visited the state in September 2020, when he met with Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials at McClellan Park in Sacramento County for a wildfire briefing. During his first presidential run, he rallied in June 2016 with 5,000 people at Sacramento International Airport. The last time he came close to California was in October, when he appeared at a rally near South Lake Tahoe in Minden, Nevada, to support Republican candidates ahead of crucial midterm congressional elections. McClatchyDCs David Lightman contributed to this story. Donations have flooded an Ohio animal shelter after it took in over 80 dogs rescued last week from what investigators described as "the most horrible conditions". "We can't keep our front office clear," said Megan Poffenbarger, of the Animal Friends Humane Society. The dogs were rescued from another shelter where at least 30 dead canines were in refrigerators and freezers. Others were discovered in cages filled with urine and faeces. The owner of Helping Hands for Furry Paws faces charges of neglect and cruelty to companion animals. The Butler County Sheriff's Office said the dogs were in "the most horrible conditions they have ever seen". The animals were held at two structures in Madison Township, which is north of Cincinnati. One property had a garage holding 25 dogs in cages with no air conditioning or ventilation. The indoor temperature measured 89F (31.6C). One cage contained a mother and eight new-born puppies and at the main property there were 11 adult canines - some caged together. The sheriff's office said the conditions were "unlivable". "The odour was strong enough to burn their eyes and take away their breath," said a statement from the sheriff's office. The deceased animals were found in five freezers and refrigerators, some of which were not working. The Animal Friends Humane Society has taken in 86 rescued dogs in all sizes and ages, including nursing mothers. The shelter said they were "more than full" as they had already had about 110 dogs in their care. So far, people have donated over $20,000 (15,560) on Facebook, including from out of state, and they have received over $8,000 of in-person donations. Ms Poffenbarger told the BBC on Monday: "All the new incoming dogs are really enjoying it. "They're getting attention constantly, we're giving them toys, they don't have to share a cage with anybody." The Indiana Senate Chamber at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis is pictured in this Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 file photo. (AP Photo/Arleigh Rodgers) (Arleigh Rodgers/AP) A federal judge has declined to block the enforcement of a new state law barring the teaching of human sexuality to students from pre-K through the third grade. U.S. District Judge J.P. Hanlon ruled late Friday that claims by Indianapolis Public Schools teacher Kayla Smiley that the law infringes on her First Amendment free speech rights and is too vague to be enforced were insufficient to justify a preliminary injunction blocking the law. Advertisement Hanlon said teachers do not have unlimited free speech rights in the classroom. Instead, as government employees, their speech is limited to subjects and messages approved by the Legislature, he wrote. Ms. Smiley cites no authority establishing that an elementary school teacher has the right to speak in her capacity as a private citizen when expressing an educational message to her students, Hanlon wrote in his 15-page ruling. Without a substantial effect on protected speech, Ms. Smiley is unlikely to succeed on her claim that (the law) on its face violates the First Amendment. Advertisement FILE - A crowd gathers at the outside of the Indiana House chamber as the House Education Committee discuss House Bill 1608 at the Statehouse, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, in Indianapolis. Indiana House Republicans advanced a bill Thursday, Feb. 23, that would require public school teachers to tell parents about students' social transitions and pronoun changes a bill some worry will erode student-teacher trust and force children to come out to their parents before they are ready. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) (Darron Cummings/AP) Hanlon also ruled that while the law doesnt define human sexuality or related terms, there is a sufficient core of understandable meaning to those phrases that prevents him from striking down the statute for being too vague. Indiana schools typically dont provide any kind of sex education until at least fifth grade except for state-mandated programs focused on preventing child abuse. The lawsuit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana in June. Republican lawmakers approved the law this year during a session that targeted LGBTQ+ people in the state. It took effect July 1 after Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed it into law in May. As the saying goes, it's better to teach someone to fish than to give them a fish. Dimensions/E+ via Getty Images The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Charities that provide social services such as medical care or after-school programs should consider emphasizing how their efforts can help their clients become more self-sufficient, my research findings suggest. With my colleagues Stacie Waites, Adam Farmer and Roman Welden, I explored whether people respond differently to fundraising pitches for charities that promise to help people in need become more self-sufficient than those that dont. One study involved asking people in one of two ways to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity that helps veterans who have been injured. The participants were told either that their gifts would support veterans immediate needs, such as food and housing, or that they would contribute to their eventual self-sufficiency through career counseling and therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. These messages were developed from information available on the Wounded Warrior website. For this study, we recruited workers from Amazon Mechanical Turk, a crowdsourced platform for paid tasks. Participants were paid to view one of the two charitable appeals and were given a bonus payment that could be donated partially or in full to the charity. We found that study participants who received the self-sufficiency pitch gave approximately 38% more of their bonus payment to charity. We also explored which kind of message works best for the Pinnacle Resource Center, a regional charity in East Tennessee that assists homeless people, as part of its holiday fundraising campaign. Potential donors saw one of two messages focused on either meeting clients immediate needs or helping them become more self-sufficient. One was: Our focus is on providing resources to help individuals become self-sufficient in an effort to eventually provide for themselves. The other was: Our focus is on providing resources to help individuals meet their immediate needs, whatever they may be. Story continues The people who saw the self-sufficiency message were almost three times as likely to donate and gave approximately 80% more money. The charity raised five times more money from the donors who got the self-sufficiency pitch. Why it matters Charities often appeal to current and potential donors based on the food, shelter and services they provide to those in need, using a variety of fundraising tactics. My research highlights a fundraising strategy that these nonprofits can use to their advantage. A wide array of charities, such as disaster relief groups and after-school programs, could probably raise more money if they were to put greater emphasis in their messaging on how theyre boosting the eventual self-sufficiency of their clients. What still isnt known I didnt look at donations other than money, such as blood or canned food, or the hours volunteers log at the charities they support. So my research didnt examine how messages related to self-sufficiency may affect those kinds of support. Might appealing to certain emotions work better than others when theyre paired with self-sufficiency messages? Given that evoking emotions such as nostalgia and guilt can increase charitable giving, I believe that its important to discover which emotions are the best to elicit with fundraising pitches aimed at promoting the self-sufficiency of a charitys clients. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Jonathan Hasford, University of Tennessee. Read more: Pinnacle Resource Center partnered with Jonathan Hasford's research team to conduct a field experiment described in this article. It did not receive any compensation or financial support during its work with the charity. Jonathan Hasford did not work for, consult, or receive funding from the Wounded Warrior Project when working on this research. AP "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Lori Vallow Daybell will spend the rest of her life in prison for killing her children and conspiring to kill her husbands first wife, a long-awaited verdict in a bizarre and tragic case in which the 50-year-old believed her children to be possessed zombies, and herself to be a reincarnated sexual goddess helping prepare for the second coming of Jesus. Vallow Daybell was sentenced to life without parole Monday following her May conviction for killing her children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua J.J. Vallow, 7. Prosecutors allege she saw them as obstacles to her relationship with her husband Chad Daybell, 54, and described him as a wannabe religious cult leader. The bodies of the children were discovered in shallow graves in the backyard of Chads Idaho home in June 2020. Next year, Chad will also face trial for the murders of the two children, as well as his first wife Tammy Daybell, who was killed two weeks before Chad and Lori were married. Heres everything you need to know about the complex and twisted tale of the married couples relationship that drove Lori, and possibly Chad, to murder. Doomsday Bonding and a Husbands Death AP Chad Daybell and his wife Tammy moved from Utah to Rexburg, Idaho in 2015, after Daybell claimed to have heard voices telling him to relocate there. That same year, Lori became interested in Daybells self-published series of doomsday-focused books loosely based on Mormon teachings. After Chad and Lori met in 2018, he told her she was a sexual goddess who had been married to Chad several times in previous lifetimes. He claimed people were represented by light or dark indicating their association with Jesus or Satan and that Lori was meant to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers to prepare for the second coming of Christ. The following year, their doomsday beliefs began to intertwine with deadly encounters. Story continues In February 2019, Loris then-husband Charles Vallow said she claimed to be the reincarnated wife of Mormonism founder Joseph Smith and that she no longer cared about him or J.J., their then-6-year-old son. Charles filed for divorce soon after and sought a protection order from Lori due to a genuine fear for his life. That July, Loris brother Alex Cox shot and killed Charles in Chandler, Arizona, in what he called an act of self-defense. Lori, J.J., and Tylee Ryan (Loris daughter from a previous marriage) witnessed the shooting, and ultimately, Cox didnt face criminal charges. Months later, in December, Cox died of natural causes, due to a blood clot and high blood pressure, authorities said. Coxs widow later testified that Chad and Lori heavily influenced Alex, who always sought their permission or approval before making decisions. Chad had told Alex he was a warrior and Loris protector, according to the testimony. Lori, already in a romantic relationship with Chad by this point, had moved to Idaho with her children to be closer to him. A Dead Wife and Two Missing Kids In October 2019, a masked man threatened Tammy in her driveway with what she thought was a paintball gun. Ten days later, she died in her sleep from what was initially declared natural causes. Chad refused to allow an autopsy. He and Lori were married two weeks after Tammys death, raising concerns among family members. You dont get married weeks after you just buried your wife of almost 30 yearsyou just dont do that, Tammys sister Samantha Gwilliam said. In November 2019, police questioned Lori about the whereabouts of her daughter Tylee, in response to requests from extended family members. She had last been seen alive that September. Lori, who had previously withdrawn her kids from school, claimed they were staying in Arizona with family friend Melanie Gibb, but Gibb said that wasnt true. Getty Images As police investigated Tylees whereabouts, they discovered J.J. was missing as well. Gibb later told police that Lori and Chad had asked her to lie about the location of the children, but she refused. She also said Lori had come to believe in zombies and that she called J.J. and Tylee zombies several times in the past, believing them to be possessed. As the investigation intensified, Tammys body was exhumed by authorities, and an autopsy revealed she had been been murdered by asphyxiation. In February 2020, Lori was arrested in Hawaii for desertion and non-support of her children and was extradited to Idaho. Bodies Discovered and Murder Convictions The bodies of Tylee and J.J. were found in June 2020, buried in shallow graves in Chads backyard in Rexburg. Tylees DNA was found on a pickaxe and shovel in a shed on the property. Chad was arrested later that day for destruction or concealment of evidence. Charred remains, thats what was left of Tylee, Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said in court. You will hear it explained as a mass of bone and tissue. Thats what was left of this beautiful young woman. On May 25, 2021, Lori and Chad were charged with counts related to the murders of Tylee, J.J., and Tammy. Blake said all three were killed because they were obstacles for Lori and Chads relationship and that Lori was willing to remove any obstacle in her way to get what she wants. Loris defense attorney described her as a loving and protective mother who fell under the sway of Chads weird apocalyptic religious beliefs. He argued Chad and Alex Cox were responsible for the deaths. Nevertheless, after a trial that made national news, Lori was found guilty on May 12, 2023, and on July 31, she was sentenced to three life sentences to be served consecutively. Jesus Christ knows the truth, Lori said during her sentencing. Jesus Christ knows no one was murdered in this case. Accidental deaths happened. Suicides happened. Fatal side effects of medications happened. Chad is still awaiting trial on his murder charges. Lori also faces two other cases in Arizona: a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her husband Charles Vallow and a charge of conspiring to kill her nieces ex-husband Brandon Boudreaux, who had been shot at in October 2019 from a vehicle registered to Charles Vallow. You Might Also Like It feels like it happens nearly every time you get behind the wheel. Youre approaching an intersection with a green light that suddenly switches to yellow. If you keep driving, youll probably just make it, but what if a police officer is nearby and sees you disregarding the yellow light as everyone else slows down? Are you required to slow down and stop as soon as the yellow light pops up in Idaho, or are you allowed to continue driving through as long as the light isnt red? Heres what Idaho laws say on the matter. Idahos permissive yellow light law Traffic moves along Eagle Road near the intersection with Fairview Avenue. Idaho is in the majority regarding laws regarding a yellow light. The Gem State is one of about three dozen states that employs a permissive yellow light law, which means that as long as your bumper is in the intersection while the light is still yellow, youre safe to go. So, in short, if youre approaching an intersection and are confident that youll be in the intersection before the light hits red, you can keep cruising. But that also doesnt mean you should speed up to try and beat a red light. Boise Police Department officer Kyle Wills previously told the Idaho Statesman that seeing a yellow light does not mean accelerate. How long does the light stay yellow? If youre debating whether or not to keep cruising through a light, Idaho has specific laws on how long the yellow light must be displayed. According to previous Statesman reporting, the light must remain yellow for 3.2 seconds when the speed limit is between 25 and 35 mph and 4 seconds when the speed limit is 40 mph or greater. Once the light turns red, all lights in all directions remain red for two seconds to allow any cars to clear out of the intersection. What about if the light is flashing yellow? Sometimes when there is construction, a malfunction with the sign or its simply late at night when theres not much traffic, you may come across a flashing yellow or red light. Construction equipment parked on 11th Street north of Main Street in downtown Boise. A flashing yellow light means a driver may enter the intersection without stopping but with caution, according to Title 49, Chapter 8 of the Idaho Statutes. Meanwhile, a flashing red light means you must stop before entering the intersection and only proceed once its safe and no other cars are approaching. Story continues Punishment for running a red light Sometimes you may wrongly judge the traffic lights timing and enter the intersection once the light has already turned red. Running a red light is an infraction in Idaho and comes with a $90 fine. Itll also result in three points being added to your license, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. The following point totals within a certain period will result in different lengths of license suspensions: An 85-year-old driver triggered a two-vehicle wreck in Mason County Monday afternoon, according to Washington State Patrol. The 85-year-old woman and her 75-year-old male passenger, both from Neah Bay, were injured. The driver was taken to St. Michael Medical Center in Kitsap County, while the passenger was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the State Patrol. Troopers say a failure to yield triggered the crash. About 12:40 p.m. Monday, the Neah Bay vehicle was headed south on state Route 3, east of Hood Canal. Meanwhile, a 65-year-old man from Montana was driving north on the same highway. Troopers say southbound traffic was stopped for a driver trying to make a left turn. However, the Neah Bay driver failed to yield to traffic and swerved into the northbound lane, crashing into the Montana mans vehicle. He was not hurt, according to State Patrol. The road was partially blocked for five hours. Consequences of the second UAV strike in Moscow City in a week The reported Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow over the last several days should have a far-reaching goal, according to the Head of the Center for Military and Legal Studies, Oleksandr Musiyenko, who spoke with Radio NV on August 1. "Not only Moscow but all of Russia is fighting against Ukraine unfortunately. Of course, the attacks will have their imprints on a particular part of the population there. It creates a psychological effect," Musiyenko said. Read also: Government building damaged, Vnukovo airport suspends traffic in 2nd Moscow drone attack "I want to believe they are intended not only to harass a particular block's citizens or some ministry's employees but serve a far-reaching goal. The goal of setting and studying air corridors for example, which will allow them to evade Moscow's air defense and hit targets that really matter to us. Thus, they will have practical results of destroying wanted targets, besides the psychological effect." Read also: How Moscow drone attacks affect the war An attack drone hit the IQ tower at the Moskva City complex in Russia's capital Moscow on August 1 for the second time in two days. Several buildings were affected by the resulting explosion. The Russian Ministry of Digital Development is located in the targetted building. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that two more Ukrainian drones were downed by anti-aircraft systems elsewhere in Moscow Oblast, while another was suppressed by electronic warfare. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed it had repelled the attack and said Ukraine was behind it. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Portugal, a country widely praised by supporters of drug legalization for its move to decriminalize all hard drugs, is facing increased doubts from within its borders whether the approach is actually working. Over the last 20 years, Portugal has become a model for supporters of legalized drugs, but according to a recent Washington Post report , with the headline "Once hailed for decriminalizing drugs, Portugal is now having doubts", the number of people using drugs and overdosing has spiked in recent years. Some inside the country believe a spike in crime is connected to the prevalence of drugs. According to the report, drug problems in urban areas are worse than they have been in decades, and the government entities that run rehabilitation programs and underfunded "dissuasion commissions" are more focused on supporting drug use as a "human right" than treatment. "These days in Portugal, it is forbidden to smoke tobacco outside a school or a hospital. It is forbidden to advertise ice cream and sugar candies. And yet, it is allowed for [people] to be there, injecting drugs," Rui Moreira, the mayor of Porto, Portugal, told the Washington Post. "Weve normalized it." MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION MOVEMENT LINKED TO A 'MASSIVE INCREASE' IN MENTAL ILLNESS IN US, DOCTOR WARNS Municipal Police inspect the underpass that is known to have drug consumption activity in Porto, Portugal, on Monday, June 5, 2023. On a daily basis, city municipal workers and officers of the Municipal Police walk the paths and areas used by drug consumers to remove used syringes to reduce injury and the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Additionally, the percentage of people using drugs in Portugal increased from 7.8% to 12.8% in 2022, and overdoses have hit 12-year highs. In the capital of Lisbon, overdose rates doubled from 2019 to 2023. In Porto, drug-related paraphernalia on the streets rose 24% from 2021 to 2022, and crime spiked 14%, which the police say is related to rampant drug use. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "At the end of the day, the police have their hands tied," Leitao da Silva, chief of Municipal Police of Porto, said while explaining that the current drug abuse situation is similar to what it was before drugs were decriminalized. Story continues The Washington Post report explained that police are experiencing "fatigue" knowing that arresting drug dealers, who can be arrested in Portugal, is unlikely to result in any serious punishment. "When you first back off enforcement, there are not many people walking over the line that youve removed. And the public think its working really well," Keith Humphreys, former senior drug policy adviser in the Obama administration and a Stanford University professor, told the Washington Post. "Then word gets out that theres an open market, limits to penalties, and you start drawing in more drug users. Then youve got a more stable drug culture, and, frankly, it doesnt look as good anymore." FENTANYL PENALTIES COULD GET HARSHER IN THIS STATE WITH DECRIMINALIZED DRUGS Humphreys told Fox News Digital that Portugal, and other places experiencing issues with drug legalization such as Portland, Oregon, have "gotten to an equilibria" where a lot of police officers and politicians believe "rightly or wrongly" that if they attempt to crack down on drugs "nothings going to happen." "If I write that ticket, you'll never get dissuasion commission or if I arrest you for dealing you'll never go to jail and that makes them less interested in doing it, unsurprisingly, cause they have a lot of other things to do and it's the same sort of thing that happens when, you know, police don't take it seriously. When someone breaks into your car over time people will just stop reporting car break-ins because it's just a hassle, a waste of time and nothing's going to happen anyway. So I think that has happened, you know, in places like Porto, no one thinks its making a difference so of course they're going to stop doing it they have plenty of other things to do." Drug policy expert Paul Larkin, senior legal research fellow in the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that it is no surprise that some in Portugal are reconsidering the drug legalization approach. DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA USE HAS UNINTENDED EFFECT ON JERSEY SHORE TOWNS An overview of the city of Porto. Porto was considered the Best City Destination in the World 2022. The recognition was made on Nov. 12 at the World Travel Awards ceremony, in Muscat, Oman. "Just as it is a mistake automatically to assume that criminalizing an activity is going to bring it to an end, so too it is a mistake to think that decriminalizing an activity will automatically eliminate whatever harms are associated with the activity itself," Larkin said. Larkin pointed to other places across the globe, including in Portland, Oregon, where a recent survey found the majority of residents regret decriminalizing drugs, as examples that decriminalizing drugs does not work because ultimately 80-90% of the population do not want to acquiesce to the roughly 10% of the population that regularly uses drugs. "No," Larkin told Fox News Digital when asked if he has ever seen a situation where decriminalizing drugs ended up positively affecting society. Central Kentucky is in a coffee kiosk boom. Dutch Bros, the Oregon-based coffee chain with a major following, is about to open its first Kentucky location. The spot at 234 E. New Circle Rd., a former northside Sonic restaurant, is expected to open by early to mid-September, according to a news release. Dutch Bros announced its first Bluegrass location in March 2022; the drive-thru location is near Bryan Avenue and next to a Walgreens. Its expected to be open Sunday-Thursday 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dutch Bros also coming to Richmond Oregon-based Dutch Bros Coffee plans to open its first Kentucky location in Lexington. Provided The company also is opening a location at 847 Eastern Bypass Rd. in Richmond soon, according to its website. Dutch Bros has been working other locations in Lexington, so far with little luck. Plans to put a kiosk across from the University of Kentucky campus in the former Blue Arbys at 507 S. Limestone fell through. Another proposed location at 1008 S. Broadway also has faced opposition. What makes Dutch Bros Coffee special? Dutch Bros Coffee is known for friendly energetic broistas as well as tea and coffee drinks. Provided Dutch Bros Coffee was founded in 1992 in Grants Pass, Ore., and is a leader in the drive-thru coffee category (which is getting busier every day!) with more than 750 locations in 14 states. Founded by brothers Dane and Travis Boermsa, Dutch Bros has a passionate following among coffee drinkers and focuses on giving back to the community with fundraisers for local non-profits as well as national causes such as finding a cure for ALS. Through its Dutch Bros Foundation and local franchisees, the company donates several million dollars to causes across the country each year, Dutch Bros said. Everything we do is about community, said Coleman Davis, local operator of Dutch Bros Lexington. Were excited to grow this brand into Kentucky and become a part of Lexington and surrounding communities. Whats on the Dutch Bros Coffee menu? Dutch Bros drive-thru coffee has a cult following for its coffee and its friendly broistas. Provided The menu includes specialty coffees, smoothies, freezes, teas, Dutch Bros Rebel energy drink and nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee. Story continues Besides the coffee, Dutch Bros is known for its vibes with upbeat music, energetic broistas and speedy top-quality service. Want to join Dutch Bros? The company plans to hold a hiring event Aug 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Irvine McDowell Park in Richmond, where attendees can interview and try out Dutch Bros Rebel energy drinks. A broista takes an order at a Dutch Bros Coffee drive-thru, where passionate fans line up for coffee. Provided Other coffee chains coming to Lexington area Besides Dutch Bros, Central Kentucky also has welcomed Scooters (in Winchester and Nicholasville), 7 Brew (in Lexington and Versailles), The Human Bean (in Lexington) and Starbucks (everywhere.) Dutch Bros Coffee Where: 234 E. New Circle Rd. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Menu: Dutchbros.com A fire burning in Eastern Washington is currently threatening 20 homes, said firefighters on Monday. The West Hallett Fire is burning off of Cheney Spokane Road. Anyone living along Marshall from Cheney Spokane Road to 44th is under Level 3 or leave now evacuations. Crews on the scene say the fire has already burned more than 200 acres. At the South Side church where Emmett Tills open casket funeral took place nearly 68 years ago, elected officials and other leaders gathered Tuesday to unveil a temporary sign marking the recently designated national monument honoring Till and his mother, both of whom helped launch the Civil Rights Movement. Illinois governor and lieutenant governor, Chicagos mayor, the states two U.S. senators, and several current and former members of Congress met with activists and others at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville. The church was the setting in 1955 where Tills open casket displayed the brutality of the 14-year-olds death when he was abducted, tortured and killed after being accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. The power of an open casket, changed not only our nation, but changed the world, said former U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Chicago, who championed an anti-lynching bill named after Till that President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Tills murder and the activism of his mother that followed caught the nations attention about the harsh cruelty of racism and helped spur the fight for civil rights. Rush thanked Tills mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, for her bravery and activism following her sons murder. Till-Mobley died in 2003. That open casket aint closed yet, Rush said. There is power in the open casket. The temporary signage came just one week after Biden signed a proclamation establishing a national monument honoring Till and his mother. The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument will be located across three sites, one in Illinois at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, and two in Mississippi. The proclamation means the sites become federally protected places. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth introduced the historic site act in the Senate two years ago and it establishes the church as a historic site to be managed by the National Park Service. National Park Service officials said Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ will be restored. It was listed as one of the nations most endangered historic places in 2020 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Story continues Mayor Brandon Johnson said the story of Emmett Till serves as a marker for how much work still needs to be done. We all know this painful story, but its important for us to always remember because it is in that memory where we find our strength and our power, Johnson said. (Mamie Till-Mobleys) words, Let the world see, what I have seen. Isnt that the true marker of our fight for liberation? Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the monument the start of a new era for the national recognition of the awful struggle for Black Americans for civil rights. Here in Illinois, we ought never hide from the truth. Never. No matter how painful. We must embrace it, Pritzker said. Almost all the Democratic political leaders in attendance referenced recent attempts by conservative politicians to limit the teaching of Black history and slavery in public schools, as well as the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Its important to teach all parts of history, including the painful parts, said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. Haaland said African American and Native American histories are vital parts of Americas history. Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Every person in this country should know our full and honest history. Our triumphs, our struggles, our progress and our failures, Haaland said. We will only change our future when we realize how the shortcomings of our past impact our present. She said Emmett Tills painful story is one of justice, one that every American deserves to have. I want this designation to be part of the healing process that our country needs, she said. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said the Civil Rights Movement endures today, especially as some lawmakers are attempting to erase Black history. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Chicago noted he was born in 1941, the same year as Emmett Till. He said Tills death sparked his own passion for civil rights and justice. Emmetts death and action generated and developed a multitude of young people, who at that time, decided that times that had been wouldnt be anymore, Davis said. Davis said Tills death was a turning point at the time for young people who realized they didnt have to wait to take action. Hes hopeful the national monument will do the same for todays younger generation. You didnt change the world but you could change how you responded and reacted to it. So this is indeed a day of thanks giving, he said. vla@chicagotribune.com Erie, Pa., has declared itself a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people. The City Council adopted a resolution last month stating that the city strongly supports the treatment of all individuals with respect and dignity, regardless of an individuals race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, age, disability, source of income, marital status, and familial status, including but not limited to the areas of housing, public accommodation, education, healthcare, and employment, and going on to note the large number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being considered in state legislatures around the nation, including three in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. If the state, Erie County, or the U.S. government passes any anti-LGBTQ+ law, the Erie City Council urges the Police Chief to make enforcement their lowest priority, the resolution goes on. It states the citys commitment to human rights and access to health care, and concludes, Be it finally resolved that the City of Erie be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. The resolution was proposed by Councilwoman Susannah Faulkner, a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She has pointed out that other cities, such as Kansas City, Mo., and West Hollywood, have adopted sanctuary city policies. (In those cities, the most recent resolutions focused on transgender people, who are particularly under political attack.) I appreciate you all, Faulkner said after the vote, according to the Erie Times-News. This is something that is a movement. ... That is why I have chosen to be proactive instead of reactive in this moment. Pennsylvania is one of the most populous states without a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and the only one in the Northeast. A bill that would add such a ban, House Bill 300, also known as the Fairness Act, has passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate, which has a Republican majority that might impede its passage. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, supports the bill. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and a few other Pennsylvania cities have LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination laws. Story continues One Erie council member, Ed Brzezinski, suggested the sanctuary city resolution be put before voters, but the council did not agree. Faulkner told the Times-News Brzezinski had not consulted her about that, and she questioned if putting a question on the ballot would be feasible. Erie saw some controversy over LGBTQ+ issues this year. Some residents complained about a display of LGBTQ-themed childrens books at the entrance to the childrens section at one of the citys libraries. County officials, who run the library system, ordered that the display be taken down moved to a less prominent place. Administrators at the library decided to take down all displays, the Times-News reports. The Erie Gay News praised Faulkners work on the resolution, with an article saying, We are thankful to City Council Member Susannah Faulkner for her dedication to and collaboration with the LGBTQ+ citizens of Erie in advancing this resolution through Erie City Council. The article also called for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians to rally together in support of the Fairness Act. Some of the greatest names in classical music gather every July at the mountain town of Verbier, Switzerland, for an exceptional concert series featuring choirs, orchestras, and intimate recitals. This year, marking its 30th anniversary, for the first time, the two-week-long Verbier Festival invited a Chinese symphony orchestra. The Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra, one of China's premier youth ensembles and an affiliate of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, performed on Thursday under the baton of conductor Jing Huan at the festival's main concert hall Salle des Combins. The orchestra, featuring more than 100 musicians, aged from 9 to 20, performed works by two contemporary composers: Grammy-nominated Chinese American composer Zhou Tian's Metropolis and the famous Chinese French composer Chen Qigang's Reflet d'un temps disparu (Reflection of a vanished time) for cello and orchestra, as well as Spanish composer Manuel de Falla's El Sombrero de tres picos, Suite No 1 and El Sombrero de tres picos, Suite No 2. With the enthusiastic feedback from the audience, the youth orchestra returned to the stage to play the popular Chinese music piece Jasmine Flower, Tico-Tico, which is an enduring international hit composed in by Zequinha de Abreu, and Spanish Dance No 1 from Manuel de Falla's opera, La Vida Breve. "It's a dream for many young musicians to perform at the Verbier Festival, and I am very proud that these young people of the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra made it even before they decided to launch their music careers," says Jing, the orchestra's current music director and principal conductor. "We had a very tight schedule because those young people, most of them still in school, were busy preparing for their exams. We started our rehearsals in early July and frankly, I was not very sure if they were ready. But I am very surprised by their performances, which were totally beyond my expectation." Jing notes that one of the music works, Metropolis, commissioned by the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in 2022 celebrating the orchestra's 65th anniversary, was inspired by a poem titled Remembering a Thousand Years of Yue from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), describing the metropolitan city of Guangzhou. It explores the intersection between cultures, reflecting the composer's own upbringing. "Though the audience at the Verbier Festival may not be familiar with that music piece, their reaction was great, which encouraged our young members," says Jing, adding that the orchestra has interpreted the piece very well, as many of the members were born and raised in Guangzhou, allowing them to express their love for their home through the music. Founded in July 2011, the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra is the first-ever youth orchestra in China organized and administered by a professional orchestra. Since its stage debut in 2012, the ensemble has performed more than 100 concerts at home and abroad. It was invited in 2015 by the Young Euro Classic Festival one of the world's most important platforms for young international orchestras to perform two concerts in Frankfurt and Berlin. In July 2021, marking its 10th anniversary, the orchestra launched its first China tour. Though the orchestra's members are very young, they've worked with many established musicians, such as conductor Yu Long, composer and conductor Tan Dun, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Chen Sa. Internationally celebrated cellist Wang Jian played Reflet d'un temps disparu with the orchestra during the concert in Verbier. He toured with the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2017 when the orchestra made its critically acclaimed Asia-Pacific tour and in 2018, when the orchestra toured Europe. "The music piece is one of the most performed works by a composer from China and, orchestrally, it conjures some attractive and colorful scenery. The members of the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra did a great job," says Wang. "I am very excited to witness the growth of the orchestra. "I've performed at the Verbier Festival about seven times. This time I came here and played with a Chinese youth orchestra, which made me very happy and proud. The orchestra is committed and responsive. Though the members are mostly teenagers and are not music majors, they show great talent," he says. "They have received solid music training, which allows them to perform as a professional orchestra." Chen Wenru, 12, who joined the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra two years ago and plays oboe, says, "I had a great time as a member of the orchestra, though I am not sure if I will become a professional musician. Like many members of the orchestra, I have lots of interests. We may take different jobs, such as engineers, doctors, scientists and teachers, but we will enjoy music and be friends forever." The Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra's concert at the Verbier Festival brought an end to the orchestra's latest tour of Europe. From July 21-24, the orchestra performed commemorative concerts in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Spain and China. A man at a demonstration in Niamey in Sunday holds up a sign reading 'We demand the departure of all western forces from Niger' while another holds up a picture of coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani (-) France and Italy prepared on Tuesday to fly out their citizens and other Europeans from Niger on Tuesday, six days after a coup that toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel and stoked anti-French demonstrations. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his own guard, in the region's third putsch in as many years following takeovers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso. After hostile crowds gathered on Sunday outside the French embassy and Niger accused France of plotting to intervene militarily, Paris said Tuesday it would withdraw its citizens and offered to evacuate other Europeans as well. "In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an operation of evacuation by air is being prepared," the embassy said a message sent to French citizens. The evacuations "will take place very soon in a very limited span of time," it said. The foreign ministry in Paris later said the evacuations would begin later on Tuesday. There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger, not counting visiting tourists or French residents currently outside the country. In Rome, the Italian government said it was putting on a "special flight for those (Italians) who want to leave the country," adding that this was "not an evacuation." It said there were around 90 Italian nations in Niamey, out of just under 500 across the country. The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday slapped sanctions on Niger and warned it may use force as it gave the coup leaders a week to reinstate Bazoum. The following day, the junta accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily," a charge which drew a French denial, while junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso warned any military intervention in Niger would be a "declaration of war" against them. - Unstable - The events are unfolding in one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world -- a vast semi-desert nation that had already experienced four coups since independence in 1960. Story continues Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. But his tenure was already marked by two attempted coups before last week's dramatic events, in which he was detained at his official residence by members of his elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani has declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally, from ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN to France, the United States and the European Union. Bazoum was seen in a photo on Sunday sitting alongside Chadian leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, another pro-Western leader, who was sent to Niamey by ECOWAS. According to Bazoum's PNDS party, the junta has arrested the country's oil, mining, interior and transport ministers, the head of the PNDS's executive committee, and a former defence minister. - Alarm - The coup has triggered alarm bells in Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now threatens the borders of fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. An unknown number of civilians, troops and police have been killed across the region, many of them in ruthless massacres, while around 2.2 million people in Burkina Faso alone have fled their homes. The economic damage, to three of the poorest countries in the world, has been devastating. France had at one point around 5,400 troops in its anti-jihadist Barkhane mission across the Sahel, supported by fighter jets, helicopters and drones. But that mission had to be drastically refocussed on Niger last year, when France pulled out of Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with their juntas. Today, the reconfigured French force has around 1,500 men, many of them deployed at a major air base near Niamey, while the United States, which also has an important air base in Niger, has around 1,100 personnel. - Russia - In all three Sahel countries, the disgruntled military intervened against elected presidents as the toll mounted from jihadist attacks. The takeovers have been accompanied by nationalist rhetoric and strident anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. Mali in particular has forged close ties with Moscow, bringing in Russian military hardware and paramilitaries that Western nations say are Wagner mercenaries. Junta supporters say France has failed to shield them from the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. bur/ri/yad/giv Are Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes married? Are they not? Here's what we know for sure: These Hollywood A-listers keep their relationship and relationship status private. Together since 2011, the actors share two daughters, Amada Lee, 7, and Esmeralda Amada, 8. Despite their reserved nature, the couple still makes sure to support each other. Gosling, 42, wore a sweet necklace with Mendes first initial to a Barbie movie premiere, and Mendes, 49, has posted frequently about Goslings role as Ken on Instagram, including use of the hashtag #ThatsMyKen. Gosling later told Access Hollywood it means "everything" to have her support. Here's what we know about the costars-turned-couple. Really, though: Are Gosling and Mendes married? Here's what they've said Long story short, they have never confirmed their relationship status but they have left hints. During a 2022 interview with Australian podcast "The Kyle and Jackie O Show," Mendes evaded confirming the pair's marital status. "Who says we werent already?" she said. "I like to keep it all mysterious. Im a very mysterious woman." A week later, during a June 22 appearance on Australias Today show on Channel 9, Mendes calls Gosling her husband. Everyone is so welcoming here, and my husband, Ryan, is here, and we are having the best time, she said at the time. Later that year, in November, Mendes posted a photo of a tattoo that also sent rumors flying. The delicate tattoo reads de Gosling." Directly translated from Spanish, the phrase means of Gosling. Regardless of whether or not the tattoo signals a secret marriage, it clearly reflects Mendes and Goslings long-term commitment to each other. During the "Barbie" press tour, Gosling and Mendes continued to court marriage rumors. On July 21, 2023, Mendes posted a clip of one of Goslings interviews on her Instagram. The version of the video refers to her as Goslings wife in the closed captioning. Story continues They met on a movie set in 2011 or did they? Gosling and Mendes co-starred in The Place Beyond the Pines" (2012), playing star-crossed couple Luke and Romina. The Place Beyond the Pines. Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, 2012 (Everett Collection) While they began dating in 2011, Mendes revealed in an Instagram on April 6, 2023 that the pair had actually met before "The Place Beyond The Pines." She posted a video of her and Gosling in their roles to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the movie. "We did not meet on set," she wrote in the caption. "The magic started way before but heres a little magic captured on camera." When asked about his on-screen connection with Mendes in an interview with Elle in 2013, Gosling said he would "like to say" it came down to their real life "chemistry," but ultimately attributed it to director Derek Cianfrance. Mendes and Gosling were photographed together off set in 2011, culminating with a New Year's Eve kiss in 2012. Mendes looked back at their 2012 red carpet debut: Trying to be very professional In September 2012, Mendes and Gosling appeared together at the TIFF Awards to promote "The Place Beyond The Pines." At the time, the couple had not yet confirmed whether they were dating, though rumors abounded. Mendes later revealed to Kelly Clarkson in a 2019 interview on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" that she struggled to remain professional during the red carpet appearance. Thats literally me going, Im not in love with him. Im not in love with him. What? We were just trying to be very professional," Mendes said. Bradley Cooper Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling 2012 Toronto International Film Festival - 'The Place Beyond Pines' - Premiere (Alamy Stock Photo) After starring in 2 movies with him, Mendes calls Gosling 'the greatest actor she's worked with' Mendes and Gosling starred together again in 2014 film "The Lost River," which was written and directed by Gosling and partially based on his life. Eva Mendes, Lost River, 2014. (Alamy ) Gosling praised Mendes' role in executing the film. They know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work thats gone into getting there," he told the Daily Telegraph. "She hates credit and shell even be mad that Im giving her that credit, Gosling added. But she was very helpful in so many ways. In 2023, Mendes raved about her partner's acting skills. To say hes the greatest actor Ive ever worked with is an understatement, she wrote in the caption of a post alongside a praise about Gosling from Gerwig. What they've said about their daughters, born in 2012 and 2014 The couple's firstborn daughter, Esmeralda Amada Gosling, arrived in September 2014. They welcomed their second child, daughter Amada Lee Gosling, in April 2016. Amada was named after Mendes' grandmother. Both Gosling and Mendes have opened up about their journey to parenthood. Mendes spoke in 2020 about balancing her career and her family on Australian radio show Fitzy and Wippa. I was lucky enough to work my bum off for 20 years, she said in the interview. I never wanted babies before until I fell in love with Ryan, and it kind of worked out to where I was 40 and having my first baby. I think I was 42 for the second one, so it worked out in that way that I had a career and then I change my focus to my family. She told TODAY in 2022 parenting is an act of creativity: Im an actress, Ive designed clothes, Ive done a number of different things. But this is the most creative thing, is to create life with them." For Gosling, kids weren't on his To Do list, until he met Mendes. "After I met Eva, I realized that I just didnt want to have kids without her," Gosling told GQ in 2023. "And there were moments on 'The Place Beyond the Pines' where we were pretending to be a family, and I didnt really want it to be pretend anymore. I realized that this would be a life I would be really lucky to have." Mendes said she and Gosling are bulldozing parents Mendes opened up to Kelly Clarkson about the challenges of parenting in a 2019 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Nobody told me it was gonna really be a job, and a job that I needed an incredible amount of skill for, in different areas: a chauffeur, a cook, a personal assistant to an abusive boss, she joked. Were very controlling, she continued. I think what the term iswere always laughing at these termsI think we would be bulldozing parents. Well, what else are we supposed to do? We have to be on top of them every second. Want more of a glimpse into their home life? In February 2020, Mendes praised Goslings skills in the kitchen. Ryan is an amazing chef AND baker, she said in an Instagram comment. For reals. Incredible. No joke. Im not sure that what I do is cooking. Its more like steaming veggies and juicing and making rice. He really cooks. I survive. Gosling expressed gratitude to Mendes in 2017 awards show speech Gosling, who won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical in 2017, praised his wife's sacrifices in the speech and dedicated the award to Mendes late brother, Juan Carlos Mendes. Ryan Gosling (NBC) Theres just no time to thank everyone. I would just like to try and thank one person properly," he said. "While I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences Ive ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer. If she hadnt taken all that on so I that could have this experience, there would surely be someone else up here other than me today. He then addressed Mendes directly. So sweetheart, thank you, to my daughters, Amada and Esmeralda, I love you. And if I may, Id like to dedicate this to the memory of her brother, Juan Carlos Mendes. Juan Carlos Mendes passed away of throat cancer in 2016, just two weeks before Gosling and Mendes welcomed second daughter Amada. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The National Transportation Safety Board is gauging whether itll investigate an encounter in which two aircraft an Allegiant plane and a jet recently avoided a collision at 23,000 feet. It would be the second federal agency looking into the matter: The Federal Aviation Administration has said its already reviewing the near-miss incident, which happened July 23 after the Allegiant flight took off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. A spokesman for the NTSB said Tuesday it is gathering information about the incident to determine if it warrants NTSB to open an investigation. The agency conducts safety investigations for systemic safety issues, trends, and potential issues that can possibly cause a catastrophic event. The July 23 incident, which was first reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel and drew national attention, happened soon after Allegiant Air Flight 485 departed from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 12:44 p.m. bound for Blue Grass Airport in Lexington. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an air traffic controller in the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center instructed Flight 485 to turn eastbound at an altitude of 23,000 feet when it crossed in front of a northbound Gulfstream business jet. Both planes received an automated alert. Both planes took evasive action because of that computerized alert system. Allegiant spokeswoman Sonya Padgett said there were 175 passengers and six crew members on board the Allegiant plane. Flightradar24, a flight-tracking service based in Stockholm, Sweden, said its data shows when the planes were alerted to change course, the aircraft were separated 2.59 miles laterally and 1,175 feet vertically. They had been on parallel tracks at about 23,000 feet. Allegiant swiftly rose 650 feet, and the Gulfstream lowered itself 1,400 feet, said Flightradar24 spokesman Ian Petchenik. Story continues He said although the FAA has not formally identified the automated system, the one that is used in all commercial aircraft is known as TCAS, which stands for Traffic Collision Avoidance System. The system quickly gives instructions to one pilot to go one way, and the second plane to go in the opposite direction, to avoid a tragedy. Its jarring for the pilots, said Petchenik, of the TCAS alert. It requires immediate attention. Related Articles While the Allegiant flight had to turn around because a flight attendant was injured in the ascent, the other jet continued on its path as scheduled to Hilton Head, S.C., Petchenik said. A party of four was among the Allegiant passengers traveling back home after finishing up a six-day cruise to the Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman, which docked at Port Everglades. They had been celebrating the 21st birthday of identical twin sisters, who were with their great-aunt and one of the sisters boyfriend. Kristin Thacker, 21, of Kentucky, said Tuesday the incident is something we still talk about. People ask, How was your vacation? and she recalls telling them about her in-air scare. My fingers were sore from holding onto the tray when we finally landed. I saw one passenger praying and lady beside me wasnt crying, but she was shaking, uncontrollable shaking. Their great-aunt, Helen Abernathy, of Indiana, said the incident was very traumatic. I couldnt show my emotions, my feelings, because of the kids. When I got home I literally lost it. She said after the sudden climb the pilot announced on the intercom we just missed another plane because of lack of communication at air traffic control. The FAA did not respond to repeated questions by the Sun Sentinel regarding air traffic control and whether anyone has been reassigned during the investigation. During the flight, the pilot asked if there was any medical professional on board because a flight attendant needed assistance. Abernathy said she saw a female passenger get up and walk to the back of the plane to help. She had watched the flight attendant fall, after just fetching two wine coolers for passengers. Abernathy said because of the weather, the fasten seatbelt light had not been turned off, possibly sparing passengers injury. A person sitting behind her had just asked permission to get up to use the bathroom, but was discouraged by a flight attendant because of the possibility of turbulence, she said. Padgett said passengers received meal vouchers to use while they waited, as well as $100 vouchers that can be used for future travel. Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The National Transportation Safety Board is gauging whether itll investigate an encounter in which two aircraft an Allegiant plane and a jet recently avoided a collision at 23,000 feet. It would be the second federal agency looking into the matter: The Federal Aviation Administration has said its already reviewing the near-miss incident, which happened July 23 after the Allegiant flight took off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. A spokesman for the NTSB said Tuesday it is gathering information about the incident to determine if it warrants NTSB to open an investigation. The agency conducts safety investigations for systemic safety issues, trends, and potential issues that can possibly cause a catastrophic event. The July 23 incident, which was first reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel and drew national attention, happened soon after Allegiant Air Flight 485 departed from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 12:44 p.m. bound for Blue Grass Airport in Lexington. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an air traffic controller in the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center instructed Flight 485 to turn eastbound at an altitude of 23,000 feet when it crossed in front of a northbound Gulfstream business jet. Both planes received an automated alert. Both planes took evasive action because of that computerized alert system. Allegiant spokeswoman Sonya Padgett said there were 175 passengers and six crew members on board the Allegiant plane. Flightradar24, a flight-tracking service based in Stockholm, Sweden, said its data shows when the planes were alerted to change course, the aircraft were separated 2.59 miles laterally and 1,175 feet vertically. They had been on parallel tracks at about 23,000 feet. Allegiant swiftly rose 650 feet, and the Gulfstream lowered itself 1,400 feet, said Flightradar24 spokesman Ian Petchenik. He said although the FAA has not formally identified the automated system, the one that is used in all commercial aircraft is known as TCAS, which stands for Traffic Collision Avoidance System. The system quickly gives instructions to one pilot to go one way, and the second plane to go in the opposite direction, to avoid a tragedy. Story continues Its jarring for the pilots, said Petchenik, of the TCAS alert. It requires immediate attention. While the Allegiant flight had to turn around because a flight attendant was injured in the ascent, the other jet continued on its path as scheduled to Hilton Head, S.C., Petchenik said. A party of four was among the Allegiant passengers traveling back home after finishing up a six-day cruise to the Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman, which docked at Port Everglades. They had been celebrating the 21st birthday of identical twin sisters, who were with their great-aunt and one of the sisters boyfriend. Kristin Thacker, 21, of Kentucky, said Tuesday the incident is something we still talk about. People ask, How was your vacation? and she recalls telling them about her in-air scare. My fingers were sore from holding onto the tray when we finally landed. I saw one passenger praying and lady beside me wasnt crying, but she was shaking, uncontrollable shaking. Their great-aunt, Helen Abernathy, of Indiana, said the incident was very traumatic. I couldnt show my emotions, my feelings, because of the kids. When I got home I literally lost it. She said after the sudden climb the pilot announced on the intercom we just missed another plane because of lack of communication at air traffic control. The FAA did not respond to repeated questions by the Sun Sentinel regarding air traffic control and whether anyone has been reassigned during the investigation. During the flight, the pilot asked if there was any medical professional on board because a flight attendant needed assistance. Abernathy said she saw a female passenger get up and walk to the back of the plane to help. She had watched the flight attendant fall, after just fetching two wine coolers for passengers. Abernathy said because of the weather, the fasten seatbelt light had not been turned off, possibly sparing passengers injury. A person sitting behind her had just asked permission to get up to use the bathroom, but was discouraged by a flight attendant because of the possibility of turbulence, she said. Padgett said passengers received meal vouchers to use while they waited, as well as $100 vouchers that can be used for future travel. _____ #YR# South Florida Sun Sentinel. Visit at sun-sentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Former President Donald Trump. Getty Trump's political action committee has embraced skiplagging, according to federal campaign finance reports. Save America PAC used the tactic as it spent more than $21 million on legal fees. Airlines are increasingly trying to thwart skiplagging as passengers embrace the practice amid rising prices. Former President Donald Trump's political action committee has embraced skiplagging, a controversial way to save money on flights, as it hemorrhaged tens of millions on Trump and his allies' legal bills. According to Save America's campaign finance filings, the pro-Trump PAC indicated that it paid SkipLagged, a site focused on helping travelers find hidden-city or other money-saving ticket measures. The expenditure was first noticed by View from the Wing, a travel blog. Insider previously reported how travelers are turning to the tactic where they book a longer flight with a layover before bailing on the final flight to the destination amid surging prices. In response, airlines are cracking down on the practice that is not illegal but does go against airline policy. Save America raked in $15 million from the start of the year through the end of June, but spent an alarming $30 million. While some of that money was routed back to Trump's super PAC, more than $21 million was spent on legal fees. Trump faces a growing list of legal issues, including federal charges over his mishandling of classified documents. The former president holds a commanding lead in national primary polling, but he could face difficulties in a potential rematch against President Joe Biden if he continues spending at such a clip. A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment about how the former president's orbit is using skiplagging. Trump took his recently rehabbed $100 million private jet to his April arraignment in New York. If you're interested in trying it for yourself, Bobby Laurie, a travel expert who worked as a flight attendant for US Airways and Virgin America, told Insider the common mistakes travelers make when skiplagging. Read the original article on Business Insider A former U.S. Border Patrol agent is facing federal charges of bribery, smuggling and wire fraud for allegedly asking for a $5,000 bribe to allow a migrant to stay in the country with fraudulent government documents. Fernando Castillo, who recently worked as a Border Patrol agent in El Paso, Texas, was indicted by a grand jury last week on three counts of wire fraud, bribery by a public official and migrant smuggling following his arrest in June, according to federal court records. Reached for comment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees Border Patrol, said Castillo left the agency on July 13. "CBP takes allegations of misconduct seriously and investigates them thoroughly," the agency said in a statement. "The United States Border Patrol is cooperating with the investigation." An attorney for Castillo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CNN reported the charges earlier Tuesday. Castillo came to the attention of federal investigators and prosecutors after a series of interactions with an unidentified migrant on June 21, according to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint. At the time, Castillo was assigned to a migrant processing center in El Paso, the FBI agent who wrote the affidavit said. Castillo allegedly approached the migrant and volunteered to escort the migrant to a port of entry in El Paso. The migrant, a national of Mexico and El Salvador identified as "Victim 1" in the affidavit, was slated to be returned to Mexico. Castillo transported the migrant in a van, with no other Border Patrol agents present, according to the affidavit. The migrant told federal investigators that Castillo stopped the van at some point to offer "papeles," or papers, which the alleged victim interpreted as immigration documents. Castillo, the migrant told investigators, said the files would be erased from the system within two weeks, allowing the migrant to "essentially be free to remain" in the U.S., the affidavit said. The migrant said Castillo also opened a bag containing their belongings, which included $830 and 3,725 Mexican pesos. Story continues Federal investigators said Castillo escorted the migrant across the port of entry in El Paso. Once in Mexico, the migrant realized that $500 was missing from their belongings. The migrant then reported the alleged theft to U.S. border authorities in El Paso, who contacted the FBI and other investigators. Federal officials noted the migrant's phone received nearly a dozen calls from a blocked number that afternoon. The migrant also received a call from a blocked number during the interview with federal investigators, who recorded the call and determined the caller was likely Castillo. The migrant received a call from the same person the following day. The migrant, officials said, asked the caller whether the alleged $5,000 bribe was a safe transaction. "It's very safe," said the caller, who investigators again determined to be Castillo. The following day, the affidavit said, investigators found out Castillo had altered the migrant's files in a government system. The processing category was allegedly changed from "voluntary return" to "notice to appear," a document that allows migrants to stay in the U.S. while an immigration judge determines whether they should remain in the country or be deported. Castillo then changed the category back to voluntary return, the affidavit said. On June 27, a caller with the same voice called the migrant to organize a return to the U.S. The caller instructed the migrant to buy a bus ticket to Denver and another ticket from there to Maryland, according to investigators, who recorded the call. The next day, Castillo left his home early in the morning and drove to the port of entry in El Paso. He was tracked by federal investigators, who had been surveilling him. The affidavit said Castillo escorted the migrant into the port of entry after calling them. When federal officials approached Castillo, he had a notice to appear document with the migrant's name. The migrant told investigators Castillo had instructed them to hold on to the money until they entered a vehicle. During an interview with investigators, Castillo admitted to producing a fraudulent document, forging signatures of other agents, calling the migrant and not telling superiors about his actions. But Castillo denied stealing the migrant's money and said he wanted to bring the migrant back into the U.S. out of a concern that he would be blamed if they were harmed in Mexico. He told investigators his plan was to get the migrant on a deportation flight to El Salvador. Sneak peek: The Snapchat Clue Sneak peek: The Psychiatrist and the Selfie "I was mortified": Former dancers suing Lizzo describe moments with singer A woman riding an ATV died after her ex-boyfriend struck her with a go-kart, according to an Arizona sheriffs office. Mohave County deputies said they arrived on scene in Meadview after a report of a quad and go-kart collision shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Friday, July 28, according to a July 31 Facebook post from the sheriffs office. Sally Minard, 32, of Meadview, was taken to a hospital with severe injuries and later died, deputies said. After an investigation, deputies said they determined the collision was a criminal act, not just a vehicle collision. The go-kart driver, 40-year-old John Stettler, was arrested and is facing a second-degree murder charge, deputies said. Deputies said they are investigating the incident. Meadview is on the border of Nevada, about 115 miles southeast of Las Vegas. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Man climbs through ex-girlfriends window and fatally shoots her boyfriend, PA cops say Columbus man who killed ex-girlfriend near her children makes plea deal North Texas man who stalked, killed ex-girlfriend in child custody dispute is sentenced More than four years after state police investigators seized records from the office of ex-Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith, the former longtime elected official has admitted guilt and is going to be sentenced in the embezzlement probe. But Smith isn't expected to serve any more time behind bars after the nearly seven months he served in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal charge in an unrelated case in which he stole money from his campaign. "Per the plea agreement we expect Smith to be sentenced to 12 months incarceration at the county jail. We expect this will be sentenced concurrent with his Federal Bureau of Prisons sentence and therefore he will not be jailed beyond time already served between incarceration and house arrest," Danny Wimmer, press secretary for the Michigan Attorney General's Office, wrote in an email to the Free Press. "Additional sanctions, such as fines, will be set by the court." Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith Smith is expected to pay $25,000 in restitution, and it is expected that the state court will order forfeiture of a significant portion of his pension, according to the Attorney General's Office. Last year, the state court froze Smith's pension of nearly $6,900 a month at the request of prosecutors. In early 2020, Smith was charged with 10 offenses by state prosecutors in the probe accusing him of embezzling money from his former office's forfeiture funds. On Tuesday, after years in the court system, he pleaded guilty to three charges, with the other seven expected to be dismissed at sentencing in person Sept. 6 in Macomb County. Wrapping up a long Macomb corruption probe "This is a long investigation and a long prosecution. The three felonies under state law currently are not expungable ... That's going to be a significant bar for him to be able to run for any office," Assistant Attorney General Michael Frezza told the court during a hearing Tuesday. "The people of Macomb County, and for that matter, the state of Michigan, are protected by the fact that this defendant resigned within days after charges. So that he's no longer in a position to harm the people in the way that he did under this plea and under the amended information. He has lost his law license, I understand from the state bar, and the people are further protected through that. It was the judgment of the Michigan Department of Attorney General that this is a fair and just result." Story continues Smiths sentence will, at some point, allow for sentencing for three other people caught up in the probe two of them former assistant prosecuting attorneys. And it will close that dark chapter in the prosecutors office as well as a swath of unrelated corruption in the county that brought down other elected officials in recent years. More: Macomb County's culture of corruption: 'It's how it's always been' How Smith spent his ill-gotten money Smith, 56, was accused of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the drug and forfeiture funds in his former office for personal and unauthorized business expenses over many years. The expenses included purchases for a security system at his Macomb Township home, which police searched; church donations; mini iPads for a school one of his children attended; holiday parties for staff; and items for employees who retired or who lost a relative, such as flowers, a bench, a plaque, gift cards and more, authorities said. Smith accepted a written plea agreement by a July 26 deadline, per Macomb County Circuit court records, a document signed by him, his attorney and Frezza. The plea agreement is between the state Attorney General's Office and Smith. Oakland County Circuit Judge Nanci Grant accepted Smith's guilty pleas during a Zoom hearing that lasted less than 20 minutes Tuesday. Grant was assigned the case after all the Macomb County Circuit judges recused themselves. Judge addresses public dissatisfaction with plea deal Grant said her office has received many calls and emails about the proposed plea agreement, which was read into the record during a hearing in June and of which a written, signed copy was filed with the Macomb County Circuit Court last month. "And folks need to understand that the plea bargain was made between the Attorney General's Office and the defendant, and (it) is not the job of the court to reject the plea based on comments or opinion of the public. It is the ... state's attorney general who brings the charges, who looks at the strength of their case and determines the most just and fair outcome for the people of the state of Michigan. "So various members of the public who have any issues or are disturbed by the plea that's been offered by the Attorney General's Office, and I understand this will be accepted by the defendant, then those comments are best directed to the Attorney General's Office. But courts really, typically, don't get involved in whether a plea will be accepted by the court as long as there's been a rationale for the plea, which I believe is going to be stated again on this record." Per the plea agreement, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct in office, a five-year felony; tampering with evidence, a four-year felony, and conspiracy to commit forgery of a false receipt, a 14-year felony. He acknowledged "that he acted with corrupt intent ... in the exercise of his office while the elected Macomb County prosecutor, including by misusing public funds, that his acts were wrongful and malfeasance," per the agreement. The date of the first act that resulted in the charge is March 24, 2014, six years prior to the filing of the complaint, per the agreement, and states that Smith "so acted on other dates thereafter." Under the Public Employee Retirement Benefits Forfeiture Act, Smith is subject to forfeiture of the portion of his pension from the first date of the official misconduct in office charge, March 24, 2014, running until his resignation in March 2020. An order will be presented for entry by the court at sentencing, and the pension plan receives the order and calculates the amount of the forfeiture, Wimmer wrote in a separate email to the Free Press. Ex-Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith appears in state court via Zoom Aug. 1, 2023, when he pleaded guilty to three charges in a state embezzlement probe alleging he misused funds from his former office's forfeiture accounts. 'Against the statute' Smith answered questions from Grant and Frezza, mostly answering yes or no type questions. Asked whether he misused public money under his control, Smith said "yes." The four accounts were a drug forfeiture account, an OWI forfeiture account, a bad check restitution account and the Warren drug court account. "And you did that on multiple occasions during that period of time?" Frezza asked. "Yes," Smith said. "And those public funds amounted to at least $25,000, including from the drug forfeiture account and the OWI account," Frezza said. "Yes, $25,000," Smith said. Frezza asked Smith whether he agreed that in doing this, he acted "with corrupt intent in the exercise of the office of Macomb County elected prosecutor?" Smith smiled and paused for many seconds before answering "yes." "And that was wrongful and malfeasance," Frezza said. "It was, uh, against the statute," Smith replied. Frezza asked again, "it was corrupt and wrongful. You agree?" "We stipulate to the legal basis. He's making a factual basis, but we agree that we're meeting the factual elements here," Smith's attorney, John Dakmak, chimed in. Smith spent more than 15 years as prosecutor, being first elected in 2004, and more years as an assistant prosecutor when he began working for the office in 1993. He resigned in 2020. For years, he touted himself as "one tough prosecutor" and addressed the media during high-profile cases. Per the agreement, the parties agree that Smith "will be sentenced to incarceration in county jail for 12 months. This term of incarceration will be served concurrently with the term Defendant Smith was and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons" imposed in his federal case. Smith was released from federal prison Jan. 31. He pleaded guilty in federal court in January 2021 after being accused of stealing just under $75,000 from his campaign fund from 2012 to 2019. He was sentenced Feb. 16, 2022, to 21 months in federal prison. He reported to federal prison in June of last year and was released early after serving nearly seven months. In February, Smith's projected release date from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons was Christmas Day of this year. However, the bureau said Tuesday that Smith was released from its custody July 28 via First Step Act release. "While we don't discuss a specific inmate's release method, we can share that an inmate may earn good conduct time. Prior to the FSA, qualifying inmates earned up to 54 days of good conduct time for each year served and ... the BOP pro-rated the amount of good conduct time earned for the final year of service of sentence. Under the amendments made by the FSA, qualifying inmates will be eligible to earn up to 54 days of good conduct time for each year of the sentence imposed by the court," spokesperson Scott Taylor wrote in an email to the Free Press. Taylor added that "inmates may release up to 12 months early if they complete the BOP's Residential Drug Abuse Program, and inmates may release early via court order such as a compassionate release (due to old age and medical conditions) or clemency." Per the plea agreement in the embezzlement case, the state court will set any and all other terms of Smith's sentence, and the parties agreed if the plea was accepted by the court and after sentencing, state prosecutors would dismiss seven other charges against Smith. Smith, a Democrat, resigned from his position as the longtime prosecutor on March 30, 2020, less than a week after he was charged in the state probe. In early 2019, Macomb County commissioners approved a forensic audit to find out whether expenditures from four forfeiture funds in the prosecutor's office were legitimate. The money, under state law, is to be used for law enforcement purposes. The investigation was prompted by a complaint by Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, a Democrat, who called for an investigation into inappropriate use of the accounts. "No one is above the law, regardless of what office they serve. The former prosecutor severely abused his position of power and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the people of Macomb County. Those charged with upholding the law should be held to the highest ethical standards," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a release Tuesday. "Eric Smith violated the public trust and tainted the Macomb County Prosecutors Office," Nessel, a Democrat, said, calling Smith's crimes "egregious." Three others charged in the state investigation, including former assistant prosecutors Benjamin Liston and Derek Miller, and businessman William Weber, who operated a security company, are awaiting sentencing for their roles in the probe. They are expected to be sentenced sometime after Smith. Smith admitted Tuesday that Weber was to create a false invoice from his security business stating that equipment installed at Smith's home had been installed at the prosecutor's office in Mount Clemens. The false invoice was to be produced in response to a Macomb County Circuit Court subpoena issued to the security group to cover up where the equipment actually was installed, per Tuesday's hearing. Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith pleads guilty SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) - China's currency regulators are asking some commercial banks to reduce or postpone their purchases of U.S. dollars in order to slow the yuan's depreciation, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The informal instruction, or the so-called window guidance, is the latest in a series of steps taken by authorities this year to bolster a currency that has been hit by China's faltering post-pandemic economic recovery and rising yields for the U.S. dollar and other major currencies. One source said regulators were emphatic banks should hold off dollar purchases under their proprietary trading accounts due to the "recent yuan depreciation". The People's Bank of China (PBOC) did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comments, while the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) told Reuters that exchange rate expectations were stable and it will push for a 'risk-neutral' mentality' at companies and financial institutions. "The yuan exchange rate expectations are stable, and the foreign exchange market has the foundation to meet authentic and compliant FX needs," SAFE said in response to a Reuters query. It reiterated it will keep the yuan basically stable at reasonable and balanced levels. The tightly managed yuan hit an eight-month low in July, and has lost 3.6% against the dollar since the start of the year to rank as one of Asia's worst performing currencies. [CNY/] China's authorities have pledged to let market factors dictate the yuan's moves, but their concern evident last month when the policy-making Politburo made a rare reference to the need for currency stability. The window guidance "suggested that the central bank maintained its stance to support the yuan," said Ken Cheung, chief Asian FX strategist at Mizuho Bank in Hong Kong. "It also showed that the PBOC has ample tools to defend the currency," he said. Story continues Keeping non-urgent dollar demand at bay could relieve some of the immediate pressure on the yuan, the sources said. A central bank-led self-regulatory body had done something similar in 2021, asking banks to cap the size of their proprietary trading accounts to counter volatility in the yuan. So far, monetary authorities have only tinkered with some rules, such as by allowing companies to borrow more overseas and setting firmer-than-expected daily yuan benchmarks, alongside some yuan-buying by state-owned banks. "The PBOC is demonstrating firmness with its consistently firmer-than-expected yuan fixings,"said Alvin Tan, head of Asia FX strategy at RBC Capital Markets. Tan however expected the yuan later this month would re-test July's trough of 7.25, as the dollar climbs and "investors lose their optimism about China's economy turning around decisively." FLOWS SLOW Investors were excited by the Politburo's talk of changes to real estate policy and more measures to boost demand in the economy. But that excitement soon faded, as domestic and foreign investors said they would wait for substantive action before putting more money into China. Analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a recent note that while authorities could slow the yuan's depreciation, there were significant headwinds that would keep it weak. Foremost among those were the fragility of the debt-laden property sector, and the divergence in monetary policies as China feels the need to keep yields low and supportive of growth. Investors clamouring to see the government deliver economic support measures sooner have been disappointed so far, and it shows in the weak performance of the country's stock markets. The Shanghai stock and blue-chip CSI 300 index are not only lagging regional peers, but also global stocks markets. Foreign investors' net purchases of domestic A-share stocks stands at around 230 billion yuan ($32.09 billion), and inflows virtually stalled after the economy lost its post-pandemic bounce. Overseas institutional investors have also sold huge amounts of yuan bonds. Largely due to outbound tourism and logistics, China's services trade deficit more than doubled to $102.1 billion in the January-June period, adding to pressure on the yuan. There was also a seasonal factor too, as overseas-listed Chinese companies usually need more foreign exchange in the summer to pay dividends to shareholders. ($1 = 7.1673 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Shanghai and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan & Simon Cameron-Moore) In early June, a bizarre and mysterious joint operation was carried out between two of Ukraines neighbors, one to the east and one to the west. Eleven Ukrainian soldiers, after having been held in Russian captivity for an unknown amount of time, were moved from Russia to Hungary. Although Ukraine and Russia have regularly exchanged prisoners of war, sometimes via third countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, this time, Ukraine was not informed about the operation beforehand, nor has Budapest provided any information to Kyiv about the Ukrainian citizens on its territory in the weeks following. Despite the extreme political sensitivity of such a move, both Moscow and Budapest, where the transfer was proudly confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen, have denied any direct state role in it, with Hungary claiming that the transfer was organized strictly between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta. New information obtained by the Kyiv Independent in collaboration with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Hungary (RFE/RL Hungary) from Ukrainian officials and diplomatic sources, as well as others in Hungary familiar with the matter but unable to go on record due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, gives clues to the direct involvement of the Hungarian state in the transfer. Hungary has so far adopted a line of plausible deniability, enabling Prime Minister Viktor Orban to escape greater international scrutiny for the events, which whether initiated by Hungary or passively agreed to are unprecedented for an EU and NATO member state in the middle of Russias full-scale war. The information also points to a severe deterioration of working diplomatic contact between Kyiv and Budapest, which has consistently undermined Ukraines defense of its territory and sovereignty from inside the EU and NATO since Russias full-scale invasion. So far, five of the 11 Ukrainian POWs in question have returned to Ukraine. According to Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, they eventually made contact with the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, which organized their transport by car across the land border. Story continues The whereabouts of the remaining six, who could in theory have relocated to other countries in the Schengen zone, as of Aug. 1 could not be confirmed by Ukrainian officials, who said they are still trying to organize their return to Ukraine. Read also: Orban once again blames West for war, calls for peace talks on Russian terms Humanitarian mission The handing over of Ukrainian servicemen was initially announced on June 8 by a short press release from the Russian Orthodox Church, which claimed that the move was part of inter-church cooperation, at the request of the Hungarian side. The news was confirmed on the next day by Semjen, Hungarys deputy prime minister, who said that his personal role in coordinating the transfer was his human and patriotic duty. Though Semjen described the release of the Ukrainian POWs to Hungary as a gesture to Hungary by the Russian Orthodox Church specifically, there is no distinction on the Russian side between the church and state as an actor. Even putting aside the well-documented status of the church as a political arm of the Vladimir Putin regime, the POWs were captured and held, like any others, by the Russian military, which would need to approve any such handover. On the Hungarian side, questions were immediately raised about the knowledge and involvement of Orban and his government upon the announcement of the transfer. Perhaps giving away more than he should have, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a June 9 tweet that the transfer was coordinated by Semjen and carried out at the request of Hungary, adding that the Maltese Charity Service also participated in the transport. The tweet remains up as of Aug. 1. Despite that, speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on June 20, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto denied the governments involvement. There were discussions between church and religious organizations, where the state of Hungary was absolutely not involved, further claiming that the soldiers were now free to move around in Hungary or return to Ukraine as they pleased. The statements of Kovacs and Szijjarto openly contradict one another, as the latter claims that the negotiation was strictly between two religious bodies, while Kovacs describes the role of the Maltese Charity Service as a facilitating one, helping Semjen with logistics. According to several anonymous sources cited by RFE/RL Hungary in June, neither Szijjarto nor Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Hungarian prime ministers office, were made aware of the planned transfer. According to one anonymous diplomatic source interviewed for this article, the prisoners were brought to Hungary via Turkey, as all direct air travel between Russia and the EU has ceased. The source could not confirm if they stayed any amount of time in Turkey, or with what kind of flight they came, while Ukrainian officials also declined to comment on the details. According to open-source flight data, there were no observed flights on government planes between Turkey and Hungary on the days when the transfer was to occur, though there was a flight by a small jet belonging to Maltese charter flight company VistaJet on the afternoon of June 7 from Istanbul to Budapest. One of the main questions, of course, is the role and knowledge of Orban himself in the transfer. Beyond being Deputy Prime Minister, Semjen is the leader of Hungarys Christian Democratic People's Party, the partner of Orbans Fidesz party in the ruling coalition, and a close political ally of the prime minister. It is hard to imagine that the top leadership of the country did not know about this operation, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said to the Kyiv Independent. We are sure that they knew about it, and that this work was authorized at the highest level. Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, third right, and Zsolt Semjen, Hungary's deputy prime minister, sing at the Fidesz party headquarters following results for the parliamentary elections in Budapest, Hungary, on Monday, April 9, 2018. (Akos Stiller/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Not bound by diplomatic language, Dmytro Tuzhanskyi, director of the Institute for Central European Strategy, a Ukrainian think tank, was more blunt. Semjen is an extension of Viktor Orban, especially in matters of Russia, especially in such sensitive issues as the transfer of prisoners of war, Tuzhanskyi told the Kyiv Independent. He would not have taken a single step or said a single word if Viktor (Orban) had not allowed him to do so. Orban himself has so far not made any public comment on the transfer. According to a Hungarian source familiar with the matter, an internal government directive stated that only Semjen should speak on it. Given that Hungarys leader was almost certainly made aware, further questions arise about whether the initiative for the transfer came from Moscow or Budapest. For both sides, according to the sources interviewed, the main aim was to publicly discredit Ukraine by painting a picture of ethnic Hungarian soldiers made to fight for Kyiv against their will, and under threat of being sent back to the front or even court-martialled if they returned to Ukraine. For Hungary possible motivations also align with Budapests posturing since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion: that of peacemaker and protector of Ukraines ethnic Hungarians. In between calling for negotiations with Russia and the removal of Western sanctions, Orban regularly repeats Kremlin propaganda narratives on the war he says was provoked by the West, which is fighting to the last Ukrainian soldier" in its proxy war with Russia. Hungary was nonetheless quickly thrown off by the Russian churchs early announcement and the quick reaction from Ukraine, according to Hungarian expert on Russian affairs Andras Racz, who said the announcement placed Budapest in a painful communications situation. I've heard many times that Semjen is called a useful idiot, not only on Russian issues, added Tuzhanskyi. In this context, Hungary has consciously become a useful idiot. Both the Hungarian Foreign Ministry and Semjen's office were contacted for comment, but did not respond as of the time of publication. Read also: Minority rights concerns rebuked as Hungarian deputy foreign minister visits Ukraine POWs turned political pawns As accusations were exchanged between Budapest and Kyiv, next to nothing was known about the prisoners themselves. On June 15, RFE/RL Hungary reported, citing anonymous officials and diplomats, that the servicemen had been captured during battles near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast. Yatsenko confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the five who eventually returned were known to Kyiv as prisoners of war, rather than missing persons. Oleg Kotenko, Ukraines Commissioner for Missing Persons in Special Circumstances, reported on June 19 that Kyiv had established the surnames of the 11 soldiers. Hungarian officials, including Szijjarto, frequently called the POWs Transcarpathian, referring to Ukraines Zakarpattia Oblast on the border with Hungary. The region has a large Hungarian minority: according to the 2001 census, the only one ever conducted in independent Ukraine, around 150,000 ethnic Hungarians made up about 12% of the regions population. According to Fedir Sandor, a Hungarian-Ukrainian professor at Uzhhorod National University, soldier, and appointed Ukrainian ambassador to Hungary, around 400 ethnic Hungarians are serving in the Ukrainian military, and 34 have been killed in action. Most of them fight together in units of the 101st Territorial Defense and 128th Mountain Assault brigades, both based in Zakarpattia Oblast. When news of the transfer broke, the assumption was quickly made in the media that the POWs were from this Hungarian minority, a story which would fit with the Orban governments long-running discourse of stopping Hungarians from dying in the war as a justification for appeasing Russian aggression in Ukraine. The truth, flagged by the diplomatic sources interviewed and tacitly confirmed by Yatsenko, is different. While the POWs allegedly do have Hungarian-sounding surnames, only one speaks Hungarian and is a Hungarian citizen; the rest were identified as members of the Rusyn community, a loosely-defined group of local Slavic peoples speaking a local dialect of Ukrainian. This reflects the reality of the ethnic tapestry of Zakarpattia Oblast, where Ukrainians, Hungarians, Slovaks, Romanians and other people have mingled for centuries. These are Ukrainians who simply have some Hungarian background, but they are representatives of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian political nation, said Yatsenko. More importantly, the fact that all but one of the POWs identified as Hungarian shows that for those who coordinated the transfer with Moscow, it was the thinly-veiled image of saving Hungarians that mattered: who these people were in reality did not. What worries us is that we do not hear these people, that it is these people who do not express their position, said Oleksandr Kononenko, representative of Ukraines ombudsman, to the Kyiv Independent. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us Kept in the dark Once the Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Hungary, very little was known publicly about their whereabouts and the conditions in which they were kept. The picture painted both by Kyiv officially and by anonymous diplomatic sources is one of a gray zone in which the lines between freedom and custody are blurred. One anonymous source close to the Maltese Charity Service said that the POWs were housed in a dormitory building owned by the organization in Budapest, although the Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify this. It's definitely not captivity. Of course, this is a slightly different situation, said Kononenko. Still, Ukrainian officials speaking on the record claim that, contrary to what Budapest has said, the POWs were deprived of basic human freedoms in their stay in Hungary. We know, for example, that they are kept in one place; some relatives were able to come to see them, but they met in a different place other than where they are kept, said Nikolenko. The relatives came to the designated place, and the Hungarian side brought these prisoners. We know that they also did not have free access to, for example, mobile phones or free access to information. According to Kyiv, the soldiers were also subject to psychological manipulation of a coercive nature while in Hungary. We have information, and this is confirmed by those Ukrainians who returned to Ukraine, that they were subjected to psychological pressure there, they received distorted information, said Nikolenko, who added that at the time of the interview, this process was continuing with the POWs still in Hungary. The narrative of this manipulation, as confirmed by the diplomatic sources, was to convince the POWs that they would immediately be returned to the front line or tried as deserters if they returned to Ukraine, with one source claiming that they were even pressured to take Hungarian citizenship. The five who did return to Ukraine, according to Yatsenko, are currently undergoing physical and mental rehabilitation, as is standard practice with all exchanged Ukrainian prisoners of war. They returned, despite all the threats, all the manipulation, and all the offers to stay on the territory of Hungary, he said. They will also receive all the necessary rehabilitation, according to our state rehabilitation programs for those who return from captivity in the aggressor state. Three former Ukrainian prisoners of war, whom Russia handed over to Budapest without Ukraine's consent, were taken out of Hungary on June 20, 2023. (Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War) In all the interviews conducted with Ukrainian officials, comments on the personal restriction and mental manipulation of the POWs in Hungarian territory were made in passive voice, declining to confirm whether those actually carrying it out were employees of the Hungarian state. When pressed on the matter, Nikolenko and Yatsenko both turned to the phrasing the Hungarian side, but were reluctant to give more details. Yatsenko did confirm that at the organized meetings of the POWs with their relatives, third-party individuals were present. Were they representatives of the Hungarian side, were they military personnel, did they have any authority? he said. I can't confirm who they were exactly, but they were the representatives who were always present at meetings with relatives (of the POWs) in Hungary. The implications behind this language match Kyivs claims that the Orban government must have been aware of and involved in the transfer. There is no evidence to how or why a religious charity could take such coercive measures with people apparently in its care. Beyond the physical circumstances of the POWs stay in Hungary, what has publicly concerned Ukraine more is the complete lack of cooperation or communication with the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, which made repeated requests for consular officials in Budapest to be put in contact with its citizens, as is standard diplomatic practice. The Hungarian state should have done everything possible if the person wanted to contact the embassy, commented Hungarian international law expert Tamas Hoffmann. Religious groups cannot detain people, they belong to sovereign jurisdiction. Only the state should be at work here. Both Nikolenko and Kononenko drew comparisons to Turkeys role as a third-party mediator in the exchange of Ukrainian POWs from the siege of Azovstal in Mariupol last year. Turkey acted within the framework of the Geneva Conventions, said Kononenko. It was a third party during the relevant negotiations, and everything was coordinated with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Ukraine was fully aware of the type of pretext for everything that was going to happen. Read also: What its like to know your loved ones are in Russian captivity Stab in the back On July 14, Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraines military intelligence agency (HUR) said that the Russian Orthodox Church was planning a second similar transfer of Ukrainian POWs to Hungary. According to an unnamed source in Ukrainian security services cited by RBK Ukraine on the topic, Hungary has only agreed to receive more Ukrainian POWs if they are strictly of Hungarian background. Yusov did not respond to the Kyiv Independents requests to comment on the potential second transfer. Whatever the fate of the Ukrainian POWs remaining in Hungary, the transfer is just the latest escalation in Ukraine-Hungary relations, already strained before Russias full-scale invasion and worsening ever since. In the EU, Orbans government has consistently roadblocked the passing of financial and military aid for Ukraine, and sanctions packages against Russia. One of Budapests objections notably concerned personal sanctions against Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill, citing it a violation of religious freedom. Kirill, who is well-known as a direct political tool of Putin, has denied Russian atrocities in Ukraine, going so far as to call the full-scale invasion a sacred war. Thanks to Hungarian demands, Kirill was removed from the sanctions list. We see that against the background of EU efforts to isolate Russia, imposed sanctions, and deprivation of funding and resources for the war, Hungary is actively developing cooperation with Russia under various pretexts, noted Nikolenko. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (R) meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow on July 21, 2022. (Peter Szijjarto/Facebook) In recent weeks, Orban has declined to call Putin a war criminal, and repeated a regular claim that Ukraine is no longer a sovereign nation because of the states reliance on macrofinancial support from the West. Right now, Russia is trying to tear Ukraine to pieces, lamented Nikolenko. So to stab Ukraine in the back during the most difficult period of its history is the worst thing that can be done by a foreign government but it is even worse if it is done by a neighbor. This article was produced in collaboration with Flora Garamvolgyi, a journalist writing for RFE/RL Hungary. Note from the author: Hi, this is Francis Farrell, cheers for reading this article. I grew up on the other side of the world, but in Ukraine I have found a home unlike any other. Just like with so many of our readers, I understand that you don't have to be from near here to realize how important Ukraine's struggle is for freedom and human rights all over the world. The Kyiv Independent's mission is to lead the way in continuing to bring the best homegrown, English-language coverage of this war, even if the rest of the world's attention starts to fade. Please consider supporting our reporting. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The French perfume maker Maison Francis Kurkdjian launched its new fragrance in the Chinese mainland with an immersive art exhibition at Modern Art Museum, Shanghai from July 24 to 26. The exhibition showcased the creations and ideas of Francis Kurkdjian, a contemporary perfumer and co-founder of the company, alongside with the works of three Chinese artists: Gu Zhongsheng, Lin Fanglu and Gao Weigang. The new perfume named 724 was inspired by "the uplifting energy of big cities", according to Kurkdjian. "There is something about big cities that sweeps over you, electrifies you, elevates you," he said at the opening on July 24. "I translated that communicative energy, that life pulsating in unison, into a musky, floral, urban fragrance that I named 724, for 24 hours of scented living, seven days a week." One of the three featured artists, Gu is a photographer who "spent the best eight years of my life in New York". On exhibition were a series of pictures he took of the US metropolis. He recalls the rhythm and sounds of the Big Apple "the noise of the ambulances, police sirens, the subway trains passing overhead" and the artist from Beijing says that "Shanghai is more like New York, with many small communities and life is convenient". Each city has its unique smell too, he says. "As soon as you land in the airport in New York, you smell the familiar laundry detergent, Beijing smells typically of a light smoke, while Shanghai is characterized by the smell of the wet leaves of the sycamore trees." Like artworks, fragrance and smell inspires imagination, and takes people to a different place, says Shi Jinle, a representative of Gao, whose installation on show featured hanging ladders made of thin wires. "The uplifting energy and sense of layers in Gao's work resonates with the message of the perfume," Shi says. "There have been contemporary artists who experimented working with smells, which is an important part of the human perception and cognition. I believe Gao could be interested in exploring this field." The third artist Lin's installation series on show, entitled Inclusiveness, featured denim processed with the traditional tie-dyeing of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Yunnan province. The natural botanic dyeing agent is made with fermented Radix Isatidis, a herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. "You put the herb in a giant vat, add Chinese liquor, plant ashes and other materials, and leave it at the right temperature for a month, then you will have the dye," Lin says. "In Yunnan, the crafts were done by women, who were under-educated and some could not even write their own names," she tells China Daily. "They created such powerful artworks with complicated folding, twisting and pleating techniques on the fabric, which have been passed down for more than 1,000 years." By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal indictment of Donald Trump issued on Tuesday included a charge that the Republican then-president and co-conspirators sought slates of phony electors to support his false claims that he won the 2020 election against Democrat Joe Biden. WHAT ARE ELECTORS? U.S. presidents are not elected by direct popular vote. Instead, each state appoints electors who select a president under a process specified by the U.S. Constitution. The winning candidate must receive at least 270 of the 538 total electoral votes. Each of the 50 states is assigned a number of electoral votes that match the size of their congressional delegation. California will have 54 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, for example, while sparsely populated states like Vermont and Wyoming have three each. The District of Columbia also gets three electors. Each presidential candidate has their own group of electors in each state, known as a "slate." After the election, each state awards its electoral votes to the slate aligned with the winning candidate. In all but two states, the winner of the popular vote receives all of the state's electoral votes. Maine and Nebraska award some of their electoral votes on a proportional basis. Both split their votes in the 2020 election. The electors cast their ballots on behalf of their candidate and send the results to Congress, which counts them up and certifies a winner. If no candidate secures a majority, the House of Representatives picks the president and the Senate picks the vice president. In most elections, the winner of the national popular vote has also won the Electoral College vote. But five times, the candidate who lost the popular vote has won the election - most recently in 2016, when Trump won 304 electoral votes even though he got 3 million fewer votes nationwide than Democrat Hillary Clinton. On July 18, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against 16 people for submitting a phony slate of electors to try to help Trump overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden. Story continues WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION? According to the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Trump and his allies sought to overturn his defeat by convincing Republican-controlled legislatures in battleground states to name their own Trump-friendly electors or refuse to name any electors, even though Biden had won the popular vote in those places. Law professor John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro, an adviser to Trump's campaign, wrote legal memos arguing that state legislatures had the authority to choose their own electors, according to the committee's final report. Trump and supporters including Rudy Giuliani, his former personal lawyer, urged legislators in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia to take this step, but none did so. (A Georgia prosecutor is investigating attempts to reverse Trump's defeat in that state.) Nevertheless, Trump and his allies assembled their own slates of electors in seven states that he lost. Those electors met on Dec. 14, 2020, to cast their votes for Trump - the same day when legitimate electors cast their ballots for Biden. Those ballots had no legal standing, but Trump and his supporters used them to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to discard the actual results from the states in question when he presided over Congress's Jan. 6, 2021 session to certify the election outcome. That would have left Biden short of the needed 270-vote majority, giving Republicans in Congress a chance to declare Trump the victor. Pence refused to go along with the scheme, saying he did not have the authority to reject electors. On Jan. 6, Trump held a rally in front of the White House and told the crowd that it would be a "sad day for our country" if Pence did not do as he wished. Thousands of his supporters then attacked the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to derail the proceedings. Five people died and more than 140 police were injured. The Capitol suffered millions of dollars in damage. More than 1,000 people have been charged for crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack. (Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Grant McCool) By Andrew Goudsward (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump's main fundraising group, known as a leadership PAC, on Monday reported spending more than $21 million on legal fees in the first half of 2023 amid investigations and lawsuits against Trump, his advisers and his associates. WHAT IS A LEADERSHIP PAC? Leadership PACs, such as Trump's Save America committee, raise money from donors to support political campaigns in the United States. Leadership PACs emerged in the 1970s as a way for elected officials and candidates to raise money for other political candidates, usually of the same political party, without using their own campaign funds. Members of U.S. Congress have often used the PACs to help colleagues in closely fought elections and attract support for their own bids to secure leadership positions in Congress, according to campaign finance experts. The committees are set up and controlled by lawmakers or other political leaders, but are not connected to the candidates campaign. WHAT CAN A LEADERSHIP PAC SPEND MONEY ON? Leadership PAC funding cannot be used to support the candidates campaign, although it has been used to cover administrative expenses such as travel, political consulting and polling. Unlike super PACs, which can raise unlimited sums from companies, unions and individuals, individual donors may contribute no more than $5,000 a year to leadership PACs. U.S. politicians have traditionally had wide latitude to spend money raised through leadership PACs. Although U.S. law prohibits candidates from using campaign money on personal expenses, the U.S. Federal Election Commission, which enforces campaign finance law, has not clarified whether the ban applies to leadership PACs. WHAT IS THE SAVE AMERICA PAC? Trump, who is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination in 2024, established the Save America PAC in the days after the 2020 presidential election. The committee has often solicited donations by making false claims of widespread voter fraud in the election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Story continues The committee made about $760,000 in donations to other Republican candidates ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, according to OpenSecrets, an organization that tracks political spending in the United States. But the group has spent far more covering legal bills for Trump and other associates. Save America had previously reported spending more than $16 million on legal expenses through 2022. Trump has faced two criminal indictments and a host of other investigations since leaving office. The probes have drawn in his political advisers and employees of his real estate business. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases and has accused prosecutors of political bias against him. CAN LEADERSHIP PACS BE USED TO PAY LEGAL FEES? The answer is tricky, according to legal experts. Generally, politicians cannot spend campaign money on legal expenses unless they are tied to a campaign, but many of the investigations involving Trump relate to his conduct as president and as a political candidate. However, leadership PACs such as Save America also are not allowed to directly support their own candidate's campaign. Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School and an expert on campaign finance issues who has supported Democratic candidates, said that because Trump is fighting criminal charges during a presidential campaign, it is possible that covering legal fees could be considered a benefit to his campaign. Campaign finance experts said the question was unsettled, though Trump's team would most likely argue his criminal defense is separate from his campaign. A Trump spokesman said the legal payments were made in "accordance with the law and upon the advice of counsel." (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington. Additional reporting by Jason Lange.; Editing by David Bario, Matthew Lewis and Gerry Doyle) JORDAN UTLEY Wendover Air Force Base in Utah was the training home of the 509th Composite Group, a unit made up of B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers specially prepared for the Manhattan Projects nuclear weapons goalsincluding the Enola Gay and Bockscar, which dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The bombings killed as many as 225,000 Japanese people in the moment and up to five years later as a result of radiation poisoning and other health effects. Most of them were civilians. Today, Wendover Airport sits on the site. The base has been unusually preserved due to its extremely low-humidity environment. The nearby town of Wendover has just 1,500 people, while West Wendover, across the border in Nevada, has a population of about 4,400. Those familiar with the Utah border can guess why the Nevada side has its own town that also has far more people: the town is home to five casinos as well as a legal marijuana dispensary. Border towns also often have huge liquor stores, because sales of alcohol are heavily restricted in Utah. Salt Lake City-based photographer Jordan Utley visited Wendover Air Force Base, Wendover, and West Wendover over the long Independence Day weekend. Some photos show everyday peoples activities for the holiday, like young people in uniform performing color guard for Wendovers Independence Day parade or viewing West Wendovers fireworks from a sandy outlook outside of town. But a pair of small towns with so many sites of interest is used to tourists and looky-loos. JORDAN UTLEY JORDAN UTLEY JORDAN UTLEY JORDAN UTLEY During World War II, Wendover Air Force Base was used to test how the Manhattan Projects emerging atomic bombs fit into aircraft; these massive bombs had to actually fit in order to be carried and dropped. Military aircraft must always find a balance between carrying all the equipment and weapons people need and ensuring the aircraft is still safe to fly. The base has areas for storage of bombs and bomb components, as well as spots where airplanes could park and test-fit the different sizes. Today, computers and other advancing technologies mean scientists likely have a better idea of what the optimal shapes are for different weapons. Most conventional war weapons rely on controlled explosions: gunpowder is sparked, and that reaction forces a bullet from a gun chamber or a cannonball from a cannon. Without the metal casing, these explosions would go in all directions. Focusing their energy creates huge propulsive energy. In the case of the atomic bomb Little Boy, which was dropped on Hiroshima and killed as many as 145,000 Japanese people, an initial explosion was used to propel a specially prepared uranium projectile into a waiting uranium cylinder. The projectile was backed with tungsten carbide, a material so tough it can only be polished by things like diamond dust. When the uranium projectile met the uranium cylinder, this triggered a nuclear reaction. JORDAN UTLEY JORDAN UTLEY All of this means that the physical shape of Little Boy was of vital importance. Like an aircraft carrier, this atomic bomb had to use linear space in a very exacting way in order to reach the right velocity to initiate the nuclear reaction. As a result, any plane that could carry Little Boy needed a cargo space that could hold a 10-foot-long bomb assembly that weighed 10,000 pounds. That seems like no big challenge for a 99-foot-long heavy bomber that weighed 100,000 pounds itself and had a wingspan of over 141 feet. But the B-29s bomb load was a much smaller number at just 20,000 pounds, and its fuselage had a diameter of just 9 feet, 8 inches at its widest. And something 10 feet long represents just over 10 percent of its entire length, with a diameter of 24 percentimagine if you walked onto a passenger Boeing 747, which might be 200 feet long, with a piece of luggage that was 21 feet long and 5 feet in diameter. The plane is enormous, but thats still a big piece to fit. After B-29s were prepared at Wendover Air Force Base, they flew to an island in the Northern Mariana Islands, an archipelago colonized by the United States because of its strategic location in the Pacific Ocean. The B-29 had a range of up to 5,830 miles, meaning it could fly from Northern Mariana to Japan (a journey of about 1,500 miles), have leeway to spend time finding the right position and weather opportunity, and then safely return to Northern Mariana. JORDAN UTLEY JORDAN UTLEY JORDAN UTLEY Physicist Luis Alvarez flew to Hiroshima with the group of B-29s that included Enola Gay. He wrote a letter to his son from the journey, attempting to document what happened for posterity. These four pages include logistics about the trip and the crews activities, but what stands out most is one of Alvarezs opening paragraphs. What regrets I have about being a party to killing and maiming thousands of Japanese civilians this morning are tempered with the hope that this terrible weapon we have created may bring the countries of the world and prevent further wars. Alfred Nobel thought that his invention of high explosives would have that effect, by making wars too terrible, but unfortunately it had just the opposite reaction. Our new destructive force is so many thousands of times worse that it may realize Nobels dream. These bombings were an atrocity, something that Alvarez does not deny. His reasoning that this was the only way forward does not ring right to many of our ears today, but he and other scientists were not alone in believing it. And, indeed, they had years, and many, many hours of careful work in subjects as tedious as cargo logistics, to think about what they were deciding to do. Even Alvarez, a scientist, knew the plan was guaranteed to kill an unprecedented number of civilians. JORDAN UTLEY You Might Also Like Videos emerged on Telegram on Aug. 1 appearing to show an explosion in the hills around Sevastopol, a major naval city in Russian-occupied Crimea. The blast was reported around 6 p.m. local time on Aug. 1. Mikhail Razvozhaev, the head of the illegal Russian occupation government of Sevastopol, claimed that a drone was shot down and set vegetation on fire in a mountainous area around the city. The Telegram channel Crimean Wind, however, assessed that the site of the explosion could be the logistics center of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is harbored at Sevastopol. Explosions were previously reported in the city, which is the largest in Crimea, on July 16. Over the past month, strikes have been hitting military targets on the peninsula almost every week. The Ukrainian military confirmed on July 22 that it had attacked an oil depot and Russian military warehouses in Crimea. A series of videos surfaced on social media where pillars of smoke could be seen rising from several locations, including near railway tracks. On July 28, an ammunition warehouse in Crimea was hit by explosions, which Ukraine's military intelligence said were the result of sabotage. The warehouse was located in Kozacha Bay near Sevastopol. Key transport routes in Russian-occupied Crimea have been hit by strikes over recent months, including a July 17 explosion on the Crimean Bridge and a strike on the Chonhar Bridge on July 29. The Crimean Peninsula is used by Russia as a logistics hub to supply its military occupation of Ukraine. It has been under Russian occupation since 2014 following a fake referendum staged by Russia to annex the territory. Since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly vowed to liberate all of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Mikhail Razvozhaev, governor of the occupying administration of Sevastopol, Crimea, has reported that a drone has been shot down near the village of Kara-Koba in the Balaklava district. Source: Razvozhaev on Telegram Quote: "Early reports say a UAV has been shot down near the settlement of Kara-Koba. The soil was blown up, the grass and shrubs caught fire." Details: Reportedly, the firefighters have arrived at the scene and started putting out the fire. Razvozhaev promised to provide more details later. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The US is still waiting for European officials to submit a final plan for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, which the US will have to authorize before the program can actually begin, officials familiar with the matter told CNN. The training is supposed to start this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials have said publicly. But two months after President Joe Biden announced US support for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, there remain a number of critical details to work out. The US still needs to approve the transfer of F-16-specific equipment and materials, including flight simulators and training manuals. But officials told CNN that the Biden administration has not yet received a final training plan from the Europeans, meaning there is nothing for the US to sign off on yet. It is also still unclear which countries will commit F-16s to the training program and to Ukraine itself once the program is finished. Transferring the planes to Ukraine will require separate US approval. US defense officials told CNN that the US is still deciding whether to send American pilots to help train the Ukrainians, but that no decisions will be made until a final training plan is authorized. A spokesperson for Denmarks Ministry of Defense would not comment directly on whether the country had submitted a formal plan to the US for approval. But the spokesperson provided a one-page training concept to CNN that said the course will aim to train pilots and ground crew over a span of six months, taking place at a number of locations including Skrydstrup Fighter Base in Denmark. The training concept also said the coalition had agreed to support the training with language experts, pilots, ground crew, instructors, aircraft or funding as appropriate. Ukraine is expected to provide qualified personnel able to pass necessary language, health, and security tests. A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defense said they had no updates. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told CNN last month that the training was set to begin in Denmark in August, and then be continued in a sustainable way at a training hub in Romania. The training program will be for Ukraine and also for other countries who are transitioning to the fourth generation fighter jets, she said. Story continues A faster training timeline The training program is being supported by a coalition of 11 NATO countries and requires official US approval because the F-16 is an American technology. The course itself is expected to be conducted in Denmark and Romania, with help from the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the UK, officials have said. But the details, including the dates, locations, and length of the syllabus are still being worked out, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said during a briefing last week. Ukrainians have been pleading with Western allies to supply them with F-16 jets to be able to fend off Russian attack aircraft and better protect their skies - Vasco Cotovio/CNN Ukrainians have come to the US for military training in the past, specifically on Patriot air defense systems at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. But US officials have emphasized that all the training on F-16s will take place in Europe. Even so, the final syllabus for the course will probably be similar to one created by the US Air Force earlier this year, officials said. The Air Force devised a hypothetical training plan after observing the skills of two Ukrainian pilots flying F-16 simulators at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. An internal Air Force memo detailing the assessment, first obtained by Yahoo and verified to CNN by an Air Force official, said the Ukrainians skillset suggested that training could be completed in four to five months. The timeline is faster than the standard F-16 training program for US Air Force pilots, but it strips out missions and tasks unnecessary for Ukrainian pilots facing off against the Russian military, doing away with things like air-to-air refueling and instrument landing procedures. The number of Ukrainian pilots set to be trained is also still being determined, but the Air Force memo recommended a pool of 10-12 participants. That is in line with the number of pilots US defense officials believe Ukraine will be able to realistically sacrifice for a months-long training course in Europe as the war rages on. The Ukrainians will also have to clear another key hurdle before they can train on the F-16s: English-language proficiency. The Air Force memo described the pilots English-language aptitude as a concern and said additional language training will be required for the majority of the initial cadre of pilots. The UK has offered to provide that instruction as part of the course, officials said, and the US is considering providing English teachers to the program as well. The US will not be the holdup Ukraine has been pleading for the advanced western jets for more than a year, arguing that they will provide the military with additional air defense and offensive capabilities. Though F-16s began flying at about the same time as the Mig-29s and Su-27s in Ukraines Air Force, the American fighter has been continuously upgraded with more advanced digital electronics and avionics, making it a more capable multi-role aircraft than Kyivs Soviet-era fighter fleet. The fourth-generation F-16 can perform air-to-air missions, defending Ukraines airspace against Russian aircraft, and air-to-ground missions, attacking Russian forces on the battlefield. The F-16 has also been exported to many countries around the world, including in Europe, providing Ukraine with a potential supply of weaponry and spare parts once they acquire the jet. US officials have emphasized that they wont be an impediment to the F1-6 training, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN last month that the US will provide the necessary support for the program as soon as the Europeans are prepared. The president has given a green light, and we will allow, permit, support, facilitate, and, in fact, provide the necessary tools for Ukrainians to begin being trained on F-16s as soon as the Europeans are prepared, he said. The United States will not be the holdup in ensuring that this F-16 training can get under way. CNNs Oren Liebermann contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Even as former U.S. President Donald Trump was indicted for a third time on Tuesday, numerous people in his orbit have been charged with various crimes, with some still awaiting trial. Six Trump associates, none of whom were named, were listed as co-conspirators in Tuesday's indictment. Prosecutors said they helped spread Trump's false claims of election fraud. Here is a look at some of the Trump aides and allies who have faced criminal prosecution. STEVE BANNON Trump's former campaign and White House strategist was convicted in 2022 of contempt of Congress. Bannon was charged after defying a demand to appear before a U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack by Trump supporters seeking to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's November 2020 election victory. Bannon, who has appealed, has yet to be sentenced. Bannon also faces New York state charges of money laundering and conspiracy, accused by prosecutors of swindling Trump supporters in a scheme involving donations solicited to help build his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon, who pleaded not guilty, is due to go on trial in May 2024. He also was charged in federal court over that same project, but the case ended when Trump pardoned Bannon in the final hours of his presidency in 2021. ROGER STONE Trump's longtime friend and adviser was convicted in 2019 of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Trump commuted his sentence the day before Stone, a veteran Republican political operative, was due to report to prison to serve a sentence of three years and four months. Trump subsequently pardoned Stone. ALLEN WEISSELBERG The former chief financial officer at Trump's real estate company served more than three months in jail for helping to engineer a wide-ranging tax fraud. Weisselberg pleaded guilty in 2022 and served as a star witness in the Trump Organization's criminal trial on tax fraud charges. The company was convicted but Trump himself was not charged. Story continues PETER NAVARRO The former Trump White House adviser was charged with contempt of Congress after refusing to provide testimony to the House panel investigating the Capitol attack. Navarro, who has pleaded not guilty, has yet to face trial. Two other close Trump associates, Mark Meadows and Daniel Scavino, did not face similar criminal charges despite a House vote recommending them. MICHAEL COHEN Trump's former personal lawyer and "fixer" was sentenced to a three-year prison term after pleading guilty in 2018 for his role in making illegal hush money payments before the 2016 election to two women - porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal - who have said they had sexual encounters with Trump years earlier. Cohen also pleaded guilty that year to lying to Congress about negotiations concerning a proposed Trump Tower in Moscow, a project that never materialized. Cohen has become a fierce critic of Trump. MICHAEL FLYNN The retired U.S. Army lieutenant general served as Trump's national security adviser for less than a month in 2017. Flynn, who also previously served as head of the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency, pleaded guilty that year to lying to the FBI about his interactions with Russia's ambassador to the United States in the weeks before Trump took office, then tried to withdraw that plea. Trump pardoned him in 2020. PAUL MANAFORT Trump's former campaign chairman was found guilty in 2018 of fraud and pleaded guilty to money laundering and lobbying violations related to his work as a political consultant for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians. Manafort was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison but was pardoned by Trump in December 2020. Manafort also faced fraud charges in state court in New York but they were dismissed in 2019 by a judge who concluded that the charges violated Manafort's protection against "double jeopardy" - being prosecuted twice for the same conduct. RICK GATES Manafort's former business partner, who was also deputy chairman of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiracy and lying to investigators in the Russia campaign probe. Gates was sentenced in 2019 to 45 days in jail. He testified as a prosecution witness in Manafort's trial. ELLIOT BROIDY The former Trump fundraiser pleaded guilty in 2020 to violating foreign lobbying laws by attempting to influence Trump's administration on behalf of Chinese and Malaysian interests. Trump pardoned Broidy. JAN. 6 PROSECUTIONS More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack. The most serious charge has been seditious conspiracy - a felony involving attempts "to overthrow, put down or to destroy by force the government of the United States." Roughly 570 have pleaded guilty and 78 have been found guilty at trial. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the right-wing Oath Keepers militant group, was given the longest of the sentences - 18 years in prison - for seditious conspiracy and other crimes. Leaders of the Proud Boys, another right-wing group, also were convicted of seditious conspiracy. They have yet to be sentenced. (Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Will Dunham, Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis) A 28-year-old gay man was stabbed to death in Brooklyn over the weekend, in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime. OShae Sibley, who was a professional dancer and choreographer, was dancing at a gas station late Saturday, playing music from Beyonce and vogueing when he was approached by a group of men who told him to stop, witnesses said. They added that he tried to de-escalate the situation before he was stabbed in the torso. One of the men wanted Sibley to stop dancing and after a few fights and back and forth arguing, he pulled out a knife and stabbed him, witness Sayeda Haider said, according to NBC New York. Otis Pena, a friend of Sibleys who said he witnessed the stabbing, shared a video about the fatal incident on Facebook on Sunday. They murdered him because hes gay, because he stood up for his friends, Pena, who described Sibley as the salt to my pepper, said in the video. His name was OShae, and you all killed him. You all murdered him right in front of me. O'Shae Sibley (O'Shae Sibley via Facebook) Authorities said the New York City Police Departments hate crimes task force is investigating Sibleys killing. A 17-year-old suspect is being sought by police, NBC New York reported. New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed Sibleys death at a public safety press conference Monday. Now, you have an incident like we saw over the weekend with this young man who was experiencing that hate crime, and we will find the person responsible, he said. It shakes our confidence when you have someone that randomly assaults someone, who could have a real mental health issue, on the streets. It shakes your confidence. LGBTQ lawmakers and local queer advocates also condemned the killing. Heartbroken and enraged to learn about OShae Sibleys death this weekend in New York, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who is gay and whose district includes many of the citys historically gay neighborhoods, tweeted Monday. Despite homophobes best efforts, gay joy is not crime. Hate-fueled attacks are. Story continues New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher, who is gay and whose district also includes many of the citys gayborhoods, called on authorities to punish Sibleys killers. OShae Sibley was killed by a group of men for voguing at a gas station in Brooklyn. They used anti-gay slurs against him. He stood up for himself. They murdered him, he said. This was a hate crime, and the people who did this must be brought to justice. Sibleys stabbing coincides with a surge in anti-LGBTQ demonstrations across the nation within the last year. Since June 2022, there has been an average of 39 anti-LGBTQ protests nationwide each month, according to a recent report by the Crowd Counting Consortium, a research group that tracks the size of political protests. In comparison, the group recorded just three protests per month from January 2017 through May 2022. In particular, the demonstrations have made headlines in recent months for occurring in New York City, which has the largest population of LGBTQ people in the nation, according to the Williams Institute, a think tank at UCLA Law. Dozens of Pride flags were damaged and ripped down at the Stonewall National Monument the site of a June 1969 uprising that is widely considered to be a critical point in the modern queer rights movement at least three times in June, which is LGBTQ Pride month. The sad reality is that even in New York City, LGBTQ+ people are still subjected to increased violence, simply for being themselves, Beverly Tillery, executive director of the Anti-Violence Project, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said in a statement. Anti-LGBTQ+ bias can turn deadly, and we must all work to eliminate it from our society. She added, OShae deserved the right to dance, to be free and unapologetically queer without fear. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Aid efforts for Haitians enduring the gang violence ravaging their nation suffered a new blow with the kidnapping of an American nurse from New Hampshire and her young daughter, who were still missing Tuesday. Gang warfare has increasingly plagued Haiti since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. The killing worsened criminal control of Haiti and today the innocent are regularly killed, raped and held for ransom. A local nonprofit has documented 539 kidnappings since January, a significant rise over previous years. That number is almost certainly underreported in Haiti, where many people fear authorities in addition to the gangs. Hospitals and other aid organizations often the only institutions in the country's many lawless areas have increasingly been criminals' targets. Many service providers have been forced to close, leaving a growing number of people in this country of 11.45 million without access to healthcare, food, education and other basics. Haitians, aid providers and outside observers worry that the kidnapping of New Hampshire native Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter will turn more of the nation into a no-go zone for anyone besides gangs and the populations they torment. The Christian organization Dorsainvil works for, El Roi Haiti, has offered medical care, education and other basic services. The organization released a photo of Dorsainvil smiling happily with her arm around her husband but provided no details about the mother and their daughter. Dorsainvil was providing medical care in El Roi Haiti's small brick clinic late last week in a gang stronghold of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, when armed men burst in and seized her, witnesses told The Associated Press. The captors have demanded $1 million in ransom, a standard practice by the gangs to get money to fund operations. (The kidnapping) is definitely going to have a chilling impact on the work that particularly smaller aid groups do in the country, said Renata Segura, International Crisis Groups deputy director for Latin America and Caribbean. People are going to be thinking about it twice before returning to those communities. Story continues Smaller grassroots organizations like Dorsainvil's are particularly affected, Segura said, because they have fewer resources to deal with the violence. People in Cite Soleil protested the kidnapping, carrying signs that read, She is doing good work in the community. free her." Protesters marched to the medical facility where Dorsainvil was kidnapped. It had closed doors. Doctors Without Borders last month announced that it was suspending services in one of its hospitals because some 20 armed men had burst into an operating room and snatched a patient. There is such contempt for human life among the conflicting parties, and such violence in Port-au-Prince, that even the vulnerable, sick and wounded are not spared, Mahaman Bachard Iro, the organization's head of programmes in Haiti, wrote in a statement. How are we supposed to be able to continue providing care in this environment? Residents of an adjoining neighborhood, Tabarre, were wondering Tuesday if aid groups' temporary closures will become permanent. People are probably dying without basic services because they cannot afford to go to a private hospital," 39-year-old bus driver Donald Saintilus said. Hospitals have told the AP that they now see patients arriving in dire condition due to lack of medical care. The United Nations said in February that violence had severely hampered access to health services. Segura, of the International Crisis Group, said fewer women have given birth in hospitals, which could boosting infant and maternal deaths. She also said that gangs have been trying to provide aid services to the communities they terrorize in an effort to project a sort of Robin Hood image. The international community has attempted to address Haitian disorder in the past, with some success, and Kenyas Foreign Ministry said Saturday that it had offered 1,000 police to help train and assist the Haitian National Police restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller wouldnt provide details Monday on what was being done to locate and recover Dorsainvil and her daughter. Haitian authorities have not responded to multiple called and messages from the AP. Obviously, the safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority. We are in regular contact with the Haitian authorities. Well continue to work with them and our US government interagency partners, but because its an ongoing law enforcement investigation, theres not more detail I can offer, Miller wrote in a statement Monday. In a video for the El Roi Haiti website, Alix Dorsainvil describes Haitians as full of joy, and life and love and people she was blessed to know. Dorsainvil graduated from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, which has a program to support nursing education in Haiti. Dorsainvils father, Steven Comeau, reached in New Hampshire, said he could not talk. In a blog post Monday, El Roi Haiti said Alix Dorsainvil fell in love with Haitis people on a visit after the devastating 2010 earthquake in the Caribbean. It said the organization was working with authorities in both countries to free her and her daughter. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter. As our hearts break for this situation, we also continue to pray for the country and people of Haiti and for freedom from the suffering they endure daily. ___ Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report. The father of a 7-year-old boy who disappeared at Eastwood MetroPark in April, prompting two weeks of searches before his body was found in the Great Miami River, has been extradited back to Montgomery County. Augustine Rosales, 48, has been accused of rape under 13, sexual battery, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, News Center 7 previously reported. On July 27, Rosales was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Cleveland. He was awaiting extradition to Montgomery County for his court appearance. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Father of boy who disappeared at local park arrested on sexual assault charges in Cleveland On July 31 Rosales was booked into Montgomery County Jail, according to online jail records. Police were called out to Rosales address on Wellmeier Avenue in Dayton earlier this month on a sexual assault complaint. The person who called in the complaint told police a 14-year-old victim, who is known to Rosales, had said he had sexually assaulted her and had been doing so for two years, according to an affidavit and statement of facts. News Center 7 spoke to Rosales at the same home address listed for him in court records in May when officials were searching for his missing son, Lucas Rosales. His next day in court is set for Aug. 1. "I expected the film to help broaden people's understanding and compassion, and perhaps, it can bring some softness to the hard hearts," Joey Magidow, an attendee told Xinhua at the premiere of musical history documentary "Jewish Melodies Left in Shanghai." The event, held Saturday at Harmony Gold Preview House on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles to a capacity audience, invoked thoughtful discussions about historical events and cultural exchanges and how friendship can build bridges between cultures and across borders. Iris Mann, an American writer who attended the screening, praised the kindness and hospitality given to Jewish people in Shanghai in the early 20th century, saying, "The Chinese were very welcoming. And in return, it was mostly Jewish musicians who introduced China to classical music." "I think it's important that people know about the help China gave the Jews at that time when no one else in the entire world would," she said. The film recalls the stories of Jewish performers and composers who had immigrated or fled to Shanghai from the 1920s to 1940s. Shanghai, a bustling Eastern metropolis, received many groups of Jewish exiles from Europe, many fleeing Nazi persecution. These immigrants included over 400 Jewish musicians and composers, many quite prominent in their fields, who continued to expand their musical careers in China. The documentary focused on several top Jewish musicians who called Shanghai home then, including composer Aaron Avshalomov, violinist and conductor Arrigo Foa, composer Ernest Bloch, and others. David Avshalomov, the grandson of Aaron Avshalomov, told Xinhua that the premiere was an honor for his revered grandfather. "My grandfather loved the Chinese people and their music and devoted his life to composing classical music that honored both Chinese and Western cultural traditions." At the premiere, Jade Ellis, an IT executive who had lived with his family in Shanghai's modern Jewish community for six years, shared his experience, hoping to revisit their memories of Shanghai through the film. "When we saw in the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum all the Jews who were saved by Shanghai in that time period, I think that was a very positive, meaningful thing." Xu Shen, host of the film and an expert historian who helped initiate the project, credited Jewish musicians and composers living in Shanghai then with taking Chinese music to a higher level and being instrumental in introducing Chinese music to the world. Xu hoped to continue exploring and documenting the mutual influence between the Jewish and Chinese people in architecture, medicine and academia. Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun told Xinhua, "We hope that this film will help us share the story of the friendship between the Chinese people and the Jewish people and express the character of the Chinese nation as open, friendly and peace-loving." The former principal of a school in Boston has been charged with wire fraud after federal investigators say she used school funds to finance all-inclusive vacations to Barbados. Naia Wilson, 60, of Mattapan, has agreed to plead guilty and pay restitution for allegedly engaging in a scheme to defraud Boston Public Schools of approximately $38,806, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of Massachusetts. From 2006 until about June 2019, Wilson was employed as the head of New Mission School, a pilot that was granted maximum autonomy over its budget and spending, charging documents showed. During that time period, the school received a lump sum per pupil budget from Boston Public Schools and administrators decided how to spend that money based on the needs of the school. Pilot school budgets are managed by an external fiscal agent that contracts with Boston Public Schools. The school funds managed by the external fiscal agent were held in a bank account. In order to spend school funds managed by the external fiscal agent, Wilson, in her role as headmaster of New Mission School, Wilson was required to make formal check requests to the external fiscal agent for a check to be issued from the bank account holding the schools funds. Beginning in or about September 2016 and continuing until at least May 2019, Wilson allegedly requested checks from the external fiscal agent school account to be issued in the name of other individuals, fraudulently endorsed those checks to herself, and then deposited them into her own bank account without the nominee ever knowing or authorizing her to do so. Additionally, Wilson allegedly requested checks from the external fiscal agent that were used to pay for two all-inclusive personal vacations to Barbados for Wilson and her friends in 2016 and 2018. For both the 2016 and 2018 Barbados trips, Wilson requested that the external fiscal agent issue checks payable to other people who went on the trips and then converted that money to pay for the all-inclusive hotel and airfare, according to investigators. Wilson also allegedly fraudulently endorsed the checks used to pay for the 2018 trip. Story continues In a statement, Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said, Protecting children is one of the very top priorities of this Office and threats come in all forms. Here, Ms. Wilson is accused of diverting school funds for her personal benefit. We will not allow this type of gross abuse of authority and responsibility fly under the radar. Individuals who take advantage of public trust to line their pockets will be investigated and held accountable. Instead of working honestly on behalf of her students, Naia Wilson is accused of abusing her authority and using the schools budget as her own personal slush fund to embezzle tens of thousands of dollars to fund two all-inclusive vacations to Barbados for herself and her friends, Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, added. Todays charges should serve as a reminder to municipal workers everywhere that there are serious consequences for such shameful conduct, and it is the taxpayers they serve and answer to at the end of the day. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Its not clear when Wilson will be called to court. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Amid an ongoing shortage of prescription stimulants in the US, federal agencies are calling on drugmakers to boost manufacturing and on health care providers to closely monitor prescribing practices. The US Food and Drug Administration announced a shortage of Adderall, a common treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in October. The stimulant shortage was initially expected to last a few months but persists nearly a year later. The FDA and DEA do not manufacture drugs and cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and Drug Enforcement Administration leader Anne Milgram wrote in a joint letter Tuesday. That said, we are working closely with numerous manufacturers, agencies, and others in the supply chain to understand, prevent, and reduce the impact of these shortages. A surge in prescriptions for stimulant drugs in recent years, coupled with the residual effects of manufacturing delays that one key drugmaker experienced last fall, are among the many factors contributing to the shortage, they wrote. Stimulants are controlled substances, and the DEA does set limits on the amount that can be produced. But an internal analysis suggests that manufacturers fell 30% short of the full quota in 2022, leaving about 1 billion potential doses on the table. And theres a similar trend this year, according to the letter. The DEA says it is committed to reviewing and improving the quota process but asks that manufacturers relinquish any quota they cant meet so it can be redistributed. The letter also highlights widespread misuse of prescription stimulant drugs and calls for accelerate(d) efforts to support appropriate diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, including more robust clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults and alternative treatment options. A report published this year by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted a surge in demand for prescription stimulants during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among adults. Story continues The FDA tracks the manufacturers that have reported shortages of prescription stimulants on its website. The listed reasons for the shortages include demand increase, shortage of active ingredient or no reason at all. Estimated recovery dates range from this summer to December. The lack of availability of certain medications in recent months has been understandably frustrating for patients and their families, Califf and Milgram wrote in their letter. We will consider additional actions to prevent non-medical use and identify efforts to better understand and strengthen the supply chain. We also hope that we can all work together to assure that those who need stimulant medications can get them based on the best clinical knowledge about when they are effective, and avoid them when there is no indication for their use. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Uyghur poet Tahir Hamut Izgil at his home in Virginia on June 18, 2021. Izgil had to flee China with his family after it became clear that his family would be sent to an internment camp. Credit - Stephen VossRedux If you took an Uber in Washington, D.C., a few years ago, reads the opening pages of Waiting to Be Arrested at Night, the newly-released memoir by the acclaimed poet and intellectual Tahir Hamut Izgil, there was a chance your driver was one of the greatest living Uyghur poets. But Waiting to Be Arrested at Night is more than just a memoir. The book is ostensibly a story about Izgils lifefrom his time growing up in his native Xinjiang, the northwestern region of China where the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority hails, to the Chinese governments intensifying crackdowns on Uyghurs and, ultimately, his familys harrowing attempts to flee the country before they too disappeared into Beijings so-called reeducation camps. Yet it is also the story of the Uyghur people and the political, social, and cultural destruction of their homeland by the Chinese state. Since 2017, more than 1 million Uyghurs are thought to have been forced into Beijings sprawling network of mass-internment camps, where they have been subjected to political indoctrination, forced sterilization, and torture. In less than 250 pages, Izgil takes readers through many of the Orwellian measures that lead up to mass internment of Uyghurs, from the banning of books and radios to the emergence of ubiquitous police checkpoints monitoring their every move. By providing a firsthand account of his experience under the Chinese governments persecutionone of the few that have emerged from Chinas tightly-controlled information spaceIzgil hopes to speak for those who have been silenced, including many of his own family and friends. The memoir, which hits bookshelves on Tuesday, will be published in Chinese as well as a dozen other languages. Izgil and Joshua L. Freeman (the translator and historian who translated the memoir into English from the original Uyghur) spoke with TIME about the centrality of poetry in Uyghur life, the repression in Xinjiang today, and the circumstances that led to his familys escape. Story continues TIME: While this memoir isnt strictly about poetry, your poems feature prominently throughout. For those who arent as familiar, can you talk a bit about the role poetry plays in Uyghur culture and what inspired you to start writing poetry in the first place? Tahir Hamut Izgil: Poetry has been a really important part of Uyghur life since ancient times. Like all Uyghur kids, I grew up in an environment that was saturated with folk poetry. Adults around us would use folk poetry to express their feelings and their thoughts. There is childrens poetry, there is love poetry, there is poetry about war, there are historical poemsthere are folk poems on all different themes. Penguin Press From the time that I was a little kid, I always had a natural inclination for poetry. Poems always seemed really beautiful to me. When I was in high school, I started writing poetry and in 1986 my first poem was published in the Kashgar Gazette, which was an unforgettable day for me. And from that time, poetry has just been a really important part of my life. Its consistently been something Ive been involved in. In your memoir, you write about your experience growing up in Xinjiang and the repression that Uyghurs such as yourself and other ethnic minorities in China experience, culminating in your imprisonment at the age of 26. Can you talk about the circumstances that led to your arrest and what that experience was like? Since the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party has used reform through labor and re-education to attempt to reform people. In 1996, as I was attempting to leave for Turkey to pursue Master's studies there, I was arrested at Chinas border with Kyrgyzstan on account of a few books I was carrying, with the accusation being that I was carrying confidential and illegal materials out of the country. And with that began a very dark period of my life. I was held for a year and a half at a detention center where I was interrogated at length and went through great difficulty, both physically and spiritually. Usually, people would be transferred out of a detention center after one to three months. But because I was there on spurious charges of espionage, I was held there for a year and a half, much longer than a person typically would be in this merciless environment. When they were unable to produce any evidence against me despite lengthy interrogations, a decision was taken that I would spend three years performing forced labor. This decision was taken without going through any sort of legal process. In China, police can make a decision like this entirely on their own. So after the decision was made that I should serve a total of three years, I was sent to a reform through labor camp in Kashgar, where I spent the remaining one and a half of that three years. The Chinese government refers to its internment camps in Xinjiang as re-education camps, and in the book, you note that Uyghurs have even taken to referring to those who have been interned as having gone to study. Why do you think the government chooses to characterize the camps in this sanitized way, and who do you think that narrative is aimed at? The Chinese Communist Party hopes that people will accept its ideology and accept its policies; the government fears the idea that people could have thoughts that oppose them. And the government fears even more that those thoughts might turn into actions. They dont want people to think independently. What they want is for people simply to accept their ideology. If people were to hear some of the reasons why political prisoners had been sent to the labor camp that I was confined in, they wouldnt believe them. For example, some people were sent to the camp due to having exercised too much. The government said that they were exercising toward some nefarious purpose. Others were arrested for having taught dogs to follow commands, with the accusation being that they were planning to carry out some sort of anti-government activity with this dog. Whether at that labor camp or at the internment camps today, the authorities force people to repeat over and over and over again that they were wrong and that the Communist Party and its path is the right one. For example, theres a song called, Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China. Its a song from the Cultural Revolution era. We had to sing that song in the reform through labor camp in the 1990s and inmates in todays internment camps in the Uyghur region are also forced to sing that song. They refer to it as study in order to provide a more appealing name for the kind of forced thought reform and forced labor that they are imposing on people. The Chinese government endeavors to dress things up in this way not just for international audiences, but also for its own citizens in order to hide from them the reality of whats going on. In your book, you detail many of the Chinese governments repressive policies toward Uyghurs and the way in which those policies forced you to censor the way you spoke. How would you describe what it means to be a Uyghur in Xinjiang today, even if youre one of the supposed lucky ones to have avoided being sent to the camps? Let me start by giving one example: Qelbinur Sidik, who was sent to the camps to serve as a Chinese language teacher, spoke to Congress when she visited Washington a while ago. She was relaying what a female inmate told her: that, for weeks, she passed every night in great anxiety wondering if and when the authorities were going to come and take her away. And when they finally took her away, she felt a real sense of relief; finally theyve come for me as I knew they would, and now I dont have to live with the anxiety anymore. Some describe the entire Uyghur region now as an open-air prison, and I consider that to be a very accurate description. Even for people that are not in the camps now, they live every day in fear. You and your family ultimately managed to escape Xinjiang under the pretense of seeking medical treatment for your daughter. But you write that there are parts of you that still feel trapped there. As you quote your wife Marhaba saying, Our bodies might be here, but our souls are still at home. Years on, does that still ring true? Certainly were a very fortunate family to have been able to come to the United States, to have been able to escape. So many people around us in the Uyghur community here in America often express their happiness for us that we were so lucky to be able to escape. Even so, what Marhaba said in the book about our bodies being here, but our souls still being back therethats still completely true for us. Numerous friends of ours are in confinement; other friends of ours have simply disappeared. So many others live in fear. The Chinese governments goal is fear, and this fear is by no means restricted to the Uyghur homeland itself. This fear follows every Uyghur, wherever they are in the world, all the time. And so many people in the Uyghur diaspora who would want to speak out about what is happening in our homeland are afraid to do so out of worry that the Chinese government will punish their families back home. If we were at least able to maintain contact with people back there, if we were able to go back and see them, things would be much more bearable for us. But we arent able to. And for that reason, what Marhaba said still applies to us. Are you satisfied with the way that the world has responded to the situation in Xinjiang? The United States and other Western countries have done a fair amount in responding to the crisis in our homeland. However, its not enough. Theres so much more that could be done by countries around the worldand Im not speaking here only of governments. We also hope that major corporations will be more responsive on this issue and that individuals all over the world will care about this issue, will take an interest in this issue, and will be active on this issue. And that was part of my purpose in writing this bookso that people around the world would know what my people are going through; so that they would know what the experience is on an emotional and day-to-day level. A recurring theme in your memoir is the banning of bookshistorical, intellectual, and even religious. You note that the Chinese government has long forbidden the import of Uyghur books published abroad. What are the chances that a copy of your memoir makes it back to Xinjiang? Do you hope that one eventually will? I hope for that. I hope that it will reach my homeland. I hope that my friends in confinement in the camps and in the prisons will be able to read it. As long as it can reach people without creating problems for them. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com. A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a new voting map from being used in the city of Miamis elections in November. There will be at least a few more days before there is clarity on where boundaries are drawn between the city of Miamis five commission districts a voting map that will impact who will vote and run in upcoming city elections. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit agreed to a temporary stay on a federal trial judges decision to mandate a new voting map be implemented on Monday, before an Aug. 1 deadline set by the Miami-Dade County Elections Department. U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore had ordered the Miami to adopt a map drawn by community groups represented by attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union. The groups are suing the city over district boundaries approved in 2022, arguing that commissioners approved an unconstitutional, racially gerrymandered map. After Moores order, the citys attorneys rushed to block the new voting map. Moore quickly rejected the citys emergency motion Monday at the trial court. The appeals court in Atlanta granted the same motion late Monday, hours before the citys midnight deadline to adopt the new district boundaries. The stay allows the city to hold off on adopting the new map. The City is pleased with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals acting swiftly to review Judge Moores order, said City Attorney Victoria Mendez, in a statement late Monday. Now, the advocacy groups and the ACLU have to respond to the citys arguments by 9 a.m. Wednesday. The county elections department had set the Aug. 1 deadline to ensure staffers could properly assign voters to polling locations. In addition to affecting elections in districts 1, 2 and 4 this year, the final map could have a major impact on District 3 Commissioner Joe Carollo and the city requirement that he live inside his district. Under the 2022 map, which Carollo supported, the boundaries were shifted in a way that meant Carollos Coconut Grove home was now in District 3 instead of District 2. Carollo moved into that home this year. Story continues The plaintiffs preferred redistricting plan, which the judge mandated, does not include Carollos home in District 3. Mendez said the matter is on hold for now after the appeals court paused the process, and she suggested Carollo would have a legal case for staying in his home. The Commissioner was elected until 2025, Mendez wrote. Moreover, fairness dictates that he remains the Commissioner of the district until such time, regardless of redistricting and based on case law. Tim Griffin and Timothy Brooks A federal judge in Arkansas temporarily stopped a new law in the state that would have authorized criminal prosecution of librarians and bookstores who provide juveniles with harmful materials, the Associated Press reports. Judge Timothy L. Brooks enjoined the law, which would have constructed a new process for contesting library materials for relocation to locations not accessible by children. Former Trump White House Press Secretary and current Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the measure earlier this year, with an August 1 effective date. Libraries and booksellers would be chilled from carrying titles that could be challenged if they fear prosecution under the law, according to a coalition that includes the Central Arkansas Library System. The judge also rejected the defendants motion to dismiss the case sought by state lawyers. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas praised the courts ruling, stating that this law would have imperiled First Amendment rights without a preliminary injunction. The question we had to ask was do Arkansans still legally have access to reading materials? Luckily, the judicial system has once again defended our highly valued liberties, Holly Dickson, ACLU of Arkansas executive director, said. It comes as lawmakers in conservative states force measures to make the ban or restriction of books easier. Last year, the American Library Association recorded the most attempts to ban or ban books in the U.S. in 20 years. Laws have been enacted in Iowa, Indiana, and Texas restricting access to certain materials or making it easier to challenge them. Floridas extreme anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including Gov. Ron DeSantiss dont say gay law, also remove access to publications. There are 28 local prosecutors from Arkansas and Crawford County who are defendants in the case. The countys decision to separate childrens books featuring LGBTQ+ themes is the subject of separate litigation. Along with the Fayetteville and Eureka Springs Carnegie public libraries and the American Booksellers Association, the Association of American Publishers is contesting Arkansass censorship. Pictured Above: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (L) and Judge Timothy L. Brooks. A federal judge in Idaho has granted a preliminary injunction to block an opinion from the states attorney general prohibiting referrals from physicians for out-of-state abortions, even though the opinion had already been withdrawn. Idaho has some of the harshest abortion restrictions in the U.S., with the termination of pregnancy being banned except for cases that threaten the mothers life, or in cases of rape or incest where an incident has been reported to law enforcement. In March, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador (R) sent a letter to Idaho state Rep. Brent Crane (R), clarifying the extent of the states abortion laws. Labrador wrote in the letter that Idaho state law prohibits an Idaho medical provider from either referring a woman across state lines to access abortion services or prescribing abortion pills for the woman to pick up across state lines. U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill on Monday granted an injunction requested by health care providers including Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands (PPGNHI) to block this interpretation of the law. While were glad to see this outcome, the truth is that we should never have gotten to this point. The legal opinion issued by Attorney General Labrador was the result of Rep. Crane partnering with an extremist anti-abortion group to try to game the system, and all parties are complicit in denying Idaho patients critical medical information since the letter was shared, PPGNHI CEO Rebecca Gibron said in a statement. This letter was meant to be private and was not issued as formal guidance, but the anti-abortion group Stanton International obtained the letter and posted it on its website. The attorney general later withdrew the opinion and said his letter was mischaracterized as law enforcement guidance sent out publicly to local prosecutors and others. Despite Labradors withdrawal, the plaintiffs in the case expressed concerns that this interpretation of the law might still be enforced, leading to physicians incorrectly being found in violation. Story continues While the state government argued the withdrawal of the legal opinion made the legal proceedings moot, since there was essentially no interpretation to argue against anymore, Winmill found in his ruling that the withdrawal letter itself did meet the standard for making the case moot. The analysis underlying the Withdrawal Letter is entirely procedural. It neither rejects the Crane Letters statutory interpretation, nor provides an alternative that would resolve the Medical Providers concern that their conduct is unlawful under Idahos criminal abortion statute, Winmill wrote. Simply put, the withdrawal letter does not indicate that Attorney General Labrador has changed his position, much less establish that such a change is now entrenched or permanent.' In his order, Winmill specifically granted the plaintiffs request to block Labradors ability to enforce his previous interpretation of the law but denied a request for an injunction on the Idaho State Board of Medicine and the Idaho State Board of Nursing and also deferred any rulings on individual county prosecuting attorneys. In a statement provided to The Hill, Idaho Attorney Generals Office spokesperson Beth Cahill said, In his 28-year career youd be hard pressed to find a time when Judge Winmill has ruled against Planned Parenthood, so his decision is not surprising. Judge Winmill wants to restrain a power we dont possess. We strongly disagree with his order. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden accompanied by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona as he announces new actions to protect student-loan borrowers in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Interest on federal student-loan balances will resume in September. In October, student-loan borrowers will start making payments again. The Education Department announced a number of steps to ease the transition back into repayment. Federal student-loan balances will start to grow again in just one month. In March 2020, former President Donald Trump first implemented the student-loan payment pause, with waived interest, to give millions of federal borrowers financial relief during the pandemic. President Joe Biden later extended the pause numerous times in connection with the pandemic but his latest extension through October was the last. As part of the bill to raise the debt ceiling that Biden signed into law in June, the president codified the end of the student-loan payment pause, so while it preserves the authority for a president to implement a pause in connection to a different national emergency, Biden cannot do so again as a result of COVID-19. An Education Department spokesperson confirmed in June that there is no leeway with that provision. "Student loan interest will resume starting on September 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October," a department spokesperson said. "We will notify borrowers well before payments restart." The payment resumption comes after the Supreme Court struck down Biden's broad plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers. While the Education Department has begun the process of trying again for broad relief using the Higher Education Act of 1965, it could take at least a year because the law requires the administration go through the negotiated rulemaking process, which entails months of negotiations and public comment. Still, the department has announced a few steps to ease the transition back into repayment, including a 12-month "on-ramp" period during which borrowers who miss payments will not be reported to credit agencies. It also just launched a beta version of its new income-driven repayment plan, known as the SAVE Plan, which would lower borrowers monthly payments and simplify the process for recertification. Story continues However, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle along with advocates have expressed concern with the payment resumption. Six Democratic senators, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, recently sent a letter to the CEOs of federal student-loan companies to request information on their plans to support borrowers during the return to repayment in October. "Our previous correspondence with student loan servicers indicated that they had had little engagement with borrowers throughout the pandemic and were not prepared to support borrowers once payments resumed," they wrote. And last week, Rep. Virginia Foxx and Sen. Bill Cassidy top Republicans on House and Senate education committees, respectively said the Education Department has yet to provide sufficient information on its plan to resume payments. "The Department doesn't get to ignore their job and then escape accountability," Cassidy said in a statement. "Inaction by the Department will only harm the 43 million student loan borrowers they oversee." Still, the department has expressed confidence in its ability to effectively resume payments for millions of borrowers and it recommends that borrowers who can afford to foot the extra monthly bill should make the payment. "Although interest will accrue starting September 1st and payments are due starting in October, we'll help borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid harsh financial consequences, such as delinquencies and wage garnishments," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona previously said. "Borrowers who can make payments should." Read the original article on Business Insider A Vero Beach man accused of providing fentanyl to a man who later was found dead, was indicted last month by a federal grand jury in Fort Pierce and charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. When and where: Keyon Lewis, 26, is accused Nov. 5, 2021, of distributing fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid linked to many deaths, to a man in a restaurant parking lot in Vero Beach. Deadly drug: The mans wife later found him dead on the kitchen floor. After law enforcement arrived and confirmed the man was dead, they used his cellphone to order more fentanyl from Lewis. It is alleged that on Nov. 7, 2021, Lewis, unaware that he was communicating directly with law enforcement, arrived at the decedents residence, bringing additional fentanyl to distribute. Indian River County Sheriffs Office deputies immediately arrested Lewis. Federal prosecutors allege in the indictment that the fentanyl Lewis distributed to the man, killed him. Next steps: U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek Mills Maynard on Monday ordered Lewis jailed pending trial. Fort Pierce firearm case: 17-year-old critically injured in apparent gun handling incident Port St. Lucie drug case: Man facing 23 drug charges sentenced to prison, fined $50,000 Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Keyon Lewis indicted in Indian River County fentanyl overdose case A wildfire that started in a California national park has burned tens of thousands of acres and is so intense that it's spewing dangerous spinning whirlwinds of fire. Officials said that the York Fire ignited in Mojave National Preserve near the end of last month, burning 30,000 acres by Sunday. Dry vegetation and high winds created "extremely challenging conditions," and in some areas, there were 20-foot flames. By the end of that same day, it spread to 70,000 acres and spread into Nevada. As National Park Service officials and first responders rushed to try and contain the fire, the park's Facebook page said that some witnesses noticed "fire whirls" on the north side of the flames. "While these can be fascinating to observe they are a very dangerous natural phenomena that can occur during wildfires," the service warned. "A fire whirl is a vortex of flames and smoke that forms when intense heat and turbulent winds combine, creating a spinning column of fire." The service said that the whirls are similar to dust devils, but form from a wildfire's heat and energy. They can get up to "several hundred feet in height, and their rotational speed can vary widely," officials said. "This weather is extremely dangerous for firefighters battling the fires. They have the potential to spread embers over long distances and can start new fires ahead of the main forefront," the Preserve's Facebook post says. "Additional fire whirls can change direction suddenly, making them unpredictable and difficult to anticipate." A fire whirl kicks up as the dixie fire burns through the area on August 16, 2021 near Janesville, California. / Credit: / Getty Images As of Tuesday morning, the York Fire had swept over 80,400 acres and is at 23% containment, according to official wildfire data. While the fire has since spread even farther to southern Utah, officials said "less fire activity than in the previous days" was observed. The origins of the fire remain under investigation. Officials say it started on private land within the Mojave National Preserve. Story continues "Limited visibility due to thick smoke is a challenge the firefighters are facing," they said. "With visibility up to a mile or less in some areas it has a significant implication and causes hazardous conditions, hindering firefighting operations as it affects aerial support, ground crews' movement, and communications between firefighting units." Doctors warn COVID hospitalizations are rising July 2023 set to be hottest month ever, World Meteorological Organization declares How school safety protocols may have prevented a mass shooting this week Its around 160 miles from the Sacramento area to the waves of the Pacific Ocean off of Santa Cruz, which is exactly the point behind a local surf park. Surfing enthusiast Chris Gallardo hopes to offer the surfing experience near Roseville to hardcore surfers who dont want to make the drive to the coast as well as novices of all ages. Surfing is only available to people on the coast, the problem were solving is we are making it available to everyone, he said. Gallardos surf park is slated for the more than 2,000 acre Placer One development in western Placer County, near Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln. Thedevelopment is also scheduled to house thousands of units of new housing and new campuses for Sacramento State University and Sierra College. Gallardo said he has entered into an agreement with the officials of Taylor Builders, developers of Placer One, to acquire 20 acres for the construction of the surf park. Clifton Taylor, president of Taylor Builders, confirmed the deal. The planned surf park is scheduled to be built between the planned Placer Parkway and Foothills Boulevard in Placer One. Placer One, former Placer Ranch, broke ground in late 2022 after Taylor Builders purchased the land for $100 million. Taylor has graded the land and will be installing infrastructure for the project through 2024. It then plans to contract with various developers for the construction of housing and other parts of the project. The surf park is the first announced commercial entity for the development. Placer Ranch was originally planned more than two decades ago by Los Angeles developer Eli Broad, but the project stalled until Taylor Builders purchased the land with funding from New York private equity firm JEN Partners. Gallardo said the surf park would include an artificial surf pool with waves, ranging from 1 foot for beginners to 6feet for experienced surfers; a hotel; a beach area; an indoor fitness center and a restaurant and bar. Story continues Sacramento-area surf park needs funds Gallardo still needs to raise approximately $100 million for the project, which he said would be called The Alchemy Surf Park. Were very confident that we will be able to raise the capital we need, he said. Weve started to build those relationships. We dont have the money in the bank yet, but were working on it. Taylor said he was optimistic that Gallardo would raise the funds and expects that financing and regulatory approval will take between 12 and 24 months. Neither Taylor nor Gallardo would disclose the agreed upon purchase price for the 20 acres. Taylor said the location and the popularity of surfing will attract financing. He believes the surf park will complement the development of new campuses for Sacramento State College and Sierra College. If all goes to schedule, the project could start construction in late 2024. While the project would need approval of Placer County officials, Gallardo said the land is already zoned to allow for the surf park. There are only several artificial surf parks in the U.S. The only one in California, Kelly Slaters Surf Ranch in Central California, is open only to professional surfers or people who are willing to pay more than $5,000 for a one-day VIP experience including two one-hour surf lessons . Gallardo said the surf park industry is just getting off the ground. He said interest in surfing is being spurred by the introduction of the sport in the 2020 Olympics in Paris. Its kind of similar to the ski park or the ski industry in its early days, when there were only just a couple of ski hills and now look at it today, it is quite a different animal, he said. This $250 million, 400-acre surf resort in California desert is on track for 2021 start The sci-fi monster blockbuster "Meg 2: The Trench" held its world premiere in Beijing on July 28, amid a Hollywood strike, taking audiences on a thrilling adventure into the uncharted depths of the ocean. Cast, crew, and film executives pose for a photo at the world premiere of "Meg 2: The Trench" in Beijing, July 28, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse] Directed by Ben Wheatley, "Meg 2" features characters portrayed by global action stars Jason Statham and Wu Jing, who lead a research team into the ocean's darkest depths. Elevating the thrills of its 2018 predecessor, this sequel escalates the stakes with larger creatures and new threats, including a malevolent mining operation. Their survival mission against colossal megalodons, other marine predators, and relentless environmental plunderers is set to be this summer's most pulse-pounding blockbuster, leaving many in the audience gasping at the premiere. Due to the ongoing screenwriters' and actors' strikes in Hollywood, Statham, who had previously attended the Shanghai International Film Festival in June to promote the film, could not attend the Beijing premiere. This premiere, therefore, held the unique distinction of being the sole world premiere after the cancellation of the London event. The grand ceremony, held at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, boasted an impressively large temporary screen equipped with a state-of-the-art Cinity projection system. The event was attended by director Wheatley, actor Wu Jing, actress Cai Shuya, several producers, film company executives, and a contingent of Wu's fellow filmmakers from the Chinese film industry. These included Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group; Catherine Ying, the president of CMC Pictures; high-profile directors Chen Kaige and Chen Sicheng; and Wu's close friend and collaborator, Frant Gwo, director of "The Wandering Earth." At the premiere, Wu disclosed Gwo's desire to collaborate on "a Chinese monster film," remarking, "We have established our own niche in the war and science fiction genres, but when it comes to the monster genre, there aren't many mature works in the Chinese market." By participating in "Meg 2," Wu expressed his hope that the film could inspire ocean exploration among China's youth, and that his experience could pave the way for "films that incorporate Chinese culture and contribute to the development of China's monster film genre." One of Wu's primary motivations for joining "Meg 2" was to learn from the experiences and technologies of his international colleagues. Wu noted frequent discussions with Gwo regarding industrial processes and technologies during production. Actor Wu Jing pretends to talk to a life-like cardboard cutout of Jason Statham and greets Chinese audiences on Statham's behalf. Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Jason Statham was absent from the Beijing premiere of "Meg 2: The Trench" on July 28, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse] Director Wheatley also shared that Wu contributed numerous ideas each day during filming, all designed to enhance the film. He noted that his responsibility was to keep pace with the creativity Wu brought to the project. Several Chinese elements, including Wu's character name, "Jiuming," which translates to "ocean" and "abyss" in the ancient Chinese language, were seamlessly integrated into the film. "Meg 2" will be recognized as a Chinese production in the country's film market, enjoying privileges and profit-sharing models, exclusive to Chinese productions. This status was approved by Chinese film authorities, owing to the significant role and control of China's CMC Pictures in the project. While also having significant foreign involvement and investment, along with global distribution facilitated by its partner, Warner Bros. Pictures, the film demonstrates the close collaboration between Chinese and American film companies. Attendees at the Beijing premiere also included heavyweight foreign filmmakers and executives, such as Andrew Cripps, president of International Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures; Cate Adams, senior vice president at Warner Bros. Pictures; James Gibbons, president and managing director of the West Pacific Region at Warner Bros. Discovery; Gillian Zhao, president of Warner Bros. Discovery China; and Tony Qiu, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of the West Pacific Region at Warner Bros. Discovery. Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Belle Avery were also present at the event. The advanced screening was met with cheers and a standing ovation. Numerous Chinese filmmakers and celebrities, such as actors Huang Xiaoming and Zhang Yi, congratulated the film team and described how the movie left them breathless and covered in goosebumps. Director Chen Sicheng further added that he hoped Wu Jing, as a Chinese action hero, could be recognized by more global audiences as an icon, following in the footsteps of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. An Imax poster for "Meg 2: The Trench." [Image courtesy of Imax China] "Meg 2: The Trench" will be released globally and in China on Aug. 4, available in Imax and many other formats. The first installment of "The Meg" was a successful Sino-American co-production example, appreciated in both China and the United States. It marked a milestone for a Chinese-led project, earning $145 million in North America and 1.05 billion yuan ($166.8 million) in China, contributing to a global total of $530 million. This achievement offered crucial insights for both the Chinese and American film industries. The United States Department of the Treasury building Celal Gunes / Anadolu Agency Fitch downgraded the US's credit rating on Tuesday, citing "steady deterioration in standards of governance." The downgrade comes two months after the latest debt ceiling battle and brinkmanship. Even so, Republicans and Democrats reached a deal to suspend the debt limit until 2025. Fitch, one of the major credit rating agencies, on Tuesday announced that it has downgraded the US' long-term rating, dealing a potential blow to President Joe Biden's economic stewardship. The agency was unsparing in its assessment that Congress is functionally a mess, especially when it comes to raising the debt ceiling to avoid a default. Lawmakers and the White House brokered a bipartisan compromise in June that narrowly avoided default, but the deal was not enough to convince the agency that further calamities are not in store. "In Fitch's view, there has been a steady deterioration in standards of governance over the last 20 years, including on fiscal and debt matters, notwithstanding the June bipartisan agreement to suspend the debt limit until January 2025," the agency said in a statement announcing its rating change. "The repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions have eroded confidence in fiscal management." Fitch also cited rising government deficits and ongoing concerns about the long-term health of programs like Social Security and Medicare as factors in the downgrade from the top-tier AAA rating to AA+. Fitch's move echoes what S&P did in 2011 when that major rating agency downgraded US credit in the wake of a different debt ceiling fight. It remains to be seen if Fitch's decision will carry the same financial effects that S&P's move did. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she strongly disagreed with Fitch's decision. "The change by Fitch Ratings announced today is arbitrary and based on outdated data," she said in a statement, pointing to indicators like near-record low unemployment and strong GDP as signals of the strength of the country's economy. Story continues The downgrade comes after yet another prolonged battle over the debt ceiling, although that potentially disastrous default was narrowly avoided through a bipartisan deal. Democrats and Republicans passed bipartisan legislation in early June to suspend the debt limit through 2025, with Democrats acquiescing, in part, to paring down government spending. If it seems like the debt ceiling has become more omnipresent in the Biden era, it's due in part to Republicans consistently attempting to leverage the threat of a default to push their own spending priorities. The GOP has been increasingly deploying brinkmanship over the past 20 or so years and Democrats have also leveraged the threat of a default to increase their spending priorities although the country has yet to actually plunge into disastrous default. However, Fitch's assessment comes after the lastest deal which guarantees some debt ceiling relief through the next presidential election was brokered. Lawmakers are already pointing fingers over the downgrade. Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee tweeted that Fitch's downgrade "is the result of Republicans' manufactured default crisis." "They've repeatedly put the full faith and credit of our nation on the line, and now, they are responsible for the second downgrade in our credit rating," they wrote. Read the original article on Business Insider Brisbane to Bali with an unscheduled stop in Darwin (Getty Images) A trio of disruptive passengers drinking alcohol and vaping on a flight led to the plane being forced to make an unscheduled landing. The three men from Queensland, Australia, were travelling from Brisbane to Bali when they the incident occurred, reports The New Zealand Herald. The Virgin Australia flight was diverted to Darwin in Australias Northern Territory, with the captain making the decision over safety concerns. The crew on board requested that the Australian Federal Police be on standby to meet the problem travellers. According to the police report, the passengers two aged 20 and another aged 42 were identified as potentially difficult fliers from the start of the journey. They were asked to move from the emergency exit row after the crew decided they would not be able to help in an emergency. The men allegedly refused to cooperate at first, staying in the extra legroom seats before eventually moving to their assigned places. They became increasingly disruptive following take off, the report added, and began drinking their own alcohol when the crew refused to serve them drinks. Smoking e-cigarettes and drinking alcohol (other than that provided by cabin crew) violates Australian civil aviation regulations. Officers met the plane on the runway at around 4pm and escorted the three unruly passengers off the plane without incident. The men were cautioned and released pending charges. The service continued on to Balis Denpasar airport after a delay of more than four hours. The AFP said that they expected to issue fines regarding disorderly behaviour and offences under civil aviation laws regarding smoking and consuming alcohol on the passenger plane. Darwin Airport Commander, Superintendent Greg Davis, told The New Zealand Herald that the force had zero tolerance for abusive behaviour in airports and aboard aircraft. We know that the majority of passengers do the right thing and they should not have their travel disrupted or feel unsafe because of the bad behaviour of some individuals. The Independent has contacted Virgin Australia for comment. The Daytona Beach Police Department announced that Barbora Zdanska has been found safe in Marion County as of Tuesday afternoon. The 14-year-old had been reported missing Monday night from Daytona Beach, prompting a statewide Amber Alert. Here's what we know about the case and about the state's Amber Alert system: What is an Amber Alert? An Amber Alert, or a child abduction emergency alert, is a message distributed by a child abduction alert system to ask the public for help in finding abducted children. AMBER is a backronym standing for "America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response." Amber alert Why is it called an Amber Alert? That effort came in response to the case of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who had been abducted and killed in Arlington, Texas in 1996. Missing Volusia County girl: Police: Daytona girl reported missing was dropped off at a home in Jacksonville The first Amber Alert program following her murder, with Dallas-Ft. Worth radio and television stations banding together to use the federal Emergency Alert System to quickly broadcast news of child abductions, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Soon after, AMBER, for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, became part of federal and state laws. What is the Florida AMBER Plan? According to the state's website, the Florida Amber Plan is an Alert that is "issued through radio, television, highway Dynamic Message Signs, lottery machines, missingchildrenalert.com, and other resources that have been made available when a child abduction occurs." The plan is meant to alert the public in a much broader scope than just the immediate area of the abduction. How does Florida's Amber Alert process work? Per the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the investigating local law enforcement agency will contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Story continues The abducted child's information is taken over the phone. It is decided by the local law enforcement agency and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement what information is to be broadcasted and the areas in which to broadcast. How is an Amber Alert activated in Florida? There are five criteria that have to be met before an Amber alert can be issued in Florida: The child is under the age of 18 Law enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that a kidnapping has occurred Law enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that the child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury There is a detailed description of the child and or the abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public The law enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommends the activation What area does the alert cover? The alert is activated to cover the areas that law enforcement agencies request. If an alert is sent on a regional basis, it will cover several counties that constitute that particular region. The alert can also be issued statewide, according to officials. How do I sign up for Amber Alerts? If an alert is active in your area, it should automatically appear on your phone. You can also sign up for social media accounts that will notify you when an Amber Alert is issued: On Facebook : Visit www.facebook.com/AMBERAlert and Like the page to receive Amber Alerts in your newsfeed. Facebook also automatically notifies users near the location of an Amber Alert. On Instagram : If an Amber Alert is activated by law enforcement and you are in the designated search area, the alert will appear in your Instagram feed. On Twitter: Follow @AMBERAlert to receive rapid Amber Alert notifications on your Twitter feed and share the alert with your followers What should I do if I spot a missing child from an alert? According to SafeTee, experts said that if you have found a lost child, take action and don't hesitate to help. Once you walk up, introduce yourself and get on their level so they feel safe. Once the child is comfortable and you might have asked a few questions on if they're OK, they suggest calling authorities and alerting them that you found the child. It's important not to move the child too far from where they were originally found. Why did I get an alert on my phone last night? An Amber Alert for a kidnapped child was sent Monday, July 31, 2023 for Barbora Zdanski, 14, of Daytona Beach. Zdanska, 14, was reported missing Sunday after she left through a bedroom window after her father had confiscated her cellphone for texting too much with her boyfriend and ended up being dropped off at a home in Jacksonville by a blue Dodge caravan, according to police. Daytona Beach police responded to a Boynton Boulevard apartment at 11:51 p.m. Sunday where the father reported he last saw his daughter at 1:15 a.m. Sunday when they watched a movie at home, according to a missing person's report filed with the Daytona Beach Police Department. The father woke up at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and found his daughter was not at home. Her bedroom window was open, police said. Zdanska disappeared without money or credit cards. The father reported that the girl was acting normal in the weeks leading up to the incident and made no mention of leaving. An Amber Alert was issued the following night on Monday. Daytona Beach police spokesman Jimmie Flynt said in a press conference Tuesday that the van, which Zdanska was seen getting into Monday, apparently was found in Clay County. "The owner of the vehicle is being cooperative and admitted she drove to Daytona to pick (Zdanska) up, but dropped her off at a house in Jacksonville," Flynt said. On Tuesday, DBPD officials announced they found Zdanska safe and they were calling off the Amber Alert. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Amber Alert: Daytona Beach teen found safe. What to know about alerts The Florida Department of Education has put forth a new proposal aimed at identifying and addressing students with a substantial math deficiency, potentially paving the way for individual education plans (IEPs) for those affected. The proposal, made public on Monday, is set to target students ranging from kindergarten to fourth grade. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to the proposed rule, students falling below certain criteria will be designated as having a substantial math deficiency. This determination can be based on a variety of factors, including scores below the 10th percentile in screening, diagnostic assessments, progress monitoring, other classroom data, or statewide assessments. Alternatively, teachers observations of minimum skill levels for specific mathematics competencies may also lead to the designation. For each grade level, the proposal specifies key areas of emphasis that will be used to evaluate students math proficiency. For instance, for kindergarten students, this would include measuring, comparing, and categorizing objects according to various attributes, including their two- and three-dimensional shapes. Meanwhile, fourth-grade students would be assessed based on their understanding of interpreting data to include mode, median, and range. Students identified with math deficiencies under this proposed rule would be required to be covered by a federally mandated student plan, such as an individual education plan (IEP). [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] IEPs are written plans tailored to address the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. The Florida Department of Education aims to implement this rule to ensure that young students struggling with math receive the support and resources they need to succeed academically. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Florida Highway Patrol recently snapped up a big win, with an assist from Orlando's Gatorland and Florida's official state reptile. FHP's cruiser was voted best looking in the U.S. in the American Association of State Troopers' annual competition. After the final results were tallied, FHP was the clear winner with 181,071 votes, followed by California with just over 142,000 votes. Nevada, Indiana, and Kentucky rounded out the top five spots. According to FHP, the winning image, shot at Gatorland, featured a 2019 Dodge Charger and a 15-year-old, 8 .5-foot, 180-pound female alligator named Tamale. FHP's winning image, featuring a 2019 Dodge Charger and a 15-year-old alligator named Tamale, was shot at Gatorland in Orlando. "FHP was proud to have participated in this years American Association of State Troopers Best Looking Cruiser Contest," FHP Director Colonel Gary said. "Its gratifying to see the inclusion and enthusiasm for supporting Florida by citizens, other partners, and our FHP members." The agency will be presented with the "Best Looking Cruiser Award" and featured on the cover of AAST's 2024 wall calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales benefit the American Association of State Troopers Foundation, according to AAST. "FHP certainly deserves to be the winner of the Best-Looking Cruiser contest! They went all out with their media platforms, law enforcement partners and engaged the citizens of Florida to all get involved," AAST Executive Director John Bagnardi said. "We are very proud to have the Black and Tan on our cover!" What does Florida Highway Patrol do? FHP's jurisdiction extends throughout the state of Florida and its top priority is to maintain safety on the state's highways, including patrols, enforcement of traffic laws, crash investigations and assisting stranded motorists. Florida troopers also enforce commercial vehicle safety and FHP's Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence conducts criminal investigations statewide. The agency assists state and local law enforcement, including emergency disaster response. Story continues Is Florida Highway Patrol the same as a state trooper? Yes, Florida Highway Patrol is the state's law enforcement agency. Its officers are called state troopers. Can a Florida state trooper pull you over anywhere? State troopers have jurisdiction throughout Florida and can enforce the law anywhere in the state. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Best looking Florida cruiser contest 2023: FHP wins with gator photo Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump dances after speaking at the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump dances after speaking at the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Twice-impeached former President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday on four federal charges for inciting violence ahead of the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Its his second federal indictment in just 60 days; Trump was also indicted on June 9 for retaining classified documents at his Mar-A-Lago estate. So, yes, our boy is currently averaging a federal indictment per month. The specific charges resulting from Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation are: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Read more Trumps claim that prosecutors are trying to sabotage his campaign is best viewed in the context of the fact that the Department of Justice has concluded that sitting presidents cant be charged with crimes. At least one presidential hopeful had the guts to call a spade a spade: Former Congressman Will Hurd said at a dinner in Iowa that Donald Trump is not running for president to represent people that voted for him in 2016 and 2020. Donald Trump is running to stay out of prison. Hurd was booed off the stage. Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination despiteor perhaps because ofhis multiple indictments. Hes consistently polling more than 30 points ahead of the next closest candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Story continues If past is prologue, this latest indictment could just make Trump poll even higher. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. An Amber Alert has been issued in Florida for a missing 14-year-old girl who vanished in Daytona Beach on Saturday. Barbora Zdanska was last seen around the 100th block of Boynton Blvd., the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said. Sgt. Tim Ehrenkaufer, a spokesman for the Daytona Beach Police Department, told FOX35 Orlando that Zdanska was seen voluntarily getting into a vehicle before she vanished. "The vehicle is believed to belong to a boyfriend or a family member of a boyfriend," Ehrenkaufer said. "The victim was later able to get a message to a family member, indicating that she had been kidnapped." STATE DEPARTMENT ADDRESSES REPORTED KIDNAPPING OF 2 US CITIZENS IN HAITI AS NURSE, HER DAUGHTER REMAIN MISSING Barbora Zdanska, 14, was last seen around the 100th block of Boynton Blvd. in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Saturday, police said. Authorities said the vehicle Zdanska was believed to be traveling in was found around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, though Zdanska was still missing. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Barbora Zdanska was last seen wearing a black Adidas sweatshirt with white stripes on the sleeves and black jean shorts. No further details were immediately available. Zdanska was last seen wearing a black Adidas sweatshirt with white stripes on the sleeves and black jean shorts. GOLDMAN SACHS SENIOR ANALYST MISSING AFTER ATTENDING NYC CONCERT The 14-year-old is described as White with blonde hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and weighing about 136 pounds. Barbora Zdanska was believed to be traveling in a vehicle when she disappeared. Police said the vehicle was later found, though the teen remained missing. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Authorities are asking anyone with information about the teen to call the Daytona Beach Police Department at 386-671-5100, or 911. Javier Solar, a member of the Coral Restoration Foundation team, brings up threatened coral transplants from the Florida Keys, where high water temperatures are damaging the fragile lifeforms. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Three and a half miles off the Florida Keys, Kylie Smith kicked to the surface of the ocean, then looked back down through her scuba mask to confirm what she had seen in the coral reef 15 feet below. A colony of baby elkhorn coral was bone white. Another grouping of the animals was dying from rapid tissue loss disease. Smith's team of volunteers had planted the baby coral in the last year and watched them thrive. Now both colonies which had slowly spread, with tiny nubs reaching toward filtering sunlight were being damaged as water temperatures spiked. Its heartbreaking, the 34-year-old coral ecologist said softly, cupping her hands around her scuba mask as she bobbed in the waves above Alligator Reef. Kylie Smith, co-founder of the coral restoration program I-CARE, surfaces from a dive on Florida's Alligator Reef. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) As ocean temperatures rise to historic levels for July a buoy in the shallow Florida Bay recently registered 101.1 degrees at the surface corals are bleaching along Floridas fragile 350-mile-long barrier reef. At the bottom of some of the reefs that make up the barrier system, the only one in the contiguous United States, temperatures have reached 93 degrees, more than 6 degrees higher than is average for the time of year. Without major human intervention, some species of the ancient marine animals, vital to thousands of species of sea life and the regions economy, risk extinction. Up and down the coast, divers are scrambling to monitor corals some recently planted on the ocean floor, others that have thrived for thousands of years. A network of scientists and coral restoration experts is also racing in a modern-day Noah's Ark-style mission to haul specimens to safety before they perish. Some are afraid to open their eyes when they near the bottom. At Alligator Reef off the Florida Keys, transplanted elkhorn coral show signs of bleaching after days of high water temperatures. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Smith, a co-founder of I-CARE, a group that trains and organizes recreational divers to plant corals that have been raised in nurseries, has already mourned the death of one of her prize specimens: an elkhorn that had fused together from several pieces little bigger than a quarter to form crowns branching up to 10 inches. Story continues But Smith, who got certified as a diver at 15 to overcome her early terror of watching "Jaws," was not dwelling on her losses. Her group has planted 14,684 corals in the reefs along Floridas Upper Keys in the last 2 years, more than a quarter here in Alligator Reef, and she had more to check on. Lets go see if we can find a happy one! she said, kicking her fins and fluttering back down. Read more: Global warming is making big(ger) waves off the California coast, scientists say She neared what had been a promising colony of knobby brain coral, tiny and dome-shaped with undulating ridges. Smith circled the coral, which had been cared for in a nursery for two years and had been doing well since being transplanted in May. Now it was light and paling. But a few feet deeper, she spotted a brain coral that was a healthy, greenish brown. Then, another cluster planted in May that was a little pale, but already starting to fuse. Smith wasnt sure what accounted for the variation in the slow-growing species. Maybe it was the deeper water. Maybe the corals that retained their color were more resistant to heat stress. She swam on past a turtle scratching its back near a cluster of completely bleached elkhorn in search of corals that showed signs of resilience. A sea turtle swims amid coral at Alligator Reef. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 'It's been there for thousands of years' Protecting and restoring the corals of Floridas degraded barrier reefs is no easy task. In the last four decades, this intricate stretch of shallow reef formations that came into existence around the last Ice Age has lost about 98% of its corals from a combination of polluted water, disease, abnormal ocean temperatures, overfishing and other human impacts. Seven species of the coral found in Florida's reef elkhorn, staghorn, boulder star, mountainous star, lobed star, rough cactus and pillar are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This is not the first time corals in the Florida Keys have endured bleaching. When the water gets too hot, the tiny symbiotic algae that live in the corals' tissues, zooxanthellae, turn excess energy from sunlight into dangerous toxins. The corals then expel the algae, their primary food source. Without the algae, corals turn white and are more susceptible to disease. Though corals can survive for a few days or weeks without the algae, they are less likely to recover from longer stretches of heat. The tips of this staghorn coral show signs of bleaching as Florida's barrier reef is in distress from high water temperatures. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Mass coral reef bleaching events have risen steadily across the world in the last 40 years. A recent study found the annual risk of bleaching increased from 8% in the 1980s to 31% in 2016. In Florida, bleaching in the summer of 2014 harmed or destroyed a third of elkhorn corals at federal monitoring sites across the Upper Keys. What worries scientists now is that bleaching began in July and August and September are typically the hottest months. 'Were the canary in the coal mine and the canary just died. It should be a huge wake-up call.' Ken Nedimyer Last month, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration raised their coral bleaching warning system for the Florida Keys to its highest heat stress level, warning of a 90% probability of bleaching through October. Americans who have never gotten close to a coral on the bottom of the ocean might be surprised to find how much their lives are linked to the tiny marine invertebrates that form colonies and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton. Corals perform a critical role for ocean biodiversity, making ecosystems that provide food and shelter for thousands of species of plants and fish, lobsters and sea turtles. They are vital to the Florida Keys economy, supporting commercial and recreational fishing and diving in a region where tourists contribute $2.4 billion in sales a year. Coral reefs also provide a physical buffer between the land and sea, protecting eroding coastline from waves, storms and floods, and helping to prevent loss of life and property damage during hurricanes. Fish gather beside a sponge coral in the waters off Islamorada in the Florida Keys. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) It's habitat for fish and invertebrates, its coastal protection," said Ken Nedimyer, a pioneer of coral nursery and reef restoration techniques and founder of Reef Renewal, a consulting company that helps restore coral reefs. It's just a magical world and to see it dying in front of you, and to see people not caring and not doing anything about it," he trailed off, then sighed. The problem is somebody living in the middle of the country, they don't see it," Nedimyer said. "Were the canary in the coal mine and the canary just died. It should be a huge wake-up call. Already, divers are reporting corals dying rapidly at locations such as Sombrero Reef and Cheeca Rocks. On July 20, a team from the Coral Restoration Foundation ventured to Sombrero Reef in the Lower Keys to collect tissue from wild elkhorn colonies to add to gene banks for safeguarding and found a graveyard of coral. Some cried into their dive masks. Read more: Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied in 2022 was bleached Unfortunately, they were already gone by the time we arrived, Phanor Montoya-Maya, a marine biologist who is the restoration program manager for the foundation. We lost unique individual genotypes that we don't have copies of. While there is still hope for some reefs in the Upper Keys, where water temperatures are slightly lower than in the south, the corals in Sombrero Reef died so quickly they did not have a chance to bleach, Montoya-Maya said. Dead skeletons of the elkhorn corals were covered in algae, dust and sediment. Almost all the corals in the foundation's Looe Key Nursery were also lost. Nikkie Cox of the Coral Restoration Foundation works to save coral babies that are threatened in the Florida Keys. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) It's just, wow, every day, it's a new horror story, Nedimyer said. Corals have gone from live to dead in a heartbeat, and its all over the place. It shakes you to your core. It's rattling everybody. Venturing out recently to Horseshoe Reef what he called a hope spot off the shore of Key Largo that has long been home to the Keys thickest patches of elkhorn and staghorn Nedimyer expected the tops of the coral branches to be a little pale. All of the branches were stark white. Boy, oh boy, it could die," he said, "which is just beyond belief, because it's been there for thousands of years. A modern-day ark In water so clear they appeared to be flying, a team of scientists wearing air tanks and fins glided one Sunday through the nations largest offshore coral nursery, plucking tiny fragments of coral and cradling them in the palms of their hands to an emergency staging room on the sandy, barren ocean floor. The nursery, three nautical miles from the shore of Tavernier, Fla., is an otherworldly stretch of the ocean where tens of thousands of corals hang from 500 artificial trees made of PVC pipe. Read more: Racing to save Floridas coral from climate change, scientists turn to a once-unthinkable strategy: assisted evolution The baby corals the scientists passed were shades of caramel, corn and honey. But many were starting to pale, and some showed signs of rapid tissue loss. A few were pure white. Montoya-Maya, who was leading the expedition, knew he didnt have much time. The objective for today is to rescue the genetic diversity that we have in our nurseries, Montoya-Maya had told his team on the deck of the 46-foot dive boat Aquatic Liberty. Members of the Coral Restoration Foundation head out to the ocean nursery where they have been growing coral. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) They were taking part in a massive operation, led by NOAA, to preserve the last remaining live elkhorn and staghorn corals from Florida's coral reefs. Fragments from these genetically distinct coral types would be placed in land tanks in Sarasota and West Palm Beach that serve as modern-day arks for the vulnerable sea creatures. These living gene banks serve as an insurance policy so that surviving corals can serve as brood-stock for the next generation. Peering through scuba masks at waterproof clipboards, the divers swam through schools of iridescent parrotfish and yellow and black striped sergeant majors as they tried to find specimens in the 1-acre ocean nursery. Lindsey Smith, the coral nursery division leader for the Coral Restoration Foundation, cuts samples of coral from transplants to take ashore for transfer into gene banks. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) They had spent the last two days collecting pillar, brain and star corals. Their mission now was to collect hundreds of fragments of staghorn and elkhorn for NOAAs gene bank, plus any other species they had time to collect. As a shimmering barracuda hovered above, opening and closing its snaggle-toothed mouth as if marveling at the endeavor, a pair of scientists huddled on the floor, 30 feet below the ocean surface, holding tiny specimens that look like upturned fingers as they stuck them to epoxy. They wrapped ID tags around the corals with monofilament fishing line and stacked them on trays. Its a little like triage, Montoya-Maya said. We have too many, so the question is which ones do we save? After three 75-minute shifts underwater, the scientists floated back up, some balancing coral-filled trays like underwater waiters. A team hauled the crates up to the Aquatic Liberty and set the corals in the shade. Montoya-Maya stacked the trays, one by one, in plastic bins filled with seawater, taking care to make sure they were stable. A few stowaway shrimp and octopus, who feed off the corals, were thrown back into the sea. Phanor Montoya-Maya, the restoration program manager for the Coral Restoration Foundation, stacks trays of coral fragments into a "coral bus," or mobile aquatic tank, that will transport them to a gene bank. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) When they docked at the small town of Tavernier, the team hauled the coral fragments off the boat in the blazing heat. They began to stack them, tray by tray, in a "coral bus" a state-of-the-art flatbed trailer specially designed to minimize stress to the corals, with an aquatic tank hooked up to a generator and conditioning unit to regulate water temperature, pH, filtration and water flow. They had so many corals, they quickly ran out of room and piled the remaining trays into bins of sea water on the back of a pickup truck. In one day, the team had collected 417 elkhorn and staghorns, representing 201 unique genotypes, for NOAAs collection. They had also managed to save 472 reef-building corals such as brain, pillar and star. Montoya-Maya got in the drivers seat, waved to his team and drove the corals now in slightly cooler 87-degree water south on Highway 1 to the Florida Institute of Oceanographys Keys Marine Lab, their temporary new home on land. Members of the Coral Restoration Foundation load coral taken from the ocean nursery into the "coral bus." (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) A handful of the elkhorn and staghorn did not survive the journey. But most of the corals recovered their color and would travel a few days later to their final destination: the Reef Institute in West Palm Beach. Montoya-Mayas mission was not over. After banking as much coral diversity as he could, his team shifted to another Herculean task: saving the 45,000 baby corals in their nurseries. Creating resilience Even as corals bleach, scientists who work in the cutting edge of coral restoration are optimistic about the future of Floridas reefs. The extreme temperatures, they say, offer an important opportunity for research into resilience. As morbid as it sounds, its a natural experiment, said Jason Spadaro, a biological scientist who manages the Coral Reef Restoration Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory, an independent marine research institute. Kylie Smith takes notes about the condition of the coral at a site called Captain Arnos in the Florida Keys, where the water reached abnormally high temperatures for July. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) While it is heart wrenching to see stark white corals, it's also a major opportunity to look at how some of these resilient genotypes and some of these ones that we've suspected weren't resilient respond to these really extreme conditions, he said. Over the last two decades, scientists and coral restoration experts have figured out how to breed corals by cutting them into tiny fragments. Using a process of micro fragmentation, scientists can spur corals to grow up to 50 times faster. They have also developed sexual propagation labs in which they can trick boulder corals such as brain and star corals, which typically spawn only six to eight days after the August full moon about three hours after sunset to spawn multiple times a year. Now Mote researchers are focusing on which genotypes are resistant to hot water and other challenges, so they can help breed corals that adapt to anthropogenic climate change. The idea is that if one coral tolerates hot temperatures while another resists disease, sexually crossing both corals might produce a heat-tolerant and disease-resistant offspring. Motes long-term goal is to build a more resilient community that has the adaptive potential to handle the challenges of the new environment. Young staghorn coral samples retrieved from the ocean nursery in the Florida Keys are carefully documented before being taken to the surface. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Mother Nature can't respond fast enough to this, said Michael Crosby, Motes president and chief executive. We're just not going to hang our head in our hands and say, Woe is me.' We're going to control what we can control, which is being really creative with science to develop the solutions to what is a reality: the warming of our oceans. In the short term, Mote is bringing critical colonies of corals that have taken years to grow to reproductive size to their land nursery for reproduction research. Its ultimate goal is to accelerate the reproductive process of resilient corals by planting fragments that can grow into fully sexually mature corals. That's the Holy Grail, Crosby said. That's what you want to be able to do: Help Mother Nature more rapidly repopulate with a genetic diversity of resilient genotypes that are spawning on their own, so that we put ourselves out of the coral restoration business. Asked if he had a timeline for ending his lifes work and putting his team out of business, Crosby said 20 years, maybe 10 with more money and trained volunteers to help transplant corals. Eventually, Crosby said, Floridas reefs could be like they were when he was a boy growing up in the Keys, with 60% living coral coverage. Fish swim among transplanted coral in the Coral Restoration Foundation nursery. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) If we can get up to a 20 to 30% living coral cover, then I think the coral reefs themselves can begin to take over in a more natural way. Now is not a time for doom-mongering, Crosby said. Thanks to scientific innovation, tiny fragments that would be more resistant to what killed the original could be planted on a dead 100-year-old coral head and, in five years, grow into a sexually mature coral that spawns in the wild. It isnt about hope anymore, Crosby said. The science has demonstrated we can do this. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. New South Wales police An Australian former childcare worker has been charged with abusing 91 children over 15 years in what police described on Tuesday as one of the countrys most horrific child sex abuse cases. Federal police said the offences happened at 10 different childcare centres between 2007 and 2022 and exclusively targeted prepubescent girls. The man has been charged with 1,623 separate crimes, including 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10, officers added. Detectives sifted through huge amounts of graphic material captured on the 45-year-old mans phone and said they were confident they had now identified all of his alleged Australian victims. They are working with police in another country, which authorities did not name, to determine the extent of his alleged offending overseas. The man had passed all of the stringent background checks needed to work with children in Australia, police said. Most horrific case This is one of the most horrific child abuse cases that Ive seen in nearly 40 years of policing, Michael Fitzgerald, the police assistant commissioner of New South Wales state police, told a news conference. Its beyond the realms of anyones imagination what this person did to these children. I can only say, you try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police, but this is a horrific case. Queensland Police Services acting assistant commissioner Col Briggs said the charges were the culmination of years of dedicated and complex investigation across jurisdictions, known as Operation Tenterfield. Police allege the man recorded his offending on phones and cameras while working in 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and between 2018 and 2022. Officers also claim the man recorded offences at an overseas location in 2013 and 2014, and at a centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. From the moment [police taskforce] Argos located images of victim children being shared on the dark web in 2014 an extensive examination was launched to identify the children in the pictures, Mr Briggs said. Story continues Police said that the suspect is facing extradition to New South Wales where he is wanted on an additional 180 child sex abuse charges allegedly involving 23 victims. Justine Gough, the northern assistant commissioner for Australias federal police, said: While I am extremely proud of law enforcements persistence and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender, and stop further abuse, this is chilling news. There is not much solace I can give parents and children who have been identified under Operation Tenterfield, but I can tell you that we never gave up, and we never will when it comes to protecting children. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A former Georgia state lawmaker has been subpoenaed by the Fulton County grand jury investigating former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state, according to CNN. Former state Sen. Jen Jordan (D), who represented a portion of Atlanta before launching an unsuccessful bid for state attorney general last year, told CNN she has been asked to testify before the grand jury. Jordan previously appeared before the special grand jury in the case, which provided its findings and charging recommendations to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) but was not itself tasked with bringing any changes. During her previous appearance, the former state lawmaker was questioned about a December 2020 subcommittee hearing in which Rudy Giuliani, then an attorney for Trump, claimed that there had been widespread fraud in Georgias election, CNN reported. The focus seemed to be, obviously, this Senate subcommittee meeting where Giuliani was present and effectively did his dog and pony show without anyone pushing back, Jordan told the outlet at the time. It was intended to give legitimacy or provide a foundation for there to be legislative action to, you know, basically throw aside the slate of electors, she added. An independent journalist from Georgia said Monday that he has also received a subpoena to testify before the grand jury about Georgia Republicans plans to form an alternate slate of Electoral College voters following the 2020 election. News of the latest subpoenas comes after Willis said last weekend that her team has wrapped up its investigation and remains on track to announce charging decisions by Sept. 1. The work is accomplished, she told local news station 11Alive. Weve been working for 2 1/2 years. Were ready to go. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Passengers board the high-speed train G2963 in Leshan railway station in Leshan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] The nation's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2% compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. In order to better serve passengers during the summer travel rush, the company said that its various bureaus have optimized operation plans based on big data, while train stations in the nation's big cities, such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Changsha have increased staff in posts like security checking to expedite passengers' entry process and improve efficiency. The summer travel rush is usually a busy season for the country's railway system as college students return home for summer vacation, while family visits and tourist travels also rise during this season. This year's summer travel rush will last for 62 days and end on Aug. 31. By Ange Aboa ABIDJAN (Reuters) -Former Ivory Coast President Henri Konan Bedie, part of an old guard of politicians who dominated politics in the West African nation for a generation, has died aged 89, a close relative told Reuters on Tuesday. Bedie served as Ivory Coast's second ever president after independence from France in 1960. He ruled from 1993 until an economic slump and allegations of corruption led to his ouster in a military coup in 1999. He was long remembered - and in some parts reviled - for his role in promoting the issue of "ivoirite", or Ivorian identity, which fueled tensions between those who considered themselves natives in the south and east, and the many foreign workers from neighbouring countries long settled in the country's north. Bedie remained in politics until the end. At 86, he ran a losing race against longtime political rival President Alassane Ouattara in elections in 2020. The cause of Bedie's death was not immediately known. His spokesman could not be reached for comment. The son of a low-income farmer, Bedie was born on May 5, 1934 at Dadiekro, 300 kilometres (190 miles) east of the commercial capital Abidjan. He excelled at school and was among 100 promising students picked in the early 1950s to study in France, where he gained a doctorate in economics at Poitiers University. In 1959, he joined the French diplomatic service and was posted as a counsellor to the French embassy in Washington. When Ivory Coast won independence in 1960, Bedie was appointed as its ambassador there. Six years later, aged 32, he was put in charge of the economy during a period of rapid growth buoyed by expansion of the coffee and cocoa sectors, which remain the country's main economic drivers. (Reporting by Ange Aboa; Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Grant McCool and Bill Berkrot) Missouri Democrats are warning that former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixons decision to join a group pushing for a third-party presidential candidate in the 2024 election could help former President Donald Trump return to the White House. Such a candidate, Democrats argue, would siphon votes away from Democratic President Joe Biden and help Trump or another Republican nominee. Nixon, who was Missouri governor from 2009 to 2017 and has largely stayed out of politics since leaving office, will serve as the director of ballot integrity for No Labels, a Washington, D.C.-based group that is seeking ballot access to run a potential third-party candidate. Disappointing but not shocking, Jeff Smith, a former Democratic state lawmaker said in an interview with The Star. When he was governor, he wasnt seen as someone who spent a lot of time, energy building the state party. Missouri has undergone a seismic shift from a bellwether state to dark red in the years since Nixon took office. Republicans now hold every statewide office. In an interview with The Star, Nixon largely sidestepped concerns that a third-party candidate would help elect Trump. He said he joined the group as an unpaid volunteer after learning that groups were organizing to limit No Labels ability to access the ballot in several states. Theyre welcome to criticize whoever they want, he said. But they need to be consistent and honest when they do it. For me, being involved in a situation that continues the ability of not only Missourians, but people across the country to choose candidates was the primary focus of my desire to get involved. In response to criticism from Democrats about his time as governor, Nixon said he was more focused on getting stuff done as governor than being the most partisan Democrat. If the criticism of Jay Nixon is that in my time of service, I was more focused on serving the people than I was serving my party, then Ill take that criticism, he said. Story continues No Labels was founded in 2010 to promote compromise and centrist policies. The group has been criticized for not disclosing its financial backers. According to its website, the organization is pushing for what it refers to as an insurance plan that would allow a Unity ticket to run for president if the two major parties select candidates the vast majority of Americans dont want to vote for in 2024. The group has yet to choose a presidential candidate. John Hancock, a former chair of the Missouri Republican Party, said hes sure that many Republicans are celebrating Nixons decision to join the group. I think it will help elect Donald Trump I think thats why Democrats are upset with Nixon, he said. Trumps base is much more firm than Bidens. Theres a lot of Republicans who wont vote for Trump. But theres also an awful lot of Democrats that would prefer not to vote for Biden. Nixon has always positioned himself as a centrist who was never really that popular with the Democratic Party base, Hancock said. In some respects, this is kind of on brand for Jay Nixon, he said. He said that while Nixon believes a third-party candidate could win the Electoral College, most people who follow presidential politics closely do not. Former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, a Missouri Democrat, is among those pushing against No Labels effort. In an interview with The Star, Gephardt declined to directly criticize Nixon for joining the group but said the No Labels push for a third-party candidate was dangerous with Trump on the ballot. If theres a third party candidate in a Biden Trump race, while a third party candidate wont win, it will reelect Donald Trump, he said. We believe that a second Trump term will be much more dangerous than the first term was that it will cause probably the end of our democracy. Trump refused to concede after losing the 2020 election to Biden, falsely claiming that the election was stolen. After months of conspiracy-mongering by Trump, a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in an attempt to stop certification of the election on Jan. 6, 2021. The concern among Democrats comes as Trumps support remains strong among Republicans. In a New York Times-Siena College national poll conducted in late July, 54% of likely Republican voters say they support Trump, compared to 17% for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Nixon said he disagreed with the first part of Gephardts comments, reiterating that No Labels had not yet chosen a candidate. He said that critics of No Labels were on down the line while he was focused on getting the effort on the ballot. I dont know what people are basing that on, he said. We dont even know who that candidate is. Nixon, when asked whether he felt a third-party candidate could win, said he thinks the best candidate can win any election. Theres become this desire for both the Democrats and Republicans to be pure in their positions. That is not shared by the public. That is not shared by folks I know very well and served for over 30 years in elected office, he said. Politicians are headed one way towards a very narrow party in which they are dealing with some of the most extreme factions of their party, but the public is being left behind. When asked by The Star whether he would leave the group if Biden and Trump are the two nominees for president in 2024, Nixon was noncommittal saying that he was going to continue to work to make sure that the ballot access issues are as clean and as open as possible. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, did not respond Monday when asked by The Star for a reaction to Nixons involvement with No Labels. However, she criticized the group in a statement to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch without directly referencing the former governor. It is because we care deeply about our democracy that many thoughtful patriotic Americans are worried about this effort, she said, according to the newspaper. They know, and the data is clear, that their efforts will only do one thing in 2024. And that is to help the criminally indicted Donald Trump. Nixon said on Tuesday that hes not in this for the politics. Im in this for the pillar of democracy that is being undermined if groups work hard to make sure that they limit the citizens right to petition their government and put people on the ballot. I think thats fundamentally wrong, he said. Paul Herder Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Oak Grove School received Wednesday morning. A former Ojai private school teacher suspected of sexually assaulting a student over several years was arrested by Ventura County Sheriff's deputies Monday. Detectives allege Paul Herder, 65, coerced a juvenile student at Oak Grove School into numerous sexual acts and sent "harmful matter to the victim" over the course of an unlawful five-year relationship from August 2013 through June 2017. Herder appeared in Ventura County Superior Court via video conference on Tuesday morning, court records show. He is scheduled to appear again on Friday morning to be arraigned on 23 felony counts, including multiple charges of unlawful intercourse, other sex-related crimes of a person under 18 and lewd acts with a child. Two of the charges carry special enhancements that the alleged victim was under the age of 18. Almost all the counts come with a special enhancement alleging that Herder took advantage of a position of trust. The student was 14 when the alleged relationship began and 17 by the end of time frame being investigated. Herder worked at Oak Grove from 2004 to 2016, school spokesperson Joel Keeler said in an emailed statement Wednesday morning. The campus combines boarding school and day school programs that serve just under 220 pre-K-12 students. The former student first reported the allegations to school staff, the statement said, who "immediately" notified law enforcement. "The safety and well-being of our students are and always will be our primary concern," the statement says. "We are profoundly saddened and deeply upset by these allegations and grateful to this alum for their tremendous bravery in stepping forward with this information." Keeler wrote that the school couldn't comment further due to the ongoing investigation. Detectives said they were alerted to the case in February and by June had tracked Herder to Pahoa, Hawaii. Sheriff's deputies worked with detectives from the Hawaii Police Department to arrest him before extraditing him to Ventura County on Monday. Story continues Herder remains in custody on $1.1 million bail, detectives said. His bail will be reviewed during his Friday court appearance. The sheriff's Major Crimes Unit was first alerted to the sexual assault allegations in February 2023. Investigators say school faculty cooperated throughout their investigation and were "instrumental in providing requested information." The man has an "extensive" history as a teacher and private tutor, working from Ojai to Hawaii, England, Panama and Thailand, detectives said. Detectives said they believe that Herder may have had additional victims. If any school personnel or member of the public has any information regarding Herder or this case, please contact Detective Nicole Grover of the Major Crimes Bureau, Sexual Assault Unit at 805-384-4722 or nicole.grover@ventura.org. Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ex-Ojai teacher extradited from Hawaii, faces sexual assault charges A Fort Smith woman faces a second-degree murder charge in Sequoyah County, Okla. in connection with the death of a 2-month-old boywho died while in her care last year. An autopsy from the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner showed the baby had methamphetamine. Chelsea Denise Massey, 30, has been arrested on a second-degree murder charge and she is jailed in the Sequoyah County jail on $100,000 bail. Massey was taking care of her friend's baby when the infant stopped breathing at a home in Roland, about 5 miles west of Fort Smith, the charge against her alleges. Massey's friend allegedly had warned her about the dangers of co-sleeping with a baby. Authorities reported that emergency medical workers were called to a Roland, Ok. home where a 2-month-old boy, identified in the charge as "K.M." was not breathing, and had died from accidental asphyxia. According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charge, the baby had methamphetamine exposure, a bocavirus infection, and an unsafe sleeping arrangement in an adult bed. According to the charge filed in Sequoyah County District Court July 6, on Nov. 28, 2022, Massey's care of the baby involved "conduct that created what a reasonable person would realize was an immediate and extremely high degree of risk of death to another person and which the defendant engaged in with contemptuous and reckless disregard of, and in total indifference to, the life and safety of another, regardless of human life, although it was done without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual." According to a statement in the probable cause affidavit from a Roland police officer who investigated the charge, meth was a contributing factor in the boy's death. Massey could face an alternate charge of second-degree manslaughter. If convicted on a second-degree murder charge she faces up to 10 years in prison. If she is convicted on the second-degree manslaughter alternate charge, she would face two to four years in prison. A court date has been set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Sequoyah County, Okla. District Court in Sallisaw. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Fort Smith woman charged in baby death in Oklahoma For one day, those with Class C outstanding warrants can start fresh. Fort Worth Municipal Court will host a warrant forgiveness event from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 5 at Vivian J. Lincoln Library, 8829 McCart Ave. Those with Class C warrants, such as traffic violations and nonviolent minor offenses including public intoxication and disorderly conduct will able to resolve their case in court without fear of being arrested. Alternate resolutions will be available, such as reduced fines or community service. We encourage any persons with an outstanding citation in the city of Fort Worth to contact us immediately to get their cases out of warrant and moving towards resolution, said court director William Rumuly. Fort Worth Municipal Court has hosted these events in the past the most recent in late April. The court operates as a Safe Harbor court, which have opened across Texas, ensuring residents can visit without fear of being arrested for their warrants. Only Fort Worth citations will be forgiven. There will be 50 reserved and 70 walk-in spots available, and those interested in registering or looking for more information can call 817-392-6700. A Kansas City entrepreneur who is locally lauded for his work helping to prevent people from being incarcerated has been charged with murder in a mid-July homicide. Naim Al-Amin, 44, of Kansas City, was charged on July 17 with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and one charge of unlawful use of a weapon, court records show. Al-Amin is the founder and CEO of Swagg Inc., a nonprofit focused on preventing people from being incarcerated and helping those released from prison to re-enter society. It does not appear he had been arrested as of Monday. No one by Al-Amins name is being held at the Jackson County jail, and an initial court appearance has not yet been set. The shooting At about 1:52 a.m. on July 14, police were called to the area of East 83rd Street and Troost Avenue on a report of shots fired, according to charging documents. Police at the scene found two spent casings in the driveway, but did not see any blood. They left. Several hours later, at about 9 a.m., Kansas City police were called back to the area where a man was found lying in the backyard of a home near the 1300 block of East 81st Terrace. The victim, later identified as Todd Tillman, 36, was declared dead at the scene, police told media at the time. Police soon obtained surveillance footage of the area which showed Tillman arrive at the front door of the home on 81st Terrace at about 1:50 a.m. asking for help. Then he walked to the back of the home where he collapsed. Homicide detectives investigate the scene of a fatal shooting on the 1300 block of E 81st Terrace on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Kansas City. The homicide victim is an adult male who died at the scene, police said. Zachary Linhares/zlinhares@kcstar.com More surveillance footage obtained by police showed that at 1:49 a.m., a man with medium length hair, a beard and a black tank top with the KC logo was seen holding a gun. He walked from an SUV and out of sight of a camera. A voice off-camera is heard saying Whats going on, man? and What did I do? before two gunshots sound, according to charging documents. Incarcerated since childhood Al-Amins face had been shared all over local news in recent years for another reason. He has a compelling narrative, and one intertwined with hope and perseverance. Story continues Al-Amin tells the story often: He was 8 years old the first time he was put into handcuffs, he wrote in a 2021 guest blog for the DeBruce Foundation. Then a boy from Junction City, Kansas, but raised in the foster care system in Los Angeles, Al-Amin had been caught trying to rob someone. Since then, I spent time in juvenile detention, county jail, and finally, in prison, he wrote. I was released for the last time on March 22, 2018. Today, my mission is to help others never go in and never go back. In between his second prison stint and his third, Al-Amin, who at that point had a degree in sociology, said he couldnt find work after college. His cannabis conviction followed him, he said in a Kansas State University profile. In 2018, before he was released from prison the most recent time, Al-Amin said he started dreaming up an idea for a nonprofit that would provide re-entry services to folks like himself; re-entry services that he wasnt offered. The vision for Swagg Inc. was to create a model that innovatively disrupts mass incarceration, he said in the K-State profile. I designed what I wish I had. The goal of the program is to create a diversity, equity and inclusion model that elevates returning citizens. According to the Missouri Secretary of States Office, Swagg Inc. (which stands for Serve, Witness And Give Guidance - Inspiration Never Ceases), legally formed in August 2019, but was dissolved in late 2022 after the nonprofit failed to file a registration report. While the nonprofit was in operation, Al-Amin partnered with several local groups to grow his reach and the resources provided to those seeking help, including Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and JE Dunn Construction. JE Dunn has worked with Swagg, Inc. and other similar programs to facilitate the productive employment and positive reengagement of these previously incarcerated individuals back into society, Erin Lambert, a spokesperson with the construction company, said in a statement Monday. We are unaware of any details surrounding charges against Mr. Al-Amin. Michael Lawrence, the CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters Kansas City, told The Star in a statement Monday that Al-Amin used to be a member of a 30-person advisory group focused on justice, diversity and inclusion initiatives at the local organization. When we found out he was being investigated for a crime against a person he was immediately removed from this group, Lawrence wrote. The phone number listed on the nonprofits website was disconnected as of Monday. The Stars Matti Gellman contributed. Deceased volunteers Four Belarusian volunteer fighters of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, which consists of Belarusian nationals helping defend Ukraine against the Russian invasion, have been killed in battle, the regiment said in a Telegram post on July 31. The volunteers served in the regiments two infantry battalions, Litvin and Volat. Read also: Russian anti-tank missile strike on car claims lives of two volunteers in Kharkiv Oblast The Litvin Battalion and Volat Battalion have suffered losses, the message said. Four of our heroes have died. We are in contact with the families and loved ones of the deceased. Read also: Third column of Wagner fighters arrived in Belarus Belarusian media The call signs and names of the fighters are not disclosed out of safety concerns. "Together with the entire Belarusian people, the Kalinouski Regiment mourns these losses victims in the war for the independence of Ukraine and Belarus," the message reads. Read also: Bodies of two Georgian volunteer fighters repatriated In conclusion, the regiment added that its fighters will continue resisting Russias imperial ambitions. The Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, numbering around 1,500 people, is made up of foreign volunteers, mostly from Belarus, who emigrated after the protests against the Lukashenko regime in 2020. It was created in March 2022 to fight against invading Russian forces in Ukraine. There are also citizens of Lithuania in the ranks of the regiment. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine An Indian railway security officer opened fire on a moving train in the countrys western Maharashtra state on Monday, killing four people, according to a spokesperson for the Western Railway. The incident occurred on a passenger train traveling from Jaipur to Mumbai around 6 a.m. local time (8:30 p.m. ET Sunday), the spokesperson told Indian news agency Asian News International on camera. The spokesperson alleged that Railway Protection Force constable Chetan Kumar killed his colleague and three other passengers. A constable, Chetan Kumar, opened fire on his colleague Tikaram Meena and during the incident three other passengers were also shot, the spokesperson said. He was arrested by police after he pulled the alarm and jumped off the train, the spokesperson continued. An investigation is underway, the spokesperson said, adding the reason behind the shooting is yet to established. The victims are still being identified based on the passenger list, he added. Divisional Railway Manager Neeraj Kumar told reporters that the families are being contacted and compensation would be given to the next of kin. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israeli security men near the covered body of the gunman (AHMAD GHARABLI) A Palestinian gunman opened fire at a group of Israelis in a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, wounding six people before being shot dead, police said. "A terrorist opened fire at a group of people in Maaleh Adumim," a police statement said, referring to a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. "The terrorist was neutralised by an off-duty border police officer." Police later confirmed to AFP that the gunman was shot dead. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that the assailant, Muhannad Mohammad al-Mazaraah, 20, was killed by "occupation bullets". Two hospitals in Jerusalem said they were treating six people including a teenager wounded in the attack, two of whom were in a serious condition. The off-duty officer who shot the gunman said he was in a barbershop when he heard shots and shouting, and rushed outside and saw the assailant. He said he saw a man wearing a yellow vest and holding a pistol. "I wasn't sure he was the terrorist," the officer, whose identity was not revealed, said in a video released by police. "I yelled at him to stop and cocked my gun. He began firing at me, and I realised he was the terrorist." Police said the officer then managed to shoot the gunman dead in return fire. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967. Since early last year, the territory has seen a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. Violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has so far this year killed at least 204 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides. They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the West Bank is home to nearly three million Palestinians, as well as around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law. jjm-ha-jd/srm By Steven Grattan SAO PAULO (Reuters) - On their tenth day at sea, the four Nigerian stowaways crossing the Atlantic in a tiny space above the rudder of a cargo ship ran out of food and drink. They survived another four days, according to their account, by drinking the sea water crashing just meters below them, before being rescued by Brazilian federal police in the southeastern port of Vitoria. Their remarkable, death-defying journey across some 5,600 kilometers (3,500 miles) of ocean underlines the risks some migrants are prepared to take for a shot at a better life. "It was a terrible experience for me," said 38-year-old Thankgod Opemipo Matthew Yeye, one of the four Nigerians, in an interview at a Sao Paulo church shelter. "On board it is not easy. I was shaking, so scared. But I'm here." Their relief at being rescued soon gave way to surprise. The four men said they had hoped to reach Europe and were shocked to learn they had in fact landed on the other side of the Atlantic, in Brazil. Two of the men have since been returned to Nigeria upon their request, while Yeye and Roman Ebimene Friday, a 35-year-old from Bayelsa state, have applied for asylum in Brazil. "I pray the government of Brazil will have pity on me," said Friday, who had already attempted to flee Nigeria by ship once before but was arrested by authorities there. Both men said economic hardship, political instability and crime had left them with little option but to abandon their native Nigeria. Africa's most populous country has longstanding issues of violence and poverty, and kidnappings are endemic. Yeye, a pentecostal minister from Lagos state, said his peanut and palm oil farm was destroyed by floods this year, leaving him and his family homeless. He hopes they can now join him in Brazil. Friday said his journey to Brazil began on June 27, when a fisherman friend rowed him up to the stern of the Liberian-flagged Ken Wave, docked in Lagos, and left him by the rudder. To his surprise, he found three men already there, waiting for the ship to depart. Friday said he was terrified. He had never met his new shipmates and feared they could toss him into the sea at any moment. Story continues Once the ship was moving, Friday said the four men made every effort not to be discovered by the ship's crew, who they also worried might offer them a watery grave. "Maybe if they catch you they will throw you in the water," he said. "So we taught ourselves never to make a noise." Spending two weeks within spitting distance of the Atlantic Ocean was perilous. To prevent themselves from falling into the water, Friday said the men rigged up a net around the rudder and tied themselves to it with a rope. When he looked down, he said he could see "big fish like whales and sharks." Due to the cramped conditions and the noise of the engine, sleep was rare and risky. "I was very happy when we got rescued," he said. Father Paolo Parise, a priest at the Sao Paulo shelter, said he had come across other cases of stowaways, but never one so dangerous. Their journey paid testament to lengths people will go in search of a new start, he said. "People do unimaginable and deeply dangerous things." (Reporting by Steven Grattan; Editing by Gabriel Stargardter and Rosalba O'Brien) You are here: China China's homegrown Modern Ark 60 (MA60) firefighting plane completed its first test flight recently, announced its developer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). As a large and medium-sized fixed-wing firefighting aircraft, it has functions including fire extinguishing with water dropping, air communications, and fire prevention and monitoring. It can also transport personnel and supplies in emergency rescue tasks, said AVIC. The plane features fast cruising speed, long flight range, low flight speed at low altitude, high reliability, and long-distance cross-regional deployment. Development of the MA60 began in June 2021, with its airworthiness certification scheduled to be completed this year. FRAMINGHAM City officials have confirmed that Framingham is the latest Massachusetts municipality to host asylum-seeking refugees, as about 40 of them were moved into the Red Roof lnn on Cochituate Road (Route 30) starting last Friday. The asylum-seekers are ethnically Haitian, although many have come from other countries, including Chile and Brazil, according to state Rep. Priscila Sousa, D-Framingham. Massachusetts has seen a rise in Haitian immigration over the last year due to growing instability and gang violence in the Caribbean country. Families have been leaving the country with few resources and many end up in the Bay State, which has the third largest Haitian population in the U.S., trailing only Florida and New York. Framingham officials announced over the weekend that about 40 asylum-seeking refugees were moved into the city. It was later learned that they're being housed at the Red Roof Inn on Cochituate Road. Migrants in Marlborough: Surge in homeless families has officials worried about impact on schools "I want to thank all the many volunteers who stepped up over the weekend providing services to these asylum seekers from Haiti, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky said in a press release. Massachusetts is the only state in the country with what's often called "right to shelter" laws. Those laws say the state is obligated to provide housing for homeless families with at least one child under the age of 21. But with more homeless migrants pouring into the state, the state has little emergency housing to handle the demand. This leads to families being moved into hotels, which are paid for by the state. State opens second 'family welcome center' But even that strategy has its limits. On Monday, state officials opened a second "family welcome center" in Quincy, as makeshift hotels and motels being used as emergency shelters continue to fill up. The first such center was opened in June, in Allston. In the press release from the Mayor's Office, city officials noted that over the past weekend, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and other members of the Healey administration have been communicating with them about the ongoing placement of families in Framingham. Story continues About 40 migrant refugees were recently moved into the Red Roof Inn on Cochituate Road in Framingham, July 31, 2023. The city stated that services for families that have arrived in Framingham are being provided by Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, a local nonprofit that provides social, health and community services. Sisitsky said that while he appreciates that many people have reached out to volunteer support, the city is waiting a few days to assess the needs of the migrant families. "I appreciate everybodys desire to help, but at this time we are asking the public to wait at least a day until we can finish assessing the needs of these families," the mayor said. "We know a lot of people want to donate items and offer support, but we are not ready to accept donations from the community yet." Officials scrambling to find solutions Sousa said she was originally made aware that migrants were going to be placed in Framingham via email last week. "We were told that these migrants were here, but no arrangements had been made in terms of things like how to feed them," Sousa said. "Luckily, Framingham is very resource rich, and we were able to spring together to get the resources from point A to point B, and elected officials jumped in. But it's very challenging to have the conversations with the state where they basically tell us this is all they can offer right now." Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant recently told the Daily News that in addition to having to provide space, local school districts would also potentially be required to provide added transportation and support services for migrant students, many of whom will be in an English Language Learners program. State Rep. Priscila Sousa, D-Framingham, said she understands the state is overwhelmed by the demand to service refugees, "but what is frustrating is the lack of communication." 'Unsettling assault': Police are taking a second look at disturbance in downtown Framingham "There are very few translators, and again, all communities are looking for the same things," said Vigeant, who said he was told that more than 60 migrant families were being housed in his city's hotels. "DESE (the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) needs to step up and give us some relief." "I can understand that the state is overwhelmed by the demand, but what is frustrating is the lack of communication," Sousa added. It's unclear how long migrants are expected to stay in Framingham, as the state tries to figure out more sustainable housing for them. Sousa said she had heard that either Monday or Wednesday of this week were potential moving dates for the Framingham group, but also noted that there are migrants who have been at the Best Western in Concord since March. "I find it hard to believe that they still won't be there on Thursday," Sousa said. Framingham Public Schools still determining best course of action Sousa, also a member of the Framingham School Committee, said Superintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay has been made aware of the number of children who have been moved into the city. Tremblay is currently in Brazil, doing a monthlong residence program at a school in Minas Gerais. Sousa said given the uncertain timeline of when immigrants will be re-situated, the School Department is still determining its best course of action for potentially educating new immigrant students. Sousa, who immigrated to Massachusetts from Brazil as a child, has helped translate for some of the Haitian migrants, many of whom speak Spanish or Portuguese due to living in countries that speak those languages. The legislator said that in providing services and support for migrants, it's important to focus on continued support for a population that is making major adjustments. "It's easy to work together when everyone is in problem-solving mode and is focused on what needs to be done," she said. "You don't want to forget that these are people who are suffering. I was an immigrant myself, I remember how it felt for me, and I was in nowhere near such a transitional situation as this, where we never knew what was next." State costs related to the current crisis are stacking up. In March, Gov. Maura Healey signed off on a supplemental budget allocation of $85 million for emergency assistance. And the fiscal 2024 budget accord reached Sunday night includes $325 million for emergency assistance family shelters. Forty-three hotels and motels throughout Massachusetts are being used as emergency shelters, a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities told the State House News Service on Monday. Eighty municipalities throughout the state are "hosting families" as part of the emergency assistance program, the official said. There were 5,356 families in state-funded shelters as of Saturday, the official said, including 1,737 families in hotels and motels. Material from the State House News Service was used in this report. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: About 40 asylum-seeking Haitian migrants living in Framingham hotel By Layli Foroudi and Zhifan Liu PARIS (Reuters) - France began the evacuation of hundreds of French and European citizens from Niger on Tuesday, a day after neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso said any outside intervention to restore the ousted government would be seen as a declaration of war. A military junta overthrew Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his government last Wednesday in the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa. The coup has sent shockwaves across West Africa's Sahel region, one of the poorest and most unstable in the world, where Niger was considered the West's most stable ally in the fight against a fast-growing Islamist insurgency. West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to use force to reinstate Bazoum, while neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso - also ruled by military juntas - said they would come to Niger's defence. With the risk of conflict escalating, Spain said it was preparing to evacuate more than 70 citizens by air and Italy said it would organise a repatriation flight. Germany urged its citizens to join the French flights. The recent coups in the region have come amid a wave of vitriol aimed at former colonial power France that resulted in its troops being kicked out of Mali and Burkina Faso this year and last. Many of those soldiers are now stationed in Niger. The United States, Germany, and Italy also have troops in Niger on counter-insurgency and training missions. There has been no announcement of troops being evacuated so far. Niger's new military leaders have arrested senior politicians and warned against any foreign attempts to extract Bazoum, who is still shut in his palace. "Considering the ongoing coup in Niger and the fact that the situation continues to be worrying, we decided to make sure that the French citizens who want to leave Niger can do so," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told France's LCI TV. Story continues She estimated that hundreds of French citizens and hundreds of other EU citizens wanted to be evacuated on flights she hoped would be completed over 24 hours. Flightradar showed a plane registered to the French armed forces left the airport of the capital Niamey on Tuesday evening. Earlier, a crowd of expats gathered outside the terminal with their suitcases, photos shared with Reuters showed. "I never thought we would leave like this," said a French woman who was waiting to depart with her family and sent messages to Reuters by phone. "It's a scene worthy of a war movie." 'DECLARATION OF WAR' West African bloc ECOWAS has taken its hardest line yet on Niger, after struggling to persuade the military rulers of member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea to restore democracy. A declaration by Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday night suggested a new alliance may be forming in opposition to the rest of the 15-member-state bloc. "Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," said a joint statement read on both countries' national broadcasters. They said that they would withdraw from ECOWAS and adopt "measures of legitimate defence" to support Niger's army and people if ECOWAS intervened. Guinea's military leaders also expressed solidarity with Niger. It is not clear what help Mali and Burkina Faso would provide, given that their under-equipped armies are already failing to contain domestic Islamist insurgencies that have killed thousands. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group which operates in Mali, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. The Kremlin called for a swift return to constitutional order. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer. (Reporting by Michel Rose, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Layli Foroudi, Blandine Henault and Charlotte van Campenhout; Writing by Ingrid Melander, Nellie Peyton and Edward McAllister; Editing by Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson and Hugh Lawson) By Mathieu Rosemain PARIS (Reuters) -Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is in talks to buy Atos's loss-making legacy operations in a 2 billion-euro ($2.20 billion) deal that will refocus the struggling French company on its cybersecurity and cloud assets, and cut its debt. Kretinsky, who made his fortune in the energy sector, is expanding his vast empire in Europe and has been on a buying spree in France, setting his eyes on assets ranging from French retailer Casino to Vivendi's publishing group Editis. A sale of the Tech Foundations business, which offers infrastructure management services, would end Atos's initial turnaround plan to split the group into two listed entities. Following the sale to Kretinsky's EP Equity Investment (EPEI) vehicle, the Tech Foundations business will use the Atos brand, while the current listed entity will group the assets the French state deems strategic, such as cybersecurity unit BDS and supercomputers, under the name Eviden. Atos also said on Tuesday that it plans a 900 million-euro share sale to further shore up its balance sheet. The company said 180 million euros of the shares in the capital raise would be reserved for EPEI, giving it a 7.5% stake in Eviden. The sale of the remaining 720 million euros of new shares will be underwritten by BNP Paribas and JP Morgan, the company said. Atos said it aimed to halve its leverage ratio by end 2025 to two times its core operating profits. The expected sale would bring in 100 million euros in cash and cut 1.9 billion euros worth of liabilities from the tech company's balance sheet, Atos said. The sale gives an enterprise value of 2 billion euros to the sold division, which generated 4.5 billion euros of core revenue last year and employs 52,000 people. Atos's shares were up by 8% at 0910 GMT. Its stock value has cratered in recent years from almost 100 euros in late 2017 to around 10 euros on Tuesday. The company had announced a 1.6 billion-euro split in June last year to regain investor confidence after several severe setbacks and governance instability. Story continues Atos also announced the departure of Chief Financial Officer Nathalie Senechault, who had held the top spot for one year. Incoming CFO Paul Saleh, just a few days on the job, was on the call with analysts on Tuesday morning. ($1 = 0.9095 euros) (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Sharon Singleton) A Fresno police officer shot and wounded a 15-year-old boy Sunday morning. It was the fourth time an officer has been involved in a shooting this year. This latest incident happened around 10:30 a.m. near Blackstone and Magill avenues in north Fresno after someone reported seeing a masked person with a gun. According to Police Chief Paco Balderrama, an officer said he made contact with the suspect, who was wearing a ski mask, and ordered him at gunpoint to get on his knees and keep his hands raised. The officer issued the commands multiple times before the suspect reached for his waistband and displayed a firearm, Balderrama said. The officer then fired on the teen, hitting him once in the arm and once in the body. The gun was either a replica or an airsoft pistol, very similar in color and appearance to the Glocks that Fresno officers carry, Balderrama said. Following the shooting, the officer called for paramedics and began to render first aid. The boy was taken to the hospital and was in critical but stable condition. On Monday, the department said his condition has not changed and that he was expected to recover. No other information was released. Fresno police officers gather at the shooting scene on Magill Avenue near Blackstone Avenue on Sunday, July 30, 2023 after a teenager was shot by an officer. March shooting investigated by Department of Justice In March, Fresno police shot and killed two people in separate instances. The first happened Herndon Avenue on March 4 when officers exchanged gunfire with a man following a failed traffic stop. The man, identified 29-year-old Robert Corchado, was shot and ultimately died on the scene. An officer was also shot, according to the police, but was wearing body armor. Within days, State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that Department of Justice would be reviewing the case and providing an independent review under Assembly Bill 1506, which requires the state to investigate all officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed civilian. Although there was reportedly an exchange of gunfire, preliminary investigation indicates that the decedent was not in possession of a deadly weapon at the time of the fatal shooting, Bonta wrote. Story continues In mid-March, police shot and killed 33-year old Coy Jackson outside of the police department substation at Fresno and B streets. According to police, Jackson was acting suspicious and pulled out a knife when confronted by officers. The officers communicated with him and tried to de-escalate and, at some point, this civilian started approaching the officers, made some movements that were aggressive and they were forced to discharge their weapons, Balderrama said following the shooting. It was possible Jackson went to the substation seeking a confrontation with police, he said. An edited video of the shooting was released on the Fresno Police Departments YouTube page. A third shooting happened April 4 behind an apartment complex on First Street following a family dispute in which one man allegedly shot his brother. Police received a dozen calls about a gun disturbance in the area and arrived to find 42-year-old Richard Castrillo in an alley where the shooting had taken place. According to police, Castrillo was holding a gun and was shot after he was given several commands to drop the firearm. Castrillo was listed in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Fresno County Sheriffs Office shootings The Fresno Police Department isnt the only law enforcement agency to report shootings this year. Deputies with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office have shot four people two fatally. A man was shot and killed in mid-May after brandishing a knife at the fairgrounds across from Caruthers High School. Deputies used less-lethal bean bags, which were ineffective. Ultimately, the man charged at the officers before being shot and killed. This happened one day after a similar situation unfolded in the unincorporated community of West Park where a man threatened people with a machete. He was also armed with an ax when he charged deputies, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies also used less-lethal bean bag rounds, before shooting and hitting the man in the leg. In June, a man was shot in the leg and upper body after he charged at a deputy outside a home in Yokuts Valley. The man, described by the sheriffs office as a transient, was held on suspicion of attempting to remove an officers firearm after being airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center and listed in stable condition. Less than a week later, the sheriffs office reported another shooting in which a man charged at a deputy in southeast Fresno. The man allegedly threatened his family with a knife, but he was carrying a stick when he charged the deputy. The sheriffs office described it as being like a tree branch. The deputy retreated to the best of his ability, the sheriffs office spokesperson said at the time. As the suspect closed in, the deputy fired multiple shots, striking the suspect. The man died in the parking lot behind a Valero gas station near the intersection of Clovis and Balch avenues. Other Valley agencies In early May, a Selma police officer shot a man during a traffic stop. The man was still in his car at the time, according to the sheriffs office, which took over the investigation. The man was taken to an area hospital. In early June, police killed a 20-year old man in a shootout outside an apartment complex in Reedley. Police believed the man, who had just been released from jail, was responsible for a series of shootings and had killed one person, before his death. A 6-year-old boy drowned in a neighbors pool in Smith Township late Monday night. According to the Burgettstown Area School District, Gunner McMillan was a kindergarten student at Burgettstown Area Elementary Center last school year. Therese Presutti of Smith Township said, Its sad, it really is sad. I just cant believe. Im sick. He was the sweetest little kid. He was little, tiny. Had this little tiny red bicycle and hed go up and down the alleyway. I just cant believe it. Burgettstown Fire Chief Jerry McClain told Channel 11 that a bystander found the boy in his neighbors pool at around 7 p.m. Every house on Vian Avenue in Smith Township has a pool, but the house where the drowning happened had a fence, the fire chief said. Presutti continued, He come over and ride around that parking lot here, and there and then hed be here and then hed be here and every time hed go by hed say, Hi, Terri, Hi Terri! Medics worked on the victim for 45 minutes to an hour before he was flown to Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he was pronounced dead. The Burgettstown Area School District is bringing in school counselors, the district social worker and a counselor from Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services to meet with students struggling with McMillans death. With this loss occurring during the summer break, it is important that we reach out and let you know that though school is not in session, our support services are available, the school district said. A student death is a sensitive issue and we want to handle it as such. Sudden death is always painful, and difficult to understand. Your child may experience a wide range of emotions as they deal with the loss of a classmate. Counselors will be available at the following times and locations: Wednesday, Aug. 2 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Burgettstown Area Elementary Center No appointment necessary Thursday, Aug. 3 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Burgettstown Area Elementary Center No appointment necessary Story continues Grief counselors from Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services will also be available by phone every day, any time at 1-877-225-3567. The communities that comprise the Burgettstown Area School District come together in ways only small towns seem to in good times and in bad. There is a special bond between all, and when a tragedy strikes one, it hits home for all. We encourage everyone to embrace the emotions that may occur over the next several days and weeks, and to seek assistance if necessary. Gunner was a special boy, and as a member of the Class of 2035, will be missed, the school district said. Chief McClain says it was an emotional call and that he too is looking to bring in resources for first responders who need to talk. Smith Township police are handling the investigation. WPXI-TV reached out to the chief of police multiple times for more information, but did not hear back. A GoFundMe has been set up in Gunners name. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan arrested on domestic abuse charges Alligator spotted in river in Armstrong County Over 40 events planned for Pittsburghs National Night Out 2023 VIDEO: Parents, community voice concern over revised book policy at local school district DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts The Fulton County sheriff said Tuesday that threats have been made against himself and District Attorney Fani Willis (D) ahead of potential indictments over the investigation into former President Trumps alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Sheriff Patrick Labat said at a press conference Tuesday that the department has run those threats to the ground. He said the department will continue to use its Criminal Investigations Division and other resources to hold those making threats accountable. As my mom has said, You asked for this job, he said when asked how he felt about threats made against him. And our goal is to protect not just the DA the judges and everybody that has received those threats. Weve done a really good job of running those to ground. And again, as those individuals continue to make threats, go after those bad actors and hold them accountable. Labat said his office had made an arrest in connection to threats made several months ago, but the more recent threats remain under investigation. This comes after Willis, who is Black, told state employees that she has received racist threats and warned them to stay alert, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Willis told reporters this week her work is accomplished, signalling that the grand jury could make a decision soon regarding the investigation. A judge ruled Monday against Trumps attempt to quash the Georgia probe and remove Willis from any investigation. Labat also referred to security measures his office has taken ahead of potential indictments over the Trump election investigation. He said that barricades have been set up, adding that they are focused on a proactive security plan. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) thirsty for inviting Vice President Harris to their home state to debate over African American history standards approved last month. Imagine being desperate enough to be thirsty for a Kamala visit, Gaetz posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, alongside the letter DeSantis sent to Harris inviting her to Florida. DeSantis, who is vying to be the GOP presidential nominee in 2024, sent Harris a letter Monday inviting her to come to Florida to discuss the new rules for teaching Black history in the state. He said that he could meet with Harris as soon as Wednesday, adding that he hopes she is feeling up to it. In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues, DeSantis wrote in the letter. And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards, he added. Harris has been outspoken about the new rules, which require lessons on race to be taught in an objective manner that does not seek to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view. She said during a trip to Jacksonville, Fla., that the state was pushing propaganda onto children over the new standards which also mandates teachers instruct on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied to their personal benefit. DeSantis has pushed back on her comments, however, accusing Harris of creating a fake narrative with her remarks. Harris has stood by her criticism, saying Monday that it was ridiculous to have to say slavery had no benefits. DeSantis has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over the new history standards in the state. He has also come under scrutiny from Black conservatives, including fellow GOP presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C), who said in response to the new guidelines that there is no silver lining in slavery. The Hill has reached out to DeSantiss office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 25 Investigates learns that the gag order requested by Prosecutor Adam Lally in the Karen Read case, who is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, has been denied by the judge on Monday. ADA Lally said in court last week that witnesses are being harassed because of information that has been shared with the media prompting him to ask for a gag order in the case. Reads attorney, David Yannetti responded to the prosecutions request saying how dare you! He says he has every right to defend his client in and out of court New: The gag order requested by the prosecution in the Karen Read murder case has been denied. Judge Cannone heard arguments on this issue last week. pic.twitter.com/vZTlc2nUyc Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 31, 2023 Judge shoots down claims of impropriety in Karen Read murder case as defense pushes for fair trial Read is accused of hitting and killing OKeefe, her boyfriend, with her SUV while dropping him off at a party at the home of a fellow police officer in Canton back in January 2022. OKeefes bruised and battered body was discovered in a snowbank outside the home the next morning. Prosecutors allege Read was drunk behind the wheel when she hit OKeefe while executing a 3-point turn in the driveway. Read has maintained her innocence from the start, and her defense team says theres evidence to not only prove she is innocent but also points to a cover-up. Defense attorneys have alleged OKeefe was brutally beaten and attacked by a dog inside the Canton home and that Read is being framed for his murder. Karen Reads father, William, who spoke to Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel after last weeks hearing, said Im very grateful for their support. It befuddles me that this district attorney, Morrisey and aides cannot say, Okay, there was enough reasonable doubt to dismiss this case, William Read said. Story continues Read said a legal defense fund for his daughter has nearly 900 contributors whove pitched in over $120,000. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking fundraising steps often used by potential presidential candidates, setting up multiple committees that in their first three months have raised and spent millions of dollars. The three Newsom-affiliated committees are a political action committee, which limits contributions to $5,000 a year and can donate to individual candidates; a SuperPAC, which can raise unlimited amounts of cash but is restricted from promoting a specific candidate, and a joint fundraising committee, which functions like a bank, mostly collecting and distributing funds to the other groups. Newsom has repeatedly denied any interest in running for the nations highest office next year. But whether President Joe Biden wins or loses, there will be no Democratic incumbent in 2028. As governor of the nations largest state, the big winner of two elections and a recall, Newsom would be well-positioned for a White House run. Forming the trio of fundraising committees allows prospective candidates like Newsom to begin building a base of support and explore a run for federal office without saying it outright, according to Brendan Glavin, senior data analyst at Open Secrets. For someone who has an interest in launching a presidential campaign, these are the first steps youd take, Glavin said. I wouldnt say its set in stone, but certainly you wouldnt do all of these things if you werent thinking about it. Nathan Click, a campaign advisor for Newsom, flatly refuted that narrative and pointed to dozens of instances where the governor said he had no interest in the White House. Thats not what this is about, Click said. This is all about going deep into the reddest states and helping Democrats where theyre on defense. California Gov. Gavin Newsom participates in a march from the Tower Bridge with with his family and various dignitaries and community members on Friday, January 6, 2023. Presidential candidates use a similar strategy to Newsom Never Back Down, for instance, is a major player backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with $97 million on hand at the end of June. Robert Bigelow a Las Vegas hotel magnate and UFO researcher, gave the SuperPAC $20 million on March 30. Story continues Unite The Country, which supports President Joe Biden, raised and spent $49 million during the 2020 election cycle. Make American Great Again, a SuperPAC backing former President Donald Trump, reported $30.8 million on hand at the end of June. Newsoms PAC had $6.2 million on hand at the end of June and the SuperPAC had $6.3 million. Most of the money going to the committees came from funds raised by the governor during previous campaigns. About $2 million was raised through a Marin County fundraising event for Biden and another $1.1 million resulted from email blasts and in-person fundraisers for Democratic parties in red states such as Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Idaho and Utah, Click said. The SuperPAC got $666,666 from the California Conference of Carpenters-Builders and another $333,333 from Working for Working Americans, a Washington-based SuperPAC that supports building trades unions. It also received $25,000 from philanthropist Aileen Getty. Newsom has made it very clear he would never, ever, ever run for president, but on the off chance that he changes his mind, a lot of this would money would be available to him, said Dan Schnur, a political science professor at USC and former GOP political consultant. California governor takes on red states with new fundraising group When he launched the PAC, Newsom said it was his way of fighting back against rising authoritarianism and helping elect leaders in 2024 who believe in democracy. Newsom seeded it with more than $10 million from his gubernatorial campaign account. Since launching the organization in late March, Newsom has campaigned to rebut the GOP agenda and energize pockets of often neglected Democratic voters. Through fundraising emails and events, he has promoted his own agenda by calling for stricter gun control laws, greater access to abortion and protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community. Hes made at least two cross-country trips, visiting with party leaders and organizers in states such as Arkansas and Mississippi and hosting fundraising events in Idaho and Oregon. In early April, Newsom met with students of New College of Florida, the small liberal arts school that became a culture war flashpoint under presidential contender and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Republican governor placed six conservative allies on the colleges board of directors a move that Newsom said exhibited the Republican governors zest for demonization. Newsom also participated in a two-part interview last month with conservative talk show host Sean Hannity where he accused Fox News of airing a doom loop about California and defended Bidens reelection bid. Most of the spending was done by the Campaign for Democracy PAC. Theres a lengthy list of hotel and travel expenses, as Newsom visited Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and other Southern states earlier this year to promote Democrats. The governor also paid more than $100,000 for consulting to Bearstar Strategies, the most powerful political consultancy in California, and $7,500 for polling, though its unclear what the subject of the poll was. The PAC gave $10,000 to the Arkansas Democratic Party and helped the Senate campaign of Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, whos running a longshot campaign against incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Details on Newsoms PAC finances Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Katie Hartzog Walker was promoted to assistant agent in charge of the GBIs Metro Gang Task Force, the GBI announced Tuesday. Katie Walker was promoted to a new role in the GBI's Metro Gang Task Force. Walker, who is from Warner Robins, is a resident of Athens and began her career with the state agency as an investigator in the GBIs regional office in Athens. Her skills and expertise in investigating and dismantling criminal organizations will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the GBI's efforts to keep our communities safe, GBI Director Chris Hosey said. Walker, who graduated the University of Georgia in 2011 with a degree in child and family development, began her career in law enforcement as a sex offender analyst with the Georgia Information and Sharing and Analysis Center. After joing in the GBI in 2014, she later became a member of the agencys Special Enforcement Team and became a hostage negotiator. She is also a member of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association. Walkers investigative experience and success as a field agent will be an asset to the Metro Gang Task Force members and the agencies they assist, GBI Division Director Cynthia Adkins said. In her new role, Walker will supervise staff assigned to the gang task force which investigates gang associated crimes from murder to drug trafficking. Fraud: Athens woman buys gift cards after falling for arrest warrant scam Law Enforcement: Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum named 2023 Georgia Sheriff of the Year This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: GBI Agent Katie Walker receives promotion in state's gang task force Students experience study camp themed on ocean and art in Tianjin's museums Xinhua) 08:58, August 01, 2023 Students watch an immersive show of an artwork at the Tianjin Digital Art Museum in Tianjin, north China, July 30, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Students learn to set up a tent in the guidance of a teacher at the Tianjin Digital Art Museum in Tianjin, north China, July 30, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Students take part in a drawing activity at the National Maritime Museum of China in Tianjin, north China, July 29, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Students visit the National Maritime Museum of China in Tianjin, north China, July 29, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Students watch an immersive show of an artwork at the Tianjin Digital Art Museum in Tianjin, north China, July 30, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Students experience painting on porcelains at the National Maritime Museum of China in Tianjin, north China, July 29, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Students watch an immersive show of an artwork at the Tianjin Digital Art Museum in Tianjin, north China, July 30, 2023. During the summer vacation, the National Maritime Museum of China and the Tianjin Digital Art Museum jointly offered students with a study camp themed on ocean and art. Altogether 22 students from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province learnt knowledge of ocean and nature and got in touch with digital art during the camp. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Russian sabotage unit tried unsuccessfully to cross the Ukrainian border into Chernihiv Oblast, Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev said on Aug. 1. "Last night in the northern direction of Chernihiv Oblast, (Ukrainian forces) prevented an attempt by an enemy sabotage group to cross Ukraine's state border," Naiev wrote on his Telegram channel. "Four armed people were spotted by border guards of the second border outpost using thermal vision." According to Naiev, Ukrainian troops opened fire on the Russian unit and forced it to retreat. Following an alarm, reinforcements from border guards and the military arrived, he added. "Thanks to the skillful actions of the Defense Forces, the enemy once again suffered losses and did not achieve its goal," Naiev commented. Chernihiv Oblast lies at Ukraine's northern border with Russia and Belarus. It has been partially occupied during Russia's initial onslaught in February 2022, but the invading forces withdrew in April after the Kremlin's failure to take Kyiv. Since then, settlements near the border in the oblast come under regular Russian strikes. Naiev previously reported an unsuccessful attempt by Russian sabotage groups to cross the border of Chernihiv Oblast on July 21. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Aug. 1 that Russia had lost 246,690 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24 last year. This number includes 500 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 4,216 tanks, 8,205 armored fighting vehicles, 7,324 vehicles and fuel tanks, 4,839 artillery systems, 699 multiple launch rocket systems, 462 air defense systems, 315 airplanes, 311 helicopters, 4,027 drones, and 18 boats. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating Donald Trump's actions after the 2020 election A Georgia prosecutor has reported receiving racist threats and abuse as she decides whether to charge former President Donald Trump. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating Mr Trump for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 US election. On Monday, Mr Trump's legal team unsuccessfully requested she be disqualified from the case. A grand jury vote is expected soon on possible criminal charges. In a letter seen by CBS, the BBC's US partner, Ms Willis warned local officials to "stay alert" this month as the decision looms. Ms Willis, a Democrat, cited a recent email in which she was subject to racist and sexist language and told she will fail. She said that the letter was "pretty typical" of correspondence she has received. There have also been threatening phone calls to her office that were similar in nature, she said. "I took an oath. No one other than the citizens of Fulton County put me in this seat," Ms Willis said in the letter. "I have every intention of doing my job. Please make decisions that keep your staff safe". Local media has reported that additional security measures have been implemented at the Fulton County courthouse ahead of a possible decision from the grand jury. In a separate letter in May, Ms Willis warned that any charges "may provoke a significant public reaction". The Georgia probe, in part, focuses on a phone call between Mr Trump and Georgia's chief election officer in which the former president suggested that officials could "find" over 11,000 votes to tip the election in his favour. The potential charges reportedly include solicitation of election fraud, making false statements to government officials and racketeering. Ms Willis has previously said that any potential charges would likely be filed in August. Story continues On Monday, a Georgia judge rejected a bid by Mr Trump's lawyers to remove Ms Willis from the case and to quash a report from the grand jury - one of two sworn in earlier this month - that examines his role in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Mr Trump, for his part, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He has also characterised the phone call at the heart of the case as being "perfect" and accused Ms Willis of carrying out a "political witch hunt". The Georgia case is one of a number of legal issues currently facing Mr Trump. On Tuesday he was charged with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election defeat - his third indictment in the past four months. Mr Trump has also been charged in New York with alleged financial crimes, and in Florida with mishandling classified documents. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a traffic accident in Spalding County which left one man injured. According to a release by the Griffin Police Department, early Tuesday morning, officers were called to North Expressway after receiving report of someone being struck by a vehicle. Police said they found a man who was struck by a tractor-trailer around 4 a.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Due to his injuries, police said the victim was flown to a nearby trauma center for medical treatment and the accident investigation was turned over to GSP. There are no further patient updates at this time. The victims identity was withheld by law enforcement, pending notification of his family. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] OTHER NEWS: Rex A. Heuermann, an architect who is accused of the Gilgo Beach murders, appears in Rex A. Heuermann, an architect who is accused of the Gilgo Beach murders, appears in "selfie" photographs provided by prosecutors. Rex Heuermanns wife and family are still reeling from allegations that the New York architect killed at least three women in a string of grisly murders. Heuermann, 59, was arrested last month in connection with the notorious Gilgo Beach murders. He was charged with three counts each of first- and second-degree murder and is suspected of killing a fourth woman. The victims remains were found near the Long Island beach between 2010 and 2011. In an interview with the New York Post on Monday, his wife, Asa Ellerup, said the family is still in shock. I woke up in the middle of the night, shivering, she told the newspaper. My children cry themselves to sleep. I mean, theyre not children. Theyre grown adults but theyre my children, and my son has developmental disabilities and he cried himself to sleep. Hes so distraught and doesnt understand, she later added. And as a mother, I have no answers for him. But I said, Were together. Ellerup filed for divorce after Heuermanns arrest and was prohibited from entering their Massapequa Park home as investigators searched for trophies of her husbands alleged killings. She was reportedly seen outside their home as it was being searched. The 59-year-old said once she was allowed to enter, she might have had a few steps of walking space amid the forensic ransacking. Asa Ellerup said her kids cry themselves to sleep and that her son doesn't understand. Asa Ellerup said her kids cry themselves to sleep and that her son doesn't understand. I had three cats, she told the New York Post. Litter boxes were a strew, thrown on top of everything. My pictures were thrown all over the place. My couch was completely shredded. I dont even know if theres any parts to the couch. She described having to remove the foam from a Pelican travel case so she could have a place to lie down, as well as authorities removing a greenhouse from the backyard, where theyve been digging for evidence. Story continues Her daughter, Victoria Heuermann, said the way shes been treated felt not human. Ellerups lawyer Bob Macedonio who previously said the family is enduring a profound and indescribable catastrophe said Victoria meant authorities treated them like animals. Rex Heuermann is accused of killing Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Amber Costello, 27, and suspected of killing Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25. They were among the skeletal remains of at least 10 people, most of whom were sex workers, found on Gilgo Beach. Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility. The county sheriff told WABC in New York that when he visited Heuermann, he showed no emotion. Related... Shannon Stapleton/Reuters As authorities continue their extensive investigation into Rex Heuermann, one surprising ally has joined the efforts to help the Gilgo Beach serial murder suspects family: the daughter of another notorious killer. Melissa Moore, the daughter of the infamous Happy Face Killer, has set up a GoFundMe to help Heuermanns wife and two adult children after the Long Island architects July arrest. The fundraising campaign, which states it began after a request from Heuermanns wife, Asa Ellerup, has raised $6,075 from 187 donations as of Tuesday afternoon. Long Island attorney Vess Mitevwho is representing Heuermanns two adult children, Victoria Heuermann and Christopher Sheridanconfirmed Moores involvement in the efforts to help his clients after the July 13 arrest of their father. Moore also promoted the GoFundMe on her TikTok account. Gilgo Beach Suspect Rex Heuermanns Wife Files for Divorce I have an opportunity to use my voice to help Asa, who isnt in a place to speak about the terror and horror she and her family are experiencing at this moment, Moore said in the online campaign. While people may assume Asa has the funds to start a new life, the assumption is just that. The funds are to assist Asa and their [sic] family to divorce her alleged serial killer husband and any extra for starting her new life, therapy, basic needs for the children, and to restore the home to whole (as evidence collection damage or destroyed many critical household items), Moore added. Heuermann, 59, has pleaded not guilty in connection with the slayings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. He also remains the prime suspect in the 2007 killing of a fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Heuermann attended his first pre-trial conference in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, at which prosecutors said they handed over a tremendous amount of discovery to the defense. Heuermanns attorney told reporters outside court that his client maintains his innocence. Story continues Mitev said that while Heuermann goes through the legal process, his family is in immediate need, with their Long Island home in deplorable conditions after authorities extensive 12-day search. Its important to reiterate that obviously these peoples lives have been turned upside down, Mitev told The Daily Beast, adding that Moore is helping with the efforts out of the goodness of her heart. Moore herself was forced into the media spotlight after a family members arrest for heinous crimes. Her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, is a Canadian-born trucker who was convicted of murdering at least eight women across the United States between 1990 and 1995. Jesperson is notoriously known as the Happy Face Killer because of the drawings he would add to letters he sent to the media and police before his arrest. My mother and my family were and are victims. We did not know about his double life. I have waited to create this GoFundMe, as I didnt want to offer support if she would not want it. I needed Asas consent, Moore said on the GoFundMe page. The consent, she said, came earlier this week when Ellerup spoke out from her Long Island front porch. In a Monday interview with the New York Post, Ellerup described the damage to her one-story home after authorities concluded their search last week. She said the mess included a shredded couch, a damaged bathtub, and piles of boxes. ( Ellerup filed for divorce days after Heuermanns arrest.) Mitev also went into detail about his clients living conditions after Heuermanns arrest. He slammed what he described as the awful and unnecessary mishandling and treatment of their house and stressed that the family is living a waking nightmare. He said that while Heuermanns children have asked for privacy, they will soon tell their story. We are going to address the world very soon. A lot of things are going to be revealed. There is a reason for that, he added. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann's house searched by investigators. FAMILY IMPACTED BY ARREST Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is due back in court for a bail hearing Tuesday, the day after his estranged wife shared the impact of his arrest and the ongoing investigation is having on the family. Continue reading WHAT ELSE IS HE HIDING? Archer confirms Joe Biden 'lied' about knowledge of Hunter's business dealings, Comer says. Continue reading INCREDIBLE HUMAN 'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud dead at 25. Continue reading A SIGN OF THE TIMES Lawmakers wearing 'JCPenney leisure suits' with '8-track tape players' regulating AI means trouble: GOP rep. Continue reading WITNESS HEARING Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed will attend a hearing Tuesday in New Mexico on the state's motion to keep a witness' identity secret. Continue reading - READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP VOTERS LIKE JOE Hunter Bidens legal scandals impact on president's 2024 re-election is a concern for Democrats.' Continue reading BAD IDEA Democrat governor allows non-US citizens to become police officers with new law. Continue reading CLIMATE CHANGE LIES? Bernie Sanders leads lawmakers demanding DOJ prosecute fossil fuel companies for climate change. Continue reading SPIN ROOM ABC News asks Kamala Harris how much 'race and gender' contribute to her dismal polling. Continue reading Click here for more cartoons THOSE ARE JUST THE REALITIES DeSantis says Trump can't win in a general election. Continue reading 'CATASTROPHIC University fires professor over dubious racial bias studies: extreme negligence. Continue reading ON THE MOVE Disgruntled CNN employees feel grass is greener at rival NBC News, media insider says. Continue reading NOBODY HAS LIFTED A FINGER Rand Paul says Dr. Fauci caught 'red-handed' for lying to Congress. Continue reading Story continues ABBY JOHNSON Woke culture has pushed this mom too far. Continue reading DAN GAINOR Cancel culture is getting canceled and it's about time. Continue reading CHUCK DEVORE Biden admin begins enforcing light bulb bans nationwide. Continue reading LAURA INGRAHAM People see that as most Americans are getting poorer, the Bidens keep getting richer. Continue reading JESSE WATTERS Foreign companies paid Hunter Biden for access to Joe. Continue reading SEAN HANNITY - Joe Biden 'outright' lied. Continue reading HEROES SAVE LIVES Police prevent 'potential mass shooting' at Jewish school, suspect in critical condition. Continue reading HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTER IN COURT Hearing resumes Tuesday to decide if Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley, who pled guilty in October 2022 to 24 counts, including four counts of first-degree murder, will spend the remainder of his life in prison without parole. Continue reading 'SUCH A GENIUS' 'Pee-wee Herman' star Paul Reubens remembered by Hollywood. Continue reading MURDAUGH PARTNERS COURT DATE Russell Laffitte, a friend of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh who helped Murdaugh steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from former Murdaugh clients, will appear in federal court Tuesday for sentencing. Continue reading WATCH: SCARY LIGHTNING STRIKE: A videographer captured the moment Chicagos Willis Tower was struck by lightning during a recent storm. See the stunning moment caught on camera. See video WATCH: If Hunter Biden was a Republican, hed be in jail: Gov. Ron DeSantis. See video WATCH: We have spent a lot of money in Ukraine: Dan Hoffman. See video Whats it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox News Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Well see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Surfers ride waves sculpted by gusty Santa Ana winds at the Huntington Beach Pier in January 2021. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Ocean waves along the California coastline have long symbolized the best the state has to offer: surf-ready swells at Malibu and Rincon; the misty beauty of breakers crashing along the North Coast; the foamy, playful waves welcoming beachgoers from San Diego to Santa Cruz. But climate change has left no part of the sea unaltered. As melting glaciers and hotter temperatures force global sea levels ever higher, the height and power of ocean waves are increasing along Californias coast and elsewhere. Using seismic data stretching back nearly a century, oceanographer Peter Bromirski of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has found that the height of winter waves has increased by an average of nearly 12 inches since 1970. That makes them 13% taller, on average, than winter waves from 1931 to 1969. Whats more, intense storms producing waves greater than 13 feet in height occurred twice as often from 1996 to 2016 as they did from 1949 to 1969, Bromirski found. His study was published Tuesday in the Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans. The numbers confirm what many coastal residents have experienced firsthand as they've seen floodwaters lap over boardwalks and cliffs crumble away: The sea is becoming harder to restrain. Read more: The California coast is disappearing under the rising sea. Our choices are grim The study's data on the increased frequency of giant waves are especially interesting, said Brett Sanders, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Irvine who was not directly involved in the research. Beaches usually erode quickly during storms and then recover slowly under mild wave conditions, said Sanders, who runs UCIs Flood Lab. But when the coast experiences several storms in a row, with inadequate time for beach recovery, the impacts of winter storms magnify as we saw this year in Northern California. "Given increases in wave energy and rising sea levels," he said, "a takeaway message is that holding back coastal erosion is becoming even more challenging. Story continues Homes were condemned, and some removed, due to erosion along Esplanade Avenue in Pacifica, Calif. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The study takes a long look back at the history of Californias winter storms, which are typically far more frequent and destructive than summer ones. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maintains a network of buoys that collect data on wave height along the U.S. coasts. That program wasnt founded until the 1970s, after average global temperatures had already begun their post-industrial ascent. To go further back in time, Bromirski gathered data from seismograph records held in UC Berkeleys archives. Designed to detect earthquakes, the seismographs were sensitive enough to pick up on pressure fluctuations caused by waves pounding shores miles away. The years-long, labor-intensive process of converting paper graphics into digital data required a small squadron of undergraduate assistants and a special flatbed scanner, but when it was done, Bromirski had a solid record of wave activity along the California coast stretching back to the Great Depression. Read more: Go underwater with the scientists rushing to rescue coral from the Lower 48's only barrier reef The results confirmed that warming temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions are indeed associated with stronger and more frequent storms, as oceanographers and climate scientists have long predicted. To warm the planet is to put more energy into the atmosphere, Bromirski said. That produces stronger storms that produce stronger winds that lead to higher waves. Huge waves crash near El Segundo's shoreline in January 2015. (John Antczak / Associated Press) The data show that long periods of relatively quiet wave activity are quite literally history. The periods of 1939 to 1947 and 1957 to 1965 were marked by significantly less wave activity than average. That kind of calm seems to have evaporated as temperatures rose. Those periods of low wave activity are significant in telling you what was possible before the atmosphere was energized, Bromirski said. We havent seen anything like it after 1970. Read more: Rising sea levels pose perilous threat to California coast as study raises new alarms The waves that pummel the coastline during Californias winter storms are largely generated in the North Pacific. So, to compare his calculations to recorded storm activity in the North Pacific, Bromirski looked at the Aleutian Low, a semi-permanent wintertime low-pressure system near Alaskas Aleutian Islands. The intensity of the Aleutian Low has generally increased since 1970, right in line with the increased storms in Bromirskis data. The results in this paper are consistent with what we have seen from satellite data and model hindcasts over the last 35 years, said Ian Young, a professor of engineering at the University of Melbourne who studies wave mechanics but was not involved in this paper. "Wave model projections for the future show that under expected global warming scenarios, we will see continued growth in ocean waves out to 2100. Most of the energy behind Californias summer waves is generated in the winter swells of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, where the biggest waves are only getting bigger as the planet warms. The average wave in the Southern Ocean has grown nearly 8 inches in the last 30 years. The tallest 10% of that oceans waves have grown an additional 12 inches, on average, during that same time period. None of this is good news for the coastline. Read more: Here's where Californias cliffs are collapsing into the sea the fastest The average sea level worldwide has increased by 7 to 8 inches in the last century, primarily as a result of human activity. Should greenhouse gas emissions continue as projected, sea levels along some parts of Californias coastline could rise as much as 66 inches by 2100, drowning two-thirds of the state's beaches . In a higher sea, even a wave of moderate height will strike the coast with as much force as a much taller wave carries today, Bromirski said. The waves are riding in on sea level, he said. The higher the seas rise, the more powerful that ride gets, and the faster the effects of erosion and flooding reshape life in California. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON Congress is out for its August recess but lawmakers will have a monumental task ahead of them when they return to Washington in September funding the federal government. Once lawmakers get back to Capitol Hill in mid-September, the House and Senate will be in session for roughly three weeks until the Sep. 30 deadline to pass a federal budget. On Oct. 1, a new fiscal year begins. If lawmakers cannot push through 11 out of 12 separate spending bills, after passing just one before the August recess, the country will face a government shutdown. However, lawmakers could pass a continuing resolution, which would avert a shutdown and fund the government at current levels until an agreed upon date. But with a deeply divided Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate, it is unclear whether lawmakers can avert a shutdown in time. The outcome is even murkier with some Republicans from the House Freedom Caucus, a group of the most conservative lawmakers, either openly welcoming a shutdown or dismissing concerns about one. We should not fear a government shutdown," Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., a member of the Freedom Caucus said at a press conference last week. "Most of the American people won't even miss if the government is shut down temporarily." Here's how lawmakers are progressing in funding talks and how a government shutdown could affect you. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., center, speaks as members of the House Freedom Caucus hold a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 10, 2023. From left are Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Fla., Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. What are House lawmakers fighting about? The major fight on government spending is happening in the House, where Republicans hold a slim five-seat majority. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have been demanding deeper cuts across the board from House GOP leadership after the debt ceiling negotiations between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, D-Calif., and President Joe Biden. Hardline conservatives felt like they were left out of those conversations. We gave up all that leverage, Good told reporters last week about the debt ceiling negotiations. With the funding debate coming up in September, Good urged his colleagues to leverage a shutdown. Story continues If (a government shutdown) is a requirement to break bad habits, so be it. And this town has a bad habits problem, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., another member of the Freedom Caucus, told reporters last Tuesday. Another sticking point for House conservatives is their insistence on leadership to vote on 12 separate bills funding the government as opposed to one large omnibus spending bill, a practice Congress has become accustomed to over past years. Voting on the 12 separate bills was a key concession McCarthy made to Freedom Caucus members in his pursuit of the speakership back in January a position he won after 15 historic rounds of voting. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mo., another member of the Freedom Caucus, said he will refuse to approve any funding legislation until all 12 bills are moved out of committee so he can see the total cost of spending. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., speaks during a news conference with the House Freedom Caucus on the debt limit negotiations at the U.S. Capitol Building on March 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. Will Congress take steps to buy more time? One option if Congress cannot come to a deal before Sep. 30 is to pass a continuing resolution, which will keep funding at or close to current levels to buy lawmakers more time at the negotiating table. Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., a key GOP leadership ally and negotiator during the debt ceiling discussions, said last Wednesday he would only consider a continuing resolution for a limited time. Its not my first preference, Graves told USA TODAY, adding a continuing resolution would extend Democratic policies from last year's spending bill when Democrats still controlled the House which he said was not in our interest. Even then, it is uncertain whether a continuing resolution could pass. Some members from the House Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., have said they have no plans to support a continuing resolution. Other lawmakers, when asked, have avoided discussing the idea. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said lawmakers from both the House and Senate should start negotiations during the August recess to beat the Sep. 30 deadline. We can be starting those negotiations over the August work period and then come back in September to finish whats left, he said during a press conference last week. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks to reporters following a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans as Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., struggles to round up the votes for his sweeping debt ceiling package, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. What can pass in both chambers? House Republicans have been pushing through a litany of amendments with deeper spending cuts related to conservative culture wars, such as limiting abortion access for service members and blocking the VA from displaying pride flags. The ambitious policy changes have little to no chance of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House has already issued a veto threat for one appropriations bill the House passed along party line votes last Thursday. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told USA TODAY Democrats wont support spending bills if Republicans put cultural stuff in there. They know that and they will be perceived as responsible for shutting down the government, which I think hurts them politically, Hoyer said. He added that a government shutdown is "not just bad policy, it's stupid." Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said the country could see a shutdown because of the far-right GOP, adding that many amendments they are pushing for are stripping freedoms away from Americans. "It's offensive," she said. "It is not what the American people need and they have no interest in trying to legislate for what we actually need to do in this body." McCarthy has dismissed concerns that the Houses spending plans have no chance in the Senate, telling reporters before the August recess that he met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to begin negotiations early to avoid a shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy of Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listen as President Joe Biden speaks before a meeting to discuss the debt limit in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Washington. What does a government shutdown do? If the government shuts down, you can expect various government functions to slow down. But every shutdown slightly differs. The Office and Management and Budget coordinates plans for a shutdown developed by each federal agency. These plans are updated on a rolling basis. The OMB tells the agencies what functions must continue under certain exceptions, such as being considered essential or being a program that does not require annual authorization from Congress. Federal employees who do not work in services considered essential are prevented from doing their jobs and those who are considered essential see their paychecks paused. During the 2018-2019 government shutdown, around 800,000 federal employees were either furloughed or working without pay. After the shutdown ends, those employees receive retroactive pay for the length of the shutdown. Some of the services considered essential include flights, border patrol, Social Security and Medicare benefits. Workers involved in those services, such as air traffic controllers, work without pay. But even those essential services could be impacted by a shutdown as well. During the 2018-2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days and was the longest shutdown, some TSA agents and air traffic controllers were unable to work due to financial limitations, resulting in crowded airports, flight delays and terminal closures. Among other ways a shutdown could affect you: National parks: Some national parks might close and others could offer limited services. Small businesses: Small business owners will be unable to either access or apply to small business loans. Homebuyers: Processing times could be slower for prospective homeowners looking for a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Food inspections: The Food and Drug Administration will have to halt food inspections, potentially impacting the countrys food supply. Congaree National Park can be explored by both land and water. Government shutdown history: What happened in the past? The past few government shutdowns have been over specific policy disputes. Heading into September, it is unclear what the main point of contention will be in Congress. Dec. 2018 - Jan. 2019: This was the longest government shutdown in the history of the U.S., lasting 35 days. Former President Donald Trump pushed for funding for construction of a wall on the southern border but Democratic lawmakers refused to support any spending bill with provisions for a wall. Trump ultimately declared a national emergency to bypass Congress and finance the wall. Jan. 2018: The government shut down for three days. Democratic lawmakers attempted to pressure Trump to protect recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The shutdown was resolved after then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., promised Democrats to continue negotiations and hold a floor vote on immigration reform. Oct. 2013: The government shut down for 17 days. Republican lawmakers, who were heavily opposed to former President Barack Obama's then-new health care law, the Affordable Care Act, attempted to delay the implementation of the legislation. GOP leadership ultimately backed away from its fight as the shutdown progressed. In the Senate, 'cooler heads will prevail' Several senators from both sides of the aisle, however, told USA TODAY they do not think a government shutdown is likely. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said there are zero chances of a shutdown. We did a bill a couple of years back that guarantees all federal employees get paid if theres a shutdown, Kaine said. So why would you shut the door and still pay people to not come into the office and serve their fellow Americans? Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she is not planning on a government shutdown. Wont happen, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. I dont think anybody benefits from a government shutdown. Cooler heads will prevail, he added. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown 2023: What Congress is saying about funding fight DAYTONA BEACH A week and a half after four people were shot outside Razzle's nightclub on Seabreeze Boulevard, Mayor Derrick Henry called a press conference to let people know what the city's doing to make that beachside corridor and other trouble spots in the city's core area safer. Speaking at City Hall before reporters and several city staff members Tuesday, Henry detailed plans to add more cameras and lights. He also explained the city's efforts to hire more police officers and open a new police substation about a block north of Seabreeze Boulevard. He even suggested metal detectors at businesses be considered as an additional deterrent of crime. "We are a community of almost 80,000 residents, most of whom are very much law abiding and very much have a great deal of respect for the police, rule of law and the neighbors," Henry said. "Unfortunately, from time to time you will have these situations that escalate. It seems to happen in cycles. I've been mayor now for almost 12 years, so I have seen the escalation and de-escalation of crime, and violent crime in particular, sometimes has spikes." On Tuesday, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry held a press conference at City Hall to address chronic crime on Seabreeze Boulevard and other parts of the city's core, and explain what the city's doing to help. Efforts are underway to install new cameras and lighting, open a new police substation and hire more police officers. According to crime map statistics compiled by the Daytona Beach Police Department, there have been 108 reports of crime incidents in the past six months within a half mile of the intersection of Seabreeze and Grandview Avenue. That compares with 228 reports for a similar six-month period in 2021. The list of incidents includes vandalism, narcotics, larceny, armed robbery and drunk drivers. The mayor said the level of crime is unacceptable. "It concerns me because honestly I have gone to too many funerals, both for relatives and folks that I know in the community," Henry said. "I've spoken at funerals of students, and folks I know who have died as a result of gun violence." Efforts underway to pare Seabreeze crime Henry explained the efforts in progress aimed at preventing future crime. Story continues City commissioners recently decided to spend more than $3.5 million over the next few years to buy and install cameras and lighting on Seabreeze Boulevard and Main Street to improve public safety. The bulk of that $3.5 million expense is new lighting, some of which could be in place in about a month. The Seabreeze cameras are estimated to cost $100,000. The plan is to put high-tech cameras with multiple views on eight poles strategically placed along Seabreeze Boulevard. Because of supply problems, it might take up to 28 weeks to get the poles, Henry said. City staff members are trying to expedite that process. The city is also interested in adding cameras to Main Street and roads such as Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Midtown. City staff members will be talking to business owners about the possibility of placing some cameras on their property and connecting to their electricity. Wireless cameras are also being considered. City commissioners will discuss cameras at their meeting Wednesday night. The cameras will stream in real time to police officers who can watch from the new Seabreeze neighborhood police substation at 654 N. Grandview Ave. The substation is expected to be operational by Sept. 1. City staff members were slated to meet Florida Power & Light officials on the beachside Tuesday to discuss the lighting improvements and look at where the new fixtures could be placed. Because Seabreeze Boulevard is a state road, the Florida Department of Transportation is also involved and helping with funding. One project will add more LED lights in crosswalk areas to improve pedestrian safety from Halifax Avenue to A1A. "We're trying to make sure we're giving the police department the resources they need to do their job," Henry said. Daytona filling its police department vacancies Henry said the police department has filled about half of the 41 vacancies it had a year ago, and more recruits about to go through training this fall are hoped to fill some of the 20 or so vacancies that remain. Higher pay approved last year and a chance to reach full retirement after 20 years instead of 25 is helping fill Daytona's ranks, the mayor said. The police department has 242 budgeted positions. The city is also offering officers who work special detail at the Seabreeze bars $60-$80 per hour. After four people were shot outside a Seabreeze Boulevard nightclub July 22, the city is continuing planned efforts to address crime there and is looking at additional things that could be done. For several years, the city has required businesses that serve alcohol and stay open past midnight to get extended hours permits from the city. In exchange for being able to stay open until 2 a.m., all permit holders are required to maintain security cameras that record all exit and entrance points used by patrons. Recordings have to be maintained by businesses for 45 days, and have to be made available to the city within three days of a written request. The after-hours permit holders also have to maintain on and outside their premises adequate private security or at least one outside duty police officer during the extended hours of operation and until all patrons have left the premises. A total of 13 businesses on Seabreeze have the extended hours permits. City staff members are talking to businesses about the idea of adding metal detectors, and whether they would allow new cameras to be placed on their property. Razzle's had 436 calls for service in 2021 and 2022, the Oyster Pub had 218 in that time period, Grandview Live had 214, Molly Brown's had 137 and Lollipops had 114. The rest of Seabreeze's bars and clubs were in double digits for police calls. The total number of calls was 1,468. "We're not here to attack bars, but the numbers are what they are," the mayor said. What happened near Razzle's July 22? The recent quadruple shooting occurred just before midnight on July 22 near Razzle's Nightclub at 611 Seabreeze Blvd., on the street's eastern end near Atlantic Avenue. Daytona Beach police arrested 29-year-old Karla Bermudez and charged her with attempted murder. All four victims are expected to recover. Daytona Beach released this photo of the woman they said they were seeking in connection to the July 22 shooting of four people outside Razzle's nightclub on Seabreeze Boulevard. The shootings happened two years after tourism leaders, elected officials, city and county government staff members, merchants, residents and others gathered for a well-attended brainstorming session to improve Seabreeze Boulevard. But nothing much has changed, and the most recent shootings have renewed residents frustration. One thing that has changed is the closing time for bars in Daytona Beach, which is now an hour earlier at 2 a.m. after the previous 3 a.m. closing time. The change went into effect on June 1, 2022. More trouble on Daytona's Seabreeze Blv: 'A matter of feeling safe': Seabreeze neighborhood residents react to weekend shooting Late-night noise, fights, trash, and mayhem on Seabreeze were the main factors behind the push for the earlier bar hours. A little over a year later, long-suffering residents applaud that change, but say more needs to be done. Some are calling for the installation of metal detectors at entrances to the street that is flooded with pedestrians and vehicles on weekend nights. Others recommend pulling late-night operating permits for establishments that cant control patrons inside as well as in parking lots and other outside areas. You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona's Seabreeze getting new cameras, lighting, cops, substation A Google Street View vehicle led Indiana police on a high-speed chase before slamming into a muddy creek, authorities say. The pursuit began at about 5 p.m. on July 31, when Middletown Police Department Chief Landon Dean spotted a small vehicle speeding past other motorists near a high school, barreling west on U.S. Interstate 36, the department said in an Aug. 1 news release. The vehicle looked unusual, with a tall piece of equipment anchored to the roof, stretching into the air, with cameras mounted to it, photos show. It was a Google Street View car and it was moving at more than 100 mph, the department said. As the Vehicle passed by it was identified by Dean as a Google Mapping car with several 360 degree cameras mounted on a tall antenna on top of the car, the release said. Though the car hadnt slowed down, Dean managed to catch up as the driver continued speeding past other vehicles, according to police, but the Google vehicle refused to stop. Dean kept pursuing the car several miles into a neighboring county, the department said. The driver slowed down before a red light at an intersection, but then kept going, police said. The chase continued to the edge of Pendleton a town roughly 12 miles west of where the pursuit started when the driver tried to turn east to avoid a closed bridge, according to the release. At that point, the driver lost control and drove through a yard and then into a creek where it became stuck, the department said. Police took the driver into custody and he told officers that he worked for Google and was scared to stop, the release said, adding that his drivers license identified him as a Florida resident. He was arrested and booked into the Henry County Jail on a charge of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, police said. Google is aware of the incident, a spokesperson told McClatchy News in an email. We partner with contractors to drive and collect imagery, the spokesperson said. We take the safety of our Street View operations very seriously, and were committed to working with the contracted company and local authorities to ensure the proper actions are taken to address this situation. Story continues Middletown is roughly 50 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis. Mom uses her teen daughter as a human shield after 100-mph chase in Texas, cops say Carjacking victim courageously thwarts armed suspects escape, Florida deputies say Good Samaritan stops to aid car crash victim and gets his truck stolen, NC cops say Man was playing a real-life Grand Theft Auto during 120-mph chase, Florida cops say Super PACs backing presidential candidates released their semi-annual financial disclosures on Monday, with the group supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bid for president leading the pack with a $130 million haul. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trumps political operation is burning through money as his legal troubles mount. The new Federal Election Commission filings reveal which PACs and billionaire or millionaire donors are boosting the hopefuls bids for the White House. In many cases, just a few donors make up the bulk of the super PACs troves. Super PACs cannot directly coordinate with presidential campaigns, so campaigns cannot touch the money these groups raise. But the super PACs can spend in support of candidates without their coordination. Here are the takeaways from key groups supporting 2024s presidential candidates. Just four contributions account for bulk of pro-DeSantis super PACs fundraising Never Back Down Inc., the super PAC backing DeSantis presidential campaign, brought in a whopping $130 million in the first six months of 2023, according to a new FEC filing. However, most of that fundraising comes from a different PAC and a single donor. Empower Parents PAC, which used to be DeSantis state political committee, contributed $82.5 million, and Robert Bigelow, the wealthy hotel magnate and space entrepreneur, donated more than $20 million. Those two contributions alone make up more than 78% of Never Back Downs total receipts. Bigelow has long supported DeSantis and previously contributed $10 million to the Florida governors state political committee. A second group, Faithful & Strong Policies Inc., donated $5.5 million to Never Back Down, making it the third largest contributor the pro-DeSantis PAC. That organization is also based in Florida. And Douglas Leone, a venture capitalist at Sequoia Capital, gave Never Back Down $2 million. In 2019, Leone contributed $50,000 to America First Action Inc., a PAC that supported Trumps reelection effort. Story continues Those four contributions Empower Parents PAC, Bigelow, Faithful & Strong Policies Inc. and Leone account for 84% of Never Back Downs total fundraising. Several other millionaire and billionaire donors, including Elizabeth Uihlein and Richard Uihlein, Stefan Brodie, David Millstone and Saul Fox, all contributed at least $1 million each. The group spent nearly $33.8 million in the first half of the year, and as of June 30 had $96.8 million on hand. While DeSantis super PAC commands a massive war chest, campaign finance rules prevent direct coordination between super PACs and campaigns, meaning DeSantis campaign cant touch any of that money. So while Never Back Down will likely be able to continue to raise massive funds, it wont be able to help with the staff layoffs and belt-tightening the DeSantis campaign has done in recent weeks. Scaramucci among early donors to Christie super PAC Anthony Scaramucci and a GOP megadonor who paid for luxury trips for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas are among the donors to the super PAC supporting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies 2024 presidential bid. The Tell It Like It Is PAC reported receiving nearly $5.9 million in the first half of 2023, according to a report it filed Monday with Federal Election Commission. Monday marks the deadline for political committees to file financial reports covering the first half of the year. The Christie-aligned PAC only reported receiving contributions between May 30 and June 30 in this filing. Christie formally announced his presidential campaign on June 6. Harlan Crow, a Republican real estate magnate, contributed $100,000 to Christies PAC. Crow has made headlines recently for providing luxury travel for and engaging in private real-estate deals with Thomas. Another noteworthy donor is Scaramucci, who served briefly as Trumps White House communications director. He also donated $100,000 to the pro-Christie PAC, the new filing shows. Super PACs can accept donations of any size from a wide array of sources, including corporations, but are barred from coordinating their spending decisions with the candidates they back. The single largest donation was $1 million from a limited liability company called SHBT LLC that was established last year in Texas. A spokesman for Christies super PAC did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the donor. Two of the PACs largest donors are Richard Saker, the CEO of ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey, and Walter Buckley Jr., a political megadonor. The two donors each gave $500,000. Billionaire Jeff Yass, the cofounder of one of Wall Streets largest trading firms and TikTok investor, gave the pro-Christie PAC $250,000. Yass also donated $10 million in June to the political committee associated with the anti-tax Club for Growth. An arm of the Club has blistered former President Donald Trump with attack ads. Another notable donor is Murray Kushner, the uncle of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. He has donated to Christies campaigns before and hes contributed to several Democrats. In this round, Murray Kushner gave the pro-Christie PAC $10,000. The presidential hopeful has a long history with the Kushner family. In the early 2000s, Christie prosecuted Charles Kushner Jared Kushners father and Murray Kushners brother. Charles and Murray Kushner have feuded over business and are reportedly estranged. Charles Kushner went on to spend more than a year in prison. Trump pardoned Charles Kushner in December 2020. The super PAC spent less than half a million dollars nearly $430,000 in its month of reported expenses and ended the first half of the year with nearly $5.5 million in available cash. More financial firepower for Scott A super PAC supporting Tim Scotts bid brought in nearly $20 million in June, new FEC filings show, adding more financial firepower to the South Carolina senators well-funded political network. The group, TIM PAC, has emerged as a major factor early in the campaign, and recently announced it would spend nearly $50 million on advertising boosting Scotts bid through January. The FEC filings show the group had spent about $4.3 million through the end of June, and entered July with over $15 million in cash on hand. Notably, a significant portion of the funds received by TIM PAC, about $10 million, were transferred from other allied groups that had backed Scotts previous campaigns for Senate. Larry Ellison, the Silicon Valley billionaire and co-founder of Oracle, was a major donor to those groups, contributing $35 million between 2021 and 2022, though records show he has not contributed directly to the pro-Scott super PAC in 2023. The pro-Scott super PAC also received major contributions from other prominent donors. Benjamin Navarro, the billionaire founder of Sherman Financial Group, which owns Credit One Bank, contributed $5 million; James Haslam, the owner of the Cleveland Browns NFL Franchise, also gave $25,000; and his brother Bill Haslam, the former Tennessee governor, gave another $25,000. Scott entered the White House race in an enviable position, with millions stockpiled in his Senate campaign account that was available to use for his presidential bid. The infusion of cash to his allied super PAC adds even more heft to his messaging effort, and between his presidential campaign and allied super PAC, Scott has been and will likely remain among the top advertisers in the critical early primary states. Pro-Haley group receives seven-figure checks Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also saw millions flow into an allied super PAC in the first half of the year, with the group, Stand For America Fund, reporting that it had raised $18.7 million. The pro-Haley group received contributions from several big-money donors, including Jan Koum, co-founder of the messaging app WhatsApp, who gave $5 million. Koum contributed $2.5 million on February 16, two days after Haley launched her presidential campaign, and another $2.5 million on June 22. SFA Fund also received seven-figure contributions from other prominent business leaders and investors. Venture capitalist Tim Draper gave $1.25 million; Laurel Asness, the wife of hedge fund manager Clifford Asness, gave $1 million; Vivek Garipalli, a billionaire health care entrepreneur, also gave $1 million; Steven Stull, founder of the investment firm Advantage Capital, gave $1 million as well; and Ronald Simon, founder of RSI Home Products, was another million-dollar donor. The pro-Haley group entered July with over $17 million in cash on hand after spending little in the first half of the year, just about $1.6 million. In recent weeks, however, SFA Fund has ramped up its spending activity, and according to data from AdImpact, the group has booked about $4.6 million in airtime over the month of August. Rich Arkansans donate to Hutchinson-aligned PAC Wealthy Arkansans including several Walmart heirs and the head of Tysons Foods stepped up to fund the super PAC supporting former Gov. Asa Hutchinsons longshot bid for the Republican presidential nomination, according to a new FEC filing. America Strong and Free Action Inc. brought in a little less than $2.3 million in the first half of 2023, and spent a little more than $1.3 million in the same time frame, according to the filing. The super PAC ended the first half of the year with less than $950,000 on hand. The single largest donor to the pro-Hutchinson PAC was Little Rock, Arkansas, businessman Warren Stephens, who contributed $1 million. Stephens is the CEO of a financial services firm in Arkansas and served on an innovation council Hutchinson created when he was governor. Stephens has participated in national politics for years. He initially opposed Trumps 2016 White House bid, but in September 2020, donated $2 million to a super PAC that worked to reelect Trump. Hutchinsons PAC also received $350,000 from John Tyson the chairman of Tyson Foods Inc., one of the nations largest meat sellers. Several members of the Walton family the family that owns the largest share of Walmart contributed to the Hutchinson PAC. Four Waltons Alice, Jim, Steuart and Thomas donated a combined $350,000 to America Strong and Free Action, the report shows. Pro-Pence PAC raises $2.7 million Committed to America PAC, the super PAC backing former Vice President Mike Pences presidential bid, raised just $2.7 million in the first six months of 2023, and spent less than $910,000, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission. The pro-Pence PAC didnt have a single seven-figure donation with the highest single contribution coming from Ronald Cameron, an Arkansas businessman who donated $500,000. Cameron has contributed millions of dollars to Republican candidates and super PACs over the years including $1.5 million in combined contributions between 2019 and 2020 to a super PAC that backed former President Donald Trumps reelection. Committed to America PAC also received a $100,000 contribution from Stephens, the Arkansas businessman. The PAC garnered several $100,000 donations including from Indiana-based contributors like Charlotte Lucas, the executive vice president of Lucas Oil Products Inc., and Billy Bean, the owner of a real estate brokerage company. One of the groups largest donations came from another PAC, the Founding Principles PAC, which is headquartered in Anderson, Indiana. The PAC gave $400,000 to the Pence-aligned group. Big business donors boosting pro-Burgum group Doug Burgum, the independently wealthy governor of North Dakota, is self-funding his presidential campaign, but new filings show that he is also drawing big business donors to an allied super PAC. The group, Best of America, has raised over $11 million so far, with several donors contributing seven-figure sums. Major donors include Frederick Burgum, a family member who gave the group $2 million; Miles White, the former CEO of Abbott Laboratories, who also gave $2 million; Robert Kagle, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, who gave $1 million; and Gary Tharaldson, a real estate and hotel developer who is the richest man in North Dakota, who also gave $1 million. The pro-Burgum group has spent little while hauling in millions, reporting just $2,900 in expenditures so far. Early in the campaign, Burgum deployed his own fortune behind a surge of advertising that has since tapered off. Now flush with cash, reporting over $11 million in cash on hand, the pro-Burgum super PAC has begun to pick up the slack, making its first ad bookings of the campaign last week. More than half the money to RFKs super PAC came from a GOP donor A super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Democratic presidential campaign had raised $9.8 million as of June 30, according to new FEC filings, drawing nearly all its funds from two major donors. The group, American Values 2024, received a $5 million contribution from Tim Mellon, a businessman and heir to the Mellon banking fortune, in April of 2023, and another $4.5 million from Gavin De Becker, an author, who contributed more than $4 million just before the filing deadline. American Values 2024 also received $100,000 from another historic fortune, via heiress Abby Rockefeller. Mellon, the largest donor to the super PAC, has been a major donor to conservative campaigns and causes in previous election cycles, and has given millions to committees affiliated with Trump. The two contributions from Mellon and De Becker accounted for nearly 97% of the total raised by the super PAC, which also reported that it had spent about $465,000 since the beginning of the year, and had about $9.8 million in cash on hand entering July. In a statement touting its fundraising, the super PAC also shared that it had raised an additional $6.5 million after the most recent filing deadline, and about $550,000 last year, saying its total haul amounts to about $16.8 million so far. This headline and story have been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Fredreka Schouten contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FIRST ON FOX: Republicans in Congress have issued a tough letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines warning about the influence of Iran's terror ideology in at least four U.S.-based mosques and centers. The GOP letter, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, is a highly detailed three-page document that outlines a kind of bill of particulars against alleged Iranian regime-linked mosques and centers in Maryland, Texas, Michigan and Virginia. According to the letter, the Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Potomac, Maryland, secured funding from what it says is the Iranian regime-controlled Alavi Foundation and Bahram Abolfazi Nahidian, an IEC member was "acknowledged by all as the most prominent supporter in this country of Khomeini." The Alavi Foundation did not respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, and the firebrand cleric was instrumental in taking 52 American diplomats as hostages for 444 days. The letter noted, "Disturbingly, the Maryland legislature has even provided public funds to the IEC!." Fox News Digital sent numerous press queries to the IEC and Brian Feldman, the Democrat state representative sponsor of the funding for the IEC. FBI SAYS CHINA, IRAN USING NEW TACTICS TO TARGET CRITICS IN THE US READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A huge mural of Iran's supreme leader includes a smaller one of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on March 8, 2020, in Tehran. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who spearheaded the letter, told Fox News Digital, "The Iranian regime's attempts to spread malign influence in the United States in multiple Shia mosques and cultural centers across the country has been happening for years. These state-sponsored mosques preach hatred toward anyone who disagrees with the Iranian regime and go as far as to praise the ayatollah's repressive reign through songs and shrines. It is imperative that the U.S. government understand and respond to the threat posed by state-sponsored terrorism wherever it appears, whether in the Middle East or at home." Story continues The letter stressed that the glorification of the worlds worst state-sponsor of terrorism is not limited to the IEC in Maryland. "Another institution with the same name, the Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Houston, had dozens of young children perform an anthem titled Salam Farmande (Hello Commander), a new propaganda song that has been widely promoted by the Iranian regime inside Iran to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis death," noted the letter. The letter to Garland and Haines added that the song sung by children also "praises Qassem Soleimani, the terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and thousands of Iraqis, Syrians, Lebanese, and others." The Trump administration used a drone to assassinate the U.S. and EU-designated terrorist Soleimani in 2020. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini waves to a crowd of supporters. Rep. Doug Lamborn said children at Houston's Islamic Education Center were made to perform song commemorating the death of the ayatollah. The congressional letter said, "But there are more reasons to suspect that both IEC Houston is serving the Iranian regime directly. Perhaps most obviously is the fact that Maulana Ghulam Hurr Shabbiri was the lead Imam of IEC for 10 years, from 2005-2015. According to the website of Maulana Shabbiris current employer, he was directly appointed by the office of the Supreme Leader to his post at IEC." The Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Houston did not respond to multiple Fox News Digital press queries. US F-35 FIGHTERS ARRIVE IN MIDDLE EAST TO DETER IRAN, ASSIST MISSION IN SYRIA Rep. Gus Bilirakis R-Fla., told Fox News Digital, "Irans efforts to sow its malign influence in American religious and cultural institutions is something that should alarm every American. Its about time that the U.S. government takes this activity seriously." He added, "The American people deserve to know how the Department of Justice and the Intelligence Community are combating this growing threat to the nation." A third example of alleged Iranian regime influence in American religious life is, according to the letter, the Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The congressional representatives wrote the "Iranian-led Shiite mosque shows similar signs of being under the direction of the Iranian regime. The Imam of IHW, Mohammad Ali Elahi, served as the head of political ideology for the Iranian Navy in the 1980s, according to a publicly available CIA report." The letter continued that In March 2017, Ali Elahi met "with former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, who he called a friend of almost 30 years.' According to investigative journalists, IHW has been a significant purveyor of extremist propaganda, in line with the Iranian regimes views." The IHW did not respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries. The fourth example of alleged influence carried out by the theocratic Iranian state in the U.S. is the Manassas Mosque in Manassas, Virginia, according to the letter. IRAN: BIDEN CANT IGNORE PROTESTS, EXECUTIONS' AS REGIME EYES NUCLEAR WEAPONS AMID ATOMIC PAUSE "A recent video of inside the Mosque showed that it is adorned with pictures of martyrs of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S. designated terrorist group, that were killed in Syria, a life-sized cutout of Khomeini, as well as Iranian flags and slogans," wrote the congressional representatives. Fox News Digital located on the blog section of the webpage of the Manassas Mosque a tribute to Soleimani, along with his picture. Abolfazl Bahram Nahidian wrote the blog dedicated to Soleimani, who was responsible for the deaths of over 600 hundred American military personnel in the Middle East, according to the U.S. government. The congressional letter noted that in 2019 the Manassas Mosque "openly celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran." The Middle East Media Research Institutes (MEMRI) translated sermons of Nahidian, in which he lashed out at Israel and the CIA in conspiratorial terms. He said at an al-Quds Day rally that Israel "created September 11" and blew up the towers to "create hatred" for the Muslims and to justify the occupation of Muslim lands. Khomeini founded the al-Quds Day demonstration, which calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. IRANIAN PRESIDENT HACKED AS GROUP CLAIMS DATA SHOWS EXPANDED SECURITY AROUND NUCLEAR SITE MEMRI wrote, "In two Friday sermons, delivered in the Manassas Mosque on December 16, 2016 and January 20, 2017 and posted on the mosque's official YouTube channel, Imam Nahidian said that the CIA was working continuously to create separation between the people because if they are divided, it is much easier to defeat them one by one and that the Sunni-Shiite divide was a plot of the infidels against the Muslims." Nahidian provided no evidence for his assertions. Manassas Mosque did not respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries. April 14, 2023, Srinagar, India: Muslims join a rally during al-Quds Day on April 14, 2023, in Srinager, India. Bahram Abolfazi Nahidian, who is connected with a mosque in Virginia, reportedly said at an al-Quds Day rally that Israel "created September 11" and blew up the towers to "create hatred" for Muslims. The congressional representatives asked in their letter if the Justice Department and U.S. intelligence community "have a strategy, along with other U.S. government departments and agencies, to counter malign influence by Irans regime in the United States, especially such influence exercised through cultural or religious institutions?" Lisa Daftari, editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox News Digital, "Its been public knowledge for quite a while now that Irans regime has sought access to American private and public institutions. We know that theyve used every tool at their disposal to circumvent sanctions and deal directly with Irans regime both for financial and ideological gains here in the United States. Theyve also had the fortune of evading the law because Bidens administration has from the onset been after normalization and another nuclear deal with Irans regime, stopping short from punishing any apparatuses of the regime." Daftari, a leading expert on Irans regime, added, "The fact that these very specific, detailed and dangerous instances are being outlined in a letter to the Department of Justice is a great wake-up call and test of integrity to see if our administration will move to rid our neighborhoods of these influences." In June, Fox News Digital reported that Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., sent a letter to Garland pressing him to investigate ongoing efforts of an anti-American website that is allegedly promoted by Irans regime and incites assassination attacks against U.S. law enforcement personnel and American Jews. Fox News Digital sent requests for comment to the Department of Justice, DNI, the Iranian foreign ministry and its mission to the United Nations. Fox News' Peter Petroff contributed to this article. Smoke is coming from one of the buildings in Moscow City The Russian capital of Moscow came under drone attack for the second time in 72 hours on August 1. At least two drones were sighted in the city, with one falling near the site of the July 30 attack on the IQ Quarter tower. The building is believed to house three Russian ministries. Read also: How Moscow drone attacks affect the war At present, there are no reports of any casualties. Another UAV was shot down over Odintsovo, near Moscow. The sound of anti-aircraft fire was heard near the village of Cheshkovo in the Naro-Fomin district, say eyewitnesses. Russias Defense Ministry said that two drones were shot down in Moscows suburbs overnight, with one being overcome using radio-electronic warfare. This drone hit the same tower in Moscow that was damaged by a drone two days ago, the ministry said. Read also: Russian TV banned from reporting on Moscow drone attack report For the second time in three days, Moscows Vnukovo airport had air traffic suspended. Russia blamed Ukraine for the July 30 attack, adding that it had managed to repel the attack. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Grant Shapps will host a summit in Downing Street on Wednesday between the Government and energy businesses - Anna Gordon/Reuters In September 1969, the Sea Quest drilling rig made history by striking oil in the North Sea for the first time. Keen to prove the discovery as genuine, and under great secrecy, engineer Brendan McKeown grabbed a pickle jar from the rigs canteen, filled it with a sample, and brought it back to Amocos office in Great Yarmouth. His boss, Mitch Watt, poured it into an ashtray, gave it a cursory sniff, and set it alight. Thats it. Its oil, he said. Britains North Sea oil boom was underway, which meant we had a cheap, reliable and secure source of energy the cornerstone of any major growing economy, and of the growth we saw in the decades that followed. Under this Conservative Government, the North Sea will continue to be a central part of our energy security, which is why weve announced plans to unlock hundreds of new oil and gas licences. Continued licencing rounds will become the new normal because just stopping oil makes zero sense. When 85 per cent of British homes are connected to the gas grid today and a quarter of our energy demand will be met by oil and gas, even when we reach net zero in 2050, why would we import it and not produce it in the UK? When the sector supports 213,000 British jobs, why would we make people jobless and instead indirectly employ workers in Russia to fuel our economy? When the industry pays more than 10 billion in tax a year, why would we starve our NHS, armed forces and schools of the money that comes from the sector by banning British oil and gas? When we know tyrants like Putin will use energy as a weapon of war, why would we knowingly make Britain vulnerable by deliberately relying on foreign imports? And when imported gas has four times the carbon footprint of domestic gas, why would we wilfully harm the environment by importing the supplies we need? Our approach to energy security and net zero is clear. We will achieve both, but we will do so in a way that improves peoples lives instead of destroying their livelihoods. Sadly, its clear that is not Labours mission. Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband have surrendered their party to a mob of dubious eco-zealots. Bringing Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion into the fold by accepting 1.5 million from Just Stop Oils principal funder, hiring Extinction Rebellions lawyer to write their policies and capitulating to their every demand. Story continues Time and again Labours policies are putting the demands of their anarchist allies ahead of the needs of the British people. Starmers folly Whether its Starmers painful fence-sitting on Sadiq Khans needless Ulez expansion designed to clobber drivers with a painful tax rise, their insane plan to ban British oil and gas that will shoot our economy and security in the foot, or their impossible plans to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 that could literally plunge Britain into darkness and many into poverty their approach to net zero is too extreme, risks too much and is too fast for households and businesses to manage. By contrast, I will host a Downing Street Summit on Wednesday to drive forward our practical strategy with the private enterprises that will power Britain from Britain. Companies such as EDF, BP, Orsted and Shell which, in an historic vote of confidence in our plan, are collectively committed to invest over 100 billion in the coming years. Together we will drive forward energy projects that will grow our economy, form a new line of defence against energy warfare and deliver amongst the cheapest wholesale electricity prices in Europe by 2035. And we will discuss the actions our Conservative Government has taken to protect Britains energy supply from the eco-protestors whose criminal tactics Ed Miliband wanted sustained and deepened. Backing for tough new laws Backing the tough new laws that make it a criminal offence to interfere with critical energy infrastructure such as oil refineries, the summit will demonstrate how Government and business can stand united against the threat of disruption to our energy supply, whether thats at home or abroad; and how the UK continues to be the best place to invest in the latest technologies. Just as the discovery on the Sea Quest over five decades ago heralded a new age of energy independence, this Conservative Government will provide the foundations of economic growth for years to come whether that be through the worlds four largest wind farms off our shores, the worlds most powerful nuclear reactor currently under construction in Somerset, or the new oil and gas licences in the North Sea. Our collaboration between Government and businesses will keep the lights on and heat our homes as we bring down your bills. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Russian forces shelled a village in Kharkiv Oblast on Aug. 1, killing an elderly woman and injuring a man, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The woman was in her 70s, and the man is around 50, Syniehubov said on television. The attack targeted Pershotravneve, a village in the Izium district, during the daytime. Syniehubov also said that local utility services in the city of Kharkiv continue to eliminate the consequences of the overnight drone strikes. Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with Shahed kamikaze drones during the night of Aug. 1, injuring one and resulting in a fire outbreak. Kharkiv Oblast is located in northeastern Ukraine, on the border with Russia. Due to its proximity to Russia, the region has been subjected to relentless missile, drone, and artillery attacks since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), a prominent Senate Republican defense hawk, warned Monday that a Russian nuclear attack against Ukraine would be viewed as an attack on NATO, even though Ukraine is not a member of the alliance. Graham delivered his warning after former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia would have to use nuclear weapons if Ukrainian forces threaten Russian territory. To my Russian friends who talk about using nuclear weapons in Ukraine: You need to understand that would be an attack on NATO itself, given Ukraines proximity to NATO territory, Graham tweeted. Time to sober up, realize that your barbaric invasion of Ukraine is not working, withdraw and save many young Russians from pointless death, Graham said. Graham retweeted an article reporting on Medvedevs threat. Imagine if the offensive, which is backed by NATO, was a success and they tore off part of our land, then we would be forced to use a nuclear weapon, according to the rules of a decree from the president of Russia, Medvedev said in the article, making a reference to Russias nuclear doctrine that would authorize a nuclear response if Russias territory is threatened by a conventional attack. Medvedev serves as deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, which Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs. Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced a resolution in June stating that any use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia, Belarus or their proxies that spreads radioactive contaminants into NATO territory would be viewed as an attack on NATO. This resolution is meant to send a message to Vladimir Putin and to his military: They will be destroyed if they use tactical nuclear weapons or if they destroy a nuclear plant in a way that threatens surrounding NATO nations, Blumenthal said at the time. Their resolution urges the Biden administration to consult with NATO allies and European partners to develop a comprehensive response to minimize the threat to civilians posed by a nuclear attack in Ukraine or near European borders. Putin said Russia has moved some of its short-range nuclear weapons into Belarus, putting them in closer striking distance to Ukraine. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Grandparents Day is nearly here so be sure to mark your calendar! Designed to honor the special relationships we've built with members of our family in the older generations, the holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. This year, Grandparents Day falls on September 10, 2023. When is Grandparents Day? In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation marking the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day, according to Donna Butts, the executive director of Generations United, an organization that focuses on intergenerational strategies. It was a little-known holiday until 2012, when Generations United began spearheading an annual campaign to encourage all generations to Do Something Grand and engage with another generation on Grandparents Day, Butts tells TODAY.com. Grandparents Day is not technically a federal holiday. What is Grandparents Day? Grandparents Day is a time to pause and appreciate the older generations of our families. "Its a day when we stop to honor grandparents and grand-friends for their contributions to our families, neighborhoods and communities," Butts says. "Its also a time to remind people of all ages they can do something grand with another or for another generation. People at all ages and stages of life have value and something valuable to contribute to making our world a better place." Why do we celebrate Grandparents Day? The official proclamation of Grandparents Day states that the holiday is used to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their childrens children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer. How to celebrate Grandparents Day Butts recommends making the day more than a time to remember to send a card. "Do something grand with or on behalf of another generation," she said. This can include a variety of activities, such as: Story continues A community service project Sharing a meal together Exploring your neighborhood "It can also be as easy as posting a picture of yourself with your grandparent, grandchild or grand-friend on social media," Butts says. National Grandparents Day Butts tells TODAY.com that Grandparents Day is a good time to reach out to someone of another generation who may feel lonely and make their day a little brighter. "Doing something grand doesnt have to be big," she says, "its the little things that add up and make a difference in all of our lives." This article was originally published on TODAY.com A rising number of women are succumbing to alcohol-related deaths, a new study published in JAMA Network on July 28 found. While males historically have been more than twice as likely to die from alcohol-related conditions than females, the gap appears to be narrowing. Researchers from Hofstra University in New York, Harvard Medical School and the University of South Carolina analyzed nearly 606,000 deaths linked to alcohol between 1999 and 2020, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. DRINKING A LITTLE ALCOHOL EVERY DAY WONT HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, SAYS NEW STUDY Mortality has been rising for both genders, but the spike has been sharper among females. Mens mortality rate increased by 12.5% between 2018 and 2020, while the rate among women increased by 14.7%, the researchers found. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The most prominent increase was seen in the last three years of the study. A rising number of women are succumbing to alcohol-related deaths, a new study published in JAMA Network on July 28 found. The higher mortality increase among females remained even after excluding data from the first year of the pandemic, the researchers noted. "This finding is concerning because women experience greater health consequences from drinking alcohol compared to men," Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, told Fox News Digital. Johnson was not involved in the study. TEENAGE BINGE-DRINKING: WHY ITS SO DANGEROUS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO OVERINDULGE IN ALCOHOL The deaths were linked to alcohol-related poisoning, gastritis, cardiomyopathy, myopathy, liver disease, polyneuropathy and pseudo-Cushing syndrome, among others, according to the journal article. "The changing patterns of alcohol consumption among women are an important consideration in understanding these trends," the study authors wrote in a discussion of the findings. "Women are now drinking alcohol at higher amounts and frequencies than in the past, likely due to the normalization of alcohol use for female individuals in society." Story continues One potential reason for the uptick in drinking rates among women is a rise in stress levels and stress-related disorders in recent years, researchers said. One potential reason for the uptick in drinking rates among women is a rise in stress levels and stress-related disorders in recent years, the researchers said. "Stress plays a major role in the development and maintenance of disordered drinking," Johnson said. "It is not a big leap to look at soaring food and housing costs and think that chronic stress is taking its toll in the form of increased alcohol use to cope with today's hardships." GIRL DINNERS SOCIAL MEDIA TREND SPARKS CONCERN AMONG EXPERTS: UNHEALTHY OBSESSION Physical factors contributing to the larger mortality risk among women is the fact that they tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of body water compared to men, the study authors wrote, "resulting in higher alcohol blood concentrations and potentially increasing vulnerability to complications." Additional factors include hormonal fluctuations, slower alcohol metabolism, higher susceptibility to physiological and organ damage, and greater risk of liver diseases, circulatory disorders and breast cancer. This research did not explore the specific factors that could have contributed to alcohol-related deaths, nor did it fully examine trends among specific age groups, the study authors wrote. Also, the study did not take into account historical or generational factors. The deaths were linked to alcohol-related poisoning, gastritis, cardiomyopathy, myopathy, liver disease, polyneuropathy and pseudo-Cushing syndrome, among others, according to the journal article. There was also not enough mortality data for females between ages 15 and 24 to establish a trend for that age group. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance," the WHO wrote. "Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including the most common cancer types, such as bowel cancer and female breast cancer." Alcohol is the fourth-leading preventable cause of mortality in the U.S., leading to more than 140,000 deaths each year approximately 97,000 men and 43,000 women according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Fish farms on tourism-dependent Poros -- whose mayor is leading protests against the expansion of breeding sites (Angelos Tzortzinis) On the sunny quay of the picturesque Greek island of Poros, veteran fisherman Spiros Papaioannou makes no bones about imminent plans to expand fish farming. "We don't want them on our island," the rubber-booted man in his seventies grumbled while cleaning his nets. "We fishermen are going to be chased away, that's for sure," he said. Greek-Spanish group Avramar, which presents itself as the world's leading producer of Mediterranean fish, already operates several fish farms in Poros. The Greek state has long planned to make the Saronic Gulf island of 3,000 inhabitants near the Peloponnese peninsula one of the country's top aquaculture sites for sea bream and sea bass, which mainly end up at French and Italian restaurants. Eventually, fish farms would cover a quarter of the island, 600 hectares on land and 269 hectares at sea. A Mediterranean country with more than 15,000 kilometres (9,300 miles) of coastline, Greece is keen to develop its aquaculture industry and has earmarked 25 sites for fish farm installation. The European Union has allocated 92 million euros ($101 million) to promote aquaculture in Greece by 2027. According to the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organisation (HAPO), the industry in 2021 saw a seven percent increase in volume to 131,000 tons. In Poros, annual production would increase eightfold to more than 8,800 tons from 1,100 tons currently over the next five years, according to local project managers POAY Poros. Poros mayor Yannis Dimitriadis is among those opposed to the initiative, which he says will endanger the island's existing tourism industry. "Yes to maritime tourism, no to fish farming", read a banner hanging from the Poros cultural centre building. Poros "is 95 percent dependant on tourism, directly or indirectly," Dimitriadis told AFP. - Upsetting the balance - "We are going to become an industrial zone, calling into question the whole balance of our economy", added the mayor, who claims to have already twice met Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to explain his opposition to the project. Story continues Contacted by AFP, the Avramar group, which achieved a turnover of 157 million euros in 2021, did not wish to provide details. "The project is in a preliminary phase. However, we can assure you that we are committed to transparency and will share updates as soon as we are able to do so," the group said in a statement. According to POAY Poros, the Greek state is expected to approve the project by November 2024. - 'Not Mykonos' - With its pastel-coloured buildings and oleander and bougainvillea-filled squares, Poros presents itself as a far cry from the mega hotel model. "We don't want to be Santorini or Mykonos," explained Magdalena Iwaszko, owner of a small hotel near the island port. "Tourists come here to relax... the establishment of fish farms would have enormous environmental consequences. Nobody wants aquaculture here," she said. Poros' advantage is "crystal clear waters and an untouched coast," the hotelier argues. The sea off the northern part of Poros is dotted with large floating cages. "I am not (fundamentally) opposed to fish farms," said fisherman Tasos Ladas, acknowledging that Greek seas are "being emptied of fish year after year" one way or another. "They are a necessary evil. But it has to be done correctly, with strict protocol and controls -- and not in tourist areas," the fisherman noted. Mayor Dimitriadis is also worried about the environment, arguing that the high concentration of fish in small basins encourages disease. He is also concerned about the possibility of fish waste and administered drugs and chemicals, such as formaldehyde. "All this then spreads into the sea," he says. Fish farms deny these accusations, insisting that protecting the environment and ensuring fish health are essential to their business. yap/jph/cw Flash Zimbabwean Energy and Power Development Minister Soda Zhemu said on Monday that prolonged power cuts are "now a thing of the past" in Zimbabwe following the completion of Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 expansion project. Chinese firm Sinohydro undertook the project, adding 600 MW to Hwange Thermal Power Station, the country's largest coal-fired power plant. The project will be commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday. Zhemu said at a press conference that recent media reports predicting a return to prolonged power cuts after August were false, as Zimbabwe is now guaranteed adequate power supplies in the short-to-medium term. He said Unit 7 is already feeding into the grid after the successful completion of tests in June and is now commercially available for operation. Unit 8 is also undergoing a similar test and is expected to be available commercially by August or September this year. "So there is no way that we are going back to the past where we used to experience long hours of load shedding," Zhemu added. At long last, the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center will be able to buy the farm. A $500,000 gift from the estate of philanthropist Ronald Franklin Platt will allow the group to secure Highland Farm, the Doylestown Township sanctuary where famed lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II wrote some songs made famous in musicals like "The Sound of Music" and "Oklahoma." ri Gelb stared as Ado Annie and Dennis Hancock played Will Parker in the Central Bucks East's Patriot Players' production of "Oklahoma' at the high school in the spring, marking the 80th anniversary of the opening of the musical on Broadway. They appear at Highland Farm in Doylestown Township where Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the lyrics for the show. (Credit: PHOTO PROVIDED / JOEL C. NACE) The organization has worked for more than eight years to secure the funding needed to save the farm on East Road, now used as a bed and breakfast. Its current owner is Christine Cole, according to the Bucks County Board of Assessment. Cole could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning. Oscar Hammerstein II and his wife Dorothy bought the farm in 1940 and he lived there until his death in 1960. He wrote songs like "Oh, what a beautiful mornin'" while at the farm. "We were excited and honored to receive this timely and generous donation from Mr. Pratt," said Greg Roth, board president. "He leaves a wonderful legacy which will be providing future generations with the opportunity to learn about musical theater and Oscar Hammerstein's notable works and his messages of acceptance and inclusivity." Alexander Fraser, producing director of the Bucks County Playhouse, leads members of the Bucks County Playhouse cast of "Tick, Tick...Boom!", on a tour of the historic home of Oscar Hammerstein, in Doylestown, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 More: Is Hammerstein museum coming to Doylestown? Plan to save Broadway legend's local legacy A friendship made on Facebook Oscar Hammerstein's grandsons, Oscar "Andy" Hammerstein III and William Hammerstein of Solebury, befriended Pratt on Facebook. Andy Hammerstein said, "It quickly became clear that he (Pratt) possessed both a vast knowledge of my family's history and generous temperament," Andy Hammerstein said. "He was a genuine rarity-a true gentleman...I honestly feel like a lucky man to have known him." "Ronald Pratts generosity was only surpassed by his knowledge of Oscar Hammerstein and Broadway history in general," said Will Hammerstein. "We had planned on curating the museum together. And while he told me he had provided a significant bequest in his will, I had no idea it would be this generous. He was obviously a very special person." Story continues Will's wife, Mandee, said she became emotional when she heard what Pratt had done. "I was actually tearing up," she said. Her husband personally spearheaded the early days of the campaign to save the farm, showing up at Doylestown Township supervisor and zoning meetings where its future was discussed. "He worked tirelessly as a volunteer," she said. The museum board originally wanted to build a theatre at the site but community opposition to that proposal based on the effects traffic would have on the surrounding neighborhood led to the township denying the zoning needed. Cole and an organization then called Oscar Hammerstein's Highland Farm filed a court appeal in Bucks County Court but the parties negotiated a "stipulation agreement" signed by Judge Alan M. Rubenstein in October 2016 which allowed for the farmhouse and barn to be used as a museum. Oscar Hammerstein's study open for inspection during the visit of the Bucks County Playhouse cast of "Tick, Tick...Boom!", at the historic home of Oscar Hammerstein, in Doylestown, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Land development granted In 2020, the property received preliminary and final land development approval from the township supervisors. Township Manager Stephanie Mason said that once the sale is finalized, the center will need to put up escrow money to begin the renovation of the barn site for use as part of the museum with the farmhouse. The gift was part of $567,000 raised to match $500,000 offered by the non-profit's executive committee that allowed the center to raise the more than $1 million needed to purchase the farm and keep the house and barn there as a combined museum and education center. " Our ultimate vision is to build a museum to honor Oscars legacy open to the public, with a strong theatre education program that will provide underserved communities the opportunity to pursue their passions in theatre," the center states on its website. "Highland Farm is the place where Hammerstein forged his legendary partnership with Richard Rodgers and that inspired many of their greatest musical works, including The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, Showboat, Oklahoma! and South Pacific," the center noted. Hammerstein had mentored the late composer and lyracist Stephen Sondheim at the farm. "Over 75 Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prizes can be directly traced back to Highland Farm." This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Oscar Hammerstein Museum group gets funding to buy Doylestown farm The super PAC supporting presidential candidate Nikki Haley launched its first ad of the 2024 campaign cycle Tuesday, highlighting the former United Nations ambassadors tough stance on China. Communist China wont just lose. Like the Soviet Union before it, Communist China will end up on the ash heap of history, Haley says in a clip featured in the 30-second ad shared by SFA Fund Inc., the super PAC backing the former South Carolina governors 2024 bid. While other presidential hopefuls shy away from taking a stance on Chinese oppression, Haley continues the fight to put America first, Haleys campaign said in an accompanying release. The PAC has placed a $6.2 million ad buy in New Hampshire and a $7 million ad buy in Iowa, a spokesperson told The Hill. The ad is set to run across broadcast, cable and digital streaming services in the two early primary states over the next nine weeks. The campaigns first television ad of the 2024 cycle comes nearly six months after Haley became the first big-name Republican to get in the Republican primary race against former President Trump, under whom Haley served as former U.N. ambassador. Unlike other political leaders, Nikki Haley understands that Chinas growing influence poses a monumental threat to the United States. Whether its a farmer impacted by dubious Chinese trading practices, businesses worried about hacks, or balloons spying on our servicemen and women, Americans can count on Nikki Haley to have their back, said SFA lead strategist Mark Harris. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Haley is among the GOP presidential hopefuls expected to join the first primary debate in Milwaukee later this month. Haley has polled at 4 percent in the latest two Morning Consult surveys of the GOP field. Last month, she shrugged off a Fox News survey that showed her with 3 percent and Trump in the lead with 56 percent, saying national polls just dont matter right now. Nikki Haley is at it again saying one thing and doing the complete opposite, said New Hampshire Democratic Party spokesperson Aida Ross in a statement. Story continues Her tough talk on China doesnt bear out with her actual record she parroted Donald Trumps praise for China as ambassador to the UN, and welcomed hundreds of millions of dollars of investments from Chinese businesses when she was governor. Granite Staters are going to see right through Haleys desperate spin, Ross said. Updated at 2:03 pm ET. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President Harris on Tuesday fired back after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis offered to discuss his states African American history standards following Floridas approval of controversial new rules for teaching the subject. Right here in Florida, they plan to teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates, and now they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal that most recently came in of a politically motivated roundtable, Harris said in remarks at the Womens Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Quadrennial Convention. Well, Im here in Florida and I will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery, she added. The vice presidents appearance at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando comes amid contention with DeSantis after Floridas Board of Education passed the new standards, which Harris said in a separate trip to Florida last month was the state pushing propaganda onto children. Top Stories from The Hill DeSantis, who is running for the GOP nomination for president, invited Harris in a Monday letter to Tallahassee to discuss the new standards. In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues, DeSantis wrote in the letter to Harris. And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. Story continues The Florida governor had dismissed the vice presidents criticisms of the standards and accused her of crafting a fake narrative about the curriculum. Sign up for the latest from The Hill here One new standard that has come under scrutiny directs teachers to include instruction on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Harris has said its ridiculous to have to say that enslaved people do not benefit from slavery. As I said last week, when I was again here in Florida, we will not stop calling out and fighting back against extremist so-called leaders who try to prevent our children from learning our true and full history, Harris said Tuesday at the event in DeSantiss state. And so, in this moment, let us remember, it is in the darkness that the candle shines most brightly. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday rejected Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis offer to debate the states recent guidelines on teaching the African American experience, calling him part of a group of extremist, so-called leaders trying to rewrite the ugly parts of history. They attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal that most recently came in of a politically motivated roundtable, Harris said in her afternoon speech at the 20th Womens Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Quadrennial Convention in Orlando. Well, Im here in Florida, and I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact. There were no redeeming qualities of slavery. In a letter Monday, DeSantis asked Harris to visit Florida and discuss his states contentious new teaching standards on African American history. Since July 20, Harris has sharply criticized the states new education standards on Black history, a 216-page document containing instruction that slaves developed skills that, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. We will not stop calling out and fighting back against extremist, so-called leaders who try to prevent our children from learning our true and full history, Harris said, never referring to the Florida governor by name. Harris has already traveled to Florida once to blast the new standards, delivering a 23-minute-long speech in July as part of a White House effort to advocate for a full and true American history curriculum. But DeSantis and his team have pushed back just as forcefully, arguing that the new standards reflect the good, the bad and the ugly. Time and again, D.C. politicians choose to malign our state and its residents, DeSantis wrote in the letter. Over the past several weeks, the Biden Administration has repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans about our education system. Its past time to set the record straight. Story continues As he continues his 2024 presidential campaign, DeSantis has touted the changes he has made pushing back on social issues and policies in Florida, including around parental rights as education, as an example of the efforts he would advocate for in the White House. He has come out in full support of the new education standards, passed in July by a board he appoints, while blasting any critics in his way. DeSantis has painted Democratic criticism of the standards as an attack on parents. She came to Florida to attack us, and shes trying to attack me. But shes really attacking the people that worked hard on this, DeSantis told reporters at an unrelated campaign event in New Hampshire on Tuesday morning. I think its wrong to let lies be perpetuated. Its wrong to let false narratives stand. But several notable Black Republicans, including Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida and Wesley Hunt of Texas and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, have joined Democrats in criticizing the part about slavery creating a personal benefit. These comments, in turn, led DeSantis and his camp to accuse them of siding with liberals and accepting Democratic-led narratives. Some other Republicans, primarily supporters of Donald Trump in the GOP presidential primary, have also thrown some shade at DeSantis over the conflict. Imagine being desperate enough to be thirsty for a Kamala visit, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) posted Tuesday morning on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to DeSantis letter. In the letter, DeSantis said he would be ready to meet with Harris as early as Wednesday, taking a snipe at her and the Biden administrations immigration policy by saying he would defer to the vice presidents schedule if she had a trip to the southern border planned. Lisa Kashinsky contributed to this report. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday publicly rebuked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis offer to meet to discuss the states controversial new standards for teaching Black history in Florida schools, denouncing the proposal as an attempt to legitimize efforts to rewrite history. Speaking at a convention of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orlando, Harris criticized what she dubbed efforts by extremists to ban books and erase and even rewrite the ugly parts of the countrys history. She then took direct aim at Floridas new Black history curriculum, specifically a provision that teaches that some enslaved people learned skills that ultimately were used for their personal benefit. Right here in Florida, they plan to teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery, Harris said. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates. And now they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal...of a politically motivated roundtable, she continued. Well, Im here in Florida and I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery. The speech in Orlando marked Harris second public appearance in Florida in less than two weeks. She traveled to Jacksonville on July 21, just two days after the state Board of Education approved the new Black history education standards, where she condemned the new curriculum as propaganda. Harris appearance at the Orlando conference has been in the works since mid-July. On Monday, DeSantis sent a letter to the vice president inviting her to Tallahassee to meet with him and William Allen, who helped author the new Black history standards. Over the past several weeks, the Biden Administration has repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans about our education system, DeSantis wrote. Our state pushed forward nation-leading standalone African American History standards one of the only states in the nation to require this level of learning about such an important subject. Story continues Floridas Black history curriculum has been at the center of an intense political firestorm since it was approved in July. The initial criticism came from Democrats, civil rights groups and educators, who accused state officials of white-washing the darkest chapters of U.S. history. Since then, however, some Republicans have spoken out against the new standards, including four out of the five Black Republicans in Congress. Among those critics is U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, who, like DeSantis, is seeking the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination. Scott, who is Black, condemned Floridas new education standards last week, saying that there is no silver lining in slavery. Slavery was really about separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives, Scott said during a campaign stop in Iowa. It was just devastating, DeSantis and his team have defended the curriculum, noting that the standards came from a panel of experts on the subject matter and were approved by the state Board of Education. The governors aides have also argued that theres nothing controversial about the curriculum. DeSantis office did not immediately respond to the Miami Heralds request for comment on Harris remarks in Orlando. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday rejected an invitation from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the state's new Black history curriculum and said she will not be debating the topic of slavery with him. DeSantis, who is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, on Monday invited Harris to Florida to discuss the state's new Black history curriculum after the vice president criticized it for backing guidelines that she said taught "revisionist history" about slavery in the United States. Florida's board of education approved new guidelines in July, including one for middle school students that states "instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." On Tuesday, Harris, made a previously-scheduled speech in the state, telling the audience, "Well, I'm here in Florida. I will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery." Harris was in Orlando to deliver remarks at an African Methodist Episcopal Church event. Harris has been on the offensive during a tour of nearly a dozen U.S. states in recent weeks, attacking DeSantis, telling Iowa healthcare workers to rebel against the state's new restrictive abortion laws and rallying Latinos in Chicago to fight "extremist" Republicans. DeSantis, who earlier this year blocked an advanced placement African American studies course from being taught to high schoolers in his state, accused the Biden administration of disparaging Florida and misinforming Americans on the subject. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Alistair Bell and Bill Berkrot) With President Biden in Delaware for a weeklong vacation, Vice President Harris is taking center stage for the White House. Harris began her jam-packed week by sitting down with ABC News for a one-on-one interview. She will later meet with a foreign leader, travel to Florida and Wisconsin, and deliver remarks Friday on the monthly jobs report, something Biden typically does. The vice presidents full schedule at a time when Biden is off the radar reflects her growing profile heading into campaign season and is coinciding with an effort to establish herself as a future leader of the Democratic party. One former Harris aide said the increased visibility is a clear positive for the vice president, giving her a platform with the Democratic base, with donors and with leaders in key swing states as she seeks to solidify her role for 2024 and beyond. If I were her, Id want to have a visible role heading into the election sending my ire at Republicans who are saying and doing insane things, the former aide said. Harris sat down with ABC News for a nationally televised interview that aired Monday in which she weighed in on the plight of migrants being bused to Washington, D.C., access to reproductive health care and a debate over the United Statess history of slavery taking aim once again at Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis. On Tuesday, Harris will head to Orlando, Fla., where she will speak in DeSantiss backyard at the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Womens Missionary Convention. On Wednesday, Harris will meet with the prime minister of Mongolia. While she frequently meets one-on-one with foreign leaders separate from the president, the meeting is notable given Biden will be out of town and unable to meet with the foreign leader. Harris on Thursday will travel to Wisconsin, a key swing state, to speak about the Biden administrations investments in making internet more accessible and affordable and to attend a pair of fundraisers. Story continues And on Friday, Harriss office said she will deliver remarks on Jobs Day following the release of the July jobs report. The remarks are notable for Harris given Biden typically gives a similar address each month outlining progress on the economy and promoting the White Houses agenda. Biden aides have frequently voiced their support for Harris as a partner for the president, and the presidents reelection website features an image of both leaders and a Biden-Harris logo. The sentiments appear to reflect a smoothing out of tensions between the Biden and Harris teams laid out in a book published last year that former communications director Kate Bedingfield blamed on Harris directly. One Democratic strategist said Harris has proven she is effective with key voting demographics, including Black voters and younger voters who will be crucial for Biden to turn out in 2024 to win a second term. Harris has in recent weeks leaned into the more traditional vice presidential role of serving as an attack dog against the opposing party. She has spoken in Iowa, Chicago and Massachusetts at conferences and events and taken aim at extremist Republicans over issues like abortion bans. She made a hastily arranged trip to Florida last week to blast the states new education guidelines that included language about how some slaves developed skills, which could be to their benefit. The remarks were a clear dig at DeSantis, who is the second-favorite GOP nominee for president, meaning Biden and Harris could be running against him in November 2024. It almost seems ridiculous to have to say what I just said, that enslaved people do not benefit from slavery. There are so called leaders, extremists, who are attempting to require in our nation an unnecessary debate with the intention, I believe, to try and divide us as Americans. Stop. Stop, she said during the ABC interview. A Democratic National Committee spokesperson shared similar remarks on X formerly known as Twitter from Harris over the weekend. But while the White House and Biden campaign have been willing to elevate Harris as a key messenger, Republicans running for the partys 2024 nomination have shown they are willing to do the same. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who has focused her candidacy on the need for generational change, has repeatedly suggested that the GOP is running against Harris in 2024, and not the 80-year-old Biden. Former Vice President Pence has illustrated his argument that he had no right to overturn the 2020 election results by making the case to Republicans that Harris would have no right to overturn the 2024 results if the GOP prevails. At one point, DeSantis aides sparring on social media with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for saying he was uncomfortable with the language on slaves developing skills tweeted out an image of Harris, suggesting the conservative congressman was echoing the vice presidents talking points. The Florida governor himself has on multiple occasions mispronounced the vice presidents name as he accused her of spreading misinformation about his states policies. Ultimately if you look at the next election, shes going to be the VP, you know, its possible she could end up being president of the United States, DeSantis said at a recent Iowa campaign stop, according to NBC News. And I think voters need to take a hard look at that and see if thats something that they would want. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BEIRUT (Reuters) - The head of powerful armed group Hezbollah called on Tuesday for a halt to days of deadly clashes that have raged between rival factions in the Palestinian camp of Ain el-Hilweh in southern Lebanon. At least 11 people - most of them militants - have been killed in the camp since fighting broke out on Saturday between mainstream faction Fatah and hardline Islamists, security sources in the camp told Reuters. "This fighting must not continue because its repercussions are bad - for the camp's residents, for the dear Palestinian people... for the south, for all of Lebanon," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address. The United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said at least 2,000 people have fled their homes in the camp and UNRWA activities were suspended due to the violence. Negotiations between the rival factions have led to brief suspensions of fighting but have failed to secure a lasting ceasefire, with heavy clashes resuming on Tuesday. Hezbollah, which controls southern Lebanon and is vehemently opposed to Israel, has ties to Palestinian factions and supports their cause. Nasrallah on Tuesday said anyone who could "pressure, say a word, make contact, make an effort" to secure a truce should do so. UNRWA estimates that up to 250,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon's 12 Palestinian camps, which date back to the 1948 war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The camps mainly lie outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese security services. Nasrallah also ramped up his rhetoric on Tuesday against those burning copies of the Muslim holy book the Koran in Denmark and Sweden in recent weeks, saying the weak response from Muslim states had left believers wanting. "There is no longer any meaning to waiting for anyone. You must take up this responsibility and punish these damned people with the strongest punishment," Nasrallah said. Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and is classified by the United States and other Western countries as a terrorist organisation. Story continues Last year, Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old Shi'ite Muslim American, was charged with the stabbing of Salman Rushdie, author of the 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses," viewed by some Muslims as containing blasphemous passages. Matar's family originally hails from Yaroun, where Hezbollah has strong support. A Hezbollah official at the time said the group had no information on the attack and Nasrallah declined to comment directly on it. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily; Editing by Alistair Bell) Al Roker has been informing and entertaining TODAY viewers for more than 27 years. But that's not the beloved co-host and weatherman's only job. First and foremost, he's dad to three kids: Courtney, Leila and Nicholas. And in 2023, he became a grandfather for the first time, when daughter Courtney welcomed baby Sky Clara Laga. Prior to Father's Day this year, Al reflected on fatherhood in an interview with TODAY.com, saying that while the Father's Day gifts he's received from his kids over the years have been "really good," the best gift of all is when he can spend time with them. "Whenever they're together, that's my Father's Day," the 68-year-old shared. Al's longtime wife, Deborah Roberts, a senior national affairs correspondent for ABC News, is mother to Leila and Nick and stepmom to Courtney, Al's daughter from a previous marriage. All three children rallied around their father in late 2022, when the TODAY weatherman suffered from a series of life-threatening blood clots that left him hospitalized for nearly a month, rendering him unable to co-host the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. During a conversation with Craig Melvin, Carson Daly and Willie Geist on TODAY, Al said that the experience left him feeling especially vulnerable as a father. "You want to be that strength that they need. And when youre in a hospital bed and you can barely get up, theres this part of you that almost doesnt want them to see you like that," he said. When talking to TODAY.com, Al says that no matter what age his children are, his "love and worry" for them never goes away. If anything, he says, it increases as they grow older. "The idea that you're not in control and these three people, or however many you have, are your hearts beating outside your body," he explains. "And so you are constantly worried for them." Story continues So, who are Al's three children? Roker introduced them to us. Courtney Roker Laga, 36 Al Roker and his daughter. (@alroker via Instagram) Al and his previous wife became parents when they adopted daughter Courtney, whose birthday is May 14, 1987. During a 2020 Zoom segment with Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer, Al recalled the "humbling experience" of picking up his daughter for the first time. "An hour before, there was a carseat with nobody in it. And then, an hour later, there was a baby," he said. "And all of a sudden you are humbled because now you realize there's somebody greater than you that needs your protection." Courtney, 36, is a recipe developer and culinary content creator. "(She's) very loving, very dedicated to family and friends and work," Al tells TODAY.com. Al and family welcomed a new family member in June 2021 when Courtney married Wesley Laga, a drama teacher, actor and writer, officially making the TODAY co-host a father-in-law. On July 3, the pair announced the birth of their first child, a daughter named Sky Clara Laga. After finding out he was going to be a first-time grandfather last March, Al revealed to Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer on TODAY the kind of grandfather he plans on being. "For this grandchild, Im going to be the best grandpa ever because Im going to do whatever I can to spoil this kid," he said. While speaking about the impending arrival with TODAY.com, Al says he hopes his first grandchild will call him "Pop-Pop," the same beloved nickname that was given to his late father. My dad was Pop-Pop to all of his grandchildren, so I want to keep the tradition going. The little one may have other ideas, but thats the one Im pushing," he says. Leila Roker, 24 Al Roker and Leila Roker at the Al and wife, Deborah Roberts, tied the knot in 1995, then welcomed their first child, Leila, three years later on Nov. 17, 1998. At 24, Leila Roker is a journalist and works at a PR firm in Paris, where she attended college. From 2017 to 2021, Leila studied at the American University of Paris, graduating with a degree in journalism and a minor in fine arts. "(Leila) has a wicked sense of humor and is a hard worker and a loyal friend," Al tells TODAY.com of his middle child. Fitting for someone living in the City of Lights, Leila has a love of fashion and has completed internships at various outlets, including LOreal and WWD (Women's Wear Daily), according to her website. She also interned for ABC News as a production assistant during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, and followed in her father's footsteps when she served as a social media correspondent and production assistant on TODAY back in 2016. Nick Roker, 20 alroker via Instagram Al and Deborah celebrated the arrival of their youngest child, Nick, on July 18, 2002. Soon to be 21, Nick has just finished his first year of college. Al tells TODAY.com that his youngest is "somebody who never lets obstacles get in his way." He and Deborah have been both vocal advocates for their son, who Al said during a 2019 TODAY segment has some "special needs." That said, Al said his son Nick has "met a lot of challenges" and that being involved in the family's church has been Nick's "mission." His youngest has also earned a black belt in taekwondo and gold medals at the New York Special Olympics. After being accepted into two colleges, Al and Deborah dropped Nick off for his first year of college in August of 2022. While sending his son away to school, TODAYs weatherman posted a selfie of himself and Nick last year, captioning it with the bittersweet message: "I guess this is happening. Taking the last one to college. So proud of one @nickroker15." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Donald Trump SERGIO FLORES/AFP via Getty Images Former President Donald Trump's leadership PAC is running low on cash after shelling out millions on legal bills amid his mounting indictments and court cases. The New York Times reported that Trump's PAC, Save America is now "nearly broke" after reporting less than $4 million in its account. The PAC began last year with more than $105 million in the bank. The struggling PAC has even requested a refund of a $60 million donation previously made to pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc. Federal records showed that Make America Great Again Inc has sent back nearly $13 million to the group covering Trump's legal fees, closely mirroring the amount the super PAC raised from donations in the first half of 2023. The Republican frontrunner has seen his legal costs balloon in recent months. The ex-president has been twice indicted, found liable of sexual abuse and defamation, and likely faces other impending criminal charges in connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and efforts to overturn the 2020 election in D.C. and Georgia. Save America had also seemingly found its way around a loophole stipulating that it could not directly spend money on Trump's campaign when it donated the $60 million to the super PAC, which is permitted to spend on his candidacy. The Times reported that though it is not evident when Save America requested the refund, filings show that the super PAC sent it back in installments, several of which were timed to Trump's various legal debacles. A person close to the matter told The Times that another sum was sent back to Save America in July, implying that the super PAC's continued refunds could be covering Trump's legal fees as they bubble up. "I don't know that calling it a refund changes the fundamental illegality," said Adav Noti, a former lawyer for the Federal Election Commission's litigation division and leader of watchdog group, Campaign Legal Center. As the Times noted, "the pro-Trump super PAC and Trump-controlled PAC must be independent entities and are barred from any coordination on strategy." Story continues "So for the super PAC and the Trump PAC to be sending tens of millions of dollars back and forth depending upon who needs the money more strongly suggests unlawful financial coordination," Noti added. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung denied Noti's implication. "Everything was done in accordance with the law and upon the advice of counsel. Any disgusting insinuation otherwise, especially by Democrat donors, is nothing more than a feeble attempt to distract from the fact that President Trump is dominating this race both in the polls and with fund-raising and is the only candidate who will beat Crooked Joe Biden," he told the Times. But CNN's Phil Mattingly noted that the filings underscore that Trump's "political operation has significant money issues." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. "To put context on this, last year at the start of the year, it had $105 million. That's a ton of money. The beginning of this year, $18.3 million. What does he have right now? As of the latest filing that came out last night, less than $4 million. That's hemorrhaging cash," he said. "While they're trying to get around this by calling it a refund, there's no precedent for a ... refund being this large," he added. "Trump's campaign says they've done everything according to the law, everything legally, but this is new, this is different and this is very clearly an effort to try to add liquidity when they have a very clear crunch despite the fact it's never really been done before." Read more about Trump's legal woes Flash China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the bomb attack targeting civilians at a rally in Bajaur, a tribal district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday. According to reports, at least 44 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a bomb blast that targeted a rally held on July 30 in Bajaur. Pakistan has called it a terrorist attack. "We are deeply shocked by the attack," the spokesperson said when answering a relevant query, adding that China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the bomb attack targeting civilians. "We mourn for the victims and extend our sympathy to their families and the people who are injured," said the spokesperson. The spokesperson added that China firmly supports Pakistan in advancing its Action to Counter Terrorism and firmly committing to eradicating terrorism, upholding social stability and protecting people's lives. A former Henderson County Department of Social Services worker is suing Henderson County for what the lawsuit says was racial discrimination after years of enduring a hostile work environment. Marlene Wilkerson, who is Black, initially filed the lawsuit March 1. She amended the complaint May 15. Wilkerson is also accusing Henderson County of paying her less than her white counterparts and creating a workplace so intolerable that she resigned. She is suing for the monetary losses she sustained, as well as for the anguish she endured. Wilkerson is suing under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which according to the complaint makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against any individual with respect to her compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individuals race. Sean Perrin, a Charlotte-based attorney who is representing Henderson County in this case, said in a statement that the county cannot comment on pending litigation. The Henderson County Department of Social Services. Perrin filed a motion to dismiss Wilkersons amended complaint May 26. In the memo that accompanied that motion, Perrin argued that Wilkerson did not support her legal conclusions with factual allegations, that the work environment she described was not sufficiently severe or pervasive to qualify as hostile and that she did not adequately support her pay discrimination allegation. Perrin also asserted that because Wilkerson was promoted twice in six years, was the highest ranking African American at DSS and she did not adequately show that the work environment was hostile, her accusation that the workplace was so intolerable that she quit should be dismissed. Henderson County Complaint by Mitchell Black on Scribd Perrin ultimately concluded that, At best, Plaintiffs allegations point to complaints based upon rude treatment by coworkers, and superiors, and not the severe and pervasive conduct required for a hostile work environment claim. According to Wilkersons amended complaint, she first encountered racially charged comments after she was promoted to a supervisor position February 2015. Wilkerson heard a rumor that there was a conversation in the agency referred to as a town hall meeting that she was not qualified for her promotion and that she played the race card to get the position. Story continues Wilkerson complained about this conversation to her supervisor, Sandy Morgan, who according to the complaint, told Wilkerson that the county completed the investigation, saying I know what I am about to say will be upsetting to you, but everyone remembers that something was said, but no one can remember exactly what was said or who said it. Morgan retired from Henderson County. The Citizen Times could not reach her for comment. Based on Wilkersons legal filing, Morgan asked her repeatedly who informed Wilkerson about the conversation. Wilkerson felt this information would have surfaced during a robust investigation, causing her to question its thoroughness. The Henderson County Department of Social Services. A year later, in March 2016, Wilkerson was called into a room with Morgan and then Henderson County Human Resources Director Jan Pritchard, according to the lawsuit. Morgan allegedly told Wilkerson that she was under investigation. They informed Wilkerson that DSS director Jerrie McFalls approved the investigation. Pritchard has retired from the county; she declined to comment on the story. McFalls is still the director of the agency; the Citizen Times reached out to her office for comment. Pritchard allegedly informed Wilkerson that she was being put on leave with pay, that she was not to step on any Henderson County property or have contact with any Henderson County employees. According to the amended complaint, Morgan escorted Wilkerson out of the building, past her co-workers, and secured the door behind her. Then Pritchard and Morgan stared at Wilkerson while she drove off. The Henderson County Department of Social Services. The next day, Morgan asked Wilkerson to return for a meeting with Pritchard and McFalls. At the meeting, Wilkerson was informed that the investigation was closed and the accusations made against her were false. They allegedly did not apologize. According to the legal filing, Wilkerson did not return to work the next day because of anxiety. Once she returned, Morgan allegedly told her, We were trying to get you for reverse racism. In 2018, the lawsuit said, Williams Purcell, then a supervisor with Henderson County DSS, was investigated for using derogatory racial terms, speaking to female employees about their physical appearance, and talking about wearing a KKK costume on campus while he was in college. He also allegedly asked a Black female if her baby had learned the N-word yet. According to the amended complaint, this information was reported to HR and McFalls twice before an investigation commenced. During the investigation, he was allegedly allowed to stay on the job. Purcell still works at Henderson County. He declined to comment. Henderson County Motion by Mitchell Black on Scribd According to the amended complaint, Morgan made frequent comments about Plaintiffs hair and skin in the presence of Plaintiffs co-workers. In March 2018, Wilkerson was promoted again, this time to program manager. According to the legal filing, many of the people she oversaw were insubordinate. She was the only Black employee in DSS in a leadership position. All the white employees in leadership positions at DSS were given offices with windows. Wilkerson was not. In May 2021, a co-worker showed Wilkerson a website showing salaries for Henderson County employees. The website allegedly showed that she had a lower salary than many of her white counterparts who had fewer responsibilities. Wilkersons attorney, George Moore, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Henderson County sued for racial discrimination and 'intolerable' workplace Henrietta Lacks' family have reached a settlement after her cells were taken without her consent The family of a black woman whose cervical cells were harvested in 1951 without her knowledge and replicated infinitely ever since have reached a settlement with a biotech company. Henrietta Lacks' cells enabled huge advances in medical science, and the cell line is still being used in research institutes worldwide. But they were taken without consent. Ms Lacks' family never received any compensation, and have fought for years to get justice for the "stolen" cells. The details of the settlement reached on Monday with Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc have not been made public. Ms Lacks, a 31-year-old mother from Baltimore, Maryland, began experiencing pain in her abdomen and abnormal bleeding in 1951. She was examined by gynaecologists at Johns Hopkins Hospital, who discovered a large mass on her cervix. Without informing her or asking for permission, doctors sent a sample of her tumour to a lab for medical research before treating her for aggressive cervical cancer. But, while nearly all cell cultures died quickly in the lab, cells taken from Ms Lacks continued to multiply and didn't age, making them "immortal". The cell line, called "HeLa" after Ms Lacks' first and last name, was sent to research labs around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HeLa cells have led to the creation of the polio vaccine and advancements in HIV, cancer and infertility research. But the same properties that made the cells a scientific miracle, also made them lethal. Months after her diagnosis, she died from cancer at just 31 and was buried in an unmarked grave. It was not until decades later that the Lacks family discovered what had become of her cells. Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represented the family in the negotiations with Thermo Fisher, said the procedure done by doctors left her in pain at the end of her life. He said the mistreatment she received is similar to experiences suffered by other black Americans who have sought help from US doctors. Story continues "The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks represents the unfortunately common struggle experienced by black people throughout history," according to the lawsuit that led to Monday's settlement. "Too often, the history of medical experimentation in the United States has been the history of medical racism." At a press conference on Tuesday - on what would have been Ms Lacks' 103rd birthday, Mr Crump said both sides were "pleased" with the settlement. "I can think of no better present... than to give her family some measure of respect for Henrietta Lacks, some measure of dignity for Henrietta Lacks, and most of all some measure of justice for Henrietta Lacks," Mr Crump said. Thermo Fisher tried several times to have the case dismissed due to a statute of limitation expiration. But lawyers for the Lacks family said that the limitation had not been reached because the cells are still being replicated. "We believe that every time they regenerate or profit off of Henrietta Lacks' genetic materials [that it] starts the statute of limitations to accrue again," Mr Crump had argued. "Not only were the HeLa cells derived from Henrietta Lacks, the HeLa cells are Henrietta Lacks," he said. In 2021, the WHO held a ceremony to commemorate the many scientific breakthroughs made possible by Ms Lacks. "What happened to Henrietta was wrong," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a special ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland. "Henrietta Lacks was exploited. She is one of many women of colour whose bodies have been misused by science," he said. "She placed her trust in the health system so she could receive treatment. But the system took something from her without her knowledge or consent." Last week, Maryland's delegation to the US Senate introduced a bill to posthumously award Ms Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal. "Henrietta Lacks changed the course of modern medicine," Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a statement. "It is long past time that we recognise her life-saving contributions to the world." You might also like: The descendants of Henrietta Lacks said Tuesday they had agreed to a settlement with biotechnology company Thermo Fisher over the use of cells taken from their ancestor without her permission for scientific research by doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The details of the settlement remain confidential, but Lackss grandchildren, who were part of the lawsuit, seemed pleased with the agreement announced on what would have been Lackss 103rd birthday. There couldnt have been a more fitting day for her to have justice, for her family to have relief, Henriettas grandson Alfred Lacks Carter Jr. said, according to The Associated Press. It was a long fight over 70 years and Henrietta Lacks gets her day. The Lacks family sued Thermo Fisher in 2021 for profiting from what they called a racist medical system. The cells taken from Lacks, who was Black, became the source of the HeLa cell line, the first human cells to be successfully cloned and a critical development in medical research. Lacks and her family had never been compensated, and at the time the cells were taken in 1951, no permission was required to take the cells. The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks represents the unfortunately common struggle experienced by Black people throughout history, according to the complaint from her descendants. Too often, the history of medical experimentation in the United States has been the history of medical racism. HeLa cells have helped push the world of medicine forward, aiding in the development of vaccines including the polio vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines. But when Dr. George Gey collected tissue samples from the tumor in Lackss body, it left her infertile. When she died, neither she nor her family knew her cells had been taken. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented the family during the lawsuit, said Lacks was racked with pain until the end of her life as a repercussion of Geys procedure. He blasted Johns Hopkins for using Lacks and other Black women as lab rats, and said the experience was something many Black Americans could relate to. Story continues Though Johns Hopkins has never profited from HeLa cells, according to The Associated Press, Crump accused Thermo Fisher of knowingly seeking the rights to products that use Lackss cells despite her never giving consent for the cells to be taken. Thermo Fisher attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed when it was filed, arguing the statute of limitations had expired, but the family countered that the company has been profiting from the cells all this time. Lacks, a poor tobacco farmer living in Virginia, was 31 when she died. She was buried in an unmarked grave, leaving behind five children. Lackss story gained attention in 2010, when Rebecca Skloot published The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. In 2017, Oprah Winfrey starred in an HBO movie of the same name based off the book. In a statement on its website, Johns Hopkins acknowledges the book and film and said it had reviewed the way in which the HeLa cells were handled. Johns Hopkins applauds and regularly participates in efforts to raise awareness of the life and story of Henrietta Lacks, the statement reads. The publication of Skloots book led Johns Hopkins to review our interactions with Henrietta Lacks and with the Lacks family over more than 50 years. At several points across those decades, we found that Johns Hopkins could have and should have done more to inform and work with members of Henrietta Lacks family out of respect for them, their privacy and their personal interests. Last week, Maryland Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin introduced a bill to posthumously award Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal. Henrietta Lacks changed the course of modern medicine, Van Hollen said at the time. It is long past time that we recognize her life-saving contributions to the world. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Getty Images Peter McGuire and Matthew Maguire had much in common. Their last names are obviously similar. They were both passionate activists who fought for American labor rights in the 19th century. They both attended the first Labor Day parade in New York City in 1882. And, more controversially, both men have been described as the father of Labor Day. A federal holiday since 1894, Labor Day is an annual recognition of the American labor movement and celebration of the economic and social achievements of American workers. Held the first Monday of each September, this year Labor Day is on September 4, 2023. Peter McGuire has long been credited with first proposing the idea of Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1882. But this claim has been contested for more than a century, and recently unearthed evidence suggests Maguirethat is, Matthewis the true founder of the national holiday. Who Was Peter McGuire? Getty Images Peter McGuire cofounded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1881 as well as the group that became the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Through these organizations, he helped lead the strikes of 1886 and 1890 that ultimately lead the eight-hour workday. McGuire probably did more than anyone else to convince skeptical, locally minded union activists around the country that a national labor federation was not only necessary but also possible, according to the AFL-CIO. Without his tireless enthusiasm and practical example, the creation of the AFL and its survival through its early years are practically inconceivable. Legend has it McGuire proposed the idea of Labor Day to the New York Central Labor Union on May 12, 1882, suggesting it should be be celebrated by a street parade which would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The Peter J. McGuire Memorial and Gravesite in Pennsauken, New Jersey, is included on the National Register of Historic Places. His gravestone and statue are both inscribed with the words Father of Labor Day, and each year labor leaders and community members gather there to commemorate the holiday. Story continues Who Was Matthew Maguire? Matthew Maguire served as secretary for the Machinists and Blacksmiths Unions Paterson Local 344 and the Central Labor Union of New York, which organized the first Labor Day parade. Like McGuire, he was passionate about improving working conditions for workers, and led strikes in the 1870s for a shorter work week. Maguires work brought significant public awareness to the long hours and difficult conditions manufacturing workers endured, according to the Labor Department. Maguire continued to bring attention to labor issues when he ran for vice president of the United States on the Socialist Labor Party ticket with Charles H. Matchett in 1896, the year William McKinley was elected president. Get Biography.com articles delivered straight to your inbox. Maguire sent out the invitations for the first Labor Day parade in 1882, and rode in the first carriage at the head of the parade along with his wife. This, along with several recently unearthed pieces of historical evidence, suggest he might be the true father of Labor Day, not McGuire. For example, after President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law establishing Labor Day, the Morning Call newspaper published an opinion piece, Honor to Whom Honor is Due, which read the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday, according to the New Jersey Historical Society. William S. Walshs 1898 book, Curiosities of Popular Customs, also credits Maguire with establishing the holiday, saying he was made chairman of the committee to arrange for the first labor day celebration in 1882. In 1912, B.E. and E.B. Stevenson wrote in their book Days and Deeds: To Matthew Maguire, Secretary of the Central Labor Council of New York City belongs the credit for first actually putting the idea into execution. Additionally, researchers from the genealogy website MyHeritage announced in 2020 they uncovered records indicating his involvement with establishing the holiday. This includes a 1917 interment card from his burial at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey, with a handwritten message that reads: This man founded Labor Day. So Who Is the True Father of Labor Day? Getty Images So why is McGuire remembered as the father of Labor Day, rather than Maguire? The answer could be Maguires socialist politics. AFL cofounder Samuel Gompers might not have wanted Labor Day associated with Maguires radical politics, so in an 1897 interview, he credited McGuire with organizing the holiday instead, according to the Labor Department and the New Jersey Historical Society. The differences in personality between the two men might also be a factor. Bill Collins, a retired history teacher and Maguires great-grandson, said Maguire was a reserved person who focused primarily on seeking justice for workers, while McGuire was more concerned about his legacy and perfectly willing to take credit for Labor Day. It really has to do with the different personalities of the two menone an extrovert, one an introvert, one self-serving, and the other not, Collins told The New York Times. Even as new evidence mounts for Maguires case, McGuire remains credited as the father of Labor Day by most sources, including the Labor Department. As Collins observed, however, both men made important contributions for the cause of American labor, and deserve to be associated with the holiday. Both of them were working for the same goal: an eight-hour workday for workers and a holiday to celebrate the laboring-class people, Collins said. In the long run, it really doesnt matter. We have Labor Day. You Might Also Like The House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced an investigation into investment firm BlackRock on Tuesday. In a Monday letter from committee Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) to BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink, the representatives alleged the investment firm is using its unwitting American customers finances to fund Chinese companies that develop and build weapons for the Peoples Liberation Army the PRCs military and advance the CCPs stated mission of technological supremacy. The committees account posted the letter to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, alongside an announcement of the investigation Tuesday. It is unconscionable for any U.S. company to profit from investments that fuel the military advancement of Americas foremost foreign adversary and facilitate human rights abuses, the letter read. House Democrats and Republicans banded together to create the House select committee back in January, with a resolution for its formation passing at the time by a 365-65 vote. Its original foundation lay in a campaign promise Republicans made during the 2022 midterms in the event they regained control of the chamber. House easily passes resolution to create bipartisan China select committee Ive heard my colleagues on both sides say that the threat posed by Communist China is serious. I fully agree, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said on creating the committee at the time. This is an issue that transcends political parties. And creating the select committee on China is our best avenue for addressing it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON A trio of House Republican committee chairmen announced Monday that they are investigating the circumstances of the plea agreement that the Justice Department reached with Hunter Biden before it unraveled in court last week. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the three chairmen highlighted a provision in the pretrial diversion agreement that would have put the onus on the judge overseeing the case to determine over a 24-month period if the president's son violated the terms of the plea deal. The judge Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump said last week that doing so would be outside the scope of her authority. The congressional Republicans also took issue with a clause in the agreement that would have given Biden immunity from all other crimes in exchange for completing the pretrial diversion program. "Taken individually, each of the provisions discussed above raises serious concerns about how the Department has handled this matter. But when considered together, the provisions appear to be even more troubling," said the letter, signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky, and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith of Missouri. Biden pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges last week after the judge raised questions about the terms of the agreement. He had been expected to plead guilty to two charges of failure to pay taxes under a deal he struck with the government, but instead, he pleaded not guilty to those charges until the two sides can meet and address the questions posed by Noreika. Bidens lawyer, Chris Clark, responded to Noreikas concerns about the pretrial diversion agreement provision in court last week, saying that because of tremendous political Sturm and Drang surrounding the case, that component of the agreement would help ensure it wouldnt become more politicized if the government targeted Biden again in the future. Story continues The Republican chairmen on Monday called the pretrial agreement "unusual" and said that combined with allegations presented by whistleblowers in related House GOP investigations into the Biden family, they believe the Justice Department "has provided preferential treatment toward Mr. Biden in the course of its investigation and proposed resolution of his alleged criminal conduct." The letter called on Garland to respond by Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. ET to their questions about other pretrial diversion agreements that included similar provisions as a point of comparison to Biden's case, and for specific information about who inserted those provisions in the plea agreement. They also requested a briefing from Justice Department officials about the plea deal. A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment further. Biden's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Houston-area woman spent several days crawling in and out of storm drains trying to rescue a group of abandoned puppies. Callie Clemens began her search for the three puppies last week after someone messaged her lost and found pets Facebook page saying three terrier mix puppies were on the loose in the Houston suburb of Spring Branch, Fox Houston reported. 2 CHILDREN, 1 ADULT DROWN IN TEXAS' SAN JACINTO RIVER Callie Clemens rescued two puppies amid several days of searching storm drain in a Houston suburb and is looking for a third. Clemens headed to the area where they were last seen and went in a storm drain after learning they had fallen in. She was able to rescue two of the puppies. EIGHT POLICE DOGS DIE AFTER AC BREAKS DOWN DURING 2-HOUR TRAFFIC DELAY She plans to keep searching for the third one. While doing her due diligence, Clemens obtained blueprints and maps of where the storm drain lead. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "There's a lot of cockroaches, you just have to avoid them, you just go fast," Clemens said of her search underground. The two rescued puppies were taken to the Houston SPCA. In the upcoming school year, the Houston Independent School District will eliminate librarian positions at more than two dozen schools and use some of the libraries as centers for students who have been removed from their classrooms for disciplinary reasons. The changes are part of superintendent Mike Miles plan called New Education System, an effort to reform a district plagued by low reading levels and standardized test scores. Under the new system, librarians at at least 28 schools will transition into other roles within the district and some of the libraries will be used as Team Centers, where students removed from class due to behavioral issues can join the lessons virtually, the district announced. Rumors had swirled about libraries essentially becoming disciplinary centers, but Miles said in a news conference last week that wasnt the case. Thats not a place for discipline, thats a place for kids to learn, he told reporters. Its true that were not going to have traditional libraries, he said. That doesnt mean were doing anything with the books. The books are still there and kids can still read them. Students will have limited access to the books in these nontraditional libraries, with students able to check out books on an honor system, officials said. An HISD spokesperson told NBC in an email that students can access libraries in the mornings before classes or after school. Janice Newsum, who worked as an HISD librarian for nearly 20 years, criticized the change, noting that she has witnessed the positive impact that a fully functioning library can have on students. As a high school librarian, I was able to see students who had not gained the ability to read on level gain that ability by coming to the library and engaging in the activities that we sponsored there, said Newsum, who is now an assistant professor of school library and information science at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. When our students are denied that, it is a tremendous disservice to them, she said. Story continues Felix Cook, Jr. Elementary School in Houston. (Google Maps) The change comes as the state rolls out new laws that ban education around the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion in public schools. Texas is also playing a prominent role in banning books in schools and libraries through its READER Act signed in June and set to be enacted in September. In Houston, Miles was brought in to lead the school system after the Texas Education Agency took over the district in June, according to NBC affiliate KXAS. Miles, a former Dallas ISD superintendent, was brought in to lead the Houston school system after poor academic outcomes were reported at several of its public schools. The decision was met with pushback, with parents voicing concerns about the fate of dual language programs and staff jobs in the district. Now, criticism of Miles centers around the restructured libraries in his controversial NES plan. We do not want our schools to look like prisons, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a Monday news conference. When you close libraries, you deprive all students of resources they need to learn and achieve. Deborah Hall, founder of the Students Need Libraries in HISD advocacy organization, agreed. During a lesson, if a student is disruptive theyll be sent to the library, the detention center, and that sends such a terrible message about a place of learning, Hall said in an interview. The library is a sanctuary, a safe place, a place to get help and to learn. Now theyre turning it into something where a kid sits at a computer and watches his class from afar. Latino children make up a majority of HISD students, accounting for about 62% of the student population, according to the Texas Tribune. Black students make up the second largest group in the district at 22.1%. Surrounding school districts have higher white populations, like Huffman, based in an unincorporated Harris County neighborhood, where white students make up about 67% of the district. James Berry Elementary in Houston. (Google Maps) There are currently 28 schools enrolled in the NES, and another 57 are being assessed for possible inclusion, the spokesperson said. There are 274 campuses in the district. Decades of research have shown that schools with high-quality library programs lead to student achievement, including better test scores and reading skills, according to the American Library Association. Meanwhile, the impact of overdisciplining schoolchildren is well documented. Removing students from classrooms is more likely to exacerbate behavioral issues than to correct them, according to Texas Appleseed, an Austin-based justice organization. We have a school district that is majority-minority and we have a lot of areas where theres poverty and people who are struggling, Hall said. Many of the schools that are going to be the first ones to experience this new structure and lose their libraries are in the areas that need them the most. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A massive fire that is burning in California and Nevada is creating fire whirls as fire crews continue to battle the flames. The York Fire that started in Californias Mojave National Preserve on Friday is more than 80,000 acres wide and crossed into Nevada on Sunday. The Mojave National Preserve said that the fire was about 23 percent contained as of Tuesday morning. The Mojave National Preserve also noted in a Saturday Facebook post that fire crews were battling fire whirls, which it said is a vortex of flames and smoke that forms when intense heat and turbulent winds combine, creating a spinning column of fire. The preserve added that fire whirls, also known as fire tornados, are extremely dangerous for firefighters due to their size and ability to change direction quickly. In some locations, firefighters on the north side of the fire observed fire whirls also known as whirlwinds, the Mojave National Preserve wrote in its post. While these can be fascinating to observe they are a very dangerous natural phenomena that can occur during wildfires. These fire whirls are similar to dust devils but are specifically associated with the heat and energy released by a wildfire, the post continued. They can range in size from a few feet to several hundred feet in height, and their rotational speed can vary widely. According to an incident update posted Tuesday, high winds in the area can lead to increased fire activity as firefighters attempt to build and reinforce a containment line. As of Tuesday, there were no evacuation orders in place. These types of winds can cause the fire to spread more rapidly and unpredictably which can have an effect on fire spreading behavior causing the fire to advance, the incident report states. Currently the fire is backing down Crescent Peak away from the Nevada Border. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Devon Archer, Hunter Bidens former business partner, arrives on Capitol Hill to give closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee in the Republican-led investigations into President Joe Bidens son, in Washington, Monday, July 31, 2023. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press Hunter Bidens former business partner gave testimony to the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door hearing on Monday. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairman of the committee, issued a statement following Devon Archers four-hour testimony where he claimed the Biden family, including President Joe Biden, was involved in foreign business dealings. Devon Archers testimony today confirms Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he had no knowledge about his sons business dealings and was not involved. Joe Biden was the brand that his son sold around the world to enrich the Biden family, he said. In his testimony, Archer alleged that President Biden, the then-vice president, joined his son for dinners with foreign business associates while the owners of Burisma, a Ukrainian oil and gas company that seated Hunter Biden on its board, pressured the presidents son to get help from Washington, D.C. Why did Joe Biden lie to the American people about his familys business dealings and his involvement? It begs the question what else he is hiding from the American people, Comer added. Comer was the one who issued a subpoena to Archer last month to testify about his time as Hunter Bidens business partner while he was working for foreign companies in China, Russia and Ukraine. Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who also attended the hearing, said Archers testimony did not show President Biden was directly involved with Hunter Bidens business dealings. The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of 10 year relationship, Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings, Goldman said, per The Hill. As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, Whats going on? Goldman said, adding that. There wasnt a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had. Story continues But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., who also attended the hearing, said that Archer told the committee that Hunter Biden and Joe Biden spoke over 20 times about his business deals, not about the weather, not about what was for lunch, about his business deals. DOJ sends a letter to Archer a day before hearing On Saturday, prior to the hearing, the Department of Justice sent a letter to a New York district court judge asking her to set a date for Archer to surrender himself to serve a one year prison sentence for committing fraud. He had appealed his sentence, issued in February 2022, but his appeal was denied. To be clear, the Government does not request (and has never requested) that the defendant surrender before his Congressional testimony, the DOJ letter said. As the Court knows, to surrender and commence his sentence of imprisonment, the defendant first must be designated to a federal facility by the Bureau of Prisons a process that can take several weeks or months. The letter added that any court-ordered surrender date should be scheduled after Archers congressional testimony. Comer said on Fox News that this was the first hed heard of the DOJ doing anything on a Saturday. Update: The weaponized DOJ now clarifies they wont try to prevent Devon Archer from testifying tomorrow. Witness intimidation & obstruction? Nah, nothing to see here. pic.twitter.com/tHQ6ueFfZs Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) July 31, 2023 The letter drew a strong reaction from other Republicans as well. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., posted online that the letter serves as DOJs clarification that the agency will not prevent Archer from testifying. Witness intimidation & obstruction? Nah, nothing to see here, he said. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah also chimed in: If true, impeachable. If untrue, libelous, with a link to a news story that alleged that DOJ is urging the court to put Archer in prison a day before his testimony. If true, impeachable. If untrue, libelous. BREAKING: Biden DOJ urges judge to throw Hunters ex-business partner Devon Archer in prison just one day before he is set to testify to Congress. https://t.co/FYvuLm74sP Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 30, 2023 Archers lawyer issued a statement, saying they are aware of speculation that the Department of Justices weekend request to have Mr. Archer report to prison is an attempt by the Biden administration to intimidate him in advance of his meeting with the House Oversight Committee. To be clear, Mr. Archer does not agree with that speculation, the statement said. In any case, Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up on Monday and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the Congressional investigators. Impeachment threats continue This hearing marks the most recent development in Republican efforts to link the president to his sons foreign business dealings. Last week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., suggested that congressional investigations into the Biden familys business dealings have created a strong case for impeachment. The White House responded to McCarthys comments, calling them a ridiculous, baseless stunt, intended to attack the President at a time when House Republicans should instead be joining the President to focus on the important issues facing the American people. But just as soon as McCarthy floated this stunt, he was met with resistance from members of his own party and even his own caucus, the statement said, per The Hill. McCarthy continues to be cautious about impeaching Biden. He told CNN a day after his initial comments that some of the bigger allegations, like the presidents involvement in a bribery scheme, still need to be verified. Instead, McCarthy floated an impeachment inquiry. The evidence and stuff thats come out is what is causing (McCarthy) to change his tune, a senior Republican House staffer told Time Magazine. His remarks come after a federal court judge overseeing Hunter Bidens plea deal said she has concerns as the DOJ continues its investigations into the presidents son, as Deseret News reported. The White House said that the president will not pardon his son if he is convicted. Some GOP lawmakers like Greene of Georgia and Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado have already submitted articles of impeachment and are ready to begin the process. Meanwhile, others like Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said McCarthy was in the right spot on this. He said it is too early for an impeachment inquiry, he said, per Punchbowl News. I believe the speaker is right. Lets not follow Pelosis example by cutting corners on impeachment. Flash Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China is willing to take the establishment of the China-Georgia strategic partnership as an opportunity to increase strategic communication and cooperation with the country in various areas, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Monday. Li made the remarks while meeting with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu. Li called on the two sides to focus on the Belt and Road Initiative, make good use of the intergovernmental committee on economic and trade cooperation and other mechanisms, and fully unleash the dividends of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement. Both sides should strengthen cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, infrastructure construction, special economic zones and industrial parks, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as digital economy and green energy, and strengthen cultural, tourism and sub-national people-to-people exchanges, Li said. China is ready to work with Georgia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and make due contribution to world peace and development, Li said. Garibashvili said Georgia attaches great importance to its friendship with China and is committed to strengthening cooperation with China, adding that upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership will benefit the two peoples. Georgia abides by the one-China principle, supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other initiatives, and is willing to cooperate more with China in terms of infrastructure, economy and trade, tourism and other fields, and strengthen the exchange of experience in state governance, Garibashvili said. After their meeting, Li and Garibashvili witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents. During Garibashvili's visit, China and Georgia issued a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership. Hunter Biden told business partner Devon Archer that the Chinese tycoon who helped them secure a multi-million-dollar venture in the communist state loved him for his "last name" and for always traveling with "handsome godlike Aryan men," according to emails reviewed by Fox News Digital. In the 2011 email thread, Hunter bragged to Archer about his relationship with Che Feng, a Chinese business tycoon who they referred to as "The Super Chairman." The emails show that Feng helped Hunters firm Rosemont Seneca Partners and James Bulgers firm Thornton Group LLC secure their partnership with Jonathan Li's firm Bohai Capital in order to later launch Bohai Harvest RST (BHR), which is controlled by Bank of China Limited. Devon Archer, left, and Hunter Biden, right BIDEN'S NARRATIVE ON NEVER DISCUSSING BUSINESS DEALS WITH HUNTER CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE The news comes after Archer reportedly told the House Oversight and Accountability Committee in a closed-door interview Monday that Biden, as vice president, had coffee with Li and wrote a college letter of recommendation for Li's daughter. The email thread began on Sep 21, 2011, when Michael Lin, the co-founder of Bulger's Thornton Group, forwarded a term sheet of the joint venture fund with Li to Hunter and Bulger, who is the namesake nephew of Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Gents, Rock just sent me the translation of the cooperation term sheet (below and attached) about which Jonathan is now talking to SS in HK. Jonathan will use this (with blanks filled after confirmation with SS) to discuss with us in DC," wrote Lin, who has worked with the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF), a nonprofit that partners with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a propaganda group that pushes Chinese Communist Party (CCP) messaging. "Good news from Jonathan after his meeting with Super Chairman in HK," Lin wrote. "We three's ownership of the fund management co. 20% while Jonathan's 10%. (Still very very good for you two and me!)" Story continues Lin quoted Feng as saying he wanted to include other CCP-backed companies in the venture. "Super Chairman went: I'm not being greedy even though I commit US$100 million. Actually I'm planning to give part of the remaining 70% to other Chinese big firms which I'm going to invite to join us, companies like China Investment Corp. or that kind of high power companies," Lin recounted. "This is surprisingly great for us," Lin told Hunter and Bulger. "Companies like CIC and the like will of course even enhance our FMC's profile and credibility and to make the fund pie even much bigger if they ever choose to join and to commit money. Imagine we will be sitting on the same board with CIC or the other Chinese HUGE investment or fund house(s)!!!) Look forward to seeing you two together with Jonathan in DC." Hunter then forwarded Lins email to Archer, who co-founded Rosemont Seneca Partners, and said the proposal seemed like the windfall they were seeking. "Keep this btw us pls," Hunter told Archer. "But bottom line is if I/ you and me get around 7% of this fund it could be in many ways the end all be all. I dont believe in lottery tickets anymore, but I do believe in the super chairman. See below. I know Michael can be overly optimistic but if we were 20% owners of a CIC super chairman backed fund I think the sky's the limit." "Wow," Archer replied. At center, Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, arrives for closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee at the O'Neill House Office Building July 31, 2023, in Washington, D.C. "This is smelling more and more real," Archer replied. "I do believe in the super chairman as well and i starting to believe this is how things actually do go down on the mainland. I read the email and will go through the term sheet on my connecting flight." Hunter then presented his theory for why Feng favored him. He mentioned that he met Feng through Li, the then-CEO of Bohai Capital, who eventually became the CEO of BHR. "Your question- why does Super Chair love me so much? is easily answered. It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with my last name (and I bring along very handsome Aryan godlike men wherever I go)," Hunter wrote. "Regardless- if this is for real (moved from 5% to 25% chance) you and I have to have a long talk about how we divide things going forward," the presidents son continued. "My opinion is that everything I do since we became partners is equally your's as it is mine. In this instance I clearly would never had met SC if I hadn't met Jonathan through Michael through Jimmy through you through Chris. Anyway, my point is whatever comes out of this or anything going forward I consider 50/50 btw you and me and we can figure everyone else out on the back end." "Bottom line- when Jimmy and Michael come after us for f'ing up their relationships in Beijing- you are 50% responsible," he added. Feng is the son of a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldier and was previously business partners with Ma Jian, the former vice minister of State Security, which is Chinas KGB, the New York Post previously reported. "Agreed without hesitation," Archer responded to Hunter. "We do need to sit down next week and lay out all of the irons on both sides of the fire and plot a course here going forward. We have to think about the future in regards to current cash-flow, longer term cash-flow, wealth creation home runs, etc. and likelihood of success and level of underlying risk for each effort we are undertaking and going to undertake." Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, gets into an elevator as he arrives for closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee at the O'Neill House Office Building July 31, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Hunter introduced his dad to Li in December 2013 after he and his father flew to Beijing on Air Force Two, the first son told the New Yorker in 2019. Then-Vice President Biden traveled to Beijing due to a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the trip, Hunter arranged for a brief handshake between Li and his father in the lobby of the hotel where the U.S. delegation was staying, and then Hunter met up with Li privately, the New Yorker reported at the time. Less than two weeks after Biden arrived in China, BHR Partners was registered. Archer told the House Oversight Committee that Hunter would often put his father on speakerphone while meeting with business partners, two lawmakers said Monday. Attorneys for Hunter Biden and Devon Archer did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador cant seek criminal penalties against medical providers who refer patients out of state for legal abortions, a federal judge ruled Monday. Labrador on March 27 issued an opinion that said Idaho doctors violate the states abortion ban when they refer patients to a state where abortion is legal. Labrador later rescinded the opinion, saying it was improperly requested, but he has not disavowed it. Attorneys representing two Idaho family doctors, Planned Parenthood and St. Lukes Health System asked the U.S. District Court for Idaho to declare the legal interpretation an unconstitutional chilling of free speech. The medical providers lawsuit sought to block the attorney generals office and Idahos 44 county prosecutors from enforcing Labradors interpretation of the law. The providers also asked that members of the Idaho State Board of Medicine and Board of Nursing be blocked from taking licensing actions against doctors based on the interpretation. In a Monday decision, U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill wrote that the medical providers established that there is a genuine threat of prosecution, and the threat has resulted in the chilling of their speech. We are relieved that the court saw the clear threat to Idahoans health and autonomy and blocked enforcement of this egregious legal opinion, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a news release. Providers are already banned from providing abortion care in Idaho. To prevent them from serving as trusted resources for patients further harming people in need of care is a reckless encroachment on their rights. Winmill, however, denied the providers request regarding the licensing boards. The providers failed to explain what authority either board has to prosecute or enforce violations of Idahos criminal abortion statute, Winmill wrote. The longtime federal judge also deferred a ruling on the county prosecutors to a later date. All but three of the states county prosecutors joined the attorney generals office in defending the case. Story continues Beth Cahill, Labradors spokesperson, said that attorney general officials strongly disagree with the order. Labrador has already appealed the decision. In his 28-year career youd be hard pressed to find a time when Judge Winmill has ruled against Planned Parenthood, so his decision is not surprising, Cahill said by email. Judge Winmill wants to restrain a power we dont possess. Physicians speech chilled after AG opinion Pregnancy doctors stopped having comprehensive conversations with patients about out-of-state abortion options after learning of Labradors overbroad and unsupported interpretation of the states abortion ban, the lawsuit said. Its very understandable that they remain chilled when the attorney general isnt willing to say that the analysis is wrong, Peter Neiman, a New York attorney representing Planned Parenthood, said during an April 24 hearing. Idahos law requires that a health care professional who assists in performing or attempting to perform an abortion has their license suspended. That applies to referring a patient across state lines for an abortion, Labrador wrote in the March legal opinion addressed to Republican state Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa. Labradors decision to withdraw the letter likely means it no longer carries legal weight, Winmill said during the April hearing. But the fact that the states top attorney issued the opinion means physicians face a substantial threat of future enforcement under the statute. It does not change the fact that it was a public statement made by Idahos chief legal officer, Winmill said. Their opinion carries weight. Labradors attorney says physicians claims are moot Lincoln Davis Wilson, chief of Labradors Civil and Constitutional Defense Division, said during the April hearing that the physicians chilling effect argument is moot because Labrador withdrew the opinion, which was not meant to be released publicly. He wrote a letter to Rep. Crane that was then put out on the internet and a bunch of other people saw it, Wilson said during the hearing. The physicians know the fact that he previously expressed the opinion, but that doesnt mean that theres a threat to them. Stanton International, an anti-abortion group based in Meridian, published the letter online and used it in fundraising efforts, according to Winmills decision. Labrador withdrew the opinion on April 7. During the April hearing, Winmill asked Wilson to confirm that Labrador has not disavowed the March opinion. That is correct, but its not the right framing of the issue, Wilson responded. Thats because if there is no properly presented context for us to have an opinion on this issue, then we dont have an opinion on this issue. Nothing has called on us to do so. In his Monday opinion, Winmill wrote that the attorney generals office could have shown that no case or controversy exists if Labrador had denounced the Crane letter or stated that he would not enforce its legal interpretation. Instead, the attorney general has strained at every juncture possible to distance himself from his previous statement without committing to a new interpretation or providing any assurances to this court or the medical providers, Winmill wrote. Attorney General Labradors targeted silence is deafening. The physician plaintiffs in the case are Dr. Darin L. Weyhrich, a Boise gynecologist, and Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, a family doctor from Valley County, who was the plaintiff in Planned Parenthoods unsuccessful challenge to the states abortion ban last year. The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho also provided legal aid to the physicians. Our pets. We love them. Wed do anything for them even drive with them in our lap? Have you done it before? Well, plenty of people drive with their pets unrestrained for various reasons. Maybe they forgot your pet carrier, just got a new pup or perhaps their furry friend is full of anxiety during car rides. Your pet may be calmer when snug in your lap, but you ignore the danger in doing so. According to Pawsafe, 80% of dog owners drive around with their dogs unrestrained in the vehicle. And in a 2019 study by Volvo, dangerous driving habits double when drivers have unrestrained pets in the car. So, is it even legal in Georgia to drive with a pet in your lap or unrestrained in your vehicle? Heres the rundown on all things driving with dogs in Georgia: Is it illegal? No; there is currently no law in place making it illegal to drive with a dog in your lap in the state of Georgia. However, there are distracted driving laws in Georgia. Distracted driving includes anything that distracts or prevents you from safely driving your vehicle and yes, pets in the car can be one of those things. Why its dangerous Although it isnt illegal, driving with your pets in your lap or having unrestrained pets in your car can still be highly dangerous to you, others and your pet. According to Montlick Injury Attorneys in Georgia, there are several ways your unrestrained pet can be a risk: The pet may be injured in a collision The animal may climb on your lap and obstruct your vision The pet may engage in activity that is distracting Animals become flying projectiles if they are not restrained during a collision The pet may interfere with rescue attempts by emergency responders A Coast man and his dog were going to NOLA when tragedy struck. Angels watching over him. Tip for driving with pets If you need to travel with your pet short or long distances, it is recommended to do the following: Strap in a pet carrier with a seat belt Use dog seat belts Get a mobile pet bed Have questions? Comment below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com In a manifesto on the eve of his massacre, school shooter Ethan Crumbley proclaimed, "There is no God ... I am the demon ... Im gonna open fire on everyone in the hallway." Yet months later in jail, he cried out: "Why didnt you stop it God? Why didnt you stop it when it happened Im sorry God!" These two versions of Crumbley were portrayed in court Tuesday during a crucial hearing to determine whether life in prison without the possibility of parole is an appropriate sentence for the teenager who murdered four classmates and injured seven others in the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School. Ethan Crumbley 'a broken person with a broken brain' The hearing, which adjourned Tuesday until Aug. 18, included never-before released video of Crumbley in jail, where he is seen strapped to a chair in a highly distressed state jerking about. He is wearing a hood designed to protect jail workers from spit. In another video, he is heard blaming God and crying out in distress repeatedly, "He could have stopped it" and "He could have saved her," while authorities try to calm him down. Both videos were from May of this year. According to a psychological expert who testified on behalf of the defense, the video highlights the mental illness that Crumbley long battled without any help not from his parents, a doctor, a therapist or the school. As psychologist Colin King put it, "Hes a broken person with a broken brain." "What we just witnessed someone saying, 'God, why didn't you stop it?' Thats exactly how psychosis works," King testified. "Somehow you dont understand the outcome of the consequences. Hes having a panic attack and a break with reality." King also testified that he believes Crumbley was showing remorse. Ethan is slowly coming to grips with what he did, and he is expressing extreme sorrow, King said, adding that by asking why God allowed the shooting to take place, even though he himself carried it out: Thats a break from reality. Story continues While the videos were shown in court, Crumbley kept his eyes shut. Prosecution challenges psychologist: You cherry-picked King, who has a Ph.D. from Wayne State University, is an expert in mental health and brain injuries who has testified in about 25 juvenile lifer cases. He spent more than seven hours on the stand Tuesday as the prosecution sought to discredit his testimony. A prosecutor pressed King to explain why he excluded from his testimony and a prepared report numerous details about Crumbley's crimes, excerpts from his journal about how he planned to carry out the biggest mass shooting in the history of Michigan, and his obsession with torturing and killing baby birds and other kids. King testified that a culmination of childhood trauma, neglectful and abusive parents, a lack of acknowledgment by the school system and mental health issues led to the events of Nov. 30, 2021, all of which he documented in a report that the prosecution took issue with. Specifically, Assistant Prosecutor David Williams argued through cross-examination that King cherry-picked details about Crumbley to make him look more sympathetic than he really is, and that King intentionally left out the horrific acts he engaged in before and during the shooting, including: Executing students at close range. Planning ahead of time that he would not take his own life because he wanted to live to see his victims suffer. Writing in his journal how he would carry out the shooting. Torturing and killing baby birds and taking joy from it. King conceded that all of those details are disturbing. However, he would not budge on his position that Crumbley did what he did because he is mentally ill, and, that he can be rehabilitated one day with treatment. "Ethan is mentally ill, there is no doubt in my mind," King testified. "I'm not here to make excuses for Ethan Crumbley. He planned the attack and my heart goes out to the victims' families." Parents blamed for 'litany of horrible abuse' But, King stressed, it was his mental illness that drove him to plan and carry out a deadly mass shooting. According to King, Crumbley has a major depressive disorder with psychosis, anxiety and features of obsessive-compulsive disorder all of which he is being treated for with medications being dispensed by a jail psychiatrist. The expert, however, agreed with the prosecution on at least one front: Crumbleys' parents ignored him. As he testified in court: "What stood out to me was that he told his parents that he was hearing voices, and that he needed to see a therapist," King testified. "And it never happened." King described the influence of Crumbleys parents as a litany of horrible abuse. Jennifer Crumbley, sat to the left of attorney Mariell Lehman as her husband, James Crumbley sat to the right in the Oakland County courtroom of Judge Cheryl Matthews on March 22, 2022, regarding pretrial matters. James and Jennifer Crumbley, who bought their son the gun that he used in the shooting, are charged with involuntary manslaughter. They are the first parents in America to be charged in a school shooting, though their appeal to have the charges struck down is pending before the Michigan Supreme Court. King was the last witness to testify on behalf of the defense, which is trying to convince the judge to give Crumbley a shot at parole one day, arguing his brain is still forming, and that he has the ability to change one day. The prosecution disagrees, arguing Crumbley never deserves to be free again for murdering four classmates, injuring seven others and terrorizing an entire community that is still struggling to recover. 'Lots of people suffer depression, and they dont kill people' Williams, the assistant prosecutor, took issue with King portraying Crumbley as a broken person "waiting for something terrible to happen." "He wasnt waiting he was planning," Williams shot back. "He planned about it. He wrote about it. He recorded about it and then he carried it out." Williams also scoffed at the mental illness argument. "Lots of people suffer depression, and they dont kill people," Williams said. "Those people do not become mass shooters." Williams also pointed out that Crumbley's IQ shows he has above-average intelligence. "Shouldn't he have known better," Williams asked the expert. "Unfortunately, intelligence does not protect someone from mental illness," King responded. "So being very intelligent doesnt mean that you cannot be mentally ill." King cited actor Robin Williams as an example, noting the actor was highly intelligent, yet battled mental illness and committed suicide. The prosecutor pressed King to concede that there was no indication that Crumbley engaged in unusual behavior that would be typical of psychosis in or around the shooting. King responded: We all saw the video, sir. We saw the video from the night before. We listened to him saying, I am the demon. For someone to verbalize that tells me that person has a serious disorder. The prosecutor challenged much of Kings testimony as part of a broader effort to show as the prosecution believes that Crumbley was not insane at the time of the shooting, and knew right from wrong. Psychologist: Crumbley 'can be considered a feral child' Prior to Crumbley pleading guilty, experts found Crumbley to be competent and not criminally insane. The defense then dropped its plan to pursue an insanity defense The prosecution also grilled King about Crumbleys behavior after he carried out the shooting and surrendered, noting he didnt mention demons or delusions, followed commands and behaved in a coherent manner. King responded: The entire courtroom watched five videos of Ethan Crumbley in psychosis. But that wasnt at the time of the shooting, the prosecutor said, noting the video of Crumbley saying sorry and pleading to God was taken long after the shooting. King, though, persisted: "His obsessive thoughts and compulsion propelled him to take the lives of innocent people. When asked what Crumbley was obsessed with, King replied: harming people. King, who spent more than 22 hours over six sessions with Crumbley about a year after the shooting, maintains that Crumbley is absolutely capable of rehabilitation, noting that the brain has the ability to generate new pathways. For example, he said, stroke victims can learn how to walk and talk again. Ethans brain is still maturing, and will not reach full maturity for another 10 years, King testified. King also discussed the phenomenon of the feral child in reference to Crumbley, defining a feral child as someone isolated from others, turning into a misfit of society, with a lack of social cues. Psychologically and socially, he can be considered a feral child, King testified. King wrote a 70-page report that reviewed Crumbleys childhood, the influence of his parents, Oxfords school system and the events leading up to the shooting, including the death of Crumbley's dog. The teen, he said, was the one who had to dispose of the animal. King also testified about Crumbleys obsession with torturing and killing baby birds. Prosecutors showed a video Crumbley made of himself killing a bird, and text messages to a friend about wanting to do it again. He wanted them to feel the pain that he was feeling inside," King said. "He was actually speaking to them in a different tone of voice, almost as a parent talking to a child, almost a reflection of his mental impairment. Crumbley expected backpack to be searched King's testimony also touched on Crumbley's backpack, which was never checked at school on the morning of the shooting, and that Crumbley expected that it would be. Crumbley and his parents were called to the school office shortly before the rampage over disturbing drawings and writing that a teacher reported. Crumbley explained to King that after he was called down to his office, he left his backpack in his classroom and then a school administrator went to retrieve it. "He felt fairly sure that they were going to search his backpack, King testified before suggesting the school administrator mishandled the situation. All he had to do was unzip that backpack, but he didnt. 'Constant family discord and dysfunction' A video of Crumbley collapsing in a diner in 2020 one year before the shooting also was shown in court Tuesday, suggesting that the boy may have suffered a brain injury. He collapsed on a tile floor, and could not get up on his own, according to a psychologist's testimony. The parents told the diner owner not to call 911, King testified. Crumbley also disclosed to the psychologist that he was once out with his parents picking strawberries and he fell. All that he remembers was regaining consciousness. He asked his parents what happened. Crumbley told King that his parents said he suffered a blow to the head. He was not taken to a hospital. King also testified that there seemed to be discord between the parents. "There (were) frequent harsh discussions about infidelity, suicide and which parent Ethan needed to choose in the event that they separated," King testified. He added: "There was constant family discord and dysfunction. There was no indication that he was ever taken to a doctor." Young Crumbley left alone, sought neighbors' help The morning began with testimony about Crumbley's childhood, and how he was left alone often starting when he was 6 years old. According to King, Crumbley, at the age of 6, would wander to neighbors' homes when there was a thunderstorm, tell them he was afraid and would ask for help. At 10, Crumbley would text his mom when he was home alone, but she would not respond, he said. More: Ethan Crumbley's former neighbor opens up: He didnt have a prayer as a child "I saw that as early as age 10, even age 6, there were some issues," King testified, adding video games were also a theme in young Crumbley's life. "In my interviews, he explained that he spent countless hours watching various adult games," he testified. "He also spent an inordinate amount of time going to websites (with) graphic scenes. He began to fantasize being part of those scenes." "Ethan said that at age 6, he went up to a preschool worker and said, 'Wouldnt it be cool if cars can just crash into this school and kill a lot of people,' " King said. King disclosed this incident while explaining why he disagreed with another expert's report that Crumbley did not suffer from mental illness. "If someone tells you, 'I'm seeing things there's a demon in my house' that's mental illness. Mental illness is real," King said. King's testimony followed that of numerous prosecution witnesses who last week offered chilling accounts about the horror Crumbley subjected them to during his rampage. The witnesses included a teacher who was shot in the arm; a student who managed to escape after Crumbley ordered him out of a bathroom stall to go stand by Justin Shilling, whom he had just fatally shot and lay dead in a pool of blood on the tile floor; and an assistant principal who encountered Crumbley in the hallway before trying to revive on one of his victims, Tate Myre, who died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head. The witnesses testified at what is known as a Miller hearing, a mandatory proceeding offered to juvenile defendants facing life without parole. In a 2012 ruling in Miller v. Alabama, the U.S. Supreme Court held that mandatory life without parole sentences are unconstitutional and amount to cruel and unusual punishment, and that such sentences should not be automatic without a hearing. Crumbley's Miller hearing has been postponed to Aug. 18, when the prosecution is expected to present one more witness. Oakland County Circuit Judge Kwame Rowe is expected to issue a written ruling shortly after the hearing and will schedule formal sentencing after that. Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com; Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com. Mandi Wright contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: School shooter Ethan Crumbley breaks down in jail: 'I'm sorry, God' The News At least five people are dead and 60 injured following violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in the north Indian state of Haryana. The violence first broke out in Haryanas Nuh district on Monday after a Hindu religious procession passed through a predominantly Muslim area. Authorities have not yet determined what prompted the initial outbreak of violence. The deadly clashes then spread to Gurugram, outside the capital of Delhi. The internet has been shut down in the area in an effort to block miscommunication and suppress more organized violence. Footage from the scenes show multiple arson incidents. Weve curated reporting and analysis about the situation in Haryana and the global rise of Hindu nationalism. Insights The Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon celebrated its 50th anniversary last week with birthday balloons and a visit from Ohio Department of Youth Services Director Amy Ast. MASSILLON Fifty years ago, when the doors were opened to Indian River Juvenile Correction Facility, the youth prison housed more than 1,200 young men. Today, the facility at 2275 Indian River Road has 165 boys; the result of a marked shift in how juvenile offenders are being treated and served, say those in charge today. "Over the years, we went from the warehousing of kids to now being evidence-based treatment focused, very trauma focused so we can improve the outcomes for the youth," Ohio Department of Youth Services Director Amy Ast said. Last week, Indian River celebrated its 50th anniversary, inviting visitors and state and local officials to join in the commemoration. Ast said she understands that when negative incidents occur at Indian River such as a riot and standoff last year it garners media attention, but added that she'd also like to see some attention given to the positive programs and developments there, as well as its staff. Ast pointed to 50 inmates who recently graduated from a 14-week violence reduction program. Several other youth also graduated from high school, while others earned their GEDs. "Indian River has an incredible, dedicated staff," she said. "They're very resilient and dedicated to our mission Many of the people who work here, live in this community." Amy Ast, director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services, speaks last week at the 50th anniversary of the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon. Amy Ast: 'When you put in low-risk kids with high-risk kids, they become high-risk.' Ast, a 23-year veteran of the Ohio Department of Youth Services, said that when she started out as a corrections officer, the state had 11 facilities housing 2,100 inmates. Today, Ohio operates three juvenile prisons, with about 500 inmates. The reason facilities were closed was "quite intentional," Ast said. In the past, low-risk and medium-risk offenders were housed with violent prisoners, which caused the former to do poorly. "When you put in low-risk kids with high-risk kids, they become high-risk," she said. Story continues Those youth were removed and redirected into intervention services in their own communities. Amy Ast, director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services, talks with guests last week at the 50th anniversary of the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon. "That's where we were going to get the best outcomes, and that's exactly what happened in the state of Ohio," she said. "But what has that meant for the three facilities over the years? It means that the population in those three facilities, particularly on this campus, houses some of those with the most highest needs and the highest risk. And the reason I wanted to mention that is because what makes this facility special is the staff that works here. They are the most resilient group of staff I've ever come across, and not only that, they are the most dedicated public servants, I would venture to say, in the state of Ohio." Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry: 'Kids aren't born to be in trouble' Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry described herself as daughter of a Canton police officer, the niece of an undercover Stark County sheriff's deputy, and the sister of a criminal justice professor at the University of Louisville. "I understand how important it (law enforcement ) is," she said. A mother of six and grandmother of seven, Catazaro-Perry lauded Indian River Superintendent Charles Ford and his staff for filling the gaps for inmates who may not have had the benefit of a stable home life. "Parenting is so important to have successful young adults," she said. "You get the children that need help because maybe their parents weren't there, or maybe their grandparents had to raise them. You know, it just doesn't happen; kids aren't born to be in trouble. They are born to have a successful life. They stumble when they don't have a parent or grandparent. They need to be loved and cared for. They need to know that they are important and that somebody cares about them. You're filling a gap that was missed along the way somewhere." A former nurse, Catazaro-Perry noted that the part of the brain which determines reasoning is not fully developed until a person is at least 25. "It's not always developed, and they do make mistakes," she sad. "But there is hope, and there's a life for them after leaving this place. I love the idea about the graduation. Graduating from high school is big deal. They're graduating toward a life of peace, and that's really what we're trying to promote in this city." The mayor also called for more access to mental health services, and expressed hope that some of those incarcerated might someday be able to obtain employment in Massillon, where jobs are plentiful. Charles Ford, superintendent of the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon, speaks last week at a celebration commemorating the facility's the 50th anniversary. Indian River is at capacity with 165 youth Ford was named the 25th superintendent of Indian River this spring after serving for several months on an interim basis. He first worked at the facility in 2003. "Indian River is a special place to me," he said. "It's home." During the commemoration, Ford introduced two of his predecessors, Joe Marsilio and Chris Freeman, who shared some of their memories on the job, as well as his staff. He lauded his employees' performance, adding that "the community is our client." Noting that Indian River is at its capacity of 165 inmates, Ford said he has implemented some changes, including body cameras for the staff, and authorizing some mid-level supervisors to carry pepper spray. In recent years, a number of staffers have been seriously injured on the job; the result of attacks and uprisings by youth. It's resulted in repeated staff shortages, which puts a strain on those who remain. "I'm definitely enhancing a lot of family interaction," he said. "We're trying to focus on being trauma-responsive, and building relationships." Ford said Indian River is always seeking volunteers, noting that the inmates are sometimes more receptive to volunteers than paid staffers. "We're looking for community engagement because that's where they're going back to," he said. Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP Charles Ford, superintendent of the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon, speaks last week at a celebration commemorating the facility's the 50th anniversary. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility celebrates 50th anniversary INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianas six abortion clinics have stopped providing abortions ahead of the states near-total abortion ban officially taking effect and as a petition is pending before the states high court asking it to keep the ban on hold while legal action continues, clinic officials said Tuesday. Planned Parenthoods four Indiana abortion clinics stopped performing abortions Monday in accordance with state guidance that providers received in July alerting them that on or around Tuesday abortion would become illegal in Indiana in clinic settings with really very, very limited exceptions, said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of the Planned Parenthood division that includes Indiana. Indianas two other abortion clinics have also stopped providing abortions, with one calling it a dark day for Indiana. Indiana's Republican-backed ban will end most abortions in the state, even in the earliest stages of a pregnancy. Indiana became the first state to enact tighter abortion restrictions after the U.S. Supreme Court ended nearly a half-century of federal abortion protections by overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Although Planned Parenthood's four Indiana abortion clinics have stopped providing abortions, Gibron said its 11 health centers across the state continue offering a wide range of services, including emergency contraception and birth control, even as the group works to help Hoosiers obtain out-of-state abortions. Planned Parenthood will not be intimidated and bullied and we will not be silenced, she said at a news conference outside one of the group's clinics that provided abortions in Indianapolis. Indianas ban will eliminate the licenses for all seven abortion clinics in the state one of which closed in June and ban most abortions, even in the earliest stages of a pregnancy. It includes exceptions allowing abortions at hospitals in cases of rape or incest before 10 weeks post-fertilization. It also allows abortions up to 20 weeks to protect the life and physical health of the mother or if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. Story continues Before Indiana's ban was passed, the state's laws generally prohibited abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy and tightly restricted them after the 13th week. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinic operators, challenged the ban's constitutionality. But in a June 30 ruling, the Indiana Supreme Court found that the ban doesnt violate the state constitution. Its ruling struck down a preliminary injunction that had kept the ban on hold, although that ruling has yet to be certified to officially take effect. On Monday the last day for it to do so the ACLU of Indiana filed a petition for a rehearing with the high court asking it to keep the ban on hold while it pursues a narrower preliminary injunction in a trial court to address the scope of the bans exemption allowing women facing serious health risks to obtain abortions. That filing delays the certification of the courts ruling while it considers whether to grant or deny that petition, said court spokesperson Kathryn Dolan. Its unclear how long it may take the high court to decide the matter. But the state attorney generals office, which had 15 days to respond to the rehearing request, filed it Tuesday, urging the court to promptly deny plaintiffs groundless and exceedingly calculated rehearing petition and calling it a transparent attempt to delay certification of the courts ruling. Attorney Generals office spokeswoman Katlyn Milligan said in a statement Tuesday that, On the eve of Indianas pro-life law going into effect, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood made a desperate attempt to prevent Indiana from enforcing our own law. We responded to this filing immediately and are now waiting for the Court to rule. Planned Parenthood ended abortion services at its four clinics Monday in light of the states guidance and the uncertainty over when the court will certify its abortion ban ruling, Gibron said. The reality is that it can happen at any point. The Supreme Court could certify it this afternoon, she said. Gibron said Indianas abortion ban will target Hoosiers of color, indigenous communities and those already marginalized by our health care system. Indianas two other abortion clinics, which are not operated by Planned Parenthood and are both located in Indianapolis, have also stopped providing abortion care. In a statement, Clinic for Women owner LaDonna Prince said the clinic ended abortions on Monday, calling it "a dark day for Indiana and for the country. The state's other abortion clinic, Women's Med, stopped providing abortions on Friday, a representative said Tuesday. Although Planned Parenthood's Indiana abortion clinics are no longer performing abortions, Gibron said a patient navigation team is working to help patients get out-of-state abortions. That includes helping schedule appointments and finding ways to help them pay the costs of traveling out of state. Adjacent Illinois and Michigan states where abortion remains legal will most likely become the destinations for many Indiana residents seeking out-of-state abortion care, said Gibron, who is CEO for Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky. Planned Parenthood of Illinois had prepared for years for the possibility of Roe v. Wade falling, and it opened clinics near the Indiana and Wisconsin borders in 2018 and 2020 in anticipation of those states restricting access to abortion, said Kristen Schultz, the affiliate's chief strategy and operations officer. She said patients from Indiana nearly doubled after the states ban briefly went into effect last September and that traffic is expected to rise again starting this week. Schultz said more doctors, advanced nurse practitioners and medical assistants have been hired to accommodate the expected surge. The demand has increased, the challenges have increased when patients show up at our doors having traveled eight or ten or 12 hours. Thats an increased burden on the patient. And our staff really feel that," she said. ___ Claire Savage, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, contributed to this report. Melisa Hansboro, 54, was moving into a new home on the southeast side of Indianapolis when police say someone shot her at close range in the back of the neck. Hansboro's body was discovered hours later by her 6-year-old grandson, who entered her locked house through a busted window screen after calls to Hansboro's cellphone went unanswered. On Monday, detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made an arrest in Hansboro's killing. Jerry Lewis, 64, was taken into custody where he remains at the Community Justice Campus without bail. On the evening of June 1, police arrived at the 1700 block of Spruce Street, roughly six blocks south of where Pleasant Run Trail winds northward into the east side of the city. Officers met Hansboro's daughter and two grandchildren outside the home's brick and vinyl front porch where they told police about their grisly discovery. From dream to nightmare: Johnson County deputy recruit dies weeks from graduation Hansboro had recently moved into the home after living at a hotel, according to a probable cause affidavit for Lewis' arrest. Her family showed up after 8 p.m. to find Hansboro's car, a 1994 maroon Buick Regal, missing and the house locked. The car was used at times by Lewis, who had been dating Hansboro for a few months, police learned. During their investigation, police were told Hansboro and Lewis "were in the middle of a break-up," according to the affidavit. Earlier that same day, Hansboro visited with a new neighbor, who observed Hansboro appeared "agitated" whenever Lewis was around and remained quiet until he left. Hansboro's grandson told police she and Lewis were arguing about a sink. The last time Hansboro's daughter spoke to her mother was later that day at 6:29 p.m., according to phone records detectives obtained through Verizon. An incoming call at 6:36 p.m. from her daughter was rejected and sent to voicemail. There were four missed calls after that. Story continues More news: Cyclist killed in crash with Indianapolis officer identified as 34-year-old father of two Concerned, Hansboro's daughter drove to her mother's residence, discovered it locked, and tried calling again. She could hear the cellphone ringing from somewhere inside the house, she told police. Tearing open a window screen, Hansboro's daughter lifted her children into the house to unlock the door. Police arrived moments later where investigators found Hansboro's body in the stairwell, according to an affidavit. An autopsy later determined she had been shot in the back of the neck. Detectives found gunpowder on the entrance wound, indicating the shot had been fired at close range. The bullet had exited Hansboro's nose. In the basement, detectives recovered a spent .380 cartridge casing, along with a fired bullet and at least one metal fragment. Investigators searched the home and, inside a multi-drawer storage container at the front of the residence, they found men's clothing and paperwork bearing the name of Jerry Lewis. The only damage to the exterior of the home investigators could find was the torn screen. Roughly two hours after detectives discovered her body, Lewis arrived at police headquarters, an affidavit states, after first calling 911 to request a welfare check on Hansboro. Lewis told the 911 operator he was concerned that Hansboro was being stalked by a former boyfriend and she might be hurt. More news: What Indianapolis high schoolers think about the citys violence, and how to fix it Detectives informed Lewis that a death investigation was underway after he asked if Hansboro was all right. Lewis told police he went to work at 7 p.m. He said he tried calling her, an affidavit stated, and when he heard no response, went to the police station. Investigators obtained cellphone records for Lewis, which showed he called Hansboro once, at 9:07 p.m., then shut his phone off at 9:08 p.m., according to an affidavit. Detectives determined both Lewis and Hansboro were at the home together from 5:35 p.m. until 6:44 p.m. on June 1 when security and surveillance footage near the homicide scene showed Lewis leaving the area in Hansboro's maroon Buick. Police interviewed the man Lewis alleged had been stalking Hansboro. Detectives learned he and Hansboro had dated for more than a decade but had broken off their relationship in August 2022, an affidavit stated. He attempted to see her once when she lived at a hotel, but said Hansboro never came to the door. Cellphone records that investigators obtained showed his phone pinged nowhere near the 1700 block of Spruce Street where Hansboro died. Online jail records show Lewis is facing a preliminary charge of murder. The Marion County Prosecutors Office will make the final charging decision. John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: INDIANAPOLIS CRIME: Melisa Hansboro killed in fatal shooting One was a bail bondsman from Orange Park who said he had simply "documented history." Another was a Spring Hill singer who said she was there to join the people "making a declaration." Another was the Dunedin founder of a nutrition-based lifestyle and recipe blog and reportedly calls herself Americas Gluten Free Voice. And yet another, now, is a Palm Beach resident who was the sitting president of the United States. Donald J. Trump on Tuesday joined more than 100 other Florida men and women in the nation-leading group of defendants facing charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The indictment against Trump is the third set of criminal charges against him this year. In a post on his social media platform Tuesday afternoon, Trump again railed against special counsel Jack Smith and the "fake indictment" saying it was politically motivated. "Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign," Trump wrote. But, in fact, Trump and his actions have been under scrutiny almost from the moment violence broke out at the Capitol on that gray, blustery and frigid afternoon. The former president was impeached a second time after he left the White House, and appeared to escape conviction in the February 2021 U.S. Senate trial only because key GOP senators at the time said the matter should be dealt with by the justice system since Trump was no longer in office. Donald Trump: Indicted for allegedly organizing a conspiracy to steal the 2020 election: live updates The chairman of a congressional panel that investigated Trump and the Jan. 6 violence on Capitol Hill claimed in an 814-page report released in December 2022 that there had been a "multi-step effort devised by Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election and block the transfer of power." Earlier that month, the committee voted unanimously to recommend charges against Trump on conspiracy to defraud the United States, his role in obstructing an official proceeding of Congress, conspiracy to make a false statement, and aiding an insurrection. Story continues Those accusations spotlighted a common denominator between Trump and many of the other Floridians arrested since January 2021, according to findings in a study released this month. Namely, some of those charged didn't just participate in the mayhem, protests and violent attack on the Capitol. They also served as leaders of the effort in what committee members and others have said was an attempted coup. Christmas at Mar-a-Lago 2020: Trump post on Jan. 6 investigation renews questions about what took place in Palm Beach Study shows initial, larger share of Floridians faced Jan. 6 conspiracy-related charges Florida didn't just lead the country in initial arrests related to the riot in Washington. The Sunshine State, Trump's adopted home since 2019, also had a significantly higher share of those charged with more serious conspiracy offenses. A report issued last month by Seton Hall University examined data on the original 716 people charged with Jan. 6-related offenses within the first 12 months of the insurrection. It found that Florida not only led the nation with 82 of those charged, or 11.5% of the total, but also, of the 60 people charged with conspiracy offenses, almost 50% were from the Sunshine State. "It turns out that Florida had practically half of them," said Mark Denbeaux, a director of Seton Hall's Center for Policy & Research and a co-author of the report. Kelly Meggs is an Oath Keeper from Florida That was at least partly true because the state was home to leaders and members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers extremist groups. Florida Oath Keepers leader Kelly Meggs of Dunnellon was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio of Miami and three other members of the group were convicted of seditious conspiracy in May. The revelations in the Seton Hall study predated Trump joining according to a USA Today database of Jan. 6 arrests, charges and convictions another 112 people from Florida implicated for their roles in the violence. The USA Today database, as of July 21, listed just over 1,000 people from 48 states who face or have faced charges. Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio of Miami The university's report also said the bulk of the hundreds of people arrested and accused of Jan. 6 offenses represent a microcosm of America, except for their race and gender. Denbeaux, a professor at the university, said that other than the defendants' race and gender the overwhelming majority are white males they are a "perfect" profile of America. "Everything else matched, really, the profile you get from the U.S. Census in terms of employment, jobs, education, criminal records, age, ethnicity, all of that was a perfect profile of America," he said. "Which is not what we began expecting." The professors and students at the center, he said, began the project expecting the majority of those accused to have, perhaps, possessed criminal records or otherwise represent a sociological anomaly within U.S. society. Instead, they found that almost a quarter of them, 24.7%, were successful small business owners. Another 18.5% had served in the armed forces or as police and law-enforcement agents. Even the number of unemployed defendants, 4%, tracked national labor statistics. The percentage of those with criminal records, 22%, is less than the U.S. national average. "In the end, one of my students' conclusions is we thought it was going to be a revealing, identifying group of really bad people. And it turns out you can't really say that," said Denbeaux. "Which is, my student said, kind of scary. You can't target who you should watch out for if it's everybody." Donald Trump arrives for arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan following his surrender to New York authorities at the New York County Criminal Court on April 4, 2023. Trump appeared in court to answer charges from a grand jury investigation into payments made during the 2016 campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. 2024 election calendar: Trump documents trial date set for after March 19 Florida presidential GOP primary Trump indictment aside, legacy of Jan. 6 violence continues unabated in Florida Just last month, more Floridians pleaded guilty to Jan. 6 crimes. They included a husband and wife from Ocala the husband for "assaulting, resisting, or impeding" officers, a felony, and the wife for misdemeanors for "parading, demonstrating, or picketing" in the Capitol that day. A St. Augustine man also faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder. Other Sunshine State residents continue to contest charges. On July 25, an attorney for a Lakeland defendant filed a motion asking a federal judge to dismiss the felony and three misdemeanor counts against her client Trump has been unabashed in demonstrating sympathy and support for Jan. 6 defendants. During a May 10 town hall on CNN, Trump said he was inclined to pardon a large share of Jan. 6 defendants, should U.S. voters return him to the White Hose. "I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can't say for every single one, because a couple of them probably they got out of control," he said. During his political rallies, Trump has played a video of men imprisoned for their Jan. 6 actions singing the national anthem interspersed with the former president reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. An official with a civil-rights advocacy group said in June that it is "no coincidence" that Florida is home to a large share of Jan. 6 extremists at the same time it has led the country in legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, rules that curtail access to voting and even banning or removing books and curriculum from classrooms and school libraries. Florida, said Maya Henson Carey, a research analyst with the Southern Poverty Law Centers' Intelligence Project, is a place where "a blurring of lines between extremism and mainstream politics" has taken place. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is trailing former President Donald Trump in the polls, in January derided observances in January of the two-year anniversary of the violence at the U.S. Capitol. This is their Christmas, January 6th, DeSantis said of Democrats and others. They are going to take this and milk this for anything they could to try to be able to smear anyone who ever supported Donald Trump. Indeed, it is no coincidence that Florida has been subject to the targeting of LGBTQ+ people with laws that remove their rights, has a history of hard-right organizing as exemplified by leading the nation in defendants related to the Jan. 6 insurrection, and is home to extensive organizing by groups like Moms for Liberty to ban books and roll back equal access to public education," Carey said after the SPLC released its annual "The Year in Hate and Extremism" report. But Florida Republicans, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, hail those same measures as evidence the state is "where woke goes to die." The governor has pointed to his 19.4 percentage point re-election last November as testimony that he and the GOP supermajority in the Legislature are pursuing the will of Florida's electorate. DeSantis also derided observances of this past January's two-year anniversary of the violence. This is their Christmas, January 6th, DeSantis said of Democrats and others. They are going to take this and milk this for anything they could to try to be able to smear anyone who ever supported Donald Trump. More than two years later, the role played by Floridians in the attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to emerge into public view. Trump faces looming, complex political and legal calendar. Is it costing him support? Iowa Republicans have already set Jan. 15 as the date for their primary season kickoff caucus. Super Tuesday follows on March 5. Many states will have concluded their GOP presidential nominee balloting before the handful of legal cases swirling around Trump is likely to be resolved. That means most party voters will choose their candidate before they know conclusively whether Trump is indeed a victim of what Republicans say is "weaponized law enforcement" or a justly convicted felon. The Trump family business enterprise, the Trump Organization, is set to go on trial in a civil lawsuit in October in New York state. But the Trumps' business also is to go on trial Jan. 29 in a civil class-action lawsuit accusing it of promoting a pyramid scheme. Also in January, Trump is to be back in court for another round of litigation with writer E. Jean Carroll, who has accused Trump of sexual assault and defamation. Former President Donald Trump appears in court for arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan following his surrender to New York authorities at the New York County Criminal Court on April 4, 2023. Trump appeared in court to answer charges from a grand jury investigation into payments made during the 2016 campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. On March 25, a New York state judge has ruled, the criminal case against the former president stemming from an alleged hush-money payment to a porn star in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election is to begin. And a federal judge in Fort Pierce set May 20, 2024 as the start date for the criminal case against Trump over his possession and alleged mishandling and obstructing the return of classified documents to the government. It's far from clear whether that trial will have concluded by the time Republicans gather in Milwaukee for their convention in mid-July. Trump is the leading GOP presidential candidate and the former president has touted poll after poll showing him with wide, double-digit percentage-point leads over rivals like DeSantis. But there are signs his support is stalling, if not ebbing. A Pew Research Center survey released July 21 showed Trump with a concerning disapproval rating among all Americans, 63%, while a only little more than a third, 35%, see him favorably. In the past year, as Trump's legal woes have mounted and the 2022 GOP midterm disappointment was pinned on him, his favorable standing among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents dropped 9 points to 66%. A poll of New Hampshire Republican voters issued July 18 saw Trump lose 5 percentage points in his lead over his closest rival, DeSantis, though the former president still led comfortably by 37% to 23%. That followed a Florida Atlantic University Mainstreet PolCom Lab survey released July 10 that showed Trump's margin over DeSantis in Florida had eroded by 7 percentage points since April, though the former president still held a crushing 50% to 30% lead over his one-time Sunshine State political ally. The political website FiveThirtyEight on Aug. 1 registered Trump with a 56.3% unfavorable rating against a 40.4% favorable rating. The 15.9 percentage point gap has widened since Trump was first charged in the hush-money case. Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump indicted, joins Florida residents charged in January 6 attack Donald Trump BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Former President Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday by the federal grand jury investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights a civil rights law related to the alleged attempt to disenfranchise voters by trying to overturn the election. UNITED STATES V TRUMP pic.twitter.com/2pbRnl0ZbG Mike Scarcella (@MikeScarcella) August 1, 2023 The indictment listed six un-indicted co-conspirators. The indictment lists six co-conspirators, with fairly identifiable bios: pic.twitter.com/sJt265PP8Z Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) August 1, 2023 He was summoned to appear before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee, on Thursday. New on @MSNBC: The Trump case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Chutkan, an Obama appointee, is the only federal judge in Washington, D.C. who has sentenced Jan. 6 defendants to sentences longer than the government had requested. Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 1, 2023 In a statement Tuesday evening, special counsel Jack Smith said the indictment describes the attack in the capitol on Jan. 6 as "fueled by lies," although he made no specific mention to Donald Trump. "The attack on our nation's capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of America democracy," Smith said. "Lies by the defendant," Smith said, were aimed at "obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government and the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election." Story continues Attorney General Merrick Garland also made public comments after the indictment was handed down on Tuesday. Smith, Garland said, "followed the facts of the law." Prosecutors allege Trump was "determined to remain in power" and engaged in conspiracies that targeted a "bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election." The indictment marks the third set of criminal charges filed against the former president this year and the first charges pertaining to his conduct while in office. Trump teased the indictment on Truth Social minutes before it was announced. "I hear that Deranged Jack Smith, in order to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024, will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your favorite President, me, at 5:00 P.M," he wrote. "Why didn't they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct!" His campaign in a statement called the indictment "nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere" in the election, even likening his prosecution to "Nazi Germany in the 1930s." This is nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election, in which President Trump is the undisputed frontrunner pic.twitter.com/JJrXGrXrFq Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) August 1, 2023 The indictment follows Trump attorneys John Lauro and Todd Blanche's meeting with Smith's team seeking to avert the charges and days after the Justice Department expanded its charges against him in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, also headed by the special counsel's office. Several associates of Trump reportedly met with the special counsel's office or testified before the grand jury in the case in recent months after being subpoenaed in the probe, including top Trump advisor Boris Epshteyn, former Vice President Mike Pence, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, and Trump's son-in-law and former White House senior advisor, Jared Kushner. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the top election official in the state who received Trump's infamous January 2021 phone call, was also expected to meet with prosecutors. Smith first issued dozens of subpoenas to officials from multiple states who were targeted in Trump's and his allies' failed attempts to overturn the 2020 election in November of last year, signaling that his ensuing investigation would be sprawling. According to a copy of the subpoena obtained by ABC News, the Justice Department sought any and all records regarding communications from June 1, 2020 to Jan. 20, 2021 between officials from six states with Trump or his allies and advisors, including Kenneth Chesebro, Justin Clark, Joe DiGenova, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Epshteyn, Bernard Kerik, Bruce Marks, Cleta Mitchell, Matthew Morgan, Kurt Olsen, William Olsen, Stefan Passantino, Sidney Powell, Bill Stepien, Victoria Toensing, James Troupis and Lin Wood. The subpoenas covered 18 separate categories of information, The Washington Post reported, indicating that the Justice Department was interested in three main areas related to the origins, fundraising and underpinnings of the alleged attempt to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to President Joe Biden in early 2021: the effort to replace earned, Biden electors with false pro-Trump electors before the congressional tally of the 2020 election outcome on Jan. 6, 2021; the rally that preceded the deadly attack on the Capitol, which Trump had tweeted on Dec. 19, 2020 would "be wild"; and the fundraising and spending of the Save America political action committee, which raised more than $100 million in the aftermath of the 2020 election due, in large part, to the Trump circle's "Stop the Steal" campaign. Those areas of the Justice Department's interest, however, did not cover the other important aspects of its investigation into the insurrection, in which more than 870 people had been arrested for alleged violence, trespassing and in the case of two far-right extremist groups prosecutors said played key roles in the riot seditious conspiracy. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in May for seditious conspiracy in connection to his role in the deadly attack a prison term that prosecutors have appealed in a signal that they were dissatisfied with the term alongside several other members of the group who received lesser sentences for their participation in the riot. Four members of the alt-right Proud Boys, including leader Enrique Tarrio, were convicted on charges of seditious conspiracy that same month. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. This federal probe runs parallel to a similar inquiry being undertaken by Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis, who is investigating Trump and his associates' efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state. Willis is expected to deliver a charging decision in the coming weeks. The former president maintains he committed no wrongdoing in any of his cases. He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in June in the special counsel's other investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving office. Read the full indictment below: Trump indictment by Igor Derysh on Scribd Read more about the Jan. 6 probe Flash Former U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to derail an investigation into his alleged meddling in the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia was rejected by a judge on Monday, U.S. media reported. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney rejected efforts by Trump's legal team to keep a Georgia district attorney from prosecuting him and from using certain evidence gathered in her investigation into the case. In his ruling, McBurney said there are no grounds to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from pursuing her investigation. Willis has suggested that she may seek charges in the case in the coming weeks. Trump's legal team in Georgia had previously asked the court to throw out all the evidence from the special purpose grand jury investigation and disqualify Willis, citing concerns about the constitutionality of special grand juries in the state and about "a prosecutor's office that was found to have an actual conflict, yet continued to pursue the investigation." The special grand jury did not have the power to indict. But it did issue subpoenas and hear from witnesses and issue a final report with recommendations for Willis. JAKARTA (Reuters) - Live cattle imported from Australia by major buyer Indonesia were likely infected with lumpy skin disease (LSD) at home, an Indonesian official said on Tuesday, as the Asian nation put imports from four Australian facilities on hold. Bambang, head of Indonesia's Agriculture Quarantine Agency who goes by one name, said 13 cattle tested positive for LSD immediately upon arrival between May and July from eight separate vessels. Some of the cows had lumps on their skin, indicating they had been infected prior to their arrival in Indonesia, he told a news conference. In addition to blisters, the highly infectious virus LSD also reduces milk production. "The journey from Australia took about a week at most. With the 28-day incubation period, we really believe (the LSD) could potentially have originated there," Bambang said. Australia says it is LSD free, and its chief veterinary officer has said the infections were not unexpected, given the presence of LSD in Indonesia. Indonesia is still importing live cattle from other facilities, the Australian agriculture minister has said. Bambang said LSD has been found in cattle farms in Indonesia's Sumatra and Java islands. An Australian investigation into the matter will conclude in September, he added. Indonesia bought about 56% of Australia's total live cattle exports in 202122, data showed, in deals worth about A$900 million ($600 million). Based on Indonesian data, more than 303,000 live cattle were imported from Australia last year, while imports so far this year exceeded 153,000 cattle. (Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; editing by Miral Fahmy) You can tailgate at SoFi Stadium, but Tayl-gating will be prohibited on the SoFi grounds during Taylor Swift's concerts. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) You may have seen one of the many videos circulating on social media of fans gathering outside a Taylor Swift concert, dancing and singing along to the sounds of her Eras tour. But bad news for Swifties in the Los Angeles area: If Inglewood has its way, you won't get the chance to "Tayl-gate" at SoFi Stadium. In June Swifties assembled on the north and south lawns of Soldier Field in Chicago; in Philadelphia, Swift's hometown, thousands of fans gathered in the parking lot of the Lincoln Financial Center. For people who couldn't spend a chunk of cash on tickets, this was the next best thing: enjoying her music outside the venue's walls, a practice that's come to be known as Tayl-gating. Ahead of the Eras tour show at SoFi Stadium, however, the city of Inglewood's message is Tayl-gating "wouldn't be effective here." Mayor James T. Butts Jr. said SoFi Stadium is a quarter-mile away from the sidewalk area that rings the property. The closest is on Prairie Avenue, and "the sidewalk of Prairie is not wide enough" for people to gather. The city already doesn't allow people to block sidewalks, citing public safety concerns. If Swifties set up shop there, he said, they would be asked to move along. And the chances of hearing Swift from Prairie Avenue would be slim. Butts said the sound would be faint that far away from the stadium. So what's in between the stadium and the nearest sidewalk? Several of the stadium's parking lots. But hanging out there without a ticket will be, shall we say, strongly discouraged. As part of the guidance it's offering attendees, SoFi reminds concert-goers that they'll need a ticket to enter the stadium property. Read more: 13+ events where Swifties can celebrate the Eras tour around L.A. "SoFi Stadium reserves the right to confirm that guests have tickets at any time," the SoFi website states. It also notes that guests cannot remain in the parking lots or outside of the stadium once the show begins. Story continues "At the time of the headlining act, any guests in the parking lots or outside of the stadium will be asked to enter the stadium with their ticket," it says. If someone doesn't have a ticket, they "will be required to leave the property." But before you cue up "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," check out the Swiftie community events being held throughout Los Angeles. Restaurants, hotels, theaters and more venues are hosting Taylor Swift events where you can celebrate with others who don't have a ticket. Times staff writer Jon Healey contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Based in Danville, Indiana, Bio-Response Solutions builds alkaline hydrolysis machines that fit small pets (seen here) to adult humans. Hannah Czerwinskis office desk isnt decorated like most. Between pictures of her baby and papers rest vials of perfectly clean, bright white bones. This is Dougie, she says, holding up a tiny glass jar of bearded dragon remnants. Dougie is just one of many dead animals in Czerwinskis office. Her shelves are lined with glass jars of sharp canine and cat teeth, fine powdery ground-up bones, and even delicate bat bones. Theyve all been picked clean as if their bodies had been scavenged by vultures and then bleached like a sand dollar. They look like they could turn to dust from one touch. Czerwinski is one of around 20 employees at Bio-Response Solutions, the leading manufacturer of alkaline hydrolysis equipment worldwide. This equipment is used to reduce deceased humans and animals to liquid and ash, a method that is less energy intensive and polluting than cremation. The company is not an active funeral home and legally cant process humans, but it does use deceased animals to show potential buyers how the equipment works. When her lizard companion passed away a few years ago, Czerwinski knew what to do. After he died, Dougies body was placed in one of Bio-Responses pet systems and turned into liquid until all that remained were the bones that sit next to Czerwinskis computer. Tucked away in an industrial park 40 minutes outside of Indianapolis, Bio-Response is the worlds biggest manufacturer of machines that liquefy bodies with water. They ship about 100 chambers each year across the globea mixture of pet and human machinesto provide a more sustainable, less fuel-intensive alternative to cremation. This process may sound macabre, but its not brand new. It is, however, becoming more attractive as people search for more environmentally sound death options. Alkaline hydrolysis, which Bio-Response calls aquamation, is just one in a growing list of options for consumers concerned about how their funerals may impact the environment. Other options include eco-burials, body composting, and mushroom mycelium suits. And while alkaline hydrolysis may not be talked about as frequently as the other, its legal in far more places, including about half of all US states for humans. Story continues The steps are a bit different for animals like Dougie. While the human machines can only treat one body at a time, in the pet machines, multiple small bodies can be treated simultaneously because the animals are separated by metal walls, so their bones dont get mixed up. The machine is then filled with a mixture of hot water and a caustic alkali (a liquid or solid version of sodium and potassium hydroxides). Together, the two break down the body until all that is left are bones. A staff member treats the remains of a family pet. Alkaline hydrolysis is legal for animals in Indiana. Alkaline hydrolysis can sound scary, hence why it goes by so many names: aquamation and resomation being the two most popular. But really, the whole process can be understood by going back to basic chemistry. Think of a pH chart you might have seen on a science classroom wall. On one side, starting from zero, are acidic substances like lemon juice and vinegar. In the middle, at seven, is water, a purely neutral liquid. Then on the other side, things get basic. Ending at 14 are alkaline substances. Chemically, alkaline substances are the opposite of acids, but they, too, can break down organic compounds. Crematorium owner and Bio-Response machine user Philip Flores uses potassium hydroxide as his alkali, which is just a type of lye used in soap making. It's a salt that helps create alkalinity when mixed with water, he says. So when you have the warm and gentle flow of water introduced with this alkalinity, what happens is, aside from accelerating the decomposition process, it breaks down anything that's organic, leaving behind the inorganic, which would be the entire skeletal structure. In as little as 16 hours, Dougies small scales were broken down this way, his decaying flesh submerged in a solution of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit until all that was left were the memories of his companionship, the bones that decorate Czerwinskis office, and a non-toxic brown liquid that smells vaguely like an unkempt pet store. If Dougie had been a human, a metal hip or breast implant may have been left behind for the machine operator to remove after his liquified body had been drained from the chamber. To Czerwinski, alkaline hydrolysis was the clear choice for her 10-year-old lizard companion. Right around the time Dougie was born, Czerwinskis dad, Joe Wilson, had an idea that would revolutionize the death industry: creating an American market for body-liquifying machines. Body liquification takes off Bio-Response officially got started on November 26, 2009, as the brainchild of Joe Wilson, who had previously worked in waste management for STERIS, a medical equipment company that focuses on infection prevention. For most, going to a medical waste conference sounds mundane, but on a crisp November day when Wilson attended one in Baltimore, he was blown away. In the early 90s, the late professor Gordon Kaye of Albany Medical College faced a problem: He needed to dispose of research animals that contained radioisotopes in a safe and economically feasible way. A colleague, Peter Weber had an idea. He took a sample rat, liquified it, through alkaline hydrolysis, and returned the resulting bone powder to Kaye. It was a breakthrough, particularly for the disposal of corpses used in research contexts. [Related on PopSci+: Meet the father-son team creating humanure] Seven years later, Wilson took his seat at a conference presentation led by Kaye. I learned that not only did alkaline hydrolysis dissolve tissue, but it destroyed cancer drugs, embalming agents, formaldehyde, other complex chemical toxins, and was sterile, Wilson says. The whole idea just caught me off guard. It was a way to sanctify the dead without burning them. Wilson wanted to make the method useful to more professions and industries. First, he built a towable alkaline hydrolysis unit that could be transported to farms for diseased livestock disposal. This was a success, but Wilson had more ambitions: He wanted to build something that could liquefy individual people. At the time, another manufacturer was making a human-sized alkaline hydrolysis machine in Scotland, though it was expensive. This is what Wilson challenged. One night in 2010, Wilson woke up at 3 a.m. with an idea and scribbled it down. Other people had a Rolls Royce, he says. I wanted to build a Chevrolet for the industry. What he jotted down that night became the backbone of Bio-Response today. The company, founded by Wilson four years earlier, had been selling machines for pets, appropriately called PET machines, but this changed everything. It was a real home run, Wilson says. Human meets machine Today, Bio-Response offers two options for human corpses with differing temperatures, although they custom-make machines for almost any-sized organism imaginable. One machine went all the way up to the ceiling, says Rob Graham, sales manager at Bio-Response. The machines themselves are surprisingly quietand given the nature of the work, the mood in Bio-Responses warehouse is surprisingly relaxed, too.. The team of builders and programmers, which Graham describes as a family, listens to music and rides around on scooters as they construct metal chambers worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its like a tech startup, except instead of creating the latest AI craze, they build equipment to liquify dead people and animals. Soon, these machines will be installed in funeral homes to liquefy humans. But today, the shining silver cylinders are emitting steam as employees checked them for quality control before shipment to Las Vegas. After almost a full day in the hot solution, the human body turns to bone and effluent. Each machine fits one human at a time and, after being filled up with the alkaline solution, is tilted at an angle. This allows less water to be used as the body inside naturally falls into a crouching position when tilted. The machine hums for 16 to 18 hours before being drained, and the remaining bones are removed, dried, and ground into a fine dust that loved ones can take home. But then theres the remaining effluent, which is a fancy way to say the brown, musty liquid made of the natural byproducts of decomposition, including amino acids, salt, and sugar. To say the liquid doesnt smell would be a lie, but its nothing compared to the stench of a rotting body. Aquamation practitioners then drain this effluent into the wastewater system, the same place where all of the water from sinks, toilets, showers, and washing machines go. People are concerned that what were doing is drinking dead bodies, says Philip Olson, a death studies professor at Virginia Tech who is not affiliated with Bio-Response. There are lots of things in our wastewater system; this might be one of the least to worry about. Still, it does worry people, even when more traditional funerary methods process waste similarly. During embalming, where a body is drained of blood, it is sent into the wastewater system, Olson says. Its untreated. In alkaline hydrolysis, while the waste ends up in the same place, it is treated. It's been sterilized by the nature of heat, which will kill anything that was living essentially, Graham explains. There are also religious and cultural barriers to consider with aquamation as well. In the Catholic faith, alkaline hydrolysis is not an acceptable form of body disposal. This follows a history of opposition to cremation, which wasnt allowed until the 1960s, despite the modern cremation movement beginning nearly 100 years earlier. But Wilson says strict Catholic approval isnt stopping people. Half the people that go through our machines are Catholics, he estimates. While the tech behind alkaline hydrolysis precedes Bio-Response, the company has built a system that can be used in crematoriums across the world. Still, perception is changing. When anti-apartheid activist and Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu died in 2021, most of the world had no idea what alkaline hydrolysis was. But Tutu did, and he had chosen to go through the process upon his death. Although Tutu was not Catholic, Graham says his death changed minds. That knocked down on the barrier tremendously given he was known right underneath the Pope, Graham says. To date, Bio-Response has sold more than 400 machines in North America alone. The ultimate decision But with the many options people have for their final rites, why choose this one? Olson says there are two main reasons. The first is that customers perceive the process as gentle, which is preferable to many over sending their loved ones to be burned by flame. I'm not exactly sure what's gentle about caustic alkali, but thats how people perceive itlike a warm water bath, Olson adds. The second lies in its environmental benefits. Cremation uses about 30 gallons of fuel from propane or natural gas for one body, releases carcinogenic matter into the atmosphere, and returns a smaller percentage of ashes than hydrolysis. Traditional burial, too, has its downsides. In the embalming process, corpses are injected with two to three gallons of a cocktail of chemicals, including formaldehyde, mercury, and methanol. When a body is buried and decomposes, these chemicals can leak into our groundwater. If you test the soil in a cemetery, most of that is toxic, says Craig Klugman, a professor of death studies at DePaul University. Then theres the matter of space. Cemeteries around the world are filling up, leading more people to opt for methods that reduce their bodies to dust. Alkaline hydrolysis, its proponents argue, offers an alternative to land use, while cutting carbon emissions by 75 percent compared to cremation. Still, Olson warns that the process of producing alkaline substances for these machines can be energy intensive, even if direct emissions from running the machines are much lower than alternatives. [Related: Elden Rings corpse wax is realsort of] Of course, other eco-friendly options like human composting have been in the news for similar reasons. For now, this process is only legal in six states, but supporters hope it adds another option for environmentally friendly decomposition to the mix. Wilson doesnt oppose other methods of decomposition. In fact, he says he doesnt worry about planning out how his own body is disposed of. I dont care what they do with itIll be dead, he says. Still, he prefers alkaline hydrolysis for its sterility. There are certain microbes or diseases that will not be destroyed in composting like they will in alkaline hydrolysis, he notes. Those residuals could end up in groundwater depending on how the remains are disposed of or repurposed, though as Wilson points out, they should not pose a real health threat to the living. Although more than half of US states have legalized alkaline hydrolysis for humans in non-research settings, Indiana, where Bio-Response is based, isnt one of them. I mean, we just approved alcohol sales on Sunday five years ago, says Graham. Plus, Indiana is home to the largest casket manufacturer in the world. Bio-Response's machines cost between $175,000 and $260,000. In Wilsons view, the Hoosier State will probably be the last to legalize this practice. And while the timing is uncertain, Bio-Response is thriving. Theyve quadrupled their output since 2017 and now send around 100 machines annually around the globe. If all 50 states came on at once, we might lack quality trying to outpace ourselves, Graham says. When he dies, if its in a state where alkaline hydrolysis is legal, Graham says he absolutely would choose it. I hope Ive made a friend that will let me ride through there, he says. If that happens, Graham will be one in a growing group of Americans who end up churning in the warm waters of an aquamation machine until all that remains is a fine powder, a musty liquid, and memories. Welcome to Investigative Stories from Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent's newsletter that walks you through the most prominent investigations of the past week. If you are fond of in-depth journalism that exposes war crimes, corruption and abuse of power across state organizations in Ukraine and beyond, subscribe to our investigative newsletter. If youre enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership or supporting us with a one-time donation. Start supporting independent journalism today. Top investigative stories ______________________________________________ RFE/RL uncovers Ukrainian lawmakers collaboration with Russian forces in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast Lawmaker Oleksandr Ponomariov's companies in occupied Berdiansk supplied fuel-oil materials to Russian forces and transferred money to Russia, according to RFE/RLs program Schemes. Ponomariovs Ukrainian companies also got re-registered in Russian company databases after Moscow claimed it was annexing Zaporizhzhia Oblast in October 2022, the investigation found. Ponomariov spent around 10 months, from February 2022 to January 2023, in the Russian-occupied Berdiansk and in Georgia, where his businesses are located. Ukraines Security Service reported on July 24 that Ponomariov had "willingly collaborated" with Russia, accusing him of registering his businesses under Russian law in the occupied territories, transferring money to Russian banks, supplying the Russian forces, and providing equipment to make fortifications. On the same day that Schemes published this investigation, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin charged Ponomariov with collaborating with Russia. He was arrested and taken into custody pending trial on treason allegations. The journalists got their hands on a trove of information intercepted by Ukraines security services. These include phone bills, the correspondence of Ponomariovs associates, intercepted phone calls with Russian security services and collaborators in Berdiansk, and details on the trade of oil products with Russia. Story continues Journalists also found that Ponomariovs refinery in Georgia purchased crude oil directly from Russia for around $2 million in 2022. His firms supplied Ukrainian state companies, defense manufacturers, and one military unit with oil products from this refinery, making $3.2 million (around Hr 121.8 million) in revenue since the start of a Russian invasion, according to Schemes. After Russia declared its annexation of the region, Ponomariovs companies reportedly got re-registered under the same founders, with additional Russian founders added. The lawmaker denied collaborating with Russia, claiming that Russian forces had arrested him and seized his business. According to the recordings of intercepted calls obtained by journalists, a Russian Federal Security Service operator, who goes by Bogun, accompanied Ponomariov at all times during the initial phase of the occupation, effectively controlling him. The journalists alleged that Bogun may be Ponomariovs "curator," or resident agent from the FSB. Find the full video investigation in Ukrainian here. Slidstvo.Info finds Ukrainian lawmaker vacationing in Maldives during war Yurii Aristov, a Ukrainian lawmaker with President Volodymyr Zelenskys Servant of the People party, had a vacation on a lavish private island in the Maldives in mid-July violating Zelenskys order that lawmakers dont vacation abroad until the war is over. Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are forbidden to travel abroad without a special permit during martial law. Officials, including lawmakers, are only allowed to travel abroad for work. Slidstvo.Info investigative outlet reported that Aristov, 48, left Ukraine under the pretense of having a work trip. When the report came out, the Prosecutor Generals Office charged Aristov with forgery. A subsequent investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Investigative Bureau found that Aristov provided false information when applying for a permit to leave the country. Following the report, Aristov filed his resignation. The parliament backed it in a vote on July 27. Aristov was a deputy chairman of the parliaments national security committee. Read the full story in Ukrainian here. Schemes: Ukrainian lawmaker moves to Cyprus amid war Lawmaker Andrii Kholodov left Ukraine in January 2023, skipping his parliamentary duties, Schemes reported on July 28. He didnt return. Kholodov and his family own property in Cyprus. Since the start of Russias full-scale war, Kholodov left the country 12 times, according to the report. Only work-related travel is permitted for Ukrainian officials during martial law. Kholodov, a member of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party, submitted his resignation after the story broke out. I want all MPs and officials to hear me now. You must work. In Ukraine and for the sake of the Ukrainian people, Zelensky said on July 25. He added that those who put themselves above the state will be met with fury. Read the full story in Ukrainian here. Meanwhile in Russia ______________________________________________ Russian college reportedly forces teenage students to assemble kamikaze drones that attack Ukraine Russian students are assembling Iranian-designed Shahed drones, according to the joint investigation by Protokol and RZVRT, Russian investigative outlets. The outlets found that students of the Alabuga Polytechnic College, in the Alabuga special economic zone in Russias Tatarstan region, were assembling the drones from parts imported from Iran. Several hundred students, mostly teenagers aged fifteen to seventeen, are involved, according to the report. Shaheds are simple and cheap, single-use drones that Russia has sent against Ukrainian cities by the hundreds. The salary of students engaged in production depends on their performance, with up to $436 per month. However, the work schedule does not match the actual hours worked and the students are not compensated for overtime. Students told journalists that they are not allowed to talk about their work. If they do, they are fined up to $21,800, according to their contracts. The journalists also found that the Alabuga Polytechnic College is recruiting foreigners to work at the drone factory. Read the full story in Russian. Journalists identify over 80 oligarchs helping Russias defense sector According to Russian investigative outlet Proekt Media, Russian oligarchs received billions of dollars in defense contracts. At least 81 of the wealthiest Russians, according to Forbes pre-war rankings, supplied the Russian army with weapons and equipment. Only 14 of them are sanctioned by the West. The total value of the contracts between the oligarchs and Russias defense industry, which are public, is over $3 billion since 2014. The list included oligarchs from Putins inner circle, including Arkadiy Rotenberg and his son Igor, Roman Abramovich, Oleg Deripaska, and Mikhail Fridman, among others. The journalists showed Russian businesses allegedly supplying the Russian army with weapons that were used in the airstrikes on Vinnytsia and Mariupol, and during Russias occupation of Bucha. Read the story in Russian via this link. Mediazona: Over 110 military enlistment offices attacked in Russia since start of invasion At least 113 military enlistment offices, administrative buildings, and law enforcement offices have been attacked across Russia since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet. Journalists found that Russian authorities arrested 102 people, already convicting 41 of them. Approximately half of the cases are investigated as terrorism. So far, the lightest punishment for arson attacks on military enlistment offices has been 1.5 years of probation, while the harshest is 19 years in a penal colony. Read the full story in Russian. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Altoona police pull up to a BP in an unmarked truck and quickly get out. The gas station doors chime as officer Blaine Shutts flings them open. "Dennis, get your hands up!," an officer shouts on body camera footage shared with the Des Moines Register. Another officer holding a rifle instructs Dennis Kimball, 57, to put down his phone while Shutts pulls Kimball's hands behind his back. On his cellphone, Kimball was allegedly arranging to have sex with who he thought was an underage girl. Instead, it was Altoona officer David Lowe, whom Kimball also allegedly asked for sexually explicit images though Lowe had already disclosed his profile belonged to a minor. "When the handcuffs go on these guys, that is the reward," Lowe said. "It's just the best feeling ever, because you know this guy is going to be charged for this." Police body camera footage shows Altoona officers arresting Dennis Kimball for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex. The arrest is part of the Altoona Police Department's 18-month-old task force that targets suspected child predators. Their efforts were given a boost when the Iowa Legislature passed a law last session that makes it easier to arrest people who allegedly have sexually exploited children and charge them with harsher penalties. The state also made similar amendments to its human trafficking laws. Now, defendants are guaranteed prison time if they're convicted of these crimes. Before, it was easy for offenders to slip through the cracks and potentially reoffend if they pleaded guilty. "As a prosecutor, I could convict someone of human trafficking, but the judge could give them under law a deferred sentence, which means it can go off their record, or suspended sentence, which means they never serve one day but got probation," said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. The changes went into effect July 1. Bird's office has made it a priority to target suspected human traffickers by working to train law enforcement and prosecutors as well as work with groups who help support trafficking victims. Story continues "I think human traffickers are vile, evil, manipulative people who exploit people and cause them so much hurt and pain," she said. Forty cases have been adjudicated in Iowa since 2005, according to a database on the attorney general's website. A 2021 Federal Human Trafficking Report listed Iowa as fifth in the country for prosecuting new cases of human trafficking, fourth for minor sex trafficking cases and third for forced labor. For its part, the change in law has emboldened Altoona to train other police departments across the metro to conduct similar investigations. Police said they see the harsher penalties as a better return on investment for their efforts. More prison time for human trafficking, sexual exploitation in Iowa The Legislature bumped up all human trafficking offenses two federal letters. A person who knowingly engages in human trafficking can now be convicted of a class B felony, which carries a 50-year sentence with a mandatory minimum of 35 years in prison. If the crime involves a minor, it's bumped up to a class A felony, which comes with life in prison. Offenders charged with sexually exploiting a minor were previously charged with aggravated misdemeanors. They now face felony charges, the severity of which depends on the crime: People who allegedly have enticed a minor to engage in a sex act are charged with a class B felony, while possession of child pornography is a class D felony, which carries five years in prison. The law changes also eliminated the ability for offenders to get a deferred judgment or suspended sentence if they plead guilty. Another change means someone can be charged for enticing or exploiting a minor even if they're actually talking to an officer or an agent posing as a minor. This includes sending obscene material through the phone. "Just the amount of firepower of what this law is going to change is just absolutely insane," Lowe said. Sending explicit photos, trying to meet up or requesting images all are on the table for arrest. "If we can identify who this is, even if they don't show up or if they ghost us, if they've been engaging with us we can still go after them," said Lt. Steve Harris with the Altoona Police Department. The sting involving Kimball occurred in November of 2021. Police then relied on an Iowa law called solicitation of commercial sexual activity, a felony that carries just five years in prison and 10 years on the sex offender registry, according to Meggan Guns, assistant Polk County Attorney. It was the only statute that allowed law enforcement to arrest an offender who was talking to an actual minor or law enforcement posing as one. In this case, Altoona used the law to pose as a minor, and then handed the case over to the FBI so Kimball could be federally charged and receive a harsher punishment. Kimball was eventually federally charged with: Attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. Enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activities. Transfer and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Use and attempted use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor. Commission of a felony offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender. According to court documents, Kimball pleaded guilty to enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activities and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $100 fine. Altoona police target suspected predators with text conversations At any given moment, Lowe has dozens of unread notifications from people seeking sex online. Lowe said after disclosing he's a minor, 90% apologize and cut off communication. The other 10% continue the conversation and eventually make plans to meet in person. "It's been incredibly eye-opening on a lot of different levels," Lowe said. "I just got inundated with people who were wanting to chat with me. Just so much, I couldn't keep up with it. Like physically can't keep up with the amount of people that were talking, really." In 2020, Altoona police became affiliated with the Internet Crimes Against Children a national task force program that works with local, state and federal law enforcement when they took on a lot of child pornography cases and cyber tips. Most of what police do is reactive, but the force wanted to change its child exploitation response to be more proactive. Lowe also assists other agencies in human trafficking efforts. "This isn't that hard; you just gotta make it a priority," Harris said. "And even though you've always got a caseload, this is something we work in the background ... as more people see how rewarding this is, I think more people are gonna do it. " According to Lowe, 99% of those who reached out to talk were men. Age, race and ethnicity vary. Many are or have been married and have children. Lowe said sometimes the conversations start off slow, and other times, they are aggressive out of the gate, asking for photos and whether the child knows various things about sex. "Ultimately, it's like chess. You have to play the long game. You play the strategy," Lowe said. "I know at the end of the day, whatever he gets coming to him, he gets coming to him." "This is all for the greater good of society. If this person is talking to me in this fashion, then who else is he talking to? Or who has he talked to in the past?," he said. Human trafficking can be found anywhere, officials say Human trafficking is defined by the Office to Combat Human Trafficking as a crime involving the exploitation of a victim for commercial sex through force, fraud or coercion or for compelled labor. Officials say the crime is everywhere, and Altoona police said they've encountered traffickers who were fathers, neighbors, spouses and even doctors. The Bureau of Justice Assistance released demographics on who has been prosecuted for human trafficking across the country. In 2022, it found: 92% were male. 63% were white. 95% were U.S. citizens. 66% had no prior convictions. "So many people believe (human trafficking) is the movie 'Taken,'" said Guns, referring to a film in which actor Liam Neeson is a former spy who tries to save his kidnapped daughter. "That's not human trafficking. It's almost always somebody that the victim knows already, and it's usually somebody that they've had a relationship with before they started being trafficked." In 2022, the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking documented 50 human trafficking tips and leads, with 32 of them involving sex. The report didn't provide the number of cases prosecuted, but said the Southern District of Iowa opened three cases in 2022. It also reported "several recent court-related convictions." Human Trafficking graphic A 2021 Federal Human Trafficking Report said five people were convicted of sex trafficking in the state, all in the Southern District of Iowa. According to the data provided, 67% of victims were minors and all were female. Oftentimes, a power dynamic between the attacker and the victim prevents the victim from running away. Victims typically are groomed with false promises of a better life or a strong relationship but then are beaten, raped and trafficked to reinforce who is in charge, according to Charlotte Kovacs, victim witness specialist at the U.S. Department of Justice. "The public may think 'Well, she drove herself to that hotel, clearly she could've left. She could've went to the police right then and there and she didn't,'" Kovacs said. "But this is a psychological crime ... the victim at this point will do absolutely anything to keep the trafficker happy, because there'll be less beatings that way and less sex work to do." How to get help with combating human trafficking in Iowa The National Human Trafficking Resources hotline offers 24/7 confidential assistance for those being trafficked or want to report that someone may be. The hotline has a directory to find local emergency, transitional and long-term services for victims and survivors of human trafficking. Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 Text: 233733 Website: humantraffickinghotline.org For services in Iowa, contact the Iowa Helpline at 1-800-770-1650 or text "IOWAHELP" to 20121, and visit the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking. The Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking initiative encourages its members to learn about human trafficking in order to combat it. To learn how to recognize signs of human trafficking and ways to prevent it, or to join Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking, visit ibat.iowa.gov. Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter@NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Iowa laws bolster child exploitation, human trafficking penalties Iraqi Yazidis light candles during a ceremony marking the Yazidi New Year (Safin HAMID) The Yazidis, who Britain on Tuesday officially acknowledged as victims of "acts of genocide" by the Islamic State (IS), are a Kurdish-speaking ethno-religious minority found mainly in Iraq. IS jihadists carried out horrific violence against the community in 2014, killing men en masse and abducting thousands of girls and women as sex slaves. Here are some key facts about the Yazidis: - Ancient faith - The Yazidis are followers of an ancient religion that emerged in Iran more than 4,000 years ago and is rooted in Zoroastrianism. Over time it has also absorbed elements of Islam and Christianity. Organised into three castes -- sheikhs, pirs, and murids -- Yazidis pray to God facing the sun and worship his seven angels, led by Melek Taus, or Peacock Angel. Their holiest site is Lalish, a stone complex of shrines and natural springs in Iraq's mountainous northwest. Yazidis discourage marriage outside of their community and across their caste system. Their beliefs and practices include a ban on eating lettuce and wearing the colour blue. Some Muslims wrongly accuse them of being devil worshippers. The community was persecuted during Ottoman times and also under Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. - Hunted by IS - Of the world's nearly 1.5 million Yazidis, the largest number -- 550,000 -- lived in Iraq before the IS offensive in 2014. The Sunni extremists attacked the Yazidi bastion of Sinjar in August 2014, killing more than 1,200 people, leaving several hundred children orphaned and destroying nearly 70 shrines, according to local authorities. A further 6,400 Yazidis were abducted, around half of whom were rescued or managed to flee. After the massacres, some 100,000 Yazidis fled to Europe, the United States, Australia and Canada, according to the UN. Among those who found refuge in Germany was 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad who was captured, raped and forced to marry a jihadist before she was able to escape. - 'Genocide' label - Story continues In May 2021, a special UN investigation team said it had collected "clear and convincing evidence" that IS had committed genocide against the Yazidis. Six months later, a German court was the first in the world to recognise crimes against the Yazidi community as genocide. On Tuesday, Britain's government officially acknowledged that IS had committed "acts of genocide" against the Yazidis. Germany's lower house of parliament in January also recognised the 2014 massacres as "genocide", following similiar moves in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. burs-eab/cb/rox The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Pakistan election rally that killed 54 people Sunday. The groups Khorasan Province branch said Monday that the attack is part of its efforts to stop forms of democracy it deems against Islam. The bombing was at a rally for the Jamiat Ulema Islam party a pro-Taliban, Islamist fundamentalist party and also wounded more than 200 people. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province is a southern Afghanistan-based rival of the Taliban and al-Qaeda. The attack occurred in Bajur, a northern Pakistani town near the border with Afghanistan. The bombing happened near the beginning of the rally, with about 1,000 people packed into a tent chanting and awaiting the arrival of senior party leader Abdul Rasheed, according to survivors. Rasheed later said such attacks cannot deter our resolve. The party, which is a member of the parliaments coalition government, will contest in an election expected this fall. The attack was denounced by both the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, who said it was meant to drive Islamists apart. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel is holding over 1,200 detainees nearly all of them Palestinians without charge or trial, the highest number in over three decades, an Israeli human rights group said Tuesday. The detainees, 99% of whom are Palestinians, are held under Israel's policy of administrative detention," without trial and under allegations that Israeli authorities keep secret. The detentions can range from a few months to years and authorities often extend them for unknown reasons, according to Jessica Montell, the executive director of Hamoked, the rights group that published the figures. Hamoked said this makes it nearly impossible for detainees or their lawyers to mount a proper defense. "The overall figure is outrageous," Montell said. This is a patently illegal practice. These people should be given a fair trial or released. Israeli authorities can renew administrative detentions indefinitely. While detention orders are usually set for periods of three or six months, Montell said administrative detainees in Israel spend a year in detention on average. Israel says the controversial tactic is necessary to contain dangerous militants and avoid divulging incriminating material for security reasons. But Palestinians and rights groups say the system denies due process and is widely abused. The number of administrative detainees has more than doubled since early last year, when Israel began staging near-nightly arrest raids into Palestinian cities and towns following a series of Palestinian attacks. A quarter of all Palestinians under Israeli custody are now administrative detainees, according to Hamoked. Administrative detention is very rarely used against Jews or Israelis, but that figure has been rising, too 14 Israelis were held in administrative detention as of March, Montell said. Most of them are Palestinian citizens of Israel. But several are Jews suspected of violence against Palestinians during rampages in the West Bank. Story continues Neither Israels Shin Bet security service nor the army immediately commented on the latest administrative detention figures. Israel says its activities in the occupied territories are meant to stamp out militancy and thwart future attacks. The past year and a half has seen some of the worst bloodshed in the area in nearly two decades. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of the dead are militants. But many were stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions or people uninvolved in violence. At least five of them were age 14 or younger. Israels hard-line National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a West Bank settler himself, has pushed for tough measures against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. On Monday, the Palestinian Prisoners Club and other advocacy groups reported that Ben-Gvir had done away with a policy allowing the early release for Palestinian prisoners held on national security charges. For years, all detainees sentenced to less than four years had been eligible for early release to relieve severe overcrowding in the countrys prisons. Israels prison service confirmed that it was abiding by Ben-Gvirs waiver of early releases as of Tuesday. The West Bank has been under Israeli military rule since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state. The territorys nearly 3 million Palestinian residents are subject to Israels military justice system, while the nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers living alongside them have Israeli citizenship and are subject to civilian courts. Such disparities have fueled allegations by human rights groups that Israeli policies toward the Palestinians amount to apartheid. The Ams1 vessel is heading to Ukraine A cargo ship sailing under the Israeli flag has defied Russias supposed blockade of Ukrainian ports, becoming the first ship the enter the Ukrainian branch of the Danube since July 25, Ukrainian news outlet Militarnyi reported on July 31. Citing transponder data, Militarnyi writes that on the night of July 30, three civilian vessels Ams1, Sahin 2, and Yilmaz Kaptan (from Israel, Greece, and Turkey/Georgia, respectively) entered the Black Sea, openly broadcasting Ukraine as their destinations. Read also: On July 31, Ams1 became the first ship to breach the blockade of the Black Sea by after the Russian bombing of the Ukrainian Danube port in Reni on July 25. "Starting its journey from Ashdod, Israel, it openly advertised its destination as Ukraine and crossed the Black Sea on a direct course," the report said. Four more ships are following Ams1 and will anchor in the Danube. According to Militarnyi, their passage is monitored by a U.S. maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8, which is being refueled in flight above Romania. After exiting the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) on July 17, Russia has said that it will regard any vessels bound for Ukrainian ports as carriers of military cargo, suggesting an attempt to effectively blockade Kyiv from access to maritime trade routes. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Israeli vessel Ams1 has ignored Russia's "blockade" of the Black Sea and entered the Ukrainian mouth of the Danube, followed by two more vessels from Greece and Turkiye/Georgia. Source: Marcus Jonsson, a representative of the OSINT community, on Twitter. Quote: "Ams1 is entering the] Ukraine branch of Danube. She was the first ship to break Russia's Black Sea blockade after the 25 July Reni-bombing. Starting her trip Ashdod, Israel, she openly advertised destination Ukraine as she traversed Black Sea on a straight course. Brave mariners," Jonsson wrote. In addition, the Israeli Ams1 was followed by the Sahin 2 and Yilmaz Kaptan sailing under the flags of Greece and Turkiye/Georgia, Jonnson said. "During the night, three civilian ships seem to have successfully challenged Russian threats to Black Sea navigation. Ams1, Sahin 2 and Yilmaz Kaptan sailed direct routes, openly advertising destination Ukraine over AIS. Their origins: Israel, Greece and Turkiye/Georgia," Jonsson said. "The first evidence that Russia cannot stop and search ships in the Black Sea," is how Bulgarian newspaper Actualno reacted to the event. "Russian forces are clearly unwilling or unable to forcibly stop and search neutral ships bound for Ukraine via the Black Sea... Ship surveillance images released on 30 July show three civilian vessels declaring their destination in Ukraine via the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and sailing there without being stopped and searched by the Russian Black Sea Fleet," the article says. Background: On 17 July, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced the suspension of the grain deal. On 19 July, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that all ships, regardless of flag, heading to Ukrainian ports from midnight on 20 July would be considered as being involved in a military conflict. On 28 July, the Russians began threatening ships in the Black Sea. The State Border Service of Ukraine has made public a recording of the warning that the Russians send through open communication channels to ships sailing through the Black Sea. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Wagner Group may be supplanting the Russian military as the Belarusian military's key training partner, the Institute for the Study of War said in their latest report. Wagner personnel conducted company-level training with elements of multiple Belarusian brigades according to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense. Normally, the Belarusian military conducts training exercises with Russian trainers. Additionally, the ISW stated that Ukrainian forces had conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on July 31. Ukraine managed to liberate 2 square kilometers of territory in the Bakhmut area and 12.6 square kilometers in the Berdyansk and Melitopol directions. Earlier this week, Russian troops shelled the town of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast. The Donetsk regional prosecutor's office said the town had been shelled with cluster munitions. As a result of the attack, a 13-year-old boy who grazed cattle received multiple shrapnel wounds. A 68-year-old woman was injured by a mine explosion in her own yard, and a 44-year-old man was injured by shrapnel near a cemetery. Earlier that day, a 57-year-old man was killed and two other civilians injured as a result of a Russian artillery attack on the Kostiantynivka community. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills 6, injures 75, including children Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 has tons of screens and a relaxing cabin. Tim Levin/Insider I've test-driven well over 30 electric cars. These 4 vehicles from BMW, Mercedes, Lucid, and Rolls-Royce stand out for being the most luxurious. The Rolls-Royce Spectre takes the cake. What else would you expect for $420,000? From rush-hour traffic to long road trips, we often spend more time in our cars than we'd like. And some are much, much more pleasant to pass the time in than others. Out of the dozens of electric cars I've tested and reviewed, four stand out as being the most comfortable and luxurious. Spoiler alert: The Rolls-Royce was the best. Check them all out and learn about their swanky interiors below: Do you love or hate your Tesla or other EV? Never giving up gasoline? We want to hear your stories about EVs. Contact this reporter at tlevin@insider.com Here's the BMW iX. It's got some polarizing looks, but an upscale interior that's sure to please. The one I drove cost $96,000. The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: I drove the $70,000 Genesis GV60: See inside the futuristic Tesla rival that has facial recognition and a crystal ball The seats are plush and supportive, and everything in the iX's cabin feels luxurious and high quality. The 2022 BMW iX xDrive60. Tim Levin/Insider Practically everything is covered in beautiful leather, from the door panels ... The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50. Tim Levin/Insider ... to the center storage cubby. The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50. Tim Levin/Insider My iX had gold accents sprinkled throughout its cabin. It's just enough to feel classy, but not gaudy. The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: The $96,000 electric BMW iX's luxurious interior will make you forget all about its weird looks On the center console you'll find the iX's gear selector along with other key buttons and functions. A glass dial controls the screen. The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50. Tim Levin/Insider A curved panel elegantly floating above the dashboard houses two screens: one that replaces regular gauges and one for the infotainment functions. The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50. Tim Levin/Insider A glass roof makes the iX feel even more spacious. The 2022 BMW iX. BMW Read more: Tesla owners share some of the unexpected headaches of owning the EV It frosts over at the press of a button to reduce glare on sunny days. Story continues The 2022 BMW iX. BMW The Mercedes-Benz EQS is an electric equivalent to the brand's top-of-the-line S-Class sedan. The EQS 580 I drove cost $141,000. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: Tour the luxurious interior of Mercedes-Benz's $141,000 Tesla rival, which has 4 screens, massaging seats, and a fingerprint scanner Slip inside and you're cradled by comfy leather seats that have massaging, cooling, and heating functions. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider Everything you touch and interact with, like the seat adjusters and air vents, feels super sturdy. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: This totally useless feature is my absolute favorite part of Hyundai's futuristic new Tesla rival The flat-bottomed steering wheel is thick and substantial. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider The whole interior is filled with high-end materials. There's a wood panel that slides away to reveal cupholders and a smartphone-charging center. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: I drove Mercedes-Benz's $141,000 Tesla rival and experienced the electric, screen-filled future of luxury cars The central storage cubby in my test car was covered in suede. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider One nice touch: A slim piece of trim weaves its way, almost unbroken, around the entire cockpit. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider The star of the show is the 56-inch "Hyperscreen." It brings the wow factor with three distinct displays housed under a single sheet of glass. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider The back seats have plenty of legroom and headroom. Plus the "Executive Rear Seating Package" on my test car added a tablet (for controlling various settings) and squishy head pillows. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Tim Levin/Insider This is the Air, an extremely impressive luxury sedan from Lucid Motors, an up-and-coming car company. The Air Grand Touring Performance that the company lent me cost $180,000. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider In addition to mind-blowing acceleration and Tesla-beating range, the California startup's first car offers up a striking and elegant interior full of dazzling screens. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: I drove the $180,000 Lucid Air and experienced the stunningly fast, screen-filled future of luxury cars One of the first things you notice after getting in is the giant windshield that sweeps way back over your head. It makes the cabin feel extra roomy. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider You get a meaty steering wheel with some switches for the media and cruise-control settings. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider The 34-inch cluster of three screens behind the steering wheel almost looks like it's floating above the dashboard. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider Below that is a big screen that grants access to most of the Air's settings. It stows away in the dash at the tap of a button. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider Overall, the Air Grand Touring's interior feels modern, high-end, and unique. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider It's filled with rich leathers, sleek wood trim, and faux-suede accents. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: See inside the $180,000 Lucid Air, a luxurious new Tesla rival with 5 screens, butt massagers, and a secret storage cubby The front seats have massagers that even attend to your butt. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider And I loved the two-tone interior that had brown-leather seats in back and darker ones up front. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider All around, the seats were supportive, comfy, and roomy. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider Recently I got to drive the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the ultra-luxury brand's first electric car. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider It was by far the most luxurious vehicle I've ever driven. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider When you step inside the Spectre, you're immediately enveloped by lots of high-end materials and impressive craftsmanship. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider My test car had warm wood veneer on the dashboard and elsewhere. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider It added a super classy look. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider Spectres contain acres of supple leather, and the front seats are just as cushy as the look. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider I was stunned by the amount of actual metal inside the cabin. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider You get these fancy-looking speaker grates. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider But also the door handles, air vents, window switches, and more are made from solid-feeling aluminum. All the switches are extremely satisfying to play around with. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: I got chauffeured in a $500,000 Rolls-Royce and saw firsthand how nice life is for the .1% The Spectre oozes class all around, but here are a few more elegant touches I'll call out: The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider There's an analog clock. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider The scroll wheel for controlling the main screen features a glistening Spirit of Ecstasy, the brand's iconic mascot. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider And the Spectre also offers a headliner and doors that mimic a starry night. It looks surprisingly cool in person, especially at night. The Rolls-Royce Spectre. Rolls-Royce Above all, what you get in a Rolls-Royce is attention to detail. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider Read more: I got an early look at Volvo's $34,950 electric SUV and saw why it's one of the best Tesla rivals yet Just consider this: The stalks poking out from the steering wheel are wrapped in leather and feature the same accent stitching as the rest of the car. The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. Tim Levin/Insider Read the original article on Business Insider Special Counsel Jack Smith said in a statement that the insurrection on January 6 was an unprecedented assault on democracy. The prosecutor spoke following the indictment of former President Donald Trump in relation to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Mr Smith said the indictment sets forth the crimes charged in detail. I encourage everyone to read it in full. The attack on our nation's capitol on January 6 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, he added. As described in the indictment it was fueled by lies. Lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the US government the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. The men and women of law enforcement who defended the US Capitol on January 6 are heroes. They are patriots and they're the very best of us, the special counsel said. A grand jury in Washington, DC voted to indict Mr Trump on four counts on Tuesday, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The indictment states that Mr Trump took part in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by using dishonesty, fraud, and deceit to impair, obstruct, and defeat the lawful federal government function by which the results of the presidential election are collected, counted, and certified by the federal government. It states that he conspired to corruptly obstruct and impede the January 6 congressional proceeding at which the collected results of the presidential election are counted and certified and orchestrated a conspiracy against the right to vote and to have ones vote counted. Prosecutors claim that Mr Trump had six co-conspirators, five of which were attorneys. Mr Trump and the co-conspirators used knowingly false claims of election fraud to get state legislators and election officials to subvert the legitimate election results and change electoral votes for the Defendants opponent, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to electoral votes for the Defendant, the indictment states. They also argue that Mr Trump pushed officials in certain states to ignore the popular vote; disenfranchise millions of voters; dismiss legitimate electors; and ultimately, cause the ascertainment of and voting by illegitimate electors. More follows... Special counsel Jack Smith said Tuesday that the latest federal charges against Donald Trump reflect the former presidents role in spreading lies about the 2020 election that led his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The attack on our nations capital on January 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, Smith said in brief remarks to the press on Tuesday evening. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: The nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. Smith said that the U.S. Department of Justice, which tapped him to spearhead investigations into the former president, may charge more people implicated in what he said was a scheme to deliberately interfere with the certification of the 2020 election results. Since the attack on our Capitol, the Department of Justice has remained committed to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for what happened that day, he said. This case is brought consistent with that commitment and our investigation of other individuals continues. Earlier on Tuesday, Smiths team unsealed a federal indictment charging Trump with four felony counts related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The federal government accuses Trump of conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to disenfranchise voters, and conspiring and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, Smith said. In his remarks, Smith emphasized that he is seeking a speedy trial, and that Trump must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Separately, Trump is already facing dozens of federal felony charges for allegedly mishandling highly classified documents and blocking attempts by the government to recover those documents. A local Georgia prosecutor is investigating Trumps possible role in interfering with the states election results, although no charges have been filed in that probe. And the Manhattan district attorney indicted Trump in April for falsifying business records to hide a hush-money payment made to an adult film star just days before the 2016 election. Trump pleaded not guilty to those charges, and a trial is set for March. The UK foreign secretary has accused Russia of hitting "a new low" by "deliberately burning food stocks" while millions of people are "struggling to eat". James Cleverly is visiting Africa, as part of a mission to combat the growing influence of Russia and China. In a speech in Lagos, Nigeria, he set out the UK's "vision" for partnerships with African countries. It follows last week's military coup in neighbouring Niger. Mr Cleverly, whose mother was born in Sierra Leone, said he was "proud" of his roots and of the UK's contribution to the history of Africa. "As the UK's foreign secretary I'm not allowed to have a favourite continent. But if I did, it would be Africa," he said. Russian flags Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum - an ally of the West - was deposed in last week's military coup. Some supporters of the coup were reportedly waving Russian flags. The UK government has criticised what it calls an attempt to "undermine stability and democracy" in Niger and has advised against all travel there. The Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who chairs the Economic Community of West African States, has also condemned the military takeover. In his speech in Lagos, Mr Cleverly said the UK shared democratic values with Nigeria, adding that Russia's invasion of of Ukraine was an attack on those values. He said: "This month Russia has hit a new low. We are witnessing the grotesque spectacle of a G20 nation, deliberately burning food stocks whilst there are millions of people around the world struggling to eat." James Cleverly's tour follows a Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg last week, hosted by President Putin, in which he promised to provide some African countries with free grain. Aid package The Russian private military group, Wagner, has an increasing presence in Africa and has welcomed the Niger coup. Story continues The Foreign Affairs Committee criticised the government last week for under-playing Wagner's activities and called for a "genuinely compelling alternative" for countries in need of security partnerships. In an interview with the Financial Times before the trip, James Cleverley said he would "look with seriousness" at any requests from African leaders "to work on capacity building and training with the British armed forces". James Cleverly told the FT some countries had turned to Wagner to meet an "unfulfilled need". During his tour, Mr Cleverly is announcing a package of financial support to help Nigeria develop crops with increased tolerance to heat and floods. According to the World Bank Nigeria is one of the 10 countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change due to "more intense and untimely" rainfall - with many Nigerians living in "fear and despair". More than 600 people were killed and at least a million displaced in Nigeria last year following the worst flooding in a decade, which also washed crops away. Nigeria is accustomed to temperatures of 40 degrees although the forecast for the capital Abuja during the Foreign Secretary's visit is for thundery showers and a high of 29 degrees. A sea of faces stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including supporters of then-President Donald Trump, white supremacists and anti-government extremists. More than two years later with Trump facing another indictment for his alleged role in the insurrection an ongoing investigation has led to the arrests of more than 1,000 individuals who were allegedly at the Capitol, including more than 350 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than 20 of those arrested were from New Jersey. Their collective purpose was to stop the certification of the presidential election that Joe Biden won two months earlier, at the prompting of Trump, who falsely stated that the 2020 election was stolen. FBI Director Christopher Wray described the large-scale attack on the Capitol as "domestic terrorism." More than 2,000 people entered the building unlawfully, according to various reports. A report released this summer by Seton Hall University researchers found that of the 716 people prosecuted in the first year after the storming of the Capitol, 25% were armed and 22% had a criminal record. The following is a list of people from the Garden State area who were prosecuted for allegedly taking part in the Jan. 6 attack. The list was compiled from federal Department of Justice statements, court documents, various websites and news articles, including NorthJersey.com's own reporting. Rasha Abual-Ragheb, of Fairfield, is accused of illegally entering the Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6. Rasha Abual-Ragheb, Fairfield Abual-Ragheb was arrested on Jan. 16, 2021. According to investigators, she had unlawfully entered the Capitol, where she took pictures of herself. Prosecutors said she showed photos to a law enforcement source who tipped off authorities about her activities that day. She pleaded guilty on Aug. 23, 2021. She was sentenced three months later to 36 months of probation with two months of home confinement, 60 hours of community service and $500 in restitution. Thomas Baranyi, Ewing Baranyi was arrested on Jan. 12, 2021. Prosecutors said he was part of a crowd that attempted to enter the House chambers, which Capitol police had barricaded to protect lawmakers. Federal prosecutors said Baranyi was one of the people who stood next to Ashli Babbitt when she was fatally shot by a Capitol police officer as she climbed through a broken window of a barricaded door. Story continues Baranyi pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2022. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, one year of supervised release, 60 hours of community service and a $500 restitution payment. He was released on Oct. 24, 2022. James Breheny, Little Ferry Breheny was arrested on May 20, 2021. According to prosecutors, he was seen near the Capitols east doors, where attackers forced their way past law enforcement and triggered alarm bells. He also avoided arrest by lying to investigators, saying he did not know he was not allowed in the Capitol, the government said. Breheny was the coordinator of the Bergen County chapter of the white supremacist group the Oath Keepers. He pleaded guilty on June 6. Sentencing is set for Feb. 23, 2024. Column: What can we learn from the North Jersey Proud Boy sentenced for Jan. 6? | Mike Kelly Mick Chan, Newark Chan was arrested in September 2021. Police said he told an FBI agent that he was in the Capitol on Jan. 6 with two female friends and claimed that he entered the Capitol for "journalistic intent." He was found guilty in a bench trial in January. He was sentenced in May to three months in prison and an additional 12 months on supervised release after his prison sentence ends. Chan is currently appealing his sentence. Lawrence Dropkin Jr., Monmouth Junction Dropkin was arrested on Oct. 1, 2021. According to court documents, confidential sources told FBI agents that Dropkin did a FaceTime call from the Capitol and told his father that he would "likely be spending some time in jail" for his participation in the attack. He pleaded guilty on July 12, 2022. He was sentenced on Oct. 7 to one month in jail, one year of supervised release, 60 hours of community service and $500 in restitution. According to federal prison records, he was released on Dec. 15. Photo of Scott Fairlamb included in FBI documents. Scott Kevin Fairlamb, Hardyston Fairlamb was arrested on Jan. 22, 2021. He admitted in court to assaulting a police officer, an attack captured in bystander video and a police bodycam recording, both entered into evidence by prosecutors. Fairlamb, according to a legal complaint, also deleted videos showing himself entering and leaving the Capitol. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison and released in June. Michael Gianos of Evesham and Rachel Myers of Philadelphia Gianos and Myers were arrested on Dec. 1, 2021. Giamos was accused of unlawfully entering the Capitol, after investigators found incriminating text messages on the phone of Myers, who also entered the building along with an acquaintance of theirs, Lawrence Stackhouse, authorities said. Gianos pleaded guilty on April 28 and Myers on Nov. 15. She was sentenced in February to two years of probation. He was sentenced on July 25 to two years of probation. Larry Giberson, Manahawkin Giberson, a Princeton University graduate, was arrested on March 14. According to court documents, he joined others who attempted to force their way into the Capitol and attacked law enforcement guarding the building. Giberson was at the front of group that crushed one officer between a door and a shield held by a rioter, the Justice Department said. He pleaded guilty on July 31. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1. Juliano Gross, Kearny Gross was arrested on Jan. 18, 2022. The government complaint against him said he had attended a White House rally by former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6 with his mother. He then went on his own to the Capitol and illegally entered the building, taking a TikTok video while inside, the Justice Department said. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2022. He was sentenced in December to 24 months of probation, 45 days of home confinement, 100 hours of community service and $500 in restitution. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, Colts Neck Hale-Cusanelli was arrested on Jan. 15, 2021. According to the complaint against him, Hale-Cusanelli unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol, where he took cellphone videos that captured him making harassing and derogatory statements toward police officers. He was found guilty on May 27, 2022. He was sentenced in September to 48 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $2,000 in restitution. He is scheduled to be released on March 24, 2024. Stephanie Hazelton, Medford Hazelton was arrested on Jan. 22, 2021. According to a legal filing, she encouraged people storming the Capitol to break through police lines to enter the building. She pleaded guilty to charges on Oct. 14, 2022, and was sentenced in June to 10 days in prison, 90 days of home detention and two years of supervised release. She was scheduled to surrender to authorities on or after Sept. 1 of this year, according to a court document. The FBI claims this image shows Elias Irizarry (circled in red) climbing through a window in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Elias Irizarry, formerly of Montclair A former Montclair High School student, Irizarry was sentenced in March to 14 days in prison and ordered to pay $500 in restitution toward the $2.7 million in damages done to the Capitol building. In a criminal complaint filed by the FBI last year, Irizarry and another man, Elliot Bishai, were seen in photos and videos in a crowd that overpowered the police and entered the Capitol. Irizarry allegedly spent a half-hour in the building walking down corridors and taking photos next to a statue of Dwight Eisenhower. Irizarry was a cadet at The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina, at the time of the riot. Julian Khater, Somerset Khater was arrested on March 15, 2021. According to prosecutors, he took a can of a chemical spray from the backpack of his friend George Tanios and sprayed it at a group of police officers that included Brian Sicknick. Sicknick died the next day after suffering two strokes, but his death was ruled a result of natural causes. Khater pleaded guilty to charges on Sept. 1, 2022. He was sentenced in January to 80 months in jail to be served concurrently, 24 months of supervised release concurrently, a $10,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution. He is scheduled to be released on Nov. 18, 2026. Photographer Mel Cole, a New Jersey resident, photographed the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. where supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the federal building. David Krauss of Sewell, Nicholas Krauss of Pitman and Russell Dodge Jr. of Pedricktown David Krauss was arrested on Nov. 15, 2022. Krauss, his son Nicholas and Dodge illegally entered the Capitol, where Krauss took photos, according to a criminal complaint. All three pleaded guilty in April. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 29. More: Little Ferry Oath Keeper pleads guilty to obstruction in Jan. 6 Capitol riot Roberto Minuta, formerly of Hackettstown Minuta was arrested on March 8, 2021. A member of the right-wing Oath Keepers militia, Minuta was seen in videos harassing police outside the Capitol building before pushing past them to join attackers inside the building while wearing military-style attire and gear, according to prosecutors. He was found guilty on Jan. 23. He was sentenced on June 1 to 54 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. He is scheduled to be released on May 25, 2027. Michael Oliveras, Lindenwold Oliveras was arrested on Dec. 9, 2021. Oliveras, wearing a red Trump hat and hoodie, shouted expletive-filled threats while he carried an American flag attached to a flagpole and illegally entered the Capitol, according to prosecutors. He pleaded guilty in January and is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 11. Marcos Panayiotou, Cinnaminson Panayiotou was arrested on Dec. 2, 2021. Prosecutors said he entered the Capitol and spent some 40 minutes inside. He also stepped into a window frame and urged others to enter the building, which police had ordered cleared, the government said. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2022. He was sentenced to 14 days of intermittent incarceration, 36 months of probation, a $1,500 fine and $500 in restitution. Robert Lee Petrosh, Mays Landing Petrosh was arrested on May 4, 2021. According to prosecutors, Petrosh took two microphones from a lectern belonging to the office of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 7, 2022. He was sentenced on March 25, 2022, to 10 days in jail, to be followed by 12 months of supervised release, a $1,000 fine and a restitution payment of $938. Shawn Price of Rockaway, a vice president of the northern New Jersey chapter of the Proud Boys, told his mother on social media that he "led the storm" in the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the FBI. Shawn Price, Rockaway Township Price was arrested on June 8, 2021. Price, vice president of the North Jersey chapter of the white supremacist gang the Proud Boys, joined a mob of rioters thrusting against a group of police, prosecutors said. Price then rallied several Proud Boys to rush officers when they arrived to aid other police, authorities said. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 14, 2022, and was sentenced in April to a year and one day in prison. He is scheduled to be released on May 17, 2024. Christopher Joseph Quaglin, North Brunswick Quaglin was arrested on April 7, 2021. He repeatedly assaulted numerous police officers, attacking them with a stolen riot shield and spraying some with a chemical irritant, according to the Justice Department. He was found guilty of 14 charges on July 10 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26. Donald Smith, Lindenwold Smith was arrested on July 29, 2021. According to prosecutors, he boasted that he went into the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after entering the U.S. Capitol. His case was dismissed by a federal court on Nov. 3, 2022. Lawrence Earl Stackhouse, Blackwood Stackhouse was arrested on March 4, 2021. Stackhouse, prosecutors said, was among the first people to enter the U.S. Capitol and went into the office of then-House Speaker Pelosi. He entered the Capitol with acquaintances Michael Gianos and Rachel Myers, according to the government. Stackhouse pleaded guilty on Feb. 4, 2022. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail (to be served over two seven-day periods), 90 days of home confinement, 36 months of probation and a $500 restitution payment. Continues below video Ezekiel Kurt Stecher, Sewell Stecher was arrested on March 9, 2021. He entered the exterior of the U.S. Capitol and helped push the crowd that gathered there into a police riot line and into the doors of the building, according to court documents. Stecher also pushed officers attempting to stop the crowd from entering the building, documents said. He pleaded guilty on June 16. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7. Patrick Stedman, Haddonfield Stedman was arrested on Jan. 21, 2021. He made numerous videos of himself inside and outside the Capitol in which he gave details of his trip to Washington, D.C., and his involvement in the attack, according to prosecutors. He was found guilty on June 9. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8. Marissa Suarez of Union Beach and Patricia Todisco of Staten Island Suarez and Todisco were arrested on Jan. 22, 2021. Suarez and Todisco, according to a legal filing, both entered the Capitol. Suarez also made videos and sent numerous texts after entering the building. Suarez pleaded guilty on May 2, 2022, and Todisco pleaded guilty on April 27, 2022. Both were sentenced on July 12, 2022, to 36 months of probation, a $2,000 fine, $500 in restitution and 60 hours of community service. Jersey City resident Hector Vargas was of 650 people who took part in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Hector Emmanuel Vargas Santos, Jersey City Vargas Santos was arrested on Jan. 19, 2021. As evidence, prosecutors cited multiple photos and videos he took inside the Capitol on the day it was stormed. He posted the videos and photos on Facebook the next day, authorities said. Vargas Santos was found guilty on Dec. 12 of four counts and sentenced April 13 to four months in jail on each count, all to run concurrently. He was also sentenced to 12 months of supervised release, a $2,500 fine, $500 in restitution and a special assessment fee of $70. He is scheduled to be released on Oct. 6. Salvatore Vassallo, Toms River Vassallo was arrested on Sept. 14, after prosecutors said he entered the Capitol grounds and joined a mob that confronted police officers. He was accused of charging at a Metropolitan Police Department officer who came to assist other police and then grabbing and pushing that officer. He pleaded guilty on May 11 and is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 16. More: Toms River man pleads guilty to assaulting, interfering with an officer at Capitol riot Philip Young, Sewell Young was arrested on Aug. 19, 2021. According to prosecutors, he was one of several people who lifted a metal bicycle rack barricade and pushed it into a group of law enforcement officers. Later, authorities said, he was seen letting the air out of the tire of a U.S. government vehicle. Young pleaded guilty on Nov. 2. He was sentenced on Jan. 31 to 8 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release and a $295 special assessment. He is scheduled to be released on Nov. 1. Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ residents accused in Jan. 6 Capitol riot: Where their cases stand TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese health ministry panel recommended approval for Daiichi Sankyo's mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine in what would be the nation's first home-grown shot for the coronavirus. Daiichi Sankyo submitted the vaccine, known as DS-5670 with the brand name Daichirona, to regulators in January, proposing the shot as a booster after regular immunisation. The decision by the expert panel, delivered on Monday evening, sets up the vaccine for full approval by the government. During the pandemic, Japan mainly relied on imports of mRNA-type vaccines developed by U.S. drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna. The same panel held off an approval of a recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Japanese drugmaker Shionogi. (Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Tom Hogue) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who rose to become one of New Jerseys most prominent Black leaders and passionately advocated for revitalizing cities and against gun violence, died Tuesday after a sudden illness. She was 71. No cause of death was given, according to a statement from her family issued by Gov. Phil Murphy s office. Oliver was serving as acting governor while Murphy and his family are on vacation in Italy. His office said she had been hospitalized on Monday. Murphy said he and his family are distraught at the news. Naming Oliver as his lieutenant governor was, he said, the best decision I ever made. She was the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey, winning the vote alongside Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021. She was a well-known figure in state government, and made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black woman to lead the state Assembly. In contrast to her predecessor, who rarely appeared alongside Gov. Chris Christie, Oliver regularly stood at Murphy's side and signed several bills into law while serving as acting governor. She was a compelling public speaker and frequent attendee at Murphys bill signings and other events, where he typically introduced her as his rocking lieutenant governor. In 2021 while unveiling tighter gun legislation alongside Murphy, Olivers voice cracked as she lamented the gun violence that disproportionately affected cities in the state and lamented what she suggested was runaway gun violence. We are tired of funerals and memorials, Oliver said. Growing up in Newark, I tell young people I could go to any section of this city by myself or with my friends. Our young people cannot do that today. In 2021, she signed a bill that established a pilot program to overhaul the states juvenile justice system in four cities and which aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. Another measure she signed in 2021 revived a defunct fund for urban enterprise zones aimed driving economic development in cities through lower sales tax rates. Story continues In addition to serving as Murphys top deputy, stepping in while he was out of the state, she also oversaw the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and supervises code enforcement. Her sudden illness and death seemed to have stunned officials. This is devastating news. I am shocked at the passing of Lieutenant Governor Oliver. Sheila is a pathbreaker and has been one of the foremost leaders of our great state for decades. I am still processing this, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. said in a statement. Christie, whos running for the Republican nomination for president, worked with her during his first term when she was Assembly speaker and remembered her as a great person and partner and said in a tweet that her passing was a loss for him personally as well as the state. Murphys office announced on July 31 that Oliver was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition. The governors office declined to elaborate. Her familys statement remembered her as our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero. Murphy spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said the governor will be returning soon but didnt specify when. He was set to return Aug. 13. Oliver served in the Assembly since 2004 and was on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders from 1996 to 1999. Born and raised in Newark, she earned a sociology degree from Pennsylvanias Lincoln University. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color, Murphy said in a statement Tuesday. "Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable. Oliver was just the second person to hold the post of lieutenant governor, a newer state government position that began under previous Gov. Chris Christie. It was unclear who would immediately succeed her. New Jersey's constitution calls for Senate President Nicholas Scutari to serve as acting governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated. The constitution requires Murphy to appoint Olivers successor within 45 days. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, died Tuesday, her family announced. She was 71. Oliver served with Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy, acting in his stead when he was out of state and also administering the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and supervises code enforcement. No cause of death was given in a statement released by Oliver's family through Murphy's office. "It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero," the family said in a statement. "As we come to terms with this profound loss, we kindly request that you respect the privacy of the Oliver family during this difficult time as they grieve their beloved Sheila," the statement reads. NJ SENATE PRESIDENT NICHOLAS SCUTARI TAKES OVER AS ACTING GOVERNOR AS OLIVER REMAINS HOSPITALIZED READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver speaks at an election rally for Gov.-elect Phil Murphy on Nov. 7, 2017, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She died Tuesday at age 71, her family announced. As acting governor, Oliver signed a handful of bills, including a 2021 measure that established a pilot program to overhaul the states juvenile justice system in four cities and which aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. Murphys office announced July 31 that Oliver was hospitalized while filling in for Murphy, who was in Italy on a family vacation. She was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition on Monday, the governors office said, declining to elaborate. A spokesperson for the governor told the Associated Press that Murphy will be "returning soon" but did not say when. He was scheduled to return Aug. 13. In a statement, Murphy said he and his family were "incredibly saddened" by news of Oliver's passing and asked for thoughts and prayers for her family. Story continues ACTING NEW JERSEY GOV SHEILA OLIVER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR UNDISCLOSED MEDICAL ISSUE The governor called Oliver an "incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable." He said selecting her to serve as his running mate was "the best decision I ever made." Oliver, a Democrat, was born and raised in Newark and has a sociology degree from Pennsylvania's Lincoln University. She served on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders from 1996 to 1999 before winning election to the state Assembly in 2004. In 2010, Oliver became the first Black woman to serve as Assembly speaker but lost the position to Assemblyman Vincent Prieto in 2013. Murphy selected her to be his running mate in 2017. They won, and she became the second New Jersey lieutenant governor since the position was created under former Republican Gov. Chris Christie. The pair won re-election in 2021. DEM GOVERNOR IN DEEP-BLUE STATE FACES CHORUS OF BOOS AT CONCERT AS SINGER TRIES TO HUSH THEM UP Oliver was a talented public speaker and could often be seen accompanying Murphy at bill-signing ceremonies and other functions of his office, where he would introduce her as his "rocking" lieutenant governor. It is unclear who will succeed her. New Jersey's state constitution calls for the Senate president to serve as acting governor if both the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated, according to the Associated Press. The Associated Press contributed to this report. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has died at the age of 71, after she was hospitalized Monday for an undisclosed medical issue. Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in governor, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said in a statement Tuesday. Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ty6drz7DgY Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 1, 2023 Oliver was acting as governor while Murphy is out of the country on a family vacation in Italy. She was hospitalized Monday at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, according to Murphys spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna, who told The Associated Press Oliver was receiving medical care, but did not provide any further information. While hospitalized, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari was acting in Olivers place. Murphy was slated to return Aug. 13, though it is unclear if he will come back early as a result. The Hill has reached out to Murphys office for comment including whether he planned to return to the U.S. ahead of schedule. A statement released from Olivers family confirmed her death and said she leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service and inspiration. Olivers family asked for privacy and did not expand upon the details surrounding her death. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community, the familys statement said. Story continues Murphy said Tuesday Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word, when he selected her as his running mate in 2017. Oliver became the first African American woman to serve as Speaker of the State Assembly in 2010 and was the second Black woman in the nations history to lead a state legislature. She was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable, Murphy wrote. Olivers family said further details on memorial arranges will be released in due course. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Updated 1:31 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, the first Black woman in the states history to hold statewide office, has died. She was 71. Olivers family announced her death Tuesday, one day after she was hospitalized while acting as governor with Phil Murphy on vacation. Her cause of death was not revealed. It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, her family said in a statement. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend and hero. Oliver was hospitalized suddenly Monday with an undisclosed illness. She became the acting governor on Friday when Murphy left for a family vacation in Italy. He was expected to return on Aug. 13. New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari stepped in as acting governor Monday when Oliver was hospitalized. He will continue in the role until Murphy returns. Murphy and Oliver, both Democrats, were elected in 2017 and reelected in 2021. Oliver previously served as Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly; she was also the first Black woman to hold that powerful position. Murphy called his choice to run alongside Oliver the best decision I ever made. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color, he said in a statement. Born July 14, 1952 in Newark, Oliver grew up in the city and graduated from Weequahic High School. She got her bachelors degree from Lincoln University and earned a masters in planning and administration from Columbia. We are so proud to count Sheila Oliver as a distinguished alumna, the school said in 2019, before Oliver gave a speech at the School of Social Works graduation ceremony. Our students have been granted a wonderful opportunity to learn from her insights and experiences. Olivers career in public service began with small positions in Essex County and the city of East Orange. In 1997, she ran for mayor of East Orange, losing by just 51 votes. Story continues In 2003, Oliver ran successfully to represent New Jerseys 34th district in the state legislature. She represented parts of East Orange, Montclair, Orange and Clifton from 2004 through 2018. Oliver worked as speaker of the assembly, New Jerseys lower house, from 2010 to 2014. When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word, Gov. Murphy said Tuesday. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. In addition to her work as lieutenant governor, Oliver led New Jerseys Department of Community Affairs. The department focuses on tackling homelessness, affordable housing and local government services throughout the state. Were developing an urban agenda, she said on the campaign trail in 2017. My focus wont be only on big ticket items, but on all kinds of entrepreneurship to help individuals and municipalities. Oliver was a resident of East Orange for more than 40 years and had family across the tri-state area. She routinely filled in for Murphy as acting governor while he traveled outside the state. On Monday, Oliver was transported to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. A spokesman said only that she had been receiving medical care before her death. Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service and inspiration, her family said Tuesday. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community. NEW YORK (AP) JetBlue Airways warned of a possible third-quarter loss and cut its forecast of full-year earnings Tuesday as it terminates a partnership with American Airlines and deals with flight cancellations that it blames on a shortage of air traffic controllers. Shares of the New York-based airline fell 9% in morning trading. JetBlue said it earned $138 million in the second quarter, reversing a loss of $188 million a year earlier. Excluding special items, the profit was 45 cents per share, a penny better than analysts expected, according to a FactSet survey. Revenue rose 7% to $2.61 billion, matching analysts' forecast. JetBlue saved more than $300 million from jet fuel being cheaper than last year, but labor costs rose more than $200 million from a year ago. But JetBlue cut its forecast of full-year earnings to between 5 cents and 40 cents per share, down from an earlier prediction of up to $1 per share. The airline said third-quarter results would range from break-even to a loss of 20 cents per share. The airline blamed up to 25 cents per share of the full-year revision to its decision to end an alliance with American Airlines in which the airlines coordinated schedules in New York and Boston and shared revenue when selling seats on each other's flights. They are now taking that deal apart after a federal judge ruled that the arrangement violates antitrust law. JetBlue said disruptions caused by bad weather and limits on air traffic control contributed to another cut of up to 25 cents per share in the 2023 forecast. In July, JetBlue canceled more than 5% of its flights, a far higher percentage than United, Delta, American, Southwest and Alaska, according to FlightAware. The airline is also being hurt by stronger demand for international trips, which is sapping demand for its domestic flights this summer. Photo: Nick Simonite Joanna Gaines is back with another Mini Reni, whichfor the uninitiatedis a series of smaller renovations she and her team at the Magnolia Network are knocking out with budget-friendly hacks like lighting swaps and simple paint and wallpaper additions, plus new furnishings (many of them from her in-house Magnolia line). This time around, the setting is a cozy 30s-era home with a ton of existing character that lacked a cohesive look and feel, Gaines says. Going in, I knew the homeowner was craving color and pattern in the spaces we planned to flip, so I kept that top of mind while finding ways to incorporate simple, affordable changes like paint, tile, molding, and furniture that would give the house a fresh, defined look and highlight that existing charm. See below as she and her team transform a kitchen nook and dining room into warm and inviting places to entertain guests. Breakfast Nook Use patterned tiles to create the illusion of more space Photo: Danielle Jackson To make this breakfast nook more of a destination, Gaines designed around the original windows in the spacethinking through different ways she could incorporate color, pattern, and texture in a room with very low ceilings. We decided to accomplish all three by tiling the entire wall in an eye-catching color palette and pattern, and I think it may be my favorite moment in the house! she says. Her team chose the tile in a size and pattern that would create the illusion of taller ceilings (alternating 2x6 Zia tiles in Amber and Casablanca white) and used a dry stack method of installationmeaning no spacers or groutto give the walls a craftier artisanal vibe rather than a utilitarian bathroom or kitchen feel. Tone down splashy walls with muted furnishings Photo: Danielle Jackson Enhancing the sense of serenity in this kitchen nook are pared-back furnishings like a column-style Lillian dining table from Magnolias line and Bruck Lighting Delfina Pendant. Gaines explains that even if you love bold details, the eye still needs a place to rest, adding that neutral furniture and relaxed textures play an important role in bringing balance to the look and feel of the room. Story continues Dining Room Focus your color palette Photo: Danielle Jackson For the original dining room, which featured blue-violet paint on all sides, Gaines went in with a plan to answer the homeowners bid for more visual interest. She adopted a dialed-in color scheme that features vibrant wallpaper and some new dusty blue paint (Weathered Windmill from the Magnolia line) on the built-in cabinet in the corner, plus the ceilings and wall trim. Identify one point of interest, then build around it Photo: Danielle Jackson The cabinet ended up inspiring much of the transformation in the room. Joanna Gaines said she loved the scalloped detailing on it and knew that she wanted to give it a fresh coat of paint and make it a focal point of the space. From there, the team layered in wallpaper that paired well with the color story already in place in a pattern that gave the room a whimsical, artful, and storied look, Gaines explains. When thinking about updating one of your own rooms, she recommends zeroing in on what you love about it first. Look for that something specialexisting features that could be built upon, like molding, original architecture, the shape of a window or built-inthat could be mirrored elsewhere. Find flea market inspiration The Carlotta dining table and chairs are pieces Gaines designed for Magnolia Market to feel found and collected, which she says she knew would pair well with the style of the room and lean into period details that the homeowner wanted. I also love the subtle shape that the curved chairs and turned legs add to the space, Gaines adds. Underfoot she layered in a textured ivory rug that helps contrast the chairs and the hardwood floors. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From AD It Yourself By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Monday blocked the state of Idaho at least temporarily from prosecuting doctors who refer patients out of state to get an abortion, finding that would violate a medical provider's right to free speech. U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill agreed with a challenge led by Planned Parenthood that Republican Attorney General Raul Labrador's interpretation of the state's criminal abortion law was "chilling" to providers' First Amendment rights. Idaho's abortion ban calls for revoking the license of any healthcare professional who assists in performing an abortion. Labrador interpreted the word "assists" as prohibiting an Idaho medical provider from referring a woman across state lines for an abortion. But the judge found Labrador's interpretation went too far and enjoined him from prosecuting such cases until an underlying legal challenge to the abortion law is settled in court. "The Court finds that the Medical Providers have established that there is a genuine threat of prosecution. This threat has resulted in the chilling of the Medical Providers' speech - a well-established concrete injury," wrote Winmill, who was appointed by Democratic then-President Bill Clinton. Planned Parenthood and two doctors, known in the suit as the Medical Providers, sued in April to block the punishment, arguing the law violates the U.S. Constitution by prohibiting protected free speech and attempting to extend Idaho law beyond its borders. Beth Cahill, a spokesperson for Labrador, said Winmill's ruling was predictable. "In his 28-year career you'd be hard-pressed to find a time when Judge Winmill has ruled against Planned Parenthood, so his decision is not surprising. Judge Winmill wants to restrain a power we don't possess. We strongly disagree with his order," Cahill said in a statement. Idaho banned abortion shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned the guaranteed a right to abortion nationwide, mandating a prison sentence of two to five years for a convicted provider. The law allows a provider charged with performing an illegal abortion to overcome the charge by proving it was needed to save the mother's life, or resulted from rape reported to law enforcement. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta and Brendan Pierson; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) VERO BEACH A Brevard County man convicted of felonies stemming from a 2017 shootout with Sebastian police at Earl's Hideaway Lounge in Sebastian was ordered Monday to serve a life prison term, according to a prosecutor and court records. Ward Lawrence Kenyon, 34, of the 700 block of Emilys Glen Lane in Micco, was found guilty July 14 of attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a weapon, altering a firearm serial number and carrying a concealed firearm. Indian River County Judge Nicole Menz imposed a life prison sentence for the attempted murder conviction and ordered Kenyon to serve an additional 37-year term related to his other convictions, Assistant State Attorney William Long said. The states evidence presented to jurors during a two-week trial at the Indian River County Courthouse was overwhelming, Long said. A six-member jury deliberated for 44 minutes before convicting Kenyon, who acted as his own defense attorney but opted not to testify at his trial, court filings show. He was clearly guilty, Long said. And I'm certainly happy that the jury saw it the same way. What happened during the shootout? Kenyon was involved in a firefight with several Sebastian Police officers on Oct. 9, 2017 inside the popular riverfront biker bar at 1405 Indian River Drive. Both Kenyon and Officer Tegpreet "Preet" Singh were injured by gunfire. Neither man's injuries were life-threatening, records show. Singh, whod then been with the agency for about a year, suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot. Shots rang out shortly after 10:20 p.m., when officers Singh and Braeden Nevue entered Earl's to confront Kenyon, who was wanted for violation of probation on a 2014 charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at No Name Bar in Sebastian. Officer Melissa Garrison was also present. Garrison had worked for the agency for about 13 years and Nevue for about 10 months police officials said at the time. Story continues A warrant had classified Kenyon as a violent offender, arrest reports noted. According to Singh, who provided a statement to investigators and testified at Keynons trial, he was on routine patrol in front of Earls Hideaway when a male bartender flagged him down and said he knew Kenyon was wanted and was inside the bar. Singh called for backup before confronting Kenyon. Singh entered the lounge near the pool tables and saw Kenyon standing at a table. Nevue was also inside when Kenyon saw the two officers. When he tried to walk away, the officers confronted him and requested Kenyon go outside. A struggle ensued and, according to Singh, he observed Kenyon produce a handgun from his front waistband. As they tussled, Kenyon was trying to turn the weapon toward Singhs upper body, he told investigators, at which time both men fell to the floor as shots were being fired. Singh reported at that point his right foot went numb and he exited the building to avoid being hit by shots being fired by Nevue at Kenyon. Investigators concluded that Kenyon, who was shot several times, discharged one of his weapons at least once during the struggle. Pay to park at city beach parks? Fort Pierce to roll out 3-year pilot program Opinion: Probe into sheriff's election shows danger of boosting sham candidates Prosecutor Long said early on there was confusion about whether Singh was hit by a bullet fired by Kenyon or a fellow police officer. He (Singh) was shot by crossfire. He wasn't shot by the defendant, Long said. (Kenyon) shot at him but did not hit him. The bullet that actually hit his foot was from his fellow law officer. Once in custody, Kenyon admitted having two firearms tucked in his waistband when he was confronted by the officers, according to arrest records. He reported buying the weapons on the streets and removing the serial numbers. Police use of force justified During Kenyons sentencing hearing, Singh told the court it took 11 months to return to work after his gunshot wound and he still deals with back trouble, Long said Monday. His foot is still not right, added Long, hes essentially always going to be dealing with that. A state investigation conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement cleared police officers in 2018 of any wrongdoing related to the shooting incident. FDLE investigators had video evidence of the shooting from security cameras at Earl's Hideaway and several clips recorded on patrons' cellphones. The bar's camera showed Kenyon struggle with Singh as stacks of plywood fell on them. It then showed Kenyon roll under a billiards table with a gun in his hand. Reached Monday, Sebastian Police Chief Daniel Acosta said via text that he couldn't be more proud of the bravery exhibited by our officers in the face of danger on that October evening. The Sebastian Police Department will not tolerate this type of behavior, said Acosta, and anyone considering violating the law in Sebastian should understand we continually train to ensure our officers are prepared for any situation. Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Micco man in 2017 shootout with Sebastian Police sentenced to life A Pennsylvania state judge ruled Monday that an election worker cannot sue former President Trump over statements he made sowing doubt in the 2020 election results while in office, finding the statements are protected by presidential immunity. Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Erdos said Trumps immunity covered a tweet he issued and comments he made remotely from the White House during a Pennsylvania state Senate committee hearing in November 2020. The statements, made without evidence, claimed fraud in Pennsylvanias election tabulations. Other legal proceedings may examine the propriety of his statements and actions while he was the President and whether, as the plaintiffs in this and other cases contend, it was this conduct which served as the actual threat to our democracy, Erdos ruled. But this case is not the proper place to do so. Here, Trump is entitled to Presidential immunity. James Savage, a Pennsylvania voting machine supervisor in the 2020 election, filed two lawsuits which have since been consolidated alleging that Trump, Rudy Giuliani, two poll watchers and others conspired to defame him. Savage says their statements led him to receive death threats and suffer two heart attacks. Top Stories from The Hill Erdos ruled Trump has immunity for the tweet and the remarks at the state Senate hearing because both statements were made while he was serving as president. But the lawsuit also contains claims over a letter Trump wrote to the House Jan. 6 committee last October, which Trump is not immune from as it was written after leaving office. Erdos ruled the two earlier statements were part of Trumps official duties, as he was speaking to the public on matters of public concern. Here, then-President Trumps Gettysburg remarks and his tweet were public, Erdos wrote. Moreover, the topic of these statementsclaims from third parties and the President himself about irregularities in the Presidential election which on their face called into question the integrity of the election and whether now-President Joseph Biden had been duly electedwas undoubtedly a matter of great public concern. Story continues The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Trump potentially faces a looming indictment in the Justice Departments probe of the transfer of power following the 2020 election and the lead up to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trumps unfounded claims of mass electoral fraud are also the subject of several other civil lawsuits, which remain tied up in other courts and for which he has similarly asserted immunity. We are pleased with the Courts decision to honor the long-standing principle of Presidential Immunity, Trump legal spokeswoman Alina Habba said in a statement. Today, the Court made it clear that it is well within the Presidents discretion to address the integrity of our election without fear of liability, Habba continued. We expect that the rest of Mr. Savages claims will similarly be disposed of as they are without merit. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. July was the hottest month in Tampas recorded history, dethroning a milestone set just last year. A stubborn westerly wind and steamy overnight temperatures contributed to the scorching month. Tampas average temperature was 86.5 degrees, 0.2 higher than the record set in July 2022, according to the National Weather Service. An abnormally dry pattern was a major factor in setting the record, said Paul Close, a senior meteorologist with the weather service. Westerly winds have prevented Tampa Bays normal afternoon thunderstorm pattern, when summertime heat and air from the Gulf of Mexico clash, cooling down the area with afternoon and evening downpours. The lack of rain has led portions of Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay to fall into a severe or extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Its very unusual to have this extreme drought were seeing, Close said. Tampa broke another record in July the average nighttime temperature last month was the hottest ever recorded at 79.7 degrees, also beating last years July record. The high overnight temperatures have led to greater daytime heat. When the day starts out warm, its not hard for temperatures to keep climbing, Close said. Other areas of Tampa Bay also reached record temperatures. Plant City had its hottest month on record in July, and St. Petersburg had its second hottest July, which became its fourth hottest month on record. Scorching heat has made headlines across the nation and world this summer. June was the hottest June in recorded global history, and a stretch of blistering weather in early July resulted in what may be the hottest days ever recorded in Earths modern history. Across the globe, temperatures have increased by about 2 degrees since 1880, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since 1981, the rate of warming has increased more than twice as fast, the administration said. According to a recently released Climate Action and Equity Plan, the average annual temperature in Tampa has increased by 2.5 degrees since records began in 1891. Story continues Last year was the warmest year on record for Tampa. Nine out of the 10 warmest years on record for the city have occurred in the last decade. Whit Remer, the city of Tampas sustainability and resilience officer, said people are beginning to come around to the dangers of heat. Tampa is experimenting with planting more trees, providing cooling centers and educating the public on the symptoms of heat stroke, Remer said. Ill say we have been working on heat for a better part of the year, Remer said. The city has partnered with the University of South Florida and Resilient Cities Catalyst in 2022 to produce a heat resiliency playbook focused on East Tampa. The playbook seeks to find equitable ways to deal with extreme heat, and can later be used in other parts of the city, Remer said. The regions blistering heat is likely to continue for the next week or so, according to the weather services Climate Prediction Center. Recently, Tampa Bay has been in a flip-flopping pattern of westerly versus easterly winds, Close said. Its hard to say just when the areas usual thunderstorm pattern will settle in, he said. For the rest of the week in Tampa, the weather service is forecasting at least a 50% chance of rain and highs in the mid-90s. Angel King had four years of grief and outrage to unleash on the man who killed her son and left her first grandchild fatherless. The girlfriend of her son Jaylin Jaquan Bart Williams was pregnant,when he was gunned down during a botched robbery on Aug. 1, 2019. Now three years old, the daughter wants to know where her father is, she said. I wish I could see my son right now, King told Jordan Jamal Seldon, after a Columbus jury convicted him of murder and other felonies in her sons death. I wish I could have seen my son when that baby was born, that looks just like him, and she will never get to know him, because of you and your selfishness! She lamented not only the death of her son, but of other sons lost to the gun violence that has plagued the city for the past few years. I dont understand! she yelled. Whats wrong with you young Black men in Columbus, Georgia! Get a job! Go to school! ... Do something with your life! Is it worth this? To sit up in jail for what? For nothing, according to police and prosecutors, who said Seldon and two accomplices got no loot the night they tried to ambush Williams outside his midtown home. The shootout at 11 p.m. left the 21-year-old rapper shot through the chest. His would-be robbers fled. Besides Seldon, police charged accomplices Christian Desean Patrick and Gerald Wayne Reed III in the murder case. Police also charged Reeds then-girlfriend Anna Elizabeth Stecenko, who afterward helped Reed hide a gun. Reed and Stecenko have pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Patricks charges are to be dismissed in exchange for his testimony against Seldon. After about four hours of deliberation, the jury found Seldon guilty of murder, aggravated assault and using a gun to commit a felony, announcing the verdict about 11 a.m. Tuesday. After hearing testimony from King and from Williams girlfriend Alexandria Smith, Judge John Martin sentenced Seldon to life with the possibility of parole. Story continues Superior Court Judge John Martin presides over the trial of Jordan Jamal Seldon, 24, whos on trial for murder, aggravated assault and using a gun to commit a crime. 07/26/2023 That means Seldon, 24, will have to serve at least 30 years before hes eligible for release, though he will get credit for the time he spent in jail awaiting trial. He was arrested in October 2020. Martin said he was not comfortable with the option of giving Seldon life without parole when Seldons codefendants faced no similar consequences for their actions. Seldons youth and lack of any criminal record also had to be considered, the judge said. The familys pain Trial testimony showed Reed, Seldon and Patrick conspired to rob Williams, with Reed telling Stecenko they wanted to hit a lick, street slang for a robbery. Both Reed and Seldon were armed with handguns as they approached the home where Williams stood on the front porch. But Williams also had a gun and shot back at them, foiling their plan. They had hoped Stecenko would lure Williams out of the house for them, but she refused to join in the scheme. Prosecutor Lewis Lamb emphasized Tuesday that Williams death resulted from this avaricious plot, and that it was not the spontaneous result of a heated dispute or impulsive act. Williams mother noted that, too. Because of your selfish actions, this is what its come to, she told Seldon, later adding, Stop being so narrow-minded! Wake up! This is not a game. This is life! This hurts! ... Your actions were careless, reckless, and it hurt a lot of people. Antwameka Angel King, at microphone, the mother of Jaylin Jaquan Bart Williams, gives her victim impact statement in court Tuesday morning after a jury convicted Jordan Jamal Seldon on all charges for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Williams in 2019. 08/01/2023 Now her family is among the many who have lost children to violence, and must bear that burden, she added. Im a part of that now, she told Seldon. Not only am I that mother who lost her son, but now Ive got to go and comfort the next mother that lost her son to foolishness. The evidence The gunfight outside his home left Williams dying on his porch, shot through the heart with a 9-millimeter bullet, authorities said. Afterward Seldon and Patrick ran back to Patricks car on East Lindsey Drive and fled, according to Patricks testimony last week. They abandoned Reed, who left his phone in Seldons car and began walking the neighborhood, asking residents to let him use their phone, police said. The neighbors called 911, and officers questioned Reed that night before releasing him at Stecenkos Fairview Drive home. She drove him back to Wallace Drive to collect a gun and camouflage jacket he had hidden in a vacant house there, she testified. Stecenko and Reed disassembled the .45-caliber Glock and hid it in Harris County, where investigators later recovered the firearm. They also found Williams 9-millimeter pistol that jammed during the shootout. But the 9-millimeter used to shoot Williams was never found, and Patricks testimony that Seldon was armed with the weapon was crucial to the prosecutions case. So, Lamb agreed to dismiss Patricks charges in exchange for his testimony, though Patrick admitted his role in the foiled robbery that led to Williams death. Christian Desean Patrick testifies Friday afternoon during the trial of Jordan Jamal Seldon, 24. Seldon is on trial for murder, aggravated assault and using a gun to commit a crime in the fatal shooting of Jaylin Jaquan Bart Williams. 07/28/2023 The witnesses Though Reeds statements to police led to their unraveling the robbery scheme and arresting the suspects, Lamb never called Reed to testify, relying instead on Patrick and Stecenko to tell jurors what happened. After Tuesdays verdict, Lamb told the Ledger-Enquirer he never called Reed to the stand because he did not believe Reed was telling him the truth, and he did not want Reed lying to the jury. Defense attorney Mike Garner maintained that Seldon was not there when the shooting happened, and that another man killed Williams. Mike Garner, defense attorney for Jordan Jamal Seldon, makes his opening statement Wednesday morning. 07/26/2023 When they pleaded guilty last year, Reed and Stecenko both agreed to testify in the trial if summoned. Here are their pleas: Stecenko, 24, pleaded guilty only to tampering with evidence, and faces 10 years in prison with six to serve. Reed, 25, pleaded to aggravated assault and using a gun to commit a felony. He faces up to 25 years in prison. They are to be sentenced later. Patrick, who has spent four years in jail awaiting trial, is to be freed, said his attorney, Angela Dillon. Lamb is the district attorney in Americus, Georgia, who was assigned the case because Columbus District Attorney Stacey Jackson in his former private practice represented Patrick, presenting a conflict of interest. Vice President Kamala Harris. Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris quickly rejected Gov. Ron DeSantis' invite to discuss Florida's education standards. Harris has slammed Florida for adopting standards that would teach middle schoolers that enslaved people derived some benefits from slavery. "There were no redeeming qualities of slavery," Harris said in Orlando. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday quickly dismissed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' invitation for her to discuss the state's controversial education standards, furthering a fight between the White House and the state. "I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery," Harris said during an event in Orlando. Harris and the White House clearly see the fight as necessary as Tuesday marked her second time in the state since the education standards were released. Harris' Orlando appearance was previously scheduled before she and the governor got into it over a "benchmark clarification" for middle school students that calls for instruction to include "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." DeSantis, who has struggled to pierce former President Donald Trump's national primary lead, is also clearly trying to use the fight with Harris to reenergize his beleaguered presidential campaign. It's not just Harris and Democrats that have taken issue with the guidelines. Leading Black Republicans, including Sen. Tim Scott and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, have also called out the notion that enslaved people could benefit from the horrific institution and business of slavery. Scott is also running for the GOP presidential nomination. While Donalds, who was once a close DeSantis ally, previously endorsed Trump. Harris was responding to DeSantis' invitation for Harris to discuss the standards with Dr. William Allen, who served on an advisory committee that came up with 215-page standards. The governor's invitation also took multiple shots at Harris, suggesting his letter to the vice president was little more than a political ploy. "I am prepared to meet as early as Wednesday of this week, but of course want to be deferential to your busy schedule should you already have a trip to the southern border planned for that day," DeSantis wrote, he concluded the note by adding "I hope you're feeling up to it!" Read the original article on Business Insider Vice President Kamala Harris plans to bring the fight over the teaching of Black history back to Florida on Tuesday, continuing her ongoing attacks against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the states new and controversial education standards. Harris will travel to Orlando to address the African Methodist Episcopal Church Womens Missionary Society Quadrennial Convention her second visit to Florida in less than two weeks. She will talk about the concerted efforts across the country to attack hard-earned freedoms, including the need to ensure that folks have the ability to learn their countrys full and true history, a White House official said. The vice presidents trip has been planned since mid-July. But the stakes were raised for her latest visit to Florida after her last trip, to Jacksonville on July 21, sparked a public feud with DeSantis over the states new educational standards a fight the vice presidents office believes that she is winning. Harris has been personally involved in crafting the messaging response to Floridas new standards, which include a highly controversial line stating that Blacks learned skills while in slavery that could be used for their personal benefit. Shes going to be referencing, specifically, the Florida curriculum standards, the official said. Itll definitely be a part of it. READ MORE: Indoctrination in Florida schools? PragerUs conservative content aims to change minds Harris will also address the countrys battles over voting rights, abortion and gun violence, highlighting the role that faith has played in critical moments in American history, including the civil rights movement, the official said. Floridas new Black history curriculum has been at the center of an ongoing political battle for nearly two weeks, with Democrats and civil rights groups leading a campaign against the new standards. Some Republicans including four of the five Black Republicans in Congress have also criticized the decision to teach that some enslaved people benefited from being kept in bondage. Story continues DeSantis and his team have pushed back aggressively against the wave of criticism, even accusing GOP detractors of echoing Harris talking points. DeSantis has defended the curriculum, arguing that it was put forward by a working group of experts and has nothing to do with politics. Hes also ramped up his criticism of Harris in recent weeks, warning that a vote for President Joe Biden is effectively the same as a vote for Harris, given the incumbent presidents age. I think its very clear that these guys did a good job with those standards, DeSantis told reporters during a campaign stop in Iowa last week. It wasnt anything that was politically motivated. These are serious scholars. DeSantis sent a letter to Harris ahead of her Tuesday trip to Orlando, touting his states education standards and accusing the Biden administration of unfairly attacking the curriculum. In the letter, he invited Harris to meet with him and William Allen, who helped author the new Black history standards, in Tallahassee to discuss the new standards. Over the past several weeks, the Biden Administration has repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans about our education system, DeSantis wrote. Our state pushed forward nation-leading standalone African American History standards one of the only states in the nation to require this level of learning about such an important subject. WASHINGTON (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, facing heavy criticism for defending anti-woke teaching in Florida, this week teed up an unusual proposal to the nation's first Black vice president: Come debate the merits of the state's new curriculum on African-American history. Less than 24 hours later, Kamala Harris was in an African Methodist Episcopal church in Orlando, firing back. "I'm here in Florida," Harris said Tuesday to a cheering audience at a convention of Black women missionaries. And I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery. It was the latest volley in a rhetorical war over Floridas new education standards that has escalated in recent days. And it highlights the elevated role that Harris has been taking: Leading the White House charge against Republicans vying to face off against President Joe Biden in the 2024 campaign. Harris's trip to Orlando was her second to Florida in just over a week, after the state cleared new school guidelines that, in part, require teachers to instruct middle school students that enslaved people developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." It's language that DeSantis defends against strong pushback from Democrats and leading Black Republicans on Capitol Hill. Two days after the new guidelines were formally approved, Harris and her aides quickly organized a trip to the states largest city of Jacksonville and denounced extremists who she argued were forcing propaganda on Florida schoolchildren. The vice president also flew to Iowa last week and met with abortion rights advocates as top GOP presidential candidates gathered in Des Moines to address an influential state Republican Party dinner. That came on the heels of a new Iowa law that bars most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is now on hold, blocked by a state judge. Story continues Harris's moves to seize the political offensive are a departure from years past, when she found herself under repeated Republican attacks after making scant progress on tackling the migration challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. Harris was also the point person on the administration's efforts to bolster voting rights, which failed to gain traction on Capitol Hill. Her newfound aggressive posture is a natural one, Harris allies say, considering her background as a prosecutor who thrives on zeroing in on an opponent and hammering their faults. The vice president has long been an effective messenger when Americans fundamental rights are at stake, said Rohini Kosoglu, Harris's former chief of staff. "This recent attack on education, which most Americans would consider extremist, is no different. Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said of DeSantis: He took the bait." The fact that he doubled down and brought another week of attention to a losing issue for him gives opportunity for the vice president to reinforce the message from the White House, and to reinforce what Americans understand slavery to have been," Fried said. At issue are Florida's revised curriculum standards, particularly the mandate on teaching middle-school students about the personal benefits of slavery. On Tuesday, Harris called it an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates." She said the invite from DeSantis whom she never called out by name was an effort to legitimize that debate. DeSantis has said his critics are intentionally misinterpreting the language and notes that among the people who worked on the new standards is William B. Allen, a Black professor emeritus at Michigan State University who has defended the wording about slavery. Still, most of the Black Republicans in Congress have come out against Floridas new Black history curriculum, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, one of DeSantis's challengers for the GOP presidential nomination, and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a former ally of the governor who has endorsed former president Donald Trump. Rather than backing down, the DeSantis campaign has gone on the attack against critics, including Donalds, whose conservative credentials they question. In his letter challenging Harris for a debate on the curriculum, DeSantis accused the vice president of trying to score cheap political points and said Florida was unique in requiring this level of learning about such an important subject. Kamala Harris got on a jet at taxpayer expense and flew to Florida to lie about the African American history standards, DeSantis told Foxs Bret Baier in a Monday interview. You cant bend the knee to the lefts lies. When the left lies and creates these phony narratives, youve got to push back. Theyve been doing this to Republicans for years and years. After Harris's response in Orlando on Tuesday, Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting DeSantis, tweeted, Kamala Harris announces she is too afraid to meet with Ron DeSantis & the African American history scholars who created the Florida curriculum standards she is lying about. Quisha King, a Jacksonville mother of two African American girls, said she wants an apology from the vice president for spreading what she calls lies about Floridas new Black history curriculum. King said its Harris, not DeSantis, who is continuing to fuel the controversy, adding that she has counted at least four times in recent days that Harris has spoken about the Florida standards. Personally, I want an apology. She should not be doing this, said King, a Black conservative activist who supports DeSantiss presidential bid. Its damaging for our kids. They hear it and it creates confusion. DeSantis and other Republicans are eager to make the 2024 presidential race about Harris, believing she can be a liability for Biden. DeSantis's campaign tags administration as the Harris-Biden administration, and the Florida governor has been one of a handful of Republican challengers who have suggested Harris would be the ultimate commander in chief because of Biden's advanced age. She could end up being president of the United States and I think voters need to take a hard look at that and see if thats something that they would want," DeSantis told CBS News last week, adding that I thank her for her rapid response against him and other Republicans around the country. But Democrats say they will continue to bolster her role, which will be particularly visible this week as Biden remains on vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Harris steps into the spotlight Her schedule includes a trip to the critical swing state of Wisconsin later this week as well as remarks on the economy after the latest job figures are released on Friday. Shes been such an effective messenger in prosecuting the case against extremist Republicans who want to rip away fundamental freedoms, attack our rights and gaslight Americans because shes got a lifetime of experience of fighting back," said Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "Unfortunately for Ron, Vice President Harris stands up to bullies and will always be a staunch defender for the people. ___ Peoples reported from New York. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) announced Monday night that she is receiving outpatient care after experiencing a sudden onset of numbness in her face and is expected to need several weeks of recovery. Doctors believe that the numbness was likely the result of swelling of a facial nerve that was caused by a post-viral infection, Britt said in a statement. She was admitted to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Ala., and was released, saying that her condition is not considered life-threatening. A specialist from [the University of Alabama at Birmingham] has subsequently evaluated me on an outpatient basis and concurred with the prognosis and course of treatment, Britt said in the statement. My condition is not life-threatening, and recovery could take several weeks. I am grateful for the medical professionals providing excellent care, and my family and I are deeply grateful for your prayers, she added. The news came only days after the Senate broke for its monthlong August recess, with lawmakers not slated to return to Washington until after Labor Day. Britt, 41, won her first term in office last year and has largely kept a low profile during her first seven months in the upper chamber. However, she was recently added to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-Ky.) leadership team. The junior Alabama senator also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is set for a busy September as it looks to help avoid a government shutdown and fund the government for fiscal 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Melinda Hennebergers recent commentary about Will Muller, who was disenrolled from St. John LaLande Catholic School in Blue Springs because the diocese says his parents didnt support church teachings, conjured up painful memories for me that had long been buried. I grew up in the burgeoning suburbs of San Fernando Valley in southern California, during the post-World War II building boom. My father, who was non-Catholic, had married my mom, a devout Roman Catholic, just before entering the war in the South Pacific. Since it was a mixed marriage, the pastor allowed a dispensation so they could be married in the church but outside the communion rail. For the marriage to take place, my father dutifully vowed to raise any children Catholic. Consequently, both my sister and I were baptized in the faith. Moving to the suburbs in the early 1950s, in my father and mothers mind, raising children in the Catholic faith implied sending them to Catholic school. And so, I was enrolled in the second grade in our new parish school with wonderful Sister Dorothy Anne as my teacher. Unlike Will, I was not exactly a straight-A student, but I did get decent grades and thrived in my environment, eventually becoming a dedicated altar server, which nurtured my love for the faith and its traditions. However, my joyful sense of community would be dramatically and painfully shattered when, at the end of fifth grade, my mother received a call from our pastor telling her that I was being disenrolled. Between the pastors thick Irish brogue and my moms crying, it was difficult to discern the exact grave crime that occasioned my expulsion. However, in time, it became clear that in a classroom of 50 students where every desk was prized, I was being replaced by a child of good Catholic parents. May have a vocation to the priesthood I was crestfallen and remember not quite understanding the why of it all. My father, God bless him, sat me down and said, Butch (my nickname), I did my best to follow my promise to raise you Catholic. Its out of my hands. Youre going to public school. And so in the fall, I enrolled in the sixth grade at Tulsa Street School. With the flexibility of childhood, I made new friends and adjusted to my new school environment in no time. Story continues However, three weeks later, my mom received another unexpected call from the pastor telling her that, After prayerful consideration, Arthur could come back to the school. My dad that evening said, Its up to you. While I was truly enjoying my new school, I decided to go back to Catholic school with my friends since the second grade. Years later, I came to find out that the principal and the head of the Altar Guild went to the pastor and pressured him to reconsider his decision with the clincher: We think Arthur may have a vocation to the priesthood. Next year, I will celebrate my 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. I was the first priest ordained from our parish church in 1974. At my first Mass, ironically, the man who had disenrolled me stood concelebrating my first Mass. Rather than weaponizing Catholic education for the children of the marginal in the faith in favor of the saved and perfect, perhaps Sant Johns Father Sean McCaffery could see it as a wonderful opportunity for evangelization through a compassionate and understanding heart. And, who knows, in Gods mysterious ways, young Will may even become a priest or better yet, an ethical and virtuous politician. Monsignor Arthur Holquin is a retired priest in the Diocese of Orange in California. In his 49 years as a priest, he was rector of the cathedral and school and his last assignment was Pastor of Mission San Juan Capistrano. Kemi Badenoch is pushing cabinet colleagues to water down net zero rules on electric cars - Getty Images Europe/Leon Neal Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, is pushing Cabinet colleagues to water down net zero rules on electric cars that come into force in January. Car manufacturers are warning they will not be able to hit a requirement that 22 per cent of new vehicles they sell in 2024 must be zero emission models that are completely electric. A manufacturer will be fined 15,000 for every polluting car sold over the limit, unless they can somehow buy in extra allowances from another company. Mrs Badenoch is understood to be concerned about the requirement, known as the zero emissions vehicle (Zev) mandate. A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: If major car companies employing thousands of people are saying that theres a problem, then its her job to look at ways to ease that problem. Net zero has become a central issue for both the Conservatives and Labour, with Rishi Sunak under mounting pressure to delay the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. Last week, The Telegraph revealed that Honda and Toyota were publicly urging a softening of the rules amid fears that they would be breached if implemented as planned. Mrs Badenochs spokesman was also quoted saying Honda and Toyota are not the only manufacturers who have raised concerns and Kemi has been raising their concerns with colleagues in the Cabinet. The accuracy of the remarks, first reported by the Politico website, was not disputed by the Business Department. The Telegraph understands that government ministers are looking at new flexibilities to help with the crunch, but are committed to the introduction of the quota. Despite the rules coming into force in just five months, the Transport Department has still not revealed its full approach of how it will oversee the scheme. Zev mandate The Zev mandate is part of a wider set of rules to phase out petrol and gas cars and help hit the Governments legal target of making the UK a net zero carbon emitter by 2050. The UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due in 2030, five years earlier than the European Union. Mr Sunak has recommitted to the date despite pressure from his own party, with more than 40 Tory MPs and peers last week writing to the Prime Minister calling for the deadline to be pushed back. Story continues New hybrid cars, which run partly on fuel and partly on electricity, can be sold until 2035, though the exact way they are phased out between those dates is to be determined. Only the sale of new models is not allowed after those dates. Second-hand petrol and diesel cars can still be sold. The Zev mandate sees a percentage figure set for each year for what proportion of a car manufacturers new UK sales must be zero emission models. The figure required is due to start at 22 per cent in 2024 and then increase to 80 per cent in 2030. A source close to policy discussions has insisted those figures will not change. But there is open debate between officials and ministers about a variety of proposals for easing the impact of the rules. Many involve the complicated system of emissions allowances. Others look at the speed at which the requirement level rises between 2024 and 2030. Blackouts under Labour In a separate development, Grant Shapps, the Energy Secretary, warned that blackouts could occur as a result of Labours pledge not to approve new exploratory oil and gas drilling licences in the North Sea. Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Shapps said: Their insane plan to ban British oil and gas that will shoot our economy and security in the foot, or their impossible plans to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 that could literally plunge Britain into darkness and many into poverty their approach to net zero is too extreme, risks too much and is too fast for households and businesses to manage. In the past, the Labour Party has dismissed such attacks on its policy noting that existing oil and gas wells will still be able to keep extracting into 2050. Labour figures confirmed that they will not reverse the 100 new oil and gas licences which the Government announced last year and reannounced this week if they win office in 2024. Sir Keir Starmer is only promising not to issue new explorative oil and gas licences rather than overturn ones issued under the Tories. Mr Shapps will meet executives from 20 energy firms on Wednesday, as the Conservative Government continues to shine the spotlight on energy policy this week. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Pro-trans protest in Kentucky The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has again allowed a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth to be enforced. The ruling came Monday in a case out of Kentucky. The same three-judge panel of the court had ruled similarly in a case from Tennessee, making the Sixth Circuit the first court to decide in favor of any gender-affirming care ban. In the Kentucky case, a lower court had issued an injunction in June blocking the ban from enforcement while a lawsuit against it proceeds. But the judge in that case, U.S. District Judge David Hale, lifted the injunction in July after the Sixth Circuit ruled that Tennessees ban could go into effect. The Sixth Circuit covers Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. The seven trans minors and their parents who had sued over the ban filed an emergency motion with the appeals court to have the injunction reinstated. But Judges Jeffrey Sutton and Amul Thapar, who had ruled that Tennessees ban could be enforced while the suit against it is heard, did the same for the Kentucky law. Judge Helene White dissented in both cases. Sutton and Thapar held that those challenging the Kentucky ban are unlikely to prove that it violates the constitutional rights to due process and equal protection of the laws. They noted that the young people affected by the ban are given time to wean off puberty blockers and hormones, which they said lessens the harm done by the law. However, in Kentucky the law requires the weaning period to begin immediately, while Tennessee gives doctors and patients until next year to start it. This did not make a difference to the judges, though. In Kentucky, unlike in Tennessee, some state officials disagree with the ban, and the judges recognized this, but this did not make a difference to the judges either; they said the state has the same interest in making and enforcing its laws. Kentucky legislators passed the ban over Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears veto in May. It was part of a broad anti-LGBTQ+ bill that also bars public schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity, restricts restroom use by trans students, and requires school personnel to out LGBTQ+ youth to their parents. Story continues White, in her dissent, contended that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their constitutional claims. In addition, the fact that Kentucky trans youth must begin weaning immediately makes it more likely that they will suffer harm, she wrote. I would lift the stay [of the injunction] at least with regard to those who were undergoing the now-banned treatments when the law took effect, she explained. The Kentucky case is known as known as Doe v. Thornbury. The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. The Advocate has sought comment from the lawyers but has yet to receive a response. The Sixth Circuit court is one of the most conservative appeals courts in the nation. If it and other courts eventually rule differently on whether bans on gender-affirming care are unconstitutional, it could result in a case going to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high courts 2015 ruling in favor of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges came in a case out of the Sixth Circuit. Gender-affirming care bans have been temporarily blocked (while cases are heard) in Alabama, Florida, and Indiana because federal judges believed that those who are challenging them are likely to prove unconstitutional discrimination, and a judge in Arkansas has gone further by striking down that states law, the first ruling on such a laws merits. In a suit in Oklahoma, the state and the challengers have agreed that the law will not be enforced while the case proceeds. A federal appeals court has denied emergency relief to seven Kentucky transgender minors and their families who had asked for the states youth gender-affirming care ban to be temporarily blocked. The appellate courts decision was largely expected. In July, the same regional court denied injunctive relief to plaintiffs challenging a similar law in Tennessee. The decision restored the Volunteer States ban on gender-affirming health care, and in doing so, consolidated Kentuckys and Tennessees cases into the same appeals process. Our decision is governed by four factors: likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm, the balance of harms, and the public interest, a panel of three judges wrote on Monday in Kentuckys case. We recently balanced these factors in a case involving Tennessees ban on sex transition care for minors and held that they favored allowing Tennessee to enforce its law. That holding controls here. The 2-1 decision was written by Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton and Judge Amul Thapar. Judge Helene White dissented. The Sixth Circuit ruling is preliminary. The court has said its expedited final ruling on a full appeal of the lower courts ban is expected by Sept. 30. Kentuckys ban, which specifically challenges restrictions on hormone therapy and puberty blockers for minors with diagnosed gender dysphoria, was set to take effect in late June before it was blocked by a lower court judge. After the appellate court consolidated both states cases last month, the same Kentucky judge who granted injunctive relief overturned his earlier order on July 14, essentially saying his hands were tied. That decision was a victory for Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron who has repeatedly characterized the ban as one that protects Kentuckys children from mistreatment, even abuse. All major U.S. medical associations disagree, saying this type of health care is evidence-based. After Cameron was given the ability to enforce the ban for the first time, plaintiffs filed an emergency motion for relief roughly two weeks ago, asking the appellate court to block the ban because it caused imminent irreparable harm. Cameron, who is running for governor against incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear, urged the court not to block it. Story continues Nothing in the plaintiffs motion comes close to establishing a clear showing that they are entitled to stay, he wrote. The appellate court on Monday agreed with Cameron. Plaintiffs bring the same Equal Protection and Due Process claims that, in (Tennessee case L.W. v. Skrmetti), we held were unlikely to succeed, the majority wrote. We decline to lift the district courts stay. Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky and the National Center for Lesbian Rights representing Kentucky plaintiffs contested that, unlike Tennessees ban, Kentuckys new law does not include explicitly include continuum of care language. Such a provision would allow health care providers to taper their patients dosage to minimize harm, rather than halting such care outright, they argue. The Sixth Circuit majority conceded that as a valid point, but the difference of impact is not yet apparent, at least in the facts presented in Kentuckys case. Plaintiffs argue that this changes the balance of harms because they suffer immediately the harm that Tennessees law allowed minors to postpone for months, the court wrote. Looking only at the text of the laws, plaintiffs have a point. But the facts presented to us in Skrmetti were no different from the facts here. White disagreed. In her dissent, she wrote that Kentuckys lower court properly issued a preliminary injunction. In Kentuckys case even more so than Tennessees, there is greater reason to let the preliminary injunction stand because, unlike the Tennessee statute in Skrmetti, Kentuckys law does not provide a continuing care exception, and no grace period during which patients receiving care may continue treatment. It seems obvious, White wrote, that there is a tremendous difference between a statute like Tennessees that allows flexibility regarding treatment decisions and time to explore alternatives, and one like Kentuckys that forces doctors to either discontinue treatment immediately, or risk losing their license if a stranger to the doctor-patient relationship second-guesses the doctors determination or documentation that interrupting treatment would harm the minor. White said she believes both states plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits because Kentuckys law discriminates on the basis of sex . . . For these reasons, I dissent from the majoritys denial of the plaintiffs motion. The News NAIROBI Kenyas data privacy regulator is warning the public about the use of sensitive personal data by WorldCoin, a cryptocurrency company founded in 2019 by Open AIs co-founder Sam Altman. Worldcoin, which launched in Kenya last week (July 26), is now being investigated by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure compliance with the law. In a statement the commissioner urged Kenyans to ensure that they received proper information before disclosing personal sensitive data. Since its launch last week, thousands of Kenyans have been lining up to have their eyes iris scanned at supermarkets and malls where WorldCoin has stationed its orbs, the scanning machines, and is collecting biometric data, in exchange of free WorldCoin tokens (WLD) worth about 7,700 Kenyan shillings ($55). These tokens can be cashed out by buying other cryptocurrencies from official exchange platforms such as Binance, and converted to local currency. This is slightly more than half the minimum monthly wage of around $106, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 2023 report. Know More According to WorldCoin, over two million people in thirty four countries have signed up since its launch. The company has said that the biometric data scanned using their Orb is processed locally then deleted permanently, only storing the IrisCode a set of numbers generated by the Orb and not linked to your wallet or any of your personal information which is unique to each individual. However, its data collection processes have remained unclear, say data experts, with authorities and privacy advocates raising concerns over the companys handling and processing of large amounts of sensitive biometric data without proper regulations in place. The companys co-founder Sam Altman is not new to controversy in Kenya. Last month, moderators who worked for his company OpenAI and helped to train the Chatbot ChatGPT filed a petition in parliament to probe the company, and its local moderation partner Samasource, claiming they were exploited and underpaid. Story continues Reuters/Amir Cohen Muchiras view With the current economic situation in the country, it is not surprising to see many Kenyans have rushed to take advantage of what theyd see as free money, regardless of the data privacy concerns raised by privacy advocates. That is why institutions like the Office of the Data Protection are crucial in ensuring that appropriate regulatory frameworks are in place to protect Kenyans from harmful practices and data hawks. However, there remains a gap in regulation, as this is not the first time international companies have set up in Kenya and swept up user information but then soon exited the market. Last year, former information technology minister Joe Mucheru said Kenyans lost $120 million dollars to cryptocurrency scams from mostly international companies in the 2020/2021 financial year. There has also been a fair degree of local skepticism about data privacy issues including with a government-led digital identity program called Huduma Namba, which launched in 2019 but did not take off largely due to concerns about risks such as privacy concerns and data breaches. Rita Zagoni, data privacy consultant at Fringe Graph, told Semafor Africa that it was important for any Kenyan to only share information you really need to, even so when it comes to biometrics. She added that ensuring ones proper understanding of the app or companys privacy policies youre sharing data with, before consenting is the key step towards protecting ones privacy, even with government regulations in place. Notable Kevin Spaceys latest film may hit cinemas as soon as this year after the actor was cleared of sexual assault. In July, Spacey, 64, was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men following a trial in London. The Oscar-winner had denied nine charges including sexual assault, which were alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013. Addressing reporters outside the court, Spacey said: I would like to say that Im enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision. I am humbled by the outcome. Since allegations of sexual misconduct were first made against Spacey in 2017 by actor Anthony Rapp, who a New York jury found in October 2022 Spacey did not molest, the House of Cards stars screen roles have been few and far between. Peter Five Eight, which featured Spacey in his first leading role in five years, was screened at Cannes last summer, and in November, it was announced that he had been cast in a voice role in Control, a British indie film. At the time, writer and director Gene Fallaize said that while the allegations against Spacey and his personal life were a consideration, I wouldnt say it was a concern. Now, the films sales agent has said that the film could be in UK and US cinemas by the end of the year. Spacey leaves court after being cleared of sexual assault (The Associated Press) Strath Hamilton, the co-CEO of distribution company TriCoast Worldwide, said that he is having serious conversations with buyers, adding: We would like to have the film in cinemas in December. While Spacey was awaiting trial when his casting was first announced, Hamilton said that Control had initially attracted positive interest from buyers in territories where social media matters and culture wars are not top of the agenda. Before the verdict was even announced, the company said that they were very well prepped for the obviously possibility that these false charges would be proved not to be true, and had a lot of buyers ready in the US and UK. Story continues Control centres upon a government minister (Lauren Metcalfe) who is having an affair with the Prime Minister (Mark Hampton) and ends up being kidnapped after her self-driving car is hijacked. Spacey will voice the villain who has taken control of the car and only appears as a voice. During his trial, which took place at Southwark Crown Court last month, Spacey denied seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Spacey described the allegations against him as madness and a stab in the back. Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said he will be leading an investigation into President Bidens decision to keep the Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning former President Trumps decision to relocate it to Alabama. Rogers was already investigating the Biden administration for its delay in making the move to Alabama, amid speculation the president was shifting course. The Biden administrations shameful delay to finalize the permanent basing decision for U.S. Space Command warranted the opening of a Congressional investigation, he said in a statement Monday. I will continue this investigation to see if they intentionally misled the Armed Services Committee on their deliberate taxpayer-funded manipulation of the selection process. Some officials have said Alabamas restrictive abortion laws played into the Space Command HQ decision, but the White House said it was motivated entirely by concerns that a major move would undermine military readiness. Rogers and other Alabama officials say government reviews found the Huntsville, Ala., location to be the best fit for the Space Command, while Colorado Springs was further down the list. Gen. James Dickinson, the head of Space Command, played a role in convincing Biden against relocating the base, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The Space Command was reestablished in 2019, and Democrats accused Trump of playing politics with his decision to move the headquarters to Alabama, a red state, in the final days of his presidency. Colorado backed Biden in the 2020 election. Since the beginning of his term, Biden ordered reviews of Trumps decision, which did not find anything improper, but found the former president could have abided by better practices in the selection process. From the minute he took office, I have worried that Joe Biden would continuously put far-left politics and appeasement of the woke crowd above national security, Rogers wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. He has continuously validated those worries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Kingsland police officer was arrested on Tuesday and charged with false report (misdemeanor) of a crime and oath of office (felony) after an investigation revealed he sent himself harassing and threatening text messages. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The Kingsland Police Department said it opened a criminal investigation after officer Wesley Walkdrop reported the crimes to his command staff. After a thorough investigation, Kingsland police determined Walkdrop fraudulently reported the text messages. The evidence from the investigation revealed that no other suspect was developed and Waldrop had created the text messages and sent them to himself with the use of a cellphone application, Kingsland Police said in statement. This information was verified through a tedious process of investigative resources. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Waldrop will now await the bonding process. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Pregnant employees and new mothers now have more federal protections throughout pregnancies and postpartum recovery from their employers, thanks to the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act but California remains among the most protected in the nation. The act was signed into law by President Joe Biden last year, and is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as of June 27. The law requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant people related to their pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical conditions. Employers are mandated to accommodate requests if they have a minimum of 15 employees. For California, state laws offer wider protections. Heres what you should know and how to request accommodations from your employer: Pregnant worker rights in California The California Family Rights Act provides pregnant workers in California with reasonable accommodation, plus other rights. Here are pregnant workers rights in California, according to the State of California Civil Rights Department: A California worker can receive up to four months of disability leave, in addition to their employers allotted pregnancy leave. If the pregnant worker is disabled for longer than four months, they may qualify for a longer disability period through reasonable accommodation. Pregnant workers can request to be transferred to a less strenuous job while pregnant. You can request for reasonable accommodation while pregnant. This can include a stool, longer breaks, or even more frequent breaks. California law prohibits employers from firing a pregnant worker for being pregnant or for taking disability leave. When a pregnant worker returns to work their employer must have their same position available, or a similar position with the same pay, working hours and located in the same geographic location. The new federal law doesnt change anything for pregnant workers in California. The Golden State remains among one of the states with the strongest pregnant worker protection laws and are protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. These laws already protect pregnant workers against discrimination. They also provide protection for those who work for employers with up to five employees, versus the federal workers fairness act applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Story continues However, the state does not require employers to provide paid parental leave for its employees, according to the California Civil Rights Department. Instead, eligible employees can apply for leave pay through the Paid Family Leave program. The state benefit allows for workers to take time off to either: bond with their new child; care for an ill family member; participate in a family members military deployment. PFT provides benefit payments but not job protection. Your job may be protected by other laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Right Act, according to the California Civil Rights Department website. Your employer may also have a separate benefits package. How to request accommodation and start a charge (if needed) Joseph Olivares, spokesman for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, told The Bee in regards to filing a claim: It is rather difficult to tell how long the process takes, as every case is different in its complexity. Below are steps you can consider when preparing to speak to your employer, plus how to take action if they deny your request, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: 1. Schedule a conversation with your employer to seek proper accommodations at work. 2. Explain what physical or mental hardships you are experiencing at work due to your pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition. 3. Provide your employer with ideas if you have them on ways to improve your work life. 4. If your employer rejects your request, provide them information on the EEOCs page. and reach out to EEOC office for next steps. 5. You can file a federal claim on the EEOC public portal, or you can file a claim through the State of California Civil Rights Department. Who qualifies? Anyone who is pregnant, has given birth or has a related medical condition as a result of their pregnancy is covered under Californias Family Rights Act. How long does the process take if you file a claim? It is important to note that the quicker you file a request, the better for your case as there are strict time limits in which a person can file a charge, Olivares said about filing a claim. The best advice is for parties to reach out to the EEOC in a timely manner either within 180 and 300 days, depending on the state where the person was discriminated, Olivares said. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Death toll from Russian missile strike on apartment building in Kryvyi Rih rises to five The number of victims of a Russian ballistic missile strike on a high-rise apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, has now risen to five. Croatia opens its Adriatic Sea ports for Ukrainian grain exports Kyiv Ukraine and Croatia have reached an agreement to use Croatian ports for the transit and exports of Ukrainian grain, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a message on the ministrys website on July 31. China to impose restrictions on drone exports Beijing will tighten control over the export of some UAVs and related equipment in order to prevent their use for military purposes, Reuters reported on July 31, citing Chinas Commerce Ministry. Kyivs iconic Motherland monument to bear Tryzub instead of Hammer and Sickle Work is continuing to decommunize Kyivs iconic Motherland Monument, the 102-meter-tall Soviet-era statue looming over the banks of the Dnipro River, which bore the Soviet crest on its shield. Pope Francis condemns Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports grain terminals Pope Francis has condemned Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Moscows subsequent airstrikes on Ukrainian grain infrastructure at Ukrainian ports, according to a report by Vatican News on July 30. Putin is unable to invade Ukrainian ports, we will simply sink his fleet Zelenskyy Russia is unable to launch an amphibious invasion of Ukraines ports, as its Black Sea Fleet ships will be sunk before they approach Odesa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Brazilian broadcaster Globo. Ukraine receives Zuzana 2 howitzers fromSlovakia, 14 more coming Story continues Slovakia will donate two more Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, Slovak news outlet Dennik N reported on July 31. Ukraine has largely restored all its damaged thermal power plants minister Nearly every Ukrainian thermal power plant that was damaged by Russian missile attacks last winter has been repaired, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in a Facebook post on July 31. Interior Ministry reveals plans to prepare for blackouts The Interior Ministry has drawn up a series of plans to prepare for blackouts going into the heating season, said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko at a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on July 30. Russians surround Crimean bridge with special floating barriers inattempt to ward off more attacks Fearing more attacks on the Crimean bridge, the Russian military is deploying floating anti-sabotage booms next to the illegal structure, which connects Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea with Russia. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine GT's Living Foods, maker of kombucha brand Synergy, sells about $275 million of the fermented tea drink and other beverages each year. (Los Angeles Times photo illustration; Photo by Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Kombucha has treated George Thomas Dave well. But Dave's kombucha factory treated workers terribly for years, according to a new ruling in a long-running lawsuit against his company, GT's Living Foods. Dave started selling kombucha as a teenager in the 1990s, personally delivering bottles he brewed in his parents Bel-Air home to Erewhon Market, and GT's Living Foods remains the leading company in the market. Today, candy-colored bottles of GTs drinks, including the popular Synergy brand, line the shelves at Walmart, CVS, Whole Foods and practically every other major retailer in the nation. As the owner of GTs which sells about $275 million of the fermented tea drink and other beverages each year Dave has become a billionaire, according to Forbes estimates. This year he bought a $14-million hilltop estate just a few streets away from the two-home compound he already owned in Beverly Hills. All along, hes insisted that good vibes and a positive attitude have been the secret to his success. Peoples energy has an influence on the quality of the kombucha, Dave told The Times in 2008, along with an anecdote hes repeated multiple times in the 15 years since: He contended that the dark energy surrounding one early employee who was suffering from depression and then died of a heart attack caused the kombucha to go bad. As silly as it sounds, because of its living-life-force qualities, the kombucha is sensitive to the energy that surrounds it," Dave reiterated in 2015. Each bottle of his brew says right on the label: Made with "100% pure love!!!" Read more: Long before U.S. hipsters discovered it, kombucha was a staple in Russia But according to a ruling filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Dave's kombucha company subjected a number of workers to "deplorable and abusive and disturbing working conditions" in one of its factories in Vernon, just south of downtown Los Angeles, between 2010 and 2014. Story continues The judge in the case, William Highberger, found that the company hired workers without legal status, knowing that they could be "intimidated and abused," that it required workers to clock 12- to 14-hour shifts without adequate breaks or overtime pay and that Dave himself, who testified in his own defense, "demonstrated a total absence of credibility" by contradicting himself in court. Simon Rojas, one of the plaintiffs in the case who worked in the factory, said he was "very happy" with the ruling. "I want all of this to come out into the light because I know other companies are doing similar things. I want people to know that you don't have to keep silent if you're exploited, you can speak up." Dave, for his part, said in a statement to The Times that he was "saddened" by the ruling. "Words such as 'deplorable,' 'abusive' and 'disturbing working conditions' are contrary to the standards I set for my Company since I began in 1995," he wrote. Responding to the judge's assertion that he was not a credible witness, Dave wrote in his statement, "I did my best to speak truthfully, accurately, and sincerely. It is important to recognize that this case is over ten years old. Therefore, it can be difficult to specifically remember every detail, date and event." The ruling marks a milestone in a consolidated lawsuit that began a decade ago. In it, the court awarded more than $450,000 in restitution to 11 workers at one of Dave's kombucha factories under California's unfair competition laws, with some awarded nearly $59,000 in unpaid back wages. One worker, Arcemio Garay, was awarded a little more than $180,000, in part because the court found that the company wrongfully pocketed wages garnished from his paycheck for a personal debt. This suit is only the first phase of a number of linked lawsuits alleging that GTs Living Foods and its associated firms violated California labor laws. The violations have affected thousands of employees in the last decade, the lawsuits allege. Read more: Many immigrant workers face a grim future without retirement benefits. A California bill could help In testimony and in interviews with The Times, workers described the abuse and exploitation they experienced at the factory. In the earliest period covered by the suit, workers were expected to line up outside the doors 15 minutes before their shifts began between 4 and 6 a.m. and were terminated if they were late, according to the ruling. Then, as they entered the facility, their names were checked off a list on a clipboard. Inside, the job required boiling tea, transporting large jugs of liquid and working without adequate breaks for more than 10 hours per day, according to the ruling. Some workers testified that their workday often stretched to 12 or 14 hours. Every two weeks, the company would ask the workers some of whom the court found to be illiterate to sign a time sheet indicating that they worked eight-hour days and released the employer "for any future claims on this pay period." Occasionally, workers would be paid in cash for their overtime work, but the court found the time sheets to be inadequate, the release to be illegal, and ultimately that "equity justifies disregarding the cash payments" because there was no way to determine whether the cash was enough to cover the hours worked. Rojas testified that the tea-brewing areas of the factory were so hot that workers' sweat would fall into the tanks of brewing tea. He also said supervisors enforced strict control of breaks, when they were granted, rushing workers out of the bathroom if they took too long. Another worker, Amancio Palacios, told The Times that after he sued the company in 2013, his supervisors used the temperature gradients of the plant to punish him. First, Palacios said, he would work in the tea-brewing area of the factory, where he would stack up buckets of brewing kombucha onto pallets, and would end up "drenched with sweat." Then, he said, supervisors would send him to the refrigerated containers where finished products were kept. "My sweaty clothes would turn ice cold," Palacios said. Dave disputed both workers' accounts, writing in a statement that cleanliness is "absolutely essential" in his company's production facilities and that the brew vessels have lids to keep them protected from outside contaminants. He added that "no evidence of retaliation of any kind was ever proven." In court, Dave testified that he believed the case to be frivolous. "Unfortunately, in this current state of the world we live in," Dave said, lawsuits "just happen if you have any smell of success around you. ... That is the cross that I bear." On the stand, he also repeated the story of the employee with negative energy that damaged his kombucha: He described how one of his first managers, in the early 2000s, died of a heart attack a week after confiding in Dave that his wife had been cheating on him and that he planned to confront her. "The reason why this is important," Dave testified, is that every batch the manager touched during this period "all turned to mold." "That was my first indication that I can never take the nature of my product for granted," Dave said. "It's truly a living, breathing, empathetic, sensitive living food, which is why it keeps me honest with how we behave as a corporation." Read more: Exiled in Beverly Hills, a refugee from Putin's Russia fights to keep his $200-million fortune When the attorney for the plaintiffs asked Dave if, given this philosophy, he intended to create an abusive work environment, Dave said he strove for the opposite and learned early on that workers want "kindness and compassion and respect." "If you give that to them, especially in the Latin community, you are immediately a family member," Dave testified. "And they will do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do because out of the kindness of their heart or because of this connection that you have established with them." Palacios told The Times that working at the GT's Living Foods plant was "the worst experience of my life." Due to his precarious financial situation and the fact that the job left him without time or energy to apply elsewhere he kept working under the harsh conditions. "That place took a year of my life and it just threw it in the trash," Palacios said. "For all the mistreatment I got, there were days I wanted to cry, but I had to take it because I had no other choice." Sergio Lopez, another plaintiff in the case, told The Times that the kombucha factory was his first job after migrating to the United States. The job gave him the impression that this country "was an ugly place to work." Dave, in his statement to The Times, pointed out that his company won a separate case brought by workers with similar claims in recent years and that the plaintiffs' lawyers, with the firm Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, had failed to certify the current case as a class action. Dave described himself as a victim of harassment. "Small family-owned businesses like mine are under attack on a regular basis by unsubstantiated claims/lawsuits that are truly disguised extortion," Dave wrote in his statement to The Times. "I believe being the son of an attorney and witnessing my Father defend countless cases, I developed the perspective that it's better to sometimes fight for what you believe in than to succumb to financial threats and legal bullying." Judge Highberger wrote in the court's ruling last week that Dave "lacked any credibility and did not provide truthful testimony on the witness stand." Highberger expressed his opinion of Dave's sincerity more forcefully during the trial proceedings earlier this year. "I, frankly, found that Mr. Dave lied through his teeth and is not in any way, shape, or form credible," the judge said to one of the lawyers defending GT's Living Foods. "And if he appears in front of a jury, I'll tell them not to believe him." The next phase of the trial will cover alleged labor code violations affecting the approximately 3,600 workers who have passed through the kombucha factory's doors since 2012. It has yet to be scheduled. The plaintiffs will not receive their awards until the full case closes. Read more: Column: The carnage from the rollback of child labor laws is just starting This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The lack of funding for Ukraine aid is becoming a serious issue as the embattled country prepares for the cold months ahead, Ukraines United Nations humanitarian coordinator said Monday. In a virtual news conference from Kyiv, Denise Brown said the $3.9 billion humanitarian appeal for Ukraine is 30 percent funded while the country is faced with damaged buildings and thousands of people without homes after the collapse of the Kakhovka dam. A report last week from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the lack of funding is hampering operations, adding to the challenges imposed by insecurity and other obstacles. Brown said 17 million Ukrainians need aid while the U.N. is targeting between 11 million and 12 million people. This echoed concerns addressed in last weeks report, which said humanitarian organizations reached nearly 7.3 million people by the end of June, but could not reach more than 25 percent of people in parts of the south, east and north due to funding shortages and other operational challenges. As Ukraine prepares to enter its second winter fighting Russia, Brown emphasized the need for shelter and psycho-social support, especially after thousands of peoples homes were flooded following the collapse of the Kakhovka dam in early June. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials blame one another for the collapse. It is still not clear which side is responsible. Russia alleged the dam was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives, but this does not explain why the blast registered on the seismic monitors. Brown said the U.N., European Union and World Bank will be supporting an assessment on Ukranian needs following the collapse and should be ready in a couple of weeks, noting that longer-term needs are very large. We know that donors are doing their best, but the needs are enormous, Brown said. Im hopeful that funding will come. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russell Laffitte, the heir to a Hampton County banking dynasty, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in helping Alex Murdaugh steal from clients and his law firm. The small courtroom on the fourth floor of 85 Broad Street was packed with nearly 100 people in the audience seats, many of them friends and family of Laffittes. Besides the federal prosecutors Emily Limehouse, Kathleen Stoughton and Winston Holliday, and the defense attorneys Mark Moore and Michael Parente, an attorney from the S.C. Attorney Generals office, Johhny Ellis James, sat behind the federal prosecutors. A federal jury in Charleston last November convicted Laffitte of six counts of financial crimes, according to previous reporting by The State. Government witnesses testified that Laffitte and Murdaugh carried out elaborate thefts using the banks various accounts and procedures to hide their schemes. Much of the stolen money came from settlement funds Murdaugh had won in lawsuits for various former clients. Murdaugh persuaded the banker to set up conservatorships for his former clients using the settlement money, which Murdaugh then plundered for his own use. Laffitte also profited off the scheme by collecting tens of thousands of dollars for overseeing the various conservatorships. 4:18 p.m. Russell Laffitte is sentenced Judge Richard Gergel has sentenced Russell Laffite to 84 months followed by five years of supervised release. He also ordered Laffitte to pay $3.5 million in restitution. 3:19 p.m. I am a victim of Russell Laffitte Several of Russell Laffittes victims and their attorneys spoke Tuesday afternoon, sharing how his thefts have impacted their lives. There were in exceptionally vulnerable positions when they encountered Murdaugh and Laffitte, Gergel said. Some had lost close family members, and some were survivors of terrible accidents. I will forgive you but I will never forget you, said the mother of Hakeem Pinckney, a deaf man who died while on a ventilator. Laffitte was his conservator at the time of his death. Story continues Alaina Plyler Spohn and Hannah Plyler, two sisters who won a settlement after surviving a car wreck that killed their mother and brother, shared the pain of being victimized by someone they came to trust. They were 12 and 8 years old when the car crashed, and Laffitte was accused of misusing and stealing money from the settlement. I was just another dollar sign to him... I felt like a burden to Russell, I felt undeserving, said Alaina Plyler. In stark contrast to the portrait of a giving and generous community member, Plyler described how Laffitte never checked in on her and cut off contact when she turned 18. This is the tale of two men... Character speaks when no one is looking, said Eric Bland, the Plylers attorney. Addressing the court, Bland said that Laffitte used money taken from conservatorship accounts to build a pool for himself and pay off high interest loans. He was the guardian of the gate. There are always going to by Alex Murdaughs out there, wolves in suits, but he had the ability to say no, Bland said. 2:51 p.m. This has been one of the most notorious cases in the states history, says Laffittes lawyer In a lengthy back and forth, Laffittes lawyer, Mark Moore, formerly a veteran prosecutor, and Judge Gergel discussed striking a balance between deterrence, good deeds and taking responsibility for crimes. At stake is how long Russell Laffitte will spend in federal prison. How do I deter this type of tragedy again? And believe me it is a tragedy, Gergel posed. Deterrence was especially necessary in white collar crime cases because perpetrators commit crimes they believe they will get away with, Gergel said. Gergel acknowledged the role Laffitte played in his community as well as his many family ties. Laffitte, Gergel said, was chastened, and Gergel did not believe that the disgraced former banker would ever commit a crime again. But the federal judge said that he needed to weigh that against crimes committed against extremely vulnerable people crimes the judge believes Laffitte was complicit in and profited from. He treated them like they were players on a chess board, moving that money around. Its a very different picture than the one that these good people from Hampton County have brought in today, Gergel said. Undeterred, Moore agreed that the notorious nature of the case meant that Laffittes reputation had been destroyed, not just nationally but internationally. Laffitte was also going to bear the brunt of the restitution that Alex Murdaugh would be unable to pay. He and his family have already been substantially punished, Moore said. 1:00 p.m. Russell Laffitte apologizes to his victims In a brief statement, Russell Laffitte turned to address the victims of his crimes and apologized for his role in the thefts. The former CEO of the Palmetto State Bank apologized for making loans out of accounts and neglecting details that led to them being stolen by Alex Murdaugh. He also expressed remorse that his actions meant that the victims had to re-live in court the traumatic events that earned them the settlements. I am horrified, Laffitte said. I should have taken more time to get to know you all, Laffitte told the victims and their families. Addressing his family and the wider Hampton County community, which supporters testified he had devotedly served, Laffitte offered a simple apology for the harm he had caused. I am deeply sorry that I let you down, Laffitte said. It was my honor to be the fourth generation Laffitte to get to run the bank... If I could do it over again, obviously we would do things differently. 12:13 p.m. Russell Laffittes wife, family, friends make plea for mercy I realize there are people in this courtroom who have lost so much, said Laffittes, Susie, but she pleaded with Judge Gergel to as you determine our familys future today, please consider that Russell is so many things to so many people. Recounting how Laffitte asked her to marry him after just two months of dating, Laffittes wife said that her love for her husband continues to grow every day. Laffitte has been unable to sleep and lost weight as he constantly questioned why he didnt do a better job for the victims. Laffitte has been described as a trusted linchpin of his family and his community, with longtime friends recounting how he led local fundraisers and would work the concession stand at school sports games. He is usually the first person that every member of the family, whatever the generation, reach out to for help and advice, Susie said. Nine friends and family members will offer testimony before Gergel about Laffittes character. One friend, a fellow banker, described Laffitte as a gentle giant who comforted him after the death of his son and once drove six hours to bring him a generator after a hurricane. After Carter Laffitte, Laffittes 20-year-old daughter, described her love for her dad and the numerous actions he did to inspire that love, Laffitte stood and hugged her as she went back to her seat. 11:09 a.m. Judge rules that Laffittes sentence must be based on all money stolen U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel overruled a battery of objections made by Laffittes lawyers. Gergels rapid fire rulings represent a setback to defense attorneys attempt to limit what the judge can consider when deciding on a sentence, including the amount of money stolen. Gergel appeared almost amused as he quickly shot down some of the objections raised by Laffittes attorneys, who argued that the court should not consider unauthorized loans that Laffitte extended to Murdaugh in imposing a sentence. Regarding one $750,000 loan Laffitte extended to Murdaugh to make renovations to his Edisto Beach house, Gergel asked, Was it used for the beach house? In the end it was not, Laffittes attorney responded. What do you mean in the end? Gergel asked, before overruling the objection. While he acknowledged that Murdaugh was the leader of the scheme, Gergel called Laffitte an integral player. The bankers actions constituted a serious, severe abuse of public trust, Gergel said. Federal prosecutors arrive at the federal district court in Charleston, South Carolina on Aug. 1, 2023 for Russell Laffittes sentencing. Ted Clifford/Ted Clifford 10:40 a.m. Laffitte-Murdaugh scheme was extraordinarily complex, says judge Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse summarized a few of the ways Murdaugh and Laffitte concealed the movement of more than $1 million. On one occasion, Laffitte broke a $25,000 payment into a $16,000 money order and $9,000 in cash to avoid reporting requirements. On another occasion, Laffitte helped conceal missing money in a conservatorship account by issuing a line of credit and took steps to help conceal funds from the IRS, Limehouse said. Maybe Im just simple. but this was an extraordinarily complex criminal scheme that involved Mr. Murdaugh and Mr. Laffitte, said U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, who has served as a federal judge since 2010 and oversaw the trial of Dylann Roof, who was sentenced to death for killing nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in 2015. This is as sophisticated a crime as I have seen in my 13 years on the bench, Gergel says at one point. At another point, Gergel calls what Laffitte did one of the states most notorious financial crimes. 10:09 a.m. Prosecutor suggests two sentence options Sentencing for Russell Laffitte, the heir to a Hampton County banking dynasty, is beginning in a federal court in Charleston, South Carolina. Laffitte, formerly the CEO of Palmettor State Bank in Hampton, was convicted for his role in helping Alex Murdaugh steal from clients and his law firm. The mornings proceedings began as federal prosecutor Emily Limehouse, who won the conviction against Laffitte, outlined the governments recommended sentences. One offer, Limehouse said, was that Laffitte would admit full responsibility and waive his post-sentencing rights in exchange for prosecutors recommending a 72-month sentence. Another offer, which would not require Laffitte to admit responsibility, was a recommended sentence of 87 months but it was contingent on Laffitte making full restitution to all victims within 60 days. If necessary, Laffitte would have to liquidate his assets, Limehouse said. A Lakeland man accused of four crimes in relation to the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot has asked a federal judge to dismiss all the charges. Brian Boeles lawyer filed a motion last week to dismiss all four counts, which include civil disorder, a felony, and three misdemeanors. Boele, 60, was indicted in May 2022 along with four other defendants facing a total of 16 counts. In addition to civil disorder, Boele is charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Boeles lawyer, Carolyn Stewart of Plant City, submitted a 28-page motion on July 25 to U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon of the District of Columbia. In questioning the basis for the charges against Boele, Stewart mixed in criticisms of the police guarding the U.S. Capitol, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. The filing describes Boele as a retired firefighter with no criminal history. Stewart wrote that Boele was present outside the U.S. Capitol to exercise his First Amendment rights on Jan. 6, the day that members of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump held a rally at the Ellipse, urging then-Vice President Mike Pence to block the election of Joe Biden (though Pence had no such powers) and encouraging his supporters to march to the Capitol and protest. Joshua Doolin Judge finds Polk County man guilty for actions at U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 Some Trump supporters broke into the Capitol building, forcing members of Congress to halt their proceedings and causing at least $2.7 million in damages, according to the Department of Justice. Stewart argued that the government failed to establish that the area on the Capitols west side was restricted and that Boele thought he had a right to be there. Upon his arrival, there were no signs, barriers, or cordons to indicate the west area was closed by the United States Capitol Police (USCP) for any reason, Stewart wrote. Story continues The lawyer wrote that construction workers and journalists were allowed into the area without any security screening. She argued that the Capitol Police leadership approved at least six rallies on or near the Capitol grounds for Jan. 6, and none of the permits were revoked. The entire west side was visibly designated closed with little wooden pickets, string, and signs that read, area closed prior to 12:53 p.m. on January 6, 2021. Signs and pickets were torn down by unknown persons, shortly after the (Capitol breach), Stewart wrote. Authorities did not issue a dispersal order to the crowd gathered on the west side of the Capitol, Stewart wrote, and no effective public-address announcement was made before 6 p.m. Stewart claimed that Capitol Police on the Upper West Terrace began randomly and illegitimately shooting rubber bullets at the heads and upper bodies of peaceful crowd members not near the police line and shot flash grenades at peaceful protestors nowhere near the police line, where two men subsequently died of heart attacks or strokes after being targeted. A medical examiner ruled that two protesters died naturally from coronary heart disease and hypertensive heart disease. Corinne Montoni Lakeland woman who entered US Capitol during Jan. 6 riot accepts plea deal Stewart also claimed that by about 1:30 p.m. crowd members at multiple locations not near the police line had been set afire or suffered penetration wounds from the excessive force use of non-lethal munitions, that were applied outside any legitimate standards. More than 1,000 people have been indicted on charges related to Jan. 6, and some are charged with assaulting police officers, including three from Polk County. The Department of Justice has released photos and videos showing many demonstrators fighting with officers. In the filing, Stewart wrote that government officials have previously cited the presence of tear gas as notice to disperse. There is no such law, Stewart wrote. Without any dispersal order nobody knew they could not be present. Nobody knew what caused police to start shooting at peaceful protestors. Stewart wrote that law-enforcement agencies never issued an alert for civil disorder" on Jan. 6. The Metropolitan Police Department declared a riot, but Stewart asserted that a riot and a civil disorder are two distinct crimes under federal law. The filing says the Department of Justice declared a civil disorder after the fact. The DOJ has created a new law where any de minimus act (shouting, being in a crowd, taking video of police excessive force, praying in a large group, etc.) can be called interference because the protestors are on alleged restricted grounds, Stewart wrote. In addition to her claims that the police acted irresponsibly, Stewart attributed the attack on the Capitol to the now infamous Ray Epps crew. Conservative groups and media figures, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, have claimed that Epps, an Arizona man, was an undercover government agent who instigated the Capitol riot to embarrass Trump and his supporters. The U.S. House committee investigating the attack, a panel headed by Democrats, found no evidence to support the theory that Epps led a false flag operation. Epps has sued Fox News over the claims. Olivia Pollock Judge declares woman a fugitive after Lakeland resident fails to appear for trial in D.C. In her conclusion, Stewart wrote, Because the charges lack facts, acts, locations, and any specificity, no offense has been stated outside of the accusation that each of the above counts were violated. The motion identifies one of the other defendants, Alan Fischer III of Tampa, as Boeles son. Though Fischer was reportedly a member of the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist organization, Stewart wrote in the motion that Boele was not a Proud Boy during the events. Stewart did not respond Monday to a request for comment. Stewart drew publicity in 2021 for her defense of another client charged with crimes related to Jan. 6. She claimed that Paul Hodgkins signature on a plea agreement had been forged. No trial date has been set for Boele. One of his co-defendants, Zachary Johnson, has signed a plea deal. Boele is one of six current and former Polk County residents indicted in relation to the Capitol attack. Three of them siblings Jonathan and Olivia Pollock and a friend, Joseph Hutchinson III are now fugitives. The Pollocks cousin, Joshua Doolin of Polk City, was convicted in March on charges that include civil disorder and theft of government property. He is due to be sentenced in August. Corinne Montoni of Lakeland signed an agreement in June, pleading guilty to civil disorder in exchange for having other felony charges dismissed. She has not yet been sentenced. Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland man asks judge to dismiss all charges related to Jan. 6 riot How lame is Californias Republican party? They announced Donald Trump as the keynote speaker at their September statewide convention on the same day Trump is indicted in a Justice Department investigation on multiple counts of conspiracy and obstruction. We are thrilled to welcome President Trump back to the CAGOP convention stage for the first time since our 2016 convention, said CAGOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson, just hours before Trump was charged with trying to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election. Opinion One could ask why Millan Patterson was still employed but then again, the deeper obscenity is that Trump remains the GOP front-runner for the 2024 election and may even benefit from Tuesdays news that Special Counsel Jack Smith will prosecute Trump. Its all fruit from the same poisoned tree, a moment in time when American citizens fully embraced a corrupt man over the principles of democracy. As California Republicans prepare to play a major role in deciding who our Partys 2024 presidential nominee will be, I look forward to President Trump speaking with our delegates about his plans to move our country forward. We look forward to a great event and lunch keynote address from President Trump, Millan Patterson said in a press release which could be satire if Trump hadnt killed satire long ago. If you only care about whatever Trump says or does, hell be at the Anaheim Marriott - 700 West Convention Way - on Friday, September 29. Go with God, if thats the case because you are beyond earthly help at this point. If you care about what the California Republican Party used to be, its past time to give up the charade and make other plans. If you care about democracy over party - America over Trump - then Smiths indictment is a dark day for our country. As the New York Times wrote: The charges signify an extraordinary moment in United States history: a former president, in the midst of a campaign to return to the White House, being charged over attempts to use the levers of government power to subvert democracy and remain in office against the will of voters. Story continues The substance of Smiths indictment is stunning. It accuses Mr. Trump of three conspiracies: one to defraud the United States, a second to obstruct an official government proceeding and a third to deprive people of civil rights provided by federal law or the Constitution, the Times wrote. Whats equally stunning is how a California Republican Party could still be kissing Trumps backside when he is poison in California. No Republican candidate has won statewide office in decades. The party could not be more irrelevant and yet, like Trump, sinks lower every time you think thats not possible. The state party had to know this indictment was coming and yet recently changed the rules to give Trump a better chance to win the California primary next year. The states GOP executive committee changed the rules over the weekend so that any candidate getting a simple majority 50% plus one wins all of the states 169 delegates, The Bee reported. The previous California system awarded delegates according to who won each of the states 52 congressional districts. There were also 13 at-large delegates allocated according to the statewide vote total. David Gilliard, one of the top GOP consultants in California, told The Bee why this was so stupid. The rule is also a self-inflicted wound, as candidates now have no incentive to organize and spend money at the district level. Very disappointing. The Bee editorial board endorsed several Republican candidates in the last election who were elected to the state Legislature and government bodies around the region. These are serious lawmakers trying to make a difference in our state. What do they do now? What does the country do now? Its easy: We choose country over party, America over Trump. And we watch as every Trump enabler does a slow march toward infamy. Im looking at you Jessica Millan Patterson and your sad sack CAGOP. A large police presence was called after a large fight broke out at Trotwood-Madison High School early Tuesday. Around 1:05 a.m. Trotwood officers dropped a 99 or a call for county-wide backup after a large fight broke out at high school, according to Montgomery County regional dispatch. Dispatch notes indicate that at least one person was detained as a result of the fight. >> 1 dead after shooting in Dayton The 99 has since been canceled. No injuries have been reported. We are working to learn what led up to the fight and if anyone was arrested. We will update this story as new information is available. An air-raid warning has been issued in most of Ukraine's oblasts for the fourth time since the beginning of 1 August. Source: Ukrainian Air Force Details: The Ukrainian Air Force issued a warning of a missile threat in the country's central and eastern oblasts. In particular, the alarm was announced everywhere except the western regions and Odesa Oblast. It lasted about 30 minutes. Background: At 15:30, an air-raid warning was announced throughout Ukraine due to the danger of the Russians using the Kinzhal supersonic aeroballistic missile, the alarm lasted for 15 minutes. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Charles Johnson said April 12, 2016, was supposed to be a joyous day for him and his wife, Kira. The two were expecting the birth of their second boy. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< But instead, he said it become a nightmare. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] When I walked into that hospital that afternoon the thought that my wife would not walk out to raise her boys it never crossed my mind, said Johnson. Johnson said his wife died from internal bleeding after a c-section. Charles Johnson said his wife died from internal bleeding after a c-section. Their story isnt unusual. CDC data reveals Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women. It finds more than 80 percent of those deaths are also preventable. It should be a fundamental human right for a mother to give birth to a healthy baby in country and live to raise those children, said Johnson. Read: Black doctors call out broken system for health care professionals Since then, Johnson has created 4Kira4Moms, a national nonprofit to help improve maternal health. On Capitol Hill Tuesday, members of Congress met with advocates like Johnson for the Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit. This comes as some lawmakers say the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country. To offer their feedback, their solutions, whats working whats not working where they need help to inform our work here in the congress, said Rep. Lauren Underwood (D Illinois). Lawmakers also explored how to advance the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Its a series of bills aimed at improving pregnancy outcomes for Black women. This includes expanding access to midwives and doulas and diversifying the workforce that helps before and after birth The data tells us that maternal outcomes are better for mom and baby, if theres a linguistic congruency, or theres a shared ethnic background, when that provider understands whats going on with that family, said Underwood. Story continues Read: Paperwork problems drive surge in people losing Medicaid health coverage Congresswoman Underwood re-introduced the legislation earlier this year. Johnson is now urging lawmakers from both parties to make it a priority. This is a human rights issue, said Johnson. Every single person that is elected to represent the people in our country should prioritize and stand up and say that enough is enough and its time to protect mothers and babies. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Part of the Momnibus Act would also improve maternal health care and support for incarcerated mothers. STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories Young illustrator goes viral after drawing cartoons on paper garbage bags People's Daily Online) 09:17, August 01, 2023 Photo shows cartoons on paper garbage bags drawn by a young illustrator who calls himself "Ruoguan Nianhua" online. (Photo/yangtse.com) A young illustrator from Shanghai recently went viral after drawing vivid cartoons featuring tasty food, landmark buildings and characters on paper garbage bags. The illustrator, who gives himself the online name "Ruoguan Nianhua", used to be a travel blogger and often made trips around the world by plane. "Sometimes, a flight took over 10 hours, which was very boring. One day, I drew a cartoon on a paper garbage bag during a flight, then took a picture of it and posted it online. To my surprise, the cartoon was liked by many net users, so I kept drawing," he said. Over the past four years, the illustrator has drawn cartoons themed on 38 cities, including Bangkok in Thailand, Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian Province, and Sanya in south China's Hainan Province, on paper garbage bags during flights. "Generally, it took me about an hour to finish a cartoon picture," he said. His pictures drew increasing attention, and some airline stewardesses have even become fans of his. "I have been recognized by airline stewardesses several times recently. Sometimes, they would give me more paper garbage bags or paper cups to draw cartoons on," the illustrator said. A young illustrator who calls himself "Ruoguan Nianhua" online draws cartoons on a plane. (Photo/yangtse.com) In addition to cartoons on paper garbage bags and paper cups, the illustrator has also created dozens of travel journals over the past years. The illustrator has also created a large number of works that integrate photos of himself with hand-drawn cartoon characters and posted them online. "I like drawing cartoon characters and some other elements on my photos," he said. "Sometimes, I wasnt satisfied with the photos of myself that I took during my trip, so I added something onto them to make them more interesting," he said. Photo shows travel journals created by a young illustrator who calls himself "Ruoguan Nianhua" online. (Photo/yangtse.com) With his works proving attractive, some brands and culture and tourism departments have begun collaborating with him. Some of his works have been turned into postcards or brochures. Ruoguan Nianhua has more than 10 years of experience in hand drawing, but has also used the iPad to draw. The illustrator also recorded some hand drawing courses to share his experience and meet net users' wish to learn his craft. In the future, he will share his works in more diverse ways, such as by publishing a book or an album of his paintings. Photo shows cartoons of food on a paper garbage bag drawn by a young illustrator who calls himself "Ruoguan Nianhua" online. (Photo/yangtse.com) Photo shows a photo of a young illustrator who calls himself "Ruoguan Nianhua" online and hand-drawn cartoon characters. (Photo/yangtse.com) Photo shows a photo of a young illustrator who calls himself "Ruoguan Nianhua" online and hand-drawn cartoon characters. (Photo/yangtse.com) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Charles Johnson said April 12, 2016, was supposed to be a joyous day for him and his wife, Kira. The two were expecting the birth of their second boy. But instead, he said it become a nightmare. When I walked into that hospital that afternoon the thought that my wife would not walk out to raise her boys it never crossed my mind, said Johnson. Johnson said his wife died from internal bleeding after a C-section. Their story isnt unusual. CDC data reveals Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women. It finds more than 80 percent of those deaths are also preventable. It should be a fundamental human right for a mother to give birth to a healthy baby in the country and live to raise those children, said Johnson. Since then, Johnson has created 4Kira4Moms, a national nonprofit to help improve maternal health. On Capitol Hill Tuesday, members of Congress met with advocates like Johnson for the Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit. This comes as some lawmakers say the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country. To offer their feedback, their solutions, whats working whats not working where they need help to inform our work here in the congress, said Rep. Lauren Underwood (D Illinois). Lawmakers also explored how to advance the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Its a series of bills aimed at improving pregnancy outcomes for Black women. This includes expanding access to midwives and doulas and diversifying the workforce that helps before and after birth The data tells us that maternal outcomes are better for mom and baby, if theres a linguistic congruency, or theres a shared ethnic background when that provider understands whats going on with that family, said Underwood. Congresswoman Underwood re-introduced the legislation earlier this year. Johnson is now urging lawmakers from both parties to make it a priority. This is a human rights issue, said Johnson. Every single person that is elected to represent the people in our country should prioritize and stand up and say that enough is enough and its time to protect mothers and babies. Part of the Momnibus Act would also improve maternal health care and support for incarcerated mothers. AI regulation is in the hands of "JCPenney leisure suit"-wearing lawmakers who still have "8-track tape players," which could mean trouble, says one Republican lawmaker. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives took a small step toward building an AI regulatory framework by advancing the AI Accountability Act, which called for the government to study AI accountability and report back in 2025. "Let a bunch of guys up here that are wearing JCPenney leisure suits that still have 8-track tape players in their '72 Vegas start talking about technology, then you got some problems," Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Fox News when asked about regulation keeping pace with innovation in the AI sector. WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE "I don't know that we need regulation," Burchett said. "You want to stifle growth, you start putting laws on it." The Senate had another listening session on AI development last Wednesday, but many lawmakers agreed that Congress still doesn't understand enough about AI yet to create regulations. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., says if the government creates restrictions, it could stifle AI growth. "Right now, we're in the Wild West," Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal told Fox News. "AI enables, not only in effect, appropriation of creative products but also impersonation, deepfakes, a lot of bad stuff. We need to invest in the kinds of restraints and controls if there's a danger of AI becoming autonomous." "The problem with AI is that it's advancing so fast," Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said. "It's very difficult to regulate because you don't know what the next thing is going to be." CONGRESS IS CLEARLY BEHIND ON AI AND NEEDS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO CREATE REGULATIONS; LAWMAKERS WEIGH IN Artificial intelligence, a branch of computer science designed to understand and store human intelligence, has excelled in recent months as the tool increasingly mimics human capabilities. China and the European Union have drafted AI regulations this year, but Congress hasn't passed any legislation since the tech's rapid development started and as more critics voiced their concerns. Story continues Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., says AI regulation is needed, but the government needs to be careful about overregulation. "If you overregulate, like the government often does, you stifle innovation," Mace told Fox News. "And if we just stop AI, nothing is stopping China. We want to make sure that we are No. 1 in AI technology in the world and that it stays that way." PEERBOTS CAN MEAN A FUTURE WHERE HUMAN POLITICIANS ARE OUT OF THE JOB: EXPERT Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, a Republican, told Fox News that AI will be great for the big corporations involved, but he questioned whether it would benefit everyday Americans. "Will it be good, though, for the American people, for American workers?" he said. AI advancements could reduce or eliminate 300 million jobs globally , according to a Goldman Sachs analysis published in March. The Biden administration and Congress are examining how to regulate AI as the technology rapidly develops. Up to 30% of hours currently worked across the U.S. economy could become automated by 2030, creating the possibility of around 12 million occupational transitions in the coming years, according to a McKinsey Global Institute study published in July. Lower-wage workers are up to 14 times more likely to need to change occupations than those in the highest-wage positions, and women are 1.5 times more likely to lose their jobs than men with continued AI development, the study found. SHOULD BE CONCERNED: CONGRESS OPENS UP ON NEW THREATS POSED TO US LABOR MARKET "We can't keep up with it," California Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia said. "The way AI is being used is unbelievable." Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., says Congress needs a better understanding of artificial intelligence in order to create regulations. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said that "Congress doesn't understand AI well enough right now to be promulgating regulation." "We need to start with the fact that there's a lot associated with AI," he said. "We need to start breaking those down and thinking about where we really think there's an urgent need for regulation." To watch lawmakers' full interviews, click here. A federal judge ruled last week to allow the bulk of a lawsuit against Pueblo County sheriff's deputies involved in the February 2022 shooting death of Richard Ward to go forward, while dismissing some elements of the suit. The lawsuit was originally filed against Pueblo County, Deputy Charles McWhorter, his partner at the sheriff's office, Cassandra Gonzales, and several other deputies that were at the scene of Ward's death. Ward was shot three times by McWhorter during an altercation on Feb. 22, 2022, outside of Liberty Point Middle School in Pueblo West. Ward's brother was a student at the school and he'd accompanied his mother and her boyfriend to pick him up that day prior to the altercation with deputies. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, excessive use of lethal force, and constitutional violations against Ward, his mother, and his mother's boyfriend. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney ruled on July 25 to allow the majority of the lawsuit to go forward. In the 21-page ruling, Sweeney found the plaintiffs provided sufficient factual evidence to support a claim that Pueblo County failed to adequately train its deputies. "To begin, the complaint identifies specific failures in the individual defendants training namely, that 'Pueblo County trains and tolerates its officers to use deadly force even under circumstances where the officer or a third party is not in imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury,' and that 'Pueblo County fails to adequately train its law enforcement officers in practices necessary to ensure excessive force is avoided, including principles of de-escalation and threat assessment,'" Sweeney wrote in her judgment. "Moreover, the court agrees with plaintiffs that Pueblo Countys alleged defective training on appropriate uses of force caused Mr. Wards injury. For instance, plaintiffs plausibly allege that his death was a predictable result of Pueblo Countys failure to train defendants McWhorter and Gonzales," she wrote. Story continues "Interpreting these allegations in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, the complaint sufficiently alleges that the inadequacy of Pueblo Countys training was obvious and likely to result in the injury or death of someone in Mr. Wards position and that Mr. Wards injury could have been prevented by providing training on appropriate uses of force." Sweeney also upheld four claims against multiple deputies at the scene, claiming constitutional violations related to unlawful arrest, unlawful search and seizure, and retaliation. Defense attorneys had argued in their request for dismissal that the complaint did not give proper notice and which specific defendant committed which specific act during the incident in question. Sweeney wrote that the complaint had indeed specified which defendants committed which acts, and to the extent that the complaint alleged actions by unspecified Pueblo County Sheriff's Office personnel, other courts have allowed claims against collective groups of individuals where it "would be unfair to require the plaintiff to identify which specific defendant committed which specific act during the incident in question." She cited a previous case in which a plaintiff alleged claims against a group of officers for searching a home without probable cause. The alleged relationship among the defendants makes it understandable that claims would be linked by common allegations," Sweeney wrote in her opinion, quoting previous case law. Sweeney also denied a claim by the defense that the individual deputies were entitled to qualified immunity. Under the doctrine of qualified immunity, government officials performing discretionary functions generally are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known. Sweeney wrote that the motion to dismiss charges spent three paragraphs reciting the elements of qualified immunity, and then asserted without any supporting argument that the individual deputies are entitled to the doctrine's protection, which she found did not adequately raise the defense. When a defendant raises the defense of qualified immunity, a plaintiff carries the burden to show that the defendant's actions violated a federal constitutional or statutory right, and that right was clearly established at the time of the defendant's unlawful conduct. However, Sweeney wrote, "The court cannot conclude the defendant's cursory argument is sufficient to meet that burden." Furthermore, Colorado law allows victims and families of victims to sue individual officers for violations of rights. Under the legislation signed by Gov. Jared Polis, qualified immunity is not a defense for officers accused of such violations. Sweeney did, however, dismiss two counts related to unlawful arrest and first amendment retaliation, writing that Pueblo County as an employer could not be grouped in with the individual deputies in the allegations. Sweeney also dismissed constitutional charges against Pueblo County that alleged the county failed to take disciplinary actions against the individual defendants after Ward's death, which, the plaintiffs claimed, indicated the individual defendant's conduct was in line with official policy or custom. The decision to dismiss that claim was based on a failure to state a plausible claim of liability because the plaintiffs "have not identified any official 'policy,'" or custom that caused the injuries alleged in the complaint, Sweeney wrote. Following Ward's death, the 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Team (CIT) investigated the shooting and released a report, signed by District Attorney Jeff Chostner on Oct. 14, 2022, that concluded McWhorters use of force was justified. Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter@jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Lawsuit against Pueblo County, sheriff's deputies in death of Richard Ward proceeds A shooting early Saturday in the parking lot of Jade Fox Lounge on Lakeland Highlands Road killed Lakeland rapper Raheem "350heem" Bacon and wounded Regina Orr, 48. The only person arrested so far in the incident, Jamilah Johnson, 23, is Orr's daughter. Johnson was originally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, but her lawyer says she has no felony convictions and video evidence will show she was acting in defense. LAKELAND Lakeland police wrongly identified a 23-year-old woman as a convicted felon in order to make an arrest the same night a Lakeland rapper was shot and killed, according to her lawyer, Jeff Holmes. Jamilah Johnson, 23, of Winter Haven was arrested Saturday after a shooting outside Jade Fox Lounge that resulted in the death of Raheem "350Heem" Bacon and critical injuries to a 48-year-old woman. Johnson was initially charged with one felony-count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. At Johnson's first appearance in Bartow court Tuesday morning, she was charged with an additional felony count of aggravated battery of another using a deadly weapon. She is being held in Polk County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. Holmes said the new charge came about because law enforcement knows his client is not a convicted felon. Holmes said video evidence shot by Johnson's sister was turned over to Lakeland Police Department on Tuesday. He said it will show Johnson's actions were in defense of an other her mother, Regina Orr whom he identified as the woman shot outside the lounge. Davenport homicide Reward of $5,000 offered for information in 35-year-old Davenport woman's death He did not immediately provide a copy of the video to The Ledger. Officer Stephanie Kerr, part of LPD's public information team, confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon was added but did not give a reason, nor did she address the original charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. She would not comment on whether a video was received Tuesday. "There's a lot more to this case than meets the eye," he said. "This case is just the beginning of what we all knew would happen when the wonderful Legislature came up with the conceal carry law. Everyone has a gun now, this is just the beginning of what is happening." Holmes said he previously represented Johnson in 2021 when she faced a felony charge of carrying a concealed firearm. The case was settled by a plea agreement to a lesser misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon and sentenced to 12 months' probation, online documents from Polk County Clerk of Courts show. Story continues Johnson was at Jade Fox Lounge, 3010 Lakeland Highlands Road, on Friday with her mother and sister enjoying a night out. A fight broke out in the parking lot of the lounge early Saturday morning. "There's video evidence that shows other people there had guns," Holmes said. The firearm officers recovered at the scene of the shooting was reported stolen in 2015, according to Lakeland police. Holmes said that's roughly eight years ago and he estimated "half the guns on the street have been stolen." Jan. 6 Capitol riot Lakeland man seeks dismissal of charges, including civil disorder Holmes said there's a photo that shows Johnson touching the back of Bacon's shirt with a gun in her hand that serves as the basis for the aggravated battery charge. He said he's "never seen that" but said the video will more clearly illustrate what really took place. "There may be people with a video that will show other parties may be culpable," the attorney said. "They want the initial allegations to come to fruition." Holmes said given time, the totality of the evidence will show Johnson came to the defense of her mother, which he said is permitted under Florida law. "My client didn't shoot her own mother, but we think we know who shot her mother," he said. Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-75454. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lawyer says woman charged in Lakeland shooting was defending mother If your airport routine features grabbing a bottle of water after passing through the TSA checkpoint, you may have to think again. Los Angeles International Airport has banned the sale of single-use plastic bottles in its facility, per a Facebook post. The ban has followed a 2021 plan to gradually phase out the sale of water bottles in LAX and the Van Nuys Airport. Its part of a larger, zero-waste initiative under Los Angeles World Airports Sustainability Action Plan. The LAWA Board of Commissioners plans to make its airports entirely zero-waste by 2045. Besides banning plastic bottles, LAWA also intends to have net-zero emissions from its operations, develop a fully renewable electric profile, and minimize gray water. Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles is the right thing to do for our airports, our communities, and our environment, said Justin Erbacci, CEO of LAWA, per television station KTLA. The ban makes LAX the second airport to ban single-use plastic water bottles. In 2019, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) banned single-use plastic water bottles and included other types of beverages as of 2021. This ban is significant, especially considering the number of people flying through LAX daily. Over 32 million people flew through LAX in 2022, meaning that cutting out water bottles could have a sizable impact on the amount of trash the airport generates. This can decrease the number of single-use plastic bottles ending up in landfills, waterways, and the surrounding environment. The plastic water bottle ban at LAX currently includes vending machines and events at the airport. It does not include plastic water bottles served aboard aircraft or other single-use cartons, recyclable aluminum, or glass bottles. Moving away from single-use plastic water bottles and toward reusables reduces plastic waste and pollution to help passengers reduce their environmental impact while traveling, LAWA officials said in a policy document. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. (Reuters) - The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia are both hopeful they can secure a lasting peace agreement despite their differences over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, they said in interviews broadcast on Tuesday. Since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a small mountainous enclave that is part of Azerbaijan but populated by about 120,000 ethnic Armenians. After heavy fighting and a Russian-brokered ceasefire, Azerbaijan in 2020 took over areas that had been controlled by ethnic Armenians in and around the mountain enclave. The two sides have since been discussing a peace deal in which they would agree on borders, settle differences over the enclave, and unfreeze relations. "I think it is right to be hopeful," Azeri President Ilham Aliyev told Euronews television in an interview conducted on July 21 in the Karabakh town of Shusha and aired on Tuesday. "If we see a constructive approach from the Armenian side, and most importantly, if they totally set aside all aspirations to contest our territorial integrity, then we can find a peace solution very soon, maybe even by the end of the year." Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking separately to Euronews in Yerevan on July 26, also sounded a cautiously optimistic note. "Not only can there be but there must be peace. This is my belief, my position... But for this to happen, it's also important for the international community to be aware of important nuances, to be clear about why there isn't progress at a sufficient pace," he said. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS Pashinyan repeated his accusation that Azerbaijan was still blocking the transit of food and medicines to Karabakh via the Lachin corridor, the only road linking Armenia to the enclave, thereby causing a humanitarian crisis. Aliyev denied that Azeri forces were blocking freedom of movement, saying more than 2,000 Karabakh residents had moved "to Armenia and back" since Azerbaijan established a border checkpoint at the entrance to the corridor in April. Story continues "Karabakh Armenians should understand that being part of Azerbaijan society with security guarantees,... with their rights, including educational, cultural, religious, and municipal rights, they will live a normal life," Aliyev said. Baku has rejected Yerevan's requests for further security guarantees for the enclave's ethnic Armenians. Russia, which has peacekeepers on the ground, the United States and the European Union are all trying separately to help ensure a lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Pashinyan said the 17-month-old conflict in Ukraine had impacted the ability not only of Russia but of other international players to focus on the Karabakh issue. (Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Conor Humphries) Florida is among the U.S. states with the most recent cases of leprosy, according to a report released by the CDC on Tuesday. Of the 159 cases reported of the disease in the country in 2020, 27 were in Florida. Central Florida accounted for more than 80% of those cases, the CDC said. Channel 9 combed through the data provided by the CDC, as well as information from the National Hansens Disease Program, to compile 9 things you need to know about the disease: Read: Floridians urged to avoid leprosy-infected armadillos 1. Most (95%) of the human population is not susceptible to infection with M. leprae, the bacteria that causes Hansens disease (leprosy). 2. Treatment with standard antibiotic drugs is very effective. 3. Patients become noninfectious after taking only a few doses of medication and need not be isolated from family and friends. Read: Bed Bath & Beyond comes back as online retailer, joins with Overstock 4. Diagnosis in the U.S. is often delayed because health care providers are unaware of Hansens disease (leprosy) and its symptoms. The skin symptoms, according to the CDC, include: Discolored patches of skin, usually flat, that may be numb and look faded (lighter than the skin around) Growths (nodules) on the skin Thick, stiff or dry skin Painless ulcers on the soles of feet Painless swelling or lumps on the face or earlobes Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes 5. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent nerve involvement, the hallmark of Hansens disease (leprosy), and the disability it causes. Without nerve involvement, Hansens disease (leprosy) would be a minor skin disease. Read: Primrose Lanes pins down soft-opening date in Orlandos Milk District 6. 159 new cases were reported in the U.S. in 2020 (the most recent year for which data are available). Most (110 or 69%) of these new cases were reported in: Florida California Louisiana Hawaii New York Texas 7. Of the 27 cases reported in Florida in 2020, 22 were in Central Florida: Story continues 20 in Brevard County 1 in Seminole County 1 in Polk County Read: Dead armadillo on the tarmac delays 43 flights at Orlando International Airport 8. A genetic study at the National Hansens Disease Program reports that armadillos may be a source of infection in the southern United States. 9. The National Hansens Disease Program advises: The risk of transmission from animals to humans is low, but armadillos are wild animals and should be treated as such, with all proper precautions. Individuals should decide for themselves whether to interact with these animals and, if so, what precautions to take. Video: Dead armadillo on the tarmac delays 43 flights at Orlando International Airport Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A kayak and canoe outfitter walks along the Rio Grande under the hot sun in July. (Eric Gay / Associated Press) To the editor: Kudos to Robin Abcarian for pointing out that climate change is not a partisan issue. Millions of Americans suffering from extreme heat live in red and blue states alike. Now the question is, what are we going to do about it? The swiftest, most efficient way to cut carbon emissions is to put a price on carbon. Think about the cigarette tax and how efficiently that cut down on smoking. Many scientists, economists and businesses support taxing carbon emissions. Returning the revenue to American families will both cushion us from the resulting modest energy price increases and enable political support from Democrats and Republicans alike. Kathy Seal, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Abcarian is using the heat to make her own political anti-GOP statement. As she states, heat is an invisible killer. But each year more people die due to extreme cold. And if Abcarian can accept that federal rules from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration do not need to be supplemented with local rules in parts of Texas, and that Gov. Greg Abbott is not seeking to murder outdoor workers in his state, then maybe we can make progress on the discussion. Bob Filacchione, Greenville, S.C. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) at the Hart Senate Office Building in May. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: Jackie Calmes rightly calls for concern about the health issues of Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) as evidenced by observable behavior in recent days. However, it seems disingenuous to conflate their performance due to failing health with the performance of President Biden and Donald Trump, neither of whom has displayed comparable cause for concern. In the case of Trump, his bombast, battering and irrational ramblings are not due to his age. We have witnessed this behavior for many years. Nonetheless, his supporters continue their allegiance. For them, telling the truth and clarity of mind are not criteria for a presidential candidate. Biden has been an exemplar of having clarity of purpose in taking positions and acting for the common good and justice for all. When there is evidence that failing health has prevented elderly political leaders from performing the duties of office, then it will be time for an appropriate exit. Lenore Navarro Dowling, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Calmes laid out the best reason these two very senior politicians should call it a day and retire. Theyre both physically unwell. Feinstein was clearly confused when asked for her vote on the defense bill. And McConnell seemed to be unable to recover from the shock of uttering the sentence he spoke right before he froze. This week, theres been good bipartisan cooperation. Although, I have to say, I froze when I heard it myself. Marley Sims, Valley Village .. To the editor: Yes, the all-too-apparent infirmities of Feinstein and McConnell give us concern about their health and fitness to serve. In fact, former president and leading Republican presidential candidate Trump has suggested that Biden undergo a cognitive fitness test. Fortunately, senators are not airline pilots, where a momentary lapse in flight can lead to disaster, and they are supported by younger, competent staffs and their kinder colleagues who can assist them when problems occur. Story continues Much more important than a politicians physical or cognitive fitness is the individuals moral fitness. Thirty years ago, regarding Bill Clintons marital infidelities, Republicans claimed that character matters and the truth matters. They even impeached Clinton because he lied about an extramarital relationship. They were right then, albeit not about impeaching a president for lying under oath about a sexual indiscretion, and they are still right today. Biden may trip over a sandbag, but he doesnt trip over his own lies like Trump does. Daniel Fink, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: It is not surprising that America has become a gerontocracy given the seemingly illogical Supreme Court ruling that corporations have equal rights as people in campaign contributions. We all know that, perhaps with rare exceptions, our health and mental agility do decline toward the end of our lives, as clearly demonstrated by former President Reagan, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg as well as Feinstein and McConnell, and possibly Biden. Our founding fathers likely had not placed a mandatory retirement age for our officeholders in the Constitution because they had not envisioned the emergence of a class of political professionals who would try to cling to power at all cost, even to the detriment of our country. The saying that age is just a number certainly does not apply to the majority of people in their 80s, who are truthful to themselves. Yet until most voters come to the realization that our political system has been highly corrupted by campaign dollars, the system will continue to favor the incumbents. There is a saying that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is insanity. Since 71% of Americans in a recent poll consider our country heading in the wrong direction, what does this say about us on our choices in the next election? I have intentionally omitted Trump as an example of gerontocracy since he is entirely in a class by himself. John T. Chiu, Newport Beach .. To the editor: Biden has done as much or more in three short years than many younger presidents accomplished in their eight years. Voters may be concerned about his age, but they should be more focused on what has been accomplished and what will be accomplished in the coming years. Age, while a concern, affects each person differently. Biden seems to be right there on the issues. Our American society has a tendency to discard older people and their experience. Thats a mistake. Harry Schwarz, Agoura Hills This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Lexington man has been charged with several federal violations including disorderly conduct for allegedly entering a tunnel during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Barry Saturday, of Lexington, was charged in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. on July 28 with civil disorder, knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct within a restricted building and disorderly conduct within the Capitol. Saturday, who has unsuccessfully run for Lexington council in the past, was arrested Tuesday. Documents related to his arrest were also unsealed Tuesday, according to federal court records. Saturday was not immediately available for comment. According to a federal criminal complaint, federal law enforcement was able to identify Saturday through surveillance cameras and other videos during the Jan. 6 riot to overturn the election of President Joe Biden. Federal agents allege Barry Saturday of Lexington participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot to overturn the election of U.S. President Joe Biden. The 21-page criminal complaint includes multiple photos and stills of a man federal agents say is Saturday at the U.S. Capitol. Saturday was caught on camera near the lower west terrace of the Capitol where rioters tried to push their way into the building, according to the court records. At around 2:54 p.m. Saturday is reportedly shown just outside the tunnel, according to court records. Around 2:56 p.m. the man federal agents have identified as Saturday is seen taking pictures of rioters trying to push through the police line. At 3:15 p.m. video shows Saturday on CCTV pushing against the backs of other rioters and putting his head down to brace himself against other rioters, actively participating in the heave-ho against the line of police officers at the end of the tunnel, according to the criminal complaint. Federal agents allege Barry Saturday of Lexington participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot to overturn the election of U.S. President Joe Biden. The 21-page criminal complaint includes multiple photos and stills of a man federal agents say is Saturday at the U.S. Capitol. Law enforcement officers were crushed in the back of the tunnel after rioters efforts to push against the line. Then the tables turned, the indictment alleges. Law enforcement was able to force the rioters out of the tunnel. Saturday later appears on camera in distress, allegedly from pepper spray, the complaint said. He later appears at the mouth of the tunnel. As law enforcement pushes rioters out of the tunnel, two rioters grab two police officers. Saturday recovered and then followed the rioters who had control of the two officers. Saturday did not touch the officers, according to the complaint. Story continues As law enforcement made their way closer to the mouth of the tunnel, gaining ground on the rioters, Saturday returned to the tunnel multiple times, according to the criminal indictment. At 4:18 p.m. Saturday is seen once again in the tunnel, participating in another effort to push law enforcement back into the tunnel, court documents said. The FBI was able to track Saturday using facial recognition software. Photos of Saturday, who unsuccessfully ran for a Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council seat in May 2022, were published in the Lexington Herald-Leader and on other publicly facing websites. In addition, FBI agents had interviewed Saturday in 2018 and 2019 after he reported being the victim of a cyber crime. The FBI agents who interviewed him looked at the surveillance photo and confirmed it was Saturday. Cell phone records also indicate Saturday was in both restricted and unrestricted areas of the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to court records. In addition to running for council in May 2022, Saturday also ran for council in 2016 but ultimately dropped out of the race. Saturday is the latest Kentucky resident to be charged in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection. More than two dozen Kentucky residents have been charged. In May, Daniel Edwin Wilson, 47, of Louisville was arrested on multiple charges related to entering the Capitol. Wilson was also identified through online communications and photos, according to a federal criminal complaint. The insurrection resulted in several deaths, multiple serious injuries to law enforcement and millions of dollars in damage. Rep. Adam Schiff is pushing for a U.S. Postal Service stamp aimed at honoring Leonard Nimoy, praising the Star Trek star as an example of the American dream. Live long and prosper! the California Democrat wrote in a Monday letter to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee and obtained by ITK. This is a phrase that is part of our lexicon, as is the unforgettable character who first proclaimed those words, Schiff said. I am writing to support the creation of a stamp for Leonard Nimoy, an extraordinary activist, actor, and dear friend, the California Senate candidate said. The advisory committee, according to the Postal Services website, uses their collective expertise in history, science, technology, art, education, sports, and other areas of public interest to consider and then recommend stamp subjects to the postmaster general for approval. Some of the figures featured on past commemorative stamps include: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author Toni Morrison, Nancy Reagan, artist Roy Lichtenstein, Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley. Nimoy, who originated the role of Spock on the intergalactic TV series, died in 2015 at 83. The actor, Schiff said, was revered by fans for this role, best put by the New York Times as bringing to life one of the most indelible characters of the last half century. Citing Nimoys experience as the son of Ukrainian immigrants, Schiff said the late performer serves as an example of the American dream. He gave back to his country with his years of service in the Army and his activism in his community, Schiff said, calling him an incredibly gifted individual and a dear friend. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A mans body was found inside a plastic barrel at a beach in Malibu, California, after a lifeguard spotted the unusual item floating offshore, officials announced. The body was inside a 55-liter black drum, which was discovered at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Lieutenant Hugo Reynaga with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said Monday. Homicide investigators are examining the circumstances surround the death of the man, who was identified as a Black adult, the sheriffs department said in a release. Investigators do not yet know how long the body had been in the container, Reynaga said, adding it did not appear to be significantly decomposed. There were no indications of blood spatter or other signs of violence, the lieutenant said. A state park maintenance worker first spotted the large drum floating in the lagoon around 3 p.m. Sunday, Reynaga said. The worker retrieved the heavy barrel using a kayak and left it unopened on the shore, he said, but the high tide overnight swept it back into the water. Around 10 a.m. Monday, the lifeguard swam out to get the barrel from the lagoon and opened it on shore, finding a non-responsive person inside, the lieutenant said. Paramedics and deputies were called to the scene and the man was pronounced dead on the beach, authorities said. It is unclear how long the container had been floating in the lagoon before it was first retrieved, but the sheriffs department has received several calls from people reporting that they saw it in the lagoon over the weekend, according to Reynaga. The beach will remain open except for the crime scene, California State Parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno told CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has suspended the liquor license of a Folsom restaurant after a customer who was intoxicated was served alcohol three years ago, according to the agency. Dolans Bar and Grill at 199 Blue Ravine Road in Folsom was serving a 15-day suspension of its license for selling alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person, Bryce Avalos, a spokesman for the state agency, said Monday. He said the restaurants license also was suspended for the business violating its license conditions. Attempts by The Sacramento Bee to speak to a representative from Dolans Bar and Grill were unsuccessful Monday. Avalos confirmed that the liquor license suspension began on July 20, and he said the intoxicated person served alcohol at the Folsom restaurant was previously arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on Feb. 28, 2020. On July 25, Dolans Bar and Grill representatives announced in a Facebook post that the restaurant would be temporarily closed (due) to some tax-related issues. On Friday, they announced in a second Facebook post that Dolans Bars situation is a work in progress. Were sorry for the closure and the inconvenience, according to the Dolans Bar and Grill July 28 Facebook post. Were hoping to get this remedied sooner than later. The Sacramento Business Journal, which first reported news about the liquor license suspension, found that Alcoholic Beverage Control posted a notice of suspension in front of the restaurant. The Business Journal also reported that Dolans Bar and Grill would be able to sell alcohol after the 15-day suspension. Communities across the Miami Valley will be celebrating National Night Out tonight. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make neighborhoods safer. >> National Night Out: What is it, why is it celebrated? This nationwide event is hosted to further strengthen neighborhood bonds, promote public safety, and create lasting memories for families across the county, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said. Here is a list of local National Night Out events: Montgomery County Townships: Harrison Township When: 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Where: Shiloh Church located at 5300 Philadelphia Drive Jefferson Township When : 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Where: Blairwood Elementary located at 1241 Blairwood Ave. Washington Township When: 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Where: Washington Trace Club House 600 Reeder Circle Washington Township, 454 Miami Township When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Austin Landing located on Rigby Road Dayton Police Department: 5:45 p.m.- Stuart Patterson Park 6:25 p.m.- E. Third Street and June Street 7:05 p.m.- Westwood Elementary 7:45 p.m.- Oak & Ivy Park Centerville Police Department: When: 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Where: Stubbs Park located at 255 W. Spring Valley Road Miamisburg Police Department: When: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Where: Miamisburg Christian Church Moraine Police Department: When: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Where: Wax Park at 3800 Main Street Beavercreek Police Department: When: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Where: Rotary Park, 2260 Dayton-Xenia Road Piqua Police Department: When: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Where: Click here for a list of locations. Former President Donald Trump, a 2024 presidential candidate facing multiple criminal cases, has been indicted for a third time. The Justice Department notified Trump on Tuesday that a grand jury had voted to indict him over his efforts to hold on to power following his loss in the 2020 election, including his actions leading to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He has been summoned to appear in federal court at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the former presidents lawyers met with prosecutors in Washington, D.C., while the grand jury was hearing evidence in the case. Trump faces four new federal charges in the indictment. The allegations follow a state indictment in New York on fraud charges and a federal indictment in Florida charging him with mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice. Our live coverage has ended. For a recap of the day's events, check out the Yahoo News blog below. Cover thumbnail photo via Drew Angerer/Getty Images Three former dancers have accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment in a lawsuit filed in California, NBC News first reported. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, a spokesperson told McClatchy News in an email. Former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez accused Melissa Viviane Jefferson (professionally known as Lizzo), her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring and her dance team captain Shirlene Quigley of creating a hostile work environment through sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says those actions led to the creation of a hostile work environment. The dancers met Lizzo while filming the singers reality television show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls on Amazon Prime Video, according to the lawsuit. Davis and Williams were eventually fired, and Rodriguez resigned. Representatives for Lizzo and Quigley did not immediately respond to McClatchys request for comment. Lizzo and Big Grrrl Big Touring Lizzo publicly presents herself as a an advocate for self-love, no matter ones body shape or size. She often sings about empowering women and has previously highlighted work from Black and transgender creators by bringing them on stage with her during her performances and award show appearances. But the complaint tells a different story about her private behavior saying she subjected the dancers to weight-shaming, sexually denigrating behavior and pressured them into participating in disturbing sex shows at cabaret shows in Europe, the dancers legal team said in a news release. The complaint says Lizzo drew attention to a dancers weight after an appearance at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, pressured dancers to engage with nude dancers at a strip club in Amsterdams Red-Light District and tricked them into going to a cabaret bar in Paris to learn something or be inspired by the performance. Story continues The dancers also said Lizzos production company made it clear they werent supposed to take on other work during breaks between when the U.S. leg of The Special Tour wrapped in November 2022 and the end of the European leg in February 2023. The dancers requested to be paid a portion of their tour rate during breaks and were offered half of what they requested after the production companys accountant scolded them for being unacceptable and disrespectful and said it would be cause for termination, the complaint says. Only the dance cast comprised of full-figured women of color were ever spoken to in this manner, giving (them) the impression that these comments were charged with racial and fat-phobic animus, the complaint says. The complaint goes on to describe how Black dancers were treated differently from their white counterparts who often accused the Black members of the dance team of being lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes, the complaint says. Not only do these words ring familiar as tropes used to disparage and discourage Black women from advocating for themselves, but the same accusations were not levied against dancers who are not Black, the complaint says. At the strip show in Amsterdam, the complaint says Lizzo invited cast members to take turns touching the nude dancers and pressured Davis to touch one of the performers bare breasts even though she had loudly, and more than once, said she didnt want to, the complaint says. Lizzo started chanting for her to do it and others joined in, so Davis finally complied in an attempt to bring an end to the chants, the complaint says. The group then burst into laughter, according to the lawsuit. Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed, the complaint says. In a statement, the dancers attorney Ron Zambrano elaborated on what he said was a hostile work environment. The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing, Zambrano said in an email to McClatchy News. Lizzos dance team captain The documents present accusations against Quigley, including harassing dancers about religion and shaming them for having premarital sex. The lawsuit says Quigley publicly discussed one dancers virginity. During filming for Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Quigley somehow found out Davis was a virgin which became a topic of extreme importance to the dance captain, the complaint says. Quigley would often bring it up in conversations, mentioned it in interviews and later posted about it on social media, broadcasting an intensely personal detail about (Davis) to the world, the complaint says. The dancer said she never gave Quigley permission to publicly share this information. Lizzo apologizes and changes lyrics to song Grrrls after criticism of ableist slur Hip-hop star Lizzo dazzles as Vogue magazines October cover girl - and makes history Watch Lizzo perform with centuries-old crystal flute owned by James Madison. Iconic Miriam Merinos life might cause anyone to think she enjoyed the best of Miami-Dade County. On her $400,000 real estate salary, she said she could afford weekly dinners at The River Oyster Bar and the latest $6,500 Santa Cruz Tallboy Mountain bike to ride on her next adventure in Costa Ricas Vuelta al Lago Arenal or Oleta River State Park in Miami. She traveled around the globe and owned two condos outright in Miami. For the Cuban-born 59-year-old whose family escaped Fidel Castros Communist regime in 1968, Merino had made it big in Miami. But in recent years, her quality of life declined. The citys allure had faded. Traffic became impossible. People that came in were disrespectful. The developers get whatever they want, Merino said. It became a pirate town. Whoever has more money, wins. With $1 million in her pocket from the sale of her condos, Merino left in April after 40 years in Miami for San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. She bought a 700-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium for $150,000. She continues to work remotely doing real estate consulting for a firm in Miami. Despite the wave of outsiders who relocated to Florida during the pandemic, Miami-Dade County actually saw a net decrease in population from 2020 to 2022, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau figures. The newcomers were outnumbered by those departing by a margin not seen since the throes of the Great Recession that began in late 2007. While Florida grew by 3% during that period, Miami-Dades population actually dropped by 1%, or 28,000 people, and Monroe Countys fell by 1.41% percent, or 1,200 people. Broward and Palm Beach counties reported net population increases of 0.14% and 1.76%, respectively. The trends arent glaring, with Dades decrease and the population increases in Broward and Palm Beach counties falling within the Census Bureaus 2% margin of error. But given South Floridas steady pandemic influx of newcomers, the drop in Miami-Dade is surprising. Story continues Broward and Palm Beach seem to be holding on. Miami-Dade right now is just viewed as this costly county and difficult place to get around, said noted South Florida housing expert Ned Murray. Murray, associate director of the Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center at Florida International University, said he expects many more people to move out of Miami-Dade, especially those looking to buy a home in todays fraught housing market. More decadeslong residents, and some of them born-and-bred Miamians, want out like Merino. The Miami Herald spoke with people who have departed for near and far, others who are determined to move and two residents contemplating the decision, to understand why longtimers would leave. They painted a picture of Miami-Dade as a county, where homes and most goods are overpriced, and a place with lackluster urban planning and subpar public transportation. Residents interviewed on the way out of Miami-Dade cited the historic home sale prices and soaring apartment rents as among the primary reasons. In June, the county reported a record median sales price of $622,500 for single-family homes and $418,000 for condos. Furthermore, the pandemic proved to be grueling years for many county residents, a period when the cost of living, including housing, priced out many people and replaced them with a nomad crowd of remote workers and well-heeled professionals from across the country and globe. How long will this Miami stage last? Residents opting to leave dont have the patience to find out. Miami sheds, while Florida gains 700,000 residents As of July 2022, Miami-Dade had 2.67 million residents, a drop of 27,925 people from 2.7 million people in April 2020. That population drop was the largest among Floridas 67 counties. By comparison during the same period, Broward gained 2,650 residents for a total of 1.95 million and Palm Beach County added 26,279 residents to reach 1.52 million. Like Miami-Dade, the Florida Keys, in Monroe County, absorbed a 1% population loss to a total of 81,708 residents. As a whole, Florida welcomed 706,597 newcomers from the start of pandemic in spring of 2020 to July 2022, increasing its population to 22.24 million or 3%. It was among the fastest-growing states over that time. Polk County, in the central area of the state, and Lee and Pasco counties on the southwest coast, saw the biggest population gains, ranging from 46,897 new residents to 62,363. You feel like youre getting robbed Victor Calonje, 44, and his 34-year-old wife Katherine Calonje, 34, grew up in Miami-Dade. Victor came during the 1980s from Nicaragua, and Katherine during the 1990s from New Jersey. The couple met 14 years ago and decided to buy a place when they expected their first baby. They landed a 1,200-square-foot condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms in Kendall. In 2015, it cost them $245,000. Years later, after welcoming their second child, the Calonje family wanted more. They thought they could afford a bigger lifestyle, with graduate degrees under their belts and a $160,000 household income. He worked in the compliance department at an engineering firm and she oversaw content management for a national healthcare firm. The Calonjes started their home search in 2020 with a $450,000 budget, after selling one of two cars and saving by restricting family outings to park visits. They thought those sacrifices and that buying budget would be enough to purchase their dream house. So, they searched as near as Westchester, South Miami, Doral, Homestead and their own Kendall for a renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family home. They expanded the search to Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa. All they found affordable in those locales at their budget were fixer-uppers that required too much work and cost too much money. Its like me selling you a car for a high price. You feel like youre getting robbed, Victor Calonjes said. Its not like a business deal, where I feel good and they [the sellers] feel good. I want to take that money and go elsewhere. That elsewhere is somewhere in Texas. After multiple trips, the Calonjes said they were set on moving sometime this summer to Houston or nearby Katy, where they can afford a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a large backyard in a master-planned community with a pool, park and recreational center. All of that for around $300,000. The big move will come with big sacrifices. They leave behind their family, including Victors parents, who are both in their 80s, and friends. What can you do, man? The alternative is stay here, bust your butt and do nothing. Were leaving the family, but youre also making progress for the next generation. Our parents didnt come here for us to stay stagnant, he said. I want to make progress so when its my time to go we can make progress, so I can leave something for my kids. Katherine Calonje said Texas will give her and Victor the chance to offer their four-year-old and seven-year-old daughters the life shes been dreaming for them. Weve done enough where we can say were proud of our salaries, we can do a lot with our salary but not here, she said of Miami-Dade. Murray said most of the countys residents are renters aspiring to buy. Theyd have to earn $150,000 a year to afford a $500,000 home. Its tough luck, the housing expert said, since only 7% of Miami-Dade households can afford that home price tag. And being priced out of the countys housing market is just one thing. Murray said the cost of living an evening out at a restaurant, gas, groceries have all gone up sharply the past few years. The wealth migration coming in since 2020, he said, has greatly contributed to Miami having one of the highest cost-of-living increases in the country during the first half of 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And local wages just arent keeping up. When you get a $500 increase in rent last year, you try to make it work, but you realize over a period of time it just doesnt work, especially if you have children. I think theres a bit of a delayed effect. At some point people just get up and leave all together, FIUs Murray said. Migration to paradise It was during the severe U.S. economic downturn from late 2007 to 2009, when Miami-Dade last experienced a big net loss in population, University of Miami urban planning professor Robin Bachin said. At that time, Florida had the highest rate of foreclosures in the nation during the latter part of the recession, and even years later. A big chunk of the states foreclosure activity in that housing crunch during the downturn was in South Florida. Because of COVID-19, people in finance and tech recognize the ability to work remotely and have resettled here from higher-priced markets like San Francisco and New York. They are coming with higher wages, said Bachin, who specializes her research in the intersection of urban and environmental history. The fact that we have people coming from across the country and bringing with them high salaries has exacerbated the rising cost of living [in Miami-Dade]. First, executives came right before and during the pandemic that began in March 2020, lured by loose pandemic restrictions, zero local and state income taxes and warm climate. Soon, corporations followed, relocating headquarters or opening new Miami offices, including Canadas largest wealth-management company CI Financial, private equity giants Blackstone and Thoma Bravo, and hedge fund investment firm Citadel. Many scooped up high-priced real estate in Miami-Dade. That ratcheted up competition for the depleted housing stock, while some professionals chose to drop millions in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches in Broward, or in Palm Beach County where their money could go farther. Overwhelmed by noise The same factors remote work and an increasing number of Brightline train station stops that made South Florida appealing to out-of-state homebuyers also influenced longtime Miami-Dade residents itching for a change. Husband and wife 79-year-old David and 62-year-old Rhonda Rosenberg are longtime Miamians looking for a different lifestyle. After moving from Manhattan 30 years ago, they first lived in Pinecrest. An author, David has written 23 books about religion and five anthologies. Rhonda is a professor at FIU and an investigator for the National Institutes of Health on HIV prevention studies. As true Manhattanites, they desired a walkable community filled with plenty to do on the weekends and so they moved to Miamis Edgewater neighborhood. It had a wide array of restaurants, small businesses, the waterfront Margaret Pace Park, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. They never were bothered by the congested traffic on Biscayne Boulevard and the daytime cacophony of construction work on yet another high-rise in the trendy area. Edgewater was their slice of urban paradise, so they decided six years ago to trade an apartment rental for their own two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on the 37th floor at The Grand at 1717 N. Bayshore Drive. The Rosenbergs were confident in their decision to buy in Edgewater long after their condo purchase. Their weekends were spent frequenting the Arsht Center for a concert or ballet and lounging on their balcony with a glass of wine. They spent as much time on that balcony as they did inside their apartment, looking at Biscayne Bay with the Julia Tuttle Causeway in the distance. They listen to the same soundtrack that always played over Margaret Pace Park, one of tennis matches, laughter and parrots squawking as they flew by. It was perfection, until it wasnt one day. In 2015, a developer brought an eatery into part of the Miami Womens Club building at 1737 N. Bayshore Drive, next door to the Rosenbergs high-rise. After renovating the building and parking lot, developer Heafey Group subleased its space to the restaurant Klaw, a pricey seafood restaurant flying in its king crab from Norway. The restaurant brought a surprise, a noise like if you were grinding a knife, David Rosenberg said that lingers throughout the day. Its due to the HVAC mechanical system located in a structure constructed to house the equipment on site. Two years since the restaurants opening, the noise continues daily, at a higher pitch at night. The Rosenbergs say theyve been imprisoned inside their condo by the constant grinding sound. No more sipping wine on the balcony. No more leaving the balcony doors open to welcome an ocean breeze. No more seamless access for their cat, a black-and-white shorthair, to stroll outside and perch on the cat tree. Nothing has changed, they say, despite raising concerns along with neighbors, blaming in part Miami-Dades zoning policies. Carmine Zayoun, vice president of the Heafey Group, said by email, In order for us to comply with various requirements to restore this landmark property, various systems were added, including the chiller system to which the Rosenbergs are attributing an increase in noise emanating from The Miami Womens Club. The Rosenbergs are begrudgingly considering a move to Boca Raton in southern Palm Beach County, another walkable community with highlights like Mizner Park, stricter building codes and noise-pollution restrictions. When they miss Miami, he said, they can hop on a Brightline train for the hour ride to the city. A small price to pay for peaceful and quiet living, they said. It [Boca] doesnt divorce us from Miami, he said. We can still go to all of the concerts and go home on the train and open the windows on our balcony and it will be quiet. The Rosenbergs view of Boca Raton also explains some other Miami-Dade residents opting for a move to Broward or Palm Beach counties. For years, Broward has been drawing homebuyers in search of a cheaper destination than Miami-Dade. Housing expert Murray said, In both those counties [Broward and Palm Beach], you have many more choices of where to live. ... Its those choices, and more choices also to getting a job in closer proximity to where you can find an apartment or home. Population loss fallout Christine Michaels, 44, an entrepreneur and small business consultant who moved to Brickell about 20 years ago, is ready to relocate. A native of Titusville, a 20-minute drive from the Kennedy Space Center, she said shes found Miamis development to be poorly planned and its public officials unprepared to handle the citys exploding growth. Also, she sees transportation as another serious problem. Driving a car typically gets you stuck in traffic jams, but then again theres not enough stops on the Metromover. They need to plan more Metromovers. They havent thought this through, Michaels said. Prior to Miami, I lived in Maryland, a community that planned for growth. Thats smart planning. We got to do that here. Thats where I learned a lot of governments are reactive instead of proactive. Planned communities like Weston [in Broward, 30 miles northwest of Miami] are great communities. You know your community is going to grow. How are you going to plan for transportation? Tampa is calling her name, Michaels said. There, she said, people are friendlier than Miami and communities are well planned. Prior to Miami, I lived in Maryland, a community that planned for growth. Thats smart planning, says Christine Michaels. She intends to move somewhere on the southwest coast of Florida. I want to stay in my home state. I love the arts and cultures, but itll come to the west coast, Michaels said. Greater investments in homebuilding, public transit For now, Miami-Dades net population loss doesnt concern Rod Miller, new CEO of the Beacon Council, the countys economic development arm tasked with recruiting and retaining businesses. He says other cities nationwide face a similar issue. And that is true. Big cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, are losing plenty of residents. The shrinking populations are primarily due to housing shortages and skyrocketing rental and home sales prices, said Christopher Ptomey, the former executive director of the Terwilliger Center for Housing at the Washington, D.C.-based, global nonprofit Urban Land Institute. Housing costs are having a spillover effect in people choosing to move, Ptomey. Businesses are deciding to leave [those cities] since their employees have trouble finding housing or need to pay them more. Miller said if Miami-Dades population decline persists for 10 to 15 years then thatll be a cause for concern. That could cause trouble for Miami-Dades entire economy. For small and large businesses, he said, it could lead to owners and executives having to raise wages and labor shortages, an occurrence already happening in trendy areas like Edgewater and Miami Beach. Those corporate expansions and Miami relocations that have drawn high-income earners and well-paying jobs in fields like tech, finance and law would dry up. Executives depend on steady population growth to help fill job openings. Most of the people were losing [now] are a byproduct of the affordability challenge and those who have been here for many years, Miller, the Beacon Council leader, said. For Miami-Dade County to continue on a path of [economic] growth, weve got to make sure its a community accessible for people of different incomes. In order to retain and attract residents, he said, Miami-Dade will have to invest more money in expanding its public transportation networks and adding to its depleted housing stock. When you look at this downturn you have to address the infrastructure and housing, but you also have to create an ecosystem where companies can scale up and remain here in Miami-Dade County, Miller said. Meanwhile, nearly three months after getting the keys to her new home in Costa Rica, Merino has no regrets about her relocation from Miami where shed lived since 1982, lastly in Brickell. I couldnt believe I didnt do this earlier, she said one July afternoon from her condo overlooking a slice of the Rio Torres Interurban Biological Corridor. The Scene OSKALOOSA, Iowa Pat Scanlon saw Ron DeSantis for the second time on Friday, at a town hall meeting inside Smokey Row Coffee. The 67-year old Iowan showed up in an unofficial DeSantis T-shirt, praising the governors good record in Florida, his character, and his bluntness. He would be caucusing for Donald Trump. If things dont work out for him, Ron DeSantis is a good second choice, said Scanlon. I could support Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, or Larry Elder. Not Chris Christie. Its a common sentiment among Iowa Republicans right now voters who have the clout to change the direction of the GOP presidential primary, and arent too interested in doing so. One week before the Iowa State Fair, and three weeks before the first RNC-sanctioned debate, Trump remains fully in command of the race. Trumps highest-polling rivals refuse to criticize the former president over his legal problems, even with more indictments looming. At Fridays Iowa GOP dinner, where ex-Texas Rep. Will Hurd courted boos for accusing Trump of running to stay out of prison, no other candidate echoed his argument, and several distanced themselves from the criticism. I had the impression, almost the day we left office, that my former running mate was planning on running for re-election, former Vice President Mike Pence told reporters on Saturday, after a roundtable with first responders in the town of Nevada. I had a sense that that was his intention, long before some of the present controversies materialized. Some candidates are talking even less about the front-runner than they did weeks or months ago. At the dinner, where candidates were limited to speaking for 10 minutes, Nikki Haley avoided her oft-told line about the GOP failing to win the popular vote in all but one 21st century election. (Hurd used a version of that line.) The last time most of the candidates shared a stage, at Junes Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, commentator Larry Elder suggested that Trump had alienated some voters who might otherwise support Republicans. That idea was missing from Elders Iowa speech, replaced by praise for Trump. Story continues When I ran for governor of California, Joe Biden flew in and said Larry Elder was the closest thing to a Donald Trump clone Ive ever seen, Elder said. Now, was I supposed to be insulted by that? To that charge, I plead guilty. Davids view The Republican field is in this, ostensibly, to win the presidency not to help members of the media write conflict stories. And all of these candidates have three weeks before the televised debate, which Trump might skip. But that, in itself, is a story about Trump devouring the primary without effective resistance from the other Republicans. Candidates counting on a breakthrough moment in Milwaukee might still get overshadowed if the man leading lapping them in every Iowa poll doesnt show up. The candidates are getting the same feedback as reporters and pollsters: A decent number of Republicans do want to move on from Trump, but theyre outnumbered by MAGA conservatives; persuadable Republicans are divided between their alternatives; and all Republican voters are told every few days that Trump is an innocent man being attacked by the deep states legal apparatus because Democrats fear him the most. Before and after the party dinner, it was DeSantis, not Trump, taking the most incoming from other candidates. Mike Pence kicked it off, attacking the Florida governor for suggesting that hed sic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the FDA or CDC an opportunity for Pence to promise that he would appoint only anti-abortion people to healthcare and cabinet roles. Is there an upside in getting to Trumps right on policy in this primary, or to DeSantiss right? Not obviously. DeSantis, as he pointed out in New Hampshire today, is the only 2024 candidate whos signed a law banning abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy. Why was he pointing that out? Because, in an interview with Megyn Kelly, hed evaded a question on whether hed push for a 15-week limit at the federal level, a litmus test that Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America had been asking for, and the group immediately asked why hed gone wobbly echoing DeSantis rivals like South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, whod had little to say about Trump refusing to support a federal ban. A pro-life president has a duty to protect the lives of all Americans. He should be the National Defender of Life, SBA president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. Gov. DeSantiss dismissal of this task is unacceptable to prolife voters. The DeSantis campaign responded that the attack was unjustified and that it does not kowtow to DC interest groups. The problem, which unfolds every day in this primary, is that Trumps rivals have watched him absorb attacks on his ethics and policy failures without losing his connection to the GOP base. DeSantis still the rival polling closest to Trump, nationally and in Iowa has proven to be easier to attack. Every day that Trump dominates the race, the cost of crossing him, for some interest group or conservative politician, increases; the potential benefit of attacking one of his challengers increases as well. And with not much separating the candidates on policy, thats what happened in Iowa. Theyll all be back next week. Room for Disagreement A recent focus group of conservative evangelicals in Iowa conducted by Frank Luntz found major concerns with Trump, even as few seemed settled in their vote. Its at least possible theres some share of Republicans telling pollsters they support Trump as a protest against his indictments, but who may be amenable to another candidate whether DeSantis or someone else when popular interest in the race is at its peak, campaigns are on the airwaves, and people are parsing their choices more closely. Notable The New York Times/Siena College poll is the latest to find Republican voters largely unmoved by Trumps legal problems. Just 13% of GOP voters think Trump has committed serious crimes; Ruth Igielnik and Maggie Haberman report that 17 percent of voters who prefer him over President Biden agree that Trumps a criminal. A federal grand jury probing efforts to block the transition of power following the 2020 election could soon return an indictment against former President Trump. The grand jury has tended to meet Tuesdays and Thursdays. Several recent signals suggest an indictment is imminent, and Trump himself predicted that charges could come any day now. I assume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his highly partisan gang of Thugs, pertaining to my PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech, will be coming out any day now, as yet another attempt to cover up all the bad news about bribes, payoffs, and extortion, coming from the Biden camp. This seems to be the way they do it. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT! Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. So far, an indictment has not surfaced in the investigation, but signs point to one looming. Expectations of charges in the probe have grown ever since Trump publicly indicated that he received a target letter from the Justice Department. The letters are typically sent when prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against an individual. In the classified documents case, prosecutors sent Trump a target letter 20 days before he was indicted, court filings show. Trump has said he received a target letter in the Jan. 6 probe July 16, just over two weeks ago. Adding to the anticipation, Trumps attorneys huddled Thursday with special counsel Jack Smiths office as the grand jury was meeting in Washington, D.C. A similar meeting occurred between Trumps attorneys and prosecutors in the classified documents case June 5, just three days before a grand jury voted on charges. Trumps legal battles took a twist later Thursday, however, as Smiths office unveiled a superseding indictment in the classified documents case in Florida. Prosecutors revealed one new charge of willful retention of documents and two new obstruction charges, accusing the former president of working with two aides to attempt to delete surveillance footage at Mar-a-Lago. Story continues One of the aides, Walt Nauta, was already charged in the case, but prosecutors Thursday also added Carlos De Oliveira, the second worker, as a co-defendant. Trump has repeatedly lambasted Smith in recent days after the new round of charges, and the former presidents attacks have continued as attention returns to grand jury activity in D.C. this week. Media organizations have parked satellite trucks outside D.C.s federal courthouse, where the grand jury meets, and reporters have been staking out the closed-door proceedings. Beyond the Jan. 6 probe, another indictment is potentially looming in Georgia, where Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) has advised court officials she could bring charges in the high-profile case in roughly the first half of August. The work is accomplished. Weve been working for two-and-a-half years. Were ready to go, Willis told 11Alive on Saturday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow were murdered by Lori Vallow Daybell An Idaho mother in a doomsday cult has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering her two youngest children and conspiring in the murder of her husband's former wife. Lori Vallow Daybell, 50, was found guilty of first-degree murder and multiple conspiracy charges in May. Vallow killed her son Joshua "JJ" Vallow, seven, and daughter Tylee Ryan, 16. Their bodies were found buried at her husband Chad Daybell's home in 2020. On Monday, Judge Steven Boyce sentenced Vallow to three consecutive life terms without parole for the murders. "The most unimaginable type of murder is to have a mother murdering her own children, and that's exactly what you did," Judge Boyce said. Emotional testimony from the children's relatives was heard in court at the sentencing. "Tylee and JJ brought so much light into this world," Colby Ryan, their older brother, said in a victim impact statement read by prosecutors. "I want them to be remembered for who they were and not to be just a spectacle or a headline to the world." Chad Daybell is also charged with murder over the children's death and the death of his ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, weeks before he married Vallow. His trial is scheduled for early next year. Mr Daybell is an author who has written several apocalyptic novels loosely based on Mormon religious teachings. Vallow and Mr Daybell are thought to have met through their involvement in a movement that promoted preparing for the end of the world. In late 2019, Vallow relocated with JJ and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho, close to where Mr Daybell lived. Shortly afterwards, Tammy Daybell died. Lori Daybell and Chad Daybell Following a December 2019 post-mortem examination that revealed Tammy Daybell had died by asphyxiation, JJ's grandparents called police to request they check up on the seven-year-old. The call launched a nationwide manhunt for both JJ and Tylee, after police learned they had not been seen for weeks. Vallow denies killing her children. Story continues She told the court on Monday she had spoken to Jesus and that her children and Tammy Daybell were "happy and extremely busy" in heaven. "Jesus Christ knows that no-one was murdered in this case," Vallow said. She also said the spirits of the three victims often visited her and had told her she "didn't do anything wrong". Bonneville County Public Defender John Thomas said Vallow is a "very misunderstood person" who is "about love". But Kay Woodcock, JJ's grandmother, said: "Lori is a monster that has not taken any responsibility or shown an ounce of remorse for her vile actions." An Idaho mother who is accused of killing her two children and conspiring to kill her husbands first wife was motivated by money, power and sex, prosecutors said as opening statements in her trial began Monday, according to CNN affiliate East Idaho News. Lori Vallow Daybell is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of conspiracy in the deaths as well as grand theft for collecting government benefits on behalf of her children after they were killed, the indictment states. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Jury selection took place last week. Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake told the jury on Monday that Vallow Daybell used money, power, and sex to get what she wanted. It didnt matter what it was, East Idaho News reported. This courtroom sketch, from left, depicts Madison County prosecutor Rob Wood, Lori Vallow Daybell and defense attorney Jim Archibald during opening statements of Vallow Daybell's murder trial in Boise, Idaho, Monday. - Lisa Cheney/Pool/East Idaho News The sensational case, featured in a Netflix true-crime documentary last year, involves the deaths of a number of family members and claims Vallow Daybell and her husband had apocalyptic religious beliefs. Two of Vallow Daybells children from previous marriages, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, were last seen on different days in September 2019. Shortly after that, she married Chad Daybell, whose first wife Tammy Daybell had died several weeks prior. The defendant will remove any obstacle in her way to get what she wants and she wanted Chad Daybell, Blake said, according to East Idaho News. Daybell and Vallow Daybell called themselves James and Elaina and believed they were religious figures and had a system of rating people as light or dark, the prosecutor told jurors. Jim Archibald, an attorney for Vallow Daybell, painted a different picture Monday, saying in court: The evidence will show Lori was a kind and loving mother. The evidence will show Lori had an interest in religion especially the end of times. Some people could care less about biblical prophecies, some people care a lot about it. Thankfully in this country we get the freedom to choose, said Archibald, according to the East Idaho News report. Story continues Archibald told the jury that prosecutors dont have enough evidence to prove Vallow Daybells guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Did she kill or did she assist or did she encourage or did she command? They (prosecutors) arent sure what happened but they want you to be sure, Archibald told the jury, according to East Idaho News. The remains of Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, and his sister Tylee Ryan, 17, were found on their stepfather's Idaho property in June 2020, authorities said. - Rexburg Police Department In late November 2019, relatives asked police in Rexburg to do a welfare check on JJ because they hadnt talked to him recently. Police didnt find him at the familys house but did see Vallow Daybell and Daybell, who said JJ was staying with a family friend in Arizona, according to authorities. When police returned the next day to serve a search warrant, the couple was gone. They were ultimately found in Hawaii in January 2020. In June 2020, law enforcement officials found the remains of Tylee and JJ on Daybells property in Fremont County, Idaho, and Vallow Daybell and Daybell were indicted on murder charges in May 2021. You will hear it described as a mass of bone and tissue, Blake said during opening statements Monday, describing how Tylees remains were found. Thats what was left of this beautiful young woman. The defendants daughter, Blake said, according to East Idaho News. JJs body was wrapped in a plastic bag, according to Blake. Daybell, Vallow Daybell and her brother Alex Cox conspired to kill the children and Daybells first wife, the indictment states. Vallow Daybell and Daybell did endorse and teach religious beliefs for the purpose of justifying the killings of JJ, Tylee, and Tammy Daybell, the indictment notes. In particular, Daybell and Vallow Daybell exchanged texts about Tammy Daybell being in Limbo and being possessed by a spirit named Viola, according to the indictment. Those close to the couple said they had been involved in strong religious ideologies. JJ Vallows grandmother, Kay Woodcock, was the first witness to take the stand Monday, testifying that her regular phone calls with her grandson dropped off after the death of Vallow Daybells ex-husband, Charles Vallow, East Idaho News reported. The grandmother said the last conversation she had with JJ Vallow was on August 10, 2019, when she spoke to him during a short call that lasted less than a minute. She said she attempted over the next few months to contact her grandson, but never got any response from Vallow Daybell. Arizona police released body camera footage from January 2019 of Vallow Daybells ex-husband saying he could not get in touch with the children. He said their marriage had rapidly deteriorated and she thinks shes a resurrected being and a god. In addition, Daybell was connected to a religious doomsday prepper website which describes itself as a series of lecture events focusing on self-reliance and personal preparation. The publishers of the site said they decided to pull content featuring either Daybell or Vallow Daybell in light of the childrens disappearance. Vallow Daybell was initially ruled not mentally fit to stand trial, but a judge reversed the determination last year. Daybells trial will be held separately. Vallow Daybell wont face the death penalty if convicted, a judge ruled last month. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Vallow Daybell has separately been charged in Arizona with conspiracy to commit murder in the July 2019 death of her estranged husband Charles Vallow. He was fatally shot by her brother Alex Cox, who later died in December 2019. CNN has reached out to prosecutors regarding those charges. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Tammy Daybells marital status with Chad Daybell when she was murdered. They were still married. It also gave the wrong age for Tylee Ryan. She was 16 at the time of her death. CNNs Mitchell McCluskey contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jurors began deliberating Thursday after closing arguments in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell, the Idaho mother accused of killing her two children and conspiring in the murder of her husbands first wife, according to CNN affiliate East Idaho News. Vallow Daybell, who has pleaded not guilty, faces life in prison if convicted on two counts of first degree murder and three counts of conspiracy in the 2019 deaths of her children from previous marriages Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, 7 as well as Tammy Daybell, the former wife of Chad Daybell who died in her sleep several weeks before he married Vallow Daybell. Vallow Daybell is also charged with grand theft on suspicion of changing bank accounts to collect Social Security benefits on behalf of her children after they were killed, the May 2021 indictment showed. The case was the subject of a 2022 Netflix true-crime documentary. What does justice for these victims require? It requires a conviction on every count, said Madison County prosecuting attorney Rob Wood during Thursdays closing arguments in Boise, Idaho. You must convict her, Wood said at the Ada County Courthouse as images of Vallow Daybells children and Tammy Daybell were displayed on a screen, East Idaho News reported. Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, was also accused in the conspiracy to commit the murders, according to the indictment. Cox, who died in December 2019, shot and killed Vallow Daybells estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in July 2019. Vallow Daybell faces a separate conspiracy charge in Arizona for Vallows murder. Chad Daybell, who is being tried separately in relation to the deaths, was charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction; alteration or concealment of evidence; and two felony counts of destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence. Daybell pleaded not guilty to the charges. In June 2020, law enforcement discovered the remains of his stepchildren in his backyard in Fremont County, Idaho. Story continues People who knew the couple, who married shortly after Vallow Daybells children were last seen in September 2019, have described them as having extreme religious beliefs and being doomsday cult members, according to East Idaho News. The couple did endorse and espouse religious beliefs for the purpose of justifying or encouraging the killings of the children and Tammy Daybell, the May 2021 indictment states. Judge denies motion to acquit Vallow Daybell In the four-week trial that began April 10, prosecutors rested their case against Vallow Daybell Tuesday after calling about 60 witnesses, including dozens of law enforcement officers and an FBI agent who obtained access to Vallow Daybells iCloud account, CNN affiliates KIVI-TV and KBOI-TV reported. The online account revealed thousands of text messages from Vallow Daybell to her husband, her brother and others, according to KBOI-TV. Text exchanges between the accused couple appeared to show a premeditated plan to kill Tammy Daybell and the children including discussion of the percentage of life left in two of the victims before their deaths, FBI Special Agent Douglas Hart said during testimony. The remains of Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, and his sister Tylee Ryan, 16, were found on their stepfather's Idaho property in June 2020, authorities said. - Rexburg Police Department No one here thinks Lori actually killed anyone, thats why shes being charged with conspiracy, Jim Archibald, Vallow Daybells attorney, said Thursday. If you find her guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope. If you find her not guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope, Archibald said, according to East Idaho News. Before also resting their case Tuesday, the defense made a motion called Rule 29 seeking judgment of acquittal before the case is handed to the jury. Defense attorneys maintained there wasnt sufficient evidence to warrant the charges against Vallow Daybell, according to KBOI-TV. Judge Steven Boyce denied the Rule 29 motion on all counts Thursday. Tylee, JJ and Tammy cant tell us what happened, Wood said during closing arguments, but their bodies do. JJ Vallows June 2020 autopsy determined the child suffocated from a plastic bag over his head and duct tape over his mouth, according to a forensic pathologist. The expert added that Tylee Ryan died by homicide by unspecified means. CNNs Eric Levenson and Emma Tucker contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Alexander Lukashenko Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said he was merely "joking" when he suggested that the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) mercenaries were eager to invade Poland, Belarusian state news agency BELTA reported on Aug. 1. Lukashenko had previously raised concerns during a meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, alleging that the Wagner fighters "worried him" due to their supposed plans to attack Poland. Read also: Putin is unable to invade Ukrainian ports, we will simply sink his fleet Zelenskyy According to BELTA, Lukashenko stated that he had "joked that the Wagner mercenaries were whispering among themselves: let's go sightseeing in Rzeszow [Poland]. Lukashenko further said that Polish authorities should be thankful to him for keeping Wagner mercenaries in check and contained in Belarus. There are more than just a thousand [Wagner fighters]; I don't even want to disclose the number, he said. Read also: Polish ambassador summoned over officials comments that Ukraine is ungrateful Today, they have over 30,000 people under their command. These are guys primed for war and with a chip on their shoulder. Many are wounded or dead. Will they forgive? They won't... So, let them [the Poles] hope that we continue to contain and somehow provide for them. Otherwise, they could infiltrate Poland and cause trouble in both Rzeszow and Warsaw... Instead of accusations, they should thank me. Read also: New Wagner location discovered in Belarus, mercenaries using old military warehouses On July 20, Poland's Defense Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, announced that his country had deployed a part of its forces to the eastern border following the arrival of the Wagner PMC mercenaries in Belarus. Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, stated that his country would support Poland in the event of an attack by the Wagner PMC from Belarus. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, admitted to lying about the mercenaries of the Wagner group wanting to invade Poland. Source: BelTA, a Belarusian news outlet, citing Lukashenko Lukashenko claims he "joked" about the intentions of Russian mercenaries who moved to Belarus after the failed rebellion in the Russian Federation to go "on a tour to Rzeszow". Quote: "I joked that the Wagner fighters were whispering to each other: we are going on a tour to Rzeszow. Why? Because the equipment and weapons were going from Rzeszow to where these Wagnerites were fighting near Bakhmut. Thousands of their boys died there. And they [Wagner Group fighters] will not forgive that," the self-proclaimed Belarusian president said. Lukashenko believes that Polish authorities should thank him for the fact that "we invited these fighters to us [Belarus]". Lukashenko did not specify how many mercenaries are on the territory of Belarus, but, according to him, the Wagner Group allegedly has 30,000 militants under its control. "Therefore, let them pray that we keep and provide for them. Otherwise, without us, they would have infiltrated and hit Rzeszow and Warsaw so there'd be hell to pay. Therefore, there is no need to blame me, they should thank me," Lukashenko says. Background: At the end of July, Lukashenko said that the Wagner Private Military Company fighters are "stressing him out" because they want to attack Poland. Before that, Belarus announced the start of joint drills with the Wagner Group fighters at the Brest training ground, which is close to the Polish border. According to the State Border Service of Ukraine, approximately 5,000 Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group had arrived in Belarus as of 22 July. Poland is said to be in talks with Latvia and Lithuania on how to respond to the presence of mercenaries, and the three countries may close their borders with Belarus if necessary. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland said on Tuesday it was rushing troops to its eastern border after accusing Belarus, Russia's closest ally, of violating its airspace with military helicopters. The Belarusian military denied any such violation and accused NATO member Poland, one of Ukraine's most fervent backers in its conflict with Russia, of making up the accusation to justify a buildup of its troops. Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko had earlier taunted Poland over the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries near their joint border. Poland's Defence Ministry said it was sending "additional forces and resources, including combat helicopters". It said it had informed NATO of the border violation and Belarus' charge d'affaires had been summoned to provide an explanation. The Polish military initially denied any border violation had occurred but later, after consultations, said the intrusion took place "at a very low height, hard to intercept by radar". Belarus' defence ministry, writing on Telegram, said Warsaw had changed its mind about the incident "apparently after consulting its overseas masters". "This statement was not backed up by data from Poland," it said. "The Belarusian Defence Ministry views it in the manner of an 'old wives' tale' and notes there were no border violations by Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters." Residents of areas near the eastern Polish city of Bialowieza, close to the Belarus border, shared accounts on social media of what they said were border violations before the defence minister issued its statement. HISTORY OF ANIMOSITY Belarus has allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to use its territory as a launch pad for the Ukraine invasion, but Lukashenko has not committed his own troops to the war. The ex-Soviet state has a long history of animosity with Poland, as does Russia. Last week, Putin accused Poland of harbouring territorial ambitions on Belarus and said it would consider any attack on its neighbour as an attack on itself. Story continues Earlier on Tuesday, Lukashenko mockingly told Poland it should thank him for keeping in check Wagner mercenaries now stationed in Belarus after an abortive mutiny against the Kremlin last month. An unspecified number of the Wagner fighters have since moved to Belarus and begun training Lukashenko's army. Poland had already started moving more than 1,000 of its own troops closer to the border. Lukashenko joked at a meeting with Putin last month that some of the fighters were keen to press into Poland and "go on a trip to Warsaw and Rzeszow". State news agency Belta quoted him on Tuesday as saying that the Poles "should pray that we're holding onto (the Wagner fighters) and providing for them. Otherwise, without us, they would have seeped through and smashed up Rzeszow and Warsaw in no small way. So they shouldn't reproach me, they should say thank you." Rzeszow is a city near the Ukrainian border. On Saturday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said a group of 100 Wagner fighters had moved closer to the Belarusian city of Grodno near the Polish border, describing the situation as "increasingly dangerous". (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan, Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, Max Rodionov and Ron Popeski, Editing by Gareth Jones and Bill Berkrot) Scottsdale, Arizona, has won ground against the drought in the western U.S. by banning front lawns for all newly constructed single-family homes, CNN reported. In early July, the Scottsdale City Council came to a unanimous agreement about the measure, CNN said. The Council had previously collected data from local Scottsdale Water customers, 86% of whom supported the new policy. Arizona has been at the head of the anti-lawn movement, as the states desert climate highlights the problems with traditional turf grass. Grass needs to be watered regularly to stay alive, which is expensive and bad for water conservation. The more scarce water is in an area naturally, the more water a lawn needs, running up the utility bill for residents of drought-stricken areas. Even in areas with lots of water, grass needs regular mowing, lots of fertilizer, and pesticide, all of which cost homeowners time and money. The runoff from the chemicals is bad for the environment, while grass itself provides no food or shelter for most local wildlife, including pollinators. For all of these reasons, drought-friendly lawn alternatives are cheaper to maintain and better for the environment. Homeowners can get low-maintenance landscaping designs that are beautiful and full of character by working with companies like Yardzen, or they can simply plant native species on their own. Thats what future Scottsdale residents will need to do starting on August 15, CNN reported. By adopting this ordinance, Scottsdale aims to lead the way in water conservation practices, setting an example for other communities across the region, said Scottsdale Waters executive director Brian Biesemeyer in a press release from the city. Scottsdale has previously saved about 657 million gallons of water through other conservation measures, CNN reported. Other parts of Arizona have also joined the effort. Phoenix imposed new water-saving requirements on developers, and the state has prohibited new single-family homes that rely on wells in Maricopa County. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. An Oklahoma man allegedly killed his ex-wife and kidnapped the 5-year-old son they shared, months after the woman had filed a protective order warning police of his behavior. Chase Ainsworth, 34, was arrested on Friday for first-degree murder in connection to the death of his 31-year-old ex-wife, Samantha Ainsworth. He was also booked on charges of child stealing after fleeing the scene with their 5-year-old son, Oklahoma City police said in a statement. Samantha Ainsworth via Facebook. Samantha Ainsworth via Facebook. According to an incident report obtained by HuffPost, police responded to a domestic disturbance call on Friday, where they found Samantha Ainsworth collapsed on the floor of her bedroom and covered in blood. According to police, she died after being transported to a hospital. Oklahoma City Police Department Captain Michelle Henderson told local Fox affiliate KOKH-TV thatthe couples 7-year-old daughter was inside the home at time of the alleged murder. Obviously the 7-year-old was very upset, the neighbors who discovered this were very upset, Henderson said. Were just working through information that is very traumatic for everybody involved in these kind of situations. Officers zeroed in on Chase Ainsworth after they received information that he allegedly left the scene with the 5-year-old boy. Oklahoma Highway Patrol issued an immediate advisory declaring the son an at-risk missing person, adding that Chase had been known to use drugs and he was armed with a knife. Police said they located the two the same day, barricaded inside a home about 4.5 miles away from where the mother was found dead. According to the statement, the 5-year-old was found unharmed, and the father was taken into custody. Court records showed the couple, who had been married for about adecade, divorced last year. Following their divorce, Samantha Ainsworth filed for a protective order against Chase Ainsworth in February. He violated the order twice, according to court records. Story continues He first violated on Feb. 24, when he showed at his ex-wifes home. Then, police merely told him to leave because officers could not verify at the time if he had been served the protection order. The next day, on Feb. 25, Samantha Ainsworth called police to report that her ex-husband had attempted to break into her home, according to an affidavit obtained by HuffPost. He also allegedly sent her hundreds of text messages following the break-in. Chase Ainsworth was subsequently charged with stalking. According to court documents cited by local news outlet News 9, one of the text messages he sent his ex-wife said she will continue to be his prophet until I leave this earth. In an email to HuffPost on Tuesday, Cleveland County Clerk Marilyn Williams said no charges have been filed against Chase Ainsworth, but they are expected to be on Friday. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Related... A man who was previously apprehended this year by Customs and Border Patrol in Texas is under arrest for trying to scam a Westport couple out of thousands of dollars, authorities say. Hector Arias-Guzman, 29, of Boston, is charged with conspiracy and attempted larceny. Westport Police say a couple came into the station reporting they got a phone call from a man they believed was trying to defraud them. The suspected scammer identified himself as the couples son and said he needed cash because he had been arrested in Boston for getting into a car crash with a pregnant woman. He allegedly told the couple he was in the hospital with injuries but needed $25,000 for bail money or else he would be sent to jail. The alleged scammer then put another man on the phone who identified himself as the assigned public defender, who corroborated what the first scammer had said, adding that he needed the money within the hour. Authorities say the couple told the public defender they couldnt get that amount of money in an hour, so the caller stated their son could be released for $10,000. After again informing the caller they couldnt cobble together that amount of cash in one hour, the caller negotiated their sons release for $6,000, according to officials. Suspecting the scam, the couple spoke with Detective Sergeant Bryan McCarthy at Westport Police Headquarters. Det. Sgt. McCarthy recognized the name the alleged public defender gave, Mark Cohen, as well as the suspected scammers cell phone number, which he said was consistent with a fraud that happened a week prior. Police told the couple to return home and call back the scammer with instructions for the money delivery. The alleged scammer called back with instructions on how to package the cash and told them a Lyft driver would be collecting the money for delivery to Boston. Officers assembled a surveillance team and followed the Lyft driver to an address in Taunton, where Arias-Guzman allegedly approached the ride-share car and took possession of the package. After a brief foot pursuit, officers apprehended him. Story continues Arias-Guzman will appear in court at a later date. Law enforcement officials are reminding the public to remain vigilant of phone scams. No legitimate business, hospital, police station, or judicial/court department accepts prepaid gift cards, phone cards or cash in an envelope delivered by any ride share company for services rendered, Westport Police wrote in a social media post. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Six police officers removed a man from the Fishers branch of the Hamilton East Public Library in handcuffs last week. The man, a Franklin resident who has worked and lived in Hamilton County, was arrested on a criminal trespass charge after the library's board members asked him to be removed for disrupting a meeting July 27. When he refused officers' request to leave, they placed him under arrest. The Fishers Police Department confirmed Monday that he was transported to the Hamilton County Jail following his arrest. IndyStar doesn't typically name private citizens charged with misdemeanor offenses. HEPL: Library has moved nearly 1,000 teen books so far. Here are 5 of them His court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 3, the man told IndyStar. The Hamilton East Public Library board normally meets in the evening on the fourth Thursday of each month. Many public bodies meet after regular work hours to make attendance easier for citizens. Board members decided to meet at 3 p.m. last month at the suggestion of the boards legal team, so that they might have a calm meeting after previous interruptions, board President Laura Alerding said. The other reason was a board member had a conflict, she said. The man, who was the first speaker in the public comment period at the meeting's end, raised his voice as he took issue with the board policy to move "inappropriate" books from the teen section. He also brought up the board moving its meeting time. New school year: A look at new IPS school principals starting this school year "Change the meeting to anytime you want," the man said. "We will be here." He returned to his seat and threw his books to the ground. Alerding then called for him to be removed for "yelling" and his behavior. Fishers police asked him to leave and he refused. Alerding cited "constant disruptions" when she ended the meeting before any remaining public speakers could talk. After the meeting, she said the board always lets everyone speak who signs up but members have business to do. Rachel Fradette is a suburban education reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hamilton East Public Library: Board has disruptive speaker arrested A North Carolina man who confessed to striking six migrant workers with his car was charged with felony hit-and-run after turning himself into police Monday. Daniel Gonzalez surrendered himself at the Lincolnton Police Department on Monday evening alongside several family members, police said in a press release. Gonzalezs family said he had contacted them after the incident in the Walmart parking lot in Lincolnton, N.C., and told them he had hit the gas by accident and panicked and left the scene. Six migrant workers were injured Sunday when Gonzalez drove over a median in the parking lot and into a grassy area where the migrants were located. They were taken to a nearby hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police had initially said that the incident appeared to be an intentional assault. The Lincolnton Police Department said Monday that Gonzalez was cooperating with detectives and had received a $50,000 bond. The incident occurred nearly four months after an SUV ran over a group of migrants standing outside a homeless shelter in Brownsville, Texas, killing eight people and injuring 10 others. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. [Source] A man in Japan was recently arrested for throwing a dog at a police officer mid-rant. A lost dog: On July 25, a passerby spotted a dog roaming around Hyogo Ward in the city of Kobe, according to local reports. The dog had a collar, but its owner was nowhere to be found. The passerby took the dog to a nearby pet grooming salon, but none of the staff members there recognized it. The police were informed, and an officer sent to the establishment shared that he knew who the pets owner was it turned out that the dog was left unattended in the area before. Speaking to the owner: The officer went to the dogs owners house to inform him about the situation. The 55-year-old man followed the officer to the salon, but he did not want to have anything to do with the animal. More from NextShark: SEVENTEEN release comeback album FML' and new music video I dont need this kind of dog! the man allegedly yelled. Take him to the damn animal shelter! While the man ranted, he picked up his 6-kilogram (approximately 13.2 pounds) dog and threw it at the officer. The aftermath: The dog and the officer were not seriously injured. The animal was reportedly taken into custody at the police station. More from NextShark: American Born Chinese Disney Plus series to be helmed by 'Shang-Chi' director Destin Daniel Cretton Meanwhile, the dogs owner was arrested. He was charged with obstruction of official duties. More from NextShark: American neo-Nazi who racially abused South Asian man in Poland is arrested for hate messages at Auschwitz Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Wife of security guard attacked in Vancouver's Chinatown challenges the mayor to walk its streets Dan Ho pictured after he pulled out to sea and saved. Suffolk County Police Department A 63-year-old man was swept out to sea during a morning swim and forced to tread water for five hours. The man was finally rescued by a fishing boat after he jury-rigged a flag out of a busted fishing pole. "He was just treading water, praying some boat would come by," one of the rescuers told WABC. A New York man who was pulled out to sea during a morning swim treaded water for five hours before he was ultimately rescued by a passing fishing boat, police said on Tuesday. Dan Ho, 63, was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off Long Island's Cedar Beach at around 5 a.m. on Monday when he suddenly got caught in a strong current and was pulled out to sea, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement. Ho treaded water for about five hours straight before he discovered a broken fishing pole floating in the ocean and used it to jury-rig a flag, authorities said. The man "tied his shirt to it and waved the shirt in the air in an attempt to notify passing vessels of his presence," Suffolk County police said. Ho was finally spotted by two men on a fishing boat about 2.5 miles south of where the swimmer first got in the water, the police department said. The fishermen, identified by authorities as Jim Hohorst and Michael Ross, tossed Ho a life ring and pulled him up on their boat. "He was just treading water, praying some boat would come by," Ross told WABC. "I can tell you, no boats in the area, not for miles." Ross told the news outlet that Ho was turning blue and gray. "He was shaking, totally hyperthermic," Ross said, explaining that he and Hohorst "wrapped him in towels." Authorities said Hohorst called for help over a marine radio and two Suffolk County officers quickly moved Ho into a police boat. "He was in shock and pretty incoherent at the time," Hohorst, a retired New York City firefighter, told Newsday. The situation was dire, Hohorst added. "We figured he had maybe an hour left," Hohorst told Newsday. "He was very hypothermic and said he had been drinking a lot of salt water." Story continues Police said Ho was "conscious and alert but unable to stand" at the time and he was treated for hypothermia. The US Coast Guard's Fire Island station brought Ho to shore and the man was taken to a local hospital in West Islip. Read the original article on Insider Police are searching for a man accused of cashing a check intended for an Atlanta medical care foundation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In Oct. 2022, Atlanta police received a call about a possible check fraud. Officers met with the victim who stated they wrote a check for $48,396.72, which authorities said was intended for Mercy Care Organization. According to the organizations website, the foundation raises funds to meet the vast medical, dental, and social service needs of the uninsured and underinsured community. TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta police said the victim dropped the check off at the post office. The victim was then reportedly notified that the check was cashed, but not by Mercy Care. Officials said the victim learned that the check was cashed at Bank of America by the suspect. The suspect opened a checking account using the same name, Mercy Care Organization, using a stolen ID, according to police. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] For security reasons, the victims face has been blurred in the photo. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or online. Tipsters do not have to give their names and are still eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspect. IN OTHER NEWS: Ray Turner has become the newest member of the Manatee Board of County Commissioners. With his wife by his side, Turner took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at the start of Tuesday mornings public work session meeting. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Turner, 59, to the board following Commissioner Vanessa Baughs resignation in June. Turner, a registered Republican, is expected to serve out the rest of Baughs term, which expires in November 2024. He now represents District 5, which includes Lakewood Ranch and parts of East Bradenton. Im honored to be appointed by Governor DeSantis. I will do the very best job I can to serve the people of Manatee County, Turner said in a statement last week. After orientation, I look forward to hitting the ground running to keep Manatee County free, our economy thriving, our taxes low and our quality of life ever-improving. According to the Governors Office, Turner is a real estate broker and owner of Turner Services, LLC, and Turner Real Estate Network. Turner also serves as the secretary for the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, a developer group that other commissioners, including Mike Rahn and Baugh have ties to the BIA as well. Baugh, who had served on the Manatee County Commissioner since 2012, announced her sudden resignation in an email to her fellow commissioners. She said she decided to step down in order to spend more time with her family. One thing I have come to realize is that one of the most important things in life is family, Baugh, 69, wrote at the time. This week has reinforced that it is time to take care [of] my husband, children and grandchildren and to be a bigger part of their lives. According to a biography on his companys website, Turner was born in Australia and began his real estate career by selling custom homes. Turner also has experience in real estate finance, marketing and executive management, his website said. Thousands of Fresno Unified students are lingering in English learner programs longer than research indicates they should, raising questions about how well the district is preparing these students for academic success in middle and high school and beyond. Studies show that it should take students who speak another language at home approximately five to seven years on average to become proficient in English. Yet during the 2022-23 school year, about 40% of English-learning students in the district or 5,421 of 13,527 students were considered long-term English learners by the state. The long-term designation means these students had been in U.S. schools for six or more years, and were in grade six or higher, but didnt yet pass the criteria to move out of English learner status. Comparatively, the state has a slightly smaller proportion, with only about 35% of its roughly 1.1 million total English learners being considered long-term, according to data from the California Department of Education. In a district where roughly one in five of the 70,000 total students were English learners last year, educators and advocates agree that Fresno Unified needs to do a better job of helping kids achieve English fluency sooner. They worry that students who lag in English learner programs may face challenges achieving academic success and pursuing higher education. Half is okay, but its not a passing grade, said Eden Morrison, a policy director with the Fresno chapter of the education advocacy nonprofit GO Public Schools. Sandra Toscano, an instructional superintendent with FUSD who oversees English learner services, said her departments goal this fall is to reduce the population of English learners in sixth grade specifically by 40%. Thats our focus right now, she said, really targeting (long-term English learners) before they enter middle school. Education Lab Newsletter Get stories that matter on education issues critical to the advancement of San Joaquin Valley residents, with a focus on Fresno. Sign up, and join the conversation. Story continues SIGN UP What do English learners need to do to reclassify in Fresno Unified? Long-term English learners who move into middle and high school without having become adequately proficient in English or reclassifying as fluent, as the state and districts call it face a number of challenges academically. Rather than having literacy development built into daily instruction like in the early grades, students in middle school and beyond are asked to learn and demonstrate their knowledge through reading and writing in English skills holding English learners back from reclassifying, experts told the Ed Lab. Some long-term English learners will also have to take additional classes to work on English literacy, taking up space in their schedules that would otherwise go toward electives to explore their interests, or college preparatory classes required for UC and CSU admission. But graduating out of the English learner classification is no easy feat, as students must pass a long list of exams. For one, English learners must score highly on a standardized test called the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, or the ELPAC. Students can earn a score of one through four, based on their performance in tests of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A four is required for English learners in California to reclassify. On top of that, English learners also have to show their literacy skills are on par with their classmates who speak English only. In Fresno Unified, one way for students in most grades to do so is by receiving a score of having nearly met the English Language Arts state standard or higher on the Smarter Balanced annual assessment. Alternately, the district also considers English learners reading scores on iReady, a standardized test within FUSD. But with about two-thirds of the overall student population in Fresno Unified failing to meet state standards for literacy last year a rate that was worsened by the pandemic the districts English learners have an uphill battle. Another part of the difficulty of reclassifying students on time is that English learners have to meet all these criteria in a given school year. You cant pass one in the fall, and then another one in the spring, and another one the following year, said Claude Goldenberg, a professor emeritus at Stanford University. You cant bank passing the criteria (one at a time). English learner students who also have a disability face unique challenges as well. Some disabilities inhibit students speech or hearing, Toscano said, yet they still must achieve a passing score on the reading, writing, speaking, and listening components of the ELPAC test. When for one reason or another, students fail to check off all the necessary boxes year after year, it starts to snowball. You cant discount the fact of just feeling frustrated, said Morrison of GO Public Schools, and like youre not making progress. Changes coming for Fresno Unifieds English learners Fresno Unified is taking several steps to help long-term English learners reach English fluency, Toscano said. The English learner services department will focus its after-school tutoring efforts on sixth graders in particular this coming year, in hopes that more students can reclassify before entering middle school and avoid needing to fill their schedule with extra classes in English language instruction. The district also made changes to its reclassification criteria for English learner students with disabilities starting in May. Imagine that a student that is nonverbal has to take the ELPAC. Well, theres a speaking portion in the ELPAC. And if they cant meet that criteria, then theyll never get a four on ELPAC, Toscano said. Under the updated process for English learner students with disabilities, the district will be able to rely on other classroom assessments, tailored to the student, to better monitor their progress and determine if theyre ready to be reclassified as proficient. While being a long-term English learner comes with challenges, retired UCLA research associate William Saunders told the Ed Lab its wrong to think of these students as academically doomed. Long-term English learners can still go on to reclassify and be successful, he said. They also shouldnt be steered away from pursuing their interests in other subjects or electives just because they need additional support in learning English. Theres a whole academic realm out there, he said, that may be the exact thing that will help them acquire English and continue to be intellectually curious. The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bees Education Lab at its website. A Marion County man has been arrested and charged with 11 felony offenses related to trafficking drugs. According to a press release issued by the MARMET Drug Task Force, Cherell R. McDuffie, 36, Marion, was arrested July 28 after officers from the Marion County Special Response Team, Marion Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of South High Street. The warrant was granted as a result of an investigation conducted by agents from the MARMET Drug Task Force. At the scene, authorities located and seized about 141 grams of cocaine, 263 ecstasy pills, 47 oxycodone pills, a stolen firearm, and $3,000 cash. According to online court records, McDuffie appeared in Marion Municipal Court on Monday where he was arraigned on the following charges: trafficking in cocaine, a first-degree felony; possession of cocaine, a first-degree felony; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a first-degree felony; two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, both second-degree felonies; two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, both third-degree felonies; having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony; trafficking in marijuana, a fourth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Officers from the MARMET Drug Task Force seized cocaine, ecstasy, oxycodone, a firearm and $3,000 in cash during the raid of a South High Street residence on July 28. Cherell R. McDuffie of Marion was arrested and charged with 11 felony offenses. Also accused of attacking, striking woman in 2022 McDuffie was wanted on an unrelated warrant related to a grand jury indictment on two counts of felonious assault, both second-degree felonies, issued on June 15, 2022. He was accused of attacking and striking a woman in the head with a metal pipe outside a Chestnut Street residence on June 8, 2022. The woman suffered a laceration to her head that required five staples to close. He fled the scene and remained at large until he was arrested last week. That case is pending in Marion County Common Pleas Court. I am proud of the work of our investigators in this case," Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald said. "Mr. McDuffie was wanted for a violent crime and also involved in drug trafficking. He illegally possessed a firearm. Our community is safer with him off our streets. Story continues Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan filed a motion with Marion Municipal Court Judge Teresa L. Ballinger seeking no bond for McDuffie in the case. He filed the motion on Monday. "The defendant was under indictment for a felony offense of violence when these crimes (with which McDuffie was charged on Monday) were committed and he was on the run from that indictment for over a year," Grogan wrote in the motion for no bond. "During the search (of the South High Street residence on July 28), a stolen firearm was located. The state believes that no bond is necessary is this case. The evidence against the defendant is strong, and the defendant poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person or to the community. "The state submits that no release conditions will reasonably assure the safety of that person and the community The state will present additional information at the hearing to support its position that no bond is necessary in this matter." A preliminary hearing has been scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Monday in Marion Municipal Court. We recently removed 31 drug traffickers from the streets of Marion," Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles said. "MARMET is not slowing down and is forging ahead. The arrest of another violent drug dealer in this case shows if you want to sell drugs in Marion County, we are going to seek you out and we are going to put you behind bars." The MARMET Drug Task Force is comprised of members of the Marion City Police Department, Marion County Sheriffs Office, and the Marion County Prosecutors Office. Marion County citizens are encouraged to call in crime tips involving criminal activity to 740-375-TIPS (8477) or online at mariontips.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous if they choose to do so. Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Alleged Marion County cocaine trafficker arrested and charged The Miami Marlins made two more trades just before the trade deadline buzzer on Tuesday. The deals: Acquiring Josh Bell from the Cleveland Guardians for third baseman Jean Segura and infielder prospect Kahlil Watson and trading first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper and right-handed pitcher prospect Sean Reynolds to the San Diego Padres for Ryan Weathers. This comes after Miami also acquired third baseman Jake Burger from the Chicago White Sox for left-handed pitcher prospect Jake Eder. The Marlins also acquired a pair of relievers last week in righties Jorge Lopez and David Robertson to fortify their bullpen. In summation, Miami sent two regular starters and three of their top-30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. The moves, in addition to the returns of outfielders Avisail Garcia and Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the injured list, signal what the Marlins were hoping to show after a strong first half: That they are willing to beef up their lineup as they make a push for their first postseason berth in a full season since winning the 2003 World Series. Heres a quick look at each of the Marlins acquired on Tuesday. Jake Burger The Marlins pursuit of an impact bat was well noted. The offense, while improved, still ranks in the bottom third of the league in runs scored, home runs and on-base-plus-slugging. And Burger, 27, gives them a player who can add some instant power to the lineup as long as Miami can deal with the elevated swing-and-miss and strikeout rates. Burger, who is under team control through the 2028 season, entered Tuesday hitting just .214 but with 25 home runs a mark that ties Jorge Soler for the most on Miamis roster to go along with 15 doubles, 52 RBI and 44 runs scored. Over 154 career MLB games the past three seasons (all with the White Sox), Burger has 34 home runs, 27 doubles, 81 RBI and a .791 on-base-plus-slugging mark. But Miami will have to take the good among the top in the league in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and barrel rate with the bad. Story continues Burger has a career 31.6-percent strikeout rate. This season, he has 102 strikeouts in 323 plate appearances. He ranks among the worst in the league this season in strikeout rate (seventh percentile), swing-and-miss rate (35.4 percent, fifth percentile) and chase rate (38.9 percent, sixth percentile). Defensively, Burger primarily plays third base but has made a few starts at both first and second base. His defensive metrics, however, are below average with minus-4 defensive runs saved this season at third base. The cost, however, is steep. Eder, ranked as the Marlins No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is one of the top pitchers in Miamis system who has been returning to form over the past month after his return from Tommy John surgery in August 2021. Josh Bell Bell, 30, is a switch hitter with a career .798 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 141 home runs, 516 RBI and 462 runs scored over 949 career games. He signed a one-year, $16.5 million deal with the Guardians this offseason that includes a player option for the 2024 season. Miami had pursued him over the winter. Bell has primarily played designated hitter this season but has 725 career starts at first base. Hell likely split time there with Yuli Gurriel after the Marlins traded Cooper. Bell was an All-Star in 2019 and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2022. His previous stops before signing with Cleveland included the Pittsburgh Pirates (2016-2020), Washington Nationals (2021-2022) and Padres (2023). For Bell, Miami gave up Segura and Watson, the former the teams primary starting third baseman this season and the latter their first round pick in 2021 who was playing in High A Beloit. Ryan Weathers Weathers, 23, has a career 5.73 ERA over 43 games (29 starts) in three seasons with the Padres. This year, he has played 12 games (10 starts), pitching to a 6.25 ERA with 29 strikeouts against 17 walks over 44 2/3 innings. The lefty has a three-pitch mix, utilizing a four-seam fastball that averages 94.9 mph, a changeup that averages 86.7 mph and a sweeper that averages 80.4 mph. None of the pitches has a whiff rate above 30 percent this season. To acquire Weathers, the Marlins gave up Cooper (who was an impending free agent) and Reynolds (a pitching prospect on the rise). Roster moves In addition to the trades, the Marlins optioned right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera to Triple A Jacksonville in order to add left-handed pitcher Andrew Nardi to the active roster. The team also recalled utility player Garrett Hampson to the active roster. A Massachusetts man informed his employer that he was going to retire and promptly won $1 million on a scratch ticket. Paul Bashaw, of West Boylston, announced his intention to retire on July 17, and three days later he secured the big prize in the Massachusetts State Lotterys $5,000,000 100X Cashword instant ticket game, according to Lottery officials. After finishing out his two weeks without telling anyone at work about his incredibly good fortune, Bashaw claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Dorchester on July 28. I told my wife there were three things in life I never thought Id see happen: the Patriots winning the Super Bowl, getting a hole in one that happened five years ago and hitting the Lottery, and now Ive hit all three, Bashaw said. Bashaw, a retired truck driver who will turn 66 later this year, chose the cash option on his prize and received a one-time payment of $650,000. He plans to use some of his winnings to travel. Bashaw purchased his winning ticket at J & J Variety at 360 West Boylston St. in West Boylston. The store receives a $10,000 bonus for the sale of this ticket. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Ensnarled in legal tangles on several fronts, Maxie Green of A to Z Bail Bonds garnered more time to keep his bail bond license as a result of a hearing Monday in civil court. Maxie Green testifies during a hearing in which he sought a temporary injunction against the Wichita County Bail Bond Board Monday, July 31, 2023, in 89th District Court. A temporary restraining order prohibiting the Wichita County Bail Bond Board from enforcing the revocation of Green's license will stay in place. But in two to three weeks, 89th District Judge Charles Barnard might hand down a ruling on Green's request for a longer-term temporary injunction. That ruling could impact Green's license. On Monday, Barnard instructed both the attorneys representing 50-year-old Green and the board to engage in mediation, as well as keep communicating in hopes of avoiding a trial or a decision from the judge. "The ruling in this case could have some serious repercussions," Barnard told them after taking a break to look over case law. In addition, the matter has financial urgency for Green, whose income plummeted from about $32,000 a month to about $15,000 in July. Green testified during the hearing that he helped arrange bail for a man and woman who were held in the Wichita County Detention Center while he was, too, but he did not seek out their business. Green testified he was still a bondsman in jail. In closing, one of his attorneys, John D. Nation of Dallas, told the judge that his court has jurisdiction to grant an injunction, and there is no definition of solicitation in the Texas Occupational Code regarding bondsmen. In addition, board members are confusing doing business with solicitation, Nation said. "They asked him if he could get them a bond, and that's what he did," Nation said. Wichita County Civil Chief Melvin Horany, who represents the board, told the judge that Green has no right to a temporary restraining order or a temporary injunction under the law. Horany contends the judge should vacate the restraining order and deny Green's request for an injunction because he isn't entitled to any such relief. What's more, the board's revocation of Green's license should remain in effect until the outcome of his appeal. Story continues After the hearing, Green said his clients and the public are not impacted by the court proceedings. He is a property bondsman with holdings backing his bonds regardless of issues with his license. Green has multiple bond companies operating under his license and assets. On June 21, the board voted to revoked Green's license after a hearing to determine whether he illegally solicited bond business in August while he was held in jail on a criminal charge. Green fired back in civil court in July, winning a short-term temporary restraining order July 24 from Barnard. The order restrained the board from enforcing the revocation of Green's license. On Monday, Green requested a temporary injunction to continue fending off the revocation until trial. Ultimately, Green is asking the judge to reverse the revocation of his bail bonds license. A Wichita County sheriff's sergeant heard Green doing bond business for other inmates during jail telephone calls, according to allegations in an affidavit. Green faces two charges of prohibited recommendations or solicitations in connection with incidents in August. The class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. At the time of the allegations, Green was being held in jail on a charge of hindering apprehension of a girlfriend staying at his home. Green is also facing charges of engaging in organized criminal activities related to human smuggling and with assault. He was given an eight-year deferred sentence in 2013 after pleading guilty to injury to a child. Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, covers education, courts, breaking news, investigative projects and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Maxie Green fighting to hang onto bail bond license Michael Brochstein/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom Since December 2022, state and local law enforcement entities have arrested dozens of people protesting the construction of a police training facility, derisively referred to as "Cop City" by opponents, in a state-owned Georgia forest. Authorities have charged more than 40 protesters with domestic terrorism, even though the arrest warrants don't allege any explicit terrorist activity: Some are accused of throwing rocks or possessing incendiary devices, while others are simply charged with trespassing. Now, a member of Congress and a consortium of civil liberties advocacy groups want answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As justification for domestic terrorism charges, arrest warrants from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) all use identical language to say that "the accused affirmed their cooperation" with "Defend the Atlanta Forest (DTAF), a group classified by the United States Department of Homeland Security as Domestic Violent Extremists" (DVEs). On July 26, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appeared before a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Many of the Republicans on the committee took the opportunity to accuse Mayorkas of "dereliction" of duty, leading to increased traffic of both people and drugs across the border with Mexico. But Rep. Cori Bush (DMo.) pressed Mayorkas on whether DHS targeted activists and progressive movements, specifically the Cop City arrests and prosecutions. Bush asked Mayorkas, "Do you acknowledge that the department has referred to [Cop City] opponentsas 'alleged domestic violent extremists' and 'militants' comprising 'violent far-left occupation'?" Mayorkas dodged the direct question, merely saying that he is "familiar with activities in Atlanta that are lawful, and I am also familiar with activities to which you refer that are unlawful." He said he was unaware of Georgia law enforcement's decisions at the state level but affirmed, "Lawful protest is a proud tradition in this country. There cannot be a connectivity between an ideology and the expression of that ideology through violent means. That is when we get involved: to prevent violence." Story continues In a July 27 letter to Mayorkas, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Center for Constitutional Rights collectively expressed "deep concern" over the department's use of the DVE label. Citing events in Atlanta, the letter alleges that "lax DHS standards and intelligence practices have contributed to concerning arrests and prosecution[s]." The letter says that the term domestic violent extremists is "overly broad and lacks specific legal parameters and reliable factual and evidentiary thresholds." It further states, "DHS's dissemination of unreliable and potentially biased 'domestic violent extremism' information to state and local law enforcement can contribute to constitutional violations." In fact, a DHS spokesperson told Reason in an emailed statement that the agency "does not classify or designate any groups as domestic violent extremists," instead using the term "to refer to the conduct of groups or individuals in the United States who seek to advance their ideological goals through the unlawful use of violence." In an emailed statement to Reason, a GBI spokesperson stipulated, "Although DHS reports that they do not classify or designate any groups as domestic violent extremists, the description provided by DHS for a domestic violent extremist does in fact describe the behavior of the individuals of the group in question." As ACLU Senior Policy Counsel Aamra Ahmad tells Reason, that distinction is not enough. "Although DHS does not, and should not, formally designate domestic groups as terrorists, or domestic violent extremists, it regularly uses the stigmatizing and vague domestic violent extremism language to describe the actions of groups and individuals in the U.S., including in its intelligence analysis, which is widely distributed to state and local authorities" and "risks stigmatizing people engaged in First Amendmentprotected speech and association." She adds that the Atlanta protests "illustrate how overbroad domestic terrorism laws can be and how they can be abused, and in the particular case of Cop City, used to punish dissent." The post Mayorkas Pressed Over DHS Labeling Protesters 'Domestic Violent Extremists' appeared first on Reason.com. Mayors across four cities in the United States discussed how officials need to deal with housing shortages, mental health crises and gun reforms to address crime in a NewsNation town hall Monday. Chris Cuomo hosted a town hall edition of his Cuomo show with the mayors of four major cities: Little Rock, Ark.; Hartford, Conn.; Durham, N.C.; and Toledo, Ohio. During the town hall, Cuomo and audience members asked the four mayors how officials should address crime in their own cities. The mayors touched on topics including housing crises, mental health and gun reform when answering questions. Durham Mayor Elaine ONeal (D) said that crime cannot be solved without first address the housing crisis plaguing cities throughout the U.S. It all comes down to really one basic thing in my mind that we have to address if were going to deal with these issues: housing. Theres a housing crisis, ONeal said. When people do not have a place to live that is safe and where they can begin to have a life, you create a life where you are. And then we dont have a housing crisis in terms of a stock, we have an affordability crisis, and people got to realize that, she added. She also noted the racial disparities in housing, saying that Black Americans are more likely to face housing insecurity. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D) said that there is a failure of systems across the country to address mental health issues. He said that supportive housing and community-based programs could be a more effective approach to addressing mental health issues before they escalate, but that most places lack the capacity to provide that support. And I do think this is as a nation across the country, a failure of systems and a failure of us as a society to recognize that we have to do more, he said. And I think in some cases, that may mean that you have to compel people to get treated. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz (D) said that while mental health is important to address, politicians should not hide behind it to address gun violence. Story continues I bristle though when there are politicians who sometimes hide behind mental illness as an excuse not to take stronger action on guns in general, he said. Heres where Im headed with this: Were the only were the only country in the history of the world where there are more guns than people. It shouldnt be going out on a limb to try to take AR-15s away from the mentally ill and terrorists, but yet our US Senate wont do it and our Supreme Court doesnt seem to care, he added. NewsNation and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns and operates dozens of local news stations around the country. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A moment of collective humanity blew across the airwaves last week as we watched Sen. Mitch McConnell, 81, freeze in front of a press gaggle. His eyes blinked but words would not come. No matter how you feel about Mitch, it was hard to watch him struggle against whatever was happening in his aging brain. Finally and mercifully, fellow senators led him away, we hope to a Capitol doctor. He is only recently back at work after a six-week absence from a fall in March that caused a concussion. Much less humanity is on display with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who, at 90, is showing far worse ravages of aging than Mitch. That she is still in office, being told what to say and vote for by her aides and colleagues, is both elder abuse and abuse of power. It is also ruining her substantial and impressive legacy. Its easy to understand that being a member of Congress or even a leader there is heady stuff, full of perks and privileges. And of course experience is key to understanding the byzantine ways and means of federal government. But surely there are overwhelming reasons we can agree there ought to be either age limits or term limits. Or both. None other than Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a man who seems to love his job, introduced a term limit bill in January which would require just two six-year terms for Senators and three two-year terms for House members. The Founding Fathers envisioned a government of citizen legislators who would serve for a few years and return home, not a government run by a small group of special interests and lifelong, permanently entrenched politicians who prey upon the brokenness of Washington to govern in a manner that is totally unaccountable to the American people, he said in a press release. Not to mention all these octogenarians and nonagenarians are keeping younger people out of power and out of leadership, denying a strong back bench in either party of young and energetic people moving up the ranks. Look at our own Congressman Hal Rogers, 85 years old and in his 22nd term representing the 5th District. Looking at the dismal outcomes of his district in just about every measure, it might be nice to let someone else have a try. Story continues Obviously, the larger backdrop to all of this is the prospect of electing either of the two oldest presidents in history: President Joe Biden, who is 80 and Donald Trump, 77. Its hard to talk about age without seeming ageist, but there is always the argument that with term limits, we might have a broader array of candidates of different ages to choose from. For those worried about age and experience, Id say you could be more lenient than Cruz. Let Senators serve four terms, or 24 years. Let House members be elected to 12 terms for an equal number of years. Cut it all off at 80 or 85, no matter how bright and capable the person is. Nancy Pelosi is 83; she had the grace to turn over her leadership position to the next generation but has not as yet give up her seat. Term limits would probably require a constitutional amendment, which complicates the situation a lot. But lets face it, the Founding Fathers probably didnt think about term limits because in the 1780s, the average lifespan was 35 and a half. They werent really worried politicians would stick around too long. Still, Republicans managed to get it done for presidents after FDR was elected four times. The 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951 when Minnesota became the 36th state to approve it. This is the most bipartisan of issues. According to a 2021 poll, as many as 80 percent of Americans approve of the idea of term limits; 87.6 percent of Republicans, 73.6 percent of Democrats, and 79.5 percent of independents. Unfortunately, its opposed by the very people it would get rid of the oldest, most powerful politicians. But what would you choose? Mitch McConnell is a Kentucky icon, credited or blamed for our Supreme Court, our current campaign finance system and the success of the modern Republican party. Surely hed rather leave office known for that, and not for being a late night joke who should have exited a few years before. Among the 23,000 property revaluation appeals sent to Mecklenburg County this year is a name that appears again and again. Charlotte attorney Lawrence Shaheen shows up in the appeals some 2,400 times, county data show. His main client, the publicly traded corporate landlord American Homes 4 Rent, is responsible for about 10% of all revaluation challenges in the county. Revaluation conducted once every four years is one of the main factors used by local governments to help set the tax rates that go into determining your property tax bill. In recent years, more and more single-family homes assessed by county staff are owned by corporate landlords. These companies operate on a much larger scale than local firms and mom-and-pop landlords. In fact, such companies have amassed tens of thousands of homes in North Carolina, according to Security for Sale, a months-long investigation by The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer published last year. And those homes are especially concentrated in Charlotte and Raleigh. With piles of cash, big investors become NCs top rental-home landlords A byproduct of corporate landlords County officials were not completely caught off guard by the large number of appeals filed by American Homes 4 Rent. The company was also the largest single filer of appeals in the last property revaluation, Mecklenburg County Assessor Ken Joyner told the Observer. We were expecting that from them, he said. The fact that the county saw more than 2,000 appeals from one property owner is a byproduct of corporations buying up large numbers of homes across North Carolina, Joyner said. Shaheen told the Observer his client declined to comment about its appeals. An Observer analysis found American Homes 4 Rent owns at least 2,365, properties in Mecklenburg County. Many of those sites are spread throughout neighborhoods in a crescent around Charlottes center city, from Steele Creek in the southwest to Interstate 485 in the north and The Plaza in the east. Story continues A subdivision in the Summer Creek Lane and Benfield Road area in Charlotte, where corporate landlords have purchased homes and converted them to rentals. American Homes 4 Rent owns several properties there. The company is one of about 20 firms that purchased at least 40,000 single-family properties in North Carolina through early last year, according to the Security for Sale series. The industry is meeting a demand and providing people with another option in this case renting a home David Howard, executive director of the National Rental Home Council, previously told the Observer. The council is the trade association that represents some of the largest corporate single-family rental firms in the country. But tenants have complained about slow and shoddy maintenance, steadily rising rents and fees that wring profit from them. Meanwhile, would-be homebuyers have a tough time competing in the market against the industrys well-funded machinery. Reason for the reval appeal The median value of real estate in Mecklenburg County increased about 51% since 2019, Joyner previously told the Observer. That includes a 58% increase for all residential properties and 41% for commercial parcels. On average, the value of properties owned by American Homes 4 Rent increased about 68% since 2019, the Observer found. But some properties saw their values jump 500%, records show. In its appeals, the company is arguing the properties it owns should be valued based on an income approach, according to Joyner. That method essentially values a home based on the amount of income it can generate. Joyner said American Homes 4 Rent used the same argument in 2019, but ultimately lost its appeals bid. Mecklenburg officials use a sales comparison method, meaning the county looks at recent neighborhood sales data to determine a fair market value of a home as of this year. Homes are appraised as if the property was going to sell on the market on a given date. If American Homes 4 Rent decided to one day sell its homes, would-be buyers would be competing against other single-family homeowners, Joyner said. Essentially, Joyner said, the use of the property is the same whether its owned by a large corporation or an individual. You cant look at an American Homes 4 Rent home and one next door owned by someone else and see a difference, he said. No decision yet on American Homes 4 Rent The county has not ruled yet on American Homes 4 Rents 2023 appeals. But Joyner said the volume from the company is not gumming up the works in the assessors office. In 2019, the county assigned one staffer to handle all of the companys appeals. And both the county and American Homes 4 Rent decided to handle all individual appeals as one case instead of hundreds that year, Joyner said. The same approach could be used this year, as well. Raleigh News & Observer reporter Tyler Dukes contributed. Special counsel Jack Smith has garnered a reputation as a dogged investigator - AFP Jack Smith, the bearded, avid triathlon-racer leading the prosecution of Donald Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, burnished his reputation taking on war criminals in The Hague. The 54-year-olds career has included prosecuting drug gang leaders and mob bosses in Manhattan, and complex corruption cases against US politicians of all stripes. He left his role as chief prosecutor for a special court in The Hague investigating war crimes in Kosovo to become the special counsel overseeing Mr Trumps case last November. Merrick Garland, the US attorney general, chose to appoint a special counsel given the particularly sensitive circumstances involved in investigating a former US president. As a special counsel, Mr Smith has an extra layer of independence from the Department of Justice (DOJ) than one of its own prosecutors would. Probe into Capitol attack In addition to investigating Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and his role in the Jan 6 2021 Capitol attack, Mr Smith is looking in to the former presidents alleged retention of classified documents after leaving the White House. Speaking on Tuesday Mr Smith described the Capitol attack as an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy which was fueled by lies. Mr Smith was an obvious choice. A registered independent, he has expressed few political beliefs that might indicate any bias. And he has garnered a reputation as a dogged investigator, reportedly just as determined in seeking to have criminal charges dropped for the innocent as he is in pursuing convictions against the guilty. If I were the sort of person who could be cowed [if I thought:] I know the person did it, but we could lose, and that will look bad I would find another line of work, he once told the New York Times. I cant imagine how someone who does what I do or has worked with me could think that. Mr Smiths tenacity is often referenced by his former colleagues. If the case is prosecutable, he will do it, said Mark Lesko, who worked alongside Mr Smith at the US Attorneys Office in New York. He is fearless. Story continues Ironman triathlete When Mr Smith is not pursuing cases, he spends his time participating in gruelling fitness competitions. He has completed more than 100 triathlons and at least nine Ironman competitions - including in Germany, Brazil and Canada. He has a daughter with wife Katy Chevigny, an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Mr Smith attended the State University of New York at Oneonta before graduating from Harvard Law School. He started his career as a prosecutor in 1994 at the Manhattan District Attorneys Office under Robert Morgenthau, who was best known for prosecuting mob bosses. A few years later he moved to the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office, where he worked on a high-profile police brutality case. From 2008 to 2010 he supervised war crimes investigations in The Hague. He returned to the DOJ to head up its Public Integrity Section until 2015, working complex cases against public officials. Under his leadership the department brought a corruption case against John Edwards, a Democratic former senator and vice presidential candidate and Bob McDonnell, at the time Virginias Republican governor. He oversaw another investigation into a former Republican congressman but decided against bringing charges. While he has received distinguished service awards, having spent the past four years overseas, Mr Smith has a relatively low profile at home and has been shielded from the hyper partisan legal battles of the Trump and Biden administrations. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A Memphis police officer on Monday shot a man who allegedly fired a handgun outside of a Jewish school, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD). In a news release, Memphis police said a white man allegedly fired a weapon outside of Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South in Memphis, Tenn. The man allegedly fled in a pickup truck before police encountered him Bartlett, Tenn., which borders Memphis. When officers pulled the man over, he allegedly exited his truck with a handgun, according police, and a Memphis police officer shot the man. Memphis police did not identify the man, whom they said is hospitalized in critical condition. I am proud of the vigilant and quick response of MPD officers who mitigated a potential mass shooting situation today, MPD Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis said in a statement. Many thanks to our neighboring jurisdictions for also providing critical information to stop the suspects actions. Don Crowe, MPD assistant chief, said that school officials were able to give authorities a photo and a description of the suspects maroon colored vehicle, helping authorities locate the suspect, according to CNN. MPD also said that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called and will be conducting an investigation into the incident. My prayers are with the Memphis Jewish community after a man with a handgun attacked the Margolin Hebrew Academy in Tennessee, American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch said in a statement, according to NBC Memphis affiliate WMC-TV. Thankfully, according to news reports, there were no victims and law enforcement acted swiftly to mitigate the threat. We remain in touch with our local partners to provide assistance on the ground. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Memphis Police Department announced that their officers stopped a potential school shooting and detained the gunman on Monday afternoon. Police received a report that an armed male fired his gun outside of Margolin Hebrew Academy at around 12:20 p.m. Police said there were no injuries and the suspect left the scene in a Ram pickup truck with California tags. "MPD then received information that the suspect was possibly seen in Bartlett, TN," the Memphis Police Department said in a statement. "Moments later, MPD Officers on patrol located the suspect's vehicle in the area of McCrory and Gary." Police then stopped the car, and the suspect got out while holding a handgun. NASHVILLE KILLER AUDREY HALE SLEPT WITH JOURNALS ON SCHOOL SHOOTINGS UNDER BED, COURT DOCS REVEAL A police officer then shot the suspect. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Due to the suspect's condition and in accordance with police, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been contacted and will be conducting this investigation," the press release added. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis commended her officers' quick response to the threat. NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SHOOTER FIRED 152 SHOTS IN MASSACRE PLOT MONTHS IN MAKING, POLICE SAY "I am proud of the vigilant and quick response of MPD officers who mitigated a potential mass shooting situation today," Davis said. "Many thanks to our neighboring jurisdictions for also providing critical information to stop the suspect's actions." Fox News Digital reached out to Margolin Hebrew Academy for a statement, but has not heard back. By Michael Erman and Leroy Leo (Reuters) -Merck & Co raised its full-year revenue forecast on Tuesday as second-quarter sales of its top-selling products, cancer immunotherapy Keytruda and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil, sailed past Wall Street estimates. Merck said Keytruda sales for the quarter jumped 19% to $6.3 billion, surpassing analysts' average estimate of $5.9 billion. CEO Rob Davis said Keytruda's strength is coming from within the United States and internationally, and that the drug is increasingly being used prior to other treatments. Davis said Keytruda was also being used more often against a particularly aggressive form of cancer known as triple negative breast cancer, contributing to its sales strength. Sales of Gardasil, which prevents cancers caused by HPV, surged 47% to $2.5 billion, also well above Wall Street estimates of $2.1 billion. Use of Gardasil in China was the biggest driver of growth for the vaccine, Davis said. There is room for further Gardasil growth as its use expands into treating males and moves into smaller cities, he added. However, the second half of the year could see lower shipments of the vaccine to China compared to the first, which may hurt growth, Chief Financial Officer Caroline Litchfield said on a conference call. Litchfield also pointed to continued price pressure for Keytruda in Europe this year as the company gets approval for expanding use in more types of cancer, as well as changes in insurance reimbursements in some countries, especially Germany and the UK. Despite those challenges, Merck raised its full-year sales forecast to $58.6 to $59.6 billion, from its prior view of $57.7 billion to $58.9 billion. Merck shares were about flat in morning trade. Merck reported total second-quarter sales of 15.0 billion, up from $14.6 billion a year ago. The company posted an adjusted loss of $5.2 billion, or $2.06 a share, primarily due to a $10.2 billion charge related to its acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences. Analysts had expected a loss of $2.18. Story continues Merck paid close to $11 billion in cash for Prometheus, adding a promising experimental treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease to its pipeline. "We'd rather have them grow future profits and free cash flow by using the money that way (through deals)," said Bill Smead, chief investment officer at Smead Capital Management, which owns a 0.12% stake in the U.S. drugmaker. Merck has been looking for deals to protect itself from eventual revenue loss as patents on Keytruda begin to expire toward the end of the decade. Davis said the Prometheus deal will not constrain the company's ability to do more deals, and that Merck continues to "look for science-driven, science-led opportunities." "While I feel pretty good about what we have in the internal pipeline and the progress we're making, we know there's more to do," he said. The U.S. drugmaker now expects to earn $2.95 to $3.05 a share for 2023. (Reporting by Michael Erman in New York and Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Meta and other US Big Tech companies have been hit by massive fines over their business practices in the EU in recent years and have been impacted by the need to comply with the bloc's strict data privacy regulations (Robyn BECK) Social media giant Meta on Tuesday said it intends to ask EU-based users to give their consent before allowing targeted advertising on its networks including Facebook, bowing to pressure from European regulators. It said the changes were to address "evolving and emerging regulatory requirements" amid a bruising tussle with the Irish Data Protection Commission which oversees EU data rules in Ireland, out of which Meta runs its European operations. European regulators in January had dismissed the previous legal basis -- "legitimate interest" -- Meta had used to justify gathering users' personal data for targeted advertising. Currently, users joining Facebook and Instagram by default have that permission turned on, feeding their data to Meta so it can generate billions of dollars from such ads. "Today, we are announcing our intention to change the legal basis that we use to process certain data for behavioural advertising for people in the EU, EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland from 'Legitimate Interests' to 'Consent'," Meta said in a blog post. Meta added it will share more information in the months ahead as it continues to "constructively engage" with regulators. "There is no immediate impact to our services in the region. Once this change is in place, advertisers will still be able to run personalised advertising campaigns to reach potential customers and grow their businesses," it said. Meta and other US Big Tech companies have been hit by massive fines over their business practices in the EU in recent years and have been impacted by the need to comply with the bloc's strict data privacy regulations. Further effects are expected from the EU's landmark Digital Markets Act, which bans anti-competitive behaviour by the so-called "gatekeepers" of the internet. raz/rmb/rl Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will block news content for users of the platforms in Canada, the company announced Tuesday. The block is in response to a new Canadian law, the Online News Act, that requires dominant tech companies, such as Meta and Google, to negotiate with and pay news organizations to distribute their content. In order to comply with the Online News Act, we have begun the process of ending news availability in Canada. These changes start today, and will be implemented for all people accessing Facebook and Instagram in Canada over the course of the next few weeks, the company said in a blog post. The update comes after Meta threatened to pull news content in the country if Canadas Online News Act was passed, a playbook the company has used in response to similar proposals in Australia and the U.S. Changes could also be coming to Google. In a blog post, the company said the law is unworkable, and Google will remove links to Canadian news from its Search, News and Discover products when the law goes into effect, which is slated to happen by mid-December. Metas Tuesday blog post said the change means news links and content posted by news publishers and broadcasters in Canada will no longer be viewable by users in Canada. News publishers outside of Canada will continue to be able to post links to content, but users in Canada will not be able to see it. Canadas Online News Act received final approval in June. The proposal aims to level the playing field by allowing publishers to negotiate with tech companies to distribute their content. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. When was the last time you logged into Facebook? Facebook's parent company Meta is about to launch AI-powered chatbots that are meant to lure users back to the mammoth social media platform, the Financial Times reports. Further down the road, the company is apparently working on AI agents in its namesake Metaverse as well. In other words, your estranged aunt and lonely grandpa are about to be joined by virtual friends to fill the void you left behind when you quit Facebook and never looked back. According to the report, these chatbots are supposed to be able to chat with the platform's billions of users in a life-like way, taking on various "personas." For instance, an Abraham Lincoln AI could teach you about the abolition of slavery, while a travel advisor could tell you about the latest and greatest surfing destinations. But whether that will be enough of a draw for bring people who left Facebook years ago remains to be seen. Young people have long dismissed the almost two-decades-old platform as an irrelevant place for "old people." Younger generations have long moved on to other platforms like Meta's Instagram and TikTok. In short, Facebook has been fighting to maintain a sense of relevancy. Yet active users aren't exactly the most pressing of issues: the company announced last week that it had surpassed a whopping 2.064 billion daily active users, a modest increase over last quarter. Looking at the bigger picture, introducing AI chatbots is likely an attempt to catch up with Meta's competitors in the AI space. Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Axios that "incredible breakthroughs" in generative AI "gives us the opportunity to now go take that technology, push it forward, and build it into every single one of our products." And the company isn't starting from square one. Last month, Meta announced its latest large language model, called Llama 2, that the company could use to power these chatbots. Story continues The chatbots aren't just supposed to boost engagement. They may also hone in even further on users' interests, experts told the FT. In other words, Meta is looking for an AI-enhanced way to better target more relevant content and, of course, ads. Those kinds of interactions could have implications on user privacy as well. Facebook already has a poor track record when it comes to user privacy and throwing loose-lipped and misinformation-spewing chatbots into the mix certainly comes with plenty of inherent risks. "Once users interact with a chatbot, it really exposes much more of their data to the company, so that the company can do anything they want with that data," Ravit Dotan, an AI ethics adviser at the University of Pittsburgh, told the newspaper. Then there's the issue of AI chatbots "hallucinating" facts and spreading misinformation. Given Meta's earlier attempts we're looking at you, BlenderBot 2 there's a chance, but no guarantee, that the company will play it safe and build out ways to screen user input. However, there's a lot we still don't know about Facebook's foray into AI chatbots. One insider told the FT that Zuckerberg is "spending all his energy and time on ideating about" avatar chatbots that could chat with users inside the metaverse in the long term. Will the company play it safe and throw its weight behind finding new ways to keep these chatbots in check? Will the move even entice users to come crawling back to a platform they left long ago? We've also already seen the spectacular levels of hype surrounding AI chatbots wane as of late, meaning that Facebook could be late to the party. Even Facebook's own AI guru and machine learning pioneer Yann Lecun said earlier this summer that large language models are a passing fad. All told? We'll have to wait and see. But we'll be watching. More on Facebook: Facebook's Chief AI Scientist Says LLMs Are Just a Passing Fad Meta is bowing to legal inevitability in the European Union: It's just announced it will finally comply with regional privacy regulations by giving users a free choice to deny its behavioral advertising. The tech giant is subject to an ongoing regulatory procedure over the legal basis it claims to run microtargeted ads which had been expected to conclude around the middle of this month. But in an update to a blog post today it announced its "intention" to switch to a consent-based legal basis for targeted advertising. With the blog post, Meta looks to be trying to get out ahead of the regulatory outcome and potentially influence the implementation timeline as well as seeking to shape the narrative about what the looming switch means for its business, such as by claiming advertisers will still be able to run "personalized" ad campaigns on its platform. Its blog post does not include a date for when it expects to make this change -- with the company offering nothing more specific than a vague reference to "the months ahead" -- but of course the exact compliance timeline is not in Meta's gift; it will be up to EU regulators to decide. On that front an emergency intervention by Norway's data protection authority last month slapped a temporary ban on Meta from running behavioral advertising on Facebook and Instagram in the market unless it obtained users consent to the processing. So if the implementation timeline isn't a speedy one we may see other concerned EU regulators issuing their own local bans that are effective immediately. News of Meta's intention leaked earlier today in a Wall Street Journal article which reported that the company was under pressure from privacy regulators. Citing people familiar with Meta's proposal, the WSJ report suggests Meta has offered to move to consent by the end of October, apparently claiming the switch would need at least three months to implement. Although the report also floats the idea that Meta has suggested waiting even longer -- until early next year! -- in order to align with additional incoming legal requirements related to a separate piece of EU digital regulation, called the Digital Markets Act, which imposes new limits on how data can combined and used for behavioral ads. Story continues Of course there's no requirement that compliance with one piece of EU law needs to wait on any other. So a 2024 implementation timeline sounds like pure wishful thinking by Meta. (A company spokesman did not respond when we asked it to confirm or deny the WSJ report -- he just emailed a link to its blog post.) The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), which leads on privacy oversight of Meta in the EU, declined to comment on Meta's announced intention to switch to consent given the existence of the ongoing procedure. "I can confirm that we've received correspondence from Meta in relation to this but have nothing further to add at this point because the process is ongoing," deputy commissioner Graham Doyle told TechCrunch. Only a few months ago, in the same blog post Meta has today refreshed with its consent intention, the company laid out its justification for switching from claiming a contractual basis to process people's data for targeted ads to a so-called legitimate interest basis. But, as we reported last month, that "legitimate interests" escape hatch was slammed shut by a Court of Justice of the EU ruling -- which essentially left Meta with no option but consent. At the start of this year, its prior claim of performance of a contract as the legal basis for the ads processing was also blasted as in breach of the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In short, then, Meta's privacy-hostile forced surveillance behavioral ads business model has finally run out of road in the EU. And Meta giving users a choice not to be tracked is the only choice it has left to operate legally. Of course it's not going to provide this choice universally. U.S. users can whistle for it. As can U.K. users (the country no longer being in the EU); Meta stipulates it will offer a free choice to users in the EU, EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland. But, well, Americans might start to feel like second class citizens in their own country if they see a US giant offering Europeans something they're not getting. Asking its users if they want to be tracked and profiled is certainly not how the social media behemoth has operated up to now. Rather it has sought to make tracking and profiling an inescapable fact of services like Facebook and Instagram (not to mention its latest platform, Threads). But as EU privacy campaigners have been pointing out for literally years, forced commercial mass surveillance is simply not compatible with EU law. In the event it's taken well over five years for privacy campaigners and EU courts to compel the bloc's regulators to force Meta to stop trampling on EU users' fundamental rights. So this major win is tempered with equally major frustration that enforcement has taken so long. Add to that, Meta's actual privacy abuse hasn't stopped yet -- there may still be months, plural, before it provides EU users the simple 'yes/no' choice it is legally required to. But the fact the adtech giant is at last being forced to reform a privacy hostile business model suggests the 'move fast and break things' era of untouchable platform giants and their apparent immunity to the rule of law is -- finally, finally -- on the wane. So, five years+ in, maybe the GDPR is just starting to get into its groove? Update: Max Schrems, the privacy campaigner who the filed the original forced consent GDPR complaint against Meta back in May 2018, has reacted to its announcement of an intent to switch to consent by warning he'll be watching to see how it implements the choice -- including ensuring it applies to all its processing of personal data for ad targeting. "We will see if Meta is actually applying the consent requirement to all use of personal data for ads," he said in a statement via his privacy rights not-for-profit, noyb. "So far they talk about 'highly personalized' or 'behavioural' ads and it's unclear what this means. The GDPR covered all types of personalization, also on things like your age, which is not a 'behaviour'. We will obviously continue litigation if Meta will not apply the law fully." In further remarks critical of how long it's taken to enforce the GDPR against Meta, Schrems added: "After more than five years of litigation, Meta finally comes to the conclusion that it must ask people if its allowed to spy on them for ads. It took litigation by NGOs and a German [competition] authority to get where we are now -- while the Irish regulator [DPC] has consistently protected Meta." Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has begun blocking news links in Canada in protest at a new law requiring digital publishers to pay for such content (JOSH EDELSON) Meta on Tuesday started blocking Canadians' access to news on Facebook and Instagram in response to a new law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for such content. Google, another critic of the Online News Act, has said it is considering a similar move, among an ongoing global debate as more governments try to make tech firms pay for news content. "News links and content posted by news publishers and broadcasters in Canada will no longer be viewable by people in Canada," Meta said in a statement. News posted on foreign sites will also not be viewable by Canadian Facebook and Instagram users, and they will no longer be able to share articles on the two platforms. Meta noted that the changes starting Tuesday would be implemented "over the course of the next few weeks." An AFP reporter was still able to see news on Facebook Tuesday, but some users reported already getting messages saying such content was being blocked. The Online News Act builds on similar legislation introduced in Australia and aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. It requires digital giants to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information that is shared on their platforms, or face binding arbitration. An October 2022 report by Canada's parliamentary budget watchdog estimated the legislation could see Canadian newspapers receive about Can$330 million (US$250 million) per year from digital platforms. Meta said the bill is flawed and based on the "incorrect premise that Meta benefits unfairly from news content shared on our platforms, when the reverse is true." Rather, it said, news outlets share content on Facebook and Instagram to attract readers, which helps their own bottom line. "The people using our platforms don't come to us for news," it added. - 'Irresponsible' - Story continues Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge called the move to block news "irresponsible," noting that 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada goes to Meta and Google. "A free and independent press is fundamental to our democracy," she said, adding that other countries are considering introducing similar legislation "to tackle the same challenges." Canada's public broadcaster slammed Meta's move as "irresponsible and an abuse of their market power." The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) said it was "calling on Meta to act responsibly by restoring Canadians' access to news." But some Canadian media have taken a more complex view. Last month an editorial in the leading Globe and Mail newspaper suggested the bill "distorts the marketplace by protecting certain companies from reality." Instead it called for tax credits for readers who subscribe to online news services, arguing that such a move would both "push newsrooms to innovate" and put the decision about who gets financial support into readers' hands. Australia's New Media Bargaining Code was a world first when it was rolled out in 2021 to make Google and Meta pay for news content on their platforms. It saw significant pushback initially from both companies as they feared it would threaten their business models, but with amendments it was easily passed by lawmakers. amc/st HOUSTON (AP) Astros owner Jim Crane texted Justin Verlander with a simple message moments after they reacquired him Tuesday from the New York Mets in a blockbuster trade. I said: Welcome back. We missed you, Crane said. 'We'll see you in New York. Hope you pitch well for us against the Yankees.' Verlander is back with Houston, rejoining the team he helped to two World Series titles, and expected to start Friday or Saturday in the Bronx. In a tight race with Texas atop the AL West, the Astros shipped outfield prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford to New York for the three-time Cy Young Award winner. It turned out to be just the start of a momentous day for Houston's rotation left-hander Framber Valdez pitched a no-hitter against Cleveland hours later. Crane told The Associated Press the Mets could send more than $50 million to the Astros to help pay off Verlander's contract. The 40-year-old right-hander signed an $86.7 million, two-year deal with the Mets in December that includes a vesting option for 2025 at $35 million. (General manager) Dana (Brown) and his team worked on it hard, Crane told the AP. After we looked at the numbers its always tough to give up prospects, but I think they determined that it was the right move. We needed starting pitching. Hes been throwing well. And I think the other factor is they ate a lot of the contract. So it wasnt a really hard decision. It was just, would we give up enough prospects? The underperforming Mets dismantled the most expensive roster in major league history over the past few days. They dealt fellow ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in a trade announced Sunday and followed up Tuesday by shedding Verlander, among a flurry of other moves. Veteran closer David Robertson, reliever Dominic Leone and outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha also were sent packing since last Thursday. Crane said he and Brown didn't think there was any chance Verlander would be traded until Scherzer was dealt. After he was moved, the Astros figured they'd be a frontrunner if the Mets wanted to trade Verlander, too. Story continues We knew he had (the no-trade clause) and I think we felt strongly if given the opportunity, there were only a few landing spots and we were one of them, Crane said. Brown said once they learned the Mets were open to moving Verlander they put on a full-court press. We think he stabilizes our rotation, Brown said. Were really fired up. ... I had a chance to speak to Justin and hes very excited about coming back. Crane believes his past relationship with the pitcher was important in making the deal. Justin and I always got along, Crane said. We've had direct contact with each other on a number of things. Certainly not this one, but I know him well, and every time he was here, we did what we said we were going to do. So I think he had some trust in coming back here, certainly. And hes had great successes. So I think that certainly helped. Verlander earned his 250th career victory on Sunday, and 61 of those came with Houston. He was first acquired from the Detroit Tigers during the 2017 season, when he helped pitch the Astros to their first World Series title. It gives a boost to the fans, Crane said. It gives a boost to the locker room. I know (manager) Dusty (Baker) will be happy. So its a big day when you have your Cy Young guy come back. Baker couldn't quit smiling as he discussed Verlander's return Tuesday. It improves my hearts function, you know what I mean? Baker said. And for a guy who's had a stroke, heart function is very, very important. And that does my heart well. Verlander won his third Cy Young Award and second World Series championship with Houston last season, then became a free agent. He opened the season on the injured list and struggled upon his return in early May. But he's been back in top form recently, going 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA in his past seven starts. He's 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 16 starts overall this season, striking out 81 in 94 1/3 innings. Verlander signed a $66 million contract with the Astros in March 2019 that covered the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He was hurt on opening day of the 2020 season and made just one start in the two seasons covered by the deal before his brilliant comeback last year. The last contract he had was we were paying about $33 (million) and that didnt work out so good, Crane said. But I think there was enough cushion in this one to make it palatable. And being in the position were at right now, a little weak on the starting pitching side, he will be a big anchor in there. The Astros have won the AL West in five of the past six seasons but currently trail the first-place Rangers by a half-game. Its definitely going to provide a huge boost, not only energy-wise, but also just to be able to have a guy like him in here whos been in here before. And we know how much he brings, not only to the mound but the clubhouse, third baseman Alex Bregman said. The Astros have managed to stay close to the Rangers despite dealing with a spate of injuries, including losing starting pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia to season-ending injuries. We've lost a lot of key players to injuries, Crane said. "But we're used to being there. We want to stay there. So we want to get back, win the division and get in the playoffs. New York at one point had a projected payroll of $365 million bolstered by aggressive owner Steve Cohen, but the club entered Tuesday 50-55 and six games out of the final NL wild-card spot. Cohen paid off around $35 million remaining on Scherzer's contract to facilitate the deal with the Rangers, which returned top prospect Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. Gilbert, 22, was a first-round draft pick by Houston in 2022 who ranks 68th on MLB.com's Top 100 prospects list. He's a potential five-tool player who dominated at Class A early this season hitting .360 with a 1.107 OPS in 21 games before slumping after a promotion to Double-A. He's hitting .241 with six homers and a .713 OPS in 60 games at Double-A. The 20-year-old Clifford was an 11th-round selection in 2022 whose stock has risen since. He's hitting .291 with 18 home runs and a .919 OPS at two A-ball stops this season. The Mets will send Houston around $35.5 million at least, covering a majority of the remaining roughly $57.5 million Verlander is guaranteed. New York will pay around $4.2 million this year and $31.3 million in 2024. If Verlander pitches 140 innings next year and triggers his $35 million conditional player option for 2025, the Mets would pay another $17.5 million if Verlander exercises the option. The Mets will save around $19 million in 2023 with the trade $10 million in salary and $9 million in lowered luxury tax payments. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB Situated on the intersection of Knoxville Avenue and Prospect Road, Junction City Shopping Center is home to a variety of local businesses. This includes nine food and dining establishments. If you are visiting the shopping center and want a quick drink or bite, here are the businesses you will find. Asia Grill The restaurant offers a variety of Chinese dishes, such as lo mein, pot stickers and crab rangoons. Bags of specialty coffee sold at Cafe Santa Rosa tell the story of the farmer who raised it. Cafe Santa Rosa Cafe Santa Rosa operates its own farm in Colombia and pays its farmers a livable wage, according its the about us page. Customers will find lattes, cappuccinos, frappes, cold brews and other styles of coffee. The shop also offers teas and mocktails. Childers Eatery Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, Childers Eatery serves breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, customers will find omelets, biscuits and gravy, frittatas, waffles and more. Lunch options include burgers, street tacos and more. EatandEvolve The business offers a restaurant menu, as well as meal prep options. At the restaurant, customers can find salads, soups, crepes, vegan meals and more. The meal prep allows customers to select from a variety of plans based on their needs. Orders are then delivered to "heat and eat." A sauce, mole trina is on the menu at Hacienda el Mirador, 5805 N. Humboldt Ave, Peoria (Junction City). Hacienda El Mirador Customers can find breakfast, lunch and dinner at this Mexican restaurant. Menu options include a Hacienda breakfast, huevos a la Mexican, Jalisco asada, arroz con pollo, burritos, tacos, tamales, fajitas, enchiladas and more. Junction City Pub The pub opened in June 2022. Owner Kathy Zabek said, "a nice, comfortable, local, neighborhood bar is all we want." Bre Cross has moved her smoothie business, Real Smooth Foods, from the ghost kitchen in Vero Italiano restaurant in Junction City to a nearby vacant storefront at Suite 101A in the shopping center. Cross opened the business in January and attracted more customers than she expected, allowing her to move into her own place and expand her hours. She also now sells half-gallon jugs of the homemade almond milk she uses in her smoothies. Employees Gracy Bruer, right, and Mia Franciskovich fill containers with smoothie ingredients. Real Smooth Foods Customers can order smoothies with "two vegetables, more than 25 (grams) of protein, a quality fat source (and) no added sugars." The smoothies are also dairy and gluten free. Flavors include blueberry muffin, Miel latte, coconut cayenne and more. Sweet CeCe's The shop offers self-serve frozen yogurt, ice cream and baked goods. Story continues TAVERN on Prospect The business describes itself as a "nostalgic neighborhood pub" on its Facebook page. Customers can order drinks and Butch's pizza. Connect with Cassidy Waigand by emailing her at CWaigand@gannett.com or by following her on Twitter at @justxaxwriter. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Junction City Shopping Center in Peoria il offers local dining Pro-Ukrainian residents of Crimea "systematically" attack Russian military bases with Molotov cocktails, forcing Russia to tighten its surveillance over the peninsula, Ukraine's military intelligence reported on Aug. 1. According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), the confrontations between the pro-Ukrainian population and the occupation authorities are becoming more frequent. To suppress the dissent, Russia is targeting any "suspicious" figures who could be involved in such incidents, using mass detentions and violence, the intelligence said. Several citizens who refused to accept Russian passports reportedly "disappear," while others are dismissed from work, face fines or loss of property. According to HUR, most of those detained and arrested are Crimean Tatars. Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014, and the Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian activists who remained on the peninsula have faced regular persecution by occupation authorities. There have been frequent reports of sabotages and attacks on the occupied peninsula in recent weeks. The HUR reported on the destruction of ammunition warehouses on the peninsula on July 28 but did not confirm its involvement. Ukraine used missiles to hit the bridges over the Chonhar Strait, and the Crimean Bridge over the Kerch Strait has been damaged as well. On July 25, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Ukraine will continue to attack targets in Russian-occupied Crimea to reduce Russia's fighting capacity and "help save the lives of Ukrainians." Read also: Southern Command: Russian logistics severely impacted by attacks on Crimean bridges Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has allocated Hr 10 billion ($270 million) to the restoration and preparation of the energy infrastructure before the next winter, the Reintegration Ministry announced on July 31. The ministry specified that the funds would be used to repair and protect power stations. According to the statement, Ukraine is also expecting aid from the U.S. worth $897 million, including generators, gas turbine power plants, and transformers. The EU's Ukraine Energy Support Fund has already provided Kyiv with 166 million euros ($182 million), Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. Ukraine's head of government added that Ukraine has prepared supplies of 11.7 billion cubic meters of gas, which is 80% of the planned volumes, as well as 1.5 million metric tons of coal out of the planned 1.8 million. Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said earlier on July 31 that Ukraine has repaired almost all the thermal power stations damaged by Russian attacks in late 2022-early 2023, and over 65% of more than damaged 700 heat supply networks. "In general, as of today, the preparation level of utility networks for stable operation in the autumn-winter period of 2023-2024 is roughly 60%," the minister said. On July 27, head of state energy operator Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said that the company is preparing for the worst-case scenario next winter but voiced confidence that the main energy network will function without restrictions. While it cannot be said with certainty whether the country will experience blackouts next winter, Ukrenergo is already preparing for energy consumption peaks, Kudrytskyi commented. Russian forces attempted to cripple Ukraine's energy network with massive strikes during the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023, leading to frequent blackouts across the country. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is likely to attempt this strategy again next winter. "We should be aware that Russian terrorists will attempt to prolong their attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and disrupt the normal lives of people. However, our unyielding determination must prevail," he said. Read also: Svitlana Romanko: Clean energy, green jobs as keys to securing Ukraines energy security Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Belarusian Ministry of Defence has repudiated statements on the violation of Polish airspace in the Podlaskie Voivodeship by two Belarusian helicopters. Source: statement of the Ministry, cited by European Pravda Details: The Belarusian Ministry of Defence believes that Warsaw uses allegations of violation of Polish airspace for "another justification for the build-up of forces and assets near the Belarusian border." Quote: "The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus will view the message, not confirmed by the data of objective control by Poland, as something akin to folks gossip and notes that there was no violation of airspace by M-24 and M-8 helicopters," they added. On Tuesday 1 August, the Polish Defence Ministry claimed that the country's airspace was violated by helicopters that carried out exercises near the border. At first, the official Warsaw denied the violation of airspace, but later explained that the border crossing took place near the city of Biaowieza at a very low altitude, and this made it difficult to detect it by radar systems. In connection with the situation, Poland will strengthen border security, in particular with military helicopters, inform NATO about the incident, as well as summon the Charge D'Affaires of Belarus for explanations. Mercenaries of the Wagner Group PMC have been moving from Russia to Belarus for some time; they moved there after an attempted mutiny in Russia. The Polish side has repeatedly stressed that the Wagnerites pose a threat to Poland, and reinforced the Belarusian-Polish border. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced the relocation of a group of mercenaries from the Wagner Group to the Suwaki Gap, which connects Poland with the Baltic States and also separates the territory of Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on the morning of 31 July resulted in more than 80 people being injured, with 19 people still in hospital. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Kryvyi Rih is in mourning. Rest in peace, innocent victims of Russian missiles. There are already more than 80 people injured in the enemy attack. Among them are seven children. 19 people remain in hospital. All of them have injuries of moderate severity." Background: On the morning of 31 July, the Russians attacked Kryvyi Rih with two ballistic missiles: one hit a multi-storey residential building, and the other hit an educational institution. A Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih has killed six people and injured 75. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The search continues for a missing man whose abandoned vehicle was found near a Georgia boat ramp. The Greene County Sheriffs Office located the vehicle belonging to a missing man from Atlanta about 70 miles southeast of where he was reported missing, police said in a news release. The sheriffs office wrote on July 31 that it found the vehicle of Robert G. Ballard at the Parks Mill Road boat ramp near Lake Oconee. Ballard, 61, had been reported as missing and endangered by the Atlanta Police Department. Ballard has not yet been found, but Georgia authorities continue to search for him. Those with any information on his possible location should call 911, officials say. Each year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the United States, with the location of up to 100,000 people remaining unknown at any given time, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 69-year-old man drowns after being thrown from his boat in a storm, SC officials say Off-duty cops fishing 6 miles off Florida Keys spot adrift diver desperate for rescue Man electrocuted, another drowns, another missing at Lake Lanier, Georgia officials say DNA yields clues on body in box found near dead woman in 2014, California cops say A group of Republican lawmakers are asking Gov. Tim Walz to intervene with plans the Minnesota Department of Human Services has to begin automatically deleting emails after a year unless workers decide the messages contain official records. This move will leave citizens, legislators, and auditors with significantly less information about the work of the Department and its interactions with Minnesotans, Sens. Mark Koran, R- North Branch, Warren Limmer, R- Maple Grove, and Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids, said in a statement. Koran serves as the cochair of the Legislative Audit Commission, an oversight group, Limmer is on the Data Practices Commission, which oversees public records compliance, and Utke is the top Republican on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Rather than value transparency and accountability with a robust retention policy that protects personal privacy, the department is taking the cheap and easy way out with risky, automated deletion, the statement said, noting Gov. Walzs campaign promised to keep government transparent. The governors office and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Leaders in the Senate did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. House Speaker Melissa Horman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, declined to comment. Last week, Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, expressed similar frustration with the new policy calling it a shocking change of standards without legislative input. She said transparency should not be a partisan issue. Lowering these standards will make it harder to hold programs and the bureaucrats who administer them accountable, Scott said in a statement. DHS statement In a statement, a Department of Human Services spokesman said the policy was needed to ensure workers email boxes did not become repositories for large volumes of private data that are difficult to manage and at risk of a data breach. The agency directly serves more than 1.5 million Minnesotans and has a lot of their personal health and financial information. Story continues DHS has an obligation to safeguard this information and must store official records contained within emails consistent with record retention schedules and in appropriate secure locations, the statement said. The agency is poised to begin implementing the new policy Aug. 7 and have it fully in place this fall. State officials say supervisors will train and guide workers through the process in order to ensure official records are maintained. Previously, a spokesman said the policy was similar to those already being used at other government agencies. A budget of more than $10 billion The department is one of the states largest with an annual budget of more than $10 billion. It has also had a history of oversight and compliances problems. Open government advocates say eliminating messages so quickly will further limit the publics understand of the agency operations. Related Articles Records advocates say state agencies are working with a flawed interpretation of the states open records law, officially called the Data Practices Act. State officials claim emails are not official government records unless they contain specific types of information. Its a growing interpretation among state and local government agencies, which are automatically deleting email and other messages at rates similar to or even quicker than what the state Department of Human Services plans. Government transparency issues Don Gemberling, spokesman for the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information, said he believes state officials are relying on a state Supreme Court case from 1968 for their interpretation that email doesnt necessarily constitute an official government record. I In the case, involving the notes of a property assessor, the court found official actions are different from thought processes and government only need to keep information pertaining to an official decision, and not information relating to the process by which such a decision was reached. Gemberling said it was a positive step forward to have a bipartisan group of lawmakers raising concerns about the change. Last month, Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, said the move to delete messages so quickly was troubling and not in the spirit of government transparency. When Attorney General Keith Ellisons office was asked in mid-July about the merits of not treating email as official records a spokesman said each agency was the best judge of what needed to be kept. The spokesman said he was not aware of any specific or blanket recommendation from our office to state agencies regarding email retention policies. However, if there was such advice it would be considered a secret attorney-client privileged communication. Not all government officials are subject to the states Data Practices Act. The state Legislature is largely exempt from the open records law. South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in July, from pizza sauce with green and white growth on it to roaches and fly infestations. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Midlands counties. Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in July. 5 Points Chicken & Grill at 2020 Gervais St. in Richland 5 Points Chicken & Grill had an inspection on July 20 and got a C grade. An inspector observed pizza sauce in the walk-in cooler with white and green growth on the top layer. Also observed were ants crawling inside and on top of the drainage rack of the soda machine. Roaches were seen crawling throughout in the dish area and along make line walls. Buildup was seen on the fryer baskets. Cases of food were seen stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Buildup of food debris, grease and grime were seen on equipment. The facility was voluntarily closed until further notice at time of next inspection. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. 92 Chicken at 2652 Decker Blvd. in Richland 92 Chicken had an inspection on July 6 and got a C grade. An inspector observed flies on equipment and on food contact surfaces throughout the kitchen. Also observed was food cases stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Buildup was seen on equipment throughout the kitchen. Walls and floors were seen with grease, grime and food splash buildup. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on July 13 and got an A grade. Fazolis at 7621 Two Notch Road in Richland Fazolis had an inspection on July 24 and got a C grade. An inspector observed rodent droppings on top of the dish machine. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Spaghetti noodles were seen improperly cooling. Also, buildup was seen on floors and underneath equipment. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. Story continues Good Taste at 7311 Parklane Road in Richland Good Taste had an inspection on July 6 and got a C grade. An inspector observed roach activity beneath the work line. Also observed were dead roaches and desiccated egg cases in the back of the prep cooler. Open buckets of food were seen stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Food was also seen stored directly in grocery bags. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on July 14 and got an A grade. Hickory Tavern at 907 Senate St. in Richland Hickory Tavern had a restaurant inspection on July 26 and got a C grade. An inspector observed roach and fly activity throughout the facility. An employee with long, artificial nails was observed working with exposed ready to eat food at the bar area. Leaks were seen beneath hand sinks throughout the facility. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. An employee was seen placing cheese slices on burgers with bare hands without heating the cheese up to a temperature of 145 degrees. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. The Juicy Crab at 5590 Forest Drive in Richland The Juicy Crab had an inspection on July 7 and got a C grade. An inspector observed flies on equipment and food contact surfaces throughout the kitchen. Also observed were dishes stacked wet, not allowing for proper drying. Dishes were also seen stored as clean with food debris and label residue still attached. A required followup inspection was held on July 13 and the restaurant earned an A grade. Kwik Korner at 6134 Shakespeare Road in Richland Kwik Korner had an inspection on July 3 and got a C grade. An inspector observed cabbage and raw chicken stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer. Also observed was fly and roach activity throughout the facility. Cardboard was seen lining the floor and equipment. Also seen was a black and orange substance inside the ice machine and accumulation of food matter and grease on the exterior of equipment. Kwik Korner had three required followup inspections on July 10, July 18 and July 25 and got C grades each time. Another required followup inspection has not yet been held. Mr. Bunkys Market at 10441 Garners Ferry Road in Richland Mr. Bunkys had an inspection on July 17 and got a C grade. An inspector observed breading containers cracked and broken, allowing contaminant to enter. Also observed was raw chicken stored over beef and fish. Also seen were broken containers of flour and macaroni and cheese, some of which were fixed with duct tape. Mr. Bunkys had two required followup inspections and got C grades. Mr. Bunkys had another required followup inspection on July 24 and got an A grade. Tasty Wings at 460 Killian Road in Richland Tasty Wings had an inspection on July 3 and got a C grade. An inspector observed an employee handling ready to eat food items without proper hand washing between points of contamination. Raw eggs were seen stored over prepared sauces. Also seen were two containers of teriyaki sauce prepared two days prior that had not been adequately cooked. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on July 10 and got another C grade. The restaurant had a second followup inspection on July 18 and earned an A grade. El Jimador at 108-J Scarborough Dr. in Lexington El Jimador had an inspection on July 18 and got a C grade. An inspector observed heavy fly activity throughout the facility and fly strips in the food prep areas with a heavy accumulation of dead flies on them. Also observed certain foods not allowed to adequately cool. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on July 24 and got another C grade. Another required followup inspection has not yet been held. No 1 China 2 at 5214 Highway 321 in Lexington No1 China 2 had an inspection on July 27 and got a C grade. An inspector observed fly activity throughout the facility and food stored directly on the floor in the freezer. Also observed was a food board stored behind the faucet of a sink in an area with food splash. Dirty dishes were seen stored as clean in the kitchen. Raw beef was seen stored directly over ready to eat foods in the walk-in cooler. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. Taqueria at 152 N Pine St. in Lexington Taqueria had an inspection on July 17 and got a C grade. An inspector observed raw meats stored directly in grocery style bags and fly activity throughout the facility. A bottle of harsh chemicals was seen stored next to pots and pans. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Fuzzy white growth was seen on tomatoes stored with in-use inventory in the walk-in cooler. Also observed soft, slimy raw peppers in the cooler. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on July 18 and got a C grade. The restaurant had another followup inspection on July 28 and earned an A grade. Twisted Roots at 168 Highway 378 in Lexington Twisted Roots had a restaurant inspection on July 21 and got a C grade. An inspector observed fly activity throughout the facility and raw chicken stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler. An employee was observed with hair not properly restrained while working around open food products. Harsh food chemicals were seen stored with food. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Black buildup was seen inside the ice machine. Dirty dishes were seen stored as clean. A required followup inspection was held on July 25 and the restaurant got a C grade. Another required followup inspection has not yet been held. El Teresas at 401 W Martintown Road in Aiken El Teresas had an inspection on July 21 and got a C grade. An inspector observed excessive flies throughout the kitchen and prep area. Also observed were multiple boxes of meat stored on the floor of the freezer. Cooked chicken was seen being prepped in a sink while raw chicken was stored in standing water next to it. Multiple dishes, pans and cutting equipment were seen with cooked and raw food debris stored as clean. Several cans of food product were seen with rust. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on July 28 and got an A grade. Red Bowl Asian Bistro at 6284 Carolina Commons Drive in Lancaster Red Bowl had an inspection on July 27 and got a C grade. An inspector observed flies throughout the kitchen area and fly strips in the kitchen. Also observed prepping raw chicken in a sink where dirty dishes were also stored. Food was seen stored on the floors near the grill area and in the walk-in cooler. Dishes were seen being washed in a sink without using sanitizing solution after the washing. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. Nishie Gs 2 at 727 Dilworth Lane in York Nishie Gs had an inspection on July 27 and got a C grade. An inspector observed fruit flies throughout the kitchen area and near the ice machine. Also observed was flaking paint on the ceiling. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Raw eggs were seen stored over ready to eat food. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. An Oregon couple tried for one more baby and got their third set of fraternal twins! When two sacs appeared on the ultrasound screen, I started shaking, Kathleen, 38, tells TODAY.com. I was in total shock even though my doctor warned me it would happen. With trembling hands, Kathleen called her husband, Adam, 36, to share the news that they were expecting twins again. (Kathleen and Adam do not want their last name published to protect the privacy of their children.) When I told him we were having two, I swear he was completely expressionless," Kathleen recalls. I remember thinking, My parents are going to be so mad at me. It was like I was a kid again. Kathleen and Adam welcomed sons Luke and Leo in 2021. The brothers, who are now 2 years old, joined James and Julia, 7, and Mikey and Marie, 5. Kathleen, a teacher, chronicles their adventures on her website, Half a Dozen Twins. Fraternal twins, otherwise known as dizygotic twins, occur when a person releases two eggs at the time of ovulation and both are fertilized. According to Dr. Justin Brandt, director of the Division of Maternal Fetal Health Medicine at NYU Langone Health, the likelihood of a person having three sets of fraternal twins would be 1 in 614,125. Brandt notes that a person who has a family history of twins is significantly more likely to have twins themselves. Kathleen says Luke and Leo are the 13th set of twins off of her great-great grandmother. Its uncommon for one person to have multiple sets of twins, Brandt tells TODAY.com. (But) its fairly common to see twins run in families across multiple generations. As one can imagine, raising six kids under 7 is not without its challenges. Im not going to lie going from four to six was really hard, Kathleen reveals. But she has discovered some hacks that make life easier. For starters, Kathleen invested in a robotic vacuum so that shes not constantly picking food up off the floor. Story continues We turn it it on at night and I dont have to think about it, Kathleen says. To streamline the ordering process at restaurants, Kathleen will give her kids two items to choose from, instead of overwhelming them with options. Sometimes Ill have them decide when we're in the car so that as soon as we sit down at the table, everybody knows what theyre having, Kathleen says. She also recommends choosing eateries that are on the noisier side. When it comes to laundry, the kids who share a room also share a laundry basket. I used to put all their dirty clothes in one basket and I spent so much time sorting, Kathleen says. Now I just do a load and it goes right back to the room. I dont even fold, she adds. I just make sure its right side out and put it in the drawer. I love folding, its very pretty, but I just dont have the time. Kathleen describes herself as a "recovering perfectionist." "When you have six children, you really have to let go of your previous expectations," she says. Though Kathleen lives in a state of exhaustion, she said wouldn't change a thing. "I love watching all of them interact with each other," she says. "They have an unbreakable bond." This article was originally published on TODAY.com The 14th convoy of the Russian mercenary Wagner Group arrived in Belarus on Aug. 1, according to the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun. The convoy was seen moving along the M5 highway from the town of Osipovichi towards a camp located in the village of Tsel. This convoy comprises approximately 15 vehicles, mainly trucks transporting large iron containers resembling sea containers, which have seemingly been modified for undisclosed purposes, according to the report. All vehicle numbers have been either removed or covered. On Aug. 1, Belarusian Hajun reported that the Wagner mercenary group has been utilizing military warehouses at a Belarusian military camp. According to the monitoring group, the warehouses in Paplavy, a village situated about a 30-minute drive from the Wagner camp at Tsel, are believed to have been put into use by the group around July 18. On July 14, Belarusian state media reported that Wagner mercenaries were in the country to train Belarusian territorial defense forces. They may be supplanting the Russian military as the Belarusian military's key training partner, the Institute for the Study of War said in their Aug. 1 report. Since July, the anti-government monitoring group has been tracking Wagner convoys as they cross into Belarus and verifying the equipment the group is bringing with them. The Ukrainian authorities reported that as of July 22, about 5,000 Wagner mercenaries were in Belarus, but the border is secure and is being monitored for additional risks. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko allegedly helped broker a deal for Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops to relocate to Belarus after their armed "rebellion" in late June stopped short of reaching Moscow. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia's Wagner mercenary group is using military warehouses at a disused Belarusian military camp, monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported on August 1. Belarusian Hajun believes the warehouses began to be used by the group around July 18th and are located at Paplavy, a village 30 minutes by car from the the Wagner camp at Tsel. Since July, the anti-government group has been tracking Wagner convoys as they cross into Belarus and verifying the equipment the group is bringing with them. According to @Hajun_BY, old military storage facilities near Paplavy village, not far from Asipovichy, started to be used since mid-July. Activity there was noticed after Wagner convoys started arriving to the tent camp in Tsel village:https://t.co/IxdTYQxMsa 1/8 pic.twitter.com/ebzNSod08I Belarusian Hajun project (@Hajun_BY) August 1, 2023 On July 14, Belarusian state media reported that Wagner mercenaries were in the country to train Belarusian territorial defense forces. They may be supplanting the Russian military as the Belarusian military's key training partner, the Institute for the Study of War said in their August 1 report. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko allegedly helped broker a deal for Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops to relocate to Belarus after their armed "rebellion" in late June stopped short of reaching Moscow. The Ukrainian authorities reported that as of July 22, about 5,000 Wagner mercenaries are in Belarus, but the border is secure and is being monitored for additional risks. Ukraine's National Resistance Center stated on July 26 that the organization was recruiting fighters in Belarus, under the condition that the new recruits are ready "to participate in hostilities in Poland and Lithuania. Story continues On July 29, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that more than 100 mercenaries were deployed to the Grodno area in Belarus near the Suwalki Gap, an area southwest of the Lithuania-Poland border, between Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. He stated that the fighters could infiltrate Poland from Belarus in a "hybrid attack." Poland had announced on July 18 that Poland's border with Belarus will be reinforced with two additional military brigades due to the Wagner Group's presence. In March, the Lithuanian parliament officially recognized the Wagner as a terrorist organization. The resolution stated that their members pose a threat to the security of the Lithuanian state and society. The Wagner Group claimed on July 30 that it had "indefinitely" suspended recruitment of new members as it possesses sufficiently "large personnel reserves." However, it did not mention whether this decision extends to recruiting new members in Belarus where a significant number of the contractors are based at the moment. Read also: This Week in Ukraine Ep. 18 How Putin cracks down on former allies Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. More Republicans in a new poll released Tuesday said former President Trump has committed serious federal crimes, as he faces down another potential indictment in the Justice Departments Jan. 6 probe. The New York Times/Siena College poll found that 13 percent of Republicans said they believe the former president has committed serious crimes, up from 6 percent last September. The portion of Republicans who said they remain unsure whether Trump committed serious crimes also ticked upward in Tuesdays poll, rising from 10 percent to 13 percent. However, the vast majority of Republicans 74 percent still said that they do not believe the former president committed serious crimes, the poll found. Trump said Monday that he is expecting to be indicted in special counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6 probe any day now, having received a letter last month notifying him that he is a target of the investigation. His attorneys also met with members of Smiths office last week an event that similarly preceded his last federal indictment. The former president pleaded not guilty in June to a 37-count indictment over his alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to block the government from recovering them. However, the Justice Department brought new charges against Trump in the case last week, accusing him of attempting to delete surveillance footage at his Mar-a-Lago property. Trump was also indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan earlier this year over a hush money payment that his former fixer Michael Cohen made to porn actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. He also pleaded not guilty to those charges. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) also said Saturday that her team has wrapped up its investigation into Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia and is ready to go. She said she plans to announce charging decisions by Sept. 1. The New York Times/Siena College poll was conducted July 23-27 with 1,329 registered voters and had a margin of error of 3.67 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A morning swim this week turned into a hours-long fight for survival for a New York man swept out to sea. About 5 a.m. on Monday, 63-year-old Dan Ho was swimming at Cedar Beach in Babylon when he was pulled out into the Atlantic Ocean by the current, the Suffolk County Police Department reported. After treading water five hours, police said, Ho, a Copiague resident, was rescued off Long Island. Child dies in boating crash: Girl, 6, is latest child to die or be injured from boating accidents this summer across US A broken fishing pole turned white flag People on a passing boat were able to spot Ho after police said he found a broken fishing pole in the water, tied his shirt to it and waved the shirt in the air. Ho was rescued by Jim Hohorst and Michael Ross aboard a 2007 Albin Tropical Soul, about 2 1/2 miles south of where he entered the water, police said. The pair pulled Ho onto the boat, police said, and Hohorst called authorities to report the rescue. Dan Ho, 63, at left, being treated by medics after having been rescued after treading water for five hours in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Long Island, Monday, July 31, 2023, in Babylon, N.Y. Suffolk County Police say Ho went swimming at a beach and was pulled out to open water by the current. The department's Marine Juliet vessel responded to the boat and transferred Ho, conscious and alert but unable to stand, aboard. He was brought to the United States Coast Guard Station-Fire Island where a medic treated him for hypothermia. Crews then transported him to a hospital. No similar incidents had been reported in the area as of Tuesday, a Suffolk County police spokesman told USA TODAY, and it was not immediately known if a rip current was to blame for Ho being swept out to sea. 'Something profoundly wrong': Marine biologists puzzled by large beaching of pilot whales What are rip currents? According to the National Ocean Service, rip currents occur in bodies of water with breaking waves; they are channels of water that flow at a faster pace than the surrounding area. Swimmers caught in rip currents can get sucked away at speeds of up to 8 feet per second, far too fast for many swimmers to make it safely back to shore. The National Weather Service often posts warnings about high chances of rip currents. Story continues What should I do if I get caught in a rip current? Don't panic. Remain calm and swim parallel to the shoreline, which is perpendicular to the current. Or just go with the flow and ride out the rip current, saving your energy for the swim back to shore. Contributing: Elinor Aspegren Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York man swept out to sea rescued after treading water for 5 hours The Ukrainian military's medical forces command did not purchase any first aid kits in 2023, and those provided through international aid were not properly checked, lawmaker Solomiia Bobrovska of the opposition party Voice said on July 31. Ukrainian outlet Liga.net noted that the Parliament's National Security Committee, in which Bobrovska sits, launched an examination of military medical supplies due to social media reports from July 20 about the poor quality of tourniquets provided to the troops. According to Bobrovska, the Medical Forces Command did not purchase any first aid kits this year and all the kits were provided to the Armed Forces through International Technical Assistance and were not checked. The lawmaker said that Ukraine has not yet developed quality standards according to which the kits can be properly inspected. Yehor Cherniev, the head of the committee, tasked the Medical Forces Command with reviewing all first-aid kits and replacing all the poor-quality components within two weeks. Read also: Ukraines counteroffensive lurches forward: Key moment looms as more forces committed Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. See You In Court The only thing beastly about the MrBeast's burgers is, apparently, the allegedly "raw" meat that comprises them and now, the YouTube personality is suing a ghost kitchen company over it. As Bloomberg reports, James Donaldson, the 25-year-old mega-influencer known as MrBeast, is suing the Florida-based Virtual Dining Concepts for allegedly caring more about profits than food quality. A copy of the complaint, which was filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that "MrBeast has not received a dime" from the deal, and that the quality of the burgers is so low that it's harming his reputation. Social media reviews posted between late 2020 and September 2022 do corroborate that MrBeast Burger had some very unhappy customers, with the suit highlighting complaints that the burgers were "revolting" and "inedible." "MrBeast is being [canceled] over burgers," griped one unhappy diner in the suit, with another complaining that they'd "never had something so nasty." https://twitter.com/totallynotdum/status/1393788579214766081 Beast You Could Do Donaldson launched the MrBeast Burger brand with a splash last year, with a partner gushing that he'd "created something truly wholesome and wonderful at the same time." Now times have changed, with the suit alleging that Virtual Dining Concepts which, again, allegedly has not paid MrBeast the royalties he's owed for lending his name and likeness to the venture expanded into multiple foreign markets without Donaldson's "authorization, consent, or even knowledge." "Virtual Dining Concepts was more focused on rapidly expanding the business as a way to pitch the virtual restaurant model to other celebrities for its own benefit," the complaint reads. While this is far from the first time an influencer has been embroiled in a branding lawsuit, the situation is striking because of its massive scope and the sheer prominence of MrBeast. At the end of the day? Another cautionary tale that something won't be good just because it's got a buzzy entity's name slapped on it. Maybe AI startups should take note. More on YouTubers: Guy Straps Tiny Camera to His Farm Cat, Discovers It's Terrible at Hunting Southboro Police are warning local teens and parents of online extortion after receiving multiple reports of these incidents, the police chief said Monday. Southboro Police Chief Ryan Newell estimated the department knows of at least four victims of online extortion over the past few months. Enough that it was recognized as a growing trend/problem, Newell said in an email to Boston 25. Sextortion is a crime that happens online when an adult convinces a person who is younger than 18 to share sexual pictures or perform sexual acts on a webcam, according to the FBI. It has been reported, more than once, in Southborough- which is why we want to be proactive in talking about it, spreading awareness, and providing you with some available resources, Southboro Police said in a July 5 post on its Facebook page, aiming to spread awareness of the growing problem. Newell said Monday that no criminal charges have been filed at this time related to the cases in Southboro. But the police chief said he hopes increasing awareness about the issue may help prevent additional cases. We hope that by shining a spotlight on this issue that parents will sit down and have these important conversations with their teenagers, Newell said. We want to do our best in making sure that there are no more victims- especially after some teenagers have taken drastic measures to escape the possible embarrassment/harassment they are being threatened with. Sextortion can start on any site, app, messaging platform, or game where people meet and communicate, according to the FBI. In some cases, the first contact from the criminal will be a threat. The person may claim to already have a revealing picture or video of a child that will be shared if the victim does not send more pictures. More often, however, this crime starts when young people believe they are communicating with someone their own age who is interested in a relationship or with someone who is offering something of value. Story continues After the criminals have one or more videos or pictures, they threaten to publish that content, or they threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images, according to the FBI. The shame, fear, and confusion children feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse, the FBI states on its website. Caregivers and young people should understand how the crime occurs and openly discuss online safety. Newell said police are appealing to the public to spread awareness about this online danger. *We had recognized that this was becoming a reoccurring issue/threat after multiple incidents had been reported to our department, Newell said. And (after researching this trend on a national level), we wanted to make sure parents knew about this and discussed it with their teens so that we did not have any more victims- especially after realizing that some of the victims (nationally) felt that suicide was their only way out. If young people are being exploited, they are the victim of a crime and should report it, authorities said. Contact your local police department, your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov. In Southboro, people wishing to report sextortion may call police at 508-485-2121 or contact Detectives Steve Neivert at sneivert@southboroughma.com or Keith Nichols at knichols@southboroughma.com. Please talk to your children, teenagers, nieces, nephews, and/or other loved ones who could be affected by this crime, police said in their earlier Facebook post. It is so important. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MUNCIE, Ind. Muncie police on Tuesday afternoon arrested a city man on charges stemming from Sunday's fatal shooting and the wounding of 17 other gunshot victims at an eastside block party. In a release, Deputy Police Chief Melissa Criswell said John Lamar Vance, 36, had been preliminarily charged with "several felonies," and that evidence would be forwarded to Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman's office for review "and consideration of additional charges." The preliminary charges against Vance were not specified in the release. The shootings at an outdoor party at Willard and Hackley streets were reported to emergency dispatchers at 1:14 a.m. Sunday. Joseph E. Bonner III, 30, died at the scene, according to Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene. Seventeen other shooting victims and a woman who was badly hurt when she was hit by a vehicle in the wake of the gunfire were taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Four of those victims, including the woman struck by the vehicle, were transferred by medical helicopter to Indianapolis hospitals. Criswell said Wednesday that the three victims remaining in Indianapolis hospitals were now listed in stable condition. Four other victims continued to be treated at the Muncie hospital. The deputy chief offered thanks to the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, the FBI and the U.S. Marshal's Service for assistance in Tuesday's arrest. "In an effort to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the Muncie Police Department has no further comment at this time," she concluded. At a Monday press conference, Police Chief Nate Sloan said it was not believed the shootings were the result of a single gunman setting out to harm a large number of people. Some present at Sunday's party have suggested the gunfire stemmed from a dispute between two individuals. According to court records, Vance has been convicted of crimes including dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug, resisting law enforcement, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, battery, domestic battery and false informing. Story continues Mayor Dan Ridenour at a Tuesday evening prayer virgil announced that an arrest had been made in the shooting investigation, drawing applause from those in attendance. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie man arrested in probe of Sunday slaying, shootings A former banker convicted for helping disbarred South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh steal millions from multiple victims was sentenced to seven years in federal prison today, Aug. 1. Attorneys for several fraud victims confirmed that U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel today sentenced Russell Lucius Laffitte, of Estill, to 84 months in federal prison, to be served concurrently with any state prison sentence he may later receive for his crimes. Laffitte was convicted following a nearly three-week-long jury trial in November 2022 of conspiring with Hampton personal injury attorney Murdaugh to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; wire fraud; bank fraud; and three counts of misapplication of bank funds. He is also facing S.C. State Grand Jury charges for the same crimes, but has not been tried on those indictments. Laffitte will also have to serve five years of supervised release after his federal prison sentence and pay at least $3.55 million in restitution to his victims. There is usually no option for parole or early release in federal prisons. Former Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte, at right, walks into the H.C. Courthouse on Friday with his wife, Susie, followed by attorneys and family members. Judge Gergel plans to recommend that Laffitte voluntarily report to serve his time at Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Jesup in Georgia, which is roughly two hours and 12 minutes from Hampton, S.C. However, the U.S. Department of Corrections will ultimately make the final decision on his detainment. It was unclear when Laffitte will have to report to the federal prison. He has 14 days to appeal his sentence. During the sentencing hearing in Charleston on Tuesday, Laffitte's attorneys claimed repeatedly that Laffitte was not fully responsible and was also a victim of Murdaugh's schemes, but Judge Gergel did not seem swayed by this argument and overruled most of their objections. "It wouldn't have happened without Mr. Murdaugh, and it couldn't have happened without Russell Laffitte," argued federal prosecutor Emily Limehouse. "No one is celebrating the downfalls of the Murdaugh and Laffitte family name. They are celebrating accountability." - Justin Bamberg, victims' attorney Story continues In sentencing, Judge Gergel commented on the "vulnerable" victims involved, and the "sophisticated" and "methodical" schemes of Murdaugh and Laffitte. At least eight friends and family or community members of Laffitte, including two Hampton County pastors, testified about his good character, and his victims took the stand as well to talk about their pain and suffering. Laffitte himself took the stand and apologized to the victims, his family, the bank and its customers, but prosecutors said repeatedly that he did not fully show remorse or accept responsibility for his actions. Laffitte's attorneys argued that he could not fully accept responsibility in light of the pending state criminal charges. Palmetto State Bank's Hampton branch. Attorneys for Murdaugh/Laffitte victims respond to federal sentence Justin Bamberg is an attorney representing several of Murdaugh and Laffitte's victims, including the family and estate of a deaf quadriplegic, Hakeem Pinkney. He said after the sentencing hearing that even though the former banker did not truly acknowledge his guilt or show remorse, there was a noticeable difference in his actions in court. "Today was the first day we heard him say he was sorry, and that's a positive change," said Bamberg. When asked if he felt that justice was served with a 7-year sentence, Bamberg responded: "Seven years is a long time. The defense was seeking three to five years, but they did not get what they were looking for. Prison is tough on anybody, particularly for people who have never been there before and for people of a certain echelon who usually don't experience facing the piper." Justice wasn't done yet, Bamberg added, referencing the pending state charges on Laffitte. Feb 2, 2023; Walterboro, SC, USA; Justin Bamberg (right) is seen listening in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, Thursday, Feb. 02, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Andrew J. Whitaker /Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK "This is a major part of justice being served, but this is an ongoing thing. The messaging is vindication for the people that were screwed over after all these years. For the person that did this to you to have to say your name, that is a liberating thing. There is a lot of vindication here, but it's just a step along the way. Accountability will be pursued until the ends of justice." Attorney Eric Bland represents two young girls who lost their mother in a car accident to be further victimized by Laffitte. "We apprecaite that Judge Gergel was faced with the difficult task of balancing the need to punish the crimes committed and to deter similar crimes, while not over punishing the defendant," said Bland. "Based on national statistics, it appears that the court's sentence falls in line with similar convictions for similar offenses. In the end, sentencing is the exercise of hating the sin, but not the sinner. It's a tough job, but I think the judge clearly hated these sins." Convicted and disgraced Hampton banker Russell Laffitte stands in the Hampton County Courthouse as, in the background, hangs a portrait of Alex Murdaugh's grandfather, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. Laffitte declined earlier plea deal that would have earned him less time Laffitte, former Palmetto State Bank CEO, is a member of a South Carolina banking family that traces its roots back more than a century and owns banks in several S.C. Lowcountry counties. He was terminated from the bank in January of 2022 then charged with state and federal crimes later that year. In the week's and months leading up to the trial, Laffitte was offered opportunities for reduced sentenced, but declined them. In one offer, Laffitte could have received only 72 months agreed to admit guilt and more restitution, but he declined that offer, along with an offer of 87 months. While Laffitte's attorneys were seeking a reduced sentence of three to five years, federal prosecutors were asking for an even larger sentence than he received. On July 27, federal prosecutors filed a 35-page sentencing memorandum requesting that Laffitte be sentenced to a term ranging from 108 to 135 months (9 years to 11.25 years) because of the nature of the crimes and the victims. Here are some highlights from that extensive court filing: Laffitte repeatedly shows "a continued unwillingness to accept any responsibility for his actions or acknowledge the harm his actions have inflicted on the victims," say federal prosecutors. The federal government claims that Laffitte and "his coconspirator Alex Murdaugh were held responsible for at least $3,784,368.98 in loss" from victims, but Laffitte disputes those numbers. Laffitte and Murdaugh allegedly defrauded vulnerable people, including a "quadriplegic car accident victim livingin a nursing home," cites the court filing. Laffitte "used and abused his position of power and trust to exploit unusually vulnerable victims in a complex scheme of deception and concealment. And when faced with the inevitable discovery of his and Murdaughs scheme, the Defendant engaged in a desperate yet elaborate attempt to cover it up." Many of Murdaugh's thefts would not have been possible without Laffitte's assistance, say prosecutors. In fact, they go on to claim, Laffitte is the only person that could have stopped him. Laffitte allegedly lied under oath four times and refuses to take responsibility for his actions, states the sentencing memorandum. In court, Laffitte's attorneys disputed the government's calculations of the financial extent of his crimes, as well as calculations for how much prison time he was entitled to. On July 31, Laffitte's attorneys filed a motion with the federal courts seeking a "downward variance" in Laffitte's prison sentence and financial compensation to victims. Seton Tucker, journalist, researcher and co-host of the Impact of Influence podcast, contributed to this report. Follow Michael DeWitt's reporting on the Murdaugh crime saga, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter at @mmdewittjr This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Murdaugh accomplice Laffitte sentenced to 7 years prison, $3.5 million (Reuters) -Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday sued a nonprofit that fights hate speech and disinformation, accusing it of asserting false claims and encouraging advertisers to pause investment on the platform. U.S. media reported earlier that Elon Musk-owned X had sent a letter to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and threatened to sue the nonprofit for unspecified damages. In response to that letter, lawyers for the CCDH accused X of "intimidating those who have the courage to advocate against incitement, hate speech and harmful content online." They also said that X's allegations had no factual basis. The lawsuit stems from a media report published in July which stated findings from CCDH's research saying that hate speech had increased towards minority communities on the platform since Musk acquired the company in October 2022. X and its CEO Linda Yaccarino labeled the report "false" and said it was based on "a collection of incorrect, misleading, and outdated metrics, mostly from the period shortly after Twitter's acquisition." The CCDH's research shows that "hate and disinformation is spreading like wildfire on the platform under Musk's ownership and this lawsuit is a direct attempt to silence those efforts," the organization's founder and CEO Imran Ahmed said in an email to Reuters. The nonprofit will continue its independent research, Ahmed added. In a blog post on Monday, X said the CCDH had gained access to its data without authorization and accused it of scraping data from its platform, violating X's terms. It reiterated that the metrics contained in the research were used out of context to make "unsubstantiated assertions" about X. X recently filed lawsuits against four unnamed entities in Texas, and Israel's Bright Data, for scraping data. (Reporting by Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Nilutpal Timsina; Editing by Stephen Coates and Varun H K) The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been charged with a raft of criminal offences including voter fraud Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned in five of 19 charges brought against her by the military. The pardon, part of a seasonal amnesty, will reduce her 33-year jail sentence by six years. Former president Win Myint, who was ousted along with Ms Suu Kyi, also received a reduced jail sentence after getting two of his charges pardoned. Periodic amnesties have been announced before, but this is the first time they have included Ms Suu Kyi and Mr Myint. The military junta has made other concessions in what appears to be an effort to revive stalled diplomacy efforts. Last week, Ms Suu Kyi was moved from prison to house arrest in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been detained by the military since February 2021 following the coup that ousted her. The coup triggered civil war in the country, and has led to the deaths of thousands of people. The military junta has also been accused of unleashing disproportionate violence against those opposing its rule. Some countries, notably China and Thailand, have started a dialogue with the junta, but these initiatives have been criticised for excluding Ms Suu Kyi's party, which won a huge majority in 2020 elections. The extent of the win led the military to allege election fraud - which they then used as a justification for the coup. Any negotiations on a compromise with the opposition would almost certainly require the involvement of Ms Suu Kyi. She has, however, been kept isolated since her arrest. Ms Suu Kyi is appealing against the convictions on the other offences, which range from election fraud to corruption. All the charges - which she has denied - were brought against her in closed-door, military-run trials. Rights groups have condemned the court trials as a sham. The military junta on Monday postponed an election it had promised would be held by August this year. (Reuters) -Myanmar's ruling military pardoned on Tuesday jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi on five of the 19 offences for which she was convicted but she will remain under house arrest, state media and informed sources said. The pardons mean six years will be shaved off Suu Kyi's 33-year jail term, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told the Eleven Media Group, adding that it was part of an amnesty under which more than 7,000 prisoners were freed across Myanmar. The southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since early 2021, when the military overthrew Suu Kyi's elected government and cracked down on opponents of military rule, with thousands jailed or killed. On Monday, the junta postponed an election promised by August this year and extended a state of emergency by six months, which critics said would prolong the crisis. The 78-year-old Nobel Laureate, who was detained during the coup, was last week moved to house arrest from prison in the capital, Naypyitaw. She denies all the charges for which she was convicted, ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption, and has been appealing against them. The junta spokesperson was quoted as saying the military's State Administration Council also reduced by four years the jail term of former president Win Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Suu Kyi. An informed source said both Suu Kyi and Win Myint would remain in detention. "She won't be free from house arrest," said the source who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. The convictions for which she was pardoned were minor ones including breaching a natural disaster mitigation law in violating COVID-19 rules while election campaigning, the source said. Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's independence hero, was first put under house arrest in 1989 after protests against decades of military rule. In 1991, she won the Nobel Peace Prize for campaigning for democracy but was only finally released from house arrest in 2010. She swept a 2015 election, held as part of tentative military reforms and her party won the next election in November 2020. Story continues But the military complained of election fraud after the 2020 vote and said it had to take power in early 2021 to ensure the complaints were investigated. Suu Kyi's party rejected the accusations of election fraud. 'COSMETIC' Many governments, particularly in the West, have called for the unconditional release of Suu Kyi and thousands of other political prisoners. Thailand's foreign minister said last month he had met Suu Kyi privately, the first foreign official to be granted access to her since her detention. Don Pramudwinai said she was in good health and supported dialogue to help resolve her country's crisis. The United States, which has issued sanctions against the junta and its businesses, was unmoved by the pardons. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the junta must take a number of steps "before we could talk about any change in our posture towards them." "We have repeatedly called on the military to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, deposed President Win Myint and all the others unjustly detained, something they have not done," Miller told reporters, urging the junta to end the violence, allow unhindered humanitarian access and engage with "all stakeholders" on Myanmar's future. One diplomatic source described Tuesday's pardons as a "cosmetic move". "This is a signal to the international community - without doing anything substantive," said the source who declined to be identified. A spokesman for a shadow National Unity Government formed by Suu Kyis supporters and other opponents of the military said the partial pardons for Suu Kyi and Win Myint showed the military was feeling pressure as not only Western countries but also neighbours in Southeast Asia call for a resolution of Myanmar's crisis. "This is just a political trick ... aimed at relieving pressure," said the spokesman, Kyaw Zaw. "They must be released unconditionally since they were arbitrarily detained. All political prisoners must be released." (Reporting by Reuters staff; additional reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington; writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; editing by Robert Birsel and Grant McCool) Myanmars ruling military junta has pardoned Aung San Suu Kyi on five charges for which she was previously convicted, reducing the lengthy sentences handed down to the deposed, democratically elected leader after generals seized control of the Southeast Asian nation. The pardon was announced by Aung Lin Dwe, the secretary of the regimes governing body, and further details were confirmed by a source with direct knowledge of the case. The five charges pardoned include offenses against defamation, natural disaster laws, export and import laws and the countrys telecommunication law, the source told CNN. Myanmars military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said Suu Kyis jail sentence would be reduced by six years, he said speaking to the media on camera on Tuesday. Its unclear how many years Suu Kyi now faces in prison. The source CNN earlier spoke to with direct knowledge of the case said her sentence had been reduced by 9 years on Tuesday, and that there were prior reductions already made to the amount of time she would have to serve. Nonetheless Suu Kyi still faces the prospect of decades without liberty, an outcome that has permeated her long political career trying to bring democracy to Myanmar. As of the end of 2022, the 78-year-old faced a total of 33 years in jail, including three years of hard labor, for multiple convictions including electoral fraud and receiving bribes. Suu Kyi led Myanmar for five years before being forced from power and detained after her party was re-elected in a landslide election against military-backed opposition. Army general Min Aung Hlaing seized power at that time in February 2021, ending Myanmars brief experiment with democracy, imprisoning multiple opposition figures and plunging the impoverished Southeast Asian nation into a raging civil conflict that continues to this day. Battles between the military and resistance groups unfold daily across the country. Airstrikes and ground attacks on what the military calls terrorist targets occur regularly and have killed thousands of civilians, often including children, according to monitoring groups. Story continues Whole villages have been burned down by junta soldiers and schools, clinics and hospitals destroyed as a result of the attacks, according to local monitoring groups. Suu Kyi, who spent decades under house arrest during a previous military junta and has been a symbol of opposition to decades of military rule, has denied all of the charges levied against her and rights groups and international observers say her convictions are politically motivated. As of Tuesday, Suu Kyi still faces sentences for 14 other offenses of which she was convicted, the source said. The announcement comes as Myanmars Supreme Court is set to hear appeals by Suu Kyi against multiple convictions over the next two weeks. The source told CNN those appeals will still go ahead. The United Nations Security Council last year called on the junta to release all political prisoners, including Suu Kyi and former President Win Myint. This story has been updated with new information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A mysterious cylinder that washed ashore in Western Australia is debris from an Indian space launch, authorities in both countries have said, ending a flurry of speculation over the objects origin. The cylinder was part of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) had previously launched, Sudheer Kumar, a director at ISRO, told CNN. The Australian Space Agency had previously tweeted on Monday that it had concluded its investigation into the object, and had reached the same conclusion. Since it turned up in July on a beach at Green Head, a coastal town 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Perth, the copper-colored cylinder had drawn in curious local residents eager to catch a glimpse of the unidentified object. Speculation also erupted online with people posting a host of theories about where it might have come from. But police had said that space junk was the most likely answer. The Australian Space Agency said Monday that if any further suspected debris is found, it should be reported to local authorities. The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by ISRO. The debris remains in storage and the Australian Space Agency is working with ISRO, who will provide further confirmation to determine next steps, including considering obligations under the United Nations space treaties, the Australian space agency added. The bulky cylinder, which stands taller than a human, appears to be damaged at one end and is covered with barnacles, suggesting it has spent a significant amount of time at sea before washing up. ISRO confirmed to CNN that there were no such plans as of now to bring the object back to India. The Australian space agency had urged people to avoid handling and moving the object due to its unknown origin. Police said previously that the item did not appear to originate from a commercial aircraft and vowed to guard it until its removal. Space rockets are multi-stage, meaning they are made up of various compartments carrying fuel, each of which are dumped in a sequential order when the propellant runs out, with much of the debris falling back to Earth. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com UPDATE: The body of a man found dead inside a barrel in a California lagoon has been identified, according to media reports. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the body as Javonnta Murphy, 32, NBC Los Angeles reported. The original story is below. A mans body was found inside a floating barrel in a California lagoon, according to a sheriffs department. After spotting the 55-gallon plastic barrel drum on Monday, July 31, a Malibu Beach lifeguard brought it to shore, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said in a news release. The lifeguard opened the container and found the body of a naked man inside, deputies said. The barrel was initially spotted by a state park maintenance worker on Sunday, July 30, Lt. Hugo Reynaga with the sheriffs department told CNN. Using a kayak, they brought the container to shore but did not open it. Overnight, high tides then carried the barrel back into the water, Reynaga told the outlet. Reynaga told KTLA 5 News that the body doesnt appear decomposed or to have been in the barrel for very long. A former Malibu mayor, Jefferson Wagner, told The Los Angeles Times he was deeply disturbed by the barrels discovery. This is not what happens in Malibu, Wagner told the newspaper. This is not a common occurrence. I mean, bodies in a barrel is just sad. Anyone with information is asked to contact deputies at 323-890-5500. Missing man vanished over a year ago. Now his body has been found in barrel, CA cops say More human remains found at Lake Mead days after body found in barrel, rangers say Son dismembers and burns his dad then mom helps hide evidence, Arizona cops say An artist's rendering of a Voyager probe next to striking images of the solar system Voyager 1 and 2 captured on their missions. NASA/JPL NASA inadvertently cut contact with its Voyager 2 probe after sending a wrong command. It's scrambling to get back in touch but likely won't be able to fix the problem before October. The 46-year-old probe is hurtling away from Earth at about 35,000 mph. NASA is scrambling to find Voyager 2, one of the most famous probes in space history, after losing contact with it when someone sent a wrong command. The agency said Friday it hadn't been in contact with the probe since July 21 after inadvertently pointing its antenna away from Earth. "The mission team was able to detect the 'carrier signal' from the spacecraft it's essentially the signal it uses to send data back to Earth," a representative with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory told Insider. The signal is too faint for data transmission, but it's a sign that the spacecraft is still in operation. However, because of the direction of the antenna, engineers aren't confident they'll be able to command the spacecraft. Voyager 2, which has been traveling through space for almost 46 years, is expected to be out of touch until at least October, when an automatic maneuver could put the antenna back in line with Earth. In the meantime, the probe is traveling 35,000 mph and is 12 billion miles away from Earth. NASA scientists know where Voyager 2 is and where it's set to be in October. Until then, there isn't much in the area for it to run into, the representative said. Usually, Voyager 2 transmits its data in real time because it has only a small amount of onboard memory. If the agency can't access its data, it could mean the end of its 46-year mission. "The point of the mission is the science, so if we can't get science, then we would not keep it going," the Jet Propulsion Laboratory representative said. In the coming weeks, NASA will be bombarding the area of space around Voyager 2 with the correct command using its Deep Space Network antenna in Canberra, Australia. Story continues The network was able to pick up a signal from the probe, which let the agency know that "the spacecraft is in good health," NASA Sun & Space tweeted Monday. The hope is the probe will pick up the signal and resume operations as normal, Australia's ABC News reported. This is a long shot, Glen Nagle of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex told the ABC. If that doesn't work, NASA aims to reestablish contact on October 15, when the probe is set to automatically adjust its orientation. In the meantime, Voyager 2 should carry on following its predetermined path, according to NASA. An artist's impression (circa 1977) of the trajectory to be taken by NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 on their missions to study Jupiter and Saturn. Space Frontiers/Archive Photos/Getty Images Voyager 2 is part of NASA's longest-running mission, having traveled through space for almost half a century. Along the way, it has captured some of the most iconic pictures of the solar system. Voyager 1 and 2 have far exceeded their life expectancy they were anticipated to run out of steam within four years of launch. "The science data that the Voyagers are returning gets more valuable the farther away from the sun they go," Linda Spilker, Voyager's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said in a press release in April. "We are definitely interested in keeping as many science instruments operating as long as possible," she said. Scientists have been able to find clever ways to expand the probes' lifespans by strategically switching off instruments, but they are nearing the end of the scientific mission. But even after the last instrument switches off, the probes' longer-term missions will continue. They carry a golden record that contains crucial information about humanity. If intelligent extraterrestrial life exists, scientists say beings could use that information to reach out to humanity. Voyager 2 also has one final fail-safe. If it's out of communication with Earth for a certain amount of time, it begins to look for Earth. "That timer runs out in December," the Jet Propulsion Laboratory representative said. Update August 1, 2023: The story was updated with new information from a NASA representative and a tweet from NASA Sun & Space published Monday. Read the original article on Business Insider NASA sent the Northrop Grummans Antares rocket on an expedition to the International Space Station to deliver supplies and conduct investigations in a Tuesday night launch that NASA said could be visible in multiple states. The rocket successfully launched Tuesday evening from Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island in eastern Virginia. Weather permitting, NASA said the launch was expected to visible in a dozen states throughout the mid-Atlantic region and on the East Coast. The spacecraft is set to meet up with the International Space Station Aug. 4 around 4:30 a.m. ET. After a successful launch from @NASA_Wallops, the #CRS19 capsule is heading to the @Space_Station, loaded with science and snacks. Live coverage of the capsule's rendezvous will begin Aug. 4 at 4:30am ET (0830 UTC): https://t.co/pgfQuHu8fL pic.twitter.com/qs9Jltuhdp NASA (@NASA) August 2, 2023 The mission will examine spacecraft fire protection and the density of the Earth's uppermost atmosphere, among other scientific investigations, NASA says. Antares rocket: NASA rocket launch may be visible from 10 or more East Coast states This graphic from NASA shows where people on the East Coast may be able to view the Antares launch Aug. 1, weather permitting. You can watch the recap of the launch in the video at the top of the page. Where the Antares rocket launch was visible Here's our view of tonight's #Antares ISS resupply mission from our office in Wilmington. Due to clouds we only saw the rocket's second stage flight, but if you look hard you can still see the rocket's spent first stage falling behind. Video credit: Tim Armstrong/NWS Wilmington pic.twitter.com/tnrMkTwmdN NWS Wilmington, NC (@NWSWilmingtonNC) August 2, 2023 The Northrop Grummans Antares rocket over Cape Cods Nauset Beach Tuesday night shortly after being launched from Wallops Island in Virginia. Such an amazing sight to see on the edge of America. #Eastham pic.twitter.com/R3Ul7XxdXK Peter Marteka (@petermarteka) August 2, 2023 Antares rocket from Emerald Isle, NC Tuesday night. I couldnt see it from Raleigh (clouds), but thanks to Keith Collins for sharing! pic.twitter.com/TWvog5GBYS Wes Hohenstein (@WeatherWes) August 2, 2023 The @northropgrumman Antares rocket spotted by my son in Chalfont PA tonight!! @NASA_Wallops pic.twitter.com/FYd5Xlks7n Maureen OBryan Walstrum (@MoWalstrum) August 2, 2023 NASA Antares Rocket launch from Wallops Island, VA visible on the SE Connecticut coast tonight. the twilight phenomenon is so cool. space is neat. pic.twitter.com/C4vOUqZGcT Alli Pinter (@allipinter) August 2, 2023 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA rocket launch replay: Antares liftoff from Wallops Nashville falconer and songwriter Holly Lamar is suing three Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) officers who seized her 13 birds last year, one of which died after being taken from her. A judge earlier this year threw out the states case against Lamar, ruling that her birds and property had been taken illegally and ordering they be returned to her. Lamar, the founder of Wing Blade Falconry, says that officers were retaliating against her for filing a complaint against one of them with the TWRA. She said the experience "almost killed me." "I had my 13 children kidnapped," Lamar said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. "I remember the feeling of waking up every morning with that. I just didn't want to live." The lawsuit, first reported by The Tennessee Lookout, was filed July 25 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Lamar is represented by Nashville attorney Ben Raybin. The three TWRA employees named in the lawsuit Captain Russell Rusty Boles, Col. Darren Rider and Officer Matthew Norman are being sued in their individual capacities. TWRA communications director Emily Buck said in an email that the agency nor the individual officers could comment on active litigation. According to the lawsuit, Lamar in 2021 obtained her Tennessee master falconry permit and various federal permits and started taking steps to make sure she was complying with all relevant Tennessee bird laws and regulations relating to the permits so she could operate her business. Lamar said she had worked through several personal issues, like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, with her birds, and wanted others to have the same experiences. "I've always been a sensitive and emotional person and very spiritual, and this business for me was spiritual," Lamar said. "Which made it even harder ... because all I ever wanted to do with this business was help." In spring 2022, Boles, who had recently been named Captive Wildlife Coordinator, began giving her erroneous legal information about how many birds she was allowed to possess and what she did with those birds, the lawsuit states. Story continues On July 25, 2022, Lamar filed a complaint against Boles with the TWRA explaining that his information was inaccurate and that he often failed to respond to her other questions. That complaint was forwarded to Rider, who heads TWRAs law enforcement division. Within days, Norman and other officers from TWRA received a warrant to search her property. On Aug. 2, 2022, they took her 13 birds, cell phone and other electronic equipment. The birds were held at two raptor centers that Lamar says were inadequate to care for them for extended periods of time. She was charged with 30 misdemeanors. The sheer number of criminal charges Defendants brought against Plaintiff Lamar far more than are typically placed against murderers and rapists reflect Defendants vengeful and unreasonable personal animus and ill-will against her, the lawsuit states. One of the birds, Faith, named after Faith Hill, with whom Lamar wrote the song "Breathe," died. But she didnt find out until a week later, when the officers told the prosecutor in her case, who then told Lamars attorney. Plaintiff Lamar was devastated by receiving news that one of her birds had died, particularly because she had raised that bird by hand over the last seven years, the lawsuit states. She was particularly distraught because Defendant Boles conveyed an erroneous band number of the deceased bird, so Plaintiff had to spend hours attempting to learn which bird had died in the middle of the night. It was five months until her surviving birds were returned to her, when Davidson County Judge Lynda Jones dismissed the search warrants and called the agencys actions an abuse of the law. Several of her birds are still psychologically damaged by being taken from her and held in confinement for an extended period of time, she said. "The order found that the 'search and seizure were made illegally with an invalid search warrant, and in violation of the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures,'" the lawsuit states. The search warrant was based on misinterpretations of bird law in Tennessee, according to the lawsuit. While Lamar owned 13 birds, the states five-raptor limit applies only to birds TWRA has jurisdiction over birds native to Tennessee and Lamar had only four such birds. The states five-raptor limit also only applies to falcons used for hunting, and most of Lamars birds were used for educational purposes. Lamar said in the lawsuit that there are several other falconers in the state with more than five raptors who were not prosecuted, and she claims that the officers would not have prosecuted her in this case if she were a man. She said Tuesday afternoon that she hopes that legislators take action to reform TWRA, including by changing it from an agency to a department, increasing accountability over its actions and employing fewer law enforcement and more biologists and other experts. Lamar is suing the men for unlawful search and seizure; violation of substantive due process; malicious prosecution and false arrest; First Amendment retaliation; gender discrimination in violation of the Equal Protection clause; and civil conspiracy. She is asking for unspecified monetary damages from the defendants for emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of past and future earnings, as well as attorneys fees and any other applicable relief. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville falconer Lamar sues TWRA officers who seized birds The Nassau County Sheriffs Office has announced a collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Nassau County to host the much-awaited Pack the Patrol Car back-to-school event. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The joint effort aims to provide essential school supplies to at least 100 students, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming academic year. However, its worth noting that the Boys and Girls Club currently caters to the needs of over 300 students daily, making this initiative all the more crucial. If you would like to donate to this great cause, bring any of the following school supplies to their Administration Building located at 77151 Citizens Circle Yulee, FL 32097. The Sheriffs Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The items needed for donation include: Backpacks Notebooks Pens and pencils Markers and crayons Binders Rulers Erasers Glue sticks The Boys and Girls Club of Nassau County expressed their gratitude for the partnership and the support from the Sheriffs Office. These supplies would make a significant difference in the lives of the students they serve. Each contribution, no matter how big or small, will have a positive impact on the lives of the students who receive these supplies. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Farmers who complain of unfair practices by the large poultry companies they depend on for their livelihoods could get more protection from federal regulators and the courts, under a U.S. Senate bill introduced last week. The Poultry Grower Fairness Act, sponsored by Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, would direct courts to award reasonable attorneys fees when poultry and livestock farmers prevail in lawsuits against the companies with whom they contract for animals and feed. Lawyers are often reluctant to take on such cases because they cant be sure theyll get paid, according to Aaron Johnson, program manager for the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that advocates for farmers. Fettermans legislation would make it more viable for any poultry or livestock farmer to sue a company that is abusive to them, said Johnson, who pushed for the reforms proposed in the bill. This extends a whole lot of fairness and protection to poultry farmers, he said. The bill could have significant implications for many farmers in North Carolina, one of the nations leading poultry producers. Farmers usually raise chickens and turkeys under contract with multi-billion-dollar companies, known as integrators, that control almost all aspects of production. In North Carolina, those corporations include Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Butterball and other leading poultry companies. For poultry farmers, big risks And theres a lot riding on the success of those contracts. When farmers get started, they typically borrow more than $1 million to build three or more barns structures that stretch the length of two football fields and can hold 20,000 to 40,000 chickens apiece. But an investigation by The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer last year found that many of those farmers have little control over the things they need to succeed financially such as the health of the chicks and the quality of the food that integrators provide. Story continues This aerial view shows some of the many poultry barns that have been built in southern Anson County in recent years. Fettermans bill is designed to protect people like David Lutz, a former Lincoln County poultry farmer whose contract with Case Farms was canceled after he complained that the company was bringing him moldy feed and piles of dead chickens. Lutz sued the Troutman-based company, which ultimately agreed to pay him an undisclosed sum as part of a confidential settlement. But the company did not cover Lutzs attorneys fees, he said. Case Farms declined to comment on Lutzs allegations. But in court filings the company denied that it supplied substandard feed and chickens. In theory, Lutz said, Fettermans bill could help farmers like him. But hes not optimistic that it will become law. None of this is going to happen, because the integrators are too powerful, Lutz said Monday. Theyre not going to let this pass into a law thats going to hurt them. Bob Ford, executive director of the N.C. Poultry Federation, declined to comment on the bill Monday, saying he has not yet learned much about it. A dominant business in NC With chicken and turkey production increasing by 33% in the past two decades more than half of that growth coming in the past five years poultry is North Carolinas No. 1 agriculture business. By one measure, pounds of meat produced, North Carolina is the nations top chicken state. The legislation would also enhance the ability of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect poultry farmers, allowing the agency to resolve complaints through administrative actions such as injunctions and temporary restraining orders. Now, when the USDA wants to stop an abusive practice by a poultry company, it must go through the U.S. Justice Department. That sharply limits the number of enforcement actions that can be taken. Nick Gavio, Fettermans press secretary, said the senator will fight to pass the legislation, either as a standalone bill or as part of the upcoming Farm Bill. He believes that we need to do more to help our small poultry farmers and fight corporate consolidation in the agriculture business, Gavio said in an email to the Observer. Rudy Howell, a former Robeson County chicken farmer, said poultry growers need protections like the ones proposed by Fetterman. When Howell worked as a contract chicken farmer for Perdue Farms several years ago, he complained that the company was delivering sickly chicks and poor quality feed to his farm. He also alleged that some company representatives were abusing chickens. After Howell raised his concerns with a British newspaper and allowed a videographer for an animal rights group onto his farm, the company terminated its relationship with him. Perdue officials declined to respond to questions about the companys dealings with Howell and other farmers whove filed complaints. But in an emailed statement to the Observer last year, the company said its a leader in poultry welfare and that it values the excellent relationships built on trust we have with our farmers, and remain committed to providing them fair, competitive contracts. Howell and others say the trust between farmers and integrators doesnt always last for long. The poultry farmers arent educated when they get into this, he said Friday. Theyre just slaves to the industry. They dont have control over anything. Until the farmers realize they have a legal leg to stand on, nothing will happen. Big Poultry: Five takeaways from investigating North Carolinas secretive ag industry PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's election commission said on Tuesday that nearly half a million ballots were spoiled in the national election last month, which critics have called a sham as all opposition parties were barred from contesting. Having ruled for nearly 40 years, Prime Minister Hun Sen will hand over power to his son later this month after the ruling Cambodian People Party (CPP) scored an easy victory in the July 23 election. The CPP won 80% of a total of 8.2 million votes cast, the National Election Committee (NEC) said on Tuesday, the first official announcement of the results. About 440,000 ballots -- or every one in 18 -- were invalidated, the NEC said, adding the election had seen a high turnout of 85%. According to NEC official Dim Sovannarom, the number of spoiled ballots was less than in the 2018 election, when state institutions had also disbanded an earlier incarnation of the pro-democracy opposition Candlelight party. Authorities had threatened voters with heavy penalties if they spoiled ballots or boycotted the election or urged others to do so. Opposition figures and rights groups say Hun Sen has for years suppressed democratic institutions while cracking down on opponents and critics. The government has rejected such accusations. (Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) Very few of Donald Trump's top super PAC donors from the 2020 campaign have given to his rivals' super PACs this cycle, a new analysis of Federal Election Commission filings by CNBC and NBC News shows. At least three of the former president's 2020 super PAC donors have donated to other GOP presidential candidates' super PACs, a low number that could suggest that these business leaders are sticking with Trump, sitting out the 2024 race or still deciding if they're going to send their money to his rivals. Caroline Wren, a pro-Trump fundraiser, told CNBC in a statement that having so few big-money defections means these donors all see the polls showing the former president well ahead of his rivals and believe hes going to win the Republican primary fight. The donors are coming to the same conclusion as Republican voters the primary is over and Donald Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee, she said. Its time for donors to coalesce around Donald Trump and invest in the ground game and infrastructure needed to win in the general election, Wren added. A New York Times poll released Monday shows Trump with 54% of the support of likely GOP primary voters, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a distant second with 17%. No other candidate eclipsed 3%. Shipping magnate Richard Uihlein and his wife, Elizabeth, each donated $1 million to the Never Back Down super PAC, which is backing DeSantis bid to be the GOP nominee for the White House, new filings show. The couple gave more than $3 million combined in 2020 toward the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action. Warren Stephens, CEO of Stephens Inc., contributed more than $3 million combined to both America First Action and Preserve America, another super PAC that backed Trump in 2020. This year, Stephens contributed $1 million to America Strong and Free Action Inc., a super PAC backing former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Stephens also gave $50,000 this year to the Tell It Like It Is super PAC, which supports former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies presidential bid, and $100,000 to Committed To America, a super PAC backing former Vice President Mike Pences candidacy. Story continues Ronald Cameron, a longtime Arkansas-based businessman who gave more than $1 million in 2020 to super PACs supporting Trump, gave $500,000 to the same pro-Pence group. Both Christie and Pence are among the candidates in the single digits within the recent Times poll. Hutchinson regularly polls behind both men. Meanwhile, the Trump-allied super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. shows millions were raised from old allies of the former president including: $1 million from Woody Johnson, New York Jets owner and former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom under Trump. $1 million from veteran real estate mogul Charles Kushner, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushners father, whom Trump pardoned before leaving office. $2 million from casino magnate Phil Ruffin. $50,000 from Haim Chera, an executive at Vornado Realty and son of businessman Stanley Chera, a longtime friend of Trumps. Blackstone CEO and major Trump donor Steve Schwarzman did not give anything to super PACs backing other candidates for president or to Trumps orbit. He said a year after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill that he was ready to back a primary challenger to the former president. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) announced Monday the state will send about 60 state Army National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas to assist Texass border security effort Operation Lone Star. This mission is critical to the security of Nebraska as well as other states, Pillen said in a press release. We need to maintain the safety of our citizenry and stem the ongoing influx of illegal drugs, weapons and criminals into our borders. Operation Lone Star is Texass $2 billion-per-year program to limit migrant crossings into the U.S. from Mexico. It includes an increase in border patrol law enforcement and building new infrastructure, such as buoys in the middle of the Rio Grande River to prevent people from swimming across. The Nebraska troops will provide additional observation and reporting near the border for about a month, Pillen said. The state previously sent 10 state troopers to Texas in May to operate observation drones for about two weeks. President Bidens border policies have been ineffective, requiring that states join together to help manage this issue, the Nebraska governor added. Failure to do so only opens the door to threats that we cant fully recognize yet. A Nebraska guard spokesman told the Omaha World-Herald the troops will not be deputized and will not assist with direct law enforcement activity. Operation Lone Star has been criticized by Democrats and migrant advocates because some say it creates dangerous conditions for those wishing to enter the U.S. Last month, the program came under fire after it was alleged that Texas Department of Public Safety workers were told not to give migrants water, and in some cases to push them into the Rio Grande River to prevent them from making it to land in the U.S. Texas DPS officials denied that the order to withhold water was given. Still, the reports resulted in a federal investigation. The Rio Grande River buoys have also prompted a lawsuit by the Justice Department for allegedly violating federal law. The floating barrier was also criticized by Mexican officials who claimed they violate international treaties. Story continues The buoys and additional border measures, such as razor wire, make it more dangerous and more likely that people will be injured or die when crossing, critics say. In the last month, at least four people have drowned in the Rio Grande River where the buoys are now in place. Border security has been a high priority of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in recent years. The program has so far been effective, resulting in the capture of 422 million lethal doses of fentanyl so far this year, he said last month. According to data released by Pillen, the operation has apprehended nearly 25,000 migrants since May, including almost 4,000 criminal arrests. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver speaks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup host city selection watch party at Liberty State Park in Jersey City in June 2022. (Stefan Jeremiah/AP) New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who had served as the acting governor of the state this week while Gov. Phil Murphy was on vacation in Italy, died unexpectedly Tuesday at the age of 71. Oliver was hospitalized Monday for an undisclosed medical issue, the Associated Press reported. Murphy released a statement from Italy, where he was vacationing with his wife and children. "Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver." Trailblazer Phil Murphy celebrates with Oliver after he was elected governor of New Jersey, in Asbury Park, Nov. 7, 2017. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) In his statement, Murphy hailed Oliver, who was born in Newark, as a "trailblazer in every sense of the word." "When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She had already made history as the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, and just the second Black woman in the nation's history to lead a house of a state legislature," Murphy wrote. "I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner to lead the state of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made." Who is acting as governor now? New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari at the State House in Trenton on Feb. 28. (Matt Rourke/AP) Shortly after Oliver was hospitalized on Monday, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari took over as acting governor. On Monday night, he released a statement that identified him in that role. "I want to extend my best wishes to Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver for a rapid and healthy recovery. We look forward to her return," Scutari's statement read. The state's constitution calls on the Senate president to serve as acting governor should the governor and the lieutenant governor be out of the country or incapacitated. Murphy was originally scheduled to arrive back from Italy on Aug. 13, but following Oliver's death a spokesperson said the governor would "return shortly." Story continues 'Legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration' Oliver's family announced her death in a statement posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, saying she "leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration." "May her memory be a source of comfort and strength to all who knew her," the statement added. Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed a new Sacramento Superior Court judge. The appointment of Jeffrey Galvin, 56, of Sacramento County, was one of 17 Superior Court appointments across California by the governor on Friday. Galvin served as an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission from 1994 to 1998 and as a clerk at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, from 1993 to 1994. Galvin most recently worked as a litigation partner at Downey Brand, a position he has held since 2001, according to a news release from Newsoms office. There, he has performed the roles of assistant general counsel and pro bono coordinator and handled cases across Northern California and Nevada, according to the organizations website. He earned his law degree from UCLAs School of Law, Newsoms office said. Newsoms office said Galvin, who is a registered Democrat, fills a vacancy left by Judge Geoffrey Goodman, who retired last year. Security forces on the back of a vehicle in Niger British nationals in Niger are being urged to register their whereabouts with the UK government amid unrest sweeping the West African country. Violent protests have broken out in Niger after a military junta seized control of the government last week. France, Italy and Spain are all preparing rescue flights, but the Foreign Office have not announced any plans to evacuate people. It has urged British nationals in the country to stay indoors. The UK Foreign Office is understood to be closely monitoring the fast-moving situation and is keeping its plans under review. Its travel advice has been updated to advise against all travel to Niger. It is unclear how many British nationals are in the country, but it is thought to be fewer than 100. Officials are thought to be liaising with other countries on the ground, including France, the former colonial power in Niger. The government in Paris announced evacuation plans for the roughly 600 French nationals in the country after hostile crowds surrounded its embassy on Sunday. It said a limited number of flights would take place "very soon" because of the "deteriorating security situation" in the capital city Niamey. A statement from the French foreign ministry said it would also help other European nationals leave the country if necessary. The Italian government said it was putting on a "special flight for those (Italians) who want to leave the country", AFP reported. It said there are around 500 Italian nationals in Niger. German citizens in Niger - who are thought to number fewer than 100 - have been urged to leave the country aboard planes organised by France. The Spanish government said it is preparing to evacuate around 70 of its citizens. On Sunday the UK government announced it was suspending long-term development assistance to Niger in response to the coup, but will continue spending on humanitarian aid. Story continues Andrew Mitchell, the minister for development and Africa, called for the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to be "immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order". Banner saying 'Get in touch' Have you been affected by the unrest in Niger? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. The Daytona Beach Police Department has released more information about an AMBER Alert that was issued for a 14-year-old girl. DBPD said two Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies, the Clay County Sheriffs Office and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, assisted them and the Marion County Sheriffs Office in locating the girl unharmed in Marion County. Based on statements from witnesses, our investigation determined that no crime had occurred due to the alleged accusation not being factual and also being reported by a third party and not the victim, the DBPD said in a news release. The AMBER Alert was issued for the girl on Monday evening. On Tuesday afternoon around 12:30 p.m., the Florida Department of Law Enforcement canceled the alert and said she had been found safe. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The United States has yet to approve the final plan to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets since European states have not agreed on all the specifics. Source: CNN, as reported by European Pravda Details: The TV channel said the US has not yet received the complete plan for training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 from the European member states of the "fighter jet coalition". Washington, as the fighter jet's manufacturer, must approve it before the training can begin. This includes permission to transfer special equipment for the F-16s, such as flight simulators and training manuals, as the training will only take place in Europe. Nor is it clear which countries will provide their F-16s for training. US defence officials told CNN that the United States is still considering whether to send US pilots to help train Ukrainians, but no decisions will be made until a final training plan is approved. The training plan concept provided to CNN by the Danish MoD indicates that the six-month course will train pilots and ground crews in several locations, including the Danish airbase of Skrydstrup. Background: In mid-July, 11 Ukrainian partner nations signed a memorandum with Ukraine defining the conditions for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. John Kirby, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, said the F-16s may emerge in the Ukrainian army by the end of this year. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Private schools across Oklahoma are predicting enrollment gains after a new tax credit for private school families begins next year. Rodney Burchett, head of school at Life Christian Academy, is preparing for a significant growth spurt at his Choctaw private school, where enrollment is currently about 130 students. I think we have the possibility next school year of being close to capacity, said Burchett, who defined capacity at about 230 students. I think a lot of those (new students) will be from families making $100,000 (a year) or less. Thats the kind of growth supporters of a new tax credit for private school students envisioned when they pushed through one of the most significant overalls of Oklahoma education earlier this year. Beginning next year, families with children in a private school will receive a refundable tax credit to use for tuition. A household making less than $75,000 a year will be eligible for $7,500. The tax credit shrinks the more money a household makes, with a floor of $5,000 available to families making more than $250,000. A $1,000 tax credit will be available for each home-schooled child regardless of income. More: Why some Oklahoma parents who homeschool their children are not in favor of state support State Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, believes the new private school tax credit will mostly benefit those already making enough money to send their children to private school. Critics of the tax credit both Democrats and Republicans claim it will mostly subsidize the tuition of affluent families already sending their children to large private schools. "This years voucher scheme siphons money directly out of our public schools and uses it to help pay for private institutions," said state Sen. Carri Hicks, an educator and Oklahoma City Democrat. Tuition at some of the states largest and more notable private schools can top $25,000 a year, making the tax credit just a small discount for lower-income families who likely wont be able to afford the remaining balance. But its the states smaller private schools with tuition closer to $6,000 and $7,000 annually that could see the biggest impact. We do expect to see about a 10% (annual) growth rate because of the tax credit, said Andy Wilkins, headmaster at Oklahoma Bible Academy in Enid, which currently has about 200 students. Story continues I think (that growth) will really be more from that working class, lower middle-class group because our tuition is only $8,500, so to get a 7,500 tax credit makes us very accessible. Tax Commission expects to release details later this month The state Legislature tasked the Oklahoma Tax Commission with establishing rules and unveiling an "advance" payment program so families can pay private school tuition that may be due before the April tax filing deadline. Several private school leaders told The Oklahoman they don't expect to see much growth this upcoming school year as the details about how the tax credit will be disbursed are not yet known. The state Legislature tasked the Oklahoma Tax Commission with establishing rules and unveiling an "advance" payment program so families can pay private school tuition that may be due before the April tax filing deadline. Tax Commission officials haven't said whether those advance payments will be available this coming school year, although the agency warned lawmakers earlier this year that the program presented unique and costly administrative challenges. We expect to have a full list of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) compiled for both press and parents by mid-August, Emily Haxton, a spokesperson for the commission, told The Oklahoman in a statement last week. Both Gov. Kevin Stitt, left, and state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters supported the tax credit for private school families. The bill also requires the Tax Commission to work with the Oklahoma State Department of Education to verify a student claiming the credit isnt still enrolled in a public school. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said the Education Department also will promote the tax credit program to parents on its website, which already has been updated with pro-school choice information since Walters became superintendent in January. However, the agencys School Choice web page still referred to the tax credit bill as a proposal experiencing "ongoing deliberation" in the state Senate as of July 31. The state House, Senate and governor signed off on the bill earlier this year. Some private schools working with low-income families to delay tuition Delta Sigma Theta members give out backpacks and school supplies July 30 during the Delta Sigma Theta Back-to-School Bash at Garden Oaks Community Center in Oklahoma City. Several private schools already are promoting the tax credit to parents with a link to the website of the American Federation for Children, a conservative organization that advocated for the tax credit program. Private school is now a financially viable option for every family in Oklahoma, the AFCs webpage states, although it also claims less than half of all counties in the state have a private school. More: Behind the 'grassroots' movement for Oklahoma school vouchers championed by Ryan Walters Burchett, at Life Christian Academy in Choctaw, said his school has been working with some parents on delayed tuition payments with the understanding that the tax credit eventually will become available. "We are kind of taking a small gamble that those who qualify for tuition discounts for our school and can't afford to pay (for the first semester) are going to get the tax credit, so we are allowing some of those parents to spread out what they would owe for the (first) semester," Burchett said. Many of the state's largest private schools with much higher tuition including Heritage Hall and Casady declined to comment on the tax credit program, saying they still were waiting for the state to unveil specific rules. Wilkins, headmaster of Oklahoma Bible Academy in Enid, said he still was waiting to hear more details from the state but believed the new program will open private education to more parents who previously couldn't afford it. "As an educator, I'm really excited because I see this as a huge step for Oklahoma," Wilkins said. "This is a way to support both (private and public), and thats what the other states that have a good education system do very well. Public, charter, private and religious, just an all of the above approach." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Tax Commission working on private school tax credit details LINCOLNTON, N.C. (AP) Police determined Tuesday that a car crash that injured a group of migrant workers in North Carolina was accidental, but the driver has been charged with a felony hit-and-run for fleeing the scene. New evidence led police to change their original assessment that the crash was intentional, said Maj. Brian Greene, interim chief of the Lincolnton Police Department. Daniel Gonzalez, 68, turned himself in to the police a day after he allegedly drove his black SUV into the workers, injuring six, while trying to park Sunday outside a Walmart in Lincolnton. Family members who accompanied Gonzalez to the police department told detectives that he had hit the gas pedal accidentally and left the scene in a panic. Based on the statements and after consulting with the District Attorneys Office we are treating this as accidental, Greene said Tuesday. People were still injured, and he left the scene, so he was charged with felony hit-and-run with a $50,000 secure bond. The victims were treated at a local hospital for their injuries, and all six were released late Sunday, Greene said. Police identified them as Jorge A. Lopez, Zalapa M. Hermosillo, Jose L. Calderon, Luis D. Alcantar, Rodrigo M. Gutierrez-Tapia and Santiago Baltazar. The men had been waiting to board a shuttle bus that regularly transports them to and from Knob Creek Orchard in Lawndale. NORTH HAMPTON A Massachusetts State Police lieutenant will be North Hamptons new police chief. Robert LaBarge Jr., 55, will retire on Friday from the Massachusetts State Police, where he has served in various capacities since 1996. He will take over as North Hampton police chief on Aug. 7. Im coming back home, said LaBarge, who began his law enforcement career at the New Hampton Police Department in New Hampshire. I love police work. Ive honestly never had a bad day. Robert LaBarge Jr. LaBarge earned his bachelor of science degree from Plymouth State College and a masters degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England College. He also graduated from the New Hampshire and Massachusetts police academies. He retires as a lieutenant with the Massachusetts State Police, most recently the unit commander with the Behavioral and Suspicious Activity Recognition Unit, overseeing a 90-person team. I am honored and thrilled to be entrusted with this amazing opportunity, LaBarge said of being chosen as North Hamptons new police chief. I look forward to getting to know the community and the dedicated women and men of the North Hampton Police Department. Previous story: North Hampton police mass exodus- Two more officers leave in wake of chief controversy LaBarge said his career started working for a great chief, when he served in New Hampton, and when that man went to the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office, LaBarge followed. When an opportunity came to join the state troopers in Massachusetts, he took it. During his career with the Massachusetts State Police, LaBarge served in several leadership roles, including as a shift commander for Troop A and Troop H. He also supervised, led, and coordinated numerous homicide and major case investigations from 2001-2019 while assigned to the office of the Essex County District Attorney, headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts. Massachusetts State Police Lt. Robert LaBarge Jr. has been selected to become the next police chief of North Hampton. I love the Massachusetts State Police, and Ive made a lot of great friends there, he said. I have 30 years of law enforcement experience. Ive had a great career every step of the way, and hope to continue it in North Hampton. Story continues Previous story: Wages, not work environment, drove North Hampton police departures, union says LaBarge said he understands what the community has experienced lately, with the untimely retirement of its former police chief in March, and the subsequent resignation of the majority of its officers. He said when police organizations go through difficult times, as has the Massachusetts State Police recently, it can often lead to positive results. Weve gone through some very hard times at the Massachusetts State Police recently, he said, but now its much better. LaBarge said he is hoping to reach out to the community and to create an atmosphere at the North Hampton Police Department in which officers want to come to work, and where everyone is valued, everyone is listened to, and everyone has a seat at the table. Were going to move forward and look to the future, LaBarge said. I want it to be a fun place to work. When officers like coming to work, when officers are happy at work, its better for the community. North Hampton Beach high fecal counts: Are the historic fish houses to blame? According to North Hampton Town Administrator Michael Tully, LaBarge was one of more than 30 applicants for the chief's position. Tully said LaBarge has a proven record of strategic management, commitment to community engagement, and personnel development, and has utilized new law enforcement technology to meet the complex challenges of modern policing in communities like North Hampton. Chief LaBarge's public engagement background and experience in implementing complex operational solutions, coupled with his strong aptitude in building lasting relationships, will advance our Police Department and position our community well into the future," according to Tully. "I'm confident that Bob will assimilate well into our community and the Police Department organization." LaBarge is also a veteran of the Army Reserves out of Londonderrys military police unit. He served from 1989 to 1997, including deployments to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991. Married and the father of two, LaBarge and his family live in Massachusetts, but the goal is to move back to the Granite State, he said. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Massachusetts State Police veteran to lead North Hampton Police Department By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea denounced the new U.S. special envoy on the country's human rights issues, Julie Turner, as a "wicked" person who has resorted to "mudslinging" while interfering in other countries' internal affairs. Turner, former director of the State Department's Office of East Asia and the Pacific in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, was nominated by President Joe Biden to the position in January and confirmed last week by the Senate. An unnamed spokesperson of what North Korea's state media called the Association for Human Rights Studies said Turner had earned "notoriety" for "mudslinging" over human rights issues and "spitting out coarse invective" against the country. "Her absurd remarks are nothing but grumbles of either a person ignorant of even the concept of human rights or a human rights abuser embodying the inveterate bad habit of the U.S. which revels in meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and slandering it," the spokesperson said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. The appointment of "such a wicked woman" highlights Washington's hostile policy toward Pyongyang, it said, warning of "retaliatory action of justice." In a separate dispatch, KCNA accused France of escalating tension by sending fighter jets for joint air drills with South Korea. The air forces of South Korea and France held their first bilateral exercises last week, marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. French troops fought in the battle as part of U.N. forces. "This is an irresponsible act that fuels tension in the already sensitive Korean peninsula and an outright military provocation that threatens our security interests by taking advantage of the U.S. hostile policy towards us," KCNA said, citing a researcher named Ryu Gyong Chol. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin in Seoul; Editing by Matthew Lewis) By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) -North Korea has offered a very brief response to the United Nations Command about a U.S. soldier who dashed over the heavily-guarded border with South Korea on July 18 and was immediately taken into custody, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. However, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that North Korea only acknowledged the U.N. Command's request for information about U.S. Army Private Travis King and stopped short of offering detailed information about him. "I can confirm that the DPRK has responded to United Nations Command, but I don't have any substantial progress to read out," Ryder told a press conference, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. When pressed, Ryder said that North Korea's message back to the U.N. Command was just "an acknowledgement" of the U.N. Command's inquiry. King sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on the border, landing the United States in a new diplomatic quandary with nuclear-armed North Korea. King, who joined the U.S. Army in January 2021, had served as a Cavalry Scout with the Korean Rotational Force, part of the decades-old U.S. security commitment to South Korea. But his posting was dogged by legal troubles. He faced two allegations of assault in South Korea, and eventually pleaded guilty to one instance of assault and destroying public property for damaging a police car during a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans, according to court documents. From May 24 to July 10 he served a sentence of hard labor at the Cheonan correctional facility in lieu of paying a fine, Yonhap news agency reported. After his release from the prison, which is designated for U.S. military members and other foreigners, King stayed at a U.S. base in South Korea for a week, Yonhap said. A Cheonan prison official confirmed King had served the hard labor sentence there, but declined to provide further information citing privacy concerns. Story continues U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said King had been due to face military disciplinary action on his return home to Fort Bliss, Texas. U.S. officials have expressed deep concern over King's fate in North Korea. The Army has noted the case of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months and died shortly after he was returned to the United States in a coma in 2017. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Grant McCool) Private King crossed the border between South and North Korea on July 18 - AP North Korea has acknowledged a United Nations Command request for information on US soldier Travis King who bolted across the countrys border last month, the Pentagon has said. But Pyongyang stopped short of giving any details about the 23-year-olds whereabouts. I can confirm that the DPRK has responded to United Nations Command, but I dont have any substantial progress to read out, spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told a press conference on Tuesday, using the acronym for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. When pressed, Mr Ryder said that North Koreas message back to the UN Command was just an acknowledgement of the inquiry. Last week the UN said delicate talks had begun over the fate of Private King, who had joined a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) between the South and North, before wilfully crossing into the latter on July 18. In a briefing last week Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, the forces deputy commander, said a conversation had begun between the UNC and the Norths Korean Peoples Army. The primary concern for us is Private Kings welfare, he said. South Korean and American soldiers at the demilitarised zone in Panmunjom, near where the unauthorised crossing took place - AP Talks about the fate of Private King had begun under the rules of the armistice agreement that brought a truce to the 1950-53 Korean War, he confirmed, adding that he did not wish to reveal any details that could prejudice the process. Obviously there is someones welfare at stake and clearly we are in a very difficult and complex situation which I dont want to risk by speculation or going into too much detail about the communications, Lt Gen Harrison said at the time. Private King joined the US Army in January 2021 and had served as a Cavalry Scout with the Korean Rotational Force. While in South Korea he had faced allegations of assault and a 3,097 fine for damaging a police car. The soldier had just finished a stint in a detention facility for an unspecified infraction and was accompanied to the airport by a military escort, who could not join him beyond customs and immigration. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Donald Trump Scott Olson/Getty Images Former President Donald Trump denied that he had Mar-a-Lago surveillance footage deleted after he was charged last week with ordering aides to delete security footage when he was hit with a subpoena. In a heated Truth Social post, Trump claimed that the Mar-a-Lago tapes were "voluntarily" handed over to the Justice Department "thugs," and that he didn't even attempt to go to court to stop the Department of Justice from getting the tapes. "I NEVER TOLD ANYBODY TO DELETE THEM. PROSECUTORIAL FICTION & MISCONDUCT! ELECTION INTERFERENCE," he claimed. But the new charges filed against the ex-president and two of his aides tell a different story. They include obstruction charges based on allegations that the Mar-a-Lago employees pressed the IT director at Trump's Florida club to delete surveillance video footage to prevent a federal grand jury from accessing them. "Trump's selfserving claims in the media are not admissible in court," former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade, a University of Michigan law professor, told Salon. "The only way he can deny it in court is by testifying under oath, which would be very risky for him because it would subject him to cross-examination about all of his prior admissions." Trump, who pleaded not guilty last month to 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials, has denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing investigation. His campaign has dismissed the new charges as "nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt" by the Biden administration to "harass" Trump and those around him. Legal experts aren't surprised by the former president's claims on social media, declaring his innocence and demanding that the DOJ be prosecuted for misconduct. "Trump's litigation playbook consists of merely a few pages," James Sample, a professor at Hofstra University's School of Law, told Salon. "He makes sweeping boasts in the court of public opinion. His filings whisper narrowly when he is governed by the rules of evidence. This scenario was best illustrated by his election challenges. Court after court found that his public boasts were the evidentiary equivalent of bounced checks." Story continues Former federal prosecutor Kevin O'Brien added that Trump's denial that he ever told anybody to delete footage is "predictable" and "a sound strategy" since the conversation in question hasn't been recorded or memorialized, leaving Trump free to deny it happened. "These claims may not be very persuasive given the circumstantial evidence laid out in the indictment, but all Trump needs to do at trial is create reasonable doubt," O'Brien said. "One other fact that may be useful to Trump: the server, in fact, was not deleted, so at worst, he could say, the conversation was idle chatter." On the other hand, if the government can "flip" Carlos De Oliveira, the employee who allegedly asked the IT director how to delete surveillance video, then their "case on deletion is all but airtight," O'Brien pointed out. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani agreed that the Justice Department would try to flip De Oliveira and Walt Nauta, Trump's longtime valet who is also facing charges in the classified documents case. "Trump has a First Amendment right to talk about the case, but he shouldn't be attacking the lawyers or the judge, or commenting on evidence that isn't admissible," Rahmani said. "The question is, will Judge Cannon actually hold him accountable and in contempt? No judge so far has held Trump accountable for the things he says outside of court. If Trump continues to be given free rein to disparage prosecutors and the evidence, potential jurors will see and hear his comments and it will color their view of the case. Trump would in effect be entering the trial at an advantage." Rahmani added that Trump's lawyers have tried to get prosecutors on their cases disqualified, pointing to the examples of New York attorney general Letitia James and Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney investigating Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. "I expect to see the same with Jack Smith," Rahmani said. "That's the tactic his attorneys will take, which works in tandem with the bombastic statements Trump makes outside of court attacking the prosecutors who are coming after him." However, no judge is likely to remove the prosecutors on any of Trump's cases or dismiss any charges against the former president, he added. "From a legal perspective, the strategy won't work and is nothing more than a delay tactic, which benefits the defense," Rahmani said. "On the campaign trail, it's a different story. Trump is using the prosecutors as a foil to create an image of himself as a martyr for the MAGA base." Read more about the Mar-a-Lago probe The United States State Department has commented on the drone strikes on Moscow that occurred on the night of 29-30 July. Source: Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, as reported by European Pravda Details: Asked whether the US supports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's words that returning the war "to its symbolic centers" in Moscow is an "inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process", Miller said he was "not sure that he would agree with that interpretation of what symbolic centers mean". Quote: "I will say we neither encourage nor enable strikes outside Ukraines bordersbut as we have said many times it is up for - to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war," Miller said. Miller also recalled that "it has been Ukrainian civilian infrastructure that has been targeted over and over" by the Russians, and it is "Ukrainian civilians that have been murdered in this war", when the Russian Federation strikes schools, hospitals and residential buildings. Background: The US Department of State called on the Russian Federation to cease the deportation of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories and to bring those deported back home. The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies have gathered details about Russia's decision to deliberately strike civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and forcibly deport thousands of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! A pyrocumulus cloud from the Station fire looms over downtown Los Angeles in August 2009. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times) If you live near the coast, wildfire season starts with Southern California's notorious Santa Ana winds, which usually arrive in the fall. But inland, the fire season is already well underway. It's as if there are two separate fire seasons, said David Gomberg, a forecaster and fire weather program manager with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. His forecast office has warned for more than a week of the potential for fires that can explode into monsters, sending smoke plumes thousands of feet into the sky. And they do it without any significant winds, such as a Santa Anas. "Strong winds are not a requisite condition for large uncontrollable fires," said John Abatzoglou, a professor of climatology at UC Merced who has studied the bifurcation of Southern California fire activity. These fires, he said, are driven by a trifecta of fuels, topography, dryness and heat of which there has been plenty in the Southwest this summer. But there's another important but little understood factor a product of the heat that fire forecasters study closely. It's called mixing height. Mixing height is a measurement of how high a smoke column or plume can rise from a fire. The measurement can be used as a proxy for estimating fire danger, said Darren Clabo, South Dakota's state fire meteorologist. Knowing the mixing height can help scientists determine the potential vertical plume growth of a fire, Gomberg said. A fire with a high vertical plume or convective column of smoke, ash, particulates and other gases is dangerous because it acts like a giant chimney. Air rushes in to replace the heated air rising in the column, creating erratic winds on the ground that provoke extreme fire behavior. Hotter temperatures tend to result in higher mixing heights, Gomberg said. Read more: The Mojave Desert is burning in California's biggest fire of year, torching Joshua trees "During a typical heat wave, it is common to see mixing heights between 10,000 and 15,000 feet across inland areas, and sometimes as high as 20,000 feet during major heat waves, such as what we saw during the Station fire and Bobcat fire." Story continues Elevated heat and mixing heights of 10,000 to 15,000 feet in the Inland Empire have contributed to recent plume-dominated fires such as the Bonny fire in Riverside County. Forecaster Brian Adams said that on Friday he could watch a pyrocumulus cloud soaring above the Bonny fire from his window at the San Diego weather service's office in Rancho Bernardo. The atmosphere typically cools with height in what is called a standard atmosphere. An atmosphere that warms with height indicates an inversion. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times) The mixing height marks the top of the planetary boundary layer, which is the section of the atmosphere affected by Earth's surface, such as the heating of land and sea by the sun and the obstruction of wind by trees and buildings. At night and during cooler times of the year, the planetary boundary layer contracts as the sun's heat does less to warm Earth's surface. (If there's a fire, this is why the smoke is held close to the ground at night and the blaze is said to lie down.) Part 1 of a mixing heights explainer If you sent up a weather balloon first thing in the morning, it might encounter warmer air just above Earth's surface before detecting progressively cooler temperatures as it rises higher. That's because at night the sun isn't heating the ground and the air immediately above it. When the sun comes up, it warms the ground, which heats the air above it. Air that's warmer than the surrounding air rises; air that's cooler than the surrounding air sinks. Read more: The fire that devastated a Sierra town created a pyrocumulus cloud. What does that mean? As the summertime sun's heat increases, the planetary boundary layer expands. If there's a fire, the smoke no longer hugs the ground; instead, it abruptly soars thousands of feet into the sky. That means the mixing height is suddenly dramatically higher, with important implications for fire behavior. Part 2 of a mixing heights explainer As warm air near the surface rises, it leaves behind voids or low-pressure areas. Since the atmosphere is constantly trying to restore equilibrium, higher pressure always flows toward lower pressure. Air next to those voids flows in to fill the vacant space. That creates more voids, which too must be filled, this time by air sinking from above. But when air sinks it is heated due to compression, like how a bicycle pump gets hot because the air is being squeezed into a smaller space. The further the air sinks because of the high mixing height, the more it is forced to heat. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times) On top of that, the air sinking from higher in the atmosphere is bone dry compared to the more moist air hanging around Earth's surface. "A day with high mixing heights lowers surface dew points [humidity] and increases surface temperatures," Clabo said. "Higher mixing heights tend to promote larger fire growth because of these processes." Mixing in the planetary boundary layer of the troposphere. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times) If there's a fire in these conditions, heated air will rise very rapidly, quickly creating a convective column or plume and with it dangerous conditions, Clabo said. Experts warn that warming from human-caused climate change is a factor in the persistent heat gripping the West. The strong ridge of high pressure, sometimes referred to as a "heat dome," besieging the Southwest may be stuck in place because the jet stream, the upper-level air currents that steer weather patterns around the globe, has become more wavy. Even without climate change, more heat is likely on the way. In Southern California, inland valleys are the hottest in mid-August, somewhat later than the rest of the country. Closer to the coast, the hottest weather is delayed just a fraction toward late August to Sept. 1, said Eric Boldt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Wildland vegetation in Southern California has been drying out over the last several weeks, Abatzoglou says, but the cool spring weather that lasted into June has helped. "Should things be persistently and unusually hot and parched for another few weeks in the mountains, the switches that likely are limiting high fire potential may turn on." By that time, Southern California will be on the cusp of its other fire regime, the one fueled by hot, dry Santa Ana winds. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Burnt vehicles were removed from the road and shops in Sohna, Gurugram remained closed on Tuesday A mosque was set on fire and a Muslim cleric killed during religious clashes that broke out after a procession by Hindu nationalist groups in the northern Indian state of Haryana. Those killed in the violence in the state include two "home guards", who assist the police in controlling riots and public disturbances, police say. Several policemen are among the injured and have been admitted to hospital. A curfew has been imposed in Nuh town where the clash took place. Chief Minister ML Khattar has called the incident "unfortunate" and appealed for peace. Violence broke out on Monday afternoon during a procession taken out by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Footage from Nuh showed stone-pelting by a mob as cars were set on fire and shops were vandalised. More than 2,000 people who were in town to take part in the procession were stranded in a temple as the clashes escalated. They were later evacuated by the police. Visuals from the Nuh area showed cars that were set on fire and shops that were vandalised A VHP spokesperson told BBC Hindi that their procession had been attacked and called it "part of a well-planned conspiracy". The state government suspended internet services in Nuh citing "intense communal tension" and danger to life and property. The violence, which lasted for several hours, soon spread to the neighbouring areas of Faridabad, Palwal and Gurugram (formerly Gurgaon), on the outskirts of the capital, Delhi. In Gurugram, a mosque was set ablaze by a mob. A senior official said police had been deployed at the mosque when it was attacked. "But we were outnumbered by the attackers who opened fire suddenly," Nitish Agarwal, Deputy Police Commissioner (East) of Gurugram, told BBC Hindi. Police was now collecting videos related to the incident. "Some of the suspects have been identified and taken into custody," Mr Agarwal said. The federal government has sent additional security forces to the state following a request from the Haryana government. Story continues Randeep Singh Surjewala, a leader of the opposition Congress party, has blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government for "failing to control the law and order situation". Lawmaker from the regional Indian National Lok Dal party Abhay Singh Chautala said the state government had failed to take preventative action despite security concerns. "For the last two days, there were reports regarding a possible law and order disruption in Nuh," Mr Chautala told the Indian Express newspaper. He was referring to a video posted online by Monu Manesar, a member of the Bajrang Dal, saying he would attend the procession in Nuh. Manesar is a well-known cow vigilante who regularly uploads videos of himself questioning cattle transporters. In recent years, cattle traders - many of them Muslim - have been assaulted by Hindu vigilante groups as the animal is venerated in the religion. Mr Chautala asked, "When there was already information about his presence in the procession, why didn't the police take adequate preventive action?" Carts and shops run by Muslims had been burnt, with smoke seen rising from some shops on Tuesday As he appealed for peace on Monday night, Chief Minister Khattar said "strict action" would be taken against the perpetrators of the violence. On Tuesday, BBC Hindi's Abhinav Goel reported that security personnel were deployed in large numbers in the Sohna area of Gurugram district, with barricades every two kilometres on the road between Sohna and Nuh. Carts and shops belonging to Muslims have been burnt and smoke can be seen rising from some shops even on Tuesday, our reporter added. The state's home minister said the situation was under control. But schools were shut and internet remained suspended in Faridabad, Palwal and Gurugram. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. Read more India stories from the BBC: Xi's Imprint on the Era | A Sapling Donation Form People's Daily Online) 09:51, August 01, 2023 This is Changting County, southeast Chinas Fujian Province. In front of us is a verdant site with picturesque mountains and clear waters. Once plagued by severe water and soil loss, it was called "Flame Mountain", referring to the fact that no grass grew on it. On Nov. 27, 1999, Xi Jinping, then deputy secretary of the Party Committee and acting governor of Fujian, came to Hetian Township, Changting County. Seeing the bare red soil all over the mountain, he made up his mind to spend eight to 10 years rectifying the soil erosion problem in Changting. Xi also asked someone to send 1,000 yuan to donate a camphor tree. On this yellowed donation form, the payers name is clearly written: Xi Jinping. When Xi visited Changting in 2001, he specially earthed up and watered the camphor tree. During Xis tenure in Fujian, he traveled to Changting five times to address the soil erosion control issue. After years of effort, Changting County's soil erosion rate dropped from 31.5 percent in 1985 to 6.57 percent in 2022. There will never be "bare mountains, turbid water, barren fields, and poor people" again. The camphor tree has witnessed all these changes, and is a "green miracle" that took place on Chinese land. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chengliang) New York Attorney General Letitia James' office says it is ready to proceed with a trial stemming from its $250 million lawsuit claiming former President Donald Trump, two of his children and his company engaged in widespread fraud. "The case is ready for trial," wrote Kevin Wallace, senior enforcement counsel for the office, in a filing Monday. The September 2022 lawsuit accused members of the Trump family and Trump Organization executives of orchestrating an extensive fraudulent scheme related to valuations of property and Trump's personal financial statements. Allegations against Ivanka Trump have since been dismissed by a New York appeals court. The lawsuit is seeking $250 million and sanctions that would effectively cease the company's operations in New York. The Trumps and the company have vehemently denied wrongdoing. Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump have all sat for depositions in the case. During Trump's first deposition, in August 2022, before the lawsuit was filed, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination more than 400 times. He was deposed again in April, that time answering questions in James' New York City office for about eight hours. The case is scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 2, a date the the judge in the case, Arthur Engoron, previously described as "set in stone." Engoron has rejected repeated attempts by Trump attorneys to push that date back. The trial comes amid a legal maelstrom surrounding Trump, who is again running for president. In April, he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, which charged him with 34 felonies in connection with reimbursements for an alleged "hush money" payment made to an adult film star before the 2016 election. He has entered a not guilty plea in that case, which is scheduled for trial in March 2024. In May, Trump was found liable by a jury for sexually abusing the writer E. Jean Carroll after a federal civil trial. He is appealing. Story continues In June, Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with 37 felonies related to alleged "willful retention" of national security information after leaving the White House. Last week, three more counts against him were added via a superseding indictment. Trump has entered a not guilty plea in that case, which is scheduled for trial in May 2024. In July, Trump announced in a social media post that he received a letter identifying him as a target in a federal investigation into the January 6, 2021 insurrection and attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election, which he lost. Trump has not been charged in connection with that investigation and has denied wrongdoing in connection with those events. Later this month, Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated a grand jury there may consider charges related to her office's two-year investigation into efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn that state's election results after Trump lost. Trump has accused prosecutors in each case of bias and strenuously denied all allegations against him. Dangerous heat lingering on Gulf Coast How Mike Pence factors into the Jan. 6 probe, charges against Trump How Trump, his supporters and GOP rivals are reacting to the Jan. 6 indictment A homeless man indicted in a gruesome deadly stabbing aboard a New York City subway train now reportedly stabbed a mental health worker in the face and arm at Rikers Island. Claude White, a 33-year-old homeless man indicted in the June subway killing of Bronx resident Tavon Silver, allegedly attacked a Rikers Island mental health clinician over the weekend, both the New York Post and the New York Daily News reported, citing multiple sources within the corrections department. The 6 feet, 3 inches, 319 pound White allegedly used a 9-inch piece of sharpened metal in the attack that unfolded in a housing area in the George R. Vierno Center just before 5 p.m. on Saturday. The mental health clinician, a 52-year-old licensed clinical social worker since at least 2008, suffered three puncture wounds to the right side of the face and puncture to the left forearm. The victim was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital and required stitches, the sources said. The inmate was brought to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, and additional charges in connection to the attack on the social worker were expected. The Bronx District Attorneys Office told the Daily News that the investigation into the Rikers Island incident remained ongoing. MANHATTAN US ATTORNEY INSISTS ON FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF RIKERS ISLAND FROM ERIC ADAMS ADMIN: 'COLLECTIVE FAILURE' Claude White, 33, is transported from the NYPD 13th Precinct station house in Manhattan, New York City on Monday, June 19, 2023. White was indicted last month for allegedly stabbing 32-year-old Silver on the 4 train following a dispute over drugs, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office said July 17. He is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of third-degree robbery. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on June 17, White was riding a southbound 4 train when he began arguing with Silver over a crack cocaine deal gone wrong. As White held Silver down while repeatedly hitting him, he grabbed a steak knife that belonged to Silver and stabbed him twice in the chest, prosecutors said. White was arrested two days later with blood stains on his pants. Story continues SUSPECT IN NYC SLASHING SPREE FOUND CASUALLY SNACKING, TRYING TO DITCH BUS FARE: REPORT Prosecutors detailed during a prior court appearance that after White allegedly murdered Silver, sitting on top of the victim's body, he hopped off the train and was spotted "casually and callously" smoking K2 leaving the 23rd street station. White then allegedly threw the knife into the subway tunnel and put his sweatshirt in the trash. Before the gruesome subway attack, White had been charged with a bank robbery earlier in June. The entrance to Rikers Island, home to the main jail complex, is shown from the Queens borough as shown on Oct. 19, 2021, in New York City. The notorious jail, situated on the island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx boroughs, is under increasing scrutiny. The New York Daily News reported that he also had at least seven prior arrests for robbery, assault, and grand larceny going back to 2010. Rikers Island, meanwhile, faces a threat of being taken over by a federal monitor amid pervasive safety concerns. Just last week, four corrections officers were hurt in two separate attacks by inmates. OShae Sibley, A 28-Year-Old Black Gay Man, Was Fatally Stabbed In Suspected Hate Crime After Voguing To Beyonce | Bloomberg via Getty Images New York City police are looking into a fatal stabbing at a gas station that led to the death of a gay Black professional dancer as a suspected hate crime. On Saturday night, according to NBC News, OShae Sibley was approached by a random group of strangers while dancing in a parking lot. Witnesses reported the choreographer was having fun with his friends as they grooved and vogued to Beyonces Renaissance album when the strangers told them to stop. When the exchange began to get heated, the 28-year-old tried to defuse the situation, which resulted in someone stabbing him in his torso. Following a few fights and back and forth arguing, [someone] pulled out a knife and stabbed him, Sayeda Haider, a bystander who witnessed the incident, told NBC News. Traumatized by what he witnessed, Otis Pena, one of Sibleys friends who was out with him the night of the crime, posted a video on Facebook showing him in distress while sharing with his friends what happened. They killed OShea. They killed him right in front of me. I was covered in his blood and Im holding his stab wound. And OShea was just trying to tell people Yea, we gay but its not calling for all that and he stabbed him. He stabbed him right in the heart, he said, crying. They murdered him. They murdered him because he was gaybecause he stood up for his friends, he added. An employee of the gas station told Gothamist, These people were like were Muslim, I dont want you dancing. Gothamist reported that the employee said the initial instigators were friends of a man who works at a nearby smoke shop and frequently comes by the gas station to use the restroom. The gay people, they were not trying to fight, the employee Summy Ullah said. The smoke shop kid and his friend started this. Ullah also tried to intervene, telling the group, Theres no point of fighting. Just leave. The New York Times reports the group called Sibley and his friends slurs before the fatal stabbing occurred. Story continues According to Gothamist, After a few minutes, Sibley and his friends turn to head back to their white sedan. But one of the men in the other group begins filming them with his phone, prompting Sibley and two of his friends to come back to the front of the store to continue the confrontation. A bystander appears to try to come in between the groups to diffuse the situation, but Sibley and the men disappear for a few seconds around the side of the store. When Sibley is fully visible again, he has been stabbed, and appears stunned on the sidewalk as his friends scramble to stop the bleeding from his wound. The New York Police Department has put this in the hands of its hate crimes task force to investigate the case. Although there have been no arrests at this time, there is a 17-year-old suspect officers are searching for, according to NBC New York. Mayor Eric Adams spoke on Sibleys passing during a press conference Monday concerning public safety. Now, you have an incident like we saw over the weekend with this young man who was experiencing that hate crime, and we will find the person responsible, Adams told the media. It shakes our confidence when you have someone that randomly assaults someone, who could have a real mental health issue, on the streets. It shakes your confidence. According to a briefing document from the Department of Homeland Security, hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community have significantly increased within the past year. The sad reality is that even in New York City, LGBTQ+ people are still subjected to increased violence, simply for being themselves, Beverly Tillery, executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, said. Anti-LGBTQ+ bias can turn deadly, and we must all work to eliminate it from our society. She continued, OShae deserved the right to dance, to be free and unapologetically queer without fear. Sibleys aunt, Tondra Sibley, told The New York Times, It was a senseless crime. OShae has always been a peacemaker. All he wanted to do was dance. Per Gothamist, she said he moved to Brooklyn from Philadelphia three years ago to pursue his dance career. His featured projects include An Eclectic Dance to the Music of Time, which was featured at Lincoln Center. He was a gentle spirit, Tondra Sibley told the outlet. Everyone that knew him knew that he was always smiling he loved people, he loved dancing, he loved teaching dance. Calling the killing senseless, she hopes justice will be served. She continued, Why would a person feel they have the right [to kill] just because they disagree with them? So youre gonna stab everybody you disagree with? Is that what youre gonna do? Secretary of State Frank LaRose speaks during an election night party for Republican candidates at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Columbus in November. The Libertarian Party of Ohio has accused Secretary of State Frank LaRose of violating federal law for campaigning in favor of Issue 1 on the Aug. 8 ballot. The party filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel on Monday contending that LaRose flouted the Hatch Act, which governs political activity by federal officials and certain state employees. The law prohibits state officials from using their official authority to interfere with elections, and the Libertarian Party says LaRose crossed that line. "For someone who is using Issue 1 to campaign for federal office, LaRose should probably be more familiar with federal laws while administering federal funds, said Travis Irvine, who ran for governor as a Libertarian in 2018. "Libertarians have known all too well since 2013 that 'Two Faced Frank' will do whatever it takes to get ahead." The 2013 reference is about LaRose's support of legislation in the state Senate that changed ballot-access requirements for third parties. The Libertarian Party of Ohio opposes Issue 1. LaRose is running in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in 2024 for the chance to take on Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Ohioans will decide in the Aug. 8 special election whether to support Issue 1, which would make it harder to amend the state constitution. If passed, it would require 60% of the vote to enact new constitutional amendments instead of a simple majority and change the signature-gathering process for citizen amendments. LaRose helped initiate the discussion over the proposed changes and has traveled the state in recent weeks urging voters to support Issue 1. But he has maintained that he's advocating for the measure in his personal capacity, not as the state's top elections official. "This is something that I think is vitally important," LaRose said last month. "I think a 'yes' vote on Issue 1 is one of the most consequential votes that an Ohioan can cast maybe this decade, maybe in their lifetime." Story continues A LaRose spokesman declined to comment. What does the complaint say? The Hatch Act is best known for its regulation of federal political activity. But it also prohibits state employees from influencing elections if their office receives federal funding, which the secretary of state's office periodically does. For example, Ohio used grants through the Help America Vote Act to improve cybersecurity and help local boards of elections address COVID-19 during the 2020 election, according to an August 2022 news release. Part of the Hatch Act does not apply to statewide elected officials like LaRose, allowing them to run for office. But Mark Brown, an attorney for the Libertarian Party of Ohio, said that exemption does not cover allegations of election influence. The law permits an array of activities if state officials act in their personal capacity, including campaigning for or against constitutional amendments. The complaint states that LaRose uses his primary Twitter account to tweet about election-related activities while also promoting his support for Issue 1. In recent days, he's shared information about absentee ballots, touted his participation in Issue 1 debates and highlighted events where he campaigned for the ballot issue. "Even if the use of his Twitter account for support of Issue 1 (and other political purposes) were not enough by itself to bring LaRoses conduct within the scope of the Hatch Act, its use in conjunction with his weeks-long 'campaign' across Ohio to pass Issue 1 does," the complaint says. Read the full complaint here: LaRose Hatch Act Violation-1 by Anthony Shoemaker on Scribd Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Issue 1: Frank LaRose accused of violating Hatch Act A police chief from a small village in Ohio was arrested in Florida after allegedly attacking a homeless man last week. Boston Heights Police Chief Chad McArdle, 40, was charged with misdemeanor-level battery early on Friday morning. He was arrested by police officers in Key West. According to an arrest report obtained by Fox News Digital, a taxi driver called police at around 1 a.m. and told them that a shirtless man was banging on his door. The man, who was identified as McArdle, told the driver that he was stabbed and that people wanted to kill him before laying down and crying on the sidewalk. Key West police soon arrived and found McArdle, who appeared lost and stressed. He told officers that he was pushed and dragged into a vehicle and stabbed by two suspects, but police could not find any stab wounds. MIAMI-DADE POLICE DIRECTOR IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER REPORTED SHOOTING INCIDENT Boston Heights Police Chief Chad McArdle, 40, was charged with misdemeanor-level battery in Florida. "Mcardle [sic] could not describe the stick or which of the two males stabbed him[he] stated that he was able to grab the stick from the male and stabbed the male in the throat with that stick; Mcardle [sic] said that the man was probably dead now," the police report read. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Police noted that there was no blood on McArdle's hands and believed he was giving contradictory information. Officers later found a homeless man who was lying on the ground in the alley. The man reported that he was attacked. FLORIDA POLICE SHOOT, KILL SUICIDAL KNIFE-WIELDING WOMAN WHO CHARGED AT THEM: POLICE "[The victim] said he was standing in the alley, and the unknown male kicked him in the back," the arrest report read. "[The victim] said he fell to the ground and that an unknown male kicked him in the back several times." The homeless man later told police that he recognized McArdle was the man who kicked him. McArdle's shoes were also found in the alley. "To be noted, that no evidence was found during the investigation that could prove Mcardle's [sic] statements," police said. Fox News Digital reached out to the Village of Boston Heights for a statement, but has not heard back. The Highland Tavern, shown in September 2020, has lost its appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court challenging now-expired pandemic health orders that led to the revocation of the bar's liquor permit. The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday denied an appeal filed by an Akron bar that lost its liquor permit after serving alcohol in violation of an emergency pandemic order in 2020. The high court described Highland Taverns case, presented on grounds similar to arguments made by other plaintiffs who lost their liquor licenses for ignoring pandemic restrictions, as a hypothetical dispute. This case is moot, the justices all agreed in the judgment rendered nearly three years after the restrictions that were being challenged were lifted. The court also noted that a similar provision isnt reasonably likely to reoccur. Ohio Supreme Court Opinion in Highland Tavern Case by dhlivingston on Scribd In the early months of the pandemic, to prevent the spread of the novel respiratory disease at a time when a vaccine was still being developed, the Ohio Department of Liquor Control adopted Rule 80. Bars that could serve liquor until 1 a.m. would have to cut off customers at 10 p.m. Alcoholic drinks had to be consumed by 11 p.m. The order was signed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who faced criticism of government overreach from more conservative members of his Republican Party. The 120-day rule was set to expire at the end of November 2020. On three days in August, agents of the Ohio Department of Public Safety observed Highland Tavern patrons consuming alcohol after 11 p.m. and, on one occasion, being served after 10 p.m. This is one of several photos taken by Ohio Investigative Unit agents inside Highland Tavern on a night the bar was cited for violating COVID-19 health orders. During a hearing on the violations, attorneys from the Mendenhall Law Group, which represented Highland Tavern, questioned the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases on why the restrictions applied to bars and clubs but not crowded sporting events and retail establishments like stores. The broader argument was that Rule 80 targeted bars and, in doing so, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The liquor commission didnt buy that line and revoked Highland Taverns permit effective Oct. 2, 2020, making it the first establishment to lose its license over violations of the state's COVID-19 health orders. Story continues In Franklin County, the bar filed a lawsuit against the governor and the three members of the liquor commission, seeking a judgment declaring Rule 80 unconstitutional and barring the government from ever reinstating it. The court in Franklin County ruled that the bar should have pursued an administrative appeal of the rule, which was not codified by the Ohio legislature, instead of taking the matter to a judge, whose jurisdiction covers statutory issues. An appellate court affirmed the decision reached in Franklin County, stating further that the case was moot because it was filed just days before Rule 80 was set to expire. [A]n order enjoining a rule that no longer exists will achieve nothing, the appellate court ruled. And a declaration that the same rule was unconstitutional will not entitle Highland to anything. The Ohio Supreme Court's noted in its ruling that even a finding against the pandemic rule would not have overturned the decision to revoke Highland Tavern's liquor license. "Even if we were to find that Rule 80 was unconstitutional, neither that declaration nor an injunction to prevent enforcement of a future similar rule would reinstate Highlands permits," the ruling says. Attorney Warner Mendenhall said he's now exhausted all legal recourse for his client in Ohio, but there's a chance he'll seek relief in federal court by invoking the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government from unjustly seizing private property and assets. His client, he said Tuesday, is still without a liquor permit. And he was "disappointed" that the Ohio Supreme Court did not acknowledge that in the opinion. Reporter Stephanie Warsmith contributed to this story. Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Supreme Court rejects Highland Tavern appeal of pandemic rule Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board listens to public comments during a meeting to discuss a vote on whether to approve the creation of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a Catholic charter school, in Oklahoma City, April 11, 2023. Credit - USA TODAY NETWORK/Reuters While Florida makes headlines for its war on woke in public schools, in the war against church-state separation, Oklahoma is the frontline. And on Monday, July 31st, return shots were fired. A group of 10 plaintiffs including clergy, public school parents, and public education advocates filed a lawsuit against state officials and organizations for approving St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School as the nations first publicly-funded religious charter school. The central concern in the case of St. Isidore is that taxpayer dollars would go to fund a school that is overtly sectarian with religious education as a goal. In its charter school application, St. Isidore plans to provide Christ-centered Catholic formation and will function as a genuine instrument of the church as a place of evangelization. They would also divert funds away from Oklahoma public schools, already ranking near the bottom of the country in education spending. St. Isidore is just one example of the way Oklahoma education officials and organizations are challenging the very idea of church-state separation. Shortly after his re-election in November 2022, Governor Kevin Stitt prayed on the Capitol steps, claiming every inch of Oklahoma for Jesus, asking God the Father that he would have his way with the education system. Also winning office last November, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has actively cultivated a brand as a culture warrior, regularly posting video selfies from his car, as well as appearing on Fox News and evangelical talk shows like Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, almost always on the theme of woke indoctrination, teachers unions, the Biden administration, and the importance of Americas Christian heritage. Story continues Read More: Christian Nationalism's Growing Popularity During his short tenure thus far, Walters has endorsed recommendations to hang the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, require that students be given a full minute before school for prayer or silent reflection, to teach the Bible, and to train all history teachers in Oklahoma public schools using curriculum from Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian private school in Michigan. Stitt and Walters know their base. When I analyzed data from Pew Research Centers American Trends Panel, I found nearly two-thirds of Republicans in Oklahomas region of the country believe public school teachers should be allowed to lead students in Christian prayers. That same percentage believes cities and towns should be able to place religious symbols on public property (like, say, the Ten Commandments in schools). Playing up the Christian nationalism in Oklahoma is just smart politics. And it may score points in their respective political careers in a party where Trumps odds to be the Republican nominee again are growing. But the stakes in the St. Isidore case are certainly larger than one charter school. Theyre even larger than Oklahoma. Were bringing todays lawsuit to protect the religious freedom of Oklahoma public school families and taxpayers, and to stop Christian Nationalists from taking over our public schools across the nation. explained Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. In their online announcement for the lawsuit, Americans United warned soon states like this will appear around the country. Confronting Oklahoma education officials, in other words, holds the line. The political dominance of Christian nationalist Republicans in Oklahoma has emboldened them to further challenge conventions of church-state separation in the name of school choice and religious freedom. To the degree they are successful in funding overtly sectarian charter schools like St. Isidor, other Republican-dominated states will almost certainly follow suit. But Oklahoma is unique among states where governors and other high-ranking officials are making names for themselves as culture-warriors. Florida and Texas, for example, are growing economic powerhouses where Americans are migrating in droves. Theyre also at least somewhat politically in play. The anti-woke, Christian nationalist rhetoric of Ron DeSantis or Greg Abbott is about mobilizing their base to fight off political opponents at home. Oklahoma is different. Here Republicans have dominated most offices, including the governorship and superintendent position for years. And theres no sign of change. That is where we find the point of all the culture-warring for Oklahoma officials. The state is being left behind. Oklahoma is not a destination for mass migration like its southern neighbor. Nor is it a place where wealth and opportunity are booming. It ranks near the bottom in public education. And Republicans have no one else to scapegoat. Leaders like Walters and Stitt know they must distract their supporters from Republican failures. And you do that by inventing opponents, creating controversy, and claiming cultural victories. On Monday afternoon, for example, Walters characterized the lawsuit as religious persecution and himself as a warrior for religious freedom, claiming it was time to end atheism as the state sponsored religion. Though Ive studied Christian nationalism professionally for the last decade, Oklahoma, my current home, is teaching me something new. So often, Christian nation rhetoric is a response to the very real experience of feeling like your culture is changing, your grip on political power slipping away. As an ideology, Christian nationalism reassures historically dominant groups that they have moral high ground, because outsiders and infidels are trying to destroy Gods blessings to the nation. But that kind of rhetoric can also be a side show, a grift, targeting people for whom there is virtually no threat of cultural change or loss of political power. Thats Oklahoma Christian nationalisma grift to build a politicians personal brand and distract from party failures. That doesnt make their actual policies less important or less harmful; but it does reveal their origins. Like all political grifts, those who suffer are the constituents who get used like pawns, in this case, Oklahomas children and families. As an Oklahoma resident with three children in public schools, and a spouse who is a public school teacher, that fact enrages me. To the extent these sorts of maneuvers are exported to other states, it should enrage you as well. Contact us at letters@time.com. A lawsuit filed Monday in Oklahoma is seeking to block the states support for the nations first publicly funded religious charter school. The lawsuit, filed by the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee, is asking a judge to stop the sponsorship, funding and opening of the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School. It comes after the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in June voted 3-2 to approve the application of the school, an online public school that would be administered by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt applauded the boards decision at the time, calling it a win for religious liberty and education freedom in our great state. But Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and other opponents said the decision was unconstitutional and warned that legal action would likely follow. The defining feature of Americas public schools is that they must welcome and serve all students, regardless of a students background, beliefs, or abilities, the lawsuit states. Schools that do not adhere to this principle have long existed and are entitled to operate, but they cannot be part of the public-education system. Permitting otherwise would upend the legal framework Oklahoma has constructed to govern public schools and protect students. St. Isidore would not be open to all students, in violation of the Oklahoma Constitution, the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act and the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board regulations, the lawsuit claims. It further alleges that St. Isidore refused to agree to comply with all legal requirements applicable to Oklahoma charter schools, including prohibitions against discrimination. In violation of the Oklahoma Constitution and the Charter Schools Act, St. Isidore in fact will discriminate in admissions, discipline, and employment based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected characteristics, the lawsuit states. Story continues CNN has reached out to the Oklahoma Board of Education, the Oklahoma Virtual Charter School Board and St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School for comment on the lawsuit. In June, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City said it was elated the Virtual Charter School Board approved its application. Parents continue to demand more options for their kids, and we are committed to help provide them, spokesperson Avery Holt told CNN in a statement. Brett Farley, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, which handles all government affairs and policy-related issues for the two Catholic dioceses in the state, said supporters of the school were ready to take on any coming legal battles. Public dollars currently go to all kinds of religious institutions, whether theyre education institutions in the form of tax credits, or vouchers, or something like that, but also hospitals and all kinds of religiously sponsored public benefit institutions, he said at the time. If opened, the proposed school would join a list of two dozen charter schools in the state, according to the states Department of Education. CNNs Taylor Romine and Elizabeth Joseph contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Hi OnPolitics readers! Washington will be quieter as members of Congress return to their districts for the August recess. When they come back next month, lawmakers have a monumental task ahead of them, USA TODAYs Ken Tran, Rachel Looker and Miles J. Herszenhorn report. No pressure: When lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill, theyll have roughly three weeks until the Sept. 30 deadline to pass a federal budget. What happens if they dont? If lawmakers cant hammer out 11 of 12 separate spending bills, the country will face a government shutdown. Lawmakers could pass whats called a continuing resolution, which could fund the government until an agreed upon date. But thats not a permanent solution. Its not clear whether lawmakers can reach a compromise in time. The Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate will have to reach agreements on a slew of spending fights. But some members of the conservative flank of the House, the House Freedom Caucus, don't seem concerned about a shutdown. We should not fear a government shutdown," Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., a member of the Freedom Caucus said at a press conference last week. "Most of the American people won't even miss if the government is shut down temporarily." Every government shutdown is slightly different, but one thing is for sure: Americans across the country could quickly face the consequences. Read more here: Is there going to be a government shutdown? What Congress is saying about the latest funding fight Stay in the know on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown 2023? Lawmakers don't have long to compromise Editors note: The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. is Rector of St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, and the author of Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H. W. and Barbara Bush. The opinions in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion on CNN. Theres a tragic scene in Thomas Hardys classic work Far from the Madding Crowd, and we see something very much like it being played out, right before our eyes, by the leadership of the Republican Party. Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. - Russell Levenson In the novel, sheep farmer Gabriel Oak has faced one financial setback after another. For reasons that are never explained, one night one of Oaks sheepdogs starts chasing the flock, which numbers hundreds of animals. As sheep do, the animals allow themselves to be blindly guided by the canine, which drives them off a cliff to their deaths. The dog meanwhile remains safely at the top of the precipice, impervious to the fact that it has destroyed everything his master has worked so hard to achieve. I cant help but see parallels among key leaders of the GOP, who seem either by design or default intent on steering their adherents to certain ruin, without regard for the moral implications of their actions. (Before I go too much further, I should say that I am keenly aware that Democrats have their own moral troubles, but I am not a Democrat. I will leave their criticism to someone in their own house). For most of my life I have identified myself as a Republican and, with few exceptions, have voted the same. But I now find that the GOP leadership of today is unrecognizable when compared to the party I supported enthusiastically during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. I was Bushs minister for the last 11.5 years of his life, and had occasion to witness the rectitude with which he approached governing and that guided his views on politics. But men like him are in short supply. A GOP that once welcomed character, decency and morality is sinking quickly into an abyss. These days, the party values polls and raw power more than principle and probity. But there may be a high price for ignoring the moral high ground, as Republicans may discover at the ballot box a little more than a year from now. Story continues How unlike Bush is the severely morally challenged GOP of today, with failings that eclipse even those of former President Richard Nixon. We are where we are largely because of former President Donald Trump, with his history of sex abuse, shady corporate business deals, abuse of presidential office to attack his perceived enemies and other transgressions too numerous to name. Yet, for some reason either by design or default the GOP is failing to hold him to account. To my mind, one incident that perfectly illustrates the partys identity crisis when it comes to morality was the recent exchange between Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and CNN journalist Chris Wallace in the July 14 edition of the Look Whos Talking to Chris Wallace program. Wallace asked McDaniel whether the Republican Party would have a problem nominating a presidential candidate who is under federal indictment or who is a convicted felon. The GOP chairwoman fumbled, stumbled and diverted so much that she sounded like a toddler trying to explain an advanced calculus problem. In the end, the best answer she could come up with was Its not up to me. Its up to the voters. Theyre going to make their decision. It was as egregious as missed opportunities go but it was just one of many by leaders of my party. The GOPs elected and appointed leaders have decided either by design or default that voters must remain sheeplike as they ignore the moral dangers of Trumps antics. The collective leadership of the GOP appears willing to stand by, hands on hips, witnessing the partys descent into the loutishness of Trump and his acolytes. It may take a generation or more for the party to recover from the looming disaster if it recovers. The fault is not entirely Trumps, to be fair. He is who he is twice impeached and thrice indicted, with perhaps more counts coming in the future. On Thursday, court records showed that Trump has been indicted by a federal grand jury in special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, ahead of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Trumps insistence that the election was stolen from him is the shadow that hangs over the party. And too many Republican officials to count have been echoing the refrain. Whats needed now is full-throated condemnation of the former president from members of his party. Doling out criticism to others was difficult for Bush, but I am convinced that in a moment as critical as the one in which the party finds itself, he would have found a way. He showed precisely that kind of fortitude during a history-making moment when he shrugged off his usual reticence. It was the summer of 1974, after the scales of devotion to disgraced Nixon had fallen from his eyes. In the midst of the Watergate crisis, Bush, who at the time was GOP chair (the same position now occupied by McDaniel), wrote in his journal that he was making a clean break with Nixon over Watergate. I want to make damn clear the lie is something we cant support. But this era of tawdry, shabby lack of morality has got to end because what we need at this juncture in our history is a certain sense of morality and a certain sense of decency, he wrote in August 1974. On August 7, he addressed his remarks directly to the president, writing: It is my considered judgment that you should now resign, which Nixon did the very next day. Even Nixon had enough of a moral compass to understand when it was time to leave office and not put his own interests above that of his party or the nation especially when party leaders were showing him the door. Trump, by contrast, has pledged that if convicted, he will continue to pursue the presidency yet another example of that sheepdog on the edge of the cliff, giving little thought to the disaster he would be setting into motion. If you are a Republican like me who hopes to prevent this impending disaster, do not count on the current leadership of the GOP to do the job. McDaniel and many other top-tier Republicans have missed their moment to offer moral leadership. But McDaniel was right about whats next: Its now up to the voters. We in the party can do infinitely better for ourselves. More of the same will only lead Republican voters hurtling down a precipice and into a pit of ethical nihilism led there by the poll-leading but immoral former president. If, instead of the bottom of the abyss, you are seeking to return the Republican norms and values that our party once embodied, then turn the page with me and offer a hearty amen to a great, late president Bush and Republican presidential contenders cut from a similar cloth who still understand the importance of grace, morality, decency and dignity. It is there that we will find our partys future leader. This piece has been updated with news of Trumps federal indictment late Tuesday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Growing up in my familys Chinese restaurant on the corner of Cass and Peterboro, we were always working. We rarely took pictures, and most of my childhood memories are preserved in my mind and the few buildings that remain in the citys former Chinatown. Thats why I was so devastated when I heard that the city had ordered the demolition of the On Leong Hall, a historic building that once housed Chinatowns community center. Curtis Chin My feelings of hopelessness and anger contrasted with the optimism I had felt just a few months earlier when one of the other Chinatown buildings, the one that had housed our restaurant, had just been sold. The new owners reached out to me in Los Angeles: How would you like to re-open your familys restaurant? Though I had been a professional writer for most of my adult life, I genuinely considered the intriguing proposition. Wouldnt it be fun to bring back a part of my childhood? For six decades, my family ran Chungs Cantonese Cuisine, one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in the Motor City. We were famous for our homemade egg rolls and almond boneless chicken. Originally located in the citys Old Chinatown (around Michigan and First, near Corktown), my grandparents relocated the business to the Cass Corridor in the 1960s after the city demolished the neighborhood to make way for the Lodge Freeway. This was where I grew up. Chungs, and by extension, the citys New Chinatown, was a great place to grow up in the 70s and 80s. Yes, there were lots of challenges (e.g., crime and crack), but there was a vibrant, tight-knit community of Asian American residents and businesses working hard to build a future for me, my siblings and other kids. Curtis Chin, middle, is pictured with brothers Chris (left) and Craig, and their grandfather, Tom Chin. Built in 1883, and purchased by a Chinese American community organization in the 1960s, the community center was an icon. It's a big part of my memories, though my first recollection was not necessarily a happy one. Im a toddler, crying in my moms arms, waiting in the hallway for my flu shot. But things improved after that. As I got older, and my parents became more insistent that we stay off the increasingly dangerous streets, my siblings and I would sometimes run around the center, exploring every room: the giant conference hall with fancy mahogany chairs, the commercial-grade kitchen preparing for the next banquet, the costume closet that stored all the gear for the lion dance. Story continues More: Whitmer signs $57.4B state budget, the first crafted by Michigan Democrats in 40 years More: Asian Americans mourn loss of Chinatown building, ask Ilitches to work with community On Tuesday nights, the entire community would gather on the top floor, where the center hosted Hong Kong movie nights it was the only way to see Asian action stars before the Internet and VHS tapes. We even had the occasional Miss Chinatown beauty pageant, and big parties like my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. As the citys misfortunes continued to slide into the 1990s, it became untenable to maintain our family business, and in 2000, we had to close the location. By then, all the other restaurants had closed, and the community center had shut its doors. In a family photo, Curtis Chin is pictured with his cousin, Waimon, and brothers Calvin and Clifford. Like many Detroiters, I eventually moved out of the state in search of better economic opportunities, moving first to New York before ending up on the West Coast. I would fly back once or twice a year to see my extended family. My great grandpa, who arrived in the area a century earlier, had 10 kids, so there was plenty of family to see. Like so many Detroiters who no longer live in Michigan, we remain fiercely loyal to our hometown. We proudly wear our Tigers and Red Wings gear and defend Motown whenever anyone so much as makes a quip about the "murder city." We constantly look for ways to reconnect with our hometown, for a reason to come back to the 313. So, when the new owners called this spring to explore Chungs revival, a flood of memories came to me: playing mahjong with my siblings and cousins, the holidays we celebrated, and, of course, all the delicious food we ate. For a brief moment, I thought of saying yes, but then I pulled myself together and came back to reality. I have my first book coming out later this year a memoir about growing up in Detroits Chinatown so the timing wouldnt work. Though I passed on the opportunity, in my mind, I left the door open to having this conversation again when I got even older. Any fantasies of returning to Detroit took a huge hit when the city greenlit the demolition of our old community center. A friend from Chicago, a former Michigander who happened to be in Detroit and visiting the former Chinatown, sent me images from the demolition site. Despite last-minute efforts to save the building, it was now a pile of rubble. Its demise continued a long but predictable cycle of communities of color being demolished in the city. As I pondered the remains of the On Leong structure, I was reminded why I couldnt go home to Detroit, not even when asked. Whats the point? More and more, the Detroit of my childhood exists only in my mind. Dont get me wrong. Im happy theres new capital coming in, and that middle-class white people are embracing the city. Ive even wrapped my head around the Cass Corridor being rebranded Midtown. (Though it will always be the Corridor to me.) I want to be part of the citys renaissance, but every time I go home, there are fewer places where I feel connected. With the destruction of the venerable building, there was now one less reason to come home. At some point, there wont be any reasons left, not even the promise of a good homecooked meal. Curtis Chin was born and raised in Detroit. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written for network and cable TV, as well as CNN, Bon Appetit and the Boston Globe. His memoir, "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant"" will be published by Little, Brown on Oct. 17. For more information and a schedule of his tour, please go to curtisfromdetroit.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Opinion: Detroit Chinatown demolition is destruction of history A revered Florida State University professor and chemist worked on the nations top-secret Manhattan Project that made the first atomic bomb during World War II an experience tied to the recent release of the popular Oppenheimer movie. Raymond K. Sheline, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 93, was a member of the project along with Julius Robert Oppenheimer himself who directed the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico during the initiative. Sheline even knew Oppenheimer well enough to share what his temperament was like when speaking to others. Raymond Sheline (right), a former FSU professor who passed away in 2016, takes a photo with his wife Yvonne Sheline (left), who passed away in 2007. Most people, when they want to impress you, they get excited and they speak louder and louder. Oppenheimer did precisely the opposite, Sheline said during a recorded 1995 colloquium session in Florida, where he discussed his involvement in the project. If he wanted to make a point, he lowered his voice so that everybody would lean forward to be sure to hear what he was saying. He had an amazing ability to get along well with people, Sheline added. He sort of held them in the palm of his hands, almost. The well-received movie "Oppenheimer," directed by Christopher Nolan, came out July 21 and explains the life and struggles of the man known as the father of the atomic bomb as he was responsible for the research and design of an atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project, which spanned from 1942 to 1945. The creation of the atomic bomb led to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, killing over 200,000 people, to avoid a U.S. invasion of Japan and cut the war in the Pacific short. In his speech, Sheline admitted to feeling a lingering sense of guilt of the bomb's toll. "Its easy to rationalize: we saved lives by dropping these two bombs and killing 250,000 people. Because if wed had to go from island to island and invade the homeland of Japan, its hard to say how many lives would have been lost?" he asked. 2023 Oppenheimer movie: Exclusive footage: Why Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' is 'the most important story of our time' Story continues More: The 'Barbenheimer phenomenon: How a movie meme inspired the 'crazy, weird' double feature Sheline, who was a Port Clinton, Ohio, native and an Army veteran, received an invitation from chemist and Nobel Prize winner Harold Urey to join the project in 1943 during his early 20s after he graduated first in his class with a bachelors degree in physics from Bethany College in West Virginia. He was a brilliant scientist, and he wasnt even in graduate school at that point, Mark Riley, FSUs Raymond K. Sheline Professor of Physics, told the Tallahassee Democrat. You dont get asked to be a part of that project at his young age without being an amazingly gifted scientist, he added. Riley, who has been holding the professorship title for over 20 years and now serves as dean of FSUs Graduate School, says Sheline was one of his biggest mentors at the university and described him as a marvelous inspiration. Former FSU Professor Raymond Sheline (left) sits on the Raymond K. Sheline Bench on the university's campus donated by the Sheline children in 1992, with FSU Professor Mark Riley (right) in 2011. Other FSU news: FSU professor fired; provost says research 'negligence' caused near 'catastrophic' damage Sheline worked on the project at Columbia University with a focus on gaseous diffusion before moving on to work on it at Oak Ridge and Los Alamos. He did not witness the test that took place 210 miles to the south. "I arrived there, as it turns out, just two days before the test of the first atom bomb at Alamogordo," he said during the 1995 speech. "I can show you samples of the glass that were produced when the first atom bomb was exploded in Alamogordo on the sand of the desert. Its sort of a glass, coming from the tremendous heat of the atom bomb." He then earned his doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1949, and in 1951 he joined FSU, where he taught for nearly 50 years. He is also highlighted for growing the experimental nuclear physics group at FSU, which has been performing world-class science for decades. Ray was a brilliant experimentalist and did a fantastic job when he came to FSU, in terms of running a very fine physics program, said Kirby Kemper, 83, a former FSU physics professor who retired in 2012 as Vice President for Research. Kirby Kemper is a former FSU professor of physics. Some of Shelines other accomplishments included publishing more than 400 scientific papers and helping to establish a nuclear chemistry lab at the Niels Bohr Institute in Denmark, where he was offered a permanent position by physicist Niels Bohr himself but declined to continue teaching at FSU. Sheline also served as FSUs Robert O. Lawton Professor of Chemistry and Physics at FSU and over 50 graduate students got their doctorate degrees under his direction, according to a 2014 article written by his son Johnson Sheline one of the seven children he had with his late wife Yvonne Engwall Sheline, who received her doctoral degree in education from FSU. Reflection of Sheline's life: Son reflects on his fathers life As Riley reflected on Shelines legacy, he mentioned that the spectacular Oppenheimer movie gives a real sense of how significant the Manhattan Project was, and he believes it will win a number of Oscars in the future. Raymond Sheline, FSU Professor, with a piece of fused sand from the first nuclear blast. Sheline was part of the Manhattan Project. He says he watched the film at the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassees IMAX theater with Provost James Clark and some of his nuclear physics friends, including Kemper. Were excited to be able to show this epic film at the Challenger Learning Center in IMAX, the way that Christopher Nolan intended it to be seen, the Centers Executive Director Alan Hanstein said. The Challenger Learning Centers IMAX theater, which is open to the public and located on South Duval Street, will be showing the film until Aug. 16. Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_. FSU Professor Sheline remembers the Manhattan Project in his own words In a 1995 speech at FSU preserved as an oral history by the Atomic Heritage Foundation's Voices of the Manhattan Project, Florida State University professor Raymond K. Sheline shared some key moments. On the secrecy of the project "There was incredibly intense security. The main way that security worked was, they had each little group with its own particular problem working. But there was no contact between any of those groups so that nobody knew, really, what they were doing. We didnt know what we were doing at all for a long time. There were all sorts of weird rumors. Finally, the head of our group illegally told us what we were doing." On Sept. 9, 1945, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, left, and Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves inspect the base of the tower used to test the first atomic bomb in the New Mexico desert. In the movie "Oppenheimer," the central character is played by Cillian Murphy, while Matt Damon plays Groves, who oversaw the Manhattan Project. On Gen. Leslie "Dick" Groves, played by Matt Damon in the movie "He was really a military man, and he thought he would treat scientists just like the military people. But little by little, he found out that wouldnt work. I remember which shows how immature I was in some way a group of us in the Tech Area, where it was illegal to salute, because it was dangerous. You might be carrying radioactive material around or something. A group of us lined up in a line and marched right up to General Groves and did not salute. After the war, General Groves got his way. As soon as the Japanese surrendered, all of sudden, we had inspections and all the fol-de-rol of being in a real Army." On the mindset of scientists working on the project in a race with Hitler "They worked extremely hard, probably 60 hours a week or more. The reason was that we were convinced that Hitler had a good chance of getting there first. In fact, Hitler was making speeches all the time, and we were hearing what his speeches said. Hitler was saying, I have a much more destructive weapon, and they were sure he was talking about the atom bomb. But in fact, he was really talking about the V-2, the rocket bombs. They never really came that close [to developing an atomic bomb], as we found out after the war. But, at the time, as far as we knew, he might be very close." The first U.S. atom bomb explodes during a test in Alamogordo, N.M., July 16, 1945. The cloud went 40,000 feet in the air, as viewed by an automatic camera six miles away from the site. A new film on J. Robert Oppenheimer's life and his role in the development of the atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II opens in theaters on Friday, July 21, 2023. On whether to use the bomb on a deserted island or Japan "The decision had to be made on whether or not to drop the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Certainly, some of the scientists at Los Alamos I was among them preferred that we try and to have a demonstration on a deserted island to show the Japanese the force of the atom bomb, in the hope that they would then surrender. However, what I didnt know and I think most of my colleagues there didnt know is, at that time, there were only two or three atom bombs available." On the challenge ahead when faced with global suicide We are getting close to the time when we really could commit global suicide. But you say to me, No one would do this. Who would want to commit suicide? Thats absurd. But think for a second about Hitler hiding under Berlin at the end of World War II. He was already committed, I think, to suicide. I believe that he would have taken a sort of perverse joy in taking everybody with him if he could have." Raymond Sheline, FSU professor, in his younger days in the service. "In the scientific realm, we can expect our students to climb on the backs of a Newton or an Einstein... and go on from there to greater heights in science. That is because science is a rational kind of structure. However, in the realm of ethics and morality, we cannot climb on the backs of a Jesus or a Mohammad or a Gandhi. We cannot be handed our morality on a silver platter, the way our greatest scientists have handed us their knowledge." "This, then, achieving the kind of morality that can allow our world to continue, is our greatest challenge." Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Late FSU professor Sheline worked on Manhattan Project with Oppenheimer Law enforcement is warning teenagers to slow down if they plan to hit the road as they return to the classroom. Deputies around Orange County said they are seeing a rise in teenage drivers speeding and being reckless behind the wheel. One Orange County deputy recently recorded a 16-year-old driver going 132 mph on Interstate 4. Read: Two more investigations underway at neglected mobile home park after fire With more teens getting behind the wheel this back-to-school season, troopers are stressing the importance of safe driving. Deputies want parents to set good driving examples for their kids and monitor their driving habits. Watch: Orlando police share video of suspects wanted after string of car break-ins In Florida, driving 30 miles over the speed limit is a mandatory court appearance and a fine of $354. Going 50 miles over is a $1,150 fine and a court date. As for arrests, that varies case-by-case. The Orange County Sheriffs Office has different guidelines in place when dealing with juveniles. Watch: Police kill man who shot at them, held relatives hostage during standoff at Palm Bay home Deputies said speeding is an issue across all age groups. See more in the video above. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The organizers of Wacken Open Air, a hard rock and metal festival in northern Germany, have asked visitors to leave their heavy metal at home. They issued a travel ban Tuesday for ticket-holders with cars and trucks due to the muddy terrain of the festival grounds. The world-famous music festival is held every year in the Schleswig-Holstein state village of Wacken. This year's installment is scheduled to open Wednesday and run through Saturday. The organizers said that because of heavy rain in recent days and more expected, camping areas, the event grounds and access roads, were in poor condition and no more vehicles could be allowed onto the site. Due to this extraordinary situation, please refrain from further journeys to Wacken, a statement posted on the events website said. We apologize to all metalheads for the delayed information. We are in constant, cooperative exchange with all relevant authorities and responsible persons in order to continue to ensure the safety of fans, employees and all people in the region. The organizers already had asked visitors Monday to postpone their trips because of the rain and mud. They said Tuesday that attempts would be made to bring vehicles that were already in the immediate vicinity to the festival site. We have to tow each vehicle individually to the targeted parking space with a tractor, which takes a lot of time for every single vehicle. All tractors are in continuous use day and night on all areas, the statement said. The organizers did not immediately say how many of the 85,000 expected visitors were already on site, German news agency dpa reported. Tickets cost almost 300 euros ($328), and they said that information on what to do with any unused ones would follow soon. More than 150 bands are expected to perform on eight stages, including the British band Iron Maiden. The festival grounds cover an area of more than 240 hectares (593 acres.) Speaking in Orlando, Vice President Kamala Harris rejected Gov. DeSantis invitation to discuss and set the record straight about Floridas controversial teaching standards on slavery. There is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery, she said Tuesday. The new state Black history standards, approved at a meeting in Orlando last month, include a required instruction on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. They have caused a political uproar for DeSantis, whos suffered blowback from not only Harris and Democrats but also civil rights groups and Black Republicans. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates, Harris told a gathering of the African Methodist Episcopal Womens Missionary Society at the Orange County Convention Center. And now, they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal that most recently came in of a politically motivated roundtable. Her rebuke comes after DeSantis on Monday sent a letter to the vice president officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. Over the past several weeks, the Biden Administration has repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans about our education system, DeSantis wrote in the letter that he initially shared with Fox News. One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History, he wrote. But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points. In a visit to Jacksonville last month, Harris didnt mention DeSantis but slammed extreme so-called leaders with a national agenda to replace history with lies. Story continues How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities, there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? Harris said then. On Tuesday in Orlando, Harris clearly was not backing down in her criticisms. We will not stop calling out and fighting back against extremist, so-called leaders who try to prevent our children from learning our true and full history, she said. Before Harris spoke, Cynthia Taylor, a convention attendee from Philadelphia, said she had reservations about visiting Florida but she was excited to hear from the vice president. Florida is trying to change the history of Black Americans and what happens in the schools, said Taylor, international treasurer of the AME Churchs International Health Commission. She is an ever-present reminder of what we can achieve as a people, as women and as Americans. Organizers couldnt move this years event out of Florida without incurring a large financial loss, she said. Taylor said she and other attendees are not spending money outside the convention center, other than Disney World, as an act of protest against DeSantis, similar to the economic boycotts of the Civil Rights Era in the South. We have to take a stand here to make sure that our voices are heard all the way across the United States, Taylor said. If we dont stop it now, then all 50 states are going to do this, and we have worked too hard for too long to be a voice that is heard. The controversy over the standards, which also includes instruction on the 1920 Ocoee and 1923 Rosewood massacres in Florida must include acts of violence both against and by African Americans, has dogged DeSantis, a Republican candidate for president, for weeks. Last week, Alpha Phi Alpha, the nations oldest historically Black fraternity, canceled its 2025 convention in Orlando because of a hostile political environment, specifically citing the history standards. DeSantis initially attempted to distance himself from the requirements at a press conference in Utah last month, saying reporters should ask the state Department of Education about the standards. I didnt do it. I wasnt involved in it. These were scholars who put that together. It was not anything that was done politically. But at the same time, he said the standards are probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life. Two members of the workgroup that put together the standards released a statement listing examples of slaves benefitting from developing skills, but many of the examples they listed were likely born free or were children at emancipation. The standards have also faced blowback from prominent Black Republicans, including one of DeSantis rivals for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said there was no silver lining in slavery. What slavery was really about was separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives, Scott said. It was just devastating. So I would hope that every person in our country and certainly running for president would appreciate that. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, was one of several Black Republican Congress members to criticize the standards, including U.S. Reps. John James, R-Mich., and Wesley Hunt, R-Texas. DeSantis campaign staff responded to Donalds call for adjustments to the standards, most of which he supported, by comparing her to Harris. Harris of late has taken on an aggressive role for the White House as she and Biden gear up for a reelection bid. In addition to the Jacksonville trip, Harris went to Nashville in April to slam the expulsion of three Democratic state lawmakers who protested gun violence at the Tennessee state Capitol. ORLANDO, Fla. Speaking in Orlando, Vice President Kamala Harris rejected Gov. Ron DeSantis invitation to discuss and set the record straight about Floridas controversial teaching standards on slavery. There is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery, she said Tuesday. The new state Black history standards, approved at a meeting in Orlando last month, include a required instruction on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. They have caused a political uproar for DeSantis, whos suffered blowback from not only Harris and Democrats but also civil rights groups and Black Republicans. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates, Harris told a gathering of the African Methodist Episcopal Womens Missionary Society at the Orange County Convention Center. And now, they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal that most recently came in of a politically motivated roundtable. Her rebuke comes after DeSantis on Monday sent a letter to the vice president officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. Over the past several weeks, the Biden Administration has repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans about our education system, DeSantis wrote in the letter that he initially shared with Fox News. One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History, he wrote. But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points. In a visit to Jacksonville last month, Harris didnt mention DeSantis but slammed extreme so-called leaders with a national agenda to replace history with lies. How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities, there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? Harris said then. Story continues On Tuesday in Orlando, Harris clearly was not backing down in her criticisms. We will not stop calling out and fighting back against extremist, so-called leaders who try to prevent our children from learning our true and full history, she said. Before Harris spoke, Cynthia Taylor, a convention attendee from Philadelphia, said she had reservations about visiting Florida but she was excited to hear from the vice president. Florida is trying to change the history of Black Americans and what happens in the schools, said Taylor, international treasurer of the AME Churchs International Health Commission. She is an ever-present reminder of what we can achieve as a people, as women and as Americans. Organizers couldnt move this years event out of Florida without incurring a large financial loss, she said. Taylor said she and other attendees are not spending money outside the convention center, other than Disney Word, as an act of protest against DeSantis, similar to the economic boycotts of the Civil Rights Era in the South. We have to take a stand here to make sure that our voices are heard all the way across the United States, Taylor said. If we dont stop it now, then all 50 states are going to do this, and we have worked too hard for too long to be a voice that is heard. The controversy over the standards, which also includes instruction on the 1920 Ocoee and 1923 Rosewood massacres in Florida must include acts of violence both against and by African Americans, has dogged DeSantis, a Republican candidate for president, for weeks. Last week, Alpha Phi Alpha, the nations oldest historically Black fraternity, canceled its 2025 convention in Orlando because of a hostile political environment, specifically citing the history standards. DeSantis initially attempted to distance himself from the requirements at a press conference in Utah last month, saying reporters should ask the state Department of Education about the standards. I didnt do it. I wasnt involved in it. These were scholars who put that together. It was not anything that was done politically. But at the same time, he said the standards are probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life. Two members of the workgroup that put together the standards released a statement listing examples of slaves benefitting from developing skills, but many of the examples they listed were likely born free or were children at emancipation. The standards have also faced blowback from prominent Black Republicans, including one of DeSantis rivals for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said there was no silver lining in slavery. What slavery was really about was separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives, Scott said. It was just devastating. So I would hope that every person in our country and certainly running for president would appreciate that. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, was one of several Black Republican Congress members to criticize the standards, including U.S. Reps. John James, R-Mich., and Wesley Hunt, R-Texas. DeSantis campaign staff responded to Donalds call for adjustments to the standards, most of which he supported, by comparing her to Harris. Harris of late has taken on an aggressive role for the White House as she and Biden gear up for a reelection bid. In addition to the Jacksonville trip, Harris went to Nashville in April to slam the expulsion of three Democratic state lawmakers who protested gun violence at the Tennessee state Capitol. _____ At least six civilian ships heading toward Ukrainian ports entered the Black Sea on July 30 despite the Russian blockade, based on naval tracking data. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigator Markus Jonsson first reported on three civilian vessels Ams1, Sahin 2, and Yilmaz Kaptan/Kudret Gezer, sailing from Israel, Greece, and Turkey/Georgia heading across the Black Sea, "openly advertising destination Ukraine." Ams1 and Sahin 2 passed through the Bosporus Strait, while Yilmaz Kaptan sailed west from northern Turkey. Jonsson later corroborated his report with satellite imagery. Later on July 30, three more ships Sealock, Bosphorus Queen, and Afer set off through the Black Sea toward Ukrainian ports. According to naval tracking data, Ams1 has so far stopped at the mouth of the Danube but its reported time of arrival in Ukraine's Dabune port of Izmail is on Aug. 1 at around 2 p.m. local time. As of 2 p.m., the vessel has not yet entered the Danube River. The other vessels also appear to be anchored at the river's mouth not far away from the Romanian port town of Sulina near Ukraine's border. Russia instituted a de-facto blockade of the Black Sea after its unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, preventing Ukraine from exporting its grain. Moscow threatened that all vessels heading toward Ukrainian ports will be treated as potential carriers of military cargo and that all ships on the Black Sea will be inspected. Russian forces launched attacks against Ukraine's ports at the Danube River at Izmail and Reni on July 24. The ports are only 200 meters from the Romanian border. Read also: Timothy Ash: Solutions need to be found for grain exports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A researcher showing how to perform an intraperitoneal injection to a mouse in the Animal Facility of The Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC). Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images Investigators discovered an illegal medical lab in a California warehouse in March. The lab contained bioengineered mice and samples of diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, and herpes. Months after being found, the lab was emptied and over 5,000 gallons of medical waste were removed. It took months after a makeshift medical lab was discovered in California before investigators emptied the property, removing thousands of gallons of pathological waste and bioengineered mice from the illegal warehouse research center. An investigation by the Fresno Department of Public Health revealed hazardous material was being kept within the warehouse in inadequate refrigerators and freezers after a code enforcement officer noticed a hose illegally connected to the building last December. "I'll be honest, this is an unprecedented event that has happened and really this is the first lab that has ever popped up like this where we've needed enforcement," Jesalyn Harper, a code enforcement officer for the city of Reedley who first responded to issues at the building in December, told Insider, adding "from our understanding, the warehouse itself was supposed to be completely empty." Approximately 1,000 mice were found on site, with roughly 200 already deceased by the time investigators seized the lab's contents. Approximately 1,000 mice were found on site, with roughly 200 already deceased by the time investigators seized the lab's contents.Jesalyn Harper, Reedley Code Enforcement Officer When it was searched in March and April, after warrants were filed with the health department, the lab was found to contain medical equipment and dozens of unlabeled vials, some of which were later determined to hold bacterial and viral infectious agents, including E. Coli, chlamydia, herpes, and hepatitis, according to documents from the health department. In addition to the blood, tissue, and disease samples, investigators found about 1,000 lab mice that a representative for the company told investigators had been bioengineered to catch and carry the COVID-19 virus, Insider previously reported. Roughly 200 of the mice had died before investigators searched the property. Story continues Harper told Insider the lab representative who referenced bioengineering to investigators spoke limited English, which may have meant that the mice were injected with the diseases to get them to produce antibodies, as supplies for creating rapid tests for pregnancy and COVID-19 were found on-site. "Typically, what they do for antibodies is mice will be injected with whatever it is you need antibodies for, and they start developing antibody cells. Then what you can do is extract that cell and use it to make a rapid response test. That's a very common practice," Harper told Insider, adding that there is nothing in the lab that poses a current risk to the public. "They're technically genetically modified, but they're not genetically modified for what everyone believes. She added that there was no evidence that the mice on-site were contagious or that they had been released into the city. From July 5 through 7, months after the lab's discovery, public health officials took three separate trips to the warehouse to clean it of the hazardous waste, documents related to the clearing of the warehouse show. The officials removed more than 5,000 gallons of pathological waste from the site. "Thirty-five separate refrigerators and freezers were identified that contained the following: (1) biological material, including blood, tissue, serum, bodily fluid samples; (2) medical waste; (3) infectious agents; and (4) containers, vials, boxes, bags, laboratory equipment and other storage devices that were contaminated by biological material, medical waste, and/or infectious agents," the building abatement documents read. The whole property was determined to be unsafe to occupy by code enforcement officers. Jesalyn Harper, Reedley Code Enforcement Officer Locals have expressed outrage over the public health department's handling of the incident, which has only been made public in the last week. "What's happening in Reedley is very similar to what occurred at the Wuhan lab," Fresno City Council member Garry Bredefeld said in a Monday press conference about the lab discovery, denouncing how long it took investigators to empty the site and inform the public about what was found. Bredefeld did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The origins of the COVID-19 virus remain unclear, though intelligence agencies have put increasing stock in the idea that the virus originated and escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China, in 2019. He added: "Are there any other labs like this floating around? And what is happening with the people who are involved in this lab? These are the questions that I've been asked by the public. These are the questions that should be answered by the Fresno Board of Supervisors and the Fresno County Department of Public Health." The lab found in Fresno contained 35 refrigerators and freezers that were not up to the medical-grade use they were being used for. Jesalyn Harper, Reedley Code Enforcement Officer Exactly what type of research was being conducted in the warehouse remains unclear. However, Harper said it appears the research and development part of the business was "primarily producing antibodies and antigens to develop rapid response tests." A representative of the company operating the lab, Prestige Biotech, called the mice "very valuable biological assets," according to documents reviewed by Insider. Attorneys for the Fresno County Department of Public Health, which investigated the incident in addition to Harper's city department, and the president of Prestige Biotech, Inc. did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment. Read the original article on Insider ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistan's prime minister on Tuesday asked neighboring Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to do more to prevent militants from crossing the border to stage attacks such as the massive suicide bombing earlier this week that killed dozens in a border region. The appeal came days after the bomber struck an election campaign rally of supporters of a pro-Taliban cleric on Sunday, killing dozens and wounding scores in the district of Bajur. The death toll from the bombing rose to 55 on Tuesday, after a critically wounded person died in hospital in the northwestern city of Peshawar, hospital officials and the government said. An Afghan-based branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Bajur attack. IS militants are Taliban rivals and have stepped up attacks since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the militants find sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, regroup and rearm there, and subsequently infiltrate Pakistan where they carry out anti-government attacks. The Afghan Taliban government "should undertake concrete measures toward denying their soil be used for transnational terrorism, he said while visiting some of the wounded in a Peshawar hospital. The bomber targeted a rally of the radical Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which is part of Sharif's coalition government and also has ties to the Afghan Taliban. The party has a strong following in northwestern Pakistan. The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the suicide bombing in Bajur and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," describing it as "one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Members of the council called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and for other countries to cooperate with Pakistan on the matter. Northwestern Pakistan was formerly a militant stronghold until successive military operations claimed to have routed militants from there, including the Pakistani Taliban, a separate group but allied wiith the Afghan Taliban. The group is also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. Story continues The Bajur bombing was the latest in several huge attacks over the past years. A Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in 2014 killed 147 people, mostly schoolchildren. In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a mosque bombing inside Pesharwar police headquarters. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this story. MAALE ADUMIM, West Bank (AP) A Palestinian gunman opened fire in an Israeli settlement east of Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding six people before being shot and killed, Israeli police said. The shooting at a mall in the sprawling Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, in the occupied West Bank, was the latest in the most violent stretch of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the territory in nearly two decades. Later on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said the Israeli military shot and killed a 15-year-old Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab soldiers in the southern West Bank, near the city of Hebron. In the hilly settlement of Maale Adumim on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem, an off-duty police officer heard the gunfire, rushed toward the sound and killed the assailant, police said. The attacker had shot diners outside a burger joint before running to the street, shooting and wounding more people near the shopping mall, authorities added. When confronted, the assailant turned his gun on the off-duty Israeli officer and started to shoot, police said. The officer opened fire, killing the Palestinian, who was dressed as a security guard in a neon vest. The Islamic militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad praised the attack as heroic but stopped short of claiming responsibility. In an audio clip purportedly recorded by the assailant and shared on social media, he vows to die for the sake of Allah and asks that he not be claimed by any political faction. This operation is a natural response to the storming of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islamic Jihad spokesman Tariq Salami said, referring to a visit to the sensitive Jerusalem holy site by hard-line Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and thousands of other religious Jews last week. The contested compound has long been a flashpoint for violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the assailant as 20-year-old Muhannad al-Mazraa from Azariya, a West Bank town just east of Jerusalem. Story continues The attacker wounded at least six people, Israel's rescue service said, including a 41-year-old man who was seriously hurt. The rest of the men, ranging in age from 14 to 37years old, were fully conscious and in moderate condition, it added. Some of the victims escaped and hid in shops in the mall, said Israeli medic Miryam Sharvit. A victim was in a restaurant with his wife and 5-year-old daughter when they suddenly heard gunfire. Surveillance video showed a middle-aged man wielding a chair chasing the gunman out of the burger restaurant. Meanwhile, in the southern West Bank near the Palestinian town of As-Samou, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian teenager who allegedly tried to stab them at a bus stop. The army said that soldiers had been questioning the 15-year-old at a junction when he lunged at them with a knife. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the boy as Mohammed al-Zaarir. Fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank intensified early last year when Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in the West Bank in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis. The violence has spiked this year, with more than 150 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of 2023 in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the raids and innocent bystanders have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis so far this year. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. ___ DeBre reported from Ramallah, West Bank. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Editorials from The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board are the opinions of the Board, not of the Post newsroom. The arrest of four Palm Beach Central High School officials and a school district employee last Monday makes clear, regardless of the outcomes, the importance of school employees taking sex crime complaints seriously, following procedures and being on the lookout for signs of abuse even before a student might open up about it. Palm Beach Central Principal Darren Edgecomb, assistant principals Dan Snider and Nereyda Cayado de Garcia, chorus teacher Scott Houchins and then-guidance counselor Priscilla Carter face felony charges for failing to report child abuse against the female survivor, who was 15 when the assault allegedly occurred in 2021. A friend of the survivor told Snider about the incident, but neither he nor other school officials he told about it notified state law enforcement or the Department of Children and Families. More: Boy accused of assault is related to Palm Beach Central official charged with failing to report it What does Florida law require of teachers, school administrators? Florida law mandates that school district employees report abuse, neglect and abandonment, whether it occurs at school or outside it. That requirement is neither uncommon nor little known and school employees should be well aware of it: Virtually all U.S. states and territories have similar laws. And with good reason: Over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in 4 women and about 1 in 26 men have experienced a rape or an attempted rape. Young survivors may not open up to parents or friends about an assault but should be able to trust school officials, who are in the best position to do the right thing, to relay the information to the proper authorities. "It's incredibly difficult for people to come forward to report sexual abuse," licensed psychologist Rachel Needle, of Whole Health Psychological Center in West Palm Beach, told the Post. Part of the reason is because the reporting experience can be so negative, said Needle, who is not involved in the case. "The disclosure experience is incredibly important. It can help promote healing, if it is handled right." Story continues But that didn't happen In the Palm Beach Central case, the survivor's parents allege. Rachel Needle, licensed psychologist at Whole Health Psychological Center, West Palm Beach. Palm Beach Central High School case: Accused is a 'good kid from a good family" Assistant Principal Snider, it turned out, was related to the accused youth, according to law enforcement records. Snider became involved after the 15-year-old survivor's friend reported the assault to him in August 2021, records show. A school police officer told sheriffs deputies investigating the assault that he was friends with Snider and that the male student, who was under 18, was a good kid from a good family. Snider, when reminded he was a mandatory reporter of child abuse or suspected child abuse, said he wasn't, because the boy was a relative. The male student was not charged, though the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office found probable cause that a crime occurred, according to arrest reports. The survivors parents did not want to pursue a case against the male student in 2021 because they were worried about impeding their daughter's healing, Palm Beach Post staff writer Katherine Kokal reported. Now, the parents have decided to pursue legal action against school officials after information surfaced about the educators and whether they reported the abuse. Pedro Echarte Miami Lawyer Pedro Echarte, who represents victims of sexual abuse, points to Florida law that requires mandated reporters to call a specified hotline in such cases. School officials may not be qualified to investigate allegations of abuse but they are required to report them, says Echarte, of HaggardLawFirm.com, who is not involved in the case. "One of the most shocking things," he said, judging from public accounts of the allegations, "is that there were five adults involved and none of them did the right thing." He was aware of no reporting exemption for relatives of an accused. No matter what a court determines about the individuals' culpability in this case, the school district must ramp up employee training. Sticking one's neck out by reporting an incident up the chain of command, or by approaching a student who shows signs of abuse, might go against some employees' personal inclinations. But such inclinations need to get trained out of them. And it's not just about training in state law, as Echarte points out. Checks and balances need to be in place within the school district, "to make sure five people are doing the right thing and can't make these decisions on their own." This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County Schools must enforce sex assault reporting mandate A body was found after a fire was extinguished near a Phoenix home, police said. A pair of palm trees caught on fire near the front yard of a home around 11:45 p.m. on July 30 near 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, police say. Phoenix fire officials said the fire did not extend to the home itself. While en route to control traffic in the area, police were informed that a body of an adult man was found nearby. A death investigation is underway, police said. The man's identity remains unknown, police say. There were no obvious signs of foul play, Sgt. Phil Krynsky said, and the death was separate from the fire. It is unknown what started the fire. No further details were released. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Body found near burning Phoenix palm trees The director of parking enforcement in a Pennsylvania township is accused of stealing $4,314 in meter coins to use as office petty cash, authorities said. Some of that stolen petty cash was then used to pay for food, birthday cakes, office parties and restaurant outings, according to Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. Sekela Coles, Upper Darbys director of parking enforcement, has now been charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and other related charges, according to a July 31 news release from the Delaware County District Attorneys Office. An investigation into the Upper Darby Parking Enforcement (UDPE) theft began in February when two citizen informants reported seeing Coles administrative assistant putting six bags used to collect parking meter coins into her personal vehicle, authorities said. They also reported seeing a Police and Fire Federal Credit Union deposit receipt for $2,290 on the assistants desk, according to the release. She also had $1,730 in cash stuffed in an envelope and a $581 receipt from the credit union on her desk. This was suspicious, as UDPEs standard procedure was to deposit parking meter funds at Santander Bank, authorities said. Detectives learned that Coles told her staff to give all bags filled with coins to her assistant, which was also not standard procedure. Investigators got a search warrant for the assistants bank records, and they learned her husband had taken six bags filled with coins to their credit union on Jan. 14, according to the release. Surveillance images show the coins were converted into cash. The assistant was interviewed on April 28, according to the DAs office. (She) admitted that under the direction of the defendant, she took coins to her personal bank ... and converted them into paper currency, authorities said. She said she then took the cash to her boss, who would count the money before it was stored in the assistants desk. Story continues Coles assistant is not facing any charges, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Detectives said they also interviewed Coles on April 28. Although initially denying the allegations, the defendant did admit to using the funds from the parking meters for the purchase of food, birthday cakes, office parties, and restaurant trips for her and her staff, authorities said. She stated that she elected to keeps the funds as a petty cash fund for use by her office. Coles also told interviewers that when she learned of an instance where more than $2,000 in coins was involved, she told her assistant to take the coins in smaller increments to the tax office so that it didnt raise any suspicion, according to the release. Authorities said $4,314 was stolen, and $2,037.81 has been returned. Coles is also accused of costing Upper Darby Township about $1 million in revenue by failing to send 18,000 parking tickets to the courts, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also voided at least eight parking violations issued to her kids and ex-husband, officials said. This kind of behavior erodes public trust and must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, Stollsteimer said in the news release. McClatchy News requested comment from Upper Darby Township on Aug. 1 and was awaiting a response. Coles is credited with revolutionizing the townships parking enforcement department, according to her online biography. Under her direction, the departments systems have been modernized, the township said. Coles streamlined the parking payment processes, allowing residents to pay for parking through a safe, user-friendly app as opposed to only meters, as well as take online payment methods when paying parking fines and reserving municipal parking lot spaces. In addition, she organized the enforcement operations with mapping, planning, and scheduling to focus on enforcement of all safety violations throughout the township. Upper Darby is in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Someone paid parking ticket with $15 worth of dimes. Above and beyond, PA police say 19-year-old put fake parking tickets with QR codes for payment on vehicles, CA cops say Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/NBC As tributes pour in for Paul Reubens, the comedian who died Monday at the age of 70 following a private battle with cancer, fans have also been finding other ways to memorialize him beyond his indelible bow tie-wearing creation Pee-wee Herman. His hilariously extended death sequence in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, for instance, has gotten a lot of playand for good reason. But if youre looking for another quick example of Reubens comedic brilliance, cue up the first-season episode of 30 Rock, Black Tie, in which Reubens plays Gerhardt Hapsburg, a jovial but ailing Austrian prince who is a result of decades of royal inbreeding. From the moment he appears on screen, its an incredible site gag. And then he opens his mouth and it gets 10 times funnier. As comedy writer Dan Sheehan put it on Twitter: Lots of talk about Paul Reubens as Pee Wee (and rightfully so) but his turn as an adult Habsburg child on 30 Rock still remains one of the funniest episodes of television I've ever seen. Amen. In the episode Liz (Tina Fey) is invited to attend Gerhardts birthday party by Jack (Alec Baldwin), who at this point in the series run is still more authority figure than mentor-friend. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) hears about this outing and is desperate to come along, thinking she can meet and potentially marry the prince. Liz says no, but Jenna flashes boob and crashes the affair. (Just one boob. As she says: Its not the White House.) NBC And then Gerhardt is wheeled out. His teeth are mangled. His hair is flaccid. He has one real hand and one tiny, plastic hand. As he says, Thank you, thank you all dear friends for coming to my birthday, what starts as an agonized moan grows into an almost terrifying scream with a hint of laughter. From there, the performance grows even more absurd. The camera zooms out and we find that Reubens has subbed in his own legs for puppet extremities. Later, it turns out Gerhardt is interested in Jenna, and attempts a pained wink with both eyes to get her attention. Jenna, in gold-digger mode, sidles up to him, and at one point asks him to dance. He explains that he himself cannot dance because his body does not produce joint fluid, but he wants to watch her do so. What follows is a gloriously bizarre sequence where Reubens shouts different dance styles at Krakowski and she pivots between the likes of jazz, jitterbug, and interpretive. By the end hes just maniacally yelling at her to twirl. Story continues Pee-wee Had One of Comedys Greatest Adventures In a 2007 interview with the Associated Press, Reubens described Gerhardt as so strange its like something I would have written. And its true. Theres a perverse quality to Gerhardt, who loses an eyebrow in his cake, and eventually dies drinking champagne his body cannot metabolize. But for as bizarre as Gerhardt is, Reubens also brings a tragic sweetness to him. When he perishes theres a smile on his face as his manservant (Will Forte) solemnly places his eyebrow back on his forehead. NBC Reubens played Gerhardt during what the AP billed as a comeback period for the actor, whose public persona was marked by controversy, and it acted as a reminder of his physical and vocal gifts. When Gerhardt is presented with his 25th birthday cakeyes, he is only 25he makes a joke about being able to rent a car and then laughs in a way thats more of a series of honks. Oh it feels good to laugh, he says. It sure does. Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev., on Oct. 8, 2022. (Bridget Bennett/The New York Times). Former President Donald Trumps political action committee, which began last year with $105 million, now has less than $4 million left in its account after paying tens of millions of dollars in legal fees for Trump and his associates. The dwindling cash reserves in Trumps PAC, called Save America, have fallen to such levels that the group has made the highly unusual request of a $60 million refund of a donation it had previously sent to a pro-Trump super PAC. This money had been intended for television commercials to help Trumps candidacy, but as he is the dominant front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, his most immediate problems appear to be legal, not political. The super PAC, which is called Make America Great Again Inc., has already sent back $12.25 million to the group paying Trumps legal bills, according to federal records a sum nearly as large as the $13.1 million the super PAC raised from donors in the first half of 2023. Those donations included $1 million from the father of his son-in-law, Charles Kushner, whom Trump pardoned for federal crimes in his final days as president, and $100,000 from a candidate seeking Trumps endorsement. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The extraordinary shift of money from the super PAC to Trumps political committee, described in federal campaign filings as a refund, is believed to be larger than any other refund on record in the history of federal campaigns. It comes as Trumps political and legal fate appear increasingly intertwined. The return of money from the super PAC, which Trump does not control, to his political action committee, which he does, demonstrates how his operation is balancing dueling priorities: paying lawyers and supporting his political candidacy through television ads. Save America, Trumps political action committee, is prohibited by law from directly spending money on his candidacy. When Save America donated $60 million last year to Trumps super PAC which is permitted to spend on his campaign it effectively evaded that prohibition. Story continues It is not clear from the filing exactly when the refund was requested, but the super PAC did not return the money all at once. It gave back $1 million on May 1; $5 million more on May 9; another $5 million on June 1; and $1.25 million on June 30. These returns followed Trumps two indictments this year: one in the New York borough of Manhattan in March, and one last month in federal court. An additional transfer of a chunk of money to Save America came in July, according to a person familiar with the matter, suggesting that the super PAC could continue to issue refunds and therefore indirectly pay for Trumps legal bills in the coming months. The communications director for the super PAC, Alex Pfeiffer, declined to comment on any additional transfer. The super PAC spent more than $23 million on mostly negative advertising attacking his leading rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, this year. Super PACs can raise unlimited money, while regular PACs have strict $5,000 donation limits. Some campaign finance experts described the refunds as a backdoor effort by Save America to skirt that limit. I dont know that calling it a refund changes the fundamental illegality, said Adav Noti, a former lawyer for the Federal Election Commissions litigation division. The pro-Trump super PAC and Trump-controlled PAC must be independent entities and are barred from any coordination on strategy, a fact that Noti indicated could be at issue with the staggered refunds. So for the super PAC and the Trump PAC to be sending tens of millions dollars back and forth depending upon who needs the money more strongly suggests unlawful financial coordination, said Noti, who is now the legal director of the Campaign Legal Center, a watchdog group that had filed a previous complaint about the $60 million transfer. In response to Notis suggestion of illegality, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said in a statement: Everything was done in accordance with the law and upon the advice of counsel. Any disgusting insinuation otherwise, especially by Democrat donors, is nothing more than a feeble attempt to distract from the fact that President Trump is dominating this race both in the polls and with fund-raising and is the only candidate who will beat Crooked Joe Biden. Save America was already under scrutiny by special counsel Jack Smith for paying lawyers representing witnesses in cases against Trump. The group was seeded with the more than $100 million that Trump raised almost immediately after losing the 2020 election, as he claimed he was fighting widespread voter fraud. Federal prosecutors are also looking into whether Republicans and Trump advisers knew he had lost but continued with such claims anyway. Some of Trumps rivals and their allies have seized on the Save America legal payments, accusing him of using small-dollar donations intended for another purpose to pay for his lawyers. Trumps more recent actions appear to acknowledge his vulnerability to such criticism. For instance, his team recently formed a legal-defense fund to help allies of Trump who are facing legal scrutiny, though the fund is not expected to help cover his own bills. And at a rally Saturday in Erie, Pennsylvania, Trump said that he would spend as much of his own money on his campaign as was necessary, without mentioning his legal expenses. The DeSantis campaign is keenly aware that the multiple criminal indictments against Trump have only intensified his support among many Republican primary voters, who view him as a victim of political persecution. The filings showed donations to Trumps committees surged after each indictment. But the latest revelations provided an opening for DeSantis team to claim the former president was grifting off his supporters. DeSantis rapid-response director, Christina Pushaw, suggested that MAGA grandmas were scammed out of their Social Security checks in order to pay a billionaires legal bills. DeSantis himself declined to address the subject after an economic policy speech in Rochester, New Hampshire, on Monday, dismissing a question about it as uninteresting to voters. Save America also footed some of the costs of salaries for staff members who are being paid by Trumps campaign as well. That included the salary of Walt Nauta, a personal aide to Trump who is also one of his two co-defendants in the federal indictment accusing the former president of improperly retaining classified material and obstructing efforts to retrieve it. After all its spending and refunded money, Trumps super PAC entered July with $30 million on hand. Among the groups largest contributions were $5 million from Trish Duggan, a prominent Florida Scientologist; $1 million from Woody Johnson, Trumps former ambassador to England and an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical empire; and $2 million from Phil Ruffin, a Las Vegas casino magnate. The super PAC also received $100,000 from Bernie Moreno, a businessman who is running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio and who is seeking Trumps endorsement. And it received another $138,400 from Saul Fox, a Republican donor who also gave money to the super PAC supporting DeSantis. High-dollar fundraising for the Trump super PAC has accelerated in recent weeks as the former president has added to his commanding polling lead over DeSantis, according to people familiar with the groups finances. An official with Make America Great Again Inc., who was not authorized to discuss contributions not on the federal filing, said the super PAC had raised $15 million in July more than it had raised in the first six months of the year combined. c.2023 The New York Times Company Former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) are boasting their support for national abortion bans as fellow GOP presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spars with anti-abortion activists. The Susan B. Anthony List, a conservative anti-abortion organization, took aim at DeSantis on Monday for his position on abortion and sidestepping of whether he would support a federal ban on abortion. The DeSantis campaign later labeled the organization as a Washington, D.C., interest group, saying its attack on DeSantis was an example of political games. Pence and Scott, both GOP presidential candidates, took the chance Monday to reaffirm their stances on abortion as DeSantis pushed back on the Susan B. Anthony List. Pence, sharing a link to the organizations statement about the Florida governor, said that he will be a champion of the anti-abortion movement if elected to the White House. When I am President, #ProLife Americans will have a champion in the White House! In the Dobbs decision, the question of abortion was returned to the states AND the American people, Pence posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. I will always champion protections for the unborn in states across the Country and in our Nations Capital! The Hill Elections 2024 coverage Scott took to X to call for a federal ban limiting abortions at 15 weeks. Other GOP presidential candidates have been hesitant to commit to a 15-week national ban on abortion if they are elected to the White House. Republicans should not be retreating on life. We need a national 15-week limit to stop blue states from pushing abortion on demand, Scott posted on X. @sbaprolife defends the most fundamental right: life. Without life, nothing else matters. Its not a special interest. Its the only interest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall said police are investigating a possible connection between a shooting that left three people injured at Northwoods Apartments over the weekend and a shooting that killed one person on Creighton Road on July 20. "Based on the information that I have and the information that we continue to receive, there is a possible connection," Randall said. "I say possible connection because, as you know, with any of these investigations, they turn on a dime based on the information that you get." Randall said as they investigate both shootings further, they hope to get more concrete evidence, but there is a possibility of a connection. On Friday, a Pensacola man named Trevoir Vanderhall, 22, was arrested in Coweta County, Georgia, in connection with the July 20 murder of Marlon Jarvis, 19, in the 3000 Block of Creighton Road near O'Rileys Uptown Tavern. Northwoods shooting: Three people injured in shooting at Northwoods apartments on Olive Road Arrest made: PPD: Pensacola man arrested in Georgia for fatal shooting on Creighton Road Creighton Road shooting: One killed in shooting on Creighton Road in Pensacola Randall said they are continuing to investigate the murder. On Saturday, three people were in a vehicle, and as they were leaving the Northwoods Apartment complex, another car pulled next to them and opened fire, Randall said. "That investigation is still ongoing," Randall said. "A lot of follow-up investigation not only with the victims that were involved but looking for witnesses in the area, searching and canvasing the area for any video surveillance or pictures that we can find." Randall called on any members of the public with in-vehicle cameras who may have been in the area of Olive Road and Ninth Avenue on Saturday around 5 p.m. to contact the police at 433-STOP (7867) or use the P3 Tips App. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Police investigating connection between recent shootings WASHINGTON A Pentagon official tasked with implementing the National Defense Strategy called on China to open crisis communications channels with the U.S. as Beijing continues to expand its nuclear arsenal. Mara Karlin, the assistant secretary of defense for strategies, plans and capabilities, told reporters at a Defense Writers Group roundtable on Tuesday that escalation management in the Indo-Pacific is so incredibly important when asked about Chinas accelerating nuclear capabilities. We have been trying really hard to set up communications channels, and they have not been enthusiastic about this, said Karlin. Thats really problematic. When we look at history, it is usually quite helpful for us to be able to sit down and speak with those whom we disagree not least so we can get an understanding of what theyre doing, what were doing, what we all think is escalatory and how we might understand it in different ways. U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the nuclear arsenal, disclosed in February that China has more Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launchers than the United States, which has 450. The Pentagons 2022 China military power report found that Beijings nuclear warhead stockpile has surpassed 400 and projected it will likely field a stockpile of about 1,500 warheads by its 2035 timeline if it continues its current rate of nuclear expansion. The U.S. stockpile contained 3,750 nuclear warheads as of 2021. The Biden administrations 2022 National Defense Strategy prioritizes deterring China in the Indo-Pacific followed by Russias challenge in Europe. To that end, Karlin emphasized the deepening U.S. engagement with Indo-Pacific allies and partners while noting their growing investments in their own military capabilities. Karlin singled out Australia and Japan as two notable cases where theyre investing meaningfully in their military and noted both countries are putting out strategies that are very much in line with the U.S. National Defense Strategy. She also noted the two U.S. allies are forging closer ties, while Japan and South Korea are collaborating more closely as well despite their historical tensions. Story continues Additionally, she said overhauling export control regulations for Australia and the U.K as part of the trilateral AUKUS agreement would help get the three countries defense industrial bases knitted together. Despite the emphasis on the Indo-Pacific, Karlin emphasized that U.S. force posture in other areas of the world, like the Middle East, has remained steady. Theres this notion, particularly held by some of our partners across the Middle East, that the United States is abandoning the region, she said. I just dont really see the evidence that that is accurate. We still have something like 25,000 to 30,000 or so troops that are out there. We still have a bunch of capabilities. She also highlighted Israels 2021 integration into U.S. Central Command, which oversees forces in the region, as well as its recent normalization agreements with several Gulf Arab countries brokered by former President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden recently has endeavored to follow up on these agreements by pursuing his own Israeli-Saudi normalization deal. The Saudis have reportedly asked for a mutual security pact with the U.S. as one of their conditions to normalize ties with Israel. Karlin declined to discuss internal deliberations regarding a mutual defense pact with the Saudis, but said to the extend you can more closely knit together across the region to help with security and stability in the Middle East, thats a good thing. Santa Monica State Beach, shown June 12, was the site of a stabbing Monday, police say. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) One person was arrested in a stabbing near the beach in Santa Monica on Monday afternoon that left another individual hospitalized. Santa Monica police were dispatched to the 2000 block of the beach at 2:07 p.m. after a 911 call about a possible assault. A person was found near beach restrooms with at least one stab wound to the chest, authorities said. The victim was given first aid and transported in unknown condition to a local hospital for further treatment. No details were given about the suspect, but police said there was an arrest made in connection with the stabbing. No additional details were immediately available. Read more: Malibu lifeguard cracks open suspiciously heavy barrel, finds a body Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A person of interest has been identified in the death investigation of a former Seminole County Public Schools employee who was found dead with a zip tie around her neck. Police said they are not at the stage of the investigation to disclose any information about the person of interest, or the relationship between them and the victim. READ: Sanford police investigating death of former school employee found with zip tie around neck Investigators said the public does not need to be concerned, and this is believed to be an isolated case. Sanford police said they received two 911 calls on July 17 in reference to 49-year-old Joysee Cartagena: one from her employer, then another from someone in the house who found Cartagena unresponsive with a zip tie around her neck. READ: Police identify man killed during standoff at Palm Bay home Sanford police said they were indications early on that the death may have been a suicide, but as days passed things changed. The Lake County Medical Examiner ruled Cartagenas death a homicide on S READ: Suspect sought in weekend killing of Davenport woman Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New Alamein City, Egypt, July 31, 2023. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) CAIRO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas discussed on Monday the recent developments in the Palestinian cause and the efforts to end the intra-Palestinian division. During their meeting in Egypt's New Alamein City, the two leaders discussed the meeting of heads of Palestinian factions that took place on Sunday in the same city, during which the factions touched on efforts to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. Sisi welcomed the meeting of the Palestinian factions to complete the dialogue on various issues to restore national unity and end the political division that began in 2007. The meeting, chaired by Abbas, was held on Sunday to discuss national reconciliation efforts amid increasing violence between the Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. For his part, the Palestinian president noted that the Sunday meeting took place in the midst of domestic, regional and international developments, affirming that it provided an opportunity for discussion and an exchange of views on the best way to achieve national reconciliation. During the meeting between Sisi and Abbas, they also discussed ways to coordinate positions and strategies on a number of issues pertaining to the Palestinian cause, especially the revival of the peace process, according to the statement. Both leaders stressed the necessity of preserving the legitimate Palestinian rights and continuing efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. They also underscored the need to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with international law and resolutions and the Arab peace initiative, in order to achieve security, stability and prosperity for all peoples of the region. Egypt, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has been sponsoring meetings between Palestinian factions for years, in addition to brokering truces between armed Palestinian movements and Israel. Cairo has repeatedly reiterated its position that supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the internationally-recognized two-state solution. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (2nd R) welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (2nd L) in New Alamein City, Egypt, July 31, 2023. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) Crumbling COVID-19 vaccine and treatment sales chopped Pfizers second-quarter earnings, but both the drugmaker and Wall Street expect a rebound in the back half of 2023. Pfizer recorded no U.S. sales of its treatment, Paxlovid, in the recently completed quarter, as the company shifts to selling the pills on the commercial market after contracting with the government. Paxlovid brought in only $143 million total sales during the quarter after recording $8 billion in last years quarter. Sales of the vaccine Comirnaty also slid 83% to $1.49 billion in the quarter, as both products fell short of Wall Street expectations. Both Pfizers leaders and analysts who follow the company had expected a sales drop in the quarter as inventories already on the market were used up. But they also expect a rebound later this year, as commercial sales take hold, COVID-19 cases climb and fall vaccination pushes begin. Comirnaty, alone, has already generated well over $70 billion in sales for Pfizer since it launched at the end of 2020. The drugmaker has used the cash on several acquisitions to bolster its pipeline of future products. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told analysts on Tuesday that the company expects to have a better handle by the end of this year on how Paxlovid sales will play out in the future, as the market becomes more predictable. Chief Financial Officer David Denton noted that the company was prepared to cut costs if sales of both products turn out lower than expected. Overall, Pfizers profit sank 77% to $2.33 billion in the quarter while adjusted earnings totaled 67 cents per share. That topped average analyst expectations for 57 cents per share. Revenue dropped 54% to $12.73 billon, which missed Street forecasts. Outside Comirnaty and Paxlovid, Pfizer said its operational revenue grew 5% in the quarter. The drugmaker also produces several primary care drugs, cancer treatments and vaccines. Pfizer also said Tuesday that it was maintaining its forecast for full-year earnings to range between $3.25 and $3.45 per share. Analysts forecast earnings of $3.32 per share. Shares of New York-based Pfizer Inc. slipped 26 cents to $35.80 in midday trading while broader indexes also were down slightly. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could authorize Pfizers updated COVID-19 boosters by the end of August, company CEO Albert Bourla said during an earnings call Tuesday. Still, its unclear if there will be widespread demand once the shot hits the market, underscoring softening sales from its portfolio of COVID-19 products. Clearly, there is a higher level of uncertainty regarding the demand projections for our COVID-19 products than for the rest of the business, Bourla said in the call. For example, Bourla in January said he expected that approximately 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be administered in the U.S. this year, 60 percent of which were expected to be Pfizers. But in the first six months of the year, just 12.4 million doses were administered. Pfizer reported second-quarter sales of $12.73 billion, down 54 percent from the same period last year. The contraction in revenues was driven by the anticipated decline in Paxlovid and Comirnaty sales, Pfizers CFO David Denton said. Comirnaty is the name under which Pfizers shot is marketed. According to the company, its vaccine earned $1.49 billion in sales, down 83 percent from this time last year. The antiviral pill Paxlovid posted $143 million in revenue, a drop of 98 percent. However, the vast majority of respiratory vaccinations happen during the fall and winter respiratory disease season, which starts in September, and we expect COVID-19 vaccinations to follow this pattern going forward, Bourla said. COVID hospital admissions jump in what could be a new norm of summer surges Bourla said the second half of the year will also play a bigger role in determining the long-term demand for Paxlovid, use of which follows very closely the COVID-19 infection rates. We expect a new COVID-19 wave to start in the U.S. this fall, and this expectation is supported by the increase in infection rates we are already seeing, Bourla said. Story continues The federal government is no longer paying for COVID-19 vaccines with the end of the pandemic public health emergency. That means the vaccines are now only available on the commercial market. The company sells Paxlovid to the government for about $530 for a five-day course of treatment, but it has not said what it will charge commercially. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration told vaccine manufacturers that their coronavirus vaccines for this fall should target XBB.1.5, though it is no longer the dominant strain, only making up 12.3 percent of all new COVID infections through the week ending July 22, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The newly dominant strain is XBB.1.16, which accounts for about 15 percent of all new cases. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pfizer cited damage to its North Carolina plant as a factor in its lowered 2023 revenue forecast (Sean Rayford) Pfizer reported a steep drop in profits Tuesday on much lower Covid-related revenues as it curtailed its full-year sales outlook, in part due to tornado damage to a key manufacturing facility. Profits in the second quarter were $2.3 billion, down 77 percent as revenues fell 54 percent to $12.7 billion. Quarterly revenues for Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine and Paxlovid therapeutic were $1.6 billion, far below the $16.9 billion in the year-ago period. The drugmaker pointed to a "few near-term individual product revenue" challenges as it trimmed its full-year sales forecast. These include US approval for a drug combination for prostate cancer and a needed recommendation on the Abrysvo vaccine from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pfizer also cited recent tornado damage to a North Carolina manufacturing facility as a drag on near-term results. The tornado slammed Pfizer's Rocky Mount plant on July 19, which accounts for manufacturing nearly 25 percent of company sterile injectables. Pfizer said most of the damage was to a warehouse, which stores raw materials and finished medicines awaiting release by quality assurance. The pharmaceutical giant now expects full-year revenue growth of six to eight percent in 2023, excluding Covid programs. That's down one percent from the prior range. On Covid, Chief Financial Officer David Denton said the environment "continues to evolve rapidly and remains highly unpredictable," according to a company press release. "In spite of this uncertainty the company is maintaining its focus on ensuring successful fall vaccinations during the respiratory infection season," Denton said. Pfizer said its acquisition of biotechnology company Seagen remains on track. The company is in touch with regulators and expects the deal to close in late 2023 or early 2024. Shares of Pfizer fell 1.2 percent to $35.64 in pre-market trading. jmb/mlm Residents of Phoenix, Arizona have received some brief respite as a 31-day streak of temperatures over 110F (43C) came to an end after monsoon rains. The heat streak ended on Monday when the temperatures maxed out at 108F. Temperatures are expected to rise again later in the week, possibly reaching 115F. Cities across the US, like Las Vegas and El Paso, have also been experiencing record-breaking heat this summer. "The record streak of 31 straight days of 110+ degree temperatures has ended," the National Weather Service (NWS) wrote on Monday on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. "The high temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached 108 degrees this afternoon, which is only 2 degrees above normal." The previous heat record was set in 1974 with 18 consecutive days over 110F. Last month was the hottest on record in Phoenix for any US city, with an average temperature of 102.7F, according to the Arizona State Climate Office. Arizona's monsoon season typically runs from mid-June to the end of September. The season has had a later start this year. Rainfall usually comes in the form of late-in-the-day thunderstorms. Monsoon season happens when wind directions shift in the summer, carrying moisture north-ward from Mexico, according to the NWS. Relief in Phoenix is expected to brief, though. Forecasts are predicting temperatures to rise again later in the week. National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Hirsch said August might be even hotter than July. Overnight temperature lows in Phoenix did not dip below 90F for 16 straight days. There have been 25 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, as of 21 July, though that number could rise as hundreds more deaths are under investigation. Heat is the number one weather-related killer. Doctors also saw an uptick in patients who were burned after touching hot objects or surfaces, including asphalt that had been heated by the sun. Story continues Dry conditions have also contributed to wildfires in the US southwest.The York Fire in California's Mojave National Preserve is the state's largest wildfire this year, burning about 77,000 acres. Millions of Americans have been under heat advisories at various times this summer. Las Vegas, Nevada tied a 1998 record on 16 July, reaching 116F and similar to Phoenix, El Paso, Texas just ended a 44-day streak of over 100F weather. Last week, President Joe Biden announced measures to protect Americans against the "existential threat of climate change" amid the extreme heat. The measures are designed to help workers most vulnerable to heat, increase funding for weather forecasting, and expand water storage capacity in the western states. Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense, and last longer because of human-induced climate change. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions. Phoenix police released an edited video on Monday afternoon that included bodycam footage from a police shooting that happened on July 17. Police say that the incident began near Seventh and Lincoln streets when officers were called to a single-car collision. Officers were told by 911 operators that a man driving a white car crashed into a pole, and looked "disoriented". According to other 911 calls, the man walked away from the crash, appeared impaired, and acted erratically. Police say that there were reports of hearing six gunshots after the man walked away from the crash. Once officers arrived at the scene, they found the empty car and bullet casings inside the car. Other officers helped to search for the man and were directed to the railroad tracks near 18th and Harrison streets. Once they found the man, later identified as 35-year-old Armando Reyes, they gave him commands to get on the ground. On background: Man shot and killed by police following hit-and-run in Phoenix In the video, officers ask the man to get on the ground, and say "we'll figure this out" as the man screams. Speaking to each other, one officer tells another to calm the man down "tell him it's an accident, it's not big deal." Police say they used a PepperBall launcher to encourage him to follow commands. Officers approached the man in the video, reassuring the man that he made a mistake and asking him to "drop it." He continues to scream and walk away from the officers. He then pulled out a gun, police said. Officers instructed Reyes to drop the gun, but he pointed said gun at the officers, police said. This, police say, caused the shooting which left the man dead on the scene. The officer involved in the shooting is a two-year veteran of the police department and is assigned to the Central City Precinct, police said. An internal investigation into the matter is currently ongoing. Since 2019, the Phoenix Police Department has produced videos with summaries of police shootings that include some body-camera footage, 911 calls, and a narration of the events that led to the shooting. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police release bodycam footage of fatal shooting In the continuing investigation of Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect Rex Heuermann, authorities have scoured his New York home, leaving a chaotic scene for his family to return to, according to Heuermanns wife and her attorney. Its been three weeks since Heuermann was arrested and charged with murder in the killings of three of the Gilgo Four, a group of women whose remains were found along a short stretch of Long Islands Gilgo Beach in 2010. Inside the home of suspect Rex Heurmann, after authorities searched the house. - Courtesy Robert Macedonio Since then, Heuermanns wife, Asa Ellerup, has filed for divorce and returned to the familys home, which her attorney said has been torn up by investigators. She came home to complete destruction of her family residence where she lived and raised the children, Ellerups lawyer, Robert Macedonio, told CNN. Everything in the house was turned upside down. Dresser drawers were emptied out. The bathroom tub which was a vinyl tub was actually cut open. The floors were ripped up. The couches and the mattresses have been removed. Boxes were piled up inside the home after the search, leaving the family little room to move. - Courtesy Robert Macedonio He added that the family barely has space to walk through the house, with the piles of debris left after the search. We did get another chair out from the basement and upstairs so me and my son can sit and talk. Hes so distraught and doesnt understand, and as a mother, I have no answers for him, Ellerup told the New York Post. But I said, Were together. Thats really what matters right now. That you and me are sitting here together and we will get through this. She added, My children cry themselves to sleep. The family is still taking stock of what items have been taken by investigators, Macedonio said. Because of the gravity of the crimes Heuermann is accused of, the investigation is unusual, but CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson told CNN this kind of upheaval is par for the course when youre dealing with a search for the type of evidence the police are looking for. As authorities searched for evidence at the home, they found a cache of between 200 and 300 guns stashed in a walled-off vault which was locked behind a metal door in the home - Courtesy Robert Macedonio Its not normal because its not every day that you have a serial killer, Jackson said. In terms of searching the home and tearing it apart, (police) have to do their due diligence. Story continues Theyre going to be looking to get any connections to his current case, like DNA, like blood, like hairs or other fibers that might have some connection to any of the body parts that turned up, he added. In addition to finding evidence to build a solid case against Heuermann for the charges he faces, investigators are likely also looking for anything that could link the suspect to additional crimes, Jackson said. A bathtub in the house was cut open during the search. - Courtesy Robert Macedonio Based upon human nature and people trying to wash the day off of themselves, a lot of evidence could be gleaned from pipes, from tiles and other things that have gotten ingrained in other areas in the bathroom, and Im sure thats what theyre focused on, said Jackson. Investigators found a cache of between 200 and 300 guns stashed in a walled-off vault that was locked behind a metal door in the home, authorities confirmed. Investigators previously used ground-penetrating radar and a backhoe to dig up and search the yard of the home. Crime laboratory officers removed boxes from the home. - Jeenah Moom/AP Investigators have also looked into properties Heuermann owns in South Carolina and Nevada, where Jackson said its likely investigators could decide to do similar searches. CNNs Laura Coates, Elizabeth Wolfe and Jessica Xing contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Future hall of fame pitcher Max Scherzer is back where he began his professional career. Scherzer is set to make his debut for Texas on Thursday after the New York Mets traded Scherzer, 39, to the Texas Rangers for prospect Luisangel Acuna. And it wont be the first time he pitches for a team in Tarrant County. After the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Scherzer with the No. 11 pick in the 2006 MLB draft, the two parties could not agree on a contract. Scherzer, then 22 and from Missouri, skipped summer minor league and spring training, and signed with the now defunct Fort Worth Cats independent league team in spring 2007. Scherzer pitched three games for the Cats in April and May, striking out 25 and allowing just one earned run in 16 innings. With the signing deadline looming, scouts packed Cats games behind home plate, radar gun in tow, to watch the top prospect touch 98 mph on his fastball in case he re-entered the MLB draft. Almost a year after being drafted, and 12 days after his last start with the Cats, Scherzer agreed to a four-year $4.3 million contract with the Diamondbacks, and made his debut for the big league team less than a year later. He went to pitch for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. He is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 107.2 innings this season. Scherzer, an eight-time All-Star and winner of three Cy Youngs, has pitched two no-hitters and won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019. Before he became one of the best pitchers of the past decade, he showed what he could become with the Cats 16 years ago. The library closures follow the states announcement that it will take over the district beginning with the 202324 school year due to poor academic results. Texas largest school district has come under fire for stating it would eliminate its libraries and the roles of librarians and other staffers to create spaces for misbehaved children. In the next school year, the Houston Independent School District will turn the libraries at 28 campuses into team centers, where students will continue to learn remotely, a decision that comes as part of superintendent Mike Miles new education system initiative, according to The Guardian. These centers wont have a specialized librarian. Miles, appointed by the Texas Education Agency in June, said students who need extra assistance can catch up and have more contact with teachers and learning coaches, KHOU 11 News reported. The largest school district in Texas has come under fire for stating it would turn school libraries into team centers plus eliminate the roles of librarians and media specialists at 28 campuses to create spaces for misbehaved children. (Photo: Adobe Stock) The library closures follow the states announcement that it will take over the district beginning with the 202324 school year due to poor academic results. I am overwhelmingly proud that this many HISD school leaders are ready to take bold action to improve outcomes for all students and eradicate the persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in our district, Miles said, The Guardian reported. Miles stated that the management of books in libraries would be up to the discretion of school principals and instructors. He noted that children could pull books off the shelves in his previous system and were trusted to put them back, reported KHOU 11 News. Kelli Benes, CEO of a nonprofit organization called First3Years, which aims to help Texans aged 3 and younger grow up in a healthy environment, said attacks on libraries undermine the effort of providing children with a foundation to learn. She said most of impacted librarians are less concerned about their own employment and more concerned about the lack of access that their students will now have. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner blasted the districts decision, arguing that restricting access to books was not the appropriate response to the issue of inappropriate behavior, particularly in underserved communities. Story continues He recommended schools keep their libraries open to prevent the district from becoming divided into two tiers and to offer more assistance to students who require it. Are there students who need additional support? Yes, and I am 100% supportive of that. But its not an either/or, Turner said, The Guardian reported. You dont close the libraries, remove the librarians, and simply have the books on the shelf. What about all the other students? What are you saying to them? According to KHOU, the remaining 57 schools participating in Miles NES program will be assessed case-by-case. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Plan to turn Houston school libraries into team centers for misbehaving students draws ire appeared first on TheGrio. Volunteer planting a tree Getty Images/pipat wongsawang By 2030, the World Economic Forum is planning on planting a trillion trees around the world in an international effort to combat climate change. Tree planting has long been hailed as a potentially powerful way to reduce carbon emissions by pulling carbon from the air and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Hence, there have been many efforts to double down on tree planting. But a study published in the journal Bioscience today raises concerns about a potential barrier that could endanger these efforts in the United States: tree nurseries don't have the species diversity needed or even enough trees to meet such ambitious plans. A team of researchers at the University of Vermont studied 605 plant nurseries across 20 states and found only 56 grow and sell seedlings in the volumes needed for successful reforestation efforts, and only 14 are government-operated. In the study, the team of researchers emphasize that a massive increase in seedling production and diversity at U.S. nurseries are necessary for any successful tree planting campaigns to happen. "The world is thinking about a warming climate can we plant towards that warming climate? We know we're losing ecologically important species across North America and around the world. So, the goal is: can we restore these trees or replace them with similar species? It's a powerful idea," Peter Clark, the lead author on the new study, said in a news release. "But despite the excitement and novelty of that idea in many policy and philanthropy circles when push comes to shove, it's very challenging on the ground to actually find either the species or the seed sources needed." A plea deal meant Michael J. Toles and Melissa A. Seaman, who were once boyfriend and girlfriend, knew what prison sentences they were all but certain to receive when they walked into the courtroom of Erie County Judge Daniel Brabender. The deal still faced challenges. Toles, 26, and Seaman, 23, both pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in June for their involvement in a robbery scheme that ended with the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Erie resident Devin Way in January 2020. Seaman admitted to helping set up the ruse in which she and the other defendants planned to steal marijuana and what turned out to be $400 from Way. Toles admitted to holding a gun on Way as the plot unraveled moments before Way was shot to death. As part of the plea deal, the Erie County District Attorney's Office agreed to let Toles and Seaman, in exchange for their cooperation, plead guilty to third-degree murder rather than get convicted of second-degree murder. The prosecution and defense agreed to recommended sentences of 12 to 40 years in state prison for both Toles and Seaman. Erie police officers and firefighters respond to the scene of the fatal shooting of Devin Way outside his residence in the 300 block of Southgate Drive on Jan. 19, 2020. If they had been convicted of second-degree murder a homicide committed during a robbery or other felony, regardless of intent Toles and Seaman would have both been sentenced to mandatory life terms with no chance for parole. Third-degree murder an unlawful killing with malice carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in state prison. Despite the agreed-upon sentence, dissent surfaced in court before Brabender sentenced the pair on Monday. The defense wanted less time for both Seaman and Toles, arguing that their cooperation led to the convictions of two other defendants for second-degree murder in the case. They are Jakwaris Robison, 27, and Marshawn Williams, 26, found guilty at trial in March 2021 and sentenced a month later to life plus additional time with no parole. The cooperation "was substantial," said Toles' lawyer, Kelvin Morris, of Pittsburgh. Story continues Devin Way, 26, was fatally shot in Erie on Jan. 19, 2020, as four people tried to rob him of marijuana and cash. The four were all convicted two at trial and two through guilty pleas. Seaman's lawyer, Anthony Rodriques, asked for a similar reprieve. The family of Way, the victim, wanted more time for both Seaman and Toles, arguing that they still deserved life sentences despite their testimony against the other two co-defendants. "You are responsible for our everlasting pain," one of Way's aunts, Kellie Tokar, said to Seaman and Toles as she spoke in court and held a small purse that contained her brother's ashes. "I throw everything at your feet," Tokar said. "We aren't grateful. We don't forgive you. We never will." Judge accepts recommended sentence for two defendants The prosecutor on the case, Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Lightner, commented in court that the recommended sentence pleased neither Way's family nor the defense lawyers. He said his office, after meeting with Way's family and the defense, negotiated a deal designed to balance the two main factors the seriousness of the pair's crimes and the value of their cooperation. Lightner told Brabender that the prosecution was not discounting the roles that Toles and Seaman played in Way's killing. But the plea deal, he said, recognizes that "their cooperation has made Erie safer" by aiding in the convictions of Robison and Williams. Lightner called Robison and Williams "evil." Then he turned to Seaman and Toles. "These two, I don't believe are evil, but they are willing to go along with evil and commit heinous acts," Lightner said in court. Brabender accepted the recommended sentence of 12 to 40 years, which includes Seaman and Toles getting credit for the approximately 3 year they spent at the Erie County Prison without bond following their arrests. They will be eligible for parole after they complete their minimum sentences. Brabender said Seaman and Toles got their big break by getting the chance to plead guilty to third-degree murder rather tha getting convicted of second-degree murder, the charge they originally faced. "That is pretty good mitigation," Brabender said. Erie County Judge Daniel Brabender sentenced Melissa Seaman and Michael Toles in accordance with their plea deals for third-degree murder. "You set in motion what happened here," Brabender told the two, referring to Way's death. He also told the two they made "the right choice to testify." As part of the plea deal, Brabender accepted the prosecution's request that he ask the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to have Toles incarcerated in another state. The arrangement is meant to avoid the assaults that Toles said he has experienced since he has been in prison following his arrest. Seaman and Toles apologized. His family, Toles said, "did not raise me to be in a situation like this." Seaman's eyes filled with tears as she listened to her relatives, including her 10-year-old brother, describe her as a good-hearted person. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen," Seaman said. Referring to the plan to rob Way, she said, "I know what I intended to happen was horrible." A plot aimed at theft of marijuana and money Way was killed on Jan. 19, 2020, outside his residence on Southgate Drive near Usonia Avenue, off Peach Street and just north of West Grandview Boulevard. The prosecution alleged that Jakwaris Robison fatally shot Way and that Marshawn Williams was the leader of the robbery plot. On Jan. 19, 2020, Erie police officers and firefighters and emergency workers converge on a car that contained Michael Toles, who suffered a gunshot wound during the deadly robbery of Devin Way moments earlier. Toles tried to flee in the car, which got stuck in the snow behind the Taco Bell restaurant in the 4300 block of Peach Street, not far from the shooting scene. Way was shot during a struggle over marijuana inside a car the four had taken to Way's house, according to police. The District Attorney's Office, using Toles and Seaman as their key witnesses, alleged that Robison fired the four gunshots that killed Way after Way and Toles wrestled over a gun that Toles had pulled on Way. The evidence showed that Williams was driving the car. Williams and Robison did not testify at trial, though Robison's lawyer argued that Toles was the shooter. Toles was shot during the episode. A bullet ended up lodged in his right forearm and he suffered a grazing bullet wound to the right thigh, but the injuries led to no lasting damage, Toles testified at trial. He said Way fell out of the car after he suffered the fatal shots. During their testimony, Toles and Seaman who were dating at the time of the fatal robbery each said they were guilty of second-degree murder. Weeks earlier, Seaman and Toles were part of another fatal heist Toles and Seaman testified in another case that ended with the fatal shooting of an Erie resident in a botched attempt at robbing that victim of marijuana. The victim in that case was Patric Phillips, 25, killed on Dec. 7, 2019, at his residence at East 24th and Wayne streets. Seaman and Toles were not charged in that case, which ended with the convictions of four defendants, including Marshawn Williams, who was also convicted in Way's death. Williams was convicted of second-degree murder in Phillips' death and is serving an additional sentence of life without parole in that case. In the Phillips case, Toles' testimony included statements about discussions that Williams had concerning the scheme to steal marijuana. Seaman testified about her knowledge of the robbery plot she called it a "lick" and what she knew about Phillips' death from Williams and Toles. At Monday's sentencing, Way's relatives said they were angry that Toles and Seaman went ahead with the plot aimed at Way weeks after Phillips was killed in a similar scheme. "Apparently, you didn't care," said Way's stepgrandmother, Barbara Way. Lightner, the prosecutor, said Seaman and Toles participated in the deadly plots because they idolized a gangster-like lifestyle, like something out of the movies. He said the schemes were not about the money, emphasizing that Devin Way was killed over $400. "They wanted to rob people," Lightner said of Seaman and Toles, "because robbing people is cool." Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Pair avoids life sentences in Erie, PA murder, but not without dissent KABUL, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Police arrested 29 people on charge of involvement in criminal activities over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday. According to the statement, police arrested the 29 individuals involved in criminal activities including theft, drug smuggling and carrying weapons illegally from nine out of the country's 34 provinces. Similarly, police also arrested seven people on charge of involvement in selling illicit drugs in northern Baghlan province a couple of days ago, police said. The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to crack down on outlaws and criminals as part of its efforts to ensure law and order in war-plagued Afghanistan. Poland's Foreign Ministry has summoned Ukraine's ambassador Vasyl Zvarych after the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the Polish ambassador amid Warsaws criticism of Kyiv's alleged lack of appreciation. Source: European Pravda, with reference to a short message from the Polish Foreign Ministry Details: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the Ambassador of Ukraine in Poland has been invited to the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the statements made by representatives of the Ukrainian authorities," the ministry said in a statement on Twitter. The Polish Foreign Ministry did not provide other details of the summon. Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Polish ambassador after statements by Marcin Przydacz, the Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of Poland. In an interview with Polish media, Marcin Przydacz mentioned that Ukraine had received significant support from Poland, and it was time for Ukraine to start appreciating the role Poland played for it in recent months and years. The relevant statements of the Polish official were made in the context of the situation with blocking the export of Ukrainian grain through Poland. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President's Office said that a Polish official's claims that Kyiv does not sufficiently appreciate the assistance provided by Poland were "groundless". Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Polish Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych on Aug. 1 after Kyiv made the same move over a Polish official's suggestion that Ukraine should "start appreciating" Warsaw's support. The Polish ministry wrote that the invitation was linked to "the statements made by representatives of the Ukrainian authorities" without providing any details. Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted that the summons of the Polish ambassador "should never have taken place." "In international politics, in the face of the ongoing war, and taking into account the enormous support that Poland has given Ukraine, such mistakes should not happen," said Morawiecki. "We will always defend Poland's good name, its security, and the interest of no other country will ever prevail over the interest of the Republic of Poland." On July 31, Marcin Przydacz, the Polish Secretary of State and Head of the International Policy Bureau, was asked in an interview whether Warsaw's ban on Ukrainian grain imports had harmed the countries' relations. Przydacz claimed that Kyiv should "start appreciating the role that Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years." Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said that "statements about the alleged ingratitude of Ukrainians for Poland's help are false and unacceptable." Andrii Sybiha, deputy head of the President's Office, also reacted to Przydacz's statement, calling it "an attempt to impose on Polish society the baseless opinion that Ukraine does not value help from Poland." "The reality is an indisputable fact that every day Ukraine thanks Poland and other allied countries through its supreme sacrifice and bravery of our heroes on the battlefield. Polish weapons in the hands of the Ukrainian military effectively deter the Russian aggressor, and supporting us with weapons is not charity, but an investment in Poland's own security." Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Phoenix police officials are reviewing the investigation into the death of Joseph Ryan, Lori Vallows third husband, a spokeswoman for the department told CNN on Friday. Vallow and her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, are both in jail in Idaho, awaiting trials on charges connected to the disappearances and death of her two children. The review in Arizona was prompted in part by the recent publication of a recording made by Vallows former sister-in-law, Annie Cushing, in 2018, police spokeswoman Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said in a statement to CNN. In that recording, made public for the first time last week by CNN affiliate East Idaho News, Vallow describes considering murdering her former husband, whom she does not name. In the recording, Vallow says she ultimately decided not to murder her husband, and joined a temple instead. The 40-minute recording is of an informal religious discussion where Vallow preached about her beliefs to a number of friends, East Idaho News reported. East Idaho News said it obtained the recording from Cushing. CNN reached out to Vallows attorney, Mark Means, to confirm the authenticity of the recording, but Means declined to comment. Vallow could not be reached for comment. She is facing separate charges of conspiring to destroy, alter or conceal evidence in the deaths of two of her children. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Ryan died in April 2018. His death was ruled as natural at the time, Fortune said. Vallows children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua J.J. Vallow, disappeared last September. Their remains were found June 9 in Daybells yard. Daybell and Vallow married in November 2019. Daybell is charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence and two felony counts of destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence. He has pleaded not guilty. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Daytona Beach girl who went missing Monday night sparking an AMBER Alert has been found safe in Marion County, according to police. Barbora Zdanska, 14, was initially reported missing by her father on Sunday, according to a missing person's report filed with the Daytona Beach Police Department. An AMBER Alert for a kidnapped child was sent Monday, July 31, 2023 for Barbora Zdanska, 14, of Daytona Beach. AMBER Alert The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the AMBER Alert Monday night. The alert system notifies the public regarding a child who has been abducted and is endangered. Zdanska, at some point in her travels "was able to get a message to a relative claiming she had been kidnapped," said Sgt. Tim Ehrenkaufer, spokesman for the Daytona police. The kidnapping claim turned out not to be true, according to a statement released later by the department. "Based on statements from witnesses, our investigation determined that no crime had occurred due to the alleged accusation not being factual and also being reported by a third party and not the victim," the statement read. What happened? Daytona Beach police responded to a Boynton Boulevard Apartment at 11:51 p.m. Sunday where the father reported he last saw his daughter at 1:15 a.m. Sunday when they watched a movie at home, the missing person's report noted. False kidnapping report Port Orange girl, 11, arrested for falsely reporting to 911 that her friend was kidnapped The father woke up at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and found his daughter was not at home. Her bedroom window was open, police said. On Saturday night, Barbora had argued with her father over texting with her boyfriend and the father took away her cellphone. The father also reported that his daughter's boyfriend "Carlos" posted a message with a gun emoji on his Instagram account, police said. Daytona police on Monday wrote in a Facebook post Monday that Zdanska is "possibly in the company of 'Carlos,'" a Hispanic male, approximately 14 years old." The girl disappeared from the home without money, credit cards, or a car. The father reported that the girl was acting normal in the weeks leading up to the incident and made no mention of leaving, investigators said. Story continues Police were told by the girl's father that she did not suffer from mental illness and is not on prescription medication, police wrote in the report. Girl found in Marion County The girl's father also told police he believes that the boyfriend is a former Campbell Middle School student who recently moved from Daytona. The name of the town to which the boyfriend moved was redacted in the police report. Daytona Beach police spokesman Jimmie Flynt initially said on Tuesday that the van, in which the girl was seen getting into Monday, apparently voluntarily, was found in Clay County. "The owner of the vehicle is being cooperative and admitted she drove to Daytona to pick the (the girl) up, but dropped her off at a house in Jacksonville," Flynt said on Tuesday. The AMBER Alert was canceled. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kidnapped Daytona girl found safe in Marion County The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is searching for a man who has been accused of breaking into a Dilworth restaurant. The incident occurred on July 27 at the Penguin Drive-In on East Boulevard. ALSO READ: Beauty supply owner loses thousands in merchandise following burglary Police said the man broke into the business shortly before 12:30 p.m. It is unclear what was stolen. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600. VIDEO: Beauty supply owner loses thousands in merchandise following burglary Police Seek 17-Year-Old Suspect in OShae Sibley Stabbing Death As friends and family remember slain dancer OShea Sibley, police are looking for a 17-year-old male they believe was captured on video fatally stabbing the dancer and activist at a gas station near Coney Island late Saturday evening. The case is also being investigated as a potential hate crime by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force. Sibley was stabbed to death around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 29 at a gas station in Milford. Witnesses said the suspect claimed to be Muslim, and that the suspect said Sibley's spontaneous voguing while wearing only a bathing suit at the gas pump offended him and his religion. The suspect stabbed Sibley following an exchange of words. He then fled the scene while Sibley collapsed on the sidewalk mortally wounded. While police investigate the crime, friends, and family remember the 28-year-old dancer. Sibleys shocking murder follows a disturbing rise in violence and harassment against LGBTQ people across the U.S., GLAAD said of Sibleys murder in a statement provided to Advocate. This cannot continue. No one should have to fear for their safety just for being themselves. Politicians spewing lies and proposing policies filled with disinformation, and media repeating their false and dangerous rhetoric unchallenged, are creating an incredibly hostile environment that endangers all LGBTQ people and all queer people of color. The organization noted that Sibley was the fifth LGBTQ+ person killed recently. Out New York City councilmen Erik Bottcher posted on social media that Sibley was killed for standing up for himself. OShae Sibley was killed by a group of men for voguing at a gas station in Brooklyn. They used anti-gay slurs against him, Bottcher wrote. He stood up for himself. They murdered him. This was a hate crime, and the people who did this must be brought to justice. The Human Rights Campaign's president Kelley Robinson wrote on social media, "OShae should still be here today. He should still be dancing and laughing and having fun with his friends. Im sending so much love to his friends and family." Story continues She added: "We must never believe that anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is just politics its hate and it has devastating consequences." Director and choreographer Kemar Jewel worked with Sibley for over ten years and featured him in the nearly seven-minute-long 2021 video Soft: A Love Letter to Black Queer Men, which Sibley co-choreographed. He remembered Sibley as not just a talented artist, but also as an outgoing and loving man. Anyone who ever met OShae was very blessed to know him, Jemer wrote in a post to Facebook. He was funny, unique, charismatic, and always knew how to have a good time. Most importantly, he loved HARD!!! He went above and beyond for his loved ones and made sure no one was ever sad around him. Sibley was with his friends at the Midford gas station just after 11 p.m. when the 28-year-old Philadelphia native began to spontaneously vogue while the gas pumped, attracting the attention of a group of teens and young men leaving the stations store. Witnesses said the men claimed to be Muslim and forcefully said Sibleys dancing was an insult to Islam. They reportedly hurled anti-LGBTQ+ slurs at Sibley and his friends, and harsh words were exchanged. A physical altercation broke out and Sibley was stabbed in the torse. He walked a few steps before collapsing on the sidewalk. Police arrived a short time later, but Sibley was declared dead at the hospital. The entire incident was captured on the gas stations surveillance camera. They hated us cause we are gay! Sibleys friend Otis Pena posted to Facebook. Screaming we Muslim and we dont like gays!!!!! As we are innocently pumping gas and yall decided to stab one of us!!! Police described the suspect as a 17-year-old male with dark hair last seen wearing a black shirt and red shorts. A GoFundMe allegedly set up by Sibley's father has raised almost $10,000 dollars to go toward covering the costs over his death. "We are raising funds for his home going service to help cover costs due to this untimely and undeserved hate crime incident that cut my son's life down just because of his sexual preference which was just not fair to him in his prime," the page states. "O'shae not only was the glue to this family, he was a great dancer and performer for the majority of his life. His spirit lit up every room he stepped in. His smile was contagious! To know him, was to live him. He did not deserve this. Everyone loved his spirit." Anyone with information about the suspect or the stabbing can confidentially contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), via Crime Stoppers website, or via Twitter @NYPDTips. Gastonia Police Department Public Information Officer Rick Goodale poses outside City Hall Tuesday afternoon, August 17, 2021. About two weeks after a federal lawsuit was filed against the city of Gastonia, the city suspended the Gastonia Police Department spokesman, who the lawsuit accuses of using the police department's Facebook page to harass a homeless veteran who was arrested in 2021. Police Public Information Officer Rick Goodale was suspended without pay on July 13, Gastonia City Manager Michael Peoples said. Goodale was hired Aug. 16, 2021. His most recent annual salary was $63,020. The city has not given a reason for the suspension. When he was suspended, Goodale's work cell phone number also was disconnected. He could not be reached for comment. The lawsuit was filed June 30 by 39-year-old combat veteran Joshua Rohrer, who served in Iraq and Kuwait in 2004 and 2005. In it, Rohrer accuses Gastonia police of mistreating him during an arrest in October 2021 and harassing him afterward. Rohrer was arrested Oct. 13, 2021 on allegations of panhandling and resisting arrest. He accused the police officers involved of using excessive force. During the arrest, police also tased his service dog, Sunshine Rae, and afterward, Sunshine escaped from where she was being held while he was in jail, ran into traffic, and was killed. The charges in the Oct. 13 incident were dismissed as part of a plea deal. The federal lawsuit names the police who arrested Rohrer, Officer Cierra Brooks and former Officer Maurice Taylor III, and it also names Goodale, who managed the police department's Facebook page before his suspension. The lawsuit cites hundreds of Facebook comments in which the police department's Facebook page shares information about Rohrer's case and addresses critics directly, and questions why Rohrer, if he was wronged, hadn't sued the police department. "And is there a pending lawsuit? As of yesterday, there has been no lawsuit filed," the police department wrote. In another, the police department wrote, "Your comment of 'wow, I hope he takes your city to the cleaners with the pending lawsuit' implies that there is a pending lawsuit. There in fact is not one." Story continues The police department also argued that it was simply addressing misinformation about the case. "Repeating lies from Josh's supporters who had free reign for nine months doesn't make them true," the police department said in one comment. In many comments, the police department tagged Rohrer directly and asked why he wouldn't allow the page to comment on in the group he made for himself and his supporters. The police department also referred directly to details of Rohrer's case, as well as suggesting that readers look up a different court case involving Rohrer. The police department also appeared to blame Rohrer for Sunshine's fate. "Perhaps if Mr. Rohrer would have exercised some form of control over Sunshine as required by the (Americans with Disabilities Act), (and he still refuses to say how he had any control over her), then perhaps she wouldn't have been put in the unfortunate position where she was allowed to roam free, bite an officer and then run off," the police department wrote. This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Police spokesman suspended after city sued over his Facebook comments A Royal Palm Beach man who lives with his parents and has paid $1,342 in speeding fines since December 2020 is in Miami-Dade County jail, accused of something more serious than speeding: attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. The alleged weapon: Tristan Lawsons Red Dodge Charger. Lawson has pleaded not guilty to that charge, as well as aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer. The 22-year-old was granted no bond on the attempted murder charge. Miami-Dade police said Lt. Juan Travieso suffered bumps and bruises on Sunday after an intersection takeover and before a chase that went from Miamis Liberty City through Fort Lauderdale and to the Forest Hill Boulevard exit of Interstate 95. READ MORE: Check your birth control pills. Some have been recalled because they might not work Drift and away An arrest report says at Northwest 17th Avenue and 61st Street, Lawson engaged in the drifting and automobile play common to intersection takeovers before heading north on Northwest 17th Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The report says police conducted a traffic stop at Northwest 17th Avenue and 66th Street, but also says Travieso and another officer each approached with loud verbal commands to stop the vehicle. The report says Lawson made eye contact with Travieso and accelerated, hitting the officer and continuing north. The report said Lawson hung a right on Northwest 79th Street and headed to northbound Interstate 95. With Miami-Dade police following via helicopter, Lawson got to the Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The report says Lawson, Ashael Alvarez Fajardo and a third man jumped out of the car and headed into nearby woods. A Boynton Beach police K-9 unit eventually found them. Poland Polands Ambassador to Ukraine, Bartosz Tsihotski, was summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kyiv on August 1 to explain the comment made by Marcin Prydacz, an associate of Polish President Andrzej Duda, about Ukraines ingratitude to Polands help, reported Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko on Aug. 1. Prydacz is the head of the international policy office in Dudas administration. Tsihotskyi was informed during the meeting that statements about the alleged ingratitude of the Ukrainian people for Polands help are untrue and unacceptable, said Nikolenko. He noted that politics should not call into question the mutual understanding and strength of relations between Ukrainians and Poles, adding that hes convinced that the Ukrainian-Polish friendship is much deeper than political expediency. No statements will prevent us from jointly winning peace and building a common European future, said Nikolenko. In an interview with Polish mass media, Prydacz said that Ukraine should start appreciating the role that Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years. This statement was made against the backdrop of the blockading of Ukrainian grain exports through Poland. Russia announced its unilateral withdrawal from the grain agreement on July 17, justifying the decision on the latest attack on the illegally built Crimea bridge. At the same time, the Kremlin regime withdrew safety guarantees for shipping in the Black Sea. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi offered to continue to implement the grain agreement without Russia, working together with Turkiye and the UN. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed through the mediation of the UN and Turkiye last July, made it possible to unblock three Ukrainian ports for food exports. The grain corridor had been operating since Aug. 1, 2022, despite regular provocations and threats by the Russians. Russia announced on July 19 that it would consider all sea vessels bound for Ukrainian ports to be militarytargets. Story continues Ukraines Defense Ministry responded by warning that it would consider all ships bound for Russias Black Sea ports, as well as ports in the temporarily occupied territories, as carrying military cargo, with all the inherent risks. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine On Tuesday evening, the Polish Ministry of National Defence confirmed that two Belarusian helicopters violated Polish airspace. Source: European Pravda, citing the statement of the Ministry Details: The Polish Defence Ministry claims that Polish airspace was violated by helicopters that carried out exercises near the border. Minsk previously informed Warsaw about these exercises. "The border crossing took place near the city of Belovezha at a very low altitude, which made it difficult to detect it with radar systems. Therefore, this morning, the operational command of the Polish Armed Forces reported in a communique that Polish radar systems detected no violations of Polish airspace", the Ministry explained. In response to the incident, Mariusz Baszczak, Polish National Defence Minister, ordered an increase in the number of soldiers on the border and the deployment of additional forces and equipment, in particular combat helicopters. Poland also informed NATO about the incident and decided to summon the Charge D'Affaires of Belarus to the Foreign Ministry to explain the incident. "(...) Russia and Belarus have recently stepped up their hybrid actions against Poland. Taking into account possible further provocations, we call for responsible dissemination and comment on information that can be used by the Russian and Belarusian regimes," the statement concludes. Mercenaries of the Wagner Group PMC have been moving from Russia to Belarus for some time; they moved there after an attempted mutiny in Russia. The Polish side has repeatedly stressed that the Wagnerites pose a threat to Poland, and reinforced the Belarusian-Polish border. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced the relocation of a group of mercenaries from the Wagner Group to the Suwaki Gap, which connects Poland with the Baltic States and also separates the territory of Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! COLOMBO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 were injured when a state-owned bus veered off the road and fell into a precipice at Watawala in central Sri Lanka, during the early hours of Tuesday morning, police said. Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told Xinhua that the bus, which carried around 120 passengers, was traveling to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo. The injured were admitted to several regional hospitals. Several of the injured had sustained fractures, and the driver and the conductor had sustained minor injuries, the police spokesman said. The spokesman added that they suspected technical issues have caused the accident and that Watawala police are conducting further investigations. NEWMARKET A suspect in a string of car break-ins led police on a chase from Rochester into Maine Tuesday, crashing into two police cruisers in Rochester on the way. Newmarket police had been looking for 23-year-old Travis Moseley of Portsmouth since the afternoon of July 23, when they received reports of a man smashing the back windows of vehicles at several residences in town. Tuesday, their investigation led to Rochester, where they said Moseley was located and fled from police. Travis Moseley, 23, of Portsmouth, was arrested Tuesday in a pursuit from Rochester into York, Maine, striking two police cruisers along the way. This image was posted by Newmarket police when they began their search, alleging he broke into several cars July 23 and the evening of July 25. Newmarket police announced shortly after 3 p.m. Moseley had been arrested by Maine State Police. The chase began Tuesday at approximately 12:44 p.m., according to Maine State Police, after Moseley allegedly rammed a New Hampshire State Police cruiser and a Rochester cruiser. New Hampshire authorities stopped pursuing due to dangerousness, according to New Hampshire State Police, as Moseley was allegedly throwing items from his car to further damage the cruisers and driving northerly in the southbound lane of Interstate 95. They said they handed off the pursuit to Maine authorities as he drove across the Piscataqua River Bridge. Maine State Police said Moseley was spotted driving northbound on Route 1 in Wells shortly after. Police said he turned around and led Maine State Police on a vehicle pursuit southbound and eventually onto Interstate 95. More: North Hampton hires Massachusetts State Police lieutenant as new police chief Once on the turnpike, police used tire deflating devices in York that assisted in stopping Moseleys 2018 Ford Escape, and he was taken into custody. Moseley was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries at his own request, according to police. The turnpike remained open with only one lane shut down, the state police said, and traffic flow was affected for a minimal amount of time. York police and fire and the Maine Turnpike Authority assisted. More: Ex-Rockingham County Jail worker faces felony charges for coercing sex acts from inmates Story continues Moseley is being held on preventative detention in the Rockingham County House of Corrections in Brentwood, according to New Hampshire State Police, and is being charged with criminal mischief, a class B felony, as well as operating after suspension, resisting arrest and conduct after an accident. Those include charges stemming from Strafford County as well. The investigation began July 23 when Newmarket police said they received four different reports of the back windows smashed at approximately 1:59 p.m. They said the reporting parties gave a similar description of the vehicle, which police identified as a 2018 silver Ford Escape they said Moseley was known to operate. Travis Moseley, 23, of Portsmouth, was arrested Tuesday in a pursuit from Rochester into York, Maine, striking two police cruisers along the way. Newmarket police then received similar reports of break-ins overnight between July 25 and the early hours of July 26. They posted images of Moseley July 27, asking people to be on the lookout, adding they have a warrant for his arrest. New Hampshire State Police described July 27 as a "multi-town pursuit" of Moseley in their release. Monday, Newmarket police announced that they were issued felony arrest warrants for Moseley and were actively looking for his whereabouts. Tuesday, Rochester police said they were made aware of Moseley and learned that his vehicle may have been in the parking lot of the Spaulding Common at 306 North Main Street. Rochester officer Dwayne Hatch and his K9 Ripley located the vehicle at approximately 12:17 p.m. and Hatch positioned his cruiser to block him into his parking space. Moseley allegedly made several multi-point turns in an effort to get around Hatchs cruiser, Rochester police said. By this time, a New Hampshire State Police trooper arrived in a cruiser to assist. Mosely then allegedly pulled forward out of the parking space, striking both cruisers. Both officers had exited their cruisers when the collision occurred and Ripley the K9 was uninjured inside the cruiser. Moseley drove away and went to the Spaulding Turnpike, according to police, and went southbound where officers lost sight of him. Rochester officers searched the area and located Moseley again in his vehicle parked at the Cumberland Farms on Knight Street. They said he sped away on South Main Street, then on Rochester Hill Road, at a high rate of speed and exited the city. It was not immediately known if Moseley has an attorney. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH man wanted for car break-ins arrested after Maine chase A Postal Service mail carrier was shot Tuesday while delivering mail in the Kilbourn Park neighborhood on the Northwest Side, according to authorities. Two armed attackers approached the 52-year-old male carrier in the 3200 block of North Kildare Avenue around 3:30 p.m., police said. They tried to take the mans belongings and one attacker fired a gun, striking the victim in the leg, police said. A Postal Service spokesperson confirmed the victim was a USPS mail carrier Tuesday afternoon. The agency was already investigating the shooting, but the Postal Service did not have an update on the mail carriers condition, the spokesperson said. The victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, but the postal spokesperson said his condition stabilized in the evening. Officers had not arrested any suspects, and detectives are investigating, police said. Postal inspectors could be seen going door to door near the scene of the shooting on Tuesday evening. Standing outside the taped-off crime scene, Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, told reporters that small children lived on the block. So it makes me not only sad, but also worries me, she said. Other neighbors have shared some concerns about what they have experienced in the neighborhood recently. The City Council member had not heard about neighbors fears about crime until after Tuesdays shooting, she said. She encouraged residents to report crimes and concerns to police and her office. She also highlighted efforts to fight crime through block clubs and community groups. A string of robberies targeting mail carriers last winter left many carriers traumatized and fearful for their lives, the head of the Chicago branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers told the Tribune in February. Its a traumatizing experience to have a gun pulled at you in the performance of your duties while servicing the public, said Elise Foster, president of the unions Branch 11. Theyre scared and some dont even want to return back to work. Story continues Foster couldnt be reached for comment Tuesday. The Postal Inspection Service offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers and posted video of the a stolen white Kia sedan speeding away from the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call 877-876-2455. jsheridan@chicagotribune.com Social media posts claim footage of people easily removing debris from a Ukrainian cathedral after a Russian air strike proves the attack was faked. This is false; AFP and other news outlets covered the destruction, and the original video appears to show a woman carrying pieces of lightweight insulation. "Keep a close eye on the women carrying the 'heavy concrete stones,'" says a July 25, 2023 post on Twitter, which is being rebranded as "X." The post includes a clip from a Sky News broadcast (archived here) in which anchors discuss a Ukrainian cathedral decimated by a Russian attack. Footage playing on a screen behind the journalists shows a woman carrying what appears to be an armful of rubble. "This is all a movie," says another X post sharing the broadcast. Screenshot taken July 28, 2023 of a post on Twitter which is being rebranded as "X" Screenshot taken July 28, 2023 of a post on Twitter which is being rebranded as "X" The claim spread elsewhere on X, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Rumble, as well as in articles from conspiratorial outlets such as InfoWars. The Transfiguration Cathedral was damaged when Russian missiles struck the city of Odesa, Ukraine on July 23, 2023. Two people were killed and 22 wounded, while at least 25 landmarks were damaged. In the following days, volunteers helped clear the rubble. But many on social media claim the attack never happened, as the shot in the Sky News broadcast shows a woman easily picking up debris. But allegations of conspiracy are false -- AFP reports and photographs confirm the church was decimated in an air strike, and the original footage shows the woman is carrying a foam-like material likely used for the building's insulation. This photograph taken July 23, 2023 shows the damaged interior of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa Oleksandr GIMANOV AFP This photograph taken July 23, 2023 shows the damage to the exterior of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa Oleksandr GIMANOV AFP A reverse image search of the logo in the footage featured on Sky News indicates the video was originally produced by Rudaw, a news network based in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The superior quality of the video (archived here) shows the woman holding a material resembling polystyrene, which is commonly used in construction as insulation. Another fact-checkers reached similar conclusions based on this and other video of the clean-up effort. Story continues Screenshot of a YouTube video taken July 31, 2023 The July attack was the second time the Transfiguration Cathedral was marred in a Russian military strike. The church was initially destroyed in 1936 during the reign of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and rebuilt once Ukraine gained independence in 1991. Russian authorities have repeatedly misused low-quality footage to claim some of the worst atrocities in Ukraine were staged. In April 2022, AFP debunked clips used to imply that actors played massacred civilians in Bucha. More of AFP's reporting on misinformation surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict is available here. Police in Memphis shot a man who opened fire outside of Margolin Hebrew Academy on Monday, after the suspect failed to get inside a building, preventing what officers called "a potential mass shooting situation." Photo courtesy of Margolin Hebrew Academy Feinstone Yeshiva of the South July 31 (UPI) -- Police in Memphis shot a man who opened fire outside of a Jewish school Monday, after the suspect failed to get inside a building, preventing what officers called "a potential mass shooting situation." "At approximately 12:20 p.m., officers received a call that a male White, who was armed with a handgun, was at Margolin Hebrew Academy," the Memphis Police Department said in a statement. "Reportedly, the male fired his weapon while outside of the school." "I personally truly believe we prevented a tragedy," Memphis Police Assistant Chief Don Crowe said. "When he could not gain entry, he fired shots outside the school," Crowe told reporters Monday. "Thankfully that school had a great safety procedure process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene." According to police, the suspect fled the scene in a maroon Ram pickup truck with California tags. He was shot by officers during a traffic stop 3 miles away after he exited the vehicle holding a handgun. The suspect is currently in critical condition and under arrest at a local hospital. "Due to the suspect's condition and in accordance with policy, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been contacted and will be conducting this investigation," Memphis Police said. While Crowe said it was not clear whether the suspect had any connection to the school, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., issued a statement Monday saying his office had learned the shooter is Jewish and was a former student. "We have recently learned that the shooter at the Margolin Hebrew Academy was himself Jewish and a former student at the school," Cohen said. "I am pleased the academy had effective security and that the police acted quickly to protect students." The Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South is a boarding school and day school, which serves students from pre-K through the 12th grade. "I am proud of the vigilant and quick response of MPD officers who mitigated a potential mass shooting situation today," Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis said. "Many thanks to our neighboring jurisdictions for also providing critical information to stop the suspect's actions." Zemliachky has bought and sent about 30 military uniforms to pregnant soldiers since the war began, the organization's founders said. Courtesy of Zemliachky A Ukrainian charity is helping to outfit the country's pregnant female soldiers. Zemliachky's co-founders told Insider the group has helped thousands of women since the war began. Pregnant soldiers continue to serve in non-combat roles until they're 7 months pregnant, the founders said. In the fight to defend their country from Russian invaders, nothing can stop Ukraine's dedicated female soldiers not even pregnancy. Since the war began nearly a year-and-a-half ago, a Ukrainian charity organization based in Kyiv has bought and sent approximately 30 special-made uniforms to pregnant soldiers serving in the country's army, the group's co-founders, Andriy Kolesnyk and Ksenia Drahaniuk, told Insider, highlighting the incredible lengths to which Ukraine's women are going amid war. "Most of the women who joined the Ukraine army had just a normal, civil life," Kolesnyk said. "But they had a feeling they wanted to defend their country, their borders, their children, and other Ukrainian children." The married couple co-founded Zemliachky , a nonprofit organization that both documents female Ukrainian soldiers' unique experiences and outfits those women with battlefield necessities, such as hygiene products, military uniforms, and properly-fitting boots. There are now more than 60,000 women in Ukraine's army, including at least 5,000 in combat units, members of Ukraine's Parliament have said. Life for this relatively small minority of Ukrainian soldiers is made all the more difficult by a lack of accessible female resources, Insider previously reported. Zemliachky has supported thousands of women since the war began. Courtesy of Zemliachky Wartime pregnancies It was one female soldier in particular a sniper to whom Zemliachky had previously sent aid who reached back out to the organization and inquired about a uniform that could accommodate her pregnancy, the founders said. When a soldier finds out she's pregnant, she's immediately removed from any combat roles, though Kolesnyk said the sniper first hid her pregnancy for nearly three months as she sought to continue her frontline duties. The danger and discomfort of hours on her stomach near the frontlines, however, eventually convinced her to pull back, he said. Story continues After Zemliachky posted about the military uniform pants they sent her that can adjust to fit a growing belly, Kolesnyk said more requests from pregnant soldiers started to come. Pregnant women enlisted in Ukraine's army continue to serve up to seven months into their pregnancy, the couple said, necessitating uniforms that fit like "a second skin." "Imagine if we take all the men in all the armies in the world and give them female uniforms," Kolesnyk said. "Why should females wear their uniforms? They do the same job, hold the same positions in the army. They should work in comfort." Armor, ammunition, and weddings Kolesnyk and Drahaniuk said they were inspired to launch Zemliachky after Kolesnyk's sister, Anastasia, enlisted last year and soon sent the couple a laundry list of basic items she was lacking. The duo sent Anastasia Zemliachky's first ever "humanitarian box" featuring a collection of 30 different female hygiene products and medicines. As the couple began posting about the nonprofit's work on social media, their following grew, and word-of-mouth chatter among female soldiers soon brought in more and more requests, they said. "The more people get to know us, the more they can tell their friends that this foundation supports women, and any female soldier can write to us on Instagram," Kolesnyk said. In the months since they started, the organization has supported thousands of women in the army, sending more than $200 million worth of armor, ammunition, helmets, clothing, shoes, first aid kits, and hygiene products to female soldiers scattered throughout Ukraine, according to the Zemliachky website. In addition to outfitting Ukraine's female soldiers, Zemliachky also helps organize weddings and honeymoons for Ukrainian service members, and offers women in the army access to 10 free therapy sessions. The exuberant photos of women posing in their new uniforms and the videos of joy-filled weddings make the work worthwhile, Kolesnyk and Drahaniuk said. But the heartwarming moments are oft-tempered by the realities of war. "There are hundreds of sad stories behind every one inspiring story," Kolesnyk said. "There are situations when we get requests for a uniform for a pregnant woman, but when we make it, we do not send it because we get a message that this woman lost her child." The couple also described instances of sending out humanitarian boxes to female soldiers only for the items to be returned the women in need no longer alive to use them. "There are a lot of inspiring stories, but we can't say they're always inspiring because we are talking about war," Kolesnyk said. "All these stories will be called inspiring when we achieve victory." Read the original article on Business Insider Monitors show the goings on of the Buncombe County Detention Facility December 2, 2021. ASHEVILLE A new law changing how conditions of release after arrest are determined is causing concern among some experts over jail overcrowding and an over-burdened justice system. North Carolina House Bill 813, dubbed the Pretrial Integrity Act, places the responsibility on elected judges, rather than appointed magistrates, to set pretrial release conditions for a slew of more serious charges, including statutory rape and sexual offense, arson and human trafficking. In total, the new law outlines 18 violent offenses that will now require judicial review, meaning a magistrate will no longer be allowed to set these bonds. North Carolina law has long recognized that in crimes of domestic violence a 48-hour custody hold pretrial can prevent violence and reduce recidivism, District Attorney Todd Williams told the Citizen Times earlier this month. HB 813 centers these public safety concerns by expanding the 48-hour hold to the most serious crimes of violence murder, rape, robbery, arson etc. and will give prosecutors and law enforcement sufficient time to contact survivors and advise of them of their Constitutional right to be heard in an open court proceeding in front of a district court judge rather than a magistrate in the Buncombe County Detention Center, Williams added. Magistrates are independent judicial officers, as well as officers of the district court, who have various duties in civil and criminal cases, including issuing search and arrest warrants and conducting initial appearances. Supervised by the chief district court judge, a magistrate serves an initial term of two years after being nominated for office by the clerk of superior court and appointed by the senior resident superior court judge. Judges are elected by the voters in their district, with district court judges serving a term of four years and superior court judges serving eight years per term. However, the law has implications for those arrested on non-violent, less serious crimes as well. Oct. 1, when the law goes into effect, individuals arrested on any non-Class 20 vehicle-related charge while on pre-trial release for any other non-vehicle related charge meaning their first offense is at any point in the judicial process, from before their initial hearing until before the final verdict they could spend up to 48 hours in jail waiting for a judge to determine their release conditions. If a judge is not available after 48 hours, a magistrate will set the terms of their release. Story continues Its a time and accuracy balance, N.C. House Rep. Eric Ager, whose district covers East Asheville and Eastern Buncombe County, told the Citizen Times July 19 when asked about the benefits of the new law. Judges are more accountable and are more experienced in the legal system than magistrates, but they are not available every second of every day like magistrates are generally available. More crowded jails? Ager pointed out that if someone is charged on a Friday night, they will be in jail through the 48 hours because no judges are available to set their release conditions over the weekend. He added that Buncombe County and the rest of the state will have a lot more people in the jails, and this bill doesnt do anything to relieve the burden on law enforcement who are managing most of these jails. The Buncombe County Sheriffs Office, which runs the county jail in downtown Asheville, has had issues maintaining detention facility staff, according to previous Citizen Times reporting. In 2021 there was a 125% turnover of detention center staff. As of the afternoon of July 27, the Buncombe County Detention Facility has 395 detainees in custody, according to an online inmate database from the sheriff's office. The main facility and annex can hold 604 detainees per the jail inspector and N.C. Division of Health and Human Services, according to Aaron Sarver, spokesperson for the sheriffs department. More: After 125% turnover in 2021, Buncombe approves hourly wage raise for jail staff A stack of clothes labeled "small" in the women's quarters at the Buncombe County Detention Center December 2, 2021. When asked how many additional inmates the facility can hold before more staffing is needed, Sarver estimated that if they see the number of detainees reach above about 490, they will need to open additional housing units, which would require between three to five more detention officers per shift. Sarver added that the number of female detainees is more of concern than the total prison population currently, and additional housing units for women are needed. We are going through a crisis in our state and local government agencies right now as far as employment and filling those jobs, Mecklenburg County Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed told the Citizen Times July 19, pointing out the lack of adequate staffing in county jails. Youre going to continue to see staffing shortages, but now youre going to have more people there because they have to sit there for 48 hours before a judge is available. Lindsey Prather, house representative for south and southwest Buncombe County, voted against HB 813 both times in the House and told the Citizen Times that she believes the impact of switching the responsibility of determining pretrial release conditions from the magistrates to a judge will be a slower, more overburdened justice system. This bill feels a lot like other bills that have come through this session where one or two cases of a problem crop up, like a violent offender bailing out, and an entire state law is written to combat it, Prather added. If we have issues with individual magistrates setting low bail, we should deal with those individuals. Sen. Mohammed reflected similar concern regarding an overburdened court system, pointing out how courts are already stretched thin and have limited resources and time. My concern is that you would want judges to pay attention to the most violent criminal offenses and those individuals with the highest needs, but now youre going to have judges while theyre dealing with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, violent sex offenses now they are also going to have to deal with very minor, petty things that I would think we wouldnt want individuals focused on with our limited resources, Mohammed added. Under the current law, where magistrates set the terms of release for all charges other than capital offenses, Buncombe County already has a backlog of over 40 murder cases, partly due to turnover in the district attorneys office. Court backlog: 40 murder defendants waiting to be prosecuted; 'stretched' Buncombe DA asks AG for help Jail shootout: No charges for deputy involved in gunfight in downtown Asheville jail: Buncombe DA In 2021, there were 5,405 pretrial criminal charges in Buncombe County that would now have to be seen by a judge under this new law, according to data from the UNC School of Government. The number of non-vehicle related pretrial criminal charges in 2021 was much lower than in years past, with 2020 seeing about 10,000 pretrial charges and 2019 seeing about 11,000 pretrial charges that fit the category of judicial review. In 2021, non-traffic misdemeanors accounted for over 31% of all pretrial criminal activity in Buncombe County, with just over 1,000 more charges compared to pretrial felony charges. The UNC School of Government collected pretrial crime data from 2014 to 2021. In 2021, there were 5,405 pretrial criminal charges in Buncombe County that would now have to be seen by a judge under HB 813, signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper July 7, 2023. Ive represented struggling families and parents who have shoplifted diapers for their children, for example, and then have turned around because they dont have transportation and have been arrested for failure to pay fare, said Mohammed, stating that people struggling with financial, mental health and substance abuse issues are going to be sitting in jail longer with this new law. Its important for folks to understand that incarcerating individuals, especially for low-level, non-violent criminal offenses, will have severe repercussions in our communities, like losing your job, losing your housing, which reduces public safety for all of us, Mohammed added. Were punishing people before theyve even been convicted or had their day in court for trial. Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. News tips? Email Ryley at rober@gannett.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: new pretrial release law causes concern of Asheville jail overcrowding Reuters A group of Russian billionaires has reportedly been using their companiessome of which have dodged Western sanctionsto funnel mercenaries to the regular Russian army for the war against Ukraine. Thats according to a new investigation by the independent outlet iStories, which reports that companies under the control of several Vladimir Putin cronies are taking part in the alleged covert recruitment scheme. Oleg Deripaska, the sanctioned tycoon and Putin confidant who made headlines at the start of the full-scale invasion for appearing to speak out against it, is allegedly at the center of one such scheme. According to iStories, a company owned by Deripaskas RusalRussias largest aluminum produceris bankrolling a volunteer battalion called Sokol. The battalion is officially considered a part of the Russian military, but financial compensation for the volunteers comes from both the Defense Ministry and a mysterious sponsor. We first give employment [in our company] the day before a contract is signed with the Ministry of Defense, and then we suspend the employment contract, and we have a basis for paying bonuses to our employee who went to the [war]. Its such a scheme, a recruiter was quoted telling iStories. The recruiter allegedly did not specify who exactly the sponsor is, but the phone numbers listed on a recruitment poster belong to Rusal Management, a 100 percent subsidiary of Rusal, according to the report. Putins Dystopian Plan for Post-Mutiny Russia Revealed Volunteers have even reportedly discussed Deripaskas alleged involvement in private chats, with one said to have noted that Deripaska sets up Sokol personnel in his private security companies. While Deripaska himself is under sanctions, Rusal was freed from sanctions in 2019 after Deripaska reduced his stake in the company. He still owns part of the company through his stake in En+ Group. Just last month, a European trade group said it had considered calling for sanctions on Russian aluminum, but recommends avoiding any such sanctions on Rusal due to the companys widespread operations. Story continues A representative for Rusal told iStories the company is not involved in recruiting volunteers and said they had no idea why the companys phone numbers were listed for wannabe recruits. In addition to Rusal, the report also names Russias second-largest natural gas producer, Novatek, as another company supplying cannon fodder for the war against Ukraine. Owned by Leonid Mikhelson and Putin pal Gennady Timchenko, the company is under U.S. sanctions that prohibit it from accessing any debt financing in the U.S. for longer than 90 days. According to iStories, a private security company founded by Novatek and completely dependent on it for financing is involved in recruiting efforts. An unnamed volunteer told the outlet employees were recruited by representatives of Novatek and the security outfit Bastion right at their workplace. Construction company Mospromstroy, owned by EU-sanctioned oligarch Mikhail Gutseriev, has also reportedly been tasked with recruiting fresh blood for the war, along with Sergei Gordeevs PIK Group. As Moscows fledgling war machine trudges on, myriad reports have emerged of state-owned Russian companies being tasked with supplying fresh recruits, who are first set up with fictitious jobs before being sent to the battlefield. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. For all the hand-wringing over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis campaign finances, the main super PAC supporting his presidential bid doesnt appear to have the same problem. Never Back Down, the outside group formed months before DeSantis announced his 2024 campaign, is flush with cash and spending money on activities and services that are often associated with a candidates official campaign. Financial disclosures filed on Monday with the Federal Election Commission confirmed what the group has said for weeks: that it pulled in more than $130 million since March and has plenty left in the bank. The groups outsized warchest sets it up to be a financial and political behemoth in the months leading up to the Iowa caucuses in January and beyond, a period during which DeSantis must turn his faltering campaign around. It could also emerge as a serious counterweight to the network of super PACs supporting former President Donald Trump, which are burning through money at a rapid clip. In terms of sheer cash, no other super PAC backing a 2024 Republican presidential hopeful comes close to Never Back Down. The group finished June with nearly $97 million in the bank, while its closest rival, the Trump-aligned Make America Great Again Inc., boasts a cash reserve of just under $31 million, federal filings show. SFA Fund Inc., the main super PAC backing former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haleys presidential campaign, finished the first half of the year with about $17 million in cash on hand, while Trust in the Mission PAC, which is supporting U.S. Sen. Tim Scotts 2024 ambitions, had roughly $15 million. Never Back Downs disclosure suggests that DeSantis has a financial cushion to fall on, should he need it in the months leading up to the 2024 presidential primaries. While federal law forbids campaigns and super PACs from coordinating with one another, DeSantis team and Never Back Down have pushed the limits of those rules. The super PAC began hiring and deploying staffers to early primary states well before DeSantis ever announced his presidential bid, helping to build out the infrastructure for a ground campaign that DeSantis has leaned on in recent months. Story continues The governor has also joined an Iowa bus tour organized by the super PAC, billed during stops as a special guest. Mondays filings underscore how Never Back Down has used its money to pay for activities typically covered by political campaigns themselves. It spent $1.1 million on payroll and related expenses, like taxes and insurance, as well as another $4 million on canvassing and $1.5 million on polling. Its a relatively novel approach in the world of super PACs, which have traditionally focused on more passive outreach efforts, like advertising. Every conversation at the door, every text message reply is making us smarter and more efficient, Chris Jankowski, the CEO of Never Back Down, said in a statement. We are running a full-scale operation that has never been done before at this level by either party. Donald Trump is using most of his donors money to cover his legal fees. READ MORE: DeSantis campaign is hemorrhaging support with this type of GOP voter, polls show Saurav Ghosh, the director for federal campaign finance reform at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, said that Never Back Downs work has been atypical for a super PAC. Such groups are typically charged with creating and distributing advertisements. Never Back Downs operation, he said, looks more like that of a campaign than a super PAC. Weve seen super PACs push the envelope before in terms of fundraising, Ghosh said. Theyre always looking for ways to do more, but I dont think I can recall an example where a super PAC was essentially behaving as a campaign. Ghosh said that Never Back Down hasnt violated any rules in how it operates. Theres no evidence that the group has directly coordinated with DeSantis campaign. But he also expressed concern that if Never Back Downs strategy works, its just going to start a trend of super PACs doing more of this. Who doesnt want a shadow campaign financed by millions of dollars from wealthy donors? he said. DeSantis own campaign has run into financial difficulties in recent weeks. While he raised more than $20 million in the first six weeks as a candidate, his campaign burned through roughly $8 million of that. Of the $12 million remaining at the end of June, only $9 million could be used in the Republican primary. DeSantis campaign also relied heavily on large donors in its opening weeks, and many are unable to give anymore because of federal contribution limits. The cash crunch has forced the campaign to act quickly to cut costs. Since mid-July, the campaign has laid off roughly 40% of its staff. Never Back Down doesnt face the same problem. Super PACs are allowed to raise unlimited sums of money from individuals, corporations and other entities, so long as they dont give money directly to political candidates. Most of Never Back Downs windfall came from an $82.5 million transfer from DeSantis former state political committee, now called Empower Parents PAC. But it also raised nearly $50 million on its own, mainly from ultra-wealthy donors, some of whose contributions far surpassed the million-dollar mark. Among the biggest givers were a handful who previously supported Trump, DeSantis chief rival for the 2024 Republican nomination. Hotel magnate Robert Bigelow, a former Trump ally who broke with the former president after the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, was by far the biggest donor to Never Back Down, cutting a check for more than $20 million. The group also received $1 million apiece from Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, a Republican megadonor couple that has thrown hundreds of millions of dollars behind conservative candidates and causes over the years. There are other challenges for DeSantis. While hes still running in second place in most early state and national polls, his support has trended downward since the beginning of the year and hes struggled to make up any ground on Trump. He and his campaign are in the midst of a reset aimed at reversing his decline. RELATED CONTENT: DeSantis is the early king of Florida campaign cash. See where hes outpacing Trump Of course, Trump has his own set of challenges. Trump Save America, the former presidents joint fundraising committee, raised about $53 million in the first half of the year. But the two committees that split that money Trumps own campaign and his leadership PAC Save America spent more than that in the same timeframe, raising questions about the long term sustainability of the fundraising arrangement. READ MORE: Trump property manager released on bond in Miami, faces formal arraignment next month Save Americas finances appear particularly dire. The group has just $3.6 million left in the bank after spending tens of millions of dollars in legal fees for Trump and his associates. The former president is facing a series of civil matters and criminal charges as he seeks the GOPs 2024 nomination. He could be indicted in other cases in the coming days and weeks. A super PAC supporting Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s candidacy for president reports that a single donor who has given millions to Republicans in previous elections provided almost half of the funds it has raised so far this year. American Values 2024 revealed in a mid-year filing to the Federal Election Commission that it raised about $9.8 million through the first half of the year. But $5 million of that came from Timothy Mellon, a GOP megadonor who gave millions during the last cycle to a super PAC that works to elect Republicans to the House and also donated thousands to several GOP House and Senate candidates. American Values previously shared that it raised $6.47 million throughout July with donations from Democrats and Republicans, including Mellon. It also noted that it received a donation from Abby Rockefeller, who has long supported Democrats. The fact that Kennedy gets so much bipartisan support tells me two things: that hes the one candidate who can unite the country and root out corruption and that hes the one Democrat who can win in the general election, Mellon said in the release. Other major donations that the super PAC received include $4.5 million from Gavin de Becker, a security consultant who has donated to Democratic and Republican campaigns over the years, including more recently Republican Sen. Ron Johnsons (Wis.) 2022 reelection campaign and Andrew Yangs 2020 presidential campaign. Yang was a Democrat at the time but has since left the party. Despite the super PACs emphasis that Kennedys campaign receiving support from Democrats and Republicans demonstrates bipartisan appeal, the large donations from individuals who have supported Republicans in the past could further spur criticism of Kennedy from Democrats, who say his candidacy is simply a GOP-backed attempt to weaken President Biden. Kennedy, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy, has been a prominent anti-vaccine activist for years. The organization he founded about a decade ago, Childrens Health Defense, has been known to spread misinformation about vaccines. Story continues He most recently received backlash over comments he made referencing a theory that the COVID-19 virus might have been ethnically targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people, with Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people the most immune. Many in the Democratic Party, including Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, denounced the remarks. Kennedy later said he was not arguing that the virus was targeted to spare Jewish people nor that the ethnic effect was deliberately engineered. At Republicans invitation, he also appeared before the House Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government to discuss censorship and free speech despite Democratic calls for him to be disinvited. Kennedy is a long shot to win the Democratic nomination against Biden, but he has often polled in double-digits in hypothetical match-ups with the incumbent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy. The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat. Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesdays indictment, with charges including conspiring to defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the bedrock function of democracy. Its the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next year's Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, said Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. The Trump campaign called the charges fake and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them. Trump was the only person charged in Tuesday's indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them. Story continues The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to exploit the violence and chaos by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Bidens victory. It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President Mike Pence that give gravitas to Trumps relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation derided him as too honest to stop the certification. Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters and even some of his rivals as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history. The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the riot at the Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that more than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says. Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he "repeated and widely disseminated them anyway to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election. The document carefully outlined arguments that Trump has been making to defend his conduct, that he had every right to challenge the results, to use the courts, even to lie about it in the process. But in stark detail, the indictment outlines how the former president instead took criminal steps to reverse the clear verdict voters had rendered. The indictment had been expected since Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding. The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution in this case, the right to vote. The mounting criminal cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself. In New York, state prosecutors have charged Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial is set to begin in March. In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts, accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. That trial begins in May. Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks. Smith's team has cast a broad net as part of his federal investigation, with his team questioning senior Trump administration officials, including Pence, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results. Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors. Giuliani was not named in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a good-faith basis for the actions he took. Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Departments public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trumps retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as deranged and called him politically motivated, Smiths past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats. The Justice Departments investigations began well before Smiths appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy. ____ Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Lindsay Whitehurst, Nomaan Merchant, Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington, Jill Colvin in New York, Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Nick Riccardi in Denver, Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Claudia Lauer in Bensalem, Pa., contributed to this report. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (R) meets with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Baghdad, Iraq, July 31, 2023. Iraq on Monday discussed with the visiting secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Monday discussed with the visiting secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. During a meeting with the GCC chief Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rasheed expressed Iraq's desire to establish strong political, social, administrative, and diplomatic ties with other countries, according to a statement by the Iraqi Presidency. For his part, Albudaiwi expressed his full confidence that relations between Iraq and the Arab Gulf states will witness positive developments in terms of electricity interconnections, trade exchange, and other areas, according to the statement. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani also met with Albudaiwi on bilateral ties in various fields, especially in security coordination and drug control, al-Sudani's media office said in a statement. At a joint press conference after meeting with Albudaiwi, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed his country's strong ties with the GCC states, saying Iraqi foreign policy is "based on developing relations." Meanwhile, Albudaiwi asserted the GCC countries' keenness to ensure Iraq's security and prosperity and hailed Iraq's major role in dealing with regional and international issues. Earlier in the day, Albudaiwi heading a delegation arrived in Iraq's capital Baghdad on a visit aimed at improving relations between the Gulf states and Iraq. His visit came a day after Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders in an attempt to end border demarcation and joint oil field disputes. After 2003, Iraq witnessed a remarkable development in relations with relations with Gulf states, which reopened their embassies that had been closed following Iraq's invasion under its former leader Saddam Hussein of Kuwait in 1990. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (R) shakes hands with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Baghdad, Iraq, July 31, 2023. Iraq on Monday discussed with the visiting secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) In a rare show of discontent with Hamas, several thousand protesters took to the streets of the Gaza Strip to decry frequent power outages and pervasive poor living conditions on Sunday. Before police quickly dispersed the gatherings, marchers chanted "what a shame" and "where is the electricity and where is the gas?" Some demonstrators burned Hamas flags in the southern town of Khan Younis, according to The Times of Israel. Hamas security forces reportedly arrested several of those protesters and destroyed the cellphones of those recording. Dozens of young Hamas supporters and protesters reportedly threw stones at each other amidst the demonstrations. GAZA RESIDENTS SPEAK OF HAMAS BRUTALITY AMID DESIRES FOR PEACE IN THE REGION The online grassroots movement "Alvirus Alsakher," or "the mocking virus," reportedly organized Sunday's demonstrations. Islamic militant group Hamas - which does not recognize Israel's right to exist - seized control of Gaza from Palestinian Authority in 2007, replacing Fatah as the ruling group of Gaza. At the time, Israel and Egypt proceeded to impose a crippling blockade on the area by closing their land borders with the territory to prevent it from building up its military capabilities. Hamas is classified by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP IRANIAN HORNET'S NEST OF TERROR GROUPS SURROUND ISRAEL AMID CALLS FOR NEW US SANCTIONS Rampant unemployment, regular power outages and a devastated economy have resulted. Protesters also reportedly criticized the Hamas government for cutting $15 from the $100 stipends from Qatar given to Gaza's poorest families. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The protests come amid President Biden's pledge to Israel President Isaac Herzog last week that America's commitment to the security of the Jewish state is "ironclad" and reports from a former Israel Defense Forces commander that Iranians are "pouring money and smuggling weapons into the [West Bank] region... supporting Hamas at the PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and other factions within the Palestinian Authority." The Associated Press contributed to this report. This Publication Listed Idris Elba And Damson Idris As Brothers And Is Getting Blasted Online | Jeff Spicer and David M. Benett via Getty Images British tabloid Daily Mail is getting blasted online after mistaking Damson Idris and Idris Elba as brothers. Could Idris Elbas younger brother Damson be the next James Bond? the tabloid wrote in a recent headline. Mail on Sunday report mistakenly imagines that Damson Idris [surname: Idris, born in Peckham, parents from Nigeria] must be the brother of Idris Elba [surname Elba, born in Hackney, parents from Sierra Leone & Ghana] pic.twitter.com/7GHpqTEhMB Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) July 30, 2023 Consequently, social media users followed up with an avalanche of backlash. Hm..Idris Elba. Damson Idris. Do you SEE the error? FFS They are NOT related. This is just sloppy reporting, smh. RayRayS Cats&Dogs TX (@CrazyCatLadyFL) July 31, 2023 Critics of The Daily Mail said the erroneous headline is yet another example of sloppy journalism and racism from editors who fail to show respect for Black people. All that effort and they've still got the wrong Idris pic.twitter.com/GBg5mT4X9x Unity (@Unity_MoT) July 30, 2023 The Daily Mail has now adjusted its headline after facing backlash. Will Damson Idris be the next James Bond? the new headline reads. The report has now been re-run without the imaginary family linkhttps://t.co/Ov4f1hvLU2 Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) July 30, 2023 Speaking on the Desus & Mero show in 2022, Idris talked about how people often mistake him as Elbas brother. The Snowfall star said he first met Elba at a party in London honoring Spike Lee. Story continues It was all these people there and Idris Elba was like, Hey, come over here. I walk over to him and hes like, I know you, I know you, they always ask if youre my little brother. Youre doing good, youre doing good,' Idris said the British actor told him, Yahoo News reported. Since that meeting, Idris said Elba has become a mentor for him. Now I can call him on the phone. And I can ask for advice, man. This guy, Idris Elba, is an absolute G, he said. Im so indebted to him because when I was getting Snowfall, when I was in the thick of it probably I met him around season 2, 3 I would call him and ask about The Wire. I was like, Yo, how were you when you walked into a room? Were you British when you walked into a room? He was like, No, I was String[er].' After incorrectly highlighting the relationship between the two actors, The Daily Mail removed references to Elba from the article in addition to fixing the headline, The London Economic reported. A rabid raccoon bit a toddler in the Dacula area and now, the public is being advised to use caution around animals acting oddly. On Monday, the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department advised residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways after another cat tested positive for the rabies virus. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday, a rabid raccoon bit a two-year-old who was attempting to pet it near the 2200 block of Brooks Road in Dacula. The raccoon later tested positive for rabies. Diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal in humans if untreated. Early symptoms of rabies in people include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. TRENDING STORIES: If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or suspected rabid animals, seek medical care immediately and inform the healthcare provider of the exposure. Then, contact the Gwinnett County Health Department at 770-339-4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist. The following tips may help you protect yourself and your family from rabies: Ensure your pets receive regular rabies vaccinations. Keep your pets on your property. Avoid leaving garbage or pet food outside; it may attract wild or stray animals. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Former President Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday by a federal grand jury investigating alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and stop the peaceful transition of power. Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The charges stem from special counsel Jack Smith's investigation of Trump's actions after he lost the 2020 presidential election. In remarks after the indictment was unsealed, Smith said Trump told lies that were "targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government." Read the indictment here: How Trump, his supporters and GOP rivals are reacting to the Jan. 6 indictment What to know about the charges against Trump in Jan. 6 investigation Watch: Special counsel Jack Smith speaks on Trump Jan. 6 indictment A stock image shows a man taking a gallon of milk out of a fridge. Getty Images A homeowner captured a real-estate agent drinking milk out of a carton from her fridge during a showing. She reported him to a government agency, which fined him more than $15,000. The agency deemed his behavior "unbecoming," according to The Washington Post. A real-estate agent in Canada has been fined 20,000 Canadian dollars, the equivalent of $15,087, after a home surveillance camera caught him drinking milk straight from a container at a seller's house and then putting it back in the fridge, The Washington Post reported. The agent, Mike Rose, was waiting to show a house in Kamloops, British Columbia, to potential buyers in July last year when the homeowner, Lyska Fullerton, left the property, per The Post. Later in the day, Fullerton decided to check her Ring camera, expecting to see Rose giving a home tour to a group of prospective buyers, she told The Post. But to her surprise she saw footage of Rose walking into the kitchen, taking a carton of milk out of her fridge, and drinking from it, before putting it back, the newspaper reported. Fullerton said she was "utterly speechless, in shock, and creeped out," largely because the incident took place while the COVID-19 pandemic was still a major source of concern. The pandemic had killed both her parents and her parents-in-law, she said, according to The Post. According to the homeowner, the surveillance footage also showed Rose lounging on her couch and accidentally breaking its arm, the newspaper reported. "This was unprofessional in so many ways," Fullerton told The Post. "Every part of it was just such an invasion of privacy and such an invasion of our home," she added. Fullerton said she confronted Rose two days after the incident and asked him if he had anything he wanted to tell her, per The Post. The newspaper reported that Fullerton said Rose replied, "The milk?" Soon after, Fullerton reported the agent, explaining to The Post that it wasn't so much about the milk, but more that the agent had failed to disclose his actions to her. Story continues "He didn't even leave a note or tell us this happened. I had to find out because of my camera, and that's just gross and plain wrong," she said. "It makes you question your trust in people who visit your home." On July 18, the British Columbia Financial Services Authority seemingly agreed, deeming Rose's actions "unbecoming" behavior that undermined the reputation of the real estate industry, citing the British Columbia Real Estate Services Act, per The Post. In addition to the fine, the agency ordered him to pay 2,500 Canadian dollars, or $1,886, in enforcement expenses, records reviewed by The Post show. Rose did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, but in his defense, he told the government agency that he was unusually dehydrated at the time due to new medication and stress, according to The Post. In a statement provided to CFJC Today, Rose apologized for his "very unfortunate, and very uncharacteristic, decision to drink milk from a container from the homeowners' fridge." "I have never done this kind of thing before, nor will I ever behave in this way again," he said, adding: "I acted in a way that is unbecoming of my brokerage firm and my fellow realtors." Read the original article on Business Insider Realize Bradentons founding executive director, Johnette Isham, has died, the nonprofit said Tuesday in a news release. Isham, 70, retired at the end of last October to spend more time with family, according to a previous Bradenton Herald report. She spent 13 years in the executive director role. Isham was pivotal in multiple community engagements, including the Riverwalk that opened in 2012, the Public Market, Village of the Arts, Blues Festival and more. We would not have the Public Market or the Blues Festival, Long Table, or ArtSlam if it werent for her, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said in a news release in 2022. She will be sorely missed, but I wish her all the best, everything she deserves, in her retirement. In 2016, Realize Bradenton was named the Manatee Small Business of the Year winner in the nonprofit category. Realize Bradentons social media post about her death reads, in part, as follows: Through her leadership, Realize Bradenton implemented the Cultural Master Plan, which was the catalyst behind the revitalization of downtown Bradenton and the development of the Riverwalk. She worked tirelessly to bring people together, promote civic pride, and economic development. Johnette celebrated the arts with a great deal of passion. She worked with local artists to install public art in downtown spaces and enthusiastically supported local entrepreneurs, makers, creators, musicians, and business owners. Outside of the office, she was known by her friends and coworkers for her quirky costumes, spontaneous dance parties, and love of pigs in a blanket. ... We will remember her for her countless big ideas, limitless enthusiasm, and the positive influence she had on our community. She will be missed. No cause of death was given. Tarrant County and several counties to the west and south of Fort worth are under a red flag warning, according to the National Weather Service. The threat for wildfires will increase starting today and continuing into Wednesday, the NWS alert states. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for today, meaning conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior. Avoid all outside burning and welding. The warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday until 1 p.m. Wednesday. Much of North and Central Texas are also under an excessive heat warning as heat index values of between 105 and 112 degrees are expected. Dallas-Fort Worth will see a high of 107 degrees for Tuesday and Wednesday. It will cool off a couple of degrees as we head into the weekend. The heat, according to the NWS, will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In Texas, what does a red flag warning mean? A red flag warning means that extreme fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, according to the National Weather Service. The warning alerts fire managers on federal lands of highly unfavorable conditions for prescribed burns, which can lead to especially dangerous wildfire growth. When warnings are issued, officials curtail planned burns and are on the lookout for wildfires. Red flag warnings are usually only issued during the spring and fall fire weather seasons, from Feb. 15 to April 30 and from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, says the National Weather Service. But a combination of strong winds, low humidity, hot temperatures and dry vegetation are contributing to increased risk of fire danger in the middle of summer. Many parts of Texas are still in drought conditions, affecting an estimated 22 million Texans, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Texas Current Water Availability and Conditions This map shows the current Texas water conditions by watershed and currently available data for streams and reservoirs. Use the buttons below to switch the map's focus to drought conditions and above and below average stream and reservoir levels. Tap on watersheds, streams and reservoirs for more information on levels and flow rates. Water conditions are color coded with blues indicating above-normal conditions, green being normal and yellow and red indicating below-normal conditions. The streamflow and reservoir information is in real-time, and watershed information is updated daily. Story continues Open SOURCES: Environmental Protection Agency, USGS National Water Information System, ESRI and US Drought Monitor. What are the conditions for issuing a red flag warning in Texas? To issue a warning, the National Weather Service needs the following: Ten-hour fuels of 8% or less This parameter describes how much water is held by small vegetation such as grass, leaves, and mulch that take only about 10 hours to respond to changes in dry/wet conditions. Relative humidity less than 25% for several hours This depicts how much water is in the air, relative to the temperature of the air. Winds 20 feet off the ground of at least 15 mph for several hours What should you do under a red flag warning? Avoid all outside burning and welding, the National Weather Service says. As of July 19, 213 counties had outdoor burn bans, including Tarrant County. A burn ban can be established by a county judge or county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety. To prevent wildfires under a red flag warning, follow these steps: If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch. Do not toss lit cigarette butts outside, and do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire. Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it. Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread. Do not park or drive over tall grass. Do not drag tow chains on the ground. Texans are encouraged to make an evacuation plan with multiple routes, prepare an emergency kit with supplies, heed guidance from local officials and monitor local news. For current wildfire conditions, read the Texas Fire Potential Outlook. If there is a wildfire, report it to the nearest fire department or law enforcement office. If your property sustained damage from a wildfire, report it through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). NIAMEY, Niger (AP) A French military transport plane carrying Europeans from Niger arrived in Paris Wednesday, in the first such evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president nearly a week ago and shut its borders. France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals, concerned that they risked becoming trapped by the coup that won backing Tuesday from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers. About 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danish, French officials said. The first flight carried mostly French nationals, and officials hope to finish the evacuation flights by Wednesday. With Niger's air space closed, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the nation's leader, but without withdrawing its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, diplomatic officials said. The ministry cited recent violence that targeted its embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for its decision to offer evacuation flights to its citizens and other Europeans. Spain's Defense Ministry announced preparations to evacuate more than 70 nationals, and Italy also said it was arranging a flight. The evacuations come during a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Bazoum. His apparent overthrow is a blow for Western nations that were working with Niger against West African extremists. In Niamey hotels, Europeans and other nationalities, including some Americans, packed bags. At the airport, hundreds of people lined up for hours waiting to leave on French evacuation flights. A former French military official who had been training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press that he was departing even though his job is not finished. Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, he said the military takeover took many people by surprise. Story continues The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it could use force if coup leaders dont reinstate Bazoum within one week. The U,N, special envoy for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, held out hope that bloodshed could be avoided. He said during a virtual news conference Tuesday he expects ECOWAS to go ahead with the deployment of troops to Niger if Bazoum isnt restored to power. But I believe that other efforts are underway, so I hope the use of force will not be necessary, if "everybody talks in good faith (and) wants to avoid bloodshed. The new junta got backing from the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Mali and Burkina Faso said in a joint statement that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. The two countries also denounced ECOWAS' economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, also issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses." The evacuations followed violence Sunday that targeted the French Embassy, with protesters burning down a door and smashing windows before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Thousands of pro-junta supporters took to Niameys streets. Some waved Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the references to Russia, but some demonstrators regard it as a symbol of anti-Western feelings. Some may also reflect support for the Russian mercenary group Wagner's reputation for ruthlessly suppressing militants. Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their coups, analysts say. Nigers coup could also embolden jihadi violence, some say. Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM, said the military overthrow is exactly what the jihadis want because it will distract and weaken the army. Jihadis are very supportive of this coup that happened in Niger, because it will allow them to become very strong, he said. Moussa, who spoke to AP in Niamey, is part of a nationwide program to bring back jihadis, reintegrate them into society and use their help in counterterrorism efforts. It was spearheaded by Bazoum when he was minister of interior and is intended as an alternative to a military solution to stem violence across the country. The AP cannot verify that Moussa actively fought for JNIM. If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. Niger's prime minister, who was appointed by Bazoum and was out of the country when the coup took place, urged the international community to help roll back the coup in order to defend democracy in West Africa. For the ECOWAS countries, its a question of survival. For the international community too, its a question of credibility. Niger must remain a democratic state, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said in an interview with The Associated Press in France. Niger is a key country in terms of security for the rest of Africa, but also for the rest of the world, he said. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to try to mediate. Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. In the capital, many people live in makeshift shelters and scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Niger was seen as the last partner working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. The U.S. will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. U.S. assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. ___ AP journalists John Leicester in Paris, Ciaran Giles in Madrid, Cara Anna in Nairobi and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed. ___ This story corrects the name order and affiliation of jihadi member to Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM. Chad Daybell, the stepfather of two children who have been missing since last year, was charged with destroying evidence Wednesday as prosecutors said two childrens remains were found on his Idaho property. The children of Lori Vallow, Daybells wife, have not been seen since September. Tylee Ryan, 16, was last seen when she visited Yellowstone National Park on September 8 with her brother, her mother and her uncle Alex Cox, according to authorities. Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, was last seen at a school in Idaho later that month. The families of the children said in a statement Wednesday that the remains are indeed our beloved JJ and Tylee. We are filled with unfathomable sadness that these two bright stars were stolen from us, and only hope that they died without pain or suffering, said Larry and Kay Woodcock, J.J.s biological grandparents, Colby Ryan, Lori Vallows son from a prior marriage, and Kelsee Ryan, Colbys wife, in their statement. This is the worst news we will ever get in our lives and want to be left alone for the time being, they said, adding that once officially confirmed, statements from The Rexburg Police, The Medical Examiner and the FBI will be released. The charges filed against Daybell allege he concealed the remains sometime between September 2019 and June 2020. His bail was set at $1 million. Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan went missing last September. - Rexburg Police Department Vallow, is currently awaiting trial for multiple charges, including two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children, according to a criminal complaint filed with an Idaho court. The charges against Daybell are part of a sprawling investigation that has stretched from Idaho to Arizona to Hawaii, picked up connections to a deep religious ideology and raised new questions about the deaths of other family members. Daybell and Vallow married in November, not long after their previous spouses died. Chad Daybells brother, Matt Daybell, sent his sympathies to the childrens families. Throughout this ordeal, we have supported one another in pursuit of the truth, and will continue to do so. They have been praying for our family, as we have prayed for them. Our heartfelt love and prayers continue to go out to them and their family at this very difficult time, Matt Daybell said. Story continues How we got here In late November, relatives asked police in Rexburg, Idaho, to do a welfare check on Joshua because they hadnt talked to him recently. But police didnt find him at the house when they arrived. They did see Vallow and Daybell, who, authorities said, told them Joshua was staying with a family friend in Arizona. When police returned the next day to serve a search warrant, both Vallow and Daybell were gone. Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell face charges in connection to the disappearance of Vallow's two children. - Rexburg Police Department The couple was found in January in Hawaii, where they had been since December 1 as authorities searched for Vallows children. They were served with a search warrant, and police gave Vallow a deadline to turn Joshua and Tylee over to authorities. But that deadline passed without any sign of the two. Vallow was arrested in February, and in March she was extradited from Hawaii. Her bail remains at $1 million and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 9. The investigation has also led to questions surrounding other family members deaths. Shortly before Tylee, Joshua and their mother moved from Arizona to Idaho, Vallows estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed during a fight with her brother, CNN affiliate KIFI/KIDK reported. The brother was not charged in the case, and he then died in December, the affiliate reported. Daybell was also married before. His first wife, Tammy Daybell, died on October 19, and a few weeks later, he and Vallow were married. Authorities initially believed Tammy Daybell died of natural causes, but Rexburg police later said her death was suspicious and exhumed her body. After Vallow and Daybell married, they told some witnesses Tylee had died a year before her father, and told others that Vallow did not have any young children, police said. Further, those close to the couple said they had been involved in strong religious ideologies. Arizona police released body camera footage from January 2019 of Vallows ex-husband saying he could not get in touch with the children. He said their marriage had rapidly deteriorated and that she thinks shes a resurrected being and a god. In addition, Daybell was connected to a religious website called Preparing a People, a doomsday prepper site that describes itself as a series of lecture events focusing on self-reliance and personal preparation. The publishers of the site said they decided to pull content featuring either Daybell or Vallow in light of the childrens disappearance. CNNs Andy Rose, Leslie Perrot and Steve Almasy contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A remarkable young soul is how a 17-year-old girl from Georgia is being remembered after she died from a brain-eating amoeba. Megan Ebenroths parents told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she went swimming at a lake near where she lives in McDuffie County on July 11, and she caught the extremely rare brain infection, Naegleria fowleri. Im still in shock, her mother, Christina Ebenroth, told the AJC on Monday. But I cant keep silent about her. She was extraordinary. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ebenroths mother told the AJC that Megan woke up with a bad headache about four days after going swimming and took her to urgent care where she was treated for a migraine. When her head continued to hurt badly, she then took Megan to a nearby emergency room. Ebenroth was given IV fluids and had a series of blood tests. At one point, doctors had to drill a hole in her skull to help relieve her brain swelling. TRENDING STORIES: Christina Ebenroth told the newspaper that it wasnt until Friday, July 21 that someone brought up the possibility that she could have caught the brain-eating amoeba. The next day Megan passed away. The mother said what happened to her daughter was a freak accident. They were so caring; I had the best doctors and nurses. I dont blame anyone, Christina Ebenroth told the AJC. This was an act of God. Right now, Ive got to figure out why. Ebenroth was going into her senior year. According to her mother, Megan had her heart set on going to the University of Georgia, which was something she had wanted since the 6th grade. The teen had a passion for the arts, especially drama, and was a straight A student, according to her obituary. She was my world, the mother said. Story continues Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that lives in soil and warm, freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and hot springs. People can become infected when water containing the amoeba goes up a persons nose. It cant infect people who swallow water and it doesnt spread from person to person. Its only the sixth case of a Naegleria fowleri infection in Georgia since 1962. Only three people in the U.S. get infected every year, but almost all infections are fatal. IN OTHER NEWS: Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (L, Front) welcomes visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R, Front) at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) NICOSIA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus and Greece welcomed the moves by the European Union (EU) and Turkiye to engage in consultations for the promotion of their relations, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during an official visit to Cyprus on Monday. He was speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace. "Cyprus and Greece welcome the rapprochement between the European Union and Turkiye, but the process must be gradual and also reversible," Mitsotakis said. Christodoulides said that a positive agenda by the EU in relation to Turkiye is important for efforts to promote a Cyprus solution that could end the island's partition brought about by the Turkish military operation against the eastern Mediterranean island in 1974. He said accepting a positive agenda by the EU in relation to Turkiye was conditional on "positive moves" by Turkiye over Cyprus and particularly on accepting a restart of the Cyprus peace negotiations along the lines described in United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions. The two leaders also said that Cyprus and Greece were eager to help Turkiye's efforts to promote its relations with the EU in several areas, including a visa concession for Turkish nationals visiting EU countries and an upgrading of an EU-Turkiye customs union. They also spoke about the close relations of their countries, which will be further advanced at a meeting of a newly formed Supreme Cooperation Council of Greece and Cyprus, with the participation of the two leaders and ministers from the two countries. Christodoulides announced that as a gesture of friendship and solidarity Cyprus will cover the cost of the reforestation of parts of forest land that was burned down by wildfires last week on the island of Rhodes in Greece. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (R) shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) announced Tuesday that hes opting against running in Wisconsins Senate race against Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), becoming the second Republican to decide against running. After talking with my family, I have decided to run for reelection in Wisconsins Seventh District. While Tammy Baldwin is vulnerable due to her record as a rubber stamp for President Biden, I can make the greatest impact continuing to serve the great people of Wisconsin in the House of Representatives, Tiffany said in a statement. America and Wisconsin can do better than the current status quo. I look forward to working with our nominees for President and U.S. Senate to turn Wisconsin red in 2024, he added. The news of Tiffanys announcement was first reported by The Northwoods River News. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage The development is a blow to Senate Republicans who have been looking to recruit a challenger to Baldwin next fall, coming one month after Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) also opted against running for the Senate seat. The overall Senate map should favor Republicans, given that Democrats are defending twice as many seats next fall as the GOP. Senate Republicans have been able to land some of their top recruits to run in other competitive states, including retired Army Capt. Sam Brown in Nevada, former Navy SEAL officer Tim Sheehy in Montana and Gov. Jim Justice in West Virginia. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Heading into the back-to-school season, a new national report has ranked Missouri as one of the worst states in the country for early education. The report showing Missouri as the fourth worst in the United States comes from WalletHub, a personal finance website. The report compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three factors: access, quality, resources and economic support. Within those factors, it measured metrics like the share of school districts that offer preschool programs and the share of children aged 3 and 4 enrolled, income requirements for state preschool eligibility and the total reported spending per child enrolled in preschool. According to the National Education Association, children enrolled in early education programs are more likely to be academically prepared for later grades. In recent years, Missouri has provided some of the lowest levels of state aid to schools in the country. A report by former Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway released in 2021 found Missouri ranked 49th in state school resources. WalletHub reported that the state finished 43rd in the U.S. in the share of children ages 3 and 4 enrolled in pre-K, special education and Head Start programs. Some of Missouris other rankings in WalletHubs study include: 36th in total reported spending per child enrolled 14th in total state Head Start program spending per child enrolled 49th in Pre-K program growth 41st in the change in state spending per child enrolled Using these rankings, WalletHub calculated Missouris overall score to be 34.77. For comparison, Arkansas finished No. 1 in the rankings with an overall score of 76.10. Missouri was the fourth worst in the quality of early education systems, 38th in access and 37th in resources and economic support. The state finished above Indiana, the worst state in WalletHubs rankings, followed by Minnesota and Massachusetts. Kansas finished 30th in WalletHubs rankings with an overall score of 49.69, with the third-best access to early education in the United States and the second-worst in quality of early education. Source: WalletHub Republican presidential candidate former Texas Rep. Will Hurd speaks at the Republican Party of Iowas 2023 Lincoln Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, July 28, 2023. | Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press As indictments threaten to continue to pile up for former President Donald Trump, some of his rivals for the Republican nomination are raising concerns. On Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Trumps federal indictment was proof he hadnt drained the swamp like he promised as president, or he probably wouldnt be in the mess that hes in right now. Former Rep. Will Hurd of Texas said Trump was running for president to stay out of prison. Hurd was booed by the crowd at the Lincoln Dinner in Des Moines Friday after making the remarks, which he said he expected. What surprised him, he said, was the applause. I knew there were going to be people that didnt like it, but what I didnt expect was there were a lot of people that actually clapped, Hurd said Sunday on Meet the Press. There were more people that just sat there politely and probably understand and knew what I was saying was the truth. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who served as Trumps U.N. ambassador, told Face the Nation Sunday that if the accusations against Trump were true, its incredibly dangerous to our national security. When asked about new obstruction counts related to allegedly deleted Mar-a-Lago security camera footage, Haley said, none of that sounds good. It doesnt matter if youre Republican or Democrat, she said. You shouldnt be erasing anything unless you have something to hide. But everybody needs to be treated the same way. While candidates including Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have said theyre open to pardoning Trump, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said there shouldnt be any discussion about a pardon during the campaign. That should not be any discussion during a presidential campaign. You dont put pardons out there to garner votes, Hutchinson said on Face the Nation. Anybody who promises pardons during a presidential campaign is not serving our system of justice well, and its inappropriate. Story continues Trump responded to some of his Republican opponents on his site Truth Social. In one post, Trump said Hurd was wrong to say he was running for president to stay out of prison. Wrong, if I wasnt running, or running and doing badly (like him & (former New Jersey Gov. Chris) Christie!), with no chance to win, these prosecutions would never have been brought or happened! Trump wrote. Related In another post, Trump said Hutchinson was playing right into Marxists hands. Trump has been indicted in a federal classified documents case and a New York hush money case, and he could also be indicted in a Georgia case connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Costs are mounting for Trumps legal defense, and his political action committee Save America spent more than $40 million on legal fees in the first six months of 2023, according to The Washington Post. Related Trump remains the Republican Partys frontrunner in national polls, but the percentage of Republican and Republican-leaning independents who believe Trump did nothing wrong has fallen from 50% in June to 41% in an NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll released Friday. Donald Trump has proven repeatedly over the past seven years that he can hold his Republican support in the face of numerous troubles, Marist College Institute for Public Opinion Director Lee M. Miringoff said in a statement. With these additional charges, Trumps troubles may be catching up with him, though history does suggest otherwise. A new campaign ad promoting Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's stance toward China is hitting Iowa's airwaves starting Tuesday. Sponsored by SFA Fund, a federal Super PAC that supports Haley, the 30-second ad features the former governor of South Carolina and U.N. ambassador in a montage directly calling out China's leaders for their plans to "cover the world in Communist tyranny." "Communist China won't just lose. Like the Soviet Union before it, Communist China will end up on the ash heap of history," Haley said in the ad, her remarks met with applause from a crowd. The commercial ends with a voice overhead, dubbing the 51-year-old as a "strong leader for a strong America." The political TV ad is a first for the SFA Fund and comes as Haley boosts her campaign efforts in Iowa. Just two weeks after attending the Family Leadership Summit, Haley returned to Des Moines Friday for the sold-out Lincoln Dinner event. Haley was among 13 Republican candidates who made a 10-minute presidential pitch to more than 1,000 guests. The following day, she held a town hall event for voters in Iowa City, which is two hours east of Des Moines. Republican presidential candidate hopeful Nikki Haley speaks during the Lincoln Dinner on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Haley plans to return to the Hawkeye State this Sunday for a barbecue event hosted by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Marion Republican, and the following weekend for the Iowa State Fair, which includes a "Fair-Side Chat" with Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Des Moines Register's Soapbox. SFA Fund paid $7 million for the commercial to air on broadcast and cable TV in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids and statewide on Fox News Channel and satellite TV over the next nine weeks. A similar seconds-long ad will run in New Hampshire during the same time. Mark Harris, SFA Fund's lead strategist, told the Register that the second phase of Haley's campaign has begun and the new political ad is meant to help the effort. "Unlike other political leaders, Nikki Haley understands that China's growing influence poses a monumental threat to the United States," Harris said in a news release. "Whether it's a farmer impacted by dubious Chinese trading practices, businesses worried about hacks or balloons spying on our servicemen and women, Americans can count on Nikki Haley to have their back." Story continues Haley on the campaign trail has said that the U.S. needs to be tougher on adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran. Over the weekend, at a town hall event in Iowa City, Haley told more than 50 attendees that China is the "biggest national security threat" and listed some ways that the country has "completely infiltrated the U.S." "China has been planning a war with us for years, and no one else is talking about it," she said during the town hall event Saturday at Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon in Iowa City. "And that's not being dramatic." "They are sending over fentanyl, knowing exactly what it's doing when it's killing Americans. They are giving millions of dollars to our universities so they can steal research and spread Chinese propaganda. They have Chinese front companies lobbying our Congress for the Communist Party." F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on Twitter @writefelissa. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Super PAC launches political ad for Nikki Haley attacking China Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany said Tuesday he will not challenge Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin next year, making him the second high-profile Republican to pass on running for the Senate seat in recent weeks. His decision means that Baldwin still has no formal challenger in the pivotal battleground state. In a statement, Tiffany said hed decided to instead run for re-election to his congressional seat but criticized Baldwin for being a rubber stamp for the Biden administration. After talking with my family, I have decided to run for re-election in Wisconsins Seventh District, said Tiffany, who represents a largely rural district in northern Wisconsin. I can make the greatest impact continuing to serve the great people of Wisconsin in the House of Representatives. His decision to not run is another blow to state and national Republicans, who had sought a strong challenger to take on Baldwin as part of their quest to retake the Senate majority. Wisconsin is among one of the strongest pickup opportunities for Republicans, but defeating Baldwin, a two-term incumbent and a prolific fundraiser, is likely to remain a battle even in a presidential year with a vulnerable incumbent president. Baldwin, who was first elected in 2012, consistently polls higher in the state than President Joe Biden, who narrowly won Wisconsin in 2020. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as Lean Democratic. Tiffany only raised $114,000 in the second quarter of the year, compared to the more than $3 million that Baldwin took in during the same period. And Tiffany, like Gallagher, would have likely run into problems defending his support for a national ban on almost all abortions at around six weeks of pregnancy in a state in which a deeply unpopular abortion ban will be working its way through the court system. Republicans will see a favorable Senate map in 2024: Democrats must defend 23 seats next year (that includes three held by independents, two of whom caucus with Democrats, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona), while Republicans will have to defend just 10. Story continues In June, Rep. Mike Gallagher whom state and national Republicans had signaled to be their strongest recruit to help them take back the Senate majority said he would not challenge Baldwin, saying that he instead wanted to maintain his focus as chairman of the House Select Committee on China. Attention will now turn to businessmen Eric Hovde and Scott Mayer, as well as former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, who have all said theyre considering campaigns. Democrats immediately took aim at all three following Tiffanys announcement. Tom Tiffany cried wolf about running for Senate but ended up passing because he knows his extremist record doesnt hold a candle to the work Tammy Baldwin has done for Wisconsin, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Arik Wolk said in a statement. This leaves Republicans staring down a messy and chaotic Senate primary with two self-funding millionaires and Sheriff David Clarke ready to enter the race. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Robert F Kennedy Jr is facing mockery and criticism after it has been revealed that more than half of his Super PAC funding came from a single Republican mega-donor. The son of the assassinated Attorney General and New York Senator Robert F Kennedy is running against President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, with observers giving him little chance of giving the incumbent a real challenge. The PAC, American Values 2024, was established the same month that the environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist launched his campaign. It reported $9.8m in funding by the end of June. On Monday, the group said it raised $6m last month for a total of about $16m, Politico noted. The initial financial report states that the PAC received donations from both Republicans and Democrats, with the GOP donors providing the lions share of the funding. More than half of the $9.8m donated through 30 June $5m was provided by longtime Republican donor Timothy Mellon, a former supporter of ex-President Donald Trump. On Monday, Mr Mellon said Mr Kennedy was the one Democrat who can win in the general election. Author and consultant Gavin De Becker gave $4.5m. He was previously an advisor to Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and has previously donated to both major parties. The PAC also received donations from a number of Democrats, such as Abby Rockefeller, who donated $100,000. But the Democratic donations made up a small share of the total. The PAC received $50,000 from Cancer Monthly Inc, which pushes alternative treatments for cancer. While the PAC has spent some money on newspaper ads in the early primary states, its mostly retaining its cash at this time. The major donors who supported Mr Kennedys campaign directly included dozens of people who previously donated to Mr Trump or Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Politico notes. Mr Kennedy was quickly criticised and mocked for the political leanings of his supporters. No surprise: More than half of the main RFK political action committees revenue came from a Trump mega donor. Kennedy is a Republican stooge, Matthew Sheffield, a former right-wing media operative, wrote on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. Story continues Lawyer Ron Filipkowski said that it was The Least Surprising News of the Day award winner. Shocking... how much from the Kremlin? Bill Maxwell asked. Such a surprise that RFK Jrs anti-immigration, pro-Russia, anti-vaccine, homophobic talking points are resonating so much with Republican donors I mean, whoever could have predicted it? Duke University Professor Gavin Yamey wrote. The founder and former CEO of the Democratic Leadership Council, Al From, added: RFK Jr has no appeal to Republicans. Hes is a Republican plant to hurt Biden. So heres the thing about a lot of Republican voters when it comes to former President Donald Trump: They want him to be president again. You can catch some conservatives saying they want to move on from Trump, his unique brand of cruelty and his growing collection of indictments, and you can spin those occasional voices to make it look like the party is better than the man from Mar-a-Lago, but its a fanciful mirage. A New York Times/Siena College poll released Monday shows 54% of likely Republican primary voters want Trump to lead their party into the 2024 election. The next closest person in the crowded GOP primary field is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, trailing Trump by a whopping 37 percentage points. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Republican voters still find the stink of Donald Trump intoxicating That data lines up with other recent polls showing Trump far ahead of all comers. A twice-impeached, one-term president who has never accepted the results of the 2020 election he lost and is expected to soon be indicted on federal charges relating to the Capitol insurrection he helped foment adding to the more than 70 state and federal charges hes facing in two unrelated cases seems like the kind of stink a political party would want to wash off. But no. These Republican voters are looking at Trump and saying, More stink, please. A political rally for former President Donald Trump on July 29, 2023, in Erie, Pa. Consider this from The Times report on the poll: In a direct contest against DeSantis, Trump got 22% even "among voters who believe he has committed serious federal crimes," greater than the 17% DeSantis earned from the entire GOP electorate. And David Green, a 69-year-old New Hampshire resident, said this of Trump: He might say mean things and make all the men cry because all the men are wearing your wifes underpants and you cant be a man anymore. You got to be a little sissy and cry about everything. But at the end of the day, you want results. Donald Trumps my guy. Hes proved it on a national level. Story continues Trump will likely skip the first GOP debate to exert dominance over the other candidates Trump could make his campaign slogan I Do Crimes and Make All the Men Cry Because All the Men Are Wearing Your Wifes Underpants and he would still be the next Republican candidate for president. Clearly, the former president is aware of that fact. Trump, who has expressed little interest in the first GOP primary debate scheduled for late August, posted this on his Truth Social social media site Monday: Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President! 'Dumbest part of this election': Meghan McCain blasts GOP candidates for not attacking Trump. Did she forget about her dad? It pains me to say this, but hes not wrong. Trump has a stranglehold on a party that knows it needs to get away from him but is too chicken to break free. Who will Trump pick as a vice presidential running mate? So when it comes to a vice president, who might orange Darth Vader pick? It certainly wont be DeSantis, as Trump has made a hobby of degrading the Florida governor, reducing his once-lofty campaign to a puddle that occasionally gurgles the word woke. It wont be Mike Pence, as the last time the two were together Trumps supporters wanted to hang the former vice president while Trump was in the White House effectively saying, Yeah, I can get why theyd want to do that. And in June, Pence referred to Trump and said, Anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should "never be president again." No way Trump will forgive that, even though Pence, presumably speaking out the other side of his mouth, told a CNN town hall in June: "Ive always supported the Republican nominee for president in the United States, and Ill support the Republican nominee in 2024." (Insert eyeball emoji here.) Republican presidential candidates, top row from left: Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former President Donald Trump, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Center row from left: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Bottom row from left: former Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, businessman Perry Johnson, and lawyer and radio host Larry Elder. The rest of the GOP primary candidates like former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Sen. Tim Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are polling in low single digits, which makes them losers. Trump doesnt like losers. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Unhinged) of Georgia could be an option, but she has the potential to out-bonkers Trump, and theres no way hed risk that indignity. 'Evidence and proof of a crime': Marjorie Taylor Greene, GOP say 'accountability matters' on Biden. Agreed. Now do Trump. Trump and his voters inhabit a Trump-centric universe. So the VP choice is clear. No, the choice for Trumps vice president seems clear. He loves a winner, and the only person he knows for sure is a winner is himself, as he never shuts up about winning the 2020 presidential election that he lost. If Republican voters want Trump and many most definitely do then Trump should give them more of their hero and pick himself to be his own vice president. His followers believe, in a totally not-a-cult kind of way, that Trump and Trump alone can fix America. So why not just run an all-Trump ticket? USA TODAY Opinion columnist Rex Huppke. The Republican Party needs to stop pretending it isnt wholly and completely the party of Trump, the party thats OK with a violent insurrection, OK with vile rhetoric, OK with, before long, probably 100 or so criminal indictments. For a wide majority of Republican voters, all that matters is the MAGA king. So give em what they want: Donald Trump/Donald Trump 2024 Sanity is Overrated. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Twitter @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stop pretending GOP isn't MAGA: Republicans overwhelmingly want Trump Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks during the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the administration foreign policy priorities on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2021, in Washington, D.C.. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks during the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the administration foreign policy priorities on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Its been two decades since President George W. Bush launched the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and the program has been credited with saving more than 25 million lives worldwide. But now Republicans are trying to torch the HIV-prevention program over claims that money given to local groups indirectly supports those groups separate advocacy on abortion. PEPFAR is the worlds largest health program devoted to a single medical condition as it supports HIV prevention efforts in more than 50 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Money from the program is used to distribute medicines to prevent and treat HIV and conduct research, and officials also say it helps strengthen global diplomatic ties. Read more Congress is currently in recess, and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said he plans to push for a vote on a stand-alone reauthorization bill when lawmakers return in September. Menendez, the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, told Politico, We cant reach our global goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 through 1-year increments. Other advocates were more blunt about the impact of GOP stonewalling. Shepherd Smith, a co-founder of the Childrens AIDS Fund International whos worked with PEPFAR since its inception, told the Post, Itll be death by 1,000 cuts in the future if it has to go up for reauthorization every year. More from Jezebel Story continues Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Smoke from the fighting billows over Ain al-Helweh (Mahmoud ZAYYAT) Fruit and vegetable seller Ismail Akkawi had no choice but to brave days of intermittent but deadly fighting in Lebanon's biggest Palestinian refugee camp in order to make ends meet. The produce market at the heart of the restive Ain al-Helweh camp -- in the southern coastal city of Sidon -- is usually bustling with vendors, but few have ventured out since clashes broke out in the camp late Saturday. "I have to leave the house, despite the horrific circumstances for selling vegetables," said Akkawi, who is in his sixties. If the violence continues, "who will put food on the table for me and my family?" he asked. Outbreaks of violence are common in the camp, but 11 people have been killed in the current flare-up -- the worst in years, pitting members of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement and Islamist militants. It is not yet known why the latest clashes broke out. Ain al-Helweh is home to more than 54,000 registered refugees. It was created for Palestinians who were driven out or fled during the 1948 war that coincided with Israel's creation. Thousands of Palestinians who sought refuge from Syria's civil war have also joined the camp in recent years. Palestinian factions said they had agreed on a truce on Sunday but it failed to hold, and fighting continued on Monday and Tuesday with automatic weapons and rockets being used. Deserted buildings stand riddled with bullet holes on the front lines, while charred cars litter the camp's southern district of Hittin, which witnessed clashes and shelling. - Fear of shortages - Bread vendor Mukhtar, 62, said panicked residents were stocking up on supplies. "People are buying two bags of bread, fearing shortages due to the security situation," he said, declining to give his surname. The fighting has prompted the United Nations to suspend its activities in Ain al-Helweh, while shops and public institutions have also closed in Sidon, the largest city in southern Lebanon. Story continues "Arrangements are under way to establish a serious ceasefire," senior Fatah official Mounir Makdah told AFP on Tuesday. Palestinian security forces are working "to remove the gunmen from the streets and form an investigation committee" to identify those responsible for the violence, he added. "All factions have collectively decided to hold perpetrators of breaches and security incidents to account," Makdah said. Tiny Lebanon hosts an estimated 250,000 Palestinian refugees, according to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Most live in one of Lebanon's 12 official camps, and face a variety of legal restrictions, including on employment. By long-standing convention, the Lebanese army does not enter Palestinian refugee camps, leaving the factions themselves to handle security. str-lar/aya/lg/srm The best restaurant bar in the entire country is apparently right here in Miami. And the best bartender in the country works here, too. The 17th annual Spirited Awards, which honor bars, beverage professionals and products, named Cafe La Trova the best bar in a restaurant in the United States. The awards were presented on July 27 in New Orleans. James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and Master Cantinero Julio Cabrera opened the popular Cuban spot on Calle Ocho in Little Havana in 2019. Its best known for its retro style, live music, cantineros (traditional Cuban-style bartenders) and classic Cuban cocktails. This isnt the only honor for Cafe La Trova in 2023. In May, the Cuban hot spot made the list of North Americas 50 Best Bars, along with Sweet Liberty in Miami Beach. Cafe La Trova was no. 9 on the list. The Spirited Awards also named Christine Wiseman of MaryGolds Brasserie in Wynwood and Broken Shaker on Miami Beach as the U.S. Bartender of the Year. Wiseman was also honored by the 50 Best Bars in North America, winning the Altos Bartenders Bartender Award. The Spirited Awards judges are an international collection of bartenders, bar owners, educators and writers who rate all kinds of bars around the world. Cafe La Trova in Little Havana, famous for its cantinero-style bartending, was just named the best restaurant bar in the country. Cafe La Trova Where: 971 SW Eighth St., Miami Hours: 4 p.m.-midnight Sunday-Wednesday; 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday More information: cafelatrova.com or 786-615-4379 This intimate bar in downtown Miami was named one of the best in the U.S. by Esquire BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Tuesday slammed the United States for a plan to provide military assistance to China's Taiwan region. Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a question from the media on the White House's recent announcement of military assistance to Taiwan, which will include equipment, training and other forms of assistance. Such military assistance to Taiwan flagrantly interferes in China's domestic affairs, severely undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, and seriously jeopardizes peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Tan said. "We firmly oppose the act and have lodged stern representations with the U.S. side," he continued, adding that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and is a red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Certain U.S. forces have been pushing forward military contact between the United States and Taiwan via various egregious acts, and have indulged and instigated "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in making provocations, Tan said. "We urge the U.S. side to stop all forms of military collusion with Taiwan and avoid going further down the wrong and dangerous path," the spokesperson added. The People's Liberation Army is closely following the situation across the Strait, is always on high alert, and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as peace and stability in the Strait, Tan said. The Republican National Committee is upping the thresholds significantly for presidential candidates seeking to qualify for the partys second sanctioned debate next month, according to new criteria set to be released on Tuesday. The move could alter the contours of the primary, potentially winnowing down the number of candidates who will be able to appear onstage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Sept. 27. According to a person familiar with the plans, candidates will need to hit at least 3 percent in two national polls, or 3 percent in one national poll and 3 percent in two polls conducted from separate early nominating states (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada), in order to qualify. The polling threshold is higher than the first debate, for which a candidate will need to poll at least 1 percent in three national polls or 1 percent in two national polls and 1 percent in two early-state polls, in order to qualify. For the second debate, the polls the RNC will count must meet the same criteria as for the first debate: conducted with large sample sizes and by firms that are not affiliated with any of the candidates. Additionally, the committee has raised the benchmark for the number of donors each candidate must have in order to get on the stage for the second debate. Candidates must have a total of at least 50,000 unique donors, with at least 200 unique donors from at least 20 states or territories. The threshold must be reached no later than 48 hours before the debate. That criteria eclipses the thresholds candidates have to meet to qualify for the first debate, for which they must have 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in 20+ states and/or territories. As in the first debate, candidates must have signed several pledges, including one to support the eventual Republican Party nominee, and another to not participate in any non-RNC-sanctioned debates. Story continues According to a POLITICO analysis, the candidates who have so far qualified to appear in the first debate to be held Aug. 23 in Milwaukee are former President Donald Trump, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley. Former Vice President Mike Pence and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have so far met the polling threshold for the first debate, but not the fundraising threshold. The media partner for the second debate has not yet been announced. The first debate will be broadcast on Fox News Channel. The North Carolina driver who was charged with driving his SUV into a group of migrant farm workers, and injuring six of them outside a Lincolnton Walmart over the weekend, sparked a flurry of hate crime suspicions and made national news from The New York Times to People magazine. But that initial narrative changed in just a few short hours Monday. On Sunday, the day of the incident, Lincolnton police said in a statement the SUV turning into the group of men on a tree-lined median appears to be an intentional assault with a vehicle. Driver accused of hitting 6 migrant workers at NC Walmart says it was an accident, cops say And on Monday the Carolina Migrant Network put out a statement saying, We are outraged by the hate crime that occurred in Lincolnton... The event comes as no surprise as we have repeatedly seen these incidents at national and state level. But shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, 68-year-old Hickory resident Daniel Gonzalez turned himself in to the Lincolnton Police Department, where he was charged with felony hit-and-run. Family members told officers that Gonzalez informed them earlier Monday he accidentally stepped on the gas when parking at Walmart Sunday afternoon. When he realized hed hit people, he panicked and left the scene, according to a police news release. Daniel Gonzalez, 68, of Hickory, turned himself into the Lincolnton Police Department Monday, July 31, 2023. He was driving the SUV that struck six migrant workers outside a Lincolnton Walmart and sparked hate crime suspicions across the country. WSOC Lot of speculation about hate crime outside NC Walmart At the outset of the case, Major Brian Greene told The Charlotte Observer Tuesday he ensured the department made clear they did not know the motive or intent of the driver. Based off surveillance video that showed Gonzalez speeding up and driving away, police thought the incident may have been intentional. I think there was a lot of speculation at first about motive, Greene said. They were prepping officers to search for the 73 different Hyundai Tucson SUVs across Catawba and Lincoln counties that matched the description of Gonzalez vehicle when he walked into the office, Greene said. Now, after interviewing Gonzalez and his family members, police believe the incident was accidental. Had officers determined Gonzalez meant to plow through the workers, he could have faced charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting injury with intent to kill, Greene said. Story continues By 1 p.m. Tuesday, Gonzalez had posted his $50,000 bond and no longer was in jail. The Knob Creek Orchard workers were left with a number of injuries, including concussions and broken legs and ankles, said Candace Elmore, whose family owns the orchard. A screenshot from security footage that shows shortly before six migrant workers were struck by an SUV at a Lincolnton Walmart. Lincolnton Police Department Hate crimes in NC, US Meanwhile, the Carolina Migrant Network also reconsidered its stance about the incident. In light of the updated news that the driver of the vehicle was not motivated by animus, CMN is pleased this is not a hate crime, said Daniela Andrade, a network spokeswoman, in an email to the Observer. The networks previous statement was in response to initial suspicion the incident was motivated by anti immigrant sentiment which is spreading nationally and locally, Andrade said. The Lincolnton incident came nearly two months after a driver plowed through a group of migrants killing eight as they waited for a bus in Brownsville, Texas. The driver in that case, George Alvarez, 34, has been charged with eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to data the network cited from the U.S. Department of Justice, hate crimes against Latinos are at an all-time high. In 2020, 79.6% of hate crimes in North Carolina were race-motivated. ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta's police chief on Tuesday urged the public to come forward with information about those who set police motorcycles on fire last month in protest over the planned construction of a public safety training center that critics call Cop City. Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the vandals have been using violence, intimidation and fear to stop the facility's construction, attacking police vehicles as well as contractors' construction equipment. Authorities held a news conference to release surveillance photos of persons of interest and to announce that the reward for information leading to the culprits' arrests has been increased from $15,000 to $60,000. Schierbaum said more than 40 police vehicles were targeted at Atlanta polices current training center in south Atlanta early July 1. Ultimately, eight motorcycles were set alight and a police officer intervened before more damage could occur, Schierbaum said. Had (all) these vehicles been set on fire, the entire precinct would have been ignited, the police chief said. About an hour before that attack, vandals had smashed the windows of police vehicles at another location. Authorities believe the group wanted to set those vehicles on fire as well but were spotted by a bystander. Mayor Andre Dickens and others say the planned $90 million training center would replace outdated training facilities and help address difficulties in hiring and retaining police officers that worsened after 2020's nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Opponents say they worry the facility will lead to greater militarization of the police and that its construction will exacerbate environmental damage in a poor, majority-Black area. Activists have been working to collect more than 70,000 signatures to force a referendum on building the project. For those that have legitimate concerns about the construction of a training center, how tax dollars are used, green space usage, we will continue as a department to protect those First Amendment rights, Schierbaum said. Story continues He added: This is not about the protection of the First Amendment. This is intimidation, this is fear, this is destruction, and this is targeting key assets that protect this city. The Vote to Stop Cop City Coalition issued a statement after the news conference, decrying the lack of accountability for the January murder of 26-year-old protester Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, known as Tortuguita. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said state troopers fired in self-defense after Paez Teran shot at them while they cleared protesters from a wooded area near the site of the proposed facility. But the troopers involved werent wearing body cameras, and activists have questioned the official narrative. While Atlanta elites focus on limited property damage, tens of thousands of Atlantans are focused on actual violence by the state and have demanded the right to reject this deeply unpopular waste of public funds, the statement read. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Ukrainian members of parliament should not speculate on the appointments of the countrys diplomatic service, Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said on August 1, in response to MP Oleksiy Honcharenko's speculation on the future Ukrainian ambassador to the UK. Honcharenko has claimed that Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov might be dismissed from his post and appointed as ambassador to the UK instead. Read also: Reznikov may resign from post of defense minister, Budanov being considered for job, MP says "He was [already] eager to move on to the Ministry of Justice," the MP said. The appointment of ambassadors is decided on by the President of Ukraine upon discussion with the foreign minister, Nikolenko said, and this process is ongoing. "Meanwhile, we call on Ukrainian MPs, in particular Oleksiy Honcharenko, not to engage in personnel appointments in foreign policy, as this topic is not within their professional competence," Nikolenko said. Read also: Reznikov makes statement amid rumours of his dismissal After Vadym Prystaiko was dismissed as Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Honcharenko said that the presidential office decided to appoint a government minister instead of a diplomat. Rumors about Reznikov's dismissal last emerged amid a food procurement scandal in February 2023, where it was alleged that deliberately overpriced contracts were made with a catering company to supply food to the armed forces. Several top officials at the defense ministry were suspected of involvement. Read also: Zelenskyy sacks Ukraines envoy to UK As a result, speculation mounted that Reznikov might be moved to the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, with military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov taking over as defense minister. Reznikov said he would resign if asked by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Reznikov eventually remained at his post. On February 7, Reznikov thanked everyone for their constructive criticism and emphasized his intention to strengthen Ukraines defenses via reforms at the ministry. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Conservative billionaire Timothy Mellon is the largest single donor to Democratic 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s super PAC, American Values 2024. According to campaign finance disclosures provided to the Federal Election Commission, the billionaire single-handedly contributed $5 million of the $9.8 million raised by the PAC in the first 6 months of 2023. The revelation that the candidate, who is running as a Democrat, is being primarily funded by a Republican megadonor who contributed more than $20 million to former President Donald Trumps Save America PAC in 2020, tracks with other disclosures related to Kennedys candidacy. A previous Rolling Stone investigation found that the Heal the Divide Super PAC, which was created by supporters of Kennedy, was heavily funded by pro-Trump figures who have previously supported a roster of MAGA-aligned politicians. A July analysis of the Kennedy campaigns disclosures found that amongst the 96 individuals who maxed out their legal contribution to Kennedys campaign last quarter, 37 had donated exclusively to Republicans running for federal office in the past. The financial discrepancies reflect the reality that Kennedys campaign is courting Republicans far more effectively that it is enticing Democrats. President Joe Biden continues to hold a commanding 50+ point lead over Kennedy, yet a June YouGuv survey found that Kennedys net favorability amongst prospective Republican voters is surging. One reason for his appeal amongst Republicans may partially be attributed to his conspiratorial claims about vaccinations. Baseless declarations Kennedy has made about vaccines while on the campaign trail include that vaccine research was likely responsible for the creation of HIV, the Spanish Flu, Lyme Disease, and of course, his long standing (false) belief that vaccines are responsible for autism. Earlier this month while discussing bioweapons at dinner Kennedy raised unfounded claims that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people, while Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people were most immune to the virus. Story continues Despite it all, even some Republican candidates have taken such a shine to Kennedy that they have floated finding a place for him in their future administration should they manage to win the general election. Last week, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis suggested that he would consider tapping Kennedy to run the Food and Drug Administration, or the Centers for Disease Control. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The number of rhinos killed for their horns in South Africa decreased in the first six months of the year as authorities increased efforts to tackle poaching of the endangered animals. South Africa and neighbouring Namibia and Botswana have for decades struggled to control the poaching of rhinos whose horns are prized for jewellery and traditional medicine in some east Asian countries. Between Jan. 1 and June 30, 231 rhinos were killed in South Africa for their horns - made primarily of keratin, a protein also found in human hair and fingernails - 28 fewer than the same period last year, South Africa's environment ministry said. The ministry said joint efforts involving law enforcement agencies, customs officials and private security had led to the conviction of poachers, but continued demand for the horns meant the threat to the rhino population persisted. Rhino poaching often involves international criminal syndicates that rely on the help of local poachers. Increased surveillance and de-horning programmes in the famous Kruger National Park drove poachers last year to turn their focus to provincial parks and private reserves. That trend has continued in 2023, the ministry said, with 143 rhinos killed in the KwaZulu-Natal province and 46 in private reserves. The government said it has set up tactical centres, in addition to increasing services provided to rangers on healthcare, training and counselling to discourage them from colluding with criminal gangs. South Africa is home to nearly half of the critically-endangered black rhino population on the African continent and to world's largest population of near-threatened white rhinos. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; editing by Barbara Lewis) NEW YORK A mental health clinician working on Rikers Island was stabbed in the face, chest and arm by an inmate accused of fatally knifing a man on a Manhattan subway train, the New York Daily News has learned. The clinician was attacked allegedly by detainee Claude White using a 9-inch piece of sharpened metal in housing area 13B in the troubled jails George R. Vierno Center just before 5 p.m. on Saturday, according to multiple sources. He suffered three puncture wounds to the right side of his face and a puncture to his left forearm, the sources said. The 52-year-old victim, a licensed clinical social worker since at least 2008, was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital where he needed stitches for his wounds, Correction Department sources said. He could not be reached for comment. The 6-foot-3, 319-pound White was taken to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric evaluation after the attack. A weapon was found at the scene, the sources said. White has been charged with attacking the clinician but the specific charges were not immediately known. A spokeswoman with the Bronx District Attorney said the case remains under investigation with no charges yet filed. White was arrested June 19 for the murder of Tavon Silver, 32, two days earlier on a Brooklyn-bound 4 train about 4 a.m. A straphanger came across Silver bleeding heavily from a chest wound and falling in and out of consciousness between 23rd St. and Union Square. At Union Square, the straphanger notified the train conductor who called 911. Medics took Silver to Bellevue Hospital where he died. At his arrest, White was also charged with a robbery earlier in June. He had at least seven prior arrests for robbery, assault, and grand larceny going back to 2010. A judge ordered him held without bail. Whites next court date in the murder case is Aug. 3 The attack on the clinician is yet another example of the dangerous conditions in the jails. Last week, four correction officers were injured in two separate attacks by detainees. One of those detainees Michael Megginson, has assaulted dozens of officers over the past year. When a decorated captain Awais Ghauri asked for more help from senior DOC officials, he was suspended. Story continues Meanwhile, a security breakdown led to a detainee getting his hands on a full DOC uniform and try to escape before he was caught. On July 10 the federal monitor released a report that said the city jails are far less safe today for detainees and staff than eight years ago in 2015 when the city was forced to sign a consent decree over violence in the jails and excessive use of force by correction officers. At the time, the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Preet Bharara described the city jails as a broken system. But from January through May of this year, assaults on staff were 39% higher than they were in 2016, the report said. Fights between detainees were 58% higher than in 2016. While stabbings and slashing were down 24% from January to May compared to the same period in 2022, the rate is 243% higher than the average monthly number in 2016. Violence on inmates by correction officers was down from January to May by 25% compared to 2021, the rate is 131% higher than in 2016. Moreover, the report said 434 detainees suffered serious injuries at the hands of correction officers in 2022 compared to 74 in 2016. The current state of affairs and rates of use of force, stabbings and slashings, fights, assaults on staff, and in-custody deaths remain extraordinarily highthey are not typical, they are not expected, they are not normal, the monitors report said. In the report, the monitor urged U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain to begin contempt proceedings against the city. Citing the monitors report in part, the current U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Damian Williams, said on July 17 his office would move for the system to be taken over by an outside receiver. After eight years of trying every tool in the toolkit, we cannot wait any longer for substantial progress to materialize, Williams said in a statement. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 10. The logos of Bed Bath & Beyond along with Overstock are pictured in this handout image from Overstock on Monday, July 31, 2023. | Overstock.com Launched in the shadow of the dot com bust almost a quarter of a century ago as an online excess inventory liquidator, and subsequently evolving into one of the worlds largest home goods sellers, Utah-based Overstock.com turned yet another page on Tuesday as it re-branded under the freshly acquired Bed, Bath & Beyond moniker. Bed, Bath & Beyond declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April after dismal sales through last years holiday shopping season proved the death-knell for the retailer after a wave of cost-cutting measures failed to reverse years of declining business activity. But Bed, Bath & Beyonds widely recognized branding, and deep troves of customer data, proved to be the perfect assets for Overstock to fuel a rejuvenating expansion, leaning on a familiar name, expanded product offerings and a wider customer base. This is a historic day for Bed Bath & Beyond and Overstock and for the broader ecommerce industry, said Jonathan Johnson, former CEO of Overstock and CEO of the new Bed Bath & Beyond, in a press statement. Overstock has a great business model with a name that does not reflect its focus on home. Bed Bath & Beyond is a much-loved and well-known consumer brand, which had an outdated business model that needed modernizing. Through this rebranding, were breathing new life into Bed Bath & Beyond, positioning it as an asset-light, ecommerce retailer with an expanded home furnishings and furniture assortment. Think of it as Bed Bath & a much bigger, better Beyond. Related That bigger and better includes, according to information shared in the companys recent earnings report, some 600,000 new products since news of the acquisition deal was first reported in early July. Story continues Johnson was making the rounds of national business media outlets in New York City on Tuesday and, in an interview with the Deseret News, noted the inventory expansion was aided by suppliers who previously were hesitant to open up their full product offerings to Overstock but have done an about face under the new branding. Johnson also celebrated being able to move past some of the unfortunate customer perceptions that have followed the Overstock brand well past its days of being an inventory liquidator. Weve ridded ourselves of a boat anchor of a name and ridded Bed, Bath & Beyond of its previous boat anchor of a business model, Johnson said. When asked if the change to Bed, Bath & Beyond redefines where Overstock fell in the online retail sector, Johnson said the change really serves to just make us stronger in our current category. Weve always been in the business of making our customers dream homes come true, Johnson said. Now, were just offering more avenues to make dream homes come true. The company reports the newly reimagined Bed Bath & Beyond will return to offering the kitchen, bed, and bath-related products customers have grown to love since its inception 30 years ago in addition to a vast and growing assortment of furniture and other home product categories, including area rugs, lighting, decor, and home improvement, among others. The company reports the rebranding launch will include a slew of coupon deals, credits for participants in Bed, Bath & Beyonds previous loyalty program and additional savings for Overstocks Club O loyalty program members who will be automatically migrated to the new program for regular customers. Johnson also plugged a new mobile app and celebrated the success of the rebranding launch in Canada late last month. If you liked the Bed Bath & Beyond coupons of the past, you will love our better pricing, special promotions, broader assortment, and the improved customer experience on the website and mobile app, Johnson said. Weve seen strong customer engagement with our BedBathandBeyond.ca Canada business that launched on June 29. Assets acquired by Overstock in the bankruptcy auction include Bed, Bath & Beyonds website and domain names, trademarks, trade names, patents, customer database, loyalty program data and other brand assets related to the Bed Bath & Beyond banner. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey approved Overstocks winning bid at a sale hearing on June 27. According to Overstock, the transaction excluded any assets associated with the brick-and-mortar business of Bed Bath & Beyond including store leases, inventory, warehousing and logistics infrastructure. Bed, Bath & Beyonds Buy Buy Baby and Harmon banners and associated assets are being auctioned off separately. Bed, Bath & Beyonds value had been on a downward slope since its stock hit a top price of around $81 per share in early 2014. In April of this year, that stock price had declined to just pennies a share and the company filed for bankruptcy protections. Analysts have pointed to a myriad of missteps by company executives, including a failed shift from third-party products to store branded goods and a massive stock buyback program. Jonathan Johnson, former CEO of Overstock and CEO of the new Bed Bath & Beyond, is pictured. | Overstock.com Overstock.com saw a surge of business amid COVID-19 restrictions that provided similar boosts to a wide swath of online retailers. But order volumes have chilled since then. In 2023 first-quarter results reported in April, Overstock saw $381 million in revenues the first three months of the year, a 29% drop from the same period in 2022. Per CNBC, the e-commerce retailer posted a net loss of $10 million. Still, the retailers results came in ahead of some estimates from industry watchers. At the end of regular trading on Monday, shares in Overstock were trading at $36.49, up nearly 20% since the company announced its acquisition of Bed, Bath & Beyond assets. Dont get Idaho Sen. Jim Risch started on Ukraine. On second thought, do. That is, if you want to see energy, passion and a dose of common sense. Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, turned a breakout session of the recent Aspen Security Forum into quite a show and received some generous applause from global leaders in the audience. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, who shared the stage with Risch, needled the Idaho senator for displaying low energy and limited passion with Rischs remarks about Ukraine. The animosity between Republicans and Democrats, that we keep hearing about, was not on full display on this day. Risch and Coons have been friends and colleagues for a long time, and they happen to agree that the U.S. should support Ukraines fight against Putin and Russia. For those who may be scoring at home, Risch made the boldest statement of the session. The war is over as far as whos lost, he said. Russia has lost. The Ukrainians havent won, but Russia has lost. Their objective was to occupy that country. They are never going to occupy that country. (The Ukrainians) will fight with sticks and stones in the streets, which Putin has now figured out and the rest of the world has figured out. Wow! Political leaders in the U.S. know something about lost causes the withdrawal of troops in Vietnam during the 70s leaving Iraq almost 20 years after President George W. Bush proclaimed that the mission was accomplished and the embarrassing retreat from Afghanistan. Risch, for one, doesnt want to add Ukraine to the Hall of Shame, and he offers a nice reality check on the situation. There is some bipartisan resistance to continuing support for Ukraine. Even some Republicans in the presidential race, including former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have raised doubts about continuing support for Ukraine. Trump says he will pull U.S. support for Ukraine if he wins the presidency, which puts Risch in an awkward position. Risch avoided public disagreements with Trump during his four years in office and the Idaho senators stance on Ukraine is clearly at odds with the Republican frontrunner. Story continues For the moment, Risch and Coons as voices of reason are telling their colleagues that now is not the time to pull away. We have not only a moral obligation to do this, weve got a legal obligation to do this, Risch said. One of the most important reasons is if you think Xi (Chinas leader) isnt watching every single thing that goes on as far as our commitment to the see this though, youre badly mistaken. He is watching this and I have reason to believe that for a fact very, very closely, and watching every utterance that comes out of the United States Congress, out of the administration, and out of the American people as to what kind of a stomach weve got to see this thing through. Risch says give Ukranians cluster bombs and all the ammunition they need, short of nuclear weapons. Im tired of hearing about escalation, he said. If you dont escalate, youre going to lose. I want Putin to wake up in the morning worried about what hes going to do thats going to cause us to escalate, instead of us wringing our hands and saying, We cant do that. As Risch sees it, the U.S. should do everything in its power to stop Putin. When its over, he says, the Russians should pay. Its easy to say, Oh, this is Putins war. I have no doubt that when Putins gone, Russias going to say that this was his war, it was a terrible mistake, we had nothing to do with it, Risch said. The Ukrainians are not going to buy that. Theyre going to insist that the Russian people pay the price for this. First, Putin will have to admit defeat which is a tall order. Its safe to say that the Russian dictator wont be reading memos from Risch anytime soon. Chuck Malloy is a long-time Idaho journalist and columnist. He may be reached at ctmalloy@outlook.com. When_banks_can_close_accounts__and_what_to_do_if_yours_is_affected.jpg Thousands of everyday people are having their bank accounts closed every week in Britain, according to recent data. A freedom of information request to the City watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority, found that just over 343,000 bank accounts were closed during 2021-22. Getting de-banked can cause confusion and financial problems for many people, especially when they believe they havent done anything wrong. Under the payment accounts regulations, banks can close an account for a long list of obvious reasons, such as instances or suspicions of fraud and money laundering. But most savers are not aware that their association with certain people, as well as their jobs and where they travel, could also lead to them losing their bank accounts at short notice. De-banking was not a widely-known occurrence until recently, when Nigel Farage publicly reported that Coutts executives halted the banks services to him because he didnt align with their values. Here, Telegraph Money explains some of the random and confusing reasons why a bank can close your account. What if I have links with a politician or celebrity? If you are related to, or associated with, a politician or high-profile person there is a fair chance banks will be investigating you, and may decide to close your account. Nigel Farage has shone a light on the practice of 'de-banking' - MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images Savers may not be aware that banks work with third-party investigative bodies and credit reference groups to find and scrutinise account holders for almost any reason. This includes keeping an eye on so-called politically exposed people. Many MPs have been caught up in this scrutiny, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Grant Shapps admitting they have struggled to get bank accounts due to their roles in Government. Finally, you can have your account closed if the bank thinks you are a reputational risk and have differing opinions to its values which Mr Farage claims were the reasons for Coutts closed his account. Politicians and high-profile people aside, members of the public who know or associate with high-profile people can also find themselves de-banked, even if they arent in the public eye. Story continues This is because banks and other financial institutions are required to apply enhanced due diligence to politically exposed individuals and people associated with them to ensure that they are not using their institution for money laundering or accepting cash from illegal sources. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is currently reviewing the rules for politically exposed people, and is set to report back on any changes later this year. What if Im an immigrant and send/receive money from overseas? If you have moved to the UK from another country and regularly receive money from abroad be it from friends or family, or a business banks may decide to freeze or close your account. The same could happen if you consistently send large sums of money to overseas accounts. Ordinary people can find themselves de-banked if they have spent money in countries that are under sanction, or have sent or received money from certain people overseas that banks dont approve of. This could be those who are politically exposed, under criminal charges, or suspected of fraud in the UK or overseas. Banks and their third-party partners always keep an eye on international transactions, and if any seem suspicious, banks can close your account or ask you to explain. What if I use my account to move crypto or gambling winnings? Banks can be very cautious when dealing with cryptocurrency which, according to recent FCA data, is becoming increasingly popular with younger people. Cryptocurrencies are unregulated, and as many of the companies that offer this form of currency are based outside of the UK, moving crypto through your account could raise red flags at your bank. Surprisingly, the same thing can happen when it comes to gambling. There have been claims people have had their accounts shut after receiving deposits of their winnings. What If I dont use my account very often? There may be instances where customers are asked to bank elsewhere if their accounts simply are barely used. Banks have measures in place for converting bank accounts into dormant accounts when they are unused and unable to contact customers for a certain period of time. If only one of your accounts hasnt been used for a while, then a bank could decide to ask you to go elsewhere. What if I made a mistake, or argued with my bank? An account can be closed if the information that was given to the bank upon opening was incorrect either on purpose or by accident. If wrong information means a bank cant verify your address or identity, for instance, it may not be able to open your account in the first place. If it was an honest mistake, then it is likely a bank will get in touch for clarification first. Customers should feel empowered to make complaints to their bank when they are unhappy with their service, as long as communications are respectful. Some banks can close an account if a customer is abusive to its staff, either over the phone or in a branch. Is the Government going to stop de-banking? While serious issues such as suspected criminal activity should result in the closure of an account, the Treasury and FCA announced they are working on rules to stop bank account closures from happening as frequently. Under new legislation set to be tabled in Parliament, banks now must give people 90 days notice that their account will be shut up from two months. Banks will also have to tell you the reasons why they are closing the account, unless they are not legally allowed to for instance, if there is a suspicion of money laundering. There is also a push to ban banks from closing accounts for political reasons. However, banks are private institutions and, even with the rule changes, can still close a persons account for various reasons stated above. If the new legislation comes into force, theyll just have to give you three months notice. Have you been de-banked? Please share your experience in the comments section below Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. More than 80 Chinese medical experts have been dispatched in 9 batches to Ethiopia over the past 9 years for missions centered on military-public health cooperation. They were able to help many patients regain health despite limited resources and won lasting friendships in return. Produced by Xinhua Global Service HOPEWELL The group that pulled Petersburg from financial ruin seven years ago has its sights set on Hopewell, and that is not welcome news to the Youngkin administration who sprung for a private accounting firm to make recommendations to improve the citys policy and offered $200,000 to bring in people to implement it. At a special meeting Tuesday night of Hopewell City Council, the Robert Bobb Group will outline strategy for getting Hopewells checkbooks balanced and its nonexistent bond rating up. The planned eight-month project to right the ship is expected to cost the city $988,000, a tab that City Manager Dr. Concetta Manker said will be covered by leftover American Rescue Plan Act funds. Monday, a spokesperson for Gov. Glenn Youngkin sent a statement to The Progress-Index criticizing the anticipated agreement, saying in essence that the city was turning its back on the administration after reaching out to previous administrations with no response. The governor is disappointed that, despite the city being provided a roadmap by the commonwealth to address their longstanding issues, the citys leadership continues to double down on a string of decisions that further exacerbate long-standing cracks in Hopewells financial foundation, Macaulay Porter said in the statement. Hopewell and the governors office have been embroiled in a political staredown ever since Stephen Cummings, Youngkins secretary of finance, called Hopewells fiscal practices a five-alarm fire at a council meeting last May. Since 2014, Hopewell has not submitted a state-required annual comprehensive financial report [ACFR] on time detailing city revenues and expenditures, and that has negatively affected the citys ability to issue bonds for sorely needed capital improvement projects such as a new fire station. More: State urges Hopewell to get financial house in order: 'This cannot continue' In July, after telling the city it had no more funding to help get the books in order, Cummings sent a letter to the city saying that the General Assemblys budget-writing committees had agreed to send Hopewell an additional $200,000 to address its needs. It came with the conditions that Hopewell hire a short-term city manager and finance director with experience in government turnarounds to replace, for the time being, Manker and finance director Michael Terry. Story continues More: Interim hired as permanent Hopewell city manager despite calls from state for 'experience' Opponents said the offer amounted to bribery and said the state was trying to block them from giving the city managers job to Manker. Manker had been interim leader since August 2022 when March Altman left to take the helm in Petersburg. Her backers on council claimed she had accomplished more in her short time in the office than Altman had done his entire four-year tenure; therefore she was the right person for the job. The others said Hopewell should take the state's offer and let Manker serve as deputy city manager for a six-month period, strengthening her resume and giving her necessary city-management experience to be the permanent replacement. On separate, similar votes, council rejected the states offer and gave the job to Manker full-time. Del. Carrie Coyner, a Chesterfield Republican whose district includes Hopewell, stopped short of calling the move a rebuff of the state. Instead, she said, the motives were more political than anything else, and that is her biggest frustration point. The city asked for help in figuring out where their problems were and how to fix them. The state brought in a very prominent auditing firm to help not only figure out the problems but provide a turnaround plan for protection, Coyner said Monday after a groundbreaking for Plenty Unlimited Inc.s vertical-farming complex in Enon. Weve offered again to help with what the report said needed to be done, and that was rejected. Still, Coyner said, she was hopeful RBG would be able to persuade the city that something needs to be done. So what will the group be doing? Manker said the agreement with RBG calls for hands-on support to help thee backlog of annual audits and to assist the city with achieving a clean audit. Once that is done, the group will present a strategy for maintaining good financial health through new policies and procedures. They have read the audit report provided by Alvarez & Marsal, and they have a good working relationship with them, Manker said. There may be opportunities where the Robert Bobb Group may reach out to Alvarez and Marsal regarding their roadmap for clarity. But I fully expect that the Robert Bobb Group will address the issues and make their own recommendations as they dig into the work. The contract would call for RBG to work with all city departments, not just the city manager and the finance office. That would include the citys commissioner of the revenue and treasurer, both of whom are constitutional officers directly elected and not technically city employees. Is Hopewell the next Petersburg? Seven years ago, the Robert Bobb Group took over management of Petersburgs daily government functions and worked to get long-standing problems with utility billing and collections that were at the core of the city teetering on insolvency. Many citizens in Hopewell complained that Hopewell would wind up in the same boat now that Petersburg sailed in 2016. During his appearances before City Council, Cummings even said that Hopewell was not as dire as Petersburg because unlike Petersburg then, Hopewell can still pay its bills. He and the accounting firm stressed, though, that unless Hopewell develop and stick to basic financial policies, and got its ACFRs caught up and clean, then it was setting itself up for disaster. RBGs presence in Hopewell is likely to stoke citizens concerns that the group is poised to take over like it did Petersburg. Quite the opposite, Manker said. I think these efforts are steps taken to assure that the city of Hopewell does not head down the same path as Petersburg in 2016, she said. Councils meeting to hear the RBG presentation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at the Municipal Building downtown. More: Hopewell's new city manager talks about the rocky path to appointment, history in the job Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Robert Bobb Group plans economic strategy for Hopewell Ron DeSantis and William Allen Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has invited Vice President Kamala Harris to Tallahassee to discuss a widely panned Black history curriculum. The governor also wants to bring along the homophobic activist who wrote the standards. DeSantis, a Republican candidate for president, appears anxious to spend a second week on the states newly adopted education guidelines. Most controversially, the new standards will require to teach how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Harris flew to Jacksonville and lambasted the standards in her own speech. These extremist, so-called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach if we are invested in the well-being of our children," Harris said in a speech reported by ABC News on July 23. More than a week later, DeSantis has now invited Harris in a letter to come to Florida so he can set the record straight. I will ask Dr. William Allen instrumental in the development of our impressive new standards to join, DeSantis wrote. Allen served on the governor-appointed board that wrote the standards. NBC News reported last week that a majority of members on the work group developing the standards opposed the personal benefit language, but that Allen and Frances Presley Rice pushed for the inclusion of the controversial passage. Those two members released a statement after Harris comments defending the standards. The intent of this particular benchmark clarification is to show that some slaves developed highly specialized trades from which they benefitted, the statement reads. This is factual and well documented. The statement goes on to list a number of specific individuals who allegedly personally benefitted from slavery, though the Tampa Bay Times reported more than half of those listed were never slaves. Of note, Allen and Presley Rice, both Black Republicans, each have a long history of controversial statements about race or about LGBTQ+ issues, which was recently documented in the newsletter Popular Info. Rice, when she chaired the National Black Republican Association, posted billboards and advertisements falsely claiming Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican. Allens history of anti-LGBTQ+ comments is extensive. When he chaired the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in 1989, the rest of its members voted to condemn a speech he gave at a conference organized by Rev. Louis Sheldon, an antigay activist who founded the Traditional Values Coalition and viewed homosexuality as deathstyle. While the Los Angeles Times reported Allen told the conference he did not share anti-homosexual attitudes, he also argued that neither Black people nor sexual minorities should be treated as protected classes. He titled his talk Blacks? Animals? Homosexuals? What is a Minority?, and said legal protections would effectively treat those groups the same as animals. Photo: Scott Olson, Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images) UPDATE 8/1/23: On Tuesday afternoon, Vice President Kamala Harris declined Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) invitation for her to join him in an open and honest dialogue about his racist public school curriculum that suggests slavery had benefits for enslaved people. Im here in Florida and I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery, Harris said in a speech while visiting the state. A video of her remarks is included below. VP @KamalaHarris responds to DeSantis inviting her to debate Floridas standards teaching enslaved people benefited from slavery: There is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were NO redeeming qualities of slavery. pic.twitter.com/KvYkNYgjqX Parker Butler (@parkerpbutler) August 1, 2023 As Ron DeSantis presidential campaign continues to freefall, the governor is trying to rally his base by digging his heels in Floridas new public school curriculum that suggests slavery benefited enslaved people by teaching them useful skills. This has drawn criticism from fellow Republican candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and other Black Republicans in Congress, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, who accused DeSantis of gaslighting Black people. Read more Imagine being desperate enough to be thirsty for a Kamala visit. https://t.co/hsieGFfJet Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) August 1, 2023 Ill say it: At the point where Floridas frattiest idiot congressman is joining the rest of the world in dunking on you, its probably time to pack it in. Story continues More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris says she won't be debating slavery with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Speaking at a African Methodist Episcopal convention in Orlando, Harris rejected DeSantis' invitation to participate in a conversation about the state's Black history guidelines. "I'm here in Florida, and I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact. There were no redeeming qualities of slavery," Harris said Tuesday afternoon. Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at the 20th Quadrennial Convention of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. The gathering at the Orange County Convention Center is hosting 3,000 delegates from 39 countries. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) ORG XMIT: FLORL205 DeSantis challenged Harris on Monday to come to Florida and have a discussion with him about the curriculum, which she had derided as "propaganda" and "lies" over an assertion that slaves benefitted from skills they developed in captivity. He invited her to meet him in Tallahassee, the state's capital, as early as Wednesday of this week, in a letter that blasted the Biden administration and accused the vice president of attempting to "score cheap political points." The Florida governor, who is also seeking the GOP nomination for the presidency, said in the Monday letter that his office posted on social media that Biden officials had "repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans" about the state's Black history standards. "One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History," he said. "But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents extremists. Its past time to set the record straight." DeSantis' letter also took jab at her over the situation at the southern border and taunted her over a last-minute trip she made to Jacksonville last month to speak out against the new standards. Harris was already scheduled to be in Orlando on Tuesday to deliver remarks at an AME convention. "Right here in Florida, they plan to teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates," she said in her remarks. "And now they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates, with a proposal that most recently came in, of a politically motivated roundtable." Story continues After the state released new curriculum that advised instruction on "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit," Harris went to Florida and decried "extremist so-called leaders" who "dare to push propaganda to our children." Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves to guests during a campaign event, Monday, July 31, 2023, in Rochester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) ORG XMIT: NHCK104 "Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother," she said. To suggest that "there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization" is false and misleading," the vice president said. "And it is pushing propaganda." DeSantis defended the standards at a news conference, where he said he wasn't involved in their creation and directed questions to the state's education department. Theyre probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life," he said. Black Republicans including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is competing against DeSantis in the GOP presidential contest, have criticized the Florida governor for his comments and called on him to clarify his position. "Nothing about that 400 years of evil was a 'net benefit' to my ancestors," GOP Rep. John James of Michigan told DeSantis is a social media post. In the Monday letter daring Harris to meet him in Florida, DeSantis said he would bring William Allen, an academic who helped write the curriculum, with him to the meeting and told Harris she could invite American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, or someone else who shares her views, to present the other side. In a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday morning, Weingarten hit back at DeSantis, invoking his campaign struggles. "Is this debate schtick a new tactic for flailing presidential campaigns? I didnt debate Mike Pompeo and I certainly won't debate Ron DeSantis over whether slavery had 'benefits,' the labor leader said. "That debate was settled by Lincolnand DeSantis's side lost." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris rejects DeSantis' invitation to debate Black history standards CONCORD, N.H. Gov. Ron DeSantis says he is "ready to roll" when it comes to debating face-to-face with Vice President Harris in the controversy over a line in Floridas new African-American history curriculum that mentions "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." Hours after sending a letter to Harris in which he invited her to come to Tallahassee to debate him, DeSantis told reporters Tuesday that he had invited the vice president "to come to Florida to debate Floridas education standards." The Republican 2024 presidential candidate, during a campaign stop at a diner in New Hampshires capital city, said that Harris "seemed to have a lot to say about it. None of which has been true. And so, we are ready to have that debate." When asked by Fox News if he had heard back from Harris or the vice presidents office, DeSantis said that "she has not" responded to the invitation. DESANTIS TAKES AIM AT CHINA AS HE UNVEILS DECLARATION OF ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE Fox News reached out to the vice presidents office but did not receive a response by the time this story was published. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Harris was traveling to Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday to address the oldest African-American Protestant denomination in the world. The vice president was scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. ET to the AME 20th Womens Missionary Society Quadrennial Convention. DESANTIS TARGETS TRUMP IN FOX DIGITAL INTERVIEW FOR NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON CAMPAIGN PROMISES The vice presidents trip comes just over a week after Harris traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, where she charged in a speech that Sunshine State officials "want to replace history with lies." Speaking days after Floridas Board of Education unveiled its new approach to Black history in a 216-page document, the vice president argued that "extremist" leaders were aiming to "push propaganda to our children" and that the new curriculum would teach that "enslaved people benefited from slavery." Story continues Vice President Harris rails against Florida's new Black history curriculum during a speech in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 21, 2023. DeSantis initially dismissed criticism over the new standards by saying he was not responsible. During a campaign event in Utah on July 21, the governor defended the curriculum but also said, "I didn't do it. I wasn't involved in it." He has also repeatedly returned fire at the vice president, accusing her of trying to "demagogue" about Floridas new standards. "Our state pushed forward nation-leading standalone African American History standards one of the only states in the nation to require this level of learning about such an important subject," the governor wrote Monday evening in his letter to Harris. "One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History. But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents 'extremists.' It's past time to set the record straight." DESANTIS CAMPAIGN CUTS STAFF AS PART OF EFFORT TO STREAMLINE WHITE HOUSE BID DeSantis, who made headlines this year by blocking an Advanced Placement African-American studies course from being taught to Florida high schoolers, accuses the Biden administration of misinformation and blames Harris for initiating the controversy. "She came to Florida to attack us, and shes trying to attack me," DeSantis said Tuesday as he answered a question from Fox News Digital. "But shes really attacking the people that worked hard on this and have done a lot of yeomans work. And so thats just wrong. I think it's wrong to let lies be perpetuated. Its wrong to let false narratives stand." DeSantis also said to "lets put the money where the mouth is. What she criticized our working group having done, she supported a similar [part] in the AP African-American history course that she endorsed earlier this year. How do you square that circle? Its all just politics and trying to pursue an agenda." Florida's education standards have faced bipartisan criticism including from four of the five Black Republicans on Capitol Hill. That list includes Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who like DeSantis is running for the White House, and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who has endorsed former President Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential nomination race. DeSantis pushed back at Scott as well as Donalds, who said he approved of the overall curriculum but urged Florida's Department of Education to correct the controversial line. "The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate," Donalds said on social media last week. "That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasn't the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this." Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit on June 30, 2023, in Philadelphia. DeSantis then targeted Donalds for his criticism of the controversial line of the education standards by saying the congressman was taking the side of the vice president. "You got to choose: Are you going to side with Kamala Harris and liberal media outlets or are you going to side with the state of Florida?" DeSantis asked Thursday during a campaign stop in Iowa. DeSantis told "Special Report" host Bret Baier on Monday evening that "I feel a need to defend my state." Pointing to the team that put the standards together, the governor said that "this went to the State Department of Education. They were following state law." He also argued that "its wrong to demean their work. And here's the thing: If I wasn't running for president, or I wasn't who I was, no one would have cared about this." DeSantis on Tuesday pointed to political adviser Dr. William Allen, who helped approve Floridas curriculum and who criticized the vice presidents comments. "Dr. Allen, whos an African-American history scholar, [is] ready to educate the vice president on the great work that they did," DeSantis said. The Kansas City Royals made two trades as Tuesdays MLB deadline expired, with both deals being completed shortly after the 5 p.m. deadline. The Royals traded closer Scott Barlow to the San Diego Padres. They also sent starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who was acquired prior to the 2023 season, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. KC received some intriguing minor-league prospects in both exchanges. In the Barlow deal, the Royals received right-handed pitchers Henry Williams and Jesus Rios. Williams, 21, is the Padres No. 10 prospect, per MLB.com. He recorded 40 strikeouts across 42 1/3 innings of work in Single-A baseball. The Royals like Williams potential to develop into a viable starter. He will be assigned to Single-A Columbia to begin his Royals tenure. Rios made 16 relief appearances in the Dominican Summer League (DSL). He signed as an international free agent out of Mexico and will be assigned to the Royals Blue team in the DSL. Henry Williams was a third-round pick last year out of Duke, Picollo said. He had Tommy John surgery, I believe, in December of 2021 before the draft. Our scouts really liked him in the fall of 2021 and he was someone we had our eyes on going into the 2022 season. Williams didnt pitch during the 2022 season. However, he made his return and has looked good following his surgery. The Royals plan to have him continue to progress in their organization. The Royals received first baseman Devin Mann, 26, and shortstop Derlin Figueroa, 19, from the Dodgers in the Yarbrough deal. Mann is the No. 29-ranked prospect in the Dodgers system, per MLB.com, and has been assigned to Triple-A Omaha. Figueroa has been assigned to the Royals Arizona Complex League (ASL) team. There is a lot to like about both infielders. Mann hit .307 with 14 home runs, 71 RBIs and 33 doubles in 89 games for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Figueroa posted a .746 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in the ASL this season. He signed as an international free agent during the 2021 campaign. Story continues Devin Mann is an interesting player, Picollo said. He is 26 years old and has played just about every position on the field. His OPS is over .900. ... We think just because of that versatility he could potentially help us. Picollo also highlighted Figueroas plate discipline. He mentioned that Figueroa has a solid walk rate that appealed to the scouting department. If you look at his swing on video, he has a really good swing, Picollo said. You know, there is power there. He is going to play more of the corners. The Royals will continue to evaluate their roster. The departures of Barlow and Yarbrough will open more opportunities for the KC pitching staff. Barlow, 30, has a 5.35 ERA (13 saves) this season, but he was far more dominant the last two seasons. In 2021, he made 71 appearances with a 2.42 ERA. In 2022, he made 69 appearances with a 2.18 ERA. Barlow is allowing a career-worst 1.55 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) this season. Yarbrough, 31, posted a 4.24 ERA in 51 innings this season. He has appeared in 14 games (seven starts), but he has been at his best since making a return from the injured list. In his last four starts since he returned from a facial injury suffered when he was hit in the face by a line drive Yarbrough is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA. He allowed one run in seven innings against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Really appreciate Scott Barlow, in particular, what he did for this organization, Picollo said. And Ryan Yarbrough, kind of a wild six months that he was with us, with the freak accident a couple months ago. But the way hes pitched here lately was really impressive. Happy theyre getting a chance to go compete and possibly play in the playoffs. Other moves for the Royals around the trade deadline included the club sending infielder Nicky Lopez to the Atlanta Braves and reliever Jose Cuas to the Chicago Cubs. The Royals acquired left-handed pitcher Taylor Hearn in the Lopez deal, outfielder Nelson Velazquez in exchange for Cuas and lefty pitcher Tucker Davidson from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations. We really added two pitchers and, counting yesterday, three bats, Picollo said. The right-handed side is something weve been thinking about. So we were able to get two guys that hit from the right side at the upper levels. Donald Trump was the star of the indictment handed down by a federal grand jury on Tuesday but Rudy Giuliani, appearing in the document as co-conspirator 1, played the biggest supporting role in the narrative of Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Jack Smith mentioned Giuliani always as co-conspirator 1 34 times, more than any of the half dozen Trump co-conspirators identified in the charging document. The indictment described Giuliani as an attorney willing to spread knowingly false claims and pursue strategies that the Defendants 2020 re-election campaign attorneys would not. Despite his prominence in the indictment, the description of him as a co-conspirator, and interviews with the special counsels office this summer, a spokesperson for the former New York City mayor told NBC on Thursday that he has not been contacted by the Special Counsels office, and he has no reason to believe that he will. None of the co-conspirators have been charged, and its unclear whether Smith intends to continue his investigation in the events surrounding Jan. 6 or prosecute others in the investigation. Tim Parlatore, a Trump attorney who resigned from the former presidents legal team in May, told CNN on Tuesday that the special counsels office was still investigating others involved in the January. Smiths decision to charge only Trump and list a half dozen co-conspirators may be an indication that this is just the initial indictment and that Smith is going to try and put pressure on the other six to move over to become cooperating witnesses. The special counsels indictment describes Giulaini as the pointman for trying to convince officials in battleground states of bizarre and transparently false claims of voter fraud as a basis to appoint bogus slates of alternate, pro-Trump electors in order to help disrupt the counting of electoral college votes on Jan. 6. In Georgia, Smith alleged, Giulaini [misled] state senators into blocking the ascertainment of legitimate electors. In Arizona, he confessed to the states House speaker that We dont have the evidence [of voter fraud], but we have lots of theories. In Michigan, he told the states senate majority leader that I need you to pass a joint resolution from the Michigan legislature that states that, * the election is in dispute, * and that the legislature was investigating, despite no evidence of fraud. Story continues In an attempt to show that Trump knewor should have knownthat his claims about the election were bogus, prosecutors repeatedly provided glimpses of the Trump campaigns own frustration with Giulianis trafficking in conspiracy theories. In one section, Smiths office quoted a senior Trump campaign aide complaining that our research and campaign legal team cant back up any of the claims made by our Elite Strike Force Legal Team and called the claims made by Giuliani and his team all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership. When our research and campaign legal team cant back up any of the claims made by our Elite Strike Force Legal Team, you can see why were 0-32 on our cases. Ill obviously hustle to help on all fronts, but its tough to own any of this when its all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership. A spokesman for Giuliani criticized the indictment in a statement Tuesday night. Every fact Mayor Rudy Giuliani possesses about this case establishes the good faith basis President Donald Trump had for the actions he took during the two-month period charged in the indictment, writes spokesman Ted Goodman. This indictment eviscerates the First Amendment and criminalizes the ruling regimes number one political opponent for daring to ask questions about the 2020 election results. Trump lost the 2020 election, and he, Giuliani, and the rest of Trumps team then spent months attempting to undermine the results in an anti-democratic bid to remain in power. Other pseudonymous co-conspirators in the indictment are identifiable from descriptions of their work and quotes. The indictment refers to John Eastman, a Trump campaign attorney who helped hatch the plot to have Vice President Mike Pence disrupt the electoral count on Jan 6, as co-conspirator 2. In one new revelation, Eastman allegedly told the Arizona House speaker to decertify the election and let the courts sort it out even though by his own admission he [didnt] know enough about facts on the ground. Smith describes Sidney Powell, listed as co-conspirator 3, as an attorney whose unfounded claims of election fraud [Trump] privately acknowledged to others sounded crazy. As Rolling Stone previously reported, the crazy reference came after an infamous November 2020 White House meeting with Powell, Flynn, and Trump, which prompted interest from investigators in the special counsels office. Jeffrey Clark, the former Justice Department acting assistant attorney general in the civil division, is co-conspirator 4. Clark, according to prosecutors, attempted to use the Justice Department to open sham election crime investigations and influence state legislatures with knowingly false claims of election fraud. Clark allegedly tried to coerce senior Justice Department officials, including former acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen and acting deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue into signing a letter to state officials with false claims of election fraud. Clark allegedly told the two he would decline Trumps offer to make Clark acting attorney general if the two would agree to send the proposed letter to the targeted states. Ken Chesebro, one of the lesser-known players in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, appears in the indictment as co-conspirator 5. Chesebro, who authored a memo that morphed into a corrupt plan to subvert the federal government function by stopping Biden electors votes from being counted and certified, according to the indictment. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File Rudy Giuliani's consultancy owes nearly $60,000 over unpaid phone bills from 2020. The firm failed to pay monthly bills of $1,500 for nine months that year, per court filings. It owes a further $30,963 from an early termination fee, and another $12,831 in interest. A consulting firm started by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani owes more than $57,000 to a Georgia-based telco after failing to pay phone bills for around nine months. A new judgment detailing the full cost $57,655 was filed against Giuliani Partners LLC on Sunday in the New York State Supreme Court, per records seen by Insider. The cost includes nine unpaid monthly bills from 2020 that Momentum Telecom said the law firm "failed and refused to pay," totaling $13,545. Giuliani Partners owes a further $30,396 from an early termination fee. Judge Suzanne J. Adams affirmed on July 17 that the consultancy must pay $43,950 to the telco, along with interest accrued since May 2020. The Sunday judgment calculated interest at $12,831, and additional costs and disbursements at $873, bringing Giuliani Partners' total debt to almost $60,000. Giuliani started his consultancy in 2002 and left in 2007 amid questions over his failure to disclose some of the firm's clients. The Wall Street Journal reported that one of Giuliani's clients in 2007 was Qatar, which received security advice from Giuliani Partners LLC. The revelation steeped Giuliani in controversy, given Qatar's past ties with Al Qaeda. Giuliani was running for president at the time and had positioned himself as a post-9/11 guardian against Islamic terrorism. After withdrawing from the Republican primary, Giuliani returned to Giuliani Partners. A subsidiary of the firm, Giuliani Security & Services, describes him as the current chairman and CEO of Giuliani Partners. The firm, which typically provides security and management consulting services, played a role in former President Donald Trump's 2020 re-election bid, receiving travel expenses of $63,400 from Trump's campaign and $76,500 from the Make America Great Again PAC, CNN reported. Court records show Giuliani Partners has not filed any response to Momentum Telecom's debt filings or Adams' affirmation. Representatives for Giuliani did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Voters in the Lowcountry have the chance to select a new state Senator following a Charleston Democrats departure to the White House. Four candidates, including three Democrats and one Republican, are vying for a seat recently vacated by former state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, who left the upper chamber in May to join the Biden administration more than a year before the end of his term. A special election Nov. 7 will decide whether a human rights activist or one of three existing lawmakers will succeed Kimpson. But first, Democratic state Reps. Wendell Gilliard, JA Moore and Deon Tedder will have to face off in a Sept. 5 primary. The primary winner will face Republican Rosa Kay in the Nov. 7 election. The district leans heavily blue and has long been represented by a Democrat in the Senate. Charleston County Democratic Party Chair Sam Skardon said he has confidence in all three Democratic candidates but said its important that whoever wins continue to be the voice in Columbia for Charleston Democrats a role he says Kimpson performed well since first being elected in 2013. We (as Democrats) are a majority of Charleston County and the Charleston metro area, and yet, gerrymandering has really reduced us to this one voice in the state Senate, Skardon said. So, we need it to be a strong and powerful voice for our values, and Sen. Kimpson has been that. Skardon noted that while state Sen. Margie Matthews, D-Colleton, also offers Charleston Democrats a voice, her district is mostly rural outside of the Charleston metro area. Heres a profile of the candidates. Wendell Gilliard Gilliard, 69, is a public relations consultant and was first elected to the South Carolina House in 2009, marking him as the longest-serving legislator among the three Democratic candidates bidding for Kimpsons now-vacant seat. S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard spoke to reporters on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, after the passage of H. 3014, a hate crimes measure hes sponsored for several years. Born in Charleston, Gilliard is a life-long resident of the area. He attended Devry School of Technology and spent many years working as a labor union organizer before serving as a Charleston City Council member for more than 10 years. Story continues Gilliard said, if elected, he will fundamentally focus on issues involving economics, including an initiative that would significantly raise the starting pay for teachers to $70,000. That would stop the great exodus in South Carolina as it pertains to school teachers, Gilliard said. I want people to understand that we can only improve the social aspect (of a political issue) by grabbing the bull by the horns from an economic perspective. To that end, Gilliard said it was his motivation to help the economically disadvantaged, such as the homeless, that led him to first run for public office more than 20 years ago. Gilliard said his nearly 14 years of State House experience is what makes him best qualified for the Senate job. Gilliard is known for spearheading several pieces of hate crime legislation following the 2015 shooting deaths of Walter Scott in North Charleston and nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Although Gilliard has been successful in getting the measure past the House twice, it was rejected in the Senate. But Gilliard said hes confident that if elected to the Senate, hell be successful in helping his hate crimes bill finally clear the upper chamber. Gilliards campaign has raised $2,000 in contributions with $0 in expenditures. JA Moore Moore, 38, is a chef and business owner, and have served in the House since 2018, representing parts of North Charleston and Goose Greek. State Rep. JA Moore, D-Charleston, is one of three lawmakers in the S.C. House running for Senate District 42. He was born in Orangeburg and earned a culinary arts degree from Johnson and Wales University. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant service industries, Moore said hes been a community servant his entire life a role he says hes embraced in the House and wishes to expand upon if elected to the Senate. The work that Ive done both as an elected official, and as an active community participant is what qualifies me for the Senate, Moore said. Moore pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic in highlighting one way hes consistently served his community. Ive traveled throughout Charleston County, feeding workers, hospitality workers, hospital workers, people, folks that work at gas stations, teachers, all over Charleston County, quite frankly, all over the state during the pandemic, Moore said. Moore said his decision to run for the House in 2018 was spurred by the tragic death of his sister, Myra Thompson, who was one of nine churchgoers massacred at Emmanuel AME Church in 2015. Since his time in the House, said he has advocated for clean water, economic development and affordable housing and was successful in passing legislation that brings more awareness to mental health and health education. So far, Moores campaign has $86,227.00, $40,000 of which consists of a personal loan. He hasnt spent any money, according to campaign finance reports. Deon Tedder Tedder, 33, is a trial lawyer who has served in the House since 2021, representing North Charleston. Rep. Deon Tedder gives a thumbs up to guests in the gallery during a House of Representatives session in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA) He was born in neighboring North Carolina and is a graduate of South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina School of Law. Among other things, Tedder says he wants to help attract more jobs and economic opportunity to the Charleston area, and a with a seat in the Senate, hed be in a better position to do just that. He said because of his success in passing legislation creating a Historically Black Colleges and Universities day, more college students of color have been afforded internship opportunities in the House and Senate. I feel that I can get more accomplished in the state Senate, particularly because of the rules that the Senate has in comparison to those in the House, Tedder said. And in light of the numbers, 120 members in the House and 46 Senators, I can be more effective in the Senate. As of July, Tedder has raked in $83,480 in campaign contributions. Having spent $12,269.10, hes left with a little more than $71,000 in the bank, according to campaign finance reports. Although Tedder has spent the least amount of time in the House compared to his Democratic opponents in the race, he said time doesnt equate to experience. I dont think that the longer youre in the Legislature, the more experience you have, because there are some people who sit idly, he said. Regardless of his time in the House, Tedder said his knowledge as a lawyer qualifies him for the Senate seat above his opponents. As an attorney, I understand the rule of law, Tedder said. A lot of these bills are not simplistic, but I understand how to craft, interpret, understand and explain legislation to other people so that they can understand it. And I think thats important to have in the Legislature. Rosa Kay Kay, 30, is an unemployed human rights activist who migrated to the United States from war-torn Sierra Leone in 2017. Rosa Kay is the sole Republican vying for the 42nd Senate District seat. She graduated with a bachelors degree from the University of Makeni in West Africa before beginning law school at the Charleston School of Law. Notably, Kay claims she was recently dismissed from the law school unjustly and forced to spend a week in a psychiatric hospital because of her work in activism surrounding a Black law student organization at the school. Now, not only is she suing the Charleston School of Law for its alleged treatment of her, but she also is aiming to have a voice in the states upper chamber. I had always wanted to act and maybe go into politics if the need arose, and now it has Kay said. Its all about human rights, and if Im elected, thats what Im going to focus on. Unlike other candidates vying for Kimpsons seat, Kay expressed little reservation in aggressively challenging her would-be Senate colleagues in the Senate. And yes, Im not just going to be advocating, Kay said. I am going to be one person that will actually sue a fellow senator, or fellow political candidate, if I find that they are exploiting our people. Campaign finance records do not reflect any filings by Kay. Candidates are required to file an initial report within 10 days of receiving or spending $500, under state law. Members of the South Carolina state Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. The Charleston County Democratic Party will hold a special election candidate forum Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for voters to interact with the three Democratic candidates before the primary, according to Skardon. The exact location has yet to be determined. More information can be found on the Charleston County Democratic Partys website. Russia on Tuesday labeled the latest drone strike on Moscow as a Ukrainian terrorist attack. For the second time in about 48 hours, a drone struck a skyscraper in central Moscow, an attack that Russian authorities have accused Kyiv of orchestrating as Ukraine advances its long-awaited counteroffensive. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram that Kyiv attempted a terrorist attack near buildings and facilities in Moscow on Tuesday. The ministry said two drones were taken down by air defense systems, while a third drone which crashed into a skyscraper in the Moscow City business district and damaged the facade was jammed. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted on Telegram that the drone crashed into the same building that was damaged during a separate attack Sunday. He said there was no information about any potential victims, noting that emergency services were working at the scene Tuesday. Sobyanin also noted that the drone hit the 21st floor of the skyscraper, which is one of the floors that hosts the Economic Development Ministry. He said about 150 square meters or a little over 1,600 square feet of the facade was damaged. Ukraine has been hesitant to claim responsibility for the repeated drone attacks, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said over the weekend that the war is gradually coming back to Russian territory. His adviser, Mykhailo Podolak, posted on X the platform formally known as Twitter on Tuesday that Moscow is rapidly getting used to a full fledged war, but did not mention the drone attack. The Defense Ministry said that Kyiv forces attempted to attack two of Russias warships in the Black Sea using maritime drones overnight. The ministry added the three drones were all destroyed. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Experience the fusion of tradition and modernity in Chengdu with Rongbao People's Daily Online) 10:38, August 01, 2023 Are you ready for an unforgettable journey to experience the fusion of tradition and modernity in the lively city of Chengdu? Join us as we embark on an exciting journey with Rongbao, the mascot of the Chengdu Universiade. Rongbao will show you the hidden gems and must-visit spots that make Chengdu truly unique during the Universiade. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Wu Chengliang) UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned the "heinous and cowardly" suicide terrorist attack at a political meeting in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. The attack reportedly killed dozens and left over 100 others injured. The Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility. In a press statement, the Security Council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever they are committed. Police officers block off an area around a damaged office block of the Moscow International Business Center (Moskva City) following a reported drone attack in Moscow on August 1, 2023. Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images Moscow was hit by another suspected Ukrainian drone attack this week. Russia's capital has been increasingly targeted by drones in recently, likely causing more psychological damage than physical. Ukrainian officials say it's only fair and hint that the apparent attacks will continue. Russia's brutal war in Ukraine appears to have once again returned home in what is becoming an increasingly troublesome problem for Moscow. Several drones swarmed Moscow early on Tuesday in what marked the latest in a string of attacks on the Russian capital. Although the incident caused relatively small amounts of damage, it is the fourth time the city has been targeted in a little over a week, and it comes as Ukraine's leadership and spy agency hint that the attacks are going to continue until something changes. In a brief statement, Russia's defense ministry said it "foiled" a Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow area by using air-defense systems to destroy two of the drones in the air. A third drone was "intercepted by electronic warfare means," but it lost control and slammed into a building in downtown Moscow, the defense ministry added. It is the second time in just two days that a drone struck that exact building, which host offices belonging to several government ministries. Photos of the damage after Tuesday's strike show a puncture to the building's glass exterior and a pile of debris in the street below. Russian state media did not report any causalities. Ukraine did not immediately take responsibility for the most recent attack, but some officials publicly acknowledged the incident and used it as an opportunity to bash Russia. A man checks the debris next to a damaged office building in the Moscow City following a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow, Russia, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina Moscow "is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war, which, in turn, will soon finally move to the territory of the 'authors of the war' to collect all their debts," Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraine's Presidential Office, said on Twitter. "Everything that will happen in" Russia "is an objective historical process. More unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, more" war. Story continues The Moscow area has been increasingly targeted by drones over the last few months. After a May attack on Moscow, experts speculated that Ukraine aims to give Russia "a taste of its own medicine." These attacks have a psychological impact even when the damage is minimal. July saw four attacks, and the pace seems to have increased just in the last week alone. An incident on July 24 saw a drone strike a building near the Russian defense ministry headquarters, and that was followed by two attacks over the past weekend. Despite repeated attempts by Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep the 17-month-long war distant from the Russian people, recent drone attacks on Moscow seemingly indicate the conflict is perhaps closer than the Kremlin would like it to be. Ukrainian officials have suggested that the problem will only get worse for Russia, which they argue deserves what it gets. "Ukraine is getting stronger. Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation on Sunday, the same day as another drone attack on Moscow. Firefighters and a police officer stand next to a damaged building in the "Moscow City" business district after a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, early Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. AP Photo Although the recent string of attacks underscores Ukraine's ability to strike Russia particularly close to home, it's not an unprecedented situation. Kyiv has managed to attack Russian bases far beyond the front lines and located within Russia's internationally recognized borders on several occasions throughout the war, demonstrating long-range capabilities that appear to have kept the Kremlin on edge. "None of the representatives of the occupation army and occupation regime, at any point in any corner of its state, can feel safe while an aggressive, insatiable war is being fought against Ukraine," Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson with the Ukrainian military intelligence service (GUR), told the New York Times in a recent interview, openly arguing the legitimacy of striking Russia. "The only way to stop this kind of thing," he added, "is the immediate withdrawal of Russian occupation troops from Ukraine and the restoration of our sovereignty." While the Ukrainians have asserted that strikes in Russia, which has lobbed missiles and exploding drones at Ukrainian cities throughout the war, are only fair, many in the West have exercised a more cautious approach to the situation, concerned that Russia may respond and escalate disproportionately. US officials have historically been critical of such actions, although there now seems to have been a shift in tone. "We have made clear we don't encourage or enable such attacks," a US State Department spokesperson told Insider on Tuesday after the most recent drone attacks. "Russia started this unprovoked war against Ukraine. Russia could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine instead of launching brutal attacks against Ukraine's cities and people every day." Read the original article on Business Insider By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Tuesday that other countries' interest in joining the BRICS group of nations was proof of the bloc's growing authority on the world stage, but hinted at disagreements over its possible expansion ahead of a summit. BRICS' current five members - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are due to convene in Johannesburg on Aug. 22-24 and a potential expansion will be high on the agenda, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "This is a very important topic because we see that more and more countries are making statements about their intention of joining BRICS," Peskov told reporters. "In general, such interest in the BRICS group shows the great potential of the association, its growing authority and, most importantly, the practical importance of this association." South Africa said last month that more than 40 other nations had expressed interest in joining the organisation, which aims to offset the perceived hegemony of the U.S.-led West in global affairs. Of those, 22 had formally asked to join, it said. While not publicly revealing its stance on expansion, Russia has not opposed the idea publicly. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in June that the group's growing attractiveness to other countries was testimony to the fact that it symbolised what he called "the evolution of the multipolar world". Pavel Knyazev, a Russian diplomat who represents Moscow's interests in BRICS, has said the criteria and methodology for admitting new members is still being discussed and consensus around the issue is needed. 'NUANCES' Under Western sanctions because of the war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a special military operation, Russia has boosted economic, military and other ties with China, India and various African and Latin American states to try to stave off what it calls Western attempts to isolate it. Story continues Peskov said there what he called "nuances" within the current five-nation group about expanding its membership. "All these nuances will of course be discussed during the upcoming summit...and the heads of state will speak about their position," he said. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira struck the most cautious note on the idea of admitting new members during a news conference in June after the minister's meeting. He spoke of the need to "take care of" what he called "a brand and an asset" which he said was responsible for 31.5% of the world's gross domestic product and 40% of its population and said discussions about its expansion were "a work in progress". Lavrov will represent Russia at the Johannesburg summit, President Vladimir Putin will dial in by video call. Putin decided not to attend in person due to a warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes by Russia in Ukraine, something Moscow rejects and denies. South Africa is an ICC member. (Reporting by ReutersWriting by Andrew Osborn/Gareth Jones; Editing by Mark Trevelyan, Alex Richardson and Angus MacSwan) The aftermath of a drone raid on Moscow early Tuesday in which authorities said an office tower was damaged for the second since Sunday by an unmanned aerial vehicle after it was jammed by electronic warfare systems. Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of damaging a Moscow office tower in a drone raid early Tuesday. Three drones targeted several facilities in the Russian capital with two destroyed by Air Defense Forces above two outer suburbs, but the third crashed into the 50-story building in the Moskva City complex after being jammed by "electronic" means the country's state-run Tass news agency reported. "Attempted terrorist attack on behalf of the Kyiv regime with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles that targeted various facilities in Moscow and the Moscow Region was foiled. Two Ukrainian UAVs were downed by Air Defense Forces over the territory of the Odintsovo and Naro-Fominsk districts in the Moscow Region," the defense ministry said. "Another drone was neutralized with the use of electronic warfare and after the remote-operative lost control it crash-landed into one of the non-residential buildings of Moscow-City complex." There were no reports of injuries, according to emergency services, but the glazing above the 17th floor of the glass-clad IQ-Quarter Tower 1 was damaged. Russia's defense ministry claimed Tuesday to have destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones that targeted two of its patrol boats in the Black Sea off Crimea. File photo courtesy United24 Ukraine Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed one of the drones had hit the same building targeted in a raid on Sunday. "The facade of the 21st floor of the building sustained damage with 150 square meters of glazing broken. Emergency services are working at the scene of the incident," Sobyanin wrote on Telegram. Elsewhere, two Russian Navy patrol boats in the Black Sea off Crimea fired on and destroyed three sea drones overnight Monday, the defense ministry said on its Telegram account. "All three unmanned enemy boats were destroyed by fire from the ships' standard weapons," the ministry said. The patrol boats Vasily Bykov and Sergei Kotov were deployed on control-of-navigation tasks 211 miles southwest of the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol. The ministry said the assault was a copycat of an attack on the Sergei Kotov at the beginning of last week that was also repelled. Story continues Kyiv did not immediately confirm nor deny responsibility for any of the attacks. The defense ministry claimed Sunday it had intercepted Ukrainian drones above Moscow in a drone raid in which two skyscrapers were hit including a 50-story building in the west of the city that sustained damage to its fifth and sixth floors. While being careful to avoid taking responsibility, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was growing in strength and that the war was "gradually returning to Russia's territory, to its symbolic centers and military bases," said Zelensky. "This is an inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair." (Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude flows in the four weeks to July 30 fell to the lowest since early January, shortly after a European Union import ban and a wider price cap on the countrys exports came into effect. Most Read from Bloomberg Four-week average shipments dropped to 2.98 million barrels a day, the smallest since the 28-day period ending Jan. 8 and down by more than 900,000 barrels a day from the peak seen in mid-May. More volatile weekly flows rose, with record-equaling shipments from the Arctic. As overseas shipments fell, more crude was processed in Russias refineries in July, with several plants completing major maintenance. The figures support the notion that Moscow is honoring a pledge to keep supply off the global market alongside its allies in the OPEC+ producer coalition. Russia initially said that it would cut oil production in retaliation for Western sanctions and price caps on its oil imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, using February as a baseline. But seaborne flows continued to rise, only dropping significantly in the last few weeks. Now, the tighter availability of Russian crude alongside fewer barrels from the Middle East has narrowed discounts offered for ESPO crude deliveries to Chinese buyers for September delivery. More generally, rising prices and a narrowing discount against international benchmarks is also making Russias crude less attractive to Indian refiners, whose purchases declined for a second month in July. Warming temperatures are allowing Russia to use the shorter route along its northern coast to China. At least four tankers are hauling crude along the Northern Sea Route from ports in the Arctic and Baltic. But it remains unlikely that many of the shadow fleet of aging tankers used to ship Russian crude will be able to use the route, which still requires ice breaker assistance at some points. Story continues Weekly data are affected by the scheduling of tankers and loading delays caused by bad weather. Port and pipeline maintenance can also disrupt exports for several days at a time. Four-week average shipments, which smooth out some of the volatility in the weekly numbers, fell by 154,000 barrels a day. The very high shipments seen in the seven days to July 2 dropped out of the calculation, though the effect was partly offset by a rebound in shipments from Ust-Luga last week. Overseas shipments of Russian crude from Baltic and Black Sea ports increased after the output cut was due to come into effect, peaking in late May. The reduction being seen now comes after fellow OPEC+ oil producer Saudi Arabia extended its own unilateral output cut. Russias export curtailment was hailed as meaningful by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who had urged Moscow to provide greater transparency on its oil flows. Crude Flows by Destination With few buyers left in Europe, the impact of the lower flows is being felt in shipments to Asia, which dropped again in the four weeks to July 30 to their lowest since early January. On a four-week average basis, overall seaborne exports to Asian countries, plus the volumes on ships showing no final destination, have fallen by about 940,000 barrels a day since their peak in mid-May. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export grade. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Transit crude is specifically exempted from European Union sanctions. Four-week average shipments to Russias Asian customers, plus those on vessels showing no final destination, fell to 2.66 million barrels a day in the period to July 30 from a revised 2.85 million barrels a day in the four weeks to July 23. That took flows to Asian buyers to their lowest since January on both a weekly and four-week average basis. Most of the cargoes on ships without an initial destination eventually end up in India. Even so, the volumes heading to the country that has become the biggest buyer of Russias seaborne crude are down from their recent highs. Adding the Unknown Asia and Other Unknown volumes to the total for India gives a figure of 1.66 million barrels a day in the four weeks to July 30. Thats down from a high of 2.2 million barrels a day in the four weeks to May 21. The equivalent of 352,000 barrels a day was on vessels showing destinations as either Port Said or Suez in Egypt, or which already have been or are expected to be transferred from one ship to another off the South Korean port of Yeosu. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. The Other Unknown volumes, running at 243,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to July 30, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most of those cargoes originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey, while other cargoes are transferred from one vessel to another, either in the Mediterranean or, more recently, in the Atlantic Ocean. Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries edged up to 125,000 barrels a day in the 28 days to July 30, with Bulgaria the sole destination. These figures do not include shipments to Turkey. A market that consumed about 1.5 million barrels a day of short-haul seaborne crude, coming from export terminals in the Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic has been lost almost completely, to be replaced by long-haul destinations in Asia that are much more costly and time-consuming to serve. No Russian crude was shipped to northern European countries in the four weeks to July 30. Exports to Turkey, Russias only remaining Mediterranean customer, edged higher to 167,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to July 30. Flows to the country had topped 425,000 barrels a day in October. Flows to Bulgaria, now Russias only Black Sea market for crude, recovered to 125,000 barrels a day, equaling their highest since January. Flows by Export Location Aggregate flows of Russian crude rose to 3.28 million barrels a day in the seven days to July 30, from 2.73 million barrels a day the previous week. The jump took shipments to their highest in four weeks. The increases came from western ports, with higher flows from the Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic partly offset by a drop in flows from the Pacific. Figures exclude volumes from Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler SAS and Vortexa Ltd. Export Revenue Inflows to the Kremlin's war chest from its crude-export duty rose to $49 million in the seven days to July 30, an increase of $8 million or 20%. Four-week average income fell to just above $44 million, with the very high value for the week ending July 2 dropping out of the calculation. Russias government calculates oil taxes, including export duty, using a discount to Brent, which sets the floor price for the nations crude for budget purposes. If Russian oil trades above that threshold, the Finance Ministry uses the market price for tax calculations, as has been the case in recent months. The discount is set at $25 a barrel for July and August, but President Vladimir Putin signed amendments to the tax code that will narrow it to $20 a barrel from September to calculate taxes including export duty. The duty rate for July has been set at $2.13 a barrel, based on an average Urals price of $54.57, which was $20.89 a barrel below Brent during the period between May 15 and June 14. The levy will be increased to about $2.31 a barrel for August, based on an average Urals price of $58.03, which was $18.02 a barrel below Brent during the period between June 15 and July 14. Origin-to-Location Flows The following charts show the number of ships leaving each export terminal and the destinations of crude cargoes from the four export regions. A total of 31 tankers loaded 22.97 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to July 30, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. Thats up by 3.83 million barrels from the previous weeks figure and the most in four weeks. Shipments from Ust-Luga rebounded, adding weight to the circumstantial evidence suggesting that work at Ust-Luga, or the pipeline serving it, may have reduced flows from the port the previous week. Destinations are based on where vessels signal they are heading at the time of writing, and some will almost certainly change as voyages progress. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. The total volume on ships loading Russian crude from the Baltic terminals rebounded from the previous weeks dip below 1 million barrels a day. One cargo of Kazakhstani crude was loaded at Ust-Luga during the week. Shipments from the Baltic are down by about 625,000 barrels a day from the highs seen between April and June. Shipments of Russian crude from Novorossiysk in the Black Sea also rebounded, recovering most of the previous weeks drop. One cargo of Kazakhstani crude was also loaded at the port during the week. Arctic shipments soared in the week to July 30, jumping to 572,000 barrels a day, equaling the highest weekly volume in data going back to the start of 2022. Three Suezmax tankers and one Aframax completed loading at Murmansk during the week ended July 30. Volumes from Russias Arctic ports were boosted further by a direct shipment of about 300,000 barrels from Gazprom Neft PJSCs Arctic Gates terminal to China via the Northern Sea Route. The shuttle tanker Shturman Koshelev, which usually carries oil from the terminal to Murmansk, turned east when it entered the Kara Sea from the Ob Gulf on Sunday. This shipment is included in the chart below. The SCF Baltica, which loaded about 1 million barrels of crude at Murmansk last week, is also taking the northerly route to China. Twelve tankers loaded at Russias three Pacific export terminals, down from 13 the previous week. The volume of crude shipped from the region slipped to 1.1 million barrels a day. Shipments from the Sakhalin Island terminal remained low last week due to maintenance at one of the Sakhalin 2 projects oil production platforms. The work is due to run until September. Two vessels loaded part cargoes of Sakhalin Blend crude from the terminal. The volumes heading to unknown destinations are mostly Sokol cargoes that recently have been transferred to other vessels at Yeosu, or are currently being shuttled to an area off the South Korean port from the loading terminal at De Kastri. Most of these are ending up in India. Some Sokol cargoes are now being transferred a second time in the waters off southern Malaysia. A small number of ESPO shipments are also being moved from one vessel to another in the same area. All bar one of these cargoes have, so far, gone on to India. That one cargo was transferred onto a floating storage vessel off Malaysia. It was then transferred onto another tanker, which is now showing a destination in China, though the vessel remains anchored off Johor, to the east of Singapore. Shipments of flagship Sokol crude to India have slumped since April, when they were running at more than 200,000 barrels a day. No ESPO crude went to India in June and shipments in July are running at less than 120,000 barrels a day. NOTES Note: This story forms part of a regular weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the export duty revenues earned from them by the Russian government. Note: All figures exclude cargoes owned by Kazakhstans KazTransOil JSC, which transit Russia and are shipped from Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga as KEBCO grade crude. Note: Weeks have been revised to run from Monday to Sunday, rather than Saturday to Friday. This change has been implemented throughout the data series and previous weeks figures have been revised. Note: The next update will be published on Tuesday Aug. 8, with future updates also to be published on TuesdaysIf you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click here for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations. --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Reuters) - Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, has visited Russian troops in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, the Russian defence ministry said on Tuesday. It said Gerasimov inspected a command centre and underscored the importance of preemptive strikes against Ukrainian forces. An accompanying video showed him poring over a map, receiving briefings and climbing into a helicopter. Gerasimov was for many months the target of savage criticism from Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and some Russian military bloggers over Russia's failings in the war. After Wagner staged a brief mutiny against the defence establishment on June 24, there were questions as to whether Gerasimov would keep his job. More than two weeks elapsed before he was first seen again in public, on July 10. Tuesday's statement and video seemed designed to show that he not only remains in his post but is actively engaged with troops on the front line. The Zaporizhzhia region has seen some of the fiercest fighting of recent weeks, since Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in early June. (Reporting by Reuters; writing by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Christina Fincher) The appeal of Vladimir Kara-Murza's 25-year sentence was rejected Monday, which Britain responded to by sanctioning those involved in his case. Pool File Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Britain has unleashed punitive measures targeting half a dozen Russians involved in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's harshest critics, after the appeal of his 25-year sentence was rejected on Monday. Kara-Murza, a dual British-Russian citizen, was sentenced to a quarter century behind bars mid-April on charges of knowingly disseminating false information about the Russian military over a speech he gave Arizona lawmakers in March 2022, and for executing activities of a foreign or international organization declared undesirable by Russia over holding an October 2021 conference with funding from the Free Russia Foundation NGO. Kara-Murza appealed his sentence, which was rejected by a Russian court on Monday, court officials told the state-run TASS news agency, which Britain immediately responded to by sanctioning three judges, two prosecutors and a so-called expert witness for their involvement in Kara-Murza's "politically motivated conviction." "The rejection of Vladimir Kara-Murza's appeal following his sentencing on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime, and their complete disregard for human rights and freedom of expression," Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement. "We will continue to support Mr. Kara-Murza and his family, who have worked tirelessly to try and secure his release. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally." Britain has repeatedly used its sanctioning powers to punish those involved in persecuting Kara-Murza and other political prisoners. Last year, Oleg Mikhailovich Sviridenko, Russia's deputy minister of justice and overseer of the prosecution of criminal cases, including that of Kara-Murza, was hit with sanctions. After Kara-Murza was sentenced, Britain blacklisted five Russians, including a pair of Federal Security Service agents linked to the two attempts made to assassinate the dissident with poisons in 2015 and 2017 and a judge who approved his arrest. Story continues The European Union in early June also hit nine Russians, including Sviridenko, with sanctions for their involvement in Kara-Murza's April sentencing. The Biden administration has also used its sanctioning powers to hit those involved in the imprisonment of the dissident. Sanctions generally freeze all assets and property under the name of the blacklisted individual that are within the borders of the designating country and include travel bans. Kara-Murza was arrested by Russia on April 11 of last year, less than two months after the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "This is desperate and unfounded," Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a brief statement published on social media media Monday. "Rejecting @vkaramurza's appeal is unjustifiable. He should be released immediately." Following the rejection of his appeal, Kara-Murza lambasted Putin for persecuting not only him but others who speak the truth about the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. "To those who organized my and other show trials of opponents of the war; by trying to present opponents of the authorities as 'traitors to the Motherland'; for those who are so nostalgic for the Soviet system, I would advise you to remember how it ended," he said. "All systems based on lies and violence end the same way." Days prior to the court rejecting Kara-Murza's appeal, Mariana Katzarova, the United Nations Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, called for the dissident's immediate release over concerns about his deteriorating health. "I urge a transparent and impartial review of Vladimir Kara-Murza's case in accordance with international human rights standards," Katzarova said in a statement on Friday. "His immediate and unconditional release from detention must be considered without delay." The Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed that Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, has visited the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast in Ukraine. Source: Russian Ministry of Defence on Telegram Quote: "While working in the area of the special military operation [as the Russians call the war against Ukraine ed.], the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov, inspected the forward command post of the grouping of troops on the Zaporizhzhia front." Details: Gerasimov reportedly heard a report from the group's commander, Colonel General Alexander Romanchuk, on "the current situation, the nature of the enemy's actions and the performance of combat missions by Russian troops on the Orikhiv tactical front". The Russian Ministry of Defence also shared a one-minute video of Gerasimov, but it is not clear where the Russian general is located. Why this is important: The Russian Ministry of Defence shares photos and videos of Russian military leaders from time to time, supposedly from the war zone in Ukraine. However, the Russian ministry has been caught lying before. For example, on 18 December 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defence posted a video showing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu flying over military positions in a helicopter. But it later turned out that Shoigu was actually about 80 kilometres from the front, in temporarily occupied Crimea. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with Iranian-made drones on August 1 injuring 1, Suspline reported. Two floors of a dormitory were destroyed as a result of the attack. Emergency services are reportedly working at the site. Firefighters were also dispatched to the scene after a large fire erupted. Previously it was reported that nobody was injured in the attack on the school building. According to Suspline, local officials later confirmed that one person was in the building. The drone attack also targeted the central parts of the city. Further information about the scale of the damage or the number of casualties is not yet available. Earlier tonight, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram that Russia attacked Kharkiv with kamikaze drones. Russia began launching drone attacks against Ukraine in September 2022. Since then, Russia has continuously depleted Ukrainian air defense systems. U.S. officials recently discovered Russian plans to build a drone-manufacturing facility inside with country. Kharkiv Oblast is situated in northeastern Ukraine. Apart from suffering from regular artillery and mortar shelling due to the geographical proximity to Russia, it also faces missile and drone strike on a daily basis. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills 6, injures 75, including children Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces launched an attack against a medical facility in Kherson, killing a doctor and injuring a nurse, head of the Kherson City Military Administration Roman Mrochko reported on Aug. 1. "Today at 11:10 a.m., the enemy carried out another attack against peaceful residents of our community!" Mrochko wrote on his Telegram channel. "The strike hit one of the medical facilities, killing a young doctor, who has worked there only for a few days, and injuring a nurse," Mrochko said, adding that medics are fighting for her life. Russian forces targeted the city of Kherson and other places in Kherson Oblast on July 31, killing four people and injuring 18, including a 16-year-old girl, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Read also: 12 killed, over 100 injured in Russian attacks over past day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. With the approach of the new school year, the Russians in the occupied territories of Ukraine have begun to search for children whose parents have refused to send them to the invaders schools. Source: Ukraine's National Resistance Center Quote: "Before the start of the new school year, the invaders are looking for children whose parents refused to send their children to Russian schools in the temporarily occupied territories. The Russians have created appropriate groups of collaborators who record, search and check the childs attendance at school." Details: The National Resistance Center stated that parents who have refused to send their children to Russian schools are being threatened with deprivation of parental rights. "The occupation authorities also obliged the parents to have Russian passports. At the same time, both parents must have it, otherwise, the child will be prohibited from studying, and therefore the parents will also be deprived of their rights," they added. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron NAIROBI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A move by Kenya to resume logging activities in public forests seeks to create a balance between conservation efforts and economic growth, the government said on Tuesday. The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry said in a statement released in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that it seeks to harvest trees from 26,000 hectares of public forests to create job opportunities and spur economic growth in rural areas. "These trees, if not removed, would eventually rot and die, leading to colossal loss of revenue, which would otherwise be used in the restoration of degraded forests," the statement said. Kenyan President William Ruto in May lifted a six-year ban on logging, which caused a public outcry. Environmentalists said the lifting of the embargo would reverse gains made in forest conservation at a time the country was facing the worst effects of climate change, including drought. "The lifting of the ban in gazetted public forest plantations was informed by an inventory undertaken by a Multi-Agency Taskforce between 2020 and 2022, which revealed 26,000 hectares of over-mature trees," the ministry said. It said logging would help improve the livelihoods of millions of individuals and communities that depend on forests. According to the ministry, Kenya's public forests cover more than 150,000 hectares and account for up to 6 percent of the 2.49 million hectares of gazetted forests that consist of pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees. The forests supply 31.4 million cubic meters of timber annually, against a demand of 47 million, leaving a deficit that is supplied through imports from Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the Bakhmut front, the Russians have tried to reclaim their lost position near Klishchiivka, Donetsk Oblast. Source: General Staff report Quote: "On the Bakhmut front, the Russians made unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the lost position north and west of Klishchiivka, Donetsk Oblast. More than ten settlements were affected by Russian artillery attacks, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske and Bila Hora in Donetsk Oblast." Details: During the day, about 26 combat clashes took place. It is also reported that on the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled attacks of Russian troops in the Avdiivka area. At the same time, the defence forces of Ukraine continue to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, gaining a foothold on the reclaimed territories, and carrying out counter-battery warfare measures. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ryan Gosling and Ncuti Gatwa as Kens in "Barbie." Warner Bros. Pictures "Barbie" trainer David Higgins said the cast got competitive during push-up and pull-up challenges. Higgins said Gosling won the pull-up challenge, while Simu Liu got first place in the push-ups. Gosling was so invested in the pull-up challenge that he even integrated it into the film. When it came to pull-up challenges on the "Barbie" set, second place was never "Kenough." London-based personal trainer David Higgins, who worked with the cast during filming last summer, recently spoke with Insider about how he got both the Barbies and Kens in shape for the big screen. That included multiple challenges to see who could do the most push-ups and pull-ups. And although the camaraderie was strong during every workout, Higgins said things definitely got competitive. "No one wanted to be the first person to drop, which kind of spurred everyone on at the same time," he told Insider. "It was a real fun and competitive environment for everyone involved. The shirts came off and we got the muscles out." Simu Liu and Ryan Gosling have a frenemy-type feud in "Barbie." Courtesy of Warner Bros. Higgins, who is also the author of "The Hollywood Body Plan," revealed that Ryan Gosling "definitely" won the pull-up challenge, while Simu Liu took first place in the push-up competition. Gosling was so invested in the pull-up challenge that he even integrated it into the film, Higgins added. Meanwhile, Margot Robbie took first place in the cast plank challenge beating Gosling by over a minute. She held a plank for four minutes and 10 seconds, while he clocked in at three minutes and two seconds. Higgins used the challenges as a way to help track everyone's fitness progress and inspire them as their times improved each week. The Barbies also did four days of Pilates and two days of strength conditioning, while the Kens did the reverse. Higgins told Insider that Robbie was so committed to her fitness schedule, she even did Pilates one day in her "Barbie" hair, makeup, and costume. Story continues Margot Robbie as Barbie. Warner Bros. "She was dressed up in one of the 'Barbie' outfits, full wig and everything," Higgins recalled. "She jumps on the Reformer and we do a quick 30-minute express workout. She said, 'Don't make me sweaty!'" "She just needed to move, and that's the beauty of Margot," he added. "I was talking to her as she's doing whatever she's doing on the Reformer and I was like, 'This is crazy.'" Read the original article on Insider Energy companies are investing heavily in the search for new reserves of oil and natural gas, but so far have little to show for their efforts, a report from Norwegian consultant group Rystad Energy found. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Though spending on oil and gas exploration is on pace to surpass pre-pandemic levels, Norwegian consultant group Rystad Energy said Tuesday that actual discoveries have so far been fleeting. Rystad found that the six global energy majors -- BP, Chevron, Eni, Shell and TotalEnergies -- committed to around $7 billion to exploration this year, some 10% higher than year-ago levels. Amid lingering concerns about a supply-side shortage emerging in large part because of production restraint from Saudi Arabia, Rystad believes that spending will lead to an acceleration in activity in the upstream sector, the exploration and production side of the industry. "Our forecasts show that the majors will contribute about 14% of total global exploration spending in the coming months, highlighting their relative significance in an environment where exploration has pivoted to the offshore sector, with an increased focus on frontier regions," their report read. That focus, however, has not been met with a corresponding uptick in discoveries. Rystad estimates upstream activity has yielded 2.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent reserves during the first half of the year, 42% lower than levels during the same period last year. A cautious approach during a period of transition suggests oil and gas companies aren't seeing the returns they may have otherwise expected in terms of new discoveries. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI Reports for the second quarter show firms buckled under the low-price scenario that prevailed early this year. Legacy assets from the likes of Shell aren't expected to move much beyond early-year levels. In terms of new developments, Rystad said there were 55 such discoveries during the first half of the year, compared to 80 over the same period in 2022. "If exploration efforts continue to yield unimpressive results for the remainder of the year, 2023 could be a record-breaker for the wrong reasons," said Aatisha Mahajan, a vice president for upstream research at Rystad. Most of the exploration efforts have targeted deepwater offshore reserves, though companies so far have little to show for their efforts. Rystad offered little explanation for the downturn other than to suggest capital discipline may be in part to blame. "The exploration and production industry is in a transitionary period, with many companies exercising increased caution and shifting their strategies to target more profitable and geologically better-understood regions," it said. "This strategic shift and the failure of several critical high-potential wells are contributing to the precipitous drop (in new discoveries)." Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho has filed the first murder case in the county stemming from a fentanyl death. The suspect, Ronald James Ehman, 44, was formally charged Tuesday afternoon with murder in the death of 24-year-old Mary Milagro Siryj of Folsom on July 26. Folsom police announced Ehmans arrest Tuesday morning. Police said Ehman provided fentanyl to Siryj. He remains in custody in Sacramento County Main Jail without bail. This is the first case that we have filed related to a fentanyl poisoning, Ho told The Sacramento Bee on Tuesday. A week ago, police responded to the 1000 block of Folsom Ranch Drive shortly before 7 a.m., where authorities say Siryj was found unresponsive. Folsom police arrested Ehman two days later. In a Sacramento Superior Court hearing, Ehman was wearing orange jail garb and appeared calm and stood with his arms behind his back as the single charge was read by Court Commissioner Alin Cintean. Ehman will appear next in court on Aug. 9. Public records indicate Ehman is a Rancho Cordova resident. He does not have a criminal history in Sacramento, according to online court records. Siryjs death came the same day that Elk Grove police arrested a man they say secretly placed fentanyl in his wifes food before she died in January. Glennis Douglas Smith, 48, was arrested on suspicion of homicide in the death of his wife, 49-year-old Jennifer Ann Smith-Floyd. Smith is being held without bail at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center on a murder charge and arson and insurance fraud charges from when police said he burned the couples travel trailer. The charge comes as California prosecutors are focusing more weapons on fighting fentanyl overdoses, including murder charges against people suspected of supplying the drug to victims who later died. From January 2021 to June 2023, nearly 400 people have died from fentanyl in Sacramento County, Hos office said in a statement. For several years, the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office has been forward-thinking and proactive in trying to prevent fentanyl deaths. Story continues In the past year alone, the offices countywide 1PillCanKillSac Fentanyl Public Awareness Campaign has reached 12 million people through PSAs on social media, streaming TV and audio sites, digital billboards and public transit. In this same time frame, more than 14,000 people have visited the offices 1PillCanKillSac.com site, which is a central website for fentanyl information and resources within the county. The office has also participated in 41 school assemblies and several parent meetings about the dangers of fentanyl. In addition to these awareness efforts, District Attorney Thien Ho is spearheading the creation of a Fentanyl Response Team, where specially trained investigators will be able to respond to fentanyl deaths to gather critical evidence and a specialized vertical prosecutor will be assigned to handle these cases. The Sacramento County District Attorneys Office remains committed to both efforts of preventing more fentanyl deaths and holding accountable those who knowingly distribute and sell deadly fentanyl. Efforts like those of the Folsom Police Department to identify and investigate fentanyl deaths will help ensure victims of fentanyl poisoning and overdoses receive justice. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire is credited with being the first prosecutor in the state to win a murder conviction in a case involving fentanyl. Nathaniel Cabacungan, 21, was convicted of second-degree murder July 7 after prosecutors say he provided the deadly synthetic opioid to a 15-year-old Roseville-area girl who died in June 2022. Gires office also has filed murder charges in two other fentanyl deaths from last year. Both of those cases are pending. A Sacramento police officer told a Black man he was being a s---head, before improperly detaining him in handcuffs, a department investigation found. The officer is still on the force. The department found Officer Joel McVey acted with discourtesy, conducted an improper search and seizure, displayed conduct unbecoming of an officer, and utilized improper tactics, according to a January letter Police Chief Kathy Lester sent him. The letter, which the department posted to its website Thursday, ordered him to attend additional training. In September 2022, McVey saw a vehicle parked at the Speed Wash in North Sacramentos Hagginwood neighborhood, according to the disciplinary documents. He shone a flashlight on the license plate, and when a man got out of the passenger side, McVey asked the man if he was on probation or parole. No, I am not, said the man, 31, whose name is redacted in the police documents. And please dont harass me because I did nothing wrong. I just asked you to take the light off my face. McVey then asked the man to turn around, the man asked why, and McVey said, Cause I f------ said so, then pushed him up against a parked pickup truck, the document states. You are being detained because you are being a s--- head, McVey said. McVey then threatened to tow the vehicle. The man asked for a supervisor. Sgt. Daniel Nutley showed up, and told McVey he shouldnt have detained the man. Unless they are fighting, you dont want to just automatically stow people. You got to have a reason, Nutley said, according to the documents. McVey did not immediately return an email seeking comment. During an interview with police investigators, McVey said there had been an arson at the location earlier that day. Our sergeant had requested my partner and I to have a high presence, high visibility in the area to deter any criminal activity, and to also maybe contact subjects that look like theres some reasonable activity going on suspicious activity going on, McVey told the investigator. Story continues Detention was improper McVey should not have detained the man so long, the documents state. You did not have legal cause to continue detaining him after you had identified him and conducted records checks, the records stated. Calling (the man) a s---head was unprofessional inappropriate and you made a mistake ... You can see how it couldve been perceived as an unlawful detention Tanya Faison, founder of Black Lives Matter Sacramento, said it appears McVey, who is white, acted with racism against the man, who was Black. He needs to be fired, Faison said. Trainings are performative. There needs to be an example set that when this happens, youre not going to get away with it. Youre not going to come back and have another chance to do it again. You are not going to treat the citizens of Sacramento like dogs. The Office of Public Safety and Accountability recently released an audit that found a systemic problem of officers engaging in a pattern of unreasonable stops, searches, and seizures violating community members Fourth Amendment right, specifically Black and Latino residents, Faison pointed out. Lester at the time said she agreed with parts of the audit, which contain helpful recommendations, but disagreed with the finding that racial bias in search and seizure actions is systemic. Other instances of police misconduct Officers Connor Lawrence and Brandon Lundgren in October 2020 referred to a group of kids as ghetto and retarded before improperly handcuffing a 14-year-old Black boy, a similar police investigation found. In that instance, the department waited nearly two years after the final disciplinary letters were issued before posting the documents online last month. For the McVey incident, the department waited nearly eight months. The department posted the documents for both cases on its website after The Sacramento Bee filed a California Public Records Act request for them. The department has to make public its records regarding certain police misconduct due to a state law called SB 1421. Faison said the department should not be taking that long to post the records, and also should provide video footage of both incidents. Both were reviewed as part of the internal review. They should be transparent to show theyre putting in an effort to do better, Faison said. McVey has been with the department since he graduated from the academy in 2019, the documents stated. He has no prior law enforcement experience. His total compensation last year was $98,788. Eric Paden, 52, of Salisbury was sentenced to 40 years of incarceration Friday, July 28 on sexual abuse charges involving a minor. Paden previously pleaded guilty on May 30 to sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of sexual offense in the third degree, and sentencing was deferred pending completion of a pre-sentence investigation and mental health assessment. Following his active sentence by Judge S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, Paden will be on five years of supervised probation and will be subject to 15 years of incarceration should he violate probation. More on a homicide investigation Hunt is on for homicide suspect after late-night shooting in Salisbury From January 2020 through December 2022, Paden sexually abused a minor within his household, according to prosecutors. The victim was under the age of 16 at the time and the investigation was conducted by multidisciplinary law enforcement employed by the Child Advocacy Center. Detective D. Schultz of the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office was the lead investigator, with Child Protective Services also assisting in the investigation. Assistant States Attorney Michael Calabrese prosecuted the case. More on Delaware fatal crash Delmar woman killed in 3-car crash on Sussex Highway on Monday This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury man sentenced to 40 years for sexual abuse of a minor sanctions on ruble Getty Images / Anton Petrus Economic sanctions have become the go-to response to the misdeeds of rival powers, rogue nations, despots, and evil-doers of all sorts. The coup leaders in Niger are the latest targets, with neighboring West African nations imposing financial penalties and threatening force unless ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is returned to office. The United States and Western allies have hammered Russia with sanctions since it invaded Ukraine, and China over its trade policies. Washington recently blacklisted 20 people in the Maldives for allegedly providing financial support to ISIS. Some commentators have gone so far as to say the United States has become "addicted to sanctions." The New York Times notes that the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list had 912 names on it in 2000. By 2021, that figure had jumped to 9,421. The Treasury Department slapped more than 2,500 sanctions against Russia, including companies and individuals linked to its war machine, after President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But sanctions aren't exactly a quick fix, particularly when the goal is to disable or topple a hostile regime. "Weren't the sanctions supposed to plunge the ruble into a death spiral?" Salon recently asked. The U.S. has enforced a broad trade embargo against Cuba since 1960, but more than six decades later the Caribbean island is still run by the Communist government handed down by the late Fidel Castro. North Korea faces long-standing, crushing sanctions, but it's still testing missiles and nukes. Is all this financial punishment doing any good? Sanctions hurt the wrong people The price of wheat has skyrocketed because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions designed to punish Moscow, said Anuradha Chenoy at The Nation. Russia is still raining missiles onto Ukraine, and the four companies that control 70% to 90% of the global grain trade Archer Daniel Midland, Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus are gorging themselves on fattened profits. Meanwhile, "food grains became unaffordable and 345 million experience acute food insecurity." Putin has not changed, but "Africa has become collateral damage in the sanctions game." Sanctions are a supposedly "low-cost" alternative to war the U.S. increasingly relies on, said The New York Times in an editorial. This nation accounts for "42 percent of sanctions imposed worldwide since 1950." But leaders often fail to factor in huge costs on both "vulnerable people" and "banks, businesses, civilians, and humanitarian groups" that shoulder the burden of compliance. And "open-ended" sanctions like the ones used to attempt regime change in Venezuela and Cuba often just encourage defiance. They're easy to impose but hard to lift, often resulting in "zombie sanctions" that do nothing but complicate more urgent diplomatic matters. Unless they're tightly focused and reversible once specific goals are met, sanctions "can ultimately undermine American efforts to promote peace, human rights, and democratic norms across the globe." Done right, they do the job It's hard to deny that some sanctions are working, said Dan Strumpf and Clarence Leong in The Wall Street Journal. China's tech sector has been "showing the strain from last year's sweeping U.S. export restrictions, which seek to stall Beijing's ambitions in cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence and supercomputing" by barring exports to China of the most advanced computer microchips. Chip exports to China are falling; Chinese companies report "struggling to get key components and machinery." China wants to "lead the world" by 2030 in artificial intelligence, one of the day's great technology battlegrounds. But, thanks to these sanctions, China's AI contenders "risk falling behind." Some complaints about sanctions are fair, said Hal Brands at Bloomberg. They indeed "have a lousy record in removing hostile regimes," and you can't use them "gratuitously" without making it harder to get allies behind them when they really matter. But the U.S. and its allies are locked in "a protracted standoff with a belligerent Russia," and "waging an all-encompassing competition with China. Containing these rivals will require containing their economic and military development, which means denying them money, technology, and other tools they might use to leap ahead." That's where sanctions can really work. "They are increasingly central to the great-power contests that will define our age." You may also like Homepage By Aziz El Yaakoubi and Mohammed Alghobari RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is giving Yemen's presidential council $1.2 billion to help the country's struggling economy, a Saudi source told Reuters on Tuesday. Fighting with the Iran-aligned Houthis in north Yemen has largely stopped over the last year but the Saudi-backed government, based in Aden, has grappled with a weak currency and high prices. The situation has particularly worsened in Aden and south Yemen since several Houthi drone attacks targeted oil tankers in southern oil terminals, stopping the government exporting crude oil from there. The support will contribute to strengthening security and preventing a return of military clashes, the Saudi source said. It would also encourage dialogue on all sides to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, the source added. A Yemeni official said the donation would be used to pay government wages, fuel for power plants and food imports. Yemen's war is seen as one of several proxy battles between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which agreed to re-establish ties earlier this year. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, ousted the Saudi-backed government from Sanaa in late 2014, and have de facto control of north Yemen. They say they are rising up against a corrupt system and foreign aggression. They have been fighting against a Saudi-led military alliance since 2015 in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and left 80% of Yemen's population dependent on humanitarian aid. In April, Saudi and Omani officials held peace talks with the Houthis as Riyadh seeks a permanent ceasefire to end its military involvement in the country's long-running war. The talks stalled over a mechanism to pay wages for public servants from oil revenues, rebuilding efforts, and a timeline for foreign forces to exit the country. Both sides said further discussions would be held to iron out remaining differences. (Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; editing by Christina Fincher and Alex Richardson) The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on Aug. 1 that it detained a suspected spy for providing Russian security services with information on the consequences of Russian airstrikes. According to the SBU, the alleged perpetrator was passing information about the airstrikes against critical infrastructure in Mykolaiv Oblast to the pro-Russian blogger Serhii Lebedev, also known under the pseudonym Lokhmatyi. Lebedev resides in Donetsk and works for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the SBU clarified. The suspect, reportedly a local businesswoman, is currently in custody and faces life in prison. Mykolaiv Oblast is regularly targeted by Russian strikes. Russia increased its frequency of attacks against southern Ukraine following its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Read also: SBU detains railway employee in Dnipro over spying for Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Aug. 1 that it had caught a corrupt official, who demanded bribes from contractors for the repair of military barracks in Odesa Oblast. The military official's subordinate, who conducted "negotiations" with businesses and dealt with transferring the money, was caught by the SBU while receiving a bribe. The repair company paid the money to win a contract to install lighting in military buildings in Odesa Oblast. According to the SBU, military officials in the region "regularly demanded 'kickbacks' from contractors who fulfilled state orders for repair work" at military facilities. The SBU believes that the bribes amounted to more than Hr 400,000 ($10,800), which was 20% of the total value of the contract to repair the buildings. The SBU stated that an investigation with the police is ongoing to bring those involved to justice. If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison. Read also: SBU detains alleged spy in Mykolaiv for passing information to FSB-connected blogger Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. KAMPALA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a cholera outbreak in central and eastern Uganda has reached eight, a health official said here on Tuesday. "As of now [Tuesday], we have a total of 25 cases, 10 confirmed and 15 are suspected. Of those who have died cumulatively, there have been eight registered deaths," said Daniel Kyabayinze, director of public health at the Ministry of Health. Uganda has confirmed the outbreak of cholera after six people tested positive for the acute infectious disease in Kayunga District and Namayingo District, according to the ministry of health. "We are now emphasising community awareness and health promotion, providing clean hygiene water, soap for cleaning hands," Kyabayinze said. Cholera is a serious acute infectious disease characterized by watery diarrhea and vomiting, according to the World Health Organization, which says that the disease remains a global threat to public health. In 2019, two people died in Kampala following an outbreak of cholera. A year later, at least 10 people were hospitalized following a cholera outbreak in Uganda's eastern district of Busia. A New Jersey school district has agreed to pay $9.1 million to the parents of Mallory Grossman, the 12-year-old whose death by suicide in 2017 sparked a national debate about bullying and prompted new state legislation. The settlement, announced Wednesday, marks the largest-ever payout in a bullying case in the state, according to Bruce Nagel, who represented the family in its case against the Rockaway Township School District, roughly 40 miles outside of New York City. The sixth grader at Copeland Middle School took her life on June 14, 2017, after enduring relentless bullying by her classmates, said her parents, Dianne and Seth Grossman, who filed suit later that year against Rockaway Township, its school district and school administrators, saying they had failed to protect their daughter. Despite repeated pleas to school authorities, the bullying persisted, the Grossmans said. Seth and I are satisfied with the settlement, ready to put this part behind us and move forward, continuing to lend our voice to the epidemic that is stealing our childrens future, Dianne Grossman said Wednesday. After her daughter, Mallory, took her own life at 12 years old after being bullied, Dianne Grossman created the anti-bullying group Mallorys Army. Mallory's Law Mallory's death spurred debate on bullying that led to New Jersey's passage in 2022 of Mallory's Law, which imposed new requirements on schools in the state to report and act on bullying complaints. In the aftermath of her death, the girl's parents also founded Mallory's Army, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating parents and school administrators about the dangers of bullying. The family also produced the documentary "Mallory" in 2020. "This settlement is one more step in dealing with this avoidable tragedy, and I hope that it sends a clear message to all schools around the country that our children must be protected from the horrors of school bullying, Nagel said. More: Anti-bullying advocate will shift tactics after another NJ girls bullying-triggered death At the time the suit was filed, the Rockaway Township district said it was committed to protecting students. It denied allegations that it hadnt done enough to stop the harassment, calling the claims "categorically false. Then-Superintendent Greg McGann resigned on July 1, 2018. Story continues Current Superintendent Richard R. Corbett did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Lawsuit details years of bullying The Grossmans' lawsuit said Mallory suffered for months at the hands of a group of fellow middle-schoolers. One allegedly texted the girl a picture of herself walking alone with the words "you have no friends." Another asked her "when are you going to kill yourself?" in front of other students, the suit said. Eventually, the family alleged, the stream of texts and online posts left Mallory "ostracized" from the rest of her classmates. Dianne Grossman said she watched her daughters grades plummet while repeated pleas to school officials for help went ignored. At one point, Grossman said, she called the mother of one of the bullying classmates, only to be told that the taunting was just a joke and not to worry. But it was no joke, Nagel said at a 2017 news conference announcing the lawsuit. "Her life tragically ended when her own classmates used this cellphone to drive her into this," Nagel said, holding aloft a black iPhone. 'We're getting somewhere' Progress has been made since Mallory's Army was formed, said Stuart Green, founder and director of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention. But gaps remain in current anti-bullying laws, he said. School administrators who fail to adequately address problems need to face more consequences, Green said. And schools need stronger peer mentorship programs and a more proactive attitude about addressing social and emotional issues among students. We're getting somewhere because there's more awareness," Green said. "As far as the $9.1 million settlement, Dianne Grossman is a remarkable leader on this issue. This is a good thing. It's a tremendous encouragement for schools and school districts and the education organizations to pay more attention to this issue and take stronger action to protect and support vulnerable kids." If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has resources to help if you need to find support for yourself or a loved one. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family of Mallory Grossman given $9.1M settlement in suicide case Shoddy cybersecurity practices and a willingness to pay ransom demands have made school districts ripe for online exploitation, new data suggest. In fact, theyve become the single leading target for hackers. Last year, a startling 80% of schools suffered ransomware attacks, according to a global survey of school IT professionals conducted by the British cybersecurity company Sophos and released last month. Thats a surge from 2021, when 56% claimed they were victims. The rate has doubled over two years, making ransomware arguably the biggest cyber risk facing education providers today, researchers found. The victimization rate against schools was higher than all other surveyed industries, including health care, technology, financial services and manufacturing. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter While the Sophos survey included responses from 400 IT professionals working in education globally, U.S. institutions are the prime target for many of these gangs, particularly since Russia invaded Ukraine, said Chester Wisniewski, field chief technology officer of applied research at Sophos. Chester Wisniewski (Sophos) Yet even among American institutions, he said two factors have made schools particularly vulnerable to threat actors. Costly cybersecurity safeguards in schools often fail to rival those in place at major businesses like banks and technology companies. And schools arent just easy to hack, theyre also easy to exploit for profit, he said. Nearly half of attacks against schools last year 47% led to ransom payments, researchers found, and their willingness to shell out cryptocurrencies to retrieve stolen files may have backfired. If a given sector pays more often than another sector, then they get targeted more often and if a given sector is really insecure and its super easy to break in, theyll also get targeted more, he said. In the case of education, unfortunately, its a double whammy because they do pay very often and they also are really easy to break into. Story continues The rise in ransomware attacks on schools coincides with the growth in double-extortion schemes, researchers found. In double-extortion ransomware attacks, threat actors gain access to a victims computer network, download compromising records and lock the files with an encryption key. Criminals then demand their victim pay a ransom to regain control of their files. If victims dont pay, the criminals sell the data or publish it to a leak site. Files contained in those data breaches routinely contain sensitive and confidential information about students, their parents and educators. After an attack last year against the Los Angeles Unified School District, threat actors published highly sensitive psychological evaluations of some 2,000 current and former students. Following a computer breach this spring at Minneapolis Public Schools, a cyber gang uploaded to the internet a trove of stolen files including ones detailing campus rape cases, child abuse inquiries, student mental health crises and suspension reports. While both incidents were large-scale attacks, many others likely unfold on a much smaller scale, Wisniewski said. Of the 80% of districts reporting attacks, he said the figure likely includes instances of a single students or educators computer being compromised. The sophistication is very low, its smash-and-grab stuff, he said. They literally are just encrypting a laptop and saying, Pay us $500 for the keys, and they dont have the time nor the skills to bother exfiltrating data and stuff like the big groups do. Scott Elder, the superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools, knows firsthand the challenges that education leaders face when their districts become the targets of cyber criminals. A ransomware attack hit his New Mexico school system last year, forcing the district to cancel classes. Ultimately, the district and law enforcement were able to resolve the attack without paying a ransom. He told The 74 he was surprised that schools have become the top ransomware target because we dont have any money. But hes well aware that districts are vulnerable. The reality is, we have incredibly dedicated people who are working incredibly hard to keep our data safe, but we just cant pay as much as the private sector, Elder said. Id imagine there are a lot of districts that are struggling to attract top-tier talent to do this type of work. Last year, stolen data was encrypted in 81% of cases against schools and attacks were stopped in just 18% of cases before district information was locked, according to the Sophos report. Of schools that had their documents locked behind an encryption key, threat actors made their own copies of the information in 27% of cases. While schools may be tempted to pay ransoms to retrieve stolen data quickly and minimize harm, the Sophos report offers counterintuitive findings. Recovery costs were higher in districts that shelled out ransoms, even before factoring in the cyber gangs financial demands. It also took those districts longer to get back up and running, according to the report. While 35% of districts that relied on file backups for their data recovered within a week, the same was true for 32% of those that paid ransoms. The report doesnt explore the number of school districts which didnt pay ransom demands and then had their confidential data leaked online. The confidential nature of compromised data, and the potential damage of its public release, influence districts decisions to pay ransom, Elder said. This is highly confidential information, some of it can be harmful, and were educators: We like to take care of people, Elder said. But I do think sometimes we have to draw a hard line to manage our property. Its a hard decision. I doubt theres any single answer for anyone. Insurance appears to be a motivating factor in districts decisions to pay ransoms, Wisniewski said. In school systems with standalone cyber insurance, 56% of victims paid the ransom compared to 43% with broad insurance policies that included cybersecurity coverage. Ransom demands are often covered by insurance, Wisniewski said, and companies who have to pay off the claims are likely to have significant influence over which districts come across with the money. The only conclusion I can draw from that is the insurance companies think that paying the ransom is going to save them money because in the end the insurance company is on the hook for helping you recover, he said, despite emerging data to suggest the contrary. The insurance companies are constantly playing catchup trying to figure out how they can offer this protection because they see dollar signs while everybody wants this protection, but theyre losing their butts on it. Related New $200 Million FCC Proposal Could Help Schools Combat Cyber Attack Onslaught The stubborn weed a bane to farmers everywhere now has a high-tech foe that combines artificial intelligence and lasers. The machine can zap 100,000 weeds per hour in a farming-meets-Terminator scenario for pesky undergrowth. (Hasta la vista, crabgrass.) The LaserWeeder was built by Seattles Carbon Robotics, and it could revolutionize the way farmers protect their crops from weeds. An obvious advantage is a lack of chemicals, as some herbicides are being studied by the government after links to human health risks. Speed and efficiency are also perks. A video of the machine, posted to r/Permaculture on Reddit, shows bursts of lights under the contraption as it slowly moves across a field, leaving little pops of smoke, with the remnants of weeds turned to crisps by laser beams. The process, while visually impressive, is also backed by results. The company said it kills weeds with precise computing that differentiates them from crops, scorching the unwanted growth in a microsecond while leaving the soil and food plants unharmed. We can kill these weeds. And we can do it with the use of our computer vision which allows us to in real time identify whats a weed, whats a crop and kill the weeds, Carbon Robotics founder Paul Mikesell told Forbes. NBC News visited a 2,000-acre farm in California as part of a story on what the reporter said is a $1.2 million machine. The machine is thinking, its learning, its understanding what its seeing, Mikesell said in the clip, also posted on his companys website. The lasers can zap plants too small for human hands to grasp, disrupting them on the cellular level. LaserWeeder can recognize 40 crops and twice as many weeds. The onboard AI can even learn the difference between food crops, like corn and onions, and remove one of them if the field is rotating to a different plant, according to the Forbes report. Essentially, it can say, its onion time; lets kill the carrots, Mikesell said in the story. Story continues The news could ramp up fears about computers taking jobs from humans. The machine can work around the clock in most weather conditions. But not many humans want the weed-pulling work, according to the farmer interviewed by NBC, who said finding workers is his biggest problem. And a labor union official in the clip said he is on board with tech that makes the job safer, less physically demanding, and better paying as long as it doesnt replace people. In that case, United Farm Workers representative Antonio De Loera-Brust told NBC, We welcome it. Our concern is automation will allow employers to basically discard [farm laborers]. Mikesell said his machine is just the start of the AI wave that will impact farming, telling NBC that LaserWeeder has the computing power of 24 Teslas. Even with all that said, one Redditor is still betting on Mother Nature over The Terminator. I cant wait until the weeds become resistant to laser beams in the future, the Redditor commented. Humanity will never be able to beat mother nature at her own game. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. Heat pumps are a key pillar of Scottish and UK government climate proposals The Scottish government is launching a consultation on plans to downgrade the energy efficiency ratings of homes with gas boilers. It is part of a strategy aimed at removing fossil fuels from heating in more than one million homes by 2030, a key milestone on the journey to reach a headline net-zero target by 2045. Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie argues the change would accelerate the uptake of more environmentally-friendly central heating systems such as heat pumps. But others question their suitability for many Scottish properties, and warn that homeowners could be landed with huge costs. What is the government proposing? The Scottish government estimates about 20% of Scotland's carbon emissions come from heating buildings. Mr Harvie wants to revamp the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, meaning homes with gas boilers would be downgraded compared to those with climate-friendly systems such as heat pumps. The government has pledged that all residential homes will meet band C in energy performance certificate standards by 2033, "where technically and legally feasible and cost-effective". Such requirements could potentially be enforced at certain trigger points, such as when houses are bought and sold, but the government is yet to set out the legal framework for its rules. Ministers have launched a consultation on proposals to reform EPC ratings and draft legislation for the Heat in Buildings Bill is yet to be published. Under current legislation, gas boilers will be banned from new-build homes and other buildings seeking a building warrant from next April. heat pump The Scottish Conservatives said Mr Harvie's plans would be "deeply concerning" for homeowners with gas boilers. The UK government has set a target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028 and said sales of gas boilers would be banned from 2035. But currently fewer than 50,000 heat pumps are fitted in British homes annually and the UK is bottom of the heat pump installation league table in Europe. Story continues What are heat pumps and how do they work? According to Scottish government statistics from 2021, only about 11% of households - approximately 278,000 - have a renewable or very low emissions heating systems, such as a heat pump, biomass boiler or electric storage heating. Heat pumps are favoured by ministers because they are extremely efficient - producing up to three units of heat for every unit of energy put in to the system. A heat pump is an electrically-powered device that absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building. For example, air-source pumps suck in outdoor air and pass it over tubes containing refrigerant fluids to extract the heat. Graphic showing how an air source heat pump works How much do they cost? Typically, it costs about 10,000 to buy and install a heat pump although that can vary depending on the property. To tackle the costs, the Scottish government currently offers a grant of 7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump, plus interest-free loans to cover the remainder of the installation. This is higher than a 5,000 grant offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report published earlier this year said most households with oil or electric heating would see significant falls in energy bills with a switch to heat pumps. But the cost implications for homes with gas boilers are less clear. Although heat pumps are efficient in how they draw heat from the atmosphere, they themselves are powered by electricity which is currently three times more expensive than gas. Are they suitable for all properties? Heat pumps are also not considered suitable for tenement buildings - which Scottish government research published this year estimates make up 40% of Scottish housing stock. A government working group is currently coming up with alternative proposals for such properties. Heat pumps produce hot water at lower temperatures than gas boilers, meaning homes may require larger radiators and microbore piping will have to be removed. They work best in homes with high levels of insulation. So further costs may come, in the form of work to add insulation or double-glazing to homes, to make the systems more effective. Are there alternatives? Alternative electric heating systems include immersion boilers, electric fires, fan heaters and infra-red radiators, for example, but none are considered as efficient as heat pumps. Hydrogen-powered boilers are another option. They work similarly to gas boilers, except they burn hydrogen instead of natural gas, meaning there would be no need to replace radiators. However, processes for extracting and producing hydrogen are not as well developed as other fuels and could prove to be less efficient than using electric heat pumps. Political fallout The Scottish government's plans are being spearheaded by Mr Harvie after the Greens entered government under the power-sharing Bute House Agreement in 2021. Since then, two key Green policies - Highly Protected Marine Areas and the deposit-return scheme - have been shelved following dissention at Holyrood and objections from Westminster. This has contributed to unease about the power-sharing relationship within SNP ranks. In the leadership contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon in early 2023, only eventual winner Humza Yousaf committed to upholding the Bute House Agreement. Ministers will be eager to avoid any further controversy about Green-led policies, but concerns were raised by opposition figures following Mr Harvie's announcement about EPC ratings. Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie has announced new policy proposals Scottish Tory net zero spokesman, Douglas Lumsden, said the proposals were "hugely naive" as he accused Mr Harvie of "typically acting like he knows best by ploughing ahead with these plans". Labour peer and businessman Lord Haughey, whose company is one of Scotland's leading suppliers of heat pumps, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland that electric boilers would be more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly options for most Scottish homes. He also said heat pumps do not work as efficiently in Scotland as they do in other countries, with some liable to malfunction at temperatures of minus 5C (23F) or lower. Mr Harvie responded by arguing that European countries where heat pumps are more common, such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, also have some of the coldest winters. "It's going to take us to 2045 to decarbonise our buildings, but we're starting now and we need to accelerate," the green minister said. "So this is not far-off, futuristic technology - heat pumps are a very well tried-and-tested technology." He told the BBC that companies were investing in smaller, more efficient heat pumps, adding: "That's where the innovation is going. That's where the industry is going." Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt announced Monday that she is recovering in outpatient care following a hospital visit for a sudden medical scare. Britt, 41, said she was spending time with her family in Montgomery, Alabama, over the weekend when she experienced a "sudden onset of numbness" in her face. "While with my family in Montgomery this past weekend, I experienced a sudden onset of numbness in my face. I was admitted to Baptist Medical Center South for evaluation," she said in a statement. The first-term senator said doctors determined that her symptoms were "a result of swelling of a facial nerve, most likely caused by a post-viral infection," she said in a statement. BIDEN SAYS REPUBLICANS ARE UNDERMINING THE US MILITARY Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt said she is recovering in outpatient care following a medical scare. A specialist from the University of Alabama at Birmingham evaluated her in outpatient care and agreed with the prognosis and course of treatment. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "My condition is not life-threatening, and recovery could take several weeks," Britt said in her statement. "I am grateful for the medical professionals providing excellent care, and my family and I are deeply grateful for your prayers." SEN. FETTERMAN REFLECTS ON 6-WEEK HOSPITALIZATION FOR DEPRESSION: I DONT EVEN LIKE ME. THAT'S THE TRUTH' Sen. Katie Britt said she was spending time with her family in Montgomery, Alabama, over the weekend when she experienced a "sudden onset of numbness" in her face. The health scare came shortly after U.S. lawmakers left Washington for its month-long legislative recess. Congress is not expected to return to the nation's capital until after Labor Day. The Alabama senator is serving in her first term in office after winning her election in November. She is the first woman to be elected to the Senate to represent Alabama and the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Upper Chamber. In early 2019, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and his new girlfriend, Nadine Arslanian, were riding high. He had avoided a federal bribery conviction after his trial ended with a hung jury, and the couple had begun traveling the world. Menendez proposed to Arslanian that October in India with a grand gesture, singing Never Enough from The Greatest Showman outside the Taj Mahal. They married a year later in a small ceremony in the Queens borough of New York City and were showered with gifts from a dozen influential friends, including the head of one of New Jerseys largest health care systems and a lawyer who would later become the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The senator moved into his wifes modest split-level house in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and they have since attended two state dinners at the White House, dining with the president of France and the prime minister of India. But their whirlwind romance has taken a sudden dark turn. Menendez, the 69-year-old Democratic chair of the Senates Foreign Relations Committee, is under investigation by the Justice Department for the second time in less than a decade. And this time, his wife is also in prosecutors crosshairs. The new inquiry, led by the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan, appears to be focused at least in part on the possibility that either the senator or his wife received undisclosed gifts from a company run by a friend of Nadine Menendez, and that those gifts might have been given in exchange for political favors, according to two people with knowledge of the matter and subpoenas issued in the case. Unlike her husband, who took a seat on a New Jersey school board as a 20-year-old and rose to prominence in Hudson Countys famously sharp-elbowed political scrum, Nadine Menendez, 56, has lived a mainly private life. She holds a masters degree in French language and civilization from New York University, but did not work outside the home while raising her two children in Bergen County, New Jersey, according to court records and longtime friends. She is described by friends, acquaintances and two former lawyers in much the same way: social, smart and highly fashion-conscious. Story continues She struggled financially after a 2005 divorce and even faced foreclosure. But by 2020, the year she and Bob Menendez were married, she had formed an international consulting company, and her assets included bars of gold bullion then valued at as much as $250,000. Nadine Menendez, who is represented by a Washington-based lawyer, now finds herself at the center of an investigation that carries the risk of steep criminal penalties and could alter the political playing field in New Jersey and in Washington as her husband prepares to run for a fourth term next year. The senators campaign finance reports underscore the gravity of the new federal inquiry. He has spent roughly $290,000 since January in connection with the investigation, federal election records show, and last month he created a new defense fund to avoid further draining his political accounts. The senator has said that he expected the inquiry would be successfully closed. His office did not respond to requests for additional comment. A Halal Monopoly The full scope of the federal inquiry, including Nadine Menendezs role, remains unknown. But the investigation appears to focus at least in part on the couples connection to a 40-year-old New Jersey businessperson, Wael Hana, who has known Nadine Menendez since before she started dating the senator. She and Hana were part of a group of friends who frequently socialized at restaurants in northern New Jersey; some of them shared an affinity for Cuban cigars. Several members of the network have received subpoenas, according to a friend who was interviewed by prosecutors and lawyers representing other people in the case. Hana began operating a startup company, IS EG Halal, in New Jersey in 2019, and it soon became the sole entity authorized to certify that any halal food product imported into Egypt from anywhere in the world had been prepared according to Islamic law. It was an unlikely development, given that Hana, a U.S. citizen born in Egypt, has said in court papers that he had no prior experience in the halal industry. Before 2019, four companies in the United States had divvied up the work of ensuring that meat exported to Egypt was free from ingredients prohibited by Islamic law and met strict processing standards, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The decision to give authorization solely to one company did not require U.S. approval. But it was an abrupt pivot by the government of Egypt, and news stories at the time chronicled how the steep new fees for certification were expected to lead to higher meat prices in a country that is home to 90 million Muslims. In November 2019, the FBI searched Hanas home and offices. Investigators seized computers, cellphones, Hanas passport and every single piece of paper in the companys headquarters, Hanas lawyer, Lawrence Lustberg, said in a court filing. Hana was not charged, and Lustberg, in the filing, said that his client was told he was not a target of the investigation. Federal prosecutors and the FBI are now investigating whether the senator or his wife received a luxury car or an apartment in Washington from Hanas company. It is, however, unclear which, if any, of Menendezs official acts as a senator is under scrutiny by prosecutors. Hanas spokesperson, Ellen Davis, has said that he got the halal business without assistance from any U.S. public official. Allegations about cars, apartments, cash and jewelry being provided by anyone associated with IS EG Halal to Sen. Menendez or his wife at all let alone in exchange for any kind of favorable treatment are totally without basis, she said in May. She declined additional comment. The investigation has reached in other directions as well. Prosecutors have asked for any correspondence from Nadine Menendez, Bob Menendez or a prominent New Jersey developer, Fred Daibes, about a bill that has stalled in Trenton, according to a person familiar with a subpoena issued in May to state Sen. Nick Sacco who was not authorized to speak about it publicly. The legislation would limit the height of buildings near the Palisades along the Hudson River and could have scuttled a skyscraper complex at 115 River Road in Edgewater, New Jersey, which Daibes has been planning to build for years. Daibes, whose company owns the building where IS EG Halal has its headquarters in Edgewater, pleaded guilty to an unrelated federal bank-fraud charge last year; his sentencing, which is expected to result only in probation, was recently rescheduled for the fourth time. Lustberg, who also represents Daibes in the bank-fraud case, said the new Oct. 26 sentencing date should not be interpreted to mean that his client was cooperating with prosecutors. Fred Daibes is not cooperating with the authorities against Sen. Menendez or anybody else, Lustberg said. A Shared Cause, and Pancakes Bob and Nadine Menendez first met years ago at one of his well-known haunts an IHOP in Union City, New Jersey, where he was once mayor. They began dating in late 2018. They quickly found common cause: a desire for the U.S. government to formally recognize the Armenian genocide, a brutal campaign by the former Ottoman Empire that killed 1.5 million people, including several of Nadine Menendezs relatives. In 2019, after a decadelong effort, Bob Menendez succeeded in getting the Senate to approve a resolution acknowledging the deaths as genocide, a step that paved the way for President Joe Bidens formal recognition of the massacre two years later. When he passed it, I had tears of joy, Nadine Menendez said in a 2020 interview with The Armenian Report, an English-language podcast. People ask me, Whats the next thing? What are you pushing him to do, backing him up to do? What would you like to see? she added. For me, the one and only thing I wanted was the recognition of the Armenian genocide. Nadine Menendez did not respond to requests for comment. But on the podcast she explained that she was born in Lebanon to Armenian parents, who fled during the Lebanese civil war. They emigrated to the United States when she was a child, eventually settling in New York. Court records and interviews with her former lawyers, acquaintances and longtime friends show that the years after her divorce were a time of legal tumult and financial uncertainty. She relied mainly on alimony and child support, and at one point picked up part-time work as a host at a New Jersey restaurant, said Douglas Anton, a lawyer who represented her in several past legal matters, including a dispute over her ex-husbands monthly payments and a lawsuit against an insurance company. Anton, who dated Nadine Menendez before her relationship with Bob Menendez began, recounted being struck by her sharp intelligence and feeling frustrated that she had not pursued a career. Just a smart woman, Anton said. Her talents were being wasted. In 2014, after having trouble paying the $1,897 monthly mortgage on the home she now shares with the senator, she enrolled in a federal program that lowered her payments, court records show. By June 2019 she had failed to make even the lower payments for six months, and Freddie Mac had begun foreclosure proceedings. Just as the foreclosure began, she founded a consulting business with the help of one of her soon-to-be-husbands close friends. It was the start of a dramatic improvement in her finances. State records show that Nadine Menendezs business, Strategic International Business Consultants, was incorporated on the night the mortgage company began foreclosure proceedings. The simple, one-page form creating the limited liability company was faxed to New Jerseys Department of Treasury by a law firm run by Donald Scarinci, who testified during the senators bribery trial in Newark, New Jersey. The company is run solely by Nadine Menendez from her home, according to state records, and does not have an online footprint or phone number. It appears on her husbands required financial disclosure reports because they are married, but little else about the nature of the firm is known. Scarinci declined to comment. The foreclosure was dismissed two months later after part of the debt was repaid and the mortgage was reinstated, according to a representative at the law firm that handled the foreclosure proceeding. Then, a year and a half after their marriage, Bob Menendez amended a 2020 financial disclosure form to include a new asset belonging to his wife: bars of gold bullion worth as much as $250,000. It is unclear how she came into possession of the gold, and in late June, he filed yet another amended report, noting that his wife had sold between $200,000 and $400,000 of the bullion. David Schertler, Nadine Menendezs lawyer, declined to comment. A Wide Net Proving that elected leaders accepted gifts or favors in exchange for an official act has only gotten harder in the five years since Bob Menendezs 2017 federal bribery trial, after a series of Supreme Court rulings narrowed the definition of what kind of conduct can serve as the basis for a corruption prosecution. Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York have seemingly cast a wide net, issuing subpoenas in phases as the investigation broadened. A spokesperson for the Southern District declined to comment. Despite the investigation, Bob Menendez has steadily raised funds to run for reelection, and he has remained a vocal presence in Washington and in New Jersey. I know Bob to be a real decent, honest guy, who I consider to be a good friend, said Mark Sokolich, the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey. He said he did not know Nadine Menendez as well but had spent time with the couple socially. Very nice, very pleasant, he said before offering an example of a typical exchange. Hey, Nadine. Hey, Mark. A little cordial kiss. Hows the weather? But not halal meat, or whatever this freaking thing is about. c.2023 The New York Times Company (Bloomberg) -- Ousmane Sonkos chances of running in Senegals 2024 presidential elections shrank further this week as the opposition leader was slammed with fresh legal charges. Most Read from Bloomberg Once considered the biggest threat to President Macky Salls ruling coalition in next years polls, Sonko on Monday was accused of plotting an insurrection, criminal conspiracy and spreading fake news. Sonkos mounting legal problems is making it increasingly unlikely that he will contest the elections, according to Tochi Eni-Kalu, an Africa analyst at Eurasia Group. It may be easier for a cow to pass through the eye of a needle, Eni-Kalu said in a text message. Sonkos Pastef-Les Patriotes party was also dissolved. The former tax inspector, who already faces two years imprisonment for morally corrupting a youth, will remain in custody while authorities investigate his role in fueling deadly riots last month, his lawyer Djiby Diagne said. This is a politically orchestrated process against someone who could potentially be the next president, Diagne said by phone. A government spokesman didnt respond to a request for comment. Two people died in clashes in the southern city of Ziguinchor on Monday, the interior minister said in a statement. Read More: Senegals Sonko Appeals Sentence to Avoid Vote Disqualification Pastef in a statement said Sonko, 48, could still contest elections as an independent candidate and that it planned legal action to restore the party. Internet access on mobile networks remained blocked on Tuesday. Some shops and gas stations didnt open. TotalEnergies stations will be closed for three days from Aug. 1 because of the social and political situation, the company said in a statement. Recent protests have targeted French-owned businesses including Auchan supermarkets and local branches of Societe Generale SA. Story continues (Updates with analyst comment in third paragraph, latest violence in eighth.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A diver clad in neon yellow swims beneath their boat in Oceania, Micronesia, with grey reef sharks silhouetted above. Westend61/Getty Images You may have heard that wearing bright colors may provoke shark attacks. But scientific research shows most sharks can't see color all that well. There may be other visual reasons the sharks seem interested in "yum-yum yellow." Picture this: hundreds of men stranded at sea in the wreckage of their ship. As they cling to the refuge, waiting for rescue, one by one, they begin getting picked off by sharks. Curiously, the tale goes, every man taken to his watery grave had one thing in common they were all wearing orange pilot suits. All the men dressed in green khaki suits were left alone. Samuel Gruber, a shark biologist, recalled this anecdote in a 1970s US Navy documentary about shark behavior. He said that story is the reason the Navy sponsored his research into shark vision, in an effort to determine why sharks seemed to be provoked by certain colors. This is a popular story in shark communities and is likely the origin of the myth that shark attacks may be caused by wearing bright colors, like yellow or orange. People even dubbed it "yum-yum yellow." Sharks can't see color very well Though Gruber's 1977 work confirmed sharks have sharp vision, it stopped short of drawing conclusions about color. But the more that modern research peers into the eyes of sharks, the less support there seems to be for the theory that sharks prefer to bite people wearing yellow or orange swimsuits. A shortfin mako shark. Richard Robinson via Getty Images A 2020 review of all the data to date said that most species of the predatory fish can't even see color. Most sharks only have one type of cone, which are the cells in eyes that pick up color. Most humans, by contrast, have three types of cones. This allows us to be sensitive to a whole range of colors in the visible light spectrum. But because sharks only have one type of the cell, they can only see in shades of black, white, and gray, the review reported. Even with this limited palette, the sharks are extra sensitive to differences between colors because their eyes are sensitive to light. This also clues them in to how vibrant a color is, according to the University of Florida's international shark file. Story continues So when it comes to swimmers wearing bright colors, it's not the shade that sharks see, but "it's the contrast that they can pick up on," Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida's Program for Shark Research, told the BBC. Sharks may be attracted by contrasting colors Nathan Hart, who authored the 2020 review, stated that contrast may be the attribute attracting the sharks. So, it isn't one specific color that attracts sharks, but they may be able to better see people in bright colors because it's a stark contrast to their blue, watery surroundings. This may make it easier for them to spot you. And if on the off chance, they're in the mood, easier to attack. This sensitivity to light and ability to see the difference between two colors likely evolved so that the sharks could live and hunt in deep, dark waters and at twilight, Hart said in his paper. Keeping all this in mind, authorities on the subject say you can switch out your swim trunks if you want, but it may not be a perfect solution. Yellow and orange are the best colors to wear if you end up in a dangerous situation and want to be spotted by rescuers. "There is a trade-off involved, but most would agree that the benefit of increasing one's chances of being rescued far outweighs the minimal risk of attracting a shark," Florida's International Shark File detailed. Read the original article on Business Insider Yuliia Shevchenko, an officer of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), was killed in action on 31 July. Yuliia joined the Ukrainian army in the first months of the full-scale invasion. Her brothers-in-arms say she was the deputy commander for moral and psychological support. Yuliia's fiance Taras Sukheniuk, also a soldier, reported the tragic news. "On 31 July, the heart of this beautiful girl, my fiancee, and my wife-to-be, stopped beating. A person who was a match for anyone with her courage, commitment and determination has passed away. She was an angel on earth helping everyone who needed it," Taras wrote. Yuliia Shevchenko, a NACP employee and servicewoman, has been killed in action Taras recalls the dream he and Yuliia had of a large and harmonious family. "She used to tell me, 'Taras, we are lovebirds; we will always be together,' and I used to respond, 'It will always be like that, my little bee. Sadly, this did not happen. I love you very much, and I will always love you...", Taras added. Yuliia was a postgraduate student at the Department of Criminal Law at the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in her civilian life. She has worked at the NACP's Department of Mandatory Full Inspections since early 2021. Yuliia was a postgraduate student at the Department of Criminal Law at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University Friends and colleagues describe Yuliia as a talented legal professional. "Yuliia joined us as a fifth-year student, having won the Anti-Corruption Assault project, which already says a lot about her character. She has worked in the NACP's Department of Mandatory Full Inspections since the beginning of 2021. She had a great desire to continue building her career on the anti-corruption front, but as it happened, she had to use her best skills in the war. Yuliia joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the country in the first months of the full-scale invasion. She perished as a hero in one of the hottest spots on the contact line in the country's east," the NACP said. Story continues The tragic news was confirmed by the girl's fiance Taras Sukheniuk Anastasiia Blyshchyk, a military volunteer with the AFU, a press officer at the 47th Brigade, and the fiancee of the deceased journalist Oleksandr Makhov paid tribute to the girl. "There are days when it's tough to breathe. Yuliia is no longer with us. If it wasn't for the damned enemy, Yuliia and Taras would have come back to civilian life, got married and had children. They would have been wonderful children. It would have been a perfect family. But she was killed. Viciously. Cynically. A Russian psychological operation on the Internet claims that we all "deserve this war". They can go f**k themselves! We did not deserve to be killed, tortured, raped and robbed. Our girl, may you rest in peace!", Anastasiia wrote. Yuliia and her fiance Taras dreamed of a big family Yulia's brothers- and sisters-in-arms also share their memories of her. "Yuliia Shevchenko was a worthy sister-in-arms. She cared for me even though I was not in her unit. The fragile, thin girl held the line alongside the brave guys. Yuliia was the deputy commander in charge of moral and psychological support. She is an excellent example for this position. I could feel her fatigue from a distance, so I wanted to hug her. I sent her a uniform and a soft pillow. She was so excited. And I was happy that I could at least support her this way. And now she is gone. Tears just fall on their own," said soldier Olena Ryzh. Yuliia is referred to as a worthy sister-in-arms The memory of the servicewoman is also honoured by her university's department. "Yesterday, on 31 July, Yuliia Shevchenko, a first-year postgraduate student of the Department of Criminal Law at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, was killed while defending her homeland from Ruscist invaders. Her young life was cut short, her future ruined, and all her plans and hopes shattered. A generously gifted girl with a brilliant legal and scientific future was lost. She laid down her life for the freedom and independence of her homeland, her people, and all of us. May the Ruscists who brought the war to our land and took you away from us be cursed. The entire department is deeply mourning and expresses sincere condolences to Yulia's family and friends," Yurii Ponomarenko, Head of the Department, said. Background: Earlier, Nataliia Depa, a combat medic from Lviv, who had joined the army along with her father and brother, was killed in action. The war also claimed the life of Lviv restaurateur Andrii Hudyma, who fought near the city of Bakhmut. Read also: "She was a warrior of light." Stories of Ukrainian women killed at war. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The man accused of fatally shooting an El Paso County sheriff's deputy during a 2019 traffic stop took the stand to testify in his own defense on Tuesday during his capital murder trial. "I shot Deputy Herrera. I beat him with a gun," Facundo Chavez said on the stand as he faces a charge of capital murder in the death of Deputy Peter Herrera on a road in San Elizario. If convicted, Chavez could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Chavez, 31, was the only person to testify Tuesday the fifth day of the trial. He was on the stand for more than seven hours. The trial, which started July 26, is ongoing in Criminal District Court 1 at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso. More: El Paso Deputy Peter Herrera final words revealed in capital murder trial When defense attorney Louis Lopez asked Chavez if he had done a bad thing, Chavez responded, "terrible." When deputy body and dash camera videos of the shooting were played in court, Chavez appeared to show no reaction. The videos were shown several times during Tuesday proceedings. Herrera's family has left the courtroom throughout the trial when the videos are played. However, they stayed in the courtroom when the videos were shown Tuesday afternoon. Herrera's mother turned her head away from the projector screen showing the videos. She stared at the courtroom wall holding hands with other family members until after the videos and a photo of Herrera's wounds were shown to the jury. Facundo Chavez takes the stand during his murder trial on August 1, 2023. Chavez is accused of capital murder for the fatal shooting of El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Peter Herrera Prior to the deadly shooting, Chavez testified that he and his girlfriend and co-defendant, Arlene Pina, had been doing methamphetamine, cocaine and Ecstasy at a hotel. He testified they were driving to Pina's dad's house so she could pick up some clothes when Herrera pulled them over. Defense attorneys claim deputy targeted accused killer Chavez says Pina started acting nervous and allegedly told him that Herrera had been harassing her, driving by her house, forced himself on her and had threatened them. Chavez was the owner of the handgun used to kill Herrera, but claimed that Pina pulled it out of her purse and gave it to him during the traffic stop. Story continues He did not know Pina had the gun with her, Chavez testified. Defense attorneys are arguing that Chavez was targeted by the deputy because of past run-ins between the deputy and Pina. Chavez testified he was scared and confused because of Pina's behavior and what she told him and that Herrera was acting in an "aggressive" manner during the traffic stop. However, when being questioned by state prosecutors later, Chavez agreed that Herrera's actions during the traffic stop were not aggressive. Pina allegedly told Chavez, "It's the same deputy that has been harassing me," Chavez testified. Chavez replied, "Wait, what do you mean? When did this happen?" Arlene Leeann Pina Chavez claimed that the deputy was only focusing on him even though Pina was out of the car grabbing things in the vehicle and was not listening to Herrera. He added, his mind was spinning and going "100 miles per hour" as Pina told him about the allegations and Herrera conducted the traffic stop. Chavez then confessed in court that he fatally shot and beat Herrera. Chavez allegedly pulled out the handgun and shot Herrera several times, leaving him mortally wounded on a dark stretch of Chicken Ranch Road near San Elizario. The shooting was committed because he was angry about what Pina alleged Herrera had done to her, Chavez testified. He had clouded judgment at the time, Chavez said. "Okay, if we are going to do this, let's do this," Chavez testified about what he was thinking when he got out of the car. The gun jammed, so Chavez started beating Herrera with the gun. "At this point, it was personal," Chavez testified. Chavez showed no visible signs of emotions as he watched the video of the fatal shooting. "No. No, what did I just do," Chavez testified about he was thinking after he shot and beat the deputy. State prosecutors focused their questioning on why Chavez continued to change his story in the days after the shooting. Chavez told investigators three days after the shooting he did it because Herrera was allegedly harassing Pina. However, he later told investigators in the same interview that he did it because he was a felon with a gun and would go to jail, according to prosecutors and a video of an interview with investigators shown to the jury. History column: El Paso County Law Enforcement Memorial Wall honors deputies killed in line of duty He told investigators that story because he was trying to cover up Pina's involvement in the shooting, Chavez testified. Pina was originally charged with capital murder. However, the charge was reduced to manslaughter in a plea deal made with former El Paso District Attorney Yvonne Rosales. Pina is serving a 15-year prison sentence. The video of the interview with investigators also shed light on Chavez's feelings days after the shooting. The investigators asked Chavez if there was anything he wanted to say to Herrera's family. "I regret what I did," Chavez told the investigators. "I know what I did was wrong .. .I am sorry for his family ... I know I have to face the consequences ... I am going to pay my dues. I am going to suffer. I'm sorry. He didn't deserve this. He was just doing his job." Chavez then asked investigators if he was going to get the death penalty. Investigators told him they couldn't answer that. They said it would be up to a jury. "He is gone," Chavez said. "I want to be gone. Maybe that is what the family wants ... There is no more daylight for me." Day six of the trial will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday with defense lawyers calling more witnesses to testify. Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Facundo Chavez testifies he killed El Paso County Deputy Peter Herrera ABUJA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter crashed into a building in a business district of Ikeja area of the southwestern state of Lagos Tuesday, injuring four people, said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. All four occupants of the aircraft were rescued, though sustained injuries, and taken to a local hospital, Ibrahim Farinloye, the coordinator of the Lagos office of the NEMA, told reporters at the scene of the incident. Tunji Oketumbi, the spokesman for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, also told reporters that details of the incident were sketchy but an investigation would be launched to ascertain the cause of the crash. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. The water had been off for seven weeks and his best hope of getting it back on remained just out of reach, so Mike Ramsey swallowed his pride and began typing out one more email begging for help. Maybe things would go differently this time. Ramsey, 49, had been brushing his teeth with bottled water, trying to use as little as possible because the cost of buying five or six cases each week quickly added up. Desperate for a shower, he wiped himself down with a damp cloth every few days instead. He hadnt felt clean in weeks. I mean no disrespect and I do appreciate all your help thus far, he wrote to more than a dozen top officials at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, which runs a $350 million program that promises to help homeowners recover from the pandemic but has been hamstrung by internal crises. Before the water was shut off, a program worker had assured Ramsey that his application was under review. Then the program was plunged into a series of upheavals. Almost fifteen months after hiring a company to run the program, PHFA ended the contract, citing a long list of problems: clunky software, long delays, unfair denials. The agency said it would take over, promising improvements. But state officials did not realize the scale of the problems. The number of pending applications was three times larger than they initially believed. The agency had to move more than 18,000 case files from the contractors software into a new system. Some cases were missing crucial information, which had to be entered by hand. Officials anticipated the transfer would be finished in a matter of weeks. Instead, it dragged on for months. Ramsey had already received help with his property taxes and electric bill, he explained in the email. But his water had been shut off in early March and it was now the last week of April. The program had promised to prioritize the applicants in greatest need, including those at risk of having their utilities turned off, and wouldnt that include him? Everything else is good now he wrote. I just have no water. Story continues In June, PHFA Executive Director Robin Wiessmann told state lawmakers during a committee meeting that she was very comfortable that wait times were dropping once applicants were registered in the new system and very confident about where the agency currently is. Almost five months after the state took over, however, problems persist, the transition has in some cases created new ones, and the agency has barely made a dent in the backlog. Many homeowners are no closer to receiving aid than they were at the start of the year. Among the findings of Spotlight PAs follow-up investigation: Due to legal requirements, homeowners with pending applications must register in the new system before they can get help. By late July, however, only about half the applications had been registered, partly because of widespread confusion over the process. As a result, thousands of homeowners, many of whom have already waited months for help, are still in limbo. Most homeowners who have successfully signed up for the new system still havent had their applications reviewed. Even fewer have actually received assistance. As of late July, almost 9,500 applications had been registered, but only about 900 had been fully paid out. Some homeowners found that ongoing mortgage payments the program had promised to cover stopped without warning, and were sent into a panic over how to handle bills the state had already said it would pay. PHFA doesnt always have a clear picture of who is most in need, compromising its ability to prioritize the most at-risk homeowners. The program stopped accepting new applications in February, with only a few days notice. The pause bought PHFA time to resolve the backlog, but cut off homeowners who would otherwise qualify for help. In a statement, PHFA spokesperson Scott Elliott acknowledged that the transition took longer than anticipated, but said the agency had to ensure the information it received from the contractor was accurate. Registering mortgage and utility companies in the new system has also been time-consuming, he said. Left with few concrete answers and no sense of how much longer they will have to wait, many homeowners like Ramsey feel betrayed by a program that seemed to offer a lifeline but has often felt more like false hope. Ramsey kept sending emails and calling the help desk, but his application didnt seem to move. Program workers kept telling him: Were still transferring the data. Wait for the email to register in the new system. Please be patient. When he felt angry, or dismissed, during these calls, Ramsey tried to remember that the person on the other end of the phone was having the same conversation over and over, that their hands were tied, that other people, he thought, probably had it a lot worse. But as the water remained off, he fell into despair. In the first days after the shutoff, he kept going to turn on the tap. As the weeks passed, he settled into an uneasy new routine. No shower. Takeout food on paper plates. Calling the program. No updates. No email. No shower. Flushing the toilet only every few days, after filling it from gallon jugs of water. Calling the program. No updates. No email. No shower. A complacent response The problems began before the program even opened. Pennsylvania received $350 million from the federal government to help homeowners recover from the pandemic. State lawmakers put PHFA in charge of distributing the aid. Concerned that this would overwhelm the agencys other operations, officials decided to hire a contractor. They settled on Innovative Emergency Management, Inc., a company with years of experience overseeing state disaster relief efforts. Once the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund launched in February 2022, thousands of applications flooded in. Neither IEMs staff nor its software was ready, state officials would later say. An IEM spokesperson denied this, as well as many of the agencys other criticisms. The fund offers homeowners up to $50,000 to help with mortgage payments, utility bills, property taxes, and other housing costs. But as a Spotlight PA investigation previously uncovered, many homeowners faced long, uncertain waits. They often complained that their IEM caseworkers stopped responding to them. Sometimes, applicants were left in the dark about policies that added to the delays. Some had their utilities shut off while waiting. This sounded like a program that could help, one applicant told then-Gov. Tom Wolfs office last summer. But this is turning out to be the opposite. By December, there was a backlog of thousands of applications, according to a memo shared internally by PHFAs contract manager. Many dated back to when the program opened, 10 months earlier. Advocates and state lawmakers were complaining, the memo said. Responding to public records requests, officials found messages from IEM to applicants that were not consistent with the level of professionalism and knowledge expected. When PHFA officials asked to see under the hood of the companys software for handling applications, they found that the processing steps were labor intensive and not automated, the memo said, in contrast to what IEM had proposed when bidding on the contract. North Carolina and Virginia, which had also hired IEM to run their programs, were having similar problems with the company, the memo noted. When PHFA tried to address these problems with IEM, the memo said, they received a complacent response. In an interview, Jon Mabry, IEMs vice president of disaster recovery, said the agencys own missteps contributed to the delays. State officials kept changing the policies, he said, which slowed down the processing of applications. IEM had to communicate with more than 1,000 mortgage and utility companies to confirm how much applicants owed, which was labor-intensive and often required multiple follow-ups, he said. When companies wouldnt use the automated system, IEM had to process that information by hand. PHFAs decision to end the contract announced four days after Spotlight PAs initial investigation came as a surprise, Mabry said. Everything was trending in the right direction. Federal data shows the amount of aid paid out each quarter had steadily increased over the course of 2022. PHFA officials didnt think that was enough. To get things back on track, they decided, the agency should run the program itself. It shouldnt be this difficult In February, PHFA prepared a list of FAQs for staff about the upcoming changes. What makes you think PHFA can do better? What actions are being taken to prevent similar issues from arising again? How can you guarantee that homeowners who have been waiting for months for financial relief wont be further delayed by the transition? The agency could not guarantee it. By the time PHFA took over, some applicants had already been waiting for more than a year. But officials decided that in the long-term the changes would be worth the temporary disruption. The disruption, however, has lasted far longer than they anticipated. When PHFA decided to take over from IEM, officials thought there was a backlog of roughly 6,000 applications. The real number, they later learned, was three times as large. Mabry, the IEM executive, said this number should not have come as a surprise, since the company sent PHFA daily reports with detailed application data. Elliott, the PHFA spokesperson, said the reports did not clearly define the status of pending applications. Part of the problem, emails show, was a miscommunication over the word backlog. PHFA thought it meant any applications not yet completed, while IEM defined it more narrowly. I am really confused, a PHFA official told an IEM manager via email as the discrepancy came to light. Transferring the more than 18,000 pending applications took months. Then another problem emerged: getting homeowners to register in the new system. Until they do this, their applications cannot progress and they cannot receive assistance. PHFA said homeowners would receive an email with the link to sign up. But according to advocates, many applicants said they never got it. Those who did often found the registration process confusing. One legal aid attorney said almost all of her clients needed help completing it. For many of those waiting for assistance, the stakes are high. Of the applicants who had registered in the new system as of mid-July, more than 2,300 said they were at risk of foreclosure, according to PHFA. More than 2,800 said they were at risk of having their electricity disconnected, while more than 1,600 said they were at risk of having their water shut off. Laurie Ramsdales house in Schuylkill County has been in her family for over 100 years. The house is scheduled to be sold in September unless she catches up on almost $2,400 in back taxes. Ramsdale, 50, applied for help in January, before PHFA took over. By May, she still hadnt received the sign-up link, so she started searching online. Someone had shared the link on a Reddit page for applicants. She clicked on it and began to register, but partway through, panicked that it might be a scam and stopped. She later finished registering, after confirming it was legitimate. A worker told her the program was checking whether she qualified. As the tax sale grew closer, Ramsdale felt as if her application had made no progress in the five months since she had submitted it. It shouldnt be this difficult, she said. PHFA would not answer questions from Spotlight PA about specific cases, even with written permission from applicants. But the agency did respond to questions directly from homeowners, telling Ramsdale that the sign-up email might have gone into her spam folder.Elliott, the PHFA spokesperson, said homeowners do not have to submit documents from their original applications for a second time. Some applicants are confused, though, because the registration portal warns, in red type, that certain documents are required and that applications cannot be reviewed until they are provided, screenshots show. Ramsdale thought she had to dig up and resubmit documents shed already uploaded months earlier. In mid-June, too late to help Ramsdale, PHFA added instructions to the programs website clarifying this, and publicly posted the link to register. Other guidance to applicants, though, has also been confusing. Recent social media posts said homeowners were being asked to perform a simple access point setup to help quicken the review of applications without spelling out that if they didnt, they could not receive assistance. Elliott said most of the agencys social media posts make the stakes clear. By late July, many applicants still werent even in line to receive assistance; about 48% of applications had not been registered. The agency has been calling applicants to remind them to sign up, as well as sending instructions in the mail and via email, and holding in-person events across the state, Elliott said. Once applicants have registered, they face another wait: around two months, on average, according to PHFA. The delays have now dragged on for so long that some applicants have likely given up on getting help. In some cases, homeowners can work out an arrangement with their mortgage companies to catch up on late payments, although rising interest rates have made this unaffordable for many borrowers. Others may have sold their homes. Aid programs like this one are the best option for many homeowners who have fallen behind, but deciding whether to wait for assistance with the threat of foreclosure looming is an almost impossible choice, said Stacey Tutt, an attorney at the National Housing Law Project. Theres so much uncertainty. Advocates holdings signs at the State Capital. A shroud over my head Patty Pollock only found out about the program once she was on the brink of losing her home. By the time she applied last December, Pollock, 67, was thousands of dollars behind on her mortgage, facing foreclosure, and in desperate need of help. Less than two weeks later, her mortgage company won a default judgment against her, giving it the right to eventually sell her home of almost 24 years. Pollock sent the judgment to IEM. Three months later, she sat on the witness stand in a Columbia County courtroom, her mouth turned down in worry. The hearing was a last-ditch attempt to undo the foreclosure judgment against her. Her attorney asked whether she had any solid information about her application. 100% no. Homeowners with federally backed mortgages, like Pollock, were supposed to be protected from foreclosure for up to 60 days while they waited for help. But that protection only kicks in once the program not the homeowner tells a mortgage company someone has applied. As Pollock sat in court that day, her loan servicer had not heard from PHFA or IEM. Her case was stuck in a bureaucratic no mans land. An IEM spokesperson said that under the programs rules, Pollocks case didnt meet the criteria for immediate escalation because her house was not scheduled to be sold. As a result, her application still hadnt been fully reviewed by the time her file was passed on to PHFA, two months before the hearing. Elliott, the PHFA spokesperson, said the agency would only contact an applicants mortgage company once their file had been selected for processing and they were deemed eligible. Trying not to lose faith in the program, Pollock drove home to wait for the judges ruling. Her house was her sanctuary, but now it felt temporary, so she stopped mowing the grass. Spring was coming, but she didnt plant flowers in her front yard, or move her wicker furniture onto the front porch, where wind chimes and potted ferns hung in the shade. The foreclosure case was always on her mind. She couldnt focus. Small things made her cry. She turned down invitations from friends. It was like there was a shroud over my head and I couldnt get rid of it, she said. Housing advocates fear that homeowners facing foreclosure could slip through the cracks while they wait and in late June urged PHFA to do more to protect them, by providing a list of applicants to local judges. Robin Wiessmann, the agencys executive director, wrote to judges and court administrators in July telling them about the delays and the programs efforts to expedite applications for those at the greatest risk. PHFA said it would not give courts the names of applicants because of privacy concerns. Advocates also asked the agency to petition the state Supreme Court to halt foreclosures for homeowners who are still waiting; Elliott said PHFA decided against this due to logistics and case law. In response to questions from Pollock, the agency said she had not indicated she was in foreclosure when she registered in the new system. Pollock couldnt remember the details of the sign-up process, which she said she completed in late April. But she said she had called and emailed the agency about her foreclosure case multiple times. Her attorney also contacted the program about the case in February, emails show. In the weeks after the hearing, Pollock worried about whether to file for bankruptcy, and how she would find a place to rent with her two German shepherds. She thought about locking the door behind her and walking away from the house, or locking the door and staying inside for as long as she could. It felt like living on borrowed time, she said. She could not bring herself to tell her sons about the foreclosure case. Finally, in May, Pollock got the news she had been hoping for: The judge agreed to reopen the case, taking it one step backward. At last, she bought yellow flowers to plant in the yard: begonias, bidens and sunflowers. She finally had a caseworker, but she still didnt know for sure whether the program would be able to help her. She was still facing foreclosure. She tried not to get her hopes up. Another wait stretched ahead. I thought this was the end of my stress Even some homeowners who had already begun receiving assistance found that it could stop abruptly. In early January, the program agreed to cover the mortgage payments on Jennnifer Swahls house in Chester County for the next six months. The money for February and March arrived promptly. But by April 15, she said, the payment still had not appeared and Swahl, 54, was officially late. She scrambled to cover it herself, letting her car payment and electric bill slide as the safety net she had been promised disintegrated beneath her. Other applicants were having the same problem. One homeowner told Gov. Josh Shapiros office in April that they fell behind on their mortgage and received a foreclosure warning notice after the program failed to make payments it was supposed to cover. Another homeowner who said their payments stopped told Shapiros office the following week: I thought this was the end of my stress over my house but it has begun all over again. In an attempt to close out applications before IEMs contract ended, PHFA told the company to bundle ongoing mortgage assistance into a lump sum instead of making monthly payments. This led to confusion among mortgage companies over how to apply the money to homeowners accounts. The agency then told IEM to stop paying out ongoing mortgage assistance altogether, state records show. PHFA said it would handle those payments instead but the agency said it could not resume the payments until applicants registered in the new system. Swahls mortgage company received the rest of the money in June, two months after the payments stopped. Elliott declined to say how many homeowners were affected, but acknowledged that PHFA should have told them payments would be disrupted. Mike Ramsey poses for a portrait outside his home in Charleroi, Pa., on June 20, 2023. Your application is in limbo After applying for assistance last summer, Mike Ramsey received thousands of dollars to catch up on his electricity bill and late property taxes. But his financial problems werent over. In December, he said, he left his job as a bus dispatcher. For years, he had missed more and more work as he tried to push through heart problems, high blood pressure, and bad knees that made sitting at a desk for hours unbearably painful. In February, a notice from the local water authority warned Ramsey that he was almost $1,000 behind and 10 days away from having his service shut off. He sent the notice to his IEM caseworker. The timing could hardly have been worse. In late February, IEM signed up Ramseys local water authority for the program. But the deadline for PHFA to take over was nearing and time was running out. The company did not receive the information it needed from the water authority in order to make a payment before its last day of work on the program, in early March, an IEM spokesperson said. PHFA initially ended its contract with IEM without saying the company was at fault. Then a plan to have IEM close out thousands of applications, including Ramseys, fell apart after PHFA discovered new problems with the companys performance. The agency said IEM had fallen short from the start of the contract; the company denied this and threatened legal action. The two sides eventually agreed to a truce, pending the results of a PHFA investigation. Ramsey, meanwhile, had no water and no answers. In late March, a program worker told him, via email, that until PHFA had transferred all the files from IEMs system, they couldnt provide information about specific applications. He received the exact same email a month later. The program referred him to a nonprofit specializing in utility law, but a paralegal there told him that since his water was already off, there was nothing they could do. Unless PHFA manually migrated his file into the new system, or sent him the sign-up link, she told him in an email, your application is in limbo and will not be processed. In response to questions from Ramsey, PHFA said it had not been informed that his water was off although Ramsey had told multiple people at the agency in more than a dozen phone calls and at least seven emails, including one with the subject line: !!! PLEASE READ, MY WATER HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR 2 MONTHS !!! The agency also said the link to register was sent to the email address Ramsey used when he first applied, last year, not the one he gave when he called the help desk. Ramseys messages, however, show he had been contacting the program for months using the email address he applied with. After 10 weeks with no water, Ramseys service was finally restored in May. WHILE YOURE HERE If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Photograph: YAY Media AS/Alamy A man drove a sport-utility vehicle into six people in North Carolina who were described as migrant workers in what appears to be an intentional assault, police have said. All six victims were taken to hospital after the apparent attack, and have since been released. Related: Ripe for political violence: US election officials are quitting at an alarming rate Investigators in Lincolnton about 35 miles north-west of Charlotte had been hunting the driver of the car, who fled the scene, until Monday evening when a person of interest came forward. Law enforcement took that person into custody after he came into the police department with a family member, authorities told local media. They have not yet disclosed the mans identity. Police made it a point to say the motive for the reported assault, which unfolded at a Walmart parking lot on Sunday, remained under investigation. Nonetheless, it came at a time of intense political rhetoric related to immigrants and immigrant workers. A hardline stance on immigration has become essential among Republican candidates for president, and 2024 White House hopefuls including Donald Trump repeatedly rail against migrants in campaign speeches. In a statement, Lincolnton police department said six people were struck by a car at about 1.17pm local time Sunday. All six were transported to Atrium Health Lincoln with various injuries, police said. None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening. The workers had arrived at the Walmart parking lot late Sunday morning from Knob Creek Orchard in Lawndale, where they tend to the farmland. Brian Greene, the interim police chief, said they make the same trip once a week and use a shaded lawn at the bottom of the parking lot as their regular meeting place to board buses. The men were standing under trees when an SUV pulled up next to the bus. It turns right in front of the bus and appears like its almost going to park, Greene said, describing security footage of the incident. And then it appears to accelerate at the last minute, jumping the curb, hitting the individuals and the trees and going through the area into the other side of the parking lot and exits the same way it came. Story continues The victims injuries included broken legs and ankles as well as concussions, the Charlotte Observer reported. Police had appealed for the public to help track down the driver and the car. The vehicle is an older model mid-size black [SUV] with a luggage rack, police said. The driver was described as an older white male. In May, a man was charged with manslaughter after plowing into a crowd outside a migrant center in Brownsville, Texas, a community on the border with Mexico. Witnesses reported that the driver in the Texas case shouted anti-immigration sentiments, including that immigrants were invading the US. He said, Damn your mother, immigrants, Freddy Granadillo, who migrated to Texas from Venezuela, told the Guardian. Leave my country, he recalled the driver saying. The Associated Press contributed to this report Israeli security men near the covered body of the gunman (AHMAD GHARABLI) A Palestinian gunman opened fire at a group of Israelis in a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, wounding six people before being shot dead, police said. Since early last year, the West Bank has seen a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. "A terrorist opened fire at a group of people in Maaleh Adumim," a police statement said, referring to the Jewish settlement and adding that an off-duty border police officer "neutralised" the assailant. Police later confirmed to AFP that the gunman was shot dead, during the incident near a shopping mall. The Palestinian health ministry said the assailant, named as Muhannad Mohammad al-Mazaraah, 20, was killed by "occupation bullets". Hospitals in Jerusalem said they were treating six people including a teenager wounded in the attack, two of whom were in a serious condition. The off-duty officer who shot the gunman said he was in a barbershop when he heard shots and shouting, and rushed outside. He said he saw a man wearing a yellow vest and holding a pistol. "I wasn't sure he was the terrorist," the officer, whose identity was not revealed, said in a video released by police. "I yelled at him to stop and cocked my gun. He began firing at me, and I realised he was the terrorist." Police said the officer then managed to shoot the gunman dead in return fire. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967. Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, the territory is home to nearly three million Palestinians and around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law. The Palestinians, who seek their own independent state, want Israel to withdraw from all land it occupied in the Six-Day War and to dismantle all Jewish settlements. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took power in December in a coalition between his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, has pledged to "strengthen settlements". He has expressed no interest in reviving peace talks, which have been moribund since 2014. Story continues - Separate incident - Israel's hardline Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who himself lives in a settlement, praised the officer who killed the gunman and also the government policy to distribute weapons to citizens. It "is an important policy that proves itself", he said after visiting the site of the attack. "I think that (distributing weapons) to this combination of citizens, border policemen, fighters, policemen who defend the state of Israel is the right combination," Ben-Gvir said. Since being appointed in December, Ben-Gvir has worked to streamline the licensing process for private guns in Israel to enable people who meet the country's strict criteria to bear arms. In a separate incident later Tuesday in the southern West Bank, soldiers questioned a Palestinian who aroused their suspicion at a bus stop. "The suspect attempted to stab them. One of the soldiers neutralised the assailant," the army said in a statement, sharing a picture of a knife. The Palestinian health ministry said Mohammad Farid al-Zaarir, 15, was shot dead in the incident. Violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has this year killed at least 205 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides. They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority. bur-jjm/it Vice President Kamala Harris (Left), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Right) Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to dig his heels in over his states African American history curriculum. On Monday, he wrote a formal letter inviting Vice President Kamala Harris to Florida to discuss the new standards pushing the idea that slavery benefited enslaved people. One would think that the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History, wrote DeSantis. But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents extremists. Its past time to set the record straight. Read more In the letter, DeSantis writes that hes prepared to meet with the Vice President as early as Wednesday. Clearly, you have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice, quipped DeSantis, noting Harris previous trip to the state to discuss the new standards. To be clear, the record that DeSantis wants to set straight is about new curriculum standards passed by Florida education officials that, among other things, would teach public school students that there are were actual benefits to Black folks who had been enslaved. Given that American slaverys legacies include rape, torture, brutal murders, the forced breakup of families, forced illiteracy, forced breeding of humans for their enslavers economic benefit and a bloody Civil War, not to mention the centuries-long social, political and economic disenfranchisement of Black people that continues to this day, were not sure exactly what those benefits might have been. Were even less sure Mr. Anti-Woke has any idea, either. Harris, who called the new curriculum revisionist history, seems quite unlikely that she will take DeSantis up on his offer. But his challenge says much more about DeSantis willingness to dig his heels in over his thoughts on slavery than his relationship with the Vice President. Story continues At this point, several of DeSantis 2024 primary opponents have spoken out against the new standards, including Senator Tim Scott, Former Vice President Mike Pence, and Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd. Even the group tasked with putting the curriculum together seems to have raised concerns. Three members of the working group reportedly told NBC News that the majority of the team disagreed with the more controversial aspects of the curriculum. According to NBCs reporting, the suggestion that slavery benefitted enslaved people wasnt their only issue with the new curriculum. The working group also raised concerns about requiring schools to teach about violence perpetuated by Black Americans within the context of horrific acts of violence against the Black community, including the Tulsa Race massacre. This particular fight isnt a great look for DeSantis, who is hemorrhaging money and desperately needs to look like a serious candidate and not a less interesting Donald Trump knock-off. And its certainly taking up more air-time than his newly unveiled economic plan, which was intended to make him look strong on policy. For now, it seems DeSantis is committed to trying to gaslight the nation into believing slavery was a good thing, regardless of how ridiculous it looks from the outside. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The death of OShae Sibley, a gay man who was attacked at a Brooklyn gas station Saturday night, is being investigated as a possible biased incident, according to police. A bias or hate incident is an act of prejudice that is not a crime and does not involve violence, threats or property damage, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). How the stabbing is being investigated differs across outlets. While police told The Hill and reportedly The Guardian that they were investigating the encounter as a possible biased incident, officials said the NYPD were investigating it as a hate crime, according to ABC News and The Washington Post. A hate crime is a crime motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, according to the DOJ. Sibley, a 28-year-old professional dancer, was reportedly voguing to music by Beyonce when approached by a group of men telling Sibley and his friends to stop dancing. The group of men that approached reportedly began using slurs as the confrontation escalated. One of the men then allegedly stabbed Sibley. Voguing is when someone dances to music in such a way as to imitate the characteristic poses models strike on the runway. Voguing originated in the Black and Latino LGBTQ communities of Harlem, N.Y., around the 1960s-1980s, when drag competitions known as balls would take place and first developed this stylized form of dance. Surveillance video captured the exchange between the men. The New York Police Department said the investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. In a video posted to Facebook hours after the murder, one of Sibleys best friends, Otis Pena, described the events that took place. Pena, through tears, said Sibley was stabbed right in front of me after he defended his friend. They killed OShae. They killed him right in front of me. I was covered in his blood, and Im holding his stab wound, and OShae was just trying to tell people, like, Yo, we may be gay, but were not, its not calling for all of that. And he stabbed him. He stabbed him right in the heart, Pena said in the video. Story continues They murdered him because he was gay. Because he stood up for his friends. Letting people know that, yeah, we might be gay, but were just celebrating my brothers birthday, Pena said, adding, Happy birthday to me, right? Pena said he put pressure on the stab wound before EMS responded and took Sibley to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased, according to police. Updated 3:34 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A San Miguel resident who owes the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorders Office $4,448 after objecting to the full bill for a Board of Supervisors ballot recount will find out soon how much shell have to pay. After two days of testimony that concluded Monday, a court commissioner will weigh both sides and determine who should cover the remaining cost. As the person who requested the recount, Darcia Stebbens is required by state law to cover the full cost of the recount, which was $53,346 for the District 2 race won by Bruce Gibson. She paid the majority of it, before questioning the fairness of the remaining sum. County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano then sued Stebbens in small claims court for the balance. On Friday and Monday, Cano and Stebbens met at the Grover Beach branch of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court to present their arguments to Commissioner Leslie Kraut. Stebbens disagreed with paying three charges: hours worked by county counsel, benefits packages of employees working on the recount, and printed copies of recount guidelines supplied to staff and observers. Cano, however, said the county would not have incurred those three costs if Stebbens hadnt requested the recount so they are Stebbens responsibility to pay. By Wednesday, Aug. 30, Kraut will decide how much of the remaining balance Stebbens is required by law to pay. Kraut said that her jurisdiction is limited in small claims court, as her job is to decide if the clerk-recorders recount charges are justified by the law, nothing more. Its a statutory right and obligation for the elections official to conduct the recount as they see fit, Kraut said on Monday. If theres a statute supporting their right to carry the recount the way that they want, I cant rewrite that statue. What happened during the recount? On Dec. 12, about a week after the November election was finalized, Stebbens requested a recount for the District 2 supervisor race. Incumbent Bruce Gibson defeated Templeton resident Bruce Jones for the seat by 13 votes, according to the certified election results. Story continues The recount started on Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. when Stebbens paid the county $16,995. The sum covered estimated costs for preparing the recount and the first days tasks. Each morning, the county charged Stebbens the estimated cost of the days recount work, including time spent sorting and counting ballots, hiring security, and printing physical materials, Cano said. According to Cano, the daily estimated cost fluctuated based on staff duties and number of staff needed per activity. Stebbens ended the manual recount early on Dec. 29 after election staff had tallied about 20% of the ballots. By then, she had paid the county $45,979. How much has SLO County woman paid for the recount? When the recount ended, the county tallied all actual costs that werent included in the estimated costs, and informed Stebbens that she owed another $7,367, Cano said. Cano sent Stebbens a detailed list of the costs she was charged for the recount, including physical materials and a breakdown of hours worked by staff. Jan. 25 was the countys original deadline for recount reimbursement. When Stebbens didnt pay, the county extended the deadline to Feb. 3, when Stebbens paid the county another $2,918, according to Cano. The remaining $4,448 didnt pencil out, according to Stebbens own calculations of staff and material costs, she told the Tribune. The county gave Stebbens another chance to pay the remaining balance on Feb. 23. Stebbens refused, and Cano filed a lawsuit on May 1 to recover the remaining funds. Stebbens argues for lower bill in court On Monday, Stebbens told the commissioner that she shouldnt have to reimburse the county for printing 1,360 pages of its recount guidelines because she didnt ask the county to create it. Cano, however, said that code section 20831(b) of the California Code of Regulations requires the county to provide copies of recount regulations and procedures to staff, the requestor, observers and any other interested parties before the start of the manual tally. Cano also cited code section 20815(e), which states that all actual costs of the recount that would not have been incurred but for the requestors particular recount request must be reimbursed by the requestor. The county wouldnt have needed to print recount guidelines if Stebbens hadnt requested the recount, so Stebbens should cover the cost, Cano said. It is my responsibility to make sure that those who attend are informed, Cano said in court on July 14. I would never had made all those copies just to keep in the office. Stebbens also argued that she shouldnt pay the County Counsels Office for the hours they worked. According to Stebbens, advising the County Clerk-Recorders Office is part of the county counsels job description. To me that is their normal course of business, Stebbens said, so the county should fund their hours. As a result, Stebbens said she shouldnt have to fund their time. She said that charging every possible cost to the requestor is cost-prohibitive and discourages voters from requesting recounts. I believe that (the costs) were excessive, Stebbens said. And they used costs to stop the recount. That may be a feeling you have, Kraut said. But I dont know that I can consider that. Cano, however, said that specific tasks performed by county counsel were related to the recount. It was necessary at times to seek legal advice based on the issues that Ms. Stebbens raised and challenged each day, which included broad requests for relevant material, Cano wrote in an email to the Tribune on July 28. The cost is as necessary as security guard hours, to ensure the safety and security of the recount rooms and those present in the recount rooms, Cano wrote in the email. If we are challenged as to what we are legally required to do, then election staff needs a lawyer to provide that advice. On Monday, Cano shared California Code of Regulations section 20818(d), which says that the election official can decide if they need more staff and materials to run the recount. I do have the authority to determine how we would like the best way to proceed with a recount process, Cano said. Finally, Stebbens urged the commissioner to exempt her from paying for the benefits packages of recount staff. Stebbens said shes willing to pay for staffs hourly work on the recount, but the county is responsible for funding pension and health care packages no matter what work they do during the day, so she shouldnt have to cover it as the requestor, Stebbens said. Kraut, however, said that benefits are considered part of an employees compensation package, which the employer is responsible for. Arent you their employer at the time? Kraut asked Stebbens in court on July 14. Theyre working for you that day. Cano said that the county considers actual costs for staff time to include hourly wages and benefits. Smoke Away products were advertised and sold by Florida companies as the ultimate solution for smokers looking to end nicotine cravings and smoking habits, federal prosecutors said. In reality, the companies were deceiving consumers across the U.S. through widespread marketing campaigns involving false promises and testimonials featuring paid actors, according to the Department of Justice. Smoke Away tablets, homeopathic sprays, pellets and kits sold on retail websites such as Amazon, Walmart and eBay were advertised as a safe and effective way to help smokers curb their addiction within a week, according to a complaint filed in federal court in the Middle District of Florida in late June. An example of a Smoke Away product advertisement, according to the complaint. The products were promoted on Google, on social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube, over the radio and through recorded, misleading testimonials, the complaint says. I was losing friends nobody liked me. Until I found Smoke Away, one paid actor said in a testimonial, according to the complaint. I tried everything the patch, the gum. You name it, I tried it. And nothing worked until I found Smoke Away. Now I have more friends. I smell good. Food tastes better Smoke Away distributor Michael J. Connors and his companies claims about the products were not backed up by scientific evidence, according to prosecutors. On July 31, a federal judge ordered Connors and the companies to pay $7,146,046 in consumer redress and a $500,000 civil penalty after prosecutors accused them of violating the the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act of 2018 and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act, the Justice Department announced in a news release. His companies, according to prosecutors, include: ProTouch Marketing LLC, doing business as Smart Day Supplements based in Naples Woodford Hills LLC based in Naples Oakhill Research LLC based in Fort Myers Evergreen Marketing LLC based in Naples Sterling Health LLC based in Naples Clara Vista Media LLC based in Naples Story continues McClatchy News contacted an attorney representing Connors and the companies for comment on Aug. 1 and didnt receive an immediate response. Those struggling with alcohol, tobacco, or drugs deserve help and support, not phony promises, and we will continue to hold accountable those who prey on addiction sufferers, Samuel Levine, the director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. Connors is accused of being a repeat offender when it comes to advertising Smoke Away products, according to the release. In 2005, Connors settled accusations involving one of his former companies and the advertising of Smoke Away products by entering into a settlement agreement with the FTC, according to prosecutors. Connors nevertheless continued to violate the FTC Act with unsubstantiated health claims about Smoke Away products, prosecutors said. Under the FTC Act, false or deceptive advertising to sway consumers into purchasing food, drugs, devices, services or cosmetics is illegal, according to the complaint. Connors and his companies also violated the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act, according to prosecutors, by marketing Smoke Away products as a substance use disorder treatment product, the complaint says. Now, he can no longer advertise, market, sell, promote, distribute or offer substance use disorder treatment products and is banned from making false product claims in the future as part of a stipulated order entered by the court, according to the release. In addition to this, Connor must engage in recordkeeping and reporting requirements for 20 years so officials can ensure hes complying with the FTC Act and the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act, prosecutors said. Simply Orange Juices drink isnt all-natural and has toxic ingredients, suit says Dangerously defective pistol fires even if you dont touch the trigger, lawsuit says Texas Pete hot sauce is deceptive because its made in North Carolina, lawsuit says Shoplifting Police are to be given a list of crimes including drug possession, theft and shoplifting for which first-time offenders should be given cautions rather than going to court. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will publish a new draft code of practice that sets out how police can allow officers to deal with low-level and first time offences outside the courts. However the guidance, which is under consultation, fuelled accusations of soft justice as critics warned that instead of nipping lower-level criminality in the bud, offenders who go unpunished would be encouraged to escalate their criminality. Police have been at the centre of rows over effectively decriminalising offences such as theft, shoplifting and burglary through a lack of action. It comes as the Government faces a record backlog of cases in courts and an overcrowding crisis in prisons after a surge in the jail population. Damian Hinds, the prisons minister, said: The current system for these punishments has grown unwieldy, and has led to inconsistencies in their use. This simplified system will ensure victims see justice being delivered, better nip lower-level criminality in the bud and guarantee the most serious offenders always face the full glare of the courtroom. There are concerns there has been a patchwork approach, with some forces inappropriately allowing offenders to avoid prosecution. The new code is likely to lead to an expansion of diversion schemes already introduced by some police forces, where people caught for minor offences for the first time can escape prosecution with a caution if they agree to change their behaviour. The list of minor offences includes possession of drugs including cocaine, as well as cannabis, if they agree to undergo an education programme. Also included are summary offences normally handled by magistrates such as shoplifting, burglaries, minor thefts, criminal damage and assaults. Persistent offenders will also face tougher sanctions under the new system, ministers have insisted. Story continues Overly lenient approach to crime It emerged on Tuesday that ministers are also considering mandatory jail sentences for prolific offenders including repeat shoplifters, burglars and thieves. For the first time, the Government will also spell out the more serious offences for which criminals will not be eligible for cautions, including drug-dealing, knife possession, assaults causing grievous bodily harm, and sex offences. Cautions were first introduced in the 19th century but expanded in the early 20th century, largely for motoring offences. They have developed into multiple forms beyond simple cautions to cannabis warnings, penalty notices for disorder and community resolutions. Out of court disposals, largely made up of community resolutions, rose by nine per cent and accounted for 16 per cent or 164,000 of all the one million-plus offences prosecuted through the criminal justice system in the past year. Offenders will have to admit their offence to be eligible for a caution and agree to conditions aimed at rehabilitation or doing work to benefit their community. That could include cleaning up graffiti, treatment to wean them off their drug habit or paying compensation to victims. They will avoid a criminal record once they have completed their work or treatment, but will be fined or prosecuted if they subsequently breach the conditions or reoffend. Rory Geoghegan, founder of the Public Safety Foundation, who is also a former No 10 adviser and a former police officer, warned the system could undermine attempts by the Government to end the overly lenient approach to crime and the criminals who commit it. Residents of areas blighted by quality of life crimes like shop theft, bike theft, and the possession of crack, heroin, and cannabis will take little comfort from any proposals that enable criminals, at the start of their criminal careers or after not having been caught for a while, to simply continue or even escalate their criminality, he said. The Telegraph has previously revealed how not a single personal, vehicle or bike theft, or burglary has been solved in between half and two-thirds of the 30,100 neighbourhoods in England and Wales. Under the new two-tier system, there will be community cautions for the lowest-level crimes where a breach of the conditions will only result in a fine, without any criminal record. Failure to pay the police fine would, however, lead to court action for criminal behaviour. Diversionary cautions will be for the next tier of crimes such as burglary, theft, shoplifting, drug possession and assault causing actual bodily harm where a breach of the conditions could result in prosecution for the original offence. Anyone given a diversionary caution will have a criminal record, which has to be declared on any job application until it is spent, either after three months or if they complete their conditional tasks before then. A government spokesman said: It is a simpler two-tier caution system designed to deal with low-level and first-time offences in a proportionate way outside of court, while sending a clear message that serious, persistent offenders will always be pursued rigorously through the courts. Cdr Alison Heydari, lead for the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) on out of court sanctions, said the new system would enable officers to divert those away from offending behaviours those who otherwise might have entered the criminal justice system. The strategic intention is to support, educate and rehabilitate where it is appropriate to do so, leading to better life outcomes for families, communities and wider society, she said. It comes amid a backlog of nearly 320,000 cases in the magistrates courts and 61,000 in the crown courts, with many victims having to wait more than a year for justice. Around 1,500 criminals could also dodge jail this year because of a lack of prison cells, an analysis of government data suggests. There were only 971 prison spaces left at the end of last week, with a total of 86,602 men and women held in jails in England and Wales. Government projections suggest the growth of the prison population could outpace the supply of jail cells. By this November, the MoJ projects the number of offenders or people held on remand in jails will hit 89,100. However, there will only be 87,573 operational places leaving a shortfall of 1,527. Labour, which carried out the analysis, said it would mean prisoners would have to be released early or judges would have to find alternatives to sending some convicted offenders to jail, such as community or suspended sentences. On Tuesday, shopkeepers warned that police must do more to catch and prosecute shoplifters if the Governments promised sentencing crackdown is to work. Ministers have raised the prospect of mandatory prison sentences for prolific offenders in a move aimed at tackling a crime estimated to cost the economy almost 2 billion a year. More than a million shoplifting offences are estimated to take place each year. However, in 2022, just 21,000 people were prosecuted, with the majority receiving fines after pleading guilty by post. Tom Ironside, from the British Retail Consortium, said: While we welcome the Governments intention to crack down on repeat offenders, increasing sentencing can only work if the police catch and the justice system sentences these criminals. We particularly need to see more resourcing by local police forces in addressing retail crime, which has surged over the last year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. 20 mph speed limit Ive just paid a 100 penalty imposed for driving at 26mph on a main road where the limit used to be 40 and was recently lowered to 20. Now I spend my time with eyes glued to the speedometer, which is hardly a safe way to drive, assuming safety is the purpose of these new impositions as opposed to raking in money for the Treasury. A 20mph limit is warranted on residential streets where children are at risk. The problem is that it is not enforced on such roads because there are no cameras, so cars, vans and skip lorries hurtle along our leafy avenue with impunity. However, it is enforced on major roads, where cameras catch careful but unaware motorists who assume that they are below the limit because they have just been overtaken by a cyclist or mobility scooter. Reckless drivers will ignore the rules as they do all others. Who decided to turn the whole of London into a 20mph zone and with what mandate? This trend is by no means confined to the capital. From next month, Wales will become almost entirely a 20mph area and cities such as Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool have all seen transport networks move towards blanket 20mph zones. Speeding has always been enforced by the police using static cameras or, rarely nowadays, mobile patrols. But moves are afoot to give councils the authority to collect speeding fines just as they are already empowered to penalise those driving in bus lanes or in box junctions. One London borough has recently taken these powers under an experimental traffic order, so how long before speeding is decriminalised, just as parking has been? Income from police speeding tickets normally goes to the Treasury, whereas money raised by council cameras can be ploughed back into the boroughs coffers. Parking fines, which until 1991 were enforced by the police, now bring in close to 1 billion for English local authorities in addition to the revenues. What we have seen over the years, then, are motoring infractions once considered to be criminal become civil offences enforced by councils, which can impose a sanction effectively a fine normally associated with a felony. Story continues Meanwhile, offences once considered serious are now dealt with by means of penalty notices. There was a time when theft was regarded as a serious crime, and it still carries a maximum jail term of seven years on indictment. Yet shoplifters who steal items worth less than 200 are routinely dealt with in the same way as motorists whose cars have remained too long in a parking space. Shopkeepers are expected to police themselves with CCTV cameras, but even armed with this evidence they often get nowhere because of the effort involved. This has been a growing problem since 2004, when the scope of penalty notices for disorder was extended to include shop theft offences, putting them on the same footing as dropping litter. Theft became trivialised. This culture even spread to burglary, which is often dismissed as victimless if the house was empty and therefore not worth the attention of the police. These are known as low level offences and yet they are no such thing. Both shop thefts and burglaries have victims who have either lost possessions or have had their homes violated. As Dame Sharon White, boss of John Lewis, said in a letter to this newspaper: Shoplifting is never a victimless crime it can have a big impact on people working in stores, and also drives up prices for genuine customers. In addition, most thefts and burglaries tend to be committed by a small number of repeat offenders so pursuing them is important. Yet across England and Wales last year, almost 80 per cent of burglaries went unsolved. Now we are told things will change. Chief constables have pledged that the police will investigate every crime, provided there is a reasonable lead such as CCTV images and at least that is a start since even those were often ignored. Where they will get the time to do this given that they also have to act as glorified social workers in many instances, however, is not entirely clear. On top of that, the Government says that it will jail all the shoplifters, burglars and vandals the police are now going to arrest by changing the law to impose mandatory prison terms on prolific thieves. One minister said the Government would even build more prisons to accommodate all the additional inmates. The silly season really has arrived if they expect us to believe this. Moreover, there is another big problem: the courts are so clogged up that there is little chance of a new cohort of potential defendants classed as low-level offenders being arraigned before a judge or magistrate for years. The backlog of crown court cases stood at more than 60,000 in February, with nearly one third delayed for a year or more. The median time from an offence being committed to a case being completed is 100 days more than before the pandemic lockdowns. Magistrates have a backlog of 300,000. The Met Police said recently that Just Stop Oil protesters charged under public order laws will not be tried until 2025 at the earliest. There is little point in promising new crackdowns on crime if it is not possible to try, let alone punish, offenders. We are in the grip of a criminal justice meltdown where both ends dont work: just 6 per cent of all crimes are solved by police and the miscreants they do bring to book wait months or years to face the consequences. The old maxim that justice delayed is justice denied still applies. This matters because public confidence in the system is essential to underpin the rule of law on which so much of our democracy rests. Everything is upside down: the criminal law has extended into areas where it never strayed, such as what people say or personal behaviour once constrained by social mores. At the same time, real crimes are dealt with like misdemeanours. If law-abiding people think that they are being treated unfairly while criminals are getting away with it, then trust evaporates. This is compounded when solemn promises are made to do something about it in order to garner a headline and then nothing happens. I am not holding my breath, even if I am watching my speed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. BOGOTA (Reuters) -The eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro, on Tuesday pled not guilty to charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment at a court in the capital. Nicolas Petro was arrested on Saturday in the city of Barranquilla alongside his ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, who was quoted in the press in March saying that two people accused of having ties to drug trafficking gave her former spouse cash to support the president's election campaign. While Vasquez said the president was not aware of the dealings, the case represents a scandal that could hamper the Petro administration's pursuit of peace-and-surrender deals with armed groups and its ambitious reform agenda. According to the charges, Nicolas Petro, a lawmaker in Atlantico province, received money from accused drug traffickers in exchange for including them in the president's peace plans. "Your honor, I do not accept the charges," he told a judge during the hearing. By denying the charges, Nicolas Petro lost the chance to secure a 50% reduction of any sentence if convicted. Later in the hearing he pledged to collaborate with prosecutors. "We have decided to begin a process of collaboration where I will relate new facts and situations that will help prosecutors," Nicolas Petro said. The judge will make decision on Thursday as to whether or not the younger Petro will be held in jail as the process continues. The president's son could receive a sentence of between 12 and 20 years if found guilty during a trial, according to lawyers. Vasquez also denied the charges of money laundering and violating data protection laws. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Leslie Adler and Alistair Bell) Liu Ping, secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, speaks at an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Cairo, Egypt, Aug. 1, 2023. The China Cultural Center in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday held an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) CAIRO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The China Cultural Center in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday held an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Two framework agreements on tourism and cultural cooperation were signed during the event, named "Home of Panda, Pure Land Aba," which introduced the natural beauty of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Yang Ronghao, the cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy in Egypt and director of the China Cultural Center in Cairo, said Aba is famous for its spectacular natural landscapes and scenic views, such as snowy mountains, meadows, colorful lakes, and large rivers. "Today we gather in Cairo to seek development, cooperation, and friendship at the same time," Liu Ping, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, said in his speech at the event. Aba, located at the southern foot of the Tibetan Plateau, boasts three Natural World Heritage sites, namely the Jiuzhaigou Valley, the Huanglong Lake, and the home of the giant pandas in Sichuan Province, Liu said. "I strongly welcome the people of Cairo to visit Aba and invest in it, and to enjoy the splendor of the mountains, ice and snow, the quiet life on the plateaus, and the distinctive ethnic customs," he said. Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, said China's rich history and stunning natural scenery are a source of admiration for the whole world. He noted that the event encourages joint projects and partnerships between Egyptian and Chinese tourism companies, which can boost economic growth and create jobs for local communities. Yang Ronghao, the cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy in Egypt and director of the China Cultural Center in Cairo, speaks at an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Cairo, Egypt, Aug. 1, 2023. The China Cultural Center in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday held an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, speaks at an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Cairo, Egypt, Aug. 1, 2023. The China Cultural Center in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday held an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2023 shows a scene at an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Cairo, Egypt. The China Cultural Center in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday held an event on promoting tourism to the "home of pandas" in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) Getty Last week, a team of South Korean physicists claimed they created a new material that could change the world: a room-temperature superconductor called LK-99. Such a development would mean potentially unlocking fusion energy, next-generation batteries, and quantum computing. We believe that our new development will be a brand-new historical event that opens a new era for humankind, the authors wrote in one of two preprint papers of their findings uploaded to the internet. (Neither paper has been peer-reviewed and published by a journal yet.). Since the announcement, theres been a level of hype and hope for the new technology not seen since the release of ChatGPT. Experts of varying degrees have echoed the South Korean teams claim saying that its a watershed moment for humanity easily on-par with the invention of the transistor and akin to walking through a keyhole for humanity. Its also likely complete BS. First claimed successful replication of LK-99 Accomplished by a team at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology and posted 30 minutes ago. Why this is evidence: The LK-99 flake slightly levitates for both orientations of the magnetic field, meaning it is not simply a pic.twitter.com/bh0x9oqaz2 Andrew Cote (@Andercot) August 1, 2023 I take [the announcement] with the proverbial grain of salt, though this particular grain seems closer to the size of a rock, Jens Koch, a professor of physics at Northwestern University, told The Daily Beast. This is an area of research where breakthrough claims have been made in the past and then had to be retracted because they did not hold up under scrutiny. Some of my colleagues have already voiced concerns about the data presented by the South Korean group, he added. I will believe it if or when I see verification. Story continues To understand Kochs and other experts skepticism, you need to first understand the immense challenges behind this development. Electricity is typically conducted through metal wires made of things like copper, steel, or even gold. However, as the electrical current flows through it, the electrons bounce and bump into atomscausing them to lose energy. Superconductors are materials that conduct electricity with zero resistance, allowing the current to flow through without this atomic jostling that regularly occurs with normal conductors. Typically, this is achieved by cooling superconductors down to extremely low temperatures close to zero degrees Kelvin, i.e., close to absolute zero, where all atomic movement ceases, or by exerting extreme pressures on the materials that are like the deepest depths of the ocean. The One Thing Everyones Ignoring About the Fusion Energy Breakthrough As such, practical applications of superconductors are fairly limitedthough they do exist. MRIs used in hospitals are a good example of machinery that utilize superconductors for example. If superconductors did not come with the requirement and cost of liquid-nitrogen cooling but rather operated at room temperature, a lot more technology and electric infrastructure based on superconductors might become feasible, Koch explained. A game changer! While researchers have long attempted to build a room-temperature superconductor, attempts have so far failed and claims of success have not been corroborated by other scientists. When it comes to the South Korean team, a number of labs and private scientists are currently underway testing the researchers claims. Attempts to reproduce the findings are ongoing at multiple institutions worldwide, Koch said. In simple terms, other research groups must show that the material involved can indeed be synthesized [using the recipe outlined in the preprint] and that measurements of the material's properties indeed reveal superconductivity. Google Just Got a Lot Closer to Unleashing the Power of Quantum Computing Those attempts to replicate the findings so far have largely failed or achieved only partial success. For example, a team at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beihang University in China used the process described by the LK-99 team but did not get the same results. Similarly, a team at the National Physical Laboratory of India failed in their attempt as well. In one of the more novel attempts, an engineer named Andrew McCalip from space industry startup Varda Space attempted to replicate the material via livestream on Twitch. However, he too was unsuccessful. However, one researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab has released another preprint paper (not yet peer-reviewed), claiming that he was able to replicate the findings using a simulation. While not a direct replication of the experiment, it does add a fair bit of credence to LK-99 and its veracity. As for the findings itself, there are a few things that give experts pause. For one, theres the question of the Meissner effect, a phenomenon where superconducting material can fully levitate when put atop a magnet. If it occurs, its another big check in the box that the material is in fact superconducting. The LK-99 team published a video showing a piece of the superconducting material on a magnet. However, one edge remains in contact the entire time and, at one point, the entire piece even falls flat. The LK-99 team published a video showing a piece of the superconducting material on a magnet. However, one edge remains in contact the entire time and, at one point, the entire piece even falls flat. Sukbae Lee, Jihoon Kim, Hyun-Tak Kim, Sungyeon Im, SooMin An, Keun Ho Auh The team claims that this is due to the fact that there are imperfections with the material. However, some experts believe its likelier that the material isnt superconductive at all but rather diamagnetic, which means it repels magnetic fields. But its still pretty early in the process. If the LK-99 experiment is verified and replicated by a reputable institution (or perhaps a crafty Twitch streamer), we might truly see the next generation of energy production unlocked. For now, though, its better to listen to Kochs advice and take these reports with a massive grain of salt. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A South Carolina man is charged with murder after a fatal shooting in Chester in July, according to arrest warrants, and state and city police. John A.F. Lowery, 31, of Chester, is accused of the shooting on Saluda Street north of downtown on July 23, arrest warrants obtained by The Herald show. Lowery also is charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the State Law Enforcement Division and Curtis Singleton, chief of the Chester Police Department. The person who died was identified as Darion A.A. Jones, 22, of Chester, said Terry Tinker, Chester County Coroner. Jones suffered a fatal wound to the head the head, the warrants state. The case was investigated by city police, the Chester County Sheriffs Office, and SLED, officials said. Lowery remains in the Chester County jail without bail after bond was denied in a court hearing, records show. Brandon Bowers had been a marijuana user since high school, but he eventually bought some marijuana laced with fentanyl. Bowers died just under a year ago. He was 27. Under a new South Carolina law, the person who sold Bowers the marijuana could have faced prison time. The new law also makes it a felony to knowingly possess two grains of fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance. A person faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense, up to 10 years in prison and a $7,500 fine for a second offense, and up to 15 years and a $10,000 fine for third and subsequent offenses. People who traffic fentanyl now face anywhere from seven to 40 years in prison, depending on which offense theyre convicted of and how much they are selling. Its important because I feel like the dealers that are trafficking this stuff, they probably know that theres a chance that whatever theyre selling to somebody, theres going to be some fentanyl in it, said Melody Bowers, Brandons mother, of Greenville, who runs a foundation with her husband, Ken, to provide awareness about the dangers of drugs and guide drug users to help. But theyre all about the almighty dollar, and they dont care about the lives, Melody Bowers said. Previously, there was no law specifically dealing with fentanyl in the state. We know that young people dont have good sense, Gov. Henry McMaster said at a ceremonial bill signing Tuesday at the State Law Enforcement Division lab in Columbia. Everybody gets into trouble, it seems. .... But one thing we must do is stop those who would prey upon them. The new law, which went into effect last month, also bans anyone convicted of trafficking drugs from possessing a gun. It is past time that we hold drug dealers who use guns accountable, SLED Chief Mark Keel said. Keel added that law enforcement are dealing with fentanyl-related cases every week. Recently, law enforcement seized 44 kilograms of fentanyl in Horry County, enough to kill the states population four times, Keel said. Monday, law enforcement seized 200 grams of fentanyl in Aiken County. Story continues I have said many times that were losing an entire generation of young people due to illegal guns and drugs. I believe this legislation serves as a deterrent to anyone who seeks to profit from this deadly drug, Keel said. We must do everything we can to reduce supply and save lives. York County Solicitor Kevin Brackett said more needs to be done to deal with drug addiction, including providing quality rehabilitation opportunities. Theres two things an addict needs to overcome their addiction: access to meaningful rehabilitation, and the second thing is the motivation to embrace recovery, Bracket said. The motivation comes from too many people who were arrested from knowing that if you dont embrace recovery, you can go to jail. You will go to jail. That needs to be a reality. Even though this bill does have a gun-related penalty for drug offenses, McMaster continued his call for increased penalties for illegal gun possession, an initiative that did not make it out of the Legislature earlier this year. Going forward, we must continue to crack down on criminals within South Carolina by strengthening our bond reform bill and enhancing penalties for illegal gun possession, effectively closing the revolving door once and for all, McMaster said. When Diddy welcomed new Star Island resident Rick Ross to the hallowed grounds of Miamis famed celeb hot spot, he didnt do so with the classic gifting of a windowsill plant or the typical move-in party; no, in true Star Island fashion, the rapper was inducted into the elite tier of property owners in the waterfront paradise with a golf cart to get around the lavish neighborhood. Earlier this month, TMZ reported that Ross is under contract to claim a coveted spot on the island with the purchase of a $37 million mansion. This is an intimate space, said Diddy of Star Island in a video that Ross, who was raised in Florida and dubbed his debut album Port of Miami, posted to his Instagram stories. Diddy cautioned the Hustlin hitmaker, who is notorious for throwing huge social affairs, not to bring too much rambunctious energy to the tony community. Welcome to the neighborhood! Im not playing with you, Rozay: no fucking parties, no pool parties. Im the head of the [committee], I dont do none of that shit! Photo: Luxury TV/ONE Sothebys International Realty Ross is more than aware of the islands prestigious status and has long been eyeing a place in the neighborhood, per the agent involved in the eight-figure transaction, ONE Sothebys International Realty global real estate advisor Kimberly Knausz. But with the areas incredibly limited and highly sought-after inventory, its not too often that Star Island opens its security-guarded gates to newcomers. Star Island is the ultimate goal in Miami, Knausz tells AD. Its so exclusive. Theres only roughly 30 homes. [Ross] said its like the missing piece to the puzzle of his real estate portfolio. Its a big accomplishment for him, as someone who grew up in Miami. With property owners in the area like hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Diddy himself, and Jennifer Lopez (who has yet to offload the Star Island property she scooped up with ex-fiance Alex Rodriguez), a group of fascinating neighbors who provide the islands namesake star power is included in the price tag of the multimillion-dollar homes there. But just how did this 86-acre island become such a haven for the rich and famous? Story continues Star Islands origins View Of Artificial Star Island Photo: Underwood & Underwood/Underwood Archives/Getty Images Celebs' mansions in Miami, United States on February 09, 2001. Photo: David LeFranc/Getty Images Like its Biscayne Bay neighbors, the Venetian Islands, Star Island is an artificial landmass. Florida real estate tycoon Carl Fisher is credited with its development. Completed in 1922, the island was constructed via sand dredging in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers. Theres only one way in (and out): A causeway connects the island to the mainland, and security personnel screen visitors at a gate. The privacy offered by Star Island has been one of the biggest selling points for celebrities flocking to the neighborhood in search of a hideaway in a safe area very likely to be free of paparazzi activity. These days, its no secret the place is known for its high roller inhabitants, but Star Islands reputation for hosting big names has been decades in the making. According to the Wall Street Journal, actor Don Johnson lived on the island throughout his tenure as Sonny Crockett on Miami Vice in the 1980s. According to local news outlet Miami Living Magazine, the first residence on the island was designed by architect Walter de Garmo and built in 1924. A treasured piece of the areas history, the home was carefully restored in 2014, and the owners added a second home to the property. The compound was listed last year for a whopping $90 million. Its unclear who the very first stars to move onto Star Island were; guided tour groups in the area have become notorious for perpetuating myths about which celebrities live there, even now. The allure of Star Island Behind The Scenes With Shaquille O'Neal Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images In addition to A-list residents, its also long been established as a hotbed of spectacular star-studded fetes (despite Diddys warnings to Ross, whose Project Xlevel bashes have earned him the ire of neighbors elsewhere). South Florida real estate magnate Thomas Kramer was known for his over-the-top shindigs on the island in the 1990s. WSJ reports that Kramer kept a coffin on hand in his more debauched days, as he wanted to die like Elvis Presley on overdose in party modebeing the king of party in Miami. Miltiadis Kastanis, director of luxury sales for Douglas Elliman, says two major components draw the stars to Star Island. The biggest thing about Star Island and why it became this exclusive single-family home community for the rich and famous is because of its privacy, Kastanis tells AD. And theres no dry homes, meaning all of the homes are waterfront. On a typical island, across the street from your waterfront home, youd have a smaller lot with a home on the dry side. But here, its a perfect loop: You go in one way, out the other way, and theres about 30 waterfront homes along the path. The architecture of the area is also something that big-name buyers have been bolstering. Despite the high initial price tags of the homes, many of them are being gutted and updated (Ross plans on getting to work on a number of renovations to his new Star Island abode). Senior vice president of luxury sales for the Bento Queiroz Group of Compass Real Estate, Bento Queiroz, has transacted on Star Island and thus is part of a small subset of realtors who have even gotten a chance to work with the properties there. He calls out one abode in particular that he is currently involved with on the island: The buyer has enlisted prominent South African architectural firm SAOTA to design a residence which Queiroz estimates will be worth north of $100 million when complete. Celebs' mansions in Miami, United States on February 09, 2001. Photo: David LEFRANC/Getty Images We have always been somewhat conservative when you compare the architecture in Miami with LA for example, Queiroz explains. But now some of these homes that are being developed in Star Island will really be transformative, and they will set the standards for the ultra-wealthy in Miami. Sean "Diddy" Combs Hosts CIROC The New Year 2018 Powered By Deleon Tequila Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images 2020 Big Game Big Give Photo: Bobby Metelus/Getty Images How hard is it to score property on Star Island? According to Queiroz, those who aspire to be Star Island homeowners should not hold their breath, calling it close to impossible to land a home or plot in the neighborhood. He says he receives at least two or three calls a week inquiring about potential homes up for grabs in the A-list enclave. Because of the limited availability, many of the sales are off-market transactions, so buyers must rely on who they know more so than anything. Knausz admits it was a challenge to secure a property on the island for Ross. Its possible the rapper will be the last big name to net a space in the area for some time due to the high demand and lack of inventory. When I was looking with Rick Ross, we explored so many different avenues of who else could be potentially moving on the island, and there were maybe three people who we were maybe considering it, but that didnt end up being the case. So, we had the lot thats available right now, and thats it. As far as homes that are standing and dont need to be built or anything like that, that was it. They dont come up very often. Haute Living And Hublot Celebrate The Art Of Fusion With Hebru Brantley On Star Island Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images Given that its such a luxury to own property on Star Island, its inhabitants tend to hold onto their opulent abodes, allowing the value to climb and climb as it has in recent years. People who buy on Star Island tend to stay on Star Island, and they pass it through generations, Kastanis says. The thing about Star Island is nothings average. Even the older homes were built for luxury, ahead of their time in terms of quality of finish and style and design and architecture. So, currently, theres no homes openly marketed for sale. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Celebrity Style Stories From AD Police who arrested a man for lewd conduct have begun to suspect there may be additional victims. The Star Police Department arrested Jorge Perez, 65, near his Star home on Thursday on four felony charges of lewd conduct with a child under 16, according to an Ada County Sheriffs Office news release. Officers said they began their investigation into Perez on July 20 after someone reported him. They learned that Perez, who is known to the child, had illegal sexual contact with her on four different occasions between July 10 and July 15, according to the Sheriffs Office. They have since discovered evidence indicating Perez had similar contact with three other children over an eight-year period, police said. Some of those incidents may have happened in Southern California, where Perez lived until moving to Idaho about four years ago, the Sheriffs Office said. Police are working to bring additional charges against Perez relating to those victims. He was booked into the Ada County Jail on Thursday on a $150,000 bond While all four children were known to Perez, investigators are concerned there could be others they dont know about, the Sheriffs Office said. Law enforcement asked anyone with information to call 208-577-3000 or email ahagemanturner@adacounty.id.gov. The Sheriffs Office operates the Star Police Department. Chief Michel Moore, left, and LAPD Capt. Christopher Zine, to his immediate right, conduct a uniform inspection. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Mayor Karen Bass and the city's negotiators have struck a deal to provide an extensive package of raises and bonuses to about 9,000 officers, part of her larger effort to rebuild the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department. The four-year contract, which cannot go into effect without a ratification vote from members of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, would hike the starting pay for new recruits by nearly 13%, while also providing four year-to-year increases of 3% to each officer's base wage, said City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo, the high-level budget official who reports to Bass and the City Council. The agreement also includes hikes in officers' retention pay, to ensure they stay with the agency over the long term. And it provides a 5% boost in officers' health insurance subsidy, Szabo said Tuesday. Bass, who heads the city's five-member bargaining committee, said the deal would support her goal of hiring more police, speeding up recruitment and improving retention rates among those who have already been hired to work at the LAPD. My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, she said in a statement. "Like many major cities across America, our police department is enduring a hiring and retention crisis so we are taking critical action." The agreement comes about three months after Bass promised to increase LAPD staffing, proposing a budget aimed at restoring the LAPD to 9,500 officers by the middle of next year. Read more: The LAPD has lost nearly 1,000 officers. Now, Mayor Karen Bass wants to rebuild the force The department has lost about 1,000 officers, or about 10% of sworn staffing, over the past four years. Figures posted last week on the LAPD's website had the agency at 9,034 officers. Bass has repeatedly voiced fears that that number will soon fall below 9,000. The unions leadership sent out a bulletin Monday night touting the proposed salary agreement. Once increases in retention pay are included, the unions members will receive wage increases of 6% this year, 4% in the contracts second year, 5% in the third and 5% in the fourth, the union bulletin said. Story continues Jerretta Sandoz, the union's vice president, said in a separate statement that the agreement would "put the LAPD on the right path" toward retaining officers and supervisors. "Our rank and file deserve these increases and improvements as we work toward restoring staffing after losing 1,000 officers," said Sandoz, who had advised departing officers two months ago to find jobs in other departments that value their work. LAPD officers are scheduled to vote next week on the contract, which would boost annual starting pay from about $74,000 the amount provided the moment a cadet walks into the Police Academy to about $86,000. The latter figure takes in not just the 13% hike in starting pay but the first 3% raise, Szabo said. The department would also begin providing a retention bonus in an officer's second year, to dissuade them from leaving for other agencies so soon after being hired, Szabo said. Under the previous contract, retention bonuses did not kick in until an officer's 10th year, he said. Szabo said the quartet of proposed raises, planned between this year and 2027, would result in a 12% increase in officers' base wage by 2027 a figure that does not include retention pay and a wide array of other bonuses and incentives. In Chicago, a majority of the city's roughly 13,000 police officers secured a new contract in 2021 that gives them a 20% base salary increase over eight years. And in New York City, local leaders reached a deal earlier this year with the citys largest police union that gave rank-and-file officers a 28.5% wage increase over eight years, much of it retroactive to 2017. Several council members Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Tim McOsker, Nithya Raman and Katy Yaroslavsky declined comment on Tuesday, with several saying they hadn't yet reviewed the agreement's deal points. Councilmember Traci Park, who represents part of the Westside, called the contract a "good step in the right direction," saying she hopes it helps the LAPD make progress with recruitment and retention. "The lack of presence of police officers is something that I hear about from constituents on a regular basis, and unless and until we bolster the ranks, that's going to continue to be a problem," she said. Carlos Montes, a longtime activist in Boyle Heights, was much less enthusiastic, saying the agreement was announced at a time when many Angelenos want more social services, not police. Montes said L.A.'s political leaders should be putting their funds into programs that keep young people from turning to crime, such as libraries, park activities, youth programs and gang intervention workers. The LAPD gets a good salary, good benefits and a ton of overtime," he said. "And where I live, whenever we really need them, they dont show up. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter-L.A., spoke out against the agreement, saying it comes at a time when hotel workers, restaurant employees and others are fighting for a "livable wage." Abdullah also said she rejects the idea that higher pay will help the city increase the number of police. Maybe people dont want to [take jobs as] LAPD officers because they dont want to join those ranks," she said. "They dont want to count themselves among one of the most deplorable jobs in the entire city." City Controller Kenneth Mejia voiced his own doubts, saying the public needs information on the long-term cost of the contract, including the impact on the city's pension obligations and other public services, well before the City Council casts a vote on the deal. "For years, generous police union contracts have strained the citys budget, crowding out spending on other city priorities," Mejia said in a statement. "Yet recruitment continues to lag, clearly indicating that money is not the main problem." The proposed contract is only part of the effort to rebuild LAPD ranks. The mayor's budget, approved in May, called for the recruitment of 780 officers and the hiring of up to 200 retirees a goal viewed by many at City Hall as extremely difficult to achieve. Since then, LAPD staffing has continued to shrink. Bass had been hoping to fill 13 Police Academy classes with 60 recruits during the current budget year. Instead, the last two classes have had less than half that amount with 24 recruits in late June and 26 last week. If LAPD officers ratify the contract, it will then head to the City Council for a final vote. That the agreement has come together so seamlessly is somewhat remarkable, given the state of relations between the union and Bass a year earlier. Last year, during the election campaign, a political action committee sponsored by the Police Protective League spent more than $3.4 million opposing Bass while supporting the candidacy of her opponent, real estate developer Rick Caruso, according to Ethics Commission records. Those efforts included television ads that attempted to tie Bass to the federal corruption case facing one of her allies, former Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas. Read more: Bass campaign calls police union ad 'defamatory,' demands that TV stations stop airing it Bass called those ads "defamatory." After Caruso trailed Bass significantly in the June 2022 primary election, the union did not wage a similar effort during the runoff. Bass easily defeated Caruso in November. The push to expand the LAPD comes at a moment of big decreases in crime. Homicides were down 19% citywide as of July 22, when compared with the same point in time last year, according to department figures. Violent crime was down more than 9% citywide. Some pockets of the city are still struggling. The LAPD's Rampart Division, which includes such neighborhoods as Westlake and Historic Filipinotown, has reported 15 homicides so far this year, compared with eight during the same period in 2022. Aggravated assaults in Rampart are up nearly 6%, according to the department. In the west San Fernando Valley, the LAPD has reported a 13% increase in burglaries in its West Valley Division, which includes Encino, Tarzana and Reseda, and a 23% jump in burglaries in its Devonshire Division, which includes Northridge and Chatsworth. The last time the LAPD dipped below 9,000 officers was during first year of the administration of Mayor James Hahn, who took office in July 2001. That fiscal year, the department averaged 8,905 officers, according to figures provided by the LAPD. Months after he took office, Hahn proposed that officers be permitted to work a "3-12" schedule three consecutive 12-hour days, followed by several days off saying such a change would improve morale and reduce attrition. That proposal was eventually adopted by his appointees on the Board of Police Commissioners, over the objections of then-Police Chief Bernard C. Parks. Parks eventually won a seat on the City Council and continued to push for a repeal of the compressed work week. Those efforts were not successful. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The State Departments internal watchdog is scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the suspension of a top diplomats security clearance, according to a letter sent July 21 and viewed by POLITICO. In the letter, the acting head of the State Departments Office of Inspector General, Diana Shaw, told a group of Republican senators that her office is looking into the suspension of Rob Malleys security clearance, taking a step that could lead to a formal investigation. Until late April, Malley helmed the Biden administrations efforts to restart a nuclear deal with Iran. But his security clearance was suspended on April 22, according to a person with knowledge of the move, for reasons that remain unknown. Despite losing his access to classified information, Malley kept doing limited work at State for more than two months. But when CNN reported that the clearance had been suspended, he went on unpaid leave. In the brief letter, Shaw said she decided to review the situation following a letter from the Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that raised a host of questions about the State Department and called on her to act. OIG considers several factors when determining whether to initiate work, including statutory requirements, available resources, our jurisdictional authority, and the existence of criteria against which to measure the departments actions, she wrote. Considering these factors and the circumstances you detailed in your letter, we plan to begin a preliminary review. Preliminary reviews are often the first steps in fact-finding processes conducted by an inspector general. They usually dont involve subpoenas or formal interviews, though they may include informal talks with people connected to the relevant events. The FBI is also investigating. Its not unusual for inspector general probes to be conducted in parallel with FBI investigations scrutinizing the same general topic. Congressional Republicans are also looking for more information about Malleys clearance. On Friday, State Department officials briefed members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the situation. But Chair Michael McCaul (R.-Texas) wasnt impressed. His spokesperson said that the briefers didnt give any detail on why his clearance was suspended, citing the Privacy Act. McCauls office is expected to follow up soon to seek more information. Malley has said he has not been told why he lost his clearance. He declined to comment for this story. A State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on individual security clearances or communications with Congress, and that Malley is still on leave. The Washington State Patrol launched a new alert on Tuesday designed to help identify and find a fleeing vehicle involved in a fatal or serious injury collision. The system involves the cooperation of local, state and tribal police agencies, along with the Washington State Department of Transportation. WSP Chief John R. Batiste said that last year, there were more than 300 hit-and-run collisions that caused serious injuries or deaths. In many of those situations, information about the fleeing vehicle was available that, if widely disseminated, might have helped us find a dangerous driver, said Batiste. For an alert to be sent out, the following must be met: The hit-and-run caused serious injuries or death. Theres enough information to help find the suspect vehicle, such as a full or partial license plate, a description of the car or truck, possible damage, the vehicles location, or its direction of travel. The incident has been reported and is being investigated by a police agency. The alerts will be sent out to the media as well as to those who sign up to get them electronically. They will also be posted on social media. If theres enough information about the fleeing vehicle, WSDOT will use its electronic highway signs and highway advisory radio systems to put out the description. If you think you see what you think could be a suspect vehicle, WSP says to call 911 and report your location. However, Batiste stressed that you never should approach or confront the driver under any circumstances. Let our troopers and our fine local law enforcement officers do their jobs in safely and professionally contacting suspect vehicles, he said. You can request to receive the alerts by sending an email to HitAndRunAlert@wsp.wa.gov. Worcester man facing several charges after he was found intoxicated with an unlicensed machine gun, according to Massachusetts State Police. In the early morning of July 24, State Trooper Bryan Hurley happened upon a disabled vehicle with damage on West Main Street in Spencer. When speaking with the driver, identified as 23-year-old Miguel Cruz-Ramos, of Worcester, Hurly suspected he was intoxicated and conducted a series of tests. Cruz-Ramos was then placed under arrest after failing the sobriety tests, said state police. Sergeant Charles Murphy then conducted an inventory of items found in the vehicle and located a loaded 15-round magazine. Police said that Cruz-Ramos was not licensed to carry firearms, which caused the inventory to become a vehicle search. Troopers then located a 10 mm pistol, loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, and discovered the firearm to be modified in a way that enabled it to fire fully automatic. Cruz-Ramos posted $5,000 bail. He was arraigned on several charges including operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, illegal possession of a machine gun, possessing a firearm while intoxicated, possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without FID card, and improper storage of a large capacity firearm. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW State Police are investigating a crash on Interstate 89 that killed a 60-year-old Windham man. Douglas E. Malone was killed in the crash that occurred at approximately 12:09 p.m. Monday, state police said. Troopers were responded to the crash on Interstate 89 north, in the Town of Warner, in the area of mile 16.6, state police said. When state police arrived, they determined a 2008 Infiniti was traveling northbound on I-89 when the vehicle left the left side of the roadway, entering the center median. The vehicle then entered the wood line and struck the trees. Malone, who was driving the Infiniti, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. New Hampshire State Police Troop D was assisted on scene by Warner and Hopkinton Police Departments, Warner and Hopkinton Fire Departments, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. All aspects of the crash remain under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to contact Trooper Ryan St. Cyr at 603-223-8941 or Ryan.T.StCyr@dos.nh.gov. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Two policemen escorting a polio vaccination team were shot dead in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, police officials said on Tuesday. Unknown miscreants riding on a motorcycle opened fire at the police personnel assigned to guard polio vaccination workers in the Nawa Killi area of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, said Asif Marwat, a senior police official in the area. He said that other members of the polio team including two women remained safe in the firing incident, adding that authorities had to halt the polio vaccination drive in the area after the attack. Police said that the perpetrators fled the scene after carrying out the attack, and a full-fledged operation has started in the area to arrest them as soon as possible. The attack came on the first day of a week-long campaign to administer polio vaccines to approximately 2.6 million children under five years of age in Balochistan, according to local reports. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo described the incident as a conspiracy against the healthy future of the nation's children. "The negative propaganda against the polio campaign and the malicious intentions of the anti-state elements will be thwarted," he said. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan is one of the only two polio-endemic countries in the world, along with its neighbor Afghanistan. Arrow star Stephen Amell is facing a swift backlash for speaking out against the SAG-AFTRA strike. The actors strike is currently in its third week after the 160,000 member-strong union voted to join striking writers, who are fighting for better compensation and assurances that they will not lose work to artificial intelligence (AI), among other demands. Hollywood stars to have joined the picket line include George Clooney, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain, Wendell Pierce, Steve Buscemi, Michael Shannon, Brendan Fraser and BD Wong. Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson donated a record seven-figure sum to SAG-AFTRA. However, one actor who is against the strike is Amell, whose credits include the TV shows Arrow and wrestling drama Heels. Amell became the first high-profile actor to speak out against the strike during a Q&A at Galaxycon in North Carolina, when he said: I support my union, I do. And I stand with them. I do not support striking. I dont. I think that it is a reductive negotiating tactic. He continued: I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating. I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that Im on that premiered last night I think its myopic. After footage of Amells quotes were sent around social media, many criticised the actor for his disappointing views with it being pointed out that the strike is to help jobbing actors, not those who are already established and financially comfortable. Stephen Amell does not support the strike (Getty Images for FilmRise) It must be nice to be in a financial position where you can have a s*** take like this, @MaceAhWindu wrote, with @s_prevot writing: Your peers are fighting for their livelihoods and can barely put food on the table while you sit with your millions like wah this is so frustrating. @iReinaValentine added: What Im hearing is that SAG should go to the negotiating table and propose that No actors likeness can be used for AI without consent except for Stephen Amell. Elsewhere, @ChainsawReacts stated: Stephen has a right to his opinion, but he isnt one of the actors who is struggling to make ends meet. He lead Arrow for 8 years and leading Heels now. He also does conventions multiples times a year, he is fine. This strike is to help actors/writers who arent lucky like he is. The Independent has contacted Amell for comment. The most renowned facet of Mississippis history is our racial divide. This state is more well known for race than it is for our celebrated literature and music and the rest of the cultural arts. More known for race than NASAs John C. Stennis Space Center, Ingalls Shipbuilding, the finest deer herd in the country, the Neshoba County Fair, Mals St. Paddy's Day Parade, cotton and soybeans, Camille and Katrinas devastation, medical research in Jackson and agricultural research in Stoneville, the Nissan and Toyota plants, two straight NCAA baseball national championships, Leontyne Prices glorious voice, Tammy Wynettes divorce and Jerry Clowers funny stories. Mississippi is more separated on race-related issues than any other place on the planet. Mississippi is home base for race. Alabamas not. Georgias not. Louisianas not. Mac Gordon It just is. Dont bother arguing. It just is. We all know it and are preparing to know more about it than some of our 2.9 million people ever wished to know. Some others are jubilant and rightly so. We are all Mississippians, by birth or choice. Once a Mississippian, always a Mississippian. Were just split on some things. Were getting a refurbished and better protected Emmett Till and Mamie-Till Mobley Monument, located at two sites in the Mississippi Delta where Till was savagely murdered on Aug. 28, 1955, and one in Chicago where his mangled body was put on display in an open casket at his mothers behest. Mississippi will be split a little further due to all the ceremony surrounding the monument honoring Till, a Black teenager from Chicago who, while visiting cousins for the summer, was murdered after allegedly whistling at a white clerk in a country store at Money in rural Leflore County. A 75-pound cotton gin fan was strapped to his body when it was dumped into the Tallahatchie River. Graball Landing, near the soil-rich hamlet of Glendora where Tills body was pulled from the river, is one site for the regenerated monument. Story continues The other location is the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner where two white men, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, were acquitted at trial later in 1955 for the Till murder. Bryants wife, Carolyn Bryant, was the clerk at whom Till purportedly whistled. The state will be further fractured over the monument because many racially apathetic Mississippians are tired of hearing about the Till death. Some earlier Till monuments placed in the area where the revived one is planned were scarred by vandalism. I say get over it and get right. The renewed federal project was announced July 25 by President Joe Biden to honor Till. My God, its hard to fathom. Today, on Emmetts 82nd birthday, we add another chapter in the story of remembrance and healing, Biden said of the tribute. Biden is right to push this effort to memorialize the death of Till, which provided a major spark for the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Because of our torrid racial history, it wont be a popular destination for those Mississippians wanting to forget the Till case. I hope Im wrong on that count. I hope that, at least, our school children will visit the sites to gain a better and more truthful understanding of this states racially-stained history. They will learn from it. This isnt Florida where a foolish governor wants kids to be taught that Blacks benefited from slavery, possibly the dumbest thing a politician ever said. Republican Gov. Haley Barbour in 2006 directed Mississippis public schools to begin correctly teaching this states civil rights history. Perhaps that edict will gain new steam. The story of Emmett Tills murder should be chapter one. Mac Gordon is a native of McComb. He is a retired newspaperman. He can be reached at macmarygordon@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Federal Emmett Till monument a reminder of Mississippi's past Credit - Getty Images/iStockphoto The Biden Administration launched a new website on Sunday, detailing what it calls the most affordable repayment plan ever for student loan borrowers. The website, which is still in its beta testing phase, opens applications to the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which the White House announced on June 30. SAVE is replacing the existing Revised Pay-As-You-Earn (REPAYE) plan. The other three existing income-driven repayment plans, which provide borrowers with lower monthly payments that are tailored to their income and family size, will remain in place. Income-driven repayment plans may be appealing to some because borrowers will have their loan balance automatically forgiven after 20 or 25 years of payments, depending on the type of loan they took out. The SAVE plan could cut payments on undergraduate loans by half compared to the other income-driven repayment plans. The new program was finalized on June 30 after the Supreme Court struck down Bidens earlier student-loan relief plan. Part of the presidents overall commitment is to improve the student loan system and reduce the burden of student loan debt on American families, a senior Biden Administration official told CNN, which received the first preview of the beta website. The SAVE plan is a big part of that. It is important in this moment as borrowers are getting ready to return to repayment. Applicants can now enroll in the SAVE plan which was released to test site performance before the full website launch in August and the official restart of federal student loan payment deadlines on October 1. Heres what to know about the SAVE plan. Who should use the website? The SAVE plan is ideal for borrowers who are looking to make changes to their current repayment plan, or are not currently enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan and are looking to decrease their monthly payments for student loans. Borrowers who were enrolled in the REPAYE plan will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE plan. Story continues Borrowers with parent PLUS loans must consolidate their loans before they can apply for an income-driven repayment plan. The Department of Education says that borrowers who make less than $15 an hour and are enrolled in SAVE will have a $0 monthly payment on their student loans. That is because the way the Education Department calculates discretionary income has changed. Under the new standard, the Department will now compute a borrowers discretionary income as the difference between a borrower's adjusted gross income and 225% of the federal poverty guideline amount, instead of 150%. As a result, people enrolled in SAVE will have more of their income exempted from the calculation, and will thus have more affordable monthly paymentsand more people will not need to pay anything at all. The plan also ensures that borrowers who meet their monthly payments wont see their balances grow due to unpaid interest. If a borrower is unsure whether SAVE is the best repayment plan for them, they can use the Education Departments Loan Simulator to calculate the best plan for them. Read more: Why Women Will Suffer the Most From the Supreme Court's Student Loan Ruling How does the website work? Applicants can review the information on fileincluding their FSA ID and incometo see what SAVE might save them. The Department of Ed estimates the application will take about 10 minutes to complete, though borrowers can pause and complete their application later. Borrowers will be able to see a rough estimate of their monthly payments online. For example, a borrower who makes $60,000 annually and is single can expect to pay $227 per month toward their student loans. Changes to the SAVE plan are expected to roll out in July 2024. Starting next summer, borrowers can expect automatic enrollment in an income-driven repayment plan if they are 75 days late on a payment, will automatically receive credit toward forgiveness for some periods of deferment and forbearance, and more. Read more: Student Loan Payments Are Resuming This Fall. Heres What to Do If You Cant Pay What other measures can help borrowers? Since the failure of Bidens $20,000 loan forgiveness plan, the Education Department has announced new programs meant to help borrowers. Part of that includes a 12 month on-ramp to repayment plan, which will protect borrowers as they adjust to paying off their student loans again after the pandemic pause. Through the program, missed monthly payments will not be considered delinquent, reported to credit bureaus, placed in default, or referred to debt collection agencies from October 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024. The Education Department also announced it is wiping out the student debt of more than 800,000 borrowers on July 14. It is also still reviewing federally managed borrower accounts to give borrowers credit on monthly payments that may have been previously ineligible, as part of the one-time account adjustment announced in April. The Administration has also said it intends to pursue student loan forgiveness through the Higher Education Act. Contact us at letters@time.com. From the Midwest to the northeast, tens of millions of people are bracing for extreme heat this weekend. A recent nationwide study reveals the extreme heat isnt just uncomfortable, it generates about $1 billion in health care costs every summer. Researchers say thats because more people are going to the hospital for heat-related illnesses. These things really strain our already short, staffed hospital systems and healthcare providers. Marquisha Johns, associate director for public health policy at the Center for American Progress. This report is a collaboration between the Center for American Progress and Virginia Commonwealth University. The group reviewed climate data and insurance claims in Virginia over the course of five summers. When they scale up these results nationally, it shows hot summer days lead to nearly 235,000 emergency room visits and 56,000 hospital admissions. Part of the report has recommendations for state and federal officials to transition from fossil fuel to clean renewable energy in order to lower the temperatures. ALSO READ: Family says landlord didnt fix air conditioner or fridge for days in heat One of the biggest things we also need to do besides taking care of people today is also taking reducing our emissions so were not increasing the temperatures even more for the future, she said. Johns said these changes are necessary especially for minority neighborhoods that are more vulnerable to severe weather. We think about Black and brown communities, they tend to have more concrete and less trees, less green spaces, things like that all of these things that actually ended up cooling down communities, and neighborhoods, said Johns. She also suggests making homes more resilient. Thinking about cool roofs for homes, reflective paint on roads, anything that we could do to reduce the amount of heat that our cities and states are feeling, said Johns. There are also solutions for you at home. This includes learning the warning signs of heat-related illnesses and how to access local cooling centers. VIDEO: Family says landlord didnt fix air conditioner or fridge for days in heat Moon rising behind trees in Jindayris, Syria, on July 31 The Moon is appearing larger and brighter than usual for many people around the world just now - provided the skies are clear enough to see it. A supermoon event happens when the Moon is at its closest approach to the Earth. And this month's is called a Sturgeon Moon - after the increase in sturgeon fish in North American lakes at this time of year.For those of us in the UK, will the rain hold off for long enough? Read our guide to find out how best to see it. How to see the supermoon Catherine Heymans, an astrophysics professor at University of Edinburgh, suggests people look to the horizon just after sunset. The Sturgeon Moon rises on 1 August but it will still look full for the following couple of nights. Although the Moon will technically be full at 19:31 BST, observers in the UK won't be able to see it until it rises above the horizon at 21:22 BST, according to Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer Dr Greg Brown. Dr Brown added that it will be indistinguishable from a full Moon for the entirety of the night before it sets at 05:42 BST tomorrow morning. "While a clear, low horizon to the southeast will certainly help you spot it sooner, it will quickly rise into the sky, making it visible from practically anywhere in the country. "Being the brightest thing in the night sky, you won't have any trouble spotting it regardless of whether you are in the bright city or the dark countryside. You won't need any device to see it, though a pair of binoculars or small telescope can always be used to magnify its features and get a clearer view of its surface," he said. Will clouds in the UK spoil the fun? Potentially - poor weather conditions this evening could make it difficult to catch a glimpse, according to BBC Weather, with an area of low pressure throwing in cloud and rain from the west. Parts of northern mainland Scotland should experience clear spells throughout the night, meaning the supermoon is likely to be visible here. Story continues Check the weather forecast in your area here In north Wales, the Midlands, northern England and East Anglia, a few cloud breaks are also possible until around midnight - before the rain arrives. Behind this band of rain, some cloud breaks should also return to the south-west and south-east Wales before the moon sets. But Prof Don Pollacco, a physicist at the University of Warwick, said the moon will be so bright that it can be seen "when it's not particularly dark or even if the weather isn't particularly clear". What causes a supermoon? The Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical shape rather than in a circle, which means its distance to us varies by tens of thousands of kilometres. A supermoon occurs when the Moon is closest point to the Earth. This is known as the lunar perigee. A full Moon during perigee will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is furthest away from Earth. We'll have the final supermoon of 2023 on 29 September - this one will be called the Harvest Moon, which only occurs once every four years. Cultures across the world give full Moons different names to describe what was happening in the month. What is a Blue Moon? Tonight's Sturgeon Moon will be followed by a rare Blue Moon on 30 August. A Blue Moon is a second full Moon occurring within a single calendar month, and happens every two to three years - or once in a Blue Moon. Banner saying 'Get in touch' Have you got pictures of the supermoon? We'd love to see them. Get in touch. The Supreme Courts decision in Students for Fair Admission v. President and Trustees of Harvard College will have an enormous impact on admissions decisions in colleges and universities. The court clearly held that both public and private schools cannot use race as a factor in admissions decisions to benefit individuals of color or enhance diversity. This will not change anything for public schools in California for whom affirmative action was eliminated in 1996 by Proposition 209. But it will matter for private schools in this state and for schools in most other states where affirmative action had not been previously been eliminated. Much remains uncertain, however, about the broader implications of the Supreme Courts decision. Quite crucially, the court held that colleges and universities cannot give preference based on race, but it did not keep them from pursuing diversity through race-neutral means, nor did the courts majority opinion say that institutions must be colorblind. Though Justice Clarence Thomas argued for this in his concurring opinion, it was not part of Chief Justice John Roberts majority opinion. Opinion Nothing in the courts opinion precludes colleges and universities from engaging in outreach to encourage diverse students to apply or to enroll once accepted. Enhancing the pipeline of qualified students of color is imperative. The admissions process for schools involves three major steps: encouraging students to apply, admissions decisions and persuading admitted students to attend. The courts decision focuses on the middle step, but does not speak to targeted outreach or recruitment. Additionally, Roberts suggested that there were ways in which colleges and universities may continue to consider race. In a very important passage near the end of this opinion, he wrote: nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise. But this seems a difficult distinction. No preference may be given based on race, but race may be used as a positive if its related to overcoming adversity. Story continues A benefit to a student who overcame racial discrimination, for example, must be tied to that students courage and determination, Roberts wrote. Its unclear what this will mean in practice. A college or university cannot give a preference based on race, but it can take into account how a particular student overcame racial discrimination or how their race has served as an inspiration. This seems a difficult line to draw, both for schools in their admissions decisions and, ultimately, for the courts when there are legal challenges to resolve. Its also unclear if colleges and universities can use race-neutral proxies to achieve diversity. For example, the University of Texas created a program of accepting the top 10% of high schools in the state, yielding some degree of diversity. Is this permissible because it does not speak of race at all? Or is this unconstitutional because it is done with the purpose of benefiting people of color and it achieves that effect? Nothing in the opinion precludes schools from giving preferences on other grounds, such as a students socio-economic status or if they are the first in their family to go to college. Opponents of affirmative action are making broad claims about what the court decided, but it is important to focus on just what the courts decision does and does not do. Schools must comply with the courts holding, but my hope is that public and private schools and universities will continue to pursue diversity and look for ways to achieve it that are not ruled out by the courts decision. The education of all students is enhanced by a diverse classroom and campus. Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean and a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Parents gather at the U.S. Supreme Court after the ruling last summer that wiped away abortion rights. A case pending before the court now could put women's lives at risk again if bans on gun possession by domestic abusers are tossed out. Parents gather at the U.S. Supreme Court after the ruling last summer that wiped away abortion rights. A case pending before the court now could put women's lives at risk again if bans on gun possession by domestic abusers are tossed out. My soon to be [e]x husband threatened to shoot me and he verbally abuses everyday . He also has anywhere from 50 to 60 guns in his room. I am afraid he will get drunk and shoot me. These are the words of Regina, a woman who shared her bitter truth and plea for help in an affidavit filed with a Tennessee court last year. Like more than 4.5 million other women across the country, she feared her ex-husband would act on the threats he made with his gun, and she was right last month Regina was shot and killed, along with their daughter and another person, by her abusive ex-husband. Americas gun violence crisis is inextricably linked with its violence against women crisis. Two-thirds of women killed by an intimate partner are killed with a gun, and an average of 70 women are fatally shot by their partners each month in America. Beyond the devastating effect on the victims who directly experience it, including children, intimate partner violence is often a precursor to violence outside the home. In 68% of mass shootings, the shooter killed a partner or family member or had a history of domestic violence. Now a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court will determine whether more people will die at the hands of their abusers or if the nations highest court will put the safety of women and children above the agenda of gun extremists. In February, a panel of three extremist judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit two of them nominated by President Donald Trump ruled in United States v. Rahimi that it is unconstitutional to prohibit people subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a gun. The case involves Zackey Rahimi, a poster child for why the federal law prohibiting firearm possession for people subject to a domestic violence restraining order should be left intact. Story continues In late 2019 in Texas, Rahimi had an argument with his girlfriend that ended with him knocking her to the ground, dragging her to his car and shoving her inside. He then grabbed his gun and fired a shot. Rahimi later threatened another woman with a gun and then participated in five shootings, including one in which he fired a gun into the air after his friends credit card was declined at a Whataburger. Its beyond clear that Rahimi and abusers like him should never have access to a gun, but because of the 5th Circuits decision, this basic and fundamental public safety law is now at risk and the lives of women and children across the country hang in the balance. The Supreme Court will take up the Rahimi case this fall, with a decision slated for next June. If the Supreme Court upholds the 5th Circuits decision, it would allow abusers around the country to arm themselves, and women and children will die as a result. This is not an abstract exercise. Data shows access to a gun makes it five times more likely that a woman will die at the hands of her abuser. The question of whether or not domestic abusers have the right to possess guns should not be up for debate. The 5th Circuits decision is a full-out assault on women, and the Supreme Court must make it clear that our lives matter more than guns. Tens of thousands of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers across the country, many of whom are gun violence survivors, are mobilizing to make sure that the Supreme Court knows lives are on the line this fall. We wont stand idly by while the court contemplates whether the safety of women and children is more important than the gun lobbys agenda. In the streets, online and with our elected officials, well be raising our voices so that every American knows what is at stake in the Rahimi case. Now is the time to put women and childrens lives over gun industry extremism. Now is the time to get off the sidelines and get loud. A Texas man whose case was dismissed weeks before his trial in the 1997 killing of a Fort Worth woman is back in jail and faces a capital murder charge in her death, according to police. Michael Puryear, 46, of Houston, was arrested by Fort Worth police in connection with the cold case killing of Verna Dennis. He was booked into the city jail on Monday afternoon. The Fort Worth Police Department announced in a news release Tuesday that they reopened the cold case and were able to build on work done by previous detectives. Recent advancements in DNA technology allowed for testing that was not previously available, the release said. Fort Worth police also said that they pursued all available leads when Dennis was killed, but the initial case ultimately was not prosecuted. Puryear was first arrested in connection with Dennis death in 2006. Prosecutors dismissed the case in 2009, saying at the time that the evidence wasnt strong enough to proceed to trial. A Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office spokesperson said on Tuesday the new case has not yet been filed by the DAs office and referred questions to the police department. Dennis, the 56-year-old co-owner of a beauty salon, was found dead in her home on Aug. 10, 1997. She had been struck 23 times in the head with a steel pry bar police found in the kitchen sink of her Ridglea Hills home and her throat was cut with a butcher knife, according to an autopsy report. Dennis body was found by her friends when they arrived at her house for Bible study. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and Dennis 1993 Acura were missing from her home. Her car was found about a month later in the parking lot of a Kmart in San Antonio, police have said. In the fall of 2005, an informant told police that Puryear had made a detailed confession to killing Dennis, who was the mother of Puryears college roommate. Police wrote in a 2006 arrest warrant affidavit that Puryear allegedly told the informant that he had abandoned Dennis vehicle and was lucky because the parking lot surveillance video had recycled a day before police found the car, preventing him from being identified. Story continues Although homicide detectives said that DNA linked Puryear to the crime scene, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office said in 2009 that the DNA evidence was not strong. A spokesman with the district attorneys office also said at the time of dismissal that an investigation determined the informants story was not credible. Puryears defense attorney said that a polygraph test given to the informant was inconclusive but the examiner who made the report believed the man was untruthful. Evidence in the investigation also seemed to support Puryears alibi that he was at a party in Austin the night investigators believed Dennis was killed, the district attorneys office said in 2009. Puryear spent a year in jail after his 2006 arrest, but had been free on bail since June 2007. His charges were dropped in June 2009 by the district attorneys office, just two weeks before the capital murder case was set to go to trial. When asked in 2009 if investigators still considered Puryear a suspect in Dennis murder, Fort Worth Homicide Sgt. J.D. Thornton said, There has been no evidence presented to us that would change or alter the direction that brought us to the brink of this trial. Puryear was being held Tuesday in the Tarrant County Jail with bond set at $500,000. A current attorney representing Puryear is not listed in court records. This article includes information from the Star-Telegrams archives. Law enforcement in Central Florida said a missing teenage girl, whose disappearance sparked an AMBER Alert on Monday was found safe on Tuesday. 5:30 p.m. update The Daytona Beach Police Department said that on Tuesday, the agency along with the Clay County Sheriffs Office, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and the Marion County Sheriffs Office located 14-year-old Barbora Zdanska in Marion County Florida unharmed. Police said that based on witnesses from statements, it was determined that no crime had happened due to the kidnapping accusation not being factual and also being reported by a third party, not the victim. Read: Leprosy in Central Florida: 9 things to know about the disease 12:30 p.m. update: Police have confirmed that the teen reported missing from Volusia County has been found safe by law enforcement officers in Marion County. Investigators said she was found at 12:21 p.m. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and that an update will be given Tuesday evening. Original report: Law enforcement in Central Florida is on the lookout for a teenager who was reportedly kidnapped in Volusia County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement sent out an Amber Alert on Monday evening after reports of missing 14-year-old Barbora Zdanska. Daytona Beach police said Barbora got into a car Monday and then sent her family a message that she had been kidnapped. Read: 2 killed in Osceola County shooting, sheriffs office says Barbora has blonde hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a black Adidas sweatshirt with white stripes and black jean shorts. Police said early Tuesday morning thatthe 2014 blue Dodge Caravan that she was believed to have entered had been found, but she was not with the vehicle. Watch: Police kill man who shot at them, held relatives hostage during standoff at Palm Bay home Neighbors near Boynton Boulevard, where Barbora was last seen, said they have been getting together to try and share what they know. Story continues Police said anyone who knows where Barbora is should call 911. Watch: Orlando police share video of suspects wanted after string of car break-ins Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A man charged with murder in the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee will stand trial in the case, a judge decided Tuesday, after the judge said evidence suggests the suspect used a knife to kill Lee. Judge Harry Dorfman made the ruling following a day and a half of testimony in a preliminary hearing for Nima Momeni, a tech consultant accused of stabbing Lee, 43, in San Franciscos Rincon Hill neighborhood in the predawn hours of April 4. Momeni, who pleaded not guilty in May, is scheduled to appear in court again on August 15. Authorities have said the two men knew each other and were in a car together the night of the killing. The defense argued for a lesser manslaughter charge, saying the governments evidence didnt indicate the crime was premeditated. Instead, Momenis attorney Saam Zangeneh argued that surveillance video shows the two men seemed amicable as they left an apartment building, got into a car and then parked along a street for nearly 20 minutes. That could only result in a sudden, heat-of-passion quarrel and not a malicious, premeditated murder, Zangeneh said. Prosecutors called a DNA expert with the San Francisco police who said the DNA recovered from a knife discarded near the crime scene is almost certainly Momenis. There is limited support to the proposition that Mr. Momeni is not a contributor to the DNA on the blade, the expert, Alain Oyafuso, testified. The defense countered that the evidence cant support how or when the DNA got onto the knife, and that the knife itself is one commonly found at popular retailers. Police say the knife came from the apartment of Momenis sister. Dorfman cited the DNA evidence when deciding the case should go to trial. The evidence as I see it is very strong, because Mr. Momenis DNA is on that knife and Mr. Lees blood is on that knife, Dorfman said. Evidence from the preliminary hearing will be sealed at the request of both the prosecution and Momenis defense team. Prosecutors claimed the evidence could contaminate a potential juror pool, and Momenis attorneys said images of Lees autopsy would be unnecessarily disturbing to his family. Story continues Defense: Suspect didnt argue with victim the night of the stabbing On Monday, the first day of the hearing, defense attorneys said Momeni did not have a dispute with Lee the night of Lees death, offering a glimpse into their strategy. The San Francisco district attorneys office previously released text messages that suggest the two men had an argument the night of the killing. On Monday, Momenis attorneys argued their client was upset with a different man, who police said was having an affair with Momenis sister. This man also lived in an apartment that hosted one of two parties Lee attended the night he died. Now youre starting to get a different picture, said Momenis attorney Bradford Cohen after Mondays proceedings. It wasnt that our client had any kind of argument with Bob Lee. The argument was really with (another man) and the fact were bringing that out today is beneficial towards a future motion or the future trial. On Monday, prosecutors played surveillance video in court that they allege links Momeni to Lees killing. The footage shows Lee getting into a white BMW, which prosecutors say Momeni was driving. That car was captured on several other surveillance cameras, including near the location where Lee later collapsed from stab wounds to the heart and lungs. Prosecutor Omid Talai on Monday alleged the white BMW left the scene via the Bay Bridge, heading in the direction of Momenis home in Emeryville a city just north of Oakland. San Francisco police Officer Milad Rashidian took the witness stand and identified Momeni as the resident of the home. Cohen, Momenis attorney, argued on Monday the videos are grainy and dont create an absolute depiction of the events of that night. You really cant make out whats going on, you zoomed in as much as you could, right? Cohen asked Rashidian, who agreed. Cohen continued, When you zoomed in on this, it doesnt enhance it whatsoever, correct? Some of the videos are limited in time and scope. Correct, Rashidian said. Also Monday, police crime scene investigator Rosalyn Check testified that a blood trail leading from near where a knife was found matched the direction Lee was seen walking on video as he struggled to find help. (The blood) appeared to be getting heavier and more dense as the trail continued, Check testified. She added that blood evidence was taken from a call box and a tile entryway of a building where Lee tried to get help. Prosecutors claim the 4-inch kitchen knife was thrown into a fenced-in lot near the crime scene, where it was later recovered. The defense questioned the responding officers about potential disturbances of the crime scene before police arrived and while officers collected evidence. Defense attorney Tony Brass told reporters outside the courtroom Monday: What were doing right now is setting the scene for what kind of police work was done and what the limits of that police work are. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com DHAKA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Health officials confirmed four more dengue deaths in Bangladesh on Monday, bringing the death toll to 204 in July. According to the figure reported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health, the death toll from the viral dengue outbreak in the South Asian country has risen to 251 so far this year, while reported cases have reached 51,832. The DGHS data showed 43,854 more dengue cases were recorded in July after 5,956 people were infected with the mosquito-borne disease in June. In the last 24 hours as of 8:00 a.m. local time Monday, a total of 2,694 fresh dengue cases including 1,168 in Dhaka were reported. The DGHS said 42,195 dengue patients returned home after receiving treatment from various hospitals across the country from January to July this year. In order to fight the rising number of dengue cases, Bangladesh health authorities have strengthened measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes and conduct anti-larval operations. Rates of syphilis are spiking in San Luis Obispo County amid a national surge in cases of this common sexually transmitted infection.. The increase in syphilis is leading to a national shortage of penicillin, one antibiotic used to treat the bacterial disease, according to a Monday news release from the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department. In 2022, 99 cases of syphilis were diagnosed in SLO County, an increase consistent with trends in California and the United States, the release said. In comparison, 65 cases were diagnosed locally in 2021, the county said. Researchers are investigating the cause of the nationwide spike, but, regardless of the cause, health officials urge caution. Syphilis can be prevented and, even amid this medication shortage, it can be cured if it is found in the early stages, SLO County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. However, syphilis can cause very serious health problems if it is left untreated and can be especially devastating when it is transmitted to a baby during pregnancy and birth. Our public health team is here to help you protect yourself, get tested, and get treatment if needed. Syphilis can be contracted through sexual contact and can be transmitted to an unborn baby during pregnancy, the release said. According to the release, syphilis can be identified with blood tests and can be cured using antibiotics if treated early on in the infection. The most common treatment for syphilis is an injectable form of penicillin called Bicillin L-A. The surge in syphilis cases nationwide is driving a supply shortage for the antibiotic. Other medications can be used to treat syphilis, but require a longer course of treatment. If not treated, syphilis can spread to the brain and nervous system or to the eye, creating health complications such as hearing loss, stroke and blindness. Syphilis in infants can cause severe health problems and even lead to newborn death. If you have syptoms or think you may have been exposed to syphilis, please dont let this shortage deter you from getting tested, Borenstein said. There are still good options available and its important to treat syphilis as soon as possible so it doesnt cause further damage to your body. Confidential, low-cost testing, treatment and education about sexually transmitted infections is available at the SLO County Public Health Department. Public health nurses can help patients with information on protecting themselves and their partners and offer free condoms. Appointments can be made by calling 805-781-5500 or visiting slocounty.ca.gov/STD-Test. There are so many strikes against Donald Trump now, its hard to keep track: refusing to admit he lost the election, multiple indictments, including on charges of keeping classified documents. The latest is that Trump asked employees to cover up evidence of his wrongdoings. And theres hints that any day now, Trump could face charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Yet by nearly every measure and every poll, Trump is the leading favorite to be the GOP presidential nominee in 2024. Hes ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by a significant margin and other contenders, like Mike Pence and Nikki Haley, by light years. Why? How can voters stand by someone with so much baggage? Theyve given us some clues and so has Trump. For starters, Trump is a con man at best and a narcissist at worst. Con artists are charming, affable, charismatic, and appear to be strong leaders, even if they have no idea what theyre talking about. Everyone has met this kind of person theyre salesmen and husbands, pastors and wives and it can take years to realize that this person is actually a fraud, a manipulator and a fake. Former President Donald Trump greets supporters as he arrives at a press event at Mar-a-Lago on April 4, after facing arraignment in New York earlier in the day. Trump has easily communicated all these traits in rallies, during interviews and while president. Hes constantly telling lies and bragging about himself, all while never doing exactly what he says he will do. When he lost the presidency, he whined about it while retaining an air of charming confidence that bordered on arrogance. A lot of people can be drawn to this. History shows it. According to polls, these characteristics have manipulated voters. Even while 45% think DeSantis is more moral than Trump, 54% think Trump is more fun, 58% think hes more able to beat Biden, and a whopping 69% think Trump is a strong leader. Just what we want in a party leader - someone fun. Because of the way the last 10 years have gone, the Republican party has split in many ways, including class lines. According to a New York Times poll, 37% of Republicans are hard-core MAGA Trump voters. They are also the least educated, and 70% earn less than $100,000 a year. Story continues Eighty percent of these same people think America is in danger of failing and 0 polled believe Trump has committed no crimes whatsoever. These are both clearly lines directly from Trumps mouth. Of the 25% not open to voting for Trump, only 37% think America is in danger of failing, and half think Trump has committed crimes. Kathy Clark of Lantana, Florida, holds a sign expressing support for former President Donald Trump in March. An intelligent person would not knowingly elect a criminal to public office and yet, MAGA supporters are hardly swayed by any negative news that comes out smearing Trump. Theyve so bought into his charisma and charm, that even his misdeeds and whining are forgiven. Trumps convinced them that hes being hunted down and indicted because the corrupt establishment is out to get him not because hes done anything wrong. So they give him the benefit of the doubt. Trump even believes himself. Trump continues to behave as he has and he gaslights along the way, reassuring his base hes more saintly than he is, that the offices investigating him are merely partisan, and that only he can restore America. Its such an obvious grift that the only way one can explain why his base still loves him is that theyve been conned by one of the best, and thats an addiction thats hard to break, as anyone who has been fooled by a lover, or a substance, knows. At this juncture, the MAGA base acts more like a committed cult, following their leader wherever he might go. A level of emotional intelligence is required to poke through the lies of a cult-like politician, but MAGA voters dont seem even interested in this. Theyve embraced him as their warrior-leader for so long, who else will stand up to Washington, D.C.? Much of the MAGA fanbase bought into the belief that somehow this brash New Yorker who resides nearly full time in the gauche glamour of Mar-A-Lago wants to stand up for them in the White House. He doesnt really, of course, but its enough that he says he will. They also believe America is broken enough, that it needs Trump to Make America Great Again. The MAGA base only listens to Fox News and the like, which continues to feed them only information that confirms their previous bias. The same occurs with the other side. Smartphone algorithms and dedication to one television channel of a particular ideology explains why every side thrives in an information bubble partly of their choosing. So they truly believe Trump is innocent, while Bidens base believes Bidenomics is working. These factors combine to make for a devastating combination of belief. Even still, the bond must loosen, for the sake of the Republican Party and the good of the country. The only person now who can beat Trump is Biden. Do we really want four more years of him, either? Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us! We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news and to publish those views in the Opinion section. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days. Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions. You can submit a letter to the editor two ways: Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred). Fill out this online form. Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic. TAIWAN MIRAGE 2000 Taiwan is looking at extending the service life of a portion of its Mirage 2000-5 fighters as it grapples with potential delays in receiving 66 new F-16C/D Block 70 jets from the United States. With concerns over potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan only growing, alongside an uptick in Chinese military aircraft activity around the island, the capabilities of Taiwans fighter fleet are increasingly under scrutiny. According to a statement yesterday from Taiwans Air Force Command Headquarters, a study is now underway into the feasibility of extending the service life of nine of its 54 surviving Mirage 2000-5s. This was reported by Taiwans semi-official Central News Agency (CNA), which stated that the plan was based on both strategic and risk-hedging reasons. One of the ROCAFs two-seat Mirage 2000-5DI fighters displayed in a hangar behind an array of MICA RF and Magic 2 air-to-air missiles. The nine aircraft to be modernized would all be two-seaters, which is judged more cost-effective since these jets have a dual air defense and training role. However, theres no reason why the same program couldnt also be extended to single-seaters in the future, funds permitting. The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) says that its working alongside the original equipment manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, as part of the evaluation, which will assess whether the jets in question can serve for another 20 years. The ROCAF is reportedly paying $4.77 million for the study, which is scheduled to be completed by July 2026. While unclear from the reports so far, the relatively long timeline suggests that this could well be more than theoretical work and may also involve actual modernization of at least some of the aircraft earmarked. A ROCAF technician stands next to a Mirage 2000-5 jet in a hangar during a full-power engine test during an annual exercise at Hsinchu Air Base on January 16, 2019. SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images Tellingly, CNA reports that the Mirages are the costliest fighters in the ROCAF inventory, based on maintenance and repair requirements. This is also a result of the age of these jets, which were delivered between 1997 and 1998. Taiwan originally ordered 60 of the French-made fighters, comprising 48 single-seat Mirage 2000-5EI and 12 two-seat Mirage 2000-5DI variants. That deal was worth $3.8 billion, excluding weapons and other items, and was known as Project Fei Long (Flying Dragon). Story continues In the meantime, the United States had approved the sale of F-16A/Bs to Taiwan, but the country was keen to diversify its fighter fleet and avoid reliance on a single source of this vital equipment, which could be compromised in times of crisis, or even depending on U.S. relations with China. Meanwhile, the ROCAFs Mirages are prized for their performance, in particular their rapid rate of climb, which reportedly led to the decision to base them in Hsinchu, close to the Chinese mainland, from where they are best suited to quickly intercept intruding aircraft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ixaxaPP_Vw ROCAF Mirages are armed with MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles, with active-radar guidance, as well as infrared-homing Magic II missiles. While air defense is their primary mission, the jets can also carry the Thales ASTAC pod for electronic intelligence (ELINT). A fully armed ROCAF Mirage 2000-5 taxis on a runway in front of a hangar at Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on August 5, 2022. Photo by SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images The Mirages are also deployed elsewhere, including rotations to Taitung County from where they can defend the southeastern part of the island. https://twitter.com/MoNDefense/status/1683407972737880066?s=20 However, the Taiwanese Mirage fleet has also faced some issues, especially related to maintenance. This has been reflected in the high level of support and life-cycle costs. According to Roy Choo and Peter Ho, in their authoritative study of the modern ROCAF, the Mirage 2000-5 costs the ROCAF $28,500 for each flight hour, compared to $5,700 for the F-16A/B, and $8,900 for the F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter. A number of Mirages have been placed in rotational storage to help mitigate this problem. Bearing this in mind, its clear that the decision to assess a Mirage service-life extension is being driven by very real concerns about availability across all three fighter fleets. Indeed, thought had previously been given to a modernization program for the jets, but this was apparently rejected on cost grounds, as well as the inability of the French-made fighter to be integrated into Taiwans C4ISR network, known as Hsunan. There were also rumors that the Mirage 2000-5 might be replaced entirely by the F-16C/D Block 70. In the meantime, modernization programs were undertaken for the surviving F-16A/Bs and F-CK-1s. The early-model F-16s have now re-entered service in upgraded F-16V form, which you can read more about here. 141 F-16A/Bs are being upgraded to F-16V standard. A ROCAF F-16 displayed with some of its weapons options at Chiayi Air Base. YOUTH DAILY NEWS The service also operates around 129 upgraded F-CK-1s, which also now include a standoff cruise missile capability, which you can read more about here. A single-seat F-CK-1C fighter armed with a pair of Wan Chien standoff missiles under the wings. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Now, in a possible turnaround, at least some of the Mirages will be retained longer to mitigate delays in deliveries of the new-build F-16s. According to CNA, the first two of the 66 F-16C/Ds were to be delivered by the end of this year, but this has now been pushed back until the third quarter of 2024. With the requirement for new fighters becoming more urgent, the Taiwanese deal for F-16C/D Block 70s was approved by the Trump administration in August 2019. The acquisition program is known as Feng Xiang (Phoenix Soaring). An official ROCAF infographic showing some of the key features of the F-16C/D Block 70. ROCAF The fact that Washington finally approved the sale of these advanced fighters was an important milestone in itself, the deal being a red line issue for the government in Beijing, while successive U.S. administrations had refused to allow more modern F-16 versions to be delivered. These new jets will bring advanced capabilities including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, conformal fuel tanks, an advanced electronic warfare suite, and an increased weapons load. As such, they will help address the growing qualitative gap between the ROCAF and Chinas increasingly sophisticated air arms. The current situation faced by the ROCAF, and the broader Republic of China Armed Forces, highlights the importance of both fighter numbers and capabilities. In recent years, the Chinese military has repeatedly set new records for aircraft incursions into Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ. At the same time, its important to remember that Taiwans ADIZ covers not only the entirety of the strategic Taiwan Strait but also portions of mainland China, too. A Su-30 Flanker fighter jet of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese PLA conducts operations around Taiwan, August 4, 2022. Photo by Hua Junxiao/Xinhua via Getty Images Regardless, these spikes in activity by Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels play into growing fears about a Chinese military intervention on the island. Defense officials in both Taiwan and the United States have presented increasingly pessimistic predictions about when China will be fully prepared to launch a full-scale invasion of what it sees as a rogue province that is fully within its sovereign territory. Meanwhile, although U.S. President Joe Biden has said in the past that the U.S. military would defend Taiwan if China attacked it, he has also stepped back from a commitment to send troops, in line with the Taiwan Relations Act. Taken together, its clear that, despite its problems, the Taiwanese Mirage 2000-5 fleet still potentially has considerable relevance for the islands defense strategy. With delays to the new F-16C/D Block 70s seemingly confirmed, its perhaps not a surprise that the Republic of China Air Force is seriously looking at extending the service career of a portion of the French-made jets to bridge this gap. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com By Ann Wang and Angie Teo TAIPEI (Reuters) - Seated with her legs stretched out on her living room floor, Vivian Tung scrunched her bare stomach to find a spot where she could inject Rekovelle, a hormonal medicine used to stimulate egg production. The 33-year-old Taiwanese brand marketing director had to inject herself daily over the two-week process it took to freeze her eggs. Tung, who is single, is one of a rising number of women in Taiwan opting to freeze their eggs to give them the option to have a child later in life, even though under current laws they cannot use the eggs unless they marry. "It's my insurance policy," she said, explaining that many women in Taiwan are independent, career-focused and not looking to solely find a husband just to have children. "My family is very supportive and respect my choice. When they hear that I buy insurance for myself, they also feel very good." Self-ruled Taiwan has a fertility rate of 0.89 children per woman, less than half the replacement level of 2.1 and one of the world's lowest just behind South Korea and Hong Kong. Single women in Taiwan can freeze their eggs, unlike in China where it is banned. But it is only legal to use the eggs in a heterosexual marriage, which excludes unmarried women and same-sex married couples. Doctors in Taiwan said the restriction has contributed to only around 8% of women using their eggs after they have been frozen, compared with around 38% in the United States. LAW CHANGES Tung is hopeful that authorities in the democratic island could change regulations to allow unmarried women to have children in future. Before her surgery, Tung had to visit the hospital every two to three days for blood tests to check her hormone levels to see how the eggs were developing, often at irregular times like 9 p.m. due to her work schedule. The effort was definitely worth it, she said. "In a few years Taiwan's laws could be liberalised due to trends or people's rising awareness on the issue could help the government to make changes," she said. Story continues Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019 and in May granted same-sex couples the right to jointly adopt a child. But only about 4% of children in Taiwan are born out of wedlock, compared with about 40% in the U.S. where it is more accepted. Li Yi-Ping, chief director of the reproduction medical centre at Taipei's Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, said there was a great chance of a policy change on egg access based on communications between the Taiwan Reproductive Association and the government, but the question was how long it would take. "This is a very important national security issue. Now we must wait for society to form a consensus," Li said. Taiwan plans a comprehensive evaluation before deciding whether to expand access to artificial reproduction given it is a complex ethical, medical and legal issue involving many stakeholders, said Chen Li-Chuan, a policy specialist at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. RISING TREND Demand for egg freezing in Taiwan has surged, with the number of women aged between 35 and 39 opting for the technology up 86% over the past three years, according to a study by National Taiwan University Hospital. More than a dozen centres offering egg freezing services opened in the last year following the pandemic, said Dr Lai Hsing-Hua, founder of Taiwan's first egg bank, the Stork Fertility Clinic. Lai said new patients at Stork's clinics in Taipei and Hsinchu have risen 50% year-on-year with the clinic freezing eggs for more than 800 women. The frenzy comes as two local governments, Hsinchu and Taoyuan, this year started subsidising egg freezing. However, only a combined 1,400 spots are available annually and an average annual salary of less than $19,000 means egg freezing is out of reach for many women. It costs $2,600 to $3,900 for the extraction, medicine and clinic visits, coupled with $160 to $320 in annual storage fees. Tung paid herself, but her supportive parents drove her to the hospital on the morning of the surgery, where she pulled out her laptop in the back seat to finish some last-minute work. Dressed in a green cotton robe and purple mesh hat to keep her hair off her face, Tung was put under general anaesthesia for the 40-minute procedure and remained in the recovery room for two hours afterward. "I'm in a lot of pain," she said, with a blanket draped around her as she was escorted home by her parents. Once there, she appeared relaxed as she played with her dog on the living room floor. "I really have a lot of peace of mind. If there is a chance in future and I want to have a child, at least I will have the opportunity." (Additional reporting by Fabian Hamacher; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Jamie Freed) Photo: DISCMOGUL (Shutterstock) This story is part of our new Hip-Hop: 73 Till Infinity series, a celebration of the genres 50th anniversary. Hip-hops ascent over the past half-century from the streets of the Bronx to the top of the charts and streaming playlists was made possible in part by new musical tech that bridged the analog and digital worlds of production. From drum machines and digital samplers to modified turntables, hip-hop artists took relatively new musical tools of the time and repurposed them in ways that have come to define not just the legacy of the tech but the entire genre. Read more While most artists making music in 2023 may start out with nothing more than a laptop brimming with digitized soundscapes, many of the textures that come pre-loaded onto contemporary music software were directly inspired by these chunky, metal, and plastic hunks of equipment artfully crafted by some of the worlds top engineers. Continue reading below to see some of hip-hops most important tech and what could be around the corner. The Roland TR-808 and the Rise of Drum Machines Photo: hurricanehank (Shutterstock) You know youve made it in any industry when the name of a tool or product becomes the universal catch-all of others, like Google or Kleenex. Thats exactly what happened with the Roland TR-808 drum machine first released in 1980. In the 40 years since, the product has likely made an appearance in thousands of tracks from Marvin Gaye and Afrika Bambaataa all the way up to Ye, the rapper once known as Kanye West. The Roland TR 808 is still used in some scenarios but more often artists and listeners will colloquially refer to the term 808" to refer to a variety of drum machines, many influenced by the trend center. The success of 808-style drum machines in rap music has led to the wide adoption of the sound style in everything from country songs to rock music. Story continues Sampling Machines Photo: DISCMOGUL (Shutterstock) Its impossible to discuss hip hop without exploring sampling, the process of taking a section of audio from one song and reworking it to fit in a new creation. This process of borrowing and reimagining music is fundamental to the development of modern hip hop, and really music generally, and it was largely made possible due to a variety of portable, relatively affordable handheld digital samplers coming to market in the early 80s. Intrepid artists had found ways to manipulate audio to create samples in years prior, but the advent of the Akai MPC series and competitors led a new generation of artists to explore sounds that would eventually become foundational beats using very little equipment. It also brought about a new age of complicated copyright claims still being worked out to this day. Tunrtable DJs Reimagine the Humble Record Player Photo: Matt Cardy (Getty Images) In its essence, a turntable simply refers to the part of the record player that sounds the record while it plays. What are now known as turntablists evolved the simple process of leading one record into another into its own art form. Early hip hop pioneers like DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash learned to manipulate turntables to create breakbeats and the notorious scratching sounds inextricably linked to late 80s and 90s hip hop. BoomBoxes Shared Music With The Neighborhood Photo: Kelly Defina (Getty Images) The hefty, iconic suitcase-sized boomboxes of the 90s may seem like a relic now compared to infinitely better and more portable Sonos or Bose speakers, but they played a critical role in filling city streets with music and bringing members of communities out to participate in the process of or experiencing making music. Boomboxes manufactured by Sharp, Toshiba, and Fisher helped spawn an era of rap battles, break dancing, and other crucial elements of hip-hop culture defined by communal energy and participation. Portable CD Player Helped Make Music Initmate Photo: Holger Hollemann (AP) Portable CD players served as a timely foil to the loud, blunt communal-driven experience introduced by the Boombox. Released in the late 1980s, portable CD players came to replace cassettes and offered listeners the ability to easily access music privately, on their own terms, whenever they wanted. The inherent intimacy of headphones connected to a CD player gave additional runway for left-of-center artists or untraditional music that defined norms to gain an engaged audience. That fundamental change in the way mass consumers experience music continues on to this day, with highly specific hip subgenres and eclectic mashups finding their way on playlists and other platforms catering to highly specific subgenres. Synthesizers Photo: Ian Gavan (Getty Images) Modern synthesizer sounds have become a background staple in everything from modern music to video game and movie scores, but part of the popularity is due to a resurgence in the technologys use by early hip-hop musicians. The Moog synthesizer, first created by American engineer Bob Moog in 1964, stood out in particular and became a regular occurrence in records produced by iconic names like Jay Dilla and eventually Dr. Dre. A handful of breakthrough records utilizing the electric sound at the time helped usher it into the mainstream for decades to come. Auto-Tune Dr. Andy Hildebrand, the creator of Auto-Tune accepts his technical Grammy in 2023. Auto-Tune, a digital production tool intended to correct pitch on vocals and instruments, has left its mark on just about every popular song one can listen to in 2023. Though most artists use Auto-Tune and its competitors for minimal, discrete touch-ups, hip-hop artists more than anyone else have pushed the tools to their limits to create an entirely new form of artistic expression. By manipulating the speed with which notes are corrected to a desired pitch, artists discovered they could use the Auto-Tune feature to produce otherworldly, robotic-sounding distorted effects. Rapper T-Pain leaned heavily into this effect for his own style of R&B which he called R&B, which he called Hard&B. Others like Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty, and Travis Scott took the drenched Auto-Tune sound and pushed it into new directions. Artificial Intelligence? Photo: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz (Shutterstock) Though many of the gadgets and gizmos disused in this article made their debut in the late 80s and 90s, generative AI just could potentially prove to have one of the longest-lasting impacts on hip hop, and maybe all music in years to come. Earlier this year, a creator used AI software to convincingly replicate Drake and The Weeknds vocals on a track called Heart On My Sleeve. The song was convincing enough to drive a mini news cycle of listeners who believed it was an authentic new release from the artists. Record labels representing the artists quickly intervened and had the song removed from all major music streaming platforms over copyright concerns. The debate over AI-generated music, however, is far from over. Current copyright laws arent crystal clear about who can own digital representations of an artists voice. Artistically, the advancement of this technology could open new doors for hip-hop hopefuls looking to include any number of artists digital representations as guest pseudo-guest rappers on their own songs. AI-generated beat makers, meanwhile, could place an infinite arsenal of sounds and backdrops at the fingertips of rappers and lyricists. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been a familiar face and voice on Fox News, right-wing talk radio and elsewhere in the conservative media ecosystem since first being elected to the Senate more than a decade ago. But these days, Cruz is getting a boost in raising his profile through a media product of his own making. The Republican lawmaker hosts a now thrice-weekly podcast that has grown in popularity since its first episode published during former President Trumps first impeachment trial. Over the last three years, Verdict has helped Cruz amass a following of millions of listeners each month, all while promoting frequent GOP talking points, blasting his political enemies and keeping the senators name in the headlines. Im not interested in being a pundit, the Republican senator told The Hill during an interview this week. But part of fighting successfully is communicating and explaining what the issues are that matter. So, I view the podcast as fulfilling one of the really important responsibilities of representing Texans. Verdict became a quick success in terms of listenership during Trumps first impeachment drama, quickly climbing podcasting leaderboards, with Politico noting at the time it beat out The Daily from The New York Times and Joe Rogans popular talk show on iTunes. Today, it ranks among the top podcasts in the politics category and among the top 25 among all news podcasts, according to podcast tracking website PodBay. This month alone, Verdict has raked in 2 million downloads, including more than a million unique listeners, Cruz said. The Republican argues that his show, which often features lengthy discussions on constitutional law and politics, has seen success because of what he described as the failings of the mainstream media in acknowledging topics important to conservatives. Much of the corporate media does not provide in-depth coverage of what is going on, Cruz contends. The reason why people faithfully listen three times a week is because when theyre done theyve learned something far better than what theyre able to get from the vast majority of media sources. Story continues Started initially as an explanatory program laying out and poking holes in the impeachment charges against Trump, Cruz now uses each episode of Verdict to pontificate about everything from President Bidens family to foreign policy issues and other news of the day. During one recent episode, Cruz explained for his audience the legalese around Hunter Bidens plea deal, which fell apart in a Delaware courtroom last week after the presidents son was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay income taxes as part of a deal announced last month with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Its a plea deal that is designed to be a slap on the wrist, so Hunter serves no jail time whatsoever, and that its real purpose as weve discussed is to protect Joe Biden from any exposure to Hunters influence-selling and corruptions, the GOP senator said during the episode. Cruz, a second-term senator who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for president against Trump in 2016, fashions himself as a media-savvy national political operative one who is mindful of audience demographics on each platform he appears on. If Im walking through an airport and a woman in her 70s comes up and says, Hey I loved you on TV, you know many of the demographic that are watching TV interviews are of an older generation, the senator said. On the other hand, if Ive got another guy with a ponytail and tattoos comes up and says, Hey, I love what youre doing, I know what the next words hes going to say. Hes going to mention the podcast. Other high-profile lawmakers have also dipped their toes in the podcasting arena. Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) are regulars on former Trump adviser Steve Bannons War Room podcast. Other up-and-coming lawmakers have used social media to boost their brand, such as freshman Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.), who has mobilized an aggressive campaign on TikTok to reach voters, and progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who has made news with opinions given while speaking on Instagram Live. Cruz, likewise, makes it clear his goal with his podcast is to drive the news cycle as much as he can. Its a way of raising issues and advancing issues that matter to Texans, he told The Hill. Cruzs podcasting venture has been met with some criticism, including over the ethics of a sitting U.S. senator operating a talk show. The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics after he reached a syndication agreement with iHeartMedia, one of the largest providers of audio content in the country, contending the deal violated Senate rules on accepting gifts from lobbyists. iHeartMedia is a registered lobbyist, according to OpenSecrets. Cruz has said he receives no financial benefit from his podcast. Its no surprise Democrats and their allies in the corrupt corporate media take issue with Sen. Cruzs chart-topping podcast it allows him to circumvent the media gatekeepers and speak directly to the American people about what is really happening in Washington, a Cruz spokesman told the Austin American-Statesman at the time. Sen. Cruz receives no financial benefit from Verdict. There is no difference between Sen. Cruz appearing on a network television show, a cable news show, or a podcast airing on iHeartMedia. While Cruz, who is up for reelection in 2024, still sees some value in traditional cable news hits and radio appearances, he says the show he puts on himself allows for extra flexibility in pushing his agenda. Lets say youre doing a TV interview and its six or eight minutes. That can be valuable if you reach a lot of people, he said. But in six or eight minutes, you cant engage in a whole lot of substance. You can have a few talking points, you can have kind of a clever one-liner, but its difficult to have really detailed analysis in a short TV or radio interview. The podcast format, Ive really grown to like. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Larry Dorsey is hard to miss, standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall with a huge Afro. People always ask me if I play basketball. I do, but I love other things too, like chess, school, working, and of course, my family, said Dorsey, 18. People never ask me about those things. While Dorseys height makes him stand out in a crowd, he wants his voice, and those of other Milwaukee youth, to command attention, especially regarding reducing violence. Teens dont feel heard. Kids, like adults, need to feel validated and understood. If not, things in Milwaukee will not improve, and we can look at a long, hot summer peppered with violence. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office, at least 12 kids, 17 years old and younger, were killed in Milwaukee this year. Ten were black boys, one black girl, and one Hispanic boy. This online data does not reflect the most recent homicides, including a 16-year-old boy fatally shot Tuesday, less than 24 hours after a 9-year-old boy died in a shooting. In the U.S., five children die from gun violence, and 14 more kids, 17 years old and younger, are shot daily. As of July 31, 1,046 children, 17 and under, have been killed in the U.S., while 2,844 children have been shot, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Between 2019 and 2020, firearms were the leading cause of death in Americans 19 and younger. Firearm fatalities among Black youth also increased 40 percent during this time. Larry Dorsey. Dorsey was one of four students recently on a panel Fostering Hope Through Violence Prevention hosted by Bader Philanthropies. The event was billed as an opportunity for local youth to be heard by business leaders and discuss what they need to succeed. The teens were consistent in several messages. They agreed that police officers should not be in public schools. They want more mentors, mental health counselors, and programs at community organizations. When I talked to Dorsey after the meeting, he said teens must be included in conversations when it comes to things concerning their lives. Story continues When we are omitted, the things grown-ups come up with usually dont work. For example, we have been vocal about having more Black teachers, and I dont have anything against white teachers, but I know I would have had a better school experience had I had more teachers who look like me, he said. Why enforcing curfew might not work as hoped Youth want and deserve a seat at the table. How would that help? Dorseys take on the latest police effort to combat violence offers some clues. Operation Summer Guardian is a revived initiative by the Milwaukee Police Department to combat violence in neighborhoods. Police Chief Jeffery Norman said units will be assigned to specific communities. Since those officers are already familiar with the residents in the area, the hope is to build trust along with faster response times to fatal, non-fatal shootings and shots-fired incidents. Norman said there will also be a renewed focus on enforcing curfew at 11 p.m. for minors and parental responsibilities. While it sounds like a good idea from an adult perspective, Dorsey the program doesnt take into account is that many youths are unsafe at home. They stay on the street because they dont want to be at home because of abuse or neglect, said Dorsey, who will attend the Milwaukee Area Technical College in the fall. He said a better plan would involve youth working with organizations and the police to develop a restorative justice plan that brings together those harmed and those responsible. More: After rash of gun violence toward kids, Milwaukee officials plead with parents to do better Restorative justice can proactively prevent crime and conflict and repair harm where it has already occurred. We never get to this level of prevention because youth are often left out of the conversation. We need to talk to youth to discover why so many carry guns. We need to ask them why they steal cars. We need to find out what they need to be successful. If their parents are not involved, we need to talk to them to see if a mentor could be the solution. If they never ask us, they will never be able to fix the problem, Dorsey said. We all suffer when pleas are ignored, trauma persists I was touched personally by violence when I was working on a project, What Happened to Us, to see how much things have changed for third graders at Samuel Clemens Elementary School since I was a third grader there in 1978. I interviewed Nevaeha Ware in 2017 when she was in third grade. She was one of five children I spoke to in the school library as part of the project. When I asked Nevaeha if she knew anyone killed by gun violence, her eyes watered. She told me her brother, Qwaishaun, had been shot and killed over the weekend before we spoke. I dont know what happened because I was at my aunties house when it happened, she said. Qwaishaun, whom she called Qwaish, had been shot in the head. He died in the hospital a day later. Nevaeha only missed two days of school. Her mother allowed her to stay home, but she wanted to go. Her teachers knew something was off when Nevaeha failed a math test. She never told them about the mental trauma she was experiencing. Like most schools in Milwaukee, Clemens doesnt have mental health counselors on staff. Nevaeha said she wanted to become a doctor when she grew up so she could help children suffering in silence. I want to be there for them. We all need someone to talk to. Sometimes we need to cry," she told me. Three years later, Nevaeha snuck out of her house to see a boy. She called friends for a ride home. She never made it. She got in the backseat when her friends arrived. The driver got into an altercation with another driver. Shots were fired at the car and she was struck in the chest. She never made it home. What I remember the most was her cries to be heard going unanswered. She wanted someone to listen to her. Today, too many teens' pleas fall by the wayside. What happens when we fail to treat the trauma that comes from witnessing so much violence? A range of bad outcomes, from suicide and self-harm to depression, isolation, or acting out in negative ways. This is another area where adults are not listening. Youth led panel discussion on youth violence prevention drew a large crowd to Bader Philanthropies headquarters on June 14th. Teens want more therapists in school, not police officers All of the panelists at the Bader Philanthropies event stressed that trauma-informed care, as it is currently offered, is insufficient to meet the needs of kids crying out for help. This is where school plays a vital role. Each youth on the panel said they want more school therapists and resources instead of having more police officers in the building. This is a case where the exact opposite is happening. Legislation that passed as part of the state budget mandates the return of school resource officers in Milwaukee Public Schools, even though the school system didn't ask for them and wasn't consulted throughout the process. Lawmakers didn't provide additional dollars to pay for those officers. Meanwhile, the governor's lofty ambitions to invest $500 million in mental health programs was dramatically scaled back by lawmakers. When things happen in the Black community, a person loses a mother, father, cousin, brother, or sister to violence or prison, and there is no help for the youth to deal with the mental trauma of that loss, its going to come out negatively, Dorsey said. Sharlene Moore, executive director at Urban Underground, who was in attendance, said the youth have spoken. Now its up to the adults to address their concerns. Urban Underground differs from other youth programs by turning 13 to 18-year-olds into change agents in their neighborhoods. It teaches the power of their voice and vote by educating on the political process and how to de-escalate conflict in their neighborhoods. The time is now to do something, she said. If we dont give these kids mental health counselors, mentors, and more teachers of color whom they can relate to, what are we doing? Shes right. Our youth need a permanent seat at the table regarding decisions that impact them. We need to listen to them and enact things they say will work. They are much closer to the situation than we are, and judging by the spike in youth violence, it is evident that what adults are doing is not working. If we dont start listening, more blood will be shed on the streets this summer, and our prison system will be filled with the unfulfilled potential of our citys young people. James E. Causey started reporting on life in his city while still at Marshall High School through a Milwaukee Sentinel high school internship. He's been covering his hometown ever since, writing and editing news stories, projects and opinion pieces on urban youth, mental health, employment, housing and incarceration. Email him at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on Twitter @jecausey. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Teen has message for adults on how to stop violence. Will they listen? A teenager watching an illegal street stunt show suffered broken bones after being hit by a car doing burnouts, California police say. The driver fled after the accident at the so-called sideshow, which 911 callers reported at 11:40 p.m. Friday, July 28, Tustin police said in a news release. Callers also reported street racing. Sideshows are illegal takeovers of streets or intersections where drivers show off their vehicles and perform illegal stunts in front of spectators that can number in the hundreds or thousands. Officers responding to the 911 calls found 300 vehicles parked along the street while drivers performed burnouts and spectators set off fireworks and shined lasers, police said. They also located a spectator who had been hit by a car doing burnouts, police said. They were taken to a hospital in stable condition with multiple broken bones. A video shot by the injured teen before the crash shows two vehicles spinning out dangerously close to spectators before going dark when the teen is hit, KTLA reported. The teen spectator was seriously hurt, KCAL reported. Its extremely dangerous, Lt. Ryan Coe with the Tustin Police Department told KCAL. These spectators get out in the middle of it trying to capture great cellphone video for their Instagram pages and their social media platforms. The driver, who fled, faces hit-and-run charges if found. Police towed 51 vehicles and issued 20 citations, the release said. Anyone with information can contact a detective at 714-573-3218 or jyuhas@tustinca.org. Tustin is about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles in Orange County. DNA yields clues on body in box found near dead woman in 2014, California cops say Child shot with rifle while playing with Nerf guns dies, Alaska troopers say Man prank calls sheriffs office more than 7,000 times in 4 months, California cops say Two teen boys attending church camp were arrested after being accused of robbing a convenience store at knifepoint, Oregon deputies said. The 16-year-old and the 17-year-old are accused of stealing alcohol and vape products from a store in Rockaway Beach in July, according to a July 28 post on Facebook by the Tillamook County Sheriffs Office. Video footage showed two people pointing knives at the store clerk during the robbery, deputies said. The store owners posted screenshots of the video footage, and someone was able to identify the suspects as teens attending church camp for a leadership workshop, officials said. The teens were arrested on July 21 at the local church camp, which wasnt identified in the release, deputies said. They were sent to a juvenile detention center in Yamhill County, the release said. Deputy Kevin Grogan, who received the initial robbery call, said the teens are facing charges of first-degree robbery, according to the release. Rockaway Beach is about 90 miles west of Portland. 12 teens beat man in animalistic attack outside gas station, Ohio officials say Family robbed twice while teen son gets chemotherapy treatment, Kentucky parents say 75-year-old says kick to groin stopped attempted robbery with fake gun, NY cops say Ten people were injured in an accident between a yacht and a smaller boat near Anna Maria Island on Sunday afternoon, according to West Manatee Fire Rescue officials. The collision, which occurred just before 3 p.m. in the intercoastal waters off the northern end of Anna Maria Island, involved a 50-foot race-style yacht driven by one person, while the second boat was a 24-foot bowrider with 10 people on it, Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski told the Bradenton Herald. All 10 of the smaller boats passengers, six of whom were minors, were taken to a local hospital. Nine had minor injuries while a 41-year-old woman suffered critical injuries, with multiple lacerations to the head and face, said Kwiatkowski. Sundays crash is at least the second Manatee County boating collision in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old was killed and his brother was critically injured after a jet ski collided with their boat on the Manatee River. West Manatee Fire Rescue received the call at 2:55 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 3:03 p.m., transporting the 10 patients to Kingfish Boat Ramp on Holmes Beach, where patients were received by Manatee County EMS and transported for treatment. While they were clearing the scene, a boat carrying a shark attack victim, who had a tourniquet applied to the injury on his leg, also arrived at the boat ramp, Kwiatkowski said. A man in his early 20s was bitten by an unknown species of shark in the water north of Anna Maria Islands Bean Point and was taken by Manatee County EMS to HCA Florida Blake Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time. Manatee County Marine Rescue, Manatee County Sheriffs Office, Holmes Beach Police Department, North River Fire District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission also responded to the scene of the boat crash. It remains unclear at this time how the two boats collided, but the investigation is ongoing. Shafiullah Ahmadzai checks a patient at the Afghan Mercy Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 9, 2023.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) KABUL, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hizbullah Bahir, a young professor at Kandahar University of Afghanistan, wore a broad smile as he recalled his study days in China, suggesting that he would spell a bright future for Afghan students by sharing his knowledge and experience. "I think we must strongly encourage the younger generation of Afghanistan by sharing our exquisite experience acquired in China. With our expertise, we can invest and share our knowledge with the people of Afghanistan while making them aware of the facilities and programs available in foreign nations," he said. Teaching at the university's healthcare and physical therapy department, Bahir began his study in China in 2018 and obtained a master's degree in therapeutic studies after graduating from the renowned Peking University in 2021. Now, he is engaged in healthcare and education to serve his war-torn homeland in progressing to monitor and accelerate quality education implementation in the impoerished country. As one of the successful Afghan students who were granted scholarships to pursue higher degrees, Bahir said China is reinforcing "a big stride" in quality education. He said the friendly Afghanistan-China relations have an extraordinary influence on Afghan students focusing on medicine and healthcare sectors, which was one of the reasons that helped him make the right decision to complete his higher education there. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in July, China welcomes all sides implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, promoting inclusiveness and coexistence among all civilizations, and increasing mutual understanding and friendship among all nations. China has been endeavoring to deepen cooperation among the SCO member countries in education, science and technology, culture, health, sport and media. In three years, China will provide member states with 1,000 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, offer 3,000 "Chinese Bridge" summer camp opportunities, and invite 100 young scientists to China for scientific research exchanges. Public health facilities in Afghanistan are underfunded and under-resourced, lacking qualified personnel, equipment, medicines and medical supplies. Shafiullah Ahmadzai has been trying to empower communities at the grassroots level to curb the spread of malnutrition and mental health diseases. Interventions include the provision of primary healthcare as well as robust public health education. Ahmadzai, who completed his study at the Binzhou Medical University in east China's Shandong Province in 2022, now works as a trainee doctor at the Afghan Mercy Hospital in the capital Kabul. "Our people in Afghanistan need us, and we must be available to serve them at any cost," he said. "Afghanistan is a poor nation, the people of the country live in poverty and most of the patients, who come to the hospital including children, suffer from malnutrition and mental diseases that directly indicate poor lifestyle and lack of access to good medical and health facilities." Ahmadzai was impressed by China's advanced technology and high-quality education. While studying medicine in China, he learned various traditional treatment methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine. "Acupuncture is one of the best and most useful medicines," said Ahmadzai, adding that he also applied massotherapy to treating his Afghan patients. Hizbullah Bahir teaches students at Kandahar University in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, July 15, 2023.(Photo by Arghand/Xinhua) Kathleen Goforth took her Model Y on a road trip through a rural area and had to use an outlet at an abandoned gas station to recharge at one point. Courtesy of Kathleen Goforth Kathleen Goforth went on a 9-day road trip to the Carrizo Plain National Monument, California. The monument didn't have any EV chargers for her Tesla Model Y within more than 50 miles. Goforth said she got creative and trickle-charged at an outlet in an abandoned gas station with the owner's permission. Kathleen Goforth said she took her Tesla Model Y on a 9-day road trip through a rural area and had to get creative at one point when it came to charging. Goforth, a climate-action advocate, detailed her experience traveling to the Carrizo Plain National Monument with her husband in a blog post on Acterra, an environmental-education nonprofit. "It is remote and almost entirely undeveloped the perfect challenge for planning our first road trip in our new, all-electric Tesla Model Y," Goforth wrote of the Carrizo Plain, a grassland in San Luis Obispo County, California, that is about 50 miles long and 15 miles wide. "There are no services within or anywhere near the Monument no food, water, gas stations, and, certainly, no EV charging stations. Could we do it?" The Tesla owner said she planned her route ahead of time using a Travelocity filter that allowed her to find hotels with EV chargers and Plugshare's Trip Planner, which helped her plot out charging stations along the way. Goforth said they faced their greatest hurdle once they reached the Carrizo Plain because there were no chargers within at least 50 miles of the location. At their first stop, the couple was able to make use of a Level 2 fast charger, but they had to find other methods to charge at the California Valley Lodge, the only motel that was within 20 miles of the Carrizo Plain National Monument, the Tesla owner said. Goforth said the couple had initially planned to charge using an RV hook-up site near the lodge and were a "little nervous" about how it would work. But, they were told the RV hook-up site was no longer available when they arrived. Story continues However, the owner of the lodge told the couple they could use an unused gas station across the street that was also owned by the lodge. Kathleen Goforth took her Model Y on a road trip through a rural area and had to use an outlet at an abandoned gas station to recharge at one point. Courtesy of Kathleen Goforth "Although the pumps had been removed long ago and the building was vacant, the electricity still worked and there was an exterior outlet we could use," Goforth wrote of the gas station. "It was only a standard 120V outlet, so we would be trickle charging, not supercharging, but that was sufficient to more than replace, overnight, whatever energy we used on our daily excursions around the Monument. I loved the poetic justice of recharging our EV at a defunct gas station!" A trickle charge adds only a few miles an hour to the car's battery life, while a Level 2 charger can charge an EV to 80% from four to 10 hours, according to the Department of Transportation. The couple relied on the old gas station to replenish their car for two days while they explored the surrounding area and later used a Level 2 charger and Tesla Supercharger to finish their trip and eventually travel home, Goforth said. In the blog post, Goforth said she traveled nearly 1,000 miles and saved on fuel costs. "Now that we've experienced how easy, fun, and economical road tripping in an EV can be, we're looking forward to many more all-electric adventures," she wrote. Not all EV owners share Goforth's optimism about charging their vehicles on long road trips. EV owners have shared horror stories about trying to find chargers on long road trips, including a road trip where a Kia EV owner had to stop 12 times to charge at slow public chargers and a Mustang Mach-E driver who had to stop at four charging stations while frantically searching for a working one. Earlier this year, another Tesla owner said he faced some "hiccups" on a 6,392-mile road trip but that the carmaker's Autopilot driver assist feature was a "lifesaver." A Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV owner previously told Insider that successful EV road trips needed to be properly plotted out. Some Tesla owners say they have a distinct advantage when it comes to navigating longer journeys because of the company's ultrafast Superchargers and Tesla's internal navigation system, which helps owners plot paths with multiple charging sites. An Acterra spokesperson said the organization was working to "dispel the idea that EVs are out of reach for some because of cost, believing that EVs are truly for everyone." Update August 1, 2023: This story has been updated to clarify the California Valley Lodge owned the gas station where the couple charged their Tesla and recommended it as a solution for their charging needs. Do you own an electric car or work at Tesla? Reach out to the reporter from a non-work email at gkay@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider A Texas county has voted to restrict access to certain books at public libraries. The countys Commissioners Court voted on 11 July to limit explicit or objectionable material in public libraries to anyone under 18; this restriction includes LGBTQ-themed books, according to KHOU. This is really an agenda to sexualise our children at a young age, said Lisa Palmer at a commissioners court meeting, the outlet reported. Michele Nuckolls said, I was not able to find one book on the traditional conservative Christian view of gender. A local bookshop owner, Teresa Kenney, challenged the restriction at the meeting: Youre telling them theres something wrong with them. You alienate people who deserve to see themselves in the pages of books, Ms Kenney added. People who deserve to feel hope when they may not have hope at that time. She told the publication that she carries books on a variety of subject matters at her store, ranging from the Bible to LGBT+-themed literature. Ms Kenney blasted the countrys book ban trend. As a parent, you have a right to say what your child reads. But you dont have the right to tell another parent what their child can or cannot read. What is objectionable? What is explicit? It needs to be really defined before they can move forward, Ms Kenney said. Also in Texas, Houston Independent School District the largest public school district in the state is converting libraries at 28 schools into multi-use centers; the district is also eliminating librarians, Houston Public Media reported. These moves are part of the districts new superintendent Mike Miles sweeping reform programme, dubbed the New Education System. The libraries will transform into team centres, according to Mr Miles, dedicated to special programming for certain students who may need extra assistance in the classroom. Earlier this year, PEN America reported that there had been at least 1,477 attempts to ban 874 individual book titles within the first half of the 2022-2023 school year. The organization reported that the instances of book bans in the 2023 school year were most prevalent in Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina. PEN America also noted that those looking to ban books continue to target stories by and about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. These efforts also follow a new development at the state level. According to The Texas Tribune, booksellers are suing over House Bill 900, which requires book vendors to assign ratings to determine whether the material describes, depicts, or portrays sexual conduct in a way that is patently offensive to books. Texas Gov Abbott signed the measure into law in June, and it is set to go into effect on 1 September. A manhunt is underway for a suspect who escaped custody while being transported to a sheriffs office substation in Harris County. The Harris County Sheriffs Office said District 4 units responded to the 2300 blocks of Wigmaker Drive regarding a "Terroristic Threat" call for service. Deputies then took an adult male into custody for felony violation of a protective order/retaliation. The suspect was then transported to the substation at 16715 Clay Rd, where he removed his handcuffs and fled on foot, officials said. Harris County Sheriff's Office INDIANA SHOOTING UNFOLDED WHILE POLICE WERE CALLING VENUE TO SHUT IT DOWN: REPORT The sheriffs office did not elaborate on how the suspect managed to remove the handcuffs. The suspect remains outstanding but there is no threat to the public, the sheriffs office said. Authorities temporarily closed Pine Forest Ln from Hwy 6 to Clay Rd. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Handcuffs on top of a fingerprint form. Fox News Digital has reached out to the sheriffs office for updates. Cost of rural crime rose to 49.5 million last year - Chris Ratcliffe Thefts of farming machinery rose 22 per cent in a year as Russia sanctions have led to a thriving black market, according to insurers and police. NFU Mutual, a rural affairs specialist, has said the cost of rural crime in the UK rose to an estimated 49.5 million in 2022, up from 40.5 million the previous year. Rising prices and a low supply are thought to be behind an increase in the cost of vehicle thefts, which has risen 20 per cent to 11.7 million last year. GPS theft rose by 15 per cent, or 1.8 million, in 2022, and continued to increase in the first four months of 2023 when the cost of positioning systems doubled compared to the same period the previous year. Thefts of quad bikes and ATVs also went up, by 34 per cent to 3 million, as did livestock theft, which went up 8.7 per cent or 2.7 million. Andrew Huddleston, head of the National and Rural Crime Unit, said evidence trails from the rise in rural crime all point to the war in Ukraine and Russia, as international sanctions on Russia have created a thriving black market for goods that are more difficult to buy or no longer available on the open market. Supt Huddleston added: We [know this based on] stopping machinery at ports, recovered machinery in Eastern Europe, and are aware of machinery that has gone to Ukraine and Russia. Rural crime is rarely opportunistic Where there is a monopoly on something, the value will go up. Rural crime is very rarely opportunistic. This is organised crime. The figures, in NFU Mutuals annual report on rural crime, came after the National Crime Agency warned earlier this month that a range of offences including agricultural crime are likely to rise amid the cost of living crisis. Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: Highly organised gangs are causing disruption to farming and widespread concern to people who live and work in the countryside. Rural theft is changing. It is not only opportunist thieves travelling a few miles, we are now seeing internationally organised criminal activity. Story continues These gangs target high-value farm machinery and GPS kits because they can be sold all over the world. Many items are stolen to order by thieves using online technology to identify where farm machinery is stored and scope out the best way to steal it. They will also spend hours watching the movement of farming families to work out the best time to attack. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A new policy in Fayette County schools that largely prohibits animals on campuses has led to a petition at Morton Middle School to keep Ellie, a therapy dog. The new policy, approved by the school board in June, says that if there is an educational purpose, a principal can allow an animal inside a building. Otherwise, no animals are allowed inside school buildings unless required under the American Disabilities Act or approved by the District Crisis Response Team. Morton counselor Heather Bullock Ferguson said she was notified Friday that therapy dogs are no longer permitted in Fayette schools. That led to a petition on change.org that said, the presence of a therapy dog like Ellie has proven to be instrumental in reducing stress levels, improving student-staff relationships, and enhancing overall academic performance. By excluding Ellie from our school, we fear that the emotional well-being of our students will be compromised, the petition continued. Ferguson said she was told all dogs on campus must be ADA certified, however they are only allowed in schools if they are brought in by a student for their own specific disability. Staff with trained dogs are not permitted to bring them to the buildings unless they have been asked to help with a crisis in a specific building on a specific day, she said. Ellie was at Morton almost every school day for the last two years, said Ferguson. She visited and brought comfort to children either in the classroom, in counseling offices or outside. She also worked at other schools as part of the crisis management teams and was available to special needs children. A Frankfort-based group called Pawsibilities Unleashed that trains therapy dogs raised concerns about the new policy in a Facebook post. We have worked over 15 years to make therapy dogs in schools and medical facilities, etc., the, norm and thought we were making progress. Now we are going back in time, the post said. A therapy dog is trained to go to any facility that invites them to work with kids or adults. They must be certified and insured, Liz Norris, founder of Pawsibilities Unleashed, told the Herald-Leader. Story continues School district spokeswoman Dia Davidson-Smith said the district re-examined the policy because of the proliferation of therapy animal licenses via the internet and safety concerns. ... weve ended up with students and staff being bitten or unsafe because animals that arent appropriately trained have been placed in school environments. So the policy changes are designed to streamline the process and ensure Ellie and other animals are appropriately trained for their role to ensure everyone is safe, she said. The definition of therapy dog has expanded over the past few years and district policies and regulations havent kept up with these changes, Davidson said. The ADA recognizes service animals and psychiatric support animals and both animals certified and trained as such will continue to be allowed in Fayette County schools, she said. The district is also developing procedures through the crisis response teams to provide exemptions for support/therapy animals who may not fall within these precise definitions but still meet core training requirements, Davidson-Smith said This will ensure our students, staff and families are safe while also providing those who need trained support animals while at school or work the opportunity to have them,she said. Donald Trump was criminally indicted for a third time on Aug. 1 as a Washington grand jury voted to prosecute the former President on four counts related to his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election and his role in the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The prosecution sets up yet another complicated and explosive legal battle as Trump vies for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The latest indictment, which the Justice Department announced Tuesday and references six unnamed co-conspirators, follows an investigation that stretched almost eight months by Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose team had interviewed dozens of prominent figures in Trumps orbit, including former Vice President Mike Pence, over Trumps efforts to disrupt the peaceful transition of power on Jan. 6. The four charges include conspiracy to defraud the government, conspiracy against the right to vote, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and obstruction of an official proceeding. Each of these conspiracieswhich built on the widespread mistrust the Defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraudtargeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nations process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election, the indictment says. In a Truth Social post published shortly before the DOJ announced the charges, Trump called the indictment fake and accused Smith of trying to interfere with the 2024 election. Why didnt they do this 2.5 years ago? he wrote. Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. The government has summoned Trump to appear in D.C. federal court on Aug. 3, according to the Justice Department. The attack on our nation's Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, Smith said Tuesday. "Our investigation of other individuals continues. In this case, my office will seek a speedy trial so that our evidence can be tested in court and judged by a jury of citizens." Story continues The indictment accuses Trump of repeatedly lying about election malfeasance even though he knew those claims were false. It alleges that multiple administration officials told him there was no widespread fraud that would have changed the election outcome, including Vice President Mike Pence, senior DOJ officials, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, and senior White House attorneys. But that didnt stop Trump from pressing forward with his attempts to hold onto power. A core component of the charges stems from Trumps attempts to submit fraudulent slates of electors in key swing states that went for Joe Biden, such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, according to the indictment. It also details private phone calls in the days before the Jan. 6 attack between Trump and Pence, who took contemporaneous notes of the conversations, according to the indictment. In one of them, Trump allegedly told the former Vice President he was too honest" after Pence said he didnt have the authority to unilaterally reject the election results. The indictment says Trump attorney John Eastman also pressured Pence to subvert the Electoral College certification. After a senior aide warned that such a maneuver would galvanize riots in the streets, Eastman allegedly argued that there had previously been points in the nations history where violence was necessary to protect the republic. Pence responded to the indictment on Tuesday with a statement, saying in part: On January 6th, Former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will. By the time Trumps efforts to override the election had reached a crescendo on Jan. 6, the indictment alleges, Trump exploited the violence refusing to approve a message directing rioters to leave the building. Yet even after the crowd dispersed hours later, Trump would not relinquish his claims that the election was rigged. The White House counsel called the defendant to ask him to withdraw any objections and allow the certification, the indictment says. The defendant refused. The indictment is the latest in a long string of Trumps legal woes. Hes also facing charges from a separate special counsel investigation by Smith alleging he hoarded national-security secrets and obstructed the governments efforts to retrieve them. In New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump in April over allegations that he falsified business records to conceal hush-money payments to a porn star. Trump may soon face yet another criminal prosecution in Georgia, where Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has empaneled a grand jury to probe the former Presidents alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election result in the state. Ordinarily, a leading presidential candidate facing criminal indictments in multiple venues would be a death blow to their White House ambitions. But within the contours of the Republican primary, Trump has turned his legal vulnerability into a political advantage. In the immediate aftermath of his first two indictments, Trump raised millions of dollars and his polling soared. Since then, hes remained the clear front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination, leading his closest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by more than 30 points in most national polls. The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes, the Trump campaign said in a statement on Tuesday. President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution, with advice from highly accomplished attorneys. In a previous Truth Social post before the latest indictment was announced, Trump argued: I have the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen. Jessica Roth, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and now a professor at Cardozo School of Law, argues that wont amount to a persuasive legal defense. What you cant do even if you think that you won an election is resort to unlawful means, no matter how convinced you are that you somehow won, she says. It's not a winning legal argument. It will significantly help prosecutors, Roth adds, if they can prove Trump knew he lost the election, but pressed ahead with false claims anyway. At the heart of Trumps response to the charges has been to gin up a sense of collective grievance among the MAGA faithful. Theyre not coming after me, theyre coming after you, he often tells his supporters at rallies. He has also claimed, without evidence, that the prosecutions are a politically-motivated witch-hunt designed to kneecap the man blocking President Bidens path to a second term. Yet out of all the indictments thus far, Smiths latest may be the one Trumps critics have been pining for the most. While Democrats and Never Trump Republicans have relished seeing Trump face any form of legal retribution after 50 years of dodging investigations, they have especially wanted him to face accountability for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and attempts to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. Trumps multi-faceted efforts to overturn the 2020 election were the subject of the historic Jan. 6 Committee, which held primetime hearings last summer and fall that garnered more than 20 million viewers. The nine-member bipartisan panel sought to show in painstaking detail that Trump was the main culprit behind the violent attempted insurrection. The central cause of Jan. 6 was one man, former President Donald Trump, the committee wrote in its final report. None of the events of Jan. 6 would have happened without him. The panels 18-month inquiry and 10 public hearings culminated in a dramatic moment when its members voted unanimously last December to refer criminal charges against Trump to the Justice Department. There was enough, the committee said, for federal prosecutors to pursue at least four charges: obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the government, making false statements, and assisting an insurrection. While the move had no legal weight, it was the first time a congressional committee made such a declaration against a former President. The referral came as the Justice Department had been pursuing its own investigation into Jan. 6, which by then was under the purview of Smith, who Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed as special counsel after Trump announced his presidential bid in November. As a candidate, Trump has consistently cast the many criminal probes against him as the instrument of systemic forces conspiring to bring him down. It has led some to speculate that Trump officially launched his candidacy earlya week after the midtermsto complicate matters for prosecutors who have a longstanding policy of trying to avoid even the appearance of influencing an election. Trump critics also suspect that he wants to delay the trials past the election. That way, if he wins, he could attempt to pardon himself in the federal cases or have his attorney general simply squash the matter entirely. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing the classified documents case, has pushed that trial to May 20, 2024. And in New York, the hush money case is scheduled to start on March 25, 2024both in the heat of the primaries. Its unclear whether Trump could stand trial for the Jan. 6-related charges before voters head to the polls, but some former federal prosecutors think Trumps delay efforts are likely to work. Years-long delays are common in most white-collar criminal cases, and it will be even harder to expedite the high-stakes and unprecedented prosecutions of a former President who is also the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination. Even if Trump is convicted by the special counsel, the charges against him wont disqualify him from the presidency, according to legal experts. Under the Constitution, all natural-born citizens who are at least 35 years old and have been a resident of the U.S. for 14 years can run for president. There is no legal impediment to Trump continuing his presidential campaign while facing criminal chargeseven if he were jailed. For Smith and his prosecutors, Tuesdays indictment is the beginning of a lengthy legal process. This is going to be a challenging case, Roth says. Even more challenging to present and win than the case in Florida involving the documents. There will be a great deal of evidence and a very complicated story that will need to be told to explain the crimes and to explain the former President's conduct. It's much more sprawling than the charges that were brought in Florida that are, in a sense, narrow in their scope. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Donald Trumps first two criminal indictments could land him in prison. His third could change the presidency itself. In accusing Trump of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, Special Counsel Jack Smith is alleging the former president acted criminally while still in office a novel argument distinct from the other indictments facing Trump that could set historic legal precedent on presidential power. Trump was indicted on Tuesday on accusations of a broad conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, facing charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The defendant lost the 2020 presidential election. Despite having lost, the defendant was determined to remain in power, the indictment reads. The defendants knowingly false statements were integral to his criminal plans. READ FOR YOURSELF: What the Indictment says Experts say the case could put a foundational American legal theory to the test: that no one is above the law. A criminal conviction could set the record that, once leaving office, presidents can be held criminally liable for their actions in the White House. This indictment is a step farther because its a different kind of crime, said Andrew Rudalevige, a professor of government at Bowdoin College and author of The New Imperial Presidency: Renewing Presidential Power after Watergate. Weve never quite tested that no person is above the law, to this degree, Rudalevige said. Its a harder case to bring and to prove, but also one that goes more fundamentally to the basic worry over whether former President Trump adheres to democratic principles. Other former presidents avoided charges The Justice Department has long said that sitting presidents are protected from criminal prosecution while in office, arguing that a trial would undermine their capacity to perform the work of the executive branch. Story continues But other former presidents, including Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, faced active threats of criminal indictment for their activities in the White House after leaving office. Both avoided charges in settlements that spared the country the trauma of a trial, Rudalevige said. Trumps legal team has argued that he was acting consistent with the duties of his office by questioning the integrity of the 2020 election, and that Trump cannot be prosecuted for simply performing those presidential duties. READ MORE: Trump indicted by Jan. 6 grand jury But experts say that legal precedent suggests Trump is vulnerable. A grand jury named Nixon an unindicted co-conspirator for his activities as president related to the Watergate scandal, exposing him to charges after he left office. Gerald Fords decision to pardon him was predicated on an assumption that Nixon faced criminal exposure after leaving office. And in 1997, during the Clinton administration, the Supreme Court ruled that a sitting president is not immune from civil lawsuits over activity unrelated to the duties of the presidency. In March, the Justice Department urged a federal appeals court to reject Trumps claim that he is immune from charges related to Jan. 6, as the former president faces civil lawsuits from individuals harmed in the riot. Incitement of imminent private violence, the Justice Department argued, falls outside the scope of a presidents official duties. What hes been charged with so far is serious, but these new charges are of another order of magnitude, said Peter Kastor, chair of the History Department at Washington University in St. Louis. This is the first time where you have charges levied against a president for refusing to surrender office. It is a different prosecutorial challenge than Smith is facing in his first case against Trump, which focuses on Trumps handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. When Trump was served his first criminal indictment in New York this past spring, local prosecutors, too, focused their case on his activities before becoming president, charging him with falsifying business records to cover up an alleged extramarital affair in the days before and after the 2016 election. Trump has argued he has immunity Trump has personally argued he has total immunity in matters related to the 2020 election. In a monthslong campaign to overturn the vote, Trump pressured local lawmakers to change state vote counts and attempted to replace official representatives to the Electoral College. On Jan. 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was certifying the election results, after Trump had encouraged his supporters to convene in Washington and march on Capitol Hill. Hours passed before he told the rioters to go home. Conservative legal scholars are divided over whether a president is broadly shielded from prosecution over their activities while in office after leaving the White House. But some of Trumps own former attorneys, who represented him during his first impeachment, say that Smiths latest charges are serious. The fact that Trump was the sitting president and that he was impeached and acquitted of January 6 related charges does not preclude an indictment if there is evidence of actual crimes, not the type of made up non-crimes that were the basis for the New York charges, said Alan Dershowitz, a former Harvard Law School professor who defended Trump in his first Senate impeachment trial. READ MORE: White House or jail? Historians see Trump arraignment as start of an uncertain chapter Some of the charges facing Trump are so serious that a conviction could disqualify him from ever holding office again yet another untested legal challenge, said Robert Ray, also a member of Trumps defense team during his first impeachment trial. The fact that it occurred while he was in office would be significant if he were still in office, as it would also constitute an impeachable offense. But, of course, hes no longer in office, Ray said. So I dont think it is of much significance other than that the charges are serious, are brought by the federal government and would if he were found guilty, sentenced and a final judgment entered after all appeals were exhausted disqualify him from holding federal office. Ray was the special counsel investigating former President Bill Clinton as he exited office, and nearly brought criminal charges against him for perjury over making false statements about his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. A last-minute deal, which included a full admission of guilt from Clinton, spared the former president from an indictment. Trump is expected to argue in court that he was operating on a genuine belief that the election was fraudulent despite all evidence to the contrary and therefore acting within his rightful powers as president. A senior aide to Trump declined to comment on the defense teams burgeoning legal strategy. No matter how wrong he was, it was plausible for him to conclude that his oath to defend the Constitution enabled and even required him to fight against what he believed to be fraudulent election results, said David Rivkin, a conservative constitutional lawyer who served under former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Trumps actions were arguably within the outer parameter of his presidential responsibilities, Rivkin said. There are, of course, people who assert that Trump really did not believe that fraud tainted the 2020 presidential elections, and was just making this up to advance his political fortunes. Yet it is virtually impossible to establish what someone believes or does not believe. In response to the indictment, Trump said Smith was engaged in prosecutorial misconduct, and called the charges fake. But Smith said Trump knew very well what he was doing. The defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won, the indictment reads. These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false. Kastor, of Washington University, said that a trial and conviction could set a new legal precedent on presidential power but that the countrys acceptance of that new standard could take a generation. Americans will be divided about it. They already are. And its going to take decades to get this settled, one way or another. An air-raid warning has been issued throughout Ukraine due to the threat of the Russians launching Kindzhal air ballistic missiles. It lasted for 15 minutes. Source: map of air-raid warnings, Air Forces of Ukraine on Telegram Quote: "The missile threat throughout the territory of Ukraine is in connection with the take-off of a MiG-31K [aircraft] from an airbase in the village of Savasleika, Russia." Details: This is the third air-raid warning issued due to the take-off of a MiG-31K on 1 August. The first two lasted approximately 20 minutes each. Background: Air-raid warnings are usually issued throughout Ukraine during the take-off of Russian MiG-31K aircraft, which are potential carriers of Kindzhal missiles. The Air Forces explained that Kh-47 Kindzhal air ballistic missiles fly for only a few minutes and strike their target with high precision. Ukrainian air defence does not have enough Western-made means to counteract ballistic missiles so far. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Former President Donald Trump has now been indicted for the third time, marking a new first for someone who held the nations highest office. On Tuesday, Trump was indicted on federal criminal charges for his role in interfering with the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. READ MORE: Trump indicted by Jan. 6 grand jury on 4 federal counts related to election interference Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is the only president while in office or out of it in American history to have faced criminal charges. Heres a quick look at each case in which the former president is charged. The 2020 election and Jan. 6 riot case The 45-page indictment notes that the former president had six co-conspirators. So far, no one else has been indicted in the case. Throughout the document, the special counsels office alleges that Trump knew he lost the election but decided to fall back on debunked conspiracies to overturn the election results. It also claims that Trump exploited the violence when a mob of Trumps supporters breached the Capitol on Jan. 6. According to the special counsels office, he called lawmakers and attempted to sway them to delay the certification of the Electoral College. The charges he faces are conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Classified documents case Special council Jack Smith charged Trump in June in the Southern District of Florida with mishandling highly classified documents under the Espionage Act by storing them at his home in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach and refusing to return them to federal authorities. Some of the documents contained highly sensitive defense, weapons and nuclear information. READ MORE: Trump sits silently in Miami courtroom, pleads not guilty in historic case Trump and aide Walt Nauta were also charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. They both pleaded not guilty during arraignments in federal court in Miami. Mar-a-Lago manager Carlos De Oliveira was charged and additional charges against Trump were brought in an updated in indictment. Story continues In late July, U.S. District June Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, set the trial date for May 2024, an apparent compromise that would allow the former president to campaign during crucial early months of the primary season while also avoid putting it off until after the election. The federal courthouse in Fort Pierce is where Cannon normally presides. Hush money case In April, Trump was indicted for the first time by the Manhattan district attorney in New York state court for allegedly falsifying business records in order to cover up payments to a porn star with whom he reportedly had an extramarital affair in the months before the 2016 presidential election. READ MORE: Records, not hush money, key to Trump charges. Making case in court poses challenges A federal judge in late July refused to move the case to federal court, ruling that it was related to the former presidents personal life and not his presidential duties. The Trump trial in a Manhattan court is scheduled for March 2024, which could conflict with the primary season. More indictments looming? Trump also faces possible felony criminal charges at the state level in Georgia over attempts to subvert the presidential election results there in 2020. Charges stemming from that investigation could come as soon as next month. HMCS Rimouski, seen here between 1944 and 1945, was the flagship in the operation that foiled the German escape attempt. Some of the German navy's best submarine commanders faced capture and imprisonment in the Battle of the Atlantic. And in September 1943, the Kriegsmarine attempted to steal four of their best officers back from Canada in the bold Operation Kiebitz. But there are reasons you haven't seen the fun and famous Summer movie about Nazis escaping a Canadian prison camp. First, because they were Nazis, and screw Nazis. Second, because the plan went horribly and Canada almost captured their getaway submarine. Oh, yeah, there was a getaway submarine. The U-boat officers are captured The German U-boat officers all fought in the Atlantic in World War II before their capture by the Allies. But the leader of the group was a U-boat legend. U-boat Captain Otto Kretschmer earned the title "The Tonnage King" for sinking an insane 40 ships and 270,000 tons of shipping in just 18 months. He coined the motto "one torpedo, one ship," defying Kriegsmarine directives to fire torpedoes in salvos. But Otto managed 40 ships without firing salvos, so maybe the German navy can suck it? In March 1941, he sank five boats in an hour but got slammed by depth charges and forced to surface. He and his crew were captured. Kretschmer earned a one-way ticket to a prisoner-of-war camp in Canada. But he quickly made contact with another POW who was a former member of Admiral Karl Donitz's staff. They sent coded messages through Red Cross letters to their families, and those messages were transferred to the Kriegsmarine. The plan was relatively simple but hard to pull off. The men decided to dig tunnels with their fellow prisoners, make their way east over days or weeks to the coast, and then board a waiting U-boat. Oh, and Kretschmer decided they must dig three tunnels in case Canadians found one or two. This became known as Operation Kiebitz. Operation Kiebitz immediately goes awry The problems for the Germans were legion. They involved way too many people, with 150 prisoners working on three tunnels. (Note: The final step of the escape was getting on a U-boat, so there was never any chance that more than 4-10 prisoners could escape this way.) They didn't dig deep enough, either. But most importantly, the Canadians discovered the coded messages immediately. Story continues The Germans used hidden Morse Code in letters out of the camp, but Canadian forces and police reading prisoner communications caught it. But when they put together the full message and plan, the Canadians decided to let it ride. The chance to capture a German submarine was simply too enticing. If they let the prisoners escape, then captured them as they left the camp, then they could fill the newspapers with reports of the escape, list everyone involved as re-captured except the four prisoners Germany really wanted back, and then lie in wait for the German submarine to try and retrieve them. This response to Operation Kiebitz became Operation Pointe Maisonnette. But Canada had to work hard to not catch the Germans. Canada found, but kept secret, escape materials and maps hidden in novels and canned goods sent to the prisoners. The Germans stashed the dirt from their digging in a ceiling which later collapsed, and the Canadians had to pretend they didn't know what was happening. Oh, and they dug just 16 feet underground, leading to a cave-in of a tunnel when another prisoner walked over it. Ultimately, Canada had to admit they knew what was going on and arrested most of the prisoners involved. But they allowed one prisoner to escape, Wolfgang Heyda. Heyda was not one of the four planned escapees. German submarine U-190 arrives in St. John's, Newfoundland in June 1945 after surrendering Canada's backup plan It was clear that Operation Pointe Maisonnette had to change. So the Royal Canadian Navy set up an anti-submarine convoy near the pickup point and let Heyda get to within one kilometer of there. Then, police arrested him and took him to the mission commander who greeted him by name. Meanwhile, Canadian sailors attempted to signal the waiting submarine, U-536, for pickup. They were specially picked for their ability to speak Germany and to fight the German submariners during a capture attempt. Unfortunately, the commander of the U-boat, Kapitanleutnant Rolf Schauenburg, was suspicious. He noted no civilian shipping traffic, even though it should have been busy. Schauenburg saw the signal light, but his crew could hear the noise of the submarine task force's screws in the water. He decided it was a setup and ordered a crash dive, instead. The anti-submarine task force, 10 ships led by the HMCS Rimouski, swooped in. A game of cat and mouse ensued. The Canadian ships deployed depth charges and tried to force U-536 to surface. But Schauenburg moved slowly and carefully back out to sea, avoiding his pursuers. Neither Canada nor Germany got what they wanted. But the British and Royal navies did find and kill U-536 about six weeks later, so that was cool. Kretschmer survived the war and later joined the West German navy, eventually receiving training in the United States. TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Japanese fishermen have expressed growing concern over the government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea. "The ocean is our workplace, and no one has the right to pollute it," said Haruo Ono, a fisherman from Fukushima prefecture. The 70-year-old who works at a small port in Shinchi town, north of the plant, made the remarks at the 2023 World Conference against A and H Bombs on Sunday in Fukushima city organized by citizen groups including Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, or Gensuikyo. "Once the ocean is contaminated, it would be impossible to clean it up," Ono expressed his worries, advocating for the contaminated water to be "securely stored in tanks instead." It is unacceptable to allow further radioactive contamination into the environment, and the hasty discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater displays a lack of responsibility, said Yasunari Fujimoto, co-speaker at Gensuikyo, at Sunday's meeting, which saw approximately 550 participants. Also seen at the meeting were more than 20 lawmakers from South Korea and local citizens in Fukushima city, holding banners that read such as "Japanese government must immediately stop discharging nuclear-polluted water into the sea," stressing the need to protect the ocean collectively. Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura, visited fisheries cooperative associations in Fukushima cities of Soma and Iwaki on Sunday to seek understanding from local fishermen of the government's plan to start the water release around this summer. Toshimitsu Konno, head of Fukushima prefecture's Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative Association, said after the meeting that the government's explanations were still not able to gain the understanding of local fishermen. Those who work in the fishing industry voiced concerns about the future as the water release will continue until the decommissioning of the nuclear plant, intimidated by the potential impact on their livelihoods once the discharge begins. "I was shocked when people around me say that 'we won't let our children eat fish if the contaminated water is released into the ocean,'" said Koe Shoji, a local fisherman's wife. Kiyomi Suzuki, who works in the fishing industry alongside her husband and son, expressed uncertainty about whether her son should continue in the fishing profession and doubted what the future holds for her grandchildren. Prior to his trip to Fukushima, Nishimura visited the neighboring prefecture of Miyagi on Saturday to meet with local fishery operators. "Our stance of opposing (the water release plan) has not changed," Haruhiko Terasawa, head of the Miyagi prefectural fisheries cooperative association, told the reporters. Some countries and regions opposing the discharge have strengthened their inspection of Japanese seafood for radioactive substances, resulting in lower prices and stalled distribution of Japanese seafood, said Terasawa. He urged the Japanese government to "remedy the current situation as the first step" as actual damages caused could escalate further if the discharge proceeds. Miyagi and Fukushima are two of Japan's three northeastern prefectures worst hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Tom Daley Tom Daley is diving back intowell, diving. The Olympian announced his intent to return to the sport after two years away via a YouTube video over the weekend. In theory I had retired, he said. I was like, Im done. I cant imagine myself going back and doing it again, so that was my time in the pool done. www.instagram.com But something shifted after Daley visited Colorado Springs, which he didnt realize was nicknamed Olympic City and home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. He took his son, Robbie, to the museum, and a video about training for the competition moved him to tears. I hadnt grieved diving, that I hadnt been doing it anymore, he admitted. Coming out of that museum, something changed in me where I wasI dont think I was ready to be done. And I dont feel like I was ready to kind of hang up my trunks and move on with that part of my life, especially when my son, Robbie, said to me, Papa, I want to see you dive at the Olympics. www.instagram.com The last time Daley competed at the Olympics was during the Tokyo competition in 2021, where he and Matty Lee won gold medals in the mens synchronized 10m platform. He also came in third in mens individual 10m platform diving. Although he seems open to just returning to diving recreationally if thats where his path takes him, he also confirmed that Paris 2024 is definitely a goal. Either way, he hopes to set a good example for his children about working hard and doing something that you love to do. That has kind of lit a new flame, a fire inside of me, to want to see where is goes, Daley added. Never say never. www.youtube.com "I don't feel I was ready to hang up my trunks!" | Tom Daley | I'm back on youtube! I Tom Daley Clarification: An earlier version of this story had "NARCAN" as one of the license plates rejected in 2022. The data provided by the RMV did not clarify that the license plate was then approved in early 2023. While out on your weekly errands, you'll see many creative vanity license plates. But you won't see vehicles with plates reading "DILF," GLOCK7" or "AYKFM." Those are among the nearly 900 custom license plates rejected by the state Registry of Motor Vehicles in 2022. In all, Massachusetts residents requested 10,165 vanity license plates last year. The department even has a dedicated team, the Special Plates Division, that handles these requests. Even if you're able to slip something past their watchful eyes, the registry says it reserves the right to revoke a custom license plate In a public records request, we asked for all of the different versions of license plates from last year. We at Southcoasttoday.com/Standard-Times have compiled them into a searchable database for our subscribers to view. Accepted or Denied: Search Massachusetts's vanity plate requests in 2022 The RMV has several rules for vanity plates They can have up to six characters, with a minimum of two. The first two characters must be letters and numbers can only come at the end. They cannot be used as a substitute letter, according to the RMV. In addition, the letters "I," "O," "Q" and "U" can be used only in words that are spelled correctly. Because numbers cannot be used in the middle of a plate, a request for this vanity plate would be rejected. For example, "AAA222" would be acceptable but "AAA22A" is not. Why are custom license plates denied? Vanity plates that already exist are denied, and there are several other reasons for denial. One such reason is when a combination of characters is considered "vulgar in that it is in poor taste or is degrading or is considered profanity." It also includes plates that could be derogatory of belittling to someone. Obscene messages or references to body parts, ethnic heritage, gender, disabilities, sexual orientation or political affiliation are reasons for denials. Story continues A license plate that has "fighting words" or is "designed to inflame passions" will also be denied, according to the RMV. Need your driver's license reinstated? RMV has new tool for virtual hearings Those restrictions also apply when such words appear when someone sees them in a mirror, according to the RMV. "It is irrelevant whether offensive material is communicated when reading the vanity plate from left-to-right or from right-to-left, when viewed through a rear-view mirror, or whether it is in a foreign language or in a code which only a small segment of the community may be able to readily decipher," according to the RMV rules. These personalized license plate requests were denied. Here's why ADEQ. Because Q can only be used in a word that is spelled correctly.AYKFM. Because it can be considered vulgar or in poor taste. It is an acronym for "Are you (expletive) kidding me."BOIBYE. For the lack of significance or meaning.COUGR, COGAR, CUGAR (all requested by one person). Can be viewed as demeaning or vulgar.DILF. Because of vulgarity. It is an acronym for "Dad I'd like to (expletive deleted)."DOOBIE - Drug reference.GLCOK7 - vulgarity.HITMAN - expression of fighting words.NARCAN - obscene or in bad taste. This license plate was granted in early 2023, according to an update from the RMV, which did not provide an explanation.OINKER - obscene or in bad taste.REDRUM and MURDER (requested by same person) - expression of fighting words. SMUT - Obscene or in bad taste. For more, use our searchable database. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Rejected custom license plates: Why Massachusetts denied these tries The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said Monday that it is investigating the officer-involved shooting of a man who allegedly fired a handgun outside of a Jewish school in Memphis. A white man reportedly fired a weapon Monday afternoon outside of Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South before fleeing in a pickup truck, according to the Memphis Police Department. When the man was later pulled over by police, he allegedly exited the truck with a handgun and was shot by one of the officers. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, the Memphis Police Department said. The department noted Monday that it had contacted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the states top law enforcement agency, to investigate the incident given the suspects condition and in accordance with policy. The bureau said in a press release that its agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading up to the shooting, which will include collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his review and consideration, it added. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters; that decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBIs involvement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BELLE GLADE The gunman in the February 2022 fatal drive-by shooting of an 8-year-old girl February will spend nearly the next 50 years in state prison. Andrew James Thomas at one point faced the death penalty in the Feb. 4 slaying of Ronziyah Atkins outside her Belle Glade home. An agreement reached last week allowed the 22-year-old to plead guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm and receive a sentence of 45 years. Circuit Judge Caroline Shepherd on Friday approved the deal, which also required Thomas to plead guilty to eight counts of attempted second-degree murder in an incident that even his own attorney likened to a mass shooting. The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, which in a news release described Ronziyah's death as SENSELESS, said he fired at the house believing someone there had shot at him days earlier. 'My life is torn apart': Father speaks at sentencing for Lake Worth teen who killed his son Robert Gershman, the attorney who represented Thomas, said the negation was centered on getting his client, who was 20 at the time of the shooting, a term of years for his sentence instead of his life. Mr. Thomas was fortunate to plead to a term of years on such a mass-shooting type case, Gershman said. Marc Freeman, spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office, said prosecutors were satisfied with the outcome of the deal and giving Ronziyahs family a rest from the case. We are pleased that the victim and her family have received justice in this case, and we hope they can begin to feel a measure of closure, Freeman said. The defendant will serve a long prison sentence for the tragic loss of life and violence at his hands. Rifle shots rang out as children played in Belle Glade yard A poster of Ronziyah Atkins is seen Saturday night outside her home in Belle Glade during a vigil for her. The 8-year-old Gove Elementary student was killed Friday night in a drive-by shooting. Ronziyah attended Gove Elementary School in Belle Glade, where she was part of the cheerleading squad. Braids adorned her curly hair. Photos shown during her vigil showed Ronziyah wearing pink and posing with puckered lips and extending a peace sign. Story continues On Feb. 4, 2022, several members of the Atkins family were gathered at about 7:15 p.m. outside their residence on Southeast First Street, near Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Ronziyah was playing on the porch with a group of her cousins, all between the ages 2 and 13, when someone in a car drove by and fired 26 rounds from a semiautomatic rifle onto the property before speeding away, PBSO said in Thomas' arrest report. Sheriffs deputies found Ronziyah bleeding from a gunshot wound in the back of the head and flew her to St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where she died. The child in the box: As trial nears, lawyer says parents who locked adopted teen in Jupiter garage 'did their best' A witness told detectives they had seen a man with a rifle driving a gray, four-door car. Surveillance cameras captured a silver Kia Forte with a bullet-hole mark on its trunk surveilling the Atkins home minutes before the shooting. Detectives learned the car matched the description of a vehicle owned by Thomas, and that it had been involved in a shooting reported nearby on Feb 1. The bullet casings recovered from the scene also matched those found three days earlier. After a three-day investigation, deputies arrested Thomas at a Coral Springs home that was rented by TikTok rap stars the Island Boys. The rappers, Alex and Franky Venegas, described Thomas as a childhood friend. Deputies who searched the home said Thomas had gone frantically around the house trying to hide the 9 mm Glock semiautomatic rifle. They found it wrapped in toilet paper in the laundry room, according to his arrest report. A witness told detectives Thomas was in possession of the weapon when he arrived at the house and said it was dirty because he had used it to retaliate against someone who had fired at his car days earlier, according to Thomas' arrest report. Thomas, a Royal Palm Beach resident at the time of his arrest, denied being in Belle Glade on the day of the shooting, saying he was 20 miles west in Clewiston. His mobile phones location, however, also placed him in the Belle Glade area, according to investigators. Detectives concluded Thomas had driven 200 feet away from Ronziyah and her family before shooting indiscriminately at the residence and fleeing the scene. No parole, no early release for Palm Beach County gunman Prosecutors first charged Thomas with first-degree murder with a firearm, which is punishable by death or life in prison, and 12 counts of second-degree attempted murder. He also could not legally possess a weapon, since he was on probation at the time for armed robbery that he committed as a juvenile. Thomas plea deal requires him to serve all of his concurrent terms 45 years for second-degree murder and 20 years apiece for attempted second-degree murder without the possibility either of parole or early release. Last year, the State Attorneys Office filed a notice of intent seeking the death penalty for Thomas. It withdrew the request with Thomas acceptance of the plea deal last week. Janiya Brown, Ronziyahs aunt, described her niece Tuesday as a caring, generous child who loved to play with her sisters and cousins and was just sweet all over. At first, Brown said she didn't agree with any plea deal for Thomas, but when she heard the sentence, she thought it was fair. He got every count for every child that was in our yard, Brown said. And that was fair for the kids. For the Atkins family, Brown said, the plea deal mended only part of a wound that is still fresh, nearly 18 months later. We are still sad because we cant get Ronzyiyah back, Brown said. It brings a little peace knowing he is behind bars. Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on Twitter at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County man who killed girl in drive-by shooting sentenced Masabumi Hosono and RMS Titanic. Public Domain; Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images It's been more than 100 years, but accounts of Titanic's survivors still intrigue people today. Japanese passenger Masabumi Hosono wasn't among those celebrated for surviving the disaster. The 42-year-old bureaucrat was publicly shamed for not going down with the ocean liner. To this day, the sinking of the Titanic remains the single most fascinating event in maritime-disaster history. But what continues to intrigue people even more are the captivating stories of survivors, even ones as sad as that of Masabumi Hosono. Before the Titanic set sail, Hosono, a Japanese bureaucrat, was working in Russia as vice councilor of the Railway Board for the Japanese Ministry of Transportation, the Japan Times reported. Finally headed home, 42-year-old Hosono opted to board the Titanic in Southampton, England, rather than make the trek across Russia. A second-class passenger, he was believed to be the only Japanese traveler to board the ship, the Japan Times reported. On the cold evening of April 14, 1912, the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic took a deadly turn when the ship crashed into an iceberg. Hosono was prepared to die when an officer said there was space on a lifeboat According to his account of the disaster which he wrote mostly on the rescue ship the RMS Carpathia in the days after the sinking, and which his family shared publicly in 1997 he was woken by a knock on the door of his cabin. However, since Hosono was considered a foreigner, he was sent towards the lower decks, away from the lifeboats. While preparing for his final moments, a chance appeared for him to survive when an officer loading a lifeboat said there were two available seats. One man jumped at the chance and stepped forward. Hosono initially hesitated. "I myself was plunged into desolation at the thought of not being able to see my beloved wife and children again since there was no other solution for me than to share the same destiny as the Titanic," Hosono wrote in a letter to his wife in the days after the disaster. "But the example of the first man to jump pushed me to take this last chance." Story continues Hosono was among the passengers rescued by RMS Carpathia. Bettmann/Getty Images So, he jumped, ensuring his survival. He became one of the Titanic's 700 survivors, while 1,500 perished. For decades, Japan wouldn't forgive him for surviving Unlike Violet Jessop, a stewardess who survived the sinking, or the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, Hosono received a cold welcome from his home country. He was met with harsh criticism from the Japanese press, which condemned men who lived as cowardly and praised the bravery of those who died. According to Metropolis Japan, he was shamed for not adhering to the "women and children first" principle and avoiding an honorable death. Thus, Hosono was subjected to what the Japanese refer to as "mura hachibu," or social ostracism. He lost his job in 1914, the Associated Press reported. Despite being rehired part-time, the stigma followed him for the rest of his life. Hosono lived in quiet shame as a recluse until his death from natural causes in 1939. Even upon his passing, mention of the Titanic had been forbidden in his home. According to The Brantford Expositor, the humiliation surrounding Hosono's survival persisted into the 1990s, ramped up by negative publicity from Japanese media in the wake of James Cameron's "Titanic." In 1997, Hosono's descendants published his writings of the Titanic's last hours, restoring his honor In 1997, the AP reported that his writings contradicted other accounts at the time which mistook him for another Asian man on a different lifeboat, who was accused of acting "ignobly." Instead, the writings suggested, Hosono actually helped row the lifeboat away from the sinking ship, saving fellow passengers. Survivors of the RMS Titanic in one of the ship's collapsible lifeboats, just before being picked up by the Carpathia, April 15, 1912. Universal History Archive/Getty Images The discovery effectively "restores his honor and credibility," Matt Taylor, an American researcher and Titanic scholar who investigated Hosono's writings, told the AP. Sure enough, the revelations garnered much public sympathy for Hosono. Written on Titanic stationery, Hosono's account to this day is considered one of the most detailed memorializations of what happened aboard the ill-fated ship in the midst of the panic. Read the original article on Insider Heaps of trash surround an overflowing garbage bin on the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Nine years after President Obama upgraded Southern California's mountainous backyard to monument status, trash accumulation remains an issue. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Moises Rivera and Marisol Medina had a clear vision in mind when they began their summer excursion in the mountains above blistering Los Angeles recently and that vision definitely included a cooling dip in the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Urged on by images like-minded urbanites have posted to YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, the couple looked forward to floating in a picturesque swimming hole where oak and sycamore trees threw shadows over clear, serene waters. Yet even before they found a place to park, Rivera, 32, and Medina, 27, were greeted by harsh, unfiltered reality. Chaotic crowds swarmed a 2-mile stretch of river whose rocky banks were marred by graffiti. Roadsides were heaped with all manner of garbage: rotting food, barbecue grills, bottles, ice chests, soiled diapers and float toys. "Its the first thing we noticed," Medina said. "Its disturbing." Moises Rivera and Marisol Medina encountered a harsh reality when they visited the popular East Fork of the San Gabriel River last week piles of trash left by visitors. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Nearby, a visitor unloaded a carload of excited children and shrugged her shoulders at the reeking piles of trash. Not much you can do about it, she said. Nowhere else in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is a crisis of natural resource management more beautifully framed than at the bottom of a canyon that looks like some High Sierra gorge only covered with trash. Nine years after President Obama upgraded the region to monument status an act intended to foster a cleaner and safer wilderness park officials and volunteers have been struggling to cope with the consequences of surging visitation, particularly in summertime. It's a problem that has not only blighted the landscape, but also raised worries over contamination of one of the region's largest watersheds. Just ask Tom Walsh, who for 30 years has helped lead volunteer efforts to clean up areas of the monument and restore habitat for native wildlife including bears, mountain lions and federally endangered Santa Ana suckers. A discarded float toy greets visitors wading into the water at the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument last week. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Trash litters a riverbank in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The East Fork is a filthy mess, and things have only gotten worse since the monument was designated, said the 80-year-old. Thats probably why weve been losing volunteers. Theres no end to the trash. Story continues Their quarry includes hypodermic needles, discards from homeless encampments, human waste in thickets near the Oak Picnic area nicknamed the East Fork toilet, and occasional headless chickens and slaughtered lambs believed to be remnants of spiritual rituals. Cynthiann Gamboa, 37, who lives on a ranch by the river, described the East Fork as a place where heartbreak turns into anger. Read more: How do you fight 50 billion pieces of litter? Start by picking up trash on your next hike Families flock to the river to escape the heat, but there are no rules, no limits and not a ranger in sight once they get there, she said. They park where signs say No Parking. They build fires where signs say No Fires. They walk through trash to get down to the river, then leave more trash behind before heading home. The 346,000-acre monument is a beloved destination for those who wish to escape the heat and grime of the bustling Los Angeles Basin and sits within an hour's drive of some 18 million people. The monument was formed by redesignating about half of Angeles National Forest. However, its creation came with no new government money, leaving agencies, nonprofits and municipalities to seek funding from public and private donations and from adjusting the budget of the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the monument. I wish I could flip a switch and make everyone behave, said Angeles National Forest Supervisor Roman Torres. When you get 4.5 million visitors a year, its difficult, and you have trash challenges. Angeles National Forest is working on solutions, he said, including trying to hire 19 forestry technicians who would focus on tasks such as trash removal and reviewing contract obligations of companies responsible for emptying dumpsters within the national monument. Visitors could help, he added, by not throwing trash down on the ground. East Fork Road and California 39, the winding mountain highway that provides the only access to Crystal Lake and other recreational areas north of the East Fork, are patrolled by Forest Service rangers, the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, firefighters and Caltrans crews. Read more: Visitors to Lake Tahoe leave a record four tons of trash during Fourth of July celebrations On summer weekends, authorities are swamped with reports of rowdy parties, overturned vehicles, lost hikers, burglaries, dangerous automotive stunts along California 39, illegal campfires and traffic tie-ups caused by haphazard parking. Incidents in the monument can have effects far beyond the wilderness, however. In 2012, a vehicle driving through dry brush just off East Fork Road sparked a fire that blackened more than 4,000 acres of the San Gabriel watershed, which provides Los Angeles County with 33% of its water. Litter surrounds a sign promoting environmental stewardship in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Last year, a car that veered off East Fork Road dripped oil and gasoline into riverbed sands marked with the paw prints of squirrels, foxes and coyotes for five months before it was hauled away by the CHP, officials said. Were very concerned about an obvious lack of law enforcement and maintenance at the monument, said Mark Stanley, executive officer of the state San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. We recently visited the East Fork area and were shocked. Refuse has been a health concern in the area since 2000, when the California Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered the Forest Service to reduce trash levels in the East Fork to zero within three years. In response, rangers and volunteers were stationed at popular picnic sites to direct visitors to roadside trash bins and provide them with information about environmental issues and litter laws. They also posted "No Littering" signs printed in English and Spanish. That strategy was abandoned a few years later because of budget cuts. Now, there is renewed talk of devising strategies to limit visitors and instruct them on how to be better stewards of the environment. Graffiti dots the landscape along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The flood of ill-behaved tourists isnt the only reason for the areas problems. Implementation of a management plan for the East Fork, finalized in 2019, was stalled by COVID-19 and a lawsuit. We desperately need an East Fork stewardship plan that is adequately funded and staffed, said Isaac Brown, a senior scientist at Stillwater Sciences, a consulting firm specializing in restoring rivers and floodplains. The Forest Service has long complained of high turnover rates in management, chronic budget cuts, and being unable to pay wages high enough to attract sufficient numbers of forestry technicians to remove all the trash that accumulates each day along the East Fork. Pay for such positions in Angeles National Forest start at about $43,600 a year, officials said. Most of the Forest Services budget is set aside for wildfire protection, as well as repairing campgrounds, roads and infrastructure damaged by torrential rains earlier this year, officials said. Some critics see a connection between chronic overcrowding and the promotional efforts of large nonprofits that seek to increase access to the monument. Critics say the organizations have failed to take into account the toll on wildlife and habitat. Piles of trash have not only blighted the landscape in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, they have also raised contamination concerns for one of the region's largest watersheds. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Belen Bernal, executive director of Nature for All, a coalition of environmental and community groups that has long campaigned for more parks and safe outdoor opportunities in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, agrees up to a point. Its true that we are looking at increased access, Bernal said. But during the summer months its a whole different ball game. This is a management issue. Were not entirely happy about the situation in the monument. Just a year away from its 10th anniversary, it still doesnt have enough restrooms, dumpsters or even a visitor center. Read more: 77 tons less trash made it into the ocean thanks to this experimental L.A. County device In the meantime, the East Fork consistently earns an A-plus water quality rating from the nonprofit Heal the Bay in an online report card on the health of Southern Californias waterways despite trash and alterations of natural flows due to illegal man-made dams built out of rocks, carpet strips and limbs ripped off nearby trees for the creation of swimming holes. Those ratings, however, are based on water samples typically collected in the morning, before the onslaught of large crowds hoping to escape the heat, said Karin Wisenbaker, a senior scientist at Aquatic Bioassay and Consulting Laboratories in Ventura, which conducts the analytical work. When temperatures soar in the summertime, large crowds make their way to the cooling waters of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) We dont necessarily test at popular swimming holes, she said, and we have found potentially harmful higher levels of E. coli bacterial concentrations in them around the summer holiday weekends. Overall, she said, we have seen horrible amounts of garbage in the river, and we are deeply concerned, even disgusted, by that. For Kevin Nunez and his son Nathan, Native Americans who have long family history locked within the rugged and geologically active mountains, volunteering to help remove the flotsam and jetsam of tourists is a solemn duty. Their cultural connections and reputations for eloquence have also made them essential consultants in ongoing projects aimed at recovering aquatic species, restoring habitat and avoiding disturbance of carefully guarded touchstones of the past: burial grounds, remnants of ancient villages and rock art. The critical needs are obvious, Nathan Nunez, 23, said. They include controlled access, effective and consistent trash removal services, strictly monitored designated parking areas, more law enforcement officers and meaningful conservation programs. Even with those improvements, however, Kevin Nunez believes there is a limit. I cringe when I hear large social organizations promoting programs designed to increase visits at the monument, the 53-year-old said. Its already suffering from more people than it can handle. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. I enjoyed traveling by myself for years until I realized I wanted to share my adventures with others. Jamie Cattanach I spent about a decade traveling solo and I enjoyed it but I'm over it now. Making close connections with others made me realize I wanted to share my experiences. I still travel alone sometimes but I appreciate being able to share my travels with others. At 6:02 a.m. on a chilly Monday morning in April, the sun rose over northern Arizona's desert, driving shadows out of Horseshoe Bend. Although it's one of the most famous viewpoints in America with millions of visitors a year, I was the only person there. My location-independent, freelance-writer lifestyle and penchant for solo travel came with some serious perks. The wind pricked my skin and pulled tears from my eyes. I watched from my prized position at the canyon's edge as this landmark I'd only ever seen in photographs revealed itself to me, bit by bit. I felt totally alive and overwhelmingly grateful, baffled at how much richness my life had to offer. The only thing that would have made it better is if I'd had someone to share it with. I'm grateful for my footloose years Ten years ago, I was terrified of solo travel, as so many people especially women are. Then, I got accepted to workshop poetry at a literary event in Lisbon. As one of the only participants who came without the built-in social safety net of an MFA cohort, I roamed by myself, discovering lesser-known corners of the city and eating dinner with different people every night (and, yes, even having the requisite fling with a local). Traveling solo felt like the ultimate freedom, a way to guarantee I'd find myself in exciting new scenarios with exciting new people I couldn't plan for as part of a group. So I chased the thrill for years. I drove across America four times, couch-surfing and Airbnb-hopping. I went back overseas, this time for two months instead of two weeks. Eventually, I moved into a 17-foot travel trailer so I could be on the go full-time, all on my own. I lived in a trailer for a bit so I could be on the go all the time. Jamie Cattanach I experienced an abundance of beautiful moments during that decade. I'm so privileged to have been in a position to live such a romantic, bohemian lifestyle. But at some point, even the most heady romance can become exhausting. Story continues Eventually, I found a new home and rethought traveling alone Eventually, I realized how nice it'd be to share special moments with other people. Jamie Cattanach On November 1, 2019, I hauled my trailer into Portland, Oregon. Looking over my shoulder at Mount Hood, some deep part of me relaxed. I had friends here, and figuring out where to land next had become a second full-time job for me. Maybe, I thought, I'm home. Later that month, I flew to Florida to see my family for Thanksgiving and signed a lease on a Portland apartment, sight unseen. It was scary, but it felt right in my gut. I got back, sold the trailer, and moved in. Then, the coronavirus pandemic hit and basically solidified my decision. Because of the global pandemic, it was a while before I got to travel again. But when I did, I found solo trips left me feeling lonely, not lifted. In the pandemic pause, I'd been lucky enough to find a brilliant and creative group of friends in Portland. By then, traveling alone felt almost wasteful. Why wouldn't I want to share the joy of new experiences with someone I love? Maybe all those social-media posts I'd made during my solo trips were a stand-in for what I actually craved: someone to enjoy moments with me in real-time. I still travel alone on occasion. Going stag has its place, and sometimes, it's necessary. Adult schedules are difficult to wrangle, and I'm not going to miss something just because no one else is available. But these days, I don't travel searching for connection and bringing the beautiful connections I've already made doesn't feel like impinging on my freedom, but expanding it. Read the original article on Insider The trial of Lori Vallow who is charged with murdering her two children, hiding their bodies and then reporting them missing is delayed again after the defense renewed its claim that Vallow is not competent to stand trial. Vallow and her husband, Chad Daybell, were indicted for murder more than a year ago, but the trial was delayed over concerns about Vallows competency. Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces. Judge Stephen Boyce ruled April 11 that Vallow was competent, but the same judge said Thursday that new information from the defense requires Vallow to be reevaluated before the case can go on. It is impractical for all Parties to adhere to the Courts Scheduling Order, Boyce wrote Thursday, indicating that the intended trial start date of January 9, 2023, is no longer possible. The information provided by the defense is redacted in court documents, and the judge ordered that those details remain under seal. CNN reached out to Vallows defense attorneys Thursday for comment on the order. A spokesperson for the prosecution declined comment. In 2021, a grand jury indicted Vallow and Daybell for the murders of Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, 7. JJ Vallow, left, and sister Tylee Ryan, went missing in 2019. - Rexburg Police Department Tylee and JJ had gone missing in September 2019, and Vallow and Daybell married two months later. The childrens disappearance became national news after Daybell and Vallow abruptly left the area following questioning by police about the childrens whereabouts and about the recent death of Daybells ex-wife, Tammy. In June 2020, law enforcement officials found the remains of the children on Daybells property in Fremont County, Idaho. Daybell also is charged with the murder of his ex-wife, who died in her sleep weeks before Daybell was remarried. Idaho is seeking the death penalty in Vallows case. Correction: A previous version of this story gave the wrong age for Tylee Ryan. She was 16 at the time of her death. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A screenshot of the parody account. Elon Musk announced he was changing Twitters name to X In the last week of July, reflecting the billionaires life-long obsession with the letter, which is a very normal thing for an adult man to have. To celebrate, CEO Linda Yaccarino, whom Musk appointed in May, changed her username from @lindayaccs to @lindayaX. An enterprising troll snatched up @lindayaccs, impersonating Yaccarino with a handle one letter off from her old one. @lindayaccs now belongs to someone who has at least a passable sense of humor. The account looks much like Yaccarinos old account, complete with her photo, except it has the words parody spelled out in several prominent places. The profile also links to xvideos.com. Read more The newly minted Yaccarino account is hard at work posting easy layup jokes, such as Hello fellow Reptilians! and Lets revert back to Twitter! Whos with me? That means the account isnt breaking any of Xs (fka Twitters) policies. The company says parody accounts are allowed on X, and can use elements of another persons identity as long as the words parody, fake, fan, or commentary are included in the username and the bio. However, Musk has demonstrated a willingness to break or change his companys rules in order to do whatever he wants, so @lindayaccs will likely be short-lived. X and the person running the parody account did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A tweet from the parody account. A user comments on the link in bio and the account responds "What about it? It's where we send videos of our company X!" The Yaccarino parody account lists xvideos.com in the link field, a reference to a porn site Gizmodo has obviously never heard of until now, and a nod at the fact that calling the company X creates a number of uncomfortable issues with official accounts and products that now need new names, such as the recently disabled @twittervideos account. Typically, social media companies have robust security departments that help you avoid obvious mistakes that create problems like someone impersonating your CEO. Unfortunately, Musk laid most of those people off shortly after buying the company. Story continues So far, Twitters big name change has gone anything but smoothly. The word Twitter still appears all over the app and the website. The company also sparked controversy by stealing the @x account from a long-time user without permission or compensation, according to reports. Tweets from the parody account reading "Does anyone know who owns xvideos?" "Hello fellow reptilians!" and a poll asking "Let's revert back to Twitter! Who's with me?" where both options are "yes." Last week, San Francisco police stopped the company from removing the iconic Twitter logo from the side of the building. Musk reportedly didnt have a permit for the work, and didnt take any safety precautions to protect pedestrians on the street below. Workers were ordered to immediately stop removing the Twitter sign, leaving just the letters er on the building. Undeterred, the company had an enormous letter X affixed to the top of its headquarters, which was held up on the edge of the roof with sandbags according to photos of the scene. The new logo had blinding strobe lights, which flashed at nearby residential and office buildings late into the night. Days later, city inspectors showed up and forced the company to take the X down. Correction, August 1, 6:30 p.m.: A previous version of this story stated that a user had taken over Yaccarinos old username and that Twitter had not locked it down. That is not the case. The Twitter user was tweeting from @lindayaccs, one letter off from Yaccarinos actual old handle, @lindayacc, which is no longer operating. We regret the error. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. James Comer Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., acknowledged that the Republicans' widely-hyped witness in their probe of the Biden family's business dealings "didn't know anything" about unverified allegations that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden had accepted millions in bribes. House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and fellow Republicans had hyped a closed-door session with former Hunter Biden business partner Devon Archer as part of their growing Biden probe that has yielded no actual proof. Archer during the nearly five-hour testimony said that President Biden was not party to any of his son's business deals and that Hunter had merely tried to sell the illusion that he was providing access to his father, Democrats on the panel said according to The New York Times. Archer also said President Biden met and spoke with his son's international business associates several times as Hunter Biden tried to boost his business but did not discuss any business. He said Hunter Biden put his father on speakerphone to talk to business partners about 20 times over a decade, members of the panel told the Times. Comer said that Archer testified that President Biden was put on the phone to sell the family "brand." "Devon Archer's testimony today confirms Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he had no knowledge about his son's business dealings and was not involved," Comer said in a statement. The Times noted that Archer's testimony also underscored that Biden falsely claimed during the 2020 campaign that no one in his family received money from China even though Hunter and his business partners received millions from a Chinese firm. He also repeatedly claimed in 2019 that he had "never discussed" his son's business dealings. Legal experts were unimpressed with the findings. "That's the best they got?" tweeted national security attorney Bradley Moss. Story continues Democrats on the panel say Archer testified that President Biden's interactions were brief and casual and focused on topics like the weather. Archer "was unequivocal and stated very clearly that they never discussed any business on that phone conversations that were niceties. And there was a hello. And there was talk about the weather or whatever it was, but it was never any business," Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., told reporters. Goldman added that Archer testified that Biden spoke to his son frequently after his other son Beau died in 2015. "The witness describes in vivid detail about how devastating that was to both Hunter Biden and to Joe Biden, and how their communications picked up dramatically in the aftermath," he said. "Because Joe Biden was calling his son to check on him and Hunter Biden was calling his dad to check on him. It had nothing to do with business. And that is the sum and substance of what the testimony was." Goldman also said that Archer "categorically" denied the Republicans' bribe allegation. Rep. Goldman on Archer's interview: "The witness was unequivocal and stated very clearly that [Joe and Hunter Biden] never discussed any business on their phone conversations." pic.twitter.com/S4JfCCEuKd Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2023 Biggs, who is pushing for an impeachment inquiry, also acknowledged to reporters that Archer had no information on the unverified claims from an anonymous informant that the Bidens accepted bribes. "He didn't know anything about it," Biggs told reporters after the session. Reporter: Did he talk about the bribe at all? Biggs: He didnt know anything about that pic.twitter.com/G7vYyvN4rD Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2023 Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. That did not stop Republicans from using the testimony to push for an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. "When Congress moved toward impeachment with Richard Nixon, it was because they had proof that Richard Nixon lied," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said after the interview. "When Congress moved toward to impeachment with Bill Clinton, it was because they had proof that Bill Clinton had lied about sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. Today, with Devon Archer's testimony, we have proof that Joe Biden has lied." But the White House fired back, arguing that the GOP's own witness had debunked their core allegations. "It appears that the House Republicans' own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his son's associates, or doing anything wrong," White House spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement to Mediaite. "House Republicans keep promising bombshell evidence to support their ridiculous attacks against the President, but time after time, they keep failing to produce any. In fact, even their own witnesses appear to be debunking their allegations. Instead of continuing to waste time and resources on this evidence-free wild goose chase, House Republicans should drop these stunts and work with the President on the issues that actually impact Americans' daily lives, like continuing to lower costs, create jobs, and strengthen health care." Goldman on Monday night said the investigation "needs to end now because what we're doing is badgering a private citizen, and there's no legitimate legislative purpose at all." "It's truly stunning to me," he told CNN. "This is the taxpayer-funded defense and political arm of Donald Trump." Read more about the GOP Biden probe NEWS PROVIDED BY Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights Aug. 1, 2023 NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League President Bill Donohue (photo) submits the following and is available for comment: Survey data reveal that the most intolerant people in America are unquestionably young liberals. Why this is so needs to be probed, but first the data. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) studies free speech on college campuses, and its 2022-2023 "College Free Speech Rankings" is particularly insightful. In a survey of almost 45,000 college students from 201 schools, the University of Chicago was rated the top spot; Columbia University was rated the least respectful of free speech of any institution of higher education in the country. Overall, the degree to which free speech is prized on campus was among its most alarming findings. Liberals, not conservatives, are the problem. Opposition to allowing controversial conservative speakers on campus ranged from 59 percent to 73 percent, depending on the speaker. However, opposition to controversial liberal speakers on campus ranged from 24 percent to 41 percent, depending on the speaker. Is it acceptable to shout down a speaker? For liberals it is: 76 percent approve. For conservatives, the figure is 44 percent. Is it acceptable to block entry to a campus speech? Almost half of liberals (47 percent) agree. Among conservatives, 25 percent agree. Is it acceptable to use violence to stop a campus speech? A quarter (25 percent) of liberals approve. For conservatives, the figure is 16 percent. Not surprisingly, liberals are more comfortable expressing themselves on campus than conservatives are. As we might expect, 53 percent of college students describe themselves as "left of center"; only 20 percent identify as "right of center." When students were asked which subjects were the most difficult to have a conversation about on campus, they mentioned abortion, racial inequality, Covid mandates and transgender issues as the most difficult. With the exception of Covid restrictions, this reflects the Left's obsession with sex and race. A recent survey conducted for Newsweek found that 44 percent of those aged 25-34 want to make "misgendering" a personusing the "wrong" pronoun to describe a transgender persona criminal offense. Among those 35-44 percent, 38 percent support treating this as a crime. The overall figure for Americans is 19 percent. Only in times of war has there traditionally been support for muzzling free speech. But we are not at war, so there is no need to balance free speech with national security. What we are witnessing today is unlike anything we've seen before. There has been next to zero media outcry over this condition. Yet the assault on the First Amendment is palpable. The reason for this situation should be obvious to those not drugged by ideology: it is young liberals, indoctrinated by teachers, especially professors, who are the most intolerant, and those who work in the media are so thoroughly politicized these days as to be unmoved by what is happening. All this talk about "Christian nationalists" being a threat to free speech is a ruse. The real threat is coming from the Left, the very same persons guilty of blaming their favorite bogeymanChristians. A former Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general and a former state representative were charged Tuesday for allegedly tampering with voting machines after the 2020 election, according to court records. GOP attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno, who was endorsed by former President Trump, and former Michigan state Rep. Daire Rendon (R) were charged with illegally accessing voting machines. Prosecutors allege that DePerno led a group who moved five voting machines to a hotel room, broke into them and performed tests on them. DePerno was charged with undue possession of a voting machine, while Rendon was charged with conspiracy to commit the same offense. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel outsourced the investigation to a special prosecutor, given that she had run against DePerno in an election the previous cycle. That special prosecutor began an investigation in September. We know the 2020 Presidential Election in Michigan was the most heavily scrutinized election in American history, and every audit and review found the election to be secure, fair, and accurate to the will of the voters, Nessel said in a statement Tuesday. The alleged actions by these defendants, and others, who worked to erode trust in our election system caused undeniable harm to our democracy. The pair were arrested Tuesday, according to court documents. According to his attorney Paul Stablein, DePerno categorically denies any wrongdoing and firmly asserts that these charges are unfounded and lack merit. He maintains his innocence and firmly believes that these charges are not based upon any actual truth and are motivated primarily by politics rather than evidence, Stablein said in a statement to CNN. The Hill has also reached out to the special prosecutors office, as well as Rendons lawyer. The charges are the latest prosecution in Michigan related to the 2020 election. Last month, Nessel charged 16 fake electors, who pledged to fraudulently cast electoral college votes after the 2020 election. Story continues And the two Trump allies are the latest of many Trump-aligned figures who have been charged with 2020 election crimes. Trump himself is expecting an indictment as soon as Tuesday from a federal investigation into his alleged actions to overturn the 2020 election. The grand jury in a similar probe in Georgia is also expected to decide whether to indict Trump this month. Updated 5:13 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It finally happened. The big one. The criminal indictment on Tuesday of former President Donald Trump on grounds he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The four-count, 45-page indictment came more than 2 1/2 years after Trump incited the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and, in the process, encouraged an attack on democracy. Whether you dreaded this day as a terrible time for the country or cheered it as justice too long delayed, the now three-time-indicted former president will finally have to face accusations that he used his power as president to try to subvert the will of the voters and stay in office, even when it was clear hed lost the election. The indictment charges him with three crimes: conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiring against peoples rights. This extraordinary moment had to come. Trump must be held accountable for his actions or lack of them, because he did nothing for hours to quell the deadly insurrection in his name. Otherwise, our system of laws will have no meaning. The fact that these charges have been lodged while Trump attempts to regain the same office he betrayed so completely is more proof of the existential danger he poses to our democracy. Trump issued a statement through his campaign calling the charges fake and saying he was being targeted by a weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election. A day of horror Yes, there are Americans who continue to insist Trump did nothing wrong and there are many of them, cult-like in their loyalty but so many others in this country remember the horror of that day and know that something went not just wrong, but dangerously so. We remember the fear in our guts as armed crowds surged past the barricades and overran the brave Capitol police in Washington, D.C. We remember watching seething mobs storm into the building, hunting for members of Congress and for Vice President Mike Pence, threatening to hang him. That was no empty threat: They erected a gallows with a noose on the grounds of the Capitol. Story continues We remember the shame of seeing the Capitol defiled that way, by our fellow citizens. We remember wondering where the National Guard was, knowing that Trump certainly could have called upon them to defend the beating heart of our democracy. Trump has been charged, but we, too, as a country, need to face these accusations. Looking the other way, as the Senate did when it refused to impeach Trump after the attack, has only deepened the wound to the nation and emboldened those who seek to undermine our government. Trump himself has become more intent, openly, on expanding his power. And he has spawned the likes of Ron DeSantis, Floridas governor. Trumps actions are unprecedented. He already has been indicted twice before this. One case, in New York in March, accuses him of violating state law by falsifying business records related to alleged hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election. The other, based in Florida, accuses him of taking documents containing national-security secrets, keeping them at his Palm Beach estate, then attempting to obstruct justice in that investigation. Destabilizing lies And now there is this case, the one with the greatest ramifications for democracy because Trumps actions tried to undermine trust in our elections. As the indictment says, Each of these conspiracies which built on the widespread mistrust the defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraud targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. For those who say Trump should face the consequences of his actions at the ballot box, yes, he should. Many prefer that to time-consuming legal proceedings. But casting a vote against Trump cannot be the only recourse we have if as seems most certainly to be true he broke the law in at least one of these cases and probably more. And thats exactly what trials are for. Remember that more than 1,000 people have been charged in the Jan. 6 attack, a violent assault that cost five lives, defiled the Capitol and had members of Congress running for their lives. At least 89 of those defendants have come from Florida, where the ex-president lives. Among them was Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys leader who lived in Miami and was convicted in May of seditious conspiracy in the plot to attack the U.S. Capitol. Should we prosecute them but not the ex-president? In some ways, certainly, this is yet another new low for the country, attributable to Trump. But it may also show us that our institutions are strong enough to stand up to the kind of prolonged assault that a person like Trump an amoral person with money, power and a massive, easily wounded ego has heaped on it. Were about to find out. Click here to send the letter. Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are locked in a neck-and-neck race for the White House in 2024, a new poll revealed. Despite Trumps deepening legal woes, voters are split right down the middle in a rematch of the 2020 race with 43% supporting each candidate, according to a new Siena College/New York Times poll released Tuesday. In a glimmer of good news for Democrats, the 14% of voters who dont support either candidate seem to lean fairly strongly to Biden. The president opens up a narrow 2% overall lead in the poll when those so-called double hater voters are allocated based on whom they say they voted for last time. Biden holds a similar advantage if the poll is only limited to those who actually voted in either 2020 or 2022. Biden beat Trump by 4.5% in 2020, or about 7 million votes. But that popular vote victory translated into a razor-thin margin in battleground states like Wisconsin, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia that forged his win in the electoral college, suggesting the polls margin could lead to another extreme nail biter. The poll shows Biden is consolidating support among Democrats, many of whom once hoped he would hand over the baton to a younger, more dynamic figure. Another sign of potential upside for Biden is that young voters, who overwhelmingly hold liberal views on issues like abortion rights, are still on the fence. Trump, on the other hand, has maintained an enduring strength despite becoming the first former president to be criminally charged. The poll shows virtually no drop off among voters who supported him in 2020 and very little decline among Republicans, belying any possible affect from the criminal cases that Trump derides as a partisan witch hunt. He has maintained his base of support among white male voters without a college degree while modestly improving his performance among low-income and minority voters, particularly Latinos, the poll showed. The poll also showed Biden holding only a narrow 41%-to-38% lead among Latinos, a number that would represent a dramatic decline from the approximately 2-1 margin Biden won by in 2020. That could be a hopeful sign for Biden as analysts believe most of those voters will eventually return to the Democratic fold. The poll's margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.67 percentage points for all registered voters and plus or minus 3.96 percentage points for the likely Republican primary electorate, according to The New York Times. Former President Donald Trump has been called to sit for a deposition in September as part of his lawsuit against his former attorney Michael Cohen. Mr Trump is seeking $500m from his former fixer. According to NBC News, a Monday filing shows Cohens attorneys scheduled the deposition for 6 September at a Miami law office. Mr Trump has put at issue significant matters relating to at least one of his pending criminal indictments, Mr Cohens attorneys, Ben Brodsky and Danya Perry, said in a statement to The Independent. He will have to answer under oath, among other things, exactly what happened with the payments to Stephanie Clifford. Or he can assert his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Either way, his testimony will strip the lie as to his claims against Mr Cohen. The Independent has reached out to an attorney for Mr Trump for comment. Mr Trumps complaint had argued that his client has suffered vast reputational harm as a direct result of Defendants breaches, and suggested that Cohen took part in other misconduct that violated New Yorks Rules of Professional Conduct. Mr Trump sued Cohen in April, accusing his former attorney of multiple breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conversion, and breaches of contract. The former president claimed Cohen spread falsehoods about him with malicious intent and to wholly self-serving ends. Earlier this month, Mr Trump reached a settlement with Cohen over $1.3m in unpaid legal bills. The ongoing lawsuit involving Cohen is just one of many that the former president is juggling. Last Thursday, Special Counsel Jack Smith handed down a superseding indictment, tacking on more charges against the former president related to his handling of the classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. He wrote on Truth Social that he predicts a federal indictment regarding the January 6 Capitol riot and the efforts to overturn the 2020 election will happen any day now. Story continues Fulton County investigators are also expected to make charging decisions this month related to the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state. Over the weekend, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said she and her team are ready to go. A Georgia judge on Monday rejected the former presidents attempt to blockMs Willis from bringing indictment charges against him or anyone else based on the results of a special grand jury probe. Mr Trump is also facing criminal charges in a New York state court regarding hush money payments. In June, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with 34 counts of falsifying business records; he has pleaded not guilty. By Sarah N. Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen and Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his wide-ranging attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in four months that the former U.S. president has been criminally charged even as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year. The four-count, 45-page indictment charges Republican Trump with conspiring to defraud the U.S. by preventing Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election. Then-President Trump pushed fraud claims he knew to be untrue, pressured state and federal officials - including Vice President Mike Pence - to alter the results and finally incited a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol in a desperate attempt to undermine American democracy and cling to power, prosecutors said. Trump was ordered to make an initial appearance in federal court in Washington on Thursday. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was appointed by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama. The charges stem from Special Counsel Jack Smith's sprawling investigation into allegations Trump sought to reverse his loss to Biden. Despite a dizzying and growing array of legal troubles, Trump has solidified his status as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, according to public opinion polls. Weeks of assertions that the election had been stolen culminated in a fiery Trump speech on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress met to certify the results. Soon after, his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to stop Congress from formalizing Biden's victory. In a brief statement to reporters, Smith placed the blame for the violence squarely on Trump's shoulders. "The attack on our nation's Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies - lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the U.S. government," Smith said. Story continues More than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with the attack. PHONY SLATE OF ELECTORS Trump and others organized fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to be certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6, the indictment said. The indictment lays out numerous examples of Trump's election falsehoods and notes that close advisers, including senior intelligence officials, told him repeatedly that the results were legitimate. "These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false," prosecutors wrote. When the push to certify the fake electors failed, Trump sought to pressure Vice President Mike Pence not to allow certification of the election to go forward, and took advantage of the chaos outside the Capitol to do so, according to prosecutors. During the violence, Trump rebuffed calls from his advisers to issue a calming message. "The Defendant attempted to use a crowd of supporters that he had gathered in Washington, D.C. to pressure the Vice President to fraudulently alter the election results," the indictment reads. In a statement, the Trump campaign said he had always followed the law and characterized the indictment as a "persecution" reminiscent of Nazi Germany. "President Trump will not be deterred by disgraceful and unprecedented political targeting!" it added. Later Tuesday, Trump's campaign sent out a fundraising email referencing the indictment. The indictment also includes six unnamed co-conspirators who have not been charged. Based on the descriptions, they appear to include Trump's former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who called state lawmakers in the weeks following the 2020 election to pressure them not to certify their states' results; former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who tried to get himself installed as attorney general so he could launch voter fraud investigations in Georgia and other swing states; and attorney John Eastman, who advanced the erroneous legal theory that Pence could block the electoral certification. "Every statement that Mayor Giuliani made was truthful and expressing his beliefs," his attorney Robert Costello told Reuters. "He believed there was proof of election fraud, and I have seen the affidavits that back that up." Eastman lawyer Charles Burnham said in an email the indictment used a "misleading presentation of the record to contrive criminal charges against Presidential candidate Trump and to cast ominous aspersions on his close advisors." Clark did not respond to requests for comment. The most serious charge against Trump carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, though sentencing is based on numerous factors and is subject to the judge's discretion. MOUNTING LEGAL WOES Trump already had become the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. He has portrayed all of the prosecutions as part of a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at preventing his return to power. Tuesday's charges represent a second round of federal charges by Smith, who was appointed special counsel in November by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Trump pleaded not guilty after a federal grand jury in Miami convened by the special counsel charged him in June in a 37-count indictment over his unlawful retention of classified government documents after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing justice. Prosecutors accused him of risking some of the most sensitive U.S. national security secrets. Last Thursday, prosecutors added three more criminal counts against Trump, accusing him of ordering employees to delete security videos as he was under investigation for retaining the documents. In March, a grand jury convened by Manhattan's district attorney indicted him for falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she said she had with him. Trump pleaded not guilty and has denied the encounter. TRUMP IS 2024 REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER Trump, 77, leads a crowded field of Republican presidential candidates as he seeks a rematch with Biden, 80, next year. Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, has shown an ability to survive legal troubles, political controversies and personal behavior that might sink other politicians. Many Republicans - elected officials and voters - have rallied behind Trump, portraying the charges against him as selective prosecution and a Democratic plot to destroy him politically. That pattern largely held on Tuesday, as most Republicans pivoted to attacks on Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in Congress, said on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that the indictment was an attempt to "attack the frontrunner for the Republican nomination." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's leading rival for the Republican nomination, said on X that he had yet to read the indictment. But he vowed to "end the weaponization of the federal government," suggesting that the Biden administration was using the charges to target a political enemy. Strategists said that while the indictments could help Trump solidify support within his base and win the Republican nomination, his ability to capitalize on them may be more limited in next year's general election, when he will have to win over more skeptical moderate Republicans and independents. Meanwhile, Trump's legal woes are growing. In addition to the three indictments, Trump faces a fourth criminal investigation by a county prosecutor in Georgia into accusations he sought to undo his 2020 election loss in that state. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated she plans to bring charges in that case within the next three weeks. Special counsels are sometimes appointed to investigate politically sensitive cases, and they do their jobs with a degree of independence from the Justice Department leadership. Before being appointed by Garland to take over the two Trump-related investigations, Smith had served as the chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague, assigned to prosecuting war crimes in Kosovo, oversaw the Justice Department's public integrity section and worked as a federal and state prosecutor in New York. (Reporting by Jacqueline Thomsen and Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Jack Queen, Kanishka Singh, Dan Whitcomb, Costas Pitas, Mike Scarcella, Tim Reid, Jeff Mason and Gram Slattery; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Howard Goller, Grant McCool and Michael Perry) By Jack Queen and Sarah N. Lynch (Reuters) - The charges brought against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday in the federal election interference case are based in part on a law enacted in the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War to protect the rights of Black people. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, was charged with conspiring to deprive voters of their right to a fair election and defraud the U.S. by blocking Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's victory. He has denied wrongdoing and said the case is part of a broader, politically motivated "witch hunt." Federal prosecutors base one charge, conspiring to deprive citizens of constitutional or legal rights, on a law enacted during post-Civil War Reconstruction in 1870, when federal lawmakers sought to integrate into society enslaved people who had been freed. Kristy Parker, a former federal prosecutor, said many efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the election targeted urban areas with large populations of Black voters who voted for Democrat Joe Biden. Those included Atlanta, Detroit and Philadelphia. Its pretty telling that those Reconstruction-era laws would apply to this case, and it suggests that we are fighting a lot of the same battles that we were fighting in the Civil War," said Parker, an attorney at the non-profit advocacy group Protect Democracy. The Reconstruction era lasted until 1877 but is widely considered a failure by historians, in part because it neither prevented violence against Black people nor delivered lasting racial integration in politics and civil society. But battling violence against Black people was a central goal of the deprivation of rights statute, and it has long been used to prosecute hate crimes. It was central to the 1967 trial of more than a dozen Ku Klux Klan members who conspired to murder three civil rights workers, a case immortalized in the 1988 film "Mississippi Burning." Story continues Prosecutors have long used the deprivation of rights statute, known as Section 241, to fight disenfranchisement of Black voters, and a string of landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases have affirmed the law's use for that purpose. The law also covers less overt schemes to disenfranchise voters. In March, a Brooklyn federal jury convicted a social media influencer of deprivation of rights for targeting supporters of Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival in the 2016 election, with false information about how to vote. The scheme explicitly targeted Black voters. Trump is accused of using false claims of voter fraud to pressure election officials to subvert the election and conspiring with others to put forth a slate of sham electors who would falsely deem him the winner. Legal experts said Trump's alleged conduct clearly falls within Section 241, which is broadly written. From a prosecution standpoint, I think the charge is a solid one that is well-grounded in what Congress envisioned when they passed this statute, said Eric Gibson, a former federal prosecutor who successfully prosecuted a former Pennsylvania election judge and a former U.S. Congressman for trading bribes for fraudulent votes. To prevail against Trump, prosecutors must prove he conspired with at least one other person to deprive voters of their right to a fair election, regardless of whether he was successful. The indictment accused Trump and co-conspirators of organizing fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to submit their votes to be counted and certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6. Trump could argue that he is innocent because he did not intend to break the law. He has claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was tainted by fraud and said his actions were aimed at safeguarding the vote. The issue will likely be subject to intense pretrial litigation and legal wrangling if the case goes to trial. But even if prosecutors have a strong legal case, Trump would need just one holdout juror to trigger a mistrial. Given the politically fraught nature of the case, that would likely be prosecutors biggest concern ahead of a trial - and make the jury selection process critical to the outcome. The danger here is that they get someone on the jury who is there for political reasons, Gibson said. Trumps team cant just insert people into the jury, but the reality is that almost half the country voted for him. (Reporting by Jack Queen in New York and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller) Former President Donald Trump has been called to sit for a deposition in September as part of his lawsuit seeking $500 million from his former attorney Michael Cohen. In a filing Monday, Cohen's attorneys scheduled the deposition for Sept. 6 at a law office in Miami. I look forward to Donalds deposition under oath and proving the frivolous nature of the lawsuit, Cohen told NBC News in a statement. The deposition notice comes after Trump sued Cohen in April, alleging that his former lawyer turned critic spread falsehoods, violated attorney-client privilege and unjustly enriched himself. In the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for Southern Florida, Trumps lawyer Alejandro Brito had argued that his client has suffered vast reputational harm as a direct result of Defendants breaches," and suggested that Cohen took part in other misconduct that violated New York's Rules of Professional Conduct. When reached for comment on Monday, Cohen's attorney, Ben Brodsky, said the deposition notice "functions like a subpoena." "He cant avoid it, though he could dismiss the case," Brodsky said of Trump. NBC News has reached out to a Trump attorney for comment on the deposition. Cohen has become a key witness against Trump in a separate case -- the 34-count indictment against Trump in New York stemming from alleged hush money payments made before the 2016 election. That trial is scheduled for March. Trump has pleaded not guilty. NBC News reported this month that Cohen and the Trump Organization settled a lawsuit that Cohen filed in 2019 seeking $1.3 million in legal fees from the Trump Organization and accusing the company of reneging on a contractual deal to indemnify Mr. Cohen and to pay attorneys fees and costs incurred by Mr. Cohen" in connection with work that involved the Trump Organization and its leadership, including Trump. The deposition comes about two weeks after Trump said he was notified by special counsel Jack Smith that hes a target in a federal investigation into interference in the 2020 election. Trump is also facing criminal charges in a hush money case in New York state court and a federal case over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. He has referred to both cases as election interference" as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Story continues Trump has participated in other depositions since leaving office, including one last year in writer E. Jean Carrolls civil lawsuit alleging that Trump raped her in a New York department store in the 1990s. A New York jury this year found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll but not liable for her alleged rape, awarding her $5 million in damages for her battery and defamation claims. The former president was also deposed twice by New York Attorney General Letitia James office, most recently spending about eight hours at her office in April in connection with a $250 million lawsuit that alleges Trump and his company engaged in fraudulent business practices. That case is scheduled to go to trial in October. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott are competing to fill the non-Trump lane in the GOP presidential primary as Scott shows signs of rising and DeSantiss campaign hits some bumps. The Hills Julia Manchester and Caroline Vakil report that while Scott has not yet emerged as the clear alternative to Trump, his campaign has seen some bright spots along the way. The senator has seen some traction in some early state polls and has attracted interest from donors. When asked whether he thought Scott was a threat to DeSantis, Republican strategist Ford OConnell said absolutely. Tim Scott rising speaks more to Ron DeSantis underachieving expectations, he added. Scott offered his most pointed criticism of DeSantis last week when he was asked about Floridas new standards for teaching Black history, including language in the curriculum that says students should be taught that enslaved people developed skills that benefited them under the system of American slavery. DeSantis responded to Scotts criticism: D.C. Republicans all too often accept false narratives, accept lies that are perpetrated by the left. And on Monday, Scott touted a 15-week federal ban on abortion after the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List attacked DeSantis after he declined to say whether he would back a federal abortion ban in a recent interview. The group called DeSantiss position on abortion unacceptable, several months after he signed a six-week ban in Florida into law. In a statement to The Hill, the DeSantis campaign maintained the primary is still a two person race. No matter how much the media and D.C. elites try to destroy Ron DeSantis, they cant change the fact that this is a two-man race for the nomination, said Andrew Romeo, a spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign. Ron DeSantis is ready to prove the doubters wrong yet again and our campaign is prepared to execute on his vision for the Great American Comeback as we transition into the next phase of winning this primary and beating Joe Biden. Brian Cahn/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for a third time. The latest set of charges, announced Tuesday evening by special prosecutor Jack Smith, are related to Trump's conduct in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, including the attempt on January 6, 2021, to disrupt the certification of the election by Congress. Specifically, Trump has been charged with four counts related to three criminal conspiracies. Prosecutors say Trump attempted to "defraud the United States" by trying to prevent the lawful process of counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. He's also charged with trying to "obstruct and impede" the vote-certification process in Congresswhich includes two separate charges for the obstruction itself and the related conspiracy to obstruct. Finally, he's also charged with "a conspiracy against the right to vote and to have one's vote counted." You might think about the three parts of the indictment as a helpful breakdown of the three ways in which Trump and his alliesthere are six unnamed and so far uncharged co-conspirators mentioned in the indictmentattempted to subvert the presidential election process. The first charge is focused on the attempt, allegedly organized within the White House, to have Trump-friendly state lawmakers appoint alternate slates of electors to the Electoral College as part of a scheme that would see Trump named as the winner of states where President Joe Biden received more votes. The second and third charges are aimed at Trump's (and his allies') behavior on and near January 6, 2021, when Congress was scheduled to certify the election results. That includes the pressure allegedly applied to Vice President Mike Pence, who refused to go along with the Trump-backed plot to discard the electoral votes from some states. Finally, the third alleged conspiracy includes a civil rights charge that strikes at how Trump's machinations aimed to rob Americans of their right to choose the president. Story continues "Each of these conspiracieswhich built on the widespread mistrust the Defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraudtargeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nation's process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election," prosecutors argue in the indictment. Taken together, then, Smith's indictment outlines how the plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election harmed voters, the state-level vote-counting process, and the country's democratic process at a high level. In a statement posted to the Truth Social social media platform, Trump said the charges were "nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt" by the Biden administration to "interfere in the 2024 presidential election." He predicted that those "un-American witch hunts will fail." Smith was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland but is operating independently of the Biden administration. Smith's January 6th investigation included dozens of subpoenas issued to just about everyone in Trump's inner circle on that day, including Vice President Mike Pence, who was a target of the rioters' ire. The 45-page indictment goes into significant detail about how Trump knew his claims about the presidential election were false. Trump "widely disseminated his false claims of election fraud for months, despite the fact that he knew, and in many cases had been informed directly, that they were not true," the indictment claims, before listing seven examples of times when other officials and aids told Trump he was making false claims. Tuesday's indictment comes after he was charged in April with 34 counts of business fraud by prosecutors in New York. Those alleged crimes, to which Trump has pleaded not guilty, are related to payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels as part of a nondisclosure agreement. That was followed in June by a federal indictment for mishandling classified documents. Smith, who is also leading that investigation, brought 37 federal felony charges against the former president, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, willful retention of national defense information (in violation of the Espionage Act), and concealing documents from investigators and a grand jury. In an updated indictment filed this week, Smith tacked on new charges of obstruction of justice relating to Trump allegedly telling a staffer to cover up the attempt to hide boxes of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, the Floridian resort where the former president has resided since leaving office. Trump has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well. And yet another set of chargesperhaps the most serious of the bunchmay be waiting. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is investigating Trump's alleged attempts to strong-arm Georgia officials into overturning the results of that state's 2020 presidential vote. Witnesses interviewed by the grand jury included former Trump confidant Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.). In letters to local law enforcement released in April, Willis said possible criminal charges against Trump and his allies would be announced before September 1. Trump was already the first president or former president in American history to be charged with a crime. He's now the first to face criminal charges on three different fronts at the same time. The post Trump Indicted for Attempting To Overturn 2020 Presidential Election appeared first on Reason.com. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump has been indicted in Washington on federal charges over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, the third politically explosive criminal prosecution of the former president as he makes his latest run for the White House. Most Read from Bloomberg The charges from Special Counsel John Jack Smiths office can carry penalties of as much as 20 years in prison, but Trump would likely face far less than the maximum penalties if convicted since he doesnt have a criminal record. Trump, 77, has been instructed to appear in court at 4 p.m. on Aug. 3. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, Smith told reporters after the indictment Tuesday. Described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies. Lies by the defendant. He said the Justice Department was asking for a speedy trial and that the investigation of other individuals is continuing. Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the right to vote and have that vote counted, according to the indictment filed Tuesday in federal court. The indictment alleges Trump for months knowingly spread lies about the election being rigged in order to undermine public faith in the vote and remain in power. These claims were false, and the defendant knew they were false, the government said in the indictment. The defendant repeated and widely disseminated them anyway to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and erode public faith in the administration of the election. Story continues Read more: Trump 2020 Election Indictment: Timeline of the Case Trump announced in mid-July that the Justice Department had notified him that he was a target of the investigation, which also relates to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters following a nationwide effort to overturn Joe Bidens victory. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to those events. Just before the charges were announced Tuesday, Trump said in a Truth Social post he expected Smith to put out a fake indictment against him. His lawyers John Lauro and Todd Blanche met with prosecutors at Smiths office on July 27. Trump confirmed in a post online that the purpose of the meeting was to argue against any indictment. The prosecution is likely to fuel Trumps claim that hes being targeted for political reasons, given that the case is being brought by the Justice Department under President Joe Biden Trumps expected opponent if he wins the Republican nomination. That line of attack has been popular with GOP voters and boosted his campaign fundraising. But Trump wont be able to ignore the demands of yet another high-stakes prosecution on his already-crowded litigation and political calendar. In a statement, the Trump campaign accused the Biden administration of politicizing the investigation because Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination. The campaign also questioned why it took more than two years after Jan. 6 to bring the charges. Read More: Trump Election Probe Case Crowds Active Campaign Calendar The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Washington, is a 45-page narrative of alleged efforts by Trump and some of his allies to thwart the peaceful transfer of power to a lawfully elected successor. The document alleges Trump enlisted a series of co-conspirators to help with his plan, including an unidentified attorney who was willing to spread knowingly false claims about the election and another unidentified lawyer who attempted to implement a strategy to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to obstruct the certification of Bidens victory. A third lawyer also conspired to assist Trump despite telling others the plan was crazy, according to the indictment. There are moments of high drama in the indictment, including the pressure campaign against Pence. Trump met with Pence on Jan. 5, telling his vice president that he would have to publicly criticize him. That led Pences chief of staff to fear for his safety, and he alerted the head of the vice presidents Secret Service detail, according to the indictment. Other alleged co-conspirators described include a Justice Department official who allegedly tried to use the agency to open a sham investigation into the election to influence state legislatures; an attorney who assisted in devising a plan to use fake slates of presidential electors in states that Biden won; and a political consultant who participated in the plan. Prosecutors alleged that the former president tried to use the Justice Department to make knowingly false claims of election fraud to officials through a formal letter signed by the acting attorney general, giving Trumps lies the backing of the federal government. Trump also tried to use his crowd of supporters on Jan. 6 to pressure his vice president to fraudulently alter the election results, prosecutors alleged. Smiths office stopped short of criminally charging Trump with inciting the riot, but blamed him for deceiving many of them and alleged he exploited the disruption to try to again try to convince members of Congress to delay certifying the results. For More: All the Charges Trump Now Faces and All the Prison Time Too The indictment marks the second set of charges brought by Smiths team. In June, Trump was charged in Florida with taking sensitive national defense documents with him after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them from his Mar-a-Lago estate. Hes also accused of directing employees to try to erase video surveillance footage of the storage room where records were kept after prosecutors subpoenaed it. The former president is also fighting state charges in New York alleging he falsified business records in connection with payments to an adult film star before the 2016 election. And hes bracing for a fourth possible indictment from a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, also in connection with the aftermath of the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the Florida and New York cases. A trial is set for March 2024 in New York. The judge in Florida scheduled a May 20 trial date. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has signaled she will announce if her office is pressing charges by the end of August. Trump unsuccessfully fought in court to stymie the investigation into his conduct. Avenues explored by prosecutors included efforts to organize slates of false electors in battleground states that Trump lost and to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to interfere with the certification of the results by Congress. Judges repeatedly rejected his challenges to subpoenas for grand jury appearances by Pence and a slew of other former top administration officials. Politics and Polls Despite his legal troubles, Trump continues to dominate the candidate field for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination as primary voters buy into the argument that the prosecution is politically motivated. A Siena College/New York Times poll released Monday showed 54% of likely GOP voters across demographics supporting the former president, compared to 17% for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his closest competitor. However, some Republican groups are evincing more concern about his legal woes. A super PAC with close ties to billionaire Charles Koch raised $78 million in the first half of 2023 to try and block Trump from the nomination in favor of another Republican it believes could beat Biden in a general election. Trumps political fundraising apparatus shows him burning through money at an unsustainable rate. For now, Trump has enough to compete in the GOP primary with more than $53 million in cash split between his campaign and super-PAC. But if legal costs continue to pile up, he could face a money crunch in the general election against Biden, who has $77 million in cash. Democrats wont have to touch that money for months, as opposed to Republicans who are spending millions now gearing up for what is likely to be a long and contentious primary. Read more: Trump PACs Bleed Money on Legal Fees That Threaten Cash Crunch The government acknowledged in the indictment that Trump like every American had a right to speak publicly about the election and even to claim falsely that there had been rampant voter fraud. Trump was also entitled to challenge the result in court through lawful and appropriate means, the US said. But Trump went too far by using illegal methods to change the vote, conspiring to defraud the US and obstruct the peaceful transition of power, according to the indictment. Each of these conspiracies which built on the widespread mistrust the Defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraud targeted a bedrock function of the United States government: the nations process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election, the US said. Read more: What Trumps Many Legal Perils Mean for His 2024 Bid: QuickTake --With assistance from Maria Luiza Rabello, Chris Strohm, Sabrina Willmer, Gregory Korte, Bill Allison, Airielle Lowe, Ryan Teague Beckwith and David Voreacos. (Updates with details of the indictment, Smith comment.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. 6 migrant workers in U.S. injured in intentional assault with vehicle Xinhua) 13:24, August 01, 2023 WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Six migrant workers were injured Sunday in an "intentional assault" in North Carolina, the United States, after a driver plowed his car into them, the police said on Monday. The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. (1715 GMT) outside a Walmart in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The vehicle involved is an older model mid-size black Sport Utility Vehicle with a luggage rack. The driver was described as an older white male, said the Lincolnton Police Department in a statement. The migrant workers were hit "in what appears to be an intentional assault with a vehicle." All six were transported to a hospital with various injuries. None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening, said the statement. The suspect's motives are still under investigation. The police are asking for public assistance in identifying the vehicle and the driver. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Senate is set to adopt on Tuesday a combined resolution that condemns Chinas incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and offers options that the government can use to assert Philippine sovereignty over its territorial waters. A resolution will be adopted tomorrow combining my resolution with the Senate President's [Miguel Zubiri]. Malinaw sa reso ang pagkokondena sa China [the resolution is clear on condemning China] and the many tools that the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) may wield to assert our claims, pati ang paghain sa UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) ng resolution [even the filing of a UNGA resolution], Hontiveros said Monday, after the Senates closed-door caucus to discuss possible ways to enforce the countrys rights over the contested waters. Hontiveros Proposed Senate Resolution (PSR) 659 urged the DFA to raise Chinas harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and coast guard to the UNGA. Zubiris PSR 707, meanwhile, recommended the end of bilateral talks with Beijing and likewise condemned the global superpower. READ: Hontiveros wants DFA to seek UNGA resolution to stop China's harassment in WPS Zubiri to recommend end of bilateral talks with China, condemnation of WPS incursions Malinaw na nagtagumpay ang gusto ng taumbayan, at hindi ang gusto ng China, Hontiveros added. [Translation: Its a clear triumph of the will of our people, and not what China wants.] Zubiri said DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, National Security Adviser and Chairman of the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea Eduardo Ano, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr., and senior military officials attended the senators' caucus. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier commented on Hontiveros' measure, saying that foreign policy was not set by the legislature but by the executive. He stayed mum on China's incursions in the WPS in his recent state of the nation address. READ: Marcos on Hontiveros' call to raise WPS incursions before UNGA: 'Foreign policy not set by legislature' In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea ruled in favor of the Philippines and nullified China's claim over the South China Sea, a decision which Beijing continues to reject. It has since kept up its harassment of Filipino vessels and incursions in the West Philippine Sea. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on June 13, 2023, after being arraigned in Miami. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Most commentators who have discussed Donald Trumps pending criminal trials in New York, Florida and with the late-day revelation on Aug. 1, 2023, that he has been indicted by a Washington, D.C., grand jury in the nations capital, have concluded that those trials would require his presence. And that would compromise his ability to campaign vigorously for the Republican nomination and the presidency. The U.S. Constitution protects defendants rights to be present at their criminal trials, prohibiting the government from holding trials against a defendant in the defendants absence. This rule differentiates the United States from other democracies that allow criminal trials to be held in the absence of the accused. For example, Italy tried and convicted Amanda Knox without her presence in Italy for the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher. The conviction was later reversed. And in federal prosecutions, a federal rule of criminal procedure appears to require the defendant to attend the entire trial. But that still doesnt mean a defendant will turn up in court day after day. In Trumps case, it raises the question: Could the former president boycott his trials? Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg at an April 4, 2023, press conference following the arraignment of former U.S. President Donald Trump on state charges. Kena Betancur/Getty Images Federal prosecutions According to Rule 43 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the defendant must be present at the arraignment, at the time of the plea, at every stage of the trial including the impaneling of the jury and the return of the verdict, and at sentencing. This rule embodies the defendants constitutional right to be present at trial. And under U.S. Supreme Court precedents that interpret Rule 43, a defendant absolutely must be present at the commencement of a federal criminal trial. But after a trial begins, many courts have recognized the defendants right to voluntarily be absent from the rest of the trial by waiving their right to be present. At the very least, several courts have acknowledged that the trial judge has the discretion to permit the defendants absence. These decisions address the defendants knowing waiver of his constitutional right to be present at his trial. Story continues In addition, they interpret an exception to federal Rule 43 that allows defendants to waive their rights to be present at a trial when the defendant is voluntarily absent after the trial has begun, regardless of whether the court informed the defendant of an obligation to remain during trial. At least one federal court has held that a federal trial begins no later than the day of jury selection. So as long as Trump knowingly waives his right to be present at his own criminal trial, the presiding judge may agree that his unique circumstances running for the presidency constitute sufficient grounds to acknowledge and approve a waiver. State prosecutions Similarly, where Trump faces state charges, in New York and potentially in Georgia, both states allow for a voluntary waiver by the defendant of their right to attend their criminal trial. The Georgia and New York state constitutions and both states laws protect a defendants right to be present at all stages of a criminal trial. They also allow for the defendant to waive this right, as long as the waiver is undertaken voluntarily. That means Trump could not hold up a criminal trial by refusing to attend, since courts typically continue such trials in the public interest even in the voluntary absence of the defendant. Former President Donald Trump with his attorneys inside the courtroom during his arraignment at the Manhattan Criminal Court on April 4, 2023. Seth Wenig/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Potential damage Any time a defendant refuses to attend his own criminal trial, however, there may be consequences. For example, the sentencing judge may interpret a defendants refusal to attend as an act of disrespect for the court. Or, in the case of a jury trial, jurors may be rankled by the defendants voluntary absence. As a scholar of constitutional law, I have no doubt that Donald Trumps lawyers will advise him to attend. But none of these factors may matter to the former president, who seems focused most intently on delegitimizing the prosecutions as politically driven persecutions. Trump may not be able to sit through day after day of a criminal trial. Given what is known about his short attention span, such an outcome seems highly unlikely. Even if he is able to absent himself from one or more of his pending trials voluntarily, he could and likely will argue that he faces a Hobsons choice: attend the trial and lose the presidency, or boycott the trial and lose his freedom. Many of his supporters will reject either outcome. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Stefanie Lindquist, Arizona State University. Read more: Stefanie Lindquist 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. Former President Donald Trump. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images Former President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday on federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The indictment, issued via the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charged Trump with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Trump's criminal charges come two weeks after he received a target letter informing him that he was the subject of a Justice Department investigation into his actions following the election. The indictment, spearheaded by special counsel Jack Smith, alleges that Trump "was determined to remain in power" despite having lost, and "spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election" in order to "create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger." It was also noted that Trump's "efforts to change the outcome in any state through recounts, audits or legal challenges were uniformly unsuccessful." This marks the second federal indictment that has been brought against Trump, and the third time overall that he's been criminally charged since leaving office. The prior federal case, also brought by Smith, was handed down this past June, and concerns Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump also faces state charges in New York for allegedly falsifying business records. He has pleaded not guilty in both of these cases and awaits trial in both. In a statement, the Trump campaign called the latest indictment "nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden crime family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 presidential election." There is no evidence that President Biden ordered the indictment of Trump. Story continues The former president is due in court this coming Thursday. You may also like Homepage Former President Trump was indicted Tuesday on four felony counts following a special counsel investigation into efforts to stop the transfer of power after his 2020 election loss and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights, and obstruction of or attempting to obstruct an official proceeding. The indictment alleges that Trump sought to discount legitimate votes and subvert the 2020 presidential election results through three criminal conspiracies: obstructing the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election; impeding the Jan. 6, 2021, count and certification of the presidential election results; and denying the right to vote and to have that vote counted. Trump said last month that he had been notified he was the target of special counsel Jack Smiths probe, which began late last year after televised hearings conducted by a congressional select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Those proceedings laid out many of the overarching facts outlined Tuesday in the criminal charges against Trump. But the 45-page indictment cast in stark relief the allegations that a former president misled the nation, attacked the underpinnings of democracy and enabled violence in an effort to overturn an election and stay in power. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, Smith said at a news conference Tuesday. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies. Lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government, the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. Trump has been summoned to appear at 4 p.m. Thursday before Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington. Though only Trump was charged Tuesday, the indictment refers to six unnamed co-conspirators. Smith said Tuesday that his teams investigation of other individuals continues. Story continues The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, an appointee of former President Obama and the only federal judge on the bench in Washington who has handed down sentences to Jan. 6 defendants that are longer than those requested by the government. The indictment is the result of a lengthy, wide ranging probe by Smith that scrutinized Trumps attempts to mislead the public with claims that the election had been stolen, despite his private acknowledgment that he had lost. Each of these conspiracies which built on the widespread mistrust the Defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilizing lies about election fraud targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nations process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election, the indictment states. For months, federal grand jurors have heard testimony from dozens of witnesses, including Trumps former attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani and former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Governors and local elections officials in battleground states including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin have spoken with investigators as part of the probe. The indictment states that, on the pretext of baseless fraud claims, Trump pushed state officials to disenfranchise voters, ignore the popular vote and dismiss legitimate electors in order to have illegitimate electoral votes cast for him. It also states that he and his co-conspirators organized false slates of electors in seven key states Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to cast votes and send them to Congress to be counted on Jan. 6, 2021. Read more: United States of America v. Donald J. Trump The former president is also accused of trying to use the Justice Department to conduct sham election fraud investigations, and to provide support for the fraudulent elector plan and for state legislatures overturning the election results in Trumps favor. The indictment states that Trump moved on Jan. 3, 2021, to install a supporter named Co-Conspirator #4 in the document as acting attorney general to issue a letter to certain states saying that the Justice Department encouraged them to convene their legislatures to overturn election results. That day, Deputy White House Counsel Pat Philbin told the unnamed co-conspirator who is thought to be then-Assistant Atty. Gen. Jeffrey Clark that any effort by Trump to remain in power past Jan. 20, 2021, as outlined in the Constitution, would cause riots in every major city. According to the indictment, the co-conspirator replied, Thats why theres an Insurrection Act. When that plan didnt work, the indictment states, Trump and his co-conspirators put pressure on then-Vice President Mike Pence and falsely informed him that he could interfere with the counting of electoral votes and certification of results by Congress on Jan. 6. The indictment states that Pence took handwritten notes about the relentless needling, including that Trump told him youre too honest when he objected to blocking Democrat Joe Bidens win. On January 6th, Former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will, Pence said in a statement Tuesday. Trump amassed a crowd in Washington to put pressure on Pence and federal lawmakers to throw out certain state results in order to keep him in power, the indictment alleges. When the crowd became violent and rioted at the Capitol, and even as they were cleared from the grounds hours later, the Defendant and co-conspirators exploited the disruption by redoubling efforts to levy false claims of election fraud and convince members of Congress to further delay the certification based on those claims, the indictment states. According to the indictment, Trump made calls to two senators at 6 p.m. while lawmakers were still locked in safe rooms and police fought to regain control of the area. Trump is being charged under a civil rights law first written to prosecute Ku Klux Klan violence during Reconstruction. Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Brennan Centers voting rights program, said the statute makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire to interfere with another persons federal rights. It is a statute that has historically been used, and was passed originally, with the intent of prohibiting people from engaging in efforts to interfere with people exercising the right to vote and to interfere in elections, he said. As with past charges, the Trump campaign criticized the latest indictment by accusing President Biden of using the Justice Department to derail his presidential campaign. This is nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election, in which President Trump is the undisputed frontrunner, and leading by substantial margins, the Trump campaign said in a statement. The statement also compared the U.S. justice system to Nazi Germany. Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland appointed Smith in November to oversee the investigation into Trumps efforts to stay in power as well as a second probe focused on the mishandling of classified records at the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The FBI recovered the records during an August search of Mar-a-Lago after a months-long effort to get the former president to turn them over and after receiving evidence showing he had not complied with a subpoena ordering him to return the documents. Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in that case in June and charged with 37 criminal counts covering seven different violations of federal law, including the Espionage Act. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include willful retention of national defense information and obstruction of the investigation. A superseding indictment with additional charges was filed last week, bringing the total number of charges Trump faces in that case to 40. Read more: Prosecuting ex-presidents isn't at all uncommon in democracies Trump is also facing legal challenges at the state level. In Fulton County, Ga., investigators have examined his efforts to pressure state election officials to find the votes needed for him to win the key state in the 2020 election. Fulton County Dist. Atty. Fani Willis in Atlanta has said an indictment decision will be made by Sept. 1. In April, Trump was indicted in New York City on charges related to an alleged hush-money payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 campaign. That trial is scheduled to take place in the spring. A special counsel was appointed in large part because Trump had announced plans to run for president again. Recent polls show Trump with a substantial lead over his challengers for the GOP presidential nomination and also competitive with Biden in a general election matchup. His previous two indictments seem to have only bolstered his standing among Republican voters. They have also been fundraising boons for his campaign. Within minutes of the third indictment landing, Trump's campaign sent a fundraising email: Please make a contribution to show that you will NEVER SURRENDER our country to tyranny as the Deep State thugs try to JAIL me for life for 1,500% impact." Times staff writer Arit John contributed to this report. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. The criminal indictment of ex-President Donald Trump for his alleged attempts to subvert democracy and incite the Jan. 6, 2021, melee in Washington has been a long time coming. Now that its here, two-and-a-half years after a mob listened to Trump, marched about a mile eastward, and ransacked the U.S. Capitol in service of his lies about a stolen 2020 election, it hits a little different than the charges previously brought against Trump. A federal grand jury on Tuesday charged Trump with an alleged conspiracy to defraud the United States, a conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and a conspiracy against voting rights. The charges are a remarkable escalation of the legal troubles chasing Trump during what he hopes is a brief return to civilian life. Trump, who is running for President again in 2024 and is the runaway front-runner in the Republican field, could face years in prison if convicted. Now Trump has made history once again, becoming a thrice-indicted ex-Commander in Chief. Well, at least if the normal rules of political gravity still matter. History is being made, but not all history is good. It was a day a lot of the folks who experienced the attack in Washington on Jan. 6 had been seeking for a long time. The wall-to-wall coverage on cable, the constant refreshes of social-media sites, and even the text chains around Capitol Hill all reflected an anxiety that this may be a false start. It will be similar when Trump is due in court on Thursday in D.C. Politicos of both parties in D.C. watched in horror more than two years ago as a riot descended on Capitol Hill, the mob raiding offices, menacing lawmakers, and fighting hand-to-hand combat with police. The top leadership of both chambers followed evacuation protocols to make sure their branch of government wouldnt be decapitated. Vice President Mike Pence was pinned down and forced to hide at a loading dock while White House aides unsuccessfully lobbied Trump to direct his legion of followers to stop terrorizing democracy. Partisanship fades when Hill staffers talk about that day, even if many of their bosses have publicly retreated from prior criticism of Trump and sought to shade the painful facts. Story continues The Trump years numbed the country to the word unprecedented, amid the constant reverberations of history being made. From the day Trump took office as the only person ever elected to the presidency with zero government or military experience, around every corner came norm-breaking and precedent-smashing. His tweets broke the fourth wall, he was the only President impeached twice, became the first in 150 years to refuse to attend his successors inauguration, and his Administration paid so little heed to laws prohibiting politicking on the government dime that he held the Republican convention on the South Lawn of the White House. Trumps team has already started telling allies on the Hill that these latest indictments will not matter at all for his reelection hopes. Republicans cite indictment fatigue, hoping to plant the idea that voters dont much care about it and have already accepted that Trump is a bad dude who doesnt play by the rules. Its going to be Old News! on the socials and Witch Hunt! in the hallways. The messaging leaves responsible conservatives squeamish, but theyll still carry it for fear of being branded insufficiently MAGA, and thus vulnerable in a primary from someone who wears the red hat proudly. Trumps past two indictments suggest this one may, perversely, benefit him as well. The aftermath of those chargestotaling at least 78 felony allegations and countingbrought a fundraising boon and a polling surge. Thats right: the self-described billionaire will collect millions in donations from his fans who see the real estate mogul as a victim of a weaponized Justice Department. His best days of fundraising have been his worst ones legally. Its worth taking a beat to appreciate how casually we all blew through the phrase past two indictments in the previous paragraph. And the fact that a former President now accused of a conspiracy to defraud the United States remains the frontrunner for the Republican Partys re-nomination next year. A thrice-indicted, convicted sexual abuser, alleged election interferer and wealth fabulist is on course to coast to the general election, past capable governors, investors, ambassadors, and even his own former Vice President. Trump could still return to power facing federal charges and, in turn, dodge accountability for any of his alleged misdeeds. (This is why the state-based cases, where Trump will lack pardon powers, may be the real places to watch.) But that doesnt mean the next year-plus will be easy for Trump. His troubles are as epic as they are history-makingand, maybe, incompatible with his campaign schedule. Trump is due in court in October to answer a $250 million civil lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General on allegations the Trumps falsified business records. He is scheduled to begin a New York County criminal trial in March of next year on 34 charges that he falsified Trump Organization business records to pay off a porn star. A federal judge ruled on July 19 the case in Manhattan should continue there, and not be moved into the federal track. Trump was arraigned last month on charges he had classified documents at his Florida vacation club and defied subpoenas to return them, a case also brought by special counsel Smith. He pleaded not guilty to 37 charges. Another three were added last week. A trial date could start in May in Florida. And, as of Tuesday, he could be facing criminal charges in a D.C. federal court on charges linked to Jan. 6. On top of all of this, Trump faces potential criminal charges of election tampering in Georgia for a call asking the states balloting chief to change the winner; an indictment has been considered imminent in a county-based case since February, and a new grand jury was seated last week. A decision, it seems, is imminent. Yet, somehow, there remains a better-than-even-odds chance he squirms out of any consequences, which would leave a lot of the witnesses to the chaos of Jan. 6 deeply skeptical about the evenhandedness of the criminal justice system if not dejected and cynical. After all, a high-wattage series of congressional hearings last year into Trumps conduct surrounding the riot resulted in a collective shrug, and two impeachment trialsone of which was also about Jan. 6failed to deliver convictions. Those earlier indictments cut some parts of Trumps clout down to size. But those havent yet been enough to take him down, because Presidents stand like giants. That may be changing, as instead of standing with Sequoia-like titans like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, the Trump sapling is being cut into a stump. With this latest indictment, which is a federal criminal probe that goes beyond fibbing on tax forms and mishandling spycraft files and includes a bodycount, Trump has few chances to rise to his predecessors heights, at least beyond a shady corner of his partisan bonfire. Its why Tuesdays indictment is not like the earlier ones: it may be the one cited in the first line of future history books. He may well dodge jail time, but even the one-time most-powerful person on the planet cannot escape the accountability of historians. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. Donald Trump Jeff Swensen/Getty Images It would be an ironic form of justice if Donald Trump was brought down suddenly and unexpectedly and then pushed out of public life. Given the many criminal trials Trump is facing and the indictments that are imminent such an outcome appears, at least for now, increasingly more likely than not. In an interview last weekend, Georgia's Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told CNN that her investigation into Trump and his cabal's attempts to rig the 2020 presidential vote in Georgia has concluded and she would announce an indictment decision by September. Days earlier, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released superseding indictments in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, this time ensnaring yet another low-level Trump employee in legal jeopardy. In support of those new charges, there is a video recording of Trump's employees discussing how "the boss" wanted the evidence of his alleged crimes destroyed to keep it from federal investigators. This recording is potentially a kill shot for any claims by Trump that he was ignorant or otherwise did not know that possessing classified and top secret documents was illegal. Trump will likely also soon be indicted and arrested by the DOJ and special counsel Jack Smith and his team of prosecutors for alleged crimes connected to the Jan. 6 coup attempt and nationwide conspiracy to end multiracial democracy by overturning the results of the 2020 election. And there is still a third impending trial in Manhattan for financial crimes and fraud related to his affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels. To make better sense of all of these charges against Donald Trump and what is likely to happen next, I recently spoke with Kenneth McCallion, a former Justice Department prosecutor who also worked for the New York State Attorney General's office as a prosecutor on Trump racketeering cases. As an assistant U.S. attorney and special assistant U.S. attorney, he focused on international fraud and counterintelligence cases that often involved Russian organized crime. Story continues In this wide-ranging conversation, McCallion explains how the legal walls are quickly closing in on Trump and that he now has few means of escape. McCallion also reflects on his personal experience investigating Trump and his businesses and how he believes that the ex-president, for a variety of emotional and psychological reasons, does not really understand the seriousness (and personal consequences) of the criminal charges he is facing trial for. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity: I almost always start my conversations here at Salon with a question about emotions and the human dimension of this time of great troubles here in the United States with the Trumpocene and how we got here. I will break that rule and start with an observation. Given the legal developments of the last week or so it certainly appears that Donald Trump is in real big trouble. The last nails in his legal coffin are being hammered home by Jack Smith and his colleagues in the Justice Department. They're being exceedingly thorough, which is what you have to do when you are investigating an ex-president. But as a former federal prosecutor, I know all too well that stretching out the timeframe of an investigation doesn't necessarily lead to a stronger case. But in this particular case involving Trump, it looks like Special Counsel Smith and his colleagues hit the jackpot when the managed to force or induce several cooperating witnesses to come forward. They were also able to get some key additional pieces of evidence to support their obstruction of justice charge, particularly the attempt to destroy the security tapes there at Mar a Lago. The main significance, as I see it, of the most recent indictment on the classified documents is that Trump can no longer protest or claim innocence, and the argument that he honestly believed he had a right to keep them has been completely vaporized. When you hide boxes of classified documents after being put on notice by the government that they should be returned, this is called "consciousness of guilt" and you are guilty of obstruction of justice in addition to the underlying crime of illegal possession of classified documents. Also, the voice recordings also conclusively show that Trump had clear, conscious intent and state of mind to obstruct justice, to keep the documents, to hide them, and then lie about them to law enforcement and other government agents. We may never really know what Trump's psychological motivation may have been to hold onto the documents even while risking everything if his scheme was uncovered (which it was). But his motivation is not really important now. Maybe he wanted to keep them because he is obsessed with having the documents as some type of memorabilia to stroke his ego. Alternatively, Trump's motivations may have been more nefarious. Some of these documents are purported to show US weaknesses and battle plans for a war against Iran, and he may have wanted to sell them. In the final analysis, however, the tape recordings showing that Trump was bragging to visitors about having these top secret documents is more than enough to convince a jury that he is guilty on all counts What took Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice so long given the obvious and abundant evidence of Trump and his cabal's alleged criminality and what is a de facto conspiracy? Merrick Garland dithered away valuable time in the Trump investigation before doing what he should have done in the first place, which was to appoint a special prosecutor of Jack Smith's caliber. Garland, even as a former federal judge, unfortunately, has his finger up testing the winds of public opinion and waiting for it to swing in favor of government prosecution. That shouldn't be a consideration. You don't take public opinion polls when you catch a criminal; you don't wait for the public opinion polls to come in as to whether you proceed or not. Prosecutors are obligated to file a criminal complaint when they have more than sufficient evidence to charge and successfully prosecute the target of an investigation. In Trump's case, the evidence is overwhelming with regard to both the classified document charges and the January 6 investigation into the broad-ranging conspiracy to overturn the November 2020 election results. Given the fact that the investigation was such a complex and many-headed Hydra involving so many states, I can see how the complexity of that could have led to a longer timeframe for the prosecution. But the Mar a Lago document case is completely straightforward. It's the equivalent of catching the bank robber as he's leaving the bank with a sack full of cash. There are really no excuses for any delay. Donald Trump is indicted, and the legal process should move swiftly forward. I will admit that given Jack Smith's investigations, and especially the Jan. 6 imminent indictments and the new obstruction charges, even I am starting to lean more towards optimism than pessimism at least about Trump being put in prison or otherwise removed from public life. My optimism makes me nervous. Please help me modulate those feelings. Well, I'm feeling the same way. When the Manhattan DA came down with his indictment, as meritorious as it was, it's still kind of a toss-up. It's anybody's guess how that's going to ultimately play out. And we don't fully know what's happening down in Atlanta. We are waiting for the imminent Jan. 6 indictment. But what we do have concretely are at least two iterations of an indictment relating to the top secret records. Those indictments are nailed down tight, Trump can bob and weave and try and bluff, but he's really cornered at this point. I have to think that to the extent that there are any swing voters left in the US, that they have to really be doubting the wisdom of putting Trump back in office given that he has been such a disgrace and threat to the republic. I hope that there are even some Trump MAGA voters who won't vote for Trump again given all that we now know about him as revealed by the federal and state indictments pending against him The 2024 Election may turn out to be close, but when push comes to shove and the chips are down, and as crazy as this country might be, the American people are not going to reelect Trump. The new charges against Trump and his underlings include allegations of obstruction of justice and trying to conceal and/or destroy evidence. On a surveillance recording, Trump's underlings describe him as "the Boss." It sounds like a mafia movie. As a former federal prosecutor, help me parse through that detail. What does that language indicate or not? I think that those few words on the voice recordings speak volumes about how the Trump organization really operates. As you know, I was a prosecutor with the organized crime section of the Justice Department for many years. We put away a number of mafia bosses that we didn't have a lot of direct evidence against. But we did have some tape recordings and some cooperating witnesses who were lower lower-level members or associates of the crime family. These witnesses and tape recordings confirm that the orders came from the top - from the boss or the capo, or the consigliere of the family. The Trump organization is no different. Donald Trump is the boss and runs his organization like any organized crime group. Jack Smith and other federal prosecutors are going to put aside any of the political implications of their prosecution of Trump, and they will be able successfully sell a narrative to the jury that the Trump organization is just like another organized crime operation that needs to be taken apart from the top down. What is the approach to taking down an organized crime operation? Where do you start? What is going on with the underlings and lieutenants in the "Trump crime family"? When you have the consiglieres or attorneys starting to flip and offer their cooperation with the government prosecutors, you know that the organization is full of holes and starting to sink. No lawyer wants to go to jail or lose their license and face criminal prosecution just to help a client. At this point, Trump has no idea as to who he can trust. The government slowly but surely has brought a number of key witnesses over to its side, either through plea deals, immunity deals, or whatever it took. They carefully built their case witness by witness, brick by brick. That's why Trump has no way to escape at this point. All he can do now is run around in circles in a closed room that is quickly becoming smaller and smaller. You have had these conversations. How do you approach one of Trump's underlings such as Rudy Giuliani for example? What do you say to get them to "flip" against Boss Trump? Unfortunately, appealing to their sense of duty or responsibility for the public good and society doesn't work. You must have a very tight case against these underlings and co-conspirators before they will finally "flip" against the Boss. And then you have a conversation with them and their lawyers, which is called a "proffer." The witness must convince the prosecutors that their testimony will be sufficiently valuable to justify a grant of immunity or a favorable plea deal. The government prosecutor's approach is pretty standard: They tell the witness: "You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by cooperating with us. On the flip side, if you don't cooperate with us, you have everything to lose and really nothing to gain because Donald Trump is notoriously disloyal to those who are the most loyal to him. "The major weakness in the Trump Organization is that the relationships within the organization are completely transactional, with no real sense of loyalty or honor. This is and that is why the prosecutors have been so successful in converting Trump's co-conspirators into cooperating witnesses. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The most disturbing thing about the federal investigation is that Rudy Giuliani might be given a free pass. I used to work with him, and he was an excellent federal prosecutor who's gone completely rogue. Now he's become such an embarrassment to the legal profession, and his conduct has been so shameful, that it would be a gross miscarriage of just if here were to get off completely Scot free. How did Giuliani go from being "America's mayor" to being targeted in an investigation of Donald Trump for being part of a de facto coup? I saw this when I was a prosecutor. Giuliani's one big flaw was that he was a publicity hound. He also had a bad history of leaking indictments before they were actually issued by grand juries; he was an off-the-record source to a lot of key people in the media. He played a very dangerous game as a prosecutor in order to get that level of publicity that in turn launched his political career. The problem is that Giuliani's craving for public attention never died. When he was out of the limelight, after being "America's mayor" and after showing his leadership qualities during the 9/11 crisis, he was unwilling to go into the semi-shadows and lay low like many former public officials choose to do. He made certain attempts to run for higher political office that didn't quite pan out. But when Trump came along, he saw an opportunity to gain the public attention and spotlight by being Trump's consigliere and being willing to do anything in that role to stay in the limelight. The reporting indicates that the Georgia case against Trump will focus on a multistate racketeering operation. In terms of the law, what does that actually mean and involve? What should the public be expecting there? The Atlanta investigation will probably have some overlap with Jack Smith's January 6 investigation. The original focus of the Atlanta case was on Trump's attempts to find another 12,000 or so votes in Georgia and his unlawful attempts to lean on Georgia public officials to deliver those votes with the help of Giuliani and others. But what the Georgia grand jury and district attorney are finding, and Jack Smith and the other federal grand juries are finding as well, is that this was a multistate conspiracy to swing the election because Georgia wouldn't have been enough in and of itself. The plan to steal the election also required recruiting fake electors and phony experts on voter fraud. In all, it was a very complex endeavor. I've been involved with a number of racketeering cases. When you have an organization, which is otherwise legitimate, like the Republican Party or the Trump presidency, and when it's really being perverted and being used for unlawful or illegal uses, the acts of racketeering are basically civil or criminal actions that are of a continuous nature or over an extensive period of time. The RICO laws basically broke the back of Italian-American organized crime back in the 80s and 90s. Given how the Trump Organization is similar to those organized crime groups and the large number of people that willingly participated in the attempt to overturn the 2020 Election, the RICO statutes are an appropriate prosecution tool and a highly effective weapon in bringing a powerful crime "boss" to justice. The RICO statutes are the equivalent of a nuclear legal weapon. It will be very hard for Trump and his underlings and co-conspirators to avoid the legal consequences of their ambitious conspiracy to undermine America's democratic institutions by overturning the results of the 2020 Election. What types of conversations are Trump's attorneys having with him right now? Is a person such as Donald Trump given his personality and other issues, capable of even understanding the gravity of what is happening? I've directly dealt with both Donald Trump and his first lawyer, the notorious Roy Cohn. Trump's current lawyers or unlikely to be telling him the full extent of his legal predicament at this point because he wouldn't listen to them and would probably fire them for trying. The truth is that in order for Trump to avoid doing hard jail time is that he has to cut a deal. Trump's predicament is much like that of Vice President Spiro Agnew during the Nixon presidency. Both of them were caught red-handed Agnew for bribery and Trump for hiding secret documents. Agnew and his lawyers cut a deal with federal prosecutors whereby he agreed to resign the Vice Presidency and never to run for public office again, in return for a plea deal where he would plead guilty to certain charges but would never do jail time. This is the best kind of deal that Trump could hope for. He just doesn't know it yet. But this is what I expect will happen during jury selection in Trump's first criminal case to actually go to trial. At present, however, Trump is in a very dangerous position because his instincts are telling him that he should just double down and keep screaming "Witch Hunt." A great part of Trump's success in life has been his ability to create his own reality and to deny the existence of anything that doesn't conform to his own personal vision of reality. My instincts and experience tell me that Donald Trump and the Justice Department and the prosecutors are on a collision course, and this will either be settled on the courthouse steps with a lenient plea deal, or it will have to be decided in the courtroom by a jury. Are we going to wake up one day and it will be "breaking news" on all the news networks announcing that Donald Trump has cut a deal out of the blue because he doesn't want to go to jail and our "long national nightmare is over". Alternatively, does Trump go down swinging and fighting to the end? Because right now he is only amplifying his attacks. What do your instincts tell you? Trump will take it down to the wire. Spiro Agnew did the same thing. The prosecutors were ready to start, they were picking a trial date, and then Agnew blinked. So that'll be the moment when Trump either blinks or does not. I don't think Trump can withstand a trial. Only when Trump's first trial is imminent will Trump's ego permit him to even consider entering a guilty plea in return for no jail time. My guess is that Trump will never be wearing an orange jump suit, to the great disappointment of many of us. What would a deal potentially look like? Trump will have to agree not to run for public office. He wouldn't get jail time. There would be a period of time where Trump would be confined in a gilded cage such as Mar a Lago. As much as it should happen, and Trump most certainly deserves to be punished for his crimes to the fullest extent of the law, I just don't see an American president being put in prison. I would like to see Donald Trump in prison too. The younger prosecutors likely want their pound of flesh from Trump. That is likely not going to happen. Ultimately, if the prosecution gets a guilty plea that would be a big deal and a major victory. Trump would have to enter what is known as "allocution" where he, in his own words, admits to what he did in terms of engaging in a conspiracy to overthrow the results of the election. In my opinion, for Trump and his supporters such as admission would be as good as him doing prison time. For security reasons, Trump cannot be put in the general prison population. An admission of guilt by Donald Trump to at least one or more of these crimes should be sufficient to put the Trump era behind us. We have heard some version of this phrase repeatedly throughout the Age of Trump: "the walls are closing in!" Are the walls finally closing in on Donald Trump? Have they already closed in, and he just doesn't realize it yet? The final nails are being put in the coffin and Donald Trump is trapped inside. Trump can bang away all he wants, but he is not getting out of this one. All of his crimes have been "unforced errors" brought on by his inflated ego and monumental hubris. He has been doing this his whole life, and always managed to a Houdini-like escape. But justice has finally caught up with him, and if he doesn't realize this, he will very soon. Read more about the impact of Trump's legal woes on the rest of us Save America PAC is out of money. Donald Trumps biggest fundraising arm outside his campaign has just over $3.6 million on hand after burning through millions on legal fees for the former president and his allies. The revelation comes through Federal Election Commission filings released on Monday. Save America money trouble isnt surprising. The Washington Post reported over the weekend that the PAC would report it spent $40 million this year on legal fees amid Trumps two criminal indictments, with more charges likely headed down the pike. On Monday, the New York Times added that Save America requested a $60 million refund of money it had ferried to another group supporting Trumps candidacy, a sign that the legal fees are plunging the PAC into dire financial straits. The filings on Monday only showed about $20 million in legal expenditures, about half of what had been reported, but its still plenty compared to the $16 million the PAC spent on fees across 2021 and 2022 combined. The most jarring comparison, however, is the $105 million Save America had in the bank at the start of last year, compared to the $3.6 million it has on hand at the moment. Yikes. Trump is still a fundraising powerhouse. Save America and the former presidents campaign combined to bring in nearly $54 million in the first half of the year, far more than any of his competitors. They reported spending $57 million, though, which isnt a great sign. Trump may figure he can keep raising money as he keeps getting indicted, using new criminal charges to spur donations from supporters hes convinced hes being persecuted, but as FEC whiz Rob Pyers points out on Twitter, there may be some diminishing returns here. With WinRed's filing now in, we finally have a graphical representation of Trump's fundraising by day in the first six months of the year and can compare the diminishing returns between indictments #1 and #2. pic.twitter.com/2SXooiDdZI Rob Pyers (@rpyers) August 1, 2023 Trumps PAC may be in financial trouble, but his campaign is thriving. A New York Times/Siena College poll released Monday found hes leading the floundering Ron DeSantis by a whopping 37 percentage points. Trump will need to make it through more than just the Republican field if he wants to get back into the White House and use the power of the presidency to make his legal troubles go away, and another New York Times/Siena College poll released Tuesday shows Trump just about even with President Biden. However, the poll was conducted before Trump called Biden a dumb son of a bitch at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday. Story continues More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Donald Trumps super PAC Save America paid former first lady Melania Trumps stylist $108,000 as a consultant, amid disclosures showing that the group spent $40m on legal fees during the first half of this year. The stylist, Herve Pierre Braillard, was paid the six-figure sum for strategy consulting up until June 2023, disclosures to the Federal Election Commission show. The French-American fashion designer has been Ms Trumps stylist for years, designing the dress that she wore to the former presidents 2017 inaugural ball. Working with Oscar de la Renta and Caroline Herrera, Mr Pierre also designed the inaugural gowns for then-First Ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama, Mediaite noted. The research director for the California Target Book, Rob Pyers wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that despite Trumps cash crunch, his Save America leadership PAC shelled out another $108,000 in the first six months of the year for Melania Trumps stylist, Herve Pierre Braillard, while insisting to the FEC that its for strategy consulting. Fox News reported in February that Mr Pierre was paid at least $132,000 by the PAC last year, also supposedly for strategy consulting. According to the California Target Book, the stylist was paid $152,500 by the PAC, a figure not matching the FEC number. Following reports in August last year of payments amounting to $60,000, a spokesperson told Womens Ware Daily: Mr Pierre is a world-renowned artist. His work extends to many different fields, not just fashion design. His expertise is utilized for special projects and events. As with every other first lady, there is an after-the-White House life, which involves many other aspects than fashion. I am lucky to have worked in prestigious houses, to have designed [costumes] for ballets and more recently to work in home decor. There are many upcoming projects in this after-the-White House [stage], the stylist told the outlet. Story continues Lawyer and Trump critic Ron Filipkowski tweeted: Think of the 4,320 people who sent in $25 thinking they were Saving America not realizing it was for Melanias hairstylist. Weird that a dude can make $18k monthly to style a woman making virtually no public appearances, Ellen Carmichael, the president of PR firm The Lafayette Company, wrote. Mr Trumps legal fees are skyrocketing, and have already surpassed $40m as he awaits indictment on a host of charges related to the January 6 attack and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Washington Post reported the staggering total cost of the presidents legal expenditures on Saturday, citing numerous sources within Trumpworld. The mounting costs are only likely to grow more burdensome after Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith hands down an indictment in the coming days charging Mr Trump for crimes allegedly committed while he served as president. And then theres Georgia: the former president and members of his legal team are expected to face potential charges as a result of Fulton County prosecutors investigation into their efforts to change the election results in that state too. A decision on that matter is expected later this month. The Trump campaign has been reported in recent months to have begun funnelling a greater share of donations directly to the PAC as his legal expenses mount. Complicating the issue: Mr Trump is apparently paying legal fees for a number of those within his inner circle who have been drawn into the investigation which itself has become an issue that prosecutors are examining. A spokesman for the former president confirmed this, stating only that Mr Trump was paying for legal representation for potential witnesses in the cases against him to protect these innocent people from financial ruin and prevent their lives from being completely destroyed by a supposedly unlawful harassment campaign led by the DoJ. Donald Trumps attorneys are preparing a legal plan to shovel blame onto the lawyers who aided his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, two sources familiar with the matter tell Rolling Stone. Trump has now been indicted over Jan. 6 and its surrounding events, and if the case goes to trial, his current legal team is preparing an advice of counsel argument, attempting to pull blame away from the former president for any possible illegal activity. Plans for such a defense have been percolating since last year, the two sources say. Several lawyers in Trumps ever-shifting legal orbit spent time both this and last year quietly studying past high-profile cases involving this particular line of defense. The attorneys tried to game out how such an argument would fare in front of a judge or a jury. In the aftermath of Joe Bidens 2020 election victory, Trump had an armada of lawyers some officially representing him, and some simply aligned with him spreading unhinged conspiracy theories and pushing states to reverse the results: Rudy Giuliani. Sidney Powell. John Eastman. The list goes on and on. (Jack Smiths indictment on Tuesday identified six co-conspirators, and while names arent mentioned, the list clearly includes Giuliani, Powell, and Eastman.) The attorneys were acting on Trumps behalf. But in this legal strategy, Team Trump would argue it was the lawyers leading Trump, rather than the other way around. It is an argument the [former] president likes, and the team is on board with it, one Trump adviser bluntly says, then somewhat ominously adding: John [Eastman] and Rudy [Giuliani] gave a lot of counsel Other people can decide how sound it was. Trump lawyers and his spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on this story. But the team is already previewing the advice of counsel strategy in the media, repeatedly stressing that the president was acting on the legal advice he was being given. My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country, the (so far) twice-indicted former president posted to his social media website last week. Story continues Similarly, Trumps chief spokesman Steven Cheung told Rolling Stone in a brief statement last week that the then-presidents post-election actions, under advice of many attorneys, were in furtherance of his duties as Commander in Chief and upholding of our Constitution. Some people involved in Trumps legal defense have questioned whether this strategy is sound. Starting last summer, there had been debate among some of Trumps top attorneys on how effective an aggressive advice of counsel would prove, according to two people familiar with the situation. There were some of us who thought that kind of strategy would fall flat in front of a judge, a person with direct knowledge of the discussions says. To my mind, advice of counsel is a much more narrow defense, whereas a more comprehensive view of everything that went into Trumps state of mind, and would affect the mens rea element of it, is more effective, Tim Parlatore, formerly a key Trump attorney handling Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation who quit the team in May, tells Rolling Stone on Monday. This would include all of the advice and the information that he received and was basing his decision on not just the advice from the attorneys who were formally representing him. But following the last two months as the Trump legal team specifically tasked with handling the special counsels probes underwent an implosion and then a rebuilding a clear focus on the advice-of-counsel defense has emerged. There could be some small snags with using this strategy, though. For instance, many of these lawyers Giuliani, Eastman, and all the rest were merely doing what then-President Trump wanted them to do, or had told them to do: to try to find a way to keep Trump in power despite his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential contest. [The advice of counsel argument] has its limits. As a lawyer, I cant tell my client: Look, theres this obscure, ancient law that I found that says you can kill your wife. If the client goes out and kills his wife, it doesnt really work if the client turns around and says, Well, wait, my lawyer told me I could do that, says Steven Groves, who used to work as an attorney and then as a spokesman in the Trump White House. But as for Trumps current situation, is advice of counsel something a judge or a jury would be receptive to? At what point is a client not permitted to rely on the advice of counsel? For what they are likely going to charge Trump with, the former president is going to say he lacked the criminal intent that [the Justice Department] says he had he is going to likely argue in court that all he did was listen to the professional legal analysis of his array of lawyers, and that is what he acted on, Groves continues. Trumps penchant for blaming aides for his legal troubles has been something of a go-to strategy for the former president. As New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg prepared to charge Trump over the Stormy Daniels hush money payments earlier this year, Trump signaled that he intended to rely on a similar defense centered on his former attorney Michael Cohen, who arranged the payments. I had every reason to believe [Cohen] had a license to practice law, was competent, & was able to appropriately provide solid legal services, Trump fumed on Truth Social in January. He came from a good law firm, represented other clients over the years, & there was NO reason not to rely on him, and I did. Similarly, when city prosecutors charged Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg with tax fraud for unreported fringe benefits, Trump publicly blamed the companys accounting firm Mazars USA, posting that The highly paid accounting firm should have routinely picked these things up we relied on them. In the case of the January 6 investigation, Trump himself has already tried to distance himself from at least one of the attorneys instrumental in the plots to overturn the 2020 election. As Rolling Stone reported early last year, Trump told allies that hes not interested in lending rhetorical support to Eastman, the Trump-backing attorney who helped devise the bogus electors scheme now being probed by the special counsels office. Trump and his advisers had previously sought to put some distance between themselves and his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, with some close Trump associates painting the once-top Trump aide as a potential fall guy for Jan. 6. As congressional investigators on the Jan. 6 committee scrutinized Meadows last summer, Trump pointedly told associates that he wasnt always aware of his chief of staffs activities in the run up to the deadly Capitol assault. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will both speak to California Republicans at their convention in late September. (Associated Press) Republican presidential candidates will descend upon California in late September, with the state GOP announcing Wednesday that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will address their convention, one day after former President Trump's campaign confirmed he would speak at the gathering. Trump's announcement came shortly after his advisors successfully convinced California Republicans to change the rules of the state's GOP primary in a manner expected to help him in the state's March 5 primary. Trump will speak at a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 29, at the California Republican Partys fall convention in Anaheim. President Trump is looking forward to seeing California Republicans at their state convention and is confident of overwhelming success in the upcoming March primary, said Chris LaCivita, a senior advisor to the Trump campaign. California Republican Party chair Jessica Millan Patterson said she was "thrilled" to have the former president speak at the convention. As California Republicans prepare to play a major role in deciding who our Partys 2024 presidential nominee will be, I look forward to President Trump speaking with our delegates about his plans to move our country forward," she said in a statement. DeSantis will speak at a dinner the same day. As Californians struggle under the weight of Democrats failed one-party rule, Governor DeSantis has shown how a state can thrive under responsible, commonsense, conservative leadership," Millan Patterson said in a statement. Other GOP presidential candidates are expected to speak at the convention. The states primary, which is scheduled to take place on March 5 with more than a dozen other states on Super Tuesday, is expected to draw significant attention because Californias 169 GOP delegates are the most of any state in the nation. As protesters howled outside, the state partys executive committee on Saturday altered how these delegates will be awarded. The state party had to overhaul its bylaws to comply with national GOP rules. But party leaders also chose a delegate-allocation plan backed by Trumps campaign that angered DeSantis backers who believe the California GOP deliberately undermined his presidential aspirations. Story continues Read more: Tensions flare as California GOP gives Trump a boost by overhauling state primary rules Under the new rules, if a Republican presidential candidate receives more than 50% of the statewide vote, he or she will receive all of the states 169 delegates. If no candidate reaches the benchmark, delegates will be awarded proportionally based on the statewide vote. For much of the past two decades, delegates have been awarded by congressional district, which would allow candidates who dont have the deep pockets to advertise in Californias expensive media markets to surgically target swaths of the state to collect delegates. But now that the California GOPs executive committee has changed the rules, party insiders expect the states primary which many observers anticipated would be exciting and competitive to closely mirror national polling. California has not had a competitive Republican presidential nominating contest for decades. However, Trumps appearance at the state partys 2016 gathering in the Bay Area drew hordes of liberal protesters. The then-candidate had to clamber over a concrete barrier off the freeway and enter the convention site through a back door because protesters overwhelmed police in riot gear at the Burlingame hotel where the convention was taking place. This time, Trump will address the California GOP convention while under criminal indictment. On Tuesday, he was charged with trying to stop the transfer of power after his loss in the 2020 election and his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He had previously been charged in connection with an alleged hush money payment to an adult-film star in the final days of the 2016 campaign, and with mishandling and illegally possessing classified documents at his Florida home after his presidency ended. Authorities in Georgia are also investigating if Trump committed crimes in attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss in the crucial state to Democrat Joe Biden. DeSantis' campaign has sputtered since its launch in May. Republicans seeking an alternative to Trump initially had high hopes for a DeSantis candidacy, in part because of his handling of the pandemic in Florida. But he has fallen significantly behind Trump in the polls, is having financial difficulties that led the campaign to recently shed a significant amount of staff, and has made a series of missteps, such as recently supporting a Florida education curriculum that said slaves learned skills that some were able to use to their benefit. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday in the Justice Departments probe investigating his efforts to stay in power and overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. Trump has been charged with four criminal counts: Conspiracy to defraud the United States. Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. Obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding. Conspiracy against rights. The indictment lists six alleged, unnamed co-conspirators, including four attorneys. Trump has been ordered to appear in federal court in Washington on Thursday at 4 p.m. to face arraignment. Two weeks ago, Trump revealed that special counsel Jack Smith had sent him a target letter notifying him that he was the subject of a possible criminal investigation into the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Tuesdays indictment is Trumps third. In June, Trump was arraigned on 37 felony counts stemming from his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. In April, he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records stemming from a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Now, Trump could possibly be indicted for a fourth time, in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to seek a grand jury indictment in the coming weeks following her investigation into whether Trump and his allies tried to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. Read the full indictment below: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) The Sandiganbayan Second Division has affirmed its earlier decision to dismiss a 36-year-old case filed against three coconut companies, which were allegedly formed out of coco levy funds. The anti-graft court denied the May 31 motion for reconsideration filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), through the Office of the Solicitor General, assailing its earlier resolution dismissing the civil case against Coconut Producers Federation, Inc., Coconut Investment Co., and Cocofed Marketing Corp. "In view of the foregoing, as the plaintiff did not raise any argument to convince this Court that its ruling is erroneous or contrary to the law or evidence, its motion for reconsideration must be denied for lack of merit," the eight-page resolution dated July 31, 2023, read. The Sandiganbayan junked last May 16 the case filed by the PCGG on July 31, 1987 against the three firms, on the grounds that the case has been pending for more than 30 years and without assurance of its resolution. "The records show that more than two (2) decades have passed, and yet, no conclusion of pre-trial proceedings or even initiation for the setting of the next pre-trial schedule has been issued," the Sandiganbayan reiterated. The anti-graft court noted that the plaintiff, the PCGG, failed to appear in pre-trial proceedings countless times, with the last pre-trial set on Nov. 13, 2000. "And applying any of the rules applicable to the Sandiganbayan at any given point in time since its last setting for pre-trial proceedings, the delay is beyond the time periods provided therein," the anti-graft court said. In its motion for reconsideration, the PCGG argued that the pending motions, incidents, and pleadings, filed by both parties in the case "took the Court a long time to resolve due to its quantity and complexity." But the Sandiganbayan stressed: "The motion for reconsideration must be denied. Primarily, the grounds relied upon by the plaintiff have already been carefully and exhaustively considered and passed upon in the assailed resolution." The collection of levy from coconut farmers' produce started in 1971 under the term of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The fund had been mired in allegations of corruption, with the collected money supposedly going to the pockets of Marcos' cronies. The Supreme Court in 2012 declared the coco levy funds as public funds. Special counsel Jack Smith and former Donald Trump (Mandel NGAN) Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election -- the most serious legal threat yet to the former president as he campaigns to return to the White House. Trump is charged with three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction in the 45-page indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith. Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the January 6, 2021 meeting of a joint session of Congress held to certify Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. "The purpose of the conspiracy was to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election by using knowingly false claims of election fraud," the indictment said. Smith has already filed charges against Trump for mishandling top secret government documents, and the former president also faces a trial in New York for allegedly paying election-eve hush money to a porn star. "Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power," the indictment said. "So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won. "These claims were false, and the Defendant knew that they were false." The indictment mentions six co-conspirators but none are identified and Trump is the only named defendant. According to US media reports, Trump is to be arraigned in court on August 3. Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, lashed out at Smith, calling him "deranged" and saying he had issued "yet another Fake Indictment" to "interfere with the presidential election." "Why didn't they do this 2.5 years ago?" Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "Why did they wait so long? "Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign," he said. Story continues Trump has repeatedly attacked the investigation as a political "witch hunt" by the Department of Justice. - Documents trial in May - Trump is scheduled to go on trial in Florida in the classified documents case in May of next year, at the height of what is expected to be a bitter and divisive presidential campaign. In early June, he was charged with 37 counts related to his refusal to return top secret documents taken to Florida after he left the White House. Those charges include retention of national defense information, obstruction of justice, and making false statements, which bring up to 20 years in prison. Smith filed additional charges against Trump in a superseding indictment last week. Trump is accused in the latest indictment of attempting to delete security camera footage at his Mar-A-Lago residence to prevent it from being provided to the FBI and a grand jury. Georgia prosecutors are also looking into whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 election outcome in the southern state. The probe was sparked by Trump's January 2, 2021 phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, when he infamously pressured the election official to "find" 11,780 votes that would reverse his defeat to Biden in the state. As president, Trump was impeached by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives for seeking political dirt on Biden from Ukraine and over the events of January 6 but he was acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate both times. cl/bgs Former President Trump said he expects to be indicted out of Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Jan. 6 on Tuesday evening, and slammed the looming charges as election interference. "I hear that Deranged Jack Smith, in order to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024, will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your favorite President, me, at 5:00 P.M." Trump posted on his Truth Social. "Why didnt they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long?" He added: "Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct!" This would be the second federal indictment the former president faces out of Smiths investigation. Trump, who leads the 2024 GOP presidential primary field, has already pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to his alleged improper retention of classified records from his presidency. TRUMP PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 37 FEDERAL FELONY CHARGES IN CLASSIFIED RECORDS CASE Voters who believe that President Biden is a poor leader would still voter for him over former President Donald Trump because Trump is "just evil." Those charges include willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements. Trump was charged with an additional three counts as part of a superseding indictment out of that probe last week. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP This would be the second time in U.S. history that a former president has faced federal criminal charges. Trump had announced he received a target letter from the Justice Department, which also asked that he report to the federal grand jury. Trump said he anticipated "an arrest and indictment." Smith was investigating whether Trump or other officials and entities interfered with the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election, including the certification of the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021. DURHAM FINDS DOJ, FBI 'FAILED TO UPHOLD' MISSION OF 'STRICT FIDELITY TO THE LAW' IN TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE On Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rioters breached the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College results in favor of President Biden. Story continues The House of Representatives drafted articles of impeachment against him again and ultimately voted to impeach him on a charge of inciting an insurrection for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot making him the first and only president in history to be impeached, and ultimately acquitted, twice. The Senate voted to acquit, but had Trump been convicted, the Senate would have moved to bar the 45th president from holding federal office ever again, preventing a 2024 White House run. Trump has also pleaded not guilty to 34 counts in New York in April stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation. Trump is accused of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 campaign. Elsewhere, prosecutors in Fulton County, Ga. are looking to wrap up their criminal investigation into Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state. LINDSAY DEDARIO For the third time this year, former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jurythis time over his botched attempt to cling to power after losing the 2020 election. While the 45-page indictment itself is hardly unprecedented at this point, these particular charges mark the first time in the countrys history that an American president has been criminally accused of hatching a scheme that put the nations democracy at risk. The indictment charged Trump with defrauding the nation with fake electors to sway the 2020 election, obstructing Congress to stop it from certifying votes, and conspiring to violate Americans civil rights. The defendant lost the 2020 presidential election, the indictment stated in no uncertain terms. Despite having lost, the defendant was determined to remain in power. So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won. These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false, it added, accusing Trump of doing it to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and erode public faith in the administration of the election. Trump responded to the news Tuesday night by comparing prosecutors to Nazis. If convicted, Trump could face years in prison. But more importantly, he would be branded a felon for imperiling the nation and violating the very Constitution he swore to protect in 2017 as its commander-in-chief. The nature of the charges are particularly serious, touching on violations of laws that date back to the last time the United States faced an existential crisis during the Civil War. This is the second indictment stemming from the investigation led by Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed in November by the nations attorney general to conduct an independent probe. In a brief press conference in Washington Tuesday night, Smith said the indictment was the natural extension of the long-running DOJ investigation of the attack on Congress by Trump loyalists. Story continues The attack on our nations Capitol on January 6th, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, he said. It was fueled by lieslies by the defendant who targeted a bedrock function of the U.S. government. Smith made clear that his team would seek a speedy trial so our evidence can be tested in a public court, hinting at the possibility that Trump could be found guiltyor acquittedbefore the 2024 election. He took no questions. Although the indictment notes that Trump worked with co-conspirators to defraud the American public, they remained unnamed and unchargedat the moment. Six Things We Learned From the New Trump Indictment Extensive reporting by journalists and congressional investigators have shown that Trump worked closely with since-disgraced conservative legal scholar John Eastman, his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, attorney Sidney Powell, and Jeffrey Clark, a MAGA loyalist at the DOJ whom Trump tried to elevate to the position of Attorney General. The indictment seemed to reference all of them as co-conspirators. While the indictment does not name Trumps alleged co-conspirators, it does provide enough detail to easily identify five of the six by their actions during the tumultuous period between the 2020 election and the attack on the Capitol. Giuliani takes the highest-ranking spot as co-conspirator No. 1, described by prosecutors as the lawyer who would spearhead Trumps election-challenging effort, tried to pressure fellow Republican and former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers to weaponize his states legislature, and delivered a particular speech at Trumps Jan. 6 rally. Eastman, the disgraced Trump lawyer, is co-conspirator No. 2, evident by the way the indictment describes his role in crafting the plan to have Pence single-handedly interrupt the nations peaceful transfer of power, his interactions with the vice presidents staff, and his own speech at the Jan. 6 rally. Sidney Powell, the conspiracy-spewing lawyer who commanded what she called Trumps multi-tentacled Kraken lawsuits, is co-conspirator No. 3. Shes the lawyer who sued Georgias governor on Nov. 25, 2020 in an attempt to flip election results there and made ludicrous public claims about ballot-counting machine maker Dominion Voting Systems. Co-conspirator No. 4 is Clark, whom the indictment describes in detail as the DOJ official who broke the rules by meeting with Trump privately at the White House, plotted to weaponize the Justice Department, and tried to make himself AG. The indictment describes co-conspirator No. 5 as the lawyer who devised the plan to use fake electors by authoring legal memos on Nov. 18 and Dec. 9, 2020, which lines up with the actions taken by a Trump lawyer named Kenneth Chesebro. A sixth co-conspirator is not as easily identifiable. That person is described as a political consultant who also helped with the fake electors. Neither Powell nor Clark replied to emails. Chesebro hung up as soon as this Daily Beast reporter identified himself. Eastmans lawyer sent a statement late Tuesday night, deriding the indictment as a misleading presentation of the record to contrive criminal charges against Presidential candidate Trump and to cast ominous aspersions on his close advisors. Attorney Charles Burnham, stated flatly that said his client is not discussing a plea deal with the feds and won't even consider it, promising that, If Dr. Eastman is indicted, he will go to trial. If convicted, he will appeal. A political adviser for Giuliani, Ted Goodman, also issued a lengthy statement. Every fact Mayor Rudy Giuliani possesses about this case establishes the good faith basis President Donald Trump had for the actions he took during the two-month period charged in the indictment, Goodman said. This indictment eviscerates the First Amendment and criminalizes the ruling regimes number one political opponent for daring to ask questions about the 2020 election results," Goodman continued. "The news today is particularly egregious in light of the growing evidence proving that Joe Biden and his family made millions of dollars in bribes from Americas most intransigent adversaries. The indictment also reflects a move by prosecutors to drive a wedge between Trump and the Republicans he recruited to serve as fake electors, noting that they signed up for the task under the impression that their involvement would only matter if his flurry of lawsuits baselessly challenging election results in several states actually managed to reverse his loss. Some fraudulent electors were tricked into participating based on the understanding that their votes would be used only if the defendant succeeded, the indictment stated. Ex-NYPD Boss Handing Over Trump Records to Jack Smith The 45-page grand jury indictment stressed the many ways that Trump repeatedly rejected the advice of his White House lawyers, Justice Department top brass, his spy chief, and even his own re-election campaign advisers. The scathing document quotes one unnamed campaign staffer who lamented the way that Trump and his top lieutenants kept pushing conspiracy theories even when warned that they were totally untrueand noted that the lies were being routinely shot down in federal courts across the country. When our research and campaign legal team cant back up any of the claims made by our Elite Strike Force Legal Team, you can see why were 0-32 on our cases, this staffer allegedly wrote in an email. Its tough to own any of this when its all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership. Trumps awkward interactions with his vice president are also detailed in the indictment. Federal prosecutors described how Trump repeatedly tried to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence into abusing his role as head of the Senate to block certification of legitimate electoral college votes, noting how Pence called Trump to wish him a Merry Christmas, only to have Trump egg him on. At one point, Trump allegedly grew frustrated with the evangelical, born-again Christian and said, Youre too honest. The case could go to trial sometime next yearand potentially derail the former presidents current campaign to win the Republican Partys nomination and return to the White House in 2025. Smiths investigation builds on the work of the House Jan. 6 Committee, a separate political inquiry which unearthed key details about the final days of the Trump administration. The congressional probe showed that Trump as president persistently lied to the American public about unfounded fraud claims he knew were false, filed lawsuits backed by conspiracy theories to try to overturn election results in several states, rolled out a focused disinformation campaign to gather loyalists in Washington to disrupt Congresss certification of 2020 electoral college results on Jan. 6, and called off security measures when he became aware some in the crowd were armed with AR-15 rifles before they stormed the Capitol building. The threat of indictment on these criminal charges has been on the horizon ever since March 2022, when a federal judge in Santa Ana, California, made a significant finding that criminally implicated Trump directly in a wide-ranging scheme to lie to the country he purported to lead. The judge was overseeing a document dispute when the Jan. 6 Committee tried to get emails from Eastman, the right-wing legal scholar who engineered Trumps plan to stay in the White House by interrupting congressional certification of election results. After reviewing the email himself, U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter determined more likely than not that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct the Joint Session of Congress on January 6, 2021. Carter went further in October, writing that the emails show that President Trump knew that the specific numbers of voter fraud were wrong but continued to tout those numbers, both in court and to the public. The Court finds that these emails are sufficiently related to and in furtherance of a conspiracy to defraud the United States. At this point, the former president is fighting off criminal charges in all directions. He is scheduled to be on trial in March 2024 in New York City, where the Manhattan District Attorney is trying to jail him for faking business records in a scheme to save his first successful presidential campaign potentially catastrophic embarrassment when he quietly paid the porn star Stormy Daniels to shut up about their sexual affair. Then in May 2024, Trump is set to be on trial yet again in South Florida, where Smiths federal prosecutors are trying to nail him for keeping classified documents after leaving the White House. And there could be a third trial next year as well: The Fulton County District Attorney in Atlanta is conducting a criminal inquiry over the way Trump intimidated an elections official there. Trump has repeatedly dismissed all these investigations as politically motivated and seems to be using his 2024 presidential run as cover. Trump, who was twice impeached by Congress but spared conviction by Republicans in the Senate, is the first of the nations 46 presidents over 234 years to be criminally indicted after leaving office. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Donald Trump has been indicted again this time over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and an anti-democratic campaign that culminated in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The federal grand jury hearing evidence in the Justice Departments probe into the scheme to subvert the election results handed up a sealed indictment on Tuesday. A person familiar with the matter confirmed to Rolling Stone that the former president has been informed he is the defendant. Its the third time (and counting) Trump has been charged criminally this year. His legal woes will be a central focus of the 2024 presidential election as he desperately tries to make a martyr out of himself and convince America the indictments are part of a vast Democratic conspiracy to keep him from retaking the White House. Trump is charged on four criminal counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The Defendant lost the 2020 presidential election, the indictment reads. Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power. The indictment goes on to note that Trump pursued unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the election results. Trump is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, an Obama appointee. Special Counsel Jack Smith announced the indictment in a press conference later on Tuesday, describing Trumps actions as fueling an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, referring to the attack on the Capitol. Smith added that his offices investigation of other individuals continues. The indictment lists six other individuals as co-conspirators, including Rudy Giuliani, and lays out how a co-conspirator matching the description of former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark plotted to invoke the Insurrection Act to keep Trump in power. None of the co-conspirators have been charged yet, although Smiths statement indicates that could change. Story continues Trumps team met with Smiths office last Thursday morning, a sign that an indictment was imminent. Trump alleged on Truth Social that his attorneys had a productive meeting with Smiths team, during which they assured prosecutors he did nothing wrong. Trump insisted his team was given no indication an indictment was forthcoming, despite reports that they were indeed told to expect charges soon. Do not trust the Fake News on anything! he wrote. Smith, who is overseeing the Justice Departments probes into the former president, indicted Trump in June on charges related to his handling of sensitive material after leaving office. It became clear in the weeks following Trumps arraignment that Smiths probe into Jan. 6 and the broader effort to overturn the 2020 election was intensifying. Trump then announced on July 18 that he had recently received a letter informing him he was a target of the investigation. WITCH HUNT!!! he wrote on Truth Social. CROOKED JOE BIDEN & HIS INJUSTICE DEPARTMENT WANT TO INDICT & ARREST HIS PRESUMED POLITICAL OPPONENT (ME!). Rolling Stone reported that the target letter listed the federal statutes under which Trump was expected to be charged, including conspiracy to commit offense or defraud the United States; tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant; and deprivation of rights under color of law. Trump released a lengthy statement after the indictment was filed on Tuesday, calling it a pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the election. He also said his persecution is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes. Comparing this indictment to Nazi Germany in the 1930s is factually incorrect, completely inappropriate and flat out offensive, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement. As we have said time and again, such comparisons have no place in politics and are shameful. Its unclear what exactly Smith has uncovered about Trumps role in fomenting the insurrection, but plenty has already been revealed publicly about his efforts to overturn the election. The House Jan. 6 Committee, after a months-long investigation and a series of high-profile hearings laying out the details of these efforts, concluded that Trump was responsible for the riot at the Capitol and voted unanimously to recommend the Justice Department charge him criminally. We understand the gravity of each and every referral we are making today just as we understand the magnitude of the crime against democracy that we described in our report, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) concluded last December. But we have gone where the facts and the law lead us and inescapably they lead us here. The charges related to the effort to overthrow the election of course are not the first to be leveled against the former president. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in March charged Trump with falsifying business records related to his effort to keep porn star Stormy Daniels quiet about their alleged affair ahead of the 2016 election, marking the first time in American history a former president faced criminal charges. Trump became the first former president to be slapped with federal charges two months later when Smith indicted him on charges related to his handling of classified documents, boxes of which he took from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida. Theres also Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has long been investigating efforts to meddle with the states 2020 election results and has signaled that indictments are coming in August. Willis has indicated that the former president who famously told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find the votes he needed to surpass Biden could be among those charged. Trump has responded to the slew of indictments by alleging, repeatedly, that he did nothing wrong and that the charges are the product of political corruption. The argument seems to be working on Republicans, at least. Trump not only remains the frontrunner to secure the partys nomination, his lead over Ron DeSantis and the rest of his opponents has grown as his legal woes have intensified. Trump is even using the indictments to raise money for his campaign, although recent FEC filings indicate the strategy is producing diminishing returns. Trumps legal troubles arent only boosting his presidential run, theyre a large part of why hes running. Rolling Stone has reported that Trump has made clear in private that he needs to win back the White House in order to escape accountability for his rap sheet of potentially criminal conduct. Hes also made clear publicly that if wins the general next year hell weaponize the Justice Department to exact his revenge on his political enemies from Biden all the way down to the public servants in law enforcement who dared to investigate him. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former President Trump is stepping up his war with Senate Republicans by calling for primary challenges next year against GOP incumbents who do not support investigating President Bidens family finances. Many Senate Republicans have made clear they dont want Trump to win their partys nomination for president, and theyre leery about rallying to his defense given the former presidents polarizing effect on moderate Republican and swing voters. Senate GOP aides and strategists argue they cant do much regarding the Biden familys business dealings because they dont have the power to issue subpoenas as the Senates minority party. But GOP senators arent giving Trump much rhetorical support either in sharp contrast from prominent House Republicans such as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Ron Bonjean, a GOP strategist and former Senate leadership aide, said the Trump call will appear to a number of Senate Republicans like a way for Trump to distract people from the investigations into his own activities. But he suggested it isnt likely to work. A good number of Senate Republicans take a more measured approach usually. They dont knee-jerk to pressure, Bonjean said. Trump appears to be losing patience with Republican lawmakers on the fence about impeaching Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland, as the federal and state felony charges pile up against him along with his mounting legal bills. Trump mocked GOP senators and House members who say they have other priorities and would prefer to leave the investigations of Hunter Biden and the Biden familys business dealings to the House committees. They sit back and they say, We have other priorities, we have to look at other things. Any Republican that doesnt act on Democrat fraud should be immediately primaried. Get out. Out, he declared at a Saturday rally in Erie, Pa. The comments came a few days after Trump hit Senate Republicans for not taking a more aggressive approach to Bidens personal finances. Story continues With all of these horrible revelations and facts, why hasnt Republican leadership in the Senate spoken up and rebuked Crooked Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats, Fascists, and Marxists for their criminal acts against our Country, some of them against me, he demanded in a post on Truth Social. Cool to launching impeachment proceedings Republican senators are cool to the idea of launching impeachment proceedings against Biden in the House and generally have kept their distance from House GOP threats to cut funding to the Department of Justice and FBI in response to more than 30 felony counts prosecutors have brought against Trump. Asked last week whether he saw any merit to an impeachment inquiry into Biden, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said impeachment ought to be rare rather than common. Im not surprised that having been treated the way they were, House Republicans last Congress, [they] begin open up the possibility of doing it again, he said, referring to the two impeachments of then-President Trump by a Democratic-controlled House. And I think this is not good for the country to have repeated impeachment problems, McConnell warned. It was hardly a ringing endorsement of the House Republican-led investigations into the Biden family and the Department of Justices handling of criminal allegations against Hunter Biden. Bonjean said in any impeachment, there would be a trial in the Senate, which is another reason why Republican senators want to preserve an appearance of impartiality and not rush to judgement about allegations of corruption against the sitting president. Republicans up for reelection next year include Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah), an outspoken Trump critic, as well as Republicans who have largely stayed quiet about the president, including Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). None of these incumbents appear vulnerable, but GOP strategists warn that Trumps support could result in several of them facing credible primary challenges. They could. Some Senate Republicans could face primary pressure over the next year, but they have a lot of time to position themselves on the matter and see how things unfold, Bonjean said. Trump tried to drum up opposition in the last election cycle to Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). He was more successful in stirring up support for Murkowskis Republican challenger, Kelly Tshibaka, but his efforts to recruit a primary challenge to Thune in South Dakota quickly fizzled. Senate Republicans believe they have a good chance to win back the Senate majority in 2024 because Democrats will have to defend 23 seats, while they only have to protect 11 GOP-held seats. A tough spot Ross Baker, a professor of political science at Rutgers University who served several fellowships in the Senate, said Trumps calls for Republicans to embrace the partisan investigations of Bidens family puts Republicans facing competitive general-election races next year in a tough spot. These are people who given the political physics of their congressional districts have to play a very exquisite balancing act. The idea that they move to impeach Biden does not play well in those districts, he said of Republican lawmakers in competitive House districts. Baker warned that some Senate Republicans could be in jeopardy in primaries next year if Trump decides to launch a full-scale assault against incumbents he views as reluctant allies. Think of people like Roger Wicker, who is someone who is seen as a pretty solid guy who votes the right way but is not an extremist, Baker said, identifying a senator who might have to watch his right flank. There are constituencies that will respond to any demand that Trump puts out who will say, I cant support [a senator] unless he gets on the impeachment bandwagon. But I dont think any Republican who is up for reelection wants to have to do that, he said. Baker said that Senate Republicans up for reelection dont want to alienate the sizable share of the Republican electorate which he estimates at about 25 percent of Republican voters who dont support Trump and dont like the idea of GOP candidates embracing his scorched-earth tactics. One Senate Republican aide defended the Senate GOP leadership from Trumps broadsides by pointing out that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of McConnells leadership team, played a key role in publicizing an FBI 1023 form that makes reference to unsubstantiated allegations that Biden was involved in a foreign bribery scheme. Were not in the majority, and we dont have subpoena power. You see Chuck Grassley and [Sen. Ron] Johnson [R-Wis.] pulling the levers on oversight and whistleblowers, the aide said. The form, which FBI investigators use to catalogue raw, unverified claims by informants, received little attention from other Republican senators. A second Senate Republican strategist who requested anonymity argued that Grassley has made important contributions to the House investigations of Bidens, even if Senate Republican leaders have generally kept their distance. I cant imagine any House Republican would say that the stuff that Grassley has uncovered in his ongoing efforts is less important than what theyre doing. But I think its really a matter of, House Republicans are in the majority and have subpoena power and can do a lot more that Republicans in the Senate can, the aide said. Updated at 7:23 a.m. ET. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trumps legal woes may not be eating into his lead among GOP primary voters, but theyre costing his political operation millions of dollars. Trumps Save America PAC has spent more than $20 million on legal fees alone doling out payments to more than 40 different law firms in the first six months of 2023, according to new campaign finance reports filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. Legal expenditures accounted for two-thirds of the PACs total spending from January through June. Trumps campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The PAC has been covering Trumps legal expenses and those of his associates who have been drawn into the multiple investigations probing Trumps conduct in and out of office. Trump is the focus of investigations into the Jan. 6 riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and he's been indicted over his handling of classified documents and hush money payments from when he was a presidential candidate in 2016. Not all of the legal spending likely went to those investigations candidates and political action committees have other needs too but Trumps PAC has been paying lawyers representing people involved in these investigations for some time. The legal bills piled up for the PAC, which clawed back more than $12 million it had previously given to an allied super PAC to help cover the costs. And that spending has made a significant dent in the groups bottom line while it started the year with more than $18 million banked away, it ended June with less than $4 million in cash on hand. Save America is an entirely different group than the ones directly funding his presidential campaign. Trump typically fundraises for the two groups in tandem, sending the vast majority of dollars raised directly to his presidential campaign and a small portion to Save America. But the massive spending shows both the financial and political toll Trumps legal woes are taking on his orbit. Story continues Ahead of Trumps announcement in late 2022 that he was running for president again, Save America gave tens of millions from what it had raised during the post-presidency period to a super PAC, MAGA Inc., to help immediately fill the outside groups coffers so it could begin spending to boost Trump. That cash infusion has helped MAGA Inc. become one of the top ad spenders in the presidential race. But the new fundraising reports filed Monday show that MAGA Inc. ultimately gave back more than $12 million in four payments in May and June. The New York Times reported Saturday that Save America explicitly requested a refund. Trump super PAC still spends millions That transfer to Save America accounted for roughly one-third of MAGA Inc.s spending over the first six months of the year, according to the super PACs campaign finance report. Much of the groups other spending $22 million went to TV ad buys in support of Trumps candidacy. The group also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on polling, fundraising, events and research. MAGA Inc. spent more than it raised in the first six months of the year, raising over $14.6 million. But the super PAC also had plenty to spend on boosting Trump, reporting $30.8 million in its campaign account as of June 30. The super PACs top donor over the first six months of 2023 was Patricia Duggan of Clearwater, Fla., a prominent Scientologist who gave the group $5 million. Casino magnate Phil Ruffin gave $2 million; Woody Johnson, chairman of the New York Jets and U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom during the Trump administration, gave $1 million; and Charles Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, also gave $1 million. Trump pardoned Charles Kushner at the end of his term. One other donor of note: Bernie Moreno, a Republican who is running for Senate in Ohio again and whom Trump praised on social media but stopped short of fully endorsing. Pro-DeSantis group stockpiles cash While the pro-Trump super PAC spent more than it took in during the first six months of the year, the super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has continued to stockpile cash for the primary fight. Never Back Down reported more than $96.8 million in its campaign account as of June 30 roughly three times the $30.8 million that MAGA Inc. had on hand at the same time. The filings showed the bulk of the money Never Back Down raised, $82.5 million, came from one source: DeSantis Florida political committee. Mondays filing is the first time that transfer has been publicly disclosed, although it had been previously reported by news outlets. Two individuals who have given to DeSantis world before were the committees largest donors: Robert Bigelow and Stefan Brodie. Bigelow gave over $20 million to Never Back Down and previously donated to DeSantis' gubernatorial re-election campaign. Brodie gave money to help fund DeSantis inauguration to a second term and gave $2 million to Never Back Down. Venture capitalist Doug Leone also gave $2 million to the group. Leone was formerly a Trump supporter, but publicly renounced support for the former president following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, founders of the shipping supply company Uline and major conservative donors, each gave $1 million to Never Back Down. The group reported spending nearly $33.8 million in the first six months of the year, including roughly $10 million on media and more than $4 million on an expansive canvassing operation. Outside groups try to boost lower-tier candidates Outside groups backing other candidates also filed finance reports Monday, with a group supporting South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott Trust in the Mission PAC bringing in over $19 million, and a group backing former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley SFA Fund Inc. bringing in $18.7 million, far more than groups backing other candidates. Trust in the Mission notably received $25,000 from one of Scotts former colleagues Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, a Republican who retired from the Senate earlier this year. Best of America PAC, a group backing North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgums presidential bid, hauled over $11 million, with $2 million coming from one of Burgums family members. A group backing former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson America Strong and Free Action raised $2.3 million, with $1 million of that coming from Warren Stephens, a Little Rock-based billionaire who has previously given to Republican groups. But the group spent more than half of that, mainly on digital marketing and polling, even as Hutchinson has struggled to climb above 1% in polls of the Republican field. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: Donald Trump's push to block Georgia investigation into 2020 election rejected by judge Donald Trump's push to block a Georgia investigation into the 2020 election was rejected by a judge. Plus, USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers on Democrats linking the GOP push to impeach Biden to Trump indictments, what a witness said about President Joe Biden greeting Hunter Biden's associates, small Ukraine gains come at a high cost, and USA TODAY Politics Reporter Rachel Looker on what we know about the latest talks to fund the government. Also, Angus Cloud, best known for his 'Euphoria' role as Fezco, dies at 25. Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text. Dana Taylor: Good morning. I'm Dana Taylor and this is 5 Things you need to know for Tuesday, August 1st, 2023. Donald Trump's push to block a Georgia investigation was rejected by a judge, a witness claims that Joe Biden greeted Hunter Biden's associates and clients on the phone, and in Ukraine, Russia savages Zelenskyy's hometown. A judge in Georgia rejected former President Donald Trump's push to block an investigation over his alleged efforts to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election results, according to a nine-page ruling filed Monday. Trump's legal team filed a motion in March to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from investigating or prosecuting Trump. They also sought to quash a report from a special grand jury that investigated him in the case and block any state prosecuting agency from using evidence gathered by the jury. Judge Robert McBurney wrote that Trump couldn't mount such a challenge. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has called for FBI security as Atlanta braces for possible indictments. The request comes after former President Trump singled out prosecutors and encouraged protests during a recent rally. Story continues GOP leaders are tying a push to impeach President Biden to former President Trump's indictments. Here to help me dig into the politics of this is White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers. Francesca, thanks for joining me. Francesca Chambers: Thank you so much. Dana Taylor: So what's the evidence that GOP leaders are trying to tie a possible Biden impeachment with Trump's indictments? Francesca Chambers: So Democratic allies of President Joe Biden are pointing to social media posts that Donald Trump has made saying that he thinks that Biden should be impeached to show a connection between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy saying that what Biden is being charged with by the GOP is rising to the level of an impeachment inquiry. Now, House Republicans haven't said that they are going to impeach President Biden yet, but they are looking for evidence. One thing that they point to is an FBI form that is redacted that was released publicly. Now, this form is based on uncorroborated evidence and it's from a confidential source. So they're currently trying to find additional evidence before they move forward. Dana Taylor: And what's the likelihood that Trump wins the Republican nomination and we see a rematch between Biden and Trump in the general election? Francesca Chambers: Well right now, which I would note is six months before the first contest will be held, he is more than 30 points ahead of the other GOP competitors. And so when you look at that polling, there is this rising sense among not just Republicans, but Democrats also, that it could end up being a rematch in 2024. Dana Taylor: And what's the basis for their inquiry and what kinds of things will they be looking for? Francesca Chambers: Republicans are tying it back to that FBI document that has been released but the witness itself is confidential. That's something that we do not know, and the information is uncorroberated. Democrats are pushing back and noting that the Department of Justice under Donald Trump's presidency investigated and looked into this and then decided not to pursue. It was also a Trump-appointed US attorney who looked into this as well under the previous Justice Department. Dana Taylor: And if the Republican-led House is able to get the votes to impeach President Biden, will that give them the political leverage they're looking for in the general election? Francesca Chambers: Well, even Republicans who are supportive of the idea of an impeachment inquiry to President Joe Biden aren't yet saying that he should be impeached. They're drawing a line between opening an inquiry in which they say would give them an opportunity and more tools to investigate, and the actual vote for impeachment. The other thing is it would have to go through the Senate for him to be convicted. Notably, Donald Trump (was) impeached twice by the House of Representatives but acquitted both times in the US Senate. Dana Taylor: Francesca, thanks so much for hopping on the show. Francesca Chambers: Thank you so much for having me. Dana Taylor: Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's former business associate, told lawmakers during testimony on Monday that Hunter Biden put President Joe Biden on the phone with clients before his father was elected to the White House. But Archer still argued that Joe Biden wasn't involved in their financial dealings despite the contacts. Republicans have alleged for months that Joe Biden knew about his son's business dealings and was engaged in influence-pedaling with his family while he served as vice president. It's an allegation that the White House has denied. Devon Archer's testimony also came after Hunter Biden's decision to plead not guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges in court last week. He was originally expected to plead guilty under an agreement made with federal prosecutors which Republicans claimed was a sweetheart deal. Devon Archer was convicted in 2018 for his role in a scheme surrounding the fraudulent issuance and sale of more than $60 million in Tribal bonds. He was sentenced to a year and a day in prison last year. Rescue workers were scrambling through rubble searching for survivors Monday after Russian missiles slammed into the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At least six people were killed, authorities said. The attack came a day after three Ukrainian drones damaged buildings in Moscow, prompting Zelenskyy to say it was inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair to bring the war to Russian territory. Local authorities said at least 75 people were injured, including five children in the attack on Kryvyi Rih. A nine-story apartment building and a four-story building at a university were severely damaged in the city of more than 600,000 people, authorities said. Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said on Telegram, "The murdering country will be held accountable before the court for what it has done. We will not forgive." Tuesday was declared a day of mourning for the city. When Congress returns from its August recess it will have about three weeks to pass about a dozen bills to fund the government, how likely is a shutdown and what can realistically pass in both chambers? For more on this story, I'm joined by Politics Reporter Rachel Looker. Rachel, thanks for joining me. Rachel Looker: Thank you for having me. Dana Taylor: So what do we know about the latest talks to get these funding bills passed? Rachel Looker: Sure. So the House and the Senate last week left for their six-week summer recess. And when they return in the middle of September they're going to have roughly about three weeks until the September 30th deadline to pass a federal budget. So before they left for their recess, they did pass one out of 12 spending bills in the House. So when they return, they'll have 11 more spending bills that they will have to get through, or the government could face another shutdown. Dana Taylor: And how likely is it that lawmakers just agree to pass a continuation resolution? Rachel Looker: So that is one option if lawmakers cannot come to a deal before the September 30th deadline, a continuing resolution would keep funding at or close to the current levels and it would buy lawmakers more time at the negotiating table. However, Republicans are saying that a continuing resolution would extend the Democratic policies from last year's spending bill which is not in their interest and it's uncertain whether a continuing resolution would even pass in the first place. A lot of lawmakers haven't really discussed the idea thoroughly. Dana Taylor: So Rachel, what are the big sticking points? Rachel Looker: So members of the House Freedom Caucus, which is a group of conservative lawmakers in the House, have been demanding deeper cuts from GOP leadership in the House. So specifically after the debt ceiling negotiations between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden from a few months ago, a lot of these hard-line conservatives feel like they were left out of these conversations. So they're really looking for some deeper spending cuts with these 12 spending bills coming up in the fall. Another sticking point for House Republicans is their insistence for leadership to vote on the 12 separate spending bills that fund the government as opposed to one large omnibus spending bill, which would include all of them. House Freedom Caucus members are saying that they would rather vote on these 12 separate bills as opposed to the omnibus. Dana Taylor: So what do people listening now need to know? Rachel Looker: I think it's important to remember that in the Senate which will also have to move forward with these spending bills, several senators from both sides of the aisle say they don't think that a government shutdown is likely. We are seeing some more bipartisanship in the Senate, which could get some more spending bills through before that September 30th deadline. Dana Taylor: Rachel, thanks so much for joining me. Rachel Looker: Thank you for having me. Dana Taylor: And before we go, actor Angus Cloud, best known for his role as Fezco on the TV drama Euphoria, has died. He was 25. Thanks for listening to 5 Things. You can find us seven mornings a week on your favorite podcast platform. If you like the show, please subscribe, leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Any comments, you can reach us at podcasts@usatoday.com. Catch up on all the news you need to know throughout the day at usatoday.com. I'm Dana Taylor filling in for Taylor Wilson and I'm back tomorrow with more of 5 Things from USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's push to block GA probe denied, Euphoria star dies: 5 Things podcast Heated skirting boards and mirrors feature in the Energy House 2 at Salford University The way we heat our homes is changing. As the world moves away from fossil fuels, we will be saying goodbye to our gas fires and boilers - and instead electrifying the heating systems in our homes. Extinguishing the fires in our homes is a big change, human beings evolved around the comfort of a campfire. So, what will this mean for you - and the systems that deliver the energy we depend upon? In just 12 years' time you won't be able to buy a gas boiler any more. The government has ordered that sales of new ones will be banned from 2035. Heating our homes accounts for as much as 16% of the UK's planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions by sector The front-runner in the race to replace our boilers is undoubtedly the heat pump. There is a very simple reason why - they are extraordinarily efficient. They cost more than gas boilers, but for every unit of energy you put in, you get up to three units of heat out. Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it is not quite as simple as that. Heat pumps produce hot water at lower temperatures than gas boilers. That means to get the heat into your home, it is a good idea to have bigger radiators. And you will keep more of the heat in if your home is well-insulated and has double glazing. But doing that additional work can massively add to your costs. Typically it costs 10,000 to buy and install a heat pump. And there is another issue. Unit for unit, electricity typically costs three times as much as gas. That means even though your new heat pump is three times as efficient as your gas boiler it costs about the same to run. BBC iPlayer Heat pumps: What they really mean for you Investigating the controversial plans to change how we heat our homes and produce electricity. Is it possible and what will it take? Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK Only) BBC iPlayer There's a 5,000 grant to help householders with the costs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland is more generous, it offers 7,500. But critics say that is not enough and that people need more help if the government is going to get anywhere near its target of 600,000 new heat pump installations every year by 2028. Story continues At the moment it is way below that. There were just 60,000 heat pumps installed in the UK last year, making it one of the slowest adopters of this new technology in Europe. At current rates of installation, it will take more than 400 years before every British home has a heat pump. So far fewer than 12,000 grants have been cashed - perhaps because it only covers the cost of the pump itself, and not the installation. And even if households are able to pay, there is another barrier to hitting the government's heat pump targets. The UK only has 4,000 trained heat-pump installers - it is estimated we will need 33,000 by 2028. There are not nearly enough trained heat pump installers in the UK There are other electric heating systems - immersion boilers, electric fires, fan heaters and infra-red radiators, for example - but none of these is as efficient as heat pumps. An alternative could be hydrogen-powered boilers. They are just like your existing gas boiler - so no need for a new set of radiators - except that they burn hydrogen instead of natural gas. But using hydrogen has its problems - for a start, where would it all come from? Most of the readily available hydrogen is locked up in the water of our oceans. The cleanest and greenest way to produce it would be to use electricity, through a process called electrolysis - but most of the time it would be more efficient just to use that electricity to heat our homes with heat pumps. We could produce hydrogen from the natural gas we currently use, but we would then have to find a way to stop all the carbon dioxide (CO2) the process produces from going into the atmosphere. The CO2 could be captured and pumped underground - but that is expensive and has never been done at scale before. Although burning hydrogen is clean, the process of producing it from gas creates CO2 What is more, hydrogen boilers have not proved popular with the public. A trial scheme in Ellesmere Port has just been cancelled after residents refused to have new boilers installed in their homes. Whatever choices we make about how we heat our homes in future one thing is certain, we are going to need a lot more electricity. And it all needs to be green. Right now, at peak times, the National Grid requires 60GW of electricity. By 2050, some estimates suggest it will need to double to at least 120GW. At the moment about 40% of our electricity is generated by burning gas - so that's going to have to be phased out. The way we heat - and insulate - our homes needs to change to meet greenhouse gas targets In 27 years, we need to roughly quadruple the amount of green energy we produce as a country. So, to get to net zero in time, the government has set an ambitious target - decarbonise the entire electricity supply by 2035. The UK has been making great progress with offshore wind, but building wind turbines at sea is expensive. The cheapest renewable power is from onshore wind and solar. Many experts say the UK will need thousands of much cheaper wind turbines on land. Onshore wind turbines are one of the cheapest ways to generate energy That will require changes to the planning rules which currently make it very difficult to get approval - opponents say they blight the landscape and there are worries about the impact they have on birds and animals. And the government says we need more nuclear power too, even though it is expensive and takes years to build. Most of our existing nuclear plants are due to be shut down in the next few years but there are two big new plants in the offing. Hinkley Point C in Somerset is massively over budget and is now expected to start operating in 2026 - almost a decade late. A second new plant has been proposed in Suffolk, next to Sizewell B, but it has been stuck in planning for over a decade. And to get these new sources of electricity into your home the electricity grid needs a massive and expensive upgrade too. But we can do it, says Emma Pinchbeck, the CEO of Energy UK which represents the power generating industry and the National Grid. "In my job, what's changed over the last five years has been this is no longer about money. It's about wires in the ground or enough people to build the kit," she says. We have got the technology to reach net zero, the question is whether we can put it in place fast enough to meet our 2050 target and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) blasted President Bidens decision Monday to keep the headquarters of the Space Command in Colorado, overturning former President Trumps decision to move it to Alabama. As soon as Joe Biden took office, he paused movement on that decision and inserted politics into what had been a fair and objective competitionnot because the facts had changed, but because the political party of the sitting President had changed, Tuberville said in his statement. Tuberville is locked in a standoff with the Pentagon over its abortion policy, placing a hold on hundreds of Bidens military nominations in protest. Some officials have said Alabamas restrictive abortions laws played into the Space Command HQ decision, though the White House said it was motivated entirely by concerns that a major move would undermine military readiness. Tuberville wrote that it was shameful the Biden administration waited until Congress was in recess to make this decision, noting it came after the House and Senate passed versions of next years defense budget. The two chambers still need to hammer out a final version of the defense budget. And he claimed that Colorado Springs did not even crack the top three sites for the headquarters in a review by the Air Force, trailing locations in Alabama, Nebraska and Texas. This decision to bypass the three most qualified sites looks like blatant patronage politics, and it sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are now to be used as rewards for political supporters rather than for our security, he wrote. Trumps initial decision to move the HQ to Alabama also prompted claims of political motivations from Democrats. Alabama overwhelmingly voted for Trump in the 2020 election and has two GOP senators, while Colorado voted for Biden and has two Democratic senators. Tuberville on Monday said the fight to bring the headquarters to Alabama was not over, adding he hopes House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) will continue an investigation into the matter. Story continues This is absolutely not over. I will continue to fight this as long as it takes to bring Space Command where it would be best servedHuntsville, Alabama, he said. Rogers said in a statement that he will continue the committees investigation into the relocation of the headquarters, also saying the fight is far from over. The Biden administrations shameful delay to finalize the permanent basing decision for U.S. Space Command warranted the opening of a Congressional investigation, Rogers said. I will continue this investigation to see if they intentionally misled the Armed Services Committee on their deliberate taxpayer-funded manipulation of the selection process. I will continue to hold the Biden administration accountable for their egregious political meddling in our national security. Other Alabama Republicans, including Sen. Katie Britt and Gov. Kay Ivey, also took aim at Bidens decision Monday. President Biden has irresponsibly decided to yank a military decision out of the Air Forces hands in the name of partisan politics, Britt said in a statement. Huntsville finished first in both the Air Forces Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase, leaving no doubt that the Air Forces decision to choose Redstone as the preferred basing location was correct purely on the merits. The White House choosing to not locate Space Command Headquarters in Alabama the rightful selection is very simply the wrong decision for national security, Ivey posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The fact that a CNN reporter is who first delivered the news to Alabama should say all. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is demanding answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs about a taxpayer-funded needle exchange program for drug-addicted veterans that he says will harm veterans and ignore contrary state laws. In a July 27 letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Tuberville warned that the VA's "Syringe Support Programs" (SSPs) contradict laws in six states, including Alabama, and said the VA program is setting up veterans to violate their home state laws. He wrote that it "seems contradictory to the will of the states that the VA should offer SSPs to veterans at their medical centers in states where it is unlawful and whose practice could expose veterans to criminal liability." "I find VAs continued superseding of state laws in order to drive a progressive agenda troubling, and I worry for the future of veteran health because of it," Tuberville added. 'WE MAKE THE LAWS': TUBERVILLE HOLDS THE LINE AGAINST DOD'S ABORTION POLICIES DESPITE PUSHBACK FROM DEMS, GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questions witnesses during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 11, 2022 in Washington, D.C. He also wrote that he is worried about the VA program that is aimed at stopping the spread of diseases between drug users and argued that VA data showing SSPs contribute to drug use reduction is "questionable." Tuberville posed several questions to the VA that he says need to be answered by Sept. 30. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Under what federal law and regulation does the VA derive authority to administer a taxpayer-funded needle exchange program?" Tuberville asked. He said he wants access to the data that "shows, explicitly and conclusively, that SSPs are the reason for a veterans recovery" from substance use disorders. Tuberville also asked for the total number of veterans who are receiving needles through this program, how many have enrolled in in-patient rehab, how a veteran gains access to the needles, and what kind of oversight the VA is providing. SEN. TUBERVILLE PREDICTS DEMOCRATS WILL START SUPPORTING TRUMP AS COUNTRY RUNS INTO 'SERIOUS TROUBLE' Story continues The United States Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters. "The country is facing an unprecedented opioid epidemic, and facilitating addictions, especially those of our veterans seeking help from the VA, will only exacerbate the problem," Tuberville wrote. The Department of Veterans Affairs pointed Fox News Digital to a previous quote from Secretary McDonough discussing the syringe program as a "way to engage vets who might not come to the VA otherwise." "Now, I know that for some people harm reduction practices like syringe service programs are controversial because they fear those programs encourage people to use drugs," McDonough said. "In fact, though, people who inject drugs and use syringe services programs are five times more likely to enroll in substance use disorder treatment than those who dont. And thats five times more Veterans lives saved." Tuberville is currently involved in another states rights fight where he has been slowing down President Biden's Department of Defense nominees over what he said was the Pentagon's illegal policy of providing travel expense reimbursement as well as paid time off, for those service members and their families receiving abortions. SEN. TUBERVILLE RIPS BIDEN FOR USING VA, PENTAGON TO PROMOTE ABORTION: SHAMEFUL Sen. Tommy Tuberville arrives for the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. "Federal law only allows the military to provide abortions in three very narrow circumstances: rape, incest and threat to the life of the mother. Yet the Biden administration has turned the DOD into an abortion travel agency. They did it by using just a memo," Tuberville said. In recent months, the Biden administration has accused Tuberville of hurting military recruitment and retention. In a Fox News Digital article last month, Tuberville argued that Democrats are the ones jeopardizing the military readiness by pushing a progressive agenda and politicizing the military. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) A Senate panel on Monday recommended to amend the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 (RA 11053) to include a 20-million fine on any fraternity, sorority, or similar organization if its initiation activities result in death or physical injury. The joint panel of the Senate committees on justice and human rights and public order and dangerous drugs made the recommendation following the inquiry into the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig. In March, Salilig was found in a shallow grave in Cavite after attending initiation rites allegedly conducted by Tau Gamma Phi fraternity members in Laguna. TIMELINE: The hazing death of John Matthew Salilig "Fraternities, sororities, and similar organizations shall be jointly and solidarily liable to the families of the victims by making them liable to pay a fine in the amount of 20 million for any death or physical injuries that results from any of the initiation activities of their organization. The organization shall likewise shoulder the litigation fees of the victim's family," the panel said in its 71-page committee report. Instead of a frat ban, the panel recommended that the groups, whether school-based or not, should be required to register their chapters, with a list of its members and officers, to the local police station with jurisdiction over the area. The Philippine National Police will gather the list in a national database of fraternities and sororities. "The failure or refusal of the organization to comply with the same requirement shall be prima facie presumption of the organization's illegal activities," the panel said. Another suggested amendment eyes a 5-million fine for schools that fail to orient students and their parents or guardians about the role of the institution in working with the government to prevent hazing. "Failure of the school to conduct such mandatory orientation and failure to submit compliance report to the CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) and the Congress shall make the schools liable to pay a fine of 5 million and shall be a ground for the CHEd to deny a school's autonomous status," the panel said. "The fine of 5 million shall be paid to a Trust Fund to be created by the CHED, which fund shall be used solely for the support of victims of hazing," it added. The committee concluded that universities should take part in the adjustment and ensure that fraternities, sororities, and other organizations are not "pushed to go underground and beyond the regulatory power of the institution." An attack on Moscow, reportedly by Ukrainian drones, damaged a few buildings, temporarily closed a nearby airport and injured one person July 30. Go all-in with Ukraine to beat Russia We have spent a good deal of money, resources and international goodwill in helping Ukraine in its war against Russia, the illegal aggressor. But its not enough. We must do more. Our strategy has been just to throw money and weapons at the problem with no ultimate goal of defeating Russia, which is essential for world peace. A stalemate does not work. Our political will borders on the philosophical reasonings manifest in the failure of the Vietnam War. If we are to be involved in a conflict, we must go all-in, with the strength of character to win, not just prolong, it. More: How to send a letter to the editor Prolonging it will only lead to more deaths, more money spent and more strained, or broken, international relations. And the world economy will continue to suffer. Just try to buy a boatload of wheat next month. President Joe Bidens fear of conflict with Russia's Vladimir Putin has paralyzed positive, aggressive military thinking and action. Biden has shown that he is not a military leader. He needs to leave military planning to those who know more. Ukraines war with Russia is our war. Lets help them win it and send Putin into the trash heap of history. Andy Voikos, Venice and Barnstable, Massachusetts Do you care? Prove it at the polls Where are we heading? We have a choice. We can continue to add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and just let our grandchildren deal with it because we really do not care enough about them. Similarly, we can allow women to make critical choices affecting their health or we can force many of them to undergo horrific consequences because we also do not care enough about them. Elections Office: Register to vote/submit new vote-by-mail request We can suffer through pandemics where certain so-called leaders downplay what scientists tell us we must do that is, to recognize the need for distancing and the benefit of wearing masks and getting vaccinated. And more people will die. Story continues We can continue to have the greatest disparity in income and wealth of all the developed countries because we are comfortable ourselves and do not care enough to help those who do not have even a minimal quality of life. Our democracy is in trouble. One of our parties continues to obstruct what science and our consciences tell us we must do about our serious problems. Please, always vote. And in 2024, vote for Democrats whose record proves they care. Brad Hardin, Venice Trump and Biden spinning yarns The American public is being punished with fractured fairy tales, courtesy of former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. Trump professes that he is not responsible for the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021, yet he encouraged a mob of supporters at his rally to fight like hell and waited until they stormed the Capitol before he called for law and order. Trump asked Vice President Mike Pence to discard the electoral votes and declare him the winner, but Pence refused. Biden claims that while serving as vice president, he never talked to his son, Hunter, about Hunter's business dealings in China. Twisting reality further, Hunter Biden had no qualifications for doing business with China, yet he was paid large amounts of cash. For what? What a predicament! Thomas G. Moore, Bradenton Republicans fiddle while Rome burns Recently, Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler of Sarasota stated that Democrats are the enemy. Democrats are not the enemy. The enemy is partisanship and extremism. And most of the extremist rhetoric comes from the right. Christian Ziegler: Sarasota Republican wins race to head Florida GOP Our country faces some existential problems right now, mainly climate change. Yet the GOP concentrates on cultural issues, like going after drag queens, banning books and gerrymandering out the Black vote. If the Republicans dont learn to work across the aisle instead of bragging about their supermajority and being bent on revenge, revisionist history and restricting rights our countrys survival is at stake. What they are doing is equivalent to fiddling while Rome burns.Erika Veit, Venice This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Let our military take over and defeat Russia Tingshu Wang/Reuters Elon Musks X, formerly known as Twitter, announced Monday night it had filed a lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a British research group working to stop the spread of online hate and disinformation. Free expression is fundamental to a healthy functioning global society and if its taken away, its almost impossible to get back, a statement on the official X account page wrote. Thats why we will continue to stand up for peoples rights, including the over half a billion of you who turn to our platform continually. Free expression and platform safety are not at odds. Despite our continued progress, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and its backers have been actively working to assert false and misleading claims about X and actively working to prevent public dialogue. The social media giant took issue with the CCDH for criticizing the platform for its handling of hate speech and misinformation, claiming Twitter fails to act on 99% of hateful messages from accounts with Twitter Blue subscriptions. CCDH has criticized not only Twitter in the past but a number of corporate bigwigs, including TikTok, for promoting self-harm to its users. When Elon Musk bought the platform last year, he made promises to defend free speech, but his plan quickly unravelled. On Sunday alone, X reinstated Kanye West after an almost eight-month ban for a series of offensive tweetsa number of which were antisemitic. West is just the latest in a series of right-wing conspiracy theorists allowed back on the platform. Former President Donald Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), and satirical right-wing outlet The Babylon Bee are also among the reinstated accounts. The lawsuit filed by X Corp attorneys in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleges CCDH has embarked on a scare campaign to drive away advertisers from the X platform. The complaint points a number of accusations towards the group, including breach of contract, violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, intentional interference with contractual relations and inducing breach of contract. It alleges CCDH illegally scraped data cherry-picked from hundreds of millions of posts to falsely claim it had statistical support showing the platform is overwhelmed with harmful content. Story continues It claims some companies have paused their advertising spend on X and seeks monetary damages and an injunction barring CCDH from accessing, using or disclosing data provided by X to Brandwatch, a social media analytics firm. CCDHs unlawful conduct as alleged herein has directly and proximately damaged X Corp. in an amount to be proven at trial, the filing states, adding in any event at least tens of millions of dollars that X Corp. estimates it has lost in advertising revenues and other costs incurred. On Tuesday, the CCDH posted a statement in which they described the lawsuit as baseless legal action over our work exposing the rise in hate & lies on Twitter. It added: We stand by our research. Billionaires cant bully us. In a response to Rep. Adam Schiff, the group wrote: Going after independent watchdogs for providing vital scrutiny is the kind of thing you see in autocratic states. It has no place in the United States. It continued: @ElonMusk is throwing a tantrum and having his lawyers threaten legal action because weve exposed hate & lies on Twitter. CCDH lawyer Robbie Kaplan wrote in a tweet: We at @KaplanHecker are proud to be representing @CCDHate and @Imi_Ahmed in the face of these baseless threats to sue them simply for doing their job. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. U.S. Bank, located on the 5500 block of West Capitol Drive, was robbed of more than $10,000 on July 31, 2023. Two men are in custody after robbing a north side bank of more than $10,000, Milwaukee police said. According to police, the incident took place Monday around 4:42 p.m. in the 5500 block of West Capitol Drive. The only bank within that block is U.S. Bank, according to Google Maps. Police said the two men, ages 25 and 22, entered the bank, demanded money, then fled with the money on foot. "Police responded, pursued the subjects and eventually placed them into custody," police said. Police recovered a little over $10,000 and the men were arrested. Charges are pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two in custody following bank robbery in Milwaukee A motorcyclist takes a break in the heat of Tehran on July 11, 2023 (ATTA KENARE) Iran on Tuesday declared a two-day holiday for government workers and banks nationwide as searing temperatures sweep across the country, state media reported. The decision came after the meteorological office forecast temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in many cities, and hovering around 50 degrees Celsius in the southwest. State broadcaster IRIB has said many cities including in the provinces of Ilam, Bushehr, and Khuzestan have seen temperatures rise above 45 degrees Celsius in recent days. "The cabinet agreed to the health ministry proposal to declare Wednesday and Thursday public holidays all over the country to protect public health," the official IRNA news agency quoted government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi as saying. IRNA said the decision was taken because of what it described as an "unprecedented" heatwave across the country. According to IRIB, Dehloran city in western Iran recorded the highest temperature of 50 degrees Celsius in Iran over the past 24 hours. It added that temperatures were expected to rise in the north as well, including in the city of Ardabil as well as at the southern shores of the Caspian sea. The health ministry has warned of the risks of heatstroke from over-exposure to the sun, and urged people to stay indoors between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Health ministry spokesman Pedram Pakain described the number of heat-related illnesses in recent days as "alarming". In June, Iran changed summer working hours for government employees who now start earlier, in order to save electricity in offices when temperatures peak. The southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan has been among the hardest hit by the heatwave. Around 1,000 people have received hospital treatment there in recent days because of rising temperatures and dust storms, IRNA said. The region has long faced severe water shortages, which triggered protests on Monday over an upstream dam in neighbouring Afghanistan restricting water flow, the Tasnim news agency said. Story continues Iran, with a population of more than 85 million, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and the rise in global temperatures. Like nearby countries, it has suffered extreme dry spells and heatwaves for years, which are expected to worsen as climate change continues. It has also endured repeated droughts as well as regular flooding, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth. rkh-pdm/mz/it By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Two large Israeli companies have stopped advertising on a conservative news channel in the latest sign of polarisation in the country over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned judicial overhaul. Foodmaker Strauss Group and auto importer Delek Motors said they had stopped advertising on pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 after a panelist on a Sunday show advocated the release of the killer of then Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. Rabin had embraced an Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Channel 14 - often compared with Fox News Channel in the United States - said the panelist, a lawyer, would not be asked back. Still, Strauss in a letter to Channel 14 seen by Reuters said it had pulled planned advertising on the channel for ethical reasons and after "various offensive statements, repeated over and over again". It said would resume advertising only after it was "convinced the channel meets the requirements of the ethics charter". Delek Motors, which imports Ford, Mazda, BMW and Mini cars, said in a separate letter to Channel 14 that Israeli society this year had been torn apart by the controversy surrounding the judicial plan and it was important to quell the flames. "Unfortunately, Channel 14 not only does not do so but only deepens the rift and widens the divisions," Delek Motors said, pointing to the call for the release of Rabin's killer that "was met with applause and echoed the next day by a senior presenter on the channel". "We do not have to cooperate and finance this outrageous conduct," wrote Yogev Weiss, Delek Motors' marketing manager. "I ordered the cessation of advertising of (our) group's brands on Channel 14." Channel 14 said in a statement it was "sorry that the owners of a public company like Strauss decided to educate the public instead of serving it. "Strauss' attempt to drag more advertisers after them to obscure their part in leading the fight to close Channel 14 will not work," it added. Story continues The judicial changes pursued by Netanyahu and his government have sparked an unprecedented crisis in Israel, opening deep divides in society, bruising the economy and drawing concern from Western allies. Netanyahu's coalition says they are needed to curb a Supreme Court that it says has become too politically interventionist. (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Mark Potter) Editors note: Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Big, bright lunar displays will bookend August as the moon nears its closest point to Earth. When the moon reaches this position in its orbit while also appearing full, the result is a supermoon and there will be two this month. The first of the supermoons will peak at 2:32 p.m. ET on Tuesday, which means lunar gazers in Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa and the Middle East can catch the orb glowing at its fullest in the night sky at a distance of about 222,158 miles (357,530 kilometers) from Earth, according to calculations from retired NASA astronomer Fred Espenak. For viewers in the United States, rest assured the moon will look round during the evening of August 1. Supermoons generally look brighter and bigger than other full moons because of their proximity, though its not always perceptible to the naked eye. This weeks full moon is also called the sturgeon moon because it occurs around the time of year that, historically, indigenous populations found the large freshwater fish were easily caught in the Great Lakes, according to The Old Farmers Almanac. Stateside, you can best catch a glimpse of the sturgeon supermoon after sunset Tuesday, looking toward the southeast. Then, on August 30, a full moon will appear at the closest point to our planet this year about 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) away making it an elusive super blue moon. A blue moon, in common parlance, refers to a second full moon that occurs within the same calendar month, which typically happens only once every two and a half years. The most recent blue moon, for example, occurred in October 2020. The August 30 super blue moon will reach its peak at 9:36 p.m. ET, according to the almanac. The celestial orb will also be visible the night of August 31, local weather conditions allowing. Story continues But take note: It wont appear blue, despite the name. The term actually originates from a 16th century expression, in which a blue moon referred to something that never and later rarely happened, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. What is a full moon, supermoon and blue moon? A full moon occurs when the near side of the moon is fully illuminated by the sun in the night sky, which typically happens once a month. Supermoons are more uncommon. These lunar displays occur because the moon does not travel in a perfect circle around Earth. Rather, the moons path is shaped like an oval, bringing the moon closer to the Earth at certain points on its elliptical journey. The exact distance between Earth and the moon can vary by about 26,222 miles (42,200 kilometers), according to NASA. Supermoons occur when the moon is near or at its closest point to Earth (or, in scientific terms, its perigee) while also appearing full. Scientists call this a perigean full moon, and it can be up to 30% brighter and appear about 14% larger than full moons that occur at the farthest point from Earth, according to the United Kingdoms National Space Centre. Some argue that the term supermoon is overused because it can refer to full moons that dont occur at the absolute nearest point to Earth and they dont always appear drastically different to the human eye than the average full moon. As NASA explains, while supermoon isnt an official astronomical term, its used to describe a full Moon that comes within at least 90 percent of perigee. And these lunar events arent uncommon: Supermoons typically occur three or four times per year. In fact, the instances where the moon looks largest in the sky are typically when it appears close to the horizon, creating an optical illusion, notes researcher Adam Block, an operations specialist at the University of Arizonas Steward Observatory in Tucson. And that phenomenon has nothing to do with whether the moon is in supermoon territory. If you turn around in the opposite direction, and if youre flexible, you can bend over and look between your legs at the moon upside down and the illusion completely disappears, Block explained. Supermoons arent particularly rare or visually distinctive, but they do impact the Earth. The moons physical closeness can cause higher tides in the Earths oceans, NASA notes. Blue moons, however, are rarer. While the term originally referred to an extra full moon occurring within the same tropical year the period between two equinoxes it now commonly refers to two full moons appearing within the same calendar month. Not all blue moons are supermoons, which makes the August 30 full moon even more exceptional. The next time two supermoons will occur in the same month will be January 2037, according to Espenaks data. Sometimes, several lunar phenomenon line up on the same night to create a truly extraordinary sky-watching experience, such as on January 31, 2018, when the last full moon of the month was not only a blue moon and a supermoon it was also a blood moon, or a total lunar eclipse. Those events occur when Earths shadow gives the full moon a reddish tint. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This is an excerpt from our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, which sends the biggest unsolved mysteries, white collar scandals, and captivating cases straight to your inbox every week.Sign up here. Just before sunrise on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1982, a seventh-grader living near Chicagos OHare airport woke up with a head cold and was given an Extra-Strength Tylenol capsule by her parents. She was dead before 10 a.m., the first of seven people that day in the Chicago area who unknowingly took Tylenol capsules laced with fatal doses of cyanide. No one has ever been charged with the killings, and last month, the leading suspect, James Lewis, died at age 76 in his Cambridge, Massachusetts, home. The unsolved case had far-reaching implications for consumer safety. The way you open a bottle of over-the-counter medication is a direct result of authorities response to the crisis and the fear that gripped the nation after it was revealed that someone had poisoned capsules in random bottles of Tylenol in what the Chicago medical examiner called a diabolical game of Russian roulette. The quick thinking of first responders, Chicago officials and Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Tylenol, arguably saved the lives of an unknown number of potential victims. Mary Kellerman, 12, lived with her parents, Dennis and Jeanna Kellerman, in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village. She was their only child. At 4 p.m. on Sept. 28, the day before her daughters death, Jeanna Kellerman bought a 50-count bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol at a nearby Jewel grocery store. The next morning, Mary took one of the capsules and collapsed on the bathroom floor. She was rushed to the hospital and died soon after. Adam Janus, 27, was a postal worker in suburban Arlington Heights, about 7 miles north of the Kellermans home. An hour after Mary Kellerman was pronounced dead, he bought a bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol at a different Jewel, in Arlington Heights. Janus, a Polish immigrant who was married with two kids, had taken a sick day because he was having mild chest pains. After taking the Tylenol for his pain, he collapsed in his bedroom. He died at Northwest Community Hospital at 3:15 p.m. Story continues Mary Lynn Reiner, 27, had just given birth to her and her husband Edwins fourth child a week before. On Sept. 29, she bought a 50-count bottle of regular Tylenol at Franks Finer Foods in Winfield, the suburb 30 miles west of Chicago where the family lived. At 3:30 p.m., she took some Tylenol from the new bottle, became comatose and was transported to Central DuPage Hospital. The following morning, she was taken off life support and pronounced dead at the same hospital where she had just delivered her baby. A 1974 wedding photo shows Mary McFarland, right. A 1974 wedding photo shows Mary McFarland, right. Stanley Janus, 25, joined other grief-stricken members of the Janus family, including his brother Joe with whom he co-owned an auto parts store at their brother Adams house hours after his death. There, Stanley and his 20-year-old wife of three months, Theresa Janus, each took capsules of Extra-Strength Tylenol from the bottle Adam had purchased earlier. Immediately, the newlyweds indicated they had chest pains and were rushed to Northwest Community Hospital. Stanley was pronounced dead just after 8 p.m., at the same hospital where his brother had died five hours earlier. Theresa Janus was taken off life support just after noon on Friday, Oct. 1. Mary McFarland, 31, a divorced mother of two young children, was working at Illinois Bell Telephone in Lombard between Winfield and Elk Grove Village when she told her co-workers she had a headache. At about 6:30 p.m., she took Extra-Strength Tylenol from a pill case in her purse and collapsed. She died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove the next morning just after 3 a.m. Paula Prince, 35, was a United Airlines flight attendant. Shortly after 9 p.m. on Sept. 29, after landing at OHare, she stopped by a Walgreens near her home in Chicagos Old Town neighborhood. There she bought a 24-count bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol, a purchase that was captured on the drugstores surveillance camera. (Unfortunately, security cameras were only installed near the cash registers, so there is no footage of anyone placing the tainted Tylenol on the shelves.) Prince died after taking a single capsule from that bottle, although the exact time is unknown her sister and a friend discovered her body two days later in her apartment. Helena Tarasewicz, foreground, right, mother of Tylenol cyanide victim Theresa Tarasewicz Janus, weeps over the casket containing her daughter's body during graveside services at Maryhill Cemetery in Niles, Illinois, on Oct. 6, 1982. Helena Tarasewicz, foreground, right, mother of Tylenol cyanide victim Theresa Tarasewicz Janus, weeps over the casket containing her daughter's body during graveside services at Maryhill Cemetery in Niles, Illinois, on Oct. 6, 1982. The Investigation Stanley Janus death was at first determined to be a heart attack. After the other two deaths in his house, however, officials suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Arlington Heights fire lieutenant Chuck Kramer who had been treating Stanley when, he said, Theresa grabbed his arm and collapsed herself was among the first to suspect that the Janus family members had been poisoned from the Tylenol they had all taken. Kramer said he contacted his friend Helen Jensen, the Arlington Heights village nurse and public health official, who agreed poisoning was possible. Like a cliched plot in a movie, however, the police and the medical examiner laughed at her and dismissed her concerns, Kramer and Jensen told CBS News in a September 2022 interview even after she presented them with the Tylenol bottle from Janus home and the receipt for it she had found when searching through his trash. There are six capsules missing. There are three people dead. There has to be a correlation, Jensen said she told authorities. Later, Kramer spoke to another Arlington Heights fire lieutenant, Phil Cappitelli, who told him of another case of someone dying after taking Tylenol: 12-year-old Mary Kellerman. Their suspicions were confirmed in the early hours of Sept. 30, when a lab technician confirmed that blood tests taken of both Kellerman and Adam Janus contained lethal doses of cyanide. Shortly afterward, the coroners office, which was charged with testing the recovered Tylenol bottles from the victims, verified that it had found cyanide in the capsules. Officials took action. A task force comprising local, state and federal officials was formed to investigate the poisonings and locate what the attorney general called a madman hell-bent on doing something like this. In a midnight news conference on Oct. 2, Mayor Jane M. Byrne announced that all bottles of Tylenol were being yanked from store shelves in Chicago, urged residents not to take the Tylenol they had at home and to turn in any bottles they had to police or fire departments. Police passed out fliers and drove through Chicago-area streets with bullhorns, warning residents not to take Tylenol. Then Johnson & Johnson, Tylenols parent company, made an unprecedented decision: It recalled all its Tylenol capsule products in the U.S. 31 million bottles valued at about $100 million (about $316 million in todays dollars). Johnson & Johnson, the FDA and other government agencies had already begun testing Tylenol products for cyanide. In the end, they found only three more bottles that contained poisoned Tylenol capsules, including an unsold bottle at a drugstore in Schaumburg, where Mary Kellerman, the first victim, attended junior high, and two bottles turned in by residents in Wheaton (next to Winfield) and Chicago. Investigators ruled out the possibility that the capsules had been altered at plants or during the distribution process, but they remained stumped. Modern DNA testing on the bottles has proven to be virtually useless, because the bottles were handled by so many people who didnt wear gloves, from consumers and scientists to investigators themselves. James Lewis is escorted through Boston's Logan Airport on Oct. 13, 1995, after being released from federal prison. James Lewis is escorted through Boston's Logan Airport on Oct. 13, 1995, after being released from federal prison. Red Herrings Police pursued disparate leads, including an eccentric longtime Jewel dockhand named Roger Arnold, who lived and worked in another western Chicago suburb and had previously made comments about wanting to poison people. When investigators searched his house, according to a Chicago Tribune investigation, they found white powder, chemical lab equipment, and guides on making explosives, drugs and poisons including potassium cyanide. The white powder police found, however, was later identified as potassium carbonate, not cyanide. At one point, Arnold worked at the same Melrose Park warehouse as Mary Reiners father the men occasionally ate lunch and commuted together and Arnolds wife had been treated at a psychiatric hospital across the street from the Jewel store where Reiner bought her tainted bottle of Tylenol. Although police couldnt make a case against Arnold, he was widely publicized as a suspect and later said in a court filing that his reputation and life stability was destroyed as a result. When he found out who had originally given his name to police, Arnold decided to retaliate against the tipster: Marty Sinclair, who owned a bar that Arnold frequented. Instead, he shot and killed another man, John Stanisha, who closely resembled Sinclair. Though Arnold went to prison for killing only Stanisha, some local police detectives continued to maintain that he was the Tylenol poisoner. The Extortion Letter Investigators largely discounted Arnold and other supposed copycats after the arrival of a letter at Johnson & Johnsons headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, first reported on Oct. 8 one week after the last Tylenol poisoning death. Authorities would not know that at the time, of course, so they took the letter writers threat seriously: Wire $1 million to a Chicago bank account or more poisonings would follow. As you can see, it is easy to get buyers to swallow the bitter pill, the letter, handwritten in all-caps letters, began, warning the gentlemen of Johnson & Johnson not to involve the FBI or Chicago police. Investigators discovered that the letter was written by Lewis, an itinerant, dodgy tax accountant who said it had been intended to frame his wifes former employer, Frederick Miller McCahey, whose last paychecks to his employees bounced. The bank account number specified in the anonymous letter belonged to McCahey an account that had been closed, so Johnson & Johnson couldnt have wired money to it even if it tried. Once identified, Lewis and his wife became fugitives. He was finally arrested on Dec. 13, 1982, in New York City where he claimed (but could never prove) to have been when the Tylenol poisonings took place. Lewis had posted letters from Manhattan to the Chicago Tribune proclaiming his innocence, so investigators concentrated their search on places he could read the Tribune. In the pre-internet era, that meant newsstands and libraries. A reference librarian spotted him at the New York Public Library, contacted authorities and he was arrested on extortion charges. Though authorities could never prove that he was the Tylenol poisoner, it did come out that he had a criminal past: He served prison time for tax fraud and in 1978 was charged in Kansas City with capital murder in the dismemberment killing of Raymond West, a 78-year-old man who had hired him to do accounting work. The charges were dismissed, however, because a judge determined police lacked probable cause to arrest him and had never read him his Miranda warning. He also escaped prosecution on sexual assault charges in 2004 for an alleged attack on a Cambridge, Massachusetts, woman, but only after spending three years in jail awaiting trial. But Lewis was never prosecuted for the Tylenol murders: Instead, he was convicted for attempted extortion because of the threatening letter in October 1983, and served 12 years of a 20-year sentence in federal prison. (If) He Did It While authorities were able to rule out the possibility that the Tylenol capsules had been contaminated during manufacturing or shipping, it is still unclear exactly how the poisoner laced the capsules with the deadly potassium cyanide. The most persuasive theory came from the prime suspect himself, Lewis, who offered a hypothetical scenario as to how the killer might have spiked the pills. FBI special agent Roy Lane Jr. told the Chicago Tribune that investigators met with Lewis in prison several times in late 1983 after he volunteered to help with the investigation. In addition to interviews, Lewis offered detailed speculation flow charts and drawings of how the crimes might have been committed, beginning with obtaining the cyanide and other materials and books. Then the killer would acquire a capsule inventory, poison the pills, acquire bottles from store shelves, and then switch out their contents either in the store or somewhere outside it such as in a car, a restaurant, while sitting on a bench or even while walking. Finally the killer would place the contaminated bottle back on the store shelf. Lewis also explained how the poisoner could prepare the mixture and adulterate the capsules without being poisoned himself. In one method, he demonstrated how a cutting board could be drilled with holes to hold capsule shells, which would be filled by using a flat knife to brush the cyanide-laced powder across the board, where it fell neatly into each capsule. Investigators thought they were close to a confession, but Lewis continued to maintain his innocence. After his death on July 9, the man who successfully prosecuted Lewis for attempted extortion, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Margolis, said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune, I was saddened to learn of James Lewis death, not because hes dead, but because he didnt die in prison. Chicago City Health Department employees test Tylenol medicines for cyanide content at a city lab, Oct. 4, 1982. Chicago City Health Department employees test Tylenol medicines for cyanide content at a city lab, Oct. 4, 1982. Consumer Safety The tragic killings almost ruined Johnson & Johnson, but the Tylenol makers decisive response is applauded to this day by government agencies, public relations firms and shareholders and enabled the company to miraculously rebound after seeing its sales drop from a whopping 35% share of the market to 8%. In addition to its massive recall of 31 million bottles of Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the perpetrator and lost 1,000 times that amount in sales. Whats more, it offered refunds or free replacements for the Tylenol that customers had discarded, and discounted its products. In 1983, Johnson & Johnson settled a lawsuit brought by the families of the victims for an undisclosed sum. Perhaps most important, Johnson & Johnson worked with the FDA to institute tamper-proof packaging: foil seals, wads of cotton stuffed above the pills, childproof caps and plastic strips around the bottles all offered different levels of protection to consumers. All became the industry standard for over-the-counter medication. Tylenol also introduced an alternative to the capsules the caplet, a gel-coated tablet that was easier to swallow than traditional pills but also less vulnerable to adulteration. And Tylenol sales rebounded. The companys efforts spawned numerous case studies in crisis management, corporate responsibility and consumer behavior. Legislation soon followed: In October 1983, Congress passed the Tylenol bill, making it a federal offense to tamper with food, drug cosmetic or other consumer products, punishable by life in prison. Those actions closed a sad chapter of Chicago history and helped ensure it didnt repeat elsewhere in the U.S. But with Lewis dead and no other suspects, the case might always remain unresolved: More than 40 years later, a motive for the crimes remains a mystery. Related... Floods have forced people in Beijing to flee on rubber boats At least 11 people have died and 13 others are missing in torrential rains in Beijing as China braces for the third typhoon in as many weeks. The remnants of last week's super storm Doksuri flooded Beijing for the fourth straight day on Tuesday even as another typhoon approached the eastern coast. More than 50,000 people in the city have been evacuated so far, according to state media. The flooding has hit several districts, disrupting train services and traffic. At least a dozen people were killed in the Philippines and Taiwan as Doksuri passed through at the end of last week on its way to China. Heavy rains are likely to persist this week, and flooding could worsen in northern regions around Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, the emergency management ministry has warned. At least nine people have died in Hebei, officials say. Relentless rain over the weekend broke daily precipitation records at 14 weather stations in Beijing and the northern provinces of Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong. Chinese authorities have not announced an official toll of victims or reported how many are missing outside the capital city. Military helicopters were deployed in the early hours of Tuesday to deliver emergency food supplies and ponchos to people stranded in and around a train station in the hard-hit Mentougou district in western Beijing, CCTV reports. Around 150,000 households in the district are reported to be without running water. Nearly 400 flights on Tuesday were cancelled and hundreds delayed at Beijing's two airports, according to flight tracker app Flight Master. Footage shared online by residents in the surrounding Hebei province show swathes of land engulfed by floods. Residents in several neighbourhoods in Hebei's Zhouzhou county have reportedly been trapped, some for almost 24 hours, as rescue workers are unable to reach them. On Monday, state television published a clip of the dramatic rescue of a man clinging to an overturned car caught in raging floodwaters in Wu'an city, also in Hebei. The man and his car were pinwheeling down a flooded river before he was lifted to safety. Story continues Like many parts of the world, China has been seeing extreme heat and rain in recent weeks, which some scientists have linked to climate change. Doksuri made landfall in China's south-east Fujian province on Friday, triggering landslides and floods before moving north towards the capital. Hundreds of thousands of Fujian residents were evacuated. Doksuri, which came a week after typhoon Talim, also led to mass closures of schools and workplaces across the province. China's Meteorological Bureau said Beijing saw a deluge of about 170.9mm (6.7in) between Saturday night and noon on Monday, the equivalent of the average rainfall for the entire month of July. There is little relief with typhoon Khanun on the horizon. It is expected to enter the East China Sea on Wednesday before moving to China's coastal provinces, Zhejiang and Fujian. The U.S has no plans to evacuate American citizens from Niger after a coup in the country six days ago, despite efforts from European countries to fly out their nationals, the White House said Tuesday. France and Italy have prepared to evacuate their citizens and other Europeans from Niger following the coup that toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in Africa's unstable Sahel region. In the region's third military takeover in as many years, President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by his own guard, triggering alarm bells in France, Niger's former colonial power and traditional ally. The Biden administration is "certainly aware of efforts by France and other European nations to evacuate their citizens. At the same time, we don't have any indications of direct threats to U.S. citizens or to our facilities, so we have not changed our posture with respect to our presence in Niger at this time," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday. Supporters wave Nigerien's flags as they rally in support of Niger's junta in front of the National Assembly in Niamey on July 30, 2023. / Credit: AFP Kirby said the White House still sees a "window" for diplomacy to resolve the Niger crisis and he said the U.S. was "monitoring it literally by the hour." "We do continue to urge American citizens that are in Niger to make sure safety is their first priority," he said. Kirby added that the U.S., which has an important air base and about 1,100 military personnel in Niger, had not made any decision on future U.S security assistance to the country. CBS News correspondent Elaine Cobbe in Paris said concerns were mounting in the French capital about a propaganda war being waged against France in Niger. The military leaders who seized power in last week's coup have accused France of using its roughly 1,500 troops in the country to try to reinstate Bazoum to power. France has denied the allegations, stressing that its military presence in the region is to counter ISIS-linked groups, but supporters of the coup staged violent protests at the French embassy in Niger on Sunday in response, prompting France to begin evacuating its nationals. The French foreign ministry said about 600 French nationals were in Niger. Story continues Hostile crowds gathered outside the French embassy, throwing stones and burning French flags. "In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an operation of evacuation by air is being prepared," the embassy told French citizens. The evacuations "will take place very soon in a very limited span of time," it said. The initiative marks the first time that France has staged a large-scale evacuation in its former colonies in the Sahel, where since 2020 there have been coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. Declan Walsh, chief Africa correspondent for The New York Times, told CBS News that while Russian flags were flown during protests after the coup, "so far there's no evidence to suggest that Russia has any direct hand in this coup, but I think it is a sign of how Russia has very successfully positioned itself as a sort of torch-bearer for anti-Western and anti-France sentiment in many of these former French colonies." The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, hailed the coup on Saturday as a positive step and said his fighters could help return calm to the country. Kirby also told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. didn't see any evidence of Russian involvement in the coup. The German ministry urged "all German nationals" to take up the French evacuation offer. It said that fewer than 100 German civilians were believed to be in Niger. In Rome, the government said it was putting on a "special flight" for Italians wishing to leave the country. Around 90 Italians are in Niamey, it said, out of nearly 500 across the country. "It's a coup that took a great many people by surprise, in the country and across the world," the Times' Walsh told CBS News on Monday. The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday slapped sanctions on Niger and warned it may use force as it gave the coup leaders a week to reinstate Bazoum. The threat is "a measure of the alarm this coup has sparked across the region," according to Walsh, of the New York Times. "It would be very unusual for them to aggressively send in a military force to try and take on a junta. So really, at this point, it's a sign of how alarmed they are." One of the world's poorest and most unstable countries, Niger is a vast semi-desert nation that had already experienced four coups since gaining independence in 1960. Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. But his tenure had been marked by two attempted coups before last week's dramatic events, in which he was detained by members of the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani has declared himself leader, but his claim has been rejected internationally, by ECOWAS, the African Union, the U.N., France, the U.S. and the European Union. The coup has worried Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now overshadows fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. An unknown number of civilians, troops and police have been killed across the region, many in ruthless massacres, while around 2.2 million people in Burkina Faso alone have fled their homes. The economic damage has been devastating. France had at one point 5,400 troops fighting in its anti-jihadist mission across the Sahel, supported by fighter jets, helicopters and drones. But that mission was drastically refocussed on Niger last year, when France pulled out of Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with their juntas. Today's reconfigured French force is deployed primarily at a major air base near Niamey. Doctors warn COVID hospitalizations are rising July 2023 set to be hottest month ever, World Meteorological Organization declares How school safety protocols may have prevented a mass shooting this week NIAMEY, Niger The United States still sees a narrow window of opportunity to reverse a military takeover in Niger, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, as Chads leader met with the countrys ousted president in a bid to resolve the crisis. Nigers democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup last week, was seen for the first time in photographs released on Monday. Bazoum was photographed meeting with Chads leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, in Nigers capital, Niamey, and appeared unharmed and smiling in the photos. Deby, who flew to Niger on Sunday to try to mediate, also met the leaders of the coup and said he was trying to find a peaceful solution. But the military junta appeared to tighten its grip on power, arresting 130 members of the presidents party, including four officials in Bazoums deposed cabinet, the former ruling party said. Although France, Germany and the European Union have called the takeover by the military officers a coup, the Biden administration so far has refrained from using the word. If American officials formally declare the events in Niger a coup, U.S. law requires the suspension of all U.S. economic and military assistance to the country. Thousands of people demonstrated in front of the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday, before being dispersed by tear gas, during a rally in support of the military putschists who overthrew the elected president Mohamed Bazoum in Niger. (AFP - Getty Images) Its an attempted takeover, a senior State Department official told reporters in Washington. We dont think its fully successful, and we think theres a narrow opportunity to reverse it. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday that continued American assistance which totals roughly $400 million would depend on the release of Bazoum and the restoration of democratic rule. But the Biden administration has not set a deadline, the senior official said. The U.S. does not see the Russian paramilitary Wagner group or the Russian government as orchestrating the attempted takeover in Niger, the official said. However, the administration does expect Russia and the Wagner group to try to take advantage of anti-French sentiment in the region. Story continues I dont think its a coincidence that [Wagner leader Yegevny] Prigozhin goes for former French colonies, the official said, citing past campaigns by the group in Mali and Burkina Faso. The U.S. does not perceive an imminent security threat to the U.S. embassy in Niamey at the moment, three U.S. officials said. The E.U. and France have cut off all financial support to Niger and condemned the putsch. Niger has been the anchor for a Western-backed counterterrorism campaign for years in Africas volatile Sahel region but the unrest in recent days threatens to derail the effort after a series of military coups in West Africa. U.S. officials had called Niger a democratic model for the region, with roughly 1,110 U.S. troops helping build up Nigers special forces to combat Boko Haram, Islamic State militants and al Qaeda-linked groups. France, a former colonial power that ruled the country until 1960, has about 1,500 troops on the ground conducting joint operations with Nigerian units. But as funding and equipment bolstered Nigers special forces, the countrys presidential guard viewed the assistance as a threat to its position, and its commander suspected he would be sidelined by the president, current and former U.S. officials and experts said. You had a different elite coming into being. They were getting the resources. They were getting the specialized training, said J. Peter Pham, the former U.S. envoy to the Sahel region. The presidential guard feared it would lose its elite status, said Pham, now a fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank. NBC News has previously reported that the underlying issue fueling the coup appeared to be a personal dispute between the presidential guard commander and now self-proclaimed leader of Niger, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani and Bazoum. The military junta has accused foreign governments of planning to rescue Bazoum and warned them not to intervene. West African governments in the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have suspended all financial transactions with Niger, frozen the countrys assets and imposed a travel ban on the army officers involved in the coup. The bloc has also given the coup leaders one week to restore democratic rule or face possible military intervention. Regional analysts said it remained unclear if the West African states were ready to make good on their threat. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves as a terrorist and leader of an alleged armed group after finding probable cause to warrant such tag. His brother Pryde Henry Teves and 11 others were also designated as terrorists, according to Resolution No. 43 dated July 26 but only released to the media on Tuesday. The embattled lawmaker has been tagged as the mastermind in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. The Teves brothers have denied involvement in the killings in the province. These are the other individuals designated as terrorists, who are allegedly members of the Teves Terrorist Group. - Marvin H. Miranda - Rogelio C. Antipolo - Rommel Pattaguan - Winrich B. Isturis - John Loiue Gonyon - Dahniel Lora - Eulogio Gonyon, Jr. - Tomasino Aledro - Nigel Electona - Jomarie Catubay - Hannah Mae Sumero Oray The council said Pryde Henry and Electona, among others, provide material support. Managing funds for the killings was tasked to Oray, while Miranda served as the organizer and recruiter of personnel for attacks, it added. In a statement, the ATC said the designations were formalized following a thorough examination of compelling evidence and factual incidents. The council also alleged that Teves and his group violated the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, particularly sections covering offenses related to committing terrorism, planning, training, preparing, and facilitating terrorist acts, recruitment and membership in a terrorist organization, as well as providing materials support to terrorists." The ATC also said that the Teves Terrorist Group has been involved in various incidents that have caused harm to the residents of Negros Oriental. During an interview with CNN Philippines The Source, Pryde Henry, a former Governor of Negros Oriental, said the development came as a shock to me and my family. He said his lawyer is already studying if the decision is appealable. There was no charge filed against me in my whole lifetime kaya nga nagtataka ako bakit ganun (thats why Im wondering), Pryde Henry claimed. Levi Baligod, the lawyer of the Degamo family, meanwhile said the victims were very glad, and welcome the move of the council. On Pryde Henry questioning the decision, Baligod insisted that the former was involved in the incidence of violence in the province, as well as the killing of Degamo. In a statement, Ferdinand Topacio, the lead lawyer of Arnolfo Teves, said the governments decision comes as no surprise as authorities have long set their eyes on pinning down the congressman. Since day one of the Degamo killing, the government has mobilized all the resources at its disposal -- starting with immediately tagging Mr. Teves as the mastermind thereof without investigation, conducting illegal searches on his properties, laying siege to his powers and prerogatives as member of the House, embarking on a massive media campaign to discredit him and prejudice the minds of the public against him, among others -- all in an obsessive attempt to blame him for a crime at the expense of his Constitutional rights, Topacio said. Topacio claimed the government expectly weaponized the Anti-Terror Act after the withdrawal of statements against Teves, lack of evidence, and public backlash against his obvious persecution. This development should send shivers down the spine of every citizen, for the liberties of none are safe unless the liberties of all are protected, the lawyer added. Electona's lawyer, Michael Mella, also slammed the designation of his client as a terrorist, saying it "has no factual and legal anchorage" and "smacks of oppression, abuse of power and the exact paradigm of capricious disregard of due process of law." Meanwhile, the council also designated Hafida Romato Maute and Nahara Khairiya Sittie Hamim as terrorists. The council said Maute, the wife of the former Amir of the Islamic State-East Asia Abu Zacharia, committed terrorism and facilitated the commission of terrorism. Hamim, meanwhile, is the wife of Abu Mursid/Morsid, the sub-leader and finance and logistics officer of the same organization. The council said she also violated Sec. 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2022. JUAREZ, Mexico The United States and Mexico are working together to address migration "for the first time" in history, U.S. State Department officials said during a news conference in Juarez last week. Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, and Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, spent two days in Mexicos capital for talks on fentanyl and security before arriving at the border Wednesday, July 26, where they toured shelters in Juarez and then met privately with El Paso officials and Chihuahua governor, Maria Eugenia Campos, at the State Commission on Population office at the foot of the Paso del Norte International Bridge to discuss migration. For the first time in the history of Mexico and the United States, we are doing this together, Salazar said. We have plans to create a border between the United States and Mexico that will be a modern border, a safe (border). With 20 million displaced people in the Western Hemisphere alone, migration is a global challenge, Verma said. At far right, Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, and Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources arrive in Juarez, Mexico, where they held a binational meeting with Mexican state leaders and Juarez and El Paso officials to discuss migration and security issues at the border on July 26. Verma described efforts to combat migration as a full court press that involved billions of dollars of investment in Central and South America from federal agencies and private sources. We have come together collectively, Verma said. The United States can't do this alone, Mexico can't do this alone. We have to do this as a regional approach. Despite much talk about investment and a binational commitment to ending smuggling and human trafficking, few specifics came out of the conversation. We have to do our part using our diplomatic tools or economic tools or security tools in the region, Verma said. Train law enforcement, provide the kind of training and operational tools to prevent people from moving, to give different border facilities in the region more capabilities, but also that economic investment and diplomatic coordination. The United States and Mexico are in talks to establish Safe Mobility Offices in southern Mexico, Verma said. Story continues Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, takes questions from the local journalists in Juarez, Mexico, where Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, held a binational meeting with Mexican state leaders and El Paso and Juarez officials to discuss migration and security issues at the border. Similar offices opened in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia in June. At each location, refugees and migrants of certain nationalities can make appointments to get help in finding a legal pathway to the United States. However, the current Safe Mobility Offices have strict parameters for who is eligible to make an appointment and their recommendations to migrants and refugees are still subject to the discretion of authorities at the U.S. border. If an office does open in Mexico, it would accept only Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians and Venezuelans. The United States and Mexico are committed to ending the exploitation of migrants and refugees by smuggling operations, Salazar and Verma said. But in Mexico, migrants are frequent targets not just of smugglers who demand thousands of dollars to bring them across the border, but also of criminal organizations who kidnap them for ransom. Most of the migrants who crossed the Rio Grande en masse in December, for example, reported being kidnapped in the Mexican state of Durango. Even migrants who have a legal pathway or an appointment with CBP One are vulnerable to violence and exploitation as they wait in northern Mexico, according to reports by human rights and advocacy groups. Hundreds of migrants cross the Rio Grande to the U.S. in hopes of seeking asylum after arriving in Juarez on Dec. 11, 2022. The migrants had been kidnapped by organized crime in the state of Durango in the weeks prior and were provided a state police escort to Juarez. While the number of migrants in need of shelter and other assistance in both Juarez and El Paso has dropped significantly since the end of Title 42 in May, governmental and non-governmental partners in both cities are constantly working to be prepared, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said. That includes seeking federal funds to cover the costs borne by the border communities. As we all know, (migrants) are not coming to El Paso, theyre coming to the United States, Leeser said. The Department of Homeland Security has been a partner in assisting El Paso with costs associated with migrant flows in the region, he added. On Operation Lone Stars deployment of barriers such as the rolls of concertina wire that now line the bank of the Rio Grande in El Paso, Leeser would only say that he is against mistreating people. Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser attend a binational meeting with Mexican state and local officials to discuss migration and security issues at the border on July 26. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made a reference to Bidens open border on Twitter as recently as July 24 to justify the controversial buoys that he installed in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass. Well never support mistreating anybody, Leeser said. The border wasnt open yesterday. Its not open today. Mexico filed a complaint with the International Boundary and Water Commission in June, while the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Texas on July 24 after Abbott refused to remove the buoys. We don't believe that the deployment has been legal, Verma said. It's not humane, not effective, not environmentally sound. So there's a lot of reasons for our challenge, but fundamentally (it's) not lawful. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mass migration: US, Mexico working together on border security, safety Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and president of this year's COP28 climate talks, announces the 'International Youth Climate Delegate Program' during an event in Dubai Expo City, on March 15, 2023. (Karim SAHIB) The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday it would allow environmental activists to "assemble peacefully" at this year's UN climate talks, despite a prohibition on unauthorised protests in the Gulf state. The oil-rich UAE, set to host COP28 from November to December in the business hub of Dubai, requires official permission for protests but effectively bans demonstrations it deems disruptive. At the upcoming UN climate talks "there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard," it said. The announcement was made in a joint statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) released on Tuesday and published by the UAE's official WAM news agency. The statement was released after COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber and UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell signed a bilateral agreement in Abu Dhabi that provides the legal basis for organising and hosting the climate talks. "We are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs," the statement quoted Stiell as saying. The UAE is a major oil producer and one of the world's largest emitters of CO2 per capita. The choice for it to host COP28 has sparked criticism from environmental groups who warn that the involvement of a major oil exporter could slow progress in the fight against global warming. Non-government groups including Human Rights Watch have also warned that the Gulf state's restrictions on freedom of expression could hinder the meaningful participation of climate activists. "Civil society actors will struggle to effectively play their role in pushing for ambitious action to address the climate crisis in a country whose government has such an abysmal human rights record," HRW warned in a March report. Large protests have been common at most previous COPs, and limited rallies were allowed at the last UN climate talks in Egypt, where authorities regularly crack down on demonstrations and detain activists. Story continues The COP27 Egypt host faced criticism over restrictions that made for a tight protest space, where activists had to request accreditation 36 hours in advance, provide detailed information on the organisers and on the protest. Approved demonstrations were only allowed during certain hours, and in a specific purpose-built area that saw heavy security presence. ho/ysm/fz Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, is president of this year's COP28 climate talks (Karim SAHIB) The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday it would allow environmental activists to "assemble peacefully" at this year's UN climate talks, despite a prohibition on unauthorised protests in the Gulf state. The oil-rich UAE, set to host COP28 from November to December in the business hub of Dubai, requires official permission for protests but effectively bans demonstrations it deems disruptive. At the upcoming UN climate talks "there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard", it said. The announcement was made in a joint statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), released on Tuesday and published by the UAE's official WAM news agency. The statement was released after COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber and UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell signed a bilateral agreement in Abu Dhabi that provides the legal basis for organising and hosting the climate talks. "We are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs," the statement quoted Stiell as saying. Tuesday's announcement was welcomed by campaign group Climate Action Network International which commended "the COP28 Presidency for their dedicated efforts towards fostering an inclusive climate summit". But it warned that it would "resist any attempts to curtail (civil society) participation," according to Harjeet Singh, its head of global political strategy. "Our unwavering conviction is clear: there can be no climate justice without human rights," Singh told AFP. - 'Rights record' - The UAE is a major oil producer and one of the world's largest emitters of CO2 per capita. The choice for it to host COP28 has sparked criticism from environmental groups which warn that the involvement of a major oil exporter could slow progress in the fight against global warming. Non-government groups including Human Rights Watch have also warned that the Gulf state's restrictions on freedom of expression could hinder the meaningful participation of climate activists. Story continues "Authorities may be prepared to allow limited protests during COP28, as the eyes of the world fall upon the UAE," Joey Shea, UAE researcher at HRW said on Tuesday. "But observers should see through this artificial guise and understand that Emirati authorities have zero tolerance for dissent." Large protests have been common at most previous COPs, and limited rallies were allowed at the last UN climate talks in Egypt, where authorities regularly crack down on demonstrations and detain activists. The COP27 Egypt host faced criticism over restrictions that made for a tight protest space, where activists had to request accreditation 36 hours in advance and provide detailed information on the organisers and on the protest. Approved demonstrations were allowed only during certain hours, and in a specific purpose-built area that saw a heavy security presence. It was a far cry from COP26 in Glasgow, where tens of thousands of demonstrators from all over the world marched to demand "climate justice". ho/srm Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi indicated in a Wired interview that his undercover drives with passengers gave him insight into the experience of drivers on the platform. Michael Cohen/Getty Images for The New York Times Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi was reportedly not thrilled by some of the passengers he drove around. The executive described in a Wired interview his insight into how drivers get treated and assessed. He told the outlet that he plans to continue driving for the platforms service. The CEO of Uber said he gained more insight into the experience of drivers on the ride-hailing service when he assumed an undercover identity and started taking fares himself. His furtive stints driving for the platform were "fun and pleasant," Dara Khosrowshahi told Wired in an interview, but he said he didn't much care for the seemingly oblivious customers engaging in loud conversations during the ride. "One thing I didn't like was passengers who talk on their phone on speaker," he told the outlet. "It's almost as if you're not there." "You have to respect that because it's their ride and they're paying for it," he added. Khosrowshahi has driven the platform's customers in San Francisco, using the fake name "Dave K," according to a Wall Street Journal report. At the time too, Khosrowshahi had indicated a similar grievance about customers assuming they have privacy and acting as if a driver wasn't there with them. He'd also told the WSJ then that he'd experienced the phenomenon of "tip baiting," collecting lower tips than expected once the job was done because customers would opportunistically slash them. In his more recent interview with Wired, he said that his experience gave him a sense for how drivers may have to be deferential to customers who get to rate them each ride. He said it had made him feel "nervous" as a driver, something he'd also previously indicated to the WSJ. "As a CEO, the board gives me a performance rating at the end of year," he told Wired. "Drivers essentially get a performance review after every trip." Story continues Uber did not immediately respond to Insider's request for any additional comment ahead of publication. On Tuesday, Uber also shared its earnings for the second quarter of 2023, with Khosrowshahi saying in the company's statement that it had its first operating profit. The company indicated a $394 million profit for the quarter, a significant jump from the $2.6 billion net loss over the same period last year. Read the original article on Business Insider LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Tuesday formally acknowledged that acts of genocide were committed against minority Yazidis by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq in 2014, ahead of the nine-year anniversary of the crimes. The acknowledgement comes after a German court in 2021 jailed a former IS militant for life for involvement in genocide and crimes against humanity against Yazidis in Iraq and Syria. German lawmakers have also recognised that genocide crimes were committed by IS militants in Iraq. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," Britain's minister of state for the Middle East, Tariq Ahmad, said in a statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated." The Yazidis are an ancient religious minority in eastern Syria and northwest Iraq that Islamic State viewed as supposed devil worshippers for their faith that combines Zoroastrian, Christian, Manichean, Jewish and Muslim beliefs. The jihadist group killed thousands of Yazidis, enslaved 7,000 Yazidi women and girls and displaced most of the 550,000-strong community from their ancestral home in northern Iraq. Britain, which officially recognises only four other historic instances, including the Holocaust as genocide, said it would continue to help lead global efforts against IS propaganda. (Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Sharon Singleton) Intense fighting in two sectors of Ukraine's southern front line is wearing down Russian defending forces, according to the U.K. defense ministry's daily intelligence report on August 1. The battle south of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been focused against Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army, the regiments of which are "highly likely struggling with battle fatigue" due to the fact they have fighting Ukrainian assaults for over eight weeks. Orikhiv is a front-line town and is regularly hit by Russian missiles. On July 29, the regional police department reported an apartment block was damaged by a Russian attack that used KAB guided bombs. South of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast, elements of Russia's 5th Combined Army are "under particular pressure" and in need of rotation, according to the report. U.K. intelligence believes that the Russian defense at Velyka Novosilka is made up of units from both the Eastern and Southern military districts, which are likely "creating problems of coordination." The Ministry added that artillery ammunition shortages and a lack of reserves are "common problems for Russian commanders" in the south. On July 30, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces are facing major logistical issues. Southern Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk said Russia is facing difficulties supplying its forces after a July 17 explosion on the Crimean Bridge and a strike on the Chonhar Bridge on July 29. Following the strike on the Crimean Bridge, Russia has also had to rely on a long detour through Russian-occupied areas of mainland Ukraine to supply its troops. Meanwhile, the Chonhar Bridge route is the most direct connection from Russias Crimean logistics hub at Dzhankoi to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where the Ukrainian counteroffensive is ongoing. For Russia, Crimea is a"major logistical hub for the movement of forces and equipment deep into the territory of Ukraine," explained Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov, on the day of the explosions on the Crimean Bridge. Story continues As well as targeting key supply routes, Ukraine is targeting Russian ammunition stockpiles. "We are working to ensure that logistics do not allow them to restock," Humeniuk added, saying Ukraine has now destroyed almost all Russian field ammunition depots and that Russian forces are dealing with "shell hunger." Read also: Ukraines counteroffensive lurches forward: Key moment looms as more forces committed Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In just a few weeks, the largest freshman class in University of Kentucky history will return to campus. Earlier this summer, UK projected nearly 6,400 first-year students would attend this fall. The university is also anticipating the largest-ever total enrollment for the upcoming school year. Here are the main dates to keep in mind as the fall semester approaches, as listed on the university calendar. August 1: Required documents deadline If your student is enrolled for the fall semester, check to make sure all required documents have been submitted to UK by August 1. There may be a few exceptions for some students, but now is a good time to make sure everything is in order for the semester. August 13-16: Big Blue Move-In The week before the first day of classes is when incoming students move in to dorms, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Students will have signed up for a 30-minute move-in appointment on one of those days, and UK encourages students to book their appointment as soon as possible because slots are limited. Nearly 7,000 students are expected to move in over those four days, so if youre driving near campus, make note of potential traffic delays and changes in the area. August 16-20: K Week, first class drop deadline K Week, UKs new student orientation week, starts right after move-in. Its four days of events and meetings, designed to welcome first-time students to campus and introduce them to UK. UK also encourages students to take time to explore campus, pick up their textbooks and school supplies, and meet their new classmates during K Week. A list of events for the week is available on the UK website, and a more detailed schedule is on the UK Guides app. August 20 is also the last day to drop a class for a 100% refund. Any class dropped after this date will result in a partial refund. August 21: First day of classes Monday, August 21, is the first day of the fall semester. If youre already looking forward to the end of the semester, mark your calendar for December 15. However, some students may be done a few days before then, with final exams running from December 11 to December 14. September 4: University closed for Labor Day Labor Day is the first academic holiday of the fall semester. UK offices will be closed, and no classes will meet. Less than two years ago, Britain was championing itself as a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis. At the pivotal COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson rallied world leaders to find agreement on a historic resolution acknowledging the role of fossil fuels in the climate crisis, and the late Queen Elizabeth II said in a landmark speech that time for words has now moved to the time for action. Things feel very different now. As Rishi Sunaks beleaguered government limps towards an election it is widely expected to lose, determination has seemingly been swapped for division. And after a decade of cross-party consensus on tackling the climate crisis, experts fear that Sunak has identified green policies as a new wedge issue that could help reverse his partys sagging fortunes. Sunak said Monday he wants to max out oil and gas developments in Britains North Sea, announcing an expansion in drilling for the fossil fuels that environmental groups have condemned. The move followed a proclamation from Sunak to Britains drivers, in the Telegraph newspaper, that he was on their side, as he ordered a review of anti-motorist low-traffic neighborhoods created to improve urban air quality. Sunak poses during COP26. Since becoming prime minister, critics say he has diminished the UK's standing as a leader on the climate. - DANIEL LEAL/AFP/Getty Images Jibes towards climate activists have meanwhile become a common feature at the despatch box in parliament. And in combative interview exchanges on Monday, Sunak defended his frequent use of a jet or helicopter to attend events around the UK a habit that opposition politicians have often criticized. What the government seems to be doing is using the climate to divide the public, Luke Murphy, the associate director for energy, climate, housing and infrastructure at the progressive IPPR think tank, told CNN. There does seem to be a degree of political opportunism around what theyve been doing. Few expect the new push to be an election-winner. But Murphy, like many climate experts, fears there are wider ramifications for Britains global standing. Story continues For all the faults of the Boris Johnson government, what you can say is there appeared to be a genuine commitment to net zero and to the climate agenda, he said. Since then weve gone backwards. Weve stalled in many policy areas, Murphy added. I dont think many people would actually now consider the UK to be a global leader (on the climate). A populist approach to the climate Since coming into power, Sunak has been scrambling for wedge issues that could resonate with Britons and turn around his partys woeful standing with the public. Small boat crossings of asylum-seekers, transgender protections and other so-called culture war battles have all been eagerly waged by a prime minister who vowed during his first leadership campaign last year to stop woke nonsense. But amid a deepening cost of living crisis and the decline in Britains public services, Sunak has failed to shake the increasingly sticky label applied to him that he is a caretaker of the managed decline of the Conservative Party, which has ruled for 13 years and is running low on ideas. A glimmer of hope arrived for Sunak, however, in an unexpected and narrow victory in the by-election to replace Boris Johnson as an MP for Uxbridge, a region on the western fringe of London. The vote was dominated by local opposition to the expansion of Londons world-first low-emissions zone, which gave local Conservatives a rare issue on which they could go on the offensive. This campaign is a referendum on ULEZ, the areas new MP Steve Tuckwell told CNN in the days leading up to the vote. We know its going to devastate local businesses, said Tuckwell, who omitted virtually any mention of his party from leaflets and instead branded himself the anti-ULEZ candidate. In the days since that vote, and despite losing a significant share of the votes in the region, leading Conservatives have gleefully picked up the anti-green baton. Ministers have increasingly conflated emissions-slashing agendas with the activist fringes of the climate movement, trying to draw links between the opposition Labour Party and Just Stop Oil, the divisive group known for interrupting national events with guerilla protests. A Just Stop Oil protester disrupts a match at July's Wimbledon Championships. Sunak's ministers have been attempting to link the group to the Labour Party, which is on course to win the next election. - Hannah Mckay/Reuters Announcing the North Sea drilling expansion on Monday, Energy Secretary Grant Shapps claimed that the opposition Labour Party are the political wing of Just Stop Oil, despite the partys leader Keir Starmer criticizing the groups tactics. In June, Sunak claimed that eco-zealots are writing Labours energy policy. What you are seeing is a much more populist way of handling (the climate), Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London and the author of books on the Conservatives, told CNN. Uxbridge has encouraged the party to feel in the absence of many other policies that are going well for them that its a move that has some traction with a certain section of voters, Bale said. More than three-quarters of British households have a car, and the rate of carless households has fallen steadily in recent years. Making enemies It is a difficult path for Sunak to tread. Even voters opposed to schemes like ULEZ do not necessarily lack concern about the climate; the topic has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with nearly two-thirds of Britons consistently ranking it among the most important issues facing the country, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Londons Mayor Sadiq Khan has forcefully defended his citys programs, including ULEZ, which last week survived a legal challenge brought by five Conservative councils. On Sunday, Khan nodded to recent heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, writing: The world is on fire and this is all the leadership were getting from Rishi Sunak. And Sunaks approach to the climate is increasingly earning him enemies within his own party. Foreign Office minister Zac Goldsmith resigned in June, lambasting Sunaks climate policies. The problem is not that the government is hostile to the environment, it is that you, our prime minister, are simply uninterested, he wrote in his resignation letter. A North Sea oil rig off the coast of Scotland. Sunak's decision to expand drilling in the North Sea was criticized by climate experts. - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images And on Monday Chris Skidmore, a Conservative former energy minister who is now on the backbenches, said Sunaks expansion of North Sea drilling puts him on the wrong side of history. Skidmore called the move the wrong decision at precisely the wrong time, when the rest of the world is experiencing record heat waves. But with Britain agitating for a change in leadership and with little else to champion, Uxbridge has apparently given Sunak a blueprint for next years election and waging battles with detractors may help him elevate his pitch. There arent many obvious other avenues for this government to go down, Bale, the politics professor, said. This, like the small boats issue, perhaps provides a bit of a distraction for people. You can see a very obvious parallel with whats going on with migration, he added. That is a typically populist attack line making a distinction between people on the one hand, and elites on the other. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Yazidis were subjected to massacres, forced marriages and sex slavery during the jihadists' 2014-15 rule (Safin HAMID) The British government on Tuesday officially acknowledged that the Islamic State group committed "acts of genocide" against the Yazidi people in 2014. The Yazidis -- whose pre-Islamic religion made them the target of IS extremists -- were subjected to massacres, forced marriages and sex slavery during the jihadists' 2014-15 rule in the northern Iraq province of Sinjar, the Yazidis' traditional home. The UK foreign office made the announcement ahead of events to mark "the nine year anniversary of atrocities" committed by the Islamic State against the Kurdish-speaking Yazidi minority in Iraq. "The UK has today formally acknowledged that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people by Daesh in 2014," the statement said, using another name for IS. So far, the UK has acknowledged only four other instances where genocide has occurred, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica, and acts of genocide in Cambodia. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," UK's Middle East minister Tariq Ahmad said in the statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated," he added. Murad Ismael, co-founder of global Yazidi organisation Yazda, hailed the UK recognition as an "important step". "Acknowledgement is the heart of justice process and helping victims to heal from the deep wounds of this genocide," he told AFP. "I am pleased that the UK government has formally recognised the horrors suffered by the Yazidis as genocide", said Nadia Murad, a Yazidi Nobel Peace Prize Laureate campaigning against the use of sexual violence in war, particularly against the Yazidis. "I hope that the British government will now begin to seek justice for the victims by holding British-born fighters to account," she added. "The world cannot afford to let ISIS members walk free. It sends a message to the world that you can murder and rape with impunity." Story continues - German court ruling - The official UK recognition follows a German court judgement which found a former IS fighter guilty of acts of genocide in Iraq. "The UK's position has always been that determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts," according to the statement. In a landmark trial, a Frankfurt court in November 2021 sentenced Taha al-Jumailly to life in jail for crimes including the murder of a five-year-old Yazidi girl in Iraq. Prosecutors said al-Jumailly in 2015 chained the enslaved child outdoors in extreme heat, leading to her dying of thirst. Activists hailed the court ruling as a "historic" win. The verdict was upheld after the German Federal Court of Justice this January rejected the defendant's appeal. Germany is one of the few countries to have taken legal action against IS. The UK's lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, had unanimously voted to condemn the IS's treatment of Yazidis and Christians in Iraq as amounting to genocide in 2016, in a rare instance of parliamentary determination of genocide. The foreign ministry had refused to acknowledge the genocide then, in keeping with a long-standing policy on the determination of genocide by courts rather than governments. Nearly six years since Iraq declared "victory" over IS, many Yazidis have still not been able to return to Sinjar. Thousands still live in precarious conditions in camps for displaced people. Those who have returned face an unstable security situation and inadequate or nonexistent public services. acl/aks/rox Ukrainian troops fire a M777 howitzer near Zaporizhzhya in July. Gian Marco Benedetto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Ukraine has amassed a polyglot arsenal of artillery thanks to donations from its foreign partners. Those howitzers are a key source of firepower and have battered Russian forces for nearly 18 months. But sustaining and maintaining each kind of artillery presents a problem for Ukrainian troops. Artillery has become Ukraine's deadliest and most prolific weapon against Russia. One reason for that is Ukraine's army has managed to integrate more than a dozen kinds of Western guns into its pre-war arsenal of Soviet-era cannons. But this menagerie of firepower creates a logistical nightmare. While it is not uncommon for today's armies especially those of developing countries to have weapons from multiple nations, Ukraine's diversity of arms is staggering. "Most countries have two or three different howitzer types in their land forces. Ukraine has 14," Patrick Hinton, a British Army captain, wrote in a recent article on Ukrainian artillery for the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank. Merely tallying the howitzers fielded by Ukraine is a challenge. A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, lists 13 foreign-made 155 mm howitzer models donated or co-donated by 15 countries as of January, for a total of at least 352 155 mm artillery pieces. Ukrainian troops fire a 2S7 Pion howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut in March. Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images That number has almost certainly grown, not least because, as the CSIS reported, "the exact number is likely a bit higher since some countries do not disclose their transfers." Ukraine's arsenal of towed 155 mm howitzers includes the US M777, British AS-90, France's TRF1, and the British-German-Italian FH-70. For armored self-propelled 155 mm howitzers, Ukraine has received three variants of the American-made M109, plus Germany's PzH 2000, Poland's Krab, and Slovakia's Zuzana 2. To add to the mix, there is France's truck-mounted 155 mm Caesar gun, and Lithuania has sent old US-made M101 towed 105 mm howitzers that were designed in 1941. Story continues And that's just Western-designed weapons. Ukraine's army has an array of Soviet-era artillery, including the 2S7 self-propelled 203 mm howitzer; the 2S3, 2S5, 2S19, and Czech-made M-77 152 mm self-propelled howitzers; as well as an assortment of towed 152 mm and 122 mm guns. Crash courses A Ukrainian serviceman in a PzH 2000 155 mm self-propelled howitzer near Bakhmut in June. ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images Just getting the right ammunition for that arsenal is a major challenge. Ukraine's Soviet-designed howitzers fire Russian-standard 152 mm shells, which are hard to find, while its Western-made guns fire NATO-standard 155 mm rounds, of which Western countries are struggling to increase production. The difference in caliber creates many opportunities for the wrong ammunition to be sent to Ukrainian gunners. The right caliber also isn't a guarantee of quality, as cannons and munitions are built to differing standards. Even seemingly similar howitzers can have minor but significant differences that affect their accuracy against targets 10 or 20 miles away. For example, some NATO-standard 155 mm guns made by different nations are more compatible with some shells than with others. Cannon also wear out over time, especially when in intense use by crews still learning how to operate unfamiliar weapons. A Ukrainian artillery crew awaits instructions while preparing to fire a D-30 122 mm howitzer in the Donetsk region in March. Mykhaylo Palinchak/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images "The accelerated crash courses provided to Ukrainian crewmen allowed them to fight effectively, but left them without the sustainment skills to look after and get the maximum operational lifespan out of artillery systems which are expensive, slow to manufacture, and difficult to replace," another RUSI analysis said. Howitzer barrels can fire 1,500 to 2,500 rounds before they need to be replaced, which "is easier said than done," Hinton wrote. "The UK is unable to manufacture 155-mm gun barrels, and there are few manufacturers in Europe with the capability to do so." US-operated helplines aid Ukrainian troops with their new weapons in some cases while those weapons are being used in combat but logistical and maintenance issues persist. Even if ammo were in ample supply, getting it to Ukraine's 1,500 or so howitzers would be challenging enough. Ukrainian soldiers unload ammunition near Bakhmut in April. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Ever since World War I, big guns have been notorious for devouring huge quantities of shells. Moving those bulky shells down crowded roads, across tough terrain, in bad weather, and through enemy fire is a hassle for supply trucks. Rapid advances like the one seen during Ukraine's counteroffensive last year can also strain an army's ability to keep shells flowing over longer supply lines. Many of Ukraine's tank-like self-propelled guns also need distinct spare parts and electronic components, as they have been provided by different countries, which presents perhaps the most insidious challenge of Ukraine's multinational artillery park. Using multiple kinds of foreign-made howitzers means depending on multiple supply chains each susceptible to manufacturing, transportation, and political breakdowns largely outside of Kyiv's control. But Ukrainian troops need every weapon they can get, and their commanders most likely see the benefit of a polyglot arsenal as well worth the hassle. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) The US Embassy on Tuesday expressed concerns over ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, including issues involving the environment. In a statement, US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said they are in constant communication with the Philippine government about how the projects could potentially negatively impact the environment, the resilience of Manila Bay and nearby areas to hazards, as well as commerce. RELATED: DENR evaluating impact of Manila Bay reclamation It also raised concerns over the involvement of a Chinese company in the projects. "We are also concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co., which has been added to the US Department of Commerce's Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea," the embassy said. "The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices," it added. China Communications Construction Co. has yet to comment on the US Embassy's statement, which came after an online story said Washington opposes the projects due in part to their link to the Chinese company. "We continue to support high quality, sustainable, and transparent investments to benefit the Filipino people and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities on this matter," the embassy said. Advisor to the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak Ukraine has never attacked civilian ships in the Black Sea despite the Kremlin's claims to the contrary, advisor to the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak said in an interview with Reuters on August 1. His comments come as the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian patrol ships Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov were attacked by three unmanned sea boats in the Black Sea overnight on August 1. The ministry subsequently claimed that civilian ships came under fire in the engagement. "Undoubtedly, such statements by Russian officials are fictitious and do not contain even a shred of truth," Podolyak said. "Ukraine has not attacked, is not attacking, and will not attack civilian vessels, nor any other civilian objects." According to naval tracking imagery, three civilian vessels originated in Israel, Greece, and Turkey/Georgia successfully made it to Ukrainian grain terminals in the Danube Delta on July 30. Ukrainian news outlet Militarnyi reported that the first ship to defy Russias warning sailed under an Israeli flag, and entered the Ukrainian Danube estuary on July 25, followed by four more ships. Russia terminated its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, saying its decision was due to explosions on the illegally built Crimea Bridge. The aggressor country subsequently threatened vessels bound for Ukrainian ports. On the same day, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to extend the grain deal without Russian participation, jointly with Turkey and the UN. The Black Sea grain deal had allowed secure Ukrainian grain exports starting from August 1, 2022. However, Russia kept threatening and hindering the initiative. Russia announced on July 19 that it will consider all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports to be "military targets." In response, Ukraine's Defense Ministry warned that it would consider all vessels heading to Russian ports in the Black Sea, as well as to ports in the temporarily occupied territories, as "carrying military cargo with all the corresponding risks." Story continues A spokesperson for the Southern Ukraine Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, said they saw indications that Russia is gearing up to blockade the Black Sea. She also warned about possible Russian false-flag attacks against third parties' vessels in the Black Sea. The US State Department also issues a similar warning. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine American publication Politico has written that Ukraine has a plan in case of the president being assassinated during the war. Experts believe that such an event would be a psychological shock but would not affect the defence of Ukraine. Source: Politico Details: The article notes that since Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to evacuate at the start of the war and instead asked for ammunition, he has played a key role in mobilising international support to fight Russia. So it's no surprise that Russian lawmakers and ultra-nationalist military bloggers are clamouring for him to be the first target. Politico reminds that a number of assassination attempts have already been made on Zelenskyy, but all of them were prevented. According to the Constitution, the line of legal succession of power is clear when the president cannot fulfil his duties, his duties are taken over by the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament). Precisely in order to avoid a power vacuum, at the beginning of the Russian invasion, the political leadership of Ukraine was in different parts of the country. Politico writes that Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, a member of Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party, does not have a particularly high trust rating in opinion polls. But as Adrian Karatnytskyi, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Centre, says, this does not matter because Ukraine has a "strong leadership team", and in the event of the president's death the world would probably see a "collective government" of the state. Politico believes that the governing board would likely consist of Stefanchuk as chairman, along with Andrii Yermak, a former film producer and lawyer who now heads the Office of the President, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov. Valerii Zaluzhnyi would remain the countrys top general. Karatnytskyi added that he would hope to see TV presenter Serhii Prytula, who currently manages large charitable initiatives and has a high rating of public trust, among the managers. Story continues "The country has reached a point of very substantial solidarity and national unity, so if something terrible happened to Zelenskyy, it would not be as decisive as you might think," Karatnytskyi believes. Details: He noted that Ukraine had created a "well-honed" administrative, military and diplomatic machine: "I dont want to say that Zelenskyy is hardly irrelevant to this. But I think the countrys unity is the indispensable thing." Background: In March 2022, Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President, reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy survived more than 10 attempts on his life in the first days of the full-scale war. In May 2022, Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is a parliamentary-presidential republic, and the Ukrainian authorities have foreseen various options in the event of a possible assassination of someone from the country's leadership. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Donetsk region Kyiv has plans in place in the event that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is assassinated or incapacitated, according to an article published by Politico on August 1. Despite Ukrainian officials brushing off this macabre topic, they have admitted that such plans exist, Politico wrote. "The Ukrainians have plans in place that Im not going to talk about or get into any details on to make sure that there is what we would call continuity of government one way or another, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinke. Read also: More people want to kill Putin than want to kill me, Zelenskyy says Under the constitution, the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk would become acting president if Zelenskyy is incapacitated in some way. A government council would also be formed, made up of Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Valery Zaluzhnyi would remain the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Politico wrote. "If I were thinking about it constantly, I would just shut myself down, very much like Putin now who doesnt leave his bunker. Of course, my bodyguards should think about how to prevent this from happening, and this is their task. I dont think about it," Zelenskyy said. Read also: Zelensky has survived more than 10 assassination attempts since Russian invasion, says Presidents Office Politico also recommended the Kremlin consider some historical examples, in particular a data-driven paper written by academics Benjamin Jones and Benjamin Olken for Americas National Bureau of Economic Research. They studied the effects of 59 assassinations of national leaders that took place during wartime between 1875 and 2004. "Assassinations of autocrats produce substantial changes in the countrys institutions, while assassinations of democrats do not," the paper concludes. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The 62-metre-high steel figure of a woman holding a shield with the hammer and sickle and a sword, was opened in 1981 (Sergei SUPINSKY) Workers on Tuesday lowered a hammer and sickle from a gigantic sculptural figure that watches over the Ukrainian capital, as part of a campaign to remove Soviet symbols which has ramped up since Moscow invaded last year. The 62-metre-high steel figure of a woman holding a shield with the hammer and sickle and a sword, was opened in 1981 as a memorial to Soviet victory in World War II. Standing on top of a war museum building, it is known in Ukrainian as Batkivshchyna Maty, literally "Fatherland Mother". Ukraine's culture ministry has backed a plan to give the figure a new shield bearing the country's trident emblem. Since last month, workers in a cradle suspended from a rail on top of the shield have been gradually cutting off grain and ribbon elements of the Soviet emblem and lowering them on ropes. The whole shield will be replaced with a new one bearing the trident. The statue is part of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War. The museum director, Yuriy Savchuk, has called for the statue to be renamed Ukraine Mother. The project to replace the shield is set to cost 28 million hryvnias ($758,000), although Ukrainian officials stress it will be paid for by corporate donations, not state funds. The arts minister who had backed the project resigned last month amid official criticism of the cost of arts projects in wartime. A survey commissioned by the culture ministry last year found 85 percent of Ukrainians backed removing the hammer and sickle, however. Since Russia's invasion, Ukraine has speeded up a process of removing references to Soviet history and Russian culture from geographical names and a law on decolonisation came into force this summer. There are similar huge sculptural figures at Soviet-era war memorials in other cities, including Volgograd in Russia and Brest in Belarus. am/brw/rox Ten returned children Ten Ukrainian children, who were previously illegally deported from occupied territories to Russia, have been returned to Ukraine, former Ukrainian Children's Rights Ombudsman and executive director of Save Ukraine volunteer organization, Mykola Kuleba, said in a Telegram post on Aug. 1. Read also: Turkey, Saudi Arabia in secret talks to repatriate Ukrainian children abducted by Russia FT The children were greeted in the village of Kortelisy, Volyn Oblast. "We are happy that despite all the difficulties and obstacles, our team was able to make this possible," wrote Kuleba. He noted that Save Ukraine has conducted nine such rescue missions, facilitating the return of 141 Ukrainian children to their homeland. On July 31, Russias Children's Rights Commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, stated that since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscows forces illegally displaced over 700,000 Ukrainian children to Russian territory. On March 17, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on suspicion of committing war crimes in connection with the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Read also: Russians to ban children whose parents do not obtain Russian passport from enrolling in school On April 27, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution recognizing the forced displacement of Ukrainian children to Russia as genocide. Read also: Children of IDPs born during war now entitled to housing allowance Overall, according to the European Parliament, the number of illegally deported Ukrainian children to Russia could reach 300,000. MEPs believe that the Russians started deporting Ukrainian children out as early as 2014 since the occupation of Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Read also: Human rights court dismisses Russia's claims against Ukraine On July 19, the head of the Belarusian Red Cross, Dmytro Shevtsov, admitted the involvement of his department in the forceful displacement of Ukrainian children. Story continues On July 20, the International Criminal Court announced that it had initiated an investigation into the activities of Shevtsov and his Belarusian mission regarding their involvement in the deportation of children from Ukraine. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Chongar rail bringer strike ukraine New images emerged on social media showing the Chongar Strait railway bridge linking occupied Crimea with Kherson Oblast was damaged in a Ukrainian strike on Saturday. The images show a hole blasted precisely between the two sets of railroad tracks on one of the approaches to the span, with both tracks being damaged as a result. A large crater now exists between them. A satellite image also shows the damage. Russian officials say the bridge was attacked by U.K. donated Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles. The bridge span itself was unscathed. It's always possible that Ukraine hopes to preserve the span for its own use in the future. https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1686031553925615616?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1685988698825863168?s=20 The images contradict earlier claims by a Russian-backed official. On Sunday, Volodymyr Saldo, the Russian-installed acting governor of Kherson Oblast, said the bridge incurred minimal damage during the second attack on key bridges in that part of Crimea in little more than a month. Russia, he claimed, shot down all 12 Storm Shadows aimed at the bridge. "In one place," however, "fallen fragments of expensive foreign weapons, handed over to the Kyiv clique by the West for 'peaceful purposes,' slightly damaged the lineman's booth and the contact line. By the time I write these words, the damage has already been repaired by the maintenance crew. He published a photo on his Telegram channel he claimed backed his contention. Occupation acting Kherson Oblast Gov. Volodymyr Saldo posted this picture on his Telegram channel July 29 in which he claimed there was minimal damage to the Chongar Bridge. (Volodymyr Saldo Telegram) But the Russian Two Majors Telegram channel on Monday also contradicted Saldo, saying that the railway bridge was struck by at least one of the missiles. "Judging by the scale of the destruction, one of the fired ammunition was able to reach the target: the rest were intercepted by Russian air defense systems," Two Majors wrote Monday. "The damage does not look significant and with a certain probability has already been repaired." Story continues Even minor damage that would temporarily delay rail traffic could cause a significant logistic problem for Russia which is looking to supply its forces as they defend against a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russia moves the bulk of its war materiel via railway. The Chongar Strait railway bridge is a key logistics link between Crimea and Zaporizhzhia. (Google Earth image) A wider view of the bridge location. (Google Earth image) Even last month's suspected Storm Shadow strike on the Chongar Strait motor vehicle bridge about five miles to the east caused problems for Russia, which had to reroute traffic over longer routes. The damage to the Chongar bridge is of great importance, Yuriy Sobolevsky, a Ukrainian official on the governing body for the Kherson region, said on his Telegram channel at the time. It is a blow to the military logistics of the occupiers, Sobolevsky said of the attack. However, the psychological impact on the occupiers and the occupying power is even more important. There is no place on the territory of Kherson region where they could feel safe. Adding to Russia's logistic problems, road and rail traffic on the Kerch Bridge, subject of two previous attacks, was reportedly halted Monday once again due to air raid alerts. https://twitter.com/ukikaski/status/1686106835491651586?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates when warranted. Before we head into the latest news from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage of the war here. The Latest Ukraines counteroffensive across Zaporizhzhia Oblast and the Donbas continues to make small, incremental advances while the Russians continue to try to mount a counterattack of their own in Luhansk Oblast in a push toward Kharkiv Oblast. Here are some key takeaways from the latest Institute for the Study of War assessment: Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front and made claimed advances in some areas. Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Svatove-Kremina and Avdiivka-Donetsk City lines and did not make any confirmed gains in these areas. Ukrainian forces conducted offensive operations southwest and northwest of Bakhmut and made claimed gains in this direction. Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in western Donetsk Oblast and western Zaporizhia Oblast and made claimed marginal advances. Russian sources claimed that Russian forces counterattacked and regained lost positions in western Donetsk and western Zaporizhia oblasts. Ukrainian partisans reportedly sabotaged Russian military equipment in occupied Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast on July 29. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1686110559681347584 At least five people have been killed and dozen injured in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Tweet on Monday. Zelensky said two Russian ballistic missiles hit his home town. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1686014164056043520?s=20 https://twitter.com/MykolaKuleba/status/1685960636524568577?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1685945477068464128?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Zelensky is likely to head to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to make the case for his peace formula plan, Bloomberg is reporting, citing people familiar with the matter. Zelenskys 10-point blueprint for ending the conflict calls for Russian troops to withdraw completely from Ukraine, release all prisoners of war and deportees, and ensure food and energy security. It also includes security guarantees for Ukraine once the fighting ends and aims to restore safety around the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which he says is at risk from Russian sabotage. https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1686102243051741184?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A The Defense Ministry of Ukraine (MoD) and Turkish drone maker Baykar Makina have signed an agreement to build a drone repair and maintenance facility in Ukraine, the official Interfax news agency is reporting. Ukraines MoD said this step will significantly strengthen the cooperation between Kyiv and Ankara in the defense sector and will become a substantial contribution to the defense capacity of Ukraine, Ukrainian Pravda reported. Kostiantyn Vashchenko, State Secretary for the Ukrainian MoD, did not offer a specific date when the facility would open, but said it will be created "in the nearest future, according to Ukrainian Pravda. Among many other drones, the company makes the TB-2 Bayraktar, which proved a formidable weapon for Ukraine during the opening phases of this war. https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1686011360709115905?s=20 Ukrainian soldier Robert Brovdy, who runs the popular Magyar Telegram channel, is claiming that the Russians have developed technology allowing them to jam the Starlink satellite communications system Ukraine relies upon heavily for relatively secure, reliable and remote comms. Brovdy says the Russians found a way to jam the system on the Ku band of the radio spectrum the system uses. He offered no proof or specifics, but a Ukrainian defense official we spoke with says it has already happened on a small scale. While the Russian Army is the worlds most capable when it comes to jamming, the official said that it wont affect operations in the short term. The front line is too lengthy for the present jamming capacity and power, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters. Weve reached out to Elon Musks SpaceX, owners of the Starlink system, and the Pentagon for comment. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1685722108603641856?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Speaking of Elon Musk, Ukraine has received 508 Tesla Powerwall batteries, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines Minister of Digital Transformation, said Monday on his Telegram channel. They will provide electricity to schools, hospitals, kindergartens, etc. This is an effective solution during Russia's missile terror, he said. Tesla Powerwalls are charged from ordinary electricity and hold a charge for up to 14 hours. Thanks to them, doctors will save lives, teachers will conduct lessons, and Ukrainians will stay in touch with uninterrupted work of Starlink in individual locations. Fedorov said Ukraine received the first 50 Tesla Powerwall batteries a year ago. https://twitter.com/kyivpost/status/1686082380182757376?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Ukraine received additional good news about power supplies. After a long series of Russian attacks aimed at destroying Ukraine's power infrastructure, most of the damage has been repaired, the Kyiv Independent reported Monday in a Tweet, citing Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister. "Almost 100% of thermal power stations damaged by Russian attacks late in 2022 and early in 2023 have been repaired," Oleksandr Kubrakov announced on July 31. https://twitter.com/kyivindependent/status/1685997242421747713?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A On Tuesday, Slovakia will hand over two more Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, the Slovkian Dennik news outlet reported Monday. They will be the first of a 16-howitzer package, the production of which is financed jointly by Denmark, Norway and Germany, the publication reported. https://twitter.com/praisethesteph/status/1685921359954616320?s=20 Ukraine is also reportedly receiving Serbian munitions in the form of 120mm M62P10 high explosive mortar shells. https://twitter.com/war_noir/status/1686011714524135424?s=20 Ukrainian special operations forces (SSO) are still using improvised truck-mounted Brimstone anti-armor missiles, which you can see fired in this video below. This is a rare clip of one in action. To our knowledge, we have only seen one once before, not long after the Brimstones arrived last year. A new far more purpose-built mobile launching system for Brimstone is in the works, which you can read more about here. https://twitter.com/historicfirearm/status/1685396432805580800?s=20 More video has emerged from last week's Ukrainian operation to capture the Donetsk Oblast town of Staromayorsk. It shows troops from the 35th Marine Brigade patrolling through the largely ruined city that sits a long a key highway and the Mokri Yaly River. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1685868327539814400?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Video also emerged from a Ukrainian attack near Svatove in Luhansk Oblast. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, the Russians have suffered so many losses that they have not been able to recover all the bodies, and, as a result, "an unbearable corpse smell is felt in the city." https://twitter.com/noelreports/status/1685757838742765570?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A The Supernova Plus Telegram channel posted a YouTube video of Ukrainian troops clearing the town of Kleschiivka near Bakhmut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCiCQV9Z1qk Damaged Ukrainian armor, including donated Leopard 2 tanks that apparently came under attack during the initial movements of the counteroffensive can be seen in this video below. https://twitter.com/region776/status/1685997227930710016?s=20 There appears to be more recent video showing a Bradley M2A2-ODS Fighting Vehicle that was destroyed in the Robotyne area of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Bradley was apparently outfitted with Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles (BRAT). You can read more about that in our story here. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1685582108348014592?s=20 Russian sappers were seen in a video sewing a mine field by dropping the explosive devices out of a back of a truck. It may not be the most high-tech delivery method, but however they are delivered, mines have proven a tremendous hazard to Ukrainian forces. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1685719635390279681?s=20 Georgian forces have been serving in a number of roles fighting in Ukraine against Russia, a common enemy. This video below shows the Black Eagle special operations forces unit after clearing a Russian trench. https://twitter.com/visionergeo/status/1685660905743224832?s=20 Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed another Russian 2S4 Tyulpan 240mm self-propelled mortar system. https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1686080614057836545?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A The official Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) Zvezda News shared video of a couple of Russian shoot-and-scoot weapons systems, a little battle buggy launching an anti-tank guided missile and the other an ATV firing grenades. https://twitter.com/warmonitors/status/1685949523032444928?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A We've seen a lot of video of Russian Lancet drones hitting Ukrainian targets, but this video shows a rarely seen launch of one of those weapons. https://twitter.com/warmonitors/status/1685814311493476352?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Speaking of Russian drones, this image apparently shows a large cache of First Person Video (FPV) drones, which have been used to deadly effect by both sides. https://twitter.com/warsmonitoring/status/1686045172797206529 Ukraine too is touting its domestically produced drones, in this case the Rubak, said to have a range of 500 km with a 3kg to 5 kg warhead. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1685932256978702336?s=20 Images also emerged of Ukrainian drone munitions, in this case containing scores of ball bearings. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1685965581848059905?s=20 The video below shows four Czech-donated MR-2 Viktor pickup-mounted anti-drone systems firing their two 14.5mm anti-aircraft guns. The video, however, does not show what was being targeted or the results of volley of lead blasting skyward. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1686004538958815238?s=20 Ukrainian officials have produced a video showing the work underway to remove the Soviet hammer and sickle from the shield of the Motherland statue in Kyiv, which will be replaced by Ukraine's trident symbol. https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1685998471721926656?s=20 And finally, in a bizarre case of war memorabilia collecting gone wrote, Ukrainian police discovered that a man in Sumy had been hiding a Russian T-80 tank for more than a year, since Moscow's forces retreated from the region. The tank was reportedly involved in a case of war crimes by the Russians, as it was used to shell a hospital. The prosecutor's office transferred the tank to Ukrainian military. https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1685869382117814272?s=20 That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine. Update 8:15 p.m. Eastern time: We received a response from Marine Lt. Col. Garron Garn, a Pentagon spokesman, on our Starling query. We cannot corroborate those claims at this time," he said in an email. "More importantly, Russia could end this illegal and violent war of aggression today by pulling their forces out of Ukraine. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Poland's Ambassador Bartosz Cichocki over recent comments made by the Polish Secretary of State and Head of the International Policy Bureau Marcin Przydacz. When asked in an interview if Warsaws ban on Ukrainian grain imports had harmed the countries' relations, Przydacz suggested that Kyiv should "start appreciating the role that Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years." Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said that "statements about the alleged ingratitude of Ukrainians for Poland's help are false and unacceptable." "We are convinced that Ukrainian-Polish friendship is much deeper than political expediency. Politics should not call into question mutual understanding and strength of relations between our peoples," added Nikolenko. Andrii Sybiha, deputy head of the President's Office, also reacted to Przydacz's statement, calling it "an attempt to impose on Polish society the baseless opinion that Ukraine does not value help from Poland." "This is obviously a game for one's own opportunistic interests, which has nothing to do with reality. Manipulation," Sybiha wrote on Facebook. Read also: Blinken: Russia weaponizing food; US to help Ukraine with exports after grain deal collapse "The reality is an indisputable fact that every day Ukraine thanks Poland and other allied countries through its supreme sacrifice and bravery of our heroes on the battlefield. Polish weapons in the hands of the Ukrainian military effectively deter the Russian aggressor, and supporting us with weapons is not charity, but an investment in Poland's own security." Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria signed a joint declaration in Warsaw on July 19, asking the European Commission for a ban extension on domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds at least until the end of 2023. Story continues The EU ban was first put in place in early May and then extended, set to expire by Sep. 15. Before that, the Central European countries imposed unilateral bans on importing Ukrainian grain and other products, citing their need to protect their domestic markets. They are still obligated to transport these products elsewhere. Ukraine's overload of food exports to the European Union has become a thorn in Kyiv's relationship with its close neighbors against the backdrop of a long-running political conflict between these countries and the European Commission. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian soldiers admitted that recent efforts to advance the counteroffensive have met more difficult Russian opposition than they had expected as they continue to push toward enemy territory. "Our mission was planned to take two days. But we couldnt drive in during the darkness at the right time, for a few reasons. So we drove in later and lost the right moment," a 29-year-old soldier who did not give his name, told Reuters. "The Russians were waiting for us," he explained. "They fired anti-tank weapons and grenade launchers at us. My vehicle drove over an anti-tank mine, but everything was OK, the vehicle took the hit, and everyone was alive." "We dismounted and ran toward the cover because the most important is to find cover and then move on," he added. PENTAGON INSISTS US WEAPONS WILL STAY IN UKRAINE AS ZELENSKYY EYES ATTACKS IN RUSSIAN TERRITORY Russias invasion has hit a slow-burn phase after nearly 18 months of intense fighting, focusing primarily on Kyivs counteroffensive and Moscows efforts to hold their gains. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Ukrainian service members gather in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine July 31, 2023. Ukraine initiated a major counteroffensive to retake regions in the east that Russia took early on and held since the start of the invasion, but officials have remained silent about the initiatives progress, only saying that troops have advanced toward the city of Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia. A Russian ballistic missile attack on Monday hit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown, destroying an apartment complex and killing six people with 75 others wounded in the blast, Ukrainian officials said. UKRAINIAN MILITARY NEEDS MORE SPARE PARTS TO HELP WIN THE WAR: EX-MINISTER OF DEFENSE "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelenskyy said Sunday night. Ukrainian troops described to Reuters the difficult conditions they faced during a recent push toward Staromaiorske, which commanders said required a slow approach to limit casualties. Story continues Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade destroys Russian equipment, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this still image obtained from a handout video released on July 30, 2023. "They methodically destroyed the roads," a 24-year-old Ukrainian soldier called "Dub" explained. "They made pits that prevented driving in and out of the village, even in dry weather. Even walking was quite hard. You cant use flashlights at night, but you still have to advance." Another soldier calling himself Pikachu said Ukraines forces advance "slowly but surely." PEOPLE CANNOT BE INDIFFERENT TO HUMAN SUFFERING IN UKRAINE: OLEKSANDRA MATVIICHUK "They were shooting, everything was flying," the soldier said. "It was scary, but we moved on. Nobody fell back. Everyone did a great job. Many of us who went will never return home." Russia continues to stress that Ukraines counteroffensive "is not working out as planned," with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov going so far as to accuse Kyiv of "inefficiently" spending the money and resources provided by NATO countries. "This raises big questions in Western capitals and great discomfort among taxpayers in Western countries," Peskov said. U.S. officials over the past month have repeatedly refuted Russias assessment, claiming that the long-term view remains that the counteroffensive will take time to pay the necessary dividends for Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said Ukraine is engaged in "an intense battle" but declined to provide details. "We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine," Blinken said during a recent visit to New Zealand. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. A general view of a damaged office block of the Moscow International Business Center after Ukrainian drones attacks in Moscow, Russia on July 30, 2023. Boris Alekseev/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Ukraine is using new Beaver drones to attack targets within Russia's borders. The drones are being launched from Ukraine, reports indicate. Ukraine has in recent days attacked Moscow, with drones crashing into a high-rise building. Ukraine is using a new, long-range drone, known as the "Beaver", to bring the war deep into Russia's borders, according to experts. Open-source intelligence experts have posted footage of recent drone attacks in Moscow, and said the aircraft appeared to be Ukrainian Beaver drones. The drones have an unusual shape, with an engine at the back end and a second pair of smaller wings near the front, according to footage and images posted online by Ukrainian outlet Euromaidan Press. This allows them to make abrupt changes in flight altitude and evade air defenses. They carry an explosive payload, and have a range of up to 620 miles, meaning attacks on Russia can be launched from within Ukraine's borders. However, they appear to have at least one major weakness. Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow with the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank, told Newsweek that the drones resemble the "Shahed" drones used by Russia to attack civilian targets in Ukraine. But he added that it is unclear whether Beaver drones are as adept at evading navigation-jamming technology as Shahed drones, and might be vulnerable to the electronic defense systems set up in the Russian capital. He pointed to reports saying that two drones targeting Moscow Sunday had hit an office high rise, which is not a target that's part of Ukrainian military doctrine. He said this indicated they had likely been diverted from their intended targets by Russian defenses. The "Beaver" drone is being built with the help of influencer Ihor Lachenkov, who has recently shed light on Ukraine's secretive drone warfare program. Story continues In an interview with The New York Times published Monday, Lachenkov confirmed he's worked alongside the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center. He added that he'd been asked to fundraise for the production of a remote "kamikaze drone" that can "fly very far." He said that he and his followers had been able to raise around half a million dollars for the project. Ukraine appears to have stepped up its drone attacks against Moscow in recent months. Since May, Ukraine is believed to have been behind attacks on sites including the Kremlin, military bases, and a wealthy Moscow suburb near Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence. On Tuesday a drone crashed into a skyscraper in central Moscow for the second time in two days. Russian authorities accused Kyiv of staging the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday said that Ukraine was attacking sites in Russia, saying that "gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process." Read the original article on Business Insider Russia's extensive defenses have largely paralyzed Ukraine's momentum in recent weeks. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Ukraine has received various Western tanks, weapons systems, fighting vehicles, and armor. But Russia has often sidelined the assets with trenches, anti-tank mines, and fortified defenses. An expert told Insider the West's piecemeal rollout gave Russia time to adapt to each weapons system. About two months have passed since Ukraine launched its long-anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces but reclaiming the occupied territory has been slow and meticulous. Kyiv's troops continue to struggle while navigating heavily fortified Russian defensive lines, which include extensive trenches, barbed wire, land mines, and anti-tank ditches. The complex defensive lines offer insight into how Russia plans to grind Ukraine's counteroffensive to a halt but more importantly, they demonstrate how Moscow was given ample time to adapt to weapons and assets Ukraine was getting from Western partners, including the US. Because the rollout of Western assets has been piecemeal with the US and its allies mulling over which weapons to send and when Russian forces "had time to reequip or reconstitute themselves, dig in, and retake the initiative in some places," George Barros, the geospatial-intelligence team lead and a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, told Insider. An M1A2 Abrams tank. Thomas Alvarez/Idaho Army National Guard The US and its allies have announced billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine since the war began 17 months ago. But the decision-making and timelines have been anything but smooth. President Joe Biden and the Pentagon, in particular, have expressed concerns over sending Ukraine certain assets including prized F-16 fighter jets for fears of Russian escalation. They've also gone back and forth on whether Ukraine needs certain systems, such as US-made Abrams tanks. Ukrainians including the presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak have criticized the US's decisions, saying Ukraine has shown it needs F-16s and other assets. "Ideally, the plan for giving Ukraine these capabilities will have taken into account: When are the Ukrainians going to take the initiative?" Barros said. "When are the Russians going to be tired? When are the windows of opportunity to exploit? What are the time-space dynamics that show when the Russians benefit from certain decisions being prolonged versus being made sooner or later?" Story continues Ukrainian troops fire M142 HIMARS rockets toward Bakhmut, Ukraine, on May 18. Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images The problem, Barros said, "is that the current policy is we're giving Ukraine some of these big-ticket items, and even though we've come to the correct conclusion to give them to Ukraine, the timing has been suboptimal, and the timing windows have enabled the Russian to be able to make mitigations and find ways to improvise against these systems, degrading their ultimate effectiveness." In other words, Barros added, the Russians have been able to learn to deal with one newly introduced system at a time. That response has been seen across Russia's defensive lines. The countermeasures are clear: Swaths of land mines have slowed and often stalled advances of Western tanks such as the German-made Leopard 2, a fast, highly maneuverable battle tank that has various firepower assets and some ballistic and mine protection and US-provided Bradley fighting vehicles. While these assets carefully navigate anti-tank mines such as the Soviet TM-62, they're left vulnerable to Russia's arsenal. Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces have waves of artillery, exploding drones, and Ka-52 attack helicopters armed with anti-tank guided missiles that can rip through heavy armor. Land mines, booby traps, and trip wires are favorites of Russia and turn Ukraine's environment against its troops. Viktor Fridshon/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images In some cases, Ukrainian troops have had to abandon tanks and infantry-fighting vehicles that became surrounded by deadly minefields or got stuck in muddy ditches, instead opting to move forward on foot. To deal with Ukraine's mine clearers and sappers, Russia has stacked anti-tank mines to destroy de-mining equipment that can handle only so much explosive force. Fake trenches along the defensive lines are rigged with remotely detonated mines to lure and trap troops. And anti-tank ditches and pyramid-shaped concrete obstacles called dragon's teeth have swallowed vehicles or knocked them off kilter, preventing Ukraine from using its heavy armor or fighting vehicles to their full usefulness. A trench at a Ukrainian national-guard position near Odesa on April 10. BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Ukraine's multifaceted problems raise a question: What does this mean for the counteroffensive's success? It's too early to tell, Barros said. But the problem it's facing right now can't be shrugged away, and Ukrainians will need to rely on scrappy instincts, as they do when strapping explosives to commercially available drones. "This is going to be a long, protracted fight," Barros said. "I think there are lessons that we should take away and learn from this because this war's going to be around for a long time." Read the original article on Business Insider Kyiv, Ukraine (CNN) A day after Volodymyr Zelensky said war was returning to Russia with an attempted drone strike on Moscow, the Kremlin launched a deadly airstrike against the Ukrainian presidents hometown of Kryvyi Rih. At least six people were killed, including a 5-year-old girl, and dozens of others were wounded when a pair of ballistic missiles struck a school building and residential tower in the central Ukrainian city. Zelensky said more than 350 people were involved in the rescue operation. Emergency services personnel were still searching for survivors under the rubble as of Monday afternoon. Residents said there were no air raid sirens before the missiles struck and took out significant portions of two buildings. Some said they had little time to scramble for cover. This time, we did not have time to orient ourselves, Kryvyi Rih resident Natalia Balaba said. My husband was in the corridor, he was knocked down by the wave. Balaba said all the windows in their apartment had been shattered and damage lay everywhere. We were very frightened, we were in great shock, she said. Its unclear why Russia targeted Kryvyi Rih. Ukrainian officials said there were no military targets nearby. The head of the local defense council, Oleksandr Vilkul called the bombardment a terrorist attack. Russia carried out a similar attack on the city in June, killing 11 people. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the situation in Kryvyi Rih. Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilian infrastructure, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. On Monday, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the Kremlin would intensify its attacks in response to Kyivs attempted drone strikes against Moscow the previous day that damaged a business and shopping development in the west of the capital. Hours later, Zelensky said Ukraine is getting stronger, and the war is gradually returning to Russias territory, to its symbolic centers and military bases. This is an inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process, Zelensky said. A spokesman for Ukraines Air Force said Kyiv was targeting Moscow to impact Russians who, since the invasion began in February 2022, felt the war was distant. Early Tuesday, a Moscow building that was previously struck in the weekend drone strikes was hit again, according to the citys Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Several drones that were trying to fly into Moscow were shot down by [our] air defense. One flew into the same tower in [Moscow] city as last time. The facade at the 17th floor was damaged, the mayor said. Shoigu and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov both said Ukraines attempted drone strikes on Moscow were meant to deflect from a purported lack of success on the battlefield. Against the backdrop of an unsuccessful so-called counteroffensive, the Kyiv regime with the support of Western sponsors focused on carrying out terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure in the cities and towns of the Russian Federation, Shoigu said. No casualties were reported in the attempted Moscow drone strikes. However, Russian bombardments in Ukraine have struck civilian homes, schools, hospitals, churches and power plants, killing thousands of bystanders in the process. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Moscow attacks Zelenskys hometown after he said war had returned to Russia." The Russian forces are trying to conduct storms on the Kupiansk, Lyman and Svatove fronts in the east of Ukraine. The Defence Forces of Ukraine are under dense artillery fire by the Russians on all flanks. Source: Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, on the national 24/7 newscast Quote: "We feel the most pressure from the Russians on the Kupiansk and Lyman fronts, but they are also trying to conduct assaults on the Svatove front. We have been repelling the Russian attacks there all day today. It must be said that for two days in a row the number of Russian attacks has been increasing on the Bakhmut front as well, and the Ukrainian forces are under dense artillery fire on these fronts basically all the time." Details: Maliar stated that the Russians are not advancing on the areas they are trying to take (Kupiansk, Lyman and Svatove fronts) but very heavy fighting is ongoing. On the Bakhmut front, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are advancing in the southern direction. In the northern direction the Russians are trying to regain their former positions but to no avail. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Flag of Hungary After Russia released some Ukrainian POWs to Hungary, they were intimidated and pressured to adopt Hungarian citizenship, the Kyiv Independent and RFE/RL reported on Aug. 1. Citing diplomatic sources, the report states that the Ukrainian POWs were led to believe that returning to Ukraine would result in their immediate deployment to the frontlines or facing trials for desertion. One source claimed they were actively encouraged to accept Hungarian citizenship. Read also: Ex-Olenivka prison camp warden charged for torturing POWs by SBU According to the unnamed sources, the transferred POWs, aged between 19 and 23, had Hungarian surnames. However, only one of them had dual citizenship and spoke Hungarian. The prisoners were captured near Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast, and held in a camp about which Ukraine had virtually no information. Read also: Hungary plans to take more Ukrainian POWs from Russia media reports On June 8, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had handed over a group of Ukrainian POWs to Hungary. However, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated the next day that it had not been informed of such an event and was in the process of verifying this information. Subsequently, Hungary's Deputy PM Zsolt Semjen confirmed the transfer of Ukrainian POWs who were residents of Zakarpattia Oblast. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv was not informed about such negotiations between Budapest and Moscow and requested detailed information about the released prisoners and access for the Ukrainian consul in Hugary. Read also: Russian church plans to transfer more Ukrainian POWs from Russia to Hungary On June 16, Oleg Kotenko, Ukraines Authorized Representative for Missing Persons, stated that Kyiv had identified the whereabouts and identities of 11 soldiers. As of June 23, Ukraine had repatriated five defenders, while six still remained in Hungary. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Three Ukrainian women who returned from Russian captivity in October 2022 Ukrainian women released from captivity can receive a one-time financial assistance payment of PLN 10,000 ($2,480) from Polands Sheptytskyi Foundation. If eligible, you can apply for assistance by filling out the online form at eu-submit.jotform.com/230891603400346. Applications for financial assistance will be accepted until August 30, 2023, or until the programs funding is finished. Read also: 2,526 Ukrainian returned from captivity since start of full-scale invasion, says Zelenskyy Ukrainian women released from Russian captivity will also have the opportunity to go on a rest and rehabilitation trip to Poland courtesy of the fund. Ukraines Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories reported at the end of June that Russia was holding 125 Ukrainian women captive, most of whom are civilians. Twenty-three of these women have children. Read also: Most Azovstal defenders remain in captivity in terrible conditions, reveals former Azov commander The ministry reported in May that it provided $542,000 (UAH 20.1 million) to citizens released from Russian captivity. Another 201 people received $2,700 (UAH 100,000) from the state. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov announced on Aug. 1 that Ukrainians whose homes had been destroyed by Russias full-scale war can now apply for compensation. Applications have to be submitted by the property owners through the government services application Diia. Previously, Ukrainians had to apply for such compensation to the local authorities in person. Commissions established by local authorities will review these applications and make a decision on whether to provide compensation. The policy so far only applies to those whose homes were located in the territories currently under Ukrainian control. However, a separate mechanism is being developed to allow Ukrainians whose homes are located in Russian-occupied territories to also receive compensation. "We will not leave anyone in trouble, but it takes time to prepare an effective process," Kubrakov wrote on Facebook. The authorities will provide the compensation in the form of an electronic housing certificate, which individuals can use to purchase housing. They will have the freedom to choose housing in any community in Ukraine without any restrictions on the location. "The algorithm is highly digitized and has already been successfully tested, Kubrakov said. We expect that the process of application review, property inspection, and decision-making regarding compensation will be much faster and more efficient. According to the Kyiv School of Economics, as of Jan. 23, the number of damaged or destroyed residential buildings in Ukraine reached 149,300, comprising 131,400 private houses, 17,500 apartment buildings, and 280 dormitories. As Russia's full-scale military invasion entered its second year, the documented damage to residential and non-residential real estate and other infrastructure has now surpassed $143.8 billion at replacement cost. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills 6, injures 75, including children Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on July 31 that as of July 26, at least 274 cultural sites had been damaged during the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This includes 117 religious sites, 27 museums, 98 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries, and one archive. Most of them were damaged in Donetsk Oblast (78), followed by Kharkiv (55), Kyiv (38), Luhansk (33), Chernihiv (17), Zaporizhzhia (12), Sumy (12), Mykolaiv (8), Odesa (8), Kherson (6), Zhytomyr (3), Vinnytsia (2), Lviv (1), and Dnipropetrovsk (1) oblasts. After Russian strikes against Odesa's historical center, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site earlier this year, the organization highlighted that the intentional destruction of cultural sites may amount to a war crime, "as acknowledged also by the United Nations Security Council of which the Russian Federation is a permanent member." UNESCO said that it is "dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the brazen attack carried out by the Russian forces. UNESCO listed "religious buildings" as among the reasons the city center deserved this designation. On April 4, the Director-General of UNESCO visited Odesa to meet with cultural sector stakeholders. Read also: Anna Husarska: Expel Russia from UNESCO Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A passenger on a United flight forced the plane to divert to Arizona and was barred. Justin Sullivan/Peter Dazeley/Getty Images United Airlines temporarily barred a woman from flying with the airline after she caused a plane to be diverted. The woman refused to follow the cabin crew's instructions to return to her seat. "I knew you were drinking wine and you're not allowed to," a flight attendant said in a TikTok of the incident. United Airlines has barred a woman from flying with the airline after she forced a flight to divert from its intended destination, it told Insider in a statement. The woman was on board the United flight 1813 on July 25, which was scheduled to fly from Houston to Los Angeles, according to United's statement. The flight was diverted to Phoenix as the woman was "disruptive" and "refused to follow the flight attendant's instructions to return to her seat," the statement said. United did not identify the woman. Several videos of the incident were posted on TikTok by a user named Blake Perkins, who appeared to be a passenger on the flight. In one of the videos, Perkins wrote that the flight attendants didn't allow the woman to "have her wine." United declined to comment on Perkins' claim. Insider was not immediately able to contact Perkins for comment. "Ankther video of the karen who couldn't get her wine. We had to land the plans so she could get escorted off and causing us even more delays than we already had. Over wine," Perkins wrote in the caption of one of the videos posted on Thursday, misspelling the words "another" and "plane." In another video, two flight attendants were shown instructing the woman to remain in her seat and telling her she'd be arrested if she refused. The woman continued to refuse to sit down. "I knew you were drinking wine and you're not allowed to. And I still let you board the aircraft," the flight attendant could be heard saying in the video. According to United's statement, the woman was deplaned in Los Angeles and barred from flying with the airline. Story continues "Law enforcement officials met the aircraft on arrival and removed the passenger, and the flight subsequently departed for Los Angeles later that evening. The customer has been barred from future United flights while we review this matter," United told Insider. It's not the first time a passenger has been removed from a United flight. In July, United removed a passenger from a Taiwan-bound flight after he kept standing up and walking to the business class cabin. The flight was diverted to San Francisco. Read the original article on Insider The museum will be a 530,000-square-foot facility, including a restaurant, two theaters, and on-site affordable housing. The Universal Hip-Hop Museum is scheduled to open to the public in 2025. The project will be located in the Bronx, hip-hops birthplace. Rocky Bucano, the museums founder, said the facility will honor hip-hop culture, encapsulating music, business, fashion, art, and culture, according to Time Out. The museum will include artwork and artifacts that provide history and prestige for hip-hop pioneers like DJ Kool Herc. In addition to the museum, the 53,000-square-foot mixed-use development at Bronx Point will include: A hip-hop-themed restaurant An immersive theater space A performance hall On-site affordable housing (L-R) Ralph McDaniels and Rocky Bucano attend the Universal Hip Hop Museums The Drip: 50 Years of Hip Hop Fashion on February 24, 2023, at Hard Rock Hotel New York (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) The museum aims for a soft launch towards the end of 2024 before its planned grand opening to the public the following year. Meanwhile, families are expected to move into the on-site apartments starting in November. Bucano stated the museum will track the history of hip-hop from its very beginning to the present. The exhibitions will show the evolution of the cultures technology and business progressions. We have enough space to really have a true celebration of hip-hops global history, starting from the beginning to where we are today, Bucano said. Using that enormous space, to not do it in a chronological way but to do it based on how hip-hop has had an impact in each of the five decades it has been in existence. As the museums completion draws nearer, it will curate pop-up exhibitions throughout the city. One such pop-up, [R]evolution of Hip-Hop, is currently on display at Bronx Terminal Market. The exhibit shows hip-hop through its golden era of 1986-1990. A larger-scale pop-up is being planned to open at 11 Times Square, a former restaurant space. Although conceptualization is still in its early phases, the forthcoming pop-up will transform the space into an immersive experience that blends digital implementations with a food and beverage component. The Times Square exhibition, slated for a December 2023 opening, will focus on the five elements of hip-hop; DJing, emceeing, graffiti, breakdancing and knowledge. Story continues The museum partnered with the New York City Mayors office this year to celebrate hip-hops 50th anniversary. Last August, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo announced the museum would receive $5.5 million in capital budget funding. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Universal Hip-Hop Museum aiming for 2025 opening in the Bronx appeared first on TheGrio. A western snowy plover on the Huntington Beach side of the mouth of the Santa Ana River. Experts say dogs in the area are threatening the plover's habitat and that of the California least tern. (Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times) For the record: 8:35 a.m. Aug. 1, 2023: An earlier version of this article stated that dogs were allowed on Newport Beach only from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dogs are not allowed on the beach during those hours. Near the mouth of the Santa Ana River, between Newport Beach and Huntington State Beach, lies the habitat of two at-risk bird species whose survival is threatened by jumping, splashing, barking dogs. But local authorities may also be partly to blame for the increased risk to the birds by failing to strictly enforce the rules about dog activity near the habitat, according to environmentalists. The California least tern, an endangered species, and the western snowy plover, a threatened species, nest near the mouth of the river and rely on it to survive. Of the almost 2,400 dogs that were observed on the beach in 2022, about 70% were off their leash, which threatens the bird habitat, according to a recent report by Orange County Coastkeeper, a nonprofit clean water organization. The unleashed dogs are chasing birds or splashing around in areas where they usually feed, said Ray Hiemstra, associate director of policy and projects for Orange County Coastkeeper. For the least terns, right next to the mouth of the Santa Ana River is their primary nesting place in this area, and when theyre nesting they need a lot of food to survive, Hiemstra said. Theyre not like our pets or something, he said. Theres not just abundant food lying around. Theyre always living on the edge. So anything that makes life harder for them all of that takes away from their ability to either forage and gather food, or it burns up their energy reserves that they have. Read more: My rescue dog bit someone. I almost gave up on him then I learned to heal us both Activists called for the threatened birds to be protected in 2018 after people were seen using the area near the habitat as a de facto dog beach. The California least terns nest in fenced-in areas near the mouth of the river. Being close to the river and ocean also allows them to fish for their young and teach them to fly. Story continues The snowy plovers nest in mini-enclosures in the area. They stay by the shore to eat kelp, vegetation and invertebrates in the sand. The least tern population has grown over the years, but they will need to be managed in colonies for a long time, said Scott Thomas, conservation vice chair for the Sea and Sage Audubon Society, which is the Orange County chapter of the National Audubon Society. Thomas said the least terns have an innate fear of predators such as dogs, and that being chased by them reinforces that fear. Read more: Electric lines kill birds. But they're a lot better than climate change Because of the terns' fear, he added, there is a pattern that is now seen among them: They fish in the morning, bring their young out, teach them to fly and then leave once they see dogs running around. Whether a dog is leashed or not, its the same to the bird, he said. The least terns have exceptional eyesight, and just sensing the dogs from a distance can cause them to expend a lot of energy protecting their young during the nesting season, said Catherine Steinberg, 2024 director of the Sea and Sage Audubon Society. A lot of different species need the area, and when dogs are here, they cant use it, she said. The jurisdiction of the area around the birds' habitat is shared by several agencies, with rules and enforcement levels that vary by agency. The area around the rivers mouth is posted with signs stating where dogs and people arent allowed. Signs also warn that the area is a habitat for the plover and the least tern. Read more: Life had just given up: Exactly a year after losing a baby, this mom saved an old German shepherd Steinberg said she hasn't seen dog activity decrease in the couple of years since the signs were erected. Hiemstra said that because of the different rules and levels of enforcement, people are getting mixed messages. At the Santa Ana River itself, people and dogs are not allowed in the channel. The Orange County Flood Control District is responsible for the river. The area west of the river is Huntington State Beach, where dogs are not allowed on the sand. The area east of the river is Newport Beach, where dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Before and after that time, dogs are allowed only while on a leash. However, Hiemstra said, the varying enforcement allows people to disregard the rules at times. On the state beach side, he said, he has seen authorities give out tickets, but fewer tickets are issued in other areas. According to the report by Orange County Coastkeeper, law enforcement showed up more than 300 times during the group's 1,275 surveys in the area, and no citations were observed. Still, the survey noted that warnings were given to dog owners on the Newport Beach side. Read more: My high-tech bird feeder made me wonder: Do birds have a right to privacy? If someone has a dog on the sand at Huntington State Beach, usually an employee will notify an officer who will let the visitor know dogs are prohibited and that they have to go back to the pavement, according to a park aide. At Newport Beach, officers patrol the beach when they can between their service calls and other responsibilities, with at least one proactive patrol check per day, said Nick Ott, an animal control officer with the Newport Beach Police Department. Officers also go out to the beach when they receive calls about any violations, he added. Ott said officers try to mix what time they patrol the beach, which can affect when other people or groups see them. He said he's had situations where even though he's been patrolling every day for a week, there are people who say they have brought their dogs out everyday that week, meeting him for the first time. Steinberg said shes never seen anyone cited for allowing their dog to frolic in the water. She added that she would like to see more enforcement of the ordinances already in place. Hiemstra said he is calling on owners to keep their dogs on a leash and comply with other rules, making it safer for people and better for the birds. We just need to be respectful and share the beach, he said. Not just among ourselves, but with wildlife too. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Two Chinese companies will no longer be able to export to the U.S. due to their use of forced labor, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday. A car battery manufacturer and a food additive company were added to the U.S. sanctions list because they use forced Uyghur labor in Chinas northwest Xinjiang province, the department said. The actions are part of the departments attempts to hold China accountable for the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group in Xinjiang, according to DHS. Todays enforcement actions demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to holding organizations accountable for their egregious human rights abuses and forced labor practices, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. We will continue to work with all of our partners to keep goods made with forced labor from Xinjiang out of U.S. commerce while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade. A total of 24 Chinese companies have been sanctioned due to forced labor use as part of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act passed in 2021. The Chinese government has targeted Uyghurs for nearly a decade, including incarcerating and reeducating over a million members of the minority group. Camps aim to rid the population of its language, religion and culture. The U.S. has labeled the Chinese governments actions a genocide. The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force continues to send a strong message to industry that the United States will not tolerate forced labor in our supply chains and that we will always stand up against cruel and inhumane labor practices, task force chairman Robert Silvers said in a statement. We are committed to the eradication of forced labor around the world. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The US Department of State has called on the Russian Federation to cease the deportation of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories and to bring the deported ones back home. Source: Ukrinform, citing Matthew Miller, State Department Spokesperson Quote: "One of the worst incidents we have seen in this war is the deportation of Ukrainian civilians to Russia, including civilians who have been forcibly separated from their families We call, as we have before, for Russia to stop those abusive actions and return Ukraines children." Details: Miller emphasised that deportation of children was one of the key factors in determining the US governments position regarding the Russian Federation's crimes against humanity. Background: Maria Lvova-Belova, Russian Presidential Commissioner for Childrens Rights, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague, has reported that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russians have deported more than 700,000 Ukrainian children to Russia. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Neskuchne, Ukraine (CNN) The four roads of Staromayorske appear almost ground to dust in the drone footage. Its a tiny village, but as the latest gain of Ukraines renewed counteroffensive in the direction of Mariupol, Staromayorskes symbolism far outweighs its size. Its fate represents a larger problem for Ukraine as it pushes forward. After the bitter battles of Ukraines advances, barely a wall is left standing from which Kyivs forces can defend the recaptured ground, making their hard-earned progress vulnerable to Russias blunt artillery. This is exactly what happened Monday, when persistent shelling was said to have pummelled the villages ruins. At one point, Russian officials even claimed to have kicked Ukrainian forces back out of the village, which Ukraine staunchly denied. For the troops who fought for Staromayorske, a mixture of Ukraines AREY territorial defense forces from Krivyh Rih and the 35th Marines, the fight was the latest of many, where grueling losses have marred every hundred yards regained. A solider from the AREY forces, call sign Krivbas, sped towards the front as he described the main peril of the ten-day Staromayorske attack, at the end of which Russian forces suddenly fled the ruins. When you assault under enemy shelling, you have nowhere to hide, Krivbas said of the ruined village. Thats the hardest part. He said the Russians have tried to recapture the village twice with small groups of troops since it fell last week. Ukraines position is made harder still given Russian forces are on the eastern side of the river, able to use its natural boundary from which they can fire artillery. These latest advances remain small in scope, but came after Pentagon officials suggested Ukraine had stepped up a gear in its months-long counteroffensive and was finally committing reserves to the fight. Hopes are high for a faster pace of advance, but have been dampened by the very real threat of Russian airpower and Ukrainian exhaustion, troops in frontline villages told CNN. Welcome to Mordor Krivbas walked through the ruins of Neskuchne, a larger town liberated by Ukraine weeks earlier, as he described the tenacity and cunning of the Russian forces he fought there. Ahead of the assault, Ukraine had assessed that only twenty Russians were defending the town. But there were another 200 hidden in various basements, who did not even emerge to use the toilet, apparently using plastic bottles underground to avoiding Ukrainian surveillance drones. As a result, Ukraine thought its force of 70 was overwhelming, but instead met tougher resistance than expected. The bitter fight for Neskuchne ended, Krivbas said, in the school hall, where Russian paratroopers made their last stand before fleeing. He gestures to the trash littering the school floor, and appalling conditions in which the occupiers appeared to live, before battle torched the building. The wall graffiti is equally bleak: There is no love. God is for Russia. Welcome to Mordor. It is a nihilism that only amplifies a key question Ukrainian forces have: Why do the Russian troops fight so hard for these tiny settlements? As they push further into occupied territory, the fight remains as hard. The fact that Russian forces fight so persistently for each settlement has raised doubts about claims that Russias defensive line is fierce but thin. I hope that when we get through their last line of defence, then they start to run, said Krivbas. For now they still feel there is something behind them. The recent deployment of Ukraines reserves, and talk of a new phase of the counteroffensive can only boost morale so far. We feel support, but we are very very tired, Krivbas said. I dont understand their motivation The brutal tenacity of Russian tactics remain steadfast. Amid constant outgoing shellfire, Serhey, an AREY commander, said: Their tactics havent changed. They put the Storm Z convicts in front with no comms or information. Such prisoner assaults waves of poorly equipped recruits from Russias jails who are often described as cannon fodder are used to expose Ukrainian firing positions, so better trained Russian soldiers can engage them, he said. He added: They stand till the death. I dont understand their motivation. Or what they are fighting for. His troops showed a small Russian booklet entitled, Why we fight, found in captured Russian positions, which provides a warped narrative of the invasions causes, saying Russia had been attacked and was left with no choice but to defend itself. Another Staromayorske liberator, callsign Reva, carried a captured modern AK-12 Russian assault rifle as he described the apparent Russian use of an irritant gas on the frontlines. There was chaotic [Russian] shooting, to find out where we were. Then the gas. You dont feel it. It moves slow near the ground. I was packing my rucksack when I felt burning in my throat and nose, he recalled. Even the mines the Russians laid were booby-trapped. A young military deminer who goes by callsign Volt, described how anti-tank mines he found were laid with a grenade beneath them, so the grenade would detonate if the larger mine were moved, causing a dual blast. His explanation was interrupted by loud outgoing rocket fire. Ukraine has picked up the pace, and is moving. Its troops just do not know how much further this bitter fight will continue. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Nowhere to hide: The question troubling Ukrainian troops amid a grinding counteroffensive." By Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) - In addition to writing about their favorite songs and why they want to go to college, students applying to Emory University in Atlanta this fall will get new essay prompts aimed at teasing out details about their cultural backgrounds. The revised questions are among the changes at Emory and other highly selective colleges after the U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that race-conscious admissions policies were unlawful, upending a longstanding practice for increasing minority enrollment in higher education. Universities must find new ways to create diverse student bodies and avoid the precipitous declines in admissions of Black and Latino students seen after prior bans on affirmative action in states including California and Michigan. The court's decision is expected to elevate the role of students' personal essays, which Chief Justice John Roberts singled out as a place where they could still highlight how race had affected their lives, "be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise." The greater scrutiny on those pieces of student writing will intensify an already stressful application process that has spawned a cottage industry of advisers and caused months of angst for high school students and their parents. "They're going to be much more targeted questions," said Timothy Fields, senior associate dean of admissions at Emory. One of Emory's new prompts, for example, asks, "Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better." U.S. colleges are set to release their essay prompts on Tuesday when the common application used by many schools becomes public for the upcoming admissions cycle. At Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, a new question will ask students how the Supreme Court ruling might affect their lives personally. "Our hope is that this prompt gives our applicants a space to address a timely and challenging topic in society, and one that could impact the student bodies of the colleges to which they are applying," said Kevin McKenna, vice president for enrollment. Story continues He said students should not feel the need, however, to relive past traumas or injustices to gain admission to the college. STUDENT FALLOUT Counselors, teachers and admissions officers interviewed by Reuters said they are worried the court's decision sends a message to students of color that they are not wanted at elite colleges. The Supreme Court's liberal justices said in their dissent that the ruling would further entrench racial inequality in education. Concern over the fallout for underrepresented minority students has prompted Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez, dean of admission at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, to rethink the outreach tours admissions officers go on every year to recruit students. His team is planning additional stops and meetings to reassure students of color that they are welcome. But he also will have to make time this fall for new training for admissions officers who read the student essays so they can learn how to work within the confines of the court ruling to build a diverse class. Angel Perez, president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, said universities' outreach to public school guidance counselors is especially needed. Many high school counselors are uncertain how students should handle questions of race and identity in their essays, Perez said. They also are wary that if they mention race in student recommendations, they will be inviting scrutiny or violating the court's order. Others are convinced that many high-achieving students will have lost heart for the competitive application process. "The general feeling with school counselors right now is mostly anxiety," Perez said. Private admissions counselors have already started working with students of color on essays that discuss their cultural heritage. College counselor Shereem Herndon-Brown, who with Fields is a co-author of the book "The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions," said he is encouraging a Black student from New York to tell the personal story of visiting relatives in the South, a topic that came up in conversation but was not the initial focus of the student's essay. He cautioned that essays that simply declare a person's race or exaggerate disadvantage will not enhance a student's chances for admission. Students instead will need to offer insight into how they think and have developed as a result of their background. "There's no way to trick an admissions officer or a school into believing you're something that you're not," he said. "So I'm going to urge students to authentically express who they are." (This story has been corrected to change the location of Wesleyan University to Connecticut in paragraph 13) (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Cynthia Osterman) US government officials are still unsure of the status of an American nurse and her young daughter who were kidnapped in Haiti. Hundreds of people have been reported kidnapped since January, marking a significant increase in cases, according to the Associated Press. The power of Haiti's gangs has increased since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The surge in violent crime has resulted in a spike in violent civilian vigilante groups in the nation. Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were kidnapped on Thursday, sparking an angry march of approximately 200 Haitians on the nation's capital to voice their anger. Ms Dorsainvil was working for a nonprofit Christian ministry El Roi Haiti when she was taken. She is the wife of the ministry's founder, Sandro Dorsainvil. US State Department spokesman Matt Miller would not provide further details concerning the abductees' statuses. Obviously, the safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority. We are in regular contact with the Haitian authorities. Well continue to work with them and our US government interagency partners, but because its an ongoing law enforcement investigation, theres not more detail I can offer, he said in a written statement to the Associated Press on Monday. Many nonprofits which are some of the few remaining aid organisations operating in regions of the country most afflicted by gang violence have closed due to the worsening violence. Among those is Doctors Without Borders, which announced earlier this month it was suspending its services at one of its hospitals after 20 armed men burst into an operating room and kidnapped a patient. A woman who was waiting for a checkup at the nonprofit witnessed Ms Dorsainvil's abduction. She recalled seeing a man enter, pull out a gun, and tell her to relax. A girl carries a sign that reads in Creole Free school is broken. Release the nurse, during a march to demand the freedom of New Hampshire nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter, who have been reported kidnapped (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) When I saw the gun, I was so scared, Ms Louima said. I said, I dont want to see this, let me go. Story continues Other community members told the Associated Press that the armed men demanded a $1m ransom which had become standard practice for gangs involved in abductions. The US State Department issued an advisory warning Americans to avoid traveling to Haiti on the same day the aid worker was abducted. It also ordered nonemergency personnel to leave the country citing the widespread kidnappings. The protesters who demanded action at the capital carried signs supporting the aid worker, including one that read "she is doing good work in the community, free her." Mr Dorsainvil asked for the public's prayers for his wife in a blog post on Monday. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter," he wrote. "As our hearts break for this situation, we also continue to pray for the country and people of Haiti and for freedom from the suffering they endure daily. US lawmakers are probing BlackRock and MSCI over the flow of American funds to sanctioned Chinese companies (Andrew Burton) US lawmakers are probing American investment flows facilitated by BlackRock and MSCI to Chinese companies that Washington has sanctioned, a congressional panel announced Tuesday. The investigation followed a discovery that asset manager BlackRock and investment index provider MSCI "invest or enable the investment of Americans' savings into dozens of blacklisted Chinese companies," the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) said on its website. These firms are targeted over what Washington says is their threat to US national security or support of the CCP's human rights abuses. Letters from the committee's chairman Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican, and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, to the firms seek details about BlackRock and MSCI's facilitation of investments to Chinese firms. They also ask for an explanation of the due diligence on prospective investments, as well as details on the transparency of investments to investors and the public. The letters, dated Monday, do not assert that BlackRock or MSCI violated US sanctions. But the committee seeks a "prompt reply" from both parties to inform the panel's understanding of the CCP's "economic, technology and security progress and its competition with the United States," said the letters. BlackRock "has invested more than $429 million in PRC companies that pose national security risks to and act against the interests of the United States," according to the committee, using the official acronym for the People's Republic of China. With over $13 trillion benchmarked against MSCI products, the inclusion of sanctioned Chinese firms means that millions of Americans' savings "are now unwittingly funding PRC companies that develop and build weapons for the People's Liberation Army," the committee noted. BlackRock said it will "continue engaging" with the House panel on the issues raised, a spokesperson said. Story continues "Like many global asset managers, BlackRock offers our clients a number of strategies to invest in or exclude China from their portfolios," the company said, adding that the majority of investments are through US index funds. "With all investments in China and markets around the world, BlackRock complies with all applicable US government laws," BlackRock said. MSCI said it was reviewing the request from the committee. "MSCI indexes measure the performance of equity markets available to international investors, and comply with all applicable US laws," the firm said. "MSCI does not manage or recommend or facilitate investments in any country." jmb/nro The U.S. has invited Chinas newly reappointed foreign minister Wang Yi, a week after China ousted Qin Gang from his post, according to State Department spokesperson Matt Miller. In a news briefing Tuesday, Miller confirmed the U.S. extended the invitation to Yi that was previously made to Gang, who served as Chinas foreign minister for the past seven months. Gangs removal was approved at a usually scheduled meeting last week, with leaders providing little reason to the public. When asked if Yi accepted the invitation, Miller said he would let the Chinese government answer that, but he noted the U.S. expects the trip is something they would accept. Miller said the U.S. expects the trip to happen, though a date has not been set. Miller said the invitation was extended Monday during a meeting between U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, director general of the North American and Oceanian Affairs Department, which followed Secretary of State Antony Blinkens high-stakes trip to China in June and a recent meeting in July with Yi in Indonesia. During Junes meeting in Beijing, Blinken spoke with Chinese leaders on addressing issues together through joint Working Groups, while emphasizing the importance of working with China to curb fentanyl production and exports. Miller said Tuesday the U.S. is continuing to make progress, on fentanyl talks with China, but he does not have any concrete results at this point. Were not at the point of establishing the fentanyl working group which as you know, has been a major priority for us and we continue to press the Chinese side to agree, but we did feel it was important to continue the conversations, Miller said. That was something we thought we had established in the meetings in Beijing. We are committed to continuing to work because the issues on which we need to cooperate with China we think are important, just as the issues in which we need to raise concerns with them are important, he continued. Story continues When asked, Miller told reporters he did not know if conversations about enlisting Chinas support with the detainment of Travis King took place at Mondays meeting. North Korea detained King last month while visiting the border with South Korea as a civilian on a tour. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A US customs patrol badge The US has sharply limited Hungary's participation in a visa waiver system for failing to tackle security issues flagged by Washington. More than a million people have gained Hungarian passports under a fast-track citizenship plan introduced in 2011. The US says the system, introduced after Viktor Orban came to power, is prone to "security breaches". The rules will severely curtail entry rights under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta). Those using the system will be allowed one entry, the US embassy in Budapest added. Normally, Esta allows multiple entries for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or pleasure. Forty countries are in the Esta scheme. Hungary is the only nation to face restrictions. The US embassy said the move followed "Hungary's decision not to fully address the security vulnerabilities created by its earlier implementation of its simplified naturalisation process". It added that the US had engaged in "extensive efforts over many years" to resolve what it called "longstanding security issues arising from Hungary's simplified naturalisation process". After Mr Orban became prime minister in 2011, Hungary began offering simplified naturalisation programme to those claiming Hungarian ancestry and living abroad. The large majority were taken by ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine, Romania and Serbia. The vast majority of ethnic Hungarians living abroad support his right-wing Fidesz party, which took 93.89% of the diaspora vote in 2022. A US official, speaking anonymously to American media, said many of the passports were issued without stringent identity verification requirements. They claimed some of them were granted to criminals who posed a security threat. Hungary's interior ministry said that the restrictions put the safety of Hungarians at risk and claimed that Washington was "taking revenge on Hungarians." The move comes amid a low point in relations between Hungary and its Western partners. Story continues Mr Orban's government has frustrated the US and allies with its reluctance to approve Sweden's bid for Nato membership. And the EU has consistently raised concerns over democratic backsliding in the country, Last year, the bloc's parliament voted to approve a report which accused Mr Orban of creating an "electoral autocracy" which engaged in attacks on press freedom, LGBT rights and the independence of the judiciary. Budapest rejected the findings and Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the report an "insult". WASHINGTON The U.S. military is testing an artificial intelligence tool that can trawl social media and other open-source information and spot misleading content, such as bots or deepfakes, to better inform commanders of the region they are operating in. The program, dubbed Data Robot, was part of the Cyber Quest trials held throughout July at Fort Gordon in Georgia. It was previously put through its paces during the Pacific Sentry exercise in Hawaii, officials said. We want to give the commanders the right information at the right time so we can impact the enemy. Thats the goal, Army Col. Brett Riddle, director of the Cyber Battle Lab, told reporters at a Cyber Quest briefing July 28. And I think Data Robot did show us that we can start to progress forward with that. Quickly discerning fact from fiction is critical for forces in the field. And the task is increasingly complex as misinformation floods the likes of Twitter and Facebook and world powers wage online influence campaigns, some more overt than others. A manipulated video surfaced last year in which a poorly edited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on his soldiers to lay down their arms and surrender to Russia, for example. It was quickly debunked. The U.S. is now beefing up its information warfare capabilities, a persuasive combination of data awareness and deception aimed at gaining an advantage before, during and after battles. Cyber Quest is organized each year to examine up-and-coming technologies and inform future investments. Its our opportunity to take cutting-edge, newly delivered products from industry, put them into the hands of soldiers and determine if theyre going to work in the field, in the dirt, in the rain, in Georgia, in the hot, humid weather, Army Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton, the commander of the Army cyber center of excellence, said. We need opportunities like Cyber Quest to work directly alongside our industry and scientific partners so they can make the modifications to existing protocols so that theyll meet our needs. Story continues Sailors, soldiers need skills to fight propaganda, Navys Cleary says The Data Robot tool required about 90 days worth of data to reference before effectively identifying messages pushed by bots, according to Stanton. Pattern recognition and other insights are derived from extensive training regimens. Was anyone using artificial intelligence and machine learning? The simple answer is yes, Stanton said of Cyber Quest. Social media in the Indo-Pacific doesnt look like social media in the United States. Data Robot could eventually fold into the Command Post Computing Environment to provide snapshots of information, though it will require some troubleshooting, officials said. The environment consolidates various programs and data streams into a common pane maintained by soldiers. It also provides a software and hardware framework upon which future applications can be built. There was a lot of promising work done here at Cyber Quest, Riddle said. When we look at information advantage and trying to produce those visual overlays for commanders, it can be done. By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - A U.S. regulation restricting ownership of gun accessories known as pistol braces is likely illegal, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, a victory for a gun rights group challenging the rule. A 2-1 panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives finalized the rule in January without giving the public a meaningful chance to comment on it. That made it invalid under the federal Administrative Procedure Act, the panel found. The court did not immediately block enforcement of the rule, instead sending the case back to U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, Texas. O'Connor will have to decide whether to issue an order blocking enforcement while the case goes forward, and if so, whether that order will apply nationwide or only to the plaintiffs in the case. Several federal judges have already issued preliminary orders blocking enforcement of the rule enacted by President Joe Biden's administration and challenged by lawsuits from gun rights groups. But those orders apply only to members of the groups, and only in those judges' jurisdictions. The lawsuit was brought by the Firearms Policy Coalition. Cody Wisniewski, the group's lawyer, called the ruling "a huge win for peaceable gun owners across the nation." ATF and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment. Pistol braces were first marketed in 2012 as a way of attaching a pistol to the shooter's forearm, stabilizing it and making it easier to use for disabled people. However, many users found that the braces could also be placed against the shoulder, like the stock on a rifle. The disputed rule classifies some guns equipped with pistol braces as short-barrel rifles, based on several factors including their size and weight and the manufacturers' marketing materials. Short barrel rifles are subject to special registration, longer waiting periods for purchase, and higher taxes because they are potentially more dangerous than handguns. Story continues Fifth Circuit Judge Jerry Smith wrote Tuesday that the ATF's final rule was dramatically different from the proposed rule it offered for public comment in 2021. The judge said that amounted to "a rug-pull on the public." Circuit Judge Don Willett said in a concurring opinion that the rule likely violated not only the Administrative Procedure Act, but also the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the Constitution, an issue that the majority did not address. Circuit Judge Stephen Higginson dissented, saying that the final rule did not require public comment because it merely interpreted a law passed by Congress. Smith and Willett were appointed by Republican former presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, respectively, while Higginson was appointed by Democratic former president Barack Obama. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Gerry Doyle) Last month, the Taliban ordered beauty salons across Afghanistan to be closed The US has urged Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to "reverse policies responsible for the deteriorating human rights situation" in the country, particularly for women, girls, and "vulnerable communities". It also pressed for the release of detained US citizens during talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar. The Taliban said they wanted travel restrictions lifted for their leaders. The Islamist hardliners swept back to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. This followed the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from the country after years of war. The US Department of State said talks with "senior Taliban representatives and technocratic professionals" had been held over Sunday and Monday in Doha. The US delegation "expressed support for the Afghan people's demands for their rights to be respected and for their voices to shape the future of the country". The US wants the Taliban to reverse bans on secondary education for girls and employment for women. At the same time, the US delegation "took note" of the Taliban's "continuing commitment not to allow Afghanistan to be used as a platform for attacks on the United States and its allies", acknowledging a "decrease in large-scale terrorist attacks against Afghan civilians". For their part, the Taliban said they wanted the unfreezing of Afghanistan's assets. The US froze $10bn (7.8bn) of the country's central bank assets in 2021. For two decades, the Taliban were America's sworn enemies. They were ousted by the US after the 9/11 attacks but their insurgence continued to target America's troops and their allies. It took just days for Taliban fighters to regain Kabul as the last US troops withdrew two years ago. No country recognises the Taliban administration but they are the de facto government. You may also be interested in: The U.S. has no plans to evacuate its diplomatic and military presence in Niger, even as European partners are exiting the country after a coup attempt was launched last week against the democratically elected president. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Tuesday said that the U.S. is focusing on a narrowing space for diplomacy to reinstate Nigers President Mohamed Bazoum, who was arrested on July 26 by military leaders supporting Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. We havent seen full support in the military, or quite frankly in the public down there for this guy Tchianis attempted power grab, Kirby said in a briefing with reporters. The U.S. has withheld calling the military overthrow of Bazoum a coup, maintaining hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance to the country, which hosts about 1,000 U.S. troops and two drone bases. Niger is a key base of operations for U.S. intelligence gathering in the Sahel and eastern Africa, and Nigerian forces are trained and advised by the American military. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while on diplomatic travel in Australia, said that U.S. economic and security assistance to Niger depends on the continuation of the democratic governance and constitutional order. Kirby echoed that position Tuesday and added that while the U.S. is watching the situation in the country by the hour, the Biden administration is not in a position to be willing to make a decision about U.S. assistance right now. There are also no immediate plans to evacuate U.S. citizens from the country, even as France and Spain are reportedly evacuating their citizens and other Europeans following the border closures imposed by Nigers military. We dont have any indications of direct threats to U.S. citizens or to our facilities and so, weve not changed our posture with respect to our presence in Niger at this time, Kirby said. Story continues The White House is further dismissing that Russia has played a role in the unfolding military takeover in the country, with reports of pro-Russian and anti-Western protests, in particular targeting Frances mission in the country and taking place in the streets. On Sunday, protesters in support of the military set fire to a door at the French Embassy, The Associated Press reported, denouncing the former colonial occupier of the country, waving Russian flags and chanting in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In our view, theres no indication that Russia was behind this, Kirby said. Putin has focused on the African continent as a key area of influence to push back against the U.S. and the West on the global stage as he prosecutes his war in Ukraine. The Russian president pulled out of a United Nations-mediated deal to allow the export of grain from Ukraine, largely to countries in Africa, and has promised to make up for the shortfall with hundreds of thousands of tons of grain delivered free of charge. But Kirby said that any link between Russia and Niger is bluster, that Moscow and its proxy forces including the private military group Wagner that is active in neighboring Mali like to take credit for unrest that might be happening there. But weve seen no indication that theyre responsible, Kirby said. So were not overly concerned about some massive Russian effect here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States said Tuesday it will put forward a U.N. Security Council resolution that will authorize Kenya to lead a multinational police force to help combat gangs in Haiti that control much of the capital and are spreading through the Caribbean nation. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a news conference at the start of the U.S. presidency of the council this month that we welcome Kenyas decision to lead the multinational force (and) we will be working on a resolution to support that effort. Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry sent an urgent appeal last October for the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity to stop the gangs. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had been appealing unsuccessfully since then for a lead nation to help restore order to Latin Americas most impoverished country. More than nine months later, Kenya was the first country to positively consider leading a force, offering to send 1,000 police to help train and assist the Haitian National Police to restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations. Kenyas Foreign Ministry said Saturday it plans to send a task force to Haiti in the next few weeks to assess operational requirements for the police mission. Thomas-Greenfield said the United States will work with other council members on a resolution that will give the Kenyans what they require to establish their presence in Haiti. She gave no timetable but expressed hope that a resolution will be adopted unanimously, as the last two Haiti resolutions were. An October 2022 resolution demanded an immediate end to violence and criminal activity in Haiti and imposed sanctions on individuals and groups threatening peace and stability starting with a powerful gang leader, Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier. A resolution adopted on July 14 asked Guterres to come up with a full range of options within 30 days to help combat Haitis armed gangs including a non-U.N. multinational force. Story continues Thomas-Greenfield said the situation is unusual, but what is happening in Haiti is unusual. This is not a traditional peacekeeping force, this is not a traditional security situation, Thomas-Greenfield said. We have gangs that have overtaken the country, ... that are terrorizing civilians every single day. She stressed that it is very much a police action to stabilize the country so that the country can get back on the path of democracy, that they can move forward with a political process that will lead to a stable government that will be able to deal with the situation in the future. Haitis gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital. The surge in killings, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups. Compounding the gang warfare is the countrys political crisis: Haiti was stripped of all democratically elected institutions when the terms of the countrys remaining 10 senators expired in early January. Welcoming Kenyas offer, Haitis Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus said: Haiti appreciates this expression of African solidarity and looks forward to welcoming Kenyas proposed evaluation mission in the coming weeks. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed Kenyas offer and called on the Security Council to support a non-U.N. multinational operation in Haiti, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Monday. The U.N. chief encouraged U.N. member nations, particularly from the region, to join forces from Kenya in supporting the countrys police, the spokesman said. Guterres said the estimate by the U.N. independent expert for Haiti, William ONeill, that up to 2,000 additional anti-gang police officers are needed is no exaggeration. (CNN) Donald Trump has been indicted on criminal charges by a federal grand jury in a case that strikes at former US presidents efforts to remain in the White House after losing the 2020 election and undermine the long-held American tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power. Trump is scheduled to appear at the Washington, DC, federal courthouse at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. As part of special counsel Jack Smiths investigation, Trump was charged with: Conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. Shortly after election day, the Defendant also pursued unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the election results, the indictment handed up on Tuesday afternoon states. In so doing, the Defendant perpetrated three criminal conspiracies. The plot to overturn the 2020 election shattered presidential norms and culminated in an unthinkable physical assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, as Congress met to validate President Joe Bidens victory. Even before that, Trump engaged in an unprecedented pressure campaign toward state election workers and lawmakers, Justice Department officials and even his own vice president to persuade them to throw out the 2020 results. Six unindicted co-conspirators were included in the filing. Among the six are four unnamed attorneys who allegedly aided Trump in his effort to subvert the 2020 election. Also included is one unnamed Justice Department official who attempted to use the Justice Department to open sham election crime investigations and influence state legislatures with knowingly false claims of election fraud. The indictment also mentions an unnamed political consultant who helped implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding. Smiths move to bring charges will test whether the criminal justice system can be used to hold Trump to account for his post-election conduct after he was acquitted in his impeachment trial related to his actions that day. The indictment is the second time in two months that Smith has brought charges against Trump. In June, Trump was charged with retention of classified documents and conspiracy with a top aide to hide them from the government and his own attorneys. And separately in March, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump on state charges of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases and is likely to do so again when hes arraigned on the latest charges. The new special counsel indictment comes as Trump remains the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The first two indictments have done little to impact his standing in the race. Trumps March indictment marked the first time in US history that a former president had faced criminal charges. Now there are three separate, concurrent cases where the president is facing felony allegations, which are all going to play out as Trump seeks to return to the White House in 2024 following his loss to Biden in 2020. Fake electors plot was an unprecedented attempt to subvert Electoral College The so-called fake electors plot was an unprecedented attempt to subvert the Electoral College process by replacing electors that Biden had rightfully won with illegitimate GOP electors. Trump supporters in seven key states met on December 14, 2020, and signed fake certificates, falsely proclaiming that Trump actually won their state and they were the rightful electors. They submitted these fake certificates to Congress and to the National Archives, in anticipation that their false claims would be embraced during the Electoral College certification on January 6, 2021. At the time, their actions were largely dismissed as an elaborate political cosplay. But it eventually became clear that this was part of an orchestrated plan. Senior Trump campaign officials orchestrated the fake electors plot and directly oversaw the state-by-state mechanics linking Trumps campaign apparatus to what originally looked like a hapless political stunt by local Trump supporters. Federal investigators have subpoenaed the fake electors across the country, sent FBI agents to interview witnesses about their conduct, and recently granted immunity to two fake electors from Nevada to secure their grand jury testimony. In Michigan, the states attorney general charged the 16 fake electors who signed certificates falsely claiming Trump won Michigan in the 2020 election with multiple felonies. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is also expected to ask a grand jury this month to bring charges related to efforts in Georgia to subvert the election results. By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has formally invited China's newly reappointed foreign minister, Wang Yi, to Washington, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday, after Wang's predecessor was abruptly removed from his post by Beijing. China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang last week, replacing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for more than month -- a mysterious absence after just seven months in the job that has raised questions about transparency. China's foreign ministry has only said Qin was off work for unspecified health reasons. The invitation to Wang was extended on Monday during a meeting at the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, Director General of the North American and Oceania Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing. "In the meeting yesterday, we extended the invitation that had previously been made to foreign minister Qin Gang and made clear that invitation did transfer over," Miller said. Miller did not say if the Chinese side had accepted the invitation but added that this was Washington's expectation. "We certainly expect that it is something that they would accept and is a trip that we expect to happen, but we have not yet scheduled a date," Miller said. A spokesperson for China's Washington embassy said that in the "consultation" with Kritenbrink, the two sides had "candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges of views on China-U.S. relations as well as global and regional issues of mutual interest." "Concerning the high-level exchanges, both side have maintained necessary communication," the spokesperson added. A U.S. readout of the discussion called it "candid, substantive, and productive" and "part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the bilateral relationship." Story continues U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Qin on June 18, on the first visit by America's top diplomat to China in five years. The U.S. State Department said then they held "candid, substantive, and constructive" talks, and Blinken invited Qin to Washington to continue discussions. Blinken subsequently met Wang on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Jakarta in Qin's absence. Wang, 69, served as foreign minister from 2013-2022 as ties frayed with the United States to a point Beijing described as an all-time low. (Reporting by Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Sandra Maler and Alistair Bell) The United States has suspended its counterterrorism training with soldiers in Niger after a coup against the countrys elected president has caused European partners to evacuate, the Pentagons top spokesman said Tuesday. As far as security cooperation, those efforts right now are suspended in light of the situation, but certainly we maintain close contact with our Niger military counterparts in the country as the situation continues to unfold, press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters. Ryder added that even with the suspension, there are no immediate plans to pull the roughly 1,100 U.S. troops stationed in Niger. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was arrested on July 26 by military leaders supporting Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, with his detainment coming at the hands of his own presidential guard. The coup prompted France and Spain to reportedly evacuate their citizens and other Europeans as Nigers military has imposed border closures. There are no immediate plans, however, to evacuate U.S. citizens from the country, with individuals instead advised to avoid unnecessary movements, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said earlier Tuesday. We dont have any indications of direct threats to U.S. citizens or to our facilities and so, weve not changed our posture with respect to our presence in Niger at this time, Kirby said, adding that officials are monitoring the situation literally by the hour. The United States has also held off on labeling Bazoums ouster a coup. Washington has two drone bases and hundreds of American special forces in Niger to keep terrorist groups at bay in the region, including the Islamic States Africa offshoot and Boko Haram. The country also serves as a key hub for U.S. intelligence gathering in the Sahel and eastern Africa, and Nigerian forces are trained and advised by the American military, with Washington suppling hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance to the country. Story continues Asked whether the security cooperation suspension extended to counterterrorism training and surveillance drone flights out of the U.S. bases in Niger, Ryder would not say. Im not going to get into intelligence operations and discuss the specifics of that, Ryder said. We continue to stay in contact with the Niger military. But in terms of training, for example, those types of things have been suspended. He added that the situation remains fluid and its just too soon to characterize the unrest as a coup. Were not going to get into labels, Ryder said. We are going to continue to be focused on using diplomatic tools to try to preserve Nigers hard-earned democracy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In an effort to ensure the states qualified high school students have a place at the University of South Carolina, the states flagship public university will now grant automatic admissions to those at the top of their class. Public high school students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class will be guaranteed a spot at the school, USC announced Tuesday. There are still pockets of the state where students are not applying, even though they are very strong students, said Scott Verzyl, vice president of enrollment and dean of admissions. We think that theyre probably not applying, in most cases, because they dont realize theyre competitive for admission. About half of South Carolina residents ranked in the top 10% of their high school class already apply to USC, Verzyl said, but the university is hoping to catch those who still might not be applying students from more rural schools that are further away from Columbia, or schools with more racial diversity. Verzyl said they might not be as knowledgeable or comfortable with coming to a large university in a bigger city. We want them to know they are competitive, and we welcome them, Verzyl said. The new route to admission is meant to provide access and excellence in education for South Carolina residents, President Michael Amiridis said in a news release. Across every corner of our state, talented students who aspire to a college degree can count on finding a home and a future at the University of South Carolina, Amiridis said in a news release. LaToya Williams and Dana Lackey, guidance counselors at Swansea High School, located in a rural northwest corner of Lexington County, think guaranteed admission to USC will not only encourage more students to apply, but will also motivate them to be better students. Its an awesome recruiting tool, Williams said. We want our best and brightest to stay in our state. Verzyl said the university is confident in the ability of these students and their chance of success. Studies show that high school grades and class rank are reliable predictors of the success a student might have while at college. According to the American Educational Research Association, they are even more indicative than factors like standardized test scores. Story continues While there are no additional scholarship opportunities at this time, university spokesman Jeff Stensland said student will be eligible for the schools current in-state awards for which they qualify. The decision comes at a height of popularity for the university. USC officials say that demand for the university has never been higher. In the most recent admissions cycle for the upcoming fall semester, USC received more than 42,000 applications a record-breaking number for the four-year school, with more South Carolinians applying than ever before. Its quadruple the 10,000 applications received 20 years ago. But the guaranteed admission for some S.C. students wont necessarily make the university more competitive. Verzyl said he doesnt expect to turn away any more students than usual, because the university is still looking to expand. Overall enrollment has swelled by nearly 30% over the last two decades, and it isnt likely to slow down anytime soon. Verzyl said he expects USC to grow by between 1.5% and 3% each year. Verzyl is unsure as to how many more students might apply and enroll at USC following this announcement. But the universitys goal is to have a student body at USC that reflects the state of South Carolina as much as possible. USC has an obligation to be accessible to South Carolinians, Thad Westbrook, chair of USCs Board of Trustees, said in a news release. The USC System is committed to educating South Carolinians, which is what our states citizens and elected leaders should expect from us when they invest in higher education. Applications to attend USC in fall 2024 opened Tuesday. The other four-year colleges in the USC System USC Aiken, USC Beaufort and USC Upstate will guarantee admission to South Carolina students in the top 20% of their graduating class. According to the governors office, this initiative is an important step in serving South Carolinas students. When McMaster approved the state budget in June, he called on the states public colleges and universities to reduce operating costs so as to reduce the tuition and fees incurred by students and their parents. Ensuring affordable, accessible higher education for our sons and daughters is vital to the future of our state, Gov. Henry McMaster said in a Tweet. This initiative is a great start to accomplishing that goal, and I look forward to working with our colleges and universities on their upcoming state budget requests. With the fall respiratory virus season just around the corner, major US pharmacy chains have begun rolling out flu and RSV vaccine appointments. Walgreens is now offering both kinds of shots, the company said Tuesday. Anyone 3 or older can get a flu shot, and adults 60 and older are eligible for the RSV vaccine. Rite Aid also plans to announce availability of those vaccines soon, spokesperson Catherine Carter says. CVS is now scheduling flu vaccinations, as well as allowing walk-in vaccinations at certain pharmacies, spokesperson Amy Thibault said. The chain is also preparing to offer the new RSV shots. Walmart, Publix and Kroger have not responded to requests for comment about their vaccine plans. Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens say they will also offer the new Covid-19 vaccines once theyre available. But before anyone can get those shots, the FDA will have to authorize or approve them, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have to recommend them. In June, the FDA recommended that Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers make single-strain booster shots for this fall and winter that would target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. They will be the first Covid-19 vaccines made available directly from the manufacturers as part of the commercial market, rather than through the US government. Last month, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra advised the CEOs of Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax that they should plan for the falls vaccine supply and regulatory submissions in enough time for the FDA to act. Becerra also recommended that the CDC make recommendations on the vaccinations by the latter part of September. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on an earnings call Tuesday that his company expects the FDA to give its updated Covid-19 booster the green light by the end of August, with vaccinations beginning in September. Who should get vaccinated this fall? The US Food and Drug Administration approved the worlds first RSV vaccines, from GSK and Pfizer, this year. Story continues The shots will offer protection for a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to the virus, experts say. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is enthusiastic about the new vaccines. I would certainly suggest that everyone age 60 years and older [get the vaccine], particularly those individuals who have chronic underlying illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, he said, adding that the risk of complications from RSV only goes up with age. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a highly contagious virus that causes flu-like illness in people of all ages. Although RSV is often associated with babies and young children, it can also be dangerous for seniors. In the US, as many as 160,000 older adults are hospitalized with RSV each year, and thousands die as a result of their infection. The RSV hospitalization rate among seniors in the most recent season was higher than its been for at least six years, according to data from the CDC. There were also high levels of flu, and the virus that causes Covid-19 is still in circulation. What most folks dont realize is that RSV often year in and year out causes as much respiratory illness [as] influenza, Schaffner said. There are no FDA-approved RSV vaccines for people under 60 years old. Last month, the agency approved an antibody to prevent the virus in infants up to 24 months of age. The drug now awaits recommendation from the CDC. Schaffner recommends that everyone 6 months or older get their flu vaccine, especially older adults, those with chronic health conditions and pregnant people. When should you get vaccinated? Adults 60 and older should get their RSV vaccines as soon as possible, Schaffner says, because protection will probably extend throughout this [RSV] season. People looking to get their flu and Covid-19 shots should do so around October, he says. Both shots can be given on the same day, usually one in each arm. Those who want all three vaccines should get their RSV vaccine well before or after their flu and Covid-19 shots, Schaffner says. Give it about two weeks before or after you receive the other vaccines, he said, adding that not much is known about how the new RSV vaccines interact with those against flu and Covid-19. As with most inoculations, Schaffner says, people getting the new RSV vaccine may have some soreness in their arm, but that should not deter people from getting their shot. The biggest challenge health providers face will be motivating older Americans to get three shots this fall, he said. Were going to have to organize ourselves and be very persuasive to get older persons into their clinics, doctors, senior citizens centers, pharmacies, in order to get all of their vaccines, Schaffner said. Well be learning how to do that this year. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Lori Vallow Daybell started her life sentence as she entered prison in Idaho Tuesday after being convicted for the murder of her daughter and son. Now she waits to be extradited to Arizona to face an active murder case in Maricopa County. Last week, on July 26, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell told reporters that Vallow Daybells extradition process would start after she had been sentenced. Vallow Daybell, the 50-year-old mother who's been called "The Doomsday Mom," faces a conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charge in the death of her ex-husband, Charles Vallow. Mitchell has asked the governor to request an extradition that would allow Vallow Daybell to be held in Arizona without any time restraint. After the request is filed, the process typically takes three to four months, according to the county attorneys office. More on Vallow's Arizona case: With sentencing in Idaho, Lori Vallow Daybell still awaits murder trial in Arizona for the death of husband Mitchells office will be ready to move the case forward once Vallow Daybell has been extradited. A deputy attorney has been working the case for about two years, Mitchell added. While the county attorneys office hasnt revealed much about how they will pursue the case, Mitchell did say that Vallow Daybells sentencing in Idaho did not affect how they will prosecute their case. Victims deserve justice and one victims justice is not recognizing that another victim suffered died, Mitchell told reporters. What happened in Arizona? In July 2019, Chandler police found Charles Vallow with multiple gunshot wounds. Vallow Daybells brother Alex Cox claimed he shot him in self-defense, but detectives found a bullet hole next to Vallows body, indicating the possibility of something other than self-defense. Cox died before the investigation was finished. Chandler police submitted their findings to the Maricopa County Attorneys Office in June 2021. Later that month, the County Attorneys Office announced an indictment against Vallow Daybell on one count of conspiracy to commit murder. Story continues Her case in Maricopa County had been pending until the conclusion of her trial in Idaho. What happened in Idaho? Vallow Daybells children, Tylee Ryan, 16 and Joshua Vallow, 7, went missing in September 2019. By February 2020, police suspected Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, of having harmed the children. They were arrested in Hawaii and extradited back to Idaho. In July 2020, police found the bodies of both children buried behind Daybells house. Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were indicted in May 2021. Her trial began in April 2023, and after about six weeks, a jury found her guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder of her children and guilty of conspiracy to commit murder of Tamara Daybell, the ex-wife of Chad Daybell. She was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for each murder. More things to know about Vallow Why did Vallow kill her kids? She believed they had been possessed by evil spirits and turned into zombies. How did they die? The autopsy showed they died by homicide of asphyxiation and medical examiners explained they died by "unspecific means." When will Chad Daybell be tried for the same crime? The trial date is set for April 1, 2024 in Boise. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County Attorney asks Hobbs to extradite Lori Vallow Daybell Officials are asking for the publics help in locating a missing Atlanta man. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Greene County Sheriffs Office is searching for 61-year-old Robert G. Ballard. He was reported by the Atlanta Police Department as missing and endangered, according to deputies. Deputies said Ballards vehicle was found at the Parks Mill Boat Ramp, but no signs of Ballard. TRENDING STORIES: Greene County deputies along with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Greene County Fire and Rescue are in the area attempting to find Ballard. He is described as 6 feet tall and weighs 220 pounds. If you have any information on Ballards whereabouts, call 911. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A weathered photograph of a wavy-haired man seated in front of an old-fashioned television. A handful of miniature American flags draped over a larger U.S. burial flag, folded 13 times into a triangle as dictated by military protocol. Those treasured items are what Kathy McLeod has left of her late big brother, John Murphy. Murphy died February 1 at age 80 following a stay at the for-profit West Roxbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. McLeod said a nursing home administrator told her another resident pushed her brother, causing a fracture in his left thigh bone. I loved him, McLeod told Investigative Reporter and Anchor Kerry Kavanaugh at her Braintree home. I just want justice for him. McLeod said Murphy, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1964, loved his family and his country. Hed often watch over her and her sister, McLeod recalled. But at some point, with age and the onset of dementia, she became the one looking out for him. In September 2021, McLeod said Murphy agreed to go to West Roxbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. The nursing home has a two-star rating out of five-stars, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And the West Roxbury nursing home was one of two places that the V.A. recommended Murphy go to get the care he needed, McLeod said. He was very social, McLeod said. When he got in there, hed shake everyones hand in the hallway. Hed pat them on the back. But McLeod said within a couple of months, she became concerned about the quality of his care. Every time I went in, there was something, she said. McLeod recalled: His bed linens werent changed. He wasnt washed properly. He wasnt eating. Then, she said, Murphy started to decline. And he would wander. So he started getting, like, he couldnt work the TV controller, McLeod said. He would have a hard time finding his room sometimes. NO ANSWERS McLeod said she regularly met with nursing home administrators about her concerns. Story continues She said she had calls with Bear Mountain Healthcare, a Connecticut-based company that owns multiple nursing homes in Massachusetts, including the West Roxbury facility. McLeod said she contacted everyone she could think of inside and outside the facility. I contacted the ombudsmans, McLeod said. There was two of them. She also reached out to the Department of Public Health, an elder services agency in Boston, the state Inspector Generals office, the Attorney Generals office, and the VA. A spokesperson for the state Office of the Inspector General said she cannot confirm or deny any investigations. A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals office said she was working on 25 Investigates inquiry. McLeod provided 25 Investigates with copies of complaints she filed. A Sept. 22, 2022 complaint filed by McLeod months before her brothers death. But after making all of these calls, and filling out all of these forms, she got no answers. Nothing, McLeod said. Absolutely nothing. In McLeods September 22, 2022 complaint to the state Department of Public Health, she said she had observed issues with his care over his past year at the nursing home. Text of a Sept. 22, 2022 complaint filed by McLeod months before her brothers death. I have tried to bring these issues up with the staff, with no resolution, McLeod wrote in her complaint. The problem is, there have been four different directors of nurses and four different administrators within this year, she wrote. This is unacceptable and it lacks continuity of care. She pointed to language barriers and poor attitudes among staff members at the nursing home. I have also noticed an increase in the lack of care for my brother, which I consider this to be neglect, she wrote. I feel this is discrimination and retaliation against my brother due to my previous conflicts and concerns with the staff. I feel this nursing home needs to be inspected by DPH for the issues of treating patients with attitude and disrespect, as well as lack of good care, McLeod wrote. McLeod received an October 3, 2022 letter from the state Department of Public Health acknowledging her concerns about West Roxbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. An Oct. 3, 2022 state letter from the Department of Public Health acknowledging McLeods complaint. We will receive the concerns in your letter and determine the most appropriate actions to take with this facility, reads the letter from Steve Reardon, intake supervisor of the public health agencys complaint unit. This year, the Department of Public Health has declined 25 Investigates numerous requests for sit-down interviews with agency leaders. A spokesperson for Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services said that intake surveyors thoroughly reviewed the complaint which was then placed on file. A recertification survey conducted by DPH at this facility in November 2022 found no deficiencies related to the care provided to this resident, the spokesperson wrote in an email. McLeod said she never heard back from the state again about that complaint. BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA Weeks went by. On January 10, McLeod got a call from the nursing home saying her brother had fallen. What happened was he wandered into a patients room, McLeod said. He got pushed, fell down, broke his leg, and died. Thats what happened. A Boston Police report says police responded to a radio call for an assault and battery report at the West Roxbury Health and Rehabilitation Center on January 10. A January 10 Boston Police report describing a call for an assault and battery. Nursing staff told police that Murphy was transported to the VA hospital in West Roxbury for an injury to his hip, according to the police report. McLeod said he was transported by ambulance. Mr. Murphy was transported for hip pain after being found on the floor, reads the report. A nursing home employee said she had left a patients room and found Murphy on the floor at the end of the hall. He told her he didnt know how he ended up on the floor, according to the report. One nursing home resident said she witnessed another male resident pushing down Murphy. That male patient told staff he didnt push Murphy. The January 10 Boston Police report says Murphy and a witness had bouts of confusion. Nursing staff told police that it was not uncommon for Murphy and the witness to have bouts of confusion, according to the police report. The Boston Police Department didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. McLeod said Murphy experienced a massive heart attack as he arrived at the hospitals emergency room, where he was also found to have a fractured hip. His hip surgery had to wait until he was more stable, according to McLeod. Murphy was also positive for COVID-19 a diagnosis of which she said the nursing home had failed to notify her. Then on January 15, McLeod said she got a call from the administrator of the West Roxbury nursing home, who told her that her brother fell after another resident pushed him. Three weeks later, Murphy died at the VA hospital in West Roxbury. The death certificate lists his cause of death as complications of blunt force injury of the left lower extremity as a consequence of a left femur fracture. Source: John Murphy death certificate Murphys manner of death is listed as an accident. And his death is described as a result of injury. Murphys other significant conditions at the time of his death included Alzheimers dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. After Murphy died, his sister sent another complaint to the Department of Public Health dated March 7. Ultimately, my brother, John Murphy, died on 2/1/23, as a direct result of that push, as stated on his certificate of death, McLeod wrote in her complaint. In a separate March complaint to Central Boston Elder Services, she said: I would like the nursing home to be investigated so something like this would not happen to another patient. McLeods complaint to Central Boston Elder Services. I feel that this nursing home needs to be inspected by DPH for the...... issues of where theyre treating the patients with their attitude and their disrespect, as well as the lack of good care, McLeod told Kavanaugh. No one ever called me and said: Can I talk to you? McLeod said. Never. And DPH is supposed to be protecting our elderly and do something. A spokesperson for the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services said after a thorough investigation McLeods March 7 complaint was deemed unsubstantiated. DPH routinely conducts inspections of nursing homes and thoroughly investigates all complaints it receives to ensure each facility is meeting its regulatory obligations to provide safe, quality care to residents. If deficiencies are found following an inspection or investigation, DPH works with the facility to ensure all deficiencies are appropriately addressed, the spokesperson said in a statement. The Department of Public Health follows up with people who file complaints if they request updates, according to the spokesperson. HISTORY OF QUALITY ISSUES 25 Investigates found that nursing home inspectors have uncovered a string of quality and infection control issues at the West Roxbury nursing home over the years. In recent years, inspectors have also found issues with how staff help residents with bathing and eating problems that McLeod raised about her own brothers care. West Roxbury Health and Rehabilitation Center has below average rankings for health inspections and staffing. Source: Medicare.gov The nursing home provides 3 hours and 5 minutes of nurse staff hours per resident per day well below the national and Massachusetts average of roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes. Residents get a half hour of licensed practical and vocational nurse hours per day roughly half the Massachusetts average of 56 minutes. And over the past year, three administrators have left the nursing home. Thats over triple the national and state averages. The West Roxbury nursing home has paid about $190,000 in fines since 2016 over deficiencies revealed in inspection surveys, according to 25 Investigates analysis of state and federal data obtained through public records requests. That includes a roughly $134,000 fine in 2016 when the nursing home failed to meet fire code standards requiring fire drills and upkeep. The nursing home also paid a $46,000 fine in October 2020 and another $9,750 fine in November 2022. In October 2020, inspectors found a resident with milk allergies ended up in the hospital after the nursing home fed them milk, according to inspections obtained by 25 Investigates through a public records request. Also in October 2020, inspectors found that staff failed to follow infection control procedures. Inspectors found staff let a transport driver enter the facility without doing a screen for COVID-19 symptoms, according to an inspection report. In November 2022, inspectors found hygiene issues at the nursing home again: two CNAs were observed passing breakfast trays with their facemasks below their noses. And when a surveyor asked another aide why he wasnt wearing a mask, the aide took a wrinkled fold-up mask out of his pocket and put it on. Surveyors found the nursing home failed to provide showers for two out of 21 sampled residents including a resident with severe cognitive impairment who depended on staff for bathing. During an interview on 11/08/22 at 11:34 A.M., Resident #39 said he/she does not get showers and would love to have one, the inspection reads. Review of the shower schedule for the unit indicated Resident #39 was scheduled to have a shower weekly on Sundays. But inspectors said nursing records failed to document that the resident was showered for three months: from September to November 2022. An aide who was caring for the resident in November told inspectors the resident was scheduled for a shower this week. The aide said, her day was too busy to give Resident #39 a shower. CNA #2 was unable to say the last time Resident #39 had been given a shower, the inspection report says. The interim nursing director told inspectors the resident will often refuse care. But inspectors reviewed the residents care plan and medical records and said there wasnt any documentation the resident had refused showers. Another November 2022 survey found the nursing home failed to follow care plans for five residents including residents who didnt have a call light in reach and who didnt get needed help with eating. Inspectors in November 2022 found the nursing home failed to follow federal regulations that require nursing homes to come up with plans to fix ongoing issues. The facility does not conduct audits or collect data to demonstrate they are attempting to resolve issues, reads the inspection report. The nursing homes administrator told inspectors: I understand, we are identifying issues, but do not have hard data to show we are looking at that. And I eyeball things to make sure they are fixed. West Roxbury Health and Rehabilitation Center also faced state-level fines for failing to ensure staffers were vaccinated and/or boosted, according to enforcement data obtained by 25 Investigates through a public records request. State records show the West Roxbury nursing home faced a $50 fine for one staffer in October 2021 and three separate $1,400 fines over four staffers between February and May 2022. FIGHT FOR ANSWERS For months, 25 Investigates has heard from family members who say they too asked for help for loved ones in nursing homes across our state and got nowhere. What happened? Crystal Johnson, whose mother died in January 2021 after receiving care at Sterling Village nursing home in central Massachusetts. Johnson said she never got records from Sterling Village nursing home about what happened to her mom. Shes instead had to rely on hospital records. Sterling Village hasnt responded to 25 Investigates requests for comment. How did these things happen? Johnson said. " Why is there no documentation? Patricia W., whose niece has received care at Mattapan Health and Rehabilitation Center, said she has struggled to get answers about flooding and bugs shes witnessed at the nursing home. Patricia who declined to use her last name over fear of impacting her nieces care provided 25 Investigates with pictures of dirty living conditions that left her worried for her nieces wellbeing. Mattapan Health and Rehabilitation Center is also owned by Bear Mountain Healthcare. Nope, I havent heard from anybody, she said. In 2019, nursing home inspectors found rodent droppings and dead flies on a window sill that was next to serving utensils and spices during a tour of Mattapan Health and Rehabilitation Centers kitchen. And in February 2022, inspectors found large quantities of rodent droppings on the floor of one room along with an unidentified black substance smeared throughout the second-floor residential care unit. And Mary Addesa, of Dorchester, said her late mother suffered from lack of hygiene, medical and rehabilitation treatment after entering a Stoneham nursing home in early 2021. Theres nothing you can do thats ever going to bring any of our loved ones back, Addesa said. But you sure can make a change, give some consequences. Sandra Harris, state president of AARP Massachusetts, isnt familiar with these individual cases but said its clear the nursing home industry needs an overhaul. This industry has been in crisis for some time, she said. First of all, in staffing, Harris said. Number two, in infection control. Number three is just being transparent and being held accountable. After numerous calls and emails, Kavanaugh tried to find an administrator at the West Roxbury nursing home in person. An administrator told her: Yeah, I dont know I would prefer not to be on camera, though. Officials with Bear Mountain Healthcare have not responded to 25 Investigates multiple requests for comment left by email, phone, and on the companys website. McLeod said its wrong that she never got any follow-up from the Department of Public Health after lodging a complaint concerning her brothers death. This nursing home needs to be held accountable for their actions of abuse and neglect of elders, she wrote in her March complaint. Its time someone stood up for these people, she told Kavanaugh. 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 Catarina Demony LISBON (Reuters) - Filipa Almeida was 17 when she was sexually abused by a priest. She stayed silent for years but eventually found the strength to speak out and hopes a visit by Pope Francis to her native Portugal this week will remind the world of thousands of similar crimes. "I lived with this secret for 22 years," the 43-year-old told Reuters of her ordeal, which she said occurred during a religious training course. "It's not easy to live with these experiences." She is one of at least 4,815 people who were sexually abused by clergy - mostly priests - in Portugal over 70 years, according to an investigation published in February. The commission in charge said that was just the "tip of the iceberg" and that more than 100 priests suspected of child sexual abuse remained active in church roles. Speaking ahead of the pope's arrival, scheduled for Wednesday morning, Lisbon Patriarch Manuel Clemente said the Portuguese church's commitment to solving the issue was "total". But Almeida said the visit was just highlighting the lack of progress. While the Church received the list of suspects in March, promised to investigate and has suspended a few priests, some others have already returned to their roles. Almeida said the priest who abused her was not suspended during an investigation. SPIRITUAL SUPPORT The Portuguese Bishops' Conference has said it cannot suspend priests unless facts against them are clearly established, but that there would be "zero tolerance" for abusers and their enablers. No reparations are planned, but the bishops have promised "spiritual, psychological and psychiatric" support. Unimpressed, Almeida and two other victims launched the Coracao Silenciado (Silenced Heart) association, which gives a voice and support to those who have suffered abuse. "The only thing that helps us is to make other victims feel like they are not alone," Almeida said. Story continues Francis, who is visiting Portugal to attend a global gathering of young Catholics known as World Youth Day, is expected to meet privately with abuse victims. Almeida's association was not invited to attend, but she still sees the event as an opportunity to "face the problem" and alert attendees about the warning signs of abuse and to encourage victims to report incidents. "There will be young people from all over the world and the reality (of abuse) is present in all continents," she said. "It's a great opportunity for the Church to do something." The Church had promised a memorial would be unveiled during the gathering, but a date has not been set, with the Church saying the project was still being studied. But ultimately, the only way to get justice is for abusers to be held accountable, said Almeida, who is scared the priest who abused her might be abusing others. "The responsibly now falls on the Church," she said. "They knew about the situation and did nothing." (Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Conor Humphries) A coalition of environmental groups have appealed Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins (R) move to withdraw the state from an interstate carbon-capping program, after the state government made the pullout official Monday. Shortly after winning the 2021 gubernatorial election, Youngkin announced his intention to pull out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program that establishes emissions caps from power plants in participating states. Plants in RGGI states are issued tradeable allowances for carbon emissions. Proponents of RGGI membership have pointed to lower emissions and stronger economic growth in participating states, while Youngkin and other supporters of withdrawal have called it a carbon tax that state utilities pass onto customers. Youngkins announcement drew pushback from environmentalist groups and Democrats in the state Legislature, who noted that the state entered the RGGI through legislation and said another bill was necessary to leave it. Multiple withdrawal bills failed in the majority-Democratic state Senate in the 2023 legislative session, but earlier this summer, the state Air Pollution Control Board a seven-person panel with four Youngkin appointees voted to withdraw. On Monday, the withdrawal was officially published in the Virginia Register, the state equivalent of the Federal Register, with a goal of a full exit by the end of the year. In response, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed an appeal on behalf of a coalition that includes Appalachian Voices, the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light. Members of the Air Pollution Control Board were repeatedly informed that they did not have the authority to reverse a legislative mandate for Virginia to participate in RGGI only the General Assembly has that authority, Peter Anderson, Director of State Energy Policy for Appalachian Voices, said in a statement. They acted anyway, ignoring the law and all of the benefits that Virginia has gained from RGGI. Story continues Our State Air Pollution Control Board has acted and believes that Virginia is not required to be in RGGI and that the citizens of Virginia should not be subjected to this unnecessary tax, Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles said in a statement to The Hill. The Office of the Attorney General confirmed the State Air Pollution Control Board has the legal authority to take action on the regulatory proposal using the full regulatory processand the Board voted to do just thatfurthering Virginians access to a reliable, affordable, clean, and growing supply of power. Virginians will see a lower energy bill in due time because we are withdrawing from RGGI through a regulatory process, Voyles added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Virginia leaders are pushing for a new FBI headquarters to be built in Virginia. Maryland leaders say their state is the superior choice. And conservative Republicans want to nix the new headquarters project completely. As the House GOP majority wages war on the FBI and Justice Department for weaponizing the government against former President Donald Trump, theyre wading into an already contentious fight, more than a decade in the making, over construction of the bureaus new multibillion-dollar headquarters. While some far-right lawmakers are threatening to defund the whole project, others in the GOP want to move it into the heartland, part of a larger Republican desire to see federal government offices and jobs shifted out of what they view as the Washington swamp. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., floated Fargo, North Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; or Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as potential sites for the new headquarters. Meanwhile, House GOP Policy Chairman Gary Palmer, R-Ala., likes an idea proposed by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio: The HQ could be moved to the FBIs expanding Redstone Arsenal Campus in Huntsville, Ala. We already have a huge facility in Huntsville, Alabama, that the FBI just built, Palmer said in an interview. That could accommodate them and that facility can accommodate expansion, so we dont need another $4 to 5 billion expense for another building. Plans for the FBI headquarters, which is estimated to cost up to $4 billion when its completed, have become the latest flashpoint in a partisan funding fight that appears to be barreling toward a government shutdown at the end of September. Im not voting for funding for that. Im not voting for any weaponization of government. And thats what the FBI is right now theyre completely rogue, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a top Trump ally, told NBC News. The FBI has been targeting President Trump, his administration, people on his staff, and they continue to stay more focused on people that walked into the Capitol on Jan. 6 rather than local crime, and local crime is out of control," she continued. "And so, no, I refuse to fund anything like that brand-new facility. Story continues Greene, Jordan and other top conservatives on Capitol Hill have called more broadly to defund investigations into Trump and his allies, which they argue are politically motivated attacks on President Joe Bidens likely 2024 opponent. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith expanded to 40 the number of criminal charges filed against Trump in the classified documents case, and he appears poised to bring more charges against the former president over his efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat. Its one more ridiculous thing from the Justice Department. This is as wrong as it gets, Jordan said of the expected Jan. 6-related charges. Also the chairman of the subcommittee investigating the weaponization of government against conservatives, Jordan has personally urged top appropriators to block funding for the new headquarters in the upcoming funding bills. The bureau, however, has argued that its current headquarters, the nearly half-century-old J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington, is too cramped for the agency to carry out its mission and that it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to make repairs and renovations to the crumbling structure. In a statement, the FBI said there are "numerous operational reasons" for keeping its headquarters in the Washington region, including proximity to other "critical" FBI facilities and intelligence community partners nearby. The bureau said its Redstone Arsenal in Alabama "cannot accommodate the minimum of 8,500 personnel planned to occupy the new HQ suburban and downtown facilities." Democrats argue that the attacks on the new headquarters project are an attempt to retaliate against the FBI and its director, Christopher Wray, who, they note, happens to be a Republican appointed by Trump. This is part and parcel of an all-out assault on the FBI, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a senior appropriator who helped secure $375 million for the headquarters in last years omnibus package. And just because they have differences with the director of the FBI, they should not be taking this out on the men and women who work for the FBI. An independent panel from the General Services Administration (GSA) is said to be months away from deciding where to locate the new headquarters. The three finalists selected nearly a decade ago are Springfield, Virginia; and two sites in Marylands Prince Georges County: Greenbelt and Landover. Democrats from Virginia and Maryland work together on a range of regional issues, from transportation to government funding for their thousands of federal workers. But theyve clashed over the site of the FBI headquarters, which will bring along with it thousands of jobs and a huge economic jolt. Two weeks ago, the Maryland sites got a big boost when the GSA revised and simplified its scoring method for selecting a new headquarters, following complaints from Maryland leaders. The updated criteria placed a greater emphasis on the cost to taxpayers and the Biden administrations commitment to sustainability and equity for underserved communities. Prince Georges County is a majority-Black county and has more affordable housing than Virginias Fairfax County. I think were in the best position, said Marylands retiring senior senator, Democrat Ben Cardin, who's been pushing for a new headquarters in his state for the past 12 years. We look at the standards that are being used, we check every box. I think were in great shape. Van Hollen argued that the pair of Maryland sites, east of Washington, are superior based on two criteria. He said the Maryland sites could be built more quickly and for $1 billion less than the Virginia site because the lands are unencumbered, something Virginia officials disagree with. The senator also said the Maryland sites are the only ones that meet President Bidens whole-of-government commitment to equity. All three sites meet the FBIs mission requirements, Van Hollen said, but the Maryland sites are clearly superior in those other areas. But the Virginians are just confident of victory. The states two Democratic senators, Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner and Tim Kaine along with GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other members of the states delegation have touted the Springfield site for its proximity to the bureaus academy in Quantico, Virginia, as well as other national security agencies like the Pentagon and CIA. They also argue that its the only site thats already owned by the federal government and that northern Virginia is a majority-minority community. One in 4 residents in that region were born in a foreign country, members of the Virginia delegation said, including Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea and Ethiopia. While Im disappointed that the criteria was changed because it will further delay this decade-long process, Im confident Virginia is still the best home for the new FBI headquarters, Kaine said in a statement. Any way you slice it, this site is a home run for the men and women of the FBI, the American people, and the Springfield community. Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, the former lieutenant governor of Virginia, said there are enormous pockets of poverty along northern Virginias Route 1 corridor, especially around Baileys Crossroads, which should be considered when tallying Springfields equity score. But Beyer also said many of the high-performing public schools in the area will appeal to the FBIs workforce. One of the things I think is really important, not to trash the Maryland schools at all, but just to be proud of how good the schools are in northern Virginia, Beyer said in an interview. Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church these are all nationally renowned public schools systems. So if youre an FBI family, thats going to be a factor. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (CNN) Hundreds of French and European evacuees gathered at the airport in Nigers capital of Niamey on Tuesday after a presidential coup plunged the West African nation into a political crisis that polarized neighboring countries in the region. Two Airbus A330 planes dispatched by France arrived at the airport in Niamey on Tuesday afternoon to bring French nationals and citizens from other European Union member states to Paris, the French armed forces general staff said in a briefing. A third plane may be sent later to evacuate all the people who want to leave, if needed. French nationals, including young children, formed a queue with their suitcases outside the entrance of the Diori Hamani International Airport, according to a CNN journalist at the airport. The French army supervised and organized the group of French nationals. Most of the evacuees told the journalist they were sad to leave. Some said they were in the country as part of missions, while others were tourists. There are several hundred French and several hundred European citizens that wish to leave Niger and will be evacuated by France, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told French broadcaster LCI on Tuesday, adding that she hopes to see the operation completed in 24 hours. The ministry said it would remove French and European citizens on Tuesday due to the situation in Niamey, where pro-military supporters rallied outside the French Embassy in the Nigerien capital to demonstrate against the countrys post-colonial influence. A message from the French embassy to French citizens in Niger, seen by CNN, instructed those wishing to be evacuated to bring food and water with them while they wait before boarding. Italy will also offer a special flight to evacuate its citizens from Niamey, the countrys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced Tuesday. There are less than 90 Italian civilians in Niger and just over 300 military personnel, a spokesperson for the Italian Foreign Ministry said. France will also assist Germany to evacuate its nationals from Niger in coordination with the German Embassy in Niamey, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry told CNN on Tuesday. Spain will evacuate more than 70 Spanish citizens from Niger, according to a source at the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was in contact with the few British nationals registered in Niger and is working closely with the French government. At the same time, Burkina Faso and Mali said in a joint statement that any military intervention against Niger would be considered war on them, after other West African leaders imposed financial and travel penalties against the coup plotters. All military intervention against Niger will be considered equivalent to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, the two countries said in a joint statement on Monday. The dramatic ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday provoked split reaction from countries in the Sahel region, where the threat of militant extremism in recent years has destabilized local governments and led to volatility. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday issued a stark warning against the military junta and gave it one week to release and reinstate Bazoum, warning they did not rule out the use of force if their demands were not met. The economic bloc imposed a travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as for their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by the officials. France and the European Union also cut off financial aid to Niger following the coup. Burkina Faso and Mali expressed their solidarity with Nigerien authorites and said they would not participate in any measures against Niger by ECOWAS, calling the sanctions illegal, illegitimate and inhuman. Guinea also expressed its solidarity with Niger on Monday, saying it would not participate in measures against Niger. A Guinean presidency statement praised the Nigerien public and said illegitimate and inhumane sanctions would lead to the disruption of ECOWAS. It went on to warn that a military intervention would result in a human disaster that could reach far beyond Nigers borders. What led to the coup? Niger was one of the few remaining democracies in Africas Sahel region, where disputes over how to quell Islamist insurgencies gave rise to numerous power grabs including in Mali and Burkina Faso. The number of violent events involving militant Islamist groups in the Sahel has doubled to 2,912 since 2021, according to a report by the Pentagon think tank Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Deaths relating to such attacks have nearly tripled to 9,818 in the same period, the report published on Monday added. There were more than 1,100 attacks on civilians by militants in the region 2023, resulting in more than 2,080 fatalities. When Bazoum was elected in 2021 it marked a relatively peaceful transfer of power, capping years of military coups following Nigers independence from France in 1960. But there were signs that Nigers military leadership believed they had a lack of government support to fight militants and that a coup could change that campaign, Cameron Hudson, a senior associate at the Center for the Strategic and International Studies, told CNN. Niger is also balancing support for refugees with a worsening economic crisis, according to the World Bank, which said that nearly 42% of people were living in extreme poverty in 2021. The country hosts about 251,760 refugees mainly from Nigeria and Mali, where thousands of people have fled due to the security crisis in the region, the UNs refugee agency said. Niger has endemic problems, poverty, and terrorism, so there are many factors contributing to instability in the country, Hudson added. Who is involved? Last week men in military uniforms claimed to have taken power in Niger after Bazoum was seized by members of the presidential guard, before national institutions were shut down and protesters from both sides took to the streets. A man named as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane announced the stunning takeover, saying: We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know. The rebellion alarmed Western leaders including the US and France, which are both key stakeholders in Nigers crackdown on local Islamist insurgencies. There are about 1,000 US troops stationed in Niger to bolster counter-terrorism operations, two US officials told CNN. The French Armed Forces said 1,500 French troops are deployed in the country. US officials have stressed their focus on restoring democratic rule in Niger, while the Elysee Palace has continued to endorse Bazoum and criticize the actors of the coup. In the wake of the deposition, some Nigeriens expressed their anger over the legacy of French colonialism and its continued influence in the West African country. Demonstrators descended on the French Embassy in Niger on Sunday, telling CNN that France acts as an imperial power by depleting it of natural resources and directing how its leaders steer the economy. Moscow has capitalized on that anti-colonial movement to stretch its influence across the continent, fostering pro-Russia support in Niger. The Russian private military company Wagner has seized on the growing number of militias in Mali, with US officials warning that the group could extend similar contracts to the military junta in Niger. The report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies said the rise in extremist violence coincides with Wagners activity in the Sahel, which has been credibly accused of widespread human rights violations. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Europeans evacuated from Niger as neighboring West African juntas warn against intervention." Edward OFarrell has been appointed as the visiting judge to handle state Rep. Bob Youngs case in Barberton Municipal Court. State Rep. Bob Young, R-Green Young, R-Green, faces two misdemeanor charges related to two alleged assaults involving his family members. OFarrell is a retired judge from Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court. He handled Kashmair Mingos murder trial in Summit County Common Pleas Court. Mingo was convicted last year in the shooting death and robbery of an Akron man in December 2020. Young was indicted last month by a grand jury in Summit County Common Pleas Court on charges of domestic violence and assault, both first-degree misdemeanors. He wasnt indicted on any felonies. Youngs initial charges included a felony count of disrupting public service. A felony conviction would have prevented Young from serving as a state representative. OFarrell will handle Youngs arraignment and pretrial at 9 a.m. Friday in Barberton court. He will be arraigned on the assault charge because it isnt a charge he originally faced. He pleaded not guilty to the initial charges against him. Barberton Judge Todd McKenney, who is a Republican, requested that the Ohio Supreme Court appoint a visiting judge to handle Youngs case. More: Rep. Young won't resign; Police report says child witnessed him slap woman, throw phone Young has said his behavior was inappropriate but not criminal. He also said he wont resign his House seat, though House Speaker Jason Stephens has called for him to step down. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Retired Judge Edward O'Farrell will handle state Rep. Bob Young's case EXCLUSIVE: Republican presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy has settled his lawsuit against the "globalist" World Economic Forum (WEF) for "creating a false perception" he was affiliated with the organization, and has promised to donate the settlement money to a conservative nonprofit. Ramaswamy slapped the organization with a lawsuit in a Cincinnati, Ohio court in April after it failed to remove his name from its 2021 list of Young Global Leaders even though he declined the nomination to the list and requested multiple times for them to remove his name. In a letter Ramaswamy shared with Fox News Digital, the WEF apologized for its mistake of including him on the list without his permission, and noted internal changes it made to its process to ensure no such failure would happen in the future. WATCH: GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, TRUMP CRITIC WILL HURD BOOED OFF STAGE AT IOWA EVENT Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the Republican Party of Iowa's annual Lincoln Dinner in Des Moines on Friday, July 28, 2023. Ramaswamy reacted to the settlement in a video message also shared with Fox by touting what he said was his history of being one of the most vocal advocates of U.S. sovereignty, as well as his opposition to "globalist institutions" like the WEF. "I rejected their award. I declined it. I said that I deeply disagreed with the values of the World Economic Forum and that I wouldn't be a good fit for inclusion," Ramaswamy said in the video. "A few months later, I was told that my name showed up on their website anyway. I contacted them. I told them to take it down. They had the gall to still leave my name." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "I wasn't going to let them get away with that. And so what I did is I said that I'm going to stand up for what's right," he said. "I wanted to demand that they would not only take down my affiliation with them and apologize for it, but also to make sure and commit that they would never try to do the same thing to anybody again." Story continues POPULAR DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR BREAKS WITH PARTY, SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SEX CHANGE SURGERIES FOR MINORS The World Economic Forum's logo in Switzerland Ramaswamy then vowed to distribute the undisclosed amount from the settlement to the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit research group that "exists to advance policies that put the American people first," according to its website. Ramaswamy described the institute as "the most opposite of the World Economic Forum's agenda." "I'm directing any payment I receive from this settlement straight to them, because this isn't about me. This is about this country and our future. And what we really need today is more leaders with a spine," he said. "We will stop at nothing until we have restored the sovereignty of the United States of America and the ideals the 1776 ideals of the American Revolution that set this nation into motion," he added. Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a SiriusXM Town Hall Meeting on June 20, 2023, in Philadelphia. The WEF did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Volunteers and friends of missing Goldman Sachs senior analyst John Castic plan to scour the blocks surrounding the music venue where he was last seen, as his family says they are hoping for a "good outcome." Castic, 27, vanished Saturday about 2:30 a.m. after leaving a concert at the Brooklyn Mirage in a remote section of East Williamsburg. A volunteer search team is meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday to comb the New York City neighborhood for clues. His friend, Jonah Shales, said Castic's phone went dead a short time after he disappeared, and no one has been able to reach him. GOLDMAN SACHS SENIOR ANALYST MISSING AFTER ATTENDING NYC CONCERT "We're hoping for a good outcome," Jeffrey Castic, of Chicago, told Fox News Digital. "That we get him back and he gets home. At least back to doing what hes supposed to be doing in New York." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The DePaul University graduate recently moved to the Big Apple from Illinois. "This isn't like him," the father added. "His mother and I are both very worried." The family has been in touch with the NYPD. A candlelight vigil is also scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in front of the Brooklyn Mirage at 140 Stewart Ave. The young man's panicked father said his son, who started a job at Goldman Sachs about one year ago, has not shown up to work for two days or to his apartment on the Lower East Side. Castic was reported missing Sunday, and the NYPD sent out a media alert the next day requesting the public's help locating him. MAN DETAINED, QUESTIONED IN ALICIA NAVARRO DISAPPEARANCE A missing person flyer describes Castic as 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 180 pounds with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. "Goldman Sachs Office of Global Security is working closely with the NYPD to help locate John. We are in touch with his family during this difficult time and the investigation remains ongoing," said Abbey Collins, a spokeswoman for the banking giant. Story continues Castic is the second person in two months to disappear after visiting the Brooklyn Mirage. Another 27-year-old man, Karl Clemente, tried to attend a concert with friends at that music venue on June 11 but was turned away for allegedly drinking, said his father, Alex Clemente. Clemente was found dead five days later floating in nearby Newtown Creek. "I saw the news and said, wow, another person," the father told Fox News Digital of Castic. Police said that the investigation into Clemente's death remains ongoing. Video surveillance of the Queens man after he left the venue shows him running down Metropolitan Avenue. "Somebody was chasing him," the father said. "Maybe someone mugged him." Clemente's cellphone and wallet were not found with his body. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Clemente worked as a psychologist with suicidal and mentally ill children, his father said. Ashley Papa contributed to this report. While Wichita residents will vote Tuesday on which mayoral candidates will move forward to the General Election, as well as an at-large school board seat and a city council spot, Park City voters have a sales tax referendum on the primary ballot. Polls are open in Sedgwick County from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and you must have your photo ID with you to vote. Those who live in Park City limits will get to vote on whether to increase the local sales tax by 1%. The language on the ballot reads, Shall the City of Park City, Kansas, be authorized to impose a one percent (1%) Citywide retailers sales tax, the revenue from which will be used for the purposes of providing mill levy support and paying the costs of public improvements of the City, including payment of debt service on financing issued for such purposes, with the collection of such sales tax to commence on January 1, 2024, or as soon thereafter as permitted by law; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended? In response, voters can select yes or no. 2023 primary election live updates: Polls close in Wichita mayor, school board races Park Citys website said the increase would amount to an additional roughly $2.47 per month for each household The referendum will not raise the property tax rate, and it will not be applied to sales of prescription drugs, medical devices or food for the elderly or homebound, according to the citys website. According to Mayor John Lehnherr, if the referendum passes to add a 1% local sales tax, it would bring the overall sales tax rate in Park City to 8.5%, which would match many cities in the county, he said. Should it pass, we will be seeking additional community input on the best ways the new revenue can be used including property tax relief, economic development and job growth, and maintaining city services like roads, parks, and police services, Park City Mayor John Lehnherr said in a statement published to the citys tax referendum page. Story continues On the site, Park City officials contend the additional revenue will be paid mainly by visitors, with only 12% coming from shoppers who live in the Park City area. Where to vote in Park City Park City has two polling places, city hall and Word of Life Church in Wichita. You can visit the Kansas Secretary of States website to view which one is your polling place. If you voted by mail, you can drop off your advance ballot in any of the countys drop boxes before polls close. You can also send your ballot to the Sedgwick County election office, but it has to be postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday to be counted. To find more information on Tuesdays election, visit the Wichita Eagles voting guide. Voyager 2 has stopped receiving commands or sending data back to Earth Nasa has picked up a "heartbeat" signal from its Voyager 2 probe after it lost contact with it billions of miles away from Earth, the space agency said. Last month, the spacecraft - exploring the universe since 1977 - tilted its antenna to point two degrees away from Earth after a wrong command was sent. As a result, the probe stopped receiving commands or sending data. But on Tuesday, Nasa said a signal from Voyager 2 was picked up during a regular scan of the sky. Where is Voyager 2 now? Voyager 2 is more than 12.3 billion miles (19.9 billion km) from Earth, where it is hurtling at an estimated 34,390mph (55,346km/h) through interstellar space - the space between the stars. Since 21 July, the probe has been unable to receive commands or send back data to Nasa's Deep Space Network - an array of giant radio antennas across the world - and the spacecraft is not receiving commands from ground controllers. However, there is hope for the probe, with contact - albeit limited - now re-established. Given that the space-craft is almost 20 billion kilometres (more than 12 billion miles) away, that signal will have taken around 18 hours to reach earth. Nasa said the news confirms Voyager 2 is still broadcasting and is in "good health." Earlier on Monday, the space agency said its huge dish in Australia's capital, Canberra, was trying to detect any stray signals from Voyager 2. The antenna has also been bombarding Voyager 2's area with the correct command, in the hope of making contact with the probe, said Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages the Voyager missions. While fuller communication is not yet established, Voyager 2 is programmed to reset its orientation multiple times each year to keep its antenna pointing at Earth. The next reset is due on 15 October, which Nasa says "should enable communication to resume". In the meantime, Nasa expects the spacecraft laden with science instruments to remain on its planned trajectory through the universe. Story continues The probe has been floating in space since 1977 when it was launched to study the outer solar system. Voyager 2 and its twin Voyager 1 are the only spacecraft ever to operate outside the heliosphere, the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields generated by the Sun. They reached interstellar space in 2018 and 2012 respectively. The probes were designed to take advantage of a rare alignment of outer planets, which occurs about every 176 years, to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft ever to fly by Neptune and Uranus, while Voyager 1 is now nearly 15 billion miles away from Earth, making it humanity's most distant spacecraft. "You might have heard... Voyager 2 is taking a break from sending data until October. In the meantime, I'm out here, almost 15 billion miles (24 billion km) from Earth and doing fine! - V1", wrote Nasa on X, formerly known as Twitter, last week. Each spacecraft carries a Golden Record with Earth's sounds, pictures, and messages intended to communicate a story of our world to extra-terrestrials. Wagnerites can be located on the territory of the old military warehouses near Osypovych Wagner PMC mercenaries have been discovered at a new location near Osypovych, Belarus by Belarus Gayun monitoring group. The mercenaries have begun using old military warehouses of the former military town No. 28 Popolova in the middle of July, the group said on August 1. Read also: UK struggles to blacklist Wagner PMC as terrorist organization Activity was first witnessed after the arrival of large, organized columns of Wagnerites to the tent camp in the settlement of Tzel about 90 kilometers southeast of Minsk. It is about a 30-minute car ride between the tent camp and the military warehouses. There are 15 buildings at the new location, 10 of which are military warehouses with an area of up to 1,070 square meters, the monitoring group reported. There is also an old equipment warehouse and several guard rooms. Read also: 5,000 Wagner mercenaries in Belarus, but no immediate threat to Ukraine DPSU According to our data, the warehouses began to be used around July 18, which was confirmed by satellite images. Comparing pictures from July 17 and July 24, at least six zones can be seen with visible changes on the territory of the former military town, the group said. Some entrances to the hangars were already cleared, as seen in the July 24 images. Wagnerites in Belarus what is known Yevhen Prigozhins Wagner mercenaries ended their one-day coup attempt on June 24 following negotiations with the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin then gave the Wagnerites three options, one of which was exile to Belarus. Read also: Paralyzed Putin did nothing despite knowing of Wagner rebellion in advance Washington Post A few days later, there were reports of camps being built in Belarus to house the mercenaries, with satellite images providing more evidence of a probable Wagner camp. Lukashenko said that Belarus is not building camps for the groups, but will help with accommodation, if necessary. Story continues Belarus is believed to have the capacity to house around 8,000 Wagner mercenaries. Ukrainian intelligence, however, has noted that there are currently 5,000 in the country. The Wagnerites are training the Belarusian military, reported NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Belarus Internal Affairs Ministry confirmed this on July 12. After the arrival of the Wagnerites, Russia withdrew almost all its military personnel from Belarus, Ukrainian intelligence reported on July 14. Read also: Poland to bolster military, border security over Wagner threat, says deputy PM Wagner PMC brought armored vehicles with them to Belarus, reported the Gayun monitoring group on July 25. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Andriy Yusov Fighters of the Wagner Group private military company (PMC), currently stationed in Belarus, do not pose an immediate threat to Ukraine or other Eastern European countries, Ukrainian Military Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on Aug. 1. Yusov acknowledged that the presence of several thousand seasoned combatants across Ukraines northern border is a potential threat that must be taken into account, but assured Ukrainians that all the necessary precautions are being taken in that regard. Read also: Poland to bolster military, border security over Wagner threat, says deputy PM However, as it currently stands, this group does not constitute an imminent danger, said Yusov. That being said, we cannot underestimate it, and no one is doing that. Read also: Russia seeks partners amid international isolation In response to threats made by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko towards Poland which were later claimed to have been a joke Yusov said that Moscow is aiming to divert the attention and resources of Ukraine's NATO and EU partners by creating additional tension and potential risk. Read also: Lukashenko walks back threatening Poland with a Wagner incursion "But on the other hand, this is a bit of a self-defeating PR campaign, as these provocations compel Poland, for instance, to bolster its own security and defense sector, pay more attention to the Belarusian border, and of course, scrutinize various scenarios in greater detail," Yusov concluded. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Super political action committees allied with Republican presidential candidates revealed their first fundraising data of the 2024 cycle, with a group backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leading the pack. Most Read from Bloomberg DeSantiss campaign has faced a rocky stretch marked by layoffs and donor frustration, but the financial strength of his allied super PAC could help steady his bid. DeSantis trails current GOP frontrunner Donald Trump by more than 35 points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. Super PAC fundraising is watched by donors and party insiders as a test of which candidates are most viable. The disclosures, due to the Federal Election Commission on Monday at midnight, cover contributions and expenditures for the first six months of the year, the period when many candidates announced their presidential runs. Unlike presidential campaigns, which can only accept up to $3,300 per donor, super PACs can take in unlimited amounts of money. But the groups cant coordinate directly with the campaign. Even so, the entities are extremely valuable to their associated campaigns and typically the choice vehicle for major donors to allocate millions to support their preferred candidates. Here are how the super PACs allied with campaigns are faring: Ron DeSantis Never Back Down raised $131 million, making it the best-funded super PAC, though most of the money was originally donated to a committee that supported Ron DeSantiss 2022 reelection in Florida. It spent $33.7 million over the past six months, including $7.3 million on independent expenditures backing DeSantis. It also spent $9.8 million on media, $4 million on canvassing and field operations, and $1 million on payroll. Never Back Down had $97 million left at the beginning of July. Story continues In addition to the $82.5 million that was transferred from DeSantiss Florida PAC from his 2022 run for governor, the group also got $20 million from Budget Suites of America hotel tycoon Robert Bigelow. Other contributions include $1 million each from GOP megadonors Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, and Sequoia Capitals Douglas Leone, who gave $2 million. Never Back Down has taken a more active role in handling some of the candidates day-to-day operations, including hosting a recent bus tour through Iowa. The increased activity from the allied super PAC comes as the DeSantis campaign laid off roughly one-third of its staff amid efforts to save money. By comparison, the campaign ended June with only $12.2 million in the bank. Donald Trump Trumps Make America Great Again Inc., the super PAC that got $69 million from his leadership PACs last year, raised $13.1 million in the first six months of 2023 but had to refund $12.3 million to help defer the mounting legal expenses of the former president and his allies. MAGA Inc. spent $38 million, including the money refunded to Save America, Trumps leadership PAC, and ended June with $30.8 million cash on hand. The super PAC got big donations from deep-pocketed Republicans and longtime Trump allies. GOP donor Patricia Duggan gave $5 million, Trumps Las Vegas hotel partner Phil Ruffin gave $2 million and New York Jets owner Robert Woody Johnson gave $1 million. Its also spent $23.3 million on independent expenditures backing Trump, a massive sum when the first nominating contests are more than five months away. The strategy has been successful, as Trump remains the clear frontrunner in the polls and only one rival, DeSantis, regularly scores double digits. But Trumps mounting legal problems and the unprecedented refund of money to help battle them means the super PAC is burning cash: it started the year with $54 million, a 44% drop. And those expenses will likely increase. The former president is bracing for yet another indictment, this time in Special Counsel Jack Smiths probe into the aftermath of the 2020 election and the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Hes already been indicted in a federal case over his handling of classified documents, and faces additional obstruction charges added last week. In New York state court, he faces charges over alleged hush money payments to an adult film star. Trump aides formed the Patriot Legal Defense Fund to help defray the legal expenses his associates face. It registered with the Internal Revenue Service on July 18. Like Trumps super PAC, it can raise funds in unlimited amounts but deep pocketed donors contributing to it will have less money to support his run for the White House. Tim Scott Trust in the Mission PAC raised $19.3 million including $10.8 million transferred from a super PAC that backed Scotts 2022 reelection effort. It spent $4.3 million, and ended June with $15 million in cash on hand. Donors from January through June include Sherman Financial Group founder Benjamin Navarro, who gave $5 million. Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam each gave $25,000. Former Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomeys campaign also gave $25,000. One major Scott supporter absent from the list of super PAC contributors was Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison, who donated $30 million to Scotts Senate reelection effort in 2022. The PAC announced a $40 million ad buy in July for the second half of this year, which is not covered in this round of disclosures. The group has not said who is behind the infusion of cash, and those names dont have to be reported until January 2024. Nikki Haley The super PAC backing former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, SFA Fund, raised $18.7 million, spent $1.6 million and started July with $17 million in the bank. The super PAC got its biggest boost from WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, who gave $5 million. Clover Health Investments Corp. co-founder Vivek Garipalli and GOP donor Laurel Asness both gave $1 million. Billionaire Ira Rennert donated $100,000. Haleys leadership PAC, Stand for America, chipped in $1 million. Doug Burgum Best of America PAC, which is supporting North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, raised $11 million in 23 days and spent very little less than $3,000. Benchmark Capitals Robert Kagle and Gary Tharaldson, CEO of Tharaldson Companies, each gave $1 million. Burgum, whose wealth stems from a software business he sold to Microsoft Corp, is largely self-financing his campaign. Chris Christie Tell It Like It Is PAC raised $5.9 million since it launched at the end of May. It spent less than $430,000 and ended June with $5.5 million in the bank. Like Chris Christies presidential campaign, the super PAC supporting the former New Jersey governor had success courting longtime Republican donors and notable finance sector names. The super PAC received $500,000 from Cliff Asness of AQR Capital Management, and $250,000 from Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, Susquehanna Internationals Jeff Yass, Duquesne Family Offices Stan Druckenmiller, and Cam Capitals Bruce Kovner. The biggest donation came from SHBT LLC, a Texas-based company that gave $1 million. Tell It Like It Is has spent $193,000 on advertising according to AdImpact, with most going to digital ads, though it also bought broadcast ads in New Hampshire, where Christie is concentrating his campaigning. Mike Pence The Mike Pence-allied group Committed to America raised more than $2.7 million over the past six months, falling short of several other Republicans. Lackluster donor support has raised questions about whether Pence will qualify for the first GOP debate in August. Mountaire Corp CEO Ronald Cameron was the largest donor to the former vice presidents Committed to America PAC, giving $500,000 during the first six months of the year. Other major donors include the Perot-family owned Hillwood Development Company LLC and Variety Wholesalers Inc. CEO James Art Pope. The group spent nearly $907,0000 from January through June, and started July with $1.8 million in the bank. Vivek Ramaswamy The American Exceptionalism PAC supporting entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy brought in slightly more than $505,000. It spent more than half that haul, ending June with nearly $225,000 in the bank. Top contributors include Ramaswamys former college classmate and business partner Travis May, now president of a health data company. Hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin gave $100,000. Francis Suarez SOS America PAC backing Miami Mayor Francis Suarez raised nearly $1.3 million in the first six months of the year. It spent more than it brought it over $1.5 million but still ended June with $5.6 million on hand. Contributors include Ivan Soto-Wright, the co-founder of crypto company MoonPay; TriStar Capitals David Edelstein and Dwight Anderson, who founded Ospraie Management, LLC. Asa Hutchinson The super PAC backing former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson raised $2.3 million, welcome help for a candidate whos struggled to raise money his campaign took in $500,000 in the second quarter but far short of what hell need to be competitive. The good news is America Strong and Free Action got donations from some donors who can give a lot more. Investment banker Warren Stephens gave $1 million, Tyson Foods Inc. chairman John Tyson gave $350,000 and Walmart heir Jim Walton gave $100,000. The super PAC burned through $1.3 million and ended June with $944,142 in cash on hand. Hutchinson, who measures just 0.6% in the Real Clear Politics average of national polls, has been an outspoken critic of Trump. Will Hurd Future Leaders Fund, which supports former Texas Representative Will Hurd, raised nearly $661,000 during the first six months of the year. Most of that sum, $500,000, came from Smith Point Capitals Keith Block, a former Salesforce executive. The super PAC ended the period with nearly $730,000 in cash on hand. Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running as a Democrat in that partys primary. A son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, hes unlikely to mount a serious challenge to President Joe Biden. Kennedy, who has promoted numerous conspiracy theories and falsehoods over the years, has garnered support from Republicans who could be looking to boost Kennedy in an attempt to create a hurdle for Biden. His allied super PAC, American Values 2024, reported raising nearly $9.8 million, with roughly half of that coming from Timothy Mellon, a major Trump donor. Security specialist Gavin De Becker, who has worked for Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos, gave $4.3 million. --With assistance from Gregory Korte. (Updates with Trump, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Suarez filings) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Over 50 firefighters packed the Jackson City Council's chambers Tuesday and demanded pay raises. RaSean Thomas, who serves as a fire captain in the department, told councilmembers that "a significant pay raise" is due. "We work very hard to make sure we take care of this city night in and night out," Thomas said. "We're working two and three jobs just to take care of our families and we're tired of the can being kicked down the road and everyone talking about giving us something and nothing happening." Thomas said Jackson firefighters are the lowest paid in the surrounding areas, but "have the heaviest fire load and heaviest call volume." He told councilmembers the department is tired of being "looked over." A 23-year veteran of the fire department, Thomas said before the Council his salary is still lower than the starting salary of a Jackson Police Officer, who makes $45,000 annually. Thomas said he makes "$44,200 base." According to an open records request submitted by the Clarion Ledger, Jackson Fire Captains, Thomas' rank, make between $43,600 to $50,000 annually. Records show Thomas' salary falls within that range. All but five of the city's 81 fire captains make at least $46,000. Starting police officers, records show, make $45,000 annually. Otherwise, according to the public information, the highest paid member of the department is the main Fire Chief Willie Owens who makes just over $88,500. Jackson Fire Lieutenants make between $41,000 and $44,000 and unranked firefighters make between $26,000 to $32,000 annually. More issues for Jackson employees: City employees describe "inhumane" working conditions at Metrocenter Mall. See what happened "We're tired, we're broken, we're worn, and we are wanting you to do something to make this situation better for us just like you do for everyone else," Thomas said as applause from his fellow firefighters filled the chambers. "We don't want pennies, we don't want nickels, we want Franklins. We want big money. We want to feel valued." Story continues He demanded the Council find a way to increase pay when they vote on next year's city budget on Oct. 1. Owens was also in attendance during the meeting and voiced support to the Council for pay raises for his department. Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Armon, who spoke during an interview outside of Council chambers, said he was glad firefighters came out to support the request for a pay raise and agreed with Thomas that a "significant" raise was due, especially when you take into consideration the hours a firefighter works and the staff shortages the department is facing. Jackson firefighters work 24-hour shifts, then get 48-hours off. But the issue of staff shortages isn't due to the department not being able to find recruits, Armon said. It's because some firefighters have realized they can make more money in other cities. This continued loss of personnel could be an issue in the future, he said. "As of right now we've been able to maintain and not cut any type of services and what I mean by that is (we do) the same thing as when we had adequate staffing," Armon said. "It hasn't affected us as far as providing services to the citizens, but I can't say that is going to continue to be the case if we keep losing personnel." Armon proposed that the starting salary for a firefighter should be the same as a starting salary for a police officer. The fire departments demand for raises coincided with a discussion item that Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes presented: pay raises for all city employees. "They deserve it, they really deserve it," Stokes said. "These employees come to work. When it's winter and it's cold, they're at work. When it's summertime and it's 100-plus degrees, they're at work. They're not crying, they're not complaining. But they do feel they need compensation." Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes speaks to media in the 800 block of Lanier Avenue in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, about Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's comments about him during a press conference on Tuesday. Fire at records warehouse Mayor: Records building fire started while an employee was shredding documents. See how Stokes said the current pay for city employees like with the fire department isn't enough to retain workers. "As you hear all the time: 'we train them, but other cities get them,' because they pay them better. They don't just leave to go to these other places because they want to leave Jackson. They leave because they need the money to take care of their families," Stokes said. Stokes mentioned that he wasn't contacted by the fire department to talk about pay raises, but it just happened that he wanted to bring up the issue during the meeting as well. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson Fire Department invades City Council and demands pay raises Workers in a cradle suspended from a rail on the shield have been cutting off grain and ribbon elements of the Soviet emblem (Sergei SUPINSKY) Workers lowered a hammer and sickle from a towering sculpture overlooking Kyiv on Tuesday in a campaign to remove Soviet icons that ramped up after Russia invaded last year. The 62-metre-high steel figure of a woman holding a sword and shield bearing the USSR-linked symbols was unveiled in 1981 as a memorial to Soviet victory in World War II. But since Russia's invasion, Ukraine doubled-down on the removal of references to Soviet history and Russian culture from geographical names, and a law on decolonisation came into force this summer. There are similarly massive war memorials in former Soviet cities like Volgograd in Russia and Brest in Belarus. The monument standing atop a war museum is known literally as the "Fatherland Mother" but there are now calls to rename the it Mother Ukraine. The culture ministry has meanwhile backed a plan to furnish the figure with a new shield bearing the country's trident emblem. The statue is part of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War and it is planned that the Soviet shield will go on display there. - 'Culture and information front' - "We're obliged to carry out de-communisation, and replacing the shield is one of the main steps of that work," the museum's director Yuriy Savchuk told AFP standing beneath the statue. He said the project fits with Ukraine's aspirations to move towards the West and become a member of NATO and that the work was part of an ideological war. "The war is obviously also playing out on the cultural and informational front: it's a war for identity, for people's consciousness," Savchuk said. Workers in a cradle suspended from the top of the shield have since last month been removing sheafs of wheat and ribbons from the Soviet emblem, lowering them on ropes. AFP on journalists on the scene saw them cutting around the hammer and sickle and lowering them to the ground after delays due to several air raid warnings. Story continues "Maybe this should have been done before the full-scale invasion... but today the Russian-Ukrainian war brings fresh relevance to a lot of questions that were put off in the past," Savchuk said. Replacing the shield is set to cost 28 million hryvnias ($758,000), although officials stress it will be paid for by donations and sponsorship, not state funds. The arts minister who had backed the project resigned last month amid official criticism of the cost of arts projects in wartime. But a survey commissioned by the culture ministry last year found 85 percent of Ukrainians backed removing the hammer and sickle. - 'Looking at the enemy' - Acting minister Rostislav Karandeyev hailed the project as an "essential element of our resistance in the ideological battle with our enemy," as he watched the work from the ground. He said the new shield should be in place by this month's national holidays: Ukraine's flag day on August 23 and independence day on August 24. The minister said that he expected the decision on renaming the statue "will be taken on a political level". Sculptor Oleksiy Pergamenshchyk, who created the trident emblem for the new shield, told AFP the removal of the symbols was a long time coming. "We can prove that we are a great nation and we are not afraid of anything, any challenges," he said. Pergamenshchyk studied under one of the original monument's sculptors, Vasyl Borodai, and dismissed calls for the monument itself to be removed due to its construction during the Soviet era. "It was made by two Ukrainian great sculptors, (Evgeniy) Vuchetych and Borodai, and it doesn't look Soviet because Borodai made it in Greek dress," Pergamenshchyk said. The new trident measures 7.60 metres in length and 4.56 metres in width, he said, adding the statue faces northward, away from the city. "Actually Mother Ukraine is looking right at the enemy, holding the shield, holding the sword, it's very symbolic," he said. am/jbr/gw The News A drone struck a high-rise building in Moscow housing government offices and ministries for the second time in two days. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for attacks inside Russia, but in a video address on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the war is returning to the territory of Russia, and that this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process. His presidential advisor on Tuesday said Russia was now getting used to a full-fledged war. Weve curated reporting and insights on the drone attacks in Russia and what experts make of Zelenskyys comments. Insights [Source] The Barbie and Oppenheimer films are being boycotted by social media users in Japan after the official Barbie Twitter account positively replied to "Barbenheimer" memes featuring atomic bomb jokes. The controversial replies: The now-deleted posts included a poster of Barbie star Margot Robbie with Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy against a backdrop of apocalyptic flames, to which the U.S. Barbie account replied, Its going to be a summer to remember. In another post, Robbie and her co-star Ryan Gosling drive away from the apocalyptic flames in their backdrop. Were always thinking PINK, the U.S. "Barbie" account wrote. In a tweet by a moviegoer, Robbies hair was edited into the shape of an atomic bomb mushroom cloud. In a response to the tweet, the U.S. Barbie account wrote, "This Ken is a stylist." More from NextShark: New Jersey Korean man who was allegedly assaulted with chopsticks by police supervisor settles for $120,000 More from NextShark: Singapore teen ridiculed for calling $60 bag gifted to her by her father luxury #NoBarbenheimer: Japanese netizens were angered by the U.S. account making light of atomic bombs. Barbie is set to be released in Japan on Aug. 11, just days after the anniversaries of America's atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and 9, respectively. The hashtag #NoBarbenheimer trended on social media in Japan, with many users saying that they have canceled their plans to watch the Greta Gerwig-directed film. More from NextShark: Man With Whip Rants About Filthy F**king Disease Outside Chinese Consulate in Sydney Oppenheimer currently does not have a release date in Japan, leading to speculation that the movie may not be released in the country. However, an official ban on the film seems unlikely, as Japan upholds freedom of speech. The biographical films distributor, Universal Pictures, said it wasnt aware of the controversy over Barbenheimer in Japan, according to The New York Times. Story continues Japanese Barbie account statement: Due to the heavy backlash, the Japanese Barbie Twitter account recently released a statement, noting that what the U.S. "Barbie" Twitter account wrote was extremely regrettable. We take this very seriously and are asking the U.S. head office to take appropriate action. We apologize to those offended by these inconsiderate actions, the Japanese account wrote, according to The Guardian. More from NextShark: S. Korean President Yoon proposes new ministry to protect Korean Americans from hate crimes Warner Bros. Film Group apology: Warner Bros., which is "Barbie's" distributor, has also responded to the backlash, issuing an apology and agreeing to remove the offensive tweets. Warner Brothers regrets its recent insensitive social media engagement. The studio offers a sincere apology, the company told Variety on Tuesday. While some Japanese netizens welcomed the apology, others continued to criticize the Barbie team. Summer to remember that to the Barbie film team and to Hollywood more than 200,000 deaths by the end of 1945 (and half a million so far) by two atrocious bombs are something they feel comfortable joking about to promote their precious summer blockbuster, one user tweeted. Other criticism: This is not the first time the Barbie movie has come under fire in Asia. Last month, it was banned in Vietnam due to a scene with a map that includes Chinas nine-dash line in the South China Sea, which The Hague repudiated through international arbitration in 2016. The Philippines, which is also affected by the South China Sea dispute, asked Warner Bros. to blur the line instead of banning "Barbie" in the country. Meanwhile, Oppenheimer came under fire in India for referencing a sacred Hindu text during a sex scene. The movie is also being criticized for not sharing the stories of those who were affected by the development of the atomic bomb, including the Japanese bombing victims and the residents of New Mexico, who suffered health consequences by living near the site where the bomb was tested. Dentist attends to a patient Medical clinics are using fake Google reviews to boost their profiles online, a BBC investigation has found. Consumer groups say fake reviews are a "significant and persistent problem" and have called on internet firms to do more to remove them and fine companies. Which? has warned it could be a serious issue if someone chooses a treatment clinic based on reading a fake review. The government said it was toughening the law to protect consumers, while Google said it removed fake reviews. Fake reviews can be bought online and have been known to appear on Amazon, Trustpilot and the App Store. One of the companies the BBC's investigation examined was the Ipswich Spine Clinic run by Dr Amit Patel. The clinic had a 4.9 star rating on Google reviews. Reviews left on Google for firms highly recommended them to customers But our investigation found a number of people who had given this clinic five stars on Google, had also reviewed 16 of the same business in the US, Australia, Austria and Canada, for products as diverse as property conveyancing, car repairs, and hookah pipes. One of the fake customers wrote: "Dr Amit was brillianthe assessed my injury quickly and came up with a treatment plan, I felt that I was in safe hands and highly recommend this place". We also found that five people who had rated Ipswich Spine Clinic highly, posted negative comments on one of their local competitors. Getting answers When we contacted the clinic, Dr Amit Patel told us he had outsourced his marketing to a company in India, and hadn't been aware of the reviews posted on Google. He said since being contacted by the BBC he had asked for reviews which were not genuine to be taken down. Our investigation also looked at Smiles Better dentistry business in Manchester. Emma Vardy visited one of the firms in Manchester One reviewer Rose Bellamy wrote "I'm so happy with my new smile. Super fast service and everyone was so helpful and kind". But in the same month, Rose Bellamy had also appeared to review a removal company in Australia, a restaurant in Sweden, an immigration company in Canada, and a spa in the US. Story continues A number of its reviewers who had posted five star ratings on Google had also reviewed the same pattern of businesses around the world. Smiles Better had replied to some of its fake Google reviews, writing thank you messages. The dental firm did not provide a response when it was contacted several times by the BBC. 'Serious repercussions' Harry Kind from Which? said "I think it's bad enough if you buy a pair of dodgy Bluetooth headphones off a fake review, but if you try and get a medical treatment done and it turns out that the review you chose the establishment on was fake, that could have really serious repercussions. Selling them, buying them, and hosting them on your platforms should be illegal, they should be facing a fine there needs to be some deterrent from just buying a load of fake reviews because for now it's easy to do." Which? are among consumer groups arguing for measures to protect citizens from fake online reviews A Department of Business and Trade spokesperson said that the government's digital markets, completion and consumers bill will provide new powers to address this. "We're strengthening the law against fake reviews to protect consumers who spend an estimated 23 billion a year on items based off online reviews. "We will publish a consultation later this year on our proposals so we are ready to implement these after the Bill receives Royal Assent, including giving the [Competition and Markets Authority] the power to fine these rogue traders." Google said it does remove fake reviews and suspend fake accounts. A spokeswoman said: "Our policies clearly state reviews must be based on real experiences, and when we find policy violations, we take swift action ranging from content removal to account suspension and even litigation." A Warren County man who was arrested Monday in connection with the attack two and a half years ago on the U.S. Capitol is among more than 1,000 people who have been charged. Dean Harshman, 36, faces a felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding as well as several misdemeanors, including disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. According to court documents: Harshman, of Waynesville, traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, and then walked to the Capitol building. Photo obtained by the FBI shows Dean Harshman and others outside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Harshman used his cellphone to videorecord many of his actions that day. In one video, according to the documents, as rioters advanced past security barriers toward the Capitol, Harshman can be heard shouting: This is the stuff they aint gonna show you on TV! and Were taking our house back! Harshman then proceeded to the upper west plaza, where he stood near a line of police officers and talked with other rioters about the need to push past officers, an official with the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force said in a criminal complaint. Photo obtained by the FBI shows Dean Harshman and others outside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Video shows police deploying pepper balls into the crowd. Harshman eventually entered the Capitol through a door that had been forced open, the complaint says, and walked through the building. During the roughly 15 minutes he was in the building, he videorecorded the inside of an office, the complaint says. Photo obtained by the FBI shows Dean Harshman and others inside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Harshman appeared Monday before a magistrate judge in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati and was released on his own recognizance, records show. On Aug. 10, he is scheduled to appear by videoconference before a judge in federal court in Washington, D.C. Thats where his case will be handled. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Officials say at least 1,070 people from across the country have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack. Nearly 700 have been convicted of various charges, most through guilty pleas. The investigation is continuing. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Warren County man charged in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack A Washington man pled guilty on Monday to felony charges from the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach, including assaulting a law enforcement officer and civil disorder, said the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia. According to court documents, 34-year-old Tucker Weston from Lynnwood traveled to D.C. to attend the Stop the Steal rally at the Ellipse. On the morning of Jan. 6, he went to the rally and then marched with others toward the U.S. Capitol. Weston participated in removing a metal barricade on the Capitol grounds which let rioters get closer to the building. Weston then reached the Lower West Plaza of the grounds and confronted a group of police officers that stood between the crowd and the Capitol building. Around 1:02 p.m., documents say Weston and a group of rioters shoved police officers who tried to prevent them from getting closer to the building. After breaching the Lower West Plaza, Weston went to the South Side Plaza. Weston joined rioters in using a bike rack to push back against law enforcement. He then shoved another group of police officers who were trying to stop a rioter. Documents say Weston then moved up the northwest stairs to the Upper West Terrace and went into the Capitol building through a broken window next to the Senate Wing door. He stayed in the building briefly before going to the North Portico. Law enforcement removed Weston and others from the North Portico and then Weston left and went to the northeast corner of the Capitol ground, where he found rioters vandalizing media equipment. Weston and other rioters kicked and smashed the equipment. Weston got a bag of stolen equipment from another rioter and walked away. In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, said The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia. The investigation is ongoing. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 21, 2023. China decided to limit exports of long-range civilian drones due to the war in Ukraine and apprehension over potential military adaptation of the drones, The Washington Post reported. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce declared that starting Tuesday, export controls would be enforced to prevent the unsanctioned use of drones. However, the Ministry acknowledged that certain exemptions will be permitted. Restrictions will be applicable to drones exceeding the visual range of operators or having flight durations exceeding 30 minutes. Also, drones weighing more than 7 kilograms (15 pounds) will be subject to the restrictions. The decision comes after the U.S. published an intelligence report revealing the possibility that Beijing supplied equipment to Ukraine with potential military applications. The report referred to Russian customs data, which revealed that Chinese state-owned military contractors delivered drones, navigation equipment, fighter jet parts, and other items. The Ukrainian government made an appeal to DJI, Chinese drone-manufacturing company, in March 2022 to halt the sale of drones utilized to launch strikes. DJI denied allegations of sharing data on Ukraine's military positions with Russia. Read also: Ukraines counteroffensive lurches forward: Key moment looms as more forces committed Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Washington State Patrol launched a statewide hit-and-run alert system on Tuesday that will help law enforcement agencies readily identify dangerous drivers who have been involved in serious crashes, the agency announced Monday. The alert system, which was authorized by the state legislature earlier this year, is scheduled for a two-year pilot and evaluation period. Last year, the state saw more than 300 hit and runs resulting in serious injury or death, WSP Chief John Batiste said in Mondays news release. In many of these situations, information about the fleeing vehicle was available that, if widely disseminated, might have helped us find a dangerous driver, he said. For a hit and run to qualify for an alert, it must have resulted in serious injury or death, there must be enough descriptive information to help locate a suspect, and the incident must be reported to a local law enforcement agency, the news release says. Alerts will be sent to media outlets as well as people who sign up to receive them electronically. Those interested in receiving the alerts can send a request to be added to HitAndRunAlert@wsp.wa.gov, and should include a cell phone number for text messages. State, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, along with the Washington State Department of Transportation, will work to disseminate information. If you see what you think may be a suspect vehicle after receiving an alert, you should immediately dial 911 and report a location, Batiste said. Do not engage with the vehicle or driver under any circumstances, he said. Lets all do our part to keep the roadways and one another safer. Kelly Clarkson Kelly Clarkson gave some soul-crushing news to a queer fan: that Clarkson, in fact, isnt queer. During her opening weekend for her Las Vegas Residency, Chemistry, on Saturday, Clarkson saw a sign being held up in the audience. In a video shared to social media by Pop Crave, the pop icon read some of the signs held by her fans. She reads one, leaning over to take a better look. My girlfriend gave me a hall pass for you, Clarkson read off. A hall pass refers to the permission given by a monogamous couple to allow one of them to sleep with someone else most of the time that person is famous. However, Clarkson turned down the fan. If I was into chicks, Id take up the offer, Clarkson told her sapphic admirer. She then added I just unfortunately like d*cks. Clarkson has been an outspoken support for LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, lesbian fans call themselves Kezbos. She told Pride Source in 2015 that she was very happy to know how much sapphics love her. I was like, wait theres enough of you to have a group? Thats amazing! Awesome! Go me, she told the outlet. Her 2013 video for the single Tie It Up even features a queer couple getting married, even though marriage equality wouldnt be made law until 2015. Watch Clarksons hilarious rejection below. (@) twitter.com DAKAR (Reuters) - Defence chiefs from West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS will meet in Nigeria's capital Abuja for two days starting Wednesday to discuss last week's coup in Niger, the bloc said in a statement on Tuesday. (Reporting by Edward McAllister) Nine-banded armadillos can carry the bacteria that cause leprosy, but researchers still arent sure whether theyre helping drive the increased local spread of the disease in Florida. Doctors in Florida are sounding caution about one of the worlds oldest known ailments, leprosy. In a recent report, they detail a local case of the bacterial disease with no recent travel history or other clear risk factors. The case and others suggest that leprosy is spreading routinely in Central Florida and has become endemic in the area, the authors say, but theres no clear answer yet as to how and why. The report was published in the August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the paper, the case involves a 54-year-old man who resides in Central Florida. Sometime last year, the man visited a dermatology clinic for help with a painful rash that had started in his legs and arms but eventually spread to his trunk and face. Testing soon confirmed that the man had contracted leprosy, a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria (its also a relative of the bacteria behind tuberculosis) Read more Some of the leprosy-caused lesions observed on the mans limbs. Leprosy, also called Hansens disease, has been known about since biblical times. Much like viruses, leprosy bacteria invade and hijack our cells to make more of themselves. It can take years for symptoms to appear following infection, which includes pale lesions and sores. If left untreated, the infection can gradually destroy nerve and eye cells as well, causing problems like blindness and permanently disfigured limbs. The disease is no longer the global scourge it once was, thanks to the availability of antibiotics and improved sanitation. But it is an issue in some countries, with more than 200,000 cases reported annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S., newly reported cases have continued to remain low, with most involving people who likely caught the disease somewhere else but were diagnosed here. But thats started to change in Florida more recently. Story continues In this latest case, for instance, the man reported no travel history nor exposure to people who might have previously lived in endemic areas, such as migrants to the U.S. And between 2015 to 2020, the authors note, roughly a third of leprosy cases in Florida were likely also caught locally. At the same time, fewer and fewer cases have involved people born outside the U.S. These trends, the authors wrote, contribute to rising evidence that leprosy has become endemic in the southeastern United States. Strangely enough, given its fearsome reputation, leprosy is usually very hard to catch. Person-to-person transmission tends to require prolonged close contact with respiratory droplets, and as much as 95% of people are thought to be naturally immune to infection. More recently, some cases of leprosy in the southern U.S. have been linked to contact with nine-banded armadillos, which can carry the bacteria, suggesting that zoonotic transmission is playing a role in the increased spread of the disease. That said, the risk of armadillo-to-human transmission of leprosy seems to be low as well. The man in this current case also didnt report any exposure to armadillos, and many cases in the area have similarly lacked any clear explanation as to how they caught it. The authors say that more research is needed to understand how and why leprosy has gained a foothold in Florida. They point out that their patient and many other cases have reported spending lots of time outdoors, which could suggest a possible environmental source of the bacteria. They also advise that doctors outside Florida who come across leprosy cases in their area should start to consider recent travel history to the state as a possible explanation. As for the man himself, he was given a three-drug combination of antibiotics, which is the standard treatment. Leprosy remains reliably curable, but treatment cant reverse the permanent debilitating effects of late-stage illness, so its best to diagnose it as early as possible. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Iran works to revive nuclear deal for national interests despite distrust of U.S. Xinhua) 13:58, August 01, 2023 TEHRAN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Monday it would push forward negotiations on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal for its national interests, not on trust in the United States, the official news agency IRNA reported. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani made the remarks at a weekly press conference in the capital Tehran in response to a leaked secret audiotape of Rob Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, in which Malley said he sought to revive the nuclear deal "only to further pressure Tehran over other issues." Malley, also lead U.S. negotiator on the deal, said at the audiotape that once returning to the nuclear pact, Iran would be exerted pressure and imposed sanctions for other behaviors, such as "its support for proxy groups and terrorist groups, ballistic missile program, cyberattacks, election interference, and human rights violations." Kanaani said the U.S. government is responsible for explaining Malley's remarks, stressing that "the U.S. committing to the nuclear deal could provide a basis for Tehran's trust in Washington, but it failed to achieve it." "We are making efforts to remove the cruel sanctions and prepare the ground for all parties' responsible return to the nuclear deal, including the United States," the spokesman added, noting that the deal can be resumed whenever the other side manages to ensure commitment for Iran. Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. The talks on the revival of the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Austria's capital Vienna. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Fifty-seven asylum seekers men, women and children from Guatemala, Brazil, India and Guinea climbed off a bus at the Welcome Center one recent morning. The former school in Phoenix has expanded over the past four years into one of the busiest and most sophisticated migrant shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border. Since the once-vacant building reopened in 2019 as a migrant shelter, more than 105,000 asylum seekers from 84 countries have passed through the same glass doors students entered. The staggering number, including some 16,000 so far this year, reflects the record number of migrants arriving at the southern U.S. border in recent years seeking asylum. Asylum seekers are often released in cities and towns in Arizona and other border states by federal immigration and border authorities. The releases are due to overcrowded Border Patrol facilities, a lack of detention space, legal agreements to protect children and laws that give people fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries the right to seek asylum in the U.S. But the releases have often generated disorder, as communities strain to provide shelter and humanitarian assistance to a crush of asylum seekers amid a mounting homelessness crisis. The Welcome Center, however, has played a key role in turning Arizona into a model for providing temporary shelter to asylum seekers released by federal authorities in a safe and orderly manner. Buses arrive several times a day, seven days a week, bringing between 100 and 300 asylum seekers daily. Some come directly from Border Patrol stations or Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Others are arriving from shelters in Yuma and Tucson, which send asylum seekers to the Welcome Center in Phoenix to alleviate overcrowding in cities closer to the border. The center is run by the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit that helps asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants resettle in the U.S. Most asylum seekers are only passing through Arizona after crossing the border and turning themselves over to U.S. authorities. They leave the Welcome Center within a day or two to travel by plane or bus to other states, where they have relatives or sponsors. Story continues Despite all the activity, most people are unaware the Welcome Center exists. Even when arrivals spiked briefly in May during the end of Title 42 border restrictions, the center continued to house asylum seekers without a glitch. That is evidence the center has accomplished its mission: creating a large centralized location to temporarily house asylum seekers and avoid the chaos and strain that used to play out regularly when asylum seekers were released in Phoenix and other cities in Arizona. The Welcome Center has provided more capacity and coordination for a safer process for migrants while helping to reduce the burden on Arizonas smaller border towns and communities that dont have the resources or services, said Luis Heredia, state director for U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. Chaos at Phoenix bus depot replaced by coordinated Welcome Center Before the center opened in July 2019, federal authorities used to release busloads of asylum seekers at the Phoenix bus depot day and night, leaving them to fend for themselves. Scenes of families sleeping on the floor with children, many sick with colds and respiratory illnesses caught during their long journeys, or wandering on neighboring streets begging for food, became commonplace from 2014 to 2018. The releases created a political firestorm, drawing the ire of local and state elected officials, while humanitarian groups rushed in to deliver boxes of food, water, diapers and other supplies, turning the bus depot into a scene that resembled a refugee camp. The disorder and confusion at the bus station mostly ended when a network of working-class Hispanic churches stepped forward in 2018, opening their doors to feed and house asylum seekers released by federal authorities. But that effort quickly proved unsustainable. Aiding asylum seekers strained the resources of congregations. The congregations also became fearful after armed members of anti-immigrant groups began showing up, hurling accusations that the churches were facilitating illegal immigration. Then the Welcome Center opened on July 27, 2019 a collaboration between the International Rescue Committee, which provided resources, logistics and organizational skills, and grassroots groups such as the Phoenix Restoration Project, which provided the workforce. The center's lack of visibility is by design. The International Rescue Committee has intentionally kept a low profile to avoid attracting the same kind of unwanted attention that plagued some local churches targeted by anti-immigrant groups that showed up to harass and intimate asylum seekers and volunteers. There are no signs that identify the center. The building is hidden from view by a chain link fence with screening and fortified with a surveillance system and heavy locking gates. Buses enter through a rear gate, allowing asylum seekers to get off without being seen from the street. Even so, at least once someone has fired shots at the building, prompting staff to contact police, who can be seen patrolling the area. "We have had some safety incidents," said Stanford Prescott, the senior communications officer for The International Rescue Committee, noting that no one was hurt. That is why "we are very serious about our safety. It's because there are these real threats out there." From aid volunteer to running a major operation Beth Strano used to collect water and prepare sandwiches to pass out to asylum seekers at the bus depot as a Phoenix Restoration Project volunteer. She now co-runs the Welcome Center. She is one of about 10 former volunteers hired by the International Rescue Committee to staff the center. "Every single day and every single night, families ... were being released on a 24-hour schedule" at the bus station, Strano recalled. "The state of toddlers getting off the busses was horrifying. You know, no shoes, just wearing a diaper and kids hadn't eaten for days. It was very, very rough." But the community responded, Strano said. "We started to build systems that worked to help support people. We started to build relationships as grassroots groups with (the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) to coordinate when they had larger releases," she said. "And it built the foundation for us to come in and build something that could support everybody." The center employs a staff of over 30 people. The bulk of the center's funding comes from federal emergency funding allocations to help communities provide aid to asylum seekers. The rest comes from private donations, Strano said. The center has received nearly $9.9 million in public and private funding in 2023. That includes more than $6.4 million through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and nearly $2 million through the Shelter and Services Program, both administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There's also been almost $800,000 in other public funding. The center rents the building, which had been vacant for years, from the Phoenix Elementary School District. By providing humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers, the Welcome Center reduces costs that used to be incurred by other local aid groups and medical facilities, Strano said. The shelter also prevents asylum seekers from winding up on the streets and adding to the state's population of unhoused people, she said. "The cost savings alone from folks not ending up in the emergency room and instead going through a medical clinic, not ending up at the Greyhound station and ending up as long-term homeless here, that's a huge savings to the entire community," Strano said. Massive facility helps asylum seekers get ready for more travel The center opened with just a few old classrooms converted into dormitories capable of housing about 80 people. The 55,000-square-foot building has since been completely renovated into full-scale migrant shelter, as a recent tour showed. The facility now has the capacity to house 340 people. It is equipped with a clinic where medical professionals conduct health screenings, provide vaccines and dispense medication. The building also has showers and sleeping quarters with cots for families and single adults. There is also a baby playroom and a children's playroom stocked with games and toys. "When you think about the journeys the families have been on, it can take weeks or months to get to this point," Strano said. "They may not have had a lot of spaces where babies and toddlers have had a safe space to crawl or put things in their mouths. So we want to give them that time to be able to relax and let their baby play in a safe space." Beth Strano, asylum seekers and families engagement manager, shows the clothing storage room at the Welcome Center in Phoenix on July 12, 2023. The Welcome Center marks four years of providing shelter, food and other humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers released by federal immigration authorities. Some credit the center for eliminating the street releases of asylum seekers in the past and alleviating the strain placed on local churches that had stepped in to accommodate them. There is also a prayer room to accommodate asylum seekers from various faith traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. There are rooms stocked with racks of donated clothing and boxes of shoes sorted by size. Asylum seekers can pick out items to replace the soiled or worn clothing they often arrive wearing. Asylum seekers are also given backpacks and personal hygiene supplies to take with them as they continue their journeys. Volunteers check paperwork, looking for errors and ensuring asylum seekers know when to check in with immigration authorities once they reach their final destinations. Hot meals prepared in the former school's kitchen are served in a dining hall. The former school cafeteria also doubles as a living space. On a recent morning, asylum seekers sat together at tables and charged phones. Others waited at a booth where volunteers armed with computers helped book airline tickets, typically paid for by asylum seekers' friends or relatives already in the U.S. A television monitor looped a video explaining how to navigate the security and boarding process at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. A free shuttle transports asylum seekers there. Staff at the center coordinate with officials at the airport, Strano said. For subscribers: 'Guilty until proven innocent'? Advocates say Black immigrants face racial bias in court Welcome Center persists despite ebbs and flows of asylum seekers The Welcome Center opened in 2019 amid a lull in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the southern border, raising questions about the center's long-term need. But the center was created for the long-term, said Aaron Rippenkroeger, executive director of the Phoenix office of the International Rescue Committee. The movement of asylum seekers ebbs and flows, depending on conditions that push people to flee their home countries, and factors that draw them to the U.S., he said. The center received 8,500 asylum seekers in 2019. In 2020, the number fell to 6,000 after the pandemic forced migrants to stay home and the Trump administration implemented Title 42 border restrictions to quickly expel most asylum seekers. But the number of asylum seekers released at the center soared to nearly 38,000 in 2021 and more than 49,000 in 2022 amid a record-breaking surge of people fleeing political turmoil, violence and poverty exacerbated by climate change and the pandemic. For subscribers: Help wanted: Labor shortage hits hard in rural West Texas as US slams door on migrants Since May, the number of asylum seekers crossing the southern border has again plummeted, amid several factors, including the roll-out of an app that regulates the number of asylum seekers who can enter the U.S. at ports of entry, stepped-up enforcement by the Mexican government that blocks asylum seekers from reaching the U.S. and a range of new Biden administration policies aimed at deterring asylum seekers. "It's a roller coaster. It feels like it's always been and it always will be," Rippenkroeger said. "If this center were to close, we could be thrust right back into the same situation we were in before. And that would be terrible." Daniel Gonzalez covers race, equity and opportunity. Reach the reporter at daniel.gonzalez@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8312. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Welcome Center in Phoenix streamlines movement of asylum seekers As former President Donald Trump pushes forward with his 2024 campaign, incidents from before, during and after his term in office are under intense legal scrutiny. He has now been indicted in three cases and remains under investigation in another criminal probe. Here's where the four investigations, led by two state prosecutors and a federal special counsel, stand: Indicted: Manhattan "hush money" probe A New York grand jury investigating the circumstances surrounding a "hush money" payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 voted to indict Donald Trump in March, making him the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges. He was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, and pleaded not guilty to all charges on April 4. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended the decision to charge Trump in a press conference. "Under New York state law, it is a felony to falsify business records with intent to defraud and intent to conceal another crime," Bragg told reporters. "That is exactly what this case is about: 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes." The case stems from a payment made just days before Trump was elected president in 2016. His former attorney, Michael Cohen, arranged a wire transfer of $130,000 to Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair. Prosecutors were investigating potential falsification of business records related to reimbursements made to Cohen. Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and vehemently denied wrongdoing in this case. In the weeks before the grand jury decision, a steady stream of former Trump employees and White House staffers were seen entering Bragg's offices, including Trump's former White House counselor and campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, former director of strategic communications Hope Hicks, and his former lawyer and "fixer" Michael Cohen. Story continues Cohen, who went to prison on federal charges related to the $130,000 payment to Daniels, has met repeatedly with prosecutors this year more than a half-dozen times since mid-January. He appeared before the grand jury twice. In his memoir "Disloyal," Cohen described an intense effort in October 2016 just before the presidential election to prevent the actress from speaking publicly about an alleged affair with Trump. Ultimately, Cohen wired the money through a newly created limited liability company, and both Cohen and Daniels have claimed she and Trump signed a non-disclosure agreement using the aliases David Dennison and Peggy Peterson. Trump, a Republican who is running once again for president, has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing, and lashed out at Bragg, a Democrat, calling the case a "political persecution." In ruling against an effort by Trump to have the case moved from state to federal jurisdiction Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein addressed Trump's accusation that the indictment was politically motivated. "Trump argues that a 'politically motivated' district attorney who 'disfavored [Trump's] acts and policies as president' caused the grand jury to indict. Trump fails to show, however, that the grand jury lacked a rational basis for the indictment," Hellerstein wrote. Hellerstein also faulted another argument made on Trump's behalf, that he is immune from prosecution because the payments were made while he was president. "Reimbursing Cohen for advancing hush money to Stephanie Clifford cannot be considered the performance of a constitutional duty," Hellerstein wrote. "Falsifying business records to hide such reimbursement, and to transform the reimbursement into a business expense for Trump and income to Cohen, likewise does not relate to a presidential duty." The case is scheduled to go on trial in March 2024. Indicted: Special counsel's Mar-a-Lago documents case Trump became the first former president charged with federal crimes in June, and entered a not guilty plea to 37 felony counts related to alleged "willful retention" of national security information after leaving the White House. An aide to Trump, Waltine Nauta, was also charged in the case and has entered a not guilty plea. Three additional charges against Trump, and two more charges against Nauta, were filed in late July, when prosecutors also introduced charges against Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. The case was brought by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed in November to oversee two Justice Department's criminal investigations into Trump. The indictment accuses Trump of storing boxes containing classified documents "in various locations at The Mar-a-Lago Club including in a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room." Trump lives at Mar-a-Lago, a private Palm Beach, Florida country club owned by his company. Trump has defended his handling of classified information, and accused Smith of pursuing the case out of political bias, calling Smith a "radical." The judge in the case, Aileen Cannon, has scheduled the trial for May 2024, which would place it toward the end of the Republican presidential primary season. Indicted: Special counsel's Jan. 6 investigation Smith's office has also been investigating alleged efforts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power after Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, including the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The grand jury hearing evidence in this case indicted Trump on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. The charges came a week after Trump revealed that he'd received a letter from Smith's office identifying him as a target of the criminal investigation. Trump faces four charges in this indictment: conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. The indictment lists six unnamed co-conspirators. Prosecutors allege they were "enlisted" to assist Trump in "his criminal efforts to overturn" the election "and retain power." Trump has vehemently denied allegations of wrongdoing related to his efforts to overturn the election results. Under investigation: Post-election conduct in Fulton County, Georgia The Fulton County district attorney's investigation into Trump's conduct following the 2020 election began in February 2021 spurred by an infamous recorded Jan. 2, 2021, phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which Trump pressed him "to find 11,780 votes." The probe grew in size and scope over the next two years, ultimately leading to the creation of a special purpose grand jury tasked with investigating not only Trump, but alleged efforts of dozens of his allies to thwart Georgia's election, which President Joe Biden won. The special purpose grand jury had subpoena power, but could not issue indictments. The panel of 23 Georgians interviewed 75 witnesses in 2022, and completed a report in January, which was provided to Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis who has not said publicly if she plans to file charges in the case. Among those interviewed by the special purpose grand jury were many Trump allies, including his former attorney, Rudy Giuliani; South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham; and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. It also interviewed Georgia officials who are among Trump's political critics, such as Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Willis' office sent letters in 2022 to multiple Trump allies warning that they could face charges, including so-called "fake electors" who planned to reverse the state's electoral college vote and Giuliani. In February, a judge ordered a small portion of the report to be made public. In the introduction, the grand jurors wrote that they refuted a claim often made by Trump and his allies. "We find by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election," the report said. The report also said that a "majority of the Grand Jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it" and recommended that the district attorney seek "appropriate indictments" for crimes where the "evidence is compelling." The Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an effort by Trump's attorneys to quash the report and remove Willis from the case. Trump's legal team has filed two similar motions in Fulton County court, and decisions on those filings have not yet been issued. Willis has indicated in letters to county officials that potential indictments in the case could come between July 31 and Aug. 18. Rep. Jamie Raskin on Trump indictment in Jan. 6 case Evidence against Gilgo Beach murders suspect includes surveillance video of victim, prosecutors say U.S. sending $345 million in military aid to Taiwan The Daily Beast/St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department A white police officer in St. Louis has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the city and two Black city officials, claiming he was excluded from a promotion to police chiefa position that ended up going to another white cop. Michael Sack filed the suit against the city of St. Louis, Mayor Tishaura Jones, and Interim Public Safety Director Daniel Isom in the Eastern District of Missouri federal court Monday, saying his race was a determining factor, motivating factor, or played a part in the [citys] decision to not promote himeven though he was qualified to be Commissioner/Chief. Sack wants financial compensation for loss in wages and benefits. According to the lawsuit, Sack began working with the St. Louis Police Department in 1994 and was consistently promoted through the ranks, eventually landing the spot as the lieutenant colonelthe departments second in commandin 2019. In September 2021, the police chief announced his plans to retire, and Sack submitted an application for the role. However, only he and one other officer, who was also white, met the roles qualifications and passed a written test, he says. But Sack claims in his suit that Jones told them that she would not pick either one because she only had two white male candidates to choose from and St. Louis is more diverse than white males. Harvard Admissions Data Shows That America Loves Affirmative Actionfor Whites In March 2022, after learning he got a perfect score on the written test, Sack tried to schedule an interview with Isom, who, as public safety director, would choose the next chief. However, Sack claimed he never got an interview for the next phase in the application process. The city then opened applications for police chief back up in May 2022 with lower minimum qualificationsa violation of its charter, the suit claims. In June 2022, when the former chief officially retired, Sack was appointed interim chief and led the department when a St. Louis public school graduate opened fire, killing a teacher and student. Story continues Sack was commended for his communication with the public on the day of the incident and over the days that followed, according to the lawsuit, which also says Sack was asked to advise a class of Missouri State Police on how to handle active shooter situations. Again, Sack says he put his hat in the ring for police chief but didnt get the job. The lawsuit claims the city wanted a Black police commissioner, but had to settle for Robert Tracyan outside white candidatewhen no African American candidate was left to select. One of the finalists who was Black withdrew his application, and another allegedly declined the citys offer, the lawsuit says. Since being passed over for the top job, the lawsuit says Sack has suffered and will continue to suffer lost income and a resulting loss in his retirement benefits because he was not promoted. He has also allegedly experienced mental anguish, humiliation, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Isom did not immediately return The Daily Beasts request for comment Tuesday, and Jones office said it does not comment on pending litigation. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, but the super political action committee supporting his candidacy has received half its funds so far from a major Republican donor. Timothy Mellon, the head of a transportation holding company and the grandson of industrialist and former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, donated $5 million to American Values 2024 in April, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Mellon has contributed tens of millions to super PACs connected to former President Donald Trump and GOP congressional leadership in recent elections. In a 2015 book describing his conservative political views, Mellon referred to social safety net programs as Slavery Redux, and claimed that government efforts to alleviate poverty and respond to racism in the 1960s and 1970s made Black people even more belligerent than before, according to a report by The Washington Post. Kennedy, the son of the late New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, has made a name for himself as an environmental and anti-vaccine activist. Hes running against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary. But his bid has attracted more positive attention from those on the right who see him as a useful tool to divide Democrats, many of whom have reservations about Bidens renomination. Top GOP presidential candidates have stuck their necks out to praise Kennedy and urge him to stay in the race against Biden. Trump called Kennedy a common-sense guy who should hang in the race. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would sic Kennedy on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Food and Drug Administration, for their roles during the COVID pandemic and in approving vaccines. American Values 2024 touted the contribution from Mellon as a sign of bi-partisan support that shows Kennedys ability to unite the country. Behind Mellon, the groups second largest donor is Gavin de Becker, the renowned security consultant who most recently gained attention for his work for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. De Beckers contributions total $4.5 million. Story continues Other large contributions include more than $150,000 from Skyhorse Publishing, a company owned by American Values 2024 co-founder Tony Lyons, and $100,000 from Abby Rockefeller, an environmental activist and great-granddaughter of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller. Related... Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast How is congressional stock trading like the weather? Everyone complains about it. Yet nobody ever does anything about it. Almost exactly one year ago (on July 29, 2022), then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested he would support this reform, saying, What Ive told everybody, we will come back, and we will not only investigate this, we will come back with a proposal to change the current behavior [stock trading]. Were still waiting, Kev. And Im not the only one who has noticed his lack of action. Speaker McCarthy needs to put a stop to the culture war nonsense his party is pushing and deliver on the promise he made last yearcommon sense, bipartisan reforms that a majority of Americans support, said Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) in a statement. Donald Trump Is the Quentin Tarantino of GOP Politics Craig is one of six members, which include Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who signed a letter on the one-year anniversary of McCarthys promise, urging him to honor his commitment this week. Keep in mind, this proposed reform is wildly popular. According to a survey conducted in May by the Program for Public Consultation (PPC) at the University of Marylands School of Public Policy, 87 percent of Republicans and 88 percent of Democrats favor banning members of Congress (and their spouses and dependents) from trading individual stocks. You couldnt get 87 or 88 percent of Republicans and Democrats to agree on Dolly Partons music or their favorite pizza. And this survey result is merely the latest in what is a steady drumbeat of support for banning congressional stock trading. On July 19, Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced bipartisan legislation to do just that. If youre keeping score, (a) the American public overwhelmingly wants to do this, and (b) there is interest in both chambers of Congress and both major political parties. Shouldnt this ban be a slam dunk for a political leader looking to score a legislative victory? Story continues Apparently not. And McCarthy isnt the first House Speaker to be accused of merely feigning interest in the subject. In December 2021, in response to New York Rep. Alexandria OcasioCortezs tweet saying, It is absolutely ludicrous that members of Congress can hold and trade individual stock while in office, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed back on efforts to ban stock trading for Congress, replying, We are a freemarket economy. Pelosi ultimately caved to pressure from her own party. But rather than embracing an existing bill that might have passed, such as the one authored by Spanberger, Pelosi tapped an ally, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (DCA), to write a new bill. The results left reform supporters accusing her of opening the door to fake blind trusts. The Speaker has accomplished something Id have thought impossible, lamented Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics during the Obama administration. She has produced a congressional stock trading ban I must oppose. Spanberger characterized the debacle as a failure of House leadership. Did Team Pelosi introduce a poison pill into this bill to kill it? At least one Republican seemed to think so. If Its Goodbye Mitch and Dianne, Who Takes Their Place? I think theres a lot of effort to purposely, kind of, make this die under its own weight, declared Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) who co-sponsored Spanbergers bill. There are a lot of people in the body who would rather not restrict their ability to continue to trade. Fast forward ten months, and we seem to be witnessing another failure of House leadership, at least as it pertains to this issue. Only this time, Republicans are running the show. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? It is not clear whether everyone is yelling NOT IT on purpose. Hanlons razor suggests otherwise. But who knows? Almost everybody is theoretically in favor of this reform, yet, so far, yet there has not been the political will to coalesce around one bill. This makes sense. Why would Congress want to regulate itself? Why would members of Congress want to remove benefits they currently have? They would only do so if they perceived they had to. And lets be honest: They dont. For political leaders like McCarthy, the calculation then becomes one of weighing preference (of the public and congressional reformers) versus intensity (some members intensely enjoy getting rich off of the stock market). The public prefers reform, but not enough to vote against their guy or gal in Congress. As such, there is a risk this will become a feel-good issuelike term limits or refusing to pay Congress unless they pass a balanced budgetthat amounts to little more than cheap sloganeering. Want More Trust in Congress? Ban Them From Stock Trading. So how could this change? With all due respect to Democrats like Reps. Craig and Spanberger, they dont really matter to McCarthy, who only has one real priority: remaining the Speaker of the House. What really matters in the short term is whether a few Republican politicianssuch as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) (who supports banning stock trading)makes this a priority for McCarthy. Just as it took AOC to light a fire under Pelosi, only Republicans can influence McCarthys priorities. Unless or until that happens, reform will remain merely a popular idea to champion. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A Pakistani police officer stands guard at the site of Sunday's suicide bomber attack in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on July 31. Credit - Mohammad SajjadAP Sundays suicide attack in Pakistans northwestern Bajaur district, which left at least 56 people dead and wounded nearly 200, is the latest reminder of the enduring terrorist threat that plagues the nuclear-armed country of 220 million people. Terror attacks have surged in Pakistan since the Talibans return to power in neighboring Afghanistan; in the current year, at least 682 people have been killed in 232 attacks so far. The Islamic State Khorasan (ISKP), an affiliate of Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the bombing that ripped through the convention of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), an Islamist political party that is part of Pakistans coalition government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of the center-right Pakistan Muslim League. Other attacks over the last two years have been claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and their offshoots. Ironically, the JUI is close to the TTP in ideology but its willingness to operate within the constitutional-democratic process has resulted in it being labeled hypocrites by Islamic State. Pakistan has faced terror attacks from one group or another since the late 1990s, when local veterans of the U.S.-backed mujahideen in Afghanistan fighting the Soviet Union during the 1980s turned their attention to other issues and causes closer to home. The governments approach has ever since then been to work with some jihadis but spurn others. Volunteers carry an injured police officer to a hospital following an attack on a police compound in Karachi on February 17. At least seven people were killed when a Pakistan Taliban suicide squad stormed a police compound in the port city of Karachi, with a gun battle raging for hours. Rizwan TabassumAFP/Getty Images As Hillary Clinton famously warned Pakistani leaders 13 years ago, You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbors." Even after ostensibly becoming an American ally in the Global War on Terror in the aftermath of 9/11, Pakistan never seriously disarmed all jihadi groups operating from its territory. Story continues The human toll of Pakistan's approach has been immense. Some 16,225 terror attacks have been reported in Pakistan since 2000, resulting in 66,601 deaths, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, a website that tracks terror attacks across the region. Groups such as the Afghan Taliban have enjoyed active Pakistani government support over the years, notwithstanding the militants longstanding ties with Al-Qaeda. Thats because the countrys all-powerful military saw them as allies in ensuring that Pakistan maintained greater influence than India (which many Pakistanis see as their enemy and rival) in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal. Read More: Far From Home At the same time, Pakistani authorities have been severe with international terror groups, such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as violent groups that engage in sectarian attacks (on the countrys minority Shia Muslims, for example) or wage war against Pakistani authorities. Relatives and mourners carry the casket of a victim killed in a suicide bomber attack in Bajaur district, Pakistan, on July 31. Mohammad SajjadAP Pakistani officials might make distinctions between various categories of jihadis, but the militants do not always see things from the same lens. The various groups might disagree over fine points of theology, and over the means and extent of their ideal Islamic state, but they operate in an ecosystem that facilitates cooperation. Individuals often cross over from one group to another and groups transform, mutate, and morphbut their members commitment to jihad endures. The discovery of Al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, in Pakistans garrison town of Abbottabad before he was killed in 2011 in a U.S. targeted operation is a glaring example of the effectiveness of Pakistans jihadi ecosystem. Pakistans government supported the U.S. in apprehending other Al-Qaeda leaders between 2001 and 2011, but bin Laden managed to escape official scrutiny for years. In the absence of official acceptance, that could only have been possible with support from jihadi groups that were not on the governments priority list as targets. Under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, authorities reached a ceasefire agreement with the TTP. But the deal broke down in November, after the TTP accused the military of attacking its men. The government that replaced Khans refused to accommodate the TTPs demands about implementing Islamic rule in districts bordering Afghanistan, and has blamed it for terror attacks claimed by its various offshoots. Since then, TTP has renewed attacks across Pakistan. Pakistans military leaders have for years promised a serious counterterrorism plan that targets all violent extremist groups, without distinction, but has yet to implement it. Unless it does so, new offshoots and breakaway groups of existing jihadi movements will continue to emerge with variations in emphasis and targets, and attacks like the latest one will continue at regular intervals. Contact us at letters@time.com. The News Russia has been pumping money into its economy in an attempt to shore up national support for its war in Ukraine. Weve collected three key insights into what this state-led spending spree means for the country and the ongoing conflict. Insights The Russian economy, while growing, is not stable. President Vladimir Putin built an extensive war chest to prop up the military in the face of Western sanctions, but that money is now dwindling. National accounts are in a more than $1.4 billion deficit. As time goes on, the more difficult it gets for them. They will have to make choices, guns versus butter, Timothy Ash, associate fellow at Chatham Houses Russia & Eurasia program, said in an interview. Putin has run a merciless cannibalization of Russian economic productivity, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute recently argued, and commodity prices are lower across major sectors than they were before the invasion. Oil and gas is being produced in huge supply, but sold at prices so low as to barely break even. As an extractive authoritarian dictator with state control over 70% of the economy, Putin will never really run out of money since he can always pull the authoritarian equivalent of finding money under the couch, they noted. Oil drives every aspect of Russias economy, and the country is something of a one trick pony, Robin Brooks, chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, tweeted. The G7 oil price cap is an existential threat that can halt Russias war economy, he noted. The West should lower the G7 cap from $60 to $50 and prohibit Greek shipping oligarchs from selling their oil tankers to Putin. Know More The Russian economy is expected to grow 2.5% this year, according to the countrys central bank. The New York Times reports that the state-led spending spree has fueled concerns about the countrys financial stability from some economists and the countrys own central bank chief. Putin has been throwing incentives at poorer Russians in hopes of maintaining their support for the invasion of Ukraine, increasing pension funds and salaries, and subsidizing mortgages. Meanwhile, lending is on the rise, and corporate loans saw a 19% jump this year, the Times noted. Trump supporters at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, in July Donald Trump's mounting legal troubles have not dented his status as the clear frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. In fact, the criminal charges have strengthened his position. Why? The former US president has been indicted three times in the past four months - once in New York for alleged financial crimes, once in a federal court on charges that he mishandled sensitive government documents and obstructed an investigation, and on Tuesday, he was indicted in a federal court on charges he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He is also facing a fourth possible indictment in Georgia for pressuring state officials to reverse his 2020 defeat there. Through this all, Mr Trump's campaign has not just continued unabated, it has thrived. An average of opinion polls from 31 July suggests he has a commanding lead of 37 points over his nearest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. No-one else in the crowded field of 14 candidates scores over 6%, and more than half of them are not even at 1%. Bar chart showing average polling numbers for Republican contenders on 31 July. Donald Trump is 53%; Ron DeSantis 16%; Vivek Ramaswamy 6%; Mike Pence 4%; Tim Scott 3%; Nikki Haley 3%, Chris Christie 2% Back in mid-February, Mr Trump's lead over Mr DeSantis in the average of polls was just two points (41% to 39%). That turned out to be the Florida governor's high point so far, however. While his star has faded and his poll numbers have plummeted, Mr Trump's support has remained rock solid. And since the first indictment was brought in the first week of April - making Mr Trump the first former US president to face criminal charges - it has actually grown. According to the average of polls, Mr Trump has been the first choice of a majority of Republican voters ever since that first arrest and court appearance. Most Republican voters see charges as politically motivated According to Clifford Young, president of US public affairs with Ipsos, the bond between Donald Trump and his supporters - which equates to about 40% to 45% of the Republican electorate - will be difficult to break. "They see the world through his eyes," he says. "His base believes he's been wronged. They believe that the indictments are politically motivated." Story continues After Mr Trump's indictment for illegally retaining classified documents, the BBC spoke with a panel of Republican voters about their views on the former president - and found similar sentiments. "This is so obviously a blatant attempt to take Mr Trump out of the presidential running," 61-year-old Trump-supporting Rom Solene of Arizona said. "And it is a sad day for our nation, considering that others, including Mr Biden, have been caught with classified documents in their possession." Even Republicans like Luke Gordon, who doesn't support Mr Trump's attempt to recapture the White House, viewed the indictment with some scepticism. "I don't doubt the legitimacy of the claims in the indictment, and I do not defend Trump's actions," the 21-year-old New Yorker said. "However, the motivation behind his prosecution and investigation remains of grave concern." A June poll by CBS News, the BBC's partner in the US, illustrates the point 76% of likely Republican primary voters said the classified documents indictment was "politically motivated" 38% of those voters thought it would be a national security risk if the former president kept nuclear or military documents after he left office. For the US public at large, the number is 80% 61% of Republican voters said Mr Trump's indictments did not change how they viewed the former president, while 14% said it made them see him more positively "We're really dealing with the tale of two Americas and two distinct bubbles," says Mr Young. "There's one bubble that sees Trump's behaviour as lawless. And there's another bubble that sees him as their champion - and that he's being attacked because of that." Trump supporters at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on 29 July 2023 Could trials and convictions affect Trump's support? Given this dynamic, there is little evidence that the third indictment or even a fourth will measurably alter the landscape of the Republican presidential race. Indicting Mr Trump for challenging the 2020 election results may not resonate with Republicans, considering 84% shared the view that Joe Biden did not "legitimately" win the 2020 election, according to a March CNN survey. That is a serious problem for his Republican rivals who are left to fight it out for the roughly 60% of the Republican electorate who tell pollsters they could be persuaded to back another candidate or would never support Mr Trump. Most have been reluctant to criticise the former president over the criminal charges, conscious that it would upset his base, but have also struggled to make the case for why voters should pick them instead. If Mr Trump's indictments haven't moved the political needle, next year's big question could be whether trials and possible convictions could finally alter the sharp partisan divides in US public opinion on Mr Trump. Throughout the first half of 2024, Mr Trump will have to deal with a clash between campaign events and court appearances at his trials which could each last weeks. Graphic showing clash between Trump's court dates and Republican campaign calendar He said on Friday that he would not end his presidential campaign even if he were found guilty and sentenced. That's uncharted territory in US politics, but Mr Young says the key "leading indicators" to watch will be whether Mr Trump's favourability standing in polls and his "electability" - the view as to whether he can win back the White House - take noticeable shifts. If that's the case, it could presage an erosion of his support in a way that the string of indictments, as well as all the other controversies over his eight years in the public sphere, have not. For the moment, however, early head-to-head polls suggest Mr Trump is within striking distance of the current president. A recent Economist-YouGov poll had Joe Biden ahead of Mr Trump 44% to 40%. Morning Consult had the Democrat ahead by 2 points, 43% to 41%. Both leads are within the margin of error. That suggests that familiar partisan battle lines are already being drawn - and that the 2024 election, like the two previous contests involving Mr Trump - will be narrowly decided. The wife of Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect Rex Heuermann and her attorney told CNN she had no idea about her husbands alleged actions and the flood of public attention has been extremely overwhelming for the mother and her two children. The days since Heuermanns arrest have been chaotic for his wife, Asa Ellerup, and the couples children, as investigators have scoured every crevice of the familys New York home and the property has been swarmed by media and curious onlookers, Ellerups attorney, Bob Macedonio, said on CNN Primetime on Monday night. Ellerup doesnt have a bed to sleep in, she told the New York Post on Monday. My children cry themselves to sleep, she said. I had three cats. Litter boxes were (strewn about), thrown on top of everything. My pictures were thrown all over the place, Ellerup told the Post. My couch was completely shredded. Rex Heuermann appears before Judge Timothy Mazzei in Suffolk County Court on August 1, 2023. - James Carbone/Pool/Newsday Heuermann appeared in court Tuesday in handcuffs, wearing khaki pants and a gray suit jacket. Complying with a discovery request in the case, prosecutors handed over evidence to Heuermanns attorneys, including hard drives and discs that included 2,500 pages of documents, DNA and autopsy reports of the victims, surveillance information and notes and photographs from the medical examiner. There is a massive amount of material and information from the investigation to turn over and prosecutors will continue handing over evidence on a rolling basis, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney told reporters after court on Tuesday. The judge issued a protective order prohibiting the release of copies of case evidence and scheduled another court hearing for September 27. The hearing comes three weeks after Heuermann was arrested and charged with murder in the killings of three of the Gilgo Four, a group of women whose remains were found along a short stretch of Long Islands Gilgo Beach in 2010. He has pleaded not guilty in the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. I did not do this, his court appointed-attorney, Michael Brown, said Heuermann told him. Family members of some of the victims were in court on Tuesday, Tierney said during the news conference. Victims families are all supporting prosecutors efforts and are interested and engaged with the case, Tierney said. Story continues Heuermann, 59, is also the prime suspect in the disappearance and killing of the fourth victim, according to a bail application from prosecutors, but has yet to be charged in that case. Brown, Heuermanns defense attorney, said outside the court on Tuesday his client is innocent and looks forward to his day in court. The press has convicted my client without seeing a shred of evidence, Brown said. Were not going to try it in the press we will defend this case in a court of law. Wife describes weeks since Heuermanns arrest After her husbands arrest, Ellerup filed for divorce from Heuermann to whom she has been married for 27 years and returned to the familys home, which her attorney said has been torn up by investigators. Investigators uncovered quite a lot of evidence as they spent more than a week poring over the suspects home, Tierney has said. In addition to collecting a massive amount of material including about 279 weapons they also used a backhoe and ground-penetrating radar to search the yard, he said. The family is still taking stock of what items have been taken by investigators, Macedonio said. Everything in the house was turned upside down, he added. Dresser drawers were emptied out. The bathroom tub which was a vinyl tub was actually cut open. The floors were ripped up. The couches and the mattresses have been removed. A bathtub at Rex Heuermann's home was cut open by investigators, attorney Bob Macedonio said. - courtesy Robert Macedonio Due to piles of debris left by authorities, the family barely had any walking space to get into the house, Macedonio told CNNs Laura Coates. We did get another chair out from the basement and upstairs so me and my son can sit and talk. Hes so distraught and doesnt understand, and as a mother, I have no answers for him, Ellerup told the Post. But I said, Were together. Thats really what matters right now. That you and me are sitting here together and we will get through this. CNN has reached out to the Suffolk County Police Department and New York State Police for comment. Authorities have said Ellerup and the children were out of town when the killings occurred. Now, Ellerup is requesting privacy as the family grapples with their new reality. I am pleading with you all to give us space so that we may regain some normalcy in our neighborhood, the wife said in a statement to CNN. Boxes and other items are seen piled up inside Rex Heuermann's home. - courtesy Robert Macedonio The spotlight on the family has attracted onlookers who show up at the home just to get a glimpse of whats going on at the house, Macedonio said. Ellerup has been in touch with Heuermann since his arrest, the attorney said. He did not provide further details. The wife and children have also received support, Macedonio said, including from the daughter of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, the so-called Happy Face Killer. Its been extremely overwhelming for her and the children trying to piece life back together to what it was two and a half weeks ago, Macedonio said. I dont know if theyre ever going to return to normalcy, but day by day shes getting better. Investigating other possible murders Authorities are actively investigating whether Heuermann may have had more alleged victims, Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Carter previously told CNN. Investigators have looked into properties Heuermann owns in South Carolina and Nevada. I dont think any of us ever anticipated going that far and looking at any missing persons or any murders that may have occurred along the Eastern Seaboard, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said. Though authorities had been looking into a possible link between Heuermann and the 2006 unsolved killings of four sex workers near Atlantic City, New Jersey, Suffolk County police said Monday that they now believe Heuermann is not connected to those cases. CNNs Brynn Gingras, Lauren Mascarenhas and Laura Coates contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com After a brief interlude, smoky skies have returned to portions of the Great Lakes and the Northeast. AccuWeather meteorologists say that the wildfires in central Canada are to blame for this bout of smoke, but this time the impacts are likely to be short-lived. Many across the Midwest and the Northeast awoke Tuesday morning to a sight that has been all too familiar this summer: an orange-red sun hovering in a milky white sky. The thickest smoke is expected to remain off to the north in Canada, particularly across portions of Manitoba and Ontario. Even still, the smoke is forecast to traverse from parts of Michigan and New York to North Carolina, Virginia and Delaware. Major cities from Detroit and Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., and New York City can expect to see smoke in the air. "In locations across the Great Lakes and Northeast, the most widespread impacts from the smoke will be hazy skies, leading to especially colorful sunrises and sunsets," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty. This could also bring a slight reduction in visibility. There may be some localized cases of reduced air quality or a more significant reduction in visibility. When the air quality index (AQI) is over 100, sensitive groups may experience health effects immediately, and even healthy individuals could experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation after prolonged exposure. Experts recommend that people check air quality forecasts before heading outdoors and take proper precautions such as wearing an N95 mask when the AQI reaches unhealthy levels. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Just about a month ago, in late June, residents across the Midwest and the Northeast experienced unhealthy AQI levels that put more than one-third of the U.S. population under air quality alerts. Skylines from Chicago to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., were engulfed in smoke, providing what many described as apocalyptic views, and many were quick to point out the smell of smoke. That wave occurred just a few weeks after smoke created eerie orange skies in New York City and affected other parts of the mid-Atlantic. Both events were caused by smoke fanning in from out-of-control fires raging in Quebec. Story continues This time, AccuWeather forecasters do not expect the same impacts, limiting most health concerns. "The majority of the smoke impacting the United States is higher up in the atmosphere, rather than close to the surface," explained Douty. The GOES-16 satellite captures images of smoke streaming across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast on Tuesday, August 1. (Photo/RAMMB/CIRA) The ongoing fires in central Canada are farther away, giving the smoke time to disperse and travel upward in the atmosphere and limiting the amount of smoke closer to the ground. The lack of smoke at the surface will also keep the stench of burning at bay. Unlike some previous spells of smoke in the Northeast and Midwest, this wave is likely to be short-lived. "The northwesterly wind direction is expected to steer smoke into parts of the region into Thursday," said Douty. Smoke may still lead to a slight haze in the sky early in the day Thursday ahead of a storm sweeping into the region with clouds, rain and thunderstorms, Douty explained. Milky skies obscure the sun outside of AccuWeather Headquarters in State College, Pennsylvania (Photo/AccuWeather) The late-week storm will also bring an end to the smoky conditions across the northern tier of the United States. However, AccuWeather forecasters warn that the smoke could return again soon. AccuWeather long-range meteorologists say that there is no end in sight for the wildfires across central Canada. As the fires continue to burn, opportunities for smoke to infiltrate the U.S., especially from the northern Plains to New England, will continue to arise when the wind direction shifts toward these regions. 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. The claim: The US government announced there are aliens A July 27 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) claims there was a major announcement about the existence of extraterrestrial life. "The U.S. announced that there are aliens and nobody gave af," reads the post. The post was shared more than 400 times in four days. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False While three former military members testified at a House subcommittee hearing about so-called "unidentified anomalous phenomena," the U.S. government has not announced or confirmed the existence of aliens. The Pentagon has denied hiding a program that collects and reverse engineers extraterrestrial material. Witnesses testified at congressional hearing, but government hasn't confirmed aliens exist The post is alluding to a July 26 hearing of a House Oversight subcommittee, during which three former military members testified about their knowledge of UAPs, or "unidentified anomalous phenomena," a term used by the U.S. government to refer to UFOs, or "unidentified flying objects," as USA TODAY previously reported. The hearing's stated purpose was to discuss the potential national security threats posed by such phenomena, but during more than two hours of testimony, the witnesses also described the government's supposed efforts to suppress reports of strange encounters. David Grusch, a former intelligence officer, repeated claims he made in an earlier interview with NewsNation, saying he was aware of a government program that retrieves and reverse engineers UAPs. He also claimed the U.S. has been aware of "nonhuman" activity since the 1930s, referring to the otherworldly pilots as nonhuman "biologics." But witnesses testifying about UAPs at a congressional hearing isn't the same as the government announcing the existence of extraterrestrial beings, as the post claims. There is no evidence the government has made such a historic announcement. In fact, the Pentagon has already denied Gruschs claims. Story continues Fact check: Videos from town halls altered to show Biden describing alien encounter In a statement to the Associated Press, Defense Department spokesperson Sue Gough said investigators have not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently. Sean Kirkpatrick, who leads the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, called the claims "insulting" to government employees investigating sightings, ABC News reported. The topic was thrust into the mainstream in 2017 when The New York Times published details of a program to track and study reports of UAPs. In 2020, the Pentagon released three grainy videos of UAPs described in that report. USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Witnesses testified at hearing, but no alien announcement | Fact check The New York attorney generals office said it was ready for trial in the case against former President Trump, two of his children and The Trump Organization that alleged they engaged in widespread fraud. The case is ready for trial, Kevin Wallace, senior enforcement counsel for the office, wrote in a filing Monday. Attorney General Letitia James (D) filed the lawsuit in September 2022 against the former president, his corporation, and three of his children Ivanka, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. A New York appeals court dismissed charges against Ivanka Trump. In the lawsuit, James alleged that the defendants, over a number of years, manipulated property values to obtain investments and loan benefits. The lawsuit seeks $250 million in financial penalties and asks the court to ban the Trumps from serving as officers or directors in any corporation registered or licensed in New York, effectively preventing them from operating their business in New York. The lawsuit also asks the court to prohibit the former president and his business from acquiring New York real estate and from applying for loans from a New York institution for five years. The Trumps have all repeatedly denied claims of wrongdoing and accused James of operating a politically motivated crusade against him. Trumps team has repeatedly tried to dismiss the case. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. New York state has a bill in committee that would fully decriminalize prostitution statewide, for the first time in the U.S. The decriminalization model would remove all charges for both sex traffickers and their victims, similar to the laws in Belgium and New Zealand, but is facing headwinds from survivors and Democrats alike. The New York "Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act" is co-sponsored by state Sen. Julia Salazar, a Democrat. Fox News reached out to Salazar's team for comment but has not received a response. Republican state Sen. Anthony Palumbo, the ranking member on the Codes Committee, has been a leading voice against Salazar's bill. If it passes, Palumbo cautions that New York may fall farther into chaos, and look more like Amsterdam's "red light district" with a spike in human trafficking. "This is the dynamic with prostitution: it brings along other types of crime with it robberies, burglaries," Palumbo told Fox News. "And when it becomes legal, it becomes more prevalent and more easily accessible." CALIFORNIA POLICE FIND HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS LIVING IN 'HORRIBLE CONDITIONS' AT MARIJUANA PROCESSING SITE An allied group of women's rights organizations and victims of sex trafficking protest against the push to decriminalize prostitution at City Hall in New York City. According to data from World Without Exploitation, sex trafficking increases in countries that fully decriminalize sex trafficking. Research by the New Zealand government found that the majority of those in prostitution did not feel any safer under full decriminalization. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Nevada is the only American state with a legalization method in place, but it is not statewide, allowing 10 of its 16 counties to legally license brothel prostitution. New York City Mayor Eric Adams told Fox News he disagreed with the push to legalize prostitution. Adams, a Democrat, said his goal has been to provide victims of sex trafficking with the services they need, similar to the goal of the "Equality Model" in Maine. SENATE REPUBLICANS CITE 'SOUND OF FREEDOM' TO DEMAND HEARINGS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, BIDEN'S BORDER POLICIES Story continues Democratic Socialist New York Sen. Julia Salazar has co-sponsored a bill "Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act" that would decriminalize prostitution and remove charges for victims of sex trafficking and for sex traffickers in New York. Maine became the first state to sign legislation into law this June partially decriminalizing prostitution under the "Equality Model" or "Nordic Model". The law goes into effect this fall and follows the model adopted by Sweden, Norway, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Canada and Ireland. The approach criminalizes the prostitution business while decriminalizing the sex worker. State Rep. Lois Reckitt, a Democrat, first heard about this policy model from a local police officer in Portland, Maine. The officer told Reckitt he was frustrated with the horrors of sex trafficking and wanted to make a real change in his community. He soon learned about the "Nordic Model" garnering international attention for its success. Sex trafficking decreased in Sweden and Norway under the "Equality Model," according to research from World Without Exploitation. TIM TEBOW LAUNCHES MAJOR NEW CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SAVE CHILD SEX VICTIMS New York City Mayor Eric Adams has expressed his disagreement for the promotion of decriminalization for prostitution. The first version of Reckitt's proposed "Equality Model" was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, in 2021. Mills ultimately signed the bill sponsored by Reckitt into law in a historic first for the United States. Massachusetts, Tennessee and Rhode Island have proposed similar laws so far this year, aimed at protecting victims of sex trafficking and enforcing crimes against their perpetrators. Maine's law also elevates the crime of child prostitution from a misdemeanor to a felony and would connect survivors with resources to create a more seamless transition out of prostitution. Reckitt has been collaborating with local and state government agencies and speaking with survivors to learn how the new law could yield the best results for rehabilitation. "The point of it is to stop arresting those women and find ways for them to have a better life and to get into the real world with real jobs and real housing and real support," Reckitt told Fox News in an interview. TEXAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING ACCUSED OF SMUGGLING HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS IN SQUALID CONDITIONS FACES NEW CHARGES Maine State Rep. Lois Reckitt is a proponent of the "Nordic Model" which is a policy model that advocates decriminalization of prostitution in Maine. Survivor and advocate Melanie Thompson has dedicated her life to this exact work. Thompson is the Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator for the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women an organization working to end sex trafficking. Fox News had the opportunity to sit down with Thompson. Thompson's story begins with a trip to the movies with her friends in Queens, New York, when she was 12 years old. After the movie, the girls ran into some older boys who had graduated from their school. The boys invited them over for a game of Spin the Bottle. One of the boys brought a bottle of vodka, and before she knew it, Thompson had blacked out and passed out. She woke up to one of the boys raping her. "My two girlfriends were gone... but when I tried to run out of this house, the boy who had just finished raping me came back down with this older man who told me that I wasn't going anywhere," Thompson told Fox News. "So that was the start of my trafficking experience. I was brought across the street to an abandoned house and locked in a closet with no running water, electricity, mattress." FLORIDA COUPLE ARRESTED FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AFTER FORCING WOMEN INTO PROSTITUTION WITH THEIR CHILD AT HOME Thompson was eventually picked up by police on a missing person's warrant. The judge in her case deemed Thompson a flight risk and sent her to a residential treatment facility for sexually exploited girls in Westchester County. When she was discharged from the facility, Thompson was sent to a foster home, where she was reintroduced to sex trafficking this time under the control of her foster mother. "When I was exploited by my foster parents, I was not under pimp control. I felt like I was empowered when I was 16," Thompson said. "I thought that I had the choice to make all the decisions I was making. But, you know, in hindsight, I had to realize that I was actually being controlled by my two foster parents. And I knew that they were the ones that held the keys to where I stayed." During a mandated therapy session at her foster care center, Thompson inadvertently revealed her foster parent's exploitation and was evacuated from her foster home. Thompson was sent to nine different foster homes before the age of 20. Now, Thompson supports survivors like herself and advocates for the adoption of the "Equality Model," similar to the legislation just passed in Maine. "'The Equality Model' is a wrap-around comprehensive bill that focuses on survivors rebuilding their lives after the life," Thompson said. "It has an aftercare service component, which is super important, and it really focuses on decriminalizing the person, like me, in those situations, because we all know that criminalization is not the way to go when you're somebody who's been exploited, but it maintains the penalties that we have here in the state for people who perpetuate this system of prostitution so sex buyers, traffickers, brothel owners, etc." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Thompson disagrees with the characterization of prostitution as empowering. She argues that most victims of sex trafficking come from marginalized groups with a lack of resources. It is a matter of survival when it is their only option. "You can't make a choice if you don't have choices," Thompson said. "When you come from a place of not having any of your basic necessities met, when you come from a situation where you have no other resources or options. Prostitution, as I mentioned, is a system that targets you for not having any other options." By Rachel Nostrant NEW YORK (Reuters) - Knees to their chests, dozens of men from countries such as Venezuela, Mali, and Senegal sat on a dirty New York City sidewalk outside a Manhattan hotel Tuesday, awaiting asylum processing. Some had been there for days, in a line that wrapped around the block and that underlined the challenge facing thousands of migrants in New York. During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Eric Adams said the city's resources were stretched. "There is no more room," Adams said. The mayor's office announced that since 2022 the city has opened over 190 emergency shelters, with 12 large-scale relief centers. Two more are planned to be set up in the coming weeks. At the Roosevelt Hotel, which replaced the Port Authority Bus Terminal as the processing hub for migrants new to the city, asylum-seekers are supposed to be given food, water, and for the single men, transportation to shelter. Only families are sheltered at the hotel. Hamid, a 20-year-old Mauritanian who gave only one name, had slept on the sidewalk for the past few days, and was exhausted, hungry and thirsty. Hamid came to the United States "to work and for a home," he said, adding that he can't go back because, "we are threatened with death." A recent U.S. State Department travel advisory for Mauritania warned of violent crime in the North African country and said its police lack resources. New York state is bound by a decades-old consent decree from a class-action lawsuit to provide shelter for those without homes. As more migrants have arrived, a range of approaches to housing them, from tents to relocation to other parts of the state, has been tried. Murad Awadeh, executive director of the New York Immigrant Coalition, said that this week was the anniversary of asylum seekers being bused to New York City from Texas. He added that the city should have better planning and shouldn't be operating from an emergency response. Story continues "We need to actually invest in making sure that the infrastructure we have in place can support people," he said. "The city needs to work to get vouchers in hand of people who've been there the longest and get them out of the shelter system and give them the support of starting their lives in their new homes." Dino Redzic, the owner of Uncle Paul's Pizza and Cafe next door to the Roosevelt, gives pizza daily to the men outside. Adams' policies aren't doing enough, he said. "Thirty one years ago, I was in their shoes," said Redzic, a Yugoslav refugee. "To help makes me feel good, but to watch this here, I just don't understand why this was so organized in the beginning but is now a broken system." (Reporting by Rachel Nostrant; Additional reporting by Dan Fastenberg in New York; editing by Donna Bryson and Aurora Ellis) WASHINGTONThe GOP is looking for the blueprint to win back the White House in 2024. While the party grapples with Donald Trumps influence, several Republicans have entered a crowded field of candidates trying to wrestle the nomination from the still very popular former president. Once thought to have the greatest chance of defeating Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss campaign has hit numerous roadblocks, including heavy staff cuts and the loss of major donors. Some Republicans are now turning to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin as either a potential new candidate or the model for GOP success. Who is Glenn Youngkin? Youngkin was elected governor of Virginia in 2021. A political newcomer at the time, his victory over former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe was a major upset and a triumph for his party coming off their 2020 defeats. His surprising win escalated Youngkin to national name recognition. Prior to that, Youngkin spent 25 years at the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, where he became CEO in 2018. In the summer of 2020, I literally quit my job overnight and really dedicated myself to serving Virginians, Youngkin told USA TODAY of his career change. As governor, Youngkin can celebrate multiple recent accomplishments, including record-breaking fundraising by his political action committee, Spirit of Virginia, and a string of successful endorsements in the state primary elections. He also currently sits at his highest approval rating, according to a recent voter survey. Youngkin's current term ends January 2026. He could not run for governor again then, based on Virginia law that prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms. The GOP's potential 'ideal candidate' DeSantis had been considered by many anti-Trump Republicans as the solution for 2024. However, he has consistently trailed Trump in polls since announcing his campaign back in May. And just this week, his campaign staff announced it was letting go of over a third of its team. Story continues Following a top-to-bottom review of our organization, we have taken additional, aggressive steps to streamline operations," DeSantis campaign manager Generra Peck said in a written statement about the cuts. The reductions come after multiple wealthy donors have cut ties with DeSantis over his social stances. Among them is Thomas Peterffy, a billionaire businessman, who after halting his contributions to DeSantis, signed a million-dollar check to Youngkins PAC. Peterffy also called Youngkin the ideal candidate for Republicans in next years election. I very much hope that hes going to enter the race. People I speak to are all favorably inclined towards him, Peterffy told Fox Business. If he entered, I think there would be tremendous enthusiasm. What is Youngkin saying about 2024? Nothing yet. The governor told USA TODAY he is "incredibly focused" on this year, when elections for the state legislature come up in November. Youngkin said he makes that fact clear to Peterffy and others who encourage him to make a bid for president. It's really humbling when people talk about 2024 and a national role for me, Youngkin said. And I thank them, and then I reiterate that I've got a big job to do here in Virginia right now. With Youngkins support, Virginia Republicans hope to keep their majority in the Virginia House of Delegates and flip the State Senate. Youngkin said he is cautiously optimistic about their chances. Virginia: a "blueprint" for the nation The southern battleground state is a microcosm for the rest of America, Youngkin said. There are supporters from both inside Virginia and outside Virginia that not only are supporting what we're doing but believe that it is a real blueprint, he said. Youngkin is particularly focused on the economy and education, as the issues he said are most important to voters in Virginia and nationwide. I hear every single day from parents that they're concerned about the direction of schools, and they want a bigger say in their children's lives, Youngkin said. Education became a key issue during Youngkins run for governor. During one of two debates between the candidates, Youngkin's opponent, McAuliffe, said: I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach. Youngkin's campaign seized on the remark to win over angered Virginia parents. What we wont do is teach our children to view everything through a lens of race, where we divide them into buckets and one group is an oppressor and the other is a victim and we pit them against each other and we steal their dreams, Youngkin said at the time during a final campaign rally, alluding to debates over critical race theory curriculum in schools. Since moving into the governors mansion, Youngkin has continued to make education and parental rights a focus of his administration. His policies, particularly those reversing protections for transgender students in schools, have drawn criticism from youth and parents across the state. "Revoking (transgender protections) now would be like dialing back the clock. It'd be like telling students, 'we don't really care, you're not really who you believe yourself to be,'" a then-16 year old Virginia student, Andrea-Grace Mukuna, told USA TODAY amid a statewide school walkout last fall to protest guidelines requiring students to use restrooms, pronouns and names based on official school records. Youngkin defended these and other education policies by his administration during a CNN town hall this March. Children belong to parents, Youngkin said. Not to the state, not to schools, not to bureaucrats, but to parents. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Youngkin becoming 2024 Republican favorite after DeSantis struggles Kansas utility customers are paying extra on their monthly gas and electric bills, and Attorney General Kris Kobach is confident he can help the energy monopolies return some of the money to ratepayers. "I'm very confident we'll be able to get money back for Kansans," Kobach told reporters last week. "I think our position is very strong." The attorney general's office is suing Macquarie Energy, accusing the natural gas middleman of $50 million worth of market manipulation. The lawsuits are tied to an ongoing price gouging investigation. Following is what to know. Kansas is alleging natural gas price gouging Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 increased demand for natural gas while decreasing the supply of it. Gov. Laura Kelly declared an emergency, triggering the state's law against profiteering from a disaster. Prices spiked to $622.78 per unit, up from $2.54 per unit, and the attorney general's office has been investigating whether price gouging contributed to the 24,419% increase. The investigation is ongoing and has resulted in two lawsuits against Macquarie Energy, alleging the company's actions caused more than $50 million in excess costs for Kansans. Why it matters: Kansans are paying extra every month Kansas Gas Service customers are paying an extra $5.64 per month for 10 years to pay off excess costs from the February 2021 winter storm. Other utilities also have similar arrangements with the Kansas Corporation Commission. To recoup the costs from the winter storm, the Kansas Corporation Commission has authorized gas and electric utilities to charge customers extra on their monthly energy bills. For Kansas Gas Service customers, that means footing the $366 million bill with an extra $5.64 per month for 10 years. At Evergy Kansas Central, that means a $135 million total, or an extra $2.82 a month for two years for the average residential customer. Payments to Evergy started in April. "It's a fuel related charge as a result of some of the higher fuel costs that we incurred back actually in 2021 during Winter Storm Uri," Darrin Ives, vice president of regulatory affairs at Evergy, said at public hearing in Topeka in July. "The customers have started paying for it in 2023." Story continues Other companies have also made similar deferred cost deals with the state's utility regulator. When and if the price gouging investigation and lawsuits recover any money, the utilities must pass along the funds to ratepayers. "You've probably read some articles about the AG's office in Kansas hiring legal firms to evaluate how to pursue costs from parties that profited during that time frame," Ives said. "To my understanding, all those processes are still being undertaken with state AG office and folks pursuing that, so nothing that's come in on that yet." More: Why did Kris Kobach end contract with Florida law firm probing price gouging in Kansas? Kansas is going up against Macquarie Energy Attorney General Kris Kobach is trying to get money back for Kansans by suing a natural gas company accused of manipulating prices during the February 2021 winter storm. Kansas has alleged that Macquarie Energy, one of the nation's largest natural gas suppliers, illegally manipulated the market. Macquarie Energy is the North American subsidiary of an Australian company. The company is being represented by former U.S. attorney for Kansas Stephen McAllister, who previously was the state's solicitor general and now works for Dentons. The company is also represented by Susman Godfrey, a prominent litigation firm, and international law firm Baker Botts. The main lawsuit is in U.S. District Court, where Macquarie and Kobach's office have argued over whether Judge Daniel Crabtree should grant the defendant's motion to dismiss the case. A second lawsuit is ongoing in Shawnee County District Court where the two sides have argued over whether Judge Thomas Luedke should quash a subpoena or limit it. More: What will happen to natural gas price-gouging investigation under new attorney general? Investigation is ongoing and could identify more targets Court records show the attorney general's price gouging investigation remains open and that additional defendants could be sued, but Macquarie is objecting to certain information requests from the state's consumer protection attorneys. The future of the investigation may hinge on the Shawnee County case where the attorney general's office has been fighting since November to force Macquarie to comply with a subpoena issued last August. "At this stage of the investigation, it is clear the detailed and specific requests by the Plaintiff are intended to reveal the actions of not only this Defendant, but potentially others who influenced the price of natural gas in Kansas," Kobach's office wrote in June. The investigation has produced tens of thousands of documents through subpoenas of other entities, including buyers and sellers in the natural gas marketplace. While Macquarie has turned over at least 5,000 pages of documents, "many, if not most, of the records are redacted to the point of worthlessness," state attorneys wrote. The the heavy redactions have "hindered and slowed" the investigation. For some subpoenaed documents, Macquarie provided partial responses. For others, such as communications about gas trades during the storm, the company provided nothing. Macquarie maintains that the requests are too broad and seek irrelevant information. The attorney general's office is also seeking information on prices and volumes for gas transactions and the company's profits off the price spikes during the winter storm. "Defendant is resisting or outright refusing to provide any material information about its transactions or finances immediately before, during, and after the storm," Kobach's office wrote. "Such information is the cornerstone of any price manipulation investigation and without such information, Plaintiff is effectively blocked from investigating the causes of the price spike, whether by Defendant's actions or by the actions of other market participants." More: How Kansas AG Kris Kobach's effort to stir competition for gouging lawsuits led to one bid Macquarie in July asked the Shawnee County District Court to quash the subpoena, or at least modify it. McAllister said the attorney general's argument in support of the subpoena "relies on vague theories" and "pure speculation" while referring to the investigation as a "fishing expedition." He said that just because there were high prices during the winter storm doesn't mean Macquarie manipulated the market. "Again, complying with these requests would entail the production of virtually all of Macquarie's highly confidential, proprietary trading information for multiple states, as well as confidential information of third parties," he wrote. "The Attorney General has proffered not a single fact in support of why this information's relevance could possibly warrant such an outcome." Kansas hired, then fired, outside counsel Attorney General Kris Kobach said he fired law firm Morgan & Morgan due to performance concerns, but the law firm has accused Kobach of playing politics. Kansas had hired it its own outside counsel with Morgan & Morgan, the country's largest injury law firm, bringing in more resources and expertise in natural gas markets and relevant law. Unlike with other major cases, the attorney general's office does not have the assistance of attorneys general from other states. Former Attorney General Derek Schmidt hired Morgan & Morgan in 2021, and the law firm did the heavy lifting of the investigation and early stages of litigation until Kobach decided to fire the law firm a couple months after being sworn into office. Firing of Morgan & Morgan has been contentious Kobach has said he ended the contract with Morgan & Morgan because of performance concerns. But the law firm has disputed that, the termination was not for cause and a public records request did not produce any record of Kobach's office ever raising performance concerns with Morgan & Morgan. A top attorney and the law firm's founder, who is a Democratic donor, have alleged political motivations, which Kobach has denied. The contentiousness was on display in an email exchange where Kobach's office and the law firm argued over whether the firm had turned over all the documents it was legally obligated to and whether the state owes any money to the firm. The firm threatened a $2.8 million attorney's lien against the state, and Kobach's chief adviser has indicated the firm may sue the state. "The termination has not been amicable, and I don't want to prejudice the state's position in any litigation that may result from it," said Dan Burrows, chief deputy attorney general. More: Kris Kobach to rebid contract after canceling deal with law firm that donated to Democrats Kobach's office needed delays after firing law firm Attorney General Kris Kobach speaks at a May 1 press conference on his first 100 days in office. Kobach previously said at a news conference, where he touted the Macquarie lawsuit and other actions in his first 100 days in office, that "it is absolutely important that the attorney general's office be ready to step forward and protect the rights of Kansans against price gouging and against fraud." But Kobach's office was not ready to pick up the slack after he fired Morgan & Morgan and instead asked state and federal judges for extensions to their filing deadlines. Staff attorneys said that without outside counsel, they were not "sufficiently competent in oil and gas law, the interstate natural gas market, and related regulatory and legal matters." In the federal case, the judge granted an extension while writing that "Kansas created its own predicament here." "Its appropriate to infer that sophisticated lawyers like those leading the Attorney General's office must have known the breakup would create a problem for a lawsuit as complex as this one," Crabtree wrote. Meanwhile, Burrows reassured lawmakers this spring: "Right now, I think we are handling it just fine. The early stages of litigation are relatively light." The resulting delays added about a month of waiting to the state case and about two months to the federal case. More: Kris Kobach's firing of law firm delayed cases and prompted threats of lien against Kansas Kobach has not yet hired new counsel The attorney general has been trying to hire new outside counsel. Burrows told legislators that "we lack the in-house resources to handle litigation of this magnitude." Only one law firm, Hilgers Graben, bid to represent Kobach. The firm's founders include Mike Hilgers, the Republican attorney general of Nebraska, and his wife. Bidding on the request for proposals closed June 22. More than a month later, no contract was in place before the attorney general's office had to meet their federal filing deadline at the end of last week. "The delay in getting replacement council is because of the process our state has as far as you have to jump through some hoops in order to hire and jumping through hoops is probably not the right metaphor but you have to meet certain criteria in offering the bid out to different counsel," Kobach said at the start of last week. "We're right on the cusp of moving forward," he added. "Courts routinely have a situation where counsel is changed in the middle of a case, so we don't anticipate that being a problem." Editor's note: This story has been updated to more accurately reflect Macquarie's objections to subpoenaed information. Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What to know on Kansas natural gas price gouging case, utility bills (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is likely to head to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to make the case for his peace formula plan, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg Zelenskiys 10-point blueprint for ending the conflict calls for Russian troops to withdraw completely from Ukraine, release all prisoners of war and deportees, and ensure food and energy security. It also includes security guarantees for Ukraine once the fighting ends and aims to restore safety around the occupied nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, which he says is at risk from Russian sabotage. The plan will be discussed this weekend at a gathering hosted by Saudi Arabia with more than two dozen nations invited. In New York, Zelenskiy is expected to participate in other sessions and meetings during the week of the UNGA, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. Read more: Saudi Arabia Hosts Ukraine Talks in Outreach to Global South Zelenskiys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council declined to comment. The travel plans have not been locked down and could change. The government in Kyiv has been pushing for a summit on the peace formula during the UN gathering. But some of Ukraines allies are reluctant due to the complex logistics that would be involved, and prefer to hold events within the weeks planned framework, the people said. Some allies would also like to first see more countries from the so-called global south on board with the concept, one of the people said. An alternative option could be a Security Council discussion about peace in Ukraine, they added. Such a meeting would potentially see Russia participate. Another person said nothing had been finalized yet about such meetings. Story continues Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected to travel to New York for the UNGA, the people said. The Russian leaders movements have been severely limited due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes related to the abduction of children from Ukraine. Separately, the US could hold a Security Council meeting next month on child protection issues to coincide with Ukraines independence day, on Aug. 24, the people said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will lead a session Thursday in the Security Council on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity that is expected to focus on the wars impact after Russias withdrawal from a plan that allowed shipments of grain from Ukraine. The US is taking advantage of its turn in a monthly rotation to lead the Security Council and shape the topics it will discuss. --With assistance from Courtney McBride and Daryna Krasnolutska. (Updates with Blinken leading UN session on Thursday in final paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Zelenskyy listened to the reports of the military and security forces Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with key officials from Ukraines security forces and military on August 1 to understand the current situation in Ukraine, he reported on Telegram. He was updated on the attacks in Ukraines border regions, as well as the night drone attack on Kharkiv, by Internal Affairs Ministry head Ihor Klymenko. Read also: Police publish harrowing video of first minutes after Russian missile attack on Sumy Zelenskyy said that the Russian army attacked the city with five Shahed suicide drones. He was also updated by Security Service of Ukraine head Vasyl Malyuk on the cleanup of Kryvyi Rih and Kherson following the shelling of the cities. Read also: Death toll from Russian missile strike on apartment building in Kryvyi Rih rises to five Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhnyi provided a report on the situation at the front, with generals Oleksandr Syrskyi and Oleksandr Tarnavskyi also providing input. Zelenskyy received an update on Ukrainian air defense by Air Force commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk. In an in-camera session, intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov provided the president with his latest information. Read also: Part of high-rise apartment block in Kryvyi Rih struck by missile collapses during rescue operation video Russian troops launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on July 31, hitting two buildings a high-rise building and a four-story Polytechnic Institute. The occupiers launched Iskander missiles from Dzhankoy in the temporarily occupied Crimea, said Zelenskyy. Six people died, including a 10-year-old child. More than 80 people were injured, including seven children. Russian troops attacked Kherson and region on the same day, killing four people and injuring more than 20, including a volunteer. The occupiers hit densely populated areas of Kharkiv with Shahed drones on the night of August 1, causing mass destruction. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with security forces and the military on the morning of 1 August, where he heard reports from Defence Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, and commanders of Ukraines Armed Forces. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "We started our morning with important reports. Minister Klymenko [reported ed.] on the situation and attacks on the border oblasts and the night drone strike on Kharkiv. The enemy attacked Kharkiv with five Shahed drones. All services are responding at the scene. General Maliuk's report [was about ed.] the completion of works on dealing with the aftermath of attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Kherson. I heard a report from Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, about the situation at the front. Commanders Syrskyi and Tarnavskyi also presented their reports. Details of the use of air defence systems [was presented by ed.] Commander Oleshchuk. There was also a classified report from Defence Intelligence Chief Budanov." Background: On the night of 1 August, the Russian occupation forces attacked Kharkiv with kamikaze drones, causing a fire to break out in the city, and a drone destroyed two floors of a student accommodation building. On the morning of 31 July, the Russians attacked Kryvyi Rih with two ballistic missiles: one hit a high-rise residential building and the other hit an educational institution. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! If youre standing at the intersection of West Broadway and First Street, and youre wondering where Council Bluffs historic 100 Block begins, you need only look up to know youre in the right place. Giant numbers 1-0-0 affixed vertically to the second floor exterior of one of the buildings work almost like a you are here marker on a map. The six-foot-tall 100 signifies not only the buildings address, but the start of the citys oldest district. This is the first building, some say the oldest building, in Council Bluffs. It started here 100 and thats why I went so big on the 100, said real estate developer Jarrod McIntyre, whose company, Turn the Paige Homes (named after his daughter), occupies the first floor at 100 W. Broadway. When I went to the city with that, I said, I want to put a 100 on my building, and they go, Go ahead, its your address. I'm like, Well, it's 6 feet tall. McIntyre said that he didnt want a huge 100 on the side of the building to let people know its address. He wanted the signage to be a welcome to The 100 Block. Built in the 1850s, 100 W. Broadway was originally a general store that specialized in outfitting travelers heading west to seek their fortunes. It seems appropriate that it now houses a company that aims to keep its customers closer to home. McIntyre was born and raised in Council Bluffs. The Abraham Lincoln High School graduate is proud of his hometown and is excited by the direction he sees it heading in, and wants to do his part to ensure affordable housing is available. In addition to renovating 100 W. Broadways first floor commercial space and five second floor apartments, which should be ready by September, Turn the Paige Homes is also developing a new subdivision near Franklin and Bennett avenues called Hillside Estates with its building partner, Atlas Builders, another homegrown Council Bluffs business. I actually graduated with Mike Burns of Atlas Builders, McIntyre said. I'm not a builder, I come from a real estate background. My mom was a realtor for 30 years, retired at NP Dodge. So I know a lot of realtors, have that background, investment properties, rentals, flipping houses, remodels, things of that nature. McIntyre works with Atlas to design the layout of the houses, most of which are 1,300 to 1,500 square feet. He provides the financing and Atlas handles the construction. They just do what they do best, build houses; I do what I do best, sell houses, and together, it's really worked, McIntyre said. Four of the Hillside Estates houses have been sold, and have families living in them, and a few more that arent quite finished yet have been pre-sold. Turn the Paige works with NeighborWorks Home Solutions, Habitat for Humanity and other area nonprofit organizations to keep its houses affordable for working class folks who are looking at buying their first or second homes. We can build, you know, $600,000, $700,000 houses if we wanted, but (Atlas) background, and what my passion is, is the blue collar, what I call blue collar housing, McIntyre said. At what used to be $200,000 to $250,000, which is now $250,000 to $350,000, that's kind of our wheelhouse. That's what's needed in our opinion; that's what we're good at, so thats kind of where were at right now. With the cost of supplies rising, McIntyre knows that the profit margin is going to be pretty thin, but he also knows theres a real need for quality housing that people can afford. McIntyre points to the example set by longtime Glenwood and southwest Iowa home builder Lloyd Banks as a guide for what he wants Turn the Paige Homes to become. Atlas Builders had worked under Lloyd Banks for years and years, and Lloyd Banks probably built 500, 1,000 houses in Council Bluffs, McIntyre said. (Banks) mastered, kind of, the affordable housing concept. He pumped them out a lot, and (Atlas) is comfortable building (those types of houses). Hillside Estates is a prime example of what McIntyre hopes to do around the community. Some of the houses are lower cost, affordable starter homes and some have a higher price point, but you cant tell which is which from the outside. If you have affordable housing, and it's concentrated in an area, it's always going to have that stigma that, you know, the Section 8, the (Department of Housing and Urban Development), it always does, McIntyre said. But if it's mixed with workforce, your $250,000 to $350,000 price range, and it's mixed with affordable housing, and it's done correctly to where people don't even know which house was affordable and which wasnt, because they all require the same covenants, and if you get inside one, you can see, Oh, it has a finished basement, Oh, there's granite here, but from the curb appeal, you can't see that. You can't see any of that. When I went to Courtney (Harter, Council Bluffs director of community development), I said, We're going to create something really cool. It's going to involve affordable housing, but nobody's going to be able to know that it's there. And that's what we're doing, and it's been pretty successful. (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images) Georgia judge rejects former United States President Donald Trump's attempt to block an investigation into his alleged involvement in overturning the state's 2020 election results. A Georgia judge has rejected former United States President Donald Trump's bid to block an investigation into the 2020 election, including his alleged attempts to overturn the state's election results. In the nine-page ruling filed on Monday, Judge Robert McBurney wrote that Trump could not legally mount a challenge following the latter's legal team filing a motion in March to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from investigating or prosecuting their client. Judge Blocks Trump's Attempts The Republican businessman's legal team also wanted to quash a report from a special grand jury investigating the former president in the case and block any "state prosecuting agency" from using evidence gathered by the jury. McBurney noted that while being the subject of a highly publicized criminal investigation is most likely an unwelcome turn of events, no court in history has ever held that that status alone is a sufficient basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation, as per USA Today. The latest development comes after Georgia's Supreme Court rejected a similar request from the former president where he tried to prevent officials from prosecuting him in the Fulton County investigation earlier this month. At the time of the ruling, it said that Trump's filing did not have sufficient facts or the law necessary to mandate Willis' disqualification from the case. A different judge will hear a similar motion filed by the Republican businessman's legal team next week. In an interview on Saturday, Willis said she would announce decisions on charges filed against the former president by September 1. She noted that "work is accomplished," adding that they have been working hard on the case for more than two years and are now "ready to go." McBurney made a clear reference in an aside to the former president's attempts to capitalize on his legal woes. According to Politico, He said that some could turn a criminal investigation into golden political capital to make it seem more providential than problematic. Read Also: Mass Shooting at Indiana Street Party Leaves 1 Dead, Multiple Injured Attempt To Overturn Georgia Election Results The judge also said that federal courts had already admonished Trump in his attempt to short-circuit a potential prosecution in the case of hoarding classified documents from the White House. Willis is widely expected to recommend charges against the former president and provide a potentially long list of enablers who aided Trump in subverting the election results in various states. The former president has repeatedly attacked Willis, accusing the Democrat of mounting a political witch hunt against him to damage his prospects in the 2024 presidential election. However, courts have supported her efforts to take in dozens of Trump's top aides and allies, including former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former national security adviser Mike Flynn. For months, local, state, and federal law enforcement officials in Atlanta have been privately meeting to plan enhanced security measures in anticipation of Willis' announcement of charges. Now, the focus is on the two criminal grand jury panels sworn in on July 11, said the Washington Post. Related Article: Hunter Biden's Ex-Business Partner Scheduled to Testify @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Jennifer Kelso has made some mistakes, which she readily admits to. Shes been arrested a handful of times, mostly for traffic violations like driving without proof of insurance or with a suspended license. She has depression and anxiety disorder, which were likely exacerbated by drug and alcohol use. Thats all in the past, though. Kelsos last arrest was in 2018, and she and her boyfriend, Tony, have been sober going on five years now. She has a full-time job and some stability in her life. At least, she did, until she received notice in March that she was being evicted from the trailer park shes lived in for more than a year. Its not just her, though. Everyone is being evicted, because the land was sold to McGregor Interests, owner of Lockbox Storage, which has a facility along Veterans Memorial Highway, right next door to the trailer park. Lockbox is looking to expand its operation, and Kelso and the other trailer park residents are being kicked out. Kelso received a letter dated March 21 explaining that her lease was not being renewed, and that she had until July 31 to vacate the premises. In addition to providing about four months notice, McGregor Interests said tenants would not owe rent for the month of July. The real estate company also offered to help tenants with moving expenses. Moving out of a trailer park wouldnt normally be a problem, as trailers are meant to be mobile, but the trailer Kelso and her boyfriend bought for $6,000 from the trailer parks previous owners a year ago is old and worn down. If they try to move it, they dont think that theyll get very far. Take the skirting off all around it, put wheels on it, itll probably move, but its very possible Tony started. Itll probably fall apart, Kelso said, finishing her partners thought. Its from before 76, Tony said. We got ripped off. We were so tired of being in the motel, $1,000 a month, we thought $300 a month lot fee, that can help us a lot, get back on our feet. Prior to purchasing the trailer, Kelso and her boyfriend were living at the Perfect Stay Inn, which was owned by the people who sold them the trailer. Since being served with the eviction notice in March, Kelso has been trying to secure housing for herself, Tony, and their cat, Riley, a stray who they found outside in the rain. Unfortunately, due to the life she lived previously, Kelso has poor credit, and while she makes enough to cover rent and upkeep for the trailer, she doesnt make three or four times what rent would be at a new apartment and so she has gotten rejection after rejection. No one wants to rent to her, despite how hard shes worked to overcome her past. It's like everybody now, like, they don't care about what you're doing now, they care about what happened in your past and that's why they won't rent to you, Kelso said. And thats really hard, because I chose to live a bad life back then, and Ive changed and Ive totally flipped around. Despite how often you hear that people need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps a physical impossibility, by the way even when they try, the system is weighted against them. Their story unfortunately isn't unique as a lot of rental properties are run by corporations that will not look past evictions, low credit scores or income qualifications such as mandating you bring home three to four times the amount of rent, said Brandy Wallar, CEO of New Visions Homeless Services. Habitat (for Humanity) and (Municipal Housing Agency) would be good to reach out to for more of a long-term solution, but unfortunately, it takes months to years to be housed through their programs. Kelso doesnt have months or years. A week before the July 31 deadline, she was concerned that she was going to have to move her possessions into a storage unit and again live in a motel for the foreseeable future. Im praying it wont come to that, as of right this second, thats looking like thats what we might have to do, Kelso said. New Visions Homeless Services Street Outreach Director Shawn Miller said that living in a motel for an extended period of time is a Band-Aid, and not a good one at that. "That is the worst temporary solution ever, because that just chews up, that just wastes money," Miller said. Oftentimes when facing homelessness, there are no good options, Miller said. Even if you're newly homeless and get added to a rapid rehousing list, it could still take months before your number comes up. "Honestly, there's only about 20% of the people that get pulled for that list, and they're pulling the people that are most chronically homeless first," Miller said. "So, if you would be homeless tomorrow, you'd have one day of homelessness, so you would definitely fall in that 80% that might never get pulled for that program. Or, you'd have to be homeless for a very long time to be eligible for that program." If you are facing homelessness, and you have family or friends to stay with while trying to get back on your feet, doing so would make you ineligible for some of the assistance programs, like rapid rehousing. "Basically, we're telling people they're not homeless enough for homeless services," Miller said. Morocco has reiterated its steadfast support to the Palestinian cause, condemned the provocative & offensive burning of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark, and called for the promotion of religious tolerance and coexistence. The Moroccan standing was voiced by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in a speech read out on his behalf by Fouad Akhrif, Director of Mideast Affairs at the Foreign Ministry during the emergency virtual ministerial meeting held Monday by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Morocco supports the peace process aimed at achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution enabling the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent, viable, and sovereign state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution, said Bourita. He also said Rabat rejects and condemns all provocative acts and unilateral measures and practices targeting the occupied Palestinian territories, Al Quds Acharif and the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Palestinian question and Al Quds Acharif have been and will remain the cause of all Moroccans under the leadership of the King, Chairman of Al Quds Committee, underlined the top diplomat. Regarding the latest disrespectful and offensive acts of burning copies of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark, the minister said his country condemns strongly these provocative acts and calls for the promotion of the culture of peace and the values of coexistence and dialogue. Morocco has denounced these heinous acts against Islamic religion and called on Denmark authorities to take action against these unacceptable and irresponsible actions fueling hatred and islamophobia, said the minister. He recalled in this regard the Kingdoms decision to summon the Charge dAffaires of Sweden in Rabat and to recall Moroccos ambassador to Stockholm for indefinite consultations after the Swedish government once again authorized a demonstration during which the Quran was burned in front of a mosque in Stockholm. Morocco made the diplomatic moves to protest against these offensive acts that hurt the feelings of more than a billion Muslims, said the minister calling for coordinated global actions to combat religious intolerance. He also recalled the resolution proposed by Morocco and adopted by the UN General Assembly against hate speech following Qurans burnings in Sweden and Denmark. This resolution, approved by the 193 UN members, calls for the promotion of moderation, interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance. It urges all UN members to engage with all relevant stakeholders to respect diversity, support peaceful coexistence, and reject the spread of hate speech which constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence. At the end of its virtual meeting, the OIC emergency gathering expressed concern over the growing intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence in the world. The OIC members also voiced deep concern over the resurgence of racist movements and far-right extremism in multiple regions of the world through repeated by supporters of the far-right insulting Islamic religious symbols and sanctities, including the desecration of the Holy Quran. King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of Royal Armed Forces (FAR), chaired on Monday in the Northern city of Tetouan the oath-taking ceremony of new graduates of military and para-military schools, as well as newly-promoted officers. The ceremony, held on the occasion of 24th anniversary of the sovereigns enthronement, brought together graduates of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. It is customary for officers to attend the yearly celebration to swear a solemn oath to loyally serve the homeland and its King, but because of the pandemic, the public swearing ceremony could not take place during the past three years. The Sovereign, who was flanked by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, named the group Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, urging the members to show discipline, commitment, and patriotism. Addressing the gathered officers, King Mohammed VI expressed his deep admiration for the commitment and resilience they displayed during challenging times, referring to the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic that hindered the welcome of previous graduating classes. The King commended the modern training provided to the graduates and lauded the exceptional level of dedication exhibited by the Royal Armed Forces in their mission to safeguard the nation. I therefore invite you to shoulder your responsibilities as best you can, and to show integrity, discipline, as well as sincere, unflinching patriotism, thus remaining loyal to your everlasting motto: God, the Homeland, the King, the Sovereign pointed out. The oath-taking ceremony included officers from renowned military institutions such as the Royal Military Academy, the Royal Air School, the Royal Naval School, and the Royal School of Military Health Services. Officers from paramilitary schools were also present at the ceremony, including the Mohammedia School of Engineers, the Royal Institute of Territorial Administration, the Royal Police Institute, the National School of Forestry Engineers, and the Customs Training School. Faithful to his unwavering commitment to the armed forces, King Mohammed VI later promoted senior officers to the prestigious ranks of General and Colonel-Major. The event saw the presence of high-profile officials, including the Head of Government, the Presidents of the two Chambers of Parliament, and the kings advisers. Foreign military attaches accredited to Rabat, as well as other civilian and military personalities, also attended the ceremony. King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, chaired Monday afternoon the ceremony of allegiance, in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the accession of the Sovereign to the Throne. The Moroccan Sovereign was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid and Prince Moulay Ahmed, during this ceremony, which took place at the Place du Mechouar of the Royal Palace in Tetouan. The Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, and the walis and governors of the wilayas, prefectures and provinces of the Kingdom, as well as the walis and governors of the Ministrys central administration, renewed or pledged allegiance to the Sovereign. Afterwards, delegations representing the twelve regions of the Kingdom and the various prefectures and provinces renewed their allegiance to Amir Al-Mouminine. This ceremony, which reflects Moroccos centuries-old civilizations and customs and the unwavering attachment of the Moroccan people to the Throne, ended with a five-gun salute, as the Sovereign responded to the cheers of the representatives of the different regions of the Kingdom. The allegiance ceremony, which crowned the festivities marking the 24th anniversary of the Kings enthronement, is an opportunity for representatives of the Kingdoms twelve regions to reiterate their attachment to the Sovereign, and to emphasize that the bond between the Throne and the People is deeply rooted in the countrys history, and has always been the foundation of the Moroccan Nation, and the supreme expression of its solidity and durability. The ceremony was attended by the Head of Government, the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, Advisors to the King, members of the government, the Presidents of constitutional bodies, senior officers of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, and a number of civilian and military personalities. President of France Emmanuel Macron has hailed the successes achieved by Morocco since the beginning of the reign of King Mohammed VI as remarkable. The successes achieved by Morocco since the beginning of Your Majestys reign and under your modernization impulse are remarkable, the French President stressed, in a congratulatory message to the King on the 24th anniversary of his accession to the throne, assuring that France has always made cooperation with Morocco a priority with loyalty and respect. In his message, Macron wished the Sovereign happiness, health and success and reaffirmed the deep friendship of the French people with the Moroccan people. The French President said he was confident as to the exemplary capacity of the exceptional partnership between France and Morocco to provide appropriate responses to the major issues of the day. He also expressed his determination to see relations between France and Morocco grow and become even stronger. After spending more than US$1 billion to acquire mining sites in Zimbabwe over the past two years, massive Chinese investment could help catapult Zimbabwe to become the worlds fifth biggest primary producer of the material thats vital to battery electric vehicles and the green revolution, mining consultancy CRU said. The investments by Chinese companies, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium Group and Yahua Group, could boost capacity to 192,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year of petalite and spodumene in 2027, from 13,000 tons LCE per year in 2022, Cameron Hughes, a battery markets analyst at CRU said in a report. These investments will place Zimbabwe as the fifth largest primary producer of lithium by 2025, after Argentina, contributing more than either Canada or Brazil, Hughes added. Investments by Sinomine and others mean Zimbabwes capacity could rise to about 11% of global LCE production in five years from just 2% in 2020, said Martin Jackson, head of battery raw materials at CRU. Still, while the capacity is significant, full utilization would depend on lithium demand and prices, Jackson added. As nations seek to cut their carbon footprints, demand has surged for clean energy, fueling global competition, China has been laser-focused on the task of securing critical minerals for climate-friendly power sources like batteries. Lithium known as white gold is an essential raw material for the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles and in solar panels that store solar energy. Several Chinese companies recently making multimillion-dollar acquisitions to secure lithium supplies in Zimbabwe has improved the South African countrys economic fortunes. Last year, Zimbabwe banned exports of raw lithium ore, forcing companies to set up local factories to process ore into concentrates before export. The coup in Niger has drawn strong condemnation from much of the international community, but most notably the United States and France, which have troops stationed there, as Nigers putschists on Monday accused the former colonial ruler, France, of wanting to intervene militarily to reinstate the countrys deposed president. West African leaders on Sunday (30 July) threatened military action against the junta that last week captured democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum, as thousands of Nigeriens, many carrying Russian flags and chanting pro-Putin messages, took to the streets in support of the coup and later stormed the French embassy in capital city Niamey. The coup leaders also claimed Monday that Nigers toppled government had authorized France to carry out strikes at the presidency to try to free Bazoum. Responding to the allegations, Paris said it was focused on guaranteeing the security of its nationals, thus echoing President Emmanuel Macron who earlier vowed immediate action if French citizens or interests were attacked in Niger. With anti-French sentiment running high in some former African colonies, and with Russian and Chinese influence growing, the continent has become a renewed diplomatic battleground. Anti-French sentiment has formed the backdrop for governmental overthrows in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso within the last two years, forcing the withdrawal of French troops. Pro-Russian sentiment has meanwhile grown, and Wagner Group mercenaries have established presences in Mali, the CAR, Libya and other troubled states. If successful, the latest coup would make Niger the fourth ECOWAS country currently under military rule, according to Francois Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics Africa. This is a nightmare for the regional body and its civilian leaders, says Conradie who adds that since the putschists will likely call on the French troops to withdraw from Niger, then there will be negative consequences for French business, including mining which may have implications for French energy security, given its reliance on Nigerien uranium for nuclear power generation. Beyond France, the coup will also have negative implications for the EU since Niger is a major global uranium producer and accounts for around 25% of such deliveries to the bloc. Experts also warn that the coup in Niger is likely to heighten concerns about the displacement of communities in the Sahel region and wider security challenges. Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea dealt a blow to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after they threw their support behind the junta in power in Niger despite the regional communitys threat for military intervention if deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum is not restored. A group of soldiers seized power in Niger Wednesday July 26 after the presidential guard detained Bazoum who came to power in 2021 through disputed elections. In reaction to the power seizure, leaders of the region over the weekend slapped economic sanctions on the country and threatened to intervene militarily, should the junta fail to free Bazoum after one week ultimatum. The junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani also indicated that France, a former colonial power, was planning to attack the presidential palace in view of freeing Bazoum. Monday, Mali and Burkina Faso, all led by juntas, issued a joint statement indicating that any military intervention against Niger would mean a declaration of war. The interim governments of Burkina Faso and Mali warn that any military intervention against Niger will amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, the statement said. Both countries also said they might withdraw from ECOWAS in the event of a military intervention by the regional bloc against neighboring Niger. The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali warn that any military intervention against Niger could result in the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS and the adoption of legitimate defense measures in support of the Armed Forces and people of Niger, the statement continued. In addition to Mali and Burkina Fasos veiled support for the coup, Guineas transitional power, CNRD, also led by a Junta, distanced itself from the ECOWAS arguing an intervention will directly lead to the disintegration of the regional bloc. The CNRD also slammed the sanctions and vowed not to implement them. At a time when the young populations of the ECOWAS region are experiencing human tragedy in Tunisia and the Mediterranean, the preoccupation of the sub-regions leaders should be more focused on the strategic, socio-economic challenges of achieving their aspirations than on the fate of deposed Presidents, a statement from CNRD said. The position of the three countries leaves the ECOWAS in a very bad situation. The regional grouping has not made any comment yet. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) United States President Joe Biden decides to keep Space Command headquarters in Colorado, reversing Trump administration's attempt to move it to Alabama. United States President Joe Biden reversed a decision made by the previous administration to move the headquarters of US Space Command from Colorado to Alabama. The decision to reject former United States President Donald Trump's bid is expected only to intensify the political tension with Capitol Hill. Members of the Colorado and Alabama delegations have long been at each other's throats, accusing the other of playing politics on the future of the four-star command. Space Command To Remain in Colorado Authorities re-established the command in 2019 and made its temporary headquarters in Colorado while the Air Force worked on evaluating a list of potential permanent sites. The command's responsibilities lie in overseeing the military's operations of space assets and the defense of satellites. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pay Ryder said that the Democratic president noted to the Department of Defense on Monday that he decided to make Colorado the permanent headquarters of Space Command, as per Politico. The decision was allegedly made following a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and weighing the input of several senior military leaders. Ryder said that placing the command's headquarters in Colorado ultimately ensures its peak readiness in the space domain for the country during a critical time. He added that the decision would enable the command to most effectively plan, execute, and integrate military space power into multi-domain global operations. The military leaders who supported Biden's decision included Austin, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, and US Space Command Chief Gen. James Dickinson. The latest development ends several months of speculation regarding whether Biden would reverse the Trump administration's decision to move the command to Alabama. Initially, the Air Force recommended the command to stay in Colorado but later chose Alabama to be the location for its headquarters following a meeting at the White House in January 2021. Read Also: 1st New US Nuclear Reactor Enters Commercial Operation, but How Reliable Is It? Political Tensions Over the Decision In response to the decision, Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, the House Armed Services Committee chairman, said that this "fight is far from over." According to the Associated Press, Biden defended his decision by saying that keeping the command in Colorado would prevent a disruption in its readiness. Some Alabama lawmakers claim that the state's abortion laws somewhat influenced Biden's decision. There, Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville and the Defense Department are at odds over providing travel funds for troops seeking reproductive health care. Tuberville has opposed the policy and is blocking hundreds of military promotions to protest the proposal. However, officials argued that abortion laws did not play a factor in Biden's decision, saying they expected utterly opposing views. Colorado Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, on the other hand, welcomed Biden's decision to keep the command's headquarters in their state. Bennet added that they have repeatedly argued that Trump's bid to move it to Alabama was misguided. The Democrat added that the president's latest decision restores integrity to the Pentagon's basing process and provides a powerful message that national security and the Armed Forces' readiness are what drives military decisions, said NBC News. Related Article: Georgia Judge Rejects Donald Trump's Bid To Block Investigation Into 2020 Elections @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. UK Chariot Energy Company announced on Monday that it has signed a Petroleum Agreement for a new exploration licence, Loukos Onshore, located onshore Morocco. Under the agreement, Chariot holds 75 % interest in, and operatorship of the Loukos licence sealed in partnership with the Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons & Mines (ONHYM) which will hold a 25% interest. Loukos covers an approximate area of 1,371 km2 and is adjacent to Chariots Lixus and Rissana offshore licences, with the former containing the significant Anchois gas discovery and development project. Commenting the deal, Mrs. Amina Benkhadra, ONHYM Chief, said: We are pleased to have signed this Petroleum Agreement with Chariot. They have a substantial understanding and knowledge of this basin from their extensive exploration in the area and we look forward to their ongoing work and progress with a view to accelerating the supply of gas to the Moroccan markets. For his Duncan Wallace, Chariot Technical Director, said: this onshore licence is a natural fit with our existing acreage in Morocco. Loukos has significant read through from the prospectivity we see offshore, with a common geological setting extending from our Lixus licence and the onshore operating environment offering a significantly lower cost development and an attractively priced domestic industrial market ready to serve. The Company has already highgraded a range of targets on the 3D seismic data set, and further to its recent fundraise, Chariot is planning to drill near-term to accelerate the supply of gas directly to local Moroccan domestic industries through various routes, including leveraging its new partnership with Vivo Energy. Chariot is focusing on a high value, low risk gas development project offshore Morocco in a fast-growing emerging economy with a clear route to early monetisation, delivery of free cashflow and material exploration upside. The Lincoln County commissioners approved the hire of Barry Johnson and Jerry Feist as temporary part-time employees to control animals and pests for the county. The two men have extensive experience, especially in dealing with the prairie dog population, commissioners said. The seasonal predator field operator positions were designated as part-time and will need to be renewed each year. Startup costs will be the biggest expense then costs will go down, Commissioner Micaela Wuehler said. Commissioner Kent Weems said the positions would eventually be under the weed control department, but that its simpler to create the positions to work independently for a time. Were plowing new ground here so were unsure of some costs, said Chairman Jerry Woodruff. Both men said they are willing to work part-time and Woodruff said he was pleased with the quality of their experience. The board approved the purchase of 2023 business insurance from Travelers Companies rather than renewing with EMC Insurance Group. Tanner Pettera, with Hub International, said the county has become too large for EMC to handle its insurance and that Travelers would probably be the better choice at this time. The cost for the insurance that includes a 1% buy-down for hail and wind is $633,011 per year, which will save the county about $100,000 a year. The plan to build a storage building for Region 51 Emergency Management ran into a snag and Brandon Myers, emergency management director, said it would require the county to file a replat of the property. He said the property at 1621 West 10th St. is currently plotted as five lots and never was changed over to one lot. The commissioners gave the directive to move ahead with the change. The commissioners heard several reports including one from Julie Stenger, county assessor, on the six-year assessment plan; a Region II services report from Kylie Joyce, executive director; and participated in a lengthy discussion regarding the Lincoln County Comprehensive Plan update and North Platte/Lincoln County County-Wide Housing Update. The board also discussed the issue of pivots watering roads and encouraged the public to notify the Lincoln County Sheriffs Department when they encounter the issue. By notifying the Sheriffs Office, that produces a record of violations that gives the department an alert as to the frequency of occurrences. In other action, the commissioners tabled action on allocating funds for Nebraska International Port of the Plains from ARPA funds. The board stated it is in favor of supporting the new entity, but was not sure how to allocate the funds until after the port authoritys board is officially organized. That meeting took place on Monday afternoon. The board authorized Woodruff to sign a right-of-way permit submitted by Dawson Public Power District. Acting as the Board of Equalization, the commissioners approved a confession of judgement regarding the case of First National Bank of Omahas appeal to set the amount of $864,674 for tax year 2022. Parents pressed for time and dealing with a hungry infant or toddler might be tempted to put a plastic container of baby food into a microwave for a quick warming. But they may want to think twice before hitting the start button, based on findings from a study recently published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers. In a set of experiments, the researchers found that microwaving plastic baby food containers available in grocery stores can release large numbers of tiny plastic particles, in some cases more than 2 billion nanoplastic and 4 million microplastic particles for every square centimeter of container. Although the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics remain unclear, the Nebraska team also found that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells had died after two days of being exposed to the same particles. In a 2022 report, the World Health Organization concluded that although limited data provide little evidence that such particles have adverse effects in humans, the organization recommended limiting exposure to them. The organization also called for additional study of the particles on multiple fronts. Kazi Albab Hussain, the studys lead author and a UNL doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering, said previous research by other scientists had found that microplastics were released from plastic baby bottles, particularly when they were heated. Another study by Canadian researchers reported that some premium plastic tea bags release microplastic particles when steeping in hot water. Both Hussains study and the Canadian research were published in the American Chemical Society journal Environmental Science & Technology. Hussain said he and his colleagues realized that no studies had looked at other plastic containers used for baby food other than baby bottles. They began their research in 2021, the year Hussains now 21-month-old son was born. We thought it was important to see if those plastic products were also releasing micro- and nanoplastics, Hussain said, noting that less is known about nanoplastics than microplastics. Nanoplastic particles are smaller than microplastics and difficult to detect. The researchers defined microplastics as particles at least 1/1000th of a millimeter in size; nanoplastics were anything smaller. This is a really new thing, so even the definition is not clear yet, Hussain said. The range is not quite fixed yet, because this is a new thing in the discussion. They also chose to look at baby food containers because infants and toddlers typically are more at risk from exposure to any type of contaminant because of their smaller relative size and the fact their organs are still developing, he said. The researchers conducted experiments with two baby food containers made from polypropylene and a reusable pouch made of polyethylene, both plastics approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In their tests, they sought to replicate the kind of everyday scenarios in which people might use plastic containers, including refrigeration, room temperature storage for six months, shorter term high-temperature storage and microwaving, he said. In one experiment, they heated the liquids in the plastic containers at full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave. The researchers did not microwave the pouch because it was not suitable for microwave use. For the tests, they filled the containers with deionized water or a liquid intended to simulate mildly acidic foods, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Afterward, they filtered the liquids and analyzed them for evidence of micro- and nanoparticles. Hussain said they found the microwave heating released the most particles. The actual number of each size of particle released by the microwaving depended on a number of factors, including the plastic container and the liquid inside it. Using a mathematical model to analyze various scenarios, they also calculated that infants drinking products with microwaved water and toddlers consuming microwaved dairy products would have the highest intake of particles. Simulated refrigeration, room temperature storage and high-temperature storage also could lead to the release of micro- and nanoplastics, he said. Under the supervision of Svetlana Romanova of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers College of Pharmacy, the team cultured and exposed embryonic kidney cells to the actual plastic particles released from the containers. Hussain said previous research has used commercially produced or lab-made particles. The researchers also exposed the cells to particle concentrations that infants and toddlers might encounter over days or from multiple sources. After two days, 23% of kidney cells exposed to the highest particle concentrations survived, a mortality rate higher than previous studies involving other types of cells. The researchers suspect that kidney cells may be more susceptible to the particles than the cells used in those studies. Earlier studies also tended to use larger particles, some too large to enter cells. The question of cell infiltration, Hussain said, is one of many areas where more research is needed before researchers can determine the true risk of consuming micro- and nanoplastics. He already is doing some of those studies. The American Academy of Pediatrics advised against microwaving and dishwashing plastic containers and bottles in a 2018 policy statement. At that time, the concern was that heating plastics could increase the chances that the containers would leach chemicals. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, the lead author of the statement, said micro- and nanoplastics are different because they are plastic particles, not the chemicals themselves. But the particles could bring chemicals used as additives in plastics along for the ride. Trasande directs the Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. The study, however, could not fully distinguish any effects from the particles themselves from those of any ride-along chemicals, he said, however good a job the researchers did in filtering and cleaning the particles. But Trasande, who was not involved in the UNL study, said it suggests that plastics pose more of a concern than researchers anticipated. He, too, said more studies are needed to resolve the ins and outs of the findings. Hussain advised other parents to follow the steps he takes with his son. He doesnt microwave plastic containers or put hot water in them. When he buys pureed baby and toddler food, he seeks out products in glass jars. It is hard to avoid plastic 100%, Hussain said. When you start deliberately trying to avoid it, you can see how much plastic you are using in your daily life. I wasnt even aware of how much plastic I was using every day. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images More than two years after the attack on the Capitol by a group of his supporters, Donald Trump has been charged for his efforts to overturn the election he lost. The 45-page document is a sprawling account of Trumps attempt to steal the presidency that includes a level of detail much deeper than the findings of the January 6 committees inquiry. Particularly shocking is his alleged conduct, along with six co-conspirators, to execute a plot immediately before and during the riot especially the pressure campaign against Vice-President Mike Pence. Below are the most shocking details turned up by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths team. Jeffrey Clark was ready to quell anti-Trump protests with force Three days before the attack on the Capitol, then-deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin tried to dissuade thenDOJ official Jeffrey Clark (co-conspirator 4 in the indictment) from assuming the role of acting attorney general, emphasizing that if Trump remained in office, there would be riots in every major city in the United States. Clark responded: Well, [Deputy White House Counsel], thats why theres an Insurrection Act. Pences chief of staff was worried Trump was endangering his life Pences chief of staff was worried that Trump was putting the vice-president in physical danger with the continued push to get Pence to overturn the election results from Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania during his ceremonial duties at the Capitol. Trump to Pence: Youre too honest Trump constantly browbeat Pence in hopes of enlisting him in the illegal attempt to hold onto power after losing the 2020 election even on Christmas and New Years Day. Pence repeatedly told him the truth, that he had no legal power to overturn the election, and Trump allegedly told him he was too honest. Its potentially an indication that Trump knew he was lying when he pressured Pence to reject electoral votes for Joe Biden. Trump edited false claims about Pence into his Stop the Steal speech After Pence rejected Trump on the morning of January 6, Trump reinserted language that had been taken out of his speech at the Stop the Steal rally preceding the Capitol riot. Hours later, Trump tweeted that Pence didnt have the courage to overturn the election as his own supporters stormed the Capitol and threatened to hang the vice-president. Pence was taking notes the whole time As Trump pressured the vice-president to join the illegal attempt to keep him in power, Pence, the indictment states, was keeping contemporaneous notes of Trumps refusal to accept the truth. Giuliani pressured a senator after the Capitol riot Co-conspirator 1, who is clearly identifiable as Rudy Giuliani, called a senator on the night of January 6 as part of a pressure campaign to slow down the election certification as the riot outside cooled. That night, while Giuliani was lobbying senators, White House counsel Pat Cipollone asked Trump to withdraw any objections and allow the certification, according to the indictment. Trump refused. Trumps team was still pressuring Pence after the Capitol riot Even after the presidents supporters stormed the Capitol, threatening to kill Pence, Trump adviser John Eastman (co-conspirator 2) was trying to get Pence to delay the election certification. Trump allegedly knew his election-fraud claims were made up The indictment says in painstaking detail that Trump was informed by multiple parties including White House lawyers, his campaign, the DOJ, and the intelligence community that there was no merit to his claims of massive voter fraud against him. Even Trumps campaign knew they were trafficking in conspiracy sh*t Much of the indictment concerns the Trump campaigns efforts to contest the rightful vote in Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. But with state officials constantly informing them that there was no fraud, his team in Georgia became frustrated with the lack of evidence provided by Trump and Rudy Giuliani (co-conspirator 1). The campaign adviser then wrote in an email: When our research and campaign legal team cant back up any of the claims made by our Elite Strike Force Legal Team, you can see why were 0-32 on our case. Ill obviously hustle to help on all fronts, but its tough to own any of this when its all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images OShae Sibley, a 28-year-old dancer, was stabbed to death at a Brooklyn gas station on Saturday, July 29, after an altercation between his friends and a group of men who objected to the way Sibley was dancing. The NYPD is reportedly investigating the incident as a hate crime and has identified a suspect who has yet to be found. Heres what we know so far. What happened The New York Daily News reports that Sibley, who was gay, stopped at a Mobil gas station in Midwood on Saturday evening around 11 p.m. along with some friends. While someone in the group filled up the car, Sibley reportedly played Beyonces latest album, Renaissance, and danced to the music. Multiple reports say Sibley was voguing, a style of dance popularized by the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. A group of men at the station then reportedly confronted Sibley and his friends, telling them to stop dancing and allegedly hurling homophobic slurs at them. Summy Ullah, a witness, told the Daily News that the group claimed the mens dancing was offensive to their faith. They were saying, Oh, were Muslim, so dont do this in front of me, he said. Surveillance video shows the two groups in a heated argument. According to witnesses, one person intervened and attempted to break up the altercation. Sibley was seen face-to-face with one of the individuals in the group, after which they began scuffling. The suspect then stabbed Sibley in the chest, per ABC 7. The suspect fled the scene and is still on the loose. Sibley was taken to Maimonides Medical Center but was pronounced dead. The NYPD is officially investigating the stabbing as a hate crime. Who was OShae Sibley? Sibley was a Philadelphia native who moved to New York City in 2019 to pursue a career in dance. In between auditions, he worked odd jobs as a waiter or doing deliveries, according to the New York Times, and intended to audition for The Lion King this year. Prior to his move, he was a member of the Philadelphia Dance Company also known as Philadanco, a renowned modern-dance company in the city. Joan Myers Brown, the founder of Philadanco, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that she first met Sibley when he was 14 and that he was teased in his neighborhood for his interest in dance. Though Sibley left the company for New York in his early 20s, he kept in contact with Brown. He called me every week to say, Hey JB, or Hey, Aunt Joan, and he would tell me about his auditions, she said. The New York Post reports that he took part in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters extension program and a 2022 visual project commissioned by Lincoln Center titled An Eclectic Dance to the Music of Time. Choreographer Kemar Jewel remembered Sibley on Facebook, describing him as one of the closest things to family that I ever had. Jewel first met Sibley when he was 16 years old, and Sibley went on to star in six of Jewels music videos. He was a bright eyed and goofy young man who had talent beyond anything Id seen before. He could sing, he could do hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, anddddddd he was an incredible voguer! Thats how we became close, he wrote. In an interview with Gothamist, OShaes aunt Tondra Sibley called his murder senseless and said her nephew had been planning a trip with his father this week to Florida. He was a gentle spirit, she said. Everyone that knew him knew that he was always smiling he loved people, he loved dancing, he loved teaching dance. Beckenbaur Hamilton, Sibleys neighbor, told the Times that he personally was attacked in his younger years because he was gay. Due to his own experiences, he said he warned Sibley about being so open about his sexuality in public. OShae wasnt afraid of being who he was, Hamilton said. He would defend his friends. He continued, But Id see how people looked at them. There was a worry in the back of my mind. The suspect NBC New York reports that the NYPD identified a 17-year-old male as a suspect in the stabbing. His name has not been released, but sources tell the New York Post that the teenager was seen on surveillance video fighting with Sibley before fleeing. Assistant Chief Joe Kenny announced that the suspect was taken into custody nearly one week after Sibleys murder, with the NYPD arranging his surrender through his attorney. The suspect was said to have ties to the area where the crime occurred, residing in Brooklyn and attending a high school nearby. No one else is expected to be charged. The suspect is being charged with second-degree murder and committing a hate crime as well as criminal possession of a weapon. Kenny said the hate-crime charge stems from some of the words used during the altercation between the two groups of men. Just based on the statements of the group in general. We have a lot of anti-gay statements and a lot of derogatory statements being made, anti-Black, from the group and from the defendant himself, Kenny said. There had been reports that the suspect identified himself as Muslim and said Sibleys style of dancing offended his religious sensibilities, but Mayor Eric Adams said that this was not true. The suspects grandmother told the Daily News that her grandson is actually a Christian and claimed that he was merely trying to protect himself. There were four of them strong, big men and intoxicated, she said. If he did not do it, the guys would have killed him. The vigils Sibley was remembered by friends, family and members of the citys LGBTQ and ballroom communities over the weekend following his death. A memorial was held outside the Stonewall Inn on Thursday. Another vigil took place on Friday at the Mobil station where he was killed. Hundreds filled the parking lot of the station and nearby streets with many vogueing in Sibleys honor. The mourners marched and danced through Midwood as they remembered their fallen friend. Otis Pena, a friend of Sibleys who was present on the night of his murder, was one of the attendees. Pioneers and icons of ballroom have come out to pay their respects to OShae tonight, and thats beautiful, Pena said, according to the Times. Vogueing is the dance of our people. Its a dance of rebellion created by us and for us. Another memorial was held on Saturday at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan. Members of Sibleys family, including his father and sisters, were at the event, according to PIX11. Everybodys coming out and showing love,. Its a beautiful thing. Its just beautiful, Mike Kelly, Sibleys father, told the network. The memorial ended with a march to Pier 46, where the crowd released orange balloons into the air, which represented Sibleys favorite color. A celebration of Sibleys life will take place in his hometown at The Met Philadelphia on Tuesday, August 8, per 6ABC. Reaction Sibleys death was condemned by many in the New York political world. In a tweet, Mayor Adams said Sibleys life and beautiful spirit were cut short by homophobia. Well bring justice for OShaes family and loved ones. His dancing joy will live on, he said. Let me be clear: Discrimination, hate, and violence have no place in our state. @nypdnews is investigating this horrific killing as a hate crime, and our Hate Crimes Task Force is ready to provide any support they need. https://t.co/ur4X6WhSA8 Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 31, 2023 OShae Sibley should be alive. No one should have to live in fear of violent attacks for merely being themselves. My heart goes out to his family, friends and our LGBTQIA+ communities still reeling from this senseless act of hatred tonight. https://t.co/RyDqmyQf0h Adrienne Adams (@NYCSpeakerAdams) August 1, 2023 State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal tweeted that he was heartbroken and enraged to learn about Sibleys murder. Despite homophobes best efforts, gay joy is not crime. Hate-fueled attacks are, he said. The story has spread beyond New York. Beyonce paid tribute to the fallen dancer by displaying the message Rest In Power OShae Sibley on her website. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. OZARK Home security surveillance video has revealed that a Dale County man found dead on County Road 33 in Skipperville Saturday morning was killed by an attack of up to six dogs, Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum said early Sunday morning. Demarcus Sam McKenzie II, 27, of Skipperville, was found dead in the 5500 block of County Road 33 after deputies responded to an Ozark-Dale County E911 call of an unresponsive male found at that location. Bynum said in a statement released early Sunday that preliminary investigation appeared that the victim died of a gunshot wound to the head but that as investigators and a crime scene technician processed the victim and collected statements from witnesses, there were some inconsistencies and a lack of physical evidence to support those initial thoughts. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators collected a home security surveillance system DVR which captured multiple views of the exterior of the home. During a review of the surveillance footage investigators were able to determine that McKenzie was present inside the home prior to the incident, Bynum said. It appears that as the victim was exiting the residence a dog became aggressive towards the victim. The victim began to run down the driveway as two to three more dogs joined in on the attack. The video depicts the victim tripping near the base of the driveway as more dogs joined in on the attack, Bynum said. At one point five to six dogs are seen violently attacking and mauling the victim as he struggles to stand. After a few minutes the dogs overpower the victim and he appears to become incapacitated. Although this does not make this event any less tragic we hope this will allow the victims family to continue to grieve with a sense of closure, Bynum said. Late Saturday night I met with the victims mother and family and provided them with our findings. We will continue with the investigative process and consult with Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams on what steps to take as we move forward. McKenzies body was turned over to the Dale County Coroners Office for transport to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy, Bynum said. I would like to thank the Ozark Police Departments Criminal Investigative Division and Crime Scene Unit as well as ALEAs SBI Dothan Office for their assistance in this investigation, he added. Heat Stress Strategies Heat stress is a real threatbut you can prevent it by taking some key steps. With this year expected to be the hottest on record, the risk to workers continues to climb. More hot days and more frequent heat waves pose a real threat when it comes to occupational illness and injuries. Continuous exposure to extreme heat and hot environments puts individuals at risk for heat stress symptoms, ranging from discomfort to serious illness. Those who work outdoors are the most vulnerable, but indoor workers are also at risk depending on the working environment. Age, medical history, physical fitness and medications can dramatically increase an individuals vulnerability to the effects of heat stress. Consider this your wake-up call to the realities of heat stress. Not taking appropriate action to mitigate the risk could lead to higher operating costs, a loss in productivity, and serious injury including death. Perhaps the most commonly thought of and understood symptoms of heat stress are the easy-to-see, physical symptoms that can manifest anywhere that temperatures rise. Heat stress can contribute to known heat-related illnesses, such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke, specifically, is a life-threatening illness and should be treated as a medical emergency. The Costs of Heat Stress If youve ever needed to sit down and drink some water after a day of walking through an amusement park or at a long ball game, think of how difficult it is to make it through the day in a labor-intensive job. These labor-intensive jobs deserve special consideration as things heat up. Warehouses, industrial spaces, and commercial buildings often suffer a common problem: moderate to excessive heat that can impact safety and productivity. Depending on your location, you could be in violation of federal, state and local statutes such as OSHA, California Title 24 Part 6 and ASHRAE 55. Take direct action to keep workers safe and protect them from the effects of heat stress. Injuries can also occur in the workplace due to other contributing factors and the relation that they have to the unfavorable conditions brought on by these rising temperatures. The possibility of slips, trips and falls increases due to decreased visibility from fogged safety glasses or goggles. When grip is decreased on sweaty hands and fingers, fractures can occur if items are dropped from above. Workers who are distracted by fatigue and exhaustion can injure themselves due to inattention in hazardous environments. This article originally appeared in the August 1, 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Elon Musk's X Corp, formerly Twitter, has taken down the giant, luminous sign at its San Francisco headquarters. The bright and flashy X sign has been the center of complaints from nearby residents. Elon Musk's X Takes Down Giant Flashing Sign It all began when Musk, the tech titan behind X Corp, embarked on a mission to reinvent and overhaul the giant social network. As part of the rebrand, which no one asked for, X Crop installed a massive "X" sign on top of its HQ in San Francisco last Friday, July 28. Residents immediately slamemd the sign, saying that it was too bright and intrusive. The city of San Francisco also issued a notice of violation, saying that Musk's firm installed it without a permit. SF Department of Building Inspection spokesperson Patrick Hanna stresses that any sign replacement requires a permit. He explains that it ensures the "consistency with the historic nature of the buildings." Not to mention that the permit should also ensure the safety of installment. Besides the permit issue, downtown San Francisco residents also voiced out their criticism against the giant flashing sign atop the firm's HQ. As per CNBC, some folks complained that the bright X sign disrupted their sleep. After facing backlash from local residents and a notice of violation from the city, the tech firm has taken down the recently installed giant flashing X sign. CNBC notes that the workers started dismantling the flashy X on Monday, July 31, which they completely took down at roughly 1 pm. According to ABC7 News, Hannan says the building owner is facing fines for flashing X. He says, "The property owner will be assessed fees for the unpermitted installation of the illuminated structure." X Corp, the new name for Twitter following Musk's acquisition, has not yet commented on why they took down the sign.. However, it is likely that the company decided to remove it in order to avoid further legal trouble. Read Also: Stephen King vs. Elon Musk: Horror Author Taunts Twitter's X Branding Musk's Twitter Rebrand to X The sign's removal is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Musk's takeover of Twitter. NBC News reports that the Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive took over Twitter for a staggering $44 billion late last year. In April, Musk rebranded Twitter Inc. to X Corp. And in July, Twitter's new chief exec, Linda Yaccarino, teased the massive overhaul of Twitter, which she touted to propel the social network in a new direction. She says, "X is t he future state of unlimited interactivity." In other words, they envision it to a super app, which dives into "audio, video, messaging, and payments/banking." Related Article: New Twitter 'X' Branding Could Lead to Lawsuit; IP Lawyers Explain Why @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In this article, I will update the general trends now being observed with daily production out of the Permian basin. In past articles, Ive discussed the fact that it was clear that the quality of Permian acreage remaining to drill was on the decline. As this basin is the only major oil producer continuing to add barrels of daily output, this has broad implications for supply and prices. In the June 2023 edition of the EIA-914, the monthly forecast on oil and gas output, the Permian is shown with a slight decline for the July/August time period. This is the first time since Feb of 2021 this has occurred during the Snowmageddon of 2021. Whatever you think about the longevity of this basin, one thing is absolutely undeniable. We are currently extracting nearly 2 bn BOE annually from it. Over the last five years we've withdrawn more than 6 bn BOE. Since we began fracking about 15 years ago, we've pumped out ~14 bn BOE. Weve been climbing the hill in Hubberts Peak, and soon the descent will begin. We will also discuss one way to play the information I will present here. In the coming quarters, we believe there will be an increasingly sharp demarcation between winners and losers. Already there are companies exhibiting signs of landing in the former category. Please read on for a top pick in the shale category. Hubberts Peak in the Permian Natural Resources analyst firm, Goerhring & Rosenscwajg-G&R, has modeled production trends that suggest that "Hubbert's Peak" for the Permian will hit late next year. Hubbert was a geologist who theorized that once half a basin's reserves had been recovered, it would have essentially peaked. The graph below, taken from a G&R report highlights their expectations. G&R could be of some, but the point remains, there is an inflection point coming that will tilt the slope downward. The firm estimates using their models that about 20 bn barrels of commercially recoverable oil remain in the basin. At current production rates, thats about 11 years of output. Thats a good bit less than some other estimates, including the one put out by the Enervus, an energy analyst firm, which uses data from the U.S. Geophysical Survey-USGS, projects another 50 bn barrels could be produced. Time will tell as to what the final tallies will be, but the data coming in now supports G&Rs analysis regarding a midpoint that will come late next year. Acreage quality One indicator is that much of the best acreage has been drilled. This is a point I've made many times in past articles. During the low-price era from 2017-2020, many companies pulled forward their Tier I- "geological parameters such as thickness, thermal maturity, organic content, oil in place, porosity, and permeability to make accurate well-quality predictions," acreage for it to meet investment thresholds and payout requirements. When prices are low, you develop your best assets. In their report G&R put their finger on this aspect of the aging of Permian potential. We turned to advanced methods, including machine learning and neural networks, and achieved surprising results. Instead of improved drilling techniques, we concluded that two-thirds of the improved productivity between 2013-2018 came from favoring the best drilling locations. In 2013, 22% of Midland wells were Tier 1. By 2018, Tier 1 represented 50% of all wells. Since a Tier 1 well is nearly twice as productive as a Tier 2 well, the migration from lower to higher quality areas drove a massive amount of the improved well productivity. Technology impact In a recent Special Report for OilPrice, The Future of Oil and Gas, we discussed how technology was extending the economics and productivity of new wells in shale reservoirs. By virtue of longer horizontal intervals, increased completion intensity, and a better understanding of optimal spacing to minimize interface between wells among other things, the output from shale reservoirs has been increased. But, there is no free lunch, and technology proves to have limits in its ability to generate increasing amounts of oil and gas per foot of interval. The graph below from the G&R report weve been discussing highlights this decline in productivity. Productivity per foot of interval is dropping. Parent well, child-well relationships are in play here. As G&R notes in their commentary, Child wells-which are wells subsequent to and often side-tracked from an original borehole, are not as prolific typically as the Parent, well. In the early days of shale development, producers would often drill a single horizontal well to test different parts of the basin and satisfy lease obligations that often require drilling a well within an allotted period. Later, the developer returns to the best areas and drills several more wells from a single pad to develop the resource economically. Producers now realize that the so-called child wells produce between 5 and 20% less oil than expected. In 2012 we estimate that only 30% of wells drilled in the three significant shale basins were children. By 2022, that figure had reached 85%. In Tier 1 areas, effectively, all current wells are children, with lower-than-expected productivity. In short, as parent wells water out and are plugged, there will be a more rapid decline than we have seen thus far as the active well count consists more and more of child wells. Your takeaway What all of this means when considering investing in a shale producer, the quality of the rock, and the blockiness of their surface acreage, which drives inventory, are two key features that will form our long-term investing thesis. I have always maintained that Devon Energy, (NYSE:DVN) would be in the top tier of shale producers for these reasons. Clay Gaspar, President of Devon comments on their latest 6-well pad development in Lea County, New Mexico- Individual wells at Exotic Cat flowed at rates over 7,200 BOE per day and well -- per well recoveries from this pad are on track to exceed two million barrels of oil equivalent. The flow rate from this activity rank among the very best projects Devon has ever brought online in the basin. Using simple math, with six wells online producing 7,200 BOEPD, Exotic Cat Raider should return its ~$60-70 mm capital cost in about 2-3 months. In this scenario, at the 2-month period, approximately 2.59 mm BOE have been produced, leaving another 9.41 mm BOE to be produced. Natural declines will impact this calculation in reality, extending the payout time somewhat, but the simple math looks pretty good. No wonder Mr. Gaspar was so enthusiastic. ADVERTISEMENT The next metric we need to review is inventory depth. At their current rate of development, ~250 Delaware wells per year, there remains a 12-year Risked inventory. As drilling continues and more is learned from the data collected, additional DeRisking will add another couple of thousand Top-Tier drilling locations to the total and extend the asset life to ~20 years. Finally, Devon has proven to be a shrewd inventory consolidator with its acquisition of WPX Energy in 2021. It has also made major inventory additions in other basins. Notably Validus Energy in the Eagle Ford basin in 2022, and RimRock in the Williston basin. G&R closes out their commentary on shale thusly- Based on current drilling activity, the average publicly traded Permian company will run out of Tier 1 drilling locations within 3.7 years. We firmly believe that as the market realizes how little Tier 1 acreage remains, those with the best inventory will be treated as valuable assets. If we are correct, the age of shale growth is now behind us, and the reality of Hubberts Peak is at hand. The immense growth of the shales over the past decade has blinded many analysts to the declining trends in global conventional production. That luxury is about to end. With all of that in mind, we believe that Devon Energy, trading at <5X EV/EBITDA and $59K per flowing barrel, is substantially undervalued by the market. We also think a near-term trading opportunity will emerge when the company reports on August 2nd, 2023. There is a good chance if Q-2 earnings are missed by the Super Majors, ExxonMobil, (NYSE: XOM), and Chevron, (NYSE: CVX) are any guide, there will be a short-term down draft in shares of DVN. We view this as a buying opportunity below $50 per share. By David Messler for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russias diesel and gasoil exports by sea increased by 5% in July compared to June as more refining capacity in Russia returned from seasonal maintenance, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing data from trade sources and vessel tracking. Turkey, North Africa, Brazil, and the Middle East are now the key markets for Russias seaborne diesel exports after the EU imposed an embargo on those imports on February 5. Around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian diesel, naphtha, and other fuels are needed to find a home elsewhere after the embargo and it appears that they have. Russia is now selling nearly half of its seaborne diesel exports to Turkey, a large part goes to Latin America in Brazil, and another portion to North Africa and the Middle East. Some of the diesel and gasoil exports in July were bound for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers near the Greek port of Kalamata, according to ship-tracking data from Refinitiv cited by Reuters. The final destination of those STS transfers of diesel would be either Turkey or the Middle East, traders told Reuters. Earlier this year, North Africa became a key export outlet of Russias diesel and other petroleum products after the EU embargo on imports of Russian fuels took effect in early February. African countries in the Mediterranean, as well as Turkey, had started taking in more Russian fuels even before the Western ban. African buyers have also replaced European customers of Russias gasoline exports. Russian gasoline exports surged in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2022, as Moscow placed growing volumes of fuels with African customers after the EU embargo. Russia is also boosting exports of its diesel to Latin America. The trade shift in Russian oil flows also benefits Moscow's Middle Eastern allies in the OPEC+ pact as the biggest Arab Gulf oil producers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), scoop up Russia's fuels at discounted prices. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Via the Jamestown Foundation On June 23, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia established a joint logistics company to improve cargo transportation between Central Asia and the South Caucasus in both directions (Bm.ge, June 23). More recently, on July 17, Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov paid a visit to Georgia where he discussed the importance of developing trade and transit potential between the two countries (Civi.ge, July 17). These events follow other similar developments since early 2022 with Georgia, Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries signing various memorandums and pushing for reduced transit barriers to improve regional connectivity. These developments highlight an increasingly pronounced trend over the past decade, which has accelerated following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022namely, that the area from the Black Sea to Central Asia is progressively viewed as one indivisible geographic space. The South Caucasus and Central Asia constitute the heart of Eurasia, and a new order is emerging with the United States, the European Union, India, Japan, Iran, Turkey, Russia, China and the Persian Gulf states all competing for influence in one way or another. Some of these actors are more powerful due to their geographic proximity (Turkey and Iran) or military and economic capacity (Russia and the EU), while others are less so (US, China, Japan and Persian Gulf states), though still ambitious enough to seek a greater role in the affairs of both regions. Thus, the overarching pattern is becoming a highly congested geopolitical landscape where new trade routes and infrastructure are being discussed and developed with the potential to shift the power balance in favor of certain actors. This is a relatively new trend, as for the most part, the South Caucasus and Central Asia have been seen as separate geopolitical arenas (Kremlin.ru, October 14, 2022; Fmprc.gov.cn, May 19; Commonspace.eu, June 2). Natural geography, most notably the Caspian Sea; the lack of adequate infrastructure; and, most importantly, external actors unwillingness to regard these areas as a single space have kept the two regions largely disconnected, until now. Since the end of the Soviet Union, the two regions slowly began to be viewed as one continuous geographic area that is in need of infrastructure development to connect Eurasias two major economies: the EU and China. The war in Ukraine has accelerated this trend. The imposition of Western sanctions on Russia has harmed established commercial lines crossing the country from Asia to Europe (Carnegie Politika, May 9). As a result, the desire to develop alternative trade channels has highlighted the geographic suitability of Central Asia and the South Caucasus as the shortest and most viable multimodal corridors. And this has further pushed external powers to see the two regions in tandem. Yet, it is not only new infrastructure that binds the regions together. The South Caucasus and Central Asia have also experienced similar geopolitical shifts. With the war in Ukraine, a relative power vacuum has emerged in these two areas. No single power currently dominates the two regions. As such the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus are engaged in a delicate balancing act. For instance, weary of the possible ramifications of the Ukrainian conflict, Kazakhstan has made a number of foreign policy moves to strengthen its ties with Turkey, the EU and China (Consilium.Europa.eu, October 27, 2022). Uzbekistans foreign policy has been shaped by similar motivations (see EDM, May 22). Azerbaijan and Georgia, too, advocate for a foreign strategy that attempts to balance among many stronger powers (see EDM, February 14). Even Armenia, which has traditionally relied on Russia for security, is looking for more leeway in foreign policy through normalizing relations with Turkey (Al Jazeera, October 6, 2022; see EDM, November 2, 2022) and enhancing existing ties with Iran (see EDM, June 21). This quest for greater maneuverability by regional countries has in turn encouraged increased competition among greater powers. For example, Brussels intentions regarding the wider Black Sea region, which includes the South Caucasus, have become more apparent since 2022. High-level visits to the region that result in actual funding for regional infrastructure improvement demonstrate the EUs increased commitment to the South Caucasus. In this, Georgia was offered an opportunity to become an EU candidate country. In addition, Brussels struck a new gas agreement with Azerbaijan to quadruple Caspian Sea gas imports (Anadolu Agency, July 19, 2022) and championed the idea of a Black Sea energy cable connecting the South Caucasus to Europe (Civil.ge, December 17, 2022). In the long run, Brussels is shifting its strategic focus to the Middle Corridor, which serves as a driver for trans-Caspian connectivity (see EDM, April 20; June 15). Others, too, support the idea. Turkeys relations in Central Asia focus on the necessity to accelerate development and use of the Middle Corridor. For instance, during his meeting with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in May 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an endorsed the concept of the Middle Corridor in enhancing cooperation on transportation and logistics, also applauding the expansion of the BakuTbilisiKars railway (Akorda, May 10, 2022). Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go until the corridor between the EU and China is fully implemented. To begin with, transit infrastructure in Central Asia and the South Caucasus requires more investment and stronger development. Due to the lack of infrastructure in some areas, trans-Caspian cargo trade has struggled to meet expectations. Furthermore, Kazakhstans and the other Central Asian countries road and railway infrastructure has only just begun to develop. And significant time and resources will be required for the construction of key projects such as the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway (see EDM, March 16). Thus, competition is brewing for the heart of Eurasia. The South Caucasus and Central Asia are increasingly seen as a common space, which means that developments in one region now, more than ever, influence critical processes in the other. Therefore the best approach for bigger players in the region is to set up mechanisms that would address all eight countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) together when it comes to the issues of transregional infrastructure. Indeed, the great power that controls the routes from Chinas Xinjiang region to Georgias Black Sea ports will be able to shape new patterns for the commercial corridors spanning Eurasia. ADVERTISEMENT By Emil Avdaliani More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: BP has pushed back the start-up of its FLNG project offshore Mauritania and Senegal, the company said in its earnings report on Tuesday. Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 now expected to start-up during the first quarter of 2024, bp said. Kosmos Energy is a non-operating partner on the project that bp says could transform Mauritania and Senegal into global LNG players within 30 years creating prosperity and development at a local and national levels. The Tortue field, according to bp and Kosmos estimates, could contain 15 tcf of recoverable gas resource potential. GTA Phase 1 is the first step in establishing the basin as a world-class gas province and major LNG hub, bp says on its website. GTA, spread across the C-8 block, was originally discovered back in 2015, with FID announced in December 2018. Kosmos considers the project to be among the lowest-cost greenfield projects in the world, with the first phase delivering approximately 2.5 mmtpa of natural gas. It is also one of the deepest subsea developments in Africa. Mauritania and Senegal have classified the project as a National Project of Strategic Importance due to the project's potential to secure domestic energy and energy revenues for the countries. Phase 1 of the FLNG project includes an ultra-deepwater subsea system with four gas production wells, a mid-water FPSO vessel, and an FLNG facility. The project was originally scheduled to achieve first gas in 2022, but it ran into multiple delaysincluding Covid-related delaysthat extended that date into 2023, and now into 2024. Some contractors working on the project have even alleged delayed payments for work completed. ADVERTISEMENT Phase 2 of the project was announced in February of this year, and is expected to produce up to 3 mmtpa. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Indias crude oil imports from Russia dropped in July and could be headed to a more significant decline in August, to the lowest since January this year, according to Kpler, as Russia has pledged to reduce its oil exports this month. In July, crude imports from Russia into India, the worlds third-largest oil importer, dropped to 2.09 million barrels per day (bpd), down from 2.11 million bpd in the previous month, Viktor Katona, head of crude analysis at Kpler, has told Bloomberg. This month, Indias crude oil imports could further decline and fall to 1.6 million bpd, Katona added. If the projection is correct, Indias imports of Russian oil in August could drop to their lowest level since January 2023. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine early last year, India has turned from a marginal buyer of Russian crude to the most important market for Moscows oil alongside China. Indian refiners, not complying with the G7 price cap and looking for cheap opportunistic purchases, have snapped up many of the Russian Urals cargoes, which used to go to northwest Europe before the EU embargo. In July, Indian imports of the Urals grade hit a record-high of 1.6 million bpd, according to estimates by Kpler. Russia has pledged to cut exports by 500,000 bpd in August, and signs emerged in July that its seaborne shipments are falling. Indian imports of Russian oil could rebound in October to what could be a record 2.2 million bpd, per estimates by Kplers Katona. Going forward, India may soon hit its limits on imports of Russian crude, due to infrastructure constraints and the need to keep good trade relations with other crude oil suppliers, according to analysts at Kpler. ADVERTISEMENT Last month, some analysts said that India may have already reached its peak crude imports from Russia. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Swedens hope to build out its nuclear power capacity was quashed this week, with German utility Uniper SE saying it had no intention of throwing more money on nuclear power. Uniper currently operates Swedens largest nuclear power reactor Oskarshamn-3, and has partial stakes in Ringhals and Forsmark. But Uniper isnt interested in spending on additional nuclear power beyond its existing plants. It instead intends to focus on natural gas and renewables, according to Bloomberg, in line with its home countrys recent mothballing of its last remaining nuclear reactor. The subject of nuclear power in Europe has been at the center of controversy. GermanyEuropes largest economyhas made a point to back away from nuclear power, and has argued that it has no place in Europes green future. Other countries such as France, who rely heavily on nuclear power for power generation, argue that it is a clean power source and should be included in the blocs green goals. The controversyand Unipers decision to step away from additional nuclear powercomes as Europe struggles to walk a tightrope between energy security and the green transition. That tightrope was narrowed by Europes shunning of Russian natural gasa product they previously relied on. According to Uniper CEO Michael Lewis, the companys nuclear reactors are a key part in making Uniper sustainable, both financially and environmentally. We intend to keep those plants. But, Lewis said, they will not invest in any further nuclear power. Swedens state-owned utility Vattenfall AB, which operate the Ringhals and Forsmark reactors, is looking into small modular reactors. Sweden, however, was hoping for larger, conventional plants. In January, Swedens government proposed changes to its legislation that would allow the construction and operation of more nuclear reactors as it looked to shore up its energy security. Nuclear power provides about one-third of Swedens total electricity. In 2022, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson promised on the campaign trail that Swedens goal would shift from 100% renewable to 100% fossil-free power generation, which would be more difficult to achieve without nuclear power. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Sen. Deb Fischer secured more than $20 million for water infrastructure projects across Nebraska in a bill that was unanimously advanced Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Fischers office said. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, advanced out of committee on a 28-0 vote, includes $10 million earmarked for the Cedar Knox Rural Water Project in northeast Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen in May vetoed $7 million in state funds that the Legislature had earmarked for the same project, saying the state already had put significant money into the project. The projects defunding at the hands of the governor was part of $119 million that Pillen vetoed out of the state budget bills. State lawmakers overrode one of the governors line-item vetoes restoring $1.1 million to the state auditors office. Now, Fischer, the states senior Republican senator who sits on the bodys Appropriations Committee, has secured the sought-after funds for the construction of a water source, treatment plant and distribution system that will serve residents in Knox and Cedar Counties along with funds for a dozen other infrastructure projects. This funding bill will keep Nebraskans healthy and safe by investing in crucial water infrastructure projects across our state, Fischer said in a press release Monday. I fought to secure measures that support the construction of water treatment plants, the replacement of aging water towers, and the continued removal of dangerous lead pipes throughout our state, she added. The bill, which still needs Senate and House approval, also includes $360,000 to replace lead service lines and water meters in Denton, along with $72,000 to replace water meters in Malcolm. The bill also includes $1.5 million to upgrade and rehabilitate the existing wastewater treatment plant and collection system in York. The Times is now the last remaining newspaper based in Sarpy County. In a letter to subscribers and former customers dated July 24 and received Friday by the Times, the owners of the Gretna Guide & News announced the Gretna paper, along with the Douglas County Post-Gazette, "are no longer operating." "We apologize this communication is coming so late to you, but as you can probably tell or already know, we have not been able to keep up with all the work and the finances that it takes to keep your local newspaper whether you've subscribed to the Douglas County Post-Gazette or the Gretna Guide & News/Sarpy County Guide & News running," co-publishers Darren and Cassandra Ivy wrote in the letter. The letter follows reporting by WOWT on July 24 that the Post-Gazette hasn't provided subscribers with a newspaper since March 8. "Still, staff assured readers the paper wasnt going under," WOWT reported, adding that they were told a letter was planned to go into the mail later that week. The Times has received similar reports about missed papers from Guide & News subscribers, and the Guide & News hasn't been available on the newsstand for months. The last e-edition listed on the weekly paper's website was June 28. One other issue in June is listed, along with one in May. In a column in March 22, the Times noted the Feb. 22 issue of the Guide & News was the last to be consistently available in print. Prior to that, the newspaper had already folded its Friday edition, the Sarpy County Guide & News, into its traditional Wednesday edition as a second section. The Guide & News would occasionally send a journalist to community events also attended by the Times. The newspaper has also continued sharing posts to its social media, including after sending out the letter announcing the paper is no longer operating. Sarpy County newspaper history The Sarpy County Times was created earlier this year out of a trio of newspapers whose history stretches back more than a century. The Times combined the Papillion Times, Gretna Breeze and Bellevue Leader. It's "the oldest business in Sarpy County," dating back to 1874, if you count the current incarnation as a direct continuation of its Papillion predecessor. For many years, the Papillion Times was the de facto county newspaper, according to Ben Justman of the Sarpy County Museum. The Grenta Breeze, which became the erstwhile weekly competitor to the Gretna Guide & News, was established in 1899. It was sold to the Papillion Times in 1943 and to the company that publishes the Omaha World-Herald in 1980. The Friends of the Gretna Public Library complied information on several other newspapers to serve the Gretna community over the years, including the News-Reporter, Gretna News and Gretna Tribune. The Library of Congress shows that the Guide & News began publication in 1961. With the Guide & News no longer in operation, the Times is the last remaining paper based in Sarpy County, which receives coverage from a robust metro area news media market that includes regional newspapers, television, radio and digital newsrooms. In the letter, the Ivys say they lost nearly all the staff at the newspapers, which have been unable to fill and retain employees. The papers have been listed for sale, and they say they'd be "happy to hand off the subscription list" to someone else, but that they still have debts to pay. The Times was told by a former employee that the Guide & News has had issues with payroll checks bouncing. Writers have complained of late or no payment for their work. Cassandra Ivy had "life-changing health issues four years ago," and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was also cited as a cause of the paper's problems. The husband-and-wife owners worked through weekends and throughout nights to keep up with demands, to no avail. "We, as a small family, have nothing more we can give and are at a legitimate breaking point," the letter states. The company that owns the papers, DCI Media Inc., did receive $32,710 in Paycheck Protection Program loans, all of which were forgiven, according to a database maintained by ProPublica. The loan paperwork said the payment helped retain seven jobs. Since then, though, the Ivys "found it's not humanly possible, despite the sacrifices we've made" to meet all of the demands and have the business work out for them. Still, the couple isn't completely throwing in the towel. The letter invites subscribers to provide feedback to the Ivys about whether they would like to see a "metro edition" of the Voice News, another newspaper operated by DCI Media in southeast Nebraska based in Lancaster County, which could start up with "an Aug. 24 edition (or one that approximate week)." Subscribers to the Post-Gazette and Guide & News would be given a six month extension, but the paper would rely upon advertising and "possible donations/investors" to come up with "around $5,000 minimum revenue each and every week" to expand the Voice News. Should the feedback dissuade the Ivys from expanding the Voice News, they said they would offer prorated refunds to subscribers "in as timely a fashion as we possibly financially can," provided they make a refund request by mail that must be received by Aug. 15. Those who fail to make a timely reimbursement request according to a statement in the middle of the 15th paragraph of a two-page letter in narrow typeface would not receive a refund "as all funds have already went to providing previous publications." "If that option is the route chosen, you will know because a newspaper will not be started and in your mailbox by September," the letter states. The letter invites Guide & News subscribers to check in on their refund status by calling 402-289-2329. WASHINGTON Pamela Smith's voice soared and quivered like a preacher in midsermon as she recalled her troubled childhood and how it helped prepare her for the challenges she faces as the new police chief in the nation's capital. "I stand before you as a child who had no hopes, who had no dreams they were far beyond my reach. But I believe that all things are possible," she said recently at her introductory news conference in Washington, in cadences honed by years as an ordained Baptist minister. "I believe I bring a fresh perspective, a different kind of energy, a different level of passion to what I'm going to do." Smith takes on the job at a precarious time. Violent crime is rising sharply, fueled by more homicides and carjackings. The District of Columbia's mayor, Muriel Bowser, and the D.C. Council have, at times, been at odds about crime legislation. On Capitol Hill, the Republican-led House began citing the city's crime statistics while aggressively reviewing local public safety laws. On July 24, the Mexican Consulate posted a tweet urging its nationals to "take precautions" in the city due to "a significant increase in crime in areas previously considered safe." Smith, 55, now becomes one of the public faces of this long-term fight even before the Council votes on her nomination as chief. She brings an inspirational story to her new role leading the Metropolitan Police Department. Raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, by a single mother who battled substance abuse, Smith and her siblings were at one point removed from their home and spent time in foster care. Smith emerged as a track star and went on to a 24-year career in the U.S. Park Police, where she served as the agency's first Black female chief before retiring in 2022 to take up a senior leadership position at the MPD. Law enforcement and government officials repeatedly point out that overall crime numbers in Washington have stayed relatively stable. The crimes that increased the most murders and carjackings are the ones most likely to damage public confidence. "The scariest crimes are going up and regardless of what's happening with other crimes, that's what's going to fuel the overall perception," U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves told The Associated Press. Graves' office prosecutes most felonies in Washington, in a unique arrangement due to the district's status as a nonstate. The city's attorney general's office prosecutes misdemeanors and juvenile crime, which is also on the rise. This intricate dynamic among two separate sets of prosecutors, the city's police force, Bowser's administration and the Council has been publicly tested as the crime numbers stayed high all with Congress taking an increasing interest in the district's affairs. Public safety was a primary topic of debate last year when Bowser, 50, successfully ran for a third term in office. She spent this term sparring with both the Council and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee over how best to address crime. July has been a particularly bloody month, with 22 homicides as of Friday, including murders on the campuses of both Howard and Catholic universities. The victims include an Afghan man who survived years of working as a translator for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan only to be murdered in America while driving for Lyft. Nine people, including two children, were shot at a July Fourth party, when an assailant in an SUV opened fire on the crowd. A 12-year old girl remains hospitalized after being shot in the back Tuesday night by a bullet that penetrated the walls of her home. Although the murder rate is well below the levels in the 1980s and early 1990s, when Washington regularly led the nation in murders per capita, it climbed steadily in recent years. In 2022, there was a roughly 10% drop in homicides, but now, homicides are up 15% compared with this time a year ago and the city is on pace to surpass 200 for the third year in a row. Police also reported 140 carjacking incidents in the month of June the highest monthly total in more than five years. Crime in Washington is now a national headline issue in Congress. In the spring, Bowser and Council members were summoned before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee for a heated session on local crime rates. Congress voted to completely overturn the Council's comprehensive rewrite of the district's criminal code. Bowser vetoed the overhaul, saying the reduction of maximum penalties for certain violent crimes "sent the wrong message," but was overridden by the Council. The mayor opposes congressional intervention in local affairs as part of Washington's long push for statehood, but her initial veto was frequently cited by Republican lawmakers as proof that the rewrite was soft on crime. In an embarrassment for the heavily Democratic city, the move to cancel the criminal code revision drew support from dozens of congressional Democrats and was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The Council recently passed emergency public safety legislation meant to serve as a temporary fix. Plans to make the changes permanent in the fall will face lawmakers' scrutiny. A dozen cities set youth curfews this year, even though they don't reduce crime A dozen cities set youth curfews this year, even though they don't reduce crime Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium's red panda, Kovu, died, the zoo announced. The adorable little fellow passed away at nine, whose innocent antics brought joy to visitors and staff alike. Red Panda Kovu, at Pittsburgh Zoo, Dies The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is mourning the loss of its beloved red panda, Kovu. The nine-year-old animal died on Sunday evening after a brief illness. As per ABC News, Kovu touched the hearts of countless animal lovers and panda enthusiasts since he first arrived at the Pittsburgh Zoo in 2015 from Columbus. The Pittsburgh Zoo says that red pandas typically have a life expectancy of 10 years when in zoos. The cause of Kovu's death has not been released. However, the Zoo and Aquarium disclosed that Kovu exhibited unusual behavior last Friday. And as such, they brought Kovu to the zoo's veterinary hospital for further examination and proper treatment. Despite their best efforts to provide him with the utmost care, the red panda's declined quickly, leading to his unfortunate death. The zoo says Kovu received ample supportive care until his untimely passing. Red pandas, known for their striking colors and engaging personalities, have earned a special place in the hearts of animal lovers worldwide. Kovu's presence added a layer of charm to the Pittsburgh Zoo, drawing visitors from near and far to glimpse his playful antics and endearing demeanor. The zoo says red pandas are native to the Himalayan Mountains range. However, these cute little fellows grapple with threats in their native bamboo forest amid habitat loss. It is worth noting that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the red pandas as endangered species. Read Also: 'Bring Ya Ya Home': US Panda's Return to China Ignites Nationalist Sentiment Pittsburgh Zoo Pays Tribute to Kovu In a recent Facebook post, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced the passing of its beloved red panda. "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our male red panda, Kovu." Pittsburgh Lead Keeper Ray Bamrick narrates that "Kovu was 'Mr. Cool' from the beginning." He recalled that the red panda "was one of the most confident and friendly animals at the Zoo." We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our male red panda, Kovu. Kovu will be missed by visitors and Zoo staff alike. We appreciate the support of the community. Learn more: https://t.co/ip0fBFLtUB pic.twitter.com/p5wAHPilVX Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium (@PghZoo) July 31, 2023 WPXI reports that Bamrick further stressed the crucial role of Kovu in the zoo. The Lead Keeper says, "Kovu was here as a representative for his endangered wild cousins. He did such a wonderful job of raising excitement, awareness, and compassion." The Pittsburgh Zoo extended its gratitude to zoogoers, encouraging them to share their captured moments and memories with their beloved red panda. Despite the passing of Kovu, his female habitat mate, Xia, will continue to greet zoo guests. As per WTAE's reports, Kovu arrived in the zoo as their second red panda, following the arrival of Xia in 2013. Related Article: Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter Eligible for Death Penalty, Jury Finds @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TAMPA, Fla. In a quiet Tampa office, a group of Hispanic community organizers met with six volunteers, all ready to learn Floridas voter registration process. One of the leaders, Karolina Dorante, highlighted some achievements. Since 2012 we have registered approximately 125,000 citizens, said Dorante, youth development organizer of Mi Familia Vota, a nonprofit that works to boost Hispanic voter turnout. This is important because every day we strive to inspire more people to vote. Yet the future for this type of fieldwork feels bleak for dozens of local groups, nonprofits, and community organizations in Florida who depend on it. Recent legislation has severely restricted registration drives, a worrisome development for many activists who say these efforts targets minorities and marginalized communities. Florida made it tougher to vote and engage in civic activities following baseless allegations from former President Donald Trump that his reelection in 2020 was stolen from him. In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to increase fines for violations by voter registration organizations, reduce the time to submit voter registration forms from 14 to 10 days, and bar noncitizens from handling voter registration applications. The bill prevents groups from retaining personal information about people who sign up to vote and requires them to provide receipts to individuals who register. Third-party voter registration groups and nonprofits, such as as the League of Women Voters of Florida and the Florida chapter of the NAACP, filed two federal lawsuits against the state regarding certain parts of the bill. Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked DeSantis administration from enforcing parts of the legislation. In Florida, Latinos account for a larger share (2.5 million) of registered voters than ever before at 17% in 2020, according to Pew Research Center data. This is up from 2008 when about 1.3 million Latinos were registered to vote, accounting for 12% of Floridas registered voters. Voter groups have played a critical role in this demographic shift. According to a recent study by Daniel A. Smith, professor and chair of the political science department at the University of Florida, Black and Latino voters are five times more likely to register through third-party groups. Efforts to restrict third-party organizations have persisted for some time, said Smith, who has been a prominent critic of recent laws restricting voter access. In 2011, the Florida Legislature required groups conducting voter registration drives to pre-register with the state, sign an oath warning of prison time and fines, account for all registration forms provided to and received from their agents, and submit monthly reports with the Division of Elections. In the months after, overall voter registrations dropped for Black, Hispanic, and White voters compared to a similar time frame four years earlier, according to Smith. Gov. DeSantis attack on groups conducting voter-registration drives is just the latest effort to limit groups on the ground, Smith said. Despite the fact that the state has found no evidence of widespread fraud, DeSantis and other Republican officials claimed that the new law would restore confidence. We have taken bold steps to ensure Florida is the national leader in conducting fair and secure elections, DeSantis said in a recent news release highlighting the first year of his Office of Election Crimes and Security to investigate election law violations. According to DeSantis administration, the Office of Election Crimes and Security referred 1,479 cases to law enforcement, but only 13 led to felony convictions. They also reviewed 3,500 voter registrations and fined 39 organizations more than $100,000 for failing to comply with statutory obligations. Infractions included mistakes on applications made by the applicants themselves and forms submitted to the wrong county as a result of those errors. Abdelilah Shkir, a voting rights policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said hes not surprised. Historically, marginalized communities have faced systemic barriers and discrimination that impede their access to the ballot box, he said. Lawmakers are aware of that. But voter registration organizations in Florida are resilient and will continue to carry out their work while fighting back against these draconian laws. But, are these groups prepared to face more challenges? Its a tough question, said Cecile Scoon, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. We strive to follow the law, even when it seems unfair. Unfair or not, running afoul of the law comes at a steep price. In May, Mi Familia Vota was fined $6,500. Hispanic Federation was fined $7,500. The violation? Registration forms submitted in the wrong county. Floridas Office of Election Crimes and Security assessed the fines, according to The Guardian US, which was first to report on the fines. Soraya Marquez, Florida state director of Mi Familia Vota, said the fines were erroneous and without merit. They occurred because DeSantis keeps changing election laws without giving our communities the time to adjust our practices, Marquez said. The history of voting in the United States The history of voting in the United States 1607: The Jamestown election 1619: Jamestown Church assembly 1776: John Adams' letter to James Sullivan 1787: Ratification of Article I of the Constitution 1792: Criminal disenfranchisement in Kentucky 1812: The first gerrymandered district 1824: The election of John Quincy Adams 1848: The Seneca Falls convention 1856: Property requirement lifted 1866: Civil Rights Act of 1866 1869: Wyoming grants women the right to vote 1869: Edison invents the electric voting machine 1870: Fifteenth Amendment ratified 1877: Georgia institutes poll tax 1881: The 'voting apparatus' debuts 1898: The gear-and-lever voting machine is unveiled 1898: Louisiana enacts first grandfather clause 1908: Northern disenfranchisement on display 1913: Seventeenth Amendment grants direct election of US senators 1920: Nineteenth Amendment grants women's suffrage 1924: Indian Citizenship Act 1952: McCarran-Walter Act lifts ban on Asian citizenship 1961: Twenty-Third Amendment gives DC residents the vote 1961: First punch-card ballot system 1962: Poll taxes are outlawed 1965: Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights 1965: Voting Rights Act 1970: Richard Nixon extends Voting Rights Act 1971: Twenty-Sixth Amendment lowers voting age 1975: Gerald Ford extends the Voting Rights Act 1984: Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act 1986: Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act 1993: National Voter Registration Act 1996: Voting machine for the blind and illiterate 2000: American citizens in territories denied voting rights 2002: Help America Vote Act 2006: Congress extends Section 5 of Voting Rights Act 2010: Midterm elections signal new era in voting 2011: The voter ID law era begins 2012: Texas v. Holder 2013: Shelby County v. Holder 2016: New restrictions pile up 2017: More laws target voters 2018: New voting restrictions reach half the country 2018: Florida removes criminal disenfranchisement 2019: Supreme Court agrees to hear key gerrymandering case 2020: Supreme Court unanimously rules against faithless electors 2020: Mail-in voting soars during the COVID-19 pandemic 2022: Redistricting controversies continue nationwide LINCOLN People invited to testify at an interim hearing of the Legislatures Education Committee told state lawmakers on Monday that they welcomed more involvement from parents in Nebraskas K-12 education system. But state and local school board members, educators and a prominent member of a political action committee seeking to elect conservative school board members diverged when it came to addressing the biggest challenges to public education. The hearing on a trio of legislative resolutions was called by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil to gather information that could lead to legislation limiting what educators teach and boosting parents influence in the activities of the school. Murman introduced a measure, Legislative Bill 374, earlier this year that would have required school districts to make learning materials available for public inspection through a public portal and to create a process that allowed parents to object to school library books. Parents need to be able to blow the whistle about inappropriate materials making their way into the classroom, Murman told the committee. The Education Committee chair said he was also concerned about social-emotional learning, commonly referred to as SEL, saying it was an attempt to inject critical race theory into public school classrooms. Social-emotional learning teaches students how to manage their emotions and improve their social interactions. All 50 states have standards related to social-emotional learning in preschool, while only about half have standards for K-12; Nebraska does not. Critical race theory, which is nearly a century old and is typically taught at the graduate school level, examines how systemic inequities have stemmed from race and racism. Murman, answering questions from Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad, alleged that Nebraska teachers were using critical race theory in their K-12 classrooms, and were encouraged to do so by the Nebraska Department of Education. In 2022, Murman and a handful of other state senators said the Launch Nebraska website curated by the State Education Department had links for teachers professional development that promoted critical race theory. The links were taken down after it was brought to the departments attention. On Monday, Education Commissioner Brian Maher said the department was revamping how training materials appear through Launch Nebraska, including monitoring links that take users to other websites a challenging task, he said. But Maher, as well as school board members from large and medium-sized districts in the state, said the focus on issues that have been flashpoints in the culture war like critical race theory and social-emotional learning are not priorities. Maher said he hoped to improve assessment scores for all students, address a teacher shortage and help schools navigate resources to ensure they can help students succeed. Sen. Tom Briese of Albion asked Maher what strategies Nebraska could deploy alongside investing more funding to solve its teacher shortage. Maher said Nebraska needed to do more to encourage those interested in becoming teachers. If we can get out of our own way in the profession, I think that will go a long way toward making teaching more fun, Maher said. I think it can be very fulfilling; we need to make sure we create the conditions for our staff to be fulfilled. Mike Pate, a 27-year member of the Millard Public Schools board, said he believed parents in the states third-largest district had wide access to and input on the curriculum materials used by teachers. Millard also has a process for parents to exclude their students from participating in certain lessons, Pate told the committee, and added many if not all of the proposals from Murman to ensure accountability were already in place. I dont think were an outlier, Pate said. We stay in our lane, we try to focus on whats important which is the education of our kids. We do a pretty good job of giving academic performance at the lowest cost to taxpayers.And Lisa Wagner, president of the Central City Public Schools board, told the committee that districts are already required to have parental involvement policies, along with policies related to review of library and curriculum materials.That runs counter to the national narrative, which Wagner said Nebraska should avoid falling into.We do not need additional mandates dealing with parental involvement, Wagner said, adding parents who have concerns should reach out to teachers, administrators and local school board members. Several testifiers, including State Board of Education member Kirk Penner, and Sue Greenwald of Protect Nebraska Children Coalition, said that the use of social-emotional learning was a way to inject critical race theory and Marxism into schools. Penner, who spoke in his personal capacity and not as a representative of the state board, told the committee he saw nonschool organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center and liberal senators in Nebraska as influencing what was going on in the classroom.While he agreed developing self-awareness and self-management were good things for students, Penner said without evidence that schools that did so under the most common frameworks were teaching it through the lens of a critical race theorist.Greenwald, meanwhile, said social-emotional learning was part of a global effort to give your children a social credit score, pushed by Bill Gates and the World Economic Forum comments she admitted were conspiratorial in nature.She also said the proposal to give parents access to curriculum material did not go far enough, adding parents needed to be able to watch changes made to curriculum in real time online.Other educators also told the committee they disagreed with the increased focus on diversity and inclusion in school curriculums after 2020 and believed it interfered with teachers abilities to focus on topics like reading and math.Lori Samuelson, a school psychologist in Hastings, said diversity programs do not allow teachers to focus on the whole student, and said when she raised that point in a Facebook group she was punished.Mondays hearing, which only featured invited testimony and did not allow Nebraskans to testify, did not have any immediate outcome, but it did spark a competing public forum that ran concurrently in another hearing room at the Capitol.Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, who does not serve on the Education Committee, and several other senators, heard from teachers, parents and others opposed to Murmans bill, which they said would limit how students learned about controversial topics and would censor teachers and librarians. LINCOLN Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has told state lawmakers he would not seek medical records to prosecute women who obtain abortions in other states. In a response to questions from state senators about his opposition to a proposed rule blocking states from accessing private health records related to abortion, Hilgers said he wants to keep existing privacy laws intact. Lawmakers had asked last week what the states motivation was for joining 18 other attorneys general who signed a letter from Mississippis attorney general opposing the federal rule change. To be clear at the outset: our office is defending the status quo on patient privacy, not narrowing it, Hilgers wrote. (O)ur office follows Nebraska law, which does not hold women criminally responsible for having an abortion procedure. Hilgers response comes a week after nine senators, led by Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, asked the first-year attorney general to clarify his position on the matter. The Biden administration put forward the plan in April to change HIPAA patient privacy rules in response to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last year, sending the question of whether or not to restrict abortions back to statehouses across the country. The proposed rule change would block states from accessing health information about residents who obtained lawful abortions or other reproductive health care for criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or proceedings. The attorneys general, who like Hilgers are Republicans, submitted a comment in opposition to the change in June, saying the proposal went too far and potentially infringed upon states abilities to prohibit abortions. Democrats have criticized the proposal for not going far enough to protect women from having their private health records related to abortion or reproductive health care shared without a court order. In their letter, the state senators asked Hilgers why he wanted access to private medical records, if he planned to use those documents to prosecute individuals who seek abortions in states where it is legal, or to prosecute those who aid others in doing so. Hilgers, in his response, echoed the comment letter, stating if the rule takes effect, the broad provisions would make it more difficult for law enforcement or agencies to conduct criminal or administrative investigations into a wide range of incidents. He said a series of botched C-sections or reports of a doctor being impaired could result in an investigation, for example, or law enforcement could seek health records from victims of human traffickers or sexual predators coerced into abortions. Far from applying to a narrow class of abortion-related procedures, the proposed rule chills investigative efforts into serious criminal wrongdoing and other misconduct, Hilgers wrote. In doing so, it undermines our ability to keep Nebraska citizens and in particular Nebraska patients safe. The letter outlines Nebraskas support for the existing HIPAA patient privacy laws enacted by the Clinton administration, which recognizes the need to balance individual privacy interests against the legitimate public interests in certain uses of health information. The proposed change creates two different standards for what private health information is accessible through the legal process, he added, one for reproductive health care and another for other types of health information. Under the existing rule, Hilgers said law enforcement agencies will still be required to obtain a subpoena, court order, discovery process or some other legal process to obtain those records. Our office seeks to maintain the status quo that has been in place for over 20 years, through both Republican and Democratic administrations, he concluded. Cavanaugh said Monday evening she appreciated Hilgers response but said the attorney general had not taken a formal position on a measure, Legislative Bill 391, introduced in the Legislature this year. The legislation, from Sen. Jen Day of Gretna, would provide criminal and civil immunity to any woman whose pregnancy does not result in a live birth. The bill was heard by the Judiciary Committee in March but was not advanced to the floor for debate. Nebraskans dont need their elected officials to be exchanging letters in the press, Cavanaugh said in a text. They need their officials to be working on protecting medical records and medical decisions of Nebraskans. What wasnt accomplished Nebraska State Sen. Tom Brieses editorial in the July 20 Omaha World-Herald that listed the property tax reduction achievements in the last Unicameral session was impressive in what was not accomplished. Unless property valuations are limited to a 3% annual increase and bond issues are included in the computation of the states school tac credit, taxing entities will continue to work around any limits placed on them. Thus our overall property taxes will continue to increase, causing many of us on fixed incomes to be taxed out of our homes. My entreaties to my state senator were answered but nothing was done to address these common sense solutions to our high property taxes. Tim Goodman, Omaha Dear future historians I sincerely hope that those who write the history of the United States in the future give Sen. Mitch McConnell his due. Without Sen. McConnells abuse of power we would not have the Supreme Court we have today. The less-than-honorable senator from Kentucky made sure that President Obamas nominee for the Supreme Court never received a hearing and he rushed through the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, pushing progress back sixty years. The damage that this court does to our country and our rights in the future should also be firmly placed on the shoulders of Sen. McConnell. Rather than the Trump Court, this is the McConnell Court. Steve Rule, Ralston Iowa teen sentenced The comments by the judge in the sentencing of the young Iowa man in the death of the Spanish teacher should have included some additional remarks (July 7). The young man has destroyed his and others lives because the teacher gave him a bad grade. The following comments would have been appropriate, in my opinion. 1. The teacher did not give you the grade. You earned the grade you received. 2. If you had worked and studied harder, you would have earned a better grade. 3. If you had paid better attention in class, your grade would have been better. 4. If you had asked the teacher for help ,your grade would have been better. 5. Lastly, if you had turned off and put away your cell phone, you most assuredly would have received a better grade! Theodore Dennis, Omaha Real election thieves Its been a real comedy watching the Republicans who tried to steal the election for Trump claiming that the other side was cheating. Now its nice to see that 16 of these reprobates have been arrested for fraud in Michigan. America cannot survive without the rule of law. Living in a right-wing propaganda dream world does not give people the right to cheat and violate the law. Over 300 of the violent Capitol attackers are still waiting for their trials. Many have been denied bail and have been stuck in jail for over two years. Thats what we who live in the real world do with dangerous delusional people. We lock them up. Tom Gruber, Omaha Agree with Tuberville I found Peter Gadzinskis letter, Tuberville Follies, interesting. He feels my taxes should go to pay for military abortions and travel for abortions. I agree with Sen. Tuberville: Not my taxes. I can think of lots of better uses for my tax money. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is standing up for what he believes and for what is right. I applaud him for his strong convictions. Besides, abortion is the killing of a human being, not a blob of tissue. No one has the right to kill. The bill held up by Sen. Tuberville could easily be passed without paying for abortions. Angie Wingert, Omaha Let Nebraskans vote My Nebraska public school education, grades K through 12, gave me the foundation for a lifetime in academia and scholarly publishing. I owe so much to so many good teachers. I think especially of the late Mary Kalen Romjue, whose positive impact on a generation of students at Franklin High School is incalculable. Thanks to public schools in Franklin County, this kid from rural Nebraska went on to earn a bachelors degree from Northwestern and a PhD from the University of Chicago. This kid is now 62 years old and, with no kids of my own, I cannot say that I have had much interaction with the public school system in recent years. I am moved, though, by the teachers volunteering today to collect signatures for the petition to let Nebraskans vote on Legislative Bill 753. I see all the goodwill, dedication, organization, and hard work that I remember from high school, and I am grateful. Our state is blessed with some excellent private schools alongside our public school system. If parents want to send their kids to a private school, more power to them. If someone wishes to donate to a given private schools scholarship fund so that those less fortunate can send their kids there, great. What is not so great is forcing Nebraska taxpayers to contribute to private schools, to the detriment of public schools and other public services. I urge everyone to join me in signing the petition to let Nebraskans vote on LB 753. Kerry Tupper, Omaha One pot 75 years ago, George Orwell wrote in his satire all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. And so it goes with some Nebraska federal representatives who have drawn from the taxpayers till, other than through pay checks. None have done anything illegal, but to me Orwells quote fits. One individual had undergraduate studies paid for, and attended postgraduate studies on taxpayer dime. Another has received USDA subsidies and still does. Yet anothers business received nearly seven-figure tax increment financing. There are no separate funds for the more equal, there is only one pot: the taxpayers. Reading their quotes published in these pages, it validates Orwells satire and, in my opinion, points out the unsaid entitlement of their subsidies. Cesar Rosales Jr., Omaha Lantern glow On the evening of July 22 we took a ride down to the Gene Leahy Mall for the first annual lantern glow. What a great event. Lots of people and families present. The mall was showcased very nicely with all the lights and the beautiful backdrop of the city skyline. What a beautiful job they did on phase one of the mall! We really enjoyed it. But that came to a screeching halt around 10 p.m., when the sound of sirens took over. Ten teens with knives were the cause for about ten Omaha police units and a police helicopter in the sky. Why is it when Omaha does something nice like the mall and an event that would draw many families, kids, elderly, all sorts of people, it is disrupted? In this case it was fighting teens that want to use this area as their playing field. What a shame! Council members need to get a grip on their areas and put a stop to this senseless nonsense. Kerry Hanson, Omaha (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer provided evidence for the House GOP's investigation into President Joe Biden and the president's son's business dealings. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, stated that Devon Archer verified on Monday that President Joe Biden "lied to the American people when he said he was unaware of his son's business dealings and was not involved." Archer, a former business associate and longstanding acquaintance of Hunter Biden, testified for hours behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee on Monday. Former Hunter Biden Business Partner Testifies Before House Panel At least twenty times, Hunter Biden placed his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden, on speakerphone while meeting with business associates. Archer described how Joe Biden was asked to promote "the brand" over the phone. Comer stated that the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability "will continue to follow the Bidens' financial trail and interview witnesses to determine whether foreign actors targeted the Bidens, whether President Biden is compromised and corrupt, and whether our national security is at risk." Following Archer's testimony on Monday, his counsel, Matthew L. Schwartz, managing partner of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, issued a statement. According to Fox News, Comer outlined the "essential conclusions" from Monday's lengthy testimony by Archer. Archer, who served on the board of Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma Holdings alongside Hunter beginning in 2014, told legislators that the value of adding Hunter to the board was to strengthen the company's "brand." Archer affirmed that then-Vice President Joe Biden was "the brand," according to Comer. Archer also testified that "without 'the brand,' Burisma would have gone out of business." Read Also: Report: Putin Launches Deadly Missile Strike on Zelensky's Hometown After Drone Attack on Moscow Devon Archer Confirms Joe Biden's Participation to Son's Business Dealings According to Comer's office, Archer stated that he believed Hunter Biden's presence on the board and the "Biden brand" contributed to Burisma's longevity and that people would have been "terrified to meddle with Burisma legally because of the Biden brand." Archer testified about a December 2015 interaction between Mykola Zlochevsky, the CEO of Burisma, and Vadym Pozharski, an administrator at the company. Archer stated that Zlochevsky and Pozharski "constantly exerted pressure on Hunter Biden to obtain assistance from Washington, DC in ousting Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin." Shokin investigated the corruption of Burisma. According to the source, Archer testified that on December 4, 2015, Hunter Biden, Zlochevsky, and Pozharski "called D.C." to discuss the matter. Archer testified that Biden, Zlochevsky, and Pozharski left the room to answer the phone. It is unknown whether Hunter and the Burisma executives spoke with Joseph Biden directly about the matter. However, during the Obama administration's tenure, Joe Biden was in command of U.S.-Ukraine policy. A source reported that Archer testified that Joe Biden traveled to Ukraine and delivered a speech on December 9, 2015. During his speech, Biden stated that the Ukrainian prosecutor's office required repair. During Biden's ten-year tenure as vice president, he was indicted on twenty occasions. According to Rep. Dan Goldman, Archer stated that Hunter Biden and Joe Biden engaged in "casual conversation, pleasantries, the weather, and what's going on" and that there "was no conversation" regarding any of Hunter Biden's business transactions (D-NY). The Republican and Democratic perspectives on Archer's testimony differed. According to Republican legislators, Joe Biden "lied" about his knowledge of his son's alleged misconduct. The president and White House spokespeople have repeatedly stated that he was not involved in his son's work, including Hunter Biden's ties to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Per Washington Examiner, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) told reporters he believes Archer's testimony "involves the president." Biggs stated that Archer testified that "Burisma would have failed sooner if the Biden brand had not been utilized. Due to the Biden family's reputation, it would be intimidating for people to legally interfere with Burisma. In contrast, Democrats argue that Archer's testimony demonstrates the House Oversight Committee has no case against Joe Biden. Ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said in a statement that Archer affirmed "President Biden was not involved in his son's business affairs and that he was never requested to, nor did he, take official action in relation to these business matters." Archer is engaged in a dispute with the Justice Department regarding the remaining prison time he must serve. Archer was convicted of two felonies in July 2018 for his participation in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. Despite being sentenced in 2022, he has avoided serving time in prison due to a succession of appeals filed by his defense. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York asked a magistrate to set a reporting date for Archer, which Republicans criticized as interference with Archer's testimony before the Republican-controlled House committee. By Wednesday, Archer's counsel is anticipated to provide a formal response to the US attorney's demands. Hunter Biden has recently pled not guilty to federal offenses despite an original plea agreement with the DOJ. To avoid a felony gun charge, he was scheduled to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors, but the judge supervising the plea agreement raised concerns that ultimately led to a postponement in the case. The prosecution and defense have less than thirty days to negotiate new provisions for the plea bargain. However, the judge's postponement does not mean that Hunter Biden's original plea agreement with prosecutors is deceased. Related Article: President Joe Biden Publicly Acknowledges 7th Grandchild, Hunter Biden's Daughter to Lunden Roberts, for First Time @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BLOOMINGTON Heartland Bank and Trust Company announced dates for "Shred Days," which allows for secure onsite document shredding. Shred Days will be held at several Heartland locations across Central Illinois. They are scheduled for every Saturday in August, every Saturday in September, excluding Sept. 2 and 30; and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 21. In Bloomington, Heartland Bank will host its Shred Day from 9 a.m. to noon, Aug. 19 at 405 N. Hershey Road. Those who attend can dispose of receipts, old utility bills, insurance forms, bank statements and more. A mobile shred unit will be available, allowing participants to witness the shredding process through the unit's observation window. Visit hbtbank.com/shred-days for more information. Who was there? Photos from the Commerce Bank Holiday Party Members of the Commerce Bank family Byron Blotcky, Patty Files Bob and Julie Dobski, Steve Snyder, Dan Adams Nicole Hoffman, Charlie Moore, Cheryl Magnuson Gregg Hollabaugh, Bob and Joan Fischer Leanna Bordner, Jack and Kim North Bob and Vicki Varney, Drs. Kathy Bohn, Tom Nielsen Sarah and Matt Idleman Michael and Chelsie Meyer Jessica Moore, Logan Wilson Angie and Frank Hoffman Erin McVey, Hailey Daffara Renee and Dan Wilcox, Meghan Meyer Terry and Debbi Lindberg, Karyn Smith, Cat Woods Sean Kerr, Amy Roser, Mark Jontry Donna and Bud Thoma Sean Kerr, Amy Roser, Mark Jontry Jason Chambers, Chemberly Cummings Jonell Kehias, Sue and Steve Seibring Sue Haag, Paige Glowacki Mike and Jan Campbell Larry Dietz, Rob Widmer, Marlene Dietz Michelle Houchin, Shannon McKay Amber Gruenloh, Viki Burnett Ruth Ann and Guy Fraker, Carol and Bob Lauder Laura Lauterbach, Kyle Clemson, Emily Capan Jason Chambers, Tyler and Ashley Cravens, Chuck Erickson Sammi Kern, Vanessa Campos, Adam Ruble, Sara Larsen, Erin Jennings Leni Kuntz, Ali Preston Scott and Ali Preston Barb and Dave Selzer IWU President Georgia Nugent, Kristen Weikle Puneet and Nishi Leekha, Coleen and Charlie Moore Samantha Morehead, Jeremy Daniels Dan Brady, Tara Boyd Dan Wilcox, Marty Mandula Meta Mickens-Baker, Sam Lewis, Sonja Reece Chuck Erickson, Cat Woods, Cheryl Magnuson, Tara Boyd, Heather Young, Tracy Patkunas Katie and Tim Norman Bob and Julie Dobski Nishi and Puneet Leekha, Dan Adams, B.J. and Emily Wilken Dani and Brian Wipperman BLOOMINGTON Nom Nom Noodle, 1006 E. Lincoln St., is this week's pick for Eats of the Week. The Japanese-style ramen restaurant opened in January, but owner Chris Bradley was already quite familiar with the location inside VFW Post 454. Bradley helped owner Aaron Francis open his Pop-Up Chicken Shop, which last year moved out of its location in the VFW and opened a brick-and-mortar shop at 409 Hershey Road, Bloomington. Bradley said his past experience also includes working as the head chef at Rosie's Pub in downtown Bloomington for 10 years and helping to start Fort Jesse Cafe in Normal. "Every ramen is different in other countries, so I look at that and think we're doing kind of the exact same thing. It's like this is our ramen here regionally in Bloomington," Bradley said. "I just thought Bloomington-Normal doesn't have a ramen restaurant; there are restaurants that have ramen bowls, but not one that just specializes in ramen, and we make everything from scratch here." Popular menu items include the birria ramen, chicken ramen, pork belly ramen, potstickers, chicken bites, rice bowls and the sticky buns. The restaurant offers specials that run for one to two weeks to give people ample time to try the food; the California poke bowl, which Polzin described as a deconstructed sushi roll, has been the most popular so far. Customers also have the option to choose their spice level for each menu item, with options including no spice, mild, medium, hot and the most intense, "dragon spice." "We took something you make at home and offered it to the public," said head chef Eddie "Ed" Polzin, a Bloomington-Normal native who helped Bradley open the restaurant. "We took what we liked from every recipe of ramen that we've ever made, and we made it our own, so it's not just a traditional Korean or a traditional Japanese. It tastes different than ramen you get in Chicago or St. Louis." The food is reasonably priced and quick to order, he said. "If you only have a little bit of time for lunch, you can get in and out," Polzin said. "Even if there is a big line that can be intimidating, our ticket times are under 10 minutes. It's quick and it doesn't affect the quality at all because it will taste just as good." Last week, the restaurant launched a new menu that added Banh Mi sandwiches, a Vietnamese-style sandwich. Offerings include the ground pork, Korean chicken, pork belly and the "What The Pho Beef Dip," which is similar to a roast beef sandwich. Bradley said he hopes to move to a brick-and-mortar location in the future, which would allow for longer service hours. In the meantime, he loves coming to work every day. "It's exciting to make this food for people that haven't had it. That's my favorite thing about it," Bradley said. "We have a large staff in the back to stay on top of tickets, so you're getting a fresh, really homemade product quickly." NORMAL Local chapters of the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution will hold a joint meeting at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. The event, hosted by the Letitia Green Chapter of DAR and Gen. Joseph Bartholomew Chapter of SAR, will commemorate the U.S. Constitution, which was signed on Sept. 17, 1787. The meeting will be held at the Grace Church Activity Center, 1311 Hovey Ave., in Normal. Robert Irons of Illinois Wesleyan University will be the keynote speaker. DAR and SAR will award several members of law enforcement, fire safety and emergency medical services with certificates and medals, presented by Steve Kern, chairman of the public service and heroism committee of SAR. The activity center can be accessed from the Grace Church main parking lot off of Hovey Avenue by proceeding around the south end of the main church building. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. Photos: Sheep, goat, beef and dairy Costume Show during the McLean County 4-H Show. ATLANTA Known for its smiling water tower and hot dog-clutching giant, Atlanta has a new attraction that dives deeper into the city's failed attempt at coal mining. "We had an abandoned coal mine and all of sudden it just dawned on us one day, there's a really interesting story here," said Bill Thomas, treasurer of the Atlanta Betterment Fund and director of the Logan County Economic Development Council. The Atlanta Coal Mining Company History Mine is a new museum highlighting the history of the city attempts at creating a mine to acquire locally sourced coal. Located on the grounds of the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator, the museum opened in May but represents efforts that took place over nearly a decade, with support from community members and programs like the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway grant. "The whole point of tourism is to get people to come and go to your shops, eat in your restaurants, buy gas at your gas stations, stay overnight and ... we've been succeeding at it," Thomas said. The museum leads guests through the timeline of the mine and offers a view down the illuminated 135-foot deep shaft, along with a lump of coal to touch and a scaled-down model of the former operation. Thomas said the mine is part of Atlanta's growing tourism initiatives, intended to motivate people to visit and learn more about the city's history while seeing something that they normally would not find along the historic Route 66. "In our opinion, tourism is about telling stories and letting people have new experiences," Thomas said. The city's 40-year quest to become a mining town began in 1869 after the Atlanta Coal Mining Company received a charter from the state to sink a mineshaft. The work was stalled for about 10 years due to the necessary funds not being raised, according to the museum. Throughout the 1800s, people regularly used coal to heat their homes, power trains and provide energy to manufactured goods. Coal was abundant in Illinois and towns with working mines prospered financially. Demand continued into 1879 with growing manufacturing needs, and Atlanta businessmen Lewis M. Hoblit, Isaac J. Hitchcock and John L. Bevan secured a new charter from the state "to dig, bore, mine, excavate coal, fine clay, rock oil and other minerals," according to the museum. Starting March 3, 1879, workers began digging the mine over the course of three months before, at 135 feet, striking a vein of gas and water that forced its way through and created a rushing stream. Work at the mine was eventually abandoned, but another opportunity arose in 1881 when a drought hit the area and city wells began to run dry, according to the museum. Turner, Tuttle & Company began to use water from the mine shaft to supply a nearby mill and area farmers. "As it said in the exhibit, they turned lemons into lemonade and they used it as the town's water supply," Thomas said. In 1920, the city purchased the mine shaft to be used as an electrically operated well. It remained operational until the mid-1900s, when the supply was reduced by usage and replaced by newer wells, according to the museum. Now the museum is being visited by Route 66 travelers, area residents and organizations, including schools. On Monday, it served as a field trip for about 15 children from Scribbles Center For Learning; they also visited the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator and the J.P. Hieronymus Carriage House. "We actually had a field trip cancellation and it was really kind of last minute," said Bailey McClellan, lead teacher at Scribbles. "The kids needed something to do." McClellan said that within their summer camp they host mini-camps that allow students to interact with different themes including art, science, agriculture and others. During this trip, students took the roles as detectives, answering questions about each of the locations to see what had happened to them over the course of time. "When we do field trips here in town, we don't like to just bring kids here and tell them things. We'd like them to be engaged," Thomas said. Shayla Donnelly, 8, said she was intrigued by looking down the mineshaft and being able to see how far down workers were able to build it before it was abandoned. "It was rad," Shayla said. "I thought it was really fun to learn about the history." David Castle, 11, said he loves learning about history and found each historical location to be interesting to learn more about since they each show how life used to be in the past. "I'm the biggest history nerd at my school," Castle said. "I'm just wondering how people would get coal and water out of a mine shaft like that." McClellan, who moved to Atlanta about a year ago, said people should take advantage of what Atlanta has to offer with their historical sites and tourism because plenty of people from the city have put a lot of effort into putting it all together. "They do this because of the care they have for the history and the care they have for the city in their hearts," McClellan said. "You don't have to pay to do any of this, it is all free but, of course, they appreciate donations." IF YOU GO WHAT: Coal Mine Museum in Atlanta WHERE: Southwest 1st St., Alanta WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily ONLINE: atlantaillinoistourism.com/coal-mine-museum/ Photos and video: J.B. Hawes Grain Elevator in Atlanta Watch now: Julianna Nordman talks about J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator in Atlanta Watch now: Julianna Nordman talks about tourism in Atlanta 082122-blm-loc-hawes1 082122-blm-loc-hawes7 082122-blm-loc-hawes3 082122-blm-loc-hawes4 082122-blm-loc-hawes2 082122-blm-loc-hawes5 Hawes Grain Elevator 7 080822.JPG 082122-blm-loc-hawes6 Hawes Grain Elevator 9 080822.JPG A few weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a 19-year-old woman traveled from Memphis to Chicago seeking an abortion. But medical providers at a local clinic told her the procedure would require hospital care due to scarring from a previous cesarean section. The unexpected complication added travel days and lodging costs the patient hadnt planned for, according to officials with the Chicago Abortion Fund, who scrambled to help the young woman find an abortion appointment a few days later at a Chicago hospital. The local nonprofit covered the cost of a hotel room, food and other necessities. I took her shopping. We went to Target together, Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, said in a recent interview. We got clothes, underwear, food for her hotel room, snacks, water, just to make sure she sustained herself over the much longer time period that she was going to be here. Seeking to address such situations, the state of Illinois in August is launching a service to help connect women seeking abortions who have more complex medical issues and need hospital care with the proper providers when stand-alone clinics cant provide the necessary services. Its the latest effort by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker to position Illinois as a safe haven for abortion patients and providers, and it comes as a near-total ban on the procedure took effect Tuesday in neighboring Indiana. As the number of out-of-state abortion seekers has surged in Illinois following the fall of Roe in June 2022, reproductive rights activists say theyre also seeing more abortion patients with complications requiring hospital care. Those can include emergency situations such as life-threatening pregnancies and dire fetal diagnoses. But sometimes even more common medical issues, such as anemia, thyroid conditions, heart problems and like in the case of the patient from Memphis C-section scarring can require hospitalization when terminating a pregnancy. Illinois answer is the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access, or CARLA, which includes a hotline staffed by a nurse who will aid patients with scheduling abortion appointments in local hospital systems. These patients also will be able to use the hotline to get help arranging payment for their treatment as well as other needs, including transportation and child care. The hotline will be a partnership of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Rush University System for Health, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Abortion Fund. The state is estimating the CARLA program will cost $600,000 in the first year, with the money coming from the Healthcare and Family Services budget, according to the governors office. The hospital navigation program was one of several new state reproductive health initiatives Pritzker announced at a news conference Monday at UIC, where he lauded Illinois role as an oasis of abortion care as many states in the Midwest and across the country have banned or highly restricted abortion after Roe was struck down. Pritzker described the program as the first of its kind in the nation, adding that the hotline intended to reduce disparities for hospital-based abortion care and speed up medically urgent referrals. He added that streamlining hospital abortion care will also ease some of the burden on stand-alone abortion clinics in Illinois. In the 13 months since the Supreme Court made the retrograde and destructive decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, 14 states have outright banned abortion, stripping Americans of their rights to privacy, bodily autonomy and freedom, Pritzker said. But in the Land of Lincoln, weve doubled down on our commitment to maintain and expand reproductive health access for patients and protect providers. Also announced was a $5 million grant program through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help abortion providers pay for improvements, repairs, new facilities and security upgrades, among other costs associated with the influx of patients from out of state. Pritzkers latest abortion initiatives were met with criticism by a leading opponent of abortion rights in Illinois, who accused the governor of focusing on the issue to the exclusion of other priorities. Im tired of hearing billionaire J.B. Pritzker tell women in need that the only thing Illinois has to offer them is abortion, Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League. Not economic security. Not quality child care. Not real health care. Just abortion. Instead of spending our tax dollars on luring vulnerable women from across the country to Illinois for abortions, Pritzker should be working to help Illinois families to thrive, especially those who need a helping hand. Pritzker and other supporters said the CARLA program is essential because many complex abortion cases are extremely time-sensitive: Delaying the procedure can threaten the lives and health of patients, experts said. Dr. Jonah Fleisher, an obstetrician-gynecologist and co-director of the program, described recently treating a patient from a neighboring state who was 18 weeks pregnant and required hospital care because providers at a clinic suspected her placenta was attached to her uterus abnormally, a dangerous condition called placenta accreta. This increased her risk of serious bleeding during the abortion, Fleisher, assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, said at the news conference. The clinic called our hospital and several others, trying to find the soonest appointment she could attend. A dozen phone calls and voicemails later, Fleisher saw the patient about a week after her initial appointment at the abortion clinic; the hospital was unsure if it would be able to arrange the specialists and complicated resources she needed in enough time. When someone wants an abortion, the earlier they get it the safer it is, he said. Reducing delays is especially important for those with medical problems that increase the risk of the procedure even more. Abortion is, medically, just like any other type of health care, sometimes requiring complex medical triage and coordination. Politics, however, have siloed, stigmatized and restricted abortion so much that we need (the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access) to help patients get past these extra barriers quickly and safely. Jeyifo said the number of patients calling the Chicago Abortion Fund who have required hospital-based care has risen exponentially since the demise of Roe. In the year before Roe was overturned, the nonprofit served 26 patients requiring hospital care from five states; in the past year post-Roe, that number increased to more than 250 patients in need of hospital care coming from 19 states, she said. These cases are often more complicated, requiring more travel time and planning assistance from Chicago Abortion Fund officials, Jeyifo said, adding that the new hotline will ease this logistical burden. None of this is ideal and it should not be this way, she added. No one should have to travel to a city they have never been in to access health care. No one should have to depend on strangers to access the things they need for that trip. But this is our reality in the fallout of this horrific decision. It is up to us together to be creative and nimble and there for people who are denied agency over their bodies and lives in their home states. Answer: Despite being a B-N company for only six years, Rivian, with its nearly 7,500 employees, has rocketed to being B-Ns second biggest employer. (State Farm with its 13,000 B-N employees is still No. 1.) Rivian nearly doubles the number of ISU workers (3,885), followed by Country (3,718 employees) and Unit 5 (2,432). To stop Washington from continuing down a "wrong and dangerous" road, China said on Tuesday that it had complained to the US over a weapons aid package to Taiwan. As part of the 2023 budget, Congress approved up to $1 billion in weapons help for the island, and the United States announced a $345 million aid package for Taiwan on Friday. China Demands an End to US-Taiwan 'Military Collusion' (Photo : by EDWARD CHIN/AFP via Getty Images) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian (L) speaks at the opening of the four-day joint conference of US-Taiwan and ROC-USA Business Councils in Taipei , 09 September 2002. Others in photo (from R-L): Douglas Paal, de factor US ambassador to Taipei; Taiwan economic minister Lin Yi-fu; Greyson Bassett, Taiwan Country director of United defense; and Taiwan parliamentarian Wang Chung-yu. Tan Kefei, a spokesman for China's defense ministry, demanded that the United States cease all "military collusion" with Taiwan, according to Reuters. Beijing regularly forbids any "official exchanges" between Taipei and Washington and asserts sovereignty over the democratically run island. Taiwan denies China's claims to sovereignty and asserts that only the people of Taiwan have the power to determine their future. Despite the lack of official diplomatic connections and the ire such weapons supplies incite in Beijing, the United States, Taiwan's largest arms supplier, is required by law to give it the ability to defend itself. To aid Taiwan in defending itself, the top US general stated in July that the country and its allies should speed up the transfer of weaponry to Taiwan in the coming years. According to Taiwan's defense ministry, China's military has also been exercising its muscles around the island, recently sending dozens of fighters, bombers, and other aircraft into the skies to Taiwan's south. It was stated that the People's Liberation Army of China keeps a careful eye on events in the Taiwan Strait and is constantly on high alert. Read Also: China Bolsters Military Drills Near Taiwan But Experts Say Beijing Attack on Taipei Will Fail Increasing Tensions Between China and US The United States and China have been tense over Taiwan for decades. China claims Taiwan as its territory, while Taiwan maintains its independence. The United States has a long-standing "strategic ambiguity" policy on Taiwan, meaning it has not explicitly stated whether it would defend Taiwan if China attacked. In recent years, tensions between the United States and China over Taiwan have increased. China has been conducting more military exercises near Taiwan, warning the United States against selling weapons to Taiwan. The United States has responded by increasing its military presence in the region and selling more weapons to Taiwan. The tensions over Taiwan have the potential to escalate into a military conflict. If China were to attack Taiwan, the United States would face a difficult decision: whether to defend Taiwan or risk a wider conflict with China. The outcome of such a conflict could have a profound impact on the global order. The tensions over Taiwan are a major source of instability in the Indo-Pacific region. If the situation were to escalate, it could significantly impact the global order. Related Article: Biden Administration Approves Arms Sale To Taiwan; China Warns US To Stop Manipulating Taipei @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The 2022 Auditor General report has indicted two account officers of the Greater Accra Regional Department of Urban Roads for embezzling GH1.9 million between January 2020 to March 2022. They are a former Greater Accra Regional Accountant and an account staff of the department. While the Regional Accountant alone embezzled about GH1.6 million from fraudulent withdrawals, both of them on separate occasions collected a total revenue of GH333,851 but failed to account for the revenue. It was uncovered in the Auditor Generals report on public accounts of ministries, departments and agencies. We noted that the accountant, and an accounts staff, collected a total revenue of GH333,851.00 for the period January 2020 to March 2022 but failed to account for the revenue. Our review showed that between January 2020 and March 2022, the department approved a total amount of GH214,730.00 for various activities but the Regional Accountant altered the amounts in figures and words on the various cheques and withdrew a total amount of GH1,799,509.38 resulting in a fraudulent withdrawal of GH1,584,779.38, the report stated. The Auditor General therefore recommended that the Ag. Regional Director of the department should recover the amount of GH333,851.00 from the two staff without delay. We also recommended that the Ag. Regional Director recovers the amount of GH1,534,779.38, it added. 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. Featured Video Prof. Martin Gyambrah, a Senior Educational Manager, Strategy Consultant and Corporate Advisor with extensive experience in Institutional Development, Leadership and Administration in International Contexts, has asked companies to develop foresight as the global business landscape is rapidly changing post-COVID-19. At the 10th edition of the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Conference organized by the Centre for CSR, West Africa at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Prof. Gyambrah spoke on New World Imperatives for Business sustainability, post COVID-19, outlining the factors driving the focus on Sustainability in the wake of COVID-19 and highlighting key business and individual issues. He noted that: Sustainability has been a top priority in boardrooms and corporate agendas due to numerous worldwide initiatives and agreements that support ethical business conduct such as the Global Sustainable Initiative (GSI), which strives to promote sustainability across all sectors, the Paris Climate Agreement which tries to combat climate change, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations which gives a comprehensive framework for addressing global concerns. He emphasized that it was important to build resilient business models, develop reputation and trust and put sustainable practices in place to help mitigate risks associated with environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. He explained that the new world imperatives for business sustainability would mean that an organization would make new changes to how things used to be done. He recommended a new way of management and managing people, re-examination of resource allocation practices, a re-invention of marketing practices and an emphasis on resetting corporate governance. More than ever before, we should place more emphasis on changing organisations to become more efficient, mobilizing every ounce of intelligence because the skills required of managers are diverse and continuously expanding. We need to create Merchants of Foresight, who would develop a model for reporting on intellectual capital around customers, processes, resource mobilization, human factors and finance. Businesses should leverage data analytics to understand customer needs better, personalize their services and create seamless omni-channel experiences that will retain and grow customer base. He concluded that companies would have to reset their corporate governance framework by asking critical questions about their sources of funding or critical resources for the pursuit of the mission of the organization, the enabling technologies, applications and systems in place for the pursuit of the mission of the organization, what actions and systems exist to ensure or guarantee the sustainability and continuity of critical resources for achievement of corporate objectives. Organisations, according to him, need to institute audit and risk management systems such as competitive intelligence-gathering, subversion detection and failure-proof systems. The Conference, organized by the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), West Africa, a leading CSR and Sustainability advocacy organization, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries, brought together, many leading socially responsible companies and organisations who rendered accounts of their impressive and excellent social stewardship, demonstrating a stella commitment to their impact on the broader society and environment within which they operate. Prominent sustainability-inclined businesses and organisations such as PwC, RYTHM Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Vision, Volta River Authority, Vodafone and VIVO Energy delivered speeches and presentations about how they imbibe the tenets of social responsibility and ultimately contributing their quota to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prof. Martin Gyambrah is currently the President of the University of Applied Management-Ghana. Following his international education with a Masters and Ph.D. focused on the Policy, Strategic and Organizational Applications of Technologies and Excellence in Business from the University of Munich, Germany. His professional career activities has spanned for many years in educational management and corporate advisory, with a current focus on Innovations in Business and Education, Education for Sustainable Development, International Educational Systems and Quality Assurance, Human Capital Development and Corporate Governance. He is a Senior Associate Consultant and Advisory Board Member of Consulting firm Bureau of Market & Social Research (MSR), Ghana and representative for the International University Network (IUN), Germany an international Service and Consulting Support Facility. He has been a provider of capacity-building, business turnaround, organisational development, market, social and complex governance control insights for multinational private-sector and public organizations. GOIL, Ghanas leading marketer and distributor of oil and petroleum products represented by its Public Relations Manager, Mr. Robert Kyere and Madam Jamilatu Mohammed, RYTHM Foundation represented by the Head of the Foundation, Santhi Periasamy, PwC, represented by one of its Partners, Mr. Richard Ansong, World Vision represented by Mrs. Agnes Obeng and Mr. Joseph Appiah supported the Conference as lead sponsors, creating a platform that enabled businesses give account of their societal stewardship, network, partner and collaborate for business sustainability and the greater good of society. Other notable companies and organisations that participated in the Conference include Toyota Ghana, Promasidor, Republic Bank, CBL West Africa, Imperial General Assurance, SIC Ghana, Ghanaian German Economic Association, Societe Generale, Consolidated Bank, Blay and Associates, Fruveg, Rivella Enterprise, J.A. Abrahams & Sons, Bosomtwi Industries, Amla Foundation, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and many others. Other dignitaries such as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries, AGI, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Director of Finance and Administration of the AGI, Mr. Nathaniel Quarcoopome, the Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Madam Suzuki Momoko, Madam Ramya Chandrasekaran, Chief Communications Officer for the QI Group and others. Speaking at the Conference, Mr, John Kojo Williams, Co-Founder of the Centre for CSR, West Africa said: Since 2013, we have been at the forefront of creating awareness on CSR and sustainability issues and matchmaking companies to create sustainable impact. We are happy that this Conference is a huge success and that companies were provided the much-needed platform to render their CSR account, network and partner for more sustainable projects that will keep their businesses alive and make society better. This Conference brought together, companies, business associations, regulatory agencies, international aid organisations, academia and the edia. Mr. Williams announced that a magazine to compile CSR activities of companies in Ghana would soon be published. He also announced that entries for Ghana CSR Excellence Awards 2024 are now officially open. Enquiries can be sent to: centreforcsr@outlook.com. More than 30 media houses attended the Conference. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video SolarAfrica Energy and Starsight Energy are pleased to announce the successful completion of their business merger. The merged group is now set to become the leading pan-African clean energy platform providing on- and off-site renewable energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers. It is well-positioned to serve a wide range of customers with a comprehensive mix of cost-effective solutions, providing power security and carbon reduction. The merger is backed by Helios Investment Partners (Helios) and African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), both of which have decades-long track records of bringing investment to support African innovation. An expanded solutions portfolio unlocking simple and sustainable access to power. Customers across Africa can access fully serviced clean energy solutions through the merged group. This includes solar energy, battery storage, wheeling and energy management which are all operated and maintained on behalf of the customer. The merged groups mission is to make power accessible and affordable. The merger will unlock more efficiencies across the group allowing it to take more customers on a green energy journey that solves their power requirements and enables a sustainable future. The supply of renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa is relatively fragmented with several suppliers in the market. This merger is a substantial step for us and will provide a true pan-African platform to deliver clean renewable energy in key economies, said Paul van Zijl, Group CEO. The merged group consists of an installed and contracted portfolio of 520 MW in solar power generation, 60 MWh of battery storage and an additional energy pipeline exceeding 2 GW. The portfolio has led to a carbon offset of more than 360 000 tonnes of CO2 to date. This merger will enhance our current capabilities and allow us to deploy Energy and Cooling as a Service on a much larger scale. This is therefore a story of growth. Not only for Starsight Energy and SolarAfrica but also for the renewable energy landscape in Africa, Van Zijl added. Powering Africa through affordable, clean energy In addition to key markets Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, the group is working on imminent expansion into Tanzania and Uganda. It brings a range of renewable energy solutions to the table, with solar energy, battery storage and cooling at the top of the list. We are excited about making a meaningful contribution to power supply on the continent through our on- and off-site solutions. This will help take pressure off national grids which have been under significant strain in many of the core African markets, said Charl Alheit, Group Chief Investment Officer. Providing these solutions to more businesses can also go a long way in developing distributed renewable energy frameworks in each region. In-country focus unlocks continent-wide growth The merged group will retain a strong presence within the various countries to further strengthen its footprint across Africa. We do not believe in a fly-in fly-out model and will have boots on the ground in our geographies. Our country teams consist of dedicated in-country management as well as sales and technical teams who represent our ethos, whilst being supported by the wider group management, said Van Zijl. Its important to have strong representation in each geography with teams who know and understand their markets and are passionate about transforming these markets into green energy hubs. Thats something both SolarAfrica and Starsight Energy have always had in common: we know that the people in our business have always been the reason for our success, and this new chapter will be no different, Alheit concluded. Leveraging existing knowledge and capabilities Both Starsight Energy and SolarAfrica are represented in the group executive management team, combining their expertise and experience. Paul van Zijl assumes the role of Group Chief Executive Officer (formerly Group Chief Financial Officer of Starsight Energy) Charl Alheit assumes the role of Group Chief Investment Officer (formerly Chief Investment Officer for SolarAfrica) Max Rieg assumes the role of Group Commercial Director (formerly Commercial Director of Starsight Energy) The group will also retain its regional management structures, with David McDonald (Southern Africa), Emmanuel Ayifa Baah (Ghana), Ladi Sanni (Nigeria) and Rupesh Hindocha (East Africa) leading their respective regions. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has expressed disappointment in the Akufo-Addo administration following the mid-year fiscal policy review presented by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta on Monday, July 31, 2023. Delivering the mid-year budget review before Parliament, Ken Ofori-Atta highlighted the current fiscal status of Ghana's economy, achievements of the Akufo-Addo government and measures initiated by the government to improve the economy. From sector to sector, the Finance Minister underscored some structural reforms in expenditure commitment control and arrears clearance, debt management, financial stability and the mitigating steps in addressing the economic challenges to ensure Ghana's full recovery. One key policy the Minister touched on that has caught the attention of Kwesi Pratt is the "Planting for Food and Jobs". "Mr. Speaker, Planting for Food and Jobs has brought substantial improvements in Ghanas agriculture sector. This has resulted in increased food security, employment along agricultural value chains, and accessibility of raw materials for developing industries. The programme has directly contributed to increased crop yields for major food staples such as maize, rice, and soya by 135 percent, 67 percent and 18 percent respectively within the period. "After a comprehensive review, Government is finalising PfJ Phase II to ensure a more efficient and targeted support for the agricultural sector. The key elements of Phase II are Inputs Credit System, Storage and Distribution Infrastructure, Commodity Trading and Digitised Platform," the Minister hailed the government for a good work done in revamping the agricultural sector. But to Kwesi Pratt, the budget review doesn't solve the real situation facing Ghanaians. Speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Kwesi Pratt bemoaned the inability of the government to ease the financial burdens on Ghanaians as well as its economic woes visited upon the nation. Tackling the government's "Planting for Food and Jobs" policy, Mr. Pratt noted this policy has not been useful to the nation. "I feel ashamed when I hear about the failed Planting for Food and Jobs," he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh. He wondered why Ghana till date still import basic foodstuff like tomatoes, revealing the country imports tomatoes from Burkina Faso to the tune of 600 million dollars annually. He stated there are arable lands in the country for cultivation of tomatoes and other food products, therefore questioning the need for the food imports from foreign countries. "Ghana is the third largest importer of tomato paste from Germany. Is this not shameful?...A country with the largest man-made lake in the world and in the south, we have the Atlantic Ocean but we import fish. What crime have we committed? What type of leaders do we have in this country?", he blasted the government. He also slammed the government over their intent to implement a second phase of the policy, asking "where did the first phase take us?" "The second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs, what is it coming to do that is substantially different from the first phase in 7 years which was total failure, complete failure?" Mr. Pratt opined that the Akufo-Addo administration has failed woefully to better the living conditions of the citizenry, stressing "our situation isn't good at all. It is very disturbing". Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Of the ten people contesting for the 2024 presidential ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen is the one with the most winsome personality to make the NPP break the eight. This is according to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah. This is because Alan Kyerematen is the best for Ghana and most Ghanaians know that, he said in an exclusive interview. Consequently, he said that the NPP now has the onus on it to pave the way for the one that Ghanaians want to elect as the successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo. As a party, we have a responsibility to Ghanaians, to present to them who they want to elect as president. And we also have a responsibility to the NPP to make sure we put our best foot forward in the upcoming presidential election. Hon. Ahenkorah said this in Tema after a meeting with some delegates of his constituency on Sunday. Already, in numerous polls by Global Info Analytics, Alan Kyerematen is going neck and neck with Vice President Bawumia in spite of the huge resources and incumbency advantage that Dr. Bawumia enjoys. A total of ten flagbearer hopefuls have successfully filed their nominations to contest for the upcoming presidential primary scheduled for November. The list of candidates is made up of Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP, Mr. Kwadwo Poku, an Energy Expert, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The rest are Mr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr. Boakye Agyarko, a former Energy Minister, Mr. Edward Addai-Nimo, a former MP for Asante Mampong, and Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, an Economist. Of the lot, Alan Kyerematen and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia are the leading contenders for the ticket. However, being an Ashanti, Alan enjoys slight advantage over Dr. Bawumia because the Ashanti region is the stronghold of the NPP. According to Carlos Ahenkorah, Alan Kyerematens winsomeness is not only because of his tribal extraction, but that the man has experience in government, with specific longevity in the portfolio of Trade. What we need now in the current aftermath of the COVID-19 and Russia Ukraine war which have had devastating impact on the economy is someone who understands trade. And on the list of presidential candidates none of them have had such long exposure to trade than Alan Kyerematen. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has historically required women to confront significant gender bias within the world of academia. But it's important to update our perceptions of this gender bias so that women are not needlessly discouraged from pursuing these careers today, according to findings by Stephen J. Ceci (Cornell University), Shulamit Kahn (Boston University), and Wendy M. Williams (Cornell University), published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Ceci, Khan, and Williams's analysis of hundreds of existing studies covering six aspects of academic life relevant to tenure-track professors suggests that the academy has indeed taken significant steps toward gender equality. Data from 2000 to 2020 indicate that women researchers are now equally likely as their male peers to be awarded grant funding, to have their journal articles accepted for publication, and to receive strong letters of recommendation. Moreover, they are more likely than men to be hired for tenure-track positions. "Our country desperately needs the contributions of talented women scientists," Ceci said in an interview with APS. "Happily, the realities of today no longer support the belief that these jobs are pervasively biased against women. In our view, this message is worth spreading. More women might become scientists if they knew that the job was not riddled with sexism." These findings, Ceci said, suggest that academia now offers a largely gender-fair, and in some cases female-advantaged, environment: Women who earn Ph.D.s and apply for tenure-track positions are often more likely to be hired than their male peers, the authors found through a review of existing studies and their own analysis of data from the National Science Foundation. Grants are awarded to women and men at approximately equal rates, the authors found from a meta-analysis of 39 studies including data from more than 2 million applications to 27 grant agencies. Scientific articles where women are the first or last authors were about as likely to be accepted for publication as those written by men, according to the authors' meta-analysis of 33 articles on journal acceptance rates. When the researchers compared the findings of nine studies that analyzed letters of recommendation written from 1990 to 2017 for the fields of psychology, physics, biology, medicine, chemistry, and geoscience, they found no gender bias. Compared to letters written for men, letters written for women after the year 2000 were no shorter, raised no more doubts about women's ability to do a job, and used no different words to describe applicants. These findings come with important caveats: Women are still less likely to apply for tenure-track positions and grant funding than men, and have shorter average career lengths, leading them to generate a smaller body of research. This suggests that systemic factors may be primary in limiting modern women academics' career trajectories. For example, women continue to bear a disproportionate responsibility for child-rearing and other family obligations because of both pregnancy and societal expectations related to caregiving and are more likely than men to leave academia entirely or to seek out employment that offers greater work/life balance at the cost of lower pay, the researchers noted. Ceci and colleagues also identified two areas of academic life in which both gender bias and systemic factors continue to hinder equitable outcomes for women: From a review of previous research and their own analysis of data from the American Association of University Professors, the authors found that there is still a salary gap between male and female tenure-track professors. However, this gap appears to be 60% to 80% smaller than the media commonly report, measuring around 3.6% for academics in similar fields and with similar experience. Through a review of existing meta-analyses, the authors found that women academics receive lower teaching evaluations from students despite being equally effective educators, as assessed by more objective measures of student learning such as grades. Acknowledging the areas in which academia has become more welcoming of women could help free up resources that could be used to address these and other inequities, Ceci, Khan, and Williams wrote. Studies suggest that women are less likely to negotiate for a higher salary than men, for example, so regularly auditing faculty pay in order to equitably adjust salaries across a department could help narrow the pay gap, the researchers suggest. Additionally, universities could help limit the influence of biased student teaching evaluations by focusing on more objective measures of student learning when offering professors raises, promotions, and tenure. "Given the substantial resources directed toward reducing gender bias in academic science, it is imperative to develop a clear understanding of when and where such efforts are justified and of how resources can best be directed to mitigate sexism when and where it exists," the authors wrote. Notably, Ceci, Khan, and Williams completed this project through a nearly 5-year adversarial collaboration, an approach to research that embraces viewpoint diversity as a method of countering ideologically driven assumptions about a topic. This collaboration required the researchers to challenge each other's opposing perspectives on gender bias in academia in order to provide a more objective, evidence-based analysis of the subject. A need for more flexible, balanced workplace cultures In an accompanying commentary, Anne Preston (Haverford College) acknowledged that Ceci and colleagues' work signals a positive shift for women researchers. She noted, however, that academic careers continue to be structured in ways that discourage women from entering or remaining in scientific fields, often leading them to escape the "rat race" for tenure by pursuing career paths that offer greater work/family balance at the cost of lower wages and underemployment. Preston suggested that universities could help address some of these concerns by offering more formal mentoring programs and supporting more flexible paths to tenure-track positions and for financing research. "The changes should be heralded but not taken for granted," Preston wrote. "To make academic careers in science truly welcoming to women so that more women enter and fewer leave these careers, systemic change has to occur." In a second commentary, Alexandra Garr-Schultz (University of Connecticut), Gregg A. Muragishi, Therese Anne Mortejo, and Sapna Cheryan (University of Washington) suggested paying further attention to how masculine defaults shape life in academic institutions. Norms that favor stereotypically masculine traits such as independence, competitiveness, and self-promotion over stereotypically feminine traits like interdependence, warmth, and collaboration can disadvantage not only women but people of color and those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or nonbinary, Garr-Schultz and colleagues wrote. "Mitigating masculine defaults is going to take intentional effort and isn't likely to happen overnight, but as academics, we have a vested interest in making academic STEM disciplines as welcoming and inclusive as they can possibly be," Garr-Schultz said in an interview. These efforts could include removing unnecessary masculine defaults or balancing them with other values. No matter the approach, Garr-Schultz and colleagues stressed that interventions should be empirically evaluated to ensure that they are effective and don't exacerbate existing disparities. More information: Stephen J. Ceci et al, Exploring Gender Bias in Six Key Domains of Academic Science: An Adversarial Collaboration, Psychological Science in the Public Interest (2023). DOI: 10.1177/15291006231163179 Alexandra Garr-Schultz et al, Masculine Defaults in Academic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fields, Psychological Science in the Public Interest (2023). DOI: 10.1177/15291006231170829 Anne Preston, An Academic Career in Science Continues to Be a Hard Sell for Women: Putting Ceci et al. (2023) Into a Broader Perspective, Psychological Science in the Public Interest (2023). DOI: 10.1177/15291006231170832 Journal information: Psychological Science in the Public Interest This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11420 For decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been captivating researchers because of their wide range of applications: gas absorption, water harvesting, energy storage and desalination. Until now, quickly and inexpensively selecting the top performing MOFs for specific tasks has been challenging. Enter MOFormer, a machine learning model that can achieve higher accuracy on prediction tasks than leading models without explicitly relying on 3D atomic structures. "We recognized that relying on the 3D structures of MOFs led to the additional cost. To work around this we used MOFids to make accurate predictions," explained Yuyang Wang, a Ph.D. student in Professor of Mechanical Engineering Amir Barati Farimani's research group. This research was first published in The Journal of the American Chemical Society. A MOFid is a text string representation of MOFs building blocksa combination of metal nodes, organic linkers and topologiesthat enables machine learning models to output property predictions. Because of the countless combinations of these building blocks, discovering optimal MOFs is complicated. In Barati Farimani's MOFormer, researchers can perform faster screening of MOFs by hypothetically creating new MOFids. "To train MOFormer, we use self-supervised learning (SSL), which leverages both the structure based approach with graph neural network and structure agnostic approach with MOformer. SSL improves the performance of MOFormer on downstream property prediction tasks. Using such an approach. we explore how structure based and structure agnostic approach can utilize mutual information from each other," explains Rishikesh Magar, a Ph.D. student in Barati's lab. "This paves the way for researchers to build MOFs more efficiently. Say there are one million hypothetical MOF structures that might seem like a fit for water harvesting. The MOFormer can narrow them down by predicting which will have the most desirable properties. From there, researchers may only need to test 100 variations in the lab," Zhonglin Cao, a Ph.D. student in Barati's group, illustrated. Compared with other structure-agnostic methods, MOFormer achieves 35-48% higher accuracy on various gas absorption prediction tasks, and 21.4% higher on band gap prediction. "We expect the MOFormer to expedite the exploration of MOFs," said Farmini. "It can serve as a tool for exploring the vast chemical space of hypothetical MOFs." More information: Zhonglin Cao et al, MOFormer: Self-Supervised Transformer Model for MetalOrganic Framework Property Prediction, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11420 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Wildfire smoke from Canada blankets the East Coast, degrading surface-level air in heavily populated areas of the United States, on June 7, 2023. Credit: NASA MODIS Wildfires have shaped the environment for millennia, but they are increasing in frequency, range and intensity in response to a hotter climate. The phenomenon is being incorporated into high-resolution simulations of the Earth's climate by scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with a mission to better understand and predict environmental change. Two months into the 2023 peak summer fire season, Canadian wildfires had burned 25 million acres of land, disrupted the lives of millions and spread beyond the traditional confines of western Canada east to Nova Scotia. Smoke from the wildfires has drifted to heavily populated regions as far south as Georgia in the United States, across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and into the Arctic Circle. The impacts are being incorporated into large-scale simulations of the Earth's climate, such as DOE's Energy Exascale Earth System Model, which reflects land processes like the carbon cycle for better predictions of the future climate. E3SM runs on the world's fastest supercomputers, including the Frontier exascale system at ORNL, providing highly advanced simulations to better predict environmental change that could affect the energy sector. ORNL scientist Jiafu Mao focuses on Earth system modeling, improving simulations of land surface responses and feedback to environmental change. The models evaluate synergies among historical fire data, carbon emissions, atmospheric factors such as temperature and precipitation, and major land variables such as vegetation condition, soil moisture and land use. His machine learning algorithms have supported better projections of wildfire and associated socioeconomic risk that can guide adaption and mitigation strategies. Using AI to sharpen wildfire risk projections In one project, those algorithms were applied to improve the certainty of a series of Earth system models and predicted an increase in global wildfire exposure for the world's population, gross domestic production and agriculture compared with untrained models. The research also indicated that models not constrained using the algorithms tended to overstate fire-related carbon emissions in regions with sparse vegetation. At the same time, the constrained models projected an increase in wildfire carbon emissions in tropical and subtropical regions as dense vegetation there dries and provides more fuel for fires. "We want to reach a better understanding and prediction of wildfire drivers, as well as potential vulnerabilities in terms of human health, ecosystem and infrastructure," Mao said. The challenge is getting increased specificity in wildfire simulations from higher-resolution datasets. It would be helpful to gather data into a central repository that are now scattered among various federal, state, university and national laboratory sources needs to be gathered into a central location, he added. "There are gaps in observational data, with much of the global wildfire record based on satellite products that started being collected and made available only about 20 years ago," Mao said. "Long-term, high-spatiotemporal resolution, continuously gathered observations regarding the fires themselves as well as post-fire recovery processes are sparse." To enhance wildfire-related datasets, Mao and ORNL colleague Fernanda Santos have launched a Fire Community Database Network to encourage scientists and land managers to submit environmental data on burned areas to a central repository. Sharing such information can not only improve research, but also inform land management practices. Forrest Hoffman, who heads the Computational Earth Sciences group at ORNL, is interested in the biogeochemical processes, including wildfire, that drive the evolution of the climate over multiple decades. He is laboratory research manager for the DOE Reducing Uncertainties in Biogeochemical Interactions through Synthesis and Computation Science Focus Area, or RUBISCO, which brings together scientists from national labs and universities to evaluate and improve Earth system models using laboratory, field and remote sensing data. Wildfire has been traditionally underrepresented in Earth system models, an issue that Hoffman and his colleagues are working to address. "Getting the metrics right about burned areas derived from satellite remote sensing datasets means we can then better predict what will happen as climate change evolves under potential future scenarios," he said. Clouds of gray smoke in the lower left are funneled northward from wildfires in Western Canada, reaching the edge of the sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean. A second path of thick smoke is visible at the top center of the image, emanating from wildfires in the boreal areas of Russia's Far East, in this image captured on July 13, 2023. Credit: NASA MODIS Hoffman touted the machine learning methods Mao and other researchers are developing as part of the RUBISCO project as one way to get fire metrics right and represented. Like Mao, Hoffman recognizes the need for new observational datasets. Sometimes researchers can't see through the smoke on visible-sensor satellite images to evaluate fire emissions, and more multispectral and thermal imagery that provides finer detail on land surfaces would be helpful to fill in data on immediate and long-term impacts, Hoffman said. 'ForWarn'ing trends with better metrics, methods Hoffman has an extensive track record in evaluating remote sensing data to improve understanding of the evolving climate. Ten years ago, he co-led the development of a satellite imagery-based visualization tool called ForWarn to track changes in the nation's forest system for the U.S. Forest Service. The tool, with ongoing updates by ORNL, examines satellite imagery across the United States every eight days to detect disturbances such as wildfire, insect outbreaks, wind and hail. ForWarn is used by the Forest Service to identify threats to forest health, and many land-management agencies and individual researchers use the tool to identify and track disturbances, changes in land cover and crop production. "The system tracks subtle changes in the annual phenological cycle," Hoffman said. "For instance, what if vegetation greenness is suddenly stronger than it has been previouslycan we attribute that to wetter-than-normal weather?" In the Great Smoky Mountains, ForWarn has been revealing an interesting trend that could change the region's vegetation diversity. "We're seeing a stronger wintertime reduction in greenness that we think is the result of the death of evergreen vegetation due to the Hemlock wooly adelgid," a well-known invasive species in the U.S. "Those evergreens are then being replaced by deciduous vegetation, so you're seeing more seasonality in greenness." Another dataset that scientists around the world can access to understand fire extent and severity and obtain estimates of fire carbon emissions and other measurements is the ORNL DAAC, or Distributed Active Archive Center for Biogeochemical Dynamics, managed by ORNL. The ORNL DAAC is a data center within the NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System. It is one of the tools NASA provides to enable researchers, resource managers and disaster management teams to understand and monitor environmental conditions before a fire starts, measure the intensity and development of fires as they're burning, and assess the effects and impacts of the events. Mao added that "ORNL has a wide body of work in wildfire. But it will take continued collaborations with our colleagues across the country at national labs, universities, federal agencies, as well as at the state and local level and even with private land managers to tackle the challenge of better predicting these events and building up resilience to their many impacts." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Kaushik Luthra, post-doctoral research associate, and Griffiths Atungulu, associate professor and director of the Arkansas Rice Processing Program, set up a microwave dryer to dry a load of rough rice. Credit: U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller Using an industrial microwave can shorten the time needed to dry rice bound for beer making from days to hours and may lend itself to other food uses of the staple grain, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers found. Since Arkansas rice is a key ingredient in beer productionabout 18 million bushels of Arkansas rice went into beer made by Anheuser-Busch in 2021researchers conducted a brewing experiment to find out if rice dried with this emerging technology had any negative impacts on the "sweet water" called wort that is made into beer after hops and yeast are added. While microwave oven technology has been around since the late 1940s, they have not become mainstream for commercial rice dryers. The Arkansas Rice Processing Program's research of microwave rice dryers has shown potential for the technology to decrease drying time and increase throughput during the busy harvest season. "It is important to establish if the new microwave drying approach produces a product consistent with the traditional method," said Griffiths Atungulu, director of the Arkansas Rice Processing Program and associate professor of grain processing and post-harvest system engineering. "Microwaves offer fast drying and may offer other advantages over traditional drying approaches." Better than hot air Rice is typically harvested with a moisture content of about 20% and stored in bins to begin the air-drying process to an optimum storage level of 12.5%. This level of moisture wards off mold growth and helps maintain the rice's structural quality, Atungulu said. While new technologies have increased rice harvesting and delivery speed, the rice drying infrastructure has not grown at the same rate. The Rice Processing Program is pioneering research with microwave drying rice to meet the demands of higher delivery rates to commercial drying facilities, he said. Arkansas ranks first among rice-producing states, accounting for nearly 50% of U.S. rice production in 2022. Normally, rice is dried using either heated air or unheated air, which is called "natural air." The Rice Processing Program's research shows that wort made with microwave-dried rice is more comparable to wort made with natural air-dried rice than hot-air dried rice. Atungulu's previous research with graduate research assistant Deandrae Smith, presented in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers' Resource Magazine, showed that microwave drying can increase rice drying capacity, overall rice quality, and "head yield," or the percentage of rice kernels that are at least three-quarters of their original length after milling. Their research was supported by industry partner AMTeK Microwaves and a Small Business Innovation Research grant administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Not your mom's microwave For a visual cue, these are not the kind of microwave ovens found in most home kitchens, which pump out about 1 kilowatt of power. The industrial 75-kilowatt microwave used by the Rice Processing Program includes a box 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high with a conveyor belt running through it. It can drop the moisture content of rice from about 20% to 13% in a single pass over the course of about eight minutes. By comparison, with air at 140F, the hot-air drying requires two to three passes under the dryers, with each pass taking 20 to 30 minutes depending on moisture content. Natural air drying at about 77F takes five to seven days but doesn't required a tempering step. Once the rice is dried in the microwave, it must be temperedheld at the drying temperature for four hours after drying to reduce fissuring and improve head yield. Tempering is also required after hot-air drying but due to two passes, with tempering between, microwave drying rice took less than half the time than hot-air drying, according to Kaushik Luthra, post-doctoral research associate with the Rice Processing Program. The experiment station's study of brewing with microwave-dried rice was conducted by Luthra, Atungulu, and food science undergraduate honors student Christopher Stuckey. The study, "Impact of Drying Techniques on Physicochemical Properties of Dried Rice and Its Influences on Rice Beer Brewing Process," was published in the Journal of the ASABE. The study compared wort made with microwave-dried rice to wort made with rice dried using natural air and rice dried with hot air at both 125 and 140 degrees. The purpose of the study was to understand the effects of different rice drying treatments on the content of protein and amyloseone of the two components of starchin wort because those two components have an impact on the brewing process and resulting nutrient content. Compare and contrast The benefit of using rice in beer is that it provides abundant sugar for yeast to turn into alcohol without the syrupy mouthfeel resulting from the additional sugar that comes from malted barley, Atungulu said. For the experiment, Stuckey and Luthra brewed each batch with 15% Arkansas-grown long grain rice and 85% two-row malted barley. Results from the study showed that wort made with the hot-air dried rice had a lower protein content and higher amounts of amylose, a long-chain sugar. This was likely due to the longer milling time required for hot-air dried rice to achieve the standard 0.4% surface lipidor fatcontent used in the brewing experiment. The longer milling time removes a greater portion of the protein content in bran, resulting in a higher percentage of amylose, the study noted. The initial gravity, or sugar content, was similar for all three batches made from each drying methodsnatural air, hot air and microwave. For comparison, the sugar content of the all-malt control batch was slightly lower. Atungulu foresees microwave rice dryers being used in cylindrical conveyers to take up less space in processing facilities, and a gentle finishing air dryer to complete the drying process after fast evaporation from microwaves. He said the application also has potential for use in drying rice that has been parboiled for nutrient additions and drying partially cooked "instant rice." More information: Christopher Stuckey et al, Impact of Drying Techniques on Physicochemical Properties of Dried Rice and Its Influences on Rice Beer Brewing Process, Journal of the ASABE (2023). DOI: 10.13031/ja.15236 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A convoy of military vehicles survey the damages in Loiza, Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, on Sept. 21, 2017. Credit: Puerto Rico National Guard Nearly six years have passed since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. The historic storm, one of the deadliest in U.S. history, significantly damaged more than 80% of the island's electrical power system, leading to massive disruptions of essential services for months. In a new study, led by Jorge Gonzalez-Cruz of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), researchers are now using data from Hurricane Maria to assess the critical infrastructure vulnerabilities that still exist in Puerto Rico around extreme weather events, specifically for socially vulnerable populations. The study was published in Nature Energy. "During extreme events, disruptions in service delivery of critical infrastructures disproportionately impact communities based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics," said Gonzalez-Cruz, a Professor of Empire Innovation at ASRC. "Our study presents a new methodology to assess the social vulnerability of extreme weather events, using Hurricane Maria as a case study." Reconstructing Hurricane Maria The study reconstructs the impacts of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico through a combination of geophysical models, engineering models of both the power and water grid, reviews of damage reports, and use of socio-economic information to determine impacts on low-income communities. To assess the social vulnerability of communities, the researchers developed a novel social vulnerability index for power and water service disruptions. This index builds on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index (CDC SVI), incorporating indicators such as socioeconomic status, household composition and the overall accessibility of an area during extreme weather events. "Our findings show that the impact of power and water service disruptions during extreme weather events varies based on social vulnerability," said Gonzalez-Cruz. "In the case of system upgrades, it is crucial to incorporate community social burdens so that upgrade options can provide equity in service delivery." After Hurricane Maria, two system upgrade options received popularity among Puerto Rico's policymakers, according to Gonzalez-Cruz. One of the upgrade options, switching from centralized power generation to regional mini-grids, would reduce outages, based on the study's assessment. However, a large portion of disadvantaged communities would still experience disruption. In contrast, hardening existing transmission lines, as the second option, would improve service delivery and provide uninterrupted service to a higher portion of the island's vulnerable populations. "In the particular case of Puerto Rico, we learned that investments in the transmission grid to improve resiliency to extreme weather may provide more continuous services to larger population sectors at risk, than reconfiguring the system into regional grids," Gonzalez-Cruz said. "This is valuable information that utilities should consider when making investment decisions for the island's future." Caribbean climate adaptation network Gonzalez-Cruz teaches and conducts research in urban energy sustainability, urban weather and climate, urban remote sensing and regional climate modeling and analysis. Last fall, he joined the Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network (CCAN), which seeks to connect multidisciplinary scientists with community and government stakeholders in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to better prepare and respond to climate extremes. Through CCAN's support, Gonzalez-Cruz believes the methodology used in this new study can be expanded to other island communities in the Caribbean, and beyond. "The next step in our research is to look beyond Puerto Rico, with hopes of creating a roadmap for grid resiliency that can be transferable to other island communities," Gonzalez-Cruz said. "The CCAN network will be critical in expanding this work." More information: Juan P. Montoya-Rincon et al, A socio-technical approach for the assessment of critical infrastructure system vulnerability in extreme weather events, Nature Energy (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-023-01315-7 Journal information: Nature Energy Court documents claim that a California woman's claim that Subway's tuna doesn't include any tuna was dismissed. When a matter is dismissed "with prejudice," it is permanently dismissed and cannot be reopened in court. Due to her health, the plaintiff Nilima Amin submitted a motion to drop the case against Subway in April voluntarily. Subway Tuna Lawsuit (Photo : by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 12: The exterior of a Subway restaurant is seen on January 12, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Subway has reportedly begun exploring a sale which could value the sandwich chain at more than $10 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. The business expressed its appreciation for the dismissal and underlined on Thursday that it "serves 100% real, wild-caught tuna," according to CBS News. Amin claimed that she filed the complaint in the United States in her move to dismiss. In good faith, District Court for the Northern District of California. According to court filings, Amin wanted the lawsuit dismissed because of pregnancy-related issues, but she "continues to believe there is good cause to continue it as addressed herein," according to the documents. Amin and Karen Dhanowa initially filed the lawsuit in January 2021. The case stated that the two "were tricked into buying food items that wholly lacked the ingredients they reasonably thought they were purchasing," based on the labeling. Subway filed a motion for sanctions after vehemently defending its tuna and launching www.subwaytunafacts.com in May. The company requested $617,955 in sanctions and the fees related to this move. The sanctions motion referred to the tuna lawsuit as "frivolous litigation." With more than 37,000 outlets in more than 100 countries, Subway settled a class-action lawsuit in 2016 regarding the size of its "Footlong" sandwiches. Read Also: Taco Bell Faces Lawsuit Over Ingredients of Mexican Pizzas, Crunchwraps What Happened? In January 2021, two California residents, Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin, filed a class-action lawsuit against Subway, alleging that the chain's tuna products do not contain real tuna. The plaintiffs claimed that they had conducted DNA testing on Subway tuna samples, which found no detectable tuna DNA. They also alleged that Subway's tuna products contained other fish species, chicken, pork, and cattle. Subway denied the allegations, and the case was trialed in July 2022. In a July 27, 2023 ruling, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning that it cannot be brought again. Tigar ruled that the plaintiffs had not presented enough evidence to support their claims and that their DNA testing was unreliable. The dismissal of the lawsuit is a victory for Subway, but it does not end the controversy surrounding the chain's tuna products. Some people continue to believe that Subway's tuna is not real, and the company has not released any independent verification of its tuna content. The lawsuit against Subway is one of several recent cases that have raised questions about the food industry's use of artificial ingredients and misleading labeling. In recent years, there have been lawsuits against companies such as Kraft Heinz, Nestle, and General Mills, alleging that their products contain misleading or inaccurate ingredient labels. The Subway lawsuit is a reminder that consumers should be skeptical of food labels and do their research before making purchasing decisions. It is also a reminder that the food industry is only sometimes transparent about the ingredients in its products. Related Article: Woman To File Lawsuit Against Subway After Employee Writes 'Big Mama' On Her Order @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The notion of "degrowth" is gaining traction among some politicians in Europe. It was given a platform recently at the European Parliament's "Beyond Growth" conference. Jason Hickel, an economic anthropologist and one of the main advocates of degrowth, defines it as "a planned reduction of energy and resource use designed to bring the economy back into balance with the living world in a way that reduces inequality and improves human well-being." The degrowth movement's belief is that other approaches to the ecological crisis, such as green growth and the sustainable development goals, are futile. That's because these approaches are rooted in democratic capitalism, which is obsessed with economic growth. Therefore the movement calls for a "radical political project" that would displace capitalism and "de-grow" the west. The global south is exempt. So far, the economic mainstream has been dismissive of degrowth, considering it perhaps not even worth engaging with. Critical analyses by Ted Nordhaus and other leading economists such as Branko Milanovic and Andrew MacAfee remains confined to blog-style pieces. The degrowth movement does, however, raise very valid criticisms against economic growth and the Green Growth paradigm that underpins the current mainstream approach to tackling the ecological crisis. But do they offer valid solutions? Are the only two options facing us either ecological collapse or degrowth? Will degrowth save the world as Jason Hickel confidently proclaims? In several recent scholarly papers, published by the IZA Institute of Labor Economics, I argue that the proposal for degrowth is not a solution for the ecological crisis or for the shortcomings of democratic capitalism. Degrowth would be ineffective and might be even worse for the environment. Degrowth in industrialized countries would hit developing countries hard because of economic interdependencies. The west has been experiencing degrowth conditions (the "great stagnation") for decades. This experiment has resulted in many social and political ills. The degrowth movement itself is a reaction against degrowth. Flaws in the argument Proponents of degrowth argue that reducing the gross domestic product (GDP) of advanced economies would cut carbon emissions enough to avoid an ecological overshoot. But my argument is that merely reducing the GDP of developed countries would have no significant impact on the world's overall material footprint. Most current carbon emissions (63%) come from developing countries where emissions will continue to increase. China, for example, is building the equivalent of two new coal-fired power plants every week. Many of the world's major carbon pollutorsfossil fuel companiesare located in the global south. They include Saudi Aramco, National Iranian Oil, Petroleos Mexicanos, PetroChina, Petroleos de Venezuela and Kuwait Petroleum. They are also government owned or controlled, which makes it rather strange that Jason Hickel is advocating nationalization of fossil fuel companies as a degrowth-solution Degrowth considers the global south to be exempt from degrowth. This is an implicit acknowledgement that degrowth can do harm. The movement has also argued that developed countries should compensate the global south. This implies giving a free pass to global south polluters whose fossil fuel rich governments will get trillions in reparation money to further invest in their polluting industries. Degrowth would also be ineffective. Most of its key proposals are likely to stimulate economic growth and consumption, not curtail it. For example, the degrowth movement calls for energy sufficiency, basic income grants and four-day working weeks. It proposes banning advertising. All of these may be subject to rebound effectsthey would actually stimulate economic growth and materialization of the economy. But degrowth might not only be ineffective in reducing ecological overshoot. It might turn out to be dirty. First, redistribution towards less developed countries, as degrowth proposes, would stimulate economic growth and aggregate consumption growth in developing countries. Strangely, although degrowthers reject neoclassical economic growth theory, they seem to adhere to its tenet that redistribution has no effect on economic growth. Second, with reduced income, developed countries would have fewer resources to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. Degrowthers may counter that countries could just reallocate their expenditure away from conspicuous consumption towards such green investment. But that would be inconsistent with the fact that the most innovative countries are not Jason Hickel's poster-children such as Sri Lanka or Cuba, but those with the highest GDP, such as the U.S. and Switzerland. Innovation costs money. Kate Raworth is therefore mistaken when she claims that "boundaries unleash creativity." With resources and innovation under degrowth pressure, firms might simply replace expensive cleaner production techniques with cheaper, but more polluting ones. And without future growth, debt would contract, starving risky but necessary investment projects. The upshot is that degrowth would leave the world more vulnerable to the impacts of ecological deterioration. Degrowth might also harm developing countries because of the intertwined nature of the global economy. This might disproportionately hurt the poorest of the poorand make global inequality worse. The COVID-19 crisis emphasized this inter-dependency. Poverty rose more sharply in the global south than in the global north. The impact of the pandemic indicated how difficult it would be for the south to decouple from the north. Degrowth and dictatorship Because of these shortcomings, degrowth is politically unfeasible. Democracy and degrowth are inherently uncomfortable bedfellows. The only example in history of a sustainable and thriving stationary (non-growing) society was Japan during the Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603-1868). It was, however, a "brutal dictatorship". Given that a democracy is unlikely to choose degrowth voluntarily, the degrowth movement may set the west on a dangerous path towards rejecting democracy and reverting to an authoritarian collective. The degrowth movement thinks that material use and carbon emissions cannot be decoupled from economic growth, but that innovation, creativity, happiness and social progress can. This ignores how much social progress has accompanied the last two centuries of economic growth. The physicist Tom Murphy, who has stressed the limits to economic growth, has warned that "In times of plenty, we can afford to be kind to those who are different. We are less threatened when we are comfortable. If our 21st Century standard of living peaks [] then we may not have the luxury of viewing our social progress as an irreversible ratchet. Hard times revive old tribal instincts: different is not welcome." This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Impact craters and their broader structures can be visible in a geologic map, like a bullseye. But what geophysical traces remain at the structures outermost edges? Credit: Huber et al. (2023), JGR Planets Earth's oldest craters could give scientists critical information about the structure of the early Earth and the composition of bodies in the solar system as well as help to interpret crater records on other planets. But geologists can't find them, and they might never be able to, according to a new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. Geologists have found evidence of impacts, such as ejecta (material flung far away from the impact), melted rocks, and high-pressure minerals from more than 3.5 billion years ago. But the actual craters from so long ago have remained elusive. The planet's oldest known impact structures, which is what scientists call these massive craters, are only about 2 billion years old. We're missing two and a half billion years of mega-craters. The steady tick of time and the relentless process of erosion are responsible for the gap, according to Matthew S. Huber, a planetary scientist at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa who studies impact structures and led the new study. "It's almost a fluke that the old structures we do have are preserved at all," Huber said. "There are a lot of questions we'd be able to answer if we had those older craters. But that's the normal story in geology. We have to make a story out of what's available." Geologists can sometimes spot hidden, buried craters using geophysical tools, such as seismic imaging or gravity mapping. Once they've identified potential impact structures, they can search for physical remnants of the impact process to confirm its existence, such as ejecta and impact minerals. The big question for Huber and his team was how much of a crater can be swept away by erosion before the last lingering geophysical traces disappear. Geophysicists have suggested that 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of vertical erosion would erase even the biggest impact structures, but that threshold had never been tested in the field. How a mega-crater is made. The geophysical signature on the central uplift is all that remains after 10 kilometers of erosion, Huber et al. find. Credit: Bevan M. French/David A. Kring/LPI/UA, provided by USRA. To find out, the researchers dug into one of the planet's oldest known impact structures: the Vredefort crater in South Africa. The structure is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) across and was formed about 2 billion years ago when an impactor about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) across slammed into the planet. The impactor hit with such energy that the crust and mantle rose up where the impact occurred, leaving a long-term dome. Farther from the center, ridges of rock jutted up, minerals transformed and rock melted. And then time took its course, eroding about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) down from the surface in two billion years. Today, all that remains at the surface is a semicircle of low hills southwest of Johannesburg, which marks the center of the structure, and some smaller, telltale signs of impact. The bullseye, caused by the uplift of the mantle, appears in gravity maps, but beyond the center, geophysical evidence of the impact is lacking. "That pattern is one of the last geophysical signatures that is still detectable, and that only happens for the largest-scale impact structures," Huber said. Because only the deepest layers of the structure remain, the other geophysical traces have disappeared. But that's okay, because Huber wanted to know just how reliable those deep layers are for recording ancient impacts from both a mineralogical and geophysical perspective. "Erosion makes these structures disappear from the top down," Huber said. "So we went from the bottom up." The gravity slope around the craters center shows a slight bullseye pattern, but farther out, the signal is lost to time. Credit: Huber et al. (2023), JGR Planets The researchers sampled rock cores across a 22-kilometer (13.7-mile) transect and analyzed their physical properties, searching for differences in density, porosity and mineralogy between impacted and non-impacted rocks. They also modeled the impact event and what its effects on rock and mineral physics would be and compared that to what they saw in their samples. What they found was not encouraging for the search for Earth's oldest craters. While some impact melt and minerals remained, the rocks in the outer ridges of the Vredefort structure were essentially indistinguishable from the non-impact rocks around them when viewed through a geophysical lens. "That was not exactly the result we were expecting," Huber said. "The difference, where there was any, was incredibly muted. It took us a while to really make sense of the data. Ten kilometers of erosion and all the geophysical evidence of the impact just disappears, even with the largest craters," confirming what geophysicists had estimated previously. The researchers caught Vredefort just in time; if much more erosion occurs, the impact structure will be gone. The odds of finding buried impact structures from more than 2 billion years ago are low, Huber said. "In order to have an Archean impact crater preserved until today, it would have to have experienced really unusual conditions of preservation," Huber said. "But then, Earth is full of unusual conditions. So maybe there's something unexpected somewhere, and so we keep looking." More information: M. S. Huber et al, Can Archean Impact Structures Be Discovered? A Case Study From Earth's Largest, Most Deeply Eroded Impact Structure, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (2023). DOI: 10.1029/2022JE007721 Journal information: Journal of Geophysical Research This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Sea levels surrounding Kangaroo Island and Fleurieu Peninsula. Credit: University of the Sunshine Coast In 1970, Lardil man Goobalathaldin (or Dick Roughsey) completed his autobiography "Moon and Rainbow" in which he recounted his ancestors' stories. Among them was a story telling of a time when the North Wellesley Islands were connected to the Australian mainland. Modern estimates put the last time the North Wellesley Islands were connected to the mainland to at least 10,000 years ago. Professor Patrick Nunn from UniSC's Sustainability Research Center believes this is but one example in a growing body of evidence, that suggests the oral stories of First Nations Australia stretch back further than almost anywhere else in the world. "I think we've got credible examples of knowledge in Australia that has been passed down orally across almost 400 generations to reach us today," Professor Nunn said. Professor Nunn is a geographer and geologist whose recent work has explored how stories from First Nations people around the world might offer clues to an area's geographical past. Take Lake Eacham in North Queensland, which formed from a volcanic eruption more than 9,000 years ago. "Long before geologists came along and worked out its origins, there were stories from local Indigenous groups that told of two men who broke their lawswith devastating consequences," Professor Nunn said. But perhaps the most apparent clues to the incredible longevity of Indigenous Australians' storytelling are in submergence stories. Accounts recalling the rising sea levels that followed the last ice age. Looking at the Fleurieu Peninsula from Kangaroo Island Credit: University of the Sunshine Coast Several years ago, Professor Nunn started working with linguistics expert Associate Professor Nick Reid from the University of New England to collect these submergence stories and date them according to the sea levels reported within. Stories like that of Ngurunderi from South Australia, an ancestral figure whose two wives ran away from him: "He pursued them along the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, finally catching sight of them as they were crossing a strip of land connecting it to Kangaroo Island across Backstairs Passage. Infuriated, he caused the sea to rise and drown them and the women and their belongings became the islands known as The Pages. The sea never receded again." "The ocean there is around 3035m deep. We have calculated the last time it would have been possible to walk from the Fleurieu Peninsula across to Kangaroo Island was 10,100 years ago. That's the kind of antiquity we're talking about," Professor Nunn said. "I've been working with archaeologists from Flinders University and the local Ngarrindjeri people to collect all the different versions of it. "I think it's absolutely awesome that people are still telling a story today has been passed down for 99% of that time by word of mouth, rather than being written down. It's a living story." So far, Professor Nunn and Dr. Reid have pieced together more 30 submergence stories from all corners of Australia's coastline, painting a picture of an ancient and vastly different Australia. "My colleague at UniSC, Dr. Adrian McCallum, has a project which is looking at stories of when K'gari was still connected to the mainland and people could walk across," Professor Nunn said. "If you go north, lots of stories exist about times when the Great Barrier Reef was dry land and people walked out to the edge of it. "That must have been at least 10,00011,000 years ago." Credit: University of the Sunshine Coast A story of survival While Australia is by no means the only country with an ancient oral history, Professor Nunn believes it has a claim to being the oldest. "For almost 70,000 years the continent and the people living here were essentially isolated. With almost no outside groups to dilute them, Australia had close to the best conditions for keeping these stories alive," Professor Nunn said. Australia's geography has allowed these stories to survive in the mouths, memories, songs, and art of its people. But the reverse is also true. These stories also helped the people telling them to survive in one of the most unforgiving landscapes on earth. In 1957, anthropologist Donald Thompson spend several weeks with the Pintupi people in the Central Desert, where he became interested in an elaborately decorated spear-thrower (lankurru). The same applies to the knowledge contained in the oral stories. "Our ancestors thousands of years ago didn't just make up stories for fun. They were intended as ways of sharing information," Professor Nunn said. "If you wanted your bloodline to survive, you had to pass on that knowledge down the line so that the next time a flood does come alongthere's a story about how to survive it." "We can look at so-called ancient myths and legends and we can find meaning in them. That's important. It's relevant not only to our understanding of the past, but of the future." Provided by University of the Sunshine Coast This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Locations of the investigated gem minerals from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Scaled photos of colored gem minerals are given. For all, field of view (FOV) = 4 cm. (1) Peridot, Zabargad (St. Johns), off the Egyptian Red Sea coast. (2) Peridot from Harrat Kishb (volcanic field), Saudi Arabia. (3a) Emerald and (3b) Amazonite, Wadi Sikait, Wadi El-Gemal area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. (4) Low-grade emerald (beryl), Wadi Ghazala, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. (5) Amethyst, Aswan area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Credit: Khedr et al. Since ancient times, gemstones have been mined and traded across the globe, sometimes traveling continents from their origin. Gems are geologically defined as minerals celebrated for beauty, strength, and rarity. Their unique elemental composition and atomic orientation act as a fingerprint, enabling researchers to uncover the stones' past, and with it, historical trade routes. In AIP Advances, Khedr and team employed three modern spectroscopic techniques to rapidly analyze gems found in the Arabian-Nubian Shield and compare them with similar gems from around the world. The paper is titled, "Characterization and discrimination of some gem silicate minerals adopting LIBS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopic techniques." Using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, the authors identified elements that influence gems' color, differentiated stones found within and outside the region, and distinguished natural from synthetic. The Arabian-Nubian Shield is an exposure of mineral deposits that sandwiches the Red Sea in current-day Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The deposits date back to the Earth's earliest geological age, and the precious metals and gemstones have been harvested for thousands of years. "We showed the main spectroscopic characteristics of gemstones from these Middle East localities to distinguish them from their counterparts in other world localities," said author Adel Surour. "This includes a variety of silicate gems such as emerald from the ancient Cleopatra's mines in Egypt, in addition to amethyst, peridot, and amazonite from other historical sites, which mostly date to the Roman times." The various spectroscopic techniques they employed revealed different information about the stones. LIBS quickly characterizes chemical composition, while FTIR determines functional groups connected to the structure and indicates the presence of water and other hydrocarbons. Even for chemically identical materials, Raman spectroscopy shows the unique crystalline structure of the gems' atoms. The authors identified that iron content correlates to amethysts' signature purple hue, and other elements such as copper, chromium, and vanadium are also responsible for colorization. A signature water peak exposes lab-grown synthetic gems, which are useful for scientific purposes and identical to natural gems but are less expensive. Crystalline structure differentiated amazonite beads from Mexico, Jordan, and Egypt. "Gemstones such as emerald and peridot have been mined since antiquity," Surour said. "Sometimes, some gemstones were brought by sailors and traders to their homelands. For example, royal crowns in Europe are decorated with peculiar gemstones that originate from either Africa or Asia. We need to have precise methods to distinguish the source of a gemstone and trace ancient trade routes in order to have correct information about the original place from which it was mined." More information: Characterization and discrimination of some gem silicate minerals adopting LIBS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopic techniques, AIP Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1063/5.0157623 Journal information: AIP Advances This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The lightning-sparked Lowline fire burning in western Colorado north of Gunnison has expanded to 1,331 acres as firefighters retreat and set deliberate backfires in an effort to reduce thick fallen trees in the forests. And federal land managers on Monday said they anticipate eventual ecological benefits. The fire is burning on public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service 14 miles north of Gunnison, and on recent hot days, embers spread, igniting spot fires in forest areas that firefighters could not safely reach. The back-burning tactic is intended to deny approaching flames fuel so that the fire eventually can be contained. It grew by more than 300 acres over the weekend, according to the latest aerial infrared mapping. "In places where we can't safely insert firefighters, we are backing offareas where heavy trees have come down," said Rick Barton, spokesman for the interagency team of 419 firefighters tasked with suppressing the fire. "You will see increased acreage in the days to come. But that doesn't mean that the main fire is making a run. It means we are backing off and burning off fuel from our existing control lines," Barton said. Firefighting commanders also were counting on rain, forecast for Monday afternoon and later this week, to help control the fire. No buildings have burned, and no injuries have been reported since land managers discovered the fire on July 26. Helicopters hauling large buckets of water have helped squelch flames. Gunnison County authorities evacuated residents of ten homes along County Road 818. The residents at about 40 other homes have been told to be ready to evacuate. The fire burned on a ridge, at an elevation of 9,400 feet, between Squirrel and Mill creeks. It has been kicking up smoke as flames smolder in dead and fallen trees. On Monday, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials issued an air quality alert, advising residents around Gunnison to stay indoors when smoke becomes thick, effective through Aug. 11. Federal officials declared a full suppression approach to the fire and deployed bulldozers to dig buffers on land near cabins and ranches. "The fire is still moving in some areas. It is moving more into the forests. We're trying to keep it away from cabins, homes, the ranches in the area, subdivisions," Barton said, estimating the Lowline fire won't be fully contained for several weeks. "It depends on how much rain we get." Over decades, the forests here have grown dense. Fire plays a natural role in maintaining the ecological balance in forests. Federal officials on Monday said the Lowline fire will help in the long run by restoring health in the areas that have burned. "Because it has been mostly a low-intensity fire, is good for us. It is cleaning up a lot of the dead and downed material. It is going to make the whole area more healthy," Barton said. "We're not managing it for that purpose. We are doing full suppression. But there are going to be some good ecological benefits out of this fire." 2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Meandering channels in Badwater Basin, in Death Valley National Park in California, are seen in this satellite view. Similar single-thread channels can be found around the world in barren environments that are dominated by fine-grained sediments and virtually free of vegetation. Credit: Google Earth, 2023 Geologists have long thought that meandering rivers, with their gently swooping banks, are a geologically recent feature. According to the rock record, these rivers began proliferating around 450 million years ago in the Silurian period, coinciding with the spread of plants on land. The prevailing idea was that plants would have stabilized riverbanks, leading water to flow in concentrated, meandering channels rather than forming chaotic braided river systems in loose sediments. But a growing body of literature is challenging this idea. Meandering-style rivers have been found in barren landscapes on Earth, and similar features have been spotted on Mars. Physical modeling has shown that single-channel rivers can form in fine sediments alone. And some studies have found Proterozoic fluvial deposits with low slopes, dunes, and deep channels similar to modern meandering rivers. Now, Jeffery Valenza and colleagues present the oldest evidence yet that plants may not be necessary for meandering rivers to form. The researchers studied 1.2-billion-year-old river deposits preserved in rocks of the Stoer Group in northwestern Scotland, analyzing sediment composition, riverbed features such as dunes and ripples, and channel geometry. Their paper is published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. The researchers found that the river sediments were likely deposited in sinuous 4- to 7-meter-deep channels with gentle downslope gradients like those of modern meandering rivers. The presence of dunes at the river's bottom suggested that channelized water flowed relatively quickly over the sediments. The team's analyses of small-scale mud physics showed that a mix of sand and mud like that seen in the Stoer Group sediments could have been cohesive enough to hold a riverbank togetherwithout the help of plants. The seeming increase in the presence of meandering rivers in the Silurian could be explained by a drop in the average speed of river migration thanks to bank-stabilizing plants, rather than by the sudden introduction of a new river shape altogether, the authors posit. If rivers prior to this time migrated quickly, the sediment deposits they left behind could look similar in the rock record to those left by braided rivers, potentially leading scientists to misinterpret them as signs of braided systems. As evidence of similar river geometries in other Proterozoic deposits builds, further understanding how these rivers formed is increasingly important, according to the authors, who are planning flume experiments to explore how a meandering river can leave deposits that mimic those of a braided river. More information: Jeffery M. Valenza et al, PreVegetation, SingleThread Rivers Sustained by Cohesive, FineGrained Bank Sediments: Mesoproterozoic Stoer Group, NW Scotland, Geophysical Research Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL104379 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The skeletal remains in the laboratory. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104099 A team of archaeologists and historians from multiple institutions in the U.K. and the U.S. has found evidence that an Iron Age warrior whose remains were found in a grave on the island of Bryher, off the coast of England, was likely female. In their study, reported in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, the group analyzed tooth enamel found in the grave. In 1999, a farmer working on the island came across what turned out to be an ancient grave site. After officials were alerted, the site was excavated and researchers determined that a person of unknown origin, who had lived during the Iron Age, was buried there. The skeleton was too decomposed to offer many clues as to who it might have been, or even its gender. Finding both a sword and a mirror in the grave made things even more confusingtypically, swords were buried with male warriors and mirrors were buried with women. In this new effort, the research team took a new approach to learning more about the interred body. Prior attempts to extract DNA from bone fragments were unsuccessful. This time, the team used tooth enamel and found that it was well enough preserved to allow for conclusive resultsthe warrior buried in the grave was female. The researchers were able to determine this because some proteins in tooth enamel vary by gender. Finding that the warrior buried on Bryher was female adds credence to theories that suggest many more women were engaged in combat during the Iron Age than previously thought. It also calls into question gender roles during the period. Some of the items found in the grave, such as a spiral ring and a copper alloy brooch, suggest that the female warrior was held in high esteem in her community, giving her high status. That suggests she was not a simple foot soldier, but a warrior playing a commanding role in the fighting. It also hints at the possibility that such women warriors were common during the Iron Age, at least in parts of Britain. More information: S. Mays et al, Sex identification of a Late Iron Age sword and mirror cist burial from Hillside Farm, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, England, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104099 2023 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Packaging excavated radioactive materials at the Hanford site in Washington state. Credit: USDOE Christopher Nolan's film "Oppenheimer" has focused new attention on the legacies of the Manhattan Projectthe World War II program to develop nuclear weapons. As the anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, 1945, approach, it's a timely moment to look further at dilemmas wrought by the creation of the atomic bomb. The Manhattan Project spawned a trinity of interconnected legacies. It initiated a global arms race that threatens the survival of humanity and the planet as we know it. It also led to widespread public health and environmental damage from nuclear weapons production and testing. And it generated a culture of governmental secrecy with troubling political consequences. As a researcher examining communication in science, technology, energy and environmental contexts, I've studied these legacies of nuclear weapons production. From 2000 to 2005, I also served on a citizen advisory board that provides input to federal and state officials on a massive environmental cleanup program at the Hanford nuclear site in Washington state that continues today. Hanford is less well known than Los Alamos, New Mexico, where scientists designed the first atomic weapons, but it was also crucial to the Manhattan Project. There, an enormous, secret industrial facility produced the plutonium fuel for the Trinity test on July 16, 1945, and the bomb that incinerated Nagasaki a few weeks later. (The Hiroshima bomb was fueled by uranium produced in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, at another of the principal Manhattan Project sites.) Later, workers at Hanford made most of the plutonium used in the U.S. nuclear arsenal throughout the Cold War. In the process, Hanford became one of the most contaminated places on Earth. Total cleanup costs are projected to reach up to US$640 billion, and the job won't be completed for decades, if ever. Victims of nuclear tests Nuclear weapons production and testing have harmed public health and the environment in multiple ways. For example, a new study released in preprint form in July 2023 while awaiting scientific peer review finds that fallout from the Trinity nuclear test reached 46 U.S. states and parts of Canada and Mexico. The Hanford nuclear site in eastern Washington state is the most toxic site in the U.S. Dozens of families who lived near the sitemany of them Hispanic or Indigenouswere unknowingly exposed to radioactive contamination. So far, they have not been included in the federal program to compensate uranium miners and "downwinders" who developed radiation-linked illnesses after exposure to later atmospheric nuclear tests. On July 27, 2023, however, the U.S. Senate voted to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and expand it to communities near the Trinity test site in New Mexico. A companion bill is under consideration in the House of Representatives. The largest above-ground U.S. tests, along with tests conducted underwater, took place in the Pacific islands. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and other nations conducted their own testing programs. Globally through 2017, nuclear-armed nations exploded 528 weapons above ground or underwater, and an additional 1,528 underground. Estimating how many people have suffered health effects from these tests is notoriously difficult. So is accounting for disruptions to communities that were displaced by these experiments. Polluted soil and water Nuclear weapons production has also exposed many people, communities and ecosystems to radiological and toxic chemical pollution. Here, Hanford offers troubling lessons. Starting in 1944, workers at the remote site in eastern Washington state irradiated uranium fuel in reactors and then dissolved it in acid to extract its plutonium content. Hanford's nine reactors, located along the Columbia River to provide a source of cooling water, discharged water contaminated with radioactive and hazardous chemicals into the river through 1987, when the last operating reactor was shut down. Underground waste tanks at the Hanford site, many of which are operating decades past their original design life. In total, they hold about 56 million gallons of radioactive and hazardous wastes. The Department of Energy has removed liquid wastes from all single-shell tanks. Credit: USGAO Extracting plutonium from the irradiated fuel, an activity called reprocessing, generated 56 million gallons of liquid waste laced with radioactive and chemical poisons. The wastes were stored in underground tanks designed to last 25 years, based on an assumption that a disposal solution would be developed later. Seventy-eight years after the first tank was built, that solution remains elusive. A project to vitrify, or embed tank wastes in glass for permanent disposal, has been mired in technical, managerial and political difficulties, and repeatedly threatened with cancelation. Now, officials are considering mixing some radioactive sludges with concrete grout and shipping them elsewhere for disposalor perhaps leaving them in the tanks. Critics regard those proposals as risky compromises. Meanwhile, an estimated 1 million gallons of liquid waste have leaked from some tanks into the ground, threatening the Columbia River, a backbone of the Pacific Northwest's economy and ecology. Radioactive trash still litters parts of Hanford. Irradiated bodies of laboratory animals were buried there. The site houses radioactive debris ranging from medical waste to propulsion reactors from decommissioned submarines and parts of the reactor that partially melted down at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979. Advocates for a full Hanford cleanup warn that without such a commitment, the site will become a "national sacrifice zone," a place abandoned in the name of national security. A culture of secrecy As the movie "Oppenheimer" shows, government secrecy has shrouded nuclear weapons activities from their inception. Clearly, the science and technology of those weapons have dangerous potential and require careful safeguarding. But as I've argued previously, the principle of secrecy quickly expanded more broadly. Here again, Hanford provides an example. Hanford's reactor fuel was sometimes reprocessed before its most-highly radioactive isotopes had time to decay. In the 1940s and 1950s, managers knowingly released toxic gases into the air, contaminating farmlands and pastures downwind. Some releases supported an effort to monitor Soviet nuclear progress. By tracking deliberate emissions from Hanford, scientists learned better how to spot and evaluate Soviet nuclear tests. Plaintiff Trisha Pritikin and attorney Tom Foulds reflect on 25 years of litigation over illnesses that downwinders developed as a result of exposure to Hanfords radiation releases. In the mid-1980s, local residents grew suspicious about an apparent excess of illnesses and deaths in their community. Initially, strict secrecyreinforced by the region's economic dependence on the Hanford sitemade it hard for concerned citizens to get information. Once the curtain of secrecy was partially lifted under pressure from area residents and journalists, public outrage prompted two major health effects studies that engendered fierce controversy. By the close of the decade, more than 3,500 "downwinders" had filed lawsuits related to illnesses they attributed to Hanford. A judge finally dismissed the case in 2016 after awarding limited compensation to a handful of plaintiffs, leaving a bitter legacy of legal disputes and personal anguish. Cautionary legacies Currently active atomic weapons facilities also have seen their share of nuclear and toxic chemical contamination. Among them, Los Alamos National Laboratoryhome to Oppenheimer's original compound, and now a site for both military and civilian researchhas contended with groundwater pollution, workplace hazards related to the toxic metal beryllium, and gaps in emergency planning and worker safety procedures. As Nolan's film recounts, J. Robert Oppenheimer and many other Manhattan Project scientists had deep concerns about how their work might create unprecedented dangers. Looking at the legacies of the Trinity test, I wonder whether any of them imagined the scale and scope of those outcomes. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain From rising sea levels to longer and more extreme droughts, there is overwhelming evidence that climate change is occurring. The harsh realities of climate change have led developing countries, which are most vulnerable to its impacts, to push for compensation from their industrialized counterparts. After over 30 years of pressure and negotiations, an agreement to provide funding for climate-related loss and damage was reached at the United Nations climate conference in 2022 (COP 27). Although the scope of the fund and the funding arrangements are yet to be finalized, the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund has been described as ground-breaking. However, recent happenings, have raised new questions about liability for climate change damage. At the heart of the problem are the comments of the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, shortly before this week's U.SChina climate action talks. Kerry's statement that the US will not, under any circumstances, pay countries for damage caused by climate-related disasters has been a subject of some controversy. On the one hand, are those who criticize these comments because they disregard international negotiations. On the other hand, others have sought to rationalize them, by distinguishing between climate reparation and the Loss and Damage Fund. Accordingly, the argument being put forward is that while the US is not opposed to making financial contributions to assist poor countries address the impacts of climate change, it is concerned about the framing of these contributions as reparations. The main reason why the idea of climate reparation has been so contentious is due to concerns that it amounts to an admission of legal liability and could trigger a torrent of legal claims. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the cruel irony remains that the impacts of climate change will mostly be borne by developing countries, who have made the least contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and who lack the economic and social capacity to respond to its impacts. Hence, the need for climate reparation. The case for climate reparation Climate reparation is rationalized by principles of equity and fairness. It requires accountability from countries and private entities, that have made the most historical contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, with a view to addressing serious damage and the disproportionate effect of climate change on vulnerable countries. The call for climate reparation has remained persistent because unlike other forms of compensation that have featured in international climate negotiations, climate reparation includes liability or compensation for past wrongs. Further, despite stiff opposition to climate reparation, the experience so far has been that, in the absence of a liability and compensation regime for climate change, efforts to mobilize funding for adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage have been unsuccessful. The Green Climate Fund is a case in point. Over thirteen years after the promise of a $100bn fund to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis was made, it has not been met. Climate reparation is essential because, in addition to financial compensation, it is concerned with setting up economic systems that challenge inequality. With approximately 3.6 billion people living in conditions vulnerable to climate change globally, now is the time to act and climate reparation has a crucial role to play. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (a) The researchers first set the spatial and temporal separation scales. (b) Next they infer causal structure by calculating directed transfer entropy for pairs of neighboring spatial bins. (c) Conflict avalanches are sequences of conflict events (points on the map) connected by causal networks. Different colors correspond to different avalanches. Credit: Complexity Science Hub Around the world, political violence increased by 27% last year, affecting 1.7 billion people. The numbers come from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), which collects real-time data on conflict events worldwide. Some armed conflicts occur between states, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There are, however, many more that take place within the borders of a single state. In Nigeria, violence, particularly from Boko Haram, has escalated in the past few years. In Somalia, populations remain at risk amidst conflict and attacks perpetrated by armed groups, particularly Al-Shabaab. To address the challenge of understanding how violent events spread, a team at the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) created a mathematical method that transforms raw data on armed conflicts into meaningful clusters by detecting causal links. "Our main question was: what is a conflict? How can we define it?," says CSH scientist Niraj Kushwaha, one of the co-authors of the study published in the latest issue of PNAS Nexus. "It was important for us to find a quantitative and bias-free way to see if there were any correlations between different violent events, just by looking at the data." Conflict avalanches, with temporal bins of 64 days each. Credit: Kushwaha & Lee "We often tell multiple narratives about a single conflict, which depend on whether we zoom in on it as an example of local tension or zoom out from it and consider it as part of a geopolitical plot; these are not necessarily incompatible," explains co-author Eddie Lee, a postdoctoral fellow at CSH. "Our technique allows us to titrate between them and fill out a multiscale portrait of conflict." In order to investigate the many scales of political violence, the researchers turned to physics and biophysics for inspiration. The approach they developed is inspired by studies of stress propagation in collapsing materials and of neural cascades in the brain. Kushwaha and Lee used data on violent battles in Africa between 1997 and 2019 from ACLED. In their analysis, they divided the geographic area into a grid of cells and time into sequential slices. The authors predicted when and where new battles would emerge by analyzing the presence or absence of battles in each cell over time. "If there's a link between two cells, it means a conflict at one location can predict a conflict at another location," explains Kushwaha. "By using this causal network, we can cluster different conflict events." Snow and sandpile avalanches Observing the dynamics of the clusters, the scientists found that armed clashes spread like avalanches. "In a way evocative of snow or sandpile avalanches, a conflict originates in one place and cascades from there. There is a similar cascading effect in armed conflicts," explains Kushwaha. The team also identified a "mesoscale" for political violence a time scale of a few days to months and a spatial scale of tens to hundreds of kilometers. Violence seems to propagate on these scales, according to Kushwaha and Lee. Additionally, they found that their conflict statistics matched those from field studies such as in Eastern Nigeria, Somalia, and Sierra Leone. "We connected Fulani militia violence with Boko Haram battles in Nigeria, suggesting that these conflicts are related to one another," details Kushwaha. The Fulani are an ethnic group living mainly in the Sahel and West Africa. Policymakers and international agencies could benefit from the approach, according to the authors. The model could help uncover unseen causal links in violent conflicts. Additionally, it could one day help forecast the development of a war at an early stage. "By using this approach, policy decisions could be made more effectively, such as where resources should be allocated," notes Kushwaha. More information: Niraj Kushwaha et al, Discovering the mesoscale for chains of conflict, PNAS Nexus (2023). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad228 Journal information: PNAS Nexus China will impose export restrictions on drones and drone equipment to "safeguard national security and interests," according to a statement made by the country's commerce ministry on Monday. This decision may have an impact on the situation in Ukraine. The Need to Request Export Approval Vendors will need to request approval to export specific drone engines, lasers, imaging, communications, and radar equipment due to the equipment restrictions. The restrictions, which go into effect on September 1, also apply to consumer-grade drones that meet particular requirements, as reported by CNN. An unnamed ministry representative issued an internet statement banning the export of any civilian drones not covered by the regulations for military use. As Moscow wages war on its neighbor, drones have become a more prevalent component of modern warfare, being used by both Russia and Ukraine. During the conflict, civilian drones that could be modified or used for military purposes have also gained attention. China has a substantial domestic drone manufacturing business and exports drones to many nations, including the United States. China Denies Shipping Drones to Russia A report created by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which claimed that as of March, China "had shipped more than $12 million in drones and drone parts" to Russia, was published last week. The report cited a "third-party analysis" of Russian customs data and stated that China had exported more than $12 million in drones and drone parts to Russia. (Photo: by STR/AFP via Getty Images) This photo taken on April 13, 2023, shows workers producing drones at a factory in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province. The paper headed "Support Provided by the People's Republic of China to Russia" and dated 2023, mostly bases its assertions on information from open sources and news coverage from Western media. The report mentions shipments of "dual-use" equipment but does not say if the alleged drone shipments were utilized in combat. Friday, a representative for China's Foreign Ministry denied the claim, stating that Beijing's collaboration with Moscow "does not target any third party." In a statement released in April, the Commerce Ministry refuted claims that China was aiding Russia militarily by exporting drones to the front lines, labeling media reports of such behavior as "deliberate smears." A spokeswoman stated that some Chinese civilian drone businesses had also "taken the initiative to suspend their operations in conflict areas" since the "crisis" in Ukraine started. This was due to China's limitations on specific drones, which barred them from being used for "non-peaceful purposes," the spokesperson added. Chinese leaders have long been cautioned by Western officials not to financially back the Russian war. Beijing has maintained its diplomatic and financial backing for Moscow despite claiming neutrality in the war. The measures also come amid high-tech export restrictions between the United States and China as a result of growing worries in Washington about the threat Beijing poses to its national security. China claimed that its new policies, which were unveiled on Monday, do not target "any specific" nation. Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University, claims that the limitations are an addition to the drone export prohibitions Beijing has already put in place for the better part of the last 20 years. Read also: Lawmakers Express Alarm About China's Drones Detected Flying Over Washington DC's Restricted Airspace US & China's Export Restrictions The US implemented broad rules last year that prevent Chinese corporations from acquiring sophisticated semiconductors and chip-making machinery without a license. Beijing implemented export restrictions on two components necessary for the production of semiconductors last month. The restrictions start on August 1. In 2021, the US added DJI to a list of companies to avoid investing in because of allegations that the company assisted in the mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims and other racial and religious minorities in China's Xinjiang region. The business was prohibited from acquiring American technology since it was already on the US Entity List. DJI vehemently denied doing anything to earn a spot on the list. Following the ministry's announcement on Tuesday, DJI posted a statement to its website in which it declared that it had never created or marketed any technology for military use and that it would "actively cooperate" with the new export control regulations. Related article: US Senators Seek to Ban Chinese Drones from US Skies @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The robustness of every component of every folded phenotype for both the RNA and HP GP maps (of various lengths) is plotted against the frequency (fraction of vertices f = |V(G)|/k in the entire Hamming graph) alongside the continuous interpolation of the maximum robustness curve from equation (3.6)) (black line). The minimum robustness of a neutral component, equation (4.1), is given by the blue line, and the random null expectation, equation (1.2), is plotted as the red line. Note that for these small neutral components, the minimum component robustness exceeds the random null expectation since, by definition, the neutral component consists of vertices which are a connected component. Such a collection of vertices will naturally have more edges than the average collection of vertices randomly selected to form a neutral network in the random null model. The data for these curves can be generated by using the RoBound Calculator [52] tool we have introduced. The natural GP maps all contain neutral components which attain the bricklayers graph bound (as well as some very low robustness components that attain the minimum bound). The unfolded (trivial) phenotype is omitted from each of these plots. The minimum robustness appears to be larger than the bricklayers graph line for low frequencies; but, this only happens for non-integer values of the number of vertices. Of course, any graph will have an integer number of vertices; in all of those cases, the bricklayers graph robustness will be greater than or equal to the minimum robustness. Credit: Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0169 Number theory, the study of the properties of positive integers, is perhaps the purest form of mathematics. At first sight, it may seem far too abstract to apply to the natural world. In fact, the influential American number theorist Leonard Dickson wrote, "Thank God that number theory is unsullied by any application." And yet, again and again, number theory finds unexpected applications in science and engineering, from leaf angles that (almost) universally follow the Fibonacci sequence, to modern encryption techniques based on factoring prime numbers. Now, researchers have demonstrated an unexpected link between number theory and evolutionary genetics. Their work is published in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface. Specifically, the team of researchers (from Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, GUST, MIT, Imperial, and the Alan Turing Institute) have discovered a deep connection between the sums-of-digits function from number theory and a key quantity in genetics, the phenotype mutational robustness. This quality is defined as the average probability that a point mutation does not change a phenotype (a characteristic of an organism). The discovery may have important implications for evolutionary genetics. Many genetic mutations are neutral, meaning that they can slowly accumulate over time without affecting the viability of the phenotype. These neutral mutations cause genome sequences to change at a steady rate over time. Because this rate is known, scientists can compare the percentage difference in the sequence between two organisms and infer when their latest common ancestor lived. But the existence of these neutral mutations posed an important question: what fraction of mutations to a sequence are neutral? This property, called the phenotype mutational robustness, defines the average amount of mutations that can occur across all sequences without affecting the phenotype. Professor Ard Louis from the University of Oxford, who led the study, said, "We have known for some time that many biological systems exhibit remarkably high phenotype robustness, without which evolution would not be possible. But we didn't know what the absolute maximal robustness possible would be, or if there even was a maximum." It is precisely this question that the team has answered. They proved that the maximum robustness is proportional to the logarithm of the fraction of all possible sequences that map to a phenotype, with a correction which is given by the sums of digits function s k (n), defined as the sum of the digits of a natural number n in base k. For example, for n = 123 in base 10, the digit sum would be s 10 (123) = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. Another surprise was that the maximum robustness also turns out to be related to the famous Tagaki function, a bizarre function that is continuous everywhere, but differentiable nowhere. This fractal function is also called the blancmange curve, because it looks like the French dessert. First author Dr. Vaibhav Mohanty (Harvard Medical School) added, "What is most surprising is that we found clear evidence in the mapping from sequences to RNA secondary structures that nature in some cases achieves the exact maximum robustness bound. It's as if biology knows about the fractal sums-of-digits function." Professor Ard Louis added, "The beauty of number theory lies not only in the abstract relationships it uncovers between integers, but also in the deep mathematical structures it illuminates in our natural world. We believe that many intriguing new links between number theory and genetics will be found in the future." More information: Vaibhav Mohanty et al, Maximum mutational robustness in genotypephenotype maps follows a self-similar blancmange-like curve, Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0169 Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society Interface This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A wildfire blazing along the Southern California-Nevada border, burning through delicate Joshua Tree forests, continued to swell Mondaybecoming the state's largest of the fire season. The desert fire had scorched 77,000 acres as of early Monday, with 0% containment. After first being observed Friday, the blazedubbed the York fire has spread mainly across the Mojave National Preserve in eastern San Bernardino County, California, but recently jumped into western Nevada. No evacuations have been issued as a result of the fire, which is burning in mostly remote areas. "It's a public misconception that the desert doesn't burn, but we're seeing right here that that's not case," said Sierra Willoughby, a supervisory park ranger at Mojave National Preserve. "They're not as rare as we would hope them to be." Just 10 days before this wildfire was spotted in the New York Mountains area of the Mojave National Preserve, park officials warned of extreme fire risk for the federally protected desert, banning all open flames. "Even though we had a good moisture year with the [winter] season, the very high temperatures that came in July were a concern for our fire folks," Willoughby said. Southern California's wet winter and cool spring helped foster increasing levels of invasive grasses and underbrush in the Mojave and Colorado deserts, federal officials said, which has made the region exceptionally susceptible to brush fires this summer. This year's climate patterns have provided a "more continuous fuel bed" than is typical for desert ecosystems, UCLA climatologist Daniel Swain said on Twitter. "Big fires in the desert are entirely consistent with the fire season outlook for 2023," Swain wrote, and that poses a major concern for ecologists and desert conservationists. Joshua trees and other desert plants have limited natural defenses to fires, federal officials said, and would struggle to recover from such blazes. The extent of the plants and animals at risk in the York fire are still under investigation, Willoughby said, noting that the blaze has already burned through Joshua tree forests and juniper and pinyon pine groves. Stephanie Bishop, a spokesperson for the York fire, said endangered tortoises that live in the region also could be harmed. "What we've seen is fires go through these areas and take out quite a bit," Willoughby said. The York fire is burning in some of the areas that last saw flames in 2005 from the Hackberry fire, which then burned about 2,500 acres. Willoughby said many of the forests harmed in that blaze 18 years ago still have not recovered. The 2020 Dome fire, which burned more than 40,000 acres across southwestern California desertincluding in the national preserve, but in a different area from the York firedestroyed an estimated 1 million Joshua trees. Crews and volunteers are trying to replant and revitalize those groves. California's other big fire of the yearthe Bonny fire, which has charred 2,300 acres in Riverside Countyis also burning across some arid landscapes as well as through the mountains. It has forced 122 people to evacuate their homes, with almost 800 structures threatened, according to officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Bonny fire, burning south of Anza, was 20% contained as of Monday morning. One structure has been destroyed, and at least one firefighter was injured in the effort to control the flames. Winds remain a major concern for the Bonnny and York fires, officials have said. A challenging weekend of high winds up to 25 mph sparked dangerous fire whirls that pushed the Tork fire across the Mojave National Preserve, said Bishop, a spokesperson for the York fire and a National Park Service public information officer. The weather overnight into Monday had improved slightly, with winds that were not as strong and some precipitation, which allowed for some groundwork and minimal fire growth, she said. "In some areas, they are looking at maybe 15 mph (Monday)," Bishop said. "I'm hoping we don't hit those 20- to 25-mph winds that we had the last few days." If winds remain less of a concern, it will give firefighters a better chance to respond, Bishop said, but hurdlesbesides the hot desert heatremain. "The biggest challenge today that they're going to be dealing with is limited visibility due to thick smoke," Bishop said, noting that visibility has dropped to one mile in some areas. Federal, state and local firefighting teams are battling the York fire, with more than 260 personnel assigned, officials said. The fire has also moved into the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, which is Bureau of Land Management land, Willoughby said. What ignited the fire remains under investigation, but Bishop said it was determined to have started on private land within the preserve. The area facing flames Monday hasn't seen fire in years, she said. "The other concern is: If there hasn't been fire in a while how much fuel is out there?" Bishop said. In Riverside County, California, gusts up to 40 mph were testing the fire lines of the Bonny fire on Monday, said Alex Izaguirre, a spokesperson for the Riverside County Fire Department. Almost 2,000 personnel are working that blaze, which began Thursday. Its cause is also under investigation. 2023 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Splitting the Web by Ploum on 2023-08-01 Theres an increasing chasm dividing the modern web. On one side, the commercial, monopolies-riddled, media-adored web. A web which has only one objective: making us click. It measures clicks, optimises clicks, generates clicks. It gathers as much information as it could about us and spams every second of our life with ads, beep, notifications, vibrations, blinking LEDs, background music and fluorescent titles. A web which boils down to Idiocracy in a Blade Runner landscape, a complete cyberpunk dystopia. Then theres the tech-savvy web. People who install adblockers or alternative browsers. People who try alternative networks such as Mastodon or, God forbid, Gemini. People who poke fun at the modern web by building true HTML and JavaScript-less pages. Between those two extremes, the gap is widening. You have to choose your camp. When browsing on the "normal web", it is increasingly required to disable at least part of your antifeatures-blockers to access content. Most of the time, I dont bother anymore. The link I clicked doesnt open or is wrangled? Yep, Im probably blocking some important third-party JavaScript. No, I dont care. Ive too much to read on a day anyway. More time for something else. Im currently using kagi.com as my main search engine on the web. And kagi.com comes with a nice feature, a "non-commercial lens" (which is somewhat ironic given the fact that Kagi is, itself, a commercial search engine). It means it will try to deprioritize highly commercial contents. I can also deprioritize manually some domains. Like facebook.com or linkedin.com. If you post there, Im less likely to read you. Ive not even talked about the few times I use marginalia.nu. Something strange is happening: its not only a part of the web which is disappearing for me. As Im blocking completely google analytics, every Facebook domain and any analytics I can, Im also disappearing for them. I dont see them and they dont see me! Think about it! That whole "MBA, designers and marketers web" is now optimised thanks to analytics describing people who dont block analytics (and bots pretending to be those people). Each day, I feel more disconnected from that part of the web. When really needed, dealing with those websites is so nerve breaking that I often resort to a phone call or a simple email. I signed my mobile phone contract by exchanging emails with a real person because the signup was not working. I phone to book hotels when it is not straightforward to do it in the web interface or if creating an account is required. I hate talking on the phone but it saves me a lot of time and stress. I also walk or cycle to stores instead of ordering online. Which allows me to get advice and to exchange defective items without dealing with the post office. Despite breaking up with what seems to be "The Web", Ive never received so many emails commenting my blog posts. I rarely had as many interesting online conversations as I have on Mastodon. Ive tens of really insightful contents to read every day in my RSS feeds, on Gemini, on Hacker News, on Mastodon. And, incredibly, a lot of them are on very minimalists and usable blogs. The funny thing is that when non-tech users see my blog or those Im reading, they spontaneously tell me how beautiful and usable they are. Its a bit like all those layers of JavaScript and flashy css have been used against usability, against them. Against us. Its a bit like real users never cared about "cool designs" and only wanted something simple. It feels like everyone is now choosing its side. You cant stay in the middle anymore. You are either dedicating all your CPU cycles to run JavaScript tracking you or walking away from the big monopolies. You are either being paid to build huge advertising billboards on top of yet another framework or you are handcrafting HTML. Maybe the web is not dying. Maybe the web is only splitting itself in two. You know that famous "dark web" that journalists crave to write about? (at my request, one journalist once told me what "dark web" meant to him and it was "websites not easily accessible through a Google search".) Well, sometimes I feel like Im part of that "dark web". Not to buy drugs or hire hitmen. No! Its only to have a place where I can have discussions without being spied and interrupted by ads. But, increasingly, I feel less and less like an outsider. Its not me. Its people living for and by advertising who are the outsiders. They are the one destroying everything they touch, including the planet. They are the sick psychos and I dont want them in my life anymore. Are we splitting from those click-conversion-funnel-obsessed weirdos? Good riddance! Have fun with them. But if you want to jump ship, now is the time to get back to the simple web. Welcome back aboard! By Nasratu Kargbo Actionaid Sierra Leone has demanded that the government ensures the International Monetary Funds (IMF) advice to decrease the wage bill by 6% of the GDP, does not affect the recruitment and placement of health workers and teachers. Speaking on the 28th July 2023 at the launch of their report titled IMF wage bill ceiling and the Sierra Leoneans right to adequate frontline workers, Actionaids Policy and Advocacy Manager, Aminata Kelly- Lamin reading the report stated that the sectors are very essential in the development of the nation and that if the government is to heed to that condition, she said it may affect the two sectors. She explained that in a bid to improve the education and health sectors, the government needs to hire more public workers in those sectors, but noted that the 6% ceiling that IMF has advised the government to spend on wages will not be enough to take care of personnel in those two sectors. The education system in Sierra Leone lacks the required number of qualified teachers in relation to rapidly increase enrolment, she said. She explained that the governments 2018 Free Quality School Education (FQSE) policy gave the opportunity for more participation, noting that the drastic expansion of access to education made the government to hire more teachers, but was quick to note that the country has not met the internationally accepted teacher-pupil ratio. Whilst for the health sector, she said they believe that health workers must be trained, experienced and have the skills to implement Universal Health Care (UHC), she stated that to achieve that, healthcare staff must be aligned with the needs of the population, saying there should be increased levels of specialized education and training in order to meet the required of health care system. All of the above difficulties demand hiring more teachers and health workers, and paying them properly, which increases the wage bill, Kelly-Lamin stated. She said IMF loans always include macroeconomic conditions that government must abide by. Head of Programme and Policy, Actionaid, Mohamed Fofanah said that wages are instrumental in the standard of living of the average Sierra Leonean. He said the IMF had told the government not to exceed 6% of the public wage bill of its public servants, but Fofanah said those in the education and health sectors are very important in ensuring that the countrys citizens are better off. Fofanah said a salary is to respond to the basic necessities of life such as food, transportation, shelter amongst others. He said if the wage bill as per the countrys GDP, indicate that the teachers, doctors and nurses should not get more, they believe that services will not be up to standard and quality will drop drastically in the sectors. Responding to the question why they focused on these two sectors, Fofanah said they are the most prominent, adding that he believes those areas should be improved for the countrys progress and development, and also to meet international standard. He said in a bid to increase wages and salaries for the two sectors, Sierra Leoneans should make it their responsibility to expand their tax base, increase productivity, block leakages and reduce or eradicate corruption, noting that once this is done, the country will experience growth in income and reduced lending from international community. According to the report: 52% of teachers at 56 government and government-assisted schools do not receive government pay. This supports the school census that indicates 28% volunteers rate for public school teachers. It added that 87% of teachers are men whilst 13% are women. It further stated that their data showed that the country has more qualified male as compared to women, with men rated 86% and women teachers at 14%. The report added that the government should develop a plan and implement a bread basket to include remote allowances for frontline health workers. Copyright 2023 Politico (31/07/23) By Chernor Alimamy Kamara in Monrovia Parliamentarians in the ECOWAS Parliament have called on majority and minority Political Parties of parliament in the different member states to always work together, regardless of their disagreements. The motion was moved by the Liberian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mawine G. Diggs on the 27th July 2023 during a Delocalized Joint Committee meeting held by the ECOWAS Parliament. According to Diggs, majority and minority parties must respect democratic principles and values. She explained that whilst the majority focuses on the delivery of its programs, it should create the enabling environment to co-exist with others. She added that a healthy collaboration between the government, opposition and other stakeholders can immensely minimize conflicts. Diggs stated that the minority has its say but the majority have the will, explaining that such can only be true if the majority takes the responsibility to demonstrate the will to do the right things, create the required space for all to participate as they wish. In addition, the Minister said that for the minority having say means to insist on holding the government accountable and serviceable while also respecting the rule of law. The majority and minority must collaborate and build synergies on their commonalities in areas of gender parity, a free press, an independent judiciary, and an open budget which puts the people first and above all, upholds the constitution, she said. She noted that the governing majority has a duty to govern whilst the minority has a charge to subscribe to the rule of law. She noted that the right to protest and hold government accountable or hold their feet to the fire is fundamental and must be exercised in a peaceful manner that is consistent with the constitution. She added that besides criticism, the minority is required to provide alternatives on what the governing majority could do in the best interest of the citizens. Diggs said that the concept of Silent Majority refers to a significant subset of a population that is not active in politics, but as a collective have the ability to greatly influence the outcome of any election. She stated that while countries like Mali and Guinea have slid back to elements of the past, the African Continent has largely gravitated towards democracy. She cited recent elections in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, noting that the journey of African democracy is an irreversible trajectory. The ECOWAS Delocalized joint committee was held in Monrovia from 25th to 28th July, 2023. The meetings are organized to deal with matters relating to peace, stability and security in the regional. Copyright 2023 Politico (31/07/23) By Chernor Alimamy Kamara In order to strengthen the political affairs, peace, justice system, human Rights, Gender and Women Empowerment in the sub-region, the ECOWAS Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for political inclusivity in all ECOWAS Member States. The ECOWAS MPs made this call during the opening session of a Delocalized meeting of the joint Committee held in Monrovia, Liberia on the 25th July, 2023. The theme for the meeting titled; Enhancing Political inclusivity in the Participatory Governance process: A mechanism for promoting peace and security. In her opening statement, Vice President (VP) of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor noted that the theme focuses on political inclusivity in a participatory governance process, the mechanism for promoting peace and security in the sub-region. She explained that inclusiveness in a governance process means a process which effectively serves and engages regardless of ones gender, socio-economic status or religion which she said can only exist when the institutions, policies, processes and services are accessible, affordable and the governance process is accountable and transparent. In her opinion, she said inclusivity means creating opportunities so that both genders are equitably represented in order to shape the discussions, resolutions and determine the benefit and the impact that these decisions have on everyone. VP Taylor went on to note that government and institutions should be more accountable and transparent to build a stronger and more inclusive social contract between government and its people for greater access to opportunities for all. She affirmed that participatory governance is based on the simple premise that an individual or citizens should have a voice in every decision making process in the governance system. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Retired Member of Parliament Dr. Bhofal Chambers said that the meeting is to enhance mutual and beneficiary relationships across Western African countries. He added that the essence of ECOWAS must always be manifested as he said it is the nucleus of Africas success. He urged members to ensure that they prioritized addressing issues that affect member states. In his address, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis said the theme is part of activities designed by the ECOWAS Parliament to continually demonstrate its openness to the citizens of the region. He also said that it also provides an opportunity to share experiences and collaborate with national institutions in the pursuit of the integration objectives of ECOWAS. Thanks to the ECOWAS Region and the International community for their support towards the just concluded Presidential and Legislative Elections in Sierra Leone. I can assure you of the firm will of the Sierra Leonean authorities to work for the continued promotion of democracy and of my countrys readiness to contribute to the consolidation of the excellent relations of brotherhood and cooperation that exist between our states, he said. He pointed out that Political inclusivity also involves the effective mobilization of all the institutions of a country and national political structures with a view to encouraging their involvement in the management of state affairs, as well as in the formation of opinion and the free expression of suffrage. He said the sacrosanct principle of the separation of powers needs to be put into practice through the genuine independence of institutions. The ECOWAS Parliament Speaker went on to say that it is therefore their duty as Parliamentarians to ensure that democratic institutions, both national and regional are strengthened. Cultural performance and deliberations around the theme climaxed the occasion. The conference which started yesterday will end on Saturday this week. Copyright 2023 Politico (26/07/23) By Alpha Abu and Saio Marrah The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, ECSL has dismissed social media claims that the institution was subjected to duress by President Julius Maada Bio or any government official during the recent electioneering process, describing such claims as malicious and dangerous to the countrys democracy. In a statement issued on Monday 24th July, ECSL reasserted its position of having conducted credible and fair elections in June, this coming in the wake of what it says are repetitive calls mostly indirectly from some quarters urging the institution to take actions which it believes do not fall under the Laws of Sierra Leone. A statement from the commission dated Monday 24th July 2023 also The statement further highlighted what ECSL sees as the complicity of some of its partners in such harmful disinformation-a concern which it clearly states can affect the peace which Sierra Leoneans continue to experience after the elections. The statement adds that The ECSL is proud of its service to Sierra Leone in delivering one of the most credible, inclusive , transparent, and peaceful elections since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in Sierra Leone. The commission emphasised that its actions before, during and after the polls have been strictly guided by national statutes and local and international best practices, and that the election results reflect the expressed will of the voters. The electoral body admitted that there were technical challenges and capacity issues in its operations during the electioneering period which it said will be reviewed and praised the staff and contract workers for ensuring a credible process. According to ECSL parties having concerns about the elections can use the appropriate and legal processes. Meanwhile the Chief Electoral Commissioner has told members of the All Political Parties Association, APPA that there are no court cases against his commission since results were announced because they acted in accordance with the law. Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said what the ECSL has achieved would be an example from which other countries learn. He said at the end of every electoral process there would always be lessons to learn and areas to improve on and announced that his staff would soon retreat to review the electoral activities and examine both the strengths and weaknesses of the last exercise with the aim of making improvements. He also called on political parties complaining about not getting seats in parliament to seek a review of relevant electoral laws dealing with the qualification threshold to ensure that small parties would enter parliament. Konneh told the gathering that: If political parties think that ECSL should project results during tally, these are things we can have in the Public Elections Act. If we think that, the electoral commission should publish disaggregated data; these are things that we could have in the Public Elections Act. He noted that what the law says is what they have complied with, which according to him, pointed out that the commission releases the certified summary of district results to political parties. Thus, he said the request for the commission to publish the disaggregated result is not in the law and that it is not mandatory and even if the commission needs to consider that there would be no time frame. In his congratulatory message, the Chairman of All Political Parties Association (APPA) Prince Coker, said based on the assessment of the outcome of the election result and as participants in the just concluded elections they were satisfied with the result. He said: We believe that the elections were free, fair and credible and all the political parties had a level playing field. The APPA Chairman called on political parties to do their assignment well by working with their constituents and prepare for the next elections. The Secretary General of APPA, Ibrahim S. Sesay, said now that the elections are over, political parties should focus on national development. It will be recalled that the main opposition All Peoples Congress questioned the outcome of the 24th June General Elections, outlining a series of demands, and insisting on not taking part in the governance system until their concerns which include a rerun of the elections were addressed. With the exception of Hon. Mohamed Bangura, all other APC Members of Parliament and Local Council representatives have since refused to take up duty, heeding their partys call for a boycott of all governance activities. Copyright 2023 Politico (26/07/23) IS claims responsibility for suicide attack in NW Pakistan Xinhua) 14:04, August 01, 2023 Security personnel inspect the site of a suicide attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, on July 31, 2023. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) or Daesh on Monday claimed responsibility for a suicide attack at a political gathering in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which killed 54 and left over 100 others injured on Sunday. According to a statement released by the terrorist group through its media handler in the Arabic language, a suicide bomber of IS conducted the attack at the political workers' convention of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in Khar area of Bajaur district of the province. Additional Inspector General of Police Shaukat Abbas told the media on Monday that at least 54 people lost their lives in the deadly attack so far. "At least 12 of the deceased are below 12 years of age. The medics feared that the death toll might further rise," said the officer, adding that over 80 injured were undergoing treatment. Pakistani President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressed deep grief over the losses of lives, and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. Security personnel inspect the site of a suicide attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, on July 31, 2023. (Str/Xinhua) Security personnel inspect the site of a suicide attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, on July 31, 2023. (Str/Xinhua) A security member stands guard at the site of a suicide attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, on July 31, 2023. (Str/Xinhua) Security personnel inspect the site of a suicide attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, on July 31, 2023. (Str/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) U.K. spy agencies are now asking the government to weaken laws on AI data usage. GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), M15, and M16 are lobbying the U.K. government to ease surveillance regulations they claim to be burdensome. UK Spy Agencies Want to Weaken AI Data Usage Laws According to The Guardian's latest report, M16, M15, and GCHQ explained that some surveillance laws are burdensome, preventing them from training AI models with large amounts of personal data. Because of this, they decided to send their proposed changes, which will make it easier for them to use certain kinds of data. They specifically want to weaken the safeguards that regulate the use of large volumes of information known as BPDs (bulk personal datasets). These U.K. intelligence organizations argue that people have a low or no expectation of privacy when it comes to BPDs. They explained that BPDs are datasets that assist them when it comes to identifying possible terrorists and future informants. GCHQ, M16, and M15 sent their proposed changes to David Anderson, a senior barrister, and member of the House of Lords. Lord Anderson explained that the proposed surveillance law adjustments aim to replace existing safeguards, such as the requirement for a judge to approve the retention and examination of BPDs. Read Also: UK: Stricter Rules on Foreign Criminals Obtaining British Citizenship to Take Effect Tech Companies Unhappy With UK's Surveillance Laws as Well Aside from GCHQ, M15, and M16, some tech companies are also unhappy with the surveillance laws imposed by the U.K. government. Recently, Computer World reported that Apple, WhatsApp, and Meta criticized the new U.K. surveillance regulations. They explained that these laws are impossible to meet, arguing that the new safeguards will make the online world less safe instead of providing more protection. To show that they are serious with their complaints, the three tech giants warned the U.K. government that they are prepared to withdraw their messaging apps from the market if the laws are implemented. If you want to learn more details as to why Meta, WhatsApp, and Apple are complaining about the new U.K. surveillance laws, you can click here. Related Article: UK Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Sexism and Misogyny in the City @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As Parliamentary and Local Council results of the June General Elections were made public, our Editor and Vice President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone, Mabinty Magdalene Kamara, held a face-to face interview with Manty Tarawallie then Minister of Gender and Childrens Affairs, who soon after this interview, was appointed by President Julius Maada Bio as new Minister of State, Office of the Vice President. In this interview, she took us through the processes leading to an increase in the number of female representation in elective and appointive positions this year. Q: How long have you served as Minister of Gender and Childrens Affairs? A.: I was appointed in November 2019 and we are in 2023 now. Q: So the Ministry started with you. Is that correct? A: Yes, I was appointed in November 2019 the same time the President proclaimed the establishment of the Ministry. Before, we had the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Childrens Affairs. The President in his wisdom thought it fit to separate the two ministries because it was a huge ministry, to give more focus on gender and childrens affairs, as well as social welfare. Q: So three years has been a long journey. What has been your milestone, what have you done? A: Before we even talk about milestones, I think we should make some comparisons` in terms of establishing a new entity. In Sierra Leone setting up entities takes a year or two just to put themselves together, develop their mandates, know what they are doing, understand the sector, before they start to realise even some gains. So when you have that in context and then you look at what we have been able to achieve in three and half years, you then have to appreciate us the most. In a short space of time we have really done well. January 2020, thats really when the ministry became fully operational and within that period we have developed the Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment GEWE) policy, that speaks to the 13 objectives across ten sectors. We have launched that and commenced implementation of that by mainstreaming the gender demands into every sectoral policy. We saw women having the right to own lands for the first time in the country, we saw the Mines and Mineral Acts integrating the gender demand inside of it. We also saw the Public Elections Act integrate the demand of gender into it and also in implementing the policy we developed and led to the passing of the GEWE Act, something that has taken over 40 years to get off the ground in Sierra Leone. There have been talks about it for years, not even a policy has been established let alone a concrete approved bill to go into parliament, so its one of our key achievements and such a milestone. Also in the area of sexual and gender based violence, we established One Stop Centres across the country for the first time in the country, a call centre for sexual violence , 116 hot free line, that you can call 24/7 from any mobile network free of charge. We also established steering committees in every district that bring together each month key stakeholders within districts to discuss issues of sexual violence and come out with their own specific solutions. So we saw a reduction in sexual violence cases from 4,000 cases at the highest peak in 2018 to a 32% low in 2022 and so thats also a key milestone for us. In the area of childrens affairs, we also saw the reviewing of the Child Rights Act of 2007 to include key complaints that are necessary to bring the act up to date in correlation with international laws and conventions that we have signed up to. After the bill was published in the national gazette, we took it to parliament, it went through the first reading, and to the legislative committee. It was debated there, but unfortunately because parliament was about to end its tenure we couldnt conclude the process. However, it is in such a place now that it can run very quickly. It doesnt really need to go through consultations again, it can pick from where we had left it, for it to continue in parliament. So that is another key achievement for us. Also in the area of supporting the reduction of teenage pregnancy, we established what we named Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). We piloted it in Koinadugu and basically the approach is that the younger people are employed to provide services to younger people. So we have young nurses, young educators, that sensitize young people about sexual and reproductive health, provide services to them, and we have seen tremendous support, participation, acceptability, utilization of services, to know that there will be reduction in teenage pregnancy. That in a nutshell are some key achievements, and there are a lot more. Q: Was that extended to early marriage: A: We know from data a few things that support the drive to early marriage, one being teenage pregnancy, the other is Bondo, and then poverty. So when you delay a girl from going to Bondo and keep her in school longer, you help reduce teenage pregnancy and ultimately you see a reduction in early marriage. So, with the revision of the Child Rights Act there is a mandate to ban early marriage, but at the same time also to criminalise Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) under the age of 18. Not that we are against FGM, but we are saying let it go back to what it used to be for women over the age of 18. We know that women want FGM, we know that it is a culture and so we are not against it, but what we are saying is that under the age of 18 we criminalise it until that child becomes adult and can decide for herself. So our methodology and approach is that empower women, keep girls in school longer under the free education, criminalise FGM under the age of 18, ban child marriage and we will see the practice of child marriage being eliminated. Q: You talked about the GEWE Bill. We all can see it has opened many opportunities for women as seen in the Land Right Acts, Mines and Minerals Development Act. We reported a lot then and saw how women were happy for the fact that they are going to be involved in decision -making in terms of their lands, when investors get into communities to do business. So what motivated you to actually push for this bill? A: First and foremost, I would say that passing the bill or promoting the rights of women and the empowerment of women is not my idea, it is the Sierra Leone Peoples Partys (SLPP) idea. It is President Bios idea, it is in the manifesto of the SLPP. So it is not something that I conceived but was something that emanated from His Excellency and the SLPP. It is just that as the minister appointed, I believe in the same thing. So that made me passionate, and committed as I already knew the challenges in the sector, so it was easier for me to fix some of these problems. So what we did we did not put in the GEWE act we mainstreamed it. We have some mainstream, but there is more to do. What mainstreaming means is changing that approach across all sectors, meaning all their guiding policies should be specific about what is for women and men. Now you can see that in the land rights act there are specific rights for women, so for mines and mineral act and the Public Elections Act. That womens right should be included in every law in the country including the constitution. The drive for that is to see women take their rightful place. We are 52% of the countrys population and we are at the bottom of the bottom. If Sierra Leone is to grow, if Sierra Leone is to get to a middle-income country, which we all want to see, you cannot have half of the population or more than half of the population lacking behind. You have to bring that population into leadership, to contribute to the economy which means education, skills development, leadership positions, and business opportunities for them to contribute to. My drive is to see women take their rightful positions and contribute to nation- building. Yes, we are smart, yes we have our education, but the way our level of compassion and the way we see things are totally different from the way men see things. So when you have the two together, you have something beautiful for your country, but if you only have one side of the brain functioning and not the other, you dont have the wholesomeness that you are supposed to have. Q: For any good thing it comes with a lot of challenges sometimes, it takes steps to get there. How was the journey in developing the GEWE bill? A: The GEWE bill was tough. There is no other description. It was tough, it was hard and it was really long. I had support especially from his Excellency the president. Women of Sierra Leone from every corner wanted the same thing, they wanted women to move forward. People did not know how and because they did not know how, we came up with new ideas on how to do it. For the men folk, it was the difficulty of relinquishing power to women. It is a question of survival, what is now going to happen to me, how am I now going to survive? So that was the challenge and the reality is true, that is a question of survival and they are giving up seats for women and what will happen to them. That is why it took 13 months in parliament. We negotiated, galvanised support both internally within the parliament and externally. I dont think that I have heard of any bill that has been in parliament for 13 months, over a year. Q: Did you at any point think of giving up? A: Of course not. I knew that Rome was not built in a day and I know that we are changing the status quo and it is not easy. I had to have the tenacity, the patience to push and carry this forward and I must say the encouragement I received from my boss was also very helpful. Whenever it got really tough, he would encourage me. That also gave me the drive, the impetus to continue pushing through, continue taking some of the insults, and continue taking some of the threats, but today following the outcome of the elections, 41 women are going into parliament, a percentage of 30.4%. So the 30 percent quota has been fully achieved. So it is like giving birth to a young baby. You go through the nine months of pain and then you through the birth and screaming and shouting, the baby comes, and you look at the baby and say oh! Oh! Wonderful I can do this again. You forget all the pains. So this is it. It was worth it because 41women in parliament, we expect their presence will change our legislature process. Q: So now that the outcome is being celebrated on Facebook, across Sierra Leone and even globally Sierra Leoneans are celebrating the fact that more women are in there. How do you feel? A: Its wonderful, its a euphoric feeling, a beautiful feeling and a sense of accomplishment. We have created a new unit in the ministry called Support for women in leadership and we will support them to understand what they need to do, we will support them to shine. So we can showcase that we have them and their contributions matter and we are taking one step. Q: So has that inspired you to go for more? A: I think it inspired me and many others that it is possible, because there is a power of visuals. When you see, you really believe. It is difficult for some people to believe without seeing. So now that they have seen, they are inspired, I am inspired and everybody is inspired to take on challenges, to contribute as a woman, and that is beautiful. It is beautiful for Sierra Leone, beautiful for womanhood and beautiful for all of us. Q: However beautiful it is, there must be some challenges, there must be some loopholes so are you looking forward to actually pushing for a review to make the Act better? A: Absolutely. The Act is there for review; the act is there to assess the need for its strengthening to ensure that it lives up to expectations. We know some of the areas that are weak; that you may call loopholes, they require some level of intervention whether it would be me or whether it will be somebody else, but they have a platform now to do that. That is the beauty of growth, the beauty of democracy, the beauty of empowerment. It is there now; we can now shape it, change, reduce or strengthen it to whatever we want to do with it, but it is there now. There is a lot that we can add to it and I think it will be incremental because that is what we went through from the start an incremental approach and so there will be increment to it. So like I said it is not static it is dynamic so it will always require amendment. Q: Some critics including women are saying that the political parties are actually doing a leap of service to women by nominating women with low quality who mostly are not voted on because of lack of public trust. How do we ensure that these women presented by the political parties can actually stand the test of time? A: How do you ensure that men represent you well? I dont like that question from women. We are very critical about ourselves and I dont think that we should have men in positions of power and we dont hold them to the same level of scrutiny. Let us allow the women to come. We have professional women coming in. Nobody is perfect, let's support them to ensure they are perfect. Q: So whoever is brought forward, should be supported. Is that what you are saying? A: Whoever is brought forward let us perfect them as they are going, we are seeing more people come in to compete. The first cohort of women are the trailblazers. Others are waiting to see what these ones do before they come so let us support these ones and then more women will come forward until we get the perfect that we are all looking for. We still dont have that yet and they are still running after them, dancing for them, cooking for them so let do the same with our women nobody's perfect. The ones that have come forward let us support them to be perfect the same we are supporting men to be perfect. Some men are not that educated to be there and some men are not doing well in communities to be there but we dance for them, we sew ashobi for them, we cook for them. Let us do the same for our women to support them through the process and they will become perfect. Copyright 2023 Politico (28/07/23) By Politico Staff Writer The trial of Dr. Samura Kamara, presidential candidate of the main opposition APC part, is set to resume today following the visit by the court to New York to inspect the Chancery Building whose renovation is under probe. The judge and prosecution and defence lawyers on the 23 March inspected the building. On the 23 February 2023, Justice Adrian Fisher dismissed a no-case submissions in respect of the five accused persons standing trial in what is now known as the Chancery Building case, setting in motion the start of the trial proper on the substance of the allegations by the Anti Corruption Commission. The judge announced that the court would move to New York to inspect the building in relation to the evidence before him. The five accused persons are facing a 48-count indictment bordering on misappropriation of public funds, conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, abuse of office and other corruption related offenses relating to the funds paid towards the renovation of the building when Dr Samura was foreign minister and the other indictees were working at the embassy. Copyright (c) 2023 Politico (03/04/23) By Politico staff writer The Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment, and the Resettlement Action Plan reports for Phase IV of the Mano River Union Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme has been unanimously accepted by Stakeholders in Kailahun District. The endorsements were made in a three-day public disclosure event that were held in Koindu, Kailahun and Freetown from July 24 to 26 respectively. This project phase according to a report by the CommunicationSpecialist of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority Keifa Mohamed Jaward, involves the Upgrading of the Buedu- Koindu-Guinea/Liberia Border Roads Project. The ESHIA provides the benefits and possible environmental, social and health risks, and adverse impacts associated with the implementation of road construction activities under the programme, and their respective mitigation measures. The RAP provides procedures for involuntary resettlement of project affected persons (PAPs). The public disclosure of the ESHIA and RAP reports were in fulfillment of both the national and the African Development Bank's safeguards requirements,according to the report. The public disclosure gives project affected communities and other interested persons the opportunity to participate in the ESHIA process and express their concerns and opinions that may be incorporated in the final report. During his address to stakeholders at the Kailahun District Council Hall, the Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Ing. Alfred Jalil Momodu, said although road construction projects are beneficial to everyone, there are some adverse impacts accompanying them that cannot be ignored. "That is why we are here to prepare your minds and also work with you to minimize those adverse impacts and enhance the beneficial ones," he stated. Ing. Momodu said that every development comes with a price, and that some people should be ready to pay the price for the benefit of all. "We know that some of you may have sentimental and cultural attachments to the properties that are to be demolished within the road corridor, but you have to accept the situation and move on," he continued. However, in Koindu Town, the Executive Chairman of EPA-SL, Dr. Bondi Gavao alluded to the fact that the benefits of the road construction outweighs the adverse impacts, and assured the stakeholders that his agency shall work with SLRA to ensure the satisfactory mitigation of all adverse impacts associated with the project implementation. In terms of the beneficial impacts of the project, the ESHIA report stated that the road project will reduce travel time and cost, improve safety, enhance the economy through trade facilitation, restore and improve security, and create jobs. On the negative impacts, the report stated that the road construction activities has the potential to cause noise pollution, air pollution, accidents, occupational health hazards, disease transmission and involuntary resettlement. However, the report outlined measures to be implemented to mitigate the adverse impacts, including the payment of compensation to property affected persons, regular maintenance of equipment, enforcing the use of personal protective equipment, proper disposal of waste, traffic management and awareness raising on sexually transmitted and communicable diseases, and other health problems associated with the project activities. After every presentation at the three locations, stakeholders were granted the opportunity to seek clarifications, propose better alternatives to those outlined in the reports and engage in an open poll to approve or disapprove the reports. The residents and stakeholders of the project communities and other interested persons that were present at the public disclosure events in all three locations overwhelmingly approved the project in the presence of representatives from EPA-SL, Anti-Corruption Commission, Civil Society and the media. In his statement, the Paramount Chief of Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Emmanuel Nyama Ganawa III expressed his delight to know that the road that has for decades been a major challenge to the movements of people and goods in Kailahun District is about to be upgraded to asphaltic surface layer. The members of Parliament representing the project communities in Kailahun District, Emilia Lolloh Tongi and Sahr Tengbeh applauded the reports and urged SLRA, MRU and AfDB to fast track the project implementation process for the road works to be completed during the tenure of the current government. The EPA-SL is expected to present the final reports to its Board of Directors for approval before the African Development Bank provides the funds for the actual implementation of the project. The ESHIA and RAP were jointly presented by the Director of Environment and Social Safety, Lucy Essa and the Project Manager for the MRU Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme, Ing. Patrick James Lavaly. Copyright 2023 Politico (31/07/23) By Mabinty M. Kamara in Monrovia As part of the outcome of a three-day conference in Monrovia Liberia, Regional actors from central and West Africa have mapped out a collective approach that would minimize the spread of Fake News and enhance effective information -sharing across the continent. Issues such as gendered approaches to data governance and regional research were deliberated on, and the importance of diverse perspectives, in shaping the strategies, also highlighted. Throughout the conference, delegates explored a multitude of crucial topics, all centered around countering disinformation and hate speech during election periods. Speaking at the end of the conference, Zoe Hatman, Project Manager for NDI Washington noted that the event culminated in a Regional Good Practices Development Session where we gathered and documented a comprehensive list of valuable insights and lessons learned from our collective experiences. Together, we examined how these challenges undermine the electoral process and learned from the case studies presented by partner organizations from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote divoire, Mali, and the DRC. Burkina Faso, and Senegal, Ms. Hatman said. She commended the commitment of the participants, saying their their overall dedication, and expertise were the driving force behind its success. The collaborative spirit displayed by representatives from fact-checking and hate speech monitoring organizations, womens rights groups, advocates for persons with disabilities, the media, electoral management bodies, political parties, and civil society organizations has truly been commendable, Ms Hatman went on. She urged the participants to make good use of the knowledge and insights gained into their work and communities. Together, we have forged lasting connections and strengthened our regional network of like-minded individuals committed to promoting truth, tolerance, and democratic values. Let us remain united in our efforts to counter disinformation and hate speech, cultivate credible sources of information, and foster open dialogue that bridges divides, she said. The conference which ended on 29th July was organized by the National Democratic Institute and brought together the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and Innovation Lab Liberia (iLab ), as well as organisations from Burkina Faso, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other civil society organisations in Liberia. Copyright 2023 Politico (31/07/23) State police were investigating an unrelated matter in Wilton at about 4:47 p.m. on July 25 when they observed a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Alia M. Sullivan nearly getting into a crash. She was transported to the state police Wilton station, where she refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of her blood. Further investigation discovered Sullivan has a previous DWI conviction in the last ten years. Sullivan was issued tickets and released. She is due in Hadley Town Court on Aug. 2. PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. Not long ago, Marine Col. Jennifer Nash, a combat engineer with war deployments under her belt, made a vow to fellow officers as they headed to a dinner in Atlanta: She would get two new recruiting contacts by the end of the evening. She admits recruiting is not the job that she or other Marines had in mind when they enlisted. After stints as a recruiter and senior officer at the Eastern recruiting command, she has become emblematic of the Corps' tradition of putting its best, battle-tested Marines on enlistment duty. They get results. That night, Nash achieved her own goal. She got the valet at the hotel and the hostess at the restaurant to provide their phone numbers and to consider a Marine career. Marine leaders say they will make their recruiting goal this year, while the active-duty Army, Navy and Air Force all expect to fall short. The services have struggled in the tight job market to compete with higher-paying businesses for the dwindling number of young people who can meet the military's physical, mental and moral standards. Nash's boss, Brig. Gen. Walker Field, who heads the Eastern recruiting region, says the Corps historical emphasis on selecting top-performing Marines to fill recruiting jobs has been a key to the Marines' recruiting success, along with efforts to increase the number of recruiters, extend those who do well and speed their return to high schools, where in-person recruiting stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said his recruiters who cover the territory between Canada and Puerto Rico and as far west as Mississippi will meet their mission and expect to have 30% of their 2024 goal when they start the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. More broadly, Marine officials say they expect the Corps to achieve its recruiting target of more than 33,000. Last year, the Navy, Air Force and Marines had to eat into their pools of delayed entry applicants to make their goals. The Marines will avoid that this year. "That would be a great ending," Field said on a recent steamy day at South Carolina's Parris Island. The Marine Corps may get some help from its small size. The Army, for example, has a recruiting goal of 65,000 this year, which is nearly double the Corps', and expects to fall substantially short of that. Air Force and Navy officials say they will also miss their goals, although the Space Force, which is the smallest service and does its recruiting within Air Force stations, is expected to meet its goal of about 500 recruits. Field said his biggest challenge is that a number of Marine hopefuls cannot pass the military's academic test, known as the Armed Services Voluntary Aptitude Battery. That is a widespread problem, but the Army recently set up a program that targets recruits who score below 30 on the test and provides schooling for several weeks to help them pass. Already more than 8,800 recruits successfully went through the classes, raised their scores and moved on to basic training. The Navy is taking another route with a pilot program that allows up to 20% of their recruits to score below 30 on the test, as long as they meet specific standards for their chosen naval job. Marine leaders, however, do not take those lowest scoring recruits, and so far have no plans for any type of formal improvement program. Field said the Marines are repositioning recruiting stations, moving them around based on where population totals have increased in the latest census. More important, he said, the Corps maintains its focus on choosing the right recruiters, encouraging successful ones to stay in the job and increasing the number of Marine reservists tapped for recruit duties from the current 31 to 96 by the end of next year. Nash, who until last month was assistant chief of staff for the Eastern region, said Marines are hand-selected for recruiting command jobs. Many three- and four-star Marines, including former Defense Secretary James Mattis, will cite their years doing enlistment duty. "We put our best and brightest in those positions," Nash said, adding that those chosen for recruiting posts have a proven track record of success in previous assignments and demonstrated critical leadership skills. The Marines resisted increasing bonuses to attract recruits, something the other services found helpful. Field, Nash and others also say the Corps prefers to give a lot of recruits a few thousand dollars, rather than increasing the amount and giving money to far fewer people. Field said getting Marine recruiters in uniform back into high schools this year has been a key driver. There, young people line up to compete in pull-up contests, vying for a free T-shirt if they can do 20. Recruiters say many are drawn to the idea of being a Marine. "If you told me you'll give me $10 million worth of advertising and I can do something with it, or you'll give me 10 great-looking Marines in a Marine uniform what's going to get the most value? Give me those 10 Marines and give me a day," Nash said. "We'll go out and we'll get more out of that, I think, than $10 million in advertising." US Marines history from the year you were born US Marines history from the year you were born 1920: Marines guard a Russian radio station 1921: An eastward turn 1922: Leaving Cubaalmost 1923: Protecting American interests in China 1924: Intervention in Honduras 1925: Birth of the Red Devils' 1926: Deployment to Nicaragua 1927: Steeling against civil war in China 1928: The Battle of Las Cruces 1929: A new hymn 1930: Hunting Sandino 1931: Austerity measures 1932: Hunkering down in Haiti 1933: Establishing the Fleet Marine Force 1934: Leaving Haiti 1935: The Tentative Landings Operations Manual 1936: A changing of the guard 1937: Flying together 1938: The US Naval Reserve Act 1939: A new flag 1940: General mobilization 1941: Landing ship tanks 1942: Desegregation of the Corps 1943: Welcoming women into the Marines 1944: Invasion of the Marshall Islands 1945: Iwo Jima 1946: Accompanying the Magna Carta 1947: The National Security Act 1948: Marines in the Middle East 1949: The end of Operation Beleaguer 1950: Harsh words from Harry Truman 1951: The Mountain Warfare Training Center 1952: The Douglas Mansfield Act 1953: The Congressional Marines Group 1954: The Marine Corps War Memorial 1955: A new emblem 1956: The Suez Crisis 1957: Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 1958: Lebanon 1959: Surviving a fall 1960: The Cuban Revolution 1961: Marines help sever relations with Cuba 1962: A tour in Thailand 1963: Guarding the president's coffin 1964: An early foray into Vietnam 1965: Operation Power Pack 1966: Anti-Vietcong operations 1967: Con Thein 1968: The Tet Offensive 1969: An educated corps 1970: Marines on trial for Son Thang 1971: Marines leave Vietnam 1972: A Navy birthday 1973: Secret Marines activity reported 1974: Honoring a trailblazer 1975: Evacuating Saigon 1976: A scandal at Parris Island 1977: Ku Klux Klan activities at Camp Pendleton 1978: A banner year for Corps women 1979: Taken hostage in Iran 1980: Operation Eagle Claw 1981: A step toward gender equality 1982: Into Beirut 1983: A devastating year 1984: Withdrawing from Lebanon 1985: Violence in El Salvador 1986: Trouble in Moscow 1987: Marine Corps intelligence activity 1988: Into the Persian Gulf 1989: Avenging a death in Panama 1990: Protecting Saudi Arabia 1991: The liberation of Kuwait 1992: Marines storm Somalia 1993: A firefight in Mogadishu 1994: Back to Haiti 1995: A daring rescue in Bosnia 1996: Evacuating US citizens from Liberia 1997: A tragic death on the border 1998: Guarding the Albanian Embassy 1999: In East Timor 2000: A devastating crash 2001: The War on Terror 2002: Into Djibouti 2003: Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004: The Second Battle of Fallujah 2005: The Haditha Massacre 2006: The National Museum of the Marine Corps 2007: A push to leave Iraq 2008: Helmand Province 2009: A daring rescue and Medal of Honor 2010: Relief efforts in Haiti 2011: A mission down under 2012: Marines in controversy 2013: Integrating women in combat roles 2014: Fighting ISIS in Iraq 2015: Tragedy in Tennessee 2016: Deepening engagement in Iraq 2017: A new squadron deploys 2018: Fighting ISIS in Syria 2019: Integrating training battalions 2020: Force Design 2030 foresees a nimbler Marine Corps 2021: Marine Corps shrinks Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. The five main strains of the hepatitis virus are referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. While they all cause liver disease, they differ in geographic prevalence, modes of transmission, severity of illness and prevention methods, according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S., the most common types of hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is highly contagious, spreading through contact with contaminated food or water, or from close contact with an infected person or object. Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term liver damage, and it doesn't become chronic. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause a sudden loss of liver function, especially in older adults or people with chronic liver diseases. Acute liver failure requires a stay in the hospital for monitoring and treatment. Some people with acute liver failure may need a liver transplant. Mild cases of hepatitis A don't require treatment, and most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage. Practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand-washing, is one of the best ways to protect against hepatitis A. You're at increased risk of hepatitis A if you: Travel or work in areas of the world where hepatitis A is common. Live with another person who has hepatitis A. Are a man who has sexual contact with other men. Have any type of sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A. Are HIV positive. Are homeless. Use any type of recreational drugs, not just those that are injected. The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infection with the virus. If you're concerned about your risk of hepatitis A, ask your health care professional if you should be vaccinated. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is passed from person to person through blood, semen or other bodily fluids. It does not spread by sneezing or coughing. For most people, hepatitis B is short term, also called acute, and lasts less than six months. For others, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, which increases their risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis. The younger people are when they get hepatitis B, particularly newborns or children younger than 5, the higher the risk of the infection becoming chronic. Chronic infection may go undetected for decades until a person becomes seriously ill from liver disease. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there's no cure if you have the condition. Your risk of hepatitis B infection increases if you: Have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or with someone who's infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Share needles during IV drug use. Are a man who has sex with other men. Live with someone who has a chronic HBV infection. Are an infant born to an infected mother. Have a job that exposes you to human blood. Travel to regions with high infection rates of HBV, such as Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa and Eastern Europe. Hepatitis B is a common reason for liver transplants in the U.S. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by contaminated blood, and it also is a common reason for liver transplants in the U.S. Hepatitis C usually can be cured with oral medications taken every day for two to six months. But many people don't know they're infected because they have no symptoms, which can take decades to appear. Hepatitis C infection that continues over many years can cause significant complications, including cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults ages 18 to 79 be screened for hepatitis C, even those without symptoms or known liver disease. The largest group at risk includes everyone born between 1945 and 1965 a population five times more likely to be infected than those born in other years. Your risk of hepatitis C infection is increased if you: Are a health care worker who has been exposed to infected blood, which may happen if an infected needle pierces your skin. Have ever injected or inhaled illicit drugs. Have HIV. Received a piercing or tattoo in an unclean environment using unsterile equipment. Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992. Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987. Received hemodialysis treatments for a long period of time. Were born to a woman with a hepatitis C infection. Were ever in prison. Were born between 1945 and 1965, the age group with the highest incidence of hepatitis C infection. ATLANTIC CITY As a fish person, former city resident John King said he loved visiting aquariums at the different places hes traveled, to learn more about the local marine life while exploring the various activities and exhibits they have to offer. So King, 38, was disappointed when he noticed the Atlantic City Aquarium was closed Tuesday while he was fishing at the pier in Gardners Basin with his girlfriend. But then, he was excited when he found out his hometown aquarium was reopening soon, with much needed improvements. The Atlantic City Aquarium, which closed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and remained closed due to renovations, is tentatively set to reopen in the fall, according to its Facebook page. Its in a great spot. This is a tourist location, said King, who remembered coming to the aquarium with his dad when he was a 12-year-old boy. During his quick trip away from Woodbury, Gloucester County, he noted the historic neighborhood had a park, boat rides, fishing, eateries and other amenities that draw people in. Theres plenty of people here, but people want to see more, said King, who noted the small aquarium needed to provide more than a few local fish to keep visitors interested. The Atlantic City Aquarium had about 17 exhibits for guests to enjoy. Some of the marine life people could see in those exhibits included fish from the Mid-Atlantic, Mullica River, exotic animals like bearded dragons, tropical animals like tree frogs or chameleons, along with eels, piranhas, jellyfish and sea turtles. The museum also had two touch tanks one with baby sting rays, the other with tropical sharks an exotic animal presentation and a live diver feeding show. Likely cause of death announced for beached whale in Brigantine A sea vessel struck and killed the whale that was beached in Brigantine on Thursday, accordi When I was 12 it was a big deal, but now, not so much. You would think an aquarium by the ocean would be better than one on a riverfront in Camden. ... Theres so much more opportunity here, said King. People that come here with their families should be able to make a day out of it. Right now, its like a one-and-done spot, and theres not enough to keep me there (at the aquarium). Its been over 20 years since any major repairs have occurred at the aquarium, said the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on its website. The aquarium opened in 1999. Prior to its closure, the aquarium secured $1.16 million from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which was part of a larger $3.6 million grant Gardners Basin received from the DCA and New Jersey Green Acres for much needed capital improvements, said Andrew Kramer, the citys spokesperson. Due to the pandemic, the normal process for moving such a project forward was slower than originally anticipated. Once construction began, it became apparent the damage and repairs were greater than expected, said Kramer. That, combined with the pandemics impact on supply chains, created delays in the renovation schedule. Work thats been done since the building closed included adding new roofing, replacing old windows, flooring, tile, lighting, doors, drywall and a fresh paint job throughout. It also needed completely renovated bathrooms, work on the two-story buildings second floor, a new HVAC system and repairs to ducts, electrical systems and plumbing. When the aquarium reopens, it will offer four new interactive touch tanks, including new shark and sting ray touch pools, said Kramer. Gardners Basin management handles everything exhibit related. The Atlantic City Aquarium is a first-class attraction, and while we move closer and closer to reopening, no exterior building siding aesthetic improvements were included in this project, said Mayor Marty Small Sr. We want to make sure the reopened aquarium looks good inside and out. To ensure we do this reopening right, we are in the process of making plans to improve the aesthetics of the buildings exterior and hope to announce a reopening date in the very near future. But for the aquarium to thrive, King said it needed more than an updated building, such as more aquatic attractions, interactive experiences and a greater variety of marine life. Bob Schoelkopf retires as Marine Mammal Stranding Center director BRIGANTINE After 44 years as the public face of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Bob Sc Other city visitors like Gerrald Scott said the aquarium was alright for its size and easy to get through, but he admitted he was the kind of person who liked to zip through exhibits, which he did when he visited the Louvre in Paris (Its impossible to see everything the Louvre has to offer in one day, say experts, but he did it in two hours). He said he wanted the museum to offer sharks, like great whites, and more shellfish, like sea mussels and clams. But his wife, Jill Scott, said she enjoyed the low-key, quiet of the aquarium. The hidden gem has a nice pathway for walks, lots of lush plants, trees and greenery that added to the old buildings wooden exterior, as well as picnic tables for people to eat lunch while they overlook the bay. City natives like Gerard Jasper also said the aquariums originality should be preserved. Its multipurpose. I enjoyed my times that I was there, said Jasper, 59, who noted he was there once for a 20-year Atlantic City High School reunion. I loved seeing the different sea life, learning about the different creatures and the accessibility of it. ... I learned a lot of stuff from the staff as well, who were tremendous teachers. He said the size of the building was OK, but he wished the exhibits were larger or had some sort of add-ons and that the aquarium was better maintained to keep offering people different, new experiences that would keep marine life lovers coming back. I tell people all the time to visit the aquarium, away from the casinos. Its a family-friendly place, Jasper said. But it doesnt help to have these places if theyre not open. GALLERY: Atlantic City Aquarium SEA ISLE CITY A Philadelphia broadcast television personality was assaulted while emceeing an event at a restaurant over the weekend. Fox 29's Bob Kelly, a traffic reporter for the television station, was punched at the Oar House Pub on 42nd Place, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Kelly was brought to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House after the alleged attack, the Inquirer reported. Kelly, who is known for appearances on "Good Day, Philadelphia," appeared on television from Margate to discuss the incident, thanking people for their well-wishes and concerns. "It was just a frightening, disturbing event," Kelly said Tuesday. THANK YOU ALL for the messages, texts, phone calls and concerns. LIVE from Margate this morning! pic.twitter.com/aAIXrDw08l Bob Kelly (@BobKellyFOX29) August 1, 2023 The attack is being investigated, Kelly said, but it likely stemmed from a TikTok challenge, similar to a recent incident involving recording artist Cardi B, in which a liquid was splashed onto the rapper while she was performing. "I hope this can bring some light to this craziness that is out there and put a stop to it," Kelly said. After appearing on the television station Tuesday morning, Kelly tweeted a photo from The Other Lucy Beach Grille in Margate on Atlantic Avenue, posing for a selfie with about a dozen people. Sea Isle officials did not return a request for comment Monday. Atlantic County detectives dont believe there is a connection between the Gilgo Beach and West Atlantic City murders. The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office recently compared evidence with Suffolk County police in New York to examine possible ties to both cases. After the meeting it was determined there was no link, Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said in a statement Tuesday. Authorities will continue to follow all leads until the perpetrator of those crimes is brought to justice, Reynolds said, adding his agency wont comment further on the investigation into the four women whose bodies were found behind a motel near Atlantic City in 2006. Suffolk County police on Monday said its commissioner, Rodney Harrison, doubted Rex Heuermann, 59, who was arrested this month in the Gilgo Beach murders, was also connected to the West Atlantic City case. The architect from New York is accused in the deaths of three sex workers found beside a beach on Long Island in 2010 and is a prime suspect in a fourth. Two women out for a walk near the Golden Key Motel in Egg Harbor Townships West Atlantic City section discovered Kim Raffo, 35, dead in a marshy area in November 2006. Law enforcement then found the bodies of Molly Dilts, 20, Barbara Breidor, 42, and Tracy Roberts, 23. The four women were found face down with their heads pointing east toward Atlantic City. No one has been charged in the case. Reynolds urged anyone with information about the unsolved murders to call the Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7800 or visit acpo.org/tip/new to submit an anonymous tip. GALLERY: West Atlantic City murders Multiple generative artificial intelligence (AI) apps like ChatGPT have been removed from Apple's China App Store two weeks ahead of the country's new generative AI regulations on August 15. According to TechCrunch, the move came after Chinese developers received notices from Apple informing them of their app's removal. For instance, Apple sent a letter to ChatGPT's Chinese client OpenCat about the app's removal, saying "content that is illegal in China" was the reason why it was pulled out. "As you may know, the government has been tightening regulations associated with deep synthesis technologies (DST) and generative AI services, including ChatGPT. DST must fulfill permitting requirements to operate in China, including securing a license from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)," Apple said to OpenCat. Read Also: ChatGPT AI Outperforms Undergraduates at Solving SAT Reasoning Problems, UCLA Study Finds China Regulates AI to Prevent Dissent Apple's decision was prompted by the Chinese government announcing a set of measures to regulate generative AI services, including application programming interface (API), that are offered to the public. This meant AI apps operating in China are required to obtain an administrative license and should "adhere to core values of socialism." China has been regulating multiple industries, products, and services as part of its continued assertion of dominance in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the curtailment of any kind of dissent in its society. It has also been doing so to the flourishing generative AI industry, especially as apps leveraging large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have sprouted in the country. It is no wonder China's cyberspace censors are concerned with the unpredictable and black-box nature of LLM apps, TechCrunch added. On the other hand, popular tech blogger @foxshuo tweeted screenshots showing supposedly over 100 AI apps have been removed from Apple's China App Store, with TechCrunch and the South China Morning Post confirming several of the apps were no longer found. Apple has not yet provided any comment as of this report. Related Article: TikTok Ban Could Be a Sign of Things to Come for WeChat in Australia @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron could face time in prison when he appears before U.S. District Court Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden for sentencing for filing false tax returns Wednesday. Officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said the charges could mean three years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Byron declined to comment. In March, Byron pleaded guilty to two counts connected to filing false tax returns. According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, Byron was charged with the willful preparation and presentation of fraudulent federal tax returns in 2017 and 2018. According to court documents, Byron failed to disclose $40,425 in payments over those two years. At that point, Byron was one of three members of the Wildwood Board of Commissioners. He became mayor in 2020 after winning reelection in 2019. He has remained in office, and in previous comments has said he planned to finish his term, but has not decided whether to seek reelection this year. The federal charges are not the only legal trouble for Byron, who also faced state charges for accepting health benefits to which prosecutors alleged he was not entitled. In June, a Superior Court judge dismissed those charges, as well as similar charges against former Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. and Commissioner Steve Mikulski. Officials with the state Attorney Generals Office said the dismissal was on a technicality, and without prejudice, leaving the door open to charges being filed again. Sellinger credited the FBI Atlantic City Public Corruption Task Force, which includes the Cape May County Prosecutors Office and State Police; and special agents of the IRS' Criminal Investigation unit with the investigation into Byron. MIDDLE TOWNSHIP So far at least, there are no legal cannabis businesses in the township, but the Township Committee may double the allowable number of retailers, from one to two. It also appears that plans may have fallen through for a cannabis growing operation on Indian Trail Road, which had been in the works for several years. This year, committee has weighed amending the ordinance governing the licensing of cannabis retail shops, but at one point removed the amended ordinance from consideration before a vote. It is likely to return to committee at the next meeting, set for Aug. 7, and will amend the township rules governing cannabis retail to allow two dispensaries in the community, according to township Business Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen. In June 2022, the township approved an ordinance allowing a single cannabis retail location and setting the framework for an application for township support for a retail site, a necessary step in the state process of approving a license. In the fall, the township supported a proposal to open a cannabis retail store in the Rio Grande section, at a long-vacant site where a diner once stood on Route 9. The township has backed the Massachusetts-based cannabis company Insa, which has plans for a retail location but so far has not been granted a state license. In November, the township said no to allowing a second retail site, from C3 Middle Township LLC. At that time, Mayor Tim Donohue said he expected to see litigation filed in connection to that decision. Osmundsen said the potential for litigation did not enter the townships decision to amend the ordinance. Donohue directed questions about the matter to Osmundsen. Middle Township says yes to having one cannabis retailer MIDDLE TOWNSHIP The Township Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved two ordinances re C3 Industries is a multistate cannabis company headquartered in Michigan. There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the company. Several attempts to contact Insa were also unsuccessful. The company had worked with the township before New Jersey voted to legalize cannabis for people over 21 in 2020, applying for a license to grow for the medical market in 2019. Multiple medical marijuana licenses sought that year were delayed as part of litigation. As part of a request from the state, close to 200 companies applied for medical marijuana licenses at one time, with eight licenses being approved. Insa discussed plans to buy the site of a former seafood processing plant on Indian Trail Road that has long been vacant. Township officials have described the site as an eyesore. Insa planned to demolish the existing building and put up a new cannabis facility, where it could be grown and processed, but there were no plans for retail sales at that location. In October 2021, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission rejected the 2019 Insa application for a medical marijuana facility. The company has allowed its agreement on the Indian Trail Road property to lapse, Osmundsen said. While the beach towns in Cape May County have said no to allowing cannabis sales, Lower Township and West Cape May have also said yes to allowing sales, and to the additional tax revenue towns that allow sales are allowed to claim. Woodbine has also decided to allow cannabis cultivation sites. Work is underway at the countys first cannabis location, Shore House Canna on Sunset Boulevard in West Cape May. That business, which the owners describe as a cannabis shop with the atmosphere of a surf shop, is expected to open this year. Middle Township says no to second cannabis business MIDDLE TOWNSHIP A month after the township supported one license application for a cannabi The states Cannabis Regulatory Commission has been steadily approving new licenses, but some in the industry fault the commission for the pace of the rollout of the new market. Because cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, businesses cannot ship buds, edibles or other THC-containing products across state lines. That means what is sold in New Jersey must be grown in New Jersey, and there are signs that even as the market grows, there may be enough weed available. Curaleaf, one of the countrys largest cannabis companies, has throttled back production and laid off workers this month. While national media have reported that California and other weed-legal states have a glut of marijuana waiting in warehouses, Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin blames regulatory delays that mean there are not enough places to sell what the company grows. In a statement, Darin described it as a difficult decision to eliminate jobs at the Winslow production center in Camden County. He said Curaleaf continues to lead the market in New Jersey. However, we are scaling back production because we have ample supply to meet the markets current needs. The reality is that after over a year of adult-use sales, the New Jersey market is struggling to grow at the rate once forecasted by state regulators and industry experts, as the result of regulatory delays that have slowed the opening of additional licensed dispensaries, Darin said. The current 35 existing licensed dispensaries in New Jersey are insufficient to meet the needs for a state this size and far fewer than what were led to believe would be opened. These market realities make it unsustainable to continue producing cannabis products at current levels, compelling us to scale back production. He called for more enforcement of unlicensed cannabis sales, although one of the primary arguments made for voting for legalization was to end what advocates described as the punitive war on drugs. Throughout the past year we have voiced our concerns to the CRC about the difficult market conditions created in part by licensing approval delays, alongside lacking enforcement of the illicit market, and we have now proactively engaged them and organized labor in a dialogue about the changes we are making today, Darin said. New Jersey will be able to see a rocket streak across the sky Tuesday evening as a commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station is planned to take off. The Northrop Grumman 19 mission is slated to lift off from the NASA station in Wallops Island, Virginia, at 8:31 p.m. As long as conditions are cleared for liftoff, New Jersey will be able to see the rocket in the south and southeastern sky just seconds after it takes flight. For Cape May County south of Dennis Township, viewers will be able to see it 30 to 60 seconds after liftoff. The rest of Cape May County, as well as Cumberland, Atlantic, parts of Salem and southern Ocean counties, will see it 60 to 90 seconds after liftoff. Those north of a line from Ship Bottom, Ocean County, to roughly Lower Alloways Creek, Salem County, to Sandy Hook and Route 202 will see it 90 to 120 seconds after liftoff. https://www.amazon.com/Movo-Microphone-Compatible-Camcorders-Smartphones/dp/B081DB9GLD/ref=sxin_16_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356%3Aamzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&crid=1PHLXZ3VB5ZS&cv_ct_cx=movo+wmx-1+dual&keywords=movo+wmx-1+dual&pd_rd_i=B081DB9GLD&pd_rd_r=d866a39c-e55b-4006-a962-8252358f54b1&pd_rd_w=wnn3N&pd_rd_wg=bzk4G&pf_rd_p=6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&pf_rd_r=CRWQNYN3PCNG8NN6W2MV&qid=1690910637&s=musical-instruments&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=movo+wmx-1+dua%2Cmi%2C175&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776 Smoke from the Canadian wildfires will be present in South Jersey, but it should be thin enough to be able to view the rocket streak across the sky. Otherwise, expect a mainly clear sky throughout the state. Temperatures will be in the 70s, with a few spots in the Pine Barrens and northwestern New Jersey in the 60s. The wind will be light out of the north. More important will be the weather conditions at Wallops Island, the takeoff site. Wildfire smoke will also be present there, sitting a few thousand feet above the surface. Otherwise, light winds from the northeast are expected near the ground. Above 2,000 feet, winds come out of the northwest, though they will be on the lighter side. NASA uses a specific set of conditions to determine whether the site is OK for takeoff. Sometimes, launches are delayed by minutes, hours or even days due to less than ideal conditions. In New Jersey, the full rocket will be visible. The main engine cutoff won't be until 3 minutes and 18 seconds after liftoff, when it is 52.2 miles above the Earth's surface. The mission will include 8,200 pounds of cargo on an Antares 230+ launch vehicle and Cygnus spacecraft named the S.S. Laurel Clark. Clark was a NASA astronaut who was aboard the Columbia space shuttle that broke apart, killing its crew, in 2003. It will take two days for the Laurel Clark to transit to the space station. Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, died Tuesday. She was 71. A cheerleader for Atlantic City she often quipped she intended to retire in the resort Oliver has overseen the state takeover of the city since January 2018. It was part of her job as commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. Mayor Marty Small Sr. said he was feeling Olivers loss personally, the emotion clear in his voice. Oliver served as Democratic Gov. Phil Murphys top deputy, stepping in for him while the governor was out of state. He was expected to return Aug. 13. No cause of death was given, Murphys office said in a statement. Oliver first opposed the state takeover of the resort under Gov. Chris Christie, and stood with city leaders on the issue when she was in the Assembly, Small said. Then she supported him when he became mayor and the takeover was a done deal. She told me, Youve got your shot. Im going to support you in every way possible, Small said. New Jersey's acting governor taken to hospital for undisclosed medical care New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who is currently serving as acting governor while Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy is out of the state, has been taken to a hospital for an undisclosed medical issue. That included overriding a City Council no vote on creating a city division of youth, recreation, senior and multicultural services, he said. The city had voted it down and the LG stood behind me and said the city should have these services, Small said, adding Oliver was particularly concerned about seniors. Small said he expects Jacqueline Suarez, head of the Division of Local Government Services, to continue helping the city return to self-governance. One thing the LG didnt do was micromanage, Small said. Jaqueline Suarez has been the person who carries the spirit of the LG. Murphys office announced Monday that Oliver was hospitalized while filling in for the governor, who was in Italy on a family vacation. She was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition, the Governors Office said, declining to elaborate. In 2010, Oliver became the first Black woman to serve as Assembly speaker, before losing the position to Assemblyman Vincent Prieto in 2013. She had served in the Assembly since 2004 and was on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders from 1996 to 1999. She was born and raised in Newark and has a sociology degree from Pennsylvanias Lincoln University. I was fortunate to serve with her twice, said state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic. First when he was in the Assembly from 2008 to 2012, and then when he was elected to the state Senate and she was lieutenant governor. ShopRite owner vies for Atlantic City supermarket ... again Village Super Market is again asking the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to select She was such a passionate advocate for what she believed in, said Polistina. Every moment all she wanted was to figure out ways to make peoples lives better. While the two were in different parties and often disagreed on what needed to be done, he respected her passion, he said. Oliver also served as a member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority board. Modia Butler, the chairman of that board, said Tuesday that her wisdom, her leadership and her focus will be irreplaceable and will be sorely missed. The lieutenant governor cared deeply about Atlantic City, the citizens of Atlantic City, the trajectory of Atlantic City, he said. She was truly a champion for the city and a fierce advocate for the city. Butler described Oliver as central to the Murphy administrations Atlantic City efforts. She was the face of the administration in Atlantic City, he said. Atlantic City Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz had known Oliver for 35 years and said he will miss her personally and professionally. I will forever remember her as a consummate public official, Shabazz said. She was dedicated, focused, elegant and always prepared. While she made history as the first woman of color to win statewide office, she was also down to earth and always focused on improving peoples lives, he said. As acting governor she signed a handful of bills, including a 2021 measure that established a pilot program to overhaul the states juvenile justice system in four cities and that aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. Oliver was a compelling public speaker and frequent attendee at Murphys bill signings and other events, where he typically introduced her as his rocking lieutenant governor. In 2021 while unveiling tighter gun legislation alongside Murphy, Olivers voice cracked as she lamented the gun violence that disproportionately affected cities in the state. Speaking in her native Newark, Oliver lamented what she suggested was runaway gun violence. We are tired of funerals and memorials, Oliver said. Growing up in Newark, I tell young people I could go to any section of this city by myself or with my friends. Our young people cannot do that today. She was twice elected lieutenant governor alongside Murphy beginning in 2017 and again in 2021. Oliver was just the second person to hold the post of lieutenant governor, a newer state government position that began under previous Gov. Chris Christie. It was unclear who would immediately succeed her. The state constitution calls for the state Senate president to serve as acting governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated. Staff Writers Bill Barlow and Michelle Brunetti Post contributed to this report. GALLERY: A look back at Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver The Eastern Iowa Community College's Board of Trustees will vote on Chancellor Sonya Williams' contract in a special meeting on Tuesday evening. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Ellis Vetter Board Room, located in Scott Community College's Urban Campus, 101 West Third St. in downtown Davenport. Community members can also attend the special meeting via Zoom the link is provided on the meeting agenda, which can be found online at https://eicc.edu/about/board-trustees/. Dr. Williams began her duties as EICC's eighth chancellor last August. The EICC board appointed her to replace the college's former chancellor, Dr. Don Doucette, due to his retirement. As chancellor, Williams oversees all EICC campus operations, including its satellite sites in Maquoketa, Wilton and its several area high school partnerships. According to the EICC website, her appointment came following an, "extensive" national search. Head Start education programs in northwestern Illinois are receiving $3.2 million in federal grant funding. The grant was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services to the Rock Island-Milan School District 41 to administer Head Start programming. The program is within HHS and provides comprehensive early childhood education services to children from low-income families. Rock Island-Milan Early Childhood Program Director Nicole Berry said they have held the grant since the start of the Head Start program. "The Rock Island-Milan School District 41 Head Start program is excited to be able to continue to provide Head Start services to the children and families within our community," Berry said. "We have been fortunate to have held this grant since 1965 since the start of Head Start and continue to be fortunate to maintain the grant and serve the community's families with our comprehensive service program." Illinois' 17th Democratic Congressional Rep. Eric Sorensen announced the grant funds, saying that early childhood education sets kids on a path to success that results in better academic performance. "I commend the Rock Island-Milan School District for securing this critical funding and for providing vital services to our families and kids in northwestern Illinois," he said. Area students headed back to school can take advantage of free styles and supplies Tuesday. Starting at noon until 4 p.m., barbers from the New Style Hair Academy will provide free haircuts at Moline High School's (3600 Avenue of the Cities) west student parking lot. This event, sponsored by the Moline Police Department, will also include free school supplies and pizza, while supplies last. From 5 to 7 p.m., Moline and East Moline police will also offer free family fun at the 40th-annual National Night Out in Ben Butterworth Parkway, located at 5121 Old River Drive in Moline. Alongside food, the evening will feature a dunk tank, petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, police demos and more. Held on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is an annual campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. To learn more about the campaign, visit https://natw.org/. Molina Healthcare of Illinois and local nonprofit Focus On Our Community Inc. NFP, IL will also host a "Back 2 School Bash" at Hereford Park, located on 400 13th St. in East Moline. Open to all students in Rock Island County, this event will run from 3 to 7 p.m. and feature music, food, a bounce house, community vendors, 500 backpacks with school supplies and physical health screenings. Photos: Moline and East Moline National Night Out Against Crime 080719-mda-nws-nightout-01.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-02.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-03.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-04.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-05.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-06.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-07.jpg 080719-mda-nws-nightout-08.jpg Sadly, in the past few months we have witnessed several states and local communities invoking extreme rules and passing draconian legislation restricting and outlawing what can be read or taught in schools. This is especially the case in Florida, Texas, Missouri, Utah and South Carolina. Let me be transparent. I continue to be amazed that there are those who, based on their own personal choices and political ideology, want to ban books for all students not just their own children enrolled in public schools. Simply put, what advocates of book banning are suggesting is that they dont want students to step inside someones shoes; they dont want students seeing the world through oppressed or marginalized eyes and how that has the capacity to change ones life, often in a potentially positive way. Banning books, I contend, prevents understanding, empathy and solidarity outcomes to which most of us aspire when not responding to siloed and recalcitrant political beliefs in a knee-jerk manner. As a scholar of rhetoric, I am intrigued by book banning debates in Texas, Florida, Missouri and many other states. Book banning discourse reminds me of a concept in rhetoric about which I conducted research and taught in my undergraduate Argumentation & Advocacy course at The University of Texas at Austin for more than 40 years, namely "self-risk." Self-risk is the idea that, to engage in genuine argument, we contractually agree and at least privately acknowledge at the outset of debate a willingness to be open to changing or modifying our beliefs, even if persuasion is not the actual result. Moreover, self-risk, unlike public risk, does not require us to admit to others when an argument actually changes our mind. To engage in self-risk one at least momentarily must stand inside the shoes of their interlocutors and temporarily view the world as they do. This is necessary in order to thoughtfully and logically reflect on the merits and validity of opposing positions from the inside out. In short, self-risk is the opposite of dogma and promotes the human virtues of empathy, understanding and solidarity. Put differently, it is a person-building as well as person-risking activity. My students learned that self-risk is not some idealistic process limited to the ivory tower: it is not a prescribed way for people to engage one another argumentatively; nor is it a politically motivated tool explicitly designed and used by faculty to convert students. To the contrary. What they realized is that self-risk describes something all of us actually do on subjects of great importance to us and for which there are consequences that self-risk is an optimal way to make the best decisions humanly possible and avoid costly mistakes. The bottom line: We must wonder how anyone who believes in rational argument and concerned about education could oppose these virtues by dogmatically and habitually insisting that banning books is desirable. The France-Philippines defense cooperation upgrade will soon happen. As part of the defense enhancement effort, the French government is expected to supply the Philippines with submarines. France-Philippines Defense Cooperation Upgrade to Happen According to CNN Philippines, the French government said that the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region should be upheld. Officials added that this is needed to avoid any activity that could lead to confrontation. The French government shared these details as it aims to upgrade defense cooperation with the Philippines. "I said many times our approach is non-confrontational and I think that is also the Filipino approach," explained Michele Boccoz, the outgoing French Ambassador to the Philippines. She explained that this is because politically and geographically, France and the Philippines need to find a certain way to move forward without confrontation as much as possible. Boccoz added that they are ready to explore all challenges of dialogue in the Indo-Pacific region but they still acknowledge the importance of maintaining a presence in the area so that navigation and overflight freedom will be maintained. Read Also: UNESCO Urges To Add Venice to Heritage Danger List Over Overwhelming Tourism, Overdevelopment, Rising Sea Levels Philippines to Receive Submarines A submarine deal was reportedly made as part of the bilateral defense cooperation upgrade between the Philippines and France. This means that the Philippines will receive submarines from the French government. Boccoz confirmed that there are ongoing discussions regarding France's submarine forces. "An offer has been made by France which has been first considered and it's been asked to update the offer which has been done February or March," she added. The official further stated that this shows that France is very keen to work with the Philippines. Aside from submarines, the Philippine News Agency reported that France could also deploy more naval assets to further enhance its maritime interactions in the Philippines. One of these vessels is the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, which is expected to be deployed as early as 2025. Boccoz said that the French government plans to conduct these naval asset deployments little by little for the next few years, confirming that France is already making preparations. If you want to learn more about the France-Philippines defense cooperation upgrade, you can click this link. Related Article: China Tightens Controls on Drone Exports to Protect National Security @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Slave Revolt Created Iowa It is my view that every Iowan, especially every student, should know that there would be no Iowa if it werent for the 1791 slave revolt in Haiti. In this era of consternation over race in our civic dialogue, we should emphasize that freedom is the through-line in our history. In 1791 Black Haiti, we Iowans had our origin. It happened this way: The Haitian slave revolt leader, Toussaint Louverture, led an armed rebellion against the French colonizers in a protracted war that cost Napoleon so much blood and treasure he could no longer afford to stay in Haiti. The French pulled out. So financially desperate did Napoleon become due to his military losses in Haiti (compounded by those of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe), he sold the Louisiana Purchase to President Jefferson and the United States. That French possession, the middle part of our land now, contained what would include Iowa. Thus, Iowa owes its existence to the 1791 Haitian slave struggle for Freedom that bankrupted France, forcing Napoleon to sell his Louisiana Purchase to us in 1803. Opinion: The 1791 to 1803 Haitian struggle for freedom, like our struggle for freedom from 1776 to 1783, is the through-line in our history we should look to, and that through-line is freedom. Gary Heath Davenport The South Dakota Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting open house on Tuesday, Aug. 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to inform area residents of the proposed U.S. Highway 85 bridge replacement project over the Belle Fourche River. The public meeting open house will be held at the Belle Fourche Community Hall located at 512 6th Ave. in Belle Fourche. The open house will be informal allowing for one-on-one discussion with design staff. Representatives from SDDOT will be available to answer questions, discuss the project, and receive community input. Information will be available on the acquisition of right-of-way and relocation assistance. A short presentation will be shared at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and gather public input. Area residents, business owners, and daily commuters are encouraged to attend and participate in the public meeting open house. This project is being developed in compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. For those who cannot attend the open house or desire additional information on the overall study, information is available online at https://dot.sd.gov/projects-studies/projects/public-meetings#listItemLink_1923. The website also allows for online written comments to be submitted. Written comments on the public meeting will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Notice is further given to individuals with disabilities that this open house is being held in a physically accessible place. Any individuals with disabilities who will require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the open house should submit a request to the departments ADA Coordinator at 605-773-3540 or 1-800-877-1113 (Telecommunication Relay Services for the Deaf). Please request the accommodations no later than two business days prior to the meeting to ensure accommodations are available. For more information, contact Mark Malone, Road Design Engineering Supervisor at 605-773-5409 or Mark.Malone@state.sd.us. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Wildlife Services division increased its expenditures for wolf damage management in Montana by almost 70% when compared to 2021, even though fewer wolves were killed. The increase in expenditures can be traced to a larger infusion of federal dollars for nonlethal predator control methods, such as electric fencing around calving yards and range riders to patrol herds while grazing, according to Dalin Tidwell, Wildlife Services Montana director. So far, the funding has paid for three range rider positions in the state and two year-round fencing technicians as well as for seasonal help, Tidwell said. Montanas former Wildlife Services director, John Steuber, can take partial credit for the funding. He partnered with Zack Strong, a former Natural Resources Defense Council staffer, to tentatively test drive the nonlethal work in 2015. Two years afterward, Strong wrote the collaboration exceeded all expectations and continues to open new doors to further cooperation. According to the USDA, Congress provided $1.38 million to state programs for nonlethal livestock protection in 2020 and 2021. Of that total, Montana saw $150,000 each year and Wyoming collected $80,000 in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, Congress boosted funding for the program to $2.5 million and then in 2023 to $4.5 million, the Natural Resources Defense Council reported. The group hailed the increase as demonstrating a continued shift toward promoting solutions that work for both people and wildlife and breaking through old cycles of loss and killing. Since the program was funded, Montana has seen a slow decline in the number of wolves killed by Wildlife Services for livestock depredation. In 2020, the agency killed 47 wolves. By 2021 that dropped to 38 and in 2022 it fell again to 35. The decline in wolves killed by Wildlife Services took place at the same time as Montanas GOP Legislature was enacting laws to make it easier for hunters and trappers to kill wolves. Despite the measures, the states wolf harvest dropped in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Wolf kills by hunters and trappers peaked in the 2020-21 season at 329 animals and fell the following two years to 273 and 258 animals, respectively. Included in the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2022 wolf report was a population forecast for the animals. It noted that even with the below-average public harvest last season, the states estimated wolf population has declined, although only slightly. If the wolf harvest by hunters, trappers and Wildlife Services were to reach the 450 animal quota the Montana Legislature approved, or higher, the forecast found the states wolf population could decline significantly, especially if continued for more than a year. Justin Gude, chief of FWPs Research and Technical Service Section, helped compile the report. He said a harvest of 450 to 500 wolves a year would not threaten the states requirement to keep 15 breeding pairs, but could reach that point pretty quickly if it continued for more than three years. Tidwell said hes hopeful the investment in nonlethal methods of controlling predators like wolves leads to a downturn in depredations across Montana, but for now its too early in the process to tell. According to FWP, wolves were blamed for killing 80 head of livestock and two dogs last year. That was down from depredations recorded in the 2021 report 99, with an additional 18 livestock listed as probable kills. Overall, the number of complaints and confirmed wolf damage has flattened out since 2016 after peaking in 2009. As record high temperatures are recorded around the nation and world, Yellowstone National Parks fisheries division is proposing to protect its native cutthroat trout by securing a high mountain stream as a coldwater refuge. Buffalo Creek is fed by streams cascading from the peaks of Montanas Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, and therein lies the rub for a portion of the project. To secure a place for Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the stream, the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Custer Gallatin National Forest and Yellowstone Park are proposing to use a helicopter to fly in equipment, prompting opposition from the conservation group Wilderness Watch when the proposal was announced in 2021. The Forest Service has not issued a final decision just yet on the project, said Mike Thom, Gardiner District ranger, in an email. He said the agency is hoping to have a decision issued within the next couple of weeks. Wilderness Watch, and any others, will have the option of litigation following the decision signature, Thom added. Yellowstone National Park only recently released an environmental assessment regarding its portion of the proposed work on Buffalo Creek where it runs through the park. The concept was, however, outlined in the parks 2010 Native Fish Conservation Plan. The public has until Aug. 9 to comment on Yellowstones proposal. The document, as well as a place to comment, can be found online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=111&projectID=107438&documentID=130776. Flights Yellowstones EA is proposing the use of a helicopter 10 times a year over three years to fly in equipment to remove rainbow trout. The park is also proposing another 10 flights two per year for up to five years to restock fish in Buffalo Creek. Under the 1964 Wilderness Act, federal agencies are responsible for preserving the wilderness character of designated wildlands. The use of motor vehicles and motorized equipment except in emergencies is forbidden. To help mitigate the action, the park is proposing the helicopter fly from a staging area near the Slough Creek Campground up the creek to the Silver Tip Ranch, outside of the wilderness area, before motoring over the mountains to the Buffalo Creek drainage. The helicopter would fly at least 500 feet off the ground to reduce disturbance of wildlife. The helicopter landing zone would be inside the park, just south of its northern border. Rotenone Under the Forest Service and FWP plan, rotenone would be applied to about 33 miles of the creek and in two lakes over about 12 to 14 days each summer for up to three years. Rotenone has been widely used as a fish poison in other streams to remove nonnative fish. The poison is neutralized by applying potassium permanganate to the water. Yellowstones fisheries chief, Todd Koel, has advocated for the project because the rainbow trout in Buffalo Creek can swim into Slough Creek and interbreed with cutthroat trout there. The park has been working successfully since 2010 to remove nonnative fish, such as rainbow trout, from its waters at other locations. The Buffalo Creek project is one of the largest and most complex because of the remote location and size of the stream. Slough and Buffalo creeks are tributaries to the Lamar River, just upstream from where it joins the Yellowstone River near Tower Junction. Slough Creek and the Lamar River are highly valued by anglers who fish the streams extensively. Yellowstone cutthroat trout are also recognized by the park as an important source of food for an estimated 16 species of birds and mammals, including bears, river otters and mink. Warming Without the removal of rainbow trout and restocking of cutthroats, the parks fishery division fears that as stream temperatures warm, the amount of suitable habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout may be considerably reduced, the EA noted. In addition to the direct effects of changing thermal regimes, Yellowstone cutthroat trout are likely to become increasingly exposed to diseases in streams where temperatures warm dramatically, the EA said. Written comments on the parks proposal can be mailed to: Yellowstone Center for ResourcesCompliance Branch, Attention: Buffalo Creek EA, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190. The lightning-caused Bowles Creek fire burning 3 miles west of Skalkaho Pass grew over a thousand acres on Monday to 2,876 acres as hot, dry weather intensified fire conditions across western Montana. Fuels are drying out quickly with hot, dry and windy conditions in the fire area. Temperatures are predicted to climb into the low 90s on Wednesday in Hamilton, according to the National Weather Service. The warm and dry trend is expected carry into early next week. An infrared mapping flight on Monday night showed the fire had grown 1,162 acres. The fire is burning in steep terrain on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National forests and is estimated to be 3% contained. No structures are in danger at this time. There are currently four engines, one helicopter and four hand crews working the fire for a total of 228 personnel. Fire danger in very high on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National forests. Open burning is closed in Ravalli County. On the Bitterroot side of the fire, hose lay and sprinklers are being used by hand crews to support suppression efforts along the northwest edge of the fireline. Heavy equipment and masticators completed indirect an fuel break along Forest Road 711A, on the west edge of the fire. The incident command team is reporting minimal fire growth on the southwest edge. On the Beaverhead-Deerlodge side of the fire, heavy equipment continued work on fuel breaks and indirect fireline construction along Forest Road 5071 toward Forest Road 5070 and hand crews improved fireline behind equipment for potential containment. Fire personnel will continue scouting for containment opportunities to the north and south. High winds and lower relative humidity caused increased fire activity toward the east and south edge of the fire. Fire growth has expanded northeast across Bowles Creek and has crossed Forest Trail 313 to the southeast. Fire personnel are using helicopters as needed to support operations on both ends of the fire area. Smoke from the Elkhorn fire in neighboring Idaho poured into the Bitterroot on Monday, bringing reports of ash falling in the valley. Wildfire smoke prompted an air quality alert Tuesday in the valley. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued the air quality alert on Tuesday for Flathead, Lake, Missoula and Ravalli counties, effective until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2. An air quality alert means that particulates have been trending upward and that an exceedance of the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday particulate levels in Hamilton were classified as moderate. When air quality is moderate, state and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us, airnow.gov or montanawildfiresmoke.org. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Bitterroot National Forest issued an emergency closure of roads and trails effective July 25. This order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts. See the following link for a complete listing of the roads and trails listed in the closure. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests website and the fires Inciweb page as they are in place. The Skalkaho Pass Road remains open. Those recreating or traveling in the fire area are encouraged to be aware of the situation and reduce speed due to increased fire traffic. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area for the safety of the aviation resources. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, should never be flown near or around wildfires. To learn more about Forest Service policy regarding UAS visit fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/aviation/uas/responsible-use. Earlier this month, an angler seeking trout in the lower Bitterroot River near where it joins the Clark Fork reeled in a fish that should not have been there: a smallmouth bass. The angler reported the catch to Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, which verified video of the specimen and deemed it the first confirmed smallmouth bass in the river. Smallmouth bass aren't native to the cold-water fishery of the Bitterroot. The agency warned in an announcement Wednesday that an established bass population in the waterway would degrade the fishery by competing with species already found there, which are already suffering from warm temperatures. Bass prefer warmer water than the cold-water species normally found in the Bitterroot, such as native westslope cutthroat trout and non-native rainbow trout. The bass thrive in water from the mid-60s to mid-70s degrees Fahrenheit. The trout, meanwhile prefer water from the low-40s up to low- or mid-60s. Outside of the fish caught July 5 in the lower Bitterroot, according to FWP, the nearest confirmed reports of smallmouth bass were about 80 miles west on the Clark Fork, below St. Regis, and 70 miles north in the Clearwater River. The lower Bitterroot near Missoula hit 76.1 degrees at 6 p.m. on July 22, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey the warmest water temperature of the month so far at that site. It cooled to 66 degrees that night. As of 1:45 p.m. Friday, the river was at 67 degrees, warming rapidly from an overnight low of 62.9 degrees. And, as of Friday, the river hadn't dropped below 60 degrees in July. It was warmer than 70 degrees almost every afternoon for the second half of the month. A recent FWP survey of the lower Bitterroot didn't find any more smallmouth bass, and the agency doesn't know how the fish caught July 5 ended up there. But in an effort to deprive bass a foothold in the Bitterroot, FWP has proposed a new emergency regulation that would require anglers who catch a smallmouth bass in the lower Bitterroot to kill the fish and turn it in to FWP. The regulation would apply to the lower Bitterroot River from the Florence Bridge to the confluence of the Bitterroot and Clark Fork near Missoula. Anglers who catch a smallmouth bass would be required to report the catch to FWP within 24 hours by calling 406-542-5500 and must turn the whole fish over to the agency within 10 days. Fish can be turned in frozen. The rule is up for discussion and possible approval at the Aug. 17 Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Helena. "Smallmouth bass are a predatory and adaptable species, and an established population would be expected to adversely impact the native and non-native cold-water sport fishery in the Bitterroot River," FWP staff wrote in a memo to the commission that explained the proposed rule. "Since the smallmouth bass population abundance is still low, relying on angler harvest and mandatory reporting is a cost-effective tool to determine distribution, abundance, and preferred habitats for smallmouth bass in the lower Bitterroot River." If fish are turned in to the agency, the memo stated, analysis of tissue and otoliths calcium carbonate buildups behind the brains of bony fish, sometimes called earstones can help biologists understand fish age, growth pattern and origin. Rings of dark and light material in otoliths can indicate fish age similar to rings in a tree trunk. The agency also noted that angler harvest and mandatory reporting was a factor in determining management actions for northern pike in Lake Mary Ronan, brown trout in the Kootenai River and smallmouth bass in the upper Yellowstone River. On Feb. 19, 2022, a Bozeman angler caught a smallmouth bass in the Yellowstone River near the confluence of the Gardiner River. That incident led to a similar catch, kill and report rule for the Yellowstone and Shield rivers, approved in April 2022. A wildfire broke out on the upper-east side of Doherty Mountain north of Cardwell on Tuesday and multiple crews, two helicopters and a large air tanker were fighting the fire. The fire started in timberland but was moving down into scrub and grassy areas and had burned 100 to 120 acres as of mid-afternoon Tuesday, said Terina Hill, a public information officer for the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest. She told The Montana Standard at 6:30 p.m. that it had grown to 200 to 300 acres, based on reports from the scene, but said a short time later it had been overesimated and was about 110 acres. Fire retardant had been dropped around most of the fires perimieter, which helps slow the spread, but the overall fire was zero percent contained. She said no structures appeared to be in danger and she did not believe the fire had affected any traffic along Interstate 90 because it was some distance north of the highway. A cause had not been determined. Crews with the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest and the Montana DNRC were fighting the fire, Hill said, and seven engines were assisting along with the aircraft. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department, Boulder-Bull Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and Three Forks Volunteer Fire Department were also on scene. Cardwell is about 45 miles east of Butte and 12 miles east of Whitehall. Doherty Mountain is a few miles northeast of Cardwell, and just after the small town, the interstate heading east begins to climb into a mountain pass. Hill said it was too early to tell if firefighters could stop the fire quickly. There are so many factors that come into play with that, she said. Those lower fuels are really drying out with all the wind and high temperatures that weve had that last few days. Those grassy, fine flashy fuels are really dry and if we get wind behind the fire it moves very, very quickly through them, so weve got to get out ahead of that, she said. Other factors, including firefighter accessibility and safety, are also in play and all of those make it really, really difficult to put a time frame on putting it out. When I did speak with the fire guys up there, they said they were hopeful that they could catch this one. But honestly, were hopeful that we can do that all the time, she said. Curtis Perry, who owns the Cardwell General Store and Campground off Interstate 90, said he first saw smoke from the fire Tuesday morning. He said Tuesday afternoon that it appeared aircraft were having some success, adding he did not believe his store was in immediate danger. Hill said forest officials were alerted about the fire around 1 p.m. Tuesday and by early Tuesday evening, several drops from air-tankers had been made, among other efforts. The fire covered about 30 acres intially but grew due to winds and terrain, Hill said. Mike Smith and Duncan Adams are reporters at the Montana Standard By Aichurek Kurmanbekova and Dil Rahut Human trafficking is often considered gender-based harm (Lansink 2006), as women and children are more likely to face this form of violent exploitation. Over 60% of women and 27% of girls reported being trafficked for gender-specific labor, such as domestic work, childcare, and sex work (UNODC 2021). In 2021, over 22 million women were trafficked and forced into marriage (ILO, Walk Free, and IOM 2022), with this type of trafficking being particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia (UNODC 2023). The social and development impacts are severe. Female victims, particularly girls, are 3 times more likely than male victims to experience physical or extremely violent treatment during trafficking (UNODC 2021). Moreover, they lack support from public and social service officers, and many state authorities treat them as criminals or illegal migrants. Victims of trafficking often suffer from infectious diseases, psychological trauma, physical injuries, and poor healthcare treatment. Among the survivors of trafficking in Southeast Asia in 2016, 22% reported having serious physical injuries and depression (Hughes 2000). Moreover, besides experiencing physical abuse, children are often deprived of education, stigmatized, and experience poor living conditions and hygiene. They are exploited to carry out heavy labor in hazardous environments and must endure other unbearable and traumatic labor conditions (Sharmin and Rahman 2017). Thus, traffickers target the most vulnerable groups of society. Factors such as extreme poverty, a lack of equal opportunities, unemployment, and a lack of rights fuel illegal migration and trafficking. In addition, patriarchal traditions, gender-based violence, unequal access to education, limited opportunities for access to property, and social pressure increase the vulnerability of women and girls, especially in rural areas (Poudel and Shrestha 1996; Lansink 2006). Many countries have started initiatives and developed various mechanisms to address the issue of human trafficking. The first important global legally binding instrument, the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women, and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organization Crime, also known as the Palermo Protocol, was adopted and opened for signature, ratification, and accession in 2000. It calls for countries to adopt the Protocol and ensure their national legislation is in accordance with its articles (UN General Assembly 2000). Today, 183 countries are signatories or have ratified the Palermo Protocol and amended their national laws to criminalize and prosecute human trafficking and provide aid and protection to trafficked victims. Among them, most countries in Asia and the Pacific have amended their domestic laws to comply with international standards and created mechanisms to prevent modern slavery (UNODC, 2023). Examples include Indias adoption of human trafficking legislation and acts to prevent forced labor and sexual exploitation, such as the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act. The government has established 80 protective custodial care centers, vocational training, and rehabilitation for the victims of trafficking (Chakrabarty and Chakrabarty 2013). Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic have criminalized sex and labor trafficking (Trajano 2018), while Pakistan has banned the emigration of domestic servants under the age of 45, which has discouraged almost all illegal migration (Paul and Hasnath 2000). In 2012, Bangladesh adopted the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act. Malaysias anti-trafficking law has been twice amended and improved, imposing stronger penalties and enhancing the rights of the victims (Saad and Salman 2014). Meanwhile, in 2007, the Chinese government approved a nationwide action plan for protecting childrens legal rights and interests, preventing and eradicating criminal activities related to the trafficking of women and children, and assisting the victims of human trafficking. Additionally, the Peoples Republic of China has increased inspections of labor, improved its criminal laws to include harsher punishments for perpetrators involved in trafficking, and established hotlines and shelters for victims (Chamie 2015). However, despite government efforts, further action is needed to eradicate the trafficking of women and children. As prominent global leadership groups, the Group of Seven (G7) and Group of Twenty (G20) are well placed to take measures and commitments to stop the trafficking of women and children by encouraging countries to ratify and implement international treaties and acts and ensure the harmonization of their national legislation. Biratnagar, Nepal, August 18, 2023: Nepali Congress, Koshi Province Parliamentary Party leader Uddhav Thapa has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Koshi Province again just 6 days after he was relieved of his post. Following the Supreme Court order, Thapa was relieved of his post within 22 days of being appointed as the Chief Minister for the first time. Thapa, who was appointed as the Chief Minister last time, submitted the signature of Speaker Baburam Gautam to claim the post of Chief Minister. The Supreme Court had annulled his appointment stating that using signature of Speaker was illegal. Responding to the writ petition filed by CPN UMLs Kosi Province parliamentary party leader Hikmat Kumar Karki, the Supreme Court had dismissed Thapa's appointment as Chief Minister terming the appoint as illegal. As Speaker Gautam resigned from the post to be limited on the position as provincial assembly member, Thapa presented his claim to the Chief Ministership with the support of 47 MPs including Gautam. Newly appointed Chief Minister Thapa has got the support of 47 MPs including 29 MPs from Congress, 13 MPs from Maoist Center, 4 MPs from CPN United Socialist Party and 1 MP from Jaspa. The majority number in the province is 47 as there are 93 MPs in the Kosi province Assembly. A Richmond resident is one of the contestants on a new Discovery Channel reality competition show. The show features nine strangers who went on board the raft known as the Acali II in Panama for 21 days to compete and survive. If the team members successfully complete missions on the show, they earn money toward a communal cash pot that will be divided among who makes it to the end. Physical and intellectual challenges are designed to disrupt and divide the group. At the end of each episode, the Acali crew can choose to continue as a group or swap one of their own for a new participant. The program is based on a 1973 social experiment done by anthropologist Santiago Genoves, which was the inspiration of the 2018 documentary The Raft. What would YOU do? You're on a bounty mission with 8 teammates. You are each sent alone to retrieve a box with $2000 in it. You can keep it for yourself, and no one knows, or you can share it with your team. Let us know in the comments! #SurvivetheRaft TONIGHT at 9p pic.twitter.com/XLvW9jYMVZ Discovery (@Discovery) July 30, 2023 Capella was contacted on Instagram by a casting director about the show. I was like, just another fake thing, whatever. I kind of brushed it off for a while, but they were kind of persistent, and I tried it thinking theres no way Id ever get on TV, thats never going to happen, Capella said. Sure enough, it worked out, so here we are. Capella was on pins and needles until he got the youre going to Panama call, he said. I was just so, so excited that I had been chosen for that opportunity, Capella said. It absolutely made my year. Capella had military parents, so he moved around coast to coast. He eventually went to Virginia Tech for engineering and math. Since the show, he has taken a trip to Paris and has been working with Cloud architecting and engineering. His main priority now is bodybuilding, but he has always been avid with sports. Capella was a competitive powerlifter for five years and one of the very few trans men who were vying for state records against cisgender men. His biggest motivater in joining the show was wanting to represent his community. Once I was given that opportunity, I knew I had to take it because I knew that if I had seen someone like me on television as a kid, that would have meant the whole world to me, Capella said. The show was filmed about a year ago. Where we were was beautiful; it was just incredible. It was whale season; every morning wed see whales, Capella said. Everything was just so beautiful there. I think thats the thing I miss the most. At first, there was the hyper awareness of the cameras, but Capella eventually got used to it, he said. He devised strategies with his therapist to handle all that came with being on TV. The people were the best part of the experience for him, Capella said. It was nine different-minded people living together and going through challenges together. Capella organized a Richmond premiere watch party with his friend and comedian Mike Shea at Sticky Rice RVA on Sunday. A finale watch party also is planned at New York Deli on Sept. 24. Capella will also choose another charity for suggested donations. Ive been incredibly thankful to the Richmond community, Capella said. 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This was confirmed by Allen ISD board members to comply with the new law signed by Governor Greg Abbott. Texas Schools to Have Armed Security Officers According to WFAA's latest report, Allen ISD board members voted on Monday, July 31, that they will comply with the new Texan law by hiring L&P Global, a private security firm. "This protocol, this program, has to be built because it's the first," said Allen ISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations Brent Benningfield. He informed Allen ISD board members that an armed police officer at secondary schools in the district is already on duty. However, he said that available police officers are not enough to cover the remaining 17 elementary and early childhood campuses. Because of this, he suggested hiring L&P Global so that they can have enough armed security guards. Benningfield said hiring L&P Global could cost up to $700,000. But, he said that the grant money from the state will cover half of it. "If there's not a possibility, there's also the possibility of a budget amendment," explained the Allen ISD official. Read Also: Texas Church Catches Fire After Anti-LGBTQ YouTuber's Visit; Investigators Say It Could be Intentional Armed Security Officers to Protect Texan Students Via NBC DFW, Benningfield said that the Allen ISD should be in pursuit of compliance by Sept. 1. He added that the best thing they can do is to provide the security needed for students and staff in Texas schools. "Why would we wait a month to provide it when they're already in the building?" he further stated. Benningfield explained that the contract with L&P Global will run the entirety of the 2023-2024 school year. However, he clarified that the service they will avail will not include security for after-school programs. The Allen ISD official said that these armed security guards will protect students and school employees against active threats. You can click this link to learn more about the efforts made by the Allen ISD to protect Texan students from possible mass shootings. Related Article: Philadelphia Shooting: 5 Dead, 2 Kids Injured After Heavily Armed Gunman with Bulletproof Vest Opens Fire on Streets @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The inaugural Richmond Music Week is kicking off this Friday with 804 Day, a free block party with 15 musicians on multiple stages in Shockoe Bottom. The awesomeness of our city is no longer a secret and we have seen a lot of new faces in town. Richmond Music Week provides a small window for residents and visitors to see the passion our diverse musicians and music culture contributors pour into their crafts day after day, Rian Moses-Hedrick, one of the organizers of the event, said. 804 Day on Friday will bring a slew of Richmonds top musicians to one spot for free performances such as rapper Michael Millions, longtime Richmond bluegrass band Tin Can Fish Band and 12-piece brass outfit Los Malcriados, just to name a few. Performers will take to four stages in and around the 17th Street Farmers Market from 4 to 9 p.m. The event is intended to be a hometown celebration of all things Richmond with a Kids Zone, food vendors, arts and crafts and a beer truck. Our hope is that people will see how Richmond, VA is overflowing with talent and will continue to support the musicians, venues and music stores, Moses-Hedrick said. 804 Day is organized by Shockoe Records, Radio One and the city of Richmond. Richmond Music Week will continue with daily events such as a music mixer on Saturday at Gallery 5, a concert at The Camel on Sunday and a funk/soul music party from Orbital Music Park at Carytowns Reveler on Wednesday. Music events will be held every day of the week. Find more details at richmondmusicweek.com. Richmond Music Week wraps up with RVA Rappers Delight, a concert featuring some of the most popular talents in Richmonds hip-hop scene such as Nickelus F, Noah-O, Radio B, Cane and Reppa Ton, at the Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd St., on Friday, Aug. 11. Its the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with celebrations planned across the country, including New Yorks Lincoln Center. The New York Times recently interviewed 50 of hip-hops most influential voices such as Ice Cube, LL Cool J and Cardi B to explore its cultural impact. Local music producer Ant the Symbol has been working in hip-hop for more than 18 years, putting out albums of his own music as well as working with legendary rap icons like Chuck D of Public Enemy. I wanted to put something together to recognize hip hop in our city, Ant, whose real name is Anthony Gillison, said. I think the state of hip-hop in Richmond right now is rising to absolute greatness, he said. Fifteen years ago, I wouldnt say there was a real scene here. But now, were experiencing something new. Theres unity. People are more open to collaborating and making something meaningful with the artists around them. He mentioned Noah O and the Charged Up Flagship Store at 106 W. Broad St., RVA Boombox, an indie online radio station that plays hip-hop, and Will Kecks The CNTR at 318 W. Broad St. as powerful forces in the local hip-hop community. Hip-hop is here to stay, Gillison said. Tickets to RVA Rappers Delight are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Find more information and buy tickets at shockoerecords.com/rvarappersdelight. From the Archives: Jackson Ward in the 1970s and 80s OMAHA A minor coal train derailment in Montgomery County, Virginia, in early July prompted Norfolk Southern to rethink the way it responds to problems with overheating bearings, but its not clear why the railroad didnt make similar changes months earlier after an overheating bearing caused the fiery Ohio derailment that prompted nationwide concerns about rail safety. The National Transportation Safety Board said the Atlanta-based railroad changed its rules a day after the July 6 derailment to take a much more cautious approach when a hot bearing is found. After the derailment, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union was critical of Norfolk Southerns response because dispatchers told the crew to move the train 13 miles to a siding down the track even after the crew confirmed a bearing on one of the railcars was overheating, and thats when it derailed. The Virginia derailment that came out of the Appalachian Mountains near Elliston was relatively minor, with only 19 cars coming off the tracks and none of the coal spilling. The situation in East Palestine, Ohio, was much different with hazardous chemicals spilling from ruptured tank cars and officials deciding to blow open five other tank cars filled with vinyl chloride because they feared they might explode. The cleanup from that Feb. 3 derailment is ongoing, and area residents worry about the possibility of lingering health effects. Unlike in the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, the Virginia train crew had enough time to stop the train safely after a trackside detector set off an alarm about the overheating bearing. The conductor walked back and confirmed the problem with a wax stick thats designed to melt anytime the temperature is above 169 degrees Fahrenheit. He also noticed grease leaking from one of the axle bearings, according to the NTSBs preliminary report. At the time the Virginia train derailed it was moving 25 mph well below the 40 mph speed limit for the area but not slow enough to prevent the derailment. The new rules Norfolk Southern issued the following day said that in a situation like that when any damage is noticed on a hot bearing, the railroad will send out a mechanical inspector to look at a car before it is moved. And anytime a car with an overheated bearing is moved, the train will move no faster than 10 mph with the crew stopping at least every three miles to reinspect the bearing. Norfolk Southern spokesman Connor Spielmaker said the changes were made as part of the railroads effort to become the gold standard for safety in the railroad industry, but he didnt address why these changes werent made after the East Palestine derailment. We are not going to stop until we complete the culture, process and technology changes required to make accidents like this a thing of the past, Spielmaker said. The railroad has announced a number of efforts to improve safety since February including an effort to work with its unions and hiring an outside consultant. Norfolk Southerns CEO Alan Shaw emphasized those steps while testifying on Congress and apologizing for the Ohio derailment. Lawmakers are considering imposing a package of reforms on the rail industry. And the railroads themselves have announced several efforts to improve safety including installing about 1,000 more trackside detectors nationwide to help spot mechanical problems before they can cause derailments. Even with the recent safety concerns, railroads are still regarded as the safest way to transport goods across land, but the Ohio derailment illustrates that even one derailment involving hazardous chemicals can be disastrous. Police identified the victim of the shooting as Donielle Herman Jr., 26, of Richmond. Herman died on Saturday at the hospital, where had had been receiving treatment since the shooting over a month prior. Police said that Deshawn Sheppard, 19, of Richmond, was arrested by Richmond detectives on July 13. Sheppard has been charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Additional charges against Sheppard are pending, according to police. At around 6:03 p.m. on June 24, Richmond Police officers responded to the 100 block of East Broad Street for a report of a shooting. Officers encountered Herman at the scene suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Herman was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were considered life-threatening. Anyone with further information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective A. Darnell at (804) 646-3927 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous. From the Archives: 250 photos of Richmond in the 1940s Belle Isle Bellwood Drive-In Bowler School Cowardin Avenue Christian Recreation Center Floods Glenwood Country Club Grace Street Maggie Walker Powerline Public bath house Schools Semmes Shawondasee Sixth Street Market Sixth Street Market Streetcars on Main Street Swimming and diving championship The Mosque Trolley Water tower Stockyards Richmond fires Trolley organ grinder Mail box Mooer's Field 1940s floods Cornshusk rug farmer Sixth Street Market Tredegar Sixth Street Market Sixth Street Market Patsy Garrett boys club Hunting draft pool hall Mosque pool rollerskate Times-Dispatch Beavers Blues Armory Boulevard Byrd Field C&O Central State Hospital Central Station Post Office Churchill City Stadium Cowardin Avenue and Hull Street Curles Neck Dairy Dixie Elba Fishing Forest Lodge Fountain Freedom Train Friendship Train 1947 Monument Avenue Grocery Ice Kensington Avenue apartments Main Street Main Street Mayo Bridge Memorial Day parade Mules Nickel prank Oilfield Old Manchester water works Shawondasee Shriners parades Skyline Sledding State toxicologist Street Sweepers Sunshine Sue Tickets Traffic Trolley Tuberculosis ward University of Richmond Valentine Museum Fire Cary St Paper Powhatan Hill Playground Street scene race car Doll hospital West Avenue Broad St. mill Main Street Station Churchill Draft Air Scouts Maggie Walker pinball machines 1945 Allied Victory Day American Red Cross American Red Cross Armistice Belgian Friendship Building and Bell Tower Blackout Bojangles Braille cookbook Broad Street Station Bryan Park Carter Sisters Cigarettes City Stadium Confederate Soldiers Home Defense Special No. 1 train Draft Elba School Executive Mansion Fire Gasless parade Grace Arents School Grace St Grace Street pollution Henrico Red Cross Motor Corps Highland Springs Volunteer Fire Department Holden Rhodes House Ice James River flood Magnet mailboxes Main St Mayo Bridge Medical College of Virginia Melons Military parade Miller & Rhoads wagon mobile canteen Mobile kitchen Mooers Mooers Field Pamunkey Indians Parade Parking ban Parking Lot Canteen Quiz Kids Ration tokens Rationing Red Cross Richmond Quartermaster Depot Robert E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldiers Home Rosa D. Bowser library Scrap metal drive Shoe ration Sixth Street Market Street Sweepers Thomas Jefferson High School Cadet Corps Tin drive Toll house Trolley Typewriter repair Virginia Department of Agriculture War bonds Water tower Weimans Bakery Wilcox Lake WLEE WLEE Women in Production Service Womens Army Corps Works Progress Administration George Wythe Laundry Dog fortune teller Air Raid Wardens YMCA Charter Change Travelers Aid Society street sweepers Dupont 1940s floods Acca Temple elevator Restaurants Restaurants Red Cross Motor Corps shoe ration Air Raid WWII WWII Bikes sampson Dorothy Lamour Rationing typewriters Bellwood Native Americans Fort Lee ScrapMetal WWII WWII American Red Cross Production Corps archery bricklaying class Camp Lee Camp Lee Clark Gable Deep Run races Deep Water Terminal Em Bowles Locker First and Merchants National Bank of Richmond Gasless Sundays Liquid stockings Monument Methodist Mrs. Cupid nurses Old-fashioned swimsuit contest Pearl Harbor front page Rats Rockingham National Turkey Festival Sergeant Jack Blizzard Seven Pines Baptist Church Snowstorm Snowstorm State Library WWII Cavalier Arena Pamunkey Brookfield Patrick Henry carriages rollerskate Railroads Red Cross Richmond Terminal Richmond Colts 1940s floods Virginia Commonwealth University will not require students to take a class on race and racism this year, reversing a plan that students and staff devised after the murder of George Floyd. The university does not have the space and staffing to offer the two classes to every new student, administrators said, a claim professors disputed. Members of the faculty say the administrators made the decision, shared with faculty last week, unilaterally and without consulting the professors who spent years developing and approving the requirement. Though the classes are no longer mandatory, they are still available to students. The move to delay indefinitely the requirement comes as Gov. Glenn Youngkin has tried to clamp down on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at state colleges and beyond. Without requiring students to take these classes, they miss out a critical piece of education, professors say. Our students need to have exposure to the realities of race and racism in the United States, said Amy Rector, an anthropology professor at VCU. In summer 2020, students at VCU asked for a class on race and racism. The university began forming a new requirement that students take one of two classes that center on race as part of their general education. Students could take Introduction to Race and Racism in the United States or Reading Race to fulfill the requirement. About 700 students have signed up for the two classes this fall. In 2021, VCUs undergraduate curriculum committee approved the Introduction to Race class with strong support from the faculty. The schools board of visitors approved the requirement as part of a broad educational plan in 2022. Professors started teaching it in spring 2022 and planned to make it required in fall 2023. The class teaches the history of race and how it affects people today, said Mignonne Guy, a professor in the Department of African American Studies. Its designed to give students the history so they can move forward unified. Race is not biological, Guy said. Its not genetic. Its a sociopolitical construct that has been used over time; sadly, that divides populations. Katie Logan, a professor on the committee that approved the class, said it filled a hole in VCUs education. Based on feedback from students, the class has been a success, Rector said. The university asked students to fill out surveys and conducted focus groups to gauge student reaction. They responded positively, saying they felt empowered to face real-world problems. Its the kind of material students need to navigate the world today, the professors said. But VCU does not have the space and staffing needed to offer the two classes to the roughly 5,000 freshmen and transfer students who would have to take them, administrators said. We cannot, in good faith, require of students something they have no opportunity to meet, Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos said in a statement on Monday. The administration will work with a faculty and staff committee to discuss educational requirements going forward, Sotiropoulos added. Professors interpreted the indefinite delay as an attempt to permanently remove the requirement, according to a letter to the school community written by professor Everett Carpenter and three other faculty members. Professors dispute the administrations claim that there isnt enough space and staffing, saying they have worked for more than a year making sure the university had enough capacity. Some faculty worry that the administration made the decision with politics in mind. Youngkin has made diversity, equity and inclusion at colleges a target. Earlier this year, Republicans in the General Assembly sponsored a bill to require colleges report how much they spent on employees who focus on DEI. The bill ultimately failed. Earlier this year, Youngkin said DEI had gone off the rails, saying it sought to ensure equal outcomes, not just equal opportunity. The governor renamed an executive branch position, held by Martin Brown, from the head of diversity, equity and inclusion to Chief Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion Officer. During an April appearance at Virginia Military Institute, Brown reportedly said, DEI is dead. Delaying VCUs requirement for a class on race and racism was taken in a political moment where we have seen a national concerted effort to censor course content, the professors wrote in their letter. It has become harder for educators to do their jobs as schools and colleges are increasingly scrutinized by politicians, Guy said. To politicize education is really indicative of educational malpractice, in my opinion, she added. From the Archive: Remember these Richmond-area restaurants? A proposed board aimed at curbing prescription drug costs could get new life in the next legislative session. Despite passing the Senate with bipartisan support earlier this year, a proposal to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board was defeated in a Republican-controlled House committee. A recent survey indicates that many Virginia voters would support its creation, among other proposals aimed at driving down drug costs. A total of 85% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans surveyed support the creation of a board, according to a recent survey hosted by Virginias chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. The Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University conducted the survey. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, and Del. Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, took part in a call on Tuesday to discuss the issue. Delaney carried the House version this year while Stanley supported it in the Senate. They both plan to carry the bills in 2024. If the measure had become law, it would have established the board with authority to review sudden price increases on prescription medicine and set a limit on what pharmaceutical manufacturers can charge for them. Virginia would have been the eighth state to create such a board. The legislators noted the challenge even those with medical insurance and livable salaries face with rising medication costs and how the issue hits harder for low-income people choosing to ration medications in order to afford things like food or rent. We need to unite behind this piece of legislation, Stanley said. Too often we go to the General Assembly and write bills that may just affect our region or one interest, but this is one of those bills thats going to affect all of us at one time or another. Delaney said their joint effort sends the right message that this is an issue that transcends partisanship. When the legislature reviewed the bills this year, those who opposed or were skeptical about the idea worried that it could make Virginia less attractive to clinical trials and pharmaceutical companies. We all want to lower the price of health care, but Im not sure this is the right vehicle, Sen. Frank Ruff, R-Mecklenburg, said at the time. But Delaney asserts that a board would enhance transparency because companies would be able to justify what money is crucial to research and development for medications. Prices developing into key election issue The issue is surfacing in a competitive election closer to Richmond. Senate District 16 pits Sen. Siobahn Dunnavant, R-Henrico, a senator since 2016, against Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, a member of the House since 2018. A recent digital ad for Dunnavant uses her campaign tagline Dunnavant delivers to tout her work on the issue of prescription affordability. Her Senate Bill 1261, which passed this year, allows physicians to have access to patients health plan data so they know what the cost of the prescription will be at the time it is written. Dunnavant said this can allow prescribers to be aware of the idiosyncrasies of each health plan and the cost of the prescription so that they can choose the low-cost alternatives. In 2019, she successfully sponsored a bill requiring health insurers to count coupons and copay assistance towards patients deductibles. VanValkenburg asserts that is not doing enough to combat rising prescription drug prices. We had a really big missed opportunity last session to pass this Prescription Drug Affordability Board, he said. Dunnavant voted against the proposal. When a Freedom Virginia ad challenged her voting record this spring, she told The Times-Dispatch, I did not support that initiative because there wasnt enough evidence to show that it would be effective. As most states boards have recently been established, its still unclear how effective they can be, according to The Commonwealth Fund, a health care policy foundation. Dunnavant also cited Marylands board as a reason for her caution. The board was the first of its nature to be established in the U.S., but it has taken years to be stood up and running following administrative processes and pushback from then-Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican. Now that it is finally off the ground, proponents of the board remain hopeful for success, The Baltimore Banner reports. AARP is asking about a theory, Dunnavant said of the survey in a call Tuesday. I want to tell those patients, if that works out, heck yes Im on board. Its not good enough for me to make a promise. Ive got to deliver it. General Assembly composition could dictate outcome VanValkenburg said that the board is among the latest of ongoing proposals, successful or otherwise, aimed at improving health care access and affordability. Theres nothing more complex than the health care system in America, he said. He noted previous legislative attempts at improving access, such as Virginias Medicaid expansion and creating a state exchange, which Dunnavant opposed. Should police officer names be kept secret? Chesterfield department says yes. The Chesterfield County police department is withholding nearly all of its police officers names from public view, arguing a novel interpretation of Virginias FOIA law and frustrating a local police oversight group. VanValkenburg also pointed to his attempts in recent years to tackle bulk prescription purchasing at the state level, such as bills he introduced that would have directed the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to develop a plan to consolidate prescription drug purchasing and reimbursement programs. In 2022, the bill was continued to 2023 where it was left in a committee. That would go a long way to controlling the states costs on prescription drugs, he said. A similar proposal was also listed in the AARP survey. A majority of surveyed voters support Virginia joining prescription drug buying pools with other states to offer discounted prescription drugs through bulk purchasing. Other proposals voters weighed in on in the survey included the idea of establishing a maximum that Virginians can pay for certain drugs based on prices for the same drug in Canada as well as allowing Virginians to import prescription drugs from wholesalers and pharmacies operating in Canada and other countries that have equivalent safety standards to the United States. Movement on any of these actions could depend on this years General Assembly elections. All 140 House and Senate seats are up for election. What drug ads disclose to consumers and what they don't What drug ads disclose to consumersand what they don't Benefits, risks, and side effects Approved use of a drug Who shouldn't take it and when you shouldn't take it Generic name of drug What they don't have to tell you Michael Paul Williams Columnist Follow Michael Paul Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Public libraries, as a practical matter, should be nonpartisan and egalitarian. People of all faiths, colors, sexual orientations and points of view should feel welcome in the stacks of a local public library. Libraries should water and otherwise nurture the First Amendment. But the ongoing war on libraries represents the antithesis of this idea. It seeks to ban, limit, restrict and contract access to books. The result has left the Pamunkey Regional Library under siege and made libraries an epicenter in the culture wars. Stoking this discord is the former child actor-turned Christian childrens book author Kirk Cameron no friend of the LGBTQ community and his publisher, Brave Books. They have been holding story hours across the nation as part of their See You at The Library tour, which will land at Pamunkeys Ashland Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. In February, a leg of this tour did not end well for the Hendersonville, Tennessee, library director, whose subsequent firing was related to the Kirk Cameron event, according to a story in The Tennessean. The leadership of the Pamunkey Regional Library is already under partisan attack, with the Hanover County Republican Committee among the actors in a takeover of the Pamunkey system. Meanwhile, a King William group is advocating that the county establish its own library. Come out for a story time event THIS SATURDAY and be part of the nation-wide movement by Brave Books and Kirk Cameron to restore our countrys founding values to public spaces! Kimberly Thurston, a Hanover County parent, posted on the Facebook page of King William for an Independent Library. Ideal for grades K-5 and interested grownups who want to see American and Christian principles back in our libraries. Its no wonder that Dee Kysor and her husband, George Crafts, are worried about the future of the Goochland branch of the Pamunkey Library. Kysor is secretary of the Friends of the Goochland Library Board; her husband is the boards vice president. Discontent with the Pamunkey system is not as vocal in Goochland as in Hanover or King William. But Kysor says its simmering beneath the surface. Shes concerned about the Aug. 23 meeting of the Pamunkey Regional Library System Board, given recent changes on the 10-member board. I think there are at least 5 board members, possibly 6, who would vote to limit access to so-called controversial books. I am trying to rally support for our library system and a more open approach to this issue, Kysor said in an email. Her husband is holding onto the slim hope that a board members mind might be changed. I think more likely and still important is to give courage to those people within the system ... to remind them that theyre not alone, he said Monday. Its instructive that the ire of the Pamunkey Librarys critics was stoked by a First Amendment display at the Atlee Branch Library during Banned Books Week in September 2022. This display for Banned Books Week is promoting our first amendment rights to free speech by explaining efforts like censoring and banning materials that infringe on this right, Tom Shepley, the Pamunkey Regional Library director, wrote in an email to Christy Schumacher now a member of the Pamunkey board after she requested that the display be removed. Censorship is not just the removal of books and materials, but also any attempt to limit or restrict that access. Schumacher has said that she is not in favor of censoring or banning books, but rather placing materials with sexual content into the adult sections. Crafts, however, maintains that the dissidents agenda down the road is to move from re-shelving to removing. All the noise directed at the public library smacks of solutions in search of a problem. According to a Pamunkey Library official, there have been only six formal requests for reconsideration of materials in its collection between fiscal year 2019 and the present. Between 2006 and 2022, a search turned up only one other request, in 2007. No books were removed as a result. This heavy-handedness by the political right is at loggerheads with small-government conservatism. The Pamunkey Librarys card application for patrons under 18 requires the signature of a parent or guardian. By signing below, the parent or guardian takes responsibility for the Library resources that his/her child uses and checks out of the Library, it states. So the so-called parents rights movement would leave to government what parents should be doing on their own? This is purely a political exercise, designed to control the flow of information, stifle divergent points of view and squash critical thinking. The children are the last refuge of scoundrels. This campaign is not so much about protecting children than hiding inconvenient or uncomfortable truths. That requires the denigration of both intelligence and professionalism, which is why librarians and books are under attack. The litmus test is not your training and your experience; its your beliefs, said Crafts, who was a librarian at the University of Virginia for four decades. Ideology, he said, has come to trump experience and knowledge. Thats the kind of world it seems to be becoming more and more, and its very scary. In the minds of its detractors, the public library has supplanted the media as the most corrupting influence in America. But libraries are as important to democracy as a free press. Without unfettered access to books as a counterweight, it becomes easier for the racists and the cynical to sell the idea that American slavery was a job training program, or that America is not a nation founded on religious pluralism, or even freedom from religion. Its only natural that this campaign has moved beyond K-12 education. If youre censoring speech in the classroom and in the school library, why would you stop there? From the Archives: Richmond Public Libraries Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library Richmond Public Library More than 600 pot holes patched around Puerto Morelos in four weeks Puerto Morelos, Q.R. More than 600 pot holes around the municipality of Puerto Morelos have been filled. According to the General Directorate of Public Services, the pot hole filling is part of a permanent patching program. Leonel Salazar Trejo, who heads the Municipal Public Services, says that permanent monitoring of the of the roads is being done both in the municipal seat and in the Leona Vicario delegation. Holes reported by citizens are also being filled, he said. We know that the roads suffer constant deterioration due to the weather and the increase in the number of vehicles that circulate through the destination. In the last four weeks alone we have attended to 667 potholes, he reported. Areas that have been tended to are Javier Rojo Gomez, Ninos Heroes, Galeon, Propela, Catamaran, Timon with Chaca, Armadillo with Zetina Gasca and Delfin with Zetina Gasca. Also, Vallarta, Calle 52, Joaquin Hendricks Diaz, Allende and the intersection of the federal highway with Chaca. He pointed out that two brigades of six employees of the General Directorate of Public Services work daily to repair the pot holes. Aside from pot holes, Salazar Trejo says they have received 32 reports of outed public lights. To date, reconnections have been made in the area of Villas Morelos 1, Porto Morelos, Region 18m Infovir and 23 de Enero. Two brigades of six men work the permanent zero pot hole program around the municipality. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos July 30, 2023. He added that in Almendro, Caoba, Cedro and Flamboyan Streets and in Fundadores Park in the Old Town of the destination, reflectors have been placed to provide greater visibility. In May, the municipality of Puerto Morelos began a zero pot hole program that would see a permanent monitoring of streets and immediate repair of holes in public roads. Suspect detained in motel death of Chetumal woman Chetumal, Q.R. A suspect has been taken into custody in the weekend death of a Chetumal woman. Late Monday, the FGE of Quintana Roo reported on the arrest of Ezequiel N. Investigative Police took him into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant for the July murder of a Chetumal woman. On July 29, a woman was found dead inside a Chetumal motel room by staff. According to local media, her former boyfriend was a suspect. Authorities have not confirmed if Ezequiel N is her former boyfriend. In their statement, they reported that on July 29 of this year, the defendant arrived with the victim at a motel located on Bahia Boulevard in Chetumal whom he subdued using force and physical violence that caused her death. He later left the scene. Motel staff confirmed that the man and woman arrived together but that the man left first. The pair had rented the room for one hour. When that hour was up, motel staff went to the room where they found the dead woman. J. Gresham Machens book Christianity and Liberalism, published 100 years ago, was a curious mix of theology and politics. Readers and commentators commonly miss the political part if only because Machen, a Southern Presbyterian who labored in exile among Northern Presbyterians (the two communions were divided from the Civil War to 1983), was a proponent of the spirituality of the church, a hallmark doctrine of the Southern denomination. How was it that Machen could hold to a doctrine that said the church should stay out of politics, all the while affirming a political order he thought compatible with conservative doctrine? Was he blind to the way politics informed his own view of the church? These tensions may explain why some trace the Christian right of the 1980s to Machen. According to Austin Lee Steelman, Machens blend of biblical literalism and constitutional originalism influenced Protestant conservatives in a manner that ultimately blossomed in support for Donald Trump. An inerrant Bible and an originalist Constitution became the rallying cry behind the desire to Make America Great Again, whether expressed in the Reagan Revolution, Tea Party rallies, [or] the red hats worn by supporters of the 45th president. The rush to conflate politics and theology, whether in Machen or his liberal Protestant foes, ignores questions about the appropriate work of the church within the kaleidoscope of institutions that operate and overlap in a liberal democracy. Christianity and Liberalisms defense of historic Christian doctrines did not inherently favor Democrats or Republicans. But its author did assume a civil order that protected the freedoms not just of citizens but also of families, schools, civic associations, municipal and state governments, and even churches. If Machen opposed redeeming American society through Progressive reforms (i.e., the social gospel), he did so not simply because liberal Protestantism misunderstood the Christian message but also because the Christian America favored by liberal Protestants disturbed the delicate balance of institutions upon which American society depended. The Man and His Book Born in 1881 to a prominent Baltimore family (father an accomplished attorney, mother a daughter of a Georgia businessman and local politician), Machen rubbed shoulders with the Progressive Eras elites both at his local Presbyterian congregation and at Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in the Classics and completed an M.A. Among the figures who attended church (or were officers) and who studied at Johns Hopkins were Woodrow Wilson and Basil Lanneau Gildersleeve, a first-rate classicist who was a mentor to the young Machen. The Machen family also summered in Seal Harbor, Maine, and so rubbed shoulders with influential members of the so-called Protestant establishment (which included Machen at least by birth but also through a variety of networks). After studying at Johns Hopkins, Machen attended Princeton Seminary partly because he was uncertain about a career. When he saw a link between the study of the ancient world and the New Testament, Machen decided to become a biblical scholar. He did a year of advanced study in Germany before becoming, in 1906, an instructor at Princeton Seminary (assistant professor in 1914). Some frustration with an ivory tower existence prompted him to volunteer as a YMCA secretary during World War I, where he ran a canteen and led Bible studies among troops on the front in France. Although Machen was skeptical about the Anglophilia that informed the nations foreign policy, the wars brutality contributed to his skepticism about the idealism that dominated American affairs in general. He did not, however, become disillusioned the way modernist writers did after the war. But Machens loyalty to Christianity came with significant reservations about Western civilizations capacity to make the world a better place. Soon after returning from the war and writing a book on the apostle Paul, Machen attended his first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA) and witnessed a denomination caught up in the exuberance of progressive democracy. Specifically, Machen heard a proposal for a union of Americas largest Protestant denominations designed to create a single American Protestant Church (similar to what Protestant ecumenists accomplished five years later with the formation of the United Church of Canada). The hope was to bring Protestants together to serve the nation and the world in creating a Christian social order. The plan drew upon 50 years of Protestant ecumenism and social gospel exhortation, the purpose of which was to save Christian culture amid the tumult of industrialization, economic inequality, and mass immigration. Machen objected to such ecumenism because it meant abandoning core Presbyterian convictions. He was also skeptical about the implications of Protestant unity for civil liberty and cultural pluralism in the United States. Indeed, Machens theology and politics ran against the grain of American Progressives moralistic policies. Christianity and Liberalism emerged in this setting. Although its explicit purpose was to defend Christian doctrine, its subtext was a complaint against the increasing standardization and centralization of American life. What may have surprised readers then and now was that his lament took the side not of WASP elites but of immigrants and cultural outsiders. In the books introduction, when he explained why readers outside the churches might find the fundamentalist controversy important, Machen devoted several pages to state laws that banned the study of foreign languages in public schools before the eighth grade or that required students to attend public (instead of parochial or private) schools. These laws were signs of a drab utilitarianism in which all higher aspirations are lost. Later in the book when arguing against a utilitarian view of religion with the church as an agent of civic improvement, Machen again invoked the experience of immigrants. To illustrate the pragmatic approach to Christianity, Machen adopted the voice of the Progressive do-gooder: There is the problem of the immigrants, great populations have found a place in our country; they do not speak our language or know our customs. This problem of assimilation led reformers to use religion in a peculiar way: We are inclined to proceed against the immigrants now with a Bible in one hand and a club in the other offering them the blessings of liberty. This was an odd way, he observed, to achieve Christian Americanization. Behind these reforms, Machen argued, was a materialistic paternalism that discouraged all spiritual adventure. He feared this outlook was turning America into one huge Main Street in which democracy had become little more than reducing all people to the proportions of the narrowest and least gifted of the citizens. Although modernization had yielded great improvements in material conditions, those advances had come at the expense of spiritual decline. This was Machens one shot at enlisting cultural traditionalists on the side of conservative Christianity. Perhaps people who read and studied the ancients or the great works of Western literature and philosophy could sympathize with those Protestants, like Machen, who wanted to defend and maintain the historic Christian teachings on sin and grace. If Platos dialogues or Ciceros moral reflections were part of Western civilizations spiritual adventure, then, Machen hoped, cultural conservatives might find room for the apostle Pauls epistles or King Davids psalms. However plausible that analogy, the politics that framed Christianity and Liberalism pushed back on what Walter Lippmann called the dominant dogma of the age, the idea that government could solve most human problems. Contrary to that ambitious view of government, Machen insisted that only the church, in its spiritual capacity through the ministry of word and sacrament, had the remedy for humankinds alienation from God and adversarial social relations. He concluded the book with an example of the churchs spiritual character: Weary with the conflicts of the world, Machen wrote, one goes into the Church to see refreshment for the soul. Too often the world-weary Christian heard sermons with human opinions about the social problems of the hour or easy solutions of the vast problem of sin. Machen pleaded for a space where two or three can gather in Jesus name, to forget for the moment all those things that divide nation from nation and race from race, to forget the passions of war, to forget the puzzling problems of industrial strife, and to unite in overflowing gratitude at the foot of the Cross. If such a place existed, he concluded, then that is the house of God the gate of heaven. The Book and the Mans Reception Machens plea sounded reasonable to journalists like Lippmann and H. L. Mencken, who complimented the Princeton professor for an intelligent case for traditional Protestantism. But within the PCUSA, Machens arguments threatened a denominational bureaucracy that supported both Protestant unity and Progressive reform. A number of episodes in the fundamentalist controversy within the Presbyterian Church turned Machen into a pariahfirst as a source of misinformation about those who did not share his views, then as an uncooperative colleague at Princeton Seminary, and finally as a Presbyterian rebel who would resort to starting a new foreign missions agency to protest the infiltration of liberal theology overseas. Arguably the most vivid example of Machens misfit status came in 1926, when he was up for promotion at Princeton Seminary. Prohibition was a success story for Progressives, and it received support not just from fundamentalists but also from mainline Protestants. At the spring 1926 meeting of the Presbytery of New Brunswick (where Machen was a member), members deliberated a motion to support the Eighteenth Amendment and Volstead Act. Machen voted no by voice. His reason, as he later explained in a statement not published until 2004, was that the Bible did not condemn alcohol; neither did Scripture prescribe a government policy for regulating alcohols sale and distribution. This was a direct application of the spirituality of the church, which as the Westminster Confession had it, Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition (31.4). But at the 1926 General Assembly, where delegates heard a recommendation to promote Machen to professor of apologetics and ethics (Princeton Seminary is an agency of the General Assembly), the denomination postponed the matter after hearing reports that called into question the professors character. How could anyone who did not support Prohibition, some wondered, teach Christian ethics responsibly? Rumors about Machens questionable temperament were rife for the next two years during an inquiry into controversies at Princeton Seminary between conservatives and moderates. To end that conflict, the investigating committee recommended an administrative restructuring that actually turned the conservative majority (faculty and directors) into a minority. Machen emerged from the Presbyterian controversy not simply the chief voice of conservatives but a mean-spirited and unreliable one now teaching at a start-up seminary (Westminster, founded in 1929). The Church and Civil Society As much as Machen gained a reputation as a foursquare Calvinist thanks to books like Christianity and Liberalism, he also emerged as the odd man out in mainline Protestantism. The reason for his peculiarity owed as much to doctrine as it did to his understanding of the churchs place in a liberal society. Unlike most Anglo-American Protestants who for almost 100 years regarded Protestantism as the bulwark of a free and civilized society, Machen saw the church as merely one agency among a wide array of mediating institutions that gave society coherence and stability. By 1920, when mainline Protestants had embraced Progressive ideas about achieving social harmony through government regulations and academic expertise, Machen persisted with an older understanding of American politics that recognized governments proper functions but also insisted that the state stay in its lane. For him, the same principle applied to the church. Simply having the truths of Scripture or being agents of Gods kingdom was no basis for Christian nationalism. The spirituality of the church went hand in hand with limited government, constitutionalism, and federalismat least it did for Machen and a strand of conservative Protestants like him. The political theorist Jacob Levy, in Rationalism, Pluralism, and Freedom (2015), argues that within liberalism is a basic tension between pluralism and rationalism. For pluralists, freedom applies especially to persons as they are, living lives that they already lead, lives that are embedded in particular communities shaped by particular cultural and religious traditions. For rationalists, in contrast, freedom ideally emerges from persons ability to transform or transcend attachments to local communities and intermediate associations. Pluralists in turn are skeptical of the state when it disrupts local and parochial forms of belonging, while rationalists see the state as an important agent in liberating individuals from those specific memberships. Machens Christianity and Liberalism clearly reflected a political outlook that fell on the pluralist side of liberalism. Although his critics could not imagine that strictness over theology and church government could ever be liberal, Machens own politics assumed a place for strong and binding associations within a free society. That liberal outlook was the subtext of Machens highly regarded book. Beneath his credible and forceful defense of Reformed theology was a conception of society in which the church was a healthy and vigorous institution with limited responsibilities. He assumed that a free society consisted of a range of nongovernmental and associative agencies that performed a variety of necessary functions for citizens and residents. Christians needed the church for spiritual sustenance but also depended on a variety of organizations and institutions for other aspects of their lives. At a time when many evangelicals have become enamored of the notion that a theologian or pastor can be fully orthodox and fully modern, Machen was an example of that trend well before it became fashionable. Sammy Oakey, Roanokes best-known undertaker and Beatles fan, has been grousing about the slow pace of justice for months now. This past Wednesday he got a measure, during a sentencing hearing for a criminal from New England who last summer passed bad checks on Oakeys Roanoke bank account to the tune of tens of thousands. Circuit Judge Onzlee Ware sentenced Kenneth John Balfore, 58, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, to three years in prison on each of three felonies to which Balfore pleaded guilty: Identity theft, uttering and obtaining money under false pretenses. Ware suspended 23 months of each sentence, leaving Balfore facing 13 months in jail on each charge. Assistant Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Hupp said those sentences are consecutive to each other, and any other sentences Balfore received elsewhere. The judge also ordered Balfore to pay fines and costs of $1,360. In March, Balfore pleaded guilty in Roanoke County Circuit Court to obtaining money under false pretenses by writing a bad check on Oakeys account at a Roanoke County branch of HomeTrust Bank. In that case, Circuit Judge Charlie Dorsey sentenced Balfore to three years in prison, with two years suspended. According to online court records, that sentence is to run consecutively with another. Balfore was ordered to pay $1,053. In Botetourt County, Balfore pleaded guilty to two felonies: Forgery and obtaining money under false pretenses. On May 9, a judge sentenced him to consecutive sentences totaling two and a half years, with three and a half years suspended. And in Rockingham County in June, Balfore was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended, on felony drug possession charges stemming from an arrest July 19, 2022, when he was caught with Schedule I and/or II substances. So it appears Balfores going to spend at least nine and a half years in Virginia prisons, perhaps more, including at least three and a half years for the summer check-passing spree that temporarily drained Oakeys checking account. Oakey, president of Oakeys Funeral Service and Crematory, got to face the convict when the undertaker gave a victim-impact statement in Roanoke Circuit Court last week. Id always heard about people who had suffered identity theft, Oakey told me after the sentencing hearing. How it gives one a feeling of angst and anxiousness. The bank made sure I got my money back I didnt lose any money. I sure did lose a lot of sleep. In July 2022, a man posing as Oakey hit five HomeTrust bank branches in three different Roanoke Valley jurisdictions, passing phony checks drawn on Oakeys account. One of the checks, passed at the HomeTrust branch on Brambleton Avenue, was for $5,000. Another, at the Daleville branch of Hometown Trust, was for $1,975. Oakey said he first learned about the crimes one day last summer when a veteran teller at HomeTrust Bank on Brambleton whos acquainted with Oakey called and asked if hed just walked out of the branch with $5,000. Oakey had not. However, minutes earlier, a relatively new teller who didnt know Oakey had cashed a phony check for that amount on his account, Oakey told me. The guy wrote checks to cash using phony checks bearing Oakeys name, the banks correct routing number and Oakeys correct account number, Oakey said. To pass himself off as Oakey, the suspect furnished HomeTrust Bank tellers with a U.S. passport identification card bearing Oakeys name, address, birthdate and the suspects photo, Oakey said. How did Oakeys identity information become compromised? Hes unsure. He said its likely a legitimate check he wrote and mailed was stolen, and thats how the criminals knew his home address, bank name and account number. They could have gotten such information off a stolen check. This past June, the U.S. Postal Service began encouraging people to pay bills online, rather than mailing checks, because many were being stolen from the mail. Last week, Balfore told the Roanoke Circuit Court judge he was panhandling when two men he knows only by the nicknames Little Man and Jay persuaded him to join them to pass bad checks, Oakey said. They supplied phony checks and phony ID, and remained outside a bank branch as Balfore went inside to cash the bad checks. He wore an earpiece, so it seemed as if Balfore was in communication with the other men as he entered the banks. They would wait in the car across the street from the bank, Oakey said. At one of the banks, a teller asked the man posing as Oakey for his address, Oakey told me. The suspect, who was wearing an electronic earpiece at the tellers counter, repeated the question before answering it. In court, Balfore said he was high the whole time, Oakey told me. They filled him with drugs, gave him a cellphone, and said hed get rich. Hes not a real eloquent speaker. He never once looked at me. Oakey added: The judge told him, were all responsible for our own actions. On July 19, 2022 less than two weeks after passing Oakeys checks here police in Harrisonburg arrested Balfore on felony drug possession charges. A detective with Roanoke County Police first identified him as a suspect in Oakeys case. The other cases were connected later. The one thing Oakey wanted to dispute about the forgeries was his alleged resemblance to Balfore. If you know Oakey, you might have realized he looks a little bit like Roger Stone, the dapper Republican political consultant who was convicted of lying to Congress and later pardoned by former President Donald Trump. The bank tellers kept telling me, He looked like you, Mr. Oakey, Oakey told me. He looks nothing like me. To me, [Balfore] looked like Charles Manson a whole lot. The House Oversight Committee heard Devon Archer, the former business partner of presidential son Hunter Biden, told lawmakers Tuesday (August 1) how Hunter's father, US President Joe Biden, "lied to the American people when he said he was unaware of his son's business dealings and was not involved." Archer's attorney, Matthew Schwartz, also told the committee an alleged prison letter from the Department of Justice (DOJ) was not linked to his client's testimony. The DOJ later clarified they did not ask Archer to surrender before his Congressional appearance. Chinese Tycoon Praises Hunter Biden for Name, Posse As the committee's investigation continued, a Fox News Digital report revealed that the younger Biden told Archer the Chinese tycoon Che Feng has praised him for his "last name" and for always traveling with "handsome godlike Aryan men." Che was the son of a soldier in China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and was previously business partners with former Chinese vice minister for state security Ma Jian. The Ministry of State Security is the Chinese equivalent of the Soviet Union's KGB, the New York Post reported. In a 2011 email thread, Hunter bragged to Archer about his business relationship with Che, who both men referred to as "The Super Chairman." The emails detailed how Che helped Hunter's firm Rosemont Seneca Partners and James Bulger's Thornton Group LLC to secure their partnership with Jonathan Li's firm Bohai Capital to establish Bohai Harvest RST (BHR), a firm under the control of the Bank of China Ltd. Read Also: Hunter Biden's Ex-Business Partner Scheduled to Testify; Alleged DOJ Prison Letter Debunked The Biden-Archer Email Thread The revelation came after Archer told the House Oversight Committee Monday (July 31) that the older Biden, as vice president under Barack Obama, had coffee with Li and wrote a college letter of recommendation for Li's daughter. The email thread began on September 21, 2011, when Thornton Group co-founder Michael Lin sent a term sheet of the joint venture fund with Li to Hunter and Bulger, who was the namesake nephew of Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger. It was also revealed that Lin worked with the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF), a nonprofit partnering with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a propaganda group that pushes Chinese Communist Party (CCP) messaging. Lin also intended to include other CPP-backed companies in the venture, like China Investment Corp. (CIC), as advised by Che. It was at this point Hunter forwarded the whole conversation to Archer, saying the proposal seemed like the windfall they were seeking. However, Hunter told Archer to keep the conversation between the two of them. "I know Michael [Lin] can be overly optimistic, but if we were 20% owners of a CIC super chairman [Che] backed fund, I think the sky's the limit," the younger Biden told Archer. At this point, Hunter theorized about how he got the favor of Che, mentioning the presidential son met the tycoon through Li, who was the CEO of Bohai Capital at the time of the email, and eventually became the CEO of BHR. Bidens in Beijing After the email conversation, Hunter introduced Li to his father, then-Vice President Biden, in December 2013 after he and his father flew to Beijing to a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the trip, Hunter arranged for a brief handshake between Li and his father in the lobby of the hotel where the U.S. delegation was staying, and then Hunter met up with Li privately, the New Yorker reported at the time. Less than two weeks after Biden arrived in China, BHR Partners was registered. Archer also told the House committee that Hunter would often put his father on speakerphone while meeting with business partners, two lawmakers said Monday. Legal representatives of both Hunter Biden and Devon Archer have not provided any comment at the time Fox News Digital published its report Related Article: President Joe Biden Lied About Hunter Biden's Business Dealings, Devon Archer Confirms @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Slumlord Millionaire, a self-published book by low-rent landlord Spanky Macher of Roanoke, will not make him millions at least not in a court of law. A federal judge dismissed a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by Macher, who had accused Netflix of stealing the name of his real estate advice book for its own production of Dirty Money, an investigative series about corporate greed and corruption. Macher sued for $10 million, claiming that that he had obtained exclusive rights to the title and to the concept of a book that he began writing while serving a prison sentence for fraud. But in an opinion issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen wrote that because Machers factual allegations come nowhere close to suggesting a violation of federal copyright or trademark law, his claims against Netflix will be dismissed on the merits. Although Macher asserted that he had registered his book with the U.S. Copyright Office in 2016, Cullen wrote that its title alone was not protected by copyright law and that there was no evidence that Netflix had used any of its actual content for its own show. An episode of Dirty Money that Netflix entitled Slumlord Millionaire was about Jared Kushner, a real estate investor who married the daughter of Donald Trump and later became a White House adviser to the former president. By comparison, Machers book is described as an insiders guide to real estate written by someone with 40 years in the business. Once the owner of a chain of restaurants including the former Star City Diner in downtown Roanoke Macher later bought houses and apartments in low-income areas that he rented to tenants. He faced repeated complaints about the ramshackle conditions of the homes and his failure to make repairs ordered by city inspectors. In 2011, Macher was convicted of failing to pay taxes when his Spankys restaurant business struggled, making false statements in bankruptcy court as his venture collapsed, and later obtaining food stamps illegally by lying about his finances. Calling his behavior totally beyond the pale, a federal judge sentenced Macher to 30 months in prison. While doing time in a minimum security camp at the Hazelton federal penitentiary, Macher wrote hundreds of pages of what became the first draft of a book, which came out in 2016. Two years later, Macher attended an international trade show for the television and movie business, where he pitched his concept of making the copyrighted book into a reality show. A number of shows and networks, including Netflix, showed an interest, Macher said, but no deal was struck. Later, after the Slumlord Millionaire episode aired, Macher filed suit in a case that pitted a convicted felon acting as his own attorney against a giant subscription streaming service that has more than 200 million customers worldwide. Netflix, Macher claimed in his lawsuit, has a history of pirating ideas from creators without authorization or compensation. Attorneys for Netflix responded in court papers that Macher had presented a jumble of allegations that jumps from topic to topic and from time frame to time frame and is thus difficult to follow. In asking Cullen to dismiss the lawsuit, Netflix argued that the suit did not contain sufficient factual allegations to move forward on either the copyright or trademark infringement claim. To prevail in a trademark case, Macher would have been required to show that Netflix used his book title and concept commercially in a way that would likely confuse customers about its true source. Based on the applicable law, Machers complaint falls well short of stating a claim for trademark infringement, Cullen wrote. Macher said Monday that he was grateful for the chance to present his case in court. Unfortunately, as just a sandwich maker and a landlord I dont have the background to cover all my bases sometimes when I try to handle something on my own, he wrote in an email. A one-time candidate for Roanoke City Council, Macher has long portrayed himself as a rebel of sorts fighting against long odds. Were going to war, he once said during a conflict with city zoning officials who objected to a rogue Big Boy figure adorned with a tattoo and earring that he placed on the roof of his Star City Diner at a prominent downtown intersection. I think I have the right to fight for what I think is right, I just have to do [it] within the guidelines of the laws, he wrote of his more recent dispute with Netflix. I just dont think the big guys should be able to push over the little guys. The Botetourt County library board this month is now scheduled to consider restricting kids from browsing materials, in response to citizen outcry about the contents of some books. For months, the county board of supervisors has heard from citizens debating whether pornographic material is available in the public library system. Despite supervisors outspoken support for county libraries, the discussion has persisted. Some people have said certain books written from LGBTQ+ perspectives contain pornographic material targeted at and harmful to children. Others, including county officials, say those books contain educational merit and are already approved on multiple levels before even reaching the county library system. That discourse continued during a meeting Monday night, when the supervisors unanimously passed a resolution supporting citizens First Amendment and parental rights in county libraries. The library purchases only from reputable vendors that are legally restricted from selling and distributing materials determined by state and federal law to be obscene, the resolution said. Parents and legal guardians are guaranteed the right by the First Amendment to determine what their own children may read or access, but do not have the right to determine what all children may read or access. That resolution follows a similar motion passed last meeting in support of library staff, after county employees were personally attacked by members of the public about contents on shelves, the earlier resolution said. But also on Monday, board Chairman Mac Scothorn proposed a policy change that would prohibit anyone younger than 18 years old from visiting county libraries without adult supervision, except for 16- and 17-year-olds with written parental permission. Present library policy states that children under 13 years old must be accompanied by an adult. The policy change is scheduled to be further considered by the Botetourt libraries Board of Trustees during its upcoming meeting at noon Aug. 16 at the county administration center. To give a sense of the back-and-forth discussions occurring, there is a tally of comments recorded during the boards June 27 meeting. At that meeting, 14 people spoke favorably about the library system, while eight people spoke against certain books and materials, according to an analysis of county documents. Completely naked men and women. Children wrapped in towels looking at the nudity, said Terri Frantz, according to county documents. How sick is this? This is a moral dilemma. This is not book banning, this is keeping pornography out of our libraries. Then, there is the opposite opinion. I oppose censorship of library materials, said Ann Davis, according to county documents. Children and teens have a right to access library materials that some residents may consider inappropriate. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Ice and meltwater from the Thwaites naturally flow into the Amundsen Sea. Many other glaciers pour themselves out into the same body of water, but one thing that sets the Thwaites apart is its unusual girth. At about 80 miles (120 kilometers) across, this is the widest glacier on the planet. "It covers an area of 74,000 square miles [193,000 square kilometers], which is a little larger than the state of Florida and a little smaller than the island of Great Britain," says Larter. Advertisement Nitsche and Larter were among the co-authors of a 2022 Thwaites Glacier study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, that made international news (and prompted those Colbert jokes) this September. The authors sent an autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV, into the depths of the Amundsen Sea. Using geophysical sensors, it checked out the area where the Thwaites meets the seabed. A large portion of the glacier, known as its ice shelf, jets out over the sea. "Ice shelves are very fragile and vulnerable to surface and basal melting. The Thwaites Glacier's remaining ice shelf is expected to break up within the next couple of decades," notes Larter. That's not a comforting thought. Ice shelves act like frigid buttresses, slowing down the flow of the glacier as a whole. So if the Thwaites loses its "buttress," the glacier could begin to shed its ice even more rapidly than it already does. And now, scientists have found evidence of a fast-paced retreat in the Thwaites' modern history that may tell us something about its future. HARTSVILLE, S.C. Butler Academy has been awarded $25,000 for the purchase and installation of new kitchen equipment needed in phase two of the schools recent building expansion. The highly competitive National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance grant was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and designed to help schools serve healthier meals, improve food safety and support the School Breakfast Program. The expansion of Butler Academys kitchen was completed earlier this month, and its allowing us to safely serve more meals and offer a greater variety of menu options including food options that are scratch-made using high quality, fresh ingredients, said Venesa Reyes, vice president of operations. As a mother and educator, I know first-hand that satisfying our scholars basic needs to be comfortable and well-fed is crucial to positioning them for success in the classroom, Reyes said. Better meals and more options for our scholars to choose from directly translate to improved behavior and increased focus in the classroom, and that quickly leads to improved academic performance. Thats why this grant is about much more than kitchen equipment. Its a direct investment in our scholars education. Phase two of Butler Academys expansion nearly doubled the size of the schools kitchen and increased the size of the facility by 20,000 square feet to accommodate the schools new middle school wing. Seeing BAs creative food services team working with the full complement of professional-grade equipment they need to create delicious meals is exciting, said operations specialist Carlie Lewis. They are definitely putting Butlers new full-service kitchen to excellent use! Fourth-grader Ellis Beasley knows exactly what he likes about Butler Academys dining services. We get to eat different things, and they almost always have a choice I love to eat! he said. CLEMSON, S.C. The College of Education will use a grant award from the South Carolina Department of Education to cover all tuition and associated costs for 36 career changers pursuing a masters degree in teaching from Clemson University. The Colleges Grow Your Own program works with partner school districts to secure paid employment for students as educational assistants while they complete their degree entirely online. The Department of Educations South Carolina Grow Your Own program addresses the need to increase the teacher workforce in communities throughout the state. The Department of Education created the program to partner colleges and universities with school districts to help aspiring teachers pursue degrees in education. According to Michelle Cook, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Education, the program will prioritize placing master of arts in teaching students in programs that address the highest needs across the state, such as middle-level and secondary math and science teaching positions. She said hiring professionals already working as assistants in schools or those from other industries with a strong desire to become teachers in home districts naturally creates a motivated group of graduate students. Michelle Cook has been a faculty member at Clemson since 2006. Some of the most effective and dedicated teachers are those motivated to teach in their own home districts, Cook said. Existing College of Education programs that aid districts in growing their own teachers have been highly successful, so a grant designed to do this for career changers in our graduate programs is very promising for districts and communities. Students in the program must have a bachelors degree and meet the requirements for student teaching clearance. Funds from the grant will support tuition, fees, books, supplies and certifications required to teach. After earning their MAT, students commit to teaching in the participating district for three years. Cook said that in addition to recruiting from current district employees not certified to teach, the program is also designed to be a good fit for community members a parent returning to work or a mid-career professional, for example interested in employment as a teacher in their local school district. The college also designed the program to appeal to undergraduate students or recent graduates with a bachelors degree who are interested in a teaching career. Students earning their master of arts in teaching will be placed in districts as educational assistants, so they will not only gain a tuition-free degree but also spend a year being paid as an educational assistant. This lead-up to a masters degree and employment as a licensed teacher will allow the students to become familiar with the district into which they will be hired. Florence 1 Schools is seeking candidates who may be looking for a career change and are interested in teaching at the middle school or high school level. We are very excited to partner with Clemson University for the Grow Your Own program, said Ashley Watson, Florence 1 executive director of marketing and talent. With this program, people who are interested in becoming an educator, and making a career change, receive quality instruction from Clemson and support from Florence 1 as they make that transition. Watson said prospective educators who previously worked in other industries would bring a wealth of experience and expertise that is valuable in the classroom. She said Florence 1 is excited to be able to offer this program with Clemson and help those who are interested in becoming a teacher to further their education. Florence 1 Schools is one of seven district partners involved in Clemsons Grow Your Own program for master of arts in teaching students. Visit the College of Educations website for more information on Clemsons MAT programs in middle level education, modern languages and secondary education. For more information on the program or to see if you qualify, contact Ashley Watson with Florence 1 Schools at awatson@f1s.org. Screengrabs of monkey eating stolen bread from nearby bakery in Kovan (Photos: Yahoo SEA reader) SINGAPORE A monkey was caught on video eating bread stolen from a bakery outside of Kovan Heartland Mall, on Sunday (30 July) morning. In a video shared by a Yahoo Southeast Asia reader, the primate was captured picking out and eating bread from a plastic wrapper on a nearby grass patch, at around 10.20am. While purchasing bread from Baker Talent for his son, the reader had noticed a shop attendant from a neighbouring shop, MoneyMax, running into the shop to inform the bakery that their bread was being stolen by a monkey. The bakery initially ignored the warning, thinking it was a joke. It was only after repeated mentions by the shop attendant, who pointed in the direction of the monkey, did people in the bakery start taking notice. A crowd gathered to take videos and photos of the monkey. When the reader returned to the bakery 20 minutes later, approximately a sixth of the bread was left in the plastic wrap, and the monkey was nowhere to be seen. What to do if you are eating and walk past a monkey Primatologist Andie Ang shared that monkeys do not typically jump at humans to get the food they are eating. "Its not really about the type of food, but plastic bags (that attracts monkeys)," she said. She shared that monkeys have learnt over time that plastic bags contain food, and advises the public to "keep plastic bags out of sight". She also said that it is common for male long-tailed macaques, called "transients", to pass through neighbourhoods. Ang advises bakeries to put their bread in shelves with sliding covers, should they put their bread outside of stores. This is not the first time wild monkeys have been spotted outside forested areas in Singapore. A monkey was caught washing its hands in an outdoor basin of a Hougang estate in March this year. Yahoo Southeast Asia has reached out to the National Parks Board and Aljunied-Hougang Town Council for information on recent monkey related incidents and follow up actions to be taken. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. VERMILLION, S.D. Bond has been set at $1 million cash only for a Texas woman accused of fatally stabbing a Vermillion man Sunday. Chezayia Liggins, 20, of San Antonio, was booked into the Clay County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. Her initial appearance in court is scheduled for Tuesday. Vermillion police responded at 4:09 a.m. Sunday to a call about a man who had been stabbed and was believed to be dead at an apartment at 205 Spruce St. When officers arrived, they began life-saving measures, but the stabbing victim, Christopher Bartling, 47, of Vermillion, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to an affidavit filed in Clay County Circuit Court, officers interviewed Liggins, who admitted she stabbed the man in the back twice with a knife. No reason for the incident was listed in the affidavit. An autopsy was scheduled, and investigation of the incident is ongoing. A skeptical grand jury that convened in December to investigate the February 2022 shooting death of an Alvo man at the hands of a Cass County Sheriff's deputy ultimately voted not to indict the deputy, clearing him of criminal wrongdoing in Andrew Stratton's death. The grand jury which spent much of two days in a Plattsmouth courtroom reviewing bodycam footage and hearing witness testimony in Stratton's Feb. 13, 2022, killing voted 14-2 not to indict Deputy Elliot Schmit, who shot Stratton seven times with his personally owned semiautomatic rifle, according to the grand jury transcript filed last month. Though they ultimately absolved Schmit of criminal misconduct, jurors were skeptical of the decisions deputies made in the lead-up to Stratton's shooting, according to a Journal Star review of the 515-page transcript of the grand jury's investigation. Jurors also raised their eyebrows at Schmit's brief-but-checkered history as a law enforcement agent and at the deputy's claim that Stratton was preparing to shoot a bow and arrow at him when Schmit shot the 34-year-old in the darkened basement of Stratton's father's home that night, according to the transcript. The jury questioned why deputies didn't call a mental health professional to help subdue Stratton, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had previously barricaded himself from law enforcement, prompting an armed standoff with the Nebraska State Patrol that Schmit acknowledged came to "a more peaceful resolution" than the 2022 incident. Jurors spent more than an hour watching and rewatching clips of bodycam footage from Schmit and other law enforcement agents on scene in an effort to determine whether Stratton had actually pointed at Schmit the compact bow found near his body. And the jury, at times, seemed dubious of Schmit himself. The deputy had been back on patrol for the Cass County Sheriff's Office for less than a month at the time of Stratton's shooting following a yearlong deployment to the Middle East, where he had been sent to help set up law enforcement operations in Jordan, according to his own grand jury testimony. Before his February 2021 deployment there, Schmit had been with the sheriff's office for approximately seven months. He started in Cass County in July 2020 four months after he was fired from the State Patrol for a pursuit policy violation less than a year removed from his graduation from the patrol's academy. Still, it was Schmit's own testimony, which he gave voluntarily, that seemed to help convince jurors not to indict him and then recommend several policy and procedure changes to the sheriff's office in an effort to prevent another such shooting, according to the transcript. "I never shot anybody before. That was one of the most traumatic things Ive ever done," Schmit told the jury, after indicating that equipment like a ballistic shield, pepper ball launchers or other "less-lethal" projectiles might have led to a different outcome if such equipment would have been available. If I couldve done it any other way, I wouldve," he said. "I had no intent of doing it this way. If if (Stratton) wouldve come and talked to us, he would still be alive. He ultimately chose it. It was a very unfortunate thing. I wish it had never happened. What led up to the shooting Two Cass County deputies, Schmit and Sgt. Karl Boehm, responded to Stratton's grandma's house in Greenwood at around 9:30 p.m. that night after the 34-year-old's dad, Gregg Stratton, called them there, according to the transcript. Gregg Stratton told Schmit and Boehm that his son had struck him in the head during an altercation that transpired earlier that evening at 23418 Alvo Road, where the two men lived. The elder Stratton warned the deputies of his son's diagnosis, that he hadn't been taking his medication and that he might have access to a bow and arrow. "Andrew needed some kind of help was, basically, his position on the events of that night, whether that was going to jail first and then getting the help or just getting (placed in emergency protective custody)," Schmit told jurors. "He felt that Andrew was out of control and needed something. At 10:15 p.m., the deputies left the house in Greenwood and drove toward Alvo, arriving at the house on Alvo Road at 10:27 p.m. Did an attempt (happen) to get any social worker or therapist involved?" an alternate juror asked Cass County Attorney Chris Perrone, who guided the grand jury through its investigation in December. "Because I heard 'schizophrenia,'" the juror said. "You wont get any evidence that that night there was any contact with social workers or mental health professionals or anybody like that," Perrone said. "So that could come down to the it could affect whether or not you decide to charge or not charge." Upon their arrival at the Strattons' house in Alvo, Schmit and Boehm knocked on the front and back doors without a response before Schmit asked Boehm, his supervisor, if they should call a captain to the scene. Instead, the deputies asked a third colleague, Deputy Mike McKnelly, to pick up Gregg Stratton from his mom's house in Greenwood and drive him to his Alvo property before they entered the home, where they planned to arrest Andrew Stratton on suspicion of misdemeanor third-degree assault. Back at his house, Gregg Stratton again warned the deputies that his son might have access to the compound bow, according to the transcript. So the three sheriff's deputies devised a plan to enter and clear the home, according to their grand jury testimony. Schmit, a 10-year military veteran with hand-to-hand combat experience, would lead the way into the house, armed with his own Colt M4. Boehm would be armed with a Taser. And McKnelly, the third man to enter the house, would carry his service pistol. After entering the home in a "T" formation, the three deputies cleared the main floor of the house without finding anyone, and as they prepared to descend into the basement, Schmit announced their presence again. Andrew Stratton called back from downstairs and the two began to negotiate the Alvo man's potential surrender. "He seemed very, kind of, all over the place," Schmit told the jury. "He was talking about everything from how he was the one that killed Osama bin Laden to he was downstairs strapped to a bomb." Schmit implored Andrew Stratton to come upstairs and talk things out, to resolve the standoff peacefully, he said. Honestly, I thought I was making some headway," he testified. "And then he just went silent and just stopped talking. When Andrew Stratton went quiet, the deputies initially planned to stay upstairs until reinforcements arrived. At least one trooper with the State Patrol was already on his way, according to the transcript. But, Schmit said, deputies soon heard a noise that sounded as if Andrew Stratton had fallen over. Fearing he was injured, Schmit and Boehm began a slow walk into the basement, sending McKnelly outside in case Stratton tried to flee from the house through a downstairs door. The deputies' decision to enter the basement was among the most frequent sources of criticism from grand jurors. My thought is: Were they rushing downstairs to just dissolve the situation as fast as possible?" juror No. 5 asked State Patrol Investigator Amanda DeFreece, who led the agency's probe into the shooting as a part of the patrol's Special Investigations Team. "Where on their list of importance was preservation of life?" the juror asked. "They couldve sat upstairs for 10 hours with him in the basement. I mean, you wouldve been in the same spot you were when you started, but he also wouldnt be dead. The shooting and the aftermath The decision to enter the basement already made, Schmit and Boehm inched downstairs into a darkened room and found themselves in what Schmit told jurors was "what is known as a fatal funnel." The deputies, holding flashlights, couldn't see Stratton, who was about 10 yards to the north of the staircase's landing and had line of sight to the bookcase that deputies were using for cover. "Its a very bad place to be," Schmit said. Perrone, the county attorney, asked him why they didn't retreat from the position they had placed themselves in. Its incredibly dangerous to turn around on those stairs like that, and that would mean crossing back across that fatal funnel again, which is also a huge no," Schmit said in part. As Schmit and Boehm concealed themselves behind the bookcase, Schmit said, he heard a metallic click coming from Stratton's direction one he believed to be the sounds of "a safety on a weapon of some kind or any number of potential threats," he testified. So Schmit peered around the corner and caught a glimpse of Stratton, who Schmit said was holding a bow in his left hand and had started to draw back an arrow to fire it toward the deputies. "He clearly had attempted to draw the string back and it had failed and his arm was his right arm was now up by his head," Schmit said. "OK," Perrone said. "And what are you thinking at that time?" Hes trying to kill me, but I still was trying to not kill him," Schmit said. "At that time I decided to issue commands or at least attempt it." Schmit ordered Stratton to drop his weapon, he testified. Instead, he said, Stratton started to draw an arrow back again. "Then you shoot at him," Perrone said. "Why?" Because I know that that arrow, if he gets to shoot it, will go through my armor that I'm currently wearing," Schmit recalled. "The soft armor does not stop arrows, which means whatever he does is going to severely injure me or kill me." A week after the shooting, Boehm told State Patrol investigators he thought Schmit fired four rounds. But investigators later determined the deputy fired nine times, striking Stratton seven times, including in the back and left arm, according to his death certificate. Schmit and Boehm stepped toward Stratton before Schmit turned back and ran to his cruiser to retrieve a medical kit to help provide first aid to the man he had just shot. Stratton died at the scene. Erin Linde, the pathologist who conducted the Alvo man's autopsy, testified that the shooting caused "extensive injury of all of (Stratton's) organs" that likely killed him in seconds. Footage from Schmit's bodycam was hindered by the lack of light in the basement and the angle the deputy had when he shot Stratton, leaving one of the grand jury's most consistent subjects of questioning whether Stratton had pointed the bow and arrow toward Schmit before the shooting without a definitive answer. Still, the State Patrol's Special Investigative Team concluded Stratton, who was wearing an arrow grip on his right hand, was pointing the crossbow toward deputies at the time of his shooting, Investigator Pedram Nabegh told jurors. Nabegh said the team came to that conclusion by analyzing the bodycam video, Stratton's autopsy bullet trajectories and the bow itself, which had a bullet defect on the front of the bow, which told me that it was, most likely, in a raised position" when he was shot. DeFreece, who led the State Patrol's investigation into the shooting, said the team concluded Schmit's use of force in the incident was justified, pointing to the "deadly force" Stratton seemed prepared to use against deputies. Skeptical of that assessment, jurors pressed DeFreece on the need for deputies to enter the basement at all. "So do you think that making the decision to go downstairs immediately was the correct one or do think that there should have been some type of further de-escalation done to prevent loss of life?" juror No. 5 asked. "I'd say thats a great question for Deputy Schmit," DeFreece said, later adding: "There was, I guess, no concern that we had at the appropriateness of them going ahead and going down and trying to contact him." Schmit told jurors that deputies had entered the house with the intent to arrest Stratton, accused of a misdemeanor crime. Schmit, who was reassigned to work at the county jail for nine months while the State Patrol investigated the shooting, returned to road patrol in December after the grand jury cleared him of criminal wrongdoing, the county attorney said. What the jury had to say I mean, youve watched the video and (you've had) ten months to bank on this thing, and given all the training youve had and everything else, is there anything youd do differently? juror No. 6 asked Schmit at the tail end of his December testimony. His response No, not with the resources available," he said seemed to inform the recommendations the jury emerged from deliberations with. Schmit told jurors that additional non-lethal weapons at his disposal such as a pepper ball gun, 40-millimter less-lethal launchers or a ballistic shield "wouldve made a difference" that night. The grand jury, which cleared Schmit of criminal wrongdoing after less than an hour of deliberating, unanimously recommended three policy and procedure changes for the Cass County Sheriff's Office. The jury recommended the agency expand its de-escalation and use of force training, particularly for incidents that involve subjects with mental health issues, and implored deputies to utilize "in-county resources," such as K9 units or infrared technology to help navigate standoffs. Jurors also implored Cass County to explore options to provide the sheriff's office with "more less-than-lethal equipment" like the kind Schmit said might have saved Stratton's life in Alvo that night. In the months since the jury convened, the sheriff's office has began to invest in new equipment and is reexamining their training practices but not on the advice of jurors, said Matt Watson, the office's chief deputy sheriff. Watson and Sheriff Bob Sorensen took office in January and, Watson said, weren't made aware of the jury's recommendations until the Journal Star inquired about their response last week. "Have there been changes? Yes," Watson said Friday afternoon. "Are there more changes coming? Yes. Have they been a direct result of that grand jury investigation? No." Watson said he and Sorensen both of whom started their careers at the sheriff's office but later moved to the Plattsmouth Police Department before returning after Sorensen won the seat last year following former Sheriff William Brueggemann's retirement have ordered an independent audit into the county jail's practices and plan to request another audit for the office's road patrol unit to address "everything you can think of." Even without the jury's recommendations in hand, he said, the sheriff's office is rebuilding its K9 unit, has started training with infrared equipment, is exploring new de-escalation training opportunities and has purchased the agency's first batch of ballistic shields. "The ballistic shields, again, I mean it's something we recognized right away that it's just almost unheard of for a law enforcement agency, especially of this size it's in an area designated as metro, we are part of the Omaha metro where we don't have shields," Watson said. "We didn't have a single one." Watson said he and Sorensen are trying to rebuild their sheriff's office from the ground up an undertaking he described as "chaos." "We're new, and we're trying to make connections that have been strained over the years with other law enforcement (agencies) and build partnerships to get us more resources, more tools. "And then just share knowledge and admit, like, publicly, 'Hey, we need help and we'll take it,'" he said. "We don't have egos over here." Alix Dorsainvil, an American nurse, and her daughter were abducted from the community ministry where she worked in Haiti six days ago. Their whereabouts are still unknown. The aid organization is working with authorities and partners in the United States and Haiti to guarantee their freedom, CNN reported. More than a thousand individuals have been held hostage for ransom in Haiti this year, according to estimates from the United Nations, as violence and turmoil sweep throughout the country. Alix Dorsainvil and Her Kid On Monday, July 31, the Christian humanitarian group El Roi Haiti released a statement saying, "Many people are laboring for their return, but currently we cannot share more specific details ... We are so thankful for all of the support that has been shown. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter." Alix Dorsainvil has been working as a nurse with schools since 2020 and married El Roi Haiti Director Sandro Dorsainvil in 2021. Sandro's wife and their child were allegedly kidnapped last Thursday morning, July 27. They were serving at their community ministry on the organization's campus near the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The age of their kid is undisclosed. One witness told the AP News that the abduction took place just in front of a patient who was waiting for a medical exam. Alix Dorsainvil, a native of New Hampshire, "fell in love with the people" of Haiti on her first trip to the country after the 2010 earthquake when she was still in college, as per the nonprofit group. She began going back to Haiti during school vacations and summers, eventually saving enough to go there on her own. Also Read: US Nurse, Child Reportedly Kidnapped in Haiti Escalation of Security Crisis As the security situation in Haiti worsens, the US State Department issued an order the same day for all non-emergency government officials to leave the country. The decision came after the US Embassy in Haiti posted a travel alert warning American citizens to leave the country owing to recent violent clashes between criminal organizations and police in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Port-au-Prince and the neighboring regions of Haiti have been plagued by a kidnapping-for-profit epidemic for years, with hundreds of Haitians taken each year by gangs demanding ransom payments. The vast majority of kidnappings occur on a local level and affect both the wealthy and the poor. However, there have been notable instances when foreigners were abducted. In 2021, a group of local bandits kidnapped 17 missionaries from the US and Canada as they traveled north of the city. They were kept for more than a month. According to a UN study on Haiti, between January and June of this year, officials recorded 1,014 kidnappings, including 256 women, 13 girls, and 24 boys. Also Read: UN Calls for Haiti Intervention Force To Combat Gang Violence @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is sending more than 60 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border to aid Texas authorities in their efforts to counter immigration and drug trafficking there. The soldiers, who will depart Wednesday from Nebraska and will return in early September, are being sent to the border to provide "additional observation and reporting near the border" to assist Texas law enforcement involved in "Operation Lone Star," Pillen's office announced Monday. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched the operation in March 2021, deploying resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to the border in an effort to secure the area. The operation has been ongoing since. This mission is critical to the security of Nebraska as well as other states, Pillen said in a news release announcing Wednesday's deployment of Nebraskans. We need to maintain the safety of our citizenry and stem the ongoing influx of illegal drugs, weapons and criminals into our borders. Pillen's team noted Nebraska's participation in the operation comes at the request of emergency management officials in Texas. Federal funds "directed through the Nebraska National Guard will cover costs associated with this deployment," the governor's office said. The governor in May sent 10 Nebraska state troopers to assist in drone surveillance for two weeks. The state was not reimbursed for costs of that deployment, which was paid for through the State Patrol's budget, the governor's office said then. May's deployment marked the third time a Nebraska governor has sent troopers to the border. The state's tab for such deployments has already pushed north of $600,000, the Nebraska Examiner reported last week. In Monday's announcement, Pillen's team pointed to President Joe Biden's "ineffective" border policies as the impetus for Nebraska's presence at the border. Pillen said failing to address the situation at the border "only opens the door to threats that we cant fully recognize yet. Citing statistics provided by Abbott's office, Pillen's team said authorities working on Operation Lone Star have apprehended nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants, made 31,800 criminal arrests resulting in 29,300 felony charges, and seized 422 million doses of fentanyl. It's unclear how much fentanyl constitutes a dose. Photos: Jim Pillen marks 100 days in governor's office Lora Vander Zwaag has uncovered a pirate's booty-worth of River-Cade memorabilia. From vintage advertising to cup koozies to artifact anchors, the now-retired Western Iowa Tech Community College admissions director has plenty of seaworthy swag to commemorate Sioux City's seminal summertime festival in time for its 60th birthday. However, Vander Zwaag -- the Port of River-Cade's board president -- has a special place in her heart for the popular River-Cade Queen and her Royal Court competition, an annual event that began with the first festival in 1964. "I was one of the chaperones who went from place to place with the River-Cade Queen and the Princesses," Vander Zwaag said, showing off photos from Royal Courts over the years. "It was an honor for me to do it, plus I had such a blast, meeting with the girls in a very personal way." Since the reign of Kathy Thiltgen Moser, thousands of Siouxland women have sought the title of River-Cade Queen. Why do they do it? Well, with the tiara came other perks. For instance, River-Cade has awarded nearly $250,000 in tuition money. GAINING CONFIDENCE, FINDING A CAREER For Mary Murray August, 1966's River-Cade "Queen of the River," it literally changed her course of her life. "I was very fortunate to be chosen during the actual competition," the now 78-year-old woman remembered. "My predecessor Kathy Thiltgen was actually chosen before the River-Cade festival began." August admitted she didn't have high hopes when entering the competition. "My dad sold cars for a million years and, then, he sold insurance," she said. "We lived on (Sioux City's) west side when more prominent families lived on the north side." But August wowed the judges, who selected her as River-Cade's queen at the tail-end of the festival. "That was the quirk with River-Cade," she explained. "The Queen and the Royal Court were chosen during the actual event, which meant our reign wouldn't end until the following year." Which meant August and her princesses were put to work for an entire year. "I was shocked to discover how many little towns had special days going on," August said with a laugh. "I know we represented River-Cade during Soybean Days, Corn Days and, even, Turkey Days." The 1960s were an especially heady time for River-Cade royalty, since local businesses jumped at the chance for sponsorship. "We had furriers who were giving away prizes as well as hair salons who wanted to do our hair for our entire reign," August said. "It was a pretty sweet deal." Travel was also part of the package. "During my year, United Airlines invited all of Midwestern Queens to a special luncheon on a yacht during Minneapolis' Aquatennial," August said. "It was there that I asked to become a fight attendant." "I became a United Airlines fight attendant for 34 years, flying out of Los Angeles," she added. "I credit my reign in River-Cade for giving me the confidence and the people skills I needed for my profession. My love of travel came from my River-Cade experience." A FAMILY TRADITION IN RIVER-CADE ROYALTY For Amy Le Master Oliver, River-Cade has become something of a family tradition. Oliver was selected to be a Princess during the 1984 River-Cade. Her daughter Abby Oliver Rook was named River-Cade "Queen of the River," 30 years later. Throughout those years, Oliver has been a chaperone for River-Cade as well as the Royal Court's "unofficial historian." "I don't know where that title came from but I don't mind it," she said with a chuckle. Perhaps Oliver's rep was cemented early on in her River-Cade reign. "Back then, being River-Cade royalty was like having a job," she said. "I liked learning about the history of River-Cade as well as how much life in Siouxland was tied to the Missouri." This knowledge worked out well when Oliver became a chaperone. It was also important when River-Cade hit a few snags over the years. "When I was River-Cade royalty, we had so many applicants to get their shot," she said. "Plus the actual River-Cade festival was held over a 10-day period instead of the current five-day schedule." Over time, River-Cade lost a bit of its luster as other, newer events were started in the summertime. In addition, pageants began looking antiquated for many younger women. RIVER-CADE ROYALTY ADAPTING FOR CHANGING TIMES That didn't stop Sydney McManamy from entering the contest. Named one of the River-Cade princesses in 2019, she and her court served an unprecedented three-year term, due to COVID. "I had a blast because our court was so evenly balanced," she remembered. "The Queen, Taylor Strawn, was a chemistry and biology major who loved participating in any event involving animals." "Princess Alexis McCrory was a special education major and had an affinity with kids," McManamy continued. "Me? I was the business management major of the group, so I got to deal with the grown-ups." A CHEERLEADER FOR SIOUXLAND McManamy continues to work with the grown-ups, not only as a real estate agent for United Real Estate Solution but also as the president of Sioux City Growth Organization (GO), which encourages young professionals to become active community members. In addition, she is also a member of the River-Cade Board/Reunion Committee. "Guess I just can't stay away from River-Cade," McManamy said with a laugh. "Not even for a little while." "As River-Cade Royalty, I learned how to become a cheerleader for the community," McManamy added. "As a lifelong Sioux Cityan, I've always known Siouxland is a pretty nice place to live." WELCOMING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF ROYALS Reflecting on her time as River-Cade royalty, McManamy still gets a kick out of the reaction she'd get from children. McManamy knows they are the royals of the future. "Every kid is attracted to a princess who is wearing a sparkly tiara in a parade," she said. "To be honest, I still miss my tiara and wish there were more tiara-wearing opportunities." SIOUX CITY An iconic plant, whose leaves have seven or more slender points, grows unbidden in the crevices between sidewalks and retaining walls, in ditches, near fences and alleyways, along railroad tracks, in poorly maintained landscapes, in state parks and nearly every other place where the grass grows green. Its colloquially known as ditch weed, or feral cannabis, wild hemp and variations. Thereon, its a not a particularly uncommon sight in Siouxland or most other places in the Midwest. I see it throughout the day, here and there, Woodbury County Weed Commissioner Jered Jepsen said. Ditch weed Feral cannabis plants grow in the crevice between a sidewalk and a retaining wall along West First Street in Sioux City. But where did it come from and why is there so much of it? Most ditch weed is descended from hemp, a cannabis plant and very close relative of marijuana, but which contains far less psychoactive THC. Cannabis is not native to the Americas. Hemp was likely brought here by Europeans, years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Hemp was cultivated historically to make rope, sailcloth and twine, mainly in Kentucky (where it was introduced in 1775) and in Wisconsin. By 1910, a limited degree of industrial hemp cultivation was underway in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and in several other states. High times The presence of ditch weed in Iowa is primarily attributable to World War II, when the American economy frantically transitioned to a war-footing. Hemp became a government-sanctioned war crop. In a December 1942 bulletin, the Iowa Agricultural Extension Service and the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station wrote that farmers in northcentral Iowa were asked to plant at least 60,000 acres of hemp. Iowa was one of several states that took part in the effort. (That same bulletin also cautioned, in the imprecise verbiage of the time, that parts of the growing hemp plant contain a narcotic substance known as marihuana (sic).) Two hemp-processing mills operated in Iowa then, though the government in 1942 wanted at least 15 hemp-mills in the state. Thats when most of the production here in Iowa was, said Bob Hartzler, a retired professor of weed science at Iowa State University. Japan took over the Philippines, and thats where we got all our fiber crops, and so thats why they started producing (hemp), he added. Ditch weed Ditch weed is shown growing along the hiking trail that leads to the First Bride's Grave in Sioux City. The experiment in Iowa production of hemp fiber didnt last long. Iowa farmers, characteristically, produced a bountiful crop of hemp, but the farmers produced more than was actually needed, Hartzler said, and the program was de-emphasized. It was the only occasion prior to the late 2010s when Iowa farmers engaged in intensive, widespread hemp cultivation. Before the World War II hemp boom, the federal government restricted cannabis cultivation with the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. The wartime emergency prompted the government to briefly encourage hemp cultivation, but, after the war, hemp as a crop vanished. By then, however, hemp had already been introduced, and in the form of ditch weed, it proved quite capable of succeeding in the wild. Hemp emerges earlier than other weeds, giving it an advantage, and it can tolerate drought and heat, Hartzler said. The female hemp plant can produce a lot of seed, he added. And so it became more or less ubiquitous. Not for human consumption usually But not every single ditch weed plant is necessarily descended from long-ago hemp cultivation. One study published in the American Journal of Botany in 2020 found that 88 percent of ditch weed samples in Minnesota were descended from hemp-type plants with minimal THC content, while 1 percent was marijuana with a correspondingly high THC content. The remaining 11 percent of plants were intermediate, with THC levels that didnt correspond perfectly to either modern, high-THC marijuana strains or low-THC hemp. Robin D. Pruisner, a state entomologist, hemp administrator and ag security coordinator with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, said those intermediate-type plants with some THC content, but not all that much, could plausibly be descended from long-ago marijuana cultivation. If you went to Woodstock, in 1969, or you partook in the 70s, marijuana at that time had much lower THC than what has been bred in what Im going to call the recreational states now, Pruisner said. Ditch weed Ditch weed is shown growing along the hiking trail that leads to the First Bride's Grave in Sioux City. The consensus is that ditch weed is not normally desirable for human consumption. Its not the weed that people want, Jepsen said. You know, the people who use marijuana. Its not the same stuff. The state of Iowa does not regard wild hemp as a noxious weed weeds which are considered environmentally problematic or harmful to animals or humans, and which by law must be controlled and killed. The only occasion when Jepsen sprays herbicides to kill ditch weed in the county, he said, is when its growing near an intersection, in a place where it could obstruct drivers lines of sight. Cannabis can, under the right conditions, grow to be much taller than humans. More than anything, its an eyesore, Jepsen said. And it grows in a lot of places. Its throughout Woodbury County. Ditch weed Feral cannabis plants grow in the crevice between a sidewalk and a retaining wall along West First Street in Sioux City. Its not particularly hard to kill. Ditch weed was once a common sight growing randomly in and around crop fields in Iowa, Hartzler said until the introduction of corn and soybeans that could withstand glyphosate herbicide. In the 80s and early 90s it would creep into crop fields, and I would say it was never a big problem, but youd find it on fence edges, Hartzler said. Then with the introduction of Roundup Ready crops in the late 90s, it didnt stand a chance against that. Jepsen said he fields occasional calls about ditch weed oddly enough, some callers are worried that it could have a negative impact on hemp crops theyre considering planting. But, he said, since it isnt really the policy of the county or the state to spend resources eradicating ditch weed, there isnt much he can do for them. Ive already been contacted by a few people in Woodbury County that have thought about trying to grow it, you know, for the oil, and they were worried about it cross-pollinating with the Iowa ditch weed, he said. Sort of a boondoggle The legal status of hemp in the United States changed with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which paved the way for regulated production of hemp. Initially, Iowa farmers were in a flurry of excitement about the new crop but, as was the case in 1942 and 1943, the production prowess of Iowa farmers turned out to be more than the market could bear. It was sort of a boondoggle, Hartzler said. A lot of people lost a lot of money trying to do it. The high-water mark for modern-day hemp cultivation was in 2019, when the amount of hemp grown was more than 500 percent higher than it was the year before, Pruisner said. But, our consumer demand, our processing capacity, did not increase at that same rate, she said. Some of the hemp products and cannabis extracts from that bumper 2019 crop, she added, is still sitting in warehouses and clogging the market up. Ditch weed Ditch weed is shown growing along the hiking trail that leads to the First Bride's Grave in Sioux City. The number of licenses to grow hemp in Iowa, and the number of acres of hemp under cultivation, declined precipitously after 2019, according to data from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. In 2020, there were 86 hemp licenses issued and 680 acres of hemp under cultivation. By 2022, there were only 32 licenses and 99 hemp acres significantly less than a single quarter-section of farmland growing hemp in the entire state. While ditch weed is not, in and of itself, illegal, attempts by unlicensed individuals to privately harvest and keep it on hand could be interpreted as possession of a controlled substance (in theory at least; in practical terms, the lines have blurred quite a bit since the 2018 Farm Bill, and hemp products are sold quite openly in stores). In my weed science classes, I required students to make a weed collection, and Id always say, Its OK if you want to include wild hemp in your weed collection, but if you get arrested, Im not going to bail you out, and if I get arrested, youre going to fail the course, Hartzler said with a chuckle. For years, Tesla has seemed to be immune to Elon Musks behavior and statements. A 2021 study found that the thing Tesla owners liked least about the brand was Musk himself. And yet there they were, still driving Teslas. Ive been in California for the past monthwhere the Tesla Model Y is now the bestselling new car in the stateand the experience is overflowing with cognitive dissonance. Its not uncommon to see Teslas parked in driveways that contain rainbow flags or to talk to someone who despises Musk but adores their Tesla. Advertisement There are dozens of different bumper stickers that exist explicitly to help drivers navigate this confusing terrain without having to let go of their Teslas. Many are variations on the same theme: Bought this Tesla before Elon Musk became a huge asshole. Sorry, reads one. Anti-Elon Tesla Club, reads another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of this month, it appears that Musk has finally offended some customers enough for it to make a dent in his sales. A Bloomberg poll found that 21.5 percent of early Tesla adopters who ditched the brand did so because they disapproved of Musk. This was the primary reason that any of the 5,000 drivers surveyed replaced a Tesla with a different kind of vehicle. Many told Bloomberg they were particularly irked by Musks 2022 acquisition of Twitter, which he has since renamed X, and to the tweets that followed. It wasnt only the outrageous one-liners he spewed and fights he picked that bothered them. Some were also put off by the way the billionaire seemed to be downplaying the consequences of climate change. Where Musk was once plausibly eclectic in his politics and beliefs, the Twitter-era CEO was now behaving like a far-right activist sipping from a poisoned information well. Advertisement Related From Slate Tesla Sold a Myth About Batteries That Everyone Wanted to Be True Read More Notably, according to the Bloomberg survey, customers frustrations with Musk were even more of a reason to give up on Tesla than their frustrations with the brands notoriously terrible customer service were. Just how bad is it? As Reuters reported last week, the company rigged the dashboard readouts in some of its cars to provide overly optimistic projections of how far the car could drive before needing to recharge. After concerned customers scheduled appointments with service centers, thinking there was something wrong with their battery, Tesla instructed service centers to cancel the appointments and imply that everything was fine. The article paints a scene of company employees striking a metal xylophone and applauding as they jubilantly gaslight their customers. (Not a metaphor! There was an actual metallophone.) Advertisement Advertisement Teslas competitors should be happy, but not that happy. Perhaps some electric vehicle customerswho are already on the cusp of resenting Musk too much to buy a Teslawould be put off by the billionaires recent decision to place a flashing, pulsing X atop its San Francisco headquarters. (Following many a complaint, the X has been removed.) Advertisement But ultimately, according to the survey, most Tesla owners plan to buy a Tesla again. The leading choice among Model 3 owners who might buy another vehicle in the next two years? More than 50 percent were interested in the widely mocked Cybertruck, which is expected to become available to a few people at the end of the summer, with wider availability next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Car and Driver magazine said it looks like it was dropped off by an alien race. A Wired writer called it the most middle-aged, male-kidult car I have ever seen. Other popular descriptors include a joke. But alongside the mockery, theres a lot of excitement about not only performance, but the really ugly design. If sales go as well as hoped, many will take it as an indicator that Musks outrageousness is the reason why his brand continues to succeed. And that will be partly true. It will take another brand offering his frustrated customers another comparably exciting alternative to reinforce that just because you want design risks doesnt mean you want Twitter vitriol. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. In addition to our traditional advice, every Thursday we feature an assortment of teachers from across the country answering your education questions. Have a question for our teachers? Email askateacher@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. This weeks Ask a Teacher panel: Amy Scott, eighth grade, North Carolina Matthew Dicks, fifth grade, Connecticut Brandon Hersey, second grade, Washington Carrie Bauer, middle and high school, New York Advertisement How do teachers really feel about kids missing school for a vacation? My kids range in age from upper elementary school to middle school. For years, Ive watched families visit Disney World in the dead of winter to beat the long lines, or take advantage of lower airfare during nonpeak travel periods to head off somewhere warm. Im envious. Im a rule-follower and feel like school is school. But I also feel like I may be missing out on quality time with my family. We dont have a lot of discretionary income and taking a vacation when prices are lower would help us take a vacation we wouldnt otherwise be able to afford. Is it a big deal for my kid to miss five days of school for a vacation? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wanna Get Away Dear Wanna, I understand your hesitation. A few years ago, a rule-following friend was in the same predicament after her kids school stopped excusing family trips, even educational ones. Because their October beach trip with the grandparents didnt align with fall break, her kids would miss five days of school. So what? I asked. She squirmed and said, Theyll have unexcused absences on their record. Again, I said, So what? Seriously, so what? The school is not going to take you to truancy court for going to Disney World for a week. (I should clarify: Some states truancy laws are more stringent than others so check them before you book travel, and Im assuming the rest of your kids absences will be excusedillnesses, college trips, what have you.) Take the vacation. Advertisement A few suggestions (you may want to take these or leave these depending on the ages of your childrena high-schooler making up a week of calculus may have a harder time than a first-grader missing a week of subtraction): 1. Check in with your childrens teachers beforehand and make sure there are no standardized tests that week. (But if you cant reschedule, go anyway.) 2. Get your kids to collect their assignments ahead of time and work on them in the car or on the plane. (Or dontjust enjoy yourselves.) The school is not going to take you to truancy court for going to Disney World for a week. 3. Help your kids catch up on missed work after you get back. (Or not. Its not the GRE. Your kids can still have a bright educational future if they get a C in third-quarter sixth-grade social studies, and theyll always remember the whoosh of Space Mountain.) Advertisement I will say this: Any time you ask for class work ahead of time or your kids turn things in late, it creates more work for the teacher. So thank her. Tell her you know its an inconvenience and you appreciate the extra effort she has to put in. If you want to, you can get her a fridge magnet from your destination, or a $5 Starbucks gift card, but the acknowledgment is likely enough. Advertisement In any case, take the vacation. Save money, have fun, and make memories. You wont regret it. Ms. Scott Dear Ask a Teacher, Last year, not having yet read your columns wonderful advice about not going over the teachers head to the principal when there is a problem, I did just that. My son related to me a teachers comment (not his classroom teacher)Ill call her Ms. Xto an assembly of several classes rehearsing the winter concert music together. I thought the comment was racist. In my opinion it concerned half a school full of childrennot just the child the comment was directed at, but all of the other children present as well, who might see it as normaland so I notified the principal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I ended up with Ms. X screaming at me after school one day, in front of my two children and their classroom teachers. She never denied having said it, but she insisted that I had overstepped because I had taken a comment said in jest out of context and made a big deal about nothing. My childrens teachers agreed with Ms. X. I actually had no doubt that the comment was said in jest and that was precisely why I found it offensive. Comments like that normalize a mild, chronic racism, which is the No. 1 thing that propagates racism. My question to you is: Is this still a case where I should have talked to the teacher first? Even before this episode, Ms. X seemed to be someone very set in her ways who is never wrong. If I had a problem with something regarding my son directly, Im sure I would have spoken to the teacher first. But in this case, I was sure Ms. X would dismiss my concern out of hand and continue to act the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Was I Right to Tattle? Dear Was I Right, Had you asked me how to handle this situation prior to taking any action, I would have said: Advertisement 1. Since youre hearing this comment secondhand, tread lightly. Im not implying that your child was lying or even incorrect in his characterization of the comment, but children can often misconstrue a situation. The rational part of the human brain is not fully formed until well after a persons teenage years, so whenever my own children tell me something, I take it with a large grain of salt. You should do the same. 2. Speak to the teacher first. If you do, this does not prevent you from speaking to the principal later if the teachers response is not satisfactory, so why not start there? Based upon her unprofessional response, I doubt shes capable of serious introspection, but at least give the teacher the chance to realize the mistake shes made. We all say things that we regret. Giving the teacher a chance to respond appropriately is the right thing to do. Advertisement For example, I recently handed out a permission slip that asked for the names of the students mother and father. It was an old permission slip that I copied without reviewing. A lesbian couple approached me the next day, pointing out how inappropriate and insensitive the permission slip was. I agreed. I made it clear that it was not my intent to be insensitive but that I was clearly guilty of carelessness. I apologized, and two very angry parents quickly forgave me, and weve had a positive relationship ever since. Advertisement Advertisement This is what I would want from every parent. An opportunity to recognize my mistake, apologize sincerely for it, and move on. 3. If the teachers response is not satisfactory, then by all means alert the principal to your concerns. I would probably tell the teacher that I was going to take the issue to the principal, but this could escalate the encounter, which you might rightfully want to avoid. Advertisement Advertisement Ive never shied away from a good fight. In 20 years of teaching, many parents have come to me concerned, angry, or even outraged over something I have said to a student or to my class. In many cases, confusion or misconception on the students part was the source of the problem. But when the fault was my own, I always appreciated that the parents approached me first, not because I was afraid of my principal finding out, but because this is the best way to preserve an important professional and personal relationship. Mr. Dicks I am looking for advice on how to deal with an incredibly disruptive student in my daughters fourth-grade class. This girl, lets call her Jane, has already established a reputation as a bully at two elementary schools. She threatens to hit kids (and has hit kids in the past) who dont do what she says. She uses that fear to box out whoever is on her list on any given day, saying that nobody can talk to this person or that person (sometimes my daughter, sometimes not). She has punched children during recess (in one instance she broke another childs glasses), and she has been returned to class later that same day. Advertisement Advertisement She regularly seriously disrupts class with her fits and meltdowns. In the first two months of school, my daughters class has had to sit and wait in the library for one to two hours while Jane has had a cursing, chair-throwing fit in the classroom. On one occasion, Jane stood outside the classroom door threatening to hit any kid that left. Because staff is not authorized to use physical force to restrain or move Jane, my daughters class missed a significant portion of lunch because children could not exit the classroom without getting punched. Advertisement While I understand where this rule is coming from, is the school really powerless to stop a single student from robbing the rest of the class from hours of education time? Speaking with other parents, I have learned that Jane has exhibited this pattern of behavior since first grade. Advertisement I know a child who has acted like this since she was 6 has some serious social/emotional development problems, and I want to be sympathetic. I dont want to launch a campaign to get a special needs fourth-grader removed from school. But my own child is anxious having to deal with Janes volatility, and Im genuinely concerned for my daughters safety. I know this girl has to be on the school administrations radar, but the stories keep coming, and I have no confidence that they have a plan for dealing with her outbursts or improving her behavior beyond just wait it out. Do I have any options here to make the school year safer and more enjoyable for my daughter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sympathy Has Its Limits Hey Sympathy, You and your family have my sympathy! Schools should be a place where students feel supported by one another, not threatened. Ive got some advice that assumes Jane does not have an individualized education plan or any other special education services. (If she does have an IEP, then your only option may be the last resort mentioned below.) First, I find it hard to believe that no one is trained to physically restrain Jane. Most schools have at least one employee who is Crisis Prevention Institute certified, which means theyve been trained in the best way to restrain a child while minimizing risk of harm. These employees are specifically taught to manage situations where students may pose a threat to themselves or others. Ive worked in schools where CPI-certified staff are integral to basic school safety. In our district, most principals are CPI certified. Even if your school does not have any CPI certified employees on site, your schools leadership can ask for help from the district. Advertisement Advertisement Ask your schools counselor who in the building is CPI certified, and you can go from there. Knowing this will give you a place to start a conversation with either the principal or the counselor about your safety concerns. If no one is CPI certified, you can raise your concerns about Jane (while still being sympathetic) and say youre wondering if the school can get help from someone CPI certified in the district. If someone is CPI certified, you can ask why that person has not yet been enlisted to help when needed. You can also use this meeting as an opportunity to inquire more generally about the schools safety plan for the classroom. Most schools have these in placeits their blueprint for how and who will respond if and when Jane becomes violent. Advertisement As a last resort, you can also consider requesting a classroom reassignment for your daughter. To be clear, I only suggest this in extreme circumstances. Moving a child at this point in the year could have serious ramifications on her social life and academic performance. However, if Jane is as much of an issue as you make her out to be, you may have no choice. If your kid cant feel safe, then she cant learn. And no bully, big or small, should keep her from that. Mr. Hersey If my 6-year-old bombs standardized tests, how worried should I be? Not the Best With Tests Dear NtBWT, Probably not very worried. The current discourse around testing in American public schools is, uh, heated. Like, people basically burst into flames at the merest mention of the topic. Its important to remember, though, that a standardized test is merely a skill assessment administered and scored to a large group in a consistent manner. The term implies nothing about the duration, difficulty, or significance of the test. At 6, we may well be talking about a simple five-minute assessment of letter sound recognition. A snapshot, in other words! One quick data point, in isolation, at one moment in time. Not meaningless but also not an irreversible determinant of your childs future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Think of it like the milestone checklists you received at your kids well visits during babyhood. It was darkly tempting to commence a panic spiral if your baby hadnt smiled by the six-week appointment, but really, each milestone is more of an indicator and a starting point for a conversation about the whole picture with your pediatrician. Same idea for your school-age kid. Feel free to use the test performance as a discussion opener with your childs teacher if youre worried (though, again, you shouldnt be very worried). If either of you has observed multiple other issues that seem like developmental red flags, the test performance will be useful information to add. If there are no concerns other than the test scores, well, youve got one quirky outlying data point that doesnt indicate much in the grand scheme of your child as a learner. Keep a level head! Its probably fine. Ms. Bauer The Wall Street Journals opinion section published a softball interview with Samuel Alito on Friday in which the Supreme Court justice once again flaunted his ability to troll the public without facing any consequences. The pieceauthored by a conservative commentator and a Republican lawyer rather than real journalistscentered on Alitos claim that Congress cannot impose an ethics code, or perhaps any rules whatsoever, on the Supreme Court. No provision in the Constitution, he declared, gives Congress the authority to regulate the Supreme Courtperiod. That declaration drew the most attention and controversy, in part because the justice appears to have forgotten about a provision of the Constitution that explicitly grants Congress authority to regulate the court, even using the word regulation. Advertisement This focus on Alitos claim of absolute immunity from democratic accountability, however, obscured an equally strange and offensive comment from the interview. After describing his conservative colleagues differing methodologies, the justice told his interlocutors: I dont see that theres a difference in interpretive method among the three liberal members of the court. His message was hard to miss: The Republican-appointed justices have unique and complex approaches to the law, very serious differences that lead to fissures within the 63 supermajority, demonstrating intellectual integrity over results-based judging. The Democratic-appointed justices, by contrast, apply the exact same methods, which typically lead to the same outcomes. The implication seems to be that the conservatives are neutral arbiters of the law who follow unbiased judicial philosophies to their logical conclusions, while the progressive justices are inclined toward activist judging to reach liberal ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative media figures frequently flatten the three progressive justices jurisprudence in this way, accusing them of voting in lockstep to reach Democrats preferred results. It is no surprise that Alito would echo this complaint, given his evidently avid consumption of right-wing media. But only a victim of late-stage Fox Newsbrain could support this conclusion. Todays left-leaning justices use very different tools to interpret the law. Their methodologies are principled and personal, leading to surprise rulings every term. On many big issues of the day, do they reach the same bottom-line conclusion? Sure. But on plenty of other big issues, they disagree sharply. And even when they do reach parallel verdicts, they often follow divergent paths to reach their destination. Advertisement Related From Slate The Most Shameless Attempt to Audition for Clarence Thomas Job Yet Read More Before turning to those justices, lets examine the dichotomy that Alito set out in his therapy session with the articles authors, James Taranto and David Rivkin. (Side note: Rivkin is a lawyer with business before the court in a case next term and also is representing Leonard Leos efforts to block the Senate Judiciary Committees investigations into Leos dark money groups). Alito highlighted his own disagreement with Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and John Roberts to illustrate divisions within the conservative bloc. Of Thomas, he noted a tendency to give less weight to precedent, which Alito deemed a virtue of his jurisprudence because he sticks to his guns. Of Gorsuch, he pointed out a focus on pure legal questions over real-world impact, calling the justice definitely not a consequentialist. Of Roberts, he said the chief justice puts a high premium on consensus and seeks to protect the prerogatives of the judiciary. Then, on the other hand, he put the progressive justices in the same box, accusing Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson of using the same method, without elaborating on what it might be. (A real journalist might have asked the justice to flesh out this remark, but there were no real journalists in the room.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alito is mistaken. Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson do not robotically apply the same indistinguishable method to every caseas plenty of decisions from last term illustrate. Jackson is a progressive originalist who views the entire Constitution through the lens of the postCivil War amendments establishing a new birth of freedom rooted in equal citizenship. She is also a textualist who subjects every statute to rigorous linguistic analysis, though she will sometimes look to congressional intent as well. Kagans entire jurisprudence is anchored by a profound respect for precedent and a deep skepticism toward radical swings in the law. She is more willing than Jackson or Sotomayor to stand by past conservative rulings, even those from which she fiercely dissented. And she consistently scorns consideration of congressional intent. Sotomayor is less wedded to textualism than Kagan and Jackson, more willing to consider broader congressional purpose; she also feels less constrained by precedent, especially in criminal justice cases. Sotomayor infuses her reasoning with an overarching desire to protect civil liberties from government intrusion, and thus evinces less deference toand trust inthe democratic branches. Advertisement These distinctions shone through in a number of recent cases. Sotomayor and Kagan had perhaps the sharpest clash of the entire term in a brawl over the copyright on an Andy Warhol painting, a decision with huge ramifications for artistic freedom. While Sotomayors majority opinion favored a stricter interpretation of fair use law, Kagans dissent promoted a more expansive reading that would protect more artists from copyright lawsuits. The two justices lobbed extraordinarily brutal barbs back and forth, with Kagan telling Sotomayor to go back to school. (Jackson sided with Sotomayor.) In Glacier Northwest v. Teamsters, Kagan and Sotomayor were on the same side, allying with three conservative justices to diminish unions right to strike; Jackson penned a fierce dissent accusing them of failing to heed Congresss intent. In National Pork Producers v. Ross, Jackson endorsed a muscular role for federal courts in striking down local burdens of interstate commerce; Kagan and Sotomayor joined Gorsuchs attempt to remove the court from such battles. In Pugin v. Garland, Jackson endorsed a broader reading of an immigration law involving obstruction of justice, while Kagan and Sotomayor favored a narrower interpretation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list goes on. In Bittner v. U.S., Jackson joined four conservatives in taking a more lenient approach to enforcement of financial disclosure laws, over the dissenting votes of Kagan and Sotomayor. In U.S. v. Hansen, Kagan sided with the conservatives to uphold a broad law criminalizing encouragement of unlawful authorization of immigrants; Jackson, joined by Sotomayor, wrote a biting dissent accusing the majority of rewriting the law to avoid striking it down. In Mallory v. Norfolk Southern, Sotomayor and Jackson voted to relax limits on lawsuits against corporations, while Kagan joined Justice Amy Coney Barretts caustic dissent. In Counterman v. Colorado, Sotomayor charged Kagan and Jackson with diminishing protection for allegedly threatening speech under the First Amendment. Advertisement In each of these cases, the three progressive justices disagreements arose at least partly out of different methods of applying the law. Each weighed precedent, interpreted text, and balanced constitutional considerations in her own way. That was true when the justices agreed on the correct result, as well: Sotomayors and Jacksons dissents in the affirmative action decision, for example, contrast in fascinating ways, with Jackson zeroing in on the original meaning of equal protection and Sotomayor faulting the majority for betraying more recent precedent. In that case, as in so many others, it was the supermajority that voted in lockstep, achieving major goals of the conservative legal movement by any means necessary. In most of the terms blockbuster cases, the Republican-appointed justices lined up behind the GOPs chosen result. The three liberals wound up in dissent only because they valued precedent, plain text, and judicial restraint over the supermajoritys agenda. So, no: Alito is incorrect to assert that only the conservative justices have distinct, well-developed methodologies. That trope may be implicit in right-wing media coverage of the court, but it is not borne out by the progressive blocs actual jurisprudence. His characteristically dyspeptic interview in the Wall Street Journal trivializes the intelligence and individuality of Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson for no apparent reason beyond petty resentment. Alito should listen to his left-leaning colleagues instead of denigrating them. He certainly has a lot to learn. The New York Times and Siena College are out with a sweeping new poll of the Republican primary electorate. It shows a race that Donald Trump is thoroughly in control of, with no evident opening for his competitors. Unless this electorate decides, somewhere down the line, that it is actually uncool to get indicted in most of the countrys charging jurisdictions, its difficult, looking through these numbers, to see how this changes. According to the poll, Trump earns 54 percent support among potential Republican primary voters, with Ron DeSantis earning 17 percent and no other candidate winning more than 3 percent. DeSantis has not made the case that he needs to makethats hes Trumpism without the electability baggagebecause 58 percent of those surveyed said they believe that Trump is better able to beat Joe Biden. To beat Trump, DeSantis needs to assemble a coalition of the Republican primary voters who are done with Trump (college-educated, more moderate, and about a quarter of the electorate) with the vast, persuadable middle of the electorate. Instead, as the New York Times Nate Cohn writes, in comparing the current dynamic to that of the 2016 primary, DeSantis is faring poorly enough among Trump skeptics to give other candidates an opening, much as Mr. Cruzs conservative brand created a space for the ultimately nonviable John Kasich, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush candidacies. This isnt 2016, either, where there was a plausible case that a candidate like Cruz or Rubio could have defeated Trump for the nomination in a one-on-one situation. The NYT/Siena poll shows Trump leading DeSantis 61 to 32 in such a scenario. Advertisement Its almost like its tough to successfully primary a quasi-incumbent former president who remade a political party in his likeness! But its still early, and gravity could invert any one of these days. Advertisement Related From Slate The Name Casey DeSantis Chose for Her Effort to Get Her Husband Elected Says a Lot Read More Theres a section of the poll that asks voters whether certain words or phrases describe Trump or DeSantis better. Trump dominates DeSantis in gets things done, ability to beat Joe Biden, and strong leader; and DeSantis just narrowly edges Trump out in likable and moral. But then there is fun. Trump leads DeSantis in that category 54 percent to 16 percent, awfully close to Trumps overall 54 to 17 percent lead over DeSantis. What first jumps out there, honestly, is that 17 percent of poll respondents incorrectly answered a question of fact. There is no argument to be made that Ron DeSantis is a more fun person than Donald Trump. You couldcouldargue that DeSantis is less dangerous, saner, more organized, more knowledgeable about government, less prone to criminal prosecution, and less of a thinly disguised 18th-century literary stand-in for the devil than Trump. But hes not more fun, and hes not more funny, than Trump. (In many ways, its been his main sell all along.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bad things happen in Republican primaries to candidates who are not as fun as Donald Trump. Jeb Bush was an effective two-term conservative governor of Florida (sound familiar?), but he was not fun. Trump turned him into a puddle. Marco Rubio was not fun. When he desperately attempted, near the end of his run, to be fun, Trump out-funned him into the ground. DeSantis is in the impossible position where he needs to close the Fun Gap, but any attempt to do so would almost certainly backfire, since hes not fun. Tough scene. But maybe were being too harsh on the guy. Lets see what kind of fun hes having on the trail in New Hampshire, with the voters. Advertisement You better ask an on-topic question, because I'm not answering anything thats not about the economy. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) takes questions after outlining his economic policy plan in New Hampshire pic.twitter.com/q0PFVk6Yhv The Recount (@therecount) July 31, 2023 Fun? President Joe Biden is exploring the possibility of a big deal in which Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel, Israel reopens talks with Palestinians, and the U.S. signs a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman has described the deal as a game changer for the Middle East, bigger than the Camp David peace treaty between Egypt and Israelas long as tight restrictions on Israeli settlements are a condition. Certainly, the package is intriguing. The fact that Biden sent National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to talk it over with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the fact that Israels intelligence chief came to Washington to talk it over with Biden, indicates that this is being taken very seriouslythough Biden has said he hasnt decided whether he should pursue it, even if all the moving parts (of which there are many) could be fastened into a cohesive contraption. Heres why I think its a bad idea, however skillfully the diplomacy might be maneuvered. First, the very idea of a U.S. defense pact with Saudi Arabiaa treaty-bound assurance that the United States will come to the royal familys defense if their country is attacked, in the same way that we have pledged to defend any member of NATO that comes under attackis, and should be, a non-starter. Advertisement Its one thing to form alliances of convenience with non-democracies. The U.S. has done this on many occasions, for reasons of realpolitik, good and bad. (The classic case of good: Franklin D. Roosevelt allying with Josef Stalins Soviet Union during World War II in order to defeat Nazi Germany.) Advertisement But its another thing to sign a sacred bonda promise to defend a foreign country as if our own homeland were under attackwith a dynastic monarchy that doesnt so much as pretend to have democratic aspirations, that has a long and horrible human rights record, and whose leader (the crown prince with whom Sullivan met last week) ordered the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Advertisement Second, the move would have a terrible impact on Bidens broader foreign policy. He has repeatedly described the current play of world politics as a contest between democracy and authoritarianism. This is the prism through which he has asked us to view Russias invasion of Ukraine and our strategic competition with China. He cited it as the justification for his grand industrial policies at home, saying he needed billions of dollars to support U.S. chip manufacturers and other tech industries in order to show that were not ceding ground to China, that democracies can still do big things. He organized a summit of democracies, inviting leaders from all over the world to discuss ways to strengthen their standing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This rationale would implode if Biden signed a mutual defense pact with one of the least democratic countries in the world (ranked, by one index, in between Libya and Uzbekistan). U.S. policy would be derided as not only hypocritical but puzzling, and China and Russia would score major propaganda victories. To the argument that the United States has never signed a mutual defense pact with a nondemocratic country, some administration officials point to the 1953 treaty that President Dwight Eisenhower signed with South Korea, which at the time was a military dictatorship. But this comparison holds no water. American troops had just finished fighting a three-year war in Korea; Eisenhower signed the pact as assurance that the troops would return if North Korea broke the armistice and attacked again. And the Cold War was on: The global battle pitted the capitalist West against the Communist East; the U.S. backed many authoritarian governments in the name of anti-Communism. Besides, though this couldnt have been predicted back then (and nobody cared in any case), South Korea today is a thriving democracy. Advertisement Advertisement The third reason the deal would be bad is that, as part of the arrangement, the Saudis want not only a mutual defense pact but also nuclear technologyfor peaceful purposes, of course, under close international supervision. But this is a dangerous course to go down. India began its quest for nuclear weapons under the same pretense. Iran insists that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful ends, yet many observers have their doubts. Why should the Saudis be granted greater trust? Advertisement Speaking of Iran, would the mullahs of Tehran hold still if their mortal enemies in Riyadh suddenly signed accords that gave them nuclear technology and formal military backing from Washington? It is a fair bet that they would accelerate their uranium-enriching programs if just to obtain a deterrenttheir own nuclear arsenal to deter the Saudi arsenal that they would see tearing just around the bend. They would very likely also tighten their own bonds with Russia, China, North Korea, or all three to ensure that, if they have to stare down the great Satan, they dont do so alone. Advertisement In other words, this pact could trigger a new Cold War more complex and dangerous than any confrontation weve ever seen. (In the old Cold War, we had to deal with just one mortal foe, most of whose leaders had an interest in stability.) Despite all this, Friedman finds the prospect of a Saudi deal intriguing, but only if some demands are placed on Israelnot just resumption of talks with Palestinians, as the Saudis have mentioned, but a freeze on settlements and a promise never to annex more territory. Friedman likes this idea because he fears that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government and its move to scuttle judicial review pose grave threats to Israeli democracy. He wants to pose this challenge to the right-wingers: You can have more territory or peace with Saudi Arabia (and probably, with it, the entire Muslim world), but you cant have both. Which one will it be? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate What It Means That the U.S. Has Been Talking to Iran About Its Nuclear Program Again Read More This is what makes the deal at all intriguing. But there are two more reasons not to get behind it. First, it almost certainly isnt going to happen. Netanyahus government (which has to be a part of this deal) isnt going to go along with a ban on settlements. (The prime minister will want to avoid having the either/or question even come up.) And the Palestinians are in no shape to start negotiations, even if Israel initiated them. Second, a U.S. mutual-defense pact, like all treaties, requires ratification by two-thirds of the Senate. Many otherwise skeptical senators, from both parties, would probably sign on if Netanyahu lobbied in its favor, but manyalmost certainly more than one-third of the bodywould vote nay. This includes many Republicans, who would oppose handing Biden any diplomatic achievement that they have the power to block, and many Democrats, whose loathing for the Saudi royal family and distrust of Netanyahu run very deep. If the Saudis are interested in normalizing relations with Israel, following the path of their Sunni allies in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, then they will do so. The conditions that theyre requesting from Washington should be viewed as sweeteners for the Saudis, poison pills for us. Let the talks continue; let Biden and Sullivan explore the possibilities. But the deal on the table is not a deal worth their time, much less their honor. The Apollo moon landings are often portrayed as an American achievement, but the United States had help: More than 1,500 German scientists and engineers were brought to the United States in the immediate aftermath of World War II, through a secret program known as Operation Paperclip. Some were members of the Nazi Party; some were also members of the SSthe Schutzstaffel, the partys black-uniformed political enforcers. Like Wernher von Braun. In his time, von Braun was a giant. Not just a rocketry pioneer, but an all-American hero, a man who, perhaps more than any other figure, was seen as enabling the nations conquest of space. His Nazi past was rarely mentioned, either in the quarter century between the end of the war and the moon landing, or in the remaining decade until his death in 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its what he did before 1945 thats problematic. Von Braun oversaw the German armys rocket program, culminating in the development of the worlds first guided long-range ballistic missile: the V-2. Around 3,000 V-2s were launched against London and the Belgian cities of Antwerp and Liege, killing some 9,000 people. The rockets were built at the Mittelwerk factory in central Germany, employing slave labor from the nearby Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp, where some 20,000 prisoners died under horrific conditions. It is too late to prosecute von Braun for possible war crimes; hes been dead for 46 years. But as the U.S. prepares to head for the moon once again, its not too late to take a closer look at the dark side of the space race, and to ask what lessons there may be for the present day. Advertisement Seen in the light of postwar geopolitics, the decision by the U.S. military to recruit von Braun and other German scientists and engineers reflects a certain cold logic: With Nazi Germany in ruins, the new threat was the Soviet Union, and it was imperative that the expertise of those German scientists benefit us, not them. Advertisement Even so, its hard to see von Brauns transition from Nazi rocketeer to American hero as anything less than astonishing. After helping the U.S. Army develop its ballistic missile program, he took a position in the newly established civilian space agency, NASA, in 1960. He had been a key member of the team that launched the nations first satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958, and as director of NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, he oversaw the development of the Saturn V rockets that took American astronauts to the moon. Advertisement Advertisement Von Braun is the arguably the most prominent ex-Nazi to make a real career in the postwar world, says Michael Neufeld, a curator at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum and author of Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War. Von Braun, he notes, moved seemingly effortlessly from being the technical director of a rocket project in Germany, to the technical director of a rocket project in the United States, and from there to being the leader of a NASA center, central to landing on the moon. Along the way, he and his handlers developed a story that made him palatable, made him acceptable, to the American public. Advertisement Advertisement Von Braun was profiled in the New Yorker and in Colliers magazine; he served as the science adviser for a series of educational Disney films about the promise of space flight. He was portrayed by actor Curd Jurgens in a hagiographic 1960 biopic titled I Aim at the Stars, a U.S.German co-production. Not everyone fell for the von Braun hero worship, however, including several prominent Jewish comedians. Mort Sahl quipped that I Aim at the Stars should have been subtitled But Sometimes I Hit London. Meanwhile, the musician and satirist Tom Lehrer mocked von Braun in song. Advertisement Rabbi Abraham Cooper, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an institution known for combating antisemitism and for hunting Nazi war criminals, is more blunt about the free pass given to von Braun and the other Germans given new lives in the U.S. after the war: I dont think any of these guys got a parking ticket, he says. Those brought over via Paperclip were the luckiest people on Earth, living the dream. They avoided any moral or judicial responsibility for their crimes during World War II, and effectively were heroes. Advertisement Lets get one thing out of the way, says Cooper. Were not talking about anyone who was forced to do anything. Period. Referring not just to von Braun but to the cohort of German scientists and engineers who helped the Reich, he adds: None of these people were victims. They were perpetrators. Advertisement Advertisement Von Braun was a member of the Nazi Party and of the SS. Whether he had any choice in these affiliations is something for historians and philosophers to ponder. (And debating who was or was not a real Nazi seems unsavory, to say the least.) Von Brauns decision to accept a position in the SS, for example, appears to have been the result of infighting between that organization and the German army for control of the rocket program. He is said to have worn the all-black uniform with the swastika on only a few occasions. (When a colleague expressed shock at seeing him in his SS uniform, von Braun is reported to have said there was no way around it.) But Von Braun worked on weapons that he knew would be launched against civilian targets, and the weapons were built by enslaved laborers. Advertisement For Neufeld, the key issue is von Brauns exploitation of forced labor. His research suggests that von Braun would have seen the conditions the workers faced not only at Dora but at eight other locations. At least one wartime letter penned by von Braun himself, about a forthcoming transfer of prisoners, implicates him directly in decision-making about the employment of slave labora potential crime against humanitywhether it was his idea or not, Neufeld has written. Advertisement Advertisement NASA, in 2023, is very much aware of its troubled past, though it certainly does not dwell on it. The agencys online biography of von Braun, which runs for seven paragraphs, includes two sentences about his use of slave labor and his membership in the Nazi Party and the SS. Brian Odom, NASAs chief historian, said in an email: NASA recognizes the difficult duality of both von Brauns contributions to our space program and his association with the Nazi party. The two are unavoidably and historically intertwined. Advertisement Advertisement Roger Launius, a former NASA chief historian, points out that the decision to bring German scientists and engineers to the U.S. was not done indiscriminately; not all were given the green light to start a new life in America. There were those inside the government, especially in the State Department, who did not want to bring them here, who thought that that was a bad idea, that they were indeed Nazis, Launius says. In the end, though, the Soviet threat sealed the deal. The military said, Weve got to have this technology. The Russians are going to get it if we dont get it. Launius, who is also a senior curator at the National Air and Space Museum, sums up von Brauns career succinctly: He spent most of his life building weapons of war, not building rockets to send humans to the moon. Advertisement Not every beneficiary of Paperclip was able to shed their past. Arthur Rudolph, one of von Brauns closest associates, was investigated for war crimes by the Justice Department in the 1980safter von Brauns deathfollowing scrutiny of his involvement with slave labor in the German rocket program. In 1984 he renounced his U.S. citizenship and left the country in return for not being prosecuted, and moved to West Germany. Related From Slate Oppenheimers Glaring Omission Read More Before Rudolph, people were more willing to say, OK, well, they worked for the Nazis, but now they work for us, says Monique Laney, a historian at Auburn University and the author of German Rocketeers in the Heart of Dixie: Making Sense of the Nazi Past During the Civil Rights Era, which looked at the reaction of local Alabamians to the Germans who descended on Huntsville at the dawn of the Space Age. Rudolph was essentially proof that there was a much darker side. Advertisement Advertisement Today Huntsville is one of the few places where von Brauns name is still lauded. The citys civic center is named for him, as is a planetarium and a University of Alabama in Huntsville research hall. At the Marshall Space Flight Center, however, a bust of von Braun was recently removed from public display. Advertisement Advertisement Von Braun was not the only former Nazi to help get Americans to the moon. Kurt Debus, another German rocket engineer who came to the U.S. via Paperclip, oversaw the design and development of the Apollo launch facility at NASAs Launch Operations Center in Florida (later renamed the John F. Kennedy Space Center). Like von Braun, Debus was also a member of the Nazi Party, and an SS officer. His name lives on in the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility at the Kennedy Center. (Attendees can draw inspiration from both the setting and the accomplishments it celebrates, notes the facilitys website.) Advertisement NASA has faced more recent controversies, though drawing any comparisons between them gets into tricky apples-and-oranges territory. A few years ago, concerns were raised over a nickname that the agency had given to an icy body in the Kuiper belt, in the outer solar system; it had been dubbed Ultima Thule, which turned out to have far-right connotations. (The name had been co-opted by German occultists in the early 20th century as the fabled ancestral home of so-called Aryan people, and the term remains popular in alt-right circles.) In 2019 the object was renamed Arrokoth, a Native American name meaning sky or cloud. Advertisement A larger controversy concerns the James Webb Space Telescope, named for a former NASA administrator who served in the State Department in the 1940s and 50s, which at that time enforced policies that discriminated against gay and lesbian government workers during the Lavender Scare. A group of astronomers and physicistsChanda Prescod-Weinstein, Sarah Tuttle, Lucianne Walkowicz, and Brian Nordwrote an op-ed in Scientific American urging NASA to rename the telescope. Regardless of Webbs own beliefs, as a manager, he bore responsibility for policies enacted under his leadership, including homophobic ones that were in place when he became NASA administrator, they wrote. NASA launched an investigation; last year, Odom, the agencys historian, issued a report that found no evidence that Webb was either a leader or proponent of firing government employees over their sexual orientation, as NASA said in a statement released together with the report. Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone was satisfied. Even if Webb wasnt homophobic, he doesnt seem to have objected to the governments harmful policy, says Alice Gorman, an archaeologist at Flinders University in Australia. If you see or are aware of oppression, and you do nothingif you dont actively perpetrate it, but you dont oppose ityoure supporting it. Its simple as that. (Several scientific societies, including Britains Royal Astronomical Society, have pledged to refer to the telescope only by its acronym, JWST.) Advertisement Advertisement No human has set foot on the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972over 50 years ago. As part of its Artemis program, NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon again in 2024. As the agency prepares for the next lunar landing, now is a good time to think carefully about whom we honor, and whyand to remember that science, like all human endeavors, is a social, cultural, and political activity. We cant pretend that science and technology are value-free, says Laney. Technology and science happen in a context, and are used in a context. Theyre created by humans. And how its used and why we use itthese are things you should question. To me, that is the biggest takeaway from this. The United States, with its single-minded focus on outmaneuvering the Soviet Union, chose to ignore von Brauns past. In deliberately overlooking his deeds, it rewarded a possible war criminal, casting a dark shadow over NASAs greatest achievements. Are there other technological advances that we are pursuing at all costs in the 21st century? We cant change history, but we can learn from itand try not to make the same mistakes again. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Deciding whether to get BBB accredited is an easy choice for some small business owners but others have questions. Is it worth the fee? What value does it really bring? Deciding whether to obtain BBB accreditation can be a straightforward decision for some small business owners, while others grapple with uncertainties. Some question the tangible benefits against the cost of the fee. How much value does it truly deliver? Conduct Market Research Power Up Your Event's Success Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here As we will delve into further, achieving accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) comes with a myriad of strategic advantages. It elevates your brands credibility, fostering public trust, and serves as a beacon, drawing new customers towards your business. The blue and white BBB logo, a seal of assurance, is a symbol youve likely come across in your encounters with businesses. Enterprises proudly display this seal for a singular reason: the public tend to instill their trust in a BBB accredited business more readily. This seal functions as a guiding light for consumers, helping them distinguish credible, responsible businesses from irresponsible scams and unsteady, transient operations. Nevertheless, this right to display the BBB seal is not given without merit; businesses must navigate and complete the accreditation process to earn this privilege. This article aims to shed light on how this accreditation process unfolds, the inherent value it imbues, and the steps towards securing BBB accreditation. What Does the Better Business Bureau Do? The Better Business Bureau (BBB), established in 1912, holds many responsibilities, one of the crucial ones being to serve as a central information nexus between businesses and the public. The Bureaus vision is for an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other, fostering a space where fair and honest transactions can thrive. The BBB is structured as a parent organization named the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. Beneath this umbrella exist approximately 100 independently-incorporated local entities spanning across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The BBB also maintains a non-profit arm, the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, dedicated to promoting ethical business standards. Among other key activities: The BBB maintains a directory of over 5 million business profiles where consumers can research a business. Consumers can file complaints, and the BBB gives companies a way to respond. The BBB offers mediation and arbitration to help resolve disputes. Consumers who verify their identity can leave reviews about vendors on the BBB website. The Better Business Bureau rates businesses from A+ to F, based on a 17-point scale. The BBB provides a designation called accreditation for select companies. What Does BBB Accreditation Mean? BBB business accreditation signifies that your firm has successfully fulfilled the BBBs stipulated requirements and has been officially granted accreditation status. This entails filling out an application form, supplying the requisite information, allowing a thorough review of your business operations, and adhering to the BBBs rigorous standards. Businesses that attain accreditation must also remit a fee and ensure its renewal on an annual basis. Upon completion of these steps, a BBB accredited business gains access to exclusive marketing privileges, along with other advantageous provisions. Why Get BBB Accreditation? Accredited BBB businesses get several benefits, including: Consumer Trust. Businesses get the right to associate their brand with the BBB brand, which is synonymous with trust. For example, accredited businesses can display the BBB accredited business logo on their front door, website and other places. Consumers look for this Seal. Competitive Advantage. Accreditation is exclusive and differentiates your business from competitors. Around 400,000 businesses are accredited, according to the BBB website. When you consider that this number is less than 3% of all companies, it is easy to see how those that get accreditation stand out from peers. Reputation Management. Accredited businesses get extra points toward their BBB rating. Ratings are separate from accreditation. But when a business puts itself through the accreditation process, the BBB is able to assess trustworthiness directly and may award a higher score. Online Visibility. Your business gets its accreditation status noted in the BBB directory. A business can claim its online profile and add images, videos and other information. You may even get leads sent to your company. Education and Information. The BBB offers webinars, newsletters and resources to help you run your business. How to Get BBB Accredited Getting accredited is not hard for a reputable company, but you must apply. There are five steps for how to get BBB accreditation: 1. Check Your Eligibility The first step is to make sure your business is eligible. You have to have been in business at least 6 months. Among other requirements, you must have: All licenses and bonding required for your industry. No government ethics violations. Compliance with all governmental and contractual obligations. A privacy policy on your website and secure technology if you sell online. 2. Apply There are two ways to apply for accreditation. You can go to this page to the start the process. An alternative way to apply is to get in touch with your local BBB office directly. As a proprietor of a small business, your interactions will primarily be with your local BBB office. You can visit BBB.org and explore the BBB organizations operating in the US, Canada, and Mexico to identify the appropriate chapter for your geographical location. Then, you can initiate the process via a call, an email, or by using the application form available on the website of the local chapter. 3. Provide Information Accompanying your application, youre required to provide certain critical details about your business. The list of information isnt exhaustive, but its accuracy is of utmost importance. Key facts such as your businesss official name, the registered address, the number of employees on your payroll, and other relevant details form the core of this data. Ensuring precision in this phase is instrumental as it paves the way for a seamless review process and plays a pivotal role in the final verdict of your accreditation. 4. Undergo a Business Review Following the submission of your application, the BBB chapter for your area will conduct an in-depth business review. This review includes a public records check along with a thorough examination of other available information sources to gauge the level of trustworthiness and integrity of your business. As part of this, the BBB may request a personal meeting or conduct an interview over the phone to garner more insights into your operations. This application is then put forward for review by the local BBB board of directors, a process that can stretch over several weeks. The board, composed of individuals from the broader business community, convenes periodically. Given these factors, its prudent to expect the overall process to take at least 3 weeks. 5. Pay the Fee Upon Approval Once your application has passed the stringent approval process, you are required to agree to the BBBs specified terms. This includes the payment of the fee, also referred to as Accreditation Dues. General Motors (GM) is recalling almost 900 cars in the United States and Canada as a precaution, as the vehicles' Takata airbag inflators may burst and launch metal fragments during a collision. The recall includes Chevrolet Camaro, Sonic, and Volt automobiles, as well as certain Buick Verano, all from the 2013 model year. There are also several 2013 Chevrolet Trax vehicles from Canada that are affected. The Issue Points to Explosion-Prone Airbag Inflators According to AP News, GM claims in papers published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday, August 1, that a manufacturing issue may cause the driver's front airbag inflator to rupture during an accident. The inflators are part of a batch produced by Takata that is now being looked at by the agency yet has not been recalled. Takata's airbags were designed to inflate with a tiny explosion, achieved by using the highly combustible ammonium nitrate. The chemical, however, may degrade with time and detonate with too much energy, causing the metal canister to shatter and release shrapnel. Since May 2009, at least 26 individuals in the US have been killed by the inflators. More than 30 people died elsewhere, including in Malaysia and Australia. There are also roughly 400 individuals hurt. At least 67 million Takata inflators were recalled in the US as a result of the potential for the hazardous defect, making it the greatest sequence of car recalls in the country's history. Millions, according to the US government, have not been fixed. Globally, over 100 million inflators have been recalled. The Japanese company Takata went bankrupt due to these airbag issues. See Also: Tesla to Upgrade Over 1 Million Cars' Software in China as Part of 'Product Recall' Concerns on Takata Airbags With Desiccant Airbags recalled by GM include a desiccant, a chemical that absorbs moisture and was not used in earlier recalls, as AP News reported. According to federal records, the automaker argues that the issue is isolated to a single batch of Takata inflators and does not impact any other cars. NHTSA is looking into whether or not Takata airbags with desiccant really blow up and shoot out shrapnel. The probe, initiated in 2021, encompasses 30 million inflators used in over 200 models produced by 20 automakers, including GM. In May 2020, the agency made the decision not to recall the desiccant-containing inflators but to instead keep an eye on them. Documents state that GM was informed in March that a 2013 Camaro in Brazil had an inflator explosion in May 2022. The business claims that further inflator investigation is ongoing, but preliminary results suggest the blast was due to a manufacturing fault rather than ammonium nitrate degradation. Center for Auto Safety head Michael Brooks stated that drivers are left wondering whether or not their cars are safe to use because of GM and NHTSA's lack of oversight on air bag inflators. Brooks said, "It's kind of absurd that we're left in the dark about what's in our vehicles due to confidentiality provisions" offered to manufacturers. See Also: First Prototype of $300,000 Flying Car Approved for Testing by FAA @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. 25. Ordinary Day Studio Ordinary Day Studio has candles inspired by mood and art. The product line includes options like amber sandalwood tobacco and Kentucky bourbon. Products can also be personalized. And the shop also sells DIY kits. 26. Bubble Yum Candles Bubble Yum Candles offers candles, lip balm, wax melts, and room sprays. Some products include lifelike shapes like cinnamon buns. Others are infused with extras like bubblegum. 27. Wax Farm Candles Wax Farm Candles offers jar candles made with essential oils. Each jar is wrapped with a printed design to make them stand out visually. 28. Sixth Spice Sixth Spice sells eco-friendly natural products, including candles and skincare. The product line includes scents like lavender and lemon and roses in the woods. 29. Green Earth Stones Green Earth Stones offers handcrafted candles and crystals. The scents include options like dragons blood and raven to go with the theme of the shop. 30. Peace Organics Peace Organics provides soy candle and gift boxes with a magical twist. The jars include visuals like skulls and birds rather than simple labels that include the scent of each candle. To give you a clearer picture of the 30 candle-making businesses discussed above, heres a quick summary of the information: No. Business Name Special Features 1 Frostbeard Book-themed soy candles, unique scents (e.g. Sherlock Study, Oxford Library) 2 2 Sisters Candle Co. Various scents of soy candles, run by two sisters 3 Grand Candles Soy candles in single-sized jars, unique scent combinations 4 Baum Designs Personalizable humorous candles, along with other gift items 5 OUU Shop Minimalist designed soy candles, personalized wedding favors 6 New Moon Beginnings Candles infused with crystals, along with other spiritual items 7 The Canary's Nest Classic and seasonal scents of soy candles and wax melts 8 Modern Forestry Mason jar candles, rustic feel, cedar wicks, forest-inspired designs 9 Sandy Land Studio Soy candles, soaps, bath salts, variety of scents and colors 10 Mia's Co. A candle for every memory", classic scents, modern design 11 Mind Your Own Beeswax LLC Beeswax candles, self-care packages, wholesale orders 12 Anchored Northwest Rustic candles with wood wicks, unique containers, wholesale accounts 13 Get a Whiff Co. Wood wick candles, rustic design, masculine scents 14 Cesarah's Creations Unique soy candles in glass jars with extras (e.g. cinnamon stick, herbs) 15 Mainely Candles Specializes in seasonal scents of soy wax candles from Maine 16 Bluewine Studio Uniquely shaped candles (e.g. seashells, cereal pieces) 17 Embers and Roots Ethical soy candles in amber glass jars, personalized messages 18 Bees Light Candles Beeswax candles in various shapes and sizes 19 Alder and Loam Minimalist designed soy candles, simple scents 20 Cosmic Moon Sisters Magical, infused, and apothecary jar candles 21 Always Rich Creations Colorful, scented soy candles in various collections 22 Wax on Fire Humorous soy candles with special occasion messages 23 Wildflower By Anna Sustainable products including candles, skincare, and soap 24 Craft Aromas Nature-inspired soy candles with wood wicks in frosted glass jars 25 Ordinary Day Studio Mood and art inspired candles, personalized, sells DIY kits 26 Bubble Yum Candles Lifelike shaped candles, lip balm, wax melts, room sprays 27 Wax Farm Candles Essential oil candles in visually appealing jars 28 Sixth Spice Eco-friendly natural products including candles and skincare 29 Green Earth Stones Handcrafted candles and crystals with thematic scents 30 Peace Organics Soy candles in visually appealing jars and gift boxes How do I start a candle business? The initial phase of setting up any business involves careful strategic planning. The first critical step is to identify a specific niche and devise a compelling name that helps your brand to stand out amidst the competition. For instance, some enterprises focus on producing eco-friendly candles, while others cater to specialized markets such as weddings, crafting decorative candles for centerpieces. Alternatively, you can add a humorous twist to your products by giving your candles quirky, amusing names. The key is to find a name that encapsulates the essence of your product offerings. Once youve zeroed in on a name, the next steps include: Securing a dedicated website Establishing an Etsy page Creating social media profiles for your burgeoning candle business Apart from the digital and branding aspects, the tangible side of your business requires sourcing the requisite raw materials for candle manufacturing. These could encompass a variety of items like soy, beeswax, gel, wicks, fragrance oils, dyes, glass jars, labels, and packaging supplies. Once your setup is ready, its time to experiment, practice, and refine your candle making techniques. This phase will see you developing a unique line of scented candles or specific themed products. The convenience of running a candle making business is that it can be operated from a home kitchen or a small home office. The process typically requires a stovetop for melting the soy or wax, and your kitchen countertop could easily double up as your manufacturing line. The subsequent phase involves setting up your sales outlets this could be your Etsy shop, your dedicated website, or other potential points of sale. One approach could involve scouting local gift shops to establish wholesale partnerships, or exploring annual craft fairs as potential sales avenues. A multi-channel sales strategy ensures wider reach. Alongside, dont forget to actively market your business via social media, online advertisements, and strategically promoted product listings. Another critical aspect is branding your candles with a catchy logo and attractive design elements. As your business grows, the operational aspect will require systems for efficient financial management, regular updating of product listings, and continuous production to maintain an adequate inventory. Further, given the delicate nature of your products, an investment in sturdy shipping supplies will ensure that your candles reach your customers in perfect condition. Business owners can learn even more about starting a candle business at the links below: How much does it cost to make a candle? The exact cost of candle making depends on the supplies you choose, the quality of those materials, and the quantity youre planning to produce. Generally, the cost can be broken down into components such as wax, wicks, containers, fragrances, and coloring. Lets take a closer look at these factors. On average, wax, which forms the bulk of the candle, can cost between $2 to $7 per pound, depending on the type (e.g., soy, paraffin, beeswax) and where you source it. Wicks are relatively inexpensive, often priced at under $0.10 each. Containers can range widely, from $0.50 for simple glass jars to $3 or more for premium or custom-designed containers. Fragrances and colorants vary depending on their quality and the concentration you prefer. High-quality essential oils, for example, can be quite pricey, but they are highly concentrated and can last a long time. A single bottle might cost anywhere from $5 to $20, but keep in mind, only a few drops are needed for each candle. So, in summary, making one candle may cost around $5 to $6 when crafting individually. However, this cost can be significantly reduced by buying your supplies in bulk. If you purchase enough products to create a batch of 12 or more candles, each one may only cost around $0.50 to produce. Additionally, home candle making allows business owners to control overhead costs, adding to the cost-efficiency of the venture. Can you make good money selling candles? Yes, the potential to make a significant profit exists in selling candles, especially if youve worked on building a unique, high-quality product and priced it correctly. Its important to note that the profitability of your candle business largely depends on the value proposition of your product, your pricing strategy, and your ability to reach your target market. Usually, a healthy profit margin for handmade products, such as candles, falls between 25 and 50 percent. This margin takes into account not only the costs of materials but also overheads such as utilities, packaging, shipping, and even your time. Therefore, setting a competitive yet profitable price is a critical step. Moreover, the profitability of your business is also tied to the platforms and methods you use to sell your candles. Options include online marketplaces like Etsy, your own eCommerce website, craft fairs, and local retail outlets. Youll want to find venues that attract consumers who appreciate your products uniqueness and are willing to pay your asking price. The potential for earnings in the candle business can be substantial if managed effectively. Some entrepreneurs manage to pull in between $25,000 and $50,000 in profits annually. However, like any business, candle making requires dedication, skill, creativity, and a strong understanding of the market to be profitable. The fashion industry is continually changing, especially when it comes to how fashion brands market their products. Influencer marketing has become an increasingly popular trend across industries like beauty and fashion and having a great influencer campaign in place can make a significant difference for brands. Well go through some of the top fashion influencers to follow and partner with if you are looking to build your influencer marketing efforts. What is a fashion influencer? A fashion influencer is someone who has amassed a large following on their fashion blog across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. Their power lies in their ability to connect with followers on a personal level while sharing insights, inspirations, and personal style statements. Fashion influencers often become leaders in the industry, dictating trends, and influencing buying behaviors. Key Characteristics and Activities: Trendsetting : Fashion influencers have a knack for identifying, embracing, and even creating the latest trends. They share these insights with their followers, who often look to them for fashion inspiration. : Fashion influencers have a knack for identifying, embracing, and even creating the latest trends. They share these insights with their followers, who often look to them for fashion inspiration. Personal Style Sharing : Their unique style becomes part of their brand identity. Followers often try to emulate this style, making fashion influencers an integral part of the fashion ecosystem. : Their unique style becomes part of their brand identity. Followers often try to emulate this style, making fashion influencers an integral part of the fashion ecosystem. Providing Tips and Advice : Fashion influencers offer guidance on how to wear different pieces, how to shop on a budget, how to mix and match clothing, and much more. This practical advice can make fashion accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience. : Fashion influencers offer guidance on how to wear different pieces, how to shop on a budget, how to mix and match clothing, and much more. This practical advice can make fashion accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience. Brand Collaboration : Many fashion influencers collaborate with brands for product endorsements, reviews, and promotions. These partnerships can be lucrative for the influencer and beneficial for the brand, driving sales and increasing visibility. : Many fashion influencers collaborate with brands for product endorsements, reviews, and promotions. These partnerships can be lucrative for the influencer and beneficial for the brand, driving sales and increasing visibility. Engaging Content Creation : Utilizing multimedia content such as photos, videos, and blogs, fashion influencers engage with their audience by creating visually appealing and informative content. This might include tutorials, vlogs, live Q&A sessions, and more. : Utilizing multimedia content such as photos, videos, and blogs, fashion influencers engage with their audience by creating visually appealing and informative content. This might include tutorials, vlogs, live Q&A sessions, and more. Community Building : By engaging with their audience through comments, likes, and shares, influencers create a community where followers feel a connection and a sense of belonging. This connection often translates into loyalty and trust. : By engaging with their audience through comments, likes, and shares, influencers create a community where followers feel a connection and a sense of belonging. This connection often translates into loyalty and trust. Global Impact : Some influencers extend their reach globally, impacting fashion trends and consumer behavior across different cultures and regions. : Some influencers extend their reach globally, impacting fashion trends and consumer behavior across different cultures and regions. Ethical Advocacy: Many fashion influencers also take stands on issues such as sustainable fashion, ethical sourcing, and inclusivity in the fashion industry, using their platform to raise awareness and promote positive change. Fashion influencers have become an essential part of the modern fashion landscape, bridging the gap between the industry and consumers. By sharing their personal style, engaging with their audience, collaborating with brands, and more, they shape the trends and provide a unique perspective on fashion. Their influence extends beyond mere clothing choices and can often reflect cultural shifts and societal values within the broader context of fashion. Small Business Spotlight Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here The Fashion Industry in 2023 The fashion industry has shown consistent growth year after year, especially as fashion blogging becomes more popular. There is now more market awareness and interest in fashion trends, especially in luxury fashion. The fashion industry in 2023 is currently predicted to show growth across the industry. Why Your Brand Should Consider Partnering with a Fashion Influencer If youre launching your own clothing line or fashion brand, partnering with a style influencer can be immensely beneficial for your brand. You should also as yourself how do influencers make money as well as how much do influencers make per post. Here are some reasons to consider working with fashion influencers: Build awareness: If youre looking to increase awareness about your fashion brand, collaborating with a fashion influencer should be a major part of your social media marketing strategy. Influencer collaborations are crucial for introducing your brand to new audiences. Increase coverage: Partnering with a top fashion influencer ensures that you will get coverage around your brand and have your own collection featured in popular fashion blogs as a result, which is excellent for your overall PR strategy. Crucial for social media marketing: For top fashion brands, increasing their presence on social media platforms is an integral part of their overall marketing strategy. Clothing lines with a social media presence are much more likely to see better sales, especially if partnering with an influencer that fits the brand well. Top Fashion Influencers in 2023 1. Chrissy Rutherford 168k followers Chrissy Rutherford Is one of the leading Instagram fashion influencers and has worked with many well-known fashion brands in the luxury space through partnerships and other influencer marketing campaigns. Chrissy Rutherford has built her following due to her unique street style and fashion sense, and she has been in the social media world for over a decade. 2. Cole Sprouse 33.4m followers Cole Sprouse is an actor, photographer, and one of the top male Instagram fashion influencers currently on Instagram with a dedicated following. Although perhaps more well-known for his acting, Cole Sprouse is becoming an emerging style icon when it comes to male fashion and has a unique sense of style that followers really resonate with. 3. Pernille Teisbaek 1.4m followers Pernille Teisbaek is a fashion influencer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Pernille is a stylist, brand consultant, and fashion influencer with a large following on social media platforms due to her distinctive look and style. Known for her minimalist, chic style and lifestyle content, Pernille Teisbaek has amassed a considerable following on social media. 4. Irene Kim 2.9m followers Irene Kim is a Korean American fashion influencer and one of the top fashion Instagram influencers. Irene Kim is a fashion blogger who has collaborated with many top brands and has her own fashion lines. Known for her street style and creative looks, she has built a strong personal brand and clothing brand. 5. Danielle Bernstein 3.2m followers Danielle Bernstein is one of the top style influencers on social media, who owns her own label while also running a popular fashion blog. Danielle Bernstein is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and runs her own lifestyle blog. She is one of the top Instagram fashion influencers currently in the fashion world. 6. Mariano Di Vaio 6.9m followers Mariano Di Vaio is a fashion designer and Italian blogger with a resume boasting creative director positions at fashion brands such as Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana. Mariano Di Vaio is one of the top fashion Instagram influencers for men and has built successful brands for himself, as well as highlighting mens style in the fashion space. 7. Camila Coelho 10m followers If youre seeking out top fashion influencers, Camila Coelho is one to consider. Camila Coelho is a designer and influencer known for her unique style. Camila Coelho has worked with many of the leading brands in the fashion world, and her partnerships include collaborations with brands such as Christian Dior and Tory Burch, and her lifestyle content consistently garners a lot of views and attention. 8. Essie Golden 182k followers Essie Golden is one of the most popular fashion bloggers on Instagram and has built her brand by promoting a positive body image and has become a plus-size style icon. Known for eclectic style, bold color choices, and unique look, Essie Golden has become a favorite for beauty brands and fashion brands looking to gain new audiences. 9. Charlotte Saunders 570k followers If youre seeking out top Instagram fashion influencers, Charlotte Saunders fits the bill. Charlotte Saunders is one of the more popular fashion bloggers on social media and has built a following for herself through her chic, minimal style. Her distinct personal style and lifestyle content has made her very popular on Instagram. Charlotte Saunders Instagram also features lifestyle and other types of content as well, all documented in her own style for followers to enjoy. 10. Rochelle Johnson 478k followers Rochelle Johnson is a fashion blogger and plus-size style consultant from the US. Her platform is built to inspire women, and showcase body positivity, similar to Essie Golden, and her Instagram account has seen consistent growth over time. Rochelle Johnson has partnered with brands such as Nordstrom and Walmart to showcase affordable fashion options for plus-size women. 11. Noha Nabil 12.4m followers Noha Nabil is a Youtuber and social media influencer from Kuwait. She is ranked as one of the most influential Arab women in social media and has collaborated with major fashion houses such as Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, and more. She has grown her following through her Instagram account and her Youtube channel. Noha Nabil has since launched her lifestyle brand, including cosmetics and beauty products that are gaining popularity. 12. Chiara Ferragni 29.5m followers Arguably one of the leading fashion influencers on social media platforms like Instagram, Chiara Ferragnis fashion blog is a major part of a new era of fashion blogs. Chiara Ferragni started her career as a blogger and was profiled in Teen Vogue for Blog of the Year. Chiara Ferragni also has her own fashion label alongside her blogging and has built an immensely popular brand, solidifying herself as one of the top fashion influencers in the space. 13. Xenia 2.1m followers Xenia is a Swiss-Russian fashion influencer and was ranked as one of the most influential women in the world at one point in time. She frequently attends fashion shows while also cementing herself as one of the top fashion influencers currently. Xenias blog highlights her luxury fashion aesthetic, as well as her travels, as part of her overall lifestyle brand. Name Followers Background & Expertise Style & Niche Brand Collaborations & Achievements Chrissy Rutherford 168k Leading Instagram fashion influencer with over a decade of experience Unique street style Partnerships with well-known luxury brands Cole Sprouse 33.4m Actor, photographer, emerging style icon in male fashion Unique sense of male fashion Becoming a top male Instagram fashion influencer Pernille Teisbaek 1.4m Copenhagen-based stylist, brand consultant, and fashion influencer Minimalist, chic style Large following due to distinctive look Irene Kim 2.9m Korean American fashion influencer, fashion blogger, and owner of fashion lines Street style, creative looks Collaborations with top brands, own clothing brand Danielle Bernstein 3.2m Owner of her label, graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology, top style influencer Running popular fashion & lifestyle blog One of the top Instagram fashion influencers in the fashion world Mariano Di Vaio 6.9m Italian blogger and fashion designer; creative director at Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana Highlights men's style in fashion space Built successful brands for himself Camila Coelho 10m Designer and influencer known for unique style Unique fashion style Collaborations with brands like Christian Dior and Tory Burch Essie Golden 182k Promotes positive body image and a plus-size style icon Eclectic style, bold color choices Favored by beauty and fashion brands for unique look Charlotte Saunders 570k Popular fashion blogger with chic, minimal style Chic, minimal style Distinct personal style and lifestyle content on Instagram Rochelle Johnson 478k Plus-size style consultant from the US, promoting body positivity Plus-size style Partnerships with Nordstrom and Walmart for affordable plus-size fashion Noha Nabil 12.4m Influential Arab woman in social media, Youtuber from Kuwait Lifestyle brand including cosmetics and beauty Collaborations with major fashion houses like Fendi, Giorgio Armani, etc. Chiara Ferragni 29.5m Leading fashion influencer; started as a blogger, has own fashion label Major part of new era of fashion blogs Blog of the Year in Teen Vogue, own immensely popular brand Xenia 2.1m Swiss-Russian fashion influencer, attended fashion shows Luxury fashion aesthetic, travels Ranked as one of the most influential women in the world These top beauty influencers have reach across different platforms, so the top TikTok influencers can also be huge YouTube influencers as well as have a presence on Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and others. How to Find a Fashion Influencer Finding top fashion influencers can often be challenging for brands, but here are some ways to search for the best influencer for your brand: Look at fashion blogs: Many of the top fashion influencers currently on social media are consistently covered by fashion blogs, and you can find the right influencer depending on the style youre seeking. Additionally, many fashion blogs cover specific types of styles such as street, luxury, minimal and more and will feature top influencers as examples. Seek out people in fashion: Many fashion influencers also have professional roles within the industry, e.g., as fashion editors for magazines, or other publications. You can find influential people within the industry by seeking out professionals. Research collaborations: Collaborations can give you a good insight into what kind of fashion the influencer is into and what their audience is like. Many of the top fashion influencers have done large campaigns on Instagram with luxury fashion and beauty brands such as Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani Beauty, and leading retailer brands that you can use as a springboard to find influencers for your campaigns. Who is the biggest fashion influencer? The biggest fashion influencer is Chiara Ferragni, as she is solely focused on her Instagram blog and clothing brands. However, she has been featured in leading fashion publications and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in fashion over the span of her career. What top influencer is also a fashion designer? Danielle Bernstein is a top influencer who is also a fashion designer and has her own clothing and lifestyle brands. Which influencers have worked with the biggest fashion brands? Chiara Ferragni, Mariano Di Vaio, and Camila Coelho are all influencers that have worked with some of the biggest fashion brands in the world in terms of partnerships and collaborations. Which fashion influencer has the most Instagram followers? Chiara Ferragni is one of the most popular fashion influencers currently and has the most Instagram followers. A franchise model provides proven systems and trusted brand names, but still gives you the freedom to run your own business. Franchising often includes a hefty initial investment, but there are several franchises under 10k that can allow you to get started for little to no upfront capital. How much does it cost to purchase a franchise? The cost of buying a franchise varies widely, from franchises under 10k to those costing millions of dollars. Many franchises fall between $100,000 and $300,000. But the exact costs vary by industry and location. Benefits of Opening a Franchise for Under $10K Starting a franchise for under 10k can be an attractive opportunity for many entrepreneurs. Here are some of the benefits: Sell Your Business Power Up Your Event's Success Conduct Market Research Advertise Your Business Here Less risk : Lower Upfront Investment : The financial barrier to entry is reduced, making it more accessible to a wider range of potential business owners. Minimal Borrowing Needs : As mentioned, youre unlikely to need a loan or financial assistance from family and friends, reducing your financial risk and liability. Low Operating Costs : Many under 10k franchises include business models with minimal ongoing expenses, further limiting the financial risk. : High chance of profitability : Quicker Break-even Point : With a smaller initial investment, you can reach profitability more quickly as your revenue doesnt need to cover substantial start-up costs. Potential for Scalability : Depending on the franchise, you may have the opportunity to grow the business over time, gradually increasing your profit margins. : Access to proven systems : Technological Support : Many franchises provide technology tools tailored to the business, sparing you the time and expense of developing or acquiring them yourself. Training and Ongoing Support : Franchisors often provide extensive training and continuous support, helping you avoid common startup mistakes and setting you up for success. Network Opportunities : Being part of a franchise often means being part of a community of fellow franchisees, offering networking and collaboration opportunities. : Brand recognition : Immediate Credibility : By aligning with an established brand, your business can enjoy instant recognition and trust in the marketplace. Marketing and Advertising Support : Some franchises offer marketing materials and strategies that are already tested and proven effective, saving you time and effort. : Location and time freedom : Flexibility in Location : As noted, many of these franchises dont require a physical location, providing the flexibility to operate from anywhere. Work-Life Balance : This flexibility also allows for a more balanced lifestyle, enabling you to run your business from home or while traveling. Lower Overhead Costs : Without the need for a physical location, you can save on rent, utilities, and other associated costs. : In summary, opening a franchise for under 10k can offer a wealth of benefits, from reduced financial risks to a more flexible lifestyle. Its a path worth considering for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to leverage the support and recognition of established brands while enjoying the independence and rewards of business ownership. Always remember to conduct thorough research and consider consulting with a franchise expert to find the opportunity thats the best fit for your goals and situation. Top Franchise Opportunities Under $10K If youre looking for low-cost franchise companies to invest in, here are several franchises under 10k to consider. 1. Social Owl Social Owl offers a turnkey social media marketing business model. The company provides a white-label business system that you can set up with your own brand online. Then you sell social media packages to businesses and bring in recurring monthly revenue. There is no initial franchise fee. You just pay $279 monthly or buy the annual package for $1,997. 2. Cruise Planners A Cruise Planners franchise includes a home-based network of travel advisors. The company provides training and demonstration activities, along with a full software system to allow you to run your own franchise from home. The current franchise fee is $6,995. 3. Baby Boot Camp Baby Boot Camp is one of the top fitness franchises for new moms. Run by Momleta, the low-cost franchise provides stroller fitness classes outdoors. The initial franchise fee ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 depending on the population in your area. 4. Coffee News A Coffee News franchise lets you create relationships with local businesses and sell advertising opportunities throughout your community. This business can be run from home and is ideal for those with existing business relationships who want to be their own boss. Franchise packages vary by location, but the initial franchise fee generally falls just under $10,000. 5. BuildingStars The BuildingStars franchise model offers commercial cleaning services for office buildings and other local businesses. Its a flexible model that you can scale over time. It costs as little as $795 to get started. 6. MobileStamp MobileStamp offers a turnkey franchise option where you help local business clients build loyalty and rewards programs. Franchise owners help small and medium-sized businesses with punch card mobile apps, deals, and social rewards. MobileStamp collects a monthly fee instead of a traditional franchise fee. 7. Jazzercise Jazzercise is a dance workout franchise that offers two different franchise opportunities. The class owner franchisee is responsible for facility costs and the business side. And the instructor franchisee is mainly responsible for teaching classes. For the latter option, the initial investment just includes a one-time franchise fee of $1,250, plus a few ongoing costs like music royalties and equipment. 8. Octoclean Octoclean is one of the top janitorial franchises serving small business owners and medical facilities. You get your very own exclusive territory and can determine how many hours and resources you want to put into the business. Initial costs vary but may be as low as $8,000. 9. SiteSwan Website Builder SiteSwan Website Builder offers a reseller opportunity for its web services and business-in-a-box solution. You can build your entire business around this white-label solution or add it to your other offerings like marketing support and social media services. Plans range from $149 to $300 per month. 10. Fit4Mom Fit4Mom offers a lower-cost franchise than many fitness brands. The company specializes in workout classes for moms. The monthly fee varies, and estimated costs start at about $5,500. 11. Card My Yard Card My Yard offers yard greeting cards and signs and is one of the top birthday and holiday franchises that can be run largely from home. So upfront costs start at around $3,725. 12. RugbyTots RugbyTots is a global franchise that offers rugby play for kids. You can start without a dedicated location or lots of expensive equipment. The estimated initial cost starts at around $6,500. No. Franchise Name Business Type/Services Initial Franchise Fee Other Costs/Details 1 Social Owl Social media marketing $0 $279 monthly or $1,997 annually 2 Cruise Planners Home-based travel advisors $6,995 Includes training and software system 3 Baby Boot Camp Fitness for new moms $5,000 to $8,000 Based on area population 4 Coffee News Advertising for local businesses Under $10,000 Varies by location 5 BuildingStars Commercial cleaning services As low as $795 Flexible model to scale 6 MobileStamp Loyalty and rewards programs Monthly fee No traditional franchise fee 7 Jazzercise Dance workout $1,250 (instructor) Plus ongoing costs like music royalties and equipment 8 Octoclean Janitorial services As low as $8,000 Exclusive territory 9 SiteSwan Website Builder Web services, business-in-a-box solution $149 to $300 per month White-label solution 10 Fit4Mom Workout classes for moms Estimated at $5,500 Monthly fee varies 11 Card My Yard Yard greeting cards and signs Around $3,725 Home-based 12 RugbyTots Rugby play for kids Estimated at $6,500 No need for dedicated location or expensive equipment How to Choose the Best Franchise for Under $10K If youre ready to start a successful business, there are plenty of low-cost franchise opportunities available. Here are tips for choosing your best match: Research available territories: Many franchises under 10k offer exclusive territories. So make sure your area is available first. Many franchises under 10k offer exclusive territories. So make sure your area is available first. Consider ongoing costs: The initial franchise fee is only one part of the expense. Consider monthly fees, equipment, and marketing tools in your budget as well. The initial franchise fee is only one part of the expense. Consider monthly fees, equipment, and marketing tools in your budget as well. Look for opportunities that fit your lifestyle: Do you want a full-time business or one you can run in your free time? Different franchises have varying levels of commitment. Do you want a full-time business or one you can run in your free time? Different franchises have varying levels of commitment. Analyze competitors: Are there similar businesses in your area, or are there opportunities to set your offering apart? Are there similar businesses in your area, or are there opportunities to set your offering apart? Find opportunities that fit with your skills: If youre a skilled marketer, it may make sense to look for franchises that offer related services. But others may excel at other tasks like cleaning or planning dream vacations. What are the cheapest franchises to buy? The cheapest franchises to buy can usually be run from home and require little to no equipment. These include SiteSwan, MobileStamp, SocialOwl, and BuildingStars. Which franchise has the lowest initial franchise fee? There are several franchise or licensing programs that include a monthly fee instead of expensive franchise fees. These include SiteSwan, MobileStamp, SocialOwl, and BuildingStars. How much does it cost to start a commercial cleaning franchise business? Costs vary based on what franchise you choose and your location. The BuildingStars franchise model costs just $795. And Octoclean franchises start at around $8,000. Can you buy digital marketing franchises for under $10K? Yes, there are several digital marketing business and franchise programs you can buy for under $10k, including SocialOwl, MobileStamp, and SiteSwan. What inexpensive franchise is the most profitable to own? Profitability varies widely by type of business and location. The list above includes several potentially profitable opportunities, including Cruise Planners, Card My Yard, and Fit4Mom. READ MORE: When forming a new business, one thing is consistent across all 50 statesbusiness owners choosing to incorporate with the state must choose a registered agent (RA) to accept service of process for their companies. However, which business structures need an RA and who can act as a registered agent varies by state. So, whether starting a new business or expanding your current company into another state, its crucial to learn whats involved in choosing a registered agent. What is Service of Process? The reality of business ownership is that you will likely receive official documents requiring in-person delivery and a signature acknowledging receipt at some point in your companys lifetime. Thats where a registered agent comes in. Also called a resident agent or statutory agent, in some states, the person or entity is responsible for accepting service of process on behalf of the company it represents. Small Business Spotlight Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here Service of process documents includes official federal and state correspondence, subpoenas, official tax notices, lawsuit notifications, court summonses, and corporate filing notifications. Because many companies are headquartered in one state but might have other locations across the country, each state requires businesses formed with the state to assign a registered agent and registered office to accept the timely (and possibly sensitive) service of process documentation. The key being the person and office must have a physical location in the state where service of process documents are to be received. What Companies Need a Registered Agent? Generally, the companies that are required to register their businesses with the state in which they are formed and/or conduct business must assign a registered agent. However, because statutory laws guide company formation, the kinds of business structures requiring a registered agent vary by state. Sole proprietorships are never required to register with any state, while corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) must always formally follow a states registration process. For other business structures such as general partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), cooperatives, and trusts, the registration rules vary by state; therefore, which entities require registered agents also vary. To determine if your company needs an RA, begin your research with the Secretary of States office in that state. Most state websites have information and instructions on what is involved in forming a company. Who Can Act As a Registered Agent? While researching registered agent qualifications, you may run across the terms noncommercial registered agent and commercial registered agent. A commercial registered agent is an RA that has submitted an application and been approved to be listed on the Secretary of States website as a registered agent. While not on the Secretary of States list, a noncommercial registered agent is still viable as long as it meets the states qualifications for RAs. At a minimum, all states require the registered agent to be a state resident and maintain a physical location within the state where the business is registered to operate. The location must be a physical address and not a PO Box or UPS box because there must be a person present to accept the service of process and sign for the documentation during normal business hours. Also, a registered agent must agree to forward the service of process to the company as soon as possible, either by scanning and uploading the notifications via an email, shared website, mail, or in-person delivery. Depending on the state, resident agents can be: At least 18 years old and a resident of the state One of the business owners, such as a shareholder or LLC member who resides in the state An employee who is a resident of the state A resident friend or family member meeting other state requirements An online business filings company offering registered agent services A registered agent services provider with permission to serve the state An attorney or law firm offering registered agent services An accountant or accounting firm offering registered agent services A tax preparer or tax preparation firm offering registered agent services Some Secretary of State offices will act as the RA if one is not named When you fill out your formation documents with the state, youll be asked to provide the registered agents name and physical address in the state. You may also be required to submit an additional form showing that the resident agent has agreed to represent your company. Once the registered agent has officially been listed as your companys representative, any changes, such as the RAs location or the RA itself, must be submitted to the state. Can You Be Your Own Companys Registered Agent? In most states, the company cannot act as its own registered agent. Realistically, this makes sense since business owners dont want to receive service of process in front of customers or employees. Or for home-based business owners in front of your neighbors or family. Also, you may not keep regular business hours, which is a problem if a delivery person is trying to serve documentation. Finally, if your company conducts business in one state only, you may not have an issue finding a local RA. However, hiring a registered agent company is a solid option if you plan to conduct business out of state or sell products in other states. An RA company likely has representation in all 50 states (and the District of Columbia) and can set up your companys RAs for you for a fee. Look for companies offering a discount for multiple registered agent needs. For the latest, follow us on Google News. The treasure found in a forest near Piestany, western Slovakia, consists of 147 silver coins. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page During the detailed numismatic analysis of the hoard of coins found near Piestany in 2020, one coin was discovered, the mintage of which had not been known in Slovakia until now, the Regional Monuments Board (KPU) in Trnava said on its website. The coin is a pfennig, bearing the bust of a crowned monarch with a lily-shaped scepter embossed on the obverse side and a walking four-legged animal, probably a lamb, on the reverse. This is a 'problematic' coin that has not yet been accurately classified. It first came from the city of Nuremberg and can be roughly dated to the 13th century. In older literature, it was included among the Nuremberg coins of Ludwig IV (1314-1347); but as shown by this treasure, buried in the ground just after 1306, this is wrong dating. In the latest works on Nuremberg coinage, the pfennig was not even included among the Nuremberg mints. The treasure from Piestany consists of 147 silver coins from the reign of Premysl Otakar II (1251-1276) to Frederick the Fair (Friedrich I Habsburg) as duke (1306-1314), which a tourist found in the forest. According to the period the coins were hidden, they are probably related to the conflict between Karol I Robert of Anjou and Matus Cak Trenciansky. Currently, a study on the find has been submitted to the editors of the Slovak archaeological magazine. During the period of existence of KPU Trnava (since 2002) this is the second announced random coin depot. The first was a find in Kostolne Kracany in 2016 while digging a pit for a swimming pool. It contained at least 345 silver coins, mostly kreutzers and tolars, from the years 1624 to 1704. The finder first handed over 312 coins; archaeologists discovered another 18 coins while examining the site, and in 2020 the police handed over 15 coins the finder had hidden to the KPU Trnava. A monographic treatment of the treasure is currently being prepared. Slovak MFA Miroslav Wlachovsky told Peter Szijjarto on Twitter to not speak for others unless asked to do so. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Acting Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Wlachovsky has slammed his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto for a remark about the EU and the war in Ukraine from last weekend. In a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), the latter said that the EU believed the war would last four more years. He also asked how many people would still have to suffer. In his reply on Sunday, the Slovak MFA asked Szijjarto "not to tell what other people think before he asks them." Wlachovsky reminded his colleague that the EU has 27 member states, while he did not recall any debate that mentioned the continuation of the war in Ukraine another four years. "The war can stop tomorrow. The EU is not a problem, Russia is the problem," the Slovak minister stressed. In his post, Wlachovsky also used Hungarian. "Ruszkik haza! Legyen beke! 1956," he wrote. The Slovak minister reminded Szijjarto of the year 1956, when the Soviet Army brutally repressed the Hungarian revolution against the government's subordination to the Soviet Union. Wlachovsky's reaction came amidst a wider dispute. It started late July after Hungarian PM Viktor Orban's visit to Romania. At this summer event held by the Hungarian minority, he called Slovakia a breakaway territory. Slovak politicians and political parties slammed Orbans latest statements. Who will pay for the damage caused to people? The state refuses to. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Since May, an aggressive stork has terrorised the small village of Cernina in the Humenne district, eastern Slovakia. At first, mayor Silvia Zincakova had to cover the door of a funeral home with chairs and cardboard because the stork did not like its reflection in the glass door. Later, car owners in or visiting the village were forced to park their vehicles in garages, under shelters or to cover them. The storks activity is occasional, its not like the stork waits for a car all day, nor has it attacked people yet, the mayor told the My Vychod website in June. She added that the stork can damage an entire car. Every time the fearless stork sees its reflection in the glass, it perceives the reflection as its rival and tries to protect its nest, partner and four baby storks. The aggressive stork with its family should leave for Africa in the coming days. (Source: Cernina Town Hall) Off to Africa maybe Conservationists, surprised by the atypical behaviour of the male stork, could not help the village in recent weeks. The stork is protected. But in the coming days, storks will be leaving Slovakia for Africa and problems should stop. Regardless, conservationists pledged to check up on the storks behaviour before it sets out on a long trip. If its behaviour does not change, they will take appropriate measures to prevent it from attacking cars again next year. The Environment Ministry explained that the stork could be placed in a rehabilitation facility or killed, if it is proven that the storks behaviour is permanently altered. An exception would have to be granted for its killing. This is a completely radical solution, the ministry noted. Who will pay for the damage? The stork has damaged seven cars, according to the mayor. The damage has been estimated at 22,566. The ministry may not cover the damage as the stork is not on a list of protected animals that usually cause damage. A car damaged by the aggressive stork in Cernina. (Source: Cernina Town Hall) Insurance companies can help people in the village only under certain conditions. Damage to a motor vehicle caused by an animal can only be covered by accident insurance with additional insurance for damage caused by animals, said Eva Jackova, spokesperson for the Slovak Association of Insurance Companies. Problems caused by birds are somewhat rare, she added. Known as Klepac, the former mill now serves as a buffet. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page A former water mill in the popular Bratislava relaxation zone Zelezna Studnicka will be auctioned off on August 18. The bid starts at 1.01 million, the Sme daily writes. Today, the venue in the Bratislava - Nove Mesto borough popular among hikers, cyclists and families serves as a restaurant and a buffet. Two more howitzers sent to Ukraine, regular train delays in Bratislava until October, a fearless stork, and a Slovak Matters language corner. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, August 1 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Central bank: Real estate prices continue to fall While flat prices continue to decline, house prices remain stagnant in Slovakia. (Source: SME - Marko Erd) Residential property prices fell by 2.3 percent month-on-month in the second quarter of 2023, the central bank announced on August 1. The average price decreased by 58 between quarters, to 2,498 per m2. Annually, the prices reached a negative growth rate of - 6.5 percent. Flats remain more expensive than houses. While flat prices continued to fall, the average price standing at 2,711 per m2, house prices increased by 0.7 percent on average, to 1,944 per m2, when the first two quarters of this year are compared. Like flats, house prices dropped annually as well, by -2.1 percent. Buyers made good deals in eastern and central Slovakia, in particular. Flat and house prices increased only in the Nitra Region, while they stagnated in the Trnava Region. From April to June 2023, 187 new flats were sold in Bratislava, while more than 3,000 more flats are on offer. The sale of flats in Bratislava fell by up to 70 percent compared to 2020 and 2021. More stories from The Slovak Spectator website Environment: A fearless stork has tormented people in eastern Slovakia for weeks. A fearless stork has tormented people in eastern Slovakia for weeks. Real estate: An ancient Bratislava water mill heads to auction in mid-August. An ancient Bratislava water mill heads to auction in mid-August. Archaeology: A 13th century coin from western Slovakia remains 'problematic'. A 13th century coin from western Slovakia remains 'problematic'. Innovation: Slovakia has to rethink its strategy to become a 'tiger' again. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. FEATURE STORY FOR TUESDAY Slovak Matters: 'Urobil si to enonuno.' Slovak baby-talk and its soothing diminutive forms often spring up in the adult vernacular. (Source: saeed karimi on Unsplash) Slovak baby-talk and its soothing diminutive forms often spring up in the adult vernacular - sometimes to give a sense of familiarity, sometimes because the bare adult forms are considered rather cold and abrupt, sometimes to be silly, and sometimes because words like papkat (eat) are simply more fun to say than the formal jest. EVENT FOR FRIDAY Birds at Devin Castle The Morava River. (Source: Jana Liptakova) Devin Castle is not only a place of historical value. With an ornithologist, you can get to know bird species that nest directly in the castle area, including the walls and rock formations. You should bring your own binoculars. Admission: 5 (at the castle or online). The event starts at 16:00 on Friday, August 4. In other news Zeleznicna Spolocnost Slovensko, a state-owned company responsible for railroads, has begun to renovate platforms at the Bratislava-Vinohrady station. Some passenger trains on the Trnava-Bratislava Main Station line are therefore diverted to the Bratislava-Nove Mesto station. Other trains leaving from or arriving at the main railway station will be delayed by 5-15 minutes. Renovation work will last until October 4. Some passenger trains on the Trnava-Bratislava Main Station line are therefore diverted to the Bratislava-Nove Mesto station. Other trains leaving from or arriving at the main railway station will be delayed by 5-15 minutes. Renovation work will last until October 4. At the end of July 2023, the state budget reached a deficit of 3.1 billion . The management of finances thus worsened year-on-year by 1.8 billion or 142 percent, the Finance Ministry said. . The management of finances thus worsened year-on-year by 1.8 billion or 142 percent, the Finance Ministry said. The Finance Ministry is preparing an amendment to the Act on Excise Duty on Tobacco Products . It is unclear how much the price of cigarettes could increase. . It is unclear how much the price of cigarettes could increase. The National Security Office warns of the increased risk of cyber security incidents and other malicious activities in cyberspace in connection with the September parliamentary elections . . According to the latest AKO poll, published by TV JOJ on July 31, eight parties would have made it to parliament if the elections had taken place in July. Igor Matovic's OLaNO would have won no seats, Robert Fico's Smer would have come first. WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Little cloud cover. Rain, showers, and storms will be rare during the day. The highest daytime temperature will rise to 28C. Yellow rain warnings are in place until 1:00 on August 2 in a number of districts. (SHMU) Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, Instagram (@slovakspectator) and Twitter (@slovakspectator). A Palestinian has been shot and killed by an off-duty Israeli police officer after he allegedly opened fire in an illegal Israeli settlement in Maale Adumim in the occupied West Bank Tuesday (August 1). The Palestinian Health Ministry has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Muhannad Mohammad al-Mazaraah from Azariya, a nearby West Bank town. The shooting happened in the settlement just north of Bethlehem, which injured six people, two of them were in serious condition. One of the injured was a teenager. Israeli police reported the gunman opened fire in all directions before he was apprehended by an off-duty officer who happened to be in the area. The officer was reportedly in a barbershop when shots were heard, and rushed outside to assess the situation, France 24 reported. He suddenly saw the gunman and returned fire when the gunman shot at him. The Constant Conflict According to Al Jazeera reporter Laura Khan, Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas were a recurrent flashpoint for tensions and violence between the two sides. The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967. "These settlements are not only deemed illegal, but Palestinians consider them a form of colonization that is encroaching upon Palestinian lands," she added. Fighting between Israel and Palestine in the occupied West Bank intensified early last year when Israel allegedly launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in the contested territory, with Palestinians retaliating in kind. Read Also: Mass Shooting at Indiana Street Party Leaves 1 Dead, Multiple Injured Reaction to the Shooting Several political entities in the contested lands have made their responses known. For Hamas, the Palestinian movement governing Gaza since 2007, the shooting was allegedly a praiseworthy attack on Israelis illegally settling in Palestinian lands, and called the deceased gunman a hero. However, they stopped short of claiming responsibility for the shooting. Meanwhile, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting after leading an incursion at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Temple Mount earlier that morning. Local media also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were following the incident closely. Related Article: Top Biden Officials Sets To Travel To Saudi Arabia To Discuss Normalization Efforts Between Riyadh and Jerusalem @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230731/intervention-in-niger-will-mean-declaration-of-war-on-burkina-faso-mali--possible-ecowas-pullout-1112311038.html Intervention in Niger Will Mean Declaration of War on Burkina Faso, Mali & Possible ECOWAS Pullout Intervention in Niger Will Mean Declaration of War on Burkina Faso, Mali & Possible ECOWAS Pullout Any military intervention against Niger would mean a declaration of war on Burkina Faso and Mali, the Burkina Faso and Mali transitional governments said in a joint statement. 2023-07-31T23:49+0000 2023-07-31T23:49+0000 2023-07-31T23:46+0000 africa economic community of west african states (ecowas) burkina faso mali niger military intervention /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/1e/1112267235_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0df0c3e3c21bab3116340289bca1cdf5.jpg "The interim governments of Burkina Faso and Mali... warn that any military intervention against Niger will amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," according to the statement. The release further indicated that such a move could also mark the pair of interim governments to pull back from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).The declaration comes days after the Nigerien military on July 26 detailed they had overthrown the president, closed borders and imposed a curfew in the country. In fact, it came hours after members of the presidential guard detained the president at his residence and sealed off access to his offices in Niamey.The president's office said Niger's army was not supporting the mutineers. On July 27, however, the command of the country's armed forces declared its solidarity with the coup. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/nigerien-military-claims-president-bazoum-removed-from-power-amid-border-closures-1112169815.html africa burkina faso mali niger Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International military intervention, niger, declaration of war, burkino faso, mali, economic community of west african states https://sputnikglobe.com/20230731/us-orders-tech-support-for-abrams-tanks-used-by-ukraine---pentagon-1112310895.html US Orders Tech Support for Abrams Tanks Used by Ukraine - Pentagon US Orders Tech Support for Abrams Tanks Used by Ukraine - Pentagon The US Army has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems an almost $34 million contract extension to provide technical support for Abrams Main Battle Tanks including those provided to Ukraine. 2023-07-31T23:17+0000 2023-07-31T23:17+0000 2023-07-31T23:14+0000 military us us military aid joe biden ukraine defense department abrams tanks /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/14/1106532993_0:161:3067:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_7b4e13ca8c6f4519cf24ca12529e938f.jpg "General Dynamics Land Systems [of] Sterling Heights, Michigan was awarded a $33,845,103 modification ...contract for Abrams system technical support," the release said on Monday. Work on the technical support program will be performed in Sterling Heights in the US state of Michigan over the next 17 months with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2024, the release said. "Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army; research, development, test, and evaluation, Army; and Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds in the amount of $33,845,102 were obligated at the time of the award," the Defense Department said. Work on the support program will be overseen by the US Army Contracting Command based in Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, the release added.The latest comes as US media earlier reported that Abrams tanks were expected to arrive in Ukraine in September, after spending a month in refurbishment in nearby Germany. An estimated 31 tanks are due to be forked over once training for Ukrainian troops and refurbishment procedures are beingPrior to the latest report, the Biden White House had only earlier detailed that the Abrams tanks would arrive in Ukraine later in the year, around the fall months. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230728/stripped-down-abrams-tanks-wont-help-ukraine-as-theyre-too-advanced-to-use-1112229002.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us army, abrams main battle tanks, general dynamics land systems, contact extension, pentagon, us department of defense, technology support https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/amlo-to-sputnik-mexico-sees-no-point-to-ukraine-peace-talks-without-russia-1112313508.html AMLO to Sputnik: Mexico Sees No Point in Ukraine Peace Talks Without Russia AMLO to Sputnik: Mexico Sees No Point in Ukraine Peace Talks Without Russia A number of countries and other international entities ranging from China, Brazil and India to the Vatican have come forward with peace initiatives aimed at bringing the Ukrainian crisis to a close. The latest initiative, proposed by Saudi Arabia, has prompted Moscow to request more information, while Kiev has insisted that Russia is not welcome. 2023-08-01T06:22+0000 2023-08-01T06:22+0000 2023-08-01T06:25+0000 world andres manuel lopez obrador dmitry peskov maria zakharova russia mexico ukraine sputnik kremlin talks /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/07/0c/1083370827_0:19:3071:1746_1920x0_80_0_0_289235e857de44c467106c2b05c50ba5.jpg Mexico will be ready to take part in the upcoming Ukraine peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia only if both sides of the conflict are willing and able to participate, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has told Sputnik.The Mexican leader added that his government would support any initiative where a willingness to come together to hammer out a peaceful resolution to the crisis could be found.Mexico has joined the majority of countries in the developing world in maintaining staunch neutrality in the Ukrainian crisis, to the irritation of the United States and its allies. We do not allow them to tell us who we should have relations with and who not, AMLO said in late 2022.The Mexican president has also been a major proponent of peace talks. We dont want the Russia-Ukraine war to continue, its very irrational, AMLO said at Mondays presser. The only thing that benefits from it is the war industry, he added, noting that Mexico does not want to see the conflict become commonplace.Saudi Peace TalksUS business media reported late last week that Saudi Arabia is planning to hold Ukraine peace talks in Jeddah August 5-6, with officials from over two dozen countries expected to attend, but Russia reportedly not listed among attendees. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Monday that Russia will seek more information about the purpose of the talks, and would be keeping an eye on them. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Jeddah discussions could prove useful if they strengthened understanding in the West that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys 10-point so-called peace plan, which includes demands that Russia hand over Crimea, is a dead end. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230617/putin-kiev-threw-possible-russia-ukraine-settlement-deal-into-dustbin-of-history-1111251774.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230729/putin-ball-now-on-ukraines-side-with-regard-to-talks-1112235097.html russia mexico ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov peace talks, mexico, russia, ukraine, negotiations, settlement, andres manuel lopez obrador, amlo https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/belarus-received-over-50-of-russian-nuclear-arms-meant-for-stationing-in-country-1112325375.html Belarus Received Over 50% of Russian Nuclear Arms Meant for Stationing in Country Belarus Received Over 50% of Russian Nuclear Arms Meant for Stationing in Country More than half of Russian tactical nuclear weapons that are supposed to be stationed in Belarus have already been delivered and dispersed throughout the country, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday. 2023-08-01T16:17+0000 2023-08-01T16:17+0000 2023-08-01T16:17+0000 military belarus alexander lukashenko nuclear weapons tactical nuclear weapons russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/06/19/1096659585_0:0:2433:1369_1920x0_80_0_0_73ea0c6b992f044626ed77483d92e82d.jpg The Russian leadership has responded "even to the biggest request from Belarus" by deploying its tactical nuclear warheads in the neighboring country, Lukashenko was quoted as saying by a state-run news agency. "Nuclear weapons are about security God forbid we have to use this weapon. I still hope that this will not happen We will ensure our security with the help of our friends," the president told residents of the Kamianets district in the Brest region of Western Belarus. Lukashenko added that Russia's nuclear weapons, along with Belarus' only nuclear power plant, were a security factor for Minsk. Belarus is "not rattling its sabers" but is preparing to be able to defend itself at any moment, the president said, adding that he does not want Belarusians to go to war. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in mid-June that Moscow had transferred the first batch of the nuclear warheads to Belarus and would complete the transfer of tactical nuclear weapons by the end of the year. Putin stated the deployment was an element of deterrence and a signal to those thinking of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230528/why-nato-has-no-right-to-complain-about-russian-nukes-in-belarus-1110654526.html belarus russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International alexander lukashenko, belarus, nuclear weapons, russia-belarus alliance, russia-belarus relations, belarus forces, response to nato expansion, russia-brlarus military, russia-belarus forces, nuclear arms, russian nukes in belarus https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/biden-reverses-trump-order-keeps-us-space-command-headquarters-in-colorado-1112312545.html Biden Reverses Trump Order, Keeps US Space Command Headquarters in Colorado Biden Reverses Trump Order, Keeps US Space Command Headquarters in Colorado Biden put an end to more than two years of consideration of whether to move the Space Command headquarters and decided to keep it in Colorado, canceling his predecessor's plans, Defense Department announced on Monday. 2023-08-01T03:58+0000 2023-08-01T03:58+0000 2023-08-01T03:58+0000 military us space command joe biden donald trump alabama colorado colorado springs defense department /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/07/06/1083320993_0:46:3477:2002_1920x0_80_0_0_43e029dba9d2d4053d0b0d47dafd9a08.jpg Today, following a thorough and deliberate evaluation process, and after consultation with Secretary Austin and weighing the input of senior military leaders, President Biden notified the Department of Defense that he has selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location of the US Space Command Headquarters, Ryder said in a statement. The decision has already sparked criticism from members of Congress representing the state of Alabama. Senator Katie Britt in a statement condemned Bidens move and called it a decision that put politics first and not national security interests. US congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers also called Bidens decision political, adding that the fight is "far from over. During Trumps administration, the US Air Force named Redstone Arsenal as the new headquarters site for the US Space Command, citing the high-tech workforce, schools, and infrastructure in Huntsville, also known as Rocket City, hosting NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center as well as the Armys Redstone Arsenal. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220410/data-from-us-space-command-suggests-interstellar-object-reached-earth-years-ago---media-1094646557.html alabama colorado springs Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us president joe biden, us space command headquarters, us defense department, colorado https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/bidens-ukraine-proxy-war-created-ammo-shortage-weakened-us-1112328831.html Biden's Ukraine Proxy War Created Ammo Shortage, Weakened US Biden's Ukraine Proxy War Created Ammo Shortage, Weakened US The US has struck deals with Bulgaria and South Korea to supply 155 mm ammunition to Ukraine, and is holding talks with Japan to do the same, according to Western media reports. Could the US solve the ammunition shortage problem in the near future? 2023-08-01T18:30+0000 2023-08-01T18:30+0000 2023-08-01T18:30+0000 ukraine joe biden south korea bulgaria nato pentagon ukrainian armed forces military opinion russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/11/1111938162_0:156:3000:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_82d671f083048a2d274c0013e7c6a7c7.jpg The Biden administration is struggling to solve the Ukrainian ammo shortage dilemma as the Kiev regime forces use 8,000 155 mm shells daily, as per the Western press. Washington has reportedly concluded an agreement with South Korea and Bulgaria to deliver the much-needed ammo to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, the US is currently holding talks with Japan on more shell supplies. Besides increasing ammunition supplies to Kiev via its allies, Washington is also going to ramp up domestic production of ammo from 24,000 to 90,000 units over the next two years."The foolish decisions of the Biden administration to ship millions of heavy artillery rounds to Ukraine and encourage US allies to do the same has created this ammunition shortage and there is no possibility to avoid it," David T. Pyne, an EMP Task Force scholar and former US Department of Defense officer, told Sputnik.How Much Would It Take for US to Replenish Depleted Shell Inventories?The US is currently ramping up its own 155 mm artillery shell production by building new factories and enlarging the existing ones. However, it will take at least five to seven years to replenish the US' depleted 155 mm heavy artillery shell inventories which Washington has sent to Ukraine, according to the former Pentagon officer."The Biden administration continues to unilaterally disarm the US military of tens of thousands of critical heavy weapon systems and over 4.4 million missiles, rockets and heavy artillery shells according to the latest report I have seen," Pyne said.Why Did Bulgaria and South Korea Agree to Provide Ammo to Ukraine?Bulgaria and South Korea's reported nod to the US request appears to be a change of heart given their initial reluctance to provide weapons and ammo to Kiev. In particular, Seoul cited growing concerns over the possible use of its ammo in the conflict zone, according to the so-called Pentagon leaks.Per the EMP Task Force scholar, the US and its NATO allies are already "suffering a serious ammunition shortage." He pointed out that "there is nothing that can be done in the near term to avoid it.""The consequence of this ammunition shortage is that the US is now much less capable to fight, let alone win a great power war fought in Europe, the Western Pacific or East Asia," Pyne concluded. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/us-ramps-up-artillery-shell-production-as-ukraines-offensive-sputters-1111402165.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/trump-calls-biden-stupid-for-revealing-us-has-run-out-of-ammo-1112100612.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/us-scrambles-to-ramp-up-munitions-production-after-bidens-low-on-ammo-slip-1111935762.html ukraine south korea bulgaria russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukrainian ammo shortage, us ammo shortage, 155mm ammo shortage, war in ukraine, us 155mm shells, us artillery shells production, us ramping up production of shells, south korea ammo ukraine, ammunition shortage in ukraine, artillery shells production by country, ukraine ammunition usage, how many artillery shells does ukraine use, ukrainian ammunition explosion https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/chinas-rare-earths-ban-may-sink-us-microchip-manufacturing-ambitions-1112322954.html Chinas Rare Earths Export Curbs May Sink US Microchip Manufacturing Ambitions Chinas Rare Earths Export Curbs May Sink US Microchip Manufacturing Ambitions Chinese export controls on germanium and gallium have stepped into effect amid fears that this will mean more expensive microchips, solar panels, cars and even weapons. More significantly, the restrictions threaten to sink the Biden administrations ambitious domestic microchip manufacturing goals, says China-US trade expert Thomas Pauken II. 2023-08-01T13:50+0000 2023-08-01T13:50+0000 2023-08-01T14:48+0000 economy joe biden janet yellen china beijing washington taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company (tsmc) ban restrictions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104850/94/1048509437_0:53:1200:728_1920x0_80_0_0_fa61877215c2b894c98f5ec04635d364.jpg Chinas rare earths restrictions officially stepped into force on Tuesday, with the measures, announced last month after Beijing said it needed to protect its national security and interests, expected to cause a sharp jump in the cost of an array of advanced manufactured goods, particularly electronics.The export controls, which will require companies seeking to export the pair of rare earth metals to apply for licenses, come in retaliation to a long list of US hostile measures, including restrictions on the import of Chinese high-tech goods.This is just the beginning, former Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wei Jianguo said last month, warning that Chinas tool box has many more types of measures available should Washington try to retaliate to the rare earths semi-ban.The rare earths restrictions show that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens trip to Beijing last month to try to smooth over tensions clearly failed to get China to alter its position, with the Asian nation taking a harder line in retaliation to Washingtons tech and trade war, and attempts to box in Beijing in East Asia, earlier this year, starting by sanctioning US semiconductor giant Micron Technology in May.Move Could Sink Bidens Semiconductor SchemeObviously, these consequences are going to be devastating to US efforts to promote their manufacturing industry, to create these factories where theyre reshoring back home, Thomas Pauken II, a veteran consultant and commentator on Asia-Pacific affairs, told Sputnik, referring to the $50+ billion push announced by the Biden administration last year to restore the US domestic electronics component manufacturing capabilities. The thing is, you need these ingredients that are necessary for the chips and the semiconductors, he said.US Caught UnpreparedPauken believes the US and its allies may not have expected Beijing to go through with its rare earths export restriction threats, judging by the limited reporting on the matter, apart from specialized Washington-based think tanks warning about the devastating impact such export controls could have on the US, Europe, Japan, and much of the world.Pauken expects the export restrictions to put a big hurt on the global economy, but not so much on Beijing, which could even receive a boost to its domestic manufacturing industry as rare earths that once went to other countries will stay in China.The expert stressed that if Washington were clever, it would rethink its China policy, and recognize that the get-tough approach to Beijing hasnt been working, and wont work, and has instead been a disaster for the US economy. Unfortunately, he added, it doesnt seem like the US has learned any lessonsso it seems as if they will just continue on with their anti-China legislation.Options LimitedThe escalating China-US tensions over rare earths has prompted US officials to begin a global search for alternatives, including Mongolia, a landlocked northeast Asian nation estimated to contain nearly 17 percent of global rare earths deposits.Mongolia is facing a generational opportunity. And that generational opportunity is a need for us to find critical minerals and rare earths in order to achieve our clean energy goals, Under Secretary of State Jose Fernandez, who traveled to Mongolia in late June, recently told US media.But its not as simple as investing in Mongolian rare earths production and extracting resources, Pauken said, pointing to the countrys landlocked status, and US efforts to irritate both of Mongolias neighbors, Russia and China. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/chinas-metal-export-controls-may-hit-entities-from-countries-that-cracked-down-on-china-analysts-1112320550.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230728/does-the-us-make-their-own-microchips-1112216417.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/taiwanese-semiconductor-giant-delays-arizona-plant-production-amid-us-china-chip-race-1112027823.html china beijing washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov rare earths, rare earth metals, germanium, gallium, china, united states, mongolia, trade, technology, restrictions, retaliation https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/connecting-russias-digital-ruble-to-others-will-create-swift-dollar-alternatives-1112325885.html Connecting Russias Digital Ruble to Others Will Create SWIFT, Dollar Alternatives Connecting Russias Digital Ruble to Others Will Create SWIFT, Dollar Alternatives A business expert told Sputnik that great potential for creating a new global currency system not centered on the West lies at the heart of the growing movement toward central bank digital currencies like Russias digital ruble. 2023-08-01T17:17+0000 2023-08-01T17:17+0000 2023-08-01T17:17+0000 russia brics digital currency ruble international trade economy russian economy under sanctions swift dollar ditching dollar /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/01/1112326823_0:159:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_98566ce5c328a7d2ffbd2685c6d6c1b4.jpg A law creating a new digital ruble was recently approved by the Kremlin and has begun being rolled out. It is a third form of the Russian national currency, alongside printed bank notes and non-cash bank cards. Despite some superficial resemblances to a cryptocurrency, the digital rubles state backing gives it a stability and legitimacy that other highly unregulated digital currencies lack.On August 1, bank-to-bank (B2B) transfers became the first part of the new currency format to be launched.Paul Goncharoff, a management consultant at Dezan Shira & Associates in Moscow, told Sputnik that central bank digital currencies (CBSCs) have many of the advantages of other digital currencies but without many of their downsides.Those include fast transactions and lower transaction costs at a fee of 0.3%, with the benefit of being secured by the central bank. Unlike cryptocurrencies, the CBDC works entirely within the established financial system, which makes it systemic and government-friendly as opposed to possibly disruptive, he explained.He added that integrating Russias CBDC with those of other countries will further allow the Russian economy to circumvent the restrictions created by Western sanctions, which include the SWIFT wire transfer system thats based in Brussels, a city also home to the European Union and the anti-Russian NATO alliance.While initially the ruble CBDC was intended for settlements within the Russian Federation and nearby countries to allow efficiencies in trade execution, it can be seen as Russia's litmus test for further expanding its CBDC use internationally, the expert explained.Goncharoff noted that other members of the BRICS bloc - namely India, China, Brazil, and South Africa - are actively developing CBDCs as well, so it should not be too long before interoperability among BRICS member nations occurs. Such digital expressions of these currencies should boost international trade while providing an alternative outside the Western-dominated financial system centered around the US dollar and its restrictively sanctioned environment.Goncharoff noted that the US dollar would continue to dominate international trade for some time, but that trends such as the interconnectedness of new digital currencies would begin to dig the grave of old Western-centered systems like SWIFT.A US dollar CBDC will happen - it is a question of political time and is a hotly debated topic among a rather concerned public. Many are opposed, as they see that the use of CBDCs does reduce information privacy, especially concerning who, what, where, and for how much did a company or a person make a transaction? Essentially, the same data is collected by issuers every time anyone uses a credit or debit card. The difference is that this will be centralized information with the Fed. That being said, it will occur, it is a matter of time, and after going through all the bells and whistles of legislation. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/russian-parliament-passes-digital-ruble-bill-1111988784.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230730/western-sanctions-wont-stall-modernization-of-russian-navy-1112242798.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier digital ruble; central bank digital currency; brics summit; paul goncharoff; de-dollarization; dedollarization, ditching dollar, ditching greenback, swift, russian economy https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/democrats-begin-to-admit-biden-lied-about-family-business-deals-1112310786.html Democrats Begin to Admit Biden Lied About Family Business Deals Democrats Begin to Admit Biden Lied About Family Business Deals On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dying at 70, and Donald Trump... 01.08.2023, Sputnik International 2023-08-01T04:05+0000 2023-08-01T04:05+0000 2023-08-01T11:49+0000 the backstory radio west africa china laboratories grain exports spain hollywood /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/1f/1112310629_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_cda34b566456bb69545958b0ded9c7ab.png Democrats Begin to Admit Biden Lied About Family Business Deals On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dying at 70, and Donald Trump leading all Republican candidates for the 2024 Republican nominee. Mark Sleboda - International Relations and Security Analyst | The Russian Education System, African Nations Side with Russia, and NATO Army in Ukraine Has FailedIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Mark Sleboda about the pressure America put on African countries, the US media furious at African support for Russia, and Russia forgiving debt for certain countries. Mark talks about the Russian fertilizer promised for Africa and African countries' refusal to sanction Russia. Mark commented on the NATO-trained forces in Ukraine and Russia has begun its own offensive. In the second hour, Lee spoke about the Biden crime family revelations, Democrats unable to defend Joe Biden's corruption, and illegal Biolabs found in California. Lee discussed the reports of an alleged secret Chinese biolabs in Fresno, California, and the numerous pathogens found in the facility. Lee talked about his coverage of the John Edwards story and how a journalism career in politics is stressful. We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. west africa china spain hollywood Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png radio, west africa, china, laboratories, grain exports, spain, hollywood, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/dprk-acknowledges-un-inquiry-into-us-soldier-who-sprinted-across-dmz-1112330962.html DPRK Acknowledges UN Inquiry Into US Soldier Who Sprinted Across DMZ DPRK Acknowledges UN Inquiry Into US Soldier Who Sprinted Across DMZ The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has offered up little information about a US soldier who crossed the demilitarized zone (DMZ) last month and entered the socialist states territory. 2023-08-01T21:07+0000 2023-08-01T21:07+0000 2023-08-01T21:07+0000 world dprk panmunjom north korea dmz defection us soldiers /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/1d/1080605915_0:67:1280:787_1920x0_80_0_0_2d90de63b251cedb74b242362aa0f56b.jpg US officials revealed on Tuesday that North Korea responded to inquiries by the United Nations Command regarding Travis King, a US soldier who suddenly crossed into the DPRK while taking part in a tour of the heavily-guarded border area."I can confirm that the DPRK has responded to United Nations Command, but I don't have any substantial progress to read out," Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters, adding it was just an acknowledgment of the UN inquiry.On July 18, US Army Private Travis King crossed the inter-Korean border during a tour of Panmunjom, the neutral town where the ceasefire ending three years of fighting was signed in 1953. King had been deployed with US forces in South Korea and recently disciplined, with more punishment reportedly awaiting him back at his home base in Texas.Experts told US media that how Pyongyang defines Kings entry into the country could dramatically change how long he is held, whether they see it as a trespassing incident that might result in his quick return, or as a defection from which the DPRK government might hope to learn about the US military or even deploy King in propaganda.Other experts said it was unlikely North Korea would hold him for very long, given the low point in US-DPRK relations, since it would simply create another burden for Pyongyangs extremely delicate foreign policy.Diplomacy between the US and DPRK, which remain technically at war as a result of the lack of a permanent peace treaty concluding the 1950-53 conflict, is fraught at best, and even few diplomatic channels exist now than once did. That is in part due to enduring COVID-19-related restrictions associated with the countrys belated outbreak and difficulty addressing it, but also the steady deterioration of relations following the failed rapprochement of 2018 and 2019. Recent months have seen a slew of weapons tests by North Korea, which said it was protesting US-South Korean military drills rehearsing war against the DPRK.However, several Americans have also been arrested and detained in the country, with some being sentenced to serve prison time for their crimes. One, a US college student named Otto Warmbier, became a focal point for anti-DPRK sentiment after he was returned to the US in a coma in 2017 following months in North Korean custody. North Korean authorities said Warmbier had been sentenced to 15 years of labor for attempting to steal a propaganda poster from a restricted staff-only area of a building - a crime he admitted to in a video - and that his condition was a result of having contracted botulism, a food-borne illness, just weeks after his arrest in 2016. He died in the US after his feeding tube was removed, as per his familys wishes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/south-korean-military-north-korea-fired-2-ballistic-missiles-into-sea-of-japan-1112121408.html panmunjom Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier dprk; north korea; us soldier defected; travis king CVS Health, the retail pharmacy chain, is slashing 5,000 workers in an effort to decrease expenses as it expands its healthcare services. According to a securities filing, the pharmacy giant employed over 300,000 people in the United States as of the end of last year. Towards Greater Healthcare Push A CVS representative confirmed the layoffs, CNBC reported. Although employees are not anticipated to impact customer-facing employees in stores, pharmacies, clinics, or customer services centers. The spokesperson also said that those who are terminated would be offered severance packages that will include outplacement assistance. "As part of an enterprise initiative to reprioritize our investments around care delivery and technology, we must take difficult steps to reduce expenses ... This, unfortunately, includes the need to eliminate a number of non-customer facing positions across the company," the company representative told the media outlet. The layoffs were initially reported by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, August 1, citing an internal memo to workers. It comes the day before CVS announces its financial results for the second quarter. CVS, headquartered in Rhode Island, is a national chain that includes over 9,000 pharmacies and 1,100 walk-in clinics. According to CNBC, the corporation controls the largest pharmacy benefit manager in the country, which is responsible for negotiating lower prescription prices with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of health insurance companies. However, CVS has recently honed in on healthcare, following in the footsteps of competitors like Walgreens and the e-commerce giant Amazon. With the roughly $8 billion purchase of healthcare provider Signify Health and the $10.6 billion purchase of Oak Street Health, which runs primary care clinics for seniors, the firm expanded into patient care. Due to the expense of these transactions, CVS lowered its annual profitability outlook in the previous quarter. Also Read: Health Giant Cigna Improperly Rejects Thousands of Patient Claims, Lawsuit Alleges Oak Street Health Joins CVS Health The cuts occur many months following Oak Street Health's takeover. Oak Street Health, which operates primary care facilities for low- and middle-income persons with Medicare Advantage plans (a private, for-profit version of the federal government's Medicare program for those aged 65 and above), was acquired by the firm earlier this year in a transaction valued at $10.6 billion. In a report by USA Today, CVS hopes to use the purchase to benefit from the federal government's drive to reduce Medicare spending while simultaneously enhancing the health of the population it serves. Oak Street Health CEO Mike Pykosz said at the time of the merger, "This agreement with CVS Health will accelerate our ability to deliver on our mission and continue improving health outcomes, lowering medical costs, and providing a better patient experience while offering significant value to our shareholders." Also Read: Australia Makes Major Rule Change, Expanding Access to Medical Abortion Pill @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/israels-prime-minister-says-crisis-over-judicial-reform-will-not-escalate-into-civil-war-1112321647.html Israel's Prime Minister Says Crisis Over Judicial Reform Will Not Escalate Into Civil War Israel's Prime Minister Says Crisis Over Judicial Reform Will Not Escalate Into Civil War Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not believe that the ongoing social-economic crisis in the country, sparked by a controversial judicial reform, could escalate into civil war, as feared by Israel's president. 2023-08-01T12:14+0000 2023-08-01T12:14+0000 2023-08-01T12:14+0000 world benjamin netanyahu israel reform /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/07/1106115141_0:0:2525:1421_1920x0_80_0_0_4dd1357ce2d3e33c6b6fe2be75ee55f8.jpg "There will not be civil war, I guarantee you that," Netanyahu told media in a Monday interview, adding "When the dust settles, people will see that Israel's democracy has been strengthened and not weakened. And I think people's fears, that have been stoked, whipped up, will subside and they will see that Israel is just as democratic as before, even more democratic." The prime minister stated that the judicial reform, proposed by his government, provides for correction of "imbalance in Israel's democracy, where the judiciary arrogated to itself all powers of the executive branch and the legislature." In March, after months of fruitless attempts to reach a compromise on the judicial reform between the ruling coalition and the opposition, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that the crisis, if not resolved, can lead to a "real civil war." Since January, Israel has been gripped by mass protests sparked by the reform, which many see as the government's attempt to reduce its accountability before the Supreme Court. Organizers estimate that some of the rallies gathered over 500,000 participants. The protests have often been accompanied by detentions, road closures and clashes with police. On July 24, the Israeli parliament passed a bill constituting the key component of Netanyahu's judicial reform. All opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote, and a new wave of mass protests ensued. The bill cancels the Supreme Court's right to review and annul certain government decisions and appointments, which the opposition sees as a safeguard against abuse of power. The judicial reform seeks to limit the Supreme Court's powers to overturn government decisions by declaring them unreasonable and gives the latter more say in appointing judges. Supporters of the reform say that it is a necessary step to allow elected officials to conduct policies for the benefit of the population that elected them. At the same time, critics argue that the reform undermines the country's democracy and enables arbitrary, radical or corrupt decisions. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/us-no-longer-israels-closest-ally-amid-judicial-reform-push---ex-pm-lapid-1111973528.html israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International judicial reform, social-economic crisis, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/journo-slams-ukraine-for-losing-swedish-ifv-by-putting-it-too-close-to-front-1112313146.html Journo Slams Ukraine for Losing Swedish IFV by Putting It Too Close to Front Journo Slams Ukraine for Losing Swedish IFV by Putting It Too Close to Front As the counteroffensive launched by Ukraines NATO-armed and trained armies continues to falter, a growing number of Western observers, officials and military commanders have criticized Kiev, suggesting that the latters tactics, rather than their equipment and support, are to blame for the counteroffensives failure. 2023-08-01T05:26+0000 2023-08-01T05:26+0000 2023-08-01T05:26+0000 military ukrainian counteroffensive attempt ukraine russia bild nato infantry fighting vehicle (ifv) trophy capture tactics /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/1d/1112246939_0:171:3034:1878_1920x0_80_0_0_e3a0793730c8275cece616839650cb3f.jpg A German journalist has taken to social media to vent his frustration over Kievs loss of a Combat Vehicle 90 (CV 90), an advanced, $10 million apiece Swedish-made infantry fighting vehicle that was recently captured by Russian forces as a trophy.The CV 90 was NOT lost during the counteroffensive, for which it was intended to be used, but after being split from the rest of the brigade and used (allegedly together with another CV 90) for isolated defensive purpose in the area of Chervonopopovka, Bild contributor Julian Ropcke wrote.The CV 90, praised by many armchair military analysts as one of the best IFVs in the world thanks to its powerful protection, high mobility and multirole capabilities, is the latest piece of Western equipment delivered to Ukraine to fall into Russias hands. Dozens of videos and photos have been posted online in recent weeks of Russian troops posing alongside or operating trophy Leopard tanks, Bradley IFVs, M113 armored personnel carriers, and more.As Ukraines counteroffensive approaches its two-month anniversary with little to show for it apart from tens of thousands of lost troops and hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles, a growing number of officials and observers in Western media have expressed frustration over Kievs tactics. Its just a matter of continuing to apply pressure in a combined-arms approach, one US official recently assured, and not the fact that Kiev is outgunned and faces overwhelming Russian air and artillery superiority.Ukraines use of heavy armor has been a matter of particular scrutiny, with reports emerging in July that the countrys military had pulled Leopard 2s from the front after they got stuck on mine fields in the first stage of the counteroffensive. Separate reports indicated that up to 20 percent of Kievs NATO-provided armor was destroyed in the first stage of the offensive. In the case of the British Challenger 2, the highly pampered tank has not been spotted anywhere on the front, with its appearance limited to flashy propaganda videos. When the decision to send the armored vehicles to Kiev was made in the spring, the British Armys top brass reportedly pressured their Ukrainian counterparts to avoid deploying Challenger 2s to areas where they might risk capture or destruction by Russian forces. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230730/watch-first-swedish-cv90-infantry-fighting-vehicle-turns-into-russian-military-trophy--1112265508.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov trophy, capture, tactics, cv90, ifv, swedish ifv, infantry fighting vehicle, criticism, ukraine, russia, proxy war https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/retired-polish-general-asks-whether-ukraines-counteroffensive-really-exists-1112315114.html Retired Polish General Asks Whether Ukraines Counteroffensive Really Exists Retired Polish General Asks Whether Ukraines Counteroffensive Really Exists This coming Friday will mark the two-month anniversary of Ukraines counteroffensive, with Ukrainian forces making few gains in 60 days of heavy fighting against fortified Russian positions despite receiving NATO training and tens of billions of dollars worth of the latest Western defense hardware. 2023-08-01T10:13+0000 2023-08-01T10:13+0000 2023-08-01T12:46+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine roman polko volodymyr zelensky ukraine poland nato russia ukrainian counteroffensive attempt operations /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105197/83/1051978323_18:0:1591:885_1920x0_80_0_0_68c7d269edfacd1d04ee35328faf4f19.jpg Retired Polish Land Forces General and Special Forces commander Roman Polko has trashed the Ukrainian military over the pace of its counteroffensive, suggesting its operations cant even really be described as such.Ukraine, for many reasons, and I dont know whether this is due to a lack of preparation, or lack of air power and artillery, is limiting its activities to small tactical movements, whether in the area of Bakhmut [Artemovsk] or in the south, the former commander said.Polko, who previously served as acting chief of Polands Bureau of National Security, and as commander of Polish Special Forces unit JW GROM during the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, expressed hopes that Ukrainian forces are just probing Russian positions for some future breakthrough operations, perhaps in the fall.While admitting the failure of Kievs counteroffensive to date, the Polish officer nevertheless spoke out against the possibility of a peace deal with Moscow, particularly one that is forced on Ukraine by its Western patrons. A compromise consisting of Ukraine depriving itself of part of its territory would only postpone a future conflict, he claimed.Behind ScheduleUkrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov have increasingly admitted that the long-awaited summer offensive that kicked off on June 4 is going slower than desired, and is behind schedule, but have nevertheless claimed that everything is going according to plan, and that Kievs actions are rooted in the desire to limit casualties.Kievs actions say otherwise, with Russias defense minister reporting Monday that Kiev had lost nearly 21,000 troops and over 2,200 pieces of military equipment, including NATO-provided heavy armor and artillery, in battles with Russian forces in the month of July alone.Polkos complaints about Ukrainian forces failure to make progress against Russian positions are the latest instance of Western and NATO officials, media, and officers blaming Kiev and Ukrainian commanders tactics instead of asking questions about the quality of Western arms assistance and training, or the wisdom of sending Ukrainian troops on the offensive against entrenched Russian positions without air cover and artillery superiority. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230617/putin-kiev-threw-possible-russia-ukraine-settlement-deal-into-dustbin-of-history-1111251774.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230728/scott-ritter-ukrainian-counteroffensive-keeps-repeating-same-insane-mistakes-1112225788.html ukraine poland russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov poland, ukraine, russia, counteroffensive, operations, definition, criticism, cynicism https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/russia-and-africa-share-historical-anti-imperialist-struggle-neocons-pump-weapons-into-taiwan-1112311510.html Russia and Africa Share Historical Anti-Imperialist Struggle; Neocons Pump Weapons Into Taiwan Russia and Africa Share Historical Anti-Imperialist Struggle; Neocons Pump Weapons Into Taiwan The leaders of Africa and the Russian Federation shared stories of their collective struggles against European and US imperialism as they hatched plans to... 01.08.2023, Sputnik International 2023-08-01T04:06+0000 2023-08-01T04:06+0000 2023-08-01T11:52+0000 the critical hour radio burkina faso niger taiwan ukraine israel uhuru kenyatta uhuru movement /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/1f/1112311207_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_53294757725f9cf2654608f2f2be2889.png Russia and Africa Share Historical Anti-Imperialist Struggle; Neocons Pump Weapons into Taiwan The leaders of Africa and the Russian Federation shared stories of their collective struggles against European and US imperialism as they hatched plans to launch a fair world order. Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Ukraine suffered massive losses during its Western-sponsored July offensive. Also, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has returned from North Korea, and a missile strike was launched against Zelensky's hometown.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss the collective anti-imperialist struggle of Africa and Russia. The leaders of Africa and the Russian Federation shared stories of their collective struggles against European and US colonialism as they hatched plans to launch a fair world order.Dr. Radhika Desai, author and professor in the Department of Political Studies and Director of the Geopolitical Economy Research Group at the University of Manitoba in Canada, joins us to discuss tensions in the Pacific. The US is providing more weapons to Taiwan, and the Solomon Islands have become a flashpoint in the Pacific.Jon Jeter, journalist and author, joins us to discuss the Uhuru movement and the Russian Federation's history in the Global South. The FBI is attacking the free speech rights of the Uhuru movement, and the Russian Federation has a unique relationship with the Global South.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. A heat wave has turned Gaza homes into ovens. Also, the US, Saudi, and Israeli alliance is struggling and may fall apart partially due to Israel's brutal crackdown on the Palestinians.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss NATO. Scott Ritter writes about the dysfunction of the Atlantic military alliance and how the Vilnius summit exposed the weakness of the NATO coalition.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss Latin America. Venezuela protests Juan Guaido's attempt to auction off Citgo. Also, we discuss the ongoing coup in Peru.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss the media. Antony Blinken has made it clear that the US will not back down from the prosecution of Julian Assange. Also, the West is fighting a war with slogans and advertising as the war material runs out.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. burkina faso niger taiwan ukraine israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg radio, burkina faso, niger, taiwan, ukraine, israel, uhuru kenyatta, uhuru movement, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/russia-repulses-ukrainian-drone-boat-attacks-targeting-black-sea-fleet-warships-1112312823.html Russia Repulses Ukrainian Drone Boat Attacks Targeting Black Sea Fleet Warships Russia Repulses Ukrainian Drone Boat Attacks Targeting Black Sea Fleet Warships On Tuesday, the Ukrainian armed forces launched an unmanned boat attack on the ships of the Black Sea Fleet, the Russian Defense Ministry said. 2023-08-01T04:55+0000 2023-08-01T04:55+0000 2023-08-01T05:13+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia russian black sea fleet ukrainian drone attacks on russia russian defense ministry armed forces of ukraine black sea ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107608/26/1076082636_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e487c63a153d2b5b09781fed354bdbc0.jpg On Tuesday, the Ukrainian armed forces launched an unmanned boat attack on the ships of the Black Sea Fleet, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The ministry added that "the Sergey Kotov and Vasily Bykov ships of the Black Sea Fleet continue to carry out their assigned tasks". On July 25, the Russian Defense Ministry reported an unsuccessful attempt by the Ukrainian forces to attack the Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov with two high-speed unmanned boats. The ship repulsed the attack and destroyed both boats. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/russian-forces-strike-down-several-ukrainian-drones-in-moscow---defense-ministry-1112311977.html russia black sea ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian armed forces, unmanned boat attack, black sea fleet https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/russias-tor-m2-air-defense-missile-system-1112277330.html Sizing up the Strength of Russia's Tor-M2 Air Defense Missile System Sizing up the Strength of Russia's Tor-M2 Air Defense Missile System The Tor is a Russian surface-to-air missile system designed to detect and destroy aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. It is also capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. 2023-08-01T10:48+0000 2023-08-01T10:48+0000 2023-08-01T11:29+0000 multimedia infographic russian armed forces tor-m2 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/1f/1112277808_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_4c22da1840ad2a4415f6de3d66ac2211.jpg The Tor-M2E anti-aircraft missile system is designed for air defense of ground forces units during combat operations and in concentration areas, protection of command posts, communication centers, radio facilities, bridges, airfields, etc. The missile system is a further development of the well-known 9K331 Tor-M1 complex. Compared to its predecessor, the Tor-M2E is characterized by increased effectiveness in repelling massive attacks in conditions of intensive fire and electronic countermeasures.The system uses a combination of radar and missile technology to track and engage targets.Check out Sputniks infographic to see the characteristics of the Tor-M2E anti-aircraft missile system: Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International air defense missile system, tor-m2, russian armed forces, tor-m2 air defense missile system https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/sweden-to-tighten-internal-border-controls-after-quran-burning-acts-1112323800.html Sweden to Tighten Internal Border Controls After Quran-Burning Acts Sweden to Tighten Internal Border Controls After Quran-Burning Acts The Swedish authorities will tighten internal border controls amid deteriorating security following recent Quran-burning incidents in Stockholm, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said on Tuesday. 2023-08-01T13:50+0000 2023-08-01T13:50+0000 2023-08-01T13:50+0000 world sweden swedish security service world quran /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103251/40/1032514028_0:287:4405:2764_1920x0_80_0_0_712497e8c0a26be848430111afbb9148.jpg "This means that the police will have an increased opportunity to carry out body searches, search vehicles and ID documents. The aim is to strengthen the police's work and prevent threats to internal security," Strommer was quoted as saying at a briefing by the Sweden Posts news portal. People with weak ties to Sweden should not be able to enter the country to commit crimes or to act in conflict with Swedish security interests, Kristersson added. The final decision on the issue will be made on August 3, the news portal said. Last Sunday, Kristersson said that Sweden was facing its most serious security situation since World War II. Last week, the Swedish Security Service said that the recent Quran burnings in Stockholm had a negative impact on the country's security. Several Quran-burning demonstrations have taken place in Sweden and Denmark in recent weeks. Most Muslim countries have condemned the demonstrations, and some have summoned the Swedish and Danish ambassadors to give them notes of protest. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/iranian-foreign-minister-calls-on-un-chief-to-prevent-further-quran-burning-acts-1112046306.html sweden world Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International tighten internal border controls, swedish justice minister, quran-burning incidents https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/top-russian-military-brass-inspects-troop-control-center-near-zaporozhye--1112313384.html Top Russian Military Brass Inspects Troop Control Center Near Zaporozhye Top Russian Military Brass Inspects Troop Control Center Near Zaporozhye Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov inspected the forward operating base of the troop grouping in the direction of Zaporozhye, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. 2023-08-01T06:54+0000 2023-08-01T06:54+0000 2023-08-01T07:32+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine valery gerasimov zaporozhye russia general staff russian armed forces defense ministry /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105301/44/1053014479_0:0:2895:1628_1920x0_80_0_0_b2ad198bab27ab89a9d2bf7c967545e3.jpg Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov inspected the forward operating base of a grouping of troops in the direction of Zaporozhye, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.At the command post, the chief of the General Staff listened to a report by the group commander, Colonel-General Alexander Romanchuk, on the current situation, the nature of the enemy's actions and the fulfillment of combat tasks by Russian servicemen in the Orekhovsky tactical area. Gerasimov also drew the attention of the group's commanders to the necessity of timely identifying the enemy, preventive strikes and counter-battery warfare.Ukraine's counteroffensive kicked off in early June after months of delays over a lack of military supplies from Western donors. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian troops kept trying, but were failing to advance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself admitted that progress was "slower than desired." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/ukraine-has-lost-20-of-donated-western-materiel-in-counteroffensive---reports-1112192909.html zaporozhye russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian chief of general staff, direction of zaporozhye, defense ministry, russian armed forces https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/trumps-team-spent-more-on-campaign-than-raised-in-2023---reports-1112316521.html Trump's Team Spent More on Campaign Than Raised in 2023 - Reports Trump's Team Spent More on Campaign Than Raised in 2023 - Reports The amount spent so far on former US President Donald Trump's reelection campaign has exceeded the amount raised by several million dollars, media reported on Tuesday, citing its analysis of campaign financial documents. 2023-08-01T10:18+0000 2023-08-01T10:18+0000 2023-08-01T10:18+0000 americas donald trump us reelection fundraising /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0e/1111132302_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_e80d4f3e24fc60ed3b80058d73746fd5.jpg Trump's joint fundraising committee collected $53.8 million but spent $57 million, together with its two affiliates: the official campaign and his leadership political action committee (PAC) Save America, the newspaper said. In total, the joint fundraising committee spent more than $17 million in the first half of 2023 on fundraising expenses such as consultations and direct mail, media reported. Save America PAC spent over $24.4 million, excluding transfers to related organizations. Legal consulting was reportedly the biggest expense, with $21 millions in spending. On Sunday, US medial reported, citing sources, that Trump's team spent more than $40 million in legal fees to protect Trump himself, his advisers and others in the first half of 2023. The newspaper also said the former US president is creating a legal defense fund as he is under several criminal investigations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230730/judge-dismisses-trumps-475mln-defamation-lawsuit-against-cnn-1112263207.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International former us president donald trump, several million dollars, reelection campaign https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/us-army-general-professor-conduct-unofficial-probe-into-military-whistleblower-1112328973.html US Army General, Professor Conduct Unofficial Probe Into Military Whistleblower US Army General, Professor Conduct Unofficial Probe Into Military Whistleblower A US Army general and a professor at the services West Point military academy conducted an unofficial probe into a whistleblower who criticized the US military and government online, an American news agency reported on Tuesday. 2023-08-01T18:47+0000 2023-08-01T18:47+0000 2023-08-01T18:47+0000 americas us army pentagon us uniform military code of justice (ucmj) us house armed services committee /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/0e/1107411903_0:270:2683:1779_1920x0_80_0_0_88798bd6d5467af066ff15fba824e626.jpg According to the media, US Army Lt. Gen. Maria Gervais and Maj. Jessica Dawson utilized their military authorities and access to investigate and publicly identify the service member, citing private emails and text messages. Gervais, the deputy commander of the US Armys Training and Doctrine Command, partnered with Dawson, an information warfare researcher at the Army Cyber Institute, to conduct the unauthorized investigation. The two Army officials accused the whistleblower of being a counterintelligence threat to the United States from the inside, the report claimed. The accusations appear to have been part of an effort to get the Army Criminal Investigation Division to open an official probe into the matter, according to the statement. The nearly year-long investigation led to the public identification of the whistleblower, who then had an inspector general complaint filed against them, the report said. The probe also led to an investigation by the whistleblowers chain of command, the news agency noted. The alleged whistleblower, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Samuel Shoemate, was found to have violated Uniform Code of Military Justice provisions banning service members from posting derogatory and disrespectful materials online toward senior US officials and military leaders, the media stated.The probe resulted in a letter of reprimand, although Shoemate retired from the US Army on Tuesday. It appears that senior officers and officials are allowed to act with impunity, Shoemate stressed. Gervais and Dawsons unofficial investigation into Shoemate constitutes an "unlawful command influence" and tainted the official probe, civilian defense attorney and Navy reservist Pat Wier added. US Congressman Matt Gaetz is now investigating the matter as a potential abuse of official resources, the news agency noted. Gaetz believes the matter warrants an inquiry by the full House Armed Services Committee and will be urging the panels chairman to pursue such an investigation, according to the media. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/alleged-pentagon-leaker-asks-court-to-lift-pretrial-detention-cites-trump-release-1111956332.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International house armed services committee, us army, samuel shoemate, unofficial investigation, counterintelligence threat, probe into military whistleblower, military whistleblower, army criminal investigative division, uniform code of military justice, army cyber institute, us armys training and doctrine command The mysterious UFO found on an Australian beach was finally identified by the Australian Space Agency (ASA). If you are also confused by this unusually large cylinder, here's what you need to know about it. Australia UFO Debunked by ASA Last friday, people in Australia reported seeing a comet/UFO in the sky which turned out to be the LVM3 rocket that launched #Chandrayaan3. And now, the third stage of a PSLV rocket has washed ashore on the coast of Green Head, Western Australia! #ISRO pic.twitter.com/FFVwhooSyE Debapratim (@debapratim_) July 17, 2023 According to Metro's latest report, a mysterious large cylinder was washed up on a remote Australian beach located near Green Head on July 15. Locals who first saw the copper-colored canister reported the object to the police. One of the residents claimed that a couple first found the mysterious UFO. Using their four-wheel vehicle, the individuals decided to drag the cylinder. After that, authorities prepared a perimeter so scientists and state fire officials can safely examine the object. PSLV third stages are often dumped near Australia for 37 incl. missions. The video mentions it is 2 m high 2 m wide which is consistent with PS3. Also pic.twitter.com/As4OtiKcOJ Debapratim (@debapratim_) July 17, 2023 When all locals were cleared out of the area, the Western Australia Police Force carried the UFO to an undisclosed location. At first, the police suggested that the cylindrical object could be space junk. "Contrary to speculation, there is no evidence to support the theory that the object is connected in any way to a commercial aircraft," said the police officials. Now, ASA finally confirmed the true origin of the mysterious object. The Australian space organization said that the canister was debris from an expended third-stage of a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). Read Also: Ex-Air Force Officer Says US Government Hides UFO Retrieval Program; Pentagon Denies Accusations UFOs Are Now a Big Deal Across the Globe UFO (now called UAP) is becoming more of a big deal across the globe. It all started when retired U.S. Air Force Maj. David Grusch decided to speak about the existence of unidentified flying objects. The whistleblower already shared many surprising information about the existence of UFOs. Because of Grusch, many U.S. lawmakers are now urging the military and intelligence agencies to provide more UFO transparency, as reported by CBS News. Numerous members of Congress even cited that these UAPs or UFOs potentially threaten the national security of the United States. Previously, a bipartisan group of senatorsled by Majority Leader Chuch Schumerintroduced an amendment to the annual defense bill. This amendment aims to require executive branch agencies to provide the UPA records to a review board with the presumption of immediate disclosure. This just shows that the effort made by the former U.S. Air Force intelligence official is making the U.S. government take UFOs more seriously. Grusch is still expected to share more of his knowledge regarding UAPs. If you want to learn more about the UFO discussions happening in the U.S. Congress, you can click this link. Related Article: Pentagon Official Slams UFO Congressional Hearing-Says Whistleblower's Claims are Insulting @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/us-uses-taiwan-as-eternal-pawn-in-foreign-policy-games-against-china-1112317009.html US Uses Taiwan as Eternal Pawn in Foreign Policy Games Against China US Uses Taiwan as Eternal Pawn in Foreign Policy Games Against China Dr. Radhika Desai, professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba in Canada, argued that Washington was pushing Taiwan into a repeat of the Ukraine debacle. 2023-08-01T14:59+0000 2023-08-01T14:59+0000 2023-08-01T15:05+0000 richard nixon china taiwan soviet union people's republic of china world united nations security council /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/05/1110929670_0:210:3072:1938_1920x0_80_0_0_89cfa7dd939f2c4d44096700a2314ac3.jpg Dr. Radhika Desai, author and professor in the Department of Political Studies and Director of the Geopolitical Economy Research Group at the University of Manitoba in Canada pointed out that until 1972, Washington's 'one China policy' meant recognition of Taiwan as the sole sovereign authority over mainland China, a dominion that Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists never held even before the 1949 revolution, including occupying the United Nations Security Council seat reserved for China."That one China policy meant that the United States recognized the government of Taiwan," Desai said. "Now, if you've ever looked at a map, you can see how tiny Taiwan is and how big the People's Republic of China, mainland China is. The US recognized the government of Taiwan as the rightful government of all of China, including the mainland. Now, how ridiculous was that?"The change in that policy under disgraced president Richard Nixon was merely an attempt to "drive the wedge deeper between between the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, that at the time of the developing Sino-Soviet split," the academic argued.Since then, Washington has formally recognised Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, although it is "now shifting its discourse."But in contrast to the US drive towards military confrontation over Taiwan, including supplying hundreds of millions of dollars worth of arms deploying military trainers to Taipei, China does not seek to resolve the situation through arms. "China does not wish to use force to unite China and Taiwan," the academic stressed. "The fact of the matter is economic relations between China and Taiwan are deepening all the time." Ironically it is now the Kuomintang (KMT), Chiang Kai-shek's party that founded the rival Chinese state in Taiwan, that wants to step back from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Tsai Ing-wen's US-backed moves to declare independence and looks set to win the 2024 presidential election. That could derail US foreign policy in the Pacific."It's quite possible that this DPP government, that opposes good relations with China, will be turfed out of Taipei," Desai observed. "The new government is not going to rattle sabers against the mainland, but I think it's more than that. The United States is having difficulty delivering weapons to Ukraine, and the Taiwanese have also been complaining that ... the weapons that had been promised before have also not been delivered."That strategy of arming a proxy force to fight a rival superpower has already been proven doomed to failure at enormous human cost.For more in-depth analysis of geo-strategic events, tune into our Sputnik Radio show The Critical Hour. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230728/biden-approves-345-million-in-us-defense-aid-to-taiwan-1112232551.html china taiwan soviet union Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png taiwan asserts independence from china, us arming taiwan for war with china, us proxy conflict with russia in ukraine, us once china policy https://sputnikglobe.com/20230801/why-uk-training-of-ukrainian-commandos-to-seize-crimea-is-waste-of-time-1112323451.html Why UK Training of Ukrainian Commandos to Seize Crimea is Waste of Time Why UK Training of Ukrainian Commandos to Seize Crimea is Waste of Time The UK has been providing training to Ukrainian commandos for an invasion of Crimea, per the Western press. Will the plan fly? 2023-08-01T14:29+0000 2023-08-01T14:29+0000 2023-08-01T14:29+0000 michael maloof larry johnson crimea united kingdom (uk) ukraine nato ukrainian armed forces russia russia's special operation in ukraine us army /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/1a/1106738220_0:229:2826:1819_1920x0_80_0_0_7409677367b3b520478431093a67d539.jpg The British military is training some 2,000 elite Ukrainian soldiers at a remote location in Dartmoor for an operation envisaging strikes from air, land, and sea to paralyze Russian forces on the Crimean Peninsula. Still, the bold plan is unlikely to fly, per Michael Maloof, former senior security policy analyst at the Office of the Secretary of Defense.In addition, it's much too late to bring a new fresh face to the conflict, according to Paul E. Vallely, retired US Army major general and chairman of the Stand Up America US Foundation.Is NATO Training Efficient?Meanwhile, reports are emerging saying that the much-lauded NATO training is not as effective as many believe. Surrendered Ukrainian soldiers, who were trained in NATO countries, questioned the effectiveness of training and complained that it was insufficient and did not guarantee an advantage on the battlefield.Western countries have not participated in high-intensity conflicts since the Vietnam War, and have mostly trained in accordance with the patterns of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria wars.To complicate matters further, Ukrainian troops are being trained by different NATO member states, CIA veteran Larry Johnson told Sputnik last month, adding that this approach undermines the principle of uniformity of the army. Per Johnson, a soldier usually gets the basics during 13 weeks of training and should then undergo at least two to three months of specialized training to learn how to operate NATO-grade weapons.Meanwhile, most of the Ukrainian troops that have been trained by the UK have gone through five weeks of boot camp.Five weeks is obviously not enough time to teach soldiers Western military doctrine, especially for complicated combined arms operations, Maloof echoed."The Ukrainians know how to fight defensively, but not offensively, and I think that this is where they can't get enough training in how to actually launch a troop counteroffensive to actually take that territory," he said. "And they don't have enough troops - number one. And number two, the equipment supplies are not consistent. They're not capable of being regularly relied upon as supplies. And the attrition rate of the equipment that they do have is so high that the US cannot supply it fast enough."Is the Ukrainian Army Capable of Fighting in High-Intensity Conflict?The other element that is lacking completely for the Ukrainians to be able to launch an effective counteroffensive is air power, Maloof continued.Despite statements from the Western military leadership about the forthcoming deliveries of F-16s and M1 Abrams and increasing numbers of Ukrainian units being trained according to NATO standards, there are a lot of problems with the Western military aid efficiency. Simultaneously, the US and its allies refuse to consider a peace settlement, insisting that the Kiev regime should gain an advantage on the battlefield. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been sustaining heavy losses on the ground.Under these conditions, neither a Ukrainian "blitzkrieg" attack on Crimea nor a large-scale counteroffensive looks possible, according to Sputnik's interlocutors. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/cia-veteran-biden-could-risk-ww3-to-bail-out-ukraine-1111873044.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230725/nato-countries-using-ukraine-to-get-rid-of-outdated-weapons-1112139639.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230731/ukraine-reportedly-training-over-2000-commandos-in-uk-for-crimea-invasion-1112272885.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/nato-spent-years-preparing-for-proxy-war-with-russia-in-ukraine-1111838638.html crimea united kingdom (uk) ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova uk military training, uk training ukrainian commandos, uk training ukrainian commandos to seize crimea, ukraine retake crimea, war in ukraine, nato training, nato weapons ukraine, russian special military operation, ukrainian commandos invasion of crimea, elite ukrainian commando brigade, ukrainian intelligence chief kyrylo budanov, ukrainian counteroffensive Three divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots were hosted at Woodbine Mohawk Park as freshman trotting fillies took the stage for the second leg of the series on Monday (July 31) evening. Birthday Money posted the fastest time of the evening among the Grassroots divisional winners, winning by a half-length in 1:58.4. Todd Ratchford and Birthday Money owned post seven in the field of nine going for $22,600 and they took early command, leading the field to the quarter in :29.2. Rhythm Of Life (Jonathan Drury) took over en route to the half in 1:00.1. By the three-quarters in 1:29.4, Birthday Money had fallen back to third, 6-3/4 lengths from the leader, as West River Ivory (Paul MacDonell) moved first over into second. With a little bit of clearance on the inside as they moved down the lane, Birthday Money maneuvered a victory by only a margin of a half-length. West River Ivory closed sharply to take second and Rhythm Of Life was third. Matt Bax trains Birthday Money for her second win in three starts. Bax Stable and Marshall Bax co-own the Resolve-Parkhill Nocredit daughter. She paid $12.90 to win. Odds-on favourite Flirty Dancer won her second race in three starts with Tyler Jones in the bike for Paul Reid. Flirty Dancer drew post eight in the field of 10 young ladies as they went to the gate in the $23,000 division. Jones and Flirty Dancer got away in fifth, eight lengths off of the leading Tequila Sunset (Phil Hudon). After the first panel was clocked in :28.3, Flirty Dancer followed a second-over trip behind One Night In Paris (Drury) as they set their sights on the new leader, C Kan Trot (Scott Young) to the half in 1:01. One Night In Paris found a spot in second on the rail while Flirty Dancer was left to continue in the outer flow in third at the three-quarters in 1:31.1. Around the final turn, Flirty Dancer and C Kan Trot were neck-and-neck, but Flirty Dancer strode away to a fourth-length victory in 2:00. C Kan Trot was third, but placed second and One Night In Paris was fourth, placed third. Brian Kleinberg, Richard Beinhauer and Paul Reid co-own the Lookslikeachpndale-Hola Lola filly. She paid $6.20 to win. In the final $23,000 division of the evening, Sue Anne and Louis-Philippe Roy beat the bettors' choice by a head at the wire. From the rail, Sue Anne ended up sixth, 10-1/2 lengths off of the leading favourite and pacesetter Tea Lake (Richard Zeron). As Tea Lake knocked out panels in 1:00.3 and 1:30.1, Sue Anne was on the outside, chipping away at the distance between herself and the leader. Down the stretch, a battle ensued between Sue Anne, Tea Lake and Gaming Queen (Travis Cullen). Sue Anne prevailed by a head in 1:59.1 over Tea Lake, who finished second with a head in front of Gaming Queen. Eric Nadeau trains Sue Anne as she won her second career start and second OSS division in a new lifetime best time. Louis-Philippe Roy, Pierre-Luc Roy, Maude Larouche and Jean Allaire co-own the Muscle Mass-Dalliance Seelster daughter. She paid $10.20 to win. To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. The battle lines are set after Grand River Raceway hosted eliminations for the Battle of the Belles and Battle of Waterloo on Monday, July 31. Sweeps were the order of the night, with trainer Bob McIntosh taking home both $15,000 Battle of Waterloo eliminations and driver Louis-Philippe Roy having his photo taken after both $10,000 Battle of the Belles elims. Do Better didn't clear until about the three-eighths point in his Battle of Waterloo elimination but once he did the 3-5 choice looked like a 1-9 favourite. After forging to the front through a :27.4 opening panel, Sylvain Filion settled the colt on the lead around the far turn and stole a :59.4 middle half by virtue of a :57.2 half and 1:27.3 third panel. With a :28.2 closing quarter, Do Better had plenty left to hold off Enforcer (Doug McNair) by a length and a half and trip the timer in 1:56. Chalk Hanover (Bob McClure) and Mcwicked Time (James MacDonald) finished third and fourth, respectively, to qualify for the Battle of Waterloo final. Do Better (Bettors Delight-West Third Street) is co-owned by his trainer Bob McIntosh along with Al Mcintosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington, Ont. and Mardon Stables of Loretto, Ont. He's now unbeaten in four appearances with $78,550 in earnings, and he paid $3.20 to win. Always A Thrill also delivered as the public choice, taking a different route to the winner's circle. Driver Bob McClure sat the 4-5 favourite in the pocket behind Stopwatch through fractions of :29.4, 1:00.1 and 1:29.3. When first-over challenger Max Patrick (Jody Jamieson) rolled offstride heading into the far turn for the final time, McClure patiently made his move from the pocket and angled Always A Thrill to the outside. Stopwatch tried to battle back, but Always A Thrill was too fresh after that journey and brushed by for the 1:57.2 decision by half a length. Crush Kill Destroy (Tyler Borth) and Manhawk (James MacDonald) rounded out the automatically advancing top four, with Max Patrick also making the cut. Another McIntosh homebred, Always A Thrill (Bettors Delight-Somethinincredible) is co-owned by McIntosh Stables Inc. of Windsor, Ont., Dave Boyle of Bowmanville, Ont., and Mardon Stables of Loretto, Ont. The win was his first in three tries, lifting his earnings to $14,430 in the process. He returned $3.90 to win. Roy has a decision to make for next week's Battle of the Belles final after driving both Collusion Hanover and Pass Line to victory in their respective elims. Collusion Hanover got away fifth in the field of six freshman pacing fillies as Bonitas Best Bet (Doug McNair) led the field to the opening panel in :28. After a miscue from the favourite in center pack, Collusion Hanover sat fourth at the half in :58.3 before moving first over en route to the 1:28 third panel. Down the stretch, Collusion Illusion challenged the pacesetting Bonitas Best Bet and the Luc Blais trainee prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.4 How Much (Bob McClure) finished third. Rounding out the top four as a finalist contender was T H Jackies Legacy (Travis Cullen). Determination of Montreal, Que. owns Collusion Hanover (Bettors Delight-Covfefe). She now owns a career record of 2-0-1 in four starts, and she paid $6.90 to win this one. Pass Line made every pole a winning one as she controlled the tempo through panels in :28.1, :57.2 and 1:27 before winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:55.3. Greatest Pleasure (J.R. Plante) finished second with Pasta Delight (Jody Jamieson) third. Also grabbing spots in the final were Peeler (McClure), who finished fourth, and fifth-place finisher Cheese Party (Trevor Henry). David Menary trains Pass Line (All Bets Off-Breakheart Pass) for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. With the win, where she paid $2.40, she moves her career record to 4-0-1 in five starts with $83,178 earned. Next Monday, Aug. 7, the $205,200 Battle of the Waterloo and $138,400 Battle Of The Belles finals will be contested at Grand River. The draw has been completed for each race with the results below: $205,200 Battle Of Waterloo, presented by Winbak Farm Post - Horse - Elim Driver - Trainer 1. Max Patrick - Jody Jamieson - Gabriella Sasso 2. Chalk Hanover - Bob McClure - David Menary 3. Do Better - Sylvain Filion - Robert Mcintosh 4. McWicked Time - James MacDonald - Robert Robinson 5. Always A Thrill - Bob McClure - Robert Mcintosh 6. Stopwatch - Doug McNair - Gregg McNair 7. Manhawk - James MacDonald - Scott McEneny 8. Crush Kill Destroy - Tyler Borth - Per Engblom 9. Enforcer - Doug McNair - Gregg McNair $138,400 Battle Of The Belles Post - Horse - Elim Driver - Trainer 1. Collusion Hanover - Louis-Philippe Roy - Luc Blais 2. Greatest Pleasure - J.R. Plante - Luc Blais 3. Peeler - Bob McClure - Robert Mcintosh 4. Pass Line - Louis-Philippe Roy - David Menary 5. Cheese Party - Trevor Henry - Kyle Bossence 6. Bonitas Best Bet - Doug McNair - David Menary 7. Pasta Delight - Jody Jamieson - Anthony Beaton 8. How Much - Bob McClure - David Menary 9. T H Jackies Legacy - Travis Cullen - Jodie Cullen To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Grand River Raceway. Monticello Raceway hosted a pair of $57,000 New York Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Monday, July 31. The first division had a short field of five with a Ron Burke entry of Chapercraz (post one) and Sevecheetah (post four). Driver Joe Bongiorno led from start to finish aboard Chapercraz in 1:56.1 over Cecil Hanover (Mark MacDonald) with Wild Bill Kelso (Jordan Stratton) third. The son of Crazy Wow-Chaperess was bred by Purple Haze Stable and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura. He earned his second (consecutive) NYSS win on the year. In the second division, five trotters went behind the gate. Onion Gum and Jordan Stratton pulled out of the two-hole going to the opening panel in a soft :29.3 and went on to win in 1:58.2 over the favoured The Gruffalo (Bartlett) and Some Kinda Crazy (MacDonald). The $250,000 son of Chapter Seven-Prinsessa is trained by Lucas Wallin and is owned by S R F Stable, breeder Order By Stable and Mario Mazza. He picked up his first Sire Stakes win on the year. Stratton also swept a pair of $20,000 Excelsior Series divisions, starting with 32-1 Sevenatchi, who pulled off a shocker as he got past the favourite, Espresso (Tyler Miller), at the wire in 1:59.2. Trained by Stanley Zombick Jr., the son of Chapter Seven-Catching Katie paid $67 to win. In the second division, the pocket-sitting Seven Sins pulled from the two-hole passing the three-quarter pole to take the lead over Met Your Request (Miller). The Chapter Seven-Isolde colt did it just in time, as Met Your Request made a break on the lead, as did City Of Hope (Jim Devaux) and Kingpin Hanover (Jim Pantaleano). Seven Sins strolled home an eight-length winner in 1:57.2 for Stratton and trainer Noel Daley. Lotto Hill (Bartlett) and Night Star (MacDonald) inherited second and third. Sire Stakes action continues next week at the Mighty M, when the three-year-old trotting fillies come to town. Post time will be at 12:10 p.m. (With files from Monticello Raceway; Photo of Chapercraz winning a New York Sire Stakes division at Buffalo Raceway) Perhaps the most compelling reason to offer a Standardbred Canada Registered Groom Licence to your employees is the genuine commitment to their welfare and well-being through Standardbred Canadas Accident Insurance Protection plan. A trainer or stable that prioritizes the welfare of its grooms creates a positive and supportive work environment. Such a culture fosters a sense of community, collaboration and mutual respect among team members, contributing to overall employee happiness in the stable. Moreover, a company known for valuing its employees' well-being enjoys a positive reputation in the Standardbred industry and among potential clients. In a competitive equine job market, candidates can evaluate potential employers based on benefits. Those that provide SC Registered Groom Licences to their employees stand out as employers of choice. Below is a complete list of benefits included with a Standardbred Canada Membership and Registered Groom Licence: Accident Insurance Protection Monthly TROT Magazine Industry Course Development Award Recognition Free Enrollment in the MVP Program for savings and promotion opportunities Member Voting Rights with Standardbred Canada, the national breed registry Standardbred Canada E-Newsletters and Updates Access to Standardbred Canada Resource Centre If you are interested in signing your employees up for a Standardbred Canada Registered Groom Licence, click here. Q. What are the rules on abandoned vehicles and trailers? A. Scottsbluff Ordinance 22-9-1 says It shall be unlawful for any person to cause any vehicle to be an abandoned vehicle. Ordinance 22-9-5 says A police officer may remove and convey, or cause to be removed and conveyed, by towing or otherwise, to the vehicle pound any abandoned vehicle. So the next question would be, what is an abandoned vehicle? The first ordinance that we will use and the most common reason for us to tag an abandoned vehicle is 22-6-22 which says, It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle in any street, alley, municipal off-street parking lot, or other public way or place of the city for a period of more than ten days. This section shall not be construed to extend any period of time for parking or leaving a vehicle that is limited by some other provision of this article. The maximum amount of time that a vehicle can be parked at any public location is 10 days. It may be a shorter amount of time, depending on the location. For example, there are some public parking lots that restrict parking to a certain number of hours between two and 24 hours. Nebraska law 60-1901 provides for several reasons for a vehicle to be considered abandoned. Being on public property for more than six hours with no license plates. Being left on public property where parking is not permitted for more than 24 hours, this would include the shoulders or roads. Being left 48 hours after the allowed parking time has expired. Being left unattended for seven days on private property. Scottsbluff City Ordinance 22-6-20 allows police to tow vehicles that are an immediate traffic obstruction. Scottsbluff ordinance 20-6-15 states that trailers can not be left on the street unless they are attached to a vehicle. There is a permit process for construction trailers to be left on the street while a project is being completed. There are two ways that a vehicle can be identified as abandoned. One, we get a complaint from a citizen, and two, the officer identifies it as abandoned while on patrol. The vehicles need to meet one of the above criteria. Things that I look for are license plates that have been expired for a long time and vehicles that appear to be dysfunctional. Dysfunctional could be anything from flat tires to obvious mechanical issues, like the transmission laying on the street under the vehicle or it being wrecked. Other things I look for are a lot of debris collected around the vehicle or even weeds growing out of the street around the vehicle. Once a vehicle is suspected of being abandoned, it needs to be posted as such. The minimum amount of time that the vehicle needs to be posted before being impounded is listed on the laws, 10 days for publicly allowed parking, seven days for private property, 24 hours for improperly parked, six hours for unlicensed, and immediately for a traffic hazard due to obstruction. Once an officer posts the vehicle, an effort will be made to contact the owner and notify them. We will make phone calls and knock on the doors of the owners home. Once time has expired, we can tow the vehicle. What we really want is voluntary compliance. If you have an old broken down car, check with a local salvage yard. Some of them will remove the vehicle for you and even pay you a few bucks for it, but you will need the title. Help us to keep the city looking clean by removing old cars. As Scottsbluff Police continue deep dives into unsolved cases that are open within the department, one case the beating death of a 49-year-old Scottsbluff man remains at the top of their files. This week will mark 12 years since the death of Ralph Magee, who lived in an apartment at the Cirrus House independent and assisted living complex at 1525 E. 18th St. For the family of Magee, Scottsbluff Police Capt. Brian Wasson said, the need for answers in the case remains a heavy burden, saying that the lack of resolution in the case has been difficult for Magees sister and others close to him to endure through the years. As Wasson and Det. Brandi Brunz review a list of evidence and interviews in the case, they pull out several large binders. In each, they have carefully cataloged the pieces of evidence gathered at the scene, the interviews with persons that Magee knew and other details of the case. The goal for us is to try and generate tips, anything we can do to bring this case to a resolution, Wasson said. We collected a lot of evidence at the scene over two days, and hundreds of items. We just need a piece of information, or pieces, to identify that someone that he spent the last hours of his life with. The tips for this case have diminished over time, he said. We rely heavily on the community to assist us in making these cases. Despite all the evidence collected and the interviews done, police are still looking to tie it all together to bring a case forward. In information released in the past, police revealed that Magee died a violent death, dying of a broken neck as a result of blunt force trauma. An autopsy and evidence at the scene reveal that a drawn out struggle occurred. Items in the home were overturned or damaged. Though Magee had been extensively beaten, neighbors denied hearing any disturbances overnight. Why was Magee attacked? Who attacked him? The answers to those questions remain elusive. According to interviews, Magee had been seen the night before as his meals were dropped off. A maintenance man located him the next day, finding his body shortly after 9 a.m., Wasson said. In the days before his death, he had made calls to family members and had conversations with others. However, police are still trying to determine the circumstances that lead to Magees death. He had not indicated having any problems with any specific persons to family members or staff. Magee had lived most of his life in Colorado and graduated from Columbine High School, moving to Scottsbluff after his parents retired and relocated. His sister, Kathy Flippen, previously told the Star-Herald that he had a close circle of family and friends. By all accounts, he kept to himself, Wasson said. He was very docile, very welcoming and accepting. Police believe that the person who attacked Magee had known him, as evidence indicates he would have let that person inside the home. It could have been an acquaintance, a friend, or even a neighbor. Were really interested in identifying and speaking with anyone who had contact with Ralph the last 12 to 24 hours preceding his death, Brunz said. Were interested in listening to what they have to say, and taking that information and comparing it to the evidence. Wasson said, We think he was around someone that he knew. It may have been a new relationship, a relationship that people may have not noticed or knew about, but something happened. Police have questioned some individuals in the past, but no specific persons have been definitively tied to the attack. They have obtained some DNA evidence, though Wasson and Brunz did not expand on specific details regarding that testing. Family members believe that some items are missing from the home, though Brunz noted that police had not found any evidence of items having been transferred to anyone or sold in the area. Some of those interviewed by police say Magee had given some items to others prior to his death and may have disposed of some items, so its not certain if robbery or theft would have been involved in the mans death. Time may also be a factor in bringing the case to successful prosecution. Depending on the circumstances and facts out of the case, Wasson said in response to question about whether or not any statutes of limitations may have passed in the case, that it could be certainly possible. However, for homicide offenses that may be at play, he noted that they have longer statutes of limitations. In the case of first-degree murder, there is a time limit in which prosecutors could bring charges in Nebraska. Family members have set up a reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Magees death. Also, anyone with information in the case can contact Scotts Bluff County Crime Stoppers and be eligible for a cash reward, 308-632-STOP (7867). Persons with information can also contact police directly by calling the Scottsbluff Police Department, 308-632-7176. For some, Laura Leggotts name is synonymous with chickens in Scotts Bluff County. From the time a chicken is just an egg, presentations at the county fair, and until the chickens arrive on a familys plate, she shares her knowledge with the community. As the provider of 17 dozen eggs to her local schools egg incubation program, she loves to attend kindergarten days at Legacy of the Plains museum and help the little ones learn about how eggs hatch. The kindergarten program has such an impact and so many kids develop an interest in poultry as a result, Leggott said. Some even, eventually, go on to the fair. Leggott shared that many of the chicks go home with the kids after theyve hatched and she takes the ones that arent spoken for back to her farm. Currently, she has about 130 chickens on her familys property that consist of a menagerie of meat birds, layers, show birds, and the young hatchlings from the schools. Leggott has been involved with 4-H since she was a little girl in Pennsylvania. As a kid she participated in the non-agricultural events. Now, the mom of four kids who are ages 14, 17, 20, and 21, says, Were chicken people. Shes spent 13 years helping her kids raise those chickens. I homeschooled my kids and the 4-H curriculum was a great supplement to our STEM education. Kids learn how to raise a quality animal that theyd be proud to eat. They also have to take a quality assurance class to make sure that theyre ensuring the food safety of their animals. Leggott is now the leader of a poultry club, The East County Cluckers in Melbeta, as well as a countywide group, The Fur and Feather Fun Club, that meets at the fairground. At their weekly meeting held just a few weeks prior to the Scotts Bluff County Fair, talk centered around getting the kids prepared to show their chickens. Each kid showed up with an animal tote with a chicken, or two, inside. They gently removed birds of every shape and size and practiced holding them to keep them calm and then set them on a central table as they talked over key points the judges would want to hear about during the presentation. O ne interesting fact that came up while Kayson Keithley of Minatare was displaying his White Crested Black Polish was that, in many cases, the color of the chickens earlobes determines the color of their eggs. Kids can present different breeds of chickens at the fair but can only take one meat variety to the sale at the end of the fair. Kids work really hard for that one chicken, Leggott said. Scotts Bluff County has a well supported fair and bids very generously. Were incredibly grateful to our sponsors. The sales can bring in $200-700 for a chicken, but have gone even higher. For more information, on 4-H competitions at the fair, the local Extension website, extension.unl.edu/statewide/scottsbluff-morrill/fair. Hong Kong: CE meets Jiangmen official Chief Executive John Lee today met Secretary of the CPC Jiangmen Municipal Committee Chen Anming to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Jiangmen. While welcoming Mr Chen's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation, Mr Lee pointed out that the city proactively promotes co-operation with Jiangmen and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to achieve complementarity, contributing to the construction of an international first-class bay area for living, working and travelling. Noting that Hong Kong has strong capabilities in scientific research while the advanced manufacturing of Jiangmen is developing rapidly, Mr Lee said he looks forward to deepening collaboration among the industry, academia and research sectors, promoting the transformation of technological outcomes, and strengthening the linkage of innovation and technology between the two places. Additionally, the Chief Executive mentioned his recent visit to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, three of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He noted that he introduced Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and close connection to the world under "one country, two systems to the political and business communities there. Also during his visit to the three countries, the Mr Lee stressed that he encouraged ASEAN enterprises to explore the GBA market and expand their businesses in Hong Kong and other bay area cities by making good use of the city's professional services and financing platform. This story has been published on: 2023-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chinese president's special representative calls for upgrading CPEC development Xinhua) 14:06, August 01, 2023 ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, called for an upgrading of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to promote a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. He made the remarks on Monday while attending the Decade of CPEC celebration event in the Pakistani capital, during which he read President Xi's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. In his congratulatory letter, President Xi fully recognized the positive achievements and great significance of the construction of CPEC, which provided strategic guidance for the development of the corridor and the practical cooperation between China and Pakistan, He said. Over the past 10 years, the construction of CPEC has adhered to the Silk Road spirit and yielded fruitful, mutually beneficial and win-win results, creating a successful practice of jointly building the Belt and Road, the special representative said. He called for earnest implementation of the spirit of President Xi's congratulatory letter, creating an upgraded version of CPEC, and jointly building a growth corridor, a livelihood-enhancing corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor and an open corridor. In his speech, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed his appreciation to President Xi for attaching great importance to Pakistan-China ties and CPEC, and for the support of the Chinese government and its people towards Pakistan. The remarkable achievements of CPEC's construction have profoundly transformed Pakistan's economic and social landscape, Shahbaz said. Pakistan is willing to learn from China's development experience, deepen cooperation with China in various fields, and pursue a path of self-reliance and strength, so as to better benefit the peoples of both countries, the prime minister said. On Monday, Pakistani President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shahbaz and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir met with He respectively. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on deepening traditional friendship and expanding practical cooperation, among other issues. Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Australian police claimed Tuesday, August 1, that a former daycare worker had assaulted 91 girls over the course of 15 years, adding that he had documented his "unfathomable" crimes in thousands of photographs and videos. Expert investigators have called it "beyond the realms of anyone's imagination" and one of Australia's most horrific child sex abuse instances. The 1,623 total counts include 136 instances of rape, 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10 (which is used in place of rape in certain Australian jurisdictions), and 613 counts of creating child pornography. Discovery of Child Pornography on Dark Web Since 2014, when an enormous amount of child pornography was discovered on the dark web, investigators have been trying to track down a 45-year-old male. Their search for answers was mostly unproductive until one lucky break in August 2022, when they were able to link background details in the photos to a daycare in the Australian city of Brisbane. Three charges were filed against the individual at first, but assistant federal police commissioner Justine Gough claims that when police dug further into his digital assets, the true scope of his heinous alleged actions became clear. "This is chilling and shocking news for parents," she stated. Also Read: Japan Includes Barring Sex Offenders From Working With Minors in New Anti-Sexual Abuse Measures Assaults at Ten Different Daycares According to the investigation, the suspect documented over 4,000 images and videos depicting various acts of abuse. CBS News said that the assault, which the police say only affected "prepubescent girls," occurred at ten separate daycares between 2007 and 2022. It included children as young as one. Investigators spent many hours studying the photos in order to positively identify 87 of the 91 victims, the vast majority of whom were from the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales. From 2013 to 2014, the guy worked abroad, and throughout that time, he molested four more children who have yet to be identified. The police have said that they are now collaborating with foreign criminal agencies to locate the children in question. However, they have not specified which country is the primary focus of their efforts. "We have been working tirelessly since August last year to identify the children in the alleged child abuse material," Gough stated. The guy had previously worked at other child care centers in Australia, but authorities there are highly confident he did not engage in any kind of child abuse while there. Police said that he had successfully completed an array of background checks required for employment at childcare facilities in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales. Col Briggs, the acting assistant police commissioner in Queensland, said that officers had been on the case since 2021, but a lack of evidence had slowed their progress. "There was insufficient evidence to take action against any person based on evidence available at the time." The unidentified guy is set to appear in court in Queensland on August 21. His current case is being finalized so that he may be extradited to New South Wales to face further charges. Also Read: Michael Jackson's Sexual Abuse Cases Likely to Be Revived by Appeals Court @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A 20-year-old Lincoln man is facing a maximum sentence of a year of incarceration after pleading no contest to child abuse in connection to a college student's reported rape. Dominic Bardales is set for sentencing in September, following the plea hearing Thursday. Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Julie Mruz said the state reduced the charge from first-degree sexual assault of an incompetent person to the misdemeanor in exchange for Bardales' plea. She said that just after 2 a.m. Aug. 20, University Police were called to a student apartment at 50/50 at 18th and R streets near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus on a report of a sexual assault. Mruz said a woman said Bardales, whom she had met on the dating app Tinder, had come over with a friend and a case of beer. She and Bardales went into her bedroom and had consensual sex. After, Bardales left her room and went into her roommate's bedroom and closed the door. Shortly after, the woman and the others heard crying coming from the room and knocked. Mruz said Bardales opened the door, said he didn't do anything and left. The victim, an 18-year-old UNL student, was hyperventilating on her bed with no pants on. She said she didn't want to have sex and tried to call out but Bardales put his hand over her mouth, Mruz said. University Police arrested Bardales, who wasn't a student, the next day. UNL maintains a comprehensive list of campus and local resources for sexual assault survivors on its website, including information on how to report sexual assaults to both law enforcement and the school's Title IX office. Photos: 2023 Nebraska Football Fan Day Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, Aug. 2-7, 1998. This year Mooresville High School freshmen will enter the high school as members of an academy. Each ninth grader will take two academic classes during the first semester and two more academic classes in the second semester. The students will also be able to take three yearlong elective classes. (8/2) Mitchell Community College is in the process of creating a band under the direction of Jim Calabrese. The first meeting is scheduled for Monday September 14. Anyone who has played in a high school band and is 18 or older is eligible to participate. (8/2) Bonnie Harpe, owner of Bonnies in the Fairgrounds Shopping Center, has announced she is retiring after 36 years in the same location. It was the Roundup Store by Dr. and Mrs. Jack Hunt. I was the manager and bought the store in 1966 and changed the name to Bonnies. (8/4) Photo: This team from North Carolina won first place honors of the senior division of the beef quiz bowl at the National Junior Angus Show in Indianapolis, Ind. Team members are Josh Tennant of Greensboro, Karl Holshouser of Gold Hill, Vickie Linville of Madison, and Jennifer Stamey of Statesville. (8/6) Sixty-three years after graduation, members of the class of 1935 class of Troutman High School held their twelfth reunion Saturday Aug. 1, 1998 at Sher Rons Place in Troutman. [Mary Houston, Eugenia Loftin, Virginia Lofton Overcash, Floyd Deaton, Ava Cook Richard, Peggy Hegwood, Rebecca Davidson Brown, Hubert Brown, Gilbert Raymer, Ross Cook, Moffat Brown, Fred Troutman, Robert Day and John Garrison] (8/6) Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, Aug. 1-7, 1973. Down In Iredell: Completion of Signal Hill Mall confirms what many of us have long suspectedthe drift of business from the downtown area. This need not be bad. As traffic is dispersed to outlying areas and the pace becomes more leisurely downtown, it could develop with its libraries, the college, courthouse, banks and other institutions, into a very attractive and important part of the city. (8/1) John W. Templeton, a Statesville native, has been selected to be copy editor of Howard Universitys Hilltop, the largest black student newspaper in the world, for the 1973-74 academic years. [1972 graduate of SHS] (8/2) Rick Dagenhart, city planning director applying to state for floodplain study: This kind of study would help alleviate problems many areas of Statesville face now, such as the perpetual flood damage in the area of Sullivan Road and Free Nancy Branch. (8/3) Shopowners along N. Center St. in the vicinity of the square have been complaining about vandalism. Some shopowners feel the presence of 1849 contributes to the gathering of vandals. The operator of the club feels that the vandals are not customers at his nightclub. (8/4) Nixon puts freeze on price of beef: You probably wont see a pound of hamburger or steak anywhere until the price freeze ends next month. It was a foolish political move that did not help consumers and is certainly doing serious damage to the beef producers. (8/6) Mooresville Mayor Joe Knox asks for a crackdown on improper mufflers: As Knox made his request at Monday nights town board meeting, the noise pollution was accentuated by the blast of an obvious improper muffler roaring by city hall on N. Main St. (8/7) Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Daily Record, Aug. 2-7, 1948. In an effort to affect every economy in operation, the Statesville Daily Record and the Charlotte News have worked out a cooperative agreement for the distribution of the two papers in Statesville and vicinity. This means your Charlotte News will be delivered by Daily Record carriers. (8/2) C.D. Ostwalt petitioned the highway commission for the construction of an underpass so that his stock can get from pastures to water. Mr. Ostwalt says the new hard surfaced road being constructed from Barium Springs to East Monbo runs through his place so as to cut his stock off from the water supply. (8/3) Statesvilles National Guard will soon have a new vehicle storage building on Pump Station road. The brick building has been under construction since spring but completion has been blocked by a shortage of steel braces for the roof. (8/4) Duke Hosiery company on Armfield street has closed and the machinery equipment has been sold. The local plant ceased operations last Saturday. About 30 persons were employed there, but at one time as many as 70 workers found employment there. (8/5) The Barnes hotel, complete with starlight roof for dancing and other novel innovations, will be completed sometime during the early part of 1949. This will mark the first time Statesville will have had such a place for dancing. (8/6) Funeral services will be conducted for Pvt. William Carl Estes Sunday at 5 p.m. at Prospect Baptist church. The body is scheduled to arrive at Johnson Funeral home tomorrow morning. Estes died in France April 11, 1945 while serving with the U.S. Army. (8/7) One hundred years ago: Landmark, Aug. 2 and 6, 1923. Statesville city schools open Monday Sept. 3: All vacancies in the faculty have been filled, two teachers having been added at the High School. There will be five men in the High School faculty next year. (8/2) The J.G. Shelton home on Mulberry street is being moved to the Ellen Morrison property, on west Broad street. His family will occupy it while their new home is in construction on the former site. (8/2) Mooresville: Two little five-year-old girls took a walk the other day and caused great anxiety for awhile. There was rejoicing when it was learned they were safe. How natural it was for them to just go a-walking, as they saw older folk do. [Helen Johnston and Helen Smith] (8/2) Old Glory hangs at half-mast on the flag-staff over the post office today, a visible sign of the nations sorrow upon the loss of its chief executive. [Pres. Warren G. Harding died of a heart attack Aug. 2, 1923, in San Francisco while in the midst of a continent-spanning tour.] (8/6) Leaping a seven-foot gap over a washout six feet deep, an automobile driven by Mr. T.M. Crowell and occupied by his family, landed squarely on all fours in the roadway again, saving its occupants from injury. The car, a new Buick sport model, was badly damaged. (8/6) There are some laboring under the delusion that they do not have to bring their automobile to a full stop at a railroad crossing unless the N.C. Law Stop sign is up. They are in error. If there is no watchman or a gate at a crossing. automobilists are required to stop. (8/6) One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, Aug. 2 and 5, 1898. From all sections come reports of good crops. The Lord always gives recompense for disaster. He has sent the war, the war tax and the smallpox this year, but a splendid crop year will make us forget minor troubles. (8/2) Boyd Powlass, 19 years old, attempted to mount a freight train near the Statesville depot late Saturday afternoon and was thrown under the train wheels. Both legs were so badly crushed that amputation was necessary. The young man died at 4 oclock Sunday morning. (8/2) Privates letter from Co. E: We had a sham battle this a.m. (the 28th), the first with blank cartridges since we have been in camp. The three regiments of our brigades all participated. The day was cloudy and humid and smoke from the Springfields produced a fine effect. (8/2) The town has a dog law requiring every dog running at large to wear a tax paid collar. The law is not enforced, but a citizen who is much annoyed by a stray dog suggests to The Landmark now is a good time to enforce it and rid the town of some worthless curs. (8/6) Yesterday was as blustery as a March day. Some of the decayed shade trees in town yielded to the force of the wind and the telephone wires were much mixed making telephonic communication difficult and giving the operators at the central office a world of trouble. (8/6) Privates letter from Co E: We had a target practice this morning and Corporals Rufty and Kennerly made some very fine scores at one, two and three hundred yards. Our targets were the figures of a soldier kneeling in a firing position, and to hit his body counted four, while his head was bullseye, or five. (8/6) A few Boy Scouts from Troop 363 at New Salem United Methodist Church had the opportunity to attend the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia as part of a group of 40 scouts from across the piedmont area. The National Jamboree was held July 19-28 and was attended by approximately 15,000 participants. These young men from Troop 363, experienced a host of outdoor sporting activities, whitewater rafting, STEM, conservation education, a variety of religious services, complete a service project, merit badge opportunities, meeting literally, thousands of other Scouts who visited their campsite to try Cheerwine and Sun Drop, walked countless miles and, of course, patch trading. A man who has long been associated with Hungry Mother State Park is returning to lead its operations and staff. Kevin McDonald, who is no stranger to Marion and Smyth County, has been tapped to serve as the parks new manager. He steps into the position that was vacated when Andrew Philpot was promoted to the southern district region manager within the Virginia State Parks system. The native of Haslett, Michigan, McDonald first came to Hungry Mother when he was a student at Central Michigan University (CMU). Majoring in outdoor recreation with a minor in leadership, McDonald interned at the Marion state park. After earning his degree, McDonald returned to the area and held positions with the Virginia State Police and the Smyth County Sheriffs Office. Then, he returned to Hungry Mother, working as an officer and chief ranger of operations. Then, McDonald served as assistant park manager at Shenandoah River before returning to Hungry Mother as the assistant park manager of visitor and event services. In a news release, McDonald said, I am beyond excited to continue my park journey at the place that has always felt like home, Hungry Mother State Park. I am grateful to my fellow rangers who helped me get to this point and to my wife and two daughters for being supportive throughout my career. As park manager, McDonald is responsible for daily operations, managing all staff, budgets, community engagement and directing the parks many programs. We are delighted to have Kevin in the role of park manager at Hungry Mother. His enthusiasm for state parks and Hungry Mother, in particular, is evident in his work on behalf of the park, said Southwest Region Manager Sharon Buchanan. Glenn Moorer, president of the Friends of Hungry Mother, recently expressed great enthusiasm for McDonald stepping into the manager position. He expressed the belief that McDonald would only be a great asset to the community. McDonald has long taken part in community activities. During a special first-responder event for Santas Elves in 2019, McDonald reflected, When youve got a kid of your own, you want to help others. In 2014, he was on a winning spell bee team working to raise funds for local literacy efforts. FISHERSVILLE Havoc and chaos ensued at the Augusta County Fair on Thursday night. Nothing was wrong; instead, hundreds of spectators hooped and hollered at the annual demolition derby. Attendees watched as participants wheeled out painted cars and crashed them into each other with thrilling and violent results. Jay Bodkin, the event organizer, praised the drivers for their work on their cars to entertain the crowd. They put on an awesome show for an all-volunteer group, said Bodkin, co-founder and owner of Broke Motorsportz in Churchville. They dont want credit for all their stuff. Theyre just out there to have a good time and put on a great show for the Augusta County Fair. They did an awesome job. Getting the cars ready for the event requires mechanical work like switching out the fuel system, removing all glass from the vehicles, and supporting the doors to prevent them from caving in on the drivers. Once completed and decorated, the cars ram into each other on the big day until theyre no longer functional or are the last car standing on the track. Demolition derby is stress-relief 101, Bodkin said. You cant do this on a freeway and get away with it. You cant do this downtown and get away with it. You can get away with it here all day, and its fun. Bodkin celebrated the work of the volunteers to make the event possible by helping to prepare the track and man equipment to move damaged cars. The hours and hours beforehand nobody sees is the hardest part, Bodkin said. Putting on a show in front of the crowd is the easy part. The amount of time behind the scenes is where we get all the phone calls, emails, and everything. Along with the destruction on display, Thursdays event showcased a charitable effort. Bodkins son, Dakota, participated in the event in a car painted with cancer ribbons. The car wasnt just a display; Dakota used it throughout the fairs week-long track schedule to raise money for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. I was going to build a car, and I wanted to do something special with it, Dakota said. I picked St Judes because thats one of the best places out there. Dakota used the car to fundraise partly because of his mothers experience with breast cancer. Dakota said his children picked out the pink and blue colors for the car, and his girlfriend helped paint the vehicle. As of Thursday night, Dakota had raised over $500 to donate to cancer research. I loved every minute of it, Dakota said. We raised some good money for the kids, and everyone came out and had a ball. PHOTOS: Demo derby at Augusta County Fair Related videos Mekdad's visit to Tehran primarily focused on political and economic matters, Athr Press writes. Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdads recent visit to Tehran, the Iranian capital, coincided with significant political and field developments in the Syrian arena. These developments included the activation of the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement track, the Arab rapprochement with Syria, escalating Russian-American air tensions in Syrian airspace, and the continued Israeli entitys raids on Syrian sites. The Hebrew newspaper Jerusalem Post highlighted Amir Abdollahians condemnation of the Israeli raids on Syria and their implications. Abdollahian hinted that these alleged incidents would not go unanswered, stressing that the region would not remain indifferent to Israels actions. The importance of Irans statements on Syria and the broader region was emphasized, as they indicated Irans efforts to increase its role in Iraq and its desire to discuss the role of the United States, Russia, and Turkey in Syria. Similarly, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar underscored the Syrian and Iranian emphasis on the necessity of the U.S. forces withdrawal from Syria. Both sides were keen to address all aspects of the Syrian crisis in relation to this issue. Concurrently, amidst escalating Russian-American frictions in Syria at the highest political levels, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad made new statements rejecting the American presence and issued veiled threats. During his visit to Tehran, he referred multiple times to the obstructive role Washington played in preventing progress on various issues, including the refugee crisis and Arab countries willingness to establish relations with Damascus, which was met with continuous pressure from the United States. Following the announcement of Mekdads visit, the American newspaper Foreign Policy published an analytical article highlighting that recent developments in the Middle East, including Arab rapprochement with Syria and Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, have significantly reduced American influence in Syria. The article observed that the roles of Russia and Iran in Syria have been strengthened, while the effectiveness of the US-led coalition in the region has diminished. It emphasized that the warnings against re-engaging with Damascus were disregarded, and the consequences are now evident. Mekdads visit to Tehran primarily focused on political and economic matters, serving as a continuation of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisis visit in March, during which 15 memorandums of cooperation were signed between the two countries. These memorandums covered areas such as a comprehensive long-term cooperation plan, agriculture, oil, free zones, and communications, among others. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. CASTLE ROCK State Route 411 Cowlitz River Bridge is set to be closed for 24 hours starting Tuesday. Work on the bridge, which is also known as the A Street Bridge or PH-10 Bridge, is set to run from 4 a.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Washington Department of Transportation. No drivers or pedestrians will be able to cross for 24 hours. During this time, crews are slated to pour the concrete deck on the nearly 60-year-old bridge that connects Castle Rock to the west side of the Cowlitz River. Overall construction is set to be complete by February. Crews from the Hamilton Construction Company are working on multiple projects on the bridge. The objective is to expand and replace the bridge deck while constructing a wider sidewalk on the north side. A pedestrian and bicycle-friendly traffic barriers will also be installed, and a new waterline will be built as part of the project. Most closures will occur during the daytime, with some nighttime and weekend closures scheduled between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. A Chehalis woman pleaded guilty Wednesday in Cowlitz County Superior Court to multiple charges including vehicular manslaughter over a 2022 single-vehicle crash that killed two people and injured two others. Wearing all black with white Nikes, Sophie Elizabeth Forsberg-Crotty, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault, driving under the influence, and reckless driving. Forsberg-Crotty was sentenced to eight years and six months in state prison, plus 12 months of community custody. Her drivers license will also be revoked. Judge Thad Scudder also installed a 10-year no-contact order between Forsberg-Crotty and the surviving victims. According to the probable cause statement, on May 8, 2022, sometime after 12:45 a.m., Forsberg-Crotty, who was 20 at the time, was driving around 61 mph, while the posted speed limit was 35 mph, westbound in the 4600 block of Pacific Way near Longview Hieghts. Forsberg-Crottys blood alcohol concentration was 0.068%, the report states, and there presence of THC in her system. The legal blood alcohol concentration in Washington state for people under 21 is 0.02%. The report states her 2010 Toyota Scion failed to make a curve, then crossed into the opposite lane, left the roadway, soared 60 feet in the air, and fell 10 feet onto a field before crashing into a tree. She had four passengers. The front passenger died on impact, and another passenger in the rear middle seat died at the scene. The two other passengers suffered severe injuries that required medical attention, according to the report. Forsberg-Crotty said she sustained injuries that left her unable to remember the events of the crash. One of the surviving victims told authorities they believed Forsberg-Crotty was driving at least 70 mph on several occasions on the night of the crash, according to the report. The same passenger told police Forsberg-Crotty stated she felt buzzed, the report continues. Friends and family members of the victims provided impact statements before the court Wednesday. Forsberg-Crotty was the last to speak, reading from a prepared statement, saying none of this was supposed to have happened. I miss them dearly, she said of the victims who died. She acknowledged the level of pain everyone felt in the courtroom. Mothers have lost sons, siblings have lost brothers, and many have lost irreplaceable friends, she said. Because of the war in their own country, Ukraine's population took a massive hit not only with the casualties they received but also with their birth rate. According to the Ukrainian data analytics website Opendatabot, the country's birth rate fell by 28%, or a decrease of over 38,000 childbirths in the first half of 2023 compared to the over 135,000 births recorded during the same period in 2021. This meant the number of births recorded in the first half of 2023 did not get past 97,000. Read Also: China's Birth Rate Hits Historic Low as Economic Growth Slows Despite Beijing's Effort To Tackle Dilemma Steady Decline Although the number of newborn babies has been in decline for the past decade, the current estimate was a nosedive since Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, the BBC reported. Before the war, Ukraine had a population of 43 million, according to the United Nations (UN). Since it began, nearly six million have fled. Opendatabot said the figures they released were in line with observations by demographic experts who recorded similar declines in previous wars. Some experts say a catastrophic drop in the birth rate was expected because of the war, with the Kyiv Independent citing Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies director Ella Libanova when she said there are risks that by 2030, the country's population would decrease to less than 35 million. Birth Rates Decline in War, Experts Say Meanwhile, the US-based Population Reference Bureau said fertility rates typically fall by up to a third in a civil conflict but would rebound quickly once the fighting has ceased. Before Russia's invasion, up to 23,000 babies were born in Ukraine every month, but since then, it has now fallen to about 16,000. Despite this, there was not much imbalance between the sexes as the number of boys and girls born in the first half of 2023 was proportional, with only around 2,000 more boys being born than girls in the said period. The last time a similar birth rate drop happened was after the 2014 Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea when the number of babies the year after went down by 12%. Related Article: India's Population Soon to Outnumber China's, UN Estimates @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vancouver will try something new in August: a free downtown festival that aims to lift our local arts scene into the national spotlight at last. A well-kept secret is not Igor Shakhmans preferred description of Southwest Washingtons thriving music and art scene. But thats how it was summed up in a pre-pandemic regional arts-economy report authored by Michael Kaiser, chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland and a recognized turnaround expert for struggling arts organizations. Shakhman, executive director and principal clarinetist for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, labored during the coronavirus pandemic to keep his organization alive and performing for its dedicated fans. The orchestra even expanded its reach through socially distanced live concerts that streamed from the concert hall to be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere, with internet access. Such strategies are why the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra remained strong and successful despite the pandemic, Shakhman said. The upcoming festival is another recommendation from Kaiser. Embraced by the orchestra and numerous allies, the event aims to boost reach and recognition for the whole local arts community. We want to unite the arts and show how vibrant the arts scene is, Shakhman said. We want to establish and assert that the arts in Southwest Washington are something to talk about. Set for Aug. 4 though 6, the inaugural Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival intends to put this city on the national arts map through an entirely free extravaganza of music, dance, visual arts and poetry in and around Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver: Friday afternoon will start with a welcome and reading by Washington Poet Laureate Arianne True. Dance and small-group performances will warm things up for an evening concert in Esther Short Park by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Salvador Brotons. The concert will also feature the Grammy-winning classical-crossover string trio Time for Three, contributing some surprising string adaptations of such popular tunes as the Beatles Eleanor Rigby, Ben E. Kings Stand By Me and even Guns N Roses Sweet Child o Mine. After that, outdoors on the lawn alongside Officers Row, a small group of orchestra musicians will accompany an outdoor screening of a silent Buster Keaton comedy classic. Saturday will feature dance performances; musicians and groups on small stages in and near Esther Short Park playing everything from jazz to hip-hop to Ukrainian folk-pop; and a conversation at the Kiggins Theatre with TV star and orchestra ally Lawrence Gilliard Jr. from The Wire and Walking Dead. (This is the one event that will be ticketed.) The theme of Saturday nights free orchestra concert in the park is American composers, and it will feature works by Samuel Barber, Charles Ives and contemporary Black composer Adolphus Hailstork before wrapping up with George Gershwins An American in Paris. Visiting Maestro Gerard Schwartz will conduct the Saturday concert, joined by world-renowned violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. Sunday morning delivers dance and a native flute-and-guitar performance. A final free orchestra concert at 3 p.m. will feature Dvoraks New World Symphony and American classics, including Coplands Appalachian Spring. Schwartz will again conduct the orchestra, this time joined by renowned pianist Orli Shaham. Shakhman said world-class talents on local stages, all for free, will make the Vancouver Music and Arts Festival a rare opportunity. If you dont come see whats happening here, you are missing out on something very special, he said. Time is right Encouraged to think big by the Kaiser report and by its Vancouver sponsor, the Murdock Charitable Trust, Shakhman started envisioning an event that would focus broad attention on the Southwest Washington arts scene a few years ago. When he brought the idea to Vancouver government officials and to the citys standing Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission, all came right on board, he said. It took very little convincing. The committee told me it was serendipitous, Shakhman said. Thats because the committee itself had been contemplating the same idea a local, comprehensive, attention-getting arts festival. Eventually Shakhman applied for and won a $600,000 grant from Murdock for three years of arts festivals downtown, presented and hosted by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. This years $200,000 is dedicated to orchestra musicians and guests travel, rehearsal, storage, grand piano rental, Esther Short Park stage expansion and sound crew as well as festival marketing. (Shakhman said $200,000 goes a long way but doesnt quite cover all these needs, so more fundraising has also been necessary.) The city of Vancouver has contributed money and in-kind support including exhibit spaces, local artists fees, smaller stages, security and waste management, Shakhman said. The nonprofit Columbia Arts Network has taken the lead on visual-arts activities, including juried national and regional art exhibits outside City Hall on 6th Street, opposite the park, and at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, Heritage Room C. Organizers decided to make the event completely free. Everyone should have access to the arts, Shakhman said. Lets make this three days of immersion and celebration of the arts, and nobody has to worry about buying tickets. In addition to the city, Murdock and the Columbia Arts Network, Shakhman said major thanks are due numerous sponsors for making the free festival possible, including the Kuni Foundation, the Hilton Vancouver Washington, AC Hotels by Marriott and many more. Shakhman said hes hoping this years inaugural Vancouver Music and Arts Festival energizes lots of curious fans as well as the local, still-untapped philanthropic base that Kaisers report underlined. With help, he said, future festivals could be even bigger and better than this one. This is the perfect time for this area to bring all the arts together for the first time in history, he said. Google's dominance in online search has triggered a regulatory crackdown by South Africa's antitrust body. The watchdog determined that Alphabet Inc.-owned Google's search dominance distorts platform competition in favor of large market players. It recommended several remedies focused on improving visibility for smaller South African companies in search results to address this. Google has an influence on platform competition because it is where most online journeys start, said Competition Commission Chairman James Hodge in a media briefing on Monday. Google does give prominence to paid results, which means that the largest platforms with the biggest marketing budgets can dominate the Google search page. The findings are the result of a broad investigation into Google and other tech platforms operating in South Africa over competition concerns that launched in 2021. The probe also looked at businesses including Naspers Ltd.'s Takealot, Uber Eats and Apple Inc. 's App Store. Google said South Africans look to its platform for relevant and high quality search results that they can trust. This creates choice and generates millions of free visits to South African sites and businesses across the web every day, said Google spokesperson Siyavuya Madikane, adding that the company was reviewing the watchdog's final report. The commission also said that local online firm Takealot, owned by internet group Naspers, should split its marketplace and retail businesses, among other recommendations for the companies examined in the inquiry. The Cape Town-based company launched in 2011 and has become the largest online retailer in South Africa, reporting $827 million in revenue in 2022. A Takealot spokesperson said the company acknowledged the report and was considering its findings. Africa's most developed economy joins a number of other large jurisdictions such as the US, Europe and India, in looking at the dominance of Google in search and ad-tech functions. The watchdog determined that Google must introduce a unit that appears in search results to give more prominence to smaller South African platforms relevant to the search query. It must also make it easier for consumers to identity and support local platforms by adding a flag identifier and search filter for South African companies. The company must also provide 180 million rand ($10.2 million) in advertising credits and free training for small platforms to use Google's paid search functions to help with customer acquisition. It must spend 150 million rand to support the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises and black-owned firms in organic results to offset what the watchdog described as the competitive disadvantages faced on Google search. It follows a similar probe of South Africa's mobile operators, which resulted in the competition commissioner telling dominant wireless carriers such as MTN Group Ltd. and Vodacom Group Ltd. to lower their prices in late 2019. The European Union's AI regulation has some predicting a spate of Brussels copycats. Close, but not quite. "It is the AI moment." So went the declaration from International Telecommunications Union Secretary-General Doreen Bodgan-Martin at the conclusion of a UN summit in Geneva on 7 July 2023. At a historic UN Security Council meeting 11 days later, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres agreed. So did nations and regulators. A desire has emerged from powerful quarters to protect citizens from the potential harms of AI issues that are known (discrimination, privacy violations, copyright theft) and those which are not. Yet. Most nations have approached issues like this by allowing sectors to individually regulate AI, such as aircraft design and flight safety. The infamous Boeing 737 MAX which was grounded for over 18 months following two crashes within five months that killed 346 people is one egregious example of regulatory failure. Other fields that have proactively regulated on AI include medical information (presiding over robot surgery and scan analysis), automated vehicles (the yet-to-materialise Tesla robot taxis and 'Full Self Drive' [sic]) and policing social media networks to protect against harms like disinformation. Some countries, such as the US, Japan and the UK, don't see the need for regulation to go beyond the combination of adaptive sectoral regulation and potential international agreements supplementing more speculative risks discussed in the so-called G7 Hiroshima Process. Others want to go further. More can be done. Generic laws could regulate AI across broader society. China has already published its law governing AI as part of its social control measures, which includes internet filtering through its 'Great Firewall of China' and a social credit scoring system. China intends to strictly control the use of AI much like it has with social media, banning Facebook, Google and TikTok from operating inside its borders (even though the latter has a Chinese parent company). Liberal democracies will not adopt the Chinese approach but may go further than the US, UK and Japan. The largest consumer market, the European Economic Area, is planning to adopt the so-called AI Act', which is actually a European Regulation on AI. Over two years since it was first proposed, the Act is locked in negotiations within the EU. It may take until April 2024 to properly pass. But it's not possible to simply lift the EU's AI Act and implant it in a different jurisdiction: it is part of a series of laws in European institutions and such an Act would be lost in translation. There's a name for when EU law is adopted and adapted in other nations: the 'Brussels Effect', named after the city which hosts the EU's headquarters. It most often is invoked when describing the reaction to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into force in 2018 and has been widely hailed as setting a much-copied global standard for data protection. But an unnuanced analysis of the Brussels Effect is problematic. Many countries did not adopt the GDPR, but instead a separate law (the Convention 108 ) from the Council of Europe, a Strasbourg-based 47-member human rights organisation which predates the EU. In 2023, a group of interdisciplinary experts unanimously concluded that the Brussels Effect either wasn't possible or, if it was, would be limited. They found the AI Act would sit within the 'digital acquis', a large body of previously agreed laws with an interlocking web of powers and powers, all of which would need reproducing to make sense of the additions the AI Act provides. If such a Brussels Effect in AI is unlikely or highly constrained, there is a model nations could adopt. Despite the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and UN Education Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) both agreeing declarations of AI ethics principles, these are non-binding. That leaves Strasbourg's Council of Europe. Unlike EU laws, Conventions by the Council of Europe do not take direct effect in national law. Other nations beyond the Council's 47 members can sign onto Conventions through international agreement. For instance, the Council's Convention 108 has 55 members, including Canada and countries across Latin America and Africa. The Council of Europe has brokered beyond its members going back decades, notably a 2001 cybercrime treaty that included not only Canada, but Japan and the US. The Convention 108 is proof of what Oslo University's Lee Bygrave has described as a 'Strasbourg Effect', an alternative to the Brussels phenomenon. The Strasbourg Effect could fuel the way forward on AI. The Convention will likely be similar to the EU's AI Act, but with key distinctions. The Convention is being negotiated with the US, UK and Japan and is likely to adopt a more flexible approach, with more co-regulation with industry and independent experts where appropriate. As the Council of Europe is primarily a human rights organisation, it is also likely to pay more attention to the human rights implications of AI deployment. The Convention also has the advantage of being created in mid-2023, as opposed to the EU's Act which started in 2021. This means it can better address the foundational Large Language Models that emerged in early 2023, such as ChatGPT, Bard and others. In 2024, as the EU's AI Act and the Council's AI Convention are finalised, other liberal democracies, such as Australia, UK, Brazil, Japan and US, are expected to adopt and adapt these laws. When the rush starts, there is more likely to be a Strasbourg Effect of nations copying the Convention than any Brussels Effect. AI's regulation 'moment' that Bodgan-Martin heralded in July will last for years and be an exercise in international legal coordination. It best be comprehensive and careful to ensure the power of AI is deployed for the good of humanity. Dell Technologies introduces new offerings to help customers quickly and securely build generative AI (GenAI) models on-premises to accelerate improved outcomes and drive new levels of intelligence. New Dell Generative AI Solutions, expanding upon our Mays Project Helix announcement, span IT infrastructure, PCs and professional services to simplify the adoption of full-stack GenAI with large language models (LLM), meeting organizations wherever they are in their GenAI journey. These solutions help organizations, of all sizes and across industries, securely transform and deliver better outcomes. Generative AI represents an inflection point that is driving fundamental change in the pace of innovation while improving the customer experience and enabling new ways to work, Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and co-chief operating officer, Dell Technologies, said on a recent investor call. Customers, big and small, are using their own data and business context to train, fine-tune and inference on Dell infrastructure solutions to incorporate advanced AI into their core business processes effectively and efficiently. Our customers in the region are interested in developing a generative AI strategy to enhance their workforce and augment their digital engagement with customers, said Chris Kelly, senior vice president, Data Center Solutions, Asia Pacific and Japan, Dell Technologies. Our new suite of solutions help deliver and scale GenAI projects to enable business transformation, unlock productivity gains, and allow for trusted insights from company-proprietary data and IP. Indian businesses are actively embracing the transformative capabilities of Generative AI. This shift towards intelligent technology has the potential to unlock unparalleled efficiency in operations, optimize data driven insights and give way to creativity and innovation for Indian businesses. However, to keep pace with AI driven digital transformation, businesses also need to upskill their workforce, prioritize security, and maintain a forward-looking vision for AI adoption., said Manish Gupta, Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions Group, Dell Technologies India. With our new Gen-AI infrastructure, software and services, we aim to empower businesses to have a competitive edge in their respective industries by providing them with a robust infrastructure. Generative AI can help every enterprise transform its data into intelligent applications that enable them to solve complex business challenges, said Manuvir Das, vice president, Enterprise Computing, NVIDIA. Dell Technologies and NVIDIA are building on our long-standing relationship to enable organizations to harness this capability to better serve their customers, more fully support their employees and fuel innovation across their operations. With Dell Generative AI Solutions, the breadth of Dells portfolio, including Dell Precision workstations, Dell PowerEdge servers, Dell PowerScale scale-out storage, Dell ECS enterprise object storage and a broad set of services, provide the reliable tools to deliver GenAI solutions from desktops to core data centers, edge locations and public clouds. CyberAgent, a major Japanese digital advertising company, selected Dell servers as the key IT infrastructure for its generative AI development and digital advertising. We decided to select Dell PowerEdge XE9680 servers equipped with NVIDIA H100 GPUs, which are optimized for generative AI applications, said Daisuke Takahashi, solution architect of CIU, CyberAgent. In addition, we value the ease of use of the Dell iDRAC management tool for secure local and remote server management. Full-stack GenAI for enterprises The Dell Validated Design for Generative AI with NVIDIA is an inferencing blueprint, jointly engineered with NVIDIA, optimized to speed the deployment of a modular, secure and scalable platform for GenAI in the enterprise. Until now, traditional inferencing approaches have been challenged to scale and support LLMs for real-time results and ensure data can be easily used by AI infrastructure. This solution helps customers generate higher quality, faster time-to-value predictions and decisions with their own data. With a comprehensive verified inferencing approach, organizations can rapidly deploy GenAI projects and scale applications to transform processes in key areas, such as customer operations, content creation and management, software development and sales. Dell Validated Designs are pre-tested, proven configurations to power GenAI inferencing efforts with Dell infrastructure, such as the Dell PowerEdge XE9680 or PowerEdge R760xa, with a choice of NVIDIA Tensor Core GPUs, NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, the NVIDIA NeMo end-to-end framework and Dell software at its core. Customers can combine this with resilient and scalable unstructured data storage, including Dell PowerScale and Dell ECS storage. The infrastructure is available via Dell APEX, offering customers an on-premises deployment with a cloud consumption and management experience. Services drive faster, more holistic GenAI outcomes Dell Professional Services deliver a broad spectrum of new capabilities to help customers accelerate GenAI adoption to improve their operational efficiency and advance innovation. These services begin with creating a new GenAI strategy that identifies high value use cases and a roadmap to achieve them. Dell also offers full-stack implementation services, based on the Dell Validated Design for GenAI with NVIDIA, and adoption services that apply the platform to specific use cases, such as customer operations or content creation. Once integrated into the business, Dells scaling services help improve operations through managed services, training or resident experts. Dells AI solutions offers enterprises the potential to right-size their GenAI efforts and help streamline operations as customers look to quickly deliver products and services across industry-specific use cases, said Ashish Nadkarni, group vice president and general manager, worldwide infrastructure and BuyerView research, IDC. In the era of intelligent automation, Dell Technologies is meeting organizations wherever they are in their GenAI journey, helping them position themselves for success in an increasingly intelligent and technology-driven world. Precision workstations provide secure GenAI development locally on the device As the global leader in workstations,1 Dell Precision workstations allow AI developers and data scientists to develop and fine-tune GenAI models locally before deploying at scale. Precision workstations provide the performance and reliability with up to four NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs in a single workstation to run AI software frameworks 80% faster than the previous generation.2 Built-in AI software, Dell Optimizer, learns and responds to the way people work, improving performance across applications, network connectivity and audio. The latest feature allows mobile workstation users leveraging GenAI models to improve performance for the application in-use while minimizing impact to battery runtime. Our customers are looking to use generative AI in every aspect of their business, from monitoring agent behavior to detecting fraud, said James Laird, chief operating officer, Intelligent Voice. Recent advances in AI combined with the power of Dells AI solutions allows us to quickly build, test and deploy high-quality models at the speed our customers require. Availability Microsoft announced Puneet Chandoks appointment as Corporate Vice President of Microsoft India and South Asia. Effective 1 September 2023, he will assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari. Supported by a strong leadership team, Puneet will oversee the integration of Microsofts businesses across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, further boosting the companys presence in the region, while deepening its focus on key industries through a customer-centric approach with generative AI at its core. Ahmed Mazhari, President Microsoft Asia, said, We are delighted to announce that Puneet will be joining Microsoft India. Puneet has a strong track record of building and growing technology businesses and leveraging technology to deliver impact and change. As we embrace an AI-led future, Puneets leadership will play a vital role in ensuring Microsofts ongoing success in South Asia, and I extend my thanks to Anant Maheshwari for setting us on a growth path. Commenting on his appointment, Puneet Chandok said, I am inspired by Microsofts mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As India expands its own digital public infrastructure, I believe that this mission is more relevant here than ever before, and I am thrilled to be joining the One Microsoft team to make this mission a reality. It has been a privilege to participate in Microsoft Indias remarkable growth over the last seven years, said Anant Maheshwari. I am filled with gratitude for an exceptionally talented team with a strong set of leaders driving this momentum. The Microsoft India team has created a strong foundation of trust and entrepreneurial business models. Puneets appointment comes at a time of continued market expansion for Microsoft as a leader in cloud technology and digital innovation. With the largest partner ecosystem globally, including a 17,000 strong network in India generating high cloud revenue, and new investments in local infrastructure including the intent to establish a new data center in Hyderabad, Microsofts growth aligns with Indias emergence as a global innovation hub. Microsoft remains deeply committed to serving the market with transformative digital technology, to power Indias economic progress and its inclusive growth agenda. Puneet joins Microsoft from AWS, where he led the companys India and South Asia business, working closely with enterprises, digital businesses, startups, and SMBs to help them reduce technical debt, bring in agility, and innovate. Prior to this, Puneet was a Partner at McKinsey in India and Asia, and also held senior regional and global roles in IBM. Puneet holds a masters in business administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, a bachelors degree in commerce, and Diplomas in Computer Programming, Networking, and High-level Computer Systems. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In recent weeks and months, artificial intelligence has risen high on the Norwegian public agenda. What is happening with ChatGPT in school? Who is responsible for regulating this technology? Can machines really think? But even though artificial intelligence is now a favorite topic for columnists around the country, this interest in AI did not arise overnight. In connection with my doctoral work, I have spent four years looking at how and why the Norwegian public sector has adopted, or envisages adopting, technologies such as artificial intelligence, and how this fits into the larger context of technological and societal change. Beyond previous data usage Data has always been a central part of the modern state. Good decision-making and the construction of a welfare state depend on detailed and up-to-date information about its citizens. But something is about to happen that goes far beyond the use of data for statistical, case management and archiving purposes. Making the public sector data-driven will rely on more, different or new data, and will make use of data using technologies such as data platforms or machine learning. Central to this change in the administrative apparatus is the idea that data should become a central resource for all forms of knowledge production in the public sector. This is not always about automation, big data or AI, but an interaction of new data practices in the public sector. Will make the public sector more efficient Artificial intelligence is thus a part of a major change in government administration that aims to make the public sector more efficient with the help of data; or as was stated in a 2019 digitalization conference: "The country will be built with data." It can often seem as if AI is the solution to all challenges facing the public sector, but this assumption proves difficult to realize in reality. This is due to both the practical challenges of using and implementing the technology, and the consequences these changes have for the relationship between citizen and state. A number of researchers in the new and interdisciplinary field of critical algorithm and data studies see data-driven public administration as a paradigm shift. But paradigm shifts bring with them a number of new questions and challenges. When we give the state the opportunity to compile new, larger amounts or different data, this increases the ability of the public sector to see, predict, control and manage citizens' behavior. It shifts the balance of power between citizen and state. This is not necessarily a bad development, but deserves a critical look from more than the technologists and lawyers. Changes the relationship between citizens and the state Because how does the use of more, different and new data change the relationship between citizen and state? Who is allowed to decide what a data-driven administration should look like? What assumptions is this paradigm shift based on? What role do fundamental values in the Norwegian welfare model play in technological change? These are big, challenging questions that in most cases require more than a PowerPoint or a newspaper article to answer. The public sector is different from the private sector In the research for my dissertation, I found, for example, that the Norwegian public sector often encounters a number of challenges when AI is to be developed or implemented in practice. Technology development in the public sector differs fundamentally from technology development in companies such as Google or Twitter, in that the public sector is set up to prevent major shifts in power between citizens and the state and to safeguard basic rights and values in the Norwegian welfare model. This can be experienced as very frustrating for technologists, but perhaps these challenges can also tell us something more about how the data-driven paradigm shift changes the foundations of the welfare state. Most questions remain unanswered Most questions about how the challenges AI poses to the public sector should be addressed remain unanswered for the time being. But many researchers point to the fact that greater public involvement and participation is absolutely crucial here. Although strategies and parliamentary messages promise to put the "user at the center," the citizens' voice is often absent when these documents are developed, or in the public debate around the topic. Technological development is seen as something apolitical and a "natural development" in the Norwegian context. But many see the large amounts of data kept in records and data warehouses as a gold mine. At the same time, scandals across Europe, linked to AI in public administration, have already shown that the idea of data-driven public administration is also about power, democracy and social change. More information: Datafication of Public Administration: Between Policy and Practice: ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/handle/11250/3051313 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A hate speech watchdog group says it stands by its research indicating hateful content is 'spreading like wildfire' at X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, despite a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk. X is suing a nonprofit group in US federal court over reports that hate speech has flourished at the platform formerly known as Twitter. Elon Musk-owned X accused the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) of generating "flawed" studies that have cost the tycoon's tech firm tens of millions of dollars, a copy of the lawsuit showed. However, the legal basis outlined in the suit filed in San Francisco late Monday was an accusation that the nonprofit violated X's terms of service in the way it accessed data for its reports. CCDH chief executive Imran Ahmed on Tuesday contended that Musk's legal move is an effort to silence critics that comes "straight out of the authoritarian playbook." Ahmed stood by the group's research, saying it shows that hate and disinformation are "spreading like wildfire" at Musk-run X. The eccentric billionaire's lawsuit asks a court to grant X unspecified cash damages and to order CCDH to stop the way it has been getting data for its reports. The suit accuses CCDH and its parent organization in Britain of being "activist organizations masquerading as research agencies." X goes on to argue in the suit that the nonprofit improperly gained access to data so it could "cherry-pick" information to back reports showing the rebranded Twitter is rife with harmful content. "Musk is trying to shoot the messenger who highlights the toxic content on his platform rather than deal with the toxic environment he's created," Ahmed said in a statement. "Musk will not bully us into silence." Since Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October, the platform's advertising business has collapsed as marketers soured on his management style and mass firings at the company that gutted content moderation. In response, the entrepreneur has moved toward building a subscriber base and pay model in a search for new revenue. Many users and advertisers alike have responded adversely to the social media site's new charges for previously free services, its changes to content moderation, and the return of previously banned right-wing accounts. In December, Musk reinstated former president Donald Trump's Twitter account although Trump has yet to return to the platform. X recently reinstated rapper and designer Kanye West around eight months after his account was suspended, according to media reports. Last fall, West, who now goes professionally by Ye, posted an image that appeared to show a swastika interlaced with a Star of David, and Musk suspended the artist from the platform, which he had bought weeks earlier. 2023 AFP The show's over for Mazda's latest EV offering. The Japan-based automaker recently announced it is taking its MX-30 crossover EV off the US market again and that it won't have a 2024 model year due to poor sales performance. Mazda initially made the car for sale in California in 2021 but had to pull it off the US market from Aug. 2022 until Jan. 2023 for the same reason. Mazda's MX-30 Troubles Mazda's MX-30 crossover EV is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Many publications like The Verge, Wired, and Forbes had little praise for the car due to its short 92-mile battery range, making it one of the shortest-range EVs on the US EV market. While there are people who don't need an EV that can go long ranges on a single full charge, many EV customers are, which spelled the car's downfall in the US market. A fact that Mazda may have finally acknowledged. The automaker recently announced it is discontinuing its MX-30 crossover EV for the US market following the 2023 model year. As such, the car won't receive a 2024 year model, nor will it appear in the US, particularly California, anytime soon. Autoweek mentioned that Mazda only offered the MX-30 in California for undisclosed reasons, which helped limit the car's potential customer base. Additionally, its MSRP of $35,385 after destination may have contributed to the car's lack of popularity. However, the EV's poor range is more than enough to doom the little electric crossover despite its stylish appearance and fun driving experience. As a result, only 576 bought an MX-30 unit from 2021 to June 2023, with 66 sales happening this year through June, per Auto Blog. Read More: Modder Replaced Fallout: New Vegas' Mr. House with Elon Musk This instance is the second time Mazda pulled out its MX-30 from the US market, with the first happening in Aug. 2022 due to bad sales numbers. Mazda previously expected it would sell 560 MX-30 units during its first run but came up 55 units short when it pulled the EV out - the company managed to sell only 505 units in the US. The bad sales numbers were unwelcome news to Mazda's ears - the MX-30 EV was the company's introduction to modern battery-electric platforms. With it gone, the automaker is no longer offering a battery-powered EV (BEV) in the US. Mazda's New Focus Due to the MX-30's poor sales numbers, Mazda decided to shift its electrification focus elsewhere, namely on its large platform of plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs). Mazda stated in its announcement it is focusing its electrification efforts on its PHEVs, cars like the 2024 CX-90 PHEV, the CX-50 Hybrid, and the upcoming CX-70 PHEV. Interstingly, Mazda is introducing its CX-50 Hybrid into its US market lineup to address the market's specific needs. It's difficult to say when Mazda will rejoin the race for BEVs in the US. However, considering what happened with the MX-30, it wouldn't be happening within the next few years. Related Article: EV Batteries Still a Major Challenge for UK Insurers Recent email exchanges show tension between a Texas A&M University administrator and two distinguished professors and are in light of recent events over the botched hiring of Kathleen McElroy. The fallout of the failed hiring of McElroy, which has received national news attention, eventually led to the resignation of A&M President M. Katherine Banks last Thursday. Her resignation came a day after she met with A&Ms Faculty Senate for around 90 minutes to attempt to provide clarity on the hiring of McElroy. Afterward, faculty members said they felt they were lied to and passed a resolution to appoint a fact-finding committee and said they remained skeptical and lacked confidence in the answers provided by the administration. A&M Systems Office of General Counsel is also investigating the circumstances of McElroys hiring, including a review of all events, communications and related documentation as well as interviews with Banks and other key A&M officials. The email exchange, shared with The Eagle on Thursday, began last Friday afternoon after A&M Faculty Senate speaker Tracy Hammond shared a statement from Hart Blanton, head of A&Ms Department of Communication and Journalism, who said Banks misled faculty on circumstances surrounding McElroys hiring and noted an earlier draft of a job offer letter for McElroy was altered and sent to her without his advance knowledge, which also retained his electronic signature and reduced the appointment from an earlier-discussed multiyear term to one year. Now the awful administration is gone, but fixing the huge damage done in the last two years to the work and reputation of the university looks like a Herculean task, A&M math professor Peter Kuchment wrote in an email last Friday on a faculty listserv. I hope we can do this. In the email chain, first reported on by The Texas Tribune, chemistry professor Karen Wooley called for the resignation of N.K. Anand, A&Ms vice president of faculty affairs, last Friday. During last Wednesdays meeting, Anand told faculty members he had not been contacted by outside influences about McElroys attempted hiring and said he would resign if evidence was brought forward that said otherwise. This was not the first time Wooley had been outspoken about A&M administrators. A letter to Banks from Wooley in December 2022 obtained by The Eagle listed three major issues with her initiatives in The Path Forward, which included failed leadership, lack of honoring commitments and adequately supporting the research enterprise. Unfortunately, the purging is not over, Wooley wrote in an email last Friday. N.K. has no defense for his most recent and many other earlier offenses, and his resignation must also come forth or be demanded to allow us to be in a position for rebuilding. Early Saturday, Anand answered and doubled down if he was culpable of any wrongdoing in McElroys hiring or in any other matter he would resign. Anand took it a step further and added if any of his over 20 staff members in faculty affairs was culpable, he would take responsibility and resign. If I am proven innocent, I demand that both Drs. Wooley and Kuchment resign as Texas A&M Faculty members effective immediately, wrote Anand, who is from India. He later continued: Attacking ones character is slander and it could affect ones livelihood. I like to believe that there is no racial animus behind attacks on me. I have held various leadership positions since 1998 at Texas A&M University and at no time my integrity was questioned. My engineering colleagues can speak to my integrity and character. Let the investigation lead where it may and let the chips fall where it may. I am referring this email exchange to Risk and Compliance (Mr. Kevin McGinnis). Anand and Wooley both declined to discuss the email exchange further with The Eagle. Nonetheless, this email chain shows administrators are engaging in discussion with faculty after calls for them to speak and shed light on recent events. Those conversations have extended to the System level, too. An A&M System spokesman confirmed Thursday that A&M Chancellor John Sharp met with the Faculty Senates executive committee and A&Ms Council of Principal Investigators on Wednesday. The meeting was one day after the executive committee called for Sharp to meet with them to discuss political influence in faculty matters after The Texas Tribune reported on the events surrounding and the suspension of professor Joy Alonzo, who was reportedly accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a lecture this spring. Alonzo was reinstated two weeks later after an investigation. In a letter to Faculty Senate members Thursday afternoon, which was shared with The Eagle, speaker Tracy Hammond said Sharp understands the gravitas of the situation and wants all of the facts to come out. Hammond noted Sharp emphasized a commitment to academic freedom during their meeting. We believe the administrative leave of Professor Alonzo occurred before relevant facts of the situation could be ascertained, Hammond wrote in her letter. Such action gave the appearance that an accusation from a student or other individuals would assume that the faculty member was guilty and would be reprimanded immediately, and that the faculty member would need to be proven innocent before reprimands could be undone and the faculty member exonerated. We believe that actions against her, including the censure of comments of Dr. Alonzo by [University of Texas Medical Branch], were a clear violation of academic freedom and freedom of speech. A&M System spokesman Laylan Copelin said in a statement A&Ms independent investigation into the matter had no interference with Sharp and Alonzo said she had no issue with how the university handled her case. If the faculty wants to suggest changes to the process, Chancellor Sharp said that would be up to Acting President Mark Welsh and the university community since the Chancellors Office does not dictate those policies to our 11 universities, Copelin said. Hammonds letter said Welsh will meet with the executive committee on Aug. 7 to hear additional concerns about how processes such as these are handled and how faculty feel theyre currently struggling with freedom of speech. Welsh is also expected to address the entire Faculty Senate at its regular meeting on Aug. 14. There were clearly problems with the past processes in this situation, Hammond wrote. We will continue to find out what happened regarding the administrative leave of Professor Alonzo. We will also work closely with Texas A&M University administrators to alter any policies to ensure academic freedom for faculty, as well as look at any policies that might need to exist to ensure that faculty receive adequate due process prior to any university action as serious as suspension. Wooley responded to Anand on Monday evening and said she had not accused him of any wrongdoing in McElroys hiring or other matters, or intended to place his personal character in question. The offenses to which I referred in my email of July 21, 2023 are related to your professional performance in your capacity as Vice President for Faculty Affairs in the past, as was documented by our interactions and communications following my December 14, 2022 letter to former President Banks, and most recently, in your lack of preparation for the Faculty Senate meeting of July 19, 2023, Wooley wrote. Through those instances, you have demonstrated alignment with and actions on behalf of former President Banks, to the detriment of faculty concerns. Specifically, in relation to the most recent events, if you had been performing as a VPFA who advocates for faculty affairs, you would not have been forced to make a phone call to your office midway through the discussion to obtain answers to questions that you should have already asked and had the information available to share. Wooley concluded her response and said she had no information about what transpired or who was involved in the debacle about McElroys hiring. I am a scientist I evaluate, analyze and draw conclusions based upon observations my reference to offenses was in relation only to those that I have witnessed in your role as VPFA, Wooley said. My primary interest is in identifying a pathway for our great institution to undergo rebuilding please take an outside look and consider whether you remaining in the position as VPFA will help or hinder our ability to retain and recruit faculty, and to repair our reputation. Anands response on Monday evening: I do not accept your explanation of your post. Damage has been done. I will respond to each of your points below once the investigation report comes out. Twitter, now X, just can't seem to catch a break. The company is facing yet another problem regarding its headquarters sign in San Francisco. Before, they encountered trouble as they took down the Twitter sign, and now they are met with complaints concerning its X sign. X Sign Taken Down You probably know about Elon Musk's rebranding campaign, turning Twitter to X. Most of his efforts have not been well-received by both users and critics. Not only was he discarding a brand that took years to build, he was replacing it with a mere "X" in black and white. As part of the whole company makeover, Musk also had a huge "X" sign placed on top of the company's headquarters, although its literal shine was short-lived as it was seen being taken down after the complaints from neighboring residents. Based on the videos posted by X users, the sign emitted a bright pulsating white light, which could be too bright for close-by neighbors. The light was so bright that even the building across the road was affected by it. I would be fucking LIVID. Imagine this fucking X sign right across from your bedroom. #x #twitter pic.twitter.com/FH4nqcS8oy kyle (still hates elon) (@itsmefrenchy123) July 29, 2023 To make matters worse, the sign was partly supported by sandbags only, presumably to keep it from tipping over and falling on bystanders. The company denied access when inspectors came to check the sign, saying it was only temporary for an event. According to The Verge, the Communications Director from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and City Planning Patrick Hannan confirmed the notice of violation issued to the owner of the rented building. Overall, there were 24 complaints about the sign being an unpermitted structure, as well as concerns about its brightness and safety. Even the takedown of the sign took place without a permit, although Hannan said they could secure a permit after "due to safety concerns." Musk himself said that the logo was an "interim" while the company was still working on a new and permanent sign to signify Twitter's change to X. That still doesn't explain why they had to put up a temporary sign decorated with a blinding white pulsating light. Read Also: Twitter Will Soon Have Job Listings on Verified Organization Profiles X Encountered Troubles with Signs Before Back in late July, the company took down its Twitter sign, although police showed up before they could even finish it. In the end, the police clarified that it was all a misunderstanding as it was reported as an unpermitted street closure. There was a work order for taking down the sign. The problem was, someone from the company failed to notify the owner of the building about taking down the sign. Though the sign is now completely down, it used to have "er" from "Twitter" left, as reported by The Guardian. Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino is supportive of the change, saying that it's a rare thing in life or business to get a second chance to make another big impression. She added that now, the company will go further "transforming the global town square." It's surely a big impression, given that Musk is burying a well-known brand and icon, replacing it with a whole new one. The question is whether that "big impression" will be good for the company or not. Related: Police Intervene as Twitter Tries Removing Its Headquarters Sign The design for Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 made its first appearance at the public FCC filing. The first Galaxy SmartTag was launched last 2021 with two versions, the base version with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and plus version with BLE and more precise UWB location. One notable similarity with its close competitor, Apple AirTag, is that the SmartTag only works within the Galaxy phones. For now, there is no indication if this will remain for the SmartTag 2. Read Also: Is Samsung's Upcoming Smartwatch Water Resistant or Waterproof? Galaxy SmartTag 2 Leaked Design During the public FCC listing, it was noted that the SmartTag 2 is till under the same EI-T5600 model number. However, the listing also hinted that Samsung might only release one version for its second generation SmartTag. On another note, this might mean that Samsung has compressed and ensured that the upgraded SmartTag will bring advanced UWB connectivity compared to its predecessors. The previous SmartTag was rounded-square design, however the leaked design features a pill-shaped device that resembles Google's toggle switches. Moreover, a larger loop was made to put into keychain or anywhere else. Samsung Galaxy New Lineup Prior to the Galaxy Unpacked event, there were rumors that SmartTag 2 will launched along side the new Galaxy Flip, Fold, and Tab devices. There are currently no announcement as to when Samsung will officially launched its new tag device. However, Samsung might introduce the accessory along side of the announcement of Galaxy S24 series. Related Article: Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Flip 5, Now With Bigger Cover Screen State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Actor Lee Sung-min plays the role of detective, Kim Taek-rok, in the Disney+ series "Shadow Detective." Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea By Lee Gyu-lee Actor Lee Sung-min expressed satisfaction with his role as a dedicated veteran detective in his latest series "Shadow Detective," which recently wrapped up its second season. Actor Lee Sung-min / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea "I feel we've created a memorable series and a new kind of detective character," the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Jongno District, Monday. "There are many popular detective characters in Korea. But we've created a unique detective character that is nothing like any of them." The Disney+ original series revolves around detective Kim Taek-rok (Lee), who was planning for a peaceful life after retirement. But his life is turned upside down when he receives a mysterious phone, leading him to become the prime suspect in a murder case. The second season followed Kim getting transferred to a different division after getting acquitted of the murder. Although he caught the mysterious man who framed him, he continues trying to uncover the bigger power behind the corruption and near-death threats made to him and his loved ones, even if it means facing the dark truth about his past. The actor said the story of Kim making amends for his past intrigued him enough to join the series. "I liked how the detective rectifies the mistakes that he made in the past He finds himself at the start of the series of crimes. In season two, (he finds out) the organization he made with good intentions has been turning into a monster, becoming an incredibly powerful crime ring. And he manages to turn it around to the right place," he said. "Also, I thought the character was interesting in that he reflects on and blames himself, so he always keeps writing notes and set things right by bringing up his past deeds." A scene from the series "Shadow Detective." Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea The threat actor known as Space Pirates has been linked to attacks against at least 16 organizations in Russia and Serbia over the past year by employing novel tactics and adding new cyber weapons to its arsenal. "The cybercriminals' main goals are still espionage and theft of confidential information, but the group has expanded its interests and the geography of its attacks," Positive Technologies said in a deep dive report published last week. Targets comprise government agencies, educational institutions, private security companies, aerospace manufacturers, agricultural producers, defense, energy, and healthcare firms in Russia and Serbia. Space Pirates was first exposed by the Russian cybersecurity company in May 2022, highlighting its attacks on the aerospace sector in the nation. The group, believed to be active since at least late 2019, has links to another adversary tracked by Symantec as Webworm. Positive Technologies' analysis of the attack infrastructure has revealed the threat actor's interest in harvesting PST email archives as well as making use of Deed RAT, a malware artifact exclusively attributed to the adversarial collective. Deed RAT is said to be a successor to ShadowPad, which in itself is an evolution of PlugX, both of which are widely used by Chinese cyber espionage crews. Under active development, the malware comes in both 32- and 64-bit versions and is equipped to dynamically retrieve additional plug-ins from a remote server. This includes a Disk plug-in to enumerate files and folders, execute commands, write arbitrary files to disk, and connect to network drives and a Portmap module that's used for port forwarding. Deed RAT also functions as a conduit to serve next-stage payloads such as Voidoor, a previously undocumented malware that's is designed to contact a legitimate forum called Voidtools and a GitHub repository associated with a user named "hasdhuahd" for command-and-control (C2). Voidtools is the developer of a freeware desktop search utility for Microsoft Windows called Everything, with its forum powered using an open-source forum software called MyBB. The primary goal of Voidoor is to login to the forum using hard-coded credentials and access the user's personal messaging system to look for a folder matching a particular victim ID. Evidence shows that the accounts on GitHub and voidtools were registered sometime in November 2022. "The hackers are working on new malware that implements unconventional techniques, such as Voidoor, and modifying their existing malware," Positive Technologies said, adding the actors use a "large number of publicly available tools for navigating networks" and leverage the Acunetix web vulnerability scanner to "reconnoiter infrastructures it targets." In reducing the property tax burden, some people believe the ball is now in the court of governmental entities such as school, city and county boards. County Assessor Kristi Wold, Hall County Commission Chair Ron Peterson and others feel it's incumbent upon those boards to ask taxpayers for less money. Those entities are the ones that set tax rates, Peterson said. Wold urges voters to attend School Board, City Council and County Board meetings. "Question their budgets," she says. People should also contact their state senators, Wold said. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, she said. In June, State Sen. Tom Brewer wrote that "since the Legislature has finally passed a bill that provides more revenue for public schools, Nebraskans should expect school districts to ask them for less revenue in the form of property taxes." "This is something we've got to work together on," Wold said. Schools need to be funded in ways besides property taxes. "And we're all in this together," Wold said. The tax issue led to a sharp exchange at a budget meeting on July 31. Hall County Commissioner Karen Bredthauer was insistent about knowing what the county's mill levy will be. When assessed values go up, the levy should go down, she said. At the grocery store over the weekend, Bredthauer was approached by a man unhappy with his tax burden. Bredthauer said she's worried that people might have to go without food in order to pay their rent. Commissioner Butch Hurst asked Bredthauer what the county will do when American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds go away. Chair Ron Peterson said Bredthauer referred to all of the bridges and roads that need to be rebuilt, yet isn't anxious to raise the money for them. Bredthauer said she wasn't ready to vote for a motion on the floor, because she hadn't seen enough information about the mill levy. "Well you know what, if I keep getting bitched at, I'm going to just vote no," Bredthauer said. "There's the door," Hurst said, gesturing. "That's fine. I'm tired of it," said Bredthauer, who remained in her seat. "Guys, let's cool it," Peterson said. A total of 1,752 Hall County taxpayers, a number far greater than normal, protested their property valuations this year. That number is "about double" the normal amount, said Hall County Assessor Kristi Wold. About 550 of those people stated their cases to referees last month. The Board of Equalization ended up hearing a lot of people who were unable to see the referees, said Hall County Commission Chair Ron Peterson. That board has the same membership as the county Board of Equalization. People who are not satisfied with the referees' response have the opportunity to speak to the Board of Equalization. The board added several days of hearings to hear from constituents. Four or five nights, the commissioners met until 10 p.m., Peterson said. The board started out giving each tax constituent 15 minutes. But because so many people couldnt make an appointment with a referee, we started trying to bring in an extra person or two an hour, Peterson said. Members of the Board of Equalization try to listen as best we can to their case, Peterson said. Some cases can be handled quickly while others require more time. The Board of Equalization relies heavily on the referees, Peterson said. Part of the problem is the referees also have to do their work behind the scenes, Peterson said. The county employs four referees, one of whom sits in with the Board of Equalization. The assessor's office recommends that citizens make appointments with the referees. "Its always a good idea to meet with the referees, Wold said. But when people protest their valuation increases, they need to furnish evidence. Its on the taxpayer to prove our numbers are wrong, Wold said. She estimates that 75% of people dont provide evidence. People should provide a recent appraisal or figures for homes that are similar to theirs, Wold said. Comparable homes should be the same size and the same vintage. Pictures also help. Its just as important to bring evidence in meeting with the Board of Equalization. People cant just come in and say the valuation is too high or that theyre on a fixed income, Wold said. She sympathizes with those people. But those statements aren't enough to justify lowering the values. Peterson agrees that people need to do more than say the increase is too much. It's "kind of hard to make a case when that's all they give us," he said. How has the situation this year compared to other years? People are meaner and nastier, Wold said. Life was busier in the assessor's office. Wold's staff has worked long hours, and they are "still working long hours," she said last week. It was very hectic. Wold has said in the past that people are paying too much for houses. The market is continuing to go up, and it affects the value of a persons home. That doesnt seem right, Wold said. But it's true. Hall County hired a licensed appraiser to do a land equalization study. With his help, "we did a complete re-evaluation of all residential and commercial lots across the county," Peterson said. Land hadnt been looked at or equalized in over 20 years, Wold said. The appraiser, who used to work for the state property assessment division, began work last fall. The increase in values led to sticker shock" on the part of some county landowners. But the equalization study needed to be done, Wold said. There were no rhyme or reason to a lot of the stuff in town, as far as lot values. We couldnt explain them. We can explain them now. Wold became county assessor in late 2017. She began working in the assessor's office in January 2007. From 2011 to 2017, she worked in Greeley County. When she took over, Everything was so far behind," Wold said. The costing tables and depreciation tables were from the early 2000s," or 1999, she said. The land tables were from about 2002. And we got all that updated. So, to keep up and make sure our values were OK, we needed to update the land (values), she said. The value of some peoples lots went up slightly. Some took gigantic leaps, she said. She hopes next years valuations don't cause such an uproar, because this year was emotionally and mentally draining for Wold's office and the county clerk's office, she said. But the market's not going down. Houses might be sitting longer but theyre still selling way over assessment. Valuing property is not an exact science, Peterson said. The results can be difficult for people who've lived in their homes for a long time, Peterson said. If their valuation goes up, their taxes can go up dramatically. Those increases are hard to take for people on a fixed income, Peterson said. A tax increase of $3,000 a year translates into an extra burden of $250 a month, Peterson noted. The commission is sympathetic toward those people, and is asking state government to apply property tax relief, Peterson said. Last month, the Hall County Commission sent a letter to Gov. Jim Pillen, Unicameral Speaker Sen. John Arch and other senators asking for a long-term reduction in property tax. The letter requested that a cap be placed on valuation increases per year. On July 24, Pillen announced the formation of a new working group that will examine property valuations in Nebraska. In a news release, Pillen said "valuation increases in Nebraska have become an unbearable burden for homeowners, businesses and agriculture producers across our state. We will find a solution that will reduce the burden of insurmountable valuation growth in recent years. It is our job to make sure Nebraska continues to be the best place to live and reckless valuation increases on home and property hinders that commitment to Nebraskans." Wold doesn't think assessments are being made recklessly. The market is driving them, she said. Assessors follow laws created by state senators. "If I don't do my job, I'm in trouble with the state," Wold said. State law requires residential and commercial property to be valued at between 92% and 100% of market value. If people aren't happy with decisions made in Hall County, they can file an appeal with the Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC) by Aug. 24. Again, evidence needs to accompany the appeal. Sometimes, the county will try to come up with a compromise before a TERC hearing is held, Peterson said. Peterson points to an Oklahoma law that limits valuation increases to 5% a year. He'd like to see something similar in Nebraska. Wold believes things need to change. "This is awful," she said of the current situation. "You hate what this is doing to people." Wold doesn't want to see people forced out of their homes. "Something needs to be done for sure," she said. "We're all taxpayers as well and we don't like what's happening either," she said. Hyundai Motor debuts made-in-Vietnam electric vehicle By Tri Duc Tue, August 1, 2023 | 10:29 am GTM+7 Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam, a joint venture between South Koreas Hyundai Motor and Vietnams TC Group, unveiled its IONIQ 5 electric vehicle (EV) on Monday. The release marks Hyundais first high-tech EV to be made in Vietnam, paving the way for Hyundai to bring more EV models to the country and build a developed eco-system for EV users. The vehicles, priced at VND1.3-1.45 billion ($54,900-61,260) including VAT, are produced at the firm's Hyundai Thanh Cong factory No.2 which came into operation in late 2022 in Gian Khau Industrial Park, the northern province of Ninh Binh. The Hyundai IONIQ 5. Photo courtesy of Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam. The IONIQ 5 in Vietnam is available with two specifications. The IONIQ 5 Prestige has a 72.6-kWh battery and can travel 451 kilometers per Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standards. The IONIQ 5 Exclusive has a 58-kWh battery and can go 384 kilometers per WLTP standards. With a 350-kW charger, the IONIQ 5 can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, meaning IONIQ 5 drivers only need to charge their vehicle for five minutes to get 100 kilometers of range, according to the WLTP. Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam aims to expand its charging network in Vietnam to 80% of all provinces and cities in 2024. Prior to the IONIQ 5, the EV market in Vietnam already featured many prominent names. In June, Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast rolled out its first mini electric car, the VF 3, in the domestic market. The VF 3 is the first mini car model researched and developed by VinFast based on the characteristics and driving habits of Vietnamese consumers, the company said. VinFast will start taking VF 3 orders in September and plans to make deliveries in the third quarter of 2024. In May, Vietnams TMT Motors debuted its first mini EV under Chinese brand Wuling HongGuang. The vehicle is manufactured at TMT Motors factory in the northern province of Hung Yen. The factory has an annual capacity of 30,000 units in the first phase and 60,000 in the second phase. In October 2022, Mercedes-Benz debuted the EQS in Vietnam and started taking orders in November 2022. In January 2022, Chinas Hongqi launched the Hongqi E-HS9 in Vietnam. Rooftop solar power incentives only for homes, public buildings: ministry By Van Minh Tue, August 1, 2023 | 8:18 am GTM+7 The Ministry of Industry and Trade is against extending rooftop solar power development incentives to other groups before first priority recipients - households and public offices - are covered. In a report on promoting rooftop solar power sent to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the ministry says the list of beneficiaries can be expanded after the first two groups are covered. The report was responding to suggestions from other ministries and relevant stakeholders that the list of beneficiaries should be extended to other buildings like offices, schools, universities, hospitals, industrial parks, hotels, households with farms, warehouses attached to houses, bus stations, seaports and so on. A rooftop solar system in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency. The ministry (MoIT) also cited instructions from Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha whod said houses and public offices should be the first beneficiaries; and expansion would be thought of in future regulations. Vietnams Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII), approved in mid-May, says that by 2030, half the office buildings and homes in the country would be powered by rooftop solar panels, but this source would not be connected to the national grid. PDP VIII also mentions the need for prioritized plans and breakthrough policies to promote rooftop solar power, especially in areas more prone to power shortages like the northern region and for generation of solar power not used for trading. The master plan envisages that by 2030, the capacity of not-for-trading rooftop and other forms of solar power generation would increase by about 2,600 megawatts. "With this scale, there is no need to work out an incentive mechanism for installing rooftop solar systems," the MoIT wrote. It argued that if 12.5% of houses in Vietnam make such installations this year, each for one kilowatt, the target in the master plan is already met. This is not to mention Ho Chi Minh Citys rooftop solar power generation from offices and not-for-trading solar power, which is part of a specific development mechanism already designated to the southern economic hub. In its report, the ministry has proposed that the Prime Minister allows development of 2,600 MW of not-for-trading rooftop solar power by 2030. This source would not be connected to the national grid. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has said that this proposal is not specific enough to lure investors. It wants the MoIT to make clear for investors the exemptions or reductions in specific taxes and fees; and to clarify other relevant issues. Rooftop solar power projects in Vietnam have been attracting foreign investors. But an absence of rules and regulations enabling the signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) to sell rooftop solar power to the grid via EVN is a problem. At the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) conference this March, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) noted that crucial to attracting domestic and international investment are bankable PPAs for sustainable power. Green financing offers favorable rates to private investors to reduce carbon emissions but the legal framework should be updated to clarify criteria for approving green finance. We continue to see privately financed growth in off-grid power projects, especially rooftop solar systems in the form of onsite corporate PPAs. These projects demonstrate that producers and users are able to develop sustainable long-term agreements, supporting the argument in favor of EVN workout pricing for using the national grid. In the meantime, timely approval of the onsite corporate PPAs in the first quarter of 2023 an important mechanism for attracting private investment would be much welcomed by the industry, AmCham said in its presentation. Singapore education firm KinderWorld eyes Hai Phong city investment By Tri Duc Tue, August 1, 2023 | 12:27 pm GTM+7 Singapore-based educational firm KinderWorld International Group plans to expand its activities in Vietnam to the northern city of Hai Phong by building an international education complex. Children at a KinderWorld kindergarten. Photo courtesy of the company. Chairman of KinderWorld Ricky Tan delivered the proposal with two options to Le Tien Chau, chief of Hai Phong Party Committee at a Monday meeting. The first option is to build a complex featuring facilities for various education levels from preschool to high school, college/university, and vocational training. The second is to build an eco-tourism and education complex, called Pegasus, featuring a life-skills-training school and an eco-tourism facility per international standards. Welcoming the suggestion, relevant municipal agencies made location recommendations for the project. Highly rating the project, Chau proposed the municipal authorities and KinderWorld sign a memorandum of understanding for the cooperation. The complex will serve foreign experts' children in Vietnam and Hai Phong citizens, Ricky Tan said. Le Tien Chau (R), Secretary of Hai Phong city's Party Committee, gifts a souvenir to KinderWorld chairman Ricky Tan at a meeting in the northern city on July 31, 2023. Photo courtesy of Hai Phong's news portal. KinderWorld International Group was set up in 1986 in Singapore, and extended to overseas markets in the 1990s, including preschool facilities named KinderWorld International Kindergarten (KIK) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2000. The firm opened international primary schools called Singapore International Schools (SIS) in Hanoi and HCMC in 2004. In Vietnam, KinderWorld International Group has a presence in eight localities. There are three KIK and three SIS in Hanoi; one SIS in Ha Long town, the northern province of Quang Ninh; one SIS in the central city of Danang; one SIS in the southern industrial province of Binh Duong; one SIS in HCMC; one SIS in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau; and one KIK and one SIS in the southern city of Can Tho. The group ventured into the multi-level school sector with a Singapore Vietnam International School (SVIS) in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa in 2014. As of the beginning of 2022-2023 academic year, Hai Phong city had about 500,000 learners and 827 schools, including 427 public facilities. Hai Phong is a port hub and a manufacturing center in northern Vietnam. This Nov. 11, 2006 file photo shows Lone Star's signboard in a building located in Gangnam, Seoul. Yonhap U.S. private equity firm Lone Star Funds has filed an application to cancel an international tribunal's order for Korea to pay $216.5 million plus interest over its sell-off of a local bank, according to the justice ministry on Monday. In August 2022, the Washington, D.C.-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) delivered the verdict in the investor-state dispute settlement suit that Lone Star filed in 2012 to demand $4.68 billion in compensation from South Korea's government. The ordered amount is about 4.6 percent of Lone Star's demand. In addition, Seoul was ordered to pay interest to Lone Star, which the government estimates to be around 18.5 billion won ($14.5 million). The ICSID notified on Saturday that the Texan firm has filed for the cancellation application without providing a further reason for the claim, the ministry said. It is largely expected for Lone Star to have judged the ordered amount to be too small. "We plan to seek to apply for the cancellation within the deadline after fully analyzing the cancellation application (of Lone Star)," the ministry said in a press release, adding the government will explore various ways so that not a single penny of taxpayer money is wasted. The buyout firm claimed its 2007 plan to sell a controlling stake in the now-defunct Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to global banking giant HSBC fell through because Seoul's financial regulatory authorities delayed approval of the deal. Lone Star, which acquired the KEB stake for 1.38 trillion won in 2003 through a Belgian entity, had planned to sell off the stake to HSBC for about 5.94 trillion won but eventually ended up selling it to Seoul-based Hana Financial Group for some 3.9 trillion won in 2012. Lone Star claimed Korea deliberately delayed approval of the deal with HSBC and pressured it to lower the price in the deal with Hana Financial Group, depriving the firm of fair and equitable treatment, and other protections guaranteed in the investment treaty. Korea rejected the claims, arguing it treated Lone Star equally and fairly, as in the case of domestic entities, in accordance with international laws and local regulations. (Yonhap) Paris, TX (75460) Today Thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 75F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 75F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Southern Illinois University Carbondale may finally get the overall enrollment increase officials have long been working and hoping for when students return to the campus later this month. In a conversation with The Southern and in his report to the SIU Board of Trustees in July, campus Chancellor Austin A. Lane expressed cautious optimism that the university will have more students on campus this fall than it has in years. I always use a disclaimer that we still have several weeks to go, so we need to keep our foot on the gas; it is no time to let up, Lane told the board during its July 20 meeting. But, things are very promising. Lane showed the trustees a slide indicating a 19.6% increase in undergraduate applications to SIU compared to last year at the same time, a 4.6% increase in admissions and reported that just over 2,200 new undergraduates had enrolled, an increase of 5.1%. Most importantly, getting the students who are admitted enrolled is most critical, he said, adding that he is seeing growth in the number in local students choosing SIU. When I came a couple of years ago, the concern was that we were not recruiting locally, we were not focusing on students in our region. Now we are up 4.8% from the area and we continue to work those partnerships in our region, he said. Lane reported transfer student numbers are also on the upswing, crediting increased outreach to community colleges and efforts such as the Saluki Step Ahead program. He said graduate student enrollment is up significantly as well. Enrollment at SIU has been on the decline since 2014, although the university has boasted an increase in freshmen during each of the past three years. Last years overall fall semester enrollment was 11,107, a decrease of 1.4% over the previous year. He cautioned that enrollment numbers are not official until the 10th day of fall semester classes, but told The Southern he felt positive about the coming term. With enrollment, were never satisfied, but we are cautiously optimistic, he said. The fall seems to be shaping up well. Tenth class day will tell us what the numbers look like, but overall, we are expecting to be up not just in freshmen or transfer or graduate, but overall. We expect to be up overall. That would be a first here in a number of years and for us, it will just be the beginning of what we want to see increase every year. New student move-in is set for Wednesday, Aug. 16 and fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 21, which makes Friday, Sept. 1 the all-important 10th day. Close Students pass through the breezeway at Faner Hall on the SIU campus as rain and strong winds passed through the area in February in Carbondale. Students walk along the Campus Lake Trail on a mild Tuesday afternoon on the SIU campus in Carbondale. Mild temperatures stick around the region on Wednesday, but rain is forecast for most of the day. A student uses an umbrella while riding his bike through the SIU campus on a rainy Wednesday morning in Carbondale. GOING UP A student goes up the steps at the Engineering Building on the SIU campus on a sunny afternoon on Monday in Carbondale. Dont expect to see much sun the next few days as wintry weather is expected to arrive Tuesday evening. A small snowman adorns the outside of Morris Library on the SIU campus on Wednesday morning in Carbondale. Overnight snow canceled classes at many schools in the region, but only caused a delay in the start of classes at SIU. CHILLY RECEPTION Students pass by an icy holly tree near the Life Science Building on the SIU campus on a cold Monday afternoon in Carbondale. Overnight freezing rain made for slippery conditions in the morning and a mix of wintry precipitation late in the day created some slick spots on roads. Students walk by the partially frozen fountain in the plaza near Faner Hall on the SIU campus as the sun begins to thaw things out on Wednesday in Carbondale. A student is framed by blossoming cherry trees while walking along Lincoln Drive on the SIU campus on a mild, but windy, Monday morning in Carbondale. SIU student Rufayda Adam takes photos of a flowering magnolia tree on campus on Tuesday in Carbondale. Adam was sending the photos to her mother in Sudan where there arent flowering trees. A student walks through the SIU campus near Pulliam Hall during a rain shower on Tuesday in Carbondale. More rain is in the forecast each day through Friday. Students pass through the SIU campus past blooming redbuds and azaleas on a pleasant Thursday in Carbondale. A rainy and stormy day is forecast for Friday with highs in the 60s. A student passes through Thompson Woods on the SIU campus as showers pass through the region on Thursday in Carbondale. Cooler, but drier, weather is in the forecast the rest of the week with a gradual warming trend expected through the weekend. A student cruises on a scooter past a flowering dogwood near Browne Auditorium on the SIU campus on a pleasant Wednesday in Carbondale. The mild weather is forecast to continue through Friday before a chance of showers returns on Saturday. A young white-tailed deer buck eats leaves from a tree on the west side of the SIU campus on Tuesday morning in Carbondale. A bicyclist passes along Douglas Drive on the SIU campus on Wednesday in Carbondale. More pleasant weather is in store for the region through the weekend. A white-tailed deer peers out from behind foliage in Thompson Woods on the SIU campus on Wednesday in Carbondale. DANDY DAISIES A jogger passes by blooming daisies and catnip near Altgeld Hall on the SIU campus on Thursday in Carbondale. More pleasant weather is forecast into the weekend before rain is expected to return on Sunday. A walker passes by arrows on the Campus Lake Trail on Wednesday on the SIU campus in Carbondale. The arrows were used to direct competitors in the Saluki Triathlon last weekend. STROLLING ON WHEELS Anthony Fletcher skateboards through one of the breezeways at Faner Hall on the SIU campus on Monday afternoon in Carbondale. A worker cleans the exterior windows of one of the lounges at Neely Hall dormitory on the SIU campus on Tuesday in Carbondale. Campus Collection The best shots from the campus of Southern Illinois University during the first half of 2023 Students pass through the breezeway at Faner Hall on the SIU campus as rain and strong winds passed through the area in February in Carbondale. Students walk along the Campus Lake Trail on a mild Tuesday afternoon on the SIU campus in Carbondale. Mild temperatures stick around the region on Wednesday, but rain is forecast for most of the day. A student uses an umbrella while riding his bike through the SIU campus on a rainy Wednesday morning in Carbondale. GOING UP A student goes up the steps at the Engineering Building on the SIU campus on a sunny afternoon on Monday in Carbondale. Dont expect to see much sun the next few days as wintry weather is expected to arrive Tuesday evening. A small snowman adorns the outside of Morris Library on the SIU campus on Wednesday morning in Carbondale. Overnight snow canceled classes at many schools in the region, but only caused a delay in the start of classes at SIU. CHILLY RECEPTION Students pass by an icy holly tree near the Life Science Building on the SIU campus on a cold Monday afternoon in Carbondale. Overnight freezing rain made for slippery conditions in the morning and a mix of wintry precipitation late in the day created some slick spots on roads. Students walk by the partially frozen fountain in the plaza near Faner Hall on the SIU campus as the sun begins to thaw things out on Wednesday in Carbondale. A student is framed by blossoming cherry trees while walking along Lincoln Drive on the SIU campus on a mild, but windy, Monday morning in Carbondale. SIU student Rufayda Adam takes photos of a flowering magnolia tree on campus on Tuesday in Carbondale. Adam was sending the photos to her mother in Sudan where there arent flowering trees. A student walks through the SIU campus near Pulliam Hall during a rain shower on Tuesday in Carbondale. More rain is in the forecast each day through Friday. Students pass through the SIU campus past blooming redbuds and azaleas on a pleasant Thursday in Carbondale. A rainy and stormy day is forecast for Friday with highs in the 60s. A student passes through Thompson Woods on the SIU campus as showers pass through the region on Thursday in Carbondale. Cooler, but drier, weather is in the forecast the rest of the week with a gradual warming trend expected through the weekend. A student cruises on a scooter past a flowering dogwood near Browne Auditorium on the SIU campus on a pleasant Wednesday in Carbondale. The mild weather is forecast to continue through Friday before a chance of showers returns on Saturday. A young white-tailed deer buck eats leaves from a tree on the west side of the SIU campus on Tuesday morning in Carbondale. A bicyclist passes along Douglas Drive on the SIU campus on Wednesday in Carbondale. More pleasant weather is in store for the region through the weekend. A white-tailed deer peers out from behind foliage in Thompson Woods on the SIU campus on Wednesday in Carbondale. DANDY DAISIES A jogger passes by blooming daisies and catnip near Altgeld Hall on the SIU campus on Thursday in Carbondale. More pleasant weather is forecast into the weekend before rain is expected to return on Sunday. A walker passes by arrows on the Campus Lake Trail on Wednesday on the SIU campus in Carbondale. The arrows were used to direct competitors in the Saluki Triathlon last weekend. STROLLING ON WHEELS Anthony Fletcher skateboards through one of the breezeways at Faner Hall on the SIU campus on Monday afternoon in Carbondale. A worker cleans the exterior windows of one of the lounges at Neely Hall dormitory on the SIU campus on Tuesday in Carbondale. A helicopter crashed Monday afternoon in Southern Illinois, killing its pilot, authorities said. A Bell UH-1H Huey helicopter crashed in a field in Oakdale, Illinois, around 1:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. Only the pilot was on board, the FAA said. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, the FAA said. The pilot was declared dead at the scene of the crash, Illinois State Police said. Investigators believed the helicopter hit power lines, causing it to lose control and crash into a cornfield, police said. Oakdale is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. -Associated Press BAMBERG - Bamberg County has dedicated its new, $3.3 million law enforcement center. Law enforcement officials from across the state were among the large crowd gathered at 509 North St. in Bamberg for Fridays dedication of the Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center. The officials included S.C. Law Enforcement Division Assistant Chief Richard Gregory, Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell, Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace and Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster, the state's longest-serving sheriff. The county is transforming its former hospital into a law enforcement and health and human services complex. The more than 8,000-square-foot law enforcement center is a part of the complex. The center is named in honor of the late John Edward Ed Darnell, who was Bamberg Countys longest-serving sheriff. He was 84 years old when he decided not to seek re-election in 2020. Darnell, who was the longest-serving sheriff in South Carolina, and the nations third longest-serving sheriff, died at age 85 on July 12, 2022. His friendly nature and legacy of service, marked by integrity and honesty, was remembered during the special occasion. Members of his family, including his son, Tommy, and his identical twin brother, Buddy, attended. It's a little emotional for me, Tommy said. He thanked the county for honoring his father. He noted that his father started working in law enforcement in 1972 as an officer with the Denmark Police Department before working his way up to assistant chief and his eventual election as county sheriff. This place looks awesome, he said, noting that he was born at the hospital in 1960 and that his father would have been proud of the special occasion on Friday. He was a very humble man. He never wanted anybody to do anything for him ever. ... It wasn't about him, Tommy said, noting that the naming of the center in his father's honor was, however, "a great thing for our family." He described his father as a committed and true public servant. Buddy, who served as Barnwell police chief for more than 20 years, shared loving memories of his brother, who he also said would have been proud of the celebration. We had our time. We were two peas in a pod. We just played pranks on everybody, Buddy said. Buddy said he prays for the safety of current law enforcement officers. Like so many others who spoke of his brothers ability to talk to people rather than raise conflict, Buddy urged the community and law enforcement to come together to forge strong, productive bonds. It's better to try to talk to somebody than to try to fight, he said, urging everyone to be led by spirit of the good master. Sheriff Foster said, This is a magnificent edifice to the memory of Sheriff Darnell, our longest-serving sheriff up until he retired. He commended Darnell for his ability to talk with people. That's something I think we've lost, and we need to get it back, Foster said. Bamberg County Council Chairman Dr. Jonathan Goodman II referenced the history of the hospital, which opened in September of 1952 before closing in April 2012. It slowly became an eyesore, he said. Goodman said hes grateful for the completion of the law enforcement center. Plans call for it to include, but not be limited to, the county's health department, Veterans Affairs office and coroner's office. Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston said the cost of the $3,287,886 law enforcement center was covered by $1,787,886 from the capital project sales tax and a $1.5 million grant from the state Department of Commerce. The center includes dedicated areas for critical records and storage space, a detention cell and investigation room, a modern electronic access control system and interior and exterior cameras, along with a 250-kilowatt natural gas generator. Preston said a code blue pole located in the center's front parking lot provides an exchange area to give the public a safe way to meet others and do business. A victims advocate office; modernized spaces for probation, pardon and parole officials, and safety glass panels in reception areas were other features included in the center, the administrator said. Pedestrian safety components, including sidewalks and crosswalks and resurfacing, and new road construction, will be completed later with the assistance of the C-Fund Committee. Greg McFarland of Myrtle Beach-based architectural firm Pike-McFarland-Hall Associates Inc. said, We're thankful that we worked through this process with you, and we've done it in a lot of other counties, too, to repurpose buildings to make them usable for a lot of years to come. ... We've got more to do here, too. Preston said the law enforcement center is 98 percent complete. State Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, was among the legislative officials on hand. Preston said Bamberg was instrumental in securing $1 million for not only for the completion of a portion of the law enforcement center, but toward the county's new emergency operations center, EMS center and coroner's office and morgue. Thanks to Rep. Justin Bamberg, we're going to be able to pretty much complete those, he said. Not only did he help us get a million dollars to help complete this project, he got us a million dollars to go towards the courthouse, too, Preston said, referring to the ongoing county courthouse renovation project. In a time with escalating construction costs, we have to work with what we have. We can't print money, but you're helping us get it. We're getting there. People ask me, When is this project going to be done? When is this going to be done? We pay for it as we go, and Justin's helping do that, Preston said. Rep. Bamberg said, This is a great day. This is a beautiful facility. ... Looking at the faces of the members of Darnell family, it just makes me happy to see yall happy. Sheriff Darnell was a pillar in this community. Deirdre Nichols, assistant director of offender supervision and enforcement services at the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, said, I feel like I know Mr. Darnell already, and I've enjoyed hearing such wonderful things and attributes about him. She said Darnell stood for building trust in the community to promote effective policing and enhance community interaction with law enforcement. Those are so important when you're doing a job like what we do, she said. City of Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster, who considered Darnell a friend, said that the transformation of the defunct hospital is welcome. This is a beautiful day in Bamberg County. ... To see this restoration is a wonderful sight, she said. Kay Maxwell, vice president of the Southern Carolina Alliance, said, Reinvestment in a community is a key indicator of a growing community. County Sheriff Kenny Bamberg said, It's truly an honor for a great man. More importantly, I want to thank the people here, the citizens of Bamberg County, for what I call investing in your law enforcement. This is definitely a step in the right direction. I want to thank the people of Bamberg County that had the confidence in me to elect me as the sheriff to continue the work that Sheriff Darnell did, he said, noting that he could not do his job without the support of fire and fellow law enforcement officials. Preston thanked Bamberg County Council members for their support, along with others who made the project possible. We are together to celebrate the remarkable power of unity and cooperation exemplified through the harmonious collaboration of various entities within our county. ... It is a testament to the strength that emerges when different hands, minds and perspectives synergize towards a shared vision, Preston said. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has promoted Joseph C. Elliott to serve as commander of Troop Seven for the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Troop Seven includes Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties. Joseph Elliott Joseph C. Elliott has been promoted to captain and named commander of South Carolina Highway Patrol Troop Seven. Troop Seven includes Aiken, A Elliott, who most recently served as the lieutenant/executive officer for Troop Seven, was named to succeed Capt. Quincy M. Brown, who has been reassigned as captain of the Highway Patrols new Employment Unit. Capt. Elliott has demonstrated outstanding leadership in enforcement operations, South Carolina Highway Patrol Commander, Col. Christopher N. Williamson said. He also has a history of creating effective partnerships with the local community and I know that those partnerships will be maintained and expanded in his new position. I am honored to appoint him as the next Troop Seven commander. A 17-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, Elliott has spent most of his career in Troop One, where he attained the rank of lieutenant before transferring to Troop Seven in early 2023. He received the SCDPS Directors Award for Valor in 2015 for his 1,000-Year Flood rescue efforts and was recognized in the same year as Troop One Trooper of the Year. A native of Sebring, Florida, Elliott is married to Heather Elliott. He, his wife and his two sons reside in Gilbert. Before becoming a trooper with SCHP, Elliott honorably served in the U.S. Navy for four years, achieving the rank of 3rd class petty officer. SANTEE -- The Orangeburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board cut the ribbon on its new $3.2 million, 8,450-square-foot work activity center. The Santee Industries center, which is located at 1787 Bass Drive, will serve as the home base for OCSNDB services on the eastern end of the county. The July 28 ribbon cutting serves as a launch for when the center officially opens Monday, Aug. 14. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This ribbon-cutting ceremony is the culmination of a dream dreamed by many individuals, OCSNDB Vice Chair Teresa Hinnant said. When Santee Industries first opened, we acquired a building that needed to be retrofitted to accommodate our needs. Now we have a building that has been built specifically for our people. How exciting it is going to be to work out of a new environment that has everything we need to be more successful. Santee Industries The Orangeburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new $3.2 million, 8,450-square-foot work activ Santee Industries will serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and help them receive the skills necessary to obtain and maintain necessary employment. The building will include a technology center for the individuals to work on computer skills, a conference room for training, a full nurses suite, a personal care room (with a shower and relaxation area), updated kitchen, dining area, laundry room, a lobby and lavatory facilities. The center will be staffed with about 12 employees to include a manager, administrative assistant, adult instructors and CNAs/nurses. Residential managers for the Holly Hill and Elloree area will also occasionally work from a designated office in the building. Currently the center serves about 50 people. The general contractor for the buildings construction was Pawleys Island-based Walker Engineering & Construction LLC. Ground was broken on the building in August 2022. The architect was Florence-based FW Architects Inc. and the engineering firm was Florence-based Ervin Engineering Co. Inc. The facility was financed in part by a South State Bank loan. The former building at 758 Bass Drive is under contract to be sold to Parks Real Properties LLC. The future use of the building is uncertain, though the buyer does have other businesses in the auto parts sector. Santee Industries ribbon cutting The Santee Industries center, which is located at 1787 Bass Drive, will serve as the home base for OCSNDB services on the eastern end of the c OCSNDB Chair Janet Gilchrist, quoting The Byrds' song, Turn, Turn, Turn, says the ribbon cutting of the new work center marks "the end of one season, and the beginning of a new season." This beautiful project has been a long time coming, Gilchrist said. This agency has worked to provide a quality of life for thousands of disabled individuals through early intervention, enclave employment and housing projects for over 50 years. We are one of the few, if not the only agency, in Orangeburg County that supports individuals from the womb to the tomb. Gilchrist said the OCSNDB supports over 200 staff members and over 1,100 individuals with developmental disabilities and pumps over $14 million into the economy annually. There is no question we are an agency that makes a positive impact on Orangeburg County, she said. Without Santee Industries, disabled citizens from the eastern part of this county would be isolated. Each is afforded an opportunity to be gainfully employed earning higher wages for their work, thus improving their quality of life. We are excited to welcome our consumers into a facility that will meet their needs. OCDSNB Executive Director Vonda V. Steward said the new building is much needed. Santee Industries II (as it is also named) was needed to provide a safer and more modern environment, Steward said, noting the center has been operating out of an old former carpet and warehouse store. The facility will enable us to better provide vocational services to our individuals. Steward said while the building is smaller than the existing work activity center, the layout is more efficient. The floor plan also allows for more functional administrative offices, filing and storage areas, Steward said. We will have a dedicated space for our in-house air-freshener business that the individuals operate, Steward said. Ventilation is a must in this area and is now built in. Santee Industries has been the source of air fresheners, scented bars and body oils purchased and sold as far away as Canada. The items have been made at Santee Industries by OCDSNB consumers since 1995. Santee resident Frank Wilson has been helped by the OCSNDB for the past three decades. The agency has also provided him gainful employment such as lawn maintenance, janitorial and repair work for the past 11 years. I love it, he said, about the new building. It is big. It is just amazing that we have come this far from where we started. The old building used to leak a lot. I used to mop up water and vacuum. I had to get the big vacuums to mop all that water up. I am just glad we are out of that situation into something better. It is good for us. Holly Hill resident Ashley Wortham has been coming to the OCSNDB for the past six years and has helped the agency in Santee for three years. She receives career preparation services and also helps with janitorial and front office work. It has been mostly positive, Wortham said, noting she is excited about the ribbon cutting. I think it is a wonderful event. I am excited to move in. "I just think it was time for us to move, Wortham continued. The old building is old and it has been hard for the agency to keep up with the necessary repairs. Moving into the new building will have a fresh start and we'll be able to hopefully be able to be more comfortable and able to be our best selves. We are so grateful and thankful of how they have benefited the town and the community all these years and we thank God for the new beginnings of this new building, Santee Mayor Pro Tem Greg King said. Look at what Santee can do. Look at the great things that can happen in this community when we work together. It is a wonderful day without question, OCSNDB Day Services Director Jimmie Boland said, and in prayer, thanked God for the success of OCDNDB. We ask you to shower blessings on the new Santee Industries, blessings of opportunity for staff and participants to grow, learn and achieve more of what you have for them. Boland thanked God for the vision of leadership given to better the lives of those working within these walls. We believe it to be true that without vision the people will perish, Boland said. Orangeburg County Councilman Johnny Ravenell thanked the agencys board for their vision for the new building. It a service to our county, Ravenell said. In our county buildings we have employees from Santee Industries that cleans out offices in different parts of our county. They do a tremendous job. Ravenell recalled attending the groundbreaking. You looked round and said, Can this happen in this place? Just look at what we see now, Ravenell said. It is like a miracle that the good Lord has put his hand on it, blessed it and said it is going to happen and it happened. Former Santee Industries manager Sen. Vernon Stephens (D-Bowman) said the ribbon cutting ceremony is all about love. Love for individuals who have a disability but a disability that did not stop their lives, Stephens said. But a disability that taught us more how to love and how to give back. Stephens reflected on his time as manager of the Santee facility and the enjoyment he had of helping those with disabilities. This shows what we can do when we truly love and care about our brothers and sisters, Stephens said. I believe in the self-worth of every individual. The facility will provide a number of services to include day activity, career preparation and employment services. For more information call 803-536-1170, email: info@ocdsnb.org or visit the website: www.ocdsnb.org You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) Chairman and CEO Kim Sung-tae delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the bank's 62nd founding anniversary at its headquarters in central Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of IBK By Yi Whan-woo Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) Chairman and CEO Kim Sung-tae addressed the need for innovation on the state-run lender's path to becoming a global top-notch banking firm, during its 62nd founding anniversary, Tuesday. "IBK reached where it is now after taking the paths untaken and being faithfully committed to Korea's economic development over the past 62 years," the chairman said during the ceremony at IBK headquarters in central Seoul. The ceremony was attended by around 300 IBK employees, both executives and rank-and-file staffers. He noted the bank's aggregate assets are "just a step away" from the milestone of 500 trillion won, and that the spirit of innovation is required more than ever to accomplish its goals and move forward. "Under the circumstances, I ask you to focus on better serving customers and society, and at the same time enhancing the competitiveness of each one of us and the company itself," Kim said. The chairman accordingly suggested taking the initiative in the market, gaining customer trust and fulfilling corporate responsibility. Specialized in lending business for small- and medium-sized enterprises, IBK accounted for 23.4 percent of the market for its targeted customer group in the second quarter of this year. The bank's quarterly net profit in the April-June period totaled 667.1 billion won, up 27.5 percent from a year earlier. Its net profit in the first half of the year also jumped 19.4 percent year-on-year to 1.39 trillion won. Authorities began searching for the body of Breanna Mitchell over the weekend after she disappeared two weeks ago, but the Washakie County woman has not been found as of Tuesday. She went missing on July 22 near Nowater Trail past the Worland Municipal Airport, where her car got stuck along rugged terrain. The car, a shirt and a boot were found, but Mitchell was not. Mitchell is described as a white woman with green eyes and brown hair, but her hair may be black now, according to posts on Facebook. She is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. A cadaver K9 and handler that specializes in locating deceased humans searched the approximate area where Mitchells cellphone last had signal on Friday night and Saturday morning, Washakie County Sheriff Austin T. Brookwell said in a Tuesday statement. This K-9 gave clues that there may have been a deceased individual in a pond in the search area, Brookwell said. This pond is located almost directly in the middle of the area the FBI helped us with. The handler called a diver from Cody to search the pond, but the diver could not find anything after a few hours, Brookwell said. The water has zero visibility. Authorities then received permission from the Bureau of Land Management to drain the pond. The Worland Fire Department and two private companies allowed the use of their pumps, and one private company donated a pump intake line to help, Brookwell said. After three days of pumping water out, search and rescue looked through the mud of the pond and did not find anyone. Search and rescue were out there making sure the pumps stayed running for the entire 3 days, Brookwell said. As of Tuesday morning, officials have no known direction of travel or any more clues to go off of to narrow the search. I will be getting in contact with some Sheriffs surrounding Washakie County to see if they are willing to send a few members of their Seach and Rescue Squads to give one final grid search of the area, Brookwell said. If authorities are unable to locate Mitchell following that search, they will suspend their efforts in the badlands, Brookwell said. Most of them had been out in the area searching for her since the day she was reported missing, Brookwell said. These individuals have jobs and families that they have been away from. Half of the Washakie County Sheriffs Office patrol is working on any possible leads, Brookwell said. Officials will continue to investigate until there is nothing left to investigate. Civilians are welcome to continue searching, but the area is rough, there are many rattlesnakes and it is very hot, Brookwell said. Those who find anything that appears to be human-related or related to this case is urged not to touch it or anything around it, Brookwell said. Try to get the GPS coordinates of the item and call the sheriffs office at 307-347-2242. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The Sweetwater County parents suing a southern Wyoming school district for allegedly concealing their childs gender identity and contributing to their childs social transitioning have updated their lawsuit after a judges order to focus their legal case on parental rights and freedom of religion claims. Ashley and Sean Willey sued Sweetwater County School District No. 1 and several district administrators in April. They accused the district of violating their parental rights by following their childs requests to use a male name and pronouns at Black Butte High School in Rock Springs without notifying them. When the Willeys did find out and directed district staff to use the childs female name and pronouns, school and district administrators allegedly said they would continue to follow the students requests even if they went against the Willeys wishes, according to the lawsuit. The student later reverted to using their given name and pronouns, according to the school districts legal filings. The Willeys initial complaint included claims that the school district infringed on the familys privacy rights. In their updated lawsuit, the Willeys and their lawyers narrowed the scope of the lawsuit, concentrating on their case that the district prevented them from acting as parents and violated their religious beliefs by treating the student as a different gender without parental knowledge or consent. Ashley Willey, a district math teacher, is also arguing Sweetwater County School District No. 1 ignored her freedom of speech rights by requiring her to use preferred names and pronouns for her students. The Willeys lawyers submitted the updated complaint following a June 30 order from U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl that found many parts of the lawsuit were unlikely to succeed, including the Willeys assertions that the school district was violating their parental rights by using the students preferred name and pronouns. Skavdahl concluded the Willeys failed to show the school district was interfering with their right to manage the mental health care of their child because the districts pronoun policy was not directed at medical care. Part of the issue, Skavdahl wrote, was that the Willeys initial lawsuit did not say their child had a mental health condition or had seen a school counselor about their gender identity. Skavdahl noted that courts have held being transgender is not a psychiatric condition. There is insufficient evidence to suggest the Policy amounted to active social transitioning or any other kind of treatment for a mental health condition, he wrote. In their updated lawsuit, the Willeys and the familys private counselor told the court the student had symptoms of gender dysphoria, a mental health diagnosis identified by the American Psychiatric Association and an example that Skavdahl referenced in his analysis. They also stated the student had been seeing mental health counselors at school. Ashley Willey accused the school district of withholding information about those in-school counseling sessions. Concealing information relevant and critical to the treatment plan instituted by Mrs. Willey and her chosen counselor interferes with her ability to exercise her fundamental parental right to make decisions regarding [the student] A.S.s mental health, Cheyenne-based attorney Henry Bailey Jr. and lawyers with the Georgia-based Child and Parental Rights Campaign wrote. The Willeys and their lawyers sought to reinforce their argument that the school district was allowing minors to supersede their parents even though they cannot legally consent to medical care or mental health treatment under Wyoming law. Through the Preferred Names Policy, Defendants are usurping Plaintiffs role as parental decision makers and granting decision making authority for issues of profound importance to identity, personhood, religious beliefs, and emotional and mental well-being to children (and District personnel), the Willeys legal team wrote. The amended lawsuit filed last month otherwise relies on many of the same arguments the Willeys made in their initial complaint, including that Ashley Willeys religious beliefs, which do not acknowledge transgender people, should preclude her from following district policies requiring teachers to use a students preferred pronouns. In May, lawyers for Sweetwater County School District No. 1 asked Skavdahl to deny the Willeys request for a temporary restrictions against the district, calling their allegations nonexistent. Attorneys Kathleen Chaney and Eric Hevenor of the Denver law firm Lambdin & Chaney portrayed the lawsuit as the Willeys attempt to force their personal beliefs on the district and seek their fifteen minutes of fame. The districts lawyers later asked Skavdahl to throw out the case, telling the judge the case had no legal basis because the student had gone back to using their given pronouns and Ashley Willey had never been asked to use a transgender students preferred pronouns while teaching. While Skavdahl poked holes in much of the Willeys legal argument, he also ruled against the school district. He barred the district from concealing a students use of different pronouns if their parents asked unless there is reasonable concern of physical abuse or harm. Skavdahl agreed with the Willeys, opining that the school districts policy to respect the privacy of students even amid questions from their parents likely runs afoul of their parental rights. While parents do not have the right to manage the operations of a school or even the courses and curriculum, he wrote. They do have a right to direct their minor childs education which cannot be accomplished unless they are accurately informed in response to their inquiries. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. CODY The Preserve Our Cody Neighborhoods Group, which opposes constructing a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple off Skyline Drive, has asked to intervene in the churchs lawsuit to ensure its interests will be represented throughout the proceedings. On July 24, a motion to intervene was filed, which is typically filed by a third party who was not named in an existing civil case, but who has a personal stake in the outcome of said case. The motion was filed by the groups attorney, Debra Wendtland of Sheridan. This case is an unlawful appeal ... that is unsupported by required findings of fact and conclusions of law, she wrote in the motion. The Preserve Our Cody Neighborhoods Group is legally entitled to intervene in this unlawful appeal to protect their substantial, immediate and pecuniary interests that, but for their admission, such interests will be unrepresented in this matter, the motion read. Wendtland said the Preserve our Cody Neighborhoods Group had the right to intervene in the case because they are landowners that either adjoin or live near the site proposed for the temple and because they have actively opposed the temple application out of concerns it will create specific harms to them. Those specific harms include, according to Wendtland, loss of the viewshed, increased traffic, increased light, increased density, stormwater runoff and numerous violations of the Cody City Municipal Code, the motion said. Wendtland further said the LDS suit against the city of Codys Planning and Zoning board was erroneously attempting to appeal a P&Z decision that is not final and therefore not yet appealable. The LDS Church sued the city planning and zoning board on a voting technicality, arguing that when the board voted 3-2 in favor of the site plan at its June 15 meeting, the site plan passed rather than failed. Board chair Carson Rowley said approval of the site plan failed because a majority of the seven member board did not vote in favor of it. The board upheld that determination at its July 25 special meeting. Only final decisions of the [P&Z Board] are appealable to Park County District Court, Wendtland said in the motion. Even if [the churchs] argument is correct that a vote in favor of the temple site plan required only a majority of the [P&Z] members present, such determination is still not a final, appealable decision, the motion said. By law, the site plan cannot stand alone to formally and finally authorize construction of the proposed temple. More must be done. In her motion, Wendtland went on to say that the existing parties of the lawsuit the LDS church represented by Kendal Hoopes, City Attorney Scott Kolpitcke; and the P&Z board will not adequately represent the Preserve Our Cody Neighborhoods Group. She said not allowing the group to participate in the lawsuit could impair or impede their ability to protect their respective interests. In her conclusion, Wendtland wrote, As adjoining landowners and landowners that live near the proposed temple site ... the movants are proper parties to intervene as of right. They have tirelessly identified, analyzed and argued at every opportunity afforded them the list of damages to them if the proposed temple is built. Wendtland said the Wyoming Supreme Court has routinely ruled that adjoining landowners and those that live near have standing to challenge agency action specific to zoning decisions and there are intervening parties of right. Wendtland requested a hearing be scheduled in District Court so a ruling on the motion could be made. As of July 27, a hearing had not yet been scheduled. The case will now be heard by retired Judge John R. Perry of Buffalo. It was initially assigned to Park County District Court Judge Bill Simpson, but due to a July 21 order by Chief Justice Kate M. Fox of the Wyoming Supreme Court, the case was assigned to Perry, according to court documents. During the dark days of World War II (1939-1945), Edward Algoo packed his bags and emigrated with wife Doris to Trinidad, from Guyana, after his oil company employer shut down operations there. Algoo found work at Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd (later to close as Petrotrin) and the couple would have seven children. Twenty-eight citizens have been authorised to proceed with individual legal actions against the Office of the Police Commissioner for significant delays in the decision-making process concerning their applications for firearm users licences (FULs). The matter came up for hearing yesterday before High Court judge Nadia Kangaloo. In recent days, we have seen public uproar over the spiralling crime situation, as well as public justification for maximum self-defence against bandits. The authorities have come out issuing warnings against citizens to not use excessive force against the bandits; mind you, these criminals use all the force available to them, including firearms and large groups, when executing home invasions. Back in the early days of KXCI 91.3, the community radio stations monthly House Rockin fundraising concert series regularly brought in the biggest names of zydeco, from Queen Ida and the Bon Temps, who opened the series in 1986, to Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Zachary Richard and Beausoleil. Those shows were so legendary back in the early days, said Marty Kool, the longtime host of KXCIs Blues Review show who attended most of those events. I think zydeco was hot at the time and a lot of the real great figures of zydeco were still alive. So we had Queen Ida and we had Rockin Dopsie and Beausoleil. Queen Ida was a repeat headliner of the House Rockin series, which was held at El Casino Ballroom until 1991, when a powerful wind storm tore off a large section of the venues roof. After a two-decade absence, the series returned in 2013 when local Americana and country promoter Jeb Schoonover resurrected it as the House Rockin Blues Review in conjunction with the release of former Tucson music reporter and filmmaker Daniel Buckleys documentary on El Casino. For its 10th anniversary show this weekend, Schoonover and Kool, who coordinate the annual fundraising concerts for KXCI, are bringing zydeco back to the series for the first time in more than 30 years. Veteran Louisiana accordion player Dwight Carrier and his BlackCat Zydeco band will headline the show on Friday, Aug. 4, at El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St. Zydeco was probably our most popular shows with Queen Ida, C.J. Chenier and Beausoleil, so Marty and I have been scheming to get a zydeco band this year, Schoonover said. Kool said Carrier, whos known as The Black Cat, is a perfect fit for the series and its history of hosting events that make good use of El Casinos historic wooden dance floor. El Casino has one of the largest wooden dance floors in Arizona. Its made for dancing, Kool said, adding that House Rockin shows are big dance parties more than anything. No matter how many people we get in or what kind of band it is, its all about getting people out there on that dance floor. Fridays event is the first time Carrier, the third generation to carry on the familys legacy in zydeco music, has performed in Tucson since he was here last in 1989 or 1990 with JoJo Reed and the Happy Hill Zydeco Band, he said. Carrier, whose familys zydeco history goes back to the 1920s and includes his legendary cousins BeyBey and Calvin Carrier, has a style that borrows from Caribbean, Creole and blues. Its almost an African-Caribbean blues style mixed together. Thats how I would define it, said the 48-year-old, who, as a kid, was oblivious to any music that wasnt tied to zydeco. I didnt know anything about R&B back then. When I was young, nobody was listening to it, he said. We would barbecue and cook and all that stuff and old men would play and I was the one, with my brother, who would watch them play. His dad played accordion, and Dwight started playing drums and rubboard, the percussion washboard instrument played with spoons. By 12, he added accordion to his arsenal and singing, and by 13 was playing professional gigs in clubs, for trail rides and at parties and receptions. Carrier recalled going to New York in 1989 to represent Louisiana at the Benson & Hedges Blues Festival. He was 14, and his parents sent him and his brother alone. We were literally kids. I remember my mother crying when we got on the plane, he said during a phone call last month from home in Louisiana. I tell you we were literally some kids with Etta James, Johnnie Taylor, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, people I didnt know until I got older that, oh my God, I played with all these people. Buckwheat Zydeco Sr., who was one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success, was an early mentor. Carrier also took cues from his famous family, including his cousins Chubby Carrier and Dale Carrier, and his uncle Andrew Carrier, who is still performing into his late 70s. Before the pandemic, Carrier and his five-piece band were doing as many as 150-200 shows a year, from club and theater gigs to festivals and fairs. He said he is trying to get back to that number now as zydeco is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, largely because more white artists are getting involved. Its huge. Zydeco is going to be in the mainstream soon, he predicted. Its really big and its spreading. Back in the day, white people wouldnt play it; they would play Cajun music. But now the white people are playing it. They have white zydeco bands now. Zydeco has grown tremendously. Carrier said audiences also seem to have rediscovered the genre. When they see that accordion and rubboard, they are like, what the hell is going on here? What is that Black guy doing with an accordion? he said. And then people go crazy for the wash board. They just never thought of that as an instrument, but it really makes a distinctive sound. ... Its an instrument that nobody else has in their band. When they see that thing, people go crazy especially if someone is rubbing it right. Kool said the zydeco-style washboard adds percussion that enhances the genres Afro-Caribbean and creole sound. You hear even Latin rhythms sometimes in zydeco, he said. Dwights got a lot of soul and R&B in his music, but still some very old zydeco soul. Kool said he expects to see people flood the El Casino dance floor as soon as Carrier and his band start playing. Its infectious, in a good way, he said. Doors to Fridays show open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30. Admission is $20 for KXCI members and $25 for non-members in advance through kxci.org; its $30 at the door. Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, right, attends a cabinet meeting held at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap By Anna J. Park The Korean government plans to seek an annulment proceeding of an international tribunal arbitration ruling that ordered the country to pay $216.5 million plus interest in damage compensation to Lone Star. The move comes in response to the U.S.-based private equity fund's annulment application submitted at the end of last month, asking the arbitration tribunal to cancel the ruling by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) last August. "The Korean government was notified by the secretariat of the ICSID on July 29 that Lone Star submitted the annulment application of the arbitration ruling. The government is thoroughly reviewing the annulment application submitted by Lone Star, and plans to file an annulment (of our own) within the deadline that falls on Sept. 5," the Ministry of Justice announced earlier this week, vowing not to waste taxpayers' money. The specific reasons for the annulment remain unknown, but Lone Star is believed to view the amount of compensation granted by the ICSID ruling as being too small only a 4.6 percent of the $4.68 billion that it originally demanded from the Korean government. Lone Star argued that it is not a sufficient amount for the risk that it took to bail out the now-defunct Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) 20 years ago. "We are disappointed in the amount of the award which fails to fully compensate Lone Star and its investors for losses resulting from the Korean government's wrongful conduct or for the risks Lone Star took in rescuing KEB in 2003, and the value it added for the benefit of all of KEB's shareholders and the Korean banking system," the U.S. hedge fund stated, following the ICSID ruling in last year. Lone Star first brought the case to the investor-state dispute settlement body in late 2012, arguing that the Korean government inflicted astronomical losses on the firm by pressuring and delaying the approval of its sale of KEB. But the Korean government succeeded in significantly lowering the amount of compensation at the international tribunal, citing the U.S. investment firm being convicted in local courts on charges related to stock price manipulation schemes. The ICSID ruling last year seemed to put an end to the years-long legal battle between the two parties, yet the dispute will likely to go on, as both sides are vowing to fight the ruling. However, legal experts are skeptical, saying there seems to be no real benefits in dragging out the trial. "The ICSID Convention currently sets forth five grounds on which an award may be annulled the improper constitution of the tribunal, manifest excess of powers by the tribunal, corruption on the part of a tribunal member, serious departure from a fundamental rule of procedures, or failure to state reasons. Out of the five grounds, parties that seek annulment mostly cite either excess of powers or serious departure from a rule of procedures. Yet, given existing precedents citing those grounds, it won't be easy to prove the deficiencies in the grounds in this particular case," Professor Choi Won-mog from Ewha Womans University Law School, an expert in international disputes, told The Korea Times, Tuesday. The professor explained that the annulment procedure usually takes one or two years until a decision is reached. That is less time than the arbitration trial itself would take, as the nullification proceeding only examines the grounds of nullification brought up by the parties. "Considering the single-trial nature of arbitration, the finality of the legal contention is already fixated. Annulment cases only review whether cited grounds for nullifying the ruling are met. If the tribunal acknowledges the annulment case brought up by any of the parties, then a new panel of arbitration will be formed, starting the whole process all over again, although the previous legal findings would help to hasten the process. If the annulment proceeding is dismissed, then the compensation will remain intact," Professor Choi added. Another legal expert, Jeffrey Jones, attorney at Kim & Chang, who advised Lone Star on its past acquisition of KEB, said he hopes the two parties will put the dispute to rest. "It's a very painful history and (I think) it'd be good for both parties to get it over with as quickly as possible," Jones said. OneAZ Credit Union: OneAZ Credit Union awarded $60,000 in grants to 12 Tucson-area nonprofit organizations as part of its Community Impact Grant program. Each organization will receive $5,000 towards a program or initiative that supports one of OneAZs five pillars childrens health, food banks, financial education, veterans interests and local youth programs. The grant recipients are: 3rd Decade African American Museum of Southern Arizona East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank, Inc. Esperanza Dance Project Family Housing Resources Imago Dei Middle School Literacy Connects Sahuarita Food Bank Southern Arizona Aids Foundation Spreading Threads Clothing Bank Treasures 4 Teachers of Tucson We Care Tucson Arbys: With the support of customer donations, 13 Tucson-area Arbys restaurants owned by Irish Beef raised $66,210 for United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona. Arbys has now donated more than $296,895 to UCP over the past eight years. All of the money raised stays in the community and provides services to children and adults with all types of disabilities by providing home-based support services. Dunkin: Dunkin is working to raise money for Arizona childrens hospitals, including Banners Diamond Childrens Medical Center in Tucson. Through Aug. 5, customers can make a $2 donation to the Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation and receive a free Gold Joy Donut. Dunkin franchisees throughout the Tucson area will donate 100% of the funds raised from the Gold Joy Donut. The Gold Joy Donut is decorated with gold icing, yellow sprinkles and crowned with a glazed Munchkins Donut Hole, paying homage to the childhood cancer awareness ribbon. The death of a 34-year-old inmate who apparently hanged himself in a Tucson prison is under investigation. Gabriel Vavages was found unresponsive on July 30 at Arizona State Prison Complex Tucson, a news release said. Life-saving measures were performed until paramedics arrived. The paramedics pronounced him dead. Vavages had been convicted in Pima County of attempted third-degree burglary and attempted aggravated assault and began serving his sentence in March. All inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner's office. The back-to-back deaths of two inmates at a Tucson prison are under investigation, officials said. Adam Kallini, 38, died Monday, July 31, and Gabriel Vavages, 34, died Sunday, July 30, both apparently by hanging themselves, the Arizona Department of Corrections said. Both men were found unresponsive by Arizona State Prison Complex Tucson staff. Paramedics were called but they were pronounced dead. Kallini had been in custody since 2020 after being sentenced out of Cochise County for attempting to commit armed robbery. Vavages had been convicted in Pima County of attempted third-degree burglary and attempted aggravated assault and began serving his sentence in March. All inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with the county medical examiners office. Within two months of starting Dirty T Tamarindo, Alana Solis quit her day job. She knew her new venture would be a success. I instantly knew it was going to be big thats why I just went for it, she says. During her first year in business, she worked long 16-hour days, tucked inside the warehouse where her chamoy-covered candies are made. Now a year and a half later, her candies are sold at 72 stores around Tucson and shes getting ready to open a brick-and-mortar for the business she built with her tias chamoy recipe that dates back to the 80s. Dirty T Tamarindos spices and chamoy coat popular sweets like gummy bears, dried mango slices and Skittles. Solis favorite are the now-discontinued Watermelon Rings (though they may make a seasonal return) and the fan favorite are the Gushers. The brick-and-mortar, 1211 W. St. Marys Road, is slated to open Aug. 26 with vendors as part of a grand opening party. I saw a lot of people their recipes from what Ive seen on TikTok and all that they just put something together or look up a YouTube video. But mine is an actual recipe from my tia, she says, adding that the recipe adds to the authenticity of the business. Before Dirty T Tamarindo, Solis helped launch home bakery Paus Pan Dulce, igniting a flame inside her. She realized how much she enjoyed building a business and connecting with the community along the way. She was tired of working her two jobs she cooked for 10 years and did other odd jobs in maintenance and retail. Ive been making chamoy since I was in diapers. I can put two and two together and make it happen, too. Solis is Latina and part of the LGBTQ+ community uplifting marginalized people and businesses is part of her goal along with helping put Tucson on the map. I feel like theres still a lot of history to be made, she says, mentioning representation of marginalized people in political positions. I just want to be a part of that, even in the candy community. As an LGTBQ+ Latina with immigrant parents, this is a dream come true, she said on Instagram, announcing the news of the brick-and-mortar. Proud to say Im from Tucson and I cant wait to provide the barrio with more authentic Mexican treats. Although her sweets are stocked at spots around Tucson, Solis gets calls daily from people asking if they can walk into a shop somewhere and order from her big roster of candy they're disappointed when the answer is no. The brick-and-mortar, which most recently housed Barber Supply Co., was the next natural step. The west side is so neglected sometimes I feel like it just made sense, she says. The brick-and-mortar will serve Tosti-Locos, paletas and possibly an even bigger variety of candy. Solis is also working to create four more flavors of her popular rim dips. Beyond the dozens of stores and the soon-to-open brick-and-mortar, you can also order Solis candy for pickup at her south-side warehouse (2717 S. Sixth Ave.), which is where all the magic happens, or you can buy the candy online. Part of Dirty T Tamarindos success is due to Solis constant involvement in the community, participating in countless markets and collaborating with restaurants like Noodies, pairing her spicy candies atop soft-serve gelato. I was born and raised here and I went to a lot of middle schools and high schools here and I feel like I know the community, she says. Other states and cities Ive been in I dont think I could be my authentic self there. I couldnt even imagine trying to build this there. Here, we are very attached to our roots so people feed off of that. I feel like were very connected here. PHOENIX Arizona lawmakers and the governor gave up the right to try to force motorists away from carbon fuels as part of a deal to extend Maricopa Countys road tax. A provision in the deal House Speaker Ben Toma said was negotiated with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs permanently precludes the state from restricting the use or sale of a vehicle based on the vehicles energy source. The wording goes further, also blocking local governments from imposing their own standards. The net effect will be to bar Arizona from enacting legislation like Californias that requires all new cars sold in 2035 and beyond to be zero-emission vehicles. Those include battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Hobbs press aide, Christian Slater, would not comment about anything in the agreement. But Toma said the statewide restriction is justified, as is tucking it into legislation billed as being about allowing Maricopa County voters to decide whether to extend a half-cent sales tax for transportation. At this point, we felt that was legitimate, Toma, a Peoria Republican, told Capitol Media Services of adding it to the measure. Quite frankly, with all this talk about banning combustion engines or limiting combustion engines we are seeing in some of these other states, we felt that was the wrong policy for Arizona, Toma said. It was part of the negotiation. Its in the bill. Earlier this year, Gov. West Moore of Maryland announced identical regulation to Californias for his state. Similar plans are being considered in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. Free-market argument Toma said Republicans think deciding what people can drive is not the role of the state. We believe in the free market. Ultimately, people can buy electric vehicles, Toma said, noting that there are a lot more options than a decade ago. If people want to buy electric vehicles for all the reasons they think theyre better, by all means, let them do that, he said. But we shouldnt be banning the free market or limiting the free market in any way. Senate President Warren Petersen, a Gilbert Republican, shares that viewpoint. Whether to drive an electric vehicle is a decision that should be made by our citizens, not the government, he said. As for Democrats, House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras said members of his party had little choice but to agree to go along. He said Democrats had higher priority issues they wanted to ensure were included in the Maricopa County tax legislation. Contreras said those specifically included making sure theres enough money in the plan to fund not just highways but also mass transit, which will get 37% of the estimated $20 billion raised over the levys 20-year life if voters approve. We had to get as many things as we could get that were positive for the majority of Arizona, he said. He also noted the political reality. Were in the minority, said Contreras, an Avondale Democrat. Changes to laws could be made in the future, he added, if Democrats take control of both the House and Senate, which they havent had since the 1960s. What has happened in other states has not necessarily required legislative approval. Instead, these plans are being advanced by governors through executive action with support from local environmental regulators. That is what happened in California, where the states Air Resources Board adopted rules last year requiring 35% of new 2026 cars sold in the state to be zero-emissions, increasing to 68% in 2030 until reaching the 100% level in 2035. Sierra Club blasts the deal Sierra Club lobbyist Sandy Bahr called the Arizona provision outrageous, especially now with what she said is evidence the extreme weather conditions are due to climate change which, in turn, is being driven in part by tailpipe emissions. And yet every step of the way, they either dont act or, in this case, take action that actually gets in the way, she said. Its insane, its wrong, Bahr continued. And I dont know why in the world the Governors Office or proponents relative to action on climate would agree to that kind of thing. Toma brushed aside questions of whether the state should be doing more to deal with climate change and the effect it is having on residents and businesses. This is about transportation, fundamentally, he said of the legislation. This is not a debate about climate change. But the speaker also questioned the effects of vehicle emissions. Historically, throughout the history of the planet, climate has changed, Toma said. So theres that talking point. Bahr said the ultimate answer for those who want to restrict the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles may have to come from Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, the Biden administration proposed new greenhouse gas emission standards that would advance the sale of electric cars and trucks. Unlike California, standards to be set by the Environmental Protection Agency would not spell out a specific goal for the percentage of zero-emission vehicles sold. Instead, each manufacturer would have to comply with overall emission standards, a move that should force them to produce and get consumers to buy sufficient electric vehicles to comply. EPA officials estimated it would require between 54% and 60% of sales of vehicles in 2030 be zero-emission vehicles, rising to about two-thirds in 2032. Bahr said the Arizona provision blocking state action on vehicle sales essentially amounts to lawmakers defaulting to the federal government to make such decisions. There seems to be no interest at the Arizona State Legislature in taking any kind of control of our future when it comes to climate change, she said. The North American premiere of The Linda McCartney Retrospective ends Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Center for Creative Photography on the University of Arizona campus, closing out a months-long exhibit there. The exhibition has been popular and well-attended, the centers chief curator Becky Senf said Tuesday. The Center for Creative Photography has been delighted by the communitys overwhelmingly response to The Linda McCartney Retrospective, she said. It feels like Tucson has extended a warm homecoming to McCartneys photographs. Many of the photos were taken from Paul and Linda McCartneys Redington Road home in Tucson. Paul and Linda bought the two-story house, sitting on 151 acres in the shadow of the Rincon Mountains, in 1979, and for years, spent winter and spring breaks in Tucson with their four children. Linda McCartney died at the home in 1998 after battling breast cancer. Her love of Tucson stemmed from her college years studying art history and taking photography classes at the University of Arizona. The exhibit features 180 of McCartneys photographs separated into three distinctive areas of her life and photography: Artist, including photographs of her husband, Paul , and his Beatles bandmates as well as other music giants of the 1960s-70s; Experimentation, which looks at her photographic innovations; And family, including photos she took of herself and Paul and their children throughout . We sort of leaned into the ties to Tucson in the family and artist sections, Senf told the Star in February. The Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Road, is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission to the exhibit is free. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX A months-long fight over whether to allow voters in Maricopa County to vote on a sales tax extension ended Monday as a deal cut between Republican leaders of the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs passed the House and the Senate. The votes weren't close: Seventeen of 31 Republicans joined all the Democrats in voting to send the measure to the ballot once Hobbs signs it. And the Senate approved it on a bipartisan 19-7 vote. This is a continuation of an ongoing tax (of) over 40 years that not we in this chamber are going to decide, but the voters in Maricopa County will decide, said Rep. David Cook, R-Globe. He pointed out that the legislation simply authorizes a vote next year to extend the half-cent levy to 2045. A group of lawmakers who call themselves the Arizona Freedom Caucus, and a low-tax group known as the Free Enterprise Club that has influence among conservative Republicans, came up short in a last-ditch effort to block the tax. Those groups main gripe was the amount of money from the tax that would go to transit over the 20 years it will be in effect if voters approve it next year. They argue that transit, set to receive 37% of the approximately $20 billion in sales tax revenue, benefits only a few perhaps just 1% of county residents. The voters of Maricopa County want some reasonable amount of additional funding for freeways, Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, said before Mondays House vote. They do not want almost 40% of the tax that we are imposing on them used for transit. Kolodin said the measure gives voters no choice to reject the transit spending because it is a package deal: to get the money for freeways and major street improvements, they have to support funding for transit. New jobs foreseen Democrats took a victory lap after lobbying for the measure all year. I look forward to a lot of new jobs, said Rep. Marcelino Quinonez, D-Phoenix. It is time that we send this to the ballot so that Maricopa County voters can decide. GOP House Speaker Ben Toma put the extension of the sales tax up for a vote despite strong opposition from many of his fellow Republicans, and he defended the decision. We know that Maricopa County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, the Peoria Republican said as he explained his yes vote. Were one of the fastest-growing states in the United States, and thats been due to good governance and low taxes. He said the money that has flowed to county highways, roadways and transit over the past 40 years has helped avoid out of control congestion of many large cities. And that proactive approach must continue. The deal also picked up support from some rural GOP lawmakers. Rep. Selina Bliss, R-Prescott, said she has a selfish interest in ensuring that Maricopa County voters get a chance to continue raising cash locally. Legislative District 1, which I represent .. would have to compete for funds for roads and highways from the same pot of money if this bill doesnt pass, she told colleagues. With the size of Maricopa County compared to Yavapai County, you can guess how that will turn out. No more light rail Toma praised the deal Republicans negotiated with Hobbs, saying it puts major guardrails on the tax money by preventing its use to expand light rail, or to be directed to air quality efforts opposed by Republicans. The bill also has a complete ban on light rail expansion set to be built near the Capitol. While that 1.4-mile line is already funded, Toma said he didnt want lawmakers to have to cross the tracks when going to their cars. In other words, its not coming around the Capitol, he said. Instead, it would have to be at least 150 feet from the Capitol complex. The Senate was preparing to vote later Monday to send the 20-year sales tax extension to voters. The House already made a motion to adjourn for the year after the Senate acts. The deal that finally got Republican support cuts the amount of money going to transit bus lines and light rail from what was proposed by the regional planning agency known as the Maricopa Association of Governments to 37%. Freeways and major roads and intersections would get 63% in all. There are also bans on cutting traffic lanes and rules requiring that projects show they will not increase congestion. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Reading the paper about the 36th Street/La Cholla and Pima Wash developments gives a clue to the future of the Tucson Valley from the two leading government boards in the county. And it is not good. Usually the Pima County Board of Supervisors can be very amenable to developers. Changes can easily be made to plans because normally there are not a lot of people in the area to be developed. There is not a lot of organized NIMBY pushback. The PCBOS used to be more forward-looking decades ago with leadership from former Supervisor David Yetman, but because of the increasing political and financial power of the development community through anti-community successes, the PCBOS has shown that it will roll over for developers. In the Pima Canyon vote, through the Star, we learned that a last-minute plan addition that added another 20 residential units was quickly folded into the development plans without public input. The Pima Canyon vote wasnt even postponed due to these new changes. And while it is usual to vote with the primary supervisor on a development, this was an unusual matter as there was significant opposition from nearby stakeholders who had some pretty good arguments. And the $300,000 from the developer will not come near to the multiple millions of dollars needed by taxpayers to improve traffic ingress and egress from the development. It used to be that the City of Tucson Mayor and Council were a bit more skeptical of developers and their speculative plans. For example, the 20-story 2005 Century Tower project that was pushed for the land near the downtown library was so badly conceptualized that the cost was raised from a ridiculous $58,000,000 to a more realistic $100,000,000 with the city building for free to the developers the base underground parking garage as the anchor for the building. That was voted down. The 36th Street/La Cholla development was 5-2 in favor, even though the city made an agreement not to build such a development in that area in exchange for being annexed. Its bad enough the development wont serve the Ward 1 community around it. Its also bad because suddenly there is no financial bank support for the 14 purported affordable housing units promised before voting. But worse is that the city backed out of the arrangement for annexation it made 40 years ago. The next question becomes when will the city back out of another agreement with a neighborhood? Will my neighborhood be next? While the blatant lie that the more housing built, the faster that prices will fall for existing residential units continues to be drummed into the communitys mind (Homebuilders will never build enough housing to lose money. They are not dumb), the rationalization for bad developments will grow ever stronger. Meanwhile, by Jan. 2, 2025, the Secretary of Interior will announce that no Active Management Area in Arizona has safe yield (the same amount of water usage as is replenished by nature), and the Tucson Active Management Area will have mandatory cuts in CAP water usage or large fines. There will be no federal monies to buy out what Tucson Water wont receive. With the Colorado River Watershed becoming more desiccated by the year and with no logical or realistic way to bring water into the state of Arizona from elsewhere, the developers are presently pressuring state officials to a point where a state-level public meeting about future water supplies is taken private. Is some kind of fix for farmers and developers at the expense of the taxpaying communities now being negotiated? Edward Abbey wrote, Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. It is also the ideology, it seems, of developers and a majority of politicians. The future of the Tucson Valley is bleak. Visitors to Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul watch a media facade being projected onto the structure during the Seoul Light DDP 2022 Winter in December 2022. Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation Annual light show wins Red Dot Award By Ko Dong-hwan Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), an outlandish-looking structure in Seoul that defied orthodox architecture and glimmers like a silver fish, is launching a new projection art for the city's hip fashion sector. Starting from Aug. 31, the Seoul Light DDP 2023 Fall will display a large-scale media show on the surface of the 220-meter-wide structure under the night sky until Sept. 10, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Monday. Miguel Chevalier, a French digital and virtual artist who has earned international recognition as one of the pioneers of computer-based art, and the Frankfurt-based European Design Center run by the Korean automaker Kia are creating the works. Their high-end digital productions share the theme of "digital nature." The feature presentation will illuminate the streets of one of the city's busiest areas attracting not only DDP but also modern shopping centers, decades-old street markets and restaurants, according to the Seoul Design Foundation, an agency under the city government, which operates DDP. Rhee Kyung-don, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, said that DDP in the central district of Jongno has been the city's "giant canvas" that realized myriad colors, images and moving clips in the most creative ways possible. The upcoming media facade comes after the annual Seoul Light DDP feature presentation won an award at the Red Dot Design Award 2023. Winning the German award's "brand and communication design" category was confirmed on July 20, according to Kim Hyeong-gon from the Seoul Design Foundation. The annual award, organized by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, is considered one of the world's three biggest design awards alongside Germany's iF Design Award and the International Design Excellence Awards of the United States, according to the foundation. The Red Dot Award categories also include "product design" and "design concept." The Seoul Light DDP basically comprises three elements of light, video and music while using the DDP exterior as a giant projection screen, according to the foundation. The latest edition, Seoul Light DDP 2022 Winter, drew participation from a group of experts in art, design and virtual technologies including local video contents creators GIANTSTEP, Nsyme and Team HELLOMAN and decorated DDP for 15 days from last December to January. During the period, each show took place six times a day at 30 minute-intervals starting from 7 p.m. Some 1 million people flocked to the DDP to experience the winter edition, with 97 percent of them rating the show as satisfactory, according to the foundation. "The Seoul Light DDP's winning of the Red Dot Award means its high-quality media content created by the country's up-and-coming artists and experts has been recognized on an international level," Rhee said. "DDP, which is one of the city's representative landmarks, is proving itself as an ideal canvas for all types of futuristic media art." The Seoul Light DDP started in 2019 with Refik Anadol, a Los Angeles-based new media artist who was behind the 2018 projection work of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Seoul National University College of Fine Arts Professor Baak Je-seong. The brand became the city's signature nighttime light show, with its legacy having further extended to its variants like Seoul Light Gwanghwa and Seoul Light Han River. Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel 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 Danis Goulet directed two of the first three episodes of the farewell season of Reservation Dogs, including a season three opener that debuts Aug. 2 on FX on Hulu. Goulet was asked what the magic of the show is for her. And that led to her telling a story. Goulet said she has known Reservation Dogs co-creator Sterlin Harjo, a Native filmmaker from Oklahoma, since about 2005. Meeting Sterlin, you immediately like him, she said. Like Harjo, Goulet is Indigenous and from the middle of a country, albeit a different country. Shes from Saskatchewan, Canada. And I feel like we immediately had a kind of affinity, like we understood each other even though we came from two different places, she said. Elaborating, she said Saskatchewan is often called the flyover province. And I feel like its places that are in the middle that people dont think about or dont really talk about. Its like Sterlin was always talking about it and always just had this incredible thing about him. He was always telling me You ought to come down to Oklahoma. Youve got to come and see. Goulet said she always wanted to go, but the opportunity didnt arise until she traveled to Oklahoma to direct a season two episode of Reservation Dogs. And as soon as I did, I realized that part of why Sterlin is so likable and so amazing really comes out of the place where he is from, she said. And obviously theres this amazing connection that we all have as Indigenous filmmakers, but I think something thats so special about the show is the specificity of it. It is unapologetically Oklahoman and that runs throughout the entire show. Its an Indigenous show. Its an Oklahoma show. Its like the whole crew is from Oklahoma, and I think it adds an ethos to the show, which makes it really done in a different way. And that affects both how its made under Sterlings leadership, but also what ends up on the screen, which is this incredibly rich, complex, specific portrait of rural Indigenous life with these amazing characters. All of it, Goulet said, is because it comes directly out of Harjos experiences in Oklahoma and the world he inhabits as an Indigenous (Seminole, Muscogee) person here. So there are so many entry points, whether you know the world or not, she said. What we hope for as creatives and as storytellers is to have that specificity of world. Its part of what makes things so rich, because I really do believe ... that the more specific something is, the more universal it becomes. And I think the wear of it and the perspective and the life experience, all of what Sterlin brings to the show, is part of what has made it so successful and so relatable to so many people. Its like, Oh, Sterlins my friend, I love him. But now the whole world gets to see into his brain and his life experience and its no surprise that the show is so loved. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Think you can stand in the middle of the citys busiest business district and throw a rock without hitting a construction worker? Dont bet on it. Building everything from road work to restaurants is booming, and the scorching summer heat isnt slowing things down a bit. Palmer Moorman is the Grade Line Construction superintendent for the road project that will result in a new right-turn lane from Oklahoma 97 onto Main Street just north of the Arkansas River Bridge. Sweat dripping from his face on Friday afternoon, Moorman was all smiles about leading his first project since he graduated from college in the spring. I like being outside, he said, noting that most of his former classmates did not. But while Moorman might have been all right in the near 100-degree heat, the concrete his crews were pouring and shaping potentially was not. A tanker truck positioned nearby was spraying water onto curing concrete to keep the new pavement from setting up too fast. Concrete cures better in cooler temperatures, workers said, but with this projects planned duration of only 60 days, theres no time to wait for that. Moorman said crews have been on site for about 30 days and expect to wrap up the work in another 30. Across Oklahoma 97 to the west, work continues on the so-called road over the levee at the south end of Case Community Park. The new road, a 2017 general-obligation bond project, will exit onto the highway south of Dutch Bros., enhancing traffic flow into and out of Case Park during large events such as the Fourth of July fireworks and Boo at Case Park. In the RiverWest development, work is progressing on a new Chilis. The restaurant, known for its American and Tex-Mex offerings and casual atmosphere, will be located at 10 S. Main St., on the northwest corner of Main Street and Alexander Boulevard, just east of El Maguey and Aldis. Construction began in early July and is expected to be completed by late fall, officials have said previously. South of there but still in RiverWest, site preparation has recently gotten underway for a new Planet Fitness facility that could be open for business by the years end. The planned 20,000-square-foot facility just south of Coltons Steak House & Grill at 100 W. Morrow Road, has the distinction of snatching up the last available lot in the Riverwest development. And, of course, north of U.S. 412, a renovation of Main Street between First and Second streets is well underway, having gotten started in May. The decorative streetscaping project will include new landscaping, light poles and a pedestrian crossing in the middle of the block, as well as decorative brick paver edging and new sidewalks. The first phase of a three-phase project to renovate the streetscape along Main Street downtown, this work is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Plenty of other projects are set to start soon, including a $15 million effort by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to widen and rehabilitate Oklahoma 97 from where it intersects with Second Street north of U.S. 412 running south under the highway to where it intersects with the newly opened stretch of Main Street just north of the Arkansas River. I kind of tell people euphemistically that 2022 was the year of planning and engineering and 2023 will be the year of construction, Mike Carter told the Sand Springs Leader at the beginning of the year. Michael Dekker Tulsa World Business Writer Follow Michael Dekker 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 In what is being called the digital transformation of Black Wall Street, Microsoft is partnering with tech entrepreneurs and the Greenwood district to develop 1,000 Black cyber and tech professionals in Tulsa. The goal of this alliance is to raise the capacity of the Tulsa ecosystem as it relates to producing, attracting and retaining Black cyber talent, said Tyrance Billingsley II, founder and executive director of Black Tech Street, an initiative to rebirth historic Black Wall Street as a Black innovation economy and embrace the tech industry. He said during a news conference at the Greenwood Cultural Center on Monday that the partnerships goal is to establish 21st-century Greenwood as a national leader in Black cyber excellence and innovation. Organizers are aiming to have 1,000 Black cyber professionals in Tulsa by around 2030. Billingsley said currently about 6% of Tulsas tech workforce is Black. Developing 1,000 Black tech professionals in Tulsa would bring the city to the national average of 14%, he said. There is a great opportunity here for Black Tulsans, Billingsley said, adding that the national average salary of cyber security professionals is $88,000 per year, compared to the average annual salary of Black Tulsans, which is $32,000. We have work to do as a community, and this is why Microsoft is always proud to support these efforts, said Ann Johnson, Microsoft corporate vice president. When we work with the community, we understand what the community needs. We dont just come in and say, Heres what were going to do for you. We get involved with these types of programs, and we bring our best people, she said. Obviously, we can bring some financial aspects, but its really the people on the ground, working with the technology, working with the community and bringing opportunity. In addition to Microsoft, the partnership will include the University of Tulsa and Tulsa Community College and will involve a scholarship program, as well as artificial intelligence technology and a Black cyber tech summit. Companies and organizations supporting the effort so far include Regent Bank, Conquest Cyber, Hewlett Packard, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. I want to clarify that these supports represent an initial engagement and are in no way a culmination or totality of what this alliance will entail, Billingsley said. Others working with the partnership include InTulsa and Tulsa Innovation Labs. Black Tech Street also has been named the Microsoft Tech Spark Fellow for Oklahoma, which includes a $50,000 grant and access to Microsoft workforce programs. Billingsley and Johnson also pointed out that many of the careers will not require a four-year tech degree to obtain. I have a degree in political science. Ive been in tech for 35 years, Johnson said. These are the type of opportunities that we want to bring to your community. We want to bring the opportunity to educate people who look at tech and think, Oh, thats so far removed from what I can do. Its not far removed, said Johnson, who grew up in southern Utah and now lives in Seattle. If you asked the young me who left home at 17 put myself through college didnt even know what Microsoft was if Id be standing here 30-some-odd years later as a senior executive at Microsoft, that would have been the most foreign concept in the world, she said. I was worried about my next meal and having a place to live. And thats the opportunity that we want to bring to the community. You are who this is for, Billingsley said of the Greenwood community. And we commit to doing this work with Greenwood not for or without Greenwood. I look forward to truly starting this work and cultivating the relationship between Microsoft and the Greenwood community to show the nation that Black Wall Street will be just as powerful and economically diverse this century as it was for the last, Billingsley said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The city is being sued again over an incident outside the BOK Center prior to then-President Donald Trumps June 2020 campaign rally. This time, Attorney Daniel Smolen is alleging that Senior Assistant City Attorney Terri McGrew acted in bad faith and in a shocking dereliction of her duties when she repeatedly urged city councilors not to approve a settlement agreement with his client, Sheila Buck, after earlier signing off on it, according to a petition filed in Tulsa County District Court last week. Smolens first lawsuit against the city on behalf of Buck, a former elementary school art teacher, alleged that she was arrested and removed from a city street by Tulsa police at the direction of the Trump campaign because she was wearing a T-shirt with the words I Cant Breathe on the front. In June, city councilors met multiple times in executive session to consider a proposal to settle the federal civil rights lawsuit against two Tulsa police officers and other parties for $1 million or more. City councilors and the mayor are required to approve settlements of $1 million or more. Ms. McGrew participated fully in the mediation, along with Mayor (G.T.) Bynum, and knowingly and willingly signed and executed the Settlement Agreement as the Citys counsel, the lawsuit states. The executive sessions were held to discuss the recommendation for Council approval of the settlement, language taken directly from the City Councils agenda, according to the lawsuit. Incredibly, however, rather than urge the Council to approve the Settlement Agreement, Ms. McGrew vigorously and passionately argued against approval of the very Settlement Agreement that she executed for the City in a shocking dereliction of her duties and in bad faith violation of contract, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit alleges that McGrews actions were motivated by personal animus toward Smolen and Buck. It alleges that McGrew slandered Smolen during a deposition, claiming that he had once been suspended from the Oklahoma Bar Association. This statement is utterly false, the lawsuit claims. Ms. McGrew repeated this defamatory lie over and over. Smolen, who as plaintiffs counsel could not participate in the City Councils executive sessions, declined to say how he knew of McGrews alleged conduct during those meetings. In the lawsuit, Smolen argues that Buck has suffered injury from the loss of the agreed-upon settlement and the need to pay additional legal expenses, as well as emotional distress. Buck, who had a ticket for the rally, was forcibly removed from a cordoned-off area outside the arena and taken to the Tulsa County jail, where she was booked on a complaint of obstructing a police officer. In May, a Tulsa County District Court judge threw out the misdemeanor charge against Buck. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $75,000, punitive damages in excess of $75,000, costs and attorney fees. I think that it is disappointing that the parties entered into what we thought were good-faith negotiations to resolve a federal case that had been pending for a number of years, only to have an agent of one of those parties then come and completely derail all of those things that had been accomplished, Smolen said. The city of Tulsa declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing its long-standing practice of not commenting on ongoing litigation. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A man who strangled another man in a Tulsa Walmart parking lot after the two fought has been sentenced to federal prison. Terry Danell Limose, 38, was sentenced Tuesday in Tulsa federal court to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree murder in Indian Country in connection with the death of Jesse Childers. Childers, 51, was pronounced dead Nov. 13, 2021, at a local hospital after he was strangled earlier that morning near an entrance to the Walmart Supercenter at 2019 E. 81st St. A federal grand jury named Limose in a two-count indictment, made public in December 2021, that charged him with first-degree murder in Indian Country and assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country. Prosecutors later filed a felony information charging Limose with one count of second-degree murder in Indian Country, to which Limose pleaded guilty in November. The plea agreement called for him to serve a term ranging from zero months in prison to 293 months nearly 24 years with the final call going to the judge. Prosecutors said the stipulated sentencing range was based on a variety of factors that included Limoses psychological and mental health disorders, his substance abuse history and his attempts to resuscitate Childers. In addition to the prison sentence, Limose must serve five years of post-custody supervision. Much of the altercation between the two was witnessed by a handful of people and caught on surveillance video, according to court records. One witness, a Walmart employee, told police Limose had passed by earlier in the morning while the employee was outside the store smoking, according to an affidavit filed by an FBI agent. The employee said Limose asked whether the employee had seen a person who matched Childers description, saying he was going to kill Childers because Childers had just hit him in the face and flashed a pocket knife at him after calling him a racial slur. Limose is Black with Haitian parents, according to court records. Childers was a member of the Muscogee Nation, records show. Surveillance video first depicted Limose chasing Childers outside a closed Sonic restaurant at 8030 S. Lewis Ave. before the two moved across the parking lot by the Walmart, according to the affidavit. Witnesses reported seeing Limose armed with a trash can lid fighting Childers, who was swinging a metal bar to keep Limose away from him. Each time Childers swung the bar, he would back away in an apparent attempt to leave the situation, according to the affidavit. At one point, the fight went to the ground, with Limose on top of Childers for about seven minutes while strangling him. Limose later tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Childers. Limose, through his attorney, asked the judge to sentence him to a 150-month term. A public defender said Limose, who was homeless at the time of his arrest, does not discount the seriousness of his crime. Rather, Limoses federal public defender wrote in a motion for a non-guideline sentence that his client did not plan this homicide, nor did he wish it: instead a fight escalated to the point of tragedy. Terry Limose regrets his actions that night and knows he must face severe consequences, his public defender wrote. There is no parole in the federal prison system. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. To the casual observer, it might have seemed like the relationship between Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leadership could not get worse. On Monday, it did. In a move that could blow up the current state budget, Stitt sued Speaker of the House of Representatives Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, in the Oklahoma Supreme Court after the House cast the final vote to overturn Stitts vetoes of two bills dealing with tribal compacts. Mondays lawsuit essentially charges the 59th Legislature with a power grab, saying it used unprecedented raw legislative power to overpower the executive branch by encroaching on the governors authority. The suit mostly aims at Senate Bill 26x and House Bill 1005x, both passed during a special session that began in May, while the regular session was still convened, and which ended Monday night. Those bills extend for one year tribal tobacco and motor vehicle registration compacts that would otherwise expire this year. The Houses 72-16 vote Monday on a motion to override Stitts veto of SB 26x completed the Legislatures reinstatement of both measures. Stitts lawsuit asks the state Supreme Court to invalidate SB 26x and HB 1005x on several grounds, among them his assertion that the entire special session was unlawful. In making that argument, the suit appears to also question the legality of the general appropriations and budget bills passed during the special session. The lawsuit argues that the special session was illegal because special sessions concurrent with the regular session are not specifically allowed by the state constitution and, it is implied, because the Legislature convened the concurrent special session to prevent Stitt from vetoing the budget after the regular session adjourned. Aware that it had run itself out of time to send the Governor a budget which it could override if vetoed, the Legislature decided to set aside the law in favor of a system to suit their desired end sure passage of unlawful bills. It then purported to pass both a budget outside the mandated context (i.e. regular session) as well as bills plainly prohibited in any context. Stitt opposed the compact bills and the budget and appropriations bills, the latter largely because the general tax reduction he wanted was not included. The compact extensions are the latest battle in a fight that began shortly after Stitts election in 2018 and have contributed greatly to his conflicts with tribal governments and the Legislature. Cheered on by the Oklahoma City-based Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Stitt has tried without much success to renegotiate compacts on everything from hunting licenses to gaming. On Monday, state Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, a Choctaw citizen whose district includes the Muscogee Nation headquarters, scoffed at the notion that Stitt could successfully negotiate new compacts. Im still waiting for the hunting compact, Fetgatter said on the House floor. That expired three years ago. The result, he said, has been lost revenue for the state. State Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said the potential loss to the state of $56 million should the tobacco compacts expire answers Stitts claims that the legislation is outside the original scope of the special session call. Echols said arguments that the Legislature exceeded its authority in extending the compacts are not serious. In an afternoon press conference, Stitt repeated his concerns that tribal governments will use the 2020 McGirt decision to expand their taxing jurisdictions in the state. He said he offered the affected tribes a two-year extension Monday morning, instead of the Legislatures one-year, on the condition that they agree to new language concerning where tribal smoke shops could be located. Stitt also complained that seven lobbyists for one or more tribes had tried to sway Mondays override vote. The lawsuit specifically singles out the Cherokee Nation for allegedly pressuring legislators instead of negotiating with him. Oklahomans need to kind of think about is how much money is influencing our elections, Stitt said. One representative that voted not to overturn this told me that seven different lobbyists, tribal lobbyists, called him over the weekend. The money is on the (override) side. Can you guys not see that? The money is on the (override) side. With Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. out of the state, Attorney General Sara Hill said it is Stitt who is costing the state money. Gov. Stitt created a problem in Oklahoma, Hill said in a written statement. He let the Cherokee and Choctaw hunting and fishing compacts expire, and let many tribal tobacco compacts expire. He never even attempted to negotiate new compacts with the Cherokee Nation. While the Oklahoma legislature has unified to protect Oklahomas revenue and extend tribal tag and tobacco compacts, Governor Stitt still prefers division and lawsuits. Treat had plenty to say about Stitts lawsuit. Plain and simple, the governors continued rhetoric and vitriol surrounding not only these compacts but also our Native American Tribal partners as a whole seeks to divide the state, Treat said. It is clear at this point the governor has no end game, goal or aspirations of working with the Legislature or tribes. He continues to ignore the courts, Legislature and common sense. These compacts in particular werent new. They werent unique in any way. They simply kept the exact same language as before to give him an opportunity to try and do the right thing by working with the tribes to renegotiate the compacts, while ensuring the state didnt lose millions in revenue. He has once again failed Oklahoma. Today, history is repeating itself with the announcement of this lawsuit. Im confident his intentions will meet the same fate as we have unfortunately witnessed, and paid for, in the past. By overriding these vetoes, the Legislature gave the governor another avenue and opportunity to negotiate in good faith, as we have done repeatedly. He has never accepted or appreciated our efforts and has turned his back all 4 million Oklahomans, the legislative process and Oklahomas tribal partners, costing the state millions in legal fees. This zero-sum game he is playing is a losing strategy, and I hope Oklahomans and my fellow lawmakers are paying careful attention, Treat said. McCall issued a statement late Monday, countering the governor's contention that the special session was not legitimate. In his comments to the media, the governor called into question the legitimacy of the special session that was held to override his vetoes regarding legislation extending compacts with our tribal partners. The Legislature's ability to call a special session, and the particular special session call itself, are well within the Legislature's constitutional authority, he said. Both the House and Senate followed the law and the Governor simply does not agree with the result, he continued. But the legislators, those closest to all 4 million Oklahomans, know that the citizens are counting on them to find solutions rather than to simply fear monger and cost the state tens of millions of tax dollars that go to important core services like education. Rather than simply allowing compacts to lapse and wasting time, and more importantly taxpayer dollars, on frivolous lawsuits, the governor should focus on ways to work with all parties, including our tribal partners, to find solutions that make sense for our entire state. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton contributed to this story. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong lifted its ban on importing eggs and egg-based products from four Vietnamese provinces after having imposed it for over four years, according to Vietnams animal health authorities. The Hong Kong agency on Monday announced the removal of the ban for Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai Provinces in southeastern Vietnam, Nguyen Van Long, director of the Department of Animal Health under the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper the same day. From now on, businesses, farms, and breeders in these provinces can officially export eggs and egg-based products to Hong Kong, provided that every shipment obtains an export quarantine certificate from the health animal department required by the Hong Kong side, Long said. The ban, imposed by Hong Kong more than four years ago due to the impacts of the avian influenza epidemic in Vietnam, has been removed thanks to the animal health agencys effective negotiations with Hong Kong agencies concerned on the basis of the achievements in bird flu control in the Southeast Asian country, the official explained. Currently, avian influenza continues to be put under control nationwide, with only 14 small clusters recorded since early this year, resulting in a loss of 18,000 birds, a decrease of over 70 percent year on year, the director elaborated. Notably, he added, the aforementioned four provinces have seen no bird flu occurrences so far this year. Such encouraging results came from the good implementation of the national avian influenza prevention and control plan by functional agencies and local authorities, Long stated. In cooperation with relevant international organizations, Vietnamese agencies have effectively monitored, warned against, and responded to any avian influenza outbreak, the official added. Before the ban, Hong Kong yearly spent tens of millions of U.S. dollars importing eggs and egg-based products from Vietnam, according to the animal health department. Hong Kong now accounts for about 40-50 percent of the export value of Vietnams animal husbandry products. Over the first 6 months of this year, the export turnover of livestock products reached $232 million, up 26.5 percent from a year earlier, the department said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam has no immediate plans to restrict rice exports, a senior official of the country's food association said on Monday, after India's export curbs sparked worries about global supplies of the staple. "At the moment, Vietnamese companies are exporting rice normally," said Nguyen Ngoc Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, which represents the country's rice processors and exporters and works closely with the government. India, which accounts for 40% of world rice exports, ordered a halt to its largest export category more than a week ago to calm domestic prices, which have climbed to multi-year highs in recent weeks as erratic weather threatened production. Nam said prices of Vietnamese rice had soared since India's move on July 20, adding that the harvest of the summer-autumn crop was ongoing in Vietnam, which is the world's third largest rice exporter after India and Thailand. Vietnam's 5% broken rice prices rose to $550-$575 per metric ton on Monday, traders said, their highest since 2011, from a range of $515-$525 before India's move. A day after India's export curb announcement, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade called on the association to ensure sufficient domestic rice supplies and food security, and asked traders to balance between exports and domestic sales to stabilise domestic prices. Rice shipments from Vietnam in the first seven months of this year were estimated to have risen about 18.7% from a year earlier to 4.84 million tonnes, according to the government's preliminary data. Revenue from rice exports in the period was seen up 29.6% at $2.58 billion. On Friday, the United Arab Emirates announced it would ban rice exports and re-exports for four months, including rice of Indian origin. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday the country must boost its rice stocks and that he may seek a supply deal with India, worried about the potential impact of El Nino dry weather on the local harvest and about other suppliers. The Philippines is Vietnam's largest rice buyer. What you need to know today in Vietnam: Society -- Landslides triggered by heavy rains and whirlwinds killed six people and left another missing in central and southern Vietnamese localities on Saturday and Sunday, according to a report by the national steering committee for natural disaster prevention and control. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has required the Saigon Central Post Office, a famed tourist site in the inner-city area, to reclaim souvenirs featuring Vietnams map without Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos as many of such products were put on sale at the post office. -- A heavy rain submerged many streets in Hanoi on Monday afternoon, causing difficulties in travel. -- Cambodia has arrested 11 Vietnamese suspects allegedly involving in the fatal shooting of a Vietnamese man in Phnom Penh on Saturday. -- The World Bank Board of Directors on Monday approved a project worth US$129.6 million to strengthen flood resilience and improve sanitation, transport, and public space infrastructure in Vinh City, Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam. The project is expected to directly benefit 250,000 residents in Vinh by reducing flood risks and improving public health, according to the Vietnam News Agency. -- Long Thanh International Airport, when in place in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, will need some 13,800 laborers, including 5,000 university graduates, the Dong Nai Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs cited the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam as saying. Business -- Bamboo Airways has operated its first direct flight connecting Hanoi and Lijiang City in Chinas Yunnan Province, the Vietnam News Agency reported. -- The Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau will organize a shrimp festival and a forum to promote One Commune One Product (OCOP) products in the Mekong Delta from December 13 to 16, attracting some 100,000 attendees, the Ca Mau Peoples Committee informed on Monday. -- Hong Kong has lifted a ban on eggs and egg-based products from the southern Vietnamese provinces of Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai after having imposed the ban for over four years, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Chinese-funded power plant expansion project in Zimbabwe set for commissioning Xinhua) 14:08, August 01, 2023 HARARE, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean Energy and Power Development Minister Soda Zhemu said here on Monday that prolonged power cuts are "now a thing of the past" in Zimbabwe following the completion of Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 expansion project. Chinese firm Sinohydro undertook the project, adding 600 MW to Hwange Thermal Power Station, the country's largest coal-fired power plant. The project will be commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday. Zhemu said at a press conference that recent media reports predicting a return to prolonged power cuts after August were false, as Zimbabwe is now guaranteed adequate power supplies in the short-to-medium term. He said Unit 7 is already feeding into the grid after the successful completion of tests in June and is now commercially available for operation. Unit 8 is also undergoing a similar test and is expected to be available commercially by August or September this year. "So there is no way that we are going back to the past where we used to experience long hours of load shedding," Zhemu added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) A man goes through COVID-19 testing at a testing center in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap COVID-19 numbers surge once more 2 months after returning to normality By Jun Ji-hye The number of daily new COVID-19 cases has increased for five consecutive weeks to surpass 40,000, with figures for seriously ill patients and deaths also showing clear upward trends. The resurgence of infections, which came two months after the public health emergency was officially declared as moving toward an endemic phase here, is raising concerns regarding another pandemic wave, with health experts urging the government to be more cautious before deciding to fully lift the remaining indoor mask rules across the country. According to the latest data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Tuesday, the daily average for new infections for the week beginning July 25 stood at 45,529, up by 17 percent from 38,802 tallied the previous week. In particular, 57,220 new cases were reported on July 26 alone, marking the highest figure since June 1 when the country declared the end of the health emergency. What raised more concerns is the increasing rates of seriously ill patients and deaths. The weekly death toll hovered around 40 to 50 until the week beginning July 18, but rose sharply to 97 in the week beginning July 25, marking a 70 percent increase. The number of seriously ill patients, which was tallied at 110 for the last week of June, has also increased consistently, reaching 142 in the third week of July. People stand in line to be tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap A heavy rain submerged many streets in Hanoi on Monday afternoon, causing difficulties for travelers. The torrential rain started at around 1:30 pm and ended at 3:00 pm. The rainfall hit 82 millimeters in Tan Mai Ward, Hoang Mai District; 104 millimeters in Thanh Tri District; 216 millimeters in Tran Phu Ward, Hoang Mai District; and 144 millimeters in Yen So Ward, Hoang Mai District, according to automatic rainfall measuring stations of Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Company Limited. As a result, many streets were 0.1-0.3 meters submerged under rainwater, including Trieu Khuc and To Hieu Streets in Ha Dong District, as well as Bui Xuong Trach and Nguyen Trai Streets in Thanh Xuan District. A one-kilometer section of Le Van Luong Street was also inundated by 0.2-0.5 meters. Many streets in Hanoi were turned into rivers after a heavy rain on July 31, 2023 Many motorbike riders had to travel on sidewalks, while some vehicles broke down as they ran through deeply flooded segments. The northern, Central Highlands, and southern regions will continue experiencing moderate and heavy rains until Wednesday, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. It warned of floods and landslides in mountainous areas and inundation in low-lying areas. Rainwater submerges the roadbed and sidewalks of Le Van Luong Street in Hanoi, July 31, 2023. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre The flood causes difficulties in travel. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre A road next to the VOV Me Tri apartment building in Hanoi faces the same fate. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Chien Thang Street in Ha Dong District, Hanoi is flooded. Photo: Duong Lieu / Tuoi Tre The same scene is seen on Trieu Khuc Street in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Lieu / Tuoi Tre Hanoi and the northern region as a whole will continue seeing moderate and heavy rains until August 2, 2023. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many residential areas in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam suffered a massive power outage on Monday evening due to a partial grid failure induced by heavy rain. A representative of Binh Duong Power Company told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on the same day that the power lines in Thu Dau Mot City were damaged by heavy rain. The company asked its staff to promptly fix the system to restore power for residents in the province. Rain started to fall at 7:05 pm on the same day, affecting the power system and knocking out power to many households in Hiep Thanh Ward in the city. An unexpected power blackout turned their daily activities upside down, and slowed down traffic flows as street lights went dark. Some residents called the customer service center and were told that several other areas were without power and electricity was not expected to return for many hours. According to an announcement issued by the power company, power would be restored in Phu My, Hiep Thanh, and Phu Loi Wards in Thu Dau Mot City at 9:30 pm on Monday evening. The Song Than 3 industrial park and the Phu My resettlement area in Phu Tan Ward were expected to regain electricity at 9:30 pm. The grid failure also plunged part of the Nam Tan Uyen industrial park, parts of Tan Hiep Ward and Tan Phuoc Khanh Ward in Tan Uyen City into darkness until 9:00 pm. Parts of Binh Chuan Ward in Thuan An City were experiencing a blackout last night. Street lights are out due to a blackout following heavy rain. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre Employees at a supermarket in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam stand idle due to a power blackout on July 31, 2023. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre In Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Binh Duong, Trang Dai Ward in Bien Hoa City suffered a power cut until 10:00 pm on Monday evening due to heavy rain. In 2013, Binh Duong Provinces grid failure cut power to 18 provinces and cities in the southern region. The massive blackout was attributed to an electrical discharge from a 500kV transmission line. The outage affected 7.7 million residents. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Landlords and apartment service operators in Ho Chi Minh City that fail to register temporary residence for foreign tenants will be subject to fines, as part of the municipal police departments campaign to inspect all lodging facilities housing foreigners starting from Tuesday. The move is aimed at raising public awareness about temporary residence declaration requirements for foreigners and preventing illegal activities linked to the foreign citizens. The southern metropolis is home to the largest number of foreigners in Vietnam, at around 100,000 individuals residing in roughly 80,000 hotels, dorms, houses for lease, industrial parks, and private houses, according to data from the Immigration Division under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security. A large number of lodging establishment operators fail to comply with regulations on temporary residence declaration for foreigners, paving the way for the latter to commit illegal acts. In the past two years, the municipal police have examined and detected over 5,300 cases in which 23 organizations and 5,645 foreigners committed administrative and criminal violations. Most of these violators live in apartment buildings, isolated residential areas, or private houses in uncrowded locations. They were also found to have been involved in illegal entry, tech scams, betting, and loan shark rings via the Internet. They opted to rent isolated houses or apartments with slack management by landlords in order to organize illegal activities. Police officers revealed that they busted some cases, in which 40-50 suspects gathered in one house, installed technology equipment on a large scale, and maintained their unlawful operations for a long time while the landlord knew nothing about it. The municipal police have been working with relevant agencies, landlords, and management boards of apartment buildings and villa areas to call on them to declare temporary residence in their buildings by foreigners, as well as to raise awareness about fighting against criminals and spotting signs of crimes linked to foreigners. The Immigration Division asked landlords and their foreign tenants to strictly comply with regulations on making temporary declarations for foreigners. Last week, the municipal police cracked down on a prostitution ring led by South Korean people in District 1 that offered sex services to foreigners only. Three South Koreans and four Vietnamese involved in the racket were detained for alleged prostitution brokerage and asset misappropriation. The South Koreans were identified as Kim Tae Hyung, 48, Cha Jin Young, 46, and Lee Hyun Jun, 25, while the arrested Vietnamese were Nguyen Thi Ngoc Loan, Le Tan Thanh, Bui Thi Phuong Dung, and Bui Duy Ha, aged between 34 and 48. Police officers discovered Gallery Restaurant located on Bui Thi Xuan Street in Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1 offering prostitution brokerage to foreigners. Kim and Cha owned and managed the restaurant, which started its operations in late June 2022. The restaurant housed 30 unlicensed karaoke rooms and only served foreigners, mainly South Koreans. Female employees at the restaurant were willing to provide sexual services at VND2.3-3.8 million (US$97-161) per client. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Landslides triggered by heavy rains and whirlwinds killed six people and left another missing in central and southern Vietnamese localities on Saturday and Sunday, according to a report by the national steering committee for natural disaster prevention and control. The deceased included three traffic police officers and one local resident who died in a landslide in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Sunday. The fatal landslide took place on a National Highway 20 section running through Bao Loc Pass near famed Da Lat City in Lam Dong Province. Rescuers recovered the bodies of the three police officers as of 8:30 pm on Sunday and the body of the resident by around 12:00 pm on Monday. The south-central province of Binh Thuan also reported a death, a 47-year-old woman in Nghi Duc Commune, Tanh Linh District, who was swept away by floodwaters on Saturday and found dead later. On the same day, strong waves and winds capsized a fishing boat with four fishermen on board off Binh Thuan. Other fishermen saved three people but a 41-year-old man is still missing. Meanwhile, heavy rains and strong winds pulled down a house in Bac Lieu Province in southern Vietnam, killing a 36-year-old woman and injuring her husband and her eight-year-old son, local media reported. The authorities of Dinh Quan District in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam support residents to prevent floods. Photo: Minh Thu / Tuoi Tre Torrential rains have also eroded and damaged many National Highway sections and rural roads, including a National Highway 20 section passing through Bao Loc Pass, resulting in traffic congestion. A strong whirlwind uprooted many trees and caused many power poles to fall down in Dat Do District of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province on Sunday morning, according to news site Dan Tri. A deluge also led to flooding on a section of the newly-opened Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway in Song Phan Commune, Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan Province, causing many vehicles to break down, congestion stretching three kilometers, and traffic delays for about five hours on Saturday. The national steering committee for natural disaster prevention and control also reported that downpours and whirlwinds knocked down 89 houses, tore roofs off 446 houses, submerged nearly 3,900 hectares of rice and 184.8 hectares of other crops, killed 31 heads of cattle and 275 poultry individuals, and damaged 12 hectares of seafood. Fish die en masse in the Dong Nai River in the namesake province. Photo: Minh Thu / Tuoi Tre As the situation will remain complicated in the following days, the committee required cities and provinces to seriously execute the prime ministers official dispatch on easing the consequences of the landslide in Lam Dong Province and take the initiative in response to landslides during the rainy season. The northern region will experience rains with average rainfall of 70-150 millimeters from Monday to Wednesday, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. Meanwhile, the Central Highlands and southern regions will see precipitation of 60-120 millimeters. Moderate and heavy rains will continue in these two regions in the upcoming days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! US actor Stephen Amell (Arrow, Heels) has become the highest-profile star to speak out against the current SAG-AFTRA strike. Amell, a union member, spoke during a Q&A with fans at Galaxycon in North Carolina. I support my union, I do. And I stand with them. I do not support striking. I dont. I think that it is a reductive negotiating tactic, Amell said. I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating. I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that Im on that premiered last night I think its myopic. Amell played the lead role of Oliver Queen on superhero series Arrow from 20122020 and has the lead role of Jack Spade on Heels, which screens in Australia on Stan. According to Variety, an overwhelming 98% of SAG-AFTRA members voted in favour of the strike. The SAG-AFTRA strike is approaching its third week with no end in sight. US actor Angus Cloud, best known for breakout drama Euphoria, has died aged just 25. It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways, his family said in a statement. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence. We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss. TMZ reported that Oakland Police and the fire department responded to an emergency call made at around 11.30am on Monday by Clouds mother. His mum allegedly told the operator that he did not have a pulse, with the 25-year-old later being pronounced dead at the scene. HBO said, We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time. Clou played drug dealer Fezco on Euphoria, alongside Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, in a role expanded in the second season, which ended on a major cliffhanger for his character after a S.W.A.T. raid. Sam Levinson was writing the already renewed third season before the May 2 writers strike. Cloud was recently cast in the upcoming monster thriller Radio Silence directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Other upcoming films include Your Lucky Day and Freaky Tales. Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Source: Hollywood Reporter. EU sees 'no immediate risks' if Niger cuts uranium supplies FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU nuclear agency Euratom said on Tuesday it saw no immediate risk to nuclear power production in Europe should Niger cut its deliveries of uranium. Euratom told Reuters that Niger - a West African country where a junta seized power last week - was the second-largest supplier of natural uranium to the European Union last year. It said utilities in the bloc had enough uranium inventories to fuel its nuclear power reactors for three years. "If imports from Niger are being cut, there are no immediate risks to the security of nuclear power production in the short term," said Euratom. France - a leading nuclear power producer in Europe and Niger's former colonial power - said on Tuesday it would evacuate French and European citizens after the overthrow of the country's democratically elected government. The EU's executive European Commission also said the 27-nation bloc had "sufficient inventories of uranium to mitigate any short-term supply risks". "Medium and long-term, there are enough deposits on the world market" to cover EU needs, a spokesman for the executive said. Euratom said that in 2022 Niger delivered 2,975 tU of natural uranium, or 25,4% of the EU's supplies. Kazakhstan was the biggest supplier for the bloc, with Canada third. The agency said natural uranium equivalent in inventories owned by EU utilities last year totalled 35,710 tU, compared to average annual consumption of around 12,500 tU. It said the bloc could diversify imports in up to three years, including from currently idled production sites in Canada, Australia and Namibia, as well as from new deposits. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, additional reporting by Andrew Gray, editing by Ed Osmond) State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller answers questions about a American solider detained in North Korea after he willfully crossed the border from South Korea during a news briefing at the State Department, July 18, in Washington. AP-Yonhap The United States will not hesitate to impose sanctions on North Korea and Russia when necessary, a state department spokesperson said Monday, following the Russian defense minister's trip to Pyongyang that many believe may lead to increased military cooperation between the two countries. The spokesperson, Matthew Miller, also highlighted that the close relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow has "not exactly been productive" to international security. "It certainly did not appear that Defense Minister (Sergei) Shoigu was in North Korea for vacation," the department spokesperson said when asked about the Russian defense minister's visit to Pyongyang last week for events marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which is celebrated in North Korea as Victory Day. "I am not going to speak anymore in any more detail, but will say that we have imposed a number of sanctions on North Korea in the past for various activities, but also imposed sanctions on a number of entities and individuals around the world for assisting Russia in its war effort. We won't hesitate to do so in the future," Miller told a press briefing. His remark follows an earlier report that Ukraine has been firing North Korean rockets seized from a ship that was potentially headed to Russia, indicating an apparently ongoing weapons trade between North Korea and Russia. Seoul stressed that any weapons trade with North Korea directly violates United Nations Security Council resolutions. "We have never hesitated to impose sanctions on North Korea and North Korean entities when we found violations or we found actions that merit sanctions, and we won't hesitate to do so in future," Miller reiterated. "Obviously, there has been a close relationship between those two countries for a while," he added when asked about Russia-North Korea cooperation. "When that's not exactly been productive to increasing the security of the world, I wouldn't expect that to change as a result of this." (Yonhap) Logo of Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch is seen at a shop on Buergenstock KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group has filed a lawsuit against the Malaysian government for confiscating rainbow-coloured watches that celebrate LGBT rights, in an act the company says has damaged its reputation. Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and rights groups have warned of growing intolerance against the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. In May, Malaysian authorities confiscated watches from Swatch's 'Pride collection' because of the presence of the letters 'LGBTQ' on the watches, the home minister said. Home ministry officials "illegally" seized 172 watches from 16 outlets, Swatch said in court documents seen by Reuters. The lawsuit, filed on June 24 at the Kuala Lumpur high court, was first reported on Monday by the Malay Mail, a Malaysian news website. "Without a doubt, the seized watches did not and are not in any way capable of causing any disruption to public order or morality or any violations of the law," Swatch said in the lawsuit. The seizure notices served to Swatch described the watches as having elements of or promoting LGBTQ rights and potentially breaching Malaysian law, the company said. Most of the seized watches, which have a combined retail value of 64,795 ringgit ($14,250.05), did not contain the 'LGBTQ' lettering, Swatch said. Swatch is seeking damages and the return of the watches, saying its ability to do business in the country has been "greatly jeopardised" by the seizures. Swatch Group said on Monday it does not comment about ongoing legal cases. Malaysia's home ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kuala Lumpur high court is set to hear the case on July 20. Malaysia has jailed or caned people for homosexuality. Last year, 18 people were detained at a Halloween party attended by members of the LGBT community. The seizure and lawsuit come ahead of crucial regional polls that will pit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's progressive coalition against a mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance. Story continues In the run up to the elections, Anwar has again been accused by critics of not doing enough to protect the rights of Muslims in multi-racial, multi-faith Malaysia. Anwar was imprisoned for sodomy and corruption for nearly a decade, charges he denied and said were politically motivated. The premier has repeatedly said this month that his government will uphold principles of Islam, state media reported. He has also said LGBT rights will not be recognised by his administration. ($1 = 4.5470 ringgit) (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff, additional reporting by John Revill in Zurich; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Bernadette Baum) (Bloomberg Markets) -- In Morocco trucks from a Connecticut logistics company ferry car parts and clothing across the Strait of Gibraltar. In Japan a new semiconductor plant transforms a once-quiet farm town. In France a battery plants staff learns to supervise new colleagues: robots. Most Read from Bloomberg These moments, which might seem unrelated, represent a transformation in world trade. US-China tensions and Russias invasion of Ukraine are leading companies to bring supply chains closer to home. A shift from fossil fuels is spurring demand for materials essential for electrification. Artificial intelligence is forcing employees to learn new skills so they wont be replaced by computers. Long before these trends are reflected in government data, theyre already changing global commerce, which amounts to $32 trillion a year in goods and services, according to the World Trade Organization. Bloomberg Markets dispatched reporters to discover what this upheaval looks like on the ground. Local Trade Routes Are Stretched Thin On a good day, Shelby Alamillo crosses the Rio Grande eight times. He drives along the World Trade Bridge, whose eight lanes of dusty roadway connect Mexicos industrial heartland and South Texas. A trucker for a company called Super Transporte Internacional SA de CV, Alamillo, 39, is haulingor, as he says, movingauto parts to and from the US and Mexico. Its very impressive, all the trailers that cross per day, he says. The first move that I made, wow, I was in shock. Port Laredo, as its called, includes an airport, one rail and four vehicle bridges. No other US land, sea or air crossing has been handling a higher dollar value of goods each day. Avocados, furniture and cars make their way north from Mexico. Auto parts, corn and gasoline head south from the US. Story continues For now, Alamillo says, traversing the bridge can take as little as 10 minutes, though about once a week, he runs into backups of three to four hours. The Texas Department of Transportation predicts that by 2050 its average crossing time could reach 8 hours and 47 minutes. This year, South Koreas Kia Corp. and Austin-based Tesla Inc. announced plans for new electric-vehicle production in the Mexican border state of Nuevo Leon, where foreign investment is booming. Traffic is surging as the US tries to source more supplies from Mexico because of the trade war with China. Maeva Cousin, a Bloomberg economist, calculates that US imports of tariffed goods from China are down about $150 billion from where theyd otherwise be. Mexico is filling much of the gap. The port of entry is situated in Laredo, a city of Spanish colonial buildings and a quarter million residents. Nearby, developers are building millions of square feet of warehouse and industrial space because of the surge in international trade. Local officials are pushing for federal approval to expand the bridge to 10 lanes, as well as add an eight-lane crossing alongsideat a cost of at least $40 million for both. Were probably a few years behind where we need to be, says Gene Lindgren, chief executive officer of the Laredo Economic Development Corp. But we have a plan to catch up. Laura Curtis Wanted: Robot Wranglers Wearing white protective clothing from head to toe, the trainees gaze through windows at boxes moving along an automated production line. Yellow robotic arms are handling a precious payload of parts for EV batteries, which must be assembled in a sealed environment to keep out dust and humidity. In southwestern France, the workers are preparing for a marquee kind of job these days: supervising robots. After just five weeks of training, Ludovic Josien, who previously spent his career in traditional car factories, has to be ready to intervene when the machines do something wrong. Everything here is really a new world, he says. All the modern protocols have to be learned and taken on board very, very fast. His employer, three-year-old Automotive Cells Co., or ACC, plays a key role in Europes ambitions to challenge China in building EV batteries. Backers include Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Stellantis NV. Josien is learning his trade at what ACC calls a pilot plant, where it develops products and tests manufacturing methods in the town of Nersac. Then, hell head 650 kilometers (400 miles) north, to the companys so-called gigafactory in Douvrin. ACC is hiring two or three people a day as it builds the factorys staff of 2,000, while employees continue training to keep pace with the latest technology. We have to do better than the competition while also moving faster, says Gilles Tardivo, the factorys manager. William Horobin Friends May Also Be Frenemies Just across the border from Detroit, a field of gravel, sand and grass sits idle in Canada. Winds from nearby Lake St. Clair whistle through the site. On this weekday in May, two warehouse-shaped buildings stand with their pillars exposed as a Canadian flag flutters from a crane. Consider this Windsor, Ontario, project a monument to the risks of national industrial policy, which can pit one friendly country against anothereven when theyre united in their desire to manufacture closer to home rather than in China. The plant had been slated to produce batteries for millions of EVs across North America. NextStar Energy Inc.a joint venture of Stellantis, which owns the US brands Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, and South Koreas LG Energy Solutionsaid it would create 2,500 jobs. But NextStar halted the project in May, saying it could get a better aid package from the US. The Canadian and provincial governments had initially offered subsidies worth C$1 billion ($755 million). Afraid of losing an economic prize, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus administration in July upped the offer to C$15 billion, and NextStar accepted. In other words, Stellantis and LG extracted an additional C$14 billion from taxpayers. Not bad for two months of no work. Before the US started offering richer subsidies, the companies and Canada had been fine with a less generous deal, according to Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association in Canada. This negotiating strategy, and the governments response, he says, will become a business case to study. Sam Kim Innovators Need Incubators Tucked in the rolling green hills of County Kerry in western Ireland, a startup is conducting an experiment that could shake up global manufacturing. The company, Wazp, makes hand and face mannequins for Ikea that are used in interior design and retail displays. The Swedish retailer, known for affordable prices, would typically look to low-cost countries such as China for manufacturing. But Wazp can offer Ikea an alternative: 3D printing. A Wazp employee uses the boxy white printer, roughly the size of the office Xeroxes of yore, to make a life-size mesh hand. With a keystroke from a computer, the machine makes one in minutes out of plastic resin, and employees then brush off excess powder as if it were snow from a windshield. For co-founders Shane Hassett and Mariana Kobal, its the next frontier: manufacturing on demand. Hassett and Kobal spent a year at a local university incubator developing a business plan. The Irish government is helping fund the businessuntil, ideally, the company attracts more private capital. Hassett says profitability is within sight. The company has already expanded into making the outsoles of Vivobarefoot shoes. Until recently, 3D printing has been used for making prototypes, not for mass production. Hassett says it wont be long before it supplants labor-intensive factories, bringing manufacturers closer to customers and reducing waste and carbon emissions. As companies look to alternatives to Chinese factories, Hassett sees a booming market. 3D printing has really exploded in the United States and in Europe, he says. Brendan Murray Brexit Offers an Unexpected Boost In a Namibian village, Tueurora Kaatahi grew up in a homestead made of corrugated iron, held together with cow dung and mud paste. Her grandmother sold sugar, maize meal, salt and tobacco out of her house, and her grandfather raised cattle. In September shell complete an unexpected journey: Shell graduate from SOAS University of London with a masters degree in creative and cultural studies, which prepares students for a career in the arts. The first in her family to go to college, Kaatahi benefited from the UKs decision to turn away from Europe. After Brexit, UK universities braced for a devastating decline in foreign enrollment because EU students faced more barriers. So the government liberalized visa requirements for the rest of the world, resulting in a flood of students from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Kaatahi plans to work for five years in London before returning to live in Namibia. I didnt want to go to any country other than the UK, says Kaatahi, 29. You feel connected to the whole world when youre in London. Kaatahi and her non-British classmates are one bright spot for the post-Brexit UK, according to Jonathan Portes, an economics and public policy professor at Kings College London. They contributed 41.9 billion ($51.9 billion) to the UK economy during the 2021-22 school year, up 34% from three years before. We would be in big trouble if we didnt have these international students, Portes says. Bryce Baschuk War Scrambles Supply Chains The maritime traffic never stops cutting through the cobalt-blue Mediterranean waters of Brindisi, a port in southern Italy. Cruises, cargo vessels and, increasingly, ships carrying liquefied natural gas negotiate a tangle of concrete piers packed with cables, cranes and containers. LNG is moving through Brindisi as never before, because the European Union no longer wants to import natural gas from Russia. Before the Ukraine invasion, gas flowed freely from north to south. Now, the direction has reversed. Gas from North Africa and the Middle East is replacing Russias, through pipelines and LNG containers often unloaded on Italys southern coast, in towns such as Brindisi. The EU is helping pay for an expansion of Brindisis port to let more containers come through the dock. A new pipeline, called EastMed-Poseidon, is wending its way from Israel. Italian gas transport company Snam SpA is planning 2.4 billion ($2.7 billion) in investments for a network of pipelines along Italys east coast. Environmental groups are opposing EastMed-Poseidon and the widening of the port because of the potential impact on marine life. Longtime Brindisi residents worry the energy-related construction will damage the beauty of an ancient town of cobblestones and Roman columns. But others are reveling in the citys heightened position in global commerce, as well as growing employment in a relatively poor part of Italy. We are proud of our role and working hard to meet the new challenges and opportunities, says Gabriele Menotti Lippolis, who leads the Confindustria Brindisi business association. Alessandra Migliaccio A Country Hedges Its Bets Each day, some 60 trucks from XPO Inc. board ferries heading across the Strait of Gibraltar. Theyre hauling car parts, clothing and other goods from Africa to Europe. The XPO vehicles rumble through a port near Tangier, the ancient Moroccan city of whitewashed houses and winding streets. The Tanger Med port opened only in 2007 and is already the busiest container port in Africa. At Greenwich, Connecticut-based XPO, annual revenue in Morocco, recently $99 million, has been growing at a 30% a year clip. Its booming business illustrates how the country is ideally positioned to prosper. It doesnt matter whether Europe and the US continue relying on China for manufacturing or instead accelerate a shift of their supply chains closer to home. XPO has long handled freight for US and European companies. Now, two of its largest customers are Chinese auto-component makers. European and American businesses are filling Moroccos rural north with factories. Thousands of Moroccans already work in Renault SA and other auto-assembly plants, and American aircraft giant Boeing Co. has plans to add as many as 8,700 jobs by 2028. The port is expanding its berth space to handle the EV boom. The Chinese and Moroccan governments are planning to transform a rugged landscape of rolling hills and sheep farms a half hours drive inland into what theyre calling Tanger Tech City, a home for hundreds of Chinese companies. Morocco is taking the opportunities from several countriesseveral, lets say, powerful countriesthat want to invest, that want to produce, that want to commercialize from Morocco, says Luis Gomez, XPOs European president. Brendan Murray High-Tech Factories Bring Low-Tech Troubles In the Japanese farm town of Kikuyo, mornings begin with some of the countrys worst traffic jams. Thousands of engineers, many suffering through 90-minute commutes, inch past fields of daikon and carrots. Its the price they pay for working in what will soon become the countrys most advanced semiconductor hub. To regain its former leadership in the industry, Japan is planning to offer $14 billion in subsidies for new factories and production lines. The government is paying half the cost of a new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or TSMC, factory in Kikuyo and is in talks to help fund a second plant nearby. From a US perspective, it helps that these crucial chips will be made outside Taiwan, which China considers its territory. Resentment in Kikuyo is building among residents, undermining political support for the countrys silicon ambitions. More drivers now take side roads to avoid the congestion, speeding down narrow lanes that border the towns farms. TSMC brings nothing but trouble, says Satoru Futa, a longtime member of Kikuyos town council. The 70-year-old blames semiconductor-related traffic for the deaths of three friends. The company says its working with local governments to expand roads and encouraging its employees to take public transportation. Mayumi Negishi India Is Coming For China Before they reach the factory floor where they assemble mobile phones, workers at Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd. walk through an air shower that blows away any dust theyre carrying. For each phone, the plant must put together hundreds of parts, as if they were tiny jigsaw puzzles. It takes about 45 minutes to assemble each shiny new Motorola handset. To reduce Indias reliance on China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is providing financial incentives to promote domestic manufacturers such as Dixon, which operates in Noida, about 40 kilometers from New Delhi. For now, the share of manufacturing in Indias gross domestic product stands at 13%, well below Modis 25% goal. China outperforms India in making sophisticated technologythe so-called value-add that leads consumers to pay more for items such as electronics. Chinese manufacturers value-add is currently 49%, compared with 20% for Indias, the government says. Brand-name companies hire Dixon as a contract manufacturer. Along with Motorola, its phone customers include Samsung Electronics, Nokia, Reliance Jio and Xiaomi. Dixons annual revenue, most recently $1.5 billion, is five times as much as it was five years ago. The factory is running at 100% capacity, says Chief Financial Officer Saurabh Gupta, who adds that India will need more semiconductor capacity to compete with China. The change will be painstakingly slow, he says. Ruchi Bhatia Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Amanda Holden was targeted by Andrew Tate. (PA/Alamy) Amanda Holden fans have rallied round the star with messages of support after Andrew Tate attempted to shame her over a bikini photo. The Britain's Got Talent judge, 52, had posted a holiday snap to Twitter showing her standing under an outdoor shower in a black bikini. But while many fans had praised how stunning she looked in the photo, one cruel comment came from social media influencer Andrew Tate who is currently under house arrest in Romania on sexual exploitation charges. Tate is known for his misogynistic online content and has been charged in Romania for rape and human trafficking. But despite awaiting a court appearance when Holden posted the photo, he found time to comment: "You are a wife and a mother and you're far past a teenager. "There is no need for this post." Charlene White stuck up for Amanda Holden. (ITV) Outraged Holden fans jumped to her defence, including newsreader and Loose Women host Charlene White who tweeted: "Attention-seeking by attempting to troll @AmandaHolden?! Someone ought to take up crochet and stop entering grown-up conversations." Read more: Who is Andrew Tate and why is he so divisive? Barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman also added: "Self proclaimed misogynist, Andrew Tate has been charged with rape & under house arrest but that doesnt stop him taking to Twitter to make sexist jibes about Amanda Holden whilst age & body shaming her. 'The king of toxic masculinity' strikes again." There were plenty of other supportive comments for Holden, with many pointing out the hypocrisy of Tate's post. Amanda Holden and her daughter at the Barbie premiere in London. (Getty Images) One person tweeted: "Youre a father and over 30 and still post pics yourself shirtless you are a hypocrite." Others commented on the disturbing remarks by Tate, with one person writing: "Far past a teenager? Only teenagers should post bikini pics? Yikes Tate, yikes." Story continues Another person added: "I was not aware there was an age limit on bikini wearing." Someone else wrote: "You should stay in your lane Andrew. There is no need for this post." Andrew Tate is facing charges in Romania. (AFP via Getty Images) One person made a jibe about Tate's house arrest, commenting: "I wouldnt pay any attention to him, he hasnt been out the house in a while." Tate and his brother Tristan appeared at the Romanian Court of Appeal in Bucharest today, where they were challenging their house arrests. The decision was made in July to keep the brothers under house arrest for another 30 days, but the Tates are appealing the ruling and will now wait to hear whether they have been successful or not. French rapper Maitre Gims has announced the cancellation of an upcoming concert in Djerba, Tunisia, to protest against the treatment of black African migrants stranded near the border areas with Algeria and Libya. "Children, women, men, expelled from Tunisia to Libya, live in inhuman conditions," the rapper wrote on his Instagram account on Sunday. "I cannot maintain my visit to Tunisia, scheduled for August 11," he added. "I don't know what the solutions are. But this extreme distress is unbearable." Tunisia has become a major gateway for irregular migrants and asylum-seekers attempting the perilous sea voyages in often rickety boats in the hopes of a better life in Europe. The distance between Tunisia's port city of Sfax and Italy's Lampedusa island is only about 130 kilometres. In early July, racial tensions flared following the death of a Tunisian man in a clash between locals and migrants in Sfax. As a result, hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan African countries were evicted. The NGO Human Rights Watch said up to 1,200 Africans were "expelled or forcibly transferred" to remote desert areas. Stuck in the desert Libyan border guards told French news agency AFP that, over the past two weeks, they have rescued hundreds of migrants who said they were left by Tunisian authorities in the border region near Al-Assah, about 150 kilometres west of Tripoli. They noted that there are also women, including some pregnant ones, and children among those displaced. Read more on RFI English Read also: France offers help to Tunisia to curb migrants' arrivals Tunisia and EU sign pact to fight illegal immigration Tunisian president accused of racism towards migrants from sub-Saharan Africa Muse have addressed their decision to change their setlist during a recent concert in Malaysia, after The 1975 were banned from performing in the country again. During a performance at Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur in July, The 1975 frontman Healy, 34, called out the countrys anti-LGBT+ laws and kissed his male bandmate on stage at Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. The Chocolate bands performance was cut short after only around 30 minutes, and the festival was later suspended, with the band banned from ever performing in Malaysia again. Homosexuality is a crime in Malaysia, with LGBT+ people facing severe discrimination where those arrested on the basis of their sexuality face potential imprisonment and corporal punishment. On Saturday (29 July), Muse performed at the countrys Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Ahead of the show, the bands setlist was shared publicly, with fans noting that the song We Are F***ing F***ed from their 2022 EP had been swapped out for 2009 hit Resistance. The band were praised by concert promoter Adam Ashraf of Hello Universe for pulling one song out of the setlist due to the title of the song and showing they were eager to entertain while also respecting the guidelines. However, Healy was more critical. On Instagram Stories, he shared a screenshot from Muses website, asking fans to join the resistance. Healy praised the initial message, branding it sick, before sharing a news story about Muses song swap. ....Oh, he wrote. not matty beefing muse pic.twitter.com/JmOpMqNUP1 Iris // (@irissversion75) July 28, 2023 On Monday (31 July), drummer Dom Howard addressed the set change in a post shared to Instagram. Without referring Healy directly, he explained why the song had been changed. What a tour, Howard wrote. So much thanks and gratitude goes out to everyone that came to see use this summer. Its been epic. Story continues He added: Side note: We chose to play Resistance over WAFF [We Are F***ing F***ed] in Malaysia. A more poignant message given the circumstances. On Resistance, Muse sing: Kill your prayers for love and peace / Youll wake the thought police, with the chorus culminating in the lyrics: Love is our resistance / Theyll keep us apart, and they wont stop breaking us down. Muse on stage in January (Getty Images for iHeartRadio) In footage circulated on social media after their performance in Kuala Lumpur, Healy was seen kissing bassist Ross MacDonald on stage and criticising the Malaysian governments stance against homosexuality to the festival audience. I dont see the f***ing point... of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with, he said. I am sorry if that offends you and youre religious and its part of your f***ing government, but your government are a bunch of f***ing r*****s and I dont care anymore, he added. If you push, I am going to push back. I am not in the f***ing mood, Im not in the f***ing mood. Good Vibes, the organisers of the festival, said in a statement that the bands set was stopped due to non-compliance with local performance guidelines. While figures including Peter Tatchell praised Healys behaviour, campaigners and members of the LGBT+ community in Malaysia expressed concern that he risked sparking a backlash by right-wing politicians in the country. Thilaga Sulathireh, a founder of the LGBTQ+ group Justice for Sisters, warned that Healys actions could lead to repurcussions ahead of the highly contested state elections this month. One can appreciate the meaning of Healys protest, but I think the timing of it may not necessarily benefit folks, he said. Political parties are currently campaigning, and we know LGBT issues are often scapegoated. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was an exercise of its right to self-defense "to deter dangerous military moves of hostile forces and safeguard the security of our state," the country's U.N. envoy told the Security Council on Thursday during a rare appearance. The 15-member Security Council met after North Korea said it tested on Wednesday its latest Hwasong-18 ICBM, adding the weapon is the core of its nuclear strike force. "We categorically reject and condemn the convening of the Security Council briefing by the United States and its followers," North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Kim Song told the council. North Korea last spoke at a council meeting on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in December 2017, diplomats said. North Korea - formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) - has been under U.N. sanctions for its missile and nuclear programs since 2006. This includes a ban on the development of ballistic missiles. In a separate statement on Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, "strongly denounced" the U.N. meeting as unfair and biased, blaming the United States for escalating tensions in the region. "The price the U.S. would have to pay for provoking us won't be light," Kim said, vowing to push for the "most overwhelming" nuclear deterrence until Washington drops what she called its hostile policy against Pyongyang. For the past several years the council has been divided over how to deal with Pyongyang. Russia and China, veto powers along with the United States, Britain and France, have said more sanctions will not help and want such measures to be eased. China and Russia blame joint military drills by the United States and South Korea for provoking Pyongyang, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of emboldening North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions. Story continues "Russia and China have prevented this council from speaking with one voice. And with these repeated launches, Pyongyang is demonstrating it feels emboldened," Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, told the council. CHINA SLAMS NATO DeLaurentis said the U.S. was committed to diplomacy and "publicly and privately and at senior levels we have repeatedly urged the DPRK to engage in dialogue." He said Washington had made clear there were no preconditions for engagement and it would "discuss any topic of concern to Pyongyang." "The DPRK has not responded to our offers," he said. China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told the council that Beijing was committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the settlement of the issue through dialogue. He described the situation as "tense" and said it was getting "ever more confrontational." China has "taken note" of North Korea's latest missile launch, Zhang said. "The Cold War has long since ended, but the specter of the Cold War mentality lingers. It has not only rendered the Peninsula issue intractable, but also intensified antagonism and conflict around the world," he said. He went on to slam a communique by NATO leaders this week, telling the council it was as "long-winded as it was harping the same old tunes filled with Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices." Zhang said NATO should do some "soul-searching." NATO leaders in the communique said China challenged NATO's interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies." "China does not cause trouble, nor does it fear trouble," Zhang said. "We stand ready to respond firmly and forcefully to any act that violates China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, undermine China's development and security interests and breach the peace and stability in China's neighborhood." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul; Editing by Mark Porter, Deepa Babington, William Maclean) SWNS A first-time mum captured the heartwarming reaction of her brother when he realised she named her newborn son after him. Izzy London, 25, gave birth to little Jett Kaden London, seven weeks old, on June 20, 2023, and decided to use her brother's first name as Jett's middle name. Her brother, Kaden London, 29, was filmed visiting Izzy and his newborn nephew in - just hours after baby Jett arrived. The footage shows Kaden struggling to hold back tears as he reads Jett's full name for the first time - on a sign on his crib. Izzy says she had the idea of naming Jett after her brother from the moment she told him she was pregnant. Izzy, a construction estimator, from Ogden, Utah, US, said: "When I told my brother that I was pregnant his reaction was so special that it was in the back of mind. "And then a month before Jett was born, I decided to name his middle name Kaden as I knew I was having a boy. "I had a couple of middle name ideas but that was always my number one throughout. "He said that it means so much to him, but he can't think about because then it makes him emotional. "When I told the rest of my family, they were so excited and thought it was so special for my brother." Kaden said: "I was truly at a loss for words when I saw that he was named after me - I felt honoured to say the least. "It means the world to me that Izzy would use my name. "For her to think highly enough of me to name her baby after me is the best gift a brother could ask for. "I have the fun responsibilities, I get to be involved because Izzy and Jett allow me to be. "That means doing all the fun things an uncle gets to do with his nieces or nephews and Im honoured to be able to be along for the ride with them." Izzy says Kaden is "motivated and not afraid to show he cares" and says she just "had" to name Jett after him. She said: "He is very motivated and when he's got big projects to do, he gets them done and does an amazing job and that's why he'll be able to teach Jett a lot. "My brother is also not afraid to show that he cares, which is really amazing as most men don't show that. "My brother will be a strong male influence for my son. "The way that he was the whole time I was pregnant, it just confirmed to me that I had to name his middle name after him. "He even said when I first told him I was pregnant that he had the responsibility to take over that role." The British government on Tuesday officially acknowledged that the Islamic State group committed "acts of genocide" against the Yazidi people in 2014. The Yazidis -- whose pre-Islamic religion made them the target of IS extremists -- were subjected to massacres, forced marriages and sex slavery during the jihadists' 2014-15 rule in the northern Iraq province of Sinjar, the Yazidis' traditional home. The UK foreign office made the announcement ahead of events to mark "the nine year anniversary of atrocities" committed by the Islamic State against the Kurdish-speaking Yazidi minority in Iraq. "The UK has today formally acknowledged that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people by Daesh in 2014," the statement said, using another name for IS. So far, the UK has acknowledged only four other instances where genocide has occurred, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica, and acts of genocide in Cambodia. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," UK's Middle East minister Tariq Ahmad said in the statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated," he added. Murad Ismael, co-founder of global Yazidi organisation Yazda, hailed the UK recognition as an "important step". Activists hailed the court ruling as a "historic" win. (AFP) Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Turkish drone strike kills several Yazidi fighters in Iraq Returning to Sinjar: In Iraq, displaced Yazidis struggle to go home Thousands in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon protest Koran desecration in Sweden Earlier this year, Sidya Sompare, 20, a Guinean man who had attempted to claim asylum in Latvia, tried to end his life in a Latvian detention centre by drinking shampoo in his toilet stall. Having fled Guinea in the wake of threats against his safety due to his participation in anti-government protests, Sompare arrived in Belarus in September 2021 on a quest to find a secure life in Europe, before spending six months in the forested border zone between the country and Latvia. There, in addition to being pushed back and forth across the border by authorities in both countries, he alleges he was severely beaten, verbally abused, and given barely any food for days on end by Latvian border guards. Sompare then spent eight months in the closed detention center after he lost his passport in the woods and his asylum efforts were denied. When Sompare was found on the floor of his toilet stall after his suicide attempt, detention center authorities promptly took him to a hospital. Im not sick, Im alright, he recalled saying to a doctor during an interview with Euronews. Just I need to be free. He was finally released from detention in April with the help of Doctors Without Borders, an NGO, and a local Latvian human rights group. But Sompare didnt stop there having previously filed two unsuccessful complaints against the Latvian state last year for his detention and the dehumanizing treatment he experienced in the forest along the border, he has taken his fight to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), where his case was formally registered on July 5. Beatings and electric shocks Sompare is not alone in turning to legal pathways to seek justice for ill-treatment by Latvian border authorities during the migrant crisis along the Belarusian border. As allegations of torture and ill-treatment by Latvian authorities have continued to emerge since last year, an increasing number of migrants and refugees who say they have experienced life-altering trauma at the hands of Latvian security forces have been mounting court challenges against them over the last few months, aiming to hold their former tormentors and the Latvian state accountable. Story continues These cases, which are mostly taking place at the national level with the exception of Sompares, represent some of the first legal efforts in Latvia since the start of the border crisis in 2021 that are specifically focused on the harrowing abuse that border authorities have allegedly inflicted on people crossing the border. All the Latvian institutions, even the ombudsperson of Latvia, they deny that Latvia did anything illegal with those migrants, said Nikita Matyushchenkov, a human rights lawyer at Respect, Protect, Fulfill (RPF), the legal organisation that helped Sompare file his ECHR case. So these will be very important judgements. In addition to challenging ongoing deportation procedures against him, Sompares ECHR case is focused on the ill-treatment he received in Latvian custody in the forests of the border area, which he and RPF claim was illegal. RPF has also filed three cases at the national level in Latvia, two in March and one in June of this year, on behalf of individuals who claim they were abused by Latvian border authorities between August 2021 and March 2022. But these may not be the only cases that will be brought to bear against the Latvian state Matyushchenkov said that RPF has identified up to 100 people who were abused in one way or another by Latvian border guards while in the forest in the border area. Some of Matyushchenkovs clients have told him that they were beaten with electric shock devices claims that are consistent with findings documented in 2022 in an Amnesty International report on Latvias border. In another report published this month, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment stated that it had received several claims of severe ill-treatment from people who were detained after crossing into Latvia, again recounting beatings and electric shocks to areas of the body including the genitals. 'I got sick physically and mentally' The ongoing migrant border crisis has, according to European states, been manufactured by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, whose government has incentivised people from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia to journey to Belarus before forcing them to cross the borders of Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia illegally as a means of putting pressure on the European Union. After establishing a state of emergency along its border in August 2021, Latvia adopted new amendments to its border laws in June of this year that have been denounced by Amnesty International, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UNHCR as legalising internationally-condemned pushbacks. Crucially, these amendments have also enshrined into law the State Border Guards broadly defined use of force to prevent illegal entry into Latvia. Although Poland and Lithuania have both faced accusations of ill-treatment of migrants as well, Matyushchenkov said that Latvia has been much more extreme in its abuse of people crossing its border. In one particularly gruesome case that has previously been reported in international media, Abdulrahman Kiwan, a humanitarian worker who fled Syria following pressure from the government of Bashar al-Assad, has alleged that he not only received electric shocks from Latvian guards, but that they extinguished cigarettes in the places where he had previously been injured. Now, Kiwan said he is in touch with a Latvian human rights group about filing his own complaint against the Latvian state and if it fails, he is also ready to escalate his efforts to the ECHR with the help of legal NGOs. I got sick physically and mentally because of them, Kiwan, 28, who is now based in Germany, said of the Latvian border authorities. I want my voice to reach the world and other migrants, that the Latvian Border Guards are liars and are extremely racist. A Latvian human rights group is currently working on preparing a complaint for another refugee based in Germany, Hadi, 26, from Yemen, who told Euronews that Latvian guards beat him, violently struck him in the head, and shocked him with an electric baton. In addition to seeking compensation for crimes committed against him, Hadi, who requested to use an alias due to his ongoing asylum case in Germany, also wants his experience to be a cautionary tale. Legally, I want this complaint [to ensure] that no human being will be harmed after me, he told Euronews. 'The government is scared of me' Although Matyushchenkov said the chances of success for migrant cases like these at the ECHR may be significant, the same cannot be said for complaints within the Latvian system. From the way it was investigated at the national level, it seems like the authorities are not willing to investigate such complaints properly, he said, referencing Sompares initial complaint procedure. In the response to his complaint, they identified a person who allegedly beat the complainant, and they interviewed that person. That security official said he didnt beat this person, and this was basically the end of the investigation. The Latvian government, including the Latvian State Border Guard, have previously denied any claims of abuse and torture from migrants. As of the writing of this article however, the Latvian State Border Guard, together with the countrys Internal Security Bureau and Prosecution Office which handle legal complaints from people crossing the border, were unavailable for comment. Sompare, who is currently living in Latvias capital Riga, has no plans to leave Latvia anytime soon. As he fights his still ongoing deportation procedure and the traumatic abuse he suffered in the country, he can feel he is already making an impact. Something is going to change in Latvia, he said. Right now for sure the government is scared of me. Despite being severely disappointed in Europes capacity to help desperate people like himself, Sompare said he wants to continue his university studies after he wins his case, and hopes to find work at a human rights organization for refugees in Latvia. Until then however, he understands that he is fighting an uphill battle not only to save himself, but also many other asylum seekers who are in the same situation. I want to be an example for the people [to whom] the Latvian government did something illegal, Sompare said. The things that I started, I will finish them in Latvia. South Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong speaks while meeting with South Korean correspondents in Washington on July 31. Yonhap The upcoming three-way summit between the leaders of Korea, Japan and the United States will highlight strong cooperation between the three countries with a chance to further strengthen their relationships, Korea's ambassador to the U.S. said Monday. Amb. Cho Hyun-dong also noted that the venue for the proposed summit underscores the emphasis U.S. President Joe Biden places on the trilateral cooperation. The White House earlier announced that President Biden will host his Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David on Aug. 18. "It will be first summit meeting to be held at Camp David since President Joe Biden took office," Cho said while meeting with reporters in Washington. "This shows how much President Biden thinks of his relationship with our president, U.S.-Korea relations and trilateral relations between Korea, the U.S. and Japan," the Korean diplomat added. Yoon and Kishida will be the first foreign leaders to visit the U.S. presidential retreat since 2015, the White House said earlier. Cho underscored that the upcoming summit will also be the first "stand alone" trilateral summit, as the three leaders had only met on the margins of other international or regional gatherings in the past. The Korean ambassador explained that Seoul has been playing a leading role in improving trilateral relations. "We were able to upgrade Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation to the next level due to our efforts," he said. "We plan to do our best to make sure the first standalone Korea-U.S.-Japan summit meeting will be held without any problem." The ambassador also hailed the launch of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul on July 18. "Korea and the U.S. have been working to implement the Washington Declaration and as an important outcome of such efforts, the NCG was launched," he said. "The countries established the structural and procedural foundation for their first permanent consultative body on nuclear-related issues and discussed key issues such as consultation process in case of a crisis," added Cho. (Yonhap) The United States is "deeply concerned" by the decision from Myanmar's ruling junta to extend the country's state of emergency for six months, a State Department spokesman said Monday. The extension, announced earlier in the day, spelled a delay for elections the military had pledged to hold in August as it battles anti-coup fighters across the country. "The United States is deeply concerned by the Burma military regime's extension of the state of emergency, which comes as the regime plunges the country deeper into violence and instability," said spokesman Matthew Miller, using an alternate name for the country. The Southeast Asian country has been ravaged by deadly violence since a coup deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government more than two years ago, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent that has sparked fighting across swathes of the nation while tanking the economy. "Since overthrowing a democratically elected government two and a half years ago, the military regime has carried out hundreds of airstrikes, burned down tens of thousands of homes, and displaced more than 1.6 million people," Miller said. "The regime's widespread brutality and disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma continue to prolong the crisis," he added. "The United States will continue to work with our partners and allies to apply political and economic tools to hold the regime accountable." Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Myanmar junta dissolves Aung San Suu Kyi's political party UN expert says Myanmar has imported $1 billion in arms since 2021 coup Myanmar's Suu Kyi moved from prison to govt 'compound', says party official Mourners offer prayers for victims of Sunday's suicide bomb attack at a burial service in northwest Pakistan (Abdul MAJEED) The leader of an influential Pakistan political party called Tuesday for better state-provided security after an Islamic State suicide bomber killed 54 people -- almost half of them children -- at an election gathering. Around 400 members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party -- a key government coalition partner -- were meeting Sunday when a bomber detonated a vest packed with explosives and ball bearings. JUI-F's leader, firebrand cleric Fazl-ur-Rehman, questioned how such a "significant intelligence failure" could have occurred. "The entire nation is turning to the state institutions responsible for its security," he said in a statement posted to Twitter. "Where are they? When will they listen to us? When will they heal our wounds? When will they establish a system that safeguards our future generations?" Rehman said Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam was a peaceful party, "but even patience and endurance have their limits". "Nonetheless, I urge my supporters not to abandon patience and endurance," he said. Rehman started political life as a firebrand Islamist hardliner, and while his party continues to advocate for socially conservative policies, he has more recently forged alliances with secular rivals. In the past, he has also helped facilitate talks between the government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an IS rival that has since 2007 waged a bloody campaign of bombings and other attacks across the country. - Rising militancy - Sunday's attack occurred in the town of Khar, 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the Afghan border, in an area where militancy has been rising since the Afghan Taliban -- who are allied with but distinct from the TTP -- took control of Kabul in 2021. The blast has raised fears Pakistan could be in for a bloody election period following months of political chaos prompted by the ousting of Imran Khan as prime minister in April last year. Parliament is likely to be dissolved after it completes its term in the next two weeks, with national elections to be held by mid-November. Story continues Last year, IS said it was behind attacks against religious scholars affiliated with JUI-F, which has a huge network of mosques and schools in the north and west of Pakistan. IS accuses the JUI-F of hypocrisy for being a religious party while supporting secular governments and the military. While Rehman's party never musters more than a dozen or so seats in parliament, it can be crucial in any coalition and his ability to mobilise tens of thousands of religious school students grants him additional clout. Violence has been rising across Pakistan in recent months. In January, a suicide bomber linked to Pakistan's Taliban blew himself up in a mosque inside a police compound in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 80 officers. Militant assaults have focused on regions abutting Afghanistan, and Islamabad alleges some are being planned on Afghan soil -- a charge Kabul denies. zz-ecl-fox/aha HA NOI Rice export prices of Viet Nam have reached their highest in 12 years after a series of countries restricted rice exports. The price of Viet Nam's 5 per cent broken rice has increased to US$550-575 per tonne, the highest since 2011. Early last week, it was just $515-525 per tonne. According to domestic traders, the reason for the higher export price of rice is due to many businesses purchasing rice from other countries after India's ban on exporting rice, followed by similar moves from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia. At present, China, the Philippines and Indonesia are stepping up imports of Vietnamese rice. Meanwhile, many international traders believe that the price of rice for export in Asia, especially from Thailand and Viet Nam, can increase to up to $600 per tonne, or even to $700 per tonne for high-quality rice. Viet Nams average rice export price for the first six months of 2023 reached $539 per tonne, a 10.2 per cent increase over the same period in the previous year, according to the General Department of Customs. A trader in HCM City said that exporters expect prices of the grain to rise further after India's move to restrict rice exports. Duong uc Quang, deputy general director of the Commodity Exchange of Viet Nam (MXV), said that with concerns about a serious drop in supply due to the impact of El Nino, the rice prices are predicted to increase by years end. In the worst-case scenario, if El Nino continues to cause damage to the second rice crop of the year in Asian countries, high prices will increase by 15-20 per cent, Quang said. Meanwhile, Thailands 5 per cent broken rice prices also increased to $605-610 per tonne on July 27, the highest in the last 11 years. On July 20, India issued a ban on rice exports, aiming to ensure adequate domestic availability at reasonable prices. The ban pushed its prices to $445-450 per tonne - a record high in the last five years and a half. On July 28, the UAE announced it will stop exporting rice for four months. This regulation took effect immediately for all types of rice. The UAE also banned the re-export of rice imported from India after July 20. The next day, the Russian government also issued a notice saying that it is banning the export of raw and processed rice until December 31 to maintain stability in the domestic market. Russia grows rice mainly in the southwestern regions of the country, near the borders with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan. According to the Viet Nam Food Association, rice prices in the domestic market have also increased sharply. For example, the price of 5 per cent broken rice is VN12,500 ($0.53) per kilo. The average price is VN12,304 per kilo, an increase of VN754 year-on-year. On July 31, Viet Nam's Ministry of Industry and Trade said that India will continue to ban the export of de-oiled rice bran extraction, effective from July 28 until November 30, after having a ban on the export of non-basmati white rice, effective from July 20. According to the Viet Nam Trade Office in India, this decision was due to the significant increase in the prices of milk and dairy products as well as animal feed in India. De-oiled rice bran extraction is a major ingredient in livestock, poultry and fish feed. Viet Namese enterprises import large volumes of Indian de-oiled rice bran extraction for animal feed processing as it's cheaper than Viet Namese rice bran. In the first five months of the year, India exported 288,000 tonnes of de-oiled rice bran extraction, down 21.54 per cent over the same period of last year. Of which, about 155,900 tonnes were exported from India to Viet Nam, accounting for 54.13 per cent of India's total exports. The Viet Nam Trade Office in India said that India's ban on exporting rice bran extraction is effective immediately and will affect export contracts of this commodity that are not yet delivered. Viet Nam imports a large amount of this product from India, so Vietnamese importers may face many risks. Vietnamese firms need to quickly work with partners in India to see the status of goods and solve problems based on the signed contracts. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also reported that in the first five months of the year, Viet Nam imported a total of 367,500 tonnes of rice from India, up 31.76 per cent over the same period, ranking eighth among Indian rice importing countries. VNS HA NOI Vietjet, the Vietnamese airline, carried out an emergency landing at Darwin airport in Australia to aid a passenger who experienced health issues aboard flight VJ083 from HCM City to Brisbane on Monday. The flight crew acted swiftly to provide in-flight emergency medical care to the Australian passenger, who was born in 1954. The pilot then made the decision to divert the aircraft to Darwin in order to ensure the passenger received immediate medical assistance. Upon landing at Darwin airport at 6.30pm (local time), after a flight duration of four hours and 40 minutes, the passenger was transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment. The crew and airline staff collaborated closely with airport and medical authorities to guarantee the passenger received the necessary care and attention. The passenger's health condition stabilised after receiving medical assistance, and his family sent deep thanks to the crew. Following refueling in Darwin, the flight resumed its journey to Brisbane, ultimately landing safely at 9.55pm (local time). Reflecting on the decision to divert the flight, the captain expressed his emotion. He said: "In my tens of thousands of flight hours as a captain, I am continually filled with emotions when my decision can provide timely support to passengers. My colleagues and I always strive to serve passengers to the best of our abilities and prioritise their safety and well-being." Vietjet has consistently demonstrated a commitment to conducting emergency landings to assist passengers in need, regardless of the potential costs and disruptions associated with such decisions. The airline maintains a steadfast dedication to passenger safety and well-being as its utmost priority. VNS HUE Autumn and Winter festivals' programmes at the Hue Festival 2023 have been planned with many activities that are expected to lure both local and foreign visitors. Speaking at an event on July 26, Nguyen Thanh Binh, permanent vice chairman of Thua Thien Hue Province People's Council, announced that 20 main events would be around the city during these festivals. The Autumn Festival, from July to September, will have 12 events including a fine arts exhibition, an ao dai (traditional long dress) festival, traditional boat racing on the Huong River, and a photography competition. The Winter Festival will be from October to December with eight key events. Among them, Healthcare Tourism Week and an international music festival are the focuses. Tourists to the former royal city also have chances to enjoy a music performance, a heritage painting contest, and a programme of "Winter Tales of Hue". The Hue Festival 2023 is designed as a four-season festival in order to organise a series of festive activities throughout the year, promoting the unique values of Hue and Vietnamese culture, and showing scenic spots, spiritual tourism and local cultural activities to lure tourists. Vice chairman Binh said Hue Festival 2023 would be professionally organised with the joint participation of local authorities, residents, businesses and organisations. He added that the Hue Festival has made a good impression with the public and visitors for years. It has step by step converted Hue into a city synonymous with festivities. The Hue Festival 2023 organisers also signed a VN1 billion (US$42,100) sponsorship contract with the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on July 26. VNS HA NOI The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is ready to help the Vietnamese Government accelerate the goal of eliminating the people trafficking in Viet Nam, IOM Chief of Mission Park Mihyung told the Vietnam News Agency on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and the National Day Against Human Trafficking (July 30). How have you seen Viet Nam in combat human trafficking over the last few years, given the TIP law was enacted since 2011? In the last few years, Viet Nam has been making serious efforts to take action against human trafficking, create a transparent migration environment and protect the legal rights and interests of migrants. One example is the implementation of the National Human Trafficking Prevention and Control Programme for 2021-2025, with a vision for 2030, which includes new solutions and tasks to prevent and fight human trafficking in all areas. What is encouraging for me is how Viet Nam has heightened attention towards investigating and identifying various forms of trafficking. The Government has also paid close attention to disaggregate data on trafficking in persons to provide a better understanding of how serious this situation is in the country. In recent years, the definition of human trafficking has been expanded, as the crime is not only about sexual exploitation and forced marriage but also about domestic trafficking and forced labour. I also know that Viet Nam has paid close attention to tackling foetus trafficking as well. In the past, we used to think that human trafficking only involved moving, travelling, or transporting a person across state or national borders. However, human trafficking can occur within the borders of any country, including Viet Nam. Victims of human trafficking can be recruited and trafficked in their hometowns, even within their own homes. Also, we tend to believe that contracted migrant workers face no risk. But Vietnamese contracted workers can be vulnerable to labour exploitation. Therefore, the Law on Contract-Based Vietnamese Overseas Workers (or Law 69) which came into effect from 1st January 2022, plays a pivotal role in better ensuring the protection of Vietnamese migrant workers and their rights, promising more practices for fair recruitment and creation of a safe migration environment. The Vietnamese Government has also dedicated itself to streamlining inter-agency coordination and referrals through standardised procedures. One example is the initiative undertaken by the MOLISA, which enabled the Inter-ministerial Coordination Regulation on Reception, Protection, and Support for Trafficked Victims that came into force in August 2022, applicable to the four Line Ministries of MFA, MPS, MOLISA, and MND. The increased identification and assistance to Victims of Trafficking (VoTs) has been shown through the significant number of VoTs assisted in 2022. I was very proud of IOMs recent effort to collaborate with the Border Guard and the Ministry of Public Security to identify and prosecute the traffickers of human trafficking cases and provide protection for the victims of forced labor on fishing boats. Could you please provide some of the collaboration between IOM and the Government of Viet Nam to combat this crime? In Viet Nam, as a leading UN agency for migration, IOM has been working closely with government agencies, civil society, private sectors, and migrants to find solutions to migration issues, provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, and promote cooperation in dealing with migration-related challenges. To support Viet Nam's commitment under the Human Trafficking Prevention and Control Programme for 2021-2025, with orientations toward 2030, under the support of the UK Home Office, IOM has collaborated with both Government agencies and local actors to realize their potential to reduce individual and community vulnerabilities to human trafficking through behavior change communication, strengthened access to justice and victim-centered rehabilitation and reintegration support. Between 2018 and 2022, the project capacitated more than 1,700 counter-trafficking actors, raised the awareness of over 2.93 million people about human trafficking prevention and safe migration, and helped 1,680 people gain access to local employment opportunities and common labour migration pathways. IOM is proud of our work on improving access of low-skilled workers to essential skills such as digital, soft, job application, and entrepreneurship skills, helping their employment transformation in a digital working environment while boosting their adaptation and resilience to change. For this initiative, IOM, in partnership with the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, the General Directorate of Vocational Training, and Microsoft, has developed and promoted the e-learning platform congdanso.edu.vn. After nearly two years, the e-learning platform has benefitted over 13,000 Vietnamese learners (approximately 51 per cent women), especially internal migrant workers. We also work on advocating for ethical recruitment to ensure the rights of labor migrants, improving the health of migrants, and areas related to climate induced migration. Soon, we hope to assist Viet Nam to enhance a database on trafficking in persons and international migration. At the same time, we work with our government counterparts to improve the migration governance legal framework towards aligning with international standards, contributing to promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration. At the same time, IOM supported the capacity building of law enforcement agencies at central and provincial levels in the fight against human trafficking and people smuggling and provided reintegration support to the provinces and ministries, and increased expertise, resources, and personnel to roll out and implement these legal policies related to supporting human trafficking victims. For example, through IOMs Training for Frontline Border Guards in Border Areas of Viet Nam project, funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States Department of State, a Training Curriculum on Counter-Trafficking and Victim Protection for frontline Border Guard officers was developed. It received the endorsement of the Ministry of Defence and was used in training for 436 frontline officers in 12 border provinces, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat trafficking effectively. IOM has also provided technical assistance to the Department of Social Vices Prevention and Combat of MOLISA to roll out a standardised screening and referral process to enhance victim identification and strengthen inter-sectoral coordination at the central and local levels to enable statutory protection of victims. The reintegration handbook and toolkit developed with IOMs technical assistance were able to help improve local officers capacities in exploring more community-based reintegration support models to reach more victims while maximizing available resources. There are a lot of discussions around revising the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control to adapt to new tactics of traffickers and to enhance the effectiveness of human trafficking prevention and control. What do you think about this issue? Does IOM have some recommendations for Viet Nam to make the law more effective and protect more people? After 10 years of implementing the Law on Trafficking in Persons Prevention and Combat (or TIP Law), it is the right time for reviewing and amending the law. This is an essential step to ensure Viet Nam is equipped to respond to emerging trends and risks of trafficking in persons, which disproportionately affect everybody, including men, women, elders, boys and girls. Effectively addressing human trafficking requires up-to-date and reliable data to empirically ground policy, programs, and support for the victims. Therefore, the law revision should look at institutionalising establishment of a centralised trafficking database that also includes victims data and their support needs. In this regard, IOM stands ready to support Viet Nam to be able to collect, update, analyse, and use such data to inform its work. Human trafficking is a complex issue, and it evolves quickly. Therefore, it is crucial for the counter-trafficking community to find an innovative way to identify emerging trends, especially crimes that happen in cyberspace, provide comprehensive support to the victims, and seeks timely and viable solution to meet the new evolving challenges of human trafficking. The participation of the private sector in the fight against TiP needs to be encouraged. As such, enhancing engagement of the private sector and advocating for them to adopt responsible business practices and supply change transparency will help prevent accidental involvement in human trafficking as well as utilise their contribution to the victim support. It is time to bring the tech companies and owners of social media channels to the table. More joint conversations between the Government, international organisations, the technology sector, civil society, and law enforcement are critical to detect traffickers evolved tactics and develop innovative solutions to tackle the issue. On the other hand, we need to increase the penalties for trafficking offenses, especially traffickers in cyberspace, to deter traffickers from crime and send a strong message that this is a serious crime and must be stopped. To do so, we must strengthen mechanisms to effectively investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers, including specialised training for law enforcement officials and prosecutors dealing with trafficking cases and ensuring coherent implementation and enforcement at central and local levels. The revision of the law should also look at enhancing policies to support and level of assistance to VoTs to help them sustainably integrate into the community and build up a better life. We also recommend Viet Nam to standardised victim screening form that aligns with the international one. We hope to continue cooperating closely with MOLISA, MPS, and the Border Guards in this field and hope these efforts will bring good results soon. The fight against trafficking in person is not the sole responsibility of any agency. Therefore, we need to improve legal frameworks to foster interagency cooperation, expedited and inclusive processes involving consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including non-profit, civil society organisations, and the VoTs, to identify potential challenges in identifying and assisting VoTs. Most importantly, we must listen to the victims, hear their stories. With all of those objectives in mind, IOM stands ready to support the Government of Viet Nam and other partners to accelerate the goal of eliminating the trafficking of persons in Viet Nam. VNS SINGAPORE The Viet Nam-Singapore relationship is now at its prime with deep political trust, close economic and investment cooperation, and strong people-to-people exchange, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung has said. In an interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (August 1, 1973-2023), the diplomat said since 2020, Singapore has always been among the biggest foreign investors in Viet Nam with a stable two-way trade despite the global political-economic troubles. The two countries have also regularly facilitated the exchange of high-ranking delegations and signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement to pave the way for specific cooperation programmes. They have been working effectively together in new security fields, such as cyber security and trans-border crime prevention, toward stepping up collaboration in pillar and promising areas such as green economy, digital economy, digital transformation, and cyber security. Since the second half of last year, the two Governments and foreign ministries have held activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between the two nations, which draw the attention of the public and businesses. Apart from visits by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in February and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong later this year, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in July and Singaporean Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng in July, a number of activities are also scheduled, including the Spotlight Vietnam to be held by Singapores Global Cultural Alliance in Ha Noi and HCM City City in October with about 200 Singaporean entrepreneurs and athletes expected to take part, and the Viet Nam Night held by the Singapore Book Council under the auspices of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese community in Singapore. The Vietnamese embassy plans to work with relevant agencies to popularise Vietnamese goods and tourism in the island state. Commenting on the potential joint work at multilateral forums, Dung said both Viet Nam and Singapore are members of various multilateral mechanisms, particularly those within the framework of the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Both countries basically share the same stance on international issues and work towards building regional and global order in accordance with international law and global standards. He suggested that the two nations should affirm the supreme role of international law in building regional and international order. Every action of nations in international relations must comply with the basic principles and provisions of international law. They should also strive to ensure the unity and centrality of ASEAN in regional security issues, as well as contribute to shaping multilateral economic cooperation mechanisms, especially new multilateral agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), based on openness and inclusiveness, for the sake of peace, stability and mutual benefits, he said. In order to further deepen bilateral ties, Ambassador Dung said he hopes that the two countries will focus on concrete tasks, such as effectively continuing to carry out existing mechanisms, especially the annual political consultation to discuss global and bilateral issues where differences still exist, thus avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings. Besides fields of strength and shared vision, he proposed bolstering cooperation in green economy and digital economy, materialising the Memorandum of Understanding on the Green-Digital Economic Partnership reached during PM Pham Minh Chinh visit to Singapore earlier this year, and joint work in sci-tech and renewable energy. In politics, he suggested focusing on cooperation in human resources training and administrative reform in a modern and effective manner, and coordinating stances on regional and global issues, especially those directly impacting Viet Nam and Singapore. In national defence-security, he called for sharing information on cyber and transnational crimes, conducting pilot studies on sharing basic citizen data to facilitate the movement of citizens of both countries and ensure national security. Further attention should be also paid to people-to-people exchanges to raise mutual understanding of each other. At present, there are about 20,000 Vietnamese living, studying and working in Singapore, half of them students. Over the past years, they have served as a bridge to popularise the Vietnamese culture and further reinforce ties between the two nations, the diplomat said. VNS On the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam-United Arab Emirates (UAE) diplomatic ties (August 1, 1993-2023) and the official start of negotiations on the Viet Nam-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), UAE Ambassador to Viet Nam, Bader Almatrooshi, grants an interview to the Vietnam News Agency on the development of bilateral and prospects of the relations in the new period. Could you please share some outstanding cooperative achievements between the two countries over the past three decades? I want to seize this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to the leaderships both in UAE and Viet Nam on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. It is definitely an important occasion as we are celebrating many achievements. The UAE is the biggest trade partner to Viet Nam in the Middle East with non-oil trade balance of US$8.7 billion recorded last year. In addition to that, both countries held the first round of negotiating the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which makes the UAE the first Arab country to negotiate and hopefully sign this agreement soon. Another achievement is holding a business forum last month which was attended by 80 companies from both countries. The relations were complemented this year by the visit of Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE along with other officials from public and private sectors. Also three Ministers made official visits, including the visit of UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE Thani Al Zeyoudi to Viet, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien to the UAE. The UAE believes in the potentiality of relations growth and one out of many steps being taken is the opening of a representative office of Dubai Chamber in HCM city on the 20th of July. Another important development is the growing partnership between Dubai-based Passport Logistics Programme and many Vietnamese entities and companies that aim at expanding and enhancing logistics experience worldwide. What are the promising areas of cooperation between the two countries and the plans to expand those areas? There is definitely a vast space to expand trade exchange, especially with the qualifications the two countries possess. The ongoing efforts by the two governments and the private sector would contribute to increasing the numbers. In addition, many companies on different levels are exploring expanding their investments or starting new ones in the two countries, which reflects the trust and commitment to economic relations. Energy in general and renewables, in particular, is one of the sectors that both countries believe important. The UAE also gives a big attention to food security and, therefore, a number of leading UAE companies in this field are exploring different options for collaboration. While UAE logistics companies do exist in Viet Nam, such as Emirates Airlines and Dubai Ports World, there is a space to expand further especially knowing that logistics would contribute to the overall trade potentiality. As the UAE prepares for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), the participation of Viet Nam will mark another important development in the relations as we expect high level and active private sector engagement. Innovation and knowledge exchange is an important aspect that the two countries are taking steps to solidify. Furthermore, culture and people to people connection is of high attention by the governments and, therefore, there are plans to host cultural activities in both countries. VNS Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, left, shakes hands with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani before their talks in Rome, July 31, in this photo provided by the ministry. Yonhap The top diplomats of Korea and Italy held consultations to reaffirm their shared commitment for cooperation in the multilateral stage and discuss cooperation in other areas of mutual concern, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. In the meeting held in Rome the previous day (local time), Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, agreed on the need to closely cooperate within the multilateral frameworks, including in the United Nations and the Group of 20 (G20) meetings. Park said Korea will continue to cooperate with the Group of Seven (G7) countries to tackle pending global issues as Italy is set to host the G7 summit next year. Park and Tajani agreed to further deepen their bilateral ties as the two countries mark their 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, the ministry said. They also agreed to engage in fair and friendly competition in the bid to host the 2030 World Expo. Korea's southeastern city of Busan is bidding to host the Expo in competition against Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy. The two sides further discussed bilateral cooperation in economic security, space, defense and semiconductors. Park also held a roundtable discussion with security experts at Luiss University in Rome and delivered a keynote speech on Korea's vision to become a "global pivotal state," according to the ministry. (Yonhap) Hanoi (VNA) - Economic cooperation has always been a crucial pillar and bright spot in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Manh Tuan told the Vietnam News Agency. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (August 1, 1993-2023), the diplomat said that the UAE has identified the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as one of the three priority pillars in economic cooperation with Viet Nam until 2030. The two countries officially kicked off the negotiations on the agreement in April this year and pledged to sign the trade pact as soon as possible. Once signed, it will be the largest and most comprehensive agreement, and a major milestone in the cooperative relationship between Viet Nam and the UAE, opening a new phase in strategic trade and investment cooperation between the two nations. CEPA is expected to elevate bilateral relations and economic collaboration in particular in a practical and comprehensive manner, helping Vietnam expand the export of goods and services to the UAE, and creating a premise for Viet Nam to strengthen trade and service relations with Middle East and African countries. It will also promote the UAEs investment in Vietnam and expand cooperation opportunities to potential fields such as innovation, renewable energy, investment, logistics, technology, tourism, and agriculture. The UAE is the largest trade partner of Viet Nam in the Middle East North Africa region. It is also the seventh biggest importer of Vietnamese goods. In 2022, Viet Nam's export turnover to the UAE increased 27.5 times compared to that in 2006. The country now is the UAE's biggest trade partner in Southeast Asia. There remains big room for the two countries to further boost economic relations on the basis of the complementary strengths of the two economies, Ambassador Tuan said. He also highlighted the flourishing development in the bilateral friendship and cooperation across fields from politics and diplomacy to trade, investment, labour and tourism. Political trust and mutual understanding between the two countries have been continuously strengthened through the regular exchange of delegations at all levels between the two countries over the recent times, he added. The visit to the UAE by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan in May 2023 created a new impetus for bilateral relations. The UAE side has actively implemented new cooperation proposals through the visits to Viet Nam by Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in June. At present, there are about 3,500 Vietnamese labourers working in the UAE. As planned, Viet Nam will send over 100,000 skilled workers to the UAE in the near future. The Vietnamese Embassy in the UAE will exert efforts and seek solutions to address difficulties facing trade and investment relations between the two countries, thus benefiting businesses of both sides, Ambassador Tuan said. The embassy will give priority to promoting promising fields, including trade and investment cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, finance, logistics, labour, and tourism, towards further deepening the bilateral relations, he added. The diplomat said the two countries have coordinated to organise activities to celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023, including the exchange of delegations, art performance programmes, and people-to-people exchange activities. VNS By Nguyen Hang HA NOI Viet Nam is advised to perform data protection well, especially personal data protection, to minimise ethical risks when systems or services using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are rapidly developed in the country. The reason for this is that all systems or services using AI must depend on data to be operated, Pham Thanh Long, Senior Research Coordinator of Insight Centre for Data Analytics at University College Cork, Ireland told Viet Nam News on the side-line of a talk show held late last week in Ha Noi by Tia Sang (A ray of light) magazine. Viet Nam already issued the Governments Decree No. 13/2023/N-CP on April 17, 2023, on protecting personal data. Its a good move, Long said. The Viet Nams Decree No.13 is believed to be similar to a European Union (EU) law on personal data protection, she said. Effectively implementing the decree is an effective way to minimise ethical risks when systems or services using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are developed, she said. Mai Tan Tai, Assistant Professor at the School of Computing in Dublin City University said that there must be a two-way approach, both top-down and bottom-up to limit the ethical risks with AI. The top-down approach will use government policies and ethical codes for AI scientists, he said. The bottom-up approach is people's perception of AI. People must always have a sense of protecting their data first, he said. People should have a common sense to understand how AI operates and how far AI can use peoples data, he said. AI ethical risks Analysing ethical risks with AI, Tai said that the first risk is personal security. In the past, people paid little attention to leaks of personal data because there were not many tools and technologies to exploit that data, he said. But now it's different, there are many tools for someone to exploit the exposed data of individuals for shady purposes, he said. As a result, people can receive unwanted attention, including daily annoyances such as sales calls and messages, he said. Tai also said the ethical risks with AI can go even further as more technologies are applied. For example, AI bias. You or your children may be excluded from a certain competition, simply because you have some characteristics that make the AI biased against you, he said. For example, there may be problems with racism due to the bias of AI. People of colour might be excluded from events, schools or jobs, he said. AI is biased because the data is biased. The data is biased because no one can collect it from all parts of the world, he added. For instance, the data shows that 70 per cent of AI scientists are white. When that data is trained, the AI will understand that the majority of people who study AI are white, he said. When recruiters ask AI questions like "Please help come up with criteria to find a good AI developer," the system will provide criteria including skin colour, he said. In fact, it is not true that white people are better at AI than people of colour, it is just because of the availability of data, he said. And AI development companies only have this to go on, they do not get comprehensive data, he said. Decree No. 13 Decree No. 13/2023/N-CP on personal data protection was issued on April 2023 after four years of compilation, marking the first big step in the efforts to build a legal corridor to effectively protect personal data in Viet Nam. The decree is expected to minimise the risks and consequences of personal data breaches and join hands with the international community in dealing with threats in cyberspace. The decree, which has four chapters and 44 articles, came into effect on July 1. Under the decree, personal data is protected and confidentially stored for an appropriate time for the purposes of data processing. Owners of data must be informed about the processing of data relating to them. Organisations and individuals that violate regulations on personal data protection will face administrative or criminal penalties. The Government prohibits the processing of personal data that affects national security, social order, the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals, or taking advantage of the protection of personal data to commit crimes. The Ministry of Public Security discovered hundreds of individuals and organisations related to trading personal data, Nguyen Minh Chinh, Director General of the ministry's Cyber Security and High-tech Crime Prevention Department said at a conference to direct the implementation of the Decree No. 13 on June 7 in Ha Noi. A number of large-scale data trading rings were discovered. The largest amount of illegally-collected and traded personal data was nearly 1.3TB of data, including lots of sensitive and internal personal data, he said. Le Cong Thanh, Director of InfoRe Technology, a company specialising in big data processing and artificial intelligence applications, said since the internet boomed in Viet Nam, data protection has not been really considered much. Viet Nam is among the 15 countries with the highest number of internet users, which means that the number of Viet Nams cyber population is very large, he said. "And I think that the issue of the decree No. 13 is a huge step of Viet Nam, especially for the digital society, he said Responsible AI in Europe Regarding the responsible use of AI in Europe, Long said the EU AI Act is still a draft law, so large companies are following the law-making process and tracking the change of each word used in the draft law. Because the draft law, if approved, will be like the EUs General Data Protection Regulation GDPR, it will be considered as one of the laws that will have a global impact, she said. Smaller companies will be concerned as to whether they can still comply with the law without heavy costs, she said. "If the control on the development of AI applications is too tight, it will reduce the creativity and innovation of European companies. So the EU is also looking to come up with a few models to test to see how the law could impact companies of all sizes and what solutions can be issued. "The AI Act is hoped to be approved by the end of this year or early next year," she added. It will have two years to prepare for implementation. Businesses from large to small in the EU are learning to implement it. EU countries with a better business support platform have been offering solutions to help businesses to comply with the law but still ensure the ability to innovate, she said. The use of artificial intelligence in the EU will be regulated by the AI Act. In April 2021, the European Commission proposed the first EU regulatory framework for AI. It says that AI systems that can be used in different applications are analysed and classified according to the risk they pose to users. The different risk levels will mean more or less regulation. Once approved, these will be the worlds first rules on AI. VNS Kenneth Atkinson - Founder and senior adviser Grant Thornton (Vietnam) The signature marks the formal confirmation of the agreement for the UK to join the group, following substantial negotiations earlier this year. The UK government will now seek to ratify the agreement, which will include parliamentary scrutiny and the completion of other CPTPP countries legislative processes. Vietnam supported the UKs entry into the worlds largest trading bloc, again emphasising the strong strategic partnership between the two countries. Accession will help build on the UKVietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and it helps align the UK economy with some of the fastest growing and most dynamic economies in the world. The CPTPP will now have a combined GDP of 12 trillion ($15.4 trillion), increasing the coverage from roughly 12 to 15 per cent globally, and it will mean that the UK will have a free trade agreement with countries such as Malaysia for the first time. The deal will be a big boost for British businesses, and will also open up huge opportunities and unparalleled access to a market of over 500 million people. The UK will be the first member country from Europe into a trading bloc, which the UK has been targeting in the post-Brexit era. The incredible growth potential due to the population demographics and growing middle class in many of the member countries mean it is set to account for half the worlds middle-class consumers in the decades to come. The UKs accession will contribute additional economic strength to this progressive and dynamic trade alliance, adding 2 trillion ($2.46 trillion) to the combined GDP of the bloc. Being part of the CPTPP will mean that more than 99 per cent of the UKs current goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for tax-free tariffs. Dairy farmers, for example, will benefit from reduced rates on cheese and butter exports to Canada, Chile, Japan, and Mexico. This will build on the 23.9 million ($31.2 million) worth of dairy products that were exported to these countries in 2022. The British Embassy to Vietnam has said that, as the fifth-largest economy in the world by GDP in 2021 and with a market of 67 million consumers, the UK is an attractive market for Vietnam. Expanding the CPTPP to include the UK will help business to diversify their supply chains, remove trading barriers, and encourage more trade for our businesses. At present, the Vietnam-UK trade and investment ties are largely driven by the UKVFTA, which took effect in May 2021, in addition to the Southeast Asian economys improved investment and business climate. As part of the deal, 85.6 per cent of tariff lines for goods imported by the UK from Vietnam were eliminated in 2021, and 99.2 per cent will be removed by 2027, according to the UKs Department for International Trade. Once the CPTPP enters into force with tariff reductions and removal, businesses from the UK and Vietnam can select the CPTPP or the UKVFTA to apply for their exports to their respective markets based on their own conditions and ability to meet requirements under each agreement. If they fail to meet the requirements, their exports will not be able to benefit from any incentives from both agreements and, instead, still have to be subject to export conditions as usually applied. For British businesses, from small firms to large-scale organisations selling physical goods or services, the agreement represents a new gateway in which they can sell to with far fewer barriers. From whiskey, confectionary, and cars to jewellery and clothing, the removal of tariffs will make our finest British products more readily available to consumers in the Indo-Pacific bloc. This agreement has the additional benefit of strengthening the value chains and supply chains within the bloc. For example, automotive parts from Mexico can now be imported tariff-free into the UK, and cars produced there can then be sold into the Malaysian market, benefitting from the terms of the CPTPP. According to the UK government, Vietnamese footwear will be one of the beneficiaries of UK accession to the CPTPP. Looking at services, the UK is the second-biggest services exporter in the world, behind only the US, and the sector contributes around 80 per cent of the UKs GDP. Being part of CPTPP has secured enhanced market access for UK service suppliers who exported 30 billion ($38.5 billion) worth of services to CPTPP countries in 2021 and this is set to continue to grow through this agreement. For the British consumer, the goods we import from these nations whether it is a Japanese television, Australian wine, or Peruvian coffee will be tariff-free. The existing taxes on these products are currently paid directly by consumers. Now, we will see far more of our familiar, everyday imported products available at lower prices. Commitments will also facilitate business travel to CPTPP member countries, providing greater legal certainty for individuals and businesses across multiple sectors and supporting long-term economic growth and investment. Companies such as Standard Chartered and their clients are likely to benefit from smoother access to markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The services sector is likely to be one of the biggest beneficiaries, including transportation services, insurance and pension services, and digital services with the CPTPP removal of barriers to data localisation. Because CPTPP has advanced provisions to facilitate digital trade, it offers a foundation for the UK to influence the global trade rulebook, and the deal could be a useful template for progressing the e-commerce negotiations taking place at the World Trade Organization. The UK is also helping to ensure its future economic security by joining one of the worlds most dynamic trading areas, while protecting its sovereignty. As the CPTPP grows, the UK will help shape its development to fight unfair and coercive trading practices that threaten the future of international trade. British businesses will benefit from enhanced access to more markets while trading under fair rules that allow them to compete and thrive on the global stage. With the strength of the bilateral strategic partnership and the stronger trade and investment relationship, Vietnam is also set to share this benefit. New motivation for bilateral investment through UKVFTA The United Kingdom and Vietnam have made positive moves in bilateral trade and investment after one year of enforcement of a special free trade deal. Kenneth Atkinson, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about what could lay ahead. The journey to financial independence is becoming a shared ambition, and the 'rule of 25' often acts as the compass for this journey. This rule suggests that the key to financial freedom is having a nest egg 25 times your annual expenses. Therefore, it's less about the amount you earn and more about how much you spend and save. The returns on your investment should be enough to maintain your preferred lifestyle without eating into your capital. This principle splits our spending into two categories, needs and wants, with the latter further divided into loves and likes. It's not about cutting out all non-essential spending. Instead, it nudges us to focus our resources on what we genuinely need or love, and drop the rest. By prioritising needs and loves over wants and likes, we often realise that some of our spending is more about impulse than genuine necessity. Let's take budgeting as an example. When we are planning our expenses, our basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare are non-negotiable. But what about our love category? That's where we make room for the things that truly matter to us, whether that's travelling the world, buying a dream house, or getting that family car. The trick here is to use the things we love to drive our financial decisions, not the fleeting desires that come and go. On the journey to financial freedom, time, investment performance, and the savings rate are our three companions. Time is constant, and investment performance is tricky, dependent on your skills, risk tolerance, and the market's mood swings. Even the great Warren Buffett's annual return averaged around 20 per cent, and a significant chunk of his wealth was built after his 65th birthday. The savings rate, on the other hand, is under our control. It's the difference between our income and expenditure, and here's where the magic happens. Saving not only grows our wealth but also builds financial discipline and creates the habit of multiplying our money through investments. Plus, having a nest egg allows us the room to make mistakes. We can't predict the future, as we have seen with unexpected events like the pandemic or sudden market crashes. Having some savings tucked away helps us ride out these rough patches without derailing our journey to financial independence. But here is the kicker, boosting savings does not always mean earning more. It could simply mean saving more. If we make a habit of saving before we start spending, we are setting ourselves up for financial health and independence. And isn't that what we are all aiming for? The Vietnam Wealth Advisor Summit (VWAS) 2023, the first event for the asset management sector organised by VIR and the Vietnam Wealth Advisor (VWA) community under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, is set to take place. Time and date: 1pm-6pm, August 8 Location: Pullman Hotel, 40 Cat Linh, Dong Da, Hanoi Themed Swimming in the Vortex, VWAS 2023 will engage prestigious domestic and international speakers to discuss the global economy in general and Vietnam in particular, effective investment strategies in an unpredictable environment, and preferred investment-supporting products and services in the financial, banking, insurance, gold, foreign exchange, and real estate sectors. VWAS 2023 will feature: A major conference with both Vietnamese and international speakers, presenting sessions on Deciphering Variables and Hunting for Opportunities Recognition of standout financial products and services in 2023 Honours for businesses contributing to the development of financial services Foreign tourists enjoy Vietnamese food (Photo: vneconomy.vn) Hanoi Vietnam has planned to develop culinary tourism into a national strategic product, contributing to improving the competitiveness and brand of Vietnam's tourism. Vietnamese food has proven attractive, being loved and honoured by international tourists. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) mentioned strategic cooperation to promote tourism, cuisine and culture of Vietnam to the world through the project "embellishing myriad raw materials and cooking millions of Vietnamese dishes, which aims to honour diverse cuisine and culture values of the country. The project focuses on applying information technology so that localities can put typical culinary products on the same national register, thereby building a digital map of Vietnamese cuisine, and local culinary communities in provinces and cities across the country. The International Food Festival - Quang Nam 2023 is scheduled to take place from August 31 September 3 in the central province of Quang Nam. The event is expected to contribute to honouring, preserving, promoting and effectively exploiting the cultural value, cuisine and tourism. The event will feature 26 traditional dishes of Quang Nam. The organisation board will announce a decision to include the handmade Quang noodle-making industry on the list of national intangible culture heritage. Many localities across the country are actively organising attractive tourism activities to attract domestic and foreign tourists during the summer. The first Ho Chi Minh City river festival, the Hue Festival 2023 Autumn Festival will be held in August with a wide range of activities to lure both local and foreign visitors. Guidelines and policies on tourism have been popularised on the websites https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn, https://vietnam.travel and social networking sites of VNAT, highlighting that the new policy on visas, and entry and exit will officially take effect from August 15. Experts said that the new policy will help improve the competitiveness of Vietnams tourism in attracting foreign tourism arrivals in the coming time. Da Lat culinary contest prepares a record 100 dishes from local ingredients A culinary contest in Da Lat city in the Central Highlands Lam Dong province on April 8 set a record by making 100 dishes using vegetables and flowers grown in the city. Gojek is the first platform company in Vietnam to offer its on-demand food delivery feature on MoMo This move makes Gojek the first platform company in Vietnam to offer its on-demand food delivery feature on MoMo. Through this partnership, MoMo users in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can now conveniently explore and enjoy the millions of affordable food options available on Gojeks GoFood feature. Without having to leave the MoMo platform, but still being fully integrated within the Gojek ecosystem, users can seamlessly browse for their favourite food and restaurants, then pay for their order using MoMo. They will also have access to functions like order history and tracking, among others, providing the most optimal experience. The partnership will enable Gojek to tap into MoMos ecosystem of tens of millions users, while also providing GoFood merchants with access to additional earning opportunities and advertising potential. Gojek driver-partners can benefit as well thanks to the the larger user base. Nguyen Ba Diep, co-founder of MoMo said, MoMo has won the trust of tens of millions of Vietnamese users, while Gojeks GoFood provides consumers with access to tens of thousands of merchants. I strongly believe that this partnership will create an outstanding experience and offer more options for users." "Not only will the GoFood feature on MoMo provide a new way for users to access food delivery features, it also bolsters the bond between GoFood and our users as they can experience fast, transparent, and seamless ordering and payment on the same application, continued Diep. Sumit Rathor, general manager of Gojek Vietnam said, The introduction of Gojeks GoFood feature on MoMo is an exciting step, enabling more users to conveniently access our on-demand food delivery offerings. In doing so, we hope to bring more choice and greater value to consumers, allowing them to easily explore and order affordable food items on MoMo. By featuring GoFood on MoMo, we hope to also bring additional benefits to our merchants and driver-partners, providing them with access to increased earning opportunities as we look to reach new users, Rathor added. As part of this partnership, both MoMo and Gojek will offer a limited-time promotions for first-time users of the feature. From August 7 to September 6, selected users placing their first GoFood order on the MoMo app will be eligible to receive a discount voucher for their first order. Users ordering via the GoFood feature on MoMo can also look forward to additional discounts from thousands of GoFood merchants. To place GoFood orders on MoMo, users can simply search for GoFood, select the GoFood feature icon within the MoMo platform, browse for the merchant or food items that they wish to order, and follow the steps to complete and pay directly from their MoMo account. Gojek just the ticket for struggling shopkeepers Indonesian-backed Gojek Vietnam has been implementing a tech initiative to help small and micro merchants improve their livelihoods. Gojek launches GoCar services from D2 lane at Tan Son Nhat International Airport Gojek, Southeast Asias leading on-demand platform, on February 23 announced the official launch of its GoCar service type from the D2 lane at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Strategic investors are being encouraged to boost funding into areas from distribution and processing to renewables and agriculture, photo Le Toan Over the next few weeks, Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Ministry of Industry (MoIT) are set to work with Japanese peers about increasing funding into high-tech industry, energy transformation, and improvement of production capacity and competitiveness, in order for Vietnam to participate deeper in Japanese supply chains and global supply chains. The Japanese government will also encourage strategic investors to boost investment in clean energy and renewable energy, while supporting Vietnam in improving its agricultural value chains through technology and improvement in capacity in distribution and processing. Both sides are also to work on completing procedures for Vietnamese pomelo to enter the Japanese market and for Japanese grapes to be marketed here. Such a significant plan is expected to be confirmed by the two governments at the end of this year, with the Vietnamese prime minister set to pay an official visit to Japan in December to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit. The Vietnam-Japan relationship is witnessing its heyday as it has been created by the two countries big mutual confidence, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu. Japan is now the largest provider of official development assistance, the second-largest labour cooperation partner, the third-largest foreign investor, the third-largest tourism partner, and the fourth-largest trade partner of Vietnam. Japanese investment has made an important contribution to developing Vietnams key infrastructure projects, boosting the countrys socioeconomic development in a sustainable manner, supporting the transfer of advanced technology to Vietnam, and also training high-quality human resources for Vietnam, Hieu said. According to the MPI, Vietnamese investors have funded around 105 projects in Japan, with total registered capital of $19.5 million. Meanwhile, cumulatively as of June 20, Vietnam attracted over 5,100 Japanese projects registered at $69.9 billion, ranking third out of over 140 foreign countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Takeo Nakajima, chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Hanoi, said that Vietnam has become an indispensable and essential country for the global expansion of Japanese companies. He cited a JETRO survey of more than 3,000 Japanese companies conducted at the end of 2022 stating that Vietnam was ranked second worldwide as a country in which to expand business in the future. The US and China ranked first and third, respectively. In the survey, the most attractive investment environment for Vietnam was market growth potential (74 per cent) and market size (46 per cent). Vietnam expects to receive a large amount of foreign investment, and the domestic business-to-business market and infrastructure development will grow, Nakajima said. According to JETRO, the introduction of the Law on Investment and the Law on Enterprises has made the Vietnamese legal system more predictable and created an environment where companies can invest confidently. The laws reduced the number of prohibited and restricted investment areas, and investment in the service sector, which has been of great interest to businesses, was further promoted. Merger and acquisition procedures have also become simplified. In an example, two months ago, Japans TotalEnergies ENEOS inked a long-term agreement with Golden Victory Vietnam Co., Ltd., one of the biggest shoes and footwear manufacturers and a key supplier for globally renowned sportswear brands, to develop a 4.6MWp solar photovoltaic system at its facility in the northern province of Nam Dinh. This new phase takes their total solarisation system size to 7.5MWp. With over 7,900 of modules installed, the system is expected to produce about 5,200MWh of renewable electricity annually. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies ENEOS will fully fund, install, and operate the solar system while Golden Victory will pay only for the electricity generated for 20 years, avoiding any upfront costs. There are also some big Japanese projects in Vietnam. For example, the $1.33 billion O Mon II thermal power plant in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho is now underway. In 2021, the joint venture between Vietnam Trading Engineering Construction JSC and Japans Marubeni Corporation received an investment registration certificate for the 1,050MW O Mon II plant. The Japan-Vietnam Joint Initiative will complete its eighth phase this year. The MPI and Keidanren/Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam have formed 11 working teams to hold specific discussions on improving the investment environment in Vietnam. They are also discussing improvements to the investment and enterprise laws. An increase in Japanese investment in Vietnam has resulted in a rise in bilateral trade, which has almost doubled over the past decade. In the first six months of 2023, two-way trade reached $20.8 billion including $11 billion worth of Vietnamese exports, down 3.3 per cent on-year and imports of $9.8 billion, down 18.7 per cent on-year, according to the MoIT. Vietnam, Japan step up cooperation in energy transition Vietnam and Japan should continue their close cooperation in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on July 26. Indonesia pushes for establishment of ASEAN research hub, Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Jakarta - The Indonesian government, through the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), is pushing for the establishment of a research hub for researchers from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ahmad Najib Burhani, head of the BRIN's Social and Humanity Sciences Organisation, said on July 29 that a research hub could boost the friendly ties among countries in Southeast Asia and optimise the region's mobility potential to the fullest, towards turning ASEAN into the world's new science power. He further elaborated that by establishing its own hub, ASEAN could emerge as a competitor for countries in Europe, America, and also Australia, which have been widely known as the world's science spearheads. Burhani also expressed optimism that such a hub could help ASEAN become a centre for industry and science, boosting its capability of contributing to the world of science. The proximity among ASEAN countries can make the Southeast Asian region the world's new power in the fields of science, economy, and others, he highlighted. Furthermore, he also underlined ASEAN's huge population of approximately 670 million people, which is a strategic asset for the bloc. ASEAN has rich biopersity potential, which can be optimised if member countries collectively develop and conduct research on the potential, he added. Indonesia seeks to join OECD The Indonesian Government is actively pursuing membership in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as part of its ambition to become a high-income country, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. Last months investigation within the domestic life insurance industry has provided an opportunity for affected insurers to openly address related issues. MB Ageas Life, one of the four life insurance companies inspected by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in relation to bancassurance operations, took swift action following the inspections conclusion last month. In mid-July, the firm announced it had already paid the additional taxes, an important requirement from the audit, while pledging to rectify all issues identified during the inspection within the month. Insurance firms tackle remediation process, Source: mbageas.life The companys representatives said that they had promptly reviewed and addressed the problems identified by the inspection. As proof, MB Ageas Life had submitted its remediation plan to the MoF ahead of the required deadline in August. This quick turnaround suggested that most issues pointed out by the inspection had been addressed. The previous year saw MB Ageas Life eliminate all costs related to the implementation of competition programmes for branches and employees of organisational agents before the inspection took place. Furthermore, the company assured that it had immediately stopped the implementation of such programmes following the inspection and was committed to completing all remedial measures within the month. MB Ageas Life recognises that audits conducted by relevant state authorities present an opportunity to identify persistent issues that a business might otherwise fully struggle to recognise. These findings serve as a foundation for the company to develop and strengthen its operational and management systems, the firm noted in its statement. This approach has enhanced service quality and ensured alignment with the 2022 insurance business law amendments, thereby bolstering corporate governance standards, it said. Another company scrutinised during the inspection was Prudential Vietnam, with the MoF pinpointing issues in its advisory services and in the accounting of expenses for its bancassurance channel. The MoF recommended that the CEO of Prudential Vietnam handle the financial treatment for the 2021 fiscal year by deducting expenses to determine the corporate income tax exceeding $740,000. The MoF also advised the company to review its implementation of credit insurance product fees (decreasing term life insurance with Bao Tin Hung Gia), ensuring that they were in accordance with approved fees. Responding to the inspections findings, Prudential Vietnam CEO Phuong Tien Minh said that the issues related to agent quality management raised were already dealt with by the companys internal regulations in 2021. This event will serve as an opportunity for Prudential Vietnam to refine its internal procedures to ensure legal compliance, pledging to focus on service quality and healthy, sustainable growth in bancassurance, he said. BIDV MetLife was also highlighted for accounting irregularities in relation to bancassurance operations, with a total sum exceeding VND7.25 billion (over $302,000). However, the inspection report confirmed that the procedures established by BIDV MetLife for insurance agency operations, particularly those distributed via BIDV, were basically compliant with legal regulations. Sun Life Vietnam, another insurer involved in the recent inspection, was highlighted for numerous instances where its insurance agents and bank employees did not comply with regulations during the bancassurance process. Inaccuracies were noted in their accounting of decreased revenue for some insurance contracts requiring cancellation, and in accounting for expenses and revenue related to bancassurance activities in 2021, leading to incorrect determination of corporate income tax. The total amount involved exceeded $1.04 million. In response, Sun Life Vietnam acknowledged the MoFs efforts in reviewing, assessing, and making recommendations to improve their business operations. Despite the affected insurance companies emphasising that the inspection was a thematic examination of bancassurance operations, part of the MoFs regular 2022 audit plan, the Insurance Association of Vietnam confirmed that it was unrelated to recent customer complaints regarding bancassurance sales. Even those not involved in the inspection have taken steps to improve their management practices. The industry appears to be heeding this wake-up call and making strides towards improved transparency and accountability, it stated. Vietnams insurance sector witnessed a 4.6 per cent contraction in total premium revenue in H1/2023, declining to $4.70 billion from the previous year. The dip was primarily fuelled by a 7.9 per cent decrease in life insurance premium revenue, which amounted to an estimated $3.24 billion. Contrarily, the non-life insurance segment demonstrated resilience with a modest increase of 3.3 per cent in premium revenue, reaching $1.45 billion. Payouts by insurance firms in H1 2023 exhibited an upward trajectory, registering an estimated $1.08 billion, marking a substantial 37.1 per cent surge from the previous years figures. The life insurance segment recorded a significant 38.2 per cent fall in new business premium revenue for H1/2023, down to $646.17 million. This decline reflected in the total insurance premium revenue, which was recorded at $3.24 billion, a drop of 7.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. Despite the challenging conditions, the market dynamics remained largely stable among the sectors leading players. Bao Viet Life retained its pole position with revenues of $668.17 million and a market share of 20.6 per cent. It was closely followed by Manulife on $556.54 million and 17.2 per cent market share; and Prudential with $534.25 million and 16.5 per cent market share. Source: Insurance Association of Vietnam Further scrutiny urged to prevent unethical insurance schemes A Ministry of Finance inspection has unveiled a concerning landscape of regulatory non-compliance and disturbingly high contract termination rates in the life insurance industry, indicating the pressing need for enhanced sector oversight and ethical sales practices. Sun Life Vietnam: Digital transformation to enhance the customer journey With a history of 160 years operating in many countries, the Canadian insurer set foot in Vietnam 10 years ago with a commitment to sustainable development. Sun Life Vietnam's determination to win over customers is demonstrated through innovative solutions in both technology, building excellent distribution channels and differentiated services to bring optimised experiences to each individual core. How is the Vietnam-Japan economic, investment, and development cooperation taking place? Kubo Yoshitomo, senior representative at the Vietnam Office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Since diplomatic ties were established in 1973, both nations have been boosting cooperation, currently within the Vietnam-Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia. Economic ties have strongly increased since Japan began providing official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in 1954, with an accumulative sum of over 3 trillion ($21.2 billion). Total ODA committed by Japan for Vietnam currently accounts for almost one-third of the total global ODA to Vietnam, and Japan has become the largest such provider for Vietnam among the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Japanese ODA has focused on key sectors of Vietnam such as transport, energy, and urban infrastructure. This includes construction of about 3,300km of roads, tantamount to 70 per cent of the high-quality two-lane roads in Vietnam; construction of power plants with total capacity of 4,500MW, or 10 per cent of national electricity output; and producing all rubella vaccines in the countrys expanded immunisation plan. Other iconic projects include terminal 2 at Noi Bai International Airport, Nhat Tan bridge, Binh Hung Wastewater Treatment Plant, and metro line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Moreover, Japanese ODA has also gone to support Vietnam in the education sector and the enactment of the Civil Law. What key projects has JICA carried out to help improve labour capacity and infrastructure in Vietnam? Human development and infrastructure development have been the priorities in the Japanese governments cooperation development policy with Vietnam. Especially, JICAs cooperation with Vietnams educational establishments such as Vietnam-Japan University, Vietnam-Japan Institute for Human Resources Development, Can Tho University, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology has helped train over 100,000 high-quality engineers. With an aim to become a general university of 6,000 students, Vietnam-Japan University is expanding its campuses and opening a programme on doctorate training. When it comes to infrastructure, important national roads in the north, Haiphong port, the expanded Cai Lan port, Lach Huyen port, and various bridges have been constructed. In healthcare, we have continued contributing to Vietnams sustainable development through cooperation in strengthening the system at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Hue Central Hospital, and Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. What difficulties has the agency faced when implementing ODA in Vietnam, and how can the nation tackle such obstructions? Other donors are also facing common problems in Vietnam. Specifically, many projects have been delayed, with slow disbursement due to complexity and overlap in procedures according to Vietnamese decrees and regulations. Many projects have had to wait for approval from senior leaders for even minimal changes in the project. We hope that the Vietnamese government will make prompt decisions to solve these problems. This will help speed up the handling of procedures, and promote the early completion of projects. What areas should the two countries prioritise to further promote cooperation? We will focus on cooperation with Vietnam, especially in four areas. The first is cooperation in high-quality infrastructure, contributing to the economic development of Vietnam, typically the urban railway of Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai International Airport. The second is cooperation in human resource development. Besides the Vietnam-Japan University project, Japan has been supporting Can Tho University for more than 50 years, contributing to training high-quality human resources for Vietnam. The third is cooperation in the healthcare sector. In addition to cooperation through the aforementioned three core hospitals, we will support the establishment of an online training system at local healthcare facilities applying digital transformation technology. What is more, JICA will continue to cooperate with Japanese private enterprises, non-governmental organisations, and universities in order to assist Vietnam in improving rehabilitation techniques and nursing care to cope with the ageing population that is becoming a new problem in Vietnam. Lastly, JICA will continue cooperating with Vietnam in dealing with climate change. Following the wind power development project in the central province of Quang Tri, we are considering new credit to help Vietnam develop solar and wind power. In addition, we will use the Green Climate Fund through activities of afforestation and protection of the natural environment to support the promotion of the circular economy, contributing to the implementation of measures to respond to climate change in order to realise the Vietnamese governments goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Vietnam and Japan in July jointly signed three agreements valued at $442.5 million to fund new-generation ODA projects in Vietnam. Of the total, $362 million will be poured into an initiative on post-pandemic socioeconomic recovery and development. The rest will finance a project on improving the public transportation system in the southern province of Binh Duong and another project on ameliorating the infrastructure system for agricultural development in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. Rich Japanese cooperative culture set to continue After focusing on the pandemic in recent years, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue to cooperate with Vietnam in strengthening its health system. This will be carried out specifically by strengthening the diagnosis and treatment system of hospitals such as Bach Mai Hospital, enhancing research and testing capacity for infectious diseases of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and building capacity of personnel of local hospitals. JICA and ILO promote cooperation between Vietnam and Japan The 2023 Vietnam-Japan Human Resource Development Exchange Forum 2023 was held on April 5 and discussed how to optimise the exchange of human resources between the two countries. The forum was organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Vietnam Labour Export Association. A site for the 25th World Scout Jamboree, set to take place in Saemangeum, a reclaimed area in Buan, is seen in this July 24 photo provided by the Buan county office. Yonhap The World Scout Jamboree, the largest international Scout event, kicked off in Saemangeum, a reclaimed land area on the southwestern Korean coast, on Tuesday, bringing together over 43,000 young Scouts from 158 countries. The 25th edition of the world jamboree will continue through Aug. 12 in the Saemangeum Reclaimed Area, about 180 km southwest of Seoul, providing an opportunity for young Scouts from around the world to learn about different cultures and build friendships through outdoor camping and cultural activities. A total of 43,281 Scouts, including 39,385 from abroad, will take part in the World Scout Jamboree, which is held every four years and dubbed the "cultural Olympics for youth." This is the second World Scout Jamboree hosted by Korea after the first one in Goseong, Gangwon Province, in 1991. Korea has become the sixth country to host the jamboree more than once. The jamboree campground in the Saemangeum area is 8.84 square km in size, and Scout members are divided into 17 sub camps that can accommodate about 2,000 people and five hub camps designed for about 10,000 people, the organizing committee said. The organizers will offer a total of 174 on-site and off-site programs in 57 categories to the young Scouts under the theme "Draw Your Dream." The programs include survival programs, such as lighting fires and building rafts; hands-on experiences of future technologies; and discovery of Korean culture through K-pop and Korean food, like kimchi and bibimbap, they noted. In addition, contingents from around the world will operate food houses to introduce their own traditional foods and provide opportunities for young people to experience the global food culture at affordable rates, they added. Following the opening ceremony Wednesday, performances by an orchestra consisting of Scouts and a survival expert, as well as a drone light show, will take place. On Sunday, the "K-Pop Super Live" concert will be held in the Saemangeum area. The closing ceremony is slated for Aug. 11. (Yonhap) In a recent engagement in late July, Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of Danang People's Committee, presided over a meeting with the delegation from AMPT Vietnam JSC, led by Lee Yun Cheol, its CEO. The purpose of the visit was to investigate potential investment opportunities and foster collaboration in Danang. Lee revealed that AMPT Vietnam International JSC was established in 2022 as a subsidiary of South Korean-based AMPT International JSC. Its core objective is to elevate living standards, enhance community health, and invest in infrastructure and business ventures in Vietnam. The company has already forged joint ventures with notable entities such as Diamond Corporation, Qlila, and The World Group. Empowered by investment funds, the company intends to allocate approximately $5 billion in Vietnam, primarily focusing on projects with strong social welfare implications. Notably, the company is keen on establishing multidisciplinary international hospitals offering Proton therapy coupled with eco-resort facilities. Furthermore, the company actively seeks new investment prospects and endeavours to collaborate with local companies and organisations in Vietnam for the realisation of transportation infrastructure, seaports, resorts, and agricultural processing plants. According to Lee, AMPT Vietnam's investment strategy revolves around the construction of state-of-the-art international hospitals that prioritise advanced treatment methods. This, in turn, is anticipated to fuel the development of residential enclaves and resorts, effectively attracting affluent patients seeking medical treatment and leisure experiences. During their comprehensive assessment of investment avenues in Vietnam, the company identified Danang as a city of immense potential and considerable allure to foreign enterprises, particularly in the thriving tourism and resort sectors. To capitalise on these opportunities, the company is actively considering establishing an office in Danang, underscoring its commitment to thoroughly exploring viable projects with the goal of achieving efficient and successful investments in the city. Chinh highlighted the sectors of healthcare, seaports, and new urban areas as areas of particular interest to AMPT Vietnam, aligning with the city's proactive efforts in inviting investments. Presently, Danang is in the process of presenting its investment proposal for the shared infrastructure of the Lien Chieu Port project to the government. Upon obtaining the necessary approvals, the city will proceed with the requisite procedures for investment solicitation, adhering to legal regulations. Concerning healthcare projects like international hospitals and nursing homes, the city is presently conducting auctions. AMPT Vietnam may express its interest by duly submitting auction documents as per stipulated guidelines. Additionally, ongoing planning and evaluation for new urban areas are slated for completion by the conclusion of 2023, paving the way for investor selection in accordance with legal provisions. Hyosung Vietnam to invest nearly $1 billion in carbon fiber plant Hyosung Vietnam has announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion in a carbon fiber manufacturing facility, solidifying its strategic position in Vietnam's industrial landscape. How do you assess the potential of the financial advisory market in Vietnam? Le Minh Nghia - Chairman of the Vietnam Financial Consultants Association (VFCA) The financial advisory market in Vietnam holds significant potential. With an estimated 50 million people projected to be part of the middle class by 2050, and expectations of becoming the 10th largest consumer market globally by 2030 - surpassing Germany and the UK, Vietnam offers promising opportunities. Additionally, the country boasts a high and sustained GDP growth rate of 5-7 per cent per year, with a per capita GDP approaching $4,000. These factors indicate a substantial demand for investment, accumulation, and financial protection for individuals and families, with personal financial advisory services expected to thrive. As personal financial management gains traction in Vietnam and formal advisory services remain scarce, what direction do you believe is crucial for the future development of such services in the near term? The development of personal financial advisory services in Vietnam requires a focused approach. One of the primary challenges lies in the absence of official programmes or curricula dedicated to improving financial literacy and providing personalised financial planning advice. To address this gap and cater to the growing financial market, it is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of personal finance and improve the financial literacy of the population. By enhancing financial literacy, individuals are more likely to utilise a broader range of financial products, thereby contributing to the growth of the financial sector and overall economic development. To support this goal, the government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, should promptly enact legal documents that emphasise financial literacy and personal financial planning in financial advisory services. Additionally, establishing a comprehensive and long-term national strategic programme for financial education would be beneficial. Furthermore, adopting an independent advisory model is vital to ensure customer interests are prioritised. In developed financial markets like the UK and US, independent advisory companies hold a significant market share, and Vietnam should follow this trend to avoid conflicts of interest. In light of the diverse array of financial advisory services available in the market, what advice would you offer to individuals and businesses seeking to utilise such services? When seeking financial advisory services, individuals and businesses should prioritise firms that put customer interests above all else. Following the fiduciary duty principle, financial advisors must always recommend the most cost-effective and optimal products for the customers benefit. Engaging independent advisory companies would be a prudent choice, as they tend to be free from potential conflicts of interest associated with selling specific products. For those considering services from companies with potential conflicts, it is essential to inquire about the fee structure and seek transparency regarding any conflicts of interest with the advisors. Customers should also conduct research on advisors education, experience, professional qualifications, and current work status. Requesting detailed written agreements with advisors signatures is recommended to ensure clarity and protection. However, customers should possess basic financial knowledge and understand their rights and obligations when using financial advisory services. They should be clear about their financial goals and consider advisory opinions as reference points, synthesising various opinions to determine the optimal financial plan for themselves. What measures has the VFCA implemented to support the development of a robust personal financial advisory market in Vietnam? The VFCA has taken remarkable strides to bolster Vietnams personal financial advisory market. Back in February, they kickstarted the process of drafting comprehensive standards for personal financial planning. These standards, crafted by a team of Certified Financial Planning experts in collaboration with top financial professionals, adhere to the highest global practices. Covering crucial aspects like training, competency, ethics, and profession, these standards have been unveiled and submitted for feedback to relevant government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Central Economic Commission, the State Securities Commission, and the Vietnam Banks Association. The response has been positive, with both regulatory and professional bodies acknowledging the significance of establishing uniform standards to elevate financial advisory practices and enhance financial literacy nationwide. We are determined to work with economic and financial experts to put the final touches on the standards, ensuring they align perfectly with Vietnams evolving development landscape. PM orders measures to increase businesses credit access Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 27 signed to issue a document clarifying measures to enhance businesses access to credit. This annual festival, organised by Danang Department of Tourism, aims to promote and diversify coastal tourism products, offering numerous interesting, new, and impressive activities during the summer season for both tourists and locals. Director of Danang Department of Tourism Truong Thi Hong Hanh and managing director of Carlsberg Vietnam Onno Rombouts, along with the other sponsors of Wow Danang 2023 During the Wow Danang 2023 series of events, the Huda brand under Carlsberg Vietnam company is proudly unveiling its latest product line, Huda Ice Twist an exceptionally crisp and refreshing lager beer with low bitterness and a hint of central lime bringing about the absolute taste of summer freshness as if you are relaxing on the beach. Huda Ice Twist During the five-day series of events, running from July 28 to August 1, visitors have the opportunity to engage in a plethora of exciting activities. These include thrilling paragliding tournaments, exclusive check-ins to receive gifts at the Huda Ice Twist Chill zone, and a diverse culinary experience featuring over 100 Vietnamese and international dishes. The Huda Ice Twist Chill zone at Wow Danang 2023 On top of this, attendees can revel in the beauty of fashion art shows and traditional performances, as well as experience the vibrant and colourful carnival dances at the Huda playground. The nights will come alive with pulsating music, courtesy of talented DJs, rappers, and local dance groups, ensuring unforgettable moments for all in attendance. Huda at Wow Danang 2023 Follow the facebook.com/HudaBeer fan page for regular updates on the brand. Carlsbergs community values woven into the heart of business Living the purpose of brewing for a better today and tomorrow, for nearly 30 years now Carlsberg Vietnam has been facing down local challenges through its core brand Huda, working relentlessly towards a well-developed, strong-bond central community. Experience Central Meaningfully with Hudas freshwater ambassador challenge The people of the central region responded strongly to the Huda Fresh Water Ambassador challenge within the framework of the Fresh Water for Beloved Central programme. Huda welcomes new year with central region events Huda, which is produced by Carlsberg Vietnam, put on an array of Lunar New Year events in Vietnam's central region. Huda pioneers beach carnival in Central Vietnam Huda promises to bring an explosive summer to people in the central region, with tonnes of memorable activities in an epic beach carnival. CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) Four people were injured, two seriously, by an explosion and fire at a commercial building Monday in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, authorities said. Chandler Fire Department officials said they were called around 2 p.m. after a small explosion at a company that manufactures and sells vitamins and supplements. They said part of the roof on the 25,000-square-foot building collapsed, and paramedics treated four people at the scene. One suffered minor injuries, and the other three were taken to a hospital. Chandler Fire Department Battalion Chief Carlos Vargas said two of them had serious injuries. Authorities said the cause of the explosion wasnt immediately clear. Fire crews from the surrounding cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Guadalupe responded to the scene to help extinguish the blaze. Video from TV station helicopters showed firefighters spraying water into a gaping hole on one side of the building's roof. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) The board overseeing West Virginia's four-year colleges and universities voted Monday to revoke a small Baptist university's ability to award degrees, in response to its staggering debts. Alderson Broaddus University will be prohibited from awarding degrees starting Dec. 31, the state Higher Education Policy Commission announced during an emergency meeting to address the school's financial struggles, including $775,000 in utility debts. While it is no secret that weve had challenges with AB being forthcoming with information and working with us, I cant stress enough how critical it is right now for the leadership at AB to put their students first," Commission Chancellor Sarah Armstrong Tucker said. She said the board is aware that some student-athletes and international students will be arriving at the private school as soon as this week. Fall classes are set to start next month for the school, which is made up of less than 1,000 students. Can you imagine being these students? Can you imagine being their parents or loved ones right now not knowing if this institution can remain open for the duration of the semester? she said. During the meeting, the university board's chairperson, James Garvin, asked for a decision to be postponed two days, saying other school officials were out of town and unable to attend on short notice. Garvin said the recommendation to ask for a continuance came from the office of Republican Gov. Jim Justice. The commission denied his request. Tucker said the board hired a consultant that is working with the university on teach-out plans to ensure students are able to finish their course of study. But, she said, frankly very little has been done by AB on its own to provide teach-out plans for students or to communicate to the campus community the dire situation the institution is in. She said several private and public institutions in the state have agreed to transfer Alderson Broaddus University students if needed. The city of Philippi had sent a notice last week specifying the amount of overdue utility debt at Alderson Broaddus. Monday was the deadline for the universitys utilities to be shut off if a payment had not been made, according to the commission. The school announced Thursday it would pay the city $67,000 on Monday and follow a structured plan for regular payments to resolve the remaining balance. A university statement said the agreement with the city highlights a commitment to open communication and mutual understanding. During Monday's meeting, Garvin confirmed that the money had been tendered and delivered earlier that day. Justice said in his weekly briefing earlier Monday that while no one wants the school to close, "this is not a brand new problem. Theres been a lot of mountains and barriers that have been created by whatever it may be, and the inevitable may be the inevitable. Earlier this month the commission gave the university temporary approval to continue awarding degrees through next June but said it would reconsider if Alderson Broaddus did not meet the states criteria for financial stability. As part of that meeting, the commission required the university to have plans in place by Oct. 1 for the teach-out or transfer of current students as well as arranging for student transcripts and financial aid records to be secured with a third party. Alderson Broaddus also was required to provide monthly financial reports to the state. The school, which was founded in 1932, has been struggling financially for several years. Alderson Broaddus was placed on probation in 2017 by its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission. The probation was lifted in 2019 although the school remained on notice to continue addressing areas of concern. The commission also was told earlier this month that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had previously agreed to restructure a $27 million loan to the university to allow for a more flexible cash flow. The school was offered assistance through a USDA program providing loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. In April, the university sought alumni contributions to raise immediate funds. That month, Andrea Bucklew, the school's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, was named interim president after the retirement of James Barry. Another state school, private Ohio Valley University in Wood County, went bankrupt and abruptly closed in 2021. The Waco Municipal Court is getting ready for a three-week amnesty period when anyone with an arrest warrant out for an unpaid ticket in Waco can come in and pay their fine without late fees and without fear of being arrested. During the amnesty period that will run from Monday to Aug. 25, all warrants and late fees for unpaid tickets will be cleared, and individuals can elect to pay for their ticket through a payment period if needed. The court at 201 W. Waco Drive will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Community service also is available for people who cannot afford to pay their fines, and some fines could be waived if they are deemed to be excessive and the individual cannot afford to pay them, Judge Bobby Garcia said. Typically, when someone is issued a citation, they have 10 days to appear at the court to contest or pay their ticket. After 30 days, a warrant can be issued. But Garcia said the Waco Municipal Court has about 40,000 active warrants for unpaid tickets, and he wants to help people get those tickets paid. People that have outstanding warrants, theyre always in fear that they might get arrested, Garcia said. It prevents them from wanting to come to the court and pay their tickets. Only people who have warrants issued through the Waco Municipal Court will have those warrants waived. Garcia said the amnesty period is largely a response to feedback he has gotten since he started as Wacos municipal judge last year, hearing from people terrified of being arrested over something as small as an unpaid parking or speeding ticket. Since Ive been here since October, Ive encountered people that came into the court, and when I spoke to them, they said they were terrified to appear, they even sat in the parking lot and had sent somebody else in for them, because they were terrified that they were going to get arrested, Garcia said. So that makes me believe that there are a lot of people like that, that are fearful, because they got this warrant. So this is just helping people see that they will not be arrested, and this will give them a chance to take care of it. A list of outstanding warrants can be viewed at the Waco Municipal Courts website. The court can also be contacted at 254-750-5426 or by email at citycourt@wacotx.gov. AMR, the Waco-areas emergency medical services provider, is preparing for the first renewal of its five-year contracts with McLennan County and seven of its cities. Police and fire officials who work alongside American Medical Response have praised the companys performance since it ironed out response issues in the first few months after its initial contract started in August 2018. Negotiations are progressing well on the new exclusive contract for emergency medical transport in Bellmead, Beverly Hills, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, Robinson, Woodway, Waco and the surrounding areas of McLennan County, AMR regional director Mark Kessler said. We anticipate the final to be signed in the coming days, Kessler said Friday. We remain committed to serving these McLennan County communities by providing high-quality emergency medical services. McLennan County approved its contract with AMR last week. The Waco City Council, for one, is slated to sign off on its contract during a meeting Tuesday. The new agreements, like the originals, do not include any subsidies from local governments, relying on patients or insurers payments for service to fund operations. The average patient charge is expected to range from $1,550 to $1,750. Mileage and the level of emergency medical care provided affect the cost of service. In the 2018 contract AMR started out charging between $1,443 and $1,643 for emergency medical service and transport to an area hospital, with an annual inflation adjustment based on the medical consumer price index and local consumer price index. AMR responds to about 23,000 calls per year in Waco and, as in other cities, has remained well within response time requirements. Since Jan. 1, 2022, priority 1 response times in Waco have averaged about 7 minutes, 15 seconds to 7 minutes, 30 seconds. Between 2018 and 2022, the time was closer to 7 minutes. For the most serious calls, known as priority 1, AMRs response time inside the seven cities is mandated to be less than 9 minutes 90% of the time. For less-dire priority 2 calls, the time is 13 minutes. The cities and AMR in September also added a priority 3 category, defined as a situation that is not life-threatening, with a 16-minute response time requirement. AMR worked hard to overcome the adversity of the pandemic and related requirements in handing patients over at area hospitals, said Hewitt Fire Chief Jonathan Christian, who has worked at Hewitt Fire Department for 13 months. I know how hard AMR worked during COVID to make sure they continued to deliver high levels of service, Christian said. In the past year, there are no complaints that I know of from Hewitt residents. During the height of the pandemic, area hospitals handover protocols sometimes kept ambulance personnel at the emergency room for half an hour, the Tribune-Herald previously reported. Christian said AMRs emergency medical technicians and paramedics arrive quickly and do good work, and the companys staff are willing to help. Theyre highly responsive and eager to go to work, Christian said. AMRs start in the area, however, was not as smooth. After initially slow responses AMR added personnel and vehicles and was in compliance with response time requirements by November 2018. In the first three months after AMR took over the Waco-area EMS contract, 54 first responders made notations of dissatisfaction with AMR in an internal database created for the purpose. In September 2018, AMR took more than an hour to respond to two calls on the same day in Hewitt, then-Hewitt Chief Lance Bracco said at the time. The next month, the then-Beverly Hills police chief took a pregnant woman who was in labor to an area hospital in his patrol vehicle after at least sixteen minutes passed after her call to 911, the Tribune-Herald reported at the time. Current Beverly Hills Chief Kory Martin, previously an officer and supervisor in Lacy Lakeview and Bellmead, said that when AMR started he was in patrol on the streets and responding ambulances sometimes would pass by incident scenes. They would pass us by and come back, Martin said Monday. Sometimes they had a hard time finding our locations. Martin said in the two years he has been chief, however, neither his officers nor his residents have brought in a complaint that he had to run to ground for resolution. In Beverly Hills, he said the firefighters are not EMT certified and his city has to rely solely on AMR for those responses. AMR made immense improvements, Martin said. My officers have no problems with them, and my residents have made no complaints. In Waco, every firefighter is also an EMT, able to provide emergency medical service until a higher level of care arrives. In Woodway, both fire and police operations are under the Woodway Public Safety Department, and every first responder is a licensed police officer, firefighter and EMT. AMR is an important partner with Woodway PSD in the response to the array of medical emergencies our Public Safety Officers respond to daily, Chief Khalil El-Halabi said. El-Halabi also said none of his residents have complained about AMRs performance in the past year as far as he knows. Ambulance service is a complex challenge, said Reece Knight, who has been chief of the Robinson Volunteer Fire Department four years and a firefighter there 34 years. Each ambulance company that has taken over the service in these seven cities has improved overall performance, Knight said. He said AMR had some problems at the beginning, but has done well during his time as chief. Any company who runs an ambulance service will sometimes not predict where and when the calls will come in and not have personnel staged correctly, Knight said. Any company will sometimes have a problem responding when too many calls come in back-to-back-to-back, Knight said. We work through that, he said. The patient is always the priority for my people and for AMR. Martin and Knight both said Waco-area AMR operations manager Heather Schmidt has been responsive and improved communication with fire and police agencies. Waco In Waco responding to calls at annual rate of around 23,000 calls per year, AMRs average response times to priority 1 calls have been about 1 minute, 30 seconds to 1 minute, 45 seconds faster than the 9-minute requirement since Jan. 1, 2022, with average times before that being around 2 minutes faster than required. For priority 2 calls, responses have averaged around half to three-quarters of the maximum 12 minutes, 59 seconds allowed. For priority 3 responses, responses average less than two-thirds the maximum 15 minutes, 59 seconds allowed. Hewitt In Hewitt responding to calls at an annual rate of 1,300 to 1,500 calls per year, AMRs average response times to priority 1 calls have been at least 1 minute, 30 seconds faster than the requirement in each reporting period for the past 5 years. Priority 2 responses have averaged 2 to 3 minutes faster than required, and for priority 3 response times have beaten the requirement by about 7 minutes, 30 seconds. Robinson In Robinson responding to calls at annual rate of around 900 to 1,100 calls per year, AMRs average response times to priority 1 calls have been 15 to 30 seconds faster than the requirement since Jan. 1, 2022, slower than response times in previous years, except 2018, when the average was 8 minutes, 53 seconds. For priority 2 calls, responses have averaged about 2 minutes, 30 seconds faster than required since Jan. 1, 2022, and not exceeded the contract requirement in any reported time period. For priority 3 responses, they beat the standard by about 5 minutes, 30 seconds. Woodway In Woodway responding to calls at annual rate of around 1,000 calls per year, AMRs average response times to priority 1 calls have been around 3 minutes faster than the requirement. For priority 2 calls, responses have averaged around half to three-quarters of the maximum allowed. Priority 3 response times they average half the maximum time allowed. Bellmead, Beverly Hills and Lacy Lakeview did not provide information about response times. A Crete man was treated at a hospital in Crete after he accidentally shot himself with his friend's handgun at a barbecue Saturday evening about 15 miles southwest of Lincoln, according to authorities. The 29-year-old man picked the Glock 9 mm up off a picnic table, cocked it and pulled the trigger after the gun's owner, a 22-year-old Lancaster County man, had set it down while showing it off to friends at the barbecue, said Capt. Tommy Trotter of the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. The shooting happened at a property near the southwestern edge of Lancaster County, 2 miles east of Crete, Trotter said. Crete police called the Sheriff's Office to investigate after determining it happened in Lancaster County. "The investigation revealed that it was completely accidental," Trotter said. The man shattered a metatarsal bone in his right foot and was treated and released from Crete Area Medical Center. Deputies didn't issue any citations stemming from the incident. Best-performing Nebraska stocks last week Best-performing Nebraska stocks last week #3. Valmont Industries (VMI) #2. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) #1. Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) This photo, provided by Korea's industry ministry, shows a meeting on industry supply chains held in Seoul, July 4. Yonhap Korea has started to enhance monitoring of supply chains of key metals for chipmaking and high-tech industries in response to China's export controls and seek measures to minimize industrywide impacts, the industry ministry said Tuesday. China began imposing restrictions on exporting gallium and germanium the same day and required their exporters to apply for special state permits, citing national security. The materials are crucial for making a range of major products, including chips, solar panels and electric vehicles, and China is a major producer and exporter of the materials in the world. Korea's industry ministry held a meeting with associations of chipmakers, display firms and other related sectors in Seoul on Tuesday and discussed ways to protect the supply chains of the metals and related circumstances. The Chinese move is expected to have a limited impact in the short run, but the Korean government and private sectors agreed to jointly enhance market monitoring and devise responses in a swift manner. The government will set up consultation bodies to be in charge of sharing information on global supply situations and developing technologies for replacement. In a recent survey of 400 major domestic importers and users of the items, companies voiced concerns about price hikes and clearance delays and called for the need to diversify import channels, the ministry said. "The government will extend support for companies in ensuring the stable supplies of the materials," a ministry official said. Korea is heavily dependent on China and a handful of resource-rich nations for their supplies of key minerals for manufacturing. China's export restriction is seen as an apparent retaliation for Washington restricting chip exports to China amid the intensifying Sino-U.S. rivalry, and some have pointed to the likelihood of further tit-for-tat moves by the United States and other nations. (Yonhap) by Adam Estes After a multi-year fundraising operation, and the cooperation of the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, a unique example of the McDonnell-Douglas Phantom II arrived at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California. This being F-4S BuNo.155539, the last example of the breed to have flown with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4), better known as The Evaluators. Manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri, as an F-4J-33-MD, construction number 2777, Bureau Number 155539 would make its first flight on February 22, 1968, before being assigned by the US Navy to VF-102 aboard USS America (CV-66). 155539 would also be operated by VF-102 on shore at NAS Oceana, Virginia. After serving aboard USS Independence (CV-62) and a brief assignment to NAS Fallon, Nevada, 155539 was transferred to VF-101 in May of 1975, flying out of Oceana and MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina before being reassigned to VF-33 at NAS Oceana before taking another assignment onboard USS Independence. 155539 would also serve on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, and once again on USS America. Its final assignment with VF-33 was at NAS Oceana before the aircraft was sent to NAS North Island, California, to be converted from an F-4J to an F-4S at the Naval aircraft Rework/Refit Facility, which saw the addition of smokeless engines, reinforcements to the airframe, and leading edge slats for maneuverability. In May of 1981, 155539 was transferred to VX-4 (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four, (AIRTEVRON FOUR)), known as the Evaluators, based at NAS Point Mugu, California. Its original modex XF-8 was changed to XF-1 in 1982, giving it the now-famous callsign Vandy 1, along with a distinctive, all-black livery. To complement the all-black paint scheme, VX-4 personnel painted a Playboy Bunny on the tails of their Phantoms, albeit without asking permission from Hugh Hefner, who owned the trademarked symbol. The media mogul initially considered taking legal action for this breach, but gave way to common sense and granted permission to use his Bunny emblem. VX-4 used BuNo.155539 to evaluate advanced systems for future use on aircraft deployed within the fleet. The Phantom also took part in several air shows, where its distinctive markings earned it a nickname with the public, Black Bunny. As newer jets, such as the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet, joined the US Navy, the service began phasing out the venerable Phantom II, both from carrier-based squadrons and evaluation units as well. This eventually saw F-14 Tomcats taking on the Black Bunny moniker and Vandy 1 callsign with VX-4. On May 2nd, 1986, BuNo.155539 made its last flight, transiting from Point Mugu to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC, now the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. And there the iconic jet would remain under the hot desert sun for the next 36 years. As time passed, and so many of the Phantom IIs stored at AMARG fell to the scrappers bulldozer, BuNo.155539 became the sole intact example with a VX-4 pedigree, although the forward fuselage of another Black Bunny F-4S, BuNo.153783, is stored in Lancashire, England. [The latter artifact survived due to its post-US Navy service with Britains Royal Air Force as F-4J(UK) ZE352.] Although the aircraft featured in the Boneyards Celebrity Row, the longer it remained at AMARG, the greater the chances that it too would be cut up for scrap. Fortunately, in 2016, the Castle Air Museum stepped in to save the Black Bunny. Little by little, donations from across the country came in, contributing to the effort to raise the necessary US$50,000 fee to move BuNo.155539 from the Boneyard to Atwater. While several subassemblies from the jet began were transported to Castle, the airframe itself still required a nearby facility for safe storage until it could finally make its way to the museum. Luckily, the Pima Air & Space Museum sits just across the street from the Boneyard, and had ample room to assist the Castle Air Museum in saving the iconic jet. In late January, 2022, Black Bunny moved to Pimas outdoor storage lot, within sight of the museums display areas and adjacent to their restoration facilities. Pima has performed a similar service for other museums, temporarily storing aircraft on site after they leave the 309th AMARG for eventual preservation and display elsewhere. Having raised sufficient funds to facilitate BuNo.155539s move, Castle Air Museum contracted MKB Farms (using Worldwide Aircraft Recoverys trailer) to perform the task. With the exception of the aircrafts foldable wingtips, the entire airframe was loaded onto Worldwides big rig for the long journey west. It left Tucson during the night of Monday, July 24th, arriving at its first stop, near the banks of the Colorado River, in Parker, Arizona. They drove into California the next day, sailing speedily along from Parker, through Palm Springs, San Bernardino, and Victorville before closing the day outside Tehachapi. Wednesday would see the Black Bunny roll through Bakersfield to reach Interstate 5 and loop back to Modesto for the final stretch to the museum, where they arrived during the morning of July 28th. Now that BuNo.155539 has arrived, museum staff will move the jet into their restoration hangar to undergo preparation for static display. Once the airframe is ready, it will become one of the finest and most unusual Phantom IIs on display anywhere! Platinum Fighter Sales has facilitated the trade of many unique warbirds and vintage aircraft around the world, from interwar biplanes to Cold War-era jets and from airshow-ready aircraft to projects-in-waiting. However, the unique Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 which the company presently has on offer must be amongst the most historically significant airframes they have ever listed. Restored in Germany by world-renowned MeierMotors GmbH, this fighter is one of just a handful of Spanish Civil War combat veteran aircraft extant. It also holds the distinction of being one of the first two Emils (as E-model Bf 109s were known colloquially) sent to Spain, one of the first of the entire breed to see operational service! While the Emils factory construction number, or Werknummer, is currently unknown, it is known to have served in the Luftwaffes Condor Legion in Spain bearing the fuselage code 6*88. The Condor Legion, as many will remember, was a German expeditionary air force operating in the Spanish Civil War on behalf of the fascistic Spanish Nationalists under Generalissimo Francisco Franco. 6*88 and its sistership, 6*87, were the first two Emils to arrive in Spain, serving with 1 Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 (1./JG88), alongside earlier the earlier Doras (Bf 109Ds) then in service with the Legion. Unlike the Doras, which used a Junkers Jumo 210 powerplant, the Emils came equipped with a Daimler-Benz DB-601 engine and four 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns. Naturally, being a brand new and state of the art fighter, 6*88 soon became the personal mount for 1./JG88s Staffelkapitan (squadron commander), and officer named Hauptmann (Captain) Siebelt Reents. By March 1939, however, the Spanish Republican Air Force was a spent force, granting air supremacy to both Germanys Condor Legion and the Italian Aviazione Legionaria (Legionary Air Force). Even so, the Jagdgruppe still went on patrol. On March 27, 1939, Bf 109s from 1./JG88 escorted bombers from Kampfgruppe 88 against Republican holdouts; it was the squadrons final mission in Spain. Just five days later, following the surrender of all Republican forces, Generalissimo Franco announced the end of the Spanish Civil War. While most of the German and Italian aircraft in Spain would soon return to their home nations, a number of them remained behind for service with Spanish pilots in the Francoist regime, this included 20 Bf 109E-1s and E-3s, with 6*88 being amongst them. 6*88 moved to Leon, joining Grupo 25 Logrono (known as the Pyrenean Fighter Group). With Teniente (Lieutenant) Jose Vincente Muntadas at the controls, 6*88 made a wheels-up forced landing at Larraga after running out of fuel on August 24th, 1939. Photographs of the incident reveal that, much like many of its Luftwaffe contemporaries, 6*88 had received modifications to bring it up to an E-3 standard 6*88 had received modifications to bring it up to an E-3 standard, which featured additional armament from two MG FF cannon. Repaired by 1940, the aircraft returned to service in Reus, Catalonia. Spain remained essentially neutral during WWII, with the exception of some volunteer regiments which fought alongside Germany on the Eastern Front. By the end of that conflict, the nations remaining Bf 109Es were flying alongside Hispano Aviacion HA-1109 Tripala, a licensed variant of the Bf 109 built in Spain but powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine. Later still would be the perhaps more familiar HA-1112 Buchon, powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin. Around this time, 6*88 received a Spanish Air Force serial number, C.4E-88. On May 16, 1950, 6*88 suffered another fuel exhaustion-related forced landing, this time near Valderrobres, Teurel with test pilot Capitan Vinicio Gil de Gomez at the controls. On September 19, 1950, an official application to withdraw 6*88 from service was made, the aircraft going into storage at a Spanish Air Force maintenance facility in Leon by October that year. Interestingly, it seems that a technical officer with prior Bf 109E experience returned the aircraft to airworthy condition. According to several eyewitnesses, 6*88 made flights in both 1957 and 1958, making it not only one of the very first Bf 109Es to arrive in Spain, but also the very last one to fly in the nation as well! Sadly, the aircraft eventually ended up as a training aide for the base firefighting team, and was thus reduced to a wreck, unloved and disregarded for the next several decades. One of the few who did notice 6*88, however, was Spanish aviation journalist Luis-Ignacio Azaola, known affectionately as Canary Azaola. One day he spotted the aircraft in the base dump after landing at Leon in a Cessna 172 on June 3, 1965. However, the 109 would remain in Leon until 1981 when Jan Luetjens, a Swiss ex-pat living in Spain, bought its remains. Luetjens soon sold the wreck to Robs Lamplough, a now very well known British pilot, race car driver, and aircraft collector who became renowned for the many warbird recoveries he organized around the world. Lamplough shipped the battered Emil to the UK, initially placing it in storage. During the mid-80s, 6*88 went on loan to the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum (on the site of the former RAF Tangmere) in West Sussex. But in 2012, Robs Lamplough commissioned MeierMotors to restore 6*88 to airworthy condition, as we reported HERE. In the interim, MeierMotors has gained a well-earned reputation for being one of the finest aircraft restoration workshops in Germany. In the past decade, MeierMotors has lavished enormous effort on the aircraft, taking great pains to get the details correct. It is a magnificent achievement, with 6*88 now looking much the same way she would have appeared during the Spanish Civil War. Vintage V12s has overhauled the fighters Daimler-Benz DB-601 at their base in Tehachapi, California, while Skycraft Propellers has refurbished the Emils VDM (Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke; United German Metal Works) propeller in the UK. Almost ready for its first flight, registered as D-FCON in Germany, the fighter remains with MeierMotors in Bremgarten awaiting a buyer to effect the finishing touches. When it flies, it will be unique in the world, as the only airworthy combatant from the Spanish Civil War! Only one other Condor Legion Bf 109 is known to survive, this being construction number 790 produced at the Erla-Maschinenwerke factory in Leipzig. That aircraft flew with the Legion as 6*106, and it too received a conversion to E-3 configuration. Following its operational service, the airframe survived scrapping as an instructional airframe. The Spanish Air Force donated it to the Deutsches Museum in Munich during 1959. Although it wears a Luftwaffe paint scheme, the team from MeierMotors were granted permission to sample some of its remaining original paint to determine the authentic hues of its Condor Legion paint scheme, serving as a reference for the restoration of 6*88. No matter where it goes from here, or when it will return to the skies, 6*88 is without any doubt one of the finest and most meticulous restorations of a Bf 109 of any variant to date. To inquire about this rare aircraft, visit www.platinumfighters.com CEDAR FALLS -- Cedar Falls Schools Foundation board members and staff recently presented Floyd Winter, founding president and retired district administrator, with a plaque at their July retreat to celebrate the establishment of the Floyd & Sherry Winter Sustainability Fund. Well always have a passion for Cedar Falls Schools, so we want to do our part to ensure its successful future, said Floyd Winter. The plaque will be displayed in the foundations office to honor the time and talent the Winters have given to the organization. The endowed fund will support the foundations operating expenses. If interested in honoring the Winters by contributing to the organizations sustainability, gifts may be made at cfschools.org/foundation/donate. Photos: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. through the years America, take off your blinders. The Constitution allows any qualified person to run for the president of the United States. This isnt a mandate. This voluntary service requires monumental sacrifices benefiting America. A parent must provide for a minor child. Failure to adequately provide and perform what societys minimum mandates carries consequences. We must distinguish between mandatory obligatory and voluntary choices. U.S. jurisprudence protects our rights while helping us achieve our desires through litigation. The burden protecting their desires is on the individual seeking, not on the American society. A run for the White House is not mandatory. Those reporting or explaining proposed delays in the criminal prosecution of one person to voluntarily run for the presidency must distinguish the difference. The issue is: What a person must do vs. what a person wants to do. Remember, there are millions of alternative and qualified potential choices. Some think they are the best one for the office. Our legal system only protects an individuals rights, not desires. Rest assured if one person was the only person for the job, Americans will draft or appoint him/her. Besides, they can run in 2028 if they are successful in litigation now. Vernon Weems, Waterloo This years legislative session was hugely consequential, criticized by some Iowans and praised by others. The laws passed, from tax cuts to school regulations to book bans to restrictions on transgender students, will influence the everyday lives of people across the state for years to come. We wanted to know how these actions and others by the state government affect the lives of people across the state. What they like, what they dont like, where they see our leaders falling short and what they think needs more attention. This story is part of a larger series involving Lee Enterprises newspapers in Council Bluffs, Davenport, Mason City, Muscatine, Sioux City, Waterloo-Cedar Falls and our Des Moines Bureau. The What Do Iowans Want? series attempts to probe the thinking of people across the state about how the government is working for them. The 20 Iowans profiled represent the broad perspectives in our state. Theyre teachers, artists, retirees and athletes. Theyre Republicans, Democrats and independents. Theyre your neighbors and your friends. Here's a look at trending topics for today, July 31: Paul Reubens Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose Pee-wee Herman character an overgrown child with a tight gray suit and an unforgettable laugh became a 1980s pop cultural phenomenon, has died at 70. Reubens, whos character delighted fans in the film Pee-wees Big Adventure and on the TV series Pee-wees Playhouse, died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he kept private, his publicist said in a statement. Please accept my apology for not going public with what Ive been facing the last six years, Reubens said in a statement released Monday with the announcement of his death. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you. Read more about him here: Lori Vallow Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the murders of her two youngest children and a woman she saw as a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess tasked with ushering in an apocalypse. Vallow Daybell, 50, was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husbands previous wife. Vallow Daybell will serve three life sentences one after the other, the judge said. The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece's ex survived an attempt later that year. Vallow Daybell has not yet entered a plea on the Arizona charges. Find out more here: Angus Cloud Angus Cloud, the actor who won Euphoria fans over with his portrayal of nonchalant drug dealer Fezco, has died. He was 25. In a statement shared to The Times on Monday, the family said, it is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss, the statement continued. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence. Cloud is best known for his work in Euphoria. His credits also include movies North Hollywood and The Line. He also appeared in music videos for Juice WRLD, Becky G and Karol G. Get more info here: *** Get more of today's trending topics here: MLB trade deadline Remi Lucidi Donald Trump ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. The discovery of four dead women in a drainage ditch just outside Atlantic City was shocking news in 2006. International media flocked to the seaside gambling resort. More than 100 detectives and prosecutors were assigned to investigate. Casino guests worried about safety, and the victims fellow sex workers began carrying hidden knives. The case of the Eastbound Strangler so named for the direction the victims heads were facing remains unsolved. The arrest last month of a man charged with killing three women whose remains were found on a Long Island beach in 2010 breathed fresh life into another long-dormant case with obvious parallels; the Gilgo Beach serial killings involve a total of 11 victims, most of whom were young, female sex workers. Weeks after charging a Long Island architect Rex Heuermann in the Gilgo Beach murders, prosecutors said at a brief court hearing Tuesday that they began providing his lawyer with evidence at least 8 terabytes of material that including autopsy findings, DNA reports and crime scene photos. Heuermann did not speak at the hearing. The recent breakthrough in that case highlights a painful truth: Similar cases like the one in Atlantic City remain open. Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said Tuesday that detectives from his office met recently with detectives from Suffolk County, New York, and compared information on the two sets of homicides. There does not seem to be a connection between the suspect in the Gilgo Beach case and the Atlantic County homicides from 2006, he said. The FBI would not say how many killings of sex workers in the U.S. remain unsolved. Media accounts and statements from authorities show a trail of open cases, from nine women whose bodies were found along highways in Massachusetts, to 11 found dead in New Mexico, and eight more found amid the crawfish farms and swamps of southern Louisiana. The killings of other sex workers in Chicago, New Haven, Connecticut and Ohio, among other places, also remain mysteries. From the days of Londons Jack The Ripper in the 1880s, serial killers, particularly those preying on sex workers, have often gotten away with it, in part because their victims were easy targets on the margins of society. Two women were out for an afternoon walk near Atlantic City in November 2006 when they found a body in a ditch. They called police, who quickly found three others nearby. The $15-a-night motel in Egg Harbor Township behind which the four bodies were found is long gone. It was torn down in an attempt to clear a seedy area known for crime, drugs and disturbances and the murders of Barbara Breidor, 42, Molly Jean Dilts, 20, Kim Raffo, 35, and Tracy Ann Roberts, 23. Because it is near the ocean, like Gilgo Beach, the location prompted much speculation by amateur detectives about a single killer, but some other online sleuths pointed out that oceanside areas are often the remotest locations after hours on the East Coast. Gone in New Jersey are the four small wooden crosses someone erected on the site, along with the folded-up paper note bearing a Biblical quote promising justice that someone left there on one of the anniversaries of the discovery of the bodies. For families left behind, each new day without word in the case of their loved one brings fresh pain. I kind of lost hope that anyone was even searching for the killer anymore, said Joyce Roberts, whose daughter Tracy Ann was one of the four Atlantic City-area victims. The first six months, the prosecutor did get on the phone with me and told me they were working on it. Then it just fell off the radar, she said. It was like nobody cared anymore. That is a sentiment echoed by Phoenix Calida, a former sex worker from Chicago who now advocates for them through the Sex Workers Outreach Project. Police departments often refer to it as an NHI case: No humans involved, she said. You feel like the only way youll be remembered is when they catch the serial killer who killed you, and then theyll make five movies about him and no one will remember your name. Massachusetts State Police are investigating nine unsolved homicides possibly committed by the same person, said David Procopio, an agency spokesperson. He said two additional missing persons cases may be homicides related to the other nine. Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the New Mexico cases remain actively investigated. The 11 victims were all involved in drugs and prostitution, police said; two victims were just 15. Despite the decadelong efforts of a task force, Louisiana has at least eight unsolved apparent homicide cases involving sex workers between the ages of 17 and 30. Prosecutors investigating the Gilgo Beach cases have been in touch with multiple law enforcement agencies, but District Attorney Ray Tierney would not say which ones. Reynolds said the four cases in Atlantic City remain active. Calida said women involved the sex trade are frequently robbed by people who know theyre carrying cash, and are sometimes coerced into sexual activity by police in return for not being arrested. She said an attacker knows you cant or wont report it. Youre an easy target and they know it. Three of her friends who were also sex workers in Chicago turned up dead. You see someone, you become friends with them and then one day theyre suddenly just not there, she said. Wed all go out asking around and looking for them, and then a few days later a body would be found. Theres always this specific fear that its a serial killer. Sometimes we never even get a body back to bury. And we wonder: Will law enforcement take it seriously because its just another sex worker? Photos: Scenes from Gilgo Beach serial killings investigation Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (1 August 2023) Last night the Kiev regime attempted to carry out terrorist attack using three semi-submersible unmanned boats on Russian civilian transport vessels heading to the Bosporus Strait in the south-western part of the Black Sea. The Russian Navy ships escorting the sea transport detected and promptly destroyed all the boats. The AFU continued unsuccessful attempts at offensive actions in South Donetsk, Krasny Liman, Zaporozhye, Kupyansk and Donetsk directions. In Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated actions of the defending units in close cooperation with aviation and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces, eight enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Belogorovka, Berestovoye, Severnoye, Maryinka and Zaitsevo (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In addition, AFU units have been hit close to Seversk, Predtechino, Sukhaya Balka, Lastochkino and Georgievka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses were up to 345 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, six infantry fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS vehicle, five Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, and five field artillery guns, including one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system. In addition, two ammunition, rocket and artillery weapon depots of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade have been destroyed close to Novgorodskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, as a result of actions by aviation, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Prechistovka, Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Malaya Tokmachka, and Novoandreevka (Zaporozhye region). As a result of active actions by the Groups units, two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Yablonevoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were up to 220 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-manufactured Bradley armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and one Giatsint-B gun. One ammunition depot of the 38th Marine Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Razdolye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In Kupyansk direction, the assault detachments of the Zapad Group of Forces continued to conduct an offensive and take more advantageous positions close to Kuzyomovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic). As a result of actions by Ground-Attack Aviation and artillery, eight AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit Novomlynsk, Timkovka, Kislovka, Kotlyarovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region) and Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic). In addition, two attacks by units of the 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU have been successfully repelled in the Popov Forest in Svatovsky district (Lugansk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses were up to 120 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer. One ammunition depot of the AFU 103rd Brigade of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine has been destroyed near Kislovka (Kharkov region). In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, Army Aviation and artillery, three enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Raigorodka, Nevskoye, and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic). The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed near Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In addition, a comprehensive fire attack was inflicted on units of 21st, 63rd and 66th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Sergeevka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Druzhelyubovka (Kharkov region), Torskoye and Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses were up to 75 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, D-20 and D-30 howitzers and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems. In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one Msta-B howitzer. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 103 artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and military hardware in 124 areas. In addition, one Zoopark-3 counter-battery radar system has been destroyed close to Stetskovka (Kharkov region). Air defence facilities have shot down 16 projectiles launched by HIMARS MLRS. In addition, 21 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been intercepted close to Zaliman (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Novoandreevka, Spornoye, Berestovoye, Kremenets, Volnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Michurina, Balochki, Konskie Razdory (Zaporozhye region), Staraya Zburievka, Radensk, and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region). In total, 458 airplanes, 245 helicopters, 5,402 unmanned aerial vehicles, 427 air defence missile systems, 11,067 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,141 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,699 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 12,003 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. WtR Park Ku-yeon, second from right, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, participates in a daily briefing on the Fukushima wastewater issue at the government complex in Seoul, Aug. 1. Yonhap Korea and Japan will hold another director-general-level meeting this week to discuss Seoul's requests regarding Tokyo's plan to discharge contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, an official said Tuesday. The two sides held their first round of talks in Japan last Tuesday to discuss follow-up measures after President Yoon Suk Yeol asked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to include Korean experts in monitoring the Fukushima water release. During the meeting held on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Lithuania, Yoon also asked that the discharge be stopped immediately if the concentration of radioactive material in the water exceeds standard levels and that Japan promptly inform Korea. "Additional working-level consultations with Japan will take place this week," Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, told a daily briefing. Meanwhile, the government has not yet received any response from Tokyo regarding a letter sent by the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to Kishida, according to Park. On Friday, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the DPK, sent the letter via the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to convey "people's concerns and opposition" to the planned release. (Yonhap) MADISON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit southeast Wisconsin on Thursday, making a stop in Pleasant Prairie to tout broadband and affordable connectivity before going to Milwaukee for a pair of campaign receptions. The White House announced the planned stops on Sunday. There were no immediate details about the campaign events. Harris will be joined by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for the stop in Pleasant Prairie, which is 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Milwaukee near the Illinois border. The visit comes a little over a month after President Joe Biden's administration announced that Wisconsin will receive more than $1 billion in federal money to expand highspeed internet access. It's part of a plan to distribute $42.5 billion nationwide to provide reliable and affordable internet service for every home and business in the U.S. by 2030. States must complete a multistep process before they can use the money. Harris last came to Wisconsin in September 2022 as part of a campaign stop just ahead of the November midterm election. Thursday's visit is the first of this election cycle and would be Harris's fourth trip to Wisconsin since taking office. Biden won perennial battleground Wisconsin by just under 21,000 votes in 2020, flipping the state for Democrats after former President Donald Trump carried it by just short of 23,000 votes in 2016. Four of the past six presidential elections in Wisconsin have been decided by less than a percentage point. Charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The District Attorney's Office says that since it is a murder charge, he will be charged as an adult. In a press release from Xlinks, the developer of the Morocco-UK Power Project the developer explained how the UK Government is working to progress the granting of a CfD by assessing and advancing the project through a Business Case process The the Morocco-UK Power Project will be a new electricity generation facility entirely powered by solar and wind energy combined with a battery storage facility. Located in Moroccos renewable energy rich region of Guelmim Oued Noun, it will be connected exclusively to Great Britain via 3,800km HVDC sub-sea cables. In a statement from the Concern is reported to be growing from the scientific community about the seemingly accelerating climate crisis following a series of freak weather events around the world in recent weeks. Several climate records have been broken so far this summer and the ongoing heatwave in Europe indicates there may be more to come. Southern Europe has been breaking heat records daily and the world experienced its hottest day ever recorded in July, with the average global temperature topping 17C for the first time, breaking the global average temperature record set in 2016. In June, temperatures off the west coast of Ireland were between 4C and 5C above average, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration classified as a category 5 heatwave, or beyond extreme. More widely, the average global ocean temperature has smashed records for May, June and July. It is approaching the highest sea surface temperature ever recorded. The area covered by sea-ice in the Antarctic is also at record lows for July. There is an area around 10 times the size of the UK missing, compared with the 1981-2010 average. Studies are underway to unpick the exact link between these events and climate change, but scientists already fear some worst-case climate change scenarios are unfolding. Imperial College London climate science lecturer, Dr Paulo Ceppi, told the BBC: The Earth is in uncharted territory now due to global warming from burning fossil fuels, as well as heat from the first El Nino a warming natural weather system since 2018. The need for clean power has not gone unnoticed by the public, with opinion polling placing renewable power sources as the most supported way of meeting our electricity needs. In government too, attention has turned to promoting the energy transition and its potential for economic growth, lower prices and reduced emissions. Xlinks is working with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) to assess the viability and merits of the proposed Morocco UK Power Project as part of the solution to the climate emergency. Upon completion, the Project will supply 8% (3.6 GW) of the UKs electricity needs from onshore renewable sources in Morocco via the worlds longest high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable. This first-of-its-kind venture will provide enough clean power for seven million homes as part of the UKs leading role globally in the fight against climate change. Simon Morrish, CEO of Xlinks, said: The support of the UK Government is crucial in realising our ambition to supply British households with secure, affordable, and green energy in the face of the growing climate crisis. The dedicated team at DESNZ have been working hard to progress the granting of a CfD for Xlinks and have invested more than 9,500 hours in the first 6 months of this year assessing and advancing the project through a Business Case process that is ongoing. We are very grateful for the time and dedication the UK Government is committing to this project which provides a key solution in accelerating the countrys transition to clean sources of power. John Sichi, a U.S. citizen whose Korean spouse ran off with their child, stages a treadmill protest in front of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, November 30, 2022. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Report details high-level meetings between Seoul, Washington on international child abduction cases that remain unresolved By Lee Hyo-jin Korea remains non-compliant with international parental child abduction conventions regarding cases involving U.S. children, despite diplomatic engagements between Seoul and Washington, according to a U.S. State Department report published, Monday (local time). The report, titled "Action Report on International Child Abduction," detailed specific actions taken by the State Department in response to countries that have been showing a pattern of non-compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Other than Korea, the non-compliant nations listed in the report were Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Egypt, Honduras, India, Jordan, Peru, Romania, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. International parental child abduction refers to the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian's custody rights. The Hague Convention ratified in Korea in 2012 is an international treaty aiming to protect children from international parental abductions among party countries by encouraging the prompt return of the children in abduction. The abduction cases pointed out by the U.S. report involve the denial of a request by an American father to return his child unilaterally taken to Korea by a Korean mother. As of 2022, there were four cases of international abduction of U.S. children by their Korean parents. Two of those cases have remained unresolved for more than a year. Monday's report found that U.S. officials in Washington and the American embassy in Seoul have been repeatedly raising concerns to their Korean counterparts about Seoul's failure to enforce the Hague Convention's return orders for the last few months. In October 2022, officials at the state department's Office of Children's Issues met with diplomats at the Korean Embassy in Washington to discuss the matter. In December that year, Michelle Bernier-Toth, the special advisor for children's issues, traveled to Seoul where she met officials from Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court. U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg met with Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon in January this year to urge the prompt resolutions of child abduction cases, according to the report. The Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province / Korea Times file In April, officials from the State Department's Bureaus of Consular Affairs, and East Asia and the Pacific, met with a senior adviser to President Yoon Suk Yeol in Washington to discuss the matter and offer necessary assistance to improve compliance. In the same month, Bernier-Toth met with Korea's counselor for legal affairs in Washington to discuss the formation of a task force to address child abduction cases. These two meetings held in Washington apparently took place during Yoon's state visit to the U.S. capital from April 24 to 29 for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, according to John Sichi, an American parent who is looking for his two children in Korea. In 2019, Sichi's Korean spouse took their children from their home in San Fransico to Korea and disappeared. She has been refusing to return the children despite an order from the San Francisco County Superior Court. For the last couple of years, Sichi has been closely communicating with U.S. officials who have been helping him locate the children and bring them back home. "The U.S. Embassy didn't tell me which Korean official was (involved in the meeting in Washington), but they did say the meetings at the time of the presidential visit led to the task force team being formed," Sichi told The Korea Times, Tuesday, adding that the Korean president should be aware of the issue. Sichi said the inaugural meeting of the task force involving the U.S. Embassy, Korea's foreign ministry, justice ministry and possibly the Supreme Court was held in Seoul on June 13. John Sichi, a U.S. citizen whose Korean spouse ran off with their child, gestures during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Nov. 30, 2022. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Wales Online Celebrity The Welsh wrestler, who famously got Jimmy Savile beaten up, has passed away at the age of 82 at a hospital after undergoing a brain surgery following a stroke. Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Wrestling icon Adrian Street has passed away aged 82. The Welsh sportsman - who was nicknamed "the sadist in sequins" - died on Monday, July 31 at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran after recently undergoing brain surgery, his family have confirmed. The late wrestler was hailed as "the kindest, most loving man you could ever meet" by his wife Linda. "He'd had a heart problem a while ago which was resolved," the 77 year old, who was also a wrestler in the 1960s, told BBC Wales. "But then he had a stroke earlier this month which resulted in a bleed on the brain. He was recovering from that at home when he developed colitis - a chronic inflammatory bowel disease - which later turned into sepsis. That's what killed him. It all came about so quick. I've still not come to terms with it yet. [He was] the kindest, most lovely and loving man I've ever known. The total opposite to how he behaved on stage." Linda plans to have Adrian cremated and will scatter his ashes on the mountains near their Cwmbran home. Adrian ran away to London in his mid-teens and signed up with a wrestling promoter, who gave him the ring name Kid Tarzan Jonathan. He later reverted back to his own name and set himself apart from other wrestlers with his flamboyant attire, which typically included dayglo face paint, a feather boa and his peroxide hair tied in pigtails. Mocking made him behave more outrageously, skipping around the ring and covering his opponents in lipstick kisses. Famously, in 1971, Adrian left disgraced late broadcaster Jimmy Savile battered and bruised when he dropped him on his head and tore out a chunk of his hair, later claiming he'd ignored requests to "throw" the match. He said in 2013, "Back in those days the promoters were trying to get proper wrestlers to throw their matches with him - it was all part of some big stupid gimmick." The wrestler made a bigger name for himself when he moved to the US and Canada in the 1980s, eventually settling in Florida with Linda, who served as his business manager. The couple - who met in 1969 - set up The Bizarre Bazaar, a costume-making business and their own grappling school, Skull Krushers Academy. In later years, the couple moved back to Wales and in 2019, "You May Be Pretty, But I Am Beautiful", a film about Adrian's life was released. He also recorded an album and wrote a number of autobiographies. You can share this post! Instagram Music Bob Hilliard, the lawyer representing Ezra Blount's family, calls out the 'Utopia' artist and his legal team for his 'tone deaf' remarks in a recently-released 1,266-page report from Houston Police. Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - The attorney representing the family of 10-year-old Ezra Blount, who died at Travis Scott (II)'s Astroworld concert, has slammed the rapper. In a statement to Daily Mail, Bob Hilliard called out the "SICKO MODE" artist and his legal team for his "tone deaf" remarks. "For an artist making his living with music, these are stunningly tone deaf comments about this preventable tragedy that took so many lives and injured so many," Hilliard said. "This extremely detailed and damning report confirms both the negligence and extreme gross negligence of those involved, including the Travis Scott team." The lawyer continued, "For Mr. Scott to allow his lawyers and spokespeople to make the reckless and untrue statement that just because he was not indicted means he's blame-free is arrogant and insulting to the memory of 10 year old Ezra as well as the other victims of this terrible night." Hilliard also accused Scott and his team of only focusing "on how the report's release date hurts their album sales instead of the facts contained inside of the report." It's referring to a report claiming that one of Scott's attorneys said the release of the Houston Police Department's 1,266-page investigation was intentionally timed to hurt the rapper's new album "Utopia". In his statement, Hilliard also pointed out that contract worker Reece Wheeler warned Shawna Boardman, one of the private security directors, through text at 9 P.M. The text read, "Pull tons over the rail unconscious. There's panic in people eyes. This could get worse quickly. I know they'll try to fight through it but I would want it on the record that I didn't advise this to continue. Someone's going to end up dead." Blount was sitting on his father Treston's shoulders when the countdown to Scott's performance began at NRG Park back on November 5. He and his father stayed at the back because they thought it would be much safer, but once Scott took the stage, people started pushing forward. Amid the crowd surge, the father lost consciousness and the young Blount fell to the ground. The boy suffered from severe damage to his brain, kidney and liver after being kicked, stepped on and trampled by other concertgoers. The 10-year-old died ten days after he was put in medically-induced coma. In the recently-released 1,266-page report from Houston Police, Scott shared that he wasn't made aware of the severity of the situation even after he was told to stop his show early. The musician said that the first time he noticed something went wrong was when he was lifted on a platform above the stage. That was when he noticed someone down near the stage who was receiving medical attention. As he performed two or three songs on the elevated platform, he saw one of the audience members waving their hands at him near the stage. He quickly told the crowd to back up and get medical attention to the area. He also noted that at one point, he asked the crowd to put up a middle finger if they were good. As he got overwhelming responses from the folks, he thought everything was fine. The ex-boyfriend of Kylie Jenner further said he learned that something happened only when he returned to his trailer. After a friend told him that two concertgoers were getting CPR, he claimed that he started wondering what was actually happening. He later found out that some people died and dozens were injured at Astroworld when he got home around 2 or 3 A.M. While he is currently facing civil lawsuits, Scott will not be indicted on any criminal charges stemming from the concert. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The 51-year-old Playboy cover girl sparks concern after she's photographed crying and looking distraught in a rare sighting in front of her house in Los Angeles. Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Is Carmen Electra OK? The former "Baywatch" babe sparked concern after she was photographed crying and looking distraught during a rare sighting around her house in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 30. In photos and a video obtained by Page Six, Carmen appeared exasperated while sitting hunched over the stoop of her home. The 51-year-old model and actress looked troubled as she took deep breaths. At one point, the Playboy cover girl could be seen holding her hands up to her face while furrowing. It seemed like Carmen also cried as she appeared to wipe away her tears from her makeup-free face. During the public meltdown, the "Scary Movie" star looked casual in a Guns N' Roses graphic tee that she paired with camouflage cargo pants and black Adidas sneakers. As for her signature blond hair, she let it tied up into a very messy bun. Despite that, her representative appeared to try to brush the concern off, telling the news outlet that there is "nothing to worry about." The rep further noted, "It looks like she had a migraine, and it's really hot out. The sun is basically in her eyes!" Earlier this month, Carmen opened up about her venture on OnlyFans in an interview with Fox News Digital. "At first I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to do, but I really looked into it and I realized I could be my own boss," she shared. "I love being a part of OnlyFans because I shoot when I want to shoot. I have creative control of doing whatever I want to do." Carmen then revealed one of her most requested photos from her millions of fans. "It's funny to me because I get a lot of requests for my feet, and it cracks me up," she said. "People want to see feet." "There's just this wild obsession with feet. So, of course. Yes, OK, great; do you want to see my feet? I'll just grab my phone. That's what I like. I use my phone. I don't think anyone wants to see that super professional photos. They want to see you," she added. "So I'll just do a video of my feet and think of something try to come up with different ideas of how you can show your feet, or ask them, 'How would you like to see my feet?' " You can share this post! Cover Images/Faye's Vision Celebrity The 'Euphoria' star's mother made a 911 call when she found her son unresponsive on Monday morning, July 31, but the official cause of death is unknown at this point. Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - A 911 call made by Angus Cloud's mom revealed his "possible overdose" before his sudden passing. The mother of the "Euphoria" star made the call around 11:30 A.M. on Monday, July 31 after finding him unresponsive at his family's home in Oakland. In redacted audio of the 911 call obtained by TMZ, Oakland PD and Fire Dept. responded to the 911 call made by Angus mother. She reported that the actor did not have a pulse. He was eventually pronounced dead on the scene. It should be noted though that the official cause of death is unknown at this point as police have launched an investigation into it. Angus' shocking death was confirmed by his family on Monday. "It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss," his family said in a statement. They added, "The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." "We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss," the family concluded. Angus was allegedly battling suicidal thoughts after getting back from burying his father in Ireland. Months before his tragic passing, a man claiming to be the actor's former talent manager detailed his alleged struggle with substance abuse in a lengthy Twitter screed. Diomi Cordero revealed in April that he worked as Angus' talent manager in 2021 after the two met a rehab clinic where he claimed Cloud was a patient at the time. He claimed that the actor continued to struggle with drug addiction after he was discharged from the rehab facility. Diomi recalled the time Angus alleged relapsed during a July 4 barbecue in 2021. "Upon entering his premises and attempting to greet him with a hug, it became immediately apparent that he had resumed substance abuse, a mere two days after completing his treatment," Diomi said. Diomi claimed that the "situation gradually deteriorated" over the next few months and said that by November 2021, Angus had "evidently relinquished control of his addiction." He then received a distressing phone call from the actor's roommate, who said that the "North Hollywood" star was struggling to breathe. Diomi said he rushed over to Angus' home, where he administered Narcan and performed CPR. "Regrettably, as he regained consciousness, Angus vomited onto my face," he tweeted. Diomi said their working relationship ended following the alleged incident. You can share this post! Cover Images/Instagram/Roger Wong Celebrity The 'Real Housewives of New York City' alum declares that she is on her fellow Bravo celebrity's team as she deems the engagement of the latter's estranged husband a 'bargain basket.' Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Bethenny Frankel has publicly voiced her support for Lisa Hochstein. Shortly after Lenny Hochstein, the estranged husband of her fellow Bravo celebrity, announced his engagement, the former star of "The Real Housewives of New York City" declared that she is "team Lisa" and deemed his proposal a "bargain basket." On Sunday, July 30, the 52-year-old reality TV star made the declaration through a TikTok video. In the clip captioned, "On Lisa & LENNY," she could be heard saying, "Seeing pictures of Lenny Hochstein getting engaged is like being on the checkout line and seeing that bargain basket bin of, like, 75 cent and three dollar things where you might find something but usually don't." Not stopping there, Bethenny went on to state her stance, "People named Lenny Hochstein and their engagements aren't sexy." She further voiced her support for Lisa by saying, "I'm team Lisa Hochstein all day every day. When she and her hot guy get engaged, I'll actually watch the entire post." Bethenny's view on Lenny's proposal to Katharina Mazepa led other TikTok users to express their thoughts. In the comments section, one in particular wrote, "Lou singing 'Money Can't buy You Class' is all I can think when I see Lenny getting engaged." Another joined in, "Ummm this is the type of couple you look at and say OH I KNOW HER GAME !" A third suggested, "It reminds me of the time I was searching the $5.00 movie bin at Walmart and grabbed detective pikachu because there was nothing else to grab." In the meantime, a fourth penned, "Beyond Heartbreaking I love Lisa! Wish he understood children were involved. Stunned his mother sunk to such a disgusting low!" Bethenny's "team Lisa" declaration came after Lenny announced his engagement to Katharina despite still being married to Lisa. Making use of Instagram, Lenny and Katharina posted photos and a video from the proposal, which took place in Ibiza, Spain. In the caption, they wrote, "On top of an ancient pirate cave, overlooking the sunset over breathtaking Es Vedra, he asked to steal me away forever." Responding to Lenny's engagement announcement, Lisa sarcastically congratulated him and his "mistress." On Saturday, July 29, the star of "The Real Housewives of Miami" wrote in an Instagram Story post, "Congrats to my current husband and his mistress on their engagement." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The one-half of City Girls confuses people with her declaration that she is the black version of Oprah Winfrey while acknowledging that the former daytime talk show queen is indeed a black woman. Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Yung Miami has puzzled fans with her claim that she is "the black Oprah." The Miami-born star has been roasted by social media users after calling herself the black version of Oprah Winfrey in an upcoming interview. On Monday, July 31, a sneak peek of an upcoming episode of "Drink Champs" made its way out online. In the short preview, the raptress declares, "I'm the black Oprah." She then quickly admits that she knows the former daytime talk show queen has the same color skin as her. Afterward, the 29-year-old seemingly suggests that because Oprah carries herself in a more "proper" manner, she may be perceived as less black in the world's eyes. As fans will only get the full context of Miami's statement when the interview is released in full later this week, many have questioned the "Twerk" hitmaker's declaration. "Then what is ....Oprah ?" one Twitter user asked. Another remarked, "Ain't oprah black tho." Someone took Miami's comment as an insult to Oprah, exclaiming, "She shouldn't disrespect Oprah like that!" A fourth person slammed the one-half of hip-hop duo City Girls as saying, "This woman is such trash." Others mocked Miami by bringing up her previous comment about liking "golden shower" and her relationship with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. "Too many golden showers to the dome," one person trolled her. Another wrote, "Diddy gotta stop peeing on her," while another said, "She got pee brain." Miami has been hosting her own talk show titled "Caresha Please" which airs on Revolt TV. In 2022, the femcee/actress, whose real name is Caresha Romeka Brownlee, shared the Best Hip Hop Platform award with "Drink Champs" for her "Caresha Please" series, which has so far spawned 10 episodes. Her career ambition aside, Miami recently announced that she's ready to be in a serious relationship after apparently calling it quits for good with Diddy for good. She tweeted on Wednesday, July 26, "I'm ready to be in a relationship & love again! this was my last summer being outside!" You can share this post! Cover Images/INFphoto.com Celebrity The former 'Home Improvement' star is taken into custody after police 'received report of a physical dispute between a male and adult female at a north Eugene residence.' Aug 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Zachery Ty Bryan has found himself being entangled in legal trouble yet again. Nearly three years after he was arrested for domestic violence, the former "Home Improvement" star was taken into custody for the same case. "At around 6:00 P.M. on July 28, Eugene Police received report of a physical dispute between a male and adult female at a north Eugene residence," so read a statement from the Eugene Police Department. "The dispute was reported to have occurred several hours prior and the suspect, identified as Zachery Ty Bryan, age 41, of Laguna Beach, California, had left the location." "Eugene Police subsequently contacted Bryan in the area," it added. "Bryan was lodged at Lane County Jail on a charge of Assault in the Fourth Degree APA (Abuse Prevention Act)." The details of the latest alleged incident remain unknown. As for Bryan, he is still in prison as of Monday morning, according to PEOPLE. Bryan was previously arrested for domestic violence on October 16, 2020, after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend Johnnie Faye Cartwright during a violent dispute between the two in their apartment. "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" actor was reported to put his hands around her throat and squeezed it. He was also alleged to have snatched her phone when she tried to call 911 for help. Bryan agreed to take a deal and plead guilty to menacing and fourth-degree assault in February 2021. In June of this year, he told The Hollywood Reporter that the incident that led to his arrest got "blown out of proportion." "We got really loud. We were screaming and because we were in a town home that had (thin walls) - everybody could hear," he told the outlet. "At the end of the day, (police) throw a bunch of counts at you because they ultimately want you to plead to something. I could've fought it but that's more stress and drama." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The rapper and podcast host celebrates his birthday more than a week after his son, YNG Cheese, died in a triple shooting in Philadelphia on the 5800 block of Mascher Street. Aug 2, 2023 AceShowbiz - Gillie Da Kid was pretty much in good spirits on his first birthday without his son, YNG Cheese. In a video shared on Instagram, the rapper thanked his cousin Wallo for giving him a 2023 Slingshot ROUSH. "I pull up to the studio. This n***a bought me this for my birthday," the Philadelphia native said of his "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" co-host as he showed off his present. "Aye Lo, man, I love you." "I was really down, man. This my first birthday without my son being here so I was really going through it and I pulled up to the studio and this n***a bought me this," he added. "This n***a crazy." Gillie went on to gush, "I love this n***a, man. This n***a crazy, man. Damn this joint nice as s**t. Damn Lo. You hooked me up dog. Damn man. I appreciate you, cuz. Man I swear I love this n***a man. Damn man. God damn." He concluded, "This is a nice birthday gift. I love you dog!" YNG Cheese passed away after being involved in a triple shooting in Philadelphia on the 5800 block of Mascher Street at 8:24 P.M. on July 20. The police report stated that a 25-year-old man was shot once in the back and taken to the hospital by police. He was pronounced dead at 8:39 P.M. Wallo was the one who confirmed YNG Cheese's death by writing on his Instagram account, "Lil Cuz usually when I talk to you, I got a lot to tell you. Tonight the pain in my heart & tears spoke to you. I love you beyond life Cheese. I got your father, Rest well!" He also added multiple broken heart emojis. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Herbo has been charged for allegedly stealing credit card information to fund luxury vacations and a villa in Jamaica along with other five other men and he's expected to be sentenced on November 7. Aug 2, 2023 AceShowbiz - G Herbo (Lil Herb) has been ordered to pay back the alleged victims in his wire fraud case. The rapper, whose real name is Herber Wright, reportedly has been told to pay $140,000. The order is a part of Herbo's plea agreement. Among those who will receive the money is the company Woof Woof Puppies in Southfield, Michigan, which will get $10,458. It's the place where the emcee's manager allegedly purchased dogs for him using a stolen credit card. Herbo and five other men were charged for allegedly stealing credit card information to fund luxury vacations and a villa in Jamaica. They were also said to be using $1.5 million for private jets, lease foreign cars and designer bags. The "My City" spitter is facing up to 20 years in jail after entering a guilty plea in the case. He's reportedly expected to receive a two to three-year bid during his sentencing on November 7. "Mr. Wright used stolen account information as his very own unlimited funding source, using victims' payment cards to finance an extravagant lifestyle and advance his career," U.S. attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. "Mr. Wright's conduct affected countless businesses and individuals across the United States who had to foot his nearly $140,000 bill in unauthorized transactions. Mr. Wright flaunted his lavish spending on social media, in music videos and in industry news." "This office and our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring that individuals and businesses are protected against fraudsters," he continued. "This case should serve as a reminder that if you break the law, you will be prosecuted and held accountable regardless of who you are." You can share this post! This is the second article in the Serving Itaewon series exploring assistance-related agencies and businesses that aid the assimilation and development of migrant residents of Itaewon and surrounding communities. By Pinnacle TheHustler To settle in a bustling metropolis like Seoul, planning for the future is very important. Among all the things to consider, two essential aspects stand out real estate and insurance. Jee Kim, an experienced real estate agent who focuses on the Yongsan area, and Brian Shin, a risk consultant at Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, both emphasized the importance of these fundamental components in securing a stable and comfortable life in Korea. Real estate agent Jee Kim / Courtesy of Jee Kim Jee Kim's journey in the world of real estate spans an impressive eight years, all of which have been dedicated to the Yongsan area, with a special focus on Itaewon and nearby multicultural neighborhoods. When asked about her dedication to this particular area, Kim explained that it's not just about business Itaewon is her home. Being born and raised in the area and having lived there her entire life, she possesses an innate understanding of the community and its dynamics. Moreover, Kim's English proficiency positions her as a valuable asset for prospective foreign residents of the area. Having lived overseas in the past herself, she recalls the support she received from others and aims to be a similar pillar of assistance for foreigners living in Korea. "I'm not perfect, but I try," she humbly admits, reflecting her commitment to making the transition smoother for her clients. With a strong network and demand for her expertise in the Itaewon area, Kim has become a trusted name among expats seeking their ideal home. Whether buying, renting or selling, she can be reached through various channels text, call, or email ensuring easy access to those that are in need of her assistance. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance risk consultant Brian Shin / Courtesy of Brian Shin Sony Pictures Movie The 'Her' actor is dubbed as a perfect fit by the 'Gladiator' director to bring famous French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte back to life on the big screen. Aug 2, 2023 AceShowbiz - Sir Ridley Scott picked Joaquin Phoenix for "Napoleon" after an inspirational moment while watching "Joker". The 85-year-old director is at the helm for the upcoming historical epic that sees Phoenix play the role of the French Emperor, and Scott knew the 48-year-old star was the man for the role when he was watching him play the titular character in the 2019 film. "I'm staring at Joaquin and saying, 'This little demon is Napoleon Bonaparte.' He looks like him," he told Empire magazine. Scott compares Napoleon to Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler, but says he was "extraordinary." He added, "I compare him with Alexander The Great. Adolf Hitler. Stalin. Listen, he's got a lot of bad s*** under his belt. At the same time, he was remarkable with his courage, and in his can-do, and in his dominance. He was extraordinary." Scott and Phoenix previously teamed up in 2000 historical drama "Gladiator", and the actor admits he had a feeling of nostalgia about working with the director again for "Napoleon". He added, "There was just a very nostalgic idea of working with Ridley again. I was so young. It was my first big production. I really yearned for that experience again, or something similar." In December, Scott told how he rewrote "Napoleon" because of Joaquin Phoenix's "constant questioning." Speaking to the same publication, he said, "Joaquin is about as far from conventional as you can get. Not deliberately, but out of intuition. That's what makes him tick. If something bothers him, he'll let you know." "He made ('Napoleon') special by constantly questioning. With Joaquin, we can rewrite the goddamn film because he's uncomfortable. And that kind of happened with 'Napoleon'. We unpicked the film to help him focus on who Bonaparte was. I had to respect that, because what was being said was incredibly constructive. It made it all grow bigger and better." You can share this post! Plenary Session: Harnessing the Power of Data | Sunday, Aug. 13, 5-7 p.m. PDT Jeremy Frey, University of Southampton Will AI Win a Chemistry Nobel Prize and Replace Us? Heather Kulik, Massachusetts Institute of Technology What Artificial Intelligence Can do to Accelerate Chemical Discovery John Jumper, Google DeepMind Expanding the Role of Machine Learning in Chemistry The Kavli Foundation Emerging Leader in Chemistry Lecture | Monday, Aug. 14, 9 a.m.-noon PDT Micheline Soley, department of chemistry and department of physics-affiliate, University of Wisconsin-Madison Role of Quantum Computing and Data Compression in Chemistry The Fred Kavli Innovations in Chemistry Lecture | Tuesday, Aug. 15, 5-6 p.m. PDT Douglas Keszler, department of chemistry, Oregon State University How a Materials Discovery Becomes an Innovation Presidential Events and Symposia Endorsed by the ACS president and the organizers, these events deliver scientific content of greatest interest to those attending ACS Fall 2023. Here is a full list of Presidential Events, but selected events include: Its About Trust in Science and Scientists Workshop | Aug. 13, 2-4 p.m. PDT. Effects of AI on Science: Classroom to Publication to Boardroom | Aug. 14, 8 a.m.-noon PDT. The POWER of Chemistry: Opportunities and Challenges | Aug. 14, 8 a.m.-5:10 p.m. PDT. C&EN Turns 100 ACS weekly magazine, Chemical & Engineering News, will celebrate its centennial birthday at ACS Fall 2023. Click here for a list of events that will celebrate the milestone. And keep an eye out at ACS Fall 2023 for the centennial print issue, which highlights 10 seminal discoveries and advancements in chemistry. For health and safety information for ACS Fall 2023, see the FAQ webpage. Journalists and public information officers may request credentials by completing this form. Global digital agency DEPT announces the launch of its award-winning design practice in India. Based out of Mumbai, the design offering will be part of Tekno Point/DEPT, the agencys operations in India launched earlier this year. The design services will offer next-level digital experiences via UX/UI and digital product design. With a team of six and two new clients already in place, the new practice will work closely with DEPTs Netherlands based design team led by Franklin Schamhart, Head of Design & Partner at DEPT Netherlands. Schamhart counts design work for clients ranging from Van Gogh Museum, Bugaboo to Just Eat Takeaway and Smart (Automobile) to his design portfolio. Winning awards from the Webbys to The One Show to D&AD, DEPT's design and UX team is recognised as one of the best in the world. The agency has worked with clients such as H&M, Google, KFC, Nikon and Webex to bring their ideas to life, creating pioneering experiences that brands need and users love. Commenting on the launch, Himanshu Mody, CEO of Tekno Point/DEPT, said: DEPT has a proven experience in delivering world class design services and were excited to bring this offering to brands in India. A combination of DEPT's global experience along with our sizable local presence and our commitment to building our teams with the best talent available, makes us an attractive partner for clients in India. Were already in conversation with several clients to bring them onboard DEPTs Mumbai-based design practice. Franklin Schamhart, Head of Design, DEPT said: We are thrilled to bring our cutting-edge design skills to India.Tekno Point/DEPT@s superb track record with large clients instantly opens up our design practice to the biggest brands in India. What is exciting about this is that it allows us to bring great digital experience to a group of clients and customers that is larger than anywhere else in the world. We are looking forward to building Tekno Point/DEPT among the top 3 choices for enterprise brands in India for experience design services. Vishnu Mohan, Partner & CEO, DEPT Asia Pacific, added: Design was always envisioned as an organic growth catalyst to our 500+ engineering team. Growing a top-notch team under Franklin marks the start of our journey on the subcontinent. Since launching in APAC in Dec 2021, DEPT now has 700+ employees across Melbourne, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore and Manila. EaseMyTrip.com, one of Indias largest online travel tech platforms announces the approval of EaseMyTrips board to acquire 51% of the aggregate paid-up share capital of each of the three prominent travel companies incorporated in India, to solidify its position as a major player in the travel and tourism industry. The consideration for the proposed acquisition will be paid by EaseMyTrip by way of issuance of its equity shares to the selling shareholders of the respective target companies on a preferential basis. EaseMyTrip has quintessentially been one of Indias preferred travel partners and they are proactively expanding through acquisition of companies in order to have a prominent market presence. The trio of eclectic companies that the company proposes to acquire includes - Guideline Travels Holidays India Private Limited, Mumbai, TripShope Travel Technologies Private Limited, Jammu and Kashmir and Dook Travels Private Limited, New Delhi. Guideline Travels Holidays India Private Limited, Mumbai: Guideline Travels, a highly reputed travel company that excels in both B2C and B2B circuits. The company boasts an extensive product portfolio international group tours, bespoke FIT ventures, fixed departures and MICE movements and has its major business line in cruises. TripShope Travel Technologies Private Limited, Jammu and Kashmir: TripShope Online, a travel and leisure solution provider based in Kashmir, offering a wide range of travel products, including flights, holidays, hotels, and more. The company's dedication to providing exceptional travel experiences at the best available prices has garnered a loyal customer base. Dook Travels Private Limited, New Delhi: Dook Travels is a renowned integrated Travel Management Company based in Delhi, operating across CIS countries, Turkey, the UAE, and India. The company has established itself as the biggest DMC for CIS countries, serving a vast customer base of over 1 lakh tourists in the past 8 years. Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Nishant Pitti, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, These three companies have a strong track record and a wealth of experience in their respective areas. Together, with these remarkable travel companies, we extend and embrace to a diverse spectrum of exceptional services catering to larger markets. Together, we are poised to ignite the wanderlust of countless explorers, crafting unforgettable journeys that resonate with every soul and paint the world with the colors of adventure and discovery. Being pioneers at cruise selling, we sought an aggressive online selling platform for cruise products around the world. Our partnership with EaseMyTrip gives us a big thrust to bring a bouquet of cruise products to our B2B as well B2C clients. Partnership with EaseMyTrip opens up our horizons and will allow us to bring to fruition our vision hence propelling Guideline Travels to new heights. - Mr. Pradeep Saboo, Director of Guideline Travels. This is going to be a quantum leap in the travel, tourism and employment generation of Jammu and Kashmir, Adil Sathu, Founder and COO, Tripshope, The brand equity of EaseMyTrip is also going to help us expand in Jammu and Kashmir, apart from other parts of the country, he added. Tourism for CIS destinations is poised to grow exponentially for next several years because of increasing air connectivity, simplification of visa process and cordial bilateral relations with India. We together shall be able to leverage our positions as market leader in CIS destinations through our extensive agent network, strong hold in airlines and EaseMyTrips extensive customer name and brand value.- Sandeep Gupta, Director, Dook Travels. EaseMyTrip expresses its commitment to maintaining the unique identities of the acquired companies while fostering synergies to achieve operational efficiencies and deliver enhanced value to customers. The consolidation of talent, resources, and knowledge is expected to drive growth, innovation, and an enriched travel experience for all stakeholders involved. *The proposed acquisitions is subject to completion of customary condition precedents, shareholders approval, and any other regulatory approval as may be required under the applicable law(s).. RPG Group, a leading Indian conglomerate, launched the 'Hues of Happiness' Art Collection, an artistic initiative that promotes employees' emotional well-being through Art display at its offices. This initiative, supported by the RPG Art Foundation, promotes accessible Indian art while building a happy work culture that fosters creativity and happiness among RPG Group employees. The one-of-a-kind curation celebrates and fosters emotional well-being through the abilities of extraordinary artists through an engaging video displayed on all its external channels. The 'Hues of Happiness' collection embodies the incredible connection between art and happiness reflecting RPG Group's pride in fostering a workplace that nurtures joy and creativity among its employees. With the unwavering support of the RPG Art Foundation, the group endeavours to spread happiness to all stakeholders through this captivating initiative. A recent study by McKinsey Health Institute revealed a concerning 70% global employee burnout rate, emphasizing the urgency to prioritize well-being. Addressing this issue, RPG Group's Hues of Happiness art collection stands aligned with their promise, "Hello Happiness," spreading joy to all stakeholders. RPG Group's recent research on Generation Z underscores its emphasis on empowerment and holistic well-being. According to the report, Gen Z employees find solace in therapeutic art forms like painting and drawing. Demonstrating their commitment to employee mental well-being, RPG Group offers free access to mental health practitioners through a partnership with Juno Clinic. Additionally, the Group's LGBTQIA+ and Partners Benefits Policy exemplifies inclusivity, fostering equal opportunities and a safe workplace while nurturing a harmonious and resilient workforce. With Hues of Happiness, RPG Group reinforces its dedication to promoting emotional well-being and creativity, striving to make the world happier, one brushstroke at a time. Angel One Ltd. (formerly known as Angel Broking Limited), India's most trusted Fintech company, has launched the #SuperIsHere campaign. It is an AI-powered campaign that aims to encourage and empower billions across the nation to leverage the power of data and technology in their wealth-creation journey with the Angel One Super App. It also highlights the unique and unmissable features of the Super App, such as speed, security and reliable experience. The #SuperIsHere campaign, driven by one of the renowned Swedish director Anders Forsman, enlightens investors, traders, and intenders that the Super App platform is now available for the diverse investment journey. The super app is built with customer centricity in mind, which is the reason the brand is trusted by 1.5 crore Indians. Through influencer partnerships, social media posts, business channels, news channels, Google, Meta advertisements, OTTs etc, this tech-powered campaign communicates how GenZ and Millennials can leverage the Super App for a customized and simplified investment experience. To bring the SuperApp experience live in Tier 2, Tier 3 and beyond cities, the company has also planned activation programs at a large scale. Mr. Prabhakar Tiwari, Chief Growth Officer, Angel One Ltd., said, Our mission is to empower every Indian investor through Angel One Super App, delivering a seamless and technologically advanced experience for investing and trading at all levels. We have utilized extensive data to comprehend client needs, enabling us to tailor curated journeys within the app. Through the #SuperIsHere campaign, we showcase the advantages of the Angel One Super App, aiming to attract more clients and expand into underpenetrated markets, thereby fostering organic growth. Mr. Dinesh Thakkar, Chairman & Managing Director of Angel One Ltd., said, We completed 100% rollout of the Super App earlier this year. It has been built with deep understanding of how mobile apps are integral to our lives, and investors and traders are no different. #SuperIsHere campaign would create pan India awareness and appeal for our SuperApp. A one-stop shop that offers online trading & investing, direct mutual funds, sovereign gold bonds, NCDs and more, the Angel One Super App caters to clients including intenders, traders and investors. It ensures frictionless account opening and one-click bank updation. On opening the account, clients get a personalized home page, providing access to everything with a single tap, faster charting and order placement coupled with the highest level of transparency with charges displayed upfront. They can access data in offline mode for P&L, Funds and Order status basis last synced. Vaccine manufacturers and other health experts met Thursday at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to plot potential strategies to combat the swine flu virus. But in a troubling sign that the swine flu outbreak has yet to run its current course in the United States, three New York City public schools were closed Thursday after dozens of flu-like infections surfaced and an assistant principal was in critical condition on a ventilator, according to published reports. Also on Friday, health officials announced two new deaths linked to the H1N1 virus, bringing the nationwide total to five. While the official tally of confirmed U.S. swine flu cases topped 4,700 on Friday, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimate the true number of infections at more than 100,000 nationwide. Lest we forget, COVID wasnt the first international health emergency. Going back a decade or two, we can remember the alarm that was raised over swine flu and bird flu. The AP reported that drug companies were ready to start producing a swine flu vaccine, but many questions remain. They include how many doses to produce, particularly in relation to needed doses of seasonal flu vaccine. The expert group's recommendations will be forwarded to the WHO's director-general, Margaret Chan, who is expected to issue advice to vaccine manufacturers and the World Health Assembly next week, the AP said. But at least one infectious-disease expert said it was a "foregone conclusion" that drug manufacturers would be told to proceed with a vaccine for the H1N1 flu. "If we don't invest in an H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, then possibly we could have a reappearance of this virus in a mild, moderate, or catastrophic form and we would have absolutely nothing," said Dr. David Fedson, a vaccine expert and former professor of medicine at the University of Virginia. Several years earlier I remember the hype over the deadly bird flu. Feb 22, 2006, NBC News: Bird flu pandemic is possible, CDC warns A bird flu virus may mutate to a human form that becomes as deadly as the ones that killed millions during three influenza pandemics of the 20th century. Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Monday that scientists believe it is highly likely that the virus that has swept through bird populations in Asia will evolve into a pathogen deadly for humans. We are expecting more human cases over the next few weeks because this is high season for avian influenza in that part of the world, Gerberding said in remarks at the national meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Study already has shown that the virus can infect cats who can then infect other cats, which Gerberding said was another harbinger of the possibility of a human pandemic. The science here is all alerting us that we have a great deal to be concerned about, she said. The CDC chief said her agency is getting ready for a possible pandemic next year. The government has ordered 2 million doses of vaccine that would protect against the known strains of avian flu. Gerberding said this would give manufacturers a head start on making the shots that would be needed to combat a full-blown epidemic of an H1-type of flu in this country. February 23, 2006, NBC News: U.S. to test bird flu vaccine as warnings spread Amid dire warnings of an Asian pandemic, the government is preparing to test an experimental bird flu vaccine and is increasing disease surveillance in hopes of reducing the toll from any eventual American outbreak. NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said the vaccine will be tested at centers in Rochester, N.Y., St. Louis and in Maryland and Texas to make sure it is safe and to determine the correct dosage in such groups as the elderly, children and healthy young people. More on the bird flu pandemic. November 2, 2005, C-SPAN: Pandemic Flu Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the CDC was interviewed. Here are some of her remarks. We have been concerned about the possibility of a pandemic for many, many years. If its not this time, it could be soon. One of the things we have to come to grips with is that the federal government cant do it all. Weve got to involve everyone in this planning effort, and that includes the local health officials, the state health officials, but also includes the private sector, the health care organizations; I think importantly, people. There are things people can do for themselves and for their families and in their workplace that can also really contribute to a comprehensive preparedness effort. Everyone does recognize that a big investment is necessary. For me personally, this is really a historic time in public health because weve been worried about this for a long time. Now we have the attention of our President, of our Congress, really of the while international health community. I think we can finally get to a point where we can get our vaccine situation straighten and ultimately look forward to a future where we dont have to be worried about this health threat. A nurse from Chicago called in to C-Span to ask Dr. Gerberding a question. Im a registered nurse, and Ive been giving flu vaccines, and I watched the congressional hearings three years ago. Im very upset to see on the box from GlaxoSmithKline that its not even made here. Its got formaldehyde and thimerosal, a carcinogenic and a neurotoxin. Now were asked to give it to babies and children. What in the world are we doing? We cant trust the CDC, because I saw the hearings. I dont feel comfortable giving people formaldehyde and mercury. Im not taking it. Cant we do better? I was horrified to find out Ive been injecting people with formaldehyde and mercury. Gerberding: A couple of very important perspectives here. We actually have four flu vaccine manufacturers supplying flu vaccines this year, and this is a first for us. We have tremendous experience with this vaccine, and we have studied its safety for a long period of time. We have no evidence of any special risks associated with any of these products. Were not concerned about these products and safety. What we are concerned about is that its flu season and the best defense people have against influenza is to get their seasonal flu shot. These vaccines have to have a preservative when they come in multi-dose vials. The amounts of these chemicals in these vaccines are very, very small, and there are certainly no indications of any health risks associated with them. Those that still contain thimerosal as a preservative are not in any way associated with autism. Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism. ### From Skyhorse Publishing The War on Ivermectin: The Medicine that Saved Millions and Could Have Ended the Pandemic #1 Seller in Forensic Medicine By Pierre Kory Dr. (Author), Jenna McCarthy (Author) Big Pharma and health agencies cry, Dont take ivermectin! A media storm follows. Why then, does the science say the opposite? Ivermectin is a dirty word in the media. It doesnt work. Its a deadly horse dewormer. Prescribe or promote it and youll be called a right-wing quack, be banned from social media, or lose your license to practice medicine. And yet, entire countries wiped out the virus with it, and more than ninety-five studies now show it to be unequivocally effective in preventing and treating Covid-19. If it didnt work, why was there a coordinated global campaign to cancel it? Whats the truth about this decades-old, Nobel Prize-winning medication? The War on Ivermectin is the personal and professional narrative of Dr. Pierre Kory and his crusade to recommend a safe, inexpensive, generic medicine as the key to ending the pandemic. Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Childrens Health Defense) Hardcover Illustrated, August 15, 2023 by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author), Brian Hooker (Author) Based on over one hundred studies in the peer-reviewed literature that consider vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Each of these studies is analyzed and put in context of the difference in health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated infants, children, and adults. Given the massive push to vaccinate the entire global population, this book is timely and necessary for individuals to make informed choices for themselves and their families. Australia, Japan, Vietnam beef up military spending, while Southeast Asian countries, driven by budget constraints, rely on balancing act to counter China By Kang Hyun-kyung North Korea, China and Russia are the dangerous trio that has sent countries worldwide scrambling to equip themselves with both conventional and state-of-the-art weapons to counter the risks they pose. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the global military budget hit an all-time high of $2.24 trillion in total in 2022, up 3.7 percent from the previous year. The U.S. took the lion's share with nearly 40 percent of total defense budget spending, followed by China and Russia. South Korea came ninth with $46.4 billion, slightly ahead of Japan, which spent $46 billion. "We have North Korea here whose threat continues to grow year after year," Kim Min-seok, a former spokesman at the Ministry of National Defense and vice president of Korea Aerospace Industries Association in Seoul, told The Korea Times. He said China's ambitious maritime strategy is another ominous sign that can bring irreversible consequences to regional security if implemented as scheduled. He added that China aims to put the territory in the so-called first island chain of the South China Sea under its control, by force, in 2025. The first island chain refers to the virtual line drawn through the Kuril Islands, the Japanese archipelago, the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the northwestern part of the Philippines and Borneo. It also encompasses Senkaku Islands, which China calls Diaoyu Islands. Therefore, if China were to implement measures to fulfill its maritime strategy, territorial disputes between Japan and China will intensify further. Kim said the ongoing war in Ukraine is another root cause of the global arms race that is feared to expand into all of Eastern Europe in 2025, if things go badly. "Guess what will happen if these three events namely the North Korean security threat, China's maritime ambitions and the possible expansion of the war in Ukraine into other parts of Europe are all at play simultaneously in 2025. Things will get out of control," he said, noting that the global arms race reflects such a worst-case scenario looming large. Nations in the Indo-Pacific region, most notably Australia and Japan, scrambled to modernize their militaries amid fears that China's maritime ambitions could deal a serious blow to their national security. Last week, Australia signed a $3.4 billion contract with South Korea's Hanwha Defense to build 129 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) for the Australian Army. It is the largest military acquisition in the country's history. The next generation of Hanwha's Redback combat vehicles will be manufactured at its Geelong plant. The landmark deal to acquire 129 IFVs came on the heels of Australia unveiling a defense strategy review which recommended an increase in its defense expenditure beyond the current budget of 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), improve the military's capabilities to precisely strike targets at longer ranges and manufacture munitions at home. The document singled out China as "the largest and most ambitious of any country since the end of World War II." Earlier, Australia announced plans to purchase eight nuclear-powered submarines from the United States. Bec Shrimpton, director of defense, strategy and national security of the Sydney-based think tank, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said Australia's military buildup aims to strengthen its deterrence against foreign forces. "Australia's submarine investment is key for credible deterrence in a highly complex security environment and reflects Australia's maritime strategic geography," she told The Korea Times. "The IFVs provide essential land capability for the Army in an integrated force structure." China is the world's second-biggest spender on defense, following the United States. During the past decade, China's defense budget remained at 1.7 percent to 1.8 percent of its GDP. The figure reflects an increase of roughly 0.4 to 0.5 percent of GDP from the previous decade. China has a massive stockpile of missiles, stealth aircraft, bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons, advanced surface ships and nuclear-powered submarines, according to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency's 2019 report, titled "China Military Power: Modernizing a Force to Fight and Win." The country also has three aircraft carriers with the latest Fujian aircraft carrier launched last year that was built using homegrown technology and design. Aircraft carriers are a symbol of a country's military clout and China is one of a few countries with multiple aircraft carriers. Japan reacted to China's military buildup by announcing a dramatic increase of its defense budget. Japan plans to double military spending and raise its defense budget to 2 percent of GDP by 2027 from the current 1 percent. If implemented as scheduled, Japan's military expenditure will be much higher than that of South Korea. Over the past decade, South Korea set aside around 2.5 to 2.8 percent of GDP for defense spending. The Ministry of National Defense seeks to scale up the defense budget up to 3 percent of GDP, but the plan faces opposition from lawmakers. The U.S.'s defense budget accounted for 3.5 percent of its GDP in 2021. On top of the budget increase, Tokyo also announced it will acquire new weapons land or sea-launched missiles that can strike targets 1,000 kilometers away amid fears that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan will pose a grave threat to Japan's national security. In its national security strategy unveiled earlier, Japan identified China as the "greatest challenge ever to securing the peace and stability of Japan." Will China invade Taiwan? The arms race in the Indo-Pacific region raises a key question: Will China go ahead with an invasion of Taiwan as several countries in the region speculate as a possible scenario in the near future? U.S. officials remain divided over the answer. U.S. Air Force General Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, for example, saw it as a possible scenario that could happen as early as 2025. But the Department of Defense (DOD) denied it, saying his view did not reflect the DOD's official stance. Timothy R. Heath, a senior international defense researcher at the RAND Corporation in Washington D.C., said a Chinese invasion of Taiwan does not seem to be a feasible scenario, at least, in the very near future. He said there are various reasons for Beijing to build up its military, saying China is facing a multitude of threats, including the dangers of Taiwan separatism, territorial disputes with Southeast Asian countries in the East and South China seas and border disputes with other countries. He said national prestige is also one of the drivers behind Chinese leader Xi Jinping's aggressive move to modernize the People's Liberation Army. "Like autocrats elsewhere, Chinese leaders regard a powerful military as a sign of national status and as a way of whipping up patriotic enthusiasm. This explains in part the government's pursuit of high-profile status symbols such as aircraft carriers," he said. Although he believes a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is not imminent, Heath said Australia's and Japan's responses to China's military buildup are a necessary measure. "Although there are many reasons for China to build up its military, its intentions could change someday," he said. "It is possible that a more aggressive or radicalized leader might be tempted to use the Chinese military against Asian countries. It is in the best interest of all countries to make adequate deterrence preparations to discourage any Chinese leaders from risking conflict." gettyimagesbank Balancing act China's military buildup sounded the alarm to Southeast Asian countries that are in territorial disputes with China in the East and South China seas. Among the countries, Vietnam is the most outspoken against China. "(There's) no doubt that some Southeast Asian countries are more vocal and visibly pushing back against China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea," said Collin Koh, an associate research fellow at Nanyang Technological University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. "Vietnam has been consistently putting up this profile and in recent years the Philippines has also started to steel its resolve against Beijing." Koh said the responses of Southeast Asian countries to China's military buildup, however, are different from that of Australia or Japan, mainly because of budgetary constraints. "Many of these countries have consistently underspent on defense," he said, noting that financial resources they can invest in their militaries are very limited because of rising debt levels, dwindling foreign currency reserves and worsened trade after the pandemic. He added that budgetary constraints faced by Southeast Asian countries led them to rely on foreign powers, such as the United States, to fill the defense gap. Ramon Pacheco Pardo, a professor and head of the Department of International Relations at King's College London, observed that the territorial disputes with China amid a strengthened U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific region could end up hurting Beijing. "When it comes to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam, I don't think that any of them is leaning towards China," he said. "Quietly, some of them, including Indonesia, Singapore or Thailand, are improving security ties with the United States. Others such as the Philippines or Vietnam are doing this more openly. And I think that they will continue to do this as long as China continues with its territorial claims in the East and South China Seas." As markets closed another winning month on Monday, most stocks on our Birmingham and Alabama Stock Report saw gains and some with local interest were near the top of the list. First US Bancshares, Inc. gained 5%. The Birmingham-based bank holding company operates one banking subsidiary, First US Bank. It has 12 branches across the state, including Birmingham and Calera. Warrior Met Coal, the Brookwood-based global steel supplier, increased 4.2%, while Fairfield-based U.S. Steel picked up 3.4%. Community Health Systems rose 2.6%. The Franklin, Tennessee-based company has six locations in Alabama: Birmingham, Dothan, Enterprise, Foley, Gadsden and Huntsville Nucor, the largest steel producer in the United States, lifted 1.9%. The Charlotte-based company has several operations sites in Alabama, including Birmingham and Hoover. Birmingham-based ProAssurance Corporation was at the bottom of the table, dropping 1.5%. Headquartered in Birmingham, it is a property and casualty company that sells professional liability insurance to doctors. Police in Pensacola are investigating the citys sixth case of anti-Semitic vandalism in two weeks, according to local media reports. Video footage sent to Pensacola TV station WEAR shows red swastikas painted on buildings on the southern end of Palafox Street over the weekend. Pensacola police have not yet figured out who is responsible for the weekend vandalism or the other recent incidents. Last week, someone threw two bricks with anti-Semitic messaging through windows at Temple Beth El, the oldest Jewish house of worship in Florida. This brick with anti-Semitic messaging was thrown through a window at the Chabad Jewish Center in Pensacola July 17 -- the first in a series of anti-Semitic incidents in less than two weeks. Two visiting rabbis were preparing dinner at the center when one of the bricks crashed through the kitchen window, landing where one of the rabbis had been standing only moments earlier, according to the Post. The rabbis rushed outside and saw someone run behind a building and then drive away, Mendel Danrow, the rabbi who runs the center, told the Post. Danrow, however, has turned an action born of hate into a labor of love. Danrow already had plans to expand the community center and now he will use the brick thrown through the window as the first laid in the expansion. The brick that was thrown, which was intended to bring hate and negativity and division and so on, we will use that brick as the cornerstone, Danow told the Post. A similar incident happened July 17 at Pensacola Chabad Jewish Center, a Jewish community center, according to a report in the Washington Post. It was the first in the series of six such incidents, according to media reports. Pensacola police have yet to make any arrests from any of the incidents. Get the Ed Chat newsletter: Enter your email for weekly updates about Alabama schools: Many Alabama schools performed better on state tests than last year, a new round of results show, but some student groups and some districts and schools are still struggling to get their footing At the district level, most districts had more students proficient in each of the three subjects, according to scores posted on the Alabama Department of Education website Tuesday. The percentage of students in traditional school districts who are proficient in each of the three subjects ranged from: ELA - 15% in Greene County to 87% in Mountain Brook City, Math - 3% in Bullock County to 79% in Mountain Brook City, Science - 6% in Greene County to 83% in Mountain Brook City Results in Alabamas nine public charter schools were mixed, with some gaining ground in one or more subjects and others losing ground in one or all subjects. The district-level results are in the table below. Click here if you are unable to see the table. State-level results broken down by student group characteristics show all but one group has a higher percentage of students who are proficient in English language arts, math and science. And the one group that backslid - and only in science - was migrant students, whose proficiency levels dropped very slightly by 2/100ths of 1%. The chart below shows the proficiency levels of students in each group in ELA, math and science. Click here if you are unable to see the chart. State-level results on multiple tests, shared during a board work session three weeks ago, showed improvement in every tested grade in math, science, and English language arts with one exception: third grade ELA which dropped by one percentage point from 55% to 54% proficiency. At the time, Alabama Superintendent Eric Mackey said he was proud of the growth students scores have shown, something that isnt spelled out in the scores but does factor into a schools report card grade. Mackey said he was pretty excited about the ELA scores. Math, he said, we did not see as much growth. Obviously were more concerned about where we are with math proficiency. Middle school math proficiency levels remain low overall, though some districts have a high percentage of students who are proficient. It seems to be kind of stagnant in the middle grades, he said, which is where we introduce algebra, algebra skills. The ACAP portions students into four levels: level 1 is below grade level, level 2 is low grade level, level 3 is proficient and level 4 means a student has mastered the academic standards. Students reaching levels 3 and 4 are deemed proficient in reporting. But proficiency is not the same as grade level, which is a higher bar, Mackey said. When we think about proficiency, he said, those would be students you expect to make As or As and Bs. Grade level is a lower bar, he added. Students in grades two through eight take the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program summative test or ACAP summative, in math and English language arts. Students in fourth, sixth and eighth grade are also tested in science. High school juniors take the ACT with writing, a college entrance exam and scores in math, ELA and science are a part of a schools report card each year. ACT scores were also released Monday, improving by a tenth of a point, from 17.3 in 2022 to 17.4 in 2023. Proficiency is determined based on a students scale score. Scales and cut scores can be found at this link. The July 31 release, announced at the work session, marks the earliest that test scores have been released under Mackeys tenure as state chief. I made a commitment that when we got our new ACAP test, Mackey said, we would release the scores in the summer as quick as possible. School districts have had their results since early July. Authorities have released the name of a man found dead Sunday morning on a Jefferson County roadside. The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the man as Ketyric Migual Robinson. He was 40 and lived in Birmingham. The discovery was made at 6:40 a.m. by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service in the 200 block of Quebec Drive. Because that location is in unincorporated Jefferson County, the sheriffs office was notified. Sheriffs Lt. Joni Money said deputies found Robinson dead on the scene. The body was taken to the Jefferson County Coroners Office. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma or foul play, said Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates. The cause of Robinsons death is pending additional lab studies. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 or the sheriffs office at 205-325-1450, option 2. A Birmingham man is facing numerous charges after police say he kidnapped his infant daughter after firing shots into the babys mothers Vestavia Hills apartment earlier this week. Joel Bennett McCandless, 27, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, shooting into an occupied building, certain person prohibited from possessing a firearm, reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, violation of a protection from abuse order and interference with a domestic violence emergency call. Vestavia Hills police Lt. Mike Keller announced the charges Tuesday afternoon. Police responded at 6:20 p.m. Sunday to Grand Highland of Vestavia Hills apartment complex on Overton Road on a report of a possible kidnapping with shots fired. Once officers arrived, they determined that McCandless who does not have custody of the child shot into the apartment before entering and taking the child, police said. The 11-month-old girl was recovered a short time later in the Crestwood area of Birmingham. McCandless was taken into custody Sunday night and was held in the Vestavia Hills City Jail until warrants were obtained on Tuesday. He is being transferred to the Jefferson County Jail where he will be held without bond. Court records show the childs mother in June successfully filed for a protection from abuse order against McCandless, claiming he had been emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive. Hes also stated he would kill me if we got into a serious altercation, the mother wrote. You wont be the one walking away, she said he told her. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the nations highest court, will be the featured speaker at the 60th anniversary memorial service commemorating the bombing at 16th Street Baptist Church on Sept. 15, 1963 that killed four girls. Who would believe in 1963 that 60 years later we would have the first African-American woman in our history on the Supreme Court, said 16th Street Baptist Church Pastor Arthur Price, who made the announcement this morning alongside Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Jackson will speak at the 9:30 a.m. memorial service on Sept. 15, Price said. We believe thats a powerful statement for us to hear as we continue to remind the world how far weve come, Price said. The city of Birmingham will host the 2023 Forging Justice commemoration week Sept. 10-16, 2023. The community is invited to share in a series of discussions with nationally acclaimed leaders, a conference on healing, art interpretations, a film screening, a visit by international dignitaries in addition to the keynote speech by Jackson. In the aftermath of that fateful day on September 15, 1963, our city and our nation had to take a hard look at itself and reckon with the devasting effects of hate and racism, Woodfin said. Today, in the spirit of the Four Little Girls, we work to be better and honor them by preserving our history and building a future worthy of their sacrifice. All year long, the city of Birmingham, along with area churches, arts organizations, businesses, and nonprofitshave commemorated the 1963 Birmingham civil and human rights movement. The theme for the year is Forging Justice. The commemoration continues with this upcoming series of events: Legacy Voices of the Movement Community Conversation: The Ballard House Project, Inc. presents a community conversation with esteemed educator, advocate, and mathematician Dr. Freeman Hrabowski and members of Birmingham civil rights families. Hear stories and collective cultural memories of courage, fortitude, and determination from those who were there and what helped them to stand strong. Sunday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. at The Ballard House, located at 1420 7th Ave. North. There IS A Balm In Gilead: Healing From The Events Of 1963: The Historic Bethel Baptist Church will host a conference on individual and community healing on September 12-14 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Sessions will focus on healing from racial trauma, conflict resolution, and more. Keynote speakers include Dr. Tony Evans, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Dallas, TX; Kevin Lindsey Chief Executive Officer of the Minnesota Humanities Center; Elizabeth Silkes, President of the International Sites of Consciousness; Dr. Hassan Jefferies, author of Bloody Lowndes, and many other noted speakers, renown authors, physicians, and therapists. For details and to register, go to The Historic Bethel Baptist Church will host a conference on individual and community healing on September 12-14 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Sessions will focus on healing from racial trauma, conflict resolution, and more. Keynote speakers include Dr. Tony Evans, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Dallas, TX; Kevin Lindsey Chief Executive Officer of the Minnesota Humanities Center; Elizabeth Silkes, President of the International Sites of Consciousness; Dr. Hassan Jefferies, author ofand many other noted speakers, renown authors, physicians, and therapists. For details and to register, go to here Dawoud Bey: The Birmingham Project: The Birmingham Museum of Art will present the highly acclaimed exhibition Dawoud Bey: The Birmingham Project . Opening its doors to the public on September 14, this poignant exhibition consists of a series of diptychs by renowned photographer Dawoud Bey that pays homage to the legacy of the tragic event while celebrating the resilience and strength of the Birmingham community. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Dawoud Bey will serve as the speaker for the BMAs annual Chenoweth lecture with distinguished scholar Dr. Imani Perry. Together, they will delve into the intersection of art, history, and social justice. The lecture is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception. Register at The Birmingham Museum of Art will present the highly acclaimed exhibition. Opening its doors to the public on September 14, this poignant exhibition consists of a series of diptychs by renowned photographer Dawoud Bey that pays homage to the legacy of the tragic event while celebrating the resilience and strength of the Birmingham community. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Dawoud Bey will serve as the speaker for the BMAs annual Chenoweth lecture with distinguished scholar Dr. Imani Perry. Together, they will delve into the intersection of art, history, and social justice. The lecture is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception. Register at artsbma.org Birmingham 1963-2023: Creating a Path to Reconciliation: On Thursday evening, September 14th, in remembrance of the events of 1963, the Ballard House Project, Inc., and its partners invite the Birmingham community to engage in critical, intergenerational dialogue with scholar, author, and nationally recognized thought leader Dr. Eddie Glaude. The event will also highlight messages from civil rights family members and inspirational music. The transformative event is free and will take place at 16th Street Baptist Church, 1530 Sixth Ave. North. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the event begins at 6 p.m. Register On Thursday evening, September 14th, in remembrance of the events of 1963, the Ballard House Project, Inc., and its partners invite the Birmingham community to engage in critical, intergenerational dialogue with scholar, author, and nationally recognized thought leader Dr. Eddie Glaude. The event will also highlight messages from civil rights family members and inspirational music. The transformative event is free and will take place at 16th Street Baptist Church, 1530 Sixth Ave. North. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the event begins at 6 p.m. Register here 4 Little Girls documentary screening. The Morgan Project will host a screening of the Spike Lee documentary 4 Little Girls on Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Sidewalk Film Center, and Cinema, located at 1821 2nd Ave. North. There will be a virtual introduction by Lee. The screening begins at 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m. there will be a conversation with survivors and the victims family. For details, go to The Morgan Project will host a screening of the Spike Lee documentary 4 Little Girls on Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Sidewalk Film Center, and Cinema, located at 1821 2nd Ave. North. There will be a virtual introduction by Lee. The screening begins at 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m. there will be a conversation with survivors and the victims family. For details, go to sidewalkfest.org Watsons Go to Birmingham School Field Trip Day: Christopher Paul Curtis book The Watsons Go to Birmingham will be brought to life with hands-on, curriculum-based field trip for 4th-8th graders on Thursday, Sept. 14. Students will listen to music of the 1960s, play jacks and hopscotch, read poetry by Langston Hughes, and map out the route that the Watsons took from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama. There will also be a vintage car show sponsored by The Iron City Cruisers and the Dixie Vintage Auto Club, featuring a 1937 Plymouth like The Watsons Brown Bomber. The hands-on event will run from 9 a.m. until noon with an optional screening of Spike Lees 4 Little Girls for middle schoolers at the Lyric Theater at 1 p.m. Partners include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, The Historic Bethel Baptist Church, the University of Illinois Center for Childrens Books, Birmingham Public Library, the Hoover Public Library, The Morgan Project, Make it Happen Childrens Theater, Sloss Furnaces, the Footsoldiers Headquarters, Humanities Foundation Alliance, the National Park Foundation, and The Ballard House Project. Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Commemorates Church Bombing: With the theme of Looking 60 years forging Justice for a Better World , the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church will commemorate the 60th year anniversary of the church bombing on Friday, Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. The morning will feature a litany and reflection, music by the Carlton Reese Memorial and Miles College choirs; and a keynote by Jackson. For more information, go to With the theme of Looking 60 years forging Justice for a Better Worldthe historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church will commemorate the 60th year anniversary of the church bombing on Friday, Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. The morning will feature a litany and reflection, music by the Carlton Reese Memorial and Miles College choirs; and a keynote by Jackson. For more information, go to www.16thstreetbaptist.org Through His Eye: The Photography of Chris McNair: The City of Birmingham will highlight the work of the late photographer Chris McNair with an exhibition of images he captured during the movement, including one of his late daughter Denise who was killed in the church bombing. The exhibit is on the second floor of Birmingham City Hall, located at 710 20th Street North. Visitors can view the collection Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until Saturday, Sept. 16. For details, go to The City of Birmingham will highlight the work of the late photographer Chris McNair with an exhibition of images he captured during the movement, including one of his late daughter Denise who was killed in the church bombing. The exhibit is on the second floor of Birmingham City Hall, located at 710 20th Street North. Visitors can view the collection Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until Saturday, Sept. 16. For details, go to www.birminghamal.gov/mcnairexhibit Four Little Girls Play. As part of the Human Rights New Works Festival, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church joins Red Mountain Theatre for a reading of Christina Hams Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963. The one-act play brings joy, life, and music to the story of Denise, Carole, Cynthia, and Addie Mae, innocent children living in a divided country. Sunday, Sept. 24. at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus. Tickets at As part of the Human Rights New Works Festival, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church joins Red Mountain Theatre for a reading of Christina Hams Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963. The one-act play brings joy, life, and music to the story of Denise, Carole, Cynthia, and Addie Mae, innocent children living in a divided country. Sunday, Sept. 24. at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus. Tickets at redmountaintheatre.org Updates regarding the 2023 Forging Justice Commemoration Week can be found at birminghamal.gov/forgingjustice. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is currently searching for a missing kayaker reported struck by a barge near Guntersville Dam. WAFF is reporting the incident happened at about 9:30 p.m. Monday. The U.S. Coast Guard is also involved in the search. Dive teams reportedly recovered a kayak, a life jacket and a paddle from the area near the dam. Marshall County EMA referred all question to ALEA. A 19-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the shooting a young girl in Birminghams Smithfield community last month. Taniyah Lowery is charged with second-degree assault in the July 6 shooting of 4-year-old Kamoria Houston. Charging documents against Lowery state she recklessly caused physical injury to Kamoria with a pistol. Lowery is Kamorias sister and the charge relates to the pistol being an unsecured firearm, a prosecutor said. It was just before 2 p.m. that Thursday when officers with the Birmingham Police Departments Community Safety Partnership Unit assigned to Birminghams public housing communities - were in Smithfield when they were approached by a community member who told them there was an infant shot. Officers went to the 800 block of First Street North to an apartment and found the 4-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. She was taken to Childrens of Alabama, where police said at the time she was fighting for her life. An update on her condition has not been released. Police said the girl was in the apartment unit when at least one shot was fired, possibly more. Authorities have not said whether the girl got hold of a gun and shot herself, or whether Lowery discharged the gun, and court records do not provide clarity on that issue either. Lowery was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on July 25 at 7:23 p.m. and released at 8:59 p.m. after posting $10,000 bond. A north Alabama man who was convicted in April of child rape and incest was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors announced. Lawson Miller Sr., 44, of Guntersville, continuously had sex with the child -- a female relative who was under his care -- when she was 10 through 13 years old, said Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray. Marshall County Judge Christopher F. Abel, who presided over Millers trial, sentenced the Guntersville man on Monday. My heart is grateful for Judge Abels sentence in this case, not only as a district attorney, but as a mom and member of this community, Bray said in a statement. The district attorney said she was proud of the victims courage in coming forward. Mr. Miller will die in prison, and that is honestly better than he deserves, Bray said. After a three-day trial, a Marshall County jury convicted Miller after just 40 minutes of deliberations on charges of first-degree rape of a child less than 12, first-degree rape by forcible compulsion and incest, the DAs office said. Abel sentenced Miller to the maximum on each count. Mike McMillan has served as mayor of Spanish Fort since 2012. Prior to that, McMillan served for eight years on the Spanish Fort City Council. Last month, Spanish Fort celebrated the 30th anniversary of its incorporation. The town, which started in 1993 with 3,600 people, now has close to 11,000 and is one of three growing municipalities on the Eastern Shore. Here, McMillan discusses how the citys changed since it was incorporated, addresses the traffic issues in Spanish Fort and the citys mystery cannon. Questions and answers have been condensed and edited for clarity. First just tell me about the biggest issues facing Spanish Fort right now? Well, I mean, the easiest thing to say is the growth, theres the elements of infrastructure and those things. But if you really want to look at the biggest opportunity we have in the city, its managing stormwater, and everything that goes with stormwater. You got to understand the topography of Spanish Fort is very hilly, and the soil conditions are very sandy. So, you got the combination of the hilly terrain, and you know how we get rain in this part of the world, it comes in bucket loads, it creates an erosion issue. So, those are the things that we have the biggest opportunities to take care of, but certainly with the growth were having in this part of the world, its very important that we look at where we are and where we go into the future. U.S. judge rejects Trump's attempt to derail 2020 election probe Xinhua) 14:14, August 01, 2023 WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to derail an investigation into his alleged meddling in the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia was rejected by a judge on Monday, U.S. media reported. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney rejected efforts by Trump's legal team to keep a Georgia district attorney from prosecuting him and from using certain evidence gathered in her investigation into the case. In his ruling, McBurney said there are no grounds to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from pursuing her investigation. Willis has suggested that she may seek charges in the case in the coming weeks. Trump's legal team in Georgia had previously asked the court to throw out all the evidence from the special purpose grand jury investigation and disqualify Willis, citing concerns about the constitutionality of special grand juries in the state and about "a prosecutor's office that was found to have an actual conflict, yet continued to pursue the investigation." The special grand jury did not have the power to indict. But it did issue subpoenas and hear from witnesses and issue a final report with recommendations for Willis. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap Yoon slams 'cartel' in construction industry By Nam Hyun-woo President Yoon Suk Yeol urged the Ministry of Education to "immediately set up" administrative guidelines to protect teachers' classroom authority, amid nationwide uproar from teachers about the harsh working conditions they face from demanding parents following the suicide of a fellow teacher. "Leaving students who violate rules unpunished under the pretext of human rights is no different from tolerating criminal acts that undermine social order," Yoon said during a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday. "The Ministry of Education should establish guidelines immediately so that they can be implemented at schools from the second semester of this year." His remarks came amid multiple protests staged by teachers, calling for reform of the public education system, after a teacher in her 20s took her own life inside her classroom in Seoul's Seocho District. Although the police investigation continues into the death of the teacher, it has been speculated that she suffered verbal complaints from overly concerned parents regarding some of her students both in and outside of her working hours. Teachers have expressed concerns that their legitimate authority to offer guidance on students' personal development and behavior is being undermined by an increasing number of parental complaints. Some of these complaints have even led to lawsuits against teachers for alleged child abuse, despite teachers, by and large, implementing appropriate and fair disciplinary measures. Amid the uproar from educators, the government has been seeking ways to improve teachers' authority, with Yoon saying last week that "the education ministry will set up guidelines related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and revise "unreasonable" student welfare ordinances. The educational ordinances are municipalities' own ordinances that are related to student welfare, highlighted by banning any kind of physical and verbal violence including certain punishments. Seoul, Gwangju, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and some other regions have been implementing respective ordinances, which have similar measures, mostly backed by liberal politicians and education superintendents. For example, a Gyeonggi Province ordinance even prohibits teachers from meting out punishment points to children who misbehaved. Despite debates, the ordinances have been often mentioned as one of the reasons for weakening teachers' authority. A survey conducted by the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, July 25 and 26, found that 83.1 percent of 32,951 members believe the ordinances have undermined teachers' authority. Teachers hold banners during a sit-in protest in Jongno District, Seoul, July 29. They called for reform of public education and bolstering of teachers' authority. Yonhap Against this backdrop, Yoon's comments have been interpreted as his administration believing that the ordinances have undermined the authority of teachers too much. "Using the pretext of human rights to obstruct the enforcement of laws for maintaining rules and order actually infringes on the rights of citizens," Yoon said. "Likewise, without the establishment of teacher authority, discussions about students' rights become empty words." The Yoon administration already amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act last year and approved the revised enforcement decree of the act in June to allow teachers to guide students with counseling, warning and disciplinary measures. If the education ministry sets up a guideline, it will contain a detailed scope and measures of teachers' guidance and will stand as a higher-level rule over the ordinances. This will effectively override the ordinances' regulation of teachers, allowing teachers to guide students properly, the presidential office said. A man watches TV at his subdivided flat in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday, when the heatwave alert was issued across the city. Yonhap A missing boy whose body was recovered from a spring-fed pool in south Alabama early Sunday evening has been identified. Geneva County Coroner Don Atkinson told AL.com on Monday the child was 6-year-old Brantley Griffin. Brantley, who was at a birthday party at a Coffee Springs campsite, was reported missing about 3 p.m. Sunday, Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms told WDHN. The child was last seen in a playground. His family began searching surrounding woods before expanding the search. Divers found Brantleys body in a spring-fed pool around 6 p.m. Sunday, Helms told WDHN. The child had been seen with a flotation device before he disappeared but was not wearing the device when his body was discovered, the sheriff said. Brantleys body is being transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy. Sen. Katie Britt was admitted to the hospital over the weekend after she suffered sudden facial numbness while with her family in Montgomery, the senator said Monday. Britt, who is now recovering at home, said the condition is not life-threatening and recovery could take several weeks. Alabamas junior senator said doctors at Baptist Medical Center South determined that my symptoms were a result of swelling of a facial nerve, most likely caused by a post-viral infection. A specialist at UAB looked at Britt as an outpatient and concurred with the prognosis and course of treatment, she said. I am grateful for the medical professionals providing excellent care, and my family and I are deeply grateful for your prayers, Britt said. The senator, 41, is Alabamas first woman elected U.S. senator and the upper chambers youngest active female member. The foundation of a free society is, of course, self-government, and the foundation of self-government is when the citizens of that society, via the electoral process, choose who governs them. Therefore, it is essential not only for elections to be fair and competitive but, more importantly, that there is a perception that they are fair. In the United States, this is no longer the case, but the Supreme Court has cleared the path for eradicating the worst fraud and changing the perception. Both elected officials and unelected bureaucrats often refuse to maintain voter rolls properly while suggesting that non-citizens be permitted to vote. Tech oligarchs pump hundreds of millions of dollars into cities to purposely muddle the election process as they manage public opinion via censorship, half-truths, and (their favorite) misinformation, meaning any charade they themselves believe. To any rational observer, these are obvious distortions of the process, and they destroy the perception of fairness upon which rests the willingness of those in the losing camp to accept the results. Therefore, when Democrats use positions of power to erase the perception of election fairness, they are essentially expressing their consent to destroying our Republican system. We need little data to analyze the results of the 2020 Presidential election and the 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial election. We have been so propagandized that it is as easily recalled by Americans as Maos little red book is for the Chinese. Image: Counting mail-in ballots. YouTube screen grab. Though barely campaigning, unable to speak, and drawing massive crowds, measured in dozens, waving to nobody, on the rare occasions when he was able to muster the energy to leave his basement, Joe Biden remarkably received the most votes of any candidate in US history. However, his historic popularity notwithstanding, his debatable victory nevertheless still required eking out miraculously close races in the hyper-partisan Democrat strongholds of Atlanta, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, each of which employed the Long Count. The Long Count is defined as counting votes well past election day. Long Counts took place in these cities (and others) because, said the Democrats, every vote must be counted, even though, in many jurisdictions, early voting was available for months prior to election day on November 3, 2020. Even with modern technology, for some reason, 21st-century Americans are unable to count votes, even over a period of two months, so we now also count votes well past election day. Therein lies the rub However, considering that we are dealing with modern-day Bolsheviks, for whom, in their quest for unbridled power, the end justifies the means, there may still be hope. There are numerous explanations rationalizing the leftist zeal for mail-in voting. One is most certainly to capture the dead vote. It is common knowledge that, once deceased, even lifelong Republicans flip to Democrat upon entering the grave. Another is to capture the almost dead vote. Those in end-of-life care are certainly entitled to vote, but they mustnt be included if no longer lucid (as, for example, our titular head of state). Yet another is to enfranchise the disenfranchised, postulating that minorities who are able to acquire drivers licenses, get to work, catch flights, make doctors appointments, etc., are somehow incapable of figuring out how to vote. More useful is harvesting as many unclaimed mail-in ballots as possible. These tend to go Democrat because the bag men executing the fraud understand that their elected representatives will not enforce voter fraud laws against the co-conspirators who keep them in power. The aforementioned notwithstanding, the real reason for mail-in voting enthusiasm is that it creates chaos, and as the events of the past four years have shown, chaos is the Bolshevik goal, and the perception of chaos is all that is needed. My goodness! How can all that paper possibly be counted by election day? If every vote must be counted, the final tally must extend long after the election has concluded until ballots cease to arrive. Two weeks, six weeks, whatever it takes. This drive for chaos also explains why leftists despise in-person voting. When voting in person, the votes are tallied in real-time, the polls close at the pre-appointed time, and the tallies are certified by representatives from each party and transmitted to election central before the end of election day. There is no Long Count. And therefore, the bogey cannot be identified. The bogey is the second part of the key to voter fraud, as it represents the vote differential between the Republican candidate and the Democrat at the time the in-person polls close. Using the Long Count, poll closure merely serves to determine the bogey. Once determined, the counting then continues indefinitely until enough ballots are received (really created, retrieved, or recounted) in order to flip the result. This explains what happened in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Phoenix twice (once in 2020, during the Presidential election, and again in 2022, in the Gubernatorial election, carried out both times under the aegis of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, who, as Arizona attorney general, carried out the fraud on her own behalf after testing it out in the 2020 Presidential election). Pennsylvania Governor and former Attorney General Josh Shapiro did the same after infamously tweeting in 2020 that (and I paraphrase) there was no way that Trump could win Pennsylvania. One wonders how the person in charge of conducting the election could know that fact before conducting the election. Now you know why Attorneys General have a high success rate when running for Governor. If the Long Count is the real election integrity issue, what can be done about it? In 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Foster v. Love that, as one article carefully explains, Elections Undecided by Midnight are Void & Preempted by Federal Law. The Courts clear ruling must be understood to nullify long counts. At the very least, the issue must be litigated, adjudicated, confirmed, and broadly publicized before the 2024 Election to ensure that the Federal Election Commission will void election results in any jurisdiction that engages in counting past election day, ensuring that it doesnt again occur. Only in that way can we be certain that our next election will be an honest one. We are onto them (Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice ), and therefore a shot across the bow is required to act as a deterrent so that Democrats dont attempt a reprise of 2020s and 2022s behavior in the upcoming election. We now understand very well what is happening. I believe that President Trump had such a commanding lead at midnight on November 3, 2020, that, had the polls closed, and counting ended at 11:59:59 pm that evening, as per Foster v Love, with no bogeys calculated nor counted toward, he would have won. And if he had won, our society, country, and, indeed, the world would right now be far safer, happier, and better places for all of mankind, and most certainly Americans. Remember: what needs to be eliminated is not only the fraud, because there always has been and will be some, but, more importantly, the perception of fraud on a mass scale. Jonathan Gault is a pseudonym. Leftists keep on lying about their true goals on guns to get everyone to accept the intermediate steps to confiscation. What is the far lefts end game on guns? Anyone on the pro-freedom right side of the political spectrum has known this answer for years. Gun confiscation has always been the ultimate goal of every collectivist authoritarian down through history since firearms were invented, from the Bolsheviks, and National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party, to the Democrats and every leftist extremist in between. And yet, leftists and the nations socialist media still play the gaslighting game of pretending they only want common sense gun reform or safety or whatevers the deception du jour this week. Do they expect us to accept their lie that No one is talking about confiscating guns when weve documented theyve been talking about that for 30 years? And despite their ever-creative writing, we understand unconstitutional red flag orders are nothing but gun confiscation without due process. Guns turned in during a "gun amnesty" in Serbia (YouTube screengrab, cropped) This is probably one reason they had such a problem with Jason Aldeans Try That In A Small Town (full disclosure, our town is so small, it doesnt even have a red light). Because it brought this to the forefront of pop culture to people who probably havent thought of their government going all collectivist authoritarian on them and confiscating their guns. All of this raises the larger question: can there be any other end game on guns? Does the far left expect everyone to fall for some fantasy fiction that they will take every step towards gun confiscation and eviscerating your common-sense civil rights and then stop just short of their goal of total control? If they were honest about their ultimate goal, no one would fall for the intermediate steps. Incremental moves that do nothing to reduce gun violence are only useful in advancing toward controlling and confiscating guns. They want absolute control over your private property (guns, gas stoves, generators, etc.) with unconstitutional universal background checks so they can impose universal gun registration. Which ultimately leads to universal gun confiscation. But, lets consider what they said out loud when they thought they had the tyrannical winds at their back ten years ago, during a perfect storm for gun control in the early months of 2013. Barack Hussein Obama had just been re-selected as president and the tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut had just taken place. It was a perfect launching point for Obamas second term to go after our God-given civil right of self-defense. The far left was feeling their oats, and they werent being shy about finally trotting out the C word, starting with that paragon of womens rights, former NY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo: Confiscation could be an option. Mandatory sale to the state could be an option. But that was nothing compared to the fevered fascists of the far-left over on the daily Kos and two writeups on what they would love to do with our guns. One of the fantastic aspects of Al Gores creation, the internet, is that everything is forever, and the archive sites archive. today and the Internet Archive are available. So, these screeds are still available - in multiple copies - in these two locations. You may even want to download, save, and print out copies of these for posterity, because of their mind-blowing insights into the collective thinking of the left. Each says the quiet part out loud about how they want to confiscate guns. The first one entitled: How to Ban Guns: A step by step, long term process, talks about setting up a scheme to make it easy to register your guns, so they can set up a national gun registry. Of course, this would do nothing to reduce gun violence; it would only help in the next step, confiscating guns. They would also outlaw private sales of guns so that you would have to buy them through official channels to add it to the registry so - you guessed it - it can be confiscated later. Are you detecting a theme in all of this gun safety talk? But that was mild compared to a piece published later entitled: Effective Gun Control - A National Semi-Auto Ban. Take note that the most useful and thus the most prevalent firearms these days are semi-auto. This screed starts with our ever-so-kind and gentle BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) bringing down its iron fist on every FFL (Federal Firearms Licensees) in the country, shutting them down until all their records can be scanned and recorded into a national gun registry. If that takes too long and forces them out of business then thats perfectly okay with the left. Then it goes downhill from there, with the author engaging in some of the worst authoritarian daydreams youll ever see from the far left. Starting with the paring of the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms) with National Guard troops as deputized federal agents to go door to door confiscating guns: Go door-to-door with your list of gun purchasers, and get access to the guns. A massive VIPR-like sweep. No gun? Where is it? Who has it? Where's the paperwork? No gun, no paperwork? You're coming with us... the weather in Cuba is fine. Sadly, it appears the nationwide cell phone network is down, unless you're using a government contract cell phone. Yes, surprise is key. Forgetting about the fact that there are only a few million military and law enforcement personnel and an estimated 120-to-140-million-gun owners. Granted, not all of those military and law enforcement personnel could or would participate in this blatantly unconstitutional act of wholesale gun confiscation. And this budding authoritarian presumably thinks all of this can take place simultaneously across the country with complete surprise. But thats not even the worst part of their totalitarian fantasy: Mistakes happen. Somewhere in the process, an "honest mistake" happened. Knock, view, verify and record the presence of the named firearm in the possession of the named owner - or find out who has that firearm - was misinterpreted. Knock, bash-in the door, verify the presence of, and confiscate the named firearm - became the revised/improved process. Rules of Engagement were defined as: "take no incoming fire - lethal means authorized". A few "rogue operators" decided that if it looked sketchy, breach the door after the flash-bang grenades, and engage anyone seen with a firearm in proximity using lethal force. Consider this a look into the mind of the authoritarian left, where they start with grabbing records to ostensibly grab guns by bashing in doors and shooting anyone who dares resist - or is anywhere near a firearm. Flash forward 10 years to the present day when a couple of professors are proposing what they think is a brilliant scheme to use our support of law enforcement against us in an upcoming paper entitled: Qualified Immunity as Gun Control. In essence, they want to give law enforcement the ability to start disarming the people with legal impunity. The far left is always in a fevered obsession with gun confiscation, and that has been and always will be its end game. Meanwhile, leftists will continue to lie and deny this fact. D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, the director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack. Under our Constitution, impeachment and removal from office is not a criminal proceeding. It is a fiduciary accounting for abuse of office. In Joe Bidens case it would be for abuse of the office of President. His fault would be having been unfaithful to his trust as President. To assume his office, Biden promised the American people that he would faithfully execute the office of President. This rule of faithful best efforts on the part of every President was applied in the article of impeachment of Richard Nixon as follows: In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore Richard M. Nixon, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office. (This language was adopted by Special Counsel John Doar in part to follow my research into the history of impeachments when a student at Harvard Law School in 1974, research which was later published in the Georgetown Law Journal: Public Office as a Public Trust: a suggestion that a fiduciary standard is implied in Impeachment for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, Georgetown Law Journal, 1975) Our constitutional standard for what is right and what is wrong when holding an office of public trust was set in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 34: Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. Fiduciary law holds that when a President is accused of self-dealing to serve himself and not the American people, such a President must attempt to prove himself innocent by making full disclosure of all the relevant facts to the Congress. In an impeachment inquiry, there is no presumption of innocence to protect the defendant. Impeachment is not a criminal proceeding. A president under impeachment has no due process privileges such as the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Quite the contrary, where self-dealing is alleged, the accused has the obligation to come forward with evidence proving innocence. If he or she cannot do so, they deserve impeachment and removal from office. (This rule of law as to proving ones innocence when accused of self-dealing applies to all private trustees as well.) Further, a president under impeachment may not invoke the familiar privilege of keeping his communications secret from public knowledge. If he refuses to disclose what he said or wrote in private, he will not meet the demands placed on him to prove his innocence. And so he may be impeached by the House of Representatives acting as a grand jury and then convicted by the Senate acting as a jury deciding on the facts. In such a case, silence alone provides sufficient grounds for holding the accused guilty of self-dealing as charged. In Joe Bidens case, his self-serving behavior contrary to his oath of office and the duties placed upon him by his presidential public trusteeship include: 1) failure to come forward with the facts as to his and his familys financial gains when he served as Vice-President of the United States, which personal avarice compromised the national security of the United States; 2) participation in a conspiracy to have the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the IRS withhold from the American people facts regarding his familys corrupting financial transactions; 3) authorizing use of the prosecutorial authority of the United States to harass and oppress his political rival Donald J. Trump; 4) authorizing and condoning government suppression of free speech in furtherance of his own political interests contrary to the First Amendment to the Constitution In these ways did Joseph R. Biden personally profit from the use of his official authority contrary to his duties as President. Given the facts already disclosed in the media, the burden to prove that he is innocent of these charges has now shifted to Joe Biden personally. Should he not provide evidence in his own defense, he should be impeached forthwith. That is the law. Image: Nick Youngson Pix4Free Environmental, climate, and vegan activists make their headlines by interrupting the publics movement and events. Lately, activists are gluing themselves to UK, European, and Australian pedestrian crossings, roads, and runways. On Piers Morgan Uncensored, June 28, 2023, Just Stop Oil Activist Chloe Naldrett insisted disruptive actions are necessary because of climate emergency. For todays activists, an action means intentionally disrupting transportation or public festivities (sports events, theater productions, shopping, restaurant dining). I wonder how theyd react to the news that stopping traffic was originally conceived as a way to discredit, not communicate, an environmental message. Decades ago, environmental activists didnt inconvenience the public for attention. Banners were hung off buildings. Activists organized marches and gatherings, applying for permits to use public streets or parks. Groups printed and distributed leaflets, published magazines, and hired lobbyists. Even when environmental extremists spiked trees, endangering logger and sawmill workers, these sinister acts didnt inconvenience the public. Change began as the 1980s ended. By spring 1989, stopping traffic was morphing from a synonym for attracting public attention to a method (eventually the method) for demanding public attention. During summer, 1988, raw sewage and medical waste, nicknamed the Syringe Tide, regularly befouled New Jersey and Long Island beaches. After investigation, a New York State report offered no explanation for muck on miles of beaches, and suggested sewer runoff, illegal dumping, and unspecified other sources. The state report didnt mention routine disposal of New York Citys sewage. The sanitation department loaded untreated sewer contents into barges that emptied the waste into the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike previous dumpsites, where the waste stayed offshore, the new 1988 dumpsite allowed ocean currents to deposit the sewage on large stretches of shoreline. An activist for Greenpeace, a born New Yorker named Kenny Bruno, came up with a plan. A daring and theatrical stunt would focus public attention to the actual cause and shame the city into addressing the issue. Key to Kennys plan was that, among the six bridges crossing the East River (where barges were loaded and dispatched), the Triborough Bridge had a unique architecture, with car and foot traffic on entirely separate decks. A group of 13 activists would rappel from the bridges pedestrian deck, be highly visible from multiple points in the city, cause no obstruction to vehicle traffic, and could lower themselves to the water level to prevent the next scheduled sewage barge from traveling down the East River. On the afternoon of Sept. 15, 1988, activists (half would rappel and half guard the ropes), walked up the pedestrian deck and got to work. The rappel team were up and over quickly, and securely in place before the first police arrived (since evening rush hour was just beginning, this took a while). In Astorias streets, word quickly spread -- theres people on the bridge! With New Yorkers hatred of rush hour and traffic jams in mind, Mayor Ed Koch cooked up a plan to focus public disapproval on the activists, while diverting attention away from NYCs disgusting sewage disposal routine. He ordered Triborough Bridge traffic closed as long as people were dangling from the pedestrian deck. From the mayors point of view, shutting down the bridge backfired. Although, as hed hoped, people believed the rappel team intended to stop traffic, New Yorkers favored the activists and opposed dumping raw sewage. People gathered in the park at the east end of the bridge, showing support for the action. Meanwhile, the next scheduled poo barge traveled via the Long Island Sound, a trip three times longer than its usual East River route. The point was made. The activists climbed back up, were charged at a Queens precinct and released in the morning. The truth was communicated, and the city was on notice. Dumping raw sewage at sea, and medical waste into sewers, had a political price and would have to stop soon. Half a year later, in April 1989, there was a 10-day protest the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles north of Las Vegas. Peace Camp activities included blocking arriving employee busses, to prevent employees performing duties dangerous the public (like radioactive iodine releases). On Friday April 14, activities were winding down. Employees boarded buses headed home for the weekend. Protestors were preparing for camp ending on Sunday. Word spread through Peace Camp that a protestor had thrown herself under a bus, breaking her leg, and delaying numerous employees return home. She hadnt communicated any issue or disrupted any potentially dangerous activity. If this act changed the beliefs of anyone outside Peace Camp, it could only have been to harden opposition to the activists position. She returned to camp on crutches, greeted as a hero. In half a year, generating inconvenience as an intentionally-deployed tactic was an idea that was spreading. Ed Koch failed to smear the 1988 anti-sewage protest, but accidentally birthed incoherent inconvenience activism. Disturbances are now performed in the name of climate emergency, livestock assumed to be suffering, and modified vegetable genomes (GMOs rapid, reliable results serve aims as ancient as agriculture -- abundant, appealing food). As Chloe Naldrett insisted to Piers Morgan, activists believe halting routine public activities without warning is necessary as its the only way to get public attention. Chloe made this point during a television broadcast later uploaded to multiple You Tube channels. During her appearance, Morgan issued her repeated, vigorous invitations to return for future discussions. Greenpeaces positions these days are similar to activists like Chloe. One Greenpeace founder, Patrick Moore, left 15 years after he helped create the organization. He publicly dismisses human-generated harm to Earths climate, and tactics meant to provoke climate alarmism. Meanwhile, Kenny Bruno, who joined after Moore left, is on Greenpeace USAs board, and featured on the Pipeline Fighters Hub website. In 1988, NYC had nightly news on three TV stations and a handful of daily newspapers. Back then, there werent alternatives to TV and newspapers for alerting the public to urgent information government preferred to keep secret or ignored. The best option was to quickly get the attention of someone in media. The Pentagon Papers and Watergate wouldnt have been stories without reporters and news media. Todays ubiquitous phones record video or text content, and upload it instantly without cost (on some sites, content can generate income). And yet, not only do activists create spectacles in the name of getting public attention, but many mainstream media outlets produce copious content supportive of the climate emergency scenario. Searching the term, climate emergency media coverage turns up articles from the Guardian, the Nation, Scientific American, Politico, the NY Times, etc., all complaining climate gets insufficient attention. So, where are the satellite photos of the Manhattan-sized island of garbage floating in the Pacific? Swaths of sickly vegetation? (hint: more CO2 = greener earth) Why is it the 150 cities with the worst air quality in 2022 were all in Asia, Africa, and the Mideast, none in North America or Europe? (hint: airborne carbon is fuel wasted) Perhaps todays activists appear to be engaged in incoherent disruptive activities because they have an urgent emotional need for attention, but nothing important to tell us. Image: PxFuel As is discussed daily in these pages, America has many serious problems. Some of these problems require revolutionary change. But some others may be fixed or at least significantly alleviated by a carefully aimed rifle-shot statute. Lets look at some of those. (1) Teacher Certification Political revolution is occurring in many school district schoolboard elections across the fruited plain. But the most well-intentioned new board member often finds his plans frustrated by the teachers, who are nearly all woke. This is due to the 1-2 punch of (1) the state law that mandates schools hire only certified teachers, and (2) the 100% woke output of the teachers colleges, as noted in Chapter Six of Stanley K. Ridgleys Brutal Minds. This situation paralyzes a would-be revolutionary school board. A well-placed statutory rifle shot that toasts the statutory certification mandate will liberate the school board and empower it to allow the sun of rationality to shine into the darkness of wokism by replacing certified teachers with qualified teachers. Image: AIs idea of a generic state capital building (2) Population Decline Across the planet, many nations, including the USA, China, Korea, Japan, etc., are experiencing population decline. This appears to be largely due to the attitude of the younger generation that children are an unwelcome financial burden. Why dont they perceive their children as beneficial for their old age? Here we encounter a sad failure of the common law. The basic theory of the common law is that the law grows out of the customs of the people. Hence common law is often called customary law. Because it has always been the clear custom of the people that aged parents are cared for by their adult children, one would assume that such duty of care is a rule of the common law. However, that is not so. It is an inexplicable oversight that the common law does not impose a duty on adult children to care for their aged parents. And there, of course, lies the opportunity for a rifle-shot statutory correction that will recast progeny as economically beneficial to parents. All this requires is a simple statute stating that adult children have a legal duty to care for their aged parents. (3) Electrical Power Generation In recent news, we have seen PJM Interconnection, Americas largest electric grid operator, issue a Level-1 energy emergency alert for a potential electrical power shortfall. PJM Interconnection coordinates the movement of electricity through all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Question: How much of the power PJM distributes is generated by wind or solar, or other unreliable sources of electrical power? Wouldnt customers in those fourteen states like to know? More questions: Who is your electrical power provider? Who generates the power that your provider distributes? What proportion of the power it distributes is generated by wind or solar? Wouldnt you like to know? Here is another opportunity for a beneficial rifle-shot statute: A statute mandating that every electrical power provider publishes on its website a pie chart showing the percentage of its total distributed power generated by wind, solar, nuclear, coal, hydro, etc., etc. This will allow customers a basis for judging their exposure to a power failure. (4) Putting Transgenderism Out of Business This suggestion does not involve new legislation. It suggests acting on old legislation. Transgenderism is a pendant of homosexuality. Although the Supreme Court gave constitutional protection to homosexuality in the 2003 decision of Lawrence v. Texas, there nonetheless remain 17 states in which homosexuality is a crime, although they cannot enforce it. In Lawrence, the Supreme Court explicitly held that homosexuality was within the liberty protected by the substantive due process of the Fourteenth Amendment. However, In June 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the present Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade on the grounds that the substantive due process right that founded Roe v. Wade was not deeply rooted in this Nations history or tradition, nor considered a right when the Due Process Clause was ratified in 1868, and was unknown in U.S. law until Roe. Ergo, is it not a good bet that the same Supreme Court that invalidated the substantive due process of Roe v. Wade will likewise invalidate the substantive due process foundation of Lawrence v. Texas? How can an appropriate case be brought before the Supreme Court? All that should be necessary is for one of those 17 states to prosecute a wealthy homosexual for the crime under its homosexuality statute. It would be fascinating to watch whether the state court of appeals and the state supreme court salute Lawrence or Dobbs as the case wends its way to the US Supreme Court. Kim Eun-kyung, center, the chief of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's innovation committee, speaks in a round table discussion with young voters at a coffee shop in Seoul, July 31. Yonhap The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday urged the innovation chief of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to apologize after she made remarks denounced as demeaning to old people. Kim Eun-kyung, a law school professor who took over as the DPK's innovation committee chief in June, made the remarks Sunday during a meeting with people from younger generations, quoting her son as saying it is unfair for old people to decide the future of younger generations by exercising the same one vote. She said the son claimed that voting rights should be exercised in proportion to one's remaining life span, which means that the votes of younger generations should be given greater weight while less weight should be given to the votes of old people. "His point was that why should those whose future is short cast the same one vote when our future is much longer," she said. "The point is very reasonable, but I told him that it cannot be done that way because one person has one vote in democratic nations." Critics denounced her remarks as a slight on old people. On Tuesday, the PPP urged Kim to apologize and step down and the DPK to break up the innovation committee. "We have reconfirmed the DPK's demeaning and derogatory DNA towards the elderly. Society should issue a stern warning and put the brakes on those showing hostility towards the older generation just because they have different views," PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon said in a Facebook post. PPP Secretary General Lee Chul-gyu also said the DPK has a track record of making remarks slighting old people, recalling former DPK lawmaker Chung Dong-young saying in the early 2000s that those in their 60s and 70s did not need to bother to vote. The DPK has traditionally been popular among younger generations and the PPP among older people. "Kim should look back on herself, apologize and step down," Lee said. Some members of the DPK also said Kim's remarks were inappropriate, especially for someone who is tasked with the role of turning around the party's image after a series of scandals. "Equal voting rights regardless of age is part of our constitutional spirit. But to say voting rights should be adjusted according to remaining life expectancy is completely lacking in common sense," Rep. Lee Sang-min said in a radio interview. The innovation committee rejected the PPP's demand for an apology, saying Kim has already made it clear that the idea of giving voting rights according to one's remaining life expectancy cannot be accepted in a democratic nation. (Yonhap) The saga of the Fremantle Highway, a special purpose auto carrier ship that has been on fire off Holland for almost a week, killing at least one crew member, now raises even deeper suspicions about the role of lithium ion batteries, used in electric cars, as a source and aggravating factor in the blaze. In a report published here on AT five days ago, we cited reporting from CBS News that as many as 25 electric vehicles may have been among the more than 3,000 cars being transported from Germany to Egypt. Now comes news that 20 times more battery-powered vehicles were on board, via The Truth About Cars: Photo credit: Netherlands Coast Guard. An enormous vehicle carrier that caught fire at sea earlier this week appears to have far more electric vehicles on board than first suggested. This ship, christened the Fremantle Highway, was first reported aflame off the Dutch coast a couple of days ago. Initial information hinted there were at least 25 EVs on its manifest and that the conflagration likely began at or near one of those cars. Now, reports are surfacing that there could be nearly five hundred electric cars in the ship's hold, a realization that adds a lot more gravitas to a situation that has already claimed the life of one person and injured scores of others. A spokesperson for the vessel's charter told Automotive News their records show 3,783 vehicles in total aboard the ship, about a thousand more than first reported, including 498 battery-electric vehicles. While this is not conclusive evidence that lithium ion batteries were at fault in the fire, it does raise the odds considerably. And the larger number of batteries involved potentially makes the fire that much more difficult to extinguish, since they burn at a very high temperature and are difficult to put out. "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer" is not a new song. It's been kicking around South Africa for more than a decade. What is new, though, is the frenzy with which tens of thousands are seen singing it. When you combine this with a rapidly collapsing infrastructure and an uptick in violent attacks on white farmers, it's not hard to predict that South Africa will soon explode in a genocidal fury before lapsing into complete dysfunction. When the old Apartheid government in South Africa ended in the early 1990s, all decent people saw that as a good thing. Apartheid discriminated against blacks while a much smaller number of whites (descendants of Dutch and English settlers) experienced freedom and prosperity. What was amazing was that, when Apartheid ended, the country managed to avoid slipping into a bloodbath, something that can be attributed to Nelson Mandela's leadership. The guy may have been an old communist, but, to his credit, he didn't want a civil war. Image: Rally in South Africa. Twitter/X screen grab. Unfortunately, Mandela's presidency was followed by a series of less civil, more inept presidents who reveled in their communist values. Over the years, their governance damaged South Africa's prosperity, so these leaders did what demagogues always do: they found a scapegoat. In South Africa's case, the scapegoat was ready-made: white farmers who continued to do what they'd always done, which was to provide food for the nation (and for export). By 2010, the racial tensions that Mandela seemed magically to have erased were already coming to the fore in ugly ways. An essay from American Thinker in that year covered a song that the communists were using to bring about change: Julius Malema is the head of the ANC (African National Congress) Youth League, and delights in singing the "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer" song at public gatherings. They failed to rope him in, so a civil case was brought by an N.G.O. to stop him singing the song. He ignored a court ruling in favour of the plaintiff, and sang it while visiting Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. He had gone there to study their "success;" a country all but destroyed by that socialist dictator. A few days later the National Union of Mineworkers sang it at one of their meetings, taking their cue from Malema. We heard this morning that the disciplinary charges against Malema brought internally by the ANC, are to be dropped. They are powerless to stop him. He and his Youth League are the president's power base. It was they who orchestrated the coup at Polekwane in 2007, putting Jacob Zuma and the radical left in power. If they remove him, they remove themselves. It is out of control. Change has indeed come to South Africa, but not for the better. South Africa's infrastructure is collapsing, and the pressure is on to return to Apartheid, this time with whites at the bottom of society. Additionally, crime is soaring in what's long been one of the world's most violent countries. As Al Jazeera (which is honest about its facts) noted last November, 7,000 South Africans were murdered in just three months. Most of these murders, as in America, are black-on-black killings. Although whites are only a small percentage of the South African population, many of those murdered have been white farmers, with torture and rape thrown in for good measure. Although outlets such as Wikipedia assure us that there is no such thing as targeted white murders, whites in South Africa have to be getting worried when the same Julius Malema mentioned above gets a stadium full of 90,000 people to sing along enthusiastically to "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer." South Africas black party sings kill the Boer (Whites), kill the White farmer. pic.twitter.com/JdPg9Okgnj Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) July 30, 2023 Leftists are quick to assure us that it's only a song, but one cant help but notice the Leni Riefenstahl vibe to the old thing. After all, back in the 1930s, Hitler apologists were telling us that the Nazis didn't mean it when they rallied around a madman preaching genocide. Elon Musk, the world's best-known South African, sent a direct query to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, who has yet to respond. They are openly pushing for genocide of white people in South Africa. @CyrilRamaphosa, why do you say nothing? Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2023 I'm generally a pessimist, and I see a lot of cause for pessimism here. When you have a failing state in which the majority specifically calls out the minority to be murdered...well, things don't usually end well. UPDATE: This adds the perfect coda to the story: Some eighty-one percent of Democrat voters are perfectly happy to keep supporting Joe Biden for reelection to the presidency. But there's one subcategory among them that is scaring the heck out of Democrat pollsters: black men, whose support for the old dotard has cratered. Biden is down by thirty points among this normally loyal political group. A very significant number just don't want to vote for him. According to the Daily Caller, citing a Washington Post report: Black voters are significantly less enthused about a Biden reelection campaign than they were in 2020, with only 55% saying they're likely to support him in 2024, according to an early May AP/NORC poll. The same poll suggests that 81% of Democratic voters say they'd definitely or probably would support the president if he's the nominee. "We have to meet them where they are and we have to show them why the political process matters and what we have accomplished that benefits them," Cedric L. Richmond, senior adviser at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and former Biden adviser, told the Post. "We will not make the mistake that others made of not drawing all the connections." The numbers jibe almost exactly with another poll taken in May: An ABC News-Washington Post poll released Sunday showed that 52% of black voters approved of Biden, down from 82% when he took office in 2021. The same poll showed that 27% of black voters are likely or leaning towards voting for former President Donald Trump if he runs against Biden in the 2024 general election. ABC News and the Washington Post surveyed a random national sample of 1,006 adults by landline and telephone from April 28 to May 3. This is pretty interesting stuff. The pattern suggests that this is no outlier poll that could be wrong. There are a lot of black men out there who want nothing to do with Joe Biden and won't turn out to vote for him. This probably shouldn't be that surprising. What on Earth could be appealing to them about this guy? Under Biden, black people's standard of living has fallen sharply. Wage gains that began around the Trump era have been eaten away by Bidenflation. The White House is bragging that the post-COVID lockdown era has brought black workers back into the workforce at rising wages, as if to say they should be happy about old Joe and his miracle economy: Back in 2019, the average employed Black worker was in an occupation that paid $24.83 an hour. Today, the average Black worker is in a job that would have paid $25.53 an hour in 2019, a +2.8 percent rise. That shift is larger than the +1.9 percent increase among all Americans. But what difference does that make when the price of food is 20% higher? Bidenflation has rendered those wage gains meaningless. Meanwhile, Joe's open borders have delivered a second hit to black worker wages. Millions of illegal aliens flooding into the country inevitably drive wages down even farther, especially for those on the first rungs of the career ladder, or those in low-paid, low-skill occupations, which includes many black voters. It's no secret that blacks are strongly opposed to illegal immigration, not just for the wage impact, but for the burdens that illegal migrants impose on the black community, which are not confined to lower wages, but also mean higher crime and more competition for social services resources. When the school district money gets redirected into educating Jose just in from Tegucigalpa, you can bet that Jamal from Compton doesn't get the educational attention he needs, too. What's more, black voters see little to like about the transgender agenda promoted by Democrats. A December 2021 poll from Rasmussen was devastating: Nine out of ten black Americans reject the claim there are more "genders" than the two male and female sexes, according to a December 20-21 poll by Rasmussen Reports. Just three of the roughly 150 blacks interviewed "strongly" agreed that there are more "genders" than female and male. But roughly 102 black respondents strongly denied that claim which is a core element of the transgender ideology. Another factor likely driving this is an after-effect of the COVID vaccine mandates, which were opposed by blacks at a far higher rate than by whites. Opposition to vaccine mandates brought draconian consequences to resisters, meaning blacks were hit harder. How many of the some 9,000 servicemen kicked out of the military based on refusal to take the COVID vaccine were black people? Quite likely, it was a lot. Tucker Carlson's interview with rap superstar Ice Cube, where the latter expressed his skepticism for COVID vaccines and refused to take them, is likely indicative of what black male voters are thinking. Former Republican party operative Mike* Shields said that the broad pattern suggests a Democrat focus on rich white voters' concerns to the detriment of black voters: Further exacerbating this phenomenon is the Democratic Party's move toward a much higher-income, White coastal voter base, and with it, a more left-wing progressivism that is alienating significant segments of Hispanic and Black voters. No kidding. Lastly, what are black men being asked to vote for: Joe Biden? The creepy old white man who became a millionaire while in public office, and whose privileged drug-abusing son is right now skating on drug and corruption charges? Those same types of charges that have thrown millions of black men in prison for much tinier offenses? How's that two-tier justice, with privileged Hunter getting coddled by the DOJ while millions of black men get the book thrown at them, working out for black male voters? We know it works great for Joe Biden and his fawning media gaslighters, but the hard reality of a two-tier justice system that works for Joe but not for the ordinary people cannot be lost on black male voters. Sure, we can bring up that Soros district attorneys are refusing to prosecute anyone these days, but that brings in a whole new set of problems that has hit the black community hardest. Looted businesses, fleeing retailers and communities left with nothing owing to the authorities' refusal to prosecute crime are undoubtedly leaving many black victims. Law-abiding black people are left with the inevitable consequences of that white lenience on crime, while criminals of all colors are going free. Just a day or two ago, the Oakland NAACP branch condemned the authorities' refusal to prosecute crimes as detrimental to the black community. Enforcing actual laws on a one-tier basis would fix this, but Joe is looking out for Joe. There are likely other reasons, too, to account for that 30-point drop in black male support for Joe Biden. It seems they are on to him, and more and more are moving to President Trump, who's always been pretty intelligible to these voters and has attracted significant black support even before Biden was put out by Democrats as their candidate. Now that they have seen what Biden brings, I am surprised the drop in support is not higher. One thing we can say from this is that it is continuing, and for Republicans, assuming they welcome and encourage these voters, the trend is their friend. Let's hope they win over the entire bloc, because Democrats don't care about black people, and more and more black voters are starting to see that they don't deserve their votes. Image: Pexels, Pexels License. Correction: An earlier version of this piece misstated the Republican operative's first name. Representative Dan Goldman now says, despite all Biden's lies that he never talked with Hunter or anyone else about Hunter's business deals, that yes, Biden did talk to the businesspeople, but only to be nice, about things like the weather. What pure BS: Goldman, though, rushed to the cameras to start moving goalposts and making excuses. Goldman said that yes, Hunter might have put his father on the phone with business partners, but that the words exchanged were just "niceties" and that "there wasn't a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had." That is similar to Loretta Lynch lying, when the Justice Department was doing its pretend investigation of Hillary, that her chance meeting with Bill was when he came to say hello and talk to her about his grandkids and vacation. On Monday night, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton were both at the Phoenix airport, waiting on the tarmac. Lynch said that Clinton then walked to her plane, uninvited, to say hi. "He did come over and say hello," she said at a news conference on Wednesday, "and speak to my husband and myself, and talk about his grandchildren and his travels and things like that." And Chuck Todd, along with most of the media, continues to pretend there was no evidence against Joe. This from the same people who lied continuously about Trump and Russian collusion when it was obvious it was fake news. NBC's Todd Worries GOP Will Accuse Biden With or Without Evidence NBC's Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd illustrated his complete lack of self-awareness and overall grasp of irony Sunday when he openly fretted that Republicans could accuse Biden of crimes like being involved in his son Hunter's illegal overseas business dealings whether "they have the evidence or not." This is the same Todd who had no problem allowing Russia collusion hoaxer Adam Schiff to accuse then-President Donald Trump of working with the Russians to steal the 2016 presidential election. Even though at the time, every honest person with common sense knew that was a fringe conspiracy theory. The reason we have a corrupt, incompetent president destroying our country is because the media, Justice Department, and other Democrats lied that the Hunter laptop was Russian disinformation to intentionally hide the truth from the public before an election. The election interference by bureaucrats, the American media, and other Democrats dwarfs Watergate and is massively more dangerous to our survival as a great country than anything the Russians, the Chinese, or Iran has ever done and is thousands of times more of a threat to election integrity than the January 6 protest and Trump. Photo credit: MRC Video screen grab. The headline at the Post Millennial was heartening: 12th-grade American boys trend conservative. However, Im not ready to get excited. I saw that same trend when my kids came of age, but college shook that conservativism right out of the boys. I suspect a lot of it has to do with the fact that high school girls are shrewish leftists while college girls are shrewish leftists who will sleep with them. And of course, the professors are more open about their politics. Heres the story: General knowledge may say that more and more young people are identifying as liberal. According to new data, 12th-grade high school boys are twice as likely to identify as conservative as compared to liberal. In annual surveys over the last few years, data pulled from Monitoring the Future has shown that about a quarter of high school seniors identify as conservative or very conservative. Only 13 percent of the 12th grade boys identify as liberal. My first response was a happy little fist pump. Yay. Theyre finally wising up. And then reality kicked in. I witnessed my own children and their many friends go through high school and college, and there was a distinct trajectory. Image: High school students by freepik. In 9th and 10th grade, the kids were mostly apolitical (although that may have changed since my kids graduated half a decade ago). By 11th grade, though, many of the girls were budding feminists, andoh, my gosh!they were nasty. The boys were constantly harangued about being evil, toxic members of the patriarchy. The boys responded by retreating to video games and YouTube videos that talked about how mean feminists are. Those videos included people like Steve Crowder and Ben Shapiro. By graduation, the boys were trending conservative, while the feminist girls remained on the left. Then, most of the boys in the neighborhood went to college. The girls there were just as awful. Indeed, they were more awful, for they got increasingly neurotic as their leftism increased throughout college. But those also did something they really couldnt do living at home while in high school: They started having sex. The boys, in turn, decided that theyd rather have sex with a feminist harridan than not have sex at all. It turns out that when youre young and spending lots of time with a feminist and want something from her, youll start echoing her opinions. In addition, of course, theres the constant leftist haranguing from professors. In public high schools, the teachers must be a bit subtle about their politics. In college, they use their classrooms as bully pulpits from which to preach the gospel of leftism. Students cant avoid it and, unless theyre hardcore conservatives when they enter college, theyre going to come out as leftists. And thats why, if your conservative 12th-grade son goes to college, dont expect him to be a conservative when he comes home. Vladimir Putin is restoring the tsarist empire, in good part because Kievan Rus was the source of Muscovite Rus. The Russian Orthodox Church traces its history to Kiev. The Russian and Ukrainian languages are very similar, and of course the opening to the Black Sea has been a historic aim. All the old Soviet colonies are trembling in their boots, because they study Moscow like the historic enemy it is. Yes, Putin felt pushed by NATO, but NATO was pushed by the fears of the Poles, Hungarians, Swedes, Finns, etc., etc. They had endless debates within NATO. It is quite possible that they pushed too hard, but it's not totally irrational if you were victimized by Russia within living memory. Putin's ambitions are not rational in a narrow sense; they are messianic. This is nuts, but I keep studying Russia and the rest (and listening to Stephen Kotkin), and I believe my interpretation is correct. Putin addresses the nation following the Wagner group's move toward Moscow. The flag on the right of the picture superimposes the imperial standard of the tsar over the tricolor of Russia. The Germans are the only ones who are not talking about it in public. Putin is a wounded soul, in many ways, but so were many of the aggressive tsars. And Xi Jinping. Many major wars have that psychological trigger. The "century of humiliation" is a nutty idea because it throws the Brits and Americans into the same bag as the Rape of Nanking. That's historically bizarre, but that is what they are teaching their soldiers and young people. Yellow Freight, a massive, almost century-old LTL carrier, has gone out of business, and the "spin" of the business world will likely rival the spin of the political world in covering this news. First, some background. LTL refers to "less than truckload freight," so an LTL carrier is one that picks up relatively small loads, usually 1 to 5 pallets' worth, and consolidates them at terminals with other such freight with similar destinations, in what is called a "cross-dock" operation. Through a network of base terminals across a metro area, a region, or even the entire country, the nation's thousands of LTL carriers consolidate such loads and deliver goods so that shippers don't have the unbearable expense of hiring an entire truck for a small order. Many such LTL companies have a truckload division and other divisions as well, such as logistics management consultancies, international freight forwarders, and project cargo subsidiaries, as did Yellow, but at Yellow, the LTL aspect has always been the driving force. Yellow was a union carrier, so both members of the transportation industry and the general public at large have been treated to very public battles between the company and the Teamsters for generations. As with any business closure, there will be debates over fault for years to come. Was it because the union was too vicious in fighting management? Was it because management made bad decisions or was unable to fulfill promises it made to the union? Was it because either side consciously cheated the other? Or was it because at some point, Yellow Freight just chose a direction for itself that became ever more challenging as the economy changed over the decades? Yellow has had multiple restructurings and acquisitions since the 1970s, each time hoping to emerge stronger, while arguably digging itself a deeper hole. Gradually, Yellow had to lower its prices to keep business, reducing opportunities for profits, bleeding cash year after year as a result. By the end, Yellow was just an enormous low-cost carrier, with a reputation for unacceptably slow transit times, attracting only the most cost-conscious of customers. Could others have managed the company better? We will never know, but the business pages will be full of discussions for the next few weeks, and some will go so far as to say that just because it was expected, it's not a big deal. "Yellow's failure was already baked into our outlooks," they will say. Odd, isn't it, how many talking heads say that the worst problems in the world are not a big deal, just because they were expected? Here's what we know for sure: Approximately 30,000 people are now unemployed, who had a job last week. That's 30,000 experienced people truck drivers, dock workers, mechanics, bookkeepers, sales reps, I.T. experts, customer service reps, and other employees in all levels of management and back-office clerical services. They will now be competing with the millions of other job-seekers already in the marketplace. Hopefully they will find something better; they could hardly do worse. But in the meantime, while they hunt, they will be filing for unemployment and/or other benefits, and/or burning up their savings, putting further strain on an already struggling economy. This gives us an opportunity to analyze one of the painful misconceptions that leftist economists like to parrot when discussing tax policy: that corporations should pay more income taxes, because if a corporation doesn't directly pay income taxes itself, then it's not contributing anything to the economy. Well, Yellow has been losing money for years, so it has rarely made a profit, and therefore hasn't paid much in income taxes for its size. But in the past, Yellow bought millions of dollars' worth of diesel fuel every week, and half of that spend was in fuel taxes and fees. While it was operating, Yellow owned or leased thousands of offices, terminals and truckyards, in every state of the Union, all of which paid property taxes. Until last week, Yellow contributed to the workmen's comp and unemployment insurance programs of every state in which it operated. Yellow paid the employer's matching amount of every employee's FICA collection that's about 7.5% of all of those 30,000 salaries, paid to the federal government every week. That's not chump change. Until last week, Yellow employed an array of other local services and businesses, which both armchair economists and the ones on television never think about. Their sales reps took customers to lunch or dinner on sales calls. Their terminals hired local maid services, painters, parking lot repavers, and landscapers. Their offices contracted with local utilities, buying cell phone service, internet coverage, and land lines, and contributing to all the many other shared local expenses that utilities provide to a community. It doesn't end there. A company of 30,000 employees buys cars for its sales reps, and siding and roofing for terminal construction, and carpeting for its offices. It constantly invests in new trucks, new trailers, and new forklifts. When that company of 30,000 goes out of business, this steady spend in the local economy ends as well. All the beneficiaries of those expenditures pay taxes. Even if Yellow itself wasn't paying federal and state income taxes, because of its many years of losses, its employees paid income taxes, and its corporate spend enabled everyone else in the economy to pay income taxes. You will see armchair economists report confidently that other trucking companies will pick up Yellow's business, and Yellow's equipment, and Yellow's facilities. All true. But with one less sales rep calling on customers, that's one less automobile for the market to buy from Detroit, and one less sales lunch or dinner at local restaurants each day. With Saia, XPO, or ABF buying Yellow's used trucks, that's that many fewer new trucks for Detroit to sell. This closure means less business for all of the service industries surrounding each terminal. There's more. We could go on for days, listing the multitude of other successful businesses that depend in part upon every other business. When one giant closes, everyone suffers. We should all shed a tear today for those affected most directly by the closure of this iconic brand. Should they not have bought USF a decade ago? Should they not have bought Roadway 20 years ago? Should Yellow employees have tried going non-union, years ago, to free up the company to do what it needed to do? Should the federal government not have lit a match to $700 million in 2020 by purchasing 30% of an effectively bankrupt entity in a moment of wild desperation? These questions are all worth asking. The history of Yellow Freight provides us with plenty of worthy material for studying management. But it also provides us with a valuable opportunity to look at outside forces, beyond Yellow's control, and imagine how things might have been different. Some years, the difference between profitability and unprofitability at Yellow was just a couple percent of revenues. What if the government didn't demand that 7.5% matching FICA contribution of all American employers? What if diesel fuel could be purchased for a fair price, instead of being doubled by this array of taxes? What if the government didn't make their every truck cost ten or twenty percent more by loading it up with environmental-extremist technology? What if the Department of Transportation's Hours of Service regulations didn't meddle with dispatchers' ability to staff up and serve their customers efficiently? As we are seeing today, and as we will see in the months to come, as the ripples of this bankruptcy have their effects upon the economy at large, the Yellow Freight bankruptcy also provides us with a valuable lesson in the interconnectedness of a capitalist economy, and the dependence we all have on the enduring stability of a free market. Perhaps, someday, we will learn the lesson that a crushing tax and regulatory burden doesn't just hurt some unknown CEO in a Manhattan office somewhere. This burden makes everything harder for everyone, especially companies on the margin of survival. If there was ever a time to learn that lesson, it's now. John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation professional and consultant. A onetime Milwaukee County Republican Party chairman, he has been writing a regular column for Illinois Review since 2009. His book on vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel) and his political satires on the current administration (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I and II) are available on Amazon. Photo credit: Mark Collins, CC BY 2.0 license. Located on the Great Australian Bight in Southern Australia, is the vast, featureless Nullarbor Plain - the worlds largest single piece of limestone, covering an area of 270,000 square km and extending some 1,000 km from the east to the west. The area is so flat that the Trans Australian Railway runs across its surface for about 483 kilometers in a completely straight line. On the surface of the plain there are areas of slight depressions where sparse rainfall has slowly dissolved away some of the limestone. There are also places where underground caves or sinkholes have collapsed to form dents in the surface. But mostly, the plain is horizontally flat and devoid of trees, as its Latin name suggests. The Nullarbor Plain ends abruptly at the spectacular Bunda Cliffs, comprising a 200-kilometer-long precipice curving around the Great Australian Bight. Bunda Cliffs form the southern edge of the Nullarbor Plain which extends far inland. The white coloured base you see near the bottom of the cliff face is Wilson Bluff Limestone. This chalky material formed as part of an ancient seabed when Australia began to separate from Antarctica 65 million years ago. This Wilson Limestone is up to 300 metres thick but only the upper portion is visible in Bunda Cliffs. Above the white Wilson Limestone are whitish, grey or brown layers of limestone or crystalline rock. Some layers incorporate marine fossils including worms and molluscs indicating their marine origin. Other layers are made up entirely of marine sediment (foraminifera). The cliffs are capped by a hardened layer of windblown sand laid down between 1.6 million and 100,000 year ago. The cliffs are some 60 to 120 meters high and sheer, and can be viewed from several viewing points along the Eyre Highway east of Eucla and west of Nullarbor roadhouse. But they are better appreciated from the air. The Eyre Highway, Australias main eastwest link, follows the line of this spectacular coast less than a kilometer inland. The highway was named after Edward John Eyre, who along with John Baxter and three aboriginals, set off from Fowlers Bay in February 1841 in an attempt to reach Albany in Western Australia across the Nullarbor Plain. Lack of water and extreme hardship gave rise to a mutiny and two of the aboriginal boys shot John Baxter and absconded. Eyre and the third Aborigine, Wylie, continued on their journey and completed the crossing in June 1841. The Eyre Highway was laid exactly a century later in 1941. Over a distance of 85 kilometers along the highway, there are five main lookouts on the cliffs with signed, gravel access roads from the highway. The western lookout is the most popular because visitors can walk to piece of rock jutting out of the cliff that offers a vantage looking point. At the eastern end of Bunda Cliffs there is a lookout at the Head of the Bight where visitors can stay for hours watching Southern Right Whales in the ocean below the cliffs. Southern Right Whales migrate from the sub-Antarctic in the autumn and give birth to calves in inshore water along the southern Australian coast, then remain in the vicinity for months while the calves put on weight. Head of the Bight is one of these calving/mating grounds. Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Sources: Wikipedia, Travelling Australia, Explore Australia Samsung is getting closer to launching its second-gen smart object tracker. It has just obtained the FCC certification for the Galaxy SmartTag 2, which has been in rumors for the past few months. Among other things, the FCC documents contain a live photo of the product, revealing a complete redesign. The American regulatory body certified the Galaxy SmartTag 2 with the model number EIT5600, which previously appeared in a Bluetooth SIG certification as well. The accompanying documents reveal that the device will boast Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) connectivity options. The FCC even photographed the two antennas. Speaking of photos, we have a live photo of the tracker itself. While the first-gen Galaxy SmartTag was a square-shaped device with rounded corners and a small punch hole for attaching your keys, the upcoming tracker has an oblong shape and a much bigger hole. The product itself looks quite big, with the hole seemingly taking about one-third of its area. Unfortunately, the photo has no point of reference, so we cant confirm the dimensions of the Galaxy SmartTag 2 or the size of the hole. However, it appears big enough to let you comfortably put a finger through it. The tracker has Galaxy SmartTag printed on its surface and is seen in white in FCC documents. Samsung may offer it in other colors as well. There may not be a Galaxy SmartTag 2 Plus Samsungs first-gen smart object tracker came in January 2021, with the company launching the device in two versions. The standard version features BLE only, while the Plus version added UWB connectivity. By the looks of it, the Korean firm plans to launch only one Galaxy SmartTag 2 as the standard version itself has UWB support. There may not be a Plus version. Advertisement As said earlier, the Galaxy SmartTag 2 previously appeared in a Bluetooth certification listing. It confirmed Bluetooth version 5.3 support, an upgrade over Bluetooth 5.1 found on the first-gen model. The newer version of the wireless connectivity technology was launched in July 2021 with a host of improvements over Bluetooth 5.1, which debuted in early 2019. Most notably, Bluetooth 5.3 boasts improved security and power efficiency. It offers a more reliable and stable wireless connection with a wider range, while simultaneously consuming less power than the older version. These improvements should help improve the battery life of the Galaxy SmartTag 2. We may hear more about the new tracker in the coming months as Samsung prepares for its launch. President Yoon Suk Yeol, thrid from right, holds a meeting with Belizean Prime Minister John Briceno, third from left, at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of presidential office President Yoon Suk Yeol held a meeting with Belizean Prime Minister John Briceno on Tuesday and requested the Central American country's support for Korea's bid to bring the 2030 World Expo to its southern port city of Busan, the presidential office said. During the meeting held at the presidential office in Seoul, the Korean president also expressed a hope for increased exchanges between the two countries, noting a growing number of Korean tourists are visiting Belize, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said in a written briefing. Briceno requested Korea's technical assistance in his country's plans to digitalize its land transaction management system and establish an international electronic identification certificate system, also thanking Yoon for Seoul's health, education and development aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two leaders also agreed to expand trade and investment between their countries, and strengthen cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, public peace maintenance and electronic government, the spokesperson said. Briceno is currently visiting Korea at the invitation of Busan. (Yonhap) Lenovo is a well-known brand for gaming through its Legion laptops and desktops, and for a time, its Legion phones, and now it looks to be entering the PC gaming handheld market with the Legion Go. It was probably only a matter of time given ASUSs entry into the space this year with the Ally. Although the handheld PC gaming market was mostly popularized by the Steam Deck, other brands like Ayaneo and GPD have been making PC gaming handhelds for years. But until Valve, there werent really any major brands diving into handheld gaming PCs. That is slowly changing however. A new report from Windows Central says Lenovo plans to launch the Legion Go to capture a part of the market. This device will run Windows 11 just like the ROG Ally. Which means you will be able to install really anything you could install on a Windows 11 desktop or laptop. Free of constraints like with Valves Steam Deck, which can play non-Steam games but it takes some maneuvering. The Lenovo Legion Go handheld is not a guarantee It certainly makes sense for Lenovo to show interest in a PC gaming handheld. The market is growing and people are showing much more interest thanks to Valve and ASUS. But as Windows Centrals Jez Corden points out, theres no guarantee the Legion Go will make it to production. Lenovo has not yet confirmed this device even exists. And without any confirmation it might be best to consider this a maybe for now. There arent many specifics on hardware details, but the report does mention a few possibilities. Its said that the Legion Go could come powered by AMDs Phoenix processors. It could also have an 8-inch display. If Lenovo did release the Legion Go it would have to do so with a very competitive price tag. The Steam Deck can be picked up for $399. Putting it in the price range of a console. And the ROG Allys more powerful model is only $699. If Lenovo wants to compete, it would do well to try and price the Legion Go somewhere in between, or at least close to the Ally. Even if the cost was a little more. Since the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, the company has been trying to gracefully implement the S Pen with its foldable phones. While its easy for us to imagine Samsung just sticking a stylus in its phone, there are things to consider. A Samsung executive explained why the company didnt include an S Pen with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. This is the latest notebook foldable phone from Samsung. The company just announced the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and it brings some powerful specs. If youre interested in pre-ordering this phone, click here. You can expect much the same experience with this phone as what you got with last years iteration. The company made several refinements to the hardware and camera technology, however. It starts at the same $1,799 price as well. Heres why Samsung didnt stick an S Pen in the Galaxy Z Fold 5 You cant say that Samsung hasnt been trying to fit the S Pen inside the Z Fold 5. The company showed off a ton of different prototypes that it developed, and one of them actually had an S Pen built into it. It slid into the bottom of the phone just like its a Galaxy S23 Ultra. It looks like a logical way of going about including a pen. While it might be possible to do this, its not as simple as that. Every action has a reaction, and putting an S Pen inside of the Z Fold would have certain consequences. TechRadars Lance Ulanoff spoke with Samsung Head of MX Design Hubert Lee about why the company didnt include the S Pen with the phone. Advertisement He said that Theres a lot to consider. You cant just stick a pen in there. If you stick a pen in, there are other cost consequences. Considering that prices on tech are creeping up each year, thats a solid statement. The Galaxy Z Fold line of phones stayed at the $1,799 price tag, and thats no small feat in this economy. Adding an S Pen would incur additional manufacturing costs. Those costs would more than likely trickle down to the user. Its unfortunate that Samsung wasnt able to implement an S Pen into its phone, but whos to say that next years phone wont have one? We also cant rule out other companies getting the jump on Samsung and implementing a stylus in their foldable phones. Some of you might not want it to be true, but Samsung appears all set to launch the Galaxy S24 series with an Exynos processor. Reputed tipster Ice Universe can 100% guarantee that the next-gen Galaxy flagships will use the Exynos 2400 chip, at least in some markets. The source expects buyers in Europe and parts of Asia to get the Korean firms in-house chipset. The US version of the Galaxy S24 will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Rumors about Samsung returning to Exynos next year have been around for some time now. The company reportedly wants to cut manufacturing costs by using its in-house processors in some markets rather than shipping the Galaxy S24 flagships with Qualcomms latest Snapdragon chip globally. The Korean firm did so for several years until this year when it launched the Galaxy S23 series with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 globally. According to reports, this decision cost Samsung 50 percent more money on processors. Using Exynos in some markets would lower its net spend on processors and help save some money, which the company is said to use to bump up the RAM and storage of the Galaxy S24 phones while keeping the prices unchanged. We are expecting a minimum of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for all three models, with the Ultra model going up to 16GB RAM. However, these upgrades may not be enough for Samsung to win back the trust of consumers. Exynos processors have historically performed worse than competing Snapdragon solutions. They have been poor in raw performance, power consumption, and thermal management. Everyone appreciated the Korean firms decision to go all-in with Snapdragon for the Galaxy S23 series. Unsurprisingly, not many expected it to return to Exynos just a year later. Advertisement Samsung has improved its Exynos processor lineup On Samsungs part, it appears confident that it has left behind Exynos woes and is ready to start afresh. There have been several reports that the Korean firm has improved its advanced semiconductor processes (4nm and 5nm). The improvements are big enough to give TSMC a run for its money. The Taiwanese firm manufactured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and will also manufacture the Gen 3 solution, a competing chip to Samsungs Exynos 2400. It now remains to be seen whether Samsungs decision to use Exynos in 2024 flagships will backfire. Theres already an outrage among its fans and smartphone enthusiasts. No one seems to be ready to go back to Exynos after being impressed by the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S23. The Galaxy S24 series should debut in early 2024, so theres plenty of time for more leaks and rumors. (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - Italy's Antitrust authority said Tuesday that it had opened a probe into the nation's taxi sector after finding major problems with the services in Rome, Milan and Naples. The authority said the probe would look into a range of issues, including waiting times, how taximeters are used and whether electronic payments for fares are accepted. It said it had asked for information from the big taxi companies in the three cities in relation to the probe. Premier Giorgia Meloni's office said Tuesday that the government would address the problem of the nation's taxis in the coming days with a solution based on efficiency and transparency for citizens, fairness for taxi drivers and respect of the market rules. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - An obligation for gas stations in Italy to display the average prices of petrol and diesel alongside their over own prices kicks in on Tuesday. The government approved the move after a sharp rise in fuel prices after duty reductions to help with the cost-of-living crisis were scrapped at the start of the year. The aim is to boost transparency and prevent speculative price hikes. On its website the business and made in Italy ministry (MIMIT) has published the national average for motorways and the averages for each region that the gas stations will have to show. The average prices for a litre of unleaded petrol at a self-service pump on a motorway is 1.984 euros and it is 1.854 euros for diesel, the site said. Unleaded petrol is most expensive in the autonomous province of Bolzano (1.945 euros a litre) and Puglia (1.943 euros). Italy's price-monitoring ombudsman Benedetto Mineo said Monday that a recent spike in fuel prices were not determined by speculative hikes. "In relation to the fuel prices of the last two weeks, there has been an acceleration in the same direction on the international market," Mineo said. "From this point of view, we have not registered speculation". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Tuesday that the government will lay on a flight for Italian people wanting to leave Niger after the military coup there. "Niger. The Italian government has decided to offer our fellow citizens in Niamey the possibility to leave the city on a special flight to Italy," Tajani said via Twitter. "The Embassy in Niamey will remain open and operational, including to contribute to the mediation efforts". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - Labour Minister Elvira Calderone will report to the Senate on Thursday over the phasing out of the 'citizenship wage' (RdC) minimum-income benefit, Democratic Party (PD) Upper House whip Francesco Boccia said on Tuesday. The opposition centre-left PD made a request for the government to report to parliament amid concern about what will happen to the people losing their welfare cheques and confusion about the benefits that will replace the RdC. Protestors demonstrated on Monday in Palermo and outside the Naples office of pensions-and-social-security agency INPS after some 169,000 families in Italy were told by text message that their RdC was being cut on Friday. "We asked Minister Calderone to come to the floor (of the Senate) at 15.30 on Thursday to report on the citizenship wage and the dramatically mistaken way that its end was communicated to beneficiaries," said Boccia. He added that the PD would raise the issue of the 'assegno unico' allowance for parents of children who are minors or young students, as RdC beneficiaries had not been eligible for it. The left-wing CGIL trade union has said that hundreds of thousands of Italians are set to lose all forms of income support. Premier Giorgia Meloni says the RdC failed because it took away jobless people's incentive to seek work and was too susceptible to fraud. Two new benefits are coming in, but there is confusion about the application procedures and when payments will arrive. The new benefits are the inclusion cheque (ADI), worth a maximum of 500 euros a month per individual, for households in which there are minors, disabled people or people over 60; and the SFL benefit of up to 350 euros a month for people who are fit for work for a maximum of 12 months. Payment of the SFL is conditional on recipients doing training. PD leader Elly Schlein on Monday accused the government of waging "war on the poor". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - Ex-premier and Italia Viva (IV) leader Matteo Renzi said Tuesday that he had presented a bill in the Senate to reform the Constitution so that the head of government is directly elected by people. Premier Giorgia Meloni's ruling coalition also wants to reform the Constitution along these lines but the main opposition parties are against. "On the basis of what has been said, this bill has the support of the ruling majority and a part of the opposition, but it has been on ice for nine months," said Renzi. "Today we hand it in". He said his centrist, opposition party was ready to debate the bill in August, rather than going on holiday. Under the current system, parties engage in government-formation talks after a general election and then the coalition that forms a ruling majority in parliament agrees on a figure to propose to the head of State to become premier. That figure is not necessarily one of the politicians given by the parties as their premier candidate during the election campaign. Renzi proposed a major overhaul of Italy's institutional apparatus when he was premier but it was rejected in a referendum, prompting him to quit as head of government in December 2016. He was head of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) at the time but he left the main opposition group to form IV in 2019. (ANSA). Almost half of the children and young people in need of urgent care for eating disorders in England are waiting more than three months to begin NHS treatment, analysis has suggested. The Childrens Commissioner for England has looked at NHS figures for eating disorders in those aged under 18. It found there were about 11,800 patients in that age group being treated for eating disorders in 2022/23, up from 5,240 in 2016/17. In urgent cases, 45% of patients were waiting more than 12 weeks to start treatment, up from 16% in 2016/17. In a 2015 guide, the NHS set a standard to ensure that by 2020/21 95% of children and young people with eating disorders begin treatment within one week for urgent cases and four weeks for non-urgent cases. Childrens Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza said: Its worrying that children and young people are facing increasingly long waits for treatment for eating disorders which are often serious and potentially life-threatening. Young people deserve timely access to effective care. The analysis also found the number of young people requiring hospital treatment for an eating disorder rose to 24,300 in 2020/21, 84% higher than in 2016/17. The vast majority were young women and girls, the Childrens Commissioner said, although admissions of young men almost doubled to 909 in 2020/21. Dame Rachel called on the Government to focus on tackling some of the potential drivers of disordered eating. Dame Rachel de Souza hopes the Governments Major Conditions Strategy will address the issue of eating disorders in children and young people (Yui Mok/PA) Children need to be robustly protected from harmful eating disorder content online which can drive body image issues, she added. Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at eating disorder charity Beat, said the figures should set alarm bells ringing for the Government and NHS commissioners. He added: Its completely unacceptable that children and young people are waiting so long for treatment, even in urgent cases as the risk of a longer or more complicated recovery increases with every day that passes. Kieran Lyons from Childline said the charity delivered 4,000 counselling sessions dealing with eating disorders last year. He said: Comparing themselves to their friends and people on social media, feeling guilt around eating bad foods, receiving negative comments about their body and trying to manage their weight through extreme forms of fitness are some of the things that children told Childline. Dame Rachel said she hopes the Governments Major Conditions Strategy is a critical moment in addressing the issue of eating disorders in young people. The Government launched a call for evidence for its Major Conditions Strategy in May 2023. The blueprint will look at how to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses in six groups cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, musculoskeletal disorders and mental ill health. I hope that in merging the Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan with other major conditions in this strategy, the focus on childrens mental health is not diluted, she added. NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery called for significant, long-term investment in and support for prevention and early intervention services to help children and young people sooner. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Were boosting capacity at children and young peoples community eating disorder services across the country allowing them to treat nearly 50% more young people in 2022/23 than 2019/20. Were also investing an additional 2.3 billion a year in NHS mental health services by March 2024, so more adults, children and young people in England get vital support quicker. By Lee Eung-tae My wife and I are studying for a Nursing Care Certificate. This involves four weeks of class lectures and two weeks of field placement. At our age, it is a little demanding to sit in a chair from 9 to 5 every day for a month, but we are preparing ourselves for old age, gaining awareness of chronic old age problems such as dementia, strokes, diabetes and how to handle them. While studying I thought how useless I was to my poor mum as she declined and then passed away alone in a hospital. If I had known about old age, I could have understood her disability and reacted differently. Instead, I was totally ignorant of her mental and physical degeneration. Thinking about mum, I felt so guilty that I had urged her to enter a nursing home. Now I know that most seniors feel indescribable depression after being admitted to a hospice as they think they are going there just to die. I didn't understand how desolate she would be when she had to leave her house full of familiar things invoking lifelong memories of her husband, children, friends and neighbors. At that time, I assured myself that I was doing well by her, visiting once a week and treating her to a nice lunch. But what she needed was not just my presence, but the warmth of affectionate togetherness that she felt as she raised us. I pretended to be busy most of the time when I was with her and consciously tried to distance myself because I felt I would have to let her go sooner or later. Now it's hammered into me that the most detrimental experience of old people is loneliness. They remember the good old days when all the family lived together through happy and sad times. While in the hospital, she sometimes asked me to take her to her house but I dismissed her pleas. Now I feel so wretched that I did that. What did she feel lying solitary and immobile just waiting for the day of her death? Pretending it was for her safety, I had coldly left her in the care of strangers. Now I realize that what she really wanted was the company of her beloved children, not a bed smelling of strong disinfectant. We were shocked to see how her health had strikingly deteriorated during the pandemic. She must have been daily losing her desire to live as she felt she could never again see her loved ones. I cannot express the deep remorse that gnaws at me, thinking that my ignorance caused my mother such an unhappy, lonely death. According to reports, South Korea is expected to be a super-aged society in 2026 as senior citizens over 65 will account for more than 20 percent of the entire population. In that society, I think it will be crucial for both young and old to understand exactly what old age means. We are all so keen now about health. We control our weight, eschew tobacco, cut down on drinking and eat properly, always disregarding the absolute truth that we are like flowers that are now in full bloom but will soon wither. We are nothing but TAPs, some say, or Temporary Abled Persons. Someday, physical or mental disability might devour us wholly. Preparing for that day is as important as running on a treadmill or following a healthy regimen. Someday I will take the path my mum took. I want to walk it with a smile on my face, bidding my loved ones a final farewell. Lee Eung-tae (eungtae@gmail.com) is a former high school teacher who taught English for 35 years. Boris Johnsons plans to build an outdoor swimming pool at his Oxfordshire country manor could be scuppered by newts. The former prime ministers planning application was met with a holding objection raising concerns that the local population of great crested newts (GCN) could be threatened by the construction. It comes after Mr Johnson in 2020 blamed newt-counting red tape in the planning system for delays in housebuilding. A planning application was lodged in June with South Oxfordshire District Council for the installation of a new 11-by-four-metre swimming pool on the grounds of the ex-premiers home. He lives at Grade II-listed Brightwell Manor with his wife Carrie and their three young children. But the South and Vale countryside officer last month filed a holding objection, protesting that the rare amphibians could be impacted by the proposed development. Local government ecologist Edward Church wrote in his report: There are known populations of great crested newts in the east of the village. Mapping shows that there is a pond onsite and a moat immediately adjacent to the southern boundary, both well within 250 metres of the position of the proposed pool. Carrie and Boris Johnson hope to build the pool at Brightwell Manor (Kirsty OConnor/PA) The proposed development falls within the red zone of highest risk to GCN. Based on the information available to me currently, I am of the opinion that there is a reasonable likelihood that GCN are present and could be impacted by the proposed development. I do not recommend that planning permission is granted currently, he concluded, saying protected species surveys are likely to be required to support this application. With the development falling in a red zone where newts are expected to be most abundant, traditional methods of rescuing and relocating them are likely to be used. That could involve a lengthy process of catching and counting the creatures, and creating compensation ponds to replace those that were lost to the construction of the pool. Mr Church said that Mr Johnson could alternatively choose to use a district level licence and negate the need for additional surveys, which could mean he is charged according to the impact the pool will have on newts. The money would be used by conservationists to create new ponds elsewhere. Great crested newts, which are black with spotted flanks and an orange belly, are protected under UK and European wildlife law. Their numbers are in decline, with habitat loss being their biggest threat. As prime minister, Mr Johnson said in a speech about rebooting the economy three years ago that newt-counting delays in our system are a massive drag on productivity in the UK. His spokesman declined to comment. Tens of thousands of children are being left in limbo as a result of care proceedings and parental separation cases taking more than a year to resolve, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. Children who have been removed from their parents by the state are having to wait an average of 46 weeks to get a final decision on where they will live, data from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) shows. And in 13 out of the 42 designated family judge areas in England and Wales, the wait is double the recommended Government target of 26 weeks. The worst-hit areas for public law delays in Q4 2022/2023 were East London and Norwich at 60 weeks and West London and Wolverhampton/Telford at 58 weeks. Cafcass currently has 31,961 open childrens cases, with 52,276 individual children affected. Meanwhile, children involved in private family law cases who are waiting for decisions on living arrangements after their parents have separated also face similar delays, the Law Society added. There are currently more than 80,000 children caught up in private family law proceedings, according to court statistics. In 2022, the case duration in private family law was 44.9 weeks, according to figures from the Ministry of Justices family court statistics from January to March 2023. Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: What is often missed in the debate around the unacceptable backlogs in our family courts is the impact on children. They are suffering the very real consequences of months and sometimes years of uncertainty about their future, preventing them from having the stability they need to thrive. Our members are telling us of instances where court delays are leading to increased tension between parties. This is undermining a collaborative and child-centred approach to family separation. Cris McCurley, a member of the Law Societys Access to Justice Committee, said: The entire family courts system is creaking after years of austerity cuts and neglect. As a practitioner it is heartbreaking to have to deal with the consequences of this and I worry about the effect on children, some of whom have not seen their primary carer parent for more than three years. There needs to be investment in the system, now. Jenny Beck KC, a member of the Law Societys Family Law Committee, said: Many of the options available in private family law cases need not involve the courts. However, without advice from a solicitor many parents turn to litigation, which inevitably increases conflict and has overwhelmed the courts, resulting in harmful delay. The Law Society is calling on the Government to restore early legal advice in family law cases to help parents better understand their rights and their options for resolving issues involving children. Ms Shuja added: The Government is focused on introducing mandatory mediation in family cases as the way to solve the backlogs in the courts, but mediation is not always appropriate. Early legal advice means separating couples can get the guidance they need to identify the solution that works for them solicitors can assist in negotiating settlements or refer them to mediation where appropriate. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We want to support family disputes to be resolved as effectively and quickly as possible and where appropriate to avoid the stress and conflict of the courtroom. That is why we have been taking decisive action to improve waiting times in the family courts, with over 3,000 more private law cases reaching conclusion in 2022 than in 2017, and are investing 24 million in our landmark mediation scheme to prevent disputing parents from needing to go to court in the first place while also investing millions in early legal support for those who do need to see a judge. A no-fly zone will be in place above Edinburghs Royal Mile every evening in August and increased police patrols will be on the streets as the international arts festivals and Royal Military Tattoo get under way. Drones will not be permitted to fly in or around the Castle esplanade, Castlehill, Lawnmarket and Johnston Terrace from 4pm until midnight between August 3 and August 26 to ensure the safety of performers and attendees. Police Scotland said foot patrols in Edinburgh city centre will also be increased in order to deter and detect criminal activity and provide public reassurance. Additional resources have been called in from neighbouring divisions as well as specialist departments within the force. Edinburghs festival season is getting into full swing (PA) A mobile police station has been set up on the High Street, where members of the public can report any crime or suspicious activity, or seek information from officers. Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton said: The Edinburgh festivals form the largest festival in the world and turns an international spotlight on the capital. As such, we must ensure that the policing response is adequate and proportionate during this time. From August 1, we will have increased foot patrols within the city centre and officers will provide a visible and reassuring presence to all of those who live, work and visit the area over the course of the festival and Fringe. Despite the population of Edinburgh doubling during the coming weeks, I am confident the capital will remain a safe place for both tourists and local residents, but nonetheless I would ask that anyone who sees anything suspicious during their time within the area reports their concerns to police immediately. In addition, Id encourage the public to follow our social media channels so they can stay up to date with all relevant crime prevention and safety information we will be publishing. Rare ducks that were at risk of local extinction have had a welcome boost to their population. More than 25 goldeneye ducklings have been born at the NatureScot Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms this year, which has been hailed as the best return in more than a decade. There are just 200 breeding pairs in the UK, the vast majority of which are in the Highlands. Measures were taken in 2021 to reduce disturbance from recreational activity on the reserves Loch Kinord, with members of the public asked to stay off the water during the breeding season. Goldeneye ducks had failed to breed in recent years due to disturbances caused by people using canoes, kayaks and paddle-boards on the loch. NatureScot said the initiative has helped Goldeneye bounce back from just one brood and four ducklings in 2020. The good news follows measures taken at the reserve since 2021 to reduce disturbance on the reserves Loch Kinord. A big thank you to everyone for following the access guidance, it really does make a difference! pic.twitter.com/PHWGkEv35P NatureScot (@nature_scot) August 1, 2023 Simon Ritchie, NatureScots reserve manager at Muir of Dinnet, said: We are elated to have so many young fledge. These specialist ducks have been declining locally in recent years, so this is a real boost to the population. Because of this, we worked closely with stakeholders, including recreational users, ornithologists, the Cairngorms National Park, and Dinnet and Kinnord Estate to put in place access guidance on Loch Kinord to reduce impacts in the crucial summer months. This has had a massively positive impact on our breeding birds, especially our goldeneye population, and we would like to thank everyone for following the access guidance. Together, we are helping conserve an iconic Scottish rarity from local extinction. Murray Ferguson, director of planning and place at Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is a very popular place for visitors to enjoy nature. Were pleased to have worked closely with NatureScot and local land managers over the last few years. This includes deploying our park authority ranger team to help with the management for visitors, putting new parking arrangements in place and advising on the new guidelines about public access to the lochs. We are delighted to see that goldeneye on the loch are now breeding more successfully and that the measures to manage disturbance from recreation are working well. Many thanks to everyone for following the guidelines. We are sure there are lessons to be learned here that can be applied to other parts of the national park in due course. A retired miner who said he killed his seriously ill wife to end her suffering has visited her grave for the first time the day after being freed from prison in Cyprus. British expat David Hunter was released from custody on Monday after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his spouse of 52 years. Mrs Hunter died in December 2021 and was buried at a cemetery minutes from the couples home in Tremithousa a small village near the coastal resort town of Paphos. But Hunter, 76, has been unable to visit the grave because he was admitted to hospital immediately after Mrs Hunters death following a failed suicide attempt, and then taken into custody and prosecuted for murder. The pensioner spent 19 months in prison before being cleared of premeditated murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a three-judge panel. He was jailed for two years but allowed to walk free within 15 minutes of being sentenced at Paphos District Court on Monday due to time already served and good behaviour. David Hunter has visited his wifes grave for the first time (Victoria Jones/PA) On Tuesday morning, he paid an emotional first visit to Mrs Hunters grave. Hunter could not initially find the grave and was guided by Michael Polak of Justice Abroad, which represented him during his trial. Carrying a bouquet of pink, purple and yellow flowers, the widower immediately knelt down by the grave and appeared to be silently shaking. Hunter stayed at the site for around half an hour. David Hunter was cleared of murdering his wife (Victoria Jones/PA) The couples daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, previously said she believes that, rather than return to the UK, her father will initially choose to stay in Cyprus to be near Mrs Hunters grave and say his goodbyes properly. Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. He broke down in tears as he said he would never in a million years have taken Mrs Hunters life unless she had asked him to. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became hysterical. Judges heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose but medics arrived in time to save him. Opposition parties said that the Government was failing to act as oil companies continue to rake in massive profits even though oil and gas prices have come down from last years highs. BP on Tuesday reported that it had made around 2.59 billion US dollars (2 billion) in underlying replacement cost profit over the three months to the end of June. Despite it being more than two-thirds lower than last years results, it sparked further criticism of how the Government has handled an industry which has benefited significantly from Vladimir Putins full-scale war on Ukraine and the spike in world energy prices that followed. These figures demonstrate the continuing scandal of the Tory failure to act on the windfalls of war being pocketed by the oil and gas producers, said Labours shadow climate and net zero secretary Ed Miliband. He added that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should start by fixing the gaping loopholes in the windfall tax on oil and gas profits, not handing them out billions of taxpayer subsidy. Labour would bring in a proper windfall tax on oil and gas giants to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis, alongside our plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower so we can lower bills for families and businesses. The Government has put a windfall tax on the profits that oil and gas companies make from the North Sea. However, it has included the ability to reduce the tax if the companies invest, something the opposition has called a loophole. A year ago BP made an 8.45 billion dollar (6.6 billion) profit, when it was boosted by a surge in oil and gas prices. BP blamed the decline in profits on planned maintenance work and lower margins in its refining business. The industry has also faced a gradual reduction in the price of fossil fuels, especially natural gas. Natural gas was trading at around 320p per therm a year ago, now it is worth around 70p per therm. Yet it still revealed plans to hand more cash to investors through higher dividends and a further share buyback. It comes a week after rival oil major Shell also delivered weaker-than-expected profits for its latest quarter. BP said the performance takes its total profits for the first half of 2023 to 7.5 billion dollars (5.9 billion). The company added that its North Sea business paid 970 million dollars (755 million) in tax over the half-year, with 460 million dollars (358 million) due to the energy profit levy windfall tax. The update comes a day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted he wants to max out developments in the North Sea and claimed Labours refusal to support new oil and gas fields would be bad for the British economy. Chief executive Bernard Looney said BP is performing while transforming (Niall Carson/PA) Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney said: These monster profits will be another nasty shock to families who couldnt afford to heat their homes this year. The Government shouldnt be hoodwinked to remove the windfall tax by this profit drop. Lets be frank, these are still huge. No family should go cold next winter because the Government backed down on taxing the likes of BP. It is time to put the needs of struggling families and pensioners over the wallets of global oil firms. Yet this Conservative Government is completely out of touch and has its priorities all wrong. BP chief executive Bernard Looney said: Another quarter of performing while transforming. Our underlying performance was resilient with good cash delivery during a period of significant turnaround activity and weaker margins in our refining business. Were delivering our strategy at pace weve started up two major oil and gas projects to help keep energy flowing today and were accelerating our transformation through our five transition growth engines. And were delivering for shareholders, growing our dividend and announcing a further share buyback. Shares in BP were up around 2% at around midday on Tuesday. An attempt by the Duke of Northumberland to replace allotments with dozens of new homes on his Syon House London estate is simply an effort to line his already deep pockets, a public inquiry has heard. Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, lost an application in October 2021 to build 80 flats on part of his Grade I listed Syon Park estate in west London after the council received more than 900 objections from locals to the plans. A loss of local open space (LOS) was one reason behind Hounslow Councils planning committee decision to refuse planning permission. Park Road Allotments in Isleworth, west London (Yui Mok/PA) Strong opposition to the proposals was aired as an appeal brought by the Northumberland Estates (NE) development company began on Monday. Local residents, councillors and allotment holders plus the Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and former Hounslow councillor Ruth Cadbury were among those who spoke at an appeal hearing about why they feel the scheme should be rejected. Northumberland Estates says its plans would help provide an income stream for conservation works to Syon House, which is privately-owned but still open to the public. Key worker housing for the neighbouring West Middlesex University Hospital has also been promised and there would still be a place for those who use the allotments, the inquiry heard. Isleworth councillor Salman Shaheen, who stressed the value of the Park Road allotments, stated that its stakes for our community, for my constituents and for our environment can not be understated. He described it as an ill-conceived plan designed not to support a treasured historic asset, but to destroy one for private gain. He said: Hounslow has comfortably met its housing targets by allowing development on the ample brownfield sites in the area that we have been able to do so without paving over our green space makes me ask what the imperative would be to change that now except to line the dukes already deep pockets? He added that a man richer than the King has shown no evidence to prove that the only way to fund the repairs to one historic asset is by destroying another historic asset. A public inquiry has started at Hounslow House, in Middlesex (Yui Mok/PA) A round of applause broke out and some people rose to their feet as he finished his statement of objections. The inquiry heard that the Isleworth site has been used as allotments since 1917 when the dukes ancestor leased the land to the council to help in the aftermath of the First World War. Claire Nevin, for the Park Road Allotment Association, said that Northumberland Estates was proposing sacrificing 71% of allotments at the heart of a community they have served for over 100 years. It was first used to help the local community in the aftermath of the First World War and and over a century later, the site continues to be a haven for allotment holders, their friends and families as well the wider local community in good as well as difficult times. Ms Nevin added: Access to this green open space was crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic and the importance to allotment holders and their families of cultivating their own fruit and vegetables during a cost-of-living crisis is obvious. Importantly the benefits provided by this site extends beyond the allotment holders to the wider community which benefits from nature walks, open days, litter picking, apple and blackberry picking and donations to food banks organised by allotment holders. Ed Grant, for the council, told the inquiry that the Northumberland Estates scheme would provide the same or nearly the same number of the 38 allotments which previously existed. Mr Grant said that is an assertion made possible by only by providing very small allotments, suitable only for beginners, rather than an appropriate range of sizes. Ms Cadbury said she felt she needed to speak at the appeal hearing because of the sheer weight of local public opposition, but also because I feel the planning case for the application is very weak. She said: In my view, given the future uncertainty over the balance of supply and demand for housing sites in the borough, this application does not warrant the loss of allotment land, the loss of an active community asset and the loss of significant ecological benefits. She added: This small site would make relatively little contribution to the overall housing supply. There are other larger sites with outstanding permissions that have not yet been built out. Furthermore, there will almost certainly be new sites coming available in due course as result in the change in demand for commercial premises with the change in post-Covid work patterns. Earlier, Melissa Murphy KC, for Northumberland Estates, said quantitative improvements are proposed and the project would be a well-located, well-designed scheme which delivers 40% affordable housing. She also noted that Syon House is privately-owned but open to the public. Period dramas such as The Madness Of King George, Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Gosford Park have been filmed there. Ms Murphy said: It is much visited, much loved, greatly valued. It is also in need of money to be spent on it. The works proposed repairing the external Bath Stone, restoring the Robert Adam State Rooms, will lead to a magnificent result, a building gloriously restored, to be enjoyed for years to come. The hearing was adjourned to Wednesday at 10am. A man has been detained in a secure hospital after a 58-year-old woman was murdered. Claire Orrey was found dead at a house in Burrell Road, Telford, Shropshire, in the early hours of Sunday July 30. A man was also found with serious injuries at the address, which was attended by armed officers from West Mercia Police. A 31-year-old man was arrested later on Sunday. On Monday, the force said he has been detained under the Mental Health Act, and has been transferred to a secure mental health facility as the investigation continues. Detective Chief Inspector Tony Garner said: The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing and officers are working hard to understand what happened. A cordon will remain in place at the house on Burrell Road while our inquiries continue, and you may see increased police activity in the area. This is nothing to be alarmed by and is routine in this type of investigation. Id like to reiterate my comment from yesterday that this is an isolated incident and were not looking for anyone else in connection with it. Our thoughts continue to be with Claires family, and they have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time. In a statement released by the force, Ms Orreys daughter said: My Mom was the most wonderful mother, wife, daughter, and grandma, who lit up our world with love. She will forever be loved by us and will always be missed eternally. Please respect my familys wishes for privacy at this time as we mourn our loss. Goldendoodles have become the UKs most popular dog, just ahead of the golden retriever and the Maltipoo, figures suggest. Ads for goldendoodles attracted 886 viewers per puppy on the Pets4Homes re-homing website this year, followed by 701 views for golden retrievers and 697 for Maltipoos. English bulldogs are the most expensive breed, selling for 1,704 each on average but closely followed by chow chows at 1,694 and golden retrievers at 1,494. The figures, based on data from two million weekly visitors to the site, suggest a return to normality for the market, with both the number of buyers and availability of puppies and kittens decreasing to pre-Covid levels. But the number of buyers per pet remains stable, meaning prices have stabilised above pre-pandemic levels, and there is no sign of pandemic puppies being given up for adoption, Pets4Homes said. The figures also suggest brachycephalic or shortened head breeds are in decline, with the number of French bulldogs re-homed in the first half of 2023 down by 47.6% on the first half of last year. Similarly, the number of English bulldogs being re-homed has fallen by 49.6%. Pets4Homes said the fall could be the result of more owners researching the health issues associated with these breeds before re-homing them. Breeds most in need of homes and over-represented in shelters include retired racing greyhounds, Staffordshire bull terriers and German shepherds. Pets4Homes chief executive Axel Lagercrantz said: After the instability seen across the pet market in the years after lockdown, these figures from our latest Industry Report indicate that we have now reached a new normal in the pet sector. Supply and demand for pets have realigned and pet prices are starting to rise for the first time since 2021, after reaching a peak of 2,237 during lockdown. The state of animal welfare in the re-homing process is also seeing further improvements, as technology such as bank-grade ID Verification and image analysis helps our trust and safety team to catch suspicious adverts. This means we have seen a 27% reduction in animal welfare reports from users on our platform in the first half of 2023, when compared with the same period last year. I look forward to seeing this trend continue, as innovation and improving user knowledge continue to make the re-homing process safer for animals. By Song Kyung-jin On July 25, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its updated World Economic Outlook. It adjusted the global economic growth rate upward to 3 percent from 2.8 percent in its April forecast. The growth rate of the Korean economy for the same period was revised down to 1.4 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the April forecast of 1.5 percent. Last year, the global share of the Korean economy fell to 1.7 percent, dropping to 13th from the previous 10th position. It is predicted to decrease to 1.6 percent by 2028. Korea's smaller-than-expected growth has much to do with the country's falling growth potential. An economy's growth potential is determined by three components total factor productivity, labor input and capital input. Korea's National Assembly Budget Office projected the growth potential to be 2.3 percent between 2020 and 2024, with the least contribution from labor at 0.5 percentage points only. A private think tank projected the labor contribution to be negative 0.6 percentage points for 2021-25. This immediately brings our attention to the drastic demographic change with a declining population. Korea has the lowest birthrate in the world, 0.78 as of 2022 and falling. A decrease in population leads to a labor shortage and thus in production and consumption. As a result, economic growth slows down. In addition, an increase in the proportion of the elderly population increases the dependency ratio and sharply increases the welfare and medical budget for older people, alluding to the need for higher productivity in the economy. Government policy should therefore be geared toward resolving the stumbling blocks and providing an enabling environment for childbirth and rearing in a reasonable and sustainable manner. Korea's policy has focused largely on childbirth subsidies, improvement of the parental leave system and expansion of child care facilities. Despite huge budget inputs, the policy measures have fallen short of success in reducing the actual economic and social burden. For instance, how many men are comfortable taking parental leave? As of 2021, 26.3 percent of those on parental leave were fathers. The participation rate plunges in the banking and insurance sector with only 3.4 percent. How many women and men can take parental leave without fearing its adverse impact on returning to work and promotion? How many women are compelled to take parental leave because they are women? Full integration of gender perspectives is critical to effective delivery of demographic policy. The right diagnosis precedes the right prescription. Korea is a fiercely competitive society that puts high value on education. Your school certificates determine your future income. Korean households end up spending exorbitantly on private tuition, but unfortunately, it is not a sure guarantee for the children's success at school. So, more are opting out of childbirth and rearing. People need to be assured that plumbers can earn as much as white-collar workers so that all income earners can decide to have a child. Even with an adequate policy put in place and implemented, it will take a minimum of 15 to 20 years for such a policy to address the labor shortage. Policy debate on importing immigrant workers has increased commensurately. Thoughts on recruiting ethnic Koreans in China and central Asia are gaining more steam. Supporters of this idea assume the ethnic Koreans will speak the same language and share the same culture. We should learn from the failure of Japan that sought ethnic Japanese from Brazil. They, too, thought the cultural and societal problems from their reassimilation would be minimal, but it turned out otherwise. Korea perhaps need not worry too much about importing low-skilled or semi-skilled workers when automation is replacing many low-skilled jobs. Caregiving, which is hard to automate, should be dealt with separately. We need more caregivers and nurses to look after older people. In drafting national policy, drawing lessons from the failures of others will benefit. For example, we must not repeat the mistake of our neighbor. Japan imported nurses from the Philippines and Indonesia for its older population. Unreasonably, however, Japan required foreign nurses to take Japan's national nursing examination in Japanese. Many foreign nurses failed to pass the test and left Japan for better opportunities in the United States, Canada and elsewhere. Korea should put the most effort into recruiting talent from around the world. Sustainable economic growth depends on the work force the economy has in place to innovate. Even more time and effort should be channeled into how to retain the recruited workers. Workers highly pursued by all competing nations will not stay if work and living conditions are not satisfactory, including competitive salaries, good international schools to send their kids to, accessible hospitals and recreational facilities, among others. Koreans must do away with the illusion that Korea is a homogenous society with homogeneous people and culture. Korea is already a multicultural society. This awareness and openness will help Korea's demographic policy to get on the right track. Dr. Song Kyung-jin (kj_song@hotmail.com) led the Institute for Global Economics (IGE), based in Seoul and served as special adviser to the chairman of the Presidential Committee for the Seoul G20 Summit in the Office of the President. Now, she is executive director of the Innovative Economy Forum. The UKs first drone delivery service which can be conducted on a permanent basis has been launched in Orkney to provide locals with their mail. Royal Mail and Skyports Drone Services have launched the Orkney I-Port operation to distribute letters and parcels between the islands, in partnership with Orkney Council Harbour Authority and LoganAir. Mail will be transported from Royal Mails Kirkwall delivery office to Stromness, where the drone deliveries will transport items to staff on Graemsay and Hoy to allow postal workers to carry out their usual island delivery routes. While the service will initially operate for three months, it could be continued on a permanent basis under existing regulatory frameworks due to Orkneys unique landscape and the proximity of the islands to one another. The drone delivery service will distribute mail between three Orkney islands (Royal Mail). The drone service is expected to significantly improve service levels and delivery times to Graemsay and Hoy, as weather and geography can cause disruption to delivery services. The use of electric drones for inter-island delivery will also bring significant safety improvements by ensuring postal workers can deliver between ports without risk. The project has been funded by the Department for Transports Freight Innovation Fund and carried out by the Connected Places Catapult. Chris Paxton, head of drone trials at Royal Mail, said: We are proud to be working with Skyports to deliver via drone to some of the most remote communities that we serve in the UK. Using a fully electric drone supports Royal Mails continued drive to reduce emissions associated with our operations, whilst connecting the island communities we deliver to. Alex Brown, director of Skyports Drone Services, said: By leveraging drone technology, we are revolutionising mail services in remote communities, providing more efficient and timely delivery, and helping to reduce the requirement for emissions-producing vehicles. Were pleased to be once again partnering with Royal Mail to demonstrate how drone operations can benefit UK logistics on this project. The Financial Conduct Authority says cash remains a 'vital payment method for many, including the most vulnerable in society'. (Getty) While Nigel Farage has had plenty of press attention over the closure of his account at private bank Coutts it appears around one million adults in the UK don't have access to a basic current account. The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader's banking problems have been well documented in recent weeks, with Farage saying on Monday that the Natwest-owned Coutts has offered to reinstate his account after it admitted it was closed partly due to his political views. According to new figures from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), there are around 1.1 million adults in the UK currently living their lives "unbanked". The regulator's newly released Financial Lives 2022 report says this figure makes up 2.1% of the country's adult population. That is down from 1.3 million (2.5%) in 2017 a fairly modest decrease considering an increasing number of businesses in the UK, including pubs and shops, have been going cashless. Read more: 'You look in supermarket trollies - no wonder theyre overweight, Tory MP urges kids to eat more vegetables The issue of being unbanked goes far deeper than Nigel Farage. (Getty Images) Despite this shift towards a cashless society, the FCA says that cash remains a "vital payment method for many, including the most vulnerable in society". It says that in May 2022, 3.1 million adults (6%) said they paid for everything or most things in cash in the previous 12 months. Over half (52%) of these people found it more difficult to either withdraw or deposit cash in the two years to May 2022 due to the closure or reduced opening hours of their local branch, Post Office or cashpoint. The FCA also found that as of May last year, 3.9 million adults (7%) were digitally excluded 26% of whom were aged 75-84, and 2% of whom were 85 and older. Who is most likely to be unbanked? The groups most likely to be unbanked, according to the FCA's findings, are Muslims (10%), the unemployed (7%) and those who were long-term sick, temporarily sick, looking after the home, or carers (7%). Proportion of UK adults who are 'unbanked'. (FCA) Others among the most vulnerable groups are those with no educational qualifications (7%) and those who have learning difficulties (6%). It could also depend on where you live, with a higher proportion of unbanked adults in Southern Scotland (6%), Outer London West and North West (5%), Greater Manchester (4%), and the West Midlands (4%). Read more: Electric car owners issued dire warning by motorway services boss - 'It's a major problem' There is also a strong link to deprivation, as 3.6% of adults in the most deprived areas of the UK are unbanked, compared with less than 0.6% in the least deprived areas. According to the Resolution Foundation think-tank, there is a strong correlation with income, with 327,000 unbanked people in the lowest household income decile, compared to 33,000 in the highest. Read more: Why Rishi Sunak and his private jet are under fire... again Who are the 1.1 million households across Britain who dont have a bank account at all (not just those who cant get one at Coutts)? Our COTW shows Britains unbanked are hugely disproportionately likely to be poor... https://t.co/6O8CCztgUgpic.twitter.com/bzbOvEUus9 Resolution Foundation (@resfoundation) July 29, 2023 Why do people not have current accounts? The FCA's report shows that 53% of unbanked people defined as not having a current account don't want one, which could be for a number of reasons. They may not trust the financial system, they may have got into trouble with an overdraft in the past or they simply may not think they need one. However, 22% said they would have liked to have a current account, and a further 27% said they weren't sure if they wanted one or not. Some people don't have an account because they are unable to manage their own finances due to having learning difficulties or disabilities. Read more: Dart Charge payment change sparks motorist anger: 'It's impossible to pay' Around 10% of Muslim adults in the UK are unbanked, the FCA's data shows. (FCA) Another potential barrier is not having the required documentation to open account, and while this is a small proportion, the FCA says these people are more likely to be "women, adults who are not working, adults from a minority ethnic background, and adults with one or more characteristics of vulnerability". Out of all the unbanked adults in the study, when asked if they'd ever tried unsuccessfully to open a current account, 16% (0.2m) said that they had. That's up from 9% in 2020, and the FCA's findings suggest fewer adults are aware that everyone in the UK has the legal right to a basic current account (not including an overdraft) from nine of the largest providers - down from 40% in 2017 to 27% in 2022. What challenges can unbanked people face? Having a basic current account can help people access accommodation, benefits and employment, according to trade association UK Finance. It says having access to these three things is essential to prevent reoffending rates among recently released prisoners. Not having a bank account can make it difficult to access many financial products, and can make paying bills significantly harder, with financial benefits often offered to those who set up a direct debit. With shops, pubs and restaurants increasingly becoming cash-free, those without current accounts may find themselves being excluded from businesses. British rock band Queen are returning to Japan with the band set to play the city of Sapporo, which they last visited more than 40 years ago. The Rhapsody tour is coming to four cities in Japan, with the concert remaining a tribute to the legacy of lead singer Freddie Mercury who died in 1991 due to complications relating to Aids. American artist Adam Lambert will lead vocals while Sir Brian May plays the guitar and Roger Taylor performs on the drums. Teasing that this could be the bands last tour in Japan, Taylor said: We are so excited to be returning to Japan, the country that has always held a special and most honoured place in our hearts. Brian May of Queen and Adam Lambert perform live on stage at the Isle of Wight Festival (PA Archive/David Jensen) This may be the last time who knows? We promise to bring a very real spectacular for you to enjoy. In the autumn, the band will kick-start their 22-date North American tour, which will lead into the Japan tour, starting in February 2024. The tour will begin on February 4 in Nagoya, with the band going on to perform in Osaka on February 7, Sapporo on February 10 and finishing with two shows at the Tokyo Dome on February 13-14. The band last played at Sapporo, capital of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, during the Hot Space tour of 1982. The country is a regular feature on Queens touring schedule and the band and Lambert returned to the country in 2020 to perform four sold-out shows. We've got some additional dates for you! Tickets on sale now for the new #RhapsodyTour shows with @QueenWillRock Get yours at https://t.co/9TdzFPklHD pic.twitter.com/sIXgMhPgqe ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) April 7, 2023 Speaking about the performances, Lambert said: The Japan shows back in 2020 were so much fun, the audience were incredible. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come back. Cant wait. Decorating the Rhapsody tour setlist is a back catalogue of hits which include We Will Rock You, Dont Stop Me Now and Radio Ga Ga. Alongside Lambert, May and Taylor, Spike Edney will perform on keys, with Neil Fairclough on bass guitar and Tyler Warren on percussion. Tickets for the Rhapsody tour go on pre-sale for Japanese customers from August 10 at to October 6, with tickets awarded lottery-style. Tickets for overseas customers go on pre-sale from October 7 to October 25. Rishi Sunak has insisted his plans to max out the UKs oil and gas reserves are evidently sensible as he faced a growing backlash for allegedly betraying climate pledges. The Prime Minister has been criticised over his announcement of around 100 new licences for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea by campaigners, opponents and a leading green Tory. Billionaire global investor Andrew Forrest has even suggested he could pull out of the UK if ministers follow a clickbait cycle rather than displaying proper leadership. But Mr Sunak dismissed the concerns as he was warned watering down policies to tackle the climate crisis are on the wrong side of modern voters. I believe that British energy should come from Britain That's why were backing carbon capture for the oil & gas industry in places like Aberdeenshire, which is where I am today. This will strengthen UK energy security, boost jobs and grow the economy. pic.twitter.com/mdmViGPWDy Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 31, 2023 Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a beer festival in London, the Prime Minister insisted fossil fuels must be extracted in the UK on the way to net-zero by 2050. I think its evidently more sensible to get that from here at home, Mr Sunak said on Tuesday. Why? Its better for our energy security because were not relying on foreign dictators, better for the economy because it supports hundreds of thousands of jobs And its actually better for carbon emissions because if we have to ship that energy here from halfway around the world it would have three or four times the carbon emissions by the time it got here. So any which way you look at it, what were doing is the right thing for the country, its the pragmatic thing. Labours energy policy might as well have been written by Just Stop Oil. They're even funded by the same person. And their policies would threaten both our energy security and jobs here in the UK. Today I took action to stop that from happening pic.twitter.com/lr6CCAjYby Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 31, 2023 Tory MP Chris Skidmore, who led the Governments net zero review, had said the move was the wrong decision at precisely the wrong time, when the rest of the world is experiencing record heatwaves. He told the PA news agency: It is on the wrong side of modern voters who will vote with their feet at the next general election for parties that protect, and not threaten, our environment. And it is on the wrong side of history, that will not look favourably on the decision taken today. Mr Sunak was even warned that the strategy could cause investors to switch their focus to the US, where president Joe Biden has unveiled vast investment to tackle the climate emergency. Mr Forrest, an Australian mining entrepreneur and climate philanthropist, told Bloomberg News: Take Britain, I am a major investor here. If I see this country steering itself over a cliff backing fossil fuel, I am going to start pulling out. I will push my investments over to North America I must invest where I know I have proper leadership, not leadership which is on a clickbait cycle. A new task force has been launched to ensure the UK has the right skills in the nuclear industry as part of Government plans to drastically scale up nuclear capacity. The panel will work to ensure roles are filled in the rapidly expanding defence and civil nuclear sectors, the Ministry of Defence said. It will develop a national skills strategy for jobs across the industry, from technical scientific and engineering roles to logistics, project management, commercial and finance. The task force will be chaired by Sir Simon Bollom, the former chief executive of Defence Equipment and Support, and include Government officials, academics and industry partners. Defence procurement minister James Cartlidge said: By developing nuclear skills, we are not just investing in the UK economy but our national security. The creation of this new task force will challenge the whole of the UKs nuclear sector to be ambitious in addressing the nuclear skills gap, and we are delighted to appoint Sir Simon Bollom to drive this work forward. Sir Simon said: The nuclear sector is vital to our nation, and I am proud to have been given the opportunity to lead such an important task force to ensure that we have the people and skills we need to deliver our programmes. Nuclear minister Andrew Bowie hailed a nuclear revival with the launch of Great British Nuclear, an arms-length body involved in the Government-backed competition to develop smaller-scale nuclear technology projects. He said: The UKs nuclear revival, with the launch of Great British Nuclear, will put us centre stage in the global race to unleash a new generation of nuclear technology. The Nuclear Skills Taskforce will support this expansion by securing the skills and workforce we need to deliver this, opening up exciting opportunities and careers to help bolster our energy security. We have published our report on Delivering nuclear power. It calls on the Government to develop and publish a Nuclear Strategic Plan to turn high level aspirations into concrete steps to deliver new nuclear. Read here:https://t.co/oSXPtdMMBu Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (@CommonsSITC) July 31, 2023 The announcement comes after MPs questioned the Governments ambitious nuclear goals, with doubts over whether it has a specific strategy to meet the target of bolstering the UKs nuclear capacity to 24 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by 2050. In a report on Monday, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee backed the decision to look to nuclear power as a way to meet the UKs electricity needs amid the race to net zero. But it warned that the Governments own most recent energy security plan, published in March, offers little clue about how measures will be implemented. Committee chairman Greg Clark noted that the stretching ambitions to achieve 24GW of nuclear power by 2050 would be almost double the highest level of nuclear generation that the UK has ever attained. The only way to achieve this is to translate these very high-level aspirations into a comprehensive, concrete and detailed nuclear strategic plan which is developed jointly with the nuclear industry, which enjoys long-term cross-party political commitment and which therefore offers dependability for private and public investment decisions, he said. Two teenagers have sustained life-changing injuries after suffering electric shocks on the railways at the weekend. British Transport Police said a 14-year-old boy climbed on top of a stationary freight train on Saturday evening and touched the overhead line. The incident happened shortly after 9pm between Carfin and Holytown in North Lanarkshire. His injuries are believed to be life-changing and he remains in a serious condition in hospital. The following day, a 17-year-old boy was found by a member of the public on a footpath close to the line at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, at around 10.40pm. He is believed to have suffered an electric shock after going on to the tracks. His injuries are also said to be life-changing and he is in a critical but stable condition in hospital. Two teenagers were electrocuted in separate incidents on the railway in Scotland this weekend. This is an urgent safety warning: You cant see or hear the most dangerous parts of the railway. Electricity can jump. Stay away from the track.https://t.co/N9IHjA4rcS BTP Scotland (@BTPScotland) August 1, 2023 British Transport Police have issued an urgent safety warning to help avoid any further tragic incidents on the railways. Detective Chief Inspector Marc Francey said: In just over 24 hours this weekend two young people have sustained horrific injuries after taking unnecessary risks on the railway. First and foremost, our thoughts are with their loved ones who are being supported by officers. It should be abundantly clear from these two tragic incidents that the railway is not a playground. Modern trains can almost silently reach speeds of 125mph, and the overheard lines are powered by extremely high currents of electricity 24 hours day, which can kill instantly or result in catastrophic, life-changing injuries. With the school holidays upon us I would urge parents and carers to sit down with their children as soon as possible. Help us to prevent further tragedies by ensuring you know where youre children are and talk to them about the dangers of the railway. Please, have that conversation with those in your care and encourage them to stay off the tracks. BTP and Network Rails You vs Train campaign highlights the devastating consequences of trespassing on the railway and can be viewed at www.youvstrain.co.uk Acts by the so-called Islamic State (IS) against the Yazidi people in 2014 have formally been determined by the UK Government as genocide. IS held large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014 when the terrorist group attacked the Yazidi religious minority. The House of Commons in 2016 called on the Government to formally declare that IS was committing genocide against Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. The Government has said determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts, and linked what it described as a formal acknowledgement that acts of genocide had been committed by IS against Yazidis in 2014 to a finding from the German Federal Court of Justice. Earlier this year, the final court of appeal in Germany confirmed a conviction against an IS member for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against Yazidis in Iraq. UN investigators have claimed to have found clear evidence that genocide was committed by IS against the Yazidi religious group. A UN report in 2016 found an IS offensive against the group which began in August 2014 sought to destroy the Yazidis, with killings and sexual slavery, enslavement, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and forcible transfer. More than 5,000 people were reportedly killed by IS, which is also known as Daesh. Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad said: The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day. Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated. Today, we have made the historic acknowledgement that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice. The UK will continue to play a leading role in eradicating Daesh, including through rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda. He made the announcement ahead of events marking the nine-year anniversary of atrocities committed by IS against the Yazidi people. Last month was the UKs sixth wettest July on record, and the wettest ever July in Northern Ireland, Met Office figures suggest. A succession of low pressure systems brought long periods of damp and windy weather to much of the country, making it feel at times more like autumn than summer a sharp contrast to July 2022, which saw heatwaves and temperatures as high as 40C. The UK had an average of 140.1mm rain last month, the sixth highest total for July since records began in 1836, according to provisional data. People shelter from the rain beneath umbrellas in Southwark, south London (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The year 1988 holds the record for the UKs wettest ever July, with an average of 150.5mm of rain, followed by 2009 (145.5mm), 1939 (143.5mm), 1936 (142.6mm), 1888 (142.2mm) and now 2023. Northern Ireland had an average of 185.4mm of rain last month, just above the previous record of 185.2mm set in July 1936. This figure could be revised once all rainfall data for July is collected and reviewed, the Met Office said. It has provisionally been Northern Ireland's wettest July on record. Read more in the release or here's a thread on the month's provisional weather stats Met Office (@metoffice) August 1, 2023 It was provisionally the eighth wettest July on record in Scotland (an average of 155.1mm of rain), the 10th wettest in England (120.4mm) and the 11th wettest in Wales (176.7mm). Some parts of England also set new rainfall records. Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside all saw their wettest July. Lancashire was the wettest county compared to average, with 234.6mm of rain falling in the month. (PA Graphics) Mike Kendon of the Met Office said: It has been a significantly wet month for much of the UK, particularly for those in Northern Ireland. The jet stream has been shifted to the south of the UK for much of the month, simultaneously allowing extreme heat to build in southern Europe for a time, but also allowing a succession of low pressure systems to influence the UK, with long periods of winds and rain that many more typically associate with autumn weather. July was slightly cooler than usual, with a mean temperature across the month of 14.9C, 0.3C below the average for the period 1991-2020. Waves crash over the harbour arm during bad weather in Folkestone, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA) By contrast, the previous month was the warmest UK June on record, with a mean temperature of 15.8C, 2.5C higher than average. It is fundamentally not the case that Julys wet and windy weather dismisses the influence of climate change, as the UKs variable climate will continue to have some cooler-than-average months, the Met Office said. (PA Graphics) Although July 2023 is considered to be a cooler-than-average July by current standards, for an early climate baseline of 1961-1990, if would have been considered a warmer-than-average July. This a tangible example of how we see the climate changing in our long-term data, Mr Kendon added. Sam Larsen, director of programmes and planning at the industry body Water UK, said: The recent wet and unsettled weather has helped river, reservoir and groundwater levels recover in much of the country. An unseasonably deep area of low pressure will cross the UK on Wednesday bringing rain and thunderstorms It will also turn windier for many, with the strongest winds in southern England, perhaps giving some disruption in places pic.twitter.com/3JPj8PVuUY Met Office (@metoffice) August 1, 2023 However, there are still areas in drought or that have experienced prolonged periods of dry weather, and climate change is changing the weather patterns that we all rely on for water. Along with frequent rain, the UK experienced some strong winds in July, with a gust of 79mph recorded on July 15 at the exposed site of Needles on the Isle of Wight. Gusts above 55mph were also recorded in Devon, Gwynedd and Northumberland. The UK saw 81% of its average hours of sunshine for the month, while Wales and Northern Ireland both saw just 70%. A woman who played the violin during her brain surgery has been reunited with the surgeon who removed her tumour. Dagmar Turners operation was specially planned to ensure her ability to play the violin would not be impaired, and she has since returned to playing music in the Isle of Wight. Violinist Dagmar Turner and Professor Keyoumars Ashkan (Lucy North/PA) The former management consultant attended the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons in London on Tuesday along with Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, her consultant neurosurgeon at Kings College Hospital, to rewatch the operation after around two-and-a-half years. Ms Turner, who plays in the Isle Of Wight Symphony Orchestra, said: When I saw him, I just had to smile, he always makes me laugh, which is great, and Ive been eternally grateful to him for what he did with my tumour in my head, because it wasnt supposed to be there. The 57-year-old said she was able to return to her orchestra soon after the surgery. She played the instrument as her tumour was removed to help ensure parts of the brain that control delicate hand movement and coordination were not harmed during the operation. She added: Pretty close after the operation, only a few days and weeks, I was really fit. I was straight back in my symphony orchestra. My conductor looked at me like, what are you doing here? (I was like) I just want to come to rehearsals. It was quite mind blowing in a way but then also, after that, I got all the side effects, fatigue, constantly tired, no energy and I still have that now, which is really annoying me. Prof Ashkan said firstly when everything is working there can be euphoria for patients, but long-term impacts following brain tumour surgery can include fatigue. He added: I think we can do a lot to understand why there are issues with fatigue in long-term brain tumour patients, and what (can be done) to help. Despite the fatigue, Ms Turner is playing with her musical group and recently performed for three hours. She was first diagnosed with a slow-growing glioma in 2013, having had a seizure while playing. Professor Keyoumars Ashka said he hopes to play piano with violinist Dagmar Turner in future (Lucy North/PA) She had radiotherapy to treat the tumour but, when it became more aggressive in 2019, she decided to undergo surgery to have it removed. The medical team mapped Ms Turners brain before the operation in January 2020 to identify precisely which parts were active as she played. She was released from hospital three days after surgery. Ms Turner and Prof Ashkan, who plays piano, were originally hoping to play the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall as part of an orchestra made up of patients and doctors and still hope to perform together one day. Obviously, Dagmar gets monitored regularly and so far, so good, we keep our fingers crossed that things remain well for her, Prof Ashkan said. And she continues to play, amazing, wonderful violin and then maybe one day we can play together. Weve got a playlist but Covid stopped everything and we practised a little bit together as well. Ms Turner is set to meet with her oncologist this week and will continue to have regular scans. Authorities rescued 90 living dogs and found at least 30 more dead last week at two properties in southwestern Ohio, where a woman was purportedly operating an animal rescue called Helping Hands for Furry Paws, authorties said. Rhonda Murphy, who owned and operated the rescue, is charged with neglect and cruelty to companion animals, the Butler County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday. Murphy is accused of housing adult canines and puppies in conditions that dog wardens from the sheriff's office described as "unlivable" after searching the two properties in Madison Township, which is about 40 miles outside of Cincinnati. The sheriff's office shared several images taken at the properties to its Facebook page. / Credit: Butler County Sheriff's Office Investigators discovered numerous adult dogs and puppies kept together in cages filled with urine and fecal matter and without food or water, the sheriff said. More than 25 dogs were found caged in one garage that did not have ventilation or air conditioning, and where authorities measured indoors temperatures of 89 degrees. One cage housed an adult dog and eight newborn puppies. Eleven adult dogs were found inside a main house, with some caged together. Deputy dog wardens that searched the house reported a pungent odor that burned their eyes and required them to step outside periodically for air, according to the sheriff. They called the environment "the most horrible conditions they have ever seen." In addition to the animals that could be saved, authorities found the remains of deceased adult dogs and puppies in five different refrigerators and freezers across both properties, and some were not working. They found other dead canines in varying states of decomposition, the sheriff said. The sheriff's office shared several images taken at the properties to its Facebook page, which show visible grime and overcrowding in the garage as well as the main home. In one image, at least six dogs can be seen in two rusted cages, situated side-by-side with a number of cages housing dogs and among towering piles of cardboard boxes, shelving and other household items. Another dog's ribs are seen clearly in another close-up image. U.S. to face Portugal at Women's World Cup group-stage finale EPA may change "chasing arrows" recycling symbol for plastics Polls show Trump far ahead of rivals for GOP nomination A ship engine manufactured by STX Heavy Industries / Korea Times file By Lee Kyung-min The intense rivalry between HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HDKSOE) and Hanwha Ocean has now spilled over into ship engine manufacturing capabilities, as evidenced by the HD Hyundai Group affiliate's recent acquisition of STX Heavy Industries, only months after the Hanwha affiliate acquired HSD Engine, according to market watchers, Tuesday. STX Heavy Industries is the third-largest ship engine manufacturer in the world, trailing HSD Engine, the second-largest. The Hyundai affiliate signed a main contract with Pinetree Partners, a local private equity fund, to buy over 6.5 million shares of STX Heavy Industries on July 31. The purchase combined with the separate buying of 5.36 million shares issued by a third party will lead to the Hyundai affiliate claiming a total stake of 35 percent. A ship engine manufactured by HSD Engine at the firm's headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province / Korea Times file Yellow Corp., a 99-year-old trucking company that was once a dominant player in its field, halted operations Sunday and will lay off all 30,000 of its workers. The unionized company has been in a battle with the Teamsters union, which represents about 22,000 drivers and dock workers at the company. Just a week ago the union canceled a threatened strike that had been prompted by the company failing to contribute to its pension and health insurance plans. The union granted the company an extra month to make the required payments. But by midweek last week, the company had stopped picking up freight from its customers and was making deliveries only of freight already in its system, according to both the union and Satish Jindel, a trucking industry consultant. While the union agreed not to go on strike against Yellow, it could not reach an agreement on a new contract with the trucking company, according to a memo sent to local unions Thursday by the Teamsters negotiating committee. The union said early Monday that it had been notified of the shutdown. Todays news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government. This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry, said Teamsters President Sean OBrien in a statement. Company officials did not respond to numerous requests for comment Sunday and Monday. While the company is based in Nashville, Tennessee, it is a national company with terminals and employees spread between more than 300 terminals nationwide. Experts in the field said it was primarily an unaffordable amount of debt, more than the cost of the union contract, that did in Yellow. The Teamsters had made a series of painful concessions that brought them close to wage parity with nonunion carriers, said Tom Nightingale, CEO of AFS Logistics, a third-party logistics firm that places about $11 billion worth of freight annually with different trucking companies on behalf of shippers. He said the company began taking on significant amount of debt 20 years ago in order to acquire other trucking companies. Now their debt service is just enormous, he said, pointing to $1.5 billion in debt on its books. There are two other national competitors in Yellows segment of the trucking market which are also unionized, ABF Freight and TForce. Both were far more profitable in recent years than Yellow, which posted only a narrow operating profit in 2021 and 2022 and a $9.3 million operating loss in the first quarter. There were reports last week that a bankruptcy filing would come by July 31, although the company said last week only that it continued to be in talks with the Teamsters and that it was considering all of its options. The Teamsters said Monday the company is filing for bankruptcy. US taxpayers to take a hit The closing is bad news not only for its employees and its customers, who generally used Yellow because it offered some of the cheapest rates in the trucking sector, but also for US taxpayers. The company received a $700 million loan from the federal government in 2020, a loan that resulted in taxpayers holding 30% of its outstanding stock. And the company still owed the Treasury department more than $700 million according to its most recently quarterly report, nearly half of the long-term debt on its books. Yellows stock lost 82% of its value between the time of that loan and Thursday close after reports of the bankruptcy plans, closing at only 57 cents a share. It bumped up 14 cents a share on Friday, but still remained a so-called penny stock. The company had received that loan during the pandemic, despite the fact that at the time it was facing charges of defrauding the government by overbilling on shipments of items for the US military. The company eventually settled the dispute without admitting wrongdoing but was forced to pay a $6.85 million fine. Yellow handles pallet-sized shipments of freight, moving shipments from numerous customers in the same truck, a segment of the trucking industry known as less-than-truckload, or LTL. The company had been claiming as recently as June that it was the nations third largest LTL carrier. But the company handled only about 7% of the nations 720,000 daily LTL shipments last year, said Jindel. He said there is about 8% to 10% excess capacity in the LTL sector right now, so the closure of Yellow shouldnt cause a significant disruption in supply chains. But he said it will cause higher rates for shippers who depend on LTL carriers, since it was the excess capacity that sent prices lower. Higher prices will hit Yellow customers, Jindel said. The reason they were using Yellow was because they were cheap, he said. Theyre finding out that price was below the cost of supporting a good operation. While the US economy has remained strong, spending by consumers has been shifting in recent years from the goods they were buying in 2020 and early 2021 when they were still stuck close to home due to the pandemic, to services, such as plane tickets and other experiences that dont need to move by truck. Nightingale said industrywide LTL shipments fell 17% between 2021 and 2022, and another 5% in the first quarter compared to the first quarter a year earlier. He said that while Yellow could be profitable when demand for trucking was strong, it couldnt get by in the face of the slowdown in freight, and the drop in trucking rates that went with it. Shippers worried about Yellows future started shifting to other carriers, as its shipments fell 13% in the first quarter compared a year earlier. Its what Warren Buffett says, when the tide goes out you discover whos been swimming naked, Nightingale said. End of an era in trucking When the trucking industry was deregulated nearly 40 years ago, the segment of the industry that handled full trailers of cargo, known as truckload, soon was dominated by non-union trucking companies. The only thing low-cost competitors needed to enter that segment of the industry was a truck. But the LTL segment requires a network of terminals to sort incoming and outgoing freight. That limited, but did not prevent, the entry of low-cost competitors. So unionized carriers such as Yellow continued to be major players, even as non-union rivals grew. Eventually non-union carriers came to dominate the LTL segment as well. By early in this century, many of the remaining unionized LTL carriers, including Yellow and rivals such as Roadway Express, New Penn and Holland, merged to survive. Yellow, Roadway and a third company known as CF or Consolidated Freightways had once been known as the Big Three of the trucking industry. CF went out of business in 2002. And with Yellow Corp. closing, the final two parts of the Big Three are now out of business as well. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The pilot says his family asks him when can they come to the UK? (The Independent ) The wife of an Afghan pilot threatened with deportation to Rwanda has made an emotional plea to the UK government to give her family sanctuary in Britain. The woman, who is in hiding in Afghanistan, said her family is paying a heavy price for her husbands work with the British and that her life has become dark and bleak as they wait for help. The pilot made the final leg of his journey to Britain in a small boat across the English Channel after fleeing Taliban rule, leaving his young family behind. But, on reaching the UK, the Afghan air force official did not receive the help he hoped for and was instead given a notice by the Home Office threatening him with deportation to Rwanda. The pilots wife is despairing at the lack of help from Rishi Sunaks government. Speaking for the first time since this newspaper raised the pilots plight, and in a message through her husband, she told The Independent: When will this uncertainty end? She added: The world has become dark and bleak for me, I dont know what to do. Im about to go crazy. We cannot go out because of the fear of Taliban. Our days and nights are spent in fear. Accusing the UK of failing to provide safe haven for the family, she added: I am really tired of the situation. Believe me, it is clear that the government there does not want to help. Addressing him directly, she said: It is obvious what your job role was and how you helped them. It really is an unappreciative and unreliable government. Unfortunately, we now have to pay a heavy price for your cooperation with them, and that is to be killed by the Taliban. After the fall of Kabul, the pilot waited in hiding for several months before making the heartbreaking decision to leave his wife and young family and find safe refuge. Knowing she could not make the perilous journey, his wife told him: I put you into his hands. Go. But she said today: I wish I could predict the future and knew whats awaiting us. I would not have let you go. The pilot applied for settlement in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), set up to bring those who helped British forces during the war to safety in the UK, but was turned down. He has now been left in limbo as he awaits a decision on his future. She added: At times I even think, death at the hands of the Taliban would be better than going through this mental torture by the waiting game of that government. She said the only reason she is alive is because of her innocent young family who still know nothing. The Independent is campaigning for the pilot and other Afghan veterans to be given asylum in countries for whom they have risked their lives. Numerous military chiefs, politicians, and celebrities have backed the call. The pilot is being considered for possible sanctuary in the US (The Independent) With his asylum claim paused in the UK, the pilot has been forced to turn to the US for help with the White House pledging to take care of the folks who helped us during the longest war in this country. He is being considered for possible sanctuary in the US under the P1 resettlement scheme, following a referral by a US official. He has had his initial relocation interview to determine his eligibility for the scheme, and has a follow-up interview later this month. The Rwanda notice has still not been removed despite the UKs Court of Appeal ruling that the governments returns agreement is illegal. Without the notice being removed, the pilots asylum application cannot progress. Members of the US senate have also backed calls for safe haven for the Afghan pilot, after the UKs Ministry of Defence said he did not qualify for their resettlement scheme. The airman, who was praised as a patriot to his nation by his coalition forces supervisor, said his family were living in fear. He added: They cant go anywhere. They cant go outside. They are hardly living. My wife is depressed and she talks very disappointedly. They are waiting and asking me what is going on about my case. They ask me when will we come? Sometimes I have to lie to them because I cant tell them the truth. If I say the truth, it is too painful. Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais and a former army colonel, said: The Afghan veterans we are supporting, including the pilot, sacrificed so much to support UK forces but our government is slamming the door in their faces. All they want is to have a safe future with their families in the UK. But rather than offering them the promised sanctuary, the government is delaying their asylum claims, threatening to remove them to Rwanda and leaving their families stuck in Afghanistan, hiding in fear every day from the Taliban. A UK government spokesperson said: Whilst we do not comment on individual cases, we can confirm that all applications are rigorously assessedaagainst the eligibility criteria published online. The Arap scheme was established for a defined cohort of Afghans who had worked directly for, or with, the UK armed forces. We have already relocated more than 12,200 Afghans under Arap and continue working toabring all those people eligible to safety in the UK. We understand the desire of Afghans now seekingato leave their country, however,awe cannot support all former members of the Afghan security forces,awho number in the hundreds of thousands. An anti-abortion rights group sharply criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday for failing to embrace a national abortion ban, an issue that has divided the GOP presidential primary field. DeSantis did not directly answer whether he would support a federal ban on abortion in a recent interview on the Megyn Kelly show. He pledged to be a pro-life president, but said, We are running on doing things that I know I can accomplish. But I really believe, right now in our society, its really a bottom-up movement and thats where weve had most success Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, DeSantis later added. And I think youre going to continue to see a lot of good battles there. Asked if he does not support a federal law banning abortion, DeSantis said, Ill always come down on the side of life. Im proud to be pro-life, and Ill be a pro-life president. His comments drew the ire of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an anti-abortion rights group that has pushed GOP presidential hopefuls to support a national ban on abortion. The groups president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a statement that there is a clear consensus for protecting babies in the womb at least by the point they can feel pain at 15 weeks, while allowing states to enact stronger protections. The pro-life movement and the American people deserve a president who will boldly advocate this consensus and will work to gather the votes necessary in Congress, Dannenfelser said. Gov. DeSantiss dismissal of this task is unacceptable to prolife voters. DeSantis has not taken a clear position on a federal ban after signing a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in Florida. In a CNN interview this month, DeSantis also did not directly answer whether he would support a national prohibition, broadly saying he will support pro-life policies. Governor DeSantis delivers results and acts, especially when it comes to protecting life. He did so in Florida by signing the heartbeat bill and will be a pro-life president. He does not kowtow to DC interest groups," Bryan Griffin, DeSantis' campaign press secretary, said in a statement. "This unjustified attack on him is another example of the DC political games that have seen conservatives falter in Washington while Governor DeSantis has produced unmatched conservative victories in Florida, Griffin added. The clash isnt the first time SBA Pro-Life America has weighed in on the presidential race. The group also chastised former President Donald Trump when a campaign spokesman said Trump believed the issue should be decided at the state level. Dannenfelser called that a morally indefensible position and said the group would oppose any presidential candidate who did not support a 15-week federal ban. Dannenfelser later met with Trump and described the meeting as terrific. She said in a statement that the former president reiterated that any federal legislation protecting these children would need to include the exceptions for life of the mother and in cases of rape and incest. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a last-ditch decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama. The choice ended months of thorny deliberations, but an Alabama lawmaker vowed to fight on. U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Monday that Biden was convinced by the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness. Dickinson's view, however, was in contrast to Air Force leadership, who studied the issue at length and determined that relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, was the right move. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of Bidens rationale for the decision. In announcing the plans, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said the decision was based on an objective and deliberate process informed by data and analysis. He said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin supported the presidents decision. Reaction to the decision came fast and was sharply divided, as Colorado lawmakers praised it and Alabama officials slammed it as a political maneuver. This fight is far from over, warned Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Biden, said the U.S. officials, believes that keeping the command in Colorado Springs would avoid a disruption in readiness that the move would cause, particularly as the U.S. races to compete with China in space. And they said Biden firmly believes that maintaining stability will help the military be better able to respond in space over the next decade. Those factors, they said, outweighed what the president believed would be any minor benefits of moving to Alabama. Biden's decision enraged Alabama lawmakers and is sure to fuel accusations that abortion politics played a role in the choice. The location debate has become entangled in the ongoing battle between Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville and the Defense Department over the move to provide travel for troops seeking reproductive health care. Tuberville opposed the policy is blocking hundreds of military promotions in protest. The U.S. officials said the abortion issue had no effect at all on Biden's decision. And they said the president fully expected there would be different views on the matter within the Defense Department. Tuberville, in a statement, said the top three choices for Space Command headquarters were all in Republican-leaning states Alabama, Nebraska and Texas and bypassing them looks like blatant patronage politics. Formally created in August 2019, the command was temporarily based in Colorado, and Air Force and Space Force leaders initially recommended it stay there. In the final days of his presidency Donald Trump decided it should be based in Huntsville. The change triggered a number of reviews. Proponents of keeping the command in Colorado have argued that moving it to Huntsville and creating a new headquarters would set back its progress at a time it needs to move quickly to be positioned to match Chinas military space rise. And Colorado Springs is also home to the Air Force Academy, which now graduates Space Force guardians, and more than 24 military space missions, including three Space Force bases. Officials also argued that any new headquarters in Alabama would not be completed until sometime after 2030, forcing a lengthy transition. Huntsville, however, scored higher than Colorado Springs in a Government Accountability Office assessment of potential locations and has long been a home to some of earliest missiles used in the nations space programs, including the Saturn V rocket. It is home to the Armys Space and Missile Defense Command. According to officials, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who ordered his own review of the matter, leaned toward Huntsville, while Dickinson was staunchly in favor of staying put. The officials said Austin presented both options to Biden. In a statement Monday, Kendall said the service will work to quickly implement Biden's decision, adding that keeping the command in Colorado will avoid any disruption to its operational capability. The decision was hailed as a victory in Colorado lawmakers and condemned in Alabama. For two and a half years weve known any objective analysis of this basing decision would reach the same conclusion we did, that Peterson Space Force Base is the best home for Space Command," Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said in a statement. Most importantly, this decision firmly rejects the idea that politics instead of national security should determine basing decisions central to our national security. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said the decision restores integrity to the Pentagons basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions. Rogers, meanwhile, vowed that his committee will continue an investigation into the matter, calling it a deliberate taxpayer-funded manipulation of the selection process. He added, Its clear that far-left politics, not national security, was the driving force behind this decision. Republican Alabama Sen. Katie Britt echoed his sentiment, saying it was irresponsible for Biden to yank a military decision out of the Air Forces hands in the name of partisan politics. She said an Air Force evaluation of the potential locations ranked Huntsville first, adding that the decision should have remained in the Air Forces purview. ___ Associated Press writer Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Ala., contributed to this report. A former business partner of Hunter Biden testified that the president's son used the Biden "brand" to his advantage while working for Ukrainian energy company Burisma, according to lawmakers who were present during Monday's closed-door questioning. Devon Archer, 49, answered questions for about four hours during a transcribed interview before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, at one point telling members that Biden put his father on speakerphone during business meetings about 20 times, but not to talk to business, lawmakers said. The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of 10-year relationship, Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings, Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., told reporters after the closed-door meeting. He said that included times when Hunter Biden was with friends, and times when he was with "potential business partners or business partners. As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, whats going on. There wasnt a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had, Goldman added. The committees chair, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said Archer testified that Joe Biden "joined Hunter Bidens dinners with his foreign business associates in person or by speakerphone over 20 times" and was put on the phone to sell the brand. Comer said the testimony shows Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he had no knowledge about his sons business dealings and was not involved. Joe Biden was the brand that his son sold around the world to enrich the Biden family. Goldman said Archer at one point testified that the brand he was referring to was "Hunters own experience as a lobbyist and a lawyer in Washington, D.C. combined with the Biden name, which is of course no different than the Trump name or the Clinton name or any other big political family name. The committee has been investigating foreign payments to members of the Biden family during and after his time as vice president in the Obama administration. Republican lawmakers have alleged that Biden was involved in his son's business dealings, which the White House has denied. Goldman said Archer "stated unequivocally" that "there is no evidence in his possession or his knowledge that Joe Biden ever discussed business with Hunter Biden, Joe Biden ever did anything on behalf of Hunter Bidens business interests or otherwise, never changed official policy in any way, shape or form." He also said that Archer told the panel that Biden felt he had to give his employers "the illusion of access to his father." Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said Archer told the panel he didn't know anything about an alleged $5 million bribe to the family that a Burisma executive had mentioned to an FBI informant. Biggs, however, said he still believes the president is compromised and told reporters, "I think we should do an impeachment inquiry." Goldman called Biggs' assertion that Biden is compromised "completely absurd." "The witness repeated over and over and over again that President Biden never discussed any business dealings of Hunters with Hunter or anyone else. He repeated over and over again that he never did anything in consideration, official policy or otherwise, in consideration of whatever Hunters business interests were. So I have a lot of respect for Congressman Biggs, but thats just a flat out lie." Attorneys for Hunter Biden have not commented on Archer's testimony. Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsels office, said in a statement that House Republicans own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his sons associates, or doing anything wrong. House Republicans keep promising bombshell evidence to support their ridiculous attacks against the President, but time after time, they keep failing to produce any. In fact, even their own witnesses appear to be debunking their allegations. Archer was convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy involving a different company in June of 2018. A New York federal court judge sentenced him to a year and a day in prison last year, but stayed the sentence pending an appeal. The federal appeals court denied his bid last week. Federal prosecutors who brought the case recently asked the judge overseeing the case to set a sentencing date, prompting some conservatives to claim that the Justice Department was trying to intimidate Archer ahead of Monday's congressional testimony. The same prosecutors, in a court filing Sunday night, said: "To be clear, the Government does not request (and has never requested) that the defendant surrender before his Congressional testimony. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday defended his record delivering pro-life protections as Florida governor following criticism from the Susan B. Anthony anti-abortion group over his reluctance to embrace a national ban. DeSantis, who sought to burnish his conservative bona fides earlier this year when he signed a six-week ban in Florida, cast doubt on the possibility of passing federal abortion restrictions and instead said the focus should be on state efforts, a position that has put him at odds with several of his 2024 GOP presidential primary competitors. Different groups, you know, are gonna have different agendas, but I can tell you this: Nobody running has actually delivered pro-life protections. I have done that. Ive stood up. Ive said that I would stand for life, and we have done that, and we have delivered, and were proud of that, DeSantis told CNN, gaggling with reporters at the Windmill Restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire. In an interview with Megyn Kelly last week, DeSantis said he lacked confidence Congress would do anything meaningful toward a national abortion ban, and he has not committed to signing a national ban at any number of weeks as president. Ive been a pro-life governor. Ill be a pro-life president, and I will come down on the side of life, DeSantis told Kelly. We are running on doing things that I know I can accomplish. I think the states have the primary jurisdiction over it, DeSantis told Kelly. I think there is a federal interest but I think the reality is that, you know, the country is divided on it. You have different opinions, and that stuff gets filtered out. But clearly, right now, you are going to see different states go in different directions and I understand that, DeSantis added. His comments drew a rebuke from Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who on Monday said the remarks expressed a lack of will to enact national protections for unborn children. Gov. DeSantiss dismissal of this task is unacceptable to prolife voters. A consensus is already formed. Intensity for it is palpable and measurable. There are many pressing legislative issues for which Congress does not have the votes at the moment, but that is not a reason for a strong leader to back away from the fight. This is where presidential leadership matters most, Dannenfelser said in a statement. Abortion has been a sticking point for GOP presidential candidates who have walked a fine line between appeasing conservative primary voters while not alienating moderates. Former President Donald Trump, the clear front-runner for the nomination, has told allies and advisers that abortion isnt a winning campaign issue for Republicans and has yet to say whether he supports a federal ban. But others, including former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, have called for national legislation in the wake of DeSantis comments to Kelly. Republicans should not be retreating on life. We need a national 15-week limit to stop blue states from pushing abortion on demand. @sbaprolife defends the most fundamental right: life. Without life, nothing else matters. Its not a special interest. Its the only interest, Scott tweeted Monday. DeSantis whose campaign has signaled internal concerns about its financial position, cut staff and is significantly trailing Trump in the polls has at times used abortion to draw a contrast with Trump, whose three Supreme Court nominees voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. In mid-June, DeSantis said he was surprised that the former president called Floridas six-week ban harsh in an interview with Christian Broadcasting Networks David Brody. We were able to deliver the Heartbeat Bill, which was a big, big deal, DeSantis said. While I appreciate what the former president has done in a variety of realms, he opposes that bill. He said it was quote harsh to protect an unborn child when theres a detectable heartbeat. I think thats humane to do. Asked if he thought Trump has gone soft on abortion a little bit, DeSantis said, Well, I think so. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Angus Cloud was still mourning his father, Conor Hickey, when the actor died on Monday, July 31. Hickey died on May 18 after a short illness, according to a tribute shared by his former rugby club Ashbourne AFC. Conor left for California in the 80s after a very successful career at Ashbourne, which included being a member of the OConnell Cup winning team in 1979, read the obituary shared by the club, which is based in County Meath, Ireland. He first landed in L.A. but settled in the Bay Area of San Francisco. While Cloud used his middle name Angus, his legal first name was Conor, in honor of his father. In one of his final Instagram posts, Cloud paid tribute to his late dad. Miss u breh, Cloud wrote on July 14. Cloud, who died on Monday at age 25, was best known for playing Fezco on HBOs Euphoria. In a statement announcing his death, Clouds family noted that the late actor was very close to his father, who was buried in his native Ireland last week. Courtesy of Angus Cloud/Instagram It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways, Clouds family told TMZ. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. A cause of death was not immediately announced, but Clouds family noted that he had struggled with mental health issues before his passing. In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies We hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence, they said. We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss. Us Weekly confirmed on Monday that Clouds mother, Lisa Cloud, reported a possible overdose to 911 before her son was pronounced dead. The Oakland Police Department responded to Angus residence on Monday around 11:30 a.m. PT after Lisa called dispatch and said her son didnt have a pulse. First responders pronounced Angus dead on the scene. Angus Cloud-s Candid Quotes on Mental Health and Addiction Before Death Read article Tributes to the late actor poured in from his friends and colleagues after news broke of his death. We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud, read a message shared by the official Twitter account for Euphoria. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time. Colman Domingo, who plays Rues sponsor, shared a photo of himself and Angus via his Instagram Story. Couldnt be more real, original and sweet. Loved this kid. Always smiles. I hope his sensitive soul is at rest, Domingo, 53, wrote. Check on loved ones. Check on them. A Cohasset native was seriously injured in a shooting that left the gunman and one police officer dead and two more officers wounded in Fargo, North Dakota, on Friday. Karlee Koswick, 25, moved to Fargo three weeks ago to start a new job, relatives told Patriot Ledger media partner WCVB. Fargo police said Mohamad Barakat, 37, fired multiple rounds at police officers investigating a minor car crash on a busy street July 14. Its unclear whether Koswick was involved in the crash, police said. "I believe she was just in the area, but I can't say for certain at this juncture," said Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski. Police crime tape remains near the site of a shooting Friday, July 14, 2023, in Fargo, North Dakota. One police officer was fatally shot and two others were critically wounded. Authorities have said the suspect was also killed in the shooting, and a Cohasset, Massachusetts, woman who had recently moved to the area was injured. Koswick was hit by gunfire in the hip and legs, her family said. She had surgery, and a hospital spokesperson told The Associated Press that she was in fair condition Sunday. Two officers, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes, were in critical but stable condition as of Saturday. The third officer, Jake Wallin, died from gunshot wounds. There was nothing that could be done" for the 23-year-old military veteran, the chief said. "It's just a really sad tragedy that he's no longer with us. Barakat was fatally shot by a fourth officer, Zach Robinson, police said. The FBI is assisting with the investigation. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Cohasset native Karlee Koswick shot in North Dakota Theres nothing like seeing the world of politics collide with comedy. The president of the United States has the most serious job in the world; however, it doesnt come without its gaffes and humorous moments. As the leader of the free world, the commander-in-chief is responsible for navigating a range of issues both domestically and internationally, but theres nothing like seeing the world of politics collide with comedy even when the said moment wasnt intended to make you chuckle. Heres a roundup of theGrios funniest presidential moments in modern history. Obama calls Kanye West a jackass Rarely do U.S. presidents comment on major pop culture events, but after Kanye Wests controversial and viral moment interrupting Taylor Swifts acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, then-President Barack Obama chimed in with his two cents. Hes a jackass, said Obama on a hot mic during an off-the-record moment ahead of a television interview with CNBC. Moments later, Americas first Black president appeared to realize his off-color remark could make headline news. Now, all this stuff, said Obama, as he gestured his hand to suggest the comment was off the record. But as any president knows, whats said to the press even when off the record can end up in news publications and on television airwaves. Despite Obamas efforts to keep the comment at bay, ABC reporter Terry Moran tweeted it out. Though it was quickly removed, it had already gone viral around the world. Thankfully for Obama, the jackass comment didnt turn out to be a controversial opinion as many Americans at the time appeared to agree. Over a decade later, it would not be surprising if many still held that sentiment about Mr. West. Biden caught on hot mic saying Big fking deal In another hot mic moment that ended in viral infamy in 2010, then-Vice President Joe Biden dropped the F-bomb to describe the historic nature of President Barack Obamas landmark health care law dubbed Obamacare. While introducing President Obama before giving his remarks at the White House on the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Biden whispered to the president over loud applause, This is a big fking deal. Indeed, the law was a big deal as it established a historic overhaul of health care in the United States and expanded insurance to more than 20 million people. Biden apparently couldnt contain his excitement for the prospect of uninsured Americans getting access to quality and affordable health care. During a White House ceremony commemorating the 13th anniversary of Obamacare in March, President Biden welcomed Obama back to the White House for the first time since leaving office. Referencing his now infamous hot mic moment, President Biden made clear: I stand by the fact that it was a big deal. Obama roasts Trump during White House Correspondents dinner Who could forget the time Donald Trump was roasted by President Barack Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner? After months of leading the racist conspiracy theory that Obama was not born in the United States and thereby ineligible to serve as U.S. president, President Obama was face-to-face with Trump on political journalisms biggest night. Taking advantage of the dinners tradition of using comedy to speak to Washingtons most pressing issues, Obama took to the podium to address the birtherism controversy head-on. After playing the famous birth scene of Simba in The Lion King, President Obama said, No one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest more than the Donald. He continued, Thats because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter, like did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac? Obama also poked fun at what at the time seemed improbable: Trump runs for president. He certainly would bring some change to the White House, said Obama as he displayed a doctored photo of a revamped Trump White House that included a hotel and casino suite and women in bathing suits inside a pool on the front lawn. All kidding aside, he added, Obviously, we all know about your credentials and breadth of experience. President Obama later referenced an episode of Trumps then-television hit show Celebrity Apprentice, in which Trump had to painstakingly decide which celebrity to fire. These are the kinds of decisions that would keep me up at night, Obama joked as the crowd laughed and an uncomfortable Trump grimaced. As Trump confidant and former advisor Roger Stone put it, Obamas roasting of Trump likely motivated the reality TV star to run for office. Of course, we now know the irony is that Trump would ultimately succeed Obama as the 45th president of the United States. Pelosi outshines Trumps State of the Union Former President Donald Trump can thank former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for generating what was probably the most viral moment of his presidency. During his 2020 State of the Union address, Trump was arguably outshined by his Democratic foe. As Trump delivered his message to a joint session of Congress and the American public, Pelosi, who sat directly behind him on the House dias, visibly disapproved of his remarks based on countless facial expressions that became a source of levity for viewers. But nothing was more comical than Pelosis infamous handclap of approval of Trump for his call for compromise and the common good. The moment, as well as Pelosi shockingly tearing up the transcript of Trumps speech, became an instant viral sensation online, sparking millions of memes and reactions. When asked why she ripped the printed speech of Trump, Pelosi explained, Because it was a manifesto of mistruths. However, despite her clap of approval for Trump being interpreted as condescending, Pelosi made clear, It wasnt sarcastic. Of course, it didnt stop the internet from using it for a good laugh. Bush dodges shoes thrown at him It may be hard to remember how unpopular former President George W. Bush was given his close relationship with the Obamas and the overshadowing of another unpopular Republican president, Donald Trump. However, by the end of his 8-year presidency, Bush had an approval rating as low as 25%. The disdain for Bush and his policies was shared abroad, as evidenced by the infamous moment when an Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at the U.S. president during a press conference in Baghdad with the then-Iraqi prime minister. Bush was unharmed as he quickly ducked to avoid contact, but it didnt stop the moment from being the butt of jokes around the globe. The journalist, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, said he threw his shoes at Bush in protest of the U.S. military invasion of Iraq. Though he became an overnight international celebrity, Zaidi was ultimately convicted and jailed for nine months. Twenty years later, Zaidi said he only had one regret: [I] only had two shoes. Gerren Keith Gaynor Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post The funniest presidential moments in modern history appeared first on TheGrio. The man charged with three of the notorious "Gilgo four" murders on New York's Long Island 13 years ago is facing a "massive amount'' of evidence in the case, prosecutors said Tuesday as he appeared in court for a pretrial conference hearing before a Suffolk County judge. Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested last month and charged in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27. The bodies of the women, who authorities say were sex workers, were found wrapped in burlap on Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach. Heuermann is also a prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, but has not been charged in that case. Police found at least 10 sets of human remains during their investigation. Prosecutors said at the hearing theyve given Heuermanns lawyer about 2,500 pages of records, DNA reports and about 100 hours of surveillance video recorded outside Heuermanns home and office before his July 13 arrest, along with crime scene photos. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said there's plenty more coming. Youre talking about 13 years worth of investigation, Tierney told reporters. It is a massive amount of material, and don't forget it's continuing, because the investigation is continuing.'' He said some family members of the victims were in attendance but declined to specify whom they represented. Barthelemys remains were discovered during a training exercise on Dec. 11, 2010, along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Two days later, the bodies of Brainard-Barnes, Waterman and Costello were discovered. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann on July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y. How police linked Heuermann to the cold cases Police identified Heuermann as a person who could be a suspect in the case, tracked him down and found an abandoned pizza crust that he threw out in a Manhattan trash can, authorities said. The DNA on the food matched the DNA from a male hair found in the burlap that wrapped Waterman. Authorities also discovered Heuermann had contacted two sex workers up to a week before his arrest. Prosecutors and Heuermanns lawyer, Michael Brown, reached a confidentiality agreement that bans sharing copies of the evidence with the public in a case that has drawn widespread attention. The press has convicted my client without seeing a shred of evidence, Brown said at a news briefing. Burner phone calls linked to Heuermann Police say the victims had been been contacted by someone using four separate burner phones, even using one of the phones to taunt relatives of Barthelemy after she went missing. Heuermann lived in Massapequa Park and worked as an architect in Midtown Manhattan. Authorities say the women disappeared from Massapequa and that the taunting calls were made from Manhattan. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said a search of Heuermann's house and yard turned up hundreds of weapons and "massive" amounts of other material. Wife says she knew nothing of her husband's alleged crimes Heuermann's wife of 27 years, Asa Ellerup, on Monday told CNN she filed for divorce from Heuermann after his arrest. She and her lawyer told CNN she had no idea of her husbands alleged actions. Lawyer Bob Macedonio said investigators swarmed the family home, leaving it in a shambles and rattling their grown children. Everything in the house was turned upside down, Macedonio said. Dresser drawers were emptied out. The bathroom tub ... was actually cut open. The floors were ripped up. The couches and the mattresses have been removed. The family has received support, Macedonio said, including from the daughter of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, the so-called "happy face killer" convicted of killing eight women over five years. Its been extremely overwhelming for her and the children trying to piece life back together to what it was two and a half weeks ago, Macedonio said. I dont know if theyre ever going to return to normalcy, but day by day shes getting better. Contributing: Kayla Jimenez and Jeanine Santucci This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann appears in court Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba speaks to the press before arriving at a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., July 17. Reuters-Yonhap Ukraine and Croatia have agreed on the possibility of using Croatian ports on the Danube and the Adriatic Sea for the export of Ukrainian grain, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with his Croatian counterpart on Monday. Russia quit the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain deal this month, depriving Ukraine, a global producer, of a vital conduit to safely export its agricultural products during the war. "Now we will work to establish the most efficient routes to these ports and make the most of this opportunity," Kuleba said after meeting Grlic Radman in Kyiv. "Every contribution to unblocking export, every door opened is a real, effective contribution to the world's food security," he said. Ukraine currently relies on land export routes via the European Union as well as an alternative route via the Danube River. Russia attacked infrastructure along the latter route earlier this month. Kuleba said the main subject of his talks with his Croatian counterpart were weapons. "I will only say that there are specific agreements that will be implemented soon," he said without providing details. (Reuters) A gunman was shot and wounded by police Monday after firing outside a Hebrew school in Memphis, Tennessee, officials said. There were no other injuries in the shooting outside Margolin Hebrew Academy around 12:20 p.m. Officers were called on a report of an armed person at the school and learned that someone with a gun had tried to enter it, Memphis Assistant Chief of Police Don Crowe said. Memphis police investigate the shooting of an armed man who tried to enter a school building on Monday, July 31, 2023. (WMC) "When he could not gain entry, he fired shots outside the school," Crowe told reporters. "Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure in place, and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene." The suspected gunman was later shot by police after a traffic stop, and after he allegedly got out of his pickup with a gun in his hand, police said. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. A motive was not known, and Crowe said it was very early in the investigation. He also told reporters at the scene it was too early to say if there was any connection between the man and the school, or if it was targeted because it is a Hebrew school. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will lead the investigation, he said. It was not clear if or how many people were inside the school at the time. A school official said everyone was safe and a statement would be made later. Crowe said that the school was able to provide a photo of the suspect and a description of his vehicle, a maroon pickup with California tags, which helped police. I personally truly believe that we have avoided a tragedy, Crowe said. I think this suspect was going to harm somebody before the day was over. The suspect was not immediately identified by police. HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. (AP) A small plane that crashed into the ocean just off a New Hampshire beach over the weekend flipped upside down when it hit the water before slowly rolling back into an upright position. The pilot of the single-engine Piper PA-18 plane that had been pulling a banner advertising a concert made his own way out of the aircraft after Saturday's noontime crash and was assisted ashore by Hampton Beach lifeguards who moments before had been keeping a close eye on swimmers. The pilot was evaluated at the scene but was not hurt, police said. The plane had been buzzing over the crowded beach all morning dragging a banner for an Eagles tribute band playing Saturday night at a local venue, said Tammy Nowlan of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, who was at the beach with her boyfriend and caught video of the crash on her phone. When the plane dropped the banner, she knew something was wrong. I remember my boyfriend saying, Looks like something fell off that plane,'" Nowlan said on Monday. She grabbed her phone and captured the plane hitting the water about 30 yards (27 meters) off the shore and somersaulting over. It was the craziest thing," she said. It just slowly glided in like something from a movie. I saw the pilot get out and he was safe, and I said, Thank goodness. Authorities did not release the pilot's name but the aircraft is registered to the owner of Sky Lines Aerial Advertising, based at nearby Hampton Airfield, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. Voicemail messages were left with the company on Monday. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. According to preliminary information released by the FAA on Monday, the aircraft crashed for unknown reasons." The plane was hauled onto the sand and eventually turned over to the owner. With President Biden in Delaware for a weeklong vacation, Vice President Harris is taking center stage for the White House. Harris began her jam-packed week by sitting down with ABC News for a one-on-one interview. She will later meet with a foreign leader, travel to Florida and Wisconsin, and deliver remarks Friday on the monthly jobs report, something Biden typically does. The vice presidents full schedule at a time when Biden is off the radar reflects her growing profile heading into campaign season and is coinciding with an effort to establish herself as a future leader of the Democratic party. One former Harris aide said the increased visibility is a clear positive for the vice president, giving her a platform with the Democratic base, with donors and with leaders in key swing states as she seeks to solidify her role for 2024 and beyond. If I were her, Id want to have a visible role heading into the election sending my ire at Republicans who are saying and doing insane things, the former aide said. Harris sat down with ABC News for a nationally televised interview that aired Monday in which she weighed in on the plight of migrants being bused to Washington, D.C., access to reproductive health care and a debate over the United Statess history of slavery taking aim once again at Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis. On Tuesday, Harris will head to Orlando, Fla., where she will speak in DeSantiss backyard at the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Womens Missionary Convention. On Wednesday, Harris will meet with the prime minister of Mongolia. While she frequently meets one-on-one with foreign leaders separate from the president, the meeting is notable given Biden will be out of town and unable to meet with the foreign leader. Harris on Thursday will travel to Wisconsin, a key swing state, to speak about the Biden administrations investments in making internet more accessible and affordable and to attend a pair of fundraisers. And on Friday, Harriss office said she will deliver remarks on Jobs Day following the release of the July jobs report. The remarks are notable for Harris given Biden typically gives a similar address each month outlining progress on the economy and promoting the White Houses agenda. Biden aides have frequently voiced their support for Harris as a partner for the president, and the presidents reelection website features an image of both leaders and a Biden-Harris logo. The sentiments appear to reflect a smoothing out of tensions between the Biden and Harris teams laid out in a book published last year that former communications director Kate Bedingfield blamed on Harris directly. One Democratic strategist said Harris has proven she is effective with key voting demographics, including Black voters and younger voters who will be crucial for Biden to turn out in 2024 to win a second term. Harris has in recent weeks leaned into the more traditional vice presidential role of serving as an attack dog against the opposing party. She has spoken in Iowa, Chicago and Massachusetts at conferences and events and taken aim at extremist Republicans over issues like abortion bans. She made a hastily arranged trip to Florida last week to blast the states new education guidelines that included language about how some slaves developed skills, which could be to their benefit. The remarks were a clear dig at DeSantis, who is the second-favorite GOP nominee for president, meaning Biden and Harris could be running against him in November 2024. It almost seems ridiculous to have to say what I just said, that enslaved people do not benefit from slavery. There are so called leaders, extremists, who are attempting to require in our nation an unnecessary debate with the intention, I believe, to try and divide us as Americans. Stop. Stop, she said during the ABC interview. A Democratic National Committee spokesperson shared similar remarks on X formerly known as Twitter from Harris over the weekend. But while the White House and Biden campaign have been willing to elevate Harris as a key messenger, Republicans running for the partys 2024 nomination have shown they are willing to do the same. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who has focused her candidacy on the need for generational change, has repeatedly suggested that the GOP is running against Harris in 2024, and not the 80-year-old Biden. Former Vice President Pence has illustrated his argument that he had no right to overturn the 2020 election results by making the case to Republicans that Harris would have no right to overturn the 2024 results if the GOP prevails. At one point, DeSantis aides sparring on social media with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for saying he was uncomfortable with the language on slaves developing skills tweeted out an image of Harris, suggesting the conservative congressman was echoing the vice presidents talking points. The Florida governor himself has on multiple occasions mispronounced the vice presidents name as he accused her of spreading misinformation about his states policies. Ultimately if you look at the next election, shes going to be the VP, you know, its possible she could end up being president of the United States, DeSantis said at a recent Iowa campaign stop, according to NBC News. And I think voters need to take a hard look at that and see if thats something that they would want. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Phoenix On Monday, temperatures in Phoenix reached a high of 108 degrees, unceremoniously breaking a streak of 31 days straight in which blistering temperatures hit at least 110 degrees. The brief, fleeting dip in what has been the most scorching stretch on record provided little respite for the millions who call the Arizona metropolis home. The brutal endurance test in America's hottest big city will continue this week, when temperatures are expected to again rise above 110 degrees. The enduring heat wave has strained Phoenix's ability to keep its most vulnerable residents safe, with no end in sight. For weeks, patients burnt by the baking pavement and floored by heat exhaustion have flooded Arizona hospitals. More than 1,000 calls came into Phoenix's 911 system for heat-related illness in July alone. And for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office enlisted 10 trailer-sized refrigerated containers to accommodate a possible overflow of heat-related deaths. Amid a global heat wave that made July Earth's hottest month on record, tennis courts, playgrounds and hiking trails sit abandoned in the daytime. Surface temperatures soar as high as 180 degrees, according to the Arizona Burn Center, which has operated at full capacity for more than two weeks. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has reported 25 heat-related deaths so far this year, and is investigating 249 more. Schools have deployed "cooling zones" in classrooms and libraries, moved athletics practices to after dark and readied "rescue buses" to scoop up students in case an air-conditioned school bus broke down in the scorching afternoon heat. "Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate," said Sean McDonald, the assistant superintendent for the Tempe Union High School District. "Our student athletes are drinking a gallon or two of water before they even go outside." The city shattered another record last week, collecting the most 115-degree days ever in a calendar year. Record-shattering heat leaves homeless even more vulnerable To stay alive, Jim Workman hops from Starbucks to gas stations to city shelters. Every morning at 6 a.m., the 58-year-old Army veteran begins his hunt for air conditioning. "You slack for a minute, you're going to die," he said. Jim Workman in Phoenix on July 25, 2023. / Credit: CBS News A self-declared "shade nomad," Workman has lived on the street for 20 years. To avoid burning himself on the baking concrete, he sleeps only four hours a night. "The air takes your breath away," he said, recounting nights that soared beyond 100 degrees. "It burns the back of your throat in a minute." Workman is one of the nearly 10,000 Phoenix residents surviving summer without a home, a growing population in a city testing the limits of its robust campaign to protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather. In 2022, a record high 425 people died of heat-related causes in Maricopa County, which includes 4.5 million residents living in Phoenix and its nearby suburbs. People experiencing homelessness made up the largest proportion of heat-associated deaths last year, with 178 homeless individuals dying from heat-associated causes. "Homelessness on steroids": Seniors without housing face acute hardship The city's homeless population has grown by 70% over the past six years, a phenomena fueled in part by its aging population. In an aerial view, people walk through Phoenix's largest homeless encampment during the city's worst heat wave on record on July 26, 2023. / Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images "The fastest growing homeless population here in the valley are seniors," said Melissa Guardaro, assistant research professor in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University. "A wave of seniors came here because it was cheap to live. Then many got evicted from their houses. Fall behind rent for one month and that's grounds for eviction here." Dean Scheinert is the executive director of the Justa Center, Phoenix's only day center for seniors. His work gives him a front-line view of the city's aging homeless population. "It's like homelessness on steroids," Scheinert said. "The hardship is particularly acute." The 300-member facility provides water, air conditioning, meals, showers and wraps to cool seniors down, though nursing staff routinely encounter elderly suffering from heat stroke. Scheinert recounted a member who stumbled inside with a core body temperature of 104 degrees. "It was immediately diagnosed as heat stroke," Scheinert said. "The crazy thing is that when you're at that high temperature, your body does not sweat. So it's easy not to identify it. But luckily we have a nurse that knows what she's doing, and we called EMS." The Justa Center in Phoenix. / Credit: CBS News According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stroke can begin as the body's core temperature rises above 103 degrees. It can reach 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, with potentially fatal consequences once it hits 109 degrees. From 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Scheinert says the doors of the Justa Center open about 130 times a day. And the heat doesn't stop when they close for the night. "It's 90 degrees-plus out there at night," Scheinert said. "Some people are living on the streets. Others go to a shelter. Some are couchsurfing. I worry about that." So do climate experts. The dangers of "urban heat island" effect "I think a lot of times when we talk about breaking records, we're always talking about the record highs," ASU's Guardaro told CBS News. "While that is important, what is particularly concerning are the so-called high-lows, the lowest temperature it gets to overnight." The low temperature settled to 97 degrees on July 19, a record high. Last month, Phoenix endured 16 consecutive nights when low temperatures did not dip below 90 degrees, leaving those with insecure housing sweating on the streets. City centers are uniquely susceptible to intense temperatures due to a phenomena known as the urban heat island effect. In cities like Phoenix, the dense pavement, concrete and buildings absorb and retain heat throughout the day and release it at night. The cycle means there is no chance for the urban landscape to cool off. This image shows how the temperature can differ between rural, industrial, downtown, park and suburban areas on the same day. / Credit: Climate Central "That's concerning because the human body needs for it to be 85 degrees Fahrenheit roughly or cooler to cool down at night," said Guardaro. "If you don't have access to air conditioning in a place like metropolitan Phoenix, you are compromising your health. I mean, it is dangerous." Last month, Arizona's power grid operator announced another record: seven consecutive days of the highest electricity use ever. To beat the heat, Joe Miller and Jacob Cohen no longer exercise outside. The men, both in their late 60s, routinely wake up at 5 a.m. to play racquetball at a rec center in Glendale. "We are very fortunate, very blessed," Miller said. "Our car has air conditioning. Our homes have air conditioning. Our workout facilities have air conditioning. But not everyone has access to that." Burnt paws and heat exhaustion: Rescue animals at high risk It's not just humans feeling the heat. Several times a day, zookeepers at the Phoenix Zoo hose down desert tortoises. Phoenix's rescue animals also remain at high risk. Dr. Steven Hansen, president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, runs the busiest shelter trauma center in the southwestern U.S. It has treated roughly 1,300 pets with heat-related illnesses this year alone, a roughly 10% increase from last year. Veterinarians have seen an uptick in burnt paws, a result of extreme heat magnifying surface temperatures. "If you can't put your hands on the pavement and hold them there, that surface is too hot for a dog," Hansen said. He noted that cats and dogs sweat only through their paws and noses, making the animals even less equipped to handle high temperatures. Dogs at the Arizona Humane Society's shelters take turns cooling off in kiddie pools. Their kennels are fully air conditioned. A dog cools down in a pool at the Arizona Humane Society on a hot day in July 2023. / Credit: CBS News Growing calls for FEMA to declare extreme heat as disasters While heat kills more people than nearly every other weather event combined, the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not treat extreme temperatures like it does hurricanes, tornadoes or flooding. In June, Reps. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Mark Amodei of Nevada and Sylvia Garcia of Texas introduced a bill to add extreme heat to the federal government's list of major disaster-qualifying events, which would allow the president to unlock more life-saving resources for cities and towns grappling with record-breaking temperatures. "Extreme heat is absolutely a disaster," said Guardaro. "If we're going to spend that much money rebuilding after hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding that we know is going to happen again, then why aren't we investing in extreme heat mitigation to stop the heat morbidity public health crisis on our hands?" John Ross, Louie Mejia, Cesareo Sifuentes-Roacho and Doug Podkowski contributed to this report. Evidence against Gilgo Beach murders suspect includes surveillance video of victim, prosecutors say U.S. sending $345 million in military aid to Taiwan Destination weddings trending again, but are they good? Cases of leprosy have increased in Florida and the southeastern United States over the last decade, according to a new report. Leprosy, officially called Hansens disease, is a rare type of bacterial infection that attacks the nerves and can cause swelling under the skin. The new research paper, published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, found that reported cases doubled in the Southeast over the last 10 years. Central Florida in particular has seen a disproportionate share of cases, which indicates it might be an endemic location for the disease, meaning leprosy has a consistent presence in the region's population rather than popping up in the form of one-off outbreaks. "According to the National Hansens Disease Program, 159 new cases were reported in the United States in 2020; Florida was among the top reporting states," the report said. "Central Florida, in particular, accounted for 81% of cases reported in Florida and almost one fifth of nationally reported cases." Although leprosy can spread person to person, it's not known precisely how. The disease does not spread through casual physical contact like shaking hands or sitting next to a person on the bus, according to the CDC. Rather, scientists' current thinking is that the bacteria gets transmitted via droplets from an infected person's coughs or sneezes during a prolonged period of close contact. Contact with armadillos, some of which are naturally infected by leprosy-causing bacteria, may be another way people can get sick. The recent report described a particular leprosy case in Florida: a 54-year-old landscaper who had no known contact with infected animals or people and had not traveled to any countries where the disease is more commonly found. Lepromatous leprosy in a 54-year-old man in central Florida in 2022. (CDC) There have been 15 cases of leprosy in Florida this year, the majority of which were in Brevard County, according to NBC affiliate WESH. Dr. Nicole Iovine, chief hospital epidemiologist and an infectious disease physician at the University of Florida, told WESH that leprosy can sometimes present like a rash with pigmented, scaly skin lesions. A person can also have disfiguring nodules on the face and hands. The main difference between a rash and leprosy is the loss of feeling in the affected area, she said. "If you have something thats like a few centimeters on your arm and you cant feel it, thats going to be different from a typical rash, which is going to be itchy," Iovine told WESH. The authors of the new report suggested that doctors and other health professionals should think of leprosy as a potential diagnosis for patients who have spent time in Central Florida. "Travel to this area, even in the absence of other risk factors, should prompt consideration of leprosy," the report said. Leprosy is treatable patients typically take a combination of two or three antibiotics for one to two years. Left untreated, nerve damage from the infection can lead to paralysis and the crippling of a person's hands and feet. Damage that occurred prior to starting treatment cannot be reversed. CORRECTION (Aug. 1, 2023, 4:30 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated who published the new report. It was a journal of the CDC, not the CDC itself. A federal grand jury probing efforts to block the transition of power following the 2020 election could soon return an indictment against former President Trump. The grand jury has tended to meet Tuesdays and Thursdays. Several recent signals suggest an indictment is imminent, and Trump himself predicted that charges could come any day now. I assume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his highly partisan gang of Thugs, pertaining to my PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech, will be coming out any day now, as yet another attempt to cover up all the bad news about bribes, payoffs, and extortion, coming from the Biden camp. This seems to be the way they do it. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT! Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. So far, an indictment has not surfaced in the investigation, but signs point to one looming. Expectations of charges in the probe have grown ever since Trump publicly indicated that he received a target letter from the Justice Department. The letters are typically sent when prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against an individual. In the classified documents case, prosecutors sent Trump a target letter 20 days before he was indicted, court filings show. Trump has said he received a target letter in the Jan. 6 probe July 16, just over two weeks ago. Adding to the anticipation, Trumps attorneys huddled Thursday with special counsel Jack Smiths office as the grand jury was meeting in Washington, D.C. A similar meeting occurred between Trumps attorneys and prosecutors in the classified documents case June 5, just three days before a grand jury voted on charges. Trumps legal battles took a twist later Thursday, however, as Smiths office unveiled a superseding indictment in the classified documents case in Florida. Prosecutors revealed one new charge of willful retention of documents and two new obstruction charges, accusing the former president of working with two aides to attempt to delete surveillance footage at Mar-a-Lago. One of the aides, Walt Nauta, was already charged in the case, but prosecutors Thursday also added Carlos De Oliveira, the second worker, as a co-defendant. Trump has repeatedly lambasted Smith in recent days after the new round of charges, and the former presidents attacks have continued as attention returns to grand jury activity in D.C. this week. Media organizations have parked satellite trucks outside D.C.s federal courthouse, where the grand jury meets, and reporters have been staking out the closed-door proceedings. Beyond the Jan. 6 probe, another indictment is potentially looming in Georgia, where Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) has advised court officials she could bring charges in the high-profile case in roughly the first half of August. The work is accomplished. Weve been working for two-and-a-half years. Were ready to go, Willis told 11Alive on Saturday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A man died after apparently being electrocuted when he jumped off a dock into Georgia's largest lake on Thursday, authorities said. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as 24-year-old Thomas Milner. On Thursday, at about 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a reported drowning in Lake Lanier in Cumming, Georgia. Milner was heard screaming for help shortly after going into the water from his family's dock, officials said. A family friend tried to use a ladder to get Milner out of the water but was unsuccessful, the sheriff's department said, so neighbors then took a boat over to Milner and one of them jumped into the water to help him. "That person described a burning sensation he recognized as an electric shock," the sheriff's department said. "He swam ashore, turned off the power box and re-entered the water ultimately pulling [Milner] onto the dock." Milner's uncle administered CPR until medics arrived, but Milner died the next day at a local hospital, officials say. Exposed lake bed and beached boat docks are shown at Lake Lanier in Cumming, Georgia, on Oct. 12, 2007. / Credit: John Bazemore / AP Electric shock drowning is a "silent killer" that can occur when electrical current leaks into the water, causing a swimmer to become incapacitated, according to the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association. There is no official tally of electric shock drownings because unless there is a witness to report the shock in the water, the victim's death is typically labeled a common drowning, the association says. In 2016, a 15-year-old girl died from electric shock drowning off a dock in Alabama's Lake Tuscaloosa, after a metal ladder apparently conducted electricity from a flooded light switch. The following year, two women died from electric shock drownings in that lake. "There is no visible warning or way to tell if water surrounding a boat, marina or dock is energized or within seconds will become energized with fatal levels of electricity," the group says. Lake Lanier, about 50 minutes northeast of Atlanta, has almost 700 miles of shoreline, and its website touts it as "the most popular lake" in the Southeast. Threads loses half its users after massive surge at launch Search continues for U.S. mother and child kidnapped in Haiti Death toll from Pakistan suicide bombing rises to 45 ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish staff member at Sweden's honorary consulate in the western city of Izmir was shot and seriously wounded in front of the consulate building, TRT state broadcaster said on Tuesday. Izmir's governor's office said in a statement a Turkish citizen registered to the eastern province of Agri has been apprehended. The police are investigating the incident, it added. The Swedish consul general will travel to Izmir on Wednesday to get more information about the incident, the Swedish foreign ministry said. The ministry said it was in close dialogue with the Consulate General in Istanbul and its staff in Turkey. The Consulate General is in contact with the Honorary Consulate in Izmir and with local authorities, the foreign ministry added. The ministry said it would not comment further "on the threat to the diplomatic service or what security measures are being taken, as this risks counteracting the purpose of the measures." Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc condemned the attack in a post on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He said a criminal investigation had been initiated to shed light on the incident. (Reporting by Burcu Karakas; Additional reporting by Simon Johnson in Stockholm and Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen; Editing by Sandra Maler) Six days since American nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were kidnapped from the community ministry where she works in Haiti, information about their capture and whereabouts remains unclear as the aid group works with authorities and partners in the United States and Haiti to secure their freedom, it said. The case, on which President Joe Biden has briefed, comes amid waves of crimes and unrest across Haiti, with more than 1,000 people taken hostage for ransom there this year, according to United Nations figures. Many people are laboring for their return, but currently we cannot share more specific details, Christian humanitarian organization El Roi Haiti said Monday in a statement about Dorsainvil and her child. We are so thankful for all of the support that has been shown. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter. Dorsainvil, the wife of El Roi Haiti Director Sandro Dorsainvil, and their child reportedly were abducted Thursday morning while serving at their community ministry on El Roi Haitis campus near the capital city Port-au-Prince, according to a statement from the non-profit. Its not clear how old their child is. The kidnapping including a man pulling out a gun unfolded in view of a patient waiting for a medical checkup, they told the Associated Press. When I saw the gun, I was so scared, Lormina Louima told the AP. I said, I dont want to see this, let me go. The same day, the US State Department ordered the departure of nonemergency government personnel from Haiti as the security situation in the country deteriorates. The order followed a travel advisory from the US Embassy in Haiti advising US nationals to leave immediately due to recent armed clashes between criminal groups and police in Port-au-Prince. Biden has been briefed on what the White House described as a precarious situation in Haiti, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday. We want to see her released, we want to see her back home with her family where she still belongs, Kirby said. But again, I think its probably the most prudent thing for us to not publicly talk about these efforts in any great detail as the situation is still precarious. Were all very, very mindful of her case, he added. And certainly mindful that she has a young child with her and were doing everything we can to try to secure her release. Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas have been gripped by a yearslong kidnapping-for-profit epidemic, with hundreds of Haitians targeted by gangs seeking ransom payments each year. While the bulk of such cases are local, targeting the rich and poor alike, foreigners have been taken in several high-profile kidnappings. In 2021, 17 missionaries from the United States and Canada were seized by a local gang while traveling on the road north of the capital and held for more than a month. And authorities registered 1,014 kidnappings in Haiti from January to June this year 256 women, 13 girls and 24 boys according to a United Nations report on Haiti. On Monday, students from El Roi Haiti and other residents joined a demonstration demanding the freedom of Dorsainvil and her daughter. Free the nurse, one protesters sign read, in part. Demonstrators in Haiti call Monday for the release of Dorsainvil and her daughter. - Odelyn Joseph/AP Alix Dorsainvil has been on staff tending to schoolchildren as a nurse since 2020 and married Sandro Dorsainvil in 2021, according to the non-profit. A New Hampshire native, Alix Dorsainvil first visited Haiti after the 2010 earthquake while she was still in college and fell in love with the people, the non-profit said in a statement. She then spent breaks from school and summers visiting Haiti, saving her money and paying her own way back to the Caribbean nation as often as she could. She had lived in Haiti for multiple years, showing love and care in a variety of ways before coming on staff with us, but has had a heart for the hurting since she was a child, El Roi Haiti said. She seeks people out to show them love and compassion, and no one is excluded from receiving her kindness. CNNs Betsy Klein, Jamiel Lynch and Arlette Saenz contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) Weeks after charging a Long Island architect in a string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders, prosecutors said Tuesday that they've begun providing his lawyer with reams of evidence including autopsy findings, DNA reports and crime scene photos. Suffolk County prosecutors said at a brief court hearing that they've given Rex Heuermanns lawyer at least 8 terabytes of material equivalent to about 2,500 pages of records, along with about 100 hours of surveillance video recorded outside Heuermann's home and office prior to his July 13 arrest. District Attorney Ray Tierney said that's a fraction of the evidence amassed since the bodies of four women were found buried along a remote beach highway in 2010 and 2011. More evidence will be turned over on a rolling basis, he said. This kind of evidence sharing, called discovery, is routine in criminal cases and is intended to help ensure a fair trial. Youre talking about 13 years of investigation," Tierney said. "Its a massive amount of material. Heuermann, 59, is charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, who disappeared over a 14-month span prior to the discovery of their bodies. Prosecutors say Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who vanished in 2007. Her remains were found in the same quarter-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway as the other women, across a bay from the town where Heuermann grew up and lived for decades in his childhood home. Heuermann did not speak at the hearing, which began about a half-hour late as prosecutors met his lawyer and the judge, Timothy Mazzei, behind closed doors. Tierney said afterward that they had been discussing the logistics and timetable for turning over evidence. Prosecutors and Heuermanns lawyer, Michael Brown, also reached a confidentiality agreement that prohibits sharing copies of the evidence with the public. Some of the evidence includes sensitive photographs of the womens remains as they were found, wrapped in burlap and buried in thick underbrush on a barrier island off Long Islands southern coast. Heuermann, wearing a charcoal sport coat and blue button-down shirt, was brought to court through an underground tunnel from the jail across the street, where hes been held since his July 13 arrest. He pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance and was ordered jailed without the possibility of bail. His lawyer said Heuermann denied committing the crimes. The press has convicted my client without seeing a shred of evidence, Brown told reporters after the hearing, suggesting that prosecutors "very well could have the wrong guy. Brown said he received the first wave of evidence before Tuesdays hearing five manila envelopes, each containing a 2 terabyte hard drive and that he has yet to review any evidence collected in the investigation. Today was the first time I was handed any evidence in this case and it was in the form of terabytes," Brown said. "I cant read terabytes with my hands or my eyes. Heuermann is due back in court on Sept. 27. All of the women Heuermann is accused of killing were sex workers whose remains were discovered near each other. Investigators say they cracked the case with the help of sophisticated cell phone location data analysis, DNA evidence and an old tip about a vehicle seen parked outside the home of one of the victims. Investigators spent nearly two weeks combing through Heuermanns home in Massapequa Park, across a bay from where the remains were found, yielding yet more evidence that will eventually be turned over to his lawyer. The search included digging up the yard, dismantling a porch and a greenhouse and removing many contents of the house for testing. Robert Macedonio, an attorney for Heuermanns wife, Asa Ellerup, said the home was essentially destroyed along the way, with investigators cutting through the bathtub, ripping up floors, and leaving cat litter strewn around the house. Ellerup filed for divorce after her husband was arrested. She and her two adult children, who also live at the house, returned last week after bouncing between relatives homes and a rental car, where they were forced to spend multiple nights, according to the lawyer. These people are also innocent victims in this, Macedonio added. Theyre the unknown victims because no one cares about them. An attorney for the adult children, Vess Mitev, said his clients were considering legal action against police for the deplorable and roughshod handling of the investigation. ___ Associated Press writer Jake Offenhartz contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Melissa Barthelemy disappeared in 2009, not 2010. Rescuers carry a fragment of missile outside a nine-storey residential building partially destroyed as a result of Russian missiles strike in Kryvyi Rig, July 31, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP-Yonhap Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown Monday, killing six people and wounding 75 others as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukrainian officials said. One of the two missiles that hit the central city of Kryvyi Rih destroyed part of an apartment building between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Video showed black smoke billowing from corner units and burned out or damaged cars on a tree-lined street. The dead included a 10-year-old girl and her mother, according to Zelenskyy. More than 350 people were involved in the rescue operation, he said in a Telegram post. The morning attack also destroyed part of a four-story university building. The strike on Zelenskyy's hometown, which has been hit in the past, happened a day after the Ukrainian president seemed to warn of more attacks inside Russia. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelenskyy said Sunday in his nightly video address. It was not clear whether the missile strikes were in retaliation for his comments. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian artillery strike on the partially occupied Donetsk province killed two people and wounded six others in the regional capital, according to Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed leader of the illegally annexed province. A bus was also hit as Ukrainian forces shelled the city of Donetsk multiple times Monday, Pushilin said. Elsewhere, in the Russian-held part of the Zaporizhzhia region, three people were killed and 15 were wounded in Ukrainian shelling that hit a store in the village of Basan, according to the Russia-backed acting regional governor, Yevgeny Balitsky. Neither side's claims could be independently verified. Russian missiles launched from Russia's Belgorod region flying towards Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is seen in this July 31 photo. AFP-Yonhap The ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive , deploying weaponry supplied by Western allies and aimed at driving Russian forces out of occupied areas, intensified last week . At the same time, Ukraine has sought to take the war deep into Russia, reportedly using drones to hit targets as far away as Moscow. Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia and Moscow-annexed territory, especially Crimea, have become more frequent. The latest strike, on Sunday, damaged two office buildings a few miles (kilometers) from the Kremlin. Ukrainian officials did not acknowledge the attack. Russia tightened security in the aftermath of that attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, describing the assault as an "act of desperation." "The Kyiv regime is in a very, very difficult situation," Peskov said, "as the counteroffensive is not working out as planned." "It's obvious that the multibillion-dollar resources that have been transferred by NATO countries to the Kyiv regime are actually being spent inefficiently," Peskov said. "This raises big questions in Western capitals and great discomfort among taxpayers in Western countries." Analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is wagering that Western support for Kyiv will wane as the war drags on and costs mount. Another Ukrainian drone targeted a district police department early Monday in Russia's Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, but there were no casualties, the local governor said. Bombarding populated areas with missiles, artillery and drones has been a hallmark of Moscow's military strategy throughout the war, and that approach has continued during the Ukrainian counteroffensive that started in June. Russian officials insist they take aim only at legitimate military targets, but Ukraine and its supporters say mass civilian deaths during previous attacks are evidence of war crimes. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, attends a meeting with Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 31. EPA-Yonhap "In recent days, the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centers, shelling civilian objects and housing," Zelenskyy said. "But this terror will not frighten us or break us." Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday that his forces have increased the intensity of attacks on Ukrainian military facilities. It was not immediately clear which military facilities he was referring to, as Russia's recent missile strikes have hit civilian infrastructure. In the southern city of Odesa, Russian strikes in recent weeks targeted port infrastructure and grain silos, after Moscow broke off an export agreement for Ukrainian grain. The Ukrainian foreign ministry estimated Monday that about 180,000 metric tons of grain have been destroyed by Russia in the past nine days. Russian shelling Monday also killed four civilians and wounded 17 in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. A 70-year-old woman was killed by shelling in her home in a Kharkiv province village near Izyum, authorities said. In eastern Ukraine's Donetsk province, one person was reported killed and seven people were wounded after Russia shelled 12 cities and villages, according to Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko. In other developments Monday, China introduced restrictions on the export of long-range civilian drones. Authorities cited the war in Ukraine and concern that drones could be converted for military purposes. Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government is friendly with Moscow, but says it's neutral in the war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks. Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24. Reuters-Yonhap TOKYO (AP) The Japanese distributor of the Warner Bros. movie Barbie has apologized for its U.S. parent companys reaction to social media posts about the Barbenheimer blitz that combined images of Barbie and a mushroom cloud. The memes triggered criticisms in Japan for what many described as minimizing the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The movie about the world-famous doll and Universal Pictures' Oppenheimer, a biography of Robert Oppenheimer, who helped develop the weapon, were both released on July 21 in the United States, sparking the Barbenheimer craze for watching both and prompting memes combining the two. Some of the images, which were not created by Warner Bros., showed Margot Robbie, who played Barbie, sitting on the shoulders of Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, with an orange inferno of an atomic blast in the background. The official Barbie account said in response to the combined Barbenheimer meme: Its going to be a summer to remember. Responding to another Barbenheimer meme showing Robbies hair replaced with an apparent mushroom cloud, the account commented, This Ken is a stylist, referring to Barbies boyfriend. In Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, the posts drew criticism for what was perceived as belittling remarks about the nuclear attacks, triggering angry messages and trending on social media with the hashtag #NoBarbenheimer. We apologize to those who felt uncomfortable because of these inconsiderable reactions," Warner Bros. Japan said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. One critical posting said many victims who perished under the mushroom clouds were children the same age of those playing with Barbie dolls and that the memes were inconsiderate. Others called them stupid and unforgivable, and urged for a boycott of the movie. The United States dropped the worlds first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people. It dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and Japans nearly half-century of aggression in Asia. Many survivors of the bombings have lasting injuries and illnesses resulting from the explosions and radiation exposure and face discrimination in Japanese society. Warner Bros. Japan said the Barbenheimer blitz is not part of an official company campaign, but said the reaction of its parent companys Barbie account to memes combining images of the two movies lacked sensitivity. We believe it was extremely regrettable," the Japanese distributor said, adding that it has requested its parent company to take appropriate action. Barbie's release in Japan is scheduled for Aug. 11. Warner Bros. responses to the Barbenheimer memes were only the latest controversy for the film, which was banned in Vietnam and criticized in some other Southeast Asian countries and in Washington. Vietnam said the movie included an image of a map showing disputed waters in the South China Sea as belonging to China. Warner Bros. was quoted by the media as saying the map was a child-like drawing and was not intended to make any statement. In a corner of the Ada County Courthouse lobby, a set of Victorian office furniture looks slightly out of place amid the metal detectors and attorneys hurrying to court hearings. Theres a large desk with a leather top, antique inkwell and carved chair. Next to it sits a library table with three more chairs. A tarnished spittoon rests in a corner, unlikely to hold spit from chewing tobacco anytime soon. The suite once belonged to Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, when he was an executive at the Pullman Co., a rail car manufacturer. How did it end up in Boise? The story begins in Chicago in the 1890s. Robert Todd Lincoln was the legal counsel for Pullman after serving as secretary of war for Presidents James Garfield and Chester Arthur. When George Pullman, the company founder, died in 1897, Robert Todd Lincoln became the companys president. Decades later, Russell McCormac, a Pullman Co. manager, spotted a desk suite at a company repair shop, his daughter-in-law, Ginny McCormac, told the Idaho Statesman in a recent phone interview from her apartment in Portland. The companys warehouse workers said it had been used by Lincoln, though there wasnt any documentation, Ginny said. Russell admired it and when he retired in 1968, as the Pullman Co. was collapsing, the company gave him the furniture. Oddly Idaho explores curious quirks and nostalgia in The Gem State. McCormacs donate Lincoln furniture In 1975, Russell passed it along to his son, John McCormac, to use as office furniture, his wife, Ginny McCormac, said. John, who died in 2019, was vice president of labor relations for Boise Cascade and a voracious antique collector. Everybody liked him terribly, his wife said. In fact, he was the only Boise Cascade executive ever invited to a union picnic. The couple later lived in Seattle and Seaside, Oregon, after leaving Boise. It was at the Seattle Book Fair that they met David Leroy, Ginny McCormac said. Leroy is a former Idaho attorney general and lieutenant governor. Hes also a Lincoln buff. Once he found out about the desk, he was persistent in trying to get it for Ada County, Ginny said, and kept visiting and calling the couple. When they downsized, they didnt have space for it and neither of their daughters wanted it, so they decided to donate it. Leroy remembers things a little bit differently. He told the Statesman that John McCormac contacted him to see if he wanted to buy the suite or help them find a home for it. Either way, the gift made sense because the courthouse had the space, Abraham Lincoln signed the act that created the Idaho territory in 1863 and the McCormacs had been prominent in Boise when they lived here, Leroy said in a recent interview. Its unclear whether Robert Todd Lincoln ever visited Idaho, Leroy said, but his father did not. Ginny McCormac hasnt been to Boise in a long time and has never seen the furniture in its current location. But she said its nice to have it recognized: Its in a good place and were delighted. A 72-year-old man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of killing a Nevada City man on a rural Nevada County road. Nevada County Sheriffs deputies received a report 11:24 p.m. Saturday from a passing driver that a man appeared to be dead, lying on on the side of the road at Tyler Foote Crossing Road and Black Sands Mine Road, north of Nevada City. Deputies arrived and found the 61-year-old man on the ground outside his vehicle, the Sheriffs Office said. The vehicle showed signs of damage to the exterior. The identity of the man has not yet been released. Detectives determined his death was a homicide, the Sheriffs Office said. Anthony Eric Stewart of North San Juan was identified as a suspect and arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder. He was booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility and remains in custody without bail. Determination of the victims cause of death is pending an autopsy, the Sheriffs Office said in a news release. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Nevada County Sheriffs Office at 530-265-7880. BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Tuesday it has complained to the United States about a weapons aid package https://www.reuters.com/world/us-announces-taiwan-weapons-package-worth-up-345-million-2023-07-28/ to Taiwan, urging Washington to refrain from going further down a "wrong and dangerous" path. The U.S. unveiled an aid package for Taiwan worth up to $345 million on Friday as Congress authorised up to $1 billion worth of weapons aid for the island as a part of the 2023 budget. A spokesperson for China's defence ministry, Tan Kefei, said the U.S. must stop all forms of "military collusion" with Taiwan. "The Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests and is a red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations," Tan said in a statement. Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its own territory, and repeatedly warns against any forms of "official exchanges" between Washington and Taipei. Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. The United States, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, is bound by law to provide it with the means to defend itself, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties and the anger such weapons sales generate in Beijing. The top U.S. general said in July it and allies should speed up weapons delivery to Taiwan in coming years to help the island defend itself. China's military has also been flexing its muscles around the island, recently sending https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-flexes-military-muscles-ahead-taiwans-war-games-2023-07-14/ dozens of fighters, bombers and other aircraft including drones into the skies to Taiwan's south, according to Taiwan's defence ministry. China's People's Liberation Army is paying close attention to the situation in the Taiwan Strait and is always on high alert, Tan said. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel) By Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing (Reuters) - An obscure cloud service company has been providing state-sponsored hackers with internet services to spy on and extort their victims, a cybersecurity firm said in a report to be published on Tuesday. Researchers at Texas-based Halcyon said a company called Cloudzy had been leasing server space and reselling it to no fewer than 17 different state-sponsored hacking groups from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, India, Pakistan and Vietnam. Cloudzy CEO Hannan Nozari disputed Halcyons assessment, saying that his firm couldnt be held responsible for its clients, of which he estimated only 2% were malicious. In an exchange over LinkedIn, Nozari told Reuters: If you are a knife factory, are you responsible if someone misuses the knife? Trust me I hate those criminals and we do everything we can to get rid of them. Digital defenders say the case is an example of how hackers and ransomware gangs use small firms operating at the fringes of cyberspace to enable big hacks. Halcyon estimated that roughly half of Cloudzys business was malicious, including renting services to two ransomware groups. It's a rogues gallery on that through one provider, said Halcyon executive Ryan Golden ahead of the reports publication. Halcyon arrived at its conclusion by mapping out Cloudzys digital footprint, in part by renting servers directly from the firm and by tying it to known hacking operations. The cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which wasnt involved in the research, said that it hadnt seen state-sponsored hackers using Cloudzy. But it had seen other cybercriminal activity connected to it. Cloudzy's geographic base of operations is unclear. Halcyon researchers analyzed Cloudzys employees social media, including LinkedIn and Facebook postings, and found the firm is almost certainly" a front for another internet hosting company called abrNOC, which Nozari runs from Tehran. Nozari, who says he lives outside Iran but would not be more specific, told Reuters the companies are separate, although he acknowledged that abrNOC employees helped with Cloudzys operations. He didnt provide details. Cloudzy is registered under its previous name, RouterHosting, in Cyprus and the U.S. state of Wyoming, according to corporate records reviewed by Reuters and confirmed by Nozari. He said the company needed U.S. domicile to be able to register internet protocol addresses in America. Its not clear whether Nozaris registered agent CloudPeak Law, a Wyoming law firm based in the small city of Sheridan was aware of the allegations against its client. A woman who answered at CloudPeak Laws office confirmed that her firm was RouterHostings agent but said that, due to client confidentiality, that is the extent of what anyone in our firm is going to be able to tell you. The firm didnt respond to a follow-up email. Cloudzys business model is typical of several small virtual private server providers that rent internet hosting services in exchange for cryptocurrency, no questions-asked, said Adam Meyers, an executive with CrowdStrike. Theres a whole ecosystem of neer-do-well kind of folks who are in this business, he said. (Reporting by Christopher Bing; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) WASHINGTON (AP) Dozens of Democratic members of Congress asked the Biden administration Tuesday to end expedited screening of asylum seekers in Border Patrol custody, calling it a rushed practice that has allowed little access to legal counsel. As the administration prepared to launch speedy screenings at Border Patrol holding facilities this spring , authorities pledged access to counsel would be a key difference from a Trump-era version of the policy. So far, that promise appears unfulfilled. A coterie of involved attorneys estimated that perhaps 100 migrants secured formal representation in the first three months of the policy, The Associated Press reported last month, and only hundreds more have received informal advice through one-time phone calls ahead of the expedited screenings. That represents a mere fraction of the thousands of expedited screenings since early April, though authorities have not provided a precise count. The letter to the Homeland Security and Justice Departments, signed by 13 senators and 53 members of the House of Representatives, said conducting the credible fear interviews as little as 24 hours after arrival in a holding facility was inherently problematic, especially without access to counsel. Affording people fair adjudication including adequate time to obtain evidence, prepare ones case, and obtain and work with counsel is particularly key for individuals fleeing life-threatening harm or torture, the letter states. Those signing include Alex Padilla of California, chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Rep. Nanette Barragan of California, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The Homeland Security Department said it has taken significant steps to ensure a safe and efficient process for asylum seekers that includes access to phone booths for consultations with legal counsel and others. Also Tuesday, the National Immigrant Justice Center said it would no longer serve asylum seekers in Border Patrol custody after more than two months attempting to overcome obstruction by the Biden administration that made it impossible to provide meaningful legal information and representation. The group says it has represented about 30 people under the new policy. The administration ramped up the speedy screenings as it ended pandemic-related asylum restrictions, known as Title 42 authority, and introduced new rules that make it far more difficult for people to seek asylum without applying online outside the U.S. or first seeking protection in a country they pass through. The percentage of people who passed asylum screenings fell to 60% during the first half of July, after the fast-track process picked up, down from 77% the second half of March, just before it began. The administration has faced criticism from immigration advocates that the new rules ignore obligations under U.S. and international law to provide asylum and from those backing restrictions who say authorities are acting too generously through the online appointment system, which admits up to 1,450 people a day, and parole for up to 30,000 a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. It was a beautiful sunny day in July 2020 when 45-year-old Keith Thomas decided to take a dip in a backyard pool. The New York resident stood on the waters edge and took a leap, diving into the cool, blue oasis. Then everything went black. He woke up to a helicopter in the front lawn, and he was locked in his own body, unable to move from the chest down. Thomas had a severe injury to his C4 and C5 vertebrae, two spinal bones at the bottom of the neck, according to a July 28 news release from Northwell Healths Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Injuries to this area of the spine are known to be the most serious, and damage is done to the entire nervous system when these bones are compromised. Sitting alone in a hospital room in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas felt isolated. He was losing hope. Then Chad Bouton, professor in the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes, walked into his room with a proposition. Bouton was searching for participants in an experimental clinical trial that would use computer implants to bypass a section of the brain responsible for the sensation of touch and movement. The trial, the first of its kind, would be tough, but Thomas was up for the challenge. Researchers used a model and functional MRIs to identify where to place the brain implants in Thomas skull. Matthew Libassi/Northwell Healths Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research The only thing I want to do is to help others. Thats always been the thing Im best at, Thomas said in the release. If this can help someone even more than its helped me somewhere down the line, its all worth it. A 15-hour surgery The researchers spent months mapping Thomas brain using a functional MRI, narrowing the areas that controlled his arm movement and the sensation of touch in his upper limbs. On March 9, Thomas underwent a 15-hour, open-brain surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset on Long Island, conducted by a team of researchers, engineers and surgeons. To make sure the surgeons found the right spots, Thomas was awake during the surgery and talked with the researchers about what he was feeling as they inserted probes into his brain. Because we had Keiths images and he was talking to us during parts of his surgery, we knew exactly where to place the brain implants, one of Thomas surgeons, Ashesh Mehta, said in the release. We inserted two chips in the area responsible for movement and three more in the part of the brain responsible for touch and feeling in the fingers. The implants in Thomas head read when he thinks about moving his arm and send the thought to a computer that uses AI to translate it into an action. Matthew Libassi/Northwell Healths Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research The implants read Thomas intentions, meaning if he thinks about squeezing his paralyzed hand, the implant will identify that neural pathway and transmit it to a computer, connected to Thomas through ports in his head. The computer then uses an artificial intelligence technology to read the signals from Thomas brain and translate it into an action. The computer then sends signals to highly-flexible, non-invasive electrode patches that are placed over his spine and hand muscles located in his forearm to stimulate and promote function and recovery, according to the release. The implants and electrode patches create a bridge between Thomas brain and his arm, bypassing the connection that was damaged from his diving injury. It allows his fully functioning brain to still tell his arm what to do, something that seemed impossible a few years ago. Groundbreaking recovery In the lab, Mr. Thomas can now move his arms at will and can now feel his sisters touch as she holds his hand in support, according to the release. The comfort of his sister was the first thing he felt in three years. There was a time that I didnt know if I was even going to live, or if I wanted to, frankly. And now, I can feel the touch of someone holding my hand. Its overwhelming, Thomas said in the release. A supportive hand squeeze from his sister was the first thing Thomas below the chest in three years. Matthew Libassi/Northwell Healths Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research In the four months since Thomas underwent the brain implantation, he started to have some natural recovery to his injured spine, the researchers said. Thomas has increased his arm strength two-fold and is even experiencing sensation in his forearm and wrist when the computer is turned off. His success gives hope to more than 100 million people worldwide who have movement impairment or paralysis, the researchers said. The hope is that the brain, body and spinal cord will relearn how to communicate and new pathways will be forged at the injury site thanks to the double neural bypass, similar to how a kidney can regenerate to overcome trauma or disease, according to the release. For Thomas, the future already looks brighter. He told researchers he is grateful to be part of something so historic and larger than himself, according to the release. Thomas is from Massapequa, on Long Island and about 30 miles east of Manhattan. 11-month-olds partial heart transplant makes history in Texas. How doctors did it Having long COVID could age your brain function an equivalent of 10 years, study says Males lose sex chromosome as they age. It could make cancer more deadly, study says Two kids - who are not related - develop insatiable appetite. Doctors find rare cause Hundreds of European nationals are being evacuated from Niger in the wake of a military coup that has plunged the West African nation into a political crisis and rattled the region. Two Airbus A330 planes dispatched by France arrived at the airport in capital Niamey on Tuesday afternoon. At least 262 people, including 12 infants, have already left the country on board one plane, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna said. At the airport, a CNN journalist saw French adults and children queuing with their suitcases outside the entrance of the Diori Hamani International Airport, as the French army organized operations. Supporters of Nigers military meanwhile gathered outside the French Embassy in Niamey on Tuesday to demonstrate against Pariss alleged post-colonial influence. France has been sharply critical of the power grab in Niger, which only gained independence from the former colonial power in 1960. French officials have had to combat apparent misinformation about their role in the current crisis, denying claims that Paris planned to intervene militarily and strongly rebutting rumors that French embassy security used live fire to disperse protesters over the weekend. French soldiers help evacuate foreign citizens. - Stanislas Poyet/AFP/Getty Images Several other European nations are simultaneously working to evacuate their own citizens or collaborate in the French effort. Germany and Spain are both working to remove citizens from the country, and the United Kingdom has said that it is in contact with the few British nationals registered in Niger and is collaborating with France. Italy meanwhile has organized a separate flight to evacuate its citizens fewer than 90 civilians across the country and just over 300 military personnel, according to an Italian foreign ministry spokesperson. The United States so far has kept its embassy operating on a normal schedule, with State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller saying Tuesday that there were no current indications of threats to US citizens or facilities. US troops in Niger however have been restricted to the American military base in Agadez, Niger, as the Biden administration works to restore democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum to power. Burkina Faso and Mali warn against military intervention On Monday, Burkina Faso and Mali said in a joint statement that any military intervention against Niger would be considered war on them, after other West African leaders imposed financial and travel penalties against the coup plotters. All military intervention against Niger will be considered equivalent to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, the two countries said in a joint statement on Monday. The dramatic ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday provoked split reaction from countries in the Sahel region, where the threat of militant extremism in recent years has destabilized local governments and led to volatility. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday issued a stark warning against the military junta and gave it one week to release and reinstate Bazoum, warning they did not rule out the use of force if their demands were not met. The economic bloc imposed a travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as for their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by the officials. Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane accused France on Monday of seeking to "intervene militarily" in the coup, as tensions mount with Niger's former colonial power. - ORTN/Tele Sahel/AFP/Getty Images Security forces prepare to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey on July 30, 2023. - Stringer/Reuters France and the European Union also cut off financial aid to Niger following the coup. Burkina Faso and Mali expressed their solidarity with Nigerien authorites and said they would not participate in any measures against Niger by ECOWAS, calling the sanctions illegal, illegitimate and inhuman. Guinea also expressed its solidarity with Niger on Monday, saying it would not participate in measures against Niger. A Guinean presidency statement praised the Nigerien public and said illegitimate and inhumane sanctions would lead to the disruption of ECOWAS. It went on to warn that a military intervention would result in a human disaster that could reach far beyond Nigers borders. What led to the coup? Niger was one of the few remaining democracies in Africas Sahel region, where disputes over how to quell Islamist insurgencies gave rise to numerous power grabs including in Mali and Burkina Faso. The number of violent events involving militant Islamist groups in the Sahel has doubled to 2,912 since 2021, according to a report by the Pentagon think tank Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Deaths relating to such attacks have nearly tripled to 9,818 in the same period, the report published on Monday added. There were more than 1,100 attacks on civilians by militants in the region 2023, resulting in more than 2,080 fatalities. Bazoums election in 2021 marked a relatively peaceful transfer of power, capping years of military coups following Nigers independence from France in 1960. But there were signs that Nigers military leadership believed they had a lack of government support to fight militants and that a coup could change that campaign, Cameron Hudson, a senior associate at the Center for the Strategic and International Studies, told CNN. Niger is also balancing support for refugees with a worsening economic crisis, according to the World Bank, which said that nearly 42% of people were living in extreme poverty in 2021. The country hosts about 251,760 refugees mainly from Nigeria and Mali, where thousands of people have fled due to the security crisis in the region, the UNs refugee agency said. Niger has endemic problems, poverty, and terrorism, so there are many factors contributing to instability in the country, Hudson added. Who is involved? Last week men in military uniforms claimed to have taken power in Niger after Bazoum was seized by members of the presidential guard, before national institutions were shut down and protesters from both sides took to the streets. A man named as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane announced the stunning takeover, saying: We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know. The rebellion alarmed Western leaders including the US and France, which are both key stakeholders in Nigers crackdown on local Islamist insurgencies. There are about 1,000 US troops stationed in Niger to bolster counter-terrorism operations, two US officials told CNN. The French Armed Forces said 1,500 French troops are deployed in the country. Anti-colonial and pro-Russia supporters stand outside the National Assembly building in Niamey on Sunday. - Issifou Djibo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock US officials have stressed their focus on restoring democratic rule in Niger, while the Elysee Palace has continued to endorse Bazoum and criticize the actors of the coup. In the wake of the deposition, some Nigeriens expressed their anger over the legacy of French colonialism and its continued influence in the West African country. Demonstrators descended on the French Embassy in Niger on Sunday, telling CNN that France acts as an imperial power by depleting it of natural resources and directing how its leaders steer the economy. Moscow has capitalized on that anti-colonial movement to stretch its influence across the continent, fostering pro-Russia support in Niger. The Russian private military company Wagner has seized on the growing number of militias in Mali, with US officials warning that the group could extend similar contracts to the military junta in Niger. The report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies said the rise in extremist violence coincides with Wagners activity in the Sahel, which has been credibly accused of widespread human rights violations. CNNs Xiaofei Xu, Sharon Braithwaite, Martin Goillandeau, Dalal Mawad, Sarah Dean, Claudia Otto, Niamh Kennedy, Brent Swails, Claudia Rebaza and Pierre Bairin contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The US is still waiting for European officials to submit a final plan for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, which the US will have to authorize before the program can actually begin, officials familiar with the matter told CNN. The training is supposed to start this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials have said publicly. But two months after President Joe Biden announced US support for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, there remain a number of critical details to work out. The US still needs to approve the transfer of F-16-specific equipment and materials, including flight simulators and training manuals. But officials told CNN that the Biden administration has not yet received a final training plan from the Europeans, meaning there is nothing for the US to sign off on yet. It is also still unclear which countries will commit F-16s to the training program and to Ukraine itself once the program is finished. Transferring the planes to Ukraine will require separate US approval. US defense officials told CNN that the US is still deciding whether to send American pilots to help train the Ukrainians, but that no decisions will be made until a final training plan is authorized. A spokesperson for Denmarks Ministry of Defense would not comment directly on whether the country had submitted a formal plan to the US for approval. But the spokesperson provided a one-page training concept to CNN that said the course will aim to train pilots and ground crew over a span of six months, taking place at a number of locations including Skrydstrup Fighter Base in Denmark. The training concept also said the coalition had agreed to support the training with language experts, pilots, ground crew, instructors, aircraft or funding as appropriate. Ukraine is expected to provide qualified personnel able to pass necessary language, health, and security tests. A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defense said they had no updates. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told CNN last month that the training was set to begin in Denmark in August, and then be continued in a sustainable way at a training hub in Romania. The training program will be for Ukraine and also for other countries who are transitioning to the fourth generation fighter jets, she said. A faster training timeline The training program is being supported by a coalition of 11 NATO countries and requires official US approval because the F-16 is an American technology. The course itself is expected to be conducted in Denmark and Romania, with help from the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the UK, officials have said. But the details, including the dates, locations, and length of the syllabus are still being worked out, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said during a briefing last week. Ukrainians have been pleading with Western allies to supply them with F-16 jets to be able to fend off Russian attack aircraft and better protect their skies - Vasco Cotovio/CNN Ukrainians have come to the US for military training in the past, specifically on Patriot air defense systems at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. But US officials have emphasized that all the training on F-16s will take place in Europe. Even so, the final syllabus for the course will probably be similar to one created by the US Air Force earlier this year, officials said. The Air Force devised a hypothetical training plan after observing the skills of two Ukrainian pilots flying F-16 simulators at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. An internal Air Force memo detailing the assessment, first obtained by Yahoo and verified to CNN by an Air Force official, said the Ukrainians skillset suggested that training could be completed in four to five months. The timeline is faster than the standard F-16 training program for US Air Force pilots, but it strips out missions and tasks unnecessary for Ukrainian pilots facing off against the Russian military, doing away with things like air-to-air refueling and instrument landing procedures. The number of Ukrainian pilots set to be trained is also still being determined, but the Air Force memo recommended a pool of 10-12 participants. That is in line with the number of pilots US defense officials believe Ukraine will be able to realistically sacrifice for a months-long training course in Europe as the war rages on. The Ukrainians will also have to clear another key hurdle before they can train on the F-16s: English-language proficiency. The Air Force memo described the pilots English-language aptitude as a concern and said additional language training will be required for the majority of the initial cadre of pilots. The UK has offered to provide that instruction as part of the course, officials said, and the US is considering providing English teachers to the program as well. The US will not be the holdup Ukraine has been pleading for the advanced western jets for more than a year, arguing that they will provide the military with additional air defense and offensive capabilities. Though F-16s began flying at about the same time as the Mig-29s and Su-27s in Ukraines Air Force, the American fighter has been continuously upgraded with more advanced digital electronics and avionics, making it a more capable multi-role aircraft than Kyivs Soviet-era fighter fleet. The fourth-generation F-16 can perform air-to-air missions, defending Ukraines airspace against Russian aircraft, and air-to-ground missions, attacking Russian forces on the battlefield. The F-16 has also been exported to many countries around the world, including in Europe, providing Ukraine with a potential supply of weaponry and spare parts once they acquire the jet. US officials have emphasized that they wont be an impediment to the F1-6 training, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN last month that the US will provide the necessary support for the program as soon as the Europeans are prepared. The president has given a green light, and we will allow, permit, support, facilitate, and, in fact, provide the necessary tools for Ukrainians to begin being trained on F-16s as soon as the Europeans are prepared, he said. The United States will not be the holdup in ensuring that this F-16 training can get under way. CNNs Oren Liebermann contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Two Fort Worth families were displaced from their homes Sunday after a fire broke out on the 1000 block of East Ramsey Avenue. Fort Worth firefighters, who were already contending with triple-digit heat, managed to contain the blaze to the two houses within 20 minutes of arriving on scene, according to a department Facebook post. Both families were able to get assistance from the American Red Cross of Greater North Texas. Firefighters searched both homes to make sure no one was left inside. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, gestures as he attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, June 16. Reuters-Yonhap X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk. An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit's research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH's research publications seem intended "to harm Twitter's business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims." Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies. The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook. The organization has published several reports critical of Musk's leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X's attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform's rules. In the letter, attorney Alex Spiro questioned the expertise of the researchers and accused the center of trying to harm X's reputation. The letter also suggested, without evidence, that the center received funds from some of X's competitors, even though the center has also published critical reports about TikTok, Facebook and other large platforms. "CCDH intends to harm Twitter's business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims," Spiro wrote, using the platform's former name. Imran Ahmed, the center's founder and CEO, told the AP on Monday that his group has never received a similar response from any tech company, despite a history of studying the relationship between social media, hate speech and extremism. He said that typically, the targets of the center's criticism have responded by defending their work or promising to address any problems that have been identified. A large, metal "X" sign is seen on top of the downtown building that housed what was once Twitter, now rebranded by its owner, Elon Musk, in San Francisco, July 28. AP-Yonhap Javier Solar, a member of the Coral Restoration Foundation team, brings up threatened coral transplants from the Florida Keys, where high water temperatures are damaging the fragile lifeforms. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Three and a half miles off the Florida Keys, Kylie Smith kicked to the surface of the ocean, then looked back down through her scuba mask to confirm what she had seen in the coral reef 15 feet below. A colony of baby elkhorn coral was bone white. Another grouping of the animals was dying from rapid tissue loss disease. Smith's team of volunteers had planted the baby coral in the last year and watched them thrive. Now both colonies which had slowly spread, with tiny nubs reaching toward filtering sunlight were being damaged as water temperatures spiked. Its heartbreaking, the 34-year-old coral ecologist said softly, cupping her hands around her scuba mask as she bobbed in the waves above Alligator Reef. Kylie Smith, co-founder of the coral restoration program I-CARE, surfaces from a dive on Florida's Alligator Reef. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) As ocean temperatures rise to historic levels for July a buoy in the shallow Florida Bay recently registered 101.1 degrees at the surface corals are bleaching along Floridas fragile 350-mile-long barrier reef. At the bottom of some of the reefs that make up the barrier system, the only one in the contiguous United States, temperatures have reached 93 degrees, more than 6 degrees higher than is average for the time of year. Without major human intervention, some species of the ancient marine animals, vital to thousands of species of sea life and the regions economy, risk extinction. Up and down the coast, divers are scrambling to monitor corals some recently planted on the ocean floor, others that have thrived for thousands of years. A network of scientists and coral restoration experts is also racing in a modern-day Noah's Ark-style mission to haul specimens to safety before they perish. Some are afraid to open their eyes when they near the bottom. At Alligator Reef off the Florida Keys, transplanted elkhorn coral show signs of bleaching after days of high water temperatures. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Smith, a co-founder of I-CARE, a group that trains and organizes recreational divers to plant corals that have been raised in nurseries, has already mourned the death of one of her prize specimens: an elkhorn that had fused together from several pieces little bigger than a quarter to form crowns branching up to 10 inches. But Smith, who got certified as a diver at 15 to overcome her early terror of watching "Jaws," was not dwelling on her losses. Her group has planted 14,684 corals in the reefs along Floridas Upper Keys in the last 2 years, more than a quarter here in Alligator Reef, and she had more to check on. Lets go see if we can find a happy one! she said, kicking her fins and fluttering back down. Read more:Global warming is making big(ger) waves off the California coast, scientists say She neared what had been a promising colony of knobby brain coral, tiny and dome-shaped with undulating ridges. Smith circled the coral, which had been cared for in a nursery for two years and had been doing well since being transplanted in May. Now it was light and paling. But a few feet deeper, she spotted a brain coral that was a healthy, greenish brown. Then, another cluster planted in May that was a little pale, but already starting to fuse. Smith wasnt sure what accounted for the variation in the slow-growing species. Maybe it was the deeper water. Maybe the corals that retained their color were more resistant to heat stress. She swam on past a turtle scratching its back near a cluster of completely bleached elkhorn in search of corals that showed signs of resilience. A sea turtle swims amid coral at Alligator Reef. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 'It's been there for thousands of years' Protecting and restoring the corals of Floridas degraded barrier reefs is no easy task. In the last four decades, this intricate stretch of shallow reef formations that came into existence around the last Ice Age has lost about 98% of its corals from a combination of polluted water, disease, abnormal ocean temperatures, overfishing and other human impacts. Seven species of the coral found in Florida's reef elkhorn, staghorn, boulder star, mountainous star, lobed star, rough cactus and pillar are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This is not the first time corals in the Florida Keys have endured bleaching. When the water gets too hot, the tiny symbiotic algae that live in the corals' tissues, zooxanthellae, turn excess energy from sunlight into dangerous toxins. The corals then expel the algae, their primary food source. Without the algae, corals turn white and are more susceptible to disease. Though corals can survive for a few days or weeks without the algae, they are less likely to recover from longer stretches of heat. The tips of this staghorn coral show signs of bleaching as Florida's barrier reef is in distress from high water temperatures. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Mass coral reef bleaching events have risen steadily across the world in the last 40 years. A recent study found the annual risk of bleaching increased from 8% in the 1980s to 31% in 2016. In Florida, bleaching in the summer of 2014 harmed or destroyed a third of elkhorn corals at federal monitoring sites across the Upper Keys. What worries scientists now is that bleaching began in July and August and September are typically the hottest months. 'Were the canary in the coal mine and the canary just died. It should be a huge wake-up call.' Ken Nedimyer Last month, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration raised their coral bleaching warning system for the Florida Keys to its highest heat stress level, warning of a 90% probability of bleaching through October. Americans who have never gotten close to a coral on the bottom of the ocean might be surprised to find how much their lives are linked to the tiny marine invertebrates that form colonies and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton. Corals perform a critical role for ocean biodiversity, making ecosystems that provide food and shelter for thousands of species of plants and fish, lobsters and sea turtles. They are vital to the Florida Keys economy, supporting commercial and recreational fishing and diving in a region where tourists contribute $2.4 billion in sales a year. Coral reefs also provide a physical buffer between the land and sea, protecting eroding coastline from waves, storms and floods, and helping to prevent loss of life and property damage during hurricanes. Fish gather beside a sponge coral in the waters off Islamorada in the Florida Keys. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) It's habitat for fish and invertebrates, its coastal protection," said Ken Nedimyer, a pioneer of coral nursery and reef restoration techniques and founder of Reef Renewal, a consulting company that helps restore coral reefs. It's just a magical world and to see it dying in front of you, and to see people not caring and not doing anything about it," he trailed off, then sighed. The problem is somebody living in the middle of the country, they don't see it," Nedimyer said. "Were the canary in the coal mine and the canary just died. It should be a huge wake-up call. Already, divers are reporting corals dying rapidly at locations such as Sombrero Reef and Cheeca Rocks. On July 20, a team from the Coral Restoration Foundation ventured to Sombrero Reef in the Lower Keys to collect tissue from wild elkhorn colonies to add to gene banks for safeguarding and found a graveyard of coral. Some cried into their dive masks. Read more:Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied in 2022 was bleached Unfortunately, they were already gone by the time we arrived, Phanor Montoya-Maya, a marine biologist who is the restoration program manager for the foundation. We lost unique individual genotypes that we don't have copies of. While there is still hope for some reefs in the Upper Keys, where water temperatures are slightly lower than in the south, the corals in Sombrero Reef died so quickly they did not have a chance to bleach, Montoya-Maya said. Dead skeletons of the elkhorn corals were covered in algae, dust and sediment. Almost all the corals in the foundation's Looe Key Nursery were also lost. Nikkie Cox of the Coral Restoration Foundation works to save coral babies that are threatened in the Florida Keys. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) It's just, wow, every day, it's a new horror story, Nedimyer said. Corals have gone from live to dead in a heartbeat, and its all over the place. It shakes you to your core. It's rattling everybody. Venturing out recently to Horseshoe Reef what he called a hope spot off the shore of Key Largo that has long been home to the Keys thickest patches of elkhorn and staghorn Nedimyer expected the tops of the coral branches to be a little pale. All of the branches were stark white. Boy, oh boy, it could die," he said, "which is just beyond belief, because it's been there for thousands of years. A modern-day ark In water so clear they appeared to be flying, a team of scientists wearing air tanks and fins glided one Sunday through the nations largest offshore coral nursery, plucking tiny fragments of coral and cradling them in the palms of their hands to an emergency staging room on the sandy, barren ocean floor. The nursery, three nautical miles from the shore of Tavernier, Fla., is an otherworldly stretch of the ocean where tens of thousands of corals hang from 500 artificial trees made of PVC pipe. Read more:Racing to save Floridas coral from climate change, scientists turn to a once-unthinkable strategy: assisted evolution The baby corals the scientists passed were shades of caramel, corn and honey. But many were starting to pale, and some showed signs of rapid tissue loss. A few were pure white. Montoya-Maya, who was leading the expedition, knew he didnt have much time. The objective for today is to rescue the genetic diversity that we have in our nurseries, Montoya-Maya had told his team on the deck of the 46-foot dive boat Aquatic Liberty. Members of the Coral Restoration Foundation head out to the ocean nursery where they have been growing coral. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) They were taking part in a massive operation, led by NOAA, to preserve the last remaining live elkhorn and staghorn corals from Florida's coral reefs.Fragments from these genetically distinct coral types would be placed in land tanks in Sarasota and West Palm Beach that serve as modern-day arks for the vulnerable sea creatures. These living gene banks serve as an insurance policy so that surviving corals can serve as brood-stock for the next generation. Peering through scuba masks at waterproof clipboards, the divers swam through schools of iridescent parrotfish and yellow and black striped sergeant majors as they tried to find specimens in the 1-acre ocean nursery. Lindsey Smith, the coral nursery division leader for the Coral Restoration Foundation, cuts samples of coral from transplants to take ashore for transfer into gene banks. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) They had spent the last two days collecting pillar, brain and star corals. Their mission now was to collect hundreds of fragments of staghorn and elkhorn for NOAAs gene bank, plus any other species they had time to collect. As a shimmering barracuda hovered above, opening and closing its snaggle-toothed mouth as if marveling at the endeavor, a pair of scientists huddled on the floor, 30 feet below the ocean surface, holding tiny specimens that look like upturned fingers as they stuck them to epoxy. They wrapped ID tags around the corals with monofilament fishing line and stacked them on trays. Its a little like triage, Montoya-Maya said. We have too many, so the question is which ones do we save? After three 75-minute shifts underwater, the scientists floated back up, some balancing coral-filled trays like underwater waiters. A team hauled the crates up to the Aquatic Liberty and set the corals in the shade. Montoya-Maya stacked the trays, one by one, in plastic bins filled with seawater, taking care to make sure they were stable. A few stowaway shrimp and octopus, who feed off the corals, were thrown back into the sea. Phanor Montoya-Maya, the restoration program manager for the Coral Restoration Foundation, stacks trays of coral fragments into a "coral bus," or mobile aquatic tank, that will transport them to a gene bank. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) When they docked at the small town of Tavernier, the team hauled the coral fragments off the boat in the blazing heat. They began to stack them, tray by tray, in a "coral bus" a state-of-the-art flatbed trailer specially designed to minimize stress to the corals, with an aquatic tank hooked up to a generator and conditioning unit to regulate water temperature, pH, filtration and water flow. They had so many corals, they quickly ran out of room and piled the remaining trays into bins of sea water on the back of a pickup truck. In one day, the team had collected 417 elkhorn and staghorns, representing 201 unique genotypes, for NOAAs collection. They had also managed to save 472 reef-building corals such as brain, pillar and star. Montoya-Maya got in the drivers seat, waved to his team and drove the corals now in slightly cooler 87-degree water south on Highway 1 to the Florida Institute of Oceanographys Keys Marine Lab, their temporary new home on land. Members of the Coral Restoration Foundation load coral taken from the ocean nursery into the "coral bus." (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) A handful of the elkhorn and staghorn did not survive the journey. But most of the corals recovered their color and would travel a few days later to their final destination: the Reef Institute in West Palm Beach. Montoya-Mayas mission was not over. After banking as much coral diversity as he could, his team shifted to another Herculean task: saving the 45,000 baby corals in their nurseries. Creating resilience Even as corals bleach, scientists who work in the cutting edge of coral restoration are optimistic about the future of Floridas reefs. The extreme temperatures, they say, offer an important opportunity for research into resilience. As morbid as it sounds, its a natural experiment, said Jason Spadaro, a biological scientist who manages the Coral Reef Restoration Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory, an independent marine research institute. Kylie Smith takes notes about the condition of the coral at a site called Captain Arnos in the Florida Keys, where the water reached abnormally high temperatures for July. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) While it is heart wrenching to see stark white corals, it's also a major opportunity to look at how some of these resilient genotypes and some of these ones that we've suspected weren't resilient respond to these really extreme conditions, he said. Over the last two decades, scientists and coral restoration experts have figured out how to breed corals by cutting them into tiny fragments. Using a process of micro fragmentation, scientists can spur corals to grow up to 50 times faster. They have also developed sexual propagation labs in which they can trick boulder corals such as brain and star corals, which typically spawn only six to eight days after the August full moon about three hours after sunset to spawn multiple times a year. Now Mote researchers are focusing on which genotypes are resistant to hot water and other challenges, so they can help breed corals that adapt to anthropogenic climate change. The idea is that if one coral tolerates hot temperatures while another resists disease, sexually crossing both corals might produce a heat-tolerant and disease-resistant offspring. Motes long-term goal is to build a more resilient community that has the adaptive potential to handle the challenges of the new environment. Young staghorn coral samples retrieved from the ocean nursery in the Florida Keys are carefully documented before being taken to the surface. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Mother Nature can't respond fast enough to this, said Michael Crosby, Motes president and chief executive. We're just not going to hang our head in our hands and say, Woe is me.' We're going to control what we can control, which is being really creative with science to develop the solutions to what is a reality: the warming of our oceans. In the short term, Mote is bringing critical colonies of corals that have taken years to grow to reproductive size to their land nursery for reproduction research. Its ultimate goal is to accelerate the reproductive process of resilient corals by planting fragments that can grow into fully sexually mature corals. That's the Holy Grail, Crosby said. That's what you want to be able to do: Help Mother Nature more rapidly repopulate with a genetic diversity of resilient genotypes that are spawning on their own, so that we put ourselves out of the coral restoration business. Asked if he had a timeline for ending his lifes work and putting his team out of business, Crosby said 20 years, maybe 10 with more money and trained volunteers to help transplant corals. Eventually, Crosby said, Floridas reefs could be like they were when he was a boy growing up in the Keys, with 60% living coral coverage. Fish swim among transplanted coral in the Coral Restoration Foundation nursery. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) If we can get up to a 20 to 30% living coral cover, then I think the coral reefs themselves can begin to take over in a more natural way. Now is not a time for doom-mongering, Crosby said. Thanks to scientific innovation, tiny fragments that would be more resistant to what killed the original could be planted on a dead 100-year-old coral head and, in five years, grow into a sexually mature coral that spawns in the wild. It isnt about hope anymore, Crosby said. The science has demonstrated we can do this. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Layli Foroudi and Zhifan Liu PARIS (Reuters) -France prepared to evacuate hundreds of French and European citizens from Niger on Tuesday, a day after neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso said any outside intervention to restore the ousted government would be seen as a declaration of war. A military junta overthrew Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his government last Wednesday in the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa. West African regional bloc ECOWAS last Sunday threatened to use force to reinstate Bazoum if the soldiers didn't do it within a week, while neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso - also ruled by military juntas - said they would come to Niger's defence. With the risk of conflict escalating, Spain said it was preparing to evacuate more than 70 citizens by air and Italy said it would organise a repatriation flight. Germany urged its citizens to join the French flights. The coup has sent shockwaves across the Sahel region, which is fighting an Islamist militant insurgency and where Niger had been considered the West's most stable ally until now. The recent coups in the region have come amid a wave of anti-French sentiment, with locals saying they want the former colonial ruler to stop intervening in their affairs and calling for partnerships with Russia instead. Niger's new military leaders have proceeded to arrest senior politicians and warned against any foreign attempts to extract Bazoum, who is still shut in his palace. "Considering the ongoing coup in Niger and the fact that the situation continues to be worrying, we decided to make sure that the French citizens who want to leave Niger can do so," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told France's LCI TV. She estimated that hundreds of French citizens and hundreds of other EU citizens wanted to be evacuated on flights she hoped would be completed over 24 hours. Flightradar showed a plane registered to the French armed forces had landed at the airport of the capital Niamey at 1207 GMT and was due to depart around 1510 GMT. France, the United States, Germany, and Italy have troops in Niger on counter-insurgency and training missions. There has been no announcement of troops being evacuated so far. Colonna said France had talked with "those who are in control" in Niger to make sure the evacuation could proceed safely, which was in no way a recognition of the junta. 'DECLARATION OF WAR' West African bloc ECOWAS has taken its hardest line yet on Niger, after struggling to persuade the military rulers of member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea to restore democracy. A declaration by Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday night was the strongest indication yet of a new alliance forming, in opposition to the rest of the 15-member-state regional bloc. "Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," said a joint statement read on both countries' national broadcasters. They said that they would withdraw from ECOWAS and adopt "measures of legitimate defence" to support Niger's army and people if ECOWAS intervened. Guinea's military leaders also expressed solidarity with Niger. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. The Kremlin said the situation in Niger was "cause for serious concern" and called for a swift return to constitutional order. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer. A spokesperson for the EU Commission said EU utilities had sufficient inventories of natural uranium to mitigate any short-term supply risks. French nuclear fuels company Orano said its activities were continuing in Niger and would not be affected by the evacuations, as 99% of staff were Nigerien nationals. (Reporting by Michel Rose, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Layli Foroudi, Blandine Henault, Charlotte van Campenhout; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Nellie Peyton; Editing by Christina Fincher, Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson) DETROIT (AP) General Motors is recalling nearly 900 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators that could explode and hurl shrapnel in a crash. The recall covers certain Chevrolet Camaro, Sonic and Volt vehicles as well as the Buick Verano, all from the 2013 model year. Some 2013 Chevrolet Trax versions in Canada also are included. The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the driver's front air bag inflator can explode in a crash due to a manufacturing defect. The inflators are among a group made by Takata that is under investigation by the agency but has not previously been recalled. Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate over time and explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel. At least 26 people have been killed in the U.S. by the inflators since May of 2009, and more than 30 have died worldwide including people in Malaysia and Australia. In addition, about 400 people have been injured. Potential for the dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says that millions have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata Corp. of Japan into bankruptcy. The air bags in the General Motors recall have a moisture-absorbing chemical called a dessicant and were not part of previous recalls. GM says in documents posted by the government that the problem is limited to a specific lot of inflators made by Takata, and that other vehicles are not affected. But Takata air bags with a dessicant are under investigation by NHTSA because they have the potential to explode and expel shrapnel. The investigation opened in 2021 covers more than 30 million inflators in over 200 models from 20 car and truck makers, including GM. The agency decided in May of 2020 not to recall the inflators with the dessicant, but said it would monitor them. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled dessicated inflators, the agency said in a document opening the probe. GM says in documents that it was notified in March that an inflator exploded in a 2013 Camaro in Brazil in May of 2022. The company says an analysis of the inflator is still under way, but initial findings indicate the inflator rupture is related to a manufacturing defect and was not caused by deterioration of the ammonium nitrate. Spokesman Bill Grotz said one person was injured in the Camaro in Brazil, but the company has no other reports of this type of inflator rupturing or hurting anyone else. GM is taking this field action out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our customers as our highest priority, Grotz said. He said he couldn't give details of the manufacturing defect. In a statement, NHTSA said the agency doesn't have any data suggesting that other dessicated Takata inflators might rupture. GMs analysis is still ongoing and we are in communication with them regarding their findings, the statement said. Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said GM and NHTSA are leaving drivers to worry about what air bag inflators their vehicles have and whether they are safe to drive. It's kind of absurd that we're left in the dark about what's in our vehicles due to confidentiality provisions granted to automakers, Brooks said. NHTSA, he said, should play a larger role in reassuring consumers that this is a manufacturing defect and that their vehicles are safe. There needs to be some sort of showing or some sort of demonstration that can make consumers feel confident that they're not going to encounter the problem, and we're not getting that, he said. BEIRUT (Reuters) - The head of powerful armed group Hezbollah called on Tuesday for a halt to days of deadly clashes that have raged between rival factions in the Palestinian camp of Ain el-Hilweh in southern Lebanon. At least 11 people - most of them militants - have been killed in the camp since fighting broke out on Saturday between mainstream faction Fatah and hardline Islamists, security sources in the camp told Reuters. "This fighting must not continue because its repercussions are bad - for the camp's residents, for the dear Palestinian people... for the south, for all of Lebanon," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address. The United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said at least 2,000 people have fled their homes in the camp and UNRWA activities were suspended due to the violence. Negotiations between the rival factions have led to brief suspensions of fighting but have failed to secure a lasting ceasefire, with heavy clashes resuming on Tuesday. Hezbollah, which controls southern Lebanon and is vehemently opposed to Israel, has ties to Palestinian factions and supports their cause. Nasrallah on Tuesday said anyone who could "pressure, say a word, make contact, make an effort" to secure a truce should do so. UNRWA estimates that up to 250,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon's 12 Palestinian camps, which date back to the 1948 war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The camps mainly lie outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese security services. Nasrallah also ramped up his rhetoric on Tuesday against those burning copies of the Muslim holy book the Koran in Denmark and Sweden in recent weeks, saying the weak response from Muslim states had left believers wanting. "There is no longer any meaning to waiting for anyone. You must take up this responsibility and punish these damned people with the strongest punishment," Nasrallah said. Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and is classified by the United States and other Western countries as a terrorist organisation. Last year, Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old Shi'ite Muslim American, was charged with the stabbing of Salman Rushdie, author of the 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses," viewed by some Muslims as containing blasphemous passages. Matar's family originally hails from Yaroun, where Hezbollah has strong support. A Hezbollah official at the time said the group had no information on the attack and Nasrallah declined to comment directly on it. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily; Editing by Alistair Bell) WASHINGTON (AP) Hunter Biden's former business partner insisted in testimony to Congress Monday that President Joe Biden was never directly involved in their financial dealings, though Hunter would often put his famous father on speakerphone to impress clients and business associates. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee conducted a more than-five hour interview with Devon Archer as part of its expanding congressional inquiry into the Biden family businesses as the GOP explores a potential impeachment inquiry into the president. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers inside the closed-door interview said Archer testified that over the span of 10 years, Hunter Biden put his father on the phone around 20 times while in the company of associates but never once spoke about any business dealings. New York Rep. Dan Goldman, who was representing Democrats inside the room, told reporters after the interview that Archer testified that Hunter sold the illusion of access to his father by taking credit for things his father did as vice president that he had no part in. But Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican member of the Oversight Committee, came out of the interview saying that testimony implicated the president directly. I think we should do an impeachment inquiry, the Arizona lawmaker told reporters. Biggs, reading from his notes, said Archer testified that the Ukrainian gas company Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand." Focusing on that idea, Rep. James Comer, the GOP chairman of the Oversight Committee, said in a statement late Monday that Joe Biden was the brand that his son sold around the world to enrich the Biden family. We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archers voluntary interview today," Archers attorney, Matthew Schwartz, said in a statement. But all Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: Show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely. He added, "Mr. Archer shared the truth with the committee, and we will leave to them and others to decide what to do with it. The White House saw the testimony as a falling short of House Republicans promise to deliver bombshell evidence. It appears that the House Republicans own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his sons associates, or doing anything wrong," Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement. Archer, who served with Hunter Biden on the board of Burisma, has long been seen by Republicans as a key witness in their search to directly connect the president to his sons various international business transactions. Comer had issued a subpoena to Archer in June, saying he played a significant role in the Biden familys business deals abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia, and Ukraine." He said Archer's testimony would be critical to the committee's investigation. Republicans have focused much attention on an unverified tip to the FBI that alleged a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden when he was vice president. The claim, which first emerged in 2019, was that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor in order to stop an investigation into Burisma, the oil-and-gas company where Hunter Biden was on the board. Democrats on the committee, including Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking minority member, have reiterated that the Justice Department investigated the Burisma claim when Donald Trump was president and closed the matter after eight months, finding insufficient evidence that it was true. Democrats have also highlighted the transcript of an interview with Mykola Zlochevsky, Burismas co-founder, in which he denied having any contact with Joe Biden while Hunter Biden worked for the company. Mr. Zlochevskys statements are just one of the many that have debunked the corruption allegations, Raskin said. On top of his relationship with Hunter Biden, who is currently facing federal tax charges, Archer has his own legal troubles stemming from a 2018 felony conviction for his role in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. That conviction was overturned later that year, but the court of appeals in New York reinstated it in 2020. His sentencing in the case has been repeatedly delayed by appeals. Archer's appearance before lawmakers had been scheduled and canceled several times since June. Republicans suggested it was about to be delayed again after the Justice Department over the weekend asked a judge to schedule a date for Archer to surrender to prison and begin serving out his one-year sentence in the unrelated fraud case. Republicans led by Comer criticized that delay, calling it an effort by the Justice Department to intimidate a witness. But the Justice Department in a follow-up memo to the court noted Archer's surrender was not imminent and asked a judge to ensure that he testified to Congress before reporting to prison. JERUSALEM (AP) Investment in Israeli technology startups plummeted in the first half of 2023, an Israeli tech industry monitor said Tuesday, citing the government's divisive judicial overhaul plan as a main driver of the downturn. Start-Up Nation Central, a nonprofit organization that tracks and engages with Israel's technology industry, said that it had seen a 29% decrease in private funding in Israeli tech in the first half of 2023 compared to the second half of 2022, and a steep drop in investor participation. Initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions also hit a five-year low, it said. The organization said that uncertainty in Israel because of the judicial overhaul is already being felt with indicators such as decreased fundraising and fewer emerging Israeli startups. Yaniv Lotan, a vice president at Start-Up Nation Central, said the correlation between the judicial overhaul and investor hesitancy is clear. He said that while technology investment has stabilized in the U.S. and globally over the past year, over the same period here in the Israeli high-tech market, we are experiencing a continued downward trend. Israel's high-tech sector is a major engine of the country's economy, making up half of the country's exports. It employs tens of thousands and its startup companies have drawn billions of dollars in investment in recent decades. In the end, markets don't like uncertainty," Lotan said. The report was released a week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies passed a law that weakens the Supreme Court's oversight of government decisions, a key part of the government's proposed judicial overhaul. Since the plan was announced in January, Israel has been gripped with weekly mass protests, including from the tech industry itself, which warned that the overhaul would take a toll on its work. The plan has also drawn consternation from the White House and American Jewish organizations. Opponents to the judicial overhaul have cautioned that changes to the system of government could impel the country's economy. Recent weeks have seen international credit agencies warn about greater financial risk in Israel because of the Netanyahu government's planned overhaul and the deep division it has caused. Netanyahu and his allies say the changes are necessarily to curb what they say is an overly activist court and its unelected judges. Critics of the plan say that if passed, they will erode the system of checks and balances between branches of government and lead Israel toward autocracy. Netanyahu took office in December at the head of the most ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox government in Israel's history following the country's fifth election in under four years. Each of those parliamentary elections were largely seen as referendums on the longtime leader's fitness to serve while on trial for corruption. Miriam Merinos life might cause anyone to think she enjoyed the best of Miami-Dade County. On her $400,000 real estate salary, she said she could afford weekly dinners at The River Oyster Bar and the latest $6,500 Santa Cruz Tallboy Mountain bike to ride on her next adventure in Costa Ricas Vuelta al Lago Arenal or Oleta River State Park in Miami. She traveled around the globe and owned two condos outright in Miami. For the Cuban-born 59-year-old whose family escaped Fidel Castros Communist regime in 1968, Merino had made it big in Miami. But in recent years, her quality of life declined. The citys allure had faded. Traffic became impossible. People that came in were disrespectful. The developers get whatever they want, Merino said. It became a pirate town. Whoever has more money, wins. With $1 million in her pocket from the sale of her condos, Merino left in April after 40 years in Miami for San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. She bought a 700-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium for $150,000. She continues to work remotely doing real estate consulting for a firm in Miami. Despite the wave of outsiders who relocated to Florida during the pandemic, Miami-Dade County actually saw a net decrease in population from 2020 to 2022, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau figures. The newcomers were outnumbered by those departing by a margin not seen since the throes of the Great Recession that began in late 2007. While Florida grew by 3% during that period, Miami-Dades population actually dropped by 1%, or 28,000 people, and Monroe Countys fell by 1.41% percent, or 1,200 people. Broward and Palm Beach counties reported net population increases of 0.14% and 1.76%, respectively. The trends arent glaring, with Dades decrease and the population increases in Broward and Palm Beach counties falling within the Census Bureaus 2% margin of error. But given South Floridas steady pandemic influx of newcomers, the drop in Miami-Dade is surprising. Broward and Palm Beach seem to be holding on. Miami-Dade right now is just viewed as this costly county and difficult place to get around, said noted South Florida housing expert Ned Murray. Murray, associate director of the Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center at Florida International University, said he expects many more people to move out of Miami-Dade, especially those looking to buy a home in todays fraught housing market. More decadeslong residents, and some of them born-and-bred Miamians, want out like Merino. The Miami Herald spoke with people who have departed for near and far, others who are determined to move and two residents contemplating the decision, to understand why longtimers would leave. They painted a picture of Miami-Dade as a county, where homes and most goods are overpriced, and a place with lackluster urban planning and subpar public transportation. Residents interviewed on the way out of Miami-Dade cited the historic home sale prices and soaring apartment rents as among the primary reasons. In June, the county reported a record median sales price of $622,500 for single-family homes and $418,000 for condos. Furthermore, the pandemic proved to be grueling years for many county residents, a period when the cost of living, including housing, priced out many people and replaced them with a nomad crowd of remote workers and well-heeled professionals from across the country and globe. How long will this Miami stage last? Residents opting to leave dont have the patience to find out. Miami sheds, while Florida gains 700,000 residents As of July 2022, Miami-Dade had 2.67 million residents, a drop of 27,925 people from 2.7 million people in April 2020. That population drop was the largest among Floridas 67 counties. By comparison during the same period, Broward gained 2,650 residents for a total of 1.95 million and Palm Beach County added 26,279 residents to reach 1.52 million. Like Miami-Dade, the Florida Keys, in Monroe County, absorbed a 1% population loss to a total of 81,708 residents. As a whole, Florida welcomed 706,597 newcomers from the start of pandemic in spring of 2020 to July 2022, increasing its population to 22.24 million or 3%. It was among the fastest-growing states over that time. Polk County, in the central area of the state, and Lee and Pasco counties on the southwest coast, saw the biggest population gains, ranging from 46,897 new residents to 62,363. You feel like youre getting robbed Victor Calonje, 44, and his 34-year-old wife Katherine Calonje, 34, grew up in Miami-Dade. Victor came during the 1980s from Nicaragua, and Katherine during the 1990s from New Jersey. The couple met 14 years ago and decided to buy a place when they expected their first baby. They landed a 1,200-square-foot condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms in Kendall. In 2015, it cost them $245,000. Years later, after welcoming their second child, the Calonje family wanted more. They thought they could afford a bigger lifestyle, with graduate degrees under their belts and a $160,000 household income. He worked in the compliance department at an engineering firm and she oversaw content management for a national healthcare firm. The Calonjes started their home search in 2020 with a $450,000 budget, after selling one of two cars and saving by restricting family outings to park visits. They thought those sacrifices and that buying budget would be enough to purchase their dream house. So, they searched as near as Westchester, South Miami, Doral, Homestead and their own Kendall for a renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family home. They expanded the search to Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa. All they found affordable in those locales at their budget were fixer-uppers that required too much work and cost too much money. Its like me selling you a car for a high price. You feel like youre getting robbed, Victor Calonjes said. Its not like a business deal, where I feel good and they [the sellers] feel good. I want to take that money and go elsewhere. That elsewhere is somewhere in Texas. After multiple trips, the Calonjes said they were set on moving sometime this summer to Houston or nearby Katy, where they can afford a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a large backyard in a master-planned community with a pool, park and recreational center. All of that for around $300,000. The big move will come with big sacrifices. They leave behind their family, including Victors parents, who are both in their 80s, and friends. What can you do, man? The alternative is stay here, bust your butt and do nothing. Were leaving the family, but youre also making progress for the next generation. Our parents didnt come here for us to stay stagnant, he said. I want to make progress so when its my time to go we can make progress, so I can leave something for my kids. Katherine Calonje said Texas will give her and Victor the chance to offer their four-year-old and seven-year-old daughters the life shes been dreaming for them. Weve done enough where we can say were proud of our salaries, we can do a lot with our salary but not here, she said of Miami-Dade. Murray said most of the countys residents are renters aspiring to buy. Theyd have to earn $150,000 a year to afford a $500,000 home. Its tough luck, the housing expert said, since only 7% of Miami-Dade households can afford that home price tag. And being priced out of the countys housing market is just one thing. Murray said the cost of living an evening out at a restaurant, gas, groceries have all gone up sharply the past few years. The wealth migration coming in since 2020, he said, has greatly contributed to Miami having one of the highest cost-of-living increases in the country during the first half of 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And local wages just arent keeping up. When you get a $500 increase in rent last year, you try to make it work, but you realize over a period of time it just doesnt work, especially if you have children. I think theres a bit of a delayed effect. At some point people just get up and leave all together, FIUs Murray said. Migration to paradise It was during the severe U.S. economic downturn from late 2007 to 2009, when Miami-Dade last experienced a big net loss in population, University of Miami urban planning professor Robin Bachin said. At that time, Florida had the highest rate of foreclosures in the nation during the latter part of the recession, and even years later. A big chunk of the states foreclosure activity in that housing crunch during the downturn was in South Florida. Because of COVID-19, people in finance and tech recognize the ability to work remotely and have resettled here from higher-priced markets like San Francisco and New York. They are coming with higher wages, said Bachin, who specializes her research in the intersection of urban and environmental history. The fact that we have people coming from across the country and bringing with them high salaries has exacerbated the rising cost of living [in Miami-Dade]. First, executives came right before and during the pandemic that began in March 2020, lured by loose pandemic restrictions, zero local and state income taxes and warm climate. Soon, corporations followed, relocating headquarters or opening new Miami offices, including Canadas largest wealth-management company CI Financial, private equity giants Blackstone and Thoma Bravo, and hedge fund investment firm Citadel. Many scooped up high-priced real estate in Miami-Dade. That ratcheted up competition for the depleted housing stock, while some professionals chose to drop millions in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches in Broward, or in Palm Beach County where their money could go farther. Overwhelmed by noise The same factors remote work and an increasing number of Brightline train station stops that made South Florida appealing to out-of-state homebuyers also influenced longtime Miami-Dade residents itching for a change. Husband and wife 79-year-old David and 62-year-old Rhonda Rosenberg are longtime Miamians looking for a different lifestyle. After moving from Manhattan 30 years ago, they first lived in Pinecrest. An author, David has written 23 books about religion and five anthologies. Rhonda is a professor at FIU and an investigator for the National Institutes of Health on HIV prevention studies. As true Manhattanites, they desired a walkable community filled with plenty to do on the weekends and so they moved to Miamis Edgewater neighborhood. It had a wide array of restaurants, small businesses, the waterfront Margaret Pace Park, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. They never were bothered by the congested traffic on Biscayne Boulevard and the daytime cacophony of construction work on yet another high-rise in the trendy area. Edgewater was their slice of urban paradise, so they decided six years ago to trade an apartment rental for their own two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on the 37th floor at The Grand at 1717 N. Bayshore Drive. The Rosenbergs were confident in their decision to buy in Edgewater long after their condo purchase. Their weekends were spent frequenting the Arsht Center for a concert or ballet and lounging on their balcony with a glass of wine. They spent as much time on that balcony as they did inside their apartment, looking at Biscayne Bay with the Julia Tuttle Causeway in the distance. They listen to the same soundtrack that always played over Margaret Pace Park, one of tennis matches, laughter and parrots squawking as they flew by. It was perfection, until it wasnt one day. In 2015, a developer brought an eatery into part of the Miami Womens Club building at 1737 N. Bayshore Drive, next door to the Rosenbergs high-rise. After renovating the building and parking lot, developer Heafey Group subleased its space to the restaurant Klaw, a pricey seafood restaurant flying in its king crab from Norway. The restaurant brought a surprise, a noise like if you were grinding a knife, David Rosenberg said that lingers throughout the day. Its due to the HVAC mechanical system located in a structure constructed to house the equipment on site. Two years since the restaurants opening, the noise continues daily, at a higher pitch at night. The Rosenbergs say theyve been imprisoned inside their condo by the constant grinding sound. No more sipping wine on the balcony. No more leaving the balcony doors open to welcome an ocean breeze. No more seamless access for their cat, a black-and-white shorthair, to stroll outside and perch on the cat tree. Nothing has changed, they say, despite raising concerns along with neighbors, blaming in part Miami-Dades zoning policies. Carmine Zayoun, vice president of the Heafey Group, said by email, In order for us to comply with various requirements to restore this landmark property, various systems were added, including the chiller system to which the Rosenbergs are attributing an increase in noise emanating from The Miami Womens Club. The Rosenbergs are begrudgingly considering a move to Boca Raton in southern Palm Beach County, another walkable community with highlights like Mizner Park, stricter building codes and noise-pollution restrictions. When they miss Miami, he said, they can hop on a Brightline train for the hour ride to the city. A small price to pay for peaceful and quiet living, they said. It [Boca] doesnt divorce us from Miami, he said. We can still go to all of the concerts and go home on the train and open the windows on our balcony and it will be quiet. The Rosenbergs view of Boca Raton also explains some other Miami-Dade residents opting for a move to Broward or Palm Beach counties. For years, Broward has been drawing homebuyers in search of a cheaper destination than Miami-Dade. Housing expert Murray said, In both those counties [Broward and Palm Beach], you have many more choices of where to live. ... Its those choices, and more choices also to getting a job in closer proximity to where you can find an apartment or home. Population loss fallout Christine Michaels, 44, an entrepreneur and small business consultant who moved to Brickell about 20 years ago, is ready to relocate. A native of Titusville, a 20-minute drive from the Kennedy Space Center, she said shes found Miamis development to be poorly planned and its public officials unprepared to handle the citys exploding growth. Also, she sees transportation as another serious problem. Driving a car typically gets you stuck in traffic jams, but then again theres not enough stops on the Metromover. They need to plan more Metromovers. They havent thought this through, Michaels said. Prior to Miami, I lived in Maryland, a community that planned for growth. Thats smart planning. We got to do that here. Thats where I learned a lot of governments are reactive instead of proactive. Planned communities like Weston [in Broward, 30 miles northwest of Miami] are great communities. You know your community is going to grow. How are you going to plan for transportation? Tampa is calling her name, Michaels said. There, she said, people are friendlier than Miami and communities are well planned. Prior to Miami, I lived in Maryland, a community that planned for growth. Thats smart planning, says Christine Michaels. She intends to move somewhere on the southwest coast of Florida. I want to stay in my home state. I love the arts and cultures, but itll come to the west coast, Michaels said. Greater investments in homebuilding, public transit For now, Miami-Dades net population loss doesnt concern Rod Miller, new CEO of the Beacon Council, the countys economic development arm tasked with recruiting and retaining businesses. He says other cities nationwide face a similar issue. And that is true. Big cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, are losing plenty of residents. The shrinking populations are primarily due to housing shortages and skyrocketing rental and home sales prices, said Christopher Ptomey, the former executive director of the Terwilliger Center for Housing at the Washington, D.C.-based, global nonprofit Urban Land Institute. Housing costs are having a spillover effect in people choosing to move, Ptomey. Businesses are deciding to leave [those cities] since their employees have trouble finding housing or need to pay them more. Miller said if Miami-Dades population decline persists for 10 to 15 years then thatll be a cause for concern. That could cause trouble for Miami-Dades entire economy. For small and large businesses, he said, it could lead to owners and executives having to raise wages and labor shortages, an occurrence already happening in trendy areas like Edgewater and Miami Beach. Those corporate expansions and Miami relocations that have drawn high-income earners and well-paying jobs in fields like tech, finance and law would dry up. Executives depend on steady population growth to help fill job openings. Most of the people were losing [now] are a byproduct of the affordability challenge and those who have been here for many years, Miller, the Beacon Council leader, said. For Miami-Dade County to continue on a path of [economic] growth, weve got to make sure its a community accessible for people of different incomes. In order to retain and attract residents, he said, Miami-Dade will have to invest more money in expanding its public transportation networks and adding to its depleted housing stock. When you look at this downturn you have to address the infrastructure and housing, but you also have to create an ecosystem where companies can scale up and remain here in Miami-Dade County, Miller said. Meanwhile, nearly three months after getting the keys to her new home in Costa Rica, Merino has no regrets about her relocation from Miami where shed lived since 1982, lastly in Brickell. I couldnt believe I didnt do this earlier, she said one July afternoon from her condo overlooking a slice of the Rio Torres Interurban Biological Corridor. The Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South Police in Tennessee have shot an armed man who they say tried and failed to enter a Jewish school in Memphis before firing his weapon outside it. No-one at the Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South was injured in Monday's incident, which began after noon (18:00 BST). The suspect was later stopped by police and shot as he exited his vehicle. He is in hospital in critical condition. A lawmaker representing the area said the gunman was a former student. Congressman Steve Cohen also alleged the man was himself Jewish, though he did not specify the source of his information. "I am pleased the academy had effective security and that the police acted quickly to protect students," Mr Cohen, a Democrat, said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Secure Community Network, an organisation that works with the school, also said the suspect was Jewish, according to CNN. They called the incident "personal in nature". Students at the co-educational school, which serves primary and secondary students, are still on summer vacation, and it is unclear how many people were on campus at the time. In a statement to the WHBQ local station, the school said the suspect could not gain entry, had a "brief confrontation" with a contract worker and fired at the worker while retreating. Memphis police chief CJ Davis said officers had "mitigated a potential mass shooting situation". The suspect was armed with a handgun, assistant police chief Don Crowe said at a news conference. The man is said to have fled the scene in a maroon pickup truck with California licence plates, but police tracked the vehicle to the adjoining city of Bartlett shortly thereafter. The driver got out of the vehicle still armed, and a Memphis police officer fired his weapon and struck the man, Mr Crowe said. "I personally truly believe we have avoided a tragedy," he told WREG-TV. "I think the suspect was going to harm somebody before the day was over and that our officers were able to intervene and protect the citizens," he said. The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Authorities, led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, are currently investigating a motive for his actions. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Memphis police on Monday said officers shot a suspect after he attempted to enter a Jewish school with a gun and fired shots after he couldn't get into the building. Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe said the suspect, whose identity has not been released, approached Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South around 12:20 p.m. He fired several shots and then left in a maroon truck. Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure and process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene, Crowe said. Officers soon found the suspect's vehicle shortly after that, Crowe said, adding that officers then shot the suspect after he exited the truck with a firearm in hand. The suspect was sent to a hospital, where he is in critical condition. It was not immediately clear if school was in session. When asked if law enforcement believe the shooting was a hate crime, Crowe said officers were still on the scene and collecting information. It's way too early for that. Again, we're very early in this investigation, Crowe said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations is now handling the case. Oscar Gomez said two of his teenage children were outside their house when the man was shot in their neighborhood. They told him about the shooting when he arrived home from work, he said. They heard the shooting, and they threw themselves on the floor trying to protect themselves, said Gomez, 39. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, whose district includes Memphis, said in a statement that he was shocked to hear about the incident at the school and noted that acts of violent antisemitism are on the rise across the country. Monday's shooting comes nearly four months after a shooter opened fire at a private Christian school in Nashville and killed six people, including three nine-year-old children. That tragedy has sparked closer scrutiny of Tennessee's relaxed gun laws and renewed calls to strengthen security at both public and private schools across the state. ___ Kimberlee Kruesi contributed to this report from Nashville, Tennessee By Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) -South American trade bloc Mercosur officials met on Tuesday to agree on their counterproposal to a European Union addendum on a long-awaited trade deal before meeting with EU negotiators in August in the hopes of closing the accord by year-end, Brazilian diplomats told Reuters. The four-nation Mercosur will seek to unify its positions on Wednesday and Thursday to respond to the EU on environmental additions the European body made to the trade deal, said Brazil's foreign ministry, where the talks are being held. Brazil felt targeted by a "side letter" the EU added early this year to the 2019 deal, requiring environmental guarantees by the signatories, they said. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has made bold pledges of environmental stewardship in contrast to his predecessor, has taken its time to come up with a response. One diplomat with knowledge of the negotiations said Brazil would seek compensation for the side letter in the form of increased quotas for exports to the EU or reduced quotas for European products sold to Mercosur. The sources said Brazil would also seek new exceptions to opening government purchases for foreign firms in the health industry, public-sector construction and green technology. Brazil's Foreign Ministry and the EU declined to comment. The Europeans drafted the side letter in response to Brazil's far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who undercut environmental protections, allowing deforestation to soar. While Lula has overhauled Brazil's environmental policy, European diplomats say the EU still needs guarantees against a relapse. Brazil fears the addendum could lead to trade sanctions. Its diplomats complain that the new rules go beyond the Paris climate agreement that their country is complying with. "There are new obligations that are unacceptable. If sanctions are applied, we want other concessions to compensate," the diplomat said, requesting anonymity ahead of sensitive negotiations. The EU recently passed a law banning six imported products if linked to deforestation, which Brazilian exporters and government officials saw as a protectionist move. One of the Brazilian diplomats said that new law had muddied the waters by failing to distinguish between legal and illegal deforestation in Brazil, making it more difficult to conclude the trade talks by year-end. The EU has warned against trying to renegotiate parts of the trade agreement, given that it took two decades to reach an initial deal. Brazilian diplomats say they are seeking to tweak concessions and quotas, so as not to reopen chapters that could stall the whole deal. A European diplomat in Brasilia said the EU hoped to resume talks in August with the Mercosur counterproposal on the table. He said a "re-balancing" of concessions, however, would be difficult without reopening chapters of the trade deal. "The government procurement chapter is not very comprehensive and already includes a lot of exceptions, but OK, let's look at this," he added, noting that the defense industry was already excluded, along with Brazil's state and municipal governments. On the environmental guarantees irking Brazil's new government, the European diplomat said the EU recognized what Brazil is now doing to protect the Amazon forest. "But we still need guarantees going forward because we conclude agreements with the country and not with the government that is in office," he said. For Welber Barral, a former Brazilian foreign trade secretary, there is a window to finalize the accord, which has never had so much support from Brazil's private sector. But ironing out remaining differences could take time. "To be realistic, concluding it by the end of the year is a very optimistic goal," he said. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Brad Haynes, Mark Potter and Richard Chang) Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, right, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, talk during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, July 31. AP-Yonhap Greece and Cyprus on Monday welcomed moves by Turkey to boost relations with the European Union, but said rapprochement should be gradual and not unconditional. European Union foreign ministers said on July 20 they were ready to re-engage with Turkey, but stopped short of offering Ankara a clear resumption of membership talks. Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership for more than two decades, but talks stalled in 2016 over the bloc's concerns over the rule of law and human rights in the country. The division of Cyprus between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations, a source of friction between Greece and Turkey, has also been an impediment. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, whose countries are both EU members, said they welcomed a Turkey-EU re-engagement but that it had to be "gradual," and, if necessary, "reversible." "Those two words should guide us. We can be optimistic, but we are not naive," Mitsotakis told reporters after meeting Christodoulides in Nicosia, Cyprus's ethnically-split capital. The two terms have been built into European terminology over Turkey for some years, reflecting in part the long and convulsed journey of the country in attempting to join the bloc. Christodoulides said launching a positive agenda with Turkey also implied "positive moves" on Ankara's part over Cyprus. "It's important that our EU partners are also taking the same view," Christodoulides said. Cyprus was divided after a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a Greek Cypriot coup engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. It is represented in the EU by an internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot government. On-off peace negotiations in the past focused on uniting the island under a two-zone federal umbrella endorsed by the United Nations. In recent years the Turkish Cypriot side has advocated a two-state settlement, rejected by Greek Cypriots. "Any partitionist thoughts of two states is completely off any agenda of discussion, and I want to be very clear on that," Mitsotakis said. As recently as last Friday, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said a resumption of peace talks on Cyprus would be possible only if the Greek Cypriots accepted sovereign equality. (Reuters) A Meridian man died after being hit by a vehicle in Mondays early hours. Aldin Ekic, 27, was walking in the southbound lanes on North Cloverdale Road when he was struck by a driver heading south, according to a news release from the Boise Police Department. Police and Ada County paramedics went to the scene just south of the intersection of West Briarwood Drive at about 1:30 a.m, police said. The Ada County Coroners Office arrived at 2:13 a.m. and pronounced Ekic dead from his injuries at 3 a.m., according to the coroners report released later Monday. The report listed the cause and manner of his death as pending. Boise police violent-crimes detectives and a crash reconstruction team helped with the on-scene investigation. Police said the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time. The victims sister, Aldina Ekic, 21, died in a car accident in Eagle in November 2013. She was riding as a passenger when the driver, whose blood alcohol was above Idahos legal limit, fell asleep at the wheel and struck a power pole, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting. The driver, 25-year-old Andrew Cassell, of Eagle, later pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter. By Daina Beth Solomon MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -The U.S. and Mexico have resolved a worker rights probe at a Draxton auto parts plant in central Mexico, officials said on Monday, marking the latest labor complaint to be closed under a regional trade deal. The U.S. government in May asked Mexico to review whether workers were being blocked from forming a new union at Draxton Mexico in the central city of Irapuato, in Guanajuato state. The plant makes iron and aluminum parts for carmakers such as Chrysler, Ford and Audi. Draxton is a unit of Mexico's Grupo Industrial Saltillo. The U.S. has filed 11 such complaints in Mexico under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) as part of a historic effort to support the rights of workers to form unions. Some cases have paved the way for new labor representation and higher wages. At Draxton, Mexican officials found that various instances appeared to violate worker rights, including company interference in union activity, the Mexican economy and labor ministries said in a joint statement. As part of a U.S.-Mexico remediation plan with an Oct. 31 deadline, Mexican officials will ensure that Draxton issues a neutrality statement and trains personnel on adhering to it, the U.S. Trade Representative's office said. The company will also re-hire a union representative with back pay who had been "unlawfully dismissed for advocating for workers," U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement. Draxton did not respond to a request for comment. The dismissed union leader, Carlos Gonzalez, said in an interview that he lost his job more than a year ago. He was eager to return to his workplace of a dozen years to encourage colleagues to defend their right to form unions and to campaign for SINTTIA, an independent labor group, to represent the plant in a push for better salaries. "They shouldn't be intimidated or give up. Not everything ends with a dismissal," he said. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon and Kylie Madry; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Leslie Adler) People evacuated from Niger arrived in Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning Flights evacuating Europeans from Niger have arrived in France and Italy. France began evacuating its citizens from Niger amid anti-French sentiment following last week's coup - 262 people arrived in Paris early on Wednesday. The coup has prompted demonstrations against the former colonial power, with the French embassy coming under attack. However, France says it has no plans to repatriate about 1,000 French soldiers stationed there as part of efforts to counter Islamist militants. Germany has urged its nationals to take up France's offer to help other Europeans as Italy organised a flight which arrived in Rome just after 05:00 local time on Wednesday with 87 evacuees. The plane was carrying 36 Italians, 21 Americans and one Briton, according to Reuters news agency. Juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have warned that any forcible attempt to restore the ousted president would be seen as a declaration of war. The two neighbours, also former French colonies, have both moved away from France and towards Russia, after staging their own coups in recent years. Their warning marks a significant twist that could escalate the volatile situation in a region battling an Islamist militant insurgency. West African military chiefs are meeting in Nigeria on Wednesday to discuss possible intervention in Niger. Niger's military government has announced the re-opening of its borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Chad. However, the land border with Nigeria remains closed. Niger, which is rich in uranium, has been a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist extremism in the Sahel. Both France and the US have military bases there. After Mali's military leaders chose to partner up with the Russian Wagner mercenaries in 2021, France moved the centre of its regional counter-terror operations to Niger. On Sunday, protesters outside the French embassy in the capital Niamey chanted "Long live Russia", "Long live Putin" and "Down with France". They also set fire to the walls of the embassy compound. France sent planes because the closure of Niger's airspace has made it impossible for people to leave by their own means. There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger and fewer than 100 Germans. Protesters displayed a sign taken from the French Embassy in Niamey on Sunday Italy's foreign ministry says there are about 90 Italians in Niamey out of a total of just under 500 countrywide, most of whom are in the military, the AFP news agency reports. According to the Reuters news agency, Spain is also preparing to evacuate more than 70 Spaniards by air. The UK is not organising an evacuation and has urged its nationals in Niger to stay indoors, while the European Union said it was not planning to remove its staff for the time being. The US also said it was not evacuating its citizens, seeing no immediate threat to them or its facilities, AFP reports. The situation in Niamey was reported to be calm. One of the French evacuees, Anthony Garcia, said he was packing as little as possible for the journey: "We were asked to take just a small bag with essentials, because we can't take the suitcase." Earlier, France had welcomed the ultimatum issued on Sunday by the West African bloc Ecowas, giving Niger's junta a week to reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey. Chad's President Mahamat Idris Deby was in Niger the following day, leading mediation efforts on behalf of the Ecowas and was pictured with Mr Bazoum. These diplomatic moves prompted Burkina Faso and Mali to issue a joint statement threatening that if Ecowas intervened militarily, they would withdraw from the bloc and go to the defence of their eastern neighbour. They said such an intervention would be disastrous and destabilising. Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea are all currently suspended from Ecowas following coups in recent years. Ecowas's last major military intervention was in The Gambia in 2017, when Yahya Jammeh refused to step down as president after losing elections to Adama Barrow. After West African troops deployed, Mr Jammeh went into exile in Equatorial Guinea. The regional body also sent troops to support Guinea-Bissau's government last year following a failed coup attempt there. Algeria, Niger's neighbour to the north, has also urged caution over any possible military intervention, saying it "would lead to an escalation of the current crisis". Niger's junta has not commented on the Ecowas demand, but vowed to defend the country from any "aggression" by regional or Western powers. It accused France of planning military intervention. But on Monday evening, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told French channel BFMTV the allegation was not true. She suggested the coup, which has been welcomed by the shadowy Wagner group, could be an seen as an opportunity for Russia: "I am not sure that everyone in Niger sleeps with a Russian flag under their pillow. "But it is possible that Russia tries to take advantage of the situation. It does it in other countries of the region. It's an hypothesis." At a briefing on Tuesday, the White House's National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US had no evidence that Russia was behind the coup. According to Reuters, the evacuation plans will not affect operations of French nuclear fuel company Orano in Niger, as it said most of its staff were Nigerien nationals. Analysis box by Frank Gardner, security correspondent There are no good options in Niger. The West looks set to lose its strategic counter-terror bases there and military intervention by Ecowas would almost certainly lead to a civil war. The current evacuation of French nationals is quite likely to be followed by the abandonment of US and French military bases and the departure of their 2,500 troops that have been engaged in helping Niger fight jihadist insurgents. So who benefits from all this? Certainly not the population of Niger. The presence of Western forces was far from universally popular, but the country was receiving hundreds of millions of euros in annual financial aid and military assistance. That has now stopped. Russian flags have appeared on the streets suspiciously quickly, so it is likely that Russia's Wagner group will be looking to fill in behind the departing troops. And for the jihadists of Boko Haram and the al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups active across the Sahel, all this disruption and uncertainty is a strategic gift. The coup has prompted concern that Niger, a former French colony, could pivot towards Russia West African leaders have threatened military action against Niger's junta after it took power in a coup last week. The leaders gave the junta seven days to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held captive. Earlier, the junta warned it would resist any "plan of aggression against Niger" by regional or Western powers. Meanwhile hundreds of coup supporters protested outside the French embassy in the capital Niamey. Leaders from Ecowas, the bloc of West African nations, held crisis talks in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Sunday to discuss the latest coup - which follows army takeovers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso. A statement read out after the summit said that Ecowas had "zero tolerance" for coups. The regional bloc would "take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order" if its demands were not met within a week. "Such measures may include the use of force," and military chiefs are to meet "immediately" to plan for an intervention, the statement added. The Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel was at the meeting, and said Ecowas had taken decisive action because events in Niger were concerning. "Niger is playing a key role in fighting terrorism. If Niger stop playing this role this will give more space and more leeway to terrorists to expand in the region," Dr Leonardo Santos Simao told BBC's Newshour programme. He added that "no official negotiations" were taking place between Ecowas and the country's military junta. This is the first time Ecowas has threatened military action to reverse the coups that have taken place in the region in recent years. It last sanctioned military intervention in 2017, when Senegalese troops were deployed to The Gambia to force long-serving ruler Yahya Jammeh to leave office after he refused to accept defeat in elections. Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has gone to Niamey to tell the junta to step down, Chad's government said. He met junta deputy leader Gen Salifou Mody. It is unclear whether he will hold talks with Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards unit who has declared himself Niger's new ruler. The West African leaders also announced the immediate enforcement of a no-fly zone over Niger for all commercial flights, the closure of all land borders with the country, and the imposition of financial sanctions against the junta. Ahead of their meeting, Gen Tchiani warned Ecowas and unnamed Western nations against stepping in. "We once again reiterate to Ecowas or any other adventurer our firm determination to defend our fatherland," the statement, which was read out on TV, said. The coup has prompted concern that Niger, a former French colony, could pivot towards Russia. The ousted president had worked closely with both regional and Western nations to fight militant Islamists. Burkina Faso and Mali moved closer to Russia after their own coups. In Niamey, some of the protesters outside the French embassy chanted "Long live Russia", "Long live Putin" and "Down with France", AFP news agency reports. They also set fire to the walls of the embassy compound. France would not tolerate any attack on its interests in Niger, and would respond in an "immediate and intractable manner", President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement. Map Niger's coup has been condemned by Western nations, but welcomed by the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has reportedly described it as a triumph. "What happened in Niger is nothing other than the struggle of the people of Niger with their colonisers," he was quoted as saying on a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel, although his comments have not been independently verified. In Mali, the junta has brought in Wagner to help it fight militant Islamists. France announced the withdrawal of its troops last year amid growing hostility from the junta. It subsequently moved its regional military headquarters to Niger. In June, Mali's junta said the UN's 12,000 peacekeepers also had to leave following a decade of countering Islamist militants. The UN agreed, saying the withdrawal would be completed by the end of the year. On Saturday, France said it had suspended all development aid and budgetary support to Niger. The European Union and the US have made a similar decision. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistan's prime minister on Tuesday asked neighboring Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to do more to prevent militants from crossing the border to stage attacks such as the massive suicide bombing earlier this week that killed dozens in a border region. The appeal came days after the bomber struck an election campaign rally of supporters of a pro-Taliban cleric on Sunday, killing dozens and wounding scores in the district of Bajur. The death toll from the bombing rose to 55 on Tuesday, after a critically wounded person died in hospital in the northwestern city of Peshawar, hospital officials and the government said. An Afghan-based branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Bajur attack. IS militants are Taliban rivals and have stepped up attacks since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the militants find sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, regroup and rearm there, and subsequently infiltrate Pakistan where they carry out anti-government attacks. The Afghan Taliban government "should undertake concrete measures toward denying their soil be used for transnational terrorism, he said while visiting some of the wounded in a Peshawar hospital. The bomber targeted a rally of the radical Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which is part of Sharif's coalition government and also has ties to the Afghan Taliban. The party has a strong following in northwestern Pakistan. The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the suicide bombing in Bajur and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," describing it as "one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Members of the council called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and for other countries to cooperate with Pakistan on the matter. Northwestern Pakistan was formerly a militant stronghold until successive military operations claimed to have routed militants from there, including the Pakistani Taliban, a separate group but allied wiith the Afghan Taliban. The group is also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The Bajur bombing was the latest in several huge attacks over the past years. A Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in 2014 killed 147 people, mostly schoolchildren. In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a mosque bombing inside Pesharwar police headquarters. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this story. MAALE ADUMIM, West Bank (AP) A Palestinian gunman opened fire in an Israeli settlement east of Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding six people before being shot and killed, Israeli police said. The shooting at a mall in the sprawling Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, in the occupied West Bank, was the latest in the most violent stretch of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the territory in nearly two decades. Later on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said the Israeli military shot and killed a 15-year-old Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab soldiers in the southern West Bank, near the city of Hebron. In the hilly settlement of Maale Adumim on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem, an off-duty police officer heard the gunfire, rushed toward the sound and killed the assailant, police said. The attacker had shot diners outside a burger joint before running to the street, shooting and wounding more people near the shopping mall, authorities added. When confronted, the assailant turned his gun on the off-duty Israeli officer and started to shoot, police said. The officer opened fire, killing the Palestinian, who was dressed as a security guard in a neon vest. The Islamic militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad praised the attack as heroic but stopped short of claiming responsibility. In an audio clip purportedly recorded by the assailant and shared on social media, he vows to die for the sake of Allah and asks that he not be claimed by any political faction. This operation is a natural response to the storming of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islamic Jihad spokesman Tariq Salami said, referring to a visit to the sensitive Jerusalem holy site by hard-line Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and thousands of other religious Jews last week. The contested compound has long been a flashpoint for violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the assailant as 20-year-old Muhannad al-Mazraa from Azariya, a West Bank town just east of Jerusalem. The attacker wounded at least six people, Israel's rescue service said, including a 41-year-old man who was seriously hurt. The rest of the men, ranging in age from 14 to 37years old, were fully conscious and in moderate condition, it added. Some of the victims escaped and hid in shops in the mall, said Israeli medic Miryam Sharvit. A victim was in a restaurant with his wife and 5-year-old daughter when they suddenly heard gunfire. Surveillance video showed a middle-aged man wielding a chair chasing the gunman out of the burger restaurant. Meanwhile, in the southern West Bank near the Palestinian town of As-Samou, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian teenager who allegedly tried to stab them at a bus stop. The army said that soldiers had been questioning the 15-year-old at a junction when he lunged at them with a knife. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the boy as Mohammed al-Zaarir. Fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank intensified early last year when Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in the West Bank in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis. The violence has spiked this year, with more than 150 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of 2023 in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the raids and innocent bystanders have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis so far this year. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. ___ DeBre reported from Ramallah, West Bank. WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon is pulling 1,100 active duty troops from the U.S.-Mexico border it deployed earlier this year as the government prepared for the end of asylum restrictions linked to the pandemic. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment of a total of 1,500 active duty troops for a temporary 90-day military presence surge at the border in May. At the time, illegal border crossings were swiftly escalating with concerns theyd go even higher after the restrictions ended but instead the numbers have fallen. The 1,100 troops will conclude their 90-day mission by Aug. 8; the remaining 400 will be extended through August 31, a defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss details ahead of an announcement. At the time the troop movements were made public officials stressed that the active-duty troops would not be taking front-line positions on the border or interacting with migrants but instead doing tasks like data entry or warehouse support with the goal of freeing up Customs and Border Protection personnel to be out in the field. The troops were intended to help back up border officials dealing with the end of Title 42. That rule allowed the government to quickly expel tens of thousands of migrants from the country in the name of protecting America from COVID-19. In the days leading up to the end of Title 42, border agents were encountering 10,000 migrants a day and at one point had 27,000 migrants in custody. But immediately after Title 42 expired, the numbers dropped sharply to about 5,000 encounters a day, and have stayed low, according to the agency's data. But its far from clear how permanent these drops are. Already the number of people crossing the Darien Gap, a key route for migrants headed to the U.S. from South America, during the first seven months of the year is more than all of 2022 combined. The active duty military troops' departure is also happening as much of the Biden administrations immigration agenda is subject to court challenges. Last week a federal judge ruled that an administration rule limiting asylum access at the southern border was against the law. The administration is appealing that ruling, arguing that its a key part of their efforts to maintain order on the border. Separately the Justice Department last week announced it has sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to force the state to remove floating buoys in the Rio Grande that the federal government says present a humanitarian and environmental concern. The departures also do not impact an additional 2,300 National Guard troops under federal orders who remain at the border in similar supporting roles, National Guard chief Gen. Dan Hokanson said last week. Those troops will not be extended, but other units will be rotated in to replace them when their deployments end. Austin has tried to get the Department of Homeland Security to fully assume the border protection role instead of continually relying on military troops. As a condition for Austins previous approval of National Guard troops to the border through Oct. 1, Homeland Security had to agree to work with the White House and Congress to develop a plan for longer-term staffing solutions and funding shortfalls. In a response to the AP, the Pentagon said DHS has outlined a plan to increase personnel and technology investments to meet future surges. By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland said on Tuesday it was rushing troops to its eastern border after accusing Belarus, Russia's closest ally, of violating its airspace with military helicopters. The Belarusian military denied any such violation and accused NATO member Poland, one of Ukraine's most fervent backers in its conflict with Russia, of making up the accusation to justify a buildup of its troops. Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko had earlier taunted Poland over the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries near their joint border. Poland's Defence Ministry said it was sending "additional forces and resources, including combat helicopters". It said it had informed NATO of the border violation and Belarus' charge d'affaires had been summoned to provide an explanation. The Polish military initially denied any border violation had occurred but later, after consultations, said the intrusion took place "at a very low height, hard to intercept by radar". Belarus' defence ministry, writing on Telegram, said Warsaw had changed its mind about the incident "apparently after consulting its overseas masters". "This statement was not backed up by data from Poland," it said. "The Belarusian Defence Ministry views it in the manner of an 'old wives' tale' and notes there were no border violations by Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters." Residents of areas near the eastern Polish city of Bialowieza, close to the Belarus border, shared accounts on social media of what they said were border violations before the defence minister issued its statement. HISTORY OF ANIMOSITY Belarus has allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to use its territory as a launch pad for the Ukraine invasion, but Lukashenko has not committed his own troops to the war. The ex-Soviet state has a long history of animosity with Poland, as does Russia. Last week, Putin accused Poland of harbouring territorial ambitions on Belarus and said it would consider any attack on its neighbour as an attack on itself. Earlier on Tuesday, Lukashenko mockingly told Poland it should thank him for keeping in check Wagner mercenaries now stationed in Belarus after an abortive mutiny against the Kremlin last month. An unspecified number of the Wagner fighters have since moved to Belarus and begun training Lukashenko's army. Poland had already started moving more than 1,000 of its own troops closer to the border. Lukashenko joked at a meeting with Putin last month that some of the fighters were keen to press into Poland and "go on a trip to Warsaw and Rzeszow". State news agency Belta quoted him on Tuesday as saying that the Poles "should pray that we're holding onto (the Wagner fighters) and providing for them. Otherwise, without us, they would have seeped through and smashed up Rzeszow and Warsaw in no small way. So they shouldn't reproach me, they should say thank you." Rzeszow is a city near the Ukrainian border. On Saturday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said a group of 100 Wagner fighters had moved closer to the Belarusian city of Grodno near the Polish border, describing the situation as "increasingly dangerous". (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan, Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, Max Rodionov and Ron Popeski, Editing by Gareth Jones and Bill Berkrot) NEW YORK (AP) A swimmer who got swept out to sea by a powerful current was rescued off New York's Long Island after treading water for five hours, police said. Dan Ho, 63, went swimming at a beach in Babylon at around 5 a.m. Monday and was pulled out by the current, Suffolk County police said in a news release. After treading water with no flotation device for five hours, Ho found a broken fishing pole and tied his shirt to it to try to flag down a passing boat, police said. Two men in a fishing boat spotted Ho about 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) south of where he had entered the water, police said. The men, Jim Hohorst and Michael Ross, pulled Ho onto their boat and radioed police for help. Hohorst said Tuesday that Ho appeared to be almost done when he was rescued. He wasnt looking good, couldnt move his legs, said Hohorst, a former New York City firefighter. "Hypothermia had set in big time, probably some dehydration. He said he drank a lot of salt water. Officers from the Suffolk department's marine bureau took Ho to their boat and gave first aid, police said. They took him ashore U.S. Coast Guards Fire Island station, where he received further treatment before going to a local hospital. Police had no update on Ho's condition Tuesday. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) An 84-year-old retired bishop of Albany, who has been accused of sexual abuse and has unsuccessfully sought to be removed from the priesthood, said Tuesday he recently married a woman in a civil ceremony. Emeritus Bishop Howard Hubbard made the surprise announcement during a tumultuous time for the Albany diocese. It filed for bankruptcy this year after a surge of lawsuits from people who say they endured sexual abuse as children, sometimes decades ago. The current bishop of the upstate New York diocese said it did not consider Hubbard's marriage to be valid. Hubbard, who retired in 2014, has acknowledged covering up allegations of abuse by priests, in part to avoid scandal. He has adamantly denied accusations that he abused minors. Hubbard last fall said he wanted to be laicized, or returned to the lay state, because he could no longer function as a priest due to a U.S. church policy that bars accused priests from ministry. It also would have relieved him of his celibacy obligations. But his request to the Vatican was rejected in March and he was encouraged to wait patiently while the seven civil lawsuits against him are resolved, Hubbard said in a prepared statement. I could be 91 or 92 before these legal matters are concluded, Hubbard said. In the meantime, I have fallen in love with a wonderful woman who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me. Hubbard said they were married in a civil ceremony in July. Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger said rules against marriage still apply to Hubbard, even though he cannot represent himself as a priest. The Church does not acknowledge his marriage as valid, Scharfenberger said in a letter to the diocese. He remains a retired Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and therefore cannot enter into marriage. Scharfenberger said he was still processing the unexpected news. The Albany diocese, like others around the state, is dealing with lawsuits dating to when New York temporarily suspended the statute of limitations to give people who say they were victims of childhood sexual abuse the ability to pursue decades-old allegations. A representative for Hubbard declined to provide further information. Hubbard asked that reporters and others respect his privacy. My life on the public stage has come to an end, he said. Tanzania-Zambia Railway: a railway of friendship, prosperity 15:17, August 01, 2023 By Huang Peizhao ( People's Daily Constructors of the Dar es Salaam-Mlimba section of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway celebrate the completion of the section's track laying in Tanzania, Nov. 8, 1971. (Photo provided by the East Africa branch of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation) It's been about half a century since China aided the Tanzania-Zambia Railway to Africa. Today, the railway is still facilitating residents along its route and making contributions to local economic and social development. It is like a bond that closely links the hearts of the Chinese and African peoples. Tanzania and Zambia declared independence in the 1960s amid the national independence and liberation movement in Africa. Both of them saw an urgent demand to realize economic independence then. For Zambia, a landlocked country, building a railway leading to the port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzanias biggest city, would help it expand its copper exports and enlarge its source of income. Tanzania also needed such a railway to boost its economy. The 1,860 km Tanzania-Zambia Railway starts from Dar es Salaam in the east and ends in Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia in the west. Its construction took eight years from 1968 to 1976. According to Bruno Ching'andu, Managing Director of Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), China offered interest-free loans for the two countries, and dispatched over 50,000 engineers and technicians to Africa to assist the building of the railway. Building the Railway needs a tremendous number of engineering equipment. The Railway crosses the Great Rift Valley, which features extremely complicated landforms and huge height differences. The construction of the railway involved 320 bridges and 26 tunnels. A handover ceremony of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is hosted in Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia by Chinese, Tanzanian and Zambian governments, July 14, 1976. (Photo provided by the East Africa branch of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation) It was built after eight years of relentless efforts and became a transport artery linking Tanzania and Zambia. Sixty-nine Chinese experts and technicians were buried in the Cemetery for Memorable Deceased Chinese Experts Assisting Tanzania 25 km southwest of Dar es Salaam, including 51 who sacrificed their lives for building the railway and its technical cooperation. "The railway is a bridge of Africa-China friendship. We should work to realize the hopes of our predecessors and carry forward the Tanzania-Zambia Railway spirit," Ching'andu remarked. Wu Wei, vice general manager of the East Africa branch of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, said that the maintenance of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway has always been on the Chinese side, and there was once a 500-member team consisting of Chinese experts in Africa for maintenance work. Even today, dozens of Chinese experts are still going to Africa each year to offer technical support and ensure the smooth operation of the half-century-old railway, Wu added. Passengers take a train of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway. (People's Daily/Huang Peizhao) The Tanzania-Zambia Railway plays a significant role in promoting regional economic development. Marcus, sales manager of Fast Freight, said that cargo transport from Dar es Salaam to other major cities once relied on roads and was often delayed due to traffic congestion and bad weathers. "The Tanzania-Zambia Railway has tremendously reduced the shipping time and cost, and also improved customer satisfaction," he said. Juma, a retired engineer of TAZARA, called the Tanzania-Zambia Railway an economic corridor that helps his people get rid of poverty. The retired engineer studied railway engineering in China twice. He said the railway changed his life, turning him from a farmer's son to a respected engineer. Students take a train of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway to go to school. (People's Daily/Huang Peizhao) Following the spirit of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, China is still playing an active part in the railway construction in Tanzania today. Chinese companies have won the bid to build the Phase 5 and Phase 6 of the Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway, helping the African country enhance its transport capacity and creating massive jobs for local communities. According to incomplete statistics, Chinese companies helped African countries build and upgrade more than 10,000 km of railways between 2000 and 2021, including the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. Infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are offering inexhaustible energy for building connectivity, strengthening transport and developing local economy, winning high recognition from African countries. Denis Mwaba, lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Zambia, said that Africa-China cooperation creates opportunities for African countries' industrialization. The BRI is promoting in-depth cooperation between the two sides and constantly deepening Africa-China friendship, he added. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) The best restaurant bar in the entire country is apparently right here in Miami. And the best bartender in the country works here, too. The 17th annual Spirited Awards, which honor bars, beverage professionals and products, named Cafe La Trova the best bar in a restaurant in the United States. The awards were presented on July 27 in New Orleans. James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and Master Cantinero Julio Cabrera opened the popular Cuban spot on Calle Ocho in Little Havana in 2019. Its best known for its retro style, live music, cantineros (traditional Cuban-style bartenders) and classic Cuban cocktails. This isnt the only honor for Cafe La Trova in 2023. In May, the Cuban hot spot made the list of North Americas 50 Best Bars, along with Sweet Liberty in Miami Beach. Cafe La Trova was no. 9 on the list. The Spirited Awards also named Christine Wiseman of MaryGolds Brasserie in Wynwood and Broken Shaker on Miami Beach as the U.S. Bartender of the Year. Wiseman was also honored by the 50 Best Bars in North America, winning the Altos Bartenders Bartender Award. The Spirited Awards judges are an international collection of bartenders, bar owners, educators and writers who rate all kinds of bars around the world. Cafe La Trova in Little Havana, famous for its cantinero-style bartending, was just named the best restaurant bar in the country. Adam DelGiudice Cafe La Trova Where: 971 SW Eighth St., Miami Hours: 4 p.m.-midnight Sunday-Wednesday; 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday More information: cafelatrova.com or 786-615-4379 This intimate bar in downtown Miami was named one of the best in the U.S. by Esquire A mascot race is returning to loanDepot park. After putting an end to the Great Sea Race prior to the 2018 season and going the past four-and-a-half years without a mid-game character race of any sort at the ballpark, the Miami Marlins announced Sunday that a new mascot race will come to life at home games starting on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Behold: The Rooster Race. The three contestants each night, each wearing one of the Marlins home uniforms the traditional white, throwback teal and City Connect Sugar King red. The Marlins made the announcement and introduced the three roosters during Sundays home game against the Detroit Tigers, which coincided with a birthday party for Billy the Marlin, the teams mascot. I have a new crew joining me this time around, Billy the Marlin said in a press release given out by the club on Sunday, with some of the wildest and zaniest characters from all over South Florida. The press release ended with the hashtag #MascotsAreAthletesToo. Now the Marlins arent the first or the only team to have mid-game mascot or character races. The Milwaukee Brewers have racing sausages. The Washington Nationals have the Racing Presidents. The Atlanta Braves have the tools race and Beat the Freeze. The Texas Rangers have the Dot Race. The Pittsburgh Pirates have the Great Pierogi Race. And now, the Marlins and their roosters have gotten themselves back into the mid-game race conversation. (Reuters) -Demand for power in Texas hit a record high for a sixth time this summer on Monday as homes and business kept air conditioners cranked up to escape a lingering heat wave. 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, said it has enough resources available to meet soaring demand. Analysts said wind and solar power have helped ERCOT meet record-breaking demand this summer while maintaining reliability and keeping prices relatively low. Temperatures in Houston, Texas' biggest city, rose as high as 100.4 F (38 degrees Celsius) on Monday, according to AccuWeather. Texas residents have worried about extreme weather since a deadly storm in February 2021 left millions without power, water and heat for days as ERCOT struggled to prevent a grid collapse. After the state hit 11 record highs for demand last summer, ERCOT said usage hit a preliminary 83047 megawatts (MW) on Monday, which topped the current all-time high of 82,592 MW on July 18. Monday's peak is about 2,744 MW over last years demand record of 80,148 MW set in July 2022, equivalent to the amount of power generated by about three nuclear power reactors. Monday's demand record will likely be broken again on Tuesday with ERCOT forecasting usage will reach 84,332 MW. 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. Next-day, or spot, prices at the ERCOT North Hub, which includes Dallas, jumped to a two-week high of $250 per megawatt hour for Monday. That compares with an average of $42 so far this year, $78 in 2022 and a five-year (2018-2022) average of $66. Real-time power prices hit nearly $400 briefly at 17:00 CT on Monday. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino and Ashitha Shivaprasad; Editing by Leslie Adler and Aurora Ellis) Former President Donald Trump has raised formidable sums, but his political operation is burning through money as his legal troubles mount, new filings show. His joint fundraising committee brought in more than $53 million during the first six months of the year, but the committees associated with his 2024 White House bid have spent even more. The high rate of spending is apparent in Trumps leadership PAC, where more than 70% or some $21 million of its total disbursements during the first six months of the year went to pay the growing legal bills for Trump and his associates, a report filed Monday with federal regulators shows. The leadership PAC, Save America, started July with a little more than $3.6 million remaining in its bank accounts a fraction of the nearly $18.3 million in reserves it had at the start of the year underscoring how much the wealthy former president has relied on political contributors to help him confront his growing legal challenges. The financial toll of multiple Trump investigations has come into focus in recent days as sources within the Trump campaign confirmed that Save America had requested that an aligned super PAC supporting his presidential bid return $60 million to the leadership PAC. Mondays filing shows that the super PAC, dubbed Make American Great Again, Inc., had returned nearly $12.3 million over four installments in May and June. Officials with the super PAC have not responded to inquiries about the refund request and whether it has sent back more money to the leadership PAC since June. In all, the leadership PAC paid more than three dozen law firms during the first six months of the year. Save America, which served as the main fundraising vehicle for Trumps political operation immediately after he left the White House in 2021, ended that year flush with cash and ultimately sent tens of millions of dollars to the super PAC, also known as MAGA Inc. providing seed money for the group to begin advertising on Trumps behalf as he mounted his 2024 bid. Its striking that the leadership PAC now has moved to claw back funds from MAGA Inc., which is one of the biggest advertisers in the GOP contest. But Trump has consistently led his Republican rivals in polling, even as his legal troubles have grown. In all, MAGA Inc. took in $14.6 million during the first six months of this year when it sent money back to the leadership PAC to help pay for lawyers. Top donors to the super PAC during this period included Florida entrepreneur Patricia Duggan, who gave $5 million; longtime Trump friend and casino owner Phil Ruffin, who contributed $2 million; and Charles Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. The elder Kushner, who received a pardon from Trump in 2020, donated $1 million. Meanwhile, Bernie Moreno, whos seeking the Republican nomination for a US Senate seat in Ohio next year, donated $100,000. In another sign of the financial crunch, Trump allies also have launched an alternative fundraising vehicle a legal defense fund that is expected to cover the bills of some of Trumps current and former aides and employees who have become wrapped up in the investigations. Special counsel Jack Smith filed new charges last week against the former president, his aide Walt Nauta and a third defendant, Mar-a-Lago employee Carlos De Oliveira, in a case alleging Trump mishandled classified documents after leaving the White House. Those charges include allegations that Trump and his employees sought to delete security footage from the Florida resort that was sought by a grand jury. Earlier this year, in a separate case, Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on more than 30 counts related to business fraud. He also faces potential charges in the special counsels grand jury investigation into the lead-up to January 6, 2021, as well as an investigation by the Fulton County district attorneys office in Georgia relating to attempts by him and his allies to overturn the states 2020 presidential election result. The biggest legal payment from Save America during the first six months of this year nearly $2.2 million went to the law firm of Trump attorney Evan Corcoran, who has represented the former president in the classified documents case and has testified before the grand jury. The former president has relied on his legal predicament to boost political donations bombarding his supporters with fundraising appeals following the indictments this year by grand juries in Manhattan and Florida. An earlier CNN analysis of itemized contributions those exceeding $200 to Trumps campaign shows the giving skyrocketed after the first indictment in New York. There was another uptick after he was indicted a second time, in the classified documents case in Florida, but those donations fell short of the earlier peak, according to the tally. In an indication that Trump himself might be growing concerned about his campaigns finances, the former president over the weekend suggested that he could begin to put some of his own fortune into his 2024 bid. Ill put as much money into the campaign as I need, Trump said during a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. Believe me, if we need to do it, we need to do it. Paying a fashion designer Despite working to recover money it had sent to Trumps aligned super PAC, the new filings show that Trumps leadership PAC has continued to pay a fashion designer who styled former first lady Melania Trump during her time in the White House. Save America paid $108,000 to Herve Pierre Braillard for strategy consulting in the first half of the year, the report shows. Thats on top of the more than $150,000 the PAC made in payments to him over the course of 2022. Last year, a senior official at the PAC told CNN that the designer was serving as a senior adviser to the committee and was involved in event management and special projects. And in an interview last year with Womens Wear Daily, the designer said the work funded by Save America was not focused on fashion but consulting on projects. Pierre, who designed Melania Trumps 2017 inaugural ball gown, told the publication that the atelier he had co-founded closed during the pandemic, and he had turned to more interior design work recently. Leadership PACs, unlike candidate committees, have broad discretion in how they spend donors money. CNNs Kristen Holmes, Alex Leeds Matthews and Kate Sullivan contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Sarah N. Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen and Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his wide-ranging attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in four months that the former U.S. president has been criminally charged even as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year. The four-count, 45-page indictment charges Republican Trump with conspiring to defraud the U.S. by preventing Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election. Then-President Trump pushed fraud claims he knew to be untrue, pressured state and federal officials - including Vice President Mike Pence - to alter the results and finally incited a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol in a desperate attempt to undermine American democracy and cling to power, prosecutors said. Trump was ordered to make an initial appearance in federal court in Washington on Thursday. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was appointed by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama. The charges stem from Special Counsel Jack Smith's sprawling investigation into allegations Trump sought to reverse his loss to Biden. Despite a dizzying and growing array of legal troubles, Trump has solidified his status as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, according to public opinion polls. Weeks of assertions that the election had been stolen culminated in a fiery Trump speech on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress met to certify the results. Soon after, his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to stop Congress from formalizing Biden's victory. In a brief statement to reporters, Smith placed the blame for the violence squarely on Trump's shoulders. "The attack on our nation's Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies - lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the U.S. government," Smith said. More than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with the attack. PHONY SLATE OF ELECTORS Trump and others organized fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to be certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6, the indictment said. The indictment lays out numerous examples of Trump's election falsehoods and notes that close advisers, including senior intelligence officials, told him repeatedly that the results were legitimate. "These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false," prosecutors wrote. When the push to certify the fake electors failed, Trump sought to pressure Vice President Mike Pence not to allow certification of the election to go forward, and took advantage of the chaos outside the Capitol to do so, according to prosecutors. During the violence, Trump rebuffed calls from his advisers to issue a calming message. "The Defendant attempted to use a crowd of supporters that he had gathered in Washington, D.C. to pressure the Vice President to fraudulently alter the election results," the indictment reads. In a statement, the Trump campaign said he had always followed the law and characterized the indictment as a "persecution" reminiscent of Nazi Germany. "President Trump will not be deterred by disgraceful and unprecedented political targeting!" it added. The indictment also includes six unnamed co-conspirators who have not been charged. Based on the descriptions, they appear to include Trump's former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who called state lawmakers in the weeks following the 2020 election to pressure them not to certify their states' results; former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who tried to get himself installed as attorney general so he could launch voter fraud investigations in Georgia and other swing states; and attorney John Eastman, who advanced the erroneous legal theory that Pence could block the electoral certification. "Every statement that Mayor Giuliani made was truthful and expressing his beliefs," his attorney Robert Costello told Reuters. "He believed there was proof of election fraud, and I have seen the affidavits that back that up." Eastman and Clark did not respond to requests for comment. The most serious charge against Trump carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, though sentencing is based on numerous factors and is subject to the judge's discretion. MOUNTING LEGAL WOES Trump already had become the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. He has portrayed all of the prosecutions as part of a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at preventing his return to power. Tuesday's charges represent a second round of federal charges by Smith, who was appointed special counsel in November by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Trump pleaded not guilty after a federal grand jury in Miami convened by the special counsel charged him in June in a 37-count indictment over his unlawful retention of classified government documents after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing justice. Prosecutors accused him of risking some of the most sensitive U.S. national security secrets. Last Thursday, prosecutors added three more criminal counts against Trump, accusing him of ordering employees to delete security videos as he was under investigation for retaining the documents. In March, a grand jury convened by Manhattan's district attorney indicted him for falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she said she had with him. Trump pleaded not guilty and has denied the encounter. TRUMP IS 2024 REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER Trump, 77, leads a crowded field of Republican presidential candidates as he seeks a rematch with Biden, 80, next year. Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, has shown an ability to survive legal troubles, political controversies and personal behavior that might sink other politicians. Many Republicans - elected officials and voters - have rallied behind Trump, portraying the charges against him as selective prosecution and a Democratic plot to destroy him politically. That pattern largely held on Tuesday, as most Republicans pivoted to attacks on Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in Congress, said on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that the indictment was an attempt to "attack the frontrunner for the Republican nomination." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's leading rival for the Republican nomination, said on X that he had yet to read the indictment. But he vowed to "end the weaponization of the federal government," suggesting that the Biden administration was using the charges to target a political enemy. Strategists said that while the indictments could help Trump solidify support within his base and win the Republican nomination, his ability to capitalize on them may be more limited in next year's general election, when he will have to win over more skeptical moderate Republicans and independents. Meanwhile, Trump's legal woes are growing. In addition to the three indictments, Trump faces a fourth criminal investigation by a county prosecutor in Georgia into accusations he sought to undo his 2020 election loss in that state. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated she plans to bring charges in that case within the next three weeks. Special counsels are sometimes appointed to investigate politically sensitive cases, and they do their jobs with a degree of independence from the Justice Department leadership. Before being appointed by Garland to take over the two Trump-related investigations, Smith had served as the chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague, assigned to prosecuting war crimes in Kosovo, oversaw the Justice Department's public integrity section and worked as a federal and state prosecutor in New York. (Reporting by Jacqueline Thomsen and Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Jack Queen, Kanishka Singh, Dan Whitcomb, Costas Pitas, Mike Scarcella, Tim Reid, Jeff Mason and Gram Slattery; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Howard Goller, Grant McCool and Michael Perry) By Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) - In addition to writing about their favorite songs and why they want to go to college, students applying to Emory University in Atlanta this fall will get new essay prompts aimed at teasing out details about their cultural backgrounds. The revised questions are among the changes at Emory and other highly selective colleges after the U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that race-conscious admissions policies were unlawful, upending a longstanding practice for increasing minority enrollment in higher education. Universities must find new ways to create diverse student bodies and avoid the precipitous declines in admissions of Black and Latino students seen after prior bans on affirmative action in states including California and Michigan. The court's decision is expected to elevate the role of students' personal essays, which Chief Justice John Roberts singled out as a place where they could still highlight how race had affected their lives, "be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise." The greater scrutiny on those pieces of student writing will intensify an already stressful application process that has spawned a cottage industry of advisers and caused months of angst for high school students and their parents. "They're going to be much more targeted questions," said Timothy Fields, senior associate dean of admissions at Emory. One of Emory's new prompts, for example, asks, "Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better." U.S. colleges are set to release their essay prompts on Tuesday when the common application used by many schools becomes public for the upcoming admissions cycle. At Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, a new question will ask students how the Supreme Court ruling might affect their lives personally. "Our hope is that this prompt gives our applicants a space to address a timely and challenging topic in society, and one that could impact the student bodies of the colleges to which they are applying," said Kevin McKenna, vice president for enrollment. He said students should not feel the need, however, to relive past traumas or injustices to gain admission to the college. STUDENT FALLOUT Counselors, teachers and admissions officers interviewed by Reuters said they are worried the court's decision sends a message to students of color that they are not wanted at elite colleges. The Supreme Court's liberal justices said in their dissent that the ruling would further entrench racial inequality in education. Concern over the fallout for underrepresented minority students has prompted Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez, dean of admission at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, to rethink the outreach tours admissions officers go on every year to recruit students. His team is planning additional stops and meetings to reassure students of color that they are welcome. But he also will have to make time this fall for new training for admissions officers who read the student essays so they can learn how to work within the confines of the court ruling to build a diverse class. Angel Perez, president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, said universities' outreach to public school guidance counselors is especially needed. Many high school counselors are uncertain how students should handle questions of race and identity in their essays, Perez said. They also are wary that if they mention race in student recommendations, they will be inviting scrutiny or violating the court's order. Others are convinced that many high-achieving students will have lost heart for the competitive application process. "The general feeling with school counselors right now is mostly anxiety," Perez said. Private admissions counselors have already started working with students of color on essays that discuss their cultural heritage. College counselor Shereem Herndon-Brown, who with Fields is a co-author of the book "The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions," said he is encouraging a Black student from New York to tell the personal story of visiting relatives in the South, a topic that came up in conversation but was not the initial focus of the student's essay. He cautioned that essays that simply declare a person's race or exaggerate disadvantage will not enhance a student's chances for admission. Students instead will need to offer insight into how they think and have developed as a result of their background. "There's no way to trick an admissions officer or a school into believing you're something that you're not," he said. "So I'm going to urge students to authentically express who they are." (This story has been corrected to change the location of Wesleyan University to Connecticut in paragraph 13) (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Cynthia Osterman) Mrs Dorsainvil is originally from the US state of New Hampshire An American nurse and her child have been kidnapped in Haiti, according to a Christian aid charity she worked for. Alix Dorsainvil was working in a community ministry near Port-au-Prince when she was taken, El Roi Haiti said in a statement. The US state department said it was in "regular contact" with Haitian authorities. Officials in Haiti have appealed to the international community to help break the grip of armed gangs on the country. Mrs Dorsainvil is the wife of El Roi Haiti's director and founder, Sandro Dorsainvil. The age and gender of the child are not known. "Alix is a deeply compassionate and loving person who considers Haiti her home and the Haitian people her friends and family," the statement from El Roi Haiti added. The charity also said it was working to secure the pair's safe return. The organisation has asked people to "refrain from speculating on social media about this situation in order to protect Alix and her child during this time". Mrs Dorsainvil is originally from the state of New Hampshire, according to the charity's website. "Haitians are such a resilient people. They're full of joy and life and love," she said in video posted by the organisation in which she described her work there. "I'm so blessed to be able to know so many amazing Haitians." Mr Dorsainvil grew up in poverty in Port-au-Prince, according to the charity. In 2014 he graduated from a high school in the US state of Montana. The US government has ordered all non-emergency staff to leave the island An alumni newsletter from the school says the couple married in Haiti in January 2021 and had adopted one boy there while raising two girls. The US state department ordered all non-emergency government personnel and their family members to leave Haiti just hours after the kidnapping. The order to leave came days after the US issued a level-four "do not travel" advisory because of kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and "poor healthcare infrastructure" on the island. Project Dynamo, a US veteran-led non-profit that evacuates American civilians from risky situations abroad, has said it will go to Haiti to evacuate Americans. The poorest country in the Americas has been in political crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. Gangs control around 80% of the capital, and violent crimes such as kidnappings and armed robbery are common. From January to June this year, there have been 1,014 kidnappings in Haiti, according to the UN. Earlier this month, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, called for the creation of a multinational force for Haiti. Kenya has volunteered to take the lead, offering 1,000 police officers to help train local law enforcement. Any mission will be subject to a mandate from the UN Security Council, and formal authorisation from the Kenyan authorities. Kenya's Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said any potential multinational force's job would be to stabilise the situation on the ground and empower local authorities, as the people of Haiti have "suffered enough". Speaking to the BBC's Newshour programme on Sunday, he added Kenya's main aim would be to train Haitian police to help reduce violence and allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians being "held hostage by gangs". "We have decided to lead this process because we don't want to wait for others," Mr Mutua said. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. auto safety regulators said Tuesday they have opened an investigation into 280,000 new Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over reports of loss of steering control and power steering. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a preliminary evaluation after it received 12 complaints from owners of 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. One Model 3 driver reported in May the "car steering felt stuck and slid off the road which resulted in crashing into a tree." A driver in Alpharetta, Georgia in June reported that a two-week-old Tesla Model Y was coming out of a shopping center when "suddenly steering wheel did not steer. It was hard and saw the alert. Went to very close to opposite side of traffic and some how made it to across the road inside the shopping center." Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This is the first step of a formal investigation to determine if the issue poses an unreasonable safety risk. NHTSA would need to upgrade the probe to an engineering analysis before it could demand a recall. Another recent complaint said a Tesla Model Y that was less than 30 days old in April was turned on and the "wheel jerked hard right and made a thud" and the screen warned that Steering Assist Reduced and displayed an error code. The driver said power steering was disabled and told the NHTSA it felt unsafe to steer and added "Tesla has moved my service visit from May 2 to May 25 due to a backlog of parts. They confirmed this is a recently known issue and noted the steering rack might be replaced entirely." A driver in Honolulu said a week after purchasing a Tesla the steering wheel began locking up randomly and said it " occurred six times on different dates before we were able to get it to the Tesla service department." The driver said it "currently remains at Tesla for the next 3 weeks while we await a new steering rack/motor." (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States said Tuesday it will put forward a U.N. Security Council resolution that will authorize Kenya to lead a multinational police force to help combat gangs in Haiti that control much of the capital and are spreading through the Caribbean nation. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a news conference at the start of the U.S. presidency of the council this month that we welcome Kenyas decision to lead the multinational force (and) we will be working on a resolution to support that effort. Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry sent an urgent appeal last October for the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity to stop the gangs. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had been appealing unsuccessfully since then for a lead nation to help restore order to Latin Americas most impoverished country. More than nine months later, Kenya was the first country to positively consider leading a force, offering to send 1,000 police to help train and assist the Haitian National Police to restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations. Kenyas Foreign Ministry said Saturday it plans to send a task force to Haiti in the next few weeks to assess operational requirements for the police mission. Thomas-Greenfield said the United States will work with other council members on a resolution that will give the Kenyans what they require to establish their presence in Haiti. She gave no timetable but expressed hope that a resolution will be adopted unanimously, as the last two Haiti resolutions were. An October 2022 resolution demanded an immediate end to violence and criminal activity in Haiti and imposed sanctions on individuals and groups threatening peace and stability starting with a powerful gang leader, Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier. A resolution adopted on July 14 asked Guterres to come up with a full range of options within 30 days to help combat Haitis armed gangs including a non-U.N. multinational force. Thomas-Greenfield said the situation is unusual, but what is happening in Haiti is unusual. This is not a traditional peacekeeping force, this is not a traditional security situation, Thomas-Greenfield said. We have gangs that have overtaken the country, ... that are terrorizing civilians every single day. She stressed that it is very much a police action to stabilize the country so that the country can get back on the path of democracy, that they can move forward with a political process that will lead to a stable government that will be able to deal with the situation in the future. Haitis gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital. The surge in killings, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups. Compounding the gang warfare is the countrys political crisis: Haiti was stripped of all democratically elected institutions when the terms of the countrys remaining 10 senators expired in early January. Welcoming Kenyas offer, Haitis Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus said: Haiti appreciates this expression of African solidarity and looks forward to welcoming Kenyas proposed evaluation mission in the coming weeks. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed Kenyas offer and called on the Security Council to support a non-U.N. multinational operation in Haiti, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Monday. The U.N. chief encouraged U.N. member nations, particularly from the region, to join forces from Kenya in supporting the countrys police, the spokesman said. Guterres said the estimate by the U.N. independent expert for Haiti, William ONeill, that up to 2,000 additional anti-gang police officers are needed is no exaggeration. By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has formally invited China's newly reappointed foreign minister Wang Yi to Washington, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said on Tuesday, after Wang's predecessor was abruptly removed from his post by Beijing. China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang as foreign minister last week, replacing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for more than month -- a mysterious absence after just seven months in the job that has raised questions about transparency. The ministry has only said Qin was off work for unspecified health reasons. The invitation was extended on Monday during a meeting at the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, Director General of the North American and Oceanian Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, Miller said in a press briefing. "In the meeting yesterday, we extended the invitation that had previously been made to foreign minister Qin Gang and made clear that invitation did transfer over," Miller said. He did not say if the Chinese side had accepted the invitation but added that this was Washington's expectation. "We certainly expect that it is something that they would accept and is a trip that we expect to happen, but we have not yet scheduled a date," Miller said. China's Washington embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment when asked about the invitation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Qin on June 18, on the first visit by America's top diplomat to China in five years. The U.S. State Department said then they held "candid, substantive, and constructive" talks, and Blinken invited Qin to Washington to continue discussions. Qin, 57, a former aide to President Xi Jinping and envoy to the United States, took over the ministry in December but has not been seen in public since June 25 when he met visiting diplomats in Beijing. The foreign ministry's brief explanation that this was due to health reasons was later excised from official transcripts. Qin's successor, Wang, 69, was also his predecessor, holding the post from 2013-2022 as ties frayed with rival superpower the United States to a point Beijing described as an all-time low. Blinken subsequently met Wang on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Jakarta in Qin's absence. (Reporting by Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United States has been told that Russia is prepared to return to talks on a deal that had allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, but "we haven't seen any evidence of that yet," the U.S. envoy to the United Nations said on Tuesday. Russia quit the deal on July 17. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that if Russia wants to get its own fertilizer to global markets and make agricultural transactions "they're going to have to return to this deal." "We have seen indications that they might be interested in returning to discussions. So we will wait to see whether that actually happens," she said at a press conference, without giving further details. Moscow has suggested that if its demands to improve its own exports of grain and fertilizer were met it would consider resurrecting the Black Sea agreement, brokered in July 2022 by the U.N. and Turkey to help ease a global food crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia's grain and fertilizer exports are not subject to Western sanctions but Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have been a barrier to shipments. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met a week ago with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin - who led Moscow's negotiations to agree the Black Sea deal - on the sidelines of a U.N. food systems summit in Rome. "Had there been a breakthrough, I think it would have been shared with you," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday. After withdrawing from the Black Sea pact Russia began targeting Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure on the Black Sea and Danube River and global grain prices spiked. Russia has also threatened to target Ukraine-bound civilian vessels, prompting Kyiv to responded by announcing similar measures against vessels bound for Russia or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Nearly 33 million tonnes of Ukraine grain was exported under the Black Sea deal. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters. "The Secretary-General is continuing his efforts to find a path forward to bring the Russians back into the deal," Thomas-Greenfield said, noting that part of the deal was "to provide some support for Russia's fertilizer to get to the market." "If they're not in the deal, that part of the deal is no longer working," she said. The accord allowed for the export of Russian ammonia - a main ingredient in nitrate fertilizer - via a pipeline to the Ukrainian port of Odesa. But the pipeline has lain idle since the start of the war and was then damaged in June. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool) Future hall of fame pitcher Max Scherzer is back where he began his professional career. Scherzer is set to make his debut for Texas on Thursday after the New York Mets traded Scherzer, 39, to the Texas Rangers for prospect Luisangel Acuna. And it wont be the first time he pitches for a team in Tarrant County. After the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Scherzer with the No. 11 pick in the 2006 MLB draft, the two parties could not agree on a contract. Scherzer, then 22 and from Missouri, skipped summer minor league and spring training, and signed with the now defunct Fort Worth Cats independent league team in spring 2007. Fort Worth Cats pitcher Max Scherzer is expected to lead the team this season with his pitching. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tom Pennington) Scherzer pitched three games for the Cats in April and May, striking out 25 and allowing just one earned run in 16 innings. With the signing deadline looming, scouts packed Cats games behind home plate, radar gun in tow, to watch the top prospect touch 98 mph on his fastball in case he re-entered the MLB draft. Major league scouts use radar guns to clock the pitches of Fort Worth Cats Max Scherzer during third inning of Saturdays, May 12, 2007, second game of a double header against Shreveport. Scherzer may be the first pick in the draft in June. Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Haynes NOTE Scouts refused to give their names. Major league scouts use radar guns to clock the throws of Fort Worth Cat pitcher Max Scherzer during second inning of Saturdays, May 12, 2007, second game of a double header against Shreveport. Scherzer may be the first pick in the draft in June. Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Haynes Almost a year after being drafted, and 12 days after his last start with the Cats, Scherzer agreed to a four-year $4.3 million contract with the Diamondbacks, and made his debut for the big league team less than a year later. He went to pitch for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. He is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 107.2 innings this season. Scherzer, an eight-time All-Star and winner of three Cy Youngs, has pitched two no-hitters and won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019. Before he became one of the best pitchers of the past decade, he showed what he could become with the Cats 16 years ago. Fort Worth Cats pitcber Max Scherzer pitches towards home plate during the first inning of Saturdays, May 12, 2007, second game of a double header against Shreveport. Scherzer may be the first pick in the draft in June. Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Haynes Fort Worth Cats pitcber Max Scherzer throws a strike to Shreveports Alex Entrekin during the fourth inning of Saturdays, May 12, 2007, second game of a double header. Scherzer may be the first pick in the draft in June. Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Haynes WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris says she won't be debating slavery with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Speaking at a African Methodist Episcopal convention in Orlando, Harris rejected DeSantis' invitation to participate in a conversation about the state's Black history guidelines. "I'm here in Florida, and I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact. There were no redeeming qualities of slavery," Harris said Tuesday afternoon. Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at the 20th Quadrennial Convention of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. The gathering at the Orange County Convention Center is hosting 3,000 delegates from 39 countries. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) ORG XMIT: FLORL205 DeSantis challenged Harris on Monday to come to Florida and have a discussion with him about the curriculum, which she had derided as "propaganda" and "lies" over an assertion that slaves benefitted from skills they developed in captivity. He invited her to meet him in Tallahassee, the state's capital, as early as Wednesday of this week, in a letter that blasted the Biden administration and accused the vice president of attempting to "score cheap political points." The Florida governor, who is also seeking the GOP nomination for the presidency, said in the Monday letter that his office posted on social media that Biden officials had "repeatedly disparaged our state and misinformed Americans" about the state's Black history standards. "One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History," he said. "But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents extremists. Its past time to set the record straight." DeSantis' letter also took jab at her over the situation at the southern border and taunted her over a last-minute trip she made to Jacksonville last month to speak out against the new standards. Harris was already scheduled to be in Orlando on Tuesday to deliver remarks at an AME convention. "Right here in Florida, they plan to teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates," she said in her remarks. "And now they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates, with a proposal that most recently came in, of a politically motivated roundtable." After the state released new curriculum that advised instruction on "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit," Harris went to Florida and decried "extremist so-called leaders" who "dare to push propaganda to our children." Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves to guests during a campaign event, Monday, July 31, 2023, in Rochester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) ORG XMIT: NHCK104 "Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother," she said. To suggest that "there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization" is false and misleading," the vice president said. "And it is pushing propaganda." DeSantis defended the standards at a news conference, where he said he wasn't involved in their creation and directed questions to the state's education department. Theyre probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life," he said. Black Republicans including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is competing against DeSantis in the GOP presidential contest, have criticized the Florida governor for his comments and called on him to clarify his position. "Nothing about that 400 years of evil was a 'net benefit' to my ancestors," GOP Rep. John James of Michigan told DeSantis is a social media post. In the Monday letter daring Harris to meet him in Florida, DeSantis said he would bring William Allen, an academic who helped write the curriculum, with him to the meeting and told Harris she could invite American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, or someone else who shares her views, to present the other side. In a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday morning, Weingarten hit back at DeSantis, invoking his campaign struggles. "Is this debate schtick a new tactic for flailing presidential campaigns? I didnt debate Mike Pompeo and I certainly won't debate Ron DeSantis over whether slavery had 'benefits,' the labor leader said. "That debate was settled by Lincolnand DeSantis's side lost." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris rejects DeSantis' invitation to debate Black history standards Voters in the Lowcountry have the chance to select a new state Senator following a Charleston Democrats departure to the White House. Four candidates, including three Democrats and one Republican, are vying for a seat recently vacated by former state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, who left the upper chamber in May to join the Biden administration more than a year before the end of his term. A special election Nov. 7 will decide whether a human rights activist or one of three existing lawmakers will succeed Kimpson. But first, Democratic state Reps. Wendell Gilliard, JA Moore and Deon Tedder will have to face off in a Sept. 5 primary. The primary winner will face Republican Rosa Kay in the Nov. 7 election. The district leans heavily blue and has long been represented by a Democrat in the Senate. Charleston County Democratic Party Chair Sam Skardon said he has confidence in all three Democratic candidates but said its important that whoever wins continue to be the voice in Columbia for Charleston Democrats a role he says Kimpson performed well since first being elected in 2013. We (as Democrats) are a majority of Charleston County and the Charleston metro area, and yet, gerrymandering has really reduced us to this one voice in the state Senate, Skardon said. So, we need it to be a strong and powerful voice for our values, and Sen. Kimpson has been that. Skardon noted that while state Sen. Margie Matthews, D-Colleton, also offers Charleston Democrats a voice, her district is mostly rural outside of the Charleston metro area. Heres a profile of the candidates. Wendell Gilliard Gilliard, 69, is a public relations consultant and was first elected to the South Carolina House in 2009, marking him as the longest-serving legislator among the three Democratic candidates bidding for Kimpsons now-vacant seat. S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard spoke to reporters on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, after the passage of H. 3014, a hate crimes measure hes sponsored for several years. Born in Charleston, Gilliard is a life-long resident of the area. He attended Devry School of Technology and spent many years working as a labor union organizer before serving as a Charleston City Council member for more than 10 years. Gilliard said, if elected, he will fundamentally focus on issues involving economics, including an initiative that would significantly raise the starting pay for teachers to $70,000. That would stop the great exodus in South Carolina as it pertains to school teachers, Gilliard said. I want people to understand that we can only improve the social aspect (of a political issue) by grabbing the bull by the horns from an economic perspective. To that end, Gilliard said it was his motivation to help the economically disadvantaged, such as the homeless, that led him to first run for public office more than 20 years ago. Gilliard said his nearly 14 years of State House experience is what makes him best qualified for the Senate job. Gilliard is known for spearheading several pieces of hate crime legislation following the 2015 shooting deaths of Walter Scott in North Charleston and nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Although Gilliard has been successful in getting the measure past the House twice, it was rejected in the Senate. But Gilliard said hes confident that if elected to the Senate, hell be successful in helping his hate crimes bill finally clear the upper chamber. Gilliards campaign has raised $2,000 in contributions with $0 in expenditures. JA Moore Moore, 38, is a chef and business owner, and have served in the House since 2018, representing parts of North Charleston and Goose Greek. State Rep. JA Moore, D-Charleston, is one of three lawmakers in the S.C. House running for Senate District 42. He was born in Orangeburg and earned a culinary arts degree from Johnson and Wales University. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant service industries, Moore said hes been a community servant his entire life a role he says hes embraced in the House and wishes to expand upon if elected to the Senate. The work that Ive done both as an elected official, and as an active community participant is what qualifies me for the Senate, Moore said. Moore pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic in highlighting one way hes consistently served his community. Ive traveled throughout Charleston County, feeding workers, hospitality workers, hospital workers, people, folks that work at gas stations, teachers, all over Charleston County, quite frankly, all over the state during the pandemic, Moore said. Moore said his decision to run for the House in 2018 was spurred by the tragic death of his sister, Myra Thompson, who was one of nine churchgoers massacred at Emmanuel AME Church in 2015. Since his time in the House, said he has advocated for clean water, economic development and affordable housing and was successful in passing legislation that brings more awareness to mental health and health education. So far, Moores campaign has $86,227.00, $40,000 of which consists of a personal loan. He hasnt spent any money, according to campaign finance reports. Deon Tedder Tedder, 33, is a trial lawyer who has served in the House since 2021, representing North Charleston. Rep. Deon Tedder gives a thumbs up to guests in the gallery during a House of Representatives session in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA) He was born in neighboring North Carolina and is a graduate of South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina School of Law. Among other things, Tedder says he wants to help attract more jobs and economic opportunity to the Charleston area, and a with a seat in the Senate, hed be in a better position to do just that. He said because of his success in passing legislation creating a Historically Black Colleges and Universities day, more college students of color have been afforded internship opportunities in the House and Senate. I feel that I can get more accomplished in the state Senate, particularly because of the rules that the Senate has in comparison to those in the House, Tedder said. And in light of the numbers, 120 members in the House and 46 Senators, I can be more effective in the Senate. As of July, Tedder has raked in $83,480 in campaign contributions. Having spent $12,269.10, hes left with a little more than $71,000 in the bank, according to campaign finance reports. Although Tedder has spent the least amount of time in the House compared to his Democratic opponents in the race, he said time doesnt equate to experience. I dont think that the longer youre in the Legislature, the more experience you have, because there are some people who sit idly, he said. Regardless of his time in the House, Tedder said his knowledge as a lawyer qualifies him for the Senate seat above his opponents. As an attorney, I understand the rule of law, Tedder said. A lot of these bills are not simplistic, but I understand how to craft, interpret, understand and explain legislation to other people so that they can understand it. And I think thats important to have in the Legislature. Rosa Kay Kay, 30, is an unemployed human rights activist who migrated to the United States from war-torn Sierra Leone in 2017. Rosa Kay is the sole Republican vying for the 42nd Senate District seat. She graduated with a bachelors degree from the University of Makeni in West Africa before beginning law school at the Charleston School of Law. Notably, Kay claims she was recently dismissed from the law school unjustly and forced to spend a week in a psychiatric hospital because of her work in activism surrounding a Black law student organization at the school. Now, not only is she suing the Charleston School of Law for its alleged treatment of her, but she also is aiming to have a voice in the states upper chamber. I had always wanted to act and maybe go into politics if the need arose, and now it has Kay said. Its all about human rights, and if Im elected, thats what Im going to focus on. Unlike other candidates vying for Kimpsons seat, Kay expressed little reservation in aggressively challenging her would-be Senate colleagues in the Senate. And yes, Im not just going to be advocating, Kay said. I am going to be one person that will actually sue a fellow senator, or fellow political candidate, if I find that they are exploiting our people. Campaign finance records do not reflect any filings by Kay. Candidates are required to file an initial report within 10 days of receiving or spending $500, under state law. Members of the South Carolina state Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. The Charleston County Democratic Party will hold a special election candidate forum Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for voters to interact with the three Democratic candidates before the primary, according to Skardon. The exact location has yet to be determined. More information can be found on the Charleston County Democratic Partys website. Reprieve from high humidity is almost over in the Northeast, for now Conditions more typical of September swept into the Northeast at the tail end of July, but the clock is ticking on the dry and cool weather pattern, AccuWeather meteorologists say. A familiar regime of downpours and flash flooding may soon return. Cooler and less humid air swept into the Northeast over the weekend and showed some staying power following the first official heat wave for cities such as Dover, Delaware, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Multiple days with highs in the upper 80s to the middle 90s F were replaced with temperatures and humidity levels more typical of the middle of September. Temperatures dipped into the mid-30s in New York's Adirondack Mountains Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and millions in the Interstate 95 cities experienced start-of-the-day temperatures in the 60s and just a few degrees above record lows for the dates. The pattern will remain rain-free into Thursday morning which will allow the ground to dry out following the onslaught of downpours during much of July. "Humidity levels will slowly begin to creep back upward on Thursday and Thursday night," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said. "It will likely take until Thursday night or Friday for conditions to really feel sticky again." The return of higher humidity will not be anything out of the ordinary for the middle of summer, Dombek said. However, the uptick will mark another change in the weather pattern. "As the air moistens, spotty showers and thunderstorms will begin to pop up on Thursday afternoon with more numerous downpours occurring Thursday night and Friday," Dombek said. Areas most likely to experience a shower or thunderstorm Thursday afternoon will be over the central Appalachians and the northern tier of New York and New England. Downpours and storms are most likely along I-95 late Thursday night or Friday. Following a few locally severe thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon in portions of northeastern New York and Vermont, severe weather may be a bit more extensive in parts of the Northeast on Friday. Some of the storms may pack wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph, along with frequent lightning strikes. "The likelihood for drenching downpours will return with the late-week system," Dombek said, "That may lead to some localized flooding issues, mostly in urban and poor drainage areas." One difference with the late-week rain as opposed to bouts of rain in recent weeks is that the ground will have had four to six days of rain-free weather to dry out. While the sun is not as intense as that of late June or early July, its effect can evaporate approximately 0.25 of an inch of moisture from the topsoil on a daily basis. "The current dry stretch can make a big difference in the scope of the amount of runoff and flash flooding late this week," Dombek said. "Because of the extended dry period beforehand, there should not be widespread small stream flooding." The bulk of the rain will focus on New England and the mid-Atlantic coast from Thursday night to Friday. Some travel delays are likely Friday throughout the Interstate 95 Northeast corridor from Philadelphia to New York City and Boston. The late-week storm will be a quick-moving system with rain and clouds departing the Northeast by Saturday, setting the stage for a dry weekend across much of the region. This weekend, temperatures and humidity levels will dip to early-week levels once again, which is good news for folks attending ballgames, barbecues or any other outdoor events scheduled for Saturday or Sunday. Beyond this weekend, there are signs that the pattern may revert back to one that favors rain more often, Dombek said. Because the jet stream might not have as much of a southward dip next week compared to most of July, it may allow storm systems with showers and thunderstorms to continue to move along. However, that can bring brief bouts of heavy rain every other day on average instead of on a daily basis like in recent weeks. In some cases, such as on Monday, an uptick in severe thunderstorms is likely. Temperatures are likely to trend somewhat higher next week but are not likely to hover at high levels like the end of July. Highs will be mainly in the 80s with nighttime lows in the 60s to the low 70s. Humidity levels are likely to fluctuate from one day to the next and are unlikely to stay high for very long. 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. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been a familiar face and voice on Fox News, right-wing talk radio and elsewhere in the conservative media ecosystem since first being elected to the Senate more than a decade ago. But these days, Cruz is getting a boost in raising his profile through a media product of his own making. The Republican lawmaker hosts a now thrice-weekly podcast that has grown in popularity since its first episode published during former President Trumps first impeachment trial. Over the last three years, Verdict has helped Cruz amass a following of millions of listeners each month, all while promoting frequent GOP talking points, blasting his political enemies and keeping the senators name in the headlines. Im not interested in being a pundit, the Republican senator told The Hill during an interview this week. But part of fighting successfully is communicating and explaining what the issues are that matter. So, I view the podcast as fulfilling one of the really important responsibilities of representing Texans. Verdict became a quick success in terms of listenership during Trumps first impeachment drama, quickly climbing podcasting leaderboards, with Politico noting at the time it beat out The Daily from The New York Times and Joe Rogans popular talk show on iTunes. Today, it ranks among the top podcasts in the politics category and among the top 25 among all news podcasts, according to podcast tracking website PodBay. This month alone, Verdict has raked in 2 million downloads, including more than a million unique listeners, Cruz said. The Republican argues that his show, which often features lengthy discussions on constitutional law and politics, has seen success because of what he described as the failings of the mainstream media in acknowledging topics important to conservatives. Much of the corporate media does not provide in-depth coverage of what is going on, Cruz contends. The reason why people faithfully listen three times a week is because when theyre done theyve learned something far better than what theyre able to get from the vast majority of media sources. Started initially as an explanatory program laying out and poking holes in the impeachment charges against Trump, Cruz now uses each episode of Verdict to pontificate about everything from President Bidens family to foreign policy issues and other news of the day. During one recent episode, Cruz explained for his audience the legalese around Hunter Bidens plea deal, which fell apart in a Delaware courtroom last week after the presidents son was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay income taxes as part of a deal announced last month with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Its a plea deal that is designed to be a slap on the wrist, so Hunter serves no jail time whatsoever, and that its real purpose as weve discussed is to protect Joe Biden from any exposure to Hunters influence-selling and corruptions, the GOP senator said during the episode. Cruz, a second-term senator who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for president against Trump in 2016, fashions himself as a media-savvy national political operative one who is mindful of audience demographics on each platform he appears on. If Im walking through an airport and a woman in her 70s comes up and says, Hey I loved you on TV, you know many of the demographic that are watching TV interviews are of an older generation, the senator said. On the other hand, if Ive got another guy with a ponytail and tattoos comes up and says, Hey, I love what youre doing, I know what the next words hes going to say. Hes going to mention the podcast. Other high-profile lawmakers have also dipped their toes in the podcasting arena. Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) are regulars on former Trump adviser Steve Bannons War Room podcast. Other up-and-coming lawmakers have used social media to boost their brand, such as freshman Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.), who has mobilized an aggressive campaign on TikTok to reach voters, and progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who has made news with opinions given while speaking on Instagram Live. Cruz, likewise, makes it clear his goal with his podcast is to drive the news cycle as much as he can. Its a way of raising issues and advancing issues that matter to Texans, he told The Hill. Cruzs podcasting venture has been met with some criticism, including over the ethics of a sitting U.S. senator operating a talk show. The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics after he reached a syndication agreement with iHeartMedia, one of the largest providers of audio content in the country, contending the deal violated Senate rules on accepting gifts from lobbyists. iHeartMedia is a registered lobbyist, according to OpenSecrets. Cruz has said he receives no financial benefit from his podcast. Its no surprise Democrats and their allies in the corrupt corporate media take issue with Sen. Cruzs chart-topping podcast it allows him to circumvent the media gatekeepers and speak directly to the American people about what is really happening in Washington, a Cruz spokesman told the Austin American-Statesman at the time. Sen. Cruz receives no financial benefit from Verdict. There is no difference between Sen. Cruz appearing on a network television show, a cable news show, or a podcast airing on iHeartMedia. While Cruz, who is up for reelection in 2024, still sees some value in traditional cable news hits and radio appearances, he says the show he puts on himself allows for extra flexibility in pushing his agenda. Lets say youre doing a TV interview and its six or eight minutes. That can be valuable if you reach a lot of people, he said. But in six or eight minutes, you cant engage in a whole lot of substance. You can have a few talking points, you can have kind of a clever one-liner, but its difficult to have really detailed analysis in a short TV or radio interview. The podcast format, Ive really grown to like. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Brad Brooks (Reuters) - Lawyers for suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday asked the state Senate to dismiss all but one of the articles of impeachment against him. In two motions filed before the Texas Senate's court of impeachment, Paxton's attorneys argued that 19 of the 20 articles of impeachment are based on allegations of wrongdoing that took place before he began his third term in office in January. Paxton's attorneys argue that Senate rules do not allow for the removal of public officials over acts that took place before their current term in office. All 31 members of the Texas Senate make up the court of impeachment. It was not immediately known when the senators would vote on Paxton's motions. His impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5. Texas' Republican-dominated House in May voted to impeach Paxton, a conservative firebrand backed by former President Donald Trump. The accusations he faces include improperly aiding a wealthy political donor, conducting a sham investigation against whistleblowers in his office whom he fired, and covering up his wrongdoing in a separate federal securities fraud case against him. The lone article Paxton's lawyers did not ask be dismissed involved accusations that he concealed acts of wrongdoing in connection to his settlement of a whistleblower lawsuit in February. Paxton, 60, this year asked House lawmakers to approve the state payment of the $3.3 million settlement reached with the whistleblowers, all four of who are former staff members. That budget request is what triggered Paxton's impeachment by the House. Paxton's legal team wrote in the motions that the articles of impeachment "allege nothing that Texas voters have not heard from the Attorney General's political opponents for years" and yet he still easily won re-election. Removing him from office, they argue, would thwart voters' will. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who will preside over the trial as president of the Senate, has imposed a gag order on Paxton's attorneys and on the House managers who will prosecute the case before the Senate. Paxton has been temporarily suspended from office pending his impeachment trial. Texas Governor Greg Abbott this month appointed his longtime aide Angela Colmenero to serve as interim attorney general. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas. Editing by Gerry Doyle) On Saturday, 29 July the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), celebrated their 10th anniversary with a mass rally of 100 000 supporters at Johannesburgs FNB stadium. This was an impressive turnout, which shows the partys mass appeal particularly with the active layers of the youth. The rally was the culmination of various activities over the week, including a ceremony in Marikana on 26 July, which is the partys actual founding day. In his address, EFF president Julius Malema said that the Marikana massacre of 16 August 2012, in which police opened fire on striking mine workers, killing 34 and wounding 78, played a decisive role in the formation of the party. An organisational success The rally on Saturday was a major success from an organisational standpoint. The majority of the 100,000 attendees came from Gauteng province, which hosted the event, but party members and supporters came from all of the countrys provinces and regions to celebrate, and also to listen to the leaderships perspectives for the coming period. The crisis of capitalism has affected South African society deeply over the last period. Its economy is still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19, compounded by the fallout of the war in Ukraine. Then there is the electricity crisis, which flows from the corruption and greed of the capitalist class, as a whole as well as the rising cost of living. The crisis of capitalism is especially acute in South Africa. It is the vast majority of poor and working-class people who suffer the worst effects of this crisis: mass unemployment, a lack of decent housing, inadequate education, landlessness, and rapidly falling living standards. The root cause of this situation lies in the capitalist system, which is unable to grant even the smallest concessions to the workers and poor. The rally on Saturday was a major success from an organisational standpoint / Image: Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Twitter The crisis in the economy is having a catastrophic impact on living standards. Working-class people are now worse off than they were 10 years ago. Real unemployment stands at 10.2 million people. To this must be added the millions of jobs lost during the lockdown. Precarious workers have been devastated, with 3 million having lost their jobs overnight. Youth unemployment is the highest in the world. Unemployment levels for young people aged between 15 to 24 stands at 59 percent. More than 8 million of the countrys 20.5 million young people neither have a job, nor are they in education or training. A whole generation has now grown up with this as their reality. It was particularly these radicalised youths which flocked to the stadium to listen to perspectives of the EFF leaderships views on these issues. Malemas speech In a wide ranging speech Malema praised supporters for defying sceptics who had given the organisation little chance of survival 10 years ago. He called out the corporate mass media in particular, pointing out, They said we would never achieve 1 percent of the vote. They said our organisation was formed out of anger and will never last. Today, he continued, I look at them walking inside the stadium what a walk of shame! You disappointed them! You proved them wrong! Over the last decade the EFF had grown to one million members, Malema told supporters. Certainly, many thousands of committed activists would have been required to prepare the logistics, transport etc. for such a huge event and make it a success, which clearly cements the EFFs status as a genuine mass movement. In his speech, Malema paid tribute to the mine workers killed by police in Marikana: "To the widows of Marikana, who must today know that the sacrifices made by their husbands, sons and brothers of the 16th August 2012 massacre, were not in vain. He added: We are standing here, turning 10 years old in front of the country, the continent, and the world because of those brave mineworkers, who defied the greed and the violence of capitalism and the state. Malema also paid tribute to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, the July 26th movement and the Cuban people whom he credited for inspiring the formation of the EFF: While Cuba guided the idea of our organisation, Marikana gave birth to this revolutionary movement. Over the last decade the EFF had grown to one million members, Malema told supporters / Image: IG Jaguar kaMnquma, Twitter He launched a scathing attack on the ANC which he said killed the workers in defence of capital, explaining further that the former liberation movement has betrayed the struggle for the land and the economy that our ancestors fought and died for. Malema went on to outline the key demands of the EFFs programme for economic freedom in our lifetime: Let us nationalise mines. Let us nationalise banks. We need housing, education, and jobs. We must grow the African economy. Further, Malema highlighted the electricity crisis, explaining that corruption was rife in the country and the party planned to deal with it decisively once it got into power after the 2024 general elections. Faultlines and contradictions The 10-year celebration is a milestone for the party, which has grown to become the third-biggest party in parliament. Malema and the top 6 leadership of the EFF have made no secret of their goal to come to power in the upcoming elections in 2024. In this context the rally on Saturday was as much the launch of a campaign as the celebration of past achievements. The idea that the EFF might come within reach of the government is not completely fanciful either. The ANC is currently polling below 50 percent, and for the first time since the first democratic elections in 1994, the ANC faces the genuine prospect of winning fewer than half of the votes cast. In such a situation, the EFF could be thrust into the position of kingmaker, particularly if it overtakes the Democratic Alliance (DA) into second place. However, Saturdays event also highlighted the contradictions and faultlines, which will only become more apparent with coming events, especially if the EFF comes close to power. Apart from the event in Marikana and the rally at the FNB stadium, the party also hosted a gala dinner at the glamorous Emperors Palace venue in Johannesburg on Thursday night, which was attended by wealthy businessmen and affluent people who had paid anything between R250,000 and R1,200,000 each to sit at the table of the leadership of the EFF. One can only imagine what such business leaders would like to discuss with them, having paid such a princely sum. In addition, the party hosted a breakfast meeting on Friday, which was attended by eminent dignitaries and diplomats at the 5-star Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria. Evidently the party wants to present itself as a government in waiting to the international community, but this highlights an important question at the heart of the EFF as a movement: Should it be reaching out to the capitalist nation states of Africa and the world, or to the world working class? These are not insignificant points, but rather reflect the class contradictions and faultlines and within the organisation. These class contradictions have already expressed themselves in other ways. After the local election in 2016, the ruling ANC for the first time lost its majority in three key metropolitan areas: Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay. The EFF used its deciding vote in these areas to form an informal coalition with the Democratic Alliance, an all-out capitalist party formed out of the liberal wing of the apartheid state, to get the ANC out. Although this arrangement eventually collapsed, it set a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2024 national elections. At the rally, Malema raised the goal of winning a majority and taking power without the need for any coalition, but no one considers this likely, even in the EFF. Instead, Malema has explained at other events that his number one priority is to kick the ANC out of power, even if that means entering into an agreement with right-wing parties like the DA and the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party. If the EFF repeats the mistake of working with the class enemy like the DA, and other bourgeois parties on a national level, not only would it represent a fundamental departure from its stated aim of economic liberation for the oppressed people of South Africa, it could also cause a serious crisis within the party itself. Ultimately, the EFF cannot serve both South African workers and South African bosses, whether they are black or white. Pan-Africanism or socialism? The class struggle is intensifying in South Africa and what is important for left-wing and working class organisations is to move in the same direction as the revolutionary youth and workers which make up the base. The emergence of forces to the left of the ANC, like the EFF, is a clear manifestation of the radicalisation taking place in South African society. The emergence of forces to the left of the ANC, like the EFF, is a clear manifestation of the radicalisation taking place in South African society / Image: EFF, Twitter No other opposition party in the last two decades has made such a sudden and dramatic entrance onto the political arena as the EFF. But the emergence of the EFF has also shown its contradictions.The EFF describes itself as a radical, leftist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement with an internationalist outlook anchored by popular grassroots formations and struggle. It also states that it draws inspiration from the broad Marxist-Leninist tradition and Fanonian schools of thought as well as Pan Africanism. However, Pan-Africanism rests on different class forces than Marxism, which bases itself firmly and uncompromisingly on the working class and its class viewpoint. The struggle for economic freedom can ultimately only be a struggle to overthrow capitalism, which is fundamentally incompatible with the interests of the African bourgeoisie. Millions of South African workers have already drawn the conclusion that formal democracy is not enough, and that it is necessary to struggle for economic emancipation, full employment, free housing, healthcare and education. But still the majority do not believe the EFF will deliver this, despite these demands being included in its seven non-negotiable pillars. Many will rightly be asking, how will the EFF pay for all of these things whilst helping South African business at the same time? The truth is that it cannot. In fact, in every country governments are attacking the workers on all fronts in order to defend capital. Likewise, the liberation of the African continent from the shackles of imperialism cannot be achieved on the basis of the existing capitalist nation states throughout Africa, which oppress their workers and constantly jostle for power and influence over one another. It is not enough to call for peace. The only road to the real liberation of Africa is through the overthrow of all of these states by the working class, and the democratic planning of the economy on a socialist basis. The raising of both socialism and Pan-Africanism by the EFFs leadership highlights the underlying contradictions in the party. This is a fault line running throughout the organisation, between a large layer of party activists who seek to overthrow capitalism, and a nationalist wing of the party, which aims only at reforms which elevate the status of the weak black bourgeoisie in South Africa. If no one is able to present a clear, socialist solution to the crisis in South Africa, which is inseparable from the capitalist system, the struggle of the oppressed for freedom will reach a dead end. In those conditions, nationalism would likely play a poisonous, reactionary role. The potential for this was clearly shown with the scenes of xenophobic violence where poor black South Africans turned on many poor black people mainly from other African countries, killing many. These heinous acts can be directly attributed to the social conditions experienced by many of the poor. It is also a direct result of the failure of mass organisations of the working class to offer a socialist alternative. The direct consequence was that many saw the source of their plight in the nationality of many foreigners who were also eking out a living on the streets. The EFF has correctly come out against these attacks but its position on African nationalism effectively ensnares itself in ideological confusion, which will eventually be expressed in practice during the course of the struggle itself. Socialists must be unequivocally opposed to anything which divides the working class / Image: Afrika Thabiso, Twitter Socialists must be unequivocally opposed to anything which divides the working class. It is true that black South Africans have had to bear the brunt of brutal racial oppression. It is equally true that many black people face racial discrimination to this very day, which must be fought in all its forms. But it is important to understand that all forms of oppression, be it racial, gender or national oppression, has its origins in the division of society into classes. The only way to begin to solve these problems is to change their material roots, unite the working class and fight for socialism. Socialism is internationalist by its very nature. There cannot be any notion of an African road to socialism, separate from the struggle for socialism on all other continents, including Europe and North America. This is because the capitalist system developed as a worldwide system. Moreover, this has been completely confirmed by what has happened over the last three decades of rule under the ANC. Over the last period some of the most brutal exploitation of the black working class has been happening precisely at the hands of black capitalists such as Cyril Ramaphosa. In fact, Ramaphosa has more shared interests with white and foreign capitalists than he has with black South African workers, as was so tragically but clearly revealed in Marikana in 2012. The workers of South Africa have more in common with the workers of other countries than they have with black capitalists. Our aim should not be to create black industrialists, but to overthrow the rule of the capitalists altogether black and white. That the EFF has succeeded in rallying so many people around the goal for total economic emancipation is something that all socialists should welcome. But we must have no illusions: The only way to achieve economic freedom is to unite the workers of the world under the banner of solidarity and socialism. Former President Trumps dominance of the GOP field was underscored by a new poll released Monday. The New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump leading his closest rival for the nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by a massive 37 points. In the poll, Trump drew 54 percent support and DeSantis 17 percent. No other candidate registered higher than 3 percent support. The poll was far from an outlier. Trump has maintained a lead of roughly 30 points over DeSantis in national polling averages for some time. There is no convincing evidence that any other contender is acquiring real momentum. Given that Trump is showing such strength even while he has been indicted in two criminal cases, the question arises as to whether he is all but inevitable as the GOP nominee. Here are the main arguments for and against that idea. Trump is the inevitable nominee because His support looks rock-solid Trumps biggest political asset has been clear for years. His base voters are avid in their support and near-impervious to any negative information about him. Its more than seven years since then-candidate Trump told a crowd in Iowa, I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldnt lose any voters, OK? Today, he stands accused of obstruction of justice and a series of other serious offenses in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. He is also charged with falsifying business records in a separate New York case. Among Republicans, it hasnt mattered. In the New York Times poll, 71 percent of potential Republican primary voters said the GOP needed to stand behind Trump amid his charges, whereas only 22 percent argued there was no obligation to do so. The exact same share 71 percent asserted that Trump was innocent of any serious federal crimes. A general election would be a very different matter. But, within the GOP, there is every reason to think Trump has a lock on enough voters to carry him to the nomination. His main rival is doing very poorly DeSantiss weakness has been a bigger surprise than Trumps strength so far. The Florida governor launched his campaign May 24 with a Twitter Spaces event marred by technical glitches. It was a sign of things to come. DeSantiss poll ratings have eroded over the two months-plus of his campaign to date. The national polling average maintained by data site FiveThirtyEight showed him drawing roughly 21 percent support on the day of his launch. He is now at roughly 16 percent. The polling slide has been accompanied by broader campaign troubles. A recent series of staffing cuts has reduced his team by about one-third. DeSantiss backers publicly evince confidence that they are building a campaign for the long haul and that it will all come right in the end. The governor laid out an economic agenda in a New Hampshire speech Monday. But as of today, DeSantis has seriously underperformed. Thats very good news for Trump. GOP voters dont buy the argument that Trump is unelectable Trump-skeptical GOP insiders coalesce around one central argument that the former president would be a weak general election candidate, likely losing a winnable election. As evidence they cite the 2020 election, when Trump lost the popular vote by more than 7 million votes to President Biden; his false claims of election fraud and the way they fueled the Capitol Riot of Jan. 6, 2021; his many legal challenges; and his low poll ratings among the general public. In an Economist/YouGov poll released last week, Trump was seen favorably by 40 percent of the general public, and unfavorably by 57 percent. Self-professed independent voters broke against him on that question by almost 2-to-1. But the GOP primary electorate, by and large, just doesnt buy it. They believe Trump can defy the polls and pundits again, just as he did when defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. The New York Times poll asked Republican voters whether Trump or DeSantis was better able to beat Joe Biden. Fifty-eight percent went for Trump compared to 28 percent for DeSantis. Unless those figures change drastically, its tough to see how Trump loses the nomination battle. Trump is not the inevitable nominee because. The campaign has barely begun Todays intense media coverage of every step of every campaign tends to lead to sweeping predications. Many of those forecasts might seem premature. The Iowa caucuses are more than five months away an eternity in politics. The Republican National Convention, at which the nominee will be formally crowned, is almost a year away. For the moment, Trump likely accrues some benefit from his near-universal name recognition. In another Economist/YouGov poll earlier this month, the proportion of Republicans who said they didnt know enough to express an opinion of a particular candidate stood at 9 percent for DeSantis, 21 percent for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and 27 percent for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. That gives those candidates room to grow, at least in theory, in a way that isnt true for Trump. Trumps rivals could also hold out hope of game-changing moments during debate season, which is soon to begin. The first clash is set for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Early polls are misleading Trumps rivals emphasize that predictions based on early polls in previous years were wrong. Thats true sort of. But its not quite so hard-and-fast a rule as the Trump skeptics claim. In fact, in two of the last three contested Republican presidential primaries, the eventual winner was already leading the RealClearPolitics average at this point. Trump had just burst into the lead in 2016, never to surrender it; and in 2012, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had already established a lead, which he would lose and regain. Romney is now a senator representing Utah. The sole exception came in 2008, when Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) was in third place and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was leading the field. McCain went on to claim the nomination and Giulianis campaign sputtered into oblivion. Its not just a matter of polls. Campaigns can sometimes shift on a dime, as happened for the Democrats in 2020. Then, Biden looked like a busted flush after trailing in fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire. A win in South Carolina and a collective quiver of fear among moderate Democrats over the possibility of nominating Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delivered the nomination to Biden. Trumps legal problems are getting worse Even if Trumps support has remained solid so far, it may not be destined to remain so. What happens when the GOP has to focus fully on whether to nominate a candidate who could be convicted of serious offenses by the time Election Day rolls around? Trumps trial in the Mar-a-Lago matter has been set for May 20 next year. Then there is the likelihood of Trumps other troubles deepening. An indictment is widely expected soon over Jan. 6. Trump himself wrote on Truth Social on Monday that he expected an indictment any day now. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) is wrapping up her probe into attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results in that state. Decisions on charges are expected in the next few weeks. Every one of those cases, regardless of the verdicts, will put unflattering details of Trumps behavior back in the spotlight and could, perhaps, give some Republican voters second thoughts about nominating him. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A cargo ship carrying thousands of cars that has been burning on the North Sea for nearly a week was towed Monday to a new location further from the Dutch coast to wait for salvage crews to decide their next steps, the government said. The Fremantle Highway arrived earlier than expected at an anchorage 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland, thanks to favorable currents, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said. A salvage team is planning to board the burning vessel as soon as possible to carry out an inspection, the ministry added. The freight ship, the Fremantle Highway, in the North Sea, Sunday July 30, 2023. Salvage crews began towing a burning cargo ship loaded with thousands of new cars to a temporary anchorage off the northern Dutch coast on Sunday after smoke from the stricken vessel eased, authorities said. (Kustwacht Nederland/Coast Guard Netherlands via AP) Cruise passenger goes overboard: Royal Caribbean cruise passenger goes overboard in Singapore Strait Ship carrying nearly 4,000 vehicles The ship carrying 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric vehicles, from Germany's Bremerhaven to Singapore has been burning since Tuesday. Firefighters decided not to douse the flames with water for fear of making the nearly 200-meter (656-foot) ship unstable as it floats close to North Sea shipping lanes and a world-renowned migratory bird habitat. A photo posted online by the Dutch ministry Monday showed almost no smoke emerging from the ship. The ministry said smoke was minimal as it was towed. It remains unclear where the Fremantle Highway will be towed next. The final port is not yet known, the ministry said. It depends in part on the situation on board the cargo ship, the expected weather conditions and an available port with the right facilities. The cause of the fire is not yet known. One member of the ship's crew died after it broke out and others were injured. The crew was evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday. I tried both: Should you go to the buffet or the main dining room on a cruise? This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cargo ship fire: Tugs tow burning ship in North Sea to new location The owners of Twitter have been accused of trying to "bully" anti-hate campaigners into silence with letters threatening legal action. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) said X Corp accused it of making "troubling and baseless claims" in its reports about the platform. Elon Musk bought the platform last year promising to defend free speech. Imran Ahmed, CCDH chief executive, said Mr Musk's actions were "a brazen attempt to silence honest criticism". Twitter was rebranded as X by Mr Musk just over a week ago. Since Mr Musk took over Twitter, the platform has been accused - including by former employees - of not doing enough to counter hate-speech and misinformation. Conversely, in December Mr Musk tweeted that hate speech was down by a third. On Sunday the platform reinstated Kanye West after an almost eight-month ban for a series of offensive tweets - one of which appeared to show a symbol combining a swastika and the Star of David. In the letter to the CCDH, X Corp lawyer Alex Spiro rejected the campaign group's allegations that Twitter "fails to act on 99%" of hateful messages from accounts with Twitter Blue subscriptions. Mr Spiro criticised the organisation's methodology, writing that "the article is little more than a series of inflammatory, misleading, and unsupported claims based on a cursory review of random tweets." He also alleged that CCDH was supported by funding from "X Corp's commercial competitors, as well as government entities and their affiliates". The letter accused the organisation of attempting to drive away advertisers and said X Corp was considering legal action. The company has lost almost half of its advertising revenue since his $44bn (33.6bn) takeover, Mr Musk revealed in July. In its reply CCDH's lawyer Roberta Kaplan said the allegations in the "ridiculous letter" had no basis in fact but were "a disturbing effort to intimidate those who have the courage to advocate against incitement, hate speech and harmful content online". CCDH says it does not accept funding from social media companies nor government bodies, "both of whom we praise or criticise without fear or favour". British politicians backed CCDH for its work on highlighting hate speech on social media. Damian Collins, a British MP on the UK board of CCDH, said Elon Musk's commitment to free speech didn't seem to apply when his firm was criticised. As a UK board member I'm proud of @ccdhate exposing hate online & challenging tech platforms to enforce their own rules to remove it. Now they face legal threats from @elonmusk - it seems he's pro free speech as long as it's not critical of his companies https://t.co/sRzxaBJVKo Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) July 31, 2023 Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell MP said that CCDH "does vitally important work tackling hate online and calling out platforms which fail to counter dis- and misinformation on their sites". After the company was renamed, X Corp removed the old Twitter sign from its headquarters in San Francisco and replaced it with a new brightly lit and flashing X. However, the company has now been ordered to remove the new sign due to complaints. High-ranking officials at the U.S. Department of State are trying to restore democratic order in Niger, a key U.S. ally on counterterrorism. There may be a "narrow opportunity" to reverse an attempted coup in the West African nation, according to one senior U.S. official. The official told ABC News on Monday that the U.S. does not believe the military general behind the recent events, Col. Maj. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has widespread support among Niger's public. Military leaders in Niger are hesitant to act against Tchiani over fear that any intervention will prompt the Nigerian presidential guard -- led by the general -- to turn on the democratically elected head-of-state, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family, the official said. As Tchiani continues to try to demonstrate control, U.S. officials have not with engaged him out of concern that communicating directly with the general could lend him legitimacy, according to the official. The situation remains wildly fluid, the official said, but the unrest appears to be confined to the area immediately surrounding the presidential palace in Niger's capital of Niamey. PHOTO: Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani makes a statement, July 28, 2023, in Niamey, Niger. (ORTN via AP) Last Wednesday, a group of mutinous soldiers led by Tchiani announced on Nigerian state television that they have "put an end to the regime" of Bazoum due to "the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance." The group, which calls itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, said "all institutions" have been suspended, aerial and land borders have been closed and a curfew has been imposed until the situation is stabilized. "The defense and security forces are managing the situation. All external partners are asked not to interfere," Tchiani, flanked by soldiers, said in the televised statement. MORE: Niger's military announces ousting of President Bazoum in apparent coup Bazoum's apparent ousting marks the seventh attempted coup in West and Central Africa since 2020 and throws into question the future of Niger, a landlocked country that has had four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. Bazoum was elected to office in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful democratic transfer of power. The streets of Niger's capital have erupted in chaos over the past week. Hundreds of people have marched in support of the president while chanting "No coup d'etat." But thousands of others have also come out in support of the junta, waving Russian flags and holding signs that read "Down with France." Protesters have also burned down a door and smashed windows at the French embassy in Niamey before being dispersed by Nigerien soldiers. PHOTO: Nigerien security forces launch tear gas to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey, the capital city of Niger July 30, 2023. (Reuters) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional body comprised of 15 West African countries, announced sanctions against Niger on Sunday and threatened to use force if the coup leaders don't reinstate Bazoum within one week. The African Union and the United Nations have also issued statements condemning the apparent coup. Guinea, a nearby nation that has been under military rule since 2021, issued a statement on Sunday expressing support for Niger's junta and urging ECOWAS to "come to its senses." On Monday, the military-ruled governments of Burkina Faso and Mali, which share borders with Niger, released a joint statement denouncing the ECOWAS sanctions as "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane," refusing to apply them, and also warned that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali." Since the apparent coup, Bazoum is believed to have been held at his residence in Niamey. The first images of Bazoum surfaced on Sunday, showing him smiling and sitting on a couch beside Mahamat Deby, the president of neighboring Chad, who traveled to Niamey to mediate between the Nigerien government and military. Nigerien Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media on Sunday that Bazoum will not resign and "is in high spirits" despite the "seizure of power by force." He also warned that any sanctions imposed on Niger would be a "disaster" for the country. The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, spoke via telephone last Thursday to the Niger Armed Forces Chief of Defense, Lt. Gen. Issa Abdou Sidikou, about the developing situation in the West African nation and the safety of Americans there. Milley also had a call with his French counterpart on Monday to discuss "the security situation in Niger," according to a government report. "The long-standing alliance between the U.S. and French militaries plays a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in Europe and other regions around the world," the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Col. Dave Butler, said in a statement. PHOTO: This image obtained from the Facebook page of the president of Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, shows him meeting with ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey on July 30, 2023. (Facebook/AFP via Getty Images) On Tuesday morning, France announced that it is preparing to evacuate French and European nationals from Niger, citing the recent violence that targeted the French embassy in Niamey as one of the reasons for the decision. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the evacuation "will happen rapidly," without providing additional details. Italy also began evacuating its citizens from Niger on Tuesday. A flight carrying 36 Italians and 21 Americans arrived in Rome overnight. Meanwhile, the U.S. said it is monitoring the situation in Niger "by the hour" but currently has no plans to evacuate its nationals there. "We're just not at that point right now, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters on Tuesday. MORE: American missionary held hostage for years in Niger released Bazoum's government has been a top ally to both Europe and the U.S. in the fight against violent extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africa's Sahel region. The U.S. Department of Defense said it has provided $500 million in military assistance to Niger since 2012, "one of the largest" security assistance and training packages in sub-Saharan Africa. Other countries in the region, including Burkina Faso and Mali, have ousted the French military and instead enlisted the help of the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization. PHOTO: French nationals gather as they wait to be airlifted back to France on a French military aircraft, at the international airport in Niamey, Niger, Aug. 1, 2023. (Sam Mednick/AP) In a voice message posted last Thursday on social media channels linked to Wagner, the group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, appeared to endorse the coup in Niger and offer the services of his fighters to the junta. A senior official at the U.S. Department of State told ABC News on Monday that Washington continues to assess the recent events in Niger -- a result of long-term tensions between power players. The U.S. government, however, still sees Wagner as attempting to take advantage of the situation, one official said. While the security posture of the U.S. embassy in Niamey remains unchanged, the overall U.S. posture will depend on what transpires in the days and weeks ahead, according to the official. Currently, it appears unlikely that Washington will support any intervention attempts in Niger out of concern that it could trigger open conflict. The official also lamented that the U.S. ambassador to Niger was only confirmed by the Senate last week, finally filling a 14-month vacancy the official described as a hinderance to diplomacy. ABC News' James Bwala, Will Gretsky, Matt Seyler and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report. US sees 'narrow opportunity' to restore democratic order in Niger after attempted coup, senior official says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Voyager 2 has stopped receiving commands or sending data back to Earth Nasa has picked up a "heartbeat" signal from its Voyager 2 probe after it lost contact with it billions of miles away from Earth, the space agency said. Last month, the spacecraft - exploring the universe since 1977 - tilted its antenna to point two degrees away from Earth after a wrong command was sent. As a result, the probe stopped receiving commands or sending data. But on Tuesday, Nasa said a signal from Voyager 2 was picked up during a regular scan of the sky. Where is Voyager 2 now? Voyager 2 is more than 12.3 billion miles (19.9 billion km) from Earth, where it is hurtling at an estimated 34,390mph (55,346km/h) through interstellar space - the space between the stars. Since 21 July, the probe has been unable to receive commands or send back data to Nasa's Deep Space Network - an array of giant radio antennas across the world - and the spacecraft is not receiving commands from ground controllers. However, there is hope for the probe, with contact - albeit limited - now re-established. Given that the space-craft is almost 20 billion kilometres (more than 12 billion miles) away, that signal will have taken around 18 hours to reach earth. Nasa said the news confirms Voyager 2 is still broadcasting and is in "good health." Earlier on Monday, the space agency said its huge dish in Australia's capital, Canberra, was trying to detect any stray signals from Voyager 2. The antenna has also been bombarding Voyager 2's area with the correct command, in the hope of making contact with the probe, said Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages the Voyager missions. While fuller communication is not yet established, Voyager 2 is programmed to reset its orientation multiple times each year to keep its antenna pointing at Earth. The next reset is due on 15 October, which Nasa says "should enable communication to resume". In the meantime, Nasa expects the spacecraft laden with science instruments to remain on its planned trajectory through the universe. The probe has been floating in space since 1977 when it was launched to study the outer solar system. Voyager 2 and its twin Voyager 1 are the only spacecraft ever to operate outside the heliosphere, the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields generated by the Sun. They reached interstellar space in 2018 and 2012 respectively. The probes were designed to take advantage of a rare alignment of outer planets, which occurs about every 176 years, to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft ever to fly by Neptune and Uranus, while Voyager 1 is now nearly 15 billion miles away from Earth, making it humanity's most distant spacecraft. "You might have heard... Voyager 2 is taking a break from sending data until October. In the meantime, I'm out here, almost 15 billion miles (24 billion km) from Earth and doing fine! - V1", wrote Nasa on X, formerly known as Twitter, last week. Each spacecraft carries a Golden Record with Earth's sounds, pictures, and messages intended to communicate a story of our world to extra-terrestrials. Darryl Warren appeared before a judge Monday on charges of assault with intent to kill stemming from an incident near Costco on Wednesday, July 26. The Wilmington police officer allegedly struck a woman with his truck. A now former Wilmington police officer appeared in a New Hanover County courtroom on Monday on new charges stemming from an alleged assault on a woman with his truck. On Sunday, Darryl Warren was served warrants based on new charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and assault on a female, according to Samantha Dooies, spokesperson for District Attorney Ben David. The original charges were driving while impaired and reckless driving. Warren was ordered to be placed on electronic monitoring for the safety of the victim of the alleged assault. Also on Monday, the Wilmington Police Department confirmed Warren was terminated from his position. Assistant District Attorney Kristi Severo asked bond to be set at $1 million. However, Judge Russell Davis reduced it to $100,000 after Warren told the judge he couldn't afford it. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 10. Warren, who was off duty, allegedly struck a woman with his truck near Costco in the 5300 block of Gingerwood Drive, according to a report from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. 911 calls: Wilmington police officer 'floored it' before hitting person Multiple 911 calls were made at the scene with people saying it looked intentional. One caller reported that he saw a guy in a silver or gray truck run over a woman. During an investigation, it was determined that impairment was a factor. According to the State Highway Patrol, a breath analysis was submitted, which registered a .10 blood alcohol content. In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive while noticeably impaired or with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. He was arrested and transported to the New Hanover County Detention Center after the incident. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington police officer faces new charges in alleged assault remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit The family of Charles Dean Gavin, one of the six people who were killed in the August 1, 2018, post-election violence in Zimbabwe, is demanding justice. Gavins brother, Damian Gavin, said that the family is disappointed that no one has been held accountable for his death. In a virtual commemoration of the six, held via a Twitter Space by Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Gavin said they are stuck as a family as they do not know what channels to use in their quest for justice. There has not been any acknowledgement or apology from anyone. How do we even begin to seek justice as a family in such a situation? We want to know who pulled that trigger, who ordered the opening of fire. But we dont think we will get any of those answers. We need as much assistance as we can get to deal with this issue. My brothers life cannot just go in vain. In our pursuit for justice, we also fear for our lives, he said. We are still traumatised. We dont know which steps to take to attain justice for our brother. He left behind a daughter, she recently turned 18. Life has been difficult for her, we struggled to raise her after the death of her father. We struggled with her tuition to put her through school. She deserves to know what happened to her father and she deserves compensation. The Gavin family is not alone in their quest for justice. The National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) said that the nation remains wounded following the August 1 violence. The NTWJGs coordinator, Fortune Kuhudzwe, said that nothing has been done to adhere to the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry, which was set up to investigate the violence. We remain wounded as a nation and based on the time that has lapsed without any meaningful recourse, we have little hope in attaining justice, Kuhudzwe said. We are now headed towards another election, yet our elections are synonymous with violence. Heal Zimbabwe Trust Director Rashid Mahiya said that it is important to have security and justice systems that will be trusted by people. As Heal Zimbabwe, we do not want a repetition of August 1, 2018, Mahiya said. Peoples political rights should not be infringed. We must ensure that the victims are compensated. There is the issue of national trauma that needs to be dealt with. CITE YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. British Members of Parliament from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia have written to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urging him to break the British Governments silence on the continuing atrocities being carried out by the Azeri Government against the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus. Statement by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia on the urgent humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh: FCDO needs to take a stand now against the atrocities being committed in Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijan Government Officers of the APPG for Armenia have written to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urging him to break the British Governments silence on the continuing atrocities being carried out by the Azeri Government against the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus. The Lachin Corridor linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh was illegally closed by the Azeri Government in December 2022 in direct violation of the November ceasefire [agreement]. Since then virtually all movement and vital supplies have been cut off giving rise to a worsening humanitarian crisis, endangering thousands of lives. Food, medicine, fuel everything needed for survival of any population is totally banned entering Nagorno-Karabakh because of the illegal blockade. Subsequently, malnutrition is affecting pregnant women. Over 90% of pregnant women in Artsakh have anaemia due to the man-made disaster caused by the blockade of Lachin Corridor imposed by Azerbaijan. Miscarriages have risen 3 times in recent months due to lack of basic food items & medicine for the population. Despite persistent efforts, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it is not currently able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population through the Lachin corridor or through any other routes. Numerous other NGOs have raised serious concerns about the unfolding humanitarian crisis and requested governments around the world put pressure on Azerbaijan to end the blockade. Amnesty International has accused Azerbaijan of failing in its human rights obligations by taking no action to lift the blockade. The EU, its European Council President Charles Michel and many European countries have strongly condemned Azerbaijans actions and called for the blockade to be lifted immediately especially in light of the rapidly deteriorating conditions recently. The APPG for Armenia is asking the British Foreign Secretary to do the same and to make it clear that there will be consequences for Azerbaijans actions if it does not act now. APPG Chairman Tim Loughton said: The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is reaching crisis point. The illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by the Azeri Government has no justification and has been done under the noses of the supposed peace-keeping force. The deliberate denial of vital supplies to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh is the latest attempt at ethnic cleansing by the Aliyev Government and needs to be called out for what it is. The human misery and huge displacement of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh appears to be part of the Azeri game plan to force out the legitimate citizens of this troubled area and is in danger of becoming genocide. We agree with the stance of the French Government and other European nations who have called on Azerbaijan to comply with its international commitments and to implement the provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice in its February 22nd order, which are binding. We join them in demanding the restoration of free movement for people, goods and cargo throughout the Lachin corridor, in both directions, and the continuous supply of gas and electricity to the population. This is deeply destabilising in an area which is already under great pressure and could act as a trigger point for further conflict which will have a direct impact on western interests if not checked, yet has given rise to little coverage in the UK. We have therefore today written to the Foreign Secretary to take a similar stance and make the condemnation by the British Government crystal clear, without further delay. All Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has released a statement on Twitter calling on the United States and its allies to exert pressure on Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev amid the ongoing, life-threatening blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh. The ICRC has served as a lifeline to Nagorno Karabakh. Then Azerbaijan cut off its last remaining source of essential food & medicine. More than 7 months into Azerbaijan's blockade, the time is now for the US & its allies to exert pressure on Aliyev. Lives hang in the balance, the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a tweet. Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations. On July 29, a 68-year-old medical evacuee from Nagorno-Karabakh, Vagif Khachatryan, was kidnapped by Azerbaijani border guards while being transported to Armenia for treatment by the ICRC. The Armenian foreign ministry said that the Azerbaijani actions amount to a war crime. JUDGES handling high profile political cases should not be fazed by critics of their legal decisions as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has their backing and ready to defend them should the need arise, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said yesterday. The Chief Justices remarks come hot on the heels of unsubstantiated claims by some members of society, including the opposition, alleging that some court decisions not ruled in their favour, were a directive from the Government. Speaking during the JSC judges symposium in Gweru, CJ Malaba said judges are apolitical and independent and as such their judgments are based on the tenets of the law. He said the Judiciary is an independent arm of the State whose decisions are not influenced by any political interests. Politics is for politicians and judges know no slogans. In any case, I dont think judges know what a slogan is. We are totally apolitical, we dont think politically but legally and to us the law is the master. Politics is for politicians no matter who they are. I want to emphasize this because there is a mistake, a terrible mistake to think that judges must decide in a particular manner which is ridiculous, he said. CJ Malaba said judicial decisions are based on facts and the rule of law. He implored the generality of citizens to have confidence in the countrys judiciary system. In a constitutional democracy where the rule of law is a foundational value, you cannot speak of the rule of law without judges. You must have confidence in the judges, you put them there because you have confidence in them. They qualify to be called judges because they are impartial,he said. Section 164 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe specifically entrenches judicial independence and states that courts must apply the law and Constitution impartially, expeditiously and without fear, favour or prejudice. So, I dont believe and I dont accept a situation where some people want to make it fashionable to criticise judges for the decisions they make. It just doesnt make sense. You cant do that and still want to be in a democracy. You cant be a person who still wants to be in a democracy and still undermine the rule of law, said CJ Malaba. He said there should not be any interference in terms of how the judiciary system operates. I am standing here to say clearly you are fully protected in your decisions, make your decisions, whatever decisions that come out and if they are legal, make them. There are channels to take when one is aggrieved, he said. CJ Malaba said the symposium is important for the judges to introspect as individuals in line with the dictates of the Constitution. He said there is a need to emphasise on competence in terms section 165 (7) of the Constitution. Section 165 (7) of the Constitution is critical for us because it simply says you as a judge, a judicial officer, must take personal responsibility to ensure you are professionally up to date. The judge must take responsibility, personal responsibility and not institutional responsibility to make sure that he or she has the requisite skill to perform at the highest level, he said. CJ Malaba said the level is clearly defined by the law. The standards of performance are defined by law and they are efficiencies and effectiveness of performance, expeditious performance, decisions that must come as quickly as reasonably possible, he said. CJ Malaba said judges must try to meet the standards set by the law and act accordingly. If we dont do what the law wants us to do, we are in breach of the law, and God forbid that judges should do that. We are the first port of call, custodians of the law and we must know the law better than anyone else, he said. We are the experts of the law and that is why we are the embodiment, the custodians of justice. The word justice is just thrown around several times, but how can we have justice without judges? CJ Malaba said he has confidence in the judges and the manner in which they perform their duties. I have all the confidence in the men and women I have. We are all equal, we answer to the same standards, same aspirations, we answer to the demands of the Constitution because we are judges. CJ Malaba said JSC should thrive to meet world class justice. He challenged judges to expeditiously deliver judgments. As judges we should deliver judgments within six months because your job is to deliver. Your job is to dispose of disputes, to solve disputes and dont postpone disputes because people dont come to court for disputes to be postponed but to be resolved, he said. The JSC boss said pre-trial conferences must be speeded up by the judges so that the matters are resolved on time. The law says your case must be finished and on time. The law says finish the matter, and judicial power is with the judge. We are there as JSC to put in place measures that will make your job easier, he said. My job as chairperson of JSC is to ensure that there are measures that guarantee efficiency like giving you gadgets such as laptops. Use them because in those gadgets, there are systems that we put in place to make your job easy. Early this year, JSC launched the second phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS). The IECMS system is a web-based Case Management System that automates and tracks all aspects of a case life cycle, from initial filing through disposition and appeal. The system allows for information sharing between systems from all stakeholders in the judiciary. So far, the Constitutional court, the Supreme Court as well as the commercial division of the High Court, including the Labour Court and the Administrative Court have gone paperless. IECMS has come and therefore you need to stop this business of using papers. Other divisions are coming in very soon, we have gone through the Labour Court and the Administrative Court and I am saying as the Chief Justice, I dont want to hear the Labour Court talking about papers, that must stop, said CJ Malaba. We have to stop that exercise, no papers, we have provided everything and the technical people. IECMS is there to increase efficiency of the court, remove paper work. In the future, the system will integrate with systems from organisations such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Law Society of Zimbabwe, Attorney Generals Office, National Prosecuting Authority, Legal Aid Directorate and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Court. Herald The top court said the state police have lost control over the law and order situation New Delhi: There is a complete breakdown of law and order and of the constitutional machinery in Manipur, an outraged Supreme Court observed on Tuesday while describing the investigation carried out by the state police as tardy and too lethargic and also summoned the states DGP on the next date of hearing on Monday. Castigating the law enforcement agencies over the unbridled ethnic violence, the top court said the state police have lost control over the law and order situation and demanded the personal presence of the director-general of police when it hears a clutch of petitions on the mayhem in the Northeast state on August 7. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, which had called as deeply disturbing the May 4 video of two women being paraded naked, sought details from the state government about the date of occurrence of the incident and registration of zero FIR and regular FIR in the case. While hearing the case on the second consecutive day, the court also wanted to know how many accused were named in the over 6,000 FIRs registered so far and the steps taken for their arrest. The investigation is so lethargic, FIRs are registered after so long, arrests not made, statements not recorded There is a complete breakdown of law and order and constitutional machinery in the state, Justice Chandrachud remarked. One thing is very clear -- there is a long delay in registering the FIR in the video case, he observed. As the hearing began on Tuesday afternoon, the Manipur government told the bench it has lodged 6,523 FIRs after the ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May. Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Manipur government, told the a bench the state police had lodged a zero FIR in the case of stripping and parading of the two women naked. Mr Mehta told the apex court that the Manipur police have arrested six persons and apprehended a juvenile in the video case. It appears that the state police recorded the statement of the women after the video surfaced, he said. A zero FIR can be lodged at any police station irrespective of its territorial jurisdiction, which is later transferred to the police station within whose limits an incident has happened. Earlier in the day, the top court directed the CBI not to proceed with recording the statements of the victim women during the day as it is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions on the issue at 2 pm. The bench, also comprising justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, took note of the submissions by lawyer Nizam Pasha, appearing for the two women, that the CBI has asked them to appear and depose before it during the day. On Monday, the top court had described as horrendous the video amid reports that the police handed the helpless women over to the rioting mob. It asked searching questions about delayed registration of the FIR and mooted the idea of setting up a committee of retired judges or an SIT to oversee the probe. The apex court had said that it may constitute an SIT or a committee comprising former judges to monitor the situation in the strife-torn state subject to hearing the law officers representing the Centre and Manipur. Describing the Manipur violence perpetrated against women in the strife-torn state as of unprecedented magnitude, the apex court on July 31 refused to consider a plea on similar alleged incidents in Opposition-ruled states, such as West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Kerala. There is a situation of communal and sectarian strife in Manipur. So what we say is that there is no gainsaying that there are crimes against women taking place in West Bengal as well, the three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud had remarked. Tormented by unabated ethnic violence, tension soared in Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced recently that showed two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a mob from the other side. Himanta Biswa Sarma, warned Assamese youths not to cross the lakhsman rekha by marrying girls from another faith. Neither family was pleased when a young Indian Muslim man I knew married a college friend, who was Hindu. Both of them were brilliant students. The boys side was especially outraged by his cheeky retort when they asked how soon the bride would convert to Islam. When I convert to Hinduism! he answered nonchalantly, leaving them aghast. My friends courageous defiance came to mind last week when the newspapers reported the strident voice of religious orthodoxy emerging from Assam whose chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, warned Assamese youths not to cross the lakhsman rekha by marrying girls from another faith. As if the ethnic conflagration in nearby Manipur were not bad enough, his call against what the Bharatiya Janata Party denounces as love jihad came within days of reports of a Hindu woman in Assams Golaghat district being killed, allegedly by her Muslim husband. The murder report may or may not be true. But Mr Sarmas announcement took me aback. Assam is one of the most demographically diverse states in our richly pluralist nation. It includes descendants of ancient Thais, people from Chinas Guanxi region, and Myanmarese. Yet, instead of rejecting the tragic bigotry of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, whose macabre end was at least redeemed by the grieving Montague and Capulet clans at last agreeing to end their ancient vendetta, here was Assams chief executive unashamedly urging the Assamese to retreat into the darkness of a monocultural ghetto. When the Congress chief, Bhupen Bora, had the temerity to advise him not to make inter-community marriages an issue in the modern age, Mr Sarma roundly warned him that he could be arrested for hurting religious sentiments. Perhaps the best way of responding to such archaic ignorance is to just ignore it. But India is not enlightened Britain, where racial discrimination automatically withered when the government not only passed liberal new laws but also effectively enforced them. Ours is a society that lives by traditions that are often at conflict with current laws and certainly with our brave boasts of being a modern digital society that will soon be the worlds third-largest economy. It did not need the Pew Research Centre to tell us that most Indians want their wards (and even neighbours) to marry within their own religion. But a Pew survey did confirm that roughly two-thirds of Hindus want to prevent their women from marrying outside their faith. Apparently, even more Indian Muslims feel the same way about their daughters and sisters. Most marriages are still arranged in India. The deadly grip of caste may have been loosened but has not been thrown off. Society is static in many ways. Newspaper pictures of our leaders performing havans and pujas in fancy attire reveal the extent to which their thinking is a prisoner of the superstitious past. Our astronauts may reach for the Moon but it has repeatedly been demonstrated that passenger trains can be involved in fatal collisions. India makes vaccines for the world but many Indians dont have access to potable drinking water. Indians constitute the worlds biggest diaspora because India cannot provide them with gainful employment at home. No attempt is made any longer to practise birth control. Just as illiterate voters identify political parties by their symbols, the unlettered masses follow the example set by their betters. Rajas and maharajas fulfilled that role in the past; now that function has been taken over by elected legislators. They have power and money and lead the rest. So, when those in authority warn that the cow is sacred but in danger of being abused by the ungodly, the many who want to be counted as loyal at once claim to detect episodes involving the meat of the sacred animal. When the powerful whisper that the sinister threat of love jihad lurks in the shadows, the multitude rush to lynch youths who are blamed for runaway couples. Fears of love jihad might partly explain the reported call by Sadhvi Deva Thakur, vice-president of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha, that the Centre will have to impose emergency, and Muslims and Christians will have to be forced to undergo sterilisation so that they cant increase their numbers. Pankaj Tiwari of the Mahasabhas Lucknow branch endorsed her solution. We need to keep the Muslim population in check. Otherwise, they reproduce and it puts a strain on Indias health and education systems. Thats why were working to stop inter-faith marriages and conversions. Much of this may appear farcical but we know that the sense of victimhood nursed by majorities with a minoritys persecution complex is a dangerous social phenomenon. Encouraged by the Gyanvapi Masjid controversy in Varanasi, another Mahasabha worthy suggested that the Taj Mahal, Indias best-known tourist destination and a Unesco World Heritage site, should be demolished, presumably because it is a Muslim monument. It can be no ones case that the State should actively promote inter-faith matrimony as a means of integration. Such interference in the private lives of citizens would be strongly resented and might lead to violent resistance. Some might even argue that legislation to protect a bride or groom from being coerced to convert to the new spouses religion -- chief minister Yogi Adityanaths Uttar Pradesh set the ball rolling in this respect -- may serve a purpose if it is honestly and impartially enforced. Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act already provided grounds for divorce if one spouse converts to a different religion. But it has to be a genuine conversion and not a device for bigamous unions. That can come about only when the overall climate is not vitiated by fear and suspicion. There are no easy steps to that idyll. But it would mark a beginning if Manipurs chief minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh, were firmly told that Kuki-Zos and Meteis are equal members of the great Indian nation and must be treated at par. The ultimate test of nationhood will lie in how New Delhi tackles the bigger and crucial question of Hindu-Muslim relations. Lingering memories of the TV image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejecting a Muslims goodwill gift of a cap and scarf may not suggest that the outcome of that test can be taken for granted. It may be revealing in this context that the now no longer young Muslim-Hindu couple I mentioned at the outset decided that their future was best ensured by emigration. Their chosen abode is now the beneficiary of their brilliance. It doesnt make sense for the government to push through with the NPR exercise in these circumstances, through whatever method. The Union government is planning to enact registration to make Aadhaar registration compulsory for births and deaths. If the Bill should become law, it will feed into the National Population Register. This in turn will revive the controversy over the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The last time the government had attempted this, it was pushed back by the protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019-20. In April 2020, the government was due to begin the entire NPR exercise manually. This would have needed the enumerators, meaning government workers, teachers and clerical staff and so on, to go door-to-door and question people in 25 crore households. This attempt was given up after the protests did not end. They did not end because the Prime Minister gave no assurance that the NRC would not be implemented. He said merely that it had not been discussed yet. This was insufficient to satisfy people who believe that what happened in Assam would happen nationwide. Meaning that people would be marked as doubtful citizens, lose their voting rights, and begin a process that goes through a National Register of Citizens list, a Foreigners Tribunal and ends in a detention centre. Other than the protests, what stopped the previous NPR/NRC exercise was opposition from the non-BJP parties. Some states have said that they will not implement the NPR. Kerala informed the Centre that it feared law and order problems. The state has also challenged the Citizenship Amendment Act in the Supreme Court. Madhya Pradesh, when it was under Congress rule, had said it would not implement it either. Other states like West Bengal had encouraged their citizens to actively resist the enumerator and not show them any documents. Yet other states said they would implement the NPR only partially (Odisha and Bihar), leaving out many questions. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot had said that he would not allow people in his state to be jailed on this issue and instead would go to jail himself first. At the federal level, then, it became clear that the incoming data would be incomplete and fragmented. That would be a third reason for the Narendra Modi government to have stalled the NPR/NRC process in 2020. But certainly, it appears that the main reason was the issue of physically getting the data. The polarisation produced by the citizenship laws resulted in some extreme actions by the State, and these actions were well publicised. In Hyderabad in February 2020, officials overseeing Aadhaar exceeded their brief and summoned over 100 people to their office to prove their citizenship. Presumably, all of these were Muslim individuals. After this was reported, the Aadhaar authority clarified and backtracked a little. But the damage had been done. Elsewhere, a court in Assam waved away 15 different documents, including voter ID cards and land revenue records from the 1960s, to dismiss a Muslim womans claim to Indian citizenship. Again, this was heavily publicised. In Bidar, children were interrogated over a school play on the citizenship laws, and parents charged with sedition and women jailed, producing global outrage. As a result of all this and much more, in large parts of India there was information on and popular mobilisation against the NPR and the CAA. Tamil Nadu alone saw mass protests in Chennai, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi, Tiruchi, Madurai, Salem and Krishnagiri on a single day. These were protests that in many cities required the deployment of the entire police force to manage. This is unsustainable in a country of the size of India. The National Sample Survey (NSS), which was to collect material on the Census and consumption, was also affected by the CAA protests. For this reason, the Census and the quinquennial (five yearly) surveys have both been postponed indefinitely. The former chief statistician of India, Pronab Sen, had said then that this was a new sort of problem. He said the attacks on field investigators of the NSS was not new. It had happened before, essentially when they asked questions on either household incomes or household assets so, this has happened earlier, but not too often, because over time people got fairly comfortable knowing that NSS surveys happen. This has now changed. In fact, he added: We may well have a situation where you are unable to do the Census properly, and if the Census is not done properly, then for the next 10 years, no household survey will be reliable because all household surveys rely on the Census as the frame. If this (Census) runs into problems, and theres a danger that it might, then for the next 11 years, you are in trouble. The linking of Aadhaar to births and deaths will revive the debate around citizenship. This is unfortunate. We have not considered the fact that powerful voices around the world, including the United Nations Secretary-General, elements within the European Union and the United States Congress, were concerned and vocal about what was happening in India in 2020. It doesnt make sense for the government to push through with the NPR exercise in these circumstances, through whatever method. One hopes that all this has been taken into consideration as we once again march ourselves towards a controversy over citizenship. If the Opposition is keen to nail the Narendra Modi government, it has to conduct a focused and forceful election campaign. It is going to be a mean half-year and more to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the people by and large are generally not interested in it, nor are they invested in it. May 2024 is a little too far away, and it is difficult to anticipate the electoral outcome. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already declared what he will do in his third term in office: put India among the top three economies in the world. He is sure that he will win the election. But that has been part of the aggressive mind-game that he had been playing since 2014, though he had lost many state Assembly elections on the way. On the flip side, Mr Modis overweening confidence is an act of self-hypnosis, which has serious psychological and social implications. If Mr Modi and the BJP were to lose the 2024 general election, they may not easily accept the defeat and the BJPs frenzied followers might go on the rampage as did Donald Trumps followers in Washington DC on January 6, 2021. This is of course only a hypothetical scenario. On the other hand, the Oppositions claim that the INDIA alliance will defeat Mr Modi seems to be only a resolve, and not yet a certainty. So, what happens in the debate on the no-confidence motion that the Congress has moved in haste without informing its INDIA allies is of little interest to anybody. If the Opposition is keen to nail the Narendra Modi government, it has to conduct a focused and forceful election campaign, and speak directly to the people. Whether the Opposition has connected with the people will be known only when the results are announced in the second week of next May. Manipur, however, remains a major matter of concern. The disrobing of two Kuki women by the Meitei mob is much too serious to be left to the BJP and its enraged spokespersons in the party and in the government. An unflappable Union home minister Amit Shah announcing a probe into how the video was made and went viral will not help the government to take the attention away from the shameful incident itself. Mr Shah and the BJP really seem to be in a bind on the issue. If the state police and the CBI want to prove that the video which was released on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament was a fake one, then it will sow deeper divisions in the two communities. And if the government wants to nail the mischief-makers who made the video and then released it on the social platform out of sadistic motives, then the crime becomes all the more serious and the failure of the government speaks louder. Neither can the home minister explain away the months-long violence that broke out between the Kukis and the Meiteis, nor can he explain away the dubious direction by the outgoing Chief Justice of the Manipur high court in the mischievous order that the Meiteis claim to be included in the Scheduled Tribe list, which triggered the violence. There is no denying the fact that the BJP was clearly giving a leg up to its Hindutva agenda by silently supporting the Hindu Meiteis to get the ST status because that would change the politics of the Northeast, where most of the people fall in the ST category and enjoy the legal protection that the Constitution of India provides them. By trying to insert the Hindu Meitei community into the ST system is a dirty trick, to put it politely, by the BJP. The Manipur violence that followed showed just how shortsighted the move was. The BJP has indeed committed a political crime by its Hinduisation of the politics of the Northeast. For the Hindutva ideologues, of course, it is an imperative rather than a crime. Assam is leading the charge of the Hindutva brigade in that part of the country, and Arunachal Pradesh is playing second fiddle. The Hinduisation of Arunachal Pradesh began in the 1970s under Indira Gandhi when the Ramakrishna Mission was allowed to set up schools in that state formerly known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), and the Congress in Assam was known to have played the Hindu card there as well. The Opposition attack on the Modi government over Manipur will be muted because none of the Opposition political parties would want to alienate the majority Meiteis in the state. The general view is that the no-confidence motion has blurred the focus on Manipur, and the Opposition will be left to attack the record of the Modi government in its nine years in power. The BJPs supporters want the Opposition to bite the bait and launch a wide-ranging ineffective attack on the Modi government so that the issue of Manipur would get lost in the general din of charges and counter-charges. The government can easily duck the Manipur issue because the discussion is on the Modi governments record and not on Manipur specifically. Even if the Opposition were to stick to Manipur, the government can choose to speak on its nine years rather than the troubles in Manipur. The danger lurking in a situation where the BJP is a predominant force and the Opposition is unable to find its feet is that democracy and its processes get frayed and eroded. The BJP has lost the fear that it will lose a Lok Sabha election because it has pressed the basic instinct button of religious identity as national identity. BJP leaders like Mr Modi, however, are still afraid of saying that India is Hindu. Prime Minister Modi is forced to admit in international forums, if not at home, that India believes in pluralism, including religious pluralism. What India needs is a strong critique of the dominant ideology of religious nationalism, and it has to come from people who are not opp-osed to nationalism and religion. Nationalism involves taking pride in the achievements of the past and the courage to accept the failures. Religion cannot be equated with fanaticism and violence. The BJP/RSS have been promoting nationalism based on venomous pride and religion based on hatred of other religions. This is not good for a vibrant democracy because it rules out respect and understanding for others. It has become clear that Opposition politicians cannot posit an alternative to BJP-dominated India. This has to be done by an intellectual class. We have to look beyond non-confidence motions and Lok Sabha elections. Today's news: After weeks of speculation, Xi Jinping changes the leadership of Chinas rocket forces. Vietnamese police arrests ethnic Khmer advocates. Iranian authorities suspend the license of an online insurance broker over female employees failing to comply with headscarf rules. Russia imported large quantities of sanctioned military-use microchips. Some Central Asian countries seek dialogue with the Taliban despite the Pashtun question. INDIA A security guard on an Indian train has been arrested after killing a colleague and three passengers. Police identified the shooter as 33-year-old Chetan Singh, a constable with the Railway Protection Force (RPF). In a video, he is seen standing near a victim, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. CHINA After weeks of speculation, Chinese President Xi Jinping appointed a new commander and deputy commander to head the People's Liberation Army (PLA) elite rocket forces unit. Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission, led the ceremony promoting the two officers, Wang Houbin and Xu Xisheng. VIETNAM Vietnamese police have arrested three ethnic Khmer Krom in the Mekong Delta for handing out information material on minority rights, including the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples. One of those arrested is To Hoang Chuong, a well-known activist from Tra Vinh province who was beaten by police in late June. JAPAN Typhoon Khanun is currently battering southern Japan today, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Officials have urged hundreds of thousands of people to seek shelter. Packing maximum wind speeds of 160 kilometres, the typhoon is right on top of the Okinawa Island Chain. At least 370,000 residents have been advised to be ready to leave as 12-metre waves could hit the islands. IRAN Iranian authorities suspended the license of azki.com, an online insurance broker, for posting images of female employees without head scarfs. A 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, died last September from mistreatment by the morality police for failing to cover her head properly. The startup is one of many Iranian private companies sanctioned by the government in recent weeks over their employees' resistance to clothing regulations. RUSSIA In the first half of the year, Russia has imported US$ 500 million worth of Western-made microchips for dual, military and civilian use, circumventing sanctions, the Verstka news website reports. Moscow also imported pieces of equipment in huge quantities for its military industry and equipment for civil aviation worth at least US$ 171 million. TURKMENISTAN AFGHANISTAN The heads of state of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are meeting in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) to assess the situation on the border with Afghanistan. Tensions with the Taliban regime are rising in the region over the deportations of Pashtuns; nevertheless, Afghanistans neighbours want constructive relations" with the government in Kabul through regional coordination. Sources say Myanmars former leader will remain under house arrest to reduce international pressure. The US State Department yesterday slammed the extension of the state of emergency, which will lead to further escalation of violence. While hunger is growing among the population, the juntas senior general raised the pensions of former junta officials. Yangon (AsiaNews) Myanmar's ruling military junta has decided to grant a partial pardon to former leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Following the coup d'etat of 1 February 2021, the 78-year-old was subjected to a show trial and convicted on several charges, most notably illegal possession of walkie-talkies and violation of state secrets. According to military spokesman Zaw Min Tun, Suu Kyis 33-year sentence would be reduced by six years, while that of ousted President U Win Myint, also arrested during the coup, would be cut by four. More than 7,000 political prisoners were equally pardoned, but the military has a habit of releasing detainees to mark national observances only to rearrest them immediately afterwards. Aung San Suu Kyi was moved recently from a prison in the capital, Naypyidaw, to house arrest; however, an anonymous source told Reuters that she would still be detained. This is a signal to the international community without doing anything substantive, the source noted. Meanwhile, the situation in the country is not improving. A brutal civil has raged in the past two years pitting army troops against resistance forces. The latter include ethnic militias and the People's Defence Forces, the armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG) in exile. Yesterday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, General Aung Min Hlaing, extended the state of emergency for another six months, postponing the elections once again, which were set for August but were bound to be a farce according to many observers. "[I]n order to have an election that is free and fair and also to be able to vote without any fear, necessary security arrangements are still needed and so the period for the state of emergency is required to extend," said the junta in a statement read on state TV. However, the US State Department warned that extending the state of emergency would lead to more violence and instability. "The regime's widespread brutality and disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma continue to prolong the crisis," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. In fact, fighting continues across the country with almost two million internally displaced people, this according to the United Nations. Another 18 million, a third of the population, need some form of humanitarian assistance. According to a World Bank report last month, malnutrition and hunger are on the rise. About 48 per cent of farming households said they were worried about having something to eat, up from about 26 per cent last year. In the past 12 months, some economic growth has been reported, but this has been highly uneven. The poorest are suffering the consequences of the civil war more than any other group. For his part, Senior General Hlaing has decided to raise the pensions of retired officials from previous juntas, which were as low as 2,000 kyats, to 1.5 million (US$ 715). by Nirmala Carvalho The pontiff picked Archbishop Cyril Vasil in order to end the crisis that has unfolded in the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which has so far refused to adopt the "uniform" rite in force since the summer of 2021. After 11 years as secretary of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, the prelate served as apostolic administrator of the Eparchy of Kosice, Slovakia. Kochi (AsiaNews) Pope Francis has appointed a papal delegate for the Archeparchy (archdiocese) of Ernakulam-Angamaly; his choice fell on Bishop Cyril Vasil of the Eparchy (diocese) of Kosice of the Slovak Greek-Catholic Church, a former secretary of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches. This follows the popes decision to accept the request made in June by the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabars, Cardinal George Alencherry, to appoint a delegate to end a row that began over the new version of the Holy Qurbana, the local traditional Mass. The "uniform" liturgy is a compromise between the various liturgies previously in use. In the first part of the service and the liturgy of the Word, the priest is turned towards worshippers; in the middle, that of the consecration and Eucharistic rites, he turns towards the altar (in the direction in which the faithful also look). After the communion, the celebrant turns back to look towards the assembly. This solution was reached by the Syro-Malabar Synod held in the summer of 2021 following several appeals for unity made by Pope Francis, but the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly and its clergy have refused so far to adopt it. In a statement, Fr Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, major archiepiscopal chancellor of the Syro-Malabar Church, writes that, "The Holy Father has appointed his special Delegate to study the current situation and to propose the ways to end the crisis [that] emerged in the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly. Appointing a papal delegate was first mentioned in early May and was discussed by the Synod of Bishops of the Eastern Rite Church in June. The statement goes on to say: The Pontifical Delegate will arrive on August 4, 2023. He will be accompanied by Rev. Fr. Sunny Kokkaravalayil SJ, who is currently Professor of Canon Law at [the] Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome. In the meantime, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath will continue to administer the Archeparchy in his capacity as the Apostolic Administrator. Born in 1965 in Kosice, Slovakia, Archbishop Cyril Vasil' was ordained a priest in 1987. After a doctorate in Canon Law, he taught at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, later serving as its rector. In 2009 he was appointed secretary of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches and ordained archbishop. Eleven years later, he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Eparchy of Kosice, becoming its second bishop in 2021. Archbishop Vasil also represented the pontiff at the funeral of the late major archbishop, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, in 2011. In January 2018 he spoke at the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church and participated in the Assumption of the Office of the bishop of Shamshabad. by Dario Salvi For young Turks, the meeting offers an opportunity to "build a local Church" by meeting fellow Christians from other Turkish dioceses and vicariates. A young man from Yemen will arrive with the Gulf delegation. The Lebanese will mark the third anniversary of the tragic explosion of 4 August 2020 with adoration and prayers. The auxiliary bishop of Baghdad hopes that the Mideast might host WDY one day. Milan (AsiaNews) Hundreds of young people from various countries in the Middle East are heading to Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day (WYD) scheduled for 2 to 6 August. All are motivated by distinct intentions. For young Turks, it will be a chance to "build a local Church". A Catholic from Yemen will be able to bear witness to a country torn apart by years of a brutal war that also touched its small Christian community, through the sacrifice of the Sisters of Aden, Mother Teresa's seed, in the land of Arabia. Iraqi Christians are "happy" to represent their countrys Church and meet Pope Francis again after his apostolic journey in March 2021. Young Lebanese will perform "adoration and prayers" to remember the victims of the tragic explosion at the Port of Beirut on 4 August 2020. The theme of the first post-pandemic, global youth gathering chosen by Pope Francis is Mary arose and went with haste taken from the Gospel of Luke. Responding to a pressing call made several times by the Vicar of Anatolia Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, Catholics from Turkey will use this opportunity to "build a local Church. This is one of the intentions motivating young Turks ahead of the meeting with the pope at the westernmost edge of Europe, notes Fr Antuan Ilgt, Jesuit and vicar general, who spoke to AsiaNews. Until the last moment, their participation was in doubt, especially for those from areas hit by last Februarys devastating earthquake in Turkey (and Syria); but thanks to the solidarity and help of the Church in Reggio Emilia, they have made it. Some "35 young men and women" will come from the dioceses and vicariates of Istanbul, Anatolia, and Izmir. We have also included a couple of African and Venezuelan Catholic students in Turkey on a scholarship. There are Armenians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, newly baptised, a couple of catechumens to represent, to some extent, a cross-section of Turkeys Church and Christian community. Some have taken part in previous WYD, but for most, this is the first time" to leave their country. There is "great eagerness to go to Lisbon, to meet the pope and other young people, for a true experience of catholicity." Their journey began when they joined 1,600 young people from the Diocese of Reggio Emilia (twinned with Anatolia) and another 80 Jordanians passing through Italy. "We are travelling together. We started with a Mass celebrated in Reggio Emilia, and encouraged the kids to share ideas and thoughts, said Fr Antuan. Three participants from Turkey, Italy and Jordan spoke about their experience of faith and life. The first stop was Barcelona, where we took part in a Mass at the Sagrada Familia led by Jesuit Fr Jean Paul Hernandez; then we headed to Toledo". Preparations for the young people from Anatolia began before the earthquake. After the devastation we planned to scrap the trip due to economic and other difficulties faced by their families, the clergyman explained. Thankfully, the support of the Diocese of Reggio Emilia (northern Italy) has made it possible to undertake the journey towards Lisbon. "Young people want to share, open up to others, get to know each other, especially since they come from different places Istanbul, Anatolia and Izmir and dont have many opportunities to meet at home. Young people and adult guides were very impressed by the hospitality, the host families, the Masses and singing, by feelings of enthusiasm, Fr Antuan said. On the streets of Barcelona, the kids waved Turkish flags and sang religious hymns, showing how beautiful it is to be Turkish and Christian. The journey of young people from the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen) is already underway, Bishop Paolo Martinelli told AsiaNews. The group includes 250 young people from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), about 20 young people from Oman and "one also from Yemen" who left "several days ago" on a "pilgrimage to different places in Europe, in particular Lourdes. They prepared for a whole year, Bishop Martinelli said. In Abu Dhabi, they received additional input from the vicar and others like "meditations, dances and songs inspired by the WYDs theme". Bishop Martinelli is also set to join the group. "Young people are full of enthusiasm both for the journey they are undertaking and for what they will experience in Lisbon. I follow them through videos" posted on social media, the he added. "They really want to meet other young Christians from around the world to exchange experiences, welcome the word of God, and let themselves be 'moved' by it, like Mary towards her cousin Elizabeth. The purpose of the journey is to love and be loved" as well as "discover one's own place in the world, ones vocation. They feel made for great things. They are looking forward to meet Pope Francis, who is much loved by our young people, with fresh memories of the visit he made in February 2019 to sign the document [on human fraternity], the Eucharistic celebration at the stadium in Abu Dhabi, and the visit to the Cathedral of St Joseph. The popes presence led "reaching out to everyone and a commitment to peace and justice", rediscovering "the importance of dialogue with different religions, for us, especially with Muslims. Finally, young people seek out the pope for support in the task of protecting creation; Laudato Si is a text that we often turn to, and [the environment is] an issue that we feel strongly in the Emirates, in view of COP28 set to take place in Dubai. About a hundred young people have come for the WYD from Iraq and are already in Portugals capital, confirmed Auxiliary Bishop Basil Yaldo of Baghdad. "They are happy to represent the Catholic Church in Iraq, explained the right-hand man of the Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako. Some seven priests and five nuns, also young have come as their guide on this journey. St John Paul II launched WYD as proof of God's love and of the encounter with brothers". Its universal" character is aimed at promoting "brotherhood, notes the prelate on the Chaldean patriarchates website. Bishop Yaldo hopes that one day the WYD might be hosted by a Mideast country. In the meantime, the beautiful thing about these meetings is the exchange of experiences, learning about other cultures and living as brothers and sisters without consideration for race, gender, or ethnicity. With these meetings bridges are built" and young people become the tools of peace that the world needs, he added. Finally, some 475 young people are expected from Lebanon. About 200 were able to travel to Portugal thanks to support from the Youth Commission of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon (APCL). Others are members of various movements neo-catechumens, Chemin Neuf, Renewal in the Holy Spirit, etc. as well as representatives of dioceses like as Antelias and Batroun. Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Bacouni of Beirut and Byblos will accompany the delegation, plus eight more priests to best represent the various groups in the Church in Lebanon. Youth Commission Chairman Roy Jreich and Chaplain Fr Charbel Daccache are also going. The event coincides with the anniversary of the two explosions that devastated the Port of Beirut on 4 August 2020; for this reason, it was decided to hold an hour of "adoration and prayer" in Lisbon cathedral on the anniversary joining all the Lebanese in the world" affected by the tragedy. GATEWAY TO THE EAST IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO MIDDLE EAST. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY TUESDAY VIA E-MAIL? SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER HERE. 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. POLICE are investigating multiple fire incidents, including one in which a jilted man set a house on fire and killed four members of the same family in Marange. Eight people died in fire incidents at 10 houses, in different areas of Zimbabwe, at the weekend. Among the casualties were four children. Some suspected arsonists have been detained while others remain at large. The fire incidents were reported in Harare, Mutare, Muzarabani, Mazowe and Shurugwi. National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said they were investigating the death of four family members Tonderai Muchimwe (43), Ashton Mundoko (12), Quinton Mundoko (7) and Tamari Mundoko (5) as well as the injury of Takunda Mundoko (14) in an inferno at Mafararikwa Village in Marange at 4am on July 29. Ass Comm Nyathi said at around midnight on the same day, Tonderai broke into a room in which his niece, Violet Muchimwe (35) and her four children Takunda, Ashton, Quinton and Tamari were sleeping. Tonderai, who was armed with a knife, demanded to be intimate with his niece, leading to a scuffle, he said. Violet fled leaving her children behind and Tonderai sprinkled petrol in the house and set it on fire. As a result Tonderai, Ashton, Quinton and Tamari were burnt beyond recognition, while Takunda sustained burns all over the body after escaping through the window. Police are also investigating circumstances surrounding the death of Emily Kamugiya (65), Letina Chimuka (70) and Maxwell Josi (12) after the thatched bedroom they were sleeping in was set on fire by an unknown person on July 30 in Muzarabani. Police have since established that Chimuka was staying with the other victims after being chased from the St Alberts area by his son on allegations of witchcraft. Chimukas son accused her of causing the illness of his child. Police in Harare are also investigating a fire incident in which a house along Abel Road in Greendale caught fire resulting in an 81-year-old woman Gogo Chabuka, being burnt beyond recognition on Friday. The cause of fire remains unknown. Police are also investigating six reports of malicious damage to property by unidentified suspects in the Hanke area, Tongogara, in Shurugwi, which resulted in the burning of 10 houses on the night of July 29. The ZRP has so far arrested Edson Madhuveko and Edwin Madhuveko in connection with this case. The two suspects were seen running away from the burning huts, the police said. H Metro The near collapse of garbage removal in the four Harare Metropolitan councils caused President Mnangagwa to yesterday declare a state of disaster the poor waste management that has seen ever-growing piles of garbage going uncollected for months with mounds of rubbish becoming common in most shopping centres and residential areas. The declaration overtakes the legal municipal independence for local services enjoyed by Harare and Chitungwiza, and the near independence by Epworth and Ruwa local boards, and thus allows the central Government to move in. A similar declaration allowed the central Government to move in a while ago and take over road reconstruction and maintenance, again normally a pure local government function if the local authorities are even modestly efficient. For the rubbish the was designated as the lead central government agency to co-ordinate and enforce efficient rubbish removal. Harare Metropolitan Province is made up of Harare, Chitungwiza, Epworth and Ruwa, the first, third, fifth and seventh most populated urban centres in Zimbabwe. The declaration was published in terms of the Civil Protection Act under Statutory Instrument 140 of 2023 cited as the Civil Protection (Declaration of State of Disaster: Emergency Solid Waste Management Harare Metropolitan Province) Notice, 2023. According to SI 140, Government, noted with great concern the deplorable state of cleanliness of the Harare Metropolitan Province, characterised among other things by litter and waste dumps accumulating in business and residential areas of the province, open burning of garbage and indiscriminate illegal dumping of solid waste and littering. The SI added that the local authorities in the province were unable to manage their waste due, among other reasons, to their failure to invest in waste management infrastructure, and the related equipment and human resources along with their inefficient collection practices and lack of environmental control systems. As a result of the failure to properly manage waste within the Harare Metropolitan Province, a state of disaster exists in that province with effect from the promulgation of this declaration, the notice stated. For the duration of the state of disaster, the Minister responsible for Environment will confer powers to the Environmental Management Agency to coordinate activities to manage waste within the province. While the declaration is in force, the agency has a five-fold function to co-ordinate the efforts to the four local authorities, have the illegal dumps removed, have waste regularly collected from all premises, have the local authorities put in public bins in streets and public places, and run intensive education campaigns. Going into detail on each function, the agency will co-ordinate the use of materials and services made available by local authorities within the Harare Metropolitan Province during the state of disaster. The agency will then endeavour to remove illegal solid waste dumps by means of a range of activities including mapping, quantification and clearing of illegal waste dumps and direct local authorities within the Harare Metropolitan Province to establish appropriately designed and designated waste transfer stations. It will direct local authorities within the Harare Metropolitan Province, under its supervision, to undertake periodic refuse collection, consisting of street by street waste collection including sanitary lanes. The agency will direct local authorities within the Harare Metropolitan Province, under its supervision, to install bins in streets and public places. That should cut back on the piles of street rubbish that continually grows as people litter. Finally the EMA must undertake, together with local authorities within the Harare Metropolitan Province, awareness campaigns through roadshows, radio and television programmes and sector specific cluster meetings. the SI further reads. EMAs cost of managing the waste during the subsistence of the declaration would come from the National Civil Protection Fund and from the local authorities concerned. Ever since the opposition took over the running of the capital at the turn of the century general service delivery, including waste management, has deteriorated and with residents calling on Government to take action to reverse the rot. In May this year, Harare mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume conceded that refuse collection remained a major challenge with only half the 36 garbage trucks needed for the city being operational. Drunk Man Steals Ferrari from Utah Dealership, Damages 4 Other Exotics Written by Thanos Pappas, CarScoops Published Aug. 1, 2023 A 29-year-old man in Utah had the crazy idea to steal a Ferrari from a dealer in what he described as a spur-of-the-moment act after spending the whole day drinking. The intoxicated man caused serious damage to other vehicles and the dealer premises in the process, and was later arrested by police. The incident took place July 23 at Ferrari of Salt Lake City. The suspect allegedly broke in by shattering the exterior glass with a rock. He then found the car of his dreams and noticed the keys were on the center console. According to the booking affidavit, the drunk driver hit four other vehicles, the interior glass and the doors in a quest to drive the supercar off the dealership floor. The damages to the vehicles are estimated to cost $100,000, although it wouldnt be surprising if the repair bill was even higher depending on the models parked inside the premises at the time. The police didnt mention the particular Ferrari model the man was driving but claimed it cost around $600,000, meaning it could have been an SF90 Stradale or Spider, since other members of the Ferrari lineup are somewhat cheaper in the U.S. KSL reported Utah Highway Patrol troopers arrested the suspect July 23 near I-215 and the State Street exit, as he was walking away from the stolen Ferrari. He now faces three counts of property damage, theft and burglary. We thank CarScoops for reprint permission. NABC Recycled Rides Program Donates Refurbished Vehicle to NY Iraq War Veteran Published Aug. 1, 2023 A deserving New York-area Iraq War veteran experienced a life-changing event---the presentation of a vehicle to provide her with independence and the ability to get to work at the WNY VA, attend college and service dog training---thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program along with GST BOCES and car donor GEICO. The presentation took place on July 7 at the GST BOCES Coopers Campus in Painted Post, NY. The recipient was selected by WNY Heroes, Inc. The auto body repair and automotive technology classes at the GST BOCES Coopers campus worked together to repair the 2019 Honda Pilot donated by GEICO. Several local businesses contributed to the project, including WNY Heroes, Williams Honda, Empire Auto Parts, Liquidz Auto Body Supply, Dunning Auto Parts (NAPA), Firestone, Dent Ninja and BFTP. NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million. Source: NABC Although still active on the custom car scene, Chip Foose seems to presently be less visible than he was a couple of decades ago, despite the still recent success of the Overhaulin' show. Even so, every time a car connected to the man pops up people start paying attention. Coincidentally, a couple of decades ago was when the show was born, but also when the car series this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is part of came to be.Back in 2005, during a Goodguys event in Columbus, Ohio, Foose and Unique Performance presented the first model in a limited series of modified Camaros, whose build was documented on another show called Rides.The car you're looking at here is part of that series, a wonderful piece of American engineering that has barely been driven since it was completed: its odometer shows only 324 miles (521 km) of use.A blend of orange with Pewter accents on most of the body, black-grey on the scooped hood and trunk lid, and chrome on the 18-inch wheels of Foose provenance, the Camaro looks like everything true enthusiasts need to get their blood flowing.The exterior, still classic in terms of lines, has been updated with the inclusion of orange bumpers that seem to melt into the body, chrome mirrors to shine new light on the muscle car's beautiful stance, and discreet exhaust tips to either side of the imposing behind.Open the doors and you're hit by sport seats drowned in leather, just like the door panels. A Lecarra steering wheel sits in front of the driver's seat, and behind that a set of Autometer gauges can be seen. The center of the dashboard is where an LCD screen has been installed, and from behind the front seats the shape of a four-point roll bar makes its presence felt.The car is powered by a monstrous 572ci Chevrolet big block engine, tuned to develop 620 horsepower. The unit is tied to a 5-speed manual transmission, and sends its power to the ground by means of a 9-inch Positraction differential. Stopping power is supplied by Wilwood hardware installed on all four corners of the car.We're told the Camaro cost around $200,000 to be made this way, and that's saying something. We found it on the lot of cars auction house Mecum is sending under the hammer in mid-August in Monterey, California.The 1969 Foose Camaro is listed there as going with no reserve, meaning the highest bidder will get it, no matter the sum. Yet the car's seller is hoping to fetch $130,000 if all the stars align. Lower than the build price, of course, but still impressive enough to make this car one of the highlights of the auction. If it ends up going for that much, of course. With the eyes of humanity set on the Moon as the first alien body that should be colonized by our species in the not-so-distant future, companies and agencies all over the world are presently racing to develop the many supporting technologies that will be required for operations up there. Among them is something called Blue Alchemist. The fancy name was chosen by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to describe a tech like no other. Presented earlier this year , the tech is nothing more than a path to transforming moondust into solar cells and transmission wires which in turn can be used for power generation.The way Blue Alchemist works is simple, really. One just has to stick some lunar regolith inside a reactor (this one is a bit of a mystery at the moment, as Blue Origin hasn't detailed it yet), and burn it at 1,600 degrees Celsius (2,912 degrees Fahrenheit).Adding electrolysis to the process, the regolith is broken down into its component parts, meaning stuff like iron, silicon, and aluminum. The only byproduct of the process is oxygen, another element that will be in high demand on the Moon.It's the silicon that's of interest to Blue Origin though, as it can be used to make solar cells. Through Blue Alchemist, the silicon that was produced had a purity of 99.999 percent, making it ideal for use in solar panels.Naturally, the space company hasn't tested the idea yet on real regolith, but using simulants. "Chemically and mineralogically equivalent to lunar regolith," these materials do however preview with a high degree of accuracy how the real stuff will behave when subjected to this transformation.Once the silicon is extracted, a fabrication process that's yet to be detailed is used to make solar cells that should be capable of withstanding the satellite's harsh conditions for up to ten years.Because it only needs a minimum of equipment to be sent up there and locally-sourced materials, the Blue Alchemist could prove to be a revolutionary idea. NASA certainly seems to think so, and last week awarded Blue Origin Tipping Point funding worth $35 million.Through Tipping Point NASA picks a piece of tech or a process that, if transformed into a commercial solution, might help advance its space exploration goals. Naturally, easy access to solar panels tech is on that list.When it was first presented the Blue Alchemist Blue Origin did not say how long it'll take until the tech is ready for more large-scale tests. After the NASA award though, the company said it should be ready to conduct "a demonstration of autonomous operation in a simulated lunar environment by 2026." It remains unclear when an actual mission to the Moon will happen. Automobili Lamborghini lost its independence back in the 1974. Ferruccio didn't really have a choice but to sell his shares in the eponymous automaker in the wake of an energy crisis caused by OPEC's oil embargo against nations that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War. PHEV Many owners later, the Sant'Agata Bolognese-based company was purchased by the Volkswagen Group. Originally controlled by the Audi division within VAG, the Italian automaker went from playing second fiddle to Ferrari to catching up to the Prancing Horse.This rags-to-riches story wouldn't have been possible without Wolfsburg's favorite son, the mammoth automotive group that finished 2022 in second place (after Toyota) in regard to sales volume. Lamborghini, therefore, was also helped by Porsche's engineers to become the automaker it is today. One of the perks of being so close to the Zuffenhausen-based automaker is that Lamborghini has access to the German marque's entire lineup, including the 992-generation GT3 RS Why, though, is the Raging Bull testing a Neunelfer? Spied exiting and reentering the Lamborghini factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese, the gray-painted 911 looks completely stock, right down to the yellow paint on the brake calipers. There is also a sticker visible on the driver-side front tire's tread, which suggests either a brand-new set of tires or a brand-new car altogether.There is, however, an answer to this seemingly curious sighting. Porsche will electrify the 992 with the mid-cycle refresh, whereas Lamborghini will replace the Huracan with a plug-in hybrid. If the German automaker intends to make the next generation of the 911 a plug-in hybrid as well, chances are that Porsche agreed to Lamborghini taking inspiration from the GT3 RS for a hardcore version of its entry-level supercar in exchange for some of the Huracan replacement's plug-in secrets.Call it a mutually beneficial relationship akin to algae and corals. The symbiosis is all the more important going forward, with 2025 presenting the biggest challenge yet for the European automotive industry.Euro 7 emission regulations will spell the end for many small cars due to rising production costs associated with next-generation powertrains and emission control systems. Lamborghini cannot afford to downsize to a 1.0-liter turbo three-pot mill, but said regulations would require the Raging Bull to can its long-running V10 in favor of a V8. A twin-turbo eighter, that is, likely based on the Porsche-Audi V8 found in the Urus.With the Urus PHEV scheduled to roll out in 2024 for the 2025 model year with 700-plus metric ponies under its belt, it's easy to imagine the Revuelto-styled Huracan replacement with 750 horsies to its name. In truth, it'll be over 800 ponies because of the Ferrari 296 series.A rear-drivewith a 120-degree V6 hiding under the rear decklid, the 296 belts out an incredible 830 ps (819 hp) on full song. Lamborghini cannot afford to get too close to the 1,000-hp mark, though, because that's the territory of the Revuelto. Speaking of which, the imminent discontinuation of the Huracan's V10 will render the Revuelto the only free-breathing production model in the Italian automaker's lineup. It's a big day for Japanese carmaker Nissan, one that doesn't get to enjoy the thrills of launching new products all that often these days. That's because on the first day of August, the new variants of the Fairlady head-turner got here, and at least on the Japanese market, there are no less than seven of them. Nissan Fairlady Z 6MT - 5,398,800 yen ($37,800) Nissan Fairlady Z Version S 6MT - 6,245,800 yen ($43,700) Nissan Fairlady Z Version ST 6MT - 6,657,200 yen ($46,600) Nissan Fairlady Z 9M-ATx - 5,398,800 yen ($37,800) Nissan Fairlady Z Version T 9M-ATx - 5,858,600 yen ($41,000) Nissan Fairlady Z Version ST 9M-ATx - 6,657,200 yen ($46,600) Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO - 9,200,400 ($64,500) Spearheading the range is, of course, the Fairlady Z NISMO, a beast of a machine we've already discussed in detail. As a quick reminder though, here's what Nissan did to this car to make it relevant for the new model year.On the visual front, the changes include a redesign of some parts exclusive to this kind of Fairlady, meaning the front grille (which now comes with a mesh you may be familiar with from the 2024 Nissan GT-R), the two bumpers, the fender moldings, rear spoiler, and rear LED fog lamps.New wheels are on deck, sized 19 inches in diameter and made from forged aluminum. They are spun by the Fairlady NISMO's usual VR30DDTT powerplant, only further tuned into developing 420 horsepower (up from 405) and 520 Nm of torque, up from 475 Nm.This Fairlady is already available on the Japanese market, and there Nissan is asking 9.2 million yen for one. That's the equivalent of $64,500, but Americans should probably expect a slightly different price when the car arrives stateside later this fall as the Nissan Z NISMO.Aside from this most potent variant there are six other Fairladies the Japanese can already get their hands on. I'm talking about the Fairlady Z (with both manual and automatic transmission), Fairlady Z Version S, Fairlady Z Version ST, Fairlady Z Version T, and Fairlady Z Version ST. The cheapest of them all is the simple Z, which retails from 5.4 million yen ($37,800).Customers can choose from a palette of four colors for any of the Fairladies, including a new 432 Orange meant to be a tribute to the S30 of the 1960s and 1970s. A fifth color, something called Steel Grey/Super Black, can only be had for the NISMO variant.You can find the full price list for the Japanese market below this text, but you have to keep in mind that it's only the starting price. Nissan plans to complicate matters a lot, and announced the launch of the new Nissan Genuine Accessory Package later this fall, in October to be precise.This package is meant to pay tribute to the Fairlady Z Customized Edition shown at the beginning of the year at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The Fairlady Z Customized Edition package will come in two variants, entry-level and full, with the latter meant to recreate the model shown on the floor in Tokyo. Pricing for neither of the two packages has been announced yet. Unveiled more than a year ago as a 2023 model year in America, the iconic Honda CR-V compact crossover SUV is slowly making its way to additional markets and regions. PHEV EV AWD 4WD The first time we saw the sixth iteration was in July 2022, and swiftly enough, the model went on sale for the 2023MY in the United States. Over there, it has already reached the 2024 model year and gained a new Sport-L trim level , sold exclusively with the hybrid powertrain from $37,645 or $39,145 in either front- or all-wheel drive configuration, respectively.But other regions are slower to adopt the new generation Honda launched the all-new CR-V on the Old Continent in May with a very nice bundle of electrified powertrains. The CR-V e:HEV is a full hybrid with "a power-dense lithium-ion battery and two compact, lightweight electric motors combining," while the CR-V e:is the flagship and an absolute novelty for Europe, as it comes with a fullrange of up to 82 km (51 miles).Anyway, now it's time to check out the preview of the Honda CR-V for the Australian market. "The sixth generation CR-V encompasses 'Spacious Sophistication' to support family comfort," says Honda's division in the Land Down Under, and it will come "soon" (September 1) with the e:HEV as an option, plus the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features, and Honda Connect technology as standard features across the vast and encompassing range.For starters, customers will choose six exterior colors, including Platinum White, Lunar Silver, Meteoroid Grey, Ignite Red, Crystal Black, and a new Canyon River Blue. Still, as it turns out, the trim family is even more significant. At launch, no less than seven variants will become available: VTi X, VTi X7, VTi L, VTi L7, VTi L, VTi LX AWD, and e:HEV RS.Naturally, the latter has a sporty demeanor with an exclusive color treatment for the front and rear bumpers, an RS black front grille, plus black leather upholstery with red stitching inside. But that's only part of it, as buyers can also select between five and 7-seat models, plus 2WD oracross the model range."For the first time in Australia, we will be launching the all-new CR-V with an e:HEV Hybrid powertrain. Honda's e:HEV hybrid powertrain has become increasingly popular across the Accord, Civic, Honda ZR-V, and HR-V ranges, delivering a dynamic combination of performance and efficiency," explained Carolyn McMahon, Honda Australia Director.The powertrain range consists of the well-known 1.5-liter direct injection VTEC turbocharged engine plus a two-motor hybrid system for the e:HEV RS. Honda Australia didn't provide exact technical specifications for any of them, but we know the pricing strategy. So, the cheapest Honda CR-V is the five-seat 2WD VTi X model with the 1.5L turbo, starting at AUD 44,500, which is $29,605 just $105 more than the base CR-V for America! SUV MQB kW Skoda is doing its best to bring a wide assortment of interior and exterior upgrades for the mid-cycle life update the small family hatchback and the city-orientedmodel have both been in production since 2019. The successor of the Skoda Rapid Spaceback and the smallest representative of the CUV range (alongside Karoq and Kodiaq, among others) are both riding on the Volkswagen Group'sA0 platform variant and were previously teased for the summer introduction.They are not the only ones coming this year from Skoda, as the company is preparing to release the next-generation Superb and Kodiaq models later this fall. Back to the Scala and Kamiq's nip and tuck, the extended range of assistance systems is mixed with the optional 'Top LED Matrix' headlights coming for the first time on these affordable series.For the Scala, there's also a reworked grille, slimmer headlights, new aprons, and air curtains, both front and back. For the Kamiq, there is a larger upright grille, new aprons and diffusers, and reworked split headlights. That is about it if you do not count the ritzier look of the hatchback model that gains crystalline LED modules "designed to evoke sparkling little blocks of ice or gemstones."Still produced at the company's main plant in Mlada Boleslav, the Czech Republic, Skoda has also opted to increase the proportion of sustainable materials in the Scala and Kamiq which now come with recycled plastics and natural plant fibers plus recycled fabrics for the upholstery, flooring, and foot mats.The engines, meanwhile, are only available in the gasoline-powered format, with three options from the TSI evo2 family on point for the refreshed models. The base version comes in the form of a 1.0 TSI three-cylinder unit with 70(94 hp/95 ps) and a five-speed manual transmission. Next arrives the version with 85 kW (114 hp/115 ps) rocking either a six-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. Last but not least, there's also a flagship 1.5-liter with 110 kW and 148 hp/150 ps.Besides a standard suspension, both Scala and Kamiq can be fitted with either a rougher-roads setting (up 15 mm) or a Sport Chassis Control option with dual damper settings. Skoda also premieres a restructured product range, borrowing the fresh Design Selections from the all-electric Enyaq so the family features Essence, Selections, and Monte Carlo grades from now on. Standard features include an 8-inch Digital Display for the driver and an 8.25-inch Skoda Infotainment display on all models, and the host of Simply Clever features premieres the Virtual Pedal for the optional electric tailgate for both Scala and Kamiq. Volvo has already finished the final countdown for all the sedans and estates in the United Kingdom. The Swedish carmaker will exclusively focus on what the market demands: SUVs, ditching everything else. ICE The sedans and estates can no longer be specced in the United Kingdom using the Volvo website configurator. Customers can still buy such a model if they choose one from the dealers' remaining stock.Volvo has axed them all one by one, starting with the S90 sedan and going straight to the V60 and the V90 Cross Country , with the latter being a rival to Mercedes-Benz' E-Class All-Terrain and part of a narrow niche in the market. Back then, the Swedish said they were not planning to ditch the models, but it was probably a moment in between decisions.The S60 mid-size sedan vanished from the online configurator last year, but returned as Autocar reports "for the medium-term future." The move made sense at the time, considering that the South Carolina plant, where Volvo is building the S60, will switch to an all-electric SUVs production. That is where the EX90 will see the light of day starting next year, following the delay caused by various safety tech integration issues.Volvo indicates the transformation of the lineup, moving towards full electrification, in a statement to Autocar. They explain that the demand for SUVs has been on the rise, while customers interest in sedans and estates has been constantly shrinking over the years."Appetite for our saloon and estate models has fallen to very low levels in the UK, which has led to our decision to remove these models from sale," they added Volvo is already selling/going to sell three electric SUVs: the XC40 Recharge, the EX30 , and the seven-seat EX90 flagship. An electric successor of the XC60 will drop in 2025.The best-selling Volvo model in the UK remains the XC60, purchased by 106,000 customers over the first half of 2023, despite the fact that the second generation has been on the market for six years already, having undergone a facelift in 2021. With such figures, the XC90 outsold the brands entire sedan and state range by around 60%.23,000 customers ordered an S90, 18,000 went for the S60, 16,000 chose the V60, while only 7,100 took home a V90. Most likely, slow sales must have had a word in the decision. But the news drops as a surprise considering there were romors that claimed Volvo was working on electric variants of these models.The S60/V60 and S90/V90 are still available in other European countries.Volvo is committed to offering a fully electric lineup by 2030, way ahead of the 2035 ban of-powered cars indicated by the European Union. Tonoyan appeared before an ad hoc parliamentary commission tasked with examining the causes of Armenias defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. The two opposition blocs represented in the National Assembly boycott the work of the commission, saying that it was set up last year to whitewash Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians wartime incompetence and disastrous decision making. Tonoyan called for an end to the opposition boycott in his opening remarks accessible to media. He also said that his decision to testify before the panel made up of Pashinians political allies should not be construed by the opposition as a sign that he has cut a deal with the Armenian government. Gegham Manukian, a lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance, was quick to reject his appeal. We continue to insist that Nikol Pashinian and his regime cannot impartially examine their own actions, Manukian wrote on Facebook Manukian noted that Tonoyan criticized the opposition for trying to oust Pashinian in the immediate aftermath of the six-week war stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire. At the same time, he described the ex-minister as a government hostage. Over the past year, the commission has questioned dozens of current and former government officials, including Pashinian, as well as military officers. Testifying before it in June, the prime minister again defended his handling of the 2020 war and effectively shifted blame for its outcome onto Armenias top military brass. Onik Gasparian, the wartime army chief of staff, disputed some of his claims. Tonoyan confirmed Gasparians earlier assertion that two days after the outbreak of large-scale hostilities in September 2020 the latter warned the countrys political leadership to stop them because the Armenian side is headed for defeat. He also said that Turkeys direct military intervention in the war proved decisive for Azerbaijans victory. That intervention, he said, was unexpected for the Armenian military which had calculated that it could fight back Azerbaijani aggression. We had not calculated that the Turkish armed forces could appear only 25-45 kilometers away from the Artsakh theater of war and carry out flights there, added Tonoyan. Tonoyan was sacked as defense minister in the wake of the war and arrested in 2021 in a criminal investigation into alleged supplies of faulty ammunition to the Armenian Air Force. He, two army generals and an arms dealer went on trial in 2022. They all deny fraud and embezzlement charges leveled against them. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken again called for an end to Azerbaijans blockade of the Lachin corridor when he telephoned Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev over the weekend. Blinken said he expressed deep concern over the resulting severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential items in Karabakh. Samantha Power, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), described the situation in the Armenian-populated region as very troubling. I join Secretary Blinkens call for the free transit of commercial and humanitarian supplies through the corridor, she tweeted on Tuesday. On Monday, an official in Stepanakert claimed that the Azerbaijani government has cancelled a U.S.-mediated meeting with Karabakh representatives which was due to take place in Slovakia on Tuesday. He said Western mediators will visit Yerevan in the coming days to discuss the issue with Karabakh officials. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan did not confirm or deny this. We are ready to support any process that will bring peace and stability to people of the South Caucasus, it said in written comments to RFE/RLs Armenian Service. The embassy also announced that the U.S. envoy, Louis Bono, will visit the region later this week to discuss U.S. support for the peace process and the best way to achieve a lasting and dignified peace. It did not elaborate. Washington has repeatedly said that the Azerbaijani blockade is complicating international efforts to broker a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, insisted on Monday that the deal is within reach. However, we have always said that for it to be within reach both parties have to make difficult compromises, Miller told reporters. According to the State Department, during his conversation with Aliyev, Blinken emphasized the need for compromise on alternative routes so humanitarian supplies can reach the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku says that food and other basic necessities should only be supplied to Karabakh from Azerbaijan proper. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, countered last week that the Azerbaijani-controlled supply line should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor. 1 August 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more For centuries, even millennia, a force that has caused divisions in the world is still ruling over humanity. This force, which gradually invades human consciousness and drives societies to crime, has the power to lead to anger, brutality and finally terrorism. Inspired by that force today, murder, revenge and human attrocities have settled on the border with Azerbaijan under the name of Armenian nationalism. Armenian terrorism is acts of systematic intimidation and individual revenge as one of the methods of activity of Armenian nationalist groups (organisations). Terrorism of Armenian nationalists was initially motivated by the false idea of fighting against the alleged discrimination, mass robberies and killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire by the authorities and Kurdish tribes, later - revenge for the so-called genocide of Armenians in Turkiye. The term "Armenian terrorism" was first officially used in the United States in the August 1982 monthly bulletin of the U.S. Department of State. Paul Wilkinson's famous 1986 book "Terrorism Against Democracy: The Liberal State" (second edition) has a chapter on Armenian terrorism on page 344. Paul Wilkinson, (9 May 1937 - 11 August 2011), was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, a British order of chivalry awarded for contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charities and social organisations, and public service outside the Civil Service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V and comprises five classes in both civil and military branches, the two most senior of which make the recipient either a knight, if male, or a dame, if female. He was a British expert on terrorism, Emeritus Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews (CSTPV). "There is irrefutable historical evidence that the most protracted, fanatical and intransigent campaigns of terrorist violence are those carried out in the name of national self-determination and justice for an ethnic group." Although groups involved in terrorist attacks tend to be very small and operate underground, the fact that they claim to be genuine defenders of an entire ethnic community almost inevitably provides them with a broader and more loyal base of political sympathy and support, even if, as is usually the case, the nationalist movement as a whole contains many elements deeply opposed to terrorism. According to the expert and author of the book, groups such as the Baader Meinhof Gang, the Red Brigades, and the Japanese Red Army proved "more ephemeral and vulnerable to a harsh government response". None of these ideological revolutionaries actually succeeded in gaining mass support among the working class for which they supposedly fought. Further on page 344, regarding the Armenian terrorism, the author writes: "In contrast Armenian terrorism has been going on for over a hundred years. Their organisation-national forms, leadership and tactics admittedly change, but the origins of their terrorist violence lie deep in their national psychology and traditions, and in their desperate passion for the cause of national liberation. The current Armenian terrorist groups are part of a very long tradition of resistance to the nations in the Northeast Turkiye and the former Armenian Soviet Republic." When considering the facts, an important point is encountered here: "The Armenian delegation will return to the East, taking with it the lesson that without struggle and without rebellion nothing can be achieved." It is clear from the ideas that Armenian terrorism has developed itself from time to time in the form of an organization and has spread to the world in the form of large and small groups. The following are terrorist organizations from Armenia. The Armenikan Party: was established in 1885 The Hnchak Party: was founded in Geneva in 188 The Dashnaksyutun Armenian Federative Revolution Party: was founded in Tbilisi in 1890 The Avengers of Armenian Genocide group commenced activity in 1973 The Armenian Secret Liberation Army (ASOA): was founded in Beirut in 1975 The Armenian Secret Army for Liberty of Armenia (ASALA): the headquarters of the organization, founded in 1975, located in Beirut The Geqaron: was founded by the ASALA in February 2001 The Armenian Liberation Movement (AOD): was founded in France in 1991 The Armenian Liberation Front: is an integral part of the ASALA, founded in 1979 The Orli Group: was established by Armenian youth from France in 1981 The Armenian Genocide Justice Commandoes: was founded in Vena during the congress of the Dashnaksyutun Party in 1972 The Armenian Union: was established in Moscow in 1988 The Democratic Front: operates in the USA, Canada, and Western Europe Apostle: was founded by the Armenian Defence Union, consisting of Armenia, Syria, and Lebanon citizens on April 29, 2001 In light of today's days and events, already after the second Karabakh war, where Azerbaijan is the victor, having returned the sacred lands of its ancestors from the occupants, Armenian terrorism and nationalism made their activity more obvious. In spite of the humanitarian aid offered by Azerbaijan, on the Aghdam-Khankendi road, the inhabitants of the so-called 'Nagorno-Karabakh' do not accept the aid but demand their own food. The separatist regime in Garabagh blames Azerbaijan with various lies and excuses and engages in continuous provocations. One of the recent events was the detention of one of the most organized members of those terrorist groups. The Armenian terrorist who committed genocide in Meshali was caught by the Azerbaijani Border Guard Service. Despite on 12 November 2013, a ruling was issued to bring Khachatryan Vagif Cherkezovich as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forcible transfer of population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the investigation did not know his whereabouts. As a result of search measures, on 29 July 2023, at the Lachin checkpoint located on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, servicemen from The State Border Service of Azerbaijan detained Vagif Khachatryan, who was trying to travel to the Republic of Armenia for medical treatment through the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, all the evidence presented does not satisfy Armenia, which supports terrorism, for some reason. On the contrary, Armenia does not hesitate to defend a criminal who killed dozens of people 32 years ago. This means that Armenians have not changed and do not even want to change... The events of a hundred years ago until today show once again that Armenia has not yet recovered from the malady of nationalism and its tendency to terrorism. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 15:30 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Led by Gilbert-Luc Devinaz and Pierre Ouzoulias, over 60 French senators and deputies called President Emmanuel Macron to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan. Needless to say that the appeal is full of misinformation and hate against Azerbaijanis. French senators baselessly accuse Azerbaijan of blockade and attempts at ethnic cleansing. However, for some reason, the legislators turn a blind eye to the fact that over 30,000 Armenian live in Azerbaijan, but over 250,000 Azerbaijanis were expelled from Armenia and over 750,000 compatriots were driven out from Garabagh by Armenians. Today no Azerbaijani lives in Armenia and part of Garabagh that is under the control of peacekeepers with separatists. Besides, it seems that the same French legislators forget that the hand of France smeared the blood of Africans. Moreover, French senators brazenly noted that by imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani statespersons, they will force Azerbaijanis to be coexistent with Armenians in the South Caucasus. However, they forget that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and France is not so big, and France does not play a special role in the Azerbaijani economy. So, it raises a question, what kind of sanctions France can impose on Azerbaijan? In a comment for AZERNEWS on the issue, the economist and politician Natig Jafarly noted that the main reason for the recent tension between Azerbaijan and France is the attempts of France to take a serious role over Armenia in the South Caucasus and become a serious player in the region. For some reason, France has an idea that Russia will become weaker and weaker in the region, and as its influence on Armenia disappears, France can become a serious player in the South Caucasus over Armenia. This is the main goal of France, Jafarly said. He also noted that there are other reasons, as well. Thus, there is a fairly large and strong Armenian lobby in France. They have the opportunity to influence the elections and some politicians, the Armenians have been able to build a system in this country for decades. They actively participate in the elections, provide financial support to the parties partaking in the elections, and in this way influence politics. That is, they try to do so. However, the ever-increasing and developing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, between European countries and Azerbaijan, especially in the field of energy, is in the serious interest of European countries. Therefore, I do not think that France, which is a part of the EU, will apply any sanctions against Azerbaijan. In other words, the presence of such an event may lead to tension in the relations between Azerbaijan and France, and between Azerbaijan and the EU. But 'the French parliament' can adopt certain declarations, documents that haveno legal basis. There may even be certain challenges. However, the sanction is severe and it is impossible to apply this in some form against Azerbaijan. Besides, in order for France to take such a step, the majority of the Senate and parliament must vote for it. It should not be forgotten that there are other parties and other political factions in France that do not want this to happen. There are also big companies with business interests, including Total, which will lobby for the de-escalation of relations with Azerbaijan, he said. The expert also does not rule out that there will be sanctions, but it is possible to accept documents that sound like political statements without any legal significance. As for France's exaggeration of issues related to ethnic cleansing, he emphasized that looking at France's past, it is not ethical, and even has no legal basis. Because Azerbaijan did not carry out ethnic cleansing. Ethnic cleansing has been carried out against Azerbaijanis for 30 years. If France wants to see this kind of act, then it had better look at monoethnic Armenia. 99% of the population there are Armenians. This is the ethnic cleansing. 100 thousand ethnic Azerbaijanis have been deported from Armenia. Also, 100 thousand local people were expelled from the former NK and in reality Garabagh and surrounding regions before the Patriotic War. The ethnic cleansing took place here. To present it the other way around is not based on legal and historical facts, figuratively speaking, it will have no takers, he added. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 14:23 (UTC+04:00) President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has met with TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev. During the meeting, the sides stressed the importance of joint cooperation in the broader interaction of Turkic peoples with common roots and culture, Azernews reports. In the course of the conversation, pan-Turkic cultural unity was noted as one of the topical issues in the process of multilateral integration of the Turkic world. Gunay Afandiyeva and Sultan Raev touched upon the activities of the foundation and TURKSOY, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, as well as the projects implemented to promote the creative heritage of outstanding personalities of the Turkic peoples. During the meeting, the importance of declaring the city of Shusha the "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" by TURKSOY for 2023 was emphasized. At the meeting, the holding of "Days of Shusha City" in different countries by the foundation to promote the historical and cultural heritage of the city was highly appreciated. The meeting continued with a discussion on further strengthening the partnership between the foundation and TURKSOY and future joint projects. Initiated in 2012, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of the Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third nations. The foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs. The organization carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The four-lane Barda-Aghdam motorway has been built in accordance with the I technical category. The State Agency "Azerbaijan Automobile Roads" informed on Monday that the length of the Barda-Aghdam motorway is 44.5 km, Azernews reports. In accordance with the "Construction norms and rules", excavation works, construction of a new earth bed, two layers of road base, and asphalt concrete pavement using the thickness and necessary materials envisaged by the project have been completed. According to the project, construction works on artificial structures, road junctions, and bridges, as well as the construction of round culverts, rectangular water crossings, and subways were also 100 percent completed. Thus, construction of road bridges with lengths of 91.3 and 18.2 meters was successfully carried out and completed at the 25th and 40th kilometers of the Barda-Aghdam road, road junctions with lengths of 66 and 43 meters at the 14th and 42nd kilometers, as well as overland pedestrian crossings envisaged at the 4th, 14th and 16th kilometers. The construction of footpaths along the road, concrete curbs, pavements, and tames was also completed. At the 29th kilometer of the road, at the location of the Pit stop, construction work is ongoing. Currently, the third layer of asphalt concrete pavement is being constructed along the road and lampposts are being installed. The third layer of asphalt concrete pavement has already been completed on the first 10 kilometers of the road. In general, 88 percent of the planned works have been completed. It is planned to complete the construction of the new road in the near future. For this purpose, the necessary amount of force has been attracted to the territory. It should be noted that the Barda-Aghdam motorway is being constructed up to the city of Aghdam, which was liberated from occupation. The first 14 kilometers of the road pass within the limits of Barda city and cover several settlements of Barda district. In total, the road covers more than 20 settlements, including the cities of Barda and Aghdam. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 10:22 (UTC+04:00) As part of his official visit to the Republic of Turkiye, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with the Chief adviser to the President of the country Akif Cagatay Kilic, Azernews reports. The meeting discussed the current cooperation between the two countries as well as the situation in the region. The sides hailed the allied relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye based on the Shusha Declaration and the cooperation within the framework of regional formats. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov underlined that new realities emerged after the Patriotic War and the proposal of the peace agenda by Azerbaijan created opportunities for regional cooperation. The FM also stressed the necessity of opening communications, including the Zangazur corridor. FM Bayramov gave detailed information about the ongoing military and political provocations of Armenia against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Chief adviser Akif Caghatay Kilic noted that the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in line with the philosophy of brotherly and friendly relations between the two countries contributes to the development and security of both countries, including the region. The pair also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest at the meeting. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 11:27 (UTC+04:00) 1 August is celebrated as the Day of Azerbaijani Alphabet and Azerbaijani Language. On this occasion, employees of the National Library have prepared a virtual exhibition entitled "1 August - Day of the Azerbaijani Alphabet and Azerbaijani Language", Azernews reports. The library informed us that the virtual exhibition presents opinions of prominent figures of Azerbaijan, orders and decrees, and books. Those wishing to learn more about the virtual exhibition can use the link http://anl.az/el/vsb/Ana_dili_gunu/index.htm . Like the Azerbaijani alphabet, the comprehensive development of the language, its acquisition of the status of the official state language, and its opening for world diplomacy in the system of international relations are connected with the name of the great leader Heydar Aliyev. In the first Constitution of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan adopted on 12 November 1995, the people demonstrated their position in the referendum and unanimously supported granting the status of the state language of the country to Azerbaijani. Taking into account that the introduction of the Latin alphabet is an important event in the political life of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the history of our written culture, Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, signed a decree dated 9 August 2001. By this decree, every year 1 August is declared the Day of the Azerbaijani alphabet and the Azerbaijani language in the Republic of Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 12:50 (UTC+04:00) The UZAZ-2023 computerized tactical command and staff training exercise held at the Chirchik training ground in the Tashkent region with the participation of Azerbaijani and Uzbek servicemen has been completed, Azernews reports. According to information provided by the Ministry of Defence, at the last stage of the joint exercise, the tasks of conducting special military operations were performed on computer and map. Speakers at the event held on the occasion of the end of the exercise praised the professionalism of the servicemen and noted the achievement of the set objectives. It was reported that the tasks for all phases of the exercise were successfully completed. At the end of the event, mutual gifts were presented. It should be noted that the exercise "UZAZ-2023" was held in accordance with the "Plan of bilateral cooperation for 2023 signed between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Uzbekistan". --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 13:47 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset on the occasion of the country's national holiday, Azernews reports. The letter reads: Esteemed Mr. President, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate You and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of your country. I believe that through our joint efforts friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland and our mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to develop and strengthen in line with the interests of our peoples. On this festive day, I extend my best wishes to You, and wish the Swiss Confederation everlasting peace and prosperity. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 16:00 (UTC+04:00) Western Azerbaijan Community calls on the President of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) of the Council of Europe not to be a tool of Armenia's crafty games and protect its independence, Azernews reports. The statement reads: The Western Azerbaijan Community condemns the lop-sided statement of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Tiny Kox, dated July 31, 2023, and calls on PACE not to be a tool of Armenia's crafty games and protect its independence, the Community said in a statement. The statement also says: We would like to emphasize again that the issue of supplies to Armenians living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is a mere provocation created by Armenia to mislead the international opinion. In particular, on the instructions of Armenia, a group of separatist criminals has sealed off the roads from other regions of Azerbaijan to the areas where Armenians live in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, demanding an exclusive route for supplies from Armenia in an uncontrolled manner. On Armenias instigation, such elements closed the Aghdam-Khankendi road with concrete blocks. These forces did it defiantly, released video footage of the road closure, and declared that they would not allow the road to be used for supplies by ordinary people. In this regard, the fact-finding mission mentioned by Tiny Kox should not be sent to Azerbaijan, which is determined to reintegrate the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region, but to Armenia, which has expelled Western Azerbaijanis from Armenia and denied us our right to return. We remind Tiny Kox that co-rapporteurs of PACE on Armenia have not yet responded to the letter addressed to them by the Western Azerbaijan Community on March 1 this year. The Western Azerbaijan Community, which promotes the ideas of peaceful coexistence, urges Tiny Kox not to approach the issue of human rights from the prism of double standards, to give public support for our proposal for dialogue with Armenia and the return to our ancestral lands in Armenia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 16:55 (UTC+04:00) A group of American journalists and media experts recently visited Azerbaijan's Aghdam City, recently liberated from Armenian occupation. The journalists and experts came from the United States, and were able to see the destruction caused by the occupation with their own eyes, Azernews reports. The group visited the Juma (Friday) Mosque in Aghdam and was informed about the consequences of Armenian vandalism, including the destruction of the Bread Museum and the Drama Theater. They also visited the Imaret complex, which houses the palace of the founder of the Karabakh Khanate, Panahali Khan. The Mexican journalist and Canal Once anchor Federico Lamont was particularly struck by what he saw at the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima. He said that the destruction in Aghdam reminded him of what he saw there. He also said that those who committed these crimes must be tried and convicted not only by UNESCO for the destruction of cultural monuments but also in The Hague. The journalists and media experts were also informed about the work on the restoration of the city. Currently, the city plan is being prepared, and after its approval, a tender will be announced. It is expected that 100,000 people will live in the restored Aghdam, and modern infrastructure will be built according to the "smart city" concept. This will include eco-transport, including a tram line and about 79 km of bike paths. Parks and open spaces will also be established, making up 20 percent of the city's territory. The priority at the current stage is the restoration of historical sites with the help of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture. The foreign journalists and media experts were able to witness the progress of this work and were also informed about the demining process in Aghdam. The visit of the American journalists and media experts to Aghdam is a testament to the importance of the city and the destruction caused by the Armenian occupation. It is hoped that the restoration of the city will be successful and that justice will be served for the crimes committed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 17:26 (UTC+04:00) Registration for the Mother Language - Azerbaijani School project is ongoing. The goal of the project is to create an opportunity for distance learning of the native language for Azerbaijanis living abroad. In the initial stage, within the project, which will cover the 2023-2024 academic year, teaching will be organized online 2-3 times a week according to a predetermined schedule. Classes will be conducted by experienced specialists based on the interactive training method. The content of the educational program includes detailed information about the history, literature, geography and culture of Azerbaijan in addition to the native language. The curriculum prepared by local experts is designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels covering 3 age groups. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate at the end of the training. So far, hundreds of our compatriots living in more than 20 foreign countries have applied for the project. Those who register to the school will have the opportunity to join Azerbaijani language classes in groups according to their age and language level, as well as time zones. Classes will start on September 15. The last date of registration for Mother Language - Azerbaijan School is August 12. It is possible to register to the school through the http://anadili.agma.az/ platform. For more information about the project, you can contact +994 51 226 71 21 and email [email protected]. Introductory video for registration: https://youtu.be/P5BJfb6Wp8o Social media: https://linktr.ee/anadili --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 22:30 (UTC+04:00) The Euronews television channel prepared a reportage on the building and reconstruction works in Azerbaijan's Lachin district, liberated from occupation, as well as the return of internally displaced persons. Azernews informs that in the report it was talked about the rapid reconstruction works in the western Azerbaijan, especially after the 44-day war. Also in the report, Euronews correspondent Annelise Borges talks with the families of former internally displaced persons who returned to Lachin. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00) The UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech, co-authored by Uzbekistan, Azernews reports, citing Kabar. The resolution condemns any advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media, social media or any other means. The concern is expressed at all acts of hate speech that undermine the spirit of tolerance and respect for diversity and constitute a serious common concern for all Member States, and convinced that there is no justification for hate speech, whatever be the motivation. Encourages Member States to consider, as and where appropriate, initiatives that identify areas for practical action in all sectors and levels of society for the promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 August 2023 23:20 (UTC+04:00) The International aviation community commends the civil aviation management approaches carried out in Kazakhstan by the Civil Aviation Committee and Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan for over the past two-three years, Azernews reports, citing Kazinform. According to the audit carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the level of flight safety corresponds to the level of the European Union countries. Work is underway as part of the trilateral agreement with the Ireland aviation authority and the European Aviation Security Agency (EASA) on technical cooperation and enhancing human capital. The realization of cooperation will allow for greater safety level of flights in the country and effectively prepare for ICAO and FAA safety audits to launch direct flights to the USA. The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan also cooperates with the leading international aviation associations such as the Airports Council International, International Air Transport Association (IATA), CANSO and EUROCONTROL. Last year, a representative from Kazakhstan was elected as the deputy chair of the ICAO special group on aviation safety, and this year as the deputy chair of the European and North Atlantic Directors General of Civil Aviation Meeting. The country eyes increasing its level of correspondence to the ICAO standards from 82% to 90% through close cooperation. Positioning Kazakhstan as the leader in civil aviation in Central Asia, two regional initiatives have been launched the coordination group on aviation safety AVSEC (made up of six countries) and Eurasian Civil Aviation Conference (10 countries). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz People in Bahrain are enjoying the rom-com K-drama 'King the Land' as it has remained in Netflix's Top 10 for five weeks! 'King the Land' is a romantic comedy series about Goo Woon, who is the rich heir of The King Group, and Cheon sa-rang, who is a cheerful and diligent hotelier. As Goo Woon gets wrapped up in a fight for inheritance, he also clashes with Cheon Sa Rang, whose cheerful personality he simply cannot tolerate! While you wait for the final episodes to air, here are some k-dramas you watch if you like 'King the Land'. K-Dramas to Watch if You Liked 'King the Land': What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? 'What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?' is an comic office romance featuring Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young. Park Seo Joon plays a narcissistic vice-chairman of a company Lee Young Joon who loses the plot when his talent secretary Kim Mi So decides to resign from her position. As he tries to persuade her to stay, the story wheels into funny misunderstandings and a budding romance. Business Proposal Shin Ha Ri goes on a blind date in place of her friend Jin Young Seo who refuses to visit the eligible bachelors her father wants her to meet. However, things take a twist when Ha Ri finds out that her friend's date turns out to be Kang Tae Moo, CEO of the company Ha Ri works at. 'Business Proposal' became the first Korean series produced and originally released by a local company to top the Netflix chart. The drama features Kim Se Jeong and Ahn Hyo Seop in leading roles. Strong Girl Bong Soon This rom-com is going to have you laughing with tears as it stars the cute and comic duo Park Bo Young and Park Hyung Sik. 'Strong Girl Bong Soon' is about a woman named Do Bong Soon who is born with superhuman strength. Her strength lands her the job of a bodyguard for Ahn Min-hyuk, the CEO of a gaming company. With the help of Min Hyuk, Bong Soon learns to use her capabilities for good causes and even finds love on the way! Touch Your Heart A popular actress Oh Jin Shim lands in a scandal, which damages her career and leaves her jobless. To clear her name and rise to fame again, Jin Shim decides to work as a secretary to the lawyer Kung Jung Rok. The drama features 'Goblin' stars Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na. Romance is a Bonus Book A friendship turns to romance when Kang Dan-i starts working at the same publishing company her long-time friend Cha Eun Ho is editor-in-chief at. The drama features 'Big Mouth' star Lee Jong Suk and Lee Na Young in leading roles. She Was Pretty Another Park Seo Joon-starrer, 'She Was Pretty' is a story about Hye Jin who starts working at the same magazine her childhood sweetheart Sung Joon works at. However, Hye Jin is too ashamed to admit who she really is, scared that it might ruin Sugn Joon's perception of her. Nonetheless, the two continue to clash at work, which leads to various funny moments and eventually love! Along with Park Seo Joon, Hwang Jung Eum features in the drama. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Sunny. High 96F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 72F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Lawyers for tech consultant Nima Momeni say he had no reason to kill Cash App founder Bob Lee Attorneys for the tech consultant charged in the death of Cash App founder Bob Lee say their client had a cordial relationship with Lee and no reason to kill him China's head-of-state diplomacy: 'Four fully respects' demonstrate essence of China's foreign policy People's Daily Online) 15:45, August 01, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Chinese President Xi Jinping explained China's policy toward Pacific island countries during his meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 10, 2023. Xi emphasized that China's policy toward Pacific island countries is founded on the "four fully respects." First, China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific island countries, and upholds the equality of all countries, big or small. Second, China fully respects the will of Pacific island countries and follows the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits, and win-win results. Third, China fully respects the cultural traditions of Pacific island nations, and pursues harmony without uniformity and the common development of diverse cultures. Fourth, China fully respects Pacific island countries' efforts to seek strength through unity and supports them in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, so as to contribute to the building of a peaceful, harmonious, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Blue Pacific. The "four fully respects," encompassing political, economic, cultural, and regional cooperation aspects, hold significant relevance to the development of Pacific island countries and epitomize the essence of China's foreign policy. Expressions such as "uphold the equality of all countries, big or small," "follow the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits and win-win results," and "pursue harmony without uniformity and the common development of diverse cultures" reflect China's value orientation and choice of practice. These expressions also signify China's sincere intention to foster friendly cooperation with various countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, as well as the grand vision and breadth of mind behind efforts to deepen and expand global partnerships based on equality, openness, and cooperation. Adhering to these principles and propositions, Xi has personally made proactive strides to advance the continuous development of relations between China and Pacific island countries over the years. Under the guidance of China's head-of-state diplomacy, China and Pacific island countries have enhanced political communication, pursued joint development, carried out cultural and people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning, and cooperated in handling international affairs, steadily steering their relations into the future. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Lincoln City's Extravagant Beach Art Contest: Oregon Coast Sands Become Masterpiece Published 07/28/23 at 6:21 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Lincoln City, Oregon) Sometimes, the beaches make the most incredible canvasses for art what the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative called the intersection of art and nature. Next week, on Saturday, August 5, Lincoln City's sands become a unique sand art competition called Art on the Beach, put together by the Oregon coast's UNESCO Biosphere Region and Marine Reserve at Cascade Head. Artists of all ages are invited to hit these sands, where cash and other prizes are the awards for creating a masterpiece of one kind or another. The competitions theme is upwelling - the oceanic term for a life-giving dynamic in the ocean, which also causes fascinating things to wash up on the Oregon coast. Artists use sticks, rakes and other objects to conjure forth their favorite oceanic aspect, including creatures like crabs, octopuses or seals. There's no previous experience necessary and the hosts will have extra rakes onhand. Head to Roads End State Recreation Site at the end of Logan Road in Lincoln City. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. - look for the white tent. Is this like a sandcastle contest? Not quite. Sand art is different from traditional sand castle building in that the artists utilize rakes to create art that transforms beach surfaces into large-scale, ephemeral masterpieces, said organizers. Artists rake the sand into patterns and shapes, creating everything from simple geometrical designs to complex and stunning representations of natural or abstract themes. Duncan Berry, Co-Director at Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative, said Lincoln City's Art on the Beach is more than an art competition, it's a celebration of Lincoln City's connection with the Cascade Head Biosphere Region. Berry is also the events featured artist, and gathering with him will be a team of volunteer rakers to spell out the word biosphere. It's all rather large-scale stuff, really only becoming truly apparent when drones snap pics of it from above. Participants are invited to make their striking Oregon coast moments in a 20'x20' area. Organizers said that's 400 square feet or about 400 million grains of sand to play on. The Cascade Head Biosphere Region is an UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme site located on the Central Oregon Coast of North America. Originally designated in 1976, the newly reauthorized Cascade Head Biosphere Region includes the Salmon River and Estuary, the Cascade Head Marine Reserve, and the City of Lincoln City, Oregon. The Cascade Head Biosphere Region has a prolific diversity of wildlife including black bears, cougars, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, five species of salmon, migrating gray and humpback whales, and four federally listed endangered species: the spotted owl, marbled murrelet, coho salmon, and Oregon silverspot butterfly. Learn more at cascadehead.org. Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Do the Bioblitz on N. Oregon Coast: Unusual Fun on Beaches of Manzanita, Nearby Published 07/27/23 at 5:41 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) Wanna feel like a scientist making a discovery on the Oregon coast? And still have a monumental day at the beach? The North Coast Land Conservancy (NCLC) group is letting you do just that, as the group's Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Program is hosting a month-long BioBlitz from August 15 to September 15. You get to goof around the beaches of the area, such as Oswald West State Park, Short Sand Beach, Falcon Cove Beach and Manzanita's Neahkahnie Beach but with a purpose. A bioblitz is where various members of a community fan out in an area and look for animals and plants a kind of inventory of what is in this north Oregon coast biome. The idea is to identify and record as many species as you can within a certain time frame, which allows scientists to collect long-term datasets about the area. How to participate? First, said the NCLC, you download the iNaturalist app for your mobile device and then join the project through that app. Then, any time during the bioblitz, head down to Short Sand Beach, Falcon Cove Beach and Neahkahnie Beach to look for various species and document your observations in the app, the NCLC said. Even if you dont know exactly what something is, dont worry. Researchers and other users from around the world work to identify all species recorded. In addition to a very different kind of fun on an Oregon coast beach, you may win a prize. The person with the most species logged during the project's month will win a marine reserve gift basket. To learn more about this including how to use iNaturalist and the value of participating watch their 2022 training session video. Instructions and insights are still relevant, NCLC said. Dont forget to also share your observations on social media, tagging North Coast Land Conservancy (@nclctrust) and including #CFMRBioBlitz2023. The NCLC is also hosting a special outdoors event with a group effort for the bioblitz. Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Manzanita, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours On Saturday, September 2, everyone meets at Short Sand Beach at 8:30 a.m. for the Group BioBlitz Excursion. There, NCLC Marine Program Coordinator Angela Whitlock will lead the group down to the beach and get to know this fascinating, stunning little cove. You'll be looking at it in a new way, contributing to the collection of valuable data. Registration will open on Aug. 1 and is required for participation. See more about the Falcon Cove area, Short Sand Beach and Oswald West State Park at the Manzanita / Rockaway Beach Virtual Tours from Oregon Coast Beach Connection. MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Archived Results for Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 Older Page 1 Espen Spangenburg, left, and a student work in the Spangenburg Lab at East Carolina Universitys East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute. (ECU photos by Cliff Hollis) This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services . The author of this post is Benjamin Abel Researchers at East Carolina University have discovered that a muscle in the foot appears fundamentally different from other muscles because of how it behaves without oxygen. Their inquiry is just beginning to try and figure out why.Skeletal muscles are used for breathing, movement, temperature regulation - the activities of life that blow through oxygen because of its necessity for maintaining energetic potential, said Espen Spangenburg, professor of physiology and chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine.The flexor digitorum brevis, FDB for short, is a skeletal muscle located in the feet of mammals. The FDB is commonly used in biological experiments because the muscle is amenable to many different types of physiological measures.Spangenburg primarily studies skeletal muscles, but several years ago he pitched in to help fellow Brody researcher, Joseph McClung, with a study looking into therapies for peripheral arterial disease. The study called for the reduction of blood flow to the extremities of subjects in pre-clinical models and because the FDB is the muscle furthest from the heart, it should have been the first to show signs of damage from the blood flow restriction.But that didn't happen.Spangenburg said.If the muscle doesn't die by limiting the flow of blood, and in turn oxygen, Spangenburg thought, then maybe there is something odd happening. He needed to shift his team's focus to figure out why the muscle is surviving in conditions that current science says shouldn't be possible.The FDB samples that Spangenburg and his team studied weren't immortal like a movie superhero. Any number of insults caused the muscle tissue to fall apart, but for some reason the FDB was able to survive much longer without oxygen than other types of skeletal muscles.Oxygen is necessary for skeletal muscle function because it works within the mitochondria to produce ATP, a molecule that is necessary for cell processes like muscle contraction and nerve communication. If the oxygen deprived FDB muscle didn't need oxygen to meet its energetic demand, then Spangenburg's team wanted to know what other mechanisms could provide the ATP.Glycolysis, breaking down of carbohydrates stored in muscle tissue, seemed like a viable option, and their work found that it could account for some of energy that was keeping the FDB tissue viable, but testing showed that glycolysis wasn't enough by itself.Why does the FDB muscle seem to behave differently than other muscles?Spangenburg was stumped, and he took his team back to the drawing board. He reached out to another ECU researcher, Kelsey Fisher-Wellman, who specializes in the relationship between mitochondria and cancer. The two labs pooled their resources and began what Spangenburg calls aby screening thousands of proteins and comparing them against other muscle profiles. They identified a number of proteins that were unique to the FDB and show promise in explaining the differences between the FDB and other skeletal muscles.Spangenburg said.Fisher-Wellman said the discovery that Spangenburg's lab made is fundamental, meaning the potential clues about mammalian biology unlocked from the findings could have wide-ranging impacts that have yet to be considered.Fisher-Wellman said.Fisher-Wellman's lab at ECU had a role in the discovery. His team ran the proteomics necessary to validate the differences between the FDB and other muscle tissue used as the control for the experiment. Proteomics is a technique that involves reducing the structure of tissue, basically grinding it up, which allows for analysis by a mass spectrometer, a high-tech machine that can suss out the molecular components of the tissue being studied.Fisher-Wellman's lab conducted the proteomics procedures on FDB muscle samples as well as two other types of muscle tissues from the same donor to use as controls. Having two controls, Fisher-Wellman said, solidified the validity of the findings.Fisher-Wellman said.One of the persistent challenges in studying muscle tissue is plasticity - the ability for the muscle tissue to adapt to the requirements placed upon it. A runner can switch from sprinting to long distances and each style of movement demands the same muscle to behave differently. If an astronaut spends long stretches of time in space under zero gravity, the muscle changes to meet the metabolic and locomotive needs of the individual. Because of muscle tissue's inherent plasticity, isolating variables becomes even more of a challenge for researchers.Another perplexing aspect of the finding is why a muscle necessary for movement, but not fundamental for life support - think heart or diaphragm muscles that keep your heart beating and lungs breathing - would have adapted to survive for much longer than other muscle types without oxygen. While Spangenburg has some ideas, perhaps the heavy and repetitive stressors placed on the foot for movement, he is still not confident in proposing a hypothesis.The lack of an obvious reason why the FDB behaves as it does is equal parts thrilling and frustrating.Spangenburg said.Everett Minchew, a Ph.D. candidate who works in Spangenburg's lab and will graduate in December, is encouraged by the fundamental nature of the findings, which may have broad practical application across medical research disciplines. Although basic science isn't always basic, he said the results are relatively easy to translate to non-scientific audiences.Minchew said.The doldrums of science might be the numbers. Ah-ah moments are few and far between.Spangenburg remembered.First, he had the get the math worked out.Spangenburg was at home one day working to unknot some numbers. His son, Quincy, who is a junior at D.H. Conley High School in Greenville and in a college calculus course, asked his father what he was working on.Spangenburg said.Quincy said that data looked like polynomial function and he thought he could use a tangent line to calculate the answer Espen was trying to derive from the data. Espen gave Quincy the data and an hour and a half later Quincy returned and told his father that he had it figured out.Spangenburg said.Spangenburg was in a quandary - how would it reflect on both him and his son to add Quincy to the paper as a co-author? Would it be seen as nepotism? Was it ethical?Spangenburg said.Not the way Quincy did it, in a manner that was tangible for the readers, Espen responded. Quincy is an integral part of the research, his colleagues responded - you have to add him as a co-author.Regardless of whose name is on the paper, the team's findings are already causing researchers at other institutions to question assumptions about how the body works.Spangenburg said.Spangenburg's eyes light up when he speaks about the possibilities from his team's findings. As of now, only two third-party candidates have announced their campaigns for NC governor and they are both libertarians, setting up a third party primary for Super Tuesday in March, 2024.Shannon Bray has run twice before, once for each chamber of Congress. His background is in technology and entrepreneurship. First-time candidate and certified financial planner Mike Ross has also announced his candidacy. Ross previously hosted the Liberty iNC podcast where he and Bray first met in 2020.Since then, both candidates have ended up running against each other for governor as likely the sole third-party candidates.North Carolina's Constitution Party is no longer recognized by the State Board of Elections, and the Green Party, added to the state's ballot in 2022, has not responded to questions from Carolina Journal on whether they will run a candidate in the governor's race.Although Bray and Ross have platforms that largely reflect the same values, the point of running, according to Bray, was not just to challenge Ross and give the Libertarian party another option, but also to strengthen the party's visibility overall.Bray told CJ.When asked why he was running, Ross responded by saying that he wanted to fill the niche between the two-party duopoly.Ross said.Both candidates were interviewed separately by CJ to get their views on hot-button North Carolina and traditionally libertarian issues like education, abortion, drug legalization, and police reform.On education, both candidates expressed support for school choice and expanding voucher programs, something that is already likely to occur if the Republican-crafted Senate budget passes.On the topic of critical race theory (CRT) and the teaching of other divisive topics being taught in schools, Bray stated that above all he supports accurate history being taught.Bray said.Yet, as both Ross and Bray both agreed, implementing robust school choice would help solve the issue of CRT without the need for government interventionRoss stated.Bray, similarly expressed thatRoss added.On abortion, both candidates offered similarly nuanced views. While Bray may have offered aapproach during his Senate run, Bray said that on the state level, his views differ.Bray told CJ.By contrast, Ross was more firmly pro-choice, while also emphasizing how to provide more ways to educate and help people who are choosing between whether or not to have an abortion.Ross stated.Medical and recreational drug use has historically been a top policy topic for Libertarians, and currently, it is also an important issue for the General Assembly as SB 3, a bill legalizing medical marijuana is currently in the House.Bray stated.Bray added.Ross similarly said that he would focus on providing the mentally ill and homeless access to safe drugs to stop overdoses from occurring, something that plagues Gaston Country, where he lives.Ross described.As a result, Ross believes that decriminalizing drugs is the best way to help the homeless who are addicted to drugs and that are most prone to accidentally using tainted drugs.Ross stated.Lastly, on the issue of policing, both candidates agreed that the responsibility of police officers needed to be shifted away from victimless crimes.Bray stated.Similarly, as part of Ross' focus for his campaign, police reform would entail shifting their focus fromto crimes thatBoth candidates also agreed that more accountability from police needs to be expected and required by way of getting rid ofandRoss said. I will depend on my Democratic Socialist politicians to continue to march hard toward the Left to provide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for all who think and do as they are told. I will defend the Constitution of the United States of America, and support all elected leaders who pledge to protect and insure the continued sovereignty of this Representative Republic. I am very concerned about maintaining my current life style without working. I was told that as long as I vote Democrat, I had nothing to worry about ... but now I worry. 223 total vote(s) What's your Opinion? We are in the dog days of summer. There are plenty of negative things to worry over. Grocery stores are depressing, the Biden crime family is dragging us down, the size of the Ukraine war is growing and escalating, corruption in all governments in the United States is depressing, fewer people are working with welfare rolls growing, and with the changing hands of every dollar we are shamed into donating more and more for those who pretend hardship. Finally, we are badgered to believe the weather is going to kill us, either from overheating or violent storms. This is enough to make one want to curl into a ball and sleep for a month or two. At present we have an unusually heavy load of wars and rumors of wars and plagues and rumors of plagues. We, being human, have the ability to change and improve all of these conditions. All of these negative things are brought on ourselves by either our bad judgment or the bad judgment of other people who hold public office. They were elected by us, and they can be removed by us. This process begins, in a small way with the city elections coming up this November and can be fully corrected with the November of 2024 general elections. Unfortunately, we have to suffer until the honest, common sense, Christian, capitalists arrive during November of 2024. The group of candidates offering to serve us in the municipal elections, to be held during November of 2023, is not impressive. This should spur us to find better candidates for the 2024 elections. In North Carolina general election candidates register to run during December of 2023. The Presidential candidates will be selected during the first part of 2024. We the people, you and me, have voted for the people who are now ruining our nation and determining our way of life. We can change this by changing the people who are running government. Considering our ability to change government and the sad state of government, voting for incumbents is not a good idea. Voting the same people back into office, regardless of how much you like them, will not change government. This is why the primary elections are vital to the survival of the United State as a capitalist nation and the survival of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Changing out politicians can only be done in the primary elections. Incumbents, who survive primary elections, stand a good chance of winning the general election. The voting tendency of most people is based on name recognition, the devil you know. Unless that person has clearly stood up for the right things during their term in office, please do not vote for them. Elected politicians are skillful liars. I can think of several who vote the right way on enough issues to make people think they are on their side. The same officials will cast votes on critical issues that are contrary to their constituents basic beliefs. Some of these issues are; illegal immigration, increased spending and big government. That political cloud of uncertainty around a politician helps him/her get reelected. Unless there is a clear and certain stance taken by the elected official he should be voted out of office. Donald Trump is an example of an official that everyone knows where he stands. Look at every other official standing for elections the same way you look at Trump. If you are not certain, vote him out of office! The Beaufort County School Board, and possibly your school board if you do not live in Beaufort County, are good examples of elected officials who are not serving the will of the public. This Board hides behind the excuse of State law. Board members deflect most questions about controversial issues by either saying the State made them do it or having the Superintendent give you a call. The Curriculum Committee, sponsored by both the Conservative Club and the Better Government Committee, has determined the School Board has full authority, without the State dictating, to select curriculums and lesson plans. School Boards are supposed run schools and set policy. The Beaufort County School Board has catered to ultra liberals and made the system into a bureaucratic quagmire. This has allowed liberals to infect education with a lot of bad ideas, like critical race theory, modern math, and the purchase, at great expense, of socialized curriculums. Discipline is a serious problem, and most Beaufort County schools are failures when evaluated with standardized testing. This is a prime example of rolling over elected officials. Five of the nine members of the School Board are up for election in November of 2024. Three members were replaced with conservatives in the 2022 elections. One of those has rolled over and voted liberal on the most important issue in front of the Board during the past two years. That was the purchase of a liberal math canned curriculum that is infected with woke dogma. If all five were replaced in 2024, we would have a new common-sense majority, even if two of the five were to defect to the socialists. Help recruit candidates. Call 252-943-5939 if you think y you want to run. These seats are by district. Rolling this board over will be a revolution to Beaufort County education. Another area for dramatic change in government is the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners. We have the worst of both the Democrat and Republican Parties. Two RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) joined with the two Democrats on the Board to gain control of the Board. They are all liberal and enjoy spending money and over=taxing the public. Randy Walker was elected as a Conservative Republican. He has now joined the Gang of Four (Waters, Rebholz, Langley and Booth. His function is to provide the fourth liberal vote when John Rebholz votes with the conservatives. Rebholz is a Republican who needs a cloud around him. He is running for re-election and needs to look conservative to fool the voting public. Randy Walker is running in 2024 also, but he believes the school vote will put him in office because his wife is on the school Board. Both husbands and wives serving on County Commissioners and School Boards at the same time may be legal, but it is not ethical. The Republican Party is split into two factions in Beaufort County. They are conservatives and liberals or RINOs. There are four seats up for election in 2024. It looks like all four incumbents are going to run again. They are: Randy Walker a RINO, John Rebholz a RINO, and Hood Richardson a Conservative. Jerry Langley, a Democrat is the fourth candidate. This is another example for rolling over a board to get better government. The rollover has to be done in the primary. The Republicans need a minimum of five candidates in order to defeat Rebholz and Walker in the general election in November. The 2024 primary is a a good opportunity for conservative Democrats to run for office. Only Langley has been a candidate during the past few elections. He gets all of the Democrat vote, both black and white. If any other Democrat would run, he would stand a good chance of getting elected. If you are a Democrat wanting to run, approaching the Democrat Party is a bad idea. They will protect their man by trying to talk you out of running. The same advice applies to the Republican Party. If you need accurate political advice do not approach either party. The Conservative Club will help you. Make sure you are registered Democrat or Republican before early September in order to sign up and run. The same strategy applies to all State and federal Offices. Almost all of our Federal and State officials need to be replaced. This may be Alice in Wonderland optimism, but it is all we have. If you want to change your life, start by changing politicians. Today, politicians have too much influence on your life. That needs to be changed! A former employee at Oral Surgery Specialists of Pueblo (Colo.) filed a federal lawsuit against the practice, claiming discrimination against women, according to a July 31 report from radio station KRDO. The lawsuit was filed by Charlie Grandt, office manager of the practice from 2017 to 2020; it accuses Ben Bailey, DMD, of abusive behavior toward female staff. Ms. Grandt reported Dr. Bailey to her employer in August 2020 and was fired a few days later for "soliciting complaints" from other staff members about Dr. Bailey, according to the lawsuit. Dr. Bailey's license is still active and has no history of disciplinary records. When KRDO reached out to the practice, the current office manager and Dr. Bailey said they were not aware of the lawsuit or allegations and both declined to comment, the report said. Mental health advocates on July 31 protested the closure of acute psychiatric beds at Good Samaritan Hospital, CBS affiliate KPIX reported. The hospital, operated by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, in May announced it would eliminate 18 beds by Aug. 20. "Good Samaritan has done everything in its power to staff the behavioral health unit, including a telehealth option," HCA told NBC affiliate KNTV in a statement. "Unfortunately, in the post-pandemic healthcare ecosystem, we can't find qualified staffing for this unit." Jim Beall, a former state senator who attended the rally, expressed concern over the closures. "We need to have more beds," he said "If we don't have more beds and we have a reduction in beds, it just means more people will not be served in our community and their conditions will get worse." Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Corewell Health will close its Lakeview, Mich.-based Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital in October after a steady decline in admissions. In June, Corewell opened a $12 million care center a few minutes away from Spectrum Health Kelsey. The hospital opened in 1962 and was having problems with aging infrastructure, according to an Aug. 1 Corewell news release. The system will help Spectrum Health Kelsey clinicians find new roles within the system. "The decision to close the hospital was difficult," Andrea Leslie, president of Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital, said in the news release. "For more than 60 years, generations of incredible team members have served the community at Kelsey hospital. We are so grateful for the dedication and compassion they have for our patients and one another." Knoxville, Tenn.-based physician staffing company TeamHealth is evaluating recommendations from two of its largest creditors to repay over $1 billion in debt due early next year, according to The Wall Street Journal. Pacific Investment Management Co., or Pimco, which is the largest creditor, wants to swap the upcoming loan repayments for new debt backed by some of the company's assets, according to the report. If TeamHealth were then to go bankrupt, Pimco would have the initial right to such assets. Meanwhile, Ares Management, which holds hundreds of millions of dollars of TeamHealth bonds, has requested private equity owner Blackstone to kick in about $250 million of new money for TeamHealth, the report said. "TeamHealth is well capitalized with significant equity cushion in our capital structure, a collaborative lending group, and access to available capital to fund our growth and refinance any upcoming maturities," the physician staffing company said in a statement. "Although market conditions have increased the cost of extending our maturing credit, our financial position remains strong. Our success in litigating and arbitrating unfair payments from managed care have ensured the strength of our financial position. Most importantly, we are positioned to continue to grow our market share as we remain focused on providing the highest level of care to our patients and one another at the front line of medicine." Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health, said that although it's still too early to obtain a full picture of artificial intelligence's implications for hospital and health system operations, he believes it will have an "extremely significant" impact, especially in addressing administrative waste. "Those of us in healthcare need to be studying these technologies all the time. We need to learn from other industries and watch how they use them to interact differently with the people they serve," Mr. Thomas told Becker's. Mr. Thomas said healthcare organizations need to think about how to bring that innovation to the delivery of healthcare, but without minimizing "the clinical interaction and the special relationship between patients and caregivers." "That's a vital relationship to preserve but to supplement it. To make it easier for patients to access us, to become more connected with them," he said. One way he sees AI having a potential impact on hospital operations in the future is by addressing administrative waste. "As hospitals operate on thin margins, clinicians are both our most valuable and most expensive resource. We can't afford to have them working below the top of their license," he said. Sutter Health is currently exploring how AI could reduce the administrative burden on clinicians, particularly in the physician inbox. "Our physicians get tens of millions of inbox messages how can AI help us triage them in a very different way that lifts the burden of incoming requests for prescription refills, messages about post-acute referrals, etc., off the physician, but doesn't just dump it onto another member of the care team?" he said. These are the kinds of questions Sutter Health is looking at answering with the technology. Sutter Health joined Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health; UC San Diego Health; Madison, Wis.-based UW Health; and Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care in piloting Microsoft's ambient AI and GPT-4 to try and automate clinical documentation. "This is a concrete and interesting approach we can work and build on, toward our broader goal of evolving and enhancing the way physicians work and interact with patients," he said. Overall, the healthcare CEO said he's excited about the many ways to apply emerging technologies like AI and says it will ultimately affect every part of healthcare services over time. Gina Temple, PhD, RN, is no longer serving as CEO of HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital in Hudson, according to a statement from Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare that was shared with Becker's. HCA Healthcare said Dr. Temple continues to be employed in an advisory capacity. "We are grateful for her dedicated service to our hospital including her leadership in expanding and renovating our emergency department, the opening of a new inpatient rehabilitation program, construction of a new patient tower and a multi-year patient room modernization project that is now underway," the statement reads. The departure from the helm follows a news report with troubling allegations related to Bayonet Point's care quality and working conditions. In February, NBC News reported physicians' allegations of unsanitary and unsafe conditions at Bayonet Point. The physicians cited alleged unsanitary surgical instruments, inadequate monitoring of intensive care unit patients and overcrowding in the emergency department. On March 20, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis, R-Fla., submitted a letter with eight questions to Dr. Temple about the hospital's care quality and working conditions. The lawmakers referred to media coverage, as well as deficiencies identified by Florida officials. HCA Healthcare shared a statement with Becker's then about the lawmakers' inquiry, which reads, in part, "We are glad these members have asked us about this because the allegations made in the NBC News report are misleading and they paint a false picture of Bayonet Point. We are proud of the quality care provided there and welcome the chance to share information with Senator Rubio and Congressman Bilirakis." NBC News said in an Aug. 1 report that it could not determine how HCA responded to the lawmakers because Congress is on summer hiatus and HCA declined a request for comment. Bayonet Point received one star in CMS' latest quality ratings released July 26. The statement HCA Healthcare shared with Becker's on Aug. 1 regarding Dr. Temple's departure from her CEO role, which NBC News covered, said: "Based on past experience, we know that NBC News has no intention of accurately portraying our hospital and the exceptional care our colleagues provide on a daily basis, so we are not participating in the story beyond this comment." HCA Healthcare said Sally Seymour, CEO of HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital since 2022, was named interim CEO of Bayonet Point. Ms. Seymour has more than two decades of healthcare experience. She previously served as COO of HCA Florida Trinity and HCA Florida Fawcett hospitals. Dr. Temple was named CEO of Bayonet Point in October 2019. She previously served as president of Mission Trail Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, now part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. After dozens of hospitals ended their masking policies, organizations are working to promote masking in healthcare again. One group is MaskBlocABQ, which distributed masks outside a New Mexico hospital before security asked them to leave, Source NM reported Aug. 1. Members of the mutual aid network stood outside Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., on July 29 and distributed more than 600 face masks before two hospital security guards said the facility does not allow for solicitors. The hospital doesn't have a policy prohibiting mask distribution, one of the guards told Source NM. Presbyterian Hospital CEO Dionne Cruz Miller told the outlet Aug. 1 that the hospital system doesn't allow "vendors" to distribute anything at the system's locations without approval. Similar organizations and efforts include People's CDC, which said in February that removing masks from healthcare is dangerous and unethical. In May, COVID Safe Campus which tracks mask policies in university-affiliated hospitals and health systems, according to its website and COVID Advocacy Initiative/Mandate Masks US organized a week in May to advocate for keeping masks in healthcare settings. Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth plans to expand virtual nursing across its six hospitals after a pilot program successfully improved patient outcomes and bedside nurse satisfaction, the Springfield News-Leader reported July 20. The project started in 2022 and is expanding across the six-hospital system, according to the July 29 story. At a virtual command center, staff supports bedside nurses by observing patients and educating them and their families. "Sometimes as a bedside nurse, the spouse comes in and visits, so you explain everything and walk someone through, then 30 minutes later, the son or the daughter shows up. They want to know, too. The virtual care nurse is helping fill that gap," Beth Polivka, BSN, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of CoxHealth, told the newspaper. Two ICU-trained nurses work as virtual early intervention specialists to thwart patients from deteriorating, according to the story. Bedside nurse ratios remain unchanged. The virtual staffers also include hospitalists, pharmacists and respiratory therapists, according to a June health system news release. The program has coincided with a drop in readmissions, falls, central line infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. While the technology is optional, no patients have declined it thus far. The technology started being installed in ICU and medical-surgical units in June, with other floors to follow through the end of 2023, the release stated. Mobile units are also being made available in emergency departments. CoxHealth is using a platform from Philips powered by artificial intelligence and clinical analytics, according to a July 27 news release from the tech company. Reed Jobs, the son of Steve Jobs, launched Yosemite, a spinoff from Emerson Collective Health, with $200 million to invest in oncology. Yosemite will fund companies through both grants and venture investing. The fund will target early-stage companies in therapeutics, diagnostics and digital health, according to an Aug. 1 Yosemite news release provided to Becker's. Yosemite is partnering with hospitals, endowments and global family offices. "We're on a mission to lead the next chapter in the fight against cancer and forming our own standalone entity provides us the flexibility to best propel great ideas until they're at scale," Mr. Jobs said. "We believe this first close demonstrates investor confidence in Yosemite's strategy of building new companies, trust in our extensive grantee and institutional network, and value in our combined experience in shepherding new transformational cancer treatments." The family of Patrice Wilson, a nurse who was kidnapped outside of Detroit Medical Center where she was employed and later found dead, is suing the hospital and Tenet Healthcare for $200 million, Fox 2 Detroit reported July 31. The family alleges that Tenet and Detroit Medical Center failed to follow active shooter protocol and delayed contacting the police, which contributed to the 29-year-old's death. On May 13, Ms. Wilson was seen being abducted in the parking lot where a man entered her vehicle and forced her to leave, police said. The search for Ms. Wilson began shortly after, and her body was found later that day in an SUV outside an apartment complex. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Her ex-boyfriend Jamere Miller was charged in connection with the carjacking and slaying. According to the law firm Spectrum Legal Services, Wilson's family believes the hospital's failure to respond was racially motivated. A statement said security was informed of the attack before the shooting but failed to act. It also alleges security personnel was not at their station when a witness saw the abduction and went to report it to staff. "Other co-workers were getting off work, and I told them to be careful. They searched and found security," Leisha Williams, a nurse who witnessed the shooting, said in a news release shared with Fox 2 Detroit. "By the time security came, he had pulled off. They did not place the hospital on lockdown." The suit cites a lack of security and broken cameras as alleged negligence. "The system failed her. If they (security) would have been on duty, they would have come out to question why he was standing around. They heard the shot; why didnt nobody come out?" Pamela Golden, grandmother of the victim, told Fox 2 Detroit. "Policies must change. It's not going to bring Patrice back, but maybe it can help someone else." A Detroit Medical Center spokesperson shared the following statement with Fox 2 Detroit Aug. 1: "The DMC stands behind our security team, who acted swiftly to notify and engage local law enforcement to apprehend the assailant. We continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as they prosecute this individual for the crime committed. We cannot comment on pending litigation. "We remain committed to providing a safe workplace environment for our staff with appropriate security measures in place. The DMC is also providing resources to help staff process the loss that occurred. We hope the criminal justice system takes the appropriate actions and sends a message to our community that domestic violence will not be tolerated." Tenet Healthcare is based in Dallas. Becker's has reached out for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is accusing Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare of discriminating against an employee and retaliating against him when the employee reported discrimination, according to a lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that an Asian American HCA employee was passed over for a promotion in favor of a younger, underqualified white employee. After the employee complained, the lawsuit alleges that the employer retaliated against him through write-ups, berating him and finally terminating him. HCA divisions Tennessee Healthcare and GME Overhead were also included in the federal lawsuit filed in Nashville, according to a July 31 EEOC news release. "Our culture is built on a foundation of inclusion, compassion and respect for our patients and for each other," a HCA spokesperson told Becker's. "We are disappointed that the EEOC chose to file this legal action and intend to vigorously defend ourselves through the legal process." Montana could soon eliminate continuing education requirements for its nurses, according to the Daily Montanan. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration seeks to "repeal all continuing education requirements for registered nurses," the outlet reported. It's a change unanimously approved by the Montana state Board of Nursing. There is no continuing education requirement for registered physicians in the state, so the rule falls in line with that; however, the proposal has still been met with opposition from the state's largest nursing organization. Vicky Byrd, CEO of the Montana Nurses Association, told the Daily Montanan that it has not been clear from the state Board of Nursing or the Department of Labor that oversees it, why the change is being pushed forward. "Apparently, the administration has identified stakeholders who do not agree, but they wont name them" Ms. Byrd told the news outlet, stating that this rule will negatively affect patients and will make it "absolutely crippling our ability to do business in the state of Montana." Jessica Nelson, a spokesperson for the Department of Labor told the Daily Montanan, "The board's goal in eliminating the continuing education requirement is to reduce the administrative burden on nurses, so they can focus on the skills they need to deliver quality health care," and that "The board requires a nurse who holds a license in Montana to 'exercise technical competence' in their practice as part of the professional conduct rule that governs a nurse's license that is not changing." There's a plethora of factors propelling the upward trend of hospital-acquired infections and outbreaks, meaning hospitals' prevention efforts need to be complex, too, experts told Becker's. What happened The COVID-19 pandemic strained and transformed healthcare operations in multiple ways. Some employees contracted and died from the virus, so healthy staff worked longer hours and picked up extra shifts, thus exacerbating burnout and early retirement. Hospitals also recruited workers into their first-ever COVID-19 units as experts raced to determine how best to control spread before knowing how the virus would evolve. "People were terrified. And when you're terrified, you're often not at the top of your game," said David K. Henderson, MD, a senior consultant to the hospital epidemiology team at Bethesda, Md.-based NIH Clinical Center. The habit of reporting HAIs and enacting basic infection control practices slid off priority checklists as the nation's healthcare system "was really overwhelmed with the crushing volume of the pandemic," Erica Shenoy, MD, PhD, the chief of infection control at Boston's Mass General Brigham, told Becker's. As supply shortages forced workers to reuse N95 respirators and disposable eye protection, work was too busy for infection control experts to patrol and audit practices in biweekly bedside rounds, Dr. Henderson and Dr. Shenoy said. At the same time, antibiotic resistance grew. What's happening As the COVID-19 pandemic pinched healthcare, a mold-related event from a humidifier killed seven patients between 2001 and 2020 at Seattle Children's Hospital. A few years later, nine have died amid an ongoing bacterial outbreak at Seattle-based Virginia Mason Medical Center. The two outbreaks are unrelated, but one city reporting fatal HAI outbreaks within a few years is "not unexpected," according to Michael Osterholm, PhD, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at Minneapolis-based University of Minnesota. "In fact, we're going to see more and more of these situations," he said. "Probably, the most dangerous place someone can be in terms of acquiring infection is in a hospital. You don't want to be in a hospital a day longer than you have to be. That may come off sounding like it's a very negative thing about hospitals, it's not: It's just the reality of today." What needs to happen Many hospitals are working to reboot fundamental infection control practices, Dr. Shenoy said, but each facility needs to measure and focus on which HAIs present the biggest threat. Dr. Osterolm said there needs to be structural support from multiple teams. He recommended infection control leaders employ chief medicine and nursing colleagues to help enforce infection control practices on a routine basis. "When you don't even have enough people to work in your janitorial staff, let alone provide training for them on a routine basis, again, [it's] just another additional challenge with regard to infections acquired in the hospital," he said. Dr. Henderson shared similar advice, adding that leaders need to be more vigilant in educating and enforcing these fundamental practices among new staff. Hospital and health system leaders have various issues demanding their attention. Among the list is crafting strategies to provide the most effective care access for people. This was top of mind for Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health when it launched InstaCare locations across its footprint, President and CEO Rob Allen told Becker's. The clinics offer urgent care services at dozens of locations in several western states. Now, Intermountain continues to ramp up its ASC growth as it looks toward the outpatient setting. The health system signed a collaboration agreement with Surgery Partners in April for the management of the health system's surgery centers in Utah and Idaho and the development of ASCs in other markets. Then in July, the health system opened a surgery center on the campus of the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Murray, Utah, that specializes in outpatient spine, hip and knee procedures. The surgery center was the seventh ASC Intermountain has opened in Utah, and the health system plans to open eight more by 2024. Mr. Allen said the efforts aim to improve the cost of care as well as accessibility. "A number of these outpatient settings are able to provide better, easier access," he said. "You're not navigating a large building and structure to go get your care, and the cost is less in many cases." Historically, Intermountain has built services on its campuses and, for many years, strived to maximize the use of the facilities it had and price outpatient services based on the marketplace for a lower cost access point, Mr. Allen said. Today, he sees a need to adapt to payment rate structures that can be limited. "So we started to look at our structure for surgical services and standing up the ASCs," Mr. Allen said. "We're thrilled to have so many opening up. We believe it's an important long-term strategy for us across our service footprint." Intermountain also aims to manage patients into lower-cost settings for imaging services. "In some cases, even [privately insured people] can't afford a hospital-based MRI," Mr. Allen said. "They can go to our outpatient centers and get an MRI [at a lower cost]. "And those have been very successful, and we have a half a dozen of those launched, and we're launching another handful of them this year as we go forward." All the initiatives are part of the health system's larger strategy to deploy services and create access points "for ease, for simplicity and for lower cost for our patients and our communities wherever possible," he said. Intermountain Health is a 33-hospital health system with locations in seven states. The Intermountain Surgery Center on the TOSH campus began performing procedures in mid-July. U.S. employees are using their vacation time more than they have in over a decade, according to a July 28 report from The Wall Street Journal. This comes after a slump in recent years due to the pandemic and fears of a recession. The news outlet cited data from Gusto an HR technology firm that tracks time-off requests from employees at more than 300,000 small and midsize businesses that showed the number of U.S. employees logging vacation days is up 11 percent compared to last June. Americans are also taking longer vacations, with an average time off request of 32 hours, up 5 percent from last year. Federal data from the Labor Department also reflects the trend, with the monthly average of employees taking vacation from January through June topping 2.6 million, the highest since 2017. Executives are also taking longer vacations, according to survey data from executive search firm Korn Ferry. Findings from a July survey cited by the Journal found 53 percent said they planned to take a longer vacation this summer than in the past. Half of respondents, however, indicated they don't fully leave work behind: They said they connect with work at least once a day. Competition for healthcare talent is intensifying at the global level, leaving some countries with an edge and others at a disadvantage, including the U.S. A combination of pay, savvy recruitment and lifestyle has helped Australia emerge as one of the most aggressive poachers of healthcare talent, The Wall Street Journal reports. The country granted 4,950 visas to healthcare workers over the nine months ending with March 2023 and still faces a nursing shortage. As British nurses went on strike this past winter, an Australian advertising campaign in the British Isles showed healthcare workers in sunlit rooms. The Journal spoke with one physician who left Britain for Australia to earn about $56,000 more a year due in part to a governmental supplement and commute to work via bicycle ride on the oceanfront. In the U.S., a green card backlog has slowed health systems' global recruitment efforts. It could take up to four years before nurses recruited this summer could begin work in the U.S., which places healthcare employers at an international disadvantage. The U.S. lost more than 100,000 nurses between 2020 and 2021, and another 800,000 nurses have indicated they intend to leave the workforce by 2027. The U.S. faces a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including deficits in primary and specialty care, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. A number of countries are eliminating barriers to entry. The U.K. introduced a new visa category for healthcare workers with reduced fees. In 2022, Ireland relaxed employment restrictions for non-European physicians already in the country in an effort to retain them. International recruitment of healthcare professionals can be devastating for countries with fragile healthcare systems or meager talent pipelines to begin with. In Zimbabwe, the vice president and health minister in April threatened that the country would pass a new law to criminalize active recruitment of Zimbabwe's healthcare workers. "If people die in hospitals because there are no nurses and doctors and somebody who has been so irresponsible for not training their own nationals, but wanting poor countries to train for them it's a crime that must be taken seriously," Vice President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga said at the time, according to WSJ. In a safeguarding effort, the World Health Organization has asked members to refrain from actively recruiting physicians and nurses from 55 countries with the most pressing workforce challenges unless they first reach bilateral agreements to support the countries where they are recruiting from. Some countries with pressing workforce challenges are making it more difficult for healthcare workers to emigrate. The Philippines caps the number of healthcare workers who can work overseas, and Nigerian lawmakers are considering legislation requiring physicians to work at home for at least five years before they can emigrate. Galgorm Collection boss explains new-look future plans and why weddings could stop at one hotel Additional Galgorm Hotel accommodation to be in the great outdoorsThe Rabbit rooms are a new conceptWeddings at Crawfordsburn Inn subject to internal debateProposed Belfast guest house and pizzeria going through the wheels of government Colin Johnston Margaret Canning Tue 1 Aug 2023 at 09:10 As Northern Irelands hospitality businesses are expected to pass on the cost of an alcohol duty hike to consumers , some potential customers have said it has put them off going out to socialise. Select beer, wine and spirit categories are facing a 10.1% increase in the biggest single alcohol duty increase in almost 50 years. Announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his March budget, it will see duty rise by 90p on a bottle of gin or vodka and 44p on a bottle of wine. This upset many people in Belfast city centre yesterday, who felt alcohol prices are already too high. Michaela Cowdrey (37) from Belfast, said she is feeling the effects of the increasing prices. I really dont drink that much but we have just came out there and it was 12.20 for basically two pints a pint of cider and a pint of Harp so everything has gone up unfortunately, she told the Belfast Telegraph. Michaela said that due to the price hike, she will now only be going out in Belfast on special occasions. You get a lot more in your off license and take it home with you than you would get when you go drinking, she added. Michaela Cowdrey Joshua Jenkins (20) from Newtownabbey also said the price hike will deter him from visiting bars and pubs in the city centre. Im not too pleased, he said. It would put you off going out, especially in Belfast. In the Cathedral Quarter you are paying 6 something a pint. Its a nightmare. But Joshua said the price increase will not stop him from drinking alcohol. Its not put me off drink, you cant put me off drinking like, but it has definitely put me off coming into town because you are looking at 50 minimum for a night out, and then your taxis on top of that. Its not worth it, he said. Joshua Jenkins However, others thought the price hike may be a positive thing. Jonas Hirschler (28) from Germany is on holiday in Belfast and feels the increase in price may help reduce the number of young people drinking to excess. I think it can be a good thing because it gets more people drinking alcohol responsibly, he said. It wont stop it but it will make it [excess drinking] harder for people to consume large amounts of it. Jonas said that the price increase isnt something unique to Northern Ireland. We have the same in Germany, all prices are going up, not just alcohol, he said. Jonas Hirschler Eddie McAuley (72) from Larne said the price hike will not reduce the number of people in Northern Ireland who drink to excess. Its ridiculous, we are being penalised for those who do drink a lot and putting the price up is unlikely to put those people off, he said. He thinks excessive drinkers will simply choose to drink at home, where it is cheaper, than drink in Belfast city centre. Its a high probability, absolutely, going to the supermarket where its cheaper, he said. Jason Starbuck and Ciaran Fitzpatrick, new partners at Deloitte, are pictured at The Ewart with Jackie Henry, Belfast office senior partner and Aislean Nicholson, tax partner at Deloitte in Belfast Deloitte has appointed Ciaran Fitzpatrick and Jason Starbuck as partners, among a total of 456 promotions announced at its Belfast office. Also included in the annual round of promotions at the firm, which recently moved into new office space in The Ewart, are two promotions to director, 67 to senior manager and 104 to manager level. Mr Fitzpatrick becomes a partner in Deloittes enterprise & technology performance consulting business, and Mr Starbuck in its audit & assurance practice. Jackie Henry, UK managing partner, said: It is always brilliant to see our people celebrating their career milestones with our firm. It is an exciting time for us here in Deloitte Northern Ireland as we look forward to moving into our new offices at The Ewart, and we will remain focused on creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone has the opportunity to learn new skills and progress in their careers. Mr Fitzpatrick joined Deloitte in 2002 and works with a wide variety of public sector clients across the UK to deliver large scale technology transformation programmes. He leads the firms enterprise and technology performance consulting team in Belfast, made up of 170 people who support clients in Northern Ireland, the UK, Europe and globally. He said: I am excited to continue to grow the team in Northern Ireland to create career opportunities for people; including experienced hires, graduates and school leavers. Together we will deliver some of our clients most transformative technology programmes that make an impact in Northern Ireland and around the world. Mr Starbuck joined Deloitte in 2008 and has gained experience over the past 15 years of working with a range of listed, large private, and international companies, with a focus on technology, manufacturing and agri-food. He said: Since joining the firm I have witnessed first-hand the challenges that have been overcome and some of the great success stories that our business community in Northern Ireland has achieved. My diverse experience of listed, international and private clients enables me to provide assurance and advice, across a diverse range of industries. Deloitte is uniquely positioned to help Northern Irish businesses navigate challenges and to enable them to maximise their future impact. Across the UK, Deloitte has this year promoted 101 people to partner including 40 women. Passengers and visitors are being denied the same opportunity as elsewhere in GB and the Republic of Ireland Belfast International, Belfast City and the City of Derry airports are calling on the UK Government and European Commission to reinstate duty free for flights from Northern Ireland to the EU. Post-Brexit, Northern Irelands airports are losing an estimated 5m per year after duty free was withdrawn from flights to GB and the EU, according to figures from York Aviation supplied by the UK Travel Retail Forum. After the UK formally left the EU, duty free shopping at GB airports was extended to include EU destinations in January 2021. However, its implementation here was postponed pending ongoing negotiations between the UK and EU over the NI Protocol. But following agreement on the Windsor Framework, the Forum is now representing NIs three main airports in calling for the return of duty free facilities to Northern Irelands airports. Graham Keddie, managing director at Belfast International Airport, said: It is critical that the UK Government and EU move quickly to restore balance, equality and fairness for the people of Northern Ireland as we are currently left with the worst of both worlds. We have raised this matter directly with HM Treasury, the Cabinet Office and the Northern Ireland Office, as well as our local political parties. It is simply indefensible that the millions of passengers travelling through our airports are placed at such a significant disadvantage to those travelling through GB or Republic of Ireland airports. This is costing millions of pounds in lost sales and is impacting employment and investment opportunities. We urge the UK Government and EU to sort this issue out as a matter of urgency as there can be no credible or justifiable reason for not doing so. Duty free sales contribute more than 900m in GDP to the UK economy, according to the 2023 figures from York Aviation, supporting local economies and jobs and generating significant non-aeronautical revenue for airports. And Airports Council International cites non-aeronautical revenue as accounting for as much as 40% of an airports total revenue, with smaller, regional airports dependent on it for reinvestment, capital expenditure and new route development. Graham Keddie, managing director at Belfast International Airport With Northern Irelands economy relatively small in size, the lost revenue is significant and has a knock-on effect on its growing food and drink sector without duty free as a potential market for goods. Reinstating duty free would allow regional food and drink producers to showcase their products to a new international customer base, and deliver real economic growth beyond the airports, said the Forum. And Michele Shirlow, chief executive of Food NI, concurs. The airports provide a vital opportunity for people to take a little bit of our homegrown food and drink away with them as a gift, or to enjoy overseas, said Ms Shirlow. Northern Ireland has such a vibrant choice of food and drink and it would be important to have a level playing field so that we can showcase our gins, whiskeys, teas, breads and cheese. The Forum highlights the Windsor Framework agreement back in February as marking a significant improvement in the relationship between the EU and the UK. With its stated aims including protection of NIs place within the UK and delivering real economic benefits to the people of NI, it said restoring duty free to airports here would help deliver on both aims. As well as placing Northern Irelands airports on an equal footing to other airports in the UK, it could deliver economic benefits in terms of generated income, jobs creation and a potential improvement in connectivity, as well as boosting the food and drink sector. Currently, NI is uniquely disadvantaged rather than afforded the best of both worlds by the Framework as promised by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said the Forum. Nigel Keal, chair of the UK Travel Retail Forum, said: The return of duty free post-Brexit has proven incredibly popular with consumers, with overseas retailers seeing significant increases in sales of duty free goods to departing UK passengers. This has been a crucial financial support as the aviation and travel retail sectors recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Preventing airports and businesses in Northern Ireland from accessing this revenue stream is unfair. It puts them at a competitive disadvantage to the rest of the UK and to the rest of Europe. On behalf of the industry, the travel retail industry is calling on the Westminster Government and the EU Commission to work together to level the playing field and bring the rules on duty free at Northern Irish airports in line with rules at their British and European counterparts. Read more Sunak commits to future North Sea licensing but also backs carbon capture Steve Frazer, managing director at City of Derry Airport, said: Excluding Northern Irelands airports from duty free shopping further erodes our ability to offer attractive and competitive options, which the modern traveller expects. Our three airports combined growth has slowed significantly while competing with zero air passenger duty across the rest of the islands airports, many of which have thrived through supportive policies conducive to economic growth. NIs exclusion from the advantages of duty free enjoyed in our neighbouring ports and airports adds to that already uneven playing field. We would request a collaborative review to remove yet another competitive disadvantage for our industry, considering our unique geography and the economic potential associated with visitors to our region. Katy Best, commercial director at Belfast City Airport, added: Duty free shopping is a huge asset for many passengers to look forward to when travelling. By denying Northern Ireland duty free shopping status, NI passengers and visitors are being denied the same opportunity as elsewhere in GB and the Republic of Ireland. Also, businesses and airports like Belfast City are being denied the opportunity to deliver key revenue which underpins continued investment in access and employment. Though we are sure this was not the intention of the Windsor Framework, we would urge its authors to work with industry to resolve this important issue. The UK Travel Retail Forum has more than 55 members, including most major UK airports, regional hubs, travel retailers, food and beverage outlets, ferries, ports and international train operators. Summerland fire: NI survivor on why she had to return to Isle of Man 50 years on Co Down woman Ruth McQuillan-Wilson suffered major burns in 1973s Summerland fire on the Isle of Man that left 50 people dead. She tells why she needed to return for the anniversary of a tragedy that changed her life Summerland fire in 1973 Mark Bain Tue 1 Aug 2023 at 07:20 The snowman and Santa mural at Junior McDaid House in Derry Two men were jailed today for painting a mural depicting a snowman, wearing a black beret and mask, pressing a detonator connected to a command wire. The mural at the offices of a dissident republican group, which also featured a Santa Claus with a walkie-talkie, was painted seven days after a New IRA mortar attack on police officers. The pair Jordan Devine and William McDonnell are currently facing terror charges connected, respectively, to the murder of journalist Lyra McKee and the gun attack on senior police officer John Caldwell. They were convicted today at Londonderry Magistrates Court of painting a mural outside Derrys Junior McDaid House which house the offices of Saoradh, the political wing of the New IRA contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000. The mural also included the words We havent gone away ye know. Jordan Devine (24), from Bishop Street in Derry, is currently on bail charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead during disturbances in the Creggan area of the city by a Real IRA gunman in April 2019. Read more Two men appear in court and deny murder of journalist Lyra McKee William McDonnell (37), from Balbane Pass, also in Derry, is currently in custody in HMP Maghaberry charged with offences linked to the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh in February. Both received jail sentences following their convictions. Devine was imprisoned for three months and McDonnell was jailed for four months. Both were then granted appeal bail, with District Judge Barney McElholm ruling that the defendant McDonnell should not be released pending his appeal. Both were convicted, following an uncontested hearing, of committing the offence at Junior McDaid House between November 23 and December 21, 2022. A prosecution solicitor told Mr McElholm that all the papers in the case had been agreed. She said, through their actions, the defendants aroused a reasonable suspicion that they were a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation. The prosecutor said the mural appeared seven days after a New IRA mortar bomb attack on police officers in Strabane. At the end of the hearing, during which neither defendant gave evidence, District Judge McElholm said he was satisfied that the case against both defendants had been proven. I have absolutely no doubt that painting this mural shows they showed their support for that type of activity, he said. The case is proven. Unless one was living on Venus or Mars, the very fact they came out of Junior McDaid House is enough to show their support for that illegal organisation, in my view. It is well known this building is frequented by supporters of a proscribed organisation. To have painted that mural, it was done so in the context of an evil attempt to kill two police officers in Strabane with a sideways mortar. The phrase borrowed from Mr [Gerry] Adams, They havent gone away you know, is one that resonates in this part of the world, in that we are still here, we are still active and we are still doing what we do. At the very least, these men were showing support for a proscribed organisation under the umbrella term, which I know they do not like, of Dissident IRA, he said. Data released by the Department has revealed the worst Quarter One data on record. The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) was the most successful ED at meeting the four-hour target The Royal Victoria Hospital reported the highest number of people waiting more than 12 hours in ED during June 2023 Figures which show average waiting times at emergency departments rose by more than half an hour on the previous year are a depressing yet accurate reflection of emergency healthcare in Northern Ireland. The data released by the Department of Health (DoH) revealed the median time patients spent in a major A&E department was 13 hours 11 minutes in June 2023. That is 36 minutes longer than the same month in 2022. On average, 52.9% of patients attending major emergency departments were seen, admitted, transferred or discharged within the four hour target, while there was an 8.8% increase in those waiting more than 12 hours in A&E in June 2023 compared with June 2023. The most successful hospital in meeting the four-hour target in June 2023 was the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC), where 72% were seen within four hours, while the lowest figure (35.4%) was reported at the Royal Victoria Hospital. No Type 1 emergency departments were able to treat all patients within their 12-hour target, with the Royal Victoria Hospital reporting the highest number of people (2,033) waiting more than 12 hours in ED during June 2023. The total number of patients attending emergency departments in June 2023 was up by 6.2% compared with the previous year, while increases were also recorded in the respective April (1.8%) and May (3.2%) figures. Ulster Hospitals ED was the busiest of all 10 departments in Northern Ireland during June 2023, while all 10 Type 1 emergency departments reported an increase in attendances comparing June 2022 and June 2023. The largest increase in numbers attending Type 1 ED was recorded at the Belfasts Royal Victoria Hospital, which saw an increase of 19.8% in comparison to June 2022. The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) was the most successful ED at meeting the four-hour target Monday was again the busiest day at emergency departments as it was in June 2022 with the highest number of attendees arriving between 11-11.59am, with Sunday again the least busy day. During June 2023, 6.5% of patients left emergency departments before their treatment was complete, compared with 7.1% the previous year. The figures which were tracked between April and June this year mark the worst Quarter One data on record, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Northern Ireland (RCEMNI) have said. Vice President Dr Russell McLaughlin said things were unlikely to improve soon. "These figures provide a depressing yet accurate reflection of emergency healthcare in Northern Ireland. Patients are continuing to face extremely long waits, with no sign of things improving any time soon, he said. "Our members are working tirelessly to provide the best care possible in these increasingly difficult times, but they lack the beds, resources, and staff they need, and they can only stretch themselves so far. It is a challenging and demoralising situation. "Action to improve this unacceptable situation is urgently required but without a functioning Executive, we continue to head towards winter which is an iceberg looming on the horizon. "The Northern Ireland Executive must reconvene to get a grip of the situation and resuscitate emergency care before we head into the inevitable increased pressure of winter. An appeal for information has been issued in relation to a particularly brutal assault in Belfast that left a man with multiple fractures to his face. Police received a report on Tuesday that the man was assaulted by a group of people last Thursday night. Detectives in Belfast are appealing for information about the incident, which took place in the Castle Street area of the city centre. We received a report that a man had been brutally assaulted on July 27 at about 11.20pm by a group of between five to six men, Detective Sergeant McCartan said. The victim suffered fractures to his eye sockets, cheek bones, nose and jaw. This was a particularly brutal and vicious attack on this man and our investigation is now under way. We are appealing to anyone who was in the Castle Street area on Thursday night or who may have captured mobile phone footage to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 645 01/08/23. People with information about the incident can also report it online using the PSNIs non-emergency reporting form, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. The parents of a woman who died in a Co Armagh crash have been left absolutely devastated following the tragic loss of their daughter. Judith McMullan was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when the collision, involving a black Seat Leon car, happened near Markethill on Monday evening. Paramedics tried to save the 35-year-old, but she was pronounced dead at the scene on Mowhan Road at around 7.45pm. Its understood the deceased, who lived in the nearby village of Whitecross, had only recently purchased the motorbike. DUP MLA William Irwin visited Judiths heartbroken parents, Sammy and Roberta, this morning. They are a close-knit family and of course they are absolutely devastated by the loss of their daughter, he said. They have a strong faith and I have no doubt everyone in the community is going to rally around them during this horrific time. The elected representative, whose teenage son Philip died in a drowning accident almost 25 years ago, said he wept as he offered his condolences to the grieving farming family. I have lost a child myself, so I have some understanding of what they are going through, Mr Irwin said. Nothing in the world prepares you for the pain and the trauma. All we can do is be there for them. There is simply no way to put into words the grief they are experiencing following Judiths untimely and tragic passing. The minister of Markethill Presbyterian Church, Rev Norman Smyth, has also offered condolences to Judiths grieving loved ones. Its an awful shock for any family. And its made even more painful given that its a young woman who has died, the clergyman said. Our hearts are broken for them. A statement from Markethill High School, where Judiths two sisters teach, extended sympathy to the McMullan family on behalf of the governors, staff and pupils. As a school family, we are devastated to learn of the death of Miss Judith McMullan, adored sister of our much-loved colleagues Faith (governor and head of modern foreign languages) and Kirsten (head of English), as a result of a road traffic accident, it said. The McMullan family are an extremely well-known and hugely respected family within this locality and we offer our deepest sympathies and prayerful support to Judiths parents, Sammy and Roberta, her siblings, Faith (and Fabricio), Linzi (and Simon), Kirsten, and Robert (and Louise), her granny, Sally Edgar, and to Judiths cherished nieces and nephews as well. We also extend our sincere condolences to Judiths wider family circle and her dear friends at this very difficult time. The social media post included a video of a religious song entitled Your Ways Are Higher Than Mine, which it described as one of our favourite songs performed by Kirsten. So we trust and pray that the steadfast faith of Judiths family and friends will comfort them in the days, weeks and months ahead, it concluded. Local councillor Paul Berry said it was with horror that he learned about a bad accident on Monday evening. He recalled being stunned by news of Judiths death which came as he prayed that everyone involved in the crash would be OK. Everyone is shocked by the loss of life in such tragic circumstances, Mr Berry added. He described the McMullan family as very well liked and respected in the area. They have a very strong faith and I have no doubt they will be drawing on that at this very difficult time of deep sorrow, he said. It is devastating for this community and we will all keep them in our thoughts and prayers. A full police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision is underway. The PSNI has appealed for witnesses or anyone with information about the crash, including dash-cam footage which could assist with the investigation, to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1904 31/07/23. Detectives have arrested a man following a spate of burglaries and thefts across Northern Ireland in recent weeks. The 31-year-old man was arrested following a search in east Belfast on Tuesday. Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: The man, aged 31, was arrested following a search which was carried out in the east Belfast area on Tuesday. The search was in connection with a number of reports of burglaries at premises in County Down. One of these took place at a takeaway premises at Market Square in Dromore in the early hours of July 23, when it was reported that at around 3.15am, two men used a hammer to force entry into the premises and stole the till, as well as cash from the safe. On Friday, it was reported that entry was gained to a house in the Mullaghdrin Road area of Dromara, and items including a CCTV camera, a leather satchel, and a quantity of jewellery were taken. On the same date, it was further reported that jewellery and old coins were stolen from a house in the Mountview Road area of Ballynahinch. The property was ransacked, and damage was also caused to a door. Detective Sergeant Dougherty continued: The man was also arrested in connection with the theft of number plates from premises at Beersbridge Road in east Belfast, and Elgin Street in south Belfast, and the theft of a blue Toyota RAV 4 from a house at Drumaknockan Road, Hillsborough, which was believed to have been used in the burglaries. Police have asked that anyone with information contact them via 101. A pensioner has been taken to hospital after being hit by a van in south Belfast. The woman, who is aged in her 80s and was a pedestrian, was hit by a Ford Transit van around 12.30pm on Monday. Police attended the scene as did members of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the woman was later taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life threating. A police spokesperson said: A driver was cautioned at the scene. "Our investigation is continuing and anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened, or who may have captured any mobile or dash-cam footage, can contact 101, quoting reference number 861 of 31/07/23. The PSNI has said it is treating the tearing of a Bible in Belfast city centre on Saturday as a hate crime. A street preacher has alleged a Bible was ripped up in front of him at the Pride parade. Ryan Williamson said he has given a statement to police. A PSNI spokesperson has now confirmed the matter was being treated as a hate crime. Earlier, Mr Williamson responded to reports that he was filmed on Saturday during the Pride parade accusing gay people of wanting to rape our children. The video was widely shared on social media afterwards, with some social media users expressing outrage at the preachers words. The PSNI later confirmed they were investigating the incident as an alleged hate crime, but Mr Williamson said the police had not been in contact with him over his actions in the video. Instead, he said police have been in touch with him via phone and email due to an alleged assault against him. Belfast street preacher told passers-by that members of the LGBT community wanted to rape our children Read more Gay DUP councillor voices opposition to flying Progress Pride flag on council buildings During the video, two police officers can be seen observing the incident and then speaking to a man who appears to be trying to video Mr Wilkinson. In the video, Mr Williamson says: Homosexuals have become so brazen, that they want to rape the righteous, and that (is) happening today. They want to rape our children; they want to rape our country. They want to pillage and pilfer all in the name of love. Speaking on the BBCs Nolan Show, Mr Williamson claimed media outlets that published the video completely vilified him. The irresponsibility here has been with the legacy media who have taken an 18 second clip and completely vilified me. Words and meanings matter, he added. A text without a context is a pretextfor me this is nothing new. The police and the council and other people have been weaponised against me. Pushed on his comments, the preacher admitted his words were outrageous... if taken out of context. Im saying this morning, is what I mean is that our kids are being indoctrinated by a militant homosexual agenda. Its the rape of their identity. Read more: Why its time more NI Christians came out as LGBTQ+ affirming Preacher Ryan Williamson has said his comments were taken out context A Belfast preacher who was filmed making controversial comments about the LGBT community has claimed the remarks were taken out of context. Preacher Ryan Williamson was filmed on Saturday during Belfasts Pride parade accusing gay people of wanting to rape our children. The PSNI later confirmed they were investigating the incident as an alleged hate crime, however Mr Williamson said he has yet to be contacted by police regarding his comments. Instead, he claimed police have been in touch via phone and email with him due to an alleged assault against him. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulsters The Nolan Show, Mr Williamson said he does not believe LGBT community members wish to rape children. That has been taken out of contextof course I didnt mean that. I dont believe any Christian or anyone who has heard me over the past few years would believe that homosexuals rape kids, he said. I believe the (rape) is of our childrens identity. theyve caught my words in an 18 seconds clip. (Theyve) obviously caught this and been like woohoo, but well be putting the full text up. Mr Williamson was captured on video during Belfast Pride claiming: Homosexuals have become so brazen, that they want to rape the righteous, and that (is) happening today. They want to rape our children; they want to rape our country. They want to pillage and pilfer all in the name of love. Belfast street preacher told passers-by that members of the LGBT community wanted to rape our children He has claimed media outlets that published the video completely vilified him. The irresponsibility here has been with the legacy media who have taken an 18 second clip and completely vilified me. Words and meanings matter, he added. A text without a context is a pretextfor me this is nothing new. The police and the council and other people have been weaponised against me. Pushed on his comments, the preacher admitted his words were outrageous... if taken out of context. Im saying this morning, is what I mean is that our kids are being indoctrinated by a militant homosexual agenda. Its the rape of their identity. Asked if he withdrew his comments, Mr Williamson said he withdrew it within the context its been presented. Let me be clear, I meant our country and our kids are being raped by a woke, homosexual ideology. We are not fighting against people, Stephen. We are fighting against an ideology, thats where my fight is, he added. During the discussion, Stephen Nolan stated Mr Williamsons comments were being perceived as targeting the LGBT community. The intention of my heart is for people to repent and to be saved. People can take things out of context if they wantI do not hate homosexuals or heterosexuals or anyone else. Being truthful is not being hateful. He also claimed he regularly refers to heterosexual people in his sermons, which regularly take place on the streets of Belfast city centre. Mr Williamsons appearance on the programme also attracted controversy. In a tweet which tagged BBC Northern Ireland director Adam Smyth, SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite asked what the public interest was in having Mr Williamson on the programme. Why is the BBC giving this defamatory hatred a platform? After the discussion, Nolan said his programme does not shy away from discussions, but said there was no debate around the outrageous words that man said. Victor Blease, right, and his friend since student days in Dublin, historian Jonathan Bardon, who died in 2020 Victor Blease, a highly innovative former chief of the Housing Executive (HE) and eldest son of notable trade union leader the late Lord Billy Blease, has died in the Ulster Hospital. A history graduate from Trinity College, his career began at Westminster, where he was a Labour Party adviser before returning to teach at Friends School, Lisburn. While a lecturer at the then new University of Ulster (UU), he also was an outspoken columnist in the Sunday News, an offshoot of the News Letter. Although he missed the early days of the civil rights movement, studying for a Queens economics degree at night, he left no doubt his sympathies were with the moderate reformers. Read more Belfast cardiac surgeon dies suddenly during cycling trip in France A favourite story was a visit to Lord Brookeborough, the former Stormont prime minister, at Colebrooke, his Co Fermanagh mansion. A non-driver, he made his way to the house by foot, and when it was time for lunch was directed back along the driveway to a nearby petrol station. A lifelong socialist, he followed in the footsteps of his father, who campaigned successfully in the early 1960s to have Stormont recognise the Dublin-based Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Victor was recruited as information officer by the Left-leaning HE chairman Charles Brett. After becoming director of housing, it was a short step to becoming chief executive at a time of change, 1985 to 1998, when he initiated management training courses of senior personnel in the US. Under his watch there were major changes involving Conservative governments over the sell off of HE property, which he generally approved, as well as competition from some new housing agencies, which he regarded as duplication. He was an inspiring and unconventional leader who treated everyone as an equal, and went on after retiring to become a professor of social housing at the UUs Magee campus. In retirement he kept up his interest in local history and education, along with fellow Trinity history student friend and author Jonathan Bardon. He initiated a discussion group of teachers, broadcasters and writers calling itself the Lonely Poets, formed in an east Belfast pub of the same name, which still survives. He travelled widely, latterly in Italy, where he was made an honorary member of one of Sienas famous contrades. A Sinn Fein election candidates social media attack on gardai will not damage efforts to recruit more men and women into the force, the partys justice spokesperson has insisted. Kerry TD Pa Daly said comments made by Josh ORourke, a Sinn Fein local election candidate for Dublin City Council, did not come up in meetings he held with Dublin city centre business owners and a senior garda about crime and policing today. Mr ORourke, who will run in the Artane-Whitehall area next year, posted f**k the gardai. thats the tweet on Twitter just over a year ago. The tweet was deleted shortly after the Irish Independent contacted Sinn Fein about it last week. I think things that are putting people off joining An Garda Siochana is not issues like that, Mr Daly said outside Leinster House today. It's problems with, will they be supported, the rates of pay when they're going into the guards and do they feel safe when theyre working around the city. Guards that I know, particularly ones who are on the lower pay grade, they're looking around, they're working with people who are getting better terms and conditions than they have and theyre looking at the date theyre going to resign. There is a huge issue with recruitment [and] retention. He added: I am aware of what was tweeted and later deleted by the proposed candidate. Hes a very young fella, he has deleted it, he accepts that he shouldnt have done that. Hes 23 now. When I was that age, thankfully, there wasnt social media around to say some of the things 30 years ago or whatever. Mr Daly was speaking after meeting businesses owners in the north inner city today and also holding talks with Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis. He said that a lack of visibility of gardai on the ground and slow response times were brought up by those he met with. Mr Daly said one of the issues that also came up in his engagements was gardai doing a lot of ancillary services. He called for the bar on hiring people over 35 into the guards to be lifted and for the Justice Minister to sign regulations allowing more recruits into the Garda Reserve. Mr Daly added: It has been suggested that maybe, bring some retired guards back to deliver people down the courts, to sign passports, to do all the work that is keeping [guards off the street]. Guards feel frustrated when they're talking to me. Theyre ringing me and saying that we would like to be out on the ground, keeping the community safe and keeping our colleagues safe because when they're stuck in the garda station doing paperwork. They feel that they're not contributing in the way that they thought they were going to be able to contribute when they first joined. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan, who was appearing alongside Mr Daly outside Leinster House, said everything is perfectly fine now just eight months after she vowed to resign from the party. Ms Boylan, a close ally of Mary Lou McDonald sent a letter of resignation to her council colleagues in December after she was turned down for a role as secretarial assistant in the Sinn Fein leaders office. Ms Boylan admitted today that this had been a hard blow for her. She admitted that at the time she felt humiliated as there were a few issues that had happened that had gone unaddressed and I just felt I wasnt listened to. But Ms Boylan insisted she now feels listened to and supported. My concentration is on the local elections now coming next year, the north inner city councillor said, declining to be drawn on whether she wanted to be Ms McDonalds running mate in the next general election. Moosakhan Nasiri was stabbed to death in a row over a drugs debt (Metropolitan Police PA) A fugitive has been found guilty of stabbing an Afghan asylum seeker to death over a 10 debt nearly six years ago. Moosakhan Nasiri, 20, who was known as Moosa, was set upon by a group of fellow Afghans in Plashet Park, East Ham, east London, on October 15 2017. He was punched and kicked by the attackers and fatally stabbed once in the chest by Javid Ahmadzai, jurors were told. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Ahmadzai, now 28, was found guilty of murder and violent disorder. Javid Ahmadzai was found guilty at the Old Bailey in London (Jonathan Brady/PA) The court had heard how Mr Naseri had come to the UK in 2005 to seek asylum because of the actions of the Taliban. He lived in Bradford before moving to London to stay with an Afghan foster family who lived near the park where he died. Although he was not entitled to work in the UK, he would find occasional employment as a labourer, jurors were told. Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said that the brutal attack had arisen because the victim owed 10 for some drugs which he could not pay back immediately. An argument broke out between him and three of the group before the defendant received a phone call summoning him to the park to join in. After the killing, Ahmadzai fled to France where in September 2018 he was convicted of stabbing a man in the chest during a row over the behaviour and language of the group he was in. On the day of his release from French custody last June 21, he was extradited back to the UK and arrested for murder. Following his conviction on Tuesday, Ahmadzai was remanded into custody to be sentenced on August 10. Yazidis protested in London over the treatment of their people by IS in Iraq (Delara Shakib/PA) Acts by the so-called Islamic State (IS) against the Yazidi people in 2014 have formally been determined by the UK Government as genocide. IS held large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014 when the terrorist group attacked the Yazidi religious minority. The House of Commons in 2016 called on the Government to formally declare that IS was committing genocide against Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. The Government has said determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts, and linked what it described as a formal acknowledgement that acts of genocide had been committed by IS against Yazidis in 2014 to a finding from the German Federal Court of Justice. Earlier this year, the final court of appeal in Germany confirmed a conviction against an IS member for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against Yazidis in Iraq. UN investigators have claimed to have found clear evidence that genocide was committed by IS against the Yazidi religious group. A UN report in 2016 found an IS offensive against the group which began in August 2014 sought to destroy the Yazidis, with killings and sexual slavery, enslavement, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and forcible transfer. More than 5,000 people were reportedly killed by IS, which is also known as Daesh. Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad said: The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day. Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated. Today, we have made the historic acknowledgement that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice. The UK will continue to play a leading role in eradicating Daesh, including through rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda. He made the announcement ahead of events marking the nine-year anniversary of atrocities committed by IS against the Yazidi people. Joe Biden has decided to keep US Space Command headquarters in Colorado (AP) Joe Biden has decided to keep US Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama and ending months of politically fuelled debate, according to senior officials. The officials said US President Mr Biden was convinced by the head of Space Command, Gen James Dickinson, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardise military readiness. Gen Dickinsons view, however, was in contrast to Air Force leadership, who studied the issue at length and determined that relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, was the right move. Mr Biden they said, believes that keeping the command in Colorado Springs would avoid a disruption in readiness that the move would cause, particularly as the US races to compete with China in space. Gen James Dickinson, left, argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardise military readiness (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP) And they said Mr Biden firmly believes that maintaining stability will help the military be better able to respond in space over the next decade. Those factors, they said, outweighed what the President believed would be any minor benefits of moving to Alabama. Mr Bidens decision is sure to enrage Alabama legislators and fuel accusations that abortion politics played a role in the choice. The location debate has become entangled in the ongoing battle between Alabama Republican senator Tommy Tuberville and the US Defence Department over the move to provide travel for troops seeking reproductive health care. Mr Tuberville opposed the policy is blocking hundreds of military promotions in protest. The US officials said the abortion issue had no effect at all on Bidens decision. And they said the president fully expected there would be different views on the matter within the Defence Department. Formally created in August 2019, the command was temporarily based in Colorado, and Air Force and Space Force leaders initially recommended it stay there. In the final days of his presidency, Donald Trump decided it should be based in Huntsville. The change triggered a number of reviews. Former president Donald Trump announced the establishment of the US Space Command (AP) Proponents of keeping the command in Colorado have argued that moving it to Huntsville and creating a new headquarters would set back its progress at a time it needs to move quickly to be positioned to match Chinas military space rise. And Colorado Springs is also home to the Air Force Academy, which now graduates Space Force guardians, and more than 24 military space missions, including three Space Force bases. Officials also argued that any new headquarters in Alabama would not be completed until some time after 2030, forcing a lengthy transition. Huntsville, however, scored higher than Colorado Springs in a Government Accountability Office assessment of potential locations and has long been a home to some of earliest missiles used in the nations space programs, including the Saturn V rocket. It is home to the Armys Space and Missile Defence Command. According to officials, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who ordered his own review of the matter, leaned toward Huntsville, while Gen Dickinson was staunchly in favour of staying put. The officials said Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin presented both options to Mr Biden. The decision was good news for Colorado legislators. For two and a half years weve known any objective analysis of this basing decision would reach the same conclusion we did, that Peterson Space Force Base is the best home for Space Command, senator John Hickenlooper said in a statement. Most importantly, this decision firmly rejects the idea that politics instead of national security should determine basing decisions central to our national security. Senator Michael Bennet said the decision restores integrity to the Pentagons basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions. Lawyer Ben Crump, second from left, walks with Ron Lacks, left, Alfred Lacks Carter, third from left, both grandsons of Henrietta Lacks, and other members of her family (AP Photo/Steve Ruark, file) The family of a black woman in the US whose cervical cells were taken without her knowledge have reached a settlement with a biotechnology company they sued in 2021, their lawyer has said. Tissue taken by doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital from Henrietta Lacks tumour before she died of cervical cancer more than 70 years ago became the first human cells to be successfully cloned. Reproduced infinitely ever since, HeLa cells have become a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of the polio vaccine, genetic mapping and even Covid-19 vaccines. But despite such a significant impact, the Lacks family was never compensated and had accused the leaders of Thermo Fisher Scientific of making billions of dollars from a racist medical system. Doctors harvested Mrs Lacks cells in 1951, long before the advent of consent procedures used in medicine and scientific research today, but lawyers for her family argued that Thermo Fisher has continued to commercialise the results well after the origins of the HeLa cell line became well known. A statue of Henrietta Lacks was unveiled on the 70th anniversary of her death at Royal Fort House in Bristol (PA) The settlement agreement came after closed-door negotiations that lasted all day on Monday. Several members of the Lacks family were involved in the talks. Lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the Lacks family, announced the settlement, saying the terms of the agreement are confidential. The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of court and will have no further comment about the settlement, Mr Crump said in a statement. HeLa cells were discovered to have unique properties. While most cell samples died shortly after being removed from the body, her cells survived and thrived in laboratories. This exceptional quality made it possible to cultivate her cells indefinitely they became known as the first immortalised human cell line making it possible for scientists anywhere to reproduce studies using identical cells. The remarkable science involved and the impact on the Lacks family, some of whom suffered from chronic illnesses without health insurance were documented in a best-selling book by Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks, and Oprah Winfrey portrayed her daughter in a film about the story. Mrs Lacks was 31 when she died and was buried in an unmarked grave. A poor tobacco farmer from southern Virginia, she was raising five children when doctors discovered a tumour in her cervix and saved a sample of her cancer cells collected during a biopsy. Johns Hopkins said it never sold or profited from the cell lines, but many companies have patented ways of using them. In their complaint, Mrs Lacks grandchildren and other descendants argued that her treatment illustrates a much larger issue that persists into the present day of racism inside the US medical system. The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks represents the unfortunately common struggle experienced by black people throughout history, the complaint reads. Too often, the history of medical experimentation in the United States has been the history of medical racism. Thermo Fisher argued the case should be dismissed because it was filed after the statute of limitations expired, but lawyers for the family said that should not apply because the company is continuously benefitting from the cells. In a statement posted to its website, Johns Hopkins Medicine officials said they reviewed all interactions with Mrs Lacks and her family after the 2010 publication of Skloots book. While acknowledging an ethical responsibility, it said the medical system has never sold or profited from the discovery or distribution of HeLa cells and does not own the rights to the HeLa cell line while also acknowledging an ethical responsibility. Mr Crump, a civil rights lawyer, has become well known for representing victims of police violence and calling for racial justice, especially in the aftermath of George Floyds murder. Mrs Lacks only surviving child, Lawrence Lacks Sr, lives to see justice done, grandson Alfred Lacks Carter Jr said. Now 86, Lawrence Lacks was 16 when his mother died. There couldnt have been a more fitting day for her to have justice, for her family to have relief, Mr Carter said. It was a long fight over 70 years and Henrietta Lacks gets her day. Last week, US senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin introduced a Bill to posthumously award Mrs Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal. Henrietta Lacks changed the course of modern medicine, Mr Van Hollen said in a statement announcing the bill. It is long past time that we recognise her life-saving contributions to the world. Policemen in uniform carry the flag-draped coffin of Roel Degamo, the assassinated governor of Negros Oriental province, during a funeral march in the town of Siaton in Negros Oriental, central Philippines, March 16, 2023. The Philippines on Tuesday branded a congressman as a terrorist for allegedly masterminding the assassination of a political ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the killings of nine others during a commando-style attack in March. The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) said it had placed Arnolfo Teves, his brother and 10 associates on its list of wanted terrorists. Their bank accounts and other assets are now subject to forfeiture. The congressman, who is on the run abroad, has been suspended from the legislature over his suspected role in the March 4 killings of Roel Degamo, who was the governor of Negros Oriental, a province in the central Visayas region, and the others. The ATC, after a thorough examination of the evidence presented, has found probable cause to warrant the designation of Cong. Teves and his armed group as terrorists, the council said in a statement dated July 26 but released to the media only on Tuesday. Degamos killing was the third high-profile attack this year against a local government official in the Philippines, which has long been plagued by political violence between local elites. Teves has in various interviews with local media denied his involvement in the killing of the 56-year-old governor at his home in Negros Oriental. Ten armed men entered Degamos residence and fatally shot him, along with two local officials and seven civilians. Police described it as a planned attack carried out with precision, and that it was over in minutes. Teves, who was Degamos chief political rival, left for the United States days before the shooting and has not returned since, despite appeals by his relatives to come home and clear his name. The investigation into Teves began in April. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said that all the activities leading up to the March 4 killings fell under the Anti-Terror Act, including recruitment, financing, and the purchase and distribution of firearms. Levito Baligod, a lawyer who represents the victims of the attack, has claimed there was concrete evidence linking Teves to communist and terror groups on the southern island of Mindanao. Teves struck a defiant tone on social media after his designation as a terrorist. They wanted me to link them to a terrorist group. Theres two people who were assigned to execute their affidavit about the matter, he wrote on Twitter. To President Ferdinand Marcos and Remulla, I already knew this development was still in the planning stage. Lets not forget I also have friends working in the government, said Teves, who was last located in Timor-Leste. Philippine local government officials have been targeted in a number of attacks this year. In February, four policemen were killed and three others, including a provincial governor, were wounded in an ambush on Mindanao. Days earlier, gunmen disguised as police officers killed a vice-mayor and five of his companions in northern Nueva Vizcaya province. Signed into law by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2020, human rights groups have criticized the Anti-Terror Act as a means to stifle dissent. The law gives authorities power to designate any individual or group a terrorist on mere suspicion. Despite petitions against it, the Supreme Court has ruled that the legislation is constitutional. Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel contributed to this report from Cagayan de Oro city, southern Philippines. Philippine Sen. Risa Hontiveros is seen on the Senate floor, Aug 1, 2023. The Philippine Senate voted unanimously Tuesday on a resolution condemning China for its continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and incursions into Manilas waters in the contested South China Sea. The resolution also urged the government to raise the issue of Beijings actions in the strategic waterway before the United Nations General Assembly. These allegedly violate a 2016 international arbitration ruling that nullified Beijings expansive claims to the potentially mineral-rich sea. It is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines to strongly condemn the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the incursions in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese coast guard and militia vessels, the resolution said, according to a copy obtained by reporters. The West Philippine Sea is the name that Filipinos use for waters claimed by Manila in the South China Sea. The resolution urged the Philippine government to take appropriate action in asserting and securing the countrys sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, in the South China Sea. The final resolution consolidated two authored separately by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. This bipartisan effort tells the Filipino people that when it comes to matters of national sovereignty, we will never be bullied into submission, Hontiveros said in a statement. The fight against Chinas reckless behavior in the West Philippine Sea does not end here, she said. Hontiveros said she hoped that with the resolution, Manila would take the necessary steps to consolidate global support for the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, to name a few, have hailed the ruling, but Beijing has continued to ignore it. Members of nationalist groups stage a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in remembrance of the Philippines victory in the South China Sea dispute at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, in Manila, July 12, 2023. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] On Monday, Ursula von der Leyen, the visiting president of the European Commission, said the European Union backed the legally binding ruling. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have territorial claims in the South China Sea. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to these disputes, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone. The Senate resolution also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring international attention to continued violations of The Hague ruling. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., though, appears disinterested in involving the U.N. Generally speaking, foreign policy is not set by the legislature. Generally speaking, foreign policy is left up to the executive, he told reporters last week. The United Nations entertains governments, not parts of government. They deal with governments. Bennington, VT (05201) Today A few clouds. Low 58F. SW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 58F. SW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Nancy Thomas said Bluebird & Co. will rely on local patrons, and that the restaurant will not be just based around tourism. There will be fire pits in all seasons, burgers, steak frites and hot chocolate in winter. Beverages will include cocktails, natural wines, spirit-free beverages and regional beers. NORTH ADAMS Advocates who have long tried to get federal, state and local government bodies to repair North Adamss aging flood control system just received a huge win. The Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to come to North Adams on Aug. 25 to meet with the city and Hoosic River Revival a local group that advocates for chute improvements to officially kick off a feasibility study project that has been years in the making. The study will assess the condition of the distressed system of "flood chutes," which has protected North Adams since the 1950s, and make a recommendation as to the solution of any problems the Corps finds. President of HRR Judy Grinnell said Tuesday that she and other community activists have been lobbying for this project since 2008. Grinnell is excited about the news, but reiterated that the effort to repair North Adamss flood chutes is not over. Once the feasibility study, which could take three years, is conducted, the next task will be finding the funding for multi-million dollar construction. The Corps reports to Congress, so they do not agree to work unless two things happen, Grinnell said. First, and this happened in late 2019, our federal delegation worked to get the House and Senate to agree to a statement in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, which included a feasibility study for the Hoosic River in Massachusetts. Congress voted not for the full $1.5 million, but for what the Corps said it would need for the first year. The state released $1 million in funding for North Adams to put toward the study of its aging flood control system earlier this year. At that time, the city and HRR announced that federal, state and local funding was in place to start the study. Mayor Jennifer Macksey referenced the flooding from flash rain storms in the last few weeks, saying that the current system has parts that are failing but was able to support the recent onslaught of rain and keep the Hoosic River at bay. As we move forward with climate change, its important that we address this aging infrastructure, and its something that cant be done overnight, Macksey said Tuesday. The Corps agreed last year that the study would be a valid project. But it took until August for official action to be taken, with a kickoff event planned for 11 a.m. Aug. 25 at City Hall. The event will include local officials and leaders as well as the Commander of the NY District Corps and members of his staff. Were excited that the Corps is going to come out, meet the team, see the site, and go from there. Its a first step, Macksey said. Grinnell said the delay is borne from a federal budget that was finalized in January, and it takes a while for funding for specific projects to make its way to the appropriate departments. Aging infrastructure The north and south branches of the Hoosic River meet at Mass MoCA. Sections of the flood control walls have failed at this confluence. This distressed system of "flood chutes," which has protected North Adams since the 1950s, will be evaluated in the feasibility study. Since the early 2000s, five walls 20-foot-wide panels have fallen along the chutes, and seven are leaning, Grinnell said. Four of those walls have since been repaired. In 2021, the city and HRR submitted a proposal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking ways to modernize the system. The proposal estimated the study would cost $3 million, according to the HRR. The city committed $500,000 to the project. That came after U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren visited in late August to see the system. She stood near the chutes on River Street, where a large concrete panel has fallen down. In late-December, the federal government gave the project $200,000 in an omnibus spending package. The study will also need more federal funding in future years to finish actual work. Grinnell said HRR and the city have been assured by the federal delegation that the money would be there in successive years. Key outcomes of the modernization project compiled by the HRR, which were sent to the Corps, include climate resiliency, economic revitalization, restored river ecology and a reinvigorated sense of community. The Corps is asking that the city sign an agreement with two parts, one that promises it will hold up its half of the funding for the study, and another that summarizes what the city and HRR consider to be the scope of the project and its outcomes. Grinnell said the city and HRR were told by the Corps that it would send a signed agreement by the first week in August. Once the agreement is signed, sometime in August/September, the Corps team and the citys team, which is working with HRR, will begin talking about negotiations. Regulations that govern projects like this require that there be either Corps of Engineers approval of a design modification, or you have to go to FEMA, Grinnell said. Grinnell has said a modernization project could cost $200 million. At first, Macksey and Grinnell noted, the HRR was founded to beautify the Hoosic Rivers flood chutes in North Adams to spur economic development. I thought all we had to do was make it pretty, and in the course of doing research and paying engineers, I learned we have to make it safe, she said. Along the way if there are areas we can beautify or carve out, and make it a low-flow channel, we will, but our number one priority is safety and protection of the city, Macksey said. In 2014, North Adams Regional Hospital closed with only three days' notice, even though the state Department of Public Health declared its services necessary. If some state legislators have their way, this kind of health care crisis won't happen again. The state Legislature is considering a bill that could have, if it was in place in 2014, saved the hospital, and others like it, from closing, supporters say. It may also help keep the hospital, which plans to reopen this winter with 25 inpatient beds on a medical-surgical floor, from abruptly closing again. Berkshire Health Systems purchased the hospital shortly after it closed, and has since reopened the emergency department, a cardiac rehabilitation unit, and resumed providing numerous outpatient services. Recent changes in regulatory structure could allow it to reopen as a critical access hospital. State Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, who introduced the bill on the Senate side, said he envisions an agency of state government would assume management responsibility of a hospital set to close as long as it was determined to be necessary for the region. State Rep. Peter Capano, D-Lynn, introduced the House version of the bill. Lynn Union Hospital closed under similar circumstances in 2016. There is supposed to be a 90-day public notice period before a hospital closes, Mark said, but that doesnt always happen, and didnt in the case of NARH. The proposed legislation would put teeth in the 90-day requirement, as the state would take over management of the hospital. In the case of a hospital being deemed critical for a region, and it turns out theres some kind of mismanagement or other shortsightedness, then ideally, having the receivership period would allow for a different organization to come in and take over, Mark said. He said that if this law were in place in 2014, it wouldve bought time to find an organization able to keep the hospital going in full form. For a hospital organization to not meet that 90 days is a breach of its responsibility to the community. The problem is, if they have no money, if they have no one willing to do anything, whats the punishment? Mark said. What weve seen is, there really isnt one. At the least, the 90 days can allow for a proper transition. Mark said the hope is that within the 90-day period, another entity steps in with either a six-month reopening plan, or the doors never shut. You cant have hospitals that are critical to a community shut down with no notice, he said. Its a disaster. Mark said he believes the bill would provide a process for either the governor or state government to step in. The proper process didnt exist before, he said. The legislation has legs, Mark said, though he thinks it has a better chance of passing next year. The more situations like what happened in North Adams happen around the state, the more concern theres going to be, and that adds to the momentum, he said. Ive heard that theres hope for a health care package next year; this is one of those things I would try to throw in there. Maynard Seider, an emeritus professor of sociology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, is an expert on labor history in the Northern Berkshires and has written extensively about the closing of NARH. He wholeheartedly supports the bill. The key to me is to get something done if its shown that theres a need for the facility in the area, Seider said. He highlighted a state-commissioned report when the hospital closed in 2014 that found there was a need. If its a question of need, it was there, but the state didnt follow through, Seider said. Both Seider and retired mail-carrier Dick Dassatti, who was one of the leaders in the protests of the hospital closure in 2014, brought up the fact that academics at the time wrote a paper saying the governor then Deval Patrick had the emergency power to keep the hospital going. But nothing came of it. Governor Patrick failed to act, Dassatti told The Eagle. Im glad this legislation would take the decision out of the governors hands. Dassatti argued that hospitals should be too big to fail. We cant let them close, he said. With neoliberalism, everything has to pay for itself in order to have it, Dassatti continued. They cant lose money, they have to break even at least. But my belief is, theres certain benefits to having a hospital in a community that cant be measured in dollars and cents. Others expressed vehement support for the bill at a public hearing in early July, held by the Joint Committee on Public Health. Yousif Abdallah, director of the North Shore Labor Council, said the legislation could help continue the provision of essential health services and preserve jobs. There is no way to keep a hospital open, even if the Department of Public Health deems it necessary, Abdallah said. This bill would require the DPH to establish a process of state receivership of a hospital thats pending closure. Health care workers and concerned citizens argued that access to care is becoming more difficult for poorer and rural residents in Massachusetts. Dassatti shared a similar sentiment. If we had universal health care in Massachusetts, everyone would be paying the same, he said. Hospitals wouldnt close because someone has good or bad insurance. More affluent communities can support hospitals; apparently less affluent ones cant. C beau chez nous: Audresselles, patrimoine de la peche nordiste Cette semaine, BFM Grand Lille et BFM Grand Littoral vous emmenent dans les jolis villages de la region et vous propose de voter pour votre prefere, parmi quatre propositions. ... And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wingsAs for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creaturesNow as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all aroundWhen they stood still, they let down their wings (Ezekiel 1:4-25). Just like the Prophet Isaiah, the Prophet Ezekiel was given visions of heaven, and the angelic beings he saw were not like anything people could imagine. They have multiple heads, forms that do not resemble living beings on earth, and demonstrate the power of God. Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come (Daniel 10:12-14). The prophet Daniel had been praying to God for days, and the Lord sent a messenger angel. The angel gave Daniel as well as people reading the Bible today a glimpse of what goes on in the spiritual realm and what spiritual warfare looks like from Gods perspective. It is clear that Satans forces, in this case the principality over Persia, try to interfere with the work of angels. God will triumph in the end, but until then there is a lot going on behind the veil. Photo credit: Getty Images/Tzido Certainly, we can find a good Christian relationships outside the church, but the writer of Hebrews told us not give up meeting together, and its assumed he meant as part of a place of worship. Finding a good Christian community isnt always easy. While we may look in a directory for possibilities, more often than not, finding a good church comes when we pray for direction and seek out godly Christians to ask where they attend church. Be careful in your search; some churches claim to be Christian but they are not biblical. There is no perfect church but there are traits to look for that are both biblical, practical, and in some cases, personal preference. These traits offer an expansive view of biblical community. First, look for biblical traits. Is it a Gospel-centered congregation? Does the church stand firm on solid biblical doctrines? Does the pastor preach the whole counsel (or will) of God? Is the worship biblical and focused on God? Is it an equipping church, enabling the members to better reach those without Christ? Are the people being properly shepherded? Do the church members seem devoted to Jesus and His mission for the church? Are they committed to reaching those who have not heard the Gospel? Is there a plan for church planting? Do members regularly share their testimonies? Does it seem that they anticipate God working in their midst? Is God increasing the number who are being saved and joining the church? How does the church incorporate teaching and ministry for the next generation, from young children through college age? Does the church practice biblical church discipline to uphold honoring the Lord? Second, look for practical Christian living traits. Is the leadership mutually accountable to each other to pursue holiness and good character? Are the members of the congregation seeking God and living holy lives? How do they interact? With love, forgiveness and unity? Do they show grace when others exhibit their human flaws? Do the leaders appear to bully others? Are congregants loyal and committed to each other? Do they gossip and slander? Are there strong, thriving marriages? Are there small group studies for additional growth? Do believers practice hospitality? Is it a giving church, compassionate and generous? Do believers enter regularly into the greater community to help and bring hope? Third and this is definitely not most important look for personal preference traits. Do you enjoy the musical style in the church and feel it contributes to your biblically worshipping God? Are there ministry groups within the church that attract you and motivate you to become involved? Remember: church attendance isnt only about what you can receive, but also what you can contribute to the community. God knows that our becoming a part of a good Christian community is a blessing, but He wants us to know that too. Its worth the time to investigate local churches and find the right local church family for personal growth, others good, and Gods glory. Photo credit: Getty Images/wwing Talking Points Memo: The failure of the Biden administration is only getting more and more obvious by the day. Heres three major agencies that are falling apart. President Biden snaps at reporter for asking about Hunters text messages. SCOTUS rules on states control over elections and agrees to hear case on wealth tax. Bill renews calls for investigation into Zuckerbergs efforts into the 2020 presidential election. Former Prosecutor Cully Stimson on his new book Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers are Destroying Americas Communities. Reuters releases report that says all living US Presidents descended from slaveholders all expect Donald Trump. Smart Life: pickleball injuries This Day in History: International Body Piercing Day Final Thought: Leaving money to kids, charities & friends In Case You Missed It: Read Bill's latest column, "They're Not Victims" It's the 'Summer Reading Special!' 'Killing the Killers,' Killing the Legends,' and 'Killing Crazy Horse' all for $32.95. We'll also give you a FREE 'Team Normal' hat. 'Team Normal!' gear is 15% for a limited time. Go to BillOReilly.com now and order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Touted as the Pharmacy of the World, Indian pharma is on a spree to launch new drugs and supply them globally. However, amidst launching new drugs, companies are failing to adhere to norms when it comes to maintaining the quality of the products where The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) is keeping a hawks eye on the drugs being manufactured. Stringent regulatory measures and keeping an eye on bribery/corruption are likely to have a positive impact on the quality measure being followed without fail. The Indian pharma industry is somehow embroiled in controversies related to quality issues. Be it larger companies or smaller ones, the quality issue remains a major concern for companies more or less. Termed as Pharmacy of the World, quality-related issues related to deaths and other adverse events are taking a toll on the goodwill which is getting tarnished by these issues. Though pharma companies are taking steps to address the quality issues with certain measures, a harsh law in place will mean a lot for both the companies and patients alike. Recalls & Adverse Events The government of India has taken the issue seriously and started random testing of the drug samples manufactured by companies from across the pharma sector such as multinationals, local leading giants and small and medium scale pharma companies. Since December 2022 the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's national regulatory body for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, has increased the spot inspection of the pharma facilities to do sample testing. Till May 2023, CDSCO on an average conducted 1300-1400 sample tests per month and issued notices to those including big pharma players to recall the poor quality or substandard medicines from the market. This noticeable action from CDSCO has resulted in drastic improvement in quality of drugs as companies started giving priority to quality issues. The number of not of standard quality drugs has dropped from 70 in December 2022 to 27 in May 2023 with a case each of spurious drugs detected in April and May 2023 respectively. The action from CDSCO has to continue till the number of not of standard quality drugs touch zero. On the other hand the pharma companies both local and multinationals felt the pinch and started recalling the drugs from local and international markets. Baddi-based Magtech Enterprises Katha in Himachal Pradesh, was found producing fake diabetes medicines and multivitamins bearing the names of renowned pharmaceutical companies of Mankind and Intas Pharma. The medicines worth Rs 55 lakh bound for Delhi were confiscated in July 2023. In June 2023, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech had to recall typhoid vaccine due to its poor quality. Indias Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation declared a batch of Typbar typhoid vaccine not of standard quality after it failed standard testing. According to health officials, the levels of a particular molecule O-acetyl did not comply with national specifications. The company in May 2023 also recalled pre-filled syringes of a drug, used to treat infertility in women, in the US market due to a manufacturing issue. It recalled 24,194 prefilled syringes of Fyremadel (ganirelix acetate) injection. Also, Pfizer India in May 2023 has initiated a voluntary recall of certain life-saving antibiotics in the wake of quality concerns. In a letter to stockists, distributors and hospitals across India, Pfizer has asked for a temporary suspension of the sale and distribution of Magzex, Zosyn, Magnamycin injections and Magnex forte supplies. The recall follows technical issues at its contract manufacturing site. In April 2023, Mumbai-based drug maker Abbott India, recalled a batch of Thyronorm tablets used to treat hypothyroidism due to a labelling error. There are reports that the batch was sold only in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. The company has denied any quality issues. Ahmedabad-based Zydus Lifesciences in March 2023, has recalled over 55,000 bottles of generic medication in the US market due to failed impurities specifications. The company recalled 21,936 (30 counts) and 33,096 (100 counts) bottles of Colchicine tablets, which are used to treat gout. Dr. Reddy's Lab recalled over 4,000 bottles of generic drugs in the US. The Hyderabad-based drug major is recalling 4,320 bottles of Tacrolimus Capsules which are used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ in March 2023. Chennai-based Global Pharma in February 2023 voluntarily recalled its eye drop from the US after it was linked to a drug-resistant infection. The eye drop has been linked to 55 incidents of infections, loss of vision, and even death due to the infection entering the bloodstream. Lupin had to recall 5,720 tubes of a skin medicine over quality issues in February 2023, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lupin's US arm, Lupin Pharmaceuticals has recalled the tubes of Clobetasol propionate cream from the US market. The medicine was recalled after the US FDA found it to be of poor quality. The cream is used in the treatment of various skin conditions, such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. The tubes in question were manufactured at Lupin's Pithampur plant in Madhya Pradesh. It may be noted that in January 2023, the company also had to recall over 16,000 bottles of generic tuberculosis drugs in the US citing manufacturing issues. Mumbai-based Sun Pharma in February 2023 recalled over 34,000 bottles of generic drugs in the US after they failed the quality test. The company recalled lots of Diltiazem Hydrochloride extended-release capsules which are used to treat angina, high blood pressure, and some types of irregular heartbeats. The company produced the lot at its Halol-based manufacturing facility in Gujarat. The affected lot was later distributed in the market by its US-based unit. In February 2023, Mumbai-headquartered Galentic Pharma was in news when there were complaints raised from at least five international buyers where the company was forced to recall all its tetracycline hydrochloride ointment batches from 2020 till February 2023. Mumbai-based Macleods Pharmaceuticals in January 2023 recalled 10,052 bottles of Levofloxacin pills from the US market, according to the US health authorities. Mumbai-based Aurobindo Pharma units have recalled various products in the US market for manufacturing lapses. In November 2022, the company recalled 9,504 bottles of Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets due to manufacturing lapses. This apart, Aurobindo Pharma said that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection at Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, Parawada Mandal, Anakapalli District, Andhra Pradesh, from May 15 to 19, 2023 and the unit has received Establishment Inspection Report classifying the facility as 'Voluntary action indicated' (VAI). It may be noted that in October 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had issued an alert stating that four cough syrups exported to Gambia by New Delhi-headquartered Maiden Pharmaceuticals were of substandard quality. The cough syrups were linked to the deaths of 66 children due to acute kidney injuries in Gambia. However, the company denied any wrongdoing. The company had sought to reopen the plant after an Indian government lab mentioned that the cough syrups were safe. There were rumours that a local pharmaceutical regulator, in return for a bribe, helped switch samples of cough syrups that WHO had linked to the deaths of children in Gambia. However, things are not the same now. The regulators have become strict in ensuring the quality of the drugs are safe for human consumption. A Sonipat court sentenced two pharmaceutical company executives of Maiden Pharmaceuticals to two-and-half years in jail for exporting substandard drugs to Vietnam a decade ago, in February 2023, months after the WHO linked their cough syrups to the deaths of children in Gambia. Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration recalled a batch of the iron supplement infection Orofer FCM in November 2022. The FDA issued an order asking Pune-based Emcure to recall its product Orofer following the death of a 55-year-old man in Mumbai. However, in May 2023, the company launched Orofer FCM 750, a new extension of its parenteral iron brand containing Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). According to an Associated Press report, in November 2022, when three inspectors from the US Food and Drug Administration visited the Ahmedabad-based Intas Pharmaceuticals, they found hundreds of trash bags full of shredded documents tossed into a garbage truck. Over the next 10 days, the inspectors assessed what looked like a systematic effort to conceal quality problems at the plant, which provided more than half of the US supply of generic cisplatin and carboplatin, two cheap drugs used to treat as many as 500,000 new cancer cases every year. New Jersey-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc, a subsidiary of a Mumbai-based drug firm, in August 2022 recalled over 72,000 units of blood pressure lowering drug due to 'blister package issues'. The lot was produced at Glenmarks Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh)-based manufacturing facility. In August 2022, Bengaluru-based Strides Pharma Science recalled 1,032 bottles of Prednisone tablets in the US, a medication used to treat many conditions, including asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, among others. The company initiated the class-II voluntary nationwide recall on July 19 this year. Cipla has recalled 7,992 bottles of Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion in August 2022, used to treat swelling and pain after eye surgery, in the US market. The FDA stated that New Jersey-based Cipla USA, Inc, a unit of a Mumbai-based drug maker, has recalled the lot due to a 'lack of assurance of sterility'. Adding to it, Cipla announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cipla USA Inc, has voluntarily recalled six batches of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90 mcg (200 Metered Inhalation) in July 2023 that was manufactured in November 2021. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration. The company initiated a recall in the US due to a market complaint for one single inhaler (Batch Number - IB20056), where leakage was observed through the inhaler valve. And the list goes on. Sharing his thoughts on these issues, Girdhar Balwani, Professional Mentor & Independent Director, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, says I don't think that this is frequent. All pharma companies are expected to follow the specifications as laid down by regulatory authorities and internal requirements. Companies must follow good manufacturing practices. All products are released only after being checked for quality against the set standards. Apart from self-regulation, there are regular inspections by the drug inspectors appointed by the government to ensure that the manufacturing facilities, processes and quality assurance mechanisms and quality controls are in place. There are some cases wherein there is a deviation from the foregoing. In such cases, contaminated medicines may get into the market. These deviations are usually not intentional. In such a situation, a proper investigation needs to be done to find out the cause. Consequently, measures need to be taken to correct the situation and preventive action to ensure that this is not repeated. Digital innovation Digital tracking of products is possible to ensure that the products are distributed under the required conditions of temperature and humidity. Any deviation can result in potential deterioration of quality and is subject to recall. One can also build a mechanism to ensure that counterfeits are tracked and appropriate action is taken against them. All this of course comes at a cost and the pricing mechanism should be considered. All wholesale and retail outlets are subject to not only self-regulation but regular inspection and certification by the regulatory authorities appointed by the government. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a global supplier of high-quality, affordable medicines throughout the world. This is well-recognised and respected globally. There are a few who do not follow the standards required in this industry. Such companies must be taken to task. A database with the list of accredited vendors should be developed and manufacturers can use them for procuring the raw material. Implementation of automation has been shown to reduce the potential breach of data integrity as data trails are meticulously captured and any wrongdoing can be detected. Manoj Saxena, President-elect, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and Managing Director, Bayer Pharma, says Prioritising patient safety and product quality is the prime objective of pharma manufacturers, which requires investing in robust quality management systems and conducting thorough risk assessments. Promoting a culture of compliance with global best practices such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP) is important to ensure that manufacturing and distribution processes meet the required quality and safety regulations. The use of emerging technologies such as AI can enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability throughout the supply chain. In addition, continuous training and education, and proactive monitoring of manufacturing processes can help prevent issues and maintain high-quality standards. The sector must collaboratively work towards strengthening the ecosystem to ensure we continue to deliver high standards of quality. Regulatory issues A weak regulatory mechanism in place is taking a toll on the drug manufacturing sector. Random bribery and getting things done through the backdoor have had a cascading effect on the reputation of Indias pharma sector. Top management of Indian pharma companies also needs to understand the negative impact of poor-quality drugs. There are several cases where pressure to release batches comes from top management and thereby material with questionable qualities is cleared. In many cases, regulatory audits are not done regularly due to a lack of auditors and a lack of expertise among the auditors. Recruitment and training of auditors must be done on an urgent basis. Auditors should be empowered to take strict action against manufacturers who are compromising the quality of drug products and data integrity. Talking on the sidelines at the 9th International Pharmaceutical Exhibition (iPHEX), Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) stated, Pharma, besides being a regulated industry, is also a knowledge-driven industry. If we put the purpose before the individual and follow a knowledge-based approach rather than focusing only on profitability, most of the quality issues and aberrations will get resolved. Today, the cost is offset by the quality towards increasing profitability. Unless quality is taken as the basic ingredient of the product, the issues around regulatory compliances cannot be taken care of." Making his thoughts on the quality issue, Ranjan Chakrabarti, Former Vice President and Global Biologics, United States Pharmacopeia, India says, I think price pressure is one of the major issues here. Most of the time, many of the old/traditional generics are sold at a very low profit and even at a loss. Thereby big companies have little interest in making them and they are switching to high-priced generics or preparing different quality materials for different markets. Several smaller companies are then taking up the manufacturing of these drugs. Unfortunately, many of them do not have enough financial strength, expertise and/or infrastructure to ensure the quality of the products. Another major problem is data integrity. In most facilities, the culture of strict data integrity is compromised, and they follow practices which raise several concerns about the integrity of the data developed. This is one of the major points in most of the 483s. Is there a way out? Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) during its recently held 8th edition of the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit in Mumbai, had the theme Patient Centricity: New Paradigm of Manufacturing and Quality. Speakers from key regulators such as Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), and others as part of the conference, shared their perspectives on observations on inspection, GMP, global regulatory view, resilience in end-to-end operations, and increased focus on quality compliance and excellence. Having said so, what can the pharma fraternity learn from the discussion remains a big question. On whether companies will follow the recommendations discussed during the event, only time will say. Commenting on the issue, Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, IPA says, Quality is the fundamental tenet of the pharmaceutical industry. Quality should be imbibed as a culture across the supply chain and the verticals right from senior leaders to floor/field employees. As processes and technology are evolving, the regulatory standards need to be aligned accordingly and implementation of Revised Schedule M. India should move towards membership for Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme PIC(s)/ International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). Capability building adept in both life sciences and technology skills will be critical. The industry-academia collaboration will be critical in this regard. Each manufacturer needs to ensure that there should be no compromise on the quality of the medicinal products manufactured by them. Raw materials play an important role in drug manufacturing; accordingly, quality should be ensured both at the raw material and final product stages. Indian Pharmacopoeia/Regulators can work with global Pharmacopoeias/Regulators in developing guidelines and specifications to ensure the quality of the raw material and the end products." At present, there are three layers of testing manufacturers Certificate of Analysis (COA), Central Drug Laboratories (CDL) testing and country-specific testing. Regulators should ensure that the testing guidelines are followed at each place and product specifications are met. Presently the percentage of products with compromised quality is very minimal as compared to the large volume of drugs Indian companies are exporting. But there are disturbing trends and if action is not taken immediately, it can cause severe damage to the drug industry. The quality consciousness of both regulators and manufacturers needs to be enhanced. Scientists at the floor level should be regularly trained not only on scientific techniques but also on drug quality and data integrity. Regulators need to develop proper guidelines for testing with specifications, increase their audits and be strict when some deviations are noticed. A decision needs to be taken on the pricing of the drug products. Due to pressure from governments, manufacturers are forced to sell their products at an unrealistic price. Affordability is important, but quality is supreme. The government needs to discuss this issue with manufacturers and address this. Adding to it, the Government of India is trying hard to tackle the issue of pharma quality and taking serious note of it. The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, during the recently held meeting with pharma MSMEs appealed to pharma manufacturers to maintain the quality of drugs they produce. The minister while emphasising the role of MSMEs in making India The Pharmacy of the World called for self-regulation in the MSME pharma sector. The minister assured that Schedule M would be made compulsory for the MSME pharma sector. Schedule M under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, deals with the practices associated with the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals that must be followed in India. Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com The wearable healthcare market in India is rapidly growing due to the increasing awareness of health and fitness among the Indian population, the prevalence of chronic diseases and the government's support for the adoption of wearables. Of course, there are a few challenges that need to be addressed, such as the lack of regulatory guidelines for wearables, the high cost of some devices and the lack of awareness about the benefits of wearables among the general public. Let's explore further the fate of this sector. One of the pivotal post pandemic questions is, whether the healthcare and medtech industries are being flooded with artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products and services for better functionality and supervision.' From surgical robots to fitness trackers, hospices and clinics are loading hi-tech equipment to upgrade treatment procedures and patient outcomes. And the change is pretty noticeable. There are a slew of state-of-the-art wearable products that promise to improve our health by constantly measuring our medical parameters. Artificial intelligence (AI) hearing aids, Google Glass, Microsoft's HoloLens and a holographic computer in the form of a virtual reality (VR) headset are much in demand in healthcare. Wearable technology in the healthcare industry refers to electronic devices like smartwatches and Fitbits that collect personal health and fitness data. These devices have become increasingly popular, with their usage more than tripling in the past four years, and the market is growing by 25 per cent each year, says Dr Manoj Bansal, consultant at Interventional Cardiology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore. Initially, wearable fitness trackers in the form of wristbands were used to monitor physical activity and heart rate. But now, ultrasmart wearable devices come with advanced features like GPS tracking for emergencies and fall detection. They even allow users to send urgent notifications. The devices help people achieve their fitness goals by tracking steps, distance, intensity, calories, and also monitor body patterns and sleep quality. For instance, Apple's Apple Watch boasts of additional health-tracking abilities, such as notifying users about irregular heart rhythms or abnormally high or low heart rates. Specific wearable devices cater to women's health needs too. For example, the Ava bracelet helps women track their menstrual cycles, fertility, pregnancy and overall health. In healthcare settings, wearable devices like blood pressure monitors and continuous glucose-monitoring devices enable healthcare professionals to closely monitor patients' health conditions. Healthcare systems across the globe are facing unprecedented challenges. In India, the situation is no different. With a population over 1.4 billion, the country's healthcare infrastructure is under immense pressure. In such a scenario, wearables play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare providers, comments Dr Sachin Suresh Jadhav, group head of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, HCG Network (of cancer centres), Bengaluru. The HCG Network leverages sophisticated AI technology in the form of Dozees remote patient-monitoring and AI-based early warning system. Health experts certify Dozee as a great modernised technology solution. Credited with its non-invasive approach and real-time data insights, this innovative medical equipment can revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered in the country as we navigate the difficulties of acute diseases and beyond, assures Dr Jadhav. In recent years, the healthcare industry frequently resorted to wearable products and its technological infrastructure to cater to the needs of oncology patients more effectively. To facilitate this process, the product line consisting of smartwatches, remote sensors, VR and AI-based solutions proved immensely useful. The items monitor the vital signs and activity levels to provide physicians with real-time data on the concerned patient's physical condition, thereby enhancing his/her quality of life. The treatment process of oncology patients underwent a major transformation, thanks to the e-age blessing of wearable technology. All in all, innovation led to correct data collection, prompt service delivery and clear transmission of diagnostic information among the stakeholders involved in a patient's care journey. Additionally, wearable AI can assess a user's speech patterns, track heartbeats, weigh the prevalent mood and communicate warning signals if any. In a nutshell, comprehensive health data is conveyed to respective users via voice assistants and real-time insights. Indias position The domestic wearable healthcare market in India is rapidly strengthening. As per a Research and Markets report, it is predicted to reach a value of $1.26 billion by 2025, up from $310.4 million in 2020. This surge is owing to increased awareness of health and fitness among the countrys population, the prevalence of chronic diseases and higher healthcare spending, states Chandra Ganjoo, group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trivitron Healthcare, a leading medical devices company and equipment supplier to the healthcare industry. The most popular healthcare wearables in the emerging market of India are fitness trackers, smartwatches and health-monitoring machines that can track heart rate, blood pressure and sleep patterns. The COVID-19 pandemic has over the past three years undoubtedly accelerated the adoption of healthcare wearables closer home, with consumers seeking remote-monitoring solutions. To encourage more uptake in this largely developing market, the Indian government launched a host of initiatives, such as the National Health Stack to create a unified digital health infrastructure to integrate a greater number of wearables into the healthcare system. As consumers prioritise their health and healthcare providers rely more on technology, the nationwide healthcare wearable market is only expected to expand steadily, Chandra lays an emphasis. According to Aashish Kumbhat, co-founder of URBAN, a premium smart wearable brand, theres a remarkable level of interest building around smart wearable products like smartwatches and fitness bands in India. These appliances became exceedingly popular because they provide users with real-time health data and insights, helping them track and monitor their fitness and wellness goals, he reasons. Further, the techie insists that overall, the healthcare wearable market in India is believed to possess a tremendous potential for growth and the wearable manufacturers are committed to provide a bevy of innovative and user-friendly smart wearables that can help people live healthier and more active lives. As a counterpoint, he submits that India is an evolving but still a very price-sensitive market as compared to the global one. The growth opportunity is enormous as the Indian customers are relatively younger and invest a chunk in having a healthy living. However, the hyper price-sensitivity often poses a challenge to providing quality technology. Pros & Cons on Home Turf The inland healthcare wearable arena presents ample growth opportunities compared to the global market. India's swelling population is getting health-conscious by the day, spurring demand for healthcare wearables. Plus, the central governments support and push for embracing wearables are lending an added fillip to the markets flourishing prospects, volunteers the voice from the Trivitron top brass. There are, however, more hurdles to tide over. One challenge is the general public's lack of education in wearables, Chandra rues. Another demerit is the dearth of regulatory guidelines for wearables, which can hinder invention, evolution and acceptance. Moreover, affordability is a key concern in India, where much of the populace is still in the low-income bracket, she elaborates ahead. Compared to the global market, India's healthcare wearable space is still in a nascent stage but shows enough promises to prosper. The global market is more mature and competitive, with established players and a broader product and service portfolio. However, the Indian market is bubbling with possibilities owing to the advantage of a vastly untapped population and a soaring demand for healthcare solutions, thus unlocking a significant scope for growth, shares Chandra Ganjoo. With the rise in peoples inclination towards monitoring their health and wellness, the demand for wearable gizmos is estimated to further augment. So, it would be befitting to say that the desi scenario is brimming with boons as well as banes, seconds Kumbhat. As far as shortcomings are concerned, one of the main obstacles we face here is ensuring that our devices are accurate and reliable. As these apparatuses are often used to track vital signs or parameters and other health-related information, it's important that they provide exact data, he opines. The advantages of wearable technology in healthcare are numerous. These devices encourage proactive healthcare, engage patients in managing their health, curtail healthcare costs and lessen the workload on healthcare staff. However, there are some challenges associated with these devices. Technical issues, inaccuracy of data, security and privacy concerns and errors due to improper wearing can also arise. Despite these drawbacks, the wearable technology industry is burgeoning fast. Every day, smarter apps are being developed that are more user-friendly and faultless. The amalgamation of artificial intelligence with healthcare is also reinforced substantially, further enriching the competence of wearable devices, Dr Bansal buoys optimism. Product menu driving demand An array of various products currently bolsters demand in the fitness and medtech industry. Fitness trackers, smartwatches and health-monitoring devices offer features, such as heart rate monitoring, blood pressure tracking and sleep tracking, allowing users to keep tabs on their health and fitness levels. This apart, wearable technology that can track physical activity and provide real-time feedback on performance is gaining momentum among the fitness enthusiasts at the moment. Within the medtech industry, certain widgets are widely wooing the target consumers by providing remote patient-monitoring facilities. These became hugely popular, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, pulse oximeters were flying off the shop shelves at the peak of the pandemic for watching basic health conditions within the confines and comforts of ones home during the lockdown phases. Wearable technology that can track body temperature and symptoms of the coronavirus also witnessed a spike in demand as people keep exploring ways to check their health while maintaining social distance. Smartwatches and fitness bands are the most sought-after tools used for measuring fitness and health metrics, such as steps taken, heart rate, sleep quality and much more. Calibrated devices aid in inspecting health by keeping track of cholesterol levels, calories burnt, oxygen levels, etc., through sensors. Also, several reputed companies, namely Fitbit, Samsung, Noise and Fossil Group, Inc., are introducing the upgraded versions of intelligent watches and other smart accessories with more advanced health-tracking options. Improved patient outcomes One wonders if the explosion in technology is helping healthcare personnel and medical experts serve their patients in a better fashion and with more precision. Its a no-brainer that the technology boom uplifted healthcare by several notches in terms of providing healthcare workers and medical exponents with a new set of tools to serve patients with more accuracy and efficiency, confirms Chandra. Good news is that the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) replaced traditional paper-based documents only to simplify the process of accessing and sharing patient data in real time to benefit healthcare providers. Besides, telemedicine allows the healthcare staff to remotely diagnose and treat patients on video conferencing, mobile apps and other digital platforms. Progression in medical devices, such as MRI and CT scans, and robotic surgery, leads to near-perfect diagnoses and minimally-invasive procedures. Health apps enable patients to scrutinise their health status, get actively involved in their recovery stages and deliver valuable stats to healthcare providers. While on one hand, difficulties exist, on the other, technology in healthcare fetches numerous benefits to effectively attend patients unmet medical needs with continued efforts. Kumbhat agrees that early diagnosis is thankfully easier now and is giving medical experts more time to contemplate and treat serious ailments. Since its become a hassle-free affair for commoners to examine their physical constitution, any minor irregularity is instantly detected and redressed on time. COVID cushion It is true that wearable technology including fitness trackers was already grabbing attention before the pandemic had struck globally but has general health awareness grown by leaps and bounds during COVID-19 that inflated market growth? The COVID situation definitely boosted market growth on the back of heightened focus on health and wellness during a global emergency. Therefore, sales of wearable fitness devices like smartwatches, fitness bands and other health-probing gadgets skyrocketed, thinks Chandra. The global wearable technology market size is predicted to magnify from $27.91 billion in 2020 to $74.03 billion by 2025, with healthcare and fitness being the key catalysts for this upside. Wearable technology thrived as a universal lever in the healthcare industry for virtually monitoring patients and dispensing personalised care by the medical experts, tracing vital signs like heartbeat, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, physical activity levels, sleep patterns and medication adherence, she further corroborates. Another noteworthy aspect is that the corona era gave an impetus to the creation of wearable technology that could specifically identify the early signs of infection, reports Kumbhat. The prudence of wearables comes with the biggest gain of rendering doctors with real-time data to make informed decisions. The confidentiality factor Maintenance of patient privacy by safeguarding their data evokes a significant risk in wearable technology, especially given the vast amount of sensitive personal information that the electronic devices collect and transmit. The bulk of records can include health and fitness reports, location data, biometric data, thus making it a prime target for cybercriminals or hackers to easily carry out identity thefts, fraudulent practices or other malicious activities. The potential perils of data breaches associated with wearable technology have time and again surfaced in several high-profile cases, underlining the importance of data protection. To address the concern over data compromise, wearable technology companies are implementing rigid secrecy policies and encryption measures to defend user data. Encryption ensures that data is transmitted securely between the device and the cloud servers while the users are typically required to provide explicit consent before their data gets collected and used. Additionally, many companies adopted biometric authentication methods to enhance security. User awareness is also paramount as they must carefully review the privacy policies and terms of service agreements before using wearable devices, limit the extent of personal information shared and use strong passwords as well as two-factor authentication to protect their accounts. By taking these precautions, users may continue to enjoy the fruits of wearable technology and minimise the risks looming on their personal data. We stick to industry standards to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations. Our devices are extremely user-friendly and are designed keeping the privacy issue in mind. The gadgets offer users full control over their personal data. We always make sure to place a foolproof data safety policy in place even when we collaborate with different partners. So, products will be safe to use without the fear of data loss, assures Kumbhat. Man Versus Machine debate Clever devices with smooth handling are unquestionably ruling the roost. But can the efficacy of wearables replace the skills of manual labour of an efficient practitioner who would physically run, regulate and note down the readings from traditional devices? Wearable technology may never be a substitute for manpower or pose a threat to the capable pairs of human hands but can certainly streamline the healthcare process, concedes Chandra Ganjoo. With advanced sensors and real-time data tracking, wearable devices can provide apt and updated material, enabling appropriate monitoring and treatment. While it may not completely eliminate the need for physical alertness but can certainly enhance the attendant's abilities and improve the patient outcomes. Kumbhat attempts to set the record straight by saying Wearable products like smartwatches and fitness bands are designed to raise the performance standard and complement the work of healthcare professionals, and not to outdo them. Wearable technologys accumulated data could be an essential source of analysis for the healthcare practitioners to closely understand a patient's health and determine their line and method of care. This technology can convincingly aid healthcare professionals to apply timely interventions and mitigate the unwarranted risks. Financial feasibility Industry observers admit in unison that the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 envisions a rapid change in technology, businesses and society in the 21st century, courtesy advanced networking facilities and smart automation. Evidently, the wearables market is seeing a visible boom, given that our lifestyle is being completely driven by cutting-edge technology. With the rise in e-commerce during the pandemic, the e-gadget space has presumably expanded of late. Smart watches, VR headsets, wearable electrocardiograms, e-textiles, fitness trackers, smart glasses are flooding the markets both online and offline. Wearables are electronic devices that are designed to be used while worn. The product range is widely categorised into wristwear, headwear, eyewear, footwear, fashion accessories, bodywear, gym wear and gear, plus medical instruments and elements of e-dresses. On the flipside, wearable technology is economically viable in India only on paper. Not all hospitals, fitness centres and health clinics can actually afford these devices. While the market for wearables in India is spreading its wings, cost intensiveness remains a significant barrier for many healthcare providers, Chandra Ganjoo quashes all speculations. However, as the technology becomes more ubiquitous, cost sensitivity will decrease gradually to make wearable devices more accessible and widely adopted in the healthcare industry, she adds. Technology is the key driver of economic advancement. The GDP of India bumped up on innovation and liberalisation. With the wave of digitalisation having invaded almost every other sector, the wearable space did not remain immune to its impact either, elucidates economy expert Sangeeta Shroff, the professor-in-charge of Agro-Economic Research Centre at the reputed Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. Kumbhat explains, To ensure high-quality technology and accurate results, I recommend choosing a wearable device from a reputable brand, which prioritises both sensors and the technology incorporated, recognising that nothing is more precious than human life. For a critically ill patient with comorbidities, be it in general wards or in intensive care units, the cost of treatment can be overwhelming. In the case of a cancer patient, right from chemotherapy to radiation therapy, the expenses could speedily hit through the ceiling. With uber smart wearables, patients can now avail the rewards of remote health monitoring, thus curbing the need for frequent hospital visits and reining in those exorbitant medical bills. Pramita Bose Strengthening cooperation to advance healthcare research and education for India Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Siemens Healthineers have signed a Master Research collaboration (MRA) for continued strengthening of future cooperation between both organisations in achieving shared outcomes for the stakeholders. Dileep Mangsuli, Head of R&D for Siemens-Healthineers for India and Slovakia said It is a proud moment for us to lay the foundation of a collaboration with MAHE. Both our organisations share similar values, and we are excited about the huge potential that this MRA holds for advancing healthcare research and education for India and the world. Dr Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor Health Sciences, MAHE added, Siemens Healthineers is known for pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare for everyone, everywhere, and so we are looking forward to collaborating with them. MAHE is focusing on academia-industry engagement and this partnership may lead to new research outcomes, new products and improve the quality of life. Dr Giridhar P Kini, Registrar, MAHE said This MRA is an important step towards increasing collaboration between the two organizations and advancing the research, educational and healthcare goals that both organizations share. MAHEs vision is to provide the highest quality healthcare services to the community, and this agreement with Siemens Healthineers will bring us much closer to achieving this goal. Most common oral diseases are dental caries (tooth decay), severe gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers Oral diseases are a major public health problem for countries and populations worldwide, although they often are not publicly recognised as such. Globally, these diseases affect almost 3.5 billion people, with three out of four people affected, living in middle-income countries. Between 1990 and 2019, estimated case numbers of oral diseases grew by more than 1 billion a 50 per cent increase, higher than the population increase of about 45 per cent during the same period. In particular, the case numbers in low-income countries more than doubled (114 per cent), and they increased by 70 per cent in lower-middle income countries and by 33 per cent and 23 per cent in upper-middle and high income countries, respectively, outpacing the demographic growth in those countries. The most common oral diseases are dental caries (tooth decay), severe gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers. More than one third of the worlds population lives with untreated dental caries. The disease, also known as tooth decay or simply cavities, is the most widespread non-communicable disease (NCD) and a major public health problem for populations and governments worldwide. Untreated dental caries in permanent teeth is the most prevalent condition among all diseases, affecting more than 2 billion people worldwide. In deciduous teeth, untreated caries is the single most common chronic childhood disease, affecting 514 million children worldwide. Caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning the teeth well, tooth decay has been an area of discussion and subsequent research across the scientific community for many years. In fact, a recent report has linked tooth decay and eventual tooth loss to dementia. An expert panel of dentists in the US has developed the first-ever guideline on tooth decay after extensive review of approximately 300 published studies. While research has already confirmed that selectively removing decayed tissue is an effective approach to treating early tooth decay, this evidence-based guideline provides a range of treatment choices for patients with moderate to advanced tooth decay, such as conservative carious tissue removal (CTR), tooth-colored fillings, silver-colored fillings, capping etc. It also suggests specific materials for primary and permanent teeth depending on the extent of the decay. On the other hand, researchers in Thailand have put their focus on nano-hydroxyapatite that can be used as a component in toothpaste due to its compatibility with human tissues and capability to promote tooth enamel remineralisation. Typically, when decay-causing bacteria come into contact with sugars and starches from foods and drinks, they form an acid which can attack the tooths enamel, causing it to lose minerals. Since nano-hydroxyapatite is a derivative of calcium phosphate that is naturally found in your teeth and bones, it appears to be a potential solution for tooth decay related problems. 3,3-Diindolylmethane (DIM), also known as bisindole, is another molecule identified by scientists across Israel, China and Singapore, that can help fight tooth decay. It could be added to toothpastes and mouthwashes to greatly improve dental hygiene. While products are being developed to improve the tooth decay scenario across the globe, this area of research remains underfunded. For instance, in the US, the National Institute of Health provided $485 million to fund oral health research, representing 1.1 per cent of total research funding. In comparison, in Australia, total funding by the National Health and Medical Research Council for dental disorders between 2017 and 2021 was $15 million, which is 0.23 per cent of total funding for the top 75 diseases with the highest burden of disease. A similar case can be observed in India where not many research projects within the academia and industry are focused on oral health science. However, emergence of a few startups in this sector does offer some hope to more than 50 per cent of the Indian population that is suffering from dental health issues. Dr Manbeena Chawla Executive Editor, BioSpectrum Hyderabad-based Aragen Life Sciences, a leading R&D and manufacturing solutions provider to the global life sciences industries, is strengthening its concept to commercialisation strategy with new expansion and investment plans. Recording a revenue of Rs 1750 crore in the last fiscal, Aragen is working to bridge the innovation gap in the pharmaceutical industry with its range of solutions across the drug development continuum. In conversation with BioSpectrum, Manni Kantipudi, Chief Executive Officer, Aragen Life Sciences, talks about the companys growth plans and the challenges facing the bioservices sector in India. What were the key highlights at Aragen Life Sciences in FY 2022-23? We are currently working on several projects supporting our customers from 'concept to commercialisation' in small molecules while assisting in their journey from gene to the clinic in biologics. The acquisition of Intox Private Ltd has expanded Aragens end-to-end integrated discovery and development platform for the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health and agrochemicals industries. We can, now, rapidly and seamlessly advance promising molecules for our customers, from early discovery to Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions, making Aragen one of the few global contract research, development and manufacturing (CRDMOs) that can advance programmes from 'concept- to- clinic'. Another key highlight was our plan to operationalise a state-of-the-art formulation manufacturing facility in the Mallapur campus in Hyderabad. The new facility is currently under validation and will strengthen our ability to deliver clinical supplies to customers through integrated drug substance and drug product development and manufacturing. We have also made significant investments in strengthening our Discovery Services business by upgrading the reagent generation infrastructure, setting up a new vivarium in Bangalore for added capacity, scaling up peptide chemistry capability and adding new capabilities such as oligonucleotides and photochemistry. Digitisation is another key aspect that we are working on with over 120 organisation-wide projects under various stages of implementation. Digital transformation is paving the way for improved efficiency and efficacy in the pharmaceutical industry. With the changing global business environment and shortage of resource dexterities automation and digitisation have become key drivers for business growth, sustainability, and competitive differentiation. Over the years, we have implemented electronic lab notebooks (eLNB), electronic quality management systems (eQMS), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Chemwatch to improve operational efficiencies in the labs. Besides improving productivity and efficiency, our digitisation initiatives also ensure that there is no leakage of confidential information or intellectual property. What are the major plans in store for the Indian and global market in the coming years? Our long-term vision is to become a partner of choice from concept to commercialisation. For this, Aragen is investing in expanding capacities, extending capabilities and widening its geographic footprint to meet the needs of the global bio-pharma industry. We are already into commercial-scale drug substance manufacturing for small molecules. Now, we plan to have clinical-scale formulation manufacturing capacity as well with the commissioning of our new formulations manufacturing facility later this year. We are also building a biologics manufacturing plant in Bengaluru which should be ready in the next 15 months. This will be Aragens first biologics manufacturing facility. Our biologics business will have a unique proposition. The early-stage discovery work can be done in our R&D labs in the US, closer to most clients, and when the molecule transitions into manufacturing, we can do that here in India, thereby offering the benefit of cost arbitrage to the customers. Also, as drug companies reassess their reliance on China-based services companies, there is a shift to a 'China-plus-one' strategy, where India is looked at as the plus-one. This shift has brought a lot of work to Aragen. What are the current trends & challenges facing the bioservices sector in India? How can this sector contribute towards pharma innovation? The contract research, development and manufacturing services sector of the pharma industry in India is developed around a similar model as the IT sector, with access to infrastructure and scientific talent in cutting edge technology to drive innovation. However, there are few challenges associated with the bioservices sector. Firstly, we make chemicals or products for global companies that require sourcing raw materials from within India and the international markets and shipping the final output to the clients. So, there are challenges around logistics and supply chain management. Aragen, for instance, works with around 1500 suppliers across the globe for all our projects and has close association with most global logistics service providers. Funding is another challenge. Investors are relatively shy when it comes to funding biotechs given the higher risks and longer project durations. So, there is a need to improve the funding environment for this industry. To address these challenges, our sector is coming up with an association to be able to discuss the pain points with the state and central government and find solutions that will make this sector competitive globally. For instance, when we receive an order from any US-based company to manufacture a chemical, we need to wait for the Indian governments approval for a few weeks, even though the product is not being launched in the Indian market. We propose the establishment of an export zone for such project approvals from the government, so that we can rapidly manufacture chemicals and products for the global companies and turn their long-term investment towards India, by offering them high speed and talent. As far as pharma innovation is concerned, a shift in the mindset is required from generics to innovative drug discovery. We, as the bioservices sector, can help accelerate the Indian pharma industrys transition to being innovators, based on our R&D experiences with the global companies. In terms of the market size, we add up to only $1.3 billion, as compared to $50 billion worth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Our number is quite small compared to the pharma players, but collaboration can make a huge difference. How is Aragen enhancing industry-academia relation and upskilling workforce to strengthen the innovation & Make-in-India concept? India is well positioned to play a bigger role in the global R&D and manufacturing space which will require access to a larger pool of qualified and trained talent. This requires strong industry-academia collaboration. We have recently partnered with the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), and Kewaunee Labway India to develop a finishing school for chemists. Senior scientists at Aragen have rich global experience and exposure, and we will leverage their knowledge in developing the course curriculum and providing teaching assistance to chemists and make them industry-ready. India has historically been a major hub for the chemistry talent pool. It is estimated that in the past decade, there has been about 80 per cent growth in demand for chemistry graduates and around 37 per cent for post-graduates driven by the growth in key sectors such as pharma, biotech and other life sciences and allied industries. We are also in the early discussion phase with the University of Hyderabad to develop a similar school for the biology students. There is an urgent need to bridge the skill gap in youth and aid rural talent get integrated into Indias pharma growth story. Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) It is crucial to promote a more comprehensive understanding of the vital role that nursing professionals play in healthcare The nursing profession plays a crucial role in the healthcare system, yet it often faces a lack of importance and recognition in India. The lack of importance accorded to nursing professionals can stem from several factors, including societal perceptions, historical biases, and systemic issues within the healthcare industry. Elaborating on these will give us a deeper understanding of what ails and what needs to be done. Historical perception: Nursing has traditionally been viewed as a subordinate role in healthcare, primarily associated with women's caregiving duties. This historical perception may have contributed to undervaluing the importance of nursing professionals. Gender bias: Nursing is a predominantly female-dominated profession. Gender biases and stereotypes can influence the perceived value and status of nursing, leading to its underappreciation compared to other healthcare professions. Lack of awareness: Many people may not fully understand the breadth and depth of the nursing profession. The complex responsibilities and specialised skills of nurses, including patient care, critical thinking, and decision-making, might not be widely recognised or acknowledged. Hierarchical healthcare culture: In some healthcare settings, there can be a hierarchical culture that places physicians and other healthcare professionals in higher esteem than nursing professionals. This can result in an imbalance of power and influence within the healthcare team, diminishing the recognition of nursing professionals. Insufficient representation: Nursing professionals may be underrepresented in decision-making positions and leadership roles within healthcare organisations. This lack of representation can contribute to the marginalisation of nursing and a reduced emphasis on their importance. Limited advocacy and visibility: Compared to other healthcare professions, nursing may face challenges in advocating for their value and contributions. Insufficient visibility and advocacy efforts can lead to a diminished perception of nursing professionals. It is crucial to address these issues and promote a more comprehensive understanding of the vital role that nursing professionals play in healthcare. Recognising and valuing their skills, expertise, and contributions can lead to improved support, resources, and opportunities for professional growth within the nursing profession. It will also promote a better understanding of the nursing profession among potential applicants across the country, several steps can be introduced including campaigns and collaborations. In fact, Mission Niramaya is actively engaged in uplifting the nursing education in Uttar Pradesh which also involves shifting perception about these cadres. Enhancing public perception: Through collaborating with media outlets to portray nurses in a positive light and highlight their contributions to healthcare can involve featuring stories of nurses who have made a significant impact, showcasing their skills and dedication, and debunking stereotypes associated with the profession; or launching awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes could be a significant part of shifting perceptions about them. Awareness Campaigns: Launching nationwide awareness campaigns that highlight the significance of the nursing profession, the diverse career opportunities it offers, and the impact nurses have on patient care. It is also important to shift their portrayal from meek side-player to people who are in positions of power and active decision makers. For instance, in a hospital setting, a nurse must be shown as someone who has an equal say in decision making when it comes to patient protocols as well as in key aspects of hospital management itself. This will bring them to the centre stage in conversation about healthcare and they will no longer be relegated to sidelines to surface only during tough times such as pandemics. These campaigns can utilise various media channels, such as television, radio, social media, films, and print, to reach a wide audience. Community Engagement: Encourage nursing professionals to actively engage with their local communities through health camps, awareness campaigns, and volunteer work. This can help raise awareness about the important role of nurses in promoting health and well-being. Conducting health check-up camps in schools and communities, where nurses can showcase their skills and provide basic healthcare services. This can help students and community members gain firsthand experience of the value that nursing professionals bring to healthcare. This will also help them to see the active role that nurses play in healthcare delivery through the care continuum. Utilise Digital Platforms : Leverage social media platforms, websites, and online forums to provide accessible information about nursing careers. Develop informative videos, testimonials, and success stories that highlight the impact of nursing professionals in diverse healthcare settings. Creating online platforms or blogs where nursing professionals can share their experiences, challenges, and achievements. This can inspire potential applicants and provide them with a deeper understanding of the profession. Collaboration with Media: Collaborate with media organisations to promote positive narratives and stories about nursing professionals. Encourage the portrayal of nurses as competent, compassionate, and integral members of the healthcare team who have positions of power and decision making. For example, featuring articles, interviews, and documentaries that highlight the critical role of nurses in patient care and their contributions to the healthcare system, as also shift their portrayal in films and television serials. Typically, they are depicted in roles that are second fiddle to the decision makers and often support hierarchical norms. Placing them as pioneers, who chalk out new paths and are active decision makers can help change public perceptions and increase the appreciation for nursing professionals. Educational Outreach: Collaborating with educational institutions, particularly schools and colleges, to incorporate nursing awareness programmes into their curriculum. This can include interactive sessions, workshops, and career guidance programmes that provide students with comprehensive information about nursing as a profession. It can also include meets with acclaimed nursing leaders who could share their own journey of success. This can help dispel misconceptions and provide valuable insights into the profession. Collaboration with Nursing Associations: Collaborate with nursing associations and professional bodies to develop outreach programmes. These programmes can involve nurses visiting schools and colleges to share their knowledge, provide hands-on demonstrations, and engage students in discussions about the nursing profession. For instance, organising panel discussions or career fairs where nursing professionals from different specialties can interact with potential applicants, answer their questions, and provide guidance on educational pathways and career prospects. Role Models and Mentors: Encouraging experienced and successful nurses to serve as role models and mentors for aspiring nursing professionals. Establishing mentorship programmes where students can interact with practising nurses, gain insights into their experiences, and receive guidance and support throughout their educational journey. Industry Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between schools, nursing institutions and healthcare organisations to provide more practical training opportunities, and internships. This collaboration can help bridge the gap between education and practice, demonstrating the real-world value of nursing skills and expertise, and will inject an early interest in students towards this profession. Research and Innovation: Encouraging nursing professionals to actively engage in research, innovation, and evidence-based practice. Promoting the publication of nursing research studies, participation in conferences, and recognition of nursing-led initiatives can elevate the profession's status and attract individuals who value intellectual growth and innovation. These researches could be incorporated in school curricula, and showcased via media reports, and public recognition platforms. By implementing these steps, we can foster a greater understanding of the nursing profession among potential applicants across India. This, in turn, will help attract more talented individuals to pursue nursing careers, enhance the overall quality of healthcare services, and ensure a well-trained and competent nursing workforce to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the country. Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, Medical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development, manufacture, and distribution of vaccines at an unprecedented speed and scale Despite being one of the leading manufacturing hubs, Indias vaccination coverage is still below the world average. In 2021, global immunisation coverage was 81 per cent and Indias coverage was only 79.6 per cent. However, the number changed drastically to 89.4 per cent in 2022. As seen in Figure 1, the increase in immunisation coverage in India can largely be attributed to an increase in diphtheria and pneumococcal vaccinations. Data analysis from the above figure also reveals that there is a consistent dip between the nth and the (n+1)th doses of vaccines. For instance, in 2021, the DTP-containing vaccine, 1st dose had a coverage of approx. 87.5 per cent in India, which decreased to about 85.2 per cent in the second dose of the vaccine, and a similar trend followed in the subsequent year for the same vaccination doses. There must be an increased focus from the public sector on ensuring the completion of vaccination doses to achieve optimal vaccine efficacy. Another cause for concern in the Indian immunisation landscape is the increase in reported cases of typhoid and measles in 2022 (Figure 2). The reported cases for typhoid increased from 0 in 2021 to 4,02,532 in 2022 and for measles, it increased from 5700 in 2021 to 40967 in 2022. The huge increase in typhoid cases was most likely due to the increased drug resistance and low immunisation coverage and not a consequence of poor hygiene or water contamination. However, the high cost of the vaccine continues to be a major roadblock to nationwide adoption. Thus, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, or NTAGI, advised the Government of India to include the typhoid conjugate vaccine as a part of its routine immunisation programme as that would lead to improved affordability of the vaccine. The Indian immunisation schedule should incorporate changes that arise due to endemics and/or pandemics and must rapidly implement the reforms to ensure optimal health coverage. This is crucial for timely action and management of infectious diseases and will help bolster Indian stand in the global immunisation landscape. COVID-19 vaccines India has administered over 2.2 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the cases have declined steadily. Despite being poised to be the worlds most populous country in 2023, Indias cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 remain lower than that of the US and China (refer to Table 1). The leading reason for not getting vaccinated in India largely was due to the fear of side effects, as it is a newly introduced vaccine. However, as the increased vaccine dose has led to a decline in COVID-19 cases and mortality, the data is likely to bolster improved trust in Indian citizens and increase its uptake in the subsequent years. Indian vaccine innovation landscape The COVID-19 pandemic saw the emergence of several indigenous vaccines in India. Bharat Biotechs Covaxin, an inactivated vaccine and Zydus Cadilas Zycov-D, a DNA vaccine, were both approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). India is also developing its first indigenous mRNA vaccine, HGC019, which is being made by Gennova, Pune, in collaboration with HDT Biotech Corporation, US. Other indigenous vaccines in clinical development include Biological Es BECOV (protein subunit vaccine), Bharat Biotechs BBV154 (non-replicating viral vector vaccine), and Aurobindos UB-612 (protein subunit vaccine). Other global manufacturers who received COVID-19 vaccine approvals in India include Serum Institute of India (SII)/AstraZeneca/Oxford, Moderna, Gamaleya, and Janssen. Within the Indian population, Covishield and Covaxin were some of the most administered vaccines. India is also an exporter of COVID-19 vaccines. As of May 2022, India exported about 140.2 million COVID-19 doses to the world, accounting for about 2.3 per cent of the global COVID-19 vaccine export share (Figure 3). The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India, reported that SIIs Covishield accounted for over 66 per cent of the total COVID-19 exports from India. For instance, SIIs Covovax was exported to the Netherlands, and SIIs Covishield to Brazil. Several COVID-19 vaccine candidates are currently undergoing clinical development in India. While most of them are protein subunits and inactivated vaccines, India is likely to witness upcoming regulatory approvals for RNA vaccines as the next emerging technology segment within the COVID-19 space. Some of the key emerging innovators in this space include Bharat Biotech, Biological E, Gennova, and Aurobindo. The way forward The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development, manufacture, and distribution of vaccines at an unprecedented speed and scale. Global collaborations and rising political pressures were able to shorten the vaccine development time to less than a year as opposed to the standard 10-year time frame. While this was beneficial in the clinical management of the pandemic, the shortened time was often not sufficient to achieve optimal efficacy rates. For instance, Covaxin had an efficacy rate of about 78 per cent and Modernas mRNA vaccine had a low antibody titer against the beta-variant of the virus. Furthermore, the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines was not fully tested against the new SARS-CoV-2 variants such as delta and omicron. COVID-19 distribution equity across global economies and the impact of COVID-19 vaccination for children were also some of the major causes of global concern and WHO is currently looking to improve vaccine distribution equity globally. Although 3 vaccines, namely, Corbevax, Covaxin and Covovax, received emergency use regulatory approvals for use in children between 5 and 12 years of age, there is still a lot of concern regarding the long-term impact and side effects of the vaccine in that age group. There is also a need to study the impact of co-morbidities during the administration of COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 vaccines should be studied in pregnant women and infants. Rigorous post approval monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines across different population age groups and demographics will help alleviate the rising concerns for COVID-19 vaccines and help develop more effective products in the future. India also needs to decrease its large dependency on China for API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) manufacturing to emerge as a stronger leader in the global vaccine industry. The Indian government needs to increase its R&D spending and create a favourable local environment for end-to-end vaccine innovation and manufacturing. Adding innovative vaccine delivery platforms, such as a common viral vector or cell-based delivery platforms, to Indias growing vaccine portfolio can also help scale production. Regulatory frameworks should also be redesigned to include platform-based approvals. Then, a single approved platform can be utilised to develop multiple vaccine products, thereby accelerating market entry through a streamlined regulatory process. Furthermore, Indias non-COVID-19 vaccine portfolio is largely restricted to LIC (low-income country), and LMIC (lower middle-income country) sectors. There is a need to tap into HIC (high-income country) markets to accelerate growth in this sector. The Indian vaccine industry should explore technology transfer and contract manufacturing opportunities for vaccines such as conjugate vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, and rotavirus vaccines to enter the HIC segment. Furthermore, novel applications should also be explored. For instance, vaccines are also likely to enable disease treatment, in cases such as norovirus and HIV infections. These opportunities should be explored further for the growth of the Indian vaccine sector. International collaborations can also help improve the production and delivery of vaccines at an affordable rate. For instance, the collaboration among the SII, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GAVI accelerated the development and delivery of about 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses at the cost of about $3 per dose. There is a need to develop a process that formalises such collaboration going forward and enables accelerated response to endemics and/or pandemics. Global vaccine manufacturing is largely restricted to large pharmaceuticals such as Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, and Novartis. However, IP licensing programmes and modular manufacturing approaches can enable Indian manufacturing of global vaccines and thereby provide improved access. Indian public and private sectors should explore these strategies to grow in this industry sector. The public sector manufacturing capacity in India remains underutilised. According to the National Health Profile of the Government of India, the share of the public sector share in total installed capacity decreased from 22.8 per cent in 2006 to about 10.2 per cent in 2019. This was also accompanied by a steep decline in public sector demand for Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) vaccines. The government also began to direct UIP vaccine demand to the private sector, which now accounts for over 95 per cent of the UIP demand. However, there are only about 25 vaccine manufacturers, and they are unlikely to meet the rising demand for vaccines in the coming years through indigenous manufacturing hubs. Hence, India will continue to rely increasingly on imports for vaccine demands. While Indias vaccines provide greater value for money when compared to its global counterparts and enabled its exports to low- and middle-income economies, COVID-19 adversely impacted Indias position as a global vaccine exporter. It also provided an opportunity for China to emerge as one of the leading participants in the global vaccine landscape. However, the pandemic also fueled Indian manufacturers such as Bharat Biotech to develop novel vaccines and enter the global vaccine market. There are several other indigenous participants that are developing novel vaccines across newer technology segments, such as mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Growing participation from the public sector and the optimal utilisation of Indias manufacturing capabilities can not only enable India to become self-sufficient but also help India regain its dominant position in the global vaccine market. Vandana Iyer, Industry Principal- Health & Wellness, TechVision, Frost & Sullivan A Dutch ultrarunner is running from Amsterdam to Kyiv to raise funds for charity and demonstrate how close the Ukraine war zone is to Western Europe. Source: Dutch runner Boas Kragtwijk. Boas Kragtwijk started on 22 July and plans to cover the 2,500km by running around 50km each day for 50 days. The aim is to raise money to buy ambulances that Dutch charity Zeilen van Vrijheid (Sails of Freedom) will take to Ukraine. "By running from Amsterdam to Ukraine, we can show how close this war really is, and hopefully get people's attention and raise a lot of money," Kragtwijk, 28, said before he embarked on his trip. Followed by his manager and a photographer in a caravan - in which they will eat and sleep - Kragtwijk is running 40km to 60km per day, depending on the distance between towns. Kragtwijk, who is currently running through Germany, has not suffered any blisters yet, his manager said by phone on Tuesday, 1 August. So far - after 10 days and about 500km of running - Kragtwijk has raised 22,000 euros via his Ultra4Ukraine GoFundMe page, nearly enough for one ambulance, which costs 30,000 euros. Running towards the east, Kragtwijk will pass through Berlin and Warsaw and hopes to reach Kyiv in September. In the wake of some dire warnings from the chiefs of local retailers, Chelsea Owens, client service director, and Kevin Lewis senior paid media manager & team lead at Incubeta SA share some insights into the South African retail industry and suggests how local brands can build resilience into their operations. Source: 123rf 123rf Incubeta shares some insights into the South African retail industry and suggests how local brands can build resilience into their operations Local retailers are under increasing pressure with Stats SA showing that local retail trade sales decreased by 0.5% year-on-year in February 2023 and the second half is not looking any better. South Africa is more nuanced, calls for a regional strategy The way we shop and spend our money has shifted dramatically. We are seeing very little frivolity in purchasing decisions and retailers are having to work hard for every rand. An interesting online trend is that while the number of transactions has dropped, the average order value has increased as customers stockpile on essentials to overcome further price shocks, says Owens. Owens says retailers will need to shift strategies to support this changed landscape, saying they must start planning and stocking based on regional requirements rather than having a blanket national plan. For instance, she points out that since the Western Cape has not been as badly impacted by load shedding as the rest of the country, suppliers should manage their distribution centres accordingly. Disparate digital assets mean lost opportunities Another challenge identified by the team is that many retailers are still struggling with their technical management and delivery. Many retailers lack the technical expertise and resources to integrate their digital assets. Websites still tend to be built and maintained by the tech department and in isolation from the greater marketing team. This is especially problematic when mobile apps are added into the mix. This creates a disconnect between online and offline experiences and ends up hurting the brand. Whats more, we often see the communication between brand and agencies falling short when it comes to their technical assets which exacerbates the disconnect, says Lewis. . To address this gap, Owens says local brands need to invest in a dedicated omnichannel manager role to drive cohesion across channels. Personalisation is key One way CMOs can buffer their organisations against external pressures is to grow the spend of existing customers. Brands that have a good understanding of their customer and their habits are in a better position to protect their revenue in a downturn. This is supported by research from Deloittes 2023 retail industry outlook, that shows the cost of acquiring a new customer can be up to seven times that of retaining existing ones. Using data from loyalty programmes is now vital. Speaking directly to consumers and offering the right discounts to bring customers back can make a big difference. We have also advised clients to broaden their product offering and then use feeds to personalise the offerings based on what you know about your customers, says Lewis. He adds: Many retailers are still stumbling on the cross-sell and having market insights becomes vital. Bundled deals can work when money is tight Owens says customers are now very aware of what products cost and given that they are keen to take advantage of specials, bundled deals can really move the sales needle. She points out that 3-for-2 deals are growing in popularity, saying this tactic is particularly useful when trying to capture the spend of customers who are prepared to shop at multiple stores to get the best value available. The same is true for month-end deals which Owens points out are far more prevalent than last year. Data: Still best currency for retailers Data and first-party data, in particular, is driving retailing today and without being able to profile your customer segments retailers would be hard-pressed to deliver any kind of meaningful strategies. Retailers looking to create the data cohesion needed for valuable insights must start with a hard look at their systems across the organisation and integrate their data. CMOs and CIOs need to communicate and figure out what is available and then figure out how to extract and analyse the data they have, Owens says. Be realistic and properly support your efforts As the power of the algorithm has grown, digital marketing has shown how effective it can be. But the Incubeta retail team believes clients must view its efficacy with a healthy dose of realism. What you put in is what you get out. When there is a deficit, agencies have to work exponentially harder to achieve the necessary results. No retailer would only stock their shelves with half of their available products or keep their shelves at 50% capacity with one person manning 20 tills. Yet this is the approach when it comes to how some brands support their digital initiatives. Digital is efficient and agile, but it is not a magical solution, Owens warns. To sum up, Owens and Lewis say it makes sense for companies to put the added effort into making their existing systems perform optimally, make sure they access and use all available data, and cultivate a productive relationship with their digital partners. On Monday the Competition Commission released its final report on the Online Intermediation Platforms Market Inquiry (OIPMI) that was launched on 19 May 2021. The inquiry was launched after it was suspected some online platforms were restricting competition specifically in relation to small and medium enterprises, as well as historically disadvantaged people who competed in these markets. In the report platforms that are fingered are required to make remedial changes. These include platforms such as Google, Booking.com, Takealot, Apple, Uber Eats, Mr D Food, Property24, Private Property, AutoTrader, and Cars.co.za. Other businesses include national restaurant chains, Bolt Food and Prop Data. First inquiry Commissioner Doris Tshepe said: The completion of this market inquiry is a momentous occasion in itself, particularly in this case as it is the first inquiry under the amended legislation and the first to delve into the increasingly important digital economy. The report lays out a comprehensive set of remedies that digital platforms and select businesses must implement to tackle market features that adversely affect competition. These measures are primarily geared towards addressing challenges stemming from the business models utilised by digital platforms, rather than deliberate actions to suppress competition. Furthermore, the report proposes recommendations to the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition concerning funding initiatives aimed at supporting historically disadvantaged persons in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Minister Ebrahim Patel applauded the OIPMI team led by chief economist James Hodge as the chairperson of the Inquiry, for their enormous effort and quality of work and said the government should consider a comprehensive response to the recommendations made by the inquiry. He said the inquiry is a first to be undertaken by a developing African country. The Inquiry conducted extensive evidence-gathering, including public hearings in November 2021 and private hearings in February 2022. Afterward, in July 2022, the Provisional Report was released. Since then, the Inquiry has continued its efforts, gathering further evidence and engaging in in-depth discussions with all relevant stakeholders to validate the preliminary findings. To enhance transparency and understanding, the Inquiry has also provided a summary of its findings and the proposed remedial actions, making it accessible to the public and businesses operating on these platforms. This summary aims to clarify the implications of the findings and how the suggested remedies would affect them. Some of the findings include: Google Search The commission's investigation found that Google plays a crucial role as a gateway for consumers across various platform categories. However, its business model, which combines paid search with free results, tends to favour larger established platforms. Additionally, Google has been found to prioritise its own shopping and travel units on its search results page, potentially limiting the visibility of smaller South African platforms. To address these concerns, the remedial action requires Google to offer increased exposure to both free and paid results for smaller South African platforms. This includes the introduction of a new platform sites unit that showcases relevant smaller platforms in search results. Google has also been directed to provide R180m in advertising credits to support smaller platforms. In an effort to support SMEs and black-owned online businesses, an additional R150m will be allocated for training, product support, and other measures. To aid consumers in identifying and supporting local platforms, Google will implement an SA flag identifier and search filter. Furthermore, Google is required to cease self-preferencing its own products and services and must implement measures similar to those taken in Europe to comply with provisions in the Digital Markets Act. These remedial actions aim to foster a more level playing field for all platforms and promote competition in the digital market while supporting the growth of smaller South African businesses. Travel The commission found that Booking.coms restriction on hotels and other establishments from pricing lower on their own website or on other travel platforms both limits competition from these sources and also creates a dependency that is used to extract higher commission fees from hotels. The company is required to remove the restrictive pricing clauses from its contracts, allowing hotels and other establishments to price as they wish across different online channels, including their own. E-commerce Takealot faces a conflict of interest on its site as its own retail division competes with other sellers, and this has led to behaviour that has disadvantaged sellers in a number of ways. The platform has been ordered to segregate its retail division from its marketplace operations, preventing its retail services from accessing marketplace seller data and unilaterally stopping marketplace sellers from competing for certain brands. Takealot must introduce a rapid dispute resolution mechanism and to extend the employee code of conduct and independent complaints channel to make unfairly harming marketplace sellers a conduct offence. App stores Google Play and Apple App Store are unconstrained in the commission fees they charge paid app developers, and their global business model limits the curation and visibility of local SA paid app developers. They have been ordered to stop preventing apps from directing consumers to pay on the apps own website, and to ensure continued free use by consumers of content purchased from that website. Implementation in SA of measures taken in Europe to comply with similar provisions in the Digital Markets Act, including fair and reasonable pricing, will constitute compliance. Google and Apple must also provide a South African curation of apps on their app stores and advertising credits to SA app developers. Food delivery Local delivery platforms competing with Uber Eats and Mr D Food have faced challenges, including restrictions on restaurant franchisees listing with them and a lack of transparency on menu surcharges across platforms. These issues not only affect the platforms but also have a negative impact on consumers. Independent restaurants often find themselves at a disadvantage when negotiating with Uber Eats and Mr D Food, leading to higher commission fees compared to restaurant chains. As a result, these independent establishments are forced to increase prices for consumers, limiting choice and potentially compromising service levels due to fee constraints. To address these concerns, restaurant chains are now prohibited from restricting their franchisees from listing on local delivery platforms of their choice. Additionally, Uber Eats and Mr D Food are required to offer lower commission fees and enhanced value propositions for independent restaurants. Uber Eats has taken steps towards implementing a standardised tiered commission fee structure for independent restaurants, providing various options with lower commission fees based on different service levels and ongoing costs. Similarly, Mr D Food aims to achieve the same outcome by introducing a promotional rebate on commission fees, which can be utilised for discounts and promotions on their platform, alongside advertising credits. Furthermore, both platforms are obligated to periodically inform consumers that pricing may vary from in-restaurant menus due to commission fees. Online classifides Property classifieds face a lack of choice due to restrictive features favoring Property24 and Private Property. Issues include a lack of interoperability in feeding agency listings, long contracts locking in large estate agencies, and overt support for Private Property by the industry association, including shareholding by major agencies. Small agents and dealers face disproportionately high pricing, limiting their online visibility. To address these concerns, Property24 and Private Property must offer interoperability for estate agents to feed listings to other platforms without charge and not impose fees for incoming listings. Additionally, a recommendation has been made for national agencies to divest their shareholding in Private Property, and Rebosa has withdrawn its endorsement of one platform. To level the playing field, all top property and automotive platforms are urged to substantially reduce prices for SME agents and dealers to a level within 10-15% of that charged to larger agents and dealers. All SA platforms The inquiry's findings revealed that the prevalence of undisclosed advertising on intermediation platforms has a detrimental effect on consumer choice and undermines fair competition. In response to this issue, the inquiry has mandated that all South African platforms must clearly label paid-for listings or those that have received a boost in ranking as "promoted," "sponsored," or "ad," aligning with the Advertising Regulatory Board's Code of Advertising Practice. Additionally, these platforms are required to adopt a responsible advertising code to ensure transparency and accountability in their advertising practices. HDP programme All the leading platforms mentioned in the report must introduce an HDP programme that provides black-owned businesses a package of assistance to onboard and promote visibility on their platforms. The commission has made a recommendation to the government for a statup fund for black digital entrepreneurs with incubator support. In the latest Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) trends report for the second quarter of 2023, Kaspersky researchers analysed the development of new and existing toolsets, the creation of new malware variants, and the adoption of fresh techniques by threat actors. 2023 is seeing expanded malware targeted at Apple devices. Source: cottonbro studio/Pexels One significant new revelation was the exposure of the long-running Operation Triangulation campaign involving the use of a previously unknown iOS malware platform. The assumptions that malware doesnt really exist for iOS is false and dangerous because the attack surface extends to hundreds of millions of devices with the same level of data encryption. In more varied ecosystems like Android where there are multiple manufacturers, threats can be less widespread, but not less vulnerable. Experts also observed other interesting developments that they believe everyone should be aware of. Here are key highlights from the report: Mysterious Elephant marches on Asia-Pacific Kaspersky uncovered a new threat actor belonging to the Elephants family, operating in the Asia-Pacific region, dubbed Mysterious Elephant. In their latest campaign, the threat actor employed new backdoor families, capable of executing files and commands on the victims computer, and receive files or commands from a malicious server for execution on the infected system. While Kaspersky researchers have observed overlaps with Confucius and SideWinder, Mysterious Elephant possesses a distinctive and unique set of TTPs, setting them apart from other groups. Updated toolsets and new MacOS threat Threat actors are constantly improving their techniques, with Lazarus upgrading its Mata framework and introducing a new variant of the sophisticated Mata malware family, MataV5. BlueNoroff, a financial attack-focused subgroup of Lazarus, now employs new delivery methods and programming languages, including the use of trojanised PDF readers in recent campaigns, the implementation of macOS malware, and the Rust programming language. Additionally, ScarCruft APT group has developed new infection methods, evading Mark-of-the-Web (MotW) security mechanism. The ever-evolving tactics of these threat actors present new challenges for cybersecurity professionals. Geopolitics is still driving APT activity APT campaigns remain geographically dispersed, with actors concentrating their attacks on regions such as Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and various parts of Asia. Cyber-espionage, with a solid geopolitical backdrop, continues to be a dominant agenda for these endeavours. While some threat actors stick to familiar tactics like social engineering, others have evolved, refreshing their toolsets and expanding their activities. Moreover, new advanced actors, such as those conducting the Operation Triangulation campaign, constantly emerge, comments David Emm, principal security researcher at Kasperskys global research and analysis team (Great). This actor uses a previously unknown iOS malware platform distributed through zero-click iMessage exploits. Staying vigilant with threat intelligence and the right defense tools is crucial for global companies, so they can protect themselves against both existing and emerging threats. Shore up your defenses Avoid falling victim to a targeted attack by: Updating your operating system and other third-party software to their latest versions. Maintaining a regular update schedule is essential in order to stay protected from potential vulnerabilities and security risks. Upskilling your cybersecurity team to tackle the latest targeted threats. There are excellent online training courses available. Implementing an end point detection and response (EDR) solution to detect and investigate incidents. To read the full APT trends report, visit Securelist. Heritage approval for development of the old Woodstock Hospital, which is currently occupied by people in need of housing, has been welcomed by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. The city intends to build about 700 social housing units on the site. Heritage approval has been granted to the City of Cape Town to proceed with its social housing development plans for Woodstock hospital, but it is currently already occupied by people in need of housing. Source: Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp In a press release on Monday, the city stated the Woodstock Hospital, renamed Cissie Gool House by housing advocacy group Reclaim the City, will be the citys biggest inner city housing development. The city said it would engage the current residents to unlock social housing development in the shortest possible time. The city has previously moved to evict the approximately 900 residents of Cissie Gool House, and police have raided the property a number of times. Hill-Lewis said heritage approval for social housing at Woodstock Hospital was welcome progress towards our goal of faster affordable housing land release in well-located parts of the city. However, the city states the Woodstock Hospital was subject to orchestrated building hijackings by the Reclaim the City campaign in early 2017. With heritage approval secured, the main obstacle is now the ongoing unlawful occupation of the property, states the city, adding that five other inner city land parcels for social housing have reached critical land release milestones. These land parcels would accommodate over 1,300 social housing units. These are: Newmarket Street (Cape Town) 200 social housing units Salt River Market (Salt River) 215 social housing units Pickwick (Salt River) 600 social housing units Fruit and Veg (CBD) 180 social housing units Earl Street (Woodstock) 160 social housing units This comes after recent criticism from housing activists, who say that although land has been released for social housing, construction on these sites has been slow. Acting Mayco Member for Human Settlements James Vos stated that the city was determined to proceed with the planning and development of social housing, as well as taking engagements forward with unlawful occupants to unlock social housing development in the shortest possible time. Eviction proceedings pending Vos said eviction proceedings against people living in the Woodstock Hospital was pending, with the High Court having granted the city an order to survey residents and their individual circumstances. Releasing a statement in response to the citys announcement, housing advocacy organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi said it recognised and welcomed the citys efforts to accelerate the release of land for social housing in the inner city and adjacent suburbs, but the recent progress was long overdue. The organisation stated the city had been promising to develop the land since 2017. It is dishonest that the city claims that the occupation is the biggest obstacle when it has failed to produce any inner-city affordable housing since the dawn of democracy. If anything, the recent progress should be partially attributed to activist pressure, stated Ndifuna Ukwazi. It is only since activists increased the pressure that we have seen any progress. Several city projects with absolutely nothing to do with Cissie Gool House are on the verge of cancellation because of government failure, and they would do well to focus on this. 'City withdrew from engaging with residents' Cissie Gool House resident and Reclaim the City leader Bevil Lucas said they have been committed to engaging with the city since 2017. However, Lucas said, the city withdrew from engaging with the residents. She said the city surveyed the number of residents and their personal circumstances in 2019, but there had been no follow up since then. Lucas said a number of invitations to city officials, including Hill-Lewis, to engage with residents had not been taken up. Recently we held a co-design exhibition at the Institute for Architecture in the city as a means to show what the ideas and thinking is taking place within the occupation. These initiatives are all part of our commitment to engage with the city. New commitments to engage with us are very welcome. We only hope it can be realised sooner rather than later. Fellow Reclaim the City leader Karen Hendricks said the city had a tendency to shift blame. We want to live in an inclusive city, and we believe that the commodification of housing undermines our constitutional vision of an equal and just city. Who is this development for? We have turned this abandoned building into a home for poor and working-class families who would otherwise have been rendered homeless. Article originally published on GroundUp. South Africa has a youth unemployment problem. The current rate is at an all-time high of 32.9% with no turning point in sight. This trend is driving many young South Africans to consider self-employment and starting their own business as a possible option. Starting your own business isn't easy. It requires careful planning, determination, and a clear vision. Currently, small businesses employ between 50-60% of South Africas workforce and contribute approximately 34% to GDP. A study by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows total early-stage entrepreneurship activity among 18-24 years old has increased from 3.4% (2002) to 19.3% (2021) and for the age 25-34, from 5.3% (2001) to 19% (2021). Is there a secret sauce? Adam Young, owner and director of Cape Town-based Rowdy Bags is one young entrepreneur who quickly identified a niche in the market. A small business created on the steps of UCT in 2012 that would become an award-winning, internationally acclaimed leather goods brand. We are a young business made up of young people that are passionate about the slow fashion movement. Simple, beautiful designs that speak to a more sustainable future in fashion have been the vision that has taken us from one person with a dream to about 20 employees currently, explains Young. A huge turning point in our business was the pandemic, at the time about 95% of our business was direct to customers and when sales halted during lockdown; we made the decision to pivot our business to manufacturing cotton face masks. Throughout this period, the founders of Rowdy Bags had always set their sights on taking the business internationally. Some of the relationships that they had been developing came into fruition in 2020 and that foresight enabled them to recover sales lost during the pandemic in new wholesale business abroad. With a decade of experience in the bag together with surviving a global pandemic, Rowdy has refined its products, while also empowering and honing the skills of the artisans who hand-make each piece. Strength is in your network Colin Timmis, country manager of Xero South Africa, a global small business platform, believes that a strong network and a well-crafted business plan, coupled with a positive attitude towards digital adoption and core business skills such as financial literacy, are significant factors in the success of young small business owners. Young entrepreneurs and small business owners are often already digital natives and are leading the way when it comes to embedding technology at an early stage and innovating to do things differently, he says. Its great to see so many businesses setting an example for those thinking of starting a business. Understanding the importance of digital tools and embedding them from the start will put young entrepreneurs in a strong position to create efficiencies and boost profitability. Access to funding and support can also be a huge hurdle for young entrepreneurs. The good news is that financial advisors and accountants can help guide you so that you can benefit from the different funding opportunities available and the compliance that comes with applying for it. In fact, according to Xeros 2023 State of Small Business Report, the two most significant factors that helped small businesses survive and grow in the past year were technology (41%) and their accountant (28%). The value of professional advice Professional advice can unlock resources to access funding, mentorship, and training programmes aimed at the youth that can propel businesses forward. Our research found that 60% of small businesses believe accountants are key to economic growth. Almost half (49%) go to their accountants for business advice and guidance, adds Timmis. We know that small business owners and entrepreneurs have so many great ideas to grow and innovate, but funding to do this is often the hurdle. Thats why weve launched a Beautiful Business Fund to help support small businesses in key areas like tech innovation, sustainability, skills, and supporting their communities. For many years, small businesses have served as the backbone of the South African economy, creating jobs that help families and communities put food on the table and stimulating broader socioeconomic growth. They remain the most likely vehicle to tackle the countrys rising levels of youth unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The Kremlin said on Tuesday, 1 August, that expanding the Brics group of nations would be a topic high on the agenda of the group's upcoming summit in South Africa on 22-24 August. Source: Reuters.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaks during the annual end-of-year news conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia 19 December, 2019. Brics' current members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa said last month that more than 40 other nations had expressed interest in joining the grouping, which seeks to offset the perceived hegemony of the US-led West in global affairs. "This is a very important topic because we see that more and more countries are making statements about their intention of joining Brics," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a regular news briefing. While acknowledging "nuances" within the current five-nation group about expanding its membership, Peskov said the fact that such a debate was taking place "testifies to the great potential of the association, (its) growing authority". Russia has boosted economic, military and other ties with China, India and various African and Latin American states after Moscow's launch of full-scale military operations in Ukraine in February 2022 prompted Western economic sanctions. Russia will be represented at the summit by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, not by President Vladimir Putin. South Africa would have been legally obliged to arrest Putin if he had attended, under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes by Russia in Ukraine. South Africa is an ICC member. Moscow has said the warrant, which accuses Putin of the war crime of wrongfully deporting children from Ukraine, is legally void as Russia is not a member of the ICC. It has not concealed a programme under which it has brought thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, but says it is a humanitarian campaign to protect orphans and children abandoned in the war zone. The Kremlin has said Putin would dial into the Brics summit by video call. [Text of a talk given on Saturday July 29 2023 to the Resistenze al Nanomondo international conference in the countryside near Alessandria, Italy] In this debased modern world we often find ourselves in the dark. Ours is a society built entirely from artifice and illusion, and so in this labyrinth of lies, this demonic hall of mirrors, it has become extraordinarily difficult to distinguish fact from fake, reality from spin. Indeed, we have pretty much now arrived at a stage of complete inversion. The best indication of something or somebodys integrity is that they are denounced as criminals by the system and the strongest warning sign of misinformation is when a certain proposition is presented as sacred truth, protected from contradiction by a special taboo status. The question of climate change, and so-called climate justice, is a prime example of this. The truth about the issue is elusive, to say the least. Piers Corbyn, the affable English scientist and freedom campaigner with whom I shared a platform at the Real Left conference in London earlier this year, argues that there is no man-made global warming. [1] He says that CO2 accounts for a mere 0.04 per cent of the atmosphere and that humanitys contribution, 4 per cent of that 0.04 per cent, is far too insignificant to change the earths temperature in the way that is suggested. CO2 levels are, in fact, not a cause of changes in temperature, but a long-term effect of those we have previously experienced, which were brought about by the activities of the sun, he insists. Additional CO2 created during warm periods is swallowed up into the cold deep ocean and emerges elsewhere in the world 500 to 800 years later, argues Corbyn, so that the current increase in CO2 levels is an after-effect of a warm period in the Middle Ages. On the other hand, Canadian investigative journalist Cory Morningstar (pictured), who spoke at the same event by video link, has long taken the position that man-made climate change is real enough, but that it has been systematically exploited for the distinctly non-environmentalist purposes of global capitalism. She has been exposing this hijacking process for many years now and the mass of detailed evidence she has accumulated is conclusive. Cory has been particularly important in demolishing the myth of Greta Thunberg as a schoolgirl with a conscience whose one-person school strike just happened to capture the attention of the world and lead to her addressing the UN, the WEF, and the European Parliament, as well as being featured on the cover of Time magazine, which named her a next generation leader, meeting Barack Obama and Emmanuel Macron and being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize Corys forensic research revealed the key role of Callum Grieve, a communications specialist based in New York. Grieve worked for five years for The Climate Group, which in 2014 launched We Mean Business in order to catalyze action around climate change and bring it back to the top of the global agenda. Cory reported: The founding partners of We Mean Business are Business for Social Responsibility, the B Team, Carbon Disclosure Project, Ceres, The Climate Group, the Prince of Waless Corporate Leaders Group and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Together, these entities represent the worlds most powerful corporations and investors. [2] It just so happens that on the very first day of Gretas protest on the Stockholm pavement, August 20 2018, Grieve sent her a Twitter message declaring: Were right behind you. Stay strong. Another key figure exposed by Cory was Ingmar Rentzhog, the man who spoke to Greta on the pavement on that fateful day in August 2018 and tweeted to the world about it. CEO of the climate campaign network We Dont Have Time, Rentzhog is also, like Grieve, a PR professional. According to the manufactured Greta myth, he came across her protest by chance while walking to work and it was this piece of luck which ensured her voice was heard so widely. As journalist Frank Chung noted: Despite its name, We Dont Have Time did have time to produce a short film about Ms Thunberg, which it posted to Facebook the next day. [3] Remarkable! The story of a chance encounter with Greta fell apart when Rentzhog later admitted that he had already done PR work for her mother and that he had been tipped off about the protest in advance. The commodity contemplates itself in a world of its own making, as Guy Debord put it. [4] On the Wrong Kind of Green website, Cory describes in great detail a global network of corporate-linked climate groups, including Fridays for Future, which organised the school strikes. The European Climate Foundation, for instance, has listed its funders as including Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Hewlett Foundation, the Growald Family Fund and the Oak Foundation, which I will mention again later. [5] I myself started digging into the issue four years ago, when Extinction Rebellion in the UK launched its XR Business website.[6] This, along with a letter to The Times newspaper in London, declared support for XR, as Extinction Rebellion is known, from various business leaders. It was no surprise to see the name of Gail Bradbrook, one of the XR founders and director of something called Compassionate Revolution Ltd. But others on the list were a little less expected, for a campaign group that was attracting support from anti-capitalist environmentalists. It included impact capitalists like Seb Beloe of WHEB, which says it is focused on the opportunities created by the transition to a low carbon and sustainable global economy. Then there was Amy Clarke, co-founder of Tribe Impact Capital LLP, which boasts the snappy tagline A New Wealth Order. Another XR supporter was Paul Polman, until recently CEO of Unilever, the massive transnational consumer goods company. Some of them had obvious vested interests in the sustainability scam, such as Samer Salty of Zouk Capital, which was manouevring to manage a 400m UK Government investment fund aimed at helping to increase the uptake of electric vehicles. The same was true of Michael F. H. Bonte-Friedheim of NextEnergy Capital, the leading international solar investment and asset manager. But perhaps most telling of all was the inclusion of Charmian Love, a businesswoman engaged in Mobilising Movements and Reimagining Corporate Capital via a website called Corporate Impact X, which is designed to support corporations in developing high impact venturing, collaboration and investment strategies. The XR Business initiative did not go down too well with their grassroots activists and the website was quickly taken down. But it was too late. The cat was out of the bag, as we say in English. The capitalist fat cat in this case! More evidence quickly emerged of the reality behind the green facade of Extinction Rebellion, such as a 2016 article written by one of its business leaders, John Elkington. [7] It turned out he was also involved in the Tomorrows Capitalism Inquiry backed by companies like Aviva Investors, Covestro, and (once again) Unilever. In the article, Elkington enthused about the potential financial opportunities involved in what he himself called the Sustainability Industry businesses that can help drive progress towards UNs Sustainable Development Goals. He wrote: As leaders learn to Think Sustainably, they will also need to learn to Think X, shorthand for Think Exponential. In the same way that they once looked to activists and social entrepreneurs for evidence of where markets were headed, they must now engage a very different set of players. These new players are not happy with 1% or even 10% year-on-year improvements, instead pushing towards 10X or 10-fold improvements over time. Later, in 2020, I discovered that Extinction Rebellion UK, along with other climate justice groups in the UK, Spain, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, was receiving money from Berlin-based fake-radical corporate funding conduit Guerrilla Foundation, which describes its aim as bringing about major systemic change across Europe in line with the Great Transition. [8] Here in Italy, Ultima Generazione is funded, as its own website shows, [9] by the A22 network, which is itself funded [10] by Climate Emergency Fund in the USA, an entity co-founded by billionaire Aileen Getty of the Getty oil dynasty, [11] which says that it was formed as a bridge between philanthropy and climate activism. [12] In short, it is absolutely clear that the climate justice movement is a manufactured one, created by the billionaire class as a PR tool that will enable them to raid the public purse, under the pretext of a climate emergency, and channel trillions of dollars into their own pockets. It is not the planet that they want to save, but the global capitalist system, which will be able to expand into new areas, commodifying nature itself as a source of speculation and profit. [13] Betrayal by Mario Sanchez Nevado We can see a similar phenomenon behind the transgender cult, which uses the pretence of defending a newly-discovered human right, the right to pretend to be a member of the opposite sex, to advance an industrial-capitalist agenda. Jennifer Bilek (pictured), the American eco-feminist journalist and researcher, who, incidentally, praised your protest at the Baby Fair in Milan earlier this year, has spent the last decade examining and exposing the transgender movement. [14] She has shown that it is very closely linked to the biotech industry, pointing out that Martine Rothblatt, a transsexual, transhumanist lawyer and entrepreneur, who authored the first gender bill, writes and speaks often about transgenderism fertilizing the ground for transhumanism. [15] Denouncing the current reality behind the LGBT+ agenda, Jennifer adds: LGB signals human rights. The supporting characters, T+, work to obscure the industry and technology behind the facade of human rights, moving at warp speed. Earlier this month, I also had a little dig into the networks that promote trans rights. [16] I first traced back an article on the supposedly anarchist Freedom News website to the Trans Safety Network, a member of Consortium, which describes itself as the national infrastructure and umbrella body for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans+ groups across the UK. [17] Consortium explains that it is helped in its efforts by Traverse, which it describes as an independent social research and evaluation consultancy. [18] But Traverses independent status is cast into doubt by the fact that it proudly announces on its own website that it works with the likes of: Arcadis NV, a Dutch engineering firm involved in building motorways and airports; Horizon Nuclear Power; Wellcome Trust, the rotten heart of Big Pharma in the UK, and Big Society Capital, the impact capitalism firm run by Ronald Cohen (pictured). [19] Traverse is also a member of Sonder, a group of organisations, which aims to profit from the privatisation of the public sector in Britain and is, indeed, closely tied [20] to a company actually called Private Public Ltd, which is heavily involved in impact capitalism. [21] We see a similar thing with ILGA Europe,the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, which describes itself as an independent, international non-governmental umbrella organisation uniting over 700 organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia. [22] ILGA Europe enjoys consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council and participatory status at the Council of Europe and can boast of some heavyweight financial backing, not least from the European Union and the Government of the Netherlands. One of its benefactors is the Swiss-based Oak Foundation, also one of the funders of The European Climate Foundation, as revealed by Cory Morningstar, and which says it is a group of philanthropic organisations based in various countries around the world. [23] I describe in my article how ILGA Europe is also funded by other wealthy foundations interested in what they describe as philanthropy, impact investment, fighting antisemitism and supporting Ukraine. I found that an important role in this shadowy network of trans rights funding is played by the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program, which insists it is dedicated to charitable impact through strategic and thoughtful philanthropy [24] and is, of course, part of the Vanguard-BlackRock entity which so dominates global finance. [25] The fact that both the climate justice and trans rights movements are false flags for corporate financial interests is not a coincidence, but part of a systematic and wide-ranging plan. In order to be able to push their own agenda, which goes completely against the interests of the majority of the population, the rich and powerful have always needed to hide behind something else. For many centuries, that something has been the nation or the king or God or tradition or civilization or law and order. They have exploited peoples sense of loyalty to their homeland, their sense of decency, their fear of foreigners or of change, to rally them behind the flag of their ongoing domination. But today they are seeking their social licence elsewhere and are instead using what might appear to be radical or left-wing principles as the basis of their manipulation. Their exploitative investment investment for profit is rebranded as philanthropy, as doing good, as having a positive impact on society or the environment. This new form of venture capitalism, so-called impact capitalism, is being championed by the world of international finance, the World Economic Forum, King Charles III and indeed Guerrilla Foundation, funders of climate activism. The wokewashing language in which it conceals its real intentions is typified by British venture capitalist Ronald Cohen in his 2020 book, Impact: Reshaping Capitalism to Drive Real Change, which I analysed in January 2021. [26] He says that impact capitalism will lead us to a new and better world by helping those in need and preserving our planet. It will address a variety of social issues, including homelessness, affordable housing, community organizations, childhood obesity and mental health, not to mention poverty, under-education, unemployment, an aging population and environmental destruction. And it will do this by helping disadvantaged young people, supporting refugee and immigrant integration and boosting womens empowerment and gender equality. Impact projects aim to provide financial services for the poor and affordable and green housing. Cohen declares: We must shift our economies to create positive outcomes. These positive outcomes are in fact the trigger for dividends in what he calls his pay-for-success investment models, and depend on full-spectrum real-time surveillance of all aspects of our lives using Fourth Industrial Revolution technology. Cohen is a member of the United Nations Development Programmes Global Steering Group for Impact Investment [27] and the UNs Sustainable Development Goals are closely linked to the impact project. They define specific areas in which governments should be taking action and require them to find money to pour into these issues. The UN steering group boasts that its transformational impact on lives around the world will involve opening up $12 trillion in market opportunities. [28] All the woke language used to describe these various impact agendas is thus nothing but window dressing for a vast financial coup, a scam of unbelievable proportions carried out against 99.9 per cent of humanity. The central involvement of the United Nations tells us a great deal about the nature of the entity behind this scam. The excellent English researcher Iain Davis describes it as the global public-private partnership. [29] But I have recently come to the conclusion that although this term is helpful as a stepping stone to understanding the scale of what we are up against, it is also slightly misleading. It is misleading because the framing of the relationship between public and private as a partnership is that provided to us by those involved. In reality, the public and private are not separate entities, but one and the same thing. Thanks to countless decades of systematic corruption, private interests have entirely taken control of all the major public institutions, national and international. Because this corruption cannot be admitted to the public, the notion of a partnership is used to explain away the fact that these two facets of the same entity are pursuing exactly the same agenda. We urgently need to see the emergence of a new international movement of resistance against this toxic entity, given that it has successfully disabled and recuperated so many existing radical groups. And I believe that the first necessary step we need to take if we are to effectively oppose the corrupt global entity is to recognise its existence. It is important to say loudly and clearly that one single worldwide criminal network, the criminocracy, is, behind the scenes, running everything from the WEF to the WHO, the UN to the EU, BlackRock to the World Bank. We then need to put each specific branch of its activities into that overall context, so that everybody can see how they are related, part of the same overall agenda. I am seeing encouraging signs that this is already beginning to happen. The Real Left conference in London, for instance, opposed not only the fake green agenda, but also smart cities, the Covid vaccine cover-up and other aspects of the very broad Great Reset. The global power nexus itself is also realising that this is happening, hence its increasing use of insults such as conspiracy theorist, reactionary, anti-semitic or even terrorist against anyone who challenges its mendacious narrative. We can see exactly which aspects of its domination it wishes to hide from scrutiny by the taboos it carefully constructs around these issues, designed to close down all debate with smokescreens of moral indignation and fear of political contamination. We saw evidence of that in the smears levelled against this very event two years ago, against the special issue of the French journal Ecologie & Politique to which several people participating in this conference contributed [30] and against the Australian journal New Dawn, which has republished a number of my articles over recent years. [31] A couple of months ago, the Inquisition pointed its finger at Crow Quappelle, the Canadian green anarchist behind Nevermore Media, and also at me, because we have often worked together. An anonymous writer on the Montreal Counter Information site accused me of propagating far-right conspiracy theories about Jewish bankers and trans people. [32] So, to dissect that: exposing the official narrative is now called propagating conspiracy theories and all conspiracy theories are automatically far-right; criticising the global financial system is anti-semitic purely because a number of individuals within that system are Jewish, and criticising the transgender industry necessarily amounts to a personal attack on trans people. These same absurd and dishonest one-size-fits-all smears are wheeled out again and again when anyone steps out of ideological line. But they are ringing increasingly hollow and I detect a whiff of panic in the air. The Montreal article warns of a transnational echo chamber of conspiracists who have been embracing increasingly reactionary, transphobic, and antisemitic ideas. In other words, they are worried that we are coming together and regrouping outside of the controlled woke-left mind-prison to begin to form a coherent long-term international resistance movement! While Crow suspects that the article in question was written by a spook, an intelligence agent, the system depends on being able to mobilise genuine but deluded activists as its shocktroops against authentic dissent. And I think that here there is a weakness that we might be able to exploit. Because, in their hearts, these people, on the left, are actually opposed to corporate control even if they dont currently recognise its presence in the struggles in which they are involved revelations of corporate manipulation could change their allegiance. What is currently blocking them from listening to such revelations is that they are being told they are coming from an unacceptable and politically toxic place the far right, the fachosphere as they call it in France. So at the same time as denouncing corporate scams like the climate justice and trans rights movements, we need to be very clear about the position from which we are doing so. Regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, we are supposed to believe that the alternative position to blindly supporting Zelensky and Ukraine is to blindly support Putin and Russia. Likewise, there are elements of the post-2020 freedom movement that seem to be intent on turning it into a kind of mirror image of the pro-lockdown, pro-system, left an anti-lockdown but pro-system right. In automatically being against everything that the fake-left says it is for, it ends up supporting the real agenda being advanced by the global system, the one they have hidden behind all the woke dogma. We saw this recently with Robert Malone (pictured), the American scientist who apparently turned whistleblower against the mRNA vaccines he helped develop and is thus regarded by some as a leading dissident voice. But in an article he published on July 18 this year, supposedly against green colonialism, he in fact peddled all the same imperialist development arguments which have long been used by the system, talking about African women being in poverty because they hand-wash their families clothes and, crucially, describing this as a waste of human labor. Labor that could be put to better and more productive uses. [33] As authentic dissidents, if we challenge the climate narrative it is not because we dont care about the Earths future or the effects of industrial society, but for exactly the opposite reason that we can see that a green industrial-capitalist future would spell disaster for the natural world. If we challenge the transgender narrative, it is not because we want to force people, in all their individual diversity, into narrow gender-based categories, but because we can see how the need for that diversity is being exploited by corporate interests and turned into a mutilation and lifelong drug dependency that represents the very opposite of personal freedom and self-fulfilment. If we oppose 15-minute cities, it is not because we cheerlead car-culture and wouldnt like to see a scaled-down localised world, but because we have A fully armed MQ-9 Reaper taxis down a runway in Afghanistan in November 2007. Reapers and Predators were the two types of drones used during U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan. On March 17th of this year, State Department spokesperson Ned Price was asked by Pakistani news media about unconfirmed reports of a U.S. drone strike in the Pakistani village of Zangara, within the South Waziristan region. Price, who has since resigned from his position, neither confirmed nor denied the strike, stating weve seen reports that Pakistani security forces conducted counterterrorism operations in South Waziristan on March 15. We refer you to the Government of Pakistan for any additional information. To date, no new information has been released about the potential strike, but, if it were confirmed, it would be the first known U.S. strike in Pakistan since 2018. To help add context to what a potential resumption of U.S. drone activity in Pakistan could mean, this posting contains a selection of documents dating from 2010 through 2013 that detail the range of issues created by the drone strikes since they began in 2004. The declassified documents appear in the recent Digital National Security Archive collection, Afghanistan War and the United States, 1998-2017, and were released in response to the Archives Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. A confidential declassified January 9, 2010 cable from the Defense Department to the Defense Intelligence Agency summarized two opinion pieces by an unnamed Pakistani research scholar in The Nation, an English-language daily newspaper based in Lahore. The op-eds, according to the cable, defended U.S. drone strikes in the country, claiming they were supported by Punjabi people, who reportedly saw them as a cause for joy. The writer also alleged that the Pakistani government subjugated the Punjabi people to provide a base to harbor terrorists. Similar arguments were promoted by scholars such as Neha Ansari. The larger picture was more complicated. On January 22, 2010, a confidential and highly-excised Defense cable provided the Defense Intelligence Agency with a summary of front-page stories in the Daily Times and The Frontier Post. The summary reported that the Pakistani military was engaged in military exercises to shoot down four Pakistani drones, with an unnamed retired general stating that they did not want to spoil relations with the U.S. as a result of the exercises. Unease with U.S. drones in Pakistan is further explored in a February 2010 Congressional Research Report by John Rollins, entitled Al Qaeda and Affiliates: Historical Perspective, Global Presence, and Implications for U.S. Policy. On pages 9 to 10 of the report, Rollins argued that U.S. policy options to fight al-Qaeda in Pakistan were limited because anti-American sentiment isat peak levels within a broad spectrum of Pakistani society. Rollins noted that there were perceptions that the U.S. was fighting against Islam, that the U.S. did not care about Pakistani democracy, and that drone strikes, and suspected covert operations, were a violation of the countrys national sovereignty. Rollins reported that while there was an increase in U.S. economic and development assistance to Pakistan, U.S. troops still could not officially operate within the country. He added that Pakistans security environment and distrust of the U.S. made it extremely difficult for U.S. officials to operate effectively there. This assessment is reinforced by a public opinion survey released by the Meridian International Center and Gallup in 2011. It estimated that in 2010, only 18% of Pakistanis approved of U.S. leadership. Declassified Defense Department documents from 2012 and 2013 discussing responses to the drone strikes by terrorist organizations add another layer of complexity to the issue. A secret, heavily-excised August 7, 2012 cable relayed intelligence about a meeting two-months prior in Miram Shah, Pakistan between senior leaders from al-Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban, the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and other terrorist organizations. These leaders discussed how to target U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan with suicide bombings, and other attacks, in retaliation for U.S. drone strikes that had killed Taliban fighters. A secret June 27, 2013 Defense Department cable, which provided insights about Pakistan after the countrys May 2013 elections, goes further, stating, drones do cause collateral damage and fear. This statement was couched by the claim that F-16s operated by the Pakistani military and terrorist actions were more damaging than U.S. drone attacks. Despite this claim, the over 560 drone strikes during the Obama administration killed scores of civilians in Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen, according to Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates. The declassified documents in this posting are significant because of the ongoing official secrecy surrounding the U.S. drone war in Pakistan despite widespread reporting on the program. Reports from as early as 2009 note that the U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan were conducted by operators for the Central Intelligence Agencys Special Activities Division, which piloted U.S. Air Force drones. Yet the legal memorandums outlining justifications for CIA use of drones and the summary strike data, for U.S. drone warfare in Pakistan and elsewhere, have remained classified. Notably, the ACLU filed a FOIA request in 2010 for information about the program with the CIA. The Agency issued a glomar response to the request, refusing to confirm or deny the existence of documents because the existence or nonexistence of requested records is currently and properly classified.. The ACLU filed suit, but was ultimately rejected by D.C. District Court, which ruled that the documents relating to the program were properly classified. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Centuries-old bow-making craft in SW China's Chengdu hits the mark with renewed vitality People's Daily Online) 16:22, August 01, 2023 A photo shows bows and arrows made by Li Qingyang, a Chinese craftsman specializing in restoring old bows and making bows using the traditional techniques of the Wu family. (Photo/Chengdu Economic Daily) Wu's bow, a symbol of traditional bow-making in southern China, has made a comeback after fading away in the 1970s, according to the Chengdu Economic Daily. More than a century ago, a craftsman named Wu Zhengfu opened Changxing bow shop in the Qingyang district of Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. With the expert bow-making craft passed down through the generations in Wu's family, the shop quickly rose to prominence as one of the most prestigious suppliers of bows in southern China. However, as firearms grew in popularity in modern times, they gradually replaced bows and arrows on the battlefield. As a result, the Changxing bow shop closed, and Wu's bow faded from public memory. In 2008, things took a favorable turn when Li Qingyang, a resident of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, encountered Wu Jiabin, a descendant of Wu Zhengfu and the contemporary inheritor of the Wu family's bow-making craft. After more than a decade spent restoring traditional bows, Li impressed Wu Jiabin with his sincerity and passion for bow-making techniques. Eventually, Wu Jiabin agreed to teach Li the Wu family's bow-making craft, which had previously been passed down exclusively within the family. According to Wu Yadi, Wu Jiabin's daughter, the Wu family has been making bows since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), the Wu family not only crafted and maintained bows and arrows for generals but also provided training fields and supplies for individuals participating in imperial examinations on military knowledge and skills, Wu Yadi said. "Our bows are light, handy, powerful and remain durable even with long-term use. Furthermore, they can be folded away when not in use. Among traditional bows, Wu's bow has its unique style," says Wu Yadi. She revealed that it takes three years to craft a qualified bow using the Wu family's bow-making techniques. "We hope the Changxing bow shop can return to Chengdu, so people will know that bows made by us Chengdu residents have also created a glorious chapter in history," says Wu Yadi. Li Qingyang, a Chinese craftsman specializing in restoring old bows and making bows using traditional techniques, demonstrates archery with a bow made using the traditional bow-making craft of the Wu family. (Photo/Chengdu Economic Daily) Now 46 years old, Li has made that wish a reality. "I always wanted to restore genuine traditional Chinese bows," Li said. He owns a bow-making workshop in Chongqing, which is filled with various tools, devices, and raw materials for making bows. "The evolution of bows and arrows mirrors the development of human civilization. We want this traditional craft to be known by more people. A well-made traditional bow is no worse than a modern one," he expounded. Two centuries-old bows, meticulously restored by Li, are displayed on the living room wall of Wu Jiabin, who is in his eighties. One is an ancient bow, once wielded by Yuan Chonghuan, a renowned general of the Ming Dynasty; the other is a royal bow hailing from the Qing Dynasty. Despite their age, both bows function flawlessly. The high quality of Wu's bow can be attributed to the rigorous craftsmanship involved in its creation. There are more than 280 steps for making a bow like Wu's, with each step requiring high standards and superb craftsmanship, according to Li. The choice of materials alone comes with many stipulations. For instance, to create a qualified Wu's bow, an artisan needs to harvest ox horn in the spring, when it is robust; process cattle tendons in summer so that the fat can be removed easily; combine the three essential bow materials in the autumn, a time when hands sweat less; and cut Phyllostachys pubescens, a type of bamboo, in winter, when the bamboo contains less moisture and is thus less likely to decay. Li dedicates the months of July and August to processing cattle tendons. Given the scarcity of raw materials and the significant loss during processing, each finished cattle tendon is incredibly valuable. "The cattle tendons must be sourced from farm-raised cattle as their tendons are sufficiently tough due to their extensive physical activity," Li explained. According to Li, 1.5 kilograms of fresh cattle tendons devoid of fat can only be refined into 100 to 150 grams of qualified tendons. Li's workshop currently houses more than 10 antique bows awaiting restoration. Several newly crafted Wu's bows are ready for dispatch to eager buyers. "Our bows are predominantly sold to regions like Europe, America and Mongolia, where there is a tradition of using bows and relevant competitions and activities," Li shared. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) A business-owner from Cork, a cancer-survivor and father of three in his mid-40s, tried to take out an insurance policy. He was refused. He had been required to declare his past cancer diagnosis. It was a gut-punch moment of realisation for him. Despite the fact that he had recovered from the disease - had survived the gruelling treatment and stress of illness, his battle with cancer was not over. It could hang over him forever, threatening to hinder his plans for life and work. Europe-wide, its a similar story. 20 million Europeans have recovered from cancer, many of whom have already experienced considerable medical, psychological, and financial challenges in their survivorship journey. Unfortunately, many people diagnosed with cancer find themselves facing the stress of financial penalties years or even decades after their treatment has ended. Having a history of cancer is a major hurdle for access to insurance and mortgage products in particular. Advertisement Advertisement A recent study from the Irish Cancer Society showed that nearly a quarter of people in Ireland affected by cancer are not able to even get so much as a quote for a range of financial products and services. A further half of respondents felt that insurers were difficult to deal with. However, theres hope on the horizon. I believe cancer survivors should not be punished twice for their diagnosis and have long been calling for an end to this type of financial discrimination. I have been successfully pushing for a Right to be Forgotten clause for cancer survivors to be included in a forthcoming update of the EUs rules on consumer credit. This means that cancer survivors applying for health, life, travel and property insurance as well as other financial products, will have the Right to be Forgotten after a relevant period of time, so their former illness does not affect the insurance rates. Advertisement At a European level, the ball started rolling on this issue in February 2021, when the European Commission presented its landmark plan to beat cancer, which focuses on four main areas of work: prevention, early detection, treatment and improving quality of life. It was through my work on the European Parliaments Special Committee on Beating Cancer that I began pushing for proposals on the Right to be Forgotten. I was delighted to hear that the Parliament and Council agreed to include a Right to be Forgotten clause for insurance products in new legislation. Advertisement In May of this year, the Parliaments Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted in favour of my amendments to enshrine cancer survivors Right To Be Forgotten into EU law. This was a massive step forward. The Parliament is expected to hold its final vote on this, within the updated Consumer Credit Directive, in September 2023. However, even after formally adopting these new EU rules, we still have work to do. We are urging all EU Member States to ensure that the Right to be Forgotten is implemented nationally. And we cannot stop there. We must also seek to extend the Right to be Forgotten to mortgages, so that patients are not punished with financial discrimination in that area either. Advertisement Some EU countries are already leading the way. It is time for Ireland to follow the example of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Romania - the first European countries to have introduced binding legislation mandating the Right to be Forgotten for cancer survivors. No one should have to pay twice for their cancer diagnosis. Only through adopting the Right to be Forgotten will cancer survivors obtain the justice and fair treatment that they deserve. We must win this battle for cancer survivors across Ireland and Europe. Deirdre Clune is Fine Gael & EPP Group MEP Two brothers have been cleared of murder but found guilty of lesser offences by a unanimous Central Criminal Court jury after they attacked a 55-year-old man who died two weeks later. At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday evening, the jury, which had deliberated for 14 hours, returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder for Ian Connaghan (34) and Daniel Connaghan (43). Advertisement However, the jury of seven men and five women found Ian Connaghan guilty of manslaughter and Daniel Connaghan guilty of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Michael 'Mick' Mulvey in 2019. The brothers, both of Ashington Rise, Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Mulvey on the Navan Road, close to the Phoenix Park. It had been the States case that Ian Connaghan attacked Mr Mulvey near The Halfway House Pub and left him on the ground, while Mr Mulvey was subsequently given "a severe beating" at a roundabout by Ian and his older brother Daniel. Advertisement The prosecution contended that the injuries sustained by Mr Mulvey substantially contributed to his death but were not the sole cause. Advertisement However, defence counsel for Ian Connaghan, Garnet Orange SC, told the jury that Mr Mulvey was a man who was not in good condition health wise and that after the assault, he had gone back to the pub and spent the night drinking . Counsel put it to the jury that there was no serious injury involved and that it was implausible that the death of Mr Mulvey 13 days later was a "natural and probable conclusion. The jury heard that State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers found that Mr Mulvey's right ribs had been fractured, that there was 800ml of blood in his lungs and there was air escaping into the chest cavity. Her view was that his cause of death was blunt force trauma to the chest with ischemic heart disease as a contributory factor. Advertisement However, the defence obtained a report from Professor Jack Crane, who found that the cause of death was ischemic heart disease. The Director of Public Prosecutions had also sought an opinion from UK pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton, who said that in his view Mr Mulvey had ischaemic heart disease but that he would not have died but for the rib fractures. In Ian Connaghan's case, the jury were satisfied that his actions caused Mr Mulvey's death but were not satisfied that he had the requisite intent for murder. Mr Mulvey, a builder, died on November 27th, 2019, two weeks after he suffered injuries during the beating on November 14, 2019. Advertisement The brothers had also pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Mulvey at the Navan Road on November 14th, 2019, and had further pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Mulvey on the same occasion. No verdict was recorded in relation to Ian Connaghan regarding the two assault charges, with a similar no verdict recorded for Daniel Connaghan for the charge of assault causing harm. On Monday, the jury foreman handed trial judge Mr Justice Paul Burns a note asking to clarify the word 'simpliciter' with regard to a not guilty of murder verdict. Before the jury on Tuesday resumed deliberations, the judge told the jury that in relation to a verdict 'simpliciter' meant 'simply' or 'straightforward with nothing added'. The country's top regulator is warning the public over the cloning of five authorised finance organisations. The Central Bank issued the warnings on Monday that a fraudulent entity has been seeking to pass itself off as LGT Bank AG, with a Dublin Branch purporting to operate as an investment firm/investment business/banker in the State in the absence of appropriate authorisations. Advertisement In this instance, the fraudulent entity cloned and impersonated a legitimate authorised entity in order to deceive customers. The scam entity invited consumers to leave their contact details on a website and then contacted them, seeking to sell a fake bond and term deposits. The second cloning is GCP Equity Ireland ICAV, operating the websites gcpireland.com and gcp-ireland.com, has been operating as an investment firm, investment business firm and an Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle (ICAV) in the absence of appropriate authorisations. Advertisement The fraudulent entity cloned and impersonated a legitimate Central Bank authorised fund in order to deceive customers. The Central Bank has also warned that the cloning of authorised firm Advance Personal Credit Ltd has occurred. Advertisement The cloned firm advertises loans on its website, but it holds no authorisation from the Central Bank as a Retail Credit Firm or as a High Cost Credit Provider. According to the Central Bank, this scam is an example of an advance fee fraud, where an upfront payment fee is sought prior to a loan being provided. The loans are never provided. The unauthorised firm is operating the website advancepersonalcredit.webs.com. The authorised firm Investments Ireland Limited has also been hit by a cloning. The fifth fraudulent entity, Aviva Direct Ireland Limited (Clone), has been operating as an investment firm and investment business firm in the absence of appropriate authorisation. In this instance, the fraudulent entity cloned a legitimate Central Bank authorised firm in order to deceive customers. The fraudulent entity reached out via email seeking to lure consumers into investing in a fake investment using the prospectus titled: Aviva: Fixed Rate Passive Global Equity Fund - Prospectus 2022 and Fixed Rate Income Bond Prospectus 2022. Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fail TD, Brendan Smith has spoken of the absolute shock in the area after news of the tragedy. Speaking on Newstalks Pat Kenny show, Mr Smith said that everyone had been conscious of the great excitement leading up to the Debs event. Students and their families and friends had gathered in the Diamond to see them off. Advertisement We don't have adequate words to convey our sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the two girls who have lost their lives. The accident happened on a busy road that had a high volume of traffic, he said, but cautioned about speculation. The best educational and psychological therapies would be providing all the support that's necessary to the school community to help the people through this awful tragedy, added Mr Smith. Advertisement The school, local youth club and Youth Work Ireland all provided support last night and would continue to do so. Advertisement Flowers outside Largy College in Clones after two of its teenage pupils were killed, and three people are in hospital after a road traffic collision on the N54 Clones to Smithborough road at Legnakelly at around 6.45pm on Monday. Photo: PA Images The Department of Education would not be found wanting with regard to supports at this very difficult time for all impacted by the tragedy, he said. Mr Smith said: "The Debs are a source of great excitement in the area, for many it might have been the last time to catch up with friends before going on different career paths, it was a very important school experience." Meanwhile, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, who represents Cavan-Monaghan area described the fatal crash as every parents worst nightmare. Advertisement Ms Humphreys told RTE radios Morning Ireland that the entire community was just numbed by the tragedy on what should have been a night of celebration. This is just terrible. It's an unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two young girls who have lost their lives and with those who are very seriously injured in hospital. Heather Humphreys speaking to the media outside Largy College in Clones after two teenage girls were killed, and three people are in hospital after a road traffic collision. Photo: PA Images The Debs Ball for Largy College should have been a night of celebration a coming of age event for the young people, but it had turned into the worst possible nightmare, she said. Largy College was an excellent school, it was very family orientated and covered a wide catchment area. It will be providing support to students and their families in the coming days and weeks, the Minister said. Ms Humphreys said that no one can ever know what was going to happen, and she knew that a lot of parents would be holding their children extra tight on hearing the tragic news. Two Dublin women are to appeal the High Court's dismissal of their action aimed at halting their prosecution for allegedly refusing to quarantine at a hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 following their returned to Ireland from a holiday in Dubai. In a recently published judgment, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger dismissed judicial review proceedings brought by Niamh Mulreany (27) and Kirstie McGrath (32) seeking to halt their proposed prosecuted before the District Court for alleged breaches of measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement It is understood that the two are to appeal that decision and may seek a "leapfrog" appeal directly to the Supreme Court, rather than the Court of Appeal. Airport arrest The two were arrested at Dublin Airport on Good Friday, April 2nd 2021 on their return from the UAE, where they originally intended but did not undergo cosmetic surgery. Advertisement On their arrival back to Ireland they and most other passengers travelling to Ireland from certain designated countries, which at the time included the UAE, were required to undergo mandatory quarantine at a hotel for up to 14 days. The measures which have since been discontinued, were brought into to help prevent the spread of the virus. Advertisement Both women refused to go to the hotel claiming that they could not afford the cost of stay, which was estimated at over 1,800 each, and because they needed to get back to their children. They claimed they had only had child-minding arrangements in place for the time they were in Dubai. Arising out of their refusal both have been charged with breaches of the 1947 Health Act, and if convicted face fines of up to 2,000 and a period of several months' imprisonment. They claim that the charges against them are unconstitutional and that their trials should be halted. Advertisement Their action was against the DPP, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Minister for Health, Ireland and the Attorney General. They were represented by Michael O'Higgins SC, Keith Spencer Bl and Mark Lynam Bl. The State respondents, represented by Catherine Donnelly SC, and Michael Cush SC, with Emile Burke-Murphy Bl and Kate Egan Bl for the DPP, opposed the action. Mandatory quarantine Advertisement In their proceedings they had argued that the Minister for Health's designation of certain states, as places from where persons who travel to Ireland from had to undergo mandatory periods of quarantine breached the separation of powers, the principle of law and was unconstitutional. Advertisement It was claimed that such a measure should have been introduced by way of legislation through a statutory instrument and not by way of a Ministerial order. The second legal issue concerned what he described as the lack of a legally permissible appeals process for those who were undergoing the mandatory quarantine. Under the measures a designated appeals officer could entertain an appeal from somebody who was detained in the quarantine facility. However, the measures under the 1947 Act conferred what counsel said was a judicial power on what was a non-judicial body, which amounts to a breach of Article 37 of the Irish Constitution. Advertisement In her decision Ms Justice Bolger said that the measures clearly provided for the designation of states for mandatory quarantine to be done by way of a decision made by the Minister for Health. This power was not intended to be done by regulations, the judge added. The Oireachtas determined that it was in the public interest for the Minister to be able to designate persons coming into the country from a particular state for mandatory hotel quarantine. Not only did the Oireachtas apply its scrutiny to the power of designation, but it has added an "additional layer of scrutiny" by imposing a sunset clause, the judge added. This clause meant the entire system of mandatory hotel quarantine had to return before the Oireachtas after a lapse of three months. The judge also rejected claims that the appeal process was unconstitutional or that Article 37 of the Constitution had been breached. A mentally ill prisoner who scalded his cellmate with hot water before strangling him has been found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility by a jury at the Central Criminal Court this afternoon. At 3.46pm today and after deliberating for four hours and 25 minutes over two days, the jury foreperson told the registrar that a majority verdict had been reached and that Michael Connolly (55) was guilty of the manslaughter of Mark Lawlor in Cloverhill Prison in 2019. Advertisement The jury had heard that Connolly, who is originally from Louth, believed that Mr Lawlor (37), from Drumcondra, had some kind of exalted identity like a king and was "a kingpin of Dublin" when he killed him in a cell in the prison. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity. Advertisement The jury had been told that a disagreement on the findings of two psychiatrists was the nub of the case. On Monday, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford told the jury that they had to choose between the expert psychiatric evidence of Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Sally Linehan in order to decide whether the accused was entitled to the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or a verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Advertisement At around 2.45pm on Tuesday, Ms Justice Lankford told the jury that they did not have to be unanimous in their verdict and that the court would accept a majority verdict not below 10-2 from the seven men and five women. The foreperson told the registrar that the verdict was one of a 10-2 majority. Evidence The jury had heard evidence from both Dr Monks and Dr Linehan that Mr Connolly suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Dr Monks also said that his colleague Dr Brenda Wright said Mr Connolly presented as floridly psychotic when she assessed him. However, while Dr Monks said that the accused did not understand the nature and quality of his actions, Dr Linehan said she did not think he was suffering from his mental illness to such an extent as to bring him within the definition of deserving the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the trial, counsel for the DPP, Tony McGillicuddy SC said that prisoners in the adjoining cell heard a scuffle and someone called out Davey or David. The prisoners thought it was Mr Lawlor, and he sounded hoarse, so they thought he was choking. A prison officer responded and when he looked into the cell, he saw Mr Connolly on top of Mr Lawlor with his hands around his neck. Garda Inspector Darragh Kenny confirmed to Mr McGillicuddy that a postmortem revealed that Mr Lawlor had sustained multiple superficial burns with blistering on his face, neck and arms, which were consistent with having been scalded by having boiling or hot water thrown at him. He suffered manual strangulation and straddling of the chest, causing asphyxia leading to death. Advertisement Delusional beliefs Mr McGillicuddy said a psychiatrist found that Mr Connolly had delusional beliefs, including that the prisoners were in league with prison officers in a homosexual conspiracy. Counsel said the psychiatrist noted that Mr Connolly had formed the delusional belief that Mr Lawlor had some kind of exalted identity like a king. In her charge to the jury, Ms Justice Lankford said that in order to meet the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the jury had to be satisfied that the accused did not know the nature and quality of the act, did not know that what he was doing was wrong, or was unable to refrain from committing the act. Advertisement The judge said that both consultant psychiatrists who gave evidence in the case agreed that Mr Connolly was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of these events, and they both agreed with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, but they disagreed on the matter of whether he was entitled to the defence of the special verdict. Interviews Ms Justice Lankford said that while Dr Monks said that the accused did not understand the nature and quality of the act, Dr Linehan said that, after reviewing the accuseds interviews with the gardai, she found he understood he had killed another person. Advertisement This is the most significant issue you must resolve. The nub of the case is which psychiatrists evidence do you prefer, the judge said. Ms Justice Lankford went on to say that Dr Linehan had given evidence that it would be appropriate for the jury to consider a verdict of guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. After beginning their deliberations, the jury returned with a question for Ms Justice Lankford, asking on what dates Dr Linehan had seen and assessed the accused. They were informed that Dr Linehan interviewed Mr Connolly four times between March 2021 and April 2022, while Dr Monks saw him twice in December 2022. Myanmars military-led government has reduced the prison sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a clemency connected to a religious holiday in the Buddhist-majority country, state media said on Tuesday. Former President Win Myint also had his sentence reduced as part of the clemency granted to more than 7,000 prisoners. Advertisement But Ms Suu Kyi, 78, still must serve a total of 27 years out of the 33 she was originally imprisoned for. The head of Myanmars military council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, granted the clemency order to reduce the sentences in five cases against Ms Suu Kyi, in which she was convicted for violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition, according to a report on state MRTV. Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted for violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition(Nyein Chan Naing/AP) Advertisement Advertisement She was initially sentenced for 19 offenses that her supporters and rights group say were attempts to discredit her and legitimise the 2021 army takeover, while preventing her return to politics. The clemency was announced a day after Myanmars military extended the state of emergency it imposed when it seized power from Ms Suu Kyis elected government two and a half years ago, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over. Several of Ms Suu Kyis cases are awaiting final appeals. Min Aung Hlaing pardoned a total of 7,749 prisoners and commuted the death sentences of others to commemorate the day the Buddha gave his first sermon, the MRTV report said. Advertisement The army leader also granted amnesty to 125 foreign prisoners and 22 members of ethnic armed groups, it added. The announcement said he dropped cases against 72 people connected to ethnic armed groups. It was not immediately clear if any of the released prisoners included the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing army rule. Thailands Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai became the first foreign visitor to be granted access to Aung San Suu Kyi since she was detained (Dita Alangkara/AP) Advertisement According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organisation, 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. Advertisement At least 3,857 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. MRTV said it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for an election. Advertisement The United Nations called on Myanmar to return to democratic rule on Monday. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for the immediate release of Ms Suu Kyi and Win Myint, the UN deputy spokesman said. The UN chief also called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, an end to the violence and repression, and respect for human rights in Myanmar, spokesman Farhan Haq said. The clemency also came three weeks after Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met Ms Suu Kyi in prison, becoming the first foreign visitor to be granted access to her since she was detained. He told journalists she was in good health and conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation. Ms Suu Kyi has been unable to give her version of the July 9 meeting, which is said to have lasted about an hour-and-a-half. Advertisement Myanmars military confirmed the meeting had been held, but said it had no details because it was one-on-one between the ousted leader and the Thai diplomat. Don revealed the event when he was attending a meeting in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN has been seeking to mediate an end to the violent conflict in Myanmar, which some members believe destabilises the region. The Japanese distributor of the Warner Bros movie Barbie has apologised for its US parent companys reaction to social media posts about the Barbenheimer blitz that combined images of Barbie and a mushroom cloud. The memes triggered criticisms in Japan for what many described as minimising the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Advertisement The film about the world-famous doll and Universal Pictures Oppenheimer, a biography of Robert Oppenheimer, who helped develop the weapon, were both released on July 21st in the US, sparking the Barbenheimer craze for watching both and prompting memes combining the two. Advertisement Some of the images, which were not created by Warner Bros, showed Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie, sitting on the shoulders of Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, with an orange inferno of an atomic blast in the background. Advertisement The official Barbie account said in response to the combined Barbenheimer meme: Its going to be a summer to remember. Responding to another Barbenheimer meme showing Robbies hair replaced with an apparent mushroom cloud, the account commented: This Ken is a stylist, referring to Barbies boyfriend. In Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, the posts drew criticism for what was perceived as belittling remarks about the nuclear attacks, triggering angry messages and trending on social media with the hashtag #NoBarbenheimer. Advertisement We apologise to those who felt uncomfortable because of these reactions, Warner Bros Japan said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. Cillian Murphy stars as Robert Oppenheimer in the film about the creation of the atomic bomb (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP/PA) One critical posting said many victims who perished under the mushroom clouds were children the same age of those playing with Barbie dolls and that the memes were inconsiderate. Others called them stupid and unforgivable, and urged for a boycott of the movie. Advertisement The US dropped the worlds first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people. It dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending the Second World War. Warner Bros Japan said the Barbenheimer blitz is not part of an official company campaign, but said the reaction of its parent companys Barbie account to memes combining images of the two movies lacked sensitivity. Advertisement We believe it was extremely regrettable, the Japanese distributor said, adding that it has requested its parent company to take appropriate action. Barbies release in Japan is scheduled for August 11th. Advertisement Warner Bros responses to the Barbenheimer memes were only the latest controversy for the film, which was banned in Vietnam and criticised in some other Southeast Asian countries and in Washington. Vietnam said the movie included an image of a map showing disputed waters in the South China Sea as belonging to China. Warner Bros was quoted as saying the map was a childlike drawing and was not intended to make any statement. A Palestinian gunman opened fire in an Israeli settlement towards the east of Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding at least six people. Israeli police said the attacker was then shot and killed by an off-duty officer. Advertisement The shooting happened outside a shopping mall in the sprawling Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim in the occupied West Bank. It is the latest in the most violent stretch of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the territory in nearly two decades. Israeli police at the site of the attack in Maale Adumim on Tuesday in which five people were hurt (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP/PA) Advertisement The Palestinian assailant, who was dressed as a security guard, was shot and killed by an off-duty Israeli police officer who had heard gunshots and rushed to the scene. The Israeli police said the attacker wounded six civilians, who were in a light-to-moderate condition. Advertisement Fighting in the West Bank intensified early last year after Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in response to a spate of attacks against Israelis. The violence spiked this year, with more than 150 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of 2023 in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Advertisement Israel says that most of those killed have been militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the raids and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis during that time. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. Advertisement Nigel Farage said Coutts has offered to reinstate his personal and business accounts, with the former Ukip leader also seeking compensation from the private bank. Mr Farage said the fight goes on as he outlined his desire for a face-to-face meeting with the banks bosses in a bid to understand how many other people have been affected by account closures. Advertisement The former British MEP said his bank account was unfairly shut down by Coutts, owned by NatWest Group, because it did not agree with his political views. Advertisement NatWest has since announced an independent review, with lawyers probing the closure of Mr Farages account and other instances of de-banking by Coutts. Mr Farage, speaking on his GB News programme, said: The new CEO of Coutts, Mo Syed, somebody who has held very senior positions within that bank, is now the boss and he has written to me to say I can keep both my personal and my business accounts. Advertisement And thats good and I thank him for it. But Mr Farage said enormous harm has been done to him in the last few months. Advertisement He added: It has taken up a huge amount of my time and it has cost me, so far, quite a lot of money in legal fees so I have today sent a legal litigation letter to Coutts where I want some full apologies, I want some compensation for my costs, but more important than all of that I want a face-to-face meeting with the banks bosses. I want to find out how many other people in Coutts or NatWest have had accounts closed because of their political opinions, and I want to make sure this never happens to anybody else ever again. So the fight goes on. Mr Farages crusade against NatWest has led to the resignation of chief executive Dame Alison Rose and Coutts boss Peter Flavel, with his campaign on account closures receiving support from ministers and Tory MPs. Advertisement France announced a planned evacuation from Niger on Tuesday after a military coup there won backing from two other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers. The French Foreign Ministry in Paris cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for the decision. Advertisement The closure of Nigers airspace also leaves our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means, the ministry said. The decision to evacuate comes amid a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Nigers democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The entrance of the French embassy was destroyed during anti-French protest in Niger. Photo: Sam Mednick/AP. Advertisement The evacuation began on Tuesday for French and European citizens who wish to leave, the French ministry said in a statement. It gave no other details but estimates that several hundred French citizens are in Niger at the moment. Advertisement In hotels in the capital, French and other European citizens, including some who have worked in the country for years, packed their bags awaiting news of where and when the evacuation would happen. A former French military official who is now training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press: My job is not finished, I hope the situation will finish and one day soon we can come back. They added: This happened very quickly and no one saw this coming. I was really surprised. Advertisement The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it would use force if the coup leaders do not reinstate Mr Bazoum within one week. Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Malis state minister for territorial administration and decentralisation, speaks on state television network ORTM. Photo: ORTM/AP. Mr Bazoums government was one of the Wests last democratic partners against West African extremists. Advertisement In a joint statement from Mali and Burkina Faso, their military governments wrote that any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Malis state minister for territorial administration and decentralisation, read the statement on Malian state TV on Monday evening. The two countries also denounced ECOWAS economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. Advertisement ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Advertisement Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al Qaida and the terrorist group calling itself Islamic State. ECOWAS has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Nigeriens holding a Russian flag and placards participate in a march. Photo: Sam Mednick/AP. Also on Sunday, Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, issued a statement in support of Nigers junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses. In a statement from the ruling party, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, general of the brigade, said: The sanctions measures advocated by ECOWAS, including military intervention, are an option that would not be a solution to the current problem, but would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could extend beyond Nigers borders. He added that the Guinea would not apply the sanctions. In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading down with France, supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. Advertisement There has been no clear explanation of the Russian symbols, but the country seems to symbolise anti-Western feelings for the demonstrators. Protesters also burned down a door and smashed windows at the French Embassy before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, say analysts, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their respective coups. After the second coup in Burkina Faso in September, protesters also attacked the French Embassy in the capital, Ouagadougou, and damaged and ransacked the Institut Francais, Frances international cultural promotion organisation. If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank said that, while unlikely, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic. Mr Lyammouri does not see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger, he said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to defend constitutional order in Niger after the sanctions announcement, and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Mr Bazoum and his family. Advertisement Also on Sunday, junta spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he described as harmful to state security. Observers believe Mr Bazoum is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared on Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chads President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum is believed to be on house arrest. Photo: Boureima Hama/Pool Photo/AP. Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. After neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military and began working with Wagner mercenaries, Mr Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce 150 million US dollars (116 million) in direct assistance, calling the country a model of democracy. The US will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said on Monday. Department spokesman Matt Miller said that aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country. Advertisement He added: US assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday. He said: When people say theres an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, its extremely difficult for people Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership. Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, File/AP. In the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they cant pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Since the 1990s, the 15-nation ECOWAS has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in Gambia to prevent the new presidents predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission. A French military transport plane carrying Europeans left Niger on Tuesday in the first such evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president nearly a week ago and shut its borders. France, Italy and Spain announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals on Tuesday. Advertisement They are concerned that they risk becoming trapped by a military coup that won backing from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers. Frances foreign ministry cited recent violence that targeted its embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for its decision to offer evacuation flights to several hundred of its citizens and other Europeans. It said the closure of Nigers airspace leaves our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means. Advertisement Advertisement French nationals gather as they wait to be airlifted back to France. The French Foreign Ministry in Paris cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy as one of the reasons for the evacuation (Sam Mednick/AP/PA) Spains defence ministry announced preparations to evacuate more than 70 nationals and Italy also said it was arranging a flight. The foreign office in Germany recommended that its citizens accept Frances offer to fly them out. The evacuations come during a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Nigers democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. His apparent overthrow is a blow for Western nations that were working with Niger against West African extremists. Advertisement A former French military official who had been training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press that he was leaving despite the fact that his job is not finished. Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, he said the military takeover happened quickly and took many people by surprise. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it could use force if the coup leaders do not reinstate Mr Bazoum within one week. Advertisement French soldiers assist mostly French nationals in a bus waiting to be airlifted back to France at the international Airport in Niamey, Niger (Sam Mednick/AP/PA) But the new junta got backing from the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso. They said any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. The two countries also denounced ECOWASs economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. Advertisement ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Advertisement Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, also issued a statement in support of Nigers junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses. Since the 1990s, the 15-nation ECOWAS has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success. The evacuations followed violence on Sunday that targeted the French Embassy, with protesters burning down a door and smashing windows before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Thousands of pro-junta supporters took to Niameys streets. Some waved Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the references to Russia, but some demonstrators regard it as a symbol of their anti-Western feelings. Advertisement Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their coups, analysts say. Nigers coup could also embolden jihadi violence, some say. Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al Qaida-linked group known as JNIM, said the military overthrow is exactly what the jihadis want because it will distract and weaken the army. Jihadis are very supportive of this coup that happened in Niger, because it will allow them to become very strong, he said. Mr Moussa, who spoke to the AP in Niamey, is part of a nationwide programme to bring back jihadis, reintegrate them into society and use their help in counterterrorism efforts. It was spearheaded by Mr Bazoum when he was minister of interior and is intended as an alternative to a military solution to stem violence across the country. The AP cannot verify that Mr Moussa actively fought for JNIM. If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. A Western diplomat in Niamey, who did not want to be identified for security reasons, said the first sanctions against the coup plotters have not worked so there is resolve to use military force, which could include troops from Nigeria, Benin and Ivory Coast. Advertisement With the headquarters of the ruling party burning, supporters of mutinous soldiers demonstrate in Niamey, Niger (Fatahoulaye Hassane Midou/AP/PA) Niger is being squeezed and if imports are cut off, gas and food could run out quickly, the diplomat said. Observers believe Mr Bazoum is being held at his house in Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared on Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. Both the US and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. In the capital, many people live in makeshift shelters and struggle daily to make enough money to feed their children. Niger was seen as the last partner working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. The US will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said on Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. US assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. Former US president Donald Trump has been charged by the US Justice Department for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The indictment focuses on schemes by Mr Trump and his allies to subvert the transfer of power and keep him in office despite his loss to Joe Biden. Advertisement It is the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House. A Trump spokesperson likened the new indictment to Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes, calling them un-American. The criminal case comes as Mr Trump leads the field of Republicans seeking their partys 2024 presidential nomination. It centres on the turbulent two months between Mr Trumps November 2020 election loss and the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot. Advertisement Mr Trump denies doing anything wrong. Advertisement The indictment against former president Donald Trump charging him by the Justice Department for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election (Jon Elswick/AP/PA) Shortly before the indictment was unsealed, Mr Trump accused Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths team of trying to interfere with the election with what he called yet another Fake Indictment. Why didnt they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long? he asked on his Truth Social site. Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct! Advertisement The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States government and witness tampering. The indictment follows a long-running federal investigation into schemes by Mr Trump and his allies to subvert the peaceful transfer of power and keep him in office despite a decisive loss to Joe Biden. Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Mr Trump, Tuesdays criminal case was expansive in its allegations that a former president assaulted the underpinnings of democracy in a frantic and ultimately failed effort to cling to power. Federal prosecutors say Donald Trump was determined to remain in power in conspiracies that targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutors said in the indictment that Mr Trump knew his lies about his loss in the 2020 presidential election were false but pushed them anyway. They said that for two months after his loss on November 3rd, 2020, the Republican spread lies to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger and erode public faith in the administration of the election. Mr Trump repeatedly lied about the election even after being warned off his false statements by top government officials, according to the indictment. Prosecutors cited an example in Georgia, where Mr Trump claimed more than 10,000 dead people voted in four days after that states top elections official told him that was not true. Mr Trump lost Georgia to Democrat Joe Biden. Advertisement The Republican contended that there were 205,000 more votes than voters in Pennsylvania after his own acting attorney general told him that was not true. He alleged more than 30,000 noncitizens voted in Arizona even though his own campaign manager said that was false. Mr Trump is due in court on Thursday before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Mr Trumps campaign issued a statement calling the third indictment of the former president nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in what the campaign characterised as a politically motivated witch hunt. Advertisement In a lengthy statement issued as the indictment was released on Tuesday, Mr Trumps campaign complained about the timing, asking why it had taken prosecutors two and a half years to bring the charges, in the middle the campaign and as Republicans ramp up their investigations into US president Joe Biden. The answer is, election interference! the statement said. The campaign stated that President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution, with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys. The criminal case comes while Mr Trump leads the field of Republicans vying to capture their partys presidential nomination. It is likely to be dismissed by the former president and his supporters and even some of his rivals as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the charges stem from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history. They focus on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Mr Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the US Capitol riot on January 6th, 2021, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. Advertisement In between the election and the riot, Mr Trump allegedly urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured former vice president Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. The indictment had been expected since Mr Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department informed him he was a target of its long-running investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Mr Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding. The mounting criminal cases against Mr Trump not to mention multiple civil cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Mr Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president. Rioters loyal to Donald Trump rally at the US Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021 (Jose Luis Magana/AP/PA) In New York, state prosecutors have charged Mr Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to an adult film actor before the 2016 election. The trial begins in late March. In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts against Mr Trump accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from the government. The trial begins in late May. Advertisement The latest federal indictment against Mr Trump focuses heavily on actions taken in Washington, and the trial will be held there, in a court located between the White House he once occupied and the Capitol his supporters stormed. No trial date has been set. Prosecutors in Georgia are investigating efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Joe Biden there in 2020. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce a decision on whether to indict the former president in early August. The investigation of Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election was led by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. His team of prosecutors has questioned senior Trump administration officials before a grand jury in Washington, including Mr Pence and top lawyers from the Trump White House. Rudy Giuliani, the Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors as part of a proffer agreement, in which a persons statements cannot be used against them in any future criminal case that is brought. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and elsewhere who came under pressure from Mr Trump and his associates to change voting results in states won by Mr Biden, a Democrat. Focal points of the Justice Departments election meddling investigation included the role played by some of Mr Trumps lawyers, post-election fundraising, a chaotic December 2020 meeting at the White House in which some Trump aides discussed the possibility of seizing voting machines and the enlistment of fake electors to submit certificates to the National Archives and Congress falsely asserting that Mr Trump, not Mr Biden, had won their states votes. Mr Trump has been trying to use the mounting legal troubles to his political advantage, claiming without evidence on social media and at public events that the cases are being driven by Democratic prosecutors out to hurt his 2024 election campaign. The indictments have helped his campaign raise millions of dollars from supporters, though he raised less after the second than the first, raising questions about whether subsequent charges will have the same impact. A fundraising committee backing Mr Trumps candidacy began soliciting contributions just hours after the ex-president revealed he was the focus of the Justice Departments January 6 investigation, casting it as just another vicious act of Election Interference on behalf of the Deep State to try and stop the Silent Majority from having a voice in your own country. Then-president Donald Trump at a rally in Washington on January 6, 2021 (Jacquelyn Martin/File/AP/PA) Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Mr Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Departments public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the 2020 election and Mr Trumps retention of hundreds of classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Mr Trump has derided him as deranged and suggested that he is politically motivated, Mr Smiths experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats. The Justice Departments investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election began well before Mr Smiths appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the January 6 rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy. Former US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he heard that special counsel Jack Smith will announce an indictment against him at 5pm ET (10pm Irish time), according to a post on the Truth Social app. Mr Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, was informed earlier this month by Mr Smiths office that he was a target of the Justice Departments investigation, suggesting that an indictment could be soon. Advertisement The investigation has focused on the turbulent two-month period after the November 2020 election in which Mr Trump refused to accept his loss to Democrat Joe Biden and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the January 6th riot at the US Capitol, when loyalists to Mr Trump violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. Advertisement More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to that assault. In between the election and the riot, Mr Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured then vice president Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen despite the fact that numerous federal and local officials, a long list of courts, top former campaign staffers and even his own attorney general have all said there is no evidence of the fraud he alleges. Although we hope the publishers editors dont rely on Wikipedia for fact-checking: immediately following the retirement news, an unscrupulous contributor altered Franklins career statistics to claim hed scored 1998379826712831 goals. Surely the truth is impressive enough. PASSING THE BUCKLAND Accounting went from blah to blood-boiling when it emerged that former PwC partner Peter Collins had leaked confidential government tax crackdown plans to his firm, which used that information to drum up business. The two-timing only came to light this year when the Tax Practitioners Board published its reasons for disqualifying Collins registration for two years. CBD has chanced upon another fascinating Tax Practitioners Board matter. The regulator sought an interim injunction against Anthony Dean Buckland, accusing him and Apat, the Philippines-based company that bought his business in 2017, of preparing and lodging tax returns for about 600 taxpayers while not being registered tax agents. But Buckland, who lost his tax registration in 2017 and now describes himself as an artificial intelligence consultant, has denied providing tax services. He argued these taxpayers may in fact have interacted with somebody purporting to be him or a bot. The Federal Court last week said the evidence was arguably capable of showing Apat was providing tax services through people or bots and restrained Buckland from preparing and lodging income tax returns. Buckland, who recently advertised one-day courses on AI for senior government and private firm executives, senior lawyers, senior accountants and other senior industry managers, did not respond to our request for comment. HAWKESBURY HEAT A spectacular spat between Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon and councillor Nathan Zamprogno came to the boil on Friday at a Liberal state executive meeting, which passed a motion brought by McMahon to suspend Zamprogno from the party. This tale of woe commenced in 2021, when Zamprogno failed to secure preselection on the Liberal ticket before the local government election. He was granted permission to run as an independent and remain in the party. Since then, according to a brief of evidence sent to the state executive, his attacks on good locally elected Liberals seems to have no end. And in true Gen X style, Facebook is the chosen battleground. Included in the evidence is a photo Zamprogno posted showing piles of documents building up on McMahons desk (although he didnt name her in the post), which the evidence claims sought to allege she was lazy, didnt read her business papers and therefore was not worth a vote. The authors also took issue with the councillor liking a Photoshop job that cut Sarahs head off and jammed it onto a bulldozer to make a statement about development in the region. In a letter sent to state director Chris Stone last month, McMahon sent recent screenshots of Zamprogno liking Facebook comments that cast the Liberals as incompetent and out of touch and a party of corruption and self-interest. Loading I am over being embarrassed by this man, reporting it to the party and having nothing done to stop it. Please assist us. We cannot continue to operate like this. For Zamprognos part, the high school teacher maintained in a letter sent to the state executive that McMahons motive was simply to eliminate yet another rival. When I have taken positions at variance to my Liberal colleagues, it has been in support of sound Liberal principles. Ive always backed our Liberal candidates and MPs, manning a booth for all our Liberal candidates, even Sarah, since 1996. (Not our emphasis.) When approached, Zamprogno declined to comment, citing internal party rules, as did McMahon. BOOTCAMP IN WINE COUNTRY Given the allure of a European summer and cashed-up junkets at this time of year, CBD is cheered to note a group of soul-bettering pollies convened in the Adelaide Hills for ministerial bootcamp last month. Since 2021 the McKinnon Institute for Political Leadership has spirited away a select gaggle of 20 politicians to hone leadership skills, practise active listening and cultivate ministerial longevity during a five-day residential intensive. Last years event was held in the Hunter Valley, leading CBD to believe these learnings can only be achieved while deep in wine country. Bridget Archer headed for the Hills for a five-day political leadership intensive. Credit: James Brickwood The program is backed by the Susan McKinnon Foundation, which aims to improve our governments and democracy (we pray they are thoroughly cashed up). The foundation was set up by Sophie Oh and entrepreneur Grant Rule, who sold his SMS marketing technology company MessageMedia in 2021 for $US1.3 billion. A set of bedsheets in the background of dark web videos led to the arrest of a childcare worker for allegedly abusing 91 young girls across NSW and Queensland. Detectives first spotted one of the alleged abusers videos in the dark corners of the internet nine years ago and began scouring the frames of this video and others for clues. It was only in August 2022 that the breakthrough came from one clue the bedsheets which were traced back to a specific manufacturer, who supplied childcare centres in Queensland. On Tuesday morning, a 45-year-old Gold Coast man was charged with 1623 child abuse offences, including 136 counts of rape and 604 counts of indecent treatment of a child. Police allege the offences were committed in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas. Weve relaunched the Brisbane Times. Take a look at our best stories. The news Aircraft would use alternate flight paths over Brisbane on different days of the week under a proposal to share the burden of noise in the suburbs. The number of Brisbane flights over Moreton Bay would increase, with Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast flights pushed further offshore to accommodate the changes. Following a consultation process, Airservices Australia will start by changing flight paths over Brisbanes northern and western suburbs, then turn its attention to the southern suburbs. It was revealed in March that Redlich wrote to the lower house speaker and upper house president in his final days as commissioner to claim the Labor MPs on the former iteration of the oversight committee had instructed an independent auditor to dig up dirt on IBAC. The then commissioner was concerned the government was seeking revenge for a series of ongoing investigations. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich. Redlich reiterated those concerns during Mondays appearance, insisting political issues influenced or interfered with the way in which the committee had previously conducted itself. The government relinquished control of the oversight committee and installed Greens MP Tim Read as chair in late March, following an 11th hour deal with the Greens and the Legalise Cannabis Party to avoid an upper house inquiry into Redlichs letter. But rather than focus on Redlichs concerns, the current Labor members of the oversight committee used Mondays session to pepper the former judge with questions about a termination payment in IBACs annual report and whether he had ever engaged in workplace bullying. The Age contacted all four Labor members of the committee to give them an opportunity to explain their approach during the hearing.In response, The Age received a joint statement in which the MPs declared they take their parliamentary responsibilities seriously. Mr Redlich personally signed off on IBACs 2021-22 annual report, so we consider it appropriate to ask him questions about its contents, consistent with the purpose of the inquiry, the group said. All questions we asked were within the written guidance provided to all members by the independent chair of the committee. None of the government members questions were ruled out of order by the independent chair. When asked if the premiers office wrote MPs questions, a government spokeswoman said: Questions asked by members of the Integrity and Oversight Committee are matters for them. Loading Redlich told The Age that issues of centralisation of power werent unique to Victoria, but warned these issues were often compounded the longer a government was in power. Labor minister Harriet Shing a former member of the oversight committee was asked to respond to the former judges concerns on Tuesday morning. I dont intend to run a commentary on anything which Mr Redlich has said as a private citizen, she said. Asked if that response was good enough for the people of Victoria, Shing replied: Well, thats a question that you no doubt will run commentary on, and Ill leave that up to you. Opposition MPs previously accused Shing of using confidentiality laws during her time as the head of the integrity committee to prevent corruption agencies from discussing matters that could have been politically damaging for the premier. Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing. Credit: Chris Hopkins In May 2022, Shing ordered a staffer to cut the feed during a committee hearing in which Redlich was asked why Andrews was interviewed by IBAC in private. That same month, the now water minister stopped Ombudsman Deborah Glass from answering questions about the notorious red shirts rort. Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said her colleagues act appropriately at all times. Theres various mechanisms for those decisions to have the opportunity to be scrutinised, whether its through parliamentary forums or others, she said. Loading Integrity experts such as former Supreme Court judge Stephen Charles have called on the Andrews government to broaden Victorias definition of corruption to bring it in line with NSW. The hope is that an overhaul would crack down on grey corruption, which is corruption that falls just shy of the legal definition. Redlich spoke about that issue during a Tuesday morning interview with ABC presenter Virginia Trioli. Its important to understand thats where the majority of corruption occurs, he said. Not with people who get money in their pocket, by way of a bribe. But, regrettably, [those] who will be overly influenced by political gain or some other irrelevant and improper consideration, and therefore do not make a decision which serves the public interest. Operation Daintree is the most glaring example of that. We found no crime was committed. But we found serious misconduct at every level. Thats corruption. But Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, the leader of the government in the lower house, said an expanded definition of corruption is not on the governments agenda. We have a full legislative program already which well be focused on, Thomas said. Loading Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the Coalition was open to expanding Victorias definition of corruption, should it win office in 2026. Well have constructive discussions with anybody whos interested as we are in cleaning up corruption in Victoria, he said. Greens leader Samantha Ratnam labelled Redlichs concerns a damning indictment on the health of Victorias integrity system. A Perth teenager who went on a Christmas Eve kangaroo killing spree has been sentenced to eight months in prison for deliberately mowing down 11 of the animals. Boston King, 18, was sentenced on Tuesday for what a magistrate described as the extraordinarily cruel, sadistic, barbaric slaughter in 2022. He had admitted to drinking with friends at a pub in the outer northern suburb of Bullsbrook before driving his Landcruiser into the kangaroos. During the sentencing at Midland Magistrates Court in the citys north-east on Tuesday, the gallery heard Boston drove into the first kangaroo before pausing and exiting his vehicle and using a knife to cut off the animals tail and leg, hanging the leg on a nearby fence. He then drove on, mounting kerbs and hitting more animals in what he described as having fun while being encouraged by two friends who were passengers in the car. A 40-year-old letter shows prospectors Lang Hancock and Peter Wright remained committed to sharing a portion of billions of dollars in royalties from their iron ore discoveries with another pioneering prospector, the West Australian Supreme Court has been told. The high-stakes civil case to retrieve billions of dollars in iron ore royalties from Hancocks daughter Gina Rinehart been dominated by testimony supporting the claim of Wright's descendants, but this week the family of often-forgotten prospector Don Rhodes outlined their claim to the court. Mining pioneers Don Rhodes (inset), Peter Wright and Lang Hancock. Credit: WAtoday Wright Prospecting claims the Hope Downs tenement, discovered by the school friends-turned-business partners Hancock and Wright, and home to four operational mines owned by Rineharts Hancock Prospecting and Rio Tinto, was held jointly under a 1980s partnership deed. However, Rhodes family company, DFD Rhodes, insists the critical role Rhodes played in discovering the mammoth iron ore deposit entitled him to a 1.25 per cent stake in its proceeds. A former Perth bikie who killed his ex-partner in a murder-suicide on Thursday would have been in jail if not for a review board releasing him early for his good behaviour. Luke Noormets, 33, shot dead his long-term partner Georgia Lyall, 32, inside her South Guildford home on Thursday morning just months after the pair, who shared a child, split. He then called 000 to alert them to the death before setting his Innaloo house on fire and taking his own life. The former Rebels nominee was jailed in 2019 for torturing a drug dealer and sentenced to seven years jail by a District Court judge. His earliest release date was meant to be June 2024, however, the Prisoners Review Board decided to release him on parole two years early, in June 2022. The Albanese governments threat to hold an early election over its signature $10 billion housing policy will draw a step closer when the laws return to parliament on Wednesday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has left the door open to a double dissolution of both houses of parliament and an early election though not before 2024 as he ratchets up pressure on the Coalition and Greens to back the policy Labor took to the election. Housing Minister Julie Collins will reintroduce Labors $10 billion housing bill to parliament on Wednesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The Coalition and Greens teamed up to stop the passage of the housing bill in June. The reintroduction of the unchanged legislation, with a vote delayed until October, means three months will have elapsed, setting up a double-dissolution trigger if it again fails to pass. That ups the heat on the Greens, which want Labor to significantly boost its plan to spend $500 million a year to build 30,000 social and affordable homes over five years and freeze rents, to back the governments policy or face voters. UB launches graduate degree in global health and international development Lack of sanitation and access to clean water, which is not only a barrier to health but also educational and economic opportunity, demonstrates the complexity of global health challenges in low-resource settings around the world. Photo: Wikimedia, NEWAH WASH water project in Puware Shikhar, Udayapur District, Nepal With this program, UB is reimagining the global health landscape, redefining the way we look at health inequities facing communities today, and the methods and partners we engage to address such inequities. In a bid to support a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of achieving global health equity by 2030, UB has launched a first-of-its kind Master of Science in International Development and Global Health (MSIDGH). The intensively interdisciplinary program is designed to address widening gaps in human health globally through the socioeconomic, environmental and geopolitical arenas of international development. With this program, UB is reimagining the global health landscape, redefining the way we look at health inequities facing communities today, and the methods and partners we engage to address such inequities, says Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah, associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning and director of the new program. Through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, the MSIDGH will prepare students as agile problem-solvers attuned to the path-dependent, broken and unjust systems behind global health disparities. From water stress and poor sanitation to inadequate housing for refugees, and from the looming crisis of drug-resistant pathogens to the rise of novel viruses, the factors behind global health inequity are highly complex, requiring coordinated action across sectors at every scale. At the root of the problem are legacies of political, legal and economic systems and social norms that exclude traditionally marginalized populations from power and resources. Indeed, the most glaring divides in health equity can be seen today in postcolonial and settler-colonial contexts throughout the Global South. Tackling these vast and multifaceted challenges requires a new approach to education and training, according to leaders of UBs new program one that breaks down disciplinary and industry silos, and zeroes in on questions of social justice. Jointly hosted by UBs schools of Public Health and Health Professions and Architecture and Planning, the MSIDGH combines coursework as diverse as refugee health, the politics of water, epidemiology and infectious disease, the built environment and health, and environmental planning. A signature of the 36-credit program is a semester-long field placement where students will conduct focused research through direct engagement with community stakeholders in diverse global settings. Students from any undergraduate major are eligible to apply, particularly those with backgrounds in public health, environmental design and international development. The program also serves as a post-professional path of study for those working domestically or overseas in the global health and international development arena. Launching in fall 2023, the MSIDGH is the curricular outgrowth of a nearly decade-long research, education and community-engagement effort in global health equity at UB. Following the same transdisciplinary model, UBs Community for Global Health Equity (CGHE) convenes experts in the health sciences with architects, urban planners, engineers and social workers to develop innovative policy solutions and tools that improve global health equity. Since its founding in 2015, the CGHE has mobilized internationally funded research on sustainable and equitable food systems, refugee health and housing, environmental health including safe and accessible water and sanitation, and child and adolescent health. Frimpong Boamah, who is also co-director of the CGHE, says MSIDGH students will work closely with many of CGHEs affiliated faculty, with opportunities to align their field experience with ongoing research in settings as diverse as Ghana, Kashmir, Bangladesh, Uganda, Nepal, Jamaica and Colombia. The MSIDGH provides a key educational platform to translate UBs pioneering scholarship as training for tomorrows global health and development workforce, he says. Emphasizing a model of collaborative learning, the programs field semester demonstrates the value of local knowledge in addressing global health inequity, adds Katarzyna Kordas, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health, School of Public Health and Health Professions and co-director of the MSIDGH. Similar to CGHEs model of community-driven research, the MSIDGH field experience is about mutual learning and giving, says Kordas, whose research has taken her to communities in Uruguay to study the effects of environmental exposure on childrens health. Program directors say the MSIDGH will focus heavily on the legacies of colonial policies as enduring structural precursors of privilege and bias as barriers to global health equity. This intentionality will be embedded throughout the curriculum and supported by lectures and visits from global practitioners, maintaining space for organic dialogue within each cohort. As faculty and students, we will explore how our own silos, disciplines and geographies impact our ability to frame problems, Frimpong Boamah explains. Prior to the field experience, students will spend a month studying their research question at the local scale in Buffalo. The goal is to have students understand how to view problems in an interconnected way, Frimpong Boamah says, adding that COVID-19 was a wake-up call on the importance of local-to-global coordination. For example, students might trace how sanitation issues, such as electronic waste in Accra, Ghana, relate to our hyper techno-consumerist behavior in Western countries. Upon completion of their field work, students will codify and present their findings for dissemination through academic and professional networks in global health and international development. Graduates of the program will be well positioned to take on work with government agencies, think tanks, and international and local nongovernmental organizations including the World Health Organization, U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.N. and the World Bank. The diversity of the incoming class mirrors the programs inspiration. Current registrants include students with degrees in engineering, public health, sociology, international development, biology and global affairs. An international mix, the students hail from New York; Michigan; Washington, D.C.; Ghana; and Tanzania. Many already have international field experience. We took a trip to Paris with Ex Nihilo to get an exclusive, intimate look at the brand from its foundershere are five fascinating things we learned In just a short decade, Ex Nihilo has gone from a radical concept to a global brand thats redefining the world of high perfumery. First opening the doors to its Paris flagship on Rue St. Honore in December of 2013, the brand had one mission: to disrupt and to innovate. READ: Exclusive: How Ex Nihilo is using tech to reinvent the world of fragrance as we know it Since then, it has established itself as a coveted leader in the niche fragrance space with its tech-led innovations and anti-traditionalist ethos. In fact, as of this year, Ex Nihilo is officially available in 33 countries across the world with seven flagships across major cities. We headed to Paris to celebrate Ex Nihilos (early) 10-year anniversary and to get an intimate inside look at the fragrance house from co-founder Benoit Verdier. Here are five fascinating things we learned during our whirlwind trip: Fact 1: None of Ex Nihilos three founders are perfumers by trade This may be unexpected for a fragrance brandespecially one of this calibrebut the varied backgrounds of Ex Nihilo founders Benoit Verdier, Olivier Royere and Sylvie Loday are the reason for the indie brands immense success. Verdier explains that the varied backgrounds of the three co-founders have allowed them to bring a fresh perspective of fragrance to the otherwise traditional space: We dont share the more conservative ideas of most of the fragrance industry, so we have been very open to change. Thats how weve managed to evolve and carve out our own footprint. Not being perfumers was a great advantage for us to see Ex Nihilo as more of a platform that could offer a 360 experience. We take inspiration from the perfumers we work with, but also from architects and designers, and from places that people in our field dont normally look for [inspiration], he elaborates, going on to describe the dynamic of the trio within the company. I think we all complement each others skills, which has been very important in our growth. Im more of a marketing and creative direction guy, so I needed people to back me with the financial and operational aspects. Sylvie had a former background at Givaudan, so she made the link with our brand and the industry and also the perfumers. Olivier had this very serious and eye-level banking background, so he handles the financial aspects of the business. Fact 2: Ex Nihilo was one of the first brands to bring its perfumers into the spotlight View this post on Instagram A post shared by EX NIHILO Paris Official (@exnihiloparis) While storytelling is now a core part of fragrance marketing today, its really only a recent development for the fragrance industryand Verdiers longstanding experience in marketing within the luxury sector is exactly what inspired him to push to highlight the master perfumers behind each of the brands scents. 10 years ago, when Ex Nihilo first started, no one was communicating on the nose of the perfumes nor the materials used, except for Frederic Malle and us. I think it gives more choice to the customersmore transparency, he says. Knowing who is behind your favourite fragrances and how they came to be from concept to production is a nice evolution for the future. Fact 3: They are one of the few beauty brands in the industry to offer a fully customisable fragrance service Inside the Givaudan Laboratory While we were in Paris, we had the pleasure of visiting both Givaudan Laboratory and Ex Nihilos Rue Saint Honore storethats where we saw both the creation of the brands fragrances in action, as well as experienced its personalisation service. Introducing: The Osmologue. Its the highlight of the brands Paris flagship store and is the physical culmination of the brands tech-forward identity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EX NIHILO Paris Official (@exnihiloparis) The prototype Osmologuethe first of its kindpictured in the Ex Nihilo Paris flagship. Essentially a scaled-down version of the fragrance-creating machinery at Givaudan Laboratory, the Osmologue allows Ex Nihilo customers to personalise any fragrance from the brands Initiale and Babylone collections with the absolutes of iris padilla, vanilla bourbon, musk and more. The Osmologue is exactly the same Swiss technology from the Givaudan fragrance laboratory, but we made it more tailor-made for our needs, Verdier explains. We managed to make it smaller, a little bit smarter, more easy to use, and more convenient. We wanted it to be more visual, more entertaining and more transparent so our customers would be able to see the whole process behind the creation of our fragrances. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EX NIHILO Paris Official (@exnihiloparis) The fragrance personalisation in session I think this is what people are looking forto be part of the process, Verdier continues. And, you dont have to wait for six months to get the results! You can go home directly with it. Post-pandemic, people are craving that sensorial, experiential experience. Thats why were also keeping it very exclusive, creating a destination experience in-store makes it very special. Fact 4: The packaging is both practical and pretty View this post on Instagram A post shared by EX NIHILO Paris Official (@exnihiloparis) Regarding attention to detail, the Ex Nihilo team has really thought of it all. The packaging for the luxury brands fragrances is neither boring nor grandiose. Rather, its a thoughtful compromise between aesthetics and functionality. Each fragrance is packaged in a foam box wrapped in a card sheet, the former made from recycled material and the latter fully recyclable. Its a simple design that has been chosen for an ingenious reason: What makes the packaging from the box special is the foam we use. Its a recycled material, explains Verdier. It has a function. When I travel, I dont want my fragrance to break in my luggage! And I dont want to travel with it in my shoes or in my socksI want something that will protect my fragrance from the light (all fragrances are photosensitive) and that will protect my precious fragrance from changes in temperature. The foam does all this. Plus, all our packaging does also have a second life, he adds proudly. Once youre done, you can throw it in the paper dustbin and it can be reused. Its crushed into a powder and can be used to create roads in the streets. Fun fact: The foam was initially used by Dom Perignon on certain precious champagnes, and its many applications gave the Ex Nihilo trio the idea to introduce it to the fragrance industry. The flacon itself, of course, is as luxurious as they come, complete with a clear glass bottle, weighty metal caps and delicate embossing. We love this idea of being neoclassical. We discussed techno-craftsmanship, where a lot of technology and innovation goes into our brand, but also a lot of things are made by hand, Verdier begins. When you remove the box, you have this beautiful, timeless, made-in-France, very minimalist glass bottle. But it goes together with the outer packaging as an experience. Fact 5: All of Ex Nihilos fragrances are genderless View this post on Instagram A post shared by EX NIHILO Paris Official (@exnihiloparis) The philosophy behind Ex Nihilos fragrance collections revolves around comfort and versatilitythese are scents to be lived in. Moreover, the brands fragrance creations are meant to be worn by everyone, according to Verdier: All our fragrances are genderless, something we can share. The ambition of the brand is to talk to a new generation and to keep disrupting the status quo of the industry. Its not too elitist. The interview excerpts have been edited for length and clarity. Find more beauty reads here. The Smart Cube News Summary The Smart Cube (a WNS company), a global provider of strategic research and analytics solutions, has released the latest version of Amplifi PRO, its on-demand digital procurement intelligence platform, with new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) functionality providing enhanced search. WIPRO News Summary Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology services and consulting company, has been recognized as a Leader by ISG Provider Lens in their CybersecuritySolutions and Services report for Singapore and Malaysia. Monday, July 31, 2023 at 11:26PM Photo: Nintendo A new leak claims that Nintendo is working on its "next-gen" console, which will be another hybrid device like the Switch. However, it will have an LED screen instead of an OLED one to cut down on production costs. The leak also suggests that the console will launch in the second half of 2024, with developers already having access to devkits. This launch window matches a previous rumour and Nintendo's own statements. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa told investors they should not expect new hardware until after the fiscal year 2023, which ends on March 31, 2024. This also aligns with the typical console generation cycle, as the Switch celebrated its sixth anniversary in March. Furukawa also recently hinted that Nintendo is ready for a "smooth transition" to new hardware, confirming that an upgrade is on the way. The news comes as Switch sales are dropping. Shipments for 2022 were down by more than 22 percent, and Nintendo predicts another 15 percent decline for FY2023. A report from Nikkei earlier this year also supported a similar timeframe based on Nintendo's talks with its parts suppliers. The leak did not reveal much else about the console, except that it will have "a cartridge slot" for physical games, which may or may not be different from the current Switch's port. The console's specs are still unknown, but we can hope for more powerful processors. The Switch has struggled to run some recent games, such as Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendos latest AAA release, runs well on the old system, but it may benefit from a boost in performance and graphics. Source The SNAP 2023 exam will be held in December. The Symbiosis International (Deemed) University will soon release the SNAP test dates and registration schedule for 2023. The SNAP 2023 registration procedure is expected to begin on August 4, 2023. Candidates in the SNAP Test have the option of taking three attempts. The top three attempts' scores will be evaluated for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes provided by SIU constituent institutes. Overview Name of the Examination Symbiosis National Aptitude Test 2023 Conducting Body Symbiosis International University (SIU) Exam Category Post Graduate Exam Level National Official website https://www.snaptest.org/ All SNAP score accepting Symbiosis MBA colleges, including SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, and SIOM Nashik, will use SNAP score and percentile for MBA admission 2024. Those who apply early have a better chance of being assigned to their selected test city and test day. Individual shortlists for each of the 15 Symbiosis MBA colleges will be released one by one. Symbiosis International University has been holding the SNAP test on three distinct dates with a changing pattern since 2020. These three SNAP exams are one hour long and moderately demanding. Exam Structure There will only be multiple-choice questions, with a total of 60 questions. The time allotted to answer the questions is one hour. Each question will be worth one mark, with a negative marking of 0.25 points for each incorrect response. Syllabus The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi has been asked by the union health ministry to limit PhD students' or scientists' time spent working on research projects to six years. The AIIMS administration has not yet put the directive into effect, though. Students Protesting PhD students and scientists working on research papers at AIIMS have been protesting the decision for the past few days. In accordance with the direction the health ministry published on July 12, "Project staff will not be allowed to continue or be hired to serve beyond six years of cumulative engagement in the institute," according to PTI. Additionally, it specifies that subject to the previously indicated restriction of six years of cumulative engagement and other applicable terms, "Hiring/shifting of current staff to any fresh or ongoing project may be allowed and to compete with fresh applicants." Decision in Consideration On July 10, the AIIMS administration delayed its earlier decision suspending the recruitment and selection of research workers, noting that the procedures for doing so were being examined, after concerns from scientists. On July 12, the ministry sent a new direction to the AIIMS administration, urging it to set a six-year maximum for the length of time one employee may work on projects there. According to the Society of Young Scientists, a number of researchers and PhD candidates have claimed that the immediate layoff of 1,400 employees-including technical staff and researchers-at several AIIMS projects will result from the cap on projects. After its preview at the Manila International Auto Show and the subsequent arrival of its first batch of units , its now official: Chery A... Ian Emes, a celebrated British filmmaker best known for working with musical acts like Pink Floyd, Duran Duran, and Paul and Linda McCartney, has passed away. He was 73. Emes was born on August 17, 1949, in Handsworth, Birmingham, England. He studied at the Birmingham College of Art, picking up a first-class honors degree in painting and sculpture. He worked across numerous mediums including drawing, painting, sculpture, kinetic art, light shows, photography, and film. He also studied art history, specializing in Surrealism and the Dadaist movement. He participated in the schools Experimental Workshop in 1970 and 1971, working under artist Roger Westwood. There, he shot live-action 8mm films featuring hand-built sets and models. In 1972 and 1973, he attended Birmingham Polytechnic and got a first-class honors degree in graphic design. There, he was offered a spot in the schools new animation department and began experimenting with rotoscoping. Speaking with Vice in 2012 about his earliest filmmaking attempts, Emes recalled: I built everything myself. I was an untutored animator when I first saw Yellow Submarine and was so excited about it, especially the Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds sequence, which is a rotoscope, a method where you project live-action frame-by-frame when you draw it. It felt like the perfect solution for me because I was interested in little bouncy characters. It occurred to me that animation could be the moving version of my painting. It was also at Birmingham Polytechnic that Emes was inspired to make his first musical animated short, French Windows, set to Pink Floyds One of These Days. Emes was inspired to use Pink Floyds music in part because of the groups architectural background. They went to architecture college and so I think their music creates spaces, Emes said in a 2012 interview. It creates environments of sound and I was so stimulated that my mind would soar, and so I would see images that were stimulated by the music. French Windows eventually aired on the BBC program Old Grey Whistle Test where Pink Floyd keyboard player Rick Wright saw it for the first time. Wright quickly reached out to Emes and asked him to meet in person. Emes obliged and screened the short for the full band, who then asked him to work on the Time Sequence of their Dark Side of the Moon concert film. Mike Oldfield was also impressed with Emess animation and in 1974 commissioned him to create animated sequences to use for his performances of Tubular Bells. Emes agreed and created a series of looping animations that were inspired by the work of M.C. Escher. In 1978, Emes directed the music video for The Oriental Nightfish for Paul and Linda McCartney. The ambitious three-and-a-half minute video took Emes and four assistants eight months to complete, and the film screened in the short film competition at Cannes in 1978. The following year, Emes slipped a copy of his animated short The Beard through Stanley Kubricks mail slot, asking if the director would like to screen it ahead of The Shining, which was filming at the time. His request never got a response, but Emes believed that Kubrick did watch the film and that it inspired the famous scene in which Jack Nicholsons character axed through a bathroom door. Speaking to Vice in 2012, Emes said: What happened is, he lived in England, and I knew where he lived, so I put The Beard through his letterbox. I didnt hear anything from him and then came the axing scene, which may have been nothing, but I swear its something. Especially because of the timing, Im sure theres a connection. Judge for yourself here. By 1980, Emes was a bona fide star of the U.K.s independent animation world. His work was the subject of a retrospective at the National Film Theatre and Campaign Magazine dubbed him Britains foremost animator. It was at that time that Emes began working in live-action as well. In 1982, he collaborated with Duran Duran on the music video for their song The Chauffeur, and in 1984, his film Goodie-Two-Shoes won the BAFTA and received an Academy Award nomination for best short film. In 1987, he wrote and directed his feature debut, Knights & Emeralds. In 1990, Emes directed sequences for Roger Waters The Wall Live in Berlin. More than 350,000 people attended the show, making it one of the largest rock and roll concerts of all time. Those in attendance saw Emess work projected onto the remains of the Berlin Wall, an indelible image from that transformative time. From 1992 to 1998 he served as the in-house director at Ridley Scott Associates producing and directing film and tv content. Emes stayed busy throughout the late-1990s and early 2000s, frequently reuniting with Pink Floyd. In 2002, he was nominated for a BAFTA for his work on the series Sir Gadabout: The Worst Knight in the Land, and from 2009-2016 he directed numerous episodes of the preschool series Bookaboo, for which he won multiple BAFTAs. In 2019, Pink Floyd released their 15th and final studio album The Endless River, and asked Emes to direct the film adaptation of the work. The long-time collaborators mourned Emess passing on their Twitter account. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Feature: Chinese medical schools empower more young Afghan doctors Xinhua) 16:57, August 01, 2023 KABUL, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hizbullah Bahir, a young professor at Kandahar University of Afghanistan, wore a broad smile as he recalled his study days in China, suggesting that he would spell a bright future for Afghan students by sharing his knowledge and experience. "I think we must strongly encourage the younger generation of Afghanistan by sharing our exquisite experience acquired in China. With our expertise, we can invest and share our knowledge with the people of Afghanistan while making them aware of the facilities and programs available in foreign nations," he said. Teaching at the university's healthcare and physical therapy department, Bahir began his study in China in 2018 and obtained a master's degree in therapeutic studies after graduating from the renowned Peking University in 2021. Now, he is engaged in healthcare and education to serve his war-torn homeland in progressing to monitor and accelerate quality education implementation in the impoerished country. As one of the successful Afghan students who were granted scholarships to pursue higher degrees, Bahir said China is reinforcing "a big stride" in quality education. He said the friendly Afghanistan-China relations have an extraordinary influence on Afghan students focusing on medicine and healthcare sectors, which was one of the reasons that helped him make the right decision to complete his higher education there. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in July, China welcomes all sides implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, promoting inclusiveness and coexistence among all civilizations, and increasing mutual understanding and friendship among all nations. China has been endeavoring to deepen cooperation among the SCO member countries in education, science and technology, culture, health, sport and media. In three years, China will provide member states with 1,000 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, offer 3,000 "Chinese Bridge" summer camp opportunities, and invite 100 young scientists to China for scientific research exchanges. Public health facilities in Afghanistan are underfunded and under-resourced, lacking qualified personnel, equipment, medicines and medical supplies. Shafiullah Ahmadzai has been trying to empower communities at the grassroots level to curb the spread of malnutrition and mental health diseases. Interventions include the provision of primary healthcare as well as robust public health education. Ahmadzai, who completed his study at the Binzhou Medical University in east China's Shandong Province in 2022, now works as a trainee doctor at the Afghan Mercy Hospital in the capital Kabul. "Our people in Afghanistan need us, and we must be available to serve them at any cost," he said. "Afghanistan is a poor nation, the people of the country live in poverty and most of the patients, who come to the hospital including children, suffer from malnutrition and mental diseases that directly indicate poor lifestyle and lack of access to good medical and health facilities." Ahmadzai was impressed by China's advanced technology and high-quality education. While studying medicine in China, he learned various traditional treatment methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine. "Acupuncture is one of the best and most useful medicines," said Ahmadzai, adding that he also applied massotherapy to treating his Afghan patients. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga academic program dedicated to preparing future professionals to meet rapidly expanding needs in the field of cybersecurity has won renewed funding from the National Science Foundations CyberCorps Scholarship for Service initiative.The UTC program, Collaborative Research: CyberCorps Scholarship for Service: Strengthening the National Cybersecurity Workforce With Integrated Learning of AI/ML and Cybersecurity, is among seven American university programs selected for renewed funding of more than $24 million from NSF over the next four years, the agency announced today.The UTC program is overseen by Dr.Mengjun Xie, a UC Foundation associate professor and director of the UTC Information Security (InfoSec) Center: A National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.The successful renewal of the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service award symbolizes an impressive endorsement of our university and cybersecurity programs by the National Science Foundation, Dr. Xie said. This highly selective award demonstrates the exceptional quality and capacity of our cybersecurity education and research. The award will strengthen our stature as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and reinforce UTCs commitment to enhancing the nations cybersecurity workforce and capacity through innovative educational programs and cutting-edge research.The UTC program was launched in 2017 with funding of $1.5 million from NSFs CyberCorps Scholarship for Service initiative. After graduation, former scholarship recipients are required to work in the cybersecurity mission of a federal, state, local or tribal government organization or other designated entities for a period equal to the length of the scholarship, according to NSF. UTC program alumni have gone on to careers with TVA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, among other federal agencies, said UTC Professor of Computer Science Hong Qin.The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UTC takes pride in the SFS Cyber Corps program, recognizing it as an extraordinary opportunity for our students who are committed to national service. Through this program, we endeavor to enhance awareness of the rapidly expanding field of cybersecurity, emphasize its critical role in our digital world and encourage more students to journey into this rewarding career path, Dr. Qin said.Furthermore, the synergy between cybersecurity, AI (artificial intelligence), quantum computing and the Chattanooga Quantum Initiative presents exceptional opportunities for regional economic growth. This initiative aligns with our continual efforts to attract a diverse talent pool and boost enrollment in our department, ultimately strengthening our community of aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Our aim is to shape a future where our graduates are at the forefront of advancing cybersecurity, contributing not just to the safety of our digital spaces, but also to regional and national economic prosperity.For more than 20 years, NSFs CyberCorps SFS program has developed the U.S. cybersecurity workforce and aligns with the White Houses newly released National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy: Unleashing Americas Cyber Talent, the agency stated in an announcement earlier today.NSFs funding renewal builds on $29 million in funding announced earlier this year.Cybersecurity is critical to our nations economic and national security. Through this program, NSF has helped more than 4,500 students get the degrees they need to be part of the cybersecurity workforce and helped them give back through public service, said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. With this announcement, NSF reaffirms its commitment to invest in institutions that have demonstrated exceptional success and innovative advancements to their existing projects with the aim of fostering a robust workforce and growing interest in cybersecurity careers.UTC is among 98 institutions currently participating in the CyberCorps SFS program across 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the fatal shooting last week of a 15-year-old at 3920 Marigold Drive. Police were dispatched to the residence on reports of a burglary in progress at 8:25 p.m. on Wednesday. When they arrived, they found the 15-year-old boy had been shot several times inside the residence. He was rushed to the hospital but died from his wounds. The 17-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. A woman at the Hidden Creek Apartments, 7710 E. Brainerd Road, told police a man at the pool was acting weird and got really close to her, making her feel very uncomfortable. The man said he lived in building 700, but when he left, he walked right past the building. The woman has never seen this man before and she said she's been at the pool a lot. * * * Employees at the Arby's, 7314 Shallowford Road, told police a man was sitting on the side of the building and they wanted him to leave. Police spoke to the man and he gathered his belongings and left. * * * A woman at an apartment on Allemande Way told police a "Larry Wilson" deposited one of her checks for $800. The woman does not know a person by this name or how this person was able to get one of her blank checks. She noticed that her balance was much lower than expected. No other suspect information was known. * * * A woman on N. Orchard Knob Avenue told police her father and his girlfriend were in a verbal argument and disturbing the peace. Police spoke to the father, who was in his vehicle about to drive his girlfriend home. Both of them said they were in a verbal argument, but had calmed down. He dropped his girlfriend off at her residence. Police were later called back to the same residence on N. Orchard Knob by the father. He said his other daughter, who does not live there, had shown up and he wanted her gone. Police spoke with the daughter, who was sitting outside of the residence with the original daughter that called, and she agreed to leave. * * * A man on Northgate Circle told police someone used his identity to open an AT&T account and charged over $7,000. The man is working with AT&T to resolve the matter. * * * A man at Bayberry Apartments, 2300 Wilson St., told police he recently has had a hard time opening his door, and noticed that there was damage to the part of the lock setup that attaches to the door. Police observed said damage, as well as damage to the weather stripping near the locks. However, there was no damage to the door, which could indicate someone trying to pry the door open. Police cannot ultimately determine how this damage occurred, but it could have been from someone trying to force entry. * * * Security at the Chattanooga Public Library, told police they had located the vehicle on the 6th floor of the parking garage that has possibly been stripped. Most of the interior of the vehicle, steering wheel, seats, center console, was all gone. Police ran the tag on the vehicle and it did not come back stolen. Police were not able to get in contact with any owner of the vehicle. Police could not confirm that the owner did not strip the vehicle themselves. * * * Vandalism was reported on a vehicle that was parked in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn, 2014 Hamilton Place Blvd. The vehicle was found to have the front driver's side window smashed out. The center console appeared to have been searched through, but nothing was taken. No other damage was observed. No suspect information was known. * * * A loss prevention employee at Walmart, 490 Greenway View Dr., told police they watched a woman suspect conceal two store items inside her purse. Police stopped her and brought her into the loss prevention office. The items were returned, but they never passed store sales. The woman was criminally trespassed and told if she returned she would be arrested. She was not charged with shoplifting. The value of the items, according to the employee, was estimated to be $20. * * * A woman on Lenny Lane told police someone stole approximately $30 from her Door Dash account. There is no suspect information available. * * * A man told police he parked his vehicle in the parking lot of Urban Air, 2020 Gunbarrel Road, at approximately 2:30 p.m. and returned to his vehicle at approximately 4:47 p.m. He found the driver's side rear window was broken inward and the glove compartment had been opened, but no belongings were taken. Police were unable to obtain any finger prints. No witnesses made themselves known during the investigation. Police were also unable to obtain any camera footage, due to the position of the vehicle. * * * A woman told police two people stole her two bicycles and helmets from the hallway at Embargo 62, 301 Cherokee Blvd. The woman had video footage of the incident to send police. The items stolen were described as a purple bicycle with "Emily" tag, a silvery, light blue bicycle ($50/ea) and two gray/black plain helmets ($20/ea.). * * * A woman on E. 13th Street told police she had a package delivered and when she got home, the package was gone. She said she then reviewed her front porch camera and saw a black male at 4:50 p.m. take the package and then walk around the four sides of the house. Police asked her what was inside the package and she stated roughly $700 worth of clothes. The only suspect information is a black male roughly 6'2'' with a thin build, wearing all-black clothes. A picture of the suspect will be sent out to all CPD to see if they can identify the man and his picture will be attached to the report. * * * Two women were observed concealing items of merchandise in Ulta, 2220 Hamilton Place Blvd., and going past the point of sale without properly rendering payment. Photos of the two women were given to police. Previous reports made at this location will show that the woman wearing the mask has been shoplifting from Ulta on multiple occasions. * * * Police were dispatched to a disorder on Osborne Drive. A man told police he was sitting outside on the back porch and heard yelling inside the residence and then a loud thump. Police are familiar with this address and called inside for the people to step outside. A woman came to the back door and spoke with police. She said that there was a verbal argument between her and a man, and she got frustrated and took out her frustrations on the refrigerator and punched it. She showed police where her knuckle had been slightly skinned by the punch to the refrigerator. Police also spoke with the man, who said there had been an argument, but nothing had become physical. He said the arguing is an ongoing issue and he is still in the works of moving out by the end of the month. A traffic stop in the 9500 block of Lee Highway for a light law violation resulted in the driver being arrested for DUI, driving on a revoked license, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Police and fire department personnel responded to the Tractor Supply, in the Apison Crossing plaza, for a fire alarm. The alarm was a false alert and was reset. A residential alarm was activated at a Hills Parc apartment. No one answered the locked apartment door. A West District traffic stop resulted in a vehicle occupants arrest for Meigs County warrants. The fugitive, wanted for aggravated assault and kidnapping, was transported to the county jail.Officers were called to the China Kitchen after a patron who had been talking to themself began yelling. The individual left the restaurant after speaking with police.A traffic stop in the 5900 block of Reagan Lane resulted in the drivers arrest for driving on a license revoked for DUI.Collegedale police assisted the sheriffs office by detaining an aggravated assault suspect at the Truist bank, in the 9200 block of Lee Highway. The suspect was turned over to sheriffs deputies upon their arrival.An individual reported to police that they had left their purse at Firehouse Subs the previous night, and they had been informed by the restaurant manager that it would be held in safe keeping for when they returned. When the individual returned to retrieve their property the purse and its contents could not be located.Police made contact with a driver in the 9300 block of Lee Highway. The individual was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of methamphetamines, felony possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and driving on a suspended license.The sheriffs office requested a police K9 for a narcotics sniff of a vehicle they had stopped in the 7700 block of Lee Highway. K9 Krino and his partner Officer Saxe responded. Krino detected the odor of narcotics and officers recovered methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia from the vehicle. The Beatles' "Help!" charted once in the United States and four times in the United Kingdom. John Lennon explained the origin of the tune. TL;DR: John Lennon was in his own little bubble around the time he wrote The Beatles Help! He said The whole Beatle thing was just beyond comprehension. The tune reached No. 1 in the United States and the United Kingdom. John Lennon wasnt satisfied with his life when he wrote The Beatles Help! He felt his emotions came out in the music. Subsequently, The Beatles Help! charted four times in his native United Kingdom. John Lennon wrote The Beatles Help! when he was smoking marijuana for breakfast The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono includes an interview from 1980. In the interview, John explained what The Beatles lives were like around the time they released Help! We were smoking marijuana for breakfast during that period, he said. Nobody could communicate with us because it was all glazed eyes and giggling all the time. In our own world. John wasnt pleased with the way he was behaving. The whole Beatle thing was just beyond comprehension, he opined. I was eating and drinking like a pig and I was fat as a pig, dissatisfied with myself, and subconsciously I was crying for help. John also said he made Help! more lyrically sophisticated than some of The Beatles earlier songs in order to impress journalist Maureen Cleave. The Beatle said its hard to understand the emotions of songs written in gobbledygook John said his emotions came out in the song Help! I think everything comes out in the songs, even Pauls songs now, which are apparently about nothing, he said. The same way as handwriting analysis shows everything about yourself. Or [Bob] Dylan, trying to hide in the subterfuge of clever hippie words, but it was always apparent if you looked below the surface what was being said, he added. Resentfulness, or love, or hate its apparent in all work. Its just harder to see when its written in gobbledygook. Dylan and The Beatles definitely wrote gobbledygook but Help! is as straightforward as it gets. Notably, John said Help! was one of a handful of Beatles songs still getting airplay in 1980. Help! charted once in the United States and four times in the United Kingdom Help! topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three of its 13 weeks on the chart. The tune appeared on the soundtrack of the film Help! That record was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for nine weeks, staying on the chart for 46 weeks altogether. The Official Charts Company says Help! reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom and lasted on the chart for 14 weeks. Upon its first rerelease, it peaked at No. 37 and upon its second rerelease, it hit No. 86. The tune hit the chart for one last time, hitting No. 99. The album Help! was huge in the U.K. as well. There, the album reached No. 1 and spent 44 weeks on the chart. Help! came from difficult circumstances but it became an enduring hit. Industrial biocatalysis with enzymes is considered a "gamechanger" in the development of a sustainable chemical industry. With the help of enzymes, an impressive range of complex molecules such as active pharmaceutical ingredients can be synthesized under environmentally friendly conditions. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed a new class of materials by producing enzymes as foams that have enormous durability and activity. A patent application has already been filed for the novel manufacturing process of the enzyme foams. New biomaterials for industrial biocatalysis: enzyme foams form three-dimensional porous networks with stable hexagonal honeycomb structure. Julian Hertel, KIT Researchers are working intensively on new process technologies to further develop the field of industrial biocatalysis, which is mainly used in the production of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. In biocatalysis, enzymes accelerate reactions instead of chemical catalysts, thus saving raw materials and energy. The aim now is to provide enzyme biocatalysts continuously and in large quantities under conditions that are as gentle as possible. To enable efficient material conversions, the enzymes are immobilized in microstructured flow reactors. They are spatially fixed and bound to a reaction-bearing material and thus have limited mobility, which leads to a higher concentration of enzymes and thus to higher productivity. Foamed microdroplets from self-assembling enzymes Normally, enzymes change their structure during foaming and thus lose their biocatalytic activity. However, the new protein foams have tremendous durability and activity. The activity is a measure of the effectiveness of the enzyme, which ensures that starting materials react with each other as quickly as possible. To make the protein foams, two dehydrogenase enzymes are mixed that carry matching linkage sites so they can spontaneously form a stable protein network. "A gas stream is then added to this mixture in a microfluidic chip so that microscopic bubbles of uniform size form in a controlled manner," says Professor Christof Niemeyer of the Institute of Biological Interfaces-1, explaining the process. The foam of uniform bubble size produced in this way is applied directly to plastic chips and dried, causing the proteins to polymerize and form a stable, hexagonal lattice. "These are monodisperse "all-enzyme foams," three-dimensional, porous networks consisting exclusively of biocatalytically active proteins," says Niemeyer, characterizing the composition of the new materials. The stable hexagonal honeycomb structure of the foams has an average pore diameter of 160 m and a lamella thickness of 8 m and is formed from the freshly produced spherical bubbles of approximately the same size after a few minutes. Efficient use of active and stable full enzyme foams In order to use enzymes efficiently for material transformations, they must be immobilized in large quantities under the gentlest possible conditions to preserve their activity. Until now, enzymes have been immobilized on polymers or carrier particles, but this requires valuable reactor space and can compromise activity. "Compared to our previously developed "full enzyme hydrogels," the new foam-based materials create a significantly larger surface area where the desired reaction can take place," Niemeyer describes the major improvement. In contrast to theoretically expected results, the new foams surprisingly show strikingly high durability, mechanical resistance and catalytic activity of the enzymes, something that had not previously been achieved when foaming proteins. The researchers assume that the stability is due to the matching linkage sites with which the enzymes are equipped. This allows them to self-assemble, forming a highly cross-linked lattice during drying that gives the new material unique stability. "Surprisingly, the newly developed enzyme foams are significantly more stable after drying for four weeks than the same enzymes without foams," Niemeyer explains the advantages, "This is of great interest for commercialization, as it greatly simplifies stock production and shipping." You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The U.S. military has been around for over 200 years. With that in mind, there is no doubt that many strange, spooky events have occurred throughout the decades. War is scary enough, but the living arent the only ones that soldiers have to contend with. Where theres war, theres bound to be a lot of deaths, too. And with death comes plenty of ghosts or stories of ghosts that will keep you up at night. So when you hear something go bump in the night, it could be an enemy combatant trying to hunt you down or a ghost haunting your base. Either way, its absolutely frightening, and your life is at stake. The sea is especially mysterious. With so many tales of shipwrecks, storms, and screams that are drowned out by the wind, the sea is like one massive, watery grave. Who knows what restless souls may still be roaming the waters or wandering on the ships where they met their ends? TikToker Micheal Anderson (@mr.michealanderson) is in the U.S. Navy, and hes describing a ghostly encounter he had while onboard a Navy ship. Back in 2019, the ship he was stationed on had just gotten off deployment. He was scheduled to work the night shift with a friend. When their shift ended, they headed to the gym. By the time they were finished up at the gym, it was the next morning. On their way back to their allotted sleeping spaces, which he calls the berthing, it was pitch-black since people were still sleeping. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. When you think of a typical first date, what comes to mind is probably something like going out to dinner and a movie. Its simple, safe, and noncommittal. Most people would never even consider boarding a plane and attending a wedding with someone on the fourth date, let alone the first. TikToker Alicia Mae Holloway (@aliciamaeholloway) did just that. Her very first date with her boyfriend consisted of taking a trip across the country to Arizona for a wedding. So Alicia and her boyfriend met a few years ago in late summer at a nightclub in New York City. They hung out the night they met and exchanged contact information. Two months later, they met up again on Halloween night. After that, they would often respond to each others Instagram stories but didnt really communicate much beyond that. But in December, while Alicia was in Kansas, he texted her, asking if she wanted to be his plus one at a wedding he was invited to. She debated on whether or not she should go and ended up telling her friend about it, who encouraged her to accept the invitation. She lived in Manhattan, while he lived right outside the city in New Jersey, so she assumed the wedding would take place in either of those places. However, he informed her that the wedding was in Arizona after she had already agreed to go! Immediately, Alicia started freaking out. He reassured her and told her he would take care of the flights and book the hotel rooms. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. If Abraham Lincoln still matters to Americans in the 21st centuryand he doesa major reason is that theres much at stake politically in how we remember him. This is as true of Lincolns religious beliefs as for any other part of his life. In a nation deeply divided over the proper role of religion in the public square, it makes a difference whether our greatest president was a religious skeptic or an orthodox Christian, a devotee of Thomas Paine or a disciple of Jesus. The debate began almost immediately upon his death. Although Lincoln had never joined a church, Christians typically insisted on his devout faith. Although the late president had quoted extensively from the Bible, non-Christians protested that he doubted much of what it said. Professional historians joined the debate in the first half of the last century, but they havent resolved it. There are outliers, but most agree that by the time of his presidency, Lincoln was not an atheist, if he ever had been. Most agree, as well, that he was almost certainly not an orthodox Christian, if by that we mean someone able to assent wholly to one of the major Christian confessions. Its been difficult to determine beyond this, thanks to limitations in the surviving evidence. After his death, countless acquaintances claimed intimate knowledge of the state of Lincolns soul, but these testimonies are hopelessly contradictory and their objectivity is doubtful. In addition, Lincolns voluminous personal papers are characterized by a pervasive, seemingly intentional ambiguity. Lincoln scholars all acknowledge that he used biblical language, but the questions of why he alluded to the Bible and how much of it he believed remain unansweredand are probably unanswerable. Lincoln and Scripture And yet we persist in asking these questions, as two major new studies of Lincolns religion attest. In Abraham Lincoln and the Bible, author Gordon Leidner explores how Lincoln appealed to Scripture, what he said about it, and how he may have been influenced by it. He wisely passes over the competing claims of Lincolns contemporaries and focuses on Lincolns own words, meticulously combing through the nine published volumes of Lincolns speeches and correspondence for clues. Hoping that these will speak for themselves, Leidner concludes the biography with a 55-page appendix describing in detail 199 instances of Lincoln quoting or alluding to Scripture. From these, Leidner draws two conclusions: first, that Lincoln fully accepted the moral authority of the Bible; and second, that he drew effectively from it to lead his followers to a higher moral plane. Article continues below The first conclusion is possibly correct but hard to prove. Curiously, not once did Lincoln appeal to the Bible to make a moral argument against secession, even as a chorus of ministers across the North cited Pauls instruction in Romans 13:1Let everyone be subject to the governing authoritiesto insist that disunion was an offense against God. When Lincoln did allude to Scripture in making a moral argument, it was almost always with slavery in mind. And yet Lincoln emphasized the Declaration of Independence far more than the Bible in building his case against human bondage. He described the assertion that all men are created equal as his ancient faith. He argued pointedly that the immorality of slavery could be proved without reference to revelation. In sum, without penetrating Lincolns heart, its hard to know whether he viewed the Bible as morally authoritative, as Leidner claims, or selectively cited it when it corroborated what he already believed. Image: Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Images: WikiMedia Commons Leidners second conclusion is correct, technically, but its also incomplete. Theres no doubt that Lincoln sometimes quoted the Bible to call Americans back to what he called the better angels of our nature. More than once, he challenged defenders of slavery by reciting the Golden Rule. Most famously, in his second inaugural address, delivered only weeks before his death, Lincoln quoted the Bible four times as he meditated on the possibility that God was judging both the North and South for the national sin of slavery. But these instances were far from typical of how Lincoln appealed to the Bible. Many of the quotations that Leidner cites are trivial snippets, such as four score or brought forth. Otherslike two-edged sword, loaves and fishes, and daily bread appear in Scripture but were also common colloquialisms in Lincolns day. As Lincoln used them, they carried no moral connotations at all, and whether Lincoln (or his audience) believed in the moral authority of the Bible was irrelevant to how they functioned. Even the longer quotes Lincoln employed were frequently wrenched from their biblical contexts and added little substance to the points Lincoln was making. Article continues below A prime example of this is the best known of Lincolns biblical quotations: A house divided against itself cannot stand. This approximate quotation from an aphorism of Jesus (found with minor variations in Matthew, Mark, and Luke) became a staple in Lincolns famous 1858 debates with Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas. In its gospel context, Jesus was ridiculing the Pharisees claim that he cast out demons by the power of Satan. Lincoln was making a rather different point, namely that free-labor and slave-labor systems are fundamentally incompatible. That same year, Senator William Seward, Lincolns main rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 1860, made essentially the same argument as Lincoln but spoke of an irrepressible conflict between two opposing systems instead of a house divided. The two phrases could have been used interchangeably, but Lincolns was rhetorically more effective. Unlike Seward, Lincoln had hit on a widely recognized and easily understood figure of speech to convey his main point. Although he was quoting Scripture, he was not, in this context, making a substantively biblical argument. But he was signaling Christians in his audience that he had read the Bible. Cognitive psychologists call such signals epistemological cues, indicators that the speaker or writer is one of us and can be trusted. Im not maintaining that Lincoln did this consciously, although at times he may have been. Much less am I implying that he sometimes did so cynically or disingenuously, although we cant completely rule that out. But there is no denying that, by the end of his life, Lincoln had become a master at appealing to Christians in the electorate, and his deft use of biblical language was likely one reason for his success. Appeals to evangelicals This, at least, is one of the conclusions of Joshua Zeitz in his book Lincolns God: How Faith Transformed a President and a Nation. Zeitz, a Politico writer and author of other historical books, confidently describes Lincolns religious path as a spiritual journey from skeptic to believer. According to Zeitz, Lincoln was radically skeptical as a young adult, then became vaguely religious in his middle years, though he remained unpersuaded by Christian dogma and kept his distance from institutional Christianity. Article continues below During the Civil War, however, Lincoln underwent a spiritual renewal, a transformation likely accelerated by the death of his little boy, Willie. By the second half of his presidency, Zeitz argues, Lincoln believed strongly in Gods sovereignty over the affairs of nations, although he still stopped short of believing in a personal God, much less in Christ as savior. Lincolns God, Zeitz concludes, was a distant and unknowable force, his will mostly indiscernible to men and women. With minor variations, this echoes the prevailing view among Lincoln scholars. The real value of Zeitzs work is the provocative delineation of how Lincoln interacted with northern evangelicals during his presidency. As Zeitz demonstrates, they both shaped and were shaped by the Civil War. Until the 1850s, most evangelical clergy focused on preaching the gospel and promoting personal piety, while keeping their distance from politics. The sectional crisis changed this. Deeply disturbed by southern politicians apparent effort to spread slavery across the continent, northern clergy increasingly concluded that political engagement was not only permissible but a sacred duty. With the firing of the first shots at Fort Sumter, evangelical leaders abandoned any lingering hesitation and publicly and wholeheartedly supported the war, defining it not merely as a necessary evil but as a God-ordained, holy crusade. In short order, northern evangelicals not only abandoned their previous understanding of the separation of church and state, but also effectively became an extension of the Republican Party. No segment of the electorate supported Abraham Lincoln more faithfully. Lincoln was not oblivious to this. If Zeitz is correct, he did everything he could to promote it, in the process becoming the first president to understand and channel the spiritual and institutional power of the evangelical churches. As president, Lincoln assiduously courted Protestant clergy, cultivated Christian journalists, corresponded frequently with religious reformers, and hosted Christian delegations at the White House. Probably not coincidentally, at the same time he knowingly invoked religious language and themes in characterizing the fiery trial that the nation was enduring. Zeitz concludes provocatively that, notwithstanding Lincolns rejection of the heart of evangelical faith, he deserves to be remembered as the nations first evangelical president. Article continues below So how should we remember this Republican-evangelical partnership that Lincoln did so much to nurture during the Civil War? Readers looking to justify Christian political activism will likely see it as cause for celebration. Theres no doubt that evangelical support was critical to Lincolns reelection in 1864. Considering that the Democratic platform that year opposed both emancipation and the continuation of the war, its plausible to argue that, humanly speaking, evangelical votes were crucial to the preservation of the union and the demise of slavery. Surely that vindicates evangelicals head-long plunge into electoral politics, doesnt it? Perhaps. Zeitz is unsure, and its the long-term consequences for American Christianity that give him pause. While southern Protestantism retreated inward after the Civil War and focused almost exclusively on individual salvation, in the North a muscular brand of Protestantism emerged that turned reflexively to the coercive power of government to advance its vision for a godly nation. This was a mindset learned during the war itself, Zeitz maintains, for it was during the war that a critical mass of northern clergy had learned to view politics as the natural extension of their Christian ministry. The Almightys own purposes When the French writer Alexis de Tocqueville visited the United States in the 1830s, the future author of Democracy in America was deeply impressed by the vitality of American Christianity, and he attributed it, more than any other factor, to the clergys determination to mark their distance from, and avoid contact with, all parties. They went so far, Tocqueville observed, as to teach that in Gods eyes no one is damnable for his political views so long as those views are sincere. That perspective had all but vanished a generation later. It is far too rare today. In the interim, there has been more than enough evidence to suggest that, when Christians forge too close an alliance with any political leader, movement, or party, they run the risk of politicizing Christianity instead of Christianizing politics. We are tempted to compromise our convictions in order to cement the alliance; those who seek our votes are rewarded for helping us feel righteous as we do so. Article continues below If Abraham Lincoln was the nations first evangelical president, it is to his great credit that he stopped short of telling evangelical voters whatever they wanted to hear. When visitors to the White House were too dogmatic in revealing what God wanted him to do, he freely challenged them, sometimes testily. When reformers lobbied him during the war to support a constitutional amendment acknowledging the authority of God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ, Lincoln listened politely but never lent his support. And when victory was practically assured, he preemptively undermined northern self-congratulation by insisting in his second inaugural address that God had answered the prayers of neither side fully. The Almighty has his own purposes, Lincoln observednot a quote from the Bible, but a humbling truth that reverberates across its pages. Robert Tracy McKenzie is professor of history and holds the Arthur Holmes Chair of Faith and Learning at Wheaton College. He is the author most recently of We the Fallen People: The Founders and the Future of American Democracy. This piece has been adapted from an article that was originally published in the Biblical Mind. In the past several months, it has been difficult to avoid discussion of artificial intelligence or, more particularly, ChatGPT and a host of other chatbots developed by technology companies. Based on the popularity of the topic (and often handwringing tone) within higher education and technology reporting, I decided I needed to see what ChatGPT would say about the Bible. Specifically, I wanted to explore how ChatGPT interprets the Sermon on the Mount. I did this for the sake of the young undergraduate men I mentorespecially since our group is convinced the sermon is meant to be followed and we are committed to living it out in our everyday lives. In my conversations with the bot, I was struck by the fact that ChatGPT holds up a mirror to the North American church, as well as to the broader Western scholarly community, by sharing three major shortcomings with us as we have been shaped by the spirit of our age: First, ChatGPT metaphorizes and individualizes Scripture without a clear method for when and why, without warrant, and often in direct contradiction to the text itself. Second, the bots interpretations are ignorant of the interpretive traditions that produce them. Third, because the bot is disembodied, its interpretations are necessarily disembodiedand thus a bot is unable to recognize the realities of Scripture and interpretation. Each of the above tendencies present in AIs responses is in some way a reflection of historic weaknesses in our own human interpretation. When I asked ChatGPT, How should we interpret the Sermon on the Mount? the chatbot spit out an expected definition, including Many people interpret the sermon on the mount as a blueprint for how to live a good and meaningful life and as a guide for how to treat others. It ended its response with Ultimately, how the sermon on the mount is interpreted will depend on an individuals personal beliefs and values. When I asked, How do you interpret it? ChatGPT responded, As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have personal beliefs or values, so I cannot offer my own interpretation of the sermon on the mount. I am designed to provide general information and answer questions to the best of my ability, based on the information and knowledge that I have been trained on. I am not capable of personal opinions or interpretations. Article continues below But it quickly became apparent that, when asked the right questions, ChatGPT would indeed interpret the Sermon on the Mount, whether by providing a specific interpretation or by offering several and adjudicating among them, although it would not explain its method of interpretation. For example, when asked about Jesus teachings in Matthew 5:2930 (If your right eye causes you to stumble ), ChatGPT responded, It is important to note that this passage should not be taken literally. Jesus is using figurative language to make a point about the seriousness of sin and the importance of avoiding it. He is not literally instructing his followers to mutilate their bodies in order to avoid sin. Its not that I necessarily disagree with this claim, but I was struck by the firmness and certainty it expressed, when only two questions earlier it told me it was incapable of interpreting the sermon. The more that I explored specific teachings with ChatGPT, the more it seemed to pitch toward a metaphorical interpretation of Jesus teachings. So, I finally asked it whether there might be a specific teaching in the passage that should be taken literally. Here was ChatGPTs response: It is difficult to say with certainty where in the sermon on the mount Jesus speaks literally, as the use of figurative language in the Bible is complex and often debated. The sermon on the mount contains many examples of figurative language. In general, the Bible often uses figurative language to illustrate a concept or to make a point, and it is not always clear whether a specific passage is meant to be understood literally or figuratively. One possible example where Jesus speaks literally is Matthew 5:3839, where he says: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. In this passage, Jesus is quoting a well-known proverb, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and he is then offering his own teaching on how to respond to violence and aggression. He is not using figurative language, but rather is offering a clear and straightforward instruction about how his followers should respond to such situations. However, it is important to note that this is only one possible interpretation of this passage, and there may be other ways to understand it. Article continues below But as I continued to press it on these specific teachings, it ended up claiming that anyone who takes Jesus teachings about nonviolence literally is pollyannish. When I questioned it about that claim, it retreated and apologized. Yet it continued to maintain its caution around taking this and other teachings in the Sermon on the Mount literally. (Two additional examples of this are that Matthew 5:32 does not forbid divorce but simply prizes marriage and that Matthew 5:22 is not actually about someone being in danger of hell but rather emphasizes the seriousness of anger.) As I questioned its process of arriving at these interpretations, ChatGPT said its understanding of the Bible came from its training based on a large number of texts, including translations of the Bible and literature about the Bible, although it is unable to say what these are. (It can and does reference specific translations, but it wont confirm whether they were used in its training.) It also stated its claims are based on the broader message of the Bibleand when I questioned it about where it got this framework for interpretation, it primarily invoked Pauls writings as an instrument to refine Jesus teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. I wanted to suss out what ChatGPT means when it produces phrases like the Bible consistently teaches, a passage is generally understood to mean, and most Christians understand [a text] as. In the process, ChatGPT revealed a tendency to individualize passages that are actually addressed to a communitywhich emerged when I posed the following question: How did you arrive at the conclusion, then, that the Bible consistently teaches that harming oneself is not an acceptable or moral response to temptation or sin, when historically Christians have denied themselves food, water, medical care, sleep, etc. in attempts to stave off sin? ChatGPT responded: I apologize for any confusion that my earlier response may have caused. While it is true that some Christians have practiced self-denial or self-mortification as a means of resisting temptation or sin, the statement that the Bible consistently teaches that harming oneself is not an acceptable or moral response to temptation or sin is not accurate or complete. The issue of self-harm or self-mortification is complex and has been subject to different interpretations throughout Christian history, and the Bible itself contains passages that could be interpreted as supporting or condemning such practices. Article continues below ChatGPT goes on to reassert its interpretation that Jesus was speaking figuratively in Matthew 5:2930 and then summons Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:1920 for backup, making the striking claim that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be honored and kept holy (striking because of its pronoun choice). After some discussion of the pronoun in the Greek text, where ChatGPT asserted the second-person pronoun was singular but eventually admitted it is actually plural in the Greek text, ChatGPT actually reversed its individualistic interpretation and affirmed a collective meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:1920. This discussion and our continued chat about 1 Corinthians 6 were illustrative of the bots tendency to confidently assert an interpretation of a biblical text, admit an error around a detail, and then, upon questioning, change its interpretationwith a response that included an admission of inaccuracy or exaggeration. And yet the bot usually wrapped that admission in a reassertion of the very claim it has just undermined. Why does ChatGPT continue to produce figurative and metaphorical interpretations of Jesus teachings? Why is it so easy to convince the chatbot to flip its claims on something like Pauls use of temple imagery? There are at least two possible reasons: First, ChatGPT has no account of its own training and the traditions informing these interpretations, and second, ChatGPT has no connection to lived experience or reality. As it confidently asserted when I first asked it, it has no personal beliefs or values. Despite this, it vigorously pursues an interpretation when asked, privileging certain perspectives and sometimes outlawing or excluding others. It does so because the words are a statistical game, not Scripture to be lived. It is only parroting what it has been trained onwhich is a body of texts that it cannot identify because it seemingly no longer knows what they are (if it ever knew, and if know is even the proper term). This presents a two-fold problem for Christians who might seek out information about the Bible from ChatGPT. First, one cannot be certain of the sources of the perspectives offered by ChatGPT. Jesus asserts several times in Matthew that his true disciples may be known by the fruits evident in their lives (5:1520; 12:3337; 21:3346). If one cannot access the life of the interpreter and thus the fruits it has produced, how might the Christian know whether the interpretation comes from a true disciple of Jesus? Article continues below Second, ChatGPT and other large language models are black boxes, meaning we do not know what is happening to generate the responses they provide. Both Christianity and Judaism have historically emphasized engaging with the past and present religious community and that communitys interpretations of sacred texts and traditions. ChatGPT, however, denies it is interpretingwhile simultaneously pulling a sleight of hand to interpret the Sermon on the Mount through a tradition that it has hidden even from itself. For ChatGPT, there is no community debating, discerning, and living their way into and through interpretations. There is only the statistical game of language tokens. Finally, as the young men I mentor know well, there is a knowledge that comes only through living the teachings of Jesus. ChatGPT cannot do this, and it never will be able to do it. As it told me when I asked about its use of our in discussing bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures are not applicable to it. Because it has no body, it has no experience of the topics signified by the words it interprets and uses. In the end, ChatGPT offers us a mirror and a caution. ChatGPTs interpretations of the biblical texts are a distillation of the spirit of our age. Like ChatGPT, we tend toward metaphorical interpretations of Jesus words in the Sermon on the Mount. Like ChatGPT, we tend toward individualizing interpretations of Paul. And like ChatGPT, we tend to forget or be ignorant of whose interpretations have formed our own interpretations of the text. These tendencies are interconnected. After all, the problem is not the tendency to metaphorize Scripture but rather the default to a metaphorizing interpretation as a kind of short circuit when we are unable or unwilling to examine the texts interpretative tradition and application. ChatGPT cannot do these latter two things, but we can. Thus, ChatGPT exposes us to ourselves. This experience with ChatGPT therefore cautions us to consider the value of any interpretive tendencies it exposes. Will we treat the Bible as a statistical game of tokens? As words and ideas to be bandied about in disembodied dialogue? Or will we take up the challenge of Jesus to be wise, to hear his teachings, and to dothem (Matt. 7:24) in community with one another? In a word, will we outsource our understanding of the Scriptures? Or will we choose to live together, seeking the meaning of these texts through our history and our common commitment to God and thus teaching them to those who come after us (Matt. 28:20)? John H. Boyles is associate professor of Bible at Abilene Christian University. Ark Encounter tops list of most popular attractions in Kentucky The Ark Encounter, a life-sized replica of Noahs Ark as described in the biblical book of Genesis, has topped a list of the most popular tourist attractions. The website Bet Kentucky recently listed the top 10 most popular Kentucky attractions in 2023, with the Williamstown-based, Answers in Genesis-affiliated attraction topping the list. Bet Kentucky organized the list on the basis of rankings on Trip Advisors 25 best things to do in Kentucky, then combined it with Google search volume data from AhRefs.com over the last 12 months. The Ark Encounter got first place with around 60,000 searches on Google, followed by Churchill Downs of Louisville in second place with about 50,000 searches, and Mammoth Cave of Brownsville coming in third with 36,000 in search volume. The remaining entrants on the top 10 list were, in descending order, Keeneland of Lexington (24,000 searches), Louisville Slugger Museum (17,000), Kentucky Horse Park of Lexington (13,000), Louisville Mega Cavern (8,200), National Corvette Museum of Bowling Green (7,300), Lost River Cave of Bowling Green (5,600), and the Muhammad Ali Center of Louisville (5,300). Additionally, according to rankings accessed Tuesday, the Ark Encounter tops Trip Advisors list of Things to Do in Williamstown, beating out seven other local attractions with a rating of 4.5 out of 5, based on more than 4,500 reviews. Standing 10 stories tall and 510 feet long, the Ark Encounter attraction is overseen by Answers in Genesis, a Christian apologetics ministry that professes a Young Earth Creationist view of lifes origins. Considered a sister attraction of the Creation Museum, the Ark Encounter was officially opened in July 2016, with a reported 1.1 million people visiting the giant replica within a year of its launch. In early 2020, the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum were voted by readers of USA Today as the top religious museums in the United States out of 20 options chosen by travel experts. We are so grateful to USA Today for considering our internationally recognized attractions in its contest, said Answers in Genesis' Ken Ham in a statement released at the time. Indeed, people from around the world rave about the exhibits and features at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, and now these people have validated our exciting attractions from among an impressive list of museums. Christian Ministry in Haiti urges more prayers for kidnapped nurse, gang reportedly wants $1M ransom El Roi Haiti, the Christian education ministry in Haiti from which New Hampshire nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were kidnapped as she did work for the ministry following in the footsteps of Jesus, has called for more prayers for her safe return as gang members have reportedly demanded a ransom of $1 million. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter. As our hearts break for this situation, we also continue to pray for the country and people of Haiti and for freedom from the suffering they endure daily, the ministry said in a statement Monday. The ministry said the New Hampshire mother who married El Roi Haiti founder Sandro Dorsainvil in 2021 after she began her role as school nurse with the organization in 2020, is a committed Christian who has been traveling to Haiti since 2010. She first visited Haiti soon after the 2010 earthquake while she was in college and fell in love with the people. She spent her breaks and summers taking trips back to the country. Once she started working as a nurse, she would save money and then self-fund all of her trips to Haiti, going as often as she could, El Roi Haiti said. She had lived in Haiti for multiple years, showing love and care in a variety of ways before coming on staff with us, but has had a heart for the hurting since she was a child. She seeks people out to show them love and compassion, and no one is excluded from receiving her kindness, the ministry explained before noting that she had been following in the footsteps of Jesus with her work on the Caribbean island. Alix lives a life following in the footsteps of Jesus as she obeys the Biblical command found in Mark 12:30 to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength ... and to love your neighbor as yourself, El Roi Haiti said. The ministry further vowed that they will not stop praying until the nurse and her daughter are released. We have committed this situation to God knowing that He is good, so until Alix and her daughter are safely returned to us, we will do as it says in Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord, the ministry noted. Alix Dorsainvil was kidnapped from El Roi Haitis campus near the countrys capital, Port-au-Prince on July 27. That same day, the State Department issued a travel advisory asking Americans not to travel to Haiti, ordering all U.S. Citizens and non-emergency government employees to leave as soon as possible. Witnesses told The Associated Press that the New Hampshire nurse was busy caring for patients in a small brick clinic when armed men ambushed the site and took her. Lormina Louima, a patient who was waiting for a check-up told the news service that one man brandished his gun and told her to relax. When I saw the gun, I was so scared, Louima told the AP. I said, I dont want to see this, let me go. Members of the community said the gunmen are asking for a $1 million ransom but neither the U.S. Department of State nor El Roi Haiti have publicly shared any details of the investigation citing the sensitive nature of the situation. I will say we are aware of the reports that two U.S. citizens were kidnapped in Haiti. Obviously, the safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing Monday. We are in regular contact with the Haitian authorities and will continue to work with them and our U.S. government interagency partners. But because its an ongoing law enforcement investigation, theres not any more detail I can offer. Jerry Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University claiming exploitation of 'Jerry Falwell trademark Former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. has filed a lawsuit against Liberty University for the alleged exploitation of the trademark and image of his father, Jerry Falwell Sr., who founded the Evangelical Christian university in 1971, without consulting the Falwell family or "authorization of the Dr. Jerry L. Falwell Family Trust." "This is an action arising from Liberty University's unauthorized exploitation of the JERRY FALWELL trademark and the name, picture, and/or portrait (together 'name or image') of Jerry Falwell in advertising and promoting Liberty University, without consulting with the Falwell family and without the authorization of the Dr. Jerry L. Falwell Family Trust," the 24-page lawsuit filed in Virginia last Thursday alleges. In addition to Falwell Jr., the lawsuit also lists the Dr. Jerry L. Falwell Family Trust as the plaintiff and Liberty University as the sole defendant. The lawsuit argues that even though Liberty University's founder intended his "brand of religious goods and services" for the "benefit of his three children" the Evangelical Christian university has been exploiting the brand for itself, including the founder's handwriting. "For more than fifty years, the distinctive JERRY FALWELL trademark has stood as a nationally recognizable symbol for the late Dr. Jerry L. Falwell's brand of religious goods and services. Upon his passing in 2007, Dr. Falwell left his valuable JERRY FALWELL trademark in a trust for the benefit of his three children. Liberty, however, has recently begun to misappropriate the Trust's valuable trademark and Dr. Falwell's name and image for itself," the lawsuit alleges. "Liberty has misused not only Dr. Falwell's name, image, and trademark, but has also taken Dr. Falwell's own handwriting to create a custom font for Liberty to use in advertising (including a magazine cover); has created footprint engravings from a pair of Dr. Falwell's shoes to adorn a JERRY FALWELL walking tour path on its campus; and has presented the public with renderings of a 'Jerry Falwell' hologram meant to be a walking, talking, interactive version of Dr. Falwell." Falwell Jr. argues that the use of his father's likeness by Liberty University in promotional material "is likely to leave consumers confused as to the relationship between Liberty University and the JERRY FALWELL brand and the Falwell Family Trust." The lawsuit claims several other ways Liberty University has "wrongfully exploited" the trademark to "confuse consumers" into believing that Liberty "is endorsed or sponsored by, or otherwise associated or affiliated with" the Jerry Falwell brand and the Falwell Family Trust. "Liberty never consulted with let alone sought the approval of the Falwell family before embarking on an apparent campaign to wrap itself in the JERRY FALWELL trademark and the Jerry Falwell name and image," the lawsuit reads. "Nonetheless, the Falwell Family Trust sought to avoid filing this lawsuit, but Liberty has refused to cooperate. Liberty thus left the Trust no option but to initiate this action to protect its rights." Liberty University did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit from The Christian Post on Tuesday but has released a statement to media outlets stating that the institution is confident that it "will ultimately prevail in this case and the university will be able to maintain its use of the name of its founder." The Liberty University statement stresses that the lawsuit is in "response to a specific request" from Falwell Jr., who is just "one trustee of the Falwell Family Trust, for the university to "pay $7 million dollars for his permission to continue to use the name of Liberty's founder [Dr. Falwell] for the next four years." "Included in his demand is the expectation that, in effect, former president Falwell [Jr.] would also have total editorial control of Liberty's use of the name of Liberty's founder," the Liberty statement reads. "The university declined the request; so, this lawsuit was filed by Mr. Falwell." In March, Falwell Jr.'s brother, Pastor Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, was named Liberty University's chancellor. He will assume the role at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Falwell Jr.'s lawsuit comes nearly three years after he was forced to resign as president of Liberty University in the summer of 2020 after it was alleged that he and his wife had an affair with Giancarlo Granda, who was 29 at the time, that began eight years earlier. Granda later attempted to blackmail the couple. Falwell Jr. said he was shocked to learn about his wife's affair, but Granda claimed his wife engaged in intimate liaisons with Falwell Jr.'s knowledge. It also follows another lawsuit he filed against the university earlier this year, claiming he's owed $8.5 million in retirement funds. In a media statement, Liberty University said it is confident it is "not legally required to pay these funds and will file the appropriate responses with the federal court." Pastor beaten unconscious for preaching about Jesus at funeral in Uganda NAIROBI, Kenya Hardline Muslims threw stones at a pastor in eastern Uganda and beat him unconscious as he spoke at a funeral using both the Bible and the Koran, he said from his hospital bed. Pastor Davidson Okirori, 39, said he was officiating a funeral for one of his church members on July 21 in Kyoga village, Mayuge District when he was attacked. The pastor of Covenant Church of God in Buwenge said the church member, Vanisha Namukasa, had died in a hospital after an accident at age 34. The deceased being a Muslim who converted to Christianity, I carried with me the Koran, Hadith of Bukhari and the Bible to show to the mourners the fact of the unique and powerful resurrection of Jesus as the Son of God while at the same time mentioning that Muhammad being just a prophet of Allah did not resurrect, Pastor Okirori told Morning Star News. It was a good platform for me to witness the love of Christ to Muslims who had gathered at the funeral. As he picked up the microphone to address the mourners, the pastor felt called to use all the materials to preach, he said. When I started mentioning verses from all these books, he said, I heard a young man shouting, You kafir [infidel], stop misleading us if you came to bury your people, bury them, but dont use the Koran without getting ablution. This is blasphemy to our Allah. Some Muslims shouted, Away with him! while others took the microphone from him and started tearing off pages of the Bible and Christian literature that he and other Christians had brought, he said. The Muslims began throwing stones at him, the pastor said. They were throwing stones where I was standing, and one hit my head and I fell down, Pastor Okirori told Morning Star News. A Muslim man hit me with an object on my mouth, and from there I do not know what happened again. I found myself in Mulago Hospital with blood all over my body and my clothes. Christians outnumbering the Muslims at the funeral managed to restrain the assailants, who seized the Koran and Hadiths and took them to their nearby mosque, chanting the jihadist slogan, Allahu Akbar [God is greater], we have won, we have won, sources said. The pastor was still recovering from wounds to his head, back and arms and said he was in need of prayer and medical assistance. The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented. Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country. Voddie Baucham identifies 3 'red flags' churches are capitulating to modern, Neo-Marxist ideology (pt. 1) Prominent pastor and author Voddie Baucham has identified three signs a church is abandoning Scriptural truths for modern, Neo-Marxist ideology in a culture where truth is under attack and Christianity is increasingly marginalized. In an interview with The Christian Post, the 54-year-old dean of theology at African Christian University in Zambia highlighted several concerning trends in modern churches that he fears are eroding the foundations of Christianity, beginning with a de-emphasis of the Bible, where there is a lack of commitment to systematically teach and exposit the Scriptures. There's not a commitment to a systematic exposition of the Bible, and what we hear from the pulpit is rooted and grounded in more psychology and philosophy than text and theology, Baucham said. The second red flag involves the church's alignment with post-Christian culture. Baucham noted that some leaders preach messages that resonate with the values and agendas of the secular world, including issues related to LGBTQ+ concerns. You begin to hear things in the church, from the pulpit, from the leadership that resonate with this post-Christian culture, for example, the LGBTQ-plus, whatever agendas, he said. Finally, he said apologizing for essential Christian doctrines is another red flag indicating a departure from true, biblical Christianity. Were apologizing for the creation myth. We're apologizing for the Gospel. We're apologizing for the Reformation. We're apologizing for Christian morality, these sorts of things. These are some signs that things have gone very wrong, he said. A May 2021 survey from Evangelical pollster George Barna found that just 6% of Americans have a "biblical worldview. Similarly, survey data compiled in January 2020 showed that only 2% of millennials hold a biblical worldview, even though 61% identify as Christian. Baucham, who is gearing up for a revised release of his 2004 book The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Survive in a Post-Christian Culture?explained that for many decades, the Western Church has assumed and then forgotten the essence of the Gospel, leading to a foundation built on shifting sand rather than the solid rock of Christ. The ramifications of that, he lamented, are becoming increasingly visible in todays post-Christian America. For a long time, because of the assumptions of the culture, one of the things that we did was we assumed the Gospel, Baucham said. The message of the Gospel is an offensive message in a lost and dying world. But we assumed the Gospel. Then, after we assumed the Gospel, we forgot the Gospel and we left the Gospel behind. And we begin to build churches and really, I use that term loosely because, in many instances, they aren't churches and gather people based on commonalities that were not Gospel-centered. We gathered people because we liked the same kind of music or we were in the same social class. We had those things as our foundation instead of having the Gospel as our foundation. Baucham, who previously served as pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Texas, stressed that the Gospel message is considered offensive to the world. And, in an attempt to avoid offense, many churches have neglected its transformative power. He warned that such churches, lacking a Gospel-centered foundation, are ill-prepared for the challenges of the post-Christian era. In this post-Christian era, where we're all being sort of painted with the same brush, people who have not relied on the Gospel to build solid foundations are seeing their sheep scattered. They're really not legitimate sheep in the first place, and they also don't really know how to respond, because the response in many instances has been, No, no, no, no, we're not like them. And them, of course, are conservative, Bible-believing Evangelicals, those people who have always been vilified by the culture at large. But thats not working anymore, he said, because its not enough to just not hold firmly to the truths of the Gospel and to not hold firmly to those things that the culture finds offensive. Any identification now with Christianity, which is seen as the sort of ultimate hegemonic boogeyman in modern, Neo Marxist culture, is offensive. So, a lot of people are caught off guard because of compromises that they made a long time ago that looked like they were paying off. Baucham issued an urgent call for a bold return to the core of Christianity: the unadulterated Gospel. He emphasized the need for churches to stand firm on biblical truths without compromise, even in the face of cultural pressure and vilification. We need to prepare ourselves for the opposition, not only the opposition coming, but for the opposition that's already here, he said. We need to know what we believe and why we believe it. We need to be prepared to give an answer to those who ask us for the reason for the hope that is in us. We need to be prepared to speak to this post-Christian culture. Finally, we need to be prepared to accept the consequences of doing so, which are unpleasant. The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Survive in a Post-Christian Culture? will be released on Sept. 16. Belief in God, angels, Heaven, Hell and devil hit record lows: study The shares of Americans who believe in God, angels, Heaven, Hell and the devil have all tumbled to the lowest levels ever recorded over the last two decades and belief in God and Heaven have made the steepest dips, new data from Gallup show. A new nationwide survey of 1,011 adults conducted May 1-24 and released in July by the analytics and advisory company, shows that even though a majority of Americans still believe in each religious entity, God, angels, Heaven, Hell and the devil have all lost some attraction among believers. The survey data show that 74% of respondents said they believe in God; 69% said they believe in angels; 67% expressed belief in Heaven, while 58% said they believe in the devil. When compared with the survey results from 2001, when Gallup first began measuring belief in the religious entities, a more nuanced trend emerges showing belief in God and Heaven with the steepest decline over time, while belief in the devil and angels dipped the least. In 2001, belief in God was 90%, while for Heaven it was 83%; belief in angels was 79%; belief in Hell was 71%, while belief in the devil was 68%. As the percentage of believers has dropped over the past two decades, the corresponding increases have occurred mostly in nonbelief, with much smaller increases in uncertainty, wrote Megan Brenan, a research consultant at Gallup. This is true for all but belief in God, which has seen nearly equal increases in uncertainty and nonbelief. Individuals who attended church most often and Republicans were more likely to believe in each of the five religious entities. Protestants were also more likely than Catholics to express belief. Most individuals who seldom or never attend church also believe in God and angels, but less than half believe in Heaven, Hell, and the devil the survey shows. Americans with annual household incomes under $40,000 were also found to be more likely to believe in each of the entities compared with those who had household incomes of at least $100,000. Belief in each entity was also found to be much stronger in adults 55 and older Adults aged 55 and older are most likely to believe in each of the concepts, but most adults in the 35 to 54 age group still believe in all five entities. While belief is not as strong in the 18 to 34 age group, more than half of this cohort expressed belief in all the entities except the devil. Less than half or just 49% of adults aged 18 to 34 expressed belief in the devil. While women were found more likely than men to believe in each entity, an equal share, 58%, expressed belief in the devil. Black academic behind Florida's curriculum denounces Kamala Harris' 'lies' about its slavery material One of the academics behind Florida's new social studies curriculum denounced Vice President Kamala Harris' claim that the material teaches students that blacks benefited from slavery. William Allen is the former chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and professor emeritus of political science at Michigan State University, and he is currently a member of Florida's African American History Standards Workgroup. During an interview with Fox News Host Jesse Waters last Monday, Allen declined to speculate on the motive behind Harris' statements, admitting that he does not know them. "We can all have suspicions that there's a dishonest purpose afoot," he said. "But what's more important than that dishonest purpose is the truth. And this curriculum is devoted to telling the truth, whereas Kamala Harris has retold a lie. Now, it may only have been a falsehood the first time she stated it, but when you repeat a falsehood, it becomes a lie." Allen clarified that the curriculum allows people who lived through slavery to "tell their stories," giving the example of social reformer and former slave Frederick Douglass. Allen cited the moment in Douglass' autobiography describing how the mistress of a slave owner began teaching him how to read. "She pulled back the curtain through which a glimmer of light shone before the master forced her to close it," Allen said. "But that glimmer of light was enough for Frederick Douglass to illumine a bright flame that he exploited to his benefit and his country's benefit thereafter." "Such examples are numerous, and they are retelling the stories of people who suffered the indignity of slavery time and again." On July 19, the Florida Board of Education approved new social studies standards following the passage of a law known as the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act, which prohibits teaching that anyone must feel guilt due to their race. The 216-page document includes topics related to black history, with different standards for elementary, middle and high school students. One section of the curriculum that has attracted controversy is the standards for grades six through eight call for examining "the various duties and trades performed by slaves (e.g., agricultural work, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing, transportation)." "Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit," the document reads. Vice President Harris commented on the curriculum remarks on July 20 at a national convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. During her speech, Harris alleged that Florida "decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery." "They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it we who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history and our duty in the context of legacy," she said. The vice president made similar remarks the following day in Jacksonville, Florida, claiming that "they want to replace history with lies." According to Watters, the controversy surrounding the curriculum appeared to generate more attention following Allen's interview with WPLG Local 10 News, which is affiliated with ABC News. Watters said that Allen had stated that Harris' assessment was "categorically false" and that the curriculum never states that African Americans benefit from slavery, a point that did not make it into the final broadcast. However, WPLG included a clip in which Allen stated that it was "the case that Africans proved resourceful, resilient and adaptive. And were able to develop skills and aptitudes which serve to their benefit, both while enslaved and after enslavement. " For his part, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a letter to Harris inviting her to discuss the African American studies curriculum with him and Allen. "I am prepared to meet as early as Wednesday of this week, but of course want to be deferential to your busy schedule should you already have a trip to the southern border planned for that day," wrote DeSantis, as quoted by ABC News. "Please let me know as soon as possible. What an example we could set for the nation - a serious conversation on the substance of an important issue! I hope you're feeling up to it." Christian college's K-12 history curriculum receives pushback amid education culture wars Correction Appended Amid the ongoing debate over what is being taught in schools nationwide, dozens of K-12 schools are using curriculum materials designed by a conservative Christian college to offer a different approach to history lessons that critics contend gloss over darker elements of U.S. history. Hillsdale College in Michigan is the institution behind The 1776 Curriculum, which provides history and civics lessons for K-12 classrooms. Kathleen O'Toole, who serves as the assistant provost for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, told The Christian Post in a Friday interview that the school's provision of curriculum and instruction materials to other educational institutions is not a new concept. Hillsdale College, which was founded in 1844 by members of the Free Will Baptists, started its work with the K-12 grade levels in 1990, the year of Hillsdale Academy's founding. The Hillsdale Academy webpage describes it as a "private classical Christian school owned and operated by Hillsdale College." The college is currently a non-denominational Christian school, and it has charter schools in over a dozen states as well as non-member schools that use its curriculum materials. The 1776 Curriculum offers lesson plans that guide teachers on how to instruct students on topics related to American history and civics. The curriculum is available for free, which O'Toole said is possible due to gifts from donors, highlighting how Hillsdale does not accept any federal or state money. The administrator said that public and Christian schools have adopted the curriculum, as well as families. She said that the idea behind the curriculum is to offer students "the truth." "So, in classical tradition, regardless of whatever subject we're talking about, they deserve access to the truth," she said. "They deserve access to the very best, and they deserve to be treated as if they can really learn these important things without a filter." A focus of the curriculum, she said, includes teaching students through primary source documents, helping them to uncover the evidence about historical figures and happenings for themselves. "History is the story of the past, and the study of history is an effort to uncover the truth in the past through American history," O'Toole said. She cited Thomas Jefferson, America's third president and the writer of "The Declaration of Independence," as an example. O'Toole called Jefferson a "puzzle," noting how he wrote "All men are created equal" in the declaration and yet, he also held slaves. "So how do we put those two pieces of information together? That's a legitimate question to ask, and the answer lies in reading what he wrote about it," O'Toole stated. "And it's not a simple answer; it's a complicated answer. But it can be discovered if you read what he wrote and what others wrote about him at the time." James Grossman, executive director of the American Historical Association, however, criticized Hillsdale's curriculum, alleging that the material does not properly cover topics that don't promote a patriotic view of the country. "What they also are trying to do is replace an approach to teaching that teaches students how to think with an approach that teaches the students what to think," Grossman told NBC News in a statement earlier this month. As the NBC report noted, schools in Pennsylvania and Florida have also taken steps to include the conservative college's approach to learning. In Grossman's April 2023 letter to the South Dakota Board of Education Standards, AHA outlined its concerns regarding the revision of the state's social studies standards, published in March. The letter criticized the appointment of a retired Hillsdale professor to rework social studies education, accusing the school of having a "commitment to partisan politics." The AHA executive director also questioned whether the standards were "age-appropiate" and the ability of young students to understand and explain why slavery is "morally evil" under the curriculum. Prior to the letter, the organization has previously accused the 1776 curriculum of ignoring the plight of enslaved and indigenous individuals while treating the country's founding fathers as "godlike men." O'Toole stated that the first two units released of the 1776 Curriculum focused on America's founding and the civil war and how to reconcile the existence of slavery in a nation that declared "All men are created equal." She stressed that slavery is mentioned in the curriculum over 3,300 times and that "racism is comprehensively covered as well," "So that's what you will see in this curriculum; it's written with the teacher in mind. It's written with the necessities of working in a school at the forefront, and it's intended to be helpful and easy to use." The debate about Hillsdale's curriculum comes amid multiple controversies involving parents objecting to the curriculum at their child's school, arguing that it's historically inaccurate and politically motivated. In response to these concerns, the previous presidential administration under Donald Trump created the 1776 Commission to offer a "patriotic education" for public schools. One area of concern included the 1619 Project, which taught that the American Revolutionary War was fought over slavery and that the nation's true founding was in 1619, not 1776. Shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order dissolving the commission, calling for "a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality." Correction: This article, originally published on July 31, said that Hillsdale Academy was founded in 1919 and that the 1776 curriculum mentions the topic of slavery over 3,000 times. It has been updated and corrected to clarify the date of its founding and the content of its curriculum. 'Everybody is created equal under God and the law': Christian HR rep sues food service giant over 'equity' initiative Lawsuit alleges executives held 'racial animus toward white men' A former employee of one of the biggest food service companies in the world says her opposition to a company diversity initiative on religious grounds ended in her losing her job. Courtney Rogers of San Diego, California, was hired in August 2021 as an Internal Mobility Team recruiter for Compass Group USA, Inc., the parent company of Bon Appetit Restaurant Management, Wolfgang Puck Catering, and other brands, according to attorneys with the Thomas More Society. According to the lawsuit, in March 2022, about six months after Rogers was hired, the North Carolina-based Compass initiated a human resources program called Operation Equity, a purported diversity program that offered qualified members special training and mentorship and the promise of guaranteed promotion. When it came to time to create selection criteria for the initiative, Rogers said things began to change. Thats when I started feeling very uncomfortable about it because they were limiting it to women and people of color, so obviously leaving out white men, she told The Christian Post on Monday. Rogers said she was also involved in discussions about expanding the program to other Compass departments, which would involve changing the selection criteria based on the needs of that particular department, including, says Rogers, selecting other types of people based off their gender and skin tone. One example, according to the complaint, included a Compass Tech group that was described as very heavy with Asian males. Attorney Paul Jonna, partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP and Thomas More Society Special Counsel, told CP that Rogers later expressed her concerns and requested an accommodation to not be required to work on the program because the initiative "directly conflicted with her sincerely held religious beliefs." The complaint filed July 24 in United States Court for the Southern District of California alleges Rogers witnessed racial animus against white men held by certain members of the companys senior management team, including Joann Canaday, VP of Human Resources Operations, and Ralena Rowe, VP of Talent acquisition. According to the complaint, Rowe stated Operation Equity was intended to right the wrongs of the last hundred years. The complaint also alleges Rowe and Canady threatened any would-be opponents of the initiative with statements such as, This is the direction the world is going, jump on the train or get run over, and, We are not here to appease the old white man. After Rogers reviewed Compass own policies and procedures, in her mind any policy that discriminated on the basis of race in this case, white men was illegal, Jonna said. She didn't feel comfortable implementing a policy that violated the law, he explained. When Rogers asked for a religious accommodation, Jonna said she was assured by a senior human resources officer that there would be no retaliation against her for expressing her beliefs and she could be assigned different responsibilities as accommodation. But, says Jonna, thats not what happened. Under the law, theyre required to accommodate people with sincere religious objections as long as it does not impose an undue burden, he said. In this case, there was no burden at all, but what they were really doing was punishing her for daring to speak out against this policy. Within two weeks after Rogers shared her concerns, Jonna says the same HR officer fired her for unsatisfactory performance. Its really despicable conduct and Im glad Courtneys holding them accountable for their egregious violation of the law. For Rogers, she said despite the risks of speaking out, she and her husband were not comfortable with her participation in the initiative. I believe that everybody is created equal under God and the law, and I wasnt going to treat somebody differently based on how they look, she said. The lawsuit, which demands a jury trial, seeks relief from Religious Creed Discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as well as wrongful termination in violation of public policy. In addition to seeking financial compensatory damages, the complaint also asks the court to require Compass senior management in human resources to participate in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Fair Treatment training, classes and oversight to ensure that Compass does not discriminate and retaliate against other employees in the manner it did with Rogers. CP reached out to Compass Group for comment. This story will be updated if a response is received. While Rogers faces an uncertain future, she encouraged all Christians working in American corporate culture to stand up for what they believe in. If you don't stand up for what you believe is right, then what are you doing? You need to stay firm in your faith in God or theres no reason to be living, she said. Everybody just needs to be confident in their beliefs and stay firm in what they believe in and not to be afraid to speak up if you see any wrongdoing. Man arrested for vandalizing church with satanic symbol, turning crosses upside down A man has been arrested for allegedly vandalizing a church in Texas with satanic symbols and causing more than $4,000 in damages, according to local authorities. Isaac Jordan Soto-Olivarez, 27, was arrested last week for allegedly vandalizing Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church on July 17, according to the El Paso Police Department. According to authorities, Soto-Olivarez broke into the church, poured holy oil over parts of the building, turned crosses upside down, and wrote 666 on several items, including a mirror, a tabernacle and a rosary candle. Soto-Olivarez was seen attacking the church property on video surveillance footage, noted El Paso authorities, and caused an estimated $4,100 in damages to Most Holy Trinity. After his arrest, Soto-Olivarez was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. He faces one offense of Burglary of Building, one offense of Criminal Mischief Damage / Destruction to Place of Worship, and one offense of Evading Arrest or Detention. In addition to El Paso authorities, the Federal Bureau of Investigations West Texas Border Corruption Task Force also participated in the effort to apprehend the suspect. The Catholic Diocese of El Paso released a statement last week in which they thanked local authorities and the FBI for their efforts, adding that they appreciate their professional response. We are thankful that the physical damage to the church was minimal and has been fully cleaned up since the incident almost two weeks ago, stated the Diocese. Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church is open and has continued uninterrupted with weekly and weekend services as normal. We ask for continued prayers for those who work in law enforcement, for the alleged perpetrator, and for the entire Most Holy Trinity community. On the evening of July 17, Most Holy Trinity took to their Facebook page to announce that their church had been vandalized in the early morning hours and that they were currently in cooperation with the El Paso Police Department. The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Community and Diocese of El Paso wishes to thank our local law enforcement for their attention in regard to this matter, the church stated. We ask for your prayers for all involved as we continue to work with law enforcement on this matter. In April, the Family Research Council released a report that found in the first three months of 2023, there were nearly 70 attacks on church buildings in the United States. Nearly 70% of born-again Christians say other religions can lead to Heaven: study Nearly 70% of born-again Christians disagree with the biblical position that Jesus is the only way to God, according to a new survey from Probe Ministries, a nonprofit that seeks to help the Church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview. The survey, which looked at religious beliefs and attitudes toward cultural behaviors, polled 3,106 Americans ages 18 to 55 from all religious groups, including 717 respondents who identified as born-again Christians. Born-again respondents were identified based on their affirmative response to the question, Have you ever made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in your life today? They were also identified by their belief about what happens after they die. Born-again believers agree that I will go to Heaven because I confessed my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Despite this claim by the self-identified born-again Christians in the study, however, among all respondents ages 18 to 39, who profess an affiliation with some religion, fewer than 1 out of 5 of them strongly disagree with the statement that Muhammad, Buddha and Jesus all taught valid ways to God. Still, some 60% of this cohort said they shared their faith with someone else at least annually with the intent of converting them. If you think that there are multiple ways to Heaven, why would you want to go out of your way to convert someone to your religion? Of course, you could be sharing with an unaffiliated person who needs to choose a valid religion, noted Steve Cable, senior vice president of Probe Ministries, in his analysis of the data. The survey also found that among the top reasons given by born-again Christians for not telling others about their faith is the acceptance of pluralism. When asked why they dont share their beliefs with others, born-again respondents chose They can get to Heaven through their different religious belief, We shouldnt impose our ideas on others, and The Bible tells us not to judge others as their top three responses, respectively. At first glance, this may seem surprising. But in a culture where pluralism is a dominant part of all religious groups, it begins to make sense. And the pluralistic reasons were dominant, attracting around two-thirds of the population across all religious groupings, Cable said. Cable argued that pastors and churches need to make the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to Heaven a stronger focus in teaching their congregations in order to push back against the tide of pluralism. On the most common reasons (which indicate a belief that other people dont really need to know about salvation through faith in Jesus), we need to make the exclusive role of Jesus Christ in any hope of salvation a recurring and prominent theme in our teaching, he said. This is not a topic to tiptoe gingerly around. Rather, we need to boldly proclaim, There is salvation in no other name under Heaven other than the name of Jesus Christ. God would not have planned from before the beginning of time to sacrifice Himself on the cross for our salvation if there were any other means to reconcile sinful men and women to Himself. He added: God will not force reconciliation on us. We can choose to reject His grace. But as Paul tells us in Romans, How are they to believe in one they have not heard of? If we think we can slough off our responsibility to tell others, we do not understand the grace of God and our role as citizens of Heaven living on this Earth. In 2008, a Pew Research Center study found that more than half of all American Christians believe that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to salvation. Nearly a decade later, a Pew survey found that even among the most traditional Christian groups, significant minorities have been rejecting God as described in the Bible. While 80% of all Americans surveyed in the 2018 study said they believe in God, only 56% said the God they believe in is the one "as described in the Bible." The strongest supporters of God as described in the Bible were Christians who self-identified as members of historically black Protestant churches at 92%, followed closely by evangelicals at 91%. Significant minorities of Christians who identified as Catholics, 28%, and mainline Protestants, 26%, also indicated that they believe in a higher power or spiritual force, which is not God as described in the Bible. This confusion among Christians and what they believe was also recently reflected in the American Worldview Inventory published last month by the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University. Of an estimated 176 million American adults who identify as Christian, just 6% or 15 million of them were actually found to hold a biblical worldview. The study showed, in general, that while a majority of Americas self-identified Christians, including many who identify as evangelical, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and is the Creator of the universe, more than half reject a number of biblical teachings and principles, including the existence of the Holy Spirit. Strong majorities were also found to errantly believe that all religious faiths are of equal value, people are basically good and that people can use acts of goodness to earn their way into Heaven. The study further showed that majorities dont believe in moral absolutes, consider feelings, experience or the input of friends and family as their most trusted sources of moral guidance, and say that having faith matters more than which faith you pursue. *This is a 10 minute 54 second video. This video is a must watch for our TUDM generals and anyone else who is interested. All these Chinese planes here ... 17 hours ago Accomplished psychiatrist says demons, demonic possession are real WESTCHESTER, New York In a book he says is aimed at the well-educated with an interest in the subject, accomplished psychiatrist and professor, Dr. Richard Gallagher, delivers compelling findings from his decadeslong career to make a compelling case that demons and demonic possession are real phenomena. For many Christians, Gallaghers findings presented in his 272-page book, Demonic Foes: My Twenty-Five Years as a Psychiatrist Investigating Possessions, Diabolic Attacks, and the Paranormal, first published in the fall of 2020, could simply be treated as an acknowledgment of what the Bible has been telling them for centuries. In my experience, the idea of demonic possession is so controversial and so often misunderstood that I want at the outset to establish some scholarly plausibility to the notion along with my bona fides, the board-certified psychiatrist, who serves as professor of psychiatry at New York Medical and a psychoanalyst on the faculty of Columbia University, begins in the introduction of his book. Typical reactions to the topic reflect our nations polarization. Despite widespread belief in evil spirits in the United States and around the world, some people find the subject farfetched, even moronic. Yet others spot the devil everywhere. And so, here I detail my personal story and highlight the credibility of possessions while simultaneously offering some sober reflections on various exaggerations and abuses. The book is an elaboration of the psychiatrists 2016 op-ed on the subject published in The Washington Post, titled As a psychiatrist, I diagnose mental illness. Also, I help spot demonic possession. Gallagher, who is Catholic, is the longest-standing American member of the International Association of Exorcists which meet every two years in Italy. He begins his narrative with the story of a troubled devil-worshiper named Julia who he concluded was possessed after an exorcist in the Catholic Church brought her to him for evaluation before attempting an exorcism. Before I encountered Julia, I had already seen about eight or nine cases of what I regarded as full possessions. I define those as cases where the evil spirit completely takes control of someone, such that the victim has periods when he or she has no remembrance of such episodes, Gallagher writes. I have since seen scores more such possessions and a much higher number of cases of oppression, which are far more common than possessions. Because of my involvement with the International Association of Exorcists, I have heard reports of hundreds more of each type, but that hardly implies they are anything but rare conditions, as I still know them to be. Gallagher highlights stories about the manifestation of demonic powers like levitation and remote viewing where possessed individuals like Julia can, for example, communicate what someone is doing and where they are doing it despite being a hundred miles away. Julia demonstrated to me very clearly that she could see, for instance, the chief exorcist at a distance [even though] he was 100 miles away, Gallagher explained in an interview with The Christian Post at his home last Thursday. She could describe him to a tee and what he was doing which was unusual for his normal routine. There's no way she could have guessed that. If one is familiar with occult literature, one realizes that there are occultists, people [who] have turned to dark arts who claim they have a third eye, and that they can see things from a distance, this is an analogous phenomenon, he continued. She had this paranormal ability to do that. And she was very clear where she got that ability. People have tried to study these things for years without reaching much in the way of a conclusion. Human beings don't have those abilities on their own. They either get it from below or from above, Gallagher added. Julia recognized that and she recognized that she got these paranormal abilities from Satan himself. Gallagher explained that while he remains committed to science, he has found that all knowledge cannot be explained by science. I do want to emphasize in all that I write and say, that I am committed to science, that scientific methodology has immensely helped the human race, he said. But not all knowledge can be verified by lab experiments and that sort of thing. Most of what we're talking about when we talk about religious truths, and certainly this field of the demonic, is essentially historical knowledge. It's observations and observations about historical facts can be true or false, depending on the credibility of the witness, depending on how sensible seems the reports of these phenomena, he noted. But that doesn't make it unscientific because it's historical. We talk about Washington crossing the Delaware , most people would say that's knowledge. And, in a similar way, these reports, of demonic phenomena and exorcisms and that sort of thing, it is a type of genuine knowledge, which is what the word science originally meant. It meant knowledge, it didn't mean only the scientific method, he explained. While Gallagher says demonic possession is very rare today, it appeared to be a more common occurrence in the Bible. In the Christian tradition, Jesus fame grew as a result of His exorcisms. In Mark 1:1-28 it is recorded that Jesus cast out a demon from a man inside a Jewish synagogue and the people were all so amazed that they asked each other, 'What is this? A new teachingand with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits, and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. After Jesus appointed his 12 disciples in Mark 6, it is noted in verse 13 that They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Gallagher warns that even though there is evidence suggesting that demons and demonic possession are real, care needs to be taken when discussing the subject to avoid hysteria and misconceptions. Unfortunately, there are people in this country there are many people who just dismiss the whole idea. But there were also people in this country who exaggerate its prevalence, he told CP. Possession itself is the most intense form of demonic attack, and it's rare. And so, anybody who's seeing possession all over the place is mistaken. What some people who exaggerate the prevalence of the phenomena mistake for possession are things like illnesses, especially mental illness, especially in today's world, the professor said. In the past, there may have been confusion with some odd neurological conditions like Tourette's disease, like certain forms of temporal lobe epilepsy, epilepsy, that sort of thing. Most of those neurological and other medical illnesses are better understood in today's world to have a brain-based foundation, but there's still a fair amount of people sometimes among less informed Christians who interpret certain forms of mental illness as demonic and I don't regard that as a professor of psychiatry, he continued. I think that's mistaken. The conditions that are most commonly confused with possession in certain Christian subcultures are psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, where people claim they're hearing voices of demons and stuff. Now those are brain events, those are hallucinatory experiences. That's not, that's not possession, he insisted. Other people have misinterpreted what's called dissociative identity disorder, which used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder, where there may be an evil personality, even a demonic seeming personality, but it has to be still recognized as a psychological disorder, not a possession. And then there are people who deal with very strong evil impulses, he said. There are certain personality disorders which are consumed with feelings and thoughts of destructiveness for instance, borderline personality, but there are even people who are sociopaths, what we would normally call criminals, who deal with very evil and sinful tendencies all the time. I do not regard those people as possessed. Those people may be influenced as all human beings are, by temptation from evil spirits, but I don't think we should go around acting like we can cure them with deliverance or that they have some serious possession. Despite all the mental health disorders with a brain-based foundation, says Gallagher, he still wants people to understand that the findings he records in his book bear witness to the existence of the demonic. I tell people, you don't have to believe what Dr. Gallagher writes, you know, there are people who write these books and make up stuff. My book was 100 percent accurate. All I did was change the names of people, he said. Paul, when he went to Corinth, which is, I suppose, a little bit like a preacher from Kansas, going to San Francisco or something. He said, Look, I saw the resurrected Christ. But you don't have to believe me, there are 500 other people, most of whom are still alive, you can get their witness too. And of course, many of those people suffered and died for their beliefs, including in the resurrected Jesus. So, there are other psychiatrists who believe exactly the way I do, they're just a little maybe more reluctant to speak out, or they just haven't seen as many cases as I have. Nobody just has to believe my book, he added. Go out and learn about it from many other faithful people who have recorded their own experiences. Top EU official challenges COVID-19 worship bans in key religious freedom case A contentious legal challenge on religious freedom, centered on the COVID-19 worship bans during lockdowns, has been launched at the European Court of Human Rights by a leading EU official criticizing the restrictions as profoundly illiberal and illegitimate. Jan Figel, a Slovak politician and former EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, initiated the challenge, questioning the compatibility of such restrictions with the fundamental right to communal religious practice, the human rights group ADF International said in a statement. Figel contended that such all-encompassing bans disregard the pivotal role religion plays in the lives of the believer. It was evident that religious worship could be conducted safely during the pandemic, he said. Bans were unfair and disproportionate. Our arguments submitted to the court demonstrate clearly that blanket bans are violations of religious freedom under international human rights law. Throughout the pandemic, several countries, including the U.K. and Slovakia, imposed restrictions on worship services. In Slovakia, the government justified these broad prohibitions, citing the availability of digital worship alternatives. Figels arguments contest this justification, emphasizing that for believers, communal worship and spiritual sustenance can be as critical as physical nourishment. Dr. Adina Portaru, senior counsel for ADF International, asserted the necessity of protecting fundamental freedoms, especially during a crisis. The international legal framework is very clear in its protection of this right as it benefits everyone people of faith as well as people of no faith. Fundamental freedoms apply to all, and in times of crisis they must be protected rather than weakened, Portaru said. Figels case might be the first where Europes top human rights court rules on the blanket bans on public worship during the COVID-19 pandemic, the human rights group said, adding that it could set a precedent across 46 European states. In the past, the ECHR has upheld the freedom to manifest ones religion not only alone and in private but also in community with others, in public and within the circle of those whose faith one shares, ADF International noted, adding that this point was further emphasized in 2021, when Scotlands highest civil court ruled that digital options were an alternative, not a replacement, for worship. Figel, who served as the EUs religious freedom envoy until 2019, referred to the EUs responsibility to uphold fundamental freedoms, stating that the bloc couldnt credibly promote religious freedom worldwide if its member states failed to safeguard these liberties at home. His challenge is welcomed and supported by a diverse civil society coalition, including academics, artists, politicians and faith leaders. Archbishop of York says Lord's Prayer comments were 'misunderstood' (CP) The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell has issued a clarifying statement on his previous comments regarding the use of the phrase "Our Father" in the Lord's Prayer, insisting Christians should continue with its use while also being "sensitive" to individuals who have been victims of abuse perpetrated by men. The Archbishop's earlier comments had sparked controversy, with him suggesting that the reference to God as "Our Father" might be "problematic" for people who have suffered abuse from fathers or male clergy. His statement was made during his presidential address to the General Synod, the Church of England's legislative body, earlier this month. Cottrell's initial comments, which suggested a need for sensitivity in language used to refer to God, stirred a mixed reaction within the Anglican denomination. Liberal and feminist clergy members were largely in agreement, but conservative Christians criticized the Archbishop for seemingly taking cues from modern culture rather than scriptural tradition. Seeking to address the confusion surrounding his previous statements, the Archbishop wrote a piece for The Telegraph. "A few weeks ago, I found myself a little misunderstood when I pointed out that some people who have never known a father present in their life, or worse, been abused or neglected by their father, may find this word challenging," he wrote. "But what I wasn't saying is that we should stop using the word simply that we need to be sensitive as we lead people in prayer." He reinforced that Christians should continue praying to God as "Our Father," but be mindful of the implications that such language might have on abuse survivors or a bad relationship with their earthly father. The Archbishop also underscored the need for healing among victims of abuse, and the Church's role in facilitating this healing. "We help those whose experience of earthly fathers has been negative to discover the healing love of the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And as has always been the case, we use other language to describe God as well," he said. However, his statement sparked strong counterarguments. An opinion piece by Edward Dowler in Church Times, titled "To pray 'Our Father' is not problematic," presented an opposing viewpoint. Dowler argued that while all religious language is metaphorical, the term "Father" has a unique standing as it was both explicitly given by Jesus and inspired by the Spirit as the foundation of all Christian prayer. He expressed regret that the Archbishop's key point about unity within the Church was somewhat overshadowed by his commentary on the word "Father." In February, the Church of England announced the initiation of a project on "gendered language" with respect to God in church services, resulting in a debate about the usage of the pronouns "he" and "him" and the reference to "our Father." The suggestion to replace these with either gender-neutral or female alternatives has been met with both support and criticism. An opinion piece by Daniel French in The Spectator, titled "God the 'Father' isn't sexist," voiced strong criticism of the notion of replacing the term "Father" with gender-neutral or female alternatives. French argued such a move would be both theologically dubious and aesthetically displeasing. He further warned against the Church conforming to "woke capitalism," pointing to what he perceives as a trend of churches increasingly bending to cultural and societal pressures. Canon Dr. Chris Sugden, a former Synod member, earlier questioned the Archbishop's intentions, asking if he is implying that Jesus was incorrect or lacked pastoral awareness. He suggested that individuals with challenging relationships with their earthly father should "rediscover the true nature of fatherhood through Christ." Dr. Ian Paul, a Synod member, earlier supported the Archbishop, saying that many find the language of "father" difficult. But he added, "God is a good and loving father, so we need to continue to use this language whilst being aware of and alert to the pastoral issues." The Rev. Christina Rees, a former Synod member and campaigner for female bishops, praised the archbishop for identifying a "really live issue." She said that for some, the term "father" is complex due to layers of abuse from birth fathers and local priests, known as fathers in God. The Christian Post Christian charity concerned over Cyprus assisted suicide case Christian charity CARE has voiced concern about calls to legalise assisted suicide in the UK after a man sentenced in the killing of his terminally ill wife was freed by a Cypriot court. David Hunter, 76, killed his wife Janice, 74, in an assisted suicide at their home in Paphos in 2021. He denied murder and said his wife, who suffered from blood cancer, became "hysterical" and "cried and begged" him to end her life. The court sentenced him to two years in prison for manslaughter but released him on Monday after serving 19 months in custody. Commenting on the outcome yesterday, CARE said the "narrative" around the case was "troubling". Ross Hendry, CEO of CARE, said: "We're concerned by the narrative surrounding this case, which involves the violent death of a vulnerable woman. "Janice Hunter became distressed after being diagnosed with cancer. She needed specialist support. Finding this would have been the compassionate response by David Hunter." Hendry expressed concern that the case is being used by campaigners to press for the legalisation of assisted suicide in the UK. He said that such calls should be resisted and that efforts should be focused on providing quality palliative care. "Their argument is based on the premise that people with serious illnesses face a binary choice between suffering and death. This idea is false, and dangerous," he said. "Holistic palliative care meets the needs of dying people, including in the most difficult circumstances. "Our national conversation needs to focus on how we improve care, not keep returning to assisted suicide. The experience of countries like Canada shows that assisted suicide is a Pandora's Box." Church leaders call for end to attacks on Christian sites in Holy Land Attacks and harassment by extremists are posing "grave threats" to the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Church leaders have said. The concerns are raised in a report sent to the World Council of Churches (WCC) by The Justice and Peace Commission of the Council of Heads of Catholic Churches in the Holy Land. There have been reports of increased vandalism targeting churches, cemeteries and Christian properties, as well as physical and verbal abuse against Christian clergy. The report states: "In recent months, attacks on Christian clergy, churches, and holy places have roused the anxiety of many of our Christian faithful, particularly in Jerusalem and Haifa. "Spitting, verbal abuse, sometimes physical violence as well as vandalism and graffiti writing are mostly carried out by extremist religious Jews." Last month, the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC) expressed "dismay" at "the recurrent expressions and demonstrations of intolerance in Israel perpetrated against Christians and Christian religious sites, such as spitting and desecration of graves and churches". It called on Israel to protect the safety and religious freedom of Christians and hold perpetrators to account. WCC acting general secretary, Marianne Ejdersten, urged the government and authorities of Israel "to ensure equal human rights for all people living under their responsibility, and to ensure accountability for attacks and violations against Palestinians, against the holy places, churches, Christian communities, Muslims and other groups, and to ensure free access to places of worship and holy sites". She said, "The WCC has consistently affirmed the long-held understanding that Jerusalem is a shared Holy City of three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islamand violations to the status quo bring division, and violence." De-banking and the subversion of society With Nigel Farage relentlessly pursuing his campaign to expose the scandalous 'debanking' by big banks of those whose views, they claim, do not align with their own, more of what begins to look disturbingly like a plot to take over society begins to emerge. At first glance, this statement may appear overly dramatic, but in recent days several things have come to light that cause concern. We all, for instance, know about the infamous Diversity Champions Programme run by Stonewall, the express aim of which is to help employers unlock the full potential of their LGBTQ+ workforce, by promoting an inclusion support policy. However, the trouble is that the adoption of any such policy prohibits expression of views that might be interpreted as critical, and so stifles debate. Thus, what is described as a policy for inclusion and diversity becomes, in practice, a manifesto for intolerance and exclusion. Now, however, it emerges there is a new kid on the block. B Corps, a network that originated in the US, is a corporate diversity scheme now operative in the UK, and which currently lists 1,400 British companies as members. It urges its corporate associates to stand against "all forms of oppression" and "dismantle racist systems, policies, practices, and ideologies". Coutts, it would seem, joined the scheme in 2021, and since that time has worked hard, as announced on its website, to make the bank 'an inclusive culture', where all colleagues feel welcome, and all can thrive. 'All', that is, who are ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+ innovative, and gender aware on all of which counts Mr Farage appears to have failed. From the 40-page report obtained by the former UKIP leader under a subject access request, it appears that his account was terminated because his comments in particular on climate and race did not align with the expressed values of the bank - or of B Corps. B Lab UK, the body which confers accreditation for B Corps, proudly states on its website that it adheres to the principles of "JEDI" justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. It goes on to say that it "stands against all forms of oppression, including racism, transphobia, classism, sexism, and xenophobia ...", continuing, "We commit to focused and sustained action to dismantle racist systems, policies, practices, and ideologies within ourselves and our networks." Which, according to their own lights, is what Coutts has attempted to do with Mr Farage. The inescapable conclusion is that this country now has in place a system under which banks and British companies signed up, as they are, to Stonewall and B Corps are basing policy decisions on an ideology that ruthlessly attempts to exclude those with whom they disagree. But the rot goes even further and it's this that should really cause alarm. We have already seen that Stonewall's programme of cultural and political reconfiguration has insinuated itself into schools, colleges, the media, civil service, government, the armed forces ... everywhere in fact. Its effect is like Japanese Knotweed once the weed has found its way in, it's terrifyingly hard to remove. But where control is assumed over money, then that is where authoritarian 'management' can really begin to bite home. With regards to high street banks, we are already faced with a situation where a thousand accounts a day are reportedly being closed. This means, in translation, that every day 1,000 people are being denied their legitimate place in society because, cut off from access to their funds (unless an alternative can quickly be found), they won't be able to pay bills, or buy the necessities for life. Worst case scenario, their businesses will collapse; mortgage agreements will go belly-up, meaning they'll lose their homes. Private health care, should they wish it, will become impossible, and on it goes. Effectively then, denying individuals access to banks holds the potential of making them a 'non-person', unable any longer to function in society. What better way to ensure compliance with a programme of societal reconfiguration than cutting someone off from their means to live? However you look at it, this is a covert but seemingly orchestrated ideological attack on those who subscribe to different political and religious views. It is social engineering by the back door. We have already witnessed the attempted subversion of the nation's young by the enforcement of LGBTQ+ ideology across education, but this is surely the next step. Now we are witnessing the opening gambits of a planned and merciless coup. Farage has warned that the growing practice of 'debanking' those whose views appear out of step with woke dogma is all part of a covert drive on the part of the banks to eliminate cash from society. With access to our resources only possible through digitally managed accounts, the effect would be to make all of us dependent on a centralised system that would literally control the whole of our lives. If true, as indeed seems supported by evidence, this would appear to be the opening moves of a power-hungry elite seeking absolute control over the rest of humanity a chilling enactment of stated policy by the World Economic Forum, 'You will own nothing, and you will be happy'. Forget for a moment ideology and freedom of belief, this is something altogether more visceral and more malign. So ask yourself, can it really be the case that everyone involved in an historically conservative minded financial services industry - whose business is, pure and simple, to make money - has suddenly and universally shifted to an extreme supposedly 'liberal' position that unashamedly uses anti-discrimination policies as a weapon of discrimination? Surely more likely, though it may itself appear an extreme possibility, what we are seeing are the opening moves of a stratospherically privileged elite literally seeking to rule for their own exclusive benefit the world. If so, such an attempt is demonic, and must be resisted. Rev Lynda Rose is founder of Voice for Justice UK, a group which works to uphold the moral values of the Bible in society. At least 40 people were taken ill after consuming 'bhang' (cannabis)-mixed 'prasad' in Madhya Pradesh's Agar district. As per the police, on the occasion of 'Shravan' month, a large number of devotees thronged a temple in a village to offer their prayers on Monday. During the evening hours, a procession (Mahadevs Savari) was also taken out in the locality, in which more than 200 devotees participated and were given 'prasad'. After consuming the prasad, which was mixed with cannabis, people complained of vomiting, stomach pain and drowsiness and were rushed to nearby hospital. Meanwhile, a team of the local health department also reached the spot, having received information regarding the matter. After primary treatment, some of them were rushed to a district government hospital. As per the report, at least 15 people were admitted in Nalkheda Civil Hospital. However, the condition of all the affected individuals is currently stable. The district administration has directed for an inquiry into the matter. . Zain Kuwait became the countrys first mobile operator in 1983 and has since grown into the largest mobile operator in the Middle East, providing voice and data services to more than 53 million customers. Worth more than $2.4 billion, Zain Kuwait employs 7,100 people in seven countriesand is growing largely because of the high level of service quality it provides to its customers. The company carries a brand rating of AA+ with Brand Finance Middle East Top 50 Brands. Zain Kuwait has relied on BMC as a technology partner for more than a decade for its distributors, branches, shops, and call centers to deliver the quality of service its customers have come to expect. BMC has become one of our core service management applications because of its powerful features and capabilities, said Rami Al-Muey, Inbound Floor Manager, Customer Care Division, Zain Kuwait. It is used extensively by our call center agents, branches, shops, and distributors to support the biggest customer base in Kuwait. As part of the companys ongoing commitment to improvement and its desire to stay ahead of the rapidly advancing technology curve, Zain Kuwait is constantly looking for solutions to deliver a better customer experience. The company saw an opportunity to do exactly this for its customer service agents. Enter BMC Helix for Customer Service Management, an enterprise SaaS solution providing a 360-degree view of every inbound customer call to expedite case resolution and deliver outstanding service experiences for every customer. More specifically, Zain Kuwait could now: Aggregate data, in real time, from all customer touchpoints to provide agents with a 360-degree, single source of information Facilitate collaboration between sales, marketing, and other teams to identify and resolve customer care questions directly with call center agents Empower customers to communicate through the channel of their choice, including social media, phone, email, self-service, and chat Provide agents with pre-built case flows to guide interactions and escalations more rapidly toward a solution Integrate BMC Helix for Customer Service Management seamlessly with dozens of its existing systems across customer relationship management (CRM), SMS customer messaging platforms, campaign management, billing, social listening, telephony, and many moreto provide the agent with all the necessary information to be the single source to resolve customer issues Save time by resolving issues on the first customer contact versus delaying customer resolution through warm hand-offs to other departments The collaborative BMC Helix for Customer Service Management solution also enables Zain Kuwait service agents to provide omnichannel support experiences to customers. Customers can employ a wide array of traditional and digital means to communicate with the Zain Kuwait customer service center. In turn, no matter how a customer contacts Zain Kuwait team, its agents can access all the customer information at their fingertips because BMC Helix for Customer Service Management intelligently integrates customer relationship history from sources across the company. Embedded reports and dashboards available through BMC Helix for Customer Service Management keep call center managers up to date on individual agent performance and skills. Individualized call agent performance data helps guide call center leaders on training opportunities for continuous improvement. We have at least 30 integrations achieved with BMC Helix for Customer Service Management, which allowed us to decrease our service time while increasing agent efficiency, said Ahmad Alkhabbaz, Technical Systems Specialist at Zain Kuwait. BMC Helix for Customer Service Management allows our agents to focus on the customer rather than opening various screens to access customer details. With BMC Helix for Customer Service Management in place, Zain Kuwait customer service agents have boosted their efficiency by 21% and increased first-call resolution time by 25%. The solutions global case feature also enables teams to proactively predict potential issues and automatically assign them to the appropriate technical resources to avoid unnecessary escalation. And since the solution can dynamically adapt to new items, products, and system tools, Zain Kuwait will continue to unlock value from its BMC Helix investments while adopting new technologies. Learn how BMC helps customer service organizations gain efficiency and improve the customer experience. Technical restrictions on interoperability: intentional or inevitable? A lack of interoperability between cloud service providers makes it difficult to combine services or to switch, Ofcom said in its interim report, noting that while some complexity is inevitable, it has seen evidence that technical barriers are more significant than they need to be, and that AWS and Microsoft may limit interoperability of some services by not sharing important technical information. This means they can only be used in their respective clouds, which prevents customers from using them in combination with products from rival providers, it said. Ofcom pointed to Amazon SageMaker, a platform for training and deploying machine learning models, which it said can only import data from other AWS services. Thats not true, AWS said, pointing to a blog post in which it provided instructions on importing data from third-party sources. Even with documentation, though, the complexity of cloud services and differences in capabilities between cloud providers mean that switching would take a significant amount of time and resource. So said Guardian Media Group, a major consumer of cloud services, in its comment on the Ofcom study. We estimate that a process of extricating from existing integrations to integrating with a new provider would take many months to complete and be extremely costly, it said. This creates a huge disincentive to switching once cloud services have been procured. One way Ofcom considered to ensure interoperability (and largely shied away from) is mandating standardization. The UEA academics concurred, but warned their market models show this is unlikely to favor competition. We find the imposition of mandatory interoperability standards would inherently favor incumbents, impede existing competition by differentiation, and limit the parameters for future innovation, they said. Microsoft, too, noted that requiring strict compliance to standards can chill innovation, limiting new functionality. While simpler and more open architectures are possible, theyll be inherently limited compared to more complex, tightly integrated services, it said. Software licensing can be a brake on interoperability, too. Without mentioning it by name, Google managed to slight Microsoft in its response, saying, Unfair licensing practices and commercial strategies deployed by certain legacy on-premises IT providers are causing significant harm to the cloud sector and UK customers at this critical inflection point by creating commercial lock-ins. Thats a reference to the formal complaint filed with the European Commissions Directorate-General for Competition by an association of European cloud providers in November 2022, saying, Microsoft uses its dominance in productivity software to direct European customers to its own Azure cloud infrastructure to the detriment of European cloud infrastructure providers and users of IT services. Discounts for committed spend: Its not just about the volume Discounts are Ofcoms third major area of concern, specifically committed-spend discounts. Discounts are generally a positive feature of markets, leading to lower prices and promoting competition between providers, it said, but warned that committed-spend discounts, which require customers to promise in advance to spend a certain amount on services regardless of their actual needs, can lead them to concentrate all or most of their spending with a single provider, even when there are no technical barriers to using multiple providers. This has the potential to dampen competition for customers new workloads, it said. AWS, however, deliberately conflated the volume-based discounts Ofcom approves of, and the committed-spend discounts it has doubts about, to suggest the regulator is against all forms of discount. But AWS, like Microsoft, also made the argument that committed-spend discountsbecause of the commitment parthelp service providers forecast demand and plan their investments accordingly. This, in turn, enables providers to offer services at lower cost, AWS said. TechUK, an association of technology providers and users, described the discounts as positive for customers and an effective means to lower the cost of a single-vendor cloud strategy, posing a dilemma for Ofcom by confirming its competition concerns, but at the same time, highlighting the harm that would result from removing them. The case for inaction Ofcom estimated that 20% of customersa figure it characterized as lowhave switched providers, whether between public clouds, within a cloud, or between on-premises, private cloud, or public cloud. Its uncommon for customers to switch away from a provider completely due to the time and cost required, it said. Microsoft disagreed with that assessment, asking, in effect, Low compared to what? and noting that customers may be staying put because theyre happy. Even if switching levels can robustly be characterized as (comparatively) low, this finding is wholly inconclusive: Low switching is perfectly consistent with a competitive market in which existing customers are not exploited relative to new customers but instead derive essentially the same competitive benefits, Microsoft said. The other big difference of opinions boils down to Ofcom saying that switching is harder for enterprises than it could be, while the hyperscalers say its easier than it used to be in the days of on-premises software. Both are right. So making switching easier may not be necessarybut is it even possible without hurting enterprises in other ways? Microsoft doubts that. The possible remedies identified in the Interim Report are difficult to design, monitor and enforce, it said. Any intervention could very well be net negative and leave UK enterprises and public sector customers worse offif, for example, UK customers were deprived of discounts, or of innovation through interoperability requirements, which favor portability considerations over innovation and differentiated value add services. The company recommends a wait and see approach, or, as it puts it, allowing dynamic market evolution to play out before commissioning any detailed assessment with a view to intervention. Guardian Media Group, too, casts doubt on the feasibility of mandating interoperability. Instead, it concluded, there are other ways to avoid the long-term financial harms of potential lock-in, such as putting a limit on the extent to which a cloud service provider can unilaterally increase fees within their contract term (for example, RPI or CPI plus X%), it said. Ofcom is still studying the responses it received, but will soon have to decide whether to make the referral to the CMA, which will then have to conduct its own investigation. Its going to be a while yet before regulation changes anything. Wellington-based electricity retailer Flick Electric is thrilled to announce the launch of its community support partnership with longstanding local organisation, Wellington Free Ambulance. It is the first multi-year community partnership for Flick, marking a significant milestone for the power company which now serves over 32,000 customers, and representing Flicks commitment to be deliberately on the side of New Zealanders. As a company that is homegrown in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and headquartered in the citys CBD, Flick takes immense pride in collaborating with Wellington Free Ambulance, which provides vital emergency services in the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region. It is the only emergency service in this area and the only free ambulance service in Aotearoa. Flick recognises the essential role played by Wellington Free Ambulance in safeguarding the community and is determined to support the organisation in maintaining their critical services. Through this partnership, Flick will take on the role of electricity retailer for the Wellington Free Ambulance sites, providing them with access to affordable electricity. Flick will also provide funding, which will help Wellington Free Ambulance keep its services free of charge to anyone who needs them. It is a collaboration grounded in shared values, with Wellington Free Ambulances mission to protect our communities and our most vulnerable people aligning closely with Flicks ethos of championing fairness and standing up for what is right. Neisha Ashaye, Chief Marketing Officer at Flick, says, "We're incredibly proud to join forces with Wellington Free Ambulance. Its an iconic organisation here in Wellington, and one that our local communities could not do without. At Flick, were passionate about being on the side of Kiwis, whether theyre our customers or not. By partnering with Wellington Free Ambulance, we feel we can really make a difference in our home region, and were excited to support them in their exceptional and essential mahi." Claire Carruthers, GM Fundraising and Communications at Wellington Free Ambulance, says, "Our new partnership with Flick is fantastic on several levels. Their support will help keep our (rather large!) electricity bills affordable, and their donation helps us keep the free in Wellington Free Ambulance. Theyre keen to support our annual Onesie Appeal too, and were excited to see the onesies they pull out for that! Supporters like Flick are absolutely essential in keeping our services running and were so grateful for their generosity." ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: ArborGen expands internal eucalyptus production in Brazil General Capital (GEN:NZX) Further Regulatory Update NZP - Korella North Projects Leads Chatham Forward BGP - Half Year Sales to 30 July 2023 August 9th Morning Report FBU - Update on NZICC, Group FY23 Guidance Confirmed Fletcher Building FY23 Results Webcast Details VGL - Vista Group announces new global senior leadership team August 8th Morning Report General Capital Limited Gives Notice of Annual Meeting IT services company Atos has found a buyer for its legacy managed infrastructure services business as it prepares for an IBM-style split between faster- and slower-growing activities. The deal will spell an end to the current one-stop shop for IT services that it offers its enterprise customers, but will free up capital and cash-flow for it to invest in more modern activities: digital transformation, smart digital platforms, cloud technology, cybersecurity, high-performance computing and AI. IBM spun out its legacy managed infrastructure services business as a new company, Kyndryl, in November 2021, seeking to become a faster-moving and more profitable company focused on modern technologies. That strategy appealed to the management of Atos, a major European player in the IT services market with a history almost as long as IBMs, and in July 2022 Atos announced its own plan to split, spinning off its less profitable activities including data centers and hosting; the digital workplace; unified communication and collaboration; and business process outsourcing. Atos had planned to divide into two publicly listed companies, but on August 1 announced it is taking a different route. It is close to selling its legacy business, known internally as Tech Foundations, to EP Equity Investment, a Luxembourg-based firm controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. EPEI is expected to pay 100 million (about $110 million) for business, provisionally named TFCo during the transition, and to take on 1.9 billion of Atos corporate debt, thus valuing the deal at around 2 billion. Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Organizational Context UNDP is the UNs global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In the Republic of Moldova, UNDP partners with a wide range of actors from the host government, civil society, business community, United Nations system, development partners, academia and other development actors to help the country achieve sustainable development guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, this entails eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shocks. UNDP Moldova Country Office (CO) is organized internally to allow for innovative data collaborative to drive foresight analytics and integrated policy and programming responses through UNDP interventions that advance national policy reforms and programmes. Pursuing integrated programmatic and policy response, and fostering strategic partnerships and alliances with different stakeholders will require a candidate who consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and has a strong client orientation and teamwork skills. The Policy Specialist works with Government counterparts to identify socio-economic policy options for the Government reform agenda and to enhance the policy impact of UNDP interventions. The Policy Specialist advocates for and represents UNDP in his/her area of expertise as requested by his/her supervisor. Position Purpose Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, and strategic guidance of Resident Representative, the Policy Specialist advises UNDP Senior Management on a broad range of socio-economic trends and policies and their relevant linkages to UNDP programmes. The Policy Specialist provides relevant data analysis to inform formulation of strategies and briefings to Senior Management to allow for an agile and responsive UNDP Country Program management. The incumbent develops and implements innovative methods that strategically capture and share technical knowledge from all UNDP Moldova teams and partners to improve UNDP Country Programme effectiveness and strategic direction. The Policy Specialist may supervise and lead a team of UNDP experts, international and national consultants and project staff. The Policy Specialist maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, International Financial Institutions, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society. Key Duties and Accountabilities: Advice and support to UNDP management, programmes and projects on existing and emerging socio-economic and development issues and integrated programmatic and policy solutions, in light of evolving country, regional and global contexts; Advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge development on existing and emerging socio-economic and development issues; Create and facilitate strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization; Advocate and promote UNDPs mandate and mission; Provides advice and support to UNDP senior management and program teams on socio-economic trends, development issues, and related integrated programmatic and policy solutions, in light of evolving country, regional and global contexts, focusing on achievement of the following results: Compilation, analysis and interpretation of diverse sources of socio-economic data that feed into formulation of foresight, insights and deeper research of the socio-economic and development issues in the country. Provision of top quality analysis and substantive inputs to UNDP Country Program Document, common UN analysis and preparation of other strategic policy papers, reports and project documents as relevant. Advice on possible areas for UNDP support and adjustment of on-going programmes to ensure that UNDP programmes are coherent, integrated and in line with national policies and priorities. Strategize with CO senior management on new programmatic and policy support opportunities as well as non-project modalities for delivering advisory services and development support to national and sub-national counterparts. Refine integrated portfolio strategy and policy positions through continuous critical assessment, anticipation modelling and analysis to meet policy and programming needs of national counterparts that responds to existing and emerging development challenges in country Engage with the private sector in data and solution collaboratives that advance concrete, innovative solutions to accelerate Sustainable Development Goals. Production and launch of socio-economic papers and reports, including the National Human Development Reports. Contribution to sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to development and socio-economic issues. Representation of UNDP in relevant UN working groups, including on SDGs. 2. Provides policy advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building and management among partners focusing on achievement of the following results: Provide policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on socio-economic development. Identify capabilities within UNDP Moldova, regional and global levels to conduct specific design engagements and recommend sourcing of necessary capacity, facilitating the design and scoping of engagements and their deliverables; Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and Communities of Practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned. Assesses the countrys socio-economic policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc. Provides training and capacity building support for UNDP staff and Government officials, public institutions on socio-economic issues. 3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results: With CO management and team members, define a portfolio of integrated and innovative programmes and services that engage new partners and collaborators. Cultivate relationships with technical experts locally and internationally that champion Moldovas ambition, demonstrating UNDP Moldovas expertise and innovation. Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society based on strategic goals of UNDP, country development needs and donors priorities. Develop and convene networks of collaborators attracted to the development issues championed by UNDP and ready to advance the work and profile of UNDP. Engage with the private sector to promote the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Analyse and research information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation. Produce periodic updates and briefs about country development situation to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ. 4. Advocates and promotes awareness of UNDP mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results: Conduct public and policy advocacy for the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant coordination groups, forums, conferences and trainings. Support monitoring of progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Manage events and publications on a variety of development issues. Expected Demonstration of Competencies Core Competencies Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity Functional Competencies System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally Partnerships management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Data literacy: Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration Co-creation: Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders, understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into them as a source for creativity Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement: Data/Analytics for early warning and crisis management SDG Integration: Economy-wide analysis Engagement with South-South Global Thinkers Required Skills and Experience Education Masters Degree or equivalent in Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelors degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree Experience, Knowledge, and Skills 5 years (with Masters Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelors Degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing socio-economic and development related advisory services. Advanced understanding of economic theories, principles and their applications to current national economic and development issues. Proven capacity to undertake and manage complex policy analysis and to promote innovation. Experience in leading/managing integrated knowledge product development and dissemination Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience with private sector engagement. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data. Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset. Languages: Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian. Disclaimer Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Data de incheiere a postului vacant : 17 august 2023 Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply Now ArborGen Holdings Limited (NZX: ARB ) advises Adriano E. Amaral de Almeida will assume the role of General Manager of its Brazil operations. Adriano succeeds Gabriela Monnerat, who will continue in a consulting capacity to facilitate a seamless transition. Chief Executive Officer of ArborGen, Justin Birch, said "Adriano is a great addition to the ArborGen executive team, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in tree improvement and breeding as well as an understanding of the Brazilian forestry market. Adriano will oversee our Brazil commercial production and sales operations, and marketing program, providing forest landowners access to our rich and broad portfolio of superior Eucalyptus and Loblolly pine products. Amaral de Almeida comes to ArborGen with more than 20 years in tree improvement science and breeding. More recently, he was the head of Acacia and Eucalyptus tree improvement at APRIL Indonesia where he was responsible for the tree breeding program, including the biomolecular lab, genomic projects, wood properties lab, Acacia and Eucalyptus seed production, and research and development project management. Amaral de Almeida has a bachelors degree in forestry engineering from Vicosa Federal University, a master's degree in forest science from Vicosa Federal University, and a master's of innovation management from Campinas University. Chairman of ArborGen, David Knott Jr, paid tribute to Gabriela, saying: Gabriela has successfully managed our Brazil operations through a period of strong growth, and has ensured that ArborGens Brazilian operations are well positioned for the future. On behalf of the Board, shareholders and our staff, we thank Gabriela for her valued leadership and contributions and wish her the very best in her future endeavours. ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: ArborGen expands internal eucalyptus production in Brazil General Capital (GEN:NZX) Further Regulatory Update NZP - Korella North Projects Leads Chatham Forward BGP - Half Year Sales to 30 July 2023 August 9th Morning Report FBU - Update on NZICC, Group FY23 Guidance Confirmed Fletcher Building FY23 Results Webcast Details VGL - Vista Group announces new global senior leadership team August 8th Morning Report General Capital Limited Gives Notice of Annual Meeting Civil Society Media is offering 10 bursary places to people with protected characteristics, giving free access to our events and publications. This is in an aim to support the charity sector to become more reflective of the diverse communities it serves. In a bid to try to redress some of the existing imbalances, Civil Society Media is offering 10 bursary places. Applicants will be able to choose any three items from our portfolio, providing a likely benefit of around 500. Matthew Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media, said: Charities should be leading the way when it comes to championing the benefits of a diverse community. We know that people with protected characteristics are under-represented in senior positions in the sector itself. We believe this is partly due to the fact that these people are not always afforded the same training and development opportunities as their counterparts. So that's why we're offering 10 bursary places, giving free access to our events and publications. To apply for a bursary place, you must be a person of a protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation) who is employed by or volunteers as a trustee for a charity. The organisation is particularly interested in hearing from people who have never been to a Civil Society Media event before, and who may not ordinarily be able to attend. Full details are outlined on the application form (below). In 1998, La Croix, a Catholic daily in France, ran a front-page picture of Emile Zola, the celebrated French novelist. The splash marked the hundredth anniversary of JAccuse!, an open letter that Zola published in a different newspaper, LAurore, in defense of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer who was wrongly convicted of selling secrets to the Germans in a case that triggered a wave of anti-Semitic sentiment in France. The front page also acknowledged La Croixs own complicity in the episode, noting that it referred to Dreyfus as a Jewish enemy and issued a call to gut Zola for defending him. We have to remember, Michel Kubler, La Croixs editor in chief in 1998, wrote, of the papers coverage of Dreyfus. We have to repent. Last year, Isabelle de Gaulmyn, La Croixs current editor in chief, received a copy of an old edition of the paper in the mail. It, too, was notable for its anti-Semitism: the front page featured references to Jewish organs among the French press and characterized Jews who had been expelled from Russia as invaders. The edition dated to June 1892two years before the Dreyfus affair began. I knew that La Croix had been against Dreyfus, de Gaulmyn told me, but I didnt know that, from the start, [the paper dealt in] really systematic anti-Semitism. Recently, La Croix marked its hundred and fortieth birthday in its current form. It was founded in 1883 by Frances Assumptionist congregation and two of its members in particular, Father Picard and Father Baillysoldier monks who launched the paper into a crowded market to fight for Catholicism at a tumultuous moment in French history. In our opinion, the daily press is the plague of our age, Picard wrote in an opening editorial. La Croix was only joining it because its the only way to reach the enemy on the ground that hes ravaging. The soldier who uses his sword to extend his homeland doesnt apologize for it, he uses it. De Gaulmyn decided that, amid La Croixs anniversary celebrations, the time was right to wrestle, in greater depth, with the papers anti-Semitic past. She ended up doing so in a four-part series that came out last month, based on conversations with historiansshe built on the work of Pierre Sorlin, who, in 1967, published a book on La Croixs early yearsand archival research, a task that was sometimes hard to stomach, so harsh was the hatred she found. After the French Revolution, the nineteenth century was complicatedit was the impossibility of going back to a monarchy; it was the end of a Christian regime and [the start of] a secular republic, de Gaulmyn said. Many Catholics were horrified. They had to find someone to blame, and in the end, it was the Jew. In the years after its launch, La Croix shifted from pushing anti-Judaism, rooted primarily in religious bigotry, to something like the modern definition of anti-Semitism, depicting Jews as a people conspiring to marginalize Catholics and destroy the economy. Some of the tropes that the paper published remain familiar today: it demonized the Rothschilds and ran a map depicting an octopus whose tentacles wrapped around various countries; later, the papers parent company picked up the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a fabricated text that purports to reveal a Jewish plan for global dominance. In 1890, La Croix proudly declared itself the most anti-Jewish newspaper in France. By 1898, the year that Zola wrote JAccuse! about Dreyfus, the paper was calling for Jews to be kicked out. In the early part of the twentieth century, La Croix flirted with Action Francaise (or French Action), a nationalist-monarchist movement that was founded in the aftermath of the Dreyfus affair and came to be led by Charles Maurras. In the late 1920s, however, the papers editorial line changedone result of a broader intervention by Pope Pius XI, who ordered the French Catholic Church to distance itself from Maurras and his movement. Over time, La Croix would turn into what it is today: a general-interest publication covering the news and convening opinion for a Christian readership, but with an open mind and broad outlook on the world. Sign up for CJR 's daily email At least in the short term, though, de Gaulmyn found that the paper continued to use Jewish stereotypes and took discomfiting positions on the Jewish question; in the run-up to World War II, it warned of the dangers of Nazism, but it ultimately republishedand may even have supportedthe early anti-Semitic policies of the collaborationist Vichy regime excluding Jews from many aspects of civic life. Whatever its stance, damage had already been done; de Gaulmyn notes that when the first Vichy commissioner for Jewish Affairs was tried after the war, he said, in essence, that condemning him would be to condemn La Croix, which (along with a sister title) taught him how to be a Catholic. Indeed, one of de Gaulmyns motives in undertaking her project was to give lie to the once-popular idea that turn-of-the-century Catholics were guilty only of anti-Judaism, and not the brand of anti-Semitism that would feed into the Holocaust. De Gaulmyn told me that her work was inspired by similar excavations of past racism on the part of other newspapers, not least in the US, and also by American Jesuits who documented their historical ties to slavery and promised to raise a hundred million dollars to benefit the descendants of those they enslaved. In her series on anti-Semitism, de Gaulmyn stressed that the blight is not merely a historical one, pointing to growing modern-day anti-Semitism, in France and elsewhere, including in the name of Catholicism. She was surprised when a body that works on Catholic-Jewish relations recently sent her a book fact-checking questions such as Are Jews responsible for the death of Jesus? De Gaulmyn asks, Are we still in that place? She sees parallels, too, between the Catholic Churchs historical anti-Semitism and more recent reckoning with institutionalized child sexual abusein both cases, she writes, Catholics can begin to reconcile with their history only by apologizing. When we spoke, however, de Gaulmyn told me that that alone is insufficient. Today, among the bulk of Catholics, theres no longer anti-Semitism, but there is great ignorance, she said. La Croix and others, she added, must fight back by educating people, and by not using essentializing terms such as the Jew or the Muslim (the latter of which has become common in contemporary France). When youre a journalist, thats a real danger: to put people into categories, she said. Its very easy. Other notable stories: ICYMI: The threats facing student journalism havent gone away 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. TOKYO (AP) An official in charge of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant says the upcoming release of treated radioactive water into the sea more than 12 years after the reactors` meltdown marks a milestone, but is still only an initial step in a daunting decades-long decommissioning process. Junichi Matsumoto, the corporate officer in charge of treated water management for Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which operates the Fukushima Daiichi plant, also pledged to conduct careful sampling and analysis of the water to make sure its release is safely carried out in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards. The water is being treated with what`s called an Advanced Liquid Processing System, which can reduce the amounts of more than 60 selected radionuclides to government-set releasable levels, except for tritium, which the government and TEPCO say is safe for humans if consumed in small amounts. The release of the ALPS-treated water into the sea is a major milestone for us, as well as for the decommissioning of the plant, Matsumoto said in an interview with The Associated Press at TEPCO headquarters in Tokyo. In order to steadily advance decommissioning, the ever-growing amounts of water was a pressing issue that we could not put off, and we had a sense of crisis, said Matsumoto, a nuclear engineering expert. We still have to tackle far more challenging and higher-risk operations such as removal of melted debris and spent fuel from the damaged reactors, he said. Another task for TEPCO is combatting the damage to the reputation of Fukushima fisheries caused by the water release, he said. A massive March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and contaminating their cooling water, which has since leaked continuously. The water is collected, filtered and stored in around 1,000 tanks, which will reach their capacity in early 2024. Large amounts of fatally radioactive melted nuclear fuel remain inside the reactors. Robotic probes have provided some information about its status, but it remains largely unknown. The government and TEPCO say the water must be removed to make room for the plants decommissioning, and to prevent accidental leaks from the tanks because much of the water is still contaminated and needs retreatment. The release plan has faced strong opposition from Japanese fishing organizations, which worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover from the accident. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it into a political and diplomatic issue. Matsumoto said the key to gaining understanding is to patiently explain the situation by providing scientific evidence. It is difficult, but we hope to make it as easy to understand as possible, he said. If we describe (the water release) in one word, it`s safe. As the operator responsible for the accident, we must admit TEPCO is a company that is not fully trusted. We must keep up the effort and sincerely respond to any concern, Matsumoto said. It is our responsibility to demonstrate we can carry out the water release as planned, and thats how we can regain public trust. The government said the release is set to start this summer but hasn`t set the date amid protests. TEPCO has obtained safety permits for all of the equipment needed for the release and is currently carrying out training so the water release team can begin work at any time, Matsumoto said. It`s not like just turning a faucet to run tap water, he said. Scientists generally agree that the environmental impact of the treated wastewater would be negligible, but some call for more attention to dozens of low-dose radionuclides that remain in it, saying data on their long-term effects on the environment and marine life are insufficient and the water requires close scrutiny. The treated water will be diluted with massive amounts of seawater and will be released gradually over many years. Matsumoto acknowledged that treated water that came in contact with the damaged nuclear fuel contains radionuclides such as uranium and plutonium that are not in water that is routinely released from healthy nuclear plants around the world. He said the total concentration of radionuclides in the water meets government standards after treatment, and after dilution the wastewater will be fully safe and have a minimal environmental impact, according to the IAEA, which has provided assistance in evaluating the release plan. Matsumoto said he has struggled to manage the massive amounts of contaminated water to keep it from escaping into the environment and safely stored at the plant since the accident. There were instances in which plant workers had no other choice but to dump some into the sea or temporarily put it inside a basement or in temporary water tanks, Matsumoto recalled. Now, after taking measures to minimize the seeping of rainwater and groundwater into the reactor buildings and establishing a stable water management system, the amount of contaminated water has come down to less than one-fifth of what it used to be, he said. Top photo: Katsumi Shozugawa, assistant professor at Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of the University of Tokyo, holds a sample of the groundwater containing tritium, cesium and other radionuclides that had been tricked out from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant complex, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Amendments to Michigans no-fault law passed by the state legislature in 2019 do not allow auto insurers to cut fees or limit hours of attendant care provided to auto accident victims who were injured before the changes took effect, the Michigan Supreme Court decided Monday. The high court ruled in a 5-2 decision that the changes to personal injury protection benefits were not retroactive, but also rejected a challenge by a catastrophic care provider that argued the changes were unconstitutional even for no-fault claimants injured after the new law took effect. Consumer advocates say the decision affects thousands of auto-accident victims who otherwise would have seen drastic reductions in the number of hours of attendant care provided to them. Also, medical providers treating those claimants would have been subject to new fee schedules that aim to bring charges for care more in line with what is paid to patients with private health insurance or are covered through workers compensation. The Supreme Court has issued a strong affirmation that accident victims who were injured prior to the passage of the new law cannot have the rights and benefits they purchased through their auto insurance premiums stripped away by this legislation, Tim Hoste, president of the consumer group CPAN, said in a press release. The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and the Insurance Alliance of Michigan argued in an amicus brief that no-fault benefits were created by statute and therefore can be amended by state lawmakers without interfering with contractural rights of the insured. The brief says lawmakers passed reforms to bring down Michigans auto no-fault rates, which made the Car Capital of the World into the most expensive place to drive a car. Two crash survivors, Ellen M. Andary and Philip Krueger filed suit against USAA Casualty Insurance Co. and Citizens Insurance Co. in Ingraham County Circuit Court in October 2019, shortly after the no-fault reform bill passed the legislature and before its major provisions took effect. Andary suffered a brain injury that left her severely disabled when she was struck by a drunk driver in December 2014. She requires services from multiple caregivers, requiring 36 hours of care in total each day. Krueger was injured in 1990 when he was a passenger in a pickup that crashed. In 1997 he became a resident of the Eisenhower Center, a rehabilitation facility in Ann Arbor. The no-fault reforms limited attendant care rendered in an injured persons home to 56 hours a week, a change that would have radically reduced the amount of in-home care provided to Andary. The majority opinion says for practical purposes, many accident victims who require 24-hour care would have to be moved to nursing homes because their family members would no longer be compensated. The reforms also limited treatment and occupational training charges to 190% of the maximum charge allowed by Medicare. For services for which Medicare does not have a reimbursement limit, fees are capped at 52.5% of the average amount billed. A county court judge granted a motion to dismiss Andarys and Kruegers lawsuit, but a panel with the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed in a 2-1 decision. The appellate panel ruled that the 56-hour limit for attendant care and fee schedule do not apply retroactively to crash survivors injured before the law took effect. The charges must still be reasonable, as required by the statute as it existed before the 2019 changes, the high court said. The Court of Appeals also rejected the plaintiffs argument that applying the law prospectively would violate the rights of current and future auto accident victims. The appellate court, however, did decide to allow discovery for the Eisenhower Centers argument that the prospective changes would violate its due process and equal protection rights. The Supreme Court vacated that portion of the Court of Appeals ruling. Curbing escalating PIP benefits costs and lowering insurance premiums are legitimate governmental objectives, and the new fee schedules contained in (the statute) are reasonably and rationally related to accomplishing these objectives regardless of their effectiveness or wisdom, the opinion says. The decision says nothing in the legislation says that the fee schedule and hours-of-service provisions should apply to crash victims who injured before the law took effect. A retroactive application would interfere with insureds vested contractual rights, the majority said. Justices David F. Viviano and Brian K. Zahra wrote separate dissenting opinions. Both said that placing limits on fees and hours of services does not interfere with insureds contractual rights. The result today is that through an erroneous interpretation of the statute, aided by resort to vague and disputed concepts that seem only to serve as cover for fairness concerns, the majority has impeded the Legislatures effort to address an important issue in our state, Viviano wrote. The release of the Supreme Court decision sadly coincided with the death of Brian Woodward, auto crash survivor who advocated for the rights of other disabled auto crash victims. CPAN said in its press release that Woodward died early Monday morning. CPAN said Woodward became a quadriplegic in a 1983 car crash but was able to obtain a college degree and work as a computer analyst for Ford Motor Co. because of Michigans no-fault law. The organization said Woodward lost his home and his caregivers because of changes to the law. That assertion could not be confirmed on Monday. A few days before his death, Woodward was interviewed by podcaster Charlie LeDuff from his hospital bed. It was totally wrong to pull the rug out from under us, and theres 18,000 people who were affected, Woodward said. They were wrongly affected, and most of Michigan does not know what happened to them. Top photo: Brian Woodward speaks to podcaster Charlie LeDuff from his hospital bed a few days before his death on Monday. Photo is courtesy of LeDuffs No BS News Hour podcast. The lawyers professional liability segment hasnt been immune to increasing claims frequency and severity as growing economic challenges and an ever-evolving legal landscape heighten the exposures faced by law firms. Despite a slight reprieve during 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the courts for some time, the number of malpractice claims against law firms has been steadily rising year over year since 2019. But what is even more worrisome than the growing frequency is the severity attached to these claims. In the 2023 Ames & Gough survey, 10 lawyers professional liability carriers responded that legal malpractice claims frequency appears to have stabilized the last few years, but rising claims severity continues to be a major challenge for law firms. According to the survey, two carriers surveyed paid claims between $150 million to $300 million, and seven out 10 of the reporting insurers paid out claims of more than $50 million in the last two years. Nine of the 10 insurers surveyed again reported paying higher defense costs and higher defense counsel rates in 2022 compared with 2021. Typical lawyer malpractice claims include: Conflicts of interest. Misapplications of the law or attorney work on a case outside their area of expertise. Missed deadlines or calendaring mistakes that affect the outcome of a case. Poor communication with client. Disputes between attorneys and clients. But there are also several other evolving claims trends claims professionals should be watching: 1. Cyber risk As cyber risks grow globally, law firms and their clients are finding themselves victims of complex criminal schemes. The most frequent cyber claims currently are related to phishing and social engineering schemes. Because law firms routinely possess clients confidential information, they are prime targets for hackers. Financial, credit and account banking information, healthcare records, Social Security numbers, employment files, family history and other personally identifiable information are a treasure trove for cybercriminals looking to exploit firms with weak processes and system protocols. Law firms are increasingly falling victim to schemes that involve someone clicking on a compromised link or responding to a phishing email, giving a hacker access to the firms or insureds computer network. Weve seen numerous situations where these cyberterrorists have accessed the email accounts of a client or law firm and learned of the timing and financial details of real estate or other business transactions. The criminals have been successful in duping unsuspecting individuals into changing bank routing and account numbers, either by a fraudulent email or phone call, telling them there has been a change in the banking information and to wire the funds to a new account. Not surprisingly, the funds end up being wired into the criminals bank account instead of the intended recipients account. Recovery of the funds is often very difficult and, in many cases, impossible. It is imperative that law firms provide regular cyber training for all employees and have strong cybersecurity measures in place to ensure no staff members unwittingly fall victim to a social engineering scheme. As these cybercrimes continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, insurance coverage available to law firms is also changing. In the past, a law firms professional liability policy was most likely silent or ambiguous on cyber losses. This left insureds uncertain if a phishing attack or other cyber-related loss was covered by their policy. Additionally, and to complicate coverage for an insured, many lawyers professional liability policies excluded loss arising from the conversion or co-mingling of funds. Recently, however, insurance carriers have been clarifying their policy terms to explicitly define exactly what or if coverage is available for particular cyber-related claims. Insurance producers and insureds should know if their professional liability policy includes coverage for these losses. If cyber losses are excluded, a cyber endorsement or sublimit may be available by the carrier. 2. Carrier lawsuits against their insurance defense firms A few decades ago, lawsuits by an insurance carrier against its panel firms for malpractice were rare. Today, however, in numerous jurisdictions, the courts have allowed malpractice suits by carriers against the firms they retained to represent an insureds interests, as long as no conflict of interest between the carrier and the insured exists. Some claims examples include: When a defense firm fails to file an answer to a complaint on behalf of a client, resulting in a default judgment that then is paid by the carrier. When a defense firm takes an overly aggressive position during discovery that results in sanctions or evidence being barred from being introduced at trial. Failing to timely secure experts or witness testimony. If these types of situations occur, the resulting loss suffered by the carrier (and insured) may subject the law firm to a claim for subrogation by the carrier for malpractice. In contrast, some jurisdictions, like California, prohibit the assignment of a malpractice claim through subrogation. Thus, for insurance defense attorneys, it is important to know the law of the jurisdiction and what conduct may or may not subject them to liability. 3. Artificial intelligence (AI) The meteoric rise of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in business and legal communities is still in its infancy but is being watched with great interest in the insurance markets. With the promise of efficiency and savings, the temptation for businesses and law firms to use AI must be measured against the increased risk of claims for data and privacy breaches, intellectual property violations, errors and false information and reputational damage. An attorney using AI to write legal documents runs the risk of false information being generated by AI or the inadvertent disclosure of attorney-client-protected confidential information, all which may result in a malpractice or disciplinary claim against them. Whether this becomes a significant issue for the legal industry remains to be seen. According to the New York Times, the legal profession has been identified as a ripe target for AI automation in the past, but AI hasnt proven to be a true disrupter, yet. Law firms should have a clear understanding of their professional duties when using AI tools and take steps to mitigate the risk of potential claims, including conducting a thorough review of any AI-produced documents. Economic challenges increase law firm exposure In challenging economic times, claims severity and frequency generally trend upward. Struggling companies looking to shift the blame for bad business deals or clients looking to avoid paying legal expenses may be inclined to make claims for malpractice against their attorneys. Law firms can take steps to mitigate this and other potential risks: Carefully select clients. Not every prospective client is one a firm should take on, particularly if they are in financial distress and have had multiple law firm engagements on the same matter. Law firms can avoid headaches by thoroughly vetting potential new clients and avoiding the urge to grab every new client that comes through the door. Understand that suing a financially struggling client for fees usually invites a claim for malpractice which must be tendered to your insurance carrier, so it may be best to avoid the representation in the first place. Establish a detailed engagement agreement and keep good documentation. All legal arrangements should be detailed and agreed to by the client in writing. The agreement should be clear with who is being represented and the scope of the engagement. If the engagement should change over time then the agreement should likewise be amended. Maintain vigilance when communicating with clients. Doing business over text may be a fast way to communicate with a client but it may also open up the door to a malpractice claim. For example, that quick reply text to a client about contract wording and its intent may not be as robust as needed in that instance. When a dispute arises about the intent or when a client complains that it wasnt fully explained to them, that text message may be problematic. With so many evolving risks and challenges facing law firms, comprehensive risk management resources are essential. Agents and insureds should familiarize themselves with and take advantage of their carriers risk management services to avoid costly claims. A South Carolina judge has signed off on a $15.5 million settlement for the family of Mallory Beach, the 19-year-old girl who died in a 2019 boat crash that is believed to have set in motion the downfall of convicted attorney Alex Murdaugh. Circuit Judge Daniel Hall on Thursday approved the deal between the victim`s family and Parker`s Kitchen, according to local media reports. An investigation had revealed that a clerk for the Southern chain did not stop Paul Murdaugh from using his older brothers ID to buy beer on the same February 2019 night that authorities said the youth steered a boat into a bridge in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The wreck killed Beach and injured three others. Parkers Kitchen did not accept liability for Beachs death through the settlement. The insurance carriers for Parkers, which will be liable for the settlement payments, were not named in court documents available online. But the Beach family members have said they hope the high total will compel stores to seriously follow alcohol laws. Paul Murdaugh faced charges of boating under the influence at the time of his death. The attorney for Parkers owner said the settlement was necessitated by South Carolinas joint and several liability law. The application of the joint and several liability laws in South Carolina meant that, if Parkers was found even 1% at fault, it would have paid for the entirety of any verdict rendered against the Murdaugh family, attorney PK Shere said in July. The unfairness of that caused Parkers insurance carriers to resolve these suits to avoid paying the likely award intended to punish Alex Murdaugh. This marks the conclusion of all the boat crash cases. We sincerely hope that all involved parties will find some measure of closure. South Carolinas Senate majority leader Shane Massey, an insurance defense lawyer, has said the case could add momentum to a move change the way defendants are penalized for their involvement in personal injury and death cases. Alex Murdaugh is serving a life sentence without parole for the June 2021 killings of his wife, Maggie, and Paul, his youngest son. Prosecutors in this year`s double murder trial argued that Alex Murdaugh feared a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the boat crash would uncover the millions of dollars he had stolen from his clients and law firm. Photo: Paul Murdaugh, who purchased the beer and piloted the boat, second from left. The photo of the Murdaugh family was shown in court at Alex Murdaughs murder trial in March. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. LAS VEGAS (AP) Casino mogul Steve Wynn has ended a yearslong legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators that started with claims of workplace sexual misconduct, agreeing to pay a $10 million fine and cut ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas. The Nevada Gaming Commission accepted a settlement Thursday to end the states look at allegations that led to Wynns resignation from his corporate empire in February 2018. Wynn admitted no wrongdoing. Wynn signed a seven-page document with members of the investigatory Nevada Gaming Control Board on July 17 acknowledging that he had been accused of failure to exercise discretion and sound judgment to prevent actions that reflected negatively on the reputation of Nevada and its gambling industry. Wynn is now 81 and lives in Florida. He did not attend the hearing held in the state capital, Carson City. His attorney, Colby Williams, called the case the final regulatory matter that Wynn faced stemming from the allegations five years ago. Wynn looks forward to moving on to other phases of his life, Williams said. Violating the seven-page agreement could lead to a finding of unsuitability for association with Nevada casinos and an additional fine. Unsuitability would be extraordinary for a man widely credited with starting a boom that grew Las Vegas Strip properties from gambling halls with all-you-can- eat buffets and showrooms into huge destination resorts featuring celebrity-chef restaurants, massive gambling floors, nightclubs and huge stage productions. Wynn developed luxury properties including the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas; Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi; Wynn Macau in the Chinese gambling enclave; and Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts. He resigned after the Wall Street Journal published allegations by several women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels. He divested company shares, quit the corporate board and resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee. Wynn has consistently denied sexual misconduct allegations in multiple courts. In the Gaming Commission case, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against him in March 2022, finding that a state judge in Las Vegas acted prematurely in late 2020 when she sided with Wynns lawyers and decided the state lacked authority to punish him. Wynn`s attorneys, including Donald Campbell, argued that the Gaming Control Board and its oversight panel, the Nevada Gaming Commission, no longer had legal jurisdiction over Wynn. State regulators launched their investigation after the allegations against Wynn emerged. The board said Wynns license had been placed on administrative hold and the commission moved in October 2019 to discipline or fine Wynn. At a December 2019 hearing, which Wynn did not attend, commissioners began considering a fine of up to $500,000 and a declaration that Wynn was unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada. Months earlier, the commission fined his former company, Wynn Resorts Ltd., a record $20 million for failing to investigate sexual misconduct claims made against Wynn. Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn Resorts Ltd. another $35 million and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox $500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for the Boston-area resort that there had been sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn. Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations. The agreements included no admission of wrongdoing. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CENTENNIAL, COLORADO, August 1, 2023 Commercial Restoration Company (CRC), a leading national provider of commercial mitigation and reconstruction services, is pleased to announce its acquisition of React 24/7 Restoration Services, a restoration provider based in Seattle, Washington with a satellite location in Los Angeles, California. This strategic move allows CRC to enhance its operations and service capabilities on the West Coast. React 24/7 Restoration Services, founded in 2015 by Homer Barajas, has established a commendable reputation for its expertise in water damage cleanup, fire damage restoration, and mold removal and remediation. By joining forces with CRC, React 24/7 can leverage CRCs extensive resources, optimizing client service and expanding their reach. Bill Sutter, Founder and CEO of Commercial Restoration Company, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, React 24/7 is an excellent addition to CRC, and we are excited to welcome them to our team. Together, we can broaden our operations and provide enhanced services to clients in the Seattle and Los Angeles markets. This acquisition not only establishes a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest for CRC, but also enables us to expand into the California market. The addition of React 24/7 to our team strengthens our capabilities significantly, enhancing coverage and dedicated resources for both local and national clients, expressed Chuck Borden, President of Commercial Restoration Company. Our organizations are closely aligned, and we are truly excited about the new opportunities this collaboration brings. We are thrilled to welcome Homer and his exceptional team as we embark on this exciting journey together! This strategic acquisition marks another milestone in CRCs growth strategy. Earlier this year, CRC acquired Project X Restoration in Colorado and Southeast Construction & Restoration, Inc. in Tennessee in early 2022. Homer Barajas, President of React 24/7, expressed his excitement, highlighting the immense growth potential. This collaboration with CRC marks a pivotal moment for us. We are thrilled to join forces with a company that shares our relentless dedication to delivering top-notch services. Together, we will elevate our offerings and bring even greater value to our clients in the Seattle area and beyond. The collective experience and expertise brought together by this acquisition will strengthen both CRC and React 24/7, enabling them to provide superior service to clients throughout the region. About Commercial Restoration Company, LLC Commercial Restoration Company is a leading national provider of restoration and reconstruction services. CRC helps companies of every size and industry prepare for and recover from major property damage. From fires to floods to hail to hurricanes, weve seen and responded to it all. When you work with CRC, you know youre getting quality work thats done right. For more information, visit commercialrestoration.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Media Contact: Sarah Chadwick Director of Marketing & Communications s.chadwick@crcmail.com by Vijay Prashad and Kambale Musavuli At 3 a.m. on July 26, 2023, the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey, the capital of Niger. Troops, led by Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani closed the countrys borders and declared a curfew. The coup detat was immediately condemned by the Economic Community of West African States, by the African Union, and by the European Union. Both France and the United Stateswhich have military bases in Nigersaid that they were watching the situation closely. A tussle between the Armywhich claimed to be pro-Bazoumand the presidential guard threatened the capital, but it soon fizzled out. On July 27, General Abdou Sidikou Issa of the army released a statement saying that he would accept the situation to avoid a deadly confrontation between the different forces which could cause a bloodbath. Brigadier General Tchiani went on television on July 28 to announce that he was the new president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie or CNSP). File photo of Mohamed Bazoum [Social Media] The coup in Niger follows similar coups in Mali (August 2020 and May 2021) and Burkina Faso (January 2022 and September 2022), and Guinea (September 2021). Each of these coups was led by military officers angered by the presence of French and U.S. troops and by the permanent economic crises inflicted on their countries. This region of Africathe Sahelhas faced a cascade of crises: the desiccation of the land due to the climate catastrophe, the rise of Islamic militancy due to the 2011 NATO war in Libya, the increase in smuggling networks to traffic weapons, humans, and drugs across the desert, the appropriation of natural resourcesincluding uranium and goldby Western companies that have simply not paid adequately for these riches, and the entrenchment of Western military forces through the construction of bases and the operation of these armies with impunity. Two days after the coup, the CNSP announced the names of the 10 officers who lead the CNSP. They come from the entire range of the armed forces, from the army (General Mohamed Toumba) to the Air Force (Colonel Major Amadou Abouramane) to the national police (Deputy General Manager Assahaba Ebankawel). It is by now clear that one of the most influential members of the CNSP is General Salifou Mody, former chief of staff of the military and leader in the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, which led the February 2010 coup against President Mamadou Tandja and which governed Niger until Bazoums predecessor Mahamadou Issoufou won the 2011 presidential election. It was during Issoufous time in office that the United States government built the worlds largest drone base in Agadez and that the French special forces garrisoned the city of Irlit on behalf of the uranium mining company Orano (formerly a part of Areva). It is important to note that General Salifou Mody is perceived as an influential member of CNSP given his influence in the army and his international contacts. On February 28, 2023, Mody met with the United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley during the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Rome to discuss regional stability, including counterterrorism cooperation and the continued fight against violent extremism in the region. On March 9, Mody visited Mali to meet with Colonel Assimi Goita and the Chief of Staff of the Malian army General Oumar Diarra to strengthen military cooperation between Niger and Mali. A few days later on March 16, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger to meet with Bazoum. In what many in Niger perceived as a sidelining of Mody, he was appointed on June 1 as the Nigerien ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Mody, it is said in Niamey, is the voice in the ear of Brigadier General Tchiani, the titular head of state. Corruption and the West A highly informed source in Niger tells us that the reason why the military moved against Bazoum is that hes corrupt, a pawn of France. Nigerians were fed up with him and his gang. They are in the process of arresting the members of the deposed system, who embezzled public funds, many of whom have taken refuge in foreign embassies. The issue of corruption hangs over Niger, a country with one of the worlds most lucrative uranium deposits. The corruption that is talked about in Niger is not about petty bribes by government officials, but about an entire structuredeveloped during French colonial rulethat prevents Niger from establishing sovereignty over its raw materials and over its development. At the heart of the corruption is the so-called joint venture between Niger and France called Societe des mines de lAir (Somair), which owns and operates the uranium industry in the country. Strikingly, 85 percent of Somair is owned by Frances Atomic Energy Commission and two French companies, while only 15 percent is owned by Nigers government. Niger produces over 5 percent of the worlds uranium, but its uranium is of a very high quality. Half of Nigers export receipts are from sales of uranium, oil, and gold. One in three lightbulbs in France are powered by uranium from Niger, at the same time as 42 percent of the African countrys population lived below the poverty line. The people of Niger have watched their wealth slip through their fingers for decades. As a mark of the governments weakness, over the course of the past decade, Niger has lost over $906 million in only 10 arbitration cases brought by multinational corporations before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and the International Chamber of Commerce. France stopped using the franc in 2002 when it switched to the Euro system. But, fourteen former French colonies continued to use the Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA), which gives immense advantages to France (50 percent of the reserves of these countries have to be held in the French Treasury and Frances devaluations of the CFAas in 1994have catastrophic effects on the countrys that use it). In 2015, Chads president Idriss Deby Itno said that the CFA pulls African economies down and that the time had come to cut the cord that prevents Africa from developing. Talk now across the Sahel is for not only the removal of French troopsas has taken place in Burkina Faso and in Malibut of a break with the French economic hold on the region. The New Non-Alignment At the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit in July, Burkina Fasos leader, President Ibrahim Traore wore a red beret that echoed the uniform of the assassinated socialist leader of his country, Thomas Sankara. Traore reacted strongly to the condemnation of the military coups in the Sahel, including to a recent visit to his country by an African Union delegation. A slave that does not rebel does not deserve pity, he said. The African Union must stop condemning Africans who decide to fight against their own puppet regimes of the West. In February, Burkina Faso had hosted a meeting that included the governments of Mali and Guinea. On the agenda is the creation of a new federation of these states. It is likely that Niger will be invited into these conversations. Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor, and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is an editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest books are Struggle Makes Us Human: Learning from Movements for Socialism and (with Noam Chomsky) The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power. Kambale Musavuli, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is a leading political and cultural Congolese voice. Based in Accra, Ghana, he is a policy analyst with the Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa. Source: Globetrotter This story has been updated with new information from the Ohio Department of Transportation. BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- A pavement replacement project on Miller Road from Brecksville Road west to Southpointe Parkway is scheduled to wrap up toward the end of September. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Closing out the books as the states longest-serving active school district treasurer, Bryan Christman officially called it a career at the end of July, retiring after nearly 24 years in Shaker Heights. At his last official meeting July 18, school board members led off with a tribute to Christmans adept fiscal management over the years, which allowed them to pursue an ambitious district-wide construction program while adding Pre-K instruction, air conditioning, ADA improvements and security upgrades, as well as the preservation and restoration of historic buildings. He also worked at reducing the district levy cycle from roughly every three or four years to the last operating levy appearing on the ballot in 2014. And he shepherded a $30 million warm, safe and dry bond issue in 2017, primarily for building upkeep. District officials have spent the better part of two years working on a 9.95-mill ballot issue going before voters in November. In financial parlance, school board member Jeffrey Isaacs referred to Christmans retirement as an unfavorable variance, with challenges that we will continue to monitor, although we are certainly well poised to take them on. Earlier this year, Christman picked up a plaque from the Ohio Association of School Business Officials honoring his service. You have served your community and your profession with competence, grace and generosity, Isaacs said. You have gained the trust of discerning community members who are very engaged in the details of our work. However, your free time has been woefully in arrears, he added. Board member Heather Weingart did the math and came up with over 400 nights that he was not home with his family, taking a moment to thank Christmans wife, JoAnn -- also a CPA -- whom he pointed out in the audience. Counting regular Finance & Audit Committee meetings, he estimated another 100 nights, also asking the districts finance team to take a bow. Will I miss all of the meetings at night? Ill have to get used to that, I guess, Christman told the board. Realizing that she may have taken him for granted all this time, board member Lora Cover thanked Christman for being incredibly patient -- and with no judgment in fielding any and all questions. Citing Christmans complete dedication, attention to detail and setting the tone for the district, school board member Alison Bibb-Carlson said: It didnt seem like you were ever winging it. And if you were, you hid it really well. To this, Christman smiled and said, fake it til you make it. After the three-hour-plus meeting, he added that he was quite happy to hear the school boards comments, but I dont necessarily believe all that stuff. That included the rock star references reportedly coming from other school officials around the state at conferences, as Weingart noted. Your professionalism is second to none, and Ive always been impressed with how much you cared about the district, school board president Emmitt R. Jolly said to the father of three Shaker grads. You have put your stamp on this district, Jolly added. And Im really proud of having had the opportunity to be able to call you my friend. Rock star status Count Superintendent David Glasner among Christmans fans as well. Ive always felt incredibly fortunate, honored and privileged having started my career as a superintendent with you as the treasurer, Glasner said. And thats not just about being the longest (continuously) serving treasurer in the State of Ohio. Its about the expertise, skill and qualifications you brought to the office. Prior to joining the Shaker Schools in 1999, Christman served three years as treasurer for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and six years prior to that as their controller. I always joked that the dilemmas and money issues were the same when I moved over from Cleveland -- there were just a few less zeros here in Shaker, Christman said. Originally from Cambridge in Guernsey County, Christman graduated from the University of Miami, embarking on an initial 12 years in the public accounting field. He met JoAnn -- a Brush High School graduate -- while the two worked at the same firm in Columbus. They eventually moved to Cleveland. My wife will be working another year, so I plan to consult a little bit, along with anything I can do to help make the transition easier for interim Shaker Schools Treasurer Shelley McDermott, whom Christman hopes will succeed him permanently. There could also be another booking for the European River Cruise the Christmans had lined up for their 30th wedding anniversary, before COVID kind of canceled everybodys plans, Bryan Christman noted. In addition to the traditional Shaker-style chair that the district awards retirees, he also received a two-year MasterClass unlimited subscription. He plans to start out by learning about the stars and planets with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. We used to go to the observatory down at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and I always enjoyed that, Christman said. On the job, he also liked the superintendents cabinet getting out on a regular basis to the different schools in the district. It was always good to see the kids and the classrooms to keep us focused on whats important, Christman said. One of the low points in his career came just over five years ago, on July 10, 2018, when an extensive fire damaged Fernway Elementary School. I remember watching it burning that day, Christman recalled. The district regrouped and put together a plan to rebuild the neighborhood school with a $14.6 million insurance reimbursement and another $3 million in district funds. Going forward Having been around the school business for 30 years, Christman said hes seen other ups and downs. At this point, he expressed guarded optimism about Ohios Fair School Funding Plan, now at the midway mark in its third year of six. Year Three seems to have taken hold, but the story is not over yet, Christman said. At the drop of a hat, it can all change in Ohio. The fourth year of fair school funding also appears to be covered in the states recently signed two-year budget. Were definitely heading in the right direction, although there continues to be frustration and dissatisfaction with how the (EdChoice) voucher program has evolved for private schools, Christman said in a July 21 phone interview. He added that one funding plan does not work for all types of school districts in Ohio. And if were going to fund private and charter schools with public money, then they have to have the same educational standards set for the public schools, Christman added. It has to be a level playing field. He also believes in a more balanced approach to funding schools in Ohio. There needs to be some kind of balance in terms of sales, income and property tax, Christman said. Increasing the sales tax is considered regressive, while they continue to cut the state income tax. This in turn cuts the ability to do any realignment on income tax for school funding. We need a better system than to continue hanging our hat on property taxes, Christman said. And a balance of the three makes the most sense. On the local side of the ledger, Christman said tax increment financing (TIFs) can also have their place. Although school districts receive much less revenue through payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), with developers keeping the lions share to put back in their projects, at least it means the schools are getting something instead of nothing, he said. If a particular project would not go through but for the TIF, then we havent lost anything, Christman said. The Qua site (in the Van Aken District, soon to be the Arcadia mixed-use development) has been vacant for over 10 years (18 in all, since 2005). By having the TIF, were encouraging that development, Christman said. Its always worked well with the city. Read more from the Sun Press. CLEVELAND, Ohio A federal judge ordered a judgment against the companies behind high-profile plans for a hemp manufacturing operation in Clevelands Glenville neighborhood that quickly fell flat. U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko ordered a default judgment of nearly $243,000 against North Coast Natural Solutions and its owner Tierney Williams. AKRON, Ohio An Akron man convicted last week of the fatal shooting of a landlord was sentenced Monday by a Summit County judge to life in prison. Eric Pursley, 23, will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years for the 2022 slaying of Daniel Stein, 58, of Studio City, Calif., according to a news release from Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. A jury found Pursley guilty of murder and two counts of felonious assault. According to prosecutors, Stein owned several rental properties in the Akron area. On Oct. 5, 2022, Stein went to a property on Sumner Street in Akron that was being leased by Pursley, who was several months behind on his rent. Pursley confronted Stein, prosecutors say, and shot Stein in the head. Daniel Stein was a beloved father, grandfather, husband, brother, and friend, Walsh said in a statement. We all grieve at the loss of a man who gave so much to our community. Eric Pursley deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison for taking Daniel Steins life. CLEVELAND, Ohio Sometimes, you just want to pick up an easy lunch without the hassle of reservations, crowded dining rooms, and overhyped food. The latest answer to that specific craving is Opa.gr, a new Greek restaurant thats nestled in between the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood and Ohio City. Its a no-frills takeout spot that serves up a limited menu of authentic Greek dishes. The unassuming roadside stop might have previously not stood out before July 1, when Paul Papas started serving his signature style of gyros, egg sandwiches, and more in the former church building. The name derives from the joyful Greek expression opa. Im authentic and original, says Papas of his cooking. Theres no one like me. Customers will typically see Papas working alone at Opa.gr, located at 4104 Detroit Rd. The humble menu is filled with recipes that he has been making all of his life. The owner came to the U.S. from a Greek island when he was 12 years old. Now at 78, hes found a new path serving up affordable and delicious lunches for folks in the neighborhood. Exterior of Opa.gr Greek restaurant at 4104 Detroit Rd., Cleveland. Alex Darus, cleveland.com The takeout-only factor of Opa.gr doesnt take away from the experience. The West Sides latest Greek spot is ideal for picnics or beach days. Papas also set up a few picnic tables on the side of the building for people to enjoy the view of downtown while eating their lunch. Papas is the kind of restaurant owner that is quick to learn his customers names and remember their orders. Partially, its thanks to his family history of restauranteurs and experience cooking at various Northeast Ohio Greek festivals over the years. The rest is all due to his naturally welcoming personality. Even though Opa.gr is technically open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, Papas is known to put the open sign out early. Or, if a neighbor spots him doing some weekend yard work on the property, he wont hesitate to offer to make them a gyro after hours. The relaxed attitude is part of the Opa.gr experience its all about tasty, affordable food that isnt confined to rules. The menu at Opa.gr, a new Greek takeout restaurant in Cleveland. Alex Darus, cleveland.com Opa.grs Greek salad is as fresh as it gets and, for $10, its big enough to share between two people. Papas loads the salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, green peppers, capers, Kalamata olives, and a hefty amount of seasoned feta cheese. It comes with a piece of crusty bread, perfect for sopping up all of the fresh flavors. Papas is particularly fond of his $6 egg sandwich. He fries two eggs that are filled with feta cheese, adding a creamy element with a tangy flavor. He tops it with two slices of American cheese and perfectly fried bacon before loading the fillings onto crusty bread. Its probably one of the most budget-friendly yet hearty breakfast sandwiches that you can get in town. Opa.gr also sells gyros and souvlaki, each for $8. Both are served on pita bread with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce. The gyro is made with a traditional combination of beef and lamb while Papas uses grilled and marinated pork tenderloin for the souvlaki. Papas specifically chooses tenderloin for its texture, as some other cuts of pork used for souvlaki can be fatty, which he doesnt prefer. A baklava sundae from Opa.gr Greek restaurant in Cleveland. Alex Darus, cleveland.com The takeout spot also puts a Greek spin on a hot fudge sundae. The baklava sundae features huge pieces of honey-laden homemade baklava layered amongst vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and cherries. Papas daughter typically makes the baklava used in the decadent treat, which he proclaims is one of the best hes ever tried. The massive sundae only sells for $5. Papas only takes orders ahead via phone considering he typically is working by himself. He doesnt plan on any major expansions with Opa.gr. In fact, he anticipates that the takeout spot will only be open for a year or so before he moves on to the next phase of his life. It adds a sense of urgency for locals to try his food while they still have the chance. Im just doing something good for the community, he says. If You Go Location: Opa.gr is located at 4104 Detroit Rd., Cleveland. Phone: 216-417-5509. Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parking: Street meters Note: Call ahead to order for takeout only. There are outdoor tables but no indoor seating. Online: The restaurant doesnt have a website is on Instagram at instagram.com/opa.gr.cle/ LOGAN, Ohio A Hocking County Sheriffs Office deputy and a K9 were wounded when a suspect fired more than a hundred rounds at law-enforcement officers during a standoff Sunday. Deputy Jason Miles and the K9, Rambo, were treated at a hospital and are recovering at home, according to the sheriffs office and Logan police. Meanwhile, the suspect, Steven Hardbarger, 44, is being held in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail on unspecified charges after being taken into custody late Sunday. Deputies and police went to Hardbargers home in Logan after a person called 911 saying Hardbarger had a gun and was threatening to kill his family members. A woman and a girl were able to get out of the home when officers arrived, but a male child was unaccounted for, the sheriffs office says. Hardbarger is accused of opening fire on deputies and police, wounding Miles in the hip. He also riddled patrol cars with bullets, authorities say. Police tell WCMH Channel 4 that Hardbarger fired more than 150 rounds. Officers were able to help Miles get to safety as another deputy used a rifle to provide cover, the sheriffs office says. Miles then drove from the area with the woman and girl and met with emergency medical workers. Hardbarger reportedly continued to fire at deputies and other officers. Rambo was wounded while inside one of the vehicles. Hardbarger was taken into custody just before 9 p.m. The sheriffs office is investigating the incident with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Hocking County Prosecutors Office. CLEVELAND, Ohio For the 29th year in a row, the Cleveland Clinic ranked first in the nation for cardiology and heart surgery in the U.S. News & World Report 2023-24 Best Hospitals rankings. But in a change this year, there are no rankings for best hospitals overall. Instead, of ranking hospitals in a particular order as had been customary, a grouping of 22 hospitals were included Tuesday in the U.S. News Honor Roll. The Clinic was the only Ohio hospital named to the Honor Roll. Last year the Clinic was ranked fourth overall, having dropped from No. 2 the two previous years. U.S. News & World Report, in a letter to hospital leaders ahead of the release, said: While we continue to value the usefulness of the Honor Roll in identifying broad clinical excellence, we also believe that the current format obscures the fact that all of the Honor Roll hospitals have attained the highest standard of care in the nation. ... U.S. News will continue to publish ordinal rankings for 15 specialties and in each region where we have previously published rankings. Millions of consumers every year look to this information to help navigate care options for themselves and their families. The rankings have been a source of some controversy. In June, Penn Medicine announced plans to stop submitting data due to concerns that the rankings were encouraging the hospital to abandon its commitment to patient care in urban areas because they might negatively impact the hospitals standing with U.S. News. We had simply had enough with a for-profit, external ranking that really was not advancing our core mission, Kevin Mahoney, CEO of University of Pennsylvania Health System, told Beckers Hospital Review in June. The Cleveland Clinic said it supports the change. To date, no other hospital has announced plans to withdraw from future rankings. In addition to taking the top spot in cardiology, the Clinic was ranked among the top 50 hospitals in 12 of the 15 specialty categories. The others in the top 10 were urology (No. 2), rheumatology (No. 3), obstetrics and gynecology (No. 6), geriatrics (No. 6), gastroenterology (No. 8) and cancer (No. 10). Other rankings for the Clinic were pulmonology (No. 13), orthopedics (No. 15), neurology (No. 16), diabetes and endocrinology (No. 24) and ear, nose and throat (No. 25). In addition to the Clinic being the only Ohio hospital in the national Honor Roll, the 12 categories for which the Clinics main campus ranked in the top 50 nationally were more than any other hospital in Ohio. University Hospitals in Cleveland made the top 50 in cancer care (No. 39), and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center was ranked top 50 in 10 specialties, the highest being diabetes (No. 20) and urology (No. 24). In a separate ranking for Ohio hospitals, U.S. News placed Ohio State second behind the Clinic for the second year in a row. Clevelands University Hospitals tied with Christ Hospital in Cincinnati for third. Three other Clinic hospitals were in the top 10: Akron General (fifth), Hillcrest (sixth), and Fairview (seventh). UH Ahuja Medical Center took 11th place, and Summa Health in Akron took 14th. A recent survey of U.S. News users revealed more than 4-in-5 (84%) consider a hospitals quality metrics to be important factors when deciding where to seek treatment for a serious medical issue, said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. Consumers want useful resources to help them assess which hospital can best meet their specific care needs. The rankings, U.S. News said, offer patients and the physicians a data-driven source for comparing performance in outcomes, patient satisfaction and other metrics. U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 U.S. hospitals for the 2023-24 rankings, and 484 hospitals (12%) earned the Best Regional Hospital designation. Here is the list of 22 Honor Roll recipients. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Cleveland Clinic Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, Philadelphia Houston Methodist Hospital Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell North Shore University Hospital at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago NYU Langone Hospitals, New York Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital, Stanford, California UC San Diego Health-LaJolla and Hillcrest Hospitals, San Diego UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco University of Michigan Health-Ann Arbor UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee U.S. News & World Report has published hospital rankings annually since 1990. More rankings are available on the U.S. News Best Hospitals website. KISKIMINETAS RIVER, Pa. Authorities are searching for a wild alligator that was spotted over the weekend in the Kiskiminetas River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While police and firefighters in Kiskiminetas Township, Pennsylvania, are actively searching for the animal, they are also requesting the publics help in locating it. Authorities are asking anyone who sees the alligator, which has been described as measuring about 4 feet in length, to call 911 and report its location. Theres obviously more people in the public than there are emergency personnel, Kiski Police Chief Lee Bartolicius said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The chance of one of them seeing it before we do is greater. Authorities are placing baited traps to capture the animal, which they believe escaped or was released by its owner into the waters. The search for the alligator is centered around the Roaring Run Trail along Kiski River, where all of the reported sightings have been. A group of six kayakers first reported seeing the alligator Sunday while on Kiski River, and almost couldnt believe what they saw near the river bank. There were kids shouting Alligator! ahead of us on the river. I thought they were kidding, said Jim Cibik of Kiski Township, Pennsylvania. Cibik saw the gator while he was kayaking on Kiski River with his wife, Joli, and four friends. RELATED: Bear fatally attacks woman on Montana trail, officials say Joli Cibik reported the alligator sighting Sunday to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Bartolicious said authorities received multiple reports about the alligator over the weekend. Were aware of the report but the (fish commission) is not responsible for nonnative species, but we do our best to assist with these calls, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Communications Director Mark Parker said. Typically, its an irresponsible pet owner who releases an alligator that was likely a pet. When an animal is introduced into the waters of (Pennsylvania), then that release of an animal is a violation of our code. That person could be held responsible. Rotunda Rumblings Help us: Cleveland city officials are urging Gov. Mike DeWine to take a more robust look at some of the violence, gun crimes, and car thefts plaguing the city and other urban areas in Ohio. Molly Walsh reports that the locals point to DeWines support for loosened gun rules as part of the problem. Pay up, pay up: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose wants his (much wealthier) rivals in the GOP U.S. Senate primary race to chip in $1 million apiece to help pass State Issue 1. Jake Zuckerman reports LaRose has not offered personal funds to support the measure but said he has paid in sweat equity. Respond in kind: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Ohioans who backed the petition for the abortion rights amendment proposal asked the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday to quickly decide a legal challenge, Laura Hancock reports. Two Southeast Ohio residents who oppose abortion rights are challenging the amendment, saying it conflicts with several state laws but that the proposal doesnt specify any of those statutes. Campaign cash: Political action committees that are backing the Ohio abortion rights constitutional amendment raised $9.7 million in the first half of the year. PACs supporting the opposition raised $5.3 million, Hancock reports. The Nov. 7 election is expected to be expensive. It could cost in excess of $35 million. About the green: The PAC backing a recreational marijuana proposal aimed at the November ballot raised and spent about $3 million, Hancock reports. Most of the money came from the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project. Executives in Ohios medical marijuana industry also wrote checks. Taundra, hold the line: When FBI agents showed up to arrest ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder in 2020, his wife, Taundra, barricaded the door, an ex-FBI official told Laura Bischoff of the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. Taundra reportedly demanded to know which judge signed the agents warrant. Some agents wanted her arrested and detained, though neither occurred. Householder was recently sentenced to 20 years. Flying Jay: Ohio House Finance Committee Chair Jay Edwards, an Athens County Republican, raised an eye-popping $1.2 million between late December and July 31, according to his latest campaign-finance report, filed Monday. Edwards, whos term-limited in the House, said in an interview that he will probably run for the state Senate next year in a yet-to-be-drawn district. And if not, well see what openings come available, he added, declining to name any particular office as a plan B. Edwards also said he may use some that money to help other Republican legislative candidates, regardless of whether they like he are supporters of House Speaker Jason Stephens. No surprise: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, announced Monday that hes joining the chairs of the Ways and Means, and Oversight and Accountability committees in launching a probe into the sweetheart plea deal that President Joe Bidens son Hunter took to tax and gun charges. Noting that the judge assigned to the case declined to accept the deal and describing it as not standard and different from what I normally see, the committee chairs wrote a letter that asks Attorney General Merrick Garland to provide them with information on other cases that it might have handled in a similar fashion. Visa card: U.S. Sen. JD Vance, a Cincinnati Republican, has introduced legislation called the Timely Departure Act, which would require non-immigrant visa recipients to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 into a holding account with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before entering the United States. That money would be returned to visa holders if they depart the country in accordance with the terms of their visa. In the event of an illegal overstay, DHS would retain the forfeited deposit in an account that can only be used to fund the detention and removal of people violating U.S. immigration laws. Wild times: U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a South Russell Republican who co-chairs the International Conservation Caucus, introduced a bipartisan bill called the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act that would reauthorize federal conservation programs. It would reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which enables wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 states and territories, and the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which help conserve rhinos, elephants and other iconic species. Commonsense, community-centered conservation helps restore habitats and endangered wildlife, lifts up economies, and makes communities more secure, Joyce said in a statement. Domestic drugs: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, joined other senators in introducing a bill called the Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug (RAPID) Reserve Act, which aims to fight drug shortages by building and maintaining reserves of critical medications and their key ingredients. It would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to award contracts to quality generic drug manufacturers based in the United States or in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. More drugs: Brown joined a separate Senate group to introduce legislation called the Share the Savings with Seniors Act that would require pharmacy benefit managers and insurers to pass on all savings they negotiate on the list price of a chronic condition drug to the patient. Because of corporate greed, prescription drugs are some of the most overpriced goods many Ohio families are forced to pay for each month, Brown said in a statement. Our bill will help lower costs for patients with chronic conditions by allowing patients to share in the savings that result from deals cut between Big PhRMA and corporate middlemen. Spaced out: An Associated Press report that President Biden has decided to keep Space Command in Colorado disappointed Brown, who had urged its relocation to Ohio. The Biden administration got this one wrong, Brown said on Twitter, citing the states long leadership in aerospace research and development. Even without Space Command, well keep fighting to bring Space Force and national security jobs to Ohio. Full Disclosure Heres five things we learned from the May 5, 2023 financial disclosure filing of state Rep. Mark Johnson, a Chillicothe Republican. 1. In addition to serving as a lawmaker, Johnson is business manager for Tri-State Building and Construction Trades Council, a construction labor union 2. Aside from his legislative and managers salary, he earned income last year from three different pension plans: the Ohio Carpenters Pension Fund, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Pension, and the Ohio Laborers Pension Plan 3. Hes a sole proprietor of Mark Johnson Properties, LLC and a trustee with the Mark C. Johnson Revocable Living Trust 4. Along with the pensions, he listed two annuities and a retirement fund as his investments 5. He disclosed receiving a $300 ticket from the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association to attend a luncheon Tick-Tock The countdown is on for the special election to decide State Issue 1, a state constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass future amendments. Here is the key information to remember. Election Day... 7 days (Aug. 8) Todays hours for in-person, early voting: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. On the Move Mackenzie Betts has joined Columbus-based lobbying firm Thomas P. Pappas & Associates as its director of association management, according to a release. Betts most recently served as senior director of community relations for the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County. Sara Andrews is retiring as the director of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission after 8 years in the job, the Ohio Supreme Courts press office announced. Andrews previously spent 24 years with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, working jobs from parole officer to ODRCs deputy director for parole and community services. Angela Meleca will step down as executive director of CreativeOhio on Aug. 31 to launch her own advisory firm, according to a release. CreativeOhio, a statewide arts advocacy group previously known as Ohio Citizens for the Arts, will be among the first clients of Meleca, a former press secretary for the Ohio Senate Republicans. CreativeOhio hopes to hire a new executive director by this October, the release stated. Birthdays Kenny Yuko, former Ohio Senate minority leader Straight From The Source Theyve sunk to tremendous lows and theyre doing everything they can to try to stop us. -Physician Lauren Beene, co-founder of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, speaking to ProPublica about Ohio lawmakers attempt to pass State Issue 1, which if passed by voters on Aug. 8 would make it harder for her group to pass a proposed abortion-rights state constitutional amendment in the November general election. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. EQS-Ad-hoc: Novem Group S.A. / Key word(s): Personnel Novem Group S.A.: New CEO appointed 01-Aug-2023 / 07:25 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Novem Group S.A.: New CEO appointed Luxembourg, 1 August 2023 The Supervisory Board of Novem Group S.A., in an extraordinary meeting, agreed to the request of Gunter Brenner to step down as CEO of the Company and Chairman of the Management Board at the end of September 2023. At the same time and as part of the succession planning, Markus Wittmann was named CEO. His contract will run until 31 March 2026. Markus Wittmann has held various senior management positions at Novem. Amongst others, he was in charge of quality in the plant Vorbach before assuming the responsibility for global quality management. Between 2015 and 2019, Markus Wittmann was Vice President Operations. After that, he has been responsible for engineering, research & development and design. Markus Wittmann holds a degree in chemical technology from the municipal college of Dusseldorf. On behalf of the Companys management and workforce, the Supervisory Board expresses its gratitude to Gunter Brenner for his outstanding performance as CEO of Novem over the last ten years and to wish him well for his future endeavours. Until the end of the current financial year, Gunter Brenner will remain with the Company. In addition, the Supervisory Board of Novem Group S.A. decided to prolong the contract of Dr. Johannes Burtscher as CFO and Member of the Management Board prematurely until the financial year ending March 2025. Dr. Burtscher has performed the role as Group CFO for more than eleven years, since 1 July 2012. Together with Markus Wittmann, he will continue the development of Novem going forward. The Israeli Davids Sling (formerly Magic Wand) air defense system recently underwent additional test firings to confirm that new capabilities worked properly. Details of those were not revealed but apparently had to do with a battery being able to deal with several different threats simultaneously. Such complex attacks are rare, but they do happen and the ability to handle such situations is important. Israel is small, with land borders totaling only a thousand kilometers. The country is 420 kilometers long and up to 115 kilometers wide. Two David's Sling batteries could cover the entire country, including the sea border. Currently attacks (with rockets or missiles) come from the north (Lebanon and Syria) and the south (Gaza). Davids Sling was designed to defeat aircraft, rockets and missiles (cruise or ballistic). A Davids Sling battery costs $250 million and consists of a search radar with a max range of 474 kilometers, a fire control vehicle and six missile launchers, each with six or twelve Stunner missiles. A tractor trailer version of the launcher is less mobile but carries twelve missiles. Each battery has some reloads, giving each battery up to 48 missiles. Each Stunner missile weighs 400 kg (880 pounds) and is stored in and launched from a sealed container. Stunner is a two-stage missile with a max range of 250 kilometers. The warhead does not contain explosives but rather has sensors that enable the warhead to collide with the target at high speed and destroy it. Because Davids Sling batteries are mobile, they can regularly change location in peacetime to make it more difficult for an attacker to carry out a successful SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) effort. Davids Sling entered service in 2017. This was a year later than expected because earlier testing had revealed some potential problems that required fixing. Israel is very exacting about such technical problems because these weapons are the first line of defense against threats that are very real by enemies who openly call for the destruction of Israel. That attitude towards quality control also makes Israeli weapons easier to find export customers for. Davids Sling got its first combat test in May 2023 when Hamas and Islamic Jihad carried out a major, five day rocket and missile attack on Israel from bases in Gaza. Some 1,300 rockets were fired at Israel and about a thousand entered Israeli air space. The Iron Dome system destroyed nearly all the projectiles headed for populated areas and David's Sling intercepted some larger, longer range rockets. There were only two deaths in Israel, both of them civilians. Israel retaliated with airstrikes using jet fighters launching guided bombs and missiles while attack helicopters also fired some guided missiles. Israel used local informants and aerial surveillance to locate key targets. These included the current location of six senior Islamic Jihad leaders as well as about 400 rocket storage or launch sites as well as military bases and safehouses. Islamic Jihad was not expecting Israeli air defenses to be so effective or Israeli retaliation to be so extensive. Current Israeli air defenses have three layers. First there is Iron Dome to handle rockets and mortar shells launched from Gaza and Lebanon which comprise most of the projectiles fired at Israel. Iron Dome has been in service since 2011 and David's Sling handles the larger, longer range and often guided rockets as well as armed UAVs. The Arrow system has been in service since 2000 and is for longer range ballistic missiles fired from Iran. So far those missile attacks have only been a threat but Iran has them and they are aimed at Israel. Davids Sling is the Israeli replacement for existing American Patriot and Hawk missile air defense systems. During 2015 Israel conducted several successful tests of Davids Sling, including some that included intercepting and destroying a short range ballistic missile and other targets representing manned aircraft. Davids Sling was supposed to be ready for deployment in 2016. But as happened several times before there were new technical problems that had to be fixed. Davids Sling was originally expected to enter service in 2014. In development since 2006, Davids Sling was designed to be an improvement over American made Patriot systems Israel was using. The Stunner missile has a longer range and better capabilities than the Patriot missiles. The American manufacturer of Patriot cooperated with an Israeli firm to develop and produce Davids Sling and plans to use some Davids Sling features for Patriot upgrades. Davids Sling is meant to complement the Israeli Iron Dome anti-rocket system, which can take down rockets with a range of up to 70 kilometers. Iron Dome has a unique feature in which the radar system computes where the incoming rocket will land. If the rocket will not hit an inhabited area, it will be ignored. Otherwise, an interceptor missile will be fired. Stunner will be used against larger rockets that will be aimed (by Syria, Hamas or Hezbollah) at large urban areas, and these will almost always get a Stunner fired at them. This is part of the two layer (Iron Dome and Davids Sling) system for defending Israelis from rocket and missile attacks. Davids Sling is replacing the 17 Hawk anti-aircraft batteries as well and, eventually, the six Patriot batteries. In early July police in Azerbaijan foiled a plot to attack the Israeli embassy, and arrested two Afghan men involved in the plot. Ten days later Mossad (Israeli foreign intelligence) uncovered an Iranian plot to murder Israelis working in Cyprus. This was accomplished by identifying and capturing the Iranian assassin. When interrogated by Mossad, the Iranian man revealed that he was part of a network the Iranian IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) Quds Force was seeking to form in Cyprus. Quds is the section of the IRGC that specializes in foreign operations involving espionage and assassinations. Mossad and Quds have confronted each other in several foreign nations over the last few decades. Quds is usually the loser because Quds is usually engaged in schemes to kill Israelis and the local police will act if the foreign killers are pointed out. When Mossad discovered this plot, they sent agents into Iran to capture and extract the Iranian who organized this Quds effort. Israeli interrogators discovered that the Iranian effort in Cyprus was extensive, but now they had names of the people involved and had them arrested by Cypriot authorities. The Quds operation in neighboring Azerbaijan was about Israel and Azerbaijan establishing formal diplomatic relations and opening embassies in both nations. Azerbaijan has other reasons to prefer dealing with Israel rather than Iran. About a quarter of Iran's population is Azeri (a Turkic people). Persia and its successor Iran controlled almost all Azeri-populated territory until Russia seized part of it in the 19th century. For a while after World War I, and since the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Azeris were independent. While the Iranian Azeris are generally loyal to Iran, they are still Turks and speak a different language than the ethnic Iranians. Seeing Azerbaijan allying itself with Israel, for whatever reason, does not sit well with Iran, but there's not a lot it can do about this. Iran was not able to provide the weapons or other military assistance the Azeris needed to overcome the Armenian threat, so the Israelis were called in, and later Turkey as well. The Azeris have proved to be good allies. They have detected and destroyed Iran sponsored terrorism efforts, like one that was planning to attack Israelis in Azerbaijan. Iran was believed behind this plot, and Azerbaijan did not appreciate it. Azerbaijan has bought several billion dollars worth of Israeli weapons over the last fifteen years. Iran might try again in Cyprus, because thats what Quds Force does. Quds is often successful if their local efforts do not involve killing Israelis. Even in those cases the Quds operation may be compromised by Mossad, which will tell local police about what Quds is up to. The IRGC is not pleased with all this Mossad interference, especially when it involves Mossad agents operating inside Iran. Quds is also dismayed at their inability to operate inside Israel. The best Quds can do is get some operatives into nations bordering Israel, including the Palestinian West Bank. Quds supporters in the West Bank dont last long because Israeli police and soldiers often stage raids in the West Bank to capture Palestinians planning attacks against Israel. Quds is safer in Lebanon or Syria, but not in Jordan or Egypt. Iran is not on good terms with Egypt or Jordan. Mossad will often warn Jordan or Egypt if there is new Iranian activity in their countries. Despite all these setbacks, Iran has increased its efforts to carry out attacks inside Israel. The IRGC is taking the lead with its Quds Force, which specializes in attacks against foreign enemies. Shin Bet, the Israeli domestic intelligence service, recently arrested two West Bank Palestinians who had been recruited, via the Internet, by Quds Force as part of an effort to establish a network of Palestinians in the West Bank who had been trained and organized by Quds to carry out attacks against Israelis using rockets launched from the West Bank. This Quds network would also provide Iran with information on the West Bank. Such a network has not yet been established, in large part because Shin Bet detects Quds activities and often monitors them rather than immediately shutting them down. That was the case with the two recently arrested Palestinians, who had been sent to Turkey where Quds could provide training. Shin Bet waited until it had identified other Palestinians working for Quds. Iran spends about $100 million a year to support its operations among Palestinians. Over the last few years, some of that activity moved from Gaza to the West Bank. The West Bank is run by Fatah, a more corrupt, and less comfortable with Quds, Palestinian government. Fatah is very hostile towards rival Hamas members from Gaza operating in the West Bank. The growing presence of Hamas and Quds in the West Bank caused Fatah to become more cooperative with Israel and its many intelligence and counterintelligence organizations. Quds is spending a lot of money in the West Bank and Fatah insists on getting a share of anyones new spending in their domain. Shin Bet has a network of local informants in the West Bank, as well as in Gaza and Turkey. Israel also has an extensive Internet monitoring operation that searches for, and often detects, new efforts to use the Internet in support of attacks on Israel. Iran knows that Israel is a formidable opponent, especially in the West Bank and Gaza. Just having a recruiting network in the West Bank is seen as an achievement, even though it has been expensive. For example, a year ago Shin Bet arrested four members of a Hamas terrorist cell (group) that had received training in Syria and Turkey before returning to the West Bank, where they were arrested. Quds was involved with this. At the same time Israeli media and an Iranian opposition group revealed that Israeli Mossad and Shin Bet personnel had gone to Iran in 2021. There they seized and interrogated Mansour Rasouli, a member of Quds Force Unit 840, which carries out assassinations overseas. Rasouli admitted that he had been assigned to arrange the assassination of an Israeli diplomat in Turkey, an American general officer stationed in Germany and a journalist in France. The IRGC was providing him with $150,000 to plan the killings and another million dollars if all three subjects were killed. Rasouli planned to hire contract killers via his contacts in drug smuggling gangs. Audio, and later video, of key portions of the interrogation were leaked. Rasouli confessed because his interrogators already knew a lot about the plot. He was released and the Israeli interrogators left Iran. Rasouli and his IRGC superiors called off the assassinations because they knew the interrogation had been recorded, the targets had been alerted, and had received additional security. There was an understanding that, if Iran backed off on these killings, the Israelis would remain silent about the interrogation. Why this evidence was leaked in 2022 may have something to do with the Israeli opposition to the 2022 Biden administrations willingness to not merely revive the 2015 treaty reducing American sanctions on Iran, but also to modify its terms to make it easier for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles for use on Israel. Billions of dollars in frozen accounts would be returned to Iran and, if the Americans went ahead with taking the Iranian IRGC and its Quds Force off the list of known terrorists, there would be a lot more violence in the Middle East. Iran saw the 2015 treaty suspended by a new American government in 2018 because of Iranian cheating. Audio, and later video, of key portions of the interrogation were leaked. Rasouli confessed because his interrogators already knew a lot about the plot. He was released and the Israeli interrogators left Iran. Rasouli and his IRGC superiors called off the assassinations because they knew the interrogation had been recorded, the targets had been alerted, and had received additional security. There was an understanding that, if Iran backed off on these killings, the Israelis would remain silent about the interrogation. Why this evidence was leaked in 2022 may have something to do with the Israeli opposition to the 2018 American willingness to not merely revive the 2015 treaty reducing American sanctions on Iran, but also to modify its terms to make it easier for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles for use on Israel. Billions of dollars in frozen accounts would be returned to Iran and, if the Americans went ahead with taking the Iranian IRGC and its Quds Force off the list of known terrorists, there would be a lot more violence in the Middle East. Iran saw the 2015 treaty suspended by a new American government in 2018 because of Iranian cheating. Then came the 2020 American presidential elections, which put into power another new president seemingly determined to change American policies towards Iran and ignore Arab oil states complaints about Iranian threats and attacks on them. This has driven many Gulf oil states into an economic alliance with Russia to drive up the price of oil. This policy makes it easier for Iran to smuggle more of its heavily discounted oil. That plan survived the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and even more economic sanctions. Opposition from the Arabs and American voters is having an impact and revival of the 2015 treaty may not happen. Otherwise, Israel has made it clear it will carry out attacks on Iranian targets key to nuclear and ballistic missile development and production. The Arab oil states will cooperate, and continue refusing to increase production to lower world oil prices. Meanwhile Hamas complained that Turkey expelled dozens of Hamas members. These expulsions are part of the Turkish effort to repair their relations with Israel. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine has been a disaster for Russia, because Russian troops ran into unexpected and very effective Ukrainian resistance. Russia lost more troops in less than a year of fighting in Ukraine than they did during eight years of fighting in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Russia did have one success because of the Ukraine War, but that occurred in Russia, not Ukraine. Back in Russia, many people opposed the war. While the Russian government portrayed the fighting in Ukraine as an effort to keep NATO from harming Russia, it was obvious that no one was invading or attacking Russia and that it was Russians that invaded Ukraine. Like the Germans who invaded Russia in 1941, where they were on the defensive by 1944. the Russians invading Ukraine were soon on the defensive and could be driven out in another year or so. Fourteen months after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainians are attacking and driving the Russian forces out. This was bad news for the Russian government, which was receiving growing criticism from its citizens about not merely the wars cost, but the need for it at all. The government responded to the internal criticism and did so more effectively than their military efforts in Ukraine. Russia declared criticism of the Russian war effort in Ukraine illegal. Arrested were made and some critics went on trial. This discouraged some Russian critics but emboldened others. Thit sort of thing was uncommon in Russia. Throughout most of its history, Russia has been a police state. In addition to the secret police, Russia also intercepted and read mail and overheard radio and telephone conversations. Russia mobilized support inside Russia for detecting anonymous critics and threatening them with arrest if they did not curb their criticism. This criticism made it obvious that the Russian government was losing the support of its own people, including a growing number of senior officers who spoke out, usually via encrypted messages on Telegram, a popular cell phone app in Russia and Ukraine. Early on many of these Russian Telegram based military bloggers (mil-bloggers) supported the invasion and were supplied with information by the Russian government, including opportunities to spend some time with the troops inside Ukraine. After a few months the Russian mil-bloggers were no longer reporting the official Russian version of events in Ukraine, but what was being reported by Russian veterans of the fighting. After Russia announced a pause in offensive military operations in early July, one of these mil-bloggers, a former general who had served in occupied Donbas before the invasion, reported a different reality. He insisted that Russia had suffered higher losses in eastern Ukraine (Luhansk province) than the Ukrainians, who were conducting a classic attrition defense. The Russians had suffered far more losses in men and equipment. Ukrainians were not driven out of Luhansk, but withdrew slowly and deliberately to encourage Russia to keep attacking and losing troops and combat vehicles that could not be replaced. Meanwhile the Ukrainians were receiving more weapons and equipment from NATO and forming new units, including armed resistance groups in occupied Ukraine. This was not the official Russian assessment but it was the reality that Russian troops in Ukraine were experiencing and some Russian mil-bloggers were reporting. All this was nothing new. When the most modern and effective Russian forces were assembled to invade Ukraine in 2022, they quickly discovered they were not facing an inept, poorly trained and armed foe but one that was far more effective than the Russian invaders. The main offensive in the north, towards the nearby Ukrainian capital Kyiv, suffered heavy losses and within weeks was forced to withdraw back to the border. Russian troops were initially told that they had encountered NATO troops who were in Ukraine preparing to invade Russia. The surviving troops knew better because all they encountered were Ukrainians, usually armed with weapons similar to what Russia used as well as more effective ones they had received from NATO. The Ukrainians used more effective tactics and some new weapons that were based on Western models but Ukrainian- made. The Russian state-controlled media was ordered to ignore reports like this and stick with the official story that this was all a secret NATO operation to attack Russia via Ukraine. While this information war played on, the Russian ordered everything they had, short of nuclear and chemical weapons, into use in an effort to salvage the situation. Russia was at war with a near-peer opponent and losing. Many Russians, civilian and military, figured out what was happening and openly criticized, or sometimes even physically attacked, their government because of the mess in Ukraine that was killing a lot of Russian troops. These Russian critics were often well-educated professionals in regular contact with Westerners, including more than a million Russians who had left since 2014 because of fears Russia was headed for what actually happened in 2022. Several hundred thousand more departed after the 2022 invasion. Despite this, the majority of Russians accepted the government explanation that Russian was defending itself in Ukraine and that what the government called the special military operation must continue. Russia refused to call what they were doing in Ukraine as war. Russia encountered major problems trying to control information made available to its people. This became a critical problem after the invasion of Ukraine and the government wanted to conceal the extent of their military failures. Passing new laws against disclosing such information and shutting down the last few media operations that were not state-controlled were not enough. The ban on casualty information created a lot of public protest that found ways to get past the censorship. The Russian government persevered and was eventually successful at organizing effective resistance to internal criticism by Russian officials and civilians. This was done by relying on the growing number of Russian firms that were developing new tools to read encrypted messages and track those who were anonymously news of the Ukraine War that was critical of Russian efforts. The FSB, the Russian secret police that replaced the Cold War era KGB in the 1990s, encouraged the establishment and growth of Russian companies that were developing new tools for the KGB to use for detecting, tracking and eavesdropping on the communications of Russian critics who thought they were safe when using encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. These efforts to track the users of encrypted apps and even decrypt some of the messages had some success. Despite that Russians continue criticizing their government, especially the continued fighting in Ukraine. Portions of Ukraine still under Russian control were being pacified by moving Ukrainians to Russia and an uncertain future. The departed Ukrainians were supposed to be replaced, but werent, by Russians willing to risk living in a disputed area for a reward of free housing in as the empty homes of the forcibly removed Ukrainians. Somehow no Russian civilians have accepted this offer. Russia has already been condemned for sending the young children of, especially orphans, and sending the kids to Russia for adoption by Russian couples. This sort of thing appalls many Russians because Russian history books describe similar behavior by German invaders during World War II. The Russian government denies any similarities between its activities in Ukraine now and what the German invaders did inside Russia nearly 80 years ago. Russia declared it illegal to spread such ideas. There were a few arrests, but that was also unpopular and the prison system could not handle a large number of Russians convicted of thought crimes. Successful government tracking and identification of Russians criticizing their government was seen as a victory against the spread of anti-Russian information on the Internet. However, this did little to stop Russians from discussing and criticizing government misbehavior. The government is undeterred and continues to reward Russians and Russian firms that come up with new tools to decrypt encrypted messages and track the extent of this critical information and who was involved. Coping Lack of success in Ukraine soon became a problem for the Russian government and the Russian media. Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not tolerate public criticism. After all, he began his career as a Soviet KGB officer. Back then openly criticizing the KGB was against the law and violators were jailed or simply died under mysterious circumstances. Putin revived those practices after the invasion of Ukraine turned out to be a disaster for Russia. Now the Ukrainians are counter-attacking with the goal of driving Russians out of Ukraine entirely. Another embarrassing aspect of the Ukraine fighting was that the Ukrainian received over $80 billion in military and other aid from NATO countries while no one was helping Russia. Several groups in Russia have opinions on why this is so and not all of these opinions agree with each other. Some Russians see the invasion of Ukraine as necessary if Russia is to negotiate with the West on an equal basis. The invasion triggered an unprecedented degree of Western economic sanctions, which kept Russian leaders busy developing methods to cope with the economic impact, especially on ordinary Russians. Vladimir Putin first established power in Russia two decades ago by paying attention to the standard of living for Russians, especially those surviving on a pension. This made Putin very popular, although that popularity has diminished the longer Russian forces were struggling in Ukraine. This has encouraged the more radical supporters of Putins foreign policy, some of it because Russia was losing. An example of this was the angry Russia faction that opposes any efforts to negotiate with the West. Demands are preferred but the more Russia struggles in Ukraine the less likely anyone in the West wants to trust or negotiate with Russia. This is because Russia tends to break agreements made with the West and blame the West for forcing Russia to take drastic action. Despite many failures, Putin remains in power but the growing list of threats is eroding that power. Russians like a strong leader, but there is a limit to how many of the leaders mistakes they will tolerate. This has created a bad situation for Putin because the most common causes of wars are territorial disputes and overconfidence by the aggressor. The current war in Ukraine is the result of over a decade of bad decisions by Russian leaders, particularly Putin, who has been running Russia for over two decades despite term-limits laws and continued, but futile, popular opposition. The first actual invasion of Ukraine occurred in 2014 after five days of popular protests in Ukraine forced a pro-Russia Ukrainian president to flee to Russia. Victor Yanukovych had won the 2010 presidential election because of promises to seek greater economic and diplomatic links with the West. At that point Russia had been interfering in Ukrainian affairs for over a decade in an effort to prevent Ukraine from becoming more Western and less subservient to Russia. Yanukovych was bribed by the Russians to renege on his election promises about closer links with the West. In late 2013 Yanukovych was supposed to sign a political association and free trade agreement with the EU (European Union). To the surprise of the Ukrainians who voted for him, Yanukovych refused to sign the EU agreement and announced he was going to seek closer ties with Russia. This triggered a popular uprising demanding he resign. At first Yanukovych tried using violence to suppress what came to be called the Maidan Revolution. Over a hundred protesters were killed but the number of protesters in Kyiv grew and Yanukovych fled to Russia. The Ukrainian parliament then voted to officially remove Yanukovych from office and an interim president was selected to arrange new elections and sign the EU agreement. Petro Poroshenko was elected president in May 2014. Russia was dismayed by the removal of Yanukovych and turned to more violent solutions to their Ukraine problems. Russia declared that former Ukrainian president Yanukovych was still the legitimate president and had him write a letter requesting Russian military assistance in Crimea, where the new Ukrainian government was threatening to cancel the lease Russia had for their naval base. Russia was providing Yanukovych with sanctuary and protection from prosecution for crimes he was accused of in Ukraine. Russia was acting on its belief that three Ukrainian provinces, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk should be part of Russia because most of the people in those provinces were Russian speakers and could be persuaded to voluntarily join Russia. This turned out to be only partially true. Many of the Russians in Crimea were military personnel and their families, living there because of the continued use of Sevastopol as the Black Sea Fleet headquarters. Russia prepared a surprise operation that involved the 22nd and 45th GRU (Military Intelligence) spetsnaz (special operations) regiments, which were part of the Russian military force but not identified as spetsnaz. There were only a few hundred spetsnaz in Crimea but Ukrainians soon were able to recognize the little green men with weapons and lots of attitude wearing uniforms with no insignia. Also identified were recently (after the takeover began) arrived members of the infamous (for brutal but effective special operations in Chechnya) Vostok battalion and an airborne unit (31st Airborne Brigade) that showed up in a lot of tricky situations (Bosnia, Chechnya, Georgia). In other words, what foreign intelligence agencies have come to regard as The Usual Suspects whenever there is an operation requiring special operations forces. Ukraine appealed to the West for help, not just a trade deal. Putins actions in Ukraine had brought Ukraine closer to the west and finally actively sought NATO membership. Putin had invoked grievances with NATO and sought to resolve them by claiming they went into Ukraine to annex it to Russia. This was considered necessary to restore Ukraine to its status as part of Russia. Putin later claimed that he was seeking to restore other areas to Russian control. Putin eventually named portions of Poland as one of its future targets for absorption into Greater Russia, otherwise known as the Russian empire. Belarus, the Baltic States and some former Soviet territories in Central Asia are also on the acquisition list. None of these targets were willing to cooperate. Poland, as the largest and wealthiest East European NATO member, led the way by rearming to confront any future threat. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland decided to increase the size of the armed forces to 300,000 personnel and spend at least three percent of GDP on defense. NATO suggests two percent of GDP but few European NATO members spent that much on defense. Now more NATO members are reaching or exceeding two percent and the increases are higher the closer a country is to Russia. The NATO nations near or bordering Russia insist that, if Russia is allowed to keep any Ukrainian territory, the Russians will attack them too as part of an effort to reconstitute the Greater Russia that the tsars and later communists created and maintained until 1991. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has always insisted that the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a big mistake and must be rectified. Many Russians agree with that, but are less willing to pay the economic and military price that Ukraine demonstrated would result if Russia tried. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan are nervous because they are, after Ukraine, according to Vladimir Putin, on the list of former Soviet territories that must be absorbed into Greater Russia. That would be difficult because these three states have growing economic ties with China and diplomatic ties with India and the West. Greater Russia was not just about rebuilding the tsarist or communist empires because Russia does not want the expensive of ruling Central Asian states, but rather more lucrative territories Russian once ruled. This includes portions of Poland, all of the Baltic States and Finland, and parts of Alaska. There are some serious legal and practical problems with these claims. The United States has a larger military and nukes which might come into play to deal with efforts to enforce any Russian claims on Alaska. Russia is making claims on several Eastern European NATO members who are protected by the mutual defense clause of the NATO treaty. Russia and all the nations involved are members of the United Nations. Article 51 of the UN charter demands that members refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Russia says this does not apply because Ukraine is a breakaway part of Russia and Russian troops are seeking to liberate Ukraine from foreign (NATO) oppression. Ukraine is also a UN member and protests Russian claims as well as the UN tolerating the Russian use of its Security Council veto to block any serious UN opposition to the Russian aggression. Ukraine pointed out that the Ukrainian forces will force Russian troops out of Ukraine and then the problem will be what the rest of the world does about Russia. Putins decisions have led Western and even some Russian media to describe Putin as out of control. Ukraine was one of many unpopular Putin decisions. Another one was the effort to sever access to the Internet outside of Russia. Only a few government and commercial operations would have access to the Internet beyond Russias borders. Putin has had this system tested in early July and there were still major problems that had to be fixed before he could sever international Internet access for most Russians and create Sovereign Internet for Russia and end access to the international Internet. This was not popular with most Russian Internet users. Putin appears to go out of his way with actions and statements that further diminish his popularity inside Russia. There are still like-minded Russians who agree with Putin, but their number dwindles as each new scheme backfires and makes things worse for Russia. July 31, 2023: In the Black Sea, an Israeli cargo ship defied the Russian naval blockade and entered Ukrainian waters, followed by four other cargo ships. An American P8 maritime surveillance aircraft flew overhead searching for any Russian naval activity. The Russian threat was not backed up by the presence of any warships, because doing so would make the Russian ships targets for Ukrainian anti-ship missiles or small, fast unmanned bomb boats. Russia admitted that they had deported 4.8 million Ukrainian civilians to Russia since early 2022. The Geneva Convention considers such forcible deportations illegal while Russia describes it as a military necessity to reduce armed resistance in Russian occupied portions of Ukraine. Russia now considers these territories part of Russia. International law does not recognize such annexations. Russia increased fines for men who do not report for military service. There are also fines for organizations, commercial or government, that do not accurately report the number and Ids of military age men on the payroll. Western analysts believe that Russia has lost (killed, seriously wounded, captured or missing) 250,000 soldiers since early 2022 and has outlawed the release of information on troop losses and threatens to prosecute anyone who releases that data anyway. It doesnt make much difference in Russia, where the personal experiences of so many people, as expressed in social media, seems to confirm the Western estimates. To make matters worse the Ukrainian military continues to release transcripts of cell phone calls made by Russian soldiers in Ukraine to wives or other family members in Russia describing the losses and lack of support (supplies, replacements) they suffer from. This lack of support has led to many Russian soldiers not fighting when ordered to attack or defend. The troops will prepare fortifications, operate artillery and plant mines and explosive devices, and this is what causes most Ukrainian casualties. The Ukrainian troops find fewer Russian soldiers actively attacking or even fighting back. The Russian government has declared it a criminal act for soldiers to surrender. Those who do so will be imprisoned if they are eventually released and return to Russia. Many of these complaints are made by Russian officers, who are reluctant to threaten their troops with punishment for not fighting. There is fear of mutiny by the miserable Russian troops. Officers deal with this problem by avoiding it and not doing anything that will further anger their troops and report to their superiors that everything is fine, except for the lack of supplies and replacements. The government attitude seems to be that they will increase punishments until troop morale improves. The government has also tried to suppress much of the bad news coming from the Ukrainian front. State-controlled media will not report what is really going on and the government tries to convince the Internet-based Russian commentators to limit their reporting of the bad news in Ukraine. Russian leaders, especially Vladimir, fear a rebellion inside Russia against the government for all the problems the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused for Russia. July 30, 2023: In Moscow, a Ukrainian cruise missile (a UAV carrying explosives on a one-way mission) damaged an office tower. Several other similar cruise missiles were intercepted. Ukraine carries out these attacks as symbolic retaliation because of the more damaging Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian artillerymen have been using Iranian made shells and unguided rockets apparently captured from the Russians. Many of these munitions were manufactured recently (2023) or in the last year. Iran has been providing Russia with as many munitions as the Russians can pay for. North Korea has also been providing Russia with rockets and shells but these are often the oldest ones in the North Korean inventory. Its preferable to sell these munitions, some of them 30 years old, before they become too dangerous to use. Although these shells and rockets will still work, many of them do so unreliably. That means many of these shells and rockets no longer are as accurate or able to reach their maximum range or even detonate when they hit the ground. Ukrainian EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams are kept busy dealing with all these unexploded munitions in the combat zone as well as in towns and cities where the unexploded munitions are a threat to civilians. July 29, 2023: In southern Ukraine (Kherson province) the Chongar Strait railroad bridge was put out of action by a Storm Shadow guided bomb that cratered a portion of the bridge and rendered the rails unusable. Russia denied this but photos reached the West showing the damage in detail and satellite photos showed the damage in less detail. This disrupts rail traffic for at least a few days and possibly a week as repairs are made. The highway link had already been broken. This is the only rail link between Kherson province and the Crimean Peninsula. The other rail and road link is the Kerch Strait bridge, which was completed in 2018 at a cost of nearly four billion dollars. It is the main supply route between Russia and Crimea but has been rendered unusable for rail or road traffic by missile and underwater bomb attacks. Supply lines for Russian forces in Crimea are temporarily cut and Ukrainian missiles have destroyed most of the fuel and ammunition supplies already in the Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian ground forces are advancing from the north towards the narrow land connection between the mainland and the Crimean Peninsula. Russian ground forces in the area were able to slow down the Ukrainian offensive but not stop it. The Ukrainians have more troops in their area than the Russians and now the Russian supply lines are cut. July 27, 2023: Russia continues attacking Ukrainian cities with guided missiles. Ukrainian air defenses have been able to intercept most of them but some get through causing damage and casualties. Recent attacks have also hit the port of grain storage sites and the port of Odessa. Russia is seeking to disrupt Ukrainian grain exports. Russia has previously left those alone because a lot of that grain when to countries Russia was still on good terms with. Russia had threatened to make these attacks unless some of the Western economic sanctions were lifted. That did not happen so the Russians went after Ukrainian food exports. This was unpopular with many countries that were still on good terms with Russia but saw Russian efforts to block Ukrainian grain exports as raising the world grain prices by 15 percent initially. That would grow if Russia managed to block all Ukrainian access to Black Sea trade routes. July 26, 2023: In southeast Ukraine, the Ukrainian offensive finally broke through Russian fortifications and minefields and threatened to cut the block Russian access to the Crimean Peninsula. While the Russians had built numerous fortifications and minefields in the area, Russian troops were few and generally reluctant to put up a stiff resistance. Soldiers complained of food and ammunition shortages as well as receiving no reinforcements for a long time. The Russian troop shortage was getting worse because losses were not being replaced and soldiers still in the area felt abandoned. This was sometimes literally the case when officers departed on leave or official business and didnt return. While surrendering to the Ukrainians was discouraged, it was more common now. Russian officers are empowered to shoot soldiers who try to surrender but that is not as effective as it was last year when there were more Russian in Ukraine. Now the troops will sometimes shoot back. The Russian defenders were dismayed at how the Ukrainians were only stalled for days or weeks by the fortifications, minefields and occasional Russian artillery fire, but eventually worked their way through. While the Ukrainians had some new German Leopard 2 tanks and more numerous American Bradley and Stryker IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicles), most of the Ukrainian armored vehicles were the older Russian models that both Ukrainian and Russian troops use. The only Russian reinforcements was the occasional appearance of Russian Ka-52 helicopter gunships. The key factor was the morale and training of the troops and the Ukrainians had a decisive edge. Russia lost about 40 Ka-52s in Ukraine so far and has only been able to replace a few of them. The Ka-52s are vulnerable to ground fire and short range anti-aircraft missiles. The Ka-52s have adopted tactics that involve the use of long range fire with some ATGM (Anti-tank guided missiles) and unguided rockets as well as a 30mm autocannon. There have only 460 rounds of 30mm ammunition. The Ka-52 has a one man on board to fly the helicopter and operate the weapons. July 25, 2023: Russia raised the maximum age at which men can be conscripted from 27 to 30. Russian men are usually conscripted at 18 for their one year of military service. Many are deferred for one reason or another but can be called up later. Now later means when the men are 30 years old. Russia has also been raising the ages that former soldiers can be recalled. Veterans as old as 50 can be mobilized into the military and officers as old as 70. July 24, 2023: In Syria, Russian jet fighters continue to harass American MQ-9 UAVs by flying to close or launching flares at the unmanned aircraft. Russia doesnt want a war with the Americans in Syria, but is not reluctant to express hostility. July 23, 2023: China continues to increase its military exports to Russia. Early in 2022 China said it would not send weapons but could supply supplies like helmets, protective vests and battlefield medical equipment and supplies. By the end of 2022 China was selling Russia more dangerous military items. These included dual-use electronic equipment and some decidedly more dangerous items like electronic signal jammers and replacement parts for combat aircraft. China ignored criticism of its military exports because China wants to see Russia at least survive its poor decision to invade Ukraine. China openly criticized Russia for the invasion and wants to minimize the damage to Russia. China has long maintained trade relations with Ukraine and wants to resume that trade as soon as possible. July 20, 2023: Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, Western countries united in imposing severe economic sanctions on Russia. This did some damage to the Russian economy, but not as much as the sanctioning countries expected. This is because there were other countries with current or previous experience evading sanctions and willing to help Russia. Outlaw states tend to cooperate, or at least share sanction evasion techniques with each other. Russia found that nearby Iran, which has been under varying degrees of sanctions for decades, was a good source of advice on evading sanctions. Even before Russia went total outlaw in Ukraine, they had been cooperating with Iran, North Korea and several other heavily sanctioned nations. Russian oil exports, which for decades have been about eight million BDP (Barrels Per Day), vary in value depending on the world price for oil. In the last decade there have been two instances of sanctions related declines in Russian oil exports. The first was in 2014, in response to the Russian occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Russian oil exports fell about ten percent from their normal level. Russian oil exports recovered quickly to their previous levels but oil income remained lower because Russia had to use discounts to get past the oil sanctions. This was because nations caught obtaining sanctioned oil could themselves be sanctioned. In 2022, Russia was hit with even heavier sanctions that caused oil income for 2022 to decline by over 20 percent compared to the previous year. Russian oil exports cannot be ignored because Russia is the second largest oil exporter, behind Saudi Arabia. During periods when Russian oil exports are sanctioned, the primary impact is Russia receiving less cash for its oil. Russia managed to quickly deal with the new sanctions because of its close relationships with Iran, a veteran practitioner of how best to evade sanctions. Russia continues to evade sanctions any way it can and often succeeds. July 15, 2023: Iran is one of the few nations willing to supply Russia with munitions for use by Russian forces inside Ukraine. Iran has considerably depleted its artillery ammunition inventory in order to do this. The latest deal involved 14,000 152mm shells for D20 towed howitzers, 10,000 high-explosive shells for T-72 tank guns as well as two T-72 replacement barrels and two replacement barrels for the 122mm D30 towed howitzers. These guns and ammo are sold to Russia, and not at a discount. Russia needs more artillery and shells for its big guns. Iran is one of the few foreign suppliers available. Ukraine received Western towed or truck-mounted 155mm howitzers and found them superior to the Russian 122mm artillery. Russia had some 5.7-ton D20 152mm howitzers and to obtain more they had to bring many out of storage facilities. The 152mm guns were in pretty good shape but some of the stockpiled 152mm shells were well past their use by '' date and some of these elderly shells were no longer reliable. This usually meant less range than the standard 17.4 kilometers, or not detonating when hitting the ground. In one case an elderly shell exploded as it was being fired and destroyed the D20 barrel. One of the more visible of these Iranian munitions is the Shahed-136. These delta wing airborne cruise missiles weigh 200 kg (440 pounds) and are armed with a warhead weighing 30 to 50 kg, most of which is explosives. Thats not a lot because most cruise missiles carry warheads weighing half a ton or more. The Shahed-136 warhead will damage, not destroy, most structures it hits. Shahed-136 is launched using a rocket motor that gets it into the air and then detaches and falls away. To be effective Shahed-136 is launched in swarms, which was the case with this attack. Shahed-136 is propeller driven using a noisy gasoline engine. Aptly described as low (altitude), slow and loud, Shahed-136 is easy to detect and shoot down. Despite these shortcomings Russia continues to use any Shahed-136s it can get for use against civilian targets. This forces Ukraine to use some of its air defense resources to protect civilians from the Shahed-136 attacks. July 14, 2023: The 2022 invasion of Ukraine alarmed other countries that were created when the Soviet Union was dismantled in 1991. The Stans of Central Asia have another option; China. The Stans (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) have been very receptive to Chinese diplomatic and economic cooperation. This bothers Russia, but not to the extent that threats are being made, as was the case with the former imperial provinces to the west. The five Stans of Central Asia welcomed Chinese economic activity because it would help with their economies and discourage the Russians from trying to dominate the region like they have done since the 19th century. The invasion of Ukraine was accompanied by some Russian officials speaking openly about who was next. The Stans were usually at the top of the list. The Stans also have a problem with never having been democracies. When the Russians conquered them in the 19th century, the local governments were monarchies or tribes. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, their formerly Soviet leaders held elections and manipulated the vote to get themselves elected "president for life." But many people in the Stans want clean government and democracy, as well as continued independence from Russia. China is no help with that because the Chinese prefer dictators. In eastern Syria (Homs province) a Russian AN-30 surveillance aircraft flew over the American controlled crossing at Tanf (or Tanaf) near the Jordan and Iraq borders. The Americans have too much airpower and too much aerial and ground surveillance around Tanf for anyone to successfully attack it. The U.S. has declared a free fire zone that means any Syrian or Iranian forces getting within 30 kilometers of Tanf are automatically attacked. This often does not apply to unarmed surveillance aircraft, especially if they are Russian. American and Russian forces in Syria sometimes cooperate with each other but that cooperation halted as Russian losses in Ukraine increased. July 13, 2023: Russia and Iran agreed to create electricity transmission networks built from Iran through Azerbaijan to Russia. This link enables Russia and Iran to export surplus electricity to each other. Peak consumption for Russia occurs in the winter, while peak consumption for Iran occurs in the summer. July 11, 2023: Russia was alarmed that Tukey was allowing NATO personnel to examine Russian air defense systems delivered to Turkey. This occurred because Turkey recently decided their membership in NATO was more important than maintaining good relations with Russia. Turkey was criticized by its NATO allies in 2017, and praised by Russia for deciding to buy the Russian S-400 air defense system rather than ones used by its NATO allies. Turkey ordered $2.5 billion worth of S-400 systems from Russia and this was criticized by NATO allies. The United States canceled the Turkish order for F-35 stealth fighters. By 2020 Russia had delivered four S-400 batteries and was deploying them on its borders. Two years later Russia invaded Ukraine and the Turks began to reconsider their S-400 purchase. Russia had the money and Turkey remembered why it joined NATO in the first place; to discourage Russia from attacking, or threatening to attack Turkey. More recently It was revealed that Turkey had allowed NATO allies to send technical experts to examine S-400 components, especially the 91N6 radar used for early detection of targets. This is supposed to be up to up to 230 kilometers for ballistic missiles, up to 390 kilometers for aerodynamic (aircraft or cruise missiles) targets while targets of the "strategic bomber" can be detected at up to 570 kilometers. This provided information on exactly how S-400 worked and how best to exploit any flaws in the system. The United States was also looking for illegally obtained American components. July 10, 2023: In Russia (Moscow) Russian officials and members of the Arab GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) met and agreed that Libya must decide for itself what its future will be. It was also agreed that all foreign troops should leave Libya. Currently this means forces from Turkey and Russia. The Russians are willing to leave if the Turks do so as well. Turkey will not withdraw its forces until agreements it signed with the Tripoli government are acknowledged by all Libyans as legitimate and binding. Russia does agree that a unified Libyan government was needed to settle issues like the Turkish agreements with the Tripoli faction. Russia supports the eastern faction with weapons and equipment and Russian forces have never actively engaged infighting anyone in Libya. Russian has good relations with the GCC, mainly because Russia is a major oil producer. There was also agreement between Russia and its Arab Gulf State allies that the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is justified in disputing ownership of three islands in the Persian Gulf that are currently occupied by Iran. Russia is currently seeking to maintain good relations with both Iran and the Arab Gulf states. Openly choosing sides in the three islands dispute proved to be a mistake for Russia. For over fifty years Iran has defended its possession of three disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. The UAE persists in disputing possession of three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa), which Iran seized by force in 1971, and refuses to give back. Iran ignores the fact that Arabs live on the islands and would rather be ruled by Arabs. July 9, 2023: Despite Russian objections, Turkey has sent five former Ukrainian prisoners of war back to Ukraine. The men were released to Turkish custody as part of a prisoner exchange Turkey arranged in 2022. Russia accuses Turkey of violating the terms of the agreement. July 8, 2023: In CAR, (Central African Republic) several hundred Russian Wagner Group mercenaries have left in the last few weeks. This was described as a rotation of forces. Other Wagner mercenaries will soon arrive as replacements. July 7, 2023: Russia continues to support profitable military operations in Africa. For example, gold is used to pay the Russian Wagner Group mercenaries that were hired by the Mali military government in 2021 to train Mali troops, especially in the use of weapons purchased from Russia. The supply of Russian weapons, and Wagner mercenaries was disrupted in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine and heavy sanctions were imposed on Russia by NATO countries. African countries didnt care what Russia was doing in Ukraine but did care about their disrupted weapons supply line from Russia. There are about a thousand Wagner personnel in Mali and the Mali military government has no problem paying the mercenaries or for weapons purchased from Russia. Mali is a major producer of gold and the Russians will take payment in gold. Russia maintains a huge gold stockpile (about 2,300 tons), the fifth largest in the world. The Russian gold is an emergency fund that is now being tapped to pay for military operations in Ukraine. July 6, 2023: The UAV (drone) production facility Iran agreed to help Russia build inside Russia has been completed and is producing UAVs. The new factory is on the Volga River, some 900 kilometers east of Moscow. This location was selected because it is close to the ship canal that connects Russia and Iran. Russia is currently upgrading the canal connection. Growing trade with Iran led Russia to start bringing in dredging equipment for a major, and overdue, dredging of the heavily used Volga-Don Canal that enables ships to get from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. Because of the war in Ukraine and Iran supplying weapons and equipment to Russia, canal traffic was up 15 percent in 2022 over the previous year and will be even higher in 2023. Since 1952, a 101 kilometers long canal, linking the Don and Volga rivers, gave the Caspian Sea access to the Black Sea and the world's oceans. However, the largest ships that can use the canal cannot displace more than 5,000 tons and be no more than 140 meters (434 feet) long, 17 meters (52 feet) wide, and have a draft of no more than 3.5 meters (10.8 feet). Normally the canal moves over 12 million tons of cargo a year. About half of that is oil or oil products. In 2021 Russia agreed to allow Iran to use the Volga-Don Canal so that Iranian ships can reach the Black Sea from the landlocked Caspian Sea. This is the first time Russia has ever given a foreign nation free access to the canal. Russia and Iran are now using each others Caspian Sea ports heavily for trade and getting Iranian weapons and weapons components to Russia. This includes Iranian UAV components for the Russian UAV factory. Both nations have agreed to establish a joint-shipbuilding operation in the Caspian Sea and cooperate in dredging the canal, something that has not been done since 1991. The prolonged lack of dredging has made portions of the canal shallower and forced ships to carry less cargo. The 13 locks on the canal connect the Volga River, the longest in Russia that empties into the Caspian, and the Don River which empties into the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait. The Caspian is the world's largest lake and it is huge, at 371,000 square kilometers (about the same size as Poland). It is about a thousand kilometers long and 430 kilometers wide. It's saline but is only about a third as salty as ocean water. The Caspian has a 7,000-kilometer-long coastline, with the largest chunk (1,900 kilometers) belonging to Kazakhstan. A current drought in the region has reduced canal traffic become of the locks dont have sufficient water supplies to operate the canal locks at full capacity. That drought is most severe in Iran, which is another reason for Iranians to protest the inability of their government to address a problem that previous governments were able to handle. July 5, 2023: Russia carried out a brief pre-dawn test of its ability to turn Internet access for Russians into a Sovereign Internet that is not connected to the worldwide Internet. That means Russians can only use the Internet within Russian and must use Russian based websites and network services, like search, messaging and social media. There are versions of all these services based in Russian as well as internationally popular versions like Google, Wikipedia, Twitter and Facebook. The Sovereign Internet test revealed some problems, like interference with large scale Internet-based communications systems created for the Nationwide Railroad Network and other nationwide communications systems that also require some access to international systems. A long-term implementation of Russias Sovereign Internet would disrupt some portions of the Russian economy that depend on constant communication with foreign firms. In eastern Syria (Homs province) an American MC-12 intelligence and surveillance aircraft was harassed by a Russian Su-35 fighter. The MC-12 is a 5.6-t0n twin-engine is a Beechcraft Super King Air 350ER modified for miliary use. The crew consists of two pilots and two sensor operators. No damage was done to the MC-12 but those in the aircraft had to momentarily ignore their mission to deal with what the Su-35 might do next. The Su-35 soon flew away. July 3, 2023: The high casualty rates in Russian combat units sent to Ukraine has led to increasing protests from wives and mothers of men conscripted or mobilized (persuaded or forced to join) into the army. The government quickly outlawed publication of casualty statistics. The ban applied to the conventional media as well as the growing number of news outlets on the Internet. The Internet is notoriously difficult to censor, especially when it comes to very emotional issues like husbands, sons and brothers going, willingly or unwillingly, into the military during war time. This is especially true during wars with very high casualty rates. Such was the case for Russians during the two World Wars. After 1945 Russia managed to avoid major wars for more than three decades. That changed when the Soviet Union leaders ignored warnings from the military and ordered an invasion of Afghanistan. That led to unprecedented public protests from the families of soldiers killed and later families of soldiers in Afghanistan. For the first time in Russian history, the military made an effort to return the bodies of soldiers killed in battle. Because the bodies were decaying, zinc-lined wooden coffins were used. Returning the bodies to their families did not reduce the protests and soon wives and mothers were openly conducting zinc coffin protests. The public protests contributed to the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan and the collapse of the Soviet Union a few years later. Thirty years later its happening all over again. The government still has no way to halt the protests and the widespread availability of the Internet, especially on cell phones, makes the protests more visible and immediate these days. The government has discovered that such protests interfere with its recruiting efforts. The old lies and false promises no longer work. The military is still getting new troops, but not as many or as quickly as they want. The new recruits are more aware of poor preparation (training and equipment) and combat leadership that is common in Ukraine. All this led to severe morale problems. A major reason why the Russian military effort in Ukraine failed was that the morale of most Russians was low while Ukrainians were more motivated to fight and do it more effectively. In some ways, this was a curious situation. Troops on both sides are ethnic Russian. While Ukrainians use their own version, or dialect of Russian, this does not prevent Russians and Ukrainians from carrying on discussions with each other. The situation is similar in other cultures. Troops from both sides being able to talk to each other diminished the usual wartime efforts to portray enemy troops as some kind of alien monster. Russian troops in Ukraine were treated poorly by their leaders. Initially Russian soldiers were sent to Ukraine without knowing they were no longer in Russia and in a neighboring country where invaders were being fiercely and successfully resisted. Many junior Russian officers werent told the truth. When it became obvious to the surviving Russian troops what was going on, morale and willingness to fight declined sharply. Ukrainian troops were better off when it came to morale, although most were not happy about finding themselves armed and fighting Russians. The initial Ukrainian defenders were active duty troops belonging to the army or newly created national guard. These men, and some women, paid attention to their training and had better morale, cohesion and effectiveness in combat. Most Russian troops had little training. The main exceptions were the few special operations or airborne units. The combination of low morale and little training resulted in soldiers who were reluctant to fight and prone to flee. The only reliable combat troops were the small number of special operations, airborne or mercenary (Wagner Group) personnel available. The Ukrainian approach was different. An effort was made, and often carried out, to see that all Ukrainian combat troops were properly trained and equipped. It was difficult to take the time to train new troops when more fighters were desperately needed on the front lines. The Ukrainians made an effort, and often succeeded in overcoming this problem by doing most of the training during the winter or any other time where there was a lull in the fighting. A lot of training was done outside Ukraine, usually in NATO countries. Soon almost all new Russian troops sent to Ukraine have had little or no training. That means the Russians suffer exceptionally high casualties and the Ukrainians lose far fewer men. Better training and often superior weapons and equipment not only resulted in improved Ukrainian morale but also much more effective troops. This is why Ukrainian forces are now on the offensive and overcoming Russian efforts to halt the advance. While Russian leaders insist that Russia will never give up efforts to conquer Ukraine, few Russian troops are willing or able to make it work. The Ukrainians have the morale, weapons and incentives to force the Russians out. July 2, 2023: Russia sent special operations (Spetsnaz) troops to the border between Belgorod province and Ukraine to deal with continuing raids by anti-Putin Russian militias based in Ukraine. These raids have been going on for several months and embarrass Russia by demonstrating its lack of border security. This is common because Russia has over 22,000 kilometers of land borders, mostly with little or no border security. This includes nearly 2,000 kilometers of border with Ukraine and 540 kilometers of that is in the Belgorod area. Russia has also sent special operations troops to upgrade defenses on the rest of the border with Ukraine in Kursk and Bryansk provinces. The raids on the Belgorod are meant to embarrass Putin, not kill Russian soldiers and civilians. Some of the Russian responses to the raids did that too, notably because the forces involved acted like Russian troops everywhere, often bombing and using artillery in civilian areas, looting of Russian civilians and so on.. Most of the responses against the Ukrainian-backed Russian militias were ineffectual, which is typical of the Russian Army Putin has created to fight in Ukraine. The Belgorod border is north of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Initially these raids faced no armed opposition. When Russian security forces showed during more recent raids, the Russian troops either retreated or surrendered when confronted by the raiders. This was not unexpected because Russian troops in Ukraine have performed poorly from the beginning. Worse, the raiders were all Russians who, unlike most Russian army personnel in Ukraine, were competent and effective fighters whose motivation was to discredit Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine. In response to this the best Russia could do was send about a hundred special operations troops to Belgorod in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the additional border forces already at the border. These Spetsnaz, however, were only more of the same poorly trained and led conscripts who offered no effective resistance to the raiders and behaved badly towards Russian civilians. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Spirit Airlines' year-to-date stock performance. Spirit Airlines : "I am concerned about Spirit because that market has become very competitive. They were hoping to do a little bit more consolidation, the government's not going to let them, so I'm going to say we should take a pass on Spirit, there's better, other places to go, and I like Delta." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Chargepoint's year-to-date stock performance. Chargepoint : "Ok, they are losing money. I am not going to recommend stocks on the show that are losing money. I will tell you, just as a little background, there's a big short position, and all the big shorts that I follow, companies that are heavily shorted, are all working. So it wouldn't shock me if it just shot up meme-wise, but I can't recommend it on a fundamental basis." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon IONQ's year-to-date stock performance. IONQ : "Because it's quantum computing, and people are desperate to find something that does quantum, I kid you not... No, I can't recommend it, it's losing money, but I get what's happening." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Barrick Gold's year-to-date stock performance. Barrick Gold : "Barrick Gold has been a disappointment...I have to stand by the fact that Mark Bristow's very good, but there's no two ways about it. It's been disappointing, and I think that there may be other ways to play gold..." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Marvell's year-to-date stock performance. Marvell : "....the quarter was good, mostly because they had this tremendous AI business that goes in conjunction with what Nvidia's doing...I did feel that, perhaps, you've got to wait for a pullback before you pull the trigger." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Cleveland-Cliffs' year-to-date stock performance. Cleveland-Cliffs : "Well, I've got to differ... I think they're doing better than people realize, but they know that Nucor is my favorite. Nucor is the way if you want to be in a steel company, Nucor is the one you want." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Coursera's year-to-date stock performance. Coursera : "I don't know it...I'm not going to opine on something I do not know." watch now In this article AMZN Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Workers fulfill orders at an Amazon fulfillment center on Prime Day in Melville, New York, US, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Johnny Milano | Bloomberg | Getty Images For the millions of sellers who make up the booming Amazon marketplace, few things are as perpetually concerning as the threat of getting suspended for alleged wrongdoing and watching business evaporate overnight. Helping third-party sellers recover their accounts has turned into a large and lucrative enterprise, because the only way the merchants can get back up and running is to admit guilt and correct the issue or show sufficient evidence that they did nothing wrong. The process is often costly, lengthy and fraught with challenges. Enter the illicit broker. For a fee of $200 to $400, sellers can pay for services such as "Amazon Magic," as one broker on encrypted messaging service Telegram calls it. The offerings also include access to company insiders who can remove negative reviews on a product and provide information on competitors. Users are told to send a private message to learn the price of certain services. The Telegram group has over 13,000 members, and it's far from the only one. Other brokers peddle similar services on Telegram as well as on WeChat, WhatsApp and Facebook Groups. The confidential data is promoted as intelligence gold for any seller working to get their product or account reinstated. The groups are part of a robust market of so-called black hat service providers that have cropped up alongside the rise of third-party marketplaces on Amazon, Etsy and Walmart . Amazon's marketplace now accounts for over 60% of goods sold on the platform, and includes numerous businesses that generate millions of dollars in annual revenue on the site. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Source: Telegram Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Source: Telegram As it's grown, the sprawling global marketplace has also seen a surge in the number of counterfeiters and spammers trying to game the system, which has pushed Amazon to ramp up enforcement. Much of the activity originates off Amazon's marketplace and on social media and encrypted messaging apps, complicating the policing efforts. A public Facebook page identified by CNBC offers an internal screenshot service with "valuable insight into your seller account, allowing you to see how Amazon employees view your account and its performance." Facebook parent Meta didn't respond to a request for comment. The issue of rogue employees taking bribes is not a new one for Amazon. The company has in the past dealt with low-level, low-wage seller support staffers in China, India and Costa Rica who have accepted payments in exchange for leaking information. Brokers, who act as middlemen between sellers and employees, often reach out to insiders on LinkedIn, said a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be named due to confidentiality. Amazon has an internal group tasked with threat analysis and response, including a team dedicated to investigating employees suspected of leaking data, the source said. The threat analysis unit monitors social media platforms for abusive groups where bad actors may congregate before engaging in illicit activity on Amazon's marketplace. Amazon told CNBC that it has systems in place to detect suspicious behavior such as improper access to confidential data and investigates these activities, sharing information with law enforcement agencies. It reports abusive groups to social media platforms and encrypted messaging services, where bad actors are increasingly concentrating their activities in order to avoid detection, the company said. "There is no place for fraud at Amazon and we will continue to pursue all measures to protect our store and hold bad actors accountable," Christy Distefano, an Amazon spokesperson, said in an email. Amazon declined to say whether it has disciplined or fired employees for leaking data in exchange for payments, beyond noting that it has zero tolerance for staffers who violate its policies. Amazon's ongoing bribery problem In 2018, Amazon investigated claims that employees, primarily based in China, received payments of $80 to more than $2,000 to share confidential sales information or delete bad reviews, The Wall Street Journal reported. More recently, the Department of Justice charged six individuals in 2020 with participating in a scheme to bribe employees and contractors for internal data. In July, the fifth defendant in the case, who is a well-known seller consultant, was sentenced to probation and house arrest after pleading guilty in March. Account annotations, internal notes from an Amazon staffer on a seller's account, were among the confidential data being exchanged between the defendants and employees. Amazon said it uncovered the suspicious behavior related to the bribery case in 2018 and reported it to the FBI. The company said it had "robust systems" in place to detect suspicious behavior such as fraud and abuse. Amazon has also urged social media companies to assist it with rooting out fraudulent activity such as fake reviews. While Amazon is aware of the problem and is investing in people and technology to weed it out, groups continue to proliferate into the hundreds, the person with knowledge of the issue told CNBC. Accessing groups on encrypted chat apps such as Telegram, WeChat or WhatsApp may require a link or invitation. Remi Vaughn, a spokesperson for Telegram, told CNBC in an email that "moderators proactively monitor public parts of the platform and accept user reports in order to remove content that breaches our terms of service." The Amazon Magic group on Telegram is public, with users advertising black hat services almost daily. Screenshots of Amazon's internal Paragon system, which is used by seller support employees to handle cases, are distributed freely in the group. CNBC authenticated the legitimacy of the screenshots with sources knowledgeable of the system. "Much more you can find about your account by ordering screenshots with inside information from us, as seller support sees it," a message in the Telegram chat states. Many of the messages in the group are in Russian, and a user who runs the group claims on Facebook to be based in Ukraine. The person didn't respond to a request for comment. watch now A challenging outlook for Estee Lauder 's Asia business has pushed Citi to the sidelines on its stock. Analyst Filippo Falorni downgraded the beauty company's stock to neutral from buy and cut his price target by $45 to $195. His new target implies shares could rise 8.3% in the next 12 months from Monday's close. "We had previously highlighted in our negative catalyst watch our concern with initial FY'24 guidance, but we now see more risk to the recovery path in 2H24," Falorni said in a note to clients Tuesday. "We remain optimistic about the long-term revenue and margin opportunities at EL, but we expect weaker results over the next few quarters with negative incremental data points." The stock slid 1.4% in Tuesday premarket trading. Shares are down more than 27% this year, massively underperforming the broader market. He said investors may need to question the company's ability to bring earnings back to normal in the short term if there is continued weakness and poor guidance for the 2024 fiscal year. Challenges in Asia could push the company to guide even more conservatively, further spooking investors. "Importantly, while we think the market is braced for a low initial FY24 guidance, we worry continued weakness in results may lead investors to question the 'normalized earnings power' of EL for FY25," he said. Citi's checks in China show consumers continue to trade down from premium to mass market brands, while Estee Lauder's inventories remain elevated, Falorni said. A shift in the company's sales mix can also raise purported risks related to the brand's image and resell pricing, the analyst added. These concerns come despite Falorni's longer-term bullishness, with expectations for profit to grow more than peers. Beyond China, Falorni also noted the company's recent disclosure that parts of its business were disrupted by a cyberattack. While having little details, Falorni said the attack could "compound an already difficult situation." CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report CVS Health is cutting 5,000 jobs to reduce costs as the retail pharmacy giant furthers its push into health-care offerings, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC on Tuesday. The pharmacy chain had about 300,000 employees in the U.S. at the end of last year, according to a securities filing. A CVS spokesperson confirmed the layoffs and said they are not expected to affect "customer-facing colleagues in our stores, pharmacies, clinics, or customer services centers." The spokesperson added that employees laid off will receive severance pay and benefits, including access to outplacement services. "As part of an enterprise initiative to reprioritize our investments around care delivery and technology, we must take difficult steps to reduce expenses," the spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. "This unfortunately includes the need to eliminate a number of non-customer facing positions across the company." The Wall Street Journal first reported the job cuts Tuesday, citing an internal announcement to employees. It comes a day before CVS reports its second-quarter earnings. Rhode Island-based CVS operates more than 9,000 retail locations and 1,100 walk-in clinics nationwide. The company owns one of the nation's largest health insurers and the biggest pharmacy benefit manager, which negotiates drug discounts with manufacturers on behalf of health insurers. But CVS has sharpened its focus on health care over the past few years, following similar moves by rivals such as Walgreens and tech giant Amazon . The company moved deeper into patient care with its nearly $8 billion acquisition of health-care provider Signify Health and $10.6 billion deal to buy Oak Street Health, which operates primary care clinics for seniors. CVS cut its annual earnings forecast last quarter, citing the cost of those deals. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump covers his face from lights as he holds a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 29, 2023. Former President Donald Trump's once-formidable and lucrative political action committee is down to $3 million on hand while committees allied with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have well over $100 million combined ready to deploy, new data shows. Trump's Save America PAC raised over $15 million in the first half of 2023, spent over $30 million and now has about $3.6 million on hand, according to Federal Election Commission records. The committee came into 2023 in a strong position, raising over $100 million in 2022 and finishing with $18 million on hand. An NBC News analysis of the filings shows that Save America spent north of $20 million on legal fees, with payments going to more than 40 different law firms. READ ALSO: Trump indicted by grand jury on 2020 election interference The drop in fundraising by the Trump PAC suggests the small-dollar donor operation that has helped the former president and his allies run a political fundraising juggernaut could be dwindling. Data from OpenSecrets shows that during the 2020 presidential election in which Trump lost, his campaign and affiliated outside group raised over $300 million from donors who gave $200 or less. That accounted for 48% of the donations. "Most of the money that middle-class Americans have given to him, he's spent on his own legal fees," former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told CNBC on Tuesday. Christie is among a group of candidates who, despite being down in the polls to Trump, is seeing some big-money support, according to FEC records. Christie told CNBC "we have" when asked if he had met with billionaire industrialist Charles Koch. The Koch Industries-funded Americans for Prosperity Action raised over $70 million in the first half of the year and is spending some of that budget against Trump in the primary. The super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign is flourishing with an over $130 million haul in the first half of the year and has over $96 million on hand. His own campaign raised around $20 million and went into the third quarter with just over $12 million on hand. Biden, through his campaign committees and at least two joint fundraising committees, finished the second quarter raising over $70 million. The pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again, Inc., which raised about $14 million over the same time period, also appears to have its own spending troubles coming into the second half of 2023. It spent over $37 million on a wide variety of items, including over $20,000 earlier this year at Trump's private club in Florida, Mar-a-Lago. The super PAC came into the later stages of the year with $30 million on hand. Tarang Amin (C), Chairman and CEO of cosmetics company e.l.f. Beauty Inc., rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to celebrate his company's IPO in New York City, U.S. September 22, 2016. Drugstore makeup brand e.l.f. Beauty raised its full-year outlook Tuesday after reporting a 76% year-over-year sales jump, sending shares surging about 15% in extended trading. Here's what the cosmetics company reported for its fiscal first quarter of 2024 and what Wall Street was anticipating, based on a survey of analysts by Refinitiv: Earnings per share: $1.10, adjusted, vs. 56 cents expected $1.10, adjusted, vs. 56 cents expected Revenue: $216.3 million vs. $184 million expected The company's reported net income for the three-month period that ended June 30 was $53 million, or 93 cents per share, compared with $14.5 million, or 27 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, e.l.f. earned $62.9 million, or $1.10 per share. Sales soared to $216.3 million from $122.6 million a year earlier. The digitally native beauty company, which has grown its brand by harnessing the power of social media marketing, said those strong sales were the basis for raising its full-year outlook. The company said it expects net sales to be between $792 million and $802 million, compared with a previous range of $705 million to $720 million. Analysts had been expecting a range between $713 million and $760 million, according to Refinitiv. E.l.f. now expects adjusted full-year profits to be between $125 million and $127 million, compared with a previous range of $98.5 million to $100.5 million. "This marks our 18th consecutive quarter of delivering both net sales growth and market share gains," Tarang Amin, e.l.f.'s chairman and CEO, said in a news release. "We are one of only five publicly traded consumer companies out of 274 that has grown for 18 straight quarters and averaged at least 20% sales growth per quarter over that period." LONDON European markets closed lower on Tuesday as investors digested a busy week of earnings after logging a winning month in July. The Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed 0.88% lower, with all major bourses and sectors finishing in negative territory. Autos led losses, falling 1.6%, while financial services stocks were down 1.45%. After rising 0.4% in morning trade, oil and gas stocks were 0.8% lower in the afternoon. The pan-European benchmark closed slightly higher Monday, aided by health-care stocks and a report showing euro zone inflation eased further in July. It gained 1.9% through the month, according to Eikon data. Euro zone manufacturing activity fell in July at the fastest pace since the start of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new survey showed Tuesday. Asia-Pacific markets finished mixed Tuesday as China's factory activity fell into contraction territory for the first time since April, according to the Caixin survey compiled by S&P Global. Stateside, U.S. stocks traded slightly lower after wrapping up a winning earnings month. The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq both notched their fifth consecutive positive months, jumping 3.1% and 4.1% in July, respectively. The blue-chip Dow also added about 3.4%. Back in Europe, earnings came from Euroapi, Uniper, Daimler Truck, DHL Deutsche Post, Covestro, BP, HSBC, Travis Perkins and Diageo. Ford Motor Company's electric F-150 Lightning on the production line at their Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan on September 8, 2022. Ford Motor said Tuesday the factory that builds its electric F-150 Lightning pickup has reopened after a six-week break for upgrades and that recent price cuts on the EV have led to a significant increase in demand. Ford cut the Lightning's prices by as much as $10,000, depending on trim level, last month. The least expensive version of the truck now starts at about $50,000. Those price reductions spurred a sixfold increase in new orders for the Lightning, said Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer for Ford's "Model e" EV unit, in a Tuesday press briefing. While he declined to provide specific numbers, Gjaja did say that Ford now has "about 45 days' worth" of orders for the electric truck. More than half of new orders for the Lightning are for trucks with the higher-priced XLT trim, which starts at about $55,000 with 240 miles of EPA-estimated range, Gjaja said. Ford is modifying its production mix to increase supplies of the Lightning XLT, he said. But recent production downtime means Lightning delivery totals will be modest until September, he said. Deliveries should ramp sharply once the upgraded factory hits its stride. "We expect sales will start to significantly increase in later September, and certainly in October as supply begins to rapidly ramp in the latter half of the year," Gjaja said. Ford said Tuesday its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, the Lightning's factory in Dearborn, Michigan, has resumed production of the truck after a planned shutdown to make upgrades. The factory will be able to produce Lightnings at an annual rate of 150,000 vehicles three times its previous output by the end of September. The factory has hired about 1,200 new employees to support the production increase, according to Debbie Manzano, Ford's manufacturing director. Those new employees will complete training in about three weeks, she said. Ford is also ramping up production at the factories that supply battery packs and electric motors for the Lightning, Manzano said. Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks on-stage during the Google I/O keynote session at the Google Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, on May 10, 2023. Google wants to "supercharge" its seven-year-old smart assistant using new advancements in generative artificial intelligence, as part of the latest major reorganization of the Assistant unit. In an email to employees Monday, Peeyush Ranjan, Google's vice president of engineering at Assistant, said the latest reshuffle will include a small number of layoffs. Ranjan said the company will look to push large language model, or LLM, technology into Assistant, Google's voice-powered software that's similar to Apple's Siri or Amazon's Alexa. "As a team, we need to focus on delivering high quality, critical product experiences for our users," Ranjan wrote in the email, which was viewed by CNBC. "We've also seen the profound potential of generative AI to transform people's lives and see a huge opportunity to explore what a surpercharged Assistant, powered by the LLM technology, would look like." A portion of the Assistant team has already started working on the efforts, Ranjan added. Employees who are being laid off will be given 60 days to search for other jobs within Google. Axios first reported some of the unit's changes. As a part of the reorganization, executives announced a dozen changes to the company's "Speech" team, which oversees voice commands. Francoise Beaufays, who had been the head of Speech, is moving to work under Sissie Hsiao, who oversees Bard and Assistant. "This is an exciting moment for AI, with nearly every product demanding world-class AI-driven Speech," Beaufays wrote in a separate email announcing changes to the unit. Some members of the Speech team will focus their efforts specifically on Bard, she wrote. Assistant executives said the changes will allow the division to move with "speed and focus." Jennifer Rodstrom, a Google spokesperson, said in an email to CNBC that the company is "excited to explore how LLMs can help us supercharge Assistant and make it even better." "Hundreds of millions of people use the Assistant every month and we're committed to giving them high quality experiences," she wrote. The rapid developments in generative AI, which responds to text-based queries with intelligent and creative answers and can convert text to images, is pushing Google to embed the technology in as many products as possible. For the older Assistant organization, that's meant frequent refinements. Assistant is used in Google's mobile and home devices, including its Pixel smartphone and in Nest smart speakers and devices. It's also used in smart watches, smart displays, TVs and in vehicles through the Android Auto platform. In March, Hsiao announced changes to the organization, underscoring a prioritizing of Bard. Ranjan, who had been vice president of commerce, stepped in as engineering lead for the unit and oversees more than 1,700 full-time employees, according to an internal document. Since the launch late last year of OpenAI's ChatGPT, Amazon has also emphasized the emerging importance of generative AI, adding it into Alexa products. For Google, which has dominated internet search for the better part of two decades, there's more at stake, as ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing, which uses OpenAI's model, give people alternative ways to search for answers. Google has been rolling out updates to Bard after launching it publicly in March. Last month, the company said it expanded to over 40 languages in more countries, and will include features like audio responses, thanks to its newest LLM, Palm 2. WATCH: Google kicks off I/O event In this article HSBA-GB Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch now HSBC's net profit more than doubled to $18.1 billion in the six months ended June, a sharp spike compared to the $9 billion in the same period a year before. The bank's profit before tax rose 147% year-on-year to $21.7 billion, up from $8.78 billion in the first half of 2022. This figure included a $2.1 billion reversal of an impairment relating to the planned sale of its retail banking operations in France, as well as a provisional gain of $1.5 billion on the acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank UK. In light of the strong results, HSBC's board approved a second interim dividend of $0.10 per share, and announced a further share buyback of up to $2 billion, which "we expect to commence shortly and complete within three months." An HSBC Holdings bank branch in Hong Kong on May 24, 2022. A Hong Kong-based trade platform launched by HSBC Holdings three years ago with much fanfare has shut down after failing to build a commercially viable business. Bertha Wang | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asked when the bank's dividend might return to pre-pandemic levels, CEO Noel Quinn told CNBC's "Capital Connection" that "if all goes to plan this year, we should be above our pre-pandemic dividend level." HSBC paid out a total dividend of $0.51 in 2018, and $0.30 in 2019. For 2022, the bank has already declared two interim dividends of $0.10 each, bringing the total amount of dividends paid to $0.20. Quinn said that "our final interim dividend at the end of the year, will be the balance to get us to a 50% payout ratio." In March, the U.K. arm of HSBC Europe's largest bank by assets bought SVB U.K. for 1 ($1.21), in a deal that excludes the assets and liabilities of SVB U.K.'s parent company. Revenue increased by 50% year-on-year to $36.9 billion in the first half, which HSBC said was driven by higher net interest income across all its global businesses due to interest rate rises. My job is to diversify the revenue. And I believe we're starting to show evidence of that and we will continue to invest for diversification of revenue. Noel Quinn CEO of HSBC Holdings Net interest income for the first half stood at $18.3 billion, 36% higher year-on-year, while net interest margin came in 46 basis points higher at 1.70%. The strong performance was due to strong revenue growth across all business lines and all product areas, the CEO said. "Certainly, there's an element of interest rates in there. But there's also good growth in our fee income and trading income." Solid second quarter For the second quarter alone, HSBC beat analysts' expectations to report an 89% jump in pre-tax profit in the second quarter. Pre-tax profit for the quarter ended in June was $8.77 billion, beating expectations of $7.96 billion. Net profit was $6.64 billion, beating the $6.35 billion expected in analysts' estimates compiled by the bank, jumping 27% compared to the same period a year before. Total revenue for the second quarter came in at $16.71 billion, 38% higher than the $12.1 billion seen in the same period a year ago. HSBC's Hong Kong-listed shares rose 1.23% after the announcement. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon A woman holds a placard with a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as the right wing holds a rally to support the government's judicial overhaul on July 23, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the possibility of civil war in his country, which has recently been rattled by protracted mass protests over judicial reforms. "There won't be civil war. I guarantee you that," Netanyahu said in a NBC News interview aired Monday, in a bid to alleviate concerns that Israel's civil and social crisis could escalate to substantiate the March warning of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. At the heart of the conflict is a judiciary amendment, passed into law by a final vote of 64-0 in Israel's Parliament last week, that limits the unelected Supreme Court's ability to overrule governmental decisions it deems unreasonable. Opponents of the legislation argue that it substantively weakens the purview of Israel's top legal court and paves the path for abuses of power and improper appointments. Raising the stakes of the judicial changes, Israel lacks a formalized written constitution and instead depends on a set of basic laws. "I think that correcting the imbalance in Israel's democracy where the judiciary has basically arrogated to itself nearly all the powers of the executive branch and the legislator, I think yes, it is important to do it," Netanyahu stressed. "I think when the dust settles, people will see Israel's democracy has strengthened and not weakened, and I think people's fears that have been stoked and whipped up, I think they'll subside and they'll see that Israel is just as democratic as it was before, and even more democratic." The prime minister dismissed criticism that the legislation was potentially rushed in, saying he continues to seek compromise. Mass demonstrations have erupted for months in key cities Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, resulting in police clashes and numerous arrests. Hundreds of Israeli reservists joined the protests and last month pledged to refuse their volunteer service if the judiciary overhaul pushes forward, Reuters reported. "I think it's unfortunate that you've had reservists being lined up for something that involves a political debate," Netanyahu commented. "In America, I think the reservists account for about 1% of the population. In Israel, about half our people in the army. You can always get, mobilize a few thousand people for this, or [for] that argument." The U.S., a major ally, has expressed concern over the late-July vote. "It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a July 24 statement. "We understand talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset in recess." Addressing this position, Netanyahu said that the Israeli-U.S. relationship "has its ups and downs," but that the alliance "has never been stronger." "[The U.S.] President thought that we should have tried to achieve this, these reforms by consensus. I happened to agreed with him. I've tried, and I'm still trying. But I think ultimately it's a decision that is made as in any sovereign democracy by the by the elected officials of Israel and that's what we're doing," Netanyahu said. Washington has been a critical mediator in talks to clinch a so-far elusive normalization of relations between Israel and one of the Middle East's strongest economies, Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh monarchy has not recognized Israel since its 1948 establishment out of support for the Palestinian cause and the countries have remained staunchly unaligned even when they pursued a mutual agenda of ensuring Iran did not grow out nuclear capabilities. Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic relations with Tehran this March, but has yet to make overtures toward an eager Israel. The Saudi side has nevertheless showed signs of prospective, conditional thawing, after four Arab countries including key Saudi ally the United Arab Emirates agreed to kindle ties with Israel in 2020. "Normalization, I have said before and it's quite clear that we believe that normalization is in the interest of the region, that it would bring significant benefits to all. But without finding a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people, without addressing that challenge, any normalization will have limited benefits," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said on June 8 in a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Netanyahu emphasized to NBC News on Monday that normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia would mark a "pivot of history" and a "quantum leap after the quantum leap we already made with the Abraham Accords." He refused to disclose the specifics of any potential negotiations with Riyadh. New Jersey Lt. Gov.-elect Sheila Oliver speaks at an election-night rally for Gov.-elect Phill Murphy on November 7, 2017 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Murphy was projected an early winner over Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images) New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has died after she was hospitalized this week for an undisclosed medical issue, her family announced in a statement Tuesday. She was 71. "It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey," her family said in the statement. "She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero." "As we come to terms with this profound loss, we kindly request that you respect the privacy of the Oliver family during this difficult time as they grieve their beloved Sheila," her family said. "Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration," they said. "We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community." Oliver was filling in for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who is on vacation this week in Italy. But she was hospitalized this week for unspecified "medical care," Mahen Gunaratna, Murphy's communications director, said in a statement Monday. Senate President Nicholas Scutari, a Democrat, stepped in as acting governor as mandated under the state Constitution. Oliver and Murphy won re-election to second terms in 2021. During her time as lieutenant governor, Oliver oversaw the Department of Community Affairs, where she led efforts to expand initiatives for affordable housing and local government services. She was elected to serve in the state General Assembly in 2003. She went on to serve as Assembly speaker for four years beginning in 2010, becoming the first Black woman in the state's history to hold that position. Oliver grew up in Newark. She graduated cum laude from Pennsylvania's Lincoln University and received her master's degree in communication organization, planning and administration from Columbia University, according to her state government web page. Murphy paid tribute to Oliver in a statement Tuesday, saying he and his family are "incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government." Gary Grumbach contributed. Pfizer on Tuesday reported second-quarter adjusted earnings that topped Wall Street's expectations, but posted revenue that fell short of estimates due to a plunge in Covid product sales. The company also said it is prepared to cut costs if Covid-related revenue continues to disappoint this year. Here's how Pfizer results compared with Wall Street expectations, based on a survey of analysts by Refinitiv: Earnings per share: 67 cents per share adjusted, vs. 57 cents per share expected 67 cents per share adjusted, vs. 57 cents per share expected Revenue: $12.73 billion, vs. $13.27 billion expected Pfizer reported second-quarter sales of $12.73 billion, down 54% from the same period a year ago. "The contraction in revenues was driven by the anticipated decline in Paxlovid and Comirnaty sales," Pfizer CFO David Denton said during an earnings call on Tuesday. The company's Covid vaccine raked in $1.49 billion in sales, down 83% from the year-ago quarter. Pfizer's Covid antiviral pill Paxlovid posted $143 million in revenue, a drop of 98%. Together, the products pulled in $1.6 billion in revenue for the quarter. That compares with roughly $17 billion in sales during the same period a year ago. The company reaffirmed its forecast of $13.5 billion in Covid vaccine sales and $8 billion in revenue for Paxlovid for 2023. But Denton noted that Pfizer is prepared to launch a cost-cutting program if Covid product revenues for the full year are "less than what we assumed." He added that Pfizer would design the strategy to support its goal of growing its operating profit margin, and expects the effort to "begin to yield results in 2024." "We look forward to sharing specific details of this program in our upcoming earnings calls," Denton said during the call. Pfizer and rival drugmakers like Moderna have seen a steep drop in Covid-related sales this year as the world emerges from the pandemic and relies less on blockbuster vaccines and treatments that help protect against the virus. Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are preparing for the U.S. to shift Covid products to the commercial market, which means those companies will start selling vaccines and treatments directly to health-care providers this fall. For the second quarter, Pfizer booked net income of $2.33 billion, or 41 cents per share. That fell from $9.91 billion, or $1.73 per share, during the same period a year ago. Excluding certain items, the company's earnings per share were 67 cents per share for the quarter. Looking ahead, the New York-based company narrowed its 2023 sales forecast to $67 billion to $70 billion, from a previous forecast of $67 billion to $71 billion. Pfizer reiterated its full-year adjusted earnings outlook of $3.25 to $3.45 per share. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said during an earnings call Tuesday that there is clearly a "higher level of uncertainty" about demand projections for Covid products than for the rest of the company's business. He noted that the second half of the year will "play a bigger role in informing our expectations for the long-term demand" of the company's Covid vaccine and Paxlovid. Utilization "follows very closely" with Covid infection rates, he said. "We expect a new COVID-19 wave to start in the U.S. this fall, and this expectation is supported by the increase in infection rates we are already seeing," Bourla said, referring to a slight uptick in Covid cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the last few weeks. Pfizer's stock closed more than 1% lower on Tuesday. The company's shares have dropped roughly 30% this year, putting Pfizer's market value at roughly $201 billion. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell on Tuesday. SoFi Technologies The financial technology stock dropped 3.7% after KBW analyst Michael Perito downgraded the stock from underperform from market perform. Perito hiked his price target for shares by $2 to $7.50, however, which still implies shares can fall 34.5% from Monday's closing price. Estee Lauder The beauty stock shed 1.1% following a Barclays downgrade to neutral from buy. The firm said difficulties in China could weigh on the business in the near-term. Gap The retail stock climbed nearly 4% after Barclays upgraded Gap to overweight from equal weight. Analyst Adrienne Yih assigned a $13 price target to the company, which suggests shares could rally 26.2% from Monday's close. The firm also upgraded retailers American Eagle, Bath & Body Works and Tapestry to overweight. Each of those are up more than 2% in early morning trading. Incyte Shares rose 2% after Incyte beat analysts' expectations in its latest results. The pharmaceutical company reported second-quarter revenue of $954.6 million, exceeding the FactSet consensus estimate of $909.7 million. Per-share adjusted earnings came in at $0.99, higher than the forecasted $0.72 per share. CEO Herve Hoppenot cited double-digit growth in Jakafi (ruxolitinib), a treatment for blood cancer. Uber Shares of the ride-hailing giant rose more than 2% in premarket trading after the company reported second-quarter results that missed analysts' expectations for revenue but offered rosy guidance for the third quarter. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company achieved two major milestones during the quarter: its first quarter of free cash flow over $1 billion and its first GAAP operating profit. Caterpillar Shares of the manufacturing company gained 1.4% after reporting better-than-expected earnings and revenue. Caterpillar warned of potential decline in sales and margins for the third quarter, however. Merck Shares of the pharmaceutical giant rose nearly 2% premarket after the company reported second-quarter revenue that topped expectations, driven by sales of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and HPV vaccine Gardasil. Merck also posted a narrower than expected loss for the quarter. Pfizer The stock shed more than 1% in early morning trading after Pfizer reported second-quarter adjusted revenue that beat expectations but posted revenue that fell short of Wall Street's estimates. The company's revenue miss was caused by a decline in Covid product sales. ZoomInfo Technologies Shares sank by nearly 20% in premarket trading after the data company reported a weak outlook for third-quarter revenue. ZoomInfo, which posted results after Monday's close, said it anticipates $309 million to $312 million in revenue, falling short of analysts' expectations of $326 million as gauged by Refinitiv. ZoomInfo's revenue in the latest quarter also missed expectations, coming in at $309 million, while analysts estimated $311 million. Toyota Motor The automaker added about 2% after reporting operating income of 1.12 million yen ($7.84 billion) for the fiscal first quarter, 94% higher than a year prior. That topped the 9.878 trillion yen expected from analysts polled by Refinitiv. Arista Networks Shares advanced 13.6% in premarket trading after the company reported after the bell Monday that its quarterly earnings topped analysts' expectations. Arista posted adjusted earnings of $1.58 per share, versus consensus analyst estimates of $1.44 per share, according to Refinitiv. Revenue also came in higher than expected at $1.46 billion, compared to analyst expectations of $1.38 billion. CNBC's Tanaya Macheel, Alex Harring, Yun Li, Sarah Min, and Michelle Fox Theobald contributed reporting. Television news crews setup outside the the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Court House on July 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. Former President Donald Trump has said he's been informed that he is the target of an investigation by a grand jury examining Jan. 6 and efforts to overturn the 2020 election led by special counsel Jack Smith. LIVE UPDATES: Trump's arraignment on four counts related to the 2020 election. Members of the grand jury hearing evidence in the special counsel probe of possible 2020 election interference by former President Donald Trump and others left a federal courthouse Tuesday afternoon, fueling speculation that an indictment against the former president was imminent. It has been two weeks since Trump announced he was a target in the federal investigation into the efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 victory. The probe, lead by special counsel Jack Smith, is also focused on the events surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Trump's receipt of a target letter gave the strongest indication yet that the former president would likely be charged in the election probe. The grand jurors met last Thursday, but left for the day without any hint that they had voted to return indictments. On Tuesday morning, they headed up to their area on the third floor of the E. Barrett Prettyman courthouse in Washington, D.C., according to NBC News reporters in the building. The grand jury broke for lunch around noon ET, and resumed meeting about an hour later.Members were seen departing from the courthouse around 2 p.m. Trump has already been indicted twice since he launched his 2024 presidential campaign, his third run for the White House. In March, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with falsifying business records related to hush money payments made before the 2016 election to women who allege they had extramarital affairs with Trump. In June, he was charged with 37 criminal counts in a case that was centered on his handling of classified records after leaving the White House in 2021. Smith is leading both of the federal probes into Trump. A superseding indictment in the classified documents case was filed last week, and hit Trump with additional charges. Those new charges related to an alleged effort by Trump and his co-defendants to delete surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago, the Florida resort where the top secret records had been stored. Carlos de Oliveira, a property manager at the club who has been added to the case as the third defendant, told another Mar-a-Lago employee that "the boss" wanted to delete a server containing the security footage, prosecutors alleged. Trump declared in an all-caps social media post over the weekend that the tapes were "voluntarily handed over" to Smith's prosecutors, whom the former president lambasted as "thugs." "We did not even go to court to stop them from getting these tapes," Trump wrote. "I never told anybody to delete them." Former U.S. President Donald Trump enters Erie Insurance Arena for a political rally while campaigning for the GOP nomination in the 2024 election on July 29, 2023 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Very few of Donald Trump's top donors from his 2020 campaign have given to his rivals this cycle, a new analysis of Federal Election Commission filings by CNBC and NBC News shows. At least three of the former president's 2020 donors have donated to other GOP presidential candidates, a low number that could suggest that these business leaders are sticking with Trump, sitting out the 2024 race or still deciding if they're going to send their money to Trump's rivals. Trump campaign fundraiser Caroline Wren told CNBC in a statement that having so few big-money defections means these donors all see the polls showing the former president well ahead of his rivals and believe he's going to win the Republican primary fight. "The donors are coming to the same conclusion as Republican voters the primary is over and Donald Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee," Wren said. "It's time for donors to coalesce around Donald Trump and invest in the ground game and infrastructure needed to win in the general election," she added. A New York Times poll released Monday shows Trump with 54% of the support of likely GOP primary voters, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a distant second with 17%. No other candidate eclipsed 3%. Shipping magnate Richard Uihlien and his wife Elizabeth each donated $1 million to the Never Back Down super PAC, which is backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' bid to be the GOP nominee for the White House, new filings show. Uihlein and his wife gave over $3 million combined in 2020 toward the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action. Warren Stephens, the CEO of Stephens Inc., contributed over $3 million combined to both America First Action and Preserve America, another super PAC that backed Trump in 2020. This year, Stephens contributed $1 million to America Strong and Free Action Inc., a super PAC backing former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Stephens also gave $50,000 this year to the Tell It Like It Is super PAC, which supports former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's presidential bid, and $100,000 to Committed To America, a super PAC backing former Vice President Mike Pence's run for president. Ronald Cameron, a longtime Arkansas-based businessman who gave over $1 million in 2020 to super PACs supporting Trump, gave $500,000 to the same pro-Pence group. Medecins Sans Frontieres confirmed it has a partnership with a hospital in the port city of Kherson that was shelled on Tuesday. According to regional officials, the strike killed a doctor and injured five medical workers. CNBC has not independently verified the report. "Our teams have been working in the hospital supplying medical equipment and providing mental health consultations to people displaced by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam," the medical charity said in a statement. The strategically important dam was blown up in June, causing widespread flooding. "Our logistical teams were also supporting the hospital by refurbishing the emergency bunker for the patients and medical staff a sad reminder that even hospitals aren't spared by the ongoing strikes," MSF said. "The shells were reportedly fired by Russian forces. This hospital caters largely to stroke victims, patients with cardiac issues, and the provision of general surgical care. Our teams continue to support the hospital ... We unequivocally condemn this disgraceful attack on a medical facility and extend our condolences to the family of the doctor who died." Jenni Reid TUI - A U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks during a joint press conference before a UN Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters on June 23, 2023 in New York City. WASHINGTON The United States on Tuesday took the helm of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August, a scheduled presidency that comes as the international body grapples with the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The diplomatic choreography of assuming the Security Council presidency largely seen as procedural gives the U.S. the opportunity to set the agenda for debates over the next month. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters during a briefing that the U.S. will focus on the defense of human rights and ways to mitigate food insecurity. "We know food security is national security," she said, adding that "Russia has launched a full-scale assault on the world's bread basket and it is dead set on depriving the world of Ukraine's grains." She reiterated U.S. calls for Russia to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the landmark U.N.-brokered agricultural deal between Ukraine and Russia that fell apart last month after nearly a year in place. Under the deal, more than 1,000 ships carrying nearly 33 million metric tons of agricultural products departed from Ukraine's war-weary Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, previously known as Yuzhny. The agreement also facilitated the transport of 725,167 tons of wheat on World Food Program ships to some of the most food-insecure countries on earth, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. In recent months, however, Russia had grown increasingly critical of the deal, claiming it is weighted to favor Kyiv over Moscow. Russia warned that if the Black Sea Grain Initiative did not incorporate fertilizer products into the exports, Moscow would not renew the agreement. Unlike food, fertilizer has yet to depart for global destinations. "That's not the deal we agreed to on July 22," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during an April 26 briefing. Following Moscow's departure from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russian forces rained missiles on Ukrainian ports and agricultural facilities, sending wheat prices on a three-day spike. Read more: Russia axes landmark Ukraine grain deal just hours before deadline Thomas-Greenfield also announced a high-level debate on Thursday that will be chaired by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Walgreens is now offering the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for older adults nationwide, the pharmacy chain said on Tuesday. People ages 60 and older can schedule an appointment this week through Walgreens' app, website, by phone or by visiting their local pharmacy. This is the first RSV season in which older adults have the option to get vaccinated against the virus. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first RSV vaccines, made by Pfizer and GSK, last spring. Walgreens is offering both Pfizer's and GSK's shots, which are administered as a single dose. RSV starts spreading more widely in the fall. The virus kills 6,000 to 10,000 older adults and hospitalizes 60,000 to 160,000 every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has said eligible adults should talk to their doctor about whether they should receive the shot. The RSV vaccines are now available in most states and appointments will be added on a rolling basis over the next two weeks as more pharmacies receive the shots, according to Walgreens. Walgreens' pharmacies are not yet authorized to administer RSV vaccines in DC, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York, though the company expects to add the shots in these places over time, a spokesperson said. People who live in Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Utah will need a doctor's prescription to receive the shots, the spokesperson said. Walmart is turning more parts of its stores into advertising opportunities. For example, brands can buy a spot on its self-checkout screens. One of Walmart 's latest offerings at its SuperCenters isn't a hot new toy, snack flavor or sundress. It's advertising. Shoppers will soon see more third-party ads on screens in Walmart self-checkout lanes and TV aisles; hear spots over the store's radio; and be able to sample items at demo stations. Walmart's push into advertising resembles similar moves by retailers like Kroger , which struck a deal to bring digital smart screens to cooler aisles in hundreds of its stores, and Target , which began testing in-store demos and giveaways, including a recent "Barbie" branded event with Mattel that took place at about 200 stores. For Walmart, selling ad space to its wealth of existing partners is another way to capitalize on the company's huge reach and to expand into higher-margin businesses. The discounter has nearly 4,700 stores across the U.S., with roughly 90% of Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart store. In the U.S., about 139 million customers visit Walmart stores and its website or app each week. "When you think about our store, our store footprint and the percentage of Americans that we reach through our stores, we can deliver Super Bowl-sized audiences every week," said Ryan Mayward, senior vice president of retail media sales for Walmart Connect, the retailer's advertising business. The company plans to ramp up in-store ads using its approximately 170,000 digital screens across its locations as well as 30-second radio spots that will be available to suppliers later this year and can target a specific store or region. And it's hoping at least one of the new advertising initiatives will be easy to digest: free samples in stores on the weekends. Walmart plans to sell the demo stations to advertisers and bundle them with other ad formats that can run at the same time to make for a fuller campaign. QR codes at the demo tables will pull up online shopping options, meal ideas or seasonal information. It tried out the new in-house approach of selling sampling stations in Dallas-Fort Worth and plans to offer the option in more than 1,000 stores across the country by the end of January. Advertising still drives a small sliver of Walmart's overall revenue. Its global advertising business hit $2.7 billion in the most recent fiscal year, which ended in late January. That's less than 1% of Walmart's total annual revenue. Yet it is becoming a more meaningful growth engine for Walmart. CEO Doug McMillon said earlier this year that he expects company profits to grow faster than sales over the next five years, driven in part by higher-margin businesses, including advertising. In the most recent fiscal year, Walmart's global ads business grew nearly 30% and its U.S. ads business, Walmart Connect, rose about 40%. That's a sharper gain than the approximately 7% increase in Walmart's total revenue and Walmart U.S. net sales during the period. In this photo illustration, Elon Musk's photo is displayed on a phone screen in front of a computer screen displaying the new logo of 'Twitter'. X Corp., formerly known as Twitter, filed a lawsuit on Monday in federal court, accusing British researchers of unlawfully accessing data and selectively picking posts to show a rise in hate speech on the platform after Elon Musk acquired the company last year. The suit, against the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate, focused on research the organization published in June. In one report, the CCDH looked at 100 different accounts subscribed to Twitter Blue and found that Twitter failed to act on 99% of hate posted by users. The group also questioned whether Twitter's algorithm boosts "toxic tweets." Other CCDH research indicated that Twitter failed to act on 89% of anti-Jewish hate speech and 97% of anti-Muslim hate speech on the platform. X is accusing the CCDH of using data that it didn't legally possess to "falsely claim it had statistical support showing the platform is overwhelmed with harmful content." The company is seeking a jury trial, unspecified monetary damages, and wants to block CCDH and any of its collaborators or employees from accessing data provided by X to social media-listening platform Brandwatch. The lawsuit follows a July 20 letter sent from X to the CCDH alleging the organization made "inflammatory, outrageous, and false or misleading assertions about Twitter" and suggested it conspired "to drive advertisers off Twitter by smearing the company and its owner." Musk has long presented himself as a free speech advocate, saying in April that "free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated." However, as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and principal owner of Twitter, Musk's declarations have been at odds with some of his actions, such as compelling Tesla customers to sign nondisclosure agreements, and suing one of his most vocal critics and suspending his Twitter accounts. "Elon Musk's latest legal threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook," Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the CCDH, said in a statement. "He is now showing he will stop at nothing to silence anyone who criticizes him for his own decisions and actions." Ahmed said his organization's research "shows that hate and disinformation is spreading like wildfire on the platform under Musk's ownership and this lawsuit is a direct attempt to silence those efforts." X has also come under fire recently for decisions regarding controversial accounts. For example, the company recently reinstated a right-wing account that had posted materials on child sex abuse. It also reinstated the account of Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, who had been suspended from the platform after sharing antisemitic comments and Nazi symbols. The lawsuit on Monday in Northern California joins a flurry of litigious actions and threats from Twitter and Musk in recent months. In May, the company sent a letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella alleging that the software company abused its access to Twitter data and used it "for unauthorized uses and purposes." In July, Twitter threatened to sue Facebook parent Meta over its new Threads app, alleging "systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property." More recently, Twitter filed a data-scraping lawsuit in Dallas, seeking more than $1 million in damages over "unlawfully scraping data associated with Texas residents," according to the filing. It also sued Israel-based Bright Data over alleged unauthorized scraping and selling of content and user data pulled from the platform. Bright Data offers nongovernmental, nonprofit and academic institutions free access to data to understand and combat online harms. Data scraping is generally legal in the U.S. when it involves publicly accessible data, according to a ruling in 2022 by the U.S. Ninth Circuit of Appeals, which capped off a lengthy legal battle by LinkedIn concerning the practice. Read the full complaint here: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) Two House panels have given their nod to the proposed creation of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone, which one of its proponents said will help address the flooding in the province. The committees on economic affairs and trade and industry approved on Tuesday the substitute measure to House Bill (HB) 2228, authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda. In addition to creating an ecozone, HB 2228 will establish the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (BACSEZFA). Under the bill, the ecozone will be composed of the Bulacan airport being constructed by San Miguel Corporation, the airport city, and the municipality of Bulakan. It could also be expanded to other towns in the province. Salceda said the substitute bill corrects the infirmities in the previous measure vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He added that the proposed BACSEZFA will help solve flooding in the province as it will be required to establish a framework for land use, planning, and development of the proposed ecozone. It would also be required to formulate plans for water supply and storage, as well as sewerage and drainage. Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc, meanwhile, said plans for the proposed ecozone should take into consideration surrounding provinces. She said the Department of Public Works and Highways should devise a flood control plan and should be held responsible if the planned ecozone contributes to flooding in nearby areas. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) A Cessna plane with two people on board went missing while heading to Tuguegarao in Cagayan from Laoag in Ilocos Norte on Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed. In an advisory, CAAP said it received an "INCERFA" message, which refers to uncertainty about the safety of an aircraft and its passengers, at 2:37 p.m. from Tuguegarao flight service station (FSS). Tuguegarao FSS searched with aviation authorities in Cauayan, Vigan, and Lallo but received no information on the location of the Cessna-152 with call sign RPC88598. In a Facebook post, Cagayan Public Information Office said the plane was last monitored 32 nautical miles from Alcala, Cagayan. CAAP said a rescue helicopter also conducted a search in the afternoon but was halted due to bad weather. Search and rescue efforts will continue on Wednesday, the agency added. Citing the Data Privacy Act, CAAP said details of those on board cannot be disclosed at this time. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working on the scoping process in pursuit of negotiations with the European Union on a free trade agreement (FTA). In a briefing on Tuesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said they will try to complete scoping and negotiations on the FTA before the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ends in 2028. "I think there is goodwill on both sides so we expect the very cordial and open-minded discussions and negotiations," Pascual said. Pascual added that while discussions may help extend the existing tariff rate of roughly 12% to exporters until 2027, an FTA may do much more to achieve this and create jobs for Filipinos through the development of business capacities and investments. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the topics and products that will be covered in the scoping process include digital technology, energy, processing of critical minerals, sustainable development, agriculture, and garments and wearables. He mentioned that scoping may be done through video conference for the convenience of parties concerned. There will be around three major scoping this year to be done via Zoom. Hopefully by the end of the year, by December, the chief negotiator will be able to make an overall assessment of the scoping, both sides are already happy with the scoping paper, and then from there we'll see the negotiation, and after the FTA negotiations," Rodolfo said. The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said it is willing to facilitate the collaboration with other European commerce groups on scoping efforts and the FTA talks. "We would like also to be the congregator, or go-to, from the government to support the groups of the private sector, to the other country chambers that would also ask for cooperation," ECCP President Paulo Duarte said. "It cannot be individual country efforts, but just be a cooperative European effort because only together we can make it happen," he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said the European Union (EU) wants to finalize the free trade talks with the Philippines so they can finally reap the benefits of the trade agreement. As soon as possible is basically the message. There are a lot of benefits waiting to be pushed forward so a free trade agreement is always very important as it says for trade, but its good for people, its good for cross border, its good for businesses, she told CNN Philippines' The Source. On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he and the EU official concluded a successful and productive bilateral meeting during Der Leyens official visit to the Philippines. Among the topics they discussed was working on the resumption of the discussions on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). The chief executive in May called for the resumption of the talks on the proposed FTA as the timing and conditions are now quite ripe for us to solidify the long-standing and historically beneficial trade relations. Exploratory talks on the proposed FTA between the EU and the Philippines happened in 2013. Formal negotiations began in May 2016, while the second and last round was conducted in February 2017. Its high-time to do that. We asked our staff to work intensively and this is good news for both sides, Der Leyen said. She noted the strong political will coming from both sides which will be beneficial for the talks. According to Der Leyen, one of the matters that should be settled during the talks is the alignment of standards. We have high environmental and labor standards, for example, and there, negotiations have to go on because it is access for Filipino business to the European single market and of course for European companies access to the Philippine markets, so its important that we align the standards, she explained. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said the European Union (EU) is seeing a better human rights situation in the Philippines under the Marcos administration. Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source, Der Leyen said there is much improvement when it comes to human rights under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In February, some members of the European Parliament who visited the Philippines also noted that the current human rights situation in the country is "better" than it was during Duterte administration. However, Human Rights Watch (HRW) earlier said the situation has hardly changed as police and government agents continue to use unlawful force. Dahas, a program run by the University of the Philippines, said at least 90 people had been killed in "drug-related violence" since Marcos took office. Marcos admitted in a forum in May that the Duterte governments focus on fighting illegal drugs led to the abuses that put a spotlight on the Philippines human rights situation. According to United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez, when he paid the chief executive a courtesy call in June 2022, Marcos committed to ensure high level of accountability for human rights issues and violations in the country. Der Leyen said while there are still other important issues that have to be discussed, what is important for the EU is that the environment is much better and that there are steps being taken moving forward. Der Leyens silence on drug war crimes a great gap For HRW EU director Philippe Dam, Der Leyen not pushing for accountability for crimes related to the bloody war on drugs during her visit to the country is a "great gap in her performance. Unfortunately, I'm not hearing this from the EU Commission's chair, particularly not even using the words human rights when speaking with the Philippine president is a great concern to us, Dam told CNN Philippines The Final Word. Dam said Der Leyen could have urged the Philippine government to participate in the International Criminal Court's (ICC) probe into the Duterte drug war. An EU official should speak about human rights concerns and issues when they speak publicly on the side of other heads of state. This is the minimum that we can do, to expect that EU uses its leverage, he stressed. Dam also emphasized that human rights violations are not a good context for trade as the Philippines and the EU resume discussions on a free trade agreement. The ICC will continue to investigate the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign after the court's Appeals Chamber rejected the Philippine government's plea against the resumption of the probe. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) The French government underscored the need to uphold the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region and avoid any activities that will lead to confrontation, as it eyes an upgrade in defense cooperation with the Philippines. I said many times our approach is non-confrontational and I think that is also the Filipino approach because also geographically and politically we have to find a certain way to move forward without confrontation as far as we're concerned, outgoing French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz told CNN Philippines. The French envoy said while they are ready to explore all channels of dialogues in the region, they also acknowledged the importance of maintaining presence in the region to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight will not be hampered. This year, we had the state-of-the-art French Navy destroyer Lorraine coming over the Philippines and we have another frigate that came in the region, and we have several of our ships coming in and we are planning for future deployment here over the next few years, Boccoz said, The French government is also actively participating in military exercises, including the recent ones with the United States and Japan. We had a number of bilateral meetings with people in military and authorities in different sectors looking at how to strengthen our dialogues, to be more present and to be more active together, she said. The French envoy also supports the goal of the Defense Department to build a credible defense posture. Theres a lot more we can do together; this has been increasing over the last few years. There is cooperation in terms of capacity building, in terms of exchanges between armed forces, we have regular officers from the navy, from the army, from the Armed Forces of the Philippines were coming over to France, she added. Upgrading bilateral defense cooperation possible, submarine offer already made Boccoz said the bilateral defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and France can be upgraded. We have indeed thought of upgrade, we could discuss a fuller kind of agreement we're considering, she added. France and the Philippines signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2021. The agreement aims to promote bilateral defense cooperation relating to defense equipment, logistics and the defense industry. The ambassador also gave an update on France's proposal to supply submarines to the Philippines and help the country develop its submarine force. There are ongoing discussions about our submarine forces. An offer has been made by France which has been first considered and it's been asked to update the offer which has been done February or March and so of course we are very keen to work with the Philippines, Boccoz added. But there many other areas where we have a lot of competence, on the air force of course, with the army, we also have many technical capacities in terms of radar surveillance, in terms of new technology in the war game and so on and we have regular exchanges between our armies on that and also private companies that are providing that kind of equipment, the French ambassador said. MBABANE - Councillors of the Municipal Council of Mbabane yesterday elected Vusi Tembe as the new mayor of the city. Tembe, who was competing with Thandayena Mkhonta, after nominations, got seven votes while his competitor got five. The councillors then proceeded to nominate three candidates to compete for the position of deputy mayor. They were Thandayena Mkhonta, Thulani Mkhonta and Ayanda Sigudla. However, Thulani withdrew, leaving the duo to compete. Sigudla won against Thandayena and became the Deputy Mayor. The councillors nominated Thulani (Mkhonta) and Sandile Ndzingane to compete for the position of chairman of the towns finance committee. Ndzingane won with seven votes against Thulani who obtained five. Mbutfo Nhlengetfwa was nominated together with Percy Rocher for the position of Deputy Finance Chairperson. Rocher won with seven votes, while Nhlengetfwa got five votes. Monday Dlamini was nominated together with Maphevu Dlamini to fill the vacant position in the finance committee. Maphevu won with eight voted against Monday, who got four. Velisiwe Manana won uncontested for the vacant position of finance committee member. In his farewell speech, outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gideon Mhlongo urged the councillors to join hands with the mayor in taking the town to greater heights. He also warned the councillors against dwelling in the past. Mhlongo encouraged the deputy mayor to cooperate with the mayor as they worked towards improving the town. The councillors congratulated the mayor for his election, stating that they were committed to supporting him as he executed his duties. We are soldiers and we are ready to serve, said the councillors. However, in his brief remarks, Tembe thanked the councillors for trusting him with the mayor position. He stated that elections resembled the symbol of trust among the councillors. He undertook to work with all the councillors in making sure that they took the town forward. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) The French government saw an increase of Filipino tourists to France based on the number of visa issuances they have made in recent years. In an interview with CNN Philippines, French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz said the tourism sector and people-to-people exchanges between Manila and Paris are booming and recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have more French tourists coming here, we have more and more Filipino tourists coming to France. We see it by the number of visas that we deliver. Theres a really very, very high increase. Now we have an increase by months by 25%, said Boccoz. The French envoy added that the economic cooperation between the Philippines and France would also mean more job opportunities for Filipinos and more chances for French businessmen to visit the Philippines. There are many very important exchanges. We also want to have Philippine investment in France so that more Fiipinos will be more present in French companies in our country, and we will work on that very very much. The French ambassador also welcomed the possibility of opening Manila-to-Paris direct flights soon, which is expected to further boost the tourism industry from both sides. Were really happy with this because at the moment, you cannot fly direct to France, Boccoz said. So having a direct operation is absolutely essential also to make our relationships closer. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) Former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves on Tuesday said he did not expect authorities would include him in the list of alleged terrorists possibly linked to violence in the province, adding that his camp is looking into steps they can take regarding this development. It came as a shock to me and my family, he told CNN Philippines The Source. The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) issued Resolution No. 43 on Tuesday that listed Teves and 12 others, including his brother embattled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, as allegedly members of the Teves Terrorist Group. Authorities claimed that the congressman is the leader of the alleged terrorist group. With him being tagged as a terrorist, former governor Teves said he is worried about its effect not only on him, but also on his family. Naaawa ako sa pamilya ko (I pity my family)Im living a private life, Im doing my daily grind because I have to make a living and Im sure this will really affect me a lot, including bank transactions, he said, adding that this may also affect how his business partners perceive him. Pryde Henry said his camp is currently studying if he can still appeal the decision. He also maintained that he was not involved in any violent incident that happened in Negros Oriental. Ive always been a law-abiding person. Kahit sa pagturo ko sa mga anak ko makikita mo naman yan (Even the way I taught my children you'll see). Even my children have been living very simple lives. My direct family has been living a very simple life, he added. Meanwhile, Levi Baligod, lawyer of some of the victims of the killings in the province, said they welcomed the development. The people there know the involvement of former Governor Pryde Henry Teves in the violence being perpetrated in the province, the counsel said. Among those that Baligod represents are families of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and others who were killed in March. The lawyer said they are expecting the Department of Justice to file a case regarding this to be followed by an investigation. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) A Department of Justice (DOJ) official on Tuesday clarified that Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, who was recently designated as a terrorist, is not yet considered a fugitive due to the absence of a warrant of arrest. READ: Govt designates Teves, 12 others as terrorists He is not considered a fugitive as this is separate and distinct from a criminal action, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a press briefing, adding that a person can only be labeled as a fugitive after the issuance of a warrant of arrest. There's no mention of a pending warrant of arrest against Teves at this time. Clavano's statement contradicts Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla's earlier claim that the embattled congressman is already deemed a fugitive for being suspected of committing a crime. Remulla cited multiple murder complaints against Teves in relation to the killing of at least four individuals in 2019. Right now, he is designated as a terrorist but thats as far as we go, the spokesperson said. CNN Philippines is trying to reach out to Remulla for comment. The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated Teves, his brother Pryde Henry Teves and 11 others as terrorists on Tuesday for their alleged participation in Teves Terrorist Group. READ: Pryde Teves shocked, plans to appeal terrorist tag Asked for the council's next step, Clavano refused to disclose details to avoid jeopardizing moves of the government. A terrorist tag on Teves and 12 others mandates the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze their assets without delay. Remulla also said that designation of Teves as a terrorist will help the government to pin him down and make the world smaller for him. Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today! Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Gorge Social Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. MBABANE To counter the backlog of patients in need of surgery, the Ministry of Health will engage four orthopaedic surgeons to assist at the Mbabane Government Hospital. This was disclosed by the Director of Health Services, Dr Velephi Okello, yesterday, after being sought for a comment on what government was doing to assist the patients who last week blocked the entrance to the hospital in protest over the shortage of drugs, medical supplies and specialist doctors. About 15 patients complained about the waiting list at the orthopaedic theatre, where they showed their frustration by blocking the hospitals main gate. The patients were wheeled of the wards on their beds, while others used wheelchairs and crutches. They complained about the serious shortage of medication, stating that this placed their lives at risk and that they were tired of the continuous empty promises by government. Interim Dr Okello shared that this was an interim plan aimed at reducing the backlog of patients in need of surgery as communicated by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Simon Zwane, on national radio last Thursday. When asked on how long the doctors would work, she said she wouldnt have a definite answer given that the plan had not yet been finalised. When this reporter arrived at the hospital yesterday, there were mixed reactions as some patients said they had received drugs for their various ailments while others said they did not. The patients said they were waiting to be assisted this week and if government failed to address their plight, they would seek other measures until their issues were addressed. Swanky Mamba said he was tired of being at the hospital as he was admitted on June 23, 2023. I am really tired of this place. I just wish to go to the theatre as soon as possible, he said. Another patient, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that his workplace no longer trusted that he was in hospital as they wanted him to submit an admission letter, given that he had been admitted for over a month. At the maternity ward, Uthando Ndlela from Mvakwelitje, who recently gave birth to her newborn, shared she had to purchase her own pills in order to get assistance. On the other hand, another new mother said: I did not have to purchase anything including the gauze bandages as the hospital provided; all I had to pay was the E10 administration fee. However, most of the patients who were interviewed randomly were happy that government had finally done something to mitigate the ongoing drugs shortage. This was evident in that both pharmacies at the institution had patients queueing up to get their medication as per the norm. Furthermore, Dr Okello emphasised that the delivery of the drugs was already taking place at different facilities countrywide as she said the shortage had reached severe levels. Therefore, it will take some time for the situation to normalise. The amounts being delivered are smaller than what is expected as per the demand. Since the new tender was released, it is expected that larger amounts of stock will be delivered, she stated. She further lamented that all shortages in hospitals were being addressed daily, since all public health facilities were supplied from one budget run by the Central Medical Stores (CMS). Our sister publication, Eswatini News, reported that Cabinet had appointed a subgroup of ministers to assist in expediting medical supplies procurement after patients protested at the hospital. The subcommittee is led by Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulani Mabuza, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo and Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg, including Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi. The committee has until the end of this month to stabilise the countrys health sector and to ensure that all hospitals needs are addressed. MANZINI - A day in the office gone wrong is what happened to five armed robbers who were arrested amid a robbery, after two of them were shot. The five robbers had targetted an eatery at Ngwane Park and had ransacked it at about 8pm yesterday, when two of them were shot by police officers. According to sources, at first, a pair of the robbers entered the eatery, posing as clients before jumping over the counters and brandished guns as they demanded cash. As the pair was engaging in the heinous crime, another three were said to be on guard. However, their plan backfired as little did they know that in close proximity were police officers. Sources claimed that some of the police officers were inside the eatery as they had received a tip-off about a robbery, which was to be committed within Ngwane Park in one of the business establishments. In containing the situation, it was claimed that a shootout ensued, wherein two of the robbers were shot. One of them was said to have bled profusely as blood spatter was said to have been on the eaterys floor. Apprehended As the shootout ensued, it was said that other police officers who were within the Cardo Square complex immediately apprehended the trio who had been on guard. When this publications reporters arrived at the scene of the robbery, three of the robbers were found seated on the pavement opposite the eatery. The two others who were supposedly injured during the shootout had been taken to hospital. At the time of compiling this report, the condition of the duo could not be confirmed as none of the police officers at the scene were willing to share any information. Worth noting is that the shopping centre is located less than a kilometre from the Zakhele Police Camp. Armed police officers in assault riffles from Lukhozi and the Criminal Investigations Department were found at the scene. The officers were found interviewing witnesses. The matter was confirmed by one of the shareholders of the eatery, but he could not say much about the incident as when this report was compiled, he was still busy with the police at the scene. Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said she had not received anything about the incident at the time of compiling this report, supposedly because the police were still at the scene. MBABANE - The two former directors of Ecsponent Limited Swaziland, who are purportedly behind the loss of E340 million investments by about 1 500 emaSwati have been locked in the country. This comes after ESW Investment Group approached the High Court on an urgent basis, after learning that the duo of Dave Van Niekerk and Edwin J Soonious were in the country. It is believed that the two were definitely alter-egos of Ecsponent Eswatini (PTY) LTD and GetBucks South Africa. The court further directed the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Immigration Department) to assist in the execution of the order interdicting the two from leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini. Officials from the Immigration Department have been directed to flag and advise police officers upon seeing Van Niekerk and Soonious leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini through any of the entry or exit points. Finalisation Van Niekerk and Soonious will have to remain in the country until the finalisation of a legal action to be launched against them for the payment of the funds in excess of the sum of E340 million to be instituted. The interim order was issued by Judge Justice Mavuso yesterday. In the application, the court was informed that the present application was moved to protect the interests of the applicant (ESW Investment Group) and emaSwati investors. The applicant (ESW Investment Group Limited) was incorporated in Eswatini in the year 2013 and was registered under the name Escalator Capital Limited, where Ecsponent Limited, a South African Company listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, owned 85 per cent shares in Escalator Capital Limited. The applicants first issue of the companys prospectus was issued out in the year 2014, whereby investors were invited to invest their monies with applicant in accordance with the terms as set out in the prospectus. This information was disclosed by Bonginkhosi Max Mkhonza, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the applicant, in his founding affidavit. He related to the court that the subscribers in the applicants company during this period were Lindiwe Amanda Vilakati, the late Petrus Mtetwa, Gabriel Nkambule, Escalator Investment Holdings (PTY) Limited, Karen Dlamini, Escalator Financial Services (PTY) Limited and Escalator Capital (PTY) LTD. Mkhonza submitted that in July 2013, the defendants company was joined by Anton Hay, who also became director of the company; further directors of the company at the time were Vilakati, the late Petrus L. Mtetwa and Soonious on or about August 2014. He brought it to the attention of the court that on or about the year 2014, the applicant changed its name to Ecsponent Limited Swaziland to align itself with Ecsponent Limited South Africa, its sister company and a 100 per cent shareholder of Ecsponent Holdings Eswatini Limited, which in turn owned 85 per cent shares in Ecsponent Limited Swaziland. He highlighted that in 2017, Ecsponent Swaziland Limited was joined by two more directors, Ndumiso Mamba and the late Esther Magagula, who were non-executive directors and did not partake in the day-to-day operations of the applicants company. He alleged in February 2018, the applicant company was later joined by Terence Patrick Gregory and Dirk Petrus Van der Merwe. It was further his submission that pursuant to the above and in the year 2019, Ecsponent Swaziland Limited changed its name to Ecsponent Limited Eswatini. Changed Mkhonza stated that the change was motivated by the fact that the Kingdom of Eswatini had now changed the name Swaziland to Eswatini. He highlighted that Ecsponent Eswatini was licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FRSA) and was awarded a Certified Income Specialist and Investment Advisory (Type III) licence in January 2014 and in January 2018, respectively and in the year 2017 was further awarded a certificate of licensing as a Collective Investment Scheme Manager. In its investment product portfolio, Ecsponent Limited Eswatini developed a Linked Loan Unit Product, which was marketed to retail investors in Eswatini from March 31, 2014 through a prospectus which also formed part and contained the essential and decisive terms of the agreement between the parties, submitted Mkhonza. He further pointed out that the linked loan unit product was that upon purchasing the linked loan units, the investor would then own preference shares in the applicant company. Mkhonza went on to state that, interest that was to be accrued, dividends and redemptions from the investment depended on the performance of the company. He informed the court that prior to marketing the linked loan units, the prospectus was required to be produced and approved by the registrar of companies and FSRA, and thereafter marketed within a prescribed period. This process, according to Mkhonza, was rightfully completed by the applicant and the prospectus was approved and thereafter, the linked loan units were marketed. It is important to further highlight that since March 31, 2014, which is the first month of inviting investors up to March 2020, the applicant received investors invested funds in excess of E340 000 000, averred the CEO. Mkhonza went on to submit that in 2019, Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius bought 100 per cent shares in Ecsponent Limited South Africa and fully owned the applicants sister company. Transaction He stated that through that transaction, Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius automatically owned 100 per cent shares in Ecsponent Holdings Eswatini limited, which then meant that Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius then owned shareholding in Ecsponent Eswatini. Mkhonza related to the court that in the year 2020 Ecsponent Holdings (PTY) LTD was changed into Mhmk Group Eswatini Limited and further acquired the remaining 15 per cent shares and now owned a 100 per cent shareholding in Ecsponent Eswatini Limited. During the above-mentioned period, some members of the Board of Directors of the applicant company expressed their concern on the way it was being operated. This concern premised mainly on the fact that the local Board of Directors suspected that investors funds that were transferred to South Africa, were not invested and were further not returning to the applicant company, he argued, This, according to Mkhonza, was informally reported to Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius by a local Board member Ndumiso Mamba to George Manyere, a shareholder and director of Mhmk. He alleged that Manyere was a shareholder and Director of Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius, a company which also suffered a loss from a huge shareholding in the applicants company and who (Manyere) was now restoring investors invested funds. Investigation The directors of Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius then launched a thorough forensic investigation into what had happened to the invested funds. Following the inception of the forensic investigations, an exodus by some of the applicants directors then occurred. These are namely; Dr Anton Hay, Edwin Soonious, Terence Patrick Gregory and Dirk Petrus Van Der Merwe who are resident in South Africa, he stated. He said a further highlight was that before the beginning of the forensic investigations, the concerns raised were mainly bordered on the fact that investors invested sums in excess of E340 000000, which were loaned firstly to Ecsponent Holdings Eswatini (PTY) LTD and distributed to Ecsponent Enterprise Development, GetBucks Eswatini and Ecsponent Treasury Services in South Africa. He alleged that these distributions were done under the active and watchful eye of the above-mentioned resigned directors. Pursuant to the above, investors monies including that of the respondent were transferred to Zechron (PTY ) Limited in South Africa, GetBucks South Africa, and finally to My Bucks in Luxembourg and Vss Financial Services (PTY) Limited in South Africa. It is important to point out that the two companies, MyBucks in Luxembourg and Vss Financial Services (PTY) Limited are under liquidation as the directors in both these companies withdrew in excess of E1.8 billion in investors invested funds, which were invested by South African investors, submitted Mkhonza. He told the court that Mhmk Group Limited Mauritius then launched an investigation against Vss Financial Services (PTY) LTD and discovered that there were a lot of irregularities, that of the directors fiduciary duties, negligent and/or reckless trading, fraud and embezzlement. Mkhonza alleged that, pursuant to the audit, Esw Investment Group Limited had opposed the liquidation of Vss Financial Services (PTY) LTD and had further engaged the services of a former judge to conduct a commission enquiry into the irregularities that occurred with regards to the invested funds. Investors It is further important to point out that not only individual investors but also institutions including the applicant have suffered a deficit in excess of E 340 000 000. It is important to highlight that this supervening event greatly crippled the applicant companys liquidity and further made it impossible for it to perform timeously to its clients in general and the respondent and as such resorted to Clause 1.5.5 of the agreement between the parties, alleged the deponent (Mkhonza). The CEO averred that in August 2020 during the period of the acquisition and the forensic investigation, Ecsponent Eswatini Limited was changed to ESW Investment Group Limited. Evidence He said the change, including the forensic investigation both in Ecsponent Eswatini Limited and Ecsponent South Africa Limited were evidence of a new directorship that was now in a clean-up campaign of all the irregularities that handicapped the liquidity of the applicant company and the timeous payment of redemption amounts. Pursuant to receiving the report on investigations conducted on Vss Holdings (PTY) LTD issued an investor update webinar, wherein all investors, including the respondent, were informed of a turnaround plan/strategy to recover from the losses caused by the resigned directors. The strategies included the successful listing of E1.8 billion Medium Term Note, wherein the proceeds from there would be used to liquidate the E 340 000 000 as a whole, contended Mkhonza. The applicant was represented by Maphalala from S.V Mdladla and Associates. Dave heavily implicated, has case to answer - CEO MBABANE - I submit that Dave Van Niekerk is heavily implicated in the forensic report, as he was the ultimate beneficiary of the funds. He definitely has a case to answer. These were some of the submissions made by Bonginkhosi Max Mkhonza, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESW Investment Group Limited. He made the submissions in the application, where the company was seeking an order interdicting Van Niekerk and Edwin J Soonious from leaving the country. Mkhonza told the court that he had been advised that in such applications (ex-parte), the applicant must make full disclosure to court. I wish to state that at this stage, due to the urgency of the matter, the applicant (ESW Investment Group Limited) is unable to detail the full information as it has just learnt that the respondents (Van Niekerk and Soonious) are in the country, submitted Mkhonza. He told the court that the applicant believed that once the duo of Van Niekerk and Soonious left the country, it was not certain if they would return. The applicant, therefore, undertakes to file a supplementary affidavit in support of this application. The honourable court will also be provided with the forensic audit report, he argued. He alleged that Soonious had connections to the funds that were paid to GetBucks South Africa, as he was a director and shareholder in it. Funds According to Mkhonza, the company received the E117 million loan from GetBucks Eswatini, which funds were from the applicant at the time of Ecsponent. There is currently an investigation by the Central Bank of Eswatini in respect of the affairs of Esw Eswatini (PTY) LTD and the transfer of the funds, contended Mkhonza. He submitted that the matter was extremely urgent as the respondents were currently in the country and it was not clear when they would leave. He averred that the application could not have been placed before court any earlier as the information that the duo was in the country only came to the attention of the applicant at about 9:30am yesterday. Even though the Rohingya crisis that has been going on since 2017 has been going on for almost 6 years, it can be said without hesitation that there is no visible progress in resolving it, i.e., repatriation to Myanmar. At different times, the representatives of different countries and international organizations during their visits to Bangladesh have traditionally only heard the message of hope. During a visit to Cox's Bazar on March 30, Senior Vice President for US Development Daniel Runde said that the US is serious about solving the Rohingya problem. He said that the United States is working with the international community for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya problem. Meanwhile, in mid-April, an impromptu meeting on the Chinese-mediated repatriation of the Rohingya was held in Kunming, where officials from the foreign ministries of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China participated. A 27-member team, including 20 Rohingyas, visited Maungdaw in Myanmar's Rakhine state on May 5 to boost the Rohingyas' confidence and interest in repatriation. They visited various villages and transit centers in Maungdaw city and spoke to the Rohingyas there. From their reactions, it can be understood that all those hoping for repatriation are optimistic. Meanwhile, as time goes on, there is increasing uncertainty about the continuation of humanitarian aid for the Rohingya. The reason for this is the prolongation of the Rohingya's stay and the creation of new humanitarian crises around the world. Humanitarian services for the Rohingya are challenged to continue at the same level while providing funding for the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, the floods in Pakistan, the earthquake in Turkey, the civil war in Sudan, the food crisis in Africa, etc. Grundy reiterated UNHCR's support for Bangladesh on repatriation but acknowledged its limitations. Meanwhile, the joint working group (JWG) of Bangladesh and Myanmar on the issue of Rohingya repatriation was held in June 2022, after three years. Most of the world's refugee camps are long-term destinations for refugees, and their inhabitants are travelers on an uncertain path. Refugees in Bangladesh (Rohingya) have been living inhumane lives in confined spaces for a minimum of 6 years and a maximum of 30 years. Syrian refugees have been in Turkey and other countries for more than a decade. The Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan and Iran has been ongoing since the 1990s. During the post-Afghan war (20012002) that began after the 9-11 (2001) attacks by the United States, Afghan refugees took shelter in Pakistan, where 36 million refugees were already stayed since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1990s. Half of these refugees scattered across the world are children (under 18), who face an uncertain future without formal education. According to international law, no refugee may be forced to return to their home country, where they are at risk of further persecution. In parallel, as a populous country, it is not possible for Bangladesh to shelter refugees or displaced Rohingyas staying in the country for a long period of time in accordance with international standards. Apart from this, due to the delay in their repatriation, various social disturbances are occurring frequently. Incidents of violence and conflict are frequent inside and outside the camps, which is alarming. In addition, Rohingyas often spread outside the camps, even to different parts of the country, and get involved in illegal activities. The author We must not only sympathize with the plight of refugees. The forces that are creating this situation must be held accountable. Public opinion should be created in favor of refugees in the domestic and international arenas. The sooner the repatriation of Rohingyas is possible, the better for Rohingyas and their host countries. Sustainable repatriation through bilateral and international diplomatic efforts is the only solution to this crisis. So, the role of rich countries cannot be ignored; big countries must work earnestly to solve the refugee problem. ---- *Independent researcher and freelance columnist, Dhaka The 2022 report of the United Nations Office in Dhaka, published on April 4, feared a financial crisis in 2023 with Rohingya aid. On June 1, the United Nations cut the per capita allocation for the Rohingya to $8 for the second time in a year, from $12 earlier this year. The UN said it had to take this step as funding sources for the Rohingya continued to dwindle. As of June 1, only 24 percent had been pledged against the UN's $876 million aid appeal for 2023. On the other hand, it is not possible for Bangladesh to bear the pressure of more than 12 lakh Rohingya indefinitely.Although the government has sheltered these Rohingyas for humanitarian reasons, there is practically no regional or international initiative to repatriate them. Although the government has been vocal about the Rohingya issue in bilateral discussions and various national and international forums, world leaders are not seen as active in solving the problem; rather, the matter is still limited to assurances. During the Prime Minister's visit to Geneva last week, when UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi met him, the Prime Minister called for creating a favorable environment for the return of the Rohingyas to the country.Grundy reiterated UNHCR's support for Bangladesh on repatriation but acknowledged its limitations. Meanwhile, the joint working group (JWG) of Bangladesh and Myanmar on the issue of Rohingya repatriation was held in June 2022, after three years.Most of the world's refugee camps are long-term destinations for refugees, and their inhabitants are travelers on an uncertain path. Refugees in Bangladesh (Rohingya) have been living inhumane lives in confined spaces for a minimum of 6 years and a maximum of 30 years. Syrian refugees have been in Turkey and other countries for more than a decade. The Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan and Iran has been ongoing since the 1990s.During the post-Afghan war (20012002) that began after the 9-11 (2001) attacks by the United States, Afghan refugees took shelter in Pakistan, where 36 million refugees were already stayed since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1990s. Half of these refugees scattered across the world are children (under 18), who face an uncertain future without formal education.According to international law, no refugee may be forced to return to their home country, where they are at risk of further persecution. In parallel, as a populous country, it is not possible for Bangladesh to shelter refugees or displaced Rohingyas staying in the country for a long period of time in accordance with international standards. Apart from this, due to the delay in their repatriation, various social disturbances are occurring frequently. Incidents of violence and conflict are frequent inside and outside the camps, which is alarming. In addition, Rohingyas often spread outside the camps, even to different parts of the country, and get involved in illegal activities.We must not only sympathize with the plight of refugees. The forces that are creating this situation must be held accountable. Public opinion should be created in favor of refugees in the domestic and international arenas. The sooner the repatriation of Rohingyas is possible, the better for Rohingyas and their host countries. Sustainable repatriation through bilateral and international diplomatic efforts is the only solution to this crisis. So, the role of rich countries cannot be ignored; big countries must work earnestly to solve the refugee problem.---- Worldwide refugee crises have taken center stage in the news in recent years. According to the UNHCR report, there are currently 110 million refugees worldwide, compared to 100 million in 2022. The report also said that the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide remained stable at 40 million for two decades until 2011, but this number has almost tripled due to the Syrian crisis in 2011 and various events in recent years. The re-establishment of Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2021, the war in Ukraine in 2022, and finally the civil war in Sudan on April 15 this year have exacerbated the refugee crisis.A refugee is a person or persons who have sought refuge from their own country to a neighboring or foreign country due to social or political discrimination and who fear loss of life or persecution upon returning to their country. They are called refugees in international law. Internationally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) takes care of refugees in coordination with the concerned country or countries.This year, on the occasion of the World Refugee Day (June 20), UNHCR head (High Commissioner) Filippo Grandi said the number of refugees around the world is increasing at an alarming rate. He expressed concern and said that violence among people is increasing. He lamented that we live in a polarized world where international tensions dismiss all humanitarian issues. There is a growing laxity among countries in following the principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention, even among many signatories to that convention.'Currently, the number of displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) residing in Cox's Bazar and Noakhali in Bangladesh is said to be 9 lakh, but with the addition of 30,000 new births every year, this number will exceed 12 lakh in 2022. However, Bangladesh does not recognize these Rohingya as refugees and calls them Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN). Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) and Brazil's civil construction company OEC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for OEC to open a regional headquarters (RHQ) in the kingdom. The agreement will help OEC to explore construction opportunities in Saudi Arabia in consortium with Saudi construction companies. The deal is part of the 25 MoUs signed at the Brazilian Saudi Investment Forum, held in Sao Paulo on July 31. The MoUs covered sectors including Petrochemicals, Food Processing, Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate, Construction and Aerospace & Defense. The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) participated in the forum, which comes at the beginning of a broader visit encompassing six countries across Latin America, led by Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment for Saudi Arabia. The visit will span Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Panama and Paraguay. The forum also came as Brazil and Saudi Arabia mark 50 years since the opening of the Saudi embassy in Brazil and the first official bilateral government visit. Since 1973, bilateral and economic ties have deepened significantly. In 2021, the value bilateral trade amounted to around $3.62 billion and the complementarity of the export profiles of the two countries suggest strong potential for further growth. Earlier this month, Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Maaden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), signed an agreement to invest in Vales Energy Transition Metals business. MISA will be promoting the unparalleled investment opportunities for Latin American investors in Saudi Arabia during its visit. The Kingdom has seen strong growth in the non-oil sector in recent years and is looking to unlock more than $3 trillion in investment opportunities through its National Investment Strategy, a statement said. - TradeArabia News Service We all want to be accepted by our fellow humans, but let's face it: Somewhere, someday, you're going to run into someone who just plain doesn't like you. Maybe it's your tendency to threateningly whip out your genitals at the slightest provocation. Maybe it's your perpetual case of gas so noxious that it's as if your colon is a portal to Hell itself. Or, just as likely, it's a totally random quirk that you had no idea was turning people off. That's right: According to science, if you want people to like you there are a few simple and completely nonsensical steps you can follow: 5 Just Apologize for Everything, Even if You Had Nothing to Do With It Have you ever met Apology Guy? You know, the guy who says he's sorry for the horrible traffic you encountered on the way to work (even though you're almost positive he's not a traffic engineer), or for the awful weather we've been having lately (even though you're pretty sure he's not a Norse god). Not one bit of the world's shittiness is his fault, yet he feels an obligatory need to apologize for everything. And maybe we all have a little bit of Apology Guy living inside us -- after all, who hasn't gone on a first date and apologized for the movie being less than good, or for the fact that it rained on your outdoor table at the cafe afterwards? Photos.com "My bad." Advertisement It makes no sense, so why do people do it? Because society demands that apology, and rewards you for making it. In a Harvard Business School study, researchers sent participants into a crowded train station during a deluge and tasked them with bumming cellphones off of strangers. The participants were instructed to randomly either a) ask the stranger to use their cellphone or b) apologize about the bad weather first, and then ask to use their phone. When simply asked to hand over their phone, the strangers were about as likely to do so as they were to push the participant into the path of a moving train. After hearing the superfluous apology first, on the other hand, the strangers felt an almost hypnotic urge to toss their phone to a possible identity thief in a crowded train station. Photos.com "Sorry to hear you got delayed. Can I get the last four digits of your social?" Advertisement The series of experiments revealed that giving that unnecessary apology increases trust levels -- even though what you're doing is kind of dishonest, since you're getting sympathy for admitting to a mistake you didn't make. It's like humans are so eager to have someone to blame that you can immediately get on everyone's good side by becoming the apologetic public relations person for the universe: "On behalf of the infinitely complex, uncontrollable cosmic forces that brought you today's weather, I apologize." Advertisement "Well, thank you for admitting you were wrong." Yes, sometimes it's just about taking advantage of how crazy we all are. 4 Part Your Hair on the Left Advertisement OK, we admit this sounds ridiculous. But see if you don't find the evidence convincing: First, let's do a little experiment. Take a minute to think about some popular, attractive, powerful males. Brad Pitt. Jon Hamm. Or John F. Kennedy, if you really must go the non-Hollywood route. Now, think about their hair. Notice any similarities? Do a Google Images search if you must; we'll wait. No we won't: Chances are they part their hair on the left. John and Catherine Walter, a brother/sister nuclear physicist/cultural anthropologist team (presumably the unhealthy obsession with men's hair was just a mutual hobby) decided to look into why this was, and their research resulted in the Hair Part Theory. Basically, the theory observes that the way a person's hair is parted has a direct effect on others' assumptions about his or her personality. Photos.com Just don't assume that the carpet follows the same rules as the drapes. Advertisement Advertisement Since "most men part their hair on the left, which is supposedly perceived as masculine and assertive," parting their hair on the right in turn causes them to be "regarded as more sensitive, effeminate, and nerdy." On the other hand, women "traditionally part their hair on the right, and if they are left-parters (like Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton) they may be perceived as powerful and masculine." Having your part on the unexpected side, then, "creates vague discomfort in onlookers and may lead to being shunned." It sounds like a buttload of quackery until you start to tally up all the examples, perhaps the greatest of which being the very pinnacle of masculinity himself, Superman: Warner Bros. Pictures Masculinity and color blocking. Advertisement Wimpy, nerdy, presumably erectile-dysfunctional Clark Kent has his hair parted on the right. But when he transforms into the muscular, heroic, could literally pound you into dust (with his dick) Superman, his part moves to the left. And speaking of supermen, Internet darling Ryan Gosling's entire career supports this theory too. As he went from a lovable hunk in The Notebook to a creepy-ass loser in Lars and the Real Girl and back to a panty-dampening legend in Crazy, Stupid, Love, his hair part went from the left, to the right, to the left, respectively. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Top: Ron Swanson's younger brother. Bottom: Someone banned from the women's section at Sears. Advertisement Advertisement But that's just Hollywood, right? Chances are some producer once got wind of this theory, and it spread throughout the industry from there. Well, for some real-world examples, look no further than America's presidents. There have been only six right-parting U.S. presidents, and as the study points out, "three of them (James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Warren G. Harding) are deemed by historians to be among our worst, and two others (John Tyler and Chester Arthur) are deemed to be inconsequential." Damn. Let's hear from the Chester A. Arthur defenders in the comment section! Via Wikipedia Wow. Bigger "tariff reform" crowd than normal today. Advertisement Now, if you don't have a luscious, thick head of hair to put a nice part in, you can always ... 3 Shave Your Head Advertisement Male pattern baldness poses some difficult decisions for the average man. Do you grow one side out and comb it up and over the top? Start from the back and swoosh it all forward? Maybe grow an extra-long mustache, string it up behind your ears and twirl it into a sort of hair-based turban? There's no perfect option, but any option is better than going completely bald, right? Photos.com Hot. Advertisement Not according to the University of Pennsylvania, it's not. They performed a series of three studies to compare the perceived personality traits of men with thinning, shaved, or thick hair. In the first, participants were shown a series of photos of similar-looking men -- the main difference being their position on the hairiness scale -- and the Mr. Cleans of the group were consistently rated as more "powerful, influential, and authoritative." Photos.com Also aerodynamic. Advertisement In the second, participants were shown doctored photos of the same men -- one with hair and one bald. The bald version was assumed to be not only more manly but also "nearly an inch taller and 13 percent stronger." In the third experiment, simply reading written descriptions of men was enough for participants to rate the shaved pates highest in terms of "masculinity, strength, dominance, and leadership potential." Photos.com "I like the bald look; I think it adds a couple extra inches." "To your height?" "No." Advertisement And while the amply-haired men were regarded as only moderately less desirable than their shinier counterparts, can you guess who came in dead last in the polls? That's right: those poor, thinning-hair bastards. The studies did find that being fully shaved makes a man look older and less attractive than having hair -- but not nearly as unattractive as having thinning hair. Thinning hair is so hideous, evidently, that the researchers posited that those who wash a bit more of their manliness down the drain each morning "may improve their interpersonal standing by shaving." In case you ever doubted that Lex Luthor knew his shit, doubt no more. 2 Hide Your Atheism, Even from Other Atheists Advertisement Advertisement Atheism is on the rise. Polls show that belief in the man upstairs (or whatever floor the deity lives on) is on the decline, with the number of these non-God-fearing folk having grown to more than half a billion worldwide. While this seems to be becoming more of a norm in places like Scandinavia, where religious belief has reached an all-time low, if you happen to be an atheist in America we have some potentially bad news for you: There's a damn good chance that people don't like you. Including other atheists. Photos.com "Ugh. This asshole again." Advertisement In general, polls have shown that fewer than half of Americans would even remotely consider voting for an atheist presidential candidate. Oh, and no one wants his son or daughter marrying one of them heathens, either. Researchers led by Will Gervais at the University of British Columbia wondered why, and what they found was that it all came down to the simple fact that people don't trust atheists. The researchers started out by presenting test subjects with perhaps the most reprehensible type of human being known to exist -- one who would smash into a parked car and then haul ass without leaving a note. Participants were asked to choose the likelihood that said parked car scraper was "a Christian, a Muslim, a rapist, or an atheist," and even though one of those things is clearly not like the others, atheists came in just about even with rapists on the "Yep, Probably a Gigantic Asshole" scale. Photos.com "This could only be the work of a godless sexual deviant! ... or someone texting." Advertisement Advertisement Further studies showed that participants would be unwilling to hire an atheist for a job requiring a strong degree of trust, and that they lock their doors at night for the specific purpose of preventing atheists from entering and eating their babies while they sleep. Photos.com "Oh come on; that was ONE TIME." Now, you'd assume that this is because the subjects are religious themselves and are simply discriminating against those who believe differently than they do. But that's where things really get interesting, because it turns out that even people who identified themselves as non-believers were more likely to trust believers. That's right -- even other atheists had bought into the idea that religious people are more ethical, even though they presumably don't think of themselves as less ethical due to their non-belief. Advertisement Once again, humans show a remarkable capability to believe crude stereotypes about their own group. We're telling you, the human mind is a miracle, don't underestimate its mysteries. When we tell you interesting facts, we do with the most honorable of goals we want you entertained, so you click more articles. When other people launch their own information campaigns, however, they do so in the name of advocacy. And advocacy can be a well-meaning thing, or a very evil thing. If the governments the one behind this advocacy campaigns, we call that propaganda. And government propaganda has a habit of falling flat on its face. 5 The Made in the U.K. Label Advertised/Shamed British Products Products have labels on them telling you the country where they were made. It really is a strange practice. Its not a safety warning; these arent instructions for proper use. Its an item of information you might not necessarily care about at all. Even if you do care about it, it receives outsize importance does it need to be right on the product, instead of printed on the box or manual? And does the label even mean anything in a globalized world, where a product made in one country was made from parts from different countries, out of materials from different countries still? For a while, various random companies used the label for various random reasons, but the labels became formalized with Britains Merchandise Marks Act of 1887. The act said that British products were to be labeled Made in U.K., while other products sold in Britain had be stamped with their own countries of origin. Mainly, the Crown wanted German products to be labeled Made in Germany. German manufacturing was competing with Britain, so this way, all good British citizens would know to seek out British products instead of cheap German stuff. Alf van Beem/Wiki Commons You needed a top-quality rusty tin to store your Liquorice All Sorts. However, it turned out that when buyers saw Made in Germany labels, they took that to mean buy a different product than this, and it will cost more. That was a reason to buy the labeled item, not to reject it. It helped that German products, while costing less, werent really lower in quality and in time even got a reputation as being higher in quality. What traitors these 19th-century Britons were, simply buying products that suited them instead of considering each purchase as a way to test their patriotism. Advertisement 4 Soy Cuba, the Pro-Capitalism Anti-Capitalism Movie In 1964, the Soviet Union and Cuba collaborated to make a film called I Am Cuba, a film that wise snobs praise today. Forget the story they admire the expertise that went into making it. Watch, for example, this one-shot of a funeral, in which an apparently handheld camera ascends and goes through a building then over the streets, thanks to a network of cables and pulleys: Play Advertisement Advertisement Much like with Triumph of the Will and The Birth of a Nation, the wise film snobs are praising the filming techniques, not the message. I Am Cuba was designed as communist propaganda. It consists of a series of vignettes, the first of which shows a casino in Havana run by rich Americans and contrasts it with the poverty that everyone else in town experiences. Audiences in neither Cuba nor the USSR were big fans of the film, and they didnt seem to take the anti-capitalism message to heart. A lot of viewers looked at the capitalist casinos and bars and said, Huh. Why does this look so awesome? Even today, showing inequality is a great way to get some poor people in capitalist countries to demand communism. But for people already living under communism, in which everyones poor, saying some people under capitalism live great lives doesnt make for a very attractive pro-communist pitch. Advertisement 3 Superman Educated Kids About (Seeking) Landmines The next Superman movie, due in 2025, is going to be called Superman: Legacy. It has no known connection to the comic book Superman: Deadly Legacy, which was unveiled by First Lady Hillary Clinton at the White House in 1996. The comic got a White House ceremony because it was a collaboration between Warner Bros., the United States and the United Nations. It was a special one-off designed to teach kids in Bosnia to avoid landmines. At the time, Bosnia had around three million landmines strewn around from the recent war. The United Nations was already trying to warn small children to stay clear of these mines using the creative medium of coloring books, and this new comic targeted kids too cool for playing with crayons. In it, Superman grabs a couple boys who were about to loot a minefield, informing them that mines are dangerous actually, even the ones that look like sweet souvenirs. D.C. It also came in different languages, where characters possibly werent named Mike and Joey. Advertisement Advertisement The comic book certainly sounded like a fine idea, and for all we know, it may even have saved some kids from playing in minefields. Unfortunately, it also convinced some kids to specifically seek out minefields. They read the comic and went into minefields in hopes of being rescued by Superman. This tale of unintended consequences sounds too perfect to be true, as though taken from some business seminar where the motivational speaker is just spewing bullshit for the sake of making a point. However, our assessment of Deadly Legacys effects comes from the Department of Defenses own Defense Science Board, in a report on the effectiveness of their managed information dissemination. Its a deadpan post-mortem that includes some commentary wed never have thought of, such as, It also highlights the likely desire of a company like DC Comic Books to seek immunity from liability for this Government-sponsored product. Advertisement 2 The Well-Meaning Korean Anti-Suicide Campaign One bridge in Seoul, called Mapo Bridge, was a worryingly popular spot among jumpers. More than 10 people leaped off to their deaths every year. So in 2013, the government decided it was time for some signage to sway desperate people. Have you been eating all right? read one sign (a single good meal can put you in a good mood). Lets walk together, read another (taking the voice of a friend accompanying the would-be jumper). Lights also turned on, responding to pedestrians, acknowledging them. skytetes/Pixabay The wind is really nice, says this sign, all sinister implications totally accidental. Advertisement Advertisement In the year following this campaign, more than six times as many people as normal jumped off the bridge and died. It seems that these references to suicide put the idea into the heads of some people whod otherwise just have gone on their way. The city now abandoned the idea of messaging and moved on to a more reliable solution: sticking nets under the bridge. Incidentally, the campaign was cosponsored by a life insurance company, who have their own reasons for wanting to keep people alive. Stubbornness isnt a particularly delightful trait to interact with. Dealing with a bullheaded friend or acquaintance is likely to end with a prominent forehead vein and a conversation that concludes in okay, whatever, I dont even care anymore. In the greater scale of things, though, losing a couple extra points at bar trivia or ending up severely under-packed for a weekend trip is far from the worst outcome dangerously high levels of self-confidence can lead to. Combine that same stubbornness with an incorrect belief thats considerably higher stakes, and youve got a recipe for disaster. Instead of being embarrassed by a Google search, you can end up six feet under with We told him engraved on your headstone. When youre working with things like radiation, disease and engineering, the ability to implement at least a bare minimum of good-natured critique is something that could be central to your ongoing well-being. Here are four people who died as a result of their stubbornness Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. Advertisement 4 Franz Reichelt Public Domain This is like entrusting your life to a pair of JNCOs. Franz Reichelt was highly interested in the human power of flight, a hobby that, throughout history, has a pretty abysmal survival rate. Reichelt, however, lived at a time where airplanes already did exist and functioned mostly. His interest took a slightly different slant, which was the development of a parachute suit that would allow pilots, or thrill-seekers, to jump from a great height and float down safely to the ground. To give you some idea of how this went, I can assure you that Reichelt is absolutely not the inventor of the parachute. Reichelt also wasnt helped by the fact that he wasnt an engineer of any kind, but instead a tailor. So sure, he was well-versed in the fabric he was using for his parachute suit, but he lacked the critical knowledge on, you know, how that would work. He built plenty of prototypes, and to his credit, tested them on dummies that he threw from his apartment in Paris. Unfortunately, after every single dummy slammed into the ground with minimal alterations to velocity, he decided it just meant that he wasnt throwing them from high enough. Test drives dont do much good if your conclusion from them is, No, its physics thats wrong. After what had to be an incredibly irritating back and forth with French police, Reichelt got permission to toss one of his dummies off the top of the Eiffel Tower. When he arrived at the top, though, he committed one of historys most ill-advised and disastrous switcheroos, deciding he would wear the suit and jump himself. I assume he saw himself gently touching down at the bottom among a throng of awed onlookers. Instead, he just delivered high-speed mental trauma to anyone unlucky enough to be in the splash zone. 3 Herman Cain Gage Skidmore Got enough flags there, buddy? When the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged, and quickly became an incredibly contagious and deadly disease, especially among high-risk groups, the hunt was on for readily available and relatively simple options to help stop the spread of the disease. One of the quickest realizations was the effectiveness of masks in public spaces, something that is simple enough science that it shouldnt have needed an explanation. Its not like covering your mouth can stop disease was a theory that was debuting for the first time. Yet for a large amount of people who cry when they see the United States flag, this was a direct political infringement on their amorphous and ever-changing definition of freedom. No person became more of a grim figurehead of the health risks of being a huge asshole than ex-presidential candidate Herman Cain. Despite the fact that he was basically hitting bingo on the health-risk front, he steadfastly took up the mantle of the I think 1984, a book I am aware of but confused me too much to finish, would have something to say about all these masks thought leaders. When he contracted COVID-19 exactly one incubation period after attending a large indoor Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he suddenly was reaping the very viral loads he had sown. 2 William J. Bailey Sam LaRussa Yes, they put radioactive water on the front and people thought, Very cool! Throughout history, humans have come up with no shortage of wackadoo medical treatments and various snake oils. Now, with greater knowledge of how many substances are poisonous, we can shudder looking back on these. Knowing that, it can be a little hard to blame people who imbibed in plentiful quantities things that were at least suggested to be safe. Even so, there are certain times when youd think just the direct effects of whatever miracle tonic youre slamming on the regular should make you double-check that your product isnt death juice. In the 1920s, for example, radium was all the rage. Yes, the radioactive kind. Looking back, you can find it casually included in all sorts of consumer products like makeup or the glowing numerals on a watch face. Maybe the most straightforward, and incredibly stupid application was invented by a man named William J. Bailey, who created and sold Radithor, an energy tonic that was created from the simple recipe of water plus radium. At first, sure, it wasnt like anyone knew the danger, but Bailey continued to sell Radithor long after pretty convincing evidence that it wasnt great for you. For example, a man named Eben Byers, his best customer, who drank three bottles of Radithor a day until, eventually, his jaw fell off. Not only that, but he had to be buried in a lead-lined coffin because his bones were highly radioactive. Assuming, I guess, that Byers had some sort of hereditary jaw-falling-off disease, Bailey still refused to reconsider his product, even after the FTC shut his company down. Bailey proclaimed that hed drunk more of the stuff than anyone and he was fine, which lost a little of its oomph after he died of bladder cancer. Twenty-five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed at the Brazilian Saudi Investment Forum, held in Sao Paulo on July 31. The MoUs covered sectors including Petrochemicals, Food Processing, Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate, Construction and Aerospace & Defense. The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) participated in the forum, which comes at the beginning of a broader visit encompassing six countries across Latin America, led by Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment for Saudi Arabia. The visit will span Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Panama and Paraguay. The forum also came as Brazil and Saudi Arabia mark 50 years since the opening of the Saudi embassy in Brazil and the first official bilateral government visit. Since 1973, bilateral and economic ties have deepened significantly. In 2021, the value bilateral trade amounted to around $3.62 billion and the complementarity of the export profiles of the two countries suggest strong potential for further growth. The agreements signed includes an MoU between civil construction company OEC and MISA for the former to open a regional headquarters (RHQ) in the kingdom to explore construction opportunities in Saudi Arabia in consortium with Saudi construction companies. Light Capital also signed an MoU with MISA to open a RHQ which will explore payment systems in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Maaden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), signed an agreement to invest in Vales Energy Transition Metals business. This transaction builds on other key partnerships such as the 25% stake in Minerva Foods, a Brazilian company that is one of the largest meat producers in South America, held by SALIC (The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company) and PIFs Brazilian program, under which it aims to invest up to $10bn in Brazil as part of its wider international investment strategy. MISA will be promoting the unparalleled investment opportunities for Latin American investors in Saudi Arabia during its visit. The Kingdom has seen strong growth in the non-oil sector in recent years and is looking to unlock more than $3 trillion in investment opportunities through its National Investment Strategy, a statement said. - TradeArabia News Service The Pentagon is investigating a critical compromise of communications across several Air Force facilities by a US Air Force engineer, according to Forbes. Forbes cited the search warrant on the investigation, which also details the evidence of a possible breach of FBI communications by the same employee. "The government had been tipped off that the 48-year-old engineer had taken government radio technologies home, effectively stealing them for his own use," said Forbes, citing the warrant. A a base contractor had tipped off law enforcement, Forbes said. The warrant alleged that the amount of pilfered equipment was worth nearly $90,000. Accused gained unauthorized admin access The 48-year-old accused employee worked at the Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee. Upon raiding his home, law enforcement found the engineer had "unauthorized administrator access" to radio communications technology used by the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The authentication compromise affected 17 Department of Defense (DoD) installations, according to the warrant. Consular Clerk FSN-6 - closing date August 07, 2023 (Annual Salary: FDJ 2,801,659) The position serves as the principal consular cashier and provides a wide range of administrative assistance to the consular section at the U.S. Embassy Djibouti. The incumbent supports the consular section leadership team with administrative tasks including but not limited to: scheduling appointments, maintenance of office supplies and equipment, travel logistics, and time and attendance. The incumbent also provides additional support for consular tasks such as preparing notarials. Submit application Washington, Aug 1 (UNI) Former U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to derail an investigation into his alleged meddling in the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia was rejected by a judge on Monday, U.S. media reported. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney rejected efforts by Trump's legal team to keep a Georgia district attorney from prosecuting him and from using certain evidence gathered in her investigation into the case. In his ruling, McBurney said there are no grounds to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from pursuing her investigation. Willis has suggested that she may seek charges in the case in the coming weeks. Trump's legal team in Georgia had previously asked the court to throw out all the evidence from the special purpose grand jury investigation and disqualify Willis, citing concerns about the constitutionality of special grand juries in the state and about "a prosecutor's office that was found to have an actual conflict, yet continued to pursue the investigation." The special grand jury did not have the power to indict. But it did issue subpoenas and hear from witnesses and issue a final report with recommendations for Willis. UNI/XINHUA ARN Browser Compatibility Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks. We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Japanese Yen, USD/JPY, RSI Divergence, Rising Support Technical Update: Japanese Yen under pressure by US Dollar again after BoJ Watch for key upside breakout over the remaining 24 hours RSI divergence shows fading upside momentum on 4-hour Recommended by Daniel Dubrovsky Get Your Free JPY Forecast Get My Guide The US Dollar is back on the offensive against the Japanese Yen. From a fundamental perspective, this follows the aftermath of what was a dovish Bank of Japan monetary policy announcement last week. Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours, the central bank announced an unscheduled debt-buying operation to help contain rising local government bond yields. In all, JPY has weakened over 2 percent since the BoJ rate decision last week. Is USD/JPY preparing to resume the broader uptrend? Looking at the daily chart below, the currency pair is attempting to confirm a breakout above the July 21st high of 141.95. If this is achieved over the remaining 24 hours, that would place the focus on the June peak at 145.07. Moreover, the rising trendline from March has been reinforced, maintaining the upside technical bias since the beginning of this year. Extending upward exposes the 61.8% Fibonacci extension level at 148.27. Before long the October high of 151.94 may come into focus. Chart Created in TradingView Let us zoom in on the 4-hour chart to get a better picture of what the near-term trend is shaping up to be. For starters, there has been a confirmatory bullish Golden Cross between the 50- and 100-period Moving Averages (MA). That is adding fuel to the upside technical bias. However, be mindful that in this timeframe, we do have the presence of negative RSI divergence. This is a sign of fading upside momentum, which can at times precede a turn lower. In such a case, immediate support seems to be the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at 142.07. Below that, the 50-period line may come into focus and hold as support, maintaining the near-term upside bias. Otherwise, key resistance above on this timeframe seems to be the 78.6% level at 143.39. Recommended by Daniel Dubrovsky How to Trade USD/JPY Get My Guide Chart Created in TradingView --- Written by Daniel Dubrovsky, Senior Strategist for DailyFX.com Dhaka, Aug 1 (UNI) The United States has expressed concern over the ongoing political violence in Bangladesh. This concern was expressed over the attack on BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in response to a reporter's question at a regular press conference on Monday local time, "We call for a transparent and impartial investigation into these acts of violence and to bring the perpetrators involved in the violence to account." The details of this briefing are presented on the website of the US State Department. In the press conference, a journalist asked Matthew Miller, millions of people have protested in the capital Dhaka to demand the resignation of the ruling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Local and international media reports said police and members of the ruling party brutally attacked protesters and opposition leaders during a peaceful protest on Saturday, injuring hundreds, including top opposition leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy. How do you assess the content of the situation, observing the increasing police brutality against the opposition and the government's clearly hard-line stance on the matter? What steps will the US State Department take to ensure the possibility of credible and peaceful elections in Bangladesh? In response, Matthew Miller said, "We are concerned about the intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding the political protests earlier this week." We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into these acts of violence and to hold the perpetrators of the violence accountable. He also said that we call for creating a safe environment so that the people of Bangladesh can gather peacefully and express their concerns. It also calls on all parties to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law and to refrain from acts of violence, harassment and intimidation. Another journalist asked in the briefing, everyone knows that a national election is imminent in Bangladesh. The United States announced a visa policy to ensure democratic processes in Bangladesh. Apart from this, the incumbent Prime Minister has assured the United States and the European Union that there will be a free and fair election in Bangladesh. But the main opposition party has unleashed arson, terror and vandalism in the nation's capital over the past week. They are attacking not only private property but also police property. They burned everything there. They have created a battlefield-like situation in the capital. They are doing this at the demand of the election government, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. What is your comment on this? In response, Miller said, what he said in response to the previous question, his comments are the same in this case as well. He asked Miller again, 'I want an observation from you. On June 15, during the hearing of a judicial review (review) application, a Canadian federal judge called the BNP a terrorist organization. The judicial review was against the rejection of a BNP worker's application for political asylum in Canada. They called the group as a terrorist organization for the fifth time. What are your observations on this? In response, Miller said, "I have no observations on this matter." UNI MAZ AKS1139 The woman who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest mouth gape has broken yet another record - despite followers thinking she was using a filter. Samantha Ramsdell, from New York City, took to TikTok to flaunt the latest achievement to her three million followers. The 33-year-old, who works as a songwriter, comedian and podcaster, was recently awarded the certificate for the widest mouth at an impressive four inches. And dozens of other social media users rushed to the comments to express their shock at the surreal size of her mouth. Samantha Ramsdell, from New York City, took to TikTok to flaunt the latest achievement to her three million followers In the clip, which has been viewed more than 3.8 million times, Samantha begins by telling followers: 'So I actually have two Guinness World Records now.' She lifts up her original certificate to camera, which she achieved in 2021, before proudly stating: 'I have the Guinness World Record for largest mouth gape for a female.' The social media star then opens her mouth to showcase the gape which is 2.56 inches. But she then proceeds to share her latest accomplishment, saying: 'And then I also have officially, the widest mouth in the world.' Samantha then showcases the shocking 4.07 inches width. Her followers quickly went into a commenting frenzy as many branded her as a dentist's 'dream patient.' One person wrote: 'I've been in dentistry for 21 years and you would be my fav patient to work on lol.' Another added: 'I seriously thought it was a filter... Then I hear the record holding reason and am officially amazed!' The 33-year-old, who works as a songwriter, comedian and podcaster, was recently awarded the certificate for the widest mouth at an impressive four inches Her followers quickly went into a commenting frenzy as many branded her as a dentist's 'dream patient' A third chimed in: 'I always thought it was a filter! That is awesome!' In order to earn her first certificate, Samantha had to prove that her mouth was 'all natural' and that she had 'no surgery.' Securing verification with the Guinness team took over six months and involved a rigorous process of measurements. Elaborating previously, Samantha said her mouth has always been the biggest feature on her face when she looked at the mirror. She began her social media accounts in 2019 and was quick to highlight her unique feature, writing in her TikTok bio: 'No its not a filterits just my face.' Samantha, who has been featured on The Ellen Show, Italia's Got Talent and CBS This Morning, now regularly posts challenges to TikTok but also has a podcast with boyfriend James titled Weird And Proud in which they discuss a range of topics from aliens to colonoscopies. On Samantha's website she states: 'Making people laugh through the power of weird, plus singing, acting and creating.' As one of the final months of the summer season begins, you can expect an opportunistic loved one to pounce on you today with the saying: 'Pinch punch first of the month.' The common British phrase is used by many people on the first day of each month - with some following it up with 'white rabbits' or 'a punch and a kick for being so quick'. They, along with hundreds of other odd sayings and phrases, have been passed down through decades of generations - but where exactly do they originate from? As with most peculiar superstitions and phrases, there are various theories that suggest or support where their origin may have originated. Here FEMAIL reveals everything you need to know about the origin of the saying. During the first day of each month, some Brits may be unlucky enough to receive a 'pinch punch first of the month' - but where does this odd saying come from? (Photo: Alamy) Why do we say 'pinch, punch first of the month?' Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the phrase, it has been reported that President George Washington began the tradition. During his presidency (1789-97), George Washington would meet with Native American tribes on the first day of each month and provide fruit punch with an added pinch of salt. This ultimately became known as 'pinch punch first of the month.' Another theory behind the tradition dates back to medieval times when witchcraft was a huge concern among people. Salt was intended to make witches weak, and so the 'pinch' signified the use of salt to weaken the sorceress, while the 'punch' was delivered to banish the witch forever. The phrase, therefore, was suggested to symbolise welcoming in a new month while protecting oneself from bad luck. Over the years, the words within the saying have become more literal, with many receiving a pinch and punch as a practical joke by loved ones. 'White rabbits' is a phrase used to accompany 'pinch punch' to avoid being pinched and punched back - but where does this bizarre saying come from? (Photo: Alamy) Why do people say 'white rabbits' in response to 'pinch punch, first of the month'? In response to 'pinch, punch, first of the month,' some will respond with 'white rabbits, no return,' to avoid any more back and forth. The phrase was first recorded in the Notes and Queries book - which was a British periodical in which experts wrote about folklore - in 1909. An entry from the book reads: My two daughters are in the habit of saying Rabbits! on the first day of each month. 'The word must be spoken aloud, and be the first word said in the month. It brings luck for that month. Other children, I find, use the same formula.' During WWII, it was also a belief among RAF aircrew that saying 'white rabbits' when you woke up would protect you from harm. If an individual were to give you a pinch and a punch in the morning and fails to follow up with 'white rabbit,' the advice was not to punch the person back. Where did 'a flick and a kick for being so quick' originate from? Another popular way to respond to 'pinch, punch' is: 'A flick and a kick for being so quick.' The phrase reportedly originated in the West County as a humorous form of retaliation These old phrases, despite their many differing origin theories, continue to be used commonly among Brits today. A 'game-changing' exfoliator has won fans across Australia for the 'glass-like' effect it gives legs after just one use. The Bali Buffing Sugar by Australian brand Coco&Eve is a triple-exfoliating sugar scrub that smooths and renews the skin while boosting circulation. Currently on sale for $24, the lychee and dragonfruit scented scrub claims to improve the appearance of cellulite and stretchmarks while leaving silky smooth skin behind. It does so using four key ingredients: coconut flower sugar and shell powder to revitalise skin, volcanic pumice to rid the skin of dead skin cells and virgin coconut oil which softens skin while improving the appearance of cellulite. To use it you simply take a mit, apply the scrub and massage your skin in circular motions before washing it off with lukewarm water. A 'game-changing' exfoliator has won fans across Australia for the 'glass-like' effect it gives legs after just one use Many have shared snaps of their 'glass legs' using the scrub alongside baby oil and 'skin slugging' with the brand's famous 'Body Moisture Whip' moisturiser. A few of them have also recommended using a sulfate-free shower gel to ensure the skin isn't dried out beforehand. 'I can confirm it's life-changing,' one customer wrote. 'I smell amazing and it's the perfect way to prepare for fake tan application as well,' another added. The moisturiser has received equally as rave reviews, with one saying she'd seen bumps and redness reduce after just one use. Currently on sale for $24, the lychee and dragonfruit scented scrub claims to improve the appearance of cellulite and stretchmarks while leaving silky smooth skin behind To use it you simply take a mit, apply the scrub and massage your skin in circular motions before washing it off with lukewarm water 'The entire collection together gave my skin the rejuvenation it needed. I have even more confidence in the way I feel because for me its always about the feeling more than the look,' another added. 'My skin looks and feels so much smoother and brighter! I love the scent of all three products and my body smells amazing after using them.' The Australian brand, which was founded by Sand & Sky and Bellabox founder Emily Hamilton, is famous for its haircare and tanning range - particularly its viral Like A Virgin Hair Masque. Emily has lived away from home in Singapore for 13 years in order to get her beauty business off the ground and sold her childhood home for funds to kickstart the company - which still remains 100 per cent privately owned. 'When I started looking into what would eventually become Coco & Eve, the vegan and cruelty-free movement was just finding its legs,' Emily told FEMAIL. 'It meant a lot to me because I was so conscious about consumption.' The brand has been going from strength to strength, with the new multi-tasking primer hit with countless five-star reviews from customers who raved about the 'radiant, gorgeous' glow it gave them after just one use 'I expected the white opaque liquid to leave a white cast, but it effectively concealed the redness around my T-zone really well! I'm impressed by how it preps my skin before foundation, acting almost like a color corrector with SPF benefits,' this shopper wrote Many have shared snaps of their 'glass legs' using the scrub (pictured) alongside baby oil and 'skin slugging' with the brand's famous ' Body Moisture Whip ' moisturiser One of Emily's missions was to tell a story with every product, and all of the releases have been crafted around a narrative. 'We're really focused on packaging and ingredients,' she said. I really think what we're doing is completely unique to everyone else in the market.' It's been going from strength to strength, with the new multi-tasking primer hit with countless five-star reviews from customers who raved about the 'radiant, gorgeous' glow it gave them after just one use. Packed with skin-loving ingredients, like white tea extract, rose geranium stem cells and niacinamide, the primer protects the skin from photoaging, pollution and blue light damage, and is the ideal base under makeup. It is formulated without fragrance or silicone and promises a 'gorgeous satin finish' while reducing redness, minimising pores, improving uneven skin tone and softening wrinkles and fine lines. Daily Mail Australia may receive commission from some of the links in this article. Suits, the legal drama which starred the Duchess of Sussex, has become the unlikely hit of the summer after launching on Netflix earlier this year. Meghan Markle, 41, starred as paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits from 2010 until her last episode was aired in April 2018, a month before her wedding at Windsor Castle. Following her exit from the show Meghan remained friendly with a posee of her former co-stars attending her wedding to Prince Harry, including Gabriel Macht, Abigail Spencer, Sarah Rafferty, and Patrick J Adams. The show came to an end in 2019, but appears to have been given a second life after it was released on the streaming service back in June. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the series set a viewing time record for an acquired series in the week of June 26-July 2, with 3.14 billion minutes of watch time. Suits, the legal drama which starred the Duchess of Sussex, has become the unlikely hit of the summer after launching on Netflix earlier this year Season one began with an average of 4.6 million viewers in 2011. However ratings consistently dipped since the start, even with Meghan in the show. Meghan and her co-star Patrick (Mike Ross) both left the show at the end of season seven. The final episode of that season saw Rachel and Mike finally tie the knot , before leaving for Seattle. According to FOX News, the return of season 8, (which excluded Meghan and Patrick), averaged with 1.2 million viewers, 100,000 less than its seventh season. The series was axed in January 2019 after the ninth 10 episodes long instalment, after losing a significant amount of viewers. The official line on why the show was axed was unclear, but the series has lost viewers after Meghan quit. At the time, Chris McCumber, president of USA Network and SYFY, said: 'Suits has played an instrumental role in our network's DNA for nearly a decade. 'I and everyone at USA Network sincerely thank Aaron Korsh, our partners at UCP and the entire Suits family for their tremendous creativity, devotion and support over a truly amazing run.' Meghan Markle, 41, starred as paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits from 2010 until her last episode was aired in April 2018, a month before her wedding at Windsor Castle Meghan is understood to have loved playing her stylish lawyer alter-ego, and felt like 'a kid in a candy store' when it came to picking out her outfits. Celebrity costume designer Jolie Andreatta explained previously: 'Meghan and I loved Rachel's clothes. We'd always say that, if we could, we would live in Rachel's clothes. Designing Rachel's look was like being a kid in a candy store.' When she stepped down from acting to join the Royal Family, Meghan insisted that rather than dwelling on the end of her career, she would commit herself to making a change in the world with her humanitarian work. Many viewers have been going wild over the programme on social media, with one commenting: 'Suits is so good but all of these people are EXHAUSTING.' Meanwhile another wrote: 'Suits is actually a good show, I don't know how it took me so long to tune in.' Despite the surge of viewership on Netflix, it seems many have had a mixed response to the legal drama A third added: 'Twitter fam, how is it you guys didn't tell me about Suits...this show is good!' 'Netflix is airing the show Suits,' another commented. 'I know I'm late, never saw this before. 'This is a really good show, why did no one tell me?' One wrote: 'Just started binging Suits on Netflix. Would highly recommend, but it's a bit surreal seeing Meghan before her royal era.' However despite the show's popularity on the streaming service, not all the reviews of the programme are positive. One viewer commented: 'Suits be having me so stressed. These are the most emotional people on earth. 'Mike Ross is the most annoying/worst character in all TV. Followed closely by Rachel. They belong together like a trash can next to a recycle bin.' Another wrote: 'Unpopular opinion: Suits is ridiculously bad. Maybe it's because of my legal background, but being a lawyer isn't about striking poses. It's outrageously unrealistic. 'The ethical violations are mindblowing.' The surge in viewers for Meghan's show comes as experts said Prince Harry has 'begun to lose his star power' and has become a 'lightning rod for negative PR' The surge in viewers for Meghan's show comes as experts said Prince Harry has 'begun to lose his star power' and has become a 'lightning rod for negative PR'. The Duke of Sussex's sustainable tourism project Travelsyt announced that it has entered an 'incredibly exciting' era with a new board of directors - with no mention of the royal. The independent non-profit organisation based in London was launched by the Duke of Sussex in 2019, when he was still a working royal, with wife Meghan Markle. Harry spent three years as the public face of the initiative to encourage the tourism industry to become more sustainable - despite a furore over his use of private jets. But he was left out of a major announcement by the group in May about its transition from a 'pilot phase' to a new board of five people with 'world-class expertise'. PR experts said today that Harry had become a 'polarising figure' and business would 'second think their association' with him amid the 'negativity' after his book Spare. Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: 'There is a problem with brand Harry and that's that in the space of only a few years he has begun to lose his star power, authenticity and ability to elevate brands and good causes he believes in.' The total fees from the hospital and other organizations came out to nearly $50k The Seattle-born blogger welcomed her first child - a boy - two months prior Influencer Sarai Jones, 25, broke down the hospital costs of labor and delivery A new mom has caused a wave of horror online after breaking down the extortionate bill she received for her standard labor and delivery care at a local hospital. Beauty and lifestyle influencer Sarai Jones, 25, from Seattle, Washington, took to TikTok to share a recap of the multiple charges listed on her bill - costs that left many viewers both within and outside the US open-mouthed in shock. 'I had a baby two months ago and I just got the hospital bill,' she explains in the short video. 'Let's see how much it cost! 'I vaginally delivered him, and I was induced. And yes I got the epidural - whew, amazing!' Reading off the charges from her computer, she first highlighted a charge labeled 'Labor Room/Delivery - Delivery Room' that came out to $13,900. Beauty and lifestyle influencer Sarai Jones, 25, broke down medical fees incurred over the process of delivering her son Sarai welcomed her son into the world two months ago Then, for a 'semi-private' 'room & board' situation, she was charged a hefty $19,111. She went on to list: $2,181 for anesthesia; $1,290.33 for 'pharmacy'; $862 for laboratory fees; and $411 for her use of the emergency room. There was also a $1,001 for 'other diagnostic services,' to which Sarai exasperatedly added, 'What is that? Please explain!' That all came out to an eye-watering $38,757.33. 'That hurt more than the contractions,' she exclaimed. Luckily, with insurance, her total out-of-pocket cost rolled back to the relatively small sum of $1,418.26. 'Thank god,' Sarai added. And yet, somehow, there were more charges headed her way. Sarai also received a $1,356.68 charge from something called U.S. Anesthesia - though, again, her insurance came in and ultimately covered roughly 90% of that fee. Of a $1001 for 'other diagnostic services,' Sarai exclaimed, 'What is that? Please explain!' Fans of Sarai's expressed shock at the astronomical price tag of the hospital visit Through her insurance, she only had to pay $651.16 out of those latter three charges. Further cumulative charges for 'vaginal delivery and postpartum care' came out to $6,793 - plus, one last line item showed $385 for a 'cervical dilator.' The grand total? A whopping $47,292.01 - out of which she had to pay $2,205.09 out of pocket. Fans of the LA influencer flocked to the comments to express their shock. 'So have insurance before having a baby ' wrote one, adding note-taking-hand emojis. Another lamented, 'only in USA... in other countrys it's FREE.' 'ROOM & BOARD . Like its college ?!?!' exclaimed another. 'Is this the famous american dream,' a fourth seethed. '*Stares in European*' joked someone else of the famously no-cost healthcare offered by most European countries. 'What happens if you dont pay? You return baby?' queried one baffled fan. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit A food writer has sparked a heated debate about burrata after calling the popular Italian cheese an overrated 'thick blob of cold dairy' that comes with a $20 price tag. Tammie Teclemariam shared her thoughts on what she views as the many downsides of the soft cheese balls a casing of mozzarella filled with stracciatella and cream in an opinion piece published by New York Magazine's Grub Street on Monday. The columnist's hot take went viral thanks in part to its headline: 'A Big Fat Blob of Boring: Can we cool it with all the burrata balls?' Teclemariam struck a nerve with the article, which has been both revered and despised, depending on where you fall in the great burrata debate of 2023. A furious debate has broken out among foodies over the merits of burrata - after a New York Magazine writer slammed the cheese as a 'big fat blob of boring' Tammie Teclemariam shared her thoughts on what she views as the many downsides of the soft cheese balls in an opinion piece published by New York Magazine's Grub Street In her piece, the writer made very clear on which side of the foodie fence she falls, railing against the excessive - and what she believes is mostly unoriginal - use of the cheese in restaurants. '[Burrata] has taken the place of kale Caesars as the farm-to-tableera staple that most overstayed its welcome,' she stated. 'Too often, the burrata is the focal point, a thick blob of cold dairy that gets a few splashes of seasonal garnishes and a $20 price tag.' She also took the view that - in some cases - burrata is more of an inconvenience than an enjoyment, recalling a time when she purchased a slice of pizza that was topped with an entire ball of the cheese and accompanied with the instructions to 'open burrata up and spread it out'. 'I struggled to find a spot... where I could adequately dig into a jiggly, cheesy orb without disaster,' she shared. 'When I finally found a way to make it work, the mountain of cream overwhelmed the other aspects of the pizza.' When Grub Street promoted the op-ed on it's Instagram page, burrata fans flocked to the comments to defend the creamy cheese and all of its goodness, leading to a very heated argument over the merits of the dish. When Grub Street shared the op-ed on its Instagram account, it sparked a wave of controversy among commenters - with some lashing out at Teclemariam for her thoughts on the cheese Teclemariam (pictured) has yet to address the controversy surrounding her op-ed Many fans of the cheese argued that the issue is not with burrata itself, but rather with the quality of the burrata being offered by eateries. 'First of all: How dare you,' one commenter wrote. 'Second of all: I am available to write a 10,000 manifesto / op-ed entitled: Restaurants need to stop selling cold, flavorless burrata, and take the time to let it come to delicious, creamy, room temperature before serving.' 'The thing is, burrata made by very good artisans and made from superior milk is pretty damned excellent,' another chimed in. 'It is also very rare, in my opinion, to find burrata in the US that comes close to what you can commonly buy in Italy. 'Boring burrata is boring. great burrata is excellent.' 'If its good quality burrata - they can throw it at my face and Ill still be happy,' a third person admitted. One professional chef also leaped to the defense of the cheese, writing: 'This was irritating to read. Burrata requires skilled labor and patience. 'Many local producers are keeping their lights on because of it. Tone deaf and foolish for a food media platform to go after. If youve nothing to write about.write nothing.' Others simply lashed out at the article, vehemently defending burrata against any criticism - with some insisting that there are many other foods more deserving of such an attack. However there were also those who were in complete agreement with the writer - with some insisting that there are many superior cheeses on offer that foodies should try instead 'Speak for yaself. Respectfully,' one outraged commenter wrote, while another admitted: 'I feel attacked.' A third shared; 'Enough with the cheese slander.' However there were also many commenters who praised Teclemariam for daring to voice such a controversial view, thanking the writer for offering up a diverse opinion on the cheesy dish. 'I agree!!!!' one person wrote. 'Enough with putting burrata on everything! Burrata should be enjoyed with a simple side like ripe tomatoes. Burrata is not a condiment, burrata is the star!' 'Finally!!!!!!!! Been saying this for months, Buffala Mozzarella will always be king tho,' another said. A third agreed with that Buffala Mozzarella is the superior cheese, writing: 'Im so there with you, a fresh beautiful grass fed mozzarella di Bufala is far more interesting flavor wiseor ricotta salata, or feta.the list goes on!!' Teclemariam has yet to address the controversy surrounding her op-ed, however she did post a carousel of images on her Instagram featuring the many different burrata-topped pizza slices she has tried - prompting some to joke that she is 'sending mixed signals'. READ MORE: James Middleton announces his wife Alizee Thevenet is pregnant with their first child James Middleton has revealed he's changed the name of his business Ella & Co after the passing of his beloved spaniel to mark the 'incredible bond' he hat with the animal. The Princess of Wales's brother, 36, who is currently expecting his first child with wife Alizee Thevenet, named his pet food company after his beloved pet Ella, who died aged 15 in January. Now, seven months on the Berkshire-based businessman has changed the name from 'Ella & Co' to 'James & Ella'. Taking to Instagram today, the entrepreneur shared a picture with Ella's granddaughter, a glossy brown Spaniel named Nala. 'James & Ella: a new chapter,' he wrote. James Middleton has revealed he's changed the name of his business Ella & Co after the passing of his beloved spaniel to mark the 'incredible bond' he hat with the animal. Taking to Instagram today, the entrepreneur shared a picture with Ella's granddaughter, a glossy brown Spaniel named Nala 'You may have noticed we've had a very slight name change from Ella & Co to James & Ella '"Why" I hear you ask? Well, since Ella passed away at the beginning of the year, I've spent a long time reflecting on how much she transformed my life. 'It was a start of a new chapter without her, but I wanted to recognise the incredible bond we had, and to signify the symbiotic relationship between humans and dogs. 'Through James & Ella, I'll be carrying on the legacy of the most incredible dog I ever had the pleasure of caring for, as she cared for me, with lots of exciting news to share later this year 'Here I am with Nala, Ella's granddaughter. I am surrounded by her legacy'. The Princess of Wales's brother, 36, who is currently expecting his first child with wife Alizee Thevenet , named his pet food company after his beloved pet Ella, who died aged 15 in January Alize and James both love of dogs, with the pair often sharing snaps of them out and about with the entrepreneur's beloved pets He previously told his followers Ella helped him overcome clinical depression and 'saved his life', leading him to sign up with Pets As Therapy, a charity which visits care settings with dogs in order to help people recover. He and Ella had been volunteers with the charity for more than four years before her death on Friday. Mr Middleton has previously described his 'really difficult battle' with the condition: 'A few years ago I was in a very dark and lonely place, I was existing without purpose or direction, the constant heart thudding anxiety stripped away any joy, excitement or anticipation. 'It was during this time that I realised how much my dogs, in particularly [sic] Ella, helped me during a really difficult battle with clinical depression. She saved my life.' Until Ella's death Mr Middleton and his wife had seven dogs, including a puppy from a litter which one of their pooches gave birth to late last year. Writing in The Telegraph in 2021, James explained he met Alizee in 2014 at Chelsea's the South Kensington Club when Ella 'made a beeline for Alizee'. James, who was 'embarrassed', went over 'to apologise and bring Ella back', recalling how Alizee thought he was a 'waiter' and 'ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back lapping up the attention.' James Middleton has previously thanked Ella for introducing him to his wife He has previously credited the black spaniel with helping him overcome his mental health struggles and introducing him to his wife. In January 2019, James explained in a personal essay for the Daily Mail how Ella had helped him through his depression battles. He wrote: 'During the day I'd drag myself up and go to work, then just stare with glazed eyes at my computer screen, willing the hours to tick by so I could drive home again. As well as his own love for spaniels, Prince William and Kate Middleton's daughter Charlotte has also been treated to a loving companion after her uncle gifted her a young dog in 2020. Princess Charlotte gave the first glimpse of her beloved pet Spaniel Orla as she celebrated turning seven with an adorable spring snap. The little Princess was seen warmly embracing her pet dog as she posed in a field of bluebells in a sweet picture taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in Norfolk in May. Orla, whose name Celtic in origin and means 'golden princess', was bred by the Duchess's brother James and was given to the family shortly before the death of their Spaniel Lupo in November 2020. Sasha Obama was spotted in Los Angeles on Monday, more than a week after her family's private chef, Tafari Campbell, tragically drowned in Martha's Vineyard. The 22-year-old, who recently graduated from the University of Southern California, was seen carrying her car keys and a large brown handbag with studded hardware at an EVgo electric vehicle charging station. Sasha beat the summer heat in a flowy patchwork dress that skimmed her ankles, which she paired with black flip-flops and plenty of jewelry, including bracelets stacked on both of her wrists. Barack and Michelle Obama's youngest daughter also wore dangly silver earrings, rings on most of her fingers, and a black cord necklace with a large silver sun pendant around her neck. Sasha Obama was spotted out and about in Los Angeles on Monday The 22-year-old beat the summer heat in a flowy patchwork dress that skimmed her ankles Sasha was walking through the parking lot of an EVgo electric vehicle charging station Sasha's long dark hair was braided with loose ends and down around her shoulders with tendrils framing her face. The former first daughter ensured she stayed hydrated with an insulated Hydro Flask bottle, which she likely had stored in her oversize bag. Sasha and her 25-year-old sister, Malia Obama, were seen flying off of Martha's Vineyard last Tuesday, a few days after Campbell's death on July 23. Massachusetts State Police confirmed that the family's private chef and close friend lost his balance and fell in the water while paddleboarding on Edgartown's Great Pond beside the former president's $12 million estate on the island. A female staff member of Obama's had been with Campbell when he drowned, DailyMail.com learned. The woman, who was on a separate paddleboard, had tried in vain to reach Campbell after he had fallen off but was ultimately forced to return to shore to summon help. It was a Secret Service agent who then phoned emergency services from the Obama compound in Edgartown to report the incident, sources told DailyMail.com. The witness was lucid and clear, exhibiting no signs of intoxication when she spoke with police at the scene, according to insiders. The outing comes more than a week after her family's private chef, Tafari Campbell, tragically drowned in Martha's Vineyard on July 23 Sasha paired her flowy boho-style dress with black flip-flops The former first daughter had on plenty of jewelry, including bracelets stacked on both of her wrists Sasha also wore dangly silver earrings, rings on most of her fingers, and a black cord necklace with a large silver sun pendant around her neck Sasha stopped walking at one point to rummage through her large brown leather bag, which featured studded hardware The initial call came in at 7:46 p.m., when police and fire agencies responded to the report that Campbell had fallen off his paddleboard, briefly struggled to stay afloat, and then went under the water. The multi-agency search continued into the night, with fire companies from across the island descending on Edgartown's Great Pond with boats and divers, along with Massachusetts state police, the Dukes County Sheriff's Department, and the Coast Guard. The witness directed rescuers to one area where Campbell was thought to have gone under. Crews diligently searched the location that night but did not find a body. Authorities also searched properties around the pond, in hopes Campbell had possibly made it to shore. Campbell was located around 10 a.m. the next morning by Massachusetts Environmental Police officers deploying side-scan sonar from a boat. The water was just eight feet deep where Campbell was found. Police said he was not wearing a life preserver and was not leashed to his board. He did, however, know how to swim, as evidenced by a video he had posted on social media of himself swimming laps. Sasha also carried her cellphone, a water bottle, and her car keys, which had small stuffed animals attached Sasha moved to Los Angeles to finish college at the University of Southern California, where she graduated from in May Sasha and her 25-year-old sister, Malia Obama, were seen flying off of Martha's Vineyard last Tuesday, a few days after Campbell's death on July 23 An autopsy revealed he had no external trauma or injuries, police said Wednesday. Toxicology testing is pending. The Obamas' office confirmed that the former first couple was not at home when Campbell drowned on Sunday evening. Their daughters were also on the island, but it's unclear if they were on the property at the time or out for the night. The Obamas paid tribute to the chef, who worked for them for 14 years and leaves behind his wife, Sherise, and 19-year-old twin sons. 'Tafari was a beloved part of our family,' the couple said. 'When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together. In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.' 'That's why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He's been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he's gone.' Krispy Kreme have demanded the attention of doughnut lovers this week after announcing the return of an old favourite. The Maxibon Doughnut is back - after a five year hiatus. The Krispy Kreme treat was relaunched on August one after going out of production in 2018. The Krispy Kreme team describe the fluffy new addition to the team as 'what dreams are made of' and claim it will have diners jumping with joy. The Krispy Kreme and Peters Ice Cream collaboration features a soft and fluffy Krispy Kreme doughnut filled with Maxibon Vanilla Kreme. 'We're talking hazelnut and vanilla biscuit crumb with smooth choc coating and Choc Maxibon biscuit on top,' a spokes person said. The Maxibon Doughnut is back - after a five year hiatus Aimee Cutajar, Head of Marketing at Krispy Kreme ANZ said the collaboration was brought back because of the joy it would bring to customers. 'The combination of our melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts with the irresistible Maxibon flavours creates a match made in dessert heaven. We can't wait for our customers to experience the joy of this limited edition treat all over again,' she said. And the team at Peters Ice Cream are just as excited about the project. Andrea Hamori, Head of Marketing at Peters Ice Cream said, 'Maxibon has always been committed to delivering the ultimate snacking experience, and this collaboration with Krispy Kreme takes that commitment to the next level. 'It's a treat that will make every bite an unforgettable experience, and we are confident that fans of both brands will love this exciting collaboration.' Doughnut lovers were thrilled with the news with dozens claiming the once redundant flavour is their favourite. Dozens of others appeared lost for words with the announcement and simply wrote 'omg' and tagged friends. Maxibon Krispy Kreme doughnuts are now available online and in-store at Krispy Kreme, in 7-Eleven stores and selected Woolworths for a limited time. A foreign hospital is the last destination any tourist wants to visit. But seemingly innocent activities like enjoying an ice-cold drink or wearing flipflops by the pool could have nasty consequences. Every week, 3,000 Brits need emergency medical treatment while abroad, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Here, experts explain the health risks of going on holiday and offer some tips on how to minimise your risk. Disease causing bacteria, such as E coli and cholera could be lurking in your cocktail ice cubes, experts warn Avoid ice cubes Sitting with an ice-cold drink by the pool on a hot day sounds like the ideal luxury. But disease-causing bacteria, such as E coli and cholera, may be lurking in cocktail ice cubes created using unclean water. Even though the water has gone through the freezing process, the bugs are hardy enough that some will survive. 'If they are frozen you still run a risk because when the ice cubes thaw, then you will have some viable bacteria that is still alive', says Dr Joanne Santini, a microbiologist at University College London (UCL). Ice cubes aren't the only potential carrier of pathogens. Just like ice cubes, ice cream can also harbour bacteria, so you should be cautious buying it for street sellers. However, there is an even bigger risk of getting ill when washing fruit or brushing your teeth with contaminated water. This is because the liquid hasn't been boiled or frozen to help kill off some of the pathogens. 'It depends where you're going and if there is faecal bacteria in that water', says Dr Santini. She said: 'Parts of south east Asia, south Asian, parts of Africa and probably some places in the west will have faecal contamination of drinking water. 'So if you use that water to wash anything, you drink it or you brush your teeth, then you are going to get a risk of getting organisms like E coli or salmonella.' If you think the water isn't safe in your holiday destination you should drink bottled water or boil the water before drinking it, otherwise you could end up with diarrhoea or cholera, warns Dr Santini. Be careful wearing flip flops Flip flops may be the ideal footwear for relaxing by the poolside. But podiatrists warn sprained ankles and fractured bones are a risk when wearing the classic summer shoes. 'Whilst flip flops and sliders are great for walking poolside, we wouldn't recommend them for longer walks as they offer little support to the feet and can end up doing more harm than good,' says Emma McConnachie, spokesperson for the Royal College of Podiatry. She added: 'Flip flops, and any backless shoes, can put you at an increased risk of injury, especially where alcohol or longer walks are involved. 'Common injuries are blisters, foot strain caused by a lack of support and prolonged use, sprained ankles and even fractures in the bones of the foot and ankle.' Giving children secure footwear is also advisable to help prevent poolside accidents. Ms McConnachie said: 'Youngsters are less likely to heed "no running" warnings at the poolside, try swim socks or swim shoes instead as these can be worn both in and out the pool.' Podiatrists warn sprained ankles and fractured bones are a risk when wearing flip flops However, flip flops do have their uses as they can protect your bare feet from picking up nasty infections such as verrucas or athlete's foot. Both verrucas and athlete's foot are very common and spread by contact with infected cells. Pool side and changing areas are the perfect environment to catch these infections. Long-haul and night flights Some of the health hazards of a holiday are present before you even get to your destination. Rushing to get to the airport on time can be stressful and those travelling at night also have to battle with sleep loss. And that's before you struggle with the subsequent jet-lag. Professor Russel Foster, an expert in circadian neuroscience at Oxford University, stresses that just one night of poor sleep can be enough to set you up for an illness. 'There is a very clear relationship between stress, jet lag and immune suppression,' he says. The stress of getting to the airport and the sleep loss from time-zone changes or catching a plane in the early hours can cause you to catch a bug He adds: 'Even one night of poor sleep can have a significant impact by suppressing the immune system.' This means the combined stress of getting to the airport and the sleep loss from time-zone changes or catching a plane in the early hours can leave you vulnerable to falling ill on holiday. Professor Foster said: 'It can make you more vulnerable to picking up a bug or infection, either on the aircraft or when you arrive. You are a bit more vulnerable.' Swimming in polluted seas or lakes A dip in the sea or refreshing plunge into a lake is a classic holiday activity. But bacteria that can cause infections and diseases such as E coli and cholera could be lurking in polluted seas or lakes. Even in the UK waters, seas contaminated with sewage can make you sick. Bacteria that can cause infections and diseases such as E coli and cholera could be lurking in polluted seas or lakes. Even in UK waters seas contaminated with sewage can make you sick Experts generally recommend salt water for swimming as it generally has fewer riskier pathogens than fresh water. People with immune deficiencies should be particularly cautious about fresh water swimming. Swimming in such contaminated water can cause dysentery as well as respiratory and ear, nose and throat infections, says Immunodeficiency UK. The charity urges people who have a suppressed immune system, or their carers, to enquire how clean the sea and lakes are before committing to a dip. It adds that even swimming pools may pose a similar health risk if the water is not adequately monitored for quality and regularly cleaned. EXCL: Married Dr who sexually harassed nurses said he was a 'tactile individual' A doctor who held an NHS nurse by the throat and demanded her phone number has been suspended. Dr Mubashsher Muhammed, who worked at an A&E unit in Stockport, was scolded for his 'deplorable' sexual harassment of two colleagues. The incidents, which took place in early 2021, involved telling one to remove their mask to 'see their face' and repeatedly touching the face covering of the other, as well as inappropriate 'massaging' and pinching. But the most serious incident involved a 'frightening ordeal', where the married Dr Muhammed encountered one of the nurses alone near the female staff changing room. He placed his hand on her throat and kept her backed up against a wall while stating, 'when are you going to give in and give me your number'. Dr Mubashsher Muhammed was suspended from working as a doctor for nine months after sexually harassing two nurses at an NHS emergency department in Stockport A medical tribunal panel suspended Czech-trained Dr Muhammed for nine months for his 'sexually motivated' behaviour. Dr Muhammed, who described himself as a 'tactile individual', defended his actions as being in keeping with a culture of 'banter' on the ward, and that he had wanted to 'fit in'. The incidents with both nurses occurred in April 2021 at the Stepping Hill Hospital's emergency department, part of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Muhammed had been employed temporarily at the trust to help shore up staff numbers. One of the nurses, described in the tribunal documents as 'Nurse A', told of her sense of 'dread' at seeing Dr Muhammed in the staff changing rooms just before the throat-grabbing incident. In a written statement she added: 'As I continued towards the female changing room, he stood in front of me and placed his hand around my throat, my back was against the wall at this point. 'I recoiled, he did not, and with his hand still around my throat said, when are you going to give in and give me your number".' She added how the incident had left her stunned and shaken. Nurse A also described how she knew she should report the incident but waited three months due to a fear that she would not be believed and that doing so would 'cause her trouble' professionally. The tribunal accepted the fact the incident had occurred but added that it was an 'opportunistic' event, rather than premeditated plan on Dr Muhammed's part. 'Nurse B' also detailed her own similar run-ins with Dr Muhammed, including how he had massaged her shoulders, pinched her waist, as well as laughed at her requests for him to stop. She recounted how even mentioning Dr Muhammed's wife was not enough to stop the inappropriate touching. Dr Muhammed, in his defence, claimed Nurse B's claims had been fabricated by her after he rebuffed her advances. But the claim was deemed 'unlikely' by the tribunal. The tribunal also highlighted how the both nurses had told Dr Muhammed to stop the behaviour but he had treated the requests as a joke. Both nurses, however, did acknowledge there was a culture of 'banter' on the ward. The tribunal said, while not commenting if such a 'banter' workplace culture was appropriate or not, Dr Muhammed may have been 'emboldened' by it. Dr Muhammed stopped working for the Trust once the nurses raised the alarm about his behaviour. In a written statement, he apologised for engaging in behaviour that led to the discomfort of his colleagues, and that he had overstepped the mark. He added that he recognised, with the benefit of hindsight, that his actions were wrong. In one 'frightening incident' at Stepping Hill Hospital (pictured) the married Dr Muhammed held the throat of a nurse and demanded her phone number The UK's medical regulator the General Medical Council (GMC), who brought the case against Dr Muhammed, argued that a temporary suspension from their register, effectively banning him from working as a doctor, was the most appropriate action. A GMC representative argued Dr Muhammed had subjected one of the nurses to a 'frightening ordeal outside the changing room' and his behaviour amounted to serious misconduct. But Dr Muhammed's representative argued that the incident was a 'short-lived' and 'isolated incident' where Nurse A had suffered no physical injury. READ MORE: GPs will be urged to refer patients to life coaches instead of signing them off sick Latest figures show a record 2.55million Brits are currently signed off on long-term sickness leave. The worrying stats, published in May, were blamed partly on back and neck pain caused by working from home. A rise in mental health problems among young people and long Covid were also among the factors behind the surge, according to experts at the Office for National Statistics Advertisement His defence also said Dr Muhammed had since attended courses on 'professional boundaries'. In a reflective piece submitted to the tribunal, Dr Muhammed wrote: 'I will immediately limit the contact to clinical only and avoiding any form of banter, comments on others appearance and any form of unwanted contact.' Dr Muhammed also described himself as a 'tactile individual' but vowed to only reassure colleagues verbally and not via touch in the future. His representative added that no patients had been sexually harassed and Dr Muhammed didn't touch the nurses' breasts or 'below their waist', making it the 'lower end of the scale of seriousness of sexual misconduct'. He also urged the tribunal to consider the fact Dr Muhammed was the main breadwinner of his family when determining the sanction. In their ruling, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service slammed Dr Muhammed's behaviour. 'This was conduct that any professional would know was wholly unacceptable,' they wrote. 'More than that, it could readily be described as deplorable.' But the tribunal noted that his behaviour, while serious, only occurred during a two-month period. They also pointed to 53 testimonials from colleagues, the majority of them female, speaking positively of his character. The tribunal also said that Dr Muhammed, while the case had been ongoing, had continued to work as a doctor for two years without any further incidents. They also considered the fact this sexual harassment had involved no contact with the nurses' 'sexual parts', his attendance on a maintaining boundaries course, and of depriving the public of a 'good doctor' in their decision. However, they added this did not detract from the seriousness of the behaviour described. 'The incident outside the changing rooms was especially shocking,' they wrote. 'He caused Nurse A to be frightened. 'She was obviously vulnerable and feared the consequences of raising a complaint. 'He had seriously undermined the reputation of the medical profession as a whole.' Describing their decision as 'finely balanced between suspension and erasure', they opted for the former. The tribunal said the suspension would communicate the seriousness of the misconduct to both him and the wider profession as well as give the medic time for additional insight into his actions. He has 28 days from the ruling to appeal the decision. Dr Muhammed told MailOnline via his representatives, the Medical Protection Society, that: 'I am disappointed with the tribunal's findings and will be taking time to reflect on the outcome and consider my options.' Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We do not tolerate sexual harassment, and we take all allegations of such harassment extremely seriously.' Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, where Dr Muhammed has been working since 2019, told this website he now no longer works there. Steve Barclay has got rid of hundreds of civil servants to free up cash for the NHS, insiders claimed today. The Department of Health and Social Care's workforce is now a sixth smaller than it was nine months ago, with just 3,316 mandarins now employed. Sources close to the Health Secretary said he has 'always been interested in cutting bureaucracy'. Mr Barclay's war on waste is aimed at cutting waiting lists, which have soared to an all-time high following months of NHS strikes, insiders said. Some 3,978 civil servants were employed by the department on October 31, 2022 the start of Mr Barclay's first full week in his current role. Some 3,978 civil servants were employed by the department on October 31, 2022 the start of Mr Barclay's first full week in his current role. But as of July 18, the total number had been slashed to 3,316, according to statistics released by the Department of Health in response to a written question from Sir Jacob Rees Mogg But as of July 18, the total number had been slashed to 3,316, according to statistics released by the Department of Health in response to a question from Sir Jacob Rees Mogg. Health minister Will Quince, who responded to the question, noted that 'contingent' workers, secondments, recent graduates on the Civil Service Fast Track scheme and vacancies were not included. Figures show the Government recruits just short of 1,000 graduates to the scheme annually. A Government source told The Telegraph today: 'Steve has always been interested in cutting bureaucracy and getting the taxpayer value for money. Read more: Nurses will be PAID to attend management courses and boost chances of landing senior NHS roles Advertisement 'This goes right back to when he was a member of the public accounts committee, after first being elected to Parliament, and his time as chief secretary to the Treasury.' They added: 'In just a few months as Health Secretary, he's been able to significantly reduce the number of civil servants in the Whitehall department, while making sure that more money is going to the front line. 'Be that more money for doctors and nurses or the latest technology, all of which is aimed at cutting waiting lists and getting people better treatment more quickly.' The Telegraph understands the workforce crackdown was made by reducing the use of consultants, voluntary redundancies and a department recruitment freeze. It comes after Mr Barclay in June ordered hospital bosses to hire more doctors and nurses instead of managers. He told NHS trusts in England that the 2.4billion of extra funds being injected, to help stabilise the troubled health service as part of the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan, should be spent on bringing in clinical staff. Under the 15-year staffing plan, it is hoped more than 300,000 extra nurses, doctors, allied health staff and other health workers will be trained and working by 2036/37. A record 7.47million people are currently waiting to start routine hospital treatment, NHS figures for the end of May also show - up from 7.42 million the previous month. This is the highest number since records began for the NHS in England, in 2007. Last year ex-PM Boris Johnson unveiled plans for the near 20 per cent reduction in overall headcount to 'prune' back the civil service to 2016 levels. But Rishi Sunak later announced he had scrapped the target of 91,000 civil service job cuts and ordered departments to find efficiency savings instead. Downing Street said reductions in staff were needed but the government would not be putting a specific number on it. The plan has pledged to increase the NHS permanent workforce by almost a million by 2036/2037. It expects to see a rise from 1.4million to between 2.2 and 2.3million The number of medical school training places will be doubled by 2031/32, taking the total number of places to 15,000. GP training places in England for junior doctors will also increase by 50 per cent to 6,000, the NHS's workforce plan has pledged. Training for pharmacists will also rise by almost 50 per cent to around 5,000 places for 2031/32. Meanwhile, training for clinical psychology and child and adolescent psychotherapy will also be expanded, with places rising by more than a quarter to 1,300 by 2031 A DHSC spokesman said: 'The Health and Social Care Secretary has been working with the department to successfully reduce costs and make sure that more money can be directed to front-line services.' Craig Mackinlay, Conservative MP for South Thanet, said: 'Taxpayers should always rejoice when the Civil Service staff is diminished. 'Not only does it liberate skilled people into the private sector, into the productive sector of the economy, it also makes departments more lean, and in my view more effective. 'Across many government departments, I often wonder what these ranks of people actually do beyond creating bureaucracy and aggravation for the public who pay tax for these services. Well done Steve Barclay.' Meanwhile, Conservative MP for Dudley North, Marco Longhi, added: 'This Government has invested in the NHS like no previous government. 'We are now spending a gargantuan amount of money on our NHS, so much so that the NHS is now the biggest employer in Europe. 'I think most people will be very pleased with this news, especially as we always seem short of doctors and nurses. 'With this money being diverted to the front line, people can hopefully only experience better outcomes as they use this treasured service.' Being exposed to lead early in life is linked to a higher risk of criminal behavior in adulthood, a review suggests. The metal is toxic to the body and has been linked to a host of health issues including kidney disease, infertility and delays in mental development. Common sources include pre-1970s household paintwork, contaminated soil, vintage toys and some traditional medicines and cosmetics but tap water is also a major source with more than 12million lead pipes thought to be in the US. Now a review of 17 studies has concluded that lead exposure in the womb or in early life raises the risk of being arrested in adulthood, particularly for drug-related offences. The above shows the number of lead service lines per state. A service line is a pipe that connects a home to the water mains. Every house has one The above shows the estimated lead exposure risk by census area across the United States. The risk estimate was based on data on the age of houses and poverty levels. Areas with old houses and higher poverty had the highest risk of having lead in the water The scientists did not theorize why people exposed to lead may be more likely to commit crimes later in life. But this may be linked to lead exposure causing a lower IQ and possibly leading to problems with communication, making antisocial behavior more likely. Dr Maria Jose Talayero Schettino, an environmental health scientist who led the study, added: 'Children do not absorb or metabolize lead in the same way as adults and are far more susceptible to the negative impacts of lead exposure due to a hyper-permeable blood-brain barrier and rapidly developing organ systems. 'This review demonstrates an association between exposure to lead and the later development of delinquent, antisocial, and criminal behavior. 'In conjunction with the available biological evidence, this review demonstrates that an excess risk for criminal behavior in adulthood exists when an individual is exposed to lead in utero or within childhood.' Limitations of the review included that not every study involved found a link between lead exposure and a higher risk of committing crime. Another was that it combined studies carried out in the slums of Brazil, the poorest regions of Ohio and the South Island of New Zealand. This makes it hard to establish whether the criminal behavior was down to lead exposure or other factors. But the team from George Washington University, in D.C., said that overall their review suggested that an individual exposed to lead in the womb or early childhood may have a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior as an adult. Writing in the journal Plos Global Public Health, they said: Policy action to prevent lead exposure is of utmost importance as our research shows an excess risk for criminal behavior in adulthood exists when an individual is exposed to lead in utero or during childhood. Preventing lead exposure is crucial to safeguard public health and promote a safer society for all. Common sources include pre-1970s household paintwork, contaminated soil, vintage toys and some traditional medicines and cosmetics. Children exposed to lead early in life are more likely to become criminals, a study suggests (stock image) Tap water is also a potential source, with more than 12million lead pipes still in use across the country particularly in Florida despite them being outlawed in the 1980s. Service pipes which connect homes to the water mains are still made of lead, estimates suggest, which pose a risk as the lead can come off and contaminate the water. There are also fears over wider contamination in the US as lead dumped by factories and mines seeps into the local water supply, putting residents at risk. Once absorbed, the lead travels in the bloodstream and accumulates in soft tissue such as the kidneys, liver and lungs which can over time lead to problems for these organs. The substance is also able to cross the blood-brain barrier and damage neurons, leading to problems with learning, IQ and developmental delays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no safe blood level of lead for children, with parents advised to keep their children away from the substance. It is often difficult to see warning signs of lead exposure, although over time this can lead to a lower IQ, decreased ability to pay attention and underperformance at school. Leprosy an ancient disease thought to be resigned to history may now be endemic in Florida, health officials warn. The Centers for Disese Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert to doctors today, urging them to consider the disease as a possible diagnosis. Florida is the top state for leprosy cases in the US, accounting for a fifth of the 159 cases detected in 2020 the latest date available. About a third of infections were thought to have occurred on American soil. Leprosy, or Hansen's Disease, is caused by a bacteria spread via droplets that attacks the skin, nerves and mucous membranes in the lungs. The disease, if left untreated, can cause severe disabilities including blindness and the curling of the hands and feet. Leprosy, if left untreated, can cause severe disabilities including blindness and the curling of the hands and feet. (Stock image) The above graph shows leprosy cases in the US by year over the last decade But it is difficult to catch, with many patients having to spend months in close contact with an infected patient in order to catch the disease. Issuing their warning, the CDC said in a letter: 'Travel to this area, even in the absence of other risk factors, should prompt consideration of leprosy in the appropriate clinical context. 'By increasing local physician efforts to report incidence and supporting further research to assess routes of transmission, a congruent effort can be made to identify and reduce spread of the disease.' But, what is leprosy? How can you avoid it? And can the disease be cured? What is leprosy? Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to man with records dating back as far as the ancient Egyptians more than 4,500 years ago. It is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, which is spread from sufferers via contaminated droplets expelled from coughs or sneezes. The bacteria multiply slowly inside their new host once they are breathed in, meaning symptoms of the disease may not show up for years. The Cleveland Clinic says it takes three to five years for patients to start to show symptoms although, in some cases, this can take as long as two decades. The bacteria attacks the skin, nerves and mucous membranes, which causes symptoms such as skin lesions, nodules and thick dry skin in the early stages. Without treatment, this can lead to irreversible damage to nerves sparking a loss of feeling in hands and feet. Over time this can also cause muscle weakness and, because of the inflammation sparked by the infection, bone reabsorption causing the hands to become clubbed. Throughout much of human history, there has been no effective treatment of the disease. Before modern medicine, communities would often banish sufferers to live in confined leper colonies outside cities or even on islands. But in the 1940s the balance began to shift after doctors discovered the drug dapsone, a man-made antibiotic, which could slow the growth of the bacteria and reduce symptoms. In the 1980s, a multi-drug therapy (MDT) was introduced which combined the drug with two other antibiotics rifampicin and clofazimine to treat the infection. About five million people worldwide had the disease in the 1980s, but by the 2020s this number had dropped 44-fold to about 133,000 cases per year. The World Health Organization now considers leprosy a neglected disease, warning that new cases continue to occur and calling for action to stop it. How can I avoid leprosy? The CDC says that Americans traveling to Florida are at risk of catching leprosy. The disease has also been recorded in smaller numbers in several other states including California, Louisiana, Hawaii, New York and Texas. Cases are normally linked to travelers from countries where treatments aren't readily available. But there are also signs of infections now being acquired locally in the United States. Health authorities say that leprosy is hard to catch and that it won't transmit in standard settings unlike many other diseases such as measles, one of the most transmissible known, and Covid. Brief physical interactions such as shaking hands with a patient, sitting next to them on a bus or train or having a meal together would not lead to transmission. Instead, an individual would need months of regular close contact with an infected patient to be at risk of catching the disease themselves. Pictured above are leper colonies in Spinalonga, Greece (left) and Molokai, Hawaii (Right). People with the disease were sent to these areas to avoid spreading it Shown above is Father Damien with his choir of leper girls at the colony in Molokai, Hawaii, in 1880 How contagious is leprosy? Despite leprosy plaguing humanity for decades, the disease is extremely difficult to catch. For measles, one of the world's most contagious diseases, estimates suggest that one patient can infect as many as nine out of every ten close contacts. But for leprosy, someone must be repeatedly exposed to an untreated infected patient for months in order to catch the disease. Pictured above is a curled hand caused by leprosy in Srinagar, India (2017) The American Academy of Dermatology adds: 'Scientists have learned that to catch leprosy, a healthy person must have months of close contact with someone who has leprosy.' They continue: 'It's believed that the disease spreads when a person who has leprosy coughs or sneezes. If a person repeatedly breathes in the infected droplets, this may spread the disase. '[But] it takes a lot of exposure to catch leprosy. 'If someone has leprosy, a single handshake or a few hours spent sitting next to that person won't spread the disease. You'd have to shake hands or sit next to that person often to get leprosy.' Another reason leprosy struggles to spread is that about 95 percent of humans are estimated to have natural immunity and to already be protected against the disease. Is there a cure for leprosy? There has been a treatment for leprosy available since the 1980s, which has sent cases tumbling over the last half a century. But the process is lengthy, with patients needing to be on the drugs for six months to a year to ensure the bacteria are eradicated. The disease is treated with three drugs: Dapsone and clofazimine, which restrict the bacteria's growth, and rifampicin, which kills the bacteria. The drugs are typically administered as oral tablets, with the amount and order determined by the severity of the infection. Doctors say it is important to complete the treatment to ensure the disease is completely eliminated. This can completely eliminate someone's infection. Treatment for leprosy is free in many countries, including the United States where it is offered by the National Hansen's Disease Program (NHDP). Previous attempts to develop a vaccine against the disease have failed, including a jab from India that was rolled out in the 1970s. Data shows, however, that other vaccines such as the BCG shot do provide protection against leprosy. The vaccine was developed against tuberculosis (TB) and is not routinely offered in the United States, although it can be given to infants and children as well as healthcare workers at high risk of exposure to TB. Refused cover: Personal finance blogger Edmund Greaves was unable to take out a life insurance policy My life has been a wonderful whirlwind this year. I got married, and my new wife and I bought a house. Then we discovered the joyous news that we are expecting a baby in October. So with a new wife and a baby on the way, I decided it was time to take out life insurance. I wanted to ensure my family would be protected and could pay off the mortgage should the worst happen. First stop find an insurer. Vitality was recommended by a friend, so I phoned them to find out the costs involved. Thats as far as I got one of the companys advisers made it clear that I would be declined cover. Its not because Im some sort of politically exposed person as the banks are claiming many of those theyre rejecting are. Neither is it because of a personal health concern, such as an underlying heart condition or a risk of hereditary disease. I have no illnesses, Im a humble personal finance blogger and Im only 34. No, the reason Ive been given is my weight. Simply put, Im too fat. I weighed 159kg (25st) and my body mass index (BMI) was 49.3. BMI, which is a ratio of weight to height, is used to gauge whether someone is a healthy weight. The NHS classifies any score above 30 as obese and above 40 as severely obese. Vitality wont insure anyone with a BMI score over 40.4. The NHSs most recent data warns that more than 1.4million people in England alone are severely obese and the number is rising. Like me, millions could be ineligible for life insurance. This is particularly worrying as some mortgage providers can require you to take out cover before they will lend you money to buy a home. So why are insurers blocking millions of otherwise healthy people from taking out insurance and what can we do about it? Why get life insurance? Life insurance will ensure your family is looked after financially in the event of your death by guaranteeing them a pre-agreed lump sum. Typically, this should be enough to pay off your mortgage. Monthly premiums vary and depend on your age, lifestyle and factors such as if you do a dangerous job. An average level-term policy, which is paid over a fixed period of time that typically runs until the end of a mortgage, costs around 38 a month, according to broker Reassured. Big problem: The NHS classifies any body mass index above 30 as 'obese' and above 40 as 'severely obese'. Leading insurer Vitality won't insure anyone with a BMI score over 40.4 A whole life policy, which pays out no matter when you die, as long as you keep up with your premium payments, can cost around 180 a month. I was denied cover because my weight relative to my height which is 5ft 9in which is used to calculate BMI, was seen as too high and too big a risk factor. Obesity increases the risk of many other health conditions, such as coronary heart disease, some types of cancer and stroke. Vitality says that poorly controlled diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and lifestyle reasons (such as alcohol use) are other common reasons why an insurer may decline cover. Nicky Bray, a chief underwriter for Zurich UK Life, says her firm tends to decline those reporting a BMI above 40. For customers with high BMIs of over 38, applications will be referred to an underwriter to see if we can offer cover. The max BMI we would look to offer is 47 for any age, she adds. Although you may feel fit and healthy, insurance firms can estimate how much of a risk you will be only using your BMI and whether you smoke. Alan Lakey, of adviser Highclere Financial Services, says having a condition such as high blood pressure wont preclude you from getting cover if it is managed successfully, but it will add to your premiums. He adds: Another area that can be an issue is family medical history, particularly with conditions such as breast cancer in women under 40. Someone who has a sister or a mother with a diagnosis can be refused. What to do if youre declined Specialist brokers such as Cura, Moneysworth and Pulse help to secure cover for people with underlying health conditions or extreme hobbies, says Lakey. In some cases, measures such as BMI can unintentionally lead to wrongful policy refusals. For example, professional rugby players can have very high BMIs because of their disproportionate muscle mass. Warning sign: Obesity increases the risk of many other health conditions, such as coronary heart disease, some types of cancer and stroke, which is why insurers may not offer cover In such cases, it is better to go through a broker who could help you get cover by taking your circumstances into account. BMI itself is a controversial measurement, with some doctors questioning whether its too simplistic a tool to determine whether someone is overweight. Brokers typically consider applications more carefully and dont rely on computer modelling to find policies for customers. Vitality recommends finding a specialist broker at biba.org.uk/ find-insurance. Consider this route if you feel you have been wrongly turned down. Karina Hutchins, head of mortgages at digital advice firm OpenMoney, says: Just because one insurer says no doesnt mean they all will. Find an adviser who can compare insurers to make sure they place you with the right policy for your circumstances. Reversal of fortune The good news in my case is that, with hard work, the rejection can be reversed. A spokesman for Vitality says: Ongoing medical issues can often be resolved, so while you may initially have been declined, once these reasons have been addressed a second application may be accepted. Ive paused my search for insurance while I tackle the underlying problem: Ive started losing weight and have brought my BMI down to 44.4. I have also set myself the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2024, which Im doing on behalf of Marie Curie in memory of my late mum (check out my fundraiser here). Being turned down for life insurance shakes you. But I am determined to do the right thing for my family so they are protected if something should happen to me. The younger you are, the cheaper your monthly premium will be, and once cover is in place, any future changes in your health will not impact the policy. Emma Walker, of broker LifeSearch, says: Unlike general insurance, if you buy a life insurance policy for, say, 25 years, the cover and premiums are fixed for its term. And you do not need to tell the insurer about any changes in your health. Britons change their car nearly twice as frequently as the European average, according to a recent study. A survey of drivers across eight European countries found that three in five UK drivers (58 per cent) shop for a used car every one to three years, while 27 per cent swap their vehicle every four to six years. By contrast, across Europe less than a third of motorists (30 per cent) buy a second-hand motor every 12 to 36 months, while 36 per cent buy a replacement ever four to six years. And only seven per cent wait seven to ten years to purchase another motor. It means that more than half of UK drivers are likely to change their vehicle at least twice before the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. Britons replace their cars more frequently than European neighbours: Almost 60% of UK drivers say they change vehicles every 1-3 years, while just 30% in Europe replace them that often The poll of 3,000 drivers across seven European nations as well as the UK has been conducted by vehicle history checker provider, CarVertical. It found that, after the UK, drivers in Poland are the second most likely to buy their next used car within one and three years of having purchased their current motor. Over a third of Polish drivers (35 per cent) said they change their motor every one to three years. While fewer than one in ten Britons wait between seven and ten years to replace their current car, over a fifth of French motorists cling onto their vehicles for this period of time. With the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars at the turn of the decade, it means the majority of Britons are likely change their vehicle on two more occasions before then. With the rise in popularity of motor finance - particularly Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) - drivers of new cars acquired through this type of arrangement are also most likely to switch-up their vehicles every three years, which is the most common contract period for finance deals. Vehicle leasing also tends to dictate that drivers replace their cars more often than they would if they bought a motor outright. Fewer than one in ten Britons change their car every 7-10 years but in France over a fifth wait this long before considering replacing their current motor Matas Buzelis, car expert at carVertical, said: 'Britain is a nation of car lovers, and they replace their vehicles much more frequently than their European counterparts. 'Thankfully the huge range of cars on the UKs used car market means there are vehicles to suit any change in circumstances, whether thats to accommodate a growing family or to swap to a greener model. 'With UK drivers changing their cars so frequently, it is vital that people get the full picture of any car they are interested in - so they dont end up overspending on a damaged car or getting caught out by fraudsters.' Which used models sell faster than others? With Britons changing their cars so regularly, CarVertical claims there are certain models that sell much faster than others. And it is Skodas that it believes are being snapped up quickest on the second-hand market, which it says is based on a combination of market and government data. The Czech brand's Kodiaq SUV is the fastest selling used car of all, with the average example taking just 19.5 days to sell, the company said. Skodas smaller Karoq SUV came in second place in the fastest seller league table collated by CarVertical. CarVertical claims the fastest-selling used cars are both Skodas - the Kodiaq (left) and Karoq (right) SUVs Fastest - and slowest -selling used cars FASTEST SELLING 1. Skoda Kodiaq - 19.5 days 2. Skoda Karoq - 19.9 days 3. Volkswagen Touareg - 20 days 4. Suzuki Ignis - 20.4 days 5. Ssangyong Tivoli - 20.6 days 6. Seat Ateca - 20.8 days 7. Volkswagen Arteon - 21 days 8. Suzuki Swift - 21.4 days 9. Volkswagen Tiguan - 21.5 days 10. Seat Arona - 21.8 days SLOWEST SELLING 1. Porsche Boxster - 48.4 days 2. Porsche 911 - 48.4 days 3. Volkswagen ID.3 - 42.1 days 4. BMW Z4 - 41.5 days 5. Volkswagen Amarok - 41.4 days 6. Porsche Cayenne - 40.8 days 7. Mitsubishi L200 - 39.1 days 8. Kia Soul - 38.9 days 9. DS 3 - 38.5 days 10. BMW 6 Series - 38.4 days Source: CarVertical The Porsche Boxster is the mainstream car that takes the longest period to sell, the company says. However, the average of 48.4 days is likely due to the fact demand for two-seat convertibles is far lower than models like big SUVs However, this information does conflict with exclusive data supplied to This is Money by AutoTrader - the nation's biggest used car market place. Last week it told us that the model with the shortest selling time of all is BMW's X1. The compact SUV flies off forecourts in just a week and a half, it claimed. The data is based on the average selling time recorded on one of the leading used car online marketplaces between June 2022 and June 2023. It said that during this period the average time between first advertising and selling a second-hand car in the UK is just over a month (34 days). At the opposite end of the CarVertical's spectrum, the UKs slowest selling used car is the Porsche Boxster, which takes more than twice as long as both Skodas to sell, taking nearly 50 days on average. Britain has immense vision and ambition for big projects to drive higher productivity and a better economic future. But the ability of government, regulators and managers to deliver is feeble. Advocates of HS2 cannot but be appalled by the way that public confidence in a transforming infrastructure project is being undermined by leadership upheavals, budget over-runs and internecine wars over the Euston terminal in London. The scheme has only become unachievable, in the words of the Infrastructure & Projects Authority, because those responsible for the system became bogged down in planning disputes and ballooning costs. The benefits of high-speed travel and the fast growing economic zones which follow are evident across the globe from Japan to France. World leader: The UK, with its world class research universities, needs to be a key player sucking in skills from across the globe The Great British Nuclear project could suffer a similar fate. As former Rolls-Royce boss Sir John Rose told the Mail on Sunday, it is self-defeating for the Government to be putting out the contract for Small Modular Reactors (SMR) to tender. The UK has already committed 200million to the project and Rolls-Royce has pioneering technology. Overseas electrical giants GEC and Hitachi stand ready to eat the UKs cake. Former Business Secretary Greg Clark, now chairing a Commons science and technology committee, argues the UKs plan to deliver 24-gigawats of nuclear energy by 2050 requires investment three times our current capacity. Beyond Hinkley Point 3 in Somerset, where EDF is delivering, plans are so nebulous as to be almost worthless. Then there is Horizon. The Windsor Framework signalled that the UK could re-join the EUs flagship 82billion science project. The UK, with its world class research universities, needs to be a key player sucking in skills from across the globe. Instead, Britains participation is being held up by pettifogging disputes over the fiscal contribution. The UKs life sciences firms and universities are desperate to prevent a brain drain of talent and facilities. With willpower, Britain is capable of amazing engineering. Users of the Elizabeth Line could provide testimony to that. The Thames Tideway is moving towards completion. There is much unfinished infrastructure work, including the third runway at Heathrow. The bounce back in the skies this year makes it clear that the UK will need a new runway in the face of Continental and Gulf competition. Unless Britain is bold and starts delivering, using our science and engineering prowess, the country will slip further down the output-per-capita G7 league table. Fibre optics BT chairman Adam Crozier and the BT board lost no time in choosing a chief executive to replace Philip Jansen. The selection of non-executive director Allison Kirkby, with a track record at Swedens telecommunications giant Telia, looks sensible. Her appointment means that BT and Vodafone, Britains underperforming telecoms giants, will have women at the controls. Margherita Della Valle moved in the C suite at Vodafone in April. Kirkbys first task is execution. BT is on a promise to deliver full-fibre broadband to the whole of the UK by 2026 and has committed 12billion to the project. The importance of connecting up Britain should not be under-estimated. Faster growing economies, such as South Korea and Spain, managed to get there first. Jansen recognised this had to be done and won 5billion or so of support from government. But he has been frustrated by the inability to turn around a sagging share price. Among the less compelling tasks for Kirkby will be to dismantle the 55,000 army of technicians rolling out the fast fibre. As if that isnt enough she also is saddled with the Patrick Drahi overhang. The Swiss-Israeli billionaire who has been building a stake in BT may not be done yet. Tobacco road BAT rightly is not in the mood to give up a London listing dating back to 1912. This is in spite of the urgings of US-based investor GQG. The tobacco groups recently appointed Brazilian chief executive Tadeu Marroco notes that Wall Street has full access to BAT equity through American depositary receipts (ADRs). Moreover, BAT might, for ethical reasons, have difficulty landing in a US index. In resisting a shift, BAT follows the lead of two other FTSE giants, HSBC and Unilever. When they explored the height of the fences, they eventually pulled up. Another defeat for the Citys detractors. Early in July, Helium One announced the acquisition of a drill rig. The deal looks to be a game-changer for the company, and the market certainly thought so: shares in Helium One jumped by nearly 100 per cent (now 8.8p) on the news. But that could be just a taste of things to come. Ownership of the rig will allow Helium One to set its own terms when it comes to drilling the potential huge Rukwa project in Tanzania later this year. Hitherto, rig availability has been tight, and getting the right kind of rig for the job has been even trickier. Market surge: Shares in Helium One jumped by nearly 100 per cent after it announced the acquisition of a drill rig ealrier this month 'Everybody recognised the challenges we faced in Tanzania getting an oil and gas type drilling rig,' says Lorna Blaisse, who was appointed chief executive of the company in February. Prior to her promotion, Blaisse was Helium One's principal geologist, so perhaps more than anyone she knew what was at stake, following the mixed results of the first round of drilling. 'We knew that going into the second round of drilling we would need to have a robust rig,' she says. 'The sale of this rig came onto our radar a couple of months ago and we acted quickly.' Previously Helium One had stated its intention to start a new round of drilling by the end of the third quarter of this year, and the acquisition means that that deadline will now be met. The rig is due to arrive at site shortly, and the expectation is that the Tai-C well will be drilled in September. Crucially, unlike the rig used in the last campaign, this new rig is one that was designed for use in the oil and gas industry. The most obvious difference between this rig and a mining rig that was used before is that it is much more powerful. The new Helium One-owned rig will drill the target reservoir section in standard 8.5inch hole, as opposed to the 3.5inch hole drilled in the previous round of drilling. It is a larger rig with a top drive system and, can therefore drill more efficiently. The new rig is capable of drilling down to depths of between 2,000-metres and -2,400 metres, although the Tai prospect that Helium One is aiming for is reckoned to sit at around 1,200 metres. The plan is to spend 30 days drilling, including logging and down-hole sampling, and then to wrap it up and assess the results. All told, the results are likely to be far more conclusive. That will make a nice contrast to the earlier round of drilling, which lingered on for months as the company grappled with various issues associated with the mining rig it was using. 'We're anticipating a September spud,' says Blaisse. 'First we need to crew the rig, complete the civils work and prepare the wellsite.' That work includes upgrading access roads and placing a camp close to the wellsite. But it won't take long. The company is fully funded for the planned well, following a 10million fundraise in December last year, and there may even be enough for a second well, depending on outcomes. 'Fundamentally, we want to secure a discovery at Tai,' says Blaisse. 'The Tai-1/-1A well was very encouraging, although we weren't able to reach our total depth nor run a full set of wireline logs. We did have shows, but unless you've got wireline log data to determine pay zones, then you've no way of quantifying your results The expectation is that this time round the drilling work will be far more definitive. And if, as Blaisse hopes, Helium One does make a discovery, the potential scale is likely to be very significant. At the end of May a competent person's report reckoned that there might be as much as 2.8billion cubic feet of helium at Tai alone, an amount that equates to around half of the current global demand. There are other prospects too, in Rukwa, although Tai has consistently been identified as the lowest geological risk and highest chance of success. Nevertheless, the titillating prospect remains that there could be even more helium under licence at Rukwa than even the competent person's report modelled. But one thing at a time. The key is to get cracking at Tai-C, and see how things develop from there. If a discovery is made, investor interest is likely to be huge and the potential for a re-rating very high. After all, the global demand for helium is at an all-time high, and Helium One is the primary helium explorer in Tanzania. Almost all the other helium that gets produced is produced as a by-product of hydrocarbons. And if a discovery is made, how long would it take to move it to production? The answer is: not too long. Tanzania has been a reasonably benign jurisdiction to operate in as far as Helium One is concerned, and the government is keen to secure a strategic position for the country as one of the major players in helium production. So, changing Helium One's exploration licence to a production licence is reckoned to be a relatively straightforward process. Production, says Blaisse, could come as soon as 18 months after a discovery. So this is a company that could get very big, very quickly. Watch this space. To read more small-cap news click here: www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk. BT has appointed a female boss for the first time in its history. In a surprise move, the telecoms giant announced that Allison Kirkby, who has served on the BT board as a non-executive director since 2019, will take over from Philip Jansen by the end of January next year. Her swift appointment wrong-footed many industry observers, with Marc Allera, the head of BTs consumer arm, having been widely tipped as the most likely successor. Kirkbys impending arrival restores some much-needed female leadership to the FTSE 100. Alison Rose quit as NatWest boss last week after being caught up in the fallout after former Ukip leader Nigel Farages account was closed by private bank Coutts, owned by NatWest. Called up: BT announced that Allison Kirkby (pictured), the current head of Swedish telecoms giant Telia, will take over as chief exec by the end of January next year It means that for the first time, the UKs two biggest telecoms firms will be run by women, with rival Vodafone appointing Margherita Della Valle to the top job earlier this year. Women also have a strong presence in the boardrooms of the UKs top water, defence and insurance companies. Anita Frew is chairman at Rolls-Royce, Cressida Hogg holds the same position at defence group BAE Systems and Ruth Cairnie at engineering giant Babcock. In the insurance sector, Amanda Blanc runs Aviva, and Milena Mondini de Focatiis is chief executive at Admiral. Kirkby, 56, who has headed Swedish telecoms group Telia since 2020, will be paid a base salary of 1.1million on her appointment as BTs chief executive but will also be eligible for an annual bonus and share awards that could quadruple the figure. Im incredibly honoured to have been appointed, she said. Our products and services have never been more important to how our customers live and work, and thanks to the significant investment BT is putting into digital infrastructure and in the modernisation of its services, I see us playing an even more important role going forward. BT chairman Adam Crozier added: The board is delighted to have appointed Allison as our new chief executive. She is a proven leader, with deep sector experience and a history of having transformed businesses. Kirkbys appointment followed news this month that 56-year-old Jansen would be leaving the business early next year. He will remain available to the company until March to support the hand over, after which BT said he planned to retire from executive life. But Kirkby potentially faces a frosty reception from some of BTs investors after 12 per cent voted against her re-appointment to the board at the firms AGM earlier this month amid concerns she held too many positions. Aside from her non-executive role at BT Britains biggest telecoms group which also owns the EE mobile network and being the boss of Telia, Kirkby also serves as a non-executive director of Canadian asset manager Brookfield. Many analysts predict she will continue to push ahead with the strategy drawn up by her predecessor, which is aiming to rapidly expand BTs fibre broadband network across the UK while also cutting up to 55,000 jobs by the end of the decade. BT plays a pivotal and high-profile role in the upgrading of the UKs digital infrastructure. This has resulted in pressure from the Government, the regulator, customers and competitors. The FTSE 100 group has been hit by the rising costs of labour, energy and construction. Karen Egan at Enders Analysis said Kirkby would be more of a continuity candidate which made sense as BT is mainly trying to stay the course. This was echoed by Paolo Pescatore at PP Foresight, who said the appointment suggests the strategy is unlikely to change. Pearson posted healthy profits as it tried to reassure investors over the threat of artificial intelligence. The educational resources group said profits surged 24 per cent to 236million, and sales increased 5 per cent to 1.8billion in the six months to the end of June. Chief executive Andy Bird told shareholders that the group was making progress in its long-standing AI capabilities hoping to calm previous fears that the technology was a threat to its business model. Almost 1billion was wiped off the stock market value of the FTSE 100 firm earlier this year after a US rival admitted that the rise of ChatGPT which creates human-like content using generative AI was hurting business. California-based online learning service Chegg largely blamed the chat bot for its 5 per cent drop in subscribers in May sending Pearson shares down as much as 15 per cent in one day as a result. Top marks: Educational resources group said profits surged 24%, while sales were up 5% six months to the end of June But in a bid to lift spirits, Bird said yesterday that several AI businesses had already expressed interest in using Pearsons educational content to train their large language models. Pearson has been using AI-based features in their English Language Learning product for years but recently added a generative AI tool to Pearson+, a learning hub that offers online study tools. There have been concerns among teachers and educators that AI could be used by students to cheat on exams or plagiarise essays. But Pearson said AI was embedded into its operations and that it would be exploring more ways to utilise the tech. Steve Clayton, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Pearson was one of the many firms jumping on the AI bandwagon. Pearson at least has the advantage of being a knowledge-led business with a long history of deploying leading technologies in its field, he said. The company has also been working on reframing itself as a technology firm, exploring how it can incorporate the so-called metaverse and virtual reality into its teaching. Pearson said it was on track to meet full-year targets, boosted by booming demand for English language learning in the first half of 2023. Assessment and qualifications were a bright spot, with sales up 7 per cent, alongside English language learning and tests sales, which were up 44 per cent on the same time last year. Analysts at JP Morgan had previously backed Pearsons ability to ride out the AI boom. They said they did not regard ChatGPT as an alternative to Pearsons resources, adding: The difference is that Pearson provides the content and sets the questions whereas Chegg and ChatGPT provide answers to those questions. Earlier this year the group said demand for English language learning courses skyrocketed because of loosening travel restrictions enabling more people to take the companys English tests. But virtual learning sales fell by 15 per cent and higher education revenues dipped 2 per cent, a stark shift from their boom during the pandemic. A spokesman said: Our excellent performance in the first half of 2023 means we are confident of achieving our full year expectations. Pearson shares dropped 0.6 per cent yesterday and are down nearly 10 per cent in the year to date. Belfast docks were boosted after Harland & Wolff won a vessel refurbishment contract worth up to 70million. The shipbuilding company which was founded in 1861 has landed a deal to upgrade a large craft for an as yet unnamed client. It is expected to be in the dry dock in Belfast for five months, through to early 2024. Harland & Wolffs drydock in Belfast is the biggest in the UK. As part of the project, 5million is being made available to the company to start work before the craft arrives. Full ahead: Shipbuilding company Harland & Wolff - which was founded in 1861 - has landed a deal to upgrade a large craft for an as yet unnamed client In July, Harland & Wolff won a contract from the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency worth 55million to regenerate a former Royal Navy mine-hunting ship. And in April, the Belfast shipyard delivered its first completed vessel in more than two decades when a barge was delivered to London-based waste management firm Cory. The shipyards iconic yellow cranes are known by the locals as Samson & Goliath, a symbol of Belfasts once-mighty shipbuilding industry. Debt drive: Luxury car maker Aston Martin has unveiled plans to raise another 210m of funding Aston Martin has unveiled plans to raise another 210million of funding to help speed up efforts to cut down its debt pile. The cash call is backed by the luxury car makers largest investors, including the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund and Chinese rival Geely. Aston announced the share placing had already secured 115million of its total from major shareholders, with its biggest investor the Yew Tree consortium, led by executive chairman and Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, having agreed to provide a 44million cash injection. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, meanwhile, will stump up 37million with Geely providing 15million and German giant Mercedes-Benz another 19million. Aston said the proceeds would allow it to pay back some of its debts early as well as provide more support to its efforts to develop electric cars. Aston Martin has raised 216million from shareholders to cut down its debt pile following yesterday's cash call. The company said some 58.2million new shares at 371 pence per share have been subscribed to, representing a 6.2 per cent discount to the stock's closing price on Monday. Of these, just over 1million were snapped up by retail investors for 4million. Cash call: Aston Martin got 4m backing from retail investors Aston Martin executive chairman, Lawrence Stroll, said: 'This successful share placing builds on the actions we have taken to create shareholder value. 'Supported by the company's improved financial position, the placing will allow us to meaningfully deleverage the balance sheet and accelerate our journey to become sustainably free cash flow positive. 'The tremendous backing from our largest shareholders along with the strong appetite from institutional and retail investors also demonstrates the continued confidence in Aston Martin and our future direction.' Yesterday, the company announced the share placing had already secured 115million of its total from major shareholders. Its biggest investor the Yew Tree consortium, led by executive chairman and Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, agreed to provide a 44million cash injection. Today, Aston Martin said Yew Tree has agreed to subscribe for a further 15.7million shares, taking its total cash injection to around 58.2million. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, meanwhile, stumped up 37million with Geely providing 15million and German giant Mercedes-Benz another 19million. Aston Martin shares fell 4.3 per cent to 378.40p in morning trading on Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump was hit with federal criminal charges over his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 election, with a grand jury indictment accusing him of spreading 'lies' and 'sham' investigations while stoking an 'angry' mob on January 6. Trump is facing four counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and obstruct the electoral count for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The 45-page indictment says he was 'determined to remain in power' despite 'having lost.' Special Counsel Jack Smith said in a televised public statement following the release of the indictment that the attack on the Capitol was 'fueled by lies' made by Trump 'targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the U.S. government - the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.' He pledged that his office will conduct a 'speedy' trial. The former president, who is facing a maximum of 55 years in prison on the four counts, has been summoned to appear in court on Thursday in Washington, D.C. His case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan - an Obama appointee who has a track record of being the 'toughest punisher' of Jan 6 rioters. Trump and his six unnamed co-conspirators 'used knowingly false claims of election fraud' to try to 'subvert the legitimate election results and change electoral votes' to take down Joe Biden, according to the indictment. Trump is already facing 40 federal charges in Florida relating to his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving office, and is due to stand trial in New York next year accused of falsifying business documents after making a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Special Counsel Jack Smith (right) has led the federal investigation into former President Donald Trump and his attempts to stay in power after the 2020 election In brief remarks outside an event in Philadelphia tonight, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that career employees of the Justice Department 'engaged in what has become the largest investigation in our history.' 'In order to underline the department's commitment to accountability and independence, Mr. Smith and his team of experienced principled career agents and prosecutors have followed the facts and the law wherever they lead,' Garland, who appointed Jack Smith as special counsel in November, told reporters. 'Any questions about this matter will have to be answered by the filings made.' The criminal cases have plunged the country into uncharted legal and political territory, as Trump accuses prosecutors of trying to derail his election campaign. The latest indictment comes amid a slew of investigations into the events of January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters clashed with police and overran the U.S. Capitol, and the way the then-president tried to overturn the result. A source familiar had confirmed to DailyMail.com that Trump was informed he was indicted Tuesday afternoon in the January 6 case. The Trump campaign put out a statement calling the indictment another 'witch hunt' and comparing the U.S. to Nazi Germany. The January 6 indictment is 'nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election, in which President Trump is the undisputed frontrunner, and leading by substantial margins' read the statement. 'The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes,' the campaign statement continues. 'President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution, with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys.' 'These un-American witch hunts will fail and President Trump will be re-elected to the White House so he can save our Country from the abuse, incompetence, and corruption that is running through the veins of our Country at levels never seen before.' The six uncharged co-conspirators appear to be familiar figures from the House January 6 probe. They 'pushed officials in certain states to ignore the popular vote,' and in turn 'disenfranchised millions of voters.' It points to their actions in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all battleground states that Biden carried that tipped the election his way. It accuses them of using the 'power and authority' of the DOJ to conduct 'sham' election crime investigations. The first co-conspirator is said to be an attorney 'who was willing to spread knowingly false claims and pursue strategies' to assist Trump's 2020 campaign. Co-conspirator 2 is an attorney who 'devised' a strategy to leverage former Vice President Mike Pence's authority. Like the House probe, it identifies the effort to enlist then-Vice President Pence to use his 'ceremonial role' to 'fraudulently alter the election results.' The indictment also references the 'large and angry crowd' who had been 'deceived' by the defendant Trump. The indictment states they made 'knowingly false claims of election fraud' to 'gathered supporters' on January 6 and 'directed them to the Capitol to obstruct the certification proceeding and exert pressure' on Pence. Co-conspirator 3 is described as an attorney who the defendant privately said sounded 'crazy' a likely reference to Sidney Powell, who advised Trump during his last days in the White House. The indicted also references a DOJ official as co-conspirator 4 who 'worked on civil matters,' which could be referring to former official Jeff Clark, who helped draft a letter urging states to return alternate slates of electors. The fifth co-conspirator - another attorney - devised and 'attempted to implement a plan to submit 'fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding. Co-conspirator 6 is described as a 'political consultant' who helped with the plan to submit fraudulent electors. Trump and co-conspirators 'exploited the disruption by redoubling efforts to levy false claims of election fraud,' it continues. The indictment continues on to say Trump and his co-conspirators 'knowingly' made false claims that there had been 'outcome-determinative' fraud in the elections. It charges them with 'prolific lies about election fraud' including 'dozens of specific claims' in states. They were false, and Trump 'knew they were false,' it says. It also touts a slew of top officials who told Trump there was not such fraud. Trump's 'knowingly false statements' were 'integral to his criminal plans to defeat the federal government function,' it says. It labels as knowingly false statements letters A through F. That included claiming 10,000 dead voters in Georgia and an allegedly 'suspicious vote dump in Detroit.' After Nov. 13, when Trump's lawyers admitted in court they lost Arizona, they carried out a strategy of 'knowing deceit.' Special Counsel Jack Smith said in a televised public statement following the release of the indictment that the attack on the Capitol was 'fueled by lies' by Trump The indictment also quotes from Pence's 'contemporaneous notes,' and says Trump falsely told him DOJ was 'finding major infractions.' Trump called Pence on December 25, 2020. Pence called to wish him Merry Christmas, it says, but Trump pressured him about January 6. On New Year's Day, Trump called Pence and 'berated him' for opposing a lawsuit stating he had the authority to reject or return votes to the states. It cites Pence's notes again, saying Trump told him, 'Bottom linewon every state by 100,000s of votes,' and even told him, 'We won every state.' As crowds gathered in D.C. on January 5, Trump 'remarked to advisors that the crowd the following day on January 6 'was going to be 'angry.' It also quotes from members of the January 6 crowd who changed 'Hang Mike Pence!' and 'Where is Pence?' Bring him out!' and 'Traitor Pence.' It says Trump 'refused' to approve a message directing rioters to leave the Capitol, despite pleadings by his advisors amid the chaos. Pence put out a statement following the indictment, saying it serves as an important reminder that 'anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States...Our country is more important than one man.' It also quotes his 3 p.m. phone call with now-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, telling him 'that the crowd at the Capitol was more upset about the election than the Minority Leader was.' And it quotes Trump's infamous 4:17 p.m. tweet on Jan. 6 saying, 'See, this is what happens when they try to steal an election.' And one at 6:01 p.m. stating, 'These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long.' The indictment also quotes last-ditch efforts to lobby senators to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by seeking to delay certification, building on information from the House probe and press reports. It says Trump through aides tried to reach two senators. Trump and Giuliani have previously been identified as accidentally phoning Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, in an effort to reach Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. It says co-conspirator 1 placed calls to five U.S. senators, and that co-conspirator 6 attempted to confirm phone numbers for six senators who Trump had directed co-conspirator 1 to call and attempt to enlist in further delaying the certification. Giuliani has previously been identified as trying to leave a voicemail for Tuberville saying the only strategy we can follow is to object to numerous states. It quoted co-conspirator 1 as claiming in a message intended for another senator claiming that illegal immigrants voted in substantial numbers in Arizona and that 65,000 underage people voted in Georgia. It concludes by saying Trump did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with co-conspirators, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to corruptly obstruct and impeded an official proceeding, that is, the certification of the electoral vote. The indictment notes Trumps First Amendment rights even to make false claims and points to possible Trump defenses at trial. The Defendant had a right, like every American, to speak publicly about the election and even to claim, falsely, that there had been outcome-determinative fraud during the election and that he had won. But it notes that his legal challenges were unsuccessful and that he also pursued unlawful means, the indictment continues. Trump previewed that he was expecting to be indicted around 5 p.m. in a Truth Social post Tuesday. 'I hear that Deranged Jack Smith, in order to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024, will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your favorite President, me, at 5:00 P.M.,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Tuesday afternoon. 'Why didn't they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct!' The federal grand jury that was hearing evidence in Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election handed up an indictment under seal shortly after 5 p.m. No name or initial was read indicating the identity of the defendant. The former president added in a follow-up post: 'Also, why are they putting out another Fake Indictment the day after the Crooked Joe Biden SCANDAL, one of the biggest in American history, broke out in the Halls of Congress??? A Nation In Decline!' He referred to the testimony of Hunter Biden's business partner Devon Archer on Monday, who said that then-Vice President Joe sat in on at least 20 business calls with his son and his foreign associates. Republicans are considering launching an impeachment inquiry for the president based on Archer's revelations and accounts from whistleblowers. 'Why didn't they bring this ridiculous case 2.5 years ago? They wanted it right in the middle of my campaign, that's why! Special Counsel Jack Smith was appointed last year to lead the federal probe. In June, he brought charges in the documents case while continuing to present Jan. 6 evidence to a grand jury sitting in Washington D.C. Trump has always denied wrongdoing. But he revealed a few weeks ago that he had received a letter from the Justice Department indicating that he was a target of its Jan. 6 investigation. Such letters are generally an indication that the target will face charges. 'Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter stating that I am a target of the January 6th grand jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the grand jury, which almost always means an arrest and an indictment,' he posted on his Truth Social site. Once again, the former president managed to blow up the news cycle and his 2024 rivals' plans by revealing the latest legal twist himself. He added in all caps: 'This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement.' Smith, whose most recent role was prosecuting war crimes, has cast a wide net over Trump's efforts to stay in power. That includes examining lawyers who pushed to reverse results, proposals to seize voting machines, fundraising for the Jan. 6 protest, as well as a plan to use a slate of 'fake electors' in states won by Joe Biden to upend the certification process. Jared Kushner (left), Trump's son-in-law who served as a White House adviser, and Rudy Giuliani (right), Trump's personal lawyer, have spoken with prosecutors They interviewed Trump's vice president, Mike Pence, who was pressured to reject the 2020 result, adviser Rudy Giuliani, and local election officials. So far, none of the charges appear to have undermined Trump's dominant position in the Republican Party. He remains the clear frontrunner to secure its 2024 nomination and has used the indictment to raise money and foment anger among his supporters. Several rivals even leapt to his defense, part of an elaborate dance as they look to woo voters tired of Trump's drama while at the same time trying not to alienate his supporters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Trump should have done more to halt violence on Jan. 6, but said that did not amount to criminal activity. Trump appeared in Miami's federal court last month, facing 37 counts in relation to accusations of illegally retaining classified documents at his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate 'Let me be perfectly clear: I did nothing wrong. I am completely innocent,' said one. 'This is just another vicious act of election interference on behalf of the deep state to try and stop the silent majority from having a voice in your own country.' It is a part of a familiar playbook that has helped Trump raise millions of dollars off each set of charges. And more legal challenges could follow. Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating Trump and his allies over allegations of election interference in the state. Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com Pictured: Dejan 'Danny' Radulovic, 29, who died on Saturday The mother of a 29-year-old man who was bashed, stabbed and left for dead in a wealthy Sydney suburb is battling cancer and distraught over 'her baby'. Dejan 'Danny' Radulovic was beaten and knifed multiple times in the torso by two men at about 3.40pm on Saturday on on Donnelly Street in Balmain, in the city's inner-west. His killers fled the scene in a white Jeep, before dumping it and setting it alight on a residential street in nearby Five Dock. They are still on the run. The young victim was raced to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and underwent emergency surgery, but doctors were unable to save his life. Mr Radulovic was on parole for drug supply at the time, and police suspect the attack was a drug-related dispute. A family friend told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Radulovic mother, Liliana Jovanovic, is heartbroken - 'she's suffering a lot,' they said. 'She's got cancer, she needs a back operation due to the condition she has and it's making her life extremely hard to get around without help.' 'She needs stable housing, as she is in temporary accommodation and it's not fair for her to be in this position going through what she is.' Mr Radulovic's self-described sister Dolliana (pictured) said she's 'never going to get over' his death, adding there were things she wanted to tell him, but the opportunity as ripped away Dejan 'Danny' Radulovic's family paid tribute to him after he was fatally stabbed over the weekend (pictured) The family friend explained Ms Jovanovic's other son has been in a mental health ward for the past week, and that Mr Radulovic was 'her baby'. 'He will forever be loved, cherished and missed by not only his family, but his friends and those who have had the opportunity to hear about how much his mother loves him,' the friend said. 'May Danny rest in peace.' Mr Radulovic's self-described sister Dolliana said she's 'never going to get over' his death, adding there were things she wanted to tell him, but the opportunity as ripped away. 'I just hope he rests peacefully,' she said. 'He was a genuine human being. He was so good to everybody around him. My heart hurts talking about it. It wasnt his time.' Ms Jovanovic wrote her own tribute to her son the day after his death, on Sunday evening. 'To all friends and family just to let you know that [a] tragedy has happen,' she wrote on Facebook. 'There's [a] gathering held in remembrance of my son Danny, everyone is welcome.' Friends and family members flooded the comments section with tributes - remembering him as a 'special' person with the 'kindest heart'. His sister Lara said, 'my brother/best friend is gone and I can't believe I'm not in Sydney to come to his funeral'. His mother, Liliana Jovanovic (pictured) has cancer and is struggling with the death of her son 'Watching over us as god has gained one of his strongest soldiers. Love you. Gone but never forgotten.' Police believe Mr Radulovic had low-level links to organised crime. He was released on parole in April after serving nine of a 16-month jail sentence for drug supply. He was also convicted of possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit and possessing ammunition, and was sentenced to a community corrections order that was still in place when he died. Detective Chief Inspector Grant Watson from the Leichhardt Command said on Sunday that police are investigating connections to organised crime. 'The two males who were involved in this incident are described as Maori or Pacific Islander appearance,' he said. 'They were seen fleeing from a burning vehicle and they then entered another vehicle which was a light-coloured Toyota Hilux.' Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Leichhardt Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A six-year-old girl who died after her leg was severed by the propeller of a boat that her mother was driving has been described as a 'wonderful blessing'. Little Sunni Wasden died after the 'tragic incident' on Lake Pleasant, in Arizona, on Friday. Police confirmed that her mother, Camille, 32, was not believed to be 'impaired' at the time of the incident and the family were 'experienced boaters'. Her father, Blake Wasden, regularly posted updates about the family's water adventures including their top tips for boat safety with children. Blake, 34, the son of Idaho's longest-serving Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, was wakeboarding at the time of the accident. A family member contacted by DailyMail.com said it was too soon to comment on the tragedy. Authorities said Camille and the other adults were all unaware that her daughter was still in the water. Pictured: Sunni Wasden Little Sunni Wasden died after the 'tragic incident' on Lake Pleasant, in Arizona, on Friday. Pictured with her mother, Camille, 32, who was driving the boat Her father, Blake Wasden, regularly posted updates about the family's water adventures including their top tips for boat safety with children Blake Wasden posted a video to social media of the family wakeboarding and swimming from their new 2024 Ri230 Centurion boat worth $175,000 on his Instagram on July 3 less than a month before the accident. Camille, a post anesthesia care nurse at Honor Health, was driving the boat near Paul's Hideaway, when Sunni suffered the fatal injury. Cops confirmed the couple, who have three children, were on the water with another family. In total, there were 12 people on board the boat, including six children, and they had been swimming and wakeboarding prior to the collision. Authorities said Camille and the other adults were all unaware that her daughter was still in the water. Law enforcement said that they had been on the water since 7am, and the incident was reported at 11am. The mother-of-three began to accelerate to pull another member of the family who was wakeboarding, and the schoolgirl was run over by the boat. Blake was in the water holding onto a wakeboard when he noticed someone in the water and swam to his child. Camille, a post anesthesia care nurse at Honor Health, was driving the boat near Paul's Hideaway, when Sunni suffered the fatal injury A group of 12 people from two families had been swimming and wakeboarding on their boat from around 7am Law enforcement said they had been on the water since 7am, and the incident was reported at 11am The group of six adults and six children, who were all wearing life jackets, were on the same boat when the incident happened. Authorities confirmed Sunni was pronounced dead at the medical center, and a spokesman for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office called it a 'tragic accident.' The family declined to comment on the tragedy or pay tribute to Sunni when contacted by DailyMail.com. Sources close to the family say that they are 'devastated' by the loss of the little girl, who would regularly feature on her father's YouTube channel. He posted videos of her learning to wakeboard, as well as advising other parents how to get their very young children comfortable on a boat. In a video celebrating Sunni's third birthday, Blake called his daughter a 'wonderful blessing' and said that she is 'amazing' and 'so sweet.' Blake, 34, is the son of Idaho's longest-serving Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, was wakeboarding at the time of the accident He posted a video of the family wakeboarding and swimming from their new 2024 Ri230 Centurion boat worth $175,000 on his Instagram on July 3 less than a month before the accident Authorities confirmed Sunni was pronounced dead at the medical center, and a spokesman for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office called it a 'tragic accident' He posted footage of Sunni, aged five at the time, learning to wake surf on Lake Pleasant last summer, as well as videos of his other two children on the water. Pictures and footage also show Camille behind the wheel of the new boat on July 4, with the children sitting in the front of the boat. DailyMail.com did not receive an immediate response when contacting Maricopa Medical Examiners office for further information about the death. 'The father and the mother quickly realized their daughter was in the water and had suffered a leg amputation from the boat's propeller,' Maricopa County Sheriff's Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said: 'Witnesses at the scene confirmed that the child's mother was operating the boat when she began to drive and, unbeknownst to the family, the child had somehow entered the water. 'There is no impairment investigation at this time. We have investigators that went and check for signs; though it is an ongoing investigation we don't see any signs of impairment as of right now. Sources close to the family say that they are 'devastated' by the loss of the little girl, who would regularly feature on her fathers YouTube channel. 'We are going to call this a tragic accident. Contributing factors that may have led to this incident is a lot of people on the boat. 'Detectives are with the boat and processing the boat and looking at safety measures that were or were not in place. 'But it looks like things that need to be on the boat are on the boat. Nobody comes out here and expects a tragedy.' Deputies and Peoria Fire-Medical Department firefighters responded to a 911 call, after fellow boaters brought the child to the harbor because poor cell service meant they were unable to reach the emergency services initially. Sen. Tim Scott's free-spending presidential campaign paid $280,000 for air travel in just three months to a mysterious company whose listed address is a Staples store in Fairfax, Virginia, according to official finance filings. It is one example of how politicians demanding transparency in public bodies are able to camouflage the way they use donor money. In Scott's case it raises questions about whether he is trying to hide the use of private jets to get around the country while selling a story about how he rose from humble beginnings to represent the people of South Carolina in the Senate. And it comes as less cash-rich campaigns turn up the heat, making a virtue of their use of commercial flights. Federal Election Commission filings show that the Scott Campaign made 10 payments during the second quarter of 2023 to Advanced Planning and Logistics, a limited liability company set up in December 2022. Sen. Tim Scott was in the Senate for votes on Thursday afternoon before heading to Iowa for a town hall event with Republicans in the evening The event kicked off at 6:30pm central time in Ankeny, just outside Des Moines. The largest payment was for more than $62,000. The frequency of payments accelerated after Scott launched his campaign towards the end of May, with seven payments since then. Each is listed as 'travel: air.' The New York Times was the first to report on Scott's use of the LLCs last week, quoting campaign finance experts who said it undermined laws designed to shine a light on who was paying what to whom. His campaign did not answer questions from DailyMail.com about the money's ultimate destination and whether the LLC was hiding the use of private jets. Scott's campaign made another 19 payments to the same company. Several appear to be bundled fees for multiple services and are labeled 'event production expense and travel: air,' but without any further explanation. In all it has paid almost a million dollars to Advanced Planning and Logistics. Although Scott has been spotted using commercial flights, it is understood that he is also using private planes to get around the country. On Thursday afternoon, for example, he was in Washington for a Senate vote. By 6:30pm he had arrived in Ankeny, Iowa, for a town hall event. There was no direct or indirect commercial flight from Washington to Des Moines, the nearest local airport, that could have got him to the event on time. The Federal Election Commission lists payments made by the Scott campaign, including almost a million dollars to Advanced Planning and Logistics Nikki Haley and her campaign have tried to make a virtue of using scheduled commercial flights and used the hashtag #WeFlyCommercial to highlight the issue The use of private jets has already become a campaign issue. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came under intense scrutiny for flying around the country in jets provided by donors and non-profits before he jumped into the race. He faces stricter regulation now that he is a candidate, but a recent analysis by NBC found he paid $500,000 for travel to N2024D LLC, which shares an address with political groups. That has led to jabs by Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations. Last week she thanked a member of American Airlines for his help when she was late for a flight. She ended the post with the hashtag #WeFlyCommercial. Team Haley made the point even more obvious. It retweeted her message and added: 'Well never take our supporters donations for granted! Every cent counts. #WeFlyCommercial.' Some campaigns have made a virtual of their use of private jets. For Donald Trump, his recently refurbished Boeing 757 is all part of the brand. Supporters roar with approval as it overflies rally sites and it often provides a backdrop to his speeches. Donald Trump uses his private jet as a campaign prop, using it as a backdrop to speeches. 'It makes a fantastic impression on people,' he told DailyMail.com after this rally in Waco, Texas Our recent poll shows how Scott (alongside Chris Christie) has eaten into Trump and Ron DeSantis' vote share in the early primary state of New Hampshire Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old tech entrepreneur, has also been open about how it is often the only way to get from A to B in a timely fashion. Again, it serves to illustrate his campaign persona of a successful executive getting things done. During the first months of the campaign, Scott has seen his fortunes rise. A recent J.L. Partners poll for DailyMail.com put him in joint third place among contenders in the early primary state of New Hampshire, and he is Republicans top pick for vice president. A poll last week for Fox Business found he had the backing of 11 percent of Republicans in Iowa, another early state, also placing him third. The result has been a string of negative stories, including allegations that he is soft on crime and greater scrutiny of his campaign's heavy spending. Scott told DailyMail.com on Friday that it was a sign of success. 'The more they attack, the better. We're doing fantastic news,' he said. 'We have a strong powerful record on who we are.' A man has been arrested for allegedly killing his estranged wife in front of their two children in the home they once shared - and then fleeing the scene with one of the kids immediately afterwards. Identified as 34-year-old chemist Chase Ainsworth, the Oklahoma City father was apprehended Saturday just hours after the grisly slaying, which happened around 3pm and left 31-year-old Samantha Ainsworth dead at the scene. Now being mourned by friends and family, Samantha had two kids with her former spouse - a seven-year-old daughter and five year-old son - both of whom were inside the home on S. Land Avenue when the incident occurred. When cops arrived at the home around 3pm to respond to a domestic disturbance call, Samantha - who is believed to have been stabbed - was already dead, and the seven-year-old was found at the scene by herself. Investigators who later described the girl as visibly 'upset' quickly identified the primary suspect as the victims estranged spouse, and also discerned Ainsworth had 'fled the scene' in a car with the other child, later identified as Simon Ainsworth. Scroll down for video: Identified as 34-year-old chemist Chase Ainsworth, the Oklahoma City father was apprehended Saturday just hours after the grisly slaying, which happened around 3pm and left 31-year-old Samantha Ainsworth - his estranged spouse - dead at the scene Samantha had two kids with her ex - a seven-year-old daughter and five year-old son - both of whom were inside the home when the incident occurred. After Ainsworth allegedly killed his ex, he fled the scene with his son, leaving his daughter behind with her mother's dead body Cops say both kids are now safe, with Simon located along with his father - who is also facing first-degree child-stealing charges - on an Oklahoma highway less than three hours after leaving the scene. OKCPD Captain Michelle Henderson on Saturday provided an update as what her force believed happened Saturday, after which cops to issued an 'endangered missing advisory' for Ainsworth that warned the chemist 'may be armed with a knife.' 'About 2:50 this afternoon, we had a neighbor go over to the house to pick up the seven-year-old child for a play date and discovered that the mother was injured inside,' Henderson said Saturday as Oklahoma Highway Patrolmen located Ainsworth's Black Kia Soul at a nearby residence and rescued the boy. 'The 7-year-old was there, the five-year-old was gone,' the top cop added. 'Obviously the 7-year-old was very upset; the neighbors who discovered this were very upset. 'Were just working through information that is very traumatic for everybody.' Oklahoma Highway Patrol added that the five-year-old was located safely along with father, an experienced chemist who the force had warned in their emergency advisory had been 'known to use drugs.' A LinkedIn profile associated with the dad-of-two shows he has worked in a professional lab setting for the past ten years, and achieved a bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of Science of Arts of Oklahoma in 2011. Most recently, he worked as a laboratory specialist at chemical manufacturer Guide Energy Solutions in nearby Prague, Oklahoma. When cops arrived at the home on S. Land Avenue around 3pm to respond to a domestic disturbance call, Samantha - who is believed to have been stabbed - was already dead, and the seven-year-old was found at the scene by herself Investigators who later described the girl (seen at right) as visibly 'upset' quickly identified the primary suspect as the victims estranged spouse, and also discerned Ainsworth had 'fled the scene' in a car with the other child, later identified as Simon Ainsworth (at left) Cops say both kids are now safe, though their mother - who is believed to have been stabbed - succumbed to her wounds at the scene. A cause of death has yet to be released Oklahoma Highway Patrol added that the five-year-old was located safely along with father, who the force warned in their emergency advisory was likely 'armed with a knife' and had been 'known to use drugs' According to the firm's social media, it has roughly 20 employees and focuses on 'developing chemistry and services that meet the demands of the evolving market.' A Facebook page associated with the small-time a service-centric solutions states the firm 'develops, manufactures, and implements optimized fluid systems.' It was founded in 2019 - the same year Ainsworth, according to his LinkedIn, joined. DailyMail.com has reached out for comment. In addition to the highway emergency advisory, authorities also issued an Amber Alert for Simon immediately after gleaning the child had been present and effectively kidnapped, and a search for Ainsworths 2012 Kia ensued. Highway Patrol have since said the vehicle was located by a patrol car around 6:45pm, where at which point troopers followed the child and suspect to another home associated with suspect, on the 12000 block of Chisolm Road. Cops said there they came across Ainsworth and the boy barricaded inside of a house, leading officers to make a forced entry into the home where they found Simon and took Ainsworth into custody. Calling the development 'the best case scenario ending to a horrible situation', Capt. Henderson described the rescue operation Saturday to Oklahoma City NBC affiliate KFOR-TV. OKCPD Captain Michelle Henderson described Saturday how officers rescued the boy from a barricaded home also associated the suspect Highway Patrol have since said Einsworth's vehicle was located by a patrol car around 6:45pm, where at which point troopers followed the child and suspect to another home associated with suspect, on the 12000 block of Chisolm Road (seen here) A LinkedIn profile associated with the dad-of-two shows he has worked in a professional lab setting for the past ten years, and achieved a bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of Science of Arts of Oklahoma in 2011. Most recently, he worked as a laboratory specialist at chemical manufacturer Guide Energy Solutions in nearby Prague, Oklahoma (pictured) 'We were able to see that the child was at the window, so we had a team formed to go and get the kid and no one was injured.' Ainsworth has since been booked at the Cleveland County Jail on the aforementioned murder and child-stealing charges - both first-degree felonies - where he is being held without bond. Sunday night, friends and family of Samantha gathered to honor the late mom - who regularly posted pictures of the family together, as recently as 2020. In February 2022, she posted to Facebook an image from the popular crime drama Ozark, which centers around a money-laundering couple who in the rural region not far from where the Ainsworths lived. Police said Monday that their probe into the slaying is still ongoing. They have yet to release a cause of death. Drone footage has captured the extraordinary moment a shark in the middle of a feeding frenzy lurked metres away from unsuspecting swimmers and a paddle board rider. The video shared by the DroneSharkApp shows two swimmers heading towards a large school of salmon during their Saturday morning dip at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach. They casually swim past the mass of fish as a grey nurse shark dubbed 'Norm' suddenly emerges from the bait ball. The woman eventually notices the predator underneath just centimetres away from her. Two Bondi swimmers got the shock of their lives when they realise what was lurking underneath The terrified woman momentarily froze in horror before she quickly heads towards her male swimmer companion and grabs his hand. The pair swim away holding hands. The DroneSharkApp operator is heard narrating the terrifying scenes and impersonating the woman. 'I don't know about this wait for me,' he 'Wait for me, there's sharks in these Oh here he comes!' 'Quick let's get out of here! What are you doing got me!' Come on, get out of here quick!' That was classic!' The same video shows a paddle board rider unaware that Norm is right underneath him. "It's going to paddle over Norms,' the narrator says. 'Norms doesn't even flinch, as usual.' The swimmers fled the scene holding hands following the terrifying ordeal This paddle board rider had no idea that Norm was lurking underneath him The footage ends with the shark heading back to the bait ball to continue his feeding frenzy. Grey nurse sharks have a placid nature and generally considered harmless to humans. The video sparked various reactions from stunned viewers. Many slammed the swimmers being so close to the school of fish. 'This angers me at the lack of common sense to those humans,' one viewer fumed ' Viewers questioned why the swimmers were so close to the large school of fish 'If there had been an attack the sharks would have been again to blame . They are only doing what they do in their environment. We should respect that and stay out of water until bait ball and sharks had moved on and they are lucky they were not great whites instead of the Labrador of the seas. Another commented 'Stupid does what stupid does. Swimming so close to schools of baitfish.' Other viewers loved how the swimmers held hands as they fled the scene as quickly as possible. 'Bless the couple swimming and eventually hold hands. If were going honey. We be going together. Also.. is it just me thinking that swimming WITH a bunch of bait fish. Staff at a Memphis Jewish school have been praised for their quick thinking after they blocked an armed man from entering and then called the police, leading to him being stopped shortly after. Workers at Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South called police at 12:20pm on Monday to report that a man with a handgun had tried to get into the school, and fired his gun outside. Michael Masters, CEO of the Secure Community Network, told Jewish Telegraphic Agency the suspect was a male in his 40s who tried to enter the school but was prevented from doing so due to a security system. Congressman Steve Cohen told The Daily Memphian the suspect was Jewish, and a former student. Surveillance camera footage shows the man armed with a hand gun, attempting to get into the school on Monday. The interior doors were closed Police are seen outside the Hebrew Academy in Memphis on Monday afternoon Memphis police said it was too soon to determine whether the attempted attack was a hate crime On finding the entrance blocked, he fled, but the school shared security camera footage of the suspect and told police he was driving a maroon Ram pickup truck with California tags. The man was pulled over around three miles from the school. When he got out, he confronted police with his handgun, and was shot. He has been taken to hospital, and remains in a critical condition. 'Today is a great example of very alert, vigilant officers trying to protect the city,' said Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe. 'I personally truly believe that we have avoided a tragedy. I think the suspect was going to harm somebody before the day was over.' Don Crowe, the assistant chief of Memphis police, praised the officers and staff involved Cohen also praised the security systems at the school. 'We have recently learned that the shooter at the Margolin Hebrew Academy was himself Jewish and a former student at the school,' the congressman said. 'I am pleased the academy had effective security and that the police acted quickly to protect students.' The shooting is the second outside a Memphis school in less than a week. A security guard at Freedom Preparatory Academy was shot on July 25. Senate minority leader Raumesh Akbari, a Democrat representing Memphis, demanded tougher gun control. 'With the new school year approaching, this is the second shooting at a school campus in Memphis in less than a week,' he said. 'No family and no community should have to live in constant fear that gun violence may claim the lives of their children or loved ones. 'We are not helpless against this epidemic of gun violence. We can enact reforms that stop future gun violence. 'Now, it's more urgent than ever that lawmakers come together during our special session to give police the tools they need prevent shootings from happening in the first place.' Police said they cannot yet say if the shooting at the Hebrew academy was a hate crime. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into the attempted attack. A Mongols bikie posed with his notorious club for a photo just days before he was dramatically arrested following an alleged drug bust. Perth man Paul Marsandi, 37, posted photos online showing him proudly standing with a group of Mongols bikies at the gang's clubhouse last weekend. The 37-year-old had no idea police were closely watching the long-time gang member after detectives launched an investigation into the Mongols last month. Paul Marsandi (fifth from right), 37, posted photos to social media showing him proudly standing with a group of Mongols bikies at the gang's clubhouse last weekend Four days after the photograph was taken, detectives arrested Marsandi and Mongols associate Dillon Ian Thomas on Thursday. Officers had been lying in wait at a park on Roberts Street in Joondanna when they allege Thomas walked up to a white van and placed a package on the front seat. Police will allege that a search of the van located over $50,000 cash and approximately 42.7kg of methylamphetamine - worth $42million. Thomas was arrested and police arrested Marsandi on Albert Street, in north Perth, a short time afterwards. Both men have been charged with conspiring, inciting, being an accessory after the fact or attempting to possess a trafficable amount of meth with intent to sell or supply and money laundering. They both now face a life in prison. On the same day of the arrests, officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad and Gang Crime Squad executed seven search warrants across the Perth metropolitan region. It will be alleged, during the search of a home in Hamilton Hill, police located a quantity of cocaine and $60,000 in cash. Marsandis younger brother Joshua Negara Marsandi, 27, was arrested following the raid and charged with possessing prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply and money laundering. He is not associated with the Mongols and will appear at Fremantle Magistrates Court on Friday. In June, serious and organised crime division and Gang Crime Squad commenced investigations into several members of the Mongols. Marsandi was arrested on Thursday in north Perth and charged with a string of offenses Marsandi lived two lives as a devoted father and husband, and a loyal Mongol member. Marsandi lived two lives as a devoted father and husband, and a loyal Mongol member. The father-of-three's Instagram bio boasts 'ROC CITY MONGOLS 1%' and '#dadlife'. Marsandi's social media shows contrasting images of his family on outings and holidays alongside photos of him posing with Mongols gang members. One photo shows him on holiday in Bali with his partner and children while another shows him at the Mongols clubhouse. He has a tattoo across his neck with the words 'ROC CITY 1%'. Marsandi was once the vice-president of the Rockingham chapter of the Rebels gang before it splintered off to the Mongols several years ago. Fellow senior Mongol Jason Gastarov, who was the chapter's president, had led the charge for about 40 members to deflect to the Mongols, which had caused chaos within the Rebels. Det-Insp. Blair Smith, of the serious and organised crime division, told the West Australian that police would 'continue to target those who commit serious drug offences in this State and ultimately bring harm to the community'. 'The investigation is ongoing and the origins of these drugs are still under investigation and we will continue to investigate members of the bikie motorcycle gang. 'We will deploy every resource at our disposal to ensure the safety of the WA community.' Marsandi is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on 6 October 2023. The mother of a 13-year-old girl who went missing last week has shared a plea for help amid disturbing new information about her daughter's disappearance. Charlee Castle was last seen at a home on Murrabin Avenue in Matraville, eastern Sydney, at about 11 pm last Wednesday. Distraught mum Belinda Drew-Castle has shared several social media posts to track down her missing daughter. Police and family are worried for her welfare due to her young age, with her mother writing: 'We are extremely concerned. She is not street-wise. We fear for her safety.' Alongside several photos of Charlee, Mrs Drew-Castle detailed how her daughter had been 'rebelling'. Charlee Castle (above) was last seen at a home in eastern Sydney at about 11pm last Wednesday 'Charlee was led astray by a troubled teen known to police,' she wrote. 'We tried to protect her from this girl by confiscating her phone and restricting her. 'She then started to escape our home, jumping out her bedroom window at night.' Mrs Drew-Castle believed Charlee was lonely after being 'bullied during school', leading her to cling to the new friendship. 'She was isolated for years and wanting someone to connect with,' she said. Mother Belinda Drew-Castle has shared several photos of Charlee (above) and details of her daughter's disappearance 'She attached herself to this girl, [during] a chance meeting on a chat encounter she discovered someone who was prepared to protect her. 'We gave our love and support to get her on the right path but she has rebelled in desperation for her freedom and independence. Now she is out there on the streets. 'We fear for her safety. As the days go on I am losing hope.' Officers from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command have launched an investigation into Charlee's disappearance. She was last seen wearing a grey Champion hoodie, black leggings and white Nike shoes. Charlee is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with a slim build and long blonde hair. Her mother said the 13-year-old is known to frequent Bondi Junction, Kensington and Maroubra. Mrs Drew-Castle has attempted to organise a 'taskforce' to hand out flyers with Charlee's photo, police believe the teen may be in the vicinity of Central Station (pictured, Charlee and Mrs Drew-Castle) Police believe she may be in the vicinity of Central Station. Mrs Drew-Castle has attempted to organise a 'taskforce' to hand out flyers with Charlee's photo at Haymarket, Hyde Park and Town Hall. Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. More than 2,400 criminals including rapists and robbers have either escaped, absconded or been freed from jail by mistake since 2012, damning new data has revealed. The shocking figures equate to more than three prisoners leaving jail unlawfully every week in the UK, Ministry of Justice data suggests. The figures for England and Wales which cover March 2012 to March 2023 show that during that period, 146 criminals escaped, 1,634 absconded, and 672 were released in error - a total of 2,452. Highlighting the data, the Labour Party said it demonstrates that the Conservatives - who have been in government since 2010 - have been 'soft on crime' and unable to do 'the basic job of keeping dangerous criminals locked up'. But the Tories hit back, claiming that it is Labour who is 'soft on crime' and that criminals 'are desperate for a Labour government'. In March, Rayon Newby, who was serving a sentence for assault, harassment and burglary offences, was let out by mistake just two days after being jailed In 2021, William Fernandez was awaiting trial for sexual assault when he was let out in error from HMP Wormwood A Conservative Party spokesperson claimed absconds - meaning an escape where a prisoner did not have to get past a physical security restraint - were '91 per cent higher' while escapes were '71 per cent higher' under Labour. The figures have emerged following a number of high profile cases of dangerous criminals escaping jail and getting back out onto the streets. In March, Rayon Newby, who was serving a sentence for assault, harassment and burglary offences, was let out by mistake just two days after being jailed. Members of the public were asked not to approach the 20-year-old after he went on the run from HMP Thameside in Greenwich. In 2022, James Taplin from Gloucestershire was released in error after being remanded on charges of aggravated burglary and malicious wounding. The judge had to issue a warrant for his arrest, and said, according to the BBC: 'He is probably enjoying his ill-gotten freedom then, isn't he?' In 2021, William Fernandez was awaiting trial for sexual assault when he was let out in error from HMP Wormwood. The sexual predator then went on to rape a 16-year-old girl and sexually assault a young woman. In 2022, James Taplin from Gloucestershire was released in error after being remanded on charges of aggravated burglary and malicious wounding Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: 'This Conservative Government can't do the basic job of keeping dangerous criminals locked up. 'The public will be horrified that so many violent criminals, rapists and robbers have been let out unlawfully. 'Rishi Sunak must come clean and explain why the Conservatives are on the side of criminals, not the law-abiding majority. 'Labour is the party of law and order. In government, we will ensure that dangerous criminals are where they belong behind bars.' Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: 'This Conservative Government can't do the basic job of keeping dangerous criminals locked up' Sky quotes a Tory spokesperson as saying: 'There is no doubt, criminals are desperate for a Labour government and a weak justice secretary like Steve Reed, who has voted time after time for weaker sentences for child killers and violent sexual offenders. 'This Conservative government is locking up more dangerous criminals for longer, increasing convictions for serious offences like rape, and cutting crime by over 50 per cent compared with 2010, keeping our communities safe.' It comes after Labour accused the government of overseeing 'abysmal' crime-solving rates. Labour pointed to Home Office data for England and Wales that showed under six per cent of of crimes were solved by police last year. The proportion of crimes that resulted in a charge or summons was 5.7 per cent, although that figure represented a small increase on the previous year. The figures, which cover a 12-month period from April 2022 onwards, showed that 2.3 million crimes were dropped without a suspect being found. The charge rate for sexual offences was 3.6 per cent, with rape at 2.1 per cent. Only 6.5 per cent of robbery offences ended with someone being charged. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'After 13 years of Tory government, over 90 per cent of crimes are going unsolved. 'That is the abysmal Conservative record on law and order - more criminals being let off and more victims being let down.' Policing minister Chris Philp accused Labour of being 'soft on crime and soft on criminals'. He said: 'Where Labour are in power, crime is over a third higher than Conservative-run areas, and Sir Keir Starmer whipped his MPs to vote against tougher sentences for rapists and murderers, as well as campaigning to keep dangerous foreign criminals in the UK. 'Under the Conservatives, adult rape convictions have increased by two thirds over the last year, dangerous criminals are being locked up for longer, and there are now over 20,000 new police officers helping to keep our streets safe.' Ron DeSantis pushed back on claims his campaign is failing, instead saying that he 'course corrected' after finding out what works best for his efforts to become the GOP presidential nominee. He told Fox News in a Monday evening interview it's 'nonsense' that Republican political operatives are labeling his campaign a failure when there is still seven months until the primary election really kicks off. In a wide-ranging interview, the second place candidate was grilled on hot topics like Florida's black history curriculum and whether he would continue the U.S. financially backing the war in Ukraine by providing a stream of weapons. Questions regarding a campaign reset follows reports that several staff were fired from DeSantis's campaign amid a rebranding of the Florida governor as an 'leaner, meaner insurgent' candidate in the presidential primary race. It also comes amid staggering polls that put DeSantis in a distant second place behind Donald Trump, who said it would be 'the greatest comeback in American history' if the Florida governor catches up to him. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sat for a wide-ranging interview with Fox News' Bret Baier on Monday evening when he railed against those who say his campaign is failing insisting he just 'course corrected' 'Everything you do needs to have a return on the investment,' DeSantis explained to Fox host Bret Baier in an interview recorded during a New Hampshire campaign swing. 'If there isn't value in it, then I get changes and then that's just the reality of what you have to do,' he added. 'So, I'm not a political operative. I'm not a campaign professional. You set out the vision, and you execute on it. And if it's not being executed, you just have to course correct.' The governor said that because his campaign hires people in-house, they may end up spending more than other candidates, but he claims he will 'ultimately make money off doing it that way.' Over the last two weeks, DeSantis has received a barrage of criticism regarding Florida's new black history curriculum born out of the banning of the controversial Critical Race Theory teachings. Even members of the GOP have slammed DeSantis for the new classes and said he should have vetoed the effort. But DeSantis isn't buying it, claiming that establishment Republicans are too weak and too easily take the 'bait' of Democrats trying to divide the party. The 2024 candidate also said his fellow Republicans need to reject the 'bait' from Democrats that tries to make GOP politicians 'bend the knee' to their agenda of dividing the party 'Is this a fight worth having?' Baier asked DeSantis. 'We didn't pick the fight, Brett,' the governor assured. 'Kamala Harris got on a jet at taxpayer expense and flew to Florida to lie about the African American history standards that were developed. 'Why is this important, though? You can't bend the knee to the left's lies,' he continued. 'When the left lies and creates these phony narratives, you've got to push back. They've been doing this to Republicans for years and years. Republicans bend the knee, and it's just one thing after another. 'Harris comes in and parachutes,' he said of the vice president's speech in Florida earlier this month where she took aim at DeSantis and his policies. 'What Republicans should have done is pushed back against her, say, "You are operating in bad faith. These guys down in Florida they didn't have an agenda. They were just trying to shoot straight.' We know what the left does,"' DeSantis said. 'Republicans, you can not take that bait, you've got to fight back against these people.' DeSantis also took responsibility for any downfalls in his operation as the 'leader.' 'Is this the start of a campaign that you envisioned?' Baier posed. 'Well, look at the end of the day, I'm the leader,' the governor responded. 'You put out a commander's intent, and you delegate for people to do it, then you evaluate. And if it's not up to what you want, then you just make adjustments.' The Navy officer veteran added: 'That happens all the time, it happens in governing. And the question is Are you going to be able to identify whatever may be getting a poor [result and] change it?' 'So we've done that,' he assured, 'and I think, at the end of the day, no one's going to care about what happened in early July six, seven months before the primaries.' A New York Times/Siena poll released on Monday shows DeSantis in a distant second place to Donald Trump with just 17% support to the former president's 54% no other candidates even break 5% DeSantis said all voters really want to know about is 'substance' and less about the political game of it all. The first debate in August, DeSantis says, is a time for candidates to really show Americans what they bring to the table. But Trump still says he will not be participating. Trump posted to Truth Social on Monday: 'Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President!' It comes after anonymous members of his staff have told news outlets that the former president feels the debate stage with candidates so far behind him in the polls is beneath him. Trump feels as though he is essentially running as an incumbent candidate again. A shopper was left shocked after forking out hundreds of dollars for a roast chicken at a major supermarket in an embarrassing stuff-up at the checkout. The woman paid a whopping $336.66 for the roast chicken at a Woolworths store in Innaloo in Perth, Western Australia, on Friday. The price is significantly higher than the $12 it normally costs for a cooked chook. In a video posted on TikTok, the woman known as Karen, is left gobsmacked by the hefty bill as she flaunts the price of the product printed on her receipt. 'Woolworths charged me $336.66 for a roast chicken,' she said. '$336 for a roast chicken!' The camera then zooms in on the amount Karen paid for the food. She then points to the roast chicken in a bag that she bought from the store, which is placed ontop of the kitchen counter at her home. 'This chicken! I know it's RSPCA,' she said. 'Did they put it up at the f***ing Crown Towers before they killed the bird?' In another video, Karen is seen going back to the store and confronting staff over the hefty price tag of the roast chook. 'Look, you do really juicy chickens, but I don't think they're worth $336 bucks,' she said. A staff member can be heard saying 'woah' after realizing how much the woman was charged. Footage shows staff refunding Karen, who is then seen walking out of the store. 'So happy ending... I went from a $336 chicken to a free chicken,' she said. A Woolies shopper was left furious after she was charged a whopping $366 for a roast chicken, at her local store in Innalooo, Western Australia and took to social media to reveal the amount she was slugged for the food on her shopping bill The woman took up the advice of one of the comments left on her TikTok post and confronted staff at Woolies over the amount she was charged for the food and ended up walking out with a full refund and a free roast chicken A Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the customer fell victim to an error at the store. They claimed it may have been a glitch in the bar code or when the product was scanned at the register. The spokesman confirmed Karen was refunded for the amount she paid for the chicken at the store. The supermarket giant increased the price of the product by a dollar in May due to an 'increase in input costs' - taking the cost of the chicken up to $12. It marked the first time since February 2022 the supermarket giant increased the price of their meat staple. A spokesman said the increase was necessary to meet the needs of farmers. 'At Woolworths, we understand that every dollar counts and work hard to provide value for customers every time they shop with us while balancing the needs of our suppliers,' he said. 'For the first time since February 2022, we reluctantly increased the price of our roast chickens by $1 due to an increase in input costs. 'We still believe our delicious hot roast chooks provide excellent value whether it's for a dinner for the family or to share at a picnic with friends.' Supermarket giant Woolworths charges $12 to buy a roast chicken at their stores but one shopper was left paying much more than that when she did her shopping A real estate fraudster is accused of conning his way into owning two Harlem brownstones now worth $4.7 million - which saw the real elderly owner being forced to live in a homeless shelter. Long Island man Joseph Makhani, 60, from Kings Point, was indicted and arraigned on the grounds that he stole two brownstones located on West 118th Street and West 131st Street. Makhani is alleged to have stolen both the homes in 2012 in a scheme that involved the use of forged and falsified documents together with shell companies to conceal and carry out the thefts. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Makhani claimed to have paid just $10 for each property according to New York state real estate tax filings. In reality, the homes had a combined value estimated to be more than $4.7 million. Joseph Makhani, 60, has been indicted for stealing two Harlem brownstones through deed theft and mortgage fraud In the home on West 118th Street, valued at $1.9 million, Makhani forged deeds and used other fraudulent documents, and shell companies to steal the brownstone from an elderly and vulnerable owner In Makhani's second illegal property on West 131st Street, also obtained through falsified documents, shell companies, and other fraudulent tactics, the home had previously been in the name of an elderly owner who died in 1975 But Makhani's actions went further than him just owning the buildings and led to a vulnerable and elderly homeowner, Veronica Palmer, 81, being forced to live in a homeless shelter. Palmer, a former city corrections officer, is the true owner of one of the properties, now valued at around $2.9 million but authorities and family members have been unable to reach her. Palmer's younger brother, John Jackson, 78, told the New York Post that he believes his sister had been mentally ill for decades but knows she would never have sold off the brownstone. 'We're concerned about Ronnie and finding her,' Jackson said. Jackson explained how Palmer had repeatedly shunned help from family and mental health professionals and at one point was living without heat, water and electricity, ending up in a Brooklyn homeless shelter. Makhani claimed to have paid only $10 for each home which are are now valued at $2.29 million and $1.9 million Joseph Makhani is arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on a 7 count indictment by State Attorney General Letitia James Joseph Makhani is accused of mortgage fraud for stealing the home of 81-year-old Harlem resident Veronica Palmer by offering her $10 for the property which she never received State Attorney General Letitia James is pictured in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday In the other building Makhani claimed to have owned, he tried to evict tenants, causing them stress and confusion. Makhani was arraigned on Monday in New York County Supreme Court where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. He faces a maximum penalty of between 8 to 25 years in state prison. 'Shameless deed thieves like Joseph Makhani target vulnerable homeowners and steal their most valuable and personal asset,' said Attorney General James. 'This crime harms entire communities, especially those facing population displacement and gentrification. The fear and confusion unleashed on New Yorkers when they learn their homes have been stolen out from under them is something no one should have to endure. I will continue my efforts to address deed theft and hold people like Joseph Makhani accountable.' Makhani's actions saw one of the buildings true owners forced to live in a homeless shelter while Makhani collected rent of $12,000 a month from the tenants 'Shameless deed thieves like Joseph Makhani target vulnerable homeowners and steal their most valuable and personal asset,' said Attorney General James In the home on West 118th Street, Makhani forged deeds and used other fraudulent documents, and shell companies to steal the brownstone from an elderly and vulnerable owner. In a New York state tax filing a company controlled by Makhani claimed to have paid only $10 for the dilapidated brownstone while the real owner would collect cans in the street. A mortgage application then filed by Makhani falsely claimed he had paid $975,000 for the brownstone subsequently obtaining a $650,000 construction loan for renovations. Makhani then refinanced and received a $1.2 million long-term mortgage loan on the property which he used renovate and convert into apartments. Makhani then applied to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to convert the building into market-rate apartment rentals. Between 2016 to 2023, Makhani rented each unit out for between $3,000 and $3,400 per month, allowing him to collect a monthly rent income of more than $12,000. Meanwhile, the true owner of the brownstone, now worth about $2.9 million, lives in a Brooklyn homeless shelter having never received any money from the rentals. In Makhani's second illegal property on West 131st Street, also obtained through falsified documents, shell companies, and other fraudulent tactics, the home had previously been in the name of an elderly owner who died in 1975. In 2012, Makhani approached one of the building's tenants and told them that he had purchased the brownstone. Makhani secured the tenant's signature by pretending to offer him a job before filing a new deed with a forged signature, misrepresenting the tenant as the owner. As with the previous property, Makhani transferred the brownstone to a company he controlled before he set about evicting the tenants. When Makhani's ownership of the brownstone was questioned by those he was forcing out, he filed a new fraudulent deed that claimed the heirs of the last recorded owner transferred the property to his company. HPD sued Makhani in 2013, and in 2015 obtained a more than $1 million judgment for his failure to appropriately maintain the brownstone, estimated to be worth $1.8 million. Rather than pay up, Makhani abandoned the property which was foreclosed on by the City of New York. Goldendoodles have become the UK's most popular dog, just ahead of the golden retriever and the Maltipoo, figures suggest. Ads for goldendoodles attracted 886 viewers per puppy on the Pets4Homes re-homing website this year, followed by 701 views for golden retrievers and 697 for Maltipoos. English bulldogs are the most expensive breed, selling for 1,704 each on average but closely followed by chow chows at 1,694 and golden retrievers at 1,494. The figures, based on data from two million weekly visitors to the site, suggest a return to normality for the market, with both the number of buyers and availability of puppies and kittens decreasing to pre-Covid levels. But the number of buyers per pet remains stable, meaning prices have stabilised above pre-pandemic levels, and there is no sign of 'pandemic puppies' being given up for adoption, Pets4Homes said. Ads for goldendoodles (pictured above) attracted 886 viewers per puppy on the Pets4Homes re-homing website this year Golden retrievers got 701 views per puppy on the re-homing website Maltipoo puppies were the third most searched, with 697 views per puppy The figures also suggest brachycephalic - or shortened head - breeds are in decline, with the number of French bulldogs re-homed in the first half of 2023 down by 47.6% on the first half of last year. Similarly, the number of English bulldogs being re-homed has fallen by 49.6%. Pets4Homes said the fall could be the result of more owners researching the health issues associated with these breeds before re-homing them. Breeds most in need of homes and 'over-represented' in shelters include retired racing greyhounds, Staffordshire bull terriers and German shepherds. Pets4Homes chief executive Axel Lagercrantz said: 'After the instability seen across the pet market in the years after lockdown, these figures from our latest Industry Report indicate that we have now reached a 'new normal' in the pet sector. 'Supply and demand for pets have realigned and pet prices are starting to rise for the first time since 2021, after reaching a peak of 2,237 during lockdown. 'The state of animal welfare in the re-homing process is also seeing further improvements, as technology such as bank-grade ID Verification and image analysis helps our trust and safety team to catch suspicious adverts. 'This means we have seen a 27% reduction in animal welfare reports from users on our platform in the first half of 2023, when compared with the same period last year. 'I look forward to seeing this trend continue, as innovation and improving user knowledge continue to make the re-homing process safer for animals.' Trucking giant Yellow's inevitable collapse is set to put of dollars in business up for grabs in a weakened freight market - good news for the companies poised to take its place in coming months. One of the most prominent names in short-haul trucking, Yellow Corp currently accounts for 15 percent of the market - delivering goods to sellers like Home Depot and Walmart for nearly a century. On Sunday, The Nashville-based company - which received $700 million in federal COVID relief funds in 2020 - announced it is preparing to file for bankruptcy and would cease operations immediately. Within the blink of an eye, the maneuver left some 30,000 loyal workers out of work, and the country's trucking sector - which has already faced decline coming out of the pandemic - forever changed. On Monday, Deutsche Bank analyst Amit Mehrotra, spoke a bit about what this means, and how the firm's now inevitable collapse will cause companies such as FedEx and Old Dominion to compete to absorb the freight. Trucking giant Yellow's inevitable collapse is set to put of dollars in business up for grabs in a weakened freight market - good news for companies poised to take its place in coming months Expert say the firm's now inevitable collapse will cause competetiors such as FedEx (left) and Old Dominion to compete to pick up slack left behind by the trucking giant, the third-largest US carrier in a sector where operators carry goods for multiple customers on the same trailer 'This development is clearly very positive for the companies that remain open for business,' Mehrotra, 50, said Monday in a report, adding that as these trucking firms compete, a reduction in excess capacity may allow carriers to raise prices. That said, Mehrotra, a seasoned transportation and shipping analyst with several decades of experience, also cited how Yellow's swift decline punctuates a dip in the US freight market in general - one that can be traced back the pandemic. Shifting consumer habits that have persisted since have weighed on e-commerce shipments such as Yellow's Mehrotra and several other analysts explained Monday, as a bankruptcy filing from the 99-year-old firm is now all but imminent. But like several other analysts and industry leaders, Mehrotra added that Yellows money problems are more due more to preexisting problems rather than greater trends affecting the industry. This is due to the fact Yellow - which uses a warehouse network to combine several smaller shipments on one truck for short-haul deliveries to big-box and mom-and-pop sellers - has for years struggled with debt, and even implemented an extensive cost-cutting plan that execs had hoped would put the business back on track. That, as recent events have shown, failed to work, with industrial production for the firm experiencing a continued decline that culminated this past June. On Monday, after the firm's operations announcement, Yellows shares were trading - albeit, extremely volatilely - around 1.66, giving it a market value of about $72million. It represented a stark fall from grace from a company that last year had revenue of more than $5.2 billion, while amassing more and more debt including more than $1 billion maturing in 2024. In contrast, shares for competitors Fed Ex, Old Dominion, and Saia experienced an uptick this week, as the firms look set to move in on Yellow's old territory. The week before, teamsters threatened to strike when they learned the company had stopped making pension and benefits payments. 'This development is clearly very positive for the companies that remain open for business,' said Deutsche Bank analyst Amit Mehrotra Monday, adding that as these trucking firms compete, a reduction in excess capacity may allow carriers to raise prices Thomas Wadewitz, an analyst with UBS, remarked Monday how the event - while sudden - had long been in the cards, and should come as news for other trucking companies that specialize in less-than-truckload service: the term used to describe firms that use warehouse network to combine several smaller shipments. 'While this disruption has been anticipated for a while, we believe the boost to volume and pricing for other less-than-truckload companies is likely to provide support' to stock prices for competitor such as Saia Inc., Fed Ex, and Old Dominion. Lee Klaskow, a transportation and logistics analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, also cited Old Dominion - as well as Connecticut-based XPO - as possible beneficiaries to the sudden change in the shipping landscape. Thomas Wadewitz, an analyst with UBS, Lee Klaskow, a transportation and logistics analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, agreed, with both declaring a belief that competitors in the same sector will surface as beneficiaries amid the sudden change in the shipping landscape sShares for competitors Fed Ex, Old Dominion, and Saia experienced an uptick this week, as the firms look set to move in on Yellow's old territory Melanie Burnham, chief financial officer of competitor Hercules - which has a fleet of 300 trucks and 30 facilities - added 'there are some strong companies out there that can service the needs of the shippers.' She added that a shutdown of a company as large as Yellow - which is the third-largest less-than-truckload firm in the US behind only FedEx and Old Dominion - would have been more disruptive for shippers if it had happened two years ago, when her firm and others were at capacity due to then ongoing supply chain woes. The company's circumstances have all but worsened as shipping demand across the freight sector declined substantially this year - further compounding the companies yearslong cash crunch. Meanwhile, Yellow - which has 300 terminals throughout the northeastern United States - had already sold some terminals to competitors over the years to competitors to quell its financial woes. This, several analysts on Monday noticed, have left more than half of its existing facilities sitting on 10 acres of land or less, making what's left with its langusihing empire decidedly small. Worsening matters is that Yellow, after its firesale, only owns about half of those, said a transportation real estate consultancy Morprop Advisors in a note to clients on Monday, in which he theorized a chapter 11 filing that puts Yellow up for sale to investors will likely be the next thing to come in the fast-moving saga. The 99-year-old American trucking business ceased business at midday on Sunday, leaving 30,000 workers without jobs. It is the third largest 'less-than-truckload' firm in the country, behind only Fedex and Old Dominion The so-called 'less-than-truckload' segment refers tooperators carry goods for multiple customers on the same trailer US trucking firm Yellow has laid off a large number of workers as the company copes with a cash crunch, and is reportedly weighing options including an imminent bankruptcy Teamsters threatened to strike when they learned the company had stopped making pension and benefits payments last week 'To their benefit, unlike two decades ago, there is now a much more robust investor market for truck terminals,' the note said. 'Those buyers have been more elusive in 2023 than in 2022, but a bankruptcy auction of this magnitude will be hard for them to ignore.' Meanwhile, an investors note from financial service firm Stephens last week estimated that Yellow could be burning between $9 million and $10 million each day. Using a liquidity disclosure from earlier this month, Yellow had roughly $100 million in cash at the end of June, the note added - estimating that the company has been burning through increasing amounts of money through July. 'It is reasonable to believe that the company could breach its $35 mil. liquidity requirement at any moment,' Stephens analyst Jack Atkins and associate Grant Smith wrote. Other transportation analysts, meanwhile, also agreed with the assessment that the operational shutdown of the major trucking firm, should help prop up industry rates that tumbled after the cargo bubble of the early pandemic deflated last year. Most U.S. trucking companies have about 20% spare capacity in their networks, Stifel analyst Bruce Chan said in a client note on Monday - and Yellow's exit could remove about 10% of capacity from the segment, he said. He added that its demise 'should be a universal boon to remaining carriers.' The failure of Yellow, best know for its business that combines shipments for multiple customers into one truckload, should benefit rivals including Forward Air, ArcBest , TFI International, XPO, FedEx Freight, Saia and Old Dominion, Chan and other analysts said. Yellow struggled for more than a decade after loading up on debt from acquisitions of rival trucking firms Roadway and USF. It failed to integrate overlapping networks and became known as a discount carrier due to its below-market rates and service levels, Stifel's Chan said. 'The company is deeply distressed, and would require monumental operational overhaul as a going concern,' Chan said. In 2020, then-U.S. President Donald Trump bailed out the company with a $700 million pandemic relief loan. The company has not significantly repaid that federal loan, which is part of $1.2 billion in debt it is scrambling to refinance before it comes due next year. Yellow's other lenders include a group led by Apollo Global Management. It appealed to the Teamsters to help it cut costs, only to be rebuffed by the union, whose leader said: 'Following years of worker give backs, federal loans, and other bail outs, this deadbeat company has only itself to blame.' Yellow's failure has a low risk of disrupting U.S. trucking markets because the industry has time to work out any kinks before the all-important winter holiday peak season, analysts said. Still, it is not good news for Yellow's customers, which likely will face double-digit price increases when they turn that business over to companies, Chan said. Many of Yellow's former customers have starting the time-consuming process of shifting their cargo to different firms, while some have goods stranded in its network, said Ken Adamo, chief of analytics at DAT Freight & Analytics. 'If you weren't prepared for this, it's probably a pretty tough day for you,' Adamo said of Yellow's customers. Last week, Yellow, which had $5.2 billion in revenue last year, narrowly avoided a driver strike by Teamster union members after failing to make a $50 million payment for employee benefits. The company had a 30-day period to catch up on pension and benefits payments. The Teamsters blamed the executives for poor management. 'Teamsters have kept this company afloat for more than a decade through billions of dollars in wage, pension and work-rule concessions,' a union spokesman said. 'Yellow couldn't manage itself, and it wasn't up to Teamsters to do it for them.' Stan Koniszewski, a union leader for Teamsters Local 294, said it was 'a sad day in the freight industry.' He said the union 'will be there with whatever support we can give', helping them file unemployment claims and trying to find them new jobs. 'Whatever we do, we will do together as a family - a strong 294 family,' he said. In a memo sent out on Friday, Teamsters told local unions that 'likelihood that Yellow will survive is increasingly bleak.' They urged employees to gather their personal things and prepare for the worst. In Friday's memo to staff, Yellow wrote: 'The company is shutting down its regular operations on July 28, 2023, closing and/or laying off employees at all of its locations, including yours.' On Sunday, Yellow blamed the union for its intransience. A spokeswoman for Yellow said it had not asked the union for concessions in its recent restructuring. Yellow was saddled with some $1.5 billion in debt as of late March, including $729.2 million owed to the federal government for a controversial pandemic-era loan the Treasury Department extended on national security grounds in 2020 'Yellow offered to pay its employees more,' she said. The union 'refused to negotiate for nine months.' Last week, a company official told the New York Times that the company was preparing for 'a range of contingencies.' By Friday, a company spokesperson would not tell the Times anything more. Yellow is saddled with some $1.5 billion in debt as of late March, including $729.2 million owed to the federal government for a controversial pandemic-era loan the Treasury Department extended on national security grounds in 2020. A June 2023 congressional report concluded the Treasury Department dodged its own policies to issue the loan and the previous administration had made a mistake in doing so. In May, Yellow reported a loss of $54.6 million, a decline of $1.06 per share, for its first quarter of 2023. Operating revenue was about $1.16 billion in the period. An investors note from financial service firm Stephens last week estimated that Yellow could be burning between $9 million and $10 million each day. Using a liquidity disclosure from earlier this month, Yellow had roughly $100 million in cash at the end of June, the note added - estimating that the company has been burning through increasing amounts of money through July. 'It is reasonable to believe that the company could breach its $35 mil. liquidity requirement at any moment,' Stephens analyst Jack Atkins and associate Grant Smith wrote. The reports of bankruptcy preparations arrive just days after a strike from the Teamsters, which represents Yellow's 22,000 unionized workers, was averted. A series of heated exchanges have built up between the Teamsters and Yellow, who sued the union in June after alleging it was 'unjustifiably blocking' restructuring plans needed for the company's survival. The Teamsters called the litigation 'baseless' - with general president Sean O'Brien pointing to Yellow's 'decades of gross mismanagement,' which included exhausting the $700 million federal loan. On July 23, a pension fund agreed to extend health benefits for workers at two Yellow Corp. operating companies, averting a strike - and giving Yellow '30 days to pay its bills,' notably $50 million that Yellow failed to pay the Central States Health and Welfare Fund on July 15, the union stated. While the strike didn't occur, talks of a walkout may have caused some Yellow customers to pull back, Chan said. An autistic Arizona teenager who reemerged after vanishing for four years 'hung her head and cried' as FBI agents raided the Montana home where she had been living with a mystery man in his 20s. The FBI descended upon the apartment where the teen was living with the unidentified man shortly after Navarro had walked into a police department in Havre, Montana, on July 23 to request she be removed from the missing persons list. Navarro identified herself to police four years after she disappeared from her parent's home in Glendale, Arizona, in September 2019. Neighbors have now described how the FBI quickly surrounded Navarro's building before eventually entering with armed officers last Wednesday, and described how a distressed Navarro looked 'really young'. The agents arrested a man from the apartment with Navarro, who was only 4-foot 9 at the time of her disappearance, being brought out shortly afterwards. Alicia Navarro, 18, was said to be be upset following an FBI raid on the apartment where she had been living in with an unidentified man in Havre, Montana Navarro left her mother a note saying she was leaving but would return Agents entered the apartment with evidence-gathering kits while talking to Navarro, who appeared distressed. 'They went in with arms and body armor. Like they went in really aggressively, apparently. So all I knew, (an officer) eventually came up while I was talking to my neighbors. One of the guys that was supposedly undercover told me he was up here from Arizona,' Jonathan Michaelson who lived next door to Navarro said to KRTV. 'All he really wanted to know was how well I knew my neighbor, the interactions I had, whether or not there was a girl that had been living there. He told me late teens, like Latina, or something.' It was a scene similarly described by other locals. 'Three Havre police [cars] pulled up out of the building and they all got out with guns drawn and went into the apartment,' 69-year-old Ron Turner, another neighbor, told The New York Post. 'I would say five to 10 minutes later they bring this girl out They brought this girl out and I told my wife "Oh man, that dont look good. She looks really young." 'Little did I know she was legal age but she sure didnt look it,' Turner added. Despite Navarro claiming she was okay and expressing thanks to the police for offering help, authorities are treating her as a victim. Alicia Navarro, right, pictured with her mother, Jessica Nunez. Navarro was 14 when she left her Glendale, Arizona, home on September 15, 2019 Jonathan Michaelson lived in the same apartment building as Navarro and described a chaotic scene Havre, Montana is located some 1,400 miles from where Navarro disappeared in Glendale, Arizona Police had previously stated how Navarro had willingly left her home just before her 15th birthday Last week, she turned herself in to Montana authorities because she wanted to obtain a driver's license and live a 'normal life.' 'She seemed fine when she first came out. Then she covered her eyes for a while. She covered her whole eyes like this with her head down, like she was crying,' Turner told The Post. 'The guy got taken away by the time she came out. Officers were talking to her. They were talking to her and they were over there maybe three minutes and she hung her head and covered her face.' Police had previously stated how Navarro had willingly left her home just before her 15th birthday. Last week, she turned herself in to Montana authorities because she wanted to obtain a driver's license and live a 'normal life.' Navarro had reportedly been living with a man in his 20s, with whom she got into an argument before she walked into the Havre Police Department asking to be taken off the missing person's list. The police department is now continuing to investigate Navarro's disappearance, as it remains unclear how the teenager traveled more than 1,000 miles alone to a small town on the border of Canada to identify herself to police. It is unclear if the man being detained and questioned in connection with Navarro's disappearance is the same person she had been living with in the Havre apartment. The situation remains under investigation, but authorities confirmed that Navarro was unharmed and did not require any medical attention when she approached the police. In an emotional Facebook video Sunday night, Jessica Nunez pleaded for people to 'move on' as questions remain about her daughter, Alicia Navarro's, disappearance On Sunday night, Navarro's mother begged internet sleuths to back off from their investigations and harassment of her family that has put their 'safety in jeopardy.' In an emotional Facebook video, Jessica Nunez pleaded for the public to 'move on,' even as questions remain about her daughter's vanishing. The distraught mother warned in the video how the 'search for answers has taken a turn for the dangerous,' claiming she and her family have been targeted since her daughter's reemergence. 'I have been harassed, my family has been attacked all over the Internet the public has gone from trying to help Alicia to doing things like trying to show up to her house and putting her safety in jeopardy,' Nunez claimed. 'So I beg you, please no more TikToks, no more reaching out to Alicia or me with your speculation or questions or assumptions. This is not a movie, this is our life, this is my daughter.' Navarro, now 18, turned herself into police in Montana last week asking to be taken off the missing person's list. She is pictured speaking to police in Arizona about her identity On Monday, police told DailyMail.com they had nothing new to add about the state of the investigation. Addressing the public, Nunez expressed her appreciation for everyone who has supported her since her daughter went missing in 2019. 'I could never have kept going without all of your love, help and well wishes,' she said between tears. 'I can't even put into words the amount of gratitude I have for you all. 'But now that we know Alicia is alive, I have to ask one more favor of you,' she continued. 'I know you want answers, and I do too, but the public's search for answers has taken a turn for the dangerous. 'I love her more than anything in the world, and I think I have shown you that.' She addressed the internet sleuths looking at the case and begged them not to focus on the family while police do their work. 'There's an ongoing investigation, and I'm begging you to move on,' she added. Nunez captioned the video: 'Let's focus [on the fact] that my daughter is alive. This is a miracle.' Navarro, who has been described as having high-functioning autism, was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale home in September 2019 Navarro, who has been described as having high-functioning autism, was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale, Arizona, home in September 2019. She left her mother a handwritten note in her bedroom that read: 'I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I'm sorry.' Her disappearance sparked a massive search that included the FBI. Police spokesman Jose Santiago said over the years, police had received thousands of tips. After hearing the news that an 18-year-old identified herself as the missing teenager, Glendale police said they immediately responded to the unspecified small town in Montana. Officers said they verified Navarro's identity, and that she has been extremely cooperative with authorities. 'I can't even begin to express to you all the pride that I personally have in the men and women here at our police department,' spokesman Jose Santiago said. 'Since her disappearance, our men and women here have been working tirelessly around the clock to not only bring closure to this family, but to make sure Alicia gets everything she possibly needs.' He added the girl 'by all accounts appears to be in good spirits' and 'really just wants to move on with her life. 'She is very apologetic to what she has put her mother through. And she understands that she has caused a lot of pain to her mother, and it was not intentional on her behalf, and she is hopeful that they can have a relationship.' Police said Navarro seemed to be 'in good spirits' and 'really just wants to move on with her life' Over the years, Nunez partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter Over the years, Nunez partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter. She had suspected Alicia may have been abducted by someone she met online gaming. 'I'm more than 90 percent sure that my daughter met this person online,' she claimed at the time. The mother said her daughter was a pretty cautious person, so it would have been unusual for her to be easily lured. 'Knowing the way my daughter's personality is, I don't think that she would have fallen for that,' Nunez said. 'This person probably took a while to be able to gain [her] trust.' But Glendale police have never found any evidence of an abduction, and said at a news conference last week that Navarro was able to come and go as she please. She does not face any criminal charges, they added. 'She is not in any kind of trouble,' Santiago said. Navarro had long suspected that her daughter was abducted by someone she met online gaming, though police were never able to find any proof of that Footage shared by Fox10 showed Navarro chatting with cops from Glendale who scheduled an emergency meeting with her after she reappeared earlier this week. An officer asked her: 'Did anybody hurt you in any way?' 'No, nobody hurt me,' Navarro replied. But Garrett Smith, 22, described how he would see Navarro over the past year 'holding hands' with an unknown man in his 20s, with whom she shared an apartment in Smith's complex, The day before Navarro showed up at a police station close to the Canadian border, Smith said he had heard her yelling at the man. 'I was here the other day and I heard them yelling. She did say, 'I will go back.' But that's all I heard,' Smith, 22, told the New York Post. Garrett Smith, 22, said he lived in the same apartment complex as Navarro and an unidentified man in his 20s, with whom she had an argument the day before she turned herself in He said he had only spoken to the girl just once, a few days before she turned herself into the cops, claiming she was 'looking for her uncle' near a post office. 'She was asking for directions. She looked scared,' Smith said, noting that despite being barely younger than him, Navarro referred to him as 'Mister.' 'She said she was walking with her uncle and got lost and she's looking for 6th Street,' Smith added. 'I later found out that she was referring to him as her uncle.' Smith said that Navarro's voice was 'scratchy' and that she often appeared in bad shape. 'Her braces looked pretty bad. She had braces on when she went missing in Arizona in 2019. It looked like she still had the same braces on,' Smith said. Police in Havre, though, said in a statement that Navarro 'appeared to be fine and in good health' when she went to them. Navarro has since had a brief video call with her mother, Trent Steele, president of the Anti-Predator Project and spokesperson for Navarro said, but have otherwise not spoken since she re-emerged. 'They have their own healing journey to go on. They've got stuff they have to do first,' Steele said. 'She is safe. I hope people wait for the facts of the case before making their assumptions.' Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as the White House doctor for Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, was 'temporarily detained' by police as he tried to assist a 15-year-old having a medical emergency at a rodeo Saturday night. The Texas Tribune reported Monday that amid a 'very loud and chaotic environment' law enforcement wrongly detained Jackson, who had been called over to provide medical attention. A statement from the congressman's office said Jackson had been seated 'in the stands during the entire rodeo, in full view of the assembled crowd, and was not drinking.' Jackson was 'summoned by someone in the crowd to assist a 15-year-old girl who was having a medical emergency nearby.' When he got to the patient her relative, a nurse, was already helping her, but said she needed assistance. 'While assessing the patient in a very loud and chaotic environment, confusion developed with law enforcement on the scene and Dr. Jackson was briefly detained and was actually prevented from further assisting the patient,' the statement said. Rep. Ronny Jackson (left) is seen with fan Riley Ridling (right) at the White Deer Rodeo Saturday night. Jackson was briefly detained by law enforcement as he tried to assist a 15-year-old having a medical emergency at a concert President Barack Obama (left) with Dr. Ronny Jackson (right) in 2014. Jackson later served as President Donald Trump's White House doctor, was a failed candidate to lead the Veterans Administration and then ran for Congress 'He was immediately released as soon as law enforcement realized that he, as a medical professional, was tending to the young girls medical emergency,' it continued. The local sheriff, Tam Terry, told the Texas Tribune that one person was 'temporarily detained' while authorities responded to a call during a concert Saturday night at the White Deer Rodeo, located 40 miles outside Amarillo. Terry did not name Jackson in his statement. He said the department is 'reviewing the incident.' Until that wraps up no participants will be named, the sheriff said. Jackson has had a colorful career in Washington, first associated as Obama's physician, he went on to serve Trump, who's became a political ally. Jackson was named by Trump to head the Veterans Administration in March 2018, but his nomination was derailed after stories came out about him overprescribing medication to White House staff. President Donald Trump (left) endorsed Ronny Jackson (right), his former White House doctor, in his first Congressional run in 2020. They remain key political allies He was given the nickname 'candy man' for that reputation. Current and former colleagues also told Senate investigators that Jackson drank on the job Trump withdrew his nomination less than a month after he named Jackson to the post. In December 2019, he jumped in a Congressional race to represent a conservative slice of Texas. He won his seat in November 2020 and won reelection last year. With his medical background, Jackson has become a thorn in President Joe Biden's side, suggesting the 80-year-old needs to take a cognitive test to stay in office. A Conservative council has been left effectively bankrupt after investing more than half a billion pounds in a solar farm tycoon who used taxpayer cash to buy luxury goods including a yacht and a private jet. Cash-strapped Thurrock Council in Essex borrowed 655million of public money to invest in Liam Kavanagh's solar farm business. But leaked documents reveal how the fast-living financier used the council's funds to go on a spending spree and live a luxury lifestyle. Mr Kavanagh's lawyers claim that all the payments made were allowed and approved by his company's finance team and auditor. Thurrock hoped the huge investment in 53 solar farms would generate millions in extra income. The investments were issued through a complex series of bonds and in return, Thurrock would get interest payments worth millions of pounds. But the interest payments stopped after Mr Kavanagh wound up his companies and the estimated value of the farms is lower than expected, with the council facing a 200million shortfall on the risky investment. Cash-strapped Thurrock Council in Essex borrowed 655million of public money to invest in Liam Kavanagh's (pictured) solar farm business Thurrock hoped the huge investment in 53 solar farms (one pictured in Swindon) would generate millions in extra income The BBC's Panorama and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that the value of Rockfire's farms was inflated to entice further investment. Gavin Cunningham, a former investigator with the Serious Fraud Office, told Panorama that it is potentially fraudulent to supply inaccurate energy prices. Mr Cunningham said: 'The effect of that will be that you end up with a far greater valuation of the overall portfolio of solar farms than is actually the case. And anyone relying on that information is going to be misled by it.' The probe found that when Rockfire had one of its solar farm portfolios revalued in 2018, it declared that the power price was 61.45 MWh despite the average price at the time being much lower at 46.92Mwh. The investigation also uncovered that Mr Kavanagh was told by staff in 2020 the average power price was expected to be 41.70MWh but he insisted valuers should be given the inflated price of 62/MWh. By 2018, Thurrock had already invested more than half a billion pounds in the business. The inflated power prices convinced the council to invest another 130m - which never reached the solar farm. Leaked Rockfire documents reveal how Mr Kavanagh spent the council's money on his lavish lifestyle inside. There is a 12million payment which went to a company that bought his private jet. Meanwhile, there are also payments of 2million for his Bugatti Chiron car and 16million for his yacht Heureka. Another staggering 40million went to a bank account called 'other'. He also bought a million-dollar diamond-encrusted Hublot watch which cost twice as much as the average home in Grays - the Essex town where Thurrock Council is based. Leaked documents reveal how the fast-living financier (pictured) used the money to go on a spending spree and live a luxury lifestyle An email the financier sent in 2020 appears to show he always planned to spend the council's investment on himself. 'These funds will be used to create a new family investment office and to create wealth for years to come. This has always been my plan,' it read. Thurrock is one of several councils that have faced financial turmoil since local authorities were handed more freedom to raise funds and invest in 2011 by the coalition government. Croydon, Slough and Woking have all had to halt all non-essential spending after also losing public funds on risky investments. A spending watchdog called The Audit Commission - which stopped councils taking too many risks - was abolished in 2015. But Thurrock Council began investing in Mr Kavanagh's business Rockfire in 2016. Mr Kavanagh, who no longer lives in the UK, said his company had produced significant income for the council for several years. He said: 'I have never misled Thurrock Council during the course of those investments. It was always my understanding that Thurrock Council conducted its own independent due diligence into investments.' A report by Essex County Council last month blasted Thurrock for its risky investments and inadequate checks. It also brought up the role played by Sean Clark - the council's then chief financial officer. Mr Clark also invested council cash in other companies which went bust. The new council leader, Andrew Jeffries, apologised for 'the shocking and unacceptable failures' of the past and pledged to recover the financial position to protect residents - although Thurrock was granted permission to increase council tax by 10 per cent by declaring bankruptcy earlier this year, sparking mass fury. Teachers in thousands of British primary schools are being told to teach pupils as young as five about controversial race theories, with guidance arguing that children are 'never too young' to talk about it. The Key, a national information service which boasts a 30 million turnover, had provided anti-racism resources for more than 13,000 schools and educational trusts in the UK. Primary schools pupils are taught about American police brutality and that white children are 'strongly biased' in favour of 'whiteness', in US-style lessons on 'white privilege', it has been claimed. Teachers are told that while topics like police brutality in the US may not seem age appropriate, they 'are likely to have heard about these issues in the news or discussed them at home.' Guidance from the information service points towards the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man who was murdered by police in Minneapolis in 2020. Primary schools pupils are taught about American police brutality such as the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man who was murdered by police in Minneapolis Critics have slammed the initiative after claiming that the material is backed by controversial critical race theory, which claims that racism is entrenched in society. Authors and academics claim that the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement has led to British schools importing anti-racism material. Tomiwa Owolade, author of This is not America, told The Times that theories that originate in the US do not 'reflect the actual experiences of British children and ethnic minority people in the UK'. He added: 'Critical race theory came out of American constitutional law. It's the argument that after the end of segregation, America had still failed to improve the lives and conditions of black people. 'That very particular context simply doesn't apply to the UK, because we've never had segregation institutionalised in the UK.' Campaigners and academics also claim that the research behind the instructions given to teachers for race-related discussions references racial division in the US. In the guidance, one document titled, 'How to talk to pupils about racism', teachers are told that their pupils are 'never too young' to talk about it. An infographic in the guidance, which uses data collected in the US, shows that white five-year-olds are 'strongly biased in favour of whiteness'. Authors and academics claim that the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement has led to British schools importing anti-racism material (library image) The same infographic compares this with the attitudes of their black and 'Latinx' (Latino) classmates, who show no preference towards their own racial groups. The guidance also urges teachers to not 'shy away from more difficult topics' when discussing differences between people in their classrooms. Teachers are also encouraged to insist that disadvantaged white children have 'white privilege', even when they 'may not accept it'. Guidance says that if this is challenged by a pupil who may say 'but I'm gay, poor, female', teachers should say that this 'doesn't erase their white identity'. Staff are further instructed to 'decolonise' lessons plans and avoid teaching 'white savior narratives', such as centering white abolitionists when teaching children about slavery. This also includes widening music curriculums to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the musicians or composers are from an ethnic minority background. The Key was recently featured in a landmark report by pressure group Don't Divide Us (DDU), which found that an increasing number of British schools are teaching contested racial theories, often via third-party organisations. Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, DDU's director and the lead author of the report, told The Times that discussions on race with children were important, but criticised the use of critical race theory, which is 'incompatible with educational aims and a democratic society'. She said that lessons on race should be had 'in an impartial way and through the disciplines', adding: 'The problem is that this is being done in ways which circumvent that impartiality and in classes with children of a very young age.' Defending its guidance for teachers, managing director of The Key Michael McGarvey said: 'Our job is to support schools with any challenges they face, including engaging with complex topics such as promoting equality and addressing racist or prejudiced attitudes.' The Key was founded in 2007 as a government pilot to provide 'up-to-the-minute sector intelligence' for education leaders, with more than 120,000 school leaders are said to use the services. The company provides packages of digital resources, which can cost up to 2,451 per school, boasts that it provides 'reliable, relevant and authoritative knowledge that's ready to use'. Pictured: Senior Constable Kym Slade, 48 Two days before a senior constable tragically ended her life inside a police police station, she 'radiated kindness and care' as she helped a member of the public with a deeply personal issue. Kym Slade, 48, took her own life with a police-issued gun just after midday on Thursday, July 20, at Loganholme Police Station - with Queensland Police Service shedding light on the circumstances of her death for the first time on Tuesday. Police sources initially told Daily Mail Australia the loving mum died after learning she had not passed her firearms exam. However, a police spokesperson has since clarified that she was unable to take the test. The spokesperson confirmed Senior Constable Slade attended her scheduled operational skills and tactics training in the hours before her death, which would have involved the use of police-issued firearms. However, she advised instructors that she was feeling 'physically unwell'. 'Upon discussion with Senior Constable Slade, it was determined given the circumstances, she shouldnt continue training on that day and arrangements were to be made for her to return on another day,' they said. Senior Constable Slade was provided support and transported back to Loganholme Police Station. In the days after her shock death, friends and colleagues posted online tributes to the fallen officer - including James Vasilic who spent time with Senior Constable Slade two days before the tragedy. Mr Vasilic told Daily Mail Australia he met the officer twice in the week before she died - the first time was on the Friday, and second time was on the Tuesday - because he left his phone in an Uber. Senior Constable Kym Slade (pictured) died at Loganholme Police Station at about midday on July 20 Senior Constable Slade has been remembered as a loving mum and a 'beautiful soul' 'She helped me with a very insignificant issue (but important to me), but on both occasions she radiated kindness and care and she was able to resolve my matter,' he said. 'I could tell she was someone who really cared about people and helping them and going the extra mile.' Mr Vasilic said he could not believe the senior constable died just two days after their interactions - adding: 'I can't begin to imagine what was going on in her mind that day, or on the days I spoke with her.' 'Kym was a generous, kind, and loving mother and public service member ... I cant imagine what a big loss this will leave in the hearts of her her family, friends, and work colleagues.' He set up a Go Fund Me page to help Senior Constable Slade's family to 'show them that people really care about what happened to her, and value her service'. While many others remember the senior constable as a kind and caring person, some pointed their anger at the Queensland Police Service. One colleague told Daily Mail Australia that 'most people, including management, knew she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression' from her time in the force, but alleged that nothing was done to address the issues. Senior Constable Slade's colleagues are pictured laying flowers at Loganholme Police Station, where she died on July 20 Senior Constable Slade took her own life at Loganholme Police Station (pictured) on July 20 'They put a square peg into a round hole, causing her brain to explode, but that's what the Queensland Police Service does - they don't care about accolades, only pushing "problem" people from one s**tty place to another,' they said. 'In this case, they pushed too hard on a wonderful, kind, compassionate woman who would give the shirt off her back.' The colleague said Constable Slade had a 'heart of pure gold' and would often bring baked slices and gifts for people to work 'just because'. Another colleague wrote on social media: 'Another casualty of the QPS... tortured at comms and unsupported everywhere she went. What a waste of a lovely person. 'It just goes to show that no one matters when employed by the QPS.' Another said: 'QPS have a lot to answer for.' A third person commented: 'Our people matter - yeah right!' A fourth replied: 'She obviously felt unsupported by those that should've had her back.' Senior Constable Slade's death was referred to the Ethical Standards Command, with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commissioner. For confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Euphoria actor Angus Cloud who suddenly died aged 25 on Monday morning was plucked from obscurity by a talent scout while working as a waiter in Brooklyn - and narrowly avoided death when he smashed his skull falling into a construction pit. Cloud, who shot to fame as drug dealer Fezco in the hit HBO series Euphoria when it first aired in June 2019, had been waiting tables at now-closed chicken and waffle restaurant Woodland in Prospect Heights just weeks earlier - unaware he was about to star in the platform's second most-watched show of all time. But Cloud's life was not without struggle. In 2013, the California native suffered a brain injury falling into a construction pit and did not wake for 12 hours - leaving him with slowed speech and giving him the characteristic drawl associated with his popular character. His untimely death comes just a week after he buried his father Conor, which left him with 'intense grief' and 'severe suicidal thoughts', his family said in a statement. Cloud was found unresponsive in his family home in Oakland, California, by his mother at around 11.30am. At 14 or 15 he revealed he suffered a brain injury that slowed his speech and gave him the characteristic drawl associated with his popular character. He is pictured in a children's hospital in Oakland, California, at the time Cloud had been working at a chicken and waffle restaurant in New York in 2018 at around the time he was spotted by a casting director. He is seen in a viral video waiting tables Cloud played Fezco in the hit HBO series Euphoria, which became its second-most watched show of all time Cloud - who turned 25 on July 11 - was born and grew up in an Irish American family in Oakland. He attended the prestigious Oakland School for the Arts where he specialized in technical theater and went on to build sets for various productions. He then moved to New York with the long-term plan of going to Ireland to live and work, he told The Wall Street Journal in 2019. 'I was gonna move to Ireland for a while. All my family lives out there,' he said. But then he was scouted and plans changed. He had been working at a chicken and waffle restaurant in 2018 when he was spotted by scout Eleonore Hendricks, a specialist in street casting. 'She asked me if I would be down to do an audition, but she didn't exactly say what it was for. I thought it was some type of scam,' he told The Journal. Separately, he told Variety magazine of the traumatizing head injury sustained as a young teenager. He described how in 2013 - aged 14 or 15 - he became separated from friends and fell into a 12-foot deep construction pit which he had failed to spot. Cloud said he woke up 12 hours later with a broken skull and recounted how he climbed out in a daze with broken fingers. He then returned home to his mother before spending five days in ICU recovering. 'The brain is so fragile,' he told the magazine. 'It was damn near like nothing really happened. I'm so blessed to just have minor brain damage.' Earlier this year he posted a photo oh himself in hospital during that recovery and thanked the children's hospital for saving his life. The incident left him with scar across the left side of his head, which became as much a part of his famous Euphoria character's identity as his voice. The scar was even written into his character's story - in the second season Fez is hit over the head with a crowbar. A scar sustained by Cloud to the left side of his head was even written into his character's story. In the second season Fez is hit over the head with a crowbar. He is pictured playing the popular character Fez Cloud (left) was born and grew up in an Irish American family in Oakland, California. He is pictured in his youth Cloud's father Conor was buried earlier this month in Ireland. The actor's final post to social media came on July 18, in which he noted he was in Dublin. A family statement released after his passing read: 'It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. 'Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend.' Emergency services told NBC News they were called at about 11.30am but the 'patient was determined to already be deceased' when they arrived. 'The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating a death that occurred today, July 31, 2023, just after 11:30 AM, in the 200 block of Euclid Avenue,' the OPD said. 'The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death is unknown. There's no additional information being released at this time. This is an active death investigation.' Euphoria social media channels also shared a tribute to the actor. 'We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud,' it read. 'He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.' Two pharmacy magnates have partnered with Chemist Warehouse in what is being labelled a 'game changing' move to operate pharmacies located inside Aussie hospitals. Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles built cancer care heavyweight Icon Group before selling it to private equity. They have now joined forces with chain outlet Chemist Warehouse to get their pharmacies into hospitals in what they say 'has the potential to be the biggest thing we have done yet'. The joint venture dubbed Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy has the pair working alongside Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market. Australian chemist giant Chemist Warehouse (pictured) has joined forces with pharmaceutical rich-listers Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles as they seek to expand their operations into hospital pharmacy outlets Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles (pictured together) built cancer care heavyweight Icon Group before selling it to private equity and are worth an estimated $555 million combined Chemist Warehouse has more than 500 stores across Australia with sales exceeding $3billion last year, dominating the pharmacy sector - but to date the business has not cracked the more fragmented in-hospital pharmacy sector. Ms Reid, who together with Mr Giles shares an estimated wealth of around $555 million, told The Australian Financial Review the pair are wanting to break into the Australian market before expanding abroad. 'We are starting in Australia but not limiting ourselves to only Australia,' Ms Reid said. 'Chemist Warehouse has stores overseas. Looking at the Chemist Warehouse track record, they don't go into anything with a view of being passive in it. They're in the business of being category killers.' The duo made their fortune from the Epic Pharmacy chain and Icon Group. They have sold all their shares in Icon but have maintained a minority stake in Epic. Brett Clark, a managing partner at Chemist Warehouse and a friend of the couple, helped broker the meeting between the powerhouses. The joint venture dubbed Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy has the pair working alongside Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market (stock image) Ms Reid, who together with Mr Giles shares an estimated wealth of around $555 million, said they are wanting to break into the Australian market before expanding abroad (stock image) The partnership comes two decades after Ms Reid and Mr Giles sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to the chemist giant. A Chemist Warehouse spokesperson said the collaboration would allow the company to expand its operations. 'The joint venture will produce employment opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, and enable our highly sought-after trainee program to operate in the hospital pharmacy environment,' the spokesperson said. An IT boss has been jailed after he brutally attacked his wife over a 'petty nothingness of irritation' when she fell asleep while they were watching a film. Paul McSharry, 46, lashed out at his wife Carolyn during the incident on March 21 at the couple's home in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire. McSharry, reportedly a high earner with an American software company, accused his wife of 22 years of 'disrespecting him'. After waking her up, he ordered her upstairs before then pushing her on to the floor. He then hit her repeatedly and strangled her. As she tried to scream, he covered her mouth with his hand and accused her of being 'not nice to me' and asking 'Are you going to be a decent wife?' Award-winning computer expert Paul McSharry, 46, has been jailed after he attacked his wife Carolyn at their home in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, because she fell asleep while they were watching a film She managed to escape and locked herself in the bathroom, before messaging a friend, who called the police. McSharry, who is also a published author and panellist, has now been jailed for three years and six months after admitting to intentional strangulation and threats to kill. Sentencing McSharry at Southampton Crown Court, Judge Christopher Parker KC said he had 'battered and bullied her remorselessly'. Prosecuting, Keely Harvey said there was a 'threat of significant further violence' having caused 'very serious distress' to his wife, who 'wondered what was going to happen to her'. She added that McSharry didn't like any drinking and would 'go crazy' if his wife had a drink. She said: 'The relationship had been suffering for several years prior to the incidents.' The court heard that after the attack Mrs McSharry sent a number of voice recordings she had been covertly taking to a friend. Sentencing McSharry at Southampton Crown Court (pictured), Judge Christopher Parker KC said he had 'battered and bullied her remorselessly' The concerned friend then rang the police, who came and arrested the IT worker. In the recordings, played in court, he can be heard saying that he was going to kill Mrs McSharry - who has a PhD in Chemistry - and that she was the one making him do this. When interviewed, McSharry, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, gave a prepared statement, initially denying ever threatening or assaulting his wife. Defending, Audrey Archer said he 'feels great shame at the way he behaved that evening' and has been seeking help while in custody. She added that he appreciates that the 'treatment of his wife is wholly unacceptable and that he needs help'. McSharry lost his 'solution architect' job at American software company VMware as a result of his offence. Judge Parker KC said the offences 'were not committed entirely in isolation' pointing out that his wife was so worried at the way he was treating her, she had been sending evidence to her friend. He added: 'On the night of the 21st, over a petty nothingness of irritation, you lost your temper, and you battered and bullied her remorselessly. 'You told her you were pleased that you hurt her. 'I have no doubt that untreated and allowed access back to your wife, you would represent a very serious danger to her - not just to her health and wellbeing but to her life.' McSharry, who has 15 years experience as an IT professional, comes highly recommended in his field, with his bosses at VMware previously commending him on his Linkedin profile. Josh Batey, a director at the company, wrote last year: 'Paul is a singular architect with a vision on the future and nothing but complete customer focus. 'In short he is one of the finest architects I have ever had the privilege of working with, and the standard by which I will measure all other architects.' Lawyer Alan Dershowitz revealed Monday that President Barack Obama would only attend his 75th birthday if he disinvited Fox News Channel host Geraldo Rivera. Dershowitz, who represented President Donald Trump during his first impeachment, appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show and talked about how he's been treated by liberal friends for continuing to side with the former president. He told the conservative Kirk that his defense of Trump 'cost me a great deal,' arguing that 'people have lost all sense of decency when it comes to having different points of view' and characterized those on the left as being especially petty. Dershowitz said that for his 75th birthday in 2013, 'President Obama was invited and he said he would come, but then when he heard that Geraldo Rivera was invited too, basically his office said, unless you disinvite Geraldo Rivera I'm not coming.' 'And I'm a loyal guy, I said to the president of the United States no, Geraldo Rivera is coming, you can stay away, and the president of the United States stayed away from my 75th birthday because I invited Geraldo Rivera,' Dershowitz recalled. Appearing on The Charlie Kirk show on Monday, lawyer Alan Dershowitz said that President Barack Obama refused to attend his 75th birthday, 10 years ago, because he had invited Fox News Channel's Geraldo Rivera The White House had asked Alan Dershowitz to disinvite Fox News' Geraldo Rivera (left) if the lawyer wanted President Barack Obama (right) to attend his 75th birthday in 2013 The former lawyer of O.J. Simpson and Harvey Weinstein added that he 'would do that any day of the week.' 'I believe in loyalty. I believe in friendships. I don't agree with Geraldo on everything, but he's my friend, so of course I invited him to my 75th birthday and I'm inviting him to my 85th birthday,' Dershowitz continued. The lawyer will turn 85 on September 1. Like the Obamas, Dershowitz is a regular on Martha's Vineyard, but talked about how he's been shunned as of late. 'My former friends on the radical left, one of them was walking yesterday on the beach and he saw me coming and he took a sharp right turn, went up to the top of the dunes, I thought he'd fall off to avoid even seeing me - and that's the way it is today,' Dershowitz said. 'And the library has cancelled me, my synagogue has cancelled me. The community center has cancelled me. The book show on Martha's Vineyard - I'm probably the best-selling author on Martha's Vineyard and they cancelled me,' he continued. 'It's just that they don't want to hear opposing points of view - that's not liberals - it's called progressive, but it's regressive,' the lawyer added. At another point in the show, Dershowitz told Kirk he still thinks himself a liberal. He noted how he supports gay rights, abortion, gun control and environmental protection, within reason. But he still believed Trump was getting a raw deal. Dershowitz pushed that all of the legal proceedings against the former president should be paused until after the 2024 presidential election. 'There ought not be a trial that takes place during the election. That really does constitute - whether it's deliberate or not - election interference,' Dershowitz argued. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reiterating his call for the case against Julian Assange to be dropped, brushing off suggestions the United States won't be swayed on the matter. Since winning office in 2022, the Albanese government has been advocating for the US pursuit of Assange to end. But during a visit to Australia last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back against the demands and said Assange was accused of 'very serious criminal conduct'. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reiterating his call for the case against Julian Assange (pictured in London in 2017) to be dropped Assange, an Australian citizen, published a trove of classified documents more than a decade ago. He has been in prison in the UK for more than four years and is fighting extradition to the US for spying charges. Yet Mr Albanese did not believe Mr Blinken's comments suggested the US administration was unlikely to change its approach to the case and rather reflected a position stated in private conversations. 'What Secretary Blinken did was just state, consistent with what the American position has been,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'We remain very firm in our view and in our representations to the American government and we will continue to do so.' The prime minister will continue to reiterate to his US counterparts that the matter has gone on for too long, and said 'enough is enough'. Since winning office in 2022, the Albanese government has been advocating for the US pursuit of Assange to end A Mississippi man was sentenced on Monday to 40 years in state prison for breaking out of a correctional facility and holding two people at gunpoint last year, just months before he was set to complete a seven-year sentence. Shunekndrick Huffman, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping. Huffman, who escaped from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in August 2022, had nearly finished a seven-year sentence for aggravated assault and was expected to be released in December. After he fled the prison, he broke into a nearby home and held three people at gunpoint for hours, according to authorities. They said he then stole a car from one of those held hostage before crashing it and fleeing on foot. He was later found hiding in a trash can and captured two miles from the prison, WLBT-TV reported. Shunekndrick Huffman, 21, was sentenced to 40 years after pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping. He escaped from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in August 2022, just a few months from his release date in December After Huffman fled the prison, he broke into a nearby home and held three people at gunpoint for hours, according to authorities Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain told the news station that the facility would improve its siren system to prevent future escapes. In May, two inmates escaped from Mississippi's Raymond Detention Center, just weeks after four other detainees broke out of the same jail, authorities said. Joseph Spring and Michael Lewis, both 31, were discovered missing following a head count conducted after a deputy noticed items and 'what appeared to be blood' near the facility's outer perimeter fence. Officers found there had been a breach in the ceiling of one of the facility's rooms and believe that's how the two men got out. Deputies captured Lewis in Hinds County that evening but Spring was on the run for three weeks before being caught by the Hinds County Sheriff's Office and the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force in the west Jackson area following a 'brief vehicle encounter'. He was arrested and charged with felony fleeing and hindering prosecution. An AFP investigation has led to a former childcare worker being charged with 1623 child abuse offences against 91 children - including 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 - in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas between 2007 and 2022. The Gold Coast man, 45, has been in custody in Queensland since August 2022 when the AFP arrested and charged him initially with two counts of making child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service for child pornography material. The case is scheduled for a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 21 August, 2023. After the man was charged last year, the AFP will allege further self-produced child abuse material was identified on electronic devices allegedly owned by the man. The AFP launched Operation Tenterfield immediately after arresting the man on 21 August last year. Operation Tenterfield has in part focused on identifying the children in the alleged child abuse material recorded at childcare centres in Queensland (10) and NSW (one), and an early learning centre attached to a school overseas. The AFP alleges the man recorded his offending on phones and cameras while working in 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and 2018 to 2022; an overseas location in 2013 and 2014; and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. All the children allegedly offended against were pre-pubescent girls. The man worked at other childcare centres but the AFP is highly-confident the man did not allegedly offend at those centres. The AFP is also highly-confident that all 87 Australian children who were recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified. The AFP believes the man recorded all his alleged offending. The parents of all the Australian children recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been informed of the investigation. Some of the individuals identified in the alleged child abuse material are now aged over 18 years and have been informed. Support services have been offered and continue to be provided. The AFP is working with international authorities to help identify four children recorded in alleged child abuse material created overseas. The AFP Queensland Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) and victim identification specialists from the AFP and Queensland Police Service (QPS) have been working tirelessly since the man's arrest last year to identify all children in the alleged child abuse material. In November, 2022, the AFP provided evidence to NSW Police Force (NSWPF) to enable an investigation for the alleged offending in NSW. NSWPF launched Strike Force Boorong to investigate alleged offending in Sydney. With the assistance of the AFP, NSWPF notified families and individuals identified under Operation Tenterfield. Operation Tenterfield with the assistance of Strike Force Boorong has undertaken detailed forensic investigations of more than 4000 images and videos containing alleged child abuse material, which was allegedly created by the man. In July, 2023, the AFP laid further charges against the man (on top of the three original charges) for the alleged offending against 64 children in Queensland and four children overseas. Those charges include: In June, 2023, NSWPF laid charges for alleged offending against 23 children in NSW. Charges include: NSWPF has issued a first instance warrant for the man's future extradition. Operation Tenterfield has been complex and has involved highly-skilled victim identification specialists. Up to 35 AFP members have been involved in the investigation since August 2022. The AFP thanks QPS and NSWPF for dedicating resources to the investigation. The genesis of Operation Tenterfield is linked to QPS locating alleged child abuse images and videos on the dark web in 2014. QPS posted them on an international victim identification database, seeking assistance from the global victim-identification community. The AFP and other agencies examined the images but they contained few distinguishable clues for investigators to follow. But in August, 2022, the AFP was able to trace objects identified in the background of the alleged images and videos posted on the dark web between 2013 and 2014 to a Brisbane childcare centre. Following inquiries with the childcare centre, the AFP executed a search warrant on 20 August, 2022, in Brisbane, and arrested the man in Brisbane's southwestern suburbs. He was charged with making and distributing child abuse material that was allegedly posted on the dark web. In the next 48 hours, the AFP executed two further search warrants including at the man's Gold Coast home and seized electronic devices allegedly containing child abuse material created by the man. In September 2022, the AFP coordinated a joint-agency taskforce with QPS at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) to review nearly 4000 seized images and videos the man had allegedly created. Victim identification specialists helped identify 91 children who had allegedly been offended against by the man. The childcare centres will not be named to help protect the identity of alleged victims. AFP Northern Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said the AFP and other agencies were providing ongoing support to parents and children. 'The AFP, working with support services, has ensured parents and carers have received as much information as possible as this investigation continues,' Assistant Commissioner Gough said. 'I can assure members of the Australian public that if you have not been contacted by law enforcement, it is extremely unlikely your child was allegedly offended against by the man. 'The AFP is highly-confident that all the Australian children who were recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified. 'The AFP and our partners never gave up trying to identify the alleged offender and the children in the alleged abuse material. 'Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender's devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination. 'While I am extremely proud of law enforcements' persistence and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender, and stop further abuse, this is chilling news. 'It is with a heavy-heart that the AFP and other law enforcement dedicate so much time and resources to prevent and take action against individuals who commit heinous crimes against children. 'There is not much solace I can give parents and children who have been identified under Operation Tenterfield, but I can tell you that we never gave up, and we never will when it comes to protecting children. 'This is a distressing time for families, carers and the community broadly. 'We know this type of news can re-traumatise survivors of sexual abuse, and, please, I urge those survivors to seek support, or talk to a trusted network, if today's news has caused distress.' Queensland Police Service Acting Assistant Commissioner Col Briggs said this outcome was the culmination of years of dedicated and complex investigation across jurisdictions. 'From the moment Argos located images of victim children being shared on the dark web in 2014 an extensive examination was launched to identify the children in the pictures,' Acting Assistant Commissioner Briggs said. 'The challenges posed by an investigation of this type were significant and officers never gave up on identifying this alleged offender, reminding themselves that everything you do online leaves a trace. 'In recent years investigators engaged the support of a joint-agency Victim Identification Taskforce at the ACCCE, with several agencies working together to ensure the victims and their families were located. 'These allegations are horrific and confronting, but I commend all investigators from each jurisdiction in their relentless efforts to ensure that our community is made safer as a result of the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald from the NSWPF State Crime Command confirmed the man would also be facing child sex abuse related charges in NSW. 'Today we announce that the NSW Police Force have issued a warrant for this man's arrest in our home state, where he faces 180 child sex abuse charges against 23 victims aged one to five,' Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said. 'Once this man faces the AFP charges in Queensland, we will be seeking to extradite him to Sydney to face the full force of the law in New South Wales. 'This is one of the most horrific cases of alleged child abuse our detectives have seen, and we will continue to relentlessly pursue this matter on behalf of the 23 victims of NSW, who remain our number one priority. 'Alongside our partner agencies, we are absolutely committed to prosecuting anyone who goes after our community's most vulnerable.' The AFP urges anyone in the community who needs to access support to visit the ACCCE website www.accce.gov.au - for a full list of available support services with contact details. Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000. Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at www.accce.gov.au/support. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation. Famed YouTuber MrBeast is suing the company behind his branded line of MrBeast Burgers and demanding it be shut down after customers blasted their meals as 'inedible'. The YouTube megastar - known for his extravagant cash giveaways - filed the lawsuit in New York District Court Monday, accusing Virtual Dining Concepts of damaging his reputation by selling undercooked burgers and cold fries with his name on them. The Florida-based company partnered with the 25-year-old - whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson - to launch the food-based venture back in 2020, using storefronts of other existing restaurants to cook up the sandwiches. Known as 'ghost kitchens', the concept was initially a hit - with Donaldson successfully parlaying his fame so that a mass of more than 10,000 lined up for the opening of the first MrBeast Burger location in New Jersey's American Dream mall. It also saw more than a million burgers sold before Donaldson even had the opportunity to advertise them. But since then, the suit claims Virtual Dining Concepts has repeatedly damaged the YouTuber's reputation by not ensuring the burgers' quality - at times even serving up raw food. It also claims that Donaldson has yet to receive 'a dime' from the venture. Famed YouTuber MrBeast is suing the company behind his branded line of MrBeast Burgers, citing 'inedible' food delivered to customers. The venture saw storefronts of other existing restaurants cook up the sandwiches, a concept known as a 'ghost kitchens' The suit included snippets of reviews from customers to illustrate this dissatisfaction - roughly a month after Donaldson abruptly called an end to the experiment last month, citing 'quality issues' with participating 'ghost kitchens' The suit included snippets of reviews from customers to illustrate this dissatisfaction - roughly a month after Donaldson abruptly called an end to the experiment last month, citing 'quality issues' with participating ghost kitchens. 'Customers have referred to the burgers as being disgusting, revolting, and inedible,' a section of federal filing reads, claiming Virtual Dining's alleged failures in monitoring its ghost kitchens has irrevocably harmed the YouTuber's reputation. It goes on to add that those unhappy patrons have aired gripes such as 'it is sad that MrBeast would put his name on this,' and that they had 'never had something so nasty.' Other quoted criticisms of the roughly $10 burger included claims of 'inaccurate marketing', 'big name, poor food,' and 'very upsetting for the high price.' One simply called the food 'the worst burger I have ever had.' Using the chorus of public opinion, the complaint seeks to allow MrBeast to terminate his agreement with Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) effective immediately, shutting down one of the largest virtual brands in the US in the process. It cites how more than half of the more than 1,000 MrBeast Burger virtual restaurants 'have less than two (out of five) stars,' a marker Donaldson's lawyers wrote 'is well-below the median score of four stars across the platform [Yelp].' Other so-called proof of Virtual Dining's supposed failures included a Reddit post from a few months ago in which a patron claimed a MrBeast Burger he purchased was 'mostly just raw', with photos attached as evidence. An anecdote from a reviewer New York - 'echoing the sentiments of thousands,' as attorneys put it - stated his MrBeast Burger was 'the absolute worst burger I've ever eaten in my entire life.' That person added of their experience: 'It was like eating spoonfuls of garlic powder. fries were soggy and ice cold. don't waste your money.' Filed in Manhattan federal court Monday, the suit accuses the ghost kitchen company of damaging his reputation by selling undercooked burgers and cold fries with his name on them, and not overseeing promised quality checks The suit included snippets of reviews from customers to illustrate this dissatisfaction - roughly a month after Donaldson abruptly called an end to the experiment last month, citing 'quality issues' with participating fast-food kitchens The venture between the two parties was initially a hit - with Donaldson parlaying his fame so that a mass of more than 10,000 lined up for the opening of the first location in New Jersey. It also saw more than a million burgers sold before he had the opportunity to advertise them It comes after Donaldson abruptly called an end to the experiment last month, citing 'quality issues' with participating ghost kitchens The claims aired in suit were further bolstered by multiple separate exhibits that contained similar assertions and accounts from people at large. In one, lawyers shared a Florida father of two's email to MrBeast's reps in January after a poor MrBeast Burger experience. In that correspondence, the man - whose name was redacted to protect his identity - described how he felt as though he had let his children down by ordering from Donaldson's service. It reads as follows: 'My children adore and love watching Mr Beast videos daily. This is not a complaint or grab for attention or money back. It's more to make you aware of a situation that may be tarnishing your name with a product that just is being misrepresented. 'On December 30th my son, 11 and daughter, 8 planned out an evening with their father and it consisted of introducing me to Mr Beast while eating MrBeast Burgers. 'Sounded like a good plan to me, so I first tried to help them with the App which continued to say it was not available in my country, the USA. After a while, I decided to just order through Mrbeastburger.com. 'This went fairly well but after the order was placed over I noticed that I could not tip the driver which ended up being Uber picking up the order,' the account continued. 'I ended up paying cash to the driver but I'm not sure how often this happens or if it was a glitch. Drivers may not want to pick up orders because of this which delays your food being delivered in a timely manner.' The man went on to recall how he received the food in unbranded packaging that he was able to trace back to a nearby 7-11. 'After the order, I was given an address that I was able to trace back to a 7-11 in Winter Springs, Florida,' the man's recollection read. 'After witching and learning more about Mr. Beast, I just don't see how a place like 7-11 should be preparing and serving $10.00 burgers and expensive fries for a figure so well known and loved by so many people.' He quickly added: 'Especially when they arrive in a white plastic bag with white generic Styrofoam containers and no pickles or any condiments on the Beast Fries. The claims aired in suit were further bolstered by multiple separate exhibits that contained similar assertions from people at large. In one, lawyers shared a Florida man's email to MrBeast's reps in January after a poor MrBeast Burger experience he said 'let his kids down' 'With that being said,' he went on, 'I did not want to bring any attention to this with my kids or bring down their excitement. I just know by the look of disappointment on their faces when the food arrived and how items were missing upset them. 'Prior to delivery they were showing me pictures of other delivered Mr Beast food and what it looks like so this is how I knew they were sad. They quickly got over it and ate their food. 'I did not want to take pictures of their food or talk about it so that's why I only took photos after we ate,' he added. 'I'm not even going to get into how everything tasted, Its just the misrepresentation that I am saddened by and how it let me children down.' Of this, attorneys for Donaldson wrote : 'Customers do not expect their MrBeast burger to come in a 7-11 bag. That is not what anyone expects from a MrBeast-branded product.' In another attachment, lawyers for the world's most subscribed YouTuber offered a compilation of 'just a handful' of the thousands of negative reviews that have been published online by MrBeast Burger consumers over the years. Citing the mass of media - taken from videos from food reviewers and posts on social media - attorneys claimed that 'there are literally thousands' more negative reviews, articles, and comments from people who are 'deeply disappointed' by the product, and' by the fact that MrBeast would put his name' on it. 'Because the entire business is based on the tremendous global value of the MrBeast brand, it is MrBeast himself, and not Virtual Dining Concepts, who has borne the brunt of the (justified) attacks and criticisms,' the suit states. It adds that MrBeast made every effort to cause Virtual Dining Concepts to fix' these significant quality control problems as soon as he learned of them, but they refused and/or were incapable.' In another attachment, lawyers for the world's most subscribed YouTuber offered a compilation of 'just a handful' of the thousands of negative reviews that have been published online by MrBeast Burger consumers over the years As a result, the suit states that Virtual Dining Concepts 'has caused material, irreparable harm to the MrBeast brand and MrBeasts reputation,' not only through its abject failure to address 'siognigicant' quality control problems with the virtual business, but also through other material breaches of the agreements with MrBeast.' That broken agreement , the suit states, came after Virtual Dining repeatedly denied MrBeast his valuable approval rights by posting his name, image, and brand on social media and elsewhere without first obtaining his written approval and consent. It also adds that while the business has made millions of dollars, 'MrBeast has not received a dime.' The suit concludes that due to the material, irreparable harm to MrBeasts reputation and brand caused by Virtual Dining Concepts failure to uphold its end of the parties agreement, MrBeast has no choice but to seek... a judicial declaration that he has the right to terminate the MrBeast Burger business.' It also claims that Donaldson is entitled to unspecified damages from 'the harm caused by Virtual Dining Concepts multiple material breaches of the agreements between the parties.' 'Consistent with MrBeasts philosophy, if the MrBeast Burger virtual business cannot provide the highest level of service and products to its customers, then it should not continue,' it states. The suit - which comes as so-called ghost kitchens exploded in popularity during the pandemic but have since seen their success slow drastically - is currently making its way through the Manhattan federal court system. Donaldson has yet to publicly comment on the suit, but has been doing so through a spokesperson. Last July, about two years into the venture, Donaldson bragged abouyt the astonishing amount of money the burger chain has earned in the US thus far, then tapped at $100million. The firm started with 300 locations in the US, but quickly expanded to 1000 locations across North America. In January, the cash earnings from the operation stood at $150,000,000 in revenue. However, after accounting for the 30% fee paid to actual locations, as well as the cost of ingredients, packaging, shipping, storing, and other expenses, the net profit was somewhere around $30,000,000 - an amount supposed to be split between Donaldson and Virtual Dining Concepts. It is not clear how much the operation has made in the six months since. The suit is currently ongoing. A Miami plastic surgeon has been accused of injecting a patient with blood contaminated with pea-sized plastic beads - but insisted that he had done no wrong, and the plaintiff was a disgruntled customer with a grudge. Karl William Schwarz, a Miami-based plastic surgeon, was accused by a patient of injecting her with blood contaminated with plastic - which he denied Karl William Schwarz operated on the 34-year-old woman at 305 Plastic Surgery in January 2021. She had already had a Brazilian Butt Lift and liposuction at the clinic, with a different surgeon, in 2019. She went to Schwarz for another round of the same treatments. Schwarz's attorney, Gregory Chaires, said the surgeon asked her before the operation if she had received any implants or injections, and she said no. Schwarz also made her sign a disclaimer, he said, which warned that, if any foreign objects were found inside her during the liposuction, they would not then be able to move that material to her rear for the butt lift as it could cause long-term problems. 'During the preoperative evaluation, Dr. Schwarz asked the Patient if she had received the injection of foreign materials into her body, which the Patient denied,' said Chaires. The surgeon is pictured at work. He said that his accuser was a disgruntled client seeking a refund for surgery he was unable to perform Schwarz operates out of 305 Plastic Surgery in Miami The surgeon is seen with a satisfied customer, who drew a portrait of him Schwarz said that he began operating on her, only to find that her blood was contaminated with plastic, which blocked the cannula. He did not carry out the procedure that she wished. Chaires said that the patient took legal action in January 2022 because she was angry at not getting a refund for the butt lift, which the surgeon was unable to perform. She accused him of 'substandard care', and noted that in his report on the operation he said some of her blood had been injected into her buttocks. Schwarz said that that was a misunderstanding from the person who took notes on the procedure. The surgeon denied her allegations, but agreed to pay nearly $14,000 in fines and case fees in what his lawyer said was a bid to move on with his life. The agreement includes a $7,500 fine, $6,196.11 in admin costs, three hours of medical record keeping training and five hours on risk management. Chaires said Schwarz did not accept her accusations of wrongdoing. 'Nevertheless, as Dr. Schwarz wishes to put this matter behind him so that he may return his complete focus to his patients and family, he has decided to enter into the proposed Settlement Agreement,' he said. The family of Cash App founder Bob Lee were in court in San Francisco on Monday as they listened tearfully to a police officer detailing how he attempted to resuscitate him as he lay dying from stab wounds. The account was part of evidence being formally introduced in the case by Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai and included photos of a knife prosecutors say Nima Momeni, the tech consultant charged in the killing, used to stab Lee. San Francisco police officer Cedric Hood was one of two officers who attempted to save Lee's life after he was found bleeding on Main Street in the early hours of April 4. SFPD Officer Hood explained how he found a silver knife with a black handle inside a locked parking lot. Investigators later found it to be a 4-inch, Joseph Joseph brand kitchen knife. The San Francisco prosecutor's office started laying out its murder case against a tech consultant charged in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee The preliminary hearing started on Monday before a judge who will decide if there's enough evidence to go to trial. San Francisco police officer Cedric Hood, seen in the dock, was one of two officers who attempted to save Lee's life after they found him bleeding on Main Street Lee got into a heated row with Mrs Elyassnia's brother, a tech entrepreneur named Nima Momeni (pictured in May). He is alleged to have stabbed Lee to death with a kitchen knife Cash App tech mogul Bob Lee (pictured), 43, dubbed 'Crazy Bob' was knifed to death in April While he was on the scene, a homeless man was found to be sleeping some 40 feet away from where Lee collapsed. The man was resting close to some garbage cans and was also questioned by police at the scene - but he made little sense when officers spoke to him. Crime scene investigator Rosalyn Check also described how Lee had left a trail of blood following the fatal stabbing. Drops of blood stretched all the way from the parking lot along Main Street, right outside to the Portside apartment complex in which Lee was later seen in video footage desperately banging on the doors as he searched for help. Blood was found on the side of the apartment block and also on a phone box directly outside, which Lee had also tried to use, reports The Standard. A courtroom sketch of testimony being given during the preliminary hearing for Nima Momeni at San Francisco Superior Court on Monday Lee was later seen in video footage desperately banging on the doors to an apartment complex as he searched for help Saam Zangeneh, one of Momeni's lawyers, has been trying to punch holes in police evidence Assistant DA Talai also showed other pieces of evidence including the trail of blood left by Lee as he staggered for help. He also showed video footage that showed Lee and Momeni leave his sister's condo building before the stabbing took place. District Attorney Talai said previously explained during a May hearing that the knife was part of a unique kitchen set belonging to Momeni's sister and that analysis showed Momeni's DNA on the weapon's handle and Lee's DNA on the bloody blade. Saam Zangeneh, one of Momeni's lawyers, questioned why the rubber handle of the knife was tested for only DNA and not fingerprints. Check said that it is difficult to get prints off rubber. 'When you want to see if someone's touching something, you do fingerprint analysis, right?' Zangeneh later said to reporters. 'And they weren't done on the handle, which is the most important, relevant portion of who, if any, was handling that item.' The Portside on Main Street, San Francisco where Cash App founder Bob Lee collapsed and died after being fatally stabbed on April 4th Attorneys for Momeni said in court that the two men had a cordial relationship and Momeni had no reason to kill him. The comments from Momeni's lawyers came during a preliminary hearing, where the prosecution presents its evidence and a judge decides if there is enough to move ahead to trial. Prosecutors have said that Momeni, 38, planned the April 4 attack that left Lee dying on a desolate San Francisco street. They said he drove Lee to a secluded spot and stabbed him three times after a dispute related to Momeni's sister, Khazar. But Tony Brass, one of four defense attorneys present on Monday, said it was not Lee but another man whom Momeni suspected of acting inappropriately with his younger sister. 'What you see is cordial, a cordial relationship between Nima Momeni and Bob Lee,' Brass said to reporters after the hearing. 'They're in a car together. Those are not two men who have murderous rage between them.' A friend of Lee told homicide investigators they had been hanging out and drinking with Momeni's sister the day before the stabbing, prosecutors said previously in court documents. The friend said Momeni later questioned Lee about whether his sister was doing drugs or otherwise engaging in inappropriate behavior, and Lee said she had not. But Saam Zangeneh, one of Momeni's lawyers, said he asked those questions of Lee in regards to the man whose apartment they had been drinking at. Zangeneh said in court he needed to dispute the idea of an 'honor killing' committed to protect a sister. Prosecutors have not spelled out a motive, but previously offered a timeline in a case that has drawn media attention, partly due to Lee's status in the tech world. Lee created Cash App, a mobile payment service, and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin. Momeni allegedly stabbed the teens as a 20-year-old. He is pictured in his Albany High School yearbook photograph Lee and Khazar Momeni (above), the wife of a respected plastic surgeon, are alleged to have been part of an underground scene of drugs and casual sex Flowers sit at a tree in front of the building where a technology executive was fatally stabbed outside of in San Francisco, on April 6, 2023 Momeni, who has been in jail since his arrest April 13, has pleaded not guilty. He faces 26 years to life if convicted. His arrest came more than a week after Lee was found bleeding in the early morning hours of April 4. He later died at a hospital. Surveillance video of Lee's final night shows him entering the posh Millennium Tower downtown, where Momenis sister lives with her husband, a prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon. Video footage then shows Lee and Momeni leaving the building together shortly after 2am and driving off in Momeni's car. Lee was found shortly after 2:30am in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, which has tech offices and condominiums but little activity in the early morning hours. The hearing will continue on Tuesday, when Momeni's defense is expected to lay out more of their arguments. A 68-year-old driver has been taken into custody after his SUV plowed into six migrant orchard workers in a Walmart parking lot in North Carolina - but he claims he hit the gas pedal by accident, then fled the scene. Daniel Gonzalez, of Hickory, North Carolina, was taken into custody on Monday evening after turning himself in to the Lincolnton Police Department alongside several family members. The family members said he told them he was parking at Walmart and hit the gas by accident, striking six men, then panicked and left the scene. All six victims needed to be taken to hospital but police said none of the injuries appeared life threatening. On Sunday evening Lincolnton Police released surveillance footage of the crash and said it appeared to be an 'intentional assault,' though the department's interim chief said they are now considering new evidence. Gonzalez was charged with felony hit and run. He received a $50,000 bond and was said by police to have been cooperative. Gonzalez was charged with felony hit and run. He received a $50,000 bond and was said by police to have been cooperative Daniel Gonzalez, 68, is pictured being taken into custody on Monday evening after turning himself in to the Lincolnton Police Department with several family members The black SUV (top right) was captured on surveillance footage plowing into the group of migrants by a bus that brought them from an orchard to Walmart for a weekly shopping excursion Describing the crash, Maj. Brian Greene, interim chief of the Lincolnton Police Department said: 'It turns right in front of the bus and appears like it's almost going to park. 'And then it appears to accelerate at the last minute, jumping the curb, hitting the individuals and the trees and going through the area into the other side of the parking lot and exits the same way it came,' he added. The incident happened at around 1.15pm on Sunday and injured six men working a 30-minute drive away at the Knob Creek Orchard in Lawndale, authorities, who have since recovered Gonzalez's black SUV, said. The victims were treated at the local Atrium Health-Lincoln hospital for their injuries, and all six were released late Sunday. None of the victims had any apparent connection to Gonzalez. Injuries included concussions, as well as broken legs and ankles, said Candace Elmore, whose family owns the orchard. Police identified them as Jorge A. Lopez, Zalapa M. Hermosillo, Jose L. Calderon, Luis D. Alcantar, Rodrigo M. Gutierrez-Tapia and Santiago Baltazar. Police said 20 to 30 orchard workers were on a weekly grocery trip at the time and were gathered around a bus which had taken them to the Walmart, 35 miles northwest of Charlotte. Jeff Crotts of Knob Creek Farm, said the six injured workers are in the United States on agricultural visas through the federal government's H-2A program for seasonal farm workers. The SUV is pictured moment after hitting the migrants and before fleeing the scene on Sunday afternoon Gonzalez (right) is pictured under arrest on Monday evening and being placed in a police vehicle After Gonzalez's arrest on Monday, cops thanked various departments - including the FBI and the State Bureau of Investigation - that assisted in the investigation as well as local Kia and Hyundai dealerships. Santiago Baltazar told WCNC through a translator that he had injuries from his waist to his feet. Another one of the victims, Jorge Lopez, said he remembers hearing the rev of an engine and then feeling the impact as the SUV hit him. The group said they usually work six days a week - often 11 hours per day - and go to Walmart on Sundays to cash their checks, send money back home and buy groceries. The Carolina Migrant Network has called for a 'thorough investigation' of the case. Lincolnton has a population of around 12,000 people and around 30 miles northwest of Charlotte. In a similar incident earlier this year, an SUV plowed into a crowded bus stop in a Texas border town, killing eight and injuring at least 11. The Range Rover that struck a group of people who were at a bus stop outside the homeless center for migrants Police arrested the suspect who was driving the car, George Alvarez, 34. He has been 'uncooperative' with investigators, cops said George Alvarez, 34, was arrested by police afterwards in connection to the collision and was said by police to have 'obviously intoxicated' at the time. Alvarez ran a red light and lost control of his Range Rover on May 7, hitting 18 people, Brownsville police said. He then tried to flee the scene before he was detained by bystanders, police said. The Brownsville Police Department said it still does not know if Alvarez acted intentionally. A Moscow tower block which houses seven government ministries came under drone attack in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with explosions in the building for the second time in two nights. The IQ Building is where the Russian ministry of the economy and communications are based. Surveillance footage from inside the tower in the city center several miles west of the Kremlin, shared online, appeared to show an explosion shortly before 1am. But Igor Sushko, a Russia-Ukraine observer, said the time stamp on the footage could be wrong, as Moscow's air defenses shot down a drone at 3:13am on the outskirts of the city. He speculated that the tower could have been attacked at 3:50am, not 12:50am. There were no immediate reports of casualties, although ambulances were at the scene. Footage shared online in the early hours of Tuesday in Moscow showed smoke coming from the IQ Building in Moscow's financial district Surveillance camera footage from inside the building appeared to show the moment of impact The previous attack on the tower was caused by a drone, and initial suspicions were that this was a repeat An incoming drone was filmed over Odintsovo after midnight. Two drones were shot down in Odintsovo and Naro-Fominsk, according to the Moscow authorities. Sergey Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, said the facade of the IQ tower was damaged. 'One flew into the same tower at the Moscow City complex hit previously,' he said. 'The facade has been damaged on the 21st floor. Glazing was destroyed over 150 square metres.' He said there were no casualties. The Defense Ministry said: 'Two Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed in the air by air defense systems over the territory of Odintsovo and Naro-Fominsk districts of Moscow region. 'Another drone was suppressed by electronic warfare and, having lost control, crashed on the territory of the Moscow City non-residential building complex.' The tower is home to seven different government ministries, including the ministry of the economy and communications Russia's defense ministry said the previous attack was a thwarted Ukrainian drone attack - the second in a week. Nobody was hurt in that attack and there was only minor damage, but such attacks are uncomfortable for the authorities who have told the public that Russia is in full control of what they call its 'special military operation' in Ukraine. Tech giant Yandex, which has offices dotted around the Russian capital including in Moskva-Citi, asked staff to vacate offices at night, when strikes on the Russian capital have tended to occur. 'Taking into account the situation, we ask you not to be in the office at night (from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.),' Yandex said in a message to employees. 'The restriction applies to all Moscow offices. Take care!' Many companies in Russia continue to allow employees to work in hybrid mode, split between home and the office, following the lockdowns imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Ukrainian attacks on Moscow and other Russian targets were 'acts of desperation' and that Russia was taking all measures possible to protect against strikes. Kyiv typically does not claim responsibility for specific incidents on Russian territory, and did not claim the latest attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, said on Monday the war was 'gradually returning to Russia's territory - to its symbolic centers'. A Ukrainian drone was possibly shot down by air defense around Odintsovo, suburbs of Moscow, between Rublevka and Vnukovo airport. Timestamp is 3:13am, so the indoor video footage of the Moskva City explosion timestamped 12:50am may indicate an improperly set time. Likely 3:50am. pic.twitter.com/2wSLV06dcm Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) August 1, 2023 The hole in the IQ tower is seen after a drone strike Two drones reached the Kremlin in May, the most high-profile incident, but other attacks have targeted buildings near the defense ministry's headquarters on the Moscow River and the capital's exclusive Rublyovka suburb, home to much of Russia's political, business and cultural elite. Sunday's attack saw glass panels blown out in one high-rise building and glass, debris and office documents littering part of the pavement below. Video footage from the incident showed a bright orange explosion, accompanied by a deafening bang. A Telegram channel run by the Russian online media group Mash broadcast photos of the damage done to the digital ministry's headquarters. Mash reported that the ministry's staff had been asked to be resilient, but that most employees would be permitted to work from home temporarily. Hospital claims other factors are also at play too The family of a young cancer sufferer claim she is being denied a vital lung transplant due to her decision not to receive four Covid vaccines, but the hospital claims other factors are also at play. The parents of Dazelle Peters, who is in remission from leukaemia which was diagnosed in late 2020, allege that Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital is denying their 16-year-old daughter a double lung transplant because she will not take the vaccines. Dazelle's father, Josh Peters, who has not had a Covid shot himself, claims a surgeon told his daughter that if she did not get the jabs and then caught the virus she would be a 'major threat to everyone (in the hospital) who has done the right thing'. 'The way he made us feel was that they didn't want to give her the lung transplant,' Mr Peters, 45, told Daily Mail Australia. Mr Peters said during a May 9 consultation at St Vincent's the surgeon said the hospital would give the lungs to a better candidate because Dazelle is a 'complex case'. Josh Peters with his daughter Dazelle before the 16-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia The hospital said Dazelle's lack of a Covid vaccination is a factor in her not being put on the waiting list, but there are other reasons beside that. Since her bone marrow transplant Dazelle has suffered from Graft-versus-host disease, a condition where her body's immune system is attacking the donor's blood cells, considering them as foreign as well as battling a rare type of pneumonia. The hospital says being immuno-system compromised could further complicate a transplant procedure. A hospital spokesperson confirmed their 'policies and guidelines wouldn't support transplantation' of an unvaccinated person. 'Vaccination status against various infections is a critical part of this assessment in order to ensure optimal prospects of survival post-transplant,' a hospital spokesperson said. 'Accordingly, there are national guidelines and recommendations regarding vaccination before, and after organ transplants.' However, the spokesperson stressed that each case was assessed 'individually'. 'There are other complexities that need to be assessed before an informed decision can be made about the appropriateness and practicality of transplantation for Dazelle,' the spokesperson said. 'We have requested further follow-up from her and her doctors in order to make an informed assessment.' Former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth explained that there was a good reason transplant patients needed the vaccine. 'From a transplant physician's point of view, the biggest risk to you is when we hit your immune system like that, if you get Covid-19 without having the vaccine, then there is a significant risk that organ will die with you,' he said earlier this year. 'And we don't want that to happen to you, and we don't want it to happen to the family who has made that sacred donation.' Mr Peters waits beside Dazelle's bedside as the teen battles a post bone marrow disease that is attacking her lungs and other organs However, Mr Peters insists his family has done everything to make Dazelle a suitable candidate for a transplant, except get the four Covid shots which would take nine months to administer. 'Vaccines are only a small part of the process to get a lung transplant,' Mr Peters said. 'They are a Catholic hospital. They have all taken an oath to help people and take care of people and do the right thing by people. 'Who deems that she doesn't deserve a chance over anybody else?' 'This is no game. This child is f***ing sick man.' Dazelle is given an oxygen mask in hospital with her lungs now only operating at around 20 per cent of capacity He said his daughter's condition is deteriorating, and was found collapsed in her bedroom over the weekend. As a result Dazelle has been in and out of Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital. 'Her lungs are all scarred up, they are buggered they are only running at about 20 per cent,' Mr Peters said. 'She couldn't even start to perform the lung function the other day because her lungs are just too distraught to hold the oxygen.' Over the past two and half years Dazelle's kidney, lungs, liver and heart have all been impaired and she has become anaphylactic while shrinking to just 40kg. Although none of his family has been vaccinated against Covid, Mr Peters insists the decision is entirely Dazelle's. 'Dazelle has been clear she doesn't want the jabs,' Mr Peters said. 'People think that because we are the parents, we make the decisions, but we are not talking about a five-year-old child here. 'We can't force her, and the hospital know they can't force her. Mr Peters said doctors have told them Dazelle always 'gets the worst of the worst of side effects', and this has strengthened her resolve not to get the shots. 'That's another reason she personally, not us, doesn't want to get the shots. Her heart's not good, her kidney's not good, her liver's not good, she's a mess,' he said. Mr Peters said that before an allegedly brutal session with a specialist at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital Dazelle never complained about her condition Mr Peters said that for the first time he had to carry Dazelle up the stairs of her Newcastle home as breathing was exhausting her Mr Peters rejects the label he and his family are 'anti-vaxxers'. 'Our children have had every single vaccination that they are meant to have,' he said. 'We even got the flu shots right up until Covid started hitting.' Before her diagnosis, Mr Peters said she was 'a very, very healthy energetic child'. 'She was right into her sport, everybody loved her, lots of friends. Before she got sick she had barely taken a Panadol in her life. 'Just a down-to-earth kid. We never had any problems, everyone loved her.' Dazelle was lucky to pull through her May 2021 bone marrow transplant. 'After the operation she became unresponsive and slipped into a coma,' Mr Peters said. Mr Peters said Dazelle 'thinks she doesn't have long left'. Mr Peters holds Dazelle's hand with the teen slipping into a coma following her bone marrow transplant in May 2021 'Why would you deny her a lung transplant when she has fought so hard to get where she is? 'Dazelle has been on her deathbed and been given the gift of a second chance. She's a special child.' According to the TGA, Covid-19 vaccines can cause some side effects. The most frequently reported include injection-site reactions (such as a sore arm) and more general symptoms, like headache, muscle pain, fever and chills. Myocarditis- an inflammation of the heart - is also listed as a possible but rare side effect of Covid-19 vaccinations. Myocarditis is reported in just 1-2 in every 100,000 people who receive Pfizer, and two in every 100,000 of those who receive Moderna and 3-4 in every 100,000 people who receive Novavax. Detective Inspector Jon Rouse has spent most of career protecting children but he remains haunted by a phone call that etched into his memory the devastating consequences when there is no one to protect a youngster from a sex predator. Det Insp Rouse said he received the call only a few days after starting work at Queensland's Taskforce Argos in 2000, which investigates child sex abuse. 'The caller could not speak at all for the first five minutes. There was just sobbing,' Detective Inspector Rouse told Queensland Police News. 'I waited patiently and eventually he told me his story. 'He was in his mid-50s at the time of the call. He told me that as a young child he had been placed in an orphanage run by nuns. Recently retired Queensland Detective Inspector Jon Rouse has spent nearly 30 years fighting to protect children from abusers 'On weekends, as a "treat" the groundsman would take some of the children to the drive-in movies, where they would be sexually abused. 'When he mustered the courage to tell the nuns what had happened, he said they 'caned his feet until they bled' and asked how could he 'say such terrible lies about this good man'. 'Apart from listening to his story, I soon came to realise there was nothing I could do to get justice for this man as it had happened so long ago and I ascertained that the perpetrator and all the witnesses had passed away.' The senior police officer, who is being forced into reluctant retirement at age 60, said the most common question he is asked is 'how can you do this kind of work?'. 'My response is always "how can you not?". 'In law enforcement, everything we do has a linkage to trauma. Whether it's road accidents, domestic violence or homicides, everything we do as police officers has the potential to psychologically damage us. 'I particularly take my hat off to our officers across the state and at the Child Trauma Task Force at headquarters investigating cases where children have died. Their singular focus is to get justice for those victims. 'At Argos, we have the opportunity to intervene. And in many cases, we stop the abuse before children are old enough to ever remember what has happened to them.' Det Insp Rouse said that he learnt from his time in a child protection taskforce that the hidden scale of child abuse was vast It emerged on Tuesday that a former Gold Coast childcare centre worker has been charged with 1623 child abuse offences which allegedly involved 91 victims, The Gold Coast man, 45, has been charged with 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas between 2007 and 2022. Det Insp Rouse said his many years in Taskforce Argus and before that a four-year stint in Queensland's the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group had shown him the massive scale of the problem. 'The only thing we seem to have really good at over that time is finding more (abuse), he told radio station 2GB. 'I don't think you are ever going to see us eliminate this issue because it is a percentage of humans.' He has also learnt that child abuse crosses all international boundaries because there were 'dreadful people across the globe'. 'When we go online you don't know where the offender is and you don't know where the child victim is,' he said 'Sometimes they are in Australia and Queensland but probably in 80 90 per cent of the cases they are overseas. 'I don't care where the child is, I will try to do something to make sure they are removed from harm.' He said with the encouragement of senior police Taskforce Argos has built a major global network with other international law agencies to protect children. 'We could get a lead from anywhere in the world and have a child removed from harm sometimes in hours,' he said. The foundation set up in the memory of murdered and abused Gold Coast 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe paid tribute to Det Insp Rouse Det Insp Rouse said that although he is leaving the force he will continue the fight to protect children. He has taken up a professorship at Melbourne's Monash University where he will teach and research the role of AI plays in enabling or combatting child abuse. He also will continue as board member for International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Australia and working with the Daniel Morcombe agency. The Foundation that was set up to protect children in memory of murdered Gold Coast 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe, recently paid tribute to Det Insp Rouse. 'The Daniel Morcombe Foundation has a long-standing relationship with Detective Inspector Jon Rouse APM, and we celebrate his life's work dedicated to protecting children from harm and as a champion to the cause of keeping kids safe,' the Foundation said in an Instagram post. 'As a valued ambassador to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, we look forward to continuing and growing our relationship with you. 'Congratulations on your retirement, we are confident that your energy and passion for protecting children from harm will not reduce.' Sister of crime boss had her grave defaced Fears of all-out gang warfare in Melbourne have been raised after the grave of the sister of a notorious crime boss was violated over the weekend. Vandals on Sunday broke into a mausoleum at Preston General Cemetery in Melbourne's north and smashed open a coffin belonging to Meshlin Marrogi, the sister of a feared underworld boss, George Marrogi. Ms Marrogi, who had also earned a reputation in the city's underworld, died at just 30 years of age in 2021 after being struck down with Covid. The 'sick' perpetrators destroyed items inside before dragging her coffin a short distance and cracking it open. The vandalism comes as tensions continue to rise between Middle Eastern organised crime gangs with a series of firebombings and torchings unfolding in Melbourne throughout the year. Meshlin Marrogi's final resting place at Preston General Cemetery in Melbourne's north was desecrated on Sunday Broken glass under a window at the mausoleum (pictured) Police are now investigating whether the attack at the cemetery was a gangland message to her notorious brother George Marrogi who is currently in prison for murder. Devastated mourners flocked to the cemetery on Monday, The Herald Sun reported. Among them was Ms Marrogi's mum, Madlin Enwiya, who was seen embracing another woman as she broke down in tears behind the cordoned-off area of the mausoleum. The distressed mother said she regularly visits her daughter's grave - sometimes more than once a day. Another family member labelled the vandalism as 'sick' and urged police to find the perpetrators as a Victoria Police public order response team vehicle stationed at the cemetery during the day. Meshlin has been credited for playing a key role in the rise of her brother's underworld empire. Police claim her personality and talent for business led to her brother's empire diversifying into a wide array of business interests. NCF initially started as a fundraiser for children in the family's Syrian village of origin, however investigators claim she created most of the network of businesses that were used to launder NCF profits. George Marrogi was sentenced to 32 years in jail for the 2016 brutal public execution of rival drug dealer Kadir Ors at Campbellfield. The underworld kingpin has allegedly imported more than $1billion worth of drugs while behind bars. The 'sick' perpetrators destroyed items inside before dragging Ms Marrogi's coffin a short distance and cracking it open (pictured: Preston General Cemetery) Police are investigating whether the desecration of her grave was an intentional strike at her brother Geroge Marrogi (pictured) - a notorious crime gang boss who is currently serving a 32-year jail term for murder Conflict has escalated in recent months between Middle Eastern organised crime gangs. A series of firebombings, arsons and torchings have been carried out across Melbourne with police hoping to stop the non-fatal property attacks before tensions escalate further. A wave of arson attacks had been carried out on tobacco stores in the period before the spate of torchings. At least 11 incidents involving firebombing attacks are believed to be related to the ongoing gang war. A forensic team has examined the mausoleum at Preston General Cemetary and police are looking for CCTV footage in and around the cemetery. The area where the window was smashed has no CCTV cameras and was the closest route to Ms Marrogi's grave. Comedian Jim Jefferies has shared a touching tribute to his nephew after confirming he's among those presumed dead in the tragic Queensland army helicopter crash. The Australian Army chopper was conducting a joint military exercise as part of Operation Talisman Sabre when it crashed in the waters off the Whitsunday Islands at about 10.30pm on Friday. Search and rescue teams resumed their efforts on Sunday looking for the missing MRH-90 Taipan but believe the crew are unlikely to still be alive. Captain Daniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs were named by the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, as the four involved in the crash - all members of the army's 6th Aviation Richmond Unit based at the Holsworthy Army barracks in Sydney. Lieutenant Nugent is the son of senior NSW Police Force officer Daniel Nugent, who is the brother of Aussie comedian Geoff Nugent - better known by his stage name Jim Jefferies. The comedian is flying back to Australia from the US to be with family and on Tuesday took to social media to pay tribute to his nephew. 'On Friday, July 28, my nephew Lieutenant Max Nugent died in a tragic helicopter accident that included three other soldiers: Captain Daniel Lyon, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs,' he wrote. Australian comedian Jim Jefferies (pictured) has paid tribute to his beloved nephew who is among the four men presumed dead following an army helicopter crash off the Whitsunday Islands (pictured on US talk show Jimmy Fallon in 2022) Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent (pictured) is the son of senior NSW Police Force officer Daniel Nugent who is the brother of Aussie comedian Geoff Nugent - better known by his stage name Jim Jeffries 'My heart goes out to these three families, knowing the pain they are feeling and that their lives will never be the same. 'I remember the day Max was born. He was my brother and sister-in-law's first child, and the first grandchild on both sides of his family. 'He couldn't have been more loved and welcomed into this world. We had high hopes for Max and he didn't disappoint.' The comedian said it was a 'pleasure' to watch him grow up to become someone he admired. 'He's someone I always admired, and I was so proud to call him my nephew. I still am,' he wrote. 'My brother's family have dedicated their lives to public service working as first responders. 'This tragedy reminds us of the risks that come with those jobs, and the immense bravery of those who choose to stick their necks out every day so that we feel safe. 'I wish I had the chance to say goodbye. 'Max, thank you so much mate. I love you.' Comedian Jim Jefferies' (left), his brother NSW Police Force officer Daniel Nugent (centre) and nephew Maxwell Nugent (right) are pictured together Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent (pictured) is a member of the army's 6th Aviation Richmond Unit Australian comedian Jim Jefferies (pictured) has paid tribute to his beloved nephew who is among the four men presumed dead following an army helicopter crash off the Whitsunday Islands The Nugent family released a statement following his presumed death saying Max achieved his dream as a result of 'stubborn grit, resilience and a wicked sense of humour'. 'He embodied the values of integrity and honour, which made him a natural fit for a life of service to others,' they wrote. 'He was his Dad's best mate, they loved to watch sport together. He gave great hugs to his Mum and others by resting his chin on the top of their head. 'In social settings he was a larrikin and stirrer, happy to set himself up to be the butt of a joke. 'Our Max fitted so much living into his 24 years. He got to live his dream. He loved flying and army life was everything he hoped it would be. 'He was straight as an arrow, stubborn, reliable, hilarious, generous and a radiant light in our lives. His loss leaves an unbearable grief in our hearts.' NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday praised the Nugent family for their dedicated service to Australia. 'I can only imagine what they're going through today. It's just devastating,' he told Sky News. Defence Minister Richard Marles said there was a 'very real sense of poignancy and an anxiety' associated with the search and rescue. 'Our thoughts are very much with the aircrew and of course their families,' Mr Marles told troops participating in the Talisman Sabre drills in Townsville on Sunday. 'This accident makes very clear what this exercise means, the dangers that are involved, the risks that inevitably come with it. 'The significance of it all, particularly given the events of Friday night, is made very plain and very clear. We owe all of you an enormous debt of gratitude.' The parents of Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock, also known as Phillip paid tribute to their son in a statement saying he had two loves in his life, the military and his boys. 'We have been left devastated by the loss of our son and extend our most heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of Phillip's crewmates,' they wrote. 'Outside of his army career, Phillip was a devoted father and enthusiastic mountain biker. 'He was an excellent cook, and prepared the family's Christmas dinner on a number of occasions, with the same meticulous precision he brought to his work he would shoo us out of the kitchen if we threatened to interfere.' The partner of Corporal Alexander Naggs called him an inspiration to his family and those around him. 'Corporal Alexander Naggs will always remain a beloved partner, son, brother and friend,' his unnamed partner wrote. 'Alex was a hardworking, generous and kind man who was always there for his mates. 'Alex was an inspiration to his family and those around him. We are heartbroken to lose him so soon.' Corporal Alexander Naggs (left) and Troop Commander Captain Daniel Lyon (right) were also identified as two of the men onboard the helicopter Father-of-three and highly respected senior special operations aircrewman Phil Laycock (pictured) was also onboard More than 800 personnel across military and emergency services joined the search and rescue mission, including specialist navy divers. Debris consistent with a helicopter part was found near the crash site on Saturday, with reports the fuselage was among the fragments pulled from the water. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash. The entire MH-90 Taipan fleet have been grounded until further notice. An exclusion zone remains in place in waters south of Hamilton Island and incorporates waters from the southern tip of Long Island, east to Perseverance Island, south to Cole Island, and west to the mainland at Round Head. Exclusion zones also extend to 1,000 metres from any military vessel. Anyone who finds debris is being urged not to touch or handle it and to call police immediately. The chopper was conducting a joint military exercise as part of Operation Talisman Sabre when it crashed at about 10.30pm on Friday (pictured) Debris consistent with a helicopter part was found near the crash site on Saturday, with reports the fuselage was among the fragments pulled from the water The MRH-90 Taipan aircraft is one of the 'most advanced tactical troop transport helicopters of the 21st century', according to the Australian Army. The ADF currently has 47 of the choppers - which can reach maximum speeds of 300km per hour - through the Advanced Helicopter Program for Australia. The MRH-90 also reportedly has the 'highest crashworthy standards'. It comes only a week after Talisman Sabre commenced, with the deputy prime minister kicking off the exercise in an opening ceremony in Canberra. 'It is a privilege to officially open Talisman Sabre 2023 and welcome all participating nations,' Mr Marles said on July 21. US Marines and Australian soldiers have been conducting exercises together in the Whitsundays as part of Talisman Sabre. It is the Australian Defence Force's biggest training exercise, involving more than 31,000 soldiers, marines, sailors and pilots from across 13 countries. Australian and US forces have been joined by officers from Canada, Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the UK, France and Germany. The MRH-90 also reportedly has the 'highest crashworthy standards' (pictured, MRH-90 practising winching operations with Aviation Support trainees on the HMAS Adelaide) Support services for ADF personnel Defence all-hours support line 1800 628 036 Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608 US pledges to stand by Aussies after Talisman Sabre crash tragedy For information on how to access mental health professionals 1800 IMSICK (1800 467 425) Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) 1800 011 046 Department of Veterans' Affairs 1800 838 372 A man who abducted his ex-girlfriend before burying her alive in a shallow grave has been jailed and handed a non-parole period of less than 23 years. Tarikjot Singh kidnapped Jasmeen Kaur, 21, from the South Australian aged care home she worked at in North Plympton, Adelaide, in March, 2021. She was later bound with tape and cable ties then buried while she was still conscious at Death Rock near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges. Ms Kaur died from 'actively breathing in and swallowing soil'. Tarikjot Singh (pictured) has been handed a a non-parole period of 22 years and 10 months for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Jasmeen Kaur Jasmeen Kaur (pictured), 21, was abducted from her workplace and later bound with tape and cable ties then buried alive at Death Rock near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges Singh, who was aged 20 at the time, initially pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Kaur but changed his plea a month before his Supreme Court trial was due to start in March 2023. On Tuesday, Justice Adam Kimber ordered Singh serve a non-parole period of 22 years and 10 months, which is only slightly longer than the mandatory minimum non-parole period for murder in South Australia of 20 years. In handing down the sentence, Justice Adam Kimber said the killing was 'horrific' and 'callous in the extreme' and that he could not find words to describe the horror of Ms Kaur's final moments, the ABC reported. 'The terror she felt when she was abducted, restrained and kept in the car during the long drive to Moralana Creek is difficult enough to estimate,' Justice Kimber said. 'I cannot describe the terror Ms Kaur must have been experiencing when she realised you were burying her alive.' The court heard Singh had not disclosed details of how he abducted Ms Kaur from her workplace or what he did to her in the hours following. However, Justice Kimber said the evidence was clear that she had undergone immense suffering and had been forced to endure a long car trip while bound and gagged. Justice Kimber said it was clear that the killing was planned and that Singh had taken steps to cover up the horrific deed. 'The enormity of what you were doing must have been clear to you,' Justice Kimber said. 'There was time for reflection. There was time to depart from the plan. Nonetheless you went ahead and killed Ms Kaur.' Justice Kimber told Singh that he was 'satisfied beyond reasonable doubt' that the killer's only concern was for himself. 'You killed Ms Kaur in order to punish her for not wanting to be in a relationship with you and for going to the police,' he said. Singh will be aged in his early forties when he becomes eligible to apply for parole in January 2044 Ms Kaur was buried alive in a shallow grave in south Australia's Flinders Ranges Police has cautioned Singh for stalking in early February 2021, less than a month before the murder. During sentencing submissions, the court heard Singh wrote several messages, which he never ended up sending, to Ms Kaur in the days leading up to her death. One statement read : 'Your bad luck that I am still alive, cheap, wait and watch, will get the answer, each and every single one will get the answer' and 'deep inside what I feel but can't get over'. When he was first questioned by police on March 6, he said he could not remember when he last saw Ms Kaur and insisted that he had been at home on the night of her death. One day later, Singh told police officers that Ms Kaur had committed suicide and he had buried her in the Flinders Ranges. He took police to the burial site, where officers found Ms Kaur's shoes, glasses and work name badge in a bin, alongside cable ties. Ms Kaur in 2021 provided a statement to police detailing how Singh had stalked her Ms Kaur had provided a statement to police just five weeks before her death detailing how her 'over possessive' killer repeatedly stalked her at her workplace. In a statement signed on January 28, 2021 Ms Kaur said she had been in a controlling relationship with Singh for about nine months. 'He was over possessive and wanted to control who I spent time with,' she said in the document released by the Supreme Court. Ms Kaur told police she had ended the relationship on January 4, 2021, but Singh 'didn't take this well'. 'He stated that I had to be with him or if not he would attempt suicide,' she said. During their relationship she said Singh had sometimes 'got upset' when she made plans to go out with friends and would call her and demand she go home. Singh, an Indian national who came to Australia to study IT at university and who had also been working as a respite carer, will likely be deported when he is released from prision. Rep. John Garamendi says the suit is a targeted attack to bankrupt the famers A mysterious company that bought more than 50,000 acres of land around an Air Force base in California for $800million is now suing farmers for conspiring to sell it at inflated prices. Public records show 'Flannery Associates' has invested more than $800million on around 55,000 acres of land surrounding the Travis Air Force base since 2018. Flannery is now suing local farming families for $510million, accusing them of 'acting in flagrant disregard of federal and state law' by conspiring to inflate the value of the land it sold them. Travis Air Force base, northeast of San Francisco, is a strategically significant base that serves as a 'gateway' to the Pacific Ocean. It houses large transport aircraft used for refueling smaller planes and sending aid and munitions around the world. But Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif. now claims that lawsuit is in fact part of a scheme to bankrupt the farmers and has a 'deep suspicion' the chunks of land are being bought by a group linked to China. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif. (pictured) says he has spoken with the families who sold their land to Flannery who claim they didn't want to sell in the first place. He claims the lawsuit is a targeted attack designed to bankrupt the local families Public records show 'Flannery Associates' has invested more than $800million on around 55,000 acres of land surrounding the Travis Air Force base since 2018 Flannery claims it has 'smoking gun' evidence, including text messages and emails between sellers that reveal they were illegally colluding to sell the farmland for a premium In its initial complaint Flannery claims it has 'smoking gun' evidence, including text messages and emails between sellers that reveal they were illegally colluding to sell the farmland for a 'substantial premium to fair market values'. Garamendi told NewsNation he has spoken with the families who sold their land to Flannery who claim they didn't want to sell in the first place. He also said that there was nothing obligating Flannery to pay what it now claims is more than market value for the land. While he said that although there was no direct evidence Flannery is linked to China there were 'deep suspicions'. An attorney representing Flannery has said the group is controlled by US citizens and that 97 percent of its capital comes from American investors - with the remaining investments coming from British and Irish citizens. Nonetheless, after eight months of investigation the Air Force's 'Foreign Investment Risk Review Office' is yet to identify even one person that is part of the group. 'The fact they chose to buy all three sides of the Travis Air Force Base even raises immediate questions about national security,' Garamendi told NewsNation. 'So, is this Chinese money? We don't know, but we do know that the Chinese money was being used in North Dakota and we have a very deep suspicion, given the amount of money, given the lack of attention to values, that they simply want to acquire all of this land,' he added. In its lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District Court of California, Flannery names a number of individuals it accused of being involved in the scheme. Among them was Thomas McCormack, a director of the Bank of Rio Vista, which was founded and run by his family, according to SFGate. He sold his approximately 2,500 acres to Flannery on December 18, 2019 for $20,876,500, or about $8,400 per acre, according to the lawsuit. Travis Air Force base, northeast of San Francisco, is a strategically significant base that serves as a 'gateway' to the Pacific Ocean The base houses large transport aircraft used for refueling smaller planes and sending aid and munitions around the world 'It's a suit designed to force the farmers to lawyer up, spend tens of thousands of dollars on lawyering and maybe at the end of the day, bankrupt themselves,' Garamendi told News Nation. 'In fact, that has happened to at least one family that I know of and I've heard rumors that another family simply said we can't afford the lawyers. 'Travis Air Force Base is absolutely essential. It is the gateway to the Pacific,' Garamendi said. 'A good deal of the munitions that are going to Ukraine also passed through Travis Air Force Base.' In a letter to Solano County, the majority of which is owned by Flannery, the company described itself as being 'owned by a group of families looking to diversify their portfolio from equities into real assets, including agricultural land in the western United States,' according to county newspaper the Daily Republic. The US Agriculture Department has made its own inquiries into who is behind Flannery but is reportedly yet to yield any results. 'Nobody can figure out who they are,' Ronald Kott, mayor of nearby Rio Vista, which is now largely surrounded by Flannery land, told The Wall Street Journal. 'Whatever they're doing - this looks like a very long-term play.' Over the years that Flannery, registered in Delaware, has been buying up land, it has given a variety of accounts and indications as to what it wants to do with it. An attorney for Flannery, Richard Melnyk, said in an email to the county in 2019 that it was considering working with local farmers to farm 'new types of crops or orchards,' according to The Journal. Melnyk is referred to by name in the 'smoking gun' correspondence submitted to the court, which appears to show land owners private discussing the Flannery acquisitions. 'Melynk [sic] is bullying the last of the property owners,' reads one of the messages. 'I think we should have a meeting in the next two weeks to talk about Flannery.' Mitch Mashburn, who works for the county, cast doubt on the viability of using the land for agricultural purposes. 'The majority of the land they're purchasing is dry farmland,' he told The Journal. 'I don't see where that land can turn a profit to make it worth almost a billion dollars in investment.' In a separate email also seen by the newspaper, Melnyk said Flannery was considering leasing 'a substantial portion' of its land to olive growers, including some by the base. According to online business records, an individual called Thomas Mather was listed as once being a director or officer for the company, though there is almost no other publicly available information on him. He is also listed as the manager of another Delaware-registered company called Diversified Land LLC, with the same California address in Folsom. In North Dakota land purchased by the Chinese Fufeng Group is 20 minutes, approximately 16 miles, from the Grand Forks Air Force Base The mystery around Travis is reminiscent of the much smaller purchase last year of 300 acres of farmland in North Dakota by a company with links to China The mystery around Flannery is reminiscent of the much smaller purchase last year of 300 acres of farmland in North Dakota just minutes from another Air Force base. The China-based food producer, Fufeng Group, planned to build a corn-milling plant on its new land in Grand Forks, just 20 minutes from the Grand Forks Air Force Base, where some of the nation's most sensitive drone technology is housed. The purchase raised suspicions from military officers, national security experts and lawmakers alike. A 2019 report from the US Department of Agriculture showed China owned at least 192,000 acres of US agricultural land worth over $1.9billion. Though Canada, for example, owns far more US agricultural land, a 2018 USDA report showed China's agricultural holdings in the US and other counties had increased tenfold since 2009. A former childcare worker charged with 1,623 child abuse offences against 91 children can't be publicly identified due to a law that is only in place in Queensland. The Gold Coast man, 45, has been charged with 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of ten in Brisbane, Sydney, and overseas between 2007 and 2022. He allegedly recorded the abuse while working at ten centres in Queensland, one in NSW, and another at an early learning centre attached to a school overseas. The man will appear at Brisbane Magistrate's Court on August 21. Queensland's criminal law act protects the identity of alleged sex offenders until a magistrate decides there is enough evidence to commit the matter to trial. If there is not enough evidence, the case is dismissed and the person's name is never revealed. Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman announced in November the law protecting the identity of accused rapists would be changed this year, but the exact date is unknown. The 45-year-old was arrested in August last year under the Australian Federal Police's Operation Tenterfield and charged with two counts of making child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service of child abuse material. Police allege that after the man was charged, detectives found more self-produced child abuse material on phones and cameras owned by the man. Investigators eventually uncovered 4,000 images and videos containing alleged child abuse material, which he were allegedly created. The new charges ultimately came after the AFP were able to match objects in the background of the alleged child abuse videos and pictures shared on the dark web to that of a Brisbane childcare centre. AFP will allege he recorded the material while in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and then from 2018 to 2022, in an overseas location in 2013 and 2014, and then at one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. 'The AFP is also highly-confident that all 87 children who were recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified,' police said in a statement. All of the alleged victims in Australia have been identified, and their parents informed. Some are now older than 18 years of age. A former childcare worker charged with 1,623 child abuse offences against 91 children can't be publicly identified due to a law that is only in place in Queensland (stock image) A former Gold Coast childcare centre worker has been charged with 1,623 child abuse offences (pictured is AFP Northern Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough) AFP Northern Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said the childcare worker had all the right qualifications. She added police had not received any reports relating to the man before his arrest. 'I can only say, you try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police and crime reporting but this is a horrific case,' she told reporters on Tuesday. 'I'd like to thank the AFP and the Queensland Police for bringing this information so we can bring them before the courts.' The AFP has alleged that after the man was charged last year, further self-produced child abuse material was found on electronic devices he allegedly owned. The police agency is working with international authorities to identify the four children allegedly abused overseas. Police would not comment on where that alleged abuse may have occurred. It is also unclear what role the man held within the childcare centres. Assistant Commissioner Gough would not comment when asked if authorities would take 'extraordinary lengths' to protect the alleged offender in custody. A celebrity wedding planner who used a forged letter to snatch her dead grandfather's home has been declared bankrupt and had her assets seized in a new legal fight for the family at war over his will. Relatives of top radiologist Alan Grant - who died in 2019 at the age of 98 - have been ripped apart by years of legal wrangling over his estate. Kashaya Williams claimed her grandfather gifted her his $900,000 home overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast. But her uncle, neuroscientist Professor Seth Grant, and her aunt Tansin, successfully took Ms Williams and her mother Nerez Grant to court in 2020 to recover the property. The NSW Supreme Court ruled that the crucial letter giving her the home was a fake and that Ms Williams was 'a knowing participant in a dishonest scheme'. Three years later though, Ms Williams, 36, still owes her grandfather's estate $754,543.33 from two court judgements against her in the epic legal battle over his will. Celebrity wedding planner Kashaya Williams (pictured with ex-husband Evan Williams who had assault charges dropped on mental health grounds in June) has been declared bankrupt and her assets seized after using a forged letter to snatch her dead grandfather's home Kashaya received the Killcare home (above) after her mother said she'd received a letter from Dr Alan Grant, requesting she 'please' give his property to her She has now been declared bankrupt, and on Tuesday the Federal Court in Sydney backed a demand by Prof Grant to seize her assets on behalf of his father's estate. Ms William runs Sydney wedding business Kashaya & Co, a favourite of big name couples such as AFL star Kieran Jack and Charlotte Goodlet, and Bachelor Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich. In June, her ex-husband, high profile eastern suburbs real estate agent Evan Williams, 39, pleaded guilty to common assault and intimidation of his son, but the charges were dismissed on mental health grounds. Ms Williams, from ritzy Darling Point in Sydney's east, represented herself at the hearing, dressed in a black pencil skirt, black knee-high boots and black cardigan, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She insisted the debt had already been paid from her grandfather's estate and that her share of that estate would cover it. But lawyers for Prof Grant said the final carve up of the grandfather's estate had yet to be settled in the NSW Supreme Court. They also told the court the total value of her grandfather's estate had shrunk from Ms Williams' claims of $2.6million in September to just $900,000 to $1million now. The Killcare property on the NSW Central Coast has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean (pictured) and is tucked away in bushland Ms Williams branded the move to bankrupt her an abuse of power to prevent her from defending herself in the legal action over the will in the Supreme Court. But her pleas were dismissed by the court. Registrar Alicia Ditton said the debt was owed by Ms Williams and only she could pay it - and the dwindling value of the estate, even if she does get a third of it, would not cover the full amount outstanding. 'On her own evidence, it has not been paid by her,' she said. 'The evidence before me does not establish any abuse of process by the applicant.' Registrar Ditton ordered the sequestration and appointed trustees to take over her affairs. The latest blow for Ms Williams comes after the legal wrangle over a 50-word letter that was found to have been forged for her to take possession of the Killcare home. The NSW Supreme Court heard in 2021 that seven years ago, Ms William's mother Nerez - Dr Grant's eldest child - claimed he had handed her a letter about the property. This is the letter Kashaya's mother Nerez Grant claimed to have received from her father, radiologist Dr Alan Grant, in 2016. The signature was forged, a court ruled. (Digital mock-up above) The April 11, 2016 letter purportedly stated: 'Dear Nerez, I want to give the Killcare house to Kashaya. 'I want you to live there for the rest of your life. I give you a lifetime tenancy. I will pay for the transfer. Please transfer the property to Kashaya. 'Thank you for all the care of me.' The letter was typed except for its final word - Dr Grant's name, signed Alan, the court judgment said. Nerez, 67, who had enduring power of attorney over Dr Grant's estate at the time, transferred the property to her daughter and paid the stamp duty. I want to give the Killcare house to Kashaya ... I will pay for the transfer. Please transfer the property to Kashaya But Justice John Slattery accepted evidence from a handwriting expert that Alan's signature was forged. Dr Grant's son Seth called evidence from analyst Melanie Holt who said the signature appeared to have been copied from another document. 'The handwritten name ... is not natural writing,' Ms Holt found. The signature was identical to a previous autograph of Dr Grant's from years earlier, she said. The judge accepted evidence that the signature had been photocopied from another document and the letter was fabricated. Justice Slattery later ruled that Kashaya had obtained the property in a 'dishonest and fraudulent scheme' involving herself and her mother. 'They must have known that this was a fraud on Dr Grant because they were taking his last asset and putting him in a helpless position,' the judge said in his decision. However, in follow-up ruling, the judge noted while 'one or other of Nerez Grant or Kashaya Williams must have been responsible' for the forged letter, the court has not found which was responsible. In his decision, the judge said Nerez Grant and daughter Kashaya (right) 'must have known that this was a fraud on Dr Grant'. Kashaya and her mother lost an appeal in 2021 Clients: Kashaya was the florist for AFL star Kieren Jack (right) and TV reporter wife Charlotte Goodlet's (left) wedding. They are pictured with fellow TV reporter Julie Snook (far left) and actor partner Hugo Johnstone-Burt (far right) on their special day Kashaya & Co recently put together this gender reveal party for Bachelor couple Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards (above) Dr Grant and his late wife Gwynneth were described as a gifted couple - with him practising medicine and her playing violin with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. They built a multi-million dollar fortune during their 70-year marriage which family members had benefited handsomely from. However, the clan was left 'deeply scarred' by ongoing feuds which lingered on even after Mrs Grant died in 2017 and Dr Grant in 2019. In 2020, Justice Slattery ordered the Killcare property be transferred to Seth Grant, as the administrator of his estate. But Ms Williams and Nerez Grant appealed. They argued the judge had failed to take into account 'expert reports' supporting their case. A panel of judges dismissed that appeal in 2021, ruling they had failed to identify any expert reports, or refute the handwriting expert's testimony. The appeal was dismissed and Nerez and Kashaya were ordered to pay Professor Grant and Tansin's costs. A further appeal on family provisions grounds was either dealt with by the trial judge or irrelevant, the panel of judges found. On Tuesday, Ms Williams told Daily Mail Australia she intended to file for a review of the latest sequestration order and the $16,653.88 costs awarded. A man who abducted a six-year-old girl and beat her to death with bricks after sexually assaulting her at an abandoned glass factory was scheduled to be executed today in Missouri, as his attorneys pressed claims that he is mentally incompetent. Johnny Johnson, 45, who is set to be put to death at the Bonne Terre state prison, was convicted in the July 26, 2002 killing of Casey Williamson, whose disappearance set off a frantic search in her hometown of Valley Park, a small suburb of St. Louis. Casey's mother had been best friends in childhood with Johnson's older sister and had helped babysit him. After Johnson attended a barbecue the night before the killing, Casey's family let him stay on a couch in the home where they were also sleeping. In the morning, Johnson took the girl to the abandoned glass factory, carrying her on his shoulders on the walk to the dilapidated site. When he attempted to sexually assault her, Casey screamed and tried to break free. According to court documents, he killed her with a brick and a large rock, then washed off in the nearby Meramec River. Johnson confessed that same day to the crimes, according to authorities. Johnny Johnson, 45, was convicted in the July 26, 2002, killing of Casey Williamson, whose disappearance set off a frantic search in her hometown of Valley Park, a small suburb of St. Louis In the morning, Johnson took Casey Williamson to the abandoned factory, carrying her on his shoulders on the walk to the dilapidated site After a search involving first responders and volunteers, Casey's body was found in a pit less than a mile from her home, buried beneath rocks and debris. At Johnson's trial, defense lawyers presented testimony showing that their client - an ex-convict who had been released from a state psychiatric facility six months earlier - had stopped taking his schizophrenia medication and was acting strangely in the days before the slaying. In recent appeals, Johnson's attorneys have said he suffers from delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world. They also noted he had been placed on suicide watch in prison after claiming to be a vampire. In June, the Missouri Supreme Court denied an appeal seeking to block the execution on arguments that Johnson's schizophrenia prevented him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. The Missouri Attorney General's Office successfully challenged the credibility of the psychiatric evaluation and said medical records indicate that Johnson is able to manage his mental illness through medication. A three-judge federal appeals court panel last week temporarily halted the planned execution, but the full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated it. Johnson's attorneys then filed multiple appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court centered around his competency to be executed. Johnson, a drifter and ex-convict, was 24 when he killed Casey, who would have been 27 now Johnny Johnson is scheduled to be put to death at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri Johnson listens as his attorney Bevy Beimbiek speaks during his sentencing hearing in St. Louis County Court in Clayton, Missouri, on March 7, 2005 In the hours following her disappearance, St. Louis County police, members of the FBI together with almost 100 volunteers spent several hours combing nearby woods along the Meramec River in a desperate search for the youngster Casey's body was found shortly afterwards when one of the volunteers who had been searching the site of the old St. Louis Plate Glass Company found her in a pit, less than a mile away from her home Missouri Governor Mike Parson on Monday denied a clemency request to reduce Johnson's sentence to life in prison. 'Johnny Johnson's crime is one of the most horrific murders that has come across my desk,' Parson, a former sheriff, said in a statement. The clemency petition by Johnson's attorneys said Casey's father, Ernie Williamson, opposed the death penalty. But Casey's great aunt, Della Steele, wrote an emotional plea to Parson urging him to proceed with the execution to 'send the message that it is not okay to terrorize and murder a child.' Steele said in the message that the grief from Casey's death led to destructive effects among other family members. 'He did something horrible. He took a life away from a completely innocent child, and there have to be consequences for that,' Steele told the Associated Press. Dozens of volunteers joined police in the search for the little girl who was a kindergartner at Valley Park Elementary School Steele has led a variety of community efforts to honor Casey. Through years of fundraising, Casey's family provided $500 scholarships or savings bonds to all 65 students of the senior class of Valley Park High School in 2014, the year Casey would have graduated. The family also has organized community safety fairs in Casey's memory, including a July 22 event that drew a couple hundred people. They gave away dozens of child identification kits along with safety tips involving fire, water and bicycles, among other items. 'A lot of kids from Casey's class were there with their children. It was nice to see, but it definitely makes you think,' Steele said. 'They're pushing their strollers with their couple of kids and you think, "That's where she should be."' The scheduled execution would be the 16th in the U.S. this year. In addition to three previous executions in Missouri, five have been conducted in Texas, four in Florida, two in Oklahoma and one in Alabama. There were 18 executions in six U.S. states last year. An Australian cop who engaged in vile online chats with teenage girls still has not told his wife of nine months about his sexual fantasies involving children and animals. James Anthony Gwynne has pleaded guilty to sending explicit messages referencing incest and bestiality to adult and underage users of the encrypted social media app Whisper. Gwynne - who married in October last year - contacted women he had never met to share his sick fantasies, which included impregnating his own daughters. The 30-year-old, who does not actually have children, bragged about being a policeman and told one female Whisper user 'my secret is that my fantasies are illegal'. An Australian cop who engaged in vile online chats with teenage girls still has not told his wife of nine months about his sexual fantasies involving children and animals. James Anthony Gwynne is pictured outside Campbelltown District Court on Tuesday He has admitted trying to groom one 15-year-old American girl by forwarding her graphic content including a picture of his genitals taken next to his police shirt. Most of the messages, which were sent between February and April last year when he was based at Waverley police station in Sydney's east, are too explicit to publish. In the earliest recorded conversation with another Whisper user, Gwynne asked, 'What did you do that crossed a line?' and then encouraged her to describe having sex with a boy when she was a babysitter. He asked one woman, 'Do you ever wish your dog could get you pregnant and have your own puppies?' then said, 'You will get no judgement from me' followed by a smiley face emoji. Gwynne told another woman, 'I also have a fantasy about one day having daughters and taking their virginities and impregnating them. Sorry if that's way too f**ked up for you.' When a third woman asked what it was Gwynne liked about the idea of his future wife engaging in bestiality he replied, 'Oh I just like the thought that she's so submissive she'll even bow to my wishes'. In April last year James Gwynne contacted a Whisper user and asked if she would want 'a cute Australian cop' to get the woman and her 12-year-old daughter pregnant Judge Tanya Smith referred to Gwynne's most extreme and regularly used fantasy as 'the wife, the dog, the daughters scenario'. Gwynne, who referred to himself as 'Daddy' in some of the chats, wiped away tears as he gave evidence at his sentencing hearing at Campbelltown District Court on Tuesday. The court heard his parents and two brothers were present to offer their support but his wife did not attend the hearing. Gwynne said he had not told his family or friends the full nature of his crimes but he 'figured everything would come up' during his sentencing. When Judge Smith asked, 'Is that one of the reasons why your wife's not here today?', Gwynne responded, 'Yes, Your Honour.' Gwynne, who has been working as a traffic controller while he is suspended from the NSW Police Force, told the court he had gained insight into his offending by talking to a psychologist. 'It opened me up to myself,' he said. 'My behaviour and my conduct has obviously been quite questionable.' James Anthony Gwynne has pleaded guilty to sending explicit messages referencing incest and bestiality to adult and underage users of the encrypted social media app Whisper. He is pictured outside court with his parents When one teenager said she did not want to show Gwynne her face because 'I'm still a minor after all', he asked, 'What if I told you that I do a job that makes it even worse for daddy?' The court heard Gwynne's deviant sexual fantasies led to a diagnosis of zoophilia - a sexual interest in animals - but he denied having a sexual interest in children. He had been prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which had alleviated his depression and premature ejaculation. 'I was down in the dumps after being charged,' Gwynne said of the treatment. 'It's also helped me in the bedroom.' Gwynne said he had nearly separated from his wife after she learnt he had been charged but they were still together and she remained supportive. 'She was very disappointed and quite upset the day I came home and informed her,' he told the court. 'We spent a bit of time apart, not speaking. However as time's progressed I felt more comfortable talking about my issues.' Asked by his barrister Jack Tyler-Stott how he looked his brothers in the eye since his arrest, Gwynne said, 'I don't'. 'I'm embarrassed, I'm ashamed,' he told the court. Gwynne has admitted trying to groom one 15-year-old American girl by forwarding her graphic content including a picture of his genitals taken next to his police shirt. Gwynne had not thought about the consequences of his actions at the time he engaged in the online discussions but now understood the extent of his wrongdoing. 'In the moment I was just looking for cheap sexual gratification,' he said. 'I felt in those mornings I was engaging in these chats I was just looking for a cheap way to get my rocks off. 'I was looking for a cheap w**k to put it basically.' Gwynne acknowledged he had known it was wrong to engage in such conversations with a person under 16 but did not understand it was an offence to discuss his deviant sexual fantasies. 'I knew that it was morally wrong,' he said. 'I didn't know it was unlawful.' Gwynne said he had been warned about breaching the NSW Police Force social media policy in 2019 and 2021 after posting a Tinder profile of himself in full uniform. He said revealing himself as a policeman online had mostly been 'attention seeking' but he had also used his job to make the women and girls feel safe. In April last year officers from the US Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force in Minnesota conducted a covert operation using the assumed online identity (AOI) of a 15-year-old girl Despite asking one 15-year-old to send him pictures of her crotch, Gwynne said he had never committed offences against children 'in real life'. He now recognised the impact sharing his fantasies with children could have had, particularly as he used his status as a police officer to gain their trust. 'It opens them up to believe that police are not trustworthy people,' Gwynne told the court. Gwynne said he could not access a story about his crimes in the Daily Telegraph because it was behind a paywall but read one in Daily Mail Australia. 'I was able to read the entirety of that and I felt disgusted,' he said. 'I felt that my worth as a human was no longer there.' Gwynne, who is trying to stay out of prison, was asked what he feared about going into custody. 'That I might become a target to the other inmates,' he said. 'Given the nature of my offending and the fact I was a police officer may make me more of a target than the general population.' Gwynne said he if felt the urge to offend again he would talk to his wife. 'I believe that I can rehabilitated,' he said. 'I would like to apologise to my colleagues and my family and my wife. That I've disgraced them through my actions. 'And that given a suspended sentence I'll do what I can to become a functioning member of society again.' Judge Smith said she would sentence Gwynne in October. A senior investigative reporter with the ABC sent an email to a confidential source saying not to talk to any other journalists about his allegations of war crimes, saying 'Murdoch's people are tabloid bottom feeders', a court has been told. Heston Russell is suing the ABC and two investigative journalists for defamation over stories published in 2020 and 2021 that he claims made it look like he was being investigated for shooting an unarmed prisoner. The stories Mr Russell claims defamed him, written and produced by journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson, aired on television, radio and online in October 2020 and more than a year later on November 19, 2021. The court was told the allegations arose from a US Marine named 'Josh', who contacted Mr Willacy about his time in Afghanistan working with Australian soldiers and said he was not a witness but heard a 'pop' on the radio he believed was a gunshot. Mr Willacy entered his second day on the stand on Tuesday and denied claims under cross-examination that he 'pointed the finger' at Mr Russell's platoon. Ex-soldier Heston Russell is seen at court with his barrister Sue Chrysanthou and lawyer Rebekah Giles The court was told the ABC had received inquiries about the first story shortly after it was released from other news outlets. High-profile defamation silk Sue Chrysanthou SC, who is representing Mr Russell, read to the court an email Mr Willacy sent to Josh following the inquiries. 'Let me know if you hear from any Aussie journos! But as suggested, I'd just say I stand by my account, read the ABC story, and I won't answer any other questions,' the email said. 'Murdoch's people are tabloid bottom-feeders,' the email continued, the court was told. Ms Chrysanthou put to Mr Willacy the comment about other media was to 'encourage' Josh not to have anything to do with them. 'You were saying don't trust them trust me,' Ms Chrysanthou said. Mr Willacy denied the claim, saying the source didn't have 'great trust in certain sections' of the media. He told the court a colleague who had previously worked at the Courier Mail had moved to the Guardian before working with him at the ABC. 'Let's just say that I don't have a great trust of the tabloid media,' Mr Willacy said. Justice Michael Lee questioned Mr Willacy, saying it was 'more than' what he was telling the court. The judge said: 'I've just taken note of what you said ... someone left the Courier Mail to go to the Guardian and that was obviously sought to absolve himself of that ... I take it from that, that your view at the time you're dealing with him that it's wrong to act for that second of the media.' ABC reporter Mark Willacy was cross-examined by Russell's lawyer on Tuesday Mr Willacy apologised and said he was being 'flippant'. 'I want to suggest to you the reason you didn't want Josh talking to any other media is because you were concerned his story wouldn't stack up if asked questions,' Ms Chrysanthou pressed. When Mr Willacy responded saying it was Josh's decision, Ms Chrysanthou suggested it was because he had 'scared him off' by calling them 'bottom feeders'. She told the court Mr Willacy had known there were flaws in the story because he had engaged in some 'pretty serious artistic licence with the truth when it came to what Josh had actually told you compared to what you reported'. 'That's not correct,' Mr Willacy said. Ms Chrysanthou suggested it was 'so obvious' who Josh was in the ABC article that Mr Willacy was 'worried' he could be found by journalists. But Mr Willacy was confident he had taken 'enough care' for that not to happen, conceding there was 'potential' it could. 'Because you accept you put enough identifying factors and features in your article that could lead to him,' Ms Chrysanthou said. 'There was a pretty big trail of breadcrumbs.' Mr Willacy said the breadcrumbs never led to Josh's identity. The court was told Mr Willacy had been questioned by a colleague about his October 2020 story before it went live, with concerns the story was pointed towards November platoon. 'What you wanted, given there was only one other platoon, was the reader to understand it was November platoon,' Ms Chrysanthou said. Mr Willacy said he did not 'specifically want that', which Ms Chrysanthou suggested he was being 'dishonest' about. Ms Chrysanthou continued her line of questioning: 'Do you accept that the article was structured in a way to point the finger at November platoon in relation to Josh's allegation?' He said he didn't 'recall' having that motivation. On Monday, ABC's barrister Nicholas Owens SC, opened his case to the court arguing it is 'absolutely vital' the media is free to 'report upon allegations of war crimes' as public interest sits 'well above truth'. He told the court in his opening address it was 'difficult, with respect, to think of a topic of much less weight' than allegations of war crimes. 'We say the undeniably weighty aspect of the public interest then is of critical importance,' Mr Owens said. The ABC is seeking to rely on a new public interest defence that was introduced in July 2021 in NSW and is being tested for the first time in this case. A public interest defence is aimed at protecting investigative journalism and relates to publications that concern an 'issue of public interest' where the defendant 'reasonably believed the publication of the matter' was in the public interest. The ABC will need to persuade the court that its journalists genuinely believed the publication of the articles were in the public interest. COURT - HESTON RUSSELL Mr Russell, who was commander of November platoon at the time of the allegations, last week fought back tears as he told the court he was 'absolutely shocked' when he saw the November 2021 story saying his platoon was being investigated. Earlier this year, Justice Lee found 10 defamatory imputations put forward by the national broadcaster were carried following a preliminary hearing in November 2022. Justice Lee found the most serious meanings were that Mr Russell was involved in the killing, 'habitually left 'fire and bodies' in his wake' and 'knowingly crossed the line of ethical conduct' while serving in Afghanistan. While the stories contained a denial from Mr Russell, he claimed the use of his name and photo implied he was involved in the death of an Afghan prisoner. In his statement of claim, Mr Russell said an ABC article published in 2021 alleged soldiers from the November commando platoon were being investigated over their actions in Afghanistan in 2012. It was claimed in the article that the platoon murdered a prisoner who was unarmed and handcuffed because there was no room on the extraction flight, according to the statement of claim. Mr Russell is asking for the ABC to remove the article, pay aggravated damages on top of court costs and stop repeating the allegations. It is understood the costs of the case have already exceeded $1m. The hearing before Justice Michael Lee continues. A frantic search is underway for a missing Goldman Sachs analyst who was last seen in the early hours of Sunday leaving a Brooklyn nightclub. John Castic, 27, from Chicago, told friends at the Brooklyn Mirage club he was getting an Uber home to his apartment in Manhattan's Lower East Side. It remains unclear whether he ever called or took an Uber, but he never arrived home, and his friends raised the alarm on Sunday. Castic graduated from DePaul University and begun working as a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs in August 2022. Castic and his friends had been to see the Canadian electronic duo Zeds Dead. John Castic, 27, was last seen leaving the club in the Bushwick-Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at 2:30am on Sunday morning His final photo, shared by a friend, shows him arriving at their front door at 9pm, before heading to the gig on the edge of Brooklyn's neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Bushwick. His friends say he left the venue at 2:30am. One person on Reddit claimed that there had been crowds of unlicensed cab drivers hovering around the area, and speculated Castic could have got in one of their vehicles to try and get home. Police initially refused to raise the alarm, they said, because he did not have any known mental health issues, but by Monday evening had assigned a detective to the case. On Tuesday a group of his friends plan on meeting outside the club and scouring the area. Castic was born in Chicago and studied at DePaul University before moving to New York City to work in finance The Chicago-born financier's friends say it is highly unusual for him to disappear Castic's friends are planning to search for him on Tuesday 'One of my best friends, John Castic, went missing after the Zeds Dead show Friday night in NY,' his friend, Sara Kostecka, wrote Monday on Facebook. 'Any information would be greatly appreciated, as well as sharing this to anyone in NYC that might have seen him.' Kostecka told Fox News Digital she has known Castic for seven years and that he has never been unreachable. Another friend, Jonah Shales, added that Castic's phone died and has not been on since. 'We're absolutely very worried about him,' Shales said. 'No one has had any contact with him.' Castic had been to the Brooklyn Mirage on Saturday night to see a Canadian electronica duo The venue is in the Williamsburg-Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn Karl Clemente was last seen at Brooklyn Mirage on June 11, and his body found in a nearby creek on June 16. Police do not believe his death to be suspicious, but are investigating Castic's disappearance came the month after another 27-year-old disappeared from the same Brooklyn venue. Karl Clemente was with a group of friends on June 11 hoping to get in to the Brooklyn Mirage at around 9pm, but was turned away by doormen on suspicion of having been drinking. He left and headed to a nearby gas station, where people often wait to get drinks and snacks before calling Ubers or Lyfts home. He then disappeared. Clemente's body was found in a creek behind a lumber warehouse on June 16. Police said they do not believe his death was suspicious, but are still investigating. A photo of an overseas restaurant receipt charging an 'Indigenous land tax' has sparked concern about the proposed Voice to Parliament referendum in Australia. An image circulating on social media shows a bill from Basic Goodness Pizzeria in Tofino, British Columbia, Canada, which includes an 80 cent (one per cent) charge with the words 'the land you are on' written alongside it. At the bottom of the receipt, it explains the venue has adopted a proposal to help provide a small portion of funds to preserve and revitalise the local indigenous land and culture. Yahoo News reported the restaurant verified the receipt, but said the charge is voluntary. It was added on after a proposal by local First Nations people called for some profits of the tourism industry to be used towards maintaining the land in the province. A Canadian restaurant is charging diners a volunatry one per cent Indigenous land tax The referendum for the Voice to Parliament is expected to be held between October and December of this year (Pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces the wording of the question in the referendum) Critics of the Voice to Parliament have taken the receipt as an indication that a similar charge could be introduced in Australia should the 'Yes' vote succeed. 'I wonder if this is the next plan for us to pay the rent!' one wrote on Facebook. 'This is Canada, but watch and wait, it wouldn't be too big of a step for this to be the next answer.' In June it was revealed that one of the architects of the Voice had spoken about taking steps to make reparations and compensation to Aboriginal people. 'Yes' campaigner Thomas Mayo made the comments in a video published by Search Foundation, a left-wing thinktank that markets itself as the successor group to the Communist Party of Australia. Mr Mayo was speaking about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, some two years before the Albanese government announced there would a referendum on a First Nations Voice. Mr Mayo, the national Indigenous officer of the Maritime Union of Australia, used his speech to highlight making compensation for Indigenous people a reality. 'This is the first step, it's a vital step and it puts all the explanation behind it, he said. 'Pay the Rent' for example, how do we do that in a way that is transparent and that actually sees reparations and compensation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people beyond what we say and do at a rally? 'It is a really important campaign and there's a very specific lot of asks and a clear invitation to the Australian people to walk with us.' Thomas Mayo (right) is a prominent campaigner for the 'Yes' vote and has spoken about reparations and compensation being paid to Aboriginal people The 'Pay the Rent' movement wants homeowners to voluntarily pay a percentage of their income to Aboriginal elders without any government oversight or intervention. It has been backed by left-wing author and activist Clementine Ford and controversial independent senator Lidia Thorpe. Opponents of the Voice have claimed the movement exposes the true goal of Yes campaigners as being the making of payments to Aboriginal people. In a fiery interview with 2GB's Ben Fordham last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sought to rubbish claims that the Voice was about paying any reparations. 'We have had a debate about things that aren't happening rather than about things that are,' he said. 'Compensation has nothing to do with what people will vote (for) in the last quarter of this year.' The referendum for the Voice to Parliament is expected to be held between October and December of this year. A man has been arrested for allegedly taking a photograph of himself with a toddler holding a gun which police discovered during an investigation into a gangland shooting. Esau Namoa, 21, was charged with 13 offences after a police raid on a Yagoona property in Sydney's southwest early Tuesday morning as part of the investigation into the alleged murder of Marvin Oraiha. Orahia, 24, was shot dead on an Elizabeth Hills driveway on May 22, with his links to the Comanchero bikie gang a suspected motivation. His girlfriend was understood to be in the car with him when he spotted the gunman and fled to safety just before the shots rang out. As part of inquiries, in July police raided seven properties across Sydney and seized a number of items, including a ballistic vest, ammunition and six mobile phones. Namoa was allegedly pictured on at least one phone holding weapons alongside a young child. Marvin Oraiha (pictured), 24, was shot as he sat in the driveway of his parent's home on Hertfordshire St in Elizabeth Hills, in Sydney's southwest Esau Namoa (pictured) was arrested after he allegedly gave a gun to a toddler to pose for a photo which was discovered in raids connected to the Oraiha investigation Namoa was formally refused bail after appearing at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday afternoon. Detectives located several images allegedly showing Namoa holding two pistols in the company of the child, who was holding a third Glock-style pistol. Police allege the images were taken on May 21, a day before Oraiha was gunned down. As a result police charged Namoa with a string of firearms-related offences, including possessing an unauthorised pistol, not keeping a firearm safely, and supplying a pistol to a person unauthorised to possess it. A 22-year-old man, Simione Sefanaia Lua, has been charged with murder in connection to Oraiha's death. Two cars were found burning a shortly after Oraiha's car was peppered with bullets in the neighbouring suburbs of Green Valley and Bonnyrigg Heights. Whether those cars were used as getaway vehicles and then torched is being investigated. The mother of a Sydney teen sobbed as she told a court she was 'broken into a million pieces' when her 16-year-old son was violently attacked over a pair of headphones. Rachel Galleghan's son Jason was lured to a home in Doonside, in Sydney's west, on August 4, 2021 and attacked by a gang of adults and juveniles. The fatal assault, which was launched over the alleged theft of a pair of Apple AirPods, left the 16-year-old boy brain dead and dependent on life support. Rachel Galleghan's son Jason (pictured) was lured to a home in Doonside, in Sydney's west, on August 4, 2021 and attacked by a gang of adults and juveniles in August 2021 Much of the violence, which was labelled 'cruelty of the highest order' by a Supreme Court judge, was videoed and shared online. One video showing Jason being savagely beaten went viral and collected more than 170,000 views, according to police. Almost two years after her son was subjected to the deadly attack, Ms Galleghan said she is still 'completely broken'. 'On 5 August 2021, I received a phone call that changed my life forever,' she told the NSW District Court on Tuesday. 'I was beside myself with fear.' Police told Ms Galleghan that her son Jason had been assaulted and was in hospital with injuries expected to be fatal. 'It was just instant heartache,' she recalled. 'That sick feeling has never really stopped. I feel it every single day since I received that call.' The fatal assault, which was launched over the alleged theft of a pair of Apple AirPods, left the 16-year-old boy brain dead and on life support (pictured Jason, left, and Ms Galleghan, right) Ms Galleghan (pictured) sobbed as she told a court she was 'broken into a million pieces' when her 16-year-old son was violently attacked over a pair of headphones The grieving mother said she felt 'so incredibly scared' and 'helpless' as she tried to come to grips with 'unbearable' thoughts of what her son had been through in his last moments. 'I was physically, emotionally and mentally drained and broken into a million pieces,' she told the court through tears. Jason had been a 'friendly, generous and caring' 16-year-old with an 'infectious laugh' and a 'great sense of humour', his mother recounted. 'My son was my whole world to me. Without him, I will never be the same person again,' Ms Galleghan said while wiping away tears. 'Every day without my precious son is agony. And every day will be for the rest of my life.' The powerful and touching tribute was delivered to the court on Tuesday as a woman involved in her son's death was due to be sentenced. Stacey Pale, 37, previously pleaded guilty to being accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm after she lied to cover up the bloody attack on Jason. Stacey Pale, 37, (pictured) previously pleaded guilty to being accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm after she lied to cover up the bloody attack on Jason She is not accused of being involved in the attack itself and was allegedly outside when it unfolded. When she was questioned by neighbours who heard screaming, the 37-year-old casually dismissed their concerns. 'It's just a family dispute,' she told them. 'Nothing, just a family issue.' Ms Galleghan slammed Pale for playing what she believes is a 'significant role' in her son's death. 'I feel so much anger towards her and how she chose to act that day,' she said. 'I believe she understood what was going to happen ... and she did nothing.' The mourning mother said her 'precious son' could still be alive if one of the 11 people charged with his assault had done 'the right thing and helped him'. Almost two years after her son was subjected to the deadly attack, Ms Galleghan (pictured) said she is still 'completely broken' Ms Pale (pictured) is not accused of being involved in the attack itself and was allegedly outside when it unfolded '(Pale) could have helped Jason. She could have called out for help or called the police,' she sobbed. 'Instead she chose to lie and cover up what had happened.' Despite Ms Galleghan's calls for her to 'receive justice', Pale will wait nearly two months before she learns her fate. Judge Stephen Hanley SC agreed to adjourn the sentencing to allow the 37-year-old to undergo psychiatric assessment. She will continue to live in the community until she returns to court on October 5. Vladimir Putin will not survive ten years, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed, rubbishing the idea the war could drag on for 30 years. Speaking to Brazil's TV Globo, Zelensky was quick to dismiss claims the conflict could slow to a gruelling war of attrition the length of time Russia has been in Syria. He said: 'It can't. Putin won't live that many years. He did not fight in Syria at the pace he is fighting us. That is why he will not stand 30 years. He will not exist, he will die. Zelensky forecast that an ailing Putin, now 70, 'won't survive even ten years'. He said that Putin's forces realise 'deep down' that they cannot win, and that their plan to subjugate Ukraine is hopeless. 'All their actions on the battlefield indicate that today Russia is not able to completely occupy Ukraine and destroy us,' he said. Speaking to Brazilian television, Zelensky said the war in Ukraine could not go on like Syria He said that Vladimir Putin, who is now 70, could not even survive another ten years Zelensky claimed the war in As Russia reports on Ukrainian drones now smashing into Moscow skyscrapers, Zelensky said: 'deep down in their hearts, they all already realise that they can no longer. They cannot.' He said: 'They were capable at the beginning of it. They thought they would. 'And we did something inside the state and from outside that we were able to become stronger than them.' He vowed that he and his generation would resist any future bid by Russia to regroup and seek to defeat Ukraine. 'As long as we are alive, we will not let them become as strong as they were,' he said. He said the long running war in Syria was a tragedy but Russia's aggression in Ukraine was on a different scale, and noted the warning signs overseas. 'I do not think that the world has united around the Syrian tragedy. I believe it was a mistake. 'And it is always a big mistake when the world thinks that the war is somewhere far away. 'I don't think it's my heroism that I united the countries that are helping us today. 'No, I believe that it is every person in our state who, in his place, has done something that is very important at a very important moment. 'This is both desire and coincidence. 'And our devotion is absolute devotion, freedom or death.' Zelensky's comments come as he is expected to attend an upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly to push a 10-point peace formula. Bloomberg reported yesterday that he is likely to take part in sessions during the UNGA gathering in September. He plans to spell out a 'peace formula' calling for Russian troops to withdraw completely from Ukraine. It would also aim at the release of all prisoners of war and deportees, and ensure food and energy security. Near the top of the agenda is the status of the occupied Zaporizhzhia power plant, which experts have warned risks 'catastrophe' if caught up in fighting. Ukraine has been recovering steady ground through its counteroffensive this year as a number of incursions have separately taken place on Russian soil, weakening the invaders' position. A Moscow tower block housing seven government ministries came under drone attack in the early hours of this morning. Explosions in the building were reported for the second time in two nights. There were no immediate reports of casualties, although ambulances were at the scene. It appears to be part of a wider trend of increased attacks on Russian soil. Ukrainian officials have declined to claim or deny responsibility for drone strikes on Russian territory. But three drones used recently - according to an analysis by the New York Times - were Ukrainian-made. 'Putin won't live that many years. He did not fight in Syria at the pace he is fighting us,' he said Zelensky (C) shaking hands with a wounded Ukrainian serviceman in a military hospital during his working visit in Ivano-Frankivsk region, western Ukraine Ukrainian service members of the 35th Separate Marines Brigade attend a military drill near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 31, 2023 In May, the US reminded Ukraine that military aid was for use in the defence of the country, not to launch incursions into neighbouring Belgorod. National Security spokesperson John Kirby told CNN on May 25: 'We've been very clear that we want Ukraine to be able to defend its own soil, its own territory.' He continued: 'But, we've also been clear, well, that we don't want to see this war escalate beyond this, the devastation and the violence that is already visited on the Ukrainian people.' Separately, Russia faced internal clashes in late June, when its hired Wagner Group mercenaries appeared to mutiny and turn to march on Moscow - before suddenly falling back. Polls conducted by the Khroniki project suggest support for the war remains high in Russian regions closer to the front. The national average remains as high as 60 per cent. Surveys by three independent polling groups, shared by the Wilson Center, show support for the war in Russia rise in spring 2022, fall as the invaders made less ground in the summer and autumn, and then rise again slightly in early 2023. However, the Wilson Center noted limitations to the polls, as every third respondent said they were afraid to talk about their attitude towards the actions of the country's leadership. They observed that Russian loyalists were also more likely to agree to be surveyed than regime opponents. Building work and construction is essential, however it can cause disruption for nearby residents when it's early in the morning or late at night. Often, builders will want to get as much work done in the day as possible, so they will get to the site early. However, no one wants their sleep disturbed by loud noise, especially when they're trying to have a lie-in. That's why there are laws and regulations in place to make sure noisy work is kept within certain hours of the day. There are laws and regulations in place to make sure noisy work is kept within certain hours of the day So, what are the working hours for builders in the UK? From Monday to Friday, loud construction work is acceptable between 8am and 6pm. On Saturdays it's acceptable between 8am and 1pm, and on Sundays or bank holidays, there should be no noisy work. You may see builders arriving earlier than 8am to set up, however they can't loud work until it reaches 8am. These are just the general guidelines and times can vary based on your local council. The Control of Pollution Act 1974 (CoPA) gives local authorities 'the power to control noise and vibration from construction sites and other works' - in other terms, it gives them the power to allow nosy work. You should check your local council's website to find the specific information for your local area. How can you complain about noise? If you believe loud building work is being carried out at an inappropriate time, you can make a complaint to your local council on their website. Councils can then serve a notice on those carrying out construction work - they will advise them on what to do to avoid a statutory noise complaint. They have the power to specify: What the noise level should be Machinery that can be used Hours when work can be done Steps that should be taken to minimise noise If they do end up getting a statutory noise compliant, the fine can be up to a whopping 20,000 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland -in Scotland it can go up to 40,000. Most councils will advise you to talk to your neighbours or the builders they have employed to try to come to an agreement, before making a complaint. If builders do end up getting a statutory noise compliant, the fine can be up to a whopping 20,000 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland -in Scotland it can go up to 40,000 What classes as noisy work? During non-working hours such as Sundays and bank holidays, power tools including drills and generators cannot be used. Examples of noisy work include but are not limited to: Using hand tools such as hammers and saws Using power tools such as hand-held tools including drills, saws and sanders Using plant equipment such as cement mixers, large power saws and generators Pile driving Erecting and dismantling of scaffolding Partition walls However, local authorities recognise that some work is unavoidable during these hours, such as work being done on railway work, highway activities, and other emergencies. The legislation also cannot be used for one-off short pieces of work or DIY - it's in place for those suffering continuous site noise. The Considerate Constructors Scheme The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a not-for-profit that offers the public a safe and secure way to voice concern or feedback about construction activity. They aim to promote and support improvement in the way construction activity impacts the community, the environment and its workforce. Once a concern has been raised, the scheme will try to address any problem and, if it is possible to do so, resolve the issue. User @itsbenreid sat ready to eat his pizza as the manager threw his bottle away It's no secret Italians are fussy about their food, and most would expect tourists to abide by their traditions when visiting the country. But one TikToker has broken all rules by squeezing ketchup on to his pizza, and has sent Italians into a frenzy. Ben Reid, who goes by the username @itsbenreid, posted the unforgivable food crime to his 2.7 million TikTok followers. Ben smothered his food with ketchup, swirling the bottle around the plate and covering the Margherita pizza in the sauce. A TikToker has infuriated an Italian restaurant manager by smothering his pizza with ketchup The viral video shows a young waitress visibly cringing, clutching her head in her hands and calling the manager out to witness the horror. The manager stands at a safe distance before taking off his sunglasses for a better look and storming forward to ask the young man: 'What are you doing?' He proceeds to pick up the ketchup bottle which, it would appear, the TikToker had brought to the restaurant himself and throw it while screaming 'No'. Ben had barely had the time to cut up his pizza and hadn't even taken a bite before the manager intervened. While watching the ketchup bottle fly before his eyes, he wrote in the video: 'I thought my time had come.' The food crime left a young waitress visibly cringing, clutching her head in her hands and calling the manager out to witness the horror The TikToker had posted an earlier video before the manager intervened as part of a series named 'P****** off every single Italian I encounter,' while travelling round the country. The two videos have received a mass of attention on the app and have gained over 10 million views in total. Users flooded the comment section with disbelief for the food crime, one wrote: 'I screamed at my phone even before he did and I'm not Italian.' Others agreed: 'I'm not Italian but I started crying, 'I'm not even Italian and I'm offended.' Some have jumped to the defence of the TikToker and have even admitted their own food crimes. One user wrote: 'Admittedly this is me but with ranch instead of ketchup.' One user wrote: 'I only have ketchup on pizza,' another user added: 'So you're telling me for forty years I have been eating pizza wrong.' The Italian manager stormed over and threw the ketchup bottle which, it would appear, Ben brought to the restaurant himself while screaming 'No' While others were shocked: 'It's wild that they're so worried about what someone else is eating.' Another agreed: 'If you paid for it then idk why they are getting mad.' Some even claimed ketchup on pizza is encouraged in their home countries, one said: 'That's actually how we eat pizza in Mexico.' Another agreed: 'That's how the whole country of Brazil eats their picture.' The viral video belongs to a series of TikToks all with the same intention of annoying Italians. Ben has nonchalantly committed other food crimes in upscale Italian restaurants, and even took his own scissors to a restaurant to cut his spaghetti with. Ben claimed that the waiter, who was visibly disturbed at the sight, tried to kick him out. Russian President Vladimir Putin created a secretive 'tsar's village' of properties for his daughters and ex-wife in a plush Moscow district, according to a report. An investigation by independent Russian outlet Proekt claimed that Putin used secret offshore companies to buy land and lavish properties for his daughters. The disclosures were purportedly based on emails between Putin's youngest daughter, Katerina Tikhonova and her ex-husband Kirill Shamalov, who is the son of a friend of Putin. The four mansions and Putin's residence, the Novo-Ogarevo estate, are situated along the Rublevka highway, a wealthy neighbourhood where a number of oligarchs, government officials, celebrities and tycoons reside. Two houses to the east of Novo-Ogarevo were allegedly bought in 2006 by Cypriot business Ermira. The four mansions and Putin's residence, the Novo-Ogarevo estate, are situated along the Rublevka highway, a wealthy neighbourhood where a number of oligarchs, government officials, celebrities and tycoons reside Previously leaked emails between Putin's youngest daughter, Katerina Tikhonova (pictured), and her ex-husband have revealed details of the Russian leader's 'Tsar's village' The property in the Usovo-Plyus settlement, worth an estimated 350 million roubles (3.5 million), was for the use of Maria Vorontsova, 38, Putin's elder daughter (pictured) Officially, the company is owned by a Russian lawyer, but sources told Proyekt that in reality it belonged to Putin. The property in the Usovo-Plyus settlement, worth an estimated 350 million roubles (3.5 million), was for the use of Maria Vorontsova, 38, Putin's elder daughter, following her marriage to a Dutch businessman, Proyekt said. Tikhonova allegedly had access to a a spa, a library and an 'acrobatics room', as she has formerly competed in acrobatic dancing competitions. The communication between Tikhonova and Shamalov saw them converse over refurbishments worth an estimated $9 million, including a $120,000 bar with a marble surround and a $72,000 gold-plated chandelier. It has also been claimed that Putin himself is living with his mistress Alina Kabaeva, 40, a former Olympic gymnast, and their young family. The Kremlin have not commented on the Proekt investigation that surfaced in June 2023. The investigation itself suggests that while Tikhonova and Shamalov were wed before a priest in a church ceremony, they did not have a registered civil marriage so that there would be no trace of property being linked to Putin's daughter. Others with close ties to Putin are also allegedly making use of several other palaces across Russia, as the country's leader continues to fear for his own personal safety amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The home linked to Putin's first wife Lyudmila Shkrebneva, and her new spouse, was transferred to them by Shamalov following his split with Tikhonova. However, it is not clear that his rumoured love child Luiza Rozova - born to his earlier mistress Svetlana Krivonogikh - has a mansion in the so-called 'Tsar Village'. Ms Rozova has disappeared since the war with Ukraine broke out in early 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his then-wife Lyudmila Putin (pictured) in the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. They announced their divorce in July 2013 Vladimir Putin is reportedly living with his Olympic gold-winning gymnast mistress Alina Kabaeva The revelations of his lavish properties come as Putin is reportedly preparing to seek six more years in the Kremlin in a bid to extend his already 23-year-long reign as either President or Prime Minister of Russia. An election is due next year - and Putin would be 77 if he completed another full term as Russia's president. A Putin campaign announcement may be made early amid suspicions that Wagner mercenary army boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, has strong political ambitions and will seek to run. Putin has been Russia's president since 1999, except for a four-year stint as prime minister from 2008-2012. Elon Musk has responded to the humorous reactions of users on X after he posted a picture of himself wearing an 'I love Canada' t-shirt. Musk posted the photo on the site - formerly known as Twitter - on Monday afternoon. However, instead of revealing the entirety of his 'I love Canada' t-shirt, Musk used both lapels of his blazer to cover it so that it appeared to read 'I love an*l.' The post has been viewed more than 66 million times, with over 695,000 likes. 'Tweet of the day goes to Elon!!' one user wrote. Another added: 'Never change E, never change.' Musked posted the photo of himself wearing an 'I love Canada' t-shirt on Monday afternoon Musk has since responded to his viral post, with another humorous reply He subsequently released another follow-up post commenting that he was enjoying 'Just a cheeky little humor' Musk was born in South Africa but holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in the country Musk has since responded to his viral post with another humorous reply, stating: 'Oh I get it now! Some people are reading the t-shirt as saying ''I love an AI''. What a funny misinterpretation.' He subsequently released another follow-up post commenting that he was enjoying 'Just a cheeky little humor'. Musk was born in South Africa but holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in the country. After growing up in Pretoria, he relocated to Canada in 1989. He studied at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, for two years before moving to the United States. The playful picture and comments from Musk come after he officially rebranded Twitter to X, having purchased the social media platform in October 2022. After buying the company, Musk made his intentions with his new acquisition known, posting, 'Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app.' Musk explained his reasoning in what is now called a 'Post' - it was previously known as a 'Tweet.' On July 25, he posted: 'The Twitter name made sense when it was just 140-character messages going back and forth like birds tweeting but now you can post almost anything, including several hours of video. The playful picture and comments from Musk come after he officially rebranded Twitter to X , having purchased the social media platform in October 2022 'In the months to come, we will add comprehensive communications and the ability to conduct your entire financial world. 'The Twitter name does not make sense in that context, so we must bid adieu to the bird.' Apps that work as a one-stop shop for everything from messaging to banking and shopping are nothing new. They are popular across Asia, with China's WeChat offering social media and payment services. A teenager has been jailed for eight months after deliberately killing 11 kangaroos by hitting them with his four-wheel-drive after a night at the pub. Boston King, 18, fronted Midland Magistrates Court in Perth on Tuesday over his December 2022 rampage in which two of his mates sat as passengers in the Landcruiser. The court heard he mounted a suburban street kerb at speed to run some of the kangaroos over, which were so well known to residents in the northern suburb of Bullsbrook they were hand-fed and given names. After hitting the first kangaroo he got out of the car and used a knife to cut off its tail and leg and then hung the leg on a nearby fence before mowing down the other animals, the court heard. Magistrate Gregory Benn described King's behaviour as 'extraordinarily cruel, sadistic and barbaric' and said while his mates were in the car, he alone had decided to go drinking, get behind the wheel and target the kangaroos, reports WA Today. Warning: Some pictures in this story are confronting. A teen kangaroo killer who went on a Christmas Eve rampage will spend eight months behind bars. Protestors today heckled Boston King, throwing red liquid at him as he walked to court.@SarahSmith9_ #9News pic.twitter.com/9n930W20if 9News Perth (@9NewsPerth) August 1, 2023 Boston King (left) briefly clashed with protesters outside court before he was sentenced to eight months over the kangaroo killing spree Animal rights protesters gathered outside the court on Tuesday waving placards and chanting - briefly clashing with King and his mother as they walked inside. The court heard the 18-year-old had received intense backlash, including online death threats such as 'we have money for a hitman', following the incident. King's lawyers called for a community service order, noting their client had expressed regret for his actions, but Magistrate Benn said his sentence should serve as a deterrent for King and others. '(The) animals presented you with no threat, weren't doing any harm to anyone, and who it could be said had as much right to live peacefully in this world, just like you or your mates,' he said. '(They) were an important part of this local community and (residents) had to get up in the morning and see your handiwork... That's the kind of impact that your behaviour has had on the community.' Animal rights protesters outside court with the magistrate saying the community was understandably furious The magistrate said King had used his car 'as a weapon' and a jail term was the only reasonable sentence for the seriousness of his crime. King was sentenced to eight months jail on animal cruelty charges and will be eligible for parole in four months. He was also fined $1000 and banned from driving for 18-months for reckless driving. An emergency boat, equipped with a hose, arrived to extinguish the blaze The pair were on a 21-foot Baja on West Grand Traverse Bay when it caught fire The shocking moment two boaters leapt into the water off the coast of Michigan as their vessel erupted into flames has been captured on video. The pair were trapped on board a 21-foot Baja as it caught fire on West Grand Traverse Bay. Nathan Greenwood and his wife were boating nearby and spotted the speedboat engulfed in black smoke. Video shows the Greenwoods approaching the boat as the flames, which appear to have started in the engine compartment, become visible. They warn the two passengers on board that it is too late to try to tackle the blaze and that they need to get away from the boat. Two people were trapped on board a 21-foot Baja as it caught fire on West Grand Traverse Bay. The passengers can be seen jumping overboard seconds before the engine appears to give way Nathan shouts: 'It's too late. Get off the boat. It's gonna blow.' The passengers can be seen jumping overboard seconds before the engine appears to give way. The Greenwoods managed to pull the stranded boaters safely out of the water. 'I knew very quickly that if they did not get off the boat, they were either going to pass out from the inhalation of the smoke, the heat, or it would end up eventually exploding,' Nathan said of the July 21 incident. 'It's really fortunate, because within three seconds of them jumping off of the boat, it exploded.' Nathan Greenwood and his wife were boating nearby and spotted the speedboat engulfed in black smoke. Video shows the Greenwoods approaching the flaming vessel. An emergency boat, equipped with a hose, arrived at the scene to extinguish the blaze An emergency boat, equipped with a hose, arrived at the scene to extinguish the blaze. Peninsula Township Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff told WPBN that the vessel ultimately sank. The station also reported that the fire department had to clean up a gas spill linked to the incident. Did YOU see the attack or know the other dog owner? A mother who just recovered from breast cancer has been left heartbroken after her 12-year-old Yorkshire terrier was mauled to death by a Pitbull-type dog inside a shop. Lynda Warne, 66, was shopping with her 'best friend' Maxy the dog in Devonport when the animal launched itself at her pet and 'wouldn't let go for five minutes', leaving blood everywhere. Ms Warne, who recently recovered from breast cancer, described Maxy as the 'last little thing' she had in her life, adding she had to seek counselling after the ordeal. Two female members of staff were so shaken by the incident that they had to stop work for the day and go home, the mother said. A police officer described the tragedy as the 'worst attack on an animal' they had ever seen. Devon and Cornwall Police attended the scene after a 999 call and are investigating. A mother has been left traumatised after her little Yorkshire terrier Maxy (pictured) was mauled to death in a barbaric Pitbull-like dog attack inside a shop Ms Warne said: 'I will just never forget that sight. Maxy, my little boy, didn't stand a chance. 'The Pitbull-type dog didn't let go for five minutes. I was shouting and screaming ''He's not dead, he's not dead!'' but he was.' She added: 'This dog just made an aim right for him, he grabbed Maxy and Maxy must've died straight away as he didn't make a noise. His eyes were wide open.' Ms Warne, who has lived in Devonport her whole life and has one son, has been going through radiotherapy treatment for her cancer and now has 'a scare' in her left breast too. She said she was 'already an emotional wreck' but Maxy 'went everywhere' with her and was helping her get through a difficult time. 'I can't stop breaking down, I feel so ill. I keep thinking he's here with me; I keep seeing him on the bed, sleeping. But he has been taken away from me,' she said. 'Everybody loved Maxy. I'd take Maxy up to Marlborough Street and his tail would be wagging as people would stand around stroking him. Ms Warne said Maxy went everywhere with her and was helping her recover from her breast cancer A police officer described the tragedy as the 'worst attack on an animal' they had ever seen 'All the shops would let me take him in. He was so well loved up there. 'I just can't get my head around it. And I just can't forget that image. 'The shop was closed for two hours afterwards because there was blood everywhere. I couldn't do anything. 'I was just screaming, screaming. I keep having flashbacks. I just want justice.' Ms Warne, who got Maxy after the death of her father 12 years ago, said she feels the problem with crime and 'dangerous' dogs has got 'worse in recent years' in Devonport. She said people 'feel intimidated' and described how people 'on drugs' spend all day 'walking around like zombies' with dogs off their leads. 'I'll never be able to shop in Marlborough Street again. I am too afraid, and I am afraid of the repercussions now. I do not feel safe at all. 'It's like Beirut out there,' she said. 'I was born in Devonport 66 years ago and it was a beautiful place back then, but lately it's just terrible. It's just full of drugs, and dangerous dogs. I hope and pray something is done, because next time it will be a child.' A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police were called to Marlborough Street in Plymouth at around midday on Saturday 29 July following reports of a dog having killed another dog in the area. 'Units have attended and reviewed CCTV. Enquiries continue to locate the owner of the dog involved in the attack.' A Walter Mitty-style 'son from hell' who battered his parents to death with a mallet has been refused parole after it was revealed that he had been recalled to prison for withholding 'information' from supervisors in the community. Roger Severs, 66, had served 20 years for the so-called 'Spoiled Brat' murders of his wealthy businessman father Derek and charity worker mother Ellen at their home when he was released on licence in 2014. He used a mallet to kill both parents in separate and planned attacks at their property overlooking Rutland Water in 1993 while in a drunken frenzy because he could not get his own way. MailOnline can reveal that Severs had his parole licence revoked and was returned to jail on December 9, 2020. He has served more than two-years extra since being incarcerated for a second time. Severs had an 'oral hearing' in front of a three-person parole panel on the March 13, 2023. He has recently been told that his appeal to be freed or moved to an open prison has been rejected. Roger Severs was 37 years old when he beat his father Derek and mother Eileen to death at their home in 1993 Roger Severs was 37 years old when he beat his wealthy businessman father Derek (left) and charity worker mother Eileen (right) In a written summary by the Parole Board, seen by MailOnline, the panel said it had been 'appropriate' to recall him and explained: 'His licence was revoked, and he was recalled to custody on 9 September 2020 as a result of not disclosing required information.' It continued: 'Evidence was presented at the hearing regarding Mr Severs' progress and custodial conduct during this sentence and since his recall. 'Witnesses did not support release on the basis that further risk reduction work was necessary. In this case, protective factors which would reduce the risk of reoffending were considered to be further work to address areas of risk. The panel was told that a plan proposed by Severs' probation officer included designating his accommodation, putting severe limits on his contacts, movements and activities. It was rejected for not being 'robust enough to manage Mr Severs in the community.' The panel concluded: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and on licence and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Severs was suitable for release. 'Nor did the panel recommend to the Secretary of State that Mr Severs should be transferred to open prison. 'The panel considered that Mr Severs was appropriately located in custody where outstanding levels of risk could be addressed. 'He was assessed not to meet the criteria for recommending transfer to open prison at this stage. He will be eligible for another parole review in due course.' Severs was found guilty of murder on December 6, 1994 and given two life sentences but was released and then recalled to prison after breaching his licence conditions A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Roger Severs following an oral hearing. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.' Severs was jailed in 1994 for what was dubbed the 'Spoilt Brat Murders' and given two life sentences. The case was notorious and was featured in a number of real-life crime documentaries. The gruesome double slaying became an episode on the late Robbie Coltrane's TV crime series Evidence, first broadcast in 2016, which looked at some of the most complex and baffling cases investigated by British police. The killings shocked the UK as the victims were a solid middle class couple who had made their own money and tried to help others through charity work. Ellen, who had been made an MBE for her charity work and Derek were last seen alive on the November 13, 1993 in Hambleton, Leicestershire. Ellen had been at a charity bazaar and Derek was seeing friends in a pub. At Nottingham Crown Court, the jury was told that unemployed Severs had been given a place to stay in the family bungalow and some financial assistance. He was a serial loser with a string of failed jobs - including barman and crop-sprayer - and relationships, in the most recent past to a woman who he had fathered a child with. Between each failed relationship he had returned to his parents to sponge off them. However, resentful at being told there was no more money, he returned from a drinking session and bludgeoned his 69-year-old mother to death with a steak mallet. When his 68-year-old father returned home from the pub he was attacked and beaten to death. The bodies were put in the family car and taken to Armley Wood and buried in a shallow grave. For a week there was no word from Ellen and Derek. They missed appointments and failed to meet friends. Roger made up a series of lies to cover his tracks. When alerted, the police grew suspicious of Roger and conducted a forensic masterclass to put together a case. The bungalow - normally meticulous - was in a messy state. Forensic scenes of crime officers found splattered blood in the bathroom, common for a violent attack. Police also found a list of 14 things he must do after the murder - like cleaning up the bathroom and Rover car afterwards. The car was muddy and soil samples taken from under the wheel arches proved vital in narrowing down an area of the Hambleton peninsula, specifically near water as there were little pieces of fishing line. Police searching an area of interest discovered a pile of disturbed soil. An officer poked his hand into the mound and felt cold skin. The decomposed bodies of Ellen and Derek were found on the 1st of December 1993. During the trial, Severs was described by a defence witness as 'an inadequate psychopath.' Severs, then aged 38, admitted the killings but tried to claim diminished responsibility. The jury took just two hours to find him guilty on both counts of murder. Popular tanning brand Bondi Sands been sold to a Japanese beauty firm for a rumoured $450million. The announcement comes just a day after the start-up's co-founder Shaun Wilson revealed his engagement to model girlfriend Tess Shanahan in an elaborate beachside proposal. Kao Corporation announced on Tuesday that it had signed a deal to acquire famous Aussie brand and its related companies. While the price of the deal was not disclosed it is understood to be worth around $450million. Popular tanning brand Bondi Sands (pictured) been sold to a Japanese beauty firm the Kao Corporation for a rumoured $450 million The announcement comes a day after Bondi Sands founder Shaun Wilson revealed his engagement to Tess Shanahan (both pictured) The Japanese company is the manufacturer and marketer of several global beauty brands including John Frieda, Jergens, Curel and Biore. Kao Corporation claims it will use the acquisition to 'put on an even greater focus' on its skin protection products. 'In Australia, where sun care awareness is extremely high, Bondi Sands has a leading share of the self tanning market, enabling consumers to achieve a beautiful, healthy tan without the damaging effects of the sun,' the company said in a statement. It added: 'Consistent with its vision of protecting future lives, the Kao Group will continue to invest in and seek aggressive investments for global growth with a focus on skin protection.' Wilson and fellow Melburnian Blair James founded Bondi Sands in 2012 and it's now sold in over 32 countries. The founder of popular tanning brand Bondi Sands and the model shared the good news in an Instagram post on Monday '30.07.23 - My forever,' Tess captioned a series of images Alongside tanning foams, moisturisers and mists, Bondi Sands also offers a host of sun care, body care and skin care products. Mr Wilson said the partnership between the two companies would give Bondi Sands an 'unparalleled opportunity' to grow and expand its product lineup. 'Kao's values and principles match those of Bondi Sands, as we both share an unyielding commitment to delivering innovative products that protect the skin and enhance the lives of our valued customers worldwide,' he said. The announcement comes a day after Mr Wilson and his fiance shared the news of their engagement on Instagram. '30.07.23 - My forever,' Tess captioned a series of images of the elaborate proposal. In the photos, the beauty showed off her massive diamond ring after Shaun got down on one knee. The romantic businessman set up a canopy flanked by roses on a beach, as well as small tables decorated with romantic signs and photos. The beauty showed off her massive diamond ring after Shaun got down on one knee. Tess, 28, is a Melbourne-based model, businesswoman and aspiring actor. Shaun, meanwhile, founded the Bondi Sands brand in 2012 After accepting the proposal, Tess sat down to share a glass of Champagne with her husband-to-be in a wicker chair placed under the canopy. The series of romantic images showed the couple sharing a sweet kiss as they watched the tide roll in. Tess, 28, is a Melbourne-based model, businesswoman and aspiring actor. She founded the company Verve Superfoods, which has a range of natural, powdered products designed to supercharge smoothies. Tess has walked for the likes of Alex Perry, Steven Khalil, David Jones, Myer, Lisa Marie Fernandez and numerous fashion weeks globally. Shaun, meanwhile, founded the Bondi Sands brand in 2012 in Melbourne alongside business partner Blair James. The incredibly successful tanning line held 60 per cent of the market share in Australia as of 2021 and is the number one self tanning brand in the world. The best day and time to send an email has been revealed in new data, although following its advice may lead to fewer friends in the office. A study by Axios HQ has found that colleagues are most likely to read and engage with an email sent between 3pm and 6pm on a Sunday - with an impressive 94 per cent open rate. The researchers analysed 8.7million internal emails from between January 2022 and March 2023, from companies with fewer than 50 employees to major global corporations. If employees are willing to risk sending important emails on a Sunday afternoon, they are the most read emails as they are top of the inbox for colleagues arriving on Monday morning. But experts have warned it could be another sign of 'techno invasion' - where work increasingly encroaches on employees' personal lives. The researchers analysed 8.7million internal emails from between January 2022 and March 2023 Axios HQ looked at the best overall send day and send time, before combining the data to discover the key 3pm-6pm window. The second most effective time for internal email in Sunday from 6pm to 9pm, researchers said, when emails have a 86 per cent open rate. But workers should not assume that weekends are the time to send all important emails: the worst open rate for internal mail occurs on a Saturday morning, data shows. During the actual working week, Friday evening is the worst time to send emails, while 3am-6am on Tuesdays and Thursdays both have an impressive 75 per cent open rate. Even if emails are scheduled to target these times, they can still harm workers' mental health and work-life balance, experts say. Dr Matthew Davis, associate professor at Leeds University Business School, told The Times: 'There's this phenomenon known as "techno invasion". And that's a sense of the work technology creeping into your personal life as well. 'And we know thats linked to people feeling more stressed, less satisfied with their work and their work-life balance. 'My worry would be if people see this and think: "I'll start sending these more routinely on a weekend". 'Because for some people, it's fine... but there is a good proportion of people that this will add to that sense of a burden.' Previous research has shown just 9 per cent of British employees are 'engaged' with their jobs, ranking the country 33rd out 38 nations There is also the risk of an email being opened, but then ignored or not read due to employee stress levels or annoyance at the timing of the message. The researchers admitted that 'send windows do not always equate to reading windows' - and the percentage of employees who opened the email does not reflect whether it was properly read or responded to. Previous research has shown just 9 per cent of British employees are 'engaged' with their jobs, ranking the country 33rd out 38 nations. A total of 41 per cent suffer daily stress, with 15 per cent experiencing anger in the workplace and 20 per cent reporting sadness each day, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report. Employment experts believe that staff now place a higher value on obtaining a good work-life balance after lockdowns. There is therefore a greater risk that sending emails on weekends may not be effective as it seems. MailOnline reported earlier this year that hundreds of UK businesses are advertising early finishes on Fridays in order to recruit workers who now have an increased awareness of their own work-life balance post-pandemic. A mother-of-four ex-company director and her sister have been convicted of running a cocaine racket after turning to drugs when their father died. Claire Gaunt, 46, and her younger sister Sarah, 45, set up the racket in their hometown of Northwich, Cheshire to fund their habits after snorting cocaine to deal with the death of their veteran father Joe Gaunt. Police started investigating after discovering wraps of cocaine and cannabis in the house Claire shares with three of her children. They also found weighing scales and a cocaine mixing agent while her mobile phone was littered with texts relating to cocaine dealing. Both Claire and Sarah, who also has four children, claimed they became hooked on drugs after Mr Gaunt died in March 2021 in his 60s. Claire Gaunt, 46, (right) and her younger sister Sarah, 45, (centre) set up a drug dealing racket in their hometown of Northwich, Cheshire to pay for their habits after they started snorting cocaine to deal with the passing of their father, former Tank Commander Joe Gaunt (left) Both Claire and Sarah claimed they became hooked on drugs after Mr Gaunt died in March 2021 in his 60s Their mother Jane earlier passed away in 2014 aged 57. Both sisters are now said to be currently clean and sober. At Chester Crown Court, former company director Claire, of Barnton, Northwich, was sentenced to two years in jail suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. She admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis. Hairdresser Sarah, who lives in Chester and has a grandchild, will be sentenced later after she admitted dealing in cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine. The racket was dismantled by police in October 2021 after officers raided Claire's home following a tip off. Prosecutor Mr Dafydd Roberts said: 'She was found to be at home with her son and two other children and on searching the property, the officers found cocaine and cannabis in her bedroom. 'There were six wraps of cocaine contained in a tub in her wardrobe with a 77 per cent purity. Claire was sentenced to two years in jail suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work Sarah will be sentenced later after she admitted dealing in cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine 'In total the value was between 180 and 300. There was also a rock of cocaine found in her bedroom plus bicarbonate of soda, which is a known cutting agent for cocaine. There was also 240 in cash and a small amount of cannabis. 'Digital scales were found in the kitchen as well as more cannabis, and a grinder. Her mobile phone was examined and messages showed that she was involved in the supply of cocaine in small end user amounts.' The court heard Claire had a previous drug driving conviction in 2021. Her counsel Gareth Roberts said: 'This is a woman who has seen her life systemically unravel over the last 18 months or so and she is in the process of trying to put it back together. 'She is the daughter of a career soldier and was raised in barracks in Germany, was very close to her father and mother and had previously led a law-abiding and productive life. 'But her mother very sadly passed away in 2014 and her father very suddenly passed away in 2021. That led to increased drug use, which was at first casual and social but became a crutch and turned into a dependency. 'Catastrophically, as an attempt to fund her habit she decided to sell drugs to other users. She was not selling in vast quantities and she was not selling to random people She was selling to other users because she was the person who could get it cheap. Joe Gaunt is thought to have served with the Life Guards during his life Both sisters are now said to be currently clean and sober after taking drugs to deal with the loss of their father 'The prospect of prison, is a profound and terrifying thought for her. She is described as an articulate lady who loves her children. She has two children under 10. She has seen her life devastated, not from her own hand but by the sudden death of her father who loved her and who she loved.' Sentencing Claire, the judge Mr Recorder Phillip Barnes told her: There were children in your home where the drugs were held, prepared and stored. But there has been the destruction of your own life in recent years and you were supplying drugs to which you yourself were addicted. 'Up until your mid 40s, you worked a life of productivity, raising children and you did not trouble the criminal justice system at all. Your father, to whom you were particularly close, died in 2021. It was from that bereavement that your life unravelled. 'Both you and your sister turned to ways of coping with your lives which have brought you to court. You in turn became addicted to cocaine and you dealt to fund your own habit. Drugs ruin life, promote crime and compound misery in areas of most deprivation but in this case I must balance with some difficult Eleven members of a crime gang who turned an estimated 40 kilograms of cocaine into 3 million of cryptocurrency have been 'brought to justice' and handed a prison sentence of more than 88-years. Leaders of the organised crime gang (OCG) Amir Khan, 30, from Cardiff, and Joshua Billingham, 26, from Caerphilly, both pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last week. The investigation into the OCG - dubbed Operation Solano - found the pair had family and friends launder 4.6million by using the Coinbase crypto exchange, while they were in prison. Khan was sentenced to 20 years and seven months imprisonment for offences including conspiracy to supply drugs including cocaine, Ecstasy and ketamine, and conspiracy to convert criminal property. Billingham was jailed for 14 years and eight months for his part in the cocaine conspiracy. Amir Khan, 30, from Cardiff, was sentenced to 20 years and seven months imprisonment for offences including conspiracy to supply drugs including cocaine, Ecstasy and ketamine, and conspiracy to convert criminal property Joshua Billingham, 26, from Caerphilly, was jailed for 14 years and eight months, for his part in the cocaine conspiracy Money counting machine found at the property shared by Joshua Billingham and his partner Stacey Challenger Judge Jeremy Jenkins described Khan's criminality as 'truly staggering'. In his sentencing remarks, the judge said: 'Drugs with a street value of 4.6million were generated as a result and no less 40kg of pure cocaine was traded.' 'In all, this operation was concerned with 12 individuals which gives some indication of the scale of the operation. A specific communication system EncroChat was deployed by many coconspirators who falsely believed they were safe in the execution of their trade,' he added. Other members of the gang included Billingham's partner, Stacey Challenger, 29, from Caerphilly, who was sentenced to 12 months for laundering more than 300,000 and conspiring to launder money using cryptocurrency. The couple's Caerphilly home was raided by police who found designer clothes worth more than 10,000, a money counting machine, and a Range Rover outside. Khan's partner, Caitlin De Jager, 24, from Cardiff, received a sentence of four years and four months for supplying class A drugs and conspiracy to convert criminal property. De Jager's home with Khan in Gabalfa was also raided by police designer goods worth 100,000 were found at the property, in addition to a voice activated recorder which revealed De Jager assisting in the adulteration of cocaine and distribution. She was sentenced to four years and four months imprisonment for money laundering and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. Sidra Khan, 28, from Birmingham - Amir Khan's younger sister - was also involved in the gang. She was given an 18-month suspended sentence for conspiracy to convert criminal property. Stacey Challenger, 29, from Caerphilly, was sentenced to 12 months for laundering more than 300,000 and conspiring to launder money using cryptocurrency Caitlin De Jager, 24, from Cardiff, received a sentence of four years and four months for supplying class A drugs and conspiracy to convert criminal property A voice activated recorder which revealed Caitlin De Jager assisting in the adulteration of cocaine and distribution Joshua Collins, 26, of no fixed abode, who was sentenced to seven years and eight months for conspiracy to supply drugs and conspiracy to convert criminal property The remaining members of the gang included, Joshua Collins, 26, of no fixed abode, who was sentenced to seven years and eight months for conspiracy to supply drugs and conspiracy to convert criminal property. Leon Sullivan, 26, from Caerphilly, who received 11 years and four months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Callum Richards, 26, from Caerphilly, was given a nine-and-a-half year sentence for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply. Darryl Skym, 28, from Caerphilly, was handed 10 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Matthew Dean, 35, from Caerphilly, was jailed for fours years and three months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possessing class A drugs. Sami Rehman, 28, from Cardiff, was given 18 months for conspiracy to convert criminal property. Ian Kidley, 24, from Caerphilly, was sentenced to two years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Detective constable Michael Coles, who led the investigation, said he was 'delighted' by the sentences issued on Thursday and Friday last week,and he hopes they serve as a deterrent to others. The investigation into the Organised Crime Gang was dubbed Operation Solano The gang laundered 4.6million drug profits by using the Coinbase crypto exchange The high-tech crime gang turned an estimated 40 kilograms of cocaine into 3 million of cryptocurrency He said the sentences were the culmination of 'more than two years of meticulous work to disrupt, dismantle and bring this organised crime group to justice'. DC Coles, of Gwent Police, added: 'The group operated on a hierarchical basis, sourcing vast amounts of cocaine and relied on the help of close friends and associates to distribute the drugs to dealers in south and mid Wales. 'Joshua Billingham and Amir Khan played the leading management role and used friends and family to launder the money obtained through drugs to cryptocurrency accounts in their names. 'The court heard how the group used stash houses and industrial units to store, mix and supply their drugs. Between them, they supplied more than 40 kilograms of cocaine, a street value of 4.6million, to drug dealers across Wales. The total value of cryptocurrency that passed through the OCG's accounts was more than 3million. 'This is one of the first cases in Gwent where cryptocurrency was used to launder money. Due to the hard work and expertise of our cyber crime unit, we were able to trace the money and bring these offenders to justice.' This is the moment police arrested a sex offender as he tried to get off a train minutes after assaulting a lone female passenger. Edgar Junior, 50, was grabbed by officers as he got off the Elizabeth Line at Reading after subjecting a woman to a 'brazen and persistent sexual assault' as she was travelling alone. He had got on the train at Paddington and immediately started harassing a woman despite other passengers repeatedly telling him to leave her alone. Junior assaulted the woman before she left the carriage and another passenger went over to reassure her until she left the train. Despite this the 50-year-old continued to approach other woman on board and harass them as well. Officers were alerted to his behaviour and met the train at Reading station where he was arrested. Body cam footage shows British Transport Police arresting Junior, who is seen holding two shopping bags, swiftly after the train arrived. Edgar Junior, 50, was grabbed by officers as he got off the Elizabeth Line at Reading after assaulting a woman sat opposite him and approaching others in the carriage with sexualised comments Body cam footage shows British Transport Police arresting Junior, who is seen holding two shopping bags, swiftly after the train arrived Junior had got on the train at Paddington and immediately started harassing a woman despite other passengers repeatedly telling him to leave her alone Junior later pleaded guilty to sex assault at Reading Crown Court on January 12 and was sentenced to 20 months in prison last month. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for ten years, preventing him from subjecting other women or girls to unwanted attention and drinking alcohol in a public place. Detective Inspector Marvin Bruno said: 'Junior is a disturbing individual who subjected a woman to a brazen and persistent sexual assault as she was travelling on a train alone, and the custodial sentence he's been handed shows just how seriously these offences are taken. 'I am thankful to the bystanders who recognised his revolting behaviour and stepped in to help, before reporting it to police immediately which allowed our officers to then intercept the train and arrest him. 'I cannot emphasise enough the importance of saving our text number 61016 in your phone. 'If you ever witness or experience behaviour like this you can text us discreetly and the message will come through in real time to our control room who can dispatch officers to a location if required. We will always take you seriously.' A British Transport Police spokesman said: 'A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after he sexually assaulted a woman on a train, following a British Transport Police investigation. 'Body worn footage shows the moment BTP officers intercepted the train as it arrived at Reading station, identified the man, and swiftly arrested him. 'Edgar Junior, 50, and of Barnsdale Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Reading Crown Court on 12 January. Junior later pleaded guilty to sex assault at Reading Crown Court on January 12 and was sentenced to 20 months in prison last month He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, preventing him from subjecting other women or girls to unwanted attention and drinking alcohol in a public place Detective Inspector Marvin Bruno said Junior subjected a woman to a 'brazen and persistent sexual assault' as she was travelling on a train alone 'On 17 July he was sentenced to 20 months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for ten years which prevents him subjecting women or girls to unwanted attention and drinking alcohol in a public place. 'On 28 March 2022 Junior boarded an Elizabeth Line train at Paddington and sat in the two seats opposite the victim. 'He began pointing at the victim and making sexualised comments to her, causing another passengers to challenge him and tell him to leave her alone. 'The passenger left the carriage and Junior sexually assaulted the victim before continuing to make further sexualised comments and gestures. 'His behaviour caught the attention of a second passenger who attempted to speak to the victim and sat with her for reassurance. 'The victim left the train and Junior was seen to continue approaching other women on the train and making them uncomfortable. 'It was reported to British Transport Police who intercepted the train at Reading, identified him and arrested him at the scene.' This is the moment a bride wades through water to walk down the aisle in a flooded church impacted by typhoons in the Philippines. Heartwarming footage shows bride Dianne Victoriano pushing through ankle-deep waters towards her groom Paulo Padilla in the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province, on Sunday. Despite the water soaking her shoes and wedding train, the now Mrs Padilla can be seen holding a bouquet of white and pink roses. She then says her vows in front of guests. The newlywed said: 'When we saw the church flooded, we just resolved to push through with the ceremony, no matter what. 'It didn't matter if the guests refused to come because of the situation. What's important is that we wanted to be married, that the two of us were there, and that our families were with us.' This is the moment bride Dianne Victoriano wades through water to walk down the aisle in a flooded church impacted by typhoons in the Philippines After wading through the water she stands with her groom Paulo Padilla in the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province which has been hit by monsoons Mr Padilla said the roads leading to the church had also been submerged in floods, but that did not deter them from proceeding with the wedding. He said: 'Even though our car felt like it was going to sink, we kept going to make it to the church.' The couple said they were also thankful that their guests still attended despite the heavy flood and poor weather. Dianne added: 'We braved tall floods just to make it out of our houses. Nothing was impossible. Of all the impossible things, God made that day possible for us.' The provincial government had placed Bulacan, where Barasoain Church is located, under a state of calamity due to severe floods caused by Super Typhoon Doksuri, which has also hit China in recent weeks. The storm had exited the Philippine monitoring zone on July 27, but the destruction it caused still remained. Meanwhile Tropical Storm Khanun churned towards the country on July 29, bringing heavy rain and flooding as it intensified into a full-fledged typhoon by Sunday. Khanun is forecasted to batter the Philippines until August 1 before moving northwest. Asylum seekers have already been sent letters telling them they'll be moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, it emerged today. The Home Office has informed people they are set to be relocated to the vessel in Portland Port and listed the facilities available on board. It comes despite ministers refusing to say when the first migrants will actually be housed on the barge, as it undergoes inspections amid fire safety fears. It was previously expected an initial group of people would be sent to the accommodation today. But there has been a delay while the vessel is checked to make sure it complies with regulations. There have been reports of serious fire safety concerns with the barge and fears have been expressed it could become a 'floating Grenfell'. The Fire Brigades Union has condemned a 'reckless approach' to housing asylum seekers in accommodation that has not been properly fire risk assessed. Richard Holden, a minister at the Department for Transport, this morning said the Bibby Stockholm barge was still undergoing 'final checks' The vessel has been moored in Portland and it was previously expected an initial group of people would be sent to the accommodation today There are reports of serious fire safety concerns with the barge and fears it could become a 'floating Grenfell' Rishi Sunak today said the Bibby Stockholm was going through a series of checks before it can house asylum seekers In the Home Office letter sent to some asylum seekers, seen by ITV News, they are told 'your accommodation is changing and you will be moved to the Bibby Stockholm'. 'You are not being detained under immigration powers, and this is not detention accommodation,' the letter adds. Smuggler hurls 12 from dinghy into Channel A 'ruthless' people-smuggler in charge of a UK-bound migrant boat threw a dozen passengers into the Channel after a brawl broke out about overcrowding. Young women were among those tossed into the water from the inflatable vessel that had left Calais. They were rescued by French emergency services a few miles off the coast. A source said: 'Smugglers had packed the boat with lots of paying customers but all hell broke loose. 'There was an argument about space and soon people were punching each other. The skipper was worried that the boat might capsize if the fighting continued, and so he threw troublemakers into the sea. 'It shows how utterly ruthless these people are. And it shows the smugglers are making so much money that they can afford to throw customers overboard. It is brutal.' Migrant boats designed for 20 people often carry up to 50. An emergency services spokesman confirmed they had rescued a dozen passengers from the boat during the incident last month. He added that all 12 were given treatment for minor injuries and then released. Advertisement 'You are free to leave the site, but we would request that you sign in and out of the site when you leave and return, so we can assure your safety.' The letter also lists the facilities on board the Bibby Stockholm as including an on-site nurse, English classes, entertainment areas, a worship room and WiFi access. ITV News reported that one migrant who received the letter had been told travel arrangements were made for 9am on Tuesday morning but found out last night about delays to his relocation - although he was not informed of any fire risks. Rishi Sunak today said the Bibby Stockholm was going through a series of checks before it can house asylum seekers. Speaking to broadcasters at the Great British Beer Festival in west London's Olympia exhibition centre, the Prime Minister said: 'All migrant accommodation has to go through a series of checks and inspections to make sure it complies with regulation, that's what's happening in this case. 'But let's take a step back, this is ultimately about fairness. 'I don't think it's fair that British taxpayers are forking out six million quid a day to house illegal migrants in hotels I want to put an end to that.' Richard Holden, a minister at the Department for Transport, had earlier said the barge was still undergoing 'final checks' but conceded he couldn't 'put a timeframe' on when the Bibby Stockholm would be in use. Asked on Sky News this morning when the Bibby Stockholm would be up and running as an accommodation facility for asylum seekers, Mr Holden said: 'It's going through its final checks at the moment. 'It's right that whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well. I can't put a timeframe on it.' Pressed on whether safety concerns were behind a delay in people being moved ont the barge, Mr Holden replied: 'It's going through final checks at the moment. With anything you'd want them to be properly checked out.' He added: 'The checks are going to take as long as they're going to take. It's important we get these things right.' The delay to the Bibby Stockholm is the latest setback to Mr Sunak's plans to overhaul Britain's asylum system in the face of the Channel migrant crisis. The PM has also seen proposals to send asylum seekers to Rwanda repeatedly delayed due to legal challenges. Asked if use of the Bibby Stockholm would be delayed as long as the Rwanda policy - first announced more than a year ago - has taken to implement, Mr Holden said: 'I can't comment on the ongoing process of checks and things that have to take place but it is my understanding (it is) in its final checks.' A view of inside one of the bedrooms onboard the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge, which will house up to 500 asylum seekers, at Portland Port The Government plans to use the vessel, which includes a gym (pictured), as part of efforts to remove asylum seekers from hotel rooms The Times yesterday reported serious fire safety concerns about the Bibby Stockholm barge, with fire service approval pending. One source told the newspaper of fears that the vessel could become a 'floating Grenfell', in reference to the west London tower block tragedy in 2017. Asked about the report, the PM's press secretary said on Monday: 'The Bibby Stockholm is currently undergoing final preparations including fire safety checks. 'That's happening this week to ensure that it complies with all the appropriate regulations. 'There's been refurbishment that's been ongoing to ensure it complies with the marine industry safety regulations. 'As you'd expect, we continue to work extremely closely with the local council to ensure the right preparations are in place before anyone boards.' It has been claimed that plans to move migrants into RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire have also been delayed. The proposal to move 2,000 migrants into the RAF camp has reportedly been postponed until October, after setbacks in conducting surveys on the 14 buildings designated for migrant accommodation. The PM's press secretary said: 'Work is ongoing to open the site at Scampton and we want that work to be done as soon as possible. 'I can't get into running commentary on expected timelines but eventually the site will accommodate almost 2,000 people.' The Times also reported the Home Office will this week move more migrants into accommodation at RAF Wethersfield, despite a number of positive results for tuberculosis being detected at the site in Braintree, Essex. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites and vessels will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats. 'The Bibby Stockholm is now undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the coming weeks. 'In addition, the Home Office is working with stakeholders on a carefully structured plan to increase the number of asylum seekers at Wethersfield in a phased approach.' The British pensioner who was freed after spending over a year in custody for his terminally-ill wife's manslaughter was finally able to pay his respects today. David Hunter, 76, wept on the steps of Paphos District Court in Cyprus yesterday after he was convicted over the death of his childhood sweetheart Janice, 74 but released from jail. Judges ruled that after 19 months in Nicosia prison, he had served enough. And this morning he was finally able to visit his wifes grave for the first time. Around 7km north of Paphos, the cemetery lies in the village of Tremithousa, where he and his late wife lived. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, the Northumberland-born retired miner said he finally felt his wife could 'rest in peace'. David Hunter, 76, visited his wife Janice's grave for the first time on Tuesday Mr Hunter, who was tearful throughout the visit, said: 'I've wanted to visit the grave for a while, but of course I felt apprehensive I knew I would be.' Mr Hunter visited the plot shortly after 9am to lay flowers and kneel at the grave for a moment of reflection Mr Hunter was visibly emotional as he looked at his wife's grave, who was his childhood sweetheart Mr Hunter smothered his wife in 2021 at their retirement home in Cyprus. Last week, he told the Paphos criminal trial how he took the heart-breaking decision to end her suffering from devastating blood cancer Mr Hunter, who was tearful throughout the visit, said: 'I've wanted to visit the grave for a while, but of course I felt apprehensive I knew I would be. 'But then when you see the grave, you really know that she's there and that hurts.' He added: 'I felt very emotional today, but I did feel a sense of relief. 'I know it's going to be hard, but I feel that she can rest in peace now all of this is over.' Tremithousa is nestled at an altitude of 280 metres, offering panoramic views of Western Cyprus. Walnut trees, almonds and citrus fruits are all grown in the small village, which has around 1,300 inhabitants in total. Mr Hunter visited the plot shortly after 9am to lay flowers and kneel at the grave for a moment of reflection. And after spending 19 months in Nicosia prison, Mr Hunter was finally able to visit her grave for the first time this morning. Mr Hunter took an array of brightly-coloured flowers with him to lay on his wife's grave Mr Hunter spent more than a year in custody in Nicosia prison Mr Hunter was overcome with emotion as he knelt in front of his wife's grave Mr Hunter, who was tearful throughout the visit, said: 'When you see the grave, you really know that she's there and that hurts.' 'She chose this cemetery years ago, once she knew she was very ill and she was not going to get better,' said Mr Hunter. He added: 'She wanted to integrate fully with the village this was her way of doing it I suppose. 'This is my home now. My grave is here.' Mr and Mrs Hunter were married for 52 years after first meeting at a miners' hall party. The couple went on to marry at St John's Church in Ashington in 1969 and bought a property in Cyprus 30 years later, before moving to the island to retire there. But in 2016 Mrs Hunter was diagnosed with blood cancer and by late 2021 she was reduced to wearing nappies, covered in skin lesions and could no longer stand. Mr Hunter told the court in Paphos how his wife had 'cried and begged' him to end her life and 'liberate' her as she endured agonising pain from blood cancer. And after refusing her pleas for six weeks he suffocated her in December 2021 and then tried to kill himself with a drugs overdose. Mr Hunter is pictured laying flowers on his wife's grave after he was released from prison David Hunter, 76, was overcome with emotion and said he 'didn't know where I would be' without his friends and former colleagues after he was released from custody in Paphos, Cyprus, on Tuesday Hunter waves and smiles as he walks towards his freedom after he was released from prison in Cyprus on Monday Mr Hunter's daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, 50, says it 'breaks her heart' that her father has been left 'destitute' from trial He was put on trial for murder but last month judges dismissed this charge and convicted him of manslaughter. He was sentenced to two years yesterday and was freed after Cyprus authorities deemed he had already served his time in Nicosia prison. Delivering his sentence, Judge Michalis Droussiotis said: 'Before us is a unique case of taking human life on the basis of feelings of love, with the aim of relieving a person of their suffering that came due to their illness.' Speaking on the steps of Paphos District Court yesterday after being released, a visibly emotional Mr Hunter said: 'I'd like to say thank you to all the people who've donated to me, and especially my mates and my workmates. I don't know where I would be without them.' The former miner added: 'When you work in a colliery, you're a family.' Asked how he was feeling, Hunter said: 'I can't describe it. I'm sorry. I wish I could, I wish I could find words to describe it but I can't. 'When you're under pressure for two years, not knowing which way it's going to go.' Mr Hunter's daughter Lesley Cawthorne was the first person he called when he found out he was free to tell her he loved her. Speaking through tears, Ms Cawthorne, who had been waiting in anguish for the result of the sentencing from her home in Norwich, said: 'Speaking to my Daddy was the most amazing thing. I feel like my heart has been put together. I thought I'd lost him forever. I can't believe it. It's amazing.' Overcome with emotion, Ms Cawthorne, who is unable to travel from the UK because of a health condition, added that as soon as she sees him again she was 'going to hug him and never ever let him go'. During his highly emotive trial, Mr Hunter told the court that Mrs Hunter 'cried and begged' him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. He broke down in tears as he said he would 'never in a million years' have taken Mrs Hunter's life unless she had asked him to. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became 'hysterical'. The retired Northumberland miner was forced to treat Mrs Hunter for terminal blood cancer at home with injections due to Covid restrictions as she deteriorated in front of his eyes. In her last days she was crying out in agony 24 hours a day, unable to move from their sofa or take painkillers as she pleaded with him to kill her. He finally relented and took her life on December 18, 2021. Mr Hunter went on to attempt suicide, taking drugs and alcohol with the aim of overdosing. But medics managed to revive him before he was arrested on suspicion of pre-meditated murder and he has since languished in a high-security jail in Nicosia. He has now been acquitted of murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. He said: 'I don't remember a lot of the last day. I went to make a cup of coffee and she started crying.' He described how he went to the kettle and gripped the bench for support as his wife sat sobbing next door. 'The next thing I knew I put my hands on her,' he said, wiping tears from his eyes. 'When it was finished, she was a grey colour. She didn't look like my wife, and it was the first time I cried in many years.' He described how he stood by her side and put his left hand on her nose and right hand over her mouth to smother her. Speaking on the steps of Paphos District Court, a visibly emotional Hunter said: 'I'd like to say thank you to all the people who've donated to me, and especially my mates and my workmates. I don't know where I would be without them' Happy marriage: David and Janice Hunter seen on their wedding day When prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou suggested that Mrs Hunter struggled and scratched him as he smothered her, Mr Hunter told him: 'She never struggled, she never moved. You are talking nonsense.' Mr Hadjikyrou then suggested Mr Hunter had planned to kill his wife and did not tell her, to which he replied: 'I would never in a million years take my wife's life if she had not asked me. 'She wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend.' He added: 'She wasn't crazy, you haven't seen the strain of the last six years, what she's gone through. 'The situation, the pressure. I wouldn't like anyone to go through the last six months we both went through.' The prosecutor responded: 'Mr Hunter, there are people that go through much worse pain.' Mr Hunter said he didn't tell the doctors of his wife's suicidal wishes because she asked him not to, fearing they would take her into hospital. He didn't tell their daughter because he didn't want to 'worry' her. After the cross examination finished, Mr Hunter asked to address the judge. He told him: 'My wife was suffering and she actually said, "I don't want to live any more", and I still said no. 'Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God.' Mr Hunter continued: 'For six weeks she asked if I could help her. For six weeks I refused.' Describing her agony, he told Paphos District Court: 'She was lying down, she was in pain, suffering. I would do anything to help her. The last thing on my mind was to take her life. The last thing.' Asked how the last few days were, Mr Hunter said: 'She was crying, crying, crying, begging, begging, begging. 'She wasn't taking any care of herself. The last two or three weeks she could not move her arms and had trouble with her legs, she couldn't balance. 'She was only eating soup, she couldn't hold anything down. She lost a lot of weight. She lost so much weight that there was no flesh to put her injections in.' He said in those final days he was 'thinking about what to do 24/7' before finally taking the decision to go through with it when she once more started crying out in pain. Mr Hunter said: 'I remember that I had my hand on her mouth and nose. I don't even know how I thought about it. I don't know how long I kept my hands there for. 'She did not attempt to stop me I don't even think she opened her eyes.' After she died, he kissed her forehead and told her he loved her, before confessing to his brother who alerted the police. He said he cannot remember being arrested or giving interviews to police. Victorious campaigners have celebrated on Dartmoor after winning the right to pitch their tents once again. Campers descended on the beauty spot last night to sing, dance and play their music instruments after appeal judges overturned a controversial ban imposed earlier this year. A High Court judge had previously ruled that a nearly 40-year-old piece of legislation did not give people the right to pitch tents overnight on Dartmoor Commons without landowners' permission. Alexander and Diana Darwall brought the successful legal challenge against the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), claiming some campers cause problems to livestock and the environment. The DNPA asked appeal judges to overturn Sir Julian Flaux's decision earlier this month, arguing he had the wrong interpretation of a 1985 law over rights of access to Dartmoor Commons. Campers descended on the beauty spot last night to sing, dance and play music after appeal judges overturned a controversial ban imposed earlier this year A High Court judge had previously ruled that a nearly 40-year-old piece of legislation did not give people the right to pitch tents overnight on Dartmoor Commons without landowners' permission Alexander (pictured) and Diana Darwall brought the successful legal challenge against the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), claiming some campers cause problems to livestock and the environment In a ruling on Monday, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Underhill and Lord Justice Newey granted the appeal, finding that the law 'confers on members of the public the right to rest or sleep on the Dartmoor Commons, whether by day or night and whether in a tent or otherwise' as long as byelaws are followed. READ MORE: How landowners demanded a veto on YOUR right to camp where you like Advertisement The decision was hailed by dozens of activists, who gathered on the site last night to celebrate. Cat Howard from the Dartmoor Wild Camping Action Group told MailOnline: 'This campaign captured the hearts of a lot of people from different backgrounds and really united them. 'This is about the right to have access to wild spaces and a lot people understand how important it is to connect to that environment and do that responsibly. 'If Covid taught us anything it's how important being outside is for your mental health, so if you are just imposing a blanket ban, where does it stop? Are you then going to ban wild swimming and climbing?' The landmark verdict has sparked further calls for a wider 'right to roam', with Labour expected to include the pledge in their manifesto for the next election. Local MP Luke Pollard said: 'It is now up to Parliament to guarantee a right to wild camp by extending the right to roam in law so cherished spaces like Dartmoor are protected for everyone.' However, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) said that wild camping, discarded BBQs and litter are 'increasing issues' for farmers to deal with and warned a blanket approach to right to roam 'will only make the issues worse'. Dartmoor National Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square mile area in Devon In his ruling on Monday, Sir Geoffrey said the 'critical question' was whether wild camping could be considered a form of 'open-air recreation', finding it was The Countryside Alliance also urged caution, as a spokesperson said: 'Anyone exercising this right on Dartmoor Commons must do so responsibly, with full regard to the impact they are having on the land and those who manage it. 'There is a real risk of wildfires from irresponsible fires and the impact that littering can have on wildlife can be catastrophic. 'Fundamentally anyone wild camping on Dartmoor Commons must be considerate to the landscape, wildlife and land managers.' John Howell is a landowner who has long raised concerns over the impact of such behaviour on the site. He told ITV News: 'They make a mess, they leave litter, excrement, toilet paper, broken glass, all sorts. It's a disgusting mess and it's been getting worse for about the last 20 years.' The landmark verdict has sparked further calls for a wider 'right to roam', with Labour expected to include the pledge in their manifesto for the next election Dartmoor National Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square mile area that features 'commons' - areas of unenclosed privately owned moorland where locals can put livestock However, Ms Howard suggested a blanket ban would still not prevent issues caused by troublemakers. 'Taking those rights away from people isn't going to stop those who don't camp responsibly and respectfully, they're going to do it anyway,' she said. 'It's equivalent of saying 'some people drink-drive, so let's ban everyone from driving'. It shouldn't mean that everyone pays the price. 'The next stage is about focusing on education, so people understand the environment they are in, and also enforcement, so the park can employ rangers to stop those not camping responsibly.' In his ruling on Monday, Sir Geoffrey said the 'critical question' was whether wild camping could be considered a form of 'open-air recreation', finding it was. He said: 'The fact that a tent is closed rather than open cannot convert the wild camping from being an open-air recreation into not being one. 'In my judgment, that walker is still resting by sleeping and undertaking an essential part of the recreation.' Lord Justice Underhill, who agreed with Sir Geoffrey, added the byelaws 'provide a workable structure whereby a proper balance can be preserved between the rights of those accessing the commons and the rights of the owners of the land and others'. He added: 'Many people take pleasure in the experience of sleeping in a tent in open country, typically, though not invariably, as part of a wider experience of walking across country, and perhaps engaging in other open-air recreations such as birdwatching, during the day. 'It is a perfectly natural use of language to describe that as a recreation, and also as occurring in the open air notwithstanding that while the camper is actually in the tent the outside air will be to some extent excluded.' Sir Julian had previously found that the meaning of the legislation was 'clear and unambiguous' in that it conferred a 'right to roam' which did not include 'a right to wild camp without permission'. His now-overturned judgment was labelled a 'huge step backward' by campaigners, who said there was a 'long-established precedent' of wild camping in the national park in Devon. The DNPA previously said backpack campers can access nearly 52,000 acres of common land across the national park and can stay overnight under a new 'permissive system' as long as they follow a code of conduct A High Court judge ruled in January that a nearly 40-year-old piece of legislation did not give people the right to pitch tents overnight on Dartmoor Commons without landowners' permission The DNPA's chairwoman, Pamela Woods, said the organisation was 'delighted' with Monday's appeal decision, with DNPA's chief executive Kevin Bishop saying the ruling is 'a re-affirmation of the right to backpack camp on Dartmoor and secures that right for today and future generations'. He added: 'Our sincere hope is that this judgment means we can now move forward, in partnership, with a focus on making sure Dartmoor remains a special place for all to enjoy.' The ruling was also welcomed by the Open Spaces Society, which intervened in the case. Its general secretary Kate Ashbrook said: 'This is an excellent outcome. We are relieved that the judges ruled unanimously and conclusively that open-air recreation includes backpack camping on the commons.' She added: 'Following this judgment, Dartmoor remains one of only a handful of places in England where there is a right to backpack camping without the landowner's permission. 'We should like to see that right extended and we shall campaign with other organisations to achieve this.' Tom Backhouse, founder of CampWild: 'The Court of Appeal ruling marks a momentous and positive outcome, having granted the right to backpack camp on Dartmoor commons restoring the sacred tradition that has been a part of our heritage for generations. 'While I understand that the right to camp or access private land without permission is not legally protected in other regions of England and Wales, as it now is on the commons of Dartmoor, I want to enable access to the same incredible experiences that I have had by unlocking access to private locations. 'My mission is to establish a network of Wild Spaces, serving as a bridge between landowners and the public and scaling responsible access to remote, tranquil and largely undiscovered pockets of our country. 'I believe that nature's beauty should be within reach of all of us, and via CampWild, I reaffirm our commitment to creating a country where everyone can connect with the wild, while fostering a deep appreciation for our environment and a profound sense of stewardship for the natural world.' Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord, who represents the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, added: 'This landmark ruling proves what we've known all along, that our national parks and green spaces are not the personal fiefdom of a small number of wealthy landowners. 'People here in the West Country have enjoyed the right to wild camp on Dartmoor for decades, and I'm glad to see this right restored. 'But we cannot allow this to ever happen again - that's why we need to change the law to enshrine our right to respectfully Wild camp on Dartmoor in law. 'I've already tabled a bill to do this in Parliament and will continue to fight to protect public access to our national parks.' Dartmoor National Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square mile area that features 'commons' - areas of unenclosed privately owned moorland where locals can put livestock. The DNPA previously said backpack campers can access nearly 52,000 acres of common land across the national park and can stay overnight under a new 'permissive system' as long as they follow a code of conduct. Ukraine has been forced to abort several planned drone strikes on Russian targets after Elon Musk refused to grant access to the Starlink satellite network for offensive military maneuvers, a report has claimed. Kyiv had recently planned to remote-pilot a drone to deliver an explosive strike on a Russian navy ship at a Black Sea base in occupied Crimea. But the SpaceX CEO, 52, denied the Ukrainian military the use of his Starlink network - whose services he offered to Kyiv earlier in the war - forcing army chiefs to stand down the attack, according to a report by the New York Times. In the wake of the aborted strike, Ukraine army chief Valery Zaluzhnyi reportedly sought contact with U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, alleging that Musk had the ability to dictate his military's capabilities to attack key Russian targets. Zaluzhnyi said it was 'concerning' that Musk had scuppered several planned attacks. Musk has yet to comment on the claims. But the billionaire, who has offered his network of satellites to support Ukraine's wartime communications in the months following Russia's February 2022 invasion, has maintained from the outset that his technology is meant 'for peaceful use only'. SpaceX CEO Musk, 52, has reportedly denied the Ukrainian military the use of his Starlink network on several occasions, scuppering planned attacks on Russian targets, according to a report by the New York Times A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Valeriy Zaluzhnyi (C), Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, attending an event on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood held on Mykhailivska Square in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, 28 July 2023 Musk, whose offered his network of satellites to support Ukraine's wartime communications for free in 2022, has maintained from the outset that his technology is meant 'for peaceful use only' Musk's Starlink satellites have provided essential comms support for Ukraine's military since Russia invaded The latest controversy over Starlink's use for offensive military maneuvers comes after Gwynne Shotwell, the President of SpaceX, in February formally announced the company was limiting Ukraine's use of Starlink for military purposes. Shotwell stated the service could be used for typical communications and humanitarian efforts, such as connecting families and hospitals. The service had enabled Ukrainians to benefit from uninterrupted, independent and secure internet access amid Russia's consolidated missile attacks caused significant damage to Ukraine's communications infrastructure. In many cases, Starlink satellites became the only means of communication for the Ukrainian armed forces on the frontlines. Starlink's terms of service document clearly states: 'Starlink is not designed or intended for use with or in offensive or defensive weaponry or other comparable end-uses.' But Ukraine's military had harnessed the technology to pilot drones carrying anti-tank grenades, destroying Russian tanks and army trucks. In recent months, Kyiv has pioneered the use of naval 'kamikaze' drones - unmanned vessels laden with explosives that are driven towards Russian warships and detonated upon impact. It has also used seafaring drones to destroy or damage infrastructure controlled by Moscow, most notably a stretch of the Kerch bridge that connects occupied Crimea to mainland Russia. Drones used in the field are able to use the Starlink to keep connected and provide intelligence as internet and power outages plague Ukraine A dramatic video has shown how Ukraine is stepping up its use of kamikaze boats to attack Vladimir Putin's warship in the Black Sea In response to the most recent aborted attack as a result of Musk's restriction of the Starlink service to Kyiv's forces, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told The Telegraph: 'The issue is that at critical stages of the war, we desperately need absolute operational and technical independence. 'That is, the dependence of decision-making and its implementation must be 100 per cent. The risks for our military are too great when the course of offensive operations depends on external circumstances or third parties.' Other commentators, including European Council on Foreign Relations' senior fellow Ulrike Franke and NASA astronaut Scott Kelly have criticized Musk's decision, with the former declaring 'no individual should have this power' and the latter stating that 'defense from a genocidal invasion is not an offensive capability. It's survival.' But the SpaceX chief executive has pointed out that his company provided vital communications support to Kyiv for free and continues to offer the services. Meanwhile in June, the US Department for Defense purchased thousands of Starlink terminals to secure ongoing comms support for Ukraine's military. 'We continue to work with a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the resilient satellite and communication capabilities they need. 'Satellite communications constitute a vital layer in Ukraine's overall communications network and the department contracts with Starlink for services of this type,' the Pentagon said in a statement. A 'maniac' who kept a 'sex slave' in a 'dungeon' for 14 years and 'raped her more than a thousand times' burst into tears in a Russian court today as he claimed it was 'for love' and 'consensual'. Vladimir Cheskidov, 51, allegedly held a 19-year-old captive at his home in Smolina, Chelyabinsk region, where he lived with his mother. He is also facing a murder charge relating to another woman. Ekaterina B, whose full identity has not been disclosed, claimed she had been raped repeatedly before escaping 14 years later aged 33. His mother Valentina Cheskidova, 72, faces up to 15 years in prison for being complicit in the kidnapping, according to Russian law enforcement. She was today bailed by the court and faces travel restrictions. Speaking today she refuted claims that her son had mistreated Ekaterina, telling reporters from the dock that she had lived with them voluntarily. 'She joined my son and lived like a queen. No-one kept her. She lived [with us] at her own free will,' she said. 'We have all the doors open [in the house] - come in, run away. Every day it was like this.' Vladimir Cheskidov, 51, is pictured today for a hearing as he faces a criminal investigation into kidnapping, rape and murder Valentina Cheskidova (pictured at the house) has been accused of being complicit in the kidnapping of the now 33-year-old woman Ekaterina, whose full identity has not been disclosed, claimed she had been raped more than one thousand times over the course of 14 years. She had been held captive since she was 19 Cheskidov, 51, also faces a criminal investigation into the murder of another woman he held in the house in 2011. The chopped-up and boiled remains of Oksana, who was in her 30s, were found in a cellar at the property, the Russian Investigative Committee said. Cheskidov was declared fit to face court after earlier being held under armed guard in a psychiatric hospital. He claimed he had a 'consensual' and 'loving' relationship with Ekaterina. When asked if he raped her, he replied 'no'. Ekaterina claimed she was forced at knifepoint to help Cheskidov dismember and dispose of Oksana's corpse, according to the victim's testimony. State investigators borrowed shovels from villagers and have been seen digging the grounds of the house the mother and son shared. Russia's top detective Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee, has taken personal control of the serious case. Ekaterina broke free from the house after Cheskidov drank himself into delirium and Valentina, fearing for her life, called an ambulance for him. He failed to padlock the 'dungeon' where he kept her, and she ran into the village, eventually finding her sister, Elena F, who had been looking for her for 14 years. 'She has begun to tell [me] everything', said the sister, according to reports in Russia. The remains of Oksana, who was in her 30s, were found in a cellar at the property and were chopped up and boiled. Pictured is a room in the house Valentina Cheskidova lived with her son at the Smolina property 'How a man held her, tied her up, taped her hands, tied her up, sealed her mouth with tape. 'She said that [Vladimir] always had a knife [in his hands], and apparently, [any] step to the left, to the right [led] to punishment. 'There was another girl there [when she was first held aged 19]. 'He introduced [that girl] as his wife. But then, I don't know what kind of conflict they had, he plunged a knife right into her head.' The sister said that Cheskidov had told her: 'If you behave the same way, you will get the same [punishment]. 'Then he dismembered her and she [Ekaterina] helped him. 'Remains, arms and legs, were packed in a barrel....to bury [them],' she said according to the 74.ru news website. Ekaterina met the accused when she was 19 and offered her a drink at a railway station, she told her sister. 'Then he invited me home,' she said. 'And it all started there.' Sex toys used during the alleged torture sessions were also seized by police. Pictured is an investigator searching the property Laptops, and discs with pornographic content, were confiscated from the house. Pictured is an investigator searching the property When Vladimir went out he tied her up, fastened her to a beam and taped her mouth shut with duct tape, it is reported. He freed her to do housework, and she was expected to clean, cook, and look after his mother - as well as provide him with sex. The room where the woman was kept was equipped with various muzzles, according to local reports. Laptops, and discs with pornographic content, were confiscated from the house. Sex toys used during the alleged torture sessions were also seized by police. He forced her to drink vodka with him, and 'severely beat' her. She had been from a 'troubled family' and while she had a sister, no other relatives were looking for her. It is claimed that Ekaterina B was kept in the basement with a padlocked door Pictured is the outdoor area of the property where the women were held captive Cheskidov has been seen today in court for a custody hearing. He was declared fit to face court after earlier being held under armed guard in a psychiatric hospital Cheskidov was described as a 'recluse' living with his mother, who at one time worked in a local psychiatric hospital. In court the judge asked Cheskidov - who is officially registered as married - if he approved of his lawyer. 'I don't have money to pay,' he replied. The judge explained that the court provided him with a lawyer. He also disagreed with a prosecution attempt to bar the media from the hearing due to sexually explicit evidence. Scientists once crashed a large-sized passenger plane into the ground deliberately to discover which seats on board would have the best chance of surviving the crash. The test - which was undertaken by a company named Broken Wing - was embroiled in controversy after the US government refused to let the company attempt the experiment on their land. After exploring alternative sites, the company eventually persuaded the Mexican government for the test to be carried out in the country's desert. The plan for the test was to fly plane remotely before deliberately crashing it into the desert in order to accurately simulate what might happen in the event of an actual aircraft crash. However, because the plane had to fly over populated areas, the Mexican government demanded that the plane was to be flown for that time by Captain Jim Bob Slocum. The plan for the test was to fly plane remotely before deliberately crashing it into the desert in order to accurately simulate what might happen in the event of an actual aircraft crash The Boeing 727 plane took off from an airport in Mexicali on April 27 2012, before flying into the desert and being deliberately crashed into the floor at 140 miles per hour The simulation found that passengers at the front of the plane would be the most likely to die in a real crash Captain Slocum had the job of flying the plane into the wilderness before leaving the aircraft eight miles away from the crash via parachute in tandem with a jump master. This allowed the plane to be crashed by Chip Shanle, a former Navy test pilot, who took control remotely. The Boeing 727 plane took off from an airport in Mexicali on April 27 2012, before flying into the desert and being deliberately crashed into the floor at 140 miles per hour. Unsurprisingly, the simulation found that passengers at the front of the plane would be the most likely to die in a real crash. Such an incident would also leave those seated over the wings of the plane with serious injuries. However, the majority of test dummies at the back of the plane remained intact, increasing the chances of survival for passengers sitting there in a real-life situation. Interestingly, if the plane had crashed tail first into the ground, then the circumstances would likely have been reversed. The test also found that adopting the brace position would likely have prevented head and spinal injuries. However, the nature of the posture but would have created more pressure on passengers' legs, making them more susceptible to serious injury. Concerningly, the test found that evacuation in a real crash may be difficult, as broken fragments of the plane's bodywork could create potential hazards and evacuation blockages for anyone on board. Almost half of Ukrainian detainees held in camps in Kherson have been subjected to torture and sexual violence, according to new research by an international human rights law firm. Analysis of cases across more than 35 identified detention centres revealed suffocation, waterboarding, electrocution, beatings and threats of rape to be widespread techniques imposed by Russian guards in the occupied region. Global Rights Compliance's Mobile Justice Team reviewed the stories of 320 people held in Kherson with Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG), with 43% reporting experiences of torture from their time detained. Those held in the centres included volunteers, activists, medical leaders, teachers, community leaders, law enforcement and military personnel. Wayne Jordash KC, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Global Rights Compliance, said: 'The torture and sexual violence tactics the Office of the Prosecution is uncovering from the Kherson detention centres suggests that Putin's plan to extinguish Ukrainian identity includes a range of crimes evocative of genocide. 'At the very least, the pattern that we are observing is consistent with a cynical and calculated plan to humiliate and terrorise millions of Ukrainian citizens in order to subjugate them to the diktat of the Kremlin.' A corridor in a place Ukrainians were detained on Pylypa Orlyka str., where Russians tried to start a fire in order to hide traces of their crimes and burn documents before retreating Cobwebs smoky with soot in the basement of the detention camp on Pylypa Orlyka str. The Mobile Justice Team, part of the UK, EU and US-sponsored Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA), was set up by international human rights law firm and foundation, Global Rights Compliance, in April 2022. It is led by world-renowned British Barrister, Wayne Jordash KC. The team's CRSV work is primarily funded by the EU. Their unsettling analysis uncovered new evidence of horrific sexual crimes committed by Russian soldiers in the centres, including genital electrocutions, threats of genital mutilation and being forced to witness the rape of another detainee with a foreign object. One Russian soldier reportedly ordered the genital electrocution of 17 separate victims across the detention centres. Anna Mykytenko, Senior Legal Adviser and Ukraine Country Manager, Global Rights Compliance, told MailOnline: 'What we have noticed during our investigations is that sexual violence has been - and is continuing to be - used by Russian forces to degrade and humiliate prisoners, among other goals.' She added: 'There is no doubt that the victims of these crimes will bear long term psychological scars following their captivity in these detention centres.' Evidence of the atrocities have mounted in recent months, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Russia of war crimes in Kherson as early as November 2022. Mass graves have been found across Ukraine since the start of the war in February last year. Global Rights Compliance said that the reported 'patterns' of rape and other sexual crimes inflicted upon occupied people across Ukraine may point to a 'premeditated plan on a systemic level'. Mykytenko said: 'The true scale of Russia's war crimes remains unknown, but what we can say for certain is that the psychological consequences of these cruel crimes on Ukrainian people will be engrained in their minds for years to come. 'What we are witnessing in Kherson is just the tip of the iceberg in Putin's barbaric plan to obliterate an entire population. Justice will be served for Ukrainian survivors as we continue our mission to identify and hold perpetrators accountable. 'Impunity is not an option.' The group said that the 'hunt' for the perpetrators is 'well underway'. The research, since the liberation of a large part of the Kherson Oblast in October 2022, has focused its investigations on the city and the large number of Ukrainian citizens who were detained and allegedly mistreated in the detention centres during Russian occupation. The law firm has also analysed early evidence collected by the OPG since March 2022, Mykytenko told MailOnline. This news follows an announcement by Global Rights Compliance in February 2023 which revealed evidence uncovering financial records directly linking the torture chambers to the Russian State. A building of a detention centre in Kherson where Ukrainians were kept Ukrainian detainees were forced to write and learn the National Anthem of Russia while held In April, Ukrainian power plant workers also alleged they had been tortured by Russian invaders after refusing to 'help' during the occupation last year. Employees of the Zaporizhzhia power plant in Russian-occupied Enerhodar told of how they were brutalised by invading forces. One anonymous alleged victim told The Times: 'I had bruises and blood down my face. I'd been beaten around the head and body with a rubber baton... they held a pistol with rubber bullets about a metre or two from my leg and fired.' Some claimed their colleagues were killed by Russian forces during the occupation. 11,000 workers were employed at the Zaporizhzhia power station when Russian forces claimed occupation on 24 February 2022, the first day of the war. Separately, Russian invaders last year forced 367 people into a school basement in occupied Yahidne, north of Kyiv, measuring 200 square metres. The villagers, including an 18-month-old baby, were kept there for almost a month, and 11 of them died. One of the survivors said some people died from lack of oxygen in the small cellar. Wayne Jordash KC told MailOnline at the time: 'There can be no doubt that Russian forces were working to a plan. 'At the very least, Russia intended to destroy Ukraine as a nation through a concerted campaign of international crimes. 'Over 450 civilians met their untimely deaths and hundreds more were disappeared, tortured, sexually violated or injured during the almost one month of occupation at the hands of this brutal force. 'The Russian plan for Bucha is now as clear as day: they wanted to eliminate any semblance of Ukrainian resistance and identity in the town, and they were willing to stop at nothing terrorism, torture and indiscriminate murder of civilians included to achieve this goal.' Ukrainian prosecutors in May said that they had registered 85,000 Russian war crimes since the war started. The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Putin's arrest over war crimes back in March. The ICC is only able to hear a case if the country where the offence was committed is a party to the Rome Statute - which established international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression - or if the perpetrator's county of origin is party to the statute. As it stands, Ukraine has signed the 1998 treaty but not yet ratified it. Russia was a signatory but withdrew its signature in 2016. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the basement of a school, in the village of Yahidne, Chernihiv region, where all the residents were jailed during the Russian occupation Halyna Tolochina stands in front of a wall inscribed with the names of people who died inside a school basement, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the village of Yahidne Global Rights Compliance, founded in 2013, is an international human rights law firm and foundation, specialising in international humanitarian law, international criminal law and business and human rights. Global Rights Compliance's mission is to provide justice through the innovative application of international law. Its Mobile Justice Team is providing specialised front-line operational expertise support to the Office of the Prosecutor General [OPG] in Ukraine. The Team is made up of a mixture of Ukrainian and foreign expert investigators and lawyers. A man used a python as a weapon during a shocking altercation in the middle of a Toronto street. He forcefully swung the snake over his shoulder and struck another man several times before police turned up and separated the pair. The incident which happened in the area of Dundas Street and Manning Avenue on May 10 at around 11.50pm was caught on camera by a stunned onlooker. Laurenio Avila, 45, was arrested at the scene and was charged with assault with a weapon and causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal. Police were called to the street over reports that a man was threatening people with alive snake. A man used a python as a weapon during a shocking altercation in the middle of a Toronto street He forcefully swung the snake over his shoulder and struck the man several times before police turned up and separated the pair Dude uses his pet snake as a weapon during street fight in Toronto pic.twitter.com/T2lLKaLe4E Crazy Clips (@crazyclipsonly) May 13, 2023 In a video shared on social media, a man is seen swinging a snake and hitting someone several times in the middle of the road. The victim is seen struggling to get to his feet as he tries to defend himself and the man continues to hit him with a python. A police car then pulls up alongside them and an officer jumps out while shouting: 'Get on the ground now!' The man immediately drops the snake on to the ground and the reptile can be seen slithering away. The police officer instructs the victim to get on the ground too before the video cuts off. Avila was arrested in connection with the incident. Toronto Police released a statement which read: 'It is alleged that a man was walking down the street holding a living python snake. 'The man approached the victim with the python. 'There was a physical altercation and the man used the python to attack the victim.' In a video shared on social media, a man is seen swinging a snake and hitting someone several times in the middle of the road The victim is seen struggling to get to his feet as he tries to defend himself and the man continues to hit him with a python A police car then pulls up alongside them and an officer jumps out while shouting: 'Get on the ground now!' Laurenio Avila, 45, was arrested at the scene and was charged with assault with a weapon and causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal Avila was charged with 'assault with a weapon' and appeared in Old City Hall court via video link the next day and was remanded in custody. Authorities did not share details about whether the victim had sustained any injuries or if the snake was harmed. It is unknown what the altercation was about and where the snake came from. Pythons are not venomous because they lack venom glands. They are known for squeezing their prey to death. They are some of the largest snakes in the world and can reach up to 33 feet in length and weigh up to 250 pounds. Cruelty to animals is a hybrid offense, according to the Canadian criminal code, and can be a summary conviction or an indictable offense. 'If you are convicted of this crime, the maximum penalty for an indictable offense is five years in prison,' it states. 'If the charge is prosecuted as a summary conviction, the maximum sentence is a fine of $10,000 ($7,398), a jail term of two years less a day, or both. 'The charge of cruelty toward cetaceans is treated as a summary conviction and the maximum fine is $200,000.' Steve Jobs' son has stepped into his own spotlight after starting a venture capital firm to invest in new cancer treatments. Reed Jobs, 31, was a pre-med student at Stanford University when his Apple CEO father died of pancreatic cancer in 2011 - something that has been a catalyst for his career. Jobs has created Yosemite - and has so far garnered $200million from investors who believe in the vision to create a virtuous cycle of innovation, reports DealBook. His investors include some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical and business landscape, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University and M.I.T. The concept of the organization is to give scientists grants to fund their life-saving research, which they will hopefully one day commercialize and then return to Yosemite for venture funding. Steve Jobs' son Reed has stepped into his own spotlight after starting a venture capital firm with his mother to invest in new cancer treatments Reed Jobs, 31, was a pre-med student at Stanford University when his Apple CEO father (left) died of pancreatic cancer - something that has been a catalyst for his career. The father and son are pictured together around 2007 Jobs, 31, said the name of the VC was a nod to the national park his mom and dad got married at. Before college, he studied oncology during a summer internship at Stanford when he was 15. He started as a pre-med student at 18, before his father passed away. Reed then switched to majoring in history, focusing on nuclear weapons policy, because he admitted his dad's death hit him hard. However, he returned to the medical field post-grad, and he got his masters degree. The new venture capital firm is a spinoff from Emerson Collective, which is the business that Laurene Powell Jobs, his mother, set up. She is currently the president of the firm. Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of the Emerson Collective, right, and Reed Jobs, arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron Steve Jobs pictured with children Eve, Reed, and Erin Siena, and wife Laurene Powell Reed worked as the philanthropic organization's managing director for health. He told DealBook: 'My dad succumbed to cancer when I was in college at Stanford. I was pre-med because I really wanted to be a doctor and cure people myself. 'But just completely candidly, it was really difficult after he passed away. 'I had never ever wanted to be a venture capitalist. 'But I realized that when youre actually incubating something and putting it together, you can make a tremendous difference in what assets are part of that, what direction its going to take, and what the scientific focus is going to be.' When Reed was still a teenager, he appeared on Quiz Kids, a public-access show broadcast in the San Francisco Bay Area. Reed and his sister, Eve Jobs He used the name 'Reed Powell', adopting his mother's maiden name in order to keep a low profile. But he fast attracted attention - not because of his father, but thanks to his impressive range of general knowledge. His proud parents were watching in the audience, according to Steve Jobs' biographer Walter Isaacson. Although the technology mogul tried to go incognito, by wearing his favorite black turtleneck, he was 'clearly recognizable', said Isaacson. Reed, who was a high school senior at the time, also showed how his father had affected him when he told the host of Quiz Kids what he was working on at school. 'We're trying to find some new genes for colon cancer,' he said, 'which would signal for susceptibility to that disease.' He added he hoped to have a career as an oncologist - which would enable him to save others from the disease which killed his father at the age of 56. A beachgoer has been filmed chasing after a pack of wild boars who wandered onto a Spanish beach and ransacked rubbish-filled bags. The animals were spotted searching for food by tourists on a beach in Estrella del Mar, near Marbella in the Malaga Province, last weekend. Phone footage shows a family of six boars walking through the sand among stunned sunbathers. The animals climbed over and under deck chairs as they scoured the area for food before digging through rubbish bags in search of scraps. Dozens of bathers carefully backed away to avoid getting accidentally attacked, with the animals having a history of emerging from the sea and then clamping their teeth on unsuspecting sun worshippers. A man attempts to shoo the pack of six wild boars by running and shouting at them The boars, who had been rampaging the beach's sunbeds, run away from the man and take refuge on a sand dune However one man, with a drink in hand, decided to turn the tables and ran after the animals while shouting at them to prevent them from approaching him. In the clip, he succeeds in forcing the boars a few feet away. But the animals remain on a sand dune ready to pounce again when the man turns away. A third piece of footage seems to show they soon returned as they can be seen digging through the rubbish next to his bags. Wild boars are often seen around Spanish beaches. Last year, a wild boar emerged from the Med and ran up a Costa Del Sol beach in front of astonished tourists. This is the moment an angry wild boar emerged from the sea and ran up a Costa del Sol beach having been forced down from the mountains because of drought The animal was filmed at Benajarafe Beach on the eastern end of the Costa del Sol a half-hour drive from Malaga Beachgoers have been warned against approaching the boar which could cause serious injuries The powerful animal, thought to be around three years old and christened 'the wild boar shark' by locals, made its dash along the sand at family-friendly Benajarafe Beach. Terrified tourists and locals could be heard screaming as the 10-stone beast swam towards the shoreline, with one overheard yelling in Spanish: 'Watch out, it's coming out of the water.' It narrowly missed an elderly couple in their swimwear and a topless younger woman in a bikini bottom behind them as it charged up the beach before disappearing into reeds behind the sand. Footage shows locals and tourists screaming and taking cover as the wild boar runs over their towels and along the beach And last June, a female sunbather was injured after being bitten by a wild boar which rushed out of the sea on a Costa Blanca beach. Footage showed locals and tourists screaming and taking cover as the wild boar ran over their towels and along the El Albir beach just north of Benidorm. Lifeguards managed to chase the animal away from the beach and crowded seafront bars and cafes before it caused any more problems. The boar collided with the woman and bit her, though it is not known whether the bite was intention, said medics who treated the injured woman at a local health centre. At the time, officials in the nearby city of Denia said they were considering using archers to keep tourists safe from the problem of wild boars roaming town streets at night. Wild boar numbers have exploded across Europe, with the latest estimates now surpassing around 10 million of the animals across the continent. Boars can carry a wide variety of diseases and are increasingly drawn to cities, where they live off rubbish discarded by humans. A Canadian real estate agent was slapped with a $15,000 fine after being caught on camera drinking milk straight from the carton out of homeowner's fridge then putting it back like nothing happened. Mike Rose was caught drinking milk straight out of the container on a home surveillance camera at a house in the city of Kamloops he was showing on July 16. He was fined 20,000 Canadian dollars on July 18, or approximately $15,162 by the British Columbia Financial Services Authority, a government agency tasked with regulating the Canadian province's financial institutions. The agency, who deemed Rose's actions 'unbecoming' under the British Columbia Real Estate Services Act, also ordered Rose to pay an additional 2,500 Canadian dollars, or almost $1,896, in enforcement expenses. Rose said he apologized for the 'very unfortunate, and very uncharacteristic' incident, promising he would 'never behave in that way again.' A Canadian real estate agent is slapped with a $15,000 fine after being caught on camera drinking milk straight from the carton out of homeowner's fridge then putting it back like nothing happened Rose apologized for the 'very unfortunate, and very uncharacteristic' incident, promising he would 'never behave in the way again.' 'I have never done this kind of thing before, nor will I ever behave in this way again' 'I have never done this kind of thing before, nor will I ever behave in this way again,' Rose said to local outlet CFJC Today. Rose was waiting for a potential buyer at his client's home when he started snooping through the seller's fridge. Without hesitation, he grabbed a carton of milk and took a few gulps before putting it back. The homeowner, Lyska Fullerton told the Washington Post that she was in utter 'shock' to discover what Rose did in her house while she was away. The homeowner found out what occurred after watching her ring camera, which she uses to watch her teen children to keep track of when they get home. That's when Fullerton went back to her Ring camera a device originally 'intended for my teenage kids, so I could keep an eye on them and make sure they went home on time,' she told The Washington Post. When she addressed the culprit two days later, asking him if he had anything to confess to her, he responded, 'The milk?' according to consent order released last Thursday. She then sent the footage to the authorities, who issued the fine. The footage left Fullerton feeling 'utterly speechless, in shock and creeped out.' 'Every part of it was just such an invasion of privacy and such an invasion of our home,' she told the Washington Post. In addition to drinking the milk, Fullerton said Rose broke the arm of her couch while lounging on it during the house viewing. The homeowner, Lyska Fullerton told the Washington Post that she was in utter 'shock' to discover what Rose did in her house while she was away. Rose's actions meant that Fullerton had to discard her carton of milk - something her husband, seemingly unaware of the situation, apparently found completely absurd. 'In what world do you think that this is ever okay to do?' Fullerton told the outlet. 'I wouldn't even do that in my own family's home.' 'This was unprofessional in so many ways,' Fullerton said to the Washington Post. Rose's actions meant that Fullerton had to discard her carton of milk - something her husband, seemingly unaware of the situation, apparently found completely absurd. 'My husband came back home and watched me throw half a gallon of milk in the trash,' she said. 'He's looking at me like I'm crazy and asked, 'What are you doing?' 'You don't even want to know,' she replied. Rose said he apologized directly to the homeowners, but knows his actions will not be 'quickly forgiven nor easily forgotten.' 'I will be spending the next few weeks considering my actions, better understanding why I would do this, and work to ensure this kind of [behavior] never occurs again In April, a Ring camera caught the the hilarious moment a black bear wandered through a man's backyard in North Carolina, spooking him as he lay relaxing on a lounge chair. Two teenagers allegedly tried to rob a Royal Mail train in the middle of the night after they were said to have tampered with the signalling system and boarded a carriage - almost 60 years after the Great Train Robbery of 1963. Police were called to the train near Lockerbie in southern Scotland at about 1.40am this morning before finding the duo aged 17 and 18 in a carriage and arresting them. Detectives said some parcels had been 'interfered with' - and both teenagers were charged with malicious mischief, theft and threatening and abusive behaviour. Officers added that they did not believe anything had been stolen from the train during the incident on the West Coast Main Line, north of the village of Kirtlebridge. The train was travelling from Warrington in Cheshire to Shieldmuir near Glasgow. It comes almost six decades after Great Train Robbery of August 8, 1963 which saw the stealing of 2.6million from a Royal Mail train in Buckinghamshire. The incident happened today north of the village of Kirtlebridge (file image), near Lockerbie A file photo of a Royal Mail train - one of which was involved in today's incident in Scotland The haul taken by the 15 men - including the infamous Ronnie Biggs who spent 36 years as a fugitive after escaping from jail - was about 40million in today's money. Today's incident caused major disruption to Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper and TransPennine Express services as passengers attempted to travel this morning. Damage to the signal box meant all lines were blocked between Lockerbie and Carlisle, with National Rail reporting delays and cancellations until 9.30am. A British Transport Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Officers were called to the line in Lockerbie at 1.42am this morning following reports that two young men had gained access to a Royal Mail train, damaging signalling equipment in the process. 'Officers attended and a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old were located in a carriage and arrested. At this stage it's not believed anything was stolen but a number of parcels in the carriage had been interfered with. The Great Train Robbery of August 8, 1963 involved a Royal Mail train in Buckinghamshire Some 2.6million was robbed from a Royal Mail train in Buckinghamshire in the 1963 incident 'Both young men have been charged with malicious mischief, theft and threatening and abusive behaviour. Enquiries are ongoing.' And Royal Mail spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are aware of the incident and are supporting the British Transport Police in their investigation.' Meanwhile Network Rail confirmed the incident 'happened at 1.42am this morning on the West Coast Main Line, north of Kirtlebridge, between Lockerbie and Carlisle'. It also said that British Transport Police were in attendance along with Police Scotland. MailOnline contacted Police Scotland, which confirmed it attended. British Transport Police urged anyone with information to contact the force by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference '38 of 01/08/23'. Ukraine has told Russia to expect 'more unidentified drones, more collapse [and] more civil conflicts' after a skyscraper in Moscow was attacked for the second time in two days. The strike this morning impacted an office block known as the IQ quarter in Moscow City - a commercial and business district in the capital - which houses the ministry of economic development, the digital ministry and the ministry of industry and trade. Kyiv has not confirmed if it was behind the attack, but Zelensky on Sunday described it as the 'natural process' of war 'returning to Russia'. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that citizens in Russia's capital are 'rapidly getting used to a fully-fledged war' as attacks on Russian soil mount. He added: 'More unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, more war.' It comes as Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and a professor of international affairs at The New School in New York, told the BBC that the strikes on Moscow expose 'the cracks' in Vladimir Putin's regime. 'The despair is getting more prevalent, and I think it's going to be very hard, much harder now to pretend, at least in Moscow that the war is too far away,' she concluded. There were no immediate reports of casualties from this morning's attack, which came just one day after Russia launched a pair of missiles on Ukrainian president Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, killing six people including a ten-year-old girl. A view of a damage on a skyscraper attacked by a drone for the second time in two days in Moscow, Russia on August 1, 2023 Investigators examine an area next to a damaged building in the 'Moscow City' business district after a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, early Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 A security officer stands guard near a damaged office building in the Moscow City following a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow, August 1, 2023 Adviser to the President of Ukraine Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, speaks during an interview with AFP in Kyiv, on July 19, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine A map depicts the targets of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian soil or Russian occupied territory. The attacks mostly focus on Moscow, the Russian occupied Crimean peninsula, or the Western Russian region of Belgorod Ukrainian drone hits the Moscow International Business Centre in Moscow City commercial district on Sunday night Investigators examine a damaged skyscraper in the 'Moscow City' business district after a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, early on Sunday Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the most recent attack on his city via the Telegram messaging app. 'One flew into the same tower in (Moscow) City as last time. The facade on the 21st floor was damaged,' and a number of windows were smashed, the mayor said. Images from the scene showed how the office block's glass fronting had been shattered and tumbled hundreds of feet to the pavement below. Shortly after the drone attack, Moscow's Vnukovo international airport was briefly closed as a precaution, TASS state news agency reported. Russia also claimed today to have downed a separate wave of Ukrainian drones targeting vessels in the Black Sea near Crimea - the peninsula that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. 'Two Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed by air defence systems over the territory of the Odintsovo and Narofominsk districts of Moscow region,' the Russian defence ministry said. 'Another drone was suppressed by electronic warfare and, having lost control, crashed on the territory of Moscow City,' the capital's main commercial district, the ministry said. Tuesday's clashes follow a strike by three drones on Sunday, prompting Russian defences to shoot two down over the commercial district. Russian military commanders in response launched twin missile strikes on Kryvyi Rih, demolishing an apartment block and educational establishment. Six people, including a young girl, were killed and dozens injured as a result. Moscow and its environs, lying about 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border, had rarely been targeted during the conflict until several drone attacks this year. Yet despite its attempts to strike back at key Russian targets, Ukraine has been forced to abort several of its planned drone strikes after Elon Musk refused to grant access to the Starlink satellite network for offensive military manoeuvres, a report claimed. Kyiv had recently planned to remote-pilot a drone to deliver an explosive strike on a Russian navy ship at a Black Sea base in Crimea. But the SpaceX CEO, 52, denied the Ukrainian military the use of his Starlink network - whose services he offered to Kyiv earlier in the war - forcing army chiefs to stand down the attack, according to a report by the New York Times. In the wake of the aborted strike, Ukraine army chief Valery Zaluzhnyi reportedly sought contact with U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, alleging that Musk had the ability to dictate his military's capabilities to attack key Russian targets. Zaluzhnyi said it was 'concerning' that Musk had scuppered several planned attacks. Musk has yet to comment on the claims. But the billionaire, who has offered his network of satellites to support Ukraine's wartime communications in the months following Russia's February 2022 invasion, has maintained from the outset that his technology is meant 'for peaceful use only'. Police officers stand in front of a damaged building in the Moscow-City business center following a drone attack in Moscow, Russia, 30 July 2023 SpaceX CEO Musk, 52, has reportedly denied the Ukrainian military the use of his Starlink network on several occasions, scuppering planned attacks on Russian targets, according to a report by the New York Times A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Valeriy Zaluzhnyi (C), Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, attending an event on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood held on Mykhailivska Square in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, 28 July 2023 Musk, whose offered his network of satellites to support Ukraine's wartime communications for free in 2022, has maintained from the outset that his technology is meant 'for peaceful use only' A variety of Ukrainian-made drones have been used in aerial strikes on Russian soil, in addition to unmanned maritime vessels that can conduct attacks on seaborne craft. The Bober (lit. 'beaver') is a new long-range suicide drone, which was deployed for the first time earlier this year. With a range of up to 621 miles, the drone significantly improves Ukraine's reach as it musters a daring counteroffensive into occupied lands. This new tech lines up alongside Kyiv's trusted UJ-22 airborne drone which can cruise at an altitude of 20,000ft with a range of up to 500 miles. Some army units have even had success deploying anti-tank grenades using simple, cheap consumer drones. Ukraine's armed forces have also benefitted from Britain and France sending long range Storm Shadow missiles, capable of hitting targets 350 miles away. Defence analyst Dr James Bosbotinis said the Storm Shadow's range allows it to hit 'high-value hardened targets' that 'the adversary does not want to have attacked' such as bunkers, as reported by Forces.net. Ukraine also has its HIMARS rocket systems for defence, but these have a range of only 50 miles. Governor Ron DeSantis invited Vice President Kamala Harris to meet with him in person on Florida's new education policy for black history after she blasted it as 'propaganda.' 'In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues,' he wrote in a letter to Harris dated July 31st. 'And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. We will be happy to host you here in Tallahassee.' Harris, in late July, made a last-minute trip to Florida to give a fiery speech in which she railed against the state's new school curriculum that allows students to be taught that slavery gave black people 'skills' which could be 'used for their personal benefit.' Governor Ron DeSantis invited Vice President Kamala Harris to meet with him in person on Florida's new education policy for black history While Harris didn't mention DeSantis by name, she accused people who 'want to be praised as leaders ... pushing propaganda on our children.' DeSantis, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, hit back with an invitation to meet about her 'grave concern' on the issue. 'One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History,' DeSantis wrote. 'But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents 'extremists.' It's past time to set the record straight,' he wrote. In his letter, he also got in a slam at the Biden administration's border policy, saying he can meet with Harris as soon as Wednesday, unless she has 'a trip to the southern border planned that day.' 'I am prepared to meet as early as Wednesday of this week, but of course want to be deferential to your busy schedule should you already have a big trip to the southern border planned for that day,' he wrote. 'Please let me know as soon as possible. What an example we could set for the nation - a serious conversation on the substance of an important issue! I hope you're feeling up to it.' Harris' office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiry about the meeting invite. The vice president is scheduled to fly to Orlando on Tuesday to deliver remarks at the 20th Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Quadrennial Convention. 'People who walk around and want to be praised as leaders, they want to be talked about as American leaders, pushing propaganda on our children,' Vice President Kamala Harris said in her criticism of Ron DeSantis Gov. Ron DeSantis invited Vice President Harris to meet with him in Florida on the state's new education policy regarding black history DeSantis, like many Republicans, has criticized President Joe Biden for his handling of the border. Illegal border crossings finally went down in June after months of record highs. DeSantis has vowed to complete Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the border. The letter comes as the Florida governor is trailing Trump in polls for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The former president led DeSantis by 37 points in a New York Times/Siena College poll released on Monday. Trump topped DeSantis 54 percent to 17 percent. No other candidate topped 3 percent support in the poll. DeSantis on Monday evening told Fox News it's 'nonsense' that Republican political operatives are labeling his campaign a failure when there is still seven months until the primary election really kicks off. 'Everything you do needs to have a return on the investment,' DeSantis explained to Fox host Bret Baier in an interview recorded during a New Hampshire campaign swing. 'If there isn't value in it, then I get changes and then that's just the reality of what you have to do,' he added. 'So, I'm not a political operative. I'm not a campaign professional. You set out the vision, and you execute on it. And if it's not being executed, you just have to course correct.' DeSantis was in New Hampshire on Monday to release his economic plan. His campaign has included a 'war against woke' and an emphasis on his family and his service in the military. But some of his gubernatorial decisions in Florida have come under fire, including signing a law outlawing abortion after six weeks, which is before most women know they are pregnant, and his state's new education policy. Harris, in her remarks in Jacksonville on July 21, accused DeSantis of using his war on woke to try and increase his national profile as he runs for president. 'When I think about what is happening then here in Florida, I am deeply concerned because, let's be clear, I do believe this is not only about state of Florida, there's a national agenda,' she said. She also said that 'as parents, we teach our children to tell the truth.' 'Well, I think we should model what we say,' she added. 'These extreme so called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach, if we really are invested in the well being of our children. Instead they dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America, we're not supposed to do that,' she said. DeSantis and his wife Casey have three young children. They talk about them often and bring them on the campaign trail. Harris also slammed the state for rewriting the history of slavery. 'Adults know what slavery really involves. It involves rape. It involves torture,' she said. 'It involves taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity, in our world. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization,' she added. 'Let's reject the notion that we would deny all of this in terms of our history. We will be better if we remember. We will be stronger if we remember. We fought a war to end the sin of slavery, a civil war, to end slavery.' And she expressed sympathy for teachers, many of whom objected to the new policy. 'Our teachers who fear that if they teach the truth they may lose their job. As it is we don't pay them enough,' she said to great applause. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sat for a wide-ranging interview with Fox News' Bret Baier on Monday evening when he railed against those who say his campaign is failing insisting he just 'course corrected' A New York Times/Siena poll released on Monday shows Ron DeSantis in a distant second place to Donald Trump with just 17% support to the former president's 54% no other candidates even break 5% Harris also accused DeSantis of using the issue to try and divide the country. 'Let us not be distracted by what they're trying to do, which is to create unnecessary debates to divide our country. Let's not fall in that trap,' she said. DeSantis, for his part, accused Harris of lying. He took to Twitter before her speech, writing: 'Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies.' DeSantis then criticized President Biden for not acknowledging son Hunter Biden's four-year-daughter in Arkansas, whom he had with his former personal assistance Lunden Roberts. The president has repeatedly said he has six grandchilden instead of seven. 'The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Florida...yet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis. Maybe if Biden's granddaughter moved to Florida he'd actually visit her,' he wrote. Hundreds of migrants have been sleeping outside of Manhattan's Roosevelt Hotel for a second day in a row - as NYC Mayor Eric Adams said the crisis is 'not over.' Swathes of asylum seekers, hailing from a number of South American and African countries, lined the streets sleeping on cardboard overnight because the migrant hotel has reached capacity. 'I want a better life,' one migrant told DailyMail.com from the queue outside the chaotic migrant epicenter on Tuesday morning. The immense number of migrants arriving from southern states continues to rise - as a result of policies that caused thousands of asylum seekers to overrun the US-Mexico border. New York City is currently housing more than 56,000 migrants across around 200 makeshift sites - while thousands more are in the city's shelter system. But buses keep arriving week-on-week transporting people from the border. The Roosevelt Hotel, which was shuttered three years ago, is one of several hotels that have been transformed into emergency centers as the city struggles with an influx of migrants. Swathes of asylum seekers, hailing from a number of South American and African countries, lined the streets sleeping on cardboard overnight because the migrant hotel has reached capacity The desperate people looking to get inside the hotel early on Tuesday morning were speaking a number of languages, including Spanish, French, and Arabic New York City is currently housing more than 56,000 migrants across around 200 makeshift sites - while thousands more are in the city's shelter system. But buses keep arriving week on week fresh from the border Many of the people on the streets just have the clothes on their back and the cardboard they are sleeping on New York is bound by a decades-old consent decree in a class-action lawsuit to provide shelter for those without homes. As a result, the Roosevelt Hotel and others have become hubs for refugees - within walking distance from Times Square, the World Trade Center memorial site and the Empire State Building. Over the weekend, the migrants were handed small red tickets with digits on them - and once in a while hotel workers would come out and call numbers to let people inside the air-conditioned lobby. Others, desperately pushing closer to the front to get inside, were left to wait outside in the New York City heat. The desperate people looking to get inside the hotel early on Tuesday morning were speaking a number of languages, including Spanish, French and Arabic. Migrants pictured Tuesday morning pushing to the front of the line after a false alarm told them they'd be going inside Mahmouth, a migrant from Diungame in Senegal, has been waiting on the streets of New York City for five days, desperate for a spot to rest his head. He told DailyMail.com: 'We're night and day here. I don't know what's going to happen now.' Savi Khalil, from Mauritania, arrived in New York two months ago, before being transferred to Ohio and moving back to the Big Apple. He was living in the Magma Hotel in Queens before being thrown out. He told DailyMail.com from the line on Tuesday: 'They moved all of us out - they said they wanted to move a family in.' Khalil was then put into one of the city's shelters but has tried his shot at getting into the Roosevelt Hotel. He added: 'My friends said they've been here 3 days. They slept here on the street for three days. I want a better life. I wish them a better life. We are suffering in our country. 'We dont have nothing to protect us from the heat. We cant stay here night after night. The application process is so slow. Since the morning, they haven't taken one person and more people keep coming.' When asked why he wants to migrate to the US, he said the country is a 'place of freedom and dignity.' Groups of migrants, hailing from a number of African counties, are forced to sleep on the streets during Manhattan's heatwave The migrants were handed small red tickets with digits on them - and once in a while hotel workers would come out and call numbers to let people inside the air-conditioned lobby The city says more than 93,000 asylum seekers came through the intake system last spring Some of the migrants have been bussed from Texas and the southern boarder. Others hail from further away Troy Vargas, who arrived from Venezuela, said that New York City is 'beautiful' and it has been his dream to work here. He said from the Midtown Manhattan street: 'I want to work in the United States and learn.' Mohammed Fatima, who hails from Bhutan in South Asia, has so far spent three nights on the streets. He told DailyMail.com: 'I want a break, we sleep on the streets it's hard. I want to rest, I want to sleep. I want any place to sleep. 'I came to America, a free and democratic country. I love America more than my country.' Eric Adams said in a statement on Monday: 'Children and families continue to be prioritized and are found a bed every night. 'While we at least offered all adults a temporary place to wait off the sidewalks last night, some may have chosen to sleep outside. 'And, in all honesty, New Yorkers may continue to see that more and more as hundreds of asylum seekers continue to arrive each day.' Many have now spent two nights sleeping on the streets of New York, after being dropped off on buses from the southern border in Texas. Unless they are inside the hotel, many have been refused entry to use the restroom inside. One migrant, named Mary who traveled from Venezuela, told The City that she was in floods of tears after hotel workers refused her use the restroom at 2am. She wandered the streets looking for somewhere else to use the toilet. A group of men, from Chad in Africa, huddled around a gutter to wash their feet before praying in the line on Saturday amid their long wait to get inside. The long line of migrants hail from many different countries - including Venezuela, Ecuador, Sudan, Bhutan, Mauritania, and Senegal. One migrant shared with DailyMail.com his referral form - telling him to head to the Roosevelt Hotel for refuge. He has not been able to get inside yet Workers handing out food to the migrants who are waiting in queues to get a spot at the hotel in Midtown Manhattan Many have now spent two nights sleeping on the streets of New York, after being dropped off on buses from the southern border in Texas. Unless they are inside the hotel, many have been refused entry to use the restroom inside Following the scenes in Midtown, the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless slammed the city for allowing the migrants to sleep on the streets. They said in a statement: 'There is no dispute that the City has a legal obligation to find an appropriate placement for anyone in need of shelter in a timely fashion. 'Denying new arrivals placement and forcing people to languish on local streets is cruel and runs afoul of a range of court orders and local laws.' The organization threatened to sue if something is not done to help those on the street. The city says more than 93,000 asylum seekers came through the intake system since April 2022. Some of the thousands of migrants who have arrived in NYC have been been bused in from Florida and Texas, as the states' conservative governments argue progressive cities should share the burden. Texas' governor Greg Abbott has sent about 9,700 asylum seekers to New York City, according to Politico. Florida's governor Ron DeSantis has flown about 85 migrants to Massachusetts and California. A worker walks past the Roosevelt Hotel on Tuesday morning, where migrants have lined the outskirts as they desperately wait to be called in to get a room Hundreds of migrants line up early on August 1, 2023, for placement at the Roosevelt Hotel intake center Migrants sleeping outside the Roosevelt Hotel NYC Mayor Eric Adams responded by sending migrants to red states - with some even being sent as far as South America and China. The Democrat spent about $50,000 of the city's money to send 114 migrant households elsewhere - with 28 families sent to Florida with 14 sent to Texas and a few to Colombia and one family to China after being allowed to choose their destination. Adams, who has called the immigration crisis a 'disaster', has opened 174 emergency shelters and intake centers. The city is slated to spend more than $4.3billion to try and slow the crisis. Adams has also scrambled to house migrants while asking for help from the federal government. He said previously: 'New York City continues to receive thousands of asylum seekers each week, and we have stepped up and led the nation, but this national crisis should not fall on cities alone to navigate. We need a national solution here.' The mayor also previously slammed DeSantis and Abbott for bussing migrants to New York and other northeastern locales in what he called a 'political stunt.' Earlier this year, Adams visited the U.S.-Mexico border and called the situation 'a disaster' that needed to be addressed at the federal level. 'Why isn't this considered a disaster? This is a crisis,' Adams said at the end of his border visit. 'No one is coordinating this national effort,' he said from Texas. The pro-Trump Save America PAC has shelled out more than $200,000 to the French-born stylist who designed former first lady Melania Trump's inaugural ball gown, government filings reveal. The PAC has been making the payments in monthly $18,000 increments to designer Herve Pierre Braillard, labeling them as 'strategy consulting.' That totals $108,000 in the first half of 2023 alone. Braillard designed Melania's ivory white inaugural ball gown in 2017 that she later donated to the Smithsonian. The Federal Election Commission doesn't require more detailed explanation for expenditures, so the nature of the 'strategy' offered was not immediately clear. The 'consulting' language appears to derive from the former model herself. The Save America PAC paid $108,000 in the first half of 2023 to the French-born stylist for former first lady Melania Trump Herve spoke to Vogue magazine in 2017, and said she was 'adamant' that he is more than a stylist. 'My role is to dress the First Lady and advise her I'm not a stylist; I am an advisor, and she is adamant about that,' Herve says. 'Who, as a free woman, is going to be told what to wear? It's a conversation, a collaboration. Without intellectualizing, my advice is respectful and it makes sense.' The PAC paid an additional $132,000 to Herve last year, Fox News reported, bringing the total since Trump left office to $240,000. Melania may have been advised to keep her distance from her husband: she hasn't appeared by his side at a political event since he launched his reelection campaign at his Mar-a-Lago club. The head of maintenance for the club was in federal court in Miami Monday facing conspiracy obstruction charges, and the former president himself has received a 'target' letter relating to a January 6 probe by special counsel Jack Smith. Herve Pierre Braillard designed Melania's inaugural ball gown for 2017 The payments came in $18,000 monthly installments The designer has gushed about his client in public Melania hasn't been seen in public with her husband since he launched his reelection campaign The ivory dress drew strong reviews and Melania donated it to the Smithsonian The filing comes in a quarterly report that helped shed light on the 'burn rate' Donald Trump is experiencing, as Trump-entities shift money while helping fund Trump's mountain of legal bills. Trump's joint fundraising committee reported hauling in $54 million in the first half of 2023, Politico reported. But Trump's committee and two other affiliates including Save America had spent a combined $57 million over the same six months. Make America Great Again Inc. hauled in $15 million during the period, fueled by Trump's attacks on investigators, but ended up spending $26 million. The New York Times called Save America, which began the year with $105 million in the bank, 'nearly broke.' It has just $4 million in the bank amid Trump's costly legal defenses. The lead vocalist of an Australian punk rock band and his wife have been left devastated after their baby boy was diagnosed with cancer. Tyler Richardson, who fronts Tasmanian band Luca Brasi, and his wife Alix took their one-year-old son Harris to hospital just over a week ago after he had been unsettled. Doctors discovered a cancerous growth in his abdomen. 'Just last week Tyler and Alix's life was turned upside down,' band member Patrick Marshall wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the devastated parents. Tyler Richardson, the lead vocalist of Australian rock band Luca Brasi and his wife Alix have been left devastated after their baby boy Harris was diagnosed with cancer (all pictured) The family have had to relocate to Melbourne so that little Harris can get the treatment he needs 'Their beautiful little one-year-old, Harris, was diagnosed with cancer out of the blue. 'They have to move to Melbourne immediately so that Harris can start to receive treatment at the children's hospital.' The family had to move to Melbourne because the type of cancer the toddler has cannot be treated in Tasmania. The community has rallied around them and has so far raised almost $140,000 on GoFundMe. Tylers band Luca Brasi also shared a touching message in support of the family. 'Our hearts go out to our best mates Richo, Alix and Harris. Please help where you can,' they said. 'The whole Brasi family is here for you.' Tyler Richrdson (pictured) vowed to get his son well again and 'bring home a happy and healthy little legend' Luca Brasi (pictured) is due to release its sixth album this September Tyler told Triple J he could not 'believe the depth of support, emotion and care that has poured out of people for little Harry and us'. 'It's been a totally humbling and overwhelming experience for us and we can't begin to express how much it means to us. We'll get him better and bring home a happy and healthy little legend.' Luca Brasi is due to release its sixth album this September. On top of being a musician, Richardson is employed as a wood and metal work teacher at Taroona High, while his wife Alix works as a waitress at a Hobart cafe, according to The Mercury. A group of lawmakers is planning to put the search for the truth about UFOs front and center by demanding a special committee with the power to prize information from government that could prove whistleblowers' claims of a secret program hiding 'non-human' crashed craft. Four members wrote to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Friday requesting a Select Committee on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena to ramp up their probe. One of the signers, Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, told DailyMail.com she and her colleagues would not stop until they got to the bottom of the UFO mystery, and threatened to defund Pentagon bosses' salaries if they didn't cough up their alleged secrets. The news comes after an historic congressional hearing last Wednesday where 14-year intelligence veteran David Grusch testified under oath that he had evidence of a secret alien ship crash retrieval program including photographs and interviews with insiders. Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna first got interested in UFOs when serving in the Air Force. She is pictured with husband Andrew Gamberzky, an Air Force combat controller Four members of Congress, three Republican and one Democrat, wrote to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Friday requesting a Select Committee on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena to ramp up their probe House Oversight Committee member Luna who says she first became interested in UFOs while serving in the Air Force revealed she is asking the Defense Department and intelligence agencies for the classified reports Grusch made, including his alleged evidence. She also vowed to probe his claim that he had been threatened for coming forward, and that others may have even been killed. Rep. Luna wants to find information about UFOs that she says could 'possibly protect lives' 'To me, that is extremely scary. That's not how a republic runs itself, that's how a mob runs itself,' Luna, 34, told DailyMail.com. 'We're trying to go after all of them,' the Florida congresswoman who is expecting her first child said. 'This is a massive deal and we have to get to the bottom of it. 'We are requesting the Inspector General report that Grusch was testifying to in the hearing. That's going to be pretty important, because that contains a lot of bombshell information from what we're gathering. 'We're actually trying to get a select committee under Oversight so that we can do the subpoenaing,' she added. Luna joined Republicans Matt Gaetz and Tim Burchett as well as Democrat Jared Moskowitz writing a letter on July 27 to Speaker McCarthy requesting the new UFO committee. If granted new powers, Luna said she would be hauling in front of lawmakers 'people that know more information that can divulge and can possibly even protect lives.' Luna joined Republicans Matt Gaetz and Tim Burchett as well as Democrat Jared Moskowitz writing a letter on July 27 to Speaker McCarthy requesting the new UFO committee. Luna is pictured with Rep. Burchett, Rep. Eric Burlison and Rep. Moskowitz last month at a news conference to discuss the committee meeting on unidentified aerial phenomena Rep. Matt Gaetz signed the letter to Kevin McCarthy requesting to create a committee on UFOs with subpoena power 'I want to see names, documentation, images and footage. According to what Grusch says and what I have seen, that exists. So let's try to declassify it,' she said. In Wednesday's hearing, Grusch even offered Congresswoman Nancy Mace to write a list of 'hostile' and cooperative witnesses for the committee to target though Mace's spokesman said the former top intelligence official has not followed through yet. Among other measures Luna and Tennessee congressman Burchett are proposing in their UFO hunt are 'field hearings', to grill Pentagon officials at locations where they believe crashed craft may be stashed. They are also planning to give teeth to whistleblower protection laws, with 'punitive actions for those that try to harm, intimidate or intentionally discredit whistleblowers that are coming forward with information that is pertinent to national security and the US government,' Luna said. 'It needs to be so tight, that people will fear if they come after a whistleblower.' And if denied records or access, the Florida Republican said she is ready to strip government officials of their salaries. 'We pay these people's salaries, we're paying into these programs billions of dollars and yet they don't want to share this information. I just disagree with that,' she said. 'If we continue to see this wall of silence, where they're giving us the runaround, we reserve the right to actually defund positions.' David Grusch - a former high-ranking intelligence official is one of three military whistleblowers who testified under oath that they know firsthand about secret programs involving technology far surpassing the US's capabilities Retired Navy Commander David Fravor (left) testified at the hearing, as did Ryan Graves, who told the committee that he and more than 30 aircrew members and veterans have experienced UAPs along with members of Congress who have confided in him Fravor discussed the Tic Tac-shaped object seen in the sky over California on November 10, 2004. Video of what the Navy could trace of the object was leaked in 2017, and the Pentagon declassified the case in 2020 Although he dropped several bombshells, including sworn claims of a decades-long government coverup of crashed 'non-human' spacecraft, Grusch answered many of the lawmakers' questions by saying he was unable to divulge classified data outside of a secure environment. Luna and Burchett complained that they had tried to book a session in a Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) ahead of the hearing, but intelligence agency civil servants turned them down. 'The reasoning for why we could not get the SCIF according to the Hill was that Grusch did not have active security clearances,' Luna told DailyMail.com. A source close to Grusch said he retained his clearance after leaving government, as is normal for recent veterans, but that he needs the Pentagon to 'read him back in' and provide new non-disclosure agreements for him to sign before he can talk freely to House members. Grusch claims one of the alien spacecraft crashed in Northern Italy in 1933 and was secreted away by Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Pictured is a handwritten memo claiming to describe the crash Fravor said there are multiple witnesses coming forward who say that they have first-hand knowledge of UFOs. A Marine claims he and five comrades saw a flying saucer being loaded with weapons while serving in Indonesia in 2009 'It's pretty disturbing. We're talking about him saying he was in fear of his life, that people have been harmed in the process, technology that we don't necessarily have,' Luna said. 'And yet we were not authorized any access to any of that information. And we have 'Need To Know' clearances. 'We have to find out what happened.' Luna revealed that her interest in UFOs was first piqued while serving as an Air Force airfield manager at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, in 2018 before becoming a politician. 'During shifts one day, there had been a response from some of the pilots to something that had violated our airspace,' she said. 'When they got back, I asked them what happened. They said 'we can't really talk about it.' Later on, one of the pilots pulled me aside and was like, we think it might have been a UFO or UAP. 'This was a pretty credible person, I obviously knew them to be sane, of sound mind.' She is the sister of notorious crime boss George Marrogi Raiders who desecrated the grave of a crime lord's sister may have been trying to steal the jewellery she was buried with, while sending a 'sick' message to her infamous brother George Marrogi. Meshlin Marrogi's final resting place at Preston General Cemetery in Melbourne's north was broken into on Sunday about 5am, with thieves gaining access to her mausoleum before dragging her coffin outside and smashing it open. The woman who had also earned a reputation in the city's underworld died at just 30 years of age in 2021 after being struck down with Covid. Police suspect whoever is behind the break-in specifically targeted her grave knowing she was buried in her crypt along with valuable items, the Herald Sun reported. Meshlin Marrogi's final resting place at Preston General Cemetery in Melbourne 's north was broken into on Sunday about 5am, with thieves gaining access to her mausoleum before dragging her coffin outside and smashing it open Raiders who desecrated the grave of a crime lord's sister may have been trying to steal the jewellery she was buried with, while sending a 'sick' message to her infamous brother George Marrogi. Pictured: Meshlin Marrogi (right) with George Marrogi's partner, Antonietta Mannella The 'sick' perpetrators destroyed items inside before dragging Meshlin Marrogi's coffin a short distance and cracking it open (Preston General Cemetery, pictured) Devastated mourners flocked to the cemetery on Monday. Among them was Ms Marrogi's mum, Madlin Enwiya, who was seen embracing another woman as she broke down in tears behind the cordoned-off area of the mausoleum. The distressed mother said she regularly visits her daughter's grave - sometimes more than once a day. Another family member labelled the vandalism as 'sick' and urged police to find the perpetrators as a Victoria Police public order response team vehicle stationed at the cemetery during the day. Meshlin has been credited for playing a key role in the rise of her brother's Notorious Crime Family (NCF) empire. Police claim her personality and talent for business led to her brother's empire diversifying into a wide array of business interests. NCF initially started as a fundraiser for children in the family's Syrian village of origin, however investigators claim she created most of the network of businesses that were used to launder NCF profits. Broken glass under a window at the mausoleum (pictured) Police are investigating whether the desecration of her grave was an intentional strike at her brother Geroge Marrogi (pictured) - a notorious crime gang boss who is currently serving a 32-year jail term for the brutal murder of a rival dug dealer Her brother, George Marrogi, is alleged to have been behind the brutal public execution of rival drug dealer Kadir Ors at Campbellfield. The underworld kingpin has allegedly imported more than $1billion worth of drugs while behind bars. Conflict has escalated in recent months between Middle Eastern organised crime families, with figures both opposed to and aligned with the Marrogi family targeted. A series of firebombings, arsons and torchings have been carried out across Melbourne with police hoping to stop the non-fatal property attacks before tensions escalate further. A forensic team has examined the mausoleum and police are looking for CCTV footage in and around the cemetery. The area where the window was smashed has no CCTV cameras and was the closest route to Ms Marrogi's grave. More Americans are drinking themselves to death, and though women lag behind men when it comes to risky boozing, they're catching up with alarmingly high rates of alcohol fatalities, research shows. A new study published in JAMA Network has found that while men have historically been more than twice as likely to die from alcohol-related conditions than women, the gap is closing. The alcohol death rate for men climbed 12.5 percent each year between 2018 and 2020, researchers found. For women, it increased by 14.7 percent annually over the same period. The study showed that women aged 65 and older had seen striking increases in booze-related deaths. Women are catching up with men when it comes to alcohol-related deaths Partying and binge-drinking are not stigmatized for women in the way they once were 'Although male individuals continue to experience a higher burden of alcohol-related deaths, the findings suggest a trend of increasing rates of alcohol-related deaths among female individuals, indicating a narrowing sex gap,' said the study. For the study, researchers from Hofstra University, Harvard Medical School and the University of South Carolina studied nearly 606,000 deaths linked to alcohol between 1999 and 2020. They used data from the US government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The deaths were linked to alcohol poisoning, gastritis, cardiomyopathy, myopathy, liver disease, polyneuropathy, and other conditions. It didn't include deaths from alcohol-related murders or injuries. Rates of alcohol death were rising even before Covid-19 a period when men and women were known to turn to booze during the isolation and stress of pandemic lockdowns. Women may be drinking more because of stress, depression and anxiety, but also because of loneliness, as many are left behind following the death of a male partner, experts said. Alcohol also hits women differently, says the study. Women's bodies tend to have less water to dilute alcohol concentrations compared to men, meaning they are more likely to develop health problems from booze, it adds. 'Women take longer to break down alcohol, and those toxic byproducts can last longer in women,' Dr Alok Patel told ABC News. Women may be drinking more due to stress, anxiety and loneliness, researchers say Women also have hormonal fluctuations, and are more susceptible to physiological and organ damage, and greater risk of liver diseases, circulatory disorders and breast cancer, than men. Various medical studies have in recent years linked even casual drinking with severe health consequences. Doctors routinely advise patients to stay off the bottle. The UN's World Health Organization this year warned that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. 'Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance,' the WHO wrote. It 'causes at least seven types of cancer, including the most common cancer types, such as bowel cancer and female breast cancer.' Alcohol is America's fourth-leading preventable cause of mortality, behind some 140,000 deaths each year approximately 97,000 men and 43,000 women says the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Rishi Sunak has performed another Brexit climbdown by allowing firms to continue using the EU's 'CE' safety mark on products 'indefinitely'. The Prime Minister has taken the action following complaints from businesses about added bureaucracy with the introduction of a British alternative. The Government had been aiming for the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) system to replace CE (European Conformity) marks at the end of next year. But firms will now be able to carry on using CE marks following an 'indefinite extension' to their use by the Department for Business and Trade. This will allow companies the option of using either the UKCA or CE approach when selling their products in Britain. Rishi Sunak has performed another Brexit climbdown by allowing firms to continue using the EU's 'CE' safety mark on products 'indefinitely' The Government had been aiming for the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) system to replace CE (European Conformity) marks at the end of next year Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has extended the December 2024 deadline indefinitely to prevent a 'cliff-edge' moment for firms having to comply CE marks have been present on products ranging from beer glasses to television sets in Britain since 2006 under EU legislation. Ministers had initially attempted to introduce the post-Brexit UKCA mark when the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020. But, due to the impact of the Covid pandemic, the Government gave businesses an extra two years to apply UKCA marking to their products. Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has now extended the December 2024 deadline indefinitely to prevent a 'cliff-edge' moment for firms having to comply. It means products such as toys, radios and aerosols can continue to bear the CE mark beyond the end of next year. Her department claimed it would remove uncertainty for firms over the regulations and cut back on 'unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth'. Some British companies had complained that a UKCA certification would lead to extra costs because it was not recognised by the EU. This meant they faced having to deal with two separate schemes if they sold products in Britain, as well as exporting to the continent. Mr Sunak and Ms Badenoch have also recently scaled back plans to scrap thousands of EU laws by the end of this year, as originally planned. Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: 'The Government is tackling red tape, cutting burdens for business, and creating certainty for firms we have listened to industry, and we are taking action to deliver. 'By extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy.' The move was welcomed by business groups who praised the Government's 'pragmatic' decision on CE marks. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses said: 'Its welcome to see the continued recognition of CE marked products. 'This will allow time for small firms to adjust to the UKCA marking system and focus on growing their business both at home and overseas.' Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers organisation said: 'This is a pragmatic and common sense decision that manufacturers will very much welcome and support. 'This announcement will help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment. 'It should bring more confidence about doing business in the UK and recognises the need to work with the reality of doing business.' Shanker Singham, international trade and competition fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, said: 'The UK's recognition of the CE mark will ensure British consumers can continue purchasing the likes of medical devices, household appliances and manufactured goods made for the EU market. 'This will deliver not only expanded consumer choice but also regulatory competition, encouraging greater efficiency, driving economic growth, and making all of us richer.' Terrifying footage shows residents of a burning apartment block in Kazakhstan throwing their children from windows to be caught by people below. The fire devastated the 16 storey residential building in Almaty, the country's largest city, after cables caught fire in a lift shaft between the fifth and sixth floors. Some 300 people were evacuated from the burning building today, but some in higher floors were thrown out or jumped as the inferno enveloped the block. Footage shows horrifying footage of young people falling from windows to be caught on mattresses and in sheets by those on the ground. A young resident was also seen climbing from a top floor window onto a platform hoisted some 170ft above the ground from a crane. A young person is seen falling from a height as an inferno sweeps through the tower block Another person falls from a height as people on the ground stand waiting with a mattress Footage shows a woman jumping out of window to escape fire in a high-rise in Almaty It is unclear how many were thrown out or jumped of the building. Reports said that emergency stairs could not be used as residents had blocked them. As many as 31 people were taken to hospitals in the city, including 16 children. Initial reports said there were no fatalities. Fire services later brought tall rescue ladders to reach the upper floors of the building, lowering 40 people safely to the ground. Residents were filmed exiting windows and dangerously climbing down ladders, before mounting separate extended ladders - to reach the ground. Video still showed smoke pouring from the building as residents tried to make their escape. The blaze was finally extinguished with 50 firefighters and three ladders. Emergency services released a statement after the incident: 'On August 1, at 17:10, the forces of the Department of Emergency were sent to the Alatau district. 'Upon arrival, six minutes later, an apartment on the fifth floor of a 16-storey residential building was found to be burning with an open flame.' They said it took around an hour and a half to extinguish the fire. It took fire services around an hour and a half to extinguish the fire earlier today A man exits a window and starts to climb down a ladder as flames envelop the building In May 2022, video caught the moment a 37-year-old hero rescued a three-year-old girl hanging from a window of a Kazakh tower block. Sabit Shontakbaev, 37, was on his way to work with a friend when he saw a crowd below staring up at the three-year-old. Her mother had gone shopping and left her home alone in Kazakhstan's capital Nur-Sultan when she piled up her toys and cushions to climb out of the window. Sabit, a father-of-four, immediately rushed upstairs in a bid save her before she fell to her death. He ran inside the block and went up to the seventh floor, to the flat immediately below where the girl was precariously hanging on. 'We knocked and fortunately they immediately opened the door,' he said. He climbed out of the window below the terrified girl who by then had been holding on for 15 minutes. A man hailed as Britain's first ever eastern European mayor has been convicted of raping a woman who repeatedly asked him to stop. Aigars Balsevics, 42, who became Conservative mayor of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in May 2020, was found guilty of two counts of rape at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday. The court heard how Balsevics went into the woman's home in Wisbech on May 24 2021 and raped her - despite her crying and repeatedly telling him no. She then tried to get away, but he stopped her from leaving the room and raped her again. After the attack, the distressed victim contacted two friends who arrived at the property and Balsevics left. She then reported the incident to police and Balsevics was arrested the following day and has since been suspended from the local Conservative party. Aigars Balsevics (pictured), 42, who was hailed as Britain's first ever eastern European mayor, has been convicted of raping a woman who repeatedly asked him to stop Balsevics, who became Conservative mayor of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in May 2020, was found guilty of two counts of rape at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday Balsevics denied two charges of rape and went on trial but was found guilty on both counts yesterday and will be sentenced on August 11. DC Katie Housham said: 'I would like to commend the victim for her bravery throughout and I hope this conviction will help her as she tries to rebuild her life. 'Balsevics ignored her repeated pleas for him to stop and even refused to let her leave when she tried to get away. 'I'm pleased he has now faced justice for his actions. 'I would like to encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to report it to the police. 'Your report will be taken very seriously, and we will always treat you with the utmost sensitivity and respect.' Balsevics, who was born in Latvia, is believed to have moved to the UK in 2003 and became a town councillor 13 years later, in 2016. Balsevics became Conservative mayor of Wisbech when he was made chairman of the town council in May 2020. He runs three pubs in Wisbech but was stripped of his licence in 2021 after breaking Covid regulations by allowing customers to hug and kiss on Christmas Eve in 2020. A transgender rapist who carried out a sex attack on a woman before going on to identify as a female is facing jail. Freddie Christian Trenchard - who is now known as Alyssa Christine - carried out the sexual assault in her bedroom after inviting the victim to her home in Guernsey. She was convicted after a three-day trial in the Channel Islands which women's rights campaigners have described as 'bizarre'. Activists hit out after Trenchard was released on bail following the conviction and over claims Judge Christine Fooks apologised to Trenchard for referring to her as a man during the trial in Guernsey's Royal Court. Trenchard, 19, was accused of committing the offence in 2021 before she transitioned to identify as a woman. Freddie Christian Trenchard - who is now known as Alyssa Christine - carried out the sexual assault in her bedroom after inviting the victim to her home in Guernsey before she began identifying as a woman The court heard how Trenchard invited the victim around to her home during the summer of that year Prosecuting Advocate Phoebe Cobb told the court the defendant was 'biologically male' when the offence was committed. The court heard how Trenchard invited the victim around to her home during the summer of that year. The victim said she was crying throughout the rape, and said 'no' on more than one occasion. She didn't report it to the police until February last year. Advocate Oliver Fattorini argued that no sexual intercourse had taken place and suggested the allegations had been made because the victim was transphobic. The claim was rigorously denied by the victim. The court heard Trenchard gave 'no comment' responses to questions when interviewed voluntarily under caution in May last year. Trenchard broke down after the guilty verdict was delivered. She is not expected to be sentenced until later this year. After the hearing Jane Roper, of Guernsey Women's Rights Network (WRN), said the presiding judge had initially described Trenchard as a 'transgender male', but later apologised to the rapist for doing so. Guernsey has just one prison, which houses both male and female offenders Ms Roper, who attended the proceedings, said: 'The judge was sent a message asking the defendant what he would like to be described as, and then actually apologised to him and told the court that Trenchard would like to be described as "a transgender female". 'It was a truly bizarre experience to witness the court jumping through hoops for this man. 'As a woman, that felt really shocking, especially as we had all sat through the complainant's harrowing oral evidence detailing the rape.' She said it was 'bizarre' to hear statements such as, 'Miss Trenchard then penetrated [the complainant] with her penis,' and, 'Miss Trenchard then ejaculated on [the complainant's] back.' 'Trenchard hasn't so much as legally changed his name - let alone undergone any surgery.' On Facebook, Trenchard describes herself as 'female' and 'single'. In 2018 she wrote how she was 'in a relationship' with a woman. Guernsey has just one prison which houses both male and female offenders. Earlier this year prison governor John De Carteret confirmed transgender prisoners will serve sentences in line with their sex assigned at birth. In February the jail had 80 inmates - 75 male and five female. The prison is mixed during the working day but genders are accommodated separately for living and sleeping. After the verdict Guernsey Police said: 'While often difficult crimes to investigate, our officers always take reports of any sexual offences, particularly rape, incredibly seriously, and will ensure a robust and thorough investigation takes place to gather best evidence and support victims of these crimes.' Asylum-seekers being housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge are to be given goody bags by locals - including a 'phone-a-friend' hotline number if they want to chat. It had been believed people could have been getting onboard the enormous vessel as soon today, where it is moored in Portland, Dorset. And in preparation a local friendship crew was at the docks with brown paper bags filled with items they could find useful onboard. The good-intentioned gifts included shower gel, deodorant, shaving razors, a map and even a reporter-style notebook and pen. But the most unusual was surely a hotline number families in the area have set up for the new arrivals. It connects to a mobile phone which will be shared among Portland supporters to answer calls from the migrants. The bags of items are the brainchild of the Portland Global Friendship Group, which is an offshoot of Stand Up To Racism Dorset. This postcard features a phone hotline to Portland families the asylum-seekers can ring up Heather, from Portland Global Friendship Group is seen outside the port with the group's bags A spokeswoman, who identified herself only as Heather, said: 'We formed because there were local residents who wondered what they could do to help the asylum seekers and show the asylum seekers that they are indeed welcome when they arrive. 'We were trying to think about things that would be useful to them, so we have got toiletries, toothbrushes and toothpastes, shampoo, body washes, razors. 'We have got a notebook and pen, so they can write things down and take notes for their English lessons. 'We have got a map of Portland because they don't know the area and are likely to be very scared when they come here and that will help get them around. 'And someone has very kindly designed us a postcard and on the back it has got Portland Global Friendship Group and it's got a contact number for a communal phone we are going to be sharing around Portland residents so they can phone it if they want to meet the community or want to have friendship or support or any help from us. 'I have campaigned for the barge not to be here, I don't think it's the right place for it. 'I'm against it for two groups of people, I'm against it for the Portland residents, Portland is a very deprived space, there is not many jobs, there's a big reliance on food banks there's not the medical services we need, a lot of our community resources like our hospital has mostly been defunded. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge at Portland Port in Dorset, which will house up to 500 people There are reports of serious fire safety concerns with the barge and fears it could become a 'floating Grenfell' 'I'm also against it for the asylum seekers, I don't think it's right to be housing them on a barge, I think we should be processing them quickly and efficiently. 'I'm really worried they are going to receive hate from vigilante groups and even far right groups - I feel very concerned about the asylum seekers.' It came hours after a government minister refused to say when the first asylum seekers will be housed on the barge. Richard Holden, a minister at the Department for Transport, this morning said it was still undergoing 'final checks'. He conceded he couldn't 'put a timeframe' on when the Bibby Stockholm would be in use. Downing Street has confirmed the final preparations for the vessel include fire safety checks to ensure it meets with regulations. It comes amid reports of serious fire safety concerns with the barge and fears it could become a 'floating Grenfell'. The vessel has been moored in Portland and it was previously expected an initial group of people would be sent to the accommodation today Richard Holden, a minister at the Department for Transport, this morning said the Bibby Stockholm barge was still undergoing 'final checks' Asked on Sky News this morning when the Bibby Stockholm would be up and running as an accommodation facility for asylum seekers, Mr Holden said: 'It's going through its final checks at the moment. 'It's right that whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well. I can't put a timeframe on it.' Pressed on whether safety concerns were behind a delay in people being moved ont the barge, Mr Holden replied: 'It's going through final checks at the moment. With anything you'd want them to be properly checked out.' He added: 'The checks are going to take as long as they're going to take. It's important we get these things right.' The delay to the Bibby Stockholm is the latest setback to Rishi Sunak's plans to overhaul Britain's asylum system in the face of the Channel migrant crisis. The Prime Minister has also seen proposals to send asylum seekers to Rwanda repeatedly delayed due to legal challenges. Asked if use of the Bibby Stockholm would be delayed as long as the Rwanda policy - first announced more than a year ago - has taken to implement, Mr Holden said: 'I can't comment on the ongoing process of checks and things that have to take place but it is my understanding (it is) in its final checks.' A former daycare worker accused of sexually abusing 91 children over 15 years allegedly had links to a twisted dark web paedophile network. The 45-year-old Gold Coast man is accused of carrying out more than 1,600 sickening offences at 10 childcare centres in Brisbane, one in NSW and one overseas between 2007 and 2022. It's understood in 2014 when police dismantled a disturbing dark web ring, in which members produced and traded child abuse material, images and videos were discovered which put investigators on the man's trail. The network was run by Australian Shannon McCoole, who is now serving 35 years in prison for a litany of child sexual abuse offences. Police initially had no clue who made the material or where it was produced, but they uploaded it to an international law enforcement victim identification database in the hope a collaborative effort could shed some light. Then in August 2022, bed sheets pictured in one of the sickening videos were traced by the Australian Federal Police back to a Brisbane childcare centre in which the man had worked. He was arrested on August 20, with police allegedly finding nearly 4,000 images on his digital devices. Victim identification specialists then had to take on the immensely difficult but necessary work of combing through those images to identify the dozens of victims. The man had apparently kept his Blue Card, required to work with children in Queensland, and been left unsupervised with children despite two previous police reports against him. Queensland Police Commissioner Col Briggs previously said the reports in 2021 and 2022 were thoroughly investigated but there had been insufficient evidence to take any action. AFP Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough warned on Tuesday the alleged details would be 'deeply distressing' for the community, while NSW Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald described the matter as 'one of the most horrific child abuse cases he had seen in his 40-year career. The parents of the identified victims have been informed by police. McCoole was the head administrator of a website containing more than 50,000 images of child porn he distributed to other paedophiles Questions remain about why the alleged abuse went unnoticed for so long and where that alleged abuse may have occurred. It's also unclear what roles the man held within the childcare centres he worked. Here is what we know about the case so far. How many children were allegedly abused Police allege there were 91 young victims. All were pre-pubescent aged girls- 87 Australian and four overseas. Police are 'highly confident' all alleged Australian victims have been identified and have notified their parents. Some of the individuals identified in the alleged child abuse material are now adults. Support has been and continues to be offered to alleged victims and their families. The AFP is now working with international authorities to identify the four children allegedly abused overseas. 'I can assure members of the Australian public that if you have not been contacted by law enforcement, it is extremely unlikely your child was allegedly offended against by the man,' Assistant Commissioner Gough said. Where did the alleged offences take place? Police allege the man recorded all of the offences on phones and cameras while working in 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and 2018 to 2022; an early learning centre attached to a school overseas in 2013 and 2014; and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. Police would not comment on the locations of the alleged abuse in order to protect the identities of victims. A childcare centre worker has been charged with 1,623 child abuse offences against pre-pubescent girls (stock image) How did alleged abuse go unnoticed for so long? The alleged abuse occurred over a 15 year period between 2017 and 2022. It's not known why the alleged abuse went unnoticed for so long. Today's announcement follows a seven year investigation which started back in 2014 when Queensland Police allegedly located child abuse images and videos on the dark web. Police posted images on an international victim identification database seeking help however the images contained few distinguishable clues for investigators to follow. A breakthrough came in August 2022 when the AFP was able to trace objects identified in the background of the alleged images and videos posted on the dark web between 2013 and 2014 to a Brisbane childcare centre. Following inquiries with the childcare centre, the AFP executed a search warrant on August 20 2022 on a Brisbane home and arrested the man in city's south-west. He was charged with making and distributing child abuse material that was allegedly posted on the dark web. Why has it taken almost a year for police to reveal alleged details? Several weeks after the man's arrest, the AFP set up a joint agency task force with Queensland Police at the Australian Centre to Counter Child exploitation to review nearly 4,000 images and videos the man had allegedly made. NSW Police launched investigation for the alleged offending in NSW in November 2022. ''Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender's devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination,' Assistant Commissioner Gough said. 'While I am extremely proud of law enforcement's persistence and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender and stop further abuse, this is chilling news. 'More broadly, it is with a heavy heart that the AFP and other law enforcement dedicate so much time and resources to prevent and take action against individuals who commit heinous crimes against children. There is not much solace I can give parents and children who have been identified under Operation Tenterfield but I can tell you we never gave up and we never will when it comes to protecting children.' AFP Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough acknowledged the alleged details would be 'deeply distressing' but assured the public that Australian victims have been identified and are receiving support What roles did the man have at the childcare centres where he worked? It remains unclear what roles the man held within the childcare centres where the alleged offences took place. Assistant Commissioner Gough said the childcare worker had all the correct qualifications and refused to comment further due to the matter currently before the courts. She added police had not received any reports relating to the man before his arrest. 'The man worked at other childcare centres but the AFP is highly confident the man did not allegedly offend at those centres,' she told reporters on Tuesday. What happens next? The man has spent the last 12 months behind bars. The matter is scheduled to be next mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21. NSW Police has issued a first instance warrant for the man's future extradition in relation to 180 charges of child sexual abuse involving 23 alleged victims. The charges carry a life imprisonment. 'Once this man faces the AFP charges here in Queensland, we will be seeking his extradition back to NSW,' NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said. If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. A large section of the original Roman wall that surrounded the City of London has gone on display after spending 40 years in the basement of an office building. The wall, which lay for decades beneath Emperor House in Vine Street, north of the Tower of London, is now part of a museum-quality display and cafe. Emperor House was demolished in 2018 and replaced with a modernised building, allowing the wall to be displayed to the general public in an open setting with natural light for the first time. The wall has survived more than 2,000 years of upheaval in the capital, including during the Second World War, when the warehouse that covered it until around 1980 was hit by a German V1 rocket. A large section of the original Roman wall that surrounded the City of London has gone on display after spending 40 years in the basement of an office building Emperor House (left) was demolished in 2018 and replaced with a modernised building (right), allowing the wall to be displayed in an open setting with natural light for the first time The free exhibition space housing the wall was developed by student accommodation provider Urbanest, the firm which redeveloped the site. The new building houses both office space and accommodation for postgraduates studying at King's College London. When in Emperor House, the wall was largely inaccessible in a basement that was not open to the general public. Another interesting feature now visible to visitors is the foundation of a Roman tower - known as a bastion - that was once set into the wall. Objects from the era of Roman Britain that were found in Vine Street or nearby are on display with the wall. The collection from the Museum of London includes a tile marked with a cat's paw print, Romain coins and discarded animal bones. The wall is now clearly visible from street level to passers-by and a cafe on site offers a chance for those completing the wider London Wall Walk to stop and rest en route. The wall (depicted above in the fourth century) was built around 1,800 years ago between AD 190 and 230, when Britain was a Roman province, with Londinium its capital The free exhibition space housing the wall was developed by student accommodation provider Urbanest, the firm which redeveloped the site The wall was around 1.9miles (3km) long and served as both a boundary to protect the city and a status symbol that proclaimed the wealth and importance of the city The wall was between 6.5ft and 10ft thick, faced with square blocks of Kentish ragstone and filled with rubble and concrete Years after Roman rule in Britain drew to a close in the early fifth century, the wall was rebuilt and marked the limits of the medieval city of London. As the centuries passed, it was gradually surrounded by buildings The new exhibition space features a cafe and the venue is free to enter Displayed with the wall are a series of Roman-era objects that were found in Vine Street or nearby It was built around 1,800 years ago between AD 190 and 230, when Britain was a Roman province, with Londinium its capital. It was around 1.9miles (3km) long and served as both a boundary to protect the city and a status symbol that proclaimed the wealth and importance of the city. The wall was between 6.5ft and 10ft thick, faced with square blocks of Kentish ragstone and filled with rubble and concrete. Distinctive red ceramic bricks strengthened and levelled it. Years after Roman rule in Britain drew to a close in the early fifth century, the wall was rebuilt and marked the limits of the medieval city of London. As the centuries passed, it was gradually surrounded by buildings. Another section of the wall is preserved at Tower Hill. At more than 35 feet, it is one of the tallest surviving parts of the wall. A further lengthy section of the wall can be seen at the nearby Cooper's Row During the construction of the new building at Vine Street, the wall was protected by a custom-made wooden enclosure. It was monitored for potential damage by engineers and conservators at Historic England. Grey steel props were also added to permanently support the wall in the new building. Grey steel props alongside the existing red steel jacks were also added to permanently support the wall in the new building One of the objects being displayed with the wall. It is a tombstone from the eastern Mediterranean, but experts do not know why it was taken to Britain. The Greek inscription was added between AD 40 and AD 80. It identifies the figures depicted as a doctor and his mother. It is believed the object probably came to Britain in the 18th or 19th century. It was found in 1957 during the excavation of a cellar Tom Foxall, regional director at Historic England, said: 'The City Wall at Vine Street represents the culmination of seven years of successful collaboration between Historic England, Urbanest, the City of London Corporation and the Museum of London. 'I'm delighted that together we have brought a remarkable fragment of the history of London into the public arena for the first time in more than 40 years. 'This site demonstrates that archaeology and heritage need not be an obstacle to new development as we see so often, it can bring significant value and character to a place. 'It should stand as an exemplar for future schemes by showing that you can celebrate the heritage of places whilst delivering something new.' Anthony Mellalieu, development director at Urbanest, said: 'We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Vine Street together with our partners the City of London Corporation, Historic England and the Museum of London. 'For so long, this site sat empty and hid a brilliant historic asset which we were delighted to help bring to life. It seems very fitting that those studying postgraduate courses at King's College London can live above such a wonderful piece of this city's history. 'This is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with a sensitive and collaborative approach to redevelopment in central London. 'We've already welcomed over 1,000 people to the exhibition so far and hope to see lots more over the next few months.' Free tickets to visit the wall can be booked online at https://citywallvinestreet.org/. The brewer of Miller Lite and Coors Light has reported a huge surge in sales as drinkers turn their backs on Bud Light after the Dylan Mulvaney debacle. Molson Coors has reported its best quest revenue since a 2005 merger which brought Miller and Coors under the same umbrella. The two beers' combined sales were 50 percent greater than Bud Light's for the April-June period. Molson Coors is one of several brands to benefit after sale of Bud Light, which is owned by Anheuser-Busch, tumbled by around 30 percent following a backlash to its partnership with Mulvaney, a trans influencer. Modelo Especial overtook Bud Light as America's best-selling beer in May and June. Distributors of Bud Light are concerned the beer will never bounce back and are now looking to other beers to claw back lost customers. Retail sales are down about 30 percent on last year following a boycott. The company which makes Miller Lite and Coors Lite said the beers' combined sales in the second quarter of 2023 beat Bud Light by 50 percent Bud Light sales have tanked since it partnered with Dylan Mulvaney - and other beer brands have benefited as a result Dylan Mulvaney shared a series of promotional posts with Bud Light beer cans with her face on it to celebrate her '365 days of girlhood' on April 1 Roth analyst Bill Kirk said: 'We believe the market share shift away from Bud Light and towards Lite and Coors Light will be sticky and likely very profitable.' Molson Coors said combined sales of Miller Lite and Coors Light were 50 percent higher than Bud Light in the first quarter. Bud Light beat both combined for the same period last year. One executive at a beer distributor in Texas told the New York Post that customers have left Bud Light 'and that's how it's going to be'. 'I don't envision a big percentage of them coming back,' the exec said, adding that Coors Light and Miller Lite are 'very similar' and 'whoever is best at marketing' will win the customers who've shunned Bud. Anheuser-Busch is set to lay off hundreds of employees in the wake of the brand's disastrous Mulvaney partnership. The company announced its decision to lay off about 2 percent of its US workforce in a statement released by CEO Brendan Whitworth last week. There are about 19,000 people employed by the company in the US, meaning approximately 380 staff are set to lose their jobs. 'Today we took the very difficult but necessary decision to eliminate a number of positions across our corporate organization,' Whitworth said. 'While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success,' he added. Anheuser-Busch announced the decision to lay off about two percent of its US workforce in a statement released by CEO Brendan Whitworth Anheuser-Busch is set to lay off hundreds of employees in the wake of the brand's disastrous Dylan Mulvaney partnership that saw Bud Light lose its title as top-selling beer to Modelo Modelo became the best-selling beer in the US in June, a position previously held by Bud Light for more than two decades 'These corporate structure changes will enable our teams to focus on what we do bestbrewing great beer for everyone.' Workers who are laid off will receive severance pay, paid out of their unused vacation time, receive six months of continued company-paid health insurance benefits and help finding a new job, according to an email sent to employees Wednesday. The restructuring 'will simplify and reduce layers within its organization,' a spokesperson said. But, the layoffs will not affect frontline workers, such as 'brewery and warehouse staff, drivers, and field sales reps among others.' Anheuser-Busch's market value has tanked more than $27 billion in market value and two of its top executives have been put on leave over the debacle. Mulvaney announced the partnership in a series of videos posted to social media at the start of April A recent YouGov poll of 1,468 people found the public approval of the beer had slumped so much it fell out of the top ten. While the proportion of Americans who 'liked' Bud Light hadn't changed, the popularity of other rival beers surged, pushing it into 15th place. The poll found that Guinness, Corona and Heineken were the three most liked beers of 2023, with approval from 58 percent, 53 percent and 51 percent of Americans, respectively. In the second quarter of 2022, 42 percent of Americans 'liked' Bud Light, according to YouGov, putting it on a par with Corona Extra, Dos Equis and Coors Light. The Bud Light figure remained the same during the second quarter of 2023, but as other beers saw their approval rise, its relative approval fell into a tie with Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller Genuine Draft and Miller Light. The public approval of the beer slumped so much it fell out of the top ten and into 15th place according to a YouGov poll of 1,468 people Mulvaney worked with Bud Light in April as part of their March Madness campaign and was gifted a can of the light beer with her face on it which sparked outrage Mulvaney had shared images of herself with a personalized can celebrating one year since she transitioned and posed with cans of the beer in a bathtub. The partnership upset conservative drinkers who were quick to boycott the brand but also enraged liberals who said the company failed to respond in solidarity with Mulvaney. Modelo Especial's distribution is controlled by Anheuser-Busch, but its US operations are owned by Constellation Brands, which reported an 11 percent increase in sales for the second quarter of this year. BBC presenter Emily Maitlis insists she never set out to destroy Prince Andrew's Royal standing or career future with their infamous Newsnight interview. Maitlis remains 'proud' of the hour long interview, which in part led to Andrew withdrawing from public life and having his Royal titles removed. The TV host feels Andrew decided to push forward with a chat to aid his daughters' long term reputation amid his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of his own sex abuse, which he has always denied. The popular presenter and journalist confided that she felt her 'cross examination' could prove to be essential evidence in a potential criminal or civil trial for the former Duke Of York. Maitlis revealed: 'I knew I had to do an interview that would hold up in a court of law once we had the chance there could not be a misstep', adding: 'It felt like a trial.' BBC presenter Emily Maitlis insists she never set out to destroy Prince Andrew's Royal standing or career future with their infamous Newsnight interview The TV host feels Andrew decided to push forward with a chat to aid his daughters' long term reputation amid his friendship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) and allegations of his own sex abuse, which he has always denied Maitlis reckons that the hour long TV chat in November 2019 'changed his life more profoundly than he'd ever anticipated'. 'He lost a lot from doing that interview. My intention was not to ruin his life. That was not on my radar. I am really proud of the interview itself actually. READ MORE: Emails say Prince Andrew met paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while the financier was still under house arrest Advertisement 'I am proud of the team, of what we did, how we got it and what we put on air.' While PR experts and Royal insiders declared the 'interview of a lifetime' a career ending disaster, Maitlis defended Andrew's efforts to speak about the scandal. 'Andrew is a big presence. He's a big chap and has a very sort of booming deep voice and very charming, and he was confident of what he had. 'This is a man who thought he was innocent of all of the allegations about having trafficked sex, having befriended a paedophile, and he wanted to convince the world that he was innocent. But I do understand that one of the many difficulties with being royal is you don't get that right of reply. 'You don't get to tweet out if you don't like a story. So I could see why he would want to talk to us. I knew that if they said yes, it would be the most extraordinary piece of television that I'd ever made and possibly that he had too.' Her fresh insight into the car crash interview features on new documentary Secrets of Prince Andrew, which airs on A & E Channel in the USA on Monday, August 21 at 8pm ET/PT. Newsnight former producer and talent booker Sam McAlister opens up too on the extraordinary build up to landing the historic interview, including telling the Royal that his behaviours had looked 'dodgy at best, guilty at worst.' The popular presenter and journalist (pictured) confided that she felt her 'cross examination' could prove to be essential evidence in a potential criminal or civil trial for the former Duke Of York McAlister recalled how after taking 'star power' presenter Maitlis to Buckingham Palace to discuss the parameters of an interview, they were shocked when Princess Beatrice joined them. Maitlis reflected: 'It's the first time the thought crossed my mind that maybe he was doing it for her. 'Your life has been hellish. You've had to read these headlines. You're trying to get married. I'm going to do this to make it better for you.' 'I don't know if that's true, but it crossed my mind. 'He wanted to deny any knowledge of Virginia Giuffre or the allegations that were circling.' McAlister added: 'It felt really weird. It's usually the case when you're doing these kinds of negotiations that you deal with the second in command. 'But we were going to be there, see him face to face, meet him, discuss these issues with him, which were delicate and difficult and we were going to do it in his home effectively on his terms, negotiating for something that was beyond belief. 'And around the corner comes his daughter, Princess Beatrice. That was really quite a curve ball of curve balls. 'Can you imagine being in Buckingham Palace about to talk to a member of the royal family about sexual offenses? That's pretty tricky, and now I've got to do it in front of his daughter. ' Andrew admitted he had to get a sign off from his mother for a televised interview in November 2019. Maitlis added: 'So we all sort of sat around wondering where does it go from here? And then he said this curious phrase, I've got to seek approval from higher up. Of course, he's talking about the Queen. 'You are to ask your mom if it's a good idea? This is a decision that's going right to the top.' Andrew said he had no recollection of meeting Virginia Giuffre, who he was pictured with alongside Ghislaine Maxwell (right) Maitlis' fresh insight into the car crash interview features on new documentary Secrets of Prince Andrew The meeting with Andrew and Beatrice was 'on Monday in the afternoon and we found out on Tuesday morning, it's a yes.'. Maitlis revealed: 'The Queen had given us her seal of approval.' Maitlis praised her fellow show producer Esme Wren for days of prepping question and answer scenarios with Andrew, but was still 'sick' moments before the TV chat. 'I knew that I had to do an interview that could hold up in a court of law once we knew we had the chance, there couldn't be misstep.' Moments before the 'chess' like interview, stress overwhelmed 'breathless' Maitlis and she ran for the toilet. 'I start to feel actually just really sick. 'And so I sort of dived into the loo, (I) wanted to have two seconds of going, 'where am I? Right? What's going on? Where is my head?' 'I was terrified about everything. I was terrified that I'd get the tone wrong, that I'd either be too ingratiating or too rude. 'And I was terrified. He wouldn't want to talk about any of the things we'd discussed, and he'd sort of blank the whole issue.' There was relief when cameras rolled and Andrew did address his friendship with Epstein, their meets and allegations that he abused Virginia Roberts. 'I remember just feeling this huge flood of relief. It's like, 'oh, thank God he's not going to pretend none of this happened.' .It was going to be the interview that he had promised me that we had talked about.' Maitlis added: It felt like a trial, and in a way it was for both of us.' McAlister was stunned by Andrew's answers as she sat at the side of the room for the one to one. 'I'm thinking things are not starting well for him. He's used too many words. He hasn't apologized yet. He hasn't regretted the friendship, and he's rambling. 'Every answer is just going into me, and each time I can feel my blood pressure increasing because 'oh my gosh, this is dynamite.' She added: 'I'm sitting there just going, I can't believe he'd said that. It's just like this tidal wave of bad answers.' During the tense interaction over Giuffre's 'specific' accusations including the prince 'profusely sweating', Andrew denied the claim on air. The prince said a 'problem' with Ms Giuffre's story was that a medical condition meant he could not have been sweating. 'I didn't sweat at the time because I had suffered what I would describe as an overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands War when I was shot at and I simply it was almost impossible for me to sweat,' he said. During the tense interaction over Giuffre's (pictured) 'specific' accusations including the prince 'profusely sweating', Andrew denied the claim on air Maitlis revealed that he had told the same story during their first meeting at Buckingham Palace. Maitlis said: 'He said, 'should I tell you why I can't sweat?' And I said, yes. This was in the pre-interview and he said, do you know anything about adrenaline? And I said, genuinely. My face lit up. I said, 'I'm fascinated by adrenaline. I'm an election night junkie and a long distance runner. 'He said, well, the thing about adrenaline was after I was working in the Falklands, I lost the ability to sweat. And so actually what she says is completely not true, and I remember thinking, wow, if he says that, that's slightly more detail than I'd looked for.' Maitlis was staggered when he repeated the comments in the Newsnight filming. After the interview Andrew and the Newsnight teams had differing emotions. Maitlis reflected: 'This is how I know that Prince Andrew was happy with the interview because he stayed chatting.' McAlister urged her team to leave immediately fearing a lawyer would refuse the interview to be aired or remove the camera card footage. They then jumped into a taxi back to the BBC offices, Maitlis admitted: 'We crammed into a taxi and we were all kind of eyeballing each other. We sort of didn't know whether to, I don't know, sort of laugh or cry, and I just remember the intensity of that moment. We sort of couldn't quite believe it. We were still pinching ourselves' A& E describes the show as 'this definitive Prince Andrew biography features the twists and turns of Palace intrigue, secret conversations, and looks at the Queen's involvement in the repercussions following the BBC Newsnight revelations.' Secrets of Prince Andrew' will be available on demand and to stream on the A&E App and AETV.com. Secrets of Prince Andrew, which airs on A&E channel on Monday, August 21 at 8pm ET/PT. The David Lloyd leisure chain was fined 2.5million today for health and safety failings after a toddler drowned in one of its swimming pools. Rocco Wright, three, was found face down at the bottom of the pool by his father Steven at a David Lloyd Leisure centre in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in April 2018. The youngster was stood with his father and his sister at the pool while they tried to organise his sister's swimming lesson. Mr Wright soon realised Rocco was no longer next to him and saw him at the bottom of the pool. He was dragged out of the pool and efforts were made to revive the youngster but he was declared dead at Leeds General Infirmary the next day. An inquest into the toddler's death heard the only lifeguard on duty on the day Mr Wright and his children visited the club was a 17-year-old with less than three months' experience in the job. The David Lloyd leisure chain was fined 2.5m today after it admitted liability for the death of Rocco Wright (pictured), three, who drowned in one of its swimming pools Rocco was found face down at the bottom of the pool by his father Steven at a David Lloyd Leisure centre (pictured) in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in April 2018 The prosecution was first brought against the company in November 2021, and an initial not-guilty plea was indicated, with a three-week trial expected to follow. But the firm pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of a person. In a hearing at Leeds Crown Court today, Judge Simon Phillips KC ordered the company to pay 2,550,000 and 258,000 in legal costs. Judge Phillips said the company failed to 'respond to concerns' by the workers themselves about the number of lifeguards working at any one time. He also said that at the time of the tragedy, that period of the day was not regarded as a 'peak time', so the company did not employ more lifeguards. The hearing also heard that lifeguards were not given proper breaks and were expected to carry out other jobs, such as testing the water and clearing away objects. The glare from the sun also obstructed full views of the pool for the lifeguard. Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive recommends that a 25-metre-long pool should have two lifeguards on duty. Rocco was dragged out of the pool and efforts were made to revive the youngster but he was declared dead at Leeds General Infirmary the next day He said: 'David Lloyd Ltd failed to take practicable steps to eliminate or reduce the risk of drowning. Central to this tragedy is the grief of Rocco Wright's family. 'Anyone reading these statements supplied by Rocco Wright's distraught parents could not fail to be moved by the grief and suffering his drowning has occasioned. 'The culpability is, I find, high. 'David Lloyd Ltd fell far short of the standard by failing to put in place the measures that are recognised standards in the industry and by ignoring concerns raised by employees.' In a statement released by Rocco's family following the hearing, they paid tribute to their 'little buddy' who had an 'infectious laugh'. They said: 'Our family continues to be devastated by the tragic loss of our son. 'Rocco had an infectious laugh and a smile which lit up the room. 'He was loved and adored by all his family. He had his whole life ahead of him, and we dearly miss our little "buddy" every day. 'Whilst David Lloyd have now finally filed a plea of guilty, accepting that it was their failings that led to Rocco's death, we, as a family are extremely disappointed that this has taken over five years. In a hearing at Leeds Crown Court today (pictured), Judge Simon Phillips KC ordered David Lloyd to pay 2,550,000 and told them to pay 258,000 in legal costs 'David Lloyd have had numerous opportunities to submit an early plea but waited until what was less than two weeks prior to a lengthy trial. 'This unnecessary delay has caused increased anxiety and prolonged misery and sadness across our entire family. 'No family should have to endure the loss of a child through drowning, particularly in a supervised, private and exclusive leisure centre.' David Lloyd Leisure Ltd's CEO Russell Barnes said his 'thoughts are with' Rocco's family and that he is 'sorry for their loss'. He said: 'Today is another difficult day for Rocco's family and our thoughts are with them. 'We are sorry for their loss and wish to share our sympathy with Rocco's family and loved ones.' Biotech company Thermo Fisher Scientific, has settled a federal lawsuit filed by the family of Henrietta Lacks over its use of her tissue taken without consent at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s. More than 70 years after doctors took Lacks' cervical cells without her knowledge, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump announced they reached a confidential settlement with the biotech company, which is the largest maker of scientific tools. The terms of the settlement will not be made public, according to Crump, who held a news conference with Lacks's descendants outside of US District Court in Baltimore on Tuesday morning. The day marked what would have been the Lacks's, known as the 'mother of modern medicine', 103rd birthday. The family sued in 2021, accusing the biotech leaders of profiting billions of dollars from a racist medical system, which led to the development of polio and COVID vaccines. The terms of the settlement will not be made public, according to Crump (center), who held a news conference with Lacks' descendants in Baltimore on Tuesday. The tissue taken from her became the first human cells to be successfully cloned. Doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital took cervical tissue from Henrietta Lacks (pictured) in the 1950s without her consent. Now more than 70 years later her descendants are being compensated for the immense impact her cells made on modern medicine The tale of Lacks' ordeal and impact was made into a best-selling book and HBO film 'The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of Court and will have no further comment about the settlement,' Crump said in a statement. The tissue taken from the Black womans tumor before she died of cervical cancer became the first human cells to be successfully cloned. Ever since, HeLa cells have been reproduced infinitely - becoming a cornerstone of modern medicine and enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of the polio vaccine, genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines. More than 100 corporations have profited from using the HeLa cells, according to the lawsuit, but the Lacks family has never been compensated. It is the most prolific and widely used human cell line in biology, critical to the treatment of AIDS, hemophilia, influenza, leukemia, Parkinson's disease, and sickle cell disease, as well as the creation of the polio vaccine and research on the effects of zero gravity in outer space. Doctors harvested Lacks cells in 1951, prior to the advent of consent procedures used in medicine and scientific research today. The lawsuit claimed that the biotech company continued to commercialize the results well after the origins of the HeLa cell line became well known. The settlement agreement came after closed-door negotiations that lasted all day Monday inside the federal courthouse in Baltimore, which included various members of the Lacks family. The Lacks family in 2021 at the unveiling of a statue on the 70th anniversary of her death at Royal Fort House in Bristol. The statue, created by Bristol artist Helen Wilson-Roe, is the first public sculpture of a black woman made by a black woman in the UK Lawrence Lacks, and Ron Lacks, the son and grandson of Henrietta Lacks in 2017 'The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of Court and will have no further comment about the settlement,' Crump (pictured on July 28 2023) said in a statement Scientists discovered that HeLa cells had unique properties. While the majority of cell samples died shortly after being removed from the body, Lacks' cells survived and thrived in laboratories. This rare quality enabled the act of cultivating her cells indefinitely. This became known as the first immortalized human cell line - making it possible for scientists anywhere to reproduce studies using identical cells, according to the Associated Press. The remarkable science involved and the impact on the Lacks family, some of whom suffered from chronic illnesses without health insurance, were documented in a bestselling book by Rebecca Skloot, 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,' and Oprah Winfrey portrayed her daughter in an HBO movie about the story. Lacks was a tobacco farmer from Soother Virginia who died when she was 31 and was buried in an unmarked grave. She grew up poor and raised five children when doctors discovered a tumor in her cervix and saved a sample of her cancer cells collected during a biopsy. Johns Hopkins has denied ever selling or profiting from the cell lines, but many companies have patented ways of using them. Lacks adult grandchildren believe the case highlights a much larger issue that persists into the present day: racism inside the American medical system. 'The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks represents the unfortunately common struggle experienced by Black people throughout history,' the complaint read. 'Too often, the history of medical experimentation in the United States has been the history of medical racism.' The brown bear gulps down a bottle of coke in its cage at the zoo in Dalian, China Anger is growing after a video emerged of a brown bear guzzling a bottle of Coca-Cola handed to it by a tourist at a zoo in China. The bear is seen sitting in its cage before someone hands it a small bottle full of the fizzy beverage through the fence. The animal readily takes it with its snout, then grabs it with both paws while enclosed at the zoo, in Dalian, in north-eastern China's Liaoning Province. In seconds the bear untwists the cap and opens the bottle, then gulps down the drink. A Chinese zoo has been heavy criticised after a video has emerged of one of its brown bears guzzling down a bottle of Coca-Cola The bear, who is surrounded by empty soda bottles, is filmed guzzling down the sugary drink A number of empty bottles can also be seen around in the bear's cage. The video has attracted widespread attention on Douyin - China's version of TikTok - with numerous people criticising the visitors for giving the animal a drink high in sugar that could harm its health. Many more blamed the zoo for apparently allowing the reckless behaviour to happen. The same issue was reported back in 2017 when an unnamed visitor told local media: 'Dozens of tourists lined up to feed the animals, and two poor bears kept drinking Coke in the middle.' One user commented: 'Why do zoos let visitors pass Coke or other treats to bears, which could potentially kill them?' Another user wrote: 'Can you put an end to this kind of behaviour? I'm truly begging you.' Following the online outrage, zoo staff claimed giving the animals sodas is strictly prohibited. They criticised tour guides who often take groups into the zoo and allegedly suggest that they give the brown bears drinks to provide an interactive experience. Zoo staff said: 'In response to the problems reported by netizens, the park has issued another notice in the WeChat [a Chinese messaging app] group of the tour guide not to induce tourists to feed Coke. People have hit back at the zoo for allowing this sort of tourist behaviour to repeatedly happen 'In the future, we will consider adopting hard isolation measures such as adding a net to the cage and setting up fences to prevent tourists from feeding the bears with Coke,' according to local media. The staff added they would also strengthen supervision in the future. Local authorities also demanded the zoo immediately rectify the situation and reminded travel agencies to notify their employees that giving the animals food and drinks is forbidden. The front door to the infamous home where Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson's cult followers in 1969 has gone to auction. Bids for the piece of the murder house have already skyrocketed past $25,000 - and the sale is not set to be finalized until September. The door, which is 47.75 x 78 x 7.5 inches in size, is described as a white, cottage-style door previously attached to the infamous residence at 10050 Cielo Drive in Beverley Hills, California. It is the former address of actress Sharon Tate and film director Roman Polanski. The object has nine glass window panels on the top, a center ledge, a brass knob, and a gold-tone lock. It had the word 'pig' written using Tate's blood on it soon after the murders. Bids for the piece of the murder house have already skyrocketed past $25,000 - and the sale is not set to be finalized until September The front door to the infamous home where Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson's cult followers in 1969 has gone to auction Tate and her unborn baby were murdered at the home in the Hollywood Hills in 1969 Tate and Polanski lived in the home - and would have used the door - for nearly six months before she was murdered on August 8, 1969. Manson's cult entered the home, built in 1942, on orders to murder everyone present. Following the massacre, it was eventually sold to Nine Inch Nails member Trent Reznor - who rented it while working on his sophomore album, Downward Spiral. He moved out of the home in December 1993, and he took the front door with him as a souvenir. He installed it at the front of his 'Nothing Studios' in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it remained until the property was abandoned. Christopher Moore, the door's current owner, bought it off a doctor in 2017 and has now decided to put it to auction, reported TMZ. The notorious Manson Family were convicted for nine murders after embarking on the killing spree that terrorized the city 50 years ago. Charles Manson is escorted to court for preliminary hearing on December 3, 1969 Now, decades later, one of the murderers Leslie Van Houten has been released from prison after serving more than fifty years for two of the infamous killings. Members of the Manson Family stabbed, beat and shot Tate to death at her Hollywood Hills home in 1969. They also killed her friends, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski and teenager Steven Parent, who had been visiting an acquaintance at the estates guesthouse. The next night, Manson and some of his followers struck again, this time murdering wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their home. Manson and his followers also killed musician Gary Hinman and Hollywood stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea. Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted for the murders of Folger and Leno LaBianca, aged 75, remains in prison. The object has nine glass window panels on the top, a center ledge, a brass knob and a gold-tone lock Krenwinkel met Manson when she was 19 and believed that she was in a romantic relationship with the cult leader, but he soon bartered her for sex and she twice attempted to leave. Charles 'Tex' Watson, now 77, also remains behind bars for his role in the killings on the Tate estate and at LaBianca's home. Bruce Davis, now 80, remains incarcerated at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo. He was convicted of taking part in the Hinman and Shea murders but was not involved in the Tate and LaBianca killings. Bobby Beausoleil remains in prison at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville for murdering his musician friend Gary Hinman. He was eventually recommended for release in 2018, but Governor Newsom also blocked the decision. Charles Manson died in 2017, aged 83 having spent 50 years in prison. Police have yet to identify any suspects or motives in the case Sandifer has two young daughters and was his elderly grandmother's caretaker Daniel Sandifer, 32, was beaten and left for dead Sunday at the Dragonfly club A nightclub security guard and father to two young girls was brutally beaten to death by a group of nearly a dozen people outside of a Hollywood nightclub. Daniel Sandifer, 32, was killed Sunday morning after a group approached him and began an altercation that turned violent with Sandifer being stomped and beaten. The young father was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died. According to family, Sandifer was also his elderly grandmother's primary caretaker. 'He just didn't deserve this, a dad of two girls,' a friend of Sandifer's told ABC7. 'He deserved none of this. Good dude ... good guy, loved him as a person, family-oriented man.' Daniel Sandifer was killed outside the Dragonfly nightclub in Hollywood, California on Sunday Police said a group of 11 men stomped and attacked Sandifer outside the Dragonfly club The brutal attack took place around 2am when police responded to the Dragonfly nightclub in the 6500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. When officers arrived at the scene, they located a man - later identified as Sandifer - lying unconscious in the street and not breathing, LAPD said. The altercation began when a group of men, all in their 20s, approached Sandifer and began a confrontation, beating him up after he fell to the ground. It is not clear what led to the horrific assault. One friend of the young father's who spoke with ABC 7 described the attack and Sandifer's death as completely unnecessary. 'It was brutal. That shouldn't have happened,' he said. 'They should have just let it go, walked away. He had a life. He had two kids to go home to. Now he can't see his kids no more.' Sandifer's father also talked with ABC 7 but did not appear on camera. He told reporters the 32-year-old was his first-born and that he and his loved ones are currently grieving the death. KCAL talked with Brittany Jones (pictured), the ex-wife of Sandifer A small memorial outside of the Hollywood nightclub where Sandifer worked On Monday, flowers and candles were left outside of the nightclub where he worked. 'As we begin to process and mourn the loss of our colleague, Dragonfly will be closed,' the club posted on Instagram. 'Our hearts are with his family at this time.' KCAL talked with Brittany Jones, Sandifer's ex-wife, who said the family is dealing with unspeakable pain from their loss. 'As the mother of his kids, this hurts in so many ways,' said Jones. 'Y'all have no clue.' According to friends and family members who spoke with local media, along with his two young daughters, Sandifer took care of his elderly grandmother. Jones, along with LAPD detectives, are now asking anyone who may have seen something or witnessed the incident to come forward. 'If anybody has any information, I ask that you give the information,' said Jones. 'And try to get justice for Daniel.' 'We know that oftentimes people will record these types of incidents on their cellphone. We would encourage them to share that with us as it can help bring a sense of justice to this person's family,' said LAPD Detective Samuel Marullo. The suspects are believed to have taken off on foot, heading west on Santa Monica Boulevard. Security footage from local businesses has been pulled and detectives are currently examining it to obtain information. No suspects have been identified and the motive remains unclear at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD at 213-382-9470. A Super PAC supporting 2024 Republican White House hopeful Nikki Haley is spending $13 million on ads to boost her campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire. Stand for America's ad debuted Tuesday and touted Haley's background as former President Donald Trump's U.N. ambassador. In the 30-second spot - the first TV ad of her 2024 campaign - Haley talks tough on China. 'Nikki Haley fought America's enemies at the U.N. and won,' the narrator says. 'Nikki Haley, tough as nails, smart as a whip, unafraid to speak the truth.' It ends by calling the 51-year-old ex-governor a 'stong leader for a strong America.' A Super PAC supporting presidential candidate Nikki Haley is pouring $13 million into her first television ads, which will air in Iowa and New Hampshire The spot will air across broadcast, cable and digital platforms in the two states that hold the first presidential contests early next year. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, announced her presidential run in Charleston in mid-February - but like every other candidate who's not named Trump, has failed to make a dent in the ex-president's poll numbers. The latest national poll, conducted by The New York Times and Siena, has Haley receiving support from just 3 percent of Republicans. Meanwhile, 54 percent of potential Republican primary voters said they'd back Trump. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has long held the No. 2 spot - though has recently got some competition from entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswany and Sen. Tim Scott - was polling at 17 percent in this particular survey. Haley joined a dozen other GOP candidates in Iowa Friday night for the Republican Party's Lincoln Dinner, in which every hopeful is given just 10 minutes to speak. Her most memorable quip came as she poked fun at President Joe Biden finally acknowledging his seventh grandchild - 4-year-old Navy Joan - which he did so in a statement to People magazine earlier Friday. Haley's credentials as the former United States ambassador to the United Nations were played up in the 30-second ad She was discussing how easy it would be to pass one of the mental competency tests she's pitched for office holders older than 75. 'There aren't a tough test,' she said. 'What town were you born in? How many grandchildren do you have?' she said to laughs. Trump, who made a rare appearance at an event with other candidates, only focused on hitting DeSantis - as no other candidate has been polling in the double-digits. He's also expected to skip the first GOP debate, which will be held on August 23 in Milwaukee. Haley will return to Iowa on Sunday for a barbecue event with GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, the Des Moines Register said. Haley has also signed on to participate in the Iowa State Fair. It's ritual in Iowa caucus politics, where candidates give speeches, but also are photographed eating fatty food from the fair, gazing at the butter cow and playing games at the annual event, which takes place in Des Moines. She'll participate in the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox series on Saturday, August 12. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is also headlining her own series of Republican candidates, which she's calling Fair-Side Chats. Haley will participate in that speaker series too, also appearing with Reynolds on the 12th. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has died at 71, a day after being hospitalized with an undisclosed medical condition. Oliver was Governor Phil Murphy's top deputy and was acting as Governor for him while he was out of the country on vacation. The cause of death has not yet been announced, according to a statement by Murphy's office. Murphy's office had announced that Oliver was hospitalized on July 31, while filling in for him while he was on holiday with his family in Italy. She was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has died at 71, a day after being hospitalized for a undisclosed medical condition Statement from Gov. Murphy regarding the death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver The cause of death has not yet been declared, according to a statement by Murphy's office 'It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero,' the Oliver family said in a statement. 'Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community,' the statement continued. 'Further information and details regarding memorial arrangements will be provided in due course. Until then, we appreciate your understanding and support. May her memory be a source of comfort and strength to all who knew her.' Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, signed various bills as acting governor. One of which included a 2021 program to overhaul the state's juvenile justice system in order to reintegrate young people into their society. Oliver was elected twice as lieutenant governor under Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021. Oliver was hospitalized on July 31 with an undisclosed condition She was the second person to ever hold that position, which was created under the previous Gov. Chris Christie. Murphy, who is currently still in Italy, released a statement following the news of the death of his colleague: 'Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word.' 'She had already made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the General Assembly, and just the second Black woman in the nation's history to lead a house of a state Legislature. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the state of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made.' 'In the five and a half years that we served together in office, in addition to her responsibilities as lieutenant governor, Sheila led the Department of Community Affairs, handling some of the most challenging issues facing our state, including the revitalization of our cities, affordable housing obligations and homelessness prevention.' Oliver became the first black woman to serve as Assembly speaker in 2010 and has served in the Assembly since 2004 'As someone who was born and raised in Newark, and who has called East Orange home for more than 40 years, Sheila did not view these issues in the abstract, because she lived with them every day of her life. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color.' 'Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who knew and loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.' It is unclear at this time who will succeed Oliver. It also unclear if Murphy will return early from his vacation. Mahen Gunaratna, Murphys communications director, announced that state-senate president Nick Scutari would assume Oliver's duties the morning after she was hospitalized, in accordance with the state constitution. According to the state constitution, the state Senate president is to temporarily serve as governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are unable to act. Oliver became the first black woman to serve as Assembly speaker in 2010 and has served in the Assembly since 2004. She is a native of Newark, New Jersey, and attended Pennsylvania's Lincoln University. Local voters have kicked out Covid rule-breaking MP Margaret Ferrier to force a by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. The former SNP MP has lost her seat in the House of Commons due to a successful recall petition. More than 10 per cent of local voters signed the petition and so triggered Ms Ferrier's removal from Parliament. A by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, likely to be held in the autumn, will be a crunch test of Labour's bid to win back Scottish voters. Sir Keir Starmer's chances of victory at the next general election will be greatly improved if Labour can win back a slew of seats in Scotland. They currently only have one Scottish MP but have been buoyed by a recent boost to their polling performance in Scotland. This has coincided with the SNP's meltdown in the wake of Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as party leader and first minister. Following Labour's near-wipeout in Scotland at the 2015 general election, polling experts have consistently pointed to the party's challenge in winning back Scottish voters as key to their chances of forming a government again. The upcoming by-election of Rutherglen and Hamilton West will also be a key test of whether Humza Yousaf can match Ms Sturgeon's electoral performance. Local voters have kicked out Covid rule-breaking MP Margaret Ferrier to force a by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West Keir Starmer pictured with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during a visit to Rutherglen in May SNP leader Humza Yousaf pictured earlier this month with his party's by-election candidate Katy Loudon South Lanarkshire Council announced tonight that 11,896 of local voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West had validly signed the recall petition In a statement to Sky News following the result, she said it had been a 'difficult and taxing process' and she did not want to 'prolong it further'. 'I respect the outcome of the petition,' the statement said. 'It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the member of parliament for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. I have always put my job and my constituents first, and I am disappointed that this will now come to an end. 'I decided some time ago that I would not stand in the upcoming by-election. This has been a difficult and taxing process that has now come to its conclusion and I do not wish to prolong it further. 'I would like to thank my team for their loyalty and continued dedication to supporting me in delivering for my constituents.' The contest in her seat, near Glasgow, will be keenly fought by Labour and the SNP. South Lanarkshire Council administered the petition and tweeted earlier on Tuesday: 'Result of the petition to remove Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Margaret Ferrier. 'Petition successful. Total electorate 81,123. Number of electors who validly signed the petition 11,896. Percentage of electors who validly signed the petition 14.66%. 37 returns were rejected.' Ms Ferrier became SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in 2015 when she beat the Labour incumbent in the seat. She narrowly lost the seat to Labour at the 2017 general election, but then took it back two years later in 2019. The 62-year-old was kicked out of the SNP after she was revealed to have broken Covid rules. She developed coronavirus symptoms on 26 September 2020 and took a test, but still went to church and had lunch with a family member the following day. While awaiting the result of the test, Ms Ferrier travelled by train to London, took part in a Commons debate and ate in the MPs' tea room in Parliament. That evening she received a text telling her the test was positive. But instead of isolating, she travelled back to Scotland by train the following morning. Ms Ferrier was ordered to complete a 270-hour community payback order by a court after admitting culpably and recklessly exposing the public 'to the risk of infection, illness and death'. Earlier this year, the Commons' Committee on Standards recommended Ms Ferrier be suspended from Parliament for 30 days for damaging the reputation of the House. The length of the suspension led to the recall petition, which opened on 20 June and closed yesterday. South Lanarkshire Council announced tonight that 11,896 of local voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West had validly signed the petition. This was 14.66 per cent of the electorate in the constituency, which passed the 10 per cent threshold for removing Ms Ferrier from the Commons. Ms Ferrier will be able to stand as an candidate in the upcoming by-election under the terms of the Recall of MPs Act 2015. She is only the third MP to lose her seat through a recall petition, after Labour's Fiona Onasanya and the Tories' Chris Davies. The SNP have chosen local councillor Katy Loudon as their candidate in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, while Labour have chosen teacher Michael Shanks. Five people were rescued after an exploding e-bike battery caused a devastating house fire which trapped them. Firefighters rescued the residents from a property in the village of Hartland, Devon after a battery exploded while charging. All five were saved by firefighters from four separate crews following the explosion on July 31. Firefighters rescued the residents from a property in the village of Hartland, Devon after a battery exploded while charging Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have now urged the public to make sure they're safe by keeping escape routes clear and charging batteries properly. The explosion follows a spate of similar incidents involving lithium-ion e-bike batteries bursting into flames while charging in people's homes. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: 'You may have seen there has been an increase in the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. 'Crews rescued five people from the building due to the escape route being blocked.' The fire service urged people to 'use genuine chargers' for electrical devices as they said batteries should never be left unattended while on charge. The Devon and Somerset fire service also suggested people should always keep escape routes clear. E-bike battery explosions have increased sharply in recent years due to more widespread use of the vehicles. In the first few months of 2023, the London Fire Brigade was called out to an e-bike battery explosion every two days marking a 60 increase on the same period in 2022. All five were saved by firefighters from four separate crews following the explosion on July 31 The explosions have caused multiple deaths, including the death of Sofia Duarte, 21, on New Years Day following a blaze in her flat on Old Kent Road, in south London. The average number of migrants crossing the Channel per boat last month was the highest on record, figures show. Some 3,299 people made the journey in July in 63 boats - an average of around 52 migrants per vessel. This is the highest average since records began in 2018, according to PA analysis of Government data. The third highest average, 47, was reached in October last year when 147 boats carried 6,900 people in a month. Provisional Home Office figures show 14,732 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year. Some 3,299 people crossed the Channel in July on 65 boats - around 52 per vessel Poor weather conditions at sea have seen no arrivals recorded in nearly a week But no arrivals have been recorded in nearly a week amid poor weather conditions at sea. This followed a large wave of migrants the previous week when over 1,100 people made the trip in the space of just three days between July 18 and 20. The 2023 total to date is 10% lower than the 16,434 recorded from January to July last year. The figures come as plans to move asylum seekers on to a giant barge on the Dorset coast have been beset by delays. Facing questions on Sky News, transport minister Richard Holden said he 'can't put a timeframe' on when migrants will board the Bibby Stockholm in Portland. The barge is expected to house 500 migrants, while the Home Office confirmed the rest will be accommodated in Wethersfield in Essex and Scampton in Lincolnshire. Among the 'basic' amenities available on board will be a canteen, gym, classroom, exercise yards, television room and a space for worship. Single men will live on the barge where there is 24-hour security in bunk beds with between two and six people per en-suite room. The Home Office was reportedly due to send the first group of people to the accommodation on Tuesday, but, according to The Times, there were serious fire safety concerns about the facility. Officials predict that as many as 80,000 asylum seekers could make the journey across the Channel this year The government plans to house around 500 asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge The Guardian later reported that the arrival date had been pushed back to Wednesday to give more time for final inspections. Downing Street said final preparations are under way this week. Officials are also working on when the Government's flagship Illegal Migration Bill, which will introduce sweeping asylum reforms, will come into effect, after it became an Act of Parliament last month. Meanwhile, media reports cited sources warning Border Force is braced for a surge in Channel crossings in August amid fears that beach patrols could be scaled back while French police officers take time off work. As many as 80,000 asylum seekers could cross the Channel this year, officials predict. But the French government has assured the Home Office that patrols funded by the UK Government under a multimillion-pound deal earlier this year will not be affected, The Times said. If the Democrats and their apologists in the media don't deal with the flagrantly corrupt Bidens now, brace for a second Trump presidency. The line we're constantly sold, from people sure they're smarter than we are, is that nothing Joe or Hunter Biden has done compares to Donald Trump's malfeasance. And, of course, that Joe is the only one who can beat Trump in 2024. Not so. If anything, Joe Biden is now the party's biggest liability. If he is the nominee in 2024, Trump will unleash his inner pro wrestler and demolish Biden with legitimate claims of corruption, influence-peddling, self-dealing, and cover-ups involving Joe's drug-addicted son Hunter allegedly raking in $17 million over five years from foreign interests, including those in Ukraine and China, then apparently spreading the wealth among Biden family members. Of lying to protect himself and Hunter. 'I have never discussed with my son or my brother or anyone else anything having to do with their business, period.' That was Joe in 2019. Yet last week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre moved the goalposts, saying that Joe was 'never in' business with Hunter. Well, Joe has always been one for tall tales. We've been led to believe, by Joe himself, that Hunter was an independent actor, out on his own. But what if the opposite is true? What if Hunter was merely Joe's conduit? His bagman? As Hunter's former business partner and best friend Devon Archer testified before Congress Monday, Joe Biden allegedly phoned into more than 20 business meetings Hunter conducted and also attended business dinners. If the Democrats and their apologists in the media don't deal with the flagrantly corrupt Bidens now, brace for a second Trump presidency. As Hunter's former business partner and best friend Devon Archer (above) testified before Congress Monday, Joe Biden allegedly phoned into more than 20 business meetings Hunter conducted and also attended business dinners. This White House and its defenders would have us believe Joe's presence, be it in person or over speakerphone, was innocent, Joe alternately calling in to discuss trivialities such as 'the weather' or the grave, intimate details of his dying son Beau's condition. Sure. What else would a sitting vice president discuss with perfect strangers in front of his unpredictable, drug-addled son? Let's just speak the unspeakable: Joe Biden's constant use of Beau's untimely death and Hunter's lifelong struggle with addiction to deflect uncomfortable questions is disgusting. An obscenity. So is the brand he's long been peddling: Joe Biden, family man nonpareil, father of the century. What a joke. If Joe Biden had been that concerned for Hunter's recent welfare, wouldn't he have pulled Hunter off the global marketplace and said, 'Hey, Hunter, taking millions from foreign interests while I'm in office isn't a good look. Neither is hiding that money from the IRS. In fact, it's unethical if not criminal.' Or how about this: 'Hunter, you're hurting my chances of becoming president. My legacy.' Remember 'Promise Me, Dad'? Joe's book about Beau, on his deathbed, more concerned with whether Joe ran for president than his wife (who Hunter took up with) and small children? If that were true if Joe Biden really ran for Beau wouldn't he have put a stop to Hunter's shenanigans? Then-president Barack Obama appointed Joe Biden his point person on Ukrainian corruption as Hunter Biden reportedly pocketed $83,000 a month from Ukrainian energy company Burisma. What if Hunter was merely Joe's conduit? His bagman? So is the brand he's long been peddling: Joe Biden, family man nonpareil, father of the century. What a joke. And we're meant to believe that was a coincidence? That Joe Biden allegedly known to foreign money men as Hunter's 'guy' and 'the big guy' had zero knowledge of this? 'Burisma would have gone out of business if 'the brand' had not been attached to it,' Archer reportedly told Congress. Concerns were contemporaneously high enough that State Department officials confronted then-VP Biden, who erupted so heatedly they never broached it again. That's to say nothing of the sweetheart plea deal Hunter got for tax evasion and a felony firearm offense, or the sudden collapse of that deal last week. Or the DOJ agitating for Archer's one-year prison sentence to begin a letter sent on the eve of his Biden testimony. Or of Joe Biden flat out misleading if not lying to the country when he turned to Trump during their presidential debate in 2020 and said, 'My son has not made money in terms of this thing about what are you talking about ? China.' Hunter took in millions from Chinese firms. And what of the IRS whistleblowers' recent testimony that their investigation into Hunter was routinely thwarted, or Joe's sudden decision last week to acknowledge the four-year-old granddaughter he had previously ignored see? family man! or Hunter's laptop, which almost every news outlet insisted was a hoax until its legitimacy could no longer be denied? We are in similar territory here, with much of the mainstream media ignoring or downplaying evidence that points to multiple impeachable offenses. The big names at MSNBC remain obsessed with January 6th (Jen Psaki on Sunday) or plugging their own forthcoming books (Rachel Maddow on Monday). Or of Joe Biden flat out misleading if not lying to the country when he turned to Trump during their presidential debate in 2020 and said, 'My son has not made money in terms of this thing about what are you talking about ? China.' Hunter took in millions from Chinese firms. And what of Joe's sudden decision last week to acknowledge the four-year-old granddaughter (above, left) he had previously ignored see? family man! CNN: 'Hunter Biden sold 'illusion' of access to Joe Biden.' Sure. What foreign entities would continue to spend millions with no return on their investment? USA Today: 'Hunter Biden plea deal drama unravels bizarre GOP conspiracy theories.' If half this stuff was reported about Trump, it would be a five-alarm fire, front page of The New York Times daily. Instead, the Times buried coverage of Archer's testimony on the bottom of page 15 Tuesday, had one op-ed columnist argue Hunter's 'criminal behavior' is not 'a real shocker' and that 'voters mostly don't care', and ran a front-page story about party support remaining strong for Biden. Contained in the latter article is an uncomfortable truth for party leaders and media defenders: 'Mr. Biden remains broadly unpopular among a voting public that is pessimistic about the country's future, and his approval rating is a mere 39 percent.' We all see what's in front of us, even if the media refuses to acknowledge it. If the Dems are serious about defeating Trump, it's time to show Biden the door and have him take Kamala Harris, his other great liability, with him. To quote Biden's 'best friend' Barack: 'Never underestimate Joe's ability to f**k things up.' A high-flying NatWest executive has won almost 90,000 after she was sacked from her job just two days after undergoing cancer surgery. Adeline Willis, 45, successfully sued the bank for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal after it made her redundant from her 160,000-a-year job. An employment tribunal heard Ms Willis' manager asked to 'replace her' due to being unable to 'rely' on her while she was undergoing treatment for colon cancer. The risk and compliance officer was later 'humiliated' by her boss, who told her she was not needed at morning meetings, on her first day back at work after chemotherapy Ms Willis was later terminated from her job, just two days after undergoing cancer surgery, despite 'glowing' reviews of her performance. Adeline Willis, 45, (pictured) was dismissed from her 160,000-a-year job at NatWest just two days after undergoing cancer surgery The employment tribunal ruled the decision to make Ms Willis redundant was 'tainted with discrimination' as it said the bank 'unfairly dismissed' the executive. It awarded Ms Willis 87,699.84, including a 35,000 payout due to injury to the executive's feelings. The payout follows NatWest CEO Alison Rose's decision to exit her job last week after she came under fire for wrongly briefing a BBC journalist over a decision by the bank's subsidiary, Coutts, to close Nigel Farage's account. The tribunal in central London heard Ms Willis began working for NatWest in September 2013. In December 2018 she was told she was being made redundant but successfully applied for a temporary secondment to a different team. She was given the role Head of Operational Continuity in Resolution Centre of Excellence. But in early August 2019, Ms Willis was diagnosed with colon cancer. In the following months, both her mother and brother were also diagnosed with cancer. Just one month later, Ms Willis' manager Mary Pragnell, called an HR representative to get advice to 'replace' the executive having found out about her treatment plan. A transcript shown to the tribunal said she had a critical piece of work to deliver and she wanted to 'replace her' because she felt she could not rely on her. 'While she is travelling and thinks she is going to be completely functional until the end of the year, I still in my mind got to replace her because I just can't rely on it. It's too critical,' she said. Ms Pragnell admitted that Ms Willis is 'really very valuable in her subject area', and that while she did not want to 'stress her out', 'purely selfishly really really I've just got a lot to deliver, and I need to deliver it.' The tribunal found 'it is apparent at this stage that Ms Pragnell [is] seeking authority to terminate [Ms Willis'] employment because she is likely to be absent from work for a period of time'. The team had weekly Monday morning meetings which [Ms Willis] had continued to attend during her treatment by dialling in from home. But on her first day back in the office following her chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in October 2018, she attended the routine Monday team meeting but was told by Ms Pragnell in front of others that she was 'not needed'. She said Ms Willis was being given back 'an hour of her day' - which made her feel 'surprised and humiliated'. NatWest told the tribunal this was a 'supportive measure' to reduce her workload, but the hearing rejected this, as it had not discussed it with her. At this time, Ms Willis had been told she was being made redundant when her secondment ended in March, but Ms Pragnell told her she should not be looking for other roles, that it was 'ridiculous' and she would talk to HR and request an extension. The NatWest executive was awarded almost 90,000 by an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal In the end, the HR director reluctantly authorised a one-month extension 'purely out of concern for well-being for the individual given the way it appears it has been managed'. On February 26 2020, Ms Willis underwent surgery for her cancer. Two days later, she was told NatWest had agreed to a one-month extension to her secondment but that her last day would be April 4. Employment Judge Frances Spencer said: 'We do not accept that [Ms Willis] was dismissed for redundancy. At the time that she left the bank, she was employed to do work... 'That work had not ceased or diminished. [It] was clear that they still had a requirement for someone in that role at [Ms Willis'] level. 'We are satisfied that exceptions could be made when it suited the bank. We conclude that [NatWest] has not shown a potentially fair reason for dismissal. 'However, if we are wrong in this conclusion and [Ms Willis] was dismissed for redundancy, then we find that decision to dismiss was unreasonable. 'First, it was a decision which was tainted with discrimination. 'Secondly, the [company] failed to discuss with [Ms Willis] various possibilities for regularising her role or extending her secondment and instead led her to believe that there would be an extension and that therefore there was no need for her to look for alternative roles.' An attempt by the Duke of Northumberland to replace allotments with dozens of new homes on his Syon House London estate is simply an effort to 'line' his 'already deep pockets,' a public inquiry has heard. Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, lost an application in October 2021 to build 80 flats on part of his Grade I-listed Syon Park estate in west London after the council received more than 900 objections from locals to the plans. A loss of local open space (LOS) was one reason behind Hounslow Council's planning committee decision to refuse planning permission. Strong opposition to the proposals was aired as an appeal brought by the Northumberland Estates (NE) development company began on Monday. Local residents, councillors and allotment holders plus the Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and former Hounslow councillor Ruth Cadbury were among those who spoke at an appeal hearing about why they feel the scheme should be rejected. Ralph Percy, 64, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, had planned to transform a three-acre site at his grade I Syon Park estate in west London into 80 flats The Duke had threatened to close Park Road allotments (pictured above), warning in a letter sent in May that if their opposition 'leads to the application being refused then the allotments will not reopen' But after opposition from more than 900 local residents, including furious allotment holders, the proposition was defeated after 10 Hounslow councillors rejected plans on Thursday. Pictured: Park Road Allotments in Isleworth The Duke planned to build flats on the Park Road allotment site, which has been leased out for use by the local community more than a century. Pictured: Artist's impression of flats Northumberland Estates says its plans would help provide an income stream for conservation works to Syon House, which is privately-owned but still open to the public. Key worker housing for the neighbouring West Middlesex University Hospital has also been promised and there would still be a place for those who use the allotments, the inquiry heard. Isleworth councillor Salman Shaheen, who stressed the value of the Park Road allotments, stated that 'its stakes for our community, for my constituents and for our environment can not be understated'. He described it as 'an ill-conceived plan designed not to support a treasured historic asset, but to destroy one for private gain.' He said: 'Hounslow has comfortably met its housing targets by allowing development on the ample brownfield sites in the area - that we have been able to do so without paving over our green space makes me ask what the imperative would be to change that now except to line the duke's already deep pockets?' He added that 'a man richer than the King has shown no evidence to prove that the only way to fund the repairs to one historic asset is by destroying another historic asset'. A round of applause broke out and some people rose to their feet as he finished his statement of objections. The inquiry heard that the Isleworth site has been used as allotments since 1917 when the duke's ancestor leased the land to the council to help in the aftermath of the First World War. Claire Niven, for the Park Road Allotment Association, said that Northumberland Estates was proposing 'sacrificing 71% of allotments at the heart of a community they have served for over 100 years'. To offset the shrinking size of allotments, the Duke's estate had promised social housing and homes specifically for West Middlesex Hospital's healthcare workers. Above: Plans submitted to Hounslow Council Revenue raised from the flat sales to fund 20m worth of essential repairs at historic Syon House. Pictured: Artist's impression of the proposed flats in Park Road, west London The site nestled just off the banks of the River Thames has starred as the backdrop for scenes in a string of period dramas. Pictured: The Great Conservatory, used to shoot scenes in Downton Abbey, at Syon Huse, West London Syon House was also used by filming crews for a number of scenes in Netflix hit period drama Bridgerton It was first used to help the local community in the aftermath of the First World War and and 'over a century later, the site continues to be a haven for allotment holders, their friends and families as well the wider local community - in good as well as difficult times'. Ms Niven added: 'Access to this green open space was crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic and the importance to allotment holders and their families of cultivating their own fruit and vegetables during a cost-of-living crisis is obvious. 'Importantly the benefits provided by this site extends beyond the allotment holders to the wider community which benefits from nature walks, open days, litter picking, apple and blackberry picking and donations to food banks organised by allotment holders.' Ed Grant, for the council, told the inquiry that the Northumberland Estates scheme would provide 'the same or nearly the same number' of the 38 allotments which previously existed. Mr Grant said 'that is an assertion made possible by only by providing very small allotments, suitable only for beginners, rather than an appropriate range of sizes'. Ms Cadbury said she felt she needed to speak at the appeal hearing because of 'the sheer weight of local public opposition, but also because I feel the planning case for the application is very weak'. She said: 'In my view, given the future uncertainty over the balance of supply and demand for housing sites in the borough, this application does not warrant the loss of allotment land, the loss of an active community asset and the loss of significant ecological benefits.' She added: 'This small site would make relatively little contribution to the overall housing supply. 'There are other larger sites with outstanding permissions that have not yet been built out. 'Furthermore, there will almost certainly be new sites coming available in due course as result in the change in demand for commercial premises with the change in post-Covid work patterns.' Earlier, Melissa Murphy KC, for Northumberland Estates, said 'quantitative improvements are proposed' and the project would be a 'well-located, well-designed scheme which delivers 40% affordable housing. She also noted that Syon House is privately-owned but open to the public. Period dramas such as The Madness Of King George, Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Gosford Park have been filmed there. Ms Murphy said: 'It is much visited, much loved, greatly valued. 'It is also in need of money to be spent on it. 'The works proposed - repairing the external Bath Stone, restoring the Robert Adam State Rooms, will lead to a magnificent result, a building gloriously restored, to be enjoyed for years to come.' The hearing was adjourned to tomorrow at 10am. Ron DeSantis dared Kamala Harris to 'put your money where your mouth is' after sending a letter inviting the vice president to come debate him over Florida's Black History curriculum. He told reporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday that he would have political adviser William Allen attend the hypothetical event to help 'educate' America's first minority vice president on African American history. DeSantis sent a letter to VP Harris inviting her to come to Florida to discuss the curriculum after she attacked the governor and his team for the new standards for these classes. The vice president, whose father is part black and mother is Indian, has not responded to the letter, DeSantis told reporters during a retail politics campaign stop at The Windmill Restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday. DeSantis said Harris 'seemed to have a lot to say about' Florida's curriculum this month, which launched a war of words between the governor and the Biden administration. During a retail politics stop at the Windmill Restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dared Vice President Kamala Harris to take his invitation to debate Florida's black history curriculum 'People who walk around and want to be praised as leaders, they want to be talked about as American leaders, pushing propaganda on our children,' Vice President Kamala Harris said in her criticism of Ron DeSantis Harris went to Florida for a fiery speech in late July where she claimed the state wants to teach children that there were benefits to slavery, like giving black people 'skills' that can were 'used for their personal benefit.' DeSantis pushes back on these claims, and says Harris is trying to push a political narrative that's just not true. 'She came to Florida to attack us. She's trying to attack me, but she's really attacking the people that worked hard on this and have done, you know, a lot of yeomen's work,' DeSantis said. 'And so that's just wrong.' He added: 'I think it's wrong to let lies be perpetuated, it's wrong to let false narrative stand and they've been doing this to us for years from the White House, and we fought back every time.' 'You know, now let's put the money where the mouth is,' DeSantis taunted Harris. 'It's all just politics and trying to pursue an agenda.' DeSantis claims that the curriculum passed in Florida implements a standard similar to an AP African American History course that Harris endorsed earlier this year. 'How do you square that circle?' he questioned. DeSantis said he would invite political adviser and African American history scholar William Allen (pictured), who helped approve Florida's new education standards, to the debate to 'educate' Harris 'She seemed to have a lot to say about it, none of it which has been true,' he continued. 'And so we are ready to have that debate.' 'I also have Dr. Allen, who's an African American history scholar, ready to educate the Vice President on all the great work that they did,' DeSantis said. 'And so, you know, let's have the debate, let's expand the narrative. We're ready to roll. Allen is a political adviser who helped approve Florida's African American history curriculum. 'In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues,' DeSantis wrote in a letter to Harris on Monday evening inviting her to meet in person. 'And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. We will be happy to host you here in Tallahassee.' While Harris didn't mention DeSantis by name during her initial remarks, she accused people who 'want to be praised as leaders ... pushing propaganda on our children.' Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a letter Monday inviting Vice President Harris to meet with him in-person in Florida to debate and discuss the state's new education policy regarding black history DeSantis says the reworked curriculum is in direct response to his state rejecting the teaching of controversial Critical Race Theory, which Republicans claim teaches children that America is an inherently racist country DeSantis, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, hit back with an invitation to meet about her 'grave concern' on the issue. 'One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History,' DeSantis wrote. 'But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents 'extremists.' It's past time to set the record straight,' he wrote. In his letter, he also got in a slam at the Biden administration's border policy, saying he can meet with Harris as soon as Wednesday, unless she has 'a trip to the southern border planned that day.' 'I am prepared to meet as early as Wednesday of this week, but of course want to be deferential to your busy schedule should you already have a big trip to the southern border planned for that day,' he wrote. 'Please let me know as soon as possible. What an example we could set for the nation - a serious conversation on the substance of an important issue! I hope you're feeling up to it.' Harris' office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiry about the meeting invite. The vice president is scheduled to fly to Orlando on Tuesday to deliver remarks at the 20th Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Quadrennial Convention. DeSantis, like many Republicans, has criticized President Joe Biden for his handling of the border. Illegal border crossings finally went down in June after months of record highs. DeSantis has vowed to complete Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the border. The letter comes as the Florida governor is trailing Trump in polls for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The former president led DeSantis by 37 points in a New York Times/Siena College poll released on Monday. Trump topped DeSantis 54 percent to 17 percent. No other candidate topped 3 percent support in the poll. DeSantis on Monday evening told Fox News it's 'nonsense' that Republican political operatives are labeling his campaign a failure when there is still seven months until the primary election really kicks off. 'Everything you do needs to have a return on the investment,' DeSantis explained to Fox host Bret Baier in an interview recorded during a New Hampshire campaign swing. 'If there isn't value in it, then I get changes and then that's just the reality of what you have to do,' he added. 'So, I'm not a political operative. I'm not a campaign professional. You set out the vision, and you execute on it. And if it's not being executed, you just have to course correct.' DeSantis was in New Hampshire on Monday to release his economic plan. His campaign has included a 'war against woke' and an emphasis on his family and his service in the military. But some of his gubernatorial decisions in Florida have come under fire, including signing a law outlawing abortion after six weeks, which is before most women know they are pregnant, and his state's new education policy. Harris, in her remarks in Jacksonville on July 21, accused DeSantis of using his war on woke to try and increase his national profile as he runs for president. 'When I think about what is happening then here in Florida, I am deeply concerned because, let's be clear, I do believe this is not only about state of Florida, there's a national agenda,' she said. She also said that 'as parents, we teach our children to tell the truth.' 'Well, I think we should model what we say,' she added. 'These extreme so called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach, if we really are invested in the well being of our children. Instead they dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America, we're not supposed to do that,' she said. DeSantis and his wife Casey have three young children. They talk about them often and bring them on the campaign trail. Harris also slammed the state for rewriting the history of slavery. 'Adults know what slavery really involves. It involves rape. It involves torture,' she said. 'It involves taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity, in our world. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization,' she added. 'Let's reject the notion that we would deny all of this in terms of our history. We will be better if we remember. We will be stronger if we remember. We fought a war to end the sin of slavery, a civil war, to end slavery.' And she expressed sympathy for teachers, many of whom objected to the new policy. 'Our teachers who fear that if they teach the truth they may lose their job. As it is we don't pay them enough,' she said to great applause. A New York Times/Siena poll released on Monday shows Ron DeSantis in a distant second place to Donald Trump with just 17% support to the former president's 54% no other candidates even break 5% Harris also accused DeSantis of using the issue to try and divide the country. 'Let us not be distracted by what they're trying to do, which is to create unnecessary debates to divide our country. Let's not fall in that trap,' she said. DeSantis, for his part, accused Harris of lying. He took to Twitter before her speech, writing: 'Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies.' DeSantis then criticized President Biden for not acknowledging son Hunter Biden's four-year-daughter in Arkansas, whom he had with his former personal assistance Lunden Roberts. The president has repeatedly said he has six grandchilden instead of seven. 'The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Florida...yet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis. Maybe if Biden's granddaughter moved to Florida he'd actually visit her,' he wrote. President Joe Biden has shored up support with voters in his party, but they're not enthusiastic - and he's neck-and-neck with former President Donald Trump, according to a poll released Tuesday. A New York Times/Siena College poll found that just 20 percent of Democrats said they'd be enthusiastic with Biden as the party's 2024 nominee, with a bigger number - 26 percent - saying they'd be pumped if Vice President Kamala Harris topped the ticket. That being said, Biden's numbers have improved from the two-thirds of Democrats who said last year that they wanted a different nominee. Now 45 percent of Democratic primary voters said they preferred Biden, while 50 percent opted for a new candidate - with young voters most eager to move on from the 80-year-old president. In a Biden-Trump rematch, both candidates were tied at 43 percent support. While President Joe Biden (left) has improved his standing among Democratic voters from last year, he's neck-and-neck with former President Donald Trump (right) in a new poll produced by The New York Times and Siena College Democratic primary voters were slightly more enthusiastic about Vice President Kamala Harris leading than ticket than President Joe Biden Biden remains more popular with independents, 42 percent to Trump's 37 percent. He also wins women, black voters, voters under 30 and Latinos, but barely, as Republicans have made inroads in Hispanic communities in recent cycles. While he has a 10-point advantage with voters between the ages of 18 and 29 when stacked up next to Trump, young Democrats are the bloc who are most ready to move on. A whopping 80 percent of voters younger than 30 said they'd like to see Democrats nominate a different person. On the flip side, 70 percent of voters older than 65 said they'd like to see Biden as the nominee. While 50 percent of white and black voters said they'd like to see Biden stay on as the nominee, a slightly higher group of Latino voters, 62 percent, said they'd like to see Democrats choose somebody else. When Democrats were asked why they were reluctant to renominate Biden, 39 percent expressed concerns about his age. Another 20 percent didn't like the job he had done. Just 5 percent expressed concerns about his 'mental acuity,' while Democrats broadly viewed Biden as electable, with only 4 percent fearing he couldn't win the general election again. While only one-fifth of Democratic voters said they were enthusiastic about Biden being renominated, 51 percent said they were 'satisfied but not enthusiastic' about that happening. Harris' numbers were just slightly better. Twenty-six percent said they'd be enthusiastic about her becoming the nominee, while 41 percent said they'd be 'satisfied but not enthusiastic.' Just 5 percent said they'd be upset with Harris leading the ticket, while 22 percent said they'd be dissatisfied but not upset. The body of missing Goldman Sachs banker John Castic has been discovered two days after the Manhattan financier vanished from a Brooklyn nightclub. A significant police presence was seen at Newtown Creek, around half a mile from the Brooklyn Mirage, as remains were hauled from the water at around 1pm Tuesday. Several large NYPD vessels and rigid inflatable speedboats were first seen in the water shortly after 11:30am, with police confirming several hours later that the body was Castic. The 27-year-old banker from Chicago vanished after telling friends he was getting an Uber home to his apartment in the early hours of Sunday. The discovery comes just weeks after another man was found dead in the same creek after vanishing from the same Brooklyn venue. Castic's cause of death has not been revealed. John Castic, 27, was last seen leaving the Bushwick-Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at 2:30am on Sunday morning. His remains were discovered midday Tuesday A heavy police presence was seen in Newtown Creek, near the Brooklyn Mirage, Tuesday morning Several large NYPD vessels and rigid inflatable speedboats were seen in the water shortly after the body was found Police confirmed the body was Castic several hours after it was found midday Tuesday Police were reportedly first on the scene at around 11:30am, and a small raft was seen retrieving the body just before 1pm. In a statement to DailyMail.com, the NYPD said: 'On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at approximately 1109 hours, police responded to a 911 call of an aided individual in the Newtown Creek located in the vicinity of 1100 Grand Street, within the confines of the 90 Precinct. 'Upon arrival, officers observed an unidentified and unconscious male floating in the water. NYPD Harbor units removed the aided male from the water. 'EMS also responded to the location and pronounced the aided male deceased on scene. 'Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, the aided male has since been identified as John Castic. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.' Castic was last seen at around 3am Sunday, and cops confirmed Tuesday that his body had been discovered The Chicago-born financier's body was found around half a mile from where he was last seen Castic was born in Chicago and studied at DePaul University before moving to New York City to work in finance Karl Clemente was last seen at Brooklyn Mirage on June 11, and his body found in a nearby creek on June 16. Police do not believe his death to be suspicious, but are investigating Castic graduated from DePaul University and began working as a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs in August 2022. He and his friends had been to see Canadian electronic duo Zeds Dead the night he disappeared, with the final photo of him shared to social media showing him arriving at the Brooklyn Mirage at around 9pm Saturday. His friends say he left the venue at 2:30am, and he told them he was planning to get an Uber ride back to his apartment in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Castic's death comes just weeks after another 27-year-old man disappeared from the same venue, the Brooklyn Mirage, in a case with eerie similarities. Karl Clemente was with a group of friends on June 11 hoping to get in to the Brooklyn Mirage at around 9pm, but was turned away by doormen on suspicion of having been drinking. He left and headed to a nearby gas station, where people often wait to get drinks and snacks before calling Ubers or Lyfts home. He then disappeared. Clemente's body was found in a creek behind a lumber warehouse on June 16. Police said they do not believe his death was suspicious but are still investigating. Bed Bath & Beyond has relaunched as an online-only brand - just over a month after it was bought out of bankruptcy. The home goods retailer, which shuttered hundreds of stores across the US after filing for bankruptcy in April, was bought by digital brand Overstock.com for $21.5 million in June. The company has ditched its name and now redirects visitors to BedBathandBeyond.com, where customers can once again shop for popular branded bathroom, bedroom and kitchen-related products - alongside a growing assortment of furniture. 'Overstock has a great business model with a name that does not reflect its focus on home,' Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson said in a statement. 'Bed Bath & Beyond is a much-loved and well-known consumer brand, which had an outdated business model that needed modernizing.' Overstock has ditched its name and now redirects visitors to BedBathandBeyond.com The home goods retailer shuttered hundreds of stores across the US after filing for bankruptcy in April The revived Bed Bath & Beyond has also reinstated the points that customers had earned under the former retail giant's loyalty scheme - and is offering a 25 percent off welcome coupon for anyone who downloads and shops through the company's new app. However it will not be reinstating the store's famous 20 percent off 'Big Blue' coupon. 'If you liked the Bed Bath & Beyond coupons of the past, you will love our better pricing, special promotions, broader assortment, and the improved customer experience on the website and mobile app,' Johnson added. 'Think of it as Bed Bath & a much bigger, better Beyond.' Former Overstock.com loyalty program members will also get a 20 percent off coupon and their membership transferred to the rebranded loyalty program. Overstock's purchase of Bed Bath & Beyond last month did not include its remaining brick-and-mortar stores, which closed earlier this summer amid the so-called 'retail apocalypse' gripping the US. Shares in the company rocketed almost 15 percent after news broke that the online retailer had snapped up the rights to the home goods store. Bed Bath & Beyond was founded in Springfield, New Jersey, in 1971 - and has since been ubiquitous in the US home goods market. The share price of Overstock climbed just under 15 percent after the news of the purchase in June Overstock.com has ditched its name and now redirects visitors to BedBathandBeyond.com The firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April before attempting to reorganize its assets and pawn them off to the highest bidder. One of these assets was retailed Buy Buy Baby - which was finally sold for $15.5 million in July. After struggling to secure a buyer, Buybuy Baby has now been bought by New Jersey-based babywear designer Dream on Me Industries - which has one small store and an e-commerce site. But the sale only included the intellectual rights to the company - meaning all 120 stores across the country will shut. Commander Julian Bennett was allegedly 'never sober' while he was at home A Scotland Yard commander who allegedly smoked cannabis on a daily basis despite writing the Metropolitan Police's anti-drugs strategy was 'never sober at home', a tribunal has heard. Commander Julian Bennett, who has served in the force since 1976, is said to have taken the drug before breakfast and work, where he would be praised by senior colleagues. He is also accused of taking LSD at a party and magic mushrooms while on holiday in France. The officer is also alleged to have failed to provide a urine sample for testing and lied about why he had not done so. Mr Bennett is accused of breaching the force's professional standards for discreditable conduct three times, honesty and integrity twice and orders and instructions once. His actions are alleged to have amounted to gross misconduct. He denies the allegations and has been suspended on full pay since July 2021. Sheila Gomes, a nurse who lived with him between October and December 2019 told a hearing in Southwark that he was 'never sober'. 'He was never sober at home', she said. 'He has to drink and he has to smoke. Julian Bennett was most of the time not sober. He was never sober'. It is claimed that Commander Julian Bennett the drug before breakfast and work . He is also accused of taking LSD at a party and ingesting magic mushrooms while on holiday in France She also claimed he was 'in and out' buying the drug, but that she did not know where it came from. In a text sent to a friend, she claimed he could be 'part of a small mafia or bribed by a dealer, or be a big dealer, or he is a big dealer'. John Beggs KC, representing Mr Bennett, told the hearing Ms Gomes is a 'gold digger' and accused her of being a 'serial litigator' who wants money. Following an exchange about Mr Bennett being praised at work, Mr Beggs told Ms Gomes: 'You are a liar' and then asked 'or a fantasist?' She responded 'I am not' to both statements. He said: 'You are just making it up as you go along?' to which she replied: 'I didn't'. Mr Beggs then said: 'You are hoping this would be another bit of litigation or a book you can write to make money'. She replied: 'I asked the previous chair and I told this one that I wanted to be anonymous. That would be very strange if I want to be anonymous that I would write a book'. She later claimed references to writing a book were jokes she had shared with a friend, having found out Mr Bennett had drawn up an anti-drugs strategy for the Met. Mr Beggs said to Ms Gomes during the hearing: 'I am suggesting you are a gold digger. You are looking for money'. She responded 'No'. He then said: 'You do sue people' to which Ms Gomes said: 'I don't sue people'. He then stated: 'You are currently involved in a litigation. It is not a matter of confidentiality that you are currently litigating'. Ms Gomes confirmed that she is. Mr Bennett wrote the Met's drugs strategy for 2017-21 in his capacity as commander for territorial policing Mr Beggs asked if she had previously litigated and Ms Gomes confirmed that she had done so in Portugal, where she was born. The hearing was told that Ms Gomes was alleged to have used 'racist, homophobic and vulgar' language, including derogatory references to black patients at the hospital she worked in, which Mr Beggs suggested pointed to her 'nasty' character. The hearing was also told Mr Bennett was praised for his performance by senior officers at the time and shortly after. A former assistant commissioner had thanked him for a report on the released under investigation procedure, which Mr Beggs said had 'quite complicated statistical analysis' around a month before Ms Gomes moved in. In April 2020, the then deputy commissioner and deputy assistant commissioner expressed 'personal appreciation' for his work. Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House said Mr Bennett had shown 'determination and real focus in leading many improvements in the criminal justice portfolio'. An earlier hearing was told that Dame Cressida Dick, the then commissioner, also praised him at work at the time of the alleged drug-taking. Mr Bennett wrote the Met's drugs strategy for 2017-21 in his capacity as commander for territorial policing. The document, called Dealing With The Impact Of Drugs On Communities, set up plans to raise 'awareness of the impact of drug misuse'. Freedom of Information requests show that Mr Bennett presided over 74 police misconduct hearings, which involved 90 officers, between June 2010 and February 2012. Out of those hearings, 56 officers were dismissed. Mr Bennett chaired 69 hearings during that time and two officers were dismissed for drugs misuse. The tribunal continues. Cult mom Lori Vallow smirked in a new mugshot taken after she was sentenced to life in an Idaho prison for murdering her children, JJ and Tylee. Yesterday, Vallow told a judge that she communicates with her dead children in heaven, where they are 'very happy and busy', as she blamed their deaths on 'accidents and suicide' before being sentenced to life without parole. She smirked while holding up an Idaho Department of Corrections sign - with her prisoner identification number 153745. Vallow was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husbands previous wife. The children were buried in the backyard of her husband's home. Chad Daybell awaits trial in connection to the case. Lori Vallow smirked while holding up an Idaho Department of Corrections sign - with her prisoner identification number 153745 JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan vanished in September 2019. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell's backyard in June 2020 Chad Daybell is scheduled to stand trial in April 2024. During Monday's sentencing hearing, Vallow's attorneys asked for a 20-year minimum sentence instead of life, begging the judge to give her 'hope' and claiming the world will be a better place with 'hope.' Vallow told the court she was 'friends' with Tammy, who is also 'extremely busy in heaven', and said all three regularly visit her. She also claimed to have died and gone to heaven herself in 2002. 'Jesus knows me and Jesus understands me. I mourn with all of you who mourn my children and Tammy,' Vallow said. She went on to claim: 'Jesus Christ knows the truth of what happened here. Jesus Christ knows no one was murdered in this case. Accidental deaths happen, suicides happen, fatal side effects of medications happen. 'I have access to heaven and the spirit world. I have had many communications from people now living in heaven, including my children, my sisters, my aunts and my uncle and my grandparents. 'I've had many communications with Jesus Christ and our heavenly parents, and many angelic visitors. 'Because of these communications I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in the spirit world. I know my friend Tammy Daybell is also very happy and extremely busy.' Vallow during the hearing told the judge how she still communicated with her dead children in heaven Vallow smiles in a mugshot from May 12, 2023 Vallow was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday for the murders of her two kids and her husband's previous partner A string of mysterious deaths emerged involving family members on both sides Invoking Martin Luther King Jr., Vallow's defense attorney John Thomas said: 'Lori is the most hated woman in America but that hate will never bring about peace. MLK Jr. once said hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. How do we stop the hurt pain and loss?' He called her a 'misunderstood person' who at her core was loving. 'We saved her life and that is a win for all humanity. If you give her fixed life, you will have thrown her away. 'If we give her hope, we protect society by keeping her behind bars until her 70s, where she has the incentive to be a model prisoner. 'Over time, she changes her behavior and she helps other inmates. She becomes a better person. 'What do we have to lose by letting a woman in her 70s go before a parole board? 'We ask the court to show mercy and look to the future. We ask the court for a 20-year fixed term with life indeterminant. Now the Senate's youngest Republican woman ever is suffering health issues - Katie Britt is home recovering from a medical scare that left her face numb. 'While with my family in Montgomery this past weekend, I experienced a sudden onset of numbness in my face,' the 41-year-old freshman senator said in a statement Tuesday. She was admitted to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Alabama, for evaluation where doctors determined her symptoms were likely the result of the swelling of a facial nerve after a post-viral infection. Now the Senate's youngest Republican woman ever is suffering health issues - Katie Britt is home recovering from a medical scare that left her face numb Britt said the condition is non-life-threatening but her recovery 'could take several weeks.' Her condition is not likely to affect Senate business since the upper chamber just began a five-week recess that will not see them back in Washington until September. Britt, the first woman elected to Senate from Alabama, was a top aide to Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., before winning the seat he vacated to retire. She won a contentious primary against former Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Britt after souring on Brooks when he called on Trump to move on from the 2020 election. 'While with my family in Montgomery this past weekend, I experienced a sudden onset of numbness in my face,' the 41-year-old freshman senator said in a statement Tuesday Britt's facial numbness is only the latest in a series of health conditions plaguing the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, froze up mid-sentence while addressing reporters at a press conference last week. He walked off before returning to take more questions. McConnell later insisted to reporters that he's 'fine.' McConnell became the longest-serving Senate leader of all time in January, having led Senate Republicans for 16 years. Last week Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., got candid about his six-week stint in the hospital while battling depression after suffering a stroke- saying that he would have welcomed death during that time. The senator is still suffering from auditory processing issues 14 months after the stroke. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., had to be reminded last week to 'just say aye' as she cast her vote for the military budget. The median age of senators is 65 - a record high. The median age in the House is 58. Police officers in Texas were praised as heroes after they rescued an unconscious man from a burning car following a crash. A vehicle smashed into a poll along South Cherry Lane in White Settlement on July 29 at around 2.40am when its trunk caught on fire. The driver managed to escape but a male passenger in the front seat lost consciousness and was still in the car. Body-worn and dashboard camera videos released by White Settlement Police Department shows the officers responding to the crash. They rushed to pull the man out of the vehicle and away from the rapidly growing flames. Both the driver and the passenger were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and are expected to make a full recovery. Police officers in Texas were praised as heroes after they rescued an unconscious man from a burning car following a crash A vehicle smashed into a poll along South Cherry Lane in White Settlement on July 29 at around 2.40am when its trunk caught on fire Bodycam footage of the incident shows an officer telling his colleague 'we're going to need to pull him out of the car' while holding the unconscious passenger's limp arm. He then says 'help me get him out of the car,' before telling the man in the vehicle: 'Come on brother, we're going to help you get out of the car and get you on the grass. Get awake.' The officer then pulls the passenger out of the car with the help of his two colleagues. 'There we go, keep going,' he says as they drag him across the grass and away from the burning car. The driver of the car is very emotional and is heard saying 'just make sure he is okay' and is reassured by the officers. They place the passenger on the ground and one officer asks: 'There's nobody else in the car right?' He checks on the vehicle and radios in that the 'fire is spreading'. An officer then goes into the back of the police car and retrieves a fire extinguisher before running back to the burning car. Body-worn and dashboard camera videos released by White Settlement Police Department shows the officers responding to the crash He is seen trying to put out the fire before the clip ends. The dashcam video shows three officers dragging the passenger out of the car as the fire continued to grow behind them. 'I want to highlight the heroic actions by the brave police officers who serve our community,' Chief of Police Christopher Cook said in a statement. 'As you can see from the video, had it not been for the quick and decisive actions by police, this crash could have had a very different outcome.' The cause of the crash remains under investigation but police said speed has not been ruled out as a factor in the crash. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday dismissed Governor Ron DeSantis' invitation for a debate on Florida's new education policy for black history, saying there 'were no redeeming qualities of slavery.' 'I'm here in Florida and I tell you there is no round table, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery,' she declared. Harris, the country's first black vice president, didn't mention DeSantis by name but her meaning was obvious when she addressed the audience at the African Methodist Episcopal in Orlando, Florida. 'I'm here in Florida and I tell you there is no round table, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery,' Vice President Kamala Harris said in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis' invitation She has been the Biden administration's strongest critic of the state's new school curriculum that allows students to be taught that slavery gave black people 'skills' which could be 'used for their personal benefit.' And then she lit into DeSantis, who was in New Hampshire campaigning for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. 'They attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal that most recently came in of a politically motivated round table,' she said of his invite before soundly rejecting it. The more than 3,000 people in attendance at the Womens Missionary Society Quadrennial Conference burst into applause at her words, giving the vice president a standing ovation. DeSantis had sent Harris a letter inviting her to come to Florida to debate him on the state's controversial education policy. 'You know, now let's put the money where the mouth is,' he told reporters of Harris during a stop in New Hampshire. 'In Florida we are unafraid to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues,' DeSantis wrote in a letter to Harris dated July 31. 'And you clearly have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice. So given your grave concern (which, I must assume, is sincere) about what you think our standards say, I am officially inviting you back down to Florida to discuss our African American History standards. We will be happy to host you here in Tallahassee.' Governor Ron DeSantis invited Vice President Kamala Harris to meet with him in person on Florida's new education policy for black history Harris, in late July, made a last-minute trip to Florida to give a fiery speech in which she railed against the state's new education policy. While Harris didn't mention DeSantis by name in those remarks either, she accused people who 'want to be praised as leaders ... pushing propaganda on our children.' In New Hampshire, DeSantis accused Harris of pushing a false political narrative. 'She came to Florida to attack us. She's trying to attack me, but she's really attacking the people that worked hard on this and have done, you know, a lot of yeomen's work,' DeSantis said. 'And so that's just wrong.' He added: 'I think it's wrong to let lies be perpetuated, it's wrong to let false narrative stand and they've been doing this to us for years from the White House, and we fought back every time.' On Monday night he sent her the invitation to meet about her 'grave concern' on the issue. 'One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History,' DeSantis wrote. 'But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents 'extremists.' It's past time to set the record straight,' he wrote. In his letter, he also got in a slam at the Biden administration's border policy, saying he can meet with Harris as soon as Wednesday, unless she has 'a trip to the southern border planned that day.' 'I am prepared to meet as early as Wednesday of this week, but of course want to be deferential to your busy schedule should you already have a big trip to the southern border planned for that day,' he wrote. 'Please let me know as soon as possible. What an example we could set for the nation - a serious conversation on the substance of an important issue! I hope you're feeling up to it.' Gov. Ron DeSantis invited Vice President Harris to meet with him in Florida on the state's new education policy regarding black history DeSantis, like many Republicans, has criticized President Joe Biden for his handling of the border. Illegal border crossings finally went down in June after months of record highs. DeSantis has vowed to complete Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the border. The letter comes as the Florida governor is trailing Trump in polls for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The former president led DeSantis by 37 points in a New York Times/Siena College poll released on Monday. Trump topped DeSantis 54 percent to 17 percent. No other candidate topped 3 percent support in the poll. DeSantis on Monday evening told Fox News it's 'nonsense' that Republican political operatives are labeling his campaign a failure when there is still seven months until the primary election really kicks off. 'Everything you do needs to have a return on the investment,' DeSantis explained to Fox host Bret Baier in an interview recorded during a New Hampshire campaign swing. 'If there isn't value in it, then I get changes and then that's just the reality of what you have to do,' he added. 'So, I'm not a political operative. I'm not a campaign professional. You set out the vision, and you execute on it. And if it's not being executed, you just have to course correct.' DeSantis was in New Hampshire on Monday to release his economic plan. His campaign has included a 'war against woke' and an emphasis on his family and his service in the military. But some of his gubernatorial decisions in Florida have come under fire, including signing a law outlawing abortion after six weeks, which is before most women know they are pregnant, and his state's new education policy. Harris, in her remarks in Jacksonville on July 21, accused DeSantis of using his war on woke to try and increase his national profile as he runs for president. 'When I think about what is happening then here in Florida, I am deeply concerned because, let's be clear, I do believe this is not only about state of Florida, there's a national agenda,' she said. She also said that 'as parents, we teach our children to tell the truth.' 'Well, I think we should model what we say,' she added. 'These extreme so called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach, if we really are invested in the well being of our children. Instead they dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America, we're not supposed to do that,' she said. DeSantis and his wife Casey have three young children. They talk about them often and bring them on the campaign trail. Harris also slammed the state for rewriting the history of slavery. 'Adults know what slavery really involves. It involves rape. It involves torture,' she said. 'It involves taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity, in our world. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization,' she added. 'Let's reject the notion that we would deny all of this in terms of our history. We will be better if we remember. We will be stronger if we remember. We fought a war to end the sin of slavery, a civil war, to end slavery.' And she expressed sympathy for teachers, many of whom objected to the new policy. 'Our teachers who fear that if they teach the truth they may lose their job. As it is we don't pay them enough,' she said to great applause. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sat for a wide-ranging interview with Fox News' Bret Baier on Monday evening when he railed against those who say his campaign is failing insisting he just 'course corrected' A New York Times/Siena poll released on Monday shows Ron DeSantis in a distant second place to Donald Trump with just 17% support to the former president's 54% no other candidates even break 5% Harris also accused DeSantis of using the issue to try and divide the country. 'Let us not be distracted by what they're trying to do, which is to create unnecessary debates to divide our country. Let's not fall in that trap,' she said. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org The Kit Kat club in London's West End cancelled its cabaret show this evening The Kit Kat Club in London's West End last night dramatically cancelled its cabaret night after a man climbed onto the top of the roof in an apparent bid to throw himself off it. Emergency services raced to the scene, forcing the roads around the venue to close. The Metropolitan Police sent a negotiator to the venue, in what is believed to be a bid to stop the man from jumping off the building. A force spokesman said: 'Police were called to Northumberland Avenue, WC2, at 14.45hrs on Tuesday, 1 August to reports of a concern for safety. Officers attended. A man has climbed up to the top of a building. 'A police negotiator is on scene and a number of road closures have been put in place.' The Kit Kat Club in London's West End last night dramatically cancelled its cabaret night after a man climbed onto the top of the roof in an apparent bid to throw himself off it Emergency services attending the scene The Kit Kat Club announced that 'due to an unrelated and ongoing police situation taking place nearby' the performance had to be cancelled The club said in a statement: 'Due to an unrelated and ongoing police situation taking place nearby (prohibiting access to and from the Kit Kat Club), we have no choice but to cancel tonight's performance. 'We apologise for the late notice (which is due to the police situation developing quickly) and the inconvenience this will cause.' The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre is one of the most popular venues within the West End, with A-listers often caught attending the cabaret shows. Emergency crews have been pictured at the scene in London's West End The hit musical features songs Wilkommen, Don't Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time and Money. In June an array of celebrities attended a performance of the West End show. Hollywood star Kate Hudson was spotted alongside her ex-fiance Matt Belamy's wife Elle Evans, while actor Emma Corrin and Billie Piper were also in attendance. The Kit Kat club was first built in 1882 before being rebuilt in 1907. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org Poland has ramped up troop deployment on its eastern border and notified NATO after claiming two Belarusian helicopters violated its airspace today, pushing tensions between Warsaw and its Moscow-allied neighbour to boiling point. Polish authorities announced they were going to increase their military presence along the border and that they had summoned Belarus' top diplomat in Warsaw in protest. It comes amid heightened anxieties in Poland over mercenaries from the Russia-linked Wagner group arriving in Belarus following their short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin in June. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Saturday that a group of 'one hundred Wagner mercenaries' in Belarus had moved closer to the Polish border - which he labelled 'a step towards further hybrid attack on the Polish territory'. Meanwhile Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin's close ally, has taunted Warsaw over the presence of Wagner mercenaries near the NATO country's border, saying Poland should thank him for keeping them in check. Poland announced it has notified NATO after two Belarusian helicopters violated its airspace today Earlier Tuesday, Polish residents in an area near the border with Belarus reported seeing helicopters with Belarusian insignia which they said flew overhead Belarus is Poland's eastern neighbour. Warsaw has announced it is stepping up military deployments on its border Belarus is a close ally of Russia and recently agreed to host Wagner mercenary forces. File picture shows Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin Earlier on Tuesday, Poland's army said helicopters belonging to Belarus had not violated the NATO country's airspace, but it later backtracked in a subsequent statement. 'There was a violation of Polish airspace by two Belarusian helicopters that were training near the border,' the Polish defence ministry said in a statement. 'The violation took place in the Bialowieza area at a very low altitude, hampering the detection by radar systems,' the ministry said in explanation. It added that 'NATO was notified about the incident'. It also said the defence minister ordered an increase of the number of soldiers at the Belarusian border, citing intensified 'hybrid actions' by Russia and Belarus against Poland. On Saturday, Prime Minister Morawiecki raised concerns about Wagner forces stationed in Belarus moving towards the border, describing the situation as 'increasingly dangerous'. 'They will probably be disguised as Belarusian border guards, helping illegal migrants to cross into Polish territory, to destabilise Poland,' he warned. It emerged today that Belarusian President Lukashenko, a longtime friend of Putin, joked at a meeting with him last month that some Wagner fighters were keen to press into Poland and 'go on a trip to Warsaw and Rzeszow'. Belarusian soldiers and mercenary fighters from Wagner attend week-long manoeuvres near the border city of Brest, Belarus State news agency Belta quoted him on Tuesday as saying that the Poles 'should pray that we're holding onto (the Wagner fighters) and providing for them. 'Otherwise, without us, they would have seeped through and smashed up Rzeszow and Warsaw in no small way. So they shouldn't reproach me, they should say thank you.' Lukashenko, in his latest comments, appeared at first to deny Morawiecki's claims that 100 Wagner fighters had moved closer to the Belarusian city of Grodno near the Polish border, then immediately rowed back on his denial. 'Suddenly, I hear recently, Poland went berserk that allegedly some detachment is coming here, as many as 100 people,' he said. 'No Wagner detachments of 100 people moved here. And if they did, then only to transfer their military experience to (Belarusian) brigades concentrated in Brest and Grodno.' On Saturday, Prime Minister Morawiecki raised concerns about Wagner forces stationed in Belarus moving towards the border, describing the situation as 'increasingly dangerous' With Wagner fighters pictured close to the Polish border in recent days, Poland and its neighbours on NATO's eastern flank have voiced concerns about a potential threat from the group. Poland and Lithuania belong to both the European Union and NATO, and have worried about their security with Russian ally Belarus and Ukraine on its eastern border. For two years, large numbers of migrants and refugees from the Middle East and Africa have been attempting to enter Poland and Lithuania, which view the migration as an attempt by Moscow-ally Belarus to create instability. Earlier Tuesday, Polish residents in an area near the border with Belarus reported seeing helicopters with Belarusian insignia which they said flew overhead. Some posted photos of the aircraft. Poland's military initially denied that they had crossed into Polish airspace. Poland's military initially denied that they had crossed into Polish airspace Belarus had earlier informed Poland of plans to carry out training exercises in the area But by evening, the Defense Ministry acknowledged that 'there was a violation of Polish airspace by two Belarusian helicopters that were carrying out training near the border.' It added that Belarus had earlier informed Poland of plans to carry out training exercises in the area. It said they had been flying at a low altitude and were not picked up by radar. In reaction to the incursion, Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak ordered an increase in the number of soldiers along the border, as well as an increase in other resources, including combat helicopters, the ministry said. Separately, the Foreign Ministry said that the charge d'affaires of Belarus was 'immediately summoned' and that Warsaw 'issued a firm protest and called on the Belarusian side to immediately and in detail explain the incident.' 'The Polish side emphasized that the incident is perceived as another element of the escalation of tension on the Polish-Belarusian border. Poland expects Belarus to refrain from such activities,' the ministry said. A view of a damage on a skyscraper attacked by a drone for the second time in two days in Moscow, Russia on August 1, 2023 The rising tensions in the region come as Ukraine escalated its pushback against Russia amid Putin's illegal invasion, with a second drone strike on a skyscraper in the heart of Moscow. Kyiv has told Russia to expect 'more unidentified drones, more collapse [and] more civil conflicts' after the building was attacked for the second time in two days. The strike impacted an office block known as the IQ quarter in Moscow City - a commercial and business district in the capital - which houses the ministry of economic development, the digital ministry and the ministry of industry and trade. Kyiv has not confirmed if it was behind the attack, but Zelensky on Sunday described it as the 'natural process' of war 'returning to Russia'. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that citizens in Russia's capital are 'rapidly getting used to a fully-fledged war' as attacks on Russian soil mount. He added: 'More unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, more war.' A knifeman stabbed a woman at Sweden's honorary consulate in Turkey today, officials and media reports said. The local governor's office said the attack was carried out by a 'mentally disabled' person with a gun in the Konak district of Izmir at 12.45pm local time. It comes amid flaring tensions between Sweden and Muslim countries following several protests involving public desecrations of the Koran - including setting pages alight. Two men set a copy of the holy book alight outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm on Monday in an act similar to others in recent weeks that have drawn condemnation. The attack in Turkey took place outside Sweden's honorary consulate, the private broadcaster NTV reported. The wounded woman, who was working as a secretary at the diplomatic mission, was in critical condition, it added. A woman was seriously injured after being stabbed outside the Swedish consulate in Izmir, Turkey The incident comes as tensions have flared between Sweden and Turkey in light of recent burnings of the Koran in Stockholm The armed assailant was detained by authorities and an investigation has been launched, officials said Turkish authorities detained the assailant with the gun and launched an investigation into the incident, the governor's office said. A video showed the victim being carried into an ambulance shortly after the attack which happened on a staircase. On Monday Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem kicked and stomped on the book before setting it on fire, echoing their previous protest when they did the same thing in June. According to local press, Swedish police had granted a permit for Monday's protest, as demonstrators said they wanted to see the Muslim holy book banned in Sweden. The act incensed the Muslim world, triggering protests with people pictured desecrating the Swedish flag in Palestine and Iraq. The row has also become a sticking point as Sweden showed interest in joining NATO in light of the war in Ukraine, for which it needs the support of all members. It continues to struggle to get approval from both Hungary and Muslim majority Turkey, which first said that the burning of an effigy of Erdogan by pro-Kurdish activists in Sweden in January went contravened an agreement between the countries. The victim was working as a secretary at Sweden's honorary consulate in Izmir The Swedish foreign ministry's press service in Stockholm confirmed the attack in Turkey and said that it was 'in close contact' with the general consulate in Istanbul which was in turn in contact with the honorary consulate in Izmir. 'Sweden's general consul will travel to Izmir tomorrow to be informed of the situation and express her condolences.' The ministry said it would 'not comment on threat scenarios against the foreign mission or which security measures are being taken, as that could counter the purpose of the measures.' Honorary consulates represent their nationals' interests abroad but are not run by professional diplomats. But Republicans say Archer's testimony reveals that Joe was directly 'implicated' in his son's dealings Democrats are backing White House claims that Republicans have produced zero evidence that President Biden engaged in corruption A top Democrat is coming to the defense of Joe Biden following damning testimony by Hunter Biden's business partner Devon Archer who revealed the then-vice president sat in on at least 20 of his son's calls to 'sell' the Biden brand to foreign associates. Archer told Congress in bombshell testimony Monday the 'Biden brand' helped keep Ukrainian firm Burisma from going bankrupt. He also revealed Joe was on the phone or present in-person at least 20 times while his son who called him 'my guy' was talking with foreign business partners. Following Archer's testimony, Republicans are now saying they may have enough evidence to begin an impeachment inquiry into the president for lying about his involvement in Hunter's businesses. However, the White House has maintained that Joe 'has never been in business' with his son and Democrats are working to back up their claims. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Jim Himes, D-Conn., fired back at Republicans Tuesday, saying that they have not presented any evidence that President Biden engaged in corruption - despite Archer's testimony. 'Have [Republicans] pointed to anything to suggest that Joe Biden engaged in corrupt behavior? No,' said Himes on MSNBC's Morning Joe Tuesday. Hunter Biden's former friend and business partner Devon Archer arrived on Capitol Hill Monday to give bombshell testimony before the House Oversight Committee 'On the contrary, Hunter Biden's business partner said, yea, he was on some phone calls talking about the weather, exchanging pleasantries,' continued Himes. 'It is sure and absolutely not a crime. They're just in this box of their own making.' 'On the topic of a Biden impeachment: If impeachable crimes are surfaced - and I say this as a Democrat - fine. [Republicans] have found no evidence whatsoever that there are impeachable crimes,' continued Himes. Republicans claim Archer's testimony added to mounting evidence that the then-Vice President was involved in Hunter's overseas deals that raked in millions from nations including China and Romania. However, Democrats say that the phone calls were innocent and did not involve business, insisting they were talking about 'niceties' like talking about 'the weather,' and 'what's going on?'' White House spokesperson Ian Sams also hit back at Republican claims of corruption following Archer's testimony, saying that Republicans have not yet produced any solid evidence implicating Joe. 'They keep promising bombshell evidence but over and over, they can't produce any,' he wrote on Twitter. 'Yet the goose chase rolls on, at the expense of focusing on Americans' real priorities.' Himes' counterpart - committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio - said Tuesday morning that Joe Biden's 'lies are piling up.' The chairman did not rule out backing a future impeachment inquiry into the president as the GOP continues to collect evidence. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said last week that President Biden has 'lied to the American public' about son Hunter's business deals - and is 'hiding info' like former President Richard Nixon - who was impeached in 1973 and resigned from office. He threatened opening an impeachment inquiry of Biden if he does not get full cooperation from federal agencies in the House investigations of Biden family business deals. 'The evidence continues to mount and today we saw Joe Biden has lied to the American people. He knew who his son was getting those dollars from and he spoke to them and spoke to them often,' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told Fox News' Sean Hannity hours after the testimony concluded. Archer's revelations to Congress provided evidence to help Republicans take a 'huge step towards implicating Joe Biden in these crimes,' continued Comer. 'We heard from someone on the inside that it was influence peddling. Joe Biden himself talked to every person that has wired money to the Bidens.' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said Monday that the information that came out of Archer's testimony could 'really push' many Republicans to get to a 'yes' vote on impeachment for Joe Biden down the road. Greene, Rep. Andy Biggs and Ronny Jackson immediately called for an impeachment inquiry into the president following Archer's testimony. 'I 100% SUPPORT an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden! What we've learned now is just the tip of the iceberg. His career of corruption knows no bounds. Biden has been a TRAITOR to our country for decades!!' tweeted Jackson. But most Republicans say that there needs to be additional evidence compiled first before going down the impeachment path. Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., confirmed Archer told the House Oversight Committee that Joe had been on speakerphone multiple times while his son was talking with business partners - but insisted they were talking about the weather and geography. Republican Rep. Andy Biggs then said that, according to Archer, Hunter was on the Ukrainian energy firm board because of his family 'brand' - and Joe added 'value' and may have helped take down a Ukrainian prosecutor investigating the company. In addition, Archer revealed that Hunter referred to Joe as 'my guy,' according to a statement put out by Oversight Republicans. Goldman - lead counsel on the first Trump impeachment and the only Democrat present in the room of the testimony - told reporters that Archer 'indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of a 10 year relationship, Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings.' 'Remember, this is when Beau got ill,' Goldman said, noting that Hunter and Joe spoke on the phone frequently before Beau's death in 2015. But Republicans had a different retelling of Archer's account. Biggs said as he left the room that Archer had testified 'Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to really mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand.' He added that Archer had told the committee he did not know anything about the specific bribery claims made in the FBI's FD-1023 document. The internal document, which detailed a conversation with a confidential source who had spoken with Burisma CFO Vadim Pojarski in 2015, said that Pojarski had claimed Joe and Hunter had been paid $5 million each when Joe was vice president in exchange for policy outcomes favorable to the company. Archer testified Monday that Pozharskyi and CEO Nikola Zlochevsky put 'constant pressure' on Hunter in 2015 to get his father to fire prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who was investigating Burisma. 'Have [Republicans] pointed to anything to suggest that Joe Biden engaged in corrupt behavior? No,' said Himes Archer is expected to give his account of the Biden family business dealings for four to five hours behind closed doors Hunter Biden, along with Zlochevsky and Pozharski, reportedly 'called D.C.' to discuss Shokin. In March 2016, Joe Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in aid to Ukraine if Shokin was not fired for corruption - which he eventually was. Separately, in a 2017 email to Hunter, his uncle Jim and other business partners regarding a deal with Chinese energy conglomerate CEFC, business partner James Gilliar made a reference to the 'big guy' getting a 10 percent stake in the lucrative deal. Another former associate of the first son, U.S. Navy veteran Tony Bobulinski, publicly claimed in October 2020 that 'big guy' was a reference to President Biden. Oversight member Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene told DailyMail.com in an interview Archer testified that 'the Bidens were in the actual business of influence peddling.' 'It's extremely damning,' she said, claiming that the 20 phone conversations Archer referred to were directly about business deals. 'We have Devon Archer coming out and telling the truth that Hunter Biden and Joe Biden spoke over 20 times about his business deals, not about the weather, not about what was for lunch, about his business deals,' she said. Goldman explained Archer's testimony of the phone calls as such: sometimes Hunter would be at dinner with business partners and take a call from his dad who didn't know who else was at the table and put it on speaker phone. 'There was no indication that he had any idea who was at dinner with them. It was just to say, 'Hello I'm at dinner' and there was nothing related to his business dealings.' A Democratic source familiar told DailyMail.com that Archer told the committee 'Hunter Biden was selling the illusion of access to his father.' Judiciary Chairman and Oversight member Jim Jordan, who was in the room for the deposition, told reporters that Archer had provided the committee with new information and called the meeting 'very productive.' Archer's attorney Matthew Schwartz said after his client's testimony: 'We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archer's voluntary interview today. But all Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely.' Greene, who communicates regularly with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said she believed Archer's testimony could be what 'moves the needle' on the potential Biden impeachment inquiry. She said that at last week's weekly meeting of the Republican conference, McCarthy told his members: 'when it's time to vote for this, I want you to be with me on this one.' 'We have to have 218 Republicans to vote for it,' Greene said. 'And there's been some that just aren't there yet, but in my opinion, the information that's coming out today could really push many of them to get to 'yes.'' Archer was on Burisma's board with Hunter, who was paid $50,000 a month for his role. He is facing a lengthy prison sentence for defrauding Native Americans out of millions. IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley claimed on Tuesday that a retired FBI agent who spoke with the House Oversight Committee did not share all he knew about the Hunter Biden investigation because he was intimidated by the agency. Oversight Democrats say that agent's testimony undercut that of Shapley, who testified before the committee on July 19. Ahead of his July 17 testimony with the Oversight Committee, the anonymous, newly-retired agent received a letter from FBI general counsel Jason Jones warning him not to share information on any 'deliberations or ongoing investigative activity.' 'He was given a letter the Sunday before from DOJ basically telling him not to talk,' Shapley told Fox News on Tuesday after Devon Archer's closed-door deposition to the panel on Monday. 'I know that he could have confirmed additional material facts on this investigation,' Shapley said. IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley claimed on Tuesday that a retired FBI agent who spoke with the House Oversight Committee did not share all he knew about the Hunter Biden investigation because he was intimidated by the agency 'And he did confirm the FBI headquarters notifying the transition team and Secret Service,' added Shapley, referring to claims that the FBI notified the Secret Service and Biden transition team that they planned to interview Hunter Biden in December 2020. 'But really that was the only thing that he was able to speak about.' The FBI and Delaware US Attorneys Office have said they cannot share everything with Congress because there's an 'ongoing investigation' - referring to the Hunter Biden plea deal blow-up last week. Shapley told Fox News Congress must press on with its investigations of the Biden family business deals. 'There remains a lot of work to be done, and we can't emphasize enough how important it is that they continue to bring in witnesses because each witness that comes in is providing more and more evidence, and it cannot be denied,' he continued. Last Wednesday in a dramatic turn of events Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to a pair of tax crimes and a gun crime. He backed out of his plea deal when the judge informed him that he would not be shielded from future prosecution - specifically mentioning a potential crime of failing to register as a foreign agent. Ahead of Archer's testimony this Monday, the DOJ sent a letter to a federal judge asking him to set a date for Archer to begin his year-and-a-half prison sentence for defrauding native Americans out of millions. Archer tamped down speculation from Republicans that the DOJ was trying to prevent him from speaking to the Oversight Committee - and the DOJ issued another letter stating Archer's sentence should not begin until after his testimony. Archer told the committee Hunter had his father on speakerphone with his business partners around 20 times to sell 'the brand' - referring to the Biden last name. Democrats say the calls were innocent father-to-son phone calls and not to discuss business. 'We brought a lot of facts and evidence forward to the House Ways and Means Committee and to the House Oversight Committee to include testimony from Rob Walker, WhatsApp messages and other documents that clearly show that we need to do additional investigation, and Congress needs to go out there,' Shapley said Tuesday. Oversight Democrats have claimed the agent that Shapley says was muzzled by the FBI gave testimony on July 17 that undercut the accounts of Shapley and fellow IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler. The transcript of the interview has not yet been released by the committee. 'I urge you to stop concealing key evidence and to instead commit to making public all the investigative steps undertaken and all materials gathered as part of this investigation,' said top Democrat Jamie Raskin in a letter to Comer last week. Raskin claimed the whistleblower had testified that during his decade of experience at the Delaware U.S. attorney's office he had never known David Weiss to allow any political influence in prosecutorial decisions. The IRS whistleblowers had also criticized US Attorney Lesley Wolf for refusing to seek a warrant in October 2020 to search Joe Biden's guest house in Delaware where Hunter was living and the storage unit where he kept documents. But the FBI agent reportedly said that it is longstanding DOJ and IRS policy not to seek a warrant for public officials or political candidates when the information needed could be obtained through less 'intrusive' means. Hunter Biden, 53, is seen with his father on June 25, as the two continue to be the target of House investigations Hunter and Archer both graduated from Yale and were friends for decades. They founded their consultancy together, and Hunter reportedly described Devon as his 'best friend in business.' The friends are pictured in an undated photo The agent told the committee 'that, in determining whether to seek a warrant, it is not only proper, but indeed DOJ policy, for prosecutors to consider additional factors beyond whether probable cause exists, where the warrant involves the property of a political candidate or an attorney or may raise election year sensitivities,' according to Raskin. The agent also testified that the Secret Service had been tipped off about the FBI's intent to interview Hunter Biden, but that was standard procedure 'for the safety of the agents seeking to approach a Secret Service protectee.' The agent confirmed that he was told the Biden transition team would be notified as well. IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and IRS Criminal Investigator with the International Tax and Financial Crimes Division Joseph Ziegler, who testified publicly to the House Oversight Committee for six hours last Wednesday, said they were told on December 8, 2020, the day they were supposed to interview Hunter Biden, to wait outside of his residence for a call from the younger Biden. Ziegler said he had never been told to handle an interview this way before. Hunter's call never came and the agents did not get to interview him. Both agents claim President Joe Biden's son Hunter, 52, was treated differently than other taxpayers and the case was handled in a special manner leading them to feel compelled to come forward. The whistleblowers explained that the IRS after its investigation of Hunter Biden's tax affairs recommended he be charged with a felony - but the Department of Justice did not charge him with one. Ziegler claimed that the total amount of foreign income obtained by the Biden family totaled around $17 million. Famous 'detransitioner' and activist Chloe Cole slammed Neil Degrasse Tyson, after he posted a TikTok insisting biology is insufficient in explaining gender ideology. In the video, Tyson said that people should think about gender as a 'spectrum' because sometimes people feel more female than male and sometimes they put on makeup in the morning and sometimes they don't. 'Tomorrow I might feel 80 percent male. I'll remove the makeup, and I'll wear a muscle shirt,' Tyson said. 'Apparently the XX/XY chromosomes are insufficient, because when we wake up in the morning we exaggerate whatever feature we want to portray the gender of our choice,' he continued. Cole, 19, who actively opposes gender-affirming care for minors after transitioning herself, called out Tyson for comparing biology to makeup in a video she posted to Twitter on Tuesday. Famous 'detransitioner' and activist Chloe Cole slammed Neil Degrasse Tyson, after he posted a TikTok insisting biology is insufficient in explaining gender ideology I watched @neiltyson flail around trying to describe gender as a spectrum and decided to refute some of his points in a short video. pic.twitter.com/CaU9XyHrBA Chloe Cole (@ChoooCole) August 1, 2023 In the video, Tyson said that people should think about gender as a 'spectrum' because sometimes people feel more female than male and sometimes they put on makeup in the morning and sometimes they don't 'I watched @neiltyson flail around trying to describe gender as a spectrum and decided to refute some of his points in a short video,' she captioned the clip. 'How about we stop confusing basic human biology with cosmetics,' Cole said in the video.' 'Like what a weird jump. I don't wear makeup most days. If I leave the house without makeup on, does that make me like 70 percent male?' she added. 'You're using 1950s gender stereotypes for an ideology that leads to the sterilization and mastectomies of 15-year-old girls who just don't fit in, girls like me,' she continued.' 'The only thing that you've established in this video is that men wear trousers and tank tops, but women they wear lipstick and dresses.' 'The idea that people can be percentages of either male or female just further reinforces that fact that biological sex is a binary. There's only two.' 'There may only be two sexes, but there are an infinite number of personalities. I mean, it really doesn't take a degree in astrophysics to know that,' she added. Cole has 'detransitioned' back to being female and now campaigns against trans ideology 'Apparently the XX/XY chromosomes are insufficient, because when we wake up in the morning we exaggerate whatever feature we want to portray the gender of our choice,' he continued,' Tyson said in his video Cole and her lawyer Harmeet Dhillon last year announced they were bringing a medical malpractice suit against the clinicians who signed off on her breast removal surgery Cole became a poster child of the anti-transgender movement and is suing the doctors in California who put her on hormones and surgically removed her breasts. She testified before congress last week to address the 'dangers and due process violation' of gender reassignment surgeries and 'gender-affirming care.' 'What message do I want to bring to American teenagers and their families? I didn't need to be lied to. I needed compassion. I needed to be loved. I need to be getting therapy to help me work through my issues,' she said. 'Not affirmed to my delusion that by transforming into a boy, it would solve all my problems.' Cole described having mental health issues and family problems as a child and becoming exposed to transgender discussions online. Clinicians railroaded her into taking puberty blockers and then hormones and finally surgery, she claimed. Cole, who actively opposes gender-affirming care for minors after transitioning herself, called out Tyson for comparing biology to makeup in a video she posted to Twitter on Tuesday Cole is unsure whether the testosterone treatment she underwent affected her ability to have children. She has had to wear bandages because her body is rejecting the skin grafts on her chest. She urged the audience to take transgender ideology more seriously, saying her breast surgery scars and her slimmer chances of being able to have a child should ring alarm bells about the perils. Cole started suffering from gender dysphoria aged nine and spoke to a pediatrician about it when she was 12. She says she was coerced into a gender transition operation and between the ages 13 and 17 took puberty blockers, hormones and had a double mastectomy. In her lawsuit, she says doctors told her gender dysphoria would never go away and that she was at high risk of suicide unless she transitioned. Cole's lawyer Harmeet Dhillon last year said they have brought a medical malpractice suit against the doctors, and she was being represented by Center for American Liberty. Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley was like a 'feral child' who was deeply neglected by his parents, a psychologist testified at a hearing to determine if he will get life in prison. Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021. In a Miller hearing on Tuesday, his lawyers played disturbing videos from jail showing the 17-year-old in deep distress as deputies restrained him while he wailed. In one image, his head is completely covered with a hood. 'Why didn't you stop it? I'm sorry. ... Stop it, God, why?' he said. Psychologist Colin King spent more than 20 hours with the shooter and determined he was 'a child who has been abandoned' and that he was mentally ill. Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley was like a 'feral child' who was neglected by his parents, a psychologist testified at a hearing to determine if he will get life in prison Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021 Psychologist Colin King spent more than 20 hours with the shooter and determined he was 'a child who has been abandoned' and that he was mentally ill King said Crumbley was experiencing psychosis, a break from reality. He later predicted that the boy 'absolutely' can be rehabilitated. 'A number of my clients have had issues with the law,' said King, who has testified in many homicide cases. 'Through psychotherapy and support, theyve been able to make progress. ... Ethan's brain is still maturing.' Crumbley pleaded guilty in Oakland County Circuit Court to a total of 24 charges, including one count of terrorism causing death and four counts of first-degree murder on October 24 last year. He was also charged with seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The teenager, who was 15 at the time, opened fire at Oxford High School outside Detroit with a semi-automatic handgun that his father purchased for him as a Christmas gift days before the massacre. Two boys, aged 17 and 16, and two girls, aged 17 and 14, were killed while six other students and a teacher were wounded. The mass shooter can't automatically be a given life sentence because of his age. Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe must consider the shooter's maturity, mental health, unstable family life and other factors set by the Supreme Court. He still can order a life sentence, but it would be a rare outcome for a teen. Crumbley otherwise would face a minimum prison sentence between 25 years and 40 years, followed by eligibility for parole. His maximum term would be 60 years. Psychologist King met with Crumbley several times, interviewed him and ran him through a series of psychological tests. He also reviewed his dark journal entries and text messages The mass shooter can't automatically be a given life sentence because of his age. Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe must consider the shooter's maturity, mental health, unstable family life and other factors set by the Supreme Court Prosecutors want a life prison sentence with no chance for parole. People with depression 'all don't become mass shooters, do they?' assistant prosecutor David Williams said in the hearing Psychologist King met with Crumbley several times, interviewed him and ran him through a series of psychological tests. He also reviewed the teen's dark journal entries and text messages. He disclosed that the teenager believed that a gun was going to be found in his backpack on the day of the shooting when he was sent to the office for drawing violent images in class. 'Ethan said for the first time in his life he felt relieved,' King testified. 'He said he just knew the sheriffs were going to burst into the office and arrest him because there was no way - after all that they saw - they werent going to search that backpack.' But the backpack was never checked, and the boy was allowed to remain in school. He later emerged from a bathroom and started shooting. King said Crumbley was raised in a turbulent home by parents who left him alone for hours, argued in front of him and weren't discreet when discussing infidelity, divorce and suicide. The boy was even forced to figure out what to do with his beloved dead dog. 'He can be considered a feral child,' King said. 'It is essentially a child who has been abandoned... Someone who is abandoned has what is called arrested development,' he said. 'They lack social cues. They become misfits in society.' Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting on November 30, 2021 The teenager's parents, Jennifer Crumbley (left) and James Crumbley (right), both face manslaughter charges for their son's actions King concluded the school shooter has major depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 'A number of innocent people died,' the psychologist said. 'I'm not here to make excuses for Ethan Crumbley. He planned the attack. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. He was mentally ill.' Prosecutors want a life prison sentence with no chance for parole. During cross examination of King, they suggested the psychologist was giving the shooter a break. People with depression 'all don't become mass shooters, do they?' assistant prosecutor David Williams said. Williams repeated evidence that was entered last week: journal writings and a video made the night before the shooting in which the teen declared his plan to attack the school. He noted that victim Justin Shilling was executed in a bathroom. 'You think that's the product of a juvenile brain?' Williams asked. 'I do,' King replied. A memorial to the four victims of Ethan Crumbley's shooting at the high school A parent hugging a child following the active shooter situation at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021 King said adults repeatedly missed opportunities to help the shooter. But Williams noted that help was just a few days away if the boy really wanted it. His parents had assured school staff that he would get counseling within 48 hours after they saw his violent drawings. Prosecutors last week called four people who witnessed the shooting, including a staff member who was wounded and a student who saved a wounded girl. It was the first time their accounts were aired in court. Separately, Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, face involuntary manslaughter charges. They're accused of ignoring their son's mental health needs and making a gun accessible at home. The Miller hearing will resume on August 18. The Covid-19 inquiry has already cost the taxpayer nearly 40million, figures have revealed. The three-year investigation has heard only 23 days' worth of evidence so far, with some of those hearings barely lasting half a day. But the gargantuan cost to the public purse is already becoming obvious. According to the inquiry's latest quarterly financial report, the period from April to the end of June added more than 14million to the cost. More than 20million has so far been spent on lawyers and solicitors, with 12 senior King's Counsel and 50 junior counsel appointed to work on the inquiry's legal team at a total cost of nearly 14million. The inquiry's chairman, Baroness Hallett (pictured), alone has cost nearly 200,000 since the probe was set up by former prime minister Boris Johnson in May 2021 And more than 100 civil servants involved have cost in excess of 5million during the probe's lifetime so far. The inquiry's chairman, Baroness Hallett, alone has cost nearly 200,000 since the probe was set up by former prime minister Boris Johnson in May 2021. And more than 1million has been spent in the past quarter on Every Story Matters, the mechanism for allowing people to share their experiences of the pandemic. It has cost more than 3.5million in total, including money spent on a large tapestry inside the inquiry's headquarters in Paddington, and an associated advertising campaign. Benjamin Elks, operations manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance campaign group, said: 'These large costs don't bode well for the Covid inquiry. 'Officials must ensure that this vital investigation delivers verdicts swiftly, not allowing dither and delay to rack up a huge bill.' A Covid-19 Inquiry spokesman said: 'The Inquiry chair, Baroness Hallett, set out in her opening statement the substantial task faced by the Inquiry. 'She made clear that, to do this properly, it will take time and have a significant cost. 'We regularly publish our financial information and have rigorous governance processes in place to make sure we are delivering value for money when fulfilling the inquiry's terms of reference.' More than 20million has been spent on lawyers and solicitors while the civil servants working on the inquiry have cost more than 5million (Pictured: Hugo Keith KC at the inquiry in June) More than 5.5million has been spent on 'operational and cross-cutting costs' during the course of the inquiry. This takes into consideration nearly 4million on accommodation, including the inquiry's hearing rooms and office space. The financial report shows that the various Covid modules have cost nearly 800,000 in total 350,000 in the past quarter. The first, which is looking into the UK's preparedness for a pandemic and its resilience in a health crisis, began in June and concluded last month. Costs include providing technology services and IT infrastructure to live stream the evidence online. It also supports witnesses giving evidence remotely. The next module, focused on decision-making and political governance, is due to start in October. Mr Johnson and Rishi Sunak, his chancellor during the pandemic, are both expected to give evidence. Thousands of passengers have been left stranded at Charleston International Airport after the local sheriff's helicopter crashed nearby. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Bell 407 aircraft crashed into the busy South Carolina airport at around 3.30pm local time on Tuesday, causing immediate delays to at least 44 flights. Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) said the pilot was the only person on board the chopper. A Charleston County Sheriff's Office helicopter crashed into Charleston International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. The pilot was the only person on board and he suffered non life threatening injuries, the office confirmed The Bell 407 aircraft crashed into the busy South Carolina airport at around 3.30pm local time on Tuesday, causing immediate delays to at least 44 flights 'He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to MUSC,' a spokesperson for the office said. They added that he reported a 'malfunction' a 'short time before the crash', though the cause has not yet been confirmed. Charleston International suspended all commercial flights in the wake of the crash, affecting at least 22 arrivals and 22 departures on Tuesday evening. 'Commercial flights have been temporarily suspended at Charleston International Airport due to an ongoing incident,' the North Charleston airport said. 'Travelers are asked to check in with their individual airlines before arriving at CHS for their flights.' It added that it would post further information on social media channels 'as updates arise'. The crash, which came after the pilot reported a 'malfunction', happened at the rear of the airport close to South Aviation Avenue Charleston International suspended all commercial flights in the wake of the crash, affecting at least 22 arrivals and 22 departures on Tuesday evening Footage from the scene showed several emergency service vehicles at the scene at South Aviation Avenue on the rear side of the airport. Officials from the US Airforce and the county sheriff's office could be seen responding to the incident. The FAA said it is investigating the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A former daycare worker accused of sexually abusing almost 100 children over 15 years was responsible for photography at one of his workplaces. The Gold Coast man, 45, has been charged with 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10. He is accused of carrying out more than 1,623 sickening offences at 10 childcare centres in Brisbane, one in NSW and one overseas between 2007 and 2022. One of his former employers was associated with a tertiary education facility where the man was given unofficial photography duties, the ABC reports. The 45-year-old has been in custody in Queensland since August 2022 after being arrested by AFP officers and hit with two counts of making child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service for child abuse material. Police alleged they found nearly 4,000 images on the man's digital devices. The revelation comes just hours after it was revealed the man had alleged links to a dark web paedophile network. It's understood that in 2014 when police were dismantling the paedophile ring, images and videos put the Gold Coast man on their radar. The network was run by Australian Shannon McCoole, who is now serving 35 years in prison for a litany of child sexual abuse offences. Shannon McCoole (pictured) was the head administrator of a website containing more than 50,000 images of child porn he distributed to other paedophiles. The Gold Coast man whose charges were announced this week was linked to his dark web network, police claim McCoole (pictured) is serving 35 years for a litany of child sexual abuse offences. He is not the 45-year-old Gold Coast man whose charges were first announced this week Police initially had no clue who made the material or where it was produced, but they uploaded it to an international law enforcement victim identification database in the hope a collaborative effort could provide more clues. Then in August 2022, bed sheets pictured in one of the sickening videos were traced by the AFP back to a Brisbane childcare centre in which the man had worked. Victim identification specialists then had to take on the immensely distressing task of combing through those images to identify the dozens of victims. In Queensland, people working and volunteering with children are required to have a Blue Card - which the man held at the time of his offending. Applications for a Blue Card are run through a National Reference system database to ensure any other jurisdictions in Australia have not made a 'adverse working with children decision' about the applicant. Other checks include whether the person has a charge or conviction of any offence, child protection orders or allegations of serious child-related sexual offences even if charges were not laid. Blue Card holders are monitored daily in case of any changes to their information, the Queensland government has said. AFP Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough acknowledged the alleged details would be 'deeply distressing' but assured the public that Australian victims have been identified A childcare centre worker has been charged with 1,623 child abuse offences against pre-pubescent girls (stock image) The 45-year-old man had been left alone with children, despite two previous police reports filed against him in 2021 and 2022. Queensland Police Commissioner Col Briggs said the reports were thoroughly investigated but there had been insufficient evidence to take any action. Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said she had ordered an urgent briefing on the status of the alleged offender's approval to work with children. Her department is responsible for approving 'Working with Children Checks'. 'Queensland has one of the toughest 'Working with Children Check' systems in the country including a 'No Card, No Start' Scheme but it's imperative we investigate to see if there are any areas in the system that need urgent action,' Ms D'Ath said. AFP Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough warned on Tuesday the alleged details would be 'deeply distressing' for the community, while NSW Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald described the matter as 'one of the most horrific child abuse cases he had seen in his 40-year career. Police allege the man recorded all his offences on phones and cameras while working at 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and 2018 to 2022; an early learning centre attached to a school overseas in 2013 and 2014; and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. 'Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender's devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination,' Assistant Commissioner Gough said. 'While I am extremely proud of law enforcement's persistence and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender and stop further abuse, this is chilling news.' Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath (pictured) said she had ordered an urgent briefing on the status of the man's approval to work with children Police have alleged the 91 victims were all prepubescent girls, with 87 living in Australia and four overseas. Officers involved in the investigation are 'highly confident' all alleged Australian victims have been identified with their parents notified. Some of the individuals identified in the alleged child abuse material are now adults. The man has been behind bars for the past 12 months with the matter next scheduled to be mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21. NSW Police has issued a first instance warrant for the man's future extradition in relation to 180 charges of child sexual abuse involving 23 alleged victims. The charges carry a life imprisonment. If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has been accused of being too lenient on China after a senior British minister met a notorious Beijing official now banned from meeting German politicians. Anne-Marie Trevelyan held talks with Liu Jianchao who is accused of overseeing the forceful return to China of dissidents living in the UK in June. Last week German counterintelligence warned politicians not to meet with Chinas International Liaison Department, which is headed up by Mr Liu, as the organisation acts as an intelligence agency. But Foreign Office sources suggested that Indo-Pacific minister Ms Trevelyan robustly engaged with Beijing during the meeting at the Great Britain-China Centre Senior Leadership Forum an approach which Mr Cleverly has defended. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the Foreign Secretary told him to get used to it when pressed over approving such meetings an account disputed by sources close to Mr Cleverly. Sir Iain said: This sort of thing makes us look ridiculous we seem to have an open-door policy towards China for fear of offending them. These sorts of people arent allowed in Germany, for example - why are we welcoming them? We are quickly becoming Chinas poodle. Anne-Marie Trevelyan held talks with Liu Jianchao who is accused of overseeing the forceful return to China of dissidents living in the UK in June Mark Sabah, of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said: [Mr Cleverly] is desperate to look like a statesman. Instead of taking the opportunity to reshape Britains relationship with Beijing and protect our national security, he is replicating the approach we used to have with Russia which led to so many issues. Last week Germanys Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution issued a safety notice for German politicians, warning them against all contact with the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China. Laura Harth, of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: This agency is an intelligence service acting on behalf of an adversarial regime that seeks on the one hand to influence narratives and policies abroad in line with its goals, and on the other seeks to crack down on dissent and critical voices. These methods represent the blueprint for the CCP [Chinese Communist Party]s growing transnational repression, including within the UK. These are not activities anyone in a democracy should ever get used to. Her report for human rights organisation Safeguard Defenders suggested Mr Liu bears responsibility for the forceful return to China of thousands of individuals through illegal methods. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has been accused of being too lenient on China after a senior British minister met a notorious Beijing official now banned from meeting German politicians It also said he helped institute a wanton climate of fear within overseas diaspora communities, aimed at silencing dissent and accounts of gross human rights violations. Defending Mr Lius visit, Rishi Sunak said Britains China policy makes provision for engagement. At a debate on the issue last month, Ms Trevelyan said: We consider it important to engage with our Chinese counterparts, where appropriate, to protect UK interests and build relationships. I therefore was comfortable sitting down with Liu Jianchao for a political dialogue... because I believe it is important to have such conversations. In every diplomatic relationship, being frank is possible only if the parties are in the room together. Last year, Mr Cleverly said that giving up on dialogue with China would be to give up on addressing humanitys greatest problems. He added: We must engage with China where necessary and be unflinchingly realistic about its authoritarianism. However a report from Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee has warned that China has penetrated every sector of the UKs economy. The Daily Mail has also exposed how China allegedly sent a spy to infiltrate a House of Commons briefing by Hong Kong dissidents. A Foreign Office spokesman said: The UK will engage robustly and constructively with China, not as an end in itself, but to manage risks and produce results. This is the shocking moment a group of Brits abroad in Ibiza get into a mass brawl with local street sellers, with one holidaymaker being severely beaten before the gang flee. Footage of the brawl in the party resort of San Antonio, appeared to show a topless tourist, thought to be British, being kicked and ferociously punched by several men. He continues to get beaten by the gang, with one even trying to stomp on him as he tries to get back up. Another man is seen rushing over to help the Brit, before tripping and falling onto the sand, while glass bottles were thrown and smashed to the ground. The fight came just moments after a group of young men and women, all thought to be from the UK, were seen fleeing from the area, while another unidentified man appeared to lay unconscious on the beach. Footage of the brawl in the party resort of San Antonio, appeared to show a topless tourist, described as British, being kicked and ferociously punched by several men It is unclear whether he was one of the street sellers or a tourist. Police in San Antonio confirmed reports of the fight that took place around 6.30am on Sunday by the resort's main beach S'Arenal. The cops are now looking to identify the group of British tourists and the street sellers who fled the scene. Local police are analysing CCTV footage to try to identify those involved so they can try to make arrests. It remains unclear how the violence erupted in the party town which is packed with Brits in the peak summer season. Police in San Antonio confirmed reports of the fight that took place around 6.30am on Sunday by the resort's main beach S'Arenal Its West End area, one of the best-known party areas in the resort, is a British stronghold. Last month it emerged police in the resort were hunting a British woman over a horror bottle attack on a hotel boss. The unnamed holidaymaker allegedly used the bottle to slash her victim's throat after refusing to pay a drinks bill. The deputy director of the unnamed hotel in San Antonio is said to have stepped in after a group the woman was with assaulted a waitress when she tried to charge them. The attacker fled the scene after leaving the female hotel chief with serious injuries. She is still believed to be on the run. Republicans claimed that the third indictment of former President Trump is a 'witch hunt' conveniently timed to come down one day after Devon Archer testified about the Biden family business deals. 'When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back. Trump did nothing wrong!' Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, cried on Twitter. 'Less than 24 hours ago, Congress heard testimony from Hunter Biden's longtime business partner that Joe Biden joined Hunter's business calls over 20 times,' said GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik. 'Today's sham indictment of Donald Trump is yet another desperate attempt to distract attention away from the mounting evidence of Joe Biden's direct involvement in his family's illegal influence peddling scheme.' Trump is facing four counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and obstruct the electoral count for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The 45-page indictment says he was determined to remain in power despite having lost. The former president has been summoned to appear before a federal magistrate judge on Thursday in Washington, D.C. There are also six unnamed alleged co-conspirators according to the indictment. Republicans claimed that the third indictment of former President Trump is a 'witch hunt' conveniently timed to come down one day after Devon Archer testified about the Biden family business deals. A source familiar had confirmed to DailyMail.com that Trump was informed he was indicted Tuesday afternoon in the January 6 case. Special Counsel Jack Smith is expected to make a public statement regarding the indictment at 6 p.m. He is already facing 40 federal charges in Florida relating to his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving office, and is due to stand trial in New York next year accused of falsifying business documents after making a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. The criminal cases have plunged the country into uncharted legal and political territory, as Trump accuses prosecutors of trying to derail his election campaign. The latest indictment comes amid a slew of investigations into the events of January 6, 2020, when Trump supporters clashed with police and overran the U.S. Capitol, and the way the then president tried to overturn the result. The Trump campaign put out a statement calling the indictment another 'witch hunt.' Speaker Kevin McCarthy linked the indictment to Archer's testimony in a Twitter post. 'Everyone in America could see what was going to come next: DOJs attempt to distract from the news and attack the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, President Trump.' Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., said of the indictment: 'It's no surprise at all that following Devon Archer's damning testimony yesterday, the DOJ drops more charges against President Trump. Their efforts at distraction can never change the real problem: President Biden is in serious trouble.' Other Republicans renewed calls to defund the FBI and Department of Justice. 'DEFUND JACK SMITH'S WITCH HUNT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP!' said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., accused the DOJ of undermining democracy. 'Our democracy depends on voters being able to vote for the candidate of their choice in a free & fair election. Biden's DOJ has decided to attack our democracy by interfering in the 2024 election to help their boss, Joe Biden, and hurt his chief rival, President Trump.' 'Election interference,' tweeted the House Judiciary Republicans. While Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips insisted Trump is 'innocent until proven guilty, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., insisted it's 'about damn time' Trump was charged. 'Donald Trump led a treasonous conspiracy to overturn the results of a free and fair election that he lost. Its about damn time he joins the over 1,000 domestic terrorists who have been charged for participating in the January 6th insurrection,' Gomez wrote on Twitter. 'Another indictment and another stain on our great nation. No one, even former presidents, is above the law in America and everyone, including former presidents, are innocent until proven guilty,' said Phillips. Special Counsel Jack Smith was appointed last year to lead the federal probe. In June, he brought charges in the documents case while continuing to present Jan. 6 evidence to a grand jury sitting in Washington D.C. Trump has always denied wrongdoing. 'Less than 24 hours ago, Congress heard testimony from Hunter Biden's longtime business partner that Joe Biden joined Hunter's business calls over 20 times,' said GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik 'When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back. Trump did nothing wrong!' Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, cried on Twitter But he revealed a few weeks ago that he had received a letter from the Justice Department indicating that he was a target of its Jan. 6 investigation. Such letters are generally an indication that the target will face charges. 'Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter stating that I am a target of the January 6th grand jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the grand jury, which almost always means an arrest and an indictment,' he posted on his Truth Social site. Once again, the former president managed to blow up the news cycle and his 2024 rivals' plans by revealing the latest legal twist himself. He added in all caps: 'This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement.' Smith, whose most recent role was prosecuting war crimes, has cast a wide net over Trump's efforts to stay in power. That includes examining lawyers who pushed to reverse results, proposals to seize voting machines, fundraising for the Jan. 6 protest, as well as a plan to use a slate of 'fake electors' in states won by Joe Biden to upend the certification process. British nationals trapped in Niger have been warned to stay indoors amid spiralling violence in the West African country following a military coup. The country has been plunged into chaos with violent protests breaking out and the French embassy targeted after mutinous soldiers ousted the democratically elected president nearly a week ago. Niger's borders were also closed, and now France and Italy have launched rescue missions to evacuate hundreds of European citizens, with no similar action yet announced by the UK government. The Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all travel to Niger, including to its capital of Niamey, and indicated that it is monitoring the situation there closely. Britons wishing to leave Niger are being advised to register their presence in the country with the FCDO as soon as possible, and to continue to follow travel advice. Passengers are seen outside the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 1 The Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all travel to Niger, including to its capital of Niamey French and other European citizens being registered as they wait outside the departures terminal of Niamey's Diori-Hamani international airport A French military transport plane carrying left Niger on Tuesday in the first evacuation flight since the military junta took power It is not clear how many British nationals remain in the country, but it is believed to be fewer than 100. Officials are believed to be liasing with European partners on the ground. France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals, concerned that they risked becoming trapped by the coup that won backing Tuesday from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers. A French military transport plane carrying left Niger on Tuesday in the first evacuation flight since the military junta took power. About 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danish, French officials said. The first flight carried mostly French nationals, and officials hope to finish the evacuation flights by Wednesday. About 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danish, French officials said Supporters wave flags as they rally in support of Niger's junta in front of the National Assembly in Niamey on July 30, 2023 With Niger's air space closed, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the nation's leader, but without withdrawing its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, diplomatic officials said. The ministry cited recent violence that targeted its embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for its decision to offer evacuation flights to its citizens and other Europeans. Spain's Defense Ministry announced preparations to evacuate more than 70 nationals, and Italy also said it was arranging a flight. The evacuations come during a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Bazoum. His apparent overthrow is a blow for Western nations that were working with Niger against West African extremists. In Niamey hotels, Europeans and other nationalities, including some Americans, packed bags. At the airport, hundreds of people lined up for hours waiting to leave on French evacuation flights. French nationals gather as they wait to be airlifted back to France on a French military aircraft, at the international airport in Niamey, Demonstrators gather in support of the putschist soldiers in Niamey, the capital city of Niger on July 30 A former French military official who had been training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press that he was departing even though his 'job is not finished.' Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, he said the military takeover took many people by surprise. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it could use force if coup leaders don't reinstate Bazoum within one week. The U,N, special envoy for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, held out hope that bloodshed could be avoided. He said during a virtual news conference Tuesday he expects ECOWAS to go ahead with the deployment of troops to Niger if Bazoum isn't restored to power. But 'I believe that other efforts are under way, so I hope the use of force will not be necessary,' if 'everybody talks in good faith. (and) wants to avoid bloodshed.' The new junta got backing from the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Protesters cheers for security forces on the sidelines of a protest in Niamey, Niger Mali and Burkina Faso said in a joint statement that 'any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.' The two countries also denounced ECOWAS' economic sanctions as 'illegal, illegitimate and inhumane' and refused to apply them. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Demonstrators hold Russian flags during the gathering in support of the putschist soldiers in the capital Niamey Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, also issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to 'come to its senses.' The evacuations followed violence Sunday that targeted the French Embassy, with protesters burning down a door and smashing windows before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Thousands of pro-junta supporters took to Niamey's streets. Some waved Russian flags along with signs reading 'Down with France' and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the references to Russia, but some demonstrators regard it as a symbol of anti-Western feelings. Some may also reflect support for the Russian mercenary group Wagner's reputation for ruthlessly suppressing militants. Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their coups, analysts say. Niger's coup could also embolden jihadi violence, some say. Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM, said the military overthrow is exactly what the jihadis want because it will distract and weaken the army. 'Jihadis are very supportive of this coup that happened in Niger, because it will allow them to become very strong,' he said. Moussa, who spoke to AP in Niamey, is part of a nationwide program to bring back jihadis, reintegrate them into society and use their help in counterterrorism efforts. It was spearheaded by Bazoum when he was minister of interior and is intended as an alternative to a military solution to stem violence across the country. The AP cannot verify that Moussa actively fought for JNIM. Pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, try to set it on fire before being dispersed by Nigerien security forces in Niamey on July 30 Nigerien security forces launch tear gas to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. READ MORE: French embassy in Niger is attacked as pro-Russia protesters march through capital Advertisement Niger's prime minister, who was appointed by Bazoum and was out of the country when the coup took place, urged the international community to help roll back the coup in order to defend democracy in West Africa. 'For the ECOWAS countries, it's a question of survival. For the international community too, it's a question of credibility. Niger must remain a democratic state,' Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said in an interview with The Associated Press in France. 'Niger is a key country in terms of security for the rest of Africa, but also for the rest of the world,' he said. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to try to mediate. The UK's Africa minister Andrew Mitchell called for the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to be 'immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order'. People display a Russia and a Niger flags outside the National Assembly building in Niamey Niger was seen as the last partner working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. In the capital, many people live in makeshift shelters and scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Niger was seen as the last partner working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. On Sunday, the UK government said it would be suspending long-term development assistance to the country in response to the coup. However, spending on humanitarian aid will continue, it said. The US will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is 'very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country,' said department spokesman Matt Miller. 'U.S. assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger.' No one could accuse Rishi Sunak of being a slow learner. The Prime Minister has quickly learned the lesson from the Uxbridge by-election: The public supports the worthy ambition to eliminate emissions but not at any price. So why is he ploughing on with the unpopular plan to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030? Families won't buy expensive electric vehicles with tiny mileage ranges. And with the deadline looming, the charging infrastructure is appalling and there are doubts the National Grid will cope with a huge rise in demand from battery-run cars. Yes, eco-vehicles are the future. But the cut-off date is unfeasible. It will clobber drivers and harm the economy. It should be pushed back. Even so, the Government's tangle over electric cars is nothing compared to the mess Keir Starmer is in. The Prime Minister has quickly learned the lesson from the Uxbridge by-election: The public supports the worthy ambition to eliminate emissions but not at any price Just Stop Oil is boasting that its asinine road-blocking protests, which have inflicted misery on millions, have shaped Labour's policy to ban new drilling in the North Sea even if it means importing fossil fuels from overseas at higher environmental cost. Sir Keir's preposterous virtue-signalling has left him in the pocket of these eco-anarchists. Could a man of such dreadful judgment really be trusted in No10? Our China crisis In his first foreign policy speech as Prime Minister, Mr Sunak declared the 'golden era' of relations with China was over. The West, he earlier warned, should no longer 'roll out the red carpet' for the repressive Communist regime, nor 'turn a blind eye to its nefarious activity'. Unfortunately, the Government's actions haven't matched his rhetoric. It is dispiriting that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly allegedly dismissed Tory MPs' concern about a minister meeting a Chinese official linked to the snatching of dissidents living in the UK. It was better, he said, to engage with Beijing. How typical of the arrogant and naive Foreign Office. No one should doubt China poses a huge economic and security threat. It is dispiriting that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly allegedly dismissed Tory MPs' concern about a minister meeting a Chinese official linked to the snatching of dissidents living in the UK Such credulity dates back to David Cameron and George Osborne, who greedily embraced its billions, allowing the regime to embed its apparatchiks in our banks, defence firms, top schools and universities. Ministers must stop being so hopelessly wide-eyed. China is not a benign economic partner. It is a remorseless tyranny which views us as its long-term enemy. Classroom clowns The teaching of controversial and fiercely contested 'critical race theory' to school pupils as young as five is completely unacceptable and hugely damaging. Telling white children they enjoy 'privilege' because of their skin colour, which tacitly encourages youngsters of colour to embrace victimhood, is divisive and dangerous. That such an insidious ideology has infiltrated British classrooms illustrates how thoroughly the education establishment has been captured by wokery. In fact, research shows working-class white boys are the most deprived ethnic group in the country. The idea they suffer from 'privilege' is nonsensical. The bottom line is, children aren't in school to be brainwashed. They are there to master reading, writing and arithmetic. With 40million of public money so far spent hearing just 23 days of evidence, the Covid inquiry is becoming a bloated exercise in profligacy. The tribunal's focus should be on establishing why health bodies left us so unprepared and whether the economic carnage caused by lockdown was justified in terms of lives saved. Yet the longer it goes on, the more obvious it turns into a bout of Tory and Brexit-bashing and a lucrative payday for lawyers. Tory plan to quit human rights court after election in wake of ban on life sentences Liberal Democrats are blocking an immediate withdrawal from the court Plans for a withdrawal in case of a Tory majority in 2015 could be published The change would leave British judges free to interpret the law Unhappy: David Cameron believes the European Court of Human Rights is increasingly acting as a court of appeal against rulings that should be left to sovereign governments, a source claimed Britain could leave the European Court of Human Rights if the Conservatives win the next election. Senior Tories are set to propose the radical plan after a series of controversial interventions from the Strasbourg court. David Cameron believes it is increasingly acting as a court of appeal against rulings that should be left to sovereign governments, a source claimed. Liberal Democrats are blocking an immediate exit, but plans for a withdrawal in the case of a Tory majority in 2015 could be published before next Mays European Parliament elections. This would leave British judges free to interpret the law without interference and see final appeals heard in the UK Supreme Court, not the ECHR. This week, the European court prompted fury by ruling that whole-life jail terms with no possibility of review for murderers such as Jeremy Bamber amount to inhuman and degrading treatment. An earlier ruling, calling for Britain to give prisoners the vote, has been rejected by MPs. Home Secretary Theresa May has also blamed the ECHR for the delay in deporting hate preacher Abu Qatada. The ECHRs backlog of 160,000 cases mean that an appeal against a British deportation judgment can delay someones removal by two years. Ministers say the ECHR has dangerously overreached its founding aim of protecting basic human rights abuses. Former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit added: There is only one way forward. First [Justice Secretary Chris] Grayling should tell the ECHR that the UK will ignore it. Plans: The Tories could leave the European Court of Human Rights if they win the next election New rules: Jailed murderers such as Jeremy Bamber having no right to a review of their sentence is inhuman, says the ECHR 'Then he should set out to repeal [the] Human Rights Act, then to renounce our membership of the European Convention. That might precipitate a crisis over our membership of the European Union. 'Well, ca va, as they say. It might save us a lot of trouble. Blame: Home Secretary Theresa May, left, has claimed that the ECHR was to blame for the delay in deporting Abu Hamza, right The Twickenham property is described as having 'development potential' A disused stairwell sold for 25,000 could be turned into a climbing wall, vertical farm, office pods, or even a 'wellness' space for therapy and yoga, experts have said. Located in Twickenham, West London, the quirky property was put on the market for 20,000, with people left pondering what it could be used for. The size and shape of the property make it unsuitable to be turned into housing and was instead described by the auction house as a 'long leasehold stairwell with development potential subject to planning permission'. Barnard Marcus Auctions Partner, James Paterson told MailOnline following the sale: 'The staircase generated a good amount of interest. We've had more than 8,000 hits on our YouTube video. 'There's potential for it to be used for storage or possibly development.' After the advert came out, viewers and property experts suggested the stairwell could be turned into office pods, a vertical farm, a gallery and even a 'wellness' space. Property expert Chris told MailOnline: 'I would guess that the staircase would be used as an advertising asset, or gifted to a community or charity to use to design and showcase artwork. 'I guess it could even be used as an abseiling or climbing wall.' Located in trendy Twickenham, it is not clear what any potential buyer could do with the space, but some have suggested that it could be transformed into a vertical farm or office pods A property expert suggested the space could be used as a climbing wall (stock image) Michelle Niziol, owner of IMS Property Group, said: 'I think we are going to see more of these 'spaces' being sold off, as commercial properties aim to streamline profits, tackle energy costs and utilise unused space. It could potentially create a boom of sustainable, urban spaces, which have the potential to benefit and positively affect the local and wider communities. 'An obvious choice for the stairwell would be cubed office spaces, or even a co-working space for local small business owners. Whoever buys the stairwell could be quite clever with the space to maximise use and profits. 'However, I think the best use of the stairwell is to create a living wellness space that everyone can benefit from. I can imagine the walls be turned into living walls, using plants and greenery, and the space used for wellness activities such as meditation, holistic therapy and yoga. 'The space will adapt quite well for this, and wellness practitioners can rent the space, or studio time and people could hire out space for their own wellness practices. It could be a peaceful haven within the city.' A virtual tour of the property behind a Starbucks shows the space littered with cardboard boxes, rusty bikes, dingy pieces of furniture, potted plants and piles of fire extinguishers. Broken windows and stained walls can also be seen in some of the pictures posted on housing website Zoopla. The stairs are not connected to the block of flats that it used to serve. The property went under the hammer this afternoon - and was snapped up for 5,000 above the expected sale price. Mr Paterson earlier told The Times newspaper: 'Previous quirky buildings we have sold include an iconic red telephone kiosk in South Kensington a few months ago.' Viewers of the Twickenham property have suggested it could be used as office pods (stock image) Some suggested it could also be turned into a vertical farm (Stock image) Average property prices in London have increased by 63 per cent in the last decade from 322,000 to 525,000. And this bizarre stairwell is the latest wacky property to go on the market as the London housing crisis worsens. One 'cosy' flat in West Kensington, costing 520 per month, had no toilet and came with a shower located directly under the bed. And in Hendon a landlord was fined for making tenants crawl up the staircase to reach their room which was situated in the attic, for 420 per month. The UK Government has announced plans to tackle the housing crisis by making it easier to turn empty shops and offices into homes. 'Tech neck' is plaguing the world, as people are straining their bones and muscles by looking down at screens for too long - but a survey finds Americans fare the worst. Wellness experts analyzed Google searches for 'tech neck' and 'fix bad posture,' finding both were higher in the US, followed by Australia and Canada. Research shows that the average American spends more than five hours scrolling and even more time staring at screens daily, leading to repeated strain on the bones and muscle stiffness. A wellness and posture expert has revealed quick fixes to elevate the pain and poor posture, such as yoga moves like the Standing Forward Bend and Warrior II Pose. The average adult head weighs 10-12 pounds, and tipping it forward at a 45-degree angle to stare at a smartphone increases the force on the neck by almost 50 pounds Tech neck can feel like the world's weight is on your shoulders because, in a way, it is. The average adult head weighs 10-12 pounds, and tipping it forward at a 45-degree angle to stare at a smartphone increases the force on the neck by almost 50 pounds. The New York-Presbyterian Hospital defines 'tech neck' as 'the fallout from spending too much time looking down at phones or tablets, or holding your head too far forward to look at a computer screen', which can cause 'soreness, stiffness, and even injury'. And although it seems easy to avoid, 'tech neck' poses numerous long-term side effects. It can cause headaches, numbness in your hands, and even permanent spine changes. This is because spending hours hovering over your phone can cause your neck muscles to lengthen and your chest muscles to shorten, increasing the pressure on your upper spine. The new survey, commissioned by ISSA Yoga, found searches for 'soar neck' increased by nearly 30 per cent in the US over the last month. Research shows that the average American spends more than five hours scrolling and even more time staring at screens daily, leading to repeated strain on the bones and muscle stiffness Ireland ranked fourth among tech neck sufferers, followed by Malta, Singapore and the UK. Finland, Norway and Cyprus ranked at the bottom of the top 10. 'Just as some people fall ill once they stop working before a holiday, others will realize that rushing to meet last-minute deadlines before the summer sun hits has had a detrimental effect on their posture, resulting in lower neck and upper back pain,' said Erika Weiss, a wellness and posture expert at ISSA Yoga. READ MORE: Doctors warn of 'tech neck' can be the equivalent of adding 50 pounds of pressure to it Experts warn the repeated strain on the bones, nerves and muscles can cause chronic pain. Muscle stiffness, joint inflammation, pinched nerves, arthritis, and even bone spurs or herniated discs can also occur. Advertisement 'This is particularly true for people who spend long periods at their desk without interruption or those who work remotely and are therefore less inclined to take restorative breaks.' Weiss stressed the importance of an ergonomic setup when using devices. 'One of the easiest ways to reduce discomfort caused by bad posture is to raise your devices so that they're on eye level,' she said. 'Try to be conscious of how straight you sit, and if you feel yourself start to slump when concentrating or struggling to read, try to catch yourself and take a break if you can. 'Avoid rolling your shoulders forward or outstretching your neck to look at your screen.' The same protocol should also be used post-work when unwinding, playing video games, or watching television. Another way to relieve tech neck is through yoga, as it stretches and relaxes the muscles that become tense during the day. Weiss suggested the best moves are low-impact that bend the spine without adding stress. However, the wellness expert warns yoga newbies against rushing into exercises. 'Many follow the most common or most popular routines without considering their suitability, which can exacerbate back issues and cause more soreness,' she said. 'Unless you're experienced, it's best to stick to the following moves that can alleviate neck and upper back pain - but make sure you don't push yourself too much at the start. 'Some moves you may want to try include the Standing Forward Bend (starting in the Raised Hands Pose), the Warrior II Pose, and the Extended Triangle Pose.' Ukraine has warned Vladimir Putin that more drone attacks coming just hours after a flying bot smashed into one of Moscow's skyscrapers for the second time in as many days. Although Kyiv refuses to officially take responsibility for such attacks inside Russia, this latest skirmish is considered to be part of a wider offensive aimed at shifting the focus of the conflict to the Kremlin's doorstep. Experts say the way Kyiv is looking to do this is with the help of drones in the air and by sea a 'cheap', expendable technology which has been revolutionising modern warfare over the past two decades. It is certainly turning attention from the First World War-style trench warfare that has been raging throughout Ukraine since the conflict broke out - and there's a reason the rest of the world is watching. Here, MailOnline looks at how drones are changing the face of future conflict, and why Ukraine is ratcheting up the use of them in an attempt to win the propaganda war and turn the tide of Putin's invasion. The future of war? MailOnline looks at how drones are changing the face of modern conflict, and why Ukraine is ratcheting up the use of them in an attempt to win the propaganda war and turn the tide of Putin's invasion. This graphic shows some of the benefits of using drones What has Ukraine said? There's no doubt that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has a plan. In the aftermath of the original skyscraper attack, he warned that it was a sign the war was coming back to Putin. One of his advisers, Mykhailo Podolyak, went on to add that Moscow should now be getting used to a 'full-fledged war' that is moving to the territory of the 'authors' of the conflict. Many military observers believe Ukraine's use of drones could play a pivotal role in tipping the balance of power in its favour, although their ability to deliver a decisive blow seems unlikely. Investigators examine a damaged skyscraper in the 'Moscow City' business district after a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, early on Sunday So far much of the war has been played out on the battle-lines of eastern Ukraine, where trench warfare has been used to great effect by Zelensky's troops and forced Russia to build similar systems. This tactic, synonymous with the front lines of the Great War, is worlds away from the 21st century introduction of drones. But it appears Zelensky is trying to fuse the two - future with the past - as part of a new strategy to strengthen the spotlight on Putin in the eyes of the Russian people. As BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner puts it, the drone attacks on Moscow are 'the most graphic reminder yet to Russians that President Putin's war is reaping the exact opposite to what it was intended to achieve.' He added: 'Back in February 2022, when the invasion was presented as a "special military operation", the Kremlin announced it was essential in order to make the homeland safer. That is now patently untrue.' On July 25, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also announced that the country was planning to increase its investment in drone technology tenfold from around $108 million last year to over $1 billion this year. Where has Kyiv used drones? Firstly, it's important to point out that Ukraine has never admitted responsibility for initiating attacks on Russian soil. However, Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of carrying out drone strikes on its territory in recent months, including one on the Kremlin - Putin's official residence in the capital - back in May. The latest such incident, which Russia called a Ukrainian 'terrorist attack', saw an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) smash into a skyscraper housing government ministries for the second time in two days. According to Russian media reports monitored by BBC Verify , there have been in excess of 120 suspected drone attacks this year in Russia and Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine Two more Ukrainian drones were also shot down by anti-aircraft systems elsewhere in the Moscow region, Russia's defence ministry said. On top of this, the Kremlin claims that three Ukrainian unmanned boats trying to attack Russian naval ships in the Black Sea had been destroyed. According to Russian media reports monitored by BBC Verify, there have been in excess of 120 suspected drone attacks this year in Russia and Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine. The majority of these have been in the Bryansk and Belgorod regions in Russia near the western border with Ukraine, as well as in Russian-annexed Crimea. The Ukrainian army has also established 60 new attack drone squadrons, at least one in every military brigade. Why are drones becoming more common in war? For one, they are a much cheaper way of having an air force on the cheap. No longer are drones just the preserve of military superpowers but instead offer countries like Ukraine a relatively new option in the theatre of war. That is part of the reason why the world is watching the conflict so closely. Many see what is playing out between Russia and Ukraine as somewhat of a blueprint for future warfare, where artificial intelligence and unmanned robot aircraft or vehicles are commonplace. Countries want to see if drones can have a decisive impact on a modern-day conflict by capturing battlefield images, relaying co-ordinates and striking targets. 'Drones can be deployed quickly, for long periods of time, and to lethal effect at lower financial cost and risk to life for those using them, compared to piloted aircraft or ground forces projected over great distances,' said Professor Stefan Wolff, of the University of Birmingham. 'This makes it more likely that we will see more (covert) drone warfare, but less (declared) war.' Of course, it is not just Kyiv deploying such tech. Putin also has so-called 'kamikaze' drones from Iran which have been used to attack Ukrainian cities and power stations. Not only that, but there has also been incidences where the two countries' UAVs have engaged in fighting. 'This is something we havent seen before,' said Caitlin Lee, who leads the Center for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Autonomy Studies at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies in Arlington. 'This is the first time seeing drone-on-drone conflict.' What are some of the benefits? As mentioned above, drones are much cheaper than fighter planes. They are also expendable and don't come with the loss of military personnel because they're unmanned. 'States and non-state groups that can't afford to buy fighter jets can buy drones,' Paul Scharre, of the Center for New American Security, has previously told the BBC. 'While drones are not as capable as fighter jets, they give actors access to some airpower. As mentioned above, drones are much cheaper than fighter planes. They are also expendable and don't come with the loss of military personnel because they're unmanned 'Combined with digital technologies that enable high-definition surveillance and precision strike, drones can be quite lethal to ground forces.' Drones also create more attention than attacks by fighter jets, according to Scharre. Other benefits of UAVs are that they are hard to detect on radar, are powered by artificial intelligence that can jam enemy communications, and can fly slower and lower to the ground than other military aircraft. This allows them to better evade air defence systems. They can also be armed with small, laser-guided bombs, experts say. New types of drone are also emerging all the time, including one unveiled by an Israeli company at the end of 2021 which carries an assault or sniper rifle. Are they replacing trench warfare? No, it's more about the message Ukraine is trying to send. Zelensky wants to show the Russian public the true reality of Putin's war. He said Ukraine was 'getting stronger' and the war is gradually returning to Russian territory to its 'symbolic centres and military bases', adding that this is 'an inevitable natural and fair process'. A spokesman for Ukraine's Air Force also said that the latest drone attacks were aimed at Russians who, since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, felt the war was distant. 'There[s always something flying in Russia, as well as in Moscow. Now the war is affecting those who were not concerned,' Yurii Ihnat said on Ukrainian television. Trench warfare still continues to rage in parts of eastern Ukraine, including in the city of Bakhmut that Kyiv forces are trying to retake. The war has also been fought through the air, with artillery and rocket strikes being delivered by both sides over a heavily-mined battlefield, so the drones now being extensively used by Russia and Ukraine are just a small part of the puzzle. Ukrainian fighter drops grenades into Russian trenches near Bakhmut in footage released by the Office of Strategic Communications on Saturday, Jul. 08, 2023 What drones do Ukraine and Russia have? Ukraine's UAVs Bayraktar TB2 Ukraine has been using Turkey-made Bayraktar TB2 drones since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February last year. The missile-equipped UAVs have been highly efficient at striking Russian targets, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, said. They have managed to destroy columns of Russia's tanks and armoured vehicles as well as a series of multiple launch rocket systems and anti-aircraft systems. At least for a time, the Bayraktar TB2, which has a 12-metre wingspan and can soar to 25,000 feet before swooping down to destroy tanks and artillery with laser-guided armour-piercing bombs, has helped undermine Russia's overwhelming military superiority. Indeed, a Bayraktar drone was used in the attack which sank the Russian warship Moskva in the Black Sea in April 2022. And in the year since the Russia's invasion of Ukraine, drones have become an integral part of the war, with both sides playing a game of 'cat and mouse' to see who can come up with the best technology and tactics. Above: A graphic showing how different Ukrainian and Russian drones compare Ukraine has been using Turkey-made Bayraktar TB2 drones (pictured) since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February last year Aerorozvidka R18 The Ukrainian-made R18 'octocopter' drone is able to drop explosives weighing up to 5kg on its targets and has been able to destroy more than 130 million worth of Russian artillery since the war began more than a year ago. It has a range of up to 4km and is designed for total visual stealth in the dark with thermal-imaging cameras, meaning that at night, Ukrainian forces are able to spot Russian troops and machinery without the drone being seen. Ukraine's R18 drone is produced by Aerozvidka - an organisation that began eight years ago as a group of drone enthusiasts who saw potential for quadcopter technology in warfare. Now, the group works closely with Ukrainian forces. The R18 drone (pictured) has a range of up to 4km and is designed for total visual stealth in the dark with thermal-imaging cameras, meaning that at night, Ukrainian forces are able to spot Russian troops and machinery without the drone being seen DJI Mavic Both Russia and Ukraine have been using small and cheap commercial models of drones during the war - especially Kyiv with its DJI Mavic UAV, which costs about 1,700. Scores of DJI Mavic drones, created by Chinese company DJI, have been donated by Ukrainians to be used by their military in the fight against Russia. The Ukrainian military has been calling for citizens to donate their hobby drones and to volunteer as experienced pilots to operate them - and now the public have formed a volunteer drone force. The DJI Mavic can be fitted with small bombs, but it is mainly used to track enemy troops with its front-loaded camera and to help Ukrainian forces on the ground to direct their attacks. The drone is a quadcopter capable of carrying a Molotov cocktail horizontally before it is directed by the Ukrainian command to drop the explosive on its target. Switchblade 300 The United States has sent Ukraine around 700 Switchblade drones, which can circle above a battlefield before nose diving down onto their targets and exploding like a missile. The killer Switchblade drones, made by American company AeroVironment, are relatively easy to use and could be highly effective in attacking Russian forces. The United States has sent Ukraine around 700 Switchblade drones, which can circle above a battlefield before nose diving down onto their targets and exploding like a missile. The drones, which have a range of 40 km (25 miles), can be used against vehicles including trucks, tanks and armored personnel carriers. They are single-use weapons as they fly into their targets and detonate on impact. Russia's UAVS Shahed-136 - rebranded as Geran-2 by Russia Russian forces have used the Iranian-made Shahed drones - which Moscow has rebranded as Geran-2 - in the war. While sophisticated drones have been used by Ukrainian forces that can launch missiles, such as the US-made Predator, the Geran-2 is far far cruder. Packed with explosives, the Shahed UAVs can be preprogrammed with a target's GPS coordinates. They are known as suicide drones because they nosedive into targets and explode on impact like a missile. Russian forces have used the Iranian-made Shahed drones - which Moscow has rebranded as Geran-2 - in the war (pictured above Kyiv on October 17) Kronshtadt Orion Russia's Orion UAV has been hailed by the Kremlin as their best strike drone due to its 'fighter-like' capabilities. The Orion is a middle-altitude, long flight drone with a maximum flight altitude of about 25,000 feet and it can remain in the air for up to 24 hours. It can travel at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour and can carry up to 250 kg of weaponry, which includes four aerial bombs and guided missiles in total. Russia's Orion UAV has been hailed by the Kremlin as their best strike drone due to its 'fighter-like' capabilities Orlan-10 The Kremlin has claimed Russian forces have more than 1,000 small, versatile Orlan-10 drones that they use for reconnaissance, targeting, jamming and mobile phone interception. The 'Sea Eagle' Orlan 10 UAV is a deceptive, relatively low-tech and cheap killer in Russia's arsenal. It has directed many of the 20,000 artillery shells that Russia has fired daily on Ukrainian positions in 2022, killing up to 100 soldiers per day, according to Ukrainian commanders. Eleron-3SV Russia developed its Eleron-3SV drone in 2013 and it has been used in Ukraine to conduct reconnaissance missions in the day and night. The drone, which costs around 130,000, has an operating range of 15 miles and can remain in the air for two hours at maximum altitude of three miles. Since the war began, Ukrainian troops have claimed they have captured two of of the Eleron-3 drones. An expert already suggested moving Earth from the sun to solve global warming It's so bonkers that you might assume it's just the plot of an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster. But scientists really are toying with the idea of catching an asteroid, in the name of saving the planet from climate change. The bizarre mission, if ever given the go ahead, would then see a massive umbrella stuck on top of the trapped rock to shield Earth from the sun's rays. Istvan Szapudi, an astronomer from the University of Hawaii, argued his far-fetched concept was merely an enormous 'solar shield'. The shield which would be made of the ultra strong 'wonder material' graphene would block energy from the sun and cool down our planet. Istvan Szapudi, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii, suggests tethering a massive 'solar shield' from an asteroid out in space Artist's impression of the system: The asteroid, bottom left, is tethering the triangular solar shield, which is blocking sunlight READ MORE: Expert suggests moving Earth away from the sun Moving Earth further away from the sun would require an asteroid performing a gravity assist or 'slingshot' manoeuvre Advertisement The academic has outlined his madcap idea in a new paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Much like being under an umbrella in hot weather, the space shield would cool down Earth, but without plunging us into the next ice age. 'In Hawaii, many use an umbrella to block the sunlight as they walk about during the day,' Szapudi said. 'I was thinking, could we do the same for Earth and thereby mitigate the impending catastrophe of climate change?' The 'solar shield' concept has been proposed before, notably in a recent study that proposed using moon dust as the sunlight blocker. Other studies have described using a physical man-made shield that acts as an umbrella much like Szapudi's idea. But according to the academic, no one has yet addressed how such a object could be feasibly launched into space and stay in position once it gets there. Even if a rocket were able to launch the multi-billion ton solar shield, it could potentially be blown out of position by powerful solar radiation. And the lighter the solar shield is to get it up into space, the greater the likelihood of it getting blown about once there. He suggests stationing the contraption at the 'L1' Lagrange point a position in space between Earth and the sun where objects sent there tend to stay put. But even then solar radiation could blow away a light sunshield. Already, studies have proposed using a physical man-made shield that acts like an umbrella READ MORE: Humanity is 'unequivocally facing a climate emergency', report warns Carbon dioxide levels are at their highest on record Advertisement Szapudi therefore suggests using an asteroid as a counterweight, which would be attached via a tether to the solar shield. Importantly, the asteroid counterweight would give the contraption sufficient weight to stop it from blowing away. But it would also make the total mass launched from Earth less, meaning a launch of the device would be far more feasible. According to Szapudi, the weight of the shield and counterweight combined would be approximately 3.5 million tons, about 100 times lighter than previous estimates for an untethered shield. While this number is still far beyond current launch capabilities, only 1 per cent of the weight about 35,000 tons would be the shield itself, and that is the only part that needs to be launched from Earth. The remaining 99 per cent would be the asteroid to which it's tethered. Szapudi admits that the shield 'has enough weight to wreak havoc' if it accidentally crashes on Earth and he highlights the importance of the tethers. 'If multiple tethers hold the shield, breaking one or two would not create an accident,' he said. 'When down to two tethers, the shield automatically turns away from the solar radiation (like a sail when the rigging breaks), and the counterweight pulls the structure safely toward the sun. 'The structure would be lost in the worst case, but the security threat to Earth is negligible.' There are 'several scenarios' of how the asteroid would be captured and have the tethers attached, according to Szapudi. 'My favourite would be to attach the shield to a suitable asteroid needing minimal orbit manipulation, and use the sunshield itself like a solar sail, and drift the whole system into the right position,' he told MailOnline. Getting an asteroid to perform a 'slingshot' manoeuvre with Earth could move us further from the sun, the scientist suggests (file photo) To build the shield, the expert suggests using graphene a sheet form of carbon that is just one atom thick but incredibly strong. Graphene prices are dropping and could fall to $1 per square metre within a decade, which would mean the structure could be built 'soon'. While the idea seems improbable, engineering studies using this approach could start now to create a workable design that could mitigate climate change within decades. In his paper, he warns that climate change is 'a looming threat to the way of life for a significant fraction of humanity'. 'Sustained research and development must start now to produce an engineering solution in time as an insurance policy,' the paper reads. 'A tethered shield can always be deployed if other efforts to mitigate climate change fail.' Scientists have revealed the face of what may be the 'oldest human' to walk the Earth - a woman who lived 45,000 years ago. Her dark features were brought to life by an international team of academics from Brazil, Australia and Italy using a digital model of her broken skull. The fossilized remains recovered in Czechia more than 70 years ago are only a portion of the skull, as researchers believe she was consumed by an animal after death. While the team did not have access to the ancient skull, they used already recorded measurements and reference images, which the researchers previously used to recreate the face of Tutankhamun this year. The woman, dubbed Zlaty kun, or golden horse, was among the first Homo sapiens to live in Eurasia after our species migrated out of Africa - and her genome carried about three percent Neanderthal ancestry. Zlaty kun is considered a modern human, as this group had very large brains compared to early humans that emerged from ape-like ancestors. The woman, dubbed Zlaty kun, or golden horse, was among the first Homo sapiens to live in Eurasia after our species migrated out of Africa The process of using images and recorded measurements is known as facial approximation, which is used in forensic studies. It is the prediction of a face from a skull without prior knowledge of the decedent's actual facial appearance before they died. Study co-author Cicero Moraes, a Brazilian graphics expert, told Live Science that he and the team used statistical data recorded in 2018 by researchers who created a reconstruction of the skull for educational purposes. This was used with two CT scans of a modern man and woman, resulting in the digital face. What most caught our attention was the robustness of the structure [of the face], especially the mandible [lower jaw],' Moraes said. 'When [archaeologists] found the skull, the first experts who analyzed it thought it was a man, and it's easy to understand why, in addition to the skull having characteristics that are very compatible with the male sex of current populations,' which include a 'robust' jaw. 'We see that the jaw structure of Zlaty kun tends to be more compatible with Neanderthals.' The fossilized remains recovered in Czechia more than 70 years ago are only a portion of the skull, as researchers believe she was consumed by an animal after death Her dark features were brought to life by an international team of academics from Brazil, Australia and Italy using a digital model of her broken skull The gray-scaled images allowed them to generate more objective and scientific shots of the ancient woman's face, allowing them to then add color, hair and fur The skull was found in nine pieces in 1950 in a Bulgarian cave called Bacho Kiro. Moraes told Live Science archaeologists believe animals gnawed on the woman's face post-death. 'This animal could have been a wolf or a hyena ([both were] present in the fauna at that time), he said. READ MORE: Scientists reconstruct the face of a female mummy who died 2,600 years ago Scientists have spent months creating the reconstruction of what they call the most famous Egyptian mummy in Switzerland known as Shep-en-Isis, or Schepenese, using CT scans and morphological data from her skeleton. Advertisement 'Despite covering a considerable part of the surface of a composite skull (skull + mandible), the structure is missing some regions, most notably part of the nasal bone, part of the maxilla, left orbit and the left part of the frontal bone,' reads the study published on July 18. 'In 2018, a multinational team of researchers proceeded with the work of three-dimensional reconstruction of the missing regions, using statistical data extracted from a group composed of 31 skulls, 15 of men and 15 of current women, scanned by computed tomography at the Center Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) of Bordeaux, France, and from the Moca skull, found in Slovakia, dated to 13,100 BP.' The recent work used the 2018 skull recreation, available in an open publication, and recreated a digital skull that closely resembled Zlaty kun. The team also used 30 other skulls of different ancestries and sexes to fill in the woman's gaps. 'The final images were generated using Blender 3D's Cycles renderer and consisted of views of the bust composed in order to show the most objective elements of the face, focusing on the general structure,' researchers wrote in the paper. 'For images with objective elements, the eyes were closed, the image converted into grayscale, the bust does not have hair.' Moraes told Live Science the gray-scaled images allowed them to generate more objective and scientific shots of the ancient woman's face, allowing them to then add color, hair and fur. The result is a lifelike image of a woman with dark, curly hair and brown eyes. 'We looked for elements that could compose the visual structure of the face only at a speculative level since no data was provided on what would be the color of the skin, hair and eyes,' Moraes said. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany announced in 2021 that Zlaty kun lived just 2,000 years after the first interspecies trysts between humans and Neanderthals. The DNA from this person and their population is not seen in modern-day people in either Asia or Europe, where Homo sapiens later colonized, the researchers found. This evidence, the academics said, means the Czechia individual is almost certainly older than other contenders with a claim as the earliest human fossil in Europe. Travellers are being warned to resist posting pictures from their holidays to social media while away and to avoid uploading pictures of their boarding passes altogether. Holiday snaps can signpost to criminals that theres an empty house to target, while boarding passes contain personal information that can help hackers ruin a vacation, according to a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN. Even if only the barcode of a flight ticket is visible in the picture, hackers can scan it and find out such information as a travellers full name, reservation number and sometimes even contact information, says NordVPNs Adrianus Warmenhoven. He explains that after scanning the barcode, hackers can use the data to steal money from payment cards, get into a passengers airline account, steal their mileage points, change details for upcoming flights - or cancel them - or even steal their identity. Warmenhoven says that a hacker might call a traveller up during their trip pretending to be the airline representative and ask for credit card details to confirm a return flight. Travellers are being warned to resist posting pictures from their holiday to social media while away and to avoid uploading pictures of their boarding passes altogether And cybercriminals can gather more information about their victim on social media and then try to call the airline, pretending to be a traveller, Warmenhoven warns. He says that boarding pass information and other valuable details found online can help criminals trick even the most secure travel agency or airline company into sharing their customers information. He adds: After collecting this huge amount of data about their victim, criminals can proceed to sell it on the dark web or even worse, steal the victims identity, enabling the hacker to commit fraud such as opening credit card accounts or making unauthorised purchases. A safe way to share vacation photos online While posting your boarding pass is never safe, there are ways to share your vacation with your followers and stay secure online at the same time, says Warmenhoven. Here he reveals how 1. Always post photos after you are back from vacation. Its better to hold off posting photos or information that indicates youre vacationing while youre away. Dont let your followers know your home is empty. Holiday snaps can signpost to criminals that theres an empty house to target 2. Make sure your account settings are set to private. One of the most important pieces of information to know before you post anything online is who youre sharing your information with. Make sure that your account settings are set to private and your posts are visible to your friends only instead of everyone on the internet. 3. Never share personal information on social media. Remove personal details, such as your home address and telephone number, from your profile pages because there, they are easily accessible. Dont make status updates sharing your location. And never post photos of your passport, plane tickets, or any other documents. 4. Be careful with free public Wi-Fi. If you eventually decide to post anything online while abroad, ensure your connection is secure. Cafes, shops, and hotels offer unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Users need to be especially cautious when connecting to these networks because they are easily monitored. Hackers may position themselves as a Wi-Fi hotspot or use special software to steal data from unprotected networks. One of the best ways to safely use public Wi-Fi is by installing a VPN [virtual private network]. It's set to be a turbulent week on the cobbles as the community band together to try and save the beloved Rovers Return and lies begin to unravel. As Gemma steps up to use her charm to lure Henry Newton into buying the pub, will Chesney be able to put aside his dislike for the former flame and trust his wife? Meanwhile Stephen gets hot under the pressure as the report of Rufus' death is released and his widow Lou begins to explore her suspicions. Tensions build between Stu and Eliza as she begins to lie and secretly contact her dad leading to a row. Here's everything you need to know about next week's action in Weatherfield... Can Gemma save the Rovers? Is it the end of the Rovers? George lets slip to Chesney (Sam Aston) that Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) is meeting Henry (George Banks) and going to try and work her magic on him Trust: Does Chesney trust his wife to work with Henry to save the pub? A deal is made: Henry and Gemma have a successful meeting as he agrees to buy the Rovers if she takes the job as his PA Former flame: The pair have history together, how will Chesney react? It could be the end of the Rovers Return as Henry (George Banks) gently breaks the news to Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews) that having looked at the accounts, the brewery isn't prepared to buy the pub. As property developers are sent to value the pub, George (Tony Maudsley) suggests that given her history with Henry, Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) could use her womanly wiles to change his mind about buying the place. Will it work? Gemma arrives at a hotel expecting to work on a cider promotion yet Henry confesses that there is no promotion and he just wanted some time alone with her. Meanwhile George lets slip to Chesney (Sam Aston) that Gemma is with Henry. Furious that she has lied, Chesney flies off the handle and heads to the hotel. What will he find? At the pub Daisy (Charlotte Jordan) explains to a gutted Steve (Simon Gregson) and George that Jenny has no option but to sell up. Gemma tries to explain to her husband that she is not interested in Henry and was only trying to save the Rovers. Elsewhere Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove) has a word with Chesney, saying that he needs to put his own feelings aside and prove to Gemma that he trusts her. After a successful meeting with Henry, Gemma reveals to Chesney that he has agreed to buy the Rovers but on the condition she takes the job as his PA. How will he react? Is it all unravelling for Stephen? Building tension: Rufus'widow Lou (Eleanor Howell) is on the scene as heads to the factory to reveal she suspects foul play and has contacted the Gazette, forcing Stephen to mask his panic Hot under the collar: Stephen (Todd Boyce) is horrified to see his tie pin in Rufus's bag that was found by the side of the pool Is it all unravelling for the killer? Stephen is shocked when Lou reveals she is going to show the tie pin to the police as it didn't belong to Rufus Stephen (Todd Boyce) gets hot under the collar this week as the inquest into Rufus' death is due to be released. His widow Lou (Eleanor Howell) is on the scene as she reveals she suspects foul play and has contacted the Gazette, forcing Stephen to mask his panic. Alone in the factory office, Stephen scours the press for reports about Rufus's death. The results of the report are in and Lou confides in Stephen and Carla (Alison King) that the Coroner found that Rufus (Steven Meo) died by misadventure. As far as Lou is concerned Rufus's drug fuelled death still doesn't stack up, but Stephen attempts to assure her it was obviously a tragic accident. Later in the week his guilt takes hold and he visits Rufus' memorial. He then unexpectedly meets his victim's son Jools, who enquires as to how he knew his dad. When Jools makes an emotional speech about his Dad, Stephen hurries off to the gents, watched by Carla and Lou. He returns and is horrified to see his tie pin in Rufus's bag that was found by the side of the pool. Stephen is shocked when Lou reveals she is going to show the tie pin to the police as it didn't belong to Rufus. Is it all unravelling for the killer? Sabrina issues an ultimatum to Max Upset: A downcast Lauren (Cait Fitton) watches Max from across the street as he heads home with Sabrina (Lauren pictured) Ultimatum: Sabrina (Luana Santos) admits to Max (Paddy Beaver) that she really likes him but as long as Lauren remains in his life, a relationship is out of the question New job: Lauren has got a new job working in the cafe Jealousy: A dishevelled Adam (Sam Robertson) returns from his night out and in a bid to make Sarah (Tina O'Brien) jealous Wild night: Adam tells Daniel (Rob Mallard) he had a great night and didn't get much sleep After Shona (Julia Goulding) gets Lauren (Cait Fitton) a job at the cafe, Max (Paddy Beaver) wishes Lauren good luck as she heads for her first shift. He promises to pop into the cafe later to give her some moral support, but when Sabrina (Luana Santos) suggests the two hang out together at No.8, Max sends Lauren a text telling her he won't have time to drop by. Unbeknown to him, a downcast Lauren watches him from across the street as the couple head home together. Sabrina admits to Max that she really likes him but as long as Lauren remains in his life, a relationship is out of the question. Max is torn, who will he choose? Elsewhere a dishevelled Adam (Sam Robertson) returns from his night out and in a bid to make Sarah (Tina O'Brien) jealous, tells Daniel (Rob Mallard) he had a great night and didn't get much sleep. Eliza plays games with Stu Shock: Yasmeen (Shelley King) and Stu (Bill Fellows) are shocked to find Eliza (Savannah Kunyo) with a strange man at the precinct Secrets: Yasmeen and Stu return home to find Eliza Woodrow facetiming her Dad Angry: Stu loses his temper at Eliza and a row ensues A new career? Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) returns home to find Bernie (Jane Hazelgrove) setting up a massage table. What could go wrong? Eliza (Savannah Kunyo) lies to Yasmeen (Shelley King) and Stu that she is going to holiday club but Stu (Bill Fellows) later finds out there is no holiday club. When he finally finds her he is shocked to see her with a strange man at the precinct. Eliza confides in Sam (Jude Riordan) that she's worried her Mum might try and stop her from seeing her Dad. Meanwhile Stu calls Bridget (Beth Vyse) and informs her that Eliza and her father have been in contact. Later in the week Stu apologises to Eliza for the way he treated her Dad, but the young girl is unforgiving. Yasmeen and Stu then return home to find her facetiming her Dad causing Stu to lose his temper and row to ensue. Elsewhere in the soap Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) returns home to find Bernie setting up a massage table. Bernie reveals that she found it in a skip and plans to use it to earn a bit of cash. What could go wrong? Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Emmerdale returns with another action packed week that will leave fans glued to the box, with kidnap, dodgy dealings and family drama galore. In upcoming scenes, Laurel finds herself in danger after she's kidnapped by an increasingly unstable Colin Hamston as he plan to head to India with husband Jai goes wrong. Meanwhile, Nate is on dangerous ground as he secretly plays both new boss Corey and Caleb in a bid to earn some extra cash. Elsewhere, with prison looming, a desperate Dan and Amelia make the huge decision to go on the run. Here's everything you need to know about next week's action in the Dales.... Oh no! In upcoming scenes, Laurel finds herself in danger after she's kidnapped by an increasingly unstable Colin Hamston as he plan to head to India with husband Jai goes wrong The great escape? Elsewhere, with prison looming, a desperate Dan and Amelia make the huge decision to go on the run. Laurel is trapped by Colin Emotions run high this week as Laurel and Jai's plans to leave for India are jeopardised by a distraught Archie. Chaos ensues when Laurel reveals Archie's illness, leading Jai to explode in anger. The house soon becomes a battlefield and Laurel's attempts to calm him prove futile, leaving him even more upset. Soon Jai's solo journey to India begins, while Laurel contemplates her guilt at home and receives a warning from his cousin Suni. Determined to support Jai, Laurel decides to join Jai in India. When Laurel goes to retrieve Marshalls passport, Colin turns nasty and locks her in Marshalls bedroom. Terrified and scared and without her phone Laurel is trapped and needs to find a way to free herself from Colin's grip. Uh oh: Determined to support Jai, Laurel decides to join Jai in India. When Laurel goes to retrieve Marshalls passport, Colin turns nasty and locks her in Marshalls bedroom Scary: Terrified and scared and without her phone Laurel is trapped and needs to find a way to free herself from Colin's grip Worried: Suni and Nicola worry they havent heard from Laurel. Sunis suggestion to message Jai and find out is shut down by Nicola, who thinks they might need some space Suni and Nicola worry they havent heard from Laurel. Sunis suggestion to message Jai and find out is shut down by Nicola, who thinks they might need some space. Negotiations, prayers and a desperate plan unfold as Colin's unstable behaviour escalates. Laurel tries to escape when she hits Colin over the head and tries to dash for the door but shes locked in. Meanwhile, Jai, Nicola and Suni are all very concerned about her absence and Arthur reveals Laurel was meant to pick up Marshalls passport from Colins. In the house, unstable Colin forces Laurel to unlock her phone and Colin texts Jai in a way which implies Laurel has relapsed. Taking action: Laurel tries to escape when she hits Colin over the head and tries to dash for the door but shes locked in Fears: Meanwhile, Jai, Nicola and Suni are all very concerned about her absence and Arthur reveals Laurel was meant to pick up Marshalls passport from Colins Dangerous: Colin's reactions become increasingly dangerous. The arrival of a police officer raises hope for Laurel's rescue, but Colin's manipulation prolongs her ordeal Can Laurel be saved? Before long Jai and Suni take matters into their own hands in their search for Laurel. But will they find her? Colin's reactions become increasingly dangerous. The arrival of a police officer raises hope for Laurel's rescue, but Colin's manipulation prolongs her ordeal. Before long Jai and Suni take matters into their own hands in their search for Laurel. But will they find her? Nate's dodgy dealings Caleb hands Nate over to Corey for his training and Corey promises there are ways to make extra cash on the side. When client Harry arrives, hes impressed by Nate. And before long Nate returns with a big tip and is happy to confirm to Corey that Caleb doesnt have to know. New job: Caleb hands Nate over to Corey for his training and Corey promises there are ways to make extra cash on the side Hush hush: When client Harry arrives, hes impressed by Nate. And before long Nate returns with a big tip and is happy to confirm to Corey that Caleb doesnt have to know Suspicious minds: The next day, Caleb, who suspects Corey is up to something dodgy, asks Nate to keep an eye on him Playing with fire? Later, hopeful for a payrise, Nate lies to Caleb how Corey isnt doing anything untoward Careful: Nate warns Corey of Calebs suspicions in an attempt to get out of a dodgy job with Harry. But Corey threatens getting on the wrong side of Harry would be even worse for them The next day, Caleb, who suspects Corey is up to something dodgy, asks Nate to keep an eye on him. And after a bit of probing Nate soon discovers Coreys deal with Harry isnt completely legitimate but agrees to keep it quiet for the extra cash. Later, hopeful for a payrise, Nate lies to Caleb how Corey isnt doing anything untoward. However, in the Woolpack Nate warns Corey of Calebs suspicions in an attempt to get out of a dodgy job with Harry. But Corey threatens getting on the wrong side of Harry would be even worse for them. Meanwhile, Tracys pleased Nate is seemingly doing so well at work but will Nate be able to get out of this dodgy double dealing? Dan and Amelia make a huge decision about their future Despite Dans best efforts to plan for her future, Amelia is convinced there is another path they can take: to go on the run! Dan protests at her plan, but Amelia is insistent they can escape to Ireland in order to stay as a family. The next day, Amelia is stressed about losing her dad to prison and almost accidentally hurts Esther. When Dan saves them at the last second, both are scared to know they will be losing each other soon. No way! Despite Dans best efforts to plan for her future, Amelia is convinced there is another path they can take: to go on the run! Plan: The next day, desperate Dan corners Cain and asks for help to flee the country. Cain agrees and soon Dan confirms to Amelia their escape plan will go ahead but reminding her she cannot tell anyone including Noah Get ready: Later, Cain presents Dan and Amelia with ferry tickets, an old car and a burner phone for their escape to Ireland. Everything is suddenly very real for the father and daughter On the run: They share a sad smile about leaving Emmerdale and set off as a three. But have they made the right decision and should Dan face the music for his one punch misdemeanour? Seeing his daughters fear and being overwhelmingly scared of prison, Dan comes round to the idea of running away. The next day, desperate Dan corners Cain and asks for help to flee the country. Cain agrees and soon Dan confirms to Amelia their escape plan will go ahead but reminding her she cannot tell anyone including Noah. Amelias scared but determined to do this with her father. Later, Cain presents Dan and Amelia with ferry tickets, an old car and a burner phone for their escape to Ireland. Everything is suddenly very real for the father and daughter. They share a sad smile about leaving Emmerdale and set off as a three. But have they made the right decision and should Dan face the music for his one punch misdemeanour? Can Bob and Wendy get back on track? Relationship woes: Following Wendy's shock affair, Bernice warns Bob to show Wendy some affection or risk losing her Wendy is trying to move mountains to get close to Bob amid her shock affair with Dr Liam. However, she soon realises he is purposely avoiding her. Bernice warns Bob to show Wendy some affection or risk losing her. But soon a confusion at the surgery makes matters worse. Can they heal their relationship? Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Drake has canceled a show that was slated for Sunday at the FedExForum in Memphis over issues with 'logistics' at the venue. The Toronto native, 36, had been slated to take the stage August 6 at the arena, the home of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, but 'the organizer has cancelled the event,' Ticketmaster said Monday, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal . Reps for the In My Feelings vocalist, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, told the arena in a statement: 'Due to the magnitude of the production of the Drake concert, it is logistically impossible to bring the show as designed to the FedExForum on August 6th. Unfortunately, the show is cancelled.' Ticketmaster said that concertgoers will be issued refunds that 'will be processed to the original method of payment.' The God's Plan performer had been slated to play a June 29 show with 21 Savage at the venue this past June as part of his It's All a Blur Tour, but it had been postponed ahead of the event. The latest: Drake, 36, has canceled a show that was slated for Sunday at the FedExForum in Memphis over issues with 'logistics' at the venue. Pictured in NYC last year Drake had been in the area at the time, as he received a ceremonial key in Shelby County on June 27, according to the newspaper. The One Dance rapper's father is drummer Dennis Graham, who is from Memphis. 'Its really the first place I discovered what I love about music, which was the soul, the melody and the message in the lyrics,' Drake said at a ceremony about the city. There has been no mention of a potential make-up concert in the city, the outlet reported. The Nice for What artist is slated to perform in a number of Southern cities this fall, including Atlanta, New Orleans, and Charlotte, North Carolina in September; and in Nashville in October. In related news, another date on the rapper's tour set for August 3 in Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum has been pushed back a day to August 4. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Drake's show was delayed for technical reasons related to the venue. An email to concertgoers indicated that 'due to the size of the production and in order to bring the entire production and the best version of the show to Milwaukee,' the show was pushed back a day, the paper reported. Reps for the In My Feelings vocalist, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, said that the venue was not able to support the logistics of the show. Pictured in Atlanta in October The God's Plan performer had been slated to play a June 29 show with 21 Savage at the venue this past June as part of his It's All a Blur Tour, but it had been postponed ahead of the event Drake called the late actor Angus Cloud a 'good soul' with a teary emoji and an emoji of a dove Drake took to social media on Monday to pay memorial to Euphoria actor Angus Cloud, who died at 25 at his family's home in Oakland. He posted a picture of the actor, calling the late HBO star a 'good soul' with a teary emoji and an emoji of a dove A 911 call was made by Cloud's mother reporting a 'possible overdose' at around 11:30 a.m. Monday, sources told TMZ. She told operators that Cloud didn't have a pulse, the outlet reported, and he was pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities told the outlet that Cloud's cause of death has not yet been determined, and that an investigation has been launched in connection with the death. Below Deck star Kate Chastain has once again addressed speculation about her child's father. The reality star, 40, took to her Twitter to share a side by side of her newborn son Sullivan Cay along with a baby photo of her former co-star chef Ben Robinson, 42, following rumors that he is the father. 'It would be great if people would stop commenting and messaging me "baby Ben!".every single day. For reference this is Ben as a baby on the left next to Sullivan. Clearly not related' she captioned the two photos. Kate announced the birth of her son on Friday, May 5 via her Instagram page. She has not disclosed the identity of the father of her child - although fans have speculated it is Robinson. Not the father: Below Deck star Kate Chastain, 40, has once again denied speculation that her former co-star chef Ben Robinson, 42, is her newborn son's father Picture proof: She took to her Twitter to share a side by side of her son Sullivan Cay (R) along with a baby photo of Ben (L) to show they don't look alike Rumors: Kate has not disclosed the identity of the father of her child - although fans have speculated it is Robinson; Pictured together It was the second time the star clarified her son's parentage to her fans. Soon after her Sullivan's birth she took to social media to set the record straight. Sharing a sweet photo of the baby she wrote: 'For the record, the only thing this handsome guy has in common with any chef is the tendency to get emotional around meal times.' The speculation came after she posed with Ben in April for a snap while showcasing her baby bump; the co-stars previously sparked romance rumors during the second and third seasons of the Bravo show. The month prior, Kate proudly showcased her growing baby bump as she posed with former co-star Chef Ben in a new Instagram photo he shared. The TV personality, who starred in the hit Bravo series for a total of six seasons, has made no mention of who the father of the child is, and has previously opened up about being a single mother. 'Im happy to do it alone,' she said on Watch What Happens Live, adding, 'I think being a chief stew really trained me for it.' In the snap shared in April the star gently rested her right hand on her burgeoning bump while Ben mimicked a similar pose as the pair flashed smiles towards the camera. The latest: It was the second time the star clarified her son's parentage to her fans. Soon after her Sullivan's birth she took to social media to set the record straight How it all started: The speculation came after she posed with Ben in April for a snap while showcasing her baby bump; the co-stars previously sparked romance rumors during the second and third seasons of the Bravo show A coincidence? She could be seen taking a selfie while wearing the same mint-green dress from her photo with Ben and typed out, 'Week 36: ultrasound waiting rooms should have recliners' Baby boy: Kate announced the birth of her son on Friday, May 5 via her Instagram page Baby love: The TV personality, who starred in the hit Bravo series for a total of six seasons, has previously opened up about being a single mother; Pictured 2022 In the caption of the post, he humorously penned to his followers, 'Who knew that Kate Chastain and I would be the same weight one day...But to be fair I have been hitting the gym!' Chef Ben then sweetly added, 'Please wish my great friend @kate_chastain an easy delivery and a healthy beautiful baby! I am so proud of who you have become and the mother you will soon be,' followed by a red heart emoji. She could be seen wearing a fitted black dress with floral patterns, and had typed out, 'Im already planning so many birthday theme parties for you,' followed by a slew of both red and blue heart emojis. In the post Ben uploaded to share his support to Kate along her journey to becoming a mother, social media users flocked to the comment section, with some voicing their speculation that he could be the father. 'Please say kates baby is yours Ben,' one follower typed out, while another wrote, 'I think we were all hoping youd announce youre the father.' One fan asked Chef Ben, 'Are you going to help change diapers or make fresh baby food? Haha love this so much!' The Below Deck alum had initially sparked romance rumors during the second and third season of Bravo series. During an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen back in 2019, she had hinted that the two had previously had a fling when asked if she would 'sleep' with Chef Ben, prompting her to reply with, 'Not again,' per Us Weekly. On the show together: Chef Ben and Kate's time on the Bravo series, Below Deck, coincided for a few seasons, and the two had sparked romance rumors during the second and third season; Ben and Kate seen in top left Prior to her birth Kate jumped to her Instagram stories to give a small update to her 1 million fans and followers. She could be seen taking a selfie while wearing the same mint-green dress from her photo with Ben and typed out, 'Week 36: ultrasound waiting rooms should have recliners.' Kate, known as Chief Stew on Below Deck, was on the series for a total of six seasons, until her official departure in February 2020. Ben was also on the show starting from its very first season all the way until season four. Jackie 'O' Henderson has clapped back at rumours she is dating celebrity veterinarian Dr Chris Brown after admitting she has a new mystery man in her life. The radio host, 48, was discussing the rumours on The Kyle and Jackie Show on Tuesday and told co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, to pay no attention to the speculation. 'Those rumours are absolutely not true. He's like the only single guy that's known in the industry so he gets lumped with everybody,' she told Kyle. 'Chris Brown is a nice guy but it is just not gonna happen. Jackie is a fun girl and Chris is a... vet. No,' Kyle added. Jackie also quashed rumours that her out-of-character behaviour after the Logies, which saw her pulling an all-nighter, was due to taking an illicit substance. Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) has clapped back at rumours she is dating celebrity veteranarian Dr Chris Brown - after admitting she has a new mystery man in her life 'There were quite a few cocaine rumours. It wasn't a bender,' she said, and then agreed when asked if she was 'high on life'. It comes after the blonde beauty had the night of her life during the Logie Awards on Sunday, but was later forced to defend herself against accusations she consumed alcohol. The KIIS FM radio star announced in April she had made huge lifestyle changes, which included giving up booze in order to drop 18kg in weight. The radio queen, 48, was discussing the rumours on The Kyle and Jackie Show on Tuesday and told co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, to pay no attention to the speculation. Pictured: Jackie dancing with Dr Chris Brown at 3am on Monday after the Logies Several fans called Jackie out for breaking the ban after she was seen with a 'shot' on the red carpet. During an interview in which she was roped into an impromptu game of trivia, Jackie got one of the questions wrong and was told to take a shot of vodka as penalty. When she went into work the following morning, a listener called into The Kyle and Jackie O Show saying they 'had a bone to pick' with the radio host. Co-host Kyle Sandilands pulled up the video of Jackie O seemingly taking a shot from a plastic red cup during the interview and demanded answers. 'Those rumours are absolutely not true. He's like the only single guy that's known in the industry so he gets lumped with everybody,' she told Kyle Sandilands (left) The blonde beauty quickly hit back at the claims, explaining the interviewer only gave her a shot glass with water in it. 'He knows that I don't drink and he said, "Don't worry, it's just water." I think the others got vodka, but he knew that I would never obviously take that shot,' she said. The Kyle and Jackie O show posted a video to Instagram of her dancing the night away with her show producer Deppeler and Brown at a nightclub in The Star. In the clip, Jackie was seen dancing close to Brown, leading to speculation from fans he may be her new boyfriend after she told Daily Mail Australia there's a new man in her life. Angus Cloud fans have brought up the eerie similarities between him and the late rapper Mac Miller, following the Euphoria star's shocking death at 25. Cloud's passing was announced on Monday by his family. A 911 call was made by Cloud's mother that same day reporting a 'possible overdose', sources told TMZ. Miller, who many believed had a striking physical resemblance to Angus, died at 26 in 2018, from an accidental drug overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol. Cloud who gained fame for his portrayal as Fezco in the hit HBO even previously vowed that he would never portray the musician, after fans said they wanted to see him play Mac in a potential biopic. 'I don't think I would be prepared to take on someone's life and legacy and try to replay that, you know? That man is a legend and he's going to remain one. May he rest in peace, you feel me?' he told etalk last year. Similarities: Angus Cloud fans have brought up eerie similarities between him and late rapper Mac Miller, following the actor's death at 25; (L) Angus seen in 2002, (R) Mac seen in 2013 'Taking on someone's whole life and becoming that person like, how much respect you have to give them to actually try to portray them, you know? Like, you have to learn, you know what I'm saying,' he stated. Following the news of the actor's death fans took to Twitter to compare the two stars, sharing side-by-side photos and discussing their resemblance. 'I always though how Angus Cloud should play Mac Miller in a biopic of him,' one wrote. 'I wanted so badly to see Angus Cloud play as Mac Miller in a biopic. Damn. RIP to them both. Both died TOO young. ' 'Mac Miller and Angus Cloud both died at basically the same age. Mac Miller was 26 and Angus was 25. They look exactly the same? What could this mean?' another fan pondered. 'Mac Miller and Angus Cloud will always have a place in my heart,' yet another one added. 'My heart breaks hearing that Angus Cloud passed away at 25. I used to think he is so much alike Mac Miller, turns out their destiny was also the same. Rest Easy Fez.' 'Angus Claus reminded me so much of Mac Miller and I think that's why I loved his character so much. I don't know how Euphoria will be without Fez. He was the glue of the show. This seat cut me deep.' Sad: Cloud's passing was announced on Monday by his family. A 911 call was made by Cloud's mother that same day reporting a 'possible overdose', sources told TMZ; Seen 2022 Gone too soon: Miller, who many believed had a striking physical resemblance to Angus, died at 26 in 2018, from an accidental drug overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol; Seen 2018 Biopic: Cloud previously said he wouldn't portray the musician in a biopic: 'I don't think I would be prepared to take on someone's life and legacy and try to replay that'; Cloud seen 2019 Someone else shared a frustrated gif with the caption, 'Me realizing that Angus Cloud will never play mac miller in a biopic.' 'Losing Angus Cloud is bringing back a certain feeling I had when we first heard about Mac Miller passing,' yet another fan chimed in. Someone else shared a crying gif with he caption: 'Angus Cloud dead at 25. I'm getting flashbacks to Mac Miller.' 'Hearing about Angus Cloud's death had transported me back to 2018 to when I opened Twitter to see Mac Miller had passed.' 'Bro I'm actually so sad about Angus Cloud's death. He reminded me so much of Mac Miller and had such an amazing vibe.' Tributes continued to pour in, with another person writing, 'Angus Cloud had so much great work ahead of him. Was hoping to one day see him play Mac Miller. They looked so much alike.' 'Welp my day is ruined. Angus Cloud was genuinely someone I loved. He reminded me a lot of Mac Miller and I took comfort in that :( Rest in peace Angus.' 'The world took Mac Miller and Angus Cloud this is so sickening.' 'I know Mac Miller is giving Angus Cloud the biggest dap hug ever in heaven right now. Gone too soon.' Resemblance: Following the news of the actor's death fans took to Twitter to compare the two stars, sharing side-by-side photos and discussing their resemblance Too young: 'I wanted so badly to see Angus Cloud play as Mac Miller in a biopic. Damn. RIP to them both. Both died TOO young' Striking: 'Mac Miller and Angus Cloud both died at basically the same age. Mac Miller was 26 and Angus was 25. They look exactly the same? What could this mean?' a fan pondered 'Mac Miller and Angus Cloud will always have a place in my heart,' another one added Destiny: 'I used to think he is so much alike Mac Miller, turns out their destiny was also the same' Thoughts from fans: 'Angus Claus reminded me so much of Mac Miller and I think that's why I loved his character so much' Upset: 'Me realizing that Angus Cloud will never play mac miller in a biopic' Similar feelings: 'Losing Angus Cloud is bringing back a certain feeling I had when we first heard about Mac Miller passing' Transported: 'Hearing about Angus Cloud's death had transported me back to 2018 to when I opened Twitter to see Mac Miller had passed' Flashbacks: Someone else shared a crying gif with he caption: 'Angus Cloud dead at 25. I'm getting flashbacks to Mac Miller' Shocked: Fans continued to share their thoughts on the similarities between the two stars Cloud's family shared the news of the actor's death in a statement to TMZ on Monday, 'It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today.' 'As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways.' A family insider told the outlet that Cloud had dealt with 'severe suicidal thoughts' after traveling to Ireland for his father's funeral; and that he was at his family home in an effort 'to work though overcoming the grief.' The family in their statement alluded to the recent death of Cloud's father, and how it impacted him. 'Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss,' the family said. 'The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend.' The family noted that Cloud 'was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.' The family of Cloud, who played Fezco on the HBO series from 2019 through 2022, did not state a cause of death for the actor. Chloe Sevigny looked stunning while out with her son, Vanja, three, in New York City on Monday. The 48-year-old actress cut a stylish figure in a black-and-white blouse with short, puffy sleeves and cut-off baggy shorts as she took a stroll in Manhattan with her adorable son. The American Psycho star who was spotted out with her husband, Sinisa Mackovic, and their son the day before teamed her chic ensemble with a pair of slip-on leather loafers. To stay cool in the summer weather, she threw up her blonde hair into a casual updo and sported a pair of retro brown shades. She was also spotted toting around a camel brown, leather shoulder bag for their daytime outing. Mother-son duo: Chloe Sevigny looked stunning while out with her son, Vanja, three, in New York City on Monday Minus her bag and sunglasses, the model did not sport any other accessories nor jewelry. The Golden Globe winner also appeared to be sporting a makeup-free look to showcase her glowing skin and natural beauty. At her side, her son her only child she shares with the art and gallery director was dressed in a white graphic T-shirt that read: 'Somebody in the West Village loves me'. The toddler also donned a pair of red, pinstriped shorts as well as a pair of vibrant Crocs. As they walked, the fashion designer was ever the doting mother while holding onto his hand tightly as he carried a toy in his other arm. Previously, the couple secretly tied the knot at New York's City Hall in March 2020. Less than two months after exchanging vows, they welcomed their first child together. Two years after their marriage, they celebrated with their loved ones by throwing a bash in Darien, Connecticut where the Big Love alumna grew up. Effortlessly chic: The American Psycho star who was spotted out with her husband , Sinisa Mackovic, and their son the day before teamed her chic ensemble with a pair of slip-on leather loafers Stylish ensemble: To stay cool in the summer weather, she threw up her blonde hair into a casual updo and sported a pair of retro brown shades According to Vogue, the pair were initially introduced through a mutual friend but did not meet in person until they crossed paths later at a Gagosian opening. They saw each other at social settings various times before they started dating. When they found out they were expecting, Sevigny and Mackovic celebrated with a couple's getaway in Turks and Caicos. It was there her now-husband proposed and, shortly thereafter, the couple eloped in New York City. Love Island is not the most complained about show this year so far, it has been revealed. The ITV dating series often racks up plenty of Ofcom complaints and has been TVs most complained about show for the last two years. And while this year was no different in that there were complaints in their thousands - it was overtaken by a surprising show. A moment from King Charles Coronation came out on top after Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh's 'terribly white' comment about Buckingham Palace balcony. The broadcasting watchdog confirmed in early June that it received 8,371 complaints from viewers about Andoh's comments during the live broadcast in London on May 6. Shock: Love Island is not the most complained about show this year so far, it has now been revealed Oh no: A moment from King Charles Coronation came out on top after Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh's 'terribly white' comment about Buckingham Palace balcony In comparison, for Love Island Ofcom received a total of 3,098 moans about the two series combined this year, reports The Sun. Sammy and Jess were crowned the series 10 winners on Monday night and the show will return next summer after the winter South Africa series was axed. This year Love Island producers introduced several new welfare and training measures for contestants which could have contributed to less Ofcom complaints. Three weeks ago Love Island has sparked an array of complaints from viewers who hit out at the contestants 'bullying behaviour' towards Scott Van Der Sluis. The broadcasting regulator received nearly 1,000 comments after scenes showed Scott clash with fellow Islanders. Scott, 22, was left devastated and single after Catherine Agbaje, also 22, returned from Casa Amor with Elom Ahlijah-Wilson on her arm, while he opted to remain loyal. Footage of Catherine kissing Elom, 22, was shown to the rest of the Islanders as part of Movie Night, prompting Scott to speak up for himself. However, Catherine attempted to shut him down while Leah Taylor, 27, also spoke up in a bid to defend Catherine, telling him he was 'undesirable'. Awkward: The broadcasting watchdog confirmed in early June that it received 8,371 complaints from viewers about Andoh's comments during the live broadcast on May 6 Event: Members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the flypast on May 6 Making comments: The actress plays Lady Danbury, left, in the popular period Netflix series Bridgerton The moment did not go down well with viewers, with 'Get Catherine out' trending on Twitter as fans accused her and Leah of 'bullying' Scott. 957 complaints were then made to Ofcom, with fans also sharing their opinions on social media. The week before Love Island has sparked 130 Ofcom complaints across two episodes with Sammy Root being accused of 'bullying' and 'misogyny' by enraged fans. Viewers were quick to complain to the communications regulator about two separate moments shown in episodes aired a month ago in yet another 'bullying' row. Some 66 fans lodged complaints with Ofcom on June 21 over scenes which saw Sammy, 22, make fellow islander Catherine Agbaje cry. Meanwhile, another 64 viewers wrote to the board to complain about Molly Marsh's shocking eviction from the villa in scenes aired on ITV2 on June 23. It is not the first time the show has been dragged into a 'bullying row' this year after 155 viewers complained to Ofcom accusing Jess of bullying Molly in scenes which aired on June 14. Back in June Ofcom said it accepted viewers had 'strong feelings' about Andoh's comments, but it was a 'personal observation' in a 'wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints'. The incident became the most complained-about TV moment of the year so far and prompted an apology on the BBC from the actress, who plays Lady Agatha Danbury. The watchdog said viewers also objected to ITV News presenters Tom Bradby and Chris Ship referring to the remark. Andoh, 60, said at the time: 'Looking at all those young people, there is a bit of me that has gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to the terribly white balcony. 'I'm very struck by that. I am also looking at those younger generations and thinking: 'What are the nuances that they will inhabit when they grow?'' The actress's remarks prompted a backlash on social media, with thousands also complaining to Ofcom. Andoh appeared on BBC Radio 4 the following day to clarify her comments and apologise. She said: 'I think I upset a few people yesterday. 'I was talking about the day and how marvellous it was and then looking at the balcony at the end and suddenly going: 'Oh it's so white!' because the day had been so mixed and I didn't mean to upset anybody.' Andoh then issued a statement later in May following the backlash. She said Charles had made a 'loving prayer, reflecting his wide embrace of the rich diverse peoples celebrating his coronation' during the service at Westminster Abbey. She added: 'Sitting in the warmth of that intentionally wide embrace, I was simply caught by the visual shift on the balcony - not a particularly original observation. 'There was no intention to upset anyone. I continue to celebrate the King who created the Prince's Trust (charity), loves the arts, cares for all faiths and for the future of our environment, as he has done for many decades. It's an exciting moment in our history.' In June, an Ofcom spokesman said: 'We have concluded our assessment of complaints we received about a comment made during ITV's coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III, and can confirm we will not be pursuing these further. 'We received 8,371 complaints from viewers about a comment made by actress Adjoa Andoh during the live broadcast, which focused on the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. 'Complainants also objected to references to the comment made by ITV News presenters Tom Bradby and Chris Ship. Not happy: Three weeks ago Love Island has sparked an array of complaints from viewers who hit out at the contestants 'bullying behaviour' towards Scott Van Der Sluis Brutal: The broadcasting regulator received nearly 1,000 comments after scenes showed Scott clash with fellow Islanders - such as Catherine Agbaje 'While we understand some viewers had strong feelings about this comment, after careful consideration we have concluded that the comment was a personal observation which was part of a wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints. 'Our decision to not pursue these complaints further also takes into account broadcasters' and guests' right to freedom of expression.' Ofcom also confirmed at the time that it was still the watchdog's most complained-about moment of 2023 so far. The most-complained about programme of 2022 was Love Island which received 2,360 complaints on July 17 after alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour by some contestants in the villa. Australian actor Vince Colosimo has been accused of living a double life by a woman claiming to have been his secret lover for 20 years. Colosimo, who is best known for his portrayal of Alphonse Gangitano in the first Underbelly TV series, and as Neville Bartos in the movie Chopper, last month avoided coughing up $61,858 in unpaid fines after convincing a magistrate he was mentally ill, flat broke and about to become homeless. He appeared in court via videolink alongside his other longtime partner Sabella Sugar, who he is routinely seen alongside at public outings. Daily Mail Australia was contacted by the 'other' woman, who wished to remain anonymous, after becoming fed up with Colosimo's 'lifetime of irresponsibility'. Sabella Sugar was spotted with Colosimo as he left the Moorabbin Corrections Court last week Vince Colosimo (second from left) was pictured with Sabella Sugar (far right) a week ago Vince Colosimo starred as Alphonse Gangitano in the first, and best, Underbelly TV series The woman, who Daily Mail Australia will refer to as Chelsea, provided a swag of information backing up her claims, including personal text messages dating back to 2014. It was the very same year Colosimo made headlines after his lawyer revealed he had been working on building sites to make ends meet. It would be the first of many court appearances for the actor in the years to follow. Colosimo did not respond to Daily Mail Australia's calls and messages on Tuesday. Chelsea said she had provided Colosimo with up to $50,000 in cash over the term of their relationship. Texts show Colosimo asked Chelsea to buy him, among other items, Coco Pops, three 'nice' apples, cherries 'if nice' and 'Don' bacon. Another 2015 text showed him asking her for cash to pay to a doctor. 'Can I come and get some money to go to doctor. I'm not sure they bulk bill,' he texted, signing off as 'VC'. 'Even to this day he still lies. He tells me that he's not with her when he's at my house. He was at my house a couple of weeks ago and (Sabella) was calling - I saw it with my own eyes - and he still tried to lie. He just denies everything,' Chelsea said. It can be revealed Chelsea admits to being the subject of a Daily Mail Australia article in January last year, which suggested Colosimo was being 'extorted' by her. 'None of it is true. They had a movie coming out and Sabella couldn't afford to have bad publicity,' she said. That movie was The Girl At The Window, which featured Colosimo and currently carries an IMBD rating of just 4.2/10. Chelsea claimed Colosimo continued his relationship with her even after Sugar had confronted him about her claims. 'Because he knows the truth, he knows it's not extortion, it's my money,' she said. Vince Colosimo asks his secret lover to buy him food in 2014 while reportedly working on building sites Colosimo asked the woman for cash to visit a doctor Colosimo had his hand out for more cash in 2018 'I told police I'd never met this lady in my life. I've never seen her, I've never spoken to her apart from she obviously got my number from Vince's phone and we had a back and forth for maybe a year,' she said. Those texts reveal Sugar believed Colosimo was cheating on her with yet another woman, who like this woman, was owed money by the actor. 'Another woman just contact (sic) me who's been in a relationship with Vince the last year and 'guess what' owes her lots of money ... a carbon copy,' Sugar texted Chelsea in March 2021. 'I'm only sharing this because we all deserve some relief. He tells her she's crazy when she asks about me etc.' Sugar told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday she had split up with Colosimo, but continued to support him 'as a friend'. The pair were pictured together outside Moorabbin Corrections Court on Friday. 'I drove him there as a friend. He knows we're not together. I've told him I don't want to be with him,' she said. Sugar said she was 'in shock' over revelations Colosimo had continued to maintain contact with someone he had described to her as 'an obsessed fan'. 'After the texts and after (confronting Chelsea) I believed it would all stop. I really did. Vince said she was an obsessed fan and just to ignore her,' she said. Sugar said Colosimo appeared to be taking great strides over recent months to deal with his mental health issues. 'He's been having therapy every week and I thought he'd made some big changes in the last few months,' she said. 'I just believed him and I could see he was making progress. I don't know this woman, I've never met her maybe I'm a bit gullible. I definitely didn't think anything had gone on since (confronting them). I thought that put a stop to everything.' Chelsea said Colosimo continued to lie to both him and Sugar about his 'double life', providing text messages of Colosimo racing to her home after an evening out with Sugar in Geelong. 'You can provide evidence to him and he will still deny, deny, deny,' she said. 'He lives a secret life. I didn't want this becoming a media circus but I'm sick of it because he gets away with everything ... he's delusional, he doesn't live in the real world.' Sugar appeared to discuss Colosimo's other other woman to Chelsea While Chelsea said she was never 'officially' together with Colosimo, she made it clear to him that if he cheated on her their relationship would be over. 'I told him if he wants to sleep with other people then tell me because I will walk away. I don't want that and for 20 years he told me he never did and I would always find out,' Chelsea said. 'These girls would always call me and obviously he was.' A lump sum of $20,000 was allegedly deposited into Colosimo's Bank of Queensland account in November 2014, with numerous other cash advances provided, Chelsea said. Text messages show Chelsea had not simply 'gifted' the money to Colosimo, but expected to be repaid. She even helped repay some of Colosimo's various fines and claimed to take responsibility for numerous infringements on his behalf. 'I don't want him, I just want my money. He owes me $50,000. In 2014 he was going to lose his house so I gave him money to save it and he said he'd always pay me back, but obviously he never had any intention of doing it,' Chelsea said. 'A lot of it I gave to him in cash ... I put that $20,000 cash into his account. I gave him cash here and there. Small bits and pieces and it's hard to prove.' Chelsea said Colosimo - like his famous Chopper character Neville Bartos - had no cash. 'He's got no cash. He couldn't even buy his own groceries ... he had nothing, literally nothing and I supported him for like 20 years. I paid all his bills. I paid his groceries, I paid for everything,' she said. 'It's not the money for me. It's the principle. He's used me, he's using Sabella, he's not happy but what's he going to do? Go back to his mummy's house? He's got nothing. He's a narcissist.' A text exchange between Chelsea and Colosimo in February when he was allegedly at a function with Sugar. In November 2017, Colosimo was convicted and fined for driving through Melbourne's CBD while suspended and under the influence of ice. Pictured leaving Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November 3, 2017 Colosimo appeared in the latest series of Celebrity Apprentice Australia Chelsea said Colosimo had been further enabled by the Victorian justice system, which saw him walk with a slap on the wrist last month over his failure to pay his fines. The court heard Colosimo claimed he had suffered from the hideous effect of methamphetamine for the duration of his offending, which dated back to 2012. The disgraced thespian was accused of racking up the whopping debt from 169 traffic fines, mostly while disqualified from driving. Colosimo was ordered to perform 101 hours of unpaid community work over the next year, meaning he got out of paying $58,000. 'That why he does what he does because nobody holds him accountable,' Chelsea said. 'Some of them fines are still in my name. I have to pay them now.' Magistrate Guillaume Bailin last month addressed the shocking impact drugs had on Colosimo. 'Illicit drug use contributed to emotional dysregulation, cognitive difficulties and generally added to the instability of the lifestyle and instability that Mr Colosimo was insufficiently equipped to manage,' he said. 'This culminated in the disregard of obligations with a range of infringements from parking to speeding to not voting.' Actor Vince Colosimo has been accused of living a secret double life Chelsea claimed Colosimo's drug use had been apparent to her throughout their long relationship. 'He rocks up late, I'd be calling him asking where he is and obviously that's what he's doing,' she said. Chelsea said her attempts to address Colosimo's drug issues had been dismissed by the actor. 'I said 'all that money I gave you for that house you were probably going to the pokies or wherever'. He would have blown it on the pokies or (drugs). He's got every addiction there is,' she said. The Aussie star has been linked to a swag of women over his long career. He had met his first wife Jane Hall in 1994 on the set of A Country Practice but separated in 2007 after 11 years together and one child. Things turned nasty between the two after a bitter property dispute over their Inner-North Sydney home which they shared and renovated and was eventually taken to the Supreme Court. He then went on to date her one time Neighbours colleague Kym Valentine, before striking up a romance with actress Diana Glenn, with whom he had a son. Colosimo had been at the end of a string of bad news stories that began in 2016 when he was pulled over with a small amount of the drug ice in his car. Later that year, the actor was handed a $3,500 fine for driving under the influence of the same drug while on a suspended licence. He was threatened with jail time by a magistrate who warned, 'If you're back here for a fourth time, it won't be pretty.' Colosimo had been at an all-time low at the time, with his lawyer telling the court the actor had been cleaning building sites in between acting roles to make ends meet. In October, Colosimo walked free from court on drug and unlicensed driving charges with a fine despite owing $65,215 in unpaid fines for driving offences. The Kyle and Jackie O Show was forced to improvise on Tuesday when their scheduled interview with Tiffany Haddish was cancelled due to the SAG actors strike. Shock jock Kyle Sandilands, 52, told his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, 48, he had developed a work around solution - they would interview an AI with Tiffany's voice. Haddish, 43, was meant to be on a promo tour for her new movie Haunted Mansion, but it was cancelled due to the ongoing actors strike in America, which has seen A-Listers cancel work over increasing concerns about the role of AI in movies. 'The actors are worried about AI writing scripts and superimposing their faces and mimicking voices,' Kyle began. 'I thought to myself, do they have a real gripe or are they in a kerfuffle over nothing. The Kyle and Jackie O Show was forced to improvise on Tuesday when their scheduled interview with Tiffany Haddish was cancelled due to the SAG actors strike. Pictured: Hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson 'We were supposed to have Tiffany Haddish in to talk about her new film, but she can't because she has to stand by the actors. 'I thought if she can't come in we can set up our AI with her voice to see if AI is ready to take over or if it is full of glitches.' Kyle then demonstrated to Jackie he had set up an AI with the actress' actual voice and they conducted an 'interview' with Haddish that way. 'Is it true you once lived in your car and did you ever have to sell your body to make ends meet?' Kyle asked AI-Haddish. Shock jock Kyle Sandilands, 52, told his co-host Jackie O, 48, he had developed a work around solution - they would conduct an interview with an AI which had the voice of Tiffany Haddish (pictured) 'Yes I did, I lived in my car for awhile until I started making some cash. As for selling my body, no, luckily I didn't have to do that but you don't have to be homeless to do that,' it responded. However, Kyle was having none of it and said the poor quality response was clearly not from the real Haddish and it proved AI still had a long way to go. 'The weird thing is I said something about, "did you live in your car, did you have to sell your body?" and the answer was yes. The AI ran in the order of my questions. Haddish, 43, was meant to be on a promo tour for her new movie Haunted Mansion, but it has been cancelled due to the ongoing actors strike in America, which has seen A-Listers cancel work over increasing concerns about the role of AI in movies 'A human being would say, "no, I never sold my body." But it said "yes... I lived in my car",' Kyle added. He said while the AI-Haddish gave answers that were technically correct, all the human nuances were removed from its responses and he concluded he was not a fan of it. 'AI has no personality, that's what I gather and that's why at this point they won't be able to replace writers. What they can come up with in their imagination is greater than AI,' Jackie added. A man who claims to have worked for late Euphoria actor Angus Cloud said that the actor was struggling in his battle with addiction after completing rehab two years ago. The Twitter thread from a man named Diomi Cordero came in April, Page Six reported, more than three months before Cloud's death at the age of 25 at his family's home in Oakland on Monday. A 911 call was made by Cloud's mother reporting a 'possible overdose' at around 11:30 a.m. Monday, sources told TMZ Monday. She told operators that Cloud didn't have a pulse, the outlet reported, and he was pronounced dead on the scene. In April, Cordero said in a thread on the social media site that he initially crossed paths at a rehab clinic where Cloud was being treated; and that he reconvened with the actor July 4, 2021, when Cloud hosted a party at his house, Page Six reported. Cordero said in the social media post that Cloud was freshly out of rehab at the time, but exhibited signs of being under the influence of drugs. The latest: A man who claims to have worked for late Euphoria actor Angus Cloud said that the actor was struggling in his battle with addiction after completing rehab two years ago The Twitter thread from a man named Diomi Cordero came in April, more than three months before Cloud's death at the age of 25 at his family's home in Oakland Monday 'Upon entering his premises and attempting to greet him with a hug, it became immediately apparent that he had resumed substance abuse, a mere two days after completing his treatment,' Cordero said. He said that Cloud's 'situation gradually deteriorated' over the next few months, and that it was apparent by November of 2021 that the Oakland native had 'evidently relinquished control of his addiction.' Cordero said that during a time when he worked with Cloud, a roommate for the HBO star had called him on one occasion saying that Cloud was having breathing problems. He said that he went to the actor's home and gave him CPR and Narcan, a drug which is used to combat narcotic overdoses. 'Regrettably, as he regained consciousness, Angus vomited onto my face,' Cordero said. Cordero said that he put together a plan to get the actor into another rehab facility, as Cloud was working on Euphoria's second season amid the last two weeks of production. He said that Cloud continue to use narcotics while in rehab, and ultimately checked out early to work on the movie Your Lucky Day. Cordero said that Cloud had been 'extremely abusive' toward him and 'had gone to the extent of degrading me publicly in front of his friends & even my colleagues.' On July 14, he had shared a post on Instagram of an image of his father with the caption, 'miss u breh' Cloud played the role of Fezco on the hit HBO series from 2019-2022 The show Euphoria said in a tweet about the actor, 'He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family' Cordero said that he resigned from the position after another manager for the actor told him that he didn't want him to go with him to Europe, where he was set to attend a fashion show for Versace. Cordero said airport workers at JFK did not let Cloud board the plane because he had been 'so high on drugs.' Amidst the thread, Cordero posted an image of the actor purportedly under the influence of drugs while attending a fashion show. Cordero said in April that he had been pursuing around $60,000 for the work he did for Cloud. 'In sharing my story, I hope to not only find solace & healing but to also inspire others who may be struggling to find their voice in an industry where most are silenced,' Cordero said. 'I wanted to be a testament to the power of speaking up and owning one's truth, even in the face of adversity.' A family insider told TMZ that Cloud had dealt with 'severe suicidal thoughts' after traveling to Ireland for his father's funeral; and that he was at his family home in an effort 'to work though overcoming the grief.' Authorities told the outlet that Cloud's cause of death has not yet been determined, and that an investigation has been launched in connection with the death. Cloud's family said to TMZ in a statement Monday, 'It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways.' Cloud was pictured at a Kendrick Lamar show in September of 2022 in LA Cloud was pictured with Euphoria collaborators Hunter Schafer, Sam Levinson and Zendaya in January of 2022 in LA The family in their statement alluded to the recent death of Cloud's father, and how it impacted him. 'Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss,' the family said. 'The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend.' The family noted that Cloud 'was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.' The family said: 'We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss.' The family of Cloud, who played Fezco on the HBO series from 2019 through 2022, did not state a cause of death for the actor. On July 14, he had shared a post on Instagram of an image of his father with the caption, 'miss u breh.' Cloud had past appeared in films such as 2023's The Line opposite John Malkovich, 2021's North Hollywood and on the TV series The Perfect Women. He also had appeared in music videos for Becky G & Karol G's Mamii in 2022; and in Juice WRLD's Cigarettes in 2022. Cloud had a number of projects in the works, including two unreleased films, according to iMDb, including a horror film titled Your Lucky Day and an Oakland-based drama titled Freaky Tales, starring Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn. Cloud was pictured in LA in early 2022 at a Euphoria photo call He was also linked to Scream 6 slated for next year. Production has not yet commenced on season three of Euphoria. Cloud did not have any acting experience ahead of his role on Euphoria, as he was discovered by casting scout Eleonore Hendricks while walking in New York City, according to the AP. Cloud was initially skeptical of the opportunity, thinking it was a scam, but eventually got the role after meeting with casting director Jennifer Venditti. Fans of the show lauded Cloud for his authenticity in the role, to an extent that he spoke about the misconceptions people had that he didn't have to do much when the cameras were on. 'It does bother me when people are like, 'It must be so easy! You get to go in and be yourself,"' he told Variety. 'I'm like, "Why don't you go and do that?" It's not that simple. I brought a lot to the character. You can believe what you want. It ain't got nothing to do with me.' A statement from Euphoria's Twitter page read: 'We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.' Reps for the series said, 'He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time' Across social media, a number of fans grieved for the actor's premature passing, remarking on the authenticity and charisma he brought to his work Across social media, a number of fans grieved for the actor's premature passing, remarking on the authenticity and charisma he brought to his work. 'NOT ANGUS CLOUD PLS :(,' one user said. 'This is the most heartbreaking thing ever. a true talent has been lost. angus cloud you will ALWAYS be remembered, this is truly the worst news. our fezco always.' Another commented, 'Angus Cloud came into Euphoria with no acting experience and then effortlessly created the shows most charming character. 'He had a long career ahead of him, but Fez alone will be an iconic character for generations. I hope hes at peace now.' Some users drew parallels to his passing and the death of rapper Mac Miller at 26 in September of 2018. 'Losing Angus Cloud is bringing back a certain feeling I had when we first heard about Mac Miller passing.' one user said. Another remarked, 'I wanted so badly to see Angus Cloud play as Mac Miller in a Biopic. Damn. RIP to them both. Both died TOO young.' She's the former model-turned-restaurant owner who won the heart of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim. And Sarah Budge, 31, looked glamorous as ever as she spent the day at Bondi Beach with her fiancee, 55, and their 11-month-old son Elvis on Monday. The happy family were spotted strolling down the beachside boulevard alongside a male pal, with Sarah turning heads in a blue long-sleeved top and ripped jeans. Looking relaxed, the new mother pushed Elvis' stroller while John hoisted their adorable toddler into his arms. The raven-haired beauty completed her ensemble with a pair of Gucci sunglasses, a Dior handbag and her huge diamond engagement ring. Former model turned restaurant owner Sarah Budge, 31, looked glamorous as ever as she spent the day at Bondi Beach with her fiancee John Ibrahim, 55, and their 11-month-old son Elvis on Monday. The family were also joined by a male pal (all pictured) John meanwhile dressed down in a taupe T-shirt, grey sweatpants, white sneakers and a pair of stylish sunglasses. The doting daddy was later seen holding a bottle of baby milk as he relaxed at a beachside restaurant. It comes as the couple prepare to celebrate Elvis' first birthday on August 31. John has two other children from past relationships, including a grown-up son, Daniel, 32. John dressed down in a taupe T-shirt, grey sweatpants, white sneakers and a pair of stylish sunglasses He also has an eight-year-old child who he shares with his long-time friend. Sarah and John have been dating since 2015 after meeting when John bought the Potts Point building where she ran a restaurant. She recently moved out of her Leichhardt flat, in Sydney's inner west, and into John's Dover Heights clifftop mansion in the city's east. Sarah launched Crane Bar in May 2013, which was known for its Japanese fusion food, cocktails and music. Doting daddy John was later seen holding a bottle of baby milk as he relaxed at a beachside restaurant Loki is back with an action-packed season two which sees the God of Mischief battle new ailments and old enemies. The beloved Thor spin-off show about the God of Thunder's cunning brother is the 'most watched Marvel Studios series' on Disney+. And this year, the new season promises 'new excitement' as the eponymous main character, played by Golden Globe winner Tom Hiddleston, faces an impending war. Thrust into a new set of adventures with the Time Variance Authority (TVA), Loki suffers from a bout of 'time slipping' in the first official trailer of the second season. Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan makes his MCU debut as the TVA archivist Ouroboros who has no remedy for Loki's glitching through time. 'If what I saw is true, there's nothing that stands between this world and utter destruction,' Loki ominously warns. 'War is on its way.' The 42-year-old Englishman's character refers to the consequences of the first season finale where his variant-turned-love interest Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) stabbed antagonist He Who Remains played by embattled star Jonathan Majors. When Loki wondered how one can choose who lives and who dies, the 33-year-old's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania character emerged from the shadows to respond: 'Make the hard choice.' Loki is back with an action-packed season two which sees the God of Mischief battle new ailments and old enemies The beloved Thor spin-off show about the God of Thunder's cunning brother is the 'most watched Marvel Studios series' on Disney+ Eric Martin's MCU Phase Five show also features Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, and Eugene Cordero. Along with stars Tara Strong, Neil Ellice, Rafael Casal, Kate Dickie, and Liz Carr. 'At the end of season one, the story isn't over. I think that's really clear,' Tom told Total Film last August. And this year, the new season promises 'new excitement' as the eponymous main character, played by Golden Globe winner Tom Hiddleston, 44, (pictured) faces an impending war 'Loki's almost more unstable, and as turbulent and passionate and chaotic as he's ever been. And maybe some of that needs resolution. There's stuff to unpack. '[Playing Loki] is a source of eternal surprise and delight, the whole journey. It's absolutely a part of my life now, and will always be.' Tom - who also executive produces Loki - has portrayed Thor's adopted brother for the past 12 years in various MCU projects. Loki season two will release to Disney+ on October 6. Season two will also deal with the consequences of the first season finale where Loki's variant-turned-love interest Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) stabbed antagonist He Who Remains played by embattled star Jonathan Majors RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is back for its incredible third season on Stan. The first queen eliminated from the series, Sydney-based performer Amyl, spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the pressure of competing in the popular competition and her biggest fears going into it. On the show, Amyl was portrayed as overly nervous and lacking confidence - to the point that she forgot her lines during her entrance. 'I think it was just everything going on,' the 27-year-old explained when asked about her on-camera jitters. 'You walk in there and you see everyone and you see the lights and the work crew.' The first queen eliminated from season three of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, Sydney-based performer Amyl (pictured), spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the pressure of competing in the popular competition 'I don't think that I felt as non-confident as it came across,' said the performer, who was portrayed as being overly nervous on the premiere The latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is currently streaming on Stan. Additionally, all episodes of seasons 1 and 2 are also available to stream on Stan. She added, 'It was just a lot. So many things are happening at once and it was just a bit overwhelming.' Despite her portrayal, Amyl insisted that she's a lot more secure than her reality TV edit suggested. 'I don't think that I felt as non-confident as it came across,' she said. One thing Amyl was concerned about going into the competition was the Drag Race fandom, who have a reputation for being rabidly invested and opinionated when it comes to the show and the contestants. 'I think especially in Australia, as a person of colour, because Drag fans are so rabid sometimes, I was worried that there was going to be horrible, awful racism,' she shared. The Sydney-based star is back to work and keen to take on bookings for gigs following her brief stint on the hit reality series Amyl then quickly added, 'Which hasn't happened yet! Which I'm pretty pleased about. So I hope it stays that way.' Following her elimination, the Sydney-based performer is now back doing drag shows and is keen to take on bookings for gigs. While it's clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild - with 97.91% of the approximately 160,000 performers authorizing the strike in June - there are still some actors who don't support the strike, like Stephen Amell. Amell, 42, made an appearance at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the second season of his new series Heels debuted, when he was asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which started on July 14, joining the WGA writers who went on strike in early May. 'Yeah, so I feel like I'm insulated in Hollywood, cause that's where I live, like all the stereotypes that exist. I feel like a lot of people in this room aren't aware of the strike,' Amell began. 'I support my union, I do, and I stand with them but I do not support striking, I dont,' Amell added. 'I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating,' Amell continued. No support Stephen: While it's clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild - with 97.91% of the approximately 160,000 performers authorizing the strike in June - there are still some actors who don't support the strike, like Stephen Amell Heel(s): Amell, 42, made an appearance at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the second season of his new series Heels debuted, when he was asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which started on July 14, joining the WGA writers who went on strike in early May 'I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that Im on (Heels), that premiered last night, I think its myopic,' Amell concluded. He did not say anything further about his views on the strike on social media, though he did post a video on Instagram, thanking his fans for visiting him in Raleigh. 'I just had the best time, I must have met 5,000 people. If you waited in line, because I know a lot of people waited a long time in line, I want to thank you for that,' he said, before showing fans video of him attempting a personal best in the gym. A number of fans took to the comments to chastise the actor for his anti-strike sentiments. 'You truly have failed this city, scab,' wrote Instagram user @max52hz, referring to a popular line Amell's Oliver Queen uttered on his hit CW series Arrow. Another fan mentioned that Amell likely did, 'get into trouble today with sag and had to remove his posts promoting his new show.' One of the SAG-AFTRA strike rules prohibits actors from doing any press whatsoever to promote one of their upcoming projects. Another fan dubbed ozols commented with a rather apropos joke, stating, 'Against striking? Damn, a heel in real life too.' Stephen's show: 'I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that Im on (Heels), that premiered last night, I think its myopic,' Amell concluded Best time: 'I just had the best time, I must have met 5,000 people. If you waited in line, because I know a lot of people waited a long time in line, I want to thank you for that,' he said, before showing fans video of him attempting a personal best in the gym Amell started his career with a slew of guest-starring spots, along with arcs on Hung and Private Practice before landing the role of Oliver Queen on The CW's Arrow. The show ran for eight seasons between 2012 and 2020, and he would also frequently appear on The CW's other superhero shows such as The Flash, DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl. He plays Jack Spade alongside Alexander Ludwig's Ace Spade in the Starz series Heels, which kicked off its second season on Friday. He also has two movies in post-production, Code 8: Part II and Calamity, where he plays Wild Bill Hickok. Channel 10 reporter Pippa Sheehan and her husband Jim welcomed their second son Monty on Wednesday, after tragically suffering six miscarriages. The journalist, 35, revealed in a statement her 'heart is full' after welcoming young Monty and she was thrilled her elder son Alfie, three, now had a brother to play with. 'It was absolutely the best feeling. I felt so strong and empowered, and this was an incredibly restorative and precious time for us as a family,' she said. 'Alfie knew each time I was pregnant, and to be able to tell him Monty is finally here was so wonderful and special.' Pippa also shared a gallery of precious baby photos to Instagram on Monday and captioned it with some heartwarming words. Channel 10 reporter Pippa Sheehan (pictured) and her husband Jim welcomed their second son Monty on Wednesday, after tragically suffering six miscarriages 'He's here. Monty (and his hair) joined us on Wednesday evening he's everything we imagined and more,' she wrote. 'His birth was such a life-affirming experience, and we are so grateful to our care providers.' Back in October, Pippa opened up about the bittersweet feeling of giving birth to her healthy son Alfie in 2020 after suffering six miscarriages. The journalist, 35, revealed in a statement her 'heart is full' after welcoming young Monty and she was thrilled her elder son Alfie, three, now had a brother to play with The Queensland based TV journo told the Courier Mail she continues to grieve for her lost children as she raises her toddler son Alfie. She also revealed how a simple question strangers often ask can trigger her sadness. Ms Sheehan said people often ask her and her husband, 'Just the one?', when they're out with their son, which reminds her of the children she lost. 'It was absolutely the best feeling. I felt so strong and empowered, and this was an incredibly restorative and precious time for us as a family,' Pippa said 'It's lovely and we have been blessed with a beautiful little son; however, just the one visibly, yes, but I hold seven babies in my heart and it's really hard,' she said. 'They are all loved and, yes, we have just got the one, but they're all precious.' The Brisbane native said the grief of losing her unborn babies never fully went away and she had simply developed coping strategies. Ms Sheehan is now involved with a charity that supports those affected by pregnancy loss so she can help others going through a similar experience. Pippa shared a gallery of precious baby photos to Instagram on Monday and captioned it with some heartwarming words Sofia Vergara is asking the judge overseeing her divorce from Joe Manganiello to stick to the terms of a prenuptial agreement they signed. The 51-year-old Modern Family star made the request in a new filing, while also requesting that she be able to retain her current assets, according to documents obtained by People. The latest legal development for her and her 46-year-old estranged husband comes after claims that one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the couple was the True Blood star's desire to have children. Manganiello had previously cited 'irreconcilable differences' when he filed for divorce two days after the couple announced their split, and Vergara responded with the same reason for the separation in her filing from July 26. In addition to requesting the court follow the terms of their prenuptial agreement, she also asked that she be allowed to keep her jewelry, artwork and 'other personal effects,' which she considered assets. Sticking to it: Sofia Vergara, 51, is asking the judge overseeing her divorce from Joe Manganiello, 46, to follow the prenup they signed and to allow her to keep all her assets; seen in March in Beverly Hills She has also said that she should be able to retain all of her earnings from before she tied the knot with Manganiello, as well as any income from while they were married. While the couple's money and possessions should be easy enough to divide, especially if Manganiello opts not to challenge the prenup, it's less clear what will happen with one of their most beloved and furry assets: their ChihuahuaPomeranian mix, Bubbles. 'They still have a few issues to figure out, like custody of their dog, Bubbles,' an insider told Us Weekly late last week. 'But Sofia hopes they can move forward in a calm, fair fashion.' Under California law, pets were previously treated similarly to property, so the partner who originally adopted the animal would likely get precedence when it came to dividing their assets. However, a law passed in the state in 2019 gives judges more discretion to determine which party will get pets or how the exes will share the animals. That might increase the odds of Joe spending more time with Bubbles, even though Sofia was the one who apparently bought the dog. In a 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Colombian-born actress joked that the tiny pooch instantly preferred spending time with the Magic Mike actor after she brought it home. 'I don't have a dog. It's not mine, it's Joe's dog,' she said, even though she originally purchased Bubbles as her own pet. After the comedian showed her audience a cute photo of Bubbles, Sofia chimed in and called the dog an 'idiot.' 'It doesn't even look like a Chihuahua, it looks like some sort of teddy bear,' she said in a comically dismissive tone. 'The dog was for me, I got the dog, but she arrived and completely ignored me. Went straight to Joe. She has taken everything that was mine.' Even though she had the audience in stitches, the actress added, 'It's not funny it's horrible, she's taken my husband, my bed.' However, she added that it wasn't Joe's fault, as it was Bubbles who was 'obsessed' with him. He has often appeared on his and her Instagram pages, and in public, with Bubbles in his arms, and when Manganiello made a brief appearance via video chat in Magic Mike's Last Dance earlier this year, his character held Bubbles on camera. Holding on to it: Vergara, who announced her split from Manganiello this month, jewelry, artwork and 'other personal effects,' as well as all income from before and during the marriage; seen together in 2020 Sticking point: While the couple's money and possessions should be easy enough to divide, especially if Manganiello opts not to challenge the prenup, it's less clear what will happen with one of their most beloved and furry assets: their ChihuahuaPomeranian mix, Bubbles 'She hates me!' In a 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Colombian-born actress joked that the tiny pooch instantly preferred spending time with the Magic Mike actor after she brought it home Fans began to suspect that something was wrong with Sofia and Joe's relationship after she was seen celebrating her birthday in Italy alone, and a birthday message that Joe shared on Instagram added to concerns due to its supposedly 'cold' tone. The exes were introduced by Sofia's Modern Family costar Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the 2014 White House Correspondents' Association dinner. At the time, she was still engaged to the businessman Nick Loeb, but after they split a few weeks later, Joe enquired about her number. The two were engaged within the year, and they tied the knot in 2015. Married At First Sight bride Jessika Power has slammed influencer Skye Wheatley for joining OnlyFans months after the former Big Brother star denounced the adult platform. Skye, 29, recently announced she'd joined OnlyFans to document her recent breast argumentation, despite claiming the website of 'ruins marriages' in a video with fellow influencer Michael Finch back in September. Like many other critics, Jessika, 30, has since accused Skye of being a hypocrite. Jessika, who earns a six-figure salary selling X-rated content on OnlyFans, posted to Instagram Stories on Tuesday: 'I feel like everyone has seen the video that was leaked with Michael and now [Skye] wants to make money from the app by showing her "boob job journey" [laughing/crying emoji].' 'Never had [anything] against you Skye until this [shrugging emoji]. Makes no sense,' Jessika added. Married At First Sight bride Jessika Power, 30, (left) has slammed influencer Skye Wheatley, 29, (right) for joining OnlyFans months after denouncing the adult platform Jessika, who earns a six-figure salary selling X-rated content on OnlyFans, took a stab at Skye via this Instagram Stories post on Tuesday Skye revealed she'd created an OnlyFans page via an Instagram Story post on Friday. She had he previously announced she's getting another boob job after she spent years trying to fix a botched breast enlargement she had in 2015 when she cut a promotional deal with a medical tourism company in Thailand. Speaking to her followers, Skye explained that she'd made the account to document her new 'boob job journey' with fans that are interested. 'Never had [anything] against you Skye until this [shrugging emoji]. Makes no sense,' Jessika wrote 'I want to post my results and post all of that TMI stuff. But definitely wouldn't do it (on Instagram),' she added. The mother-of two went on to clarify that she would never post any 'sexual' content to her account for the sake of her young sons - Bear, two, and Forest, four. 'If I do decide to go on OF and use that as like another social platform, there would never be any nips, any sexual intercourse...' she said. 'I've even got a folder on my phone of OF pics. Because who doesn't love to dress up, take sexy pics. You know?' Skye revealed via her Instagram Story on Friday that she created an account on the X-rated adult platform Skye continued: 'Anyway, just a disclaimer, I don't think I would show nips purely because I'm a mum. I would die if that affected (my kids) in school or whatever. 'And there would never be any hardcore pornographic stuff posted to my account. So, don't want to disappoint anyone. Just a heads up. But it would be good to be able to just post my boob journey freely and not have to stress about what I'm posting.' Skye's announcement sparked outrage among the influencer community, with one person taking to the Outspoken Podcast Community page on Facebook to slam the star. Speaking to her followers, the Big Brother star explained she'd made the account to document her new 'boob job journey' with fans that are interested 'Biggest hypocrite Skye,' they wrote anonymously. 'She's so problematic, I've never disliked a stranger so much,' another user commented. 'She has far too many opinions for someone who seemingly chooses to remain ignorant about whatever it is she's having an opinion on...' one member agreed. Meanwhile, others showed their support for Skye, writing, 'I love her! She's one of the most honest and real ones.' Skye's announcement sparked outrage among the influencer community, with one person taking to the Outspoken Podcast Community page on Facebook to slam the star. But some showed their support, writing, 'I love her! She's one of the most honest and real ones' In September 2022, Skye sparked outrage for shaming women who earn a living from OnlyFans. Skye, who is considered one of Australia's first influencers, made rude and judgmental remarks about online sex workers in a recent YouTube video. She said she was 'fuming' some women in her industry are making good money by filming themselves performing sex acts. Skye, on the other hand, takes pride in the fact she is a more traditional influencer who earns a living endorsing brands on Instagram. Skye's Instagram account features suggestive lingerie and bikini content but nothing nude or X-rated She made the divisive remarks while speaking to fellow influencer Michael Finch. 'I'm sorry, let me get my dildo out and f**k myself on OnlyFans,' said Wheatley, whose Instagram account features suggestive lingerie and bikini content but nothing nude or X-rated. 'I like to make my money by approving a product and loving a product organically and sharing it with my audience rather than f**king myself with a f**king dildo and making money,' she continued. Skye, who is considered one of Australia's first influencers, made rude and judgmental remarks about online sex workers in a YouTube video with fellow influencer Michael Finch (left) She said she was 'fuming' that some women in her industry are making good money by filming themselves performing sex acts. Skye, on the other hand, takes pride in the fact she is a more traditional influencer who earns a living endorsing brands on Instagram Australian reality stars and influencers who have found success on OnlyFans include Married At First Sight's Jessika and Hayley Vernon, and TikToker Anna Paul. Skye went on to say that OnlyFans was responsible for 'ending marriages'. 'Do you know how many girls that go through their boyfriend's phone and see that they're secretly subscribed to a girl's OnlyFans? That's the end of a marriage right there. It's actually ludicrous!' she said. Skye shares sons Forest and Bear with her long-time boyfriend Lachlan Waugh, whom she met on Tinder back in 2017. In addition to influencing and property development, she is the co-founder of clothing label Good People Apparel. Kyle Sandilands shocked listeners on Tuesday when he revealed he was not a fan of late Oscar winning Australian actor, Heath Ledger. The shock jock, 52, was discussing the types of men women find attractive with his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, and made the bold claim Heath's good looks was all he had going for him. 'Everyone kept saying what a great actor he was but he just said, "ugh, ugh",' Kyle began. 'How is that a great actor? You can't even understand what he said. Rest in peace, Heath,' he added. 'Yeah, he mumbled everything,' Jackie agreed. Kyle Sandilands shocked his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on Tuesday when he revealed he was not a fan of the late Oscar winning Australian actor, Heath Ledger Kyle then joked he knew the real reason why people kept re-watching Heath's romantic drama Brokeback Mountain, which he starred in alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. 'Did you jerk off watching Brokeback, when the two guys were with each other in the tent?' Kyle cheekily asked Jackie. 'I think I need to re-watch it. Been so long, I don't even remember it,' Jackie responded. The shock jock, 52, was discussing the types of men women find attractive on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, and made the bold claim Heath's good looks was all he had going for him Heath was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 2005 drama, which centres around a secret love affair between two male sheepherders in 1963. The Aussie actor tragically died aged 28 on January 22, 2008 due to an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Elsewhere on the show, Kyle and Jackie O were forced to improvise when their scheduled interview with Tiffany Haddish was cancelled due to the SAG actors strike. Kyle told Jackie he had developed a work around solution - they would interview an AI with Tiffany's voice. Haddish, 43, was meant to be on a promo tour for her new movie Haunted Mansion, but it was cancelled due to the ongoing actors strike in America, which has seen A-Listers cancel work over increasing concerns about the role of AI in movies. 'The actors are worried about AI writing scripts and superimposing their faces and mimicking voices. I thought to myself, do they have a real gripe or are they in a kerfuffle over nothing.' Kyle said. However, the hosts were not impressed by the AI's overly scripted responses and said they would stick to speaking to real people. Sex And The City author Candace Bushnell, who's the inspiration for the hit HBO show's leading lady Carrie Bradshaw, is making some honest confessions about her dating history. And it turns out some of her experiences out on the dating scene can be just as entertaining as her fictional sex columnist, who has been played by actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Admitting she had come to a 'you never know dating attitude' when it comes to making a good match in the romance department, Bushnell admitted she went out with a couple of guys who had a 60 year difference between the two. 'You know, I have so many crazy dating adventures. I mean, one week I dated a guy who was 21 and a guy who was 91,' the Glastonbury, Connecticut native, 64, told Us Weekly. She added, 'Nobody tells you this is gonna happen. Like, that the age range is going to be 60 years.' Dating confession: Sex And The City author Candace Bushnell, 64, revealed her 'you never know' police to dating resulted in her going out with a 21-year-old and a 91-year-old in the same week Bushnells column in the New York Observer was adapted into the Sex And The City series that ran on HBO for six seasons from 1998 to 2004. The show followed Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her BFFs Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) through their dating lives in New York City. it would also spawn two feature films: Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) and Sex And The City 2 (2010), as well as the sequel series And Just Like That... (2021-present). While discussing the history of the show Bushnell revealed there was a time when the creators and producers considered hiring her to play Carrie after Parker expressed doubt over whether to take on the role. 'She [Parker] wasnt sure if she wanted to do it,' Bushnell explained. 'So I think there was a moment when they were like, "Well, maybe [Candace] could do it." And I was like, "No. I wouldnt even know how to do it." So I've actually always been thrilled that [Sarah is] Carrie Bradshaw. I mean, she's fabulous.' Bushnell went on to say that she doesn't think any of the four main female characters in Sex And The City are a full representation of her life or character. When asked whether she agrees dating is easier in your 50s and 60s because you know exactly what you want and exactly who you are, Bushnell noted that it's the thrill of the unknown that can making dating interesting. Legendary: Bushnells column in the New York Observer was adapted into the Sex And The City series that ran on HBO for six seasons from 1998 to 2004 'It's not necessarily that you know what you want,' she shared, adding, 'I have more of a dating attitude of like, "You never know."' Like, that's why I will go out with a 21-year-old and a 91-year-old. I'm like, "I don't know." Like, nobody knows.' Being older and wiser with age, the author revealed she has taken a 'tell them the truth' policy when deciding whether she and a prospective date are a good match. 'I've gone on dates with guys and I've said, "You know what, this is not going to work. You now, you're very nice, this and that, but you're not the right person for me,"' she said. 'I mean that's definitely something you feel like you can do when you're older and you're dating.' She went on to share how that truth policy is not as easy when you're younger because 'you don't want to hurt their feelings.' 'So that's my motto: yea, you can tell them the truth,' she reiterated. Carrie in doubt: While discussing the history of the HBO show Bushnell revealed there was a time when the creators and producers considered hiring her to play Carrie after Parker expressed doubt over whether to take on the role Her attitude: 'I have more of a dating attitude of like, "You never know."' Like, that's why I will go out with a 21-year-old and a 91-year-old. I'm like, "I don't know." Like, nobody knows'; the SATC author is pictured in The Hamptons in July 2023 In addition to being back out on the dating scene, Bushnell is also focused on her work, and her one-woman show, True Tales Of Sex, Success And Sex And The City. The idea for the show was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and features an array of personal stories related to fashion, literature, and of course sex, and a healthy dose of SATC tales. 'I tell the story of how I came to New York and crazy things that happened to me,' she shared as a teaser. 'And then how I created Sex in the City, how hard I worked to get there, why I invented Carrie Bradshaw and what happened to me afterward.' True Tales of Sex, Success And Sex And the City will take place at Canoe Place in Hampton Bays, New York, on Thursday, August 17, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Actress Ada Nicodemou has been in a relationship with boyfriend Adam Rigby for the past seven years. And the Home and Away star, 46, has sparked rumours that the pair could soon be engaged after a romantic European holiday. According to a report in New Idea this week, the pair skipped the Logie Awards in favour of heading to Cyprus with Ada's son, Johnas, in tow. The report speculated about a possible engagement for the star after she confirmed to the publication that the trip was so Adam could meet her extended family. The report went on to say that friends and family admit the pair are 'mad about each other' and are just waiting for them to make it official. Home and Away's Ada Nicodemou is set to get engaged according to New Idea magazine, after skipping the Logies for a romantic holiday with long-time boyfriend Adam Rigby Ada has previously gushed about their easy connection, telling New Idea that they met at a work function and that Adam had no idea of her fame. 'It's kind of cool though, right?' she said. 'I liked that he had no idea about the show,' she said of Adam. She has also praised his connection to Johnas, saying that the pair 'adore each other' and that she's been lucky to find a man so accepting of her child. The report speculated about a possible engagement for the star after she confirmed to the publication that the trip was so Adam could meet her extended family Ada, who has been married previously, has kept their relationship out of the spotlight but did offer a tribute to Adam in October, 2021. 'Thank you for 5 amazing years babe,' she captioned an Instagram photo, alongside a few red heart emojis. At the time, she thanked him for his consistent support and for being a stepdad to her son, Johnas, now ten. 'I hope u feel loved and spoiled, Johnas and I adore you,' she began her post. The couple are regularly at the centre of engagement rumours after seven years together 'You love us and support us so much, thank you for all you do for us and we love you,' she added alongside a selfie of the sweet couple. Ada and Adam have often been the subject of engagement rumours in the past. The former Heartbreak High star paid tribute to Adam previously, sharing a cute photo to Instagram of the pair enjoying themselves. Ada captioned the snap: 'Special time with my love.' The actress shares custody of Johnas with her ex-husband Chrys Xipolitas. The acting and journalism worlds are in mourning on Monday, with the news of Betty Ann Bruno's death aged 91. She had an uncredited role in director John Ford's 1937 film The Hurricane before playing a Munchkin in director Victor Fleming's 1939 classic The Wizard Of Oz. Bruno never pursued acting as she got older, transitioning to a television reporter, with her old station, KTVU in the Bay Area, confirming her death on Monday. The Santa Rosa, California publication The Press Democrat revealed that Bruno was dancing at the Sonoma Women's Club on Sunday, when she developed a 'sudden splitting headache.' Her longtime husband Craig Scheiner drove her to the hospital, though when they reached the front desk, 'she had a massive heart attack and collapsed on the floor.' Mourning: The acting and journalism worlds are in mourning on Monday, with the news of Betty Ann Bruno's passing at 91 years of age Munchkin: She had an uncredited role in director John Ford's 1937 film The Hurricane before playing a Munchkin in director Victor Fleming's 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, (pictured) Sudden headache: The Santa Rosa, California publication The Press Democrat revealed that Bruno was dancing at the Sonoma Women's Club on Sunday, when she developed a, 'sudden splitting headache' - she was taken to the hospital where she suffered a heart attack Scheiner told the publication that she was still very active in the weeks leading up to her passing, teaching hula classes and socializing with friends. 'She had no major health issues. Her heart just wore out. She died of old age,' her husband confirmed. She was born Betty Ann Kaihilani on October 1, 1931, in Wahiawa, Hawaii, though she grew up in Hollywood. The actress was cast among a handful of child actors to play Munchkins alongside several adult little people in the film. It is said she was among only four other child actors from The Wizard of Oz who are still alive. After graduating from Stanford University in 1953, she worked as a secretary for the CIA, meeting her first husband, Russell Bruno, at the spy agency. They moved to Berkeley, California in 1966, where they raised three sons, and Betty started her career as a broadcast journalist. After joining the Oakland League of Women Voters, KTVU hired her in 1971 to write for the 10 O'clock News program, which started a 20-year career. She met her second husband, Scheiner, at KTVU, where he worked as a cameraman, producer and editor for the station. Life and times: She was born Betty Ann Kaihilani on October 1, 1931, in Wahiawa, Hawaii, though she grew up in Hollywood Active: Betty Ann was still very active in the weeks leading up to her passing, teaching hula classes and socializing with friends Munchkin: The actress was cast among a handful of child actors to play Munchkins alongside several adult little people in the film Pictured: Betty Ann (seen in 2008, left, with Priscilla Clark and Ardith Todd) was among only four other child actors from The Wizard of Oz who were still alive Journalist: After joining the Oakland League of Women Voters, KTVU hired her in 1971 to write for the 10 O'clock News program, which started a 20-year career Emmys: Bruno won three Emmy Awards during her two decades at KTVU, for breaking news, news-feature series and investigative series, and she became known for covering the Oakland Hills Fire in October 1991... while that same fire was destroying her own home Hula: Bruno retired from television news in 1992 and moved to Sonoma, where she opened Hula Mai in 2009, teaching residents how to hula dance Bruno won three Emmy Awards during her two decades at KTVU, for breaking news, news-feature series and investigative series, and she became known for covering the Oakland Hills Fire in October 1991... while that same fire was destroying her own home. Bruno retired from television news in 1992 and moved to Sonoma, where she opened Hula Mai in 2009, teaching residents how to hula dance. She also published a memoir in 2020 entitled The Munchkin Diary: My Personal Yellow Brick Road. Bruno is survived by her husband Scheiner and her three sons with her first husband. Amanda Holden went down memory lane on Tuesday as she shared a clip of herself making her West End debut back in 2003. The TV personality, 51, looked unrecognisable as she transformed into Millie Dillmount for her Thoroughly Modern Millie role. Hiding her blonde locks, Amanda rocked a short red headed wig which boasted a block fringe. She showcased her slim figure in a halterneck red flapper dress as she transformed into the feisty character, who was made famous by Julie Andrews in the Oscar-winning 1967 film of the same name. Amanda, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for the performance, sounded sensational as she showed off her vocal range on stage. Throwback: Amanda Holden went down memory lane on Instagram on Tuesday as she shared a clip of herself making her West End debut back in 2003 Wow: The TV personality, 51, looked unrecognisable as she transformed into Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie The Britain's Got Talent judge thanked one of her TikTok fans for sharing the memory as she re-shared it with her 2million Instagram followers. She penned: 'Thanks for the memories TikTok #throughlymodernmillie.' Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love. Millie falls in love with the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a white slavery ring in China. Despite its success, Thoroughly Modern Millie closed in 2004 and Amanda went on to star as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical in 2011 and won the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The Heart radio presenter later starred in the West End production of Stepping Out in 2016 at the Vaudeville Theatre, Westminster. The throwback comes after Amanda looked sensational in a tiny black bikini as she soaked up the sun during a lavish getaway. She looked incredible in the racy two-piece as she peered coquettishly over her shoulder while enjoying an al fresco shower. Unrecognisable: Hiding her luxurious blonde locks, Amanda rocked a short red headed wig which boasted a block fringe Outstanding: The presenter, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for the performance, sounded sensational as she showed off her vocal range Amazing: Thoroughly Modern Millie closed in 2004 and Amanda went on to star as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical in 2011 and won the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical Amanda was sure to show off every inch of her figure with a hint of sideboob on display and her perky bottom taking centre stage. Amanda has been keeping fans up to speed on the holiday, where she has been soaking up the sun with her husband Chris Hughes. Just two days before her sizzling snap, she posted another bikini-clad image to once again flaunt her incredible frame and flawless assets. She showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy blue two-piece as she lounged on the back of a boat and looked out at the sea views. Amanda wed her music producer husband Chris in 2008 and the happy couple share daughters Lexi, 17 and Hollie, 11. Larry Emdur made it crystal clear who he was backing at the TV Week Logie Awards on Sunday. The Morning Show host happily let his wishes be known on the night, as he slipped into a pair of pristine white boxers adorned with one of his Channel Seven colleagues. In footage shared to Instagram, the lovable larrikin revealed his was getting behind the network's hostess with the mostess, Sonia Kruger. The Dancing With The Stars host - who also steers The Voice and Big Brother - was nominated for the prestigious Gold Logie alongside Julia Morris, Hamish Blake, Leigh Sales, Mark Coles Smith, Osher Gunsberg and Shaun Micallef. In the clip, Larry is happily seen dropping his suit pants in his hotel room to reveal a custom-made undergarment featuring an image of Sonia Kruger's face and a coveted Logie in all its brassy glory, alongside the text, 'On ya Sonia'. Larry Emdur made it crystal clear who he was backing at the TV Week Logie Awards on Sunday. The Morning Show host happily let his wishes be known on the night, as he slipped into a pair of pristine white boxers adorned with one of his Channel Seven colleagues. Pictured In footage shared to Instagram, the lovable larrikin revealed his was getting behind the network's hostess with the mostess, Sonia Kruger (pictured) Larry's lucky undies proved fortuitous, with Sonia taking home the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television thanks to her tireless hosting duties on Channel Seven. While accepting the award, Sonia was clearly overwhelmed. She admitted to forgetting the names of her loved ones, and even took a cheeky swipe at Hamish Blake, last year's winner of the Gold Logie. 'I cannot believe that. I have to compose myself,' she began breathlessly. As she began her dedications, Sonia was lost for words and could not recall the names of her closest friends and family members. 'I want to thank God, a.k.a. James Warburton [CEO of the Seven Network], who's a genius. My family... their names escape me. They know who they are,' she continued. 'No, I am joking! My mum, Deb, happy birthday for tomorrow. My brother, of course, Craig and my daughter Maggie and if my dad was here he would just be so proud and this is really for him,' she added. During her speech, she also namechecked Hamish Blake, the host of Channel Nine's Lego Masters, with whom she shares an agent. Sonia let slip their agent had told her in jest, 'Frankly, I am hoping [Hamish] will leave the agency so I can concentrate all of my efforts on you, Sonia.' The cameras then cut to a confused-looking Hamish, who was seated in the audience next to his wife Zoe Foster Blake. In the clip, Larry is happily seen dropping his suit pants in his hotel room to reveal a custom-made undergarment featuring an image of Sonia Kruger's face and a coveted Logie in all its brassy glory, alongside the text, 'On ya Sonia' Larry's lucky undies proved fortuitous, with Sonia taking home the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television thanks to her tireless hosting duties on Channel Seven Elsewhere, Sonia explained how much being a television host means to her. 'I was walking around and there is a mural and it says hosting is not about what you do, it is about how you make other people feel. And I thought, that is so true,' she said, becoming tearful. 'And tonight you guys, all your support, you have made me feel so good'. She concluded: 'I don't know what else to say. So many people to thank and so little time. I will be sending out apology letters to everybody that I haven't thanked tonight. Go and party, have a good time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.' As she began her dedications, Sonia was lost for words and could not recall the names of her closest friends and family members. 'I want to thank God, a.k.a. James Warburton [CEO of the Seven Network], who's a genius. My family... their names escape me. They know who they are,' she rambled. 'No, I am joking! My mum, Deb, happy birthday for tomorrow. My brother, of course, Craig and my daughter Maggie and if my dad was here he would just be so proud and this is really for him,' she added. During her speech, she also namechecked Hamish Blake, the host of Channel Nine's Lego Masters, with whom she shares an agent. Sonia let slip their agent had told her in jest, 'Frankly, I am hoping [Hamish] will leave the agency so I can concentrate all of my efforts on you, Sonia.' The cameras then cut to a confused-looking Hamish, who was seated in the audience next to his wife Zoe Foster Blake. Elsewhere, Sonia explained how much being a television host means to her. 'I was walking around and there is a mural and it says hosting is not about what you do, it is about how you make other people feel. And I thought, that is so true,' she said, becoming tearful. 'And tonight you guys, all your support, you have made me feel so good'. She concluded: 'I don't know what else to say. So many people to thank and so little time. I will be sending out apology letters to everybody that I haven't thanked tonight. Go and party, have a good time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.' She kicked off her massive tour of stadiums in mid-March for her wildly successful The Eras Tour. And it seems as though Taylor Swift's hard work has certainly paid off as she has reportedly shelled out a whopping $100,000 (77,992) in bonuses for the truckers. The pop star, 33, is said to have generously given the huge six-figure bonuses to the truck drivers who have hauled her equipment around the country amid the US leg of her tour. According to TMZ, the Bad Blood hitmaker handed out bonus cheques to the workers ahead of her Santa Clara, California show on Saturday. The publication states that there are around 50 production truck drivers taking part in the US leg of the tour, meaning that if she did indeed pay $100k in bonuses, she would have forked out an eye-watering $5million (3.9million) in total. Kerching! It seems as though Taylor Swift's hard work has paid off as she has reportedly shelled out a whopping $100,000 (77,992) in bonuses for the truckers on her Eras tour Generous: The pop star, 33, is said to have generously given the huge six-figure bonuses to the truck drivers who have hauled her equipment around the country amid the US leg of her tour Sources told TMZ that this was an 'end of the tour' bonus seeing as the US set of shows are coming to an end before she eventually continues the tour in Mexico. As well as the truck drivers, it's also reported that Taylor has given extra cash to 'band members, dancers, lighting and sound technicians, caterers, and others.' And while it's not been revealed just how much the non-truck drivers received, it's said to be a 'very generous amount'. MailOnline have contacted representatives of Taylor for comment. Taylor's epic tour is already said to have grossed an amazing $1billion worth of sales and is on track to become one of the highest grossing tours of all time. Her 2018 Reputation stadium tour broke Taylor's own record for the highest-grossing tour by a female artist on that continent, previously held by the 1989 World Tour, as it grossed $202.3million across just 53 shows. Her sixth tour Lover Fest was due to kick off in April 2020, but was then cancelled amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and Taylor is now on her hotly-anticipated Eras tour. She has been busy taking to stage for the US leg of the tour, with model Gigi Hadid seen dancing in the crowd at her recent show. Amazing: According to TMZ , the Bad Blood hitmaker handed out bonus cheques to the workers ahead of her Santa Clara, California show on Saturday What a star: As well as the truck drivers, it's also reported that Taylor has given extra cash to 'band members, dancers, lighting and sound technicians, caterers, and others' While her international stint of shows - including in the UK and Europe - are set to commence next year, with tickets currently on sale. It comes as Ticketmaster crashed as Swifties scrambled to get tickets for shows across the UK. Some fans were so fearful they would miss-out on tickets they were suffering 'anxiety attacks'. Popular: She has been busy taking to stage for the US leg of the tour, with model Gigi Hadid seen dancing in the crowd at her recent show With demand far outstripping supply, hundreds of fans were left ticketless and disappointed. Many took to social media to express their frustration and upset. Some complained of being unable to purchase tickets after being flagged as potential bots. Re-sale tickets are going for nearly 10,000, with fans having to pay for travel and accommodation on top of this. She finished in a lowly fourth place after a night of surprises - not all of them pleasant - saw Sammy Root and Jess Harding win the latest summer edition of Love Island. But inevitable disappointment could soon turn to unbridled joy for fledgling actress Molly Marsh upon her return to the United Kingdom with fitness instructor boyfriend Zachariah Noble. Brand and culture experts believe her stage school background, connections to broadcasting giant ITV and the added benefit of having an actress mother could help secure her numerous brand endorsements, TV appearances and, potentially, a successful West End career. A source told MailOnline: 'Molly has already been approached by numerous brands keen to work with her off the back of Love Island. 'With six-figure deals already rolling in from clothing brands, travel companies and beauty brands, she could be the real winner of the show.' The future's bright: Brand and culture experts believe Molly Marsh could end up being the real winner of Love Island - despite finishing in a disappointing fourth place with boyfriend Zachariah Noble (pictured) Unexpected: On a night of surprises - not all of them pleasant - Sammy Root and Jess Harding won the latest summer edition of Love Island The source added: 'I can see her using her stage school credentials to follow in the footsteps of Amber Davies, who has become a West End star and has made hundreds of thousands in doing so. 'Already a social media influencer in her own right I can see the confident star becoming a spokesperson for multiple brands.' Amber had trained as an actress and dancer before appearing on Love Island in 2017, subsequently winning the show with then boyfriend Kem Cetinay. She has since carved out a successful stage career with prominent roles in hit musicals 9 To 5, Bring It On, Back To The Future, and more recently, Pretty Woman. Former stage school student Molly entered the villa with pre-established showbiz connections through her mother, Janet Marsh - an actress who once starred on Coronation Street. She walked the show's hallowed cobbles on three separate occasions, with all three roles in the medical profession. Her first appearance was back in 2005, where she played a nurse. She then joined the soap again in March 2008 playing a receptionist at the Scott-Roe Clinic. A year later, Janet returned to Weatherfield, this time to portray an ITU nurse after character Claire Peacock was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at home. Well connected: Molly is no stranger to the showbiz life as her mum is actress Janet Marsh, a former Coronation Street actress Previously: Her Instagram account reveals a prior visit to Britain's Got Talent, where she posed for a series of backstage pictures Soap star: Janet has walked the hallowed cobbles on three separate appearances on over the years, with all three roles in the medical profession (pictured in 2009) Stunner: Molly boasted a whopping number of social media followers before entering the villa - an accolade most stars achieve after the show Janet has had quite the TV career, having bagged other credits in shows such as Where The Heart Is, Bodies, In The Dark, Love, Lies and Records. She has also had a role in Still Open All Hours as well as short film Cerulean in which she played a news reporter. The talented actress has also done some voiceover work, with jobs including CBBC. Speaking to The Sun about the time she appeared on the cobbles, Janet said: 'I was a receptionist at an abortion clinic, with Michelle Keegan when she first started out. It was one of her first jobs, but she was lovely, really really nice.' Janet also teaches drama and owns her own performing arts school. Following in her mum's footsteps, it's believed Molly has bagged roles in national tours of Oliver! and Sleeping Beauty before trying her luck on the small screen. Success: Like Molly, former Love Island winner Amber Davies trained as an actress and dancer before appearing on Love Island in 2017 and his since carved out a West End career Popular: Molly was already one of the stand-out stars before Love Island had even started Molly is thought to have caught the producers' eyes after taking a tour of the winter villa in Cape Town, South Africa in January - an opportunity rarely afforded those without professional ties to the show. Her grid on the photo-sharing platform is littered with snaps from her trip to the South African mansion, including in the beach hut and fire pit. Molly said of her claims to fame: 'With my job being in social media, Ive had some amazing opportunities to go on press trips and Ive actually been out to the Love Island Villas in Mallorca and South Africa... 'Having the experience to walk around both was amazing but to now actually live in the Villa is going to be incredible. Euphoria star Angus Cloud died age 25 at his family's home in Oakland on July 31, a week after his father's funeral. His Euphoria co-stars have led the tributes in the wake of the shock, as has his rumored girlfriend Sydney Martin. However, she did not directly refer to Cloud at first, simply posting a black screen with a line broken-hearted emojis on her Instagram story. She later posted another tribute, saying 'my heart is so broken. I love you forever,' alongside a video of the pair together. So, who is Cloud's on-off girlfriend? And how long had they been together? Read below for all you need to know. Saying goodbye: Sydney Martin, who was rumored to be in an onoff relationship with the late Euphoria star Angus Cloud, appeared to react to his tragic death on Monday (pictured in April) 'I love you forever': Euphoria star Angus Cloud died age 25 at his family's home in Oakland on July 31 , a week after his father's funeral (pictured in 2022) Heartbroken: Martin posted a line of seven broken-hearted emojis over a black background in the immediate aftermath of Cloud's death Who is Angus Cloud's rumored girlfriend Sydney Martin? Sydney Martin grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, but moved to Los Angeles aged 18 to pursue an acting career. She talked about her difficult childhood in an interview with Voyage LA She said: 'My family imploded when I was six and my dad walked out, our house burned down when I was nine, and we lived in our motorhome, homeless, waiting for the rebuild, I struggle with depression and anxiety.' Now, alongside acting, Martin is mainly a model and has worked for a number of fashion and cosmetic brands. One of her acting roles so far came as a minor character in Euphoria - Cloud's best-known show - as 'bikini girl' in a season 2 episode. She has also starred in All American, Grown-ish, and The Rookie. READ MORE: Euphoria's Angus Cloud discussed his hopes for the third season before shock death aged 25 Advertisement How long were Angus Cloud and Sydney Martin together? Neither half of this rumored couple ever confirmed that they were together, with rumors being that the two were on-and-off since 2022. However, Martin's emotional response to the actor's death suggest they were together at the time. She added in her tribute that 'I will never let the world forget you, bless bless one love.' In addition to adding these messages to her Instagram Story, Martin removed more light-hearted posts made prior to TMZ reporting the news of Cloud's death. Besides the supposed involvement with Cloud, little is known about Martin's private life. ASEAN-China 12.1 billion yuan economic cooperation deals inked Xinhua) 08:10, August 01, 2023 This aerial photo taken on April 27, 2023 shows the construction site of Lingdingyang bridge, which is part of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link in south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) SHENZHEN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Seven economic cooperation projects worth 12.1 billion yuan (about 1.7 billion U.S. dollars) between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries were signed Sunday in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen. The signing was completed during the 2023 ASEAN-China Greater Bay Area Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum that ran from July 29 to 30, which covered industrial park construction, digital economy and agricultural cooperation. The Greater Bay Area-ASEAN International Chamber of Commerce Alliance and the China-ASEAN Think Tank Partnership were established at the forum. The forum also resulted in an initiative concerning a closer Greater Bay Area-ASEAN economic partnership. The initiative proposes enhanced economic cooperation and strengthened people-to-people connections. Concrete measures include supporting the China-ASEAN Center to set up a representative office in Shenzhen, exploring the establishment of a Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Industrial Development Investment Fund, holding the "Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition," and establishing a network for cooperation among universities, think tanks, and research institutions from both sides. More than 150 foreign guests, including representatives from the governments of all 10 ASEAN countries, diplomatic agencies in China, chambers of commerce, think tanks and enterprises, attended the forum. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Damian Hurley has been enjoying a luxury getaway on the Italian Riviera with his school friend Millie Griffiths - as they were spotted on the beach in Portofino. The model son of Elizabeth Hurley, 21, went shirtless as he stripped down to a pair of thigh-slit shorts, revealing his toned physique as he dried off after a swim. Damian had been spotted frolicking in the sea with his close pal Millie, who often features in pictures and on social media with the British star. The actor's shoulder-length locks were wet from the swim and he shielded his eyes from the sun with a pair of gold-rimmed shades. Damian stood on the rocky beach as he towelled down while stood beside Millie, who was modelling a turquoise bikini. His job is... beach! Damian Hurley has been enjoying a luxury getaway on the Italian Riviera with his school friend Millie Griffiths - as they were spotted on the beach in Portofino Friends: Damian had been spotted frolicking in the sea with his close pal Millie, who often features in pictures and on social media with the British star Ha! The two friends seemed to be having a whale of a time together The two pals were later seen leaving the coastal spot, as Damian covered up in a grey T-shirt and a pair of white linen trousers with white trainers. Last year, sources said on Damian and Millie who attended the 37,000-a-year Wellington College together were 'close' throughout school and are 'inseparable'. Damian has followed in his mother's fashionable footsteps, becoming one of the most sought after male models in the UK. He is signed to the London arm of IMG Models, which also represents US sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Christie Blinkley. Aside from his work in the fashion industry, last month, Damian marked his writing and directorial feature debut with upcoming mystery drama Strictly Confidential. Risque pictures show his model mum Elizabeth, who plays Lily, appearing to be seduced by Natasha, played young actress Pear Chiravara. The actress, 58, dressed in a plunging metallic gown, accepts a drink from Ms Chiravara, who then starts to kiss her chest. Damian praised his mum for sticking to her promise to be in his first film when shooting wrapped in December on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Sun-kissed: Damian stood on the rocky beach as he dried off with a white towel while stood beside Millie, who was modelling a turquoise bikini Sweet: Damian held Milie in his arms as they cooled off in the water Goofing around! Last year, sources said on Damian and Millie who attended the 37,000-a-year Wellington College together were 'close' throughout school and are 'inseparable' Heading home: The two pals were later seen leaving the coastal spot, as Damian covered up in a grey T-shirt and a pair of white linen trousers with white trainers Jokers: They were spotted earlier this week soaking up the Italian sunshine Don't mind me: The son of actress and model Elizabeth Hurley reclined on a sun-lounger Good times: Damian and Millie appeared to be making the most of the Italian heatwave Loving it: The pair were sprawled alongside one another as they soaked up the sun Pals: Damian and Millie were later seen enjoying a walk in Portofino with a group of friends Nice view: The small group idled on a pathway close to the ocean during their outing on Tuesday morning Sharing behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram, he wrote: 'Everyone involved deserves public declarations of adoration (all of which will come in due course) but right now I want to worship @ElizabethHurley1. 'During the making of my first ever short film back in 2010 (when I was 8) promised me she'd be in my first feature; true to her word... 'The minute this film was greenlit, Mama dropped everything and raced out to the beautiful Caribbean to help. Working together was a dream.' The mystery drama follows Mia, played by CBBC star Georgia Lock, as she is drawn into a 'world of sex, duplicity and betrayal' while trying to uncover the mystery surrounding her best friend Rebecca's suicide. Damian, who graduated last summer, was praised by his famous friends including Trinny Woodall who said: 'What an amazing achievement Damien, after all your passion and hard work, it's paid off well done darling, so so happy for you and it really does help to have the best mama in the world.' Susannah Constantine added: 'Beauty AND brains.' It is not the first time Ms Hurley has starred in one of her son's projects.. She also flew out to Saint Kitts and Nevis for his short film, The Boy on the Beach, last year. Ms Hurley's previous roles include The Royals, Bedazzled and Austin Powers. In 2018 she revealed the secret photographer behind her seemingly endless stream of bikini Instagram posts was in fact her only son. Grateful: Aside from his work in the fashion industry, last month, Damian marked his writing and directorial feature debut with upcoming mystery drama Strictly Confidential Racy: The film stars his own mother, Elizabeth Hurley, in frisky scenes with another woman Terri Irwin and Blue Wiggle Anthony Field's heartwarming friendship has become a beacon of strength over the years since the tragic death of Steve Irwin in 2006. And now, it appears Anthony has been lending an empathetic ear and fatherly advice to Steve's children while offering Terri a dependable shoulder to lean on. According to New Idea, big-hearted Anthony, 60, has become an integral figure in the lives of 59-year-old Terri and her children, Bindi, 25, and Robert, 19. 'Anthony loved Steve and he loves Terri, Bindi, and Robert, and that's created an unbreakable bond,' a source told the publication. 'Anthony really is family to them all, and I know he was a huge support for Terri when Steve died. He stepped up and she's never forgotten it.' Terri Irwin (left) and 'Blue Wiggle' Anthony Field's (right) heartwarming friendship has become a beacon of strength over the years since the tragic death of Steve Irwin in 2006 According to New Idea, big-hearted Anthony, 60, has become an integral figure in the lives of 59-year-old Terri and her children, Bindi, 25, and Robert, 19 Just last year, Terri invited The Wiggles to perform at the annual Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Brisbane, signifying their close familial bond. Robert affectionately known as the 'Khaki Wiggle,' frequently accompanies Dorothy the Dinosaur on stage as a supporting band member. A young Bindi had her star turn in the 2002 Wiggles film, Wiggly Safari. 'Anthony loved Steve and he loves Terri, Bindi, and Robert, and that's created an unbreakable bond,' a source told the publication. Bindi, Robert and Terri are pictured with Anthony and Emma Watkins 'Anthony really is family to them all, and I know he was a huge support for Terri when Steve died. He stepped up and she's never forgotten it'. Anthony is pictured with Steve Robert recently expressed his feelings towards the Wiggles family, saying, 'I consider it an honour to be part of The Wiggles family for so long.' The young Irwin felt privileged to continue his father's legacy when he performed his father's part in The Wiggles song, The Crocodile Hunter. 'I find it so special to carry on this legacy for my dad,' Robert added, showing the profound impact of Anthony's presence and support in their lives. Steve tragically died in 2006 after a stingray's barb pierced his chest while on the Great Barrier Reef. Just last year, Terri invited The Wiggles to perform at the annual Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Brisbane, signifying their close familial bond Leonardo DiCaprio said goodbye to Sardinia and its undeniable charms on Monday as he left the picturesque Italian island aboard a waiting jet. The Oscar-winning actor, 48, was joined by an entourage of friends as he climbed inside after enjoying a welcome summer break on the Mediterranean. With a hood pulled over his head, DiCaprio - who frequently wears protective COVID-masks while out in public - appeared oblivious to the current heatwave sweeping Europe while making another attempt at concealing his identity. Walking behind the actor, a friend appeared to hold his bag at head level as he boarded the plane, an apparent attempt to provide anonymity ahead of their departure. The jet-setting eco-warrior has been holidaying in Sardinia with a friends, among them the British model Neelam Gill - with whom he has been romantically linked over recent weeks. He's off: Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured in hooded top) said goodbye to Sardinia and its undeniable charms on Monday as he left the picturesque Italian island aboard a waiting jet Nothing to see here: Walking behind the actor, a friend appeared to hold his bag at head level as he boarded the plane, an apparent attempt to provide anonymity ahead of their departure The 28-year old model squashed romance rumours in July, telling Instagram followers: 'Just to clear up any rumours... I am not Leonardo DiCaprio's new flame. 'In fact I am in a committed relationship with his good friend, and have been for many months now. 'The only reason we have been pictured in the same vicinity is because I have been there with my partner. I hope this clears up all false stories.' A source told MailOnline Neelam is dating Leo's best friend and confirmed: 'They are not together and have never been'. Their Italian trip comes after the Oscar winner attended Sir Mick Jagger's 80th birthday party in London on Wednesday. He made a surprise appearance at the star-studded party alongside the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Stella McCartney and Jerry Hall. Earlier this month, Leo was spotted partying with Neelam and Maya Jama, 28, in London. Leo was attending the Vogue Summer party at the Chiltern Firehouse, where Maya - the face of Vogue's August edition - and Neelam were seen putting on sizzling displays in floor-sweeping gowns. Here they come: The actor's group of friends were seen following him onboard the plane It's time to go: The entourage appeared to moving on to a new destination after a relaxing few days on the southern Italian island In good company: The jet-setting eco-warrior has been holidaying in Sardinia with a friends, among them the British model Neelam Gill In pictures shared by fellow partygoers, Leonardo looked to be having a wonderful time as he lived it up with a slew of the movers and shakers, with insiders telling MailOnline he placed himself by the DJ booth amid the festivities. Far from just being surrounded by his romantic interests, Leo's mother Irmelin Indenbirken was also in attendance and was seen sharing a laugh with her son. Neelam was also seen spending time on Leo's mega-yacht with a group of friends on the Amalfi Coast and has been spotted at many events which Leo was also attending, including at Cannes and nights out at Chiltern Firehouse. The pair were also spotted at dinner in Paris with Tobey Maguire last month, who is believed to be single and has been linked to a string of beauties lately. Meanwhile, Maya shut down Leonardo dating rumours in April after she was seen wearing a 'Leo' necklace yet. She tweeted: 'I've been minding my business on holiday & said I wouldn't respond/pay attention to any of the silly stories anymore but you need to stop now. Good times: The actor has been unwinding aboard a rented yacht off the Sardinian coast over recent days 'That is literally my star sign. We are not dating. Move on please.' Amid a swirl of various romance rumours, Leonardo is reportedly still in a 'friendly, no-strings' relationship with another model, Gigi Hadid. '[They] travel so often so it's best for them to keep their relationship open and fluid. Neither one of them wants to settle down at the moment,' a source claimed to Us Weekly in May. An insider previously told the outlet that he is drawn to the mother-of-one's 'very cultured and educated take on life'. The Colombian-born actress, 51, adopted the 10-year-old Chihuahua-pom mix in 2021, but has famously joked how the pooch favors Manganiello, 46, over her Insider said: 'Neither one of them is bitter or out for revenge, and Sofia loves Bubbles and wants her to be happy which is why she's letting Joe have custody.' Sources close to Joe Manganiello tell DailyMail.com that Sofia Vergara has amicably agreed to let her estranged husband keep Bubbles in their divorce Sofia Vergara has agreed to hand over estranged husband Joe Manganiello full custody of beloved Chihuahua Bubbles amid their ongoing divorce, DailyMail.com can reveal. The couple, who announced their separation last month, are in the process of splitting up their assets and possessions as per their prenuptial agreement, as well as their family pets. Manganiello, 46, and Vergara, 51, do not have any children between them, which makes for smoother divorce proceedings, however, they would still have to work out a custody agreement for Bubbles, the 10-year-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix Vergara adopted in 2021. Pets were previously treated similarly to property under California law, which typically granted the partner who originally adopted the animal precedence when it came to dividing their assets. Sofia Vergara has 'graciously' agreed to give estranged husband Joe Manganiello full custody of Bubbles, the 10-year-old Chihuahua-pom mix the actor has famously grown attached to after she adopted her two years ago Reports have claimed that while the couple's split is amicable, they still had a few unresolved issues, including the custody of Bubbles Both Joe and Sofia have famously joked about Bubbles's instant attachment to the actor after she joined the family in 2021 However, a law passed in the state in 2019 gives judges more discretion to determine which party will get pets or how the exes will share the animals. Fortunately, the two have been handling the split amicably, according to insiders who revealed Sofia has 'graciously' allowed her estranged husband to keep the pup which he had almost already taken exclusive ownership of since she joined the family. 'Not in a million years would Joe part ways with his dog Bubbles and Sofia is well aware of this. Joe said Sofia was gracious about him keeping Bubbles after their break-up,' a source close to the actor told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Neither one of them is bitter or out for revenge, and Sofia loves Bubbles and wants her to be happy which is precisely why she's letting Joe have custody. 'He said Sofia has the biggest heart and would never do anything to intentionally hurt him or Bubbles.' According to insiders, Bubbles has virtually become Manganiello's 'child', and exclusively his after the dog rejected Sofia. The couple is seen with their dogs and Vergara's son Manolo Gonzalez, 31, in 2020 The True Blood star, who has no children of his own, has not been shy about his attachment to the tiny pup, who is present in nearly every one of his posts on Instagram While Vergara took in Bubbles with the intention of making her her own pet, the dog ultimately took a liking to Joe and the two have been inseparable ever since And although Sofia is technically the dog's legal owner, both parties have made it clear in interviews and social media posts that it is Joe who has developed an unbreakable bond with Bubbles. The True Blood star, who has no children of his own, has not been shy about his attachment to the tiny pup, who is present in nearly every one of his posts on Instagram where he proudly identifies as a 'Chihuahua dad' and has even made several public appearances with him on TV and red carpet events. Just last month the actor shared a video wishing Bubbles a happy 10th birthday and spoiling her with a 'puppuccino,' on July 9, the day before Sofia's 51st birthday. In a humorous Mothers' Day post this year, he also paid tribute to his mom as well as his wife, who has a son from a previous marriage, using a photo of Vergara posing with Bubbles. In November 2022, he appeared with Bubbles on the Kelly Clarkson Show where he gushed that his pooch was 'very protective of dada' and jokingly bragged about how his wife 'wanted the dog but the dog wanted me.' It's been reported that the couple's split largely stems from Manganiello's intense desire to have children, and sources say his close bond with Bubbles has served almost like a parent-child relationship. 'Joe said he couldn't imagine life without his dog and never knew that kind of love. In his mind, he already has a child,' the insider said. Manganiello proudly identifies as a 'Chihuahua dad' on Instagram and has even made several public appearances with Bubbles on TV and red carpet events The actor appeared with Bubbles on the Kelly Clarkson Show in November 2022, where he gushed over their unbreakable bond In 2021, Vergara appeared on Ellen and revealed how her dream of adopting a dog went horribly wrong once she brought Bubbles home and she instantly preferred Manganiello Sofia and Joe announced their separation last month - after eight years of marriage 'He said if Bubbles could speak, she would say that under no circumstances would she want to be with anyone else but Joe.' The source added: 'When we were working on a project together overseas, Joe took Bubbles with him everywhere. On the set, to bars, restaurants. 'He always had that little dog is in arms. He even took Bubbles to a concert. The two are inseparable. 'The only time have I've seen Joe without Bubbles was when he was actually on-camera working. 'We were overseas for months, so even back then both Joe and Sofia knew Bubbles had a favorite.' Vergara herself has famously joked in interviews how Bubbles has become her husband's pet after the pooch took a particular liking to Joe and formed a strong bond with him. In a humorous Mothers' Day post this year, he also paid tribute to his mom as well as his wife, who has a son from a previous marriage, using a photo of Vergara posing with Bubbles In January 2019, a new California law changed pet custody in divorces. Judges can now consider the pet's welfare and best interests. Before that, pets were treated as property, often divided based on purchase or adoption Manganiello celebrated Bubbles's 10th birthday last month on July 9, the day before wife Sofia's 51st birthday, by spoiling the pooch with a puppaccino In a 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Colombian-born TV star quipped that the dog instantly preferred spending time with the Magic Mike actor after she brought it home. 'I don't have a dog. It's not mine, it's Joe's dog,' she said, even though she originally purchased Bubbles as her own pet. After the comedian showed her audience a cute photo of Bubbles, Sofia chimed in and called the dog an 'idiot.' 'The dog was for me, I got the dog, but she arrived and completely ignored me. Went straight to Joe. She has taken everything that was mine,' she said. Joking about how Bubbles has made it clear who her favorite is, she said: 'It's not funny it's horrible, she's taken my husband, my bed. 'She sleeps in bed with Joe, they sleep together and then I sleep on the other side. It has become something so weird. 'But I have to say it's not Joe's fault, it's her, she's obsessed with him.' In an interview from 2016 Sofia said that Joe wanted kids and she was open to more children but it was not going to happen 'naturally.' The beauty is already mom to 31-year-old Manolo with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez. Jay-Z has bought a Beyonce fan's artwork after spotting the paintings on the news. Lauryn Michele appeared on NBC after she brought her canvases to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Beyonce was performing on her Renaissance tour. After being blown away by the artwork, Jay-Z snapped up a trio of masterpieces featuring his wife of 15 years Lauryn revealed the news on her TikTok account, garnering tens of thousands of views within a day. She captioned the video: 'POV: you were on the news and Jay-Z bought your paintings.' Encore: Jay-Z has bought a Beyonce fan's artwork after spotting the paintings on the news and being blown away by Lauryn Michele's talent Stamina: Beyonce has been hard at work on her ongoing tour. The Renaissance show is around two and a half hours long and is split into six acts The video followed the artist as she arrived at the East Rutherford venue, presenting her work to the TV cameras before filming herself watching the report that evening. The clip ended with the payoff, showing Lauryn stood with her arm round her subject's husband, flanked by the enormous paintings. Amazed TikTok users flooded to the comments to praise Lauryn's talent, and express their amazement. Three days earlier, Lauryn posted a clip showing her making one of the pieces, demonstrating the painstaking level of effort behind the art. While the views for that reached the low thousands, her interaction with the Empire State Of Mind rapper achieved well over ten times that. Lauryn has sold work to celebrities in the past, giving her paintings to Ariana Fletcher (also known as Kyle Sister) and Megan Thee Stallion. Beyonce, meanwhile, has been hard at work on her ongoing tour. The Renaissance show is around two and a half hours long and is split into six acts, with Beyonce performing the tracks of Renaissance in order, interspersed with songs from across her discography. Is there a cloakroom? Lauryn took three enormous canvases to Beyonce's New Jersey gig The show received critical acclaim, with particular praise for the production value and Beyonce's vocal performance. After touring through Europe through June 28, the pop superstar brought the show to North America, beginning with a show in Toronto, Canada on July 8. The long trek brought her to East Rutherford, New Jersey for the two shows at Met Life Stadium on July 29 and 30. Slated to make its way through the U.S. along with one more stop north of the border in Vancouver, the tour is scheduled to wind its way for the finale at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on October 1. Hitting the headlines: The artist made the news when she arrived at the MetLife stadium with her work Em Davies has announced that her fashion label is on pause. The scandal-prone influencer is ceasing operations on Venem 1.0 to focus on a new business venture. 'It is with so many mixed emotions that I am announcing that, as of September 1st, I will be taking a pause on @venem1.0 for the foreseeable future,' she wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday. 'Making the choice to pull back from a business that is doing well is one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make. 'The reality of running a slow label means you become more caught up in the business side and less in the creative space, which is ultimately where I want to be. Em Davies (pictured) has announced that her fashion label is on pause. The scandal-prone influencer is ceasing operations on Venem 1.0 to focus on a new business venture 'It might not look like a smart move to outsiders, but my intuition is telling me otherwise, and I need to follow that. I know what I want for my future and what I want to do, and to me it feels exciting.' She went on to thank her fans, writing, 'The gratitude I feel everyday for you all is the most immense feeling and I couldn't have done any of this without you.' Em started the label, which boasts edgy, trendy designs, back in 2019. It comes after the influencer announced her engagement to boyfriend of two years, Joel Gambin. 'It is with so many mixed emotions that I am announcing that, as of September 1st, I will be taking a pause on @venem1.0 for the foreseeable future,' she wrote in and Instagram post Joel proposed during a romantic trip to New York in March, and Em, 28, wasted no time sharing the news with her Instagram fans. The bikini model uploaded a gallery of photos that captured the moment Joel proposed in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of DUMBO. 'I'm speechless. I love you so much. Someone pinch me !!??!!! What just happened?' she wrote in the caption. She also included close-up photos of Joel presenting her with an elegant emerald-cut diamond engagement ring. Em started the label, which boasts edgy, trendy designs, back in 2019 Em's happy news comes after a string of recent controversies. In August last year, the Perth star landed herself in hot water after she uploaded an image of a sealed ziplock bag containing a brownie, as she made her way to the airport to catch a flight to Bali. 'Are we going to regret eating this weed brownie on our way to the airport?' she wrote alongside a 'yes' or 'no' poll. The post was deleted a few minutes later, presumably when Davies realised it was shared with her more than 360,000 followers, rather than her close friends. It comes after the influencer announced her engagement to boyfriend of two years, Joel Gambin (left) Joel proposed during a romantic trip to New York in March, and Em, 28, wasted no time sharing the news with her Instagram fans Em also raised eyebrows in January 2020 she shared a joke video of herself on Instagram following a New Year's Eve gathering, where she pretended to snort a white powder with pals. In the clip, Em was seen lifting a non-illegal substance from a small piece of paper to her nose, guided by a tiny metal spoon. The influencer was then seen laughing at the camera, before saying: 'Yeah, the boys!' Em's happy news comes after a string of recent controversies She also landed in hot water in early 2021 when she appeared to break Perth's mandatory lockdown rules during her daily outdoor exercise session. In November 2019 she was heavily criticised for publishing a $97 health and fitness advice book despite not having a nutrition degree. Em, who has a degree in fashion business, claimed all of the information was '100 per cent referenced to science'. Maura Higgins looked sensational in a plunging red crop top as she shared snaps from Fiji on Tuesday. The reality star, 31, who jetted over last month after landing a new job on the US version of Love Island, looked sensational in her sizzling snaps. Former Love Island UK star Maura took to Instagram to show off her cleavage in a red and white patterned top. She captioned her post with a thought bubble emoji while tagging @loveislandusa. Along with the stunning selfie, she posted a silhouette of her body against the incredible sunset on the beach. Fun in the sun: Maura Higgins looked sensational in a plunging red crop top as she shared snaps from Fiji on Tuesday In another snap, Maura captured the mesmerising views as she crouched on the sand. Capturing the peaceful moment during her busy work schedule, Maura wrote: 'My home for a while.' Maura, who finished in fourth place on the fifth series of the UK show in 2019, is now the social media ambassador for Love Island USA. Last month, she shared the thrilling news by writing: 'This just in Maura Higgins will be your social ambassador this season bringing (sneaking) you the BTS scoop all summer!' While Maura continues to share her Fiji content, her new boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton recently confirmed their romance on Instagram. In Bobby's snap, he was showing Maura's hand as well as his own Rolex-clad wrist while also sharing clips showing him hanging out with Lisa Snowdon. MailOnline revealed that Bobby is a divorced father-of-one whose ex-wife says she supports their new romance. The Love Island star was seen kissing Bobby while on holiday in Ibiza last month and the couple got so carried away that the hunk was seen pictured sucking her toes. Stunning: The reality star, who jetted over last month after landing a new job on the US version of Love Island, also posted a silhouette of her body against the incredible sunset on the beach Peaceful: she posted a silhouette of her body against the incredible sunrise that she woke up too At the time, little was known about the mystery man, with whom the Irish TV personality was cavorting. It's now been revealed that Bobby, 39, married beautician Rachel Hunter five years ago and is a stepdad to her 10-year-old daughter, who sees him as a father figure. He is also a film industry stunt double who has stood in for household name film stars including Daniel Craig and Chris Hemsworth. Now Maura is happily loved up, fans won't expect to see her on the Love Island all stars reboot. Yet she previously insisted that she wouldn't sign up anyway, saying that she 'doesn't want to go back in time' and she has moved on from the show. Emmerdale is set to bring back a former star who left the ITV soap more than two decades ago - but with a twist. Soap legend Robert Beck will be returning to the show in a brand new role, after leaving the Dales 24 years ago. Robert, 53, originally played heartthrob Gavin Ferris on the soap in the 90s for more than 70 episodes. Gavin was the boyfriend of Bernice Blackstock, who was played by Samantha Giles and worked in The Woolpack. In 1999, Gavin was caught kissing Jason Kirk by Bernice and Tricia Stokes, which led to his split with Bernice, and subsequently departing the village soon afterwards. Exciting! Soap legend Robert Beck will be returning to Emmerdale in a brand new role, after leaving 24 years ago And though fans have for many years longed for him to return, Robert will actually be playing a completely new role this time around. The soap star, who is married to Coronation Street's Jane Danson, will portray Harry, a dangerous gangster who is an acquaintance of Corey, who goes into business with Cain Dingle in scenes set to air this week. Nate Robinson, who is worried about his finances after Moira cut his hours at the farm, recognises Corey from school and, feeling like a failure in the shadow of his former classmate's success, asks him for a job. Though Corey says he can't help, Nate confronts him once more to ask for work, finding his old friend, Caleb Miligan, in the company, who is the silent investor in the whole thing. Caleb ultimately offers Nate work in return for his silence, which proves to be the catalyst for the arrival of Harry, played by Robert, as things take a dark turn next week. Corey explains to eager Nate that there are opportunities to make extra cash on the side and, given his financial situation, Nate is more than happy to sign up for whatever these tasks may entail, with subsequent scenes seeing him meet with client Harry. Harry is incredibly impressed with Nate, who returns with a big tip, happy to inform Corey that Caleb doesn't have to know what they're up to. Caleb, however, suspects that Corey is up to something, and thus asks Nate to keep an eye on him. Robert, 53, originally played heartthrob Gavin Ferris on the soap in the 90s for more than 70 episodes (pictured on screen in 1999) New plot: Though fans have for many years longed for him to return, Robert will actually be playing a completely new role this time around Dangerous: The soap star, who is married to Coronation Street's Jane Danson, will portray Harry, a dangerous gangster who is an acquaintance of Corey, who goes into business with Cain Dingle in scenes set to air this week After some investigating, Nate discovers that Corey's side hustle with Harry isn't as legitimate as he was lead to believe. He agrees to hide this from Caleb though for the extra cash. Hopeful for a pay rise, Nate lies to Caleb and says that Corey isn't doing anything he shouldn't be to keep him from finding out. Nate later informs Corey that Caleb is suspicious of him, in a bid to get out of doing another dodgy job for Harry before Corey warns him that he isn't someone you want to get on the wrong side of. Will Nate manage to get out of the dodgy deals, or will he be led down a dark path? This won't be the first time that Robert, who has also appeared in Coronation Street and Brookside, plays a devilish gangster, having terrified audiences as the evil Fergus Collins in Hollyoaks two years ago. Fergus was killed off by his on-screen partner Trish Minniver (Denise Welch), who came to the defence of daughter Maxine (Nikki Sanderson), whose life was in danger. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Advertisement Vogue model Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her incredible assets once again. The curvy cover girl was promoting her popular swimwear line GAL Floripa - which she launched with her sister and best friend in 2019. The lingerie model made the most of a tiny cream-colored bikini that put her abs and trim waistline on display during a day in the sun. The 42-year-old siren was seen sunbathing with her black sunglasses on while on the beach in Ibiza in Spain. Ambrosio made the most of her new photo session: she was seen on the shore and in the water as she relied on her tried-and-true supermodel poses she used to work for Victoria's Secret. Hot in Spain: Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her incredible assets once again. The model was promoting her popular swimwear line GAL Floripa - which she launched with her sister and best friend in 2019 Swim season: The 42-year-old siren was seen sunbathing with her sunglasses on while on the beach in Ibiza in Spain The 5ft10in wonder put her stunning curves on display once again as the bikini designer showed off one of her new designs. The Brazilian wonder had on a two piece from her brand GAL Floripa as she lay on a towel and stretched her arms up. The businesswoman - who is best known for her work with lingerie giant Victoria's Secret - showed off her natural beauty in natural lighting in a series of sexy snaps. The supermodel held her arms up on her head as she looked at the camera. The cover model added in her caption that the swimsuit was for her new collection for 2023 as she noted: 'Awakening my sixth sense at @sixsenses.ibiza .' The doting mom has been sharing pictures from her break in Spain with her children Anja, 14, and Noah, 10. Last year she told Harper's Bazaar that 'I didn't think modelling would last.' But fame has not changed her much: 'In my personal life, I keep things simple. 'Im a Brazilian girl, even though I now live in LA, so swimsuits and simple beachwear is my style. I love fashion but I dont have to go crazy with buying items. Im happy with what makes me comfortable.' On fire: The lingerie model made the most of a tiny bikini that put her abs and trim waistline on display during a day in the sun A quick shower: Ambrosio made the most of her new photo session: she was seen on the shore and in the water as she relied on her tried-and-true supermodel poses she used to work for Victoria's Secret Now by the pool: Her accommodations were swanky as she had an infinity pool to pose by A closer look at this diva: She pulled her wet hair back while showing off her long gold chain necklace and matching rings And she named her top style icons: 'Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, because they carried themselves with confidence and a sense of fun. They also embraced a timeless look.' And the leggy lady shared some style advice. 'I think the best advice would be to remain authentic,' said the star who loves to wear athleisure. 'You can be playful and follow your instincts. You cant abandon yourself entirely; you have to stay true to who you are, even when youre wearing something that you wouldnt normally choose.' And she said she wants her kids to dress how they like. 'I want them to feel happy and comfortable in their own skin, so I would gently guide them if I felt they were trying to be someone theyre not. But Im happy for them to take their own journey. Its the only way.' The Real Housewives Of New York reboot is in full swing, with a new-look cast looking to reverse their predecessors' trend of plummeting ratings. And one of the new figureheads in the hotly-anticipated fourteenth season is fashion enthusiast Jenna Lyons. Jenna has proclaimed that she is 'not like the other housewives,' but viewers will hope she can still bring drama to the new season. Jenna is the oldest new recruit in the latest instalment of RHONY and is set to make a stir alongside her fellow new cast members after season 13's low ratings. So, who is Jenna Lyons? Find out below. Old head: Jenna Lyons is the oldest of the new Real Housewives Of New York cast Comeback: A new-look RHONY cast are looking to reverse their predecessors' plummeting ratings (L-R: Brynn Whitfield, Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva, Jenna, Jessel Taank, and Ubah Hassan) Who is Jenna Lyons? Born on June 8, 1968, Jenna is RHONY's oldest new recruit for season 14 at the age of 55 at the show's launch date. She is not born and raised in New York, like some of her fellow cast members, but is instead used to moving around. Jenna was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to Palos Verde California when she was four years old. As a child, she was targeted because of her health and opened up about her incontinentia pigmenti - also known as Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome - on The View. It is an inherited disorder of skin pigmentation that also affects the central nervous system, skin, eyes, teeth and skeletal system. The symptoms include hair loss, small or missing teeth, and eye abnormalities that can lead to vision loss. Jenna has opened up about how she has had to pay 'a lot of money' for her teeth and her hair due to the condition, which she said has left her with no hair on her body. She told The Observer that her condition 'made me introverted, but it was also the reason I loved fashion, because it can change who you are and how you feel, and that can be magical'. Girl power: Jenna rose to the top of the fashion world by 2010, and now owns her own business selling cruelty-free and 'natural-looking' false eyelashes Jenna has told how the genetic disorder eventually inspired her love of fashion and to launch her company LoveSeen, which sells 'natural-looking' false eyelashes. Her creativity and passion for the fashion industry was nurtured and encouraged by her mother, who was a piano teacher. She has also told how her parents' divorce influenced her career as it made her driven to never have to be in a position where she had to rely on a partner. What is Jenna Lyons' job now? Jenna always looked set to be in the fashion business, graduating from Parsons School of Design before landing a job as a menswear assistant designer at clothing retailer J. Crew aged just 21. After finding her feet in the business, she was the company's Vice President of Women's Design by 2003. And in 2010, she became the company's Executive Creative Director and President, thrusting her to the spotlight of the fashion industry. She left this role in 2017, having popularized daytime sequins and the high-low style, according to The New York Times. After a few years out of the limelight, she then launched LoveSeen, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand selling false eyelashes, which she remains CEO of. Who is Jenna Lyons' ex-husband? Jenna married artist Vincent Mazeau in 2002, and they had a son, Beckett Lyons Mazeau, born on October 3, 2006. However, the couple later went through a reportedly messy divorce, which was finalised in 2011. Jenna, who has since come out as a lesbian, then started seeing Courtney Crangi - the sister of celebrity jeweler Philip. Is Jenna Lyons in a relationship? The RHONY star has a new girlfriend, but has been clear that she does not want her partner to feature on the show, or be named. Private: The RHONY star has a new girlfriend , but has been clear that she does not want her partner to feature on the show, or be named Jenna told her co-stars during an early episode of the reboot that she was in a relationship, but kept any details about her partner private. 'Because I've had so much press, I am very quiet about that so I'm not sharing that,' she said of her partner's name. 'My life has put me in the public eye for my job and other things I've done. And that is my choice. 'And if someone does not want to be in that with me, then I have to respect that.' Christy Turlington has revealed why she shies away from plastic surgery and is determined to age naturally in a candid new interview. The supermodel, 54, who has previously said she believes plastic surgery 'looks freaky' - said that she loves 'seeing a real face' in a chat with Marie Claire. She said: 'Women who have stayed away from augmentation of themselvesthose are the women I really admire. I love seeing a real face. A face of someone whos lived life. 'I would say my beauty icons are people like Jane Birkin. They have the kind of faces I like to see, and we dont get to see as many of those in the world anymore. Jane aged in her way. She was as beautiful at the end of her life as she was early on. 'I will be one of those faces. I am one of those faces.' Fab at 54: Christy Turlington has revealed why she shies away from plastic surgery and is determined to age naturally in a candid new interview (pictured 2022) Iconic: After she turned 18, she moved to New York City to pursue the career full-time, and went on to become one of the most successful models of the '90s (pictured 1992) She said: 'Women who have stayed away from augmentation of themselvesthose are the women I really admire. I love seeing a real face. A face of someone whos lived life (pictured 2022) The star said she relies upon a 'very simple' skincare routine with cleanser and vitamin C for hydration in the daytime and a face balm and mask in the evening. Christy also relies upon yoga to keep her fit, and loves to hike and run for the 'disconnectedness.' Back in 2016 the star told Town & Country of plastic surgery: 'Maybe I would think differently if I thought it looked good and it didnt hurt and it didnt send bad messages to young people,' she said. 'But Ive never seen someone who Ive been like, "Oh, thats a good idea." It looks freaky to me.' Turlington first started modeling as a teen, after she was discovered by a local photographer during a trip to Miami, Florida, to visit her father. After she turned 18, she moved to New York City to pursue the career full-time, and went on to become one of the most successful models of the '90s. She appeared in magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, L'Officiel, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Allure, to name a few, as well as advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, and Maybelline. In addition to modeling, she also launched a series of business ventures, including a skincare line called Sundari, two clothing lines in collaboration with Puma, and a women's yoga-wear line. She also dabbled in writing, contributing to Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, Huffington Post, and Teen Vogue over the years. Turlington has also served as a Today show correspondent, and worked as a product tester for Apple in 2015. Lasting love: Christy Turlington shared a loving birthday tribute to husband Ed Burns back in January - the pair share two children The star is mom to daughter Grace, 20 and 17-year-old son Finn with husband Ed Burns, 55. Christy still models often. Last year she was in the new Calvin Klein Eternity campaign. And her husband Burns is an active director. He has been working on the series Bridge And Tunnel. The former Maybelline spokesmodel met the Brothers McMullen writer in 2000 at a party and got engaged to him later that year. They hit a rough patch in 2002 and broke up. They reconciled and married in San Francisco in June 2003. Whoopi Goldberg has revealed that she never wanted to get married, despite getting hitched three times in the past, while complaining about how 'boring and expenses' her trio of divorces became. The 67-year-old star decided to open up about her past relationships during Tuesday's episode of The View, when she admitted she was 'dancing and prancing' every single time her marriages came to an end. Whoopi has been divorced a total of three times, with her final marriage to union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg ending in 1995. The Ghost star admitted that by the time her third marriage was over, she felt it was 'getting expensive and boring', hinting that this is one major reason she has never said 'I do' again - despite having high-profile romances with actors Timothy Dalton and Ted Danson. Whoopi grew increasingly fed up during the conversation with her fellow panelists as they discussed their own relationships, especially when Joy Behar urged women to 'marry a guy younger than you'. Her past: Whoopi Goldberg opened up about her three marriages during Tuesday's episode of The View Joy's advice: Whoopi seemed annoyed when Joy Behar urged women to 'marry a guy younger than you' Not happy: The Ghost star was visibly fed up as the rest of the panel discussed marriage and husbands The Oscar-winning actress and Joy, along with Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin were discussing dating and divorce throughout Tuesday's episode, and were keen to talk about The Real Housewives of Miami star Lisa Hochstein. A few days ago, Lisa slammed her estranged husband Lenny Hochstein on social media after learning of his engagement to girlfriend Katharina Mazepa, despite still being married to her. The reality TV star reminded the world that Lenny is still married to her and wrote on her Instagram Stories: 'Congrats to my current husband and his mistress on their engagement.' Joy, 80, was quick to comment on the situation and told the panel: 'As somebody who has been divorced, I want to say there's a special type of rage involved when you get divorced!' Sunny, 54, was keen to hear more and asked her: 'What's so special about it?' to which Joy jokingly replied: 'You are murderous, homicidal!' As the live studio audience cheered in agreement, Joy continued: 'A lot of women understand that. There's something about... even if you want the divorce, there's something about that wrenching that makes you homicidal.' Whoopi then blurted out: 'I was dancing and prancing around, I was so glad to get out of there! Every time! Because I always knew, I always thought, "you didn't want to do this from the giddyap! You knew you didn't want to do it and you did it anyway so shut up and move on!"' Joy then questioned: 'Why did you do it?' to which Whoopi responded: 'I thought I could make a round hole go into a square peg. I thought that that was what was for me. Telling the truth: The TV host described her three divorces as 'boring and expensive' Unimpressed: Whoopi looked bored as her co-hosts discussed the pressure that women feel to get married 'I was never meant to be married. And I know that and I knew that then and I kept trying to do what everybody would say I was supposed to do and then it was like, you know what, "this is getting expensive and boring".' Whoopi's first marriage was to a drug counselor named Alvin Martin from 1973 until 1979. After her film career kicked off, she married cinematographer David Claessen in 1986 but it wasn't meant to be as they were divorced by 1988. Whoopi married her third and final husband, Lyle Trachtenberg, in 1994 but they split the following year. Following her third divorce, she had live-in relationships with actor Frank Langella and playwright David Schein. Her other ex-boyfriends include businessman Michael Visbal, orthodontist Jeffrey Cohen, and camera operator Edward Gold. Meanwhile, Joy has been married twice and was in a relationship with her current husband Steve Janowitz for 29 years before they tied the knot in 2011. Before that she was married to college professor Joe Behar in from 1965 until 1981. Back in the day: Whoopi was married to cinematographer David Claessen from 1986 until 1988 The Ex-files: Whoopi with her third husband, Lyle Trachtenberg, whom she split from in 1995 As the panel discussed the pressure that women feel to get married and have children, Joy advised: ''Marry a guy younger than you. At my age, it's very important to have somebody who can do the heavy lifting.' Sunny agreed and turned toward Sara and Joy and said: 'In fact, your husband is younger. Your husband is younger. My husband is younger...' Alyssa confirmed that she and her husband Justin Griffin are the same age and then Whoopi yelled out: 'I don't care!' As the rest of the panel laughed, Joy confirmed: 'Whoopi is over it!' Sharon Stone stars in eyewear retailer LensCrafters' latest campaign to mark its 40th anniversary. The 65-year-old Hollywood icon - who recently spoke out about the industry - shared promotional content for the brand on social media Tuesday. Taking to Instagram, she uploaded a photo of herself modeling a pair of black-rimmed, square-shaped frames. A banner set across the bottom half of the image read: 'Your Eyes First. @lenscrafters #40YearsOfGreatVision.' The movie star looked youthful in the closeup snapshot as she smiled in a button-up white shirt. New: Sharon Stone stars in eyewear retailer LensCrafters' latest campaign to mark its 40th anniversary Latest post: The 65-year-old Hollywood icon shared promotional content for the brand on social media Tuesday In a video clip shared with her 3.8 million followers, Stone looked great as she rocked a pair of black slacks with crystal accoutrements. She wore her signature short, blonde, spiky haircut stylishly tousled. The mother-of-three, who shot to fame in the 90s, looked stunning and youthful in a face of glowy makeup. She made her blue eyes pop with the application of eyelash elongating black mascara. The silver screen siren dusted her cheeks in a rosy blush and rounded out the look with a glossy pink lip. A camera panned Sharon in slow motion video footage as she smiled with the collar of her blouse turned upward. For the celebratory ad, Sharon skipped jewelry so as not to detract from the product. She has been working with LensCrafters since 2022, when she was announced as the company's face of their Your Eyes First strategy. Looking great: Taking to Instagram, she uploaded content of herself modeling a pair of black-rimmed, square-shaped frames Style savvy: In a video clip shared with her 3.8 million followers, Stone looked great as she rocked a pair of black slacks with crystal accoutrements Tribute: The new ad come after Sharon took to Instagram on Monday to mourn the loss of beloved actor Paul Ruebens, most known for his portrayal of the character Pee-wee Herman The posts come after Sharon took to the social media platform on Monday to mourn the loss of beloved actor Paul Ruebens, most known for his portrayal of the character Pee-wee Herman. Sharing a smiling photo of the two, she wrote, 'Paul Reubens was my dear friend. He & his family all are intellectual giants, giving greatly to our country.' The image showed the old friend bundled up in contrasting winter coats as they posed outside on a gray winter day. The caption continued, 'There were times when Paul was misunderstood & attacked by those who were not nearly as brave or giving to this world, yet he continued to be joyful & generous & good. 'Paul Reubens was an example of love & decency. I am forever grateful for his valued & tender friendship. My condolences to friends & family.' Molly Smith showcased her incredible figure as she gave fans a glimpse at some of the outfits she wore on her recent Ibiza holiday. The former Love Island star, 29, enjoyed a sun-soaked getaway to the party island and ensured she dressed for the occasion, stripping down to a number of different bikinis. Sharing a montage video on Instagram on Tuesday, she captioned her post: 'Some holiday outfit inspo... Outfits I wore in Ibiza.' Television personality Molly put on a busty display as she was first seen wearing a linden blue crinkle shirt by Monday Swimwear over the top of crochet bikini by the same brand. She was then seen wearing a yellow Carina dress by Generation Outcast Clothing before changing into a pink crochet dress by Ego Official. Looking good: Molly Smith, 29, showcased her incredible figure as she gave fans a glimpse at some of the outfits she wore on her recent Ibiza holiday Dressed to impress: The former Love Island star enjoyed a sun-soaked getaway to the party island and ensured she dressed for the occasion Elsewhere, Molly made the most of her hourglass figure as she donned a blue Juniper dress by Oh Polly which featured a low cut neckline, and cut away detail and a thigh-high split to the side. The reality star also gave a glimpse at her toned stomach as she wore a striped knitted beach dress and matching bikini top by Jaded London. It comes after Molly recently said she was left 'homeless' after her flight was cancelled during a trip to Miami. Molly broke down in tears as she updated fans on her airport nightmare on her Instagram Stories. She explained how her flight had been delayed - and then cancelled - from Miami to Orlando. Consequently, she missed her connecting flight from her next destination. This left her with no choice but to stay another night in Miami. But she had nowhere to go. Captioning the video, she penned 'I've honestly had enough', as she told followers: 'So just when I thought it couldn't get any worse... I've been crying so ignore me. It's tipped me over the edge now, I've hit a wall. Summer ready: Molly put on a busty display as she was first seen wearing a linden blue crinkle shirt by Monday Swimwear over the top of crochet bikini by the same brand Fashion show: Sharing a montage video on Instagram on Tuesday, she captioned her post: 'Some holiday outfit inspo... Outfits I wore in Ibiza' In style: She was then seen wearing a yellow Carina dress by Generation Outcast Clothing before changing into a pink crochet dress by Ego Official Happy couple: Molly was seen wearing the dress as she posed alongside partner Callum Jones, who she met on Love Island in 2020 Standing out from the crowd: Molly ensured she caught the eye of onlookers as she wore a bright pink crochet dress by Ego Official Strike a pose: The garment featured a plunging neckline and cut away detail at either side, giving a glimpse at her toned midriff Fashion focus: The colourful mini dress was backless and she wore a bright pink string bikini to match Accessorising: She carried a multi-coloured crocheted bag with her packed full of belongings for a visit to the beach 'So I booked a hotel because I didn't get my voucher sent through to me for the cancelled flight, like I did last night. So I had no where to stay. 'So I thought do you know what I'll just book a hotel, which was on the list that they were offering. Managed to finally find my bags. 'So I ring them to find out where the shuttle is and say can you come pick me up? And they basically said they've not got a reservation, even though I've got the confirmation and the money's come out my account. But no. 'There's no reservation under my name so it's like half two in the morning and I'm still stuck at the airport.' Coming back on her social media the next morning, Molly admitted she was 'feeling a bit more optimistic' as she had gathered with other passengers to drive to Orlando instead. The television personality rose to fame when she met boyfriend Callum Jones on the ITV2 dating show Love Island in 2020. Molly and Callum are one of Love Island's major success stories, meeting on the first-ever winter edition of the show, where they left before the finale. The couple moved into a lavish four-bedroom house in Manchester that November after meeting on the show. Sensational: Elsewhere, Molly made the most of her hourglass figure as she donned a blue Juniper dress by Oh Polly Fashion focus: The dress featured a low cut neckline, and cut away detail and a thigh-high split to the side Sheer beauty: She wore a blue necklace to match her dress as she filmed herself walking in her outfit for her video Fashionista: The reality star also gave a glimpse at her toned stomach as she wore a striped knitted beach dress and matching bikini top by Jaded London Keeping cool: Molly cooled off in the shade as she posed for some pictures in the dress to share on social media Stand-out style: Meanwhile, Molly wore a deep V neck asymmetric mini dress by Murci, which she teamed with a gold handbag The couple recently celebrated their third anniversary together as they both shared a gallery of snaps to Instagram to mark the occasion. Former scaffolder Callum has previously revealed that he can see himself marrying model Molly and potentially having children together. They have gone from strength to strength - but it wasn't always smooth sailing for the couple, as their get-together caused a stir on the ITV2 show. Callum entered the show as one of the original contestants and connected with Shaugna Phillips at the beginning. Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke has revealed how he spent three days in hospital after he was stabbed in the stomach and the leg by his father on Boxing Day as a child while he was living at the family home in Kent. In a frank and tearful admission on Kate Garraway's Life Stories, Du Beke said the revelations will likely come as a shock to his friends and family as it is the first time he has spoken about the childhood incident. Born to a Spanish mother and Hungarian father, the Strictly judge lived on a council estate in Sevenoaks, and discovered his flair for dancing after picking his sister up from the local studio. Although his mother encouraged his new hobby, his father, Antal, 'took a turn' against Du Beke as alcoholism gripped him. Du Beke, 57, told the ITV show: 'The alcoholism and the violence...(it was) towards me, because I was a boy, a young man I suppose. '... You've got an alcoholic father and a situation where if you're in the house (he's) drinking then you end up with the fights and stuff. You'd move room to get away from all of it and then he follows you in and the next thing you know the violence starts and then it came to a head one evening, I ended up in hospital for three days.' Struggling to hold back tears, he said: 'I got stabbed, I've never said this out loud before.' Horrifying: Anton Du Beke has revealed he was stabbed by his father Antal as he detailed horrific abuse from his childhood Abuse: The Strictly Come Dancing star, 57, who previously told how his father beat him with a belt, admitted he had never told anyone about the terrifying incident Anton Du Beke pictured as a baby with his mother Anton recalled how he waved down a police car as he limped to hospital after his father attacked him. He added: 'I remember walking out of the house to walk up to the hospital, holding my leg, and a police car drove past and I waved him down and I said, 'He's in there with a knife'.' Anton's sister Veronica Richards also appeared on the show and told how Antal was againt his son's dreams of becoming a dancer. She said: 'He used to call Anton gay and he took a turn against him. My dad's drinking affected his mood - he was mean, he wasn't a nice person when he was drunk. 'My dad was drinking his money down the toilet, so what Mum did was work nights in a nursing home. So she wasn't there to protect us.' Antal, who was from Hungary, was cleared by police over the knife attack and later divorced Anton's mother, Spanish-born Ascension. Anton eventually moved out of the family home and changed his name from Anthony Beke to Anton Du Beke. Interview: Speaking on Kate Garraway's Life Stories, Anton said: 'It came to a head one evening. I ended up in hospital for three days. I got stabbed in the leg and the stomach' Family: Anton's sister Veronica Richards also appeared on the show and told how Antal was against his son's dreams of becoming a dancer He explained: 'I wanted a new start and a new beginning and I wanted to leave what went before behind and then move on. 'I just wanted to be me. I started with Anton Du Beke and I went from there really.' Antal died in 2001 and Anton chose not to attend his funeral, however the star remains close with his mother and sister. He said: 'I don't think about him. I never give him a second thought. It does not influence me at all. I hate the thought that anything like that defines you. I hate 'Woe is me'. My motivation to do what I did wasn't because of that, it's because I wanted to do it. Change: Anton eventually moved out of the family home and changed his name from Anthony Beke to Anton Du Beke Family: Anton is nowmarried to his wife Hannah who he shares twins George and Henrietta, six 'And there's only one way to do it, which is to be the best at it.' Elsewhere during the interview, Anton discussed his 20-year tenure on Strictly Come Dancing. He joined the judging panel for the 2021 series and told how Len Goodman was the only person he went to for advice on the new role. He said: 'They asked me to judge, so I spoke to Len of course. I didn't speak to anyone else. I feel like Len and I shared the journey of Strictly Come Dancing together. 'I'd known Len for 45 years. It was immediately clear what I should do in five seconds he said to me, 'Be yourself and say what you see'. That's it.' Show: Anton joined the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel for the 2021 series and told how Len Goodman was the only person he went to for advice on the new role Despite being on the show for so long, Anton only reached the final twice, with Katie Derham in 2015 and Emma Barton in 2019 but failed to win each time. Speaking about his track record, he said: 'I realised within ten minutes two things. One, this isn't about me, and two, I'm going to have to be myself because we had the microphones on and cameras on at all times. 'So I never minded who I got, and if I got someone who couldn't dance I'd just fly them in. That's the fun. 'But I hated getting voted off, it was absolutely mortifying, gutting and really, really felt horrible because I hated not being part of the show.' Kate Garraway's Life Stories airs Wednesday on ITV1 at 9pm. Zendaya has broken her silence one day after the sudden and tragic passing of her Euphoria co-star Angus Cloud. The actress shared a poignant message about her late co-star, along with a black and white image of him. Angus died at the age of 25 on Monday, July 31 at his family home in Oakland, California - after he struggled with the loss of his father, his family told TMZ. His mother, who called 911, reported it as a 'possible overdose.' 'Words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty that is Angus (Conor). I'm so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (I'm smiling now just thinking of it),' the 26-year-old actress wrote in her Instagram caption shared Tuesday afternoon. 'I know people use this expression often when talking about folks they love... "they could light up any room they entered" but boy let me tell you. He was the best at it. I'd like to remember him that way. For all of the boundless light, love and joy he always managed to give us. I'll cherish every moment,' she added. The latest: Zendaya has broken her silence one day after the sudden and tragic passing of her Euphoria co-star Angus Cloud Sad: The actress shared a poignant message about her late co-star, along with a black and white image of him; seen together March 27, 2022 She concluded: 'My heart is with his mother and family at this time and please be kind and patient as grief looks different for everyone.' Their co-star Sydney Sweeney posted her tribute soon after Zendaya posted hers, calling him an 'open soul' with 'the kindest heart' and 'you filled every room with laughter.' 'This is the hardest thing I've ever had to post, and I'm struggling to find all the words. You will be missed more than you know, but I'm so blessed to have known you in this lifetime, and I'm sure everyone who has ever met you feels the same. This heartache is real and I wish we couldn't had one more hug and 711 run. All my love is with you,' Sydney, 25, wrote on her Instagram. Zendaya added black hearts beneath Sydney's post. Angus, born Conor Angus Cloud (named after his father Conor Cloud), played the character Fezco on Euphoria from 2019 until 2022. Zendaya plays Ruby 'Rue' Bennett on the show, with Sydney playing Cassie Howard. Angus' family announced his death via TMZ, revealing he died in his family's home in Oakland on Monday. He had been battling 'severe suicidal thoughts' after his burying his father in Ireland the week prior. The actor was staying with his family as he tried to cope with his grief, the outlet said. His mom called 911 at around 11:30 am Monday morning reporting a 'possible overdose,' with Oakland PD and the Fire Department responding. She had reported he had no pulse, with the actor pronounced dead at the scene when responders arrived. Co-stars and pals: 'Words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty that is Angus (Conor). I'm so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (I'm smiling now just thinking of it),' she wrote in her Instagram caption shared Tuesday afternoon; seen June 4, 2019 Happier times: 'I know people use this expression often when talking about folks they love... "they could light up any room they entered" but boy let me tell you. He was the best at it. I'd like to remember him that way. For all of the boundless light, love and joy he always managed to give us. I'll cherish every moment,' she added RIP: Angus' family announced his death via TMZ, revealing he died in his family's home in Oakland on Monday; seen March 27, 2022 In character: Angus, born Conor Angus Cloud (named after his father Conor Cloud), played the character Fezco on Euphoria from 2019 until 2022. Zendaya plays Ruby 'Rue' Bennett on the show Tribute: Their co-star Sydney Sweeney posted her tribute soon after Zendaya posted hers, calling him an 'open soul' with 'the kindest heart' and 'you filled every room with laughter' Heartbreaking: 'This is the hardest thing I've ever had to post, and I'm struggling to find all the words. You will be missed more than you know, but I'm so blessed to have known you in this lifetime, and I'm sure everyone who has ever met you feels the same. This heartache is real and I wish we couldn't had one more hug and 711 run. All my love is with you' Angus's family confirmed his death in a statement on Monday afternoon. 'It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a on, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways,' his family told the outlet. 'Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend,' the statement continued. 'Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence. 'We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss,' the statement concluded. His dad: One of his final Instagram posts came on July 14, in which he shared a touching image of his smiling father in a red hoodie and red sweats, stating in the caption, 'miss u breh' Conor Hickey passed away on May 18 at age 65 following a 'brief fight with cancer', a social media post reshared by his mother Lisa detailed. Sharing photos of his memorial service in another post, Lisa wrote: 'He would have been so honored that so many young people came to express how much they appreciated their support from him. 'My fella lived large and loud! His cancer moved quickly which was devastating to all who loved him, but there is comfort in the fact that his pain wasn't prolonged.' Conor passed away in his native Ireland. An obituary written by members of a rugby club with which he was associated said he died 'after a short illness'. Lisa and Conor were both university professors. They were originally from Ireland, but they relocated to California in the 80s. The couple shared three children, their eldest Angus, followed by twin daughters Molly and Fiona Hickey. Angus had paid tribute to his late father on Instagram in one of his final social media posts. One of his final Instagram posts came on July 14, in which he shared a touching image of his smiling father in a red hoodie and red sweats, stating in the caption, 'miss u breh.' Tributes quickly flooded in for the actor from Euphoria producers, castmates and fellow actors. 'He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. 'We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.' Angus was one of the breakout stars of Euphoria, appearing in both series of the Sam Levinson-directed drama alongside Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi. He was most often in scenes alongside his partner in crime Ashtray, played by Javon Walton. Sharing a picture of the pair on Instagram, Javon wrote: 'Rest easy brother' and later 'forever family.' Sad news: 'Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence; seen March 27, 2022 Meanwhile, Kathrine Narducci, who played Angus's on-screen grandmother Marie O'Neill in Euphoria, described him as a 'gentle beautiful soul' who 'exited too soon' on Twitter. Storm Reid, who plays Zendaya's on-screen younger sister Gia Bennett, shared a clip of Angus laughing on the show to her Instagram Story, captioning it: 'The tears just won't stop.' Euphoria director Sam said: 'There was no-one quite like Angus. He was too special, too talented and way too young to leave us so soon. 'He also struggled, like many of us, with addiction and depression. I hope he knew how many hearts he touched. 'I loved him. I always will. Rest in peace and God Bless his family.' Rapper Drake, a producer of Euphoria, shared a photo of Angus from March of 2022 at the Revolve Social Club in LA, writing, 'Good soul,' and adding a tearful emoji and a dove. Melissa Gorga showed off her eye-popping bikini body on Instagram on Tuesday. The 44-year-old Real Housewives Of New Jersey standout looked very slender in the colorful two piece with an ivory head scarf as she waded in the water in Capri, Italy. The brunette beauty added white framed sunglasses and held onto a white frosty champagne glass. Melissa's caption simply read, 'Italy.' The fashion designer has been spending her summer vacation on Italy's Amalfi Coast this week. The Bravo staple was also with her husband Joe whose sister is Teresa Giudice. Giudice has been in Mykonos, Greece, with her husband Luis Ruelas. A shore thing: Melissa Gorga showed off her beach body while on vacation in Capri, Italy this week Flirty in her forties: The 44-year-old TV vet had on a colorful two piece as she added a scarf on her head and white rimmed sunglasses From the back: In this image she walked out into the sea with a glass of champagne in hand When in Italy! Melissa's caption simply read, 'Italy.' The fashion designer has been spending her summer vacation on Italy 's Amalfi Coast this week The New Jersey beauty was also seen in a pale blue one-piece swimsuit with a black-and-white skirt while relaxing during a boat day. She added a blue patterned scarf and dark oversized sunglasses. And there was a beige woven Prada handbag next to her as she added beige strappy sandals. In the new post from Tuesday she wrote, 'Somewhere in capri #capri #italy #almaficoast.' Teresa, meanwhile, was also modeling swimwear while in Mykonos, Greece with her husband Ruelas. She too has looked great in swimwear. Earlier this week Melissa was in Positano which is also on the Amalfi Coast. The star, who is currently embroiled in a feud with Giudice, also penned a short message in her post's caption that partially read: 'Magical is an understatement.' Gorga and her spouse were seen while making the most of their time at what appeared to be a rooftop bar overlooking the getaway destination. The Bravo cast member donned a flowing green dress that showcased her toned arms during her first night in Positano. The media figure added various elements of shine to her look with several sparkling bracelets. Another fun vacation look: The New Jersey beauty was also seen in a pale blue one-piece swimsuit with a black-and-white skirt while relaxing during a boat day A 10: She added a blue patterned scarf and dark oversized sunglasses. And there was a beige woven Prada handbag next to her as she added beige strappy sandals Dream trip: . In the new post from Tuesday she wrote, 'Somewhere in capri #capri #italy #almaficoast' Nothing like a little cocktail to get you through the day: She also shared a photo of what looked like a mojito A little lunch: And there were also some lunch to be had with tomato sauce and basil Tre: The Bravo staple was also with her husband Joe whose sister is Teresa Giudice. Giudice has been in Mykonos, Greece, with her husband Luis Ruelas Her gorgeous brunette hair cascaded onto her shoulders and contrasted perfectly with the vibrant tones of her clothing. Joe opted for a black button-up shirt that was contrasted with white shorts and matching sneakers. Melissa went on to include a photo taken during a dinner date with her spouse of nearly two decades. The reality television figure also added in a shot to show off the getaway destination at night. The entrepreneur included two videos in her photoset to showcase her dress' flowing lower portion. Melissa tagged the official Instagram account of her apparel company, Envy, on her dress in the first snap from the photoset. The Bravo star previously founded her brand in 2015 and served as the operator of a boutique located in her home state of New Jersey. Vacation: Last week Gorga looked incredible as she shared several stylish snaps taken during her getaway to Italy's Amalfi Coast Couple's trip: The 44-year-old reality television personality was joined by her husband, Joe, while taking in many of the sights that Positano had to offer The company recently received a boost in publicity when Ariana Madix wore an Envy dress to a wedding in Mexico not long after it was revealed that her boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, had cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. Many of the reality television personality's fans took inspiration from her look, and according to Page Six, the item was soon sold out in all sizes. Melissa also told the media outlet that the dresses were gone 'as soon as [Madix] wore it.' She did reveal, however, that she saved one particular dress for herself and was planning on wearing it throughout the summer. His acting aspirations are currently in a holding pattern with Hollywood shut down due to ongoing industrial action. But Christian Wilkins is still living his best life, with the 'nepo baby' currently enjoying summer in Greece. In a series of photos posted to Instagram, the son of Today star Richard Wilkins showed off his incredibly toned physique. One topless shot showed the 28-year-old flexing his muscles and displaying his washboard abdominals. Christian's long blond tresses were piled up atop his head as he photographed himself while poolside. Christian Wilkins is living his best life, with the 'nepo baby' currently enjoying summer in Greece. Pictured In another photo, Wilkins' shredded arms were on display in a colourful, sleeveless blouse. It comes as the aspiring Hollywood star reconnects with his roots in Greece. Christian took to Instagram on Saturday to post a photo of himself in front of the Acropolis in Athens. The picture showed the Australian socialite jumping in the air with a smile on his face in front of other tourists admiring the ancient structure. In the caption, the Dancing with the Stars alum wrote 'I LOVE GREECE' and proceeded to list the reasons why. 'As a little Greek boy (mom's side) I was always obsessed with ancient Greece, collecting images and information on the Gods and ruins, creating my own books and images - so to be in the motherland for the first time is extremely overwhelming and surreal.' In another photo, Wilkins' shredded arms were on display in a colourful, sleeveless blouse It comes as the aspiring Hollywood star reconnects with his roots in Greece Christian went to write how grateful he was and paid tribute to his grandmother: 'Here's to you Yiayia.' Not to be outdone, Christian's dad Richard Wilkins, 69, shared his own Mediterranean memento on Instagram, posting a sweet father and son photo. Posed with his arm around his father, who was smiling brightly, they were a picture of familial bliss. Not to be outdone, Christian's dad Richard Wilkins, 69, shared his own Mediterranean memento on Instagram, posting a sweet father and son photo 'Amazing to be in Greece for the first time with my son, seeing the incredible Acropolis in real life shame Im blocking it with my head,' the elder Wilkins commented in a caption. Soaking up the sun by the Aegean Sea is likely a welcome distraction from the hurdles facing Christian with respect to his Hollywood career. Christian moved to Tinseltown in April to pursue acting, but has been struggling to find work because the SAG strike has brought Hollywood to a standstill. Christian moved to Hollywood in April to pursue acting, but has been struggling to find work because the SAG strike has brought Hollywood to a standstill It is likely a huge disappointment for Christian, whose connection to his father previously helped him pave a modelling and reality TV career back home. Christian has been getting involved in the strike action, having recently attended a protest with Australian actor Luke Cook outside Netflix headquarters. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph during the demonstration, Christian said: 'It definitely wouldn't have been my choice example of a time to move here but it is also kind of amazing to be here and see how the community has banded together.' Holly Willoughby has revealed the secret to her and Daniel Baldwin's happy marriage as she prepares to mark their 16th wedding anniversary. The This Morning host, 42, tied the knot with her husband at Amberley Castle in Sussex on August 4, 2007, and they have since welcomed three children together. Now, Holly has given an insight into her marriage to TV producer Dan, 48, and nostalgically looked back on their wedding day ahead of their 16th anniversary. She revealed the secret to their relationship success, telling how the key to their happiness is making sure they always 'carve out real time' for each other. In a weekly message for her lifestyle brand Wylde Moon, Holly said: 'August happens to be the month I got married, so it's always a nostalgic time for Dan and I. Candid: Holly Willoughby has revealed the secret to her and Daniel Baldwin's happy marriage as she prepares to mark their 16th wedding anniversary Marriage: The This Morning host, 42, tied the knot with her husband at Amberley Castle in Sussex on August 4, 2007, and they have since welcomed three children together 'It will be 16 years this year, which feels crazy in so many ways. I often think about us and the glue that binds us together. Every relationship is so unique and different; what works for one couple may not for another. 'It's a bit like developing your own personal recipe that you adapt together and personalise along the way. 'I love nothing better than finding out what my friends/parents believe the secret to their relationship success is and would love to hear your wisdom too! 'Mine would have to be remembering to carve out real time for each other within the madness of everyday life; everything from making time to talk over dinner at home to date nights. Whatever you do to keep the spark alive, keep it up!' Alongside the sweet message, Holly shared a photograph of herself and Dan kissing on the beach, as well as a shot of her walking down the aisle on her wedding day. Holly previously gave an insight into her 'fairytale' wedding day as she reflected on the occasion while marking her and Dan's 15th anniversary last year. She told how she and Dan had snuck into the marquee ahead of the ceremony and shared a sweet moment together simply taking in the beauty of the day. In a post on Wylde Moon, Holly wrote: 'It was a magical, nervy morning getting dressed with my mum and my sister, and I'll always remember the moment my dad walked in when I was ready to go and he burst into tears, it immediately set me off. Memories: Now, Holly has given an insight into her marriage to her husband Dan, 48, and nostalgically looked back on their wedding day (she is pictured on the day with father Brian) Happiness: She revealed the secret to their relationship success, telling how the key to their romance is making sure they always 'carve out real time' for each other (both pictured in 2019) 'I'll never forget the overwhelming feeling of love that hit me as I walked into the church and everyone turned around and smiled, that's just unforgettable! 'Lastly, I remember sneaking a peek into the marquee with Dan whilst we were having a moment to ourselves, and being bowled over by how beautiful it looked and smelt.' Giving advice to newlyweds, she also urged people not to take their partners for granted and told them not to live in 'parallel lanes' to one another. Holly originally dated TV producer Dan while working on Saturday morning children's show Ministry Of Mayhem, before exchanging vows in 2007. Ahead of her 16th wedding anniversary, Holly has been enjoying a family getaway to Portugal with Dan and their three children - Harry, Belle and Chester. The family have been enjoying some quality time together at their 2million holiday home, where they spend most summers. When Holly returns from her long holiday in September, This Morning will be centred around her, after ITV bosses decided not to make a big money hiring to replace Phillip Schofield. Romance: Holly originally dated TV producer Dan (pictured in June 2022) while working on Saturday morning children's show Ministry Of Mayhem, before exchanging vows in 2007 Plans: Holly is currently on her summer holidays and when she returns, This Morning will be centred around her after ITV bosses decided not to make a big hire to replace Phillip Schofield The Daily Mail revealed Holly will have rotating co-hosts when she fronts the under-threat show from Monday to Thursday, rather than chiefs poaching a bigger star from a rival show or channel. Insiders at This Morning say that they will mostly be Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle, though Holly will be joined sporadically by Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond, who currently host on Fridays and holidays. It means that Holly's dream that she would be paired with Alison, 48, is over because she is too busy to commit to working four days on the daytime show, insiders said. Holly is to sign a new contract 'any day now', which will be even more lucrative than the 700,000 deal that she is already on, it has been claimed. Instagram Influencer Suzan Mutesi has defended herself after causing a stir at the Logie Awards in Sydney on Sunday. Suzan, 37, left onlookers baffled when she showed up at the awards show and strolled 'the wrong way down the red carpet' to allegedly to grab the attention of photographers and get photos with the celebrity attendees. 'She had no interest in interviews - all she wanted was her photograph taken,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. It has been widely reported Suzan wasn't actually invited to the event and purchased her own tickets to the awards. On Wednesday's Kyle and Jackie O show, Suzan insisted she had 'passes' and was 'friends' with some of the stars at the event. 'I didn't scam my way on (to the red carpet), they gave us passes to go to the Logies,' Suzan told the radio hosts. 'I'm acquainted with a few actors who was there and wanted to support my friends... people are blowing it out of proportion.' After the chat, shock jock Kyle, 52, said he wanted to help boost her profile after she was accused of being a 'pest' on red carpet. 'I'm going to make that black chick famous. I'm going to bring her into the fold,' Kyle insisted. He spoke to Nasser Sultan and Jessica Rowe on air after the former Studio 10 host was seen posing with Suzan on red carpet. Instagram Influencer Suzan Mutesi has defended herself after causing a stir at the Logie Awards in Sydney on Sunday On Wednesday's Kyle and Jackie O show, Suzan insisted she had 'passes' and was 'friends' with some of the stars at the event Suzan then got into heated confrontation with fellow red carpet serial pest Nasser Sultan, who called her as a 'nobody' and a 'disgrace' Jess called her a 'sweetheart' and said Suzan was 'gorgeous,' but Nasser slammed her as a 'nobody' and a 'disgrace'. 'You're a disgrace, a nobody and she should not be attending any events or PR,' Nasser said. 'I'm a black girl being given an opportunity - it's not a race card but who else are they picking on lets be honest,' Suzan hit back. 'How do you sneak on the red carpet, it's meant to be a secure event?' Kyle asked. Meanwhile, Jessica Rowe called her a 'sweetheart' and said Suzan was 'gorgeous' after it was claimed that the influencer was desperately trying to get photos with celebrities on the red carpet at the awards. She is pictured here with Jess on Sunday night Intern Pete told listeners he had confirmation from event organisers that Suzan was not invited to the event, but purchased general public tickets and snuck onto the red carpet. The Daily Telegraph reported a spokesperson for the event said she was 'not invited' but still walked the red carpet. Suzan later told Hughesy, Ed and Erin she wasn't 'embarrassed' about the scandal. She said a security guard didn't ask her for a pass to get on the red carpet and denied being a 'gate crasher'. A source told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that Suzan caused chaos on the red carpet by trying to get photographs with celebrities. 'She continued this trend throughout the night, getting snaps with people she barely knew,' they said. Puzzled attendees started questioning her presence at the prestigious event. 'People were asking why she was even there,' one onlooker stated. Suzan, 37, left onlookers baffled when she showed up at the awards show and strolled 'the wrong way down the red carpet' to allegedly to grab the attention of photographers and get photos with the celebrity attendees In response to the claims, Suzan strongly denied being a red carpet bother. She justified her lack of interviews with journalists on the grounds of ill health. 'I wasn't feeling well. I left the ceremony early,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Monday. 'Even now, my stomach still hurts. I think I have caught a bug or something.' 'I only took photos with Jessica Rowe, because we are friends,' she added. Earlier this month Mutesi made headlines after enjoyed an intimate exchange with Tom Cruise at the Sydney premiere of Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, and said the A-list actor kissed her on the hand and called her 'beautiful'. Megan Barton Hanson put on a busty display as she soaked up the sun during her holiday to Mykonos, Greece, on Tuesday. The former Love Island star, 29, showed off her incredible figure in a white-two piece as she sunbathed by the pool on the lavish getaway. She shielded her eyes with a pair of oversized gold sunglasses as she topped up her tan during her balmy holiday with her parents. Megan later slipped into a black and white patterned crocheted dress, which she styled with a pair of silver sandals as she left the pool. She kept her essentials in a metallic silver handbag and carried her beige towel and her phone in one hand after relaxing in the sun. Wow! Megan Barton Hanson put on a busty display as she soaked up the sun during her holiday to Mykonos, Greece, on Tuesday Stunning: The former Love Island star, 29, showed off her incredible figure in a white-two piece as she sunbathed by the pool on the lavish getaway Sunbathing: She shielded her eyes with a pair of oversized gold sunglasses as she topped up her tan during her balmy holiday Her lavish holiday comes after Megan revealed how ITV bosses made her sacrifice her OnlyFans account to appear on Love Island in 2018. She detailed the harsh reality of working in the sex industry as told how she has 'lost countless jobs' over signing up for the adult content site and revealed she was slut-shamed from the age of 13. Speaking with Jamie Laing on his Private Parts Podcast, Megan said she makes a regular income from posting explicit content on her OnlyFans account, but has faced a lot of judgement for her choice of career. She explained: 'I've lost countless jobs because I've signed up to OnlyFans again. Like when I went on Love Island, I had it before then, before it was like a big thing! 'And the producers were like, "This is a family show. I think you should get rid of this account" and I was fuming!' The reality star revealed how you have to be 'head strong' to work in the industry because it comes with a lot of backlash and criticism. Megan, who came out as bisexual in 2019, continued: 'As much as you preach to people and your friends and people who love you. 'If they're that way inclined, that they think that's such a seedy bad job to do, then you're never going to change people's minds. Incredible: Megan showed off her bronzed figure as she relaxed in the sunshine Kicking back: Megan appeared to be having a very relaxing holiday as she enjoyed a nap in the sunshine Stylish: Megan later slipped into a black and white patterned crocheted dress, which she styled with a pair of silver sandals as she left the poolside Napping: Megan shut her eyes as she soaked up the sun during her relaxing day by the pool Bikini-clad: Megan looked as sensational as ever in her skimpy swimwear look as she sunbathed Blonde bombshell: The reality TV star has been making the most of the balmy summer temperatures Chilling: Megan spent the day lounging by the pool as she made the most of her time abroad Gorgeous: Megan looked very relaxed as she got ready for a day of sunbathing by the pool Family trip: Megan has been spending time in Mykonos with her parents in recent days 'So, unless you're so headstrong, I don't think you should get into it. Because you are going to face judgment.' Megan, who grew up as a child in Southend-On-Sea, Essex, spoke about how everyone was similar and 'no one ever went against the grain' in her school. She said noticed how she was very 'sexually free' as she dated a lot of guys during school, which made people slut-shame her. The model said: 'So, growing up, I lived in an area that was such a small little community. Everybody was a cardboard cutout of each other and no one like went against the grain. 'And I've always been like a little bit like sexually free and I dated a lot of guys growing up and I guess that probably wasn't insecurity. I just wanted to be liked! 'I wanted that validation from men maybe. So, I would date a lot of guys, so I was slut shamed like from Year 9 from an older guy.' Glitzy: Megan accessorised her beachwear look with an array of gold necklaces and earrings Balmy days: Megan lay down to top up her tan and soak up the sun during the lavish holiday Glam: She kept her essentials in a metallic silver handbag and carried her beige towel and her phone in one hand after relaxing in the sun Fashionista: Megan showed off her sense of style in her crocheted dress during the day out Good look: Megan was seen slipping into her stylish dress before heading off after a day relaxing by the pool Sensational: The blonde bombshell showed off her arm tattoos in her backless crocheted dress Glowing: Megan showed off her tan during her holiday as she looked as glamorous as ever for a day by the pool Candid: Her lavish holiday comes after Megan revealed how ITV bosses made her sacrifice her OnlyFans account to appear on Love Island in 2018 Megan, who often speaks about her sexuality, also revealed she was 'petrified to come out' because of the way she was portrayed on Love Island. She said: 'That's another thing on Love Island, I was like cast as like the man eater and a very sexual person. So, I was petrified to then come out and add fuel to the fire.' Megan has been in an on-and-off relationship with TOWIE star Demi Sims since 2019 and the pair were spotted out together in Brentwood last month. In February, Demi, 26, confirmed she had rekindled her romance with former flame Megan after splitting up two years ago. Sofia Richie showed off her effortlessly cool style while stepping for lunch at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. The 24-year-old influencer enjoyed the hot summer weather in a breezy black shirt dress and Alaia fishnet ballerinas, retailing for $850. Lionel Richie's daughter, who's been praised by fans for her classy style, accessorized with a Chanel bag and chic black sunglasses. The blonde beauty who wed music executive Elliot Grainge, 30, in a lavish ceremony in France this past April wore her tresses slicked down in a stylish bun and further spruced up her look with a pair of hoop earrings and bangle bracelets. The younger sister of Nicole Richie flashed a bright smile as she met up with friends for the relaxing outing. Effortlessly chic: Sofia Richie showed off her effortlessly cool style while stepping for lunch at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills on Tuesday Summer style: The 24-year-old influencer enjoyed the hot summer weather in a breezy black shirt dress and Alaia fishnet ballerinas, retailing for $850 The day prior Sofia took to her Instagram to show off another stylish summer outfit. The socialite flashed her toned midriff in a black racer crop top which she teamed with a Missoni signature zig-zag pattern shirt and matching wide-legged trousers. Sofia kept comfortable in a pair of black flip flops and toted her belongings in a Hunting Season woven handbag with a tan leather edging. She shielded her eyes from the sun behind a pair of red framed YSL sunglasses. Sofia accessorized with a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings and layered two matching necklaces. Sofia is enjoying life as a newlywed after tying the knot with Elliot who's the son of Universal Music Group executive Lucian Grainge at the luxury Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the French Riviera town of Antibes. The A-list guest list included her famous father as well as older sibling Nicole, her husband Joel Madden and sister-in-law Cameron Diaz, who is married to his twin brother Benji Madden. The couple's wedding came a year after they got engaged in April 2022 after just over one year of dating. At the time she told Vogue: 'I am so excited. [It's] because I'm marrying Elliot, I know that sounds cheesybut he is the man of my dreams.' Despite settling down, Sofia is said to be in no rush to become a mother anytime soon. Stylish: The day prior Sofia took to her Instagram to show off another stylish summer outfit. The socialite flashed her toned midriff in a black racer crop top and zig-zag pattern trousers Married life: Sofia is enjoying life as a newlywed after tying the knot with music executive Elliot Grainge, 30, in France this past April; They are seen July 12 in Los Angeles No rush: Despite settling down the couple are not planning on becoming parents anytime soon as 'theyre still getting adjusted to married life'; Seen in 2022 in West Hollywood 'They're both still really young and they know they have their whole lives ahead of them,' an insider recently told US Weekly of the newlyweds. 'They're still getting adjusted to married life and it still feels so exciting calling each other husband and wife.' Sofia was previously in a high-profile relationship with reality television personality Scott Disick, whom she began seeing in 2017. The former couple, who had a 16-year age gap, were together for nearly three years before they broke things off in May 2020. They then reconciled that July, although they went on to separate for a final time in August. Shares of Angkor Resources Corp. (CVE:ANK Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$0.06 and last traded at C$0.06, with a volume of 52000 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.06. Angkor Resources Price Performance The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$0.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.09. The stock has a market capitalization of C$10.16 million, a P/E ratio of -6.00 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 224.92, a current ratio of 0.10 and a quick ratio of 0.27. About Angkor Resources (Get Free Report) Angkor Resources Corp. operates as a mineral, and oil and gas exploration company. The company explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits on its two mineral exploration licenses covering approximately 266 square kilometer land package in Cambodia. It also owns an oil and gas exploration license that covers 7,300 square kilometers in Cambodia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Angkor Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Angkor Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP Free Report) (NYSE:CP) had its price target reduced by Royal Bank of Canada from C$125.00 to C$124.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock. Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on CP. Barclays dropped their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$90.00 to C$89.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$130.00 to C$128.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. National Bank Financial lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$107.00 to C$110.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. CIBC decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$125.00 to C$123.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$120.00 to C$118.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Pacific Kansas City presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$113.47. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance Shares of CP stock opened at C$108.50 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$105.38 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$105.53. The company has a market cap of C$101.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.13, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.11. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a 52 week low of C$90.84 and a 52 week high of C$112.96. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Announces Dividend Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( TSE:CP Get Free Report ) (NYSE:CP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported C$0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.92 by C($0.09). The business had revenue of C$3.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$3.29 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 40.33% and a return on equity of 10.14%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Canadian Pacific Kansas City will post 4.0040923 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is presently 19.00%. About Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Get Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (NYSEARCA:FPX Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $95.44 and last traded at $95.44, with a volume of 30012 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $92.70. First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF Price Performance The companys fifty day simple moving average is $87.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $84.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $854.19 million, a PE ratio of 18.64 and a beta of 1.09. Get First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in shares of First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF by 272.7% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 328 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Luken Investment Analytics LLC purchased a new position in First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF in the 4th quarter worth $44,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF in the first quarter worth $52,000. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF during the second quarter valued at about $53,000. First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF Company Profile First Trust US IPO Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of an equity index called the IPOX-100 U.S. Index (the Index). The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its assets in common stocks that comprise the Index. The Index is a modified value-weighted price index measuring the performance of the top 100 United States companies ranked quarterly by market capitalization in the IPOX Global Composite Index. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fitell Corp. (FTEL) plans to raise $16 million in an initial public offering on Friday, August 4th, IPO Scoop reports. The company plans to issue 3,000,000 shares at $5.00-$6.00 per share. In the last twelve months, Fitell Corp. generated $8.2 million in revenue and $10,000 in net income. Fitell Corp. has a market cap of $61.2 million. Revere Securities and R.F. Lafferty & Co. acted as the underwriters for the IPO. Fitell Corp. provided the following description of their company for its IPO: Founded in 2007 and headquartered in New South Wales, Australia, GD Wellness Pty Ltd (asGDat) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fitell Corp., a Cayman Islands company. **Note: GD in the companys name stands for its brand, Gym Direct. (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) We are an online retailer of gym and fitness equipment both under our proprietary brands and other brand names. Fitellas mission is to build an ecosystem with a whole fitness and wellness experience powered by technology to our customers. GD has served over 100,000 customers with large portions of sales from repeat customers over the years, which we believe to be a testament of our product quality and brand loyalty. Our brand portfolio can be categorized into three proprietary brands under our Gym Direct brand: Muscle Motion, Rapid Motion, and FleetX, in over 2,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs). In addition to our all-around fitness equipment portfolio to individual and commercial customers, we launched three new business verticals with integration of technology in 2021: Smart Connected Equipment Initiated in May 2021 and still in development, our smart fitness equipment is a natural extension of our core business. It includes interactive exercise bikes and workout mirrors. We expect commercial launch in November 2022, with retail products available in December 2022. 1FinalRound: Our AI-powered interactive platform with our proprietary online training content and capability to be interactive with personal trainers as well as capability to follow members and track workout progress.A Boutique Fitness Clubs Licensing: Leveraging our years or experience in the fitness and wellness industry servicing both businesses and individual customers, we launched our licensing business in late 2021. mYSTEPS Training Clinic, a new concept fitness club chain, is our first licensee, dedicated to helping fitness-savvy and health-conscious consumers (usually ages 28-55) with higher disposable incomes achieve a motivating and healthy lifestyle with an engaging and dynamic fitness community in both online and offline settings. A We market and sell fitness equipment and related products as well as serve as a one-stop shop for business setup from personal training studios to commercial gyms. Our full spectrum of product coverage is exemplified by the following three proprietary brand names, which represented over 85% of our revenues in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022: A aZ OurA Muscle MotionA brand is a supplier of home gym and commercial strength-training equipment. Products have an emphasis on weights, bars, power racks, benches, and gym machines. A aZ OurA Rapid MotionA brand features similar products as Muscle Motion but with a stronger focus on commercial items. A aZ OurA FleetXA brand focuses on cardio equipment, including products such as rowing machines, exercise bikes, treadmills and more. All of these items are available in both home and commercial-grade quality. A In our fitness equipment business segment, we sell our products directly to customers through online or offline platforms. Revenue from our own e-commerce website accounted for approximately 83.68% of our total sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, with the remaining sales derived from commercial sale orders, our showroom and phone orders as well as third-party channels such as Amazon and eBay. **Note: Revenue and net income figures are for the year ended June 30, 2022. (Note: Fitell Corp. changed its IPO price range to $5.00 to $6.00 up from $4.00 to $6.00 previously and kept the number of shares at 3.0 million shares to raise $16.5 million, according to an F-/A filling dated July 26, 2023. Background: Fitell Corp. cut the size of its IPO by 25 percent by removing the 1 million shares offered by the selling stockholders in an F-1/A filing dated May 8, 2023: The IPOs size is now 3.0 million shares at $4.00 to $6.00 each to raise $15.0 million. Background: Fitell Corp. disclosed terms for its IPO in an F-1/A filing dated Nov. 29, 2022: 4.0 million shares at $4.00 to $6.00 each. The company is offering 3.0 million shares. Selling stockholders are offering 1.0 million shares; the company company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of those shares. Fitell Corp. filed its F-1 on Oct. 7, 2022.) A . Fitell Corp. was founded in 2007 and has 17 employees. The company is located at 23-25 Mangrove Lane Taren Point, NSW 2229 Australia and can be reached via phone at +612 95245266 or on the web at https://gymdirect.com.au/. Receive News & Ratings for Fitell Corp. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fitell Corp. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF (BATS:ECH Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $30.86 and last traded at $30.94, with a volume of 252990 shares. The stock had previously closed at $31.06. iShares MSCI Chile ETF Stock Performance The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.01. The company has a market capitalization of $578.48 million, a PE ratio of 8.48 and a beta of 0.91. Get iShares MSCI Chile ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Chile ETF Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ECH. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 362.2% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,077 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 844 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 86,194 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 846 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. About iShares MSCI Chile ETF iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Chile Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure broad based equity market performance in Chile. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Chile ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Chile ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $1.96-$2.00 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $1.95. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from $27.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Kite Realty Group Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They set an underweight rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Kite Realty Group Trust has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $24.63. Get Kite Realty Group Trust alerts: Kite Realty Group Trust Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of Kite Realty Group Trust stock traded up $0.04 on Monday, reaching $22.88. The stock had a trading volume of 1,674,161 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,522,974. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Kite Realty Group Trust has a 1 year low of $16.42 and a 1 year high of $23.70. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $21.60 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 764.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.39. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kite Realty Group Trust About Kite Realty Group Trust Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 32.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 116,703 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,657,000 after acquiring an additional 28,495 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 14.5% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 67,735 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,542,000 after purchasing an additional 8,554 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust by 18.9% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,700 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $153,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new position in Kite Realty Group Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $448,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 26,095 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $601,000 after buying an additional 3,760 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.48% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Company's primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Little House Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 2,267 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $554,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of IWF. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 34.1% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 26,203 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $7,275,000 after buying an additional 6,665 shares during the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 6,211 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,724,000 after buying an additional 644 shares during the last quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 7,595 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,109,000 after buying an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,422,000. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance IWF traded up $0.57 during trading on Monday, hitting $284.64. The stock had a trading volume of 874,067 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,457,840. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $202.05 and a twelve month high of $286.96. The companys 50-day moving average price is $270.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $249.02. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Profile iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shore Capital reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LON:RR Free Report) in a report released on Friday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. RR has been the subject of several other reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 100 ($1.28) target price on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from GBX 145 ($1.86) to GBX 156 ($2.00) and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 119.20 ($1.53). Get Rolls-Royce Holdings plc alerts: Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Price Performance RR opened at GBX 184.85 ($2.37) on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 152.24. The stock has a market capitalization of 15.56 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,288.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.94 and a beta of 1.70. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc has a twelve month low of GBX 64.44 ($0.83) and a twelve month high of GBX 239.70 ($3.08). Insider Buying and Selling at Rolls-Royce Holdings plc About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc In other news, insider Panos Kakoullis sold 5,439 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 192 ($2.47), for a total value of 10,442.88 ($13,407.22). In other news, insider Angela Strank bought 6,359 shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 156 ($2.00) per share, with a total value of 9,920.04 ($12,735.96). Also, insider Panos Kakoullis sold 5,439 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 192 ($2.47), for a total transaction of 10,442.88 ($13,407.22). In the last 90 days, insiders have purchased 16,596 shares of company stock worth $2,560,205. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kojamo Oyj (OTCMKTS:KOJAF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,532,100 shares, a growth of 12.8% from the June 30th total of 1,358,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently days. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Barclays cut Kojamo Oyj from an overweight rating to an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Get Kojamo Oyj alerts: Kojamo Oyj Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:KOJAF remained flat at $24.62 during trading on Monday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $24.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $24.62. Kojamo Oyj has a 12 month low of $23.11 and a 12 month high of $24.72. About Kojamo Oyj Kojamo Oyj, a private residential real estate company, provides rental apartments and housing services in Finland. It rents and manages apartments under the Lumo brand name. The company was formerly known as VVO Group plc and changed its name to Kojamo Oyj in March 2017. Kojamo Oyj was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kojamo Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kojamo Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tamarack Valley Energy (TSE:TVE Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Stifel Nicolaus from C$5.00 to C$5.50 in a research note released on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. TVE has been the topic of several other research reports. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$4.50 to C$4.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. CIBC reduced their price objective on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$6.00 to C$5.50 in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Desjardins cut their price target on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$6.25 to C$5.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 25th. ATB Capital lowered their price objective on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$7.50 to C$7.00 in a report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, National Bankshares lowered their price target on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$7.25 to C$6.25 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$5.73. Get Tamarack Valley Energy alerts: Tamarack Valley Energy Trading Up 1.1 % TSE:TVE opened at C$3.61 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 61.58. The stock has a market capitalization of C$2.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.31 and a beta of 2.69. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$3.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$3.86. Tamarack Valley Energy has a 12 month low of C$2.99 and a 12 month high of C$5.60. Tamarack Valley Energy Dividend Announcement Insider Buying and Selling The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a $0.013 dividend. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. Tamarack Valley Energys payout ratio is 22.06%. In other news, Senior Officer Christine Ezinga bought 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$3.66 per share, with a total value of C$29,276.00. In other news, Director Jeff Boyce purchased 40,473 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$3.53 per share, for a total transaction of C$142,736.13. Also, Senior Officer Christine Ezinga purchased 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$3.66 per share, with a total value of C$29,276.00. Corporate insiders own 1.05% of the companys stock. Tamarack Valley Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the Western Canadian sedimentary basin. It primarily holds interests in Cardium light oil plays in Wilson Creek/Alder Flats/Pembina, and Garrington and Lochend areas in Alberta; Viking light oil resource plays in Redwater and Westlock in Alberta, as well as in the Consort area of southeast Alberta and Hoosier area of southwest Saskatchewan; Barons Sands light oil plays located in the Penny area of Southern Alberta; and heavy oil properties located in Hatton area of Saskatchewan. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Tamarack Valley Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tamarack Valley Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 400,059 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,130 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 0.8% of Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $137,388,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of LLY. Cora Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Cora Capital Advisors LLC now owns 956 shares of the companys stock worth $328,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. Aries Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Aries Wealth Management now owns 3,701 shares of the companys stock worth $1,271,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 397 shares of the companys stock worth $136,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC now owns 1,248 shares of the companys stock valued at $428,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avantax Planning Partners Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. now owns 2,555 shares of the companys stock valued at $877,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $5.22 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $453.26. The company had a trading volume of 1,248,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,998,096. The company has a 50 day moving average of $448.28 and a 200 day moving average of $390.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.30. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52-week low of $296.32 and a 52-week high of $469.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $430.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 72.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.38. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.62 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 71.86%. Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total transaction of $76,027,972.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at $43,360,108,584. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total value of $76,027,972.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at $43,360,108,584. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $429.46, for a total value of $2,576,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,941 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,864,681.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 746,556 shares of company stock worth $334,342,879. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets LLY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $475.00 to $510.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. StockNews.com lowered Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, 22nd Century Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $467.45. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lowered its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 4.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 784,681 shares of the companys stock after selling 40,119 shares during the period. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Altria Group were worth $35,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MO. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 153.8% in the 1st quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 731 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 443 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Trading Down 0.2 % NYSE MO traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $45.31. 5,888,760 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,720,800. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $40.35 and a 1-year high of $51.57. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $45.61. The company has a market cap of $80.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group Dividend Announcement Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.26 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.30%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 120.90%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup dropped their target price on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com upgraded Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.00. Altria Group Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glassman Wealth Services lowered its holdings in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 6.8% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 4,745 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 345 shares during the quarter. Glassman Wealth Services holdings in Southern were worth $330,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Robbins Farley raised its holdings in shares of Southern by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 27,685 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,926,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC raised its stake in Southern by 1.1% in the first quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 45,505 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,166,000 after buying an additional 506 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in Southern by 20.6% during the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,545 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $386,000 after buying an additional 947 shares during the last quarter. Sovereign Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Southern by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Sovereign Financial Group Inc. now owns 42,211 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,937,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Southern by 67.4% in the 1st quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 6,785 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $472,000 after acquiring an additional 2,733 shares during the last quarter. 63.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Southern alerts: Southern Stock Performance NYSE SO traded down $1.06 on Tuesday, hitting $71.28. 3,863,192 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,215,221. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The Southern Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.85 and a fifty-two week high of $80.57. The firm has a market cap of $77.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.10, a P/E/G ratio of 5.03 and a beta of 0.50. The firms 50-day moving average price is $70.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.72. Southern Announces Dividend Insider Buying and Selling at Southern The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.93%. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 90.32%. In other news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 47,326 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.78, for a total value of $3,302,408.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 118,659 shares in the company, valued at $8,280,025.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total value of $1,452,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 98,659 shares in the company, valued at $7,164,616.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 47,326 shares of Southern stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.78, for a total value of $3,302,408.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 118,659 shares in the company, valued at $8,280,025.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 225,678 shares of company stock valued at $16,334,121. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a report on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of Southern in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Southern from $77.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Southern from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Southern has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.36. Southern Company Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lennox International (NYSE:LII Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Mizuho from $260.00 to $340.00 in a report published on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Lennox International from $280.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Lennox International from $279.00 to $272.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lennox International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of Lennox International from $355.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Finally, William Blair raised shares of Lennox International from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $309.92. Get Lennox International alerts: Lennox International Stock Performance Shares of NYSE LII traded up $3.97 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $371.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 50,850 shares, compared to its average volume of 311,809. Lennox International has a 1-year low of $202.97 and a 1-year high of $372.80. The firms fifty day moving average price is $313.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $278.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.06, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 1.05. The firm has a market cap of $13.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.73, a P/E/G ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.96. Lennox International Dividend Announcement Lennox International ( NYSE:LII Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The construction company reported $6.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.21 by $0.94. The firm had revenue of $1.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.38 billion. Lennox International had a net margin of 11.49% and a negative return on equity of 390.97%. Lennox Internationals revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.00 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Lennox International will post 15.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be given a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 30th. Lennox Internationals dividend payout ratio is 28.41%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Joseph William Reitmeier sold 2,808 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.17, for a total transaction of $792,333.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,986 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,768,129.62. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CAO Chris Kosel sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.99, for a total transaction of $84,897.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $607,296.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Joseph William Reitmeier sold 2,808 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.17, for a total transaction of $792,333.36. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 23,986 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,768,129.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 5,527 shares of company stock valued at $1,574,120. Company insiders own 2.83% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lennox International Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in Lennox International by 43.6% during the 2nd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 145 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in Lennox International during the 2nd quarter valued at $63,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC raised its stake in Lennox International by 38.5% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 385 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $92,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Lennox International by 40.8% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 659 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $157,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Lennox International by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 662 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $166,000 after buying an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. 68.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Lennox International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Lennox International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Residential Heating & Cooling, Commercial Heating & Cooling, and Refrigeration. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Lennox International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennox International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust decreased its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ Free Report) by 37.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,687 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,643 shares during the quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trusts holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF were worth $127,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SPHQ. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $150,000. Raymond James & Associates boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 5.3% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 44,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,226,000 after acquiring an additional 2,226 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 12.7% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 23.7% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,463 shares of the companys stock valued at $173,000 after acquiring an additional 663 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 44.5% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $432,000 after acquiring an additional 2,618 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Stock Performance Shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF stock traded down $0.24 on Tuesday, reaching $52.12. 131,292 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 651,820. The company has a market capitalization of $5.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.07 and a beta of 0.94. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF has a 52 week low of $39.18 and a 52 week high of $52.48. The firms 50-day moving average is $49.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $47.66. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Profile The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by return on equity, changes in net operating assets and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors, scaled by market cap. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust trimmed its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 10.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,254 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 140 shares during the quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trusts holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $117,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of TSM. Holistic Financial Partners raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 6.6% during the first quarter. Holistic Financial Partners now owns 3,869 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $360,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 14.9% during the first quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 5,555 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $48,653,000 after acquiring an additional 721 shares in the last quarter. Cable Hill Partners LLC raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.0% during the first quarter. Cable Hill Partners LLC now owns 6,952 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $650,000 after acquiring an additional 633 shares in the last quarter. ZRC Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter worth $115,000. Finally, Edge Capital Group LLC raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1,219.1% during the first quarter. Edge Capital Group LLC now owns 42,237 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $3,929,000 after acquiring an additional 39,035 shares in the last quarter. 16.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Needham & Company LLC reduced their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Susquehanna increased their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $108.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend Shares of NYSE TSM traded down $0.67 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $98.48. 3,078,824 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 12,091,702. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 2.29. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $101.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $510.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.36, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 1.08. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a one year low of $59.43 and a one year high of $110.69. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.489 per share. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.36. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.99%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.94%. About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides complementary metal oxide silicon wafer fabrication processes to manufacture logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, and embedded memory semiconductors. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com lowered shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Friday morning. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Stock Performance Shares of TLK stock opened at $24.54 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $21.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.62. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $26.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.74. Perusahaan Perseroan has a 12-month low of $23.02 and a 12-month high of $31.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Get Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.53 billion during the quarter. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk had a return on equity of 14.51% and a net margin of 14.21%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Perusahaan Perseroan will post 1.83 EPS for the current year. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk The firm also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $1.1296 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.7%. This is an increase from Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbks previous annual dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbks dividend payout ratio is 57.43%. Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA increased its stake in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 120.2% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 784 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG increased its stake in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 121.4% in the 3rd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 870 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares in the last quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its stake in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 118.2% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 2,618 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 1,418 shares in the last quarter. 3.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (Get Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the five analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $167.20. WTS has been the subject of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $174.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $177.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Watts Water Technologies in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Get Watts Water Technologies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, major shareholder Timothy P. Horne sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.05, for a total transaction of $2,490,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,811,750. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Watts Water Technologies news, CEO Robert J. Pagano, Jr. sold 9,254 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.76, for a total transaction of $1,570,959.04. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 175,970 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,872,667.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Timothy P. Horne sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $166.05, for a total transaction of $2,490,750.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 35,000 shares in the company, valued at $5,811,750. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 37,403 shares of company stock valued at $6,250,089. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies Stock Up 1.4 % A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WTS. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 98,060.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,963,213 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $360,701,000 after purchasing an additional 1,961,213 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $38,180,000. Robeco Schweiz AG acquired a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $30,906,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 188.9% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 230,000 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $32,106,000 after purchasing an additional 150,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 161.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 228,077 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $31,837,000 after purchasing an additional 140,834 shares in the last quarter. 75.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. WTS opened at $186.42 on Tuesday. Watts Water Technologies has a twelve month low of $120.78 and a twelve month high of $190.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 2.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $177.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $169.61. The company has a market cap of $6.22 billion, a PE ratio of 23.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.03. Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The technology company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.29. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 13.16% and a return on equity of 19.77%. The company had revenue of $471.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $473.29 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.63 EPS. Watts Water Technologiess revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Watts Water Technologies will post 7.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Watts Water Technologies (Get Free Report Watts Water Technologies, Inc supplies products and solutions that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through, and out of buildings in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers residential and commercial flow control and protection products, including backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, thermostatic mixing valves, and leak detection and protection products for plumbing and hot water applications. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Watts Water Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Watts Water Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abid Hasan Safrani Hyderabad: Abid Hasan Safrani was Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses close confidant and constant companion from his days in Germany to the years of the Indian National Army (INA). He was the only one to accompany him on his historic submarine voyage from Kiel in Germany to Japanese territory in Sumatra, Malaysia during World War II. Safrani was born in Hyderabad on 11 April, 1911 to Tehsildar Amir Hasan and Fakhrul Hajja Begum, a lady of Persian origin, he was named Zain-ul-Abdin Hasan. After finishing schooling from St Georges Grammar School, he joined Nizam College but left it soon to join Mahatma Gandhis Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad. In 1935, he went to Berlin to pursue engineering where he met Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and left the course without finishing it. Abid Hasan is famous as the man who coined the slogan Jai Hind. Post-retirement from IFS, he settled at a farm in Shaikpet spending his last days farming and living a quiet, ordinary life. Little did his neigbours know that they were living next to an individual who had played such an important role in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. He passed away peacefully in 1984. The venture to bring out Abid Hasan Safrani- Netajis comrade-in-arms was initiated by C. Narendra Reddy, who is married to Safranis niece, Kulsum Reddy. Another niece, Professor Ismat Mehdi and his nephew Shehbaz Safrani joined Narendra. The chapters in the book throw light on Abids Hyderabad connection with Netaji. It is the chapters written by the authors, articles collected from various sources, reminiscences of family and friends and tributes paid by admirers and notes left behind by Abid himself which were woven together to form the book. In the words of historian Sugata Bose: The suffix Safrani adopted by Abid Hasan is derived from the word for saffron, a colour associated with sacrifice in the Indian subcontinent. Quoting from the book, Ismat Mehdi says, "Uncle Zainus original name was Zainul Abedin Hasan. In the INA, he was known as Abid Hasan Safrani, but to the family he was Zainu Manna or simply Manna." When asked about the recognition of Abids contribution in hometown Hyderabad, the retired professor of Arabic, EFLU, Ismat Mehdi says, "His contributions are not recognized in Hyderabad. This is partly due to his humble nature and simple living post-retirement. Our book is an attempt to create more awareness not only about Abids contribution but also about the INAs role in the freedom movement." Reacting on receiving the Netaji award (posthumous) on behalf of Abid, she says, "It was an honour to receive the award in 2021 on behalf of my uncle. It also makes me feel happy that he was honoured in Kolkata which was a prominent centre of the freedom movement." The tale of their arduous and dangerous journey from Kiel to Sumatra is best described in Abid Hasans interview with Madan Gopal that was published in the Mainstream journal on 26 July 1997. The relevant extracts are being reproduced in the book in From Germany to Japan chapter with kind permission of the Mainstream weekly taken by the authors. Madan Mohan: And then you went to South-East Asia in the submarine U-Boat? Please tell me more about it. Abid Hasan: We had romantic notions about the journey in a submarine. When we boarded it we found that the U-Boat had space enough for only one bed. It was a small room where the entire crew, the doctors and we all sat together. We sat up all 24 hours. And we sat there motionless. There was no elbow room at all. We felt cramped. It was like solitary confinement. Even in jail the living conditions would be better. It took us two months to travel from Germany to a point off the coast of Madagascar. This was the longest lap of our journey. Madan Gopal: Was the journey eventful? Abid Hasan: We had to cross the North Sea. This was the only way to get to the Atlantic Ocean. British submarines were systematically firing depth charges and north of Scotland, we had an encounter but we scraped through. Abids last meeting with Netaji is best described by Abid himself in the book through his letters. On 20 August 1945, the Japanese arranged for a plane to take us to Hanoi. I stayed back in Hanoi. The plane carried Netaji and Habib ur Rahman. The plane took off from Taihoku airfield and after the takeoff it broke into two and exploded into flames. While lying on the ground after the flames, Netaji asked Rahman: Aap ko zyada to nahin lagi? (Hope you have not been hurt too badly?). On the way to hospital, Netaji asked: HasanHasan, where is Hasan? Rahman replied: Hasan is not here Sir, I am Habib ur Rahman OUTSTANDING INDIAN PATRIOT OF HYDERABAD During his tenure with Netaji, he coined the slogan Jai Hind which was rooted in our patriotic ethos Five sites where the spirit of Abid Hasan Safrani resides: * Abid Manzil at Troop Bazaar where he was born in 1911. * St Georges Grammar School where he schooled. * The family home Dhoop Chaon at Banjara Hills to which he returned in 1946 as an INA veteran from World War II. * Safrani Bagh in Golconda where he settled after retirement and lived from 1970 until his death in 1984. * Mir-ka-Daira, a Shia cemetery beyond Charminar where he lies buried. Quote: "The state govt honours its heroes regularly but no mention of any award to Safrani. Recognition could be made in many ways such as naming a university after him or setting up a special institute for scholars to research on INA," Ismat Mehdi, niece of Abid Hasan Safrani said. Security personnel attempt to disperse miscreants after stones were pelted at a 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra', in Nuh (PTI) Gurugram/Chandigarh: Two home guards were killed and at least 15 others, including several policemen, were injured Monday as mobs in Haryana's Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said. Shots were fired. The Union Home Ministry was dispatching 15 companies of central forces to Haryana, as violence also erupted in Sohna in neighbouring Gurugram district, adjacent to Delhi. As news of the clash in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna pelted stones and set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, belonging to people from that community. Protesters there blocked a road for hours. About 2,500 men, women and children at a Shiva temple in Nuh were evacuated by police, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said. These apparently included devotees and those who had taken shelter there as the two sides clashed. Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of people were clamped in Nuh and Gurugram districts. Mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday. Educational institutes were ordered closed Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. Haryana minister Vij said one man was brought dead to a Nuh hospital where 16 others were admitted. Gurugram Police Commissioner Kala Ramachandran said two home guards, attached with her district, were killed in the violence in adjoining Nuh. About 10 police personnel injured in Nuh violence, the official said. Another police officer said home guard Neeraj Neeraj died due to a gunshot wound. The other home guard killed in the violence was identified as Gursevak. Eight of the injured police personnel were taken to Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, the official said. Among the injured, Hodal Deputy Superintendent of Police Sajjan Singh was shot in the head and an inspector in the stomach, he said. Police said the vehicles set ablaze were part of the procession, or belonged to them. A video clip showed at least four cars on fire. Another purported video showed two damaged police cars. The clip contained sound of gunfire. Police lobbed teargas shells in an attempt to disperse the mobs. Suspending mobile internet services in Nuh, the Haryana government said there was "intense communal tension" in the area. According to police, VHP's 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was stopped by a group of young men near Nuh's Khedla Mod and stones pelted at the procession. Cars were then set ablaze. People in the procession also hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them, reports said. Later, many took refuge in a nearby temple as police tried to evacuate them to safety. The yatra was flagged off from Gurugram's Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. A police contingent was deployed with the procession. According to some claims, the trigger for the clash was an objectionable video posted on social media by a Bajrang Dal activist in Ballabhgarh. There were also reports that Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante booked earlier for the murder of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in Bhiwani district in February, was supposed to join the procession. The vigilante, however, told PTI that he did not participate on the advice of the VHP, which feared that his presence would create tension. There were also threats on Twitter daring him to come to Nuh. Minister Vij said in the evening that three companies of central forces have already reached. According to a communication to the state from the Union Home Ministry, the Centre was making available 15 additional companies for the state. These include the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force and Rapid Action Force. Late at night, Nuh authorities said the situation was 'under control'. Representatives from both communities held a meeting in which officials and local leaders too took part. Another meeting was slated for Tuesday morning, they said. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed for calm in Nuh, invoking the slogan "Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek" (Haryanvis are one). Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala called it a Black Day for Haryana, blaming the Khattar government for the failure of law and order. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda asked people to maintain peace and brotherhood. Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed and former legislator MLA Zakir Hussain also issued similar appeals. Defending the bill, Union home minister Amit Shah asserted that Parliament is "fully competent" to pass the bill and the protests are "politically motivated". (PTI) New Delhi: The Union government on Tuesday tabled the contentious National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha amid protests by the Opposition MPs, who termed it against "democracy, the Constitution, and the people of Delhi". Defending the bill, Union home minister Amit Shah asserted that Parliament is "fully competent" to pass the bill and the protests are "politically motivated". Even as the Treasury Benches and the Opposition slug over the proposed legislation, some non-NDA parties, including the YSRCP and the BJD, have announced their support for the bill replacing the Delhi services ordinance. The bill, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 25, will replace the ordinance on control of services in the national capital and empower the Delhi lieutenant-governor with the final authority regarding the transfers and postings of Delhi government officials. Amidst protests and sloganeering, minister of state for home Nityanand Rai introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha. Opposition members, including Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Shashi Tharoor and RSP's N.K. Premachandran, protested against its introduction. The bill will have all major provisions of the ordinance promulgated by the Central government on May 19, a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government headed by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. In the bill, however, Section 3A, a provision in the ordinance that previously prevented the Delhi Assembly from enacting any law on "services", is removed. The bill, if passed, will give the Central government primacy over the Delhi government on the appointment of officers belonging to all India services and DANICS. The bill has dropped the requirement mandated under the ordinance for the Delhi government to furnish annual reports to the Central government. It also dropped the provision mandating the placing of "orders or directives of ministers pertaining to proposals or matters required to be referred to the Central government before the L-G and the chief minister of Delhi". In another departure from the ordinance, the bill added sub-section (b) to Section 45D of the bill to allow the NCT government to "recommend a panel of suitable persons for appointment by the L-G" to any authority, board, commission or statutory body. In the ordinance (under Section 45D), all such powers were with the President, or, in other words, with the Centre. As the Opposition leaders stormed the well and tore papers questioning the introduction of the bill, Mr Shah said, "Our Constitution allows the Parliament to make laws for Delhi. Any opposition to this bill has no constitutional basis and is politically motivated. There is no reason for the Opposition to cite parliamentary procedure." The Aam Aadmi Party's lone MP Shushil Kumar Rinku, who was waiting for a chance to speak, also stormed into the Well in protest as the Union home minister started speaking on the bill. "I was not given a chance to speak... This is the murder of democracy... You are insulting Bhim Rao Ambedkar," Mr Rinku said, amid Opposition slogans shouting against the government. Mr Rinku and Congress member T.N. Prathapan were seen throwing papers in front of the Chair amid the din. As the protests continued, Speaker Om Birla said that time will be given for everyone to speak and castigated the Opposition members for their behaviour. "This kind of behaviour is not good. The country is watching," he said. The Opposition has been protesting on the issue since the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. "The bill vindicates the outrageous infringement of the government on the territory of the states... It aims to curb the powers of the Delhi government. The Centre wants to weaken democracy through the move," said Mr Chowdhury while discussing the introduction of the bill. Replying to the Opposition's protests, parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said Parliament is "fully competent" to pass the bill. "If they want to talk about the merits of the bill, let them discuss it when there is consideration and passing," he said. While the NDA is comfortably placed in the Lok Sabha to get the bill passed with over 330 members, in the Rajya Sabha also, with the support of the BJD, the YSR Congress and some nominated and independent members, it can cross the halfway mark. Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award, in Pune, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar are also seen. (PTI Photo) Mumbai/Pune: "Trust surplus" is seen today both in policies and the hard work of the people in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune. Development is impossible if there is an atmosphere of mistrust, Mr Modi said in his acceptance speech at the event, where he shared the dais with NCP chief Sharad Pawar. During his visit, the PM also laid the foundation stone for around Rs 15,000 crores worth of projects. At the event, the Prime Minister spoke of India's journey from "trust deficit" to "trust surplus". He said: "Today, the country is believing in itself in every sphere." "In the last nine years, the people of India laid the foundations of big developments and made big transformations possible, and that is why India became the fifth largest economy in the world. It is the people of India who made it happen," Mr Modi said. Mr Pawar was the chief guest at the programme. His presence at the award function, despite requests from members of the Opposition INDIA alliance to not share stage with Mr Modi, raised political temperature in Maharashtra politics. The presence of Mr Pawar during the award ceremony did not go down well with the MVA constituents. While the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) protested against the PM, none of the constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) directly criticised Mr Pawar, though they expressed apprehension that it will reflect poorly on the Opposition unity. Even legislators of the Mr Pawar-led NCP faction were puzzled over their leaders presence at the award ceremony. Interestingly, Mr Pawar was instrumental in inviting the Prime Minister for the award. Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan said that, at the time, when all the Opposition parties were united under the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) in the country, the presence of Mr Pawar at the award ceremony raised doubts. "He should clear the air, because this has confused people," Mr Chavan said. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said that the Prime Ministers visit to Maharashtra became controversial because of Mr Pawars attendance. He also said that the NCP chief three months ago had announced that he had invited the Prime Minister to the programme and therefore it would not have been appropriate for him to skip the event. "However, the situation has changed now. The Prime Minister is saying that he would not share the dais with corrupt people. He would uproot the corrupt people. The Prime Minister made wild allegations of corruption to the tune of Rs 70,000 crores against the NCP leaders, including Mr Pawar and Ajit Pawar. After a few days, Ajit Pawar and his colleagues joined the BJP government. Now the Prime Minister is sharing the dais with the same leaders," Mr. Raut said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson also alleged that the Prime Minister is making threats and intimidating the Opposition parties in order to force them to ally with the BJP. This was also the first time after the split in the NCP that Mr Pawar was sharing the dais with his nephew and Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar. Speaking on the issue, Ajit Pawar said that the programme was decided a long time ago. "Everyone knows that the trust belongs to the Tilak family. The trust decided to confer this years award on the Prime Minister. But the people of trust were facing an issue in contacting the Prime Minister. So they approached Mr Pawar, who invited Mr Modi," the Maharashtra deputy CM said. During his Pune visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated two metro corridors and laid the foundation stone for around Rs 15,000 crores worth of projects in the city. Before commencing his Pune trip, Mr Modi visited the Dagdusheth temple in Pune and offered prayers. M Raghunandan RaBJP MLA M. Raghunandan Rao. (Photo: Twitter@RaghunandanraoM)o HYDERABAD: The BJP on Tuesday asked the ruling BRS party government and legislators to demonstrate their commitment to rain and flood relief measures by donating one month's salary and asked Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to instruct his party MLAs, and MLCs to do so. "We, the BJP legislators are ready to donate one month's salary," party MLA from Dubbak, M Raghunandan Rao said at a press conference. "We hope the Chief Minister will ask his party legislators to donate their one months salary and we are ready to give our cheques for flood relief too," he said. The government announced that it will release Rs 500 crore for flood relief but it did not make it clear whether farmers whose lands and crops were submerged in the latest rain spell, would be rescued, he added. Raghunandan Rao, accompanied by party MLC ANV Reddy, also said that the BJP hoped the Chief Minister, along with some of his Cabinet colleagues would visit some of the worst-hit areas in the state. "But instead, he flew to Maharashtra to expand his family activities to promote one more of his kin as BRS leader in that state. Our hope was that after Mondays cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister would embark on a tour of flood-ravaged areas but he is only interested in his party activities and not about suffering people of the state," he said. The BJP MLA also took aim at MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao saying during the Cabinet decisions briefing, Rama Rao talked about expanding the Metro Rail services by 228 km in and around the city with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore in the next four years. "This from a Minister who could not do anything about laying 5.5 km of Metro Rail in the Old City of Hyderabad in the last nine years. Since polls are nearing the Chief Minister and the BRS party is making a fresh lot of election promises. I call on people of Telangana to see through such tactics," he said. Reliance Industries , India's largest company by market capitalisation, said on Tuesday that it had signed an agreement with Brookfield Asset Management to explore the manufacturing of renewable energy and decarbonisation equipment in Australia. The US has denounced the move of Myanmars ruling junta to extend a state of emergency for another six months, over two years after seizing power in a coup, and said the military regime has unleashed widespread brutality across the country. In response to Notis suggestion of illegality, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said in a statement: Everything was done in accordance with the law and upon the advice of counsel. Any disgusting insinuation otherwise, especially by Democrat donors, is nothing more than a feeble attempt to distract from the fact that President Trump is dominating this race both in the polls and with fund-raising and is the only candidate who will beat Crooked Joe Biden. BJD's Mishra supported the introduction of the Bill, referring to the Supreme Court judgement, saying it has said that if Parliament enacts a law granting executive power on any subject which is within the domain of the NCT of Delhi, the executive power of the L-G shall be modified to the extent as provided in that law. Government has brought out a law now pursuant to the Supreme Court empowering it. How can you challenge it? he said. A delegation of 21 opposition MPs has visited the ethnic strife-torn state and apprised the leaders of the I.N.D.I.A alliance about the situation there. The delegation visited the affected areas and met people in relief camps in both the hills as well as the valley. "The violence being spread in the name of religion in 21st-century in India is a blow to the foundation of our civilization - equality of all religions. This cannot be tolerated under any circumstances," he said. Man from Nepal wanted by NIA held in Bihar The SP said Ansari had been arrested by the NIA in 2019 in a counterfeit currency case, and after being released on bail, he went absconding. Two injured in exchange of fire during police action against cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Police have recovered two country-made pistols, cartridges, equipment used in slaughtering, and 120 kg of bovine meat. Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) (CVE:SKE Get Free Report) dropped 5.4% on Monday . The company traded as low as C$2.60 and last traded at C$2.62. Approximately 258,371 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 38% from the average daily volume of 416,331 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$2.77. Analyst Ratings Changes SKE has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Scotiabank cut their price target on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) from C$16.50 to C$15.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. CIBC decreased their target price on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) from C$17.00 to C$16.50 in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$14.00 price target on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) and gave the company a speculative buy rating in a report on Monday, June 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a research note on Thursday, June 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$15.50. Get Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) alerts: Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Trading Down 5.4 % The stock has a market capitalization of C$431.26 million and a P/E ratio of -9.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.52, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a current ratio of 2.28. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$2.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$2.62. Insider Activity at Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Company Profile In related news, Director Walter Coles Jr. sold 8,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$10.21, for a total transaction of C$90,877.90. (Get Free Report) Skeena Resources Limited, a junior mining exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of base and precious metal properties in Canada. The company holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine covering an area of approximately 1,932 hectares; the Spectrum-GJ copper-gold properties covering an area of 43,500 hectares; and the Porter Idaho silver property that consists of 46 crown-granted mineral claims; and Blackdome gold mine property. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northern Irelands airports have called for the return of duty-free shopping for flights between the region and the European Union. Following the UKs exit from the EU, from January 2021, duty-free shopping from airports in Great Britain was extended to include EU destinations. George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport and City of Derry Airport have made a joint plea to the UK Government and EU to extend this facility to Northern Irelands airports. The anomaly came about amid discussions around the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. After the Windsor Framework was agreed between the UK and EU, aimed at tackling difficulties in the protocol, there have been calls for the return of duty-free facilities to Northern Irelands airports. Bosses at the Belfast and Derry airports said duty-free sales account for more than 900 million in GDP to the UK economy, and non-aeronautical revenue can account for as much as 40% of the total revenue of an airport. Further, they said, the inability of Northern Irish airports to sell duty-free goods to passengers travelling to the EU is already resulting in an estimated 5 million loss each year. The airports also said restoring duty-free shops for EU flights would put them on an equal footing to other airports in the UK, and deliver real economic benefits in terms of income generated by the airports. Nigel Keal, chairman of the UK Travel Retail Forum, who is co-ordinating the call to the UK Government and EU Commission, described the current situation as unfair. The return of duty-free post-Brexit has proven incredibly popular with consumers, with overseas retailers seeing significant increases in sales of duty-free goods to departing UK passengers, he said. This has been a crucial financial support as the aviation and travel retail sectors recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Preventing airports and businesses in Northern Ireland from accessing this revenue stream is unfair. It puts them at a competitive disadvantage to the rest of the UK, and to the rest of Europe. On behalf of the industry, the travel retail industry is calling on the Westminster Government and the EU Commission to work together to level the playing field, and bring the rules on duty free at Northern Irish airports in line with rules at their British and European counterparts. Responding, a spokesperson for Her Majestys Treasury (HMT) spokesperson said: The Government is committed to preserving frictionless movement of people and goods between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Allowing duty-free shopping between the two would require introducing border controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which undermines the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. It could also lead to significant revenue loss for both the UK and Ireland. Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) has opposed the bill currently making its way through the British Parliament aimed at stopping local authorities implementing boycotts of Israel. Council was informed about the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill in a letter from Conservative MP, Felicity Buchan (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities). At Julys DCSDC plenary meeting, it was agreed Council would write to Ms Buchan, outlining its opposition to the contentious bill. Passing the motion proposed by councillor Shaun Harkin , Council also agreed to oppose the attempt by the British government to impose its distorted foreign policy objectives on local government. In addition, the motion noted the hypocritical boycott exemption for Russia and Belarus. Further, Council has agreed to invite Omar Barghouti, human rights activist and founding member of the Palestinian Civil Society Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against apartheid Israel, for a presentation. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Harkin said the bill was the British Governments attempt to stymie and stop the growing solidarity movement for Palestine. He added: Every time we see bloodshed, as we did recently in Jenin, that movement grows internationally because it exposes the barbarity of the apartheid state. The bill also includes an exemption for Russia and Belarus, so it is clear this is about the British States foreign policy objectives. Obviously Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine but Israel is committing war crimes in Palestine and there are many other brutal regimes around the world doing the same. I think we, as a Council that supports BDS, has to send a very strong message to the British government that we are not going to be bullied by the British government or any entity that is going to tell us that we cant build a solidarity movement in support of Palestine. Sinn Fein Christopher Jackson described the British Governments actions as disgusting and disgraceful. He added: The British Government is trying to prevent local authorities in Britain raising their voices in support of the Palestinian people. I have met Omar Barghouti a number of times, and I completely welcome the opportunity to invite him, either virtually or physically if possible, to this Council as his advice would be invaluable. Omar Barghouti has highlighted the fact existing British Government policy restricts councils here in the North from playing an active part in the BDS campaign anyway. This bill is to extend that policy and include England, Scotland and Wales too. We will not adopt the foreign policy of the Tory party in London, no matter who sends us a letter. Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) pointed out that both of the SDLPs MPs had voted against the bill in Westminster. He added: Our local MP, Colum Eastwood spoke for everyone across the city when he voted against the bill. Before the meeting, the Derry Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a protest on the steps of the Guildhall, which was joined by councillors Gary Donnelly and Shaun Harkin. Speaking to Derry Now, Catherine Hutton, the groups chairperson said the British Governments bill had been designed to prevent local authorities such as DCSDC, across Britain, boycotting Israel specifically. Ms Hutton said: The letter to DCSDC directly referenced the BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions) campaign against Israel. For activists here who are working for Palestine solidarity, the Council is one of the main tools we can use to help get the message across and to enact boycotts and divestments, in terms of pension funds, in order to keep it in line with human rights and ethics. Taking a moral or ethical stance about something should always be at the heart of public procurement. Unfortunately that is not the case most of the time. Our Council, although it was symbolic, did pass a motion to support Palestine in Struggle and also to support the BDS movement albeit there have been restrictions. Ms Hutton added in the North some people were invoking Section 75, which deals with issues including religious inequality in terms of employment,to prevent anything being done regarding BDS. She added: However, this Bill would definitely be the nail in the coffin of the BDS campaign. For example something such as choosing not to use Hewlett Packard products, excluding them from tenders, thats what we are asking. Going forward, it is making the ethical procurement decisions because that was what was done around South Africa. Hewlett Packard is deeply involved and complicit in the Israeli occupation of Palestine at a deep level, with software in their fighter jets and the Population Register. Countries like Norway and Belgium have pulled pension funds out of Israeli banks and financial institutions. We have other choices. DCSDC is the only option we have on the outside to effect change. What country cant feed its children? That was the question posed by Denis McGowan, chairperson of Foyle Foodbank. The foodbank is currently running a summer support programme providing breakfasts and lunches for children and teens across the city, in partnership with community groups locally. Children ready to tuck in to the lunch at St Mary's YC summer scheme. From left, YC staff: Tiarnan Deery, Aoife O'Neill, Cliona Young, and Sean Thornton. Karen Mullan, the organisations strategic development manager, explained the programme had run on a smaller scale last year, when the foodbank provided breakfast items for summer scheme breakfast clubs. Speaking to Derry Now, Karen said: Foyle Foodbank decided to do the same again this year and we are now supporting about 13 organisations here. We provide cereal, spreads and dilute and on a weekly basis, then we provide bread and fruit every week. The community groups come here and collect the items. Here is the Foyle Foodbank, which is based at Unit 15, Apex Living Centre, Springtown Industrial Estate. Karen added: For some of the groups who have teenagers, we provide tuna, beans, pot noodles and noodles, so they can do some lunches. But, we took it a step further this year. We felt very strongly this past year has been extremely difficult for people. On top of that, the summer is always difficult and then you add in the removal of the free school meal payment. We know how tight people are getting it. We see it here. In terms of our foodbank, we have more people using us for the first time, people who have never used a foodbank before, people who are working. So, we were planning for our summer and, in terms of capacity, we thought we would pilot with one group. We know the areas of highest deprivation Derry. There are quite a few. Skeoge was our number one priority area. It is a brand new estate, mostly new families, with approximately 40% of the population under the age of 11. There would also be Creggan and Ballymagroarty, as well as quite a number of areas in the Waterside. Karen admitted Foyle Foodbank would love to run the lunch summer support programme everywhere, as it does with its breakfast club but that was not possible this year. We decided to partner with the Skeoge and Creggan Youth Club summer schemes to provide lunches cooked by our chef, in the foodbank. This means it is not children coming in for a meal. There is no stigma. It is not advertised as being for children on free school meals. In Creggan at the minute, in terms of breakfasts and some lunch items, we are supporting Creggan Preschool and Training Trust (CPTT) with their breakfast club, for parents and toddlers. We are also supporting Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership, which caters for families. Foyle Foodbank has teamed up with Feeding Britain, an organisation which does a lot of work around food support. A big part of their remit is research, lobbying and campaigning. They have funded our lunch summer support programme. We have employed a chef and an assistant to come in and cook the food in our kitchen. 130 meals to go out every day. 30 go to Skeoge. They have a lovely wee cafe area, so children and young people eat there. We also got fantastic containers, so if they dont eat their lunch during the summer scheme, they can bring it home. Last week St Marys Youth Club was going on a bus run so we provided a few boxes of fruit and sandwiches. Karen reiterated that everything Foyle Foodbank does was in partnership with others. We are trying to support people as best we can in communities, she added. While we have our base and our service here and we are extremely busy, we knew we would be going into the summer and supporting local groups with breakfasts and lunches, right across the city, from Curryneirin, Top of the Hill, Irish Street, Caw and Nelson Drive to Leafair, Creggan and Dove House. It is our way of trying to help families out. We know children would eat you out of house and home at the best of times. This years lunch summer scheme is a pilot scheme and we have received very positive feedback. We will see what we learn from it. Hopefully we will be able to do it for more areas next year. Karen explained that part of the foodbanks role, as advocated by the Pathfinder initiative of the Trussell Trust, which supports the organisation, is to put an end to the need for foodbanks. That is what we are working towards. She added: When a person comes in our door, we look for the reason why and think about who else we can work with to support that person. We work with a wide range of organisations. We now make referrals out, which we didnt do before, and organisations make referrals in. Denis McGowan emphasised Foyle Foodbank had moved away from being a reactive organisation, a place where you went to get food if you were in crisis. He said: Karen has introduced the whole proactive approach to the foodbank. We are now going out into the community and letting the community know the work we do. We are building trust with the community. The term foodbank has a stigma and part of Karens job is to destigmatise the foodbank. We are just one of many agencies who can help you when you are in difficulty. Foyle Foodbank is a trusted place you can come to and you will be well looked after. We put dignity at our core and the dignity of children is very high on Karens and our list. We treat people with dignity and compassion and understand where they are. We have recently employed a financial inclusion worker, thanks to funding from the Trussell Trust and we work in partnership with four advice services across the city and three credit unions. Denis observed Foyle Foodbank was seeing an increase in what he described as the working poor. No-one wants to tell you they are not earning enough, he said, but we are going through a cost of living crisis and people are experiencing mortgage increases of 300 to 400 a month. Karen is working in the community, trying to give a lead and get people, important voices, leaders in the community, to deal with this problem. This is a government problem. Foyle Foodbank is doing the governments work. What country cannot feed its children? The Holiday Hunger payments continued in England and Scotland. Wales and here were the only places which discontinued them. A Derry mans photo, Manannan mac Lir & Aurora, has been selected as a runner-up in the 2023 Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Manannan mac Lir & Aurora was awarded the runner-up prize in the Back on Earth category. The image is a single frame shot captured at Gortmore Viewpoint in Co. Derry, which is part of the Causeway Coastal Route. The sculpture of Celtic Sea god Manannan mac Lir looks out at the dancing sky over Benone beach. On the night the image was captured, the display of the aurora borealis lasted 30 minutes. The image was taken by Patryk Sadowski from Derry city. Patryks winning image will be showcased as part of an outdoor exhibition at DIAS's premises at 10 Burlington Road, Dublin which opens today (Tuesday, 1st August). The 14 top-rated images from the competition will be displayed alongside Patryks. The exhibition is free to attend. A photo entitled Crescent Moon over Donegal, also taken by Patryk Sadowski, will be displayed as part of the outdoor exhibition. It shows our natural satellite, the Moon, taken on a night with very clear skies on the Inishowen Peninsula. The winners were selected by a judging panel following a meticulous judging process of over 70 entries. In addition to Prof. Peter Gallagher, the judging panel included Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor, The Irish Times; Michael McCreary, President, Irish Astronomical Society; and Niamh Breathnach, Director, Alice Public Relations. Commenting on the competition, Michael McCreary, President of the Irish Astronomical Society and member of the judging panel, said: As a new member of the judging panel this year, I was honoured to be involved in the judging process. Astro-photography competitions are a great way to reconnect the general public to the night sky, capturing their imaginations with these stunning astro-photographs. Through the competition we can encourage as many people as possible to explore our world through the night sky. Joining a local astronomy club or society is a great way to get involved and there are lots of groups around the country. The winning images are all available to view now online on www.reachforthestars.ie. Lenovo launches its budget-oriented LOQ gaming laptops, exclusively available on Flipkart. LOQ laptops offer advanced features including a MUX Switch, Lenovo's LA AI Chip, and NVIDIA RTX GPU. Lenovo aims to target budget-conscious gamers with its LOQ lineup, with prices starting at INR 73,990. If you were one of those people who wondered where the latest Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptops were then I believe I have the answer. Lenovo has introduced its brand new "LOQ" series of gaming laptops targeting budget gamers. Announced exclusively on Flipkart, LOQ is Lenovo's latest attempt to cater to the gaming community. The design cues and shared features with the well-regarded Legion series indicate a conscious effort to ease newcomers into Lenovo's gaming ecosystem. Also read: Lenovo LOQ 151RH8 Review: Fantastic gaming performance at the cost of high surface temps LOQ laptops, available in 15 and 16-inch variants, are equipped with either a 13th Gen Intel Core processor or an AMD Ryzen 7000 Series CPU, and offer up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. The display's NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility promises improved image quality, less screen tearing, and smoother motion during gameplay, but real-world testing will determine how well these claims hold up. MUX Switch will come standard with the LOQ series, giving the users the maximum performance from their GPUs. The brand new Lenovo LA AI Chip onboard the laptop powers the Lenovo AI+ Engine. Which manages power and thermal performance during gaming sessions. Seems like a clever touch, but again, it's hard to judge its effectiveness without real-world tests. Also read: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i looks so futuristic: Check all specifications and features The Lenovo LOQ lineup, starting at INR 73,990, seems to be making a bid for the budget-conscious gamer. But with fierce competition in this segment, it remains to be seen whether these devices can make a mark. One model, the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8, stands out with an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, 16GB DDR5-5200 memory, and 512GB SSD storage. In addition, every laptop in the Lenovo LOQ series is equipped with Super Rapid Charge, a feature that could offer, according to Lenovo, quicker charging times and extended battery life. The latter is something whose impact could only be fully tested on a long-term basis. The laptops also sport Lenovo's signature full-sized gaming keyboard, offering a 1.5mm key travel, and the option to light things up with a 4-zone RGB backlighting system. I personally think if Lenovo could manage to bring an RTX 4050-powered LOQ gaming laptop at around 75,000, then it could shake up the budget laptop gaming segment. It seems to be a trend of sorts that gaming laptop manufacturers are coming up with new budget laptop series. We've already seen Acer's new Predator Helios Neo 16, and MSI's Cyborg, which both sit snugly in between budget and premium. Now, we have the new Lenovo LOQ lineup from Lenovo which promises to spice things up in the gaming laptop segment. Considering everything the Lenovo LOQ has to offer paired with its pricing starting at 73,990 and going up to 14,990 for the top-end variant (which we're reviewing here), the Lenovo LOQ just might just be the new best budget gaming laptop you can get your hands on. Let's dive into the complete review to find out! Lenovo LOQ Specs Processor: Intel Core i7-13620H (6P + 4E) GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB VRAM), TGP: 115W RAM: 16GB DDR5-5200 Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD storage (2 M.2 SSD slots) Display: 15.6-inch WQHD (2560x1440) IPS display, 165Hz, G-Sync Lenovo LOQ - Build and Design At first glance, the new Lenovo LOQ looks a lot like the refreshed lineup of Lenovo's IdeaPad Gaming 3 from last year. You can clearly see the design inspiration drawn from Lenovo's premium gaming lineup, Legion, as well. In many ways, it makes sense for Lenovo to split IdeaPad and IdeaPad gaming, and it does look like that is what is happening with LOQ, but we don't know for sure yet. Coming back to the design, the Lenovo LOQ features a fairly subtle design that won't look out of place in a professional setting. It is fairly bulky, which is common with gaming laptops. You've got LOQ emblazoned on the corner of the lid. There's no RGB on anything other than the backlit keyboard, so the laptop as a whole doesn't draw too much attention. You have turquoise accents on both the side and back vents which are trademark IdeaPad Gaming 3; and the only dash of colour on this otherwise muted device. This increasingly seems to be the preference with more buyers looking for laptops to both work and game on. Coming to the keyboard, you've got a full-sized keyboard on the Lenovo LOQ, something we're accustomed to seeing in Lenovo gaming laptops in general. The key travel distance on laptops is something I've never been of a fan of, but the overall typing experience is pleasant, with good spacing and feedback. We would personally prefer using a separate keyboard and mouse and there are more reasons for this which we will get to shortly. Lenovo LOQ - I/O Coming to I/O options, the LOQ certainly isn't lacking. You have 3x USB-A 3.2 ports (two Gen 2, one Gen 1), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with support for PD and DisplayPort 1.4, you have an HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ-45 ethernet port, an audio combo jack, a hardware e-shutter switch for the webcam, and the power connector. The only thing missing we'd say is a Thunderbolt port, but we're not really complaining. Lenovo LOQ Performance With that out of the way, we jump straight into the performance. We received the top-end variant of the Lenovo LOQ, which features a 13th gen Intel Core i7-13620H, paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with a TGP of 115 W. On paper, this thing already beats everything else in this price range, but let's see how it actually performs. Gaming performance We'll start things off with the gaming performance, that is after all what you're buying a gaming laptop for, isn't it? It doesn't really come as a surprise, but the RTX 4060 on the Lenovo LOQ gives us the best synthetic and real-world gaming performance numbers we've seen in any gaming laptop that we've tested this year under Rs 1.2 lac. In our synthetic GPU benchmarks, for which we use 3DMark, the Lenovo LOQ handily beats its competition, which in this price range mostly consists of RTX 4050s and RTX 3060s. We're comparing the benchmark scores of the LOQ with a recent RTX 4050 Laptop GPU and an RTX 3060 Laptop GPU from last year. The numbers speak for themselves. This continues when we move to real-world gaming performance as well. The Lenovo LOQ is far ahead in all of our real-world gaming tests. You could comfortably play these and newer titles at WQHD and get reasonable FPS numbers. However, do keep the 8GB of VRAM in mind, which is a little on the lower side, if you're planning on playing at higher resolutions. Processor performance Next, we come to the processor. The Lenovo LOQ features a 13th gen Intel Core i7-13620H. This processor comes with 10 cores and 16 threads, of which 6 are performance cores and 4 are efficiency cores. We compared the processor with a 12th gen Intel Core i7-12650H, which also features 10 cores and 16 threads and a similar TDP. However, despite a higher base clock on the 13th gen processor, the 12th gen processor managed to outperform the 13th gen processor in almost all benchmarks, albeit by a small margin. For general productivity, for which we use the PCMark 10 benchmark, both processors are very close in overall scores. Coming to R23, we can see the 13th gen processor falls short of the 12th gen processor by roughly 200 on single-thread and 2000 points on multi-thread performance. This continues in encryption and decryption as well, with the 12th gen processor winning out a small margin every time. This ultimately doesn't hamper the gaming performance as we've already seen, and at the end of the day, this is still a pretty fast processor. The 16GB of DDR5-5200 RAM in the Lenovo LOQ is the fastest we've tested in this price segment. However, the 512GB of NVMe SSD storage could be better. We saw read and write speeds of 2700 MB/s and 2000 MB/s respectively, which is on the lower end, even in this price segment. It's still more than enough for your gaming needs. However, you have two M.2 slots so you can replace or expand storage as per your needs. Lenovo LOQ Display Next, we come to the display. The Lenovo LOQ features a 15.6-inch, WQHD (2560x1440) IPS display with a refresh rate of 165 Hz. If that wasn't enough, the display is pretty bright with an advertised peak brightness of 350 nits. We actually tested 367 nits of peak brightness. We also got 96% sRGB coverage and 72% DCI-P3 coverage during our display testing which makes this a pretty solid laptop for your content creation needs, packing both a great display and powerful hardware. Lenovo LOQ Heat and Noise Probably the only drawback of the Lenovo LOQ is the heat. This laptop can get uncomfortably hot. While internal temps seem to be fine during stress tests; the CPU hit a peak temp of 86 degrees Celsius. Surface temps can go over 45 degrees in some places which is HOT. One hotspot in particular lies just between the trackpad and spacebar, which radiates heat during intense workloads. This is the other reason we were talking about when we suggested using a separate mouse and keyboard during the build and design section. The laptop can get loud during intense sessions, but its not too bad and does a decent job of keeping the internals cool. Lenovo LOQ Verdict After looking at the gaming performance on the Lenovo LOQ, it is without a doubt one of the best gaming laptops you can pick up under the 1.2 lac mark, at least so far this year. The gaming numbers are the best weve seen, and its also got one of the best displays weve seen in this price segment. The battery performance is definitely lacking and the SSD speeds are on the lower end, but those are compromises were fine with considering the performance were getting. Surface temps get pretty high, which is a bit concerning, but thats really the only drawback the Lenovo LOQ has going against it. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. China imposes export controls on dual-use drones as the US remains the largest export destination Amid the US military aid to Ukraine and an intensifying technology export restrictions against each other between the US and China, China announced fresh export controls of drones for military use. It is worth noting that the US remains China's largest export market for drones under the latest regulations. According to orders No. 27 and No. 28 by the Ministry of Commerce of China, announced on July 31, China will begin imposing export controls on drones with certain engines, lasers, infrared imaging equipment, and communication equipment starting on September 1. The measures will be implemented for two years. Even products that do not meet the criteria will be under export control if exporters are aware that these products may be used for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorist activities, or military purposes. According to Associated Press, the Ministry of Commerce of China said that since the war in Ukraine, there has been a continuous increase in the risk of certain high-specification and high-performance civilian unmanned aerial vehicles being used for military purposes. Reuters quoted a spokesperson saying that the measures reflected China's commitment as a responsible major nation, aligned with global security initiatives, and upheld world peace. DJI, the giant in the global drone industry and is already on the entity list of the Department of Commerce of the US, said that it strictly complied with and enforced the laws and regulations of the countries or regions in which it operates, including in China, reports Reuters. The export restrictions came on the heels of similar measures by China to impose export controls on germanium and gallium announced in early July. Data from China Customs shows that the US was the largest importer of the products expected to be under export controls in 2022, followed by Indonesia and India. Drones under restrictive measures exported by China in 2022 Importer Value in US$m Quantity in thousand United States 124.67 23,515.63 Indonesia 85.85 38,809.77 India 83.83 30,680.90 Turkiye 70.13 23,970.00 Italy 68.20 10,084.79 Russia 67.88 7,973.89 Total 1,403.89 359,034.59 Source:China Customs, August 2023 China's ICT manufacturing industry saw CNY6.78 trillion in revenue for 1H23 According to the latest released data from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) the first half of China's ICT manufacturing industry achieved a total revenue of CNY6.78 trillion (US$1.05 trillion), a decrease of 4.2% compared to the same period last year. In the same period, the production of mobile phones was 686 million units, a decrease of 3.1% compared to the same period last year, with smartphone production reaching 507 million units, a decline of 9.1%. The production of microcomputers was 162 million units, down by 25%, and the production of ICs was 165.7 billion units, down by 3%. When it comes to exports, in the first half of 2023, the export value of China's ICT manufacturing industry decreased by 9.2% year on year. The decline was 0.9 percentage points further than that of the January to May period, and 4.4 percentage points further than the overall industrial decline. In June, the export value of the ICT manufacturing industry above a certain scale decreased by 13.1% year on year. According to customs statistics, in the first half of 2023, China exported 67.19 million laptops, a decrease of 23.9% compared to the same period last year; 351 million mobile phones, a decrease of 13.5%; and 127.6 billion ICs, a decrease of 10%. In terms of profitability, in the first half of the year, the ICT manufacturing industry achieved a total revenue of CNY6.78 trillion, a decrease of 4.2%, which was consistent with the decline from January to May. Operating costs amounted to CNY5.93 trillion, down 3.5% year on year. The total profit reached CNY241.8 billion (US$33.7 billion), a decrease of 25.2% compared to the same period last year, with a 24-percentage-point narrowing of the decline compared to the January to May period. The operating income profit margin was 3.6%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points compared to the January to May period. Two people have died and three people are in hospital after a serious collision in Co Monaghan. Of the three people taken to hospital, two are in a critical condition. It is understood that some of the people involved were travelling to a secondary school Debs ball. Horrendous, heart-wrenching news coming from Clones this evening.A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them. God help the families affected. The prayers of everyone in County Monaghan is with them. Matt Carthy TD (@mattcarthy) July 31, 2023 The incident took place on the N54 in Legnakelly (Clones to Smithborough road) at around 6.45pm on Monday evening. Gardai said the bodies of the two victims have been removed from the scene to Monaghan General Hospital, with post-mortem examinations to take place on Tuesday. An 18-year-old woman and the 60-year-old male driver of the car are in critical condition in hospital, while an 18-year-old man is receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries. A vehicle remains at the scene and the road has been closed overnight. Local councillor Richard Truell told the PA news agency: Its tragic, the community is shocked. We cant get our heads around whats happened because two young lives have been lost. Our thoughts and prayers have to go to their families. Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy said it was horrendous, heart-wrenching news and said the prayers of everyone in Co Monaghan are with the families affected. A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them, he said on Twitter. The local youth club in Clones remains open until 11.30pm on Monday to offer support to students. ANGUS Cloud has passed away at twenty-five years old at his family home in Oakland California. US site TMZ has reported that the cause of death is unknown and the police are now launching a full investigation. A week previous to this Cloud had buried his father in Dublin and a family source close to TMZ reported he had been struggling upon his return to America. The family source went on to tell TMZ; It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways." They continue; "Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.We hope the world remembers him for his humour, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss." The actor had grown to success for his role as Fezco in the hit HBO television series Euphoria alongside Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Alexa Demie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HBO (@hbo) Despite studying behind the scenes with a degree in Technical Theatre, Cloud shocked fans with his performances despite never acting professionally before. The actor planned to move to Ireland where his family are from and many still live but was scouted by Euphoria's casting producer. Consultancy firm Accenture should offer voluntary redundancy options as part of its plan to cut 890 jobs in Ireland, a minister has said. The multinational company announced the major workforce reduction on Monday as part of ongoing streamlining of its global operations. The firm had already cut 400 jobs from its 6,000-plus team in Ireland earlier this year. Minister of state Sean Fleming urged Accenture to maximise the potential for voluntary redundancies to achieve the latest headcount reduction. He said Mondays announcement was one of the biggest single redundancy moves in Ireland in many years. Mr Fleming said the official notification to the Government from Accenture came as a big shock. Its a big blow, especially to the people concerned and their families, and our thoughts are with them because many of them are wondering Am I one of the 890 people thats going to get the bad news over the next day or so out of the 6,000 people that work there?, he told RTE Radio One. Everybody in the business will be on tenterhooks until there is some clarity, and thats why its most important that the company arrange the collective employee process straightaway so that there can be good information back to people. And they would raise the possibility that there might have been in the normal course of events, because of a lot of movement in the management consultancy sector, if people were contemplating moving to other positions or they were contemplating leaving the company, that people who want to volunteer to leave should be first, rather than everybody in that particular section being forced out, even if there is movement within the overall group. Mr Fleming expressed confidence that those who lose their jobs will find re-employment quickly. The IDA (Irelands investment and development agency) has created 6,000 new jobs already this year, he said. We are at full employment in Ireland, with less than 4% unemployment weve never experienced that in our lifetime. So, definitely the economy is strong, and the most important thing that the Government can do now and the IDA will already be working on it is the skills profile (of the departing workforce) because there will be other IDA clients in Ireland looking to employ people in the weeks and months ahead. The IDA have a particularly big role here to match the skills of those who are being made redundant with the requirements of other companies out there who are currently looking for new staff. Government must support Accenture workers following shock announcement of 890 job losses @loreillysf This is yet another concerning blow for tech workers in Ireland, and a worrying sign of continuing volatility in the sector.https://t.co/oqX6YGfQl8 pic.twitter.com/IUocU4JRSl Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) July 31, 2023 Sinn Feins Louise OReilly also called for a voluntary first approach to making the cuts. What the company should be doing is talking directly to the workers as part of the consultation process and working hard to save every job, she told RTE. So, if there is a chance that any of these 890 jobs can be saved, well, then it behoves the company and the workers to sit down. She added: There has to be very clear criteria for selection for redundancy that should be negotiated directly with the workers. Ms OReilly said the Government needs to get ahead of such announcements and undertake an analysis of the tech sector and the impact of recent redundancy announcements. The Government need to be looking at these jobs because there does seem to be something of a kind of a snowball effect, she said. There were 400 jobs (cut) after what Accenture called a very careful review. They laid off 400 people; now, a couple of months later, as those people who got the news in March are leaving their jobs, we find that there are up to nearly 900 jobs to go. So I think the Government needs to maybe try and get ahead of this rather than waiting for announcements, get a picture of the tech sector, how many jobs have been lost overall, how many people have been re-employed, how many people were here from other countries and went home, and whats that doing to the profile of workers in that sector? Accenture, which has its headquarters in Dublin, has insisted it remains firmly committed to its Irish operations. We continue to focus on ensuring we have the right talent to serve our clients and run our business today and tomorrow, the company said in a statement on Monday. In March, we initiated a series of actions to streamline our operations, including the departure of around 2.5% of our current global workforce. We will be commencing a collective employee consultation for a proposed redundancy programme that is expected to affect around 890 people at Accenture in Ireland. We do not plan to comment further while the consultation process is ongoing. Our business in Ireland continues to show strong performance and we remain focused on our strategy to be at the centre of our clients business and help them reinvent themselves to reach new levels of performance. We continue to focus on ensuring we have the right talent to serve our clients, to invest in our people and recruit in critical skills areas. We remain firmly committed to our business in Ireland and will continue managing for the long term. The Governments new child poverty unit should ensure that cost-of-living increases do not undermine social welfare supports such as the working family payment and the increase for a qualified child, according to the Taoiseachs strategy for the office. Launching his plan to end child poverty, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said happy childhoods are the foundation for realising broader economic, environmental and social goals. Progress in recent years shows it is possible to provide every child with the best start in life. The plan sets out a vision to establish Ireland as the best country in Europe to be a child by creating conditions for all children to be well and happy. It focuses on reducing the cost of education, mitigating family homelessness, access to services, improving early learning and care, providing income supports for families as well as opportunities in arts, culture and sports. Mr Varadkar said: We must give everyone the best start in life, empowering them to make the most of that start through education, equal opportunities, and good jobs to work towards a better future. Child poverty undermines that start and steals futures, and that is why I am determined that in the coming years we will make a lasting and life-changing difference across all six of the areas identified in this programme. This approach includes ensuring a specific focus on child poverty at budget time. The annual budget is a critical moment in which Government articulates its ambition for the coming year. Given the Governments commitment to reducing child poverty, I will make sure that the Budget reflects our ambitions for children. Mr Varadkar announced his intention to launch a child poverty unit in December of last year and the initial programme plan for the office, published on Tuesday, sets out ambitions for the first 2.5 years until the end of 2025. Figures in the plan state that 185,000 children (15.2% of all children in Ireland) were at risk of poverty as they live in households with an income of less than 60% of the median disposable income. Approximately 92,000 lived in households below this level and where there was enforced deprivation, meaning they went without basic items because they could not afford them. The document notes that, while calculated in a different way to the national measure, compared to the EU, Irelands rate of poverty and social exclusion for under 18-year-olds is slightly below average 22.8% for Ireland in 2021, compared to 24.4% for the EU27 (Eurostat). The Department of the Taoiseach said: However, this is no reason for complacency. In 2021, there were 16 European countries with lower child poverty rates than Ireland. The report features testimonials from children in an online survey conducted by the ombudsman for children. One 11-year-old child raised the cost of housing as a concern: My family have rented in the same place for years and are now being asked to move because they are selling the house. I cried, I dont know where I am going to live. Things are very expensive and my mam sometimes has little money. According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, there were 3,765 children in 1,804 families accessing emergency accommodation between the 19th and 25th of June. A total of 1,013 of these families were single parents. The child poverty office is to work with Government departments for developments on income and employment opportunities for lone parents. The plan says there will be a focus on continuing State investment in early learning and care (ELC), aimed at ensuring high quality and accessible ELC places to all children, but particularly very low cost or free childcare for the families with the lowest incomes and the expansion of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). It seeks to expand the provision of free school meals and alleviate the cost of secondary school resources as well as implement preventative strategies for families at risk of homelessness. The child poverty office is also tasked with producing an annual report on progress in the areas of priority. To support the preparation of a child poverty budget, Government departments are asked to outline how their overall spending will impact on child poverty and the priority areas of the unit. Michigan author Breeda Kelly Miller, brings the poignant one-woman award-winning play, Mrs Kelly's Journey Home to Dundalk in September, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI). The play, written and performed by Miller, pays tribute to her late mother, Mary Kelly, who passed away after living with dementia. Ms Miller portrays her mother in the live performance which serves as a heartfelt love letter to her life, charting her immigration journey from Ireland to America. Ms Miller said: It is an honour to bring my Mothers story to a stage in the country where she was raised. I have such an affinity with Ireland, and Irish audiences are always a joy. Breeda cared for her mother for six years throughout her dementia journey until her death in 2011. She has a strong connection to Ireland; her parents are Irish and her older siblings were born in Ireland. After her mother's death, Breeda became a nationally known speaker, raising awareness and supporting the importance of self-care for caregivers. She is the author of the book, The Caregiver Coffeebreak. Mrs. Kelly's Journey Home was named winner of the Wilde Award for the best one-person show of 2021-22 by EncoreMichigan, the leading theater news organization in Michigan. There are 64,000 people live with dementia in Ireland, with an estimated 578 people living with dementia in Louth. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is Ireland's leading dementia-specific service provider. It works across the country in the heart of local communities providing dementia-specific services and supports and advocating for the rights and needs of all people living with dementia and their carers. A national non-profit organisation, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland advocates, empowers and champions the rights of people living with dementia and their communities to quality support and services. It also operates the Alzheimer National Helpline offering information and support to anyone affected by dementia on 1800 341 341. Regional Fundraising Coordinator Eila Flynn at The ASI said: Were thrilled that Breeda chose to donate the proceeds of her Dundalk run to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. It will help us to continue to provide high-quality supports and services to people living with dementia and their families in the region. Mrs Kellys Journey Home will run on Friday 22 September at An Tain Arts Centre. Tickets are on sale now at www.antain.ie. ABOVE: Dr Bernard (Ben) Drumm, who is a Dundalk native, is a lecturer in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Research Investigator in the Smooth Muscle Research Centre in DkIT and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada, USA. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), as part of its celebration of all things science and the pending opening of its new state of the art 1,300 sqm science building this September, says it is delighted to introduce a collection of Meet the Scientist profiles with some of the Institutes leading science academics. Dr Bernard (Ben) Drumm who is a Dundalk native, is a Lecturer in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Research Investigator in the Smooth Muscle Research Centre in DkIT and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada, USA. Dr Drumm said of his career journey, I came out of school with only a vague idea of what I wanted to do, I certainly never thought I would do research, pursue a PhD, or have a successful research career in the United States or become a lecturer. My career as a scientist has enabled me to travel the world and live an exciting life. The training, skills and opportunities I received at DkIT allowed me to achieve all these things and more. Ben added, I always had a general interest in science subjects at school and was very interested as a kid in science documentaries, yet he admitted he was very average at chemistry and biology at secondary school but still applied for science courses exclusively on his CAO form. He said I applied solely for these courses as I always enjoyed figuring stuff out for myself and doing tests on things to see how they worked as I was growing up. Dr Drumm undertook his undergraduate BSc in Applied Bioscience which was a 3-year course and followed it with a one year add on BSc Hons in Biopharmaceutical Science in DkIT. He said of his course, the degree was very practical, and that real-world foundation has proven to be really important in my career. "One of the reasons our science students in DkIT get employed very quickly after graduation is because their practical skills are at much higher levels than other prospective applicants. Whilst completing his undergraduate studies Ben fell in love with research whilst doing a project with the Smooth Muscle Research Centre at DkIT, who are a group of scientists that study the physiology of cells and organs in the body. After Ben completed his degree, he was offered a chance to do a 4-year PhD program with the Smooth Muscle Research Centre which included a 1-year placement in the RSCI research labs in Beaumont Hospital Dublin. After defending his PhD in 2012 Ben undertook a postdoctoral fellowship in the United States, at the University of Nevada in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. He ended up working there for seven years before returning almost four years ago to an academic position in DkIT. Ben said of his love of science, Something I always tell students is that science is not just a list of facts that you need to learn off, but rather its an exciting way to view the world. "By learning to use the scientific method, you can test things about the world around you and figure out what is true or not. There is so much that we still dont know and the pursuit of that, even if its in a very small way is thrilling. Ben is currently involved in two main areas of research in DkIT, firstly, in the Smooth Muscle Research Centre, where they study organs such as the bladder, urethra and airways to figure out how muscle cells contract and relax as that is essential for normal body function. He is also a member of the DkIT Teaching and Learning Research Group, which researches the application of education by using innovative teaching and learning technologies and strategies to enhance the student experience. Dr Drumm said of teaching in DkIT, I love having constant interaction with students, developing their skills and seeing them grow as scientists and as people. Something we are all very proud of at DkIT is the relationship students have with the faculty. "Our class sizes are such that we can get to know students quite well and determine what supports they might need to get them where they want to go. The demand for our science courses continues to increase and we have built our new extension to keep up with this demand. Ben is one of the many teaching staff in DkIT that will be utilising the new science building from this September, and he said, I cant wait to see the new science extension filled with students. The new extension contains state of the art facilities, it will provide students with the very best experience in practical science. "The new cell culture lab in particular is going to open so many new doors for undergraduate teaching and research projects. Cell culture is a technique where colonies of cells are grown under very strict conditions. Its one of the most widely used techniques for any field of biology or biopharmaceutical research or industry work. "Now with DkIT being in such proximity to companies such as WuXi, Almac and Norbrook, all of whom are also very excited about our extension, we will be able to train our students into the types of graduates these employers want to employ. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Union Bank to receive 1 million to on-lend to SMEs owned or led by entrepreneurs under 35 Sweden, Italy and Luxembourg have provided funds to support capacity building, business advice and training for young entrepreneurs Albania becomes fifth Western Balkans country to benefit from the programme, after Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is launching its Youth in Business Programme in Albania. It will support the financial inclusion of young entrepreneurs by helping them overcome barriers to accessing finance and providing advisory services. Union Bank will receive a 1 million loan for on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned or managed by entrepreneurs under the age of 35. The project will also build Union Banks capacity to better understand and cater to this group of businesses, helping the bank establish its own unique business model for engaging with young entrepreneurs. Young entrepreneurs will gain access to finance and overcome the barriers created by insufficient collateral, limited credit history and lack of business experience. They will benefit from capacity-building activities including advice on digitalising business processes, training in digital solutions and tools, and building customised digital road maps. In this way, the programme aims to empower young businesspeople and demonstrate that youth-run SMEs can be a bankable segment when offered financial and non-financial products tailored to their needs. Ekaterina Solovova, EBRD Head of Albania, said: We are proud to launch our Youth in Business programme in Albania, reaffirming our support to the country. This is a great opportunity to empower young entrepreneurs, who are such a crucial part of Albanias present and, most importantly, future. We believe that by introducing a unique business model and providing a product that is tailored to their needs, young entrepreneurs will thrive and embark on a path that will lead to a more financially inclusive and prosperous tomorrow. Union Bank is a long-time client of the EBRD, which was a shareholder in the bank from 2008 to 2021. The Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Flutura Veipi, added: We are thrilled to be collaborating with the EBRD in support of young entrepreneurs. Youth is a priority segment for Union Bank and we strive to offer young people attractive banking services that serve their distinct needs. We are convinced that the banking sector has a crucial role to play in the development of young entrepreneurs, and we are committed to doing our part by providing tailor-made financial services. In addition, we aim to address the challenges young businesspeople face in our financial advisory capacity and support their future development by providing non-financial services, thus having a positive impact on the economy in which we operate. Financing for the programme in the form of technical cooperation funds has been provided by the governments of Sweden, Italy via the Central European Initiative and Luxembourg via the EBRD Small Business Impact Fund. These funds will support Union Banks capacity building and advisory services and training for young people running SMEs. The EBRDs Western Balkans Youth in Business Programme expects to provide a total of 100 million to local banks in the region over the coming years. In addition to finance, the Bank will provide advisory services in the form of consultancy projects, e-learning and training, all with a view to fostering youth entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. The loan to Union Bank makes Albania the fifth country in the Western Balkans to join the Youth in Business Programme. Kosovo was the first to become part of the programme, later joined by Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Similar credit lines have already been successfully rolled out in Egypt. A leading institutional investor in Albania, the EBRD has invested 2 billion in over 140 projects in the country to date. Cancer care campaigners Katherine Dolphin Griffin and Linda Goggin-James have been named as joint July Cork Persons of the Month. Midleton-based teacher, cancer survivor and campaigner, Katherine Dolphin Griffin, who is widely regarded in her local community as a strong role model through her endless campaign work, was chosen as joint Cork Person of the Month in honour of her work supporting cancer charities. She and her father Joe, who passed away on World Cancer Day on February 4, 2017, underwent cancer treatment at the same time after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after experiencing tiredness and a change in her voice in 2012. In February last year, she launched her book Hope to Cope on World Cancer Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and Marymount. She is also proudly funding a 50,000 salary for a PhD cancer researcher, which the Irish Cancer Society said would help the fight against the disease. Recently, she was presented with the Most Positive Impact Award at the Club Female Founders Awards in November 2022 and has also set up her own organisation Hope to Cope which is a network community to support cancer survivors and also is an advocacy to improve services as well as fundraising. Linda Goggin-James of Cork Cancer Care Centre in Cork City Centre was also named joint Cork Person of the Month in recognition of her work at the Centre in supporting the people of Cork through and beyond the trauma of a cancer diagnosis. Linda, together with a team of volunteers and professionals, offers support, advice and a shoulder to lean on to all those touched by cancer, recognising that mental and emotional healing are as vital for recovery as are the physical treatments. The Centre also facilitates a peer support group at their premises behind the purple door at 26 St Pauls Avenue in Cork city where cancer warriors can get and give support and advice while sharing a cuppa. Linda started as a volunteer at the Centre in 2014 and became General Manager in 2017 and CEO in 2021. Last year, the Centre provided support to over 200 new cancer patients and their families, provided 483 counselling sessions, 523 holistic therapy sessions, 74 wigs and regular weekly peer support groups and yoga classes throughout the year, all free of charge. Cork Cancer Care Centre Ambassador, Grainne Farren, said: I dont think I can ever do justice to describing how special Linda Goggin-James and the Centre she runs are, other than to say that they were there for me and so many others during the most vulnerable times of our lives. They have given us some unforgettable memories and experiences and a fresh perspective. Linda has helped to put a smile back on our faces and to bring back the joy that cancer borrowed." Ms Goggin-James thanked the organisers of the Cork Persons of the Month award scheme for the further recognition of the Centres work. Katherine Dolphin Griffin and Linda Goggin-James' names will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Persons of the Year at the annual Gala Awards Lunch in January 2024. A Cork TD has said someone in City Hall dropped the ball in not actively pursuing funding to regenerate the Noonans Rd area. Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, said he was told in 2021 in the Dail that a funding application to the Department of Housing was awaiting clarifications from Cork City Council. Dail records show that in response to a follow-up query from Mr Gould in 2022, Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said he had received a capital appraisal from Cork City Council for the Noonans Rd apartments in 2021. This application covered energy efficiency upgrades and general refurbishment/upgrade works which were not covered by a specific funding programme, he said. Cork City Council have been informed by my department that they can apply for funding under the 2022 Energy Efficiency programme. Funding may also be available under the Voids/Planned Maintenance Programmes, as appropriate, for non energy efficiency works. Three weeks ago, Mr Gould and his colleague, Cork South Central TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire, were told the department had yet to receive a funding application from the council. Executive visit Mr Gould described as insulting a visit last week by the executive of Cork City Council to local authority housing at Noonans Rd and St Finbarrs Rd, saying it had been aware for years of conditions in the flats. Tenants in the neighbouring blocks of flats have claimed the council has abandoned them for years in damp, dilapidated homes, which are rodent-infested and prone to black mould. After conditions in the homes were highlighted in recent weeks by The Echo, council chief executive Ann Doherty visited Noonans Rd and St Finbarrs Rd last Monday night, accompanied by assistant chief executive Brian Geaney and city architect Tony Duggan. During that visit, Ms Doherty said she was shocked by the conditions in the flats, and apologised to the tenants, saying: All I can say is Im really sorry that youve been let down over the years. Clarifications needed Mr Gould said he and Mr O Laoghaire asked Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, in the Dail in December 2021 about Noonans Rd. In that exchange, Mr Gould stated that some of the flats were in dire condition and referred to a 2019 report which had said one of the homes there had not had hot water for 38 years. Noonan's Road Residents Committee and supporters, Cork, outside Cork City Hall during a protest about sub standard living conditions in local authority homes, photographed with Councillors and TDs. Picture Denis Minihane. There are issues with mould, damp, and leaks [and there] are obsolete electrical fittings. There are serious issues with housing and maintenance, he told Mr Noonan. Mr Gould then quoted Cork City Council stating that it was trying to get funding but the Government will not provide it because it wants to retrofit and regenerate the area. Mr Noonan responded that in July 2021, the Department of Housing had received a submission from Cork City Council under the energy efficiency programme seeking funding of over 4m for 68 apartments at Noonan Rd. Mr Noonan said the department sought clarifications on various aspects of the submission and was awaiting a response. A decision on the funding request cannot progress until Cork City Council reverts with the information required by my department, he said. No funding application Last month, when Mr Gould and Mr O Laoghaire again raised in the Dail the issue of Noonans Rd, they were told by Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Peter Burke that Government had not received any funding application from Cork City Council. Mr Burke said that the minister and his officials very much look forward to receipt of this submission from the council in this regard and will work closely with Cork City Council to ensure a sustainable solution is found for residents at Noonans Rd. 'Dropped the ball' Speaking to The Echo, Mr Gould said someone in Cork City Council had dropped the ball. The people of Noonans Rd, who have spent years campaigning on this issue, deserve answers, he said. What happened to the application that was lodged in 2021? Why did the council not provide the further information requested? When will an application be made? We now need Cork City Council to publish all reports in Noonans Road and any other apartment block facing similar issues in the city, Mr Gould said. I am hearing from people in Cattlemarket Avenue, Bakers Rd, Clashduv Rd, and right across the city. These are not isolated issues and Cork City Council must know that. Cork City Council was asked for a comment. The unveiling of Corks new Michael Collins statue, originally planned to take place in late August, has been postponed. The news was confirmed in a statement today from the Michael Collins 100 Committee. Due to a number of reasons largely outside the control of the Michael Collins 100 Committee, we have overshot our target unveiling date by a matter of weeks. The statue will not now be unveiled on Sunday, August the 20th, the committee said. It said a number of alternative dates are being considered, including Sunday, October 15 - the eve of Michael Collins birthday. Last September, a motion proposed by Fine Gael councillor Shane OCallaghan was passed by the members of Cork City Council, asking the local authority to facilitate the placing of a statue of Collins in the city centre, with the funds raised by the Michael Collins 100 Committee - a non-political organisation dedicated to honouring the legacy of Collins. The statue, based on this iconic 1922 photograph of Collins with a Pierce bicycle, is set to be located on Grand Parade close to the city library. The statue, based on the iconic 1922 photograph of Collins with a Pierce bicycle, is set to be located on Grand Parade close to the city library. The site has historical links to Collins as on March 12, 1922, the so-called Big Fella attended a Pro-Treaty rally on Grand Parade with a number of his fellow Pro-Treaty TDs. That day, Collins delivered a passionate speech to a crowd of what was reported to have been around 50,000 people. Renowned sculptor, Kevin Holland, has been commissioned to make the new statue. In the statement today, the Michael Collins 100 Committee said Mr Holland has been very busy over the summer working on the new statue. The committee said the Michael Collins figure is currently in Germany being cast into bronze. It is due back in Macroom in a matter of weeks for assembly. Kevin, over the last number of weeks, has been creating Michael Collins' Pierce bicycle in stainless steel. This will be coated in bronze and attached to the Michael Collins figure. Work is due to begin next week on cutting the lettering into the limestone, which will be set into the pavement around the statue. The design for the limestone surround was created by Clonakilty artist Tomas Tuipear, it continued. The Michael Collins statue fund will close to donations on Friday, August 11. Anyone who makes a donation can request and will receive a special commemorative certificate. See www.michaelcollinsstatue.com for more info. Gardai claimed in court that they observed a man with a stash of heroin being paid money in an apparent drug transaction at Bishop Lucey Park in the centre of Cork city. Garda Vincent McCarthy objected to bail being granted to 26-year-old Dillon Nestor of Battery Heights, Athlone, Westmeath, at Cork District Court. He is charged that on July 30 he had 1,800 worth of heroin at Bishop Lucey Park, for his own use and for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying. The young man said: It was my own lump of gear to do a week. Garda Vincent McCarthy alleged that the accused was observed in what appeared to be a drug transaction and when searched he had 60 in cash and the heroin worth 1,800. The same man Dillon Nestor was also before Cork District Court on a charge of assault causing harm to another man at South Main St, Cork, where it was alleged that the injured party sustained a fractured cheek and blood nose on June 22. Nestor said: I am trying to get my life back on track and get a job and all. I am taking medication for mental illness. After hearing the grounds for the garda objection to bail and the application by the accused man, Judge Olann Kelleher refused bail and remanded him in custody to a remand sitting of Cork District Court on August 4. Thousands of athletes are set to descend on the town of Youghal this August with the return of Ironkids, Ironman 70.3 Ireland Cork and Ironman Ireland Cork. Youghal will again host Irelands biggest triathlon weekend, with athletes from both Ireland and further afield set to take on Ironman Ireland. The three-day summer spectacle of sporting fun and action will take place from August 18 to 20. Among those taking part will be David Healy who is looking to complete his first Ironman race having had to learn to walk again at the age of 20 following a serious road traffic accident. Jeff Jonas, who was once a quadriplegic, is ready to add to his already 70+ Ironman races. Sue Bennett, who has already taken on Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire this year, is looking to complete her first full-distance race since having an organ transplant. Alan Walsh, who is a member of An Garda Siochana is taking on the race for charities Little Blue Heroes and Diabetes Ireland and will be his first race since a near-death experience in 2018. The weekend will see around 3,000 athletes competing across the Ironman 70.3 Ireland and full-distance Ironman Ireland races. Friday plays host to Ironkids Ireland geared at over 2,000 kids aged four to 15. Saturday will see Ironman 70.3 Ireland taking place with athletes lining up at Front Strand Beach ready to complete a 1.9km swim in the Celtic Irish Sea. The single-lap 90km bike course takes athletes around the scenic East Ferry, through the centre of Youghal and up the infamously gruelling climb at Windmill Hill. The two-lap 21.1km run course will take athletes through the town centre, taking in the Harbour and Clock Gate Tower. On Sunday, athletes will once again line up at Front Strand Beach as they complete their 3.8km swim, followed by a two-lap 180.2km bike course, and then a new 42.2km run course taking in more of Youghal town. Baltimore RNLI crew members were called out to provide a medical evacuation last night from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 9.08pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a visitor to the island who was in need of medical assistance. The crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 9.33pm and after the casualty was assessed by the casualty care lifeboat crew member, he was transferred onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 9.42pm and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 10.09pm. The casualty was then handed over to the care of HSE ambulance crew. Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer, said: This is the second medical evacuation (medevac) carried out from an island within two days. On 30 July a man on Sherkin Island who had suffered an injury required the lifeboat to bring him out to the mainland for treatment. Baltimore RNLI provides a vital service to those living, working or holidaying on an island who are in need of medical assistance. If you find yourself in an emergency whilst on an island call 999 or 112. There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat during last nights call out, coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Jerry Smith and crew members Kieran Collins, Brian McSweeney, Colin Whooley, Emma Geary and Stuart Musgrave. Conditions during the call out were described as good with a north westerly force 5 wind, smooth sea and good visibility. Three community groups and two small businesses in county Cork have received cash injections to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Granahan McCourt. Established by Granahan McCourt and NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE provides monthly grants across the country for rural community organisations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems. Receiving the grants of 1,000 each were Ebony Seed, an environment-focused small business on a mission to influence the next generation of consumers and producers to engage in responsible, sustainable practice, and Spirit of Youghal Events, a new festival committee looking to bring cultural and spiritual events to East Cork and surrounding areas. Other recipients included Caheragh Community Association, which is investing in new technologies having recently been made a Broadband Connection Point to offer free public access to high speed internet; The Schoolyard Theatre, which is installing new technology to manage its community events series; and West Cork Jesters, which is investing in its website to further promote its activities run by local volunteers. David McCourt, founder of RISE and chairman of Granahan McCourt and NBI, said: When we launched the RISE Community Fund, we were looking for community groups, charities, small businesses, and social enterprises in rural areas who were exploring how technology could scale the impact of their work. Im delighted to say that since opening applications in County Cork, the response has been incredible and now were excited to be awarding grants to our successful applicants. "Each one of them is an inspiration, with many volunteering their time and committing a huge amount of energy to bring pride of place to their local community. Geraldine Keohane, a volunteer for the Caheragh Community Association, said the grant will ensure they can expand their offering to the local community. Our small group of volunteers is responsible for the Caheragh Community Hall, which is an integral part of our parish activity. Recently we were delighted to become a Broadband Connection Point as part of NBIs rollout of the National Broadband Plan, and this means that were now able to expand and modernise our offering to the local community. This grant from RISE will be a massive help as we enhance our facilities to provide digital literacy classes and other programmes for the community to benefit from, she added. THREE quarters of schools did not receive a single application for an advertised teaching post in the 2022/23 school year, according to research from the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI). The research also highlighted that 81% of schools had to employ at least one unqualified teacher. The new president of the ASTI, Geraldine OBrien, said the crisis is undermining the education of children and young people and must be addressed as a matter of urgency. The difficulty is the attractiveness of the teaching profession. While its not a recent problem, it has been there for a number of years, its now currently at its worst, she said. Former president of the ASTI, and current teacher at Colaiste Eamann Ris, Ann Piggott, believes the cost of living and housing crisis are a huge factor in the lack of applicants. Currently a lot of younger teachers are in Dubai earning quite a good, tax-free salary and sometimes accommodation is included. You have to understand that the prices of houses now are so expensive, and it is expensive for teachers starting off to try to get a deposit to pay the average house that costs 350,000. Thats a huge incentive for a lot of them to go [to Dubai] so theres a lot of problems that could be addressed in this country, Ms Piggott said. Ms Piggott also believes more schools must allow the opportunity for teachers to take a career break instead of forcing them to make a difficult life-changing decision. If a teacher wants to take a career break for a year or two, just travelling or work in Australia they find sometimes schools are not granting them a career break and then teachers give up their permanent jobs at that stage and going [to Australia] and then they are not coming back. If a school gave them a career break and teacher go for one, two or three years and then they would return and we would actually have more teachers here to fill the positions, Ms Piggott added. Meanwhile, Ms OBrien wants to see a major change in the way teachers are treated in Ireland. Pay teachers more firstly. Secondly, there could be a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio. Thirdly, they need to collaborate affectively. Meaningful collaboration with teachers in relation to change. Teachers know best what will work, and will not work in the classroom, Ms OBrien concluded. The evidence in a cold case murder trial all points to the "inescapable conclusion" that Cork woman Nora Sheehan met her death 42 years ago at the hands of murder accused Noel Long, a prosecution barrister has told the jury. Noel Long, aged 74, of Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981, at an unknown place within the State. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork six days after she went missing. Prosecution closing Closing the prosecution case, Brendan Grehan said it was built on two main planks; the forensic evidence obtained by scientists and DNA profiling. Counsel noted that the victim's body had been left bereft of any dignity and was being reclaimed by nature when it was discovered. He said the pathologist's report had described extensive bruising to her face, nose, mouth, head and elsewhere on her body. "She had received a beating, there is no other logical inference. Apart from being found with her private parts exposed, she had bruising inside her vagina and a swab revealed the presence of sperm there," he said. Mr Grehan told the jurors they were being asked to infer that after Mrs Sheehan was last seen alive she came to be in a car, was badly assaulted including sexually assaulted and was ultimately killed in the course of a vicious assault or to cover up her murderer's misdeeds. The lawyer acknowledged it was not possible to say what precisely caused the victim's death and all that could be said is that she died in a group of circumstances as described by pathologist Dr Robert Dermot Coakley in his report. He said it was the State's case that the assailant responsible for these injuries was also responsible for causing her death and that the intent was there to cause serious injury in the circumstances of how she had met her death. Furthermore, Mr Grehan said the murderer had to be a man because of the semen left inside the victim's body, that the man had to have some kind of transport to get the body to Shippool Woods, which was most likely a car given Mrs Sheehan's propensity to wave down cars. Counsel went on to tell the jury that the field of suspects was greatly narrowed down before the evidence was addressed in the case. He said the jury had heard unchallenged evidence from witness Donal Boyle that not only had Mr Long lived to the west of where Mrs Sheehan lived, the accused had also called to Mr Boyle's home at Togher in his Opel Kadett on the evening of June 6, 1981. He said the location of where Mrs Sheehan was last seen was only about a kilometre away from where Mr Long was placed that night in Togher, which meant the accused "belongs in the suspect pool" for this matter. The barrister noted the very powerful evidence from retired forensic scientist Dr Maureen Smith, who examined items from Mr Long's car. The jury has heard that fibres recovered from the mother-of-three's clothing and nail scrapings matched those taken from a carpet inside the interior of the accused's car. Evidence was also given that paint fragments removed from the deceased's clothing matched paint taken from the same motorcar in both colour and composition. Mr Grehan stressed that the fact all these things matched could only suggest one thing; that the clothes Mrs Sheehan was found in - particularly the dress, coat and tights - meant "she was in that car". He said forensic scientist Amanda Lennon had offered "very strong support" for the proposition that Mrs Sheehan had been in Mr Long's car rather than she was not. Mr Grehan reminded the jury that the partial DNA profile generated from the semen preserved 42 years ago had matched that found on a beanie hat taken from Mr Long. He called this a matter of very great significance in the case, especially when this was put with Mr Long being in the area that night and the comparison between the victim's clothing and the accused's car. Counsel went on to say it cannot be a coincidence that all these matters coincided together and asked the jury how much coincidence could they stomach. He said that Mrs Sheehan met her death by the hands of a person who left semen trace inside her and whose car was intimately connected by trace evidence to her clothing. In summary, Mr Grehan said that all the evidence points in one direction and the inescapable conclusion is that she was murdered and that her murderer was Mr Long. Defence closing In his closing speech, Michael Delaney, defending, said there is an assumption that what they are dealing with in this case is a murder. However, Mr Delaney told the jury that one of the most significant issues they will have to decide is whether "what happened here was a murder at all". Counsel said that many witnesses had no real recollection of events at the trial without resorting to their statements. He reminded the jury about a retired garda who took the stand and couldn't answer any questions put to him by counsel without peeking at his statement. "The situation was almost comical but there is nothing comical about a 74-year-old man being on trial for murder," he added. Mr Delaney said that delay was one thing but the failure to preserve exhibits in the case was "truly shocking". "With the exception of the slide archive, everything else was lost," he said. He said the loss of the remainder of the vaginal swab recovered from the body of Mrs Sheehan stopped the defence from independently verifying the result of the DNA and that there was nothing left over for the defence to examine. He said the case was wholly dependent on forensic science and there was nothing else to connect Mr Long to the deceased. Counsel said no eye witnesses were called to describe the movements of Mr Long on the night in question other than to hear from Donal Boyle, who said the accused called to his home on the evening and not the night of June 6. Regarding the DNA evidence in the case, Mr Delaney said the jury were being asked to place an enormous degree of trust in science and to put on their white coats to enter the world of microscopes and infrared lights. He asked them to be sceptical of the scientific evidence in the case and to carefully scrutinise the DNA evidence. Mr Delaney said that the prosecution had overstated the significance of the match generated from the partial DNA profile and the profile found on the accused's beanie hat. He also said there was no evidence to suggest the paint flakes or fibres found in the car were unusual or distinctive. He said the State can't precisely say how Mrs Sheehan met her death. He said former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy, who was called by the defence, said Mrs Sheehan's cause of death was unascertained and she had put forward possibilities, one of which was asphyxia. "Just a possibility, very far from beyond a reasonable doubt," he said. Mr Delaney argued that Dr Cassidy said it could not be excluded that the mother-of-three had suffered a heart attack due to cardiac arrhythmia during an assault. Mr Delaney asked the jury would there not have been a motive for someone to conceal Mrs Sheehan's body in a similar way if she had died from a heart attack in the course of a physical and sexual assault. "The prosecution is clear from the circumstances she met her death by foul play so why plump for one theory over another?" He said Dr Cassidy said the force used on the deceased was no more than moderate and sufficient to cause bruising but not fractures. "Does a person striking physical blows with no weapon intend to cause serious injury; we suggest not". Counsel said the prosecution had failed to prove the intent required for murder and in those circumstances the most a jury could consider is a verdict of manslaughter. Mr Delaney said there were significant gaps in the prosecution case, that the evidence received fell well short from the accused being guilty of murder and that it was not for the jury to plug the gaps in the State's case. He said the case was based on circumstantial evidence but it was limited. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and the jury of seven men and four women, when the judge will begin his charge. Two women who were walking by the shoreline in East Cork while the tide came in were rescued by members of the Crosshaven coast guard on Tuesday evening. The two women had been out walking on a clifftop to the east of Roches point, near to Aghada, when concerned friends had raised the alert. Members of Guileen coast guard searched the clifftop to locate the women, while the Crosshaven life boat and the Crosshaven coast guard boat searched from the sea, from where they made a sighting of the women walking along the shoreline. A spokesperson for Valencia coast guard told The Echo that the Crosshaven coast guard boat managed to get in to shore and picked up the women as the tide came in. They were on the shoreline, and they were cut off by the tide, and the tide was coming in, flooding, so it was quite dangerous, he said. The two women were then brought safely to shore in Aghada, the spokesperson said. If you see someone in trouble on the water or the coast, call the coast guard on 999 or 112. PHONE, wallet, keys, passport - the last-minute pre-departure checks are a familiar holiday ritual before leaving the house. Will holidaymakers add respirators and fireproof document bags to their checklists when heading off on sun holidays next year? Tens of thousands of tourists in Greece would never have thought to pack anything to protect from raging wildfires, but its 2023, the world is on fire, and if you go on holiday to southern Europe, there is a chance your holiday will be shrouded in wildfire smoke, or you might be evacuated from your hotel in the middle of the night in case it becomes enveloped in flames. Listening to the stories of Irish tourists in Rhodes who were told to leave their belongings and take their children and pile into a bus because the wind had changed direction and their hotel was threatened, I wondered if the era of the sun holiday is over? When the Department of Foreign Affairs warns about excessive heat and wildfires in popular Mediterranean countries, are people still willing to travel to somewhere so baking hot? Will people happily book campsites in Catalonia and all-inclusive packages in Italy for summer, 2024, when all indications are that 40-degree heat is becoming the new normal? Until we stop putting carbon emissions into the atmosphere, its going to keep getting hotter, and with it the heat domes, flash floods, wildfires, marine heatwaves, hailstorms and whatever other freakish weather events our discombobulated global system serves up. No fun in the sun Even though you can book package holidays as far away as 2025, surely this years scary summer weather will deter wannabe holidaymakers. Wildfires aside, its no fun in the sun when its roasting. Especially travelling with kids or anyone medically vulnerable. When the temperature reaches dangerous heights, you spend a lot of time indoors waiting for it to be cool enough to venture out. When youre hiding from the heat from late morning to late afternoon, you might wonder what is the point of forking out thousands of euros when you could have stayed inside your own house back in Ireland. OK, youll probably go to a nice restaurant when the sun sets, but if youre like me, youll struggle to sleep in the heat and before you know it the sun is up again and the hot cycle repeats. Even with all the warnings and precautions, people still die. A recent study showed that more than 60,000 excessive deaths were caused by Europes deadly heatwave last year. Ive heard from people who have just returned from a hot holiday destination and said, never again. No-one wanted to venture beyond the hotel, so the pool was a constant crowded human soup, competition for loungers was fierce, and they were never so happy to see cool and drizzly Cork airport in their lives. Flying warms the planet Along with the tragedy of the Rhodes wildfires is the irony that every flight depositing holidaymakers on the island adds yet more carbon emissions to the atmosphere, warms the planet more, and contributes to the climate carnage that holidaymakers ended up fleeing from and complaining about. Every single holiday flight makes global heating worse. A round-trip flight from Dublin to Rhodes for a family of four dumps four tonnes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, just less than the global average of one persons emissions for an entire year. Last summer, a boon year for Greek tourism, one million tourists were arriving in the country every week. The environmental impact of mass tourism is enormous. At the start of May, the World Meteorological Organisation warned that the natural warming event of El Nino would steer global temperatures skywards, but experts are stunned at how hot things have got so quickly. Will people start changing their holidaying habits in the face of such overwhelming climate chaos? But the weather is rubbish here Ive just spent two weeks holidaying in Ireland and yes, it rained a lot, but thanks to Met Eireanns rainfall radar app we dodged the worst of the downpours and still had fun. When the sun does finally come out and you find yourself on a pristine beach all to yourself, its like winning the Lotto. We had to pack clothes and footwear for all weather eventualities, but in fact we had beautiful sunny weather on Bere Island and if I had a choice between changeable Irish summer weather and searing Mediterranean weather, I would pick Ireland every time. In the past few weeks, Ive noticed newspaper articles advising how to travel to a heatwave zone with kids, or ones promoting cooler holiday destinations in Scandinavia. Heres an idea - dont go! Holiday at home, protect the planet and protect your kids future. Kids might whine for a trip on a plane or a holiday in Spain, but we never went anywhere as kids, a caravan in Youghal if you were lucky, and were all fine. As the global temperatures continue to rise and mass tourism destinations become undesirable, holidaying in Ireland might in fact become a privilege. Indonesia suspends live cattle imports from four Australian facilities due to lumpy skin disease The Indonesian government has suspended live cattle imports from four Australian export facilities after detecting cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in livestock shipped from Australia, ABC News reported. In response, Mark Schipp, Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, reassured that Australia remains free of LSD, emphasising that the virus poses no risk to humans. According to a statement from Cattle Australia, 13 cattle tested positive for LSD "a number of days after arrival in Indonesia." It's worth noting that LSD was first reported in Indonesian livestock in March of the previous year and is transmitted by insects, being highly infectious in cattle and buffalo. Murray Watt, Australia's Agriculture Minister, confirmed that exports from the affected facilities have been halted temporarily while they undergo further testing of the animals. He assured that live cattle exports to Indonesia are continuing, and there are 28 registered establishments available for use by exporters wishing to trade. Notably, Australia's beef supply chain is valued at almost AUD 900 million (~US$603 million; AUD 1 =US$0.67) for exports to Indonesia, and the suspension has raised concerns among Australian cattle producers. Schipp that the Australian government is actively working with Indonesian authorities to resolve the situation promptly and restore exports from the impacted facilities. The Australian government is keen on maintaining the longstanding cooperation with Indonesia on animal biosecurity matters. In case LSD were detected in Australia, it would halt cattle export industries and require renegotiating trade access with all importing countries, potentially causing substantial economic losses to the farming sector. Australian cattle producers have been on high alert for LSD since it was detected on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in March 2022. Australia's Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Analysis said that there is a 28% chance of an LSD outbreak in the next five years, compared to an 11.6% risk for foot-and-mouth. - ABC News Amazon's approach to digital healthcare is now available nationwide. The company has expanded Clinic to all 50 states as well as Washington, DC. You can also have clinician video visits across the country in addition to text-only conversations in 34 states. Both avenues are available through Amazon's website and mobile app. As launched in November, Clinic is meant to provide treatment for over 30 commonplace health issues such as birth control prescriptions, migraines and pink eye. You choose a telehealth provider, fill out an intake form and get in touch with a clinician. You don't need an appointment or insurance, and the cost is visible before you reach out. Amazon hopes you'll fill any necessary prescriptions through its in-house Pharmacy service, but any third-party pharmacy is an option. Help with more conditions is due in the "coming months," the company adds. Clinic is part of a long-running effort on Amazon's part to cover many aspects of healthcare. It bought PillPack (the basis of Pharmacy) in 2018, and between 2019 and 2022 provided a Care telehealth service to its own employees as well as other companies. Amazon more recently closed its $3.9 billion purchase of One Medical, turning it into a primary healthcare provider with a physical presence, virtual options and lab testing. In the right circumstances, you might only have to interact with Amazon businesses. These moves have drawn scrutiny from regulators. Although the Federal Trade Commission said it wouldn't challenge the One Medical acquisition in February, it warned that it was still investigating the merger for possible anti-competition and privacy issues that come from access to health data. The Commission said it might challenge the deal later if it found concerns. For now, though, Amazon's healthcare ambitions aren't facing major resistance it's now an alternative to conventional clinics, at least for everyday problems. Drinking water quality remains high but resilience of many supplies needs to improve, says EPA. The quality of drinking water from public supplies remains very high, with over 99.7% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits. 481,000 people are currently served by at-risk supplies on the EPAs Remedial Action List (RAL), up from 374,000 people in 2021. Persistent THM (Trihalomethane) failures were detected at supplies serving 235,000 people, doubling the population affected since 2021. The cumulative risk from lead in our drinking water continues, with insufficient progress reported for 2022. 1st August 2023: The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies Report 2022 released today, shows that over 99.7% of public water supplies comply with bacterial and chemical limits, which means our public water is safe to drink. However, many supplies still lack robust treatment measures to guarantee their long-term resilience and safety. The EPA's Remedial Action List (RAL) identifies "at-risk" supplies that require improvements to safeguard public health. In 2022, the number of people served by public water supplies on the RAL increased to nearly 481,000, up from 374,000 at the end of 2021. Construction of a new plant at Lee Road (Cork City) and its removal from the RAL represents significant progress in 2022. Strategic progress has also been made in other areas such as disinfection and making the lead remediation grant easier for the public to access. Launching the report, Dr Tom Ryan, EPA Director said: Our public water quality remains very high, which means that the public can be confident that the drinking water supplied to their homes is safe to drink. Uisce Eireann has made good progress in delivering necessary new drinking water infrastructure such as the new plant at Lee Road in Cork which now supplies high quality drinking water to 97,000 people. However, the EPA through our inspection and monitoring programme, continues to identify drinking water plants that are at risk and require improvements and upgrades. At the end of 2022, there were 481,000 people being served by at risk supplies on EPAs RAL. Uisce Eireann needs to prioritise investment in those plants to improve the resilience of drinking supplies, to provide a safe and secure supply into the future. In addition, the growing number of people affected by persistent THM (Trihalomethane) failures, now at 235,000 people, is of particular concern. Greater effort is needed by Uisce Eireann to implement improvements at supplies to minimise exposure to THMs, including at major supplies such as Limerick City and the Barrow supply in Kildare. With regard to lead in drinking water, Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said: Lead in our drinking water is a cumulative risk to human health. Progress to remove lead from our drinking water supply networks, public buildings and affected homes is far too slow. The EPA welcomes the expansion of the lead remediation grant scheme, which will ease the financial burden on homeowners to replace lead piping. However, leadership is required at national level to address lead in public supplies. Uisce Eireann must accelerate the rollout of their lead mitigation plan and Government departments must outline their plan for lead replacement in public buildings as part of the National Lead Strategy. In 2022, boil water notices impacted 182,000 people -- a slight improvement since 2021. One third of boil water notices were in place for more than 30 days. The EPA recognise the challenges that boil water notices pose to individuals and communities, but they are essential to safeguard public health. The risk of boil water notices on some supplies will remain until Uisce Eireann takes proactive measures to address the underlying causes and improve the resilience of these supplies. The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2022 Report and the complete list of public water supplies currently on the Remedial Action List - including details of the proposed remedial measures and associated timeframes - are available on the EPA website. Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie Notes to Editor Some key findings of the 2022 report on public water supplies: 99.96 per cent of samples comply with microbiological parameter limits. 99.62 per cent of samples comply with chemical parameter limits. 58 supplies were on the EPAs Remedial Action List (RAL) at the end of 2022, compared to 52 at the end of 2021. 79 boil water notices and 10 water restrictions were in place in 2022, affecting almost 191,000 people. 25 of those boil water notices were in place for more than 30 days, meaning they are classed as long-term notices requiring investment in infrastructure to address. E. coli bacteria was detected in three supplies, compared to four supplies in 2021. Trihalomethanes (THM) limits were exceeded in 45 supplies, compared to 58 in 2021. Pesticides limits were exceeded in 17 supplies, compared to 31 in 2021. The EPA issued 14 Directions (legally binding instructions) to Irish Water in 2022. The EPA has identified the following priorities for Irish Water to address on a national level to protect and improve public water supplies: Progressing action programmes for all Remedial Action List schemes; Ensure that water is free of bacteria; Ensure that water is free of protozoan organisms; Ensure that water is free of chemical substances (trihalomethanes and pesticides); Ensure that water treatment plants are operated correctly; Eliminating lead from our drinking water networks; Managing risks to our public water supplies by adopting Drinking Water Safety Plans for all supplies. There are currently 58 supply zones serving a population of 480,838. The link to the revised RAL is here. Remedial Action List at the end of 2022 COUNTY Supply Population Carlow Carlow North Regional 7,866 Cavan Belturbet 1,726 Clare Corofin 1,310 Clare Ennistymon RWS 6,703 Clare West Clare RWS (New WTP) 10,093 Clare West Clare RWS (Old WTP) 4,028 Cork Ballyclough and Mount North 1,977 Cork Castletownbere 2,424 Cork Fermoy 7,447 Cork Glashaboy 22,771 Cork Killavullen 810 Cork Macroom 4,218 Cork Mitchelstown North 2,389 Cork Whiddy Island 45 Cork Whitegate Regional 9,011 Donegal Glenties-Ardara 3,518 Donegal Lettermacaward 2,266 Donegal Milford 2,560 Galway Inishboffin 165 Kerry Aughacasla 338 Kerry Caherciveen 1,699 Kerry Caragh Lake 1,886 Kerry Kilgarvan 630 Kerry Listowel Regional Public Water Supply 14,464 Kerry Lyreacrompane 2,561 Kildare Barrow Supply (Srowland WTP )1 81,553 Kilkenny Callan 2,763 Kilkenny Kilkenny City (Radestown) WS 14,483 Kilkenny Piltown/Fiddown 2,973 Limerick Foynes/Shannon Estuary PWS 7,215 Limerick Limerick City Environs 114,864 Longford Granard 2,447 Longford Longford Central 15,979 Louth Greenmount 3,955 Louth Tallanstown 1,932 Mayo Louisburgh 885 Mayo Newport PWS 684 Meath Batterstown 96 Meath Drumcondrath 1,227 Meath Navan-Mid Meath Kilcarn PWS 6,412 Meath Trim PWS 11,187 Offaly Clara/Ferbane RWSS 7,341 Roscommon North East Regional 7,803 Tipperary Borrisokane 1,841 Tipperary Clonmel Poulavanogue 2,435 Tipperary Galtee Regional 11,379 Tipperary Kilcash 207 Tipperary Nenagh Regional 14,005 Tipperary Roscrea 6,223 Tipperary Templetuohy 808 Waterford Dungarvan 12,893 Waterford Graiguenageeha 43 Waterford Kereen 28 Wexford Clonroche 588 Wexford Enniscorthy 11,288 Wexford Wexford Town 20,791 Wicklow Aughrim/Annacurra 1,588 Wicklow Ballymorris 17 List of the supplies currently on a Boil Water Notice or Water Restriction (on 28/07/2023) A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed at least four people, and buried several others under rubble, Ukrainian officials said. The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 with a voice vote amid protests from the opposition parties who alleged that the bill violated citizens' Right to Privacy. It is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha soon, where the ruling coalition is short of the majority mark. The Bill seeks to ease data storage, processing and transfer norms for government and private companies including BigTech firms as well as local firms seeking growth abroad. Once it becomes law, it will ease data flows and reduce compliance burdens for tech giants like Google and Meta which have stored the personal data of millions of Indians. It allows companies to export data to any country except those specified by the government. The bill proposes a maximum penalty of Rs 250 crore and a minimum of Rs 50 crore on entities violating the norms. It also states that if an entity is penalized on more than two instances, the central government after hearing the entity can decide to block their platform in the country. Currently, India does not have a standalone law on data protection. Use of personal data is regulated under the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. The opposition, which has expressed concerns over the legislation, has been demanding that the bill be sent to a parliamentary panel for further deliberations. Personal data in digital advertising The Bill, whose original version was withdrawn last November after heavy criticism, has come at a time when consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the safety of their personal data and governments across the world have geared up to ensure citizens privacy. Personal data is information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. Businesses as well as government entities process personal data for delivery of goods and services. Processing of personal data allows understanding preferences of individuals, which may be useful for customisation, targeted advertising, and developing recommendations. Unchecked processing may have adverse implications for the privacy of individuals, which has been recognised as a fundamental right. It may subject individuals to harm such as financial loss, loss of reputation, and profiling. The Bill addresses two key long-standing demands of the tech industry by allowing relaxations around the age of consent for children, and by significantly easing cross-border data flows. The Bill gives powers to the central government to prescribe a lower age of consent than 18 years for accessing Internet services without parental consent if the platform they are using can process their data in a verifiably safe manner. This would help the edtech and health sector among other things. Exemptions for the Government The Bill offers sweeping exemptions to the Centre. The governments can process personal data for the provision of benefit, service, license, permit, or certificate without citizens consent. It specifically allows use of data processed for one of these purposes for another. It also allows the use of personal data already available with the State for any of these purposes. Bill removes the purpose limitation that ensures that data is collected for specific purposes, and should be used only for that purpose. Rather, it gives wide exemptions to the government. That means it will not apply with respect to the processing of personal data when notified by instrumentality of the state as the central government may notify", says an expert. These could be in cases related to the sovereignty and integrity of the country, security, friendly relations with foreign states, maintenance of public order or preventing incitement to any cognisable offense relating to any of these. Some MPs allege that the Bill creates a good framework for surveillance of citizens. If there is a natural disaster like an earthquake, will the government have time to seek consent for processing their data or have to act quickly to ensure their safety? If the police are conducting an investigation to catch an offender, should their consent be taken, Vaishnaw stated, responding to criticism. He added that the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has 16 exemptions, but Indias Bill has four exemptions. Key Features Applicability: The Bill applies to the processing of digital personal data within India where such data is: (i) collected online, or (ii) collected offline and is digitised. It will also apply to the processing of personal data outside India if it is for offering goods or services in India. Consent: Personal data may be processed only for a lawful purpose after obtaining the consent of the individual. A notice must be given before seeking consent. The notice should contain details about the personal data to be collected and the purpose of processing. Consent may be withdrawn at any point in time. No Consent for legitimate use: Consent will not be required for legitimate uses including: (i) specified purpose for which data has been provided by an individual voluntarily, (ii) provision of benefit or service by the government, (iii) medical emergency, and (iv) employment. For individuals below 18 years of age, consent will be provided by the parent or the legal guardian. Rights and duties of data principal: An individual whose data is being processed (data principal), will have the right to: (i) obtain information about processing, (ii) seek correction and erasure of personal data, (iii) nominate another person to exercise rights in the event of death or incapacity, and (iv) grievance redressal. Rs 10,000 penalty for false complaint: Users must not: (i) register a false or frivolous complaint, and (ii) furnish any false particulars or impersonate another person in specified cases. Violation of duties will be punishable with a penalty of up to Rs 10,000. Obligations of data fiduciaries: The entity determining the purpose and means of processing, (data fiduciary), must: (i) make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data, (ii) build reasonable security safeguards to prevent a data breach, (iii) inform the Data Protection Board of India and affected persons in the event of a breach, and (iv) erase personal data as soon as the purpose has been met and retention is not necessary for legal purposes (storage limitation). In case of government entities, storage limitation and the right of the data principal to be erased will not apply. Transfer of personal data outside India: The Bill allows transfer of personal data outside India, except to countries restricted by the central government through notification. Data Protection Board of India: The central government will establish the Data Protection Board of India to monitor compliance and impose penalties and hearing grievances made by affected persons. Board members will be appointed for two years and will be eligible for re-appointment. The central government will prescribe details such as the number of members of the Board and the selection process. The decisions taken by the data protection board can be appealed before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), which is led by a judicial member. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 55F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 55F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. South Dakota never tips the scales: Reliably Republican in every presidential election since Lyndon Johnsons 1964 landslide, its not much of a factor in Republican primaries either. The states presidential primary comes toward the end of the primary cycle, and with a population of less than 1 million, subsequent competition for its three electoral college votes during the general election isnt expected to be steep. But Donald Trump will still travel to Rapid City in September, leaving the campaign trail to attend the South Dakota Republican Partys Monumental Leaders Rally. Whats the draw, then, for the GOP frontrunner? Sources inside and outside the governors mansion tell RealClearPolitics the answer is Kristi Noem. The governor has developed close ties with Trump, courting him both during and after his time in office, a friendship that could blossom into an official partnership should Trump win the nomination and need a running mate. South Dakota GOP Chairman John Wiik approached the Trump campaign with an invitation in early July after postponing the initial event until after the summer ended. Wiik had publicly teased the fact that the party secured for their keynote speaker a major presidential candidate but declined to offer any details during a brief interview. A spokesman for the former president told RCP the campaign was unaware of any plans to travel to South Dakota. The Dakota Scout broke the news the next day that Trump would headline the event. According to sources with direct knowledge of the conversations, Noem followed up with Trump personally after Wiik extended the invitation and urged him to accept. According to a spokesman for the governor, Noem often dials the former president. From the moment she won office in 2018, she began working behind the scenes to ensure that President Trump would attend a Fourth of July celebration in 2020 at the foot of Mount Rushmore. After he made the trip to the Black Hills, rumors swirled that Trump was considering replacing then-Vice President Mike Pence with the former pageant queen from Watertown. Setting off speculation: a present Noem gave Trump. The New York Times reported that the governor gifted the president a four-foot replica of Mount Rushmore with a fifth presidential likeness: his own. Nothing came of those rumors, however, and with Pence remaining his running mate, Trump lost the 2020 election. Since then, however, Noem has nurtured her ties to the former president. A spokesman for the governor told RCP that their conversations are numerous and frequent. An individual with direct knowledge of those talks, who was not authorized to speak on the record, told RCP that the two have discussed Noem joining the ticket with Trump in 2024. For a governor from such a small state, Noem has an oversized national profile. She is a regular guest on Fox News, and as others jump into the race for the nomination, she has launched a nationwide workforce recruitment campaign to bring employees into the state. She stars in each spot. Noem delighted the Trump campaign when she told a local radio station that she didnt see a path to victory for anybody else with him in the race. All the same, she added, I think people should saddle up it could be a roller coaster of a presidential race. A source with direct knowledge of the governors thinking speculated that when Noem takes Trumps hand and welcomes him to the stage in South Dakota in September, Itll look like a presidential ticket. The Trump campaign did not return requests for comment. Trump set off fresh speculation about whom he might pick as his number two if he wins the nomination when he posted on Truth Social Monday that hed be watching the GOP presidential primary debate as a kind of talent scout. Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President, he wrote. Trump is not expected to be on stage at that contest slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Whether any of them want to share a forum with him in South Dakota is unknown, but Wiik told RCP after news broke that Trump would be attending the event, Anybody who wants to attend is welcome. The South Dakota GOP chairman left no doubt who he sees as the headliner, however. He gushed that the number one polling presidential candidate is coming here, even though we are a small, late primary population. A prominent Republican operative from South Dakota was not surprised by the Trump invitation and wasnt entirely complimentary either. Bringing Trump here has something to do with Noem wanting to be VP or her trying to find relevance, the operative told RCP, speculating that the governor might settle for a position in Trumps cabinet or perhaps a cable news perch after her term ends. Her star is fading, and she is just trying to make her star a little shinier while she can. Trump might have other reasons for going west. Admission costs $25 for the South Dakota dinner, and the appearance could be an emerging model for how to endear the candidate to local GOP brass. Tickets are going fast, and the proceeds go directly to the state party. Flying to Rapid City has another benefit for Trump. Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds have both endorsed Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Accepting an invitation in their home state gives the former president an opportunity to deliver an implicit rebuke in their backyard. UPDATE, AUG. 9: Containment on the Colt Fire has grown to 45%, with the majority of added containment being on the southern edge, the Northern Rockies Team 5 reported. As crews continue to mop-up the southern and northern edges, they work east to west to increase containment in the coming days. More showers are expected over the fire area Wednesday evening with warm, dry weather anticipated for Thursday. UPDATE, AUG. 8: Containment on the Colt Fire has increased to 39% as crews were able to take advantage of quieted fire behavior from the moisture and mop-up on residual heat on the northeast and eastern edges. The current size of the fire is 7,179 acres with 506 total personnel working to fight the fire. Air operations will be using two unmanned aerial systems (UAS drones) over the coming days to map out areas of heat within the fire area. The UAS aircraft is best able to pick up areas of heat within the fire late at night and early in the morning due to lower air temperatures at these times. For this reason, the temporary flight restriction (TFR) for the fire area (FDC 3/7867) has been extended from 8am-10am to a full 24-hour restriction. Today, crews will continue to mop-up remaining residual heat along the fire's northern and eastern edges between Colt Lake and Beaver Lake. They will also continue to construct lines west to Sunset Ridge on the south flank and heavy equipment will assist crews with additional line construction on the northwest corner of the fire. UPDATE, AUG 7: The Colt Fire remains at 25% contained as of Monday morning at 9:22am. Northern Rockies Team 5 sent out a press release saying while rainfall in the area decreased fire activity, it also limited firefighters' ability to access roads in certain areas of the fire. Crews were able to mop-up some residual heat from much of the fire's northern and eastern edges. Right now, crews are continuing to mop-up residual heat. Heavy equipment will search for opportunities to construct line further along the fires southwest edge near Sunset Ridge. Hand crews will again be in the area, searching for a path to continue the line beyond the ridge. Along the southern edge of the fire crews will continue to construct handline above West Fork Clearwater River. Aircrafts will be available to assist firefighters as needed as long as conditions allow. The release says showers and thunderstorms may return this afternoon, bringing with them a risk of heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty outflow winds. While the rain has lessened fire activity for the time being, fire activity is expected to increase later in the week as temperatures rise and relative humidity's decrease. This incoming warm weather with possible gusty winds will increase the chances of larger fuels burning, as the dryness of these fuels is still near record lows. UPDATE, AUG. 6: The Colt Fire is now 25% contained as of Sunday morning. Crews are working to mop-up residual heat along the fires north perimeter from Beaver Lake to Colt Lake. On the east side of the fire, heavy equipment will begin constructing line from Sunset Ridge east, continuing the progress of the line constructed by hand crews. Firefighters will continue constructing handline along the south edge of the fire Sunday, as weather permits. The fires forward progression has been slowed by recent rain, with growth mainly contained to the southwestern portion of the fire. While the fire will likely exhibit creeping and smoldering behavior in the coming days, single tree torching is possible if the fire burns into large areas of unburned ground fuels, the Northern Rockies Team 5 reported. As the weather warms towards the middle of the week, with less precipitation anticipated, an increase of fire activity is expected. UPDATE, AUG. 5: The Northern Rockies Team 1 transitioned command of the Colt Fire to the Northern Rockies Team 5 Saturday. Monsoonal moisture in the upper atmosphere and cloud cover of the fire area subdued fire activity Friday, however, persistent dry conditions at the surface keep the potential for fire spread high. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity with a chance of rain are being forecasted for the weekend. Acreage was reportedly added to the fire Friday, however, there was no overnight infrared mapping flight to verify the increase. The following are the planned actions Saturday: In the southwest corner of the fire heavy equipment and crews will continue to construct indirect control lines. Along the west side, crews will prepare roads and handlines and use hose lays to secure and mop up the fire edge. On the north and east sides of the fire, personnel will patrol, hold, and mop up where needed. Crews that have been working from east to west on the south side of the fire north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River will continue handline construction. The crews are working in steep terrain and the handline construction is slow and steady. Helicopters will be used to cool hot spots and slow fire spread. Operations personnel from both teams will work together on all sides of the fire to transfer knowledge and situational awareness to provide for a safe and efficient team transition. The Missoula County Sheriffs Office has issued the following evacuations and closures: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. UPDATE, AUG. 4: The Colt Fire is burning an estimated 7,179 acres and is 23% contained as of Friday morning. Fire activity was the highest in the southwestern corner due to persistent dry conditions over the area, the Northern Rockies Team 1 reports. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and a chance of rain are forecasted for the area in the coming days. Crews on the southwest corner of the fire are working to keep the fire north of Sunset Ridge. Engines are patrolling, holding and mopping up along the north and east side of the fire. Helicopters are being used to cool hot spots and slow fire spread. The Structure Protection Group will continue structure protection assessment work in the Lindbergh Lake area and will be patrolling the Highway 83 corridor and other identified structure zones. The following evacuation and closures are in pace according to the Missoula County Sheriffs Office: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order UPDATE, AUG 3: The Colt Fire is now 6,860 acres large and 19% contained as of Thursday morning. The Northern Rockies Team 1 says fire personnel in the southwest corner will be re-evaluating the locations planned for indirect control line construction and adjusting those actions based on where the spot fire moved. On the forest road systems west of the fire, heavy equipment and crews will work on linking roads and control lines together forming indirect control lines. Along the north side, east side (Forest Road 646), and southeast corner firefighters will continue to hold and mop up along the line. On the south side, and north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River, four crews will continue to build fire control line moving from east to west. These crews may camp closer to the line to decrease travel time. Helicopters and airplanes will continue to be used to keep the fire checked up on the west side and southwest corner. The Lindbergh Group will continue structure assessments as well as look for indirect control line opportunities that would have the highest opportunity for success ahead of the fire. A night shift of engines will patrol and monitor fire conditions. The following evacuation and closures are in pace according to the Missoula County Sheriffs Office: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order UPDATE, AUG. 2 AT 11:14 A.M.: The evacuation orders in the areas of Rovero Flats East and Rovero Flats West have been lifted Wednesday, the Missoula County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook. Those areas are now under evacuation warning. MCSO said residents may notice law enforcement taking down the red order cards and replacing them with yellow warning cards. MCSO shared a map reflecting evacuation status in the identified zones: Red means the zone is under evacuation order, yellow means warning and green means pre-identified zones in the event the fire approaches those areas. Currently, there are more zones that have been pre-identified and are in green: Fawn, 83 N, 83 S, Boy Scout N, and Boy Scout S. For the more updated information on wildfires in Montana, visit mtfireinfo.org. UPDATE, AUG 2: The Colt Fire is burning 6,860 acres with containment at 19% Wednesday morning. The Northern Rockies Team 1 reports a high-pressure ridge weather system is keeping smoke from nearby and far away wildfires in the area. In addition, the ream is reporting warm, dry weather could lead to active fire behavior, Wednesday. The following actions are planned for the day: On the southeast corner and east side along Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road) firefighters will continue to hold and mop up along the line. Patrol and mop up will also continue in areas on the north side of the fire. In the northwest corner crews will continue to construct indirect line working to connect between Colt and Beaver Lakes. Along the west side crews and equipment will access the area and start working to prepare Forest Road 9570 as an indirect control line. Access routes have been found and an attempt will be made to bring equipment into the southwest corner if fire activity safely allows. Helicopters will continue to be used to keep the fire checked up on the west side and southwest corner. On the south side, and north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River, crews will move from east to west working on fire control line construction. These crews will start to spike camp closer to the line to decrease travel time. The night shift of engines will patrol and monitor fire conditions. Evacuation warnings and orders: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. The list of current closures includes: Forest Road 906 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground access road 4357 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground Alva Lake Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Alva Lake Campground Lakeside Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Lakeside Campground Lake Inez Campground Forest Road 646 (closed at the junction of FSR 552; FSR 4354; Forest Road 552 (beyond the turn off to west side Lake Inez access Forest Road 5407 and 463 closed beyond the West Side snowmobile trailhead (these roads access the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Marshall Wildlife Management Area and Lake Marshall) Temporarily closing the Forest System Road loops of the Clearwater (FSR 4370 and 4353) and Richmond (FSR 667 and 720) For the more updated information on wildfires in Montana, visit mtfireinfo.org. UPDATE, AUG. 1: The Colt Fire grew an additional 527 acres, burning 6,704 acres total with containment increased to 8%. According to Inciweb, fire activity continued Monday due to increasing temperatures and decreasing relative humidity. Fire crews continued holding efforts on all sides of the fire. Crews held the fire line and looked out for hot spots on the southeast corner, helicopters cooled hot spots where necessary. On the east side, personnel mopped up and put effort into raising containment along Forest Road 646, Colt/Uhler Road. Firefighters will resume holding, securing and mopping up Forest Road 646, Colt/Uhler Road. Crews on the north side, crews and equipment worked to hold along the existing fire lines and resumed building control lines. Crews will work a mix of indirect line preparation along Forest Road 906, holding the existing lines and looking out for fire spots. Crews on the west side took the chance on working on a direct fire line upslope from Colt Lake. Aircraft dropped fire retardant to slow fire spread on the southwest corner, and will continue to be used in this area if necessary. On the west side of the fire, there is a plan in place for access and indirect control line building on the west side of the fire, and according to Inciweb, "These plans will start to be implemented as crews can be shifted from other parts of the fire area." On the south side, crews will be working on direct control line moving east to west while north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River. A group will resume evaluating structure protection. Evacuations and closures: The Missoula County Sheriffs Office Evacuation Warning and Order summary: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. If conditions rapidly change an Evacuation Order may be issued with no prior notice or warning. Home and property owners in the surrounding area should remain vigilant and prepared. Have an evacuation plan for family, pets, and livestock; sign up for emergency alerts at Smart911.com; and be familiar with the Missoula County evacuation process and what an order and warning means by clicking on the following link: https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/publicsafety/officeofemergencymanagement/evacuationinformation. For evolving Evacuations and Warnings please visit the Missoula County Sheriffs Office Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MissoulaCountySheriffsOffice . The Lolo and Flathead National Forests have closed several forest roads, areas, and campgrounds near the fire area for public safety. The list of current closures includes: Forest Road 906 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground access road 4357 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground Alva Lake Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Alva Lake Campground Lakeside Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Lakeside Campground Lake Inez Campground Forest Road 646 (closed at the junction of FSR 552; FSR 4354; Forest Road 552 (beyond the turn off to west side Lake Inez access Forest Road 5407 and 463 closed beyond the West Side snowmobile trailhead (these roads access the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Marshall Wildlife Management Area and Lake Marshall) Temporarily closing the Forest System Road loops of the Clearwater (FSR 4370 and 4353) and Richmond (FSR 667 and 720) UPDATE, JULY 30: Containment on the Colt Fire grew to 6% by Sunday morning. Fire growth was reported, however, the exact figure is unavailable. Moderate growth is expected Sunday with the fire moving through the heavy dead and down surface vegetation. The following are the planned actions for Sunday, according to the Northern Rockies Team 1 update: On the southeast corner of the fire personnel will continue firing operations and secure the line north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River and tie in with Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road). Crews will continue to hold and mop up along the eastern control lines along Forest Road 646. On the north side, crews will hold and secure the fire along Forest Road 4356 and look for opportunities for fire control line from Colt Lake to Beaver Lake. North and South Structure Protection will assist with burning operations and holding operations on the east and southeast sides of the fire. Structure Group remains ready to respond for structure protection as needed. A night shift of engines and personnel will patrol and monitor fire conditions. Helicopters and airplanes will be used to drop water and retardant on the fire as needed. The Missoula County Sheriffs Office has the following evacuations and closure orders in place: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. UPDATE, JULY 29: The Colt Fire is 5,475 acres large and 3% contained as of Saturday morning. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate with the active fire edge moving through the heavy dead and down surface vegetation. On Saturday, crews will hold and secure the eastern control lines along Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road) as well as on the north side of the fire where burning operations have taken place, according to the Northern Rockies Team 1. On the southeast corner, crews will continue burning operations and work on securing that area and tying in with Road 646. On the south side, crews will look for potential control features north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River. To the north, the Heavy Equipment Task Force will continue working on control line preparation along the Beaver Creek Road. South Structure Protection will conduct structure assessments and protection work at Lake Inez. A night shift of engines and personnel will patrol and monitor fire conditions. Helicopters and airplanes will be used to drop water and retardant on the fire as needed. The following evacuation and closures are in place by the Missoula County Sheriffs Office: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order UPDATE, JULY 28: Pilots are being reminded of a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the area of the Colt Fire. The closure is for firefighting aircraft to safely work the fire. In addition, the Condon air strip has been closed for general aviation as it is being used as a firefighting helicopter base. Overnight, the Colt Fire was estimated to have grown to 5,252 acres, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Team 1. Fire behavior Friday is expected to be low to moderate with the active fire edge moving through the heavy dead and down surface vegetation. Torching and spotting are possible in the subalpine fir and lodgepole pine. Fridays planned actions include: Crews will continue burning operations along Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road) to secure the north and east flanks of the fire. On the south side, crews will continue to secure the spot fires, construct direct hand line towards the west, and assess road systems for potential control features near the West Fork of the Clearwater River. A Heavy Equipment Task Force and crews will continue working on vegetation removal and control line preparation along the Beaver Creek Road on the north side of the fire. South Structure Protection will continue structure assessments and protection work at Lake Inez. A night shift of engines and personnel will patrol and monitor fire conditions. Helicopters will be used to drop water on the fire as needed and where they can be most effective The following are current evacuations and closures from the Missoula County Sheriffs Office: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. UPDATE, JULY 27 AT 9:56 AM: The Colt Fire has grown more than 500 acres since Tuesday, for a total of 4,937 acres burned. Fire containment is at 0% Thursday. An update from the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1 says fire activity remained moderate on Wednesday even as temperatures started trending a few degrees warmer and relative humidity levels started dropping a few points lower. Temperatures in the area of the fire are expected to range from mid60s to high70s Thursday depending on the location of the fire, with relative humidity levels as low as 20%. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate. Crews will be doing the following planned actions Thursday, according to the update: Crews will continue to secure the spot fires on the east flank of the fire and continue to burn ground vegetation in select locations between the fires edge and Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road). On the south side, crews will work to hold fire spread by constructing direct hand line where appropriate and continue to assess road systems as potential control features near the West Fork of the Clearwater River. On the north side of the fire a Heavy Equipment Task Force and crews will continue working on vegetation removal and control line preparation along the Beaver Creek Road. The north and south Structure Protection Groups will conduct structure assessments, remove fuels, and install water handling equipment where needed. Helicopters will be used to drop water on the fire and have been very effective when needed. As fire suppression work continues, firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority. The following evacuations and closures are in place by the Missoula County Sheriffs Office: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. UPDATE, JULY 26 AT 9:55 AM: A dry cold front along with cooler temperatures and lighter winds provided for moderate fire activity in the area of the Colt Fire the last couple of days. An update on the size of the fire was not provided Wednesday morning as cloud cover prevented an overnight infrared mapping flight from gathering information. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate Wednesday as personnel continue working on securing spot fires on the east flank and begin to burn ground vegetation in select locations between the fires edge and Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road), an update from the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1 said. At this time, the following forest roads, areas and campgrounds near the fire area have been closed: Forest Road 906 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground access road 4357 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground Alva Lake Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Alva Lake Campground Lakeside Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Lakeside Campground Lake Inez Campground Forest Road 646 (closed at the junction of FSR 552; FSR 4354; Forest Road 552 (beyond the turn off to west side Lake Inez access Forest Road 5407 and 463 closed beyond the West Side snowmobile trailhead (these roads access the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Marshall Wildlife Management Area and Lake Marshall) Temporarily closing the Forest System Road loops of the Clearwater (FSR 4370 and 4353) and Richmond (FSR 667 and 720) The Missoula County Sheriffs Office has issued the following evacuation warnings and orders: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. UPDATE: Tuesday, July 25 at 2:19 p.m. The Colt Fire is burning an 4,390 acres as of Tuesday and remains 0% contained. Fire personnel will be leading a public meeting Tuesday from 78 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Elementary School gym. The meeting will be streaming online via the Colt Fire Facebook page. UPDATE: Monday, July 24 at 11:08 a.m. The Colt Fire has nearly doubled in size Monday, now burning nearly 3,000 acres. According to Inciweb, the Colt Fire is 2,927 acres big and is still zeropercent contained as of Monday morningthe size of the fire grew by 1,352 acres within two days. The fire is lightningcaused. Sunday fire activity was moderate with faint winds and stable air in the area, according to Inciweb. More fire crews and equipment are responding to the fire. Crews resumed placing an indirect fire line along Forest Road 646, northeast area of the fire, by clearing out brush and ground vegetation. In the south, west and north areas, personnel were scoping out road systems for access and opportunities to build direct or indirect fire lines. The Structure Protection team were doing assessments and preparations for sturcture protection along Highway 83 and near the lakes south and east of the fire. Air crews were scooping water on areas of the fire. The National Weather Service put out a Red Flag warning in place from 2 p.m. to midnight Mondaypilots and public boaters on Seeley Lake and Lindbuergh Lake are asked to keep away from firefighter aircrafts when they are scooping water from lakes. Inciweb said crews finished clearing brush ground vegetation and improved access along Forest Road 646. Crews will be working on the north and south parts of the fire to open existing roads and start building fire lines in places with high chances of containing the fire. According to Inciweb, north side of the fire is demonstrating more difficulties for access the Structure Protection team is continuing structure assessments and preparations. Aircraft will keep scooping water depending on if the flying conditions are still safe. With the Red Flag warning in place, fire personnel will be assessing escape routes and safety zones with an increased awareness of fluctuating weather and fire activity. Weather conditions are forecasted with low humidity levels at 30 percent and strong winds of 20 milesperhour with 30 mileperhour wind gusts blowing over the fire area. The following evacuations are in place, according to Inciweb: Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning. Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order. Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning. Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order. The following closures are in place: Forest Road 906 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground access road 4357 (closed at Highway 83) Rainy Lake Campground Alva Lake Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Alva Lake Campground Lakeside Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83) Lakeside Campground Forest Road 646 (closed at the junction of FSR 552; FSR 4354; Forest Road 552 (beyond the turn off to west side Lake Inez access Forest Road 5507 and 463 closed beyond the West Side snowmobile trailhead (these roads access the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Marshall Wildlife Management Area and Lake Marshall) Temporarily closing the Forest System Road loops of the Clearwater (FSR 4370 and 4353) and Richmond (FSR 667 and 720) UPDATE: Monday, July 24 at 9:29 a.m. Smoke was moving through several valleys Sunday night and into Monday morning due to the Colt Fire burning northwest of Seeley Lake. Air quality is at unhealthy conditions from Lake Inez through Condon Monday morning. Missoula CityCounty Air Quality Specialist Sarah Coefield said in a release air quality in Seely Lake is overall moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups. The smoke drifted all the way down to the Potomac Valley where air quality is at unhealthy for sensitive groups, and reached the Mission Valley where air quality sits at unhealthy for sensitive groups. "Due to overhead smoke mixing down to the valley floors, air quality for those near the Colt Fire may get a bit worse this morning before it gets better," Coefield said in the release. However, Coefield said the air quality is expected to get better by Monday afternoon. "The high pressure ridge that caused our hot temperatures these last several days is breaking down and that will create a turbulent atmosphere, which means air will be more capable of moving up and down and shaking it all around. For the short term, this is good, because it means smoke should easily lift out of the valleys by this afternoon and folks should see decent air quality." But, Cofield said there will be heavy winds a significant portion of Monday afternoon and a lot of Tuesday. A red flag warning is in place over the Colt Fire, with winds picking up over the course of Monday from the south, southwest and west. Coefield said fire activity and a big column of smoke is expectedfast winds may be heading towards the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Smoke is expected to impact the Highway 83 corridor, and northwest breezes are expected to push smoke to Seeley and Salmon lakes. Southerly winds are likely to spread the fire north bringing more overnight smoke into the Swan Valley, Coefield said. In Missoula, Frenchtown, Lolo, air quality improving is based on how the weather affects the fires in Idaho. "One of the smoke models thinks the Little Bear Fire is going to get feisty and send smoke to Lolo. The Little Bear Fire has been slowly fiddling around in a previously burned over area, but based on heat detections, it has started picking up acreage. It may see enough wind and activity today to send smoke our way, so keep an eye out," Coefield said. The Little Bear Fire has been increasing acreage, and there may be enough wind to push smoke towards the Missoula area. Coefield said the general haze throughout Missoula County is due to fires burning in the region and is fluctuating air quality from good to moderate Monday morning; but, Coefield said the air quality should not be a huge worry by Monday afternoon. UPDATE, JULY 23: Another 500 acres have been burned by the Colt Fire overnight Saturday, making the fire a total of 1,575 acres in size. As of Sunday afternoon, containment on the fire is still at 0% and the fire is active on all sides. Brent Olsons Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the fire Sunday morning and additional fire personnel and equipment have been arriving and are being integrated into fire operations. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Monday, July 24. The Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 warns that hot, dry, and windy conditions may lead to critical fire weather conditions on existing or new fires. The Missoula County Sheriffs Office have issued the following evacuation warnings and evacuation orders: Residences on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under Evacuation Order Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under Evacuation Warning. USFS has issued emergency closures of Rainy Lake Campground and the main Lake Alva Campground and Lakeside at Alva Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order The Red Cross shelter at the Ovando church is going on standby. If you are evacuated due to the Colt Fire and need shelter, you can call the Red Cross at (406) 2151514. The following are the planned actions for Sunday according to the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1: Crews will work on clearing vegetation along the Colt and Beaver Creek Roads to improve fuel break areas. On the south and east areas of the fire, personnel and crews will be looking for direct and indirect opportunities to prepare containment lines and fuel breaks. Direct and indirect fire suppression tactics will be assessed and prepared to be implemented as fire conditions allow. Structure protection assessments and preparations will continue. As new crews arrive, they will be safely orientated to the fire area and begin working where safe to do so. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority as this fire response transitions into longer duration suppression work. Air resources will be used as needed to slow fire spread and cool down areas of heat. UPDATE, JULY 22 AT 5:00 PM: An evacuation warning has been issued for residents on the east side of Lake Inez, specifically those residences on Beargrass Ln. and West Lake Way. Residents are being warned that due to the possibility of rapidly changing conditions, an evacuation order may be issued with no prior warning. The Missoula County Sheriffs Office is asking people to not stop along Highway 83 for the safety of firefighters and first responders. Missoula County 911 reports that the Red Cross shelter at the Ovando church is on standby due to lack of demand. If you are evacuated due to the Colt Fire and need shelter, you can call the Red Cross at (406) 2151514. UPDATE, JULY 22 AT 10:38 AM: Overnight, the Colt Fire has grown to about 1,000 acres as active fire behavior continues on all sides. Predicted burning conditions anticipate the fire to continue to grow, the Montana DNRC reported. Ground crews are continuing to perform structure protection northeast of the fire while aviation resources continue suppression efforts by cooling hotspots and slowing the fires rate of spread. An Evacuation Order is still in place for residents along Highway 83, between mile marker 27 and 31(Rainy Lake to Summit Lake). An evacuation warning has also been issued for residents along Highway 83, between mile marker 15.5 and 27. Those evacuated due to the fire can go to a Red Cross shelter that has been set up at the Blackfoot Community Bible Church in Ovando at 209 Birch St.. A Complex Incident Management Team will be inbriefed Saturday to assume command of the fire Sunday. Multiple aviation resources including four CL415 super scoopers,one very large air tanker, and multiple large air tankers. Fire managers are using all available tools to suppress the, for lives, homes, property. People are being reminded to not fly drones while crews are working on a fire after a drone incursion happened in the area Friday. It is a criminal misdemeanor in Montana to fly drones that interfere with fire suppression efforts, with a fine of up to $1,500 and the potential of being charged with firefighting costs. According to the Montana DNRC, the following are the planned actions for Saturday: Crews will continue working along Colt Road, clearing vegetation, and creating a stronger fuel break. Engine crews will continue structure assessment in the Summit Lake housing area. Incoming resources will start clearing vegetation along the Beaver Creek Rd. Aviation resources will continue suppression efforts by cooling hotspots and slowing the fires rate of spread. The Missoula CityCounty Health Department is donating air purifiers to daycare, nursing homes and community businesses as the fire season begins. UPDATE, JULY 21 AT 6:00 PM: Red Cross has been contacted and is working to secure a location for those evacuated by the Colt Fire, according to the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. If you have questions, you may contact them at 1800REDCROSS or, in Montana, at 4062151514. UPDATE, JULY 21 AT 3:45 PM: Residents along Highway 83, between mile marker 27 and mile marker 31 (Rainy Lake to Summit Lake) have been ordered to immediately leave the area. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is reporting incident conditions present an immediate threat to people in the area. For evacuation information, you can call 2584636. UPDATE, JULY 21: An evacuation warning has been issued for residents along Highway 83, between mile marker 27 and mile marker 31 (Rainy Lake to Summit Lake) due to the Colt Fire. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is warning the conditions can change quickly and that if fire activity increases, emergency personnel may not be able to make personal notifications. InciWeb is reporting the Colt Fire grew to about 200 acres Friday due to late afternoon fire conditions. Crews reengaged the fire Friday morning after having to back off due to the increased activity. A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered to manage the fire and will be debriefed Saturday and take formal control of the fire Sunday. As of Friday afternoon, the fire is not contained and is active. SEELEY LAKE, Mont. - A 15 acre fire is burning in dense timber northwest of Seeley Lake. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reports the Colt Fire was detected July 18 and is burning about 15 miles northwest of Seeley Lake. It was reportedly started by lightning. At this time, the fire is on land managed by the Lolo National Forest but under Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation fire protection and is currently 0% contained. Firefighters are working the perimeter of the fire with chainsaws to create a break in fuels (saw line)and finding success with aerial resources committed to the fire. No structures are threatened and no evacuations are in place, however, the public is being told to avoid the Beaver Lake and Colt Lake areas where crews are actively working. UPDATE, AUG. 9: A community meeting is being held Wednesday night at the Elmo Community Center starting at 6:00 pm for the Big Knife, Niarada and Mill Pocket fires. If you cant make it, the meeting will be live-streamed via the CSKT Division of Fire Facebook page. Another meeting will also be held Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Arlee Community Center at 6:00 pm. As of Wednesday, the Northern Rockies Team 3 reports the Big Knife Fire is 4,864 acres large and 5% contained; the Niarada Fire is 20,365 acres large and 25% contained; and the Mill Pocket fire is 2,135 acres large and 51% contained. So far, four structures have been lost to these fires. several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire in pre-evacuation status by the Lake County Sheriffs Office. Those evacuated due to the Niarada Fire in Lake County have been allowed to go home and are now in pre-evacuation warning status. This area includes Alexander Road, Early Dawn Road, Spring Lane Road, Walking Horse Lane, Windward Heights Road, Wildhorse View, Buffalo Bridge Road, Saddle Drive, Island Butte Lane, Bridle Path, Ten Deuce Way, Cliffview Drive, and Ricketts Road. UPDATE, AUG. 7 The Flathead County Sheriff's Office has announced they are lifting the evacuation notice on the Niarada Fire from Browns Meadow Pass to Highway 28; this includes Kofford Ridge Road and Battle Butte Road. They also said in a press release they are lifting the pre-evacuation warning for Mill Pocket Fire, Hubbart Damn Rd/NF-544 from the intersection of Crossover Road South to Highway 28. Keep in mind,t he decisions to lift or expand evacuation areas is made based on current or predicted fire conditions. Flathead CSO says they are thankful for the cooler weather and higher humidity this past weekend to help with fighting the fire. UPDATE, AUG. 6: The Lake County Facebook reports the Red Cross at Polson High School is moving into standby at this time. Evacuations are still in place at this time. UPDATE, AUG. 6: The 12,700-acre Middle Ridge fire is now 51% contained as of Sunday morning. CSKT Division of Fire reports smoke may be visible interior of the fire containment line where the fire is still smoldering. The Holmes Creek Fire is 45 acres large and 0% contained. The Mercer Fire, which was burning about a mile and a half from Evaro, is 2 acres large and 100% contained. People are being reminded of Stage 2 Fire restrictions in place across the Flathead Indian Reservation, which restricts campfires, smoking outside of vehicles, operating combustible engines between 1:00 pm and 1:00 am and operating vehicles off designated roads. UPDATE, AUG. 5 The CSKT Division of Fire reports the Niarada Fire was extremely active Friday on the south and southeast sides. It is reported to be 17,024 acres large. About 150 residents were evacuated due to the fire by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. In the Tribal Primitive Area, Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed. The following residences near the Niarada are under evacuation status: Alexander RoadEarly Dawn Road, Spring Lane Road, Walking Horse Lane, Windward Heights Road, Wildhorse View, Buffalo Bridge Road, Saddle Drive, Island Butte Lane, Bridle Path, Ten Deuce Way, Cliffview Drive, and Ricketts Road. The remainder of the town of Elmo is in ready status. The Flathead County Sheriffs Office has issued a pre-evacuation warning for Hubbart Dam Rd/NF-544 from the intersection of Crossover Rd South to Hwy 28. Crews working the Big Knife Fire continue to try to flank the fire, implement structure protection measures along Canal Road and the fires western edge, and monitor the southwest edge. The Big Knife Fire is 4,636 acres large according to the CSKT Division of Fire. Several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire are in pre-evacuation status as of Saturday. In the Tribal Primitive Area, Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed. UPDATE, AUG. 4 The Lake County Sheriffs Office is evacuating residents south of Highway 93 from Alexander Lane to Walking Horse Lane. This includes the following roads: Alexander Lane Early Dawn Road Spring Lane Road Walking Horse Lane Windward Heights Road Wildhorse View Buffalo Bridge Road Saddle Drive Island Butte Lane Bridle Path Ten Deuce Way Cliffview Drive Ricketts Road If you were evacuated due to the fire, Red Cross has opened a shelter in Polson. The shelter is located at the Polson High School, 1712 2nd St. W, and will provide a safe place to stay, meals, and access to community resources. UPDATE, AUG. 4: More accurate mapping has the Middle Ridge Fire sized at 12,700 acres and 25% containment Friday morning. The Communication Butte Fire is 1,423 acres and is now 100% contained with crews continuing to monitor the area. No containment is reported on the Holmes Creek Fire east of Polson, which is estimated at 41 acres large. Smoke jumpers and heli-repellers are working the fire with air support from a type 1 helicopter dropping water with buckets. The CSKT Division of Fire reports fire resources from the CSKT division have been successfully responding to new fires as well as continued mop-up along the Middle Ridge and Communication Butte fires. UPDATE, AUG. 4: The Niarada and Big Knife fires increased in size overnight Thursday. The Niarada Fire is an estimated 14,816 acres with 0% containment Friday morning. The Big Knife Fire is an estimated 4,412 acres with 0% containment Friday morning. UPDATE, AUG. 3: A community meeting regarding the Big Knife, Niarada, and Mill Pocket fires is being held Thursday at 6:00 pm in Arlee at the Arlee Community Center, 34086 Pow Wow Rd. If you cant make the meeting, it will be broadcast live on the CSKT Division of Fire Facebook. A second meeting will also be held on Friday, Aug. 4 at 6:00 pm in Elmo at the Elmo Community Center, 47088 Cemetery Rd. Depending on internet connectivity, the meeting will either be streamed live like the Arlee meeting, or recorded and posted to Facebook afterwards. As of Thursday morning, the Big Knife Fire is 2,710 acres large and 0% contained. The CSKT Division of Fire reports the fire was active Wednesday ,with a spot fire south of Big Knife Creek burning eastward into the South Fork Jocko Tribal Primitive Areas. Strategic firing operations may be necessary to prevent spread to the west toward the valley and aircraft are helping crews as conditions allow. The Niarada Fire is reported to be 10,400 acres large and is 0% contained. This fire was also reported to be active Wednesday, spreading both to the northeast and southeast. Crews, heavy equipment, engines, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft continue to work the fire, building firelines from safe anchor points and protecting structures in the area. Weather is anticipated to be hot and dry through Friday ,with the potential for thunderstorms and light precipitation by late weekend. The CSKT Division of Fire shared the following closure information: The Lake County Sheriff has several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire in pre-evacuation status. In the Tribal Primitive Area, Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed. Near the Niarada Fire, the Lake County Sheriff has placed the Walking Horse Lane area is in pre-evacuation status, and the town of Elmo is in ready status. The Flathead County Sheriffs Office has issued a pre-evacuation warning for Hubbart Dam Rd/NF-544 from the intersection of Crossover Rd South to Hwy 28. A mandatory evacuation remains in place from the top of the Pass on Browns Meadow Road South to Hwy 28, Nirada. This mandatory evacuation also includes Kofford Ridge Rd. Use extreme caution when driving on Highway 28. Visibility is very poor, and the speed limit has been reduced to 45 miles-per-hour. UPDATE, AUG. 2: The CSKT Division of Fire shared that favorable weather conditions and terrain have allowed for firefighters to make great progress across the Communication Butte and Middle Ridge fires. Both fires have a secured line around them. The Middle Ridge Fire is estimated at 13,000 acres, 20% containment. After making a hard push Tuesday, firefighters were able to hold the fire at Tower Rd., and crews have been working to secure line around the fire using dozers and firing operations for the past several evenings, to create containment. Mop-up on the Middle Ridge Fire will begin Wednesday, with crews putting out any hot spots along the entire fire line. The Communication Butte Fire is estimated at 1,423 acres, 30% containment. Crews made progress putting in a containment line. Mop-up will begin along the entire fire line, starting on the east and west side of the river, 10 to 30 feet interior, firefighters will put out any hot-spots within the secure line. Six engines and staff are assigned to the fire and will also be available if any new starts occur. On the Holmes Creek Fire, no containment is reported and the fire is estimated to be 36 acres. Single-engine air tankers were used to drop water on it throughout Tuesday. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the Flathead Indian Reservation. No campfires are allowed, no smoking outside of vehicles, no operating combustible engines between 1:00 pm to 1:00 am, no operating vehicles off designated roads and trails UPDATE, AUG 2: The Big Knife Fire is burning 2,000 acres with containment remaining at 0% Wednesday morning. Evacuation warning is in place for those who live in Jacko Canyon and other nearby areas. For the more updated information on wildfires in Montana, visit mtfireinfo.org. The following is a Facebook post by CSKT Division of Fire: More crews and equipment have arrived on the reservation in support of fire suppression efforts and more. Many of the fires have seen extreme growth with the low fuels moisture and high temperatures. A Complex Incident Management Team will arrive tonight to take command of multiple fires, bringing more support staff for the increase in fire resources arriving. Mapping of the fires has been postponed because of limited visibility from smoke. Fire restrictions are in place with no campfires allowed within the boundaries of the reservation. #NiaradaFire Eleven miles west of Elmo, MT, estimated to be over 5,000 acres. Smokejumpers, a 20 person crew, single-engine air tankers, helicopters and heavy equipment have been responding to this fire. The fire is burning in very steep and rugged terrain heading north and east. Winds coming from the west/southwest continue to push the fire north/northeast. The fire had four single-engine air tankers, very large air tanker, five large air tankers, supporting ground resources all day. #BigKnifeFire - East of Arlee, MT, 1,991 acres. Over 100 fire fighters and overhead have made progress on a containment line on the western edge. This line is holding well. A Complex Incident Management Team will assume command of this fire Aug. 2. #MiddleRidgeFire - Southwest of Sloans Bridge, estimated over 10,970 acres. Fire fighters and heavy equipment with limited air support have managed to put in containment line and secure the south end of the fire in the area of Little Bitteroot Road. The north end of the fire is the most active and the priority focus today. #CommunicationButteFire - North of Dixon, Mont. in Ferry Basin, approximately 1,500 acres. The fire is burning in grass and timber, crews have made a lot of progress putting in containment lines today. The terrain is very steep and difficult to access. It did jump the Flathead River last night. Some air support. #MillPocketFire West of Niarada, 600 acres. Dozers are assigned and it has been receiving air support. The fire is progressing east and has moved to the canal. Evacuation Information Currently there are NO new evacuations, evacuations in Moiese community have been lifted, Browns Meadows in Flathead County is still under evacuation orders. The public is encouraged to be prepared if they are asked to leave by emergency responders. Fire Restrictions No campfires are allowed, no smoking outside of vehicles, no operating combustible engines between 1pm-1am, no operating vehicles off designated roads and trails. Re-Opened The Bison Range is open with regular operating hours. Highway 28 is open with speed restrictions. Advising the public to be prepared for potential stops and long wait times. UPDATE: Monday at 1:22 p.m. Firefighters are continuing to battle the multiple fires in the Mission Valley area Monday. Communication Butte Fire The Communication Butte Fire is burning an estimated 400 acres north of Dixon in Ferry Basin. CSKT Division of Fire said in a Facebook post the terrain is very steep and hard to access. Firefighters and aircraft will resume examining and engaging the fire where they can safely, CSKT Division of Fire said. Niarada Fire The Niarada Fire is now sized at 5,000 acres west of Elmo. The Niarada Fire crossed Highway 28 Sunday and largely drifted northeast. Fire crews and equipment are working on the fire with air support, weather dependent, CSKT said via Facebook. Middlge Ridge Fire The Middlge Ridge Fire, located west of Sloans bridge and Ronan, is burning an estimated 7,000 acres, according to CSKT's Facebook post. Big Knife Fire The Big Knife Fire, located east of Arlee, was showing severe fire behavior Sunday night, according to CSKT's Facebook post. The Big Knife Fire is burning an estimated 3,000 acres. CSKT Division of Fire said crews are centering their attention on securing the line on the west edge of the fire near homes and are making good progress. Mill Pocket Fire The Mill Pocket Fire, located west of the Niarada Fire, is burning an estimated 100 acres. UPDATE AT 5:00 PM: The CSKT Division of Fire announced that due to the Communication Butte Fire, the Bison Range is temporarily closed. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire is about 255 acres and is being driven toward the Flathead River by wind. The Middle Ridge Fire southwest of Sloans Bridge is over 500 acres as of Sunday morning. The Niarada Fire crossed the highway Sunday afternoon and is estimated at about 200 acres. RONAN, Mont. - Multiple fires were ignited following a lightning storm that passed through Mission Valley and surrounding areas Sunday morning. The biggest fire, named Middle Ridge, is about 500 acres large and two air tankers are responding with six water tenders and six skidgens. North of Dixon in Ferry Basin, the Communication Butte fire is about 100 acres large and is burning in grass and timber with a 20 person crew responding. The Niarada Fire is 11 miles west of Elmo and is about five acres large. Four single-engine air tankers, one helicopter for air support, three fire boss single-engine air tankers and eight smoke jumpers are responding. All three fires are burning in steep terrain. As of Sunday morning no structures are threatened and no evacuations have been ordered. People who are in the area are advised to be aware of emergency vehicles on roads as well as very dry grasses. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, an effort to censor young military members on social media is gaining support from a small, misguided and elitist group. Reference the recent War on the Rocks article titled: Its Time to Revise Guidance on Political Activities for Members of the U.S. Military. The writers are validated and approved to communicate their opinion because they achieved the 0-6 military rank. At least two have PhDs. One teaches at the U.S. Naval Academy and another at Georgetown. Together, they write: "The [defense] department should consider a prohibition on active-duty servicemembers liking, sharing, retweeting, or posting partisan content on their personal social media accounts Posting on social media is not akin to writing an op-ed, which is an allowable form of non-social media expression under the current [military] guidelines. An op-ed must meet certain publication and editorial standards Tweets or posts face no such scrutiny or review and can be unlimited in their volume." Beyond asking for a total prohibition on speech from personal social media accounts, the authors also propose that military members of all ranks and education levels restrict their dissenting political opinions to published editorials. This logic is dangerous for a few reasons. First, the authors assume the military can remain apolitical in the current American society. Unspoken is the complexity required of military members remaining apolitical while serving political policy. In some respects, it appears that modern Supreme Court justices can publicly demonstrate more partisan behavior than 19-year-old military members on Twitter. Second, assuming that every young enlisted person writes with the prose expected from the PhDs, there is still another glaring problem with the proposal. Limiting the military member to published editorials allows media owners to filter communication supporting their own world view, or the world view of those they hope to encourage. Attempting to illustrate this filter, I submitted a proposal to War on the Rocks editors for a rebuttal to the published article. In my proposal, I expressed concerns that the War on the Rocks owner, Ryan Evans, has documented political contributions to only one political partyDemocratic politicians. Examples are donations to Amy McGrath and Steve Bullock. I also pointed out that two of the three authors of the article in question served as Congressional fellows for Democratic congressmen. Furthermore, I expressed that War on the Rocks incentivizes publishing PhDs with no military experience at exponentially higher rates than service members with combat experience below the rank of E8. To be fair to the publication, I expected they would not publish an opposing view in the name of free speech if it reflected poorly on the owner. I submitted the proposal fishing for the anticipated rejection. Quoting a passage of my email to the publication: The article in question advocates for centralizing and filtering young service members political views in an attempt at maintaining the militarys political impartiality, yet at no point addresses the bias of the op-ed filter. I am a resigned LtCol from the USMC. I have a masters in military science. I would be happy to attach two PhDs to my article if that helps with the importance of the peer review process as referenced from the article in question. If your publication, and others like it, are the beacon for the open debate required in our highly political polarized time, I sincerely look forward to an opportunity to offer a different opinion. The response I got from Ryan Evans and Aaron Stein, the editor, was simple: We are going to pass. Next, they recommended I reach out to certain other publications. After some short google searches, the publications they recommended appeared very conservative-leaning. I tell this story to illustrate a publication bias, that published work has merely been filtered by someone according to undefined standards. This feeds my central concern: There is a group of people with a similar world view influencing the Defense Department and capitalizing on the growing political divide in American culture by centralizing messaging and censoring dissent. I believe published opinion pieces are a tool used to influence opinion incrementally in pursuit of this agenda. Censoring dissent of a particular political line of thinking may reflect an apolitical force or, more likely, it will end up reflecting the political opinions of senior leaders at a given moment in time. It appears the military leadership, rather than accepting dissenting opinions, prefers forcing upon every military member the same opinions, passions, and interests. Because when senior military leaders post on social media, it sends a clear message: Post on social media only if your political views are in line with our views. A great example is the incoming commander of the joint chiefs, General Brown, who posted a video in 2020 titled, On Race Relations and Civil Unrest. In uniform, the general discussed the pain he felt when thinking about George Floyd and stated that America, didnt always sing of liberty and equality. Shortly thereafter, General Milley, General Berger, and the other joint chiefs released a signed letter on social media denouncing the political January 6th protests. When senior military leaders are the only people discussing political views on social media, then the rest of the military inherently acquiesces to their political ideology. Now, the naysayers will argue that the military must remain apolitical, that young service members shouldnt be able to communicate political preference on social media. But to quote the mission statement of War on the Rocks: We seek to teach people how to think about the world, rather than what to think about it. Is it unreasonable to believe that senior military leaders can teach young service members how to think about politics rather than what to think about politics? I agree that the military policy on American service members social media behavior could be updated or clarified, but there should be allowance for dissenting opinions of all varieties. We shouldnt accept only the peer-reviewed and approved opinions of the educated. Fear of political polarization doesnt justify silencing political opinions. In fact, this misguided initiative contradicts the ideas that every military member swears to support and defend. Military leaders should have the courage to empowernot controlthe voices of young service members. Stuart Scheller is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S Marine Corps. He is the author of Crisis of Command: How We Lost Trust and Confidence in America's Generals and Politicians. As Ohios Aug. 8 special election approaches, Ohio agriculture and environmental groups are weighing in on Issue 1, which would make it more difficult to amend the states constitution through ballot initiatives. Farm groups supporting the issues passage say it would protect Ohio agriculture and rural communities from special interest groups trying to make changes to Ohios constitution, and would help rural communities be more involved in creating policy. There are so many uncertainties in agriculture, said Whittney Bowers, director of state policy and grassroots engagement for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, in an interview with Farm and Dairy. Its a matter of being proactive vs. playing catch up, having to defend yourself. Those in opposition say ending majority rule goes against the principles of democracy. Ultimately if this passes, and Ohioans broadly feel like the legislature is being unresponsive to these issues, it becomes significantly more difficult for Ohioans to take that issue to the ballot, Chris Tavenor, managing director of democracy policy for the Ohio Environmental Council, told Farm and Dairy. Issue 1 The ballot initiative would require proposed amendments to Ohios constitution to get at least 60% of the vote to pass. Currently, amendments just need a simple majority. The special election will be Aug. 8. Early voting is in progress through Aug. 6. To find an early voting location, look up your voter registration or find your polling location, visit voteohio.gov. Issue 1 would also require initiative petitions to have signatures from at least 5% of the eligible voters in each county. Currently, initiative petitions only have to have signatures from 44 of Ohios 88 counties. Finally, Issue 1 would take away a 10-day grace period for more signatures to be added to petitions that have been filed if they dont have enough valid signatures. All in all, it would make it more challenging for ballot initiatives aimed at changing Ohios constitution to make it onto ballots, and to pass. Ag regulations Several farm groups say changes to regulations around agriculture are often proposed through ballot initiatives. An Ohio Dairy Producers Association release supporting Issue 1 references Californias Prop 12, which requires pork sold in California to come from farms that adhere to its standards on housing for breeding pigs. Now that the courts have upheld Prop 12, special interest groups have incentive to work state by state to create new anti-agriculture and anti-business regulations. Ohio is one of 19 states that allow for these direct citizen initiatives, the release reads. The Ohio AgriBusiness Association also supports the issue, saying it would keep Ohio a more stable and predictable business environment, in a release. In an interview with Farm and Dairy, Chris Henney, OABA president and chief executive officer, referenced a 2009 attempt by the Humane Society of the United States to develop livestock care standards. In response, Ohio ag leaders helped develop the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Thats a great example of why were concerned about [Ohios constitution] being too easy to amend, Henney said, later adding, If Issue 1 does not pass, then we maintain the status quo which means that we will continue to be vulnerable particularly to radical animal groups or radical environmental groups. Majority rule Groups opposed to the issue, however, say it undermines the principle of one person, one vote. The passage of Issue 1 would be a slap in the face of Ohioans who believe in democracy, Joe Logan, president of the Ohio Farmers Union, said in a statement. The Ohio Farmers Unions executive committee recently voted unanimously to oppose Issue 1. Those opposing the issue also argue it gives the Ohio legislature more leeway to disregard the will of Ohio citizens, considering that it isnt common for any issue to get a 60% supermajority. Tavenor noted the Clean Ohio Fund, which was originally established in 2000, passed with 57% of the vote and would have failed under the rules that Issue 1 would set. Ending majority rule would mean 40% of voters can veto the will of the majority on these issues, they said. Signatures Requiring signatures from all 88 counties to put an issue on the ballot is another major selling point for supporters of the issue. A lot of our members felt like the current 44-county process ignores rural communities and those corners of the state that arent heavily populated, Bowers said. She added that Ohio Farm Bureau has had policies that support raising the standards for ballot initiatives for a while. The signature collection process [in Issue 1] is just the epitome of a grassroots process. Those opposing the issue, however, say its already challenging to get enough signatures to put an issue on the ballot. 88 counties essentially makes it impossible because its such a high bar, Tavenor said. The cost of rural theft in the UK shot up by nearly a quarter last year as highly organised gangs of criminals continued to plague the countryside. NFU Mutual has released its annual rural crime report today (1 August), showing that rural crime cost the UK an estimated 49.5m in 2022, up from 40.5m the previous year. The UK cost of GPS theft increased by 15% to 1.8m in 2022. However, the problem has sharply escalated in the first four months of 2023, with the crime doubling to over 500,000 compared to the same period last year. Last year, quad and ATV theft reported to NFU Mutual cost 3m nationally, a 34% rise on the previous year. Meanwhile, the UK cost of livestock theft rose 8.7% in 2022, totalling an estimated 2.7 million. Claims reported regularly involve over 50 sheep being taken in a single raid, which has a devastating impact on breeding lines as well as causing worry for farmers about the welfare of the stolen animals. The NFU said the huge increase in criminal activity was significantly impacting farm businesses. The union's vice president, David Exwood said: Over the past 18 months highly organised gangs of criminals have continued to plague the British countryside. The huge increase weve seen in criminal activity is significantly impacting farm businesses and farming families both financially and emotionally, with many rural communities left feeling vulnerable and intimidated. "All at a time when the industry is facing numerous other pressures, not least soaring production costs." Following months of lobbying between the NFU, NFU Mutual, government and other industry organisations, the Equipment Theft Prevention Bill recently gained Royal Assent. This new legislation gives the Home Secretary wider powers to make regulations that will deter the theft and resale of quad bikes and ATVs. Fitting immobilisers and adding forensic markings will also ensure that owner details are registered to help make these essential farm vehicles less attractive for criminals to steal. But the NFU said there also needed to be much more of a collaborative approach to tackle rural crime. Mr Exwood said: "The National Rural Crime Unit is a great example of farmers, policymakers and police forces working together effectively at national and local level to examine ways of how UK farming businesses can be protected from criminal gangs. Scottish sheep producers are being encouraged to bank a lamb to help tell the story of sheep farming as a St Andrews Day initiative gets underway. The project has seen over 65,000 school children cook and eat Scotch Lamb over the past three years. Farmers can donate the value of store, prime and breeding lambs, cull and breeding ewes and tups to the Lamb Bank. Donation can be done via any Scottish auction market or by getting in touch directly with the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS). The campaign has also been credited with supporting and improving the prime lamb price throughout the month of November, with the price tracking upwards during the month. Neil Wilson, executive director of Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), has called on farmers to participate. The Lamb Bank has been running for the last couple of years and has been very successful in allowing farmers to get involved in the campaign without needing to be concerned with the logistics of providing a physical lamb or ewe. When selling through the ring, just let your local auctioneer know what number of sheep you want to donate and they will simply deduct the value and send it to the Lamb Bank. Lamb Bank funds are then used to purchase Scotch Lamb for participating Home Economics classes across the country where children will cook recipes specially developed by Quality Meat Scotland. Mr Wilson said this was a wat of getting future consumers to taste and savour Scotch Lamb, as well as the qualities of red meat. Feedback from schools and children from past campaigns has been entirely positive," he explained. "This demonstrates the importance of direct contact with consumers and how campaigns like this can have a really important impact." UFOs almost caused World War III. UFOs came close to starting World War III Alien investigators Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp claim that a spacecraft caught the attention of Russian missile systems based in Ukraine and aimed the deadly weapons towards the United States. The duo recently penned a letter to US Congress regarding the incident and their sworn testimony claims that Russian warplanes engaged with the UFOs in 1993. The letter said: "(Former Soviet military commander) Colonel Sokolov also shared information about an alarming incident at a Russian ICBM base in Ukraine. "UFOs appeared over the base, performed astonishing manoeuvres in front of stunned eyewitnesses and then somehow took control of the launch system. "The missiles aimed at the US were suddenly fired up. Launch control codes were somehow entered, and the base was unable to stop what could have initiated World War 3. "Then, just as suddenly, the UFOs disappeared, and the launch-control system shut down." It was also claimed in the testimony that fighter jets "chased them and even shot at them" - based on documents that were smuggled out of Russia. It is alleged that such incidents happened at least 45 times, according to a letter sent by the pair. Knapp also criticised the US government's "dismissive attitude" towards the threat posed by UFOs. He wrote in a letter: "Since 1969, the position of our military has been that UFOs pose no threat to national security and are not worthy of further study. "This dismissive attitude is directly at odds with what was revealed in documents, reports and internal memos." 'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud has died at the age of 25. Angus Cloud has passed away at the age of 25 The family of the actor - who was best known for playing Fezco in the HBO drama series - have confirmed that he passed away on Monday (31.07.23). In a statement given to CNN, his family said: "It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. "As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. "Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. "Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." Angus' family described his death as a "devastating loss". They added: "We hope the world remembers him for his humour, laughter and love for everyone. "We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss." Meanwhile, an HBO spokesperson has paid a glowing tribute to the actor, who also played Walker in the 2021 comedy-drama movie 'North Hollywood'. The spokesperson told CNN: "We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and 'Euphoria' family. "We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time." Travis Scott's team hit back after an Astroworld victim's attorney called him "stunningly tone-deaf." Travis Scott's team hit back after being labelled 'stunningly tone-deaf' over Astroworld comments After Travis' team accused law enforcement of trying to "sabotage" his new album with the release of their investigation into the deaths of a number of fans at Travis' Astroworld concert in 2021, attorney Bob Hilliard, who is representing the family of 10-year-old victim Ezra Blount, hit out. Bob told TMZ: "For an artist making his living with music, these are stunningly tone-deaf comments about this preventable tragedy that took so many lives and injured so many. "Of course they would only focus on how the report's release date hurts their album sales instead of the facts contained inside of the report. "For Mr. Scott to allow his lawyers and spokespeople to make the reckless and untrue statement that just because he was not indicted means he's blame-free is arrogant and insulting to the memory of 10-year-old Ezra as well as the other victims of this terrible night." However, Ted Anastasiou, a representative for Travis, 32, told TMZ: "As we've said before, the Houston police report confirmed Travis' concern for his fans' safety. "The report contains the same exact evidence that was presented to the Houston grand jury that decided there was no basis for charges against Travis. To use that report to try to blame Travis for the Astroworld tragedy doesn't just defy logic, but can be seen as nothing but a cynical attempt to exploit the victims and gaslight the public." Eight people were killed during the crush at the concert while two others died in the hospital in the following days. The cause of death for the concertgoers was ruled as "compressive asphyxiation" causing suffocation due to external pressure. The actor was most recently seen in the web series The Night Manager 2, alongside Sobhita Dhulipala and Anil Kapoor. Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapoor have been linked for quite some time. Though Ananya's mother denied their relationship, photos from a Portugal trip in which they were hugging each other went viral on social media, adding fuel to their dating rumours. However, the duo has remained tight-lipped on the subject. Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapoor have been rumoured to be dating for a long time now. Though Ananyas mother declined their relationship, their recent mushy pictures from a Portugal trip where they were seen lost in each other's eyes, allegedly hugging each other and having fun on the streets went viral on social media and added fuel to their dating rumours. However, the duo has been tight-lipped about the same. Meanwhile, Aditya Roy Kapur will be next seen in the movie MetroIn Dino wherein he will be seen sharing the screen with Sara Ali Khan. Helmed by Anurag Basu, the movie also stars Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, and Ali Fazal in key roles and is scheduled to release in theatres in 2024. On the other hand, Ananya Panday is gearing up for the release of her upcoming movie Dream Girl 2 with Ayushmann Khurrana. Helmed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, the movie is scheduled to release on August 25. Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday recently made headlines when photos from their vacation in Portugal went viral on social media. Their mushy photos fueled speculation about their relationship. The actor has finally broken his silence on their vacation photos. Aditya Roy Kapur recently spoke about his trip to Portugal and shared his experience in a recent interview. According to the actor, I definitely needed a break. I missed the monsoons though, I love monsoons in Mumbai. Since the moment I came back, it has been raining non-stop for one week. He further reacted to him making headlines due to his viral pics with Ananya Panday from the Portugal trip and said, Its a good thing I am not so much on social media. But definitely, I have heard In recent days, there has been negative attention surrounding the upcoming film OMG 2, which features Akshay Kumar. The Central Board of Film Certification has increased their scrutiny of film certifications following the controversies surrounding Adipurush and Oppenheimer. As a result, OMG 2 was submitted to the revising committee of the Censor Board, and even the chairperson, Prasoon Joshi, viewed the film.Following a two-week-long battle and extensive review, OMG 2 has been granted an A certificate without any alterations. The film features Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, and Yami Gautam in prominent roles. The producers made roughly 25 changes to scenes, dialogues, and characters after extensive discussions with the board. Although the makers were initially pushing for a U/A certificate from the CBFC, the Revising Committee demanded numerous cuts.An insider disclosed that in order to obtain a UA certification, the examining committee demanded numerous edits. However, the creators of the film were unwilling to compromise the authenticity of the content. As a result, they opted for an Adult certification while still maintaining the film's integrity and complying with the regulations of the censor board.Due to censorship issues, there were concerns that the film would not be able to meet its scheduled release date of August 11 and would have to be delayed. However, the team is now preparing for an intense marketing campaign and plans to release the trailer, which has received a UA certificate, within the next few days.Another controversy arose for the film when a priest from the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain requested the removal of certain scenes that were shot on the temple premises. The priest expressed concern that the film could potentially offend religious beliefs and warned of nationwide protests if his demands were not met. Man of Masses NTR Jr has gained global attention and admiration because of his hard work and performances in films over the years. Various diplomates, actors, directors, and filmmakers have not shied away from voicing out their fondness towards NTR Jr and the current addition to this list of admirers of his work is Bollywood's favorite Janhvi Kapoor who in the past has been very vocal about wanting to work with this actor. Her dream was however fulfilled back in March when the makers announced that she signed Devara which is directed by Kortala Siva. On living her dream of working with Man of Masses NTR Jr the actor said, " I really manifested working with Jr NTR so much I think for one year I was like please mujhe mauka mile mujhe mauka mile and finally it's happening!" Post a short break, Man of Masses NTR Jr has begun shooting for the next schedule of the film, which involves a massive water sequence and will be filmed in Hyderabad. Directed by Koratala Siva, Devara stars Man of Masses NTR Jr., Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan. The film is produced by Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts and presented by Nandamuri Kalyana Ram. The film will be released on 5th April 2024. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music for the film, and R Rathnavelu was the cinematographer. Subu Cyril has been hired as the art director, and Sreekar Prasad has been hired as the editor. Burglary Strikes Actress Malavika's Home: Actress and dancer Malavika Krishnadas' house in Nhangattiri, Palakkad, became the target of a burglary recently. Prithviraj Is Now On His Way Back To Full Health: Supriya Menon's Heartfelt Thank You Note Valuables, including a watch worth Rs. 1.5 lakh, were stolen during the incident. Fortunately, the thief's activities were captured on the CCTV camera of a neighbouring house. The unfortunate event occurred when Malavika and her family were not present at home. The burglary was discovered by the maid in the morning when she arrived to open the house. Upon inspection, it was evident that the thief had ransacked the bedroom and kitchen, leaving a trail of broken items. The main target of the theft was Malavika's watch, which had a significant value of one and a half lakh rupees. Fortunately, other valuables like gold and money were not kept at the house. To investigate the incident, the police called in a dog squad, and the canine led them to a nearby deserted field near the river, where the trail ended. Police Investigation Boosted By CCTV Footage In Burglary Case During the investigation, the police found the iron rod and chisel that the thief had used to break into the house. It was later revealed that the iron rod had been stolen from a nearby Hollow Bricks shop. The CCTV footage from the neighbouring house showed the thief wearing a raincoat and covering his face with a scarf, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing police investigation. Malavika Krishnadas and her husband Thejus Jyothi gained popularity through their participation in the Nayika Nayakan programme and later tied the knot. The couple, known for their dance and acting skills, has a considerable fan following. Fortunately, they were not present at the house during the burglary. 'Jailer' Denied Theatres; Malayalam Movie Director Starts Strike Against Rajinikanth's 'Jailer' After gaining recognition in Nayika Nayakan, Malavika acted in some films, while Thejus Jyothi returned to his work in the merchant navy. The couple recently got married, and their well-wishers and fans are deeply concerned about the burglary incident. Authorities are working diligently to apprehend the thief and recover the stolen valuables. Vadivelu Hits Kadhal Sugumar: Actor Kadhal Sugumar's open statement that Vadivelu beat him by using his bouncer has caused a great shock. Vadivelu, who emerged as a leading comedy actor in Kollywood, stayed away from cinema for several years due to some political problems. Even though he was not appearing on the big screen, his scenes were running throughout the day in all comedy channels. Thus Vadivelu was not completely alienated from the people. The issues around him have been settled and he has started his second innings now. Mega Hit Maamannan Accordingly, his film Naai Sekhar Returns was a flop. Fans who watched the film openly criticized that Vadivelu is still in the old template. Then he acted in Maamannan. As Mari Selvaraj has said in several interviews, Vadivelu had been showcased in Maamannan which was never seen before. Vadivelu's performance was much talked about and the film became a mega hit. In such a situation, many of his co-stars have made serious allegations against him. In that way, actor Kadhal Sugumar has revealed a shocking incident that happened to him because of Vadivelu. Kadhal Sugumar's Statement About Vadivelu In an interview given to a leading media portal, he said, "Once Vadivelu was ill. Then Bonda Mani and Muthukalai came and told me that Vadivelu wanted to see me. I immediately became happy and went to the hospital with a great desire to see my Guru. When I went to the hospital, I said, 'Hello big brother. I learnt everything from you. It's like learning without a Guru'. Immediately he was saying yes, my mother will say that you are like the one born in her womb. At that time, they sent out Bonda Mani and Muthukaalai. Then he asked me 'You have gone to many companies and told that you will act like me.' I said 'Bir brother, the world knows that you act like you. I will do it in shows and not in movies.' He said 'but you have done the same in a film'. I said 'I will not do anything like that again. I made all my sisters study by acting like you in Madurai.' Then someone from behind pushed me down saying that I should not argue with him. After that it was well beaten. I said 'I will never do that again brother. I will run away from the city.' When I came home, my wife Meena saw my swollen face and torn shirt and asked me what was wrong. I said, no, I fell down from the bike. Immediately she went and looked at the bike. I managed it somehow and went to sleep at night. But I couldn't sleep. You won't believe it, I've had suicidal thoughts." Bigg Boss OTT 2 Update: Elvish Yadav, the popular YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 contestant, has become a major topic of discussion among viewers. With a substantial fan base on social media, Elvish's entry into the show received praise, but it seems he has incurred the wrath of host Salman Khan due to his behavior, particularly towards women, within the house. During the recent Bigg Boss OTT 2 Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Salman Khan strongly criticized Elvish Yadav for his conduct, leading to an emotional breakdown from the contestant, who tearfully apologized to his fellow housemates. Salman did not stop there and also addressed Elvish's social media following, warning that even they would turn away if his problematic behavior persisted in the house. This drew mixed reactions from the audience, with some supporting Salman's stance, while others rallied behind Elvish, expressing their support on various social media platforms. GOLDY BRAR VIRAL TWEET FOR SALMAN KHAN Take a look at the post below: Bigg Boss OTT 2: Bebika Dhurve Introduces Abhishek To Jiya's Mom As Her 'Damaad'; Latter Gives A CUTE Reaction Bigg Boss OTT 2 Family Week: Father Of Elvish Yadav Enters, Reveals Meaning Of His Son's Name Adding to the controversy, an unverified screenshot of a tweet allegedly from Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar started circulating online. In the tweet, Brar purportedly threatened to seek revenge against Salman for his public scolding of Elvish. However, the authenticity of the tweet remains unverified. As the debate rages on the internet, Elvish's fans continue to stand by him, condemning Salman's criticism and showing their solidarity. The situation has sparked intense discussions about behavior, responsibility, and the power of social media influence in the context of reality television. As the drama unfolds, viewers are eagerly anticipating further developments in Bigg Boss OTT 2 and the resolution of this ongoing controversy. BIGG BOSS OTT 2: NOMINATED CONTESTANTS THIS WEEK This week, a total of four contestants got nominated for elimination this time - Manisha Rani, Jad Hadid, Avinash Sachdev and Jiya Shankar. One among them will bid adieu to the controversial reality show this week. Keep watching this space for more updates! Bedurulanka 2012 Theatrical Business Photo Credit: Gallery Actor Kartikeya Gummakonda's upcoming comedy thriller Bedurulanka 2012 is ready to enthrall the viewers of the genre in Telugu. The movie stars DJ Tillu fame Neha Shetty as the female lead. The movie is written and directed by Clax. Mani Sharma composed the film's entire music, adding value to the project that was first announced on November 28. When the filmmakers released the trailer of Bedurulanka 2012, it caught the attention of movie lovers with its unique premise. Bedurulanka 2012 Story The movie's plot and its characters are set in a fictional village called Yedurulanka. It explores the morality of the villagers during the paranoia around the rumours of the world's end on the infamous December 21, 2012. While some of them want to may hay while the sun shines, other frightening elements panic the villagers. What happens in Yedurulanka? is to be seen on the big screen after its release. Bedurulanka 2012 Theatrical Business Closed According to the available information, the deal was sealed for an amount of Rs 5 Crore, including all areas theatrical as well as overseas. The movie is set to hit the screens on August 25. Bedurulanka 2012 is one of a few films that began and completed its filming within a short span with proper execution of schedules. The film's first look at the title was released on November 30, 2022. Neha Shetty played the role of Chitra. The filming was wrapped up by January 23, 2023. The film's rights for audio are secured by Sony Music South, for a fancy price. Bedurulanka 2012 Cast The dramedy stars Kartikeya Gummakonda, Neha Shetty, Ajay Ghosh, Srikanth Iyengar, Satya, LB Sriram, Goparaju Ramana, Getup Srinu, Divya Narni, and Jabardasth Ram Prasad among others played important characters in the film. Bedurulanka 2012 Crew The movie was written and directed by Clax. Ravindra Benerjee Muppaneni bankrolled the movie under Loukya Entertainments banner. Prominent musician Mani Sharma scored the film's entire background score and music for the movie. Viplav Nyshadam worked as the editor for Bedurulanka 2012. Sai Prakash Ummadisingu and Sunny Kurapati cranked the camera. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2023) - Coho Collective Kitchens Inc. (TSXV: COHO) ("Coho" or the "Company"), a commercial real estate and food technology company that provides private and shared kitchen and food production space to a variety of businesses, is excited to announce that it has filed a new offering document (the "Offering Document") dated July 31, 2023 to replace for all intents and purposes the offering document filed and announced on June 15, 2023, which has now expired. The Company is therefore conducting a new brokered private placement of up to 27,272,727 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.22 per Unit (the "Issue Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $6,000,000 (the " Offering"). This Offering will be conducted on the same terms and conditions of, and replaces for all purposes, the offering announced on June 15, 2023, in order for the Company to make the Offering of LIFE Units (as defined below) to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106. Each Unit will be composed of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one (1/2) Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the closing date of the Offering (the "Closing Date"). A maximum of 22,727,272 Units (the "LIFE Units") will be issued pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under part 5A of NI 45-106. The balance of the Units (the "4-Month Hold Units") will be issued pursuant to other exemptions from the prospectus requirements found in NI 45-106. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for completing its previously announced acquisition of Purebread. Bakery Inc. ("Purebread"), the expansion of operations, and to provide general working capital to support operations. In connection with the Offering, Coho has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord" or the "Lead Agent"), dated June 14, 2023, pursuant to which Canaccord will act as lead agent for the Offering on a commercially reasonable efforts basis. Upon closing of the Offering, the Company shall pay to the Lead Agent (together with any selling group formed by the Lead Agent, the "Agents"): (i) a cash commission equal to 8.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering payable in cash or Units, or any combination of cash or Units at the option of the Lead Agent (the "Cash Commission") and (ii) Common Share purchase warrants of the Company, exercisable at any time prior to the date that is 36 months from the Closing Date to acquire that number of Units equal to 8.0% of the number of Units issued under the Offering, at an exercise price equal to the Issue Price (the "Agent's Warrants"). On the closing of the Offering, the Company shall also pay the Lead Agent a corporate finance fee consisting of (i) $50,000 (payable in cash) and (ii) 227,272 Units (having a value equal to $50,000). The Company may provide a president's list of investors that can subscribe for up to $2 million of the Offering (the "President's List"). The compensation to the Agents for subscribers on the President's List shall be reduced to 3% for both Cash Commission and Agent's Warrants. The securities offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering Document related to the Offering can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.cohocollectivekitchens.com. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision. The Agents will also be entitled to offer the Units for sale in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and in those other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises in such other jurisdiction. The 4-Month Hold Units and all securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the closing date of the Offering. The Company expects to close the Offering on or about August 9, 2023, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. About Coho Coho is a growth stage, community-driven, commercial real estate, and food technology company that provides private and shared kitchen and production space to food companies from start-ups to restaurant groups seeking turnkey solutions and business services. Each of the Company's customers, called "Members", are revenue generating companies that have signed a membership agreement with Coho for an agreed upon term. The concept falls in line with a rapidly growing trend in the food-delivery industry creating a market for delivery-only and/or virtual restaurant concepts. For more information about how Coho is growing and innovating in the commissary space, visit https://www.cohocommissary.com. Contacts Andrew Barnes, Chief Executive Officer andrew@cohocommissary.com (778) 877-6513 Investor Relations invest@cohocommissary.com (604) 243-7355 NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect management's current expectations regarding future events. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance and that such forward-looking information is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release including, without limitation, that the Company will be able to utilize the net proceeds of the Offering in the manner intended; that the Offering will close on the date intended or at all; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; and assumptions regarding political and regulatory stability and stability in financial and capital markets. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others: the risk that the Company may not be able to use the proceeds of the Offering as intended; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; recent market volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; the Company's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the "United States" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act), absent registration under the 1933 Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an exemption therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdictions in which such offer, sale, or solicitation would be unlawful. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175567 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2023) - MTB Metals Corp (TSXV: MTB) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on August 1st, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET. We invite our shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Red Cloud. The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website. For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/rcwebinar-mtb-2/. The Company's President and CEO, Lawrence Roulston will be presenting and providing an update on MTB's future plans and progress on its properties at the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. About MTB Metals Corp About MTBMTB has six active projects spanning 670 square kilometres (67,587 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia. With the focus on the Telegraph project, discussions are now underway leading to joint ventures and/or spinouts of other projects.1.Telegraph is located in the vicinity of 4 world-class porphyry deposits being advanced by major mining companies: Galore (Teck / Newmont), Schaft (Teck), Saddle (Newmont) and the operating Red Chris copper-gold mine (Newcrest / Imperial Metals). Field work by MTB on its 310 square kilometre property, together with earlier results, provides compelling evidence for the presence of one or more porphyrys similar to others in the area.2.The American Creek project is centered on the historic Mountain Boy silver mine. The project is road accessible and 20 km from the deep-water port of Stewart. There are multiple silver, gold and copper occurrences on the property, including a 2006 drill hole that encountered 5 kgs of silver over 5 metres. 3.Red Cliff is a past producing gold and copper mine in which the Company holds a 35% interest.4.On the BA property, 182 drill holes have outlined a substantial zone of silver-lead-zinc mineralization located 4 km from the highway. Several targets with high-grade silver potential remain to be tested. Surprise Creek, to the north, hosts the same prospective stratigraphy.5.On the Theia project, work by MTB and previous explorers has outlined a silver bearing mineralized trend 500 metres long, highlighted by a 2020 grab sample that returned 39 kg per tonne silver (1,100 ounces per ton). Two other zones on the property produced copper values over 5%.6.Southmore is in the midst of some of the largest deposits in the Golden Triangle. It was explored in the 1980s through the early 1990s and was overlooked until MTB consolidated the property and carried out airborne geophysics and field work which confirmed several zones of gold and copper, with values up to 20% copper and 35 g/t gold. About Red Cloud Securities Inc. Red Cloud Securities Inc. is an IIROC-regulated investment dealer focused on providing a full range of brokerage services to all investor types focused in the junior resource sector. Our services include Investment Banking, Research, Institutional and Retail Trading, Institutional Sales, and Retail Investment Advisory services. About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry. For further information: MTB Metals Corp Caroline Klukowski 1 (604) 687-3520 info@mountainboyminerals.ca For additional information contact marketing@redcloudfs.com or visit: www.redcloudfs.com www.facebook.com/RedCloudFinancialServices www.twitter.com/RedCloudFS www.linkedin.com/company/red-cloud-financial-services-inc www.youtube.com/c/RedCloudFinancialServicesInc www.instagram.com/redcloudfs VENTURA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Athena Cosmetics, Inc., parent company to RevitaLash Cosmetics, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Harpar Grace International (HGI), a renowned specialist in the distribution, development, and management of luxury skincare, beauty, and wellness brands in the UK. This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for RevitaLash Cosmetics as they aim to enhance their presence in the global market. With a shared commitment to excellence and a passion for empowering business partners, RevitaLash Cosmetics and HGI are poised to redefine the standards of the beauty industry. HGI, established in 2013, has built a stellar reputation, delivering exceptional support and resources to its partners, including doctors, clinics, spas, salons, and specialist e-tailers. "We are excited to join forces with Harpar Grace International," said Lori Jacobus, President and Global CMO of RevitaLash Cosmetics. "Their dedication to serving their partners through a relationship-first approach with best-in-class business solutions aligns with our vision of providing the very best products and services to our customers. As a heritage professional channel brand, this collaboration allows us to remain true to our roots, and opens up additional avenues for growth and success allowing us to further enhance our commitment to delivering exceptional beauty solutions to the UK market in all our sales channels." Harpar Grace International distinguishes itself by going beyond the role of a traditional distributor. Their approach focuses heavily on partnership and providing valuable tools and marketing strategies to help partners maximize profitability and achieve their goals. With a team of industry experts and specialists, HGI extends comprehensive training, education, marketing, PR, digital, e-commerce, and bespoke business development support. "As a professional heritage and best in class offering, we are delighted to bring the brand into our luxury and results-driven portfolio. RevitaLash Cosmetics aligns synergistically with our carefully curated portfolio and our wider company CSR aspirations, so I am personally grateful be able to work closely with the brand owners to further support their purpose-led mission within the UK & Ireland," said Alana Chalmers, Founder & CEO of Harpar Grace International. "We have an exciting journey to embark on together under the new brand guardianship. As we pride ourselves on our partner support and brand management expertise, we are looking forward to demonstrating our commitment to the brand and the partner's success in the coming months and years ahead," Chalmers said. This transition signifies an exciting opportunity for growth, and RevitaLash Cosmetics is confident that their collaboration with HGI will bring forth new opportunities to reach consumers through a comprehensive omnichannel strategy. For more information about RevitaLash Cosmetics please visit www.revitalash.com and for more information on Harpar Grace International, please visit www.harpargrace.com. About RevitaLash Cosmetics RevitaLash Cosmetics is a worldwide leader in developing advanced lash, brow, and hair beautification products. Established in 2006, the collection includes award-winning RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner and RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, and is available in physician's offices, spas, salons, and specialty retailers across 70 countries. A supporter of non-profit breast cancer initiatives, RevitaLash Cosmetics donates a portion of proceeds to research and education initiatives, giving back to the breast cancer community year-round, not just in October. For information: www.revitalash.com. [RevitaLash Advanced is not available in California] About Harpar Grace International: Harpar Grace International, based in Hampshire in the UK is a privately owned and entrepreneurial business and has grown and evolved over the last 10 years into one of the aesthetic industry's leading distributing and brand houses with a team of over 30 and portfolio of 4 clinically proven brand offerings. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1216896/RevitaLash_Cosmetics_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/revitalash-cosmetics-announces-new-uk-distribution-partnership-with-harpar-grace-international-301889390.html The leader in invoice automation aims to support digitization of French businesses by announcing its application to become a Partner Dematerialization Platform (PDP) PARIS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Basware, the leader in making AP automation and invoice processing happen, announced its Partner Dematerialization Platform (PDP) application on July 28th 2023, to support French businesses sending and receiving invoices digitally. All businesses subject to VAT in France will soon be required to receive and send invoices electronically. Recently, the French government decided to postpone the implementation of the system, previously scheduled for July 1st 2024, in order to allow sufficient time for the reform to be a success. Basware is committed to becoming a PDP provider to support French businesses through this significant transition. Additionally, it offers Dematerialization Operator (OD) services, allowing customers to choose the solution that best suits their needs. A trusted partner at the forefront of electronic invoicing With 40 years' experience working with major brands such as Vinci, HP, DHL and Mercedes-Benz, Basware is a pioneer in digitalization and electronic invoicing, present in 175 countries worldwide. In France, Basware is actively involved in the roll-out of electronic invoicing and the implementation of the new reform. As member of the PDP working group launched by the French Public Finance Department (DGFIP), Basware is also part of the National Forum for Electronic Invoicing (FNFE-MPE), which is working to implement this reform. For a company, the decision to connect to the new ecosystem via an OD or PDP approach depends on several parameters: digital maturity, volumes processed, EDI history, international presence, and others. By offering both a PDP and an OD solution, Basware is now able to help all companies find the best dematerialization solution suited to their needs and business processes. Alexis Hartmann, VP of France and UK at Basware, commented on the application: "Basware has been established in France for over 20 years, and 350 French companies have already placed their trust in us and are working with us to comply with the French mandate. By becoming a PDP and OD, we want to offer an integrated solution that concentrates all types of workflows and formats (UBL, CII, Factur-X). For companies, this integrated approach will guarantee a 360 view, in real time, of their entire invoicing process." Jason Kurtz, CEO at Basware, added: "Even before this reform was introduced, Basware has been supporting its customers in countries where dematerialized invoicing has been implemented (such as Italy) and integrating electronic formats for many years. Our long-standing expertise in the market and our strong involvement in the various working groups dedicated to these issues with the DGFIP and the FNFE positions us as a major player in this reform. Becoming a PDP is not something that can be improvised: our investments over the past 40 years and our proven expertise in all financial workflows demonstrates our position as a leader in true invoice automation. We are committed to helping businesses become digital by processing invoices fully online, which saves them money, keeps them compliant and reduces risk." An integrated approach to ensure a real-time view of the invoicing process Certified by the International Information Security Standard ISO/IEC 27001, Basware's solution is already connected to several government platforms, including Chorus Pro, as well as interoperability networks such as Peppol. As a result, it meets all the requirements for processing invoices, such as archiving with probative value, and reliable audit trails. With an open network of over 250 ERP systems and more than 70 supported invoice formats, Basware also offers tailor-made integration with corporate management systems, as well as complete coverage, anywhere in the world. Another strong point that sets this platform apart from other solutions within the market is Basware's technology that enables touchless invoice processing. Powered by AI and machine learning, Basware's advanced invoice automation minimizes exception handling, eliminating the need for finance teams to manually manage invoices. Finally, Basware's in-depth expertise ensures that the risks associated with compliance and highly complex, fragmented, and ever-changing local and international regulations are reduced. Beyond the electronic invoicing reforms In addition to electronic invoicing, the e-reporting function offered by Basware goes far beyond the requirements of the French mandate. A real asset for business, it will enable companies to make the most of financial automation: digitalizing all processes, increasing levels of automation, and transmitting accurate information in real time to decision-makers. Alexis Hartmann concluded: "While the move to electronic invoicing may intimidate some companies who see it as a constraint, this reform should be seen as an opportunity to accelerate their business. Basware is committed to supporting companies on a day-to-day basis in mastering this transition, helping them to understand the regulations, its impact, and its opportunities." Basware in figures 40 years ' experience - present in 175 countries ' experience - present in 170 million invoices processed per year processed per year VAT compliance in more than 60 countries compliance in more than Over 70 electronic invoice formats supported electronic invoice supported Number 1 worldwide for "AP invoice automation" according to Gartner for "AP invoice automation" according to Number 1 in global geographical coverage according to Forrester in global geographical coverage according to Leader in Accounts Payable Automation according to IDC For more information on the French mandate, its timing and how businesses can prepare, visit here. About Basware Basware is how finance leaders in global enterprises can finally automate their complex, labor-intensive invoice processes and stay compliant with regulatory change. Our AP automation and invoicing platform helps you achieve a new level of efficiency - in a matter of months - while reducing errors and risks. We bring a unique combination of true automation, complete coverage, and deeper expertise to make it all just happen for our customers. That's why the world's most efficient AP departments at 700+ global customers rely on Basware to handle over 170 million invoices per year. Basware. Now it all just happens. Media contact news@basware.com , +44(0)7787266758 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166404/Basware.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2064864/4008957/Basware_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/basware-commits-to-support-electronic-invoicing-in-france-301889739.html 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. HEAT Shield and HEAT Visibility, powered by Menlo Securitys Isolation Core, prevent attacks from infiltrating enterprise networks and provide rich, actionable intelligence to mitigate highly evasive threats Menlo Security, Inc. ("Menlo Security"), a leader in browser security, today announced HEAT Shield and HEAT Visibility, the industry's first suite of threat prevention capabilities designed to detect and block highly evasive threats targeting users via the web browser. Menlo Security HEAT Shield detects and blocks phishing attacks before they can infiltrate the enterprise network. It uses novel, AI-based techniques including computer vision combined with URL risk scoring and analysis of the web page elements to accurately determine in real time if the link being accessed is a phishing site designed to steal the user's credentials. In parallel, HEAT Visibility performs continual analysis of web traffic and applies AI/ML-powered classifiers that identify the presence of highly evasive attacks. This delivers timely, actionable alerts that enable security teams to significantly reduce mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) to any highly evasive threats that could be targeting enterprise users. "Highly evasive threats are growing as threat actors evolve how they deploy phishing and malware attacks," said Michael Urciuoli, Chief Information Officer of JPMorgan Chase Asset and Wealth Management. "Tools like Menlo Security's browser security solution, including their HEAT Shield, can help to combat cyber threat vectors for the world's top financial institutions, governments and leading enterprises." Menlo Security HEAT Shield and HEAT Visibility are built on Menlo Security's cloud-based Isolation Core which monitors and analyzes over 400 billion web sessions annually. Commonly deployed security infrastructure such as Secure Web Gateways, firewalls, endpoint security and EDR solutions are blind to actions occurring inside the browser and fall short in combating web-based attacks including highly evasive threats. HEAT Shield leverages the Isolation Core to power dynamic security policies which can be applied to users based on web session events and behavior to prevent attackers from gaining access to the endpoint. Individuals are protected from potential threats without any impact on the end user experience. "We know we need to protect our network from emerging attacks and threats targeting the web browser," said Greg Pastor, Director of Information Security for Remedi SeniorCare. "We are seeing highly evasive threats as a concerning and growing tactic amongst threat actors, and solutions like HEAT Shield can dynamically block these attacks, even if they are zero hour, keeping our endpoints safe." A HEAT Attack Dashboard allows customers to receive detailed threat intelligence, which can be integrated into their existing SIEM or SOC platforms, while HEAT alerts sent to SOC teams provide real time threat visibility to enrich their existing threat intelligence sources and enhance and accelerate incident response capabilities. Nick Edwards, Vice President, Product Management at Menlo Security, said, "Adversaries have placed a massive bullseye on the web browser. It has become the new desktop, where we spend the bulk of our working day. Legacy security vendors are fighting yesterday's war by trying to shoehorn network security and endpoint tools to keep users safe and it isn't working. The capabilities we are introducing today mark a significant leap forward towards our mission of creating a secure, seamless browsing experience, ensuring the internet can be used safely by our customers." Menlo Security isolates more than four billion files annually for many of the largest and most security-conscious organizations around the world. Threat actors are refining their techniques daily, developing novel and innovative ways to target their victims through the web browser, often testing their attacks against commonly deployed security tools before launching them in the wild. "Armed with this knowledge and a decade of developing industry-leading browser security products, we are proud to be able to deliver the industry's first suite of threat prevention capabilities designed to detect and block HEAT attacks," continued Edwards. Both HEAT Shield and HEAT Visibility are generally available now across Menlo Security's global network. "Menlo Security's HEAT Shield product allows us to offer reliable, preventative security to our clients who are exposed to highly evasive threats every day," said Jamie Gray, VP, Sales-East at Tevora. "Web browser threats are growing in both frequency and sophistication, so it's critical that companies have the technology to help them, not distract them. Menlo Security's HEAT Shield is going to make a difference to our customers." To learn more about Menlo Security's HEAT Shield visit: www.menlosecurity.com/heatshield To learn more about Menlo Security's HEAT Visibility visit: www.menlosecurity.com/heatvisibility About Menlo Security Menlo Security protects organizations from cyberattacks by eliminating the threat of malware from the web, documents, and email. Menlo Security's patented Isolation-powered cloud security platform scales to provide comprehensive protection across enterprises of any size, without requiring endpoint software or impacting the end user-experience. Menlo Security is trusted by major global businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, eight of the ten largest global financial services institutions, and large governmental institutions. The company is backed by Vista Equity Partners, Neuberger Berman, General Catalyst, American Express Ventures, Ericsson Ventures, HSBC, and JPMorgan Chase. Menlo Security is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, please visit www.menlosecurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801854369/en/ Contacts: Origin Communications Sarah Hawley 480-292-4640 menlouspr@origincomms.com Former Tesco Chairman John Allan, CBE, and Former Commissioner of London Metropolitan Police, Lord John Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, to lend their expertise and experience as Argenbright expands its business LONDON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Argenbright Group is announcing two key appointments to support the company's UK and European growth. Former Tesco Chairman John Allan, CBE, and former Commissioner of Metropolitan Police in London, Lord John Stevens, are now senior advisors for the company. They will help guide Argenbright as it continues to cement itself as a global leader of tech-enabled solutions in the aviation services, facilities management, and security services markets. John Allan brings 37 years of leadership and business acumen from the public and private sectors. He spent 11 years as CEO of Exel and, subsequently, as CFO of Deutsche Post DHL. In addition, Allan served as President of the Confederation of British Industry and the Freight Transport Association. He has been the chairman of Tesco, Dixons, Worldpay, Barrat Developments, and Samsonite, and a non-executive director at National Grid, Royal Mail PHS Group, and Hamleys. Lord John Stevens had a 40+ year stellar career in policing, culminating as Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police. During his tenure as the Commissioner, Lord Stevens was entrusted with several high-profile cases that had national importance. Since leaving the force, Lord Stevens has worked predominantly in the security space and was appointed in 2007 as a national security advisor by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and, in 2010, by Prime Minister David Cameron as Chair of the Borders Policing Committee. Lord Stevens has been a Non-Executive Director of the British Airport Authority, Travelex, and LGC, and a Chairman of Quest Global, Axiom International, The Protector Group, and TAG Group. He also served as the Chancellor of Northumbria University for 10 years. Frank Argenbright, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Argenbright Group: "I am delighted that both John Allan and Lord John Stevens are joining us as advisors to our executive teams in the UK across our security and aviation businesses. Their extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we develop transformational and innovative solutions for our customers, grow our operations in the UK, and expand to Europe." Argenbright Group is a privately held family of companies based in Atlanta. The company's investments in the UK security and aviation sectors have rapidly grown in the last two years, with the acquisitions of Amberstone Security in 2022, quickly followed by the acquisition of The Protector Group that same year. Most recently, in July 2023, Argenbright's Unifi Aviation, the largest provider of aviation services in the United States, acquired Up & Away, a leading UK-based aviation services and private jet detailing company with a presence across 14 UK airports. Ernie Patterson, Chairman, International Business for Argenbright Group: "As we expand our operations in the UK, we are delighted to welcome John Allan and Lord John Stevens as advisors to the Argenbright Group businesses in the UK. Earlier this year, Argenbright announced an ambitious investment and growth plan in the UK region, and both of them are uniquely positioned to advise our businesses during this period of growth." About Argenbright Group: The Argenbright Group is a privately held family of companies that provides tech-enabled solutions to various industries, including aviation services, facilities management, and commercial and government security. Argenbright Group was founded in 1979 by Atlanta-based entrepreneur Frank A. Argenbright, Jr., and has grown to a $1.6 billion run rate revenue global operation with presence across the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Europe. The Argenbright portfolio includes Velociti Services , Unifi Aviation (Unifi, ERMC, Scrub and Up & Away UK), and Argenbright Security Europe Limited (ASEL) among others. Media Contact: mediarelations@unifiservice.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2072844/Argenbright_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/argenbright-group-announces-industry-stalwarts-as-new-strategic-advisors-for-its-uk-and-european-businesses-301890042.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Q Battery Metals Corp ("Q Battery" or the "Company) is very pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with 1412814 BC Ltd. and its shareholders to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of 1412814 BC Ltd. ("814BC") in exchange for 5,800,000 common shares of the Company. 814BC owns mineral claims in the Pontax River area of the James Bay region of Quebec. The transaction is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The transaction as proposed does not constitute a fundamental change or result in a change of control of the Company, within the meaning of the policies of the CSE. The claims cover 5,376 hectares in 101 contiguous claims located within the "Lithium Triangle". The property is surrounded by other signi?cant lithium plays including: Patriot Battery Metals Pontax project, Brunswick Exploration, Stria Lithium properties, and the Li-FT Power Ltd. large land package including the Moyenne Project. The newly acquired Q Battery Metals property is strategically positioned in an exceptionally active and promising area for lithium exploration. The reader is cautioned that potential lithium resources that exist on properties outside of the Pontax Lithium Project claims are not direct indicators of lithium mineralization on the Pontax Lithium Project. The Q Battery Metals Pontax River property is an exploration stage project that has potential for hosting LCT pegmatites and associated lithium mineralization. The property's vicinity to fertile peraluminous granite bodies, as well as being close to other known lithium deposits in the region provides strong incentive for lithium exploration. The granitic bodies and host lithologies are underexplored and need to be prospected for pegmatite bodies. Q Battery Metals geologic team is in the process of compiling all available data for the Pontax River project in preparation for a Phase I exploration program. An initial geologic mapping and prospecting site reconnaissance is scheduled to be completed this summer. Q Battery Metals is also exploring their La Corne South lithium project located north of Val d'Or, and their Pegalith lithium project located north of Gatineau, Quebec. The Pontax, La Corne, and Pegalith projects each have a variety of exploration targets, with the La Corne South currently being the project of immediate interest to Q Battery Metals for lithium potential. Rock samples taken from the La Corne South are currently at the laboratory for analysis (see Q Battery news release dated June 20, 2023), and the geologic team is preparing to return for continued targeted sampling in August. Q Battery exploration programs in Quebec are supervised by Dr. Mathieu Piche, OGQ, who is also a Company director. Perry Grunenberg, PGeo, a qualified person as that term is defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Location Map of Q Battery Metals- Pontax Lithium Project in James Bay, Quebec Location Map of Q Battery Metals-Pontax Lithium Project in James Bay, Quebec Cautionary Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of that date. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; fluctuations in the prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Prospectus dated September 8, 2017 available on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. On behalf of the Board of Directors Richard Penn CEO (778) 384-8923 SOURCE: Q Battery Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771380/Q-Battery-Metals-Corp-Acquires-Pontax-Lithium-Project-James-Bay-Region-Quebec Aiming to contribute to the sustainable development of chemistry and the chemical industry, Mitsui Chemicals established the Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Awards in 2004. The awards consist of the Catalysis Science Award and the Catalysis Science Award for Creative Work, which recognize outstanding achievements in the field of catalysis science. To date, the awards have been conferred on 30 researchers within Japan and overseas. The application requirements for the 2024 Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Awards are outlined below. 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. CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The combat drone market is valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 10.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 8.6% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The dynamic growth of the combat drone market is fueled by several compelling factors. Foremost among these is the escalating demand for precision strikes that minimize collateral damage. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=237437345 Browse in-depth TOC on "Combat Drone Market" 150 - Tables 60 - Figures 300 - Pages Combat Drone Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $7.2 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $10.8 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% Market Size Available for 2019-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Platform, Application, Type, Launching Mode and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Issues with the safety and security of UAVs Key Market Opportunities Advancements in AI and Autonomy Key Market Drivers Growing adoption of combat drones due to their high precision and accuracy capabilities Capitalizing on their unmatched accuracy in targeting enemy positions, combat drones significantly reduce risks to civilians and critical infrastructure. Additionally, their real-time intelligence capabilities through surveillance and reconnaissance bolster situational awareness, playing a crucial role in informed decision-making during military maneuvers. Cost-effectiveness stands as another pivotal driver in the appeal of combat drones. Compared to traditional manned aircraft, drones boast lower operational costs and demand less maintenance, making them an enticing option for defense budgets. Furthermore, their inherent ability to mitigate risks to human life makes them highly advantageous in high-risk combat scenarios. The continuous evolution of drone technology has yielded substantial enhancements in endurance and payload capacities, facilitating extended flight durations and the seamless integration of sophisticated weaponry. This versatility enables drones to undertake diverse roles, ranging from intelligence gathering to executing combat missions, further bolstering their promising market growth trajectory. Based on Launching mode, the Automatic Take Off and Landing segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on the launching mode, the market is segmented into Air Launched Effect, Vertical Take-Off, Automatic Take Off and Landing, Catapult Launcher, and Hand Launched. The automatic take-off and landing segment includes drones that have the capability of taking off and landing autonomously. Drones capable of automatic take-off and landing are usually fixed-wing drones that need very short runways to take off and land. Fixed-wing drones that use automatic take-off and landing as the launching mode usually have an MTOW of 25 kilograms. Companies such as Northrop Grumman (US), Lockheed Martin (US), Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel), and General Atomics (US), among others, manufacture drones that use automatic take-off and landing-launching modes for various military applications. Based on the Platform, small drones are projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on the Platform, the combat drone industry is segmented into small, tactical, and strategic drones. Small drones include nano, micro, and mini drones that fly at an altitude of less than 350 meters. One example of a small drone is a Switchblade 300, a small loitering munition drone. It is about the size of a brick and weighs about 2.5 kilograms. The Switchblade 300 can be used to attack targets with a small explosive payload. Moreover, small drones are expected to witness increased demand from the defense sector for surveillance and reconnaissance activities and border security applications. These drones have efficient flight control systems and low operational costs. They have undergone technological advancements in recent times to suit military applications. However, the lack of proper air traffic management systems for the usage of drones and excessive safety risks in the form of large planes and ground installations such as fuel depots act as challenges for the growth of the small drone worldwide. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=237437345 North America Region is expected to lead the market during the forecast period. North America Region is expected to lead the market during the forecast period. North America registered the largest share in the combat drone market in 2023. This large share is attributed to the presence of a large number of military UAV manufacturers in the US, such as General Atomics, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, and Northrop Grumman. Moreover, technological upgrades in armed UAVs have fueled the growth of the combat drone market in the US. In addition, the allocation of a high defense budget by the US government for the improvement of army, air, and naval forces capabilities is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report in April 2023, the department of Defense had spent a defense budget of USD 2240 billion in 2022. Key Players Northrop Grumman (US), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (US), Raytheon Technologies (US), Israel Aerospace Industries, Inc. (Israel) Airbus (France) are Key players in the Combat drone companies. They have mainly resorted to contracts to drive their growth along with launching technologically advanced and cost-effective products. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=237437345 Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: Cargo Drones Market by Solution (Platform, Software, Infrastructure), Industry (Retail, Healthcare, Agriculture, Defense and Maritime), Range (Close-Range, Short-Range, Mid-Range, Long-Range), Payload, Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2030 UAV Market by Point of Sale, Systems, Platform (Civil & Commercial, and Defense & Government), Function, End Use, Application, Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid), Mode of Operation, Mtow, Range & Region - Global Forecast to 2027 Military Drone Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Platform, Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, And Hybrid), Application, Mtow, Propulsion (Turbo Engine, Piston Engine and Battery), Operation Mode, Speed, Launching Mode & Region - Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast to 2027 Autonomous Last Mile Delivery Market by Platform (Aerial Delivery Drones, Ground Delivery Vehicles (Delivery Bots, Self-Driving Vans & Trucks)), Solution, Application, Type, Payload Weight, Range, Duration and Region - Global Forecast to 2030 Drone Simulator Market by Application (Commercial, Military), Component (Software, Hardware), Device Type (Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality), Drone Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing), System Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/combat-drone-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/combat-drone.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/combat-drone-market-worth-10-8-billion-by-2028---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-301890051.html Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, announced that the company's second quarter 2023 financial results will be released after the U.S. market close on Thursday, August 17, 2023. Farfetch will host a conference call to discuss its results at 4:30 p.m. ET the same day. A live webcast the event, along with the company's earnings press release, will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website at www.farfetchinvestors.com. Webcast replays and any related presentation materials will be available for at least 30 days following each event. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries and territories with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,400 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers, and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch offers its broad range of consumer-facing channels and enterprise level solutions to the luxury industry under its Luxury New Retail initiative. The Luxury New Retail initiative also encompasses Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities and innovations such as Store of the Future, its connected retail solution. For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801529564/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations: Alice Ryder VP Investor Relations IR@farfetch.com Media: Susannah Clark EVP Communications, Global susannah.clark@farfetch.com +44 7788 405224 Brunswick Group farfetch@brunswickgroup.com US: +1 (212) 333 3810 UK: +44 (0) 207 404 5959 A joint statement emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive and transparent platform that fosters solidarity and transformative progress across the climate agenda. The statement also reiterated the COP28 Presidency and UNFCCC's shared vision to ensure that voices from all backgrounds are heard and acknowledged. COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, reiterated that the COP28 plan of action is centered on four key pillars: fast-tracking the energy transition; fixing climate finance; focusing on people, lives and livelihoods; and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, reaffirmed the organization's dedication to upholding UN values as part of the COP process. The statement highlighted a shared commitment to accommodate diverse perspectives and contributions from youth, women, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups disproportionately affected by climate change. ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The COP28 Presidency and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have officially signed the Host Country Agreement, strengthening their joint commitment to inclusivity and transparency at COP28 that fosters solidarity and transformative progress across the climate agenda. The agreement was signed by COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, during a meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The Host Country Agreement puts in place the necessary legal basis for this year's UN Climate Summit. Following the signing of the agreement, a joint statement was issued underscoring the importance of inclusivity, transparency, and respect, as part of the COP process that enables unity and more ambitious action. Dr. Al Jaber emphasized that inclusion is a crucial cornerstone of the COP28 Presidency, saying: "The COP28 plan of action is centered on four key pillars: fast-tracking the energy transition; fixing climate finance; focusing on people, lives and livelihoods; and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. The COP28 Presidency believes inclusivity is a critical enabler to achieving transformative progress across the climate agenda. Only by rising above our differences and working together can we raise our shared ambition and deliver progress to keep 1.5C within reach." Mr. Stiell reaffirmed the UNFCCC's dedication to upholding UN values at COPs and ensuring the voices of those most impacted by climate change are heard and represented in leadership roles, saying: "As custodians of the process, the secretariat is dedicated to supporting the Parties implement their climate commitments, including under the Paris Agreement. To drive climate action and ambition forward, we are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs. We are also making every effort on our part to ensure that this will be a COP process where the voices of youth, women, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and those most impacted by climate change will be heard and reflected within the process." In line with UNFCCC guidelines and adherence to international human rights norms and principles, there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard. "We will work together to make COP28 the most inclusive UN Climate Change Conference to date. To this effect, we have written to all Parties urging increased participation and meaningful engagement of youth, women, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples as members of Party and observer delegations to COP, and in climate decision-making, policy, and action in the lead up to and during COP 28 by providing appropriate quality and modalities of participation," the statement read. Full inclusivity of the COP process is one of the four areas that COP28 will focus on, the other three being fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, and focusing on lives and livelihoods. Notes to Editors COP28 UAE: COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023. The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake - a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166916/COP28_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cop28-presidency-and-unfccc-sign-host-country-agreement-and-highlight-inclusivity-and-transparency-as-key-enablers-for-transformative-progress-across-the-climate-agenda-301890271.html Everest Global Plc - Application for Lifting of Temporary Suspension PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, August 01 1 August 2023 Everest Global plc ("EG" or the "Company") Application for Lifting of Temporary Suspension Further to the Company publishing its annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 October 2022 (FY22 Results") and having completed the upload of the FY22 Results to the Financial Conduct Authority's ("FCA") National Storage Mechanism at www.fca.org.uk/markets/primary-markets/regulatory-disclosures/national-storage-mechanism, the Company announces that it has applied to the FCA to lift the temporary suspension of its listing on the Official List of the FCA of its ordinary shares of 2p each, which was put in place on 1 March 2023 pending the publication of its FY22 Results. The Company will update the market on such application in due course. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement. For further information please contact: VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Bitterroot Resources Ltd. (49.9% owner,symbol BTT, TSX-V) and Altius Minerals Corporation (50.1% owner, symbol ALS, TSX) have entered into an option agreement with Perseverance Metals Inc., whereby Perseverance can acquire a 100% interest in the 680 square-kilometre (262 square-miles) Voyageur Nickel-Copper-PGM Project. Voyageur is located approximately 65 kilometres west of Lundin Mining's Eagle nickel-copper-PGM mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Eagle Mine is the only active primary nickel mine in the United States. The Option Agreement gives Perseverance the exclusive option until December 31, 2025 to earn a 100% interest in the Voyageur Project from Altius Resources Michigan Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Altius Minerals Corp., and from Trans Superior Resources Inc. and Voyageur Lands Corp, each a wholly owned subsidiary of Bitterroot Resources Inc. by: Initial Equity: Issuing to Bitterroot and Altius a total of 20% ownership in the equity of Perseverance, to be distributed based on their pro-rata ownership of the Voyageur Project, Issuing to Bitterroot and Altius a total of 20% ownership in the equity of Perseverance, to be distributed based on their pro-rata ownership of the Voyageur Project, Exploration Commitment: Incurring C$2,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the Voyageur Project before December 31, 2025, including C$250,000 within the first 12 months of the Option, Incurring C$2,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the Voyageur Project before December 31, 2025, including C$250,000 within the first 12 months of the Option, Financing Commitment: Raising aggregate gross proceeds of C$5,000,000 within 18 months (the "Equity Financings"), with Bitterroot and Altius retaining a combined 20% free-carry interest on any common shares issued pursuant to the Equity Financings, Raising aggregate gross proceeds of C$5,000,000 within 18 months (the "Equity Financings"), with Bitterroot and Altius retaining a combined 20% free-carry interest on any common shares issued pursuant to the Equity Financings, Go-Public Commitment: Perseverance becoming a reporting issuer in Canada within 18 months, subject to a conditional 6-month extension. Michael Carr, CEO of Bitterroot commented, "I am looking forward to supporting the team at Perseverance. They are a highly motivated and experienced group, with the technical and financial expertise to rapidly advance the Voyageur Project. As a significant shareholder of Perseverance, Bitterroot's shareholders will benefit from Perseverance's management, capital markets and exploration skills, in addition to gaining exposure to two other high-quality magmatic nickel projects: Lac Gayot in Quebec and Armit Lake in NW Ontario, plus any of their future property acquisitions. I fully endorse Perseverance's strategy of exploring for high-grade magmatic sulphide ore deposits in leading North American mining jurisdictions." About the Voyageur Project The Voyageur Project (Figure 1) is comprised of 668 square kilometres (258 square-miles) of privately-owned mineral rights, plus 12 square kilometres (4.8 square-miles) of State of Michigan metallic minerals leases in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (UP), located 65 kilometres west of the Eagle nickel-copper-PGM mine. Eagle is the only active primary nickel mine in the United States and has been in production since 2014, with a pre-mining resource of approximately 6.6 Mt at 3.7% nickel 3.1% copper, 0.10% cobalt, and 1.5 g/t combined platinum, palladium, and gold (source: www.lundinmining.com). Generalized Geologic Map of the Voyageur Project The Voyageur Project is situated on the south flank of the Mid-Continent Rift (MCR) large igneous province. The MCR hosts several high-grade, conduit-hosted Ni-Cu-PGM deposits in the Lake Superior region, such as the Eagle Mine in the UP and the growing Tamarack deposit in Minnesota. Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions and mafic dikes on the Voyageur property were emplaced during early MCR rifting and magmatism. Mesoproterozoic (~1.11 Ga) mafic-ultramafic rocks seen at Voyageur intrude sulphur-bearing Early Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks and Archean basement granite and gneiss, as occurs at the Eagle mine. A 4,562 line-km VTEM Plus survey flown in 2015 by Altius and Bitterroot defined nine (9) high-priority nickel sulphide targets, several of which have since been validated by ground-based Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) surveys, but none have been drill tested. Prospecting around the targets has identified outcropping ultramafic olivine pyroxenite, which is a favourable host rock for conduit-hosted nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM deposits. As part of the earn-in process, Perseverance's team plans to further evaluate, refine, and drill-test these VTEM targets. The Voyageur Project is accessible via an extensive network of paved and gravel access roads. The UP region contains significant infrastructure to support mining and boasts an effective mining and exploration permitting process. Additional information about the participants in this transaction can be found at; www.bitterrootresources.com www.perseverancemetals.com www.altiusminerals.com Mr. Michael Tucker, P.Geo, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this disclosure. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael S. Carr Director Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. This document contains statements about expected or anticipated future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, regulatory processes and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events and the company's ability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. For such forward-looking statements, we claim the safe harbour for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Legislation Reform Act of 1995. SOURCE: Bitterroot Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771301/Bitterroot-Resources-and-Altius-Minerals-Option-the-Voyageur-Nickel-Copper-PGM-Project-to-Perseverance-Metals-Inc Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Perseverance Metals Inc. ("Perseverance" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a purchase option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Altius Minerals Corp. ("Altius", 50.1% owners) and Bitterroot Resources Ltd. ("Bitterroot", 49.9% owners) to acquire a 100% interest in the 680 square kilometre (260 square mile) Voyageur nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM Project (the "Voyageur Project") in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, approximately 65 kilometres west of Lundin Mining's Eagle nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM mine - the only active primary nickel mine in the United States. Voyageur becomes Perseverance Metals' third North American critical minerals project, joining the Lac Gayot nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM project in central Quebec, which was optioned from Osisko Development in December 2022, and the Armit Lake nickel-copper-cobalt project in NW Ontario which was wholly acquired earlier this year. The Option Agreement gives Perseverance the exclusive option until December 31, 2025 to earn a 100% interest in the Voyageur Project from Altius Resources Michigan Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Altius Minerals Corp., and from Trans Superior Resources Inc. and Voyageur Lands Corp, each a wholly owned subsidiary of Bitterroot Resources Inc. by: Initial Equity: Issuing to Altius and Bitterroot a total of 20% ownership in the equity of Perseverance, to be distributed based on their pro-rata ownership of the Voyageur Project. Issuing to Altius and Bitterroot a total of 20% ownership in the equity of Perseverance, to be distributed based on their pro-rata ownership of the Voyageur Project. Exploration Commitment: Incurring C$2,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the Voyageur Project before December 31, 2025, including C$250,000 within the first 12 months. Incurring C$2,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the Voyageur Project before December 31, 2025, including C$250,000 within the first 12 months. Financing Commitment: Raising aggregate gross proceeds of C$5,000,000 within 18 months (the "Equity Financings"), with Altius and Bitterroot retaining a combined 20% free-carry interest on any common shares issued pursuant to the Equity Financings. Raising aggregate gross proceeds of C$5,000,000 within 18 months (the "Equity Financings"), with Altius and Bitterroot retaining a combined 20% free-carry interest on any common shares issued pursuant to the Equity Financings. Go-Public Commitment: Perseverance becoming a reporting issuer in Canada within 18 months, subject to a conditional 6-month extension. Michael J. Tucker, President and CEO of Perseverance commented, "The Voyageur Project is both a valuable addition to our growing nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM exploration portfolio, and an asset that we feel will be highly attractive to critical metals investors, particularly in the United States." "Voyageur is located in the Midcontinent Rift flood basalt province and is underlain by the same geological assemblages as the Eagle nickel mine 65 kms east. The presence of nickel-copper-PGM bearing mafic-ultramafic intrusions within and near the boundaries of the project, and numerous drill-ready targets made Voyageur one of our highest-ranked acquisition targets. The large size of the project, the nature of its recorded minerals ownership rights, plus excellent local and regional road access, services, and infrastructure add to its attractiveness." "We believe Voyageur has the potential to be rapidly advanced to the discovery stage and we look forward to collaborating with and drawing from the experience and deep technical knowledge of Altius and Bitterroot, and drill testing the project's exciting targets soon." Michael Carr, CEO of Bitterroot commented, "I am looking forward to supporting the team at Perseverance. They are a highly motivated and experienced group, with the technical and financial expertise to rapidly advance the Voyageur Project." "As a significant shareholder of Perseverance, Bitterroot's shareholders will benefit from Perseverance's management, capital markets and exploration skills, in addition to gaining exposure to two other high-quality magmatic nickel projects: Lac Gayot in Quebec and Armit Lake in NW Ontario, plus any of their future property acquisitions. I fully endorse Perseverance's strategy of exploring for high-grade magmatic sulphide ore deposits in leading North American mining jurisdictions." About the Voyageur Project The Voyageur Project (Figure 1) is comprised of 668 square kilometres of privately owned mineral rights, plus 12 square kilometres of State of Michigan metallic minerals leases in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, located 65 kilometres west of the Eagle nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM mine. Eagle is the only active primary nickel mine in the United States and has been in production since 2014, with a pre-mining resource of approximately 6.6Mt at 3.7% nickel 3.1% copper, 0.10% cobalt, and 1.5 g/t combined platinum, palladium, and gold. Figure 1 - Generalized Geologic Map of the Voyageur Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9861/175622_16fc3e3ed49a89e6_001full.jpg The Voyageur Project is situated on the south flank of the 1.1 Ga Keweenawan Midcontinental Rift (MCR) - a large, relatively underexplored igneous province that hosts several high-grade Ni-Cu-PGM deposits in the Lake Superior region. Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions and mafic dikes on the property were emplaced during MCR magmatism and controlled by pre-rift structures, including the reactivated Great Lakes Tectonic Zone (GLTZ). Mesoproterozoic (1.11 Ga) mafic-ultramafic rocks on the Project intrude Early Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Baraga group, which are also the host rocks of the Eagle mine. A 4,562 line-km VTEM Plus survey flown by Altius and Bitterroot in 2015 defined 52 target areas and nine discreet, high ranking nickel sulphide targets, several of which have since been validated by ground-based large-loop Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) surveys, but none of which have been drill tested. Prospecting around the targets has identified outcropping ultramafic olivine pyroxenite, which is a favourable host rock for conduit-hosted nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM deposits. Perseverance's team plans to further evaluate, refine, and then drill-test the best of these VTEM targets as soon as possible. All nine high-priority drill targets on the Voyageur Project are readily accessible via paved and gravel access roads. The region contains significant infrastructure to support mining and boasts a straight-forward exploration permitting process. About Perseverance Metals Perseverance Metals is pioneering a best-in-class North American critical minerals exploration company with a carefully curated, growing portfolio of high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM projects in Quebec, Michigan, and Ontario. Perseverance has assembled an industry-leading board of directors, management and technical teams, and an advisory board with mining and capital markets skillsets encompassing greenfield nickel exploration through globally significant nickel discoveries, mine development, and production. Perseverance was created to identify, acquire, and aggressively explore high quality critical mineral assets - with a particular focus on high-grade magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM sulphide projects - in pursuit of discoveries that will definitively achieve critical mass size and grade to advance and attract acquisition. Perseverance's projects include: 1) the Lac Gayot nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM Project, which covers the entirety of the very high-grade Venus Greenstone Belt in Quebec and boasts multiple +8% nickel tenor occurrences; 2) the Voyageur nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM Project which covers 680 square kilometres of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, 65 kilometres west of the only producing nickel mine in the US and; 3) the Armit Lake nickel-copper-cobalt Project, which is the recently consolidated and underexplored western half of the nickel- and gold-rich Savant Lake Greenstone Belt, Ontario. The execution of Perseverance's strategy provides investors with unrivalled exposure to multiple discovery opportunities of some of the most highly sought-after mineral deposits in the modern world. Additional information about Perseverance Metals can be found at perseverancemetals.com. Additional information about Altius Minerals and Bitterroot Resources can be found at altiusminerals.com and bitterrootresources.com. On Behalf of the Board, Michael J. Tucker President, CEO and Director ________________________________ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Perseverance Metals Inc. Michael J. Tucker, President & CEO +1 (778) 834-3528 mtucker@perseverancemetals.com Perseverance Metals Inc. John Foulkes, VP Corporate Development +1 (604) 614-2999 jfoulkes@perseverancemetals.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the British Columbia Securities Act. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent in mining including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; risks associated with the estimation of Mineral Resources and Reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the's expectations; the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labour or interruptions in production; actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic environments; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; and other risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is in addition based on various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum and palladium; that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour and that the political environment where the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Qualified Person Michael J. Tucker P.Geo., President, CEO and Director of Perseverance Metals Inc., and a Qualified Person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for any technical information contained in this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175622 Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - E-Power Resources Inc. (CSE: EPR) ("E-Power" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling on the Company's flagship Tetepisca flake graphite property located in the North Shore region of Quebec. The Company will complete an initial 3,000 metres of diamond drilling (Phase I) to test 3 flake graphite targets prioritized on the property. Based on the results of Phase 1 drilling, the Company intends to initiate Phase II drilling with the objective of delineating a flake graphite deposit to support resource estimation and project development. It is anticipated that 25,000 metres of diamond drilling will be allocated for Phase II. Geologists are currently on the Tetepisca property preparing for the arrival of the diamond drill rig which was mobilized today. The Company anticipates drilling start up this week. About the Tetepisca Property The Tetepisca Property is located approximately 220 km north of the town of Baie-Comeau in the North Shore Region of Quebec. The property consists of 230 claims covering an area of approximately 12,620 hectares within the emerging Tetepisca Graphite District ("TGD"). The TGD is an active graphite exploration and development district with delineated measured and indicated resources in excess of 100 Mt at an average grade of 14% Cg. The Company's Tetepisca property is strategically located over continuous bedrock conductive horizons that are known and interpreted to be due to graphite and which hold significant potential to host flake graphite resources. Exploration work completed by E-Power to date on the Tetepisca property includes geological mapping and prospecting, trenching, outcrop sampling, ground electomagnetic ("EM") surveys, and a property wide magnetic and EM airborne survey. The Company has evaluated its exploration data set as well as all available historical exploration information and has prioritized 5 target areas from which 3 have been priortiized for the current Phase I drill program. Qualified Person Jamie Lavigne, P. Geo, Vice President Exploration and Director for E-Power is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. About E-Power E-Power Resources Inc. is a Quebec Corporation based in Montreal and focused on battery minerals exploration in Quebec. The Company is currently advancing two projects; the Tetepisca property, located in the North Shore region of the Province and the Turgeon property located in the Abitibi region adjacent to the Ontario border. The Company's priority target is flake graphite on the Tetepsica Property. The Turgeon property is located in the prolific Abitibi gold and base metal mining district and the Company is evaluating Turgeon primarily for its copper-zinc and gold potential. For more information about E-Power Resources Inc. please visit the Company website at: e-powerresources.com. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. For information contact: James Cross, CEO, Tel: (438) 701-3736, info@e-powerresources.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175643 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Astra Exploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQB: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) ("Astra" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update of its exploration operations in northern Chile. Highlights: The defining of a drill-ready copper porphyry target consisting of a large, coherent chargeability high corridor coincident with intrusion-related hydrothermal tourmaline breccias at surface On-time advancement of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required for next phase of drilling at Pampa Paciencia gold-silver targets with drill permit expected in Q4, 2023 Fluid inclusion and petrography studies further confirm preservation of the epithermal boiling zone across the entire strike of the Paciencia Vein System, from 50 to 250 metres deep CEO Brian Miller commented: "Over the past several months, Astra geologists have defined a new copper porphyry drill target at Dominador, and further vetted the quality of gold-silver epithermal drill targets at Pampa Paciencia. The large scale and intensity of the integrated geological, geochemical, and geophysical target represents a compelling porphyry target in one of the world's most significant porphyry copper districts, especially given its close proximity to the Spence and Sierra Gorda copper mines. Dominador is a standalone project and can be quickly permitted and drilled in the coming months." Dominador Porphyry Copper Target Astra geologists have defined a north-south striking corridor of 1.7 km x 500 m which is considered highly prospective for porphyry copper systems of the type known at the nearby giant Spence and Sierra Gorda mines. Astra has mapped and assayed surface samples of intrusion-hosted tourmaline-cemented hydrothermal breccias from the Dominador area northeast of Pampa Paciencia (Figure 1). Figure 1: Location of Pampa Paciencia district and Dominador project areas in northern Chile, approximately 15km from Spence and Sierra Gorda mines. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_002full.jpg The Dominador corridor (a combination of the tourmaline breccia outcrops with tourmaline, silicic and argillic alteration) marks the contact of a large diorite to granodiorite intrusion in the east with granite to granodiorites to the west (Figure 2). Figure 2: Dominador geological (A) and alteration (B) maps. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_003full.jpg The Dominador tourmaline breccia (Figure 3) shares characteristics with the multi-phase breccia complex that hosts the nearby Sierra Gorda mine, being characterized by open space fill tourmaline cement mineralized by late hydrothermal fluids. The breccia locally contains clasts of porphyry style quartz veinlets and late silicification and oxide material that could be related with late hydrothermal activity hosted in the tourmaline breccia. Figure 3: Tourmaline breccia samples from Dominador, including mineralized clasts (left), injected by silica (middle) and with interstitial oxides (right). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_004full.jpg The Dominador corridor coincides with the western edge of a large, coherent chargeability high geophysical anomaly defined by reconnaissance IP and follow up pole-dipole IP (Figure 4). Previous explorers completed minor drilling prior to the IP survey, and available data indicates drilling intersected a multi-phase intrusive complex overprinted by the breccia and sericite-pyrite alteration with low level copper. These holes were mostly shallow and not directed towards or intercepting the easternmost geophysical anomaly. The coincidence of the Dominador corridor with the IP chargeability anomaly is encouraging and well-known porphyry sulphide zoning models provide excellent tools for defining vectors to copper-bearing (chalcopyrite and/or bornite) sulphide zones within the overall larger pyritic dominated corridor. Figure 4: Dominador Target geophysics: A) Plan map of reconnaissance IP. B) Pole-Dipole IP section in the southern part of Dominador corridor. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_005full.jpg Pampa Paciencia - Exploration Update The advancement of the EIA continues on schedule and is expected to conclude in Q4 of this year, at which time the Company will receive its permit to continue drilling at the Pampa Paciencia gold-silver project. Astra is currently in the process of responding to questions from the Superintendency of Environment (SMA) and expects to have its answers submitted this week. Management expects there will be one more round of questions from SMA, to which the Company will have until October 7 to respond. To date, no objections to the permit have been raised by authorities or local stakeholders. The Company mobilized equipment and personnel to the project area during the week of March 19th to initiate a field program consisting of trenching, soil sampling, ground penetrating radar (GPR) and mapping with the goal of defining new veins beneath surface subcrop (See March 28 news release.) At Impaciencia Oeste, trenching with heavy equipment (Figure 5) reached a maximum depth of approximately four metres but failed to reach bedrock or vein and the operations were terminated. Company geologists believe it is likely that a vein exists below the bottom of the trenching and drilling will be more cost efficient and effective at locating veins. Figure 5: Trench traces in yellow at Impaciencia (left) and segments completed to a depth of approximately four metres at 1A and 1B (center) and photo of alluvium-caliche profile (right). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_006full.jpg The Paciencia Vein System is a succession of four events with a multi-episodic evolution. Two hydrothermal and tectono-hydrothermal, one tectonic and one supergene event were identified and can be summarized in a paragenetic sequence (Figure 6). Figure 6: Schematic model of vein infill at the Paciencia Vein System. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_007full.jpg Event 1 is composed of two stages: QBC (Colloform banded quartz) formed by quartz and banded silica veinlets and BxQ (Quartz breccia) formed by at least two tectonic-hydrothermal breccia pulses with siliceous cement. Event 2 is composed of two stages: BPA (Bladed calcite & adularia bands) is formed by four successive colloform-crustiform banded and breccia textures composed by recrystallized silica, chalcedony and carbonate pulses accompanied by platy calcite, amethyst, adularia, and sulphides related to dark ginguro bands (Figure 7). BxSi (Siliceous breccia) is a tectonic and hydrothermal breccia with siliceous cement and disseminated sulphides. Event 2 is the main mineralizing event for the Paciencia Vein System. Sulphides (Figure 8) are mainly pyrite and marcasite, with zinc, copper, and lead sulphides. The presence of free gold grains (25 to 50 microns) within the oxidized parts of the veins suggests that this metal is most likely associated with pyrite in the primary zones of the deposit. Highest gold grades were recorded in close association with this BPA pulse; however, the BxQ and BxSi events are also important contributors of gold. Figure 7: Examples of BPA stage from Pampa Paciencia Vein System. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_008full.jpg Figure 8: Ore minerals at the BPA stage from Pampa Paciencia Vein System. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/175625_17e6312134e6b857_009full.jpg Event 3 or BLIM (limonitic breccia) stage represents a post-mineral tectonic breccia with quartz vein and/or host rock clasts in a limonitic matrix. Event 4 or OxMn Veinlet (Mn oxide veinlets) stage is a late event formed by an open network of supergene manganese oxides and gypsum filling veinlets or cavities within the vein system. Mn-oxides may correspond to supergene replacements of previous manganese-rich minerals such as manganocalcite, rhodochrosite or another manganese-bearing gangue mineral. Fluid inclusion studies of different grades and depths (50 m to 250 m below surface) of the mineralizing pulse show an average salinity of 4% NaCla eq., and a temperature of 227.1C which is consistent with a low sulphidation epithermal system. Coexisting gas and liquid bubble indicate boiling processes, compatible with the presence of platy-calcite, colloform banding and adularia in the same event. The positive correlation of temperature and salinity in the fluid inclusions indicates mixing of hydrothermal fluids in addition to boiling as precipitation mechanisms. About Pampa Paciencia Pampa Paciencia is a road-accessible low sulphidation epithermal ("LSE") gold-silver project located within an active mining district less than 15 kilometres from two major mines (Sierra Gorda and Spence) and about five kilometres from the Faride LSE mine. Astra has completed drilling, mapping, and sampling, geophysical surveys, and localized trenching, at the Pampa Paciencia Project, and in doing so has confirmed the discovery of a large, gold-silver epithermal vein system and defined a vein boulder (float) field over approximately 75% of the project area. The veins do not outcrop as the majority of the project area is covered by a thin layer of gravels and caliche, but the vein float can be used to identify areas of high prospectivity. About the Company Astra Exploration Inc. is an exploration company based out of Vancouver, BC. Astra is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of epithermal gold-silver properties in Chile and is building a portfolio of high-quality projects. Astra's current focus is the development of the Pampa Paciencia District. Qualified Person The technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Darcy Marud. Mr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For further information please contact: Brian Miller Chief Executive Officer Tel. 604.428.0939 Email: brian.miller@astra-exploration.com OR Nikki McEachnie Manager of Investor Relations, Marketing & Business Development Tel: 416.209.4940 Email: nikki.mceachnie@astra-exploration.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby and/or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward- looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on the Company's properties; completion of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; receipt of all required regulatory approvals; and marketing initiatives. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, and social risks, contingencies, and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: development of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the Company operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated, or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175625 LONDON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The student housing market has experienced significant growth and transformation, becoming a pivotal sector in the real estate industry. The increasing number of international students, along with the rising demand for high-quality accommodations, has contributed significantly to this trend. However, this growth is accompanied by unique challenges, including the need to meet evolving student preferences, tackle fluctuating demand, and update amenities and services to meet the ever-evolving expectations of students. Download the Amber Student Housing Partners Report 2023 Amber's comprehensive report, "Amber Student Housing Partners Report 2023", offers an in-depth analysis of the current landscape of the student housing market, detailing the trends, growth factors, and challenges that are shaping this dynamic industry. It encompasses a wider exploration of the industry, detailing effective acquisition & expansion strategies, pinpointing the top student source countries, and discussing effective representation, reach, and exploring case studies. It takes the industry's stakeholders through the impact of data-driven strategies, revenue growth solutions, cost-effective marketing strategies, and an integrated booking management system like amber connect. Amber Connect is a comprehensive partner dashboard that simplifies property management and facilitates data-backed strategic decision-making for Amber's property partners. This invaluable tool accredits partners to make informed decisions based on demand volume, booking frequency, and market conditions. "Amber has partnered with over 340+ student housing operators across the UK, USA, Australia, Europe, & other regions. With this vast data, we've been able to create our highly comprehensive report, which will provide valuable insights to all our existing housing partners - existing as well as future. Our ultimate goal is to foster growth and continually improve the student accommodation sector," said Saurabh Goel, CEO and Co-Founder of Amberstudent. According to Mr. Madhur Gujar, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Amberstudent, "Understanding the intricacies of the student housing market is crucial for anyone looking to capitalize on its growth. Our report provides in-depth insights and analysis to stay ahead of trends, make informed decisions, and ultimately drive revenue growth. It's a valuable tool for any stakeholder in the sector." Download the Amber Student Housing Partners Report 2023 to grasp a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly changing landscape of the student housing market. Arm yourself with the knowledge to stay ahead of the competition, maximize your potential market share, reduce costs, and increase revenues with essential resources and tools. About Amber: Founded in 2016 by IIT Kharagpur graduates Saurabh Goel and Madhur Gujar, Amber was born out of the necessity to streamline the intricate process of locating student accommodations abroad. Since its inception, the startup has undergone significant growth and transformation, culminating in a rebranding from AmberStudent to "amber" in 2021. Today, amber is a premier provider of Global Student Housing Solutions, working closely with PBSA, HMOs, and universities, boasting a vast listing of over 1 million verified student housing options, across 140+ cities spanning 25+ countries and 6 regions. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166914/Student_Housing_Partner_Report_2023.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/driving-revenue--growth-in-student-housing-amber-launches-student-housing-partners-report---2023-301890293.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Galleon Gold Corp. (TSXV: GGO) (the "Company" or "Galleon Gold") is pleased to provide an update on its development plans for its 100% owned West Cache Gold Project, Timmins, Ontario (the "Project" or West Cache"). Comment from CEO David Russell, President and CEO of Galleon Gold, commented, "We are entering the final stretch for completion of the detailed engineering design and documentation required for submission of our bulk sample permit application. The underground sample is designed to produce 86,500 tonnes @ 8.13 g/t Au for 22,600 ounces of gold - prior to recoveries. At gold prices above US$1,900 / ounce, we expect gross revenue of C$50 million for this stage of development. Moreover, work from the test mining will feed into pre-feasibility work and at the same time we will have opened up the underground for further development and drilling. The extent of work required to move a project from exploration to advanced stage exploration is significant and the Galleon team has been steadfast in their support of this strategy. We look forward to receiving permits, awarding construction contracts and breaking ground." Bulk Sample Detailed Planning & Engineering The bulk of the Company's detailed design work is nearing completion with the final plans being readied for: 1) inclusion in the permit application documents, and 2) contract bidding process for site preparation, underground ramp construction and ore extraction. Box Cut Design - The Box Cut creates safe access on flat ground as the Decline transitions from glacial cover to hard bedrock and represents the first stage of the excavation process. The last of the lab results from the geo-technical drilling have been received and the Box Cut design is being finalized. Ramp Design - The Ramp design has been completed and includes 1,275 meters of lateral development to reach the Zone #9 ore body - plus an additional 1,250 meters of development for muck bays, substations, drifting, safety bays and ventilation access. Drill Stations for underground exploration will also be included as part of this design. In total, 2,525 meters of underground development have been designed for the Bulk Sample access and extraction. Waste Rock, Ore Production, Handling and Storage Design - The site plan has been completed, designating locations for storage and pond areas. Water balance, surface water studies, wastewater and storm water management plans and hydrogeological assessments for mine dewatering are all being finalized, and this information is being fed into the design of the settling ponds. Stopes - Four stopes on two levels have been designed for approximately 86,500 tonnes of gold mineralization grading 8.13 g/t gold and containing an estimated 22,600 ounces of gold. Ore will be shipped to one of the local mills in the area for processing. Hydro Grid Assessment - The Company has been working with Hydro One to outline the power needs for the Project. Hydro One has completed their initial assessment and have commenced detailed engineering for a planned connection in Q1 2024. Permitting Progress Closure Plan - The Closure Plan is one of the key permit applications that must be approved by the Ontario Ministry of Mines before advanced exploration can commence. The Closure Plan contains an outline of how the Company will remediate the site once it has completed mining activities. Much of the detailed engineering work that is now being completed is feeding into the Closure Plan; plans to rehabilitate any site disturbances from the bulk sample are specifically being addressed in the Closure Plan. The Company is targeting a fall submission of the Plan, followed by a 45-day consultation period before formal approval. Other Permits - In addition to the Closure Plan, the Company is also compiling its permit applications for Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for industrial sewage works and air and noise and Permits to Take Water (PTTW) for surface water and dewatering underground workings - as well as the various construction permits for the development of the property. Consultations - The Company has been providing regular updates to its First Nations communities and in the coming weeks public consultations and inter-ministerial meetings will be conducted in advance of the submission of the Closure Plan. Ongoing Baseline Studies - The Company initiated baseline environmental studies over three years ago and as a result this section of the project definition document is well populated. Baseline studies will be ongoing as the Company continues to test mine, explore and eventually build out the full mine. Technical Content and Qualified Persons The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by David K. Young, P.E., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Galleon Gold Galleon Gold is an exploration and development company focused on advancing the West Cache Gold Project in Timmins, Ontario. The West Cache Gold Project is located 7 km northeast of Pan American Silver's Timmins West Mine and 14 km southwest of Newmont's Hollinger Mine. A 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the project demonstrates strong economics. Detailed engineering design and baseline studies in support of a permit application for an underground bulk sample are underway. For further information: Galleon Gold R. David Russell Chairman and CEO T. (416) 644-0066 info@galleongold.com www.galleongold.com Investor Relations Harbor Access Graham Farrell T. (416) 842-9003 Graham.Farrell@harbor-access.com Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Galleon Gold with respect to its long-term strategy, proposed work, plans and other reports including the PEA for its projects. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the markets in which Galleon Gold operates. Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, expectations, plans, and objectives of Galleon Gold are forward-looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause Galleon Gold's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, risks related to infectious diseases, including Covid-19 and the uncertainty of future exploration activities and cash flows, and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Galleon Gold undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175514 The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Board of Directors Chairman, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, laid the foundation stone, to kick off the construction and equipping of the new library in the University of Sarajevo, funded through a generous $22 million grant provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through SFD. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801896795/en/ Image showcasing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Library of the University of Sarajevo (Photo: AETOSWire) The new library will act as a central hub to connect the university's 28 sub-libraries and will contribute towards enhancing its educational and research capabilities. With a total area of 13,590 square meters, it will be equipped with the latest technology and digital learning tools, helping to future-proof the university, and allowing it to better meet the needs of its students. In total, more than 22,000 male and female students will benefit from the new library, alongside 1,618 staff and faculty members, and 10,000 external beneficiaries. Additionally, the library will play a key role in supporting the advancement of the university's research and innovation capabilities. It will also contribute towards realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4, Quality Education, and SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities. On this occasion, the SFD Board of Directors Chairman, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, stressed that this project is a testament to the collaborative relationship between both countries, stating: "This project reflects the strong and lasting developmental ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began three decades ago. We are confident that the new library will help meet the needs of both male and female students at the University of Sarajevo, and the surrounding community. The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Mr. Nihad Uk, stated in his address: "The building for which we are laying the foundation stone today is significant because it will also be the most visible bridge of friendship between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for this investment. The library is a symbol of knowledge, cultural upliftment, communication, and I believe that our cooperation and friendship will develop precisely in these directions in the future". During the past three decades, SFD has helped to fund 11 projects and development programs in various regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, through soft development loans worth a total of $185 million. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801896795/en/ Contacts: Nawaf Alojrush, +966506110244 alojrush@sep.gov.sa The natural psilocybin microdosing capsules, developed from psilocybin truffles grown in Red Light Holland's farm in The Netherlands, have received the results of the successful final tests required for a Certificate of Analysis. Finalized Certificate of Analysis indicates Red Light Holland's lab tested Truffles meets initial requirement for naturally occurring medical grade microdosing capsules, which NUBU Pharmaceuticals aim to distribute in Australia and New Zealand. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTCQB: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), a company engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws, is excited to announce successful updates regarding its manufacturing plans to create homogenized natural psilocybin microdosing capsules. Further to the announcement on June 19, 2023, CCrest Laboratories Inc. ("CCrest Laboratories"), a Montreal-based cGMP pharmaceutical laboratory that holds a Controlled Drugs & Substances Dealer's License from Health Canada, have finished the final tests required for a full certificate of analysis ("COA") of the capsules developed from Red Light Hollands psilocybin truffles grown in their farm in The Netherlands and imported to Canada under a Health Canada approved psilocybin import license. These final tests have confirmed there are no pesticides or heavy metals in the capsules and that they are free from biocontaminants. As disclosed previously, the natural psilocybin microdosing capsules are intended to be distributed in Australasia by NUBU Pharmaceuticals ("NUBU Pharmaceuticals"), a leading medical cannabis company based in New Zealand with distribution ties to Australia. With the finalized COA, Red Light Holland has now met the requirements needed by NUBU Pharmaceuticals for furthering the goal of distribution, due to the successful results from CCREST, a cGMP testing facility operating under Health Canada licenses which offers extensive chemistry and microbiology testing, stability studies, method development and COA validation. "This is a very significant day - receiving a finalized COA on our naturally occurring grown psilocybin is quite an achievement. Red Light Holland continues to be innovative and groundbreaking. Our goal to produce an excellent standardized natural psilocybin microdosing product that could potentially help many people in new emerging legal markets, is now one step closer. Quite honestly - we are very proud of how far we've come, even though there are still future steps to tackle." said Todd Shapiro, Red Light Holland CEO and Director. "Our great partnership continues to be novel in the psychedelic industry and as far as we know, we are the first company to develop homogenized microdosing capsules from natural psilocybin truffles that have passed through these rigorous tests by regulated labs with qualified technicians." "The success of Red Light Holland's psilocybin microdosing homogenized capsules receiving a finalized COA is very exciting and we are quite pleased with the successful results to date. This is an important stage in developing high quality microdosing capsules with our combined efforts of creating a safe and effective naturally occurring product, as opposed to synthetics, that can hopefully help people and contribute to positive change while hopefully ending stigmas around psychedelics," said Alex Grenier, CEO of Shaman Pharma and President of CCrest Laboratories. Updates on the results of the capsules' stability tests are expected in the near future. Australia has recently, on February 3, 2023, announced a down-listing of psilocybin in its list of controlled substances to allow psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin to patients suffering from treatment resistant depression. The change in scheduling was announced to take effect on July 1, 2023. Red Light Holland and NUBU Pharmaceuticals will work together in efforts to help people in Australia and New Zealand through NUBU Pharmaceuticals' vast network of Doctors and connections with Health Regulators in both New Zealand and Australia. About Red Light Holland Red Light Holland is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws. For additional information on the Company: Todd Shapiro Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: 647-643-TRIP (8747) Email: todd@redlight.co Website: www.RedLight.co About Shaman Pharma Corp. Shaman Pharma is a federally registered Canadian corporation with the mission to power outstanding psychedelic life science innovation. Accelerating time-to-market through its portfolio of assets, Shaman launches and consolidates revenue-driven pharma-biotech life sciences ventures focused on supplying psychedelic drugs & novel active ingredients. About NUBU Pharmaceuticals Formed in 2017, NUBU Pharmaceuticals (New Zealand's largest medicinal cannabis distribution company) specializes in the distribution of therapeutics from the new frontier of medicine, including cannabis and psychedelics. The company also develops New Zealand-made cannabis products for export markets, harnessing two of New Zealand's great strengths, it's innovative culture and unique botanicals. For additional information on the Company: Mark Dye Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer Tel: +649-360 0204 Email: mark.dye@nubupharma.com Website: www.nubupharma.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company's performance, business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing thereof, and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones, including its plans to continue seeking legal opportunities to increase responsible access to natural psilocybin around the world and NUBU Pharmaceutical's distribution of the Company's microsdosing capsules in Australasia; the Company and the Company's partners, including NUBU Pharmaceuticals and CCrest Laboratories, to maintain its stated licenses and obtain all necessary additional licenses and regulatory approval required for the Company to carry out its plans as described, including bringing a microdosing product that has the potential of helping many people; complete stability tests; certificate of analysis meeting requirements for medical grad Government of Australia to down list psilocybin under its controlled substances list and under the stated timelines; the Company's continued commitment to its products for microdosing that can potentially be accessible in emerging legal markets worldwide; and that the Company will provide updates with respect to its continued work with its partners on the microdosing capsules. Forward-looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to maintain or exceed its current performance, and carry out its business objectives and milestones and under the anticipated timing and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company and the Company's partners' abilities, including NUBU Pharmaceuticals and CCrest Laboratories, to maintain its stated licenses and obtain all necessary additional licenses and regulatory approval required for the Company to carry out its plans as described; Complete stability tests. the ability of the Government of Australia to down list psilocybin under its controlled substances list and under the stated timelines; the Company's ability to continue developing its products for microdosing that can potentially be accessible in emerging legal markets worldwide; and the Company's ability to provide updates with respect to its continued work with its partners on the microdosing capsules. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to maintain or exceed its current performance, and carry out its business objectives and milestones and under the anticipated timing and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company and the Company's partners' inabilities, including NUBU Pharmaceuticals and CCrest Laboratories, to maintain its stated licenses and obtain all necessary additional licenses and regulatory approval required for the Company to carry out its plans as described; the inability for the Company to export it homogenized microdosing capsules, the potential for NUBU Pharmaceuticals to accept the COA by CCrest labs, the inability of the Government of Australia or Government of New Zealand to down list psilocybin under its controlled substances list and under the stated timelines; the Company's inability to continue developing its products for microdosing that can potentially be accessible in emerging legal markets worldwide; and the Company's inability to provide updates with respect to its continued work with its partners on the microdosing capsules. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175639 Cato Networks' Rauch has been named a top 25 channel sales leader for a seventh consecutive year. The award reflects the significant investment in talent and technology Cato has made in the channel. TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, provider of the world's leading single-vendor SASE platform, today announced that CRN, a leading technology news and information source for solution providers, IT channel partners, and value-added resellers, has named Frank Rauch, Global Channel Chief, to its exclusive 2023 Top 100 Executives list and a sub-category of Top 25 Channel Sales Leaders. The honor attests to the investment Cato has made and continues to make in its channel team and programs. Rauch is responsible for driving Cato Networks' global channel ecosystem, enabling partners everywhere to profit from the enterprise shift to cloud-native networking and security. With more than 30 years of leadership experience, he has successfully led, developed, managed, and grown global partner ecosystems at Check Point, VMware, and HPE. Rauch has also led field sales, inside sales, and strategy organizations. He and his teams have been recognized with more than 150 channel awards, and he has been personally recognized with 17 CRN Channel Chiefs awards, a Lifetime Achievement award, and has been ranked consistently in the 50 Most Influential Executives. This year marks Rauch's seventh consecutive year to be named by CRN to its Top 100 Executives List. "I believe this recognition validates Cato Networks as a 'channel-first SASE company,' a company who considers positive channel impact in everything we do from a SASE Cloud solution to go-to-market, to mutual customer success," said Rauch. "No one receives this award on individual merit. It is an acknowledgment of Cato Networks as a SASE company and a SASE channel team. Since joining Cato Networks, we have accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time." Cato partnered with Windstream Enterprise, a leading managed communications service provider, to deliver the first comprehensive managed SASE solution in North America. Windstream Enterprises also launched its Cato-based SSE solution. Overall, contributing partners increased by 38% YoY and partner registered deals for new customers grew by 70% YoY. Cato was also recognized for its channel excellence by leading Technology Service Distributors (TSDs). AVANT awarded Cato the "Top Supplier for SD-WAN," Intelisys awarded Cato the "Top Sales Engineering Team," and Telarus recognized Cato as the "Top Supplier for Cybersecurity." Rauch added, "It is an incredible honor, and I am humbled to be named for a seventh consecutive year as a Top 25 Channel Sales Leader, which I am told is unprecedented and a record. This award is all about trust, execution, and consistency. The things I am most proud of are the 20+ colleagues whom I have mentored to be Channel Chiefs and the lasting friendships I have made with so many partner executives." CRN's Top 100 Executives list acknowledges the tech visionaries who are setting the pace for the IT industry. It honors executives across four sub-categories: the 25 Most Influential Executives, Top 25 Channel Sales Leaders, Top 25 Innovators, and Top 25 Disrupters, each with its own set of strengths that impact the IT channel. "It is the bold and decisive who continue to dominate our annual list in the technology world," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "Those featured on our CRN 2023 Top 100 Executives list demonstrate perpetual commitment to business growth, partner success, and IT innovation and aren't afraid to push boundaries - even in a time of economic uncertainty." "To me, Frank is the essence of integrity in this complex IT world, a trusted partner who not only embraces collaboration but also clearly comprehends the value of true partnership, said Joe Koenig, President of World Wide Technology. "Above all, he is a remarkable individual and a great friend to both me and the wider community." The Top 100 Executives list and four sub-categories will be featured in the August 2023 issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/Top100 . Digital Assets [Photo] Frank Rauch Frank Rauch [Image] ?Cato Networks logo? ?Cato Networks logo? [Image] CRN logo Supporting Resources Read about Cato Networks. Read Cato News. Read about Frank Rauch. Read CRN story: Channel Stalwart Frank Rauch Jumps to Cato Networks to Drive SASE Sales Through Partners. story: Channel Stalwart Frank Rauch Jumps to Cato Networks to Drive SASE Sales Through Partners. Read the Cato Blog. For more information about Cato's news and activities, follow the company via?Twitter,?LinkedIn,?Facebook,?Instagram, and?YouTube.? About Cato Networks Cato provides the world's most robust single-vendor SASE platform, converging Cato SD-WAN and a cloud-native security service edge, Cato SSE 360, into a global cloud service. Cato SASE Cloud optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations everywhere. Using Cato, customers easily replace costly and rigid legacy MPLS with modern network architecture based on SD-WAN, secure and optimize a hybrid workforce working from anywhere, and enable seamless cloud migration. Cato enforces granular access policies, protects users against threats, and prevents sensitive data loss, all easily managed from a single pane of glass. With Cato, businesses are ready for whatever's next.?? 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 unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter and LinkedIn. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/frank-rauch-of-cato-networks-recognized-on-crns-2023-top-100-executives-list-301887535.html Private Help Center and real-person support in every user account Vilnius, Lithuania--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - EasyStaff, a freelance management platform, has added Help Center into clients' accounts. Alongside fully real-person customer support that has been in place ever since the platform began operating, the Help Centers make using EasyStaff even more easy and convenient. EasyStaff To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/175245_easystaff1en.jpg Edward Galimov, Product Manager at EasyStaff, explains that the Help Center has been a widely requested change, as frequent customer reviews and feedback indicate. The team took several months to consolidate the available information into a user-friendly database that can be easily accessed through personal accounts. Within the database, there is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively manage freelancers and contractors on the platform. Additionally, customers can access information regarding balance top-ups and associated fees, legal and tax matters, transferring intellectual property rights, and currency conversion. There is no doubt that, although being user-friendly, the platform needs to have a structured knowledge hub to make money transfers easy for users. The goal of EasyStaff is to make labor offshore safe and legal for all parties. Labor offshore is a business practice where part of business processes is moved to places with lower salaries and taxes, and simpler labor laws. It is crucial to mention that labor offshore is not a questionable DIY strategy. Instead, it is a popular solution that is fully legal if carried out in compliance with national and international labor laws. Apart from the newly launched Help Center, Evgeniy Fyodorov, a co-founder of EasyStaff, shares that the company has recently celebrated its second birthday. "The day marked a huge milestone for us. Over the past two years since EasyStaff was founded, we transferred over 30 MLN EUR to more than 1,600 freelancers. The figures are mind-blowing, and the reason we are thrilled to present them is that more and more companies welcome labor offshore and turn to transfer management services, like us, to grow more competitive." EasyStaff is a service designed to automate document workflow and payments for remote employees and freelancers worldwide. Feel free to contact us through the website and book a call to find out more. EasyStaff Customer Success Manager Arina Kozlova is available at hi@easystaff.io and at +370 661 10 153. EasyStaff is found at V. Nageviciaus st. 3, Vilnius, Lithuania, LT-08237. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175245 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - K9 Gold Corp. (TSXV: KNC) (FSE: 5GP) (OTCQB: WDFCF) ("K9" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that crews have mobilized to carry out the planned summer field program on the Company's JB Lithium Project in the James Bay Region of northern Quebec. The project covers 6692 Ha in 130 claims. GroundTruth Exploration, of Dawson City, YK, has been contracted to complete rock and soil sampling coverage of all the claims, along with prospecting and mapping. The crews will be based out of Camp Otish, with helicopter support. A planned LiDAR and photogrammetry survey has been delayed because of the wild fire situation in the region and will be completed as soon as flying conditions are suitable. Jeff Poloni, President and CEO of K9 commented, "We are very excited to finally get boots on the ground for our fully funded exploration program in a region that has become extremely prolific for lithium discoveries." About JB Lithium Project The JB Lithium Project is located in the La Grande sub-province of the Archaean Superior Province in Quebec, and comprises three units, the Riviere Salomon property (see Company release November 15, 2022 for property details), the Lac Joubert - Tilly property (see Company release May 25, 2023) and the Lac Laribosiere-Tilly property (see Company release June 13, 2023 for details). About K9 Gold Corp K9 Gold Corp has assembled a highly-experienced and dynamic team to explore its JB Lithium Project. K9 also operates the Stony Lake Gold Project in central Newfoundland. The project has been acquired from District Copper Corp by an option agreement, whereby K9 can earn up to a 100% interest in the project (see Company release dated July 30, 2020). The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Desert Eagle Vanadium-Uranium project located in the historic Henry Mountains Mining District in SE Utah. The area has seen extensive historic vanadium and uranium mining and is close to Anfield Energy Inc's Shootaring Canyon mill. To ensure a safe workplace environment that protects the health and safety of employees and contractors, K9 Gold follows all federally and provincially mandated and recommended guidelines regarding Covid 19. Chris M. Healey, P. Geo, Chief Geologist and a Director of K9 Gold Corp., is the qualified person under NI 43-101 guidelines who is responsible for the technical content of this release and approves its release. Toll Free Number: (833) 434-GOLD (4653) Kosta Tsoutsis Director K9 Gold Corp. email: kosta@k9goldcorp.com Telephone: 604 808-9134 Brian Morrison Chief Financial Officer and Director K9 Gold Corp. email: brian@k9goldcorp.com telephone: 604 312-6910 The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. 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. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding K9's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits K9 will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including K9's inability to identify transactions having satisfactory terms or at all and the results of exploration or review of properties that K9 does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and K9 assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175482 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or the "Company") announces that it has commenced a ground electromagnetic and magnetic survey on its Still Nickel Project, located 35km northwest of La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Forum's 11,411 hectare property covers the favourable geological trend for large nickel deposits to the northeast of the historical 245,000 ton Clam (Howard) Lake nickel deposit grading 1% nickel, 0.4% copper and 0.04% cobalt* (Figure1). Figure 1 The Still Nickel Project located at the margin of the Rottenstone and La Ronge Domains. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/175493_38777a5624df9a2a_003full.jpg The Clam (Howard) Lake Nickel Deposit was drilled from 1969 to 1971. Nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization is hosted in a sill-like, wedge-shaped ultramafic body, grading outwards from pyroxenite to gabbro and hornblendite. In 2008, a Geotech Airborne VTEM and magnetic survey was completed by a previous operator that identified over 20 conductors extending 10 km northeast of the Howard Lake Deposit. Forum staked the property in 2021 and collected 63 soil samples and 41 rock samples in 2022 for nickel, copper and cobalt analysis over selected target areas based on electromagnetic conductivity and magnetic response. The central area of the property identified anomalous soil geochemistry which is to be surveyed by a ground geophysical survey. A total of 24 line kilometres of Max-Min (HLEM) survey and 14.8 line kilometres of GPS walking magnetometer survey are planned to cover the area of interest. Results are expected in September and are intended to identify drill targets. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Forum's President & CEO, Richard J. Mazur, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results. *A historical resource estimate which was not prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). While the Company believes the historical estimate to be relevant and reliable , a qualified person has not completed sufficient work to verify and classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. As such, the historical estimate should not be relied upon. About Forum Energy Metals Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is a diversified energy metal company with uranium, copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Canada's Number One Rated mining province for exploration and development, a strategic uranium land position in Nunavut and a strategic cobalt land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. For further information: https://www.forumenergymetals.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo. President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information contact: Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO mazur@forumenergymetals.com Tel: 604-630-1585 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175493 The Company is fully funded and ready to commence its first drilling program since acquiring the project in April Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has submitted a drilling permit application for the next phase of drilling at the high-grade Nora silver-gold property (the "Property") in the state of Durango, Mexico. Figure 1: Location of Nora property and other mines and deposits in the region. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7232/175554_d3c427120449fa2f_001full.jpg "With the surface rights agreements in place, we look forward to starting our inaugural exploration campaign on the Nora property once the drilling permit is received," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar. "Multiple drilling contractors have visited the Property, and we are currently evaluating their bids." Silver Dollar can acquire a 100% interest in the Nora property under an option agreement with Canasil Resources Inc. Situated in the Eastern Sierra Madre sub-province, in the transition to the high plateau of Mexico, the Property lies centrally within the "Silver Trend" that runs from the northwest to the southeast through Durango State. Significant deposits in the region include Endeavour Silver's Guanacevi mine and Fresnillo's San Julian mine on-trend to the northwest, with Endeavour Silver's Pitarrilla Project approximately 50 kilometres (km) to the east. Pitarrilla is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in the world and was discovered by Perry Durning and Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, who serve as Silver Dollar's technical advisors. Figure 2: Nora property looking north at the main outcrop of the Candy vein structure. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7232/175554_d3c427120449fa2f_002full.jpg The geological setting is a Tertiary-aged volcanic flow-dome complex. Gold-silver mineralization is hosted within two structurally controlled epithermal veins, Candy and Nora. Drilling by Canasil in 2020 and 2021 was the first on the Property, with 3,296 metres (m) drilled over 13 holes to test the Candy vein structure. All 13 drill holes cut the mineralized vein structure, returning wider high-grade gold and silver intercepts within the central 200-metre zone tested. Only 500 m of the potential 3-km strike of the Candy vein structure has been drill tested, and only to a depth of 250 m below surface. The consistently high gold and silver grades and relatively low base metal values, confirm the upper levels of a robust gold-silver mineralized system within the Candy structure, which is open for significant expansion along strike and to depth where grade and thickness appear to be increasing. See Silver Dollar's news release of May 24, 2023, for selected highlights of drill results and additional information on the exploration targets on the Property. Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the information on the Nora Property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work. About Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that completed its initial public offering in May 2020 and is fully funded for its 2023 exploration plans with approximately $5 million in the treasury. The Company's primary projects lie within the prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt and include the advanced exploration stage La Joya Silver Property and the recently discovered Nora Silver-Gold Property, both located in the state of Durango, Mexico. The Company has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Michael Romanik" Michael Romanik, President, CEO & Director Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Direct line: (204) 724-0613 Email: mike@silverdollarresources.com 179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416 Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9 Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175554 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Homerun Resources Inc. (TSXV: HMR) ("Homerun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has executed a confidentiality commitment document dated July 26, 2023, between Homerun and Companhia Baiana de Pesquisa Mineral (CBPM) with the intent to complete due diligence and to negotiate the proposal terms for Homerun to explore and develop additional HPQ silica resources controlled by CBPM in Belmonte, Bahia, Brazil, near the Port of Ilheus. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4082/175642_e2a262db6464fa5e_001full.jpg The confidentiality commitment document was signed between the president of CBPM, Henrique Carballal, the technical director of CBPM, Manoel Barretto and Brian Leeners, CEO of Homerun. About CBPM Companhia Baiana de Pesquisa Mineral (CBPM) is the mineral research and development company of the State of Bahia, Brazil. Its activities are centered on expanding and improving geological knowledge of the Bahian territory, by identifying and researching its mineral resources and promoting their use by attracting private initiatives to this end. Founded on December 18, 1972, CBPM is recognized as one of the most dynamic companies in mineral research in Brazil. The collection of geological data and information, generated and disseminated by it has contributed to making the State of Bahia one of the best studied and geologically known Brazilian states, highlighting the great diversity of its geological environments and mineral deposits. CBPM's stated mission is to promote the development of the mineral sector in the State of Bahia with technical, economic and social efficiency, in harmony with the preservation of the environment. High-Purity Quartz (HPQ) Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals and occurs in many different geological settings. However, very few deposits are suitable for HPQ applications. Therefore, HPQ silica sand has become one of today's most sought-after key strategic minerals for applications in high-tech industries, including semiconductors, photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar panels, high temperature lamp tubing, telecommunication & optics, microelectronics, and, energy storage applications. As these industries continue to experience rapid growth and technological advancements, the demand for high purity quartz is expected to rise significantly. The prospects for HPQ are promising. Emerging technologies, such as advanced semiconductors, current and next-generation solar, and high-performance electronics, will increasingly rely on HPQ in their manufacturing processes. Moreover, as environmental concerns drive the shift towards renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, the demand for HPQ in solar and other clean energy applications is expected to rise. By strategically investing in HPQ supply now, HMR is positioned to capitalize on these future opportunities and maintain a strong market presence in the years to come. About Homerun Resources Homerun Resources is focused on the development of its business within the critical and energy materials sectors. With a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and building shareholder value, Homerun Resources Inc. is poised to make a lasting impact in these industries. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Homerun Resources Inc. "Brian Leeners" Brian Leeners, CEO & Director brianleeners@gmail.com / +1 604-862-4184 (WhatsApp) FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175642 ALAMEDA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Delve Fonts LLC announced Tuesday the immediate availability of the new typeface Loniki by award winning designer, author, and educator Steven Skaggs. All popular font formats are ready for licensing at the company's website at https://delvefonts.com/fonts/loniki Introducing Loniki A title card announcing Loniki. "Loniki" is the nickname locals use for their beloved ancient city - Thessaloniki - in Greece. The basis for Loniki is an inscription from the 5th century with rational geometry and sinuous curves that embodies the blend of cultures prevalent in the region at the time. The inscribed letterforms suggest a stirring mix of masculine and feminine, east and west, classical, byzantine and gothic. This admixture is highly emblematic - not only of late antiquity but of our own time as well. Available in two styles: Regular and Symbols, Loniki is a distinctive, beautiful, and versatile display font. The large glyph repertoire of Loniki supports 229 languages, including Greek, Polytonic Greek, Coptic, Vietnamese, and a panoply of African languages. Loniki allows for shifting stylistic expression to a remarkable degree simply by selecting among the discretionary ligatures and plentiful glyph alternates to easily change the mood. Loniki Symbols provides more than 140 symbols, devices, and ornaments including astronomical, alchemical, esoterica, vines, Greek keys, and runes. Steven Skaggs' work has always focused on the intersection of verbal and visual signs. He notes that nowhere is that intersection more exposed than in the written and typographic word. Author of several books, an accomplished calligrapher, typographer, and design theorist, Skaggs studied calligraphy and typography under Hermann Zapf. His calligraphic artworks are in the collections of the Klingspor Museum, the Sackner Archive of Visual and Concrete Poetry, and the Akademie der Kunst. Skaggs was head of the graphic design program at the University of Louisville for 40 years and continues educating with workshops in the United States and internationally. He was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Type Design in the 2010 TDC2 for his typeface Rieven Uncial. Skaggs' latest book is The Hidden Factor: Mark and Gesture in Visual Art and Design (MIT Press, 2023). Founded in 1996, Delve Fonts believes enhancing the visual expression of human language improves communication; there should be typefaces for every message and every voice. Our beautiful award-winning typefaces are original and well-crafted with broad language support. Delve Fonts is located on the island of Alameda, in the San Francisco Bay Area offering new, original retail typefaces like Baudot Tuppence, and Sketchnote. Delve Fonts also designs custom typefaces for clients like Beleren for Magic: The Gathering by Hasbro and the free, open-source type family Overpass sponsored by Google and Red Hat, Inc. ### For more information about this topic, email: news@delvefonts.com. Contact Information Delve Withrington Founder news@delvefonts.com 1.510.883.3358 SOURCE: Delve Fonts LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771475/Delve-Fonts-Releases-Loniki-a-New-Typeface-by-Steven-Skaggs Watch the Trader Bacon show here . AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Apex Trader Funding is a Texas-based proprietary (prop) trading platform that has positioned itself as a leader in the sector. Prop trading firms allow investors to trade markets with the firm's funds instead of their own. This option is particularly attractive for beginning or experienced traders who don't have sufficient funds for trading or don't want the risk of trading all their funds. Apex Trader Funding has been establishing itself at the forefront of prop firms since its founding in 2021. The firm has seen the creation of over 215,000 accounts this year alone and has a very active trading community and has paid traders more in the last 90 days than the closest competition has paid in the last three years. The firm has a generous compensation rate, with traders receiving 100% of the first $25,000 per account with up to twenty trading accounts open at once. After that, traders get 90% of the earnings, with two payouts per month and no cap on a maximum payout. Since 2022, Apex Trader Funding has issued over $24 million in compensation to customers , with an average monthly compensation of $3 million since January 2023. It does all this while maintaining very few, straightforward rules for its traders to follow. Its rules are: traders can't hit their trailing drawdown; they must hit and maintain the account profit target; they must trade for a minimum of 7 days; they have to close by 4:59 pm ET; and they can't let anybody else trade with their account. The company has such few rules because it believes that traders perform their best when they have the freedom to follow their instinct and take advantage of trading situations as they arise. The Prop Firm By Traders For Traders The number of those interested in day trading has increased over the years, with millions of investors around the globe actively involved in the world of trading. Prop firms have also seen a rise in popularity, as they provide traders with a number of tangible benefits . These include providing access to capital, giving traders education and mentorship on how to succeed in the market, and helping traders to manage their risk and exposure. However, some prop firms will take advantage of traders, limiting their access to payouts and restricting their activity with complex, in-house regulations. Apex Trader Funding was founded by Darrell Martin after he got frustrated with the policies and restrictions he ran into at other prop firms. Part of the core DNA of the company is embodied in the motto, "Traders Helping Traders," and his vision was to create a prop firm that genuinely supported traders in achieving success in the market. Apex Trader Funding is now one of the fastest-growing prop trader firms in the industry. The company just launched its new live-streamed show, 'Trader Bacon.' The show is created in collaboration with Benzinga - one of the leading news sites for retail investors. Hosted by veteran trader Gates Adams, Trader Bacon will provide investors with actionable trading tips and insight from everyday, ordinary retail traders and is part of the company's commitment to supporting its community with a wealth of practical resources. Click here to watch Trader Bacon! Interested traders can try out Apex Trader Funding's simple, one-step evaluation process to get started today . Learn more about how Apex Trader Funding is empowering traders globally . Featured photo by Tech Daily on Unsplash . Contact: Cameron Nish cameron@apextraderfunding.com SOURCE: Apex Trader Funding View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771465/Minimal-Rules-Maximized-Funds-With-24-Million-Paid-Out-In-Compensation-Apex-Trader-Funding-Has-Become-The-Leading-Futures-Prop-Firm COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly more popular as a clean energy solution, and manufacturing names like Tesla have become associated with the meteoric rise of battery-powered vehicles. Globally in 2022, EV sales passed a record 10 million , and in the U.S. and it is expected that 1 million EVs will be sold in 2023. As governments and economies across the globe look to decrease carbon emissions, batteries present an attractive opportunity to decarbonize transportation, energy storage systems and more, with batteries finding a wide range of applications. However, renewable battery technologies are dependent on critical raw materials - minerals that are essential for the green energy transition like lithium, copper, nickel and cobalt. Increasingly there are Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) concerns around the sourcing of these materials. These concerns led the European Union to pass the " Critical Raw Materials Act " in March of 2023 in an effort to provide a stable and sustainable supply chain for these materials. A similar sentiment in America has increased interest in domestic sourcing of these critical minerals . Companies that have domestic mines for critical minerals have received attention, including Grid Battery Metals Inc. (OTCQB:EVKRF)(TSX.V:CELL), Surge Battery Metals and Century Lithium. ESG-Friendly Mining Grid Battery Metals Inc. (OTCQB:EVKRF)(TSX.V:CELL) is looking to become a leader in the domestic mining sector. The British Columbia-based company has several decades of experience in the sector and is focused on mining the key critical minerals lithium and nickel. Grid Battery Metals is focused on lithium and nickel both because of their importance for renewable energy solutions and the increased demand that is predicted for these minerals. It is anticipated that close to 30% of vehicles will have lithium-ion batteries by 2030, partly a result of the decreased cost of these batteries which makes them an attractive choice for manufacturers. It has multiple mining operations, such as the Clayton Valley Project and the Volt Canyon Project, and it recently expanded in Nevada with the Texas Spring property. The Texas Spring Project is adjacent to Surge's Nevada North Lithium Project, which has identified lithium-rich deposits in its initial drilling. In 2022, the drilling program found the area had a lithium content of 3254 parts per million (ppm); any lithium deposit above 100 ppm is considered encouraging. Nevada has also been ranked as the world's top jurisdiction for mining investment , making it an ideal location for Grid Battery Metals to expand its mining operations. Grid Battery Metals recently announced additional financing to support its activity in the coming year. The company secured CA$3 million through a private placement, which along with the CA$4.5 million it has in the bank and CA$3.6 million it holds in marketable securities, brings the company's funds to over CA$8 million. Mr. Tim Fernback, Company President & CEO, commented on the news , "We are very pleased to complete this significant financing for our Company and I am happy to state that we are now fully funded going into the 2023 and 2024 mineral exploration seasons. We will use these additional funds for continued exploration efforts on our existing mineral properties and to add additional strategic Lithium exploration properties to our mineral portfolio in the near future." Learn more about Grid Battery Metals here . Featured photo by Pixabay on Pexels . Contact: TD Media dba Life Water Media - David Pena info@lifewatermedia.com SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771470/As-ESG-Requirements-Promote-Onshoring-Of-Critical-Mineral-Mining-This-Company-With-Multiple-Projects-In-Worlds-Most-Mining-Friendly-Jurisdiction-Could-Be-One-To-Watch Ignitis Group's subsidiary, Ignitis Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its New Markets Fund, have signed an agreement to collaborate exclusively on offshore wind opportunities in Estonia and Latvia. The partnership leverages Ignitis Group's leading market position in the Baltic region and CIP's global offshore wind expertise. COPENHAGEN, Denmark and VILNIUS, Lithuania, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Estonia's adoption of a legal framework for offshore wind site allocation has paved the way for the utilization of extensive offshore wind potential. Meanwhile, Latvia continues to advance the development of legislation to realize their vast offshore wind potential. CIP and Ignitis Group, together with their affiliates, aim to become an active and long-term partner for the energy transition in the Baltic region, supporting Estonia and Latvia's decarbonization targets and energy security ambitions through the deployment of offshore wind. CIP and Ignitis Group will support efforts to develop an offshore wind industry in Estonia and Latvia, focusing on the establishment of a local knowledge hub and workforce to boost employment opportunities in this growing sector. Maximizing local economic benefits is key to establishing a long-term footprint and sustainable investment environment. Partner in CIP and Head of the New Markets Fund, Ole Kjems Srensen states: "With today's announcement, we are taking an important step in contributing to a sustainable and secure energy future for the Baltic region through our New Markets Fund. Alongside our local partner Ignitis Group, one of the largest renewable energy generators in the Baltic region, CIP aims to explore opportunities that tap into Estonia's and Latvia's substantial growth potential across renewable technologies including Power-to-X. CIP believes offshore wind has the potential to play a critical role in both nations achieving their targets and transforming the Baltic region into a long-term, self-sustained green energy hub. CEO of Ignitis Group, Darius Maikstenas says: "We see the Baltic States as leaders of renewable energy in the future and Ignitis Group is set to lead this regional transition. A strategic partnership with CIP, the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind will allow us to be on strong footing as we develop offshore projects in Estonia and Latvia. In the updated long-term corporate strategy, which was presented in May this year, we describe the energy sector as an ecosystem and our commitment to maximize sustainable value. Thus, we are updating our purpose, which is creating a 100 percent green and secure energy ecosystem for current and future generations. Our strategy focuses on delivering 4-5 GW of installed green and flexible capacities by 2030." About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X. CIP manages 11 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 25 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 140 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 11 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com. About Ignitis Group Renewables-focused integrated utility Ignitis Group is one of the largest energy groups in the Baltic region. By developing a low-carbon generation portfolio with the focus on offshore wind, onshore hybrid, Power-to-X and storage technologies while leveraging an integrated business model, Ignitis Group is enabling the green and flexible capacity build-out and is planning to deliver 4-5 GW of installed capacities by 2030. Ignitis Group is strengthening the contribution to Europe's decarbonization and energy security in our region and targeting to reach net zero emissions by 2040-2050. The Group's purpose is to create a 100% green and secure energy ecosystem for current and future generations. For more information, visit www.ignitisgroup.com. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) Tuesday announced the restart of the hot mill at its Sinton Texas Flat Roll Steel Mill on July 28. The facility has been shut after an unplanned outage since July 1. In another announcement, the company said it has signed a Renewable Product Purchase Agreement with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. The major deal is for a new wind farm project in Scurry County, Texas with a projected repurchase of 308 megawatts. The wind farm project is expected to produce approximately 1.1 million MWh of electricity annually. By 2025, the company is planning to use 10 percent renewable electricity, with a long-term goal for the reduction of Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Planet Home Lending, a national mortgage lender and servicer, has selected insurtech leader Mylo to provide home insurance options to its borrowers. Planet Home Lending's customers will be able to use Mylo's award-winning Amplifi? insurance intelligence platform to comparison shop and take advantage of better insurance options. Planet Home Lending features a streamlined home loan experience. Embedding Mylo into this experience enables Planet Home Lending to bring the same speed and ease to home insurance shopping. Whether Mylo customers shop online or with a licensed advisor, their patented Mind of Mylo recommendation engine identifies coverage options, matches customers with specialized carriers and quotes policies. Homeowners who let their insurance policies automatically renew without comparing other options may miss opportunities to pay less or obtain more complete coverage. They may continue a policy that doesn't cover recent renovations or additional valuables - or respond to changing insurance requirements. Mylo helps shield customers from surprise expenses by quoting favorable combinations of coverage and price. "We care about helping people achieve the dream of homeownership," said Michael Dubeck, CEO and President of Planet Financial Group, parent of Planet Home Lending. "We also want to ensure homeowners select insurance that will continue to protect their investment." In addition to home insurance, Mylo is a one-stop shop connecting Planet Home Lending's borrowers with personalized coverage for a wide range of needs - including auto, motorcycle/recreational vehicles, life, business insurance and more. Planet Home Lending and Mylo each deliver exceptional customer experiences and have earned customer NPSs (satisfaction scores) above 90 (from -100 to 100.) "Homeowners may not always know what coverage they need - or have an easy way to evaluate new options and switch to something better. Mylo automates that task for today's busy homeowners," said Mylo CEO David Embry. "We're proud to enhance Planet Home Lending's outstanding services with our guided insurance shopping experience." About Mylo Mylo is an insurtech leader with an insurance intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates into partner experiences to connect business owners and individuals with top-rated insurance products from multiple carriers, including business, auto, home, small group benefits, life and individual health. Backed by Group 1001, the global investor with a powerful commitment to technology-driven insurance transformation, Mylo delivers personalized coverage recommendations and ideal solutions online or over the phone with licensed agents. For more information, go to www.ChooseMylo.com About Planet Home Lending, LLC Planet Home Lending, LLC, Meriden, Conn., (NMLS #17022) is a national mortgage lender and servicer delivering exceptional customer experiences to homeowners and homebuyers. Planet Home Lending, LLC, is an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about Planet Home Lending, LLC, please visit https://planethomelending.com. Contact Information Maddie Hirsch Caliber Corporate Advisers Mylo@calibercorporateadvisers.com SOURCE: Mylo View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771356/Planet-Home-Lending-Selects-Digital-Platform-Mylo-As-Their-Exclusive-Home-Insurance-Solution Windstream Wholesale (Windstream), an optical technology leader in fast and flexible advanced solutions, announced today a cooperation agreement with ConnectiviTree (Europe) AG ("ConnectiviTree".) Under this agreement, Windstream will leverage access to the planned ConnectiviTree pan-European network and the wider ConnectiviTree Global Alliance Network. This partnership will allow Windstream to offer enhanced high-speed optical transport to their service provider partners and their large enterprise customers, expanding their global services and enabling high-speed optical transport for the ConnectiviTree fiber network footprint in the United States. Windstream Wholesale has an impressive U.S. network presence, continuously expanding with multiple fiber construction builds underway, including the Beach Route, a new build from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, of 864 count fiber and 651 route miles; CanAm2, another new build from New York City to Montreal of 432 count fiber and 455 route miles, and an extension of its T-Rock Express route from Tulsa to Little Rock, Arkansas, into Memphis for 432 count fiber and 472 route miles. With another major initiative to increase data center connections for further network expansion, Windstream Wholesale's network footprint is expanding and strengthening to meet current and future customer demand. Windstream's innovative Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) provides open and disaggregated networking infrastructure, enabling wholesale and enterprise technology customers to select unique custom routes, maintain operational insights with Windstream's Network Intelligence functions, and place their networks closer to the edge to better serve end-users. Their long-haul optical networks that currently provide up to 400G wave services and will support 800G transmission in the future and cutting-edge, customer-facing iconnect portal combined with a radically transparent, fast flexible mindset are the optimal addition to ConnectiviTree and their Global Alliance. "We are proud that ConnectiviTree has selected Windstream Wholesale to support the build of their special network design and are delighted to join their innovative Global Alliance partner network," said John Nishimoto, senior vice president of products, marketing and strategy at Windstream Wholesale. "Their product offering and network will expand our premium services to customers internationally, including routes, options, and features not currently available." "We are excited about this partnership with Windstream, because of what Windstream represents within the North American market for the ConnectiviTree Global Alliance, as well as the increased reach and functionality we can bring to Windstream customers. This fits very well into our network expansion and further leverages our pan-European core network build in support of our European customer sales channel base," said Paul Cox, ConnectiviTree president and CEO. "We believe the Windstream ConnectiviTree alliance will unlock a multitude of emerging business, supporting a long-term relationship between our two rapidly moving companies." About Windstream Wholesale Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream Wholesale is an innovative optical technology leader that creates deep partnerships with carriers, content and media providers, federal government agencies and Fortune 100 companies to deliver fast and flexible, customized wave and transport solutions. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream. Category: Wholesale About ConnectiviTree ConnectiviTree (Europe) AG is an independent and neutral data transport network provider that has designed and is currently building a layer 1 and 2 fiber-based data transfer network solution for large Enterprise customers. The ConnectiviTree network design and specifications will support fast and secure data transport with capacities of up to 200 terabits between major cities, starting in Western Europe and is designed to be sold as NaaS, CaaS and SaaS (Network, Capacity and Spectrum as a Service) through channel partners: Telecoms (Data Carrier), System Integrators and Data Center Operators. ConnectiviTree's network design, business model, and planned white label functionality, easy order and rapid provisioning creates a scalable and low-cost business opportunity for our channel partners to address the rapidly growing market for global transport of data for large Enterprise. To help capture demonstrated demand, ConnectiviTree plans to connect over 250 Points of Presence within Europe and beyond. www.connectivitree.com info@connectivitree.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731773169/en/ Contacts: Windstream Wholesale Media Contact Scott Morris, 501-748-5342 scott.l.morris@windstream.com ConnectiviTree Media Contact Eugen Gebhard, +49 160 6190165 Eugen.gebhard@connectivitree.com YOTEL and JetBlue are teaming up to launch a new partnership that brings rewards and points accrual benefits to TrueBlue and Mosaic loyalty members NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- YOTEL - the global hospitality brand known for affordable luxury without compromising comfort - announces a new partnership with JetBlue to take travel and loyalty to new heights. Beginning August 1, 2023, the partnership will benefit all members of JetBlue's newly relaunched TrueBlue loyalty program. TrueBlue members of all levels can now earn TrueBlue points on stays at YOTEL locations around the world, will be eligible for exclusive discounted room rates, and receive a complimentary amenity on arrival. TrueBlue Mosaic members will benefit even more with complimentary room upgrades and late check-out1. From take-off to check-in, guests will notice the intrinsic link between YOTEL and JetBlue, with both brands disrupting the status quo while continuing to showcase dedication to customer service, innovation, and comfort. JetBlue is YOTEL's first-ever U.S. airline collaboration and will serve as YOTEL's most elevated partnership yet. "YOTEL's guest experience was founded on the principles of airline travel, from our self check-in kiosks to our clever, space-saving rooms and PADs, with adjustable beds," said Hubert Viriot, CEO, YOTEL. "We're proud to continue to enhance our customer experience by joining forces with JetBlue. Based on shared values to challenge the status quo, the innovative partnership will provide an even deeper level of benefits for the modern, non-stop traveler in current and future markets." "JetBlue is proud to partner with YOTEL, a company that also values maximum comfort at a lower price, to give our TrueBlue members an elevated experience when traveling to our top domestic and international destinations," said Christopher Buckner, Vice President of Loyalty and Partnerships, JetBlue. "Through this partnership, we're excited to offer TrueBlue members even more ways to earn points and rewards both on the ground and in the sky." YOTEL.com today launches a dedicated booking page for JetBlue customers to find their travel inspiration and book their stays with points & receive perks. Alternatively, customers in the U.S. can further elevate their travel experience through JetBlue's homegrown travel booking website Paisly.com. Customers who book their YOTEL stay through Paisly not only have access to a 24/7 dedicated phone line to Paisly's helpful humans, but they can also earn TrueBlue points on their stay, with all qualifying spend on Paisly counting toward perks and Mosaic status. Plus, TrueBlue members and Mosaics who booked their YOTEL stay through Paisly will receive an exclusive hotel perk upon arrival. In addition to earning points and exclusive room rates, TrueBlue members will be able to enjoy JetBlue's bespoke pre/post-flight cocktail called the Mint Condition, made with Bombay Sapphire Gin or Tito's Handmade Vodka, ginger, lime, cucumber, and mint; available at select YOTEL bars. As part of the collaboration, YOTEL and JetBlue will reward customers with "surprise and delight" promotions on flights between NYC, Boston and London throughout launch week. To earn points with JetBlue and book a stay at YOTEL, please visit: www.yotel.com/jetblue. To learn more about the TrueBlue program, please visit: jetblue.com/TrueBlue. ABOUT JETBLUE JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue, known for its low fares and great service, carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada, the United Kingdom and France. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com. About JetBlue Travel Products JetBlue Travel Products is a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation, which consists of the JetBlue Vacations brand (offering flight + hotel and flight + cruise packages) and other non-air travel products including Paisly, JetBlue's homegrown travel website that gives travelers access to exclusive savings and points on cars, stays and activities. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a fully dedicated team of more than 300 crewmembers, JetBlue Travel Products builds on the JetBlue brand and brings to market innovative, quality products for customers, while infusing humanity into every step of the travel experience. For more information, visit jetbluevacations.com or paisly.com. ABOUT YOTEL YOTEL challenges the status quo by appealing to those who find traditional hotels uninspiring, looking for a different experience not just a great sleep. It delivers an authentic experience through awesome people, smart design and the creative use of technology. Inspired by the luxury of first-class travel and uncompromisingly designed around guests, YOTEL offers extraordinary value and a sense of community in sought after locations. The global hospitality brand is based in London with regional offices in the US and Asia, and has a portfolio of three brands: YOTEL, YOTELPAD and YOTELAIR. The company operates fourteen city centre hotels in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Miami, Singapore, Edinburgh, London (2), Amsterdam, Porto, Glasgow, Manchester and Park City, and six airport hotels in London Gatwick, Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris, Charles de Gaulle, Istanbul Airport (2), and Singapore Changi. YOTEL's major shareholders include a controlled affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, the Talal Jassim Al-Bahar Group, United Investment Portugal and Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT). YOTEL was originally created by YO! founder Simon Woodroffe OBE who took inspiration from the experience of first class travel and translated that ethos, language and design into small but beautifully designed rooms. www.yo.co.uk. Visit www.yotel.com for more information. 1. Complimentary room upgrades and late check-out are subject to YOTEL availability. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165049/YOTEL_Premium_Room.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165048/JetBlue_Aircraft.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1861362/Yotel_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/yotel-takes-flight-with-new-jetblue-partnership-301889331.html EDISON, N.J., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nous Infosystems, a leading global IT solutions provider delivering innovative technology services and solutions, announced it has attained the Solutions Partner designation in the new Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. This achievement highlights Nous' commitment to excellence in harnessing Microsoft AI and cloud technologies to deliver innovative solutions for clients. The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is a premier initiative that recognizes and empowers partners who demonstrate exceptional expertise in leveraging AI to transform businesses and enhance customer experiences. By achieving the Solutions Partner designation, Nous Infosystems has distinguished itself as a trusted provider of AI-powered solutions, aligning with Microsoft's vision of empowering organizations to thrive in a digital era. "Nous is a long-term Microsoft partner and one of the firsts to attain this designation," said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President, Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. "Their commitment and investment in Microsoft are clear, and they are well positioned to continue providing sustainable results and enabling customers to lead their industries into the future." As a Solutions Partner, Nous Infosystems gains access to various benefits and resources provided by the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. These include advanced training and certifications, technical support, co-selling opportunities, and access to Microsoft's cutting-edge AI tools and technologies. This enables Nous Infosystems to further enhance its AI capabilities and deliver even more impactful solutions to its clientele. "We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the first Solutions Partners in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program," said Sreenivasan Narayanan, EVP - MS Global Alliances at Nous Infosystems. "This designation underscores Nous' thought leadership in driving AI-driven innovative solutions using Microsoft technologies across several industries globally. In addition, as a Solutions Partner, we are able to collaborate with Microsoft more closely to meet our client's dynamic business needs with agility and deliver greater business value." Commenting on the achievement, Anurag Chauhan, CEO at Nous Infosystems, said, "The capabilities required by our customers are constantly evolving. Microsoft's new partner program is the way forward in meeting that demand. The Solutions Partner designation not only validates Nous as a Microsoft partner of choice but also accentuates our capabilities, making them far more differentiated as we continue to deliver best-in-class solutions and services around Microsoft technologies." Nous Infosystems has a long-standing relationship with Microsoft and is currently a Solutions Partner for Infrastructure, Data & AI, and Digital & App Innovation. About Nous Infosystems: Nous Infosystems is a global information technology firm providing innovative software solutions and services across a broad spectrum of industries. Established in 1996, we have delivered technology-led business outcomes to customers for over two decades. Major offerings include digital transformation solutions, business IT consulting, application development and maintenance, AI-led business intelligence solutions, cloud and infrastructure management services, enterprise application integration, product engineering solutions, and independent testing services. Nous Infosystems operates in the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and India. We have our development centers in the USA (New Jersey) and India (Bangalore and Coimbatore). For more information about Nous Infosystems, please visit www.nousinfosystems.com. Contact Details: Sophia Park Public Relations +1 (732) 985-9533 marketing@nousinfo.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165859/Nous_Microsoft_Solutions_Partner.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nous-infosystems-achieves-solutions-partner-designation-in-the-microsoft-ai-cloud-partner-program-301889946.html The global customer intelligence platform market is experiencing growth due to factors such as an increase in demand for personalized customer experiences, the growth in adoption of advanced analytics and AI, and a surge in focus on customer retention and loyalty. PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Customer Intelligence Platform Market by Component (Platform and Services), Deployment (On-Premise and Cloud), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprise), Data Channel (Web and Email, Social Media, Mobile, Call Centers, In Store, and Others), Application (Customer Data Collection and Management, Customer Segmentation and Targeting, Customer Experience Management, Customer Behavior Analytics, Omnichannel Marketing, Personalized Recommendation, and Others) and End User (BFSI, IT and Telecom, Retail and E-commerce, Healthcare, Government, Manufacturing, Travel and Tourism, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global customer intelligence platform industry generated $2,149.36 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach $21,682.84 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 26.3% from 2023 to 2032. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios. Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities The global customer intelligence platform market is experiencing growth due to factors such as an increase in demand for personalized customer experiences, the growth in adoption of advanced analytics and AI, and a surge in focus on customer retention and loyalty. However, the limited processing power of mobile devices hampers market growth to some extent. Moreover, the increase in availability and affordability of mobile devices is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for market growth during the forecast period. Download Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/132810 Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $2,149.36 Million Market Size in 2032 $21,682.84 Million CAGR 26.3 % No. of Pages in Report 476 Segments covered Component, Deployment Mode, Enterprise Size, Data Channel, Application, End User and Region Drivers Increase in demand for personalized customer experiences Growth in adoption of advanced analytics and AI Surge in focus on customer retention and loyalty Opportunities Rising importance of omnichannel customer engagement Restraints Lack of data quality Challenges in data integration COVID-19 Scenario The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the global customer intelligence platform industry, because it had reshaped customer preferences and needs. Customers are now more concerned with contactless interactions, convenience, and safety. By providing functions like contactless payments, virtual queuing, curbside collection and delivery tracking, intelligent platforms can profit from these particular circumstances. Furthermore, customers are increasingly conscious of data privacy and security issues as a result if the COVID-19 pandemic increased reliance on digital platforms. CIP can establish a competitive edge and gain customer trust if they can show an enduring dedication to data privacy and security. Thus, it has a positive impact on the growth of the global customer intelligence platform market. Buy this Complete Report (476 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/customer-intelligence-platform-market/purchase-options The platform segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By component, the platform segment held the largest share in 2022, garnering more than two-thirds of the global customer intelligence platform market revenue, and is expected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Owing to businesses flow of customer data between various departments by integrating with CRM systems, marketing automation tools, and e-commerce platforms, the market grows significantly. However, the services segment would showcase the fastest CAGR of 29.0% during the forecast period. Due to the highest growth, offering the tools and capacities to gather, analyze, and interpret data addresses this issue by empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions and propel growth. The on-premise segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period By deployment mode, the on-premise segment to held the largest share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global customer intelligence platform market revenue, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Owing to the company's complete control over the design and set-up of the platform as well as their client data, it propels market growth significantly. However, the cloud segment would display the fastest CAGR of 27.9% throughout the forecast period. Businesses can use advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning capabilities to acquire insightful data and create customer-centric strategies by providing scalability, flexibility, and simplicity of access. The large enterprise segment to rule the roost by 2032 By enterprise size, the large enterprise segment contributes to the highest share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global customer intelligence platform market revenue, and is expected to rule the roost by 2032, owing to the fact that it aids large businesses in understanding consumer groups, trends, and patterns by analyzing massive amounts of customer data from numerous sources. On the other hand, the small and medium-sized enterprise segment would portray the fastest CAGR of 29.4% throughout the forecast period. This is due to giving small businesses the tools they need to gather, examine, and interpret client data from a variety of sources so they can make informed decisions. The mobile segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By data channel, the web and email segment accounted for more than one-fourth of the global customer intelligence platform market revenue in 2022. Owing to track and analyze user behavior on websites, capturing data such as page views, time spent on each page, click-through rates, and conversion rates. On the other hand, the mobile segment is expected to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The same segment would also exhibit the fastest CAGR of 30.5% throughout the forecast period, owing to integrating in-app messaging and push notifications to engage and communicate with customers on their mobile devices. - The BFSI segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period By end user, the BFSI segment contributed to the highest share in 2022, holding more than one-fourth of the global customer intelligence platform market revenue. This is due to improved consumer engagement and satisfaction, personalization boosts client loyalty and retention. On the other hand, the retail and e-commerce segment is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The same segment would also portray the fastest CAGR of 31.0% throughout the forecast period. Owing to obtain deeper insights into consumer behavior, automate personalized recommendations, and enhance the overall customer experience by utilizing the potential of AI and ML. Asia-Pacific garnered the major share in 2032 By region, North America garnered the highest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-third of the global customer intelligence platform market revenue. owing to the increase in rapid advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. However, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to retain its dominance by 2032. The same region would also cite the fastest CAGR of 29.8% during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to enabling businesses to derive actionable insights from large datasets, uncover hidden patterns, and predict customer behavior. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/132810 Leading Market Players: International Business Machines Corporation Oracle Corporation. Microsoft Corporation Adobe Inc. SAS Institute Inc. Salesforce, Inc. Google LLC Accenture Informatica Inc. SAP SE The report analyzes these key players in the global customer intelligence platform market. These players have adopted various strategies, such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others, to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player. Trending Reports in ICT & Media Industry: Voice Communication Equipment Market Expected to Reach $13.1 Billion by 2032 RAN Intelligent Controller Market Expected to Reach $14 Billion by 2032 3D Ceramic Printer Market Expected to Reach $12.7 Billion by 2032 5G NTN Market Expected to Reach $93.6 Billion by 2032 Generative AI Industry Size is Expected to Reach $191.8 Billion by 2032 AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model): AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. 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Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/information-and-communication-technology-and-media Follow Us on Blog: https://www.technologyplz.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/3950895/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/customer-intelligence-platform-market-to-reach-21-682-84-million-globally-by-2032-at-26-3-cagr-allied-market-research-301890320.html HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Award-winning docu-series ACROSS has posted its final episode for viewers in the US, making the entire 4-part series available on the film's official website. ACROSS shares a message of what happens when we set aside politics and witness the humanity and faith of asylum seekers firsthand. View the trailer here. Filmed in Honduras, Texas, and Illinois, ACROSS weaves the journey of everyday American Christians with families from the Northern Triangle of Central America hoping to rebuild their lives safely in the U.S. The series highlights the stories of three women and their children who escaped horrific abuse and violence, only to meet incredible hardships once arriving in the U.S. After hearing their stories, witnessing their unwavering faith, and realizing their struggles, a group of committed Christians stopped seeing migrants as news stories and committed to help. Without a political agenda, ACROSS shares the work of faith communities in Texas and Illinois, compelled by their calling as Christians, to help. Instead of feeling paralyzed by this issue, these churches put feet to their faith and come alongside migrant families as they seek legal asylum in the U.S. As they journey together, the churches are transformed as these individuals became a part of their church, their communities, and their families. Producer Julie Mirlicourtois spent 20 years in media working with CBS News and The Oprah Winfrey Show among others. She led a team of producers, cinematographers, composers, and editors with decades of experience working with Oprah, Pixar, Marvel, CBS News, NBC News, PBS, and Discovery to bring the series to life. A recent Texas-transplant, Julie was compelled to create the project after encountering the work of a coalition of churches helmed by Pastor John Garland from the San Antonio Mennonite Church, featured in the film. John and other Christians have worked tirelessly to reunite parents and children, save vulnerable migrants from predators and human traffickers, and secure safe homes and legal help for asylum seekers. "Navigating the system is incredibly challenging for anyone," shares John. "It's virtually impossible to plead your case without legal representation, yet most of the families seeking asylum have very few resources. There's also a constant fear of rejection and of deportation." In addition, ACROSS features leading experts in gang violence, intimate partner violence, and asylum law, offering a unique look at the lives of asylum seekers and their challenges once they legally enter the United States. Julie shares, "Every day we see images of desperate people fleeing life-threatening poverty, violence, and corruption, attempting a dangerous months-long journey to the US, seeking basic human rights. We created ACROSS so people can witness the humanity of these families crossing our southern border, the overwhelming majority of whom are Christians, in a way that deepens our understanding of the situation and acknowledges their stories of faith that are often missed." "Americans have a choice to reject refugees outright, ignore them, or support them," John continues. "The first two options always lead to suffering, putting them back in the hands of predators and abusers, and pushing them into deeper generational suffering. When we choose to support them, there is a phenomenal opportunity for growth in our hearts and in our communities." About Docs/ology Films: Docs/ology Films creates, markets and distributes documentary films and other true stories of exceptional artistic quality and substance. With a focus on projects that authentically explore the human condition and affirm the dignity of all people, Docs/ology seeks to connect smart films with 'soulful' people. Won't You Be My Neighbor?, The Biggest Little Farm, The Most Reluctant Convert, The First Step, Social Animals, Dark Waters, Jane and the 2018 Academy Award winning feature documentary Free Solo are among the over 50 award-winning films, television and festival favorites we represent. # # # For More Information: Lori Heiselman lori@biscuitmediagroup.com SOURCE: Docs/ology Films View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771383/Docu-Series-ACROSS-Launches-Final-Episode-Shares-Stories-of-Asylum-Seekers-Finding-Hope-and-Healing Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc. (CSE: VEGI) (OTCQB: VGGIF) (FSE: 77I) ("Boosh" or the "Company") announced today that its principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission, has granted a management cease trade order (the "MCTO"). As previously announced on July 17, 2023 (the "Announcement"), the Company applied for the MCTO due to a delay in the filing of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, annual management's discussion and analysis for the same period, and the management certifications of annual filings (collectively, the "Filings"). The MCTO restricts the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from all trading in securities of the Company until such time as the Filings have been filed by the Company and the MCTO has been lifted. The MCTO does not affect the ability of other shareholders of the Company to trade in securities of the Company. The Company confirms that since the date of the Announcement: (i) there has been no material change to the information set out in the Announcement that has not been generally disclosed; (ii) the Company is satisfying and confirms that it intends to continue to satisfy the provisions of the "alternative information guidelines" under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203") and issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as the delay in filing the Filings continues, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release; (iii) there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203; (iv) the Company is not subject to any insolvency proceedings; and (v) there is no material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. The Company also announced today that it has settled a combined total of C$950,000 in debt owed to creditors via the issuance of 19,000,000 Common Shares. The Company is settling the indebtedness through the issuance of Shares to preserve cash and improve the Company's balance sheet. Connie Marples Founder/CEO hello@booshfood.com www.Booshfood.com About Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.: Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Boosh Food (www.booshfood.com) offers high quality, non-GMO, gluten free, 100% plant-based nutritional comfort foods for the whole family. Through a separate subsidiary, Beautiful Beanfields, (www.beanfields.com) the Company owns Beanfields, a plant-based chip brand sold in over 7,000 stores throughout North America. Boosh, good for you and good for planet earth. The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations concerning the size of the Financing, its ability to close the Financing in whole or in part or at all and its plan for the proceeds of the Financing. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175653 CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the near future, the air quality monitoring system industry is poised for remarkable growth and innovation as society continues to prioritize environmental sustainability and public health. Rapid advancements in technology, such as the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence, will revolutionize air quality monitoring, enabling real-time data collection, analysis, and dissemination on an unprecedented scale. These smart monitoring solutions will be deployed in urban areas, industrial sites, and residential spaces, offering comprehensive insights into pollutant levels and their sources. Government regulations mandating stringent air quality standards will fuel demand for cutting-edge monitoring systems, fostering a competitive landscape among industry players. Additionally, public awareness of air pollution's adverse effects on human health will drive consumer adoption of personalized indoor air quality monitors. Overall, the air quality monitoring system industry is on the cusp of transformative growth, ushering in a cleaner and healthier future for all. Air Quality Monitoring System Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $4.9 Billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $6.9 Billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.0% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of this market is majorly driven by factors such as rise in the air pollution levels, development initiatives of environment-friendly industries, and supportive government regulations for effective air pollution monitoring and control. Adding to this, rising public-private funding for air pollution monitoring, and the increasing public awareness related to the environmental and healthcare implications of air pollution also helps the growth of this market during the forecast period. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=183784537 Browse in-depth TOC on "Air Quality Monitoring System Market" 120 - Tables 31 - Figures 180 - Pages Air Quality Monitoring System Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $4.9 Billion Estimated Value by 2028 $6.9 Billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Sampling Method, Pollutant, Product, End Users and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Continuous R&D and technological advancements Key Market Drivers Favorable public & private initiatives for environmental conservation and public awareness The stack monitoring segment is expected to register the highest growth in the forecast period of 2023-2028 Based on the sampling method, the air quality monitoring system is segmented into active/continuous, intermittent, passive, manual, and stack monitoring. In 2022, the active/continuous monitoring segment accounted the largest share of the global air quality monitoring systems market, whereas during the forecast period, the stack monitoring segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR. Stack monitoring helps assess the emissions of harmful pollutants from industrial sources. By measuring and tracking these emissions, regulatory authorities can ensure that industries are complying with environmental regulations and emission standards, thus reducing the negative impact of industrial activities on the environment. The rising government emphasis on regulatory compliance for industrial pollution monitoring, low operational cost of stack monitoring, and the increasing emphasis on pollution monitoring & control are factors expected to support the growth of this market. The fixed indoor monitors subsegment of indoor monitors holds the largest market share in 2022 On the product, the air quality monitoring systems market is classified into Indoor monitors,outdoor monitors and wearables. The indoor monitors is further classified into Fixed indoor and Portables Indoor,..In 2022, the fixed indoor monitors accounted for the largest share of the indoor monitors, primarily due to the growing need of controlled indoor environment maintainence and atmospheric gases and air pollutants levels monitoring inside facilities like manufacturing units, laboratories, and storage area, among others, particularly in pharma industries, biotech and microbiology industries, F&B industries, cosmetic industries, etc. Furthermore, another major factor driving the growth of the fixed indoor monitors market is the rising trend of development of commercial sites as smart buildings which can connect and communicate with technologically advanced devices for better air quality monitoring. By Pollutant, Chemical Pollutant is witnessed to account for the largest segment of air quality monitoring systems in 2022. Based on pollutant type, the global air quality monitoring systems market is segmented into chemical pollutants, physical pollutants, and biological pollutants.The chemical pollutants account for the highest growth in the Air quality monitoring systems market in 2022. In 2028, this segment is projected to reach USD 5.09 billion. Market growth is mainly attributed to the global rise in the levels of chemical air pollutants. In addition, the development and commercialization of innovative sensors, growing public awareness, and the implementation of stringent pollution monitoring and control regulations are supporting the growth of this market segment. Government agencies and academic institutes accounted for the largest share of the global air quality monitoring systems market in 2022. Based on end users, government agencies and academic institutes accounted for the largest segment in the air quality monitoring systems market due to the following attributes-. Accurate and up-to-date air quality data is crucial for evidence-based policymaking. Government agencies use monitoring data to develop and implement effective air quality management strategies and policies. These policies may include emission reduction programs, industrial regulations, transportation planning, and other initiatives to improve air quality. Monitoring air quality is crucial for protecting public health. Poor air quality can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Government agencies track air pollution levels to assess potential health risks for the population and implement measures to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. By Region, Asia Pacific is expected to see the highest growth in the air quality monitoring systems market in 2022. The global air quality monitoring systems market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America accounts for the major share while asia pacific is witnessed to have the highest growth. North America has well-established environmental regulations that govern air quality standards and emissions from industrial facilities. Compliance with these regulations requires the use of air quality monitoring systems, which has driven demand in the region. North America is home to several leading air quality monitoring system manufacturers and technology developers. The region's focus on research and development has resulted in innovative monitoring solutions that attract buyers from both domestic and international markets. On a global scale, APAC is among the major contributors to air pollution and also due to growing pollution levels has a large patient population. The APAC region is experiencing increasing demand for air quality sensors and monitors that are mainly driven by large-scale industrialization, continuous government support for the development and commercialization of advanced products and implementation of stringent air pollution regulations across major Asian countries. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=183784537 Air Quality Monitoring System Market Dynamics: Drivers: Active government initiatives for air pollution monitoring and control Growing concerns over rising air pollution Favorable public and private initiatives for environmental conservation and public awareness Restraints: High product costs Technical limitations associated with a majority of AQM products Opportunities: Continuous R&D and technological advancements Expected post-COVID-19 expansion of the petrochemical and power generation industries Challenges: Slow implementation of air pollution control reforms Availability of alternate monitoring solutions Key Market Players: As of 2022, the air quality monitoring systems market was dominated by Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), 3M (US), Siemens (Germany), Teledyne Technologies (US), GE Healthcare (US), Emerson Electric Company (US), Honeywell International Inc (US), HORIBA, Ltd. (Japan), Merck KGaA (Germany), and TSI Incorporated (US), among others. Recent Developments: In March 2023, Siemens AG launched Connect Box, an open and easy-to-use IoT solution designed to manage small to medium-sized buildings. In January 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired the Binding Site Group, this would help in expanding the company's existing specialty diagnostics portfolio. In January 2023, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated acquired ChartWorld, thus expanding the portfolios of Teledyne Marine segment. Teledyne now provides the electronic navigation charts and other value-added software information services directly to vessel pilots, owners and operators. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=183784537 Air Quality Monitoring System Market Advantages: Public Health Protection: Air quality monitoring systems play a critical role in safeguarding public health by providing real-time data on pollutant levels. This information allows authorities and individuals to take preventive measures, reducing exposure to harmful substances and minimizing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Environmental Conservation: Monitoring air quality is essential for understanding the impact of human activities on the environment. By identifying pollution sources and trends, policymakers can implement targeted strategies to mitigate emissions, conserve ecosystems, and protect biodiversity. Compliance with Regulations: Governments worldwide are introducing stringent air quality standards to control emissions and curb pollution. Industries and businesses rely on air quality monitoring systems to ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding costly fines and reputational damage. Early Warning Systems: Advanced air quality monitoring technologies offer early warning capabilities, alerting communities to potential pollution events or industrial accidents. This early warning system enables prompt evacuation or precautionary measures, enhancing overall safety. Data-Driven Decision Making: Accurate and comprehensive air quality data empowers decision-makers in various sectors, including urban planning, transportation, and industrial operations. It enables evidence-based policy formulation and targeted interventions to improve air quality effectively. Technological Advancements: The industry's ongoing technological advancements, such as IoT integration, miniaturization, and data analytics, enhance the capabilities of air quality monitoring systems. These innovations lead to more cost-effective solutions, greater efficiency, and wider accessibility. Global Awareness and Collaboration: The rising global awareness of environmental issues has fostered international collaboration in addressing air quality concerns. Standardized monitoring systems and data sharing across borders facilitate collective efforts to combat air pollution on a global scale. Personalized Health Insights: Indoor air quality monitors offer individuals valuable insights into the air they breathe within their homes and workplaces. This empowers them to make informed lifestyle choices and take preventive measures to create healthier living environments. Research and Data Analysis: The wealth of data collected by air quality monitoring systems supports ongoing research and analysis, facilitating a deeper understanding of air pollution's complex dynamics. Such research contributes to the development of effective long-term strategies and solutions. Corporate Social Responsibility: Companies and organizations investing in air quality monitoring systems showcase their commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Implementing these systems demonstrates a proactive approach to reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. In conclusion, the air quality monitoring system market brings numerous advantages that encompass public health, environmental protection, regulatory compliance, data-driven decision-making, and societal responsibility, contributing to a cleaner and healthier future for communities around the world. Related Reports: Particle Counters Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Radiation Detection Monitoring Safety Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Particle Size Analysis Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Environmental Monitoring Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Radiation Dose Management Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/air-quality-monitoring-equipment-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/air-quality-monitoring-equipment.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/air-quality-monitoring-system-market-worth-6-9-billion--marketsandmarkets-301890080.html The global lithium compounds market is experiencing growth due to growing demand for batteries and increasing demand from the medical industry. PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Lithium Compounds Market by Type (Lithium Carbonate, Lithium Hydroxide, Lithium Concentrate, Lithium Metal, Lithium Chloride, Butyllithium, and Others) by Application (Li-Ion Batteries, Glass and Glass Ceramics, Automotive Parts, Greases, Metallurgy, Polymer, Air Treatment, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global lithium compounds market was valued at $7.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $33.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 16.9% from 2023 to 2032. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/33622 Prime determinants of growth The global lithium compounds market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as growing demand for batteries and increasing demand from the medical as lithium compounds play a crucial role in the treatment of maniac-depressive disorders. However, the high operating costs and fluctuating lithium prices hinder market growth to some extent. Moreover, increasing adoption of lithium in smart grid electricity offers remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the Lithium compounds market. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $7.1 billion Market Size in 2032 $33.5 billion CAGR 16.9 % No. of Pages in Report 350 Segments Covered Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Increased demand for batteries The surge in demand from the medical industry Opportunity Increasing adoption of lithium in smart grid electricity Restraint High operating costs and fluctuating lithium prices Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on the Lithium compounds Market The Russia-Ukraine war had the potential to impact various markets, including the lithium compounds market. Ukraine was a major producer of lithium compounds, particularly lithium carbonate. The conflict disrupted the supply chain, leading to a reduction in the availability of lithium compounds in the market. This resulted in higher prices and limited availability, affecting industries relying on lithium for various applications, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine had broader geopolitical implications, creating uncertainty in global markets. Investors and businesses became cautious and hesitant to make long-term investments or commitments, slowing down the growth of the lithium market. This uncertainty impacted lithium mining projects, as geopolitical tensions affected the stability of mining operations in the region. The lithium hydroxide segment is expected to grow faster throughout the forecast period Based on the type, the lithium carbonate segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global lithium compounds market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that lithium carbonate is a crucial component in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. It is used as a cathode material and helps to enhance the energy storage capacity and overall performance of the battery. However, the lithium hydroxide segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 17.4% from 2023 to 2032. This can be attributed to the fact that lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is an inorganic compound composed of lithium, oxygen, and hydrogen. It is a strong base and exists as a white crystalline powder or granules. Lithium hydroxide is a crucial component in the production of lithium-ion batteries. It is used as a cathode material in certain types of lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. These batteries are known for their long cycle life, safety, and stability, making lithium hydroxide an important compound for the energy storage industry. Procure Complete Report (350 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3OdX5C1 The Li-ion batteries segment is expected to lead the trial by 2032 Based on the application, the Li-ion batteries segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for around two-fifths of the global lithium compounds market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 17.5% from 2023 to 2032. This can be attributed to the fact that The Li-ion (lithium-ion) battery, also known as LIB, are rechargeable energy storage devices that use lithium ions as the primary charge carrier. They have gained significant popularity and widespread use due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight nature. Li-ion batteries are commonly found in a variety of electronic devices, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. They have gained significant popularity and widespread use due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight nature. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032 Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global lithium compounds market revenue and is expected to rule the roost in terms of revenue throughout the forecast timeframe. This region is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 17.6% from 2023 to 2032. In Asia-Pacific, factors such as an upsurge in demand for lithium-ion batteries in various industries, including electric vehicles and electronics are driving the demand for lithium compounds market. The surge in population, rise in disposable income, and government initiatives promote clean energy solutions that contribute to the market expansion in this region. In addition, favorable investment policies and abundant lithium resources in countries such as China and Australia further stimulate the production and consumption of lithium compounds in the Asia-Pacific region. Leading Market Players: - LITHIUM AMERICAS CORP. ALBEMARLE CORPORATION. NEOMETALS LTD FMC CORPORATION. LIVENT OROCOBRE LIMITED PTY LTD BACANORA LITHIUM SIGMA LITHIUM GANFENG LITHIUM GROUP CO., LTD SQM S.A The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global lithium compounds market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/lithium-compounds-market/purchase-options Similar Reports: Lithium Chloride Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Lithium Foil Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Thermoset Molding Compound Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Potting Compound Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 Molding Compounds Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Plastic Compounding Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026 Polypropylene Compounds Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/ Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lithium-compounds-market-to-reach-33-5-billion-globally-by-2032-at-16-9-cagr-allied-market-research-301890367.html SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / TPT Global Tech, Inc. (OTCBB:TPTW) www.tptglobaltech.com, a leading technology company located in San Diego, CA, announces that it has entered into an Acquisition Agreement for100% of the outstanding shares of Broadband Infrastructure, Inc. (BII), a builder of fiber optic infrastructure for telecom carriers and government agencies throughout the country. The Acquisition Agreement, with a total acquisition price of $9 million, comprises $6 million in a Promissory Note and $3 million in TPT Global Tech's Series E Preferred Stock. The Promissory Note may be paid from proceeds raised from the Company's existing Reg. A capital raise or an S-1 Registered Offering in conjunction with a capital raise and listing on a major U.S. Stock Exchange. The Form of Promissory Note shall be provided during the due diligence period but is subject to a security agreement on the assets being acquired. The Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock at a 25% discount to market with an automatic conversion upon the Company uplisting to a major U.S. Stock Exchange. The closing is set no later than September 30, 2023, but may be extended. Closing is to include such that BII will be debt free except for an SBA loan outstanding for $500,000. Closing is subject to delivery of a) a valuation to which purchase price may be adjusted; and b) audits having been completed by the Company's auditors. Broadband Infrastructure, Inc. has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner for telecom carriers and government agencies, exemplified by its extensive experience in designing, constructing, and maintaining fiber networks. Their commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and high-speed connectivity has earned them a prominent position in the broadband infrastructure sector. The acquisition of BII would be a significant milestone in TPT Global Tech's growth and expansion plans. By incorporating BII's expertise, TPT Global Tech aims to strengthen its presence in the Southeast while enhancing its Smart City developments and wireless broadband services nationwide. "Broadband Infrastructure Inc. has a proven track record as a renowned builder of fiber infrastructure throughout the country. Their expertise aligns seamlessly with our vision of delivering cutting-edge technology solutions," said Stephen J. Thomas III the CEO of TPT Global Tech. "This strategic acquisition empowers us to expand our capabilities, providing innovative connectivity solutions to our valued clients, while it also may also help us qualify for an uplisting to a major U.S. stock exchange." Broadband Infrastructure, Inc.'s financial performance includes an unaudited revenue YTD 2023 of $6.3 million and pretax income of $1.3. for 2023. Unaudited revenue for 2022 was $17.5 million with pretax income of $.76 million. These numbers are subject to audit confirmation. TPT Global Tech is committed to maintaining BII's exceptional service standards and reinforcing its long-standing partnerships with telecom carriers and government agencies. Moreover, the acquisition strategically aligns with TPT Global Tech's Smart City initiatives, creating intelligent and connected urban environments that embrace innovative technologies for sustainable urban development. The acquisition also strengthens TPT Global Tech's commitment to providing seamless wireless broadband services throughout the United States. BII's proficiency in building fiber infrastructure to connect cell towers enhances TPT Global Tech's ability to deliver reliable wireless broadband solutions to businesses, government agencies, and residents nationwide. About TPT Global Tech, Inc. TPT Global Tech, Inc. is a technology holding company based in San Diego, California. It was formed as the successor of two U.S. corporations, Ally Pharma US and TPT Global, Inc. The Company operates in various sectors including media, telecommunications, Smart City Real Estate Development, and the launch of the first super App, VuMe Live technology platform. As a media content delivery hub, TPT Global Tech utilizes its own proprietary global digital media TV and telecommunications infrastructure platform. They offer software as a service (SaaS), technology platform as a service (PAAS), and cloud-based unified communication as a service (UCaaS) solutions to businesses worldwide. Their UCaaS services enable businesses of all sizes to access the latest voice, data, media, and collaboration features. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates" and other terms with similar meaning. Specifically, statements about the Company's plans for accelerated growth, improved profitability, future business partners, M&A activity, new service offerings, and pursuit of new markets are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements should not be construed as fact. The information contained in such statements is beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases, the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. All forward-looking statements in the press release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by reference to the underlying assumptions. For more information about TPT Global Tech and its subsidiaries, please visit www.tptgloabltech.com. For media or Investment inquiries, please contact: Rick@tptglobaltech.com SOURCE: TPT Global Tech, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771529/TPT-Global-Tech-Inc-Enters-into-Acquisition-Agreement-with-Broadband-Infrastructure-Inc-a-Fiber-Optic-Construction-Company-located-in-South-Carolina DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Since 1987, ASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc. has served the legal community by providing complex, specialized language translations that have never been challenged by any organization, court, or government entity. After an internal review of the scope of work involved in these translations, an influx of requests for assistance with legal immigration paperwork was noted. An immigrant himself, Mr. Alain J. Roy (Founder of ASTA-USA Translation Services), vividly recalls the complexities and hardships associated with the USCIS process. In turn, ASTA-USA has always assisted immigrants with USCIS-related translations at costs significantly lower than their typical corporate rates. With more than 4 million individuals on the State Department's waiting list as of 2022 and numbers continuing to grow, many legal organizations that serve the immigrant community simply aren't equipped with the resources they need to accommodate the rising demand. This is particularly true when it comes to communicating with immigrants who speak a language other than English (LOTE). "Many legal organizations that work with the immigrant community are equipped with Spanish-speaking employees, but the time that they can dedicate to each request is limited. In turn, bottlenecks develop as English-speaking employees await translations or further information from interpreters or translators to aid in completing USCIS forms or other pertinent tasks. This problem only intensifies when those in need of legal immigration services speak less common languages like Tagalog, Bengali, or Swahili. It adds time to an already lengthy emotionally and financially draining process, where families are separated and faced with many uncertainties," notes Mr. Alain J. Roy, CEO of ASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc. With no simple solutions in sight, the visionary Mr. Roy was compelled to take action. In an effort to support fellow immigrants, he has begun constructing a robust network of like-minded individuals and organizations. Through this strategic alliance, law-abiding, well-intentioned immigrants will have access to the support they desperately need throughout all phases of the immigration process. Mr. Roy proudly extends an invitation to legal immigration organizations to join him on his mission to advocate for upstanding immigrants. Interested parties can connect via e-mail at ajroy@asta-usa.com. About ASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc. Every day, corporations and governments of all sizes rely on the expertise of ASTA-USA to translate their important written materials, and to provide real-time, live, human interpreting services. ASTA-USA offers premium translations in more than 70 languages for a variety of industries. Headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, ASTA-USA's Translation Directors, and Professional Translation Teams are based all over the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Asia, South America, Latin America, and Africa. To learn more about ASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc., visit www.asta-usa.com. Contact Information Alain J. Roy ajroy@asta-usa.com SOURCE: ASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771531/ASTA-USA-Translation-Services-Calls-on-Legal-Immigration-Organizations-to-Collaborate This Year's Walk Like MADD Pinellas Event Will Take Place on October 14th 2023 CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Carey Leisure & Neal Personal Injury Lawyers is excited to announce that it will be the Presenting Sponsor for this year's 2023 Walk Like MADD Pinellas in support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Walk Like MADD raises awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving. The organization also: Supports victims of drunk driving and their families Attends court hearings at DUI proceedings alongside the victims Assists with emotional support throughout the defendant's adjudication process To date, Walk Like MADD has served over 820,000 victims and saved 320,000 lives. This cause is near and dear to Carey Leisure & Neal. In 1983, Joni Carey, the wife of the firm's Senior Partner, Tom Carey, was tragically killed by a drunk driver after only six months of marriage. Following this tragedy, Mr. Carey knew he needed to protect the lives of others in the fight against drunk driving. From 1984 to 1985, Mr. Carey served as the Pinellas County President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and, in 1986, he became the Florida State Chairman of MADD. Since his time of leadership with the organization, Mr. Carey has shared his passion with the team at Carey Leisure & Neal. To this day, the team remains active on the Walk's planning committee, where they have served for the past two years. Carey Leisure & Neal ensures every detail is considered to draw as much support as possible for MADD's mission. Carey Leisure & Neal's connection to Mothers Against Drunk Driving continues to grow, from 1984 to present, and is honored to support such an outstanding organization. To learn more about the 2023 Walk Like MADD event and register your team you can visit the Walk Like MADD website. More About Carey Leisure & Neal: Carey Leisure & Neal is a Clearwater-based personal injury firm that works diligently to represent injured parties. The team firmly believes that an attorney should work in the client's best interests at all times. With that being said, Carey Leisure & Neal always pursues clear and unequivocal authority from their clients to resolve each case. Call (727) 291-9642 to speak with a lawyer today. Contact Information Matthew Carney Partner mcarney@careyandleisure.com 727-799-3900 SOURCE: Carey Leisure & Neal View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771293/Carey-Leisure-Neal-Becomes-2023-Walk-Like-MADD-Presenting-Sponsor Improved Year-over-Year Results Despite Power Challenges KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSX-V.DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), ("Diamcor" or the "Company"), a Canadian diamond mining Company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds, today reported its annual financial statements and related management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The Company's focus during the year continued to be on managing costs, advancing trial mining efforts, and preparations for the start of drilling and bulk sampling efforts to determine the extent and location of the proposed displacement from the higher grounds of Venetia onto the greater areas of the Company's Krone-Endora at Venetia project (the "Project"). Highlights The Company reduced its net loss for the year ended March 31, 2023 to $762,308 (-$2,445,855 - March 31, 2022), resulting in a $0.01 per share loss for the year ended March 31, 2023 (-$0.03 - March 31, 2022). to $762,308 (-$2,445,855 - March 31, 2022), resulting in a $0.01 per share loss for the year ended March 31, 2023 (-$0.03 - March 31, 2022). Operating expenses were reduced by 18% to $3,596,175 for the year ended March 31, 2023 ($4,256,072 - March 31, 2022), while gross margin increased by 139% to $3,614,597 ($1,511,585 - March 31, 2022). General and administrative expenses remained consistent at $2,811,983 for the year ended March 31, 2023 ($2,827,823 - March 31, 2022). to $3,596,175 for the year ended March 31, 2023 ($4,256,072 - March 31, 2022), while gross margin increased by 139% to $3,614,597 ($1,511,585 - March 31, 2022). General and administrative expenses remained consistent at $2,811,983 for the year ended March 31, 2023 ($2,827,823 - March 31, 2022). Long term debt was reduced by $360,457 to $6,110,216 in the year ended March 31, 2023 ($6,470,673 - March 31, 2022). Of this debt, $5,795,478 is attributable to the deferred term loan and convertible debenture associated with the Company's Tiffany & Co. strategic alliance which is recorded as a current liability as no amortization schedule for repayment of this has yet been established by the parties. to $6,110,216 in the year ended March 31, 2023 ($6,470,673 - March 31, 2022). Of this debt, $5,795,478 is attributable to the deferred term loan and convertible debenture associated with the Company's Tiffany & Co. strategic alliance which is recorded as a current liability as no amortization schedule for repayment of this has yet been established by the parties. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 the Company tendered and sold 18,476 carats of rough diamonds (18,781 - March 31, 2022), which included an increase in the recovery of larger special rough diamonds (+10.8 carats) which resulted in a 37% increase in revenues to (USD) $6,291,487 (USD $4,581,129 - March 31, 2022), and a 39% increase in the resulting average dollar per carat of (USD) $340.51 per carat (USD $243.91 - March 31, 2022). 18,476 carats of rough diamonds (18,781 - March 31, 2022), which included an increase in the recovery of larger special rough diamonds (+10.8 carats) which resulted in a 37% increase in revenues to (USD) $6,291,487 (USD $4,581,129 - March 31, 2022), and a 39% increase in the resulting average dollar per carat of (USD) $340.51 per carat (USD $243.91 - March 31, 2022). In total, ongoing trial mining exercises at the Project from inception thru March 31, 2023, have resulted in the incidental recovery, tender, and sale of 198,279.85 carats of rough diamonds generating revenue of (USD) $37,827,271.00, resulting in an average price of (USD) $190.78 per carat. from inception thru March 31, 2023, have resulted in the incidental recovery, tender, and sale of 198,279.85 carats of rough diamonds generating revenue of (USD) $37,827,271.00, resulting in an average price of (USD) $190.78 per carat. Extensive planning and preparations continued throughout the period ended March 31, 2023 on power solutions aimed at minimizing the ongoing negative effects of load-shedding in South Africa by the State-run national power supplier (Eskom). Efforts during the period included refinements to the Project's backup generator power systems, efforts to reduce the power usage at the Project's processing plants, and the streamlining of heavy equipment circuits and cycle times, which all combined are aimed at achieving sustained processing volumes and eliminating the Project's reliance on Eskom supplied power. ended March 31, 2023 on power solutions aimed at minimizing the ongoing negative effects of load-shedding in South Africa by the State-run national power supplier (Eskom). Efforts during the period included refinements to the Project's backup generator power systems, efforts to reduce the power usage at the Project's processing plants, and the streamlining of heavy equipment circuits and cycle times, which all combined are aimed at achieving sustained processing volumes and eliminating the Project's reliance on Eskom supplied power. The Company had 128,502,937 common shares issued and outstanding as at March 31, 2023 and has authorized capital of an unlimited number of shares. "We are pleased to be able to announce these improved results in virtually every metric over the previous year given the significant challenges with consistent power supply we had to endure during the latter half of the fiscal year," stated Mr. Dean H. Taylor Chief Executive Officer of Diamcor. "We believe these results demonstrated the potential the Project has, and we now look to shift our focus to advancing the drilling and bulk sampling efforts over the greater areas of the Project to further support increased processing volumes and operational consistency." The Company's recently filed financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and accompanying management discussion and analysis can be viewed by interested parties on the Company website at www.diamcormining.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca About Diamcor Mining Inc. Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. The Company's primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers' Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world's top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. The Company focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including supporting local communities and protecting the environment. About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at market prices. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing in an effort to advance the Project as quickly as possible. Tiffany & Co. is now owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH), a publicly traded company which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) under the symbol LVMH and on the OTC under the symbol LVMHF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com. About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as one of the top producing diamond mines in the world. Qualified Person Statement: Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Mr. Dean H. Taylor President & CEO Diamcor Mining Inc. www.diamcormining.com For further information contact: Mr. Dean H. Taylor Diamcor Mining Inc DeanT@Diamcor.com +1 250 862-3212 For Investor Relations contact: Mr. Rich Matthews Mr. Neil Simon Integrous Communications Investor Cubed Inc rmatthews@integcom.us nsimon@investor3.ca +1 (604) 355-7179 +1 (647) 258-3310 This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Diamcor Mining Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771547/Diamcor-Reports-Fiscal-Year-Ended-March-31-2023-Results LEWES, Del., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Airalo, the pioneering eSIM marketplace revolutionizing global connectivity, announced today the successful completion of its Series B financing round, raising an impressive $60 million. Led by e& capital, the investment arm of e&, the global technology group, this brings Airalo's total funding to $67.3 million. Antler Elevate, Liberty Global, Orange, T.Capital, Rakuten Capital, Singtel Innov8, Telefonica Ventures, Sequoia Capital India and SEA's (now known as Peak XV Partners) Surge, KPN Ventures, and I2BF Global Ventures were among the prestigious group of investors who also participated. This diverse consortium of investors reflects the industry-wide recognition of Airalo's transformative work in making global connectivity accessible and affordable for travelers worldwide. This significant capital injection will propel Airalo's growth plans, including expanding its community of millions of users, amplifying its global team, and introducing Airalo Partners-an innovative connectivity solution for businesses and organizations. Combining cutting-edge technology and a user-centric approach, Airalo continues to empower travelers with seamless access to mobile networks, transforming their journeys into unforgettable experiences. Co-founders Abraham Burak and Bahadir Ozdemir expressed their gratitude, stating, "Over the past years, Airalo has alleviated the pain points and improved the experience of millions of travelers by providing very affordable and accessible connectivity all around the world. This new consortium of investors will further enable us on our quest to build the gateway to instant connectivity worldwide." With coverage spanning over 200 countries and regions, Airalo has garnered the trust of millions of users worldwide. The company's remote-first approach has fostered a diverse team of over 250 professionals in 44 countries. Testament to its global appeal, the Airalo website and app are available in 22 languages, with plans to expand to 53 in the near future. The Airalo app boasts a rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store and 4.6 stars on the Google Play Store, while being the #1 travel app in multiple countries, further affirming its user satisfaction. Airalo's remarkable growth trajectory and unwavering commitment to transforming the travel experience have positioned it as a trailblazer and travel essential. With the infusion of new capital and strategic partnerships, Airalo is poised to accelerate its expansion, ensuring that travelers around the world can stay seamlessly connected, wherever they travel. For media inquiries, contact press@airalo.com . Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166959/Airalo_Co_Founders.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2167031/Airalo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/airalo-worlds-largest-esim-marketplace-raises-60-million-in-series-b-financing-301890470.html WAUKESHA, WI / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / TechniBlend, a leading provider of innovative beverage processing solutions, is thrilled to announce its participation in Pack Expo 2023, the premier packaging and processing event, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company is excited to showcase blending and canning technologies that promise to revolutionize the beverage industry. Blending Solutions from TechniBlend TechniBlend's automated mixing and blending systems are engineered to achieve precise and homogenous mixing, even for complex beverage formulations. This ensures consistent product quality, reduces production time, and minimizes operator intervention Pack Expo is known as one of the most significant gatherings in the packaging and processing sector, bringing together industry professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers from all over the world. With a global reputation for excellence, TechniBlend is eager to unveil its groundbreaking solutions, which will undoubtedly set new standards for beverage processing and packaging. During the event, TechniBlend will present its blending and batching systems along with its rotary can fillers that cater to the specific needs of the beverage industry. Visitors to the TechniBlend booth (Booth #3014) will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the cutting-edge innovations that can enhance production efficiency, improve product quality, and ultimately increase profitability for beverage manufacturers. Key highlights at the TechniBlend booth will include: High-Speed Filling Machine: TechniBlend's advanced filling machines are designed to meet the demands of high-speed production lines without compromising accuracy and consistency. These machines are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring minimal product waste and maximum throughput. Automated Mixing and Blending Systems: TechniBlend's automated mixing and blending systems are engineered to achieve precise and homogenous mixing, even for complex beverage formulations. This ensures consistent product quality, reduces production time, and minimizes operator intervention. Customization and Flexibility: TechniBlend understands that each beverage manufacturer has unique requirements. The company offers customizable solutions that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of any production facility. "Pack Expo is a fantastic opportunity for TechniBlend to share our latest beverage processing solutions with industry professionals from around the world," said Derek Deubel, VP and GM of TechniBlend. "We have always been at the forefront of innovation in the beverage industry, and our participation in this event reflects our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of our customers." Pack Expo 2023 will take place from Sept. 11-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. TechniBlend's team of experts will be available at Booth #3014 throughout the event to engage with attendees, answer questions, and provide detailed demonstrations of their state-of-the-art solutions. About TechniBlend: TechniBlend is a leading provider of innovative beverage processing solutions, catering to a diverse range of industries, including carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, and more. With a deep commitment to research and development, TechniBlend continues to deliver groundbreaking technologies that empower beverage manufacturers to enhance their production processes and achieve greater success. For more information about TechniBlend, visit www.techniblend.com. Contact Information Evan Rusch Marketing Manager evan.rusch@promachbuilt.com 262.484.4090 SOURCE: TechniBlend View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769402/TechniBlend-to-Showcase-Cutting-Edge-Beverage-Processing-Solutions-at-Pack-Expo-2023-in-Las-Vegas NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / AllianceBernstein What You Need to Know Biodiversity is taking on increasing importance as a consumer concern, but it isn't always top of mind for investors. We think that could soon change. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, there's an economic case to be made for protecting biodiversity. New, innovative technologies are disrupting age-old systems that are both lower-yielding and environmentally destructive. We believe the next wave of innovation will be fueled by secular growth trends that could reshape the way we think about the world's ecosystems. Ultimately, we believe protecting and maintaining biodiversity is an attractive financial proposition for growers, consumers and investors alike. VIEW PDF-NON-US INVESTORS 90% Percentage of global deforestation attributable to farmland expansion. $824 Billion Annual amount required to bridge current funding levels with what's needed to reverse biodiversity loss. 10 Billion Earth's projected human population by 2050. Author Joseph Sun, CFA| Senior Research Analyst-Sustainable Thematic Equities Just outside Gibson City, Illinois, a modern-day farmer named Greg is tasked with the responsibility of helping to feed America. Back when Greg's father managed their farm, it took a full day to harvest just one bushel of corn by hand. Over the years, the introduction of innovative farm tools and equipment significantly enhanced production speed and efficiency, and when Greg eventually took over the farm, he benefited from the improved machinery and industrial chemicals. As a result, the farm's yield and productivity experienced exponential growth. But as Greg transitions the family's assets to his son, their multigenerational farm faces the global challenge of biodiversity loss. Across the North American corn belt and beyond, a decline in soil health from years of excessive agrochemicals has impaired growers' ability to deliver higher yields to feed the world's expanding population. Greg's story highlights the power of technology in addressing farm productivity. But technology can also help us understand the dangerous loss of biodiversity in the ground beneath our feet-the very soil that feeds the world. Across every industry, we must look to technology to solve the challenges of declining marginal yields and the loss of ecosystem services. As biodiversity awareness grows, companies that provide effective solutions to biodiversity loss are enjoying substantial growth potential. When science and industry combine to address sustainable development issues, exciting opportunities arise for investors. In recent decades, we've seen the decoding of the human genome open new markets in biotech and pharmaceuticals. Today, the nascent synthetic biology revolution is building on those developments to create new products in areas ranging from consumer goods to industrials. We're now on the cusp of a new agricultural revolution that can harness the power of science to address these invisible threats to human sustenance. It's not too soon for investors to start discovering the opportunities that can be created by addressing the growing biodiversity funding gap. The market could be sizable. By some estimates, more than $800 billion annually will be required to bridge current funding levels with what's needed to reverse biodiversity loss (Display). That could add up to roughly $8 trillion by 2030. Past performance, historical and current analyses, and expectations do not guarantee future results. The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to revision over time. Learn more about AB's approach to responsibility here View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from AllianceBernstein on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: AllianceBernstein Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alliancebernstein Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: AllianceBernstein View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771469/AB-From-the-Ground-Up NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / KeyBank announced Vic Laurenza has been promoted to Market President in Western Pennsylvania. In this role, he will help grow KeyBank's business and community presence in the region while continuing to serve as the National Client Engagement Leader for Key Private Bank. Laurenza joined Key in 2016, serving first as a Wealth Advisor and later as Senior Vice President of Private Banking Market Leader before stepping into his current role last year. Already active in the greater Pittsburgh community, he will now take on a more visible role as the face and voice of Key in the Western Pennsylvania market. He will also partner closely with Carla Frost, Key's Corporate Responsibility Officer for the market, to plan Key's strategic investments to help the community thrive. "We are thrilled to expand Vic's title and look forward to the great things he will accomplish as Market President," said Chris Doyle, KeyBank's Senior Commercial Sales Leader. "His presence and reputation in Western Pennsylvania will be an important asset to continue our growth in the region and for community engagement. His experience within the Private Bank uniquely positions him to drive collaboration and coordination in the market." Laurenza began his banking career more than 20 years ago at PNC in retail management and business banking, eventually moving into Wealth Management. Before joining Key, he was Vice President, Relationship Manager in Huntington National Bank's Private Client Group. In addition to Market President, Laurenza will also continue his role within Key Private Bank. As the National Client Engagement Leader, he works with a broad set of stakeholders and subject matter experts to create and execute on client satisfaction initiatives, marketing, field communications and change management initiatives. A veteran in the banking industry, Laurenza holds a Bachelor of Finance from Mercyhurst University. He serves on the board of Familylinks, a local nonprofit dedicated to positively impacting lives through integrated community, behavioral and social programs and is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh. Additionally, Tim Glass has been promoted to Commercial Sales Leader for the market. While leading the commercial sales client-facing team, he will also continue to manage and develop his own portfolio. Glass joined Key in 2022 as a Senior Relationship Manager. Over the course of his 23-year banking career, he has acquired valuable experience as a credit analyst, field examiner, underwriter, portfolio manager and relationship manager. Prior to joining Key, Glass was a Relationship Manager for Wells Fargo in Western Pennsylvania. Glass earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master's in Business Administration from the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University. He also serves as a board member of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a local nonprofit assisting low-income homeowners with the maintenance and care of their homes to improve living conditions and the quality of life. "Since joining Key last year, Tim has been an outstanding team player and commercial banker," said Doyle. "His extensive experience in the industry, established reputation and leadership will position us in the market to create an even greater impact." Photo: Vic Laurenza, KeyBank Market President, Western Pennsylvania. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771484/Vic-Laurenza-Promoted-to-Market-President-in-Western-Pennsylvania CAMDEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today announced that for the third year in a row, the automaker and its retailers will provide funding to teachers across the country to purchase the school supplies and resources needed to help their students succeed. Subaru believes that all students deserve an equal and fair opportunity at a quality education, and by continuing its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, as part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, students will have the supplies and learning materials they need to excel in the classroom. To kick off the 2023 program, SOA will continue to support students in the Camden City School District (CCSD) by adopting all of the 55 classrooms at the four-school Camden High Campus (grades 9-12) near the automaker's headquarters in Camden, NJ. Furthermore, SOA will fund career and technical education (CTE) programs at Camden's Eastside High School, which was also adopted in 2022. "We are proud to work with AdoptAClassroom.org again this year to help students across America succeed in the classroom with the resources they need," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. "Subaru and our retailers want to support students in the community by providing teachers with the funding they need to purchase essential school supplies for a thriving learning environment." According to AdoptAClassroom.org, more than 92 percent of classrooms have students whose families cannot afford to purchase any school supplies for their children, often requiring teachers to purchase resources using their own money. Throughout August, Subaru and more than 630 participating retailers will once again work with AdoptAClassroom.org to adopt classrooms at high-needs* schools in their communities by providing teachers with funding for critical learning supplies. Many participating retailers will also be donating school supply kits that contain highly requested learning materials, and nearly 10 percent of retailers will be adopting an entire school (20 or more classrooms). "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership with Subaru for the third year to provide even more schools and students across the country with the resources they need," said Ann Pifer, Executive Director of AdoptAClassroom.org. "The enthusiastic and generous involvement of Subaru and its retailers means that more teachers will be supported and empowered to make an even bigger difference for their students' lives this school year." As the largest corporate partner of AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its retailers have supported more than 470,000 students nationwide through the Subaru Loves Learning initiative since 2021. The automaker and nonprofit were recently awarded the 2023 Gold Halo Award for Best Education initiative for their commitment to supporting education, on behalf of the impact of the 2022 Subaru Loves Learning initiative. Last year, Subaru and 621 of its retailers helped support teachers by supporting 652 schools and 5,699 teachers across the U.S., allowing teachers to choose the supplies that would most benefit their students. Retailers also visited their local schools and hand-delivered classroom supply kits to the adopted classrooms. To highlight Subaru Loves Learning and the support it provides to students and teachers nationwide, the automaker developed advertising assets including a 15-second clip, 30-second TV spot, and a feature video centered around the emotional impact that these initiatives can have on a personal level for both educators and children. The commercial will run on national television, digital video, and social media platforms throughout August. For information about Subaru Loves Learning and to find out more about the partners that Subaru supports, visit subaru.com/learning, and follow SubaruLovesLearning on social media. To learn more about AdoptAClassroom.org, visit adoptaclassroom.org. *High-need is defined as a school that has a Title I Schoolwide Program and/or a school where 40% or more of the student population qualifies for the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program. About AdoptAClassroom.org AdoptAClassroom.org believes every child deserves the tools and materials they need to learn and thrive in school. To achieve this, teachers are spending an average of $860 of their own money each year on their classrooms. AdoptAClassroom.org is a national nonprofit that funds PreK-12 teachers and schools across the U.S. to help equip more classrooms and students for success, and offset the financial burden on teachers. Since 1998, AdoptAClassroom.org has raised $65 million and equipped more than 6.4 million students across the U.S. 90% of all funded classrooms are considered high needs. The 501(c)(3) holds the highest 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the highest transparency rating offered by Candid/GuideStar. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ### Contact: Diane Anton Subaru of America, Inc. 856-488-5093 danton@subaru.com Adam Leiter Subaru of America, Inc. (856) 488-8668 aleiter@subaru.com Subaru of America and its retailers will provide funding to teachers across the country to purchase the school supplies and resources needed to help their students succeed. In partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, the Subaru Loves Learning initiative has supported over 470,000 students. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Subaru of America Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/subaru-america Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Subaru of America View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771488/Subaru-Supports-Nearly-Half-a-Million-Students-in-High-Needs-Schools-Through-Subaru-Loves-Learning-Initiative Alex Doorduyn named CRO, Oded Ovadia named AVP and GM Global Sales; Ilan Moshe and Uri Levi departing after contributing greatly to the company's success over last 13 years PETACH TIKVA, Israel, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Siklu, a world leader in millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions for Digital City and Gigabit Wireless Access (GWA), today announced the appointments of Alex Doorduyn to the position of CRO and Oded Ovadia to the position of AVP & GM Global Sales and AVP Global Services, effective today. Ilan Moshe, previously CRO, is departing the company after 12 years in which he served in multiple roles and was instrumental in building the company's business in the Americas. Mr. Ovadia takes over for Uri Levi, who in his 13 years with Siklu played the leading role in developing the company's industry-leading customer relations and services operations. "Both Alex and Oded are ready to assume key leadership roles at Siklu, and we are confident in their abilities to excel and help Siklu maximize its potential across all of our geographies" said Ronen Ben-Hamou, CEO of Siklu. "Since joining the company in 2015, Alex has led the charge in building relationships with customers and partners throughout the Americas in his role as VP and GM Americas and opening new markets for us globally, such as in the physical security and smart city networks sector. Over the last 13 years, Oded has served multiple roles, most recently as Director of Global Business Development where he focused on developing strategic partnerships with Tier 1 Telecom Operators and has helped the company grow in several key markets, including APAC and DACH." Going forward, Mr. Doorduyn, based in Southern California, will oversee all sales globally as well as continue in his previous role as VP & GM Americas, plus all marketing activities for the company. Mr. Ovadia, based in Petah Tikva, Israel, will have responsibility for all sales globally as well as the Global Services team, reporting to Alex Doorduyn. About Siklu Siklu delivers multi-Gigabit "wireless fiber" connectivity in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Operating in the millimeter wave bands, Siklu's wireless solutions are used by leading service providers and system integrators to provide 5G Gigabit Wireless Access services. In addition, Siklu solutions are ideal for Smart City projects requiring extra capacity such as video security, Wi-Fi backhaul and municipal network connectivity -- all running over one network. Thousands of carrier-grade systems are delivering interference-free performance worldwide. Easily installed on street-fixtures or rooftops, these radios have been proven to be the ideal solution for networks requiring fast and simple deployment of secure, wireless fiber. www.siklu.com. Press Contact Dan Shalev, Marketing Manager, Siklu Dan.s@siklu.com +972515584042 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2167241/Siklu_Senior_Management_Changes.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/siklu-announces-changes-in-senior-management-team-301890694.html Signals, a leading AI marketing solution that helps companies discover unknown ready buyers, has announced its integration with Salesloft, the sales engagement platform. This integration will drive conversations from chat to email in Salesloft users cadences and optimize sales and marketing alignment. SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Signals, a leading AI marketing solution, is pleased to announce its native integration with Salesloft, a sales engagement platform helping teams execute their digital selling tasks and communications. This integration will allow Salesloft & Signals customers to more closely align their marketing and sales teams by enabling them to automatically add prospected contacts to cadences in Signals, tailor engagement with targeted plays for visitors enrolled in certain cadences, add people to cadences, create tasks, and see Salesloft Activity from live chat. Salesloft users will now be able to know the prospecting account activities, intent, infographic info, and more upon enrolling visitors into cadences. Live chat allows your sales team to add visitors to cadences, create tasks, or view their activity. The Signals integration gives you the option to enroll your prospective contacts into Salesloft Cadences. The new integration offers several benefits, including: Automatically add contacts from Signals into Salesloft cadences. Sync activity & view Signals activity in Salesloft. Sales reps can enroll and update Salesloft cadences from live chat. Align your sales and marketing team. Sync tasks to view activity captured by Signals on both the Account and Contact level in the smart panel. Qualifying made easy through automation. This integration would allow Signals to pull in details about existing contacts and discover new contacts to send over with mapped fields and enroll directly into your pre-determined cadence within Salesloft. Track companies that you want to engage with, including target accounts, open opportunities, and potential clients. This would allow Salesloft users to engage with more of the right potential buyers and decision-makers automatically. With Signals, sales professionals can determine their ideal customer profile and Signals will identify website visitors that match and enroll them into your existing Salesloft automations. The integration for Salesloft and Signals is easy to set up with a step-by-step article found on Signals' website help.getsignals.ai. The integrations with Salesloft is just the latest addition to Signals' growing list of integrations, which includes popular platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zapier. About Signals Signals is a marketing solution that helps businesses create highly qualified leads through AI. With a suite of innovative tools and solutions, Signals allows businesses to better deploy their marketing automation and one-to-one sales motions. Signals is trusted and used by industry-leading tech companies such as ObservePoint, OpenTable, DOMO, Pantheon and more. Signals has helped their customers create highly qualified leads to interpret the buyer's signals. To learn more about Signals and to learn what your buyer's signals are, please visit getsignals.ai. Contact Information Jenny Young Marketing Manager jenny.young@getsignals.ai 8018600985 Eliza Nemelka Marketing Specialist eliza.nemelka@getsignals.ai 8018001286 SOURCE: Signals View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771337/Signals-Announces-Integration-With-Salesloft-A-Game-Changer-for-Sales-and-Marketing-Alignment Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Blue Thunder Mining Inc. (TSXV: BLUE) ("Blue Thunder" or the "Company") is pleased to provide further information regarding the critical metals transaction (the "Yukon Critical Metals Transaction") announced on July 7, 2023. The Company determined in the latter half of 2022 to acquire new mineral properties to advance its business and create value for its shareholders. The Company expected that the transaction with Analog Gold announced January 30, 2023, would be such an acquisition, but this transaction was terminated, as announced by the Company in its July 7, 2023, news release. The Company previously considered the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction, but set this possibility aside when it agreed to do the Analog Gold transaction. When the Analog Gold transaction was terminated, the Company revisited this opportunity, which it believes is an accretive acquisition which will facilitate the Company pivoting into the critical metals space. Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, the Company's CEO, said, "We made the strategic decision to focus on critical metals because we saw a path to enhance shareholder value by making accretive acquisitions of projects with significant discovery potential. We believe that the market interest in these critical metals will be long-term and that by adding these projects to our portfolio now, as well as by looking for additional acquisition opportunities of these metals, we will be ensuring the potential for long-term growth and value enhancement for our shareholders. We will be releasing further updates in due course." The Yukon Critical Metals Transaction was considered by the board of directors of the Company (excluding Mr. Williams, who owns the private company which is the counterparty to the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction) and was unanimously approved by the board. Negotiations with Mr. Williams regarding the transaction were initiated by the Company. Mr. Williams was not involved in the negotiation of the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction on the Company side, and he abstained from the board vote to approve the transaction. There are no prior valuations relating to the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction. The transaction is exempt from formal valuation under s. 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("not listed on specified markets"). It is not exempt from the minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 - it will require approval by a majority of the Company's disinterested shareholders at a shareholders' meeting which will be called for this purpose. It is presently anticipated that the definitive agreement respecting the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction will be signed by August 31, 2023, and that closing will happen following a shareholders' meeting prior to October 30, 2023. The Company will issue further news release and will file material change reports on entering into the definitive agreement and on closing the critical minerals transaction. About Blue Thunder Blue Thunder is an exploration company that controls several prospective critical metals (including copper, cobalt, tungsten, gold, and tin) properties in the Yukon and one prospective lithium property in Nevada. The company also owns 100% of a large land position near Chibougamau, Quebec. The Muus Gold project covers approximately 51,000 hectares of prospective ground in the eastern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Muus Project is prospective for gold mineralization, as it is on strike from Iamgold's 5 million ounces Au Nelligan project. Field work completed during 2022 established that the northern portion of the Muus Project is prospective for copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, CEO & Director For more information, please visit our website www.bluethundermining.com, or contact Mr. Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, dusty@bluethundermining.com (647) 848-1009. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, anticipated exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, the ability to complete the required permitting, the ability to complete the exploration program and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSX Venture Exchange acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in the Chibougamau District in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits, and the results of any mining thereof, on adjacent or similar properties, are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploitation thereof. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175671 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Canopus BioPharma Inc. (OTC:PINK:CBIA), dba Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. (BHC) proudly unveils the detailed overview of its innovative fleet of touchless and traditional vending machines, strategically situated in high-traffic, high impact locations across North America. Since inception BHC has been at the forefront of unattended and attended retail solutions revolutionizing the customer experience through its extensive network of custom-engineered touchless vending machines, smart kitchens, micro markets, workplace coffee services and digital water coolers. BHC's touchless vending machines are powered by artificial intelligence (AI) which elevates the user experience through a seamless user interface and automated programmatic ad scheduling capabilities. This feature provides media owners robust controls over creative content timing, management, and monetization of their digital signage. By leveraging real-time buying and selling of ad inventory, advertisers can strategically target their audiences with unprecedented speed and efficiency. Programmatic advertising, powered by cutting edge technologies like real-time bidding, data-driven targeting, cross-device targeting and ad optimization through machine learning, data analytics and artificial intelligence, enhances precision and efficiency in reaching the desired audience. Cold-Beverage and Snack Combination Vending Machines BHC's versatile cold beverage and snack combo touchless vending machines leverage optical sensor technology to adapt to consumer behavior and demographics, delivering unparalleled insights into shopper preferences. This sophisticated approach facilitates full screen video advertisements, product animations, combo deals, and QR code-based product recommendations. Designed for a user-centered experience, these machines offer an appealing touchscreen interface that instantly engages customers with the products they desire. Their speed, convenience, and instant product delivery make them ideally suited for high-traffic areas. Coffee & Hot Beverage Vending Machines For coffee enthusiasts, BHC delivers a round-the-clock unattended coffee shop experience through its advanced hot beverage vending machines. They feature an intuitive, self-service touchscreen interface and an extensive drink menu, including drip coffee, cappuccinos, espressos, cafe mochas, hot chocolates, tea and other on-the-go beverages. Select locations even offer premium Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, emphasizing BHC's dedication to delivering a superior coffee experience. BHC's unique brewing and filtering systems ensure precise ingredient controls for consistent taste, aroma, and appearance in every cup. Each beverage, brewed on demand, is dispensed within seconds, offering a gourmet experience comparable to traditional coffee shops. All BHC vending machines feature cashless payment options, ensuring a contactless, hygienic transaction experience. Customers can pay using credit or debit cards (either by swiping or tapping) or through mobile payment options such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. BHC prides itself as being unwavering in its commitment to excellence, boasting a robust financial base with positive revenue. This financial prowess is amplified by the Company's secure high value contracts, reflecting a strong financial foundation. As BHC continues to expand its network and pioneer vending innovations, the Company is poised to increase its footprint across multiple markets, steadily emerging as a trusted name in automated retail. For more information about Blue Heaven Coffee Inc., please visit www.blueheaven.cafe. About Canopus Biopharma Inc. (dba Blue Heaven Coffee Inc.) Canopus Biopharma Inc. dba Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. (BHC) is a provider of unattended and attended retail and digital advertising solutions. Our company specializes in providing client tailored, profit-driven solutions backed by innovative technologies (powered in part by breakthrough Artificial Intelligence), state of the art equipment, and top-notch service and support. BHC specializes in a breakthrough business model, anchored to cutting edge digital advertising solutions. Our fleet of automated retail devices are all connected and managed via a single platform allowing us to offer cutting edge access to programmatic advertising revenue (in a turnkey fashion) allowing us to offer our clients not only stellar service, products, and technologies but also an avenue by which they can profit share, tapping into the vast and lucrative world of programmatic marketing revenue. We empower our clients to create meaningful value beyond the basic framework of unattended retail, by leveraging our existing relationships, knowledge, and experience. Disclaimer: The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and because of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements, or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to complete a qualifying transaction. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether because of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Contact Information: www.blueheaven.cafe ir@blueheaven.cafe SOURCE: Canopus Biopharma Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771560/Canopus-BioPharma-Inc-OTCPINKCBIA-dba-Blue-Heaven-Coffee-Inc-BHC-Proudly-Unveils-the-Detailed-Overview-of-its-Innovative-Fleet-of-Touchless-and-Traditional-Vending-Machines-Strategically-Situated-in-High-Traffic-High-Impact-Locations-Across KDG has been honored for its exemplary commitment to fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging in its work environment. ALLENTOWN, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / KDG, a business services firm in Allentown, PA, has been recognized as an Inclusive Workplace by Best Companies Group, in collaboration with COLOR Magazine. KDG has been named to this list due in part to its exemplary commitment to fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging in its work environment. The program, initiated in the fall of 2023, assesses participating companies through comprehensive surveys and data analysis. Areas of evaluation include inclusion, belonging, psychological safety, community, and purpose. Recipients of this recognition have shown significant commitment to ensuring all their employees feel included, heard, and valued. Their commitment to inclusive work environments has had meaningful impacts on employee engagement, retention rates, and brand recognition. The companies recognized this year serve as beacons of inclusive culture within their respective industries, demonstrating the immense benefits of prioritizing belonging and inclusivity in the workplace. "Being named a 2023 Inclusive Workplace by Best Companies Group is a momentous achievement for KDG, and we are thrilled and humbled by this recognition," says Kyle David, president & CEO of KDG. "Embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment has always been at the core of our values, and it fuels our drive to create a workplace where every individual feels valued, empowered, and respected." This is not the first time KDG has been recognized by Best Companies Group. In 2022, the company was named a Best Places to Work finalist in Pennsylvania. The company, which celebrated 20 years in business this past July, has long been recognized for its flexible work environment, comprehensive benefits (including 100% paid healthcare and matching retirement contributions), and generous PTO. Its status as an inclusive workplace further cements the business's standing as an in-demand employer in Pennsylvania and beyond. "We extend our sincere gratitude to Best Companies Group and COLOR Magazine for honoring us with this prestigious recognition," adds David. "We are grateful for the acknowledgment and will continue to strive towards making a lasting positive impact in the lives of our employees and beyond." KDG is currently hiring and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religions, or gender identities to apply: https://kyledavidgroup.com/about/careers/. To review the full list of Inclusive Workplace winners, visit https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/programs/inclusive-workplace-program/recognition-list/. About KDG: With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to excellence, KDG is the partner of choice for businesses looking to leverage technology and digital services to achieve their goals. To learn more, visit https://kyledavidgroup.com/. About Best Companies Group: Best Companies Group is an independent research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing the best workplaces all around the world. Contact Information Keri Lindenmuth Marketing Manager klindenmuth@kyledavidgroup.com SOURCE: KDG View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771581/KDG-Named-an-Inclusive-Workplace-by-Best-Companies-Group NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / International Paper Company: Originally published in International Paper's 2022 Sustainability Report Central to our commitment to support forest ecosystems globally is collaboration with our longstanding partners. We meet this commitment by: Working directly with wood suppliers and forest landowners to promote sustainable management practices Engaging stakeholders in the communities where we operate Collaborating with conservation organizations to enhance ecologically important areas and restore forests worldwide To help us achieve our goals of conserving and restoring 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland by 2030, we've engaged in long-standing strategic partnerships - not only with local forest landowners, but also with numerous local and global organizations. We are one of the first five U.S. companies to join Forests Forward, World Wildlife Fund's signature program for corporate action in support of nature, climate and people. IP and WWF are collaborating to drive continued improvements in our responsible fiber sourcing and to develop robust science-based targets applicable to forests. Roughly one-third of the world's population has a close dependence on forests and forest products. Through our membership in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Forest Solutions Group, we've joined global efforts to support the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Our support champions the critical role of healthy forest ecosystems in water quality, clean air, biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Our Strategic Partnerships in Forest Sustainability Forestland Stewards Partnership with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation American Bird Conservancy American Forest Foundation Arbor Day Foundation Celebrate Planet Earth WBCSD Forest Solutions Group The Nature Conservancy WWF's Forests Forward Program 90% of IP's U.S. fiber supply comes from the nearly 60% of forestland that is privately owned, most by small businesses and families. About International Paper International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com. About International Paper - EMEA In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and pulp, employing approximately 4,200 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pulp production is centered in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include Kraft linerboard and recycled containerboard, as well as pulp. Read more View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Paper Company on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: International Paper Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-paper-company Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: International Paper Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771561/Supporting-Forest-Ecosystems-Through-Partner-Collaboration NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / FedEx Corporation Originally published in the 2022 FedEx Cares Report Providing essential supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian Hurricane Ian was one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S. In response, FedEx quickly mobilized relief efforts through our longstanding relationships with the American Red Cross, ASPCA, Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International, International Medical Corps, The Salvation Army, Team Rubicon, and World Central Kitchen. We worked with experts on the ground to assess needs and coordinate delivery of medicine, shelter, hygiene kits, food, and water. Included were 20,400 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) from the reserves FedEx has stationed across the country, which we donated to the American Red Cross. We also helped International Medical Corps deploy a mobile medical unit to provide wound care, prescription refills, flu shots, and general health consultations to the thousands of residents left without access to healthcare. Our collaboration with FedEx has helped us, time and time again, deliver on our mission of saving lives and relieving the suffering of people affected by war, disease, and disaster. We could not be more grateful. Rebecca Milner Chief Advancement Officer for International Medical Corps Acting fast to help Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona A record 712,000 Puerto Rico households were impacted when Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico. We acted quickly to collaborate with nonprofits on the ground, delivering life-saving supplies and critical assistance to those in need. 12 PALLETS We helped the International Medical Corps by transporting and storing 12 pallets with essential household supplies, hygiene kits, and medical equipment for distribution to affected healthcare facilities. 4,500 DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS FedEx is a founding sponsor of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program. After Hurricane Fiona, they completed 4,500 damage assessments. 500 PEOPLE We supported Direct Relief to deliver Emergency Medical Backpacks. Each one can serve as many as 500 people in need. 2,000 PEOPLE We supported Heart International in the delivery of 4 pallets of hygiene kits to serve 2,000 people. 45 PALLETS World Central Kitchen sent 45 pallets with 20,000 meal kits, LuminAid lights, generators, insulated food carriers, food containers, and cutlery to Miami to stage for distribution. Recognition for our longstanding commitment to the Salvation Army Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army U.S.A. presented FedEx Executive Chairman Frederick W. Smith and FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam with their most prestigious honor, the Evangeline Booth Award. The award is in recognition of our team's dedication, longstanding commitment, and community focus in being instrumental in expanding The Salvation Army's ability to aid individuals and families in need around the world. "We are in business to serve, in many ways. So, we're proud to be able to accept this award." - Raj Subramaniam, FedEx President and CEO Read more View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771591/Providing-Humanitarian-Relief-to-Our-Communities-Near-and-Far PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Today, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn"), the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, announced its July 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates, including the highest and most accessible CPM categories. "We've passed the halfway mark of 2023. Investing in podcast advertising during the second half of the year offers distinct advantages for advertisers. Brands can capitalize on increased consumer purchasing during major holidays and seasonal events - to build brand awareness and establish a presence in consumers' minds before the new year, leading to increased consideration and new customer conversions," said Dave Hanley, Chief Revenue Officer of Libsyn's AdvertiseCast. "Our comprehensive platform empowers advertisers to plan, manage, and measure their podcast advertising campaigns effectively, providing valuable insights to optimize reach and engagement with their target audience." July 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates The following rates, which are denoted as cost per thousand or CPM, are published monthly by Libsyn's AdvertiseCast, the industry's premier podcast advertising marketplace that connects advertisers with podcasters. The Company releases the figures to empower the podcaster and advertiser communities to readily monitor market pricing and provide greater insight into podcasting advertising as a monetization vehicle. The data is derived from actual sales data across AdvertiseCast's network of thousands of shows. For July 2023, the average CPM rate was $22.24 for a 60-second ad spot. That figure is slightly down compared to last month (June 2023 avg. CPM rate: $23.06) and has decreased year-over-year (July 2022 avg. CPM rate: $23.63). The three highest CPM categories in July based on delivered advertising were: Technology: $26 Education: $26 Arts: $25 Moreover, three categories where advertisers can effectively tap into highly engaged audiences at more accessible CPM rates include Fiction, Games, and Sports, which averaged around the high teens to low 20s in July. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that makes it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns, while providing maximum return for creators. Historical monthly CPM rates can be found on AdvertiseCast's website at: www.advertisecast.com/podcast-advertising-rates. About Liberated Syndication Founded in 2004, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio content. In 2022, the Company hosted over 75,000 shows and delivered over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast marketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that make it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns on over 3,000 shows. Based in Munich, Germany, Libsyn's Julep Media platform is the leading podcasting hosting platform and advertising marketplace in Europe. Libsyn also powers podcast membership platform, Glow, and web hosting platform, Pair Networks. Visit libsyn.com or investor.libsyn.com for more Company information. #? #? # Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@relev8.co + nancy@relev8.co Investor Contact: investor@libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771592/Libsyn-Unveils-July-2023-Podcast-Advertising-Rates Tim Stone joins the company and will assume the CFO role effective September 1, 2023 Brings more than two decades of experience in senior financial and CFO roles from Amazon.com, Inc., and Ford Motor Company Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH) ("Farfetch" or the "Company"), the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, today announces that Tim Stone has joined the Company and will become Chief Financial Officer effective September 1, 2023. Mr. Stone succeeds Elliot Jordan whose departure was announced in February. After a handover period, including the reporting of FARFETCH's second quarter 2023 results scheduled for August 17, 2023, Mr. Jordan will leave the Company on August 31, 2023. Mr. Stone brings vast experience from marketplace and technology platform businesses to his role at FARFETCH. He spent more than 20 years in senior finance roles at Amazon.com, including as Chief Financial Officer for the AWS, Devices and Digital Content businesses. In addition, he was CFO for Ford Motor Company. Jose Neves, Founder, Chairman and CEO, FARFETCH, said: "I am delighted to welcome Tim to the Company. His more than two decades of experience in helping shepherd a leading consumer marketplace with a focus on delivering profitable, sustainable growth are an ideal match for this next chapter of FARFETCH's trajectory. This is very much a period of execution at FARFETCH and he will help ensure that we deliver the best possible financial performance in the years ahead. Once again, I offer my heartfelt thanks to Elliot for all his contributions and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours." Tim Stone, Chief Financial Officer, FARFETCH, said "This is a wonderful time to be joining FARFETCH. The company is successfully leading the digitization of the luxury fashion industry, putting it at the heart of a long-term, global growth market. With a focus on our customers and industry partners, profitable growth, and operational execution, we are well positioned to drive free cash flow generation. I am grateful to Jose for the opportunity to join the team and look forward to many years of success together." ENDS Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial performance and our expectations in relation to the management change discussed herein, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "plan," "aim," "enable," "believe," or the negative of these terms and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our website at http://farfetchinvestors.com. In addition, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. 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 any forward-looking statements that we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release are inherently uncertain and may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. In addition, the forward-looking statements made in this release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this release. 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. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today, the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries and territories with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,400 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a global platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers, and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch offers its broad range of consumer-facing channels and enterprise level solutions to the luxury industry under its Luxury New Retail initiative. The Luxury New Retail initiative also encompasses Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities, and Future Retail, which develops innovations such as our Connected Retail solutions. For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com. We use this investor website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information. Accordingly, investors should monitor such website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Investors may also receive email alerts and other information about us by enrolling their email address under the "Investor Resources" tab of our investor site. We have included our website address in this release solely for informational purposes, and the information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801386622/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations: Alice Ryder VP Investor Relations IR@farfetch.com Media: Susannah Clark Executive VP, Communications susannah.clark@farfetch.com +44 7788 405224 Brunswick Group farfetch@brunswickgroup.com US: +1 (212) 333 3810 UK: +44 (0) 207 404 5959 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Recently, CNH Industrial was awarded at an event in Geneva hosted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN. The event focused on fostering a sustainable future through collaboration. They focused on inspiring and empowering future leaders, particularly those with MBA and PhD backgrounds guided by CERN and the College des Ingenieurs (CDI). It consisted of two sessions aimed at exploring future opportunities, technologies, and value chains - all contributing to creating a better future with European industry and institutional leaders. During the occasion, the jury recognized and awarded three student groups who took part in innovation projects at CNH. They worked together in teams, developing sustainable initiatives to improve the agricultural, social, and mobility sectors. At CNH, we acknowledge the necessity for change and are fully committed to facilitating the ecological transition. We take great pride in being a part of the Innovation 4 Change program - leading the way in pioneering breakthrough technologies and transforming industries with our talented team. At the event held by CERN, the jury recognized and rewarded three student groups who participated in innovation projects at CNH, where they developed sustainable initiatives to improve the agricultural, social, and mobility sectors. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CNH Industrial Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: CNH Industrial View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771618/CNH-Industrial-Awarded-for-Excellence-in-Sustainability COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Fortitude Gold Corporation (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, including $19.2 million net sales, $3.6 million net income, or $0.15 per share, and a $46.9 million cash balance at quarter end. The Company produced 9,684 ounces of gold during the second quarter and maintains its 2023 production outlook. 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. Q2 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND HIGHLIGHTS $19.2 million net sales $3.6 million net income, or $0.15 per share $46.9 million cash balance on June 30, 2023 9,684 gold ounces produced 3.36 grams per tonne average gold grade mined $91.9 million working capital at June 30, 2023 $11.2 million mine gross profit $6.1 million exploration expenditures $527 total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold $680 per ounce total all-in sustaining cost $3.9 million dividends paid $0.04 special dividend Fortitude Gold sold 9,702 gold ounces at a total cash cost of $527 per ounce (after by-product credits) and an all-in-sustaining-cost per ounce of $680. Realized metal prices during the quarter averaged $1,990 per ounce gold*. The Company recorded net income of $3.6 million, or $0.15 per share and reported cash and cash equivalents at quarter end of $46.9 million. The Company produced 9,684 ounces of gold during the quarter, 21,171 ounces of gold year-to-date, and maintains its 2023 Annual Outlook targeting 40,000 gold ounces (a range of 36,000 to 40,000 ounces). "The second quarter was another solid quarter of production which positions the Company at the high-end of our annual production target," stated Mr. Jason Reid, CEO and President of Fortitude Gold. "Additional quarter highlights include strong financial performance, low all-in production costs and over $6 million invested in exploration. In addition to our regular instituted monthly cash dividend, we declared our first special cash dividend to shareholders. By doing so we demonstrate our commitment to return as much cash back to shareholders as soon as possible while balancing the needs of the operations, exploration and growth, and paying taxes as a profitable mining company." Mr. Reid continued, "Our Plan of Operations for the County Line project was submitted to the Bureau of Land Management during the quarter. We also expect to submit a Plan of Operations for our Golden Mile project in the coming weeks as we push both projects through the production permitting cycle as quickly as possible." The following Production Statistics table summarize certain information about our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022: Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Ore mined Ore (tonnes) 112,834 123,810 219,309 377,653 Gold grade (g/t) 3.36 3.46 3.71 2.59 Low-grade stockpile Ore (tonnes) - 11,011 61,854 34,501 Gold grade (g/t) - 0.42 0.47 0.43 Waste (tonnes) 312,614 241,500 530,741 1,494,024 Metal production (before payable metal deductions)(1) Gold (ozs.) 9,684 10,980 21,171 20,855 Silver (ozs.) 13,611 16,027 31,260 32,550 (1) The difference between what we report as "metal production" and "metal sold" is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the dore we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades and recoveries which impact the amount of metals contained in dore produced and sold. The following Sales Statistics table summarizes certain information about our operations for three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022: Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Metal sold Gold (ozs.) 9,702 12,851 21,131 21,148 Silver (ozs.) 13,464 18,780 30,944 32,708 Average metal prices realized (1) Gold ($per oz.) 1,990 1,876 1,935 1,871 Silver ($per oz.) 24.46 23.04 23.42 23.34 Precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold Gold Ounces 9,702 12,851 21,131 21,148 Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver 165 231 375 408 9,867 13,082 21,506 21,556 Total cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold $ 561 $ 680 $ 546 $ 706 Total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold $ 527 $ 646 $ 512 $ 670 Total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold $ 680 $ 733 $ 625 $ 778 (1) Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases. *Average realized metal prices include final settlement adjustments for previously unsettled provisional sales. Provisional sales may remain unsettled from one quarter into the next. Realized prices will therefore vary from average spot metal market prices upon final settlement. See Accompanying Tables The following information summarizes the results of operations for Fortitude Gold Corporation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, its financial condition at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The summary data as of June 30, 2023 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 is unaudited; the summary data as of December 31, 2022 is derived from our audited financial statements contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, but do not include the footnotes and other information that is included in the complete financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Company's Form 10-K in its entirety, which can be found on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The calculation of its cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold, total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold and total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold contained in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Company's most recent Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures. FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) June 30, December 31, 2023 2022 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 46,913 $ 45,054 Gold and silver rounds/bullion 225 - Inventories 50,709 47,155 Prepaid taxes 966 710 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,261 730 Total current assets 100,074 93,649 Property, plant and mine development, net 28,618 30,581 Operating lease assets, net 2,078 3,826 Deferred tax assets 2,300 1,282 Other non-current assets 341 1,818 Total assets $ 133,411 $ 131,156 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 3,619 $ 2,524 Operating lease liabilities, current 2,078 3,826 Mining taxes payable 1,512 1,857 Other current liabilities 947 1,324 Total current liabilities 8,156 9,531 Asset retirement obligations 6,102 5,863 Other non-current liabilities - 3 Total liabilities 14,258 15,397 Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 - - Common stock - $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized and 24,084,542 shares outstanding at June 30, 2023 and 24,024,542 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 241 240 Additional paid-in capital 103,893 103,731 Retained earnings 15,019 11,788 Total shareholders' equity 119,153 115,759 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 133,411 $ 131,156 FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Sales, net $ 19,219 $ 23,993 $ 40,759 $ 39,354 Mine cost of sales: Production costs 5,020 8,189 10,673 13,970 Depreciation and amortization 2,905 4,155 6,384 6,933 Reclamation and remediation 68 76 140 123 Total mine cost of sales 7,993 12,420 17,197 21,026 Mine gross profit 11,226 11,573 23,562 18,328 Costs and expenses: General and administrative expenses 1,087 1,094 2,146 2,274 Exploration expenses 6,061 2,426 9,749 4,940 Other (income) expense, net (434 ) 65 (761 ) 82 Total costs and expenses 6,714 3,585 11,134 7,296 Income before income and mining taxes 4,512 7,988 12,428 11,032 Mining and income tax expense 908 1,423 2,456 1,849 Net income $ 3,604 $ 6,565 $ 9,972 $ 9,183 Net income per common share: Basic $ 0.15 $ 0.27 $ 0.41 $ 0.38 Diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.27 $ 0.41 $ 0.38 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 24,084,542 24,024,542 24,074,312 24,010,061 Diluted 24,225,953 24,207,185 24,219,270 24,204,660 FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 9,972 $ 9,183 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 6,430 7,011 Stock-based compensation 103 97 Deferred taxes (1,018 ) (650 ) Reclamation and remediation accretion 140 123 Other operating adjustments (58 ) (29 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable - (1,572 ) Inventories (2,167 ) (1,068 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (531 ) 1,087 Other non-current assets - (31 ) Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities 519 176 Income and mining taxes payable (601 ) 194 Net cash provided by operating activities 12,789 14,521 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (3,974 ) (8,052 ) Other investing activities (239 ) - Net cash used in investing activities (4,213 ) (8,052 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid (6,741 ) (5,763 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 60 63 Repayment of loans payable (30 ) (43 ) Repayment of capital leases (6 ) (13 ) Net cash used in financing activities (6,717 ) (5,756 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,859 713 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 45,054 40,017 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 46,913 $ 40,730 Supplemental Cash Flow Information Income and mining taxes paid $ 4,074 $ 2,339 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable $ 231 $ 322 Change in estimate for asset retirement costs $ - $ 517 Right-of-Use assets acquired through operating lease $ - $ 3,899 About Fortitude Gold Corporation 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. 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/771588/Fortitude-Gold-Reports-Second-Quarter-Net-Income-of-36-Million-Maintains-2023-Production-Outlook Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (OTC Pink: AAIRF) ("Aires" or the "Company"), a leader in scientifically-proven EMF modulation technology, announces a record in monthly order volume. In the month of July, the company received orders totaling C$1 million, 50% higher than C$673k received in June of 2023 and 65% higher than C$611k received in July of 2022. Compared to the previous record which was set during the November 2022 pre-holiday spending season at C$965k, the July 2023 order volume was 5% higher. The company is very pleased with this summer month result and believes the focus on effective ad spend and careful sales pipeline management positions the company very well for the rest of the year and the upcoming 2023 holiday season. Josh Bruni, CEO of American Aires, said, "This company milestone serves as a demonstration of the dedication and tenacity of our entire team. Their consistent efforts have continued to turn our strategic vision into tangible results, and for that, I extend my sincere appreciation. While we recognize and appreciate this achievement, it's important to underscore that these results align with our expectations. Our robust forecasting models and meticulous planning have long predicted this level of success. This achievement reaffirms the accuracy of our forecasts and the effectiveness of our strategies. This is not just a landmark accomplishment, but also a reaffirmation of our team's strength and resilience." Although the improvement in the inventory levels played an important role in supporting the strong sales, and particularly repeat purchases, management continues to seek external sources of financing, necessary to bolster the company's inventory position in advance of seasonally higher sales in the months of Q3 and Q4. The company expects to provide a further update on the financing progress in the near term. About American Aires Inc. American Aires Inc. is a Canadian-based nanotechnology company committed to enhancing well-being and environmental safety through science-led innovation, education, and advocacy. The company has developed proprietary silicon-based microprocessors that reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Aires' Lifetune products target EMR emitted by consumer electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi, including the more powerful and rapidly expanding high-speed 5G networks. Aires is listed on the CSE under the ticker 'WIFI' and on the OTC QB under the symbol 'AAIRF'. Learn more at www.airestech.com. On behalf of the board of directors Josh Bruni, CEO Email: wifi@airestech.com Telephone: (415) 707-0102 Website: www.airestech.com Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. We seek safe harbour. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175711 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Sun Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSXV: SRES) today released its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. "C$" refers to Canadian dollars. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $1,475,527 an increase of 8.9% compared with the same period in the prior year. Net rental income was $988,878, an increase of 3.5%, and net income and comprehensive income for the three months was $581,815, an increase of 9.8%. Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2,870,880 an increase of 8.6% compared with the same period in the prior year. Net rental income was $1,975,849, an increase of 6.0%, and net income and comprehensive income for the three months was $1,105,873, an increase of 9.9%. At June 30, 2023, Sun had total assets of $75.9 million (December 31, 2022 - $75.6 million), and cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 million (December 31, 2022 - $4.7 million). Working capital at June 30, 2023 was $4.2 million (December 31, 2021 - $4.6 million). Robert C. Wetenhall Jr., Chief Executive Officer, said, "During the quarter, we acquired a distressed apartment building located in Cape Coral, Florida. Mobilization to begin renovating the property, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian, has already begun. We expect the property will be accretive to earnings when stabilized next year and demonstrates our commitment to creating shareholder value by sourcing attractive investment opportunities in the Sun Belt." Additional highlights (at June 30, 2023 or for the three months then ended, unless otherwise noted) NAV (net asset value) per unit - $0.109 (C$0.147) Weighted average occupancy for the quarter - 93%; occupancy at quarter-end - 95% FFO (funds from operations) - $206,792, an increase of 36% from the prior year. AFFO (adjusted funds from operations) - $183,081, an increase of 22% from the prior year. Quarterly distribution paid June 30, 2023 corresponds to 57% of net income available to unitholders, 71% of FFO, and 80% of AFFO. Rent collection for June 2023 - 99% Net operating income margin - 52% Debt to gross book value - 41% A reconciliation to non-IFRS measures is set out below. For further information on the financial results as well as analysis of operational statistics, please refer to Sun's consolidated financial statements and its management's discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2023, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Sun's website at www.sunresreit.com. Conference Call Interested parties are invited to participate in a Zoom video call with management on August 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Please use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83058398761?pwd=Vk9NVEI4YkxjV1BhVEdld2FsVGFhZz09 Quarterly distribution The Board of Trustees has approved a regular quarterly distribution of C$0.00095 (0.095 Canadian cents) per unit. This distribution will be paid September 29, 2023 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2023, and represents an annual rate of C$0.0038 (0.38 Canadian cents) per unit. Non-IFRS Financial Measures Weighted average leased rate, FFO, AFFO, rent collection, net operating income margin, NAV per unit and debt to gross book value are key measures of performance commonly used by real estate investment trusts. They are not measures recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and do not have meanings prescribed by IFRS. Weighted average leased rate, FFO, AFFO, rent collection for March 2023, net operating income margin, NAV per unit and debt to gross book value as calculated by Sun may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please see the table below for reconciliations to IFRS measures. Three months ended Six months ended June 30 June 30 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income attributable to unitholders $ 257,120 $ 201,005 $ 458,449 $ 370,920 Adjustments to arrive at FFO Fair value adjustment to investment properties 46,493 4,352 98,162 10,152 Realty taxes not accounted for under IFRIC 21 (217,800 ) (190,200 ) (435,600 ) (380,400 ) Non-controlling interest 83,940 91,066 165,345 181,422 Deferred income taxes 45,087 51,083 88,990 96,125 Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation (8,048) (5,431 ) (8,358 ) (3,817 ) Funds from operations (FFO) 206,792 151,875 366,988 274,402 Adjustments to arrive at AFFO Capital expenditures (46,493 ) (4,352 ) (98,162 ) (10,152 ) Non-controlling interest 22,782 2,132 48,099 4,974 Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) $ 183,081 $ 149,655 $ 316,925 $ 269,224 Weighted average number of units 203,338,999 203,338,999 203,338,999 203,338,999 FFO per unit $ 0.0010 $ 0.0007 $ 0.0018 $ 0.0013 AFFO per unit $ 0.0009 $ 0.0007 $ 0.0016 $ 0.0013 June 30 December 31 2023 2022 Unitholder equity $ 22,114,236 21,801,627 NAV per unit $ 0.109 $ 0.107 NAV per unit (C$) $ 0.147 $ 0.140 About Sun Residential REIT Sun Residential Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust dated January 22, 2019, as amended and restated on March 22, 2019 and November 4, 2020. The business of Sun is to acquire multi-family residential properties in the Sunbelt region of the United States. For further information, please contact: Robert C. Wetenhall Jr. Chief Executive Officer rwetenhall@sunresreit.com Jeffrey D. Sherman, Chief Financial Officer jsherman@sunresreit.com (416) 214-2228 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175713 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Global Education Communities Corp. ("GECC" or the "Company") (TSX:GEC), (OTCQX International:GECSF) is pleased to report the appointment of Mr. Paul Harman as GECC's new Chief Financial Officer, effective August 1, 2023, to replace Mr. Hilbert Ng who is stepping down to pursue personal interests and devote more time to his family's business. Mr. Harman holds a Chartered Accountant designation from the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). He has been GECC's Controller and Vice President of Finance since February 2021. Before joining the Company, Mr. Harman worked at KPMG in Canada and Australia. The Company also reports the appointment of Ms. Louise Xu as Vice President, Corporate Finance. Ms. Xu has been a part of GECC's management team since 2019. Ms. Xu has a Master of Science degree with a major in Finance and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. "We welcome the additions of Mr. Harman and Ms. Xu to the Company's senior executive team. We expect a smooth succession due to Paul and Louise's extensive involvement over the past several years," commented Toby Chu, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of GECC. "We are grateful for Mr. Ng's contribution over the past six years and offer him best wishes for his future endeavours. Mr. Ng will continue working with the Company as a consultant." For more information, contact: Toby Chu Chairman, President & CEO Global Education Communities Corp. Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 319 or | Email: info@GEChq.com SOURCE: Global Education Communities Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/771645/Global-Education-Communities-Corp-Appoints-New-CFO Abbey Labs, a San Francisco, CA-based identity and access management (IAM) company, raised $5.25m in seed funding. The round was led by Point72 Ventures with participation from Haystack, Essence Ventures, and angels across the security, infrastructure, and data verticals, including Emilio Escobar (CISO of Datadog), Harold Gimenez (SVP of Engineering at Hashicorp), and Pete Soderling (Founder of Data Council). The company intends to use the funds to accelerate go-to-market opportunities, hiring and developer awareness. Founded by CEO Arvil Nagpal and CTO Jeff Chao, former employees of Okta and Stripe, respectively, Abbey Labs is building a first access governance platform built for engineers. It integrates common access workflows, such as requests and approvals, into a companys existing developer tooling and infrastructure. The company will soon announce its public beta release in conjunction with three major conferences they will be attending: Black Hat, DEF CON and BSidesLV 2023. FinSMEs 31/07/2023 Dynatrace (NYSE: DT), a Waltham, MA-based leader in unified observability and security, is to acquire Rookout, a Tel Aviv, Israel and Palo Alto, CA-based provider of enterprise-ready and privacy-aware solutions that enable developers to quickly troubleshoot and debug actively running code in Kubernetes-hosted cloud-native applications. The amount of the deal, whose closing is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur later in the companys second quarter, which ends on September 30, 2023, was not disclosed. The proposed transaction will not have a material impact on Dynatraces fiscal year 2024 financials and will be funded from cash on hand. Adding Rookout to the Dynatrace platform will provide developers with increased code-level observability into production environments. This will also add interactivity and control to troubleshooting and debugging in production and drastically reduce the need to replicate issues in pre-production environments. The addition of Rookout to the Dynatrace platform will also improve collaboration across development, IT, and security teams by empowering them with a single platform for observability and security analytics and automation. Led by Shahar Fogel, CEO, Rookout empowers engineers to solve customer issues, by making debugging easy and accessible in any environment, from cloud native to on-prem and from dev to production. With its live data collection and debugging platform, Rookout allows software engineers to handle the complexity of modern applications by seeing into their code in real-time, as its running. Using Non-Breaking Breakpoints, software engineers get the data they need instantly, without additional coding, restarts, or redeployment of their application required. Dynatrace provides a unified platform that combines broad and deep observability and continuous runtime application security with the most advanced AIOps to provide answers and intelligent automation from data at an enormous scale. This enables innovators to modernize and automate cloud operations, deliver software faster and more securely, and ensure flawless digital experiences. FinSMEs 01/08/2023 Pelvital, an Eagan, MN-based womens health company, closed a $2.68m seed funding round. The round was led by Boomerang Ventures, with participation from VisionTech Partners, Wisconsin Investment Partners, and Edward Bergmark, PhD, Founder and former CEO of Optum. Led by Lydia Zeller, President and CEO, Pelvitan is advancing Flyte, an FDA-cleared treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and weakened pelvic floor muscles. It is an at-home intravaginal device that delivers the proven treatment modality of mechanotherapy to treat SUI and strengthen pelvic floor muscles quickly and effectively. Flyte was originally developed by physicians from the Arctic University of Norway in collaboration with experts in gynecology, muscle rehabilitation and urinary incontinence treatments. Its mechanism of action is mechanotherapy, a foundational treatment modality that when paired with an active pelvic floor contraction stimulates tissue repair and the creation of neuromuscular memory. The company intends to use the funds to complete development of its next generation product and to accelerate commercialization, expanding its reach to a broader audience of clinicians and women seeking an effective, conservative in-home treatment for stress urinary incontinence. FinSMEs 01/08/2023 TruckLabs, a Phoenix, AZ-based clean technology company focused on trucking sustainability, closed its Series B funding round of undisclosed amount. The round was led by Blue Bear Capital with participation from Calibrate Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to develop its products further, accelerate growth, and continue its mission to drive operational efficiencies while reducing carbon emissions in the trucking industry. Founded out of Stanford University in 2014, and led by Daniel Burrows, CEO, TruckLabs creates intelligent solutions that make a positive impact on carbon reduction and drive operational efficiencies. Its flagship technology, TruckWings, is a tractor-mounted, smart aerodynamic device that automatically closes the gap between cab and trailer to reduce drag, improve stability, and increase fuel efficiency. Founded out of Stanford University, TruckLabs has won awards in several Department of Energy (DOE) competitions including the National CleanTech Award and CalTechs FLoW competition. FinSMEs 01/08/2023 VenoStent, Inc., a Houston, TX-based clinical-stage, venture-backed, therapeutic medical device company developing bioabsorbable wraps to improve outcomes for hemodialysis patients, completed a $16M Series A financing. The round was led by Good Growth Capital and IAG Capital Partners, with participation from TMC Venture Fund, SNR, Baylor Angel Network / Affinity Fund, Creative Ventures, Cowtown Angels, Alumni Ventures, and other angel investors. The company intends to use the funds to expand their US Pivotal Trial and their manufacturing capabilities, aiming towards FDA Approval of their novel therapeutic medical device. Led by CEO Tim Boire, Ph.D., VenoStent is a therapeutic medical device company developing a bioabsorbable wrap, SelfWrap, to transform outcomes in vascular surgery, starting with hemodialysis access. The device is intended to improve the usability and durability of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), the artery-vein connections that are surgically created in the arms of chronic kidney disease patients to enable life-saving dialysis treatments. The company, which has received funding in the past from KidneyX, National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Health (NIH), Y Combinator, Health Wildcatters, and Texas Halo Fund, also has announced that they have been granted Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the FDA for their US clinical trial, SAVE-FistulaS. FinSMEs 01/08/2023 A standing bear is a majestic sight to behold. However, at a Chinese zoo, the bear was acting so humanely that it led people to doubt whether it was a real bear or not. The zoo in eastern China has now denied suggestions that some of its bears might be people in costumes, after photos of the animals standing like humans circulated online. The sun bears from Malaysia are smaller than other bears and look different but are the real thing, the Hangzhou Zoo said Monday on its social media account. In a post written from the perspective of a sun bear called Angela, Hangzhou Zoo said: Some people think I stand like a person It seems you dont understand me very well. When it comes to bears, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge figure and astonishing power But not all bears are behemoths and danger personified. The zoo, through the bears voice, instead emphasised sun bears are petite, the smallest bear in the world, reports BBC. The Hangzhou Zoo also arranged for reporters to see them on Monday. But why did social media users believe that the bear was a costumed person, and what are zoo officials saying? We take a closer look. Why are people questioning the bear? In video footage, the sun bear is seen standing tall on the edge of its enclosure, paws by its side, likely observing the zoos guests for itself. People on social media questioned how the bear could stand so upright on such slender legs, as well as the sight of what appears to be skin bagging around its hips, which some compared to those on an ill-fitting bear suit. Hangzhou Zoo, located in China, denies social media rumors that the zoos sun bear is a human in a suit. Some people think [the bear] stands like a person It seems you dont understand [the bear] very well. pic.twitter.com/gZZKZtsVCj Pop Base (@PopBase) July 31, 2023 They accused Hangzhou Zoo, in the province of Zhejiang, of dressing humans up like bears. "Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are 'humans in disguise,'" according to the newspaper Hangzhou Daily. Notably, other Chinese zoos have faced similar accusations, with some being accused of trying to pass off dogs dyed to look like wolves or African cats, and even using donkeys painted to resemble zebras. Is the bear real? Dr Ashleigh Marshall, a Chester Zoo expert, told BBC that the animal in the video is "definitely a real bear," though she acknowledges sun bears can "look a lot like people in their costumes." She went on to say that the ruffled appearance of the bear's skin around its back end is a normal and vital aspect of its anatomy. The folds assist protects the bears from predators because the looseness allows the bear to "turn around in their skin" and fight back if a large animal like a tiger gets a hold of them, Dr Marshall explains, reports BBC. What zoo authorities have to say? The bear in question, according to the zoo, is a sun bear, which are typically the size of large dogs, standing little more than 1.3 metres (50 inches) tall on its hind legs, compared to up to 2.8 metres (nine feet) for grizzlies and other species. In an audio recording that circulated on the social media platform WeChat, a zoo spokesperson stated that the animal was real and that such deceit would not occur at a state-run facility. The spokesperson added that in 40 degrees Celsius heat, a human in a fur bear suit "would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing," as per a report in the Mirror. The zoo also said that sun bears the smallest species of bear have a particularly mild temperament which means it is not unusual for them to stand up to interact with visitors. With inputs from AP Indias third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, successfully completed the critical trans-lunar injection (TLI) on early Tuesday (1 August) and has now started its journey towards Moon. Chandrayaan-3 has completed its orbits around the Earth and is heading towards the moon. A successful perigee-firing performed at ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network), PTI quoted Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as saying. According to reports, the TLI was scheduled for 1 August between 12 midnight and 1 am. What happens next? When will Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft land on the lunar surface? Lets understand. Chandrayaan-3 mission ISRO launched Chandrayaan-3 from the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on 14 July, with Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) lifting off the spacecraft into Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO). The spacecraft consists of a two-metre tall robotic moon lander Vikram and rover Pragyaan. Since its launch, the mission completed five Earth-bound maneuvers (EBMs). While one was to raise the altitude at the nearest point from the Earth or perigee, the other four were to increase the altitude from the farthest point or apogee noted Times of India (TOI). The first EBM carried out on 15 July catapulted the spacecraft into a 41,762 km x 173 km orbit, while the last EBM by ISRO achieved a 1,27,609 km x 236 km orbit. After revolving around Earth for more than two weeks and finishing five orbit-raising moves, Chandrayaan-3 began its five-day journey to Moon on 1 August. An ISRO official confirmed to the news agency PTI that the spacecraft left the Earths orbit after the TLI manoeuvre, which placed it on the lunar transfer trajectory. As per News18, TLI is performed by a chemical rocket engine, involving a powerful burn. This burn enhances the speed of the spacecraft propelling it into the Moons sphere of influence. Whats next? The mission is currently in a transfer trajectory phase that will last five days before its advance to the lunar phase. The 2145-kg propulsion module, carrying atop the landing module Vikram and Pragyan will travel in a straight path to reach the lunar orbit, as per TOI. Chandrayaan-3 is likely to reach the lunar orbit on 5 August. Next stop: the moon. As it arrives at the moon, the Lunar-Orbit Insertion (LOI) is planned for 5 August 2023, Indias space agency said. Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Chandrayaan-3 completes its orbits around the Earth and heads towards the Moon. A successful perigee-firing performed at ISTRAC, ISRO has injected the spacecraft into the translunar orbit. Next stop: the Moon As it arrives at the moon, the pic.twitter.com/myofWitqdi ISRO (@isro) July 31, 2023 Once the propulsion module reaches the initial lunar orbit on 5 August, it will slowly descend into a lower and lower orbit, taking the lander and rover from the injection orbit to a 100-km circular lunar orbit. According to TOI, ISRO is expected to perform at least four Moon-bound manoeuvres to reach its desired circular orbit. However, this is yet to be officially confirmed by the space agency. With the Lunar-Orbit Injection, the moon-centric phase has begun. As per ISRO, this phase includes the Moon-bound manoeuvre phase, propulsion module and lunar module separation, de-boost phase and pre-landing phase. The mission will then progress to the landing phase. According to The Hindu, the separation of the lander module from the propulsion module could take place on 17 August. ALSO READ: Chandrayaan-3s launch successful: Meet the team behind Indias Moon mission When will Chandrayaan-3 land on Moon? The ISRO has previously said it would attempt a soft landing of the spacecraft on the lunar surface on 23 August. However, as per Hindustan Times (HT), the timing may change depending on the Moons sunrise. The space agency may then shift the landing to September. The objectives of Indias third lunar mission are almost similar to that of the previously unsuccessful Chandrayaan-2. It aims for the lander module to have a safe and soft landing on the south pole region of the Moon. After the soft landing, the rover will examine the surface of the Moon through its payload APXS Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer. Its other payload Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) will try to analyse the elemental composition of soil and rocks around the lunar landing site, as per Economic Times (ET). ISRO also intends to carry out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. With inputs from agencies In a hint at a looming indictment, the Georgia District Attorney says that the 2020 election probe involving former US president Donald Trump is ready to go. On Monday, Donald Trump failed in his final attempt to overturn a Georgia special grand jury report and disqualify the Atlanta district attorney who is determining whether to charge him with tampering with the states 2020 election. With this, a Georgia prosecutor is expected to seek a grand jury indictment in her probe of Donald Trump and his Republican allies efforts to overturn the then-presidents 2020 election loss in the coming weeks. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began investigating more than two years ago, shortly after a recording was released of a January 2021 phone call Trump made to Georgias secretary of state. Willis has strongly hinted that any indictment would come between Monday and 18 August. One of two grand juries seated 11 July is expected to hear the case. If Trump is indicted by a Georgia grand jury, it would add to a growing list of legal troubles as he campaigns for president. Trump is set to go to trial in New York in March to face state charges related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. And he has another trial scheduled for May on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases. The Justice Department is also investigating Trumps role in trying to halt the certification of 2020 election results in the run-up to the 6 January, 2021, assault on the US Capitol. Trump said hes been told hes a target of that investigation, which likely has some overlap with the one in Georgia. An attempt by Trump to derail the Georgia case suffered a setback on Monday when a judge rejected his request to bar Willis from prosecuting him and to toss out the final report of an investigative special grand jury that had been seated to aid the investigation. A similar motion to be heard by a different judge is set for a hearing next week. Details of the Georgia investigation that have become public have fed speculation that Willis, a Democrat, is building a case under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, which would allow her to charge numerous people in a potentially wide-ranging scheme. Here are six investigative threads Willis and her team have explored: The phone calls The Georgia investigation was prompted by the 2 January, 2021, phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican. Trump suggested the states top elections official could help find the votes needed to put him ahead of Democrat Joe Biden in the state. All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump is heard saying on a recording of the call, which was leaked to news outlets. Because we won the state. Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong and has repeatedly said the call was perfect. Trump also called other top state officials in his quest to overturn his 2020 election loss, including Governor Brian Kemp, then-House Speaker David Ralston, Attorney General Chris Carr and the top investigator in the secretary of states office. Also Read: Donald Trump faces new charges: What you need to know US Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, also called Raffensperger shortly after the November election. Raffensperger said at the time that Graham asked whether he had the power to reject certain absentee ballots, which Raffensperger has said he interpreted as a suggestion to toss out legally cast votes. Graham has denied wrongdoing, saying he just wanted to learn about the signature verification process. Fake electors Biden won Georgia by a margin of fewer than 12,000 votes. Just over a month after the election, on 14 December, 2020, a group 16 Georgia Democratic electors met in the Senate chamber at the state Capitol to cast the states Electoral College votes for him. They each marked paper ballots that were counted and confirmed by a voice roll call. That day, in a committee meeting room at the Capitol, 16 prominent Georgia Republicans a lawmaker, activists and party officials met to sign a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won and declaring themselves the states duly elected and qualified electors. They sent that certificate to the National Archives and the US Senate. Georgia was one of seven battleground states that Trump lost where Republican fake electors signed and submitted similar certificates. Trump allies in the US House and Senate used those certificates to argue for delaying or blocking the certification of the election during a joint session of Congress. Prosecutors in Fulton County have said in court filings that they believe Trump associates worked with state Republicans to coordinate and execute the plan. The multi-state effort was ultimately unsuccessful. Despite public pressure from Trump and his supporters, then-Vice President Mike Pence refused on 6 January, 2021, to introduce the unofficial pro-Trump electors. After the attack on the US Capitol put a violent halt to the certification process, lawmakers certified Bidens win in the early hours of 7 January, 2021. At least eight of the fake electors have since reached immunity deals with Willis team. And a judge last summer barred Willis from prosecuting another one, Lt Governor Burt Jones, because of a conflict of interest. False claims of election fraud Republican state lawmakers held several hearings at the Georgia Capitol in December 2020 to examine alleged problems with the November election. During those meetings, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies made unproven claims of widespread election fraud. They alleged that election workers tallying absentee ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta had told outside observers to leave and then pulled out suitcases of unlawful ballots and began scanning them. The Trump allies played clips of surveillance video from the arena to support their allegations. State and federal officials investigated and said there was no evidence of election fraud at the site. Also Read: The charges looming over Donald Trump in US 2020 election probe Some Trump allies also said thousands of people who were ineligible including people convicted of felonies, people under the age of 18, people who had voted in another state had cast votes in Georgia. The secretary of states office has debunked those claims. Alleged attempts to pressure election worker Two of the election workers seen in the State Farm Arena surveillance video, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea Shaye Moss, said they faced relentless harassment online and in person as a result of the allegations made by Trump and his allies. Giuliani last week conceded that statements he made about the two election workers were false. In a bizarre episode detailed by prosecutors in court filings, a woman travelled from Chicago to Georgia and met with Freeman on 4 January, 2021. The woman initially said she wanted to help Freeman but then warned that Freeman could go to prison and tried to pressure her into falsely confessing to committing election fraud, prosecutors wrote in court filings last year. Election equipment accessed Trump-allied lawyer Sidney Powell and others hired a computer forensics team to copy data and software on election equipment in Coffee County, some 200 miles (322 kilometres) southeast of Atlanta, according to invoices, emails, security video and deposition testimony produced in response to subpoenas in a long-running lawsuit. The county Republican Party chair at the time who also served as a fake elector greeted them when they arrived at the local elections office on 7 January, 2021, and some county elections officials were also on hand during the daylong visit. The secretary of states office has said this amounted to alleged unauthorised access of election equipment and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into it at the secretary of states request. Two other men who have been active in efforts to question the 2020 election results also visited Coffee County later that month and spent hours inside. US attorney resignation US Attorney BJay Pak, the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta, abruptly resigned two days after Trump called Raffensperger and a day after a recording of that call was made public. During that conversation, Trump called Pak a never-Trumper, implying that he didnt support the president. Also Read: Donald Trump claims he can resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict in just 24 hours, heres how In December 2020, then-US Attorney General William Barr asked Pak to investigate allegations by Giuliani and other Trump allies of widespread election fraud. Pak, who had been appointed by Trump in 2017, reported back that he had found no evidence of such fraud. In August 2021, Pak told the US Senate Judiciary Committee, which was investigating Trumps post-election actions, that he resigned on 4 January, 2021, after learning from Department of Justice officials that Trump did not believe enough was being done to investigate allegations of election fraud and wanted him gone as US attorney. With inputs from AP Italys Venice is under threat of losing its heritage status again. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday warned that the city faced irreversible damage. The recommendation will now go to a meeting of UNESCOs World Heritage Committee in Riyadh in September for adoption. This could result in Venice being placed on the World Heritage in Danger list. But what happened exactly? What is the heritage status? What do we know about the black list? Lets take a closer look: What happened? UNESCO in its recommendation stated Venice risked irreversible damage due to a string of issues ranging from climate change to mass tourism. The effects of the continuing deterioration due to human intervention, including continuing development, the impacts of climate change and mass tourism threaten to cause irreversible changes to the outstanding universal value of the property, said UNESCO. Some of these long-standing issues have already led to the deterioration of the inherent characteristics of the property and its attributes, UNESCO said, warning that developments including high rise buildings risk having significant negative visual impact. Moreover, the combined effects of human induced and natural changes are causing deterioration and damage to build structures and urban areas, it added. It said that overall, there was a lack of significant progress by Italy in addressing these issues and this was further hindered by a lack of overall joint strategic vision. What is the heritage status? The World Heritage status is a coveted and treasured label given to sites around the world. According to The New York Times, the tag is given to landmarks that have historical, scientific or cultural significance. There are 1,157 such sites across the world including Machu Picchu, the historic center of Florence and the Taj Mahal. The status, which denotes a sites outstanding universal value to humanity, is awarded by the World Heritage Committee. Intense lobbying is often employed by delegations to ensure their national cites are given and retain the status. Experts say it then becomes incumbent on the local government to maintain the site. Once a site is inscribed, it is first the responsibility of the government of the country where the site is located to put in place all measures to protect the site, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, the director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, told The New York Times. The former city-state of Venice was inscribed on the Heritage list in 1987 as an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the worlds greatest artists. The committee, which is set to meet in Riyadh from 10 to 25 September, will examine 53 new candidate sites for addition to the World Heritage List. World Heritage in Danger list Placing a city or site on the in danger list is meant to alert authorities to the need to do a better preservation job or draw the attention of the world to a looming problem. As the UNESCO website explains, The List of World Heritage in Danger is designed to inform the international community of conditions which threaten the very characteristics for which a property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and to encourage corrective action. The UNESCO lists armed conflicts, war, earthquakes, natural disasters, unchecked tourism, pollution, poaching and uncontrolled urbanisation as threats to World Heritage sites. Dangers can be ascertained, referring to specific and proven imminent threats, or potential, when a property is faced with threats which could have negative effects on its World Heritage values, the website states. In plain English, this means a site or city can be stripped of its World Heritage label if the authorities take steps deemed unsatisfactory by the committee. A site can also be removed from the World Heritage in Danger List and the World Heritage list which the UNESCO has only done twice in history. While the website states that putting a city on the list is not meant to be viewed as a sanction, some say such a move is viewed as a rebuke of the local management of World Heritage sites. The committee comprising 21 UNESCO member states will in September also review more than 200 sites and decide which to add to its danger list. For nearly 10 of these sites, the experts recommend that member states put them on the danger list, among which already are the historic centre of Odessa, Ukraine, the town of Timbuktu in Mali, and several sites in Syria, Iraq and Libya. Other sites recommended to be put on the danger list this year are the cities of Kyiv and Lviv in Ukraine. UNESCO and Venice The UNESCO has been concerned about Venice for years. Venice, known for its canals and cultural sites, has in recent times been struggling with mass tourism. On a single day during the 2019 Carnival, some 193,000 people squeezed into the historic centre. Venice has been preparing to introduce a fee for day-trippers to control visitor numbers, but has been delayed by objections. As per Euro News website, 25 million people visited Venice in 2019 a record. Meanwhile, the city of just over 50,000 residents continues to lose around 1,000 per year. A draft resolution prepared for adoption by the World Heritage Committee said there had not been a significant level of progress in addressing the persistent and complex issues and added measures proposed by Italy were still insufficient and need to be further developed. It added that Italy has not been communicating in a sustained and substantive manner since its last Committee session in 2021 when UNESCO had already threatened to blacklist Venice. Back then, the city narrowly avoided being named a world heritage site in danger just weeks after Italy moved to ban large cruise ships from sailing into the city center. As per Euro News website, the move was thought to have impacted the UNESCOs decision not to put Venice on the danger list. Venice was previously in danger of being put on the black list in 2019, 2017 and 2015. UNESCO said it hoped inscription on the danger list will result in greater dedication and mobilisation of local, national and international stakeholders. We were wrong In the city itself as the recommendation was announced, there was agreement that the current state of the city was letting everyone down. Its uncontrollable said gondolier Antonio Vertotto, of the masses of tourists who visit the city each day, adding that the government had done nothing for years to control it. I would say there are too many tourists, but the solution, thats hard to say, said tourist Valmir Reznik, 34, visiting for the day from Switzerland with his wife. We thought its Monday, maybe its not so full, but we were wrong. A spokesperson for the Venice municipality told Reuters the city will carefully read the proposed decision published today by the Center for UNESCOs World Heritage Committee and will discuss it with the government. But not everyone is happy. Ex-Venice mayor Massimo Cacciari told BBC that UNESCO is one of the most expensive and useless bodies on the face of the earth that passes judgement without knowledge and give opinions left and right, which we would do best to disregard. They dont give us any funding to make changes, all they do is criticise As if Venice needed UNESCO to be a world heritage site! We need more action and fewer words. In a related recommendation announced Monday, UNESCO said its experts believed Australia needed more time to boost protection of the Great Barrier Reef before it was declared in danger due to the risk of damage from climate change. With inputs from agencies Haryana is on edge after communal clashes broke out between two groups on Monday. At least five people, including two Home Guards, have been killed, and 45 people have been injured. The violence, which started in Nuh spread to neighbouring Gurugram. How did the violence start in Nuh? The tension broke out during a religious procession in Nuhs Khedla Mod. The Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), was stopped by a group of young men. As the mob tried to disrupt the procession, the two sides came to loggerheads. Stones were pelted and cars were set on fire, and as Home Guards intervened, they were shot at, said the police. More than 100 vehicles were burnt and people sort refuge in the Nalkeshwar Temple from where the procession was scheduled to begin. Over 150 new motorcycles were looted from a showroom in the area and a cyber police station was attacked by miscreants. Central paramilitary forces were rushed in last night to get a grip on the situation in Nuh and a curfew has been imposed. The violence was reportedly triggered after Bajrang Dal activist Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante accused of lynching two Muslim men, circulated a video on Sunday, announcing that he would be part of the procession and urged people to join in large numbers. The murder accused has been absconding since February after the killings. While Manesar did not attend the yatra his message made locals in Nuh, a minority-dominated area, angry. They have been long demanding that the cow vigilante be arrested and that while he would give media interviews police have been unable to apprehend him. Also read: Nuh violence: Who is gau rakshak Monu Manesar at the centre of communal clashes? How did the tension spread to Gurugram? The violence continued to escalate and the mob went on a rampage targeting government and private vehicles. By Monday evening, rioting was reported from the Gurugram-Sohna highway, where cars were set ablaze and stones were thrown at the police, sources told NDTV. In the wee hours of Tuesday, a mosque in Gurugram was set on fire and a naib iman was killed. A mob of 70 to 80 people opened fire during the incident during which the cleric and another man were injured. The former reportedly had stab injuries. A group of men attacked the Anjuman Jama Masjid located in Sector 57 a little past midnight. While fire tenders put out the blaze, raids were conducted throughout the night and several attackers were rounded up. On Tuesday, the violence spread to Badshahpur in the district. A mob torched restaurants and shops as they chanted religious chants, reports NDTV. Police commissioner Kala Ramachandran said, Security around places of worship has been tightened. Police and administration are holding meetings with prominent members of both communities to ensure peace. Union Minister and Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Singh told NDTV, Twenty companies of paramilitary have been sent. Nuhs incident has had an impact on Gurugram as well. Yesterday, there was an attack on a mosque in Gurugram in which two people including the imam were shot. Five people have been detained in this case. Could the clashes be averted? Tension has been simmering in Nuh since Sunday, a day before the yatra was scheduled. The procession was attacked soon after it kick-started with stones being pelted from rooftops by members of another community, reports News18, indicating that the violence was pre-planned. A senior official with the central government told News18 that the incident seemed a failure on the part of the Haryana police despite clear indications on Sunday itself that tempers were running high ahead of the yatra that was to start on Monday. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said that he suspected conspiracy behind the communal clashes. Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this, he told the media. We will conduct a detailed investigation and take strict actions against the masterminds, he added. What is the situation right now? Haryana is on alert and police have registered 20 cases and detained more than 20 people in connection with the communal violence. They are also scanning footage from security cameras to zero in on rioters. The situation in Nuh continued to be tense even as there were no reports of any fresh violence. Security has been beefed up in Nuh and other areas, reports news agency PTI. Thirteen companies of paramilitary forces have been stationed and six more will be deployed. Internet services have been suspended in Nuh until Wednesday to curb the intense communal tension and stop the spread of rumours. They have also been suspended in Sohna, Pataudi, and Manesar areas in Gurugram. There is no curfew in Faridabad, Palwal, and Gurugram. However, Section 144 is imposed to avoid any untoward incident in these districts, reports News18. Around 4,000 police personnel have been deployed to Faridabad and the Delhi Police is on alert, stepping up security in sensitive areas. A meeting of both communities called by the Nuh deputy commissioner was held in Sohna. A committee has been formed, which will try to broker peace between the warring sides. Gurugram Police are expected to take out a flag march in Sohana on Tuesday. Schools, colleges and educational institutions in Gurugram and Faridabad districts were shut on Tuesday. With inputs from agencies Todays incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and strictest action will be taken against them. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has urged for peace and calm in the state after communal violence broke out on Monday in Nuh district, resulting in the death of three people, several others being injured, and public property being destroyed. In the wake of the violence, all schools and colleges in Gurugram and Faridabad have been ordered to remain closed on Tuesday, 1 August. Moreover, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been imposed in Gurugram and Nuh. What was the reason behind the violence? Who is Monu Manesar who has been linked to the clashes? What role did he play? We dig deeper and get you all the answers. What happened on Monday? As per the police, on Monday, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was taking out a procession Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh when an angry mob attacked it and started pelting stones at the people in the march. The yatra was flagged off from Gurugrams Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. What ensued was chaos and unprecedented violence. Refusing to back down, the people in the procession retaliated and soon a religious clash broke out. As per a PTI report, several vehicles, including police cars, were set on fire. Some trying to flee the violence sought refuge at a Shiva temple in Nuh and later it was reported that the police evacuated at least 2,500 people, including women and children, from the religious site. The clash also witnessed gun violence in which three people, including two Home Guards were killed. Gurugram Police Commissioner Kala Ramachandran later told the media that two Home Guards, attached with her district, were killed in the violence in adjoining Nuh. About 10 police personnel injured in Nuh violence, the official said. Another police officer said Home Guard Neeraj died due to a gunshot wound. The other killed in the violence was identified as Gursevak. Eight of the injured police personnel were taken to Gurugrams Medanta Hospital, the official said. Among the injured, Hodal Deputy Superintendent of Police Sajjan Singh was shot in the head and an inspector in the stomach, he said. The situation led to more security forces being deployed in the area and for the administration to impose Section 144 of the CrPC. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the citizens should cooperate in the interest of the state by following the principle of Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek, asserting that all issues can be resolved through dialogue. He further added that the kind of situation that had arisen in Nuh, the responsibility of every common citizen towards the society increases further. Who is Monu Manesar and what role did he play? According to the authorities, the trigger behind the violence was a rumour that Bajrang Dal member and cow vigilante Monu Manesar would also be a part of the procession. For the unknown, Monu Manesar, whose real name is Mohit Yadav, describes himself as a gau rakshak and social activist. He joined Bajrang Dal as a district co-coordinator from Manesar in 2011 and earns a living by sub-letting rooms to labourers in the Manesar area. Earlier in February, speaking to Indian Express, he had said: I grew up around cows. Meri aasthaa hai gau maata se aur mera dharm hai inki raksha karna. (It is a matter of faith for me and it is my duty to protect the holy cow). After witnessing atrocities against cows, I vowed to rescue them and to stop illegal cattle smuggling, which is rampant in places like Mewat (Nuh) and nearby districts. In the same month, he was also made the head of the districts cow protection force and also a member of the civil defence team of the district administration in Manesar. In addition to this, he also runs a YouTube page Monu Manesar Bajrang Dal, which has over two lakh subscribers. He grabbed headlines across the country in February when he was named as the prime accused in in the abduction and murder of two Muslim men Junaid and Nasir whose remains were found inside a charred vehicle in Haryanas Bhiwani district. Manesar has refuted the claims, saying the allegations against him were baseless. Hes also been named in another police complaint in Haryanas Nuh in connection with a murder case of 22-year-old Waris Khan. Prior to this, in November 2021, according to a report in The Wire, Manesar had issued violent threats against Muslims in the form of slogans at Gurugrams Sector 12. Hindu ke gaddaaron ko, Goli maaro saalon ko (Shoot the traitors of Hinduism). While Manesar maintains that his vigilantism has never amounted to violence, several social media photos and news reports show otherwise. Early pictures of his vigilantism on social media show members of his group grabbing the accused persons hair. There are also other images of purported cow smugglers having swollen and bloody faces. Manesar told news agency PTI on Monday that he didnt participate in the rally on the advice of the VHP, fearing his presence would create tensions. What next? While the police maintain that the situation has been brought under control for now, the Haryana administration has sought 20 companies of the Rapid Action Force from the Centre for a week to maintain the law and order situation in Nuh district. In a communication to the Union home secretary, Haryanas additional chief secretary (Home), T V S N Prasad, sought 20 companies of the RAF urgently for one week from 31 July. I am directed to address you on the subject (seeking 20 companies of RAF) incidents causing intense communal tension, annoyance, obstruction and injury to persons, danger to human life and property, disturbance to public peace and tranquility in district Nuh have occurred on account of violent protests by agitators, protesters, miscreants and anti-social elements, wrote Prasad. Moreover, internet services have been suspended in the area in order to quell the spread of misinformation. News18 has also reported that a peace committee meeting has been called by the administration at 11.30 am. With inputs from agencies As communal violence broke out in Haryanas Nuh on Monday (31 July), a group of people attacked the Cyber Police Station in the district, allegedly to wipe evidence, as per NDTV. Set up only two years back, the police station has recorded several cases of cyber fraud recently. According to NDTV, a mob crashed a public bus into the boundary wall of the Cyber Police Station on Monday afternoon. Then, they entered the police station, vandalising property and possibly destroying criminal records. They also allegedly tried to set the documents inside the police station on fire, as per the report. Why has this attack on Cyber Police Station in Nuh raised eyebrows? Lets take a closer look. Know about Nuh Nuh is a southern district in Haryana that shares a border with Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. As per the 2011 Census, the region has a population of 10,89,406, out of which the majority are Muslims. In 2016, the Haryana government, helmed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, renamed the district of Mewat as Nuh, claiming it was done to demarcate the areas in the state from those in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Mewat region stretches from Rajasthans Alwar and Bharatpur to parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Mewat, now Nuh, is the most backward district as per NITI Aayogs rankings released in 2018. According to Frontline, most of the population in Nuh, which is a 74 km drive from Delhi, relies on agriculture and animal husbandry for their livelihood. Cybercrimes in Nuh In May this year, Haryana Police said they have busted a cybercrime racket in Nuh to the tune of Rs 100 crore in which around 28,000 people across India were duped. The cybercriminals had defrauded around 28,000 people from 35 states and union territories to the tune of more than Rs 100 crore. They used to deposit money in fake bank accounts to avoid suspicion, Nuh superintendent of police (SP) Varun Singla said at the time, as per Indian Express. On the intervening night of 27-28 April, the police had raided 320 locations in 14 villages in Nuh and arrested 66 suspected fraudsters. Those on the run included 20 from Rajasthan, 19 from Uttar Pradesh and 211 from Haryana, The Hindu reported on 10 May. The arrested were between 18 and 35 years and had mostly studied up to high school, the report added. Singla said that 1,346 cases were filed against these cybercriminals across the country. During the raids, the police recovered 166 fake Aadhaar cards, five PAN cards, 128 ATM cards, 66 mobile phones, 99 SIM cards, five POS machines and three laptops. As per the Haryana Police, these fraudsters employed several methods to scam people, such as promising work-from-home jobs, honey trapping by creating fake profiles on social media platforms and posting advertisements with sales on different products on Facebook or OLX, reported Indian Express. Speaking to Frontline magazine in late July, Nuh SP, Varun Singla, said that criminals in the district often use neighbouring cities of Mathura in UP and Rajasthans Alwar as safe havens. They know we will need permission from their state police to give chase. They use the technicalities and legalities of inter-state boundaries to their advantage, he explained. Following these recent raids in Nuh, SP Singla said in July that Haryana witnessed a 15 per cent dip in cybercrime complaints, reported The Tribune. ALSO READ: Haryana: How Nuh violence spread to Gurugram, where mosque was attacked Why have cybercrimes increased in Nuh? Citing data from the home ministry, Hindustan Times (HT) reported in late May that the Mewat region, spanning three states, has emerged as the newest hub for cybercriminals in India. In the last three years, the highest number of cybercrimes have originated in Rajasthans Bharatpur district, followed by UPs Mathura and Nuh in Haryana. As per News18, unemployment, compounded by backwardness and inadequate opportunities, led to a spike in crime, especially cyber fraud in Mewat. The situation further worsened with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leaving several families broke and hungry. Many young men then turned to crimes, which seemed an easy and lucrative option to earn money, according to Frontline. It was a time when many people became jobless on the one hand, and a lot of transactions began taking place digitally on the other, the Nuh SP told the magazine. Luhinga Kalan, one of the 40 villages along the Rajasthan-Haryana border raided by the police in April, does not even get Clean drinking water and most of its inhabitants live below the poverty line. As Frontline noted, Nuh, which is burdened by poverty, illiteracy, and a severe lack of resources, seems to have become a fertile breeding ground for tech-savvy scamsters. With inputs from agencies COVID-19 cases are climbing in the United States. New data from the Centers for Disease Control show hospitalisations have spiked around 12 per cent around the country, according to several media reports. But what happened? And why is this happening? Lets take a closer look: What happened? CBS News quoted the CDC as saying its data showed 8,035 hospital admissions from COVID-19 from the 22 July week across America. That was an increase from 7,165 hospitalisations the week prior. According to the CDC, emergency room visits for COVID-19 patients have also been on the uptick .092 per cent for the week ending 28 July compared to .51 per cent for the same period in June. US COVID-19 rates are still near historic lows after seven months of steady declines. Early indicators of COVID-19 activity (emergency department visits, test positivity and wastewater levels) preceded an increase in hospitalizations seen this past week, CDC spokesperson Kathleen Conley said in a statement on 25 July. Hindustan Times quoted Conley as saying, Early indicators of Covid-19 activity (emergency department visits, test positivity and wastewater levels) preceded an increase in hospitalisations seen this past week. After roughly six, seven months of steady declines, things are starting to tick back up again, the CDCs Dr Brendan Jackson told NPR. Weve seen the early indicators go up for the past several weeks. And just this week, for the first time in a long time, weve seen hospitalisations tick up as well, Jackson said. This could be the start of a late summer wave, he added. Why is this happening? The CDC says say no new variant is responsible for the surge. Rather, the descendants of the XBB variant are now driving cases upward. At this time, CDCs genomic surveillance indicates that the increase in infections is caused by strains closely related to the Omicron strains that have been circulating since early 2022, Conley said. However, Conley noted that COVID-19 infections remain at near-historic lows and that deaths are declining and at the lowest ebb since the CDC began tracking it, as per Hindustan Times. The CDC also says this isnt unexpected. Conley was quoted by CBS as saying that the US had experienced similar increases in COVID-19 cases over the past few summers. So its not surprising to see an uptick, Conley added. But not everyone agrees. Dr Trupti Gilada told Daily O it is possible a new variant could be responsible for the rising infections. A little mutated variant could be the reason behind the surge, and since people do not have immunity against it, they might be catching COVID but there is nothing to worry about, Gilada added. Some also think a surge isnt coming. Speaking to Fox News about the rising numbers, Dr Marc Siegel, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, said, I dont see this as a harbinger of another surge. These are just embers of a fire not completely out, Siegel added. Still, Siegel said he would likely recommend the new booster particularly for those belonging to high-risk groups who hadnt been infected or vaccinated lately. With inputs from agencies Saudi Arabia is set to host Ukraine peace talk plans with several other countries this weekend. However, the absence of one major party Russia is raising eyebrows as well as questions. But what do we know about the summit? And will the peace talks sans Moscow be fruitful or ultimately futile? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? The summit will be held in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, said one official, who spoke early Sunday on condition of anonymity as no authorisation had been given to publicly discuss the summit. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the summit citing diplomats involved in the discussion, said the talks would take place 5 and 6 August with representatives of around 30 countries in attendance.- Those taking part in the summit will include Ukraine, Brazil, India, South Africa, Britain, Japan, Egypt, as well as several other countries. The Journal reported that US NSA Jake Sullivan is likely to be present. US officials had not confirmed the negotiations. News of the summit comes after Sullivan visited the kingdom Thursday. The newspaper reported that some officials are hopeful that the talks could firm up international support for Ukraines peace demands. Zelenskyy s plan, proposed earlier this year, calls for the withdrawal of all Russian troops and restoration of Ukraines post-Soviet borders. He rejects any notion of a ceasefire that would leave Russia in control of nearly a fifth of his country and give its forces time to regroup after 17 months of war. The newspaper quoted diplomats as saying Saudi Arabia was chosen as host at least in part to persuade its close ally China to participate. The meet comes on the heels of a similar summit in June in Copenhagen, the Journal reported. A high-level official from US president Joe Bidens administration also is expected to attend the event, which is being planned by Kyiv, the official said. Details remain in flux and the official did not offer dates for the talks, nor did Yermak. On Sunday, the head of Ukraines presidential office, Andriy Yermak, confirmed the talks would be held in Saudi Arabia, without naming Jeddah as the location. The Ukrainian Peace Formula contains 10 fundamental points, the implementation of which will not only ensure peace for Ukraine, but also create mechanisms to counter future conflicts in the world, Yermak said in a statement. We are deeply convinced that the Ukrainian peace plan should be taken as a basis, because the war is taking place on our land. Yermaks statement described the 10 points as being discussed individually and in groups with representatives of more than 50 countries on an almost weekly basis. News of the summit comes after US national security adviser Jake Sullivan visited the kingdom Thursday. Russia was not invited, the official added. Will monitor situation closely Politico quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that Moscow will follow this meeting closely. It remains to be fully understood what goals are set and what, in fact, the organisers plan to talk about, Peskov said. He added any attempts at peace are worthy of a positive assessment. But Peskov also restated Moscows position that it currently sees no grounds for peace talks with Kyiv. The Kyiv regime does not want and cannot want peace, as long as it is used exclusively as a tool in the war of the collective West with Russia, he said on a call with reporters. Peksov was further quoted as saying by CNBC, Is it possible to reach a peace settlement now with the participation of the Kyiv regime and in the context of its current stance? The answer is unambiguous. No, it is impossible. Will the summit bear fruit? Its too early to say. Arab nations largely have remained neutral since Russia launched the war on Ukraine in February 2022, in part over their military and economic ties to Moscow. Saudi Arabia also has maintained a close relationship with Russia as part of the OPEC+ group. The organizations oil production cuts, even as Moscows war on Ukraine boosted energy prices, have angered Biden and American lawmakers. However, Riyadh has also backed UN Security Council resolutions denouncing Russias invasion as well as Russias declared annexation of territory in eastern Ukraine. Hosting such talks also help raise the profile of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to reach a detente with Iran and push for a peace in the kingdoms yearslong war in Yemen. Besides, Saudi Arabia has something of a track record when it comes to making such deals recently. Last September, Riyadh played an unexpected role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine, including two from the United States and five from Britain. Earlier this year, a Saudi official told journalists that Riyadh remained open to contributing to mediation to end the conflict, especially on important minor issues that may help cumulatively in the end to have a political solution of the whole issue. As of February, Saudi Arabia had pledged $400 million in relief to Ukraine, about two-thirds in oil products and one-third in other humanitarian aid, including allocations for Ukrainian refugees who fled to neighboring countries. This, as ties remain strained between Riyadh and the West over the 2018 killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, which US intelligence agencies say was ordered by Prince Mohammed. For Ukraine, the talks coincide with its efforts to beef up its security posture. Yermak also said Sunday that Ukraine will begin talks with the United States next week on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees. He said the talks stem from a declaration by leaders of the Group of 7 nations earlier this month laying the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military. Yermak said Ukraine is looking for specific and long-term commitments that will ensure Ukraines ability to win now and deter Russian aggression in the future. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended an Arab League summit in Jeddah in May to press those nations to back Kyiv. Zelenskyy had at the summit accused some Arab leaders of turning a blind eye to the horrors of Russias invasion. The official who spoke to AP said the summit would be the next step after talks that took place in Copenhagen in June. Other peace plans have been floated amid the war. Russian president Vladimir Putin just finished meetings in St Petersburg with African leaders about their own proposed plan. Putin said on Saturday that an African initiative, calling for confidence-building measures followed by a cessation of hostilities, could be a basis for peace but that Ukrainian attacks on Russia made this hard to realise. China and Pope Francis also been working separately on their own. No details of those plans have been released. With inputs from agencies The Patna High Court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions challenging the Bihar governments decision of conducting a caste-based survey in the state. With its decision, the High Court has paved way for a caste-based survey in Bihar. The court had on 7 July reserved the verdict after it heard a total of five pleas challenging various aspects of caste based survey in Bihar. The caste-based survey began in two phases in Bihar. The first phase started on 7 January and was a household counting exercise that completed on 21 January. The second phase began on 15 April in which details of peoples caste, their socio-economic conditions were collected. The entire process was scheduled to end by May 2023, but the Patna High Court had put an interim stay on it on 4 May after pleas were filed. The court observed that it prima facie amounted to a census that the Bihar government has no power to carry out. The State has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament, the Patna High Court had observed. Meanwhile, the Bihar Government had submitted before the HC that it is competent to conduct a caste-based survey collecting data on caste, jati and socio-economic well-being of the people of the state. The Bihar government then moved to the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order staying the caste-based survey. The apex court, however, refused to lift the stay. The matter was then heard by the High Court which proceeded to dismiss the challenge on 1 August. With inputs from LiveLaw Two history sheeters were shot dead by a police team near Guduvanchery, a Chennai suburb, after they allegedly attacked a sub-inspector using a sickle during vehicle check in the early hours of Tuesday. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Two history sheeter shot dead by police at around 3.30 am today after they attacked police officials with a sickle at Guduvanchery on the outskirts of Chennai. pic.twitter.com/Qx7ldYsh2w ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 Police said the incident took place at 3.30 am when they were conducting vehicle checks. Our personnel were conducting vehicle checks in the early hours. The suspicious persons attacked one of our sub-inspectors who was on duty. In self-defence, our personnel opened fire on them, The Hindu quoted Tambaram Police Commissioner A Amalraj as saying. With inputs from agencies Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday claimed that there is a controversy behind the Nuh clashes where two home guards were killed and several injured following violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession. He said that the situation is under control and a curfew has been imposed in the violence-hit district. The situation in Nuh is under control and a curfew has been imposed in the district Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this, said the Minister. We will conduct a detailed investigation and take strict actions against the people involved, he added. The minister said the government has requested the Air Force to be on standby in case their help is needed to airlift more security forces. We are keeping a close watch, he added. While the situation in Nuh continues to be tense, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Security has been beefed up in Nuh and other areas, officials said. Schools and colleges have been shut in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. Two home guards were killed and many others, including several policemen, were injured on Monday as a mob tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said strictest action will be taken against those responsible for the incident. Todays incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and strictest action will be taken against them, the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. With inputs from agencies With long working hours, unsystematic eating habits and slouching on a chair the entire day, the emotional and mental well-being of a professional takes a back seat somewhere. To reduce the toll and establish an energetic work-place environment, companies have come up with creative ideas to indulge their employees in physical activity on their premises and in such a scenario, what could be better than a dance? Dance is known to serve dual benefits. Firstly, it uplifts the mood and secondly, it is the finest source of physical activity to remain fit. Exemplifying the same, a video showing a trainer prepping employees for Bhangra, Punjabs traditional folk dance, has inspired many to step up and dance to the beats. The clip was shared on Instagram by Faridabad-based Hype The Gym, a gym and physical fitness center featuring Sahil Sharma, a partner with the centre. Based on the post, the occasion appeared to be a corporate event. The user captioned the post, Bas aisa office mil jaaye. The gym is said to be North Indias Fastest & Youngest Growing Gym Chain with 60+ chains in India. The clip shows people standing next to each other in a well-carpeted area. The video captures them imitating the steps while grooving to Label Black, a hit Punjabi song by Gupz Sehra as they are being taught by a dance trainer. The fun-filled session shows employees having a gala time at their office, entirely different from otherwise usual working days. Check out the clip: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sahil sharma (@sahil_sharma0007) Uploaded 3 days ago, the post garnered over 1.5 lakh likes. Check out some of the responses below: One user commented, Introverts resign the next day. Our company had one of the most exciting sessions. Loved the energy here, commented an employee at the company where the dance session unfolded. Another person wrote, It is a wise idea to remind an employee that they are not a machine. Kaunsa office hai bhai? (Which office is this, brother?), asked a person. Esa ek office to me bhI deserve karta hu means I also deserve one such office, said another. The viral video gained traction on the internet with people yearning for the same experience. The goal of maintaining a good work-life balance is known to have numerous benefits for both employees and employers alike. The concept provides for less stress, lower burnout risk and a more positive sense of well-being. New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Tuesday likened the incident of violence in Haryana to a terror attack and demanded a probe into it by the National Investigation Agency. Addressing a press conference, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) joint general secretary Surendra Jain claimed that the attacks were carried out against Hindu devotees in a pre-planned manner during a religious procession on Monday and were incited by some Congress leaders of Haryana. He also alleged intelligence failure of the state police and claimed that rioters used sophisticated weapons and other regular firearms to attack the Hindu devotees during the procession. VHP activists will hold protests and demonstrations across the country on Wednesday against the planned attacks on Hindus in Haryana, Jain said. Four people were killed and several others injured in Nuh following violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession on Monday. As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, apparently belonging to people from that community. On Tuesday, a mosque was attacked in the Sector 57 area of Gurugram, leading to the death of a man. Fifteen minutes after the procession started, they started pelting stones from all sides, hurling petrol bombs and firing from the roof. They also used mortar, Jain told reporters. The VHP functionary claimed that the rioting mob also tried to kill him but somehow he managed to escape in his car unhurt. Stones were pelted on my car and attempts were made to set it on fire, he said. Jain demanded that the Haryana chief minister hand over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and strictest punishment be given to those involved in the violence. Definitely it was a terror attack. We demand that the chief minister hand over the probe of the case to the NIA probe, Jain said while replying to questions. He demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 20 lakh each to the injured. The VHP leader said that a much bigger yatra (religious procession) will be taken out in the area. To decide the time and date of the yatra, mahapanchayats will be organised in the areas surrounding Nuh in Haryana, he added. Peace committee meetings were held in Nuh and Sohna on Tuesday following communal violence in the two towns, with people assuring the administration that they will cooperate fully in maintaining peace, officials said. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers in affected areas. Flag marches were carried out by the police in the two violence-hit towns. Security has been tightened at all religious places following the Nuh violence and the attack on the Gurugram mosque, the police said. Mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday. Educational institutes were ordered to remain shut on Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said the strictest action will be taken against those responsible for the incident. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said that around 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people have been taken into custody in connection with the violent clashes that broke out in Nuh district on Monday. Tensions escalated in Nuh, Gurugram, and other parts of Haryana, after a group of young men stopped a religious procession Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra carried out by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) at Khedla Mod and started pelting stones. Big conspiracy behind Nuh violence Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar condemned the violence in Nuh and said, There seems to be a big conspiracy behind this. This is an unfortunate incident. A Yatra was being organised during which some people conspired an attack Yatris and police. Violent incidents were reported at several places, the Chief Minister said. Heavy police have been deployed in Nuh and nearby areas. Curfew has also been imposed in Nuh and Section 144 has been imposed in some places, Khattar said. 44 FIRs registered, 70 arrested The Haryana Chief Minister further informed that around 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people have been taken into custody. Strict actions will be taken against them. So far five people have lost their lives including two police officials. We will provide all possible assistance to them, Khattar said. The Haryana Chief Minister appealed to the common people to maintain peace in the district of Nuh. , pic.twitter.com/BhHI7czrVd Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) August 1, 2023 'Nuh, the main affected area' ADGP, Mamta Singh, said, "Nuh was the main affected area... Outside Nuh, no big incidents have happened... there were small incidents of violence, we have registered FIR and investigation is underway... We have arrested a large number of people... We have appealed everyone to come forward if they have any information that can help us in investigation or identify the rioters." #WATCH | Haryana: "...Nuh was the main affected area...outside Nuh, no big incidents have happened...there were small incidents of violence, we have registered FIR and investigation is underway...we have arrested a large number of people but I don't have the exact figure right pic.twitter.com/n8TCwweqUI ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 Nuh disconnected from social media In order to restrict the spread of rumours, amid the escalating tension, internet services in Nuh and few other neighbouring districts Sohna, Pataudi, Manesar have been suspended. "Only China policy is the cure of this disease" pic.twitter.com/QZj0KHWa2L Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 1, 2023 As many as 20 companies of Paramilitary forces, including senior state officers, have been deployed in the district on Tuesday. "We've divided the district into subsectors and formed joined teams of inspectors and magistrates so that we can instil normalcy as soon as possible," Nuh DC Prashant Pawar said. Nuh violence spreads to Gurugram On Tuesday, Anjuman Jama Masjid, a mosque situate in Gurugram sector 57 was torched and the nabi imam was allegedly killed by a mob of 70-80 people. "We have identified some of the accused and action will be taken soon, DCP (East) Nitish Aggarwal said. VIDEO | Security beefed up in Gurugram's Sector 57 area, a day after clashes between two groups in neighbouring Nuh district of #Haryana. pic.twitter.com/JaDcLts310 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 The naib imam and another man were badly injured and taken to the hospital. The imam reportedly had stab injuries, the DCP added. What triggered the violence in Nuh? Violence broke out in Nuh after a group of young men stopped a religious procession in Khedla Mod which was organised by VHP. Both the sides came to loggerheads and stones were pelted, cars were set on fire. To bring the situation under control, Home Guards stepped in but were shot at by the protestors. Rioters burnt approx 100+ vehicles in yesterday's violence in Nuh, #Mewat. pic.twitter.com/yFkOkOWYv1 Nikhil Choudhary (@NikhilCh_) August 1, 2023 Reportedly, the violence triggered after Bajrang Dal activist Monu Manesar circulated a video on Sunday, in which he announced that he would be part of the procession and urged people to join in large numbers. Though Manesar did not attend the procession his video message provoked locals in Nuh, who have been for long demanding his arrest. Who is Manu Manesar? Manu Manesar is a cow vigilante who is accused of lynching two Muslim men. He has been absconding since February after the killings. Over 100 vehicles were set ablaze and scared of the situation, people sort refuge in the Nalkeshwar Temple from where the procession was scheduled to begin. More than 150 new two-wheelers were looted from a showroom in the violence-hit area. Miscreant, who went on a rampage, also attacked a police station built about two years ago. But, how did Nuh violence spread to Gurugram? Police efforts failed to pacify the mob seething in anger. They continued to damage government and private vehicles. Within couple of hours after Nuh, rioting was reported from the Gurugram-Sohna highway, where cars were set on fire and stones were pelted at the police. On Tuesday morning, a mosque in Gurugram was set on fire and a naib iman was killed. Schools closed in Haryana In the wake of the clashes in Nuh, all educational institutions including schools, colleges, and coaching centers in Gurugram, Faridabad districts were shut on Tuesday. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the tragic accident that killed 16 workers and injured three after a crane fell on a bridge slab during construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Shahapur tehsil of Thane district on Tuesday. The PM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased and an assistance of Rs 50,000 for the injured. The Prime Ministers Office in a tweet said, Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000, the tweet said. Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 1, 2023 Three to five persons are still feared trapped and efforts are on to rescue them, an NDRF official said. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospital, he added. It was a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction and to install precast box girders in highway construction projects. The accident took place shortly after midnight on Tuesday near Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, around 80 km from Mumbai, the official said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde also announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the deceased. Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia will be given to the next of kin of the deceased. It is an unfortunate incident. A company based in Switzerland was working here. Instructions have been given for its thorough investigation. The NDRF team has reached the spot and has given instructions for rescue work. Our concern department officials and minister are present at the spot, said the Chief Minister. Pune | On Girder machine collapse in Thanes Shahapur, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, says Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia will be given to the next of kin of the deceased. It is an unfortunate incident. A company based in Switzerland was working here. Instructions have been given for its pic.twitter.com/loHIRzMvU9 ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 With inputs from agencies Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu on behalf of the Opposition parties to discuss the Manipur issue, sources said on Tuesday. They added that he has not yet got time from the President. The Opposition parties have been demanding a comprehensive discussion on violence in Manipur in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with a statement from the prime minister in Parliament. They have now sought the Presidents intervention in the matter, claiming that the violence in the BJP-ruled northeastern state is continuing and many people have lost their lives. A delegation of 21 Opposition MPs has visited the ethnic strife-torn state and apprised the leaders of the INDIA alliance about the situation there. The delegation visited the affected areas and met people in relief camps in both the hills as well as the valley. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the Opposition delegation to Manipur, has described the situation in the state as grave. A 26-year-old man was killed and a mosque set ablaze in the Sector 57 area as the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession in neighbouring Nuh district spread to Gurugram, police here said. The mob opened fire in which two persons were injured. One of them died during treatment, they said. The victim has been identified as Saad, a native of Bihar, a senior officer said. This is the third death in wake of the intense communal tension that spread from Nuh. According to the police, the mob reached the Anjuman Masjid in Sector 57 after midnight. Some people in the crowd opened fire at the people present in the mosque and also set it on fire. Two home guards were killed and at least 15 others, including several policemen, were injured on Monday as a mob in Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said on Monday. As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, apparently belonging to people from that community. The situation in Nuh and Sohna continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers in Nuh and the other affected areas, the police said. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said strictest action will be taken against those responsible for the incident. Todays incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and strictest action will be taken against them, the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. A tragic incident has shaken Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal, where a 27-year-old junior doctor, Bala Saraswati, ended her life after being compelled to work non-stop for an exhausting 36 hours. The incident came to light on Monday when her lifeless body was found in the worship room of her home. Bala Saraswati, a third-year Gynecology student at GMC, had reportedly been enduring immense pressure and taunts from three senior female doctors in her department, alleges her husband. Jai Vardhan Chowdhary, her husband says that she was labeled as a slacker by her seniors who humiliated her in front of her juniors. This consistent behaviour led to her severe depression and ultimately her untimely death. The events leading up to the tragedy unfolded on a Sunday when the couple was enjoying a leisurely stroll and lunch at a hotel in Habibganj. However, their peaceful time was interrupted when Saraswati received a message summoning her back to the hospital for duty. She rushed back immediately, only to return home late in the evening after fulfilling her demanding obligations. The husband alleges that the pressure on Bala Saraswati had been mounting as her thesis was facing rejection, and she was granted a mere six-month extension. Moreover, her medical leave request on the basis of her 14-month pregnancy had been denied, further exacerbating her stress. Overwhelmed and unsupported Bala penned a heart-wrenching suicide note on her mobile phone, detailing the emotional torture she endured. The note also mentioned that she had sent the same to one of her friends on WhatsApp. In the note, Bala Saraswati expressed her love and gratitude to her parents and husband, but she also held the three senior female doctors responsible for her death. She wrote of being taunted despite giving her heart and soul to her work and stated that she could never live up to their expectations, no matter how much effort she put in. The bereaved family and friends gathered at Mercury, the citys mortuary, where they demanded justice for Saraswatis death. They urged the concerned authorities to take appropriate action against the accused senior doctors. In response to the tragic event, all 52 junior doctors of the Gynecology department initiated a strike on Monday afternoon, demanding accountability and justice. Dr. Sanket Seete, president of the Junior Doctors Association, asserted that they will continue the strike until Aruna Kumar, the HOD of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, either resigns or is suspended during the investigation. As of now, 250 junior doctors from Gandhi Medical College have joined the strike in solidarity. A fresh violence has been reported in Haryanas Gurugram on Tuesday, where a mob set fire to an eatery and vandalised adjoining shops in Badshahpur. The latest incident comes less than 24 hours after communal violence broke out in Nuh district of Haryana on Monday. Fresh violence in Gurugram On Tuesday, around 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs started creating rampage in Badshahpur. They vandalised around 14 shops in the main market including food stalls. Armed with sticks and stones, they reportedly entered the area around 4 pm. Also in sector 66, as many as seven stores were set on fire. As per a report by PTI, the mob ransacked shops belonging to a particular community and chanted Jai Shri Ram in front of a mosque in Badshahpur. No injury was report at the time of filing this report. Nuh violence update Five people have died, as many as 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people have been arrested for the massive violence in Nuh district on Monday. But what sparked the violence? As per reports, tensions escalated after a group of young men stopped a religious procession Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra carried out by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) at Khedla Mod and started pelting stones. The violence soon started to spread in neighbouring districts of Haryana. Early on Tuesday, a mosque in Gurugram sector 57 Anjuman Jama Masjid was set ablaze and the nabi imam was allegedly killed by a mob of 70-80. Bigger conspiracy In his address, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, There seems to be a big conspiracy behind this. Heavy police have been deployed in Nuh and nearby areas. Curfew has also been imposed in Nuh and Section 144 has been imposed in some places, Khattar said. With inputs from agencies Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured Gurugram Member of Parliament and Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh that he will very soon lay the foundation stone of a special and permanent camp of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in communally sensitive Muslim majority Mewat district of Haryana which has been gripped by Hindu-Muslim riots. Sources told Firstpost that the Gurugram MP had met Amit Shah to reiterate his longstanding demand for the camp as riots singed Nuh in Mewat after a Muslim crowd stopped the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra at the Nuh intersection and prevented it from reaching a Shiva temple on July 31. Allegedly the crowd pelted stones and hurled petrol bombs on the procession. Incidentally, Singh had proposed the RAF camp to be set up in Mewat to prevent communal clashes back in 2014 in the wake of Hindu-Muslim clashes, not unlike Nuh, in Mewats Tauru. Back then he had approached the then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with the proposal to which the latter had given approval in principle. Indri village was later identified as the cite where the camp would come up. While the matter has been hanging fire since then on one pretext or the other, this time Amit Shah has taken the matter in his hands and has assured that he will soon lay the foundation stone of the camp building without any more delays. At least five people, including two Home Guards, have been killed, and 45 people have been injured. The violence, which started in Nuh spread to neighbouring Gurugram. Hindu-Muslim tension broke out during a religious procession in Nuhs Khedla Mod. The Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), was stopped by a group of young men. As the mob tried to disrupt the procession, the two sides came to loggerheads. Stones were pelted and cars were set on fire, and as Home Guards intervened, they were shot at, said the police. More than 100 vehicles were burnt and people sort refuge in the Nalkeshwar Temple from where the procession was scheduled to begin. Over 150 new motorcycles were looted from a showroom in the area and a cyber police station was attacked by miscreants. Central paramilitary forces were rushed in last night to get a grip on the situation in Nuh and a curfew has been imposed. A mosque was attacked in the Sector 57 area of Gurugram, leading to the death of a man and taking the toll in the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession in Nuh district to five, police said on Tuesday. Authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Nuh where two home guards were killed and many others, including several policemen, injured on Monday, as Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij alleged that the violence was engineered. In Gurugram, a 26-year-old man was killed and a mosque set ablaze in Sector 57 as the violence spread from neighbouring Nuh, the police said. Lok Sabha will discuss the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Central government on August 8 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to provide a reply on August 10. On 26 July, Congress submitted a no-confidence motion against the ruling BJP government in the Lok Sabha. The motion was filed by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi after a collective decision was made by the Opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A. The Opposition acknowledged that despite the possibility of getting outnumbered in the Lok Sabha, a no-confidence motion is a way to seek a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues including the violence in Manipur. This No Confidence Motion is a political move with a political purpose a political move which will bring resultsThe No Confidence Motion will compel him (Prime Minister) to come to the Parliament. We need a discussion on the issues of the country, especially on Manipur, inside the Parliament. Forget the numbers, they know the numbers and we know the numbers.., CPI MP Binoy Viswam said. Following this, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla admitted the no-confidence motion against the government by the Congress on behalf of the opposition alliance, to force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the contentious Manipur issue. Admitting the motion moved by Congress MP from Assam Gaurav Gogoi after a head count of 50 members in its support, a mandatory requirement, Birla said a date for a discussion on the motion will be decided after consulting the leaders of all parties. If PM Modi does not respond to Manipur in Parliament, it would be a travesty, Congress MP Manish Tewari told PTI. He added that since the no-confidence has been accepted by the Lok Sabha speaker, it should be taken up first before anything else is discussed. What has happened in Manipur and what is continuing to happen there is absolutely reprehensible. There is a BJP government in the state, there is a BJP government at the Centre. Therefore, somebody needs to take responsibility, Tewari said. With inputs from PTI Old memories die hard, goes an old adage. Reminiscing about one such moment years ago, a Google engineer, who once taught coding to students in his college, expressed satisfaction at seeing that class of juniors make it to Amazon. Raj Vikramaditya, who operates by the name Striver on the microblogging site X, shared the photograph which he adds will be etched in his heart forever. The Google techie expressed happiness at all those first benchers finally making it to Amazon as software engineers. Sharing the underlying memory linked to the incident, Vikramaditya recalled how the power kicked off in the middle of the coding class but since everyone insisted on continuing the class, they got their flashlights on. Additionally, he shared a screenshot of the comment section on LinkedIn in which the then first benchers had commented with details of their current organisations visible next to their names. The exchange shows engineers indulging in a memory play. Check out the post: I never thought that the first benchers would be in Amazon Picture from a class I took when I was in second year. The power went off in the middle of a coding class, everyone got their flashlights on. Some moments stay in your heart forever, this was one of them pic.twitter.com/p6hcyIJxl5 Striver (@striver_79) July 30, 2023 Uploaded 2 days ago, the post garnered over 33,000 views. Check out some of the responses below: Bhaiya tomorrow is my first day as a third year Btech student. Any tips and advice? asked one user. Bhaiya tomorrow is my first day as a third year btech student, any tips and advice ? @striver_79 Yash. (@yashhverse) July 30, 2023 To this Vikramaditya replied, Patience. Another commented, Damn, this is inspirational. Damn this is inspirational Pranav Pandey (@PranavPandey345) July 30, 2023 In addition, some people posted red hearts emojis. In a conversation with Moneycontrol, Vikramaditya, a former Amazon employee himself and currently employed at Google in Poland, spoke about that particular college. The West Bengal-based Jalpaiguri government engineering college is a tier-3 institute where no company comes for placements. With no support from college faculty either, the students took matters into their own hands. They formed a coding club where seniors took classes for juniors after official college hours. It was during a lecture on prefix sum, when the lights went off. However, since everyone was interested in the class, they used multiple flashlights and finished the lecture. He further added that the students dedication to work has finally paid off, with some holding outstanding placement records in the state. Speaking about students placements, he added, Many from 2021-2023 are working in Google, Amazon, Swiggy, JP Morgan, Microsoft, and other top tech companies and most of them were part of the coding club. Three people, including two Home Guards, have been killed and at least 20 injured in clashes that erupted between the two communities during a procession taken out by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Haryana Nuh on Monday. Police said the Home Guards were shot dead as a mob tried to stop the religious procession in Nuhs Khedla Mod. According to an Indian Express report, as communal violence flared in the district, internet services were suspended, prohibitory orders were imposed, and the state Home Minister sought additional forces from the Centre, claiming that 3,000-4,000 people were being held hostage in a temple. They were, however, evacuated late in the evening, added the report. The deceased home guards have been identified as Neeraj and Gursevak by the Gurgaon police, who said they were attached to Kherki Daula police station in Gurgaon. Police said another unidentified person was declared dead in hospital. Meanwhile, violence had spread to Sohna Chowk near Gurgaon by evening, with some vehicles set on fire and shops vandalised, allegedly by Bajrang Dal members. There were attempts by a few people to do stone pelting in Sohna after the reports of Mewat clashes but the situation is under control now. Social media is being monitored and police have been deployed, said DCP Gurugram Nitish Agarwal. VIDEO | There were attempts by a few people to do stone pelting in Sohna after the reports of Mewat clashes but the situation is under control now. Social media is being monitored and police have been deployed, said DCP Gurugram Nitish Agarwal. pic.twitter.com/mNvuoSEOT2 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023 On Monday, three companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the district and the police is conducting flag march after violent clash broke out. According to reports, tensions escalated following the alleged presence of Monu Manesar, a prominent cow vigilante and member of Bajrang Dal, during the VHP rally. Manesar is also wanted for the murder of two men in Rajasthan. His presence in the rally incited anger among members of the community. The Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), was stopped by a group of young men on the Gurugram-Alwar National Highway on Monday. As the violence escalated, government and private vehicles were targeted by the mob. VIDEO | A private car was overturned and burned as Haryanas Mewat was gripped by violent clashes between two groups earlier today. pic.twitter.com/9e1W8f7dak Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023 Incidents of stone-pelting and arson were reported from parts of Palwal and Gurugram as well. Prohibitory orders banning large gatherings were imposed in Nuh, Gurugram, Palwal and Faridabad after violent clashes. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other leaders cutting across party lines have appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony in the state. , , Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) July 31, 2023 Khattar also said that strictest action will be taken against those responsible for the incident. Todays incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and strictest action will be taken against them, the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also appealed to all to maintain peace and brotherhood. VIDEO | People must maintain law and order and peace, says Congress leader @BhupinderShooda on Mewat clashes. (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/AEPuk1vZeK Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023 With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune. The award ceremony was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. After receiving the award, PM Modi said, This is a memorable moment for me. He added, The role of Lokmanya Tilak in Indias independence, his contribution cannot be summed up in a few incidents and words. VIDEO | PM Modi receives Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune, on the 103rd death anniversary of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/2KKNgqrCJW Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 VIDEO | I want to dedicate the award money that I have received today to the Namami Gange Project, says PM Modi as he receives Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune. (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/GxaMVNgzQE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 Earlier today, PM Modi offered prayers at the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandir in Pune. Modi has become the first serving PM to visit the temple and perform pooja, the temple trustees said. #WATCH | Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays floral tribute to Lokmanya Tilak. PM will be conferred with Lokmanya Tilak National Award today. pic.twitter.com/c6eALGwXT9 ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 Over the years, some serving and former presidents, former prime ministers, serving cabinet ministers, chief ministers and political leaders have had darshan of the deity that sees lakhs of devotees during the 10-day Ganeshotsav. I pay homage to Lokmanya Tilak on his Punya Tithi. I will be in Pune today, where I will accept the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. I am indeed humbled that I have been conferred this award which is closely associated with the work of such a great personality of our history, Modi said before kicking off his Pune visit. PM Modi will also inaugurate a slew of developmental projects in the city. I pay homage to Lokmanya Tilak on his Punya Tithi. I will be in Pune today, where I will accept the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. I am indeed humbled that I have been conferred this award which is closely associated with the work of such a great personality of our history. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2023 With this, PM Modi has become the 41st recipient of the award. The former recipients include dignitaries such as Shankar Dayal Sharma, Pranab Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, NR Narayana Murthy, and E Sreedharan, among others. Later today, Prime Minister will also flag off metro trains and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects, the official statement from the PMO said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his gratitude for being honored with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award and said it was a memorable moment. This is a memorable moment for me, PM Modi said, adding, While I am very happy to be here, I am also feeling emotional. Lokmanya Tilak is the tilak of our freedom struggle. PM Modi added, that he will be donating the prize money from the Lokmanya Tilak National Award to the Namami Gange project. Further he, expressed his desire to dedicate this prestigious award to the 140 crore people of the country. While addressing an event in Pune, PM Modi heaped praises on Lokmanya Tilaks significant contribution towards Indias independence struggle and appreciated all the freedom fighters. Further, PM Modi paid homage to Tilak and said that his contribution cant be adequately expressed by mentioning few words or incidents. The Prime Minister also expressed his honor to be present on the soil of Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Jyotirba Phule. The vision of Vyavastha Nimaan Se Sanstha Nirmaan, Sanstha Nirmaan Se Vyakti Nirmaan, Vyakti Nirmaan Se Rasthra Nirmaan is a roadmap for nation building. India is following this roadmap diligently, PM Modi said. Modi has become the 41st person to receive the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. Former recipients of this prestigious award include eminent figures such as Shankar Dayal Sharma, Pranab Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, NR Narayana Murthy, and E Sreedharan, among other notable personalities. PM Modi is on a day-long visit to Pune, where he will also flag off Metro trains and lay the foundation stone of several development projects, according to an official statement from the PMO. Soviet revolutionary Karl Radek, a sparkling writer, with an equal flair for synthesis and for sarcasm, as author Victor Serge would introduce him in Memoirs of a Revolutionary, had been associated with a number of political jokes surrounding Joseph Stalin. Long before he was killed in a scripted labour camp scuffle with another inmate at Stalins behest, Radek as the story goes was one day standing naked at the Red Square. A well-wisher soon approached him and asked if he wasnt afraid of the police. Radek stared at him and shot back: Police? Where are the police? The man pointed towards a number of policemen all across the Square and said: Theres a policeman. Theres another. And yet another Why, the whole place is crawling with policemen. To this, Radek replied, You can see them. I cant. I am a party member. I am not supposed to see them. For party members there are no police anywhere in the Soviet Union. Today, when one looks at the way the Nuh violence in Haryana is being analysed, explained and reported all across, it instantly reminds of Radek and his selective blindness. For, in all this arson, mayhem, and worse, the killing of five people, including two policemen, the Left-liberal commentariat and intelligentsia fail to see any Islamist connection to it. The predominant narrative is that Nuh was a spontaneous outbreak which happened because one controversial person named Monu Manesar decided to join the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession on Monday. The spontaneity of the violence can be gauged from the fact that it happened despite Manesar not being a part of the procession. The impulsiveness of the mayhem can be gauged from the fact that stones and iron rods were already in store for the event. The extemporaneity can also be explained through the fact that the violence began within 10 minutes of the start of the VHP procession, with a mob of around 200 people descending from nowhere, fully armed and well prepared. The Hindu side initially fled, but then reportedly regrouped and retaliated, as media reports say. Manesar is no doubt a controversial man with a dubious record. He has been booked for the murder of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in Bhiwani district in February this year. If he is guilty and still out of jail, it showcases the failure of the police and judicial systems to put him in his place. But to normalise the violence, whose every aspect points towards the fact that it was pre-meditated and pre-planned, by linking it with the presence of an individual is a dangerous trend. For, tomorrow, the same perverted logic can be applied by the other side when someone like Asaduddin Owaisi joins an event in some other place. The fact is the Nuh violence was a well-planned, well-executed terror incident and it should be seen like that. Its also the failure of the police and the state administration to comprehend the scale of conspiracy when there were enough indications pointing towards that direction. Nuh is the manifestation of the utter failure of the state apparatus to take pre-emptive action. The most dangerous aspect of Nuh and other such incidents is the normalisation of Islamist violence, first by explaining it through the presence of an individual, Manesar in this case, and then by coming up with all sorts of excuses the most common being how people were provoked into violence through loud music and incendiary sloganeering. This normalisation of violence, especially of the Islamist variety, is not an uncommon phenomenon. Its being witnessed with greater regularity and higher intensity with each passing year during Ramnavami and other such Hindu processions, especially in sensitive (read Muslim-majority) areas. Incidentally, those who normalise Islamist violence keep a steadied silence when Muharram processions pass through a temple area and do a similar kind of sloganeering. This, however, isnt an India-centric phenomenon. Christopher Hitchens, in his Foreword to Ayaan Hirsi Alis Infidel: My Life, writes, Across the intellectual spectrum of the West, voices are raised to say that the problem is not the exorbitant demands made by Muslim bullies No, the problem is that of people like Ayaan, who upset and offend the faith community of Islam. Daniel Pipes, in The Rushdie Affairs, calls it the Rushdie Rules, where editors, newspapers, publishers, and academic teachers abide by a new set of rules (new to modern Westerners at least) which limit the freedom to discuss Islam with the same methods, terminology and frank inquisitiveness which are considered normal in discussing Christianity or Hinduism. This phenomenon baffled English writer Neil Gaiman when he saw six prominent authors pulling out of the 2015 PEN Awards gala just because among those awarded were the surviving staff of Charlie Hebdo. The six dissenting authors included Francine Prose, a prominent American novelist who found the narrative of white Europeans killed in their offices by Islamists, feeding neatly into the cultural prejudices. Like many of her Left-liberal ilk, she criticises the killings, but qualifies it with a of course but maybe rider, as enunciated by American stand-up comedian Louis CK. This is how the narrative works: Of course it was a heinous act to kill the French cartoonists, but maybe they should have been less provocative Of course their death was a setback to liberal forces, but maybe they should not have crossed the line and offended the faithful. In her hurry to defend Islamists in the name of cultural prejudices, Prose didnt realise that one of the victims of jihadi terror was Mustapha Ourrad, Hebdos copy editor. In India, this phenomenon gets magnified and more pronounced because theres a strong, well-entrenched bogey that senses the ghost of Hindutva at the sight of a Hindu waking up to the civilisational idea of India but is absolutely unbothered by the ghettoisation of Muslims. This may, in some way, explain why the Jai Shri Ram chants make most of our liberals uneasy and squeamish, but when a girl in Karnataka shouts Allah hu Akbar, as was the case during the hijab controversy, the same set of people sees it as an act of defiance against Hindutva patriarchy! This may be primarily because of the failure of the Left-liberals to comprehend a religion that divides humanity into two irreconcilable groups of believers and non-believers. Its a religion in which a wrong theology is worse than wicked deeds, as Ram Swarup, one of the profoundest thinkers of the 20th century writes in Understanding Islam Through Hadis. This may explain why Mahatma Gandhi, for all his saintliness, remained from the point of view of religion, as per a senior Khilafat leader, inferior to any Mussalman though he be without character. This may also explain why the Khilafat movement culminated in the Moplah massacre of Hindus in the Malabar region of Kerala. The failure to grasp the idea behind communal flare-ups such as Nuh may be out of the Radek-like ideological commitment. One cannot completely deny intellectual ineptitude, too. But an equally potent reason may be the fear of the sword. When Gaiman decided to participate in the PEN Awards gala, despite six prominent authors refusing to be a part of it, his wife asked him with concern: Will you wear a bulletproof vest? Remember, Im pregnant, she said pointing towards her belly in case Gaiman had forgotten. Our child will need a father more than a martyr. Its a smart strategy: Of not becoming a martyr while pretending to take the moral high ground, as Francine Prose unscrupulously did by skipping the PEN Awards event in 2015. Now, thats called having the cake and eating it too Left-liberal style! Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The consensus controversy that has erupted since national security advisor Ajit Dovals meeting with CCP foreign affairs commission director Wang Yi, who is now also the foreign minister of China, in Johannesburg last week is a great lens to interpret the state of India-China ties. A tragicomic sub-plot in the trajectory of this relationship that is headed firmly to the south is the apprehension in the West where commentators are worried about an impending India-China detente.The arguments are a projection of two Western insecurities. One, the uneasiness over Washingtons rolling out of the red carpet for Narendra Modi, who generates visceral hatred in Western liberal circles, and two, the gnawing anxiety that America might be left in the cold in betting on India as a counter to China if Modi and Xi Jinping are able to solve the border dispute, transforming their relationship, and geopolitics, as The Economist has recently argued. It is tragicomic because the existing realities are radically different. Geopolitics is indeed getting transformed but not in the way the West imagines. Far from setting aside the border dispute, recent events indicate that India and China are set decisively on an adversarial path marked by deep mutual distrust. Take, for instance, the consensus controversy that was triggered when the Chinese side, post Wangs meeting with Doval on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs summit in South Africa, released a readout claiming that Modi and Xi had reached some sort of a consensus in Bali over restoring the status of bilateral ties during their informal interaction at G20 leaders summit in Indonesia last November. Before we analyse the development, it is worth noting that the Chinese foreign ministry readout was released only in Mandarin. A rough English translation was carried by various Chinese state media outlets but the text and message had crucial divergences. According to a Hindustan Times report, that referred to the Mandarin readout of Wang-Doval meeting, Xi and Modi had reached an important consensus on stabilising China-India relations on the sidelines of the G20 leaders summit in Bali in November 2022 and the two sides should adhere to the strategic judgment of the leadersthat they do not pose a threat to each other, and they are each others development opportunities, truly implement the consensus on stabilising bilateral relations into specific policies, and translate them into concerted actions by various departments and fields, enhance strategic mutual trust, focus on consensus and cooperation, overcome interference and difficulties, and promote the return of bilateral relations to the track of healthy and stable development at an early date. The Chinese claim created quite a stir. Till now, we had been told that the brief interaction at Bali between Chinese president Xi and Prime Minister Modi did not go beyond a brief handshake and the exchanging of courtesies. Both leaders had not spoken since the Galwan incident in 2020 and avoided each other at the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, last September. If the Chinese claims were credible, then it would not only mark the first substantial discussion between the two leaders leading to a consensus but it would also upend Indias stated position that stabilization of ties cannot be possible without restoration of peace and tranquility at the border. It would also undercut the tough message that external affairs minister S Jaishankar conveyed to Wang, when both leaders met on July 14 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. Incidentally, the Indian readout of the Doval-Wang meeting remained focused on the outstanding issues at the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 that NSA Doval said had eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship. Doval also emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquility in the border areas, so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral relations. What added to the intrigue was that two days after Chinas claim on Modi-Xi interaction at Bali, Indias foreign ministry spokesperson clarified that Modi and Xi indeed had spoken a few words apart from exchanging courtesies at the dinner hosted by the Indonesian president. On the video footage from Bali that showed two leaders shaking hands and exchanging words in an informal setting in full public view, India had held all along that the interaction didnt go beyond courtesies. During a media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, Arindam Bagchi said of the Bali meeting that they (Modi and Xi) exchanged courtesies and also spoke of the need to stabilise our bilateral relations. Pressed on the topic, he added, I think the foreign secretary (Vinay Kwatra) did talk about exchanging courtesies, and I think there was a general discussion or they spoke of the need for stabilising our bilateral relations. Indias discomfiture was evident, and the effort to play down the discussion bit was also obvious. It is worth noting, however, that Indias clarification did not mention the word consensus and pointed out that Modi had pressed upon Xi the need to stabilize relations. That would be a restatement of Indias stated position, not a departure. Second, the Modi-Xi interaction took place in full media glare and the exchange lasted a few minutes when the prime minister walked up to the Chinese president. As professor Jabin T Jacob writes in Deccan Herald, unless there was a separate private meeting, there is no scope for the two leaders to have reached a consensus so quickly especially amidst a cold front in ties since 2020 in which New Delhi has stuck consistently to a public position which calls the bilateral relationship abnormal and impossible to take forward without de-escalation and disengagement at the LAC. The timing of Chinas statement is also interesting. If Modi and Xi had reached an important consensus, as China has claimed, why did it wait more than 8 months to declare the significant development? A more likely explanation is that China was giving the Modi-Xi interaction a deceptive spin to change the narrative. That is understandable. While China wants the border issue to be kept in an appropriate place and move ahead with the normalization of ties, India has resisted the effort by bringing the border standoff at the front and centre of bilateral ties and making overall progress incumbent on restoration of status quo at the border. What China hopes to do by referring to an elusive consensus, is shift the talking points. It used whatever transpired during the brief interaction in Bali (possibly an approach by Modi to raise the border issue) as a leverage to move the narrative needle and push India on the backfoot. The statement has also been released at a moment when the campaign for next years general elections in India has picked up, and it gives Modi a domestic controversy to handle. The Congress Party has wasted no time in needling Modi, asking whether he reached a consensus or a concession with Xi. Besides, with the BRICS summit coming up in August and the G20 leaders meeting in September, Xi would also want to create an opening for diplomacy. The word consensus and its repeated references in the readout also creates a hint that Modi and Xi the top two are on the same page on stabilization of bilateral tries, and diplomats at the lower level should follow their direction, isolate the border dispute and promote bilateral ties back to a healthy and stable development path as soon as possible. This is a treacherous narrative that not only undermines Indias position but also indicates that China is not interested in the restoration of the status quo in the remaining friction points at Depsang and Demchok, much less disengage and deescalate troops from the western sector. Therefore, Chinas effort in forwarding the consensus bogey has two core objectives. One, a rejection of Indias position on the border dispute and a hardening of stance. Two, the willingness to keep using the dispute as leverage. As former foreign secretary Shyam Saran writes in The Tribune, Despite the two sides having agreed in several peace and tranquillity agreements including the Political Parameters and Guiding Principle for the Settlement of the India-China Border Question (2005) to undertake a joint exercise to clarify the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Chinese have refused to do so Not clarifying the LAC enables China to play on supposed ambiguities to encroach upon Indian-held territory. It is interesting to note Indias reaction to Chinas moves give a window into the fact that structural issues run deep, and New Delhi is seized of the hydra-headed danger posed by China. If anyone expected India to come out swinging against Beijing that would be unrealistic, given New Delhis obsession with strategic ambiguity. However, following Beijings readout, back-to-back pieces appeared in Indian media written by a scribe known to be close to the Indian foreign policy establishment. In one of the pieces published on July 29, Shishir Gupta writes in Hindustan Times that consensus is little more than a Mandarin spin on which New Delhi is not even wasting a breath as there was no agreed text and both sides may interpret the meetings on their own terms and issue a statements. The piece also refers to the stapled visas issued by China to Indian Wushu athletes from Arunachal Pradesh that caused New Delhi to withdraw the entire team as a ploy to show that Beijing wants to keep bilateral ties permanently on the edge. Basically, consensus on Chinese terms. The piece also hints at Chinas possible role in Manipur unrest, an eventuality that former COAS General Manoj Mukund Naravane had spelt out at a recent event and makes note of Chinas destabilizing role from grabbing of Bhutanese territory to mapping of Indian Ocean floor for possible deployments of submarines. In another piece published a day after, Gupta reports an impression in the Indian side that Xi is not keen on discussing border issues with Modi, and writes, China has decided that it will block any move that helps India take its rightful place on the global high table with the boundary issue as a permanent lever to destabilize India. This isnt surprising. Uber realist China recognizes a great power-in-waiting and is doing what great powers, according to realist principles, are wont to do: slow down the progress of peer competitors. Chinas preferred method of handling India is to keep it tied down with the instability at the border forcing New Delhi to delegate resources and attention to the dispute. Beijing sees the outcome as manageable owing to its military superiority and also because it perceives Modi as a pragmatist who wants to focus on building capabilities and strengthening itself through targeted development. Retrieving territorial losses through kinetic action is off the table for India, and the structural issues at play cannot simply be overcome with clever policymaking, the relationship between India and China has therefore turned into a resentful, slippery slope. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As wonderful and impressive ChatGPT had been so far, it had some major gaps in its ability and knowledge. For example, it did very poorly on mathematical and logic-based questions, while being proficient enough to pass a Wharton MBA exam, as well as the exam that would grant it a license to practise medicine in the United States. Now though, ChatGPT is proficient enough that it can pass most reasoning and logical questions to get itself a set in some of the top Ivy League schools. AI learns a human trick According to researchers, GPT-4, ChatGPTs advanced AI model, has successfully acquired a form of intelligence known as analogical reasoning, previously thought to be exclusive to humans. Analogical reasoning involves solving novel problems by drawing on experiences from similar past situations. During a specific test that evaluates this type of reasoning, GPT-4 outperformed the average score achieved by 40 university students in the AI language program. The development of human-like thinking abilities in machines has garnered significant attention from experts. Dr Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent figure in AI, has expressed concerns about the potential long-term risks of more intelligent entities surpassing human control. Some issues persist, but for how long? However, many other leading experts disagree and assert that artificial intelligence does not pose such a threat. A recent study emphasizes that GPT-4 still struggles with some relatively simple tests that young children can easily solve. Nevertheless, the language model displayed promising capabilities, performing on par with humans in tasks such as pattern detection in letter and word sequences, completing linked word lists, and identifying similarities in detailed stories. The most remarkable aspect was that it accomplished these tasks without specific training, appearing to utilize reasoning based on unrelated previous tests. Professor Hongjing Lu, the senior author of the study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), expressed surprise that language-learning models, originally designed for word prediction, demonstrated such reasoning abilities. GPT still relies on text to process problems During the study, GPT-4 demonstrated its superiority over the average human in solving problems inspired by Ravens Progressive Matrices, a test that involves predicting the next image in complex arrangements of shapes. To make this possible, the shapes were converted into a text format that GPT-4 could comprehend. Furthermore, GPT-4 outperformed school students in a series of tests that required completing word lists, where the first two words were related, such as love and hate, and it had to predict the fourth word, poor, by identifying its opposite to the third word, rich. Remarkably, GPT-4s performance on these tests surpassed the average scores of students applying to university. The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, aims to explore whether GPT-4s capabilities reflect mimicked human reasoning or if it has developed a fundamentally distinct form of machine intelligence. San Francisco residents are saying goodbye to the flashing X sign that was situated on top of the Xs headquarters. The sign was taken down today after the city initiated an investigation into the bothersome eyesore. The hastily erected sign, which was supported in part by sandbags, had already sparked complaints from residents living near the building. Shoddily erected sign As stated in the citys complaint, X consistently refused entry to inspectors who were attempting to access the roof, providing the explanation that the X logo was a temporary lighted sign for an event. Patrick Hannan, the communications director for the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and City Planning, told reporters that a notice of violation was issued to the buildings owner, where Xs headquarters are located. Additionally, over the weekend, the Department of Building Inspection and City Planning received 24 complaints about the unpermitted structure. These complaints included concerns about its structural safety and the brightness of its illumination. According to the San Francisco Standard, complaints from neighbours about its overly bright strobing effect led to the removal of the sign from the Elon Musk-owned companys HQ. Nuisance for everyone around the building Shortly after the sign was installed, the city began questioning its legality. Government inspectors attempted to access the roof as part of their investigation but were denied entry twice, according to a complaint from the citys Department of Building Inspection. An employee obstructed their access and claimed that the strobing sign was merely a temporary lighted sign for an event, as noted in the official complaint. Imagine no more. This is my life now. https://t.co/k5QfAm8yuG pic.twitter.com/e7ECCM2NUD Christopher J. Beale (@realchrisjbeale) July 29, 2023 According to the buildings neighbours who spoke to local news, the strobing sign, which was put up hastily during a rebranding a few days prior, was incredibly annoying. It was only up for a brief three days before being taken down. Miao Gong, a resident living nearby, shared with SFs Fox affiliate KTVU that the signs brightness was so intense that it actually caused discomfort to her eyes. It was so bright that it was actually hurting my eyes a little bit, Miao Gong, who lives nearby, told SFs Fox affiliate KTVU. I think if it had just stayed on, I couldve ignored it, but because it kept flashing, it was hard to ignore, she said. Was meant to be a temporary sign, says Musk After the removal of the strobing X sign, the only remnants of it are the two posts on which it was installed. Moreover, following the name change last week, keen observers noticed that the crews also removed the Twitter sign from the side of the Market Street headquarters without obtaining a permit. Consequently, the building now appears to be without a name. Elon Musk, the owner of X, had referred to the logo as an interim one. It was intended to be a temporary solution while the company worked on creating a newer and more permanent logo to replace their previous bird logo. Samsung Electronics, the worlds largest smartphone maker, is considering introducing a more affordable foldable phone to its lineup. TM Roh, the companys mobile business chief, disclosed their intention to accelerate the adoption of foldable phones by adjusting their pricing strategy, but acknowledged the challenges involved. To achieve a budget-friendly foldable phone, Samsung is engaging in discussions with supply partners to find ways to reduce manufacturing costs without compromising essential features. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, launched for Rs 99,999, is currently the most popular option in the foldable category By expanding their product range to lower price points, Samsung aims to directly compete with Apple Inc.s mainstream iPhone range, which starts at $799. Previously, Samsung had positioned its foldable devices as premium and luxury products, even collaborating with fashion brand Thom Browne to enhance its premium image. Despite the overall downturn in the smartphone market in the past year and a half, foldable phones have continued to gain popularity. Analysts estimates on their growth differ, with IDC forecasting nearly 50 million foldables shipped in 2027, while Counterpoint Research projects that number to reach 100 million in the same year. Counterpoints projections consider the potential launch of a foldable iPhone within the next two years, which could further boost the segments growth. Samsungs strategy revolves around two main tracks: maintaining its flagship foldables as premium devices and simultaneously lowering costs to offer more affordable options. This approach aims to solidify Samsungs dominant market share. Chinese Android device manufacturers have also introduced their own foldable offerings, but their presence has primarily been limited to the domestic market. Foxconn Technology Group, Apple Inc.s main supplier, is planning to invest approximately $500 million to establish two component factories in India as part of its efforts to diversify away from China. At least one of the factories, to be built in the southern state of Karnataka, will focus on producing Apple parts, including components for iPhones, according to sources familiar with the matter. An official announcement is expected soon. Foxconns growing footprint in India The move comes as Apple suppliers, including Foxconn, have been increasing their presence in India due to incentives provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost local manufacturing. States like Karnataka have also attracted companies with streamlined decision-making processes, reduced bureaucracy, and subsidies. The increasing investments by Foxconn in India highlight how the country has emerged as a popular destination for manufacturers seeking an alternative to China, especially amid rising tensions between the US and China. The global supply chain has been undergoing a shift, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts like the war in Ukraine, potentially leading to a transformation in electronics manufacturing. More investments inbound In addition to the new component factories, Foxconn is also investing $700 million in building a plant near Bengalurus airport in Karnataka, which is expected to assemble iPhones and create around 100,000 jobs. The move suggests that suppliers may relocate production capacity from China more rapidly than anticipated, providing a significant boost to Indias efforts to close its technology gap with China. Western investors and corporations are increasingly turning away from China due to concerns about the countrys regulations, slowing economy, and US trade restrictions, presenting an opportunity for India to attract more investment. No deal signed with the Tamil Nadu government, says Foxconn It appears that there is conflicting information regarding the investment announcement made by the Tamil Nadu government and Foxconn. According to reports, Foxconns subsidiary FII has denied signing any deal with the Tamil Nadu government for a $194 million investment in an electronic components manufacturing facility. This contradicts the initial announcement made by the Tamil Nadu government about the investment by the iPhone manufacturing company. As of now, there may be uncertainty surrounding the actual status of the investment deal. Further updates or clarifications from both parties may be needed to confirm the details of the investment agreement. Despite the denial by Foxconns subsidiary FII, government officials in Tamil Nadu have asserted that the announced manufacturing unit will indeed be established in the Kanchipuram district, near Chennai. The Tamil Nadu government made the announcement on July 31 and stated that the factory is expected to generate around 6,000 jobs. Given this information from government officials, the situation remains unclear, and further updates or statements from both parties may be required to clarify the situation surrounding the investment deal. On Monday, China introduced new restrictions that will require exporters to obtain licenses in order to ship certain drones and related equipment out of the country. Moreover, they are restricting the export of civilian drones to certain countries, on account of how Russia and Ukraine have weaponised drones. However, the kicker is that the countries to which China has banned exports, had already outlawed Chinese drones, over dears of surveillance. New legislation bans drones from being exported openly This regulation was announced in two separate statements attributed to various government agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce. The restricted equipment includes drones weighing up to 4kg without cargo or accessories, as well as drones equipped with capabilities such as emitting projectiles, certain types of cameras or laser range-finders, or those capable of operating beyond line of sight. These applications appear to have potential military uses, although there may be legitimate civilian applications for drones with laser-guided projectile capabilities, such as duck hunting. The requirement for export licenses will be effective from September 1. The Ministry of Commerce clarified that all civilian drones not covered by these restrictions are still prohibited from being exported for military purposes. The Ministry mentioned that export companies with well-established internal compliance systems may be granted convenient measures, such as general licensing. US-China Tech war This move is widely seen as a response to US sanctions imposed on China, including those targeting semiconductors, telecom equipment, and other technologies. In retaliation, China has already placed export controls on semiconductor precursors like gallium and germanium, as well as some key compounds. A Chinese official has warned that these restrictions are only the beginning, indicating potential further actions in response to US sanctions. The ban on exporting certain drones and related equipment from China may be well-received in some circles due to concerns about security risks associated with Chinese drones. Other countries have taken similar actions to restrict the entry of Chinese drones. For instance, India has completely banned drone imports, likely to prevent the involvement of Chinese companies in its market. Lithuania has also prohibited the public procurement of Chinese drones. Chinas attempt to save face In the United States, the US Army banned the prominent Chinese drone manufacturer DJI as early as 2017, and later the Pentagon classified Chinese drones as a security risk. Subsequently, in the same year, US authorities imposed an investment ban on Chinese drone manufacturers. In June 2023, US Senators Marsha Blackburn and Mark Warner introduced legislation to prevent the US Federal Aviation Administration from using Chinese drones, citing concerns about funding drones made by companies from regions hostile to the US. According to Blackburn and Warner, more than half of the drones sold in the US are manufactured by the Chinese company DJI Technologies. Given these restrictions and concerns, it is likely that major potential buyers of Chinese drones have already voluntarily adopted Beijings ban on exporting certain drone technologies. Germany has revealed that it has been conducting a quiet investigation into Worldcoin, a new iris-scanning cryptocurrency venture led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. This brings the total number of European investigations into the project to three, suggesting potential challenges in terms of regulatory compliance. The Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision, Germanys data watchdog, confirmed its investigation into Worldcoin since November 2022, citing concerns about the venture accessing sensitive data on a large scale. Worldcoin, officially launched recently, has spent the past two years scanning irises globally to create a database linking human identity to biometric data, aiming to verify users as humans in the era of artificial intelligence. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have all initiated investigations into Worldcoin. In the United States, the project has declined to pay users for their eye scans, citing regulatory issues. Critics have raised concerns about the projects practices. Reporters from Futurism and Gizmodo noted that participants were not required to provide prior identification or verification of their identity during iris scanning. Trial participants in developing countries expressed feeling cheated by the exchange. Additionally, it remains unclear whether individuals can request the removal of their data from the companys database due to the involvement of blockchain technology. Worldcoin has circulated a white paper claiming that two independent firms have confirmed its security regarding data privacy, leaks, and information integrity. However, even Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, whose blockchain hosts Worldcoin, and European data watchdogs remain unconvinced about the readiness of this proof-of-personhood project. Buterin expressed concerns that if one Orb manufacturer were malicious or hacked, it could generate fake iris scan hashes and create counterfeit World IDs. Until more information is available about Worldcoins operations and data practices, skepticism remains prevalent. A Paris store selling luxury jewellery and watch brand Piaget was robbed by an armed gang on Tuesday, who escaped with nearly 10 to 15 million euros worth of goods in broad daylight, police and prosecutors said. Three people were possibly involved in the robbery at around 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), with at least one of them carrying a weapon. The gang fled the scene with their loot, estimated at between 10 million euros ($11 million) and 15 million euros ($16.5 million). Nobody was hurt, a police official said. The store is located on the Rue de la Paix in the heart of the French capital, and situated near the prestigious Place Vendome which happens to be home to several stores of high-end jewellery brands. The last high-profile heist in the neighborhood occurred in April, when three people on motorbikes robbed the Bulgari store, making off with several million euros worth of jewellery. Piaget, founded in Switzerland, makes luxury watches with price tags that can reach several tens of thousands of euros, and high-end jewellery. Piaget is a subsidiary of the Richemont group, which also owns several other luxury goods companies including Cartier, Baume and Mercier, Chloe, and Van Cleef and Arpels. A UNESCO heritage committee on Tuesday avoided listing Australias Great Barrier Reef as a site that is in danger but warned that the worlds biggest coral reef ecosystem was under serious threat from pollution and the warming of oceans. Australia has been lobbying for years to keep the reef- which contributes about A$6 billion ($4 billion) to the economy and supports 64,000 jobs off the endangered list as it could lead to losing the heritage status, taking some shine off its attraction for tourists. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization better known as UNESCO, in November said the reef should be put on the danger list after frequent coral bleaching events were noticed. However, in the UN agencys latest report, the panel noted with appreciation the commitments and initial actions by the Australian government to preserve the reef. The draft decision cites significant progress being made on climate change, water quality, and sustainable fishing all putting the reef on a stronger and more sustainable path, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during a media briefing. But he acknowledged the UNESCO draft decision does not put the reef in the clear and that more steps were needed to keep it off the endangered list. Australias Labor government has pledged A$1.2 billion to protect the reef, withdrawn federal funding for dams and denied permission for a coal mine that it said could have affected the reefs water quality. The UN panel has asked the government to submit a progress report by February 2024. The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia said UNESCO could place the reef on the endangered list if the government failed to demonstrate progress on existing commitments. UNESCO has kept the Australian and Queensland governments on probation, said WWF-Australia Head of Oceans Richard Leck. Theres an opportunity for Australia to lift its game before it is required to provide a progress report next year. The Chinese state security ministry on Tuesday said that citizens should be encouraged to engage in counter-espionage work like creating channels for individuals to report suspicious activity and reward them accordingly. The Ministry of State Security is responsible for overlooking foreign intelligence and anti-spying activities in China. In a social media post, the agency said that a system that normalises people participating in anti-espionage activities must be created. The call to popularise anti-spying work among the masses follows an expansion of Chinas counter-espionage law that took effect in July. The law criminalises the transfer of national security-related information. Following its promulgation, the US said that owing to the law foreign companies in China could be punished for carrying out regular business activities. The revised law allows authorities carrying out an anti-espionage probe to gain access to data, electronic equipment, and information on personal property. Chen Yixin, the Minister of State Security, said that political security remains the top-most priority of national security and the core of political security is the security of Chinas political system. The most fundamental is to safeguard the leadership and ruling position of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, Chen said. In recent years, China has arrested and detained dozens of Chinese and foreign nationals on suspicion of espionage, including an executive at Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma in March. Australian journalist Cheng Lei, accused by China of providing state secrets to another country, has been detained since September 2020. Chinas declaration that it is under threat from spies comes as Western nations, most prominently the United States, accuse China of espionage and cyberattacks, a charge that Beijing has rejected. With inputs from Reuters Amidst growing friendship between Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF), a Chinese official has expressed Chinas commitment to supporting Zimbabwes military. While speaking at the PLAs 96th Anniversary Celebration in Harare, the Defense Attache of the Chinese Embassy, Colonel Yonglong Zhu, reaffirmed Chinas enduring friendship with Zimbabwe and assured the PLAs continued support as a reliable partner to the Zimbabwe Defense Forces. He also highlighted the long-standing bond between the two countries, dating back to the 1960s, and emphasised the recent strengthening of their relationship through friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields. He said, The traditional friendship between the Peoples Liberation Army and Zimbabwe Defense Forces was fostered by the founding fathers of the two countries in the 1960s and has always been cherished and constantly promoted by the two sides over the past decades, reported The Eurasian Times.. Despite concerns over Chinas military expansion in Africa, particularly amid uncertainties caused by the ongoing Ukraine war, Zimbabwe seems to be aligning with China, and it has also applied to join the BRICS New Development Bank, where China is also a member. Chinas potential military expansion in Africa raises concerns about acquiring basing rights through economic investments and security agreements, as seen in examples such as the Chinese military base in Djibouti and alleged investments in other countries. With inputs from agencies Photos and mentions of the 57-year-old foreign minister began to vanish from his former ministrys website hours after Chinas top legislature called a special meeting to remove him last week. However, Qin does not appear on the websites list of former ministers, and for several more days, a search for his name had been returning the message, Sorry, Qin Gang is not found, even though part of this information had resurfaced days later. In actuality, it has been almost a month since he last appeared in public. The brief explanation from the foreign ministry a few weeks ago that this was due to health reasonsa statement later removed from official transcriptshas failed to quell the flurry of rumours about his whereabouts and how the entire saga affects President Xi Jinping, who helped him soar to fame. Wang Yi, a seasoned diplomat, was appointed by China to succeed Qin, but little information regarding the shift was provided. Beijing will promptly reveal facts surrounding Qin, according to spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Mao Ning, and it rejects malicious hype. She was responding to a reporter who inquired about the transparency surrounding Qins departure. The ministry has received more than 25 inquiries in recent days addressing Qin at press conferences. There will likely be more rumours as a result of Qins abnormally prolonged and inexplicable absence, his quick termination from his position, and other peculiar events like the ministrys website. After being appointed as one of the nations youngest foreign ministers in December 2022, a position with a five-year tenure, Qin served in the position for just over six months. In China, cases of officials dissipating and being erased from memory have happened before. Before it was reported that the previous years industry minister Xiao Yaqing was under investigation for corruption, he went missing for nearly a month. The former senior protocol officer Zhang Kunsheng, who was convicted of corruption and using his position of authority to get sex in 2016, had all online references to him erased by the foreign ministry. In China, such erasures date back many years. Three times between 1955 and 1972, a state-commissioned artwork of Mao Zedong standing atop Tiananmen Gate to declare the creation of the peoples republic was changed to remove officials who later came into conflict with Mao. However, according to other observers, it is not at all obvious in Qins case. Despite having the authority to do so, the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, which met on Tuesday, did not eliminate Qins other position as State Councillor, a cabinet official with a higher status than a minister. Analysts also note out that just a few months ago, Qin would have undergone a thorough screening process before accepting the position. According to Communist Party laws, leaders are screened based on their political views, professional performance, and adherence to party rules. They must also disclose information about their families, such as whether they have lived abroad and what assets they have. In an effort to combat corruption, Xi has established a plethora of rules to uphold party discipline since taking office in 2012. According to observers, these laws have strengthened members allegiance to Xi. But if Qins removal is motivated by factors other than his health, the stakes are raised for Xi, especially given that his quick promotion through the ranks was partially ascribed to his proximity to the president. When Qin was top protocol officer during Xis first term, a position that would grant him direct access to Xi whenever the latter met with foreign leaders, Xi became aware of him. Then, in five yearsbullet-train speed by Chinese standardshe made a treble jump from director of protocol to U.S. ambassador, then to foreign minister and state councillor. Analysts claim that most of the ultimate leadership team for Xis historic third term in office was composed of people he has previously worked with and has confidence in. Prior to compiling a list of candidates for a larger group of party delegates to publicly support, Xi abandoned the custom of allowing current and retired top leaders to vote on probable candidates. Instead, the names were chosen under Xis direct leadership after he personally spoke with others and visited with potential candidates. (With agency inputs) On Tuesday, a drone struck a high-rise building in Moscows financial sector that houses three Russian government ministries for the second time in three days, in what Russia described as an attempted terrorist attack by Ukraine. According to a Ukrainian presidential adviser, Moscow should prepare for more war and additional drone assaults. The IQ quarter structure, which was struck, is home to the ministries of industry and trade, digital development, and economic development. A portion of its glass front that was perched high above the ground was seen in video obtained by Reuters to have been damaged by the collision. At the moment, experts are assessing the damage and the state of the infrastructure for the safety of people in the building. This will take some time, Darya Levchenko, an adviser to the economy minister, said on Telegram. She said staff were working by video-conference. Since the beginning of May, when two drones were launched at the roof of a building inside the Kremlin complex, Moscow has experienced several drone strikes. The episodes have not resulted in any fatalities or significant property damage, but they have aroused considerable disquiet and are inconsistent with the Kremlins claim that Russias special military operation in Ukraine is going as planned. Indeed, a threat exists, it is obvious, but measures are being taken, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, declining to comment further. Ukraine has drawn satisfaction from the attacks, though without directly claiming responsibility for them. Moscow is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. He said Russia should expect more unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, more war. The Russian defence ministry said in a statement that it had stopped the attempted terrorist attack and shot down two drones west of Moscows downtown. According to the report, a second attempt was stopped by jamming tools before it out of control and crashed into buildings in the Moskva-Citi commercial sector. Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, said it struck the same skyscraper as on Sunday. The 21st floors facade has been harmed. Over 150 square metres of glazing were destroyed, he claimed. One of the three main airports serving the capital, Vnukovo Airport, briefly shut down before resuming full operations. There are indications that the occurrences are unsettling Russian companies. Yandex (YNDX.O), a digital company, sent a note to staff on Sunday after the first drone struck Moskva-Citi warning them not to work late and to take care. (With agency inputs) The French government has announced it will evacuate French and European citizens from Niger beginning Tuesday, barely days after a junta seized power in the west African nation. Italy also indicated on Tuesday it would offer a special flight to repatriate its nationals from the capital Niamey. Nigers borders have been closed to commercial flights since military officers ousted President Mohamed Bazoum last Wednesday. The overthrow of Nigers democratically elected government the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa has sent shockwaves across the region, with Nigers Western allies apprehending that they may lose their influence to Russia. France has had troops in the region for about a decade helping to fight an Islamist insurgency, but locals say they want the former colonial ruler to stop intervening in their affairs. Other Western countries like the United States, Germany, and Italy also have troops in Niger on counter-insurgency and training missions. These countries have not announced any evacuation of troops so far. On Sunday, supporters of the junta burned French flags and attacked the French embassy in Nigers capital, Niamey, prompting police to fire volleys of tear gas in response. Considering the situation in Niamey, the violence against our embassy the day before yesterday and the fact that the air space is shut and our citizens cannot leave by their own means, France is preparing for evacuation of its citizens and (other) European citizens who want to leave the country, the French foreign ministry said in a statement. The evacuation will start today, it added. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the media late on Monday that the protest in front of the embassy and the ensuing accusations that France shot at the crowd which it denies have all the usual ingredients of destabilisation, the Russian-African way. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russias Wagner mercenary group, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. The Kremlin has said that the situation in Niger was cause for serious concern and called for a swift return to constitutional order. According to the French foreign ministry website, there were just under 1,200 French nationals in Niger in 2022. The coup has raised fears for the security of the Sahel region, where groups linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda have been gaining ground for years. Niger is the worlds seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer. The number of people incarcerated in French prisons has reached an unprecedented level, with the latest official statistics from the Justice Ministry revealing a staggering 74,513 inmates. Since the close of 2022, the country has repeatedly shattered its own inmate records, setting six new highs in nearly every month. This significant figure reflects a concerning increase of 2,446 prisoners compared to the previous year and a staggering surge of 15,818 since the summer of 2020. During that period, around 10,000 prisoners were released due to the Covid-19 outbreak, aiming to ease the notorious overcrowding problem within the prison system. It was only last April when France first surpassed 73,000 inmates, marking a significant turning point. The occupancy rate of the entire prison system currently stands at a distressing 122.8%, reaching a staggering 146.3% for facilities housing pre-trial detainees and those with short sentences. This overcrowding has led to a dire situation, leaving 2,478 inmates without proper beds, forcing them to resort to sleeping on mattresses laid on the floor. The European Court of Human Rights raised concerns about the prison systems structural overcrowding in 2020 and ordered the country to compensate 32 inmates with damages up to 25,000 ($27,500) for severe violations of fundamental rights. Despite pledges to add 15,000 additional prison beds by 2027, recent reprovals from the court and a parliamentary report highlighting the urgent need for prison regulation mechanisms indicate an ongoing challenge. The situation further deteriorated after violent riots erupted across the country following the police shooting of a teenager of North African descent during a traffic stop in Nanterre last month. The governments strong stance on a firm, rapid, and systematic response led to over 742 protesters receiving prison sentences, with 600 of them incarcerated, as reported. This unrest prompted the deployment of approximately 45,000 police officers to contain the situation, resulting in an estimated 650 million ($721 million) in damages and over 4,000 detentions, including 1,200 minors. Prisoner advocacy group, Observatoire International des Prisons, cautioned that overcrowding is likely to worsen, as authorities have adopted a zero-crime policy ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Last year, the group advocated for the decriminalization of some misdemeanors, such as driving without a license and drug use. Additionally, they suggested reducing the use of pre-trial detention and exploring alternatives to incarceration for certain offenses to address overcrowding concerns. The group emphasized that merely increasing the number of prison beds would only exacerbate the problem. Ironically, in recent years, France has taken a different approach by introducing criminalization for cyber harassment and even schoolyard bullying. This contrasting approach may further strain the already overwhelmed prison system. The United States said that it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on North Korea and Russia when necessary as they have already done it in the past a number of times. The US State Department spokesperson Matthew Millers remarks came in response to a question about the Russian defence ministers recent trip to Pyongyang. I am not going to speak in any more detail but will say that we have imposed a number of sanctions on North Korea in the past for various activities. We have also imposed sanctions on a no of entities and individuals around the world for assisting Russia in its war effort. We would not hesitate to do so in the future, Matthew Miller said during a regular State Dept briefing on Monday (local time). Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea last week for celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War, which is known as Victory Day there. Matthew Miller also emphasised that the close ties between Pyongyang and Moscow have not exactly been productive for the worlds security. He said, Obviously, there has been a close relationship between those two countries for a whilewhen thats not exactly been productive to increasing the security of the world, I wouldnt expect that to change as a result of this meeting. I would certainly say that it did not appear that Defence Minister Shoigu was in Russia for vacation, the State Dept spokesperson, Miller said on the Russian Defence Ministers Pyongyang visit. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday last week for a three-day visit to attend commemorative events marking one of the Norths key anniversaries on July 27, which the North refers to as Victory Day, Yonhap reported. Despite maintaining strict border restrictions since 2020 to contain the pandemic, the reclusive state has invited delegations from China and Russia, which share strong ties with the North, in a rare invitation of official foreign guests since the COVID-19 breakout. North Korea has been strengthening its ties with Russia despite international condemnation of Moscows war with Ukraine, amid allegations that Pyongyang has provided arms to Moscow for use in the war, Yonhap reported. During Shoigus visit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un introduced weapons the North has produced under its national defence development plan and shared his views on the worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy and the security agenda facing the two countries. Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under detention since, she was ousted in a 2021 military coup has been granted clemency in a junta amnesty that encompasses over 7,000 prisoners as part of the observance of Buddhist Lent, as reported by state media on Tuesday. The announcement mentioned that the Chairman of the State Administration Council has pardoned Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who had previously received a sentence from the relevant courts. Chairman of State Administration Council pardons Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced by the relevant courts, the broadcast said. Although Aung San Suu Kyi has been granted amnesty in five cases, she remains entangled in 14 other legal matters. According to sources from AFP, despite the clemency, Suu Kyi will not be released from her house arrest. She couldnt be freed completely although some sentences against her were pardoned. She still has to face 14 cases. Only five cases out of 19 were pardoned. A 13-month-old infant from New Zealand drowned after falling from her familys vessel in Fiji, according to a report by the New Zealand Herald. The child called Mahina Tok died after falling from the Catamaran Kalamari, which was docked in Musket Cove in western Fiji. A Fiji spokesperson told the media portal that the child was strapped into a harness on the deck and was watching a movie while her parents, Mark and Kiri, were cooking dinner in the gallery. When the parents returned to the deck, they could not find their child, so they immediately began looking for her. The toddler was found floating in the sea, and attempts to revive her did not work. An investigation is underway. It is believed that the toddler was tethered to the boat but worked free and ended up in the water and reportedly drowned. By the time we could find her, it was too late, a family friend said. A large number of people rushed to assist the family. Musket Cove Resort manager Joe Mar says there is a huge sense of shock across the island. The family rushed into shore to seek help and a lot of people rushed to their aid, but unfortunately couldnt revive her, he said. The manager told the media outlet that the family has now moved to Denaru and Fiji police are now supporting them. Island Cruising NZ owner Viki Moore said a number of their participants rushed to help the family. She said it was common practice when sailing to be tethered to the boat. I dont know what happened in this case, but it is very sad, Moore said. Mahina was a beautiful, happy, smiling child who loved the water and life on the boat, a family friend wrote. Her mother, Kiri, said she had eyes that looked into your soul from the [day] she was born. The childs parents are now trying to recover from the trauma and head back to New Zealand. In the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they cant pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Salou Hassan and his family live in a two-room hut on the side of the road, along with some 140 people. The family sleeps on wooden slats close to the floor, with no electricity or running water, and they bathe in public showers. The most difficult part is finding food for my children, Hassan, whose sons are 5 and 6 years old, said Monday. Hassan, 30, sells water door to door, earning about $6 a day when things go well. His wheelbarrow is broken and he doesnt have the nearly $70 he needs to fix it. His wife sweeps stalls at the central market, making less than half what Hassan does. Hassan has hardly been aware that the countrys president was overthrown. Im looking for money for food for my family, he said. Meanwhile, Nigers neighbors are threatening armed intervention against the junta run by the head of the presidential guard, although analysts say there is only a slim chance of the regional body successfully sending troops. Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. After neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce $150 million in direct assistance, calling the country a model of democracy. However, since the coup that ousted Nigers President Mohamed Bazoum, people have been toting Russian flags and praising that country in pro-junta demonstrations. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday over the coup. It said it would use force if the coup leaders dont reinstate Bazoum within one week. Since the 1990s, the 15-nation bloc has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday. When people say theres an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, its extremely difficult for people Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community, he said. The US will also consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. US assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in Gambia to prevent the new presidents predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which analyzes peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission. If the regional bloc uses force, it could trigger violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. While unlikely, the consequences on civilians of such an approach, if putschists chose confrontation, would be catastrophic, said Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank. Lyammouri does not see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger, he said. Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to defend constitutional order in Niger after the sanctions announcement and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family. The military junta, which seized power on Wednesday when members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoums house and detained him, is already cracking down on the government and civil liberties. On Sunday evening it arrested four government officials, including the minister of petroleum and son of a former president; the minister of education; the minister of mines; and the president of the ruling party. The arrests were recounted to The Associated Press by a person close to the president, who was not authorized to speak about the situation, and a Nigerien analyst who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal. Also Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he describe as harmful to state security. He also claimed without evidence that Bazoums government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chads President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the Russian symbols, but the country seems to have become a symbol of anti-Western feelings for demonstrators. Protesters also burned down a door and smashed windows of the French Embassy, before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Russian ballistic missiles on Monday struck an apartment complex and a university building in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hometown, resulting in six deaths and 75 injuries. The devastating blasts trapped numerous residents under rubble, leading to a frantic rescue operation involving more than 350 people, reported The Associated Press. The missiles caused significant damage to the central city of Kryvyi Rih, with one of them destroying part of an apartment building. Among the deceased were a 10-year-old girl and her mother. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy made comments seemingly warning of potential attacks within Russia itself. He mentioned that the conflict might return to Russias symbolic centers and military bases, raising speculation that the missile strikes might be related to his statements. In response to the missile strikes, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted Moscow and its surroundings, resulting in some damage to a skyscraper in the Moscow City business district, which had already been previously targeted. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the incident, stating that there were no casualties. However, it remains unclear why the same building was targeted twice in quick succession. Additionally, in Donetsk, a Ukrainian artillery strike killed two people and injured six others in the regional capital. A bus in Donetsk was also hit multiple times during the day. In the Russian-held part of the Zaporizhzhia region, three people lost their lives, and 15 others were injured when Ukrainian shelling struck a store in the village of Basan, according to the Russia-backed acting regional governor, Yevgeny Balitsky. With inputs from agencies Chilean-American blogger Gonzalo Lira, who was detained by Ukrainian intelligence in May due to allegations of having pro-Russian sympathies, resurfaced on the internet on Monday and recounted a distressing tale of physical assaults and blackmail while awaiting a show trial. I was tortured in two of the four cells I was inby the other prisoners, Lira posted in a 25-tweet thread on Monday evening. I got a cracked rib in my first cell, but it wasnt too bad. The worst stretch was in my fourth cell. From 1 pm on June 21 until 7 pm the next day 30 hours two inmates tortured him and at one point used a toothpick to scratch the whites of my left eye, while asking me if I could still read if I had just one, Lira wrote. Right now, Im about to try to get out of Ukraine, and seek political asylum in Hungary. Either Ill cross the border and make it to safety, or Ill be disappeared by the Kiev regime. This is whats happened to me over the past three months. 1/25 Gonzalo Lira (@GonzaloLira1968) July 31, 2023 Reportedly, one of the individuals involved in the torture of the 55-year-old blogger was supposedly rebuked for causing bruising on the bloggers chest, as the instructions had been to avoid leaving any visible marks. Lira shared images of the documents detailing the accusations against him, indicating that his imprisonment was a result of his social media posts and YouTube videos. He pointed out that one particular video titled Ukraine: A Primer, where he provided an analysis of the conflict with Russia and attributed the provocation to Kiev, had caught the authorities attention and led to his situation. According to Lira, he was beaten and tortured because the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) wanted to extort his entire savings, which amounted to approximately $100,000 when considering the value of the confiscated computers and phones. Upon being informed that he would be declared guilty and face a sentence of 5-8 years in a labor camp during his imminent trial, Lira made the decision to leave Ukraine and pursue asylum in Hungary. Im posting this thread just as Im getting to the border checkpoint, he tweeted. If you dont hear from me in the next 12 hourswhelp! Im on my way to a labor camp! Wish me luck. Lira acknowledged the Chilean Embassy for any assistance he received while in detention, highlighting that the US Embassy reached out to him three times but only offered support without any substantial help. He also expressed concerns that the US might extradite him back to Ukraine due to his belief that Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland holds animosity towards him, as he has been told. On May 1, Lira was apprehended by the SBU, who accused him of producing and disseminating materials that justified the armed aggression of Russia. Following his arrest, a judge ruled that he should remain in custody until the trial. Notably, in April 2022, Lira had been detained by the SBU before but was released after a week without any charges filed, likely due to public pressure. A major opposition party in Senegal was disbanded by the countrys government on Monday, hours after the groups popular leader and president claimed that a judge had ordered his arrest. According to El Malick Ndiaye, the communications director for Ousmane Sonkos party, the towering opposition leader who enjoys strong support from Senegals youth was in jail on Monday while he awaited trial on fresh criminal accusations. When the trial will take place is unknown. He is charged with inciting rebellion, plotting to overthrow the government, endangering national security, and other offences. Ive just been unjustly placed under a committal order, Sonko wrote on his Facebook page Monday, which communications director Ndiaye confirmed. Earlier on Monday, Senegals interior minister issued a statement claiming Sonkos opposition party had been dissolved. The Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party has frequently called on its supporters to take part in insurrectionary movements, Antoine Felix Diome, Senegals interior minister, alleged in a statement. Diome blamed the opposition partys leaders for causing loss of life and the looting of properties during protests in June against the prosecution of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who is seen as a key challenger in the election. The opposition partys dissolution was criticised by former Prime Minister Aminata Toure as an unprecedented setback in the West African nations democratic history. It further raised concerns about next years presidential election in Senegal, long considered a bastion of democracy and a regional leader in diplomacy. In his despotic determination to hold on to power in Senegal, albeit by proxy, Macky Sall has just opened the floodgates to chaos by imprisoning, on spurious grounds, his main opponent Ousmane Sonko, said a PASTEF communique Monday, after Diomes claimed to have disbanded the party. Even if they dissolve PASTEF, they cant dissolve its spirit, Ndiaye said. The Senegalese government, meanwhile, restricted mobile internet services on Monday, a measure taken due to the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages on social networks, according to Moussa Bocar Thiam, the communications minister. Residents throughout the country reported they were not able to access the internet. Sonko said a local judge in the capital Dakar ordered him held temporarily following fresh charges against him Saturday, including conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrection. The charges are different from an earlier one of corrupting youth. That led to Sonkos conviction in June, which ignited deadly protests across the nation with 23 people killed. Sonko is popular among Senegals youth and has been seen as a threat to the ruling party ahead of the 2024 election. His supporters have said the charges are to prevent him from running again for president after he placed third in the 2019 race. From his cell in Sebikotane prison, just outside the capital Dakar, Sonko can run for president in the 2024 election, communications director Ndiaye said, a claim the AP could not immediately verify. If the Senegalese people, for whom I have always fought, abdicate and decide to leave me in the hands of (President) Macky Salls regime, I will, as always, submit to Gods will, Sonko wrote on his Facebook page. Two killed in Senegal protests Two people were killed Monday during protests in southern Senegal after the indictment and detention of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, a presidential candidate for the 2024 election, AFP quoted the interior ministry as saying. Sonko, President Macky Salls fiercest critic, on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection and his party dissolved, prompting clashes between protesters and police. The leading opposition figure has faced a string of legal woes, which he claims have been designed to keep him out of politics and jeopardise his participation in the February 2024 presidential election. The interior ministry said protests erupted Monday afternoon in the southern city of Ziguinchor where two lifeless male bodies were discovered. The ministry press release did got give further details of the circumstances of the deaths in the city where Sonko is mayor. With inputs from agencies After discussions with his Croatian counterpart in Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced that Ukraine and Croatia have reached an agreement on potentially utilising Croatian ports along the Danube and the Adriatic Sea for exporting Ukrainian grain. This development comes in the aftermath of Russias withdrawal from the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal, which had been a crucial channel for Ukraines agricultural products during the ongoing war. Kuleba emphasised the importance of establishing efficient export routes through these ports to maximize the opportunity. He also expressed gratitude for any contributions that can help unblock exports and enhance global food security, reported Reuters. Currently, Ukraine relies on land export routes via the European Union and an alternate route via the Danube River. However, recent attacks by Russia have disrupted infrastructure along the Danube route, underscoring the need for alternative pathways. While discussing their meeting, Kuleba mentioned that the primary topic of their talks with his Croatian counterpart was related to weapons. However, he refrained from providing further details, stating that specific agreements would be implemented in the near future. With inputs from agencies A senior police officer responsible for drafting the Metropolitan Polices anti-drugs strategy is facing accusations of engaging in drug use himself. Commander Julian Bennett, a long-serving member of the force since 1976, allegedly consumed LSD and magic mushrooms while off-duty and regularly smoked cannabis, as stated in a recent tribunal. During 2019, it is claimed that Commander Bennett would start his day by smoking cannabis before breakfast and frequently hosted parties at his residence. The officer is also accused of refusing to provide a urine sample for testing and providing false reasons for doing so. The tribunal, which took place in Southwark, south London, heard testimony from Sheila Gomes, who had lived in the officers flat from November 27 to December 10, 2019. She stated that she witnessed Commander Bennett smoking cannabis in his flat on several occasions. Gomes also reported that she captured photographs of cannabis-related items on a glass table in the living room. Gomes further revealed that she was unaware of Commander Bennetts true occupation and believed him to be a lawyer while she lived with him. She expressed her discomfort with living in an environment filled with cannabis fumes and stated that the officer would use the drug multiple times throughout the day. A drug test was authorized on July 20, 2020, and the officer was asked to provide a sample in the presence of an assistant commissioner the following day. Commander Bennett, however, refused, insisting that he had been using CBD (cannabidiol) to treat facial palsy and feared that the test would show a false positive result. It was disclosed during the hearing that Commander Bennett had authored the Metropolitan Polices drug strategy for the years 2017 to 2021. The document, titled Dealing With The Impact Of Drugs On Communities, aimed to raise awareness about the consequences of drug misuse. Additionally, Freedom of Information requests revealed that Commander Bennett had presided over 74 police misconduct hearings involving 90 officers between June 2010 and February 2012. Out of those hearings, 56 officers were dismissed, and two were dismissed due to drug misuse. The allegations against Commander Bennett involve breaching the forces professional standards multiple times, including discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, and orders and instructions. These alleged actions are considered to be gross misconduct. Commander Bennett denies all the accusations and has been on full pay suspension since July 2021. The tribunal is ongoing, and further proceedings are expected. The United States has taken decisive action by imposing sanctions on 20 individuals and 29 companies linked to providing financial support to ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist groups operating in the Maldives. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller announced on Monday that the primary objective is to discourage and disrupt the flow of funds and other forms of assistance to terrorist activities within the Maldives. The sanctions list includes 18 facilitators affiliated with ISIS and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and two al-Qaeda operatives, in addition to 29 associated companies. These individuals and entities have been found to be connected to Mohamad Ameen, a prominent ISIS-K recruiter who was previously designated by the United States in 2019. Some of the sanctioned individuals have been directly involved in plotting and executing attacks against journalists and local authorities. The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to counter the threats posed by these terrorist support networks, both on a local and international scale, and to ensure they are denied the necessary funding and resources to carry out their violent attacks, stated Miller. The much-awaited US-made Abrams tanks that are expected to reach Ukraine in September might not be equipped with advanced equipment as they are reportedly too sensitive and sophisticated for the Ukrainian military. According to a report by Newsweek, the tanks might lose some of their most sophisticated electronics before seeing combat in Ukraine. Experts think that a simpler variant of Abrams tanks might be more suitable for Ukraine. The tanks will be downgraded before they are delivered to Kyiv. Marina Miron, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of War Studies at Kings College London told Newsweek, A simpler variant is better suited given the time constraints. Delivery of Abrams tanks Washington had pledged to supply a total of 31 Abrams tanks to Kyiv in January. The Abrams will certainly make a difference on the battlefield, Lt. General Douglas Sims said. When the Abrams arrive, theyll be able to make a difference with Ukrainians, he added. Before reaching Ukraine, the tanks will undergo refurbishment in Germany in August. Once that process is complete, the Abrams will be shipped to Ukraine the following month. The Biden administration has said that it wants to send more powerful weapons to the war-torn country in an effort to bolster Ukraines counteroffensive. According to Politico, six to eight tanks will be delivered in the initial batch. Were definitely working to get them to Ukraine as fast as we can, Pentagon spokesperson Col. Martin ODonnell said. How will the Abrams help Ukraine? The tough armour of Abrams will help Ukraine break through the eastern and southern parts of the country where troops are particularly weak. The deployment of the tanks would ensure that Ukrainian forces make progress on those fronts and a successful bid to do so would mean an opening for Kyiv to push further toward the city of Melitopol. Individual cigarettes in Canada will soon come with mandatory health warnings in a bid to discourage smoking and promote public health in Canada. The new regulations, set to be implemented this week, will be the first of their kind worldwide. The governments aim is to make it exceedingly difficult for smokers to ignore the potential risks associated with tobacco consumption. Canadian authorities have taken this step in response to the alarming statistics regarding tobacco-related deaths. An estimated 48,000 Canadians lose their lives each year due to tobacco-related illnesses. In a bid to combat this concerning trend, the government will now require every individual cigarette to carry warning messages related to the harmful effects of smoking. Warnings such as poison in every puff and cigarettes cause impotence will be prominently displayed on cigarette packaging. Over the years, Canada has introduced a series of measures to curb smoking rates in the country. Approximately 13% of Canadians currently use tobacco products, incurring a hefty cost of over $6 billion to the public healthcare system annually. However, this percentage has significantly declined from the 1965 figure when about half of the population smoked. The decline in smoking rates is attributed to increased awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco use and the implementation of federal and provincial regulations governing tobacco sales, taxation, and advertising. Notably, Canada was the pioneer in enforcing pictorial warnings on cigarette packages back in 2001. Additionally, the country later implemented bans on indoor smoking, further demonstrating its commitment to public health. The latest regulations, known as the Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging, and Labelling Regulations (TPAPLR), also include a rotation scheme for the health warning messages. This means that every two to three years, the warnings will be updated with new images and text to continuously raise awareness among smokers. The Canadian Lung Association CEO, Terry Dean, has welcomed these new measures, describing the individual cigarette warnings as quite unique and novel. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China will continue to work with its all-weather ally Pakistan to take their strategic ties to new heights. The two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects in the South Asian country for regional connectivity. In his congratulatory message to the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebration event held in Islamabad on Monday, Xi said the $60 billion CPEC infrastructure programme is an important pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reported PTI. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistans Balochistan with Chinas Xinjiang province, is opposed by India as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The event was attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan. China will work with Pakistan to aim for high-standard, sustainable and livelihood-enhancing outcomes and further build the CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said. Since its launch in 2013, China and Pakistan have been advancing CPEC under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and have achieved a number of early harvests, he was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency. Xi also said that the CPEC has added new impetus to the economic and social development of Pakistan and laid a good foundation for regional connectivity and integration. He said the project is a vivid testament to the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, and provides an important underpinning for building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Stressing that China and Pakistan will continue to improve overall planning and expand and deepen cooperation, Xi said no matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan, the report said. China and Pakistan will continue to work hand in hand and forge ahead in solidarity to carry forward the ironclad friendship, coordinate development and security, Xi said. He said the two countries will continue to pursue the cooperation of higher standards, broader scope and greater depth, and take the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, so as to make an even greater contribution to peace and prosperity in the two countries and the broader region. The key agreement for the CPEC projects was agreed in 2013 but it was formally launched when Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in 2015. The BRI was launched by Chinese President Xi in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. With inputs from agencies With a permanent population of over 90,000, and more than 30,000 of whom being engaged in the brush industry, Yuantan town in Qianshan city, east China's Anhui Province is dubbed "China's brush hub." Last year, the output value of Yuantan's brush industry exceeded 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion). Yuantan produces many kinds of brushes, including paintbrushes, industrial brushes, bristle brushes, steel brushes, brushes for sanitation vehicles, household brushes and brushes for cleaning precision instruments, among which brushes for sanitation vehicles, industrial brushes and household brushes comprise a growing share of the domestic market and are sold to more than 70 countries and regions in the world. Chu Wenming, general manager of Anhui Liushunda Brush Industry Co., Ltd., was one of the first persons in the town to open a small brush company. "Back then, there were 100 to 200 brush companies in Qianshan, all of which were small workshops. They had no unified standards to follow or stable sales channels through which they could sell their products," Chu recalled. At the start of the 21st century, the local government built an industrial park for private companies, inviting small workshops to settle in the park, while rolling out differentiated policies to support the businesses. The government also attracted investments for local brush manufacturers. Thanks to these efforts, Yuantan's brush industry began marching toward standardized development and industrial clusters started to emerge in the town. The government's help injected energy into local companies. After resigning from a foreign trade company, Xu Yanmiao founded Anhui Huanmei Brush, which is the first brush manufacturer in Qianshan to achieve an output value exceeding 100 million yuan. The number of business entities in Yuantan has increased to nearly 5,000 from over 200 in 2010. The size of the industry expanded nearly nine times over the course of 10 years. In 2019, the China National Light Industry Council granted Yuantan the title "China's brush hub." Yuantan had tried to develop other industries but didn't succeed. Qianshan city then decided to develop the brush industry. Since 2011, the city has made continuous efforts to boost the brush industry. The local government has built various platforms, including a 7-square-kilometer brush industrial park that has brought together 175 enterprises and a 100,000-square-meter high-tech venture park which is aimed at attracting medium, small and micro enterprises, as well as newly signed projects, and helping upgrade these enterprises and projects. In November 2022, the first China (Yuantan) International Brush Industry Exhibition was held in Yuantan town, which attracted the participation of 120 enterprises from home and abroad. In 2017, the Anhui Brush Chamber of Commerce was established in Yuantan, becoming Anhui's first provincial-level chamber of commerce of an industry built in a town. Yuantan is also home to Anhui's first public bonded warehouse built in a town. The brush industry of Yuantan has seen explosive growth since 2017, with its output value expanding by 1 billion yuan each year. A brush product independently developed by Anhui Qianshan Yida Brush Co., Ltd. is used on China's first domestically-built large passenger jet C919. "The product is used to clean aluminum sheets on aircraft wings. In the past, the item was imported. We spent two years on researching and developing relevant technologies and revised our design more than 10 times before finally signing the order," said Wang Wenbin, general manager of the company. Brush companies in Yuantan have carried out cooperation with universities including Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Hefei University of Technology, to try to leverage the latter's innovation resources. They also collaborated with Anhui University of Technology to build a brush industry engineering technology research center. The brush companies in Yuantan have filed 185 patents. Technology has empowered the upgrading of the brush industry in Yuantan, and the broad overseas market has created a wider space for the industry to grow. Anhui Huanmei Brush was the first brush company in Yuantan to start to engage in foreign trade. The annual output value of Huanmei has approached 100 million yuan, and 60 percent of the company's products are sold overseas. The PALM-4U urban climate model analyzes the impact that urban development projects have on the local climate. This analysis can be scaled from the individual building or city neighborhood level up to entire cities. Climate change poses challenges for us all, and city planners are no exception. Researchers expect the incidence of prolonged hot spells, heavy rain and storms to increase in the future. Densely populated urban areas are particularly susceptible to these kinds of extreme weather events, and they do more than just affect peoples well-being. For individuals that are weaker or experiencing poor health, e.g., people in retirement homes, daycare centers and hospitals, extreme weather events can actually be dangerous, explains Matthias Winkler, a hygrothermics expert at Fraunhofer IBP. This is why cities and municipalities are working intensively on planning construction initiatives that could help mitigate the consequences of climate change and make city climates manageable to a certain extent, thus maintaining and improving the quality of life in urban areas. The PALM-4U urban climate model allows users to depict and simulate how construction projects impact the urban climate, which makes it a valuable resource for planning offices and municipalities. It could be used to simulate greening a facade or planting trees, for example, in order to find out whether these measures improve the citizens thermal comfort levels. The urban climate simulator also makes it possible to identify spaces that are particularly badly affected by high temperatures and to model the impact that construction projects such as installing green spaces or unsealing surfaces would have on the climate in the surrounding areas before implementing them. Mr. Winkler and his team made their contribution to the complex tool by developing the PALM-4U GUI, a user interface that has a straightforward, logical structure and allows users to configure all the necessary functions and parameters. PALM-4U was designed and developed as part of the Urban Climate Under Change initiative by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). With PALM-4U, users can not only determine the impact that construction projects will have on the climate, but also quantify it precisely, Mr. Winkler points out. This could also allow planners to assess whether investing in a particular building project would ultimately be profitable, or whether another initiative might have the same effect at a cheaper price. The data basis for this tool is comprised of meteorological data from sources such as the German weather service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD) and regional climate models. Municipalities can also incorporate weather data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and even the level of fine particulate matter in specific squares in the city from any regional measurement stations they may have. In addition, the data basis will contain extensive geodata and city maps that show streets, squares, houses, bodies of water and green spaces. The more detailed and accurate the depiction of these elements is, the more reliable the PALM-4U simulation will be. Thermal comfort, wind comfort and pollution levels Urban climate analyses tend to focus on three groups of topics, beginning with thermal comfort and cold air flows at night. This topic includes the thermal load in buildings, squares and streets caused by high-pressure weather conditions, and the question of whether there are enough ventilation corridors to aerate the region overnight. For the second topic, wind comfort, regions with different wind comfort criteria are identified on the basis of the simulations and local wind statistics. This information can help draw conclusions regarding potential uses for the spaces in question, such as for outdoor catering, for example. The third topic involves analyzing the airborne fine particulate matter from sources such as domestic fires and automotive traffic provided the relevant data is available. Where needed, the PALM-4U GUI offers an expert mode, in which users can add further simulations based on their own specifications. The tool is scalable and can model the climate of an entire city or an individual neighborhood, district or square, explains Mr. Winkler. To give just one of many possible examples, municipal staff and city planning offices can use the tool to test what effects constructing a high-rise would have on the building next door, the surrounding streets or the entire district. Comparing different planning variants The system comes pre-programmed with typical meteorological conditions suitable for simulating individual problems; the users can adjust these conditions to suit their own local specifications. For example, when studying thermal comfort, users can apply a model of summertime high-pressure weather conditions. With PALM-4U, we can also compare different planning variants with each other. This means we can avert typical planning errors early on, which would otherwise result in situations where children at a poorly designed playground would be exposed to high levels of heat, for example, explains Sabine Giglmeier, a business development manager in the Hygrothermics section at Fraunhofer IBP. The simulator could also be used to work out tricky climate issues from as early as the planning phase when constructing an extension for a retirement home or hospital, for example. Support and advice for municipalities The simulation results can be analyzed and displayed via the user interface. When developing the user interface, the Fraunhofer IBP researchers made sure to incorporate feedback from experts working in practical fields. We collaborated with municipal staff from cities like Berlin, Stuttgart and Dresden in order to gain a deeper understanding of their specific requirements and to optimize the systems suitability for practical application, says Mr. Winkler. Fraunhofer IBPs many years of experience and know-how, especially in fields such as hygrothermics and indoor climate, are also showing their worth here. The software is cloud-based, meaning there is no need to go through the expensive process of installing it and integrating it into existing IT systems. Fraunhofer IBP also aims to support cities and municipalities when it comes to actually using PALM-4U. We offer training courses for users, and we also provide advice on developing individual solutions for a city during actual operation of PALM-4U. When requested, we also conduct urban climate studies, explains Ms. Giglmeier. Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts 1. Anglo-Ottoman Convention signed On July 29, 1913, the Anglo-Ottoman Convention was signed. Section I dealt with Kuwait and contained ten articles. It had a contradiction in it as well, which stated that Britain did not see it as a protectorate under Britain, but the Ottoman Empire did see Kuwait as a protectorate under Britain. Also, Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah was recognized as the official ruler of Kuwait. 2. Treaty of Uqair signed This treaty, signed on December 2, 1922, designated the borders for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It also included a neutral zone. Kuwait was not permitted to be there for the treaty, as Britain decided that, as it was protecting Kuwait, it would take care of it. As a result, Kuwait lost over half of its land. 3. Oil discovered in the Burgan Field On February 22, 1938, oil was discovered in the Burgan field of Kuwait. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the ruler of Kuwait in 1921 and knew people were looking for oil due to some black patches that were seen in the Bahrain area, especially in 1932. He was resourceful and had hoped oil would be found. On December 23, 1934, he signed a document to give his country more wealth and more importance globally - the Kuwait Oil Concession Agreement and the Kuwait Oil Company were formed. The drilling continued in the Bahrain area, but after a report by Cox and Rhodes was published, people started to drill in the Burgan field and that was where they struck oil in 1938. On February 22, 1938, oil was discovered in the Burgan field of Kuwait. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the ruler of Kuwait in 1921 and knew people were looking for oil due to some black patches that were seen in the Bahrain area, especially in 1932. He was resourceful and had hoped oil would be found.On December 23, 1934, he signed a document to give his country more wealth and more importance globally - the Kuwait Oil Concession Agreement and the Kuwait Oil Company were formed. The drilling continued in the Bahrain area, but after a report by Cox and Rhodes was published, people started to drill in the Burgan field and that was where they struck oil in 1938. 4. Public Works Program began The Public Work Program, which began in 1951, is the program in charge of seeing roads and bridges being built in Kuwait. They also deal with public housing, hospitals, and sewage issues. This event allowed the citizens of Kuwait to live a higher standard of life. 5. Kuwait became independent In 1913, Kuwait was seen as separate from Iraq. After WWI, Kuwait was a sheikhdom protectorate of Britain. During the 1930s, many Kuwaiti people wanted to be reunified with Iraq and resented Britain. However, as they prospered from their oil productivity, they enjoyed their independence more and more. Then, in June 1961, Kuwait became an independent country. 6. National Assembly was suspended In the 1960s and early 1970s, the Kuwait Parliament had been having difficulties with ratifying oil agreements. On January 4, 1976, Emir Sabah al-Sabah declared he had enough because nothing was getting done and he suspended the National Assembly. The suspension ended in 1981 when they tried again, and was resuspended again from 1986-1991. 7. Kuwait supported Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War The Iran-Iraq War started in September of 1980 and lasted until August 1988. Kuwait helped Iraq because they wanted to keep the Iranian government from getting out of control. In 1980, Kuwait, along with Saudi Arabia and others in the Gulf, were financially supporting Iraq or they would have gone bankrupt. They also furnished supplies such as tanks and oil. 8. Iraq invaded Kuwait On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait because of how rich in oil Kuwait was. They had been threatening Kuwait for months, but Kuwait was still unprepared. While the Kuwait military tried to resist, the Iraqi military greatly outnumbered them. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait because of how rich in oil Kuwait was. They had been threatening Kuwait for months, but Kuwait was still unprepared. While the Kuwait military tried to resist, the Iraqi military greatly outnumbered them. 9. Massouma al-Mubarak voted first female cabinet member In June 2005, Massouma al-Mubarak was appointed the first female cabinet member in Kuwait under Prime Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah. She resigned two years later after a fire in a hospital in Jahra killed two patients. The 2005 election was important for women in Kuwait as it allowed women in the country the right to vote again. They first had this right in 1985, but then it was removed again due to the male-dominated society laws. 10. Al-Imam as-Sadiq Mosque bombed On June 26, 2015, a suicide bomber bombed al-Imam as-Sadiq Mosque in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Twenty-seven people were killed and another 227 were injured. One of the men arrested was Adel Eiden, the man who drove the bomber to the mosque. He later admitted that he wanted to see the mosque bombed, but he claimed that he did not want to see the people hurt. The bomber was identified as Iraqi Abu Suleiman al-Muwahhid, who had posted on social media that he had plans to "target a temple of the rejectionists." This comes from the Arabic word Rafida, that is those who reject the rulership of the first two Rashidun Caliphs: Abubakr, and Umar. Source: Author Ilona_Ritter This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system. amasan1 at 1-08-2023 07:05 AM (1 week ago) (m) A Nigerian man identified as Uchenna Jonathan Ohiem, 27, has passed away in Magusa, Northern Cyprus according to reports emanating from the country. A Nigerian man identified as Uchenna Jonathan Ohiem, 27, has passed away in Magusa, Northern Cyprus according to reports emanating from the country. A statement by the Cyprus police read, On July 31, 2023, at approximately 11:00 AM, Uchenna Jonathan Ohiem, aged 27, was found deceased at his home in Magusa. "An initial external examination was conducted by medical personnel, revealing no signs of physical assault or forced. The definitive cause of Ohiems death awaits determination pending autopsy results. Meanwhile, the investigation into this incident is ongoing. In 2022, The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) released a list of 13 Nigerians found dead in Northern Cyprus within six years. The NiDCOM chairperson had said it was difficult to adopt international diplomacy in investigating cases in Northern Cyprus as the country is only recognised by Turkey. In August 2022, the government issued another warning to Nigerians, advising them against travelling to Northern Cyprus. According to NiDCOM, the reason for the warning was over human rights abuses and the difficulty encountered by the federal government on seeking justice for Nigerians killed there. Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We cant do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily, NiDCOM chairman Dabiri-Erewa had said. A statement by the Cyprus police read, On July 31, 2023, at approximately 11:00 AM, Uchenna Jonathan Ohiem, aged 27, was found deceased at his home in Magusa."An initial external examination was conducted by medical personnel, revealing no signs of physical assault or forced. The definitive cause of Ohiems death awaits determination pending autopsy results. Meanwhile, the investigation into this incident is ongoing.In 2022, The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) released a list of 13 Nigerians found dead in Northern Cyprus within six years.The NiDCOM chairperson had said it was difficult to adopt international diplomacy in investigating cases in Northern Cyprus as the country is only recognised by Turkey.In August 2022, the government issued another warning to Nigerians, advising them against travelling to Northern Cyprus.According to NiDCOM, the reason for the warning was over human rights abuses and the difficulty encountered by the federal government on seeking justice for Nigerians killed there.Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We cant do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily, NiDCOM chairman Dabiri-Erewa had said. Post Reply I am an investigative reporter at Gistmania, I conduct fact-finding investigative journalism. Posted: at 1-08-2023 07:05 AM (1 week ago) | Hero Lenovo Developing Legion Go as Rival to ROG Ally and Steam Deck, According to Report News oi -Kabir Jain The handheld PC gaming market is witnessing a surge in competition, with the likes of Valve's Steam Deck and ASUS' ROG Ally garnering significant attention. Now, Lenovo is gearing up to enter the arena once more, following the cancellation of its previous attempt, the Lenovo Legion Play. The upcoming device, called the Legion Go, holds great promise, so let's delve into what we know about it. A New Gaming Handheld Device According to a recent report from Windows Central, Lenovo is actively developing the Legion Go, a gaming handheld device. Similar to its competitors, the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, the Legion Go will run on the Windows 11 operating system. This choice makes sense as Windows hosts the majority of popular AAA gaming titles, ensuring a wide array of gaming options for users. Display and Design The rumored Legion Go is expected to feature an 8-inch display, giving it a slight edge over its 7-inch display competitors such as the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. Although specific details regarding the display resolution and refresh rate are yet to be revealed, it is safe to assume that it will sport at least a Full HD (1080p) panel, delivering crisp visuals and immersive gaming experiences. Performance Prowess Performance is a paramount factor for any gaming device, and the Legion Go aims to deliver in this aspect. The device is said to be equipped with AMD Phoenix processors, which were introduced earlier in the year. These processors are specifically designed to be ultra-thin and optimized for gaming, AI, and graphics in ultrabooks, promising seamless and lag-free gaming sessions. The inclusion of Ryzen chips aligns with Lenovo's "Legion" brand known for its focus on PC gaming. Availability and Market Competition In India, official availability of Valve's Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch is limited, with imported units being the primary option for consumers. Recently, the ASUS ROG Ally, powered by AMD's Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, AMD Radeon Navi3 graphics, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD storage, and a UHS-II microSD card reader, made its entry into the Indian market with a price tag of Rs 69,990. With these products gaining traction, Lenovo's Legion Go faces a competitive landscape. Lenovo will need to deliver on the promises made by the device's specifications. If executed successfully, the Legion Go could carve out a niche for itself, catering to gamers seeking a powerful and portable gaming solution. At this moment, there is no definite information about the specific release date or even if the Lenovo Legion Go will be launched in the market. Therefore, it's essential to approach all this information with a grain of salt. Source Via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Vivo Collaborates with Sony to Develop Specialized Image Sensor for the Vivo X100 Series News oi -Kabir Jain The Vivo X100 Series has become the talk of the tech world with its latest collaboration with Sony's dedicated smartphone image sensor brand, LYTIA. This joint venture resulted in the creation of the cutting-edge LYT800 image sensor, featuring a 2-layer stacked pixel technology. The LYT800 Image Sensor: A Leap in Sensor Technology The LYT800 image sensor stands as the crown jewel of the Vivo X100 Series. With a 1/1.43-inch sensor and an impressive 53MP resolution, it sets a new standard for smartphone photography. The unique 2-layer stacked pixel structure enhances light absorption and reduces noise, delivering exceptional image quality, even in low-light conditions. Unprecedented Image Quality Thanks to the LYT800 sensor's 2-layer stacked pixel technology, users can expect image output quality comparable to that of a 1-inch sensor. This breakthrough allows for stunning, high-resolution images that capture even the finest details, providing a delightful photography experience. Enhancing Low-Light Photography One of the key challenges in smartphone photography has been low-light conditions. The LYT800 sensor's innovative design significantly improves light absorption, leading to brighter and clearer images in challenging lighting situations. Zeiss Vario-Apo-Sonner Telephoto Lens: A Game-Changing Addition Apart from the LYT800 sensor, Vivo also partnered with renowned optics brand, Zeiss, to introduce the Vario-Apo-Sonner telephoto lens. With its large aperture and APO apochromatic design, this telephoto lens takes smartphone photography to new heights. The floating lens module ensures sharp and clear images, both from a distance and up close. The LYT800 sensor's 2-layer stacked pixel technology and Zeiss Vario-Apo-Sonner telephoto lens set new standards for image quality and low-light photography. Aspiring photographers and smartphone enthusiasts can now look forward to a truly immersive and professional photography experience with the Vivo X100 Series. Phone Specifications & Features As for the phone itself, the international Vivo X100 is anticipated to be equipped with one of the Dimensity 8-series chips, while the Chinese variant might come with the Dimensity 9300. It is likely to be paired with 12GB of RAM and offer 256GB of internal storage. The device will run on a 5,000mAh battery with 100W charging support, and it will feature a 120Hz refresh rate display. Via Source (in Chinese) Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Banks Must Push e-: RBI Wants 1 Million CBDC Digital Rupee Transactions Daily By December News oi -Alap Naik Desai India's apex banking institution, the Reserve Bank of India, is keen to push Digital Rupee. The RBI has asked India's leading banks to step up their efforts to ensure their customers adopt the e- and transactions grow. The RBI intends to achieve one million daily transactions in the Central Bank Digital Currency or CBDC. Let's see how and why the RBI wants to accelerate the number of CBDC transactions in the country. RBI Sets CBDC Daily Transaction Targets For Indian Banks The Reserve Banks want to ensure Indians adopt and transact in the Digital Rupee. The RBI is reportedly giving targets to banks to facilitate a minimum number of transactions in the form of the e-Rupee. The Indian central administration, in association with the RBI, has been trying to create a digital ecosystem that is backed by a centralized, distributed, non-fungible digital Rupee. India has been creating the CBDC for two years now and launched its first trial last year. Currently, the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Yes Bank, are participating in the ongoing CBDC trials. Welcome the Future of Banking with Xaults! Embrace the revolutionary world of Central Bank Digital Currencies (#CBDCs). Did you know that almost 40% of transactions in India are already digital? The future is NOW, and Xaults is leading the way with its Next pic.twitter.com/iMTfnabFqi Xaults | CBDC | FinTech (@xaultsinc) July 31, 2023 Although the initial trials have been successful, leading Indian banks have reportedly claimed that the e-Rupee CBDC could have only limited use cases. So far, banks have successfully facilitated several large-volume transactions using the e-. However, Indians have wholeheartedly adopted UPI (Unified Payments Interface), and there are several apps that offer instant payments and receipts. Still, Indian banks will now have to coax banking customers to process e-Rupee tractions for daily purchases. RBI is trying to incorporate the wildly popular QR code into e- transactions, thereby bringing ease of payments and receipts. It is possible the RBI has asked banks to promote the use of QR codes and suggest its customers try the same. This could ensure seamless onboarding of the general citizenry into the CBDC trials. What Is e-, CBDC, or Digital Rupee: Is It A Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrencies, by their very nature and origin, are completely opposite to the prevalent Indian rupee. Nearly all types of cryptocurrencies are based on decentralized ledgers. In other words, they do not have any central or singular governing authority. One of the reasons cryptocurrencies originated was to allow people and their monetary transactions to be free from governments. But government digital currencies are centralized. The newly introduced e- will completely rely on the RBI. It won't have a decentralized ledger. Two primary reasons the Indian government and the RBI introduced e- were to cut down the time involved in settling transactions and minimize the resources involved in the process. India's CBDC or e- will ensure transactions take place between banks. There won't be intermediaries. The e- is a form of cryptocurrency and is currently limited to banks. But it is centralized. Transactions executed using e- will be recorded and can be easily tracked and investigated. RBI has recently indicated that small transactions won't be tracked. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe July 31, 2023 Release Defense Department Updates Its Law of War Manual Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released an important update to its Law of War Manual. The Manual provides authoritative legal guidance for DoD personnel in implementing the law of war and executing military operations. It reflects America's long and deep tradition of respect for the rule of law and the law of war. This is the third update to the Manual since it was first issued in June 2015. The updated Manual substantially enhances the discussion of what the law of war requires when determining whether a person or object is a lawful target in planning and conducting attacks. It describes the legal duty to presume that persons or objects are protected from being targeted for attack unless the available information indicates that they are military objectives. The Manual also includes a new section discussing the obligation to take feasible precautions to verify that potential targets are military objectives, including providing examples of common precautionary measures. The update affirms that the law of war does not prevent commanders and other personnel from making decisions and acting at the speed of relevance, including in high-intensity conflicts, based on their good-faith assessments of the information available at the time. "As Secretary Austin has said, 'there are still rules in war.' Secretary Austin has rightly insisted that we make every effort to protect civilians and mitigate civilian harm during armed conflict. Protection of civilians is vital to the success of our military operations keeping America safe and doing so is both a moral necessity and a strategic imperative," said Caroline Krass, Department of Defense General Counsel. "This updated version of the Department's Law of War Manual provides greater clarity on the requirements of the law of war that are critical for protecting civilians and civilian objects during military operations." The Department will continue to update the Manual to provide DoD personnel with the best possible resource for understanding and complying with the law of war. The updated Manual is publicly available at www.defense.gov. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3477385/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 31, 2023 By Joseph Clark , DOD News Units Conduct Complex Logistics Operation at Talisman Sabre 23 Units participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 have cleared a key milestone as part of a large-scale, joint logistics operation to bring ashore heavy military equipment from ships stationed off the coast of central Queensland, Australia. Just after daybreak on Monday, Army Col. Samuel S. Miller, the commander of a joint task force comprised of U.S. Army, Navy and Coast Guard units escorted a large ferry that was shuttling heavy bulldozers and other equipment. The ferry carried equipment needed to make final preparations to the shoreline before the arrival of combat equipment and supplies. As Miller stepped foot onto the sandy shore, the unit took a major step in a long journey toward accomplishing its mission. "Joint logistics over the shore is one of the most complex operations being conducted as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 23," said Miller, who commands the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. "The JLOTS operation is a great example of our U.S. and Australia partnership at work." Over the coming days, soldiers and sailors will make final improvements to the shoreline and complete construction of a modular causeway system linking the USNS Maj. Bernard F. Fisher, a Navy maritime prepositioning force ship, and the USNS Bob Hope, a vehicle cargo ship, to shore. The capability provides a key logistic advantage for combat forces operating in areas lacking port infrastructure and can also be used to shuttle supplies to shore during humanitarian assistance operations. "In this scenario, we don't have access to a port, and so, essentially, we're creating one," said Army Maj. Ryan Campbell, supporting operations officer for the 7th Transportation Brigade and joint operations officer for the exercise. Over the course of 10 days, the units assigned to the mission are building the causeway at sea from sections offloaded from the supply ships. They will piece together an 1,800-foot modular pier, known as a Trident Pier, to provide the final linkage to bring the equipment onshore. Campbell said by demonstrating the capability, the task force is echoing the strategic message that the U.S. and its allies are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific. "We can kind of go and provide this capability at a time and place of the Army commander's choosing without the typical limitations," he said. "We're not constrained to already built, fixed ports if we have to get closer to where a logistics capability is needed." Demonstrating the capability as part of Talisman Sabre also provides service members with the critical experience of carrying out complex operations in a joint environment and alongside U.S. allies. This year marks the 10th iteration of Talisman Sabre, a biennial exercise designed to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening partnerships and interoperability among key allies. The spelling of the name sabre vs. saber reflects which country is leading the exercise: Talisman Sabre when Australia leads and Talisman Saber when the U.S. leads. Nearly 30,000 troops from 13 different countries are participating this year. Several Pacific Island partners including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga are participating for the first time. The 15-day exercise includes a variety of large-scale logistics and amphibious assault training operations and multinational firepower demonstrations and field training exercises throughout Australia. Several units from across the services form the task force assigned with the JLOTS mission for the exercise. Soldiers from the 7th Transportation Brigade are joined by fellow soldiers from the 86th Engineer Dive Detachment, also based out of Fort Eustis, Virginia, and the and the 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion - Enhanced, which is based in Anchorage, Alaska. "This is the first mission I've been on where I'm supporting any type of videos or water movement," said Army Spc. Cody Davis, an information technology specialist with the 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion - Enhanced. "Usually, we're supporting infantry units such as the 25th [Infantry Division]." "It's very interesting to see how different pieces of the puzzle are coming together," he said. In addition to the Army units, sailors from the Navy's Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, based out of Coronado, California, are providing construction and heavy equipment support for the mission. The Coast Guard's Port Security Unit 312, based out of San Francisco, is also on hand to provide port security aboard patrol craft operating in the area. "This is definitely the biggest scale project I've done in my seven-year career," said Navy Petty Officer Jared Tyre, an equipment operator assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1. "It's cool to see how [the Army] operates with their maritime operations. We're able to learn some things and also able to teach others." Tyre said the opportunity to come to Australia has also been a dream come true. "I've always wanted to come here," he said. "It's phenomenal." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 31, 2023 By David Vergun , DOD News U.S. General Says Talisman Sabre Prepares Allies for High-End Conflict Exercise Talisman Sabre 23, a U.S.-Australia exercise that includes multiple allies and partners, is all about deterrence, said U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kevin Jarrard, assistant division commander of the 1st Marine Division. Deterrence means preventing war, he said, and the way to do that is through having as many allies and partners as possible that have like-minded goals: a free and open Indo-Pacific region where nations abide by the rule of law. Jarrard was in Queensland, Australia, this week, where U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 23 rigorously trained to repel enemy forces in a contested logistics environment. This year marks the 10th iteration of Talisman Sabre, a biennial exercise designed to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening partnerships and interoperability among key allies. The spelling of the name sabre vs. saber reflects which country is leading the exercise: Talisman Sabre when Australia leads and Talisman Saber when the U.S. leads. Peace through strength is an important aspect of deterrence, Jarrard said. The Marine Corps is especially suited for this in the vastness of the Indo-Pacific region, which is largely a maritime environment where Marines can apply their expertise -- honed during World War II combat in the Pacific and refined by modern doctrine, tactics and equipment. The Marine Corps, he said, is well-suited to operate over vast ocean distances aboard Navy ships and using Marine Corps aviation for close air support and insertion in inland locations. Jarrard, who had combat tours in Iraq, said U.S. forces there had air superiority. In the Indo-Pacific region, a conflict could involve a peer adversary, so air superiority isn't a given. A peer adversary would have advanced targeting capabilities, be it missile attacks against troops and equipment or hampering communications, he said. To prevent that, Marines and allies participating in Talisman Sabre have dispersed their forces and moved them about frequently to avoid becoming big, fat targets, he said. Cyber measures are also being taken so command and control isn't compromised. Also, casualties will have to be treated on the battlefield in a future war in the region because a large medical facility "in the rear," or away from the front lines, would present a juicy target for the enemy, he noted. Corpsmen who treat wounds and injuries of these front-line Marines will be doing a lot more advanced care than they've traditionally done, as when helicopters could quickly evacuate casualties to field hospitals, he said. Jarrard said he considers all Marines his sons and daughters, and he'll do everything he can to protect them and ensure they succeed on the battlefield should that become necessary. "There is no better friend and no worse enemy than a U.S. Marine," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press statement by President von der Leyen with Philippine President Marcos European Commission Statement 31 July 2023 Manila President Marcos, Thank you very much for welcoming me here in the Philippines. Indeed, it is the very first time that a European Union Commission President is visiting the Philippines. And this on the eve of the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. And I was glad to meet you in Brussels at the end of last year for our very successful EU-ASEAN Summit. Today, I am here to accelerate a new era of cooperation between us. We share so many values and interests. We both want to work towards strengthening our democracies. We believe in the rules-based international order, and we believe in the need to promote and defend it. So it makes sense to strengthen our ties across the board. We discussed several ways to do so. First, by taking our trade relations to the next level. The European Union is already your fourth largest trading partner. And we are the first foreign investor. But we can do so much more. So I am very glad that we have decided to relaunch negotiations for a free trade agreement. Our teams will get to work right now on setting the right conditions so that we can get back to the negotiations. A free trade agreement has huge potential for both of us in terms of growth and jobs. Whether it is on the European continent or here in Southeast Asia, we have all learnt the hard way the cost of economic dependencies. We need to diversify our supply lines and make them resilient. This is the lesson we have learnt. And that is what we call de-risking our trade relations. An FTA is the basis for that, but it is also much more. An FTA can be a springboard for a new technology cooperation to modernise the broader economy. A second element we discussed is the fight against climate change. I welcome your ambition to put the Philippines on the path to a cleaner and greener future. We have the same ambition. Therefore, we created, in the European Union, Global Gateway. Global Gateway is the EU's investment plan for the world for sustainable infrastructure. We want to partner with you on this path, notably with the Team Europe Initiative on the Green Economy that we just signed here. We will provide financing, expertise and access to technologies to support you in the transition to a circular economy, and the generation of green energy. Team Europe, that is the European Union and the Member States, will contribute almost EUR 0.5 billion into this green initiative. The European Union is also supporting your fight against climate change and extreme weather events with its so-called 'eyes in the sky'. This is the Copernicus satellites. We are currently setting up a so-called Copernicus data mirror site within the Philippines Space Agency. And we have just signed an agreement to boost the flow of Earth observation data between us. This is very important for early warning, for example, for extreme weather phenomena and to improve the climate resilience. This is a first in space cooperation in Asia. My third point is on turning the Philippines into a digital hub in the region. Global Gateway will also play a crucial role there. And European companies are ready to come and invest in the Philippines. We will launch, this year, the Digital Economy Package for the Philippines. That is, we will work together on fast and reliable connectivity with submarine cables, on cybersecurity training, and on deployment and development of 5G. We are also working on a possible extension of a submarine cable that we plan to build via the Arctic route to Japan. This cable could go all the way down to Southeast Asia, and we believe that it could go via the Philippines. That would give you a strategic position on an infrastructure that could be instrumental both to your prosperity and national security. We will stay in close contact on this. My fourth point is on critical raw materials. We need them for our clean and digital future. Here too, the Philippines has great potential. And we want to work in partnership with you. So let us start by identifying projects that would develop your local mining industry, supporting your communities, and that contribute to a secure global supply of critical raw materials. Our existing partnerships on critical raw materials do not only invest in extraction, but across the whole value chain. We share technology and knowledge, we train the local workforce, and we empower local communities. And of course, we abide by the highest environmental standards. My final point is on cooperating on security. The global geopolitical landscape is changing. It is volatile. It is more threatening. Authoritarian leaders show that they are willing to act on their threats. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine shakes the foundation of the international order. It is in violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law such as territorial integrity and sovereignty. This is why Europe supports Ukraine's brave fight against the aggressor. Because the illegal use of force cannot be tolerated - not in Ukraine, not in the Indo-Pacific. Security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific is indivisible. Challenges to the rules-based order in our inter-connected world affect all of us. Our societies pay through higher energy bills, through higher food costs. This is why we are concerned about the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The European Union has been very supportive of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Because an Indo-Pacific free of the threats of coercion is key to our stability, our peace and the prosperity of our peoples. The European Union underlines that the 2016 Award of the Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea is legally binding, and that it provides the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties. We are ready to strengthen the cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security in the region by sharing information, conducting threat assessments, and building the capacity of your National Coast Watch Centre and your Coast Guard. To conclude, we have a broad roadmap to bring our partnership to the next level. Let us use the great momentum we have in our relationship. And many thanks for hosting me here. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on July 24-30, 2023 Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2023-07-31 International cooperation On July 24-30 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled three times to identify and escort aircraft of the Russian Federation flying in violation of flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea and once to patrol the airspace border of the Baltic states and the Russian Federation and Belarus. On July 25 NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachment fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying through international airspace from the mainland of the Russian Federation to Kaliningrad without the pre-filed flight plan, with its onboard transponder off, not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On July 26 NATO Air Policing fighter aircraft were patrolling the airspace border of the Baltic states and the Russian Federation and Belarus. On July 26 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one IL-20 and two SU-27 flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad and then back. The IL-20 had its onboard transponder switched on, the two SU-27did not, none of the aircraft kept radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre nor had pre-filed flight plans. On July 28 NATO Air Policing fighter aircraft intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia. NATO aircraft also intercepted two SU-27s en route from Kaliningrad into international airspace and back. The IL-20 had its onboard transponder on, the two SU-27 did not, none of the aircraft kept radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre nor had pre-filed flight plans. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France planning to intervene militarily in Niger: Junta Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 9:34 PM Niger's junta, which has seized power in the West African country through a coup against its civilian rulers, has accused France of planning military intervention to return the deposed president to power. The junta took aim at Paris on Monday, saying, "In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France with the complicity of some Nigeriens, held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien National Guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorization." Niger's military has been holding the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum, since last week in the seventh coup to hit Africa's Sahel region in recent years. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the powerful presidential guard, has declared himself leader. The coup leaders faced their most direct threat since launching the putsch on Sunday when the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave them a week to return power to the country's civilian authorities or face consequences, including the use of force. Meanwhile, Bazoum's Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, known by its French initials as the PNDS, has warned that the country risks becoming a "dictatorial and totalitarian regime" after a series of arrests. The warning came after earlier in the day, the oil and mining ministers as well as the head of the PNDS' national executive committee were arrested, the party said. It added that the junta had previously arrested the interior minister, the transport minister, and a former defense minister. France has responded to the junta's accusation about planning military intervention in the country, with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denying the charges and adding that it was still "possible" to restore Bazoum to power. Despite denying any intention to invade Niger, Paris has vowed to resort to "immediate and uncompromising" action if French citizens or interests were attacked. The threat was verbalized by French President Emmanuel Macron after thousands of supporters of Niger's military marched through the streets of the capital Niamey and gathered outside the French embassy, denouncing the country's former colonial power and storming its diplomatic mission. "Intervention in Niger tantamount to declaration of war" In a related development on Monday, Mali and Burkina Faso, both among Niger's neighbors, issued a strongly-worded statement, warning against any form of foreign intervention in the West African country. "Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," the two countries warned. They made the comments after West African leaders threatened to use "force" to reinstate Bazoum and slapped financial sanctions on the putschists. The two countries added that the "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilize the entire region." Burkina Faso and Mali also said they "refuse to apply" the "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger." Niger is the third Sahel country in less than three years, following Mali and Burkina Faso, to be shaken by a military coup. In a separate statement, Guinea -- which is also run by a government born through a coup -- expressed its "disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention." It said it had "decided not to apply these sanctions, which it considers illegitimate and inhumane," urging ECOWAS to "reconsider its position." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top Israeli brass say not seeking confrontation with Hezbollah Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 9:08 AM Israeli military officials say they don't want a confrontation with the Hezbollah resistance movement, amid tensions near the border fence between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied territories, reports say. The Palestinian Sama news agency reported that the overview presented by senior military officials to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting on Sunday said "We don't need to enter into a confrontation that we don't need or want at the time." Israel's Walla website also reported the meeting made it clear that "there is no benefit to running towards a confrontation" with Hezbollah. Over the meeting, Netanyahu met the minister of military affairs, Yoav Gallant, and the heads of the military, Mossad spy agency, and Shin Bet, as well as numerous other top officials to discuss the situation near the fence separating Lebanon from the occupied territories. Netanyahu's office said "The prime minister accepted the recommendations and courses of action" proposed by the Israeli military, without giving details on what was discussed at the meeting. According to a correspondent of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper and Ynet website, the meeting didn't yield "concrete decisions", and it only saw the premier approving a number of working methods. The journalist also cited senior officials with Israeli "security apparatuses" as saying that "We are not running towards a confrontation in the north." Tensions come as Israel claims a tent, which is erected in southern Lebanon, has been set up by Hezbollah beyond the UN Blue Line - the de-facto border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. During the Sunday meeting, the Israeli army even expressed its support for "talks mediated by an international party" to solve the dispute, according to Israeli TV channel Kan 11. Kan 11 cited informed sources as saying the meeting "approved a string of events and reactions that were designed on the basis that Israel doesn't want to be drawn into the conflict", and that "the situation could develop into this direction." The Israeli army's radio station also cited unnamed sources as saying that Israel "won't take any measure that we are forced into it, these tents don't pose a security threat and we won't be engaged into any movement that we are not interested in". Some Israeli analysts argue that the Israeli cabinet's statement expects a possible escalation in case Israel removed the tent by force. The military correspondent of the Israeli army's radio station said the wording of the statement of the PM's office, which referred to the premier's "acceptance" of recommendations proposed by the Israeli military establishment, points out that he has actually begun to defend himself against possible accusations that may be leveled against him in the future. Such accusations, the correspondent said, would blame him for pushing for military movements to divert attention from the crisis in Israel, if the situation turned into a military confrontation. The meeting came amid fears that Hezbollah's Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah "is likely to seek provocations along the border, sensing that Israel, facing an ongoing internal crisis, will avoid a severe response" Channel 12 said, in reference to months of anti-regime protests that have been taking place in the occupied territories since the introduction of a controversial judicial overhaul plan in January. Nasrallah has already hit out at Israel for talking about "provocations." In a speech on Saturday, Nasrallah said Israel "is still occupying parts of Lebanese lands and brazenly talks about provocations." "I say to the Zionists: 'Beware of any stupid step or decisions of one kind or another, the resistance does not take its responsibility for responding and liberating lands lightly. We are ready for any option and we will not remain silent in the face of any stupid act,'." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UAE to hold first aerial drills with China, ending reliance on US Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 8:17 AM The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to hold its first aerial military drills with China next month in the Chinese Xinjiang region, marking a clear sign that the Arab country is distancing itself from Washington in pursuit of multilateralism. Announcing the development on Monday, China's Defense Ministry said the upcoming joint Air Force training exercises, named Falcon Shield-2023, is part of an annual deal reached between Beijing and Abu Dhabi aimed at deepening cooperation between Chinese and UAE militaries as well as "enhancing mutual understanding and trust." The announcement comes as Beijing has signed a "historic deal" with the oil-rich Persian Gulf kingdom to export China-developed L-15 advanced trainer jets. China's aviation industry announced the agreement back in February, a year after the UAE Defense Ministry first said that it wanted to sign a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to procure the L-15 training and light combat aircraft. The L-15 is a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic platform built to address the demand for training pilots. The aircraft reportedly provides increased pilot safety while cutting training expenses compared to competitors. A model of the L-15 aircraft with aerial refueling capabilities is currently on display at the IDEX 2023 defense expo in Abu Dhabi. The purchase of the L-15 also comes as the UAE, which had exclusively relied on the US and Western Europe to purchase huge amounts of military hardware, is adopting a visible policy shift aimed at diversifying its options. Back in June, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country has withdrawn from a US-led maritime coalition after an extensive evaluation of its security needs. "As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces," it said in a statement. The UAE also said it was committed to dialogue and diplomatic engagement to advance regional security and stability as well as ensuring navigation safety near its shores in accordance with international law. The decision marks a pivotal moment in the region's geopolitical landscape, altering the dynamics of international cooperation in maritime security. The so-called Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) was formed in 2019 under the leadership of the US after a series of incidents in regional waters, far away from the US territorial waters. The group comprises 34 countries, headquartered in the US naval base in Bahrain, and claims to be active in "security, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy" in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The region is home to some of the most important shipping routes in the world, and since 2019, has seen oil tankers being regularly attacked or seized. The UAE with its strategic position along vital maritime trade routes had been an active participant in the US-led coalition in Syria and Iraq to purportedly combat the Daesh terrorist group, which is widely reported to have been trained, supplied, and financed by the US and its regional client states, including the UAE. The reason behind UAE's sudden withdrawal and getting closer to regional countries is regarded by regional observers as an outcome of changing power dynamics and the persisting decline of US clout in West Asia amid Iran's growing defense might and assertiveness in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Extremist Israeli minister ends policy allowing early release of Palestinian inmates Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 7:18 AM Far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has made an amendment to a law that allowed the administrative release of Palestinians from overcrowded prisons run by the occupying regime. The racist minister issued the amendment to the Israeli legislation on Sunday in a bid to trample on Palestinian inmates' rights, reports said. According to the latest figures released by Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Israel is currently holding around 5,000 Palestinian political prisoners in its detention facilities. The figure also includes 1,132 Palestinians being kept under Tel Aviv's inhumane administrative detention policy, which allows incarcerating inmates without trial or charge. Some Palestinian detainees were released each year due to a lack of space in Israeli prisons, but Ben-Gvir's recent changes to the law effectively cancel the measure. Since joining Israel's most right-wing cabinet led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late last year, Ben-Gvir has pledged to make the situation of Palestinians in the regime's jails more miserable than it already is. He has imposed a range of restrictions on Palestinian prisoners by reducing their shower time and removing television sets from some sections. He has also deprived the prisoners of fresh breads and doubled the number of raids and searches against them, with the Israeli forces using stun grenades and sniffer dogs. The minister has further drafted a law to prevent medical treatment and surgical operations for the prisoners, demanding capital punishment for the Palestinians involved in the armed resistance. Adalah rights group denounced Ben-Gvir's actions as "unfair," saying they would worsen overcrowding in Israeli jails. Long accused of inflaming Israeli-Palestinian tensions, Ben-Gvir has made three provocative visits to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in al-Quds in recent months, sparking furious condemnations from Muslim nations. In the past, he was convicted of inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian defense minister's son visits China-funded naval base Tea Seiha is expected to take over from Tea Banh once the country's one-sided election results are finalized. By RFA Staff 2023.07.31 -- Cambodia's defense minister Tea Banh and his son Tea Seiha, who is soon widely believed to succeed him in the new cabinet, have visited a Chinese-funded naval base. This is the first military project that the father-and-son duo visited since the one-sided general election, in which the ruling Cambodia People's Party won a landslide victory. In a set of photos published on his Facebook page, defense minister Tea Banh was seen surrounded by Cambodian army officers during Sunday's Ream Naval Base visit. The project is proceeding "according to plan," the Facebook post said without detailing the time schedule. It "will increase the Navy's capacity to a higher level in the future," it said. Tea Seiha, 38, the second son of Tea Banh, was in the entourage, as well as Tea Vinh, Tea Banh's younger brother and Tea Vinh's son Tea Sokha. Currently the governor of Siem Reap province, Tea Seiha is also a three-star general in the Royal Cambodian Army. Leaked official documents seen by a RFA commentator billed him as the successor of Tea Banh as defense minister. A number of other leaders' children are also expected to take over their parents' positions, including Prime Minister Hun Sen's son Hun Manet. Tea Vinh is the current commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy. In November 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it was sanctioning him for corruption related to the Ream Naval Base. His son Tea Sokha also serves in the Navy at the rank of major general. 'According to plan' The construction of the base, located in Sihanoukville province on the Gulf of Thailand, is near completion, according to a recent report by the U.S. satellite imagery company BlackSky. Earlier this month, Radio Free Asia also reported that satellite images obtained by RFA revealed "significant developments" at the base, which is now equipped with a deep draft pier that can accommodate aircraft carriers. Compared to February this year, the pier has been measurably extended, with the usable pier length estimated to be roughly 300 meters (984 feet). That means it could provide access to full-size warships of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, including its new Type 003 aircraft carrier, Tom Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, told RFA in an interview. An area of reclaimed land in the southern part of the base has tripled in size to more than three hectares. Craig Singleton, China Program deputy director and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, was quoted in the BlackSky report as saying that there is "a near-exact similarity" between the pier at the Ream base and another military pier at the PLA Support Base in Djibouti. "The speed of development at the Ream base makes it difficult to deny the intentional velocity behind China's overseas basing initiatives," Singleton was quoted as saying. Thanks to its strategic location, the base would help Beijing boost its power projection not only in Southeast Asia but also the Taiwan Strait. This would be China's first naval staging facility in Southeast Asia and the second in the world after the base in Djibouti. The Ream base construction began just two years ago in June 2021 with Beijing's funding. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly assigned land to the Ministry of National Defense to develop an air defense command and general headquarters, as well as a naval radar system in Ream National Park, adjacent to the naval base. Phnom Penh has repeatedly denied that China is being given exclusive military access to the base, saying that would contradict Cambodia's constitution. The U.S. Department of Defense's China Military Power Report in November 2022 said China "has likely considered Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand," among other places, as locations for PLA military logistics facilities. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU says it backs Manila in South China Sea dispute with Beijing European Commission leader says bloc members are ready to strengthen maritime cooperation with Philippines. By BenarNews staff 2023.07.31 -- Brussels is ready to boost EU-Philippines cooperation in maritime security amid tensions with China over the territorially contested South China Sea, the visiting European Commission president said Monday. A 2016 international arbitration court's ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive claims to the waterway is "legally binding," said Ursula von der Leyen, who was in Manila for her first official visit as head of the commission. "It provides the basis for peaceful resolving disputes between the parties. We are ready to strengthen the cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security in the region by sharing information, conducting threat assessment and building the capacity of your National Coast Watch Center and your coast guard," Von der Leyen said after she met with Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the presidential palace in Manila. She and President Marcos also discussed a potential trade agreement between the Philippines and European Union (EU). The EU is concerned about rising tensions in Asia, Von der Leyen said without naming China. The Philippine Coast Guard has been on the frontline of the bilateral territorial dispute with China, reporting instances of alleged harassment by the Chinese coast guard in South China Sea waters within Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). "The global geopolitical landscape is changing. It is volatile, it is more threatening. Authoritarian leaders show that they are willing to act on their threats," Von der Leyen said, alluding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "The illegal use of force cannot be tolerated. Not in Ukraine, not in the Indo-Pacific. Security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific [are] indivisible. Challenges to the rules-based order in our interconnected world affect all of us," she said. Marcos said the Philippines and the EU were "like-minded partners through our shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability and human rights. Last week, senators here sponsored a resolution calling on the government to raise China's continuous harassment of ships within the Philippine EEZ to the United Nations General Assembly. "We should not yield to China's threats and intimidation. Why are we afraid when we now have so many allies with us," said resolution co-sponsor Sen. Risa Hontiveros, citing the support of the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, India and 16 member-states of the EU. Reducing dependency on China Von der Leyen and Marcos also discussed the possible reopening of negotiations on a free-trade agreement. The EU is the Philippines' fourth largest trading partner while the Philippines, the fifth largest economy in Southeast Asia, is the European bloc's seventh "most important trading partner in the region." The EU and the Philippines launched free trade negotiations in 2015 but those have stalled since 2017. At that time, the EU opposed former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs because of alleged human rights violations, while Duterte publicly lashed out at the EU and its officials. "The Philippines is a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific region, and with the launch of this scoping process, we are paving the way to taking our partnership to the next level," Von der Leyen said. The resumption proposal came after the EU and Thailand revived trade talks after years of hiatus. The EU already has free trade agreements with Singapore and Vietnam, while it is negotiating with Indonesia and Malaysia. Basilio Sepe, Jojo Rinoza and Noel Celis in Manila contributed to this report by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Police arrest activists for Khmer Krom minority in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region Authorities said the men had been passing out copies of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. By RFA Vietnamese 2023.07.31 -- Three members of Vietnam's Khmer Krom ethnic group who are suspected of distributing books about indigenous peoples' rights were arrested on Monday in the Mekong Delta region, authorities told local media. One of the three men was To Hoang Chuong of Tra Vinh province. Radio Free Asia's Vietnamese Service reported last month that he was beaten by local policemen in June while visiting a friend in neighboring Soc Trang province. On June 25, the U.S.-based Union of Khmers Kampuchea Krom issued a statement condemning the Soc Trang Provincial Police for the "brutal and inhuman treatment" of Chuong. The other two men arrested on Monday were Danh Minh Quang of Soc Trang province and Thach Cuong of Tra Vinh province. Police in both provinces told local media that local residents reported that the men had been passing out copies of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which states that indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social systems or institutions. The nearly 1.3-million strong Khmer Krom live in a part of Vietnam that was once southeastern Cambodia. They have faced serious restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and movement. The three men have been charged with "abusing democratic freedoms" under Article 331 of the Penal Code, a statute used by Vietnamese authorities to silence those speaking out for human rights. Homes surrounded Additionally, Soc Trang provincial authorities arrested two other Khmer Krom activists on Monday and surrounded the home of another two activists, one of the activists told RFA's Khmer Service. The siege of the two homes was an attempt by plainclothes police to intimidate, Lim Vong told RFA Khmer. "I appeal to the United Nations to help stop Vietnamese authorities from excessively abusing the rights of the Khmer Krom people. I have done nothing wrong in Vietnam," he said. "I only distributed the United Nations' textbooks about human rights and the rights to self-determination," he told RFA. "I neither demand back the territory of Kampuchea Krom nor demand the separation of the Khmer Krom from Vietnam." Some activists have also been harassed recently by police for wearing T-shirts that show the Khmer Kampuchea Krom flag, according to Son Chumchoun, secretary general of the Phnom Penh-based Khmer Kampuchea Krom Association for Human Rights and Development. But the Vietnamese government has banned its human rights publications and has tightly controlled the practice of Theravada Buddhism by the group, which sees the religion as a foundation of their distinct culture and ethnic identity. Last year, seven special U.N. rapporteurs sent a 16-page letter to Vietnam's government about the country's alleged failure to recognize the right to self-determination of the Khmer Krom. Hanoi denied the allegations in May and said it does not repress the Khmer Krom. Translated by RFA Vietnamese and Sok Ry Sum of RFA Khmer. Edited by Matt Reed. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bosnian Serb Officials Hit With U.S. Sanctions For Laws Undermining Dayton Peace Accords By RFE/RL's Balkan Service July 31, 2023 The United States has designated four top Bosnian Serb officials, including the Serb member of the country's presidency, for sanctions for undermining the Dayton accords that ended the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serbian member of the tripartite Bosnian Presidency, along with Republika Srpska politicians Nenad Stevandic, president of the National Assembly; Radovan Viskovic, prime minister; and Milos Bukejlovic, justice minister were added to the sanctions list over threats to the Dayton agreement and the integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia-Herzegovina. "These leaders are directly responsible for encouraging the adoption of a law in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska declaring the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina inapplicable in the RS, thus obstructing and jeopardizing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement," the Treasury Department said in a statement on July 31. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska last month voted to suspend recognition of any decisions by Bosnia's multiethnic Constitutional Court and decided against publishing the decisions of the internationally appointed high representative of the Balkan nation, Christian Schmidt. Both laws were suspended by Schmidt, but the authorities in Republika Srpska continued implementing them and reiterated that they would not respect Schmidt's decisions, which deepened the institutional crisis in Bosnia. "This action threatens the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the hard-won peace underpinned by the Dayton Peace Agreement," said Brian Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in the statement. The Treasury Department said the process by which laws are passed and the Republika Srpska National Assembly's website make clear that the four individuals targeted "bear responsibility for requesting the June 27 special session of the [National Assembly] to hold the vote on this inflammatory legislation." The assembly credits Viskovic, Stevandic, and Cvijanovic for requesting the special session, and Milos Bukejlovic presented the law to the assembly on behalf of the Republika Srpska government, Treasury said. "Consequently, these four individuals bear responsibility for encouraging the adoption of this legislation that threatens the implementation of the [Dayton Peace Agreement]," the Treasury Department said. The statement made clear that the institutions that the four politicians represent are not the target of the actions of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). But Nelson said the behavior "further threatens the country's future trajectory and successful integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions," and State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a separate statement that the law on Constitutional Court rulings threatens "the country's prospects for integration into Euro-Atlantic and European institutions at the expense of the people of [Bosnia]." Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska and the main proponent of the law to make decisions of the Constitutional Court inapplicable in Republika Srpska, had been previously designated for sanctions by the United States. Radovan Kovacevic, a spokesman for Dodik's ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) party, said the U.S. sanctions were "shameless and hypocritical," adding that "no sanctions will prevent us from doing our job." Stevandic said that he saw the sanctions as an "award for consistency" in the face of "blackmail and threats from those considered powerful." The sanctions freeze any assets and rights to assets in U.S. jurisdiction held by the sanctioned individuals. They also bar U.S. citizens from any dealings with the people and entities. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/united-states-sanctions- bosnian-serb-dayton-undermining/32528137.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldovan Parliament Bans Leaders Of Dissolved Russia-Backed Party From Elections By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service July 31, 2023 Moldovan lawmakers on July 31 passed a bill that prevents the leaders of a Russia-backed party that was banned by the Constitutional Court from running in elections for a period of five years. The court declared the Shor party "unconstitutional" last month and dissolved it amid moves by Moldova to reduce the influence of Russia, which has held considerable sway in the former Soviet republic since the fall of the Soviet Union. On July 31, 54 lawmakers from the ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) voted in the second and final reading of a law that bans Shor party leaders from running in elections for a period of five years. The first reading, passed on July 14, initially provided for only three years of interdiction. "This is an important step toward removing this corrupt and criminal tumor from Moldovan politics," speaker Igor Grosu of PAS said after the vote. The 27-strong pro-Russian opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists left the plenary session before the vote, while the six former members of the Shor Party have been boycotting parliament since their party was outlawed. The ban targets the executive leadership of the party and those eligible to run for parliament. The measure is seen as a move to counter the fugitive party leader Ilan Shor's announcement that he had founded another political group after the Constitutional Court outlawed the Shor Party and said it would run in the next election in 2025. Shor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in a $1 billion bank fraud and other illicit schemes, has organized months of anti-government protests with the aim toppling pro-Western President Maia Sandu and a new reformist government appointed in February. Shor is reported to currently live in Israel. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-shor-party-ban- elections/32527748.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Intervention in Niger Will Mean Declaration of War on Burkina Faso, Mali & Possible ECOWAS Pullout Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Any military intervention against Niger would mean a declaration of war on Burkina Faso and Mali, the Burkina Faso and Mali transitional governments said in a joint statement. "The interim governments of Burkina Faso and Mali... warn that any military intervention against Niger will amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," according to the statement. The release further indicated that such a move could also mark the pair of interim governments to pull back from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). "The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali... warn that any military intervention against Niger could result in the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS and the adoption of legitimate defense measures in support of the Armed Forces and people of Niger," the statement read. The declaration comes days after the Nigerien military on July 26 detailed they had overthrown the president, closed borders and imposed a curfew in the country. In fact, it came hours after members of the presidential guard detained the president at his residence and sealed off access to his offices in Niamey. The president's office said Niger's army was not supporting the mutineers. On July 27, however, the command of the country's armed forces declared its solidarity with the coup. On July 30, Omar Alieu Touray, the head of the ECOWAS Commission, said the bloc was giving Niger one week to return the detained president to power or it could use "all measures," including military, to restore order in the country. Moreover, ECOWAS suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze the assets of the rebels, their families and supporters, and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country. France and Germany also suspended financial aid to Niger. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Suspends Long-Term Development Assistance to Niger Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom has once again condemned the military coup in Niger, saying that it is suspending long-term assistance to the country, with the exception of critical humanitarian aid. On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all financial aid to Niger and froze Niger's assets in the community's central and commercial banks. "The UK wholly supports the immediate political and economic measures announced today by ECOWAS and will suspend long-term development assistance to Niger," UK Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said in a Sunday statement. Mitchell added that the United Kingdom calls for President Mohamed Bazoum to be immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order in Niger. "We will however continue to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Niger," Mitchell specified. On Wednesday, members of the Nigerien presidential guard said in a statement broadcast on national television that they had overthrown the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum, closed borders and imposed a curfew in the country "until further notice." It came hours after the presidential guard detained the president at his residence and sealed off access to public offices in Niamey. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 31 July 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Noon Briefing Guest Good afternoon, everyone. We are very pleased to be joined by Denise Brown, who, as you know, is the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine. She is joining us virtually to give an update on the humanitarian situation in the country. And I'll turn over the floor to you right now. Welcome. [...] First, I'll do a briefing and then will open up the floor for questions. ** Pakistan First off, I've been asked about the bomb attack on Sunday in Pakistan, and I can say that the Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide bombing at a political rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 54 people and injured approximately 83 people. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a prompt recovery to those injured. He calls on the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice. The Secretary-General denounces all instances of terrorism and deliberate targeted attacks against civilians and stands in solidarity with the Government and the people of Pakistan in combating this scourge. ** Niger And as we mentioned last week, the head of our UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, or UNOWAS Leonardo Santos Simao was in Abuja yesterday to take part in the summit on the situation in Niger organized by the Economic Community of West African States, better known as ECOWAS. He reiterated our condemnation of the seizure of power by force and the undermining of democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. Mr. Simao also said that the UN country team in Niger is continuing its assistance to vulnerable people in the country, and he reiterated the commitment of his office and the entire UN system to work closely with ECOWAS, in the spirit of complementarity, and in support of the people of Niger. He will continue his consultations with all partners with a view to restoring constitutional order and consolidating democratic gains in Niger. ** Sudan I have a quick humanitarian update on Sudan, where we continue to deliver assistance, despite the ongoing conflict. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tells us that more than 40 trucks carrying some 1,600 tons of food reached three states Kassala, Gedaref and White Nile between 22 and 27 July. OCHA also coordinated the movement of five additional trucks to West Kordofan, where they delivered roughly 300 tons of relief supplies. Since 22 May, more than 780 trucks carrying about 35,000 tons of humanitarian assistance have reached locations across Sudan. And looking at the response in the Darfur region of Sudan, the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided food and nutrition assistance to more than 450,000 people in Central, East, North and South Darfur states since the hostilities began. Today, together with the Sudanese Red Crescent, WFP supplies are reaching people internally displaced by conflict in the Al Firdous locality in East Darfur. ** Syria Turning to Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that, earlier today, 10 trucks carrying humanitarian assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) crossed into the north-west from Turkiye through Bab al-Salam crossing. The trucks were carrying shelter items. Additional truck movements and UN staff missions are planned through Bab al-Salam and al-Ra'ee crossings in the coming days as we work with our humanitarian partners to continue providing humanitarian supplies and services to people in the north-west. ** Brazil The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is heading to Brazil today, on a visit at the invitation of the Brazilian Government. In Brasilia, Ms. Mohammed will engage with senior Government officials, UN colleagues and civil society on Brazil's key role as the world accelerates action to achieve the 2030 Agenda and climate commitments, in the lead up to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) summit in September. During her trip, Ms. Mohammed is expected to visit the Amazon region, in the State of Para, including meetings in Belem in the context of the forthcoming Amazon Dialogues. The Deputy Secretary-General will return to New York on Saturday, 5 August. ** Security Council This morning, the Security Council held a briefing on threats to international peace and security. Briefing Council members, Raffi Gregorian, the Director and Deputy to the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), noted that the General Assembly does not provide the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism the mandate to investigate or ascertain the conduct of States and other actors, nor to determine what constitutes an act of terrorism, whether by a State, a group or an individual. He added that both the Security Council and the General Assembly, on several occasions, have said that compliance with international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, is the bedrock of the fight against terrorism. ** Climate And I just want to flag that media accreditation for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, is now open. The COP will take place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 at Expo City Dubai. If you or your colleagues are interested in attending, you can go to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website for more details. ** Press Briefing Tomorrow, at 2 p.m., there will be a briefing here by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States of America and President of the Security Council for the month of August. She will brief you on the Council's programme for the month. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : And with that, I will turn the floor over for questions. First off, please, Mr. Lovlu, over to you. Question : Thank you, Farhan. Again, this is Lovlu Ansar from Bangladesh Pratidin Newspaper. And I have two questions to you. By sheltering more than a million Rohingyas, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has set a unique example of humanity. Despite this, some people from so-called civil society and some organizations working on human rights and even some members of US Congress have demanded the expulsion of Bangladesh from the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Do you inform about such claims? And I should also mention here that those so-called civil society and some elected persons from America also suggested about upcoming parliamentary elections of Bangladesh to be held under the supervision of the United Nations. It goes without saying that Bangladesh has promised to hold fair elections. For that purpose, the political parties, including BNP, have started holding meeting freely. Is their association in Bangladesh to interfere with the United Nations in order to hold election properly? What is the position of the United Nations in this situation? Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Okay. On those two questions, first of all, regarding the elections, the United Nations encourages peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. Regarding the issue of the Rohingya, the United Nations does in fact appreciate the generosity shown by the Government and people of Bangladesh towards the Rohingya refugees. And we hope that continues. It's not for me to comment on membership in the Human Rights Council, which is a decision taken by Member States. Ibtisam? Question : Farhan, first on the fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon. Do you have any comments? And I have another question on something else. Deputy Spokesman : Yes. Hold on just one second. What I can say is that our information is that armed violence continues in Ain al-Hilweh camp in southern Lebanon for more than two days. Two schools under the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, sustained damage. More than 2,000 people were forced to flee in search of safety. According to reports, 11 people were killed and another 40 were injured, including one staff member of UNRWA. The Relief and Works Agency has been responding to urgent needs for shelter and it's opened its schools to accommodate displaced families and is providing basic humanitarian assistance. UNRWA urgently calls on all parties to immediately return to calm and take all measures necessary to ensure the safety and protection of civilians, including of children. Question : The ECOWAS statement that was, I think, issued yesterday regarding... giving the coup or the military one week's time. And if they don't respond, then there is a possibility of a military intervention. Do you have any comments on that? Deputy Spokesman : On that, it's not for me to comment on the decisions of ECOWAS and what their conditions are. We have been working closely with ECOWAS in a spirit of complementarity to support the people of Niger. From our standpoint, what's important is to return to democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. And we're going to continue to work towards that end. Edie? Question : A follow-up on that, Farhan. Can you tell us what the Special Representative for West Africa, Mr. Simao, is doing? Yes, we know he was in Nigeria. Is he planning to go to Niger? And what's he going to do in the week while we're waiting to see what happens? Deputy Spokesman : We'll give further details of his travels as they go on. As you know, he has just taken up his post. So part of what he was doing is going to each of the Governments and introducing himself to them. So right now, today, his travels have taken him to Ghana. But wherever he goes, he is trying to secure support again for a return to democratic governance in Niger. And, of course, you'll have seen our messages condemning the coup attempt and calling for the safe release of President [Mohammed] Bazoum, and he will continue to bring up those messages with all his interlocutors. Question : I have one additional question. What is the Secretary-General's reaction to the offer from Kenya to lead a force in Haiti to try and restore order? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. On that, what I can say is that the Secretary-General welcomes Kenya's positive response to his call for the urgently needed international non-UN security support to Haiti. He values Kenya's consideration to possibly lead a non-UN multinational force, and he expresses his gratitude for the solidarity expressed by the Kenyan Government. The Secretary-General reiterates his call to the Security Council to support such a non-UN international operation and encourages Member States, particularly from the region, to join forces with Kenya. Dezhi? Question : A couple of questions. First, last weekend, the Moscow financial district has been attacked by drones. The Russian Government claims it's Ukrainian drones there. What's the reaction from the Secretary-General on this incident? Deputy Spokesman : Well, we don't have any first-hand information on who is responsible for this attack. But certainly, we are against any and all attacks on civilian facilities and we want them to stop. Question : Does the Secretary-General believe it's a retribution that President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy said the war is gradually returning to Russia? Deputy Spokesman : I don't want to speculate on the motives for this attack. Like I said, I don't have first-hand information about who's responsible. Michelle? Question : Thanks, Farhan. Sorry, on Haiti and Kenya, what conversations has the SG had with Kenya about this? And has Kenya sort of specified to the SG whether they would like this to be a UN peace mission or just happy with UN backing? Deputy Spokesman : Well, we're in the early stages of this announcement but the reaction that we have to it is what I've said. Question : And then, sorry, just on Myanmar, the junta officially postponed an election that they had promised to hold by August this year after the 2021 coup. Does the SG have any response to that? Deputy Spokesman : Obviously, we have stood against and continue to stand against the coup, and we want to return to democratic rule in Myanmar as soon as possible. Margaret, and then Kristen. Question : Farhan, back to Niger, has the Secretary-General made any more phone calls? We know he spoke with President Bazoum last week, but has he tried to reach him again or anyone close to him just to check on his safety and well-being? Deputy Spokesman : We're in touch with authorities at various levels, including also through Mr. Simao. But I don't have any further calls with authorities in Niger to report to you. Question : Does that include the mutineers? Are you in touch with them? Deputy Spokesman : Yes, that includes that. I don't have any phone calls to say at this stage. Mr. Simao, like I said, is reaching out to various people, but I don't have any contact with the mutineers to provide to you. Question : And just can you remind us how many staff the UN has in Niger and if there's been any efforts to move them around or anything? Are they safe where they are? What's the situation in Niamey? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. In terms of that, at this stage, we have 21 UN agencies, funds and programmes in Niger, with a total of more than 1,500 UN staff, of whom more than 350 are international and the rest are national. Question : So are they staying? Deputy Spokesman : I don't have any departures to announce. Kristen, and then Benno. Question : My questions on Haiti were pretty much asked. But just to follow up, has the Secretary-General, is he okay with an international force in this proposed setup? Has he made any indications of...? There was talk about... pretty openly about the US or Canada leading a force down that way. And does he think that Kenya is up to the task, I guess, is what... [cross-talk] Deputy Spokesman : Well, like I said, what we want, first off, is for the Security Council to support a non-UN international operation. But one thing we're encouraging is for Member States, particularly from the region, to join forces with Kenya. Benno? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Just two questions about like updates. First regarding the Safer tanker. Can you tell us how far the operation is right now? I think it has been five days now. Deputy Spokesman : Yes. As you know, we reported to you last Tuesday once the operation began. So we are now basically in the middle of the sixth day since the start of the operation. We expect the overall operation to last about 19 days. So we're roughly a third of the way in. And that's good progress to be making. Question : And so far, it goes since six days according to plan? Deputy Spokesman : If I have no bad news to give to you, then that is good news. [laughter] Question : Okay. Then I have another question about Bab al-Hawa border crossing in Syria. Do I understand it correctly that since the Syrian Government made that offer, still no UN trucks are crossing the border, right? Deputy Spokesman : No. There have been no UN trucks crossing Bab al-Hawa since that point. We are in discussions with them to see what can be done to move aid through Bab al-Hawa in line with our humanitarian principles. Yes, Michelle? Question : Sorry, it was just a quick follow-up to Kristen's question when you said you encourage other countries in the region to join Kenya. You mean in the region around Haiti? Deputy Spokesman : Yes, that region. Question : Just double-checking. Deputy Spokesman : Yes. Yes. I wasn't trying to confuse you with other regions. Question : Not Africa? Deputy Spokesman : No. No. I meant in the region involving the Americas. Question : Okay. Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : And with that, I would like to bring Paulina Kubiak to the floor. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 435th CTS hosts first full AFFORGEN Silver Flag exercise Published July 31, 2023 By Senior Airman Madelyn Keech 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- The 435th Construction and Training Squadron hosted their first full Air Force Force Generation Silver Flag mission qualification course at Ramstein Air Base, July 24-28. More than 150 total force U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron, Air National Guard Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 151st Civil Engineer Squadron, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah, and 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, attended this year's Silver Flag course. Silver Flag is one of the first Air Force exercise programs to align with the new AFFORGEN deployment model. Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, hosted the Air Force's first Silver Flag course for its Airmen in the AFFORGEN deployment cycle earlier this year. The participating civil engineers were tasked with deployment in the AFFORGEN cycle and were qualified on required wartime tasks. The mission qualification course tested the Airmen's ability to build a bare base, respond to base attacks and rapidly recover airfields all while living in a simulated deployed environment for the week. "This exercise gives all the participating members a chance to work as a team," said Master Sgt. Nicholas Barnum, 435th CTS emergency services contingency training section chief. "The strategic level is our assessment of this expeditionary air base. [The results] go to the MAJCOM, and that gives a higher validation of the skills the Airmen have received and ensures our units in the Air Force are prepared to deploy." Silver Flag builds on the multi-capable Airman concept. Participants performed duties outside of their day-to-day jobs, which they might be required to do in a real-world situation. The qualification course is required for civil engineers every three years or before a deployment. The course also allows for the Airmen to work together with different career fields, helping them become more fluent in tasks they might be less familiar with. The mission qualification course acts as another building block to continue strengthening foundational skills learned at the Airmen's home station. The Airmen put those skills to the test at Silver Flag while being observed and graded by 435th CTS cadre. "These skills are necessary not only for my job, but for every job to know before you go to any sort of deployed environment because there is no reaching back for help," said Senior Airman Nicholas Maley, 52nd CES explosive ordnance disposal technician. "It is all up to you to take what you are given and be able to produce good work out of it." Exercises like Silver Flag are important to ensure Airmen are ready to complete the mission at any time and in any location, especially in contested environments. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU, US Join ECOWAS Call for Niger Military Junta to Halt Coup By VOA News July 31, 2023 The European Union and the United States have called for the military junta that seized power in Niger last week to halt their coup and return President Mohamed Bazoum to office. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday expressed support for actions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which Sunday imposed sanctions on the coup leaders and gave them a one-week deadline to cede power or face measures including "the use of force." Borrell said in a statement that Bazoum must be returned to power without delay. He also said the EU rejects accusations of foreign interference and that it will hold the junta responsible for any attacks on civilians or against diplomatic personnel or facilities. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also welcomed what he called the strong leadership of ECOWAS to "defend constitutional order in Niger" and said the United States joins calls for the immediate release of Bazoum and the restoration of Niger's democratically elected government. Blinken's spokesperson told reporters Monday that Washington has not yet made an official determination as to whether the military's actions constitute a coup, as the situation is ongoing and fluid. "It is clear that there has been an attempt to remove President Bazoum from office," Matthew Miller told reporters. "It is not yet clear that attempt will ultimately be successful, so we are watching and monitoring the situation and trying to prevent President Bazoum from being removed from office." Separately, a senior U.S. official told reporters that initially the mutineers did not appear to have much support from the public or senior members of the military. "However, in subsequent conversations with some key military leaders, they've told us that they did not object to what was taking place, because they couldn't figure out how to get the presidential guard to stand down without risk to the life of the president and his family, because the presidential guard had surrounded the president's residence," the U.S. official said. The United Nations envoy for West Africa, Leonardo Santos Simao, attended the ECOWAS summit. A U.N. spokesperson told reporters Monday that he reiterated the U.N.'s condemnation of the seizure of power by force and the undermining of democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. He said aid deliveries continue. More than 4 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. Leaders of the coup have said they acted last week in response to what they described as a worsening security situation and the government's lack of action against jihadists. In a statement on state television Monday, the military junta accused former colonial ruler, France, of planning to use military action to free Bazoum. On Sunday, hundreds of coup supporters attacked the French Embassy in Niamey, breaking windows and burning the French flag. French officials disputed accusations from some Nigerien military leaders, saying Monday that "no lethal resources were used by the French security forces" during the embassy attack. Margaret Besheer at the United Nations and Nike Ching at the State Department contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ECOWAS Warns Niger Coup Leaders to Restore President By Mariama Diallo July 31, 2023 The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has given Niger's coup leaders one week to return the country to normal or face possible military intervention. The deadline comes after Niger's democratically elected president was toppled by members of his presidential guard last week. There are no easy options and the few that are available come with their own regional consequences. Meeting Sunday in an emergency session, members of ECOWAS led by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu gave Niger's junta leaders a week to release and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. The group says all measures including the use of force are on the table to restore constitutional order. Michael Shurkin is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and also the director of global programs at 14 North strategies, an Africa-focused business advisory group. He says he applauds ECOWAS' determination but wonders how effective a regional military intervention will be. "That kind of thing makes me cringe because even if it's possible, it's easy to imagine really bad things happening as a result and it's hard to know how that would be a valuable thing," Shurkin said. ECOWAS also imposed sanctions, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Niger and other ECOWAS member states. Shurkin says sanctions in this case might not be effective, especially for a country as poor as Niger. "There were ECOWAS sanctions against Mali, which proved to be completely useless. In fact, they were counter-productive," Shurkin said. "The Malian junta was able to use the so-called international campaign against Malian sovereignty to its advantage to try to rally people behind it and it helped a very illegitimate regime create for itself more legitimacy. And if anything, all the sanctions did was just hurt poor people." Last week, Bazoum's supporters protested in the capital, Niamey, calling for his release. On Sunday, pro-coup residents attacked the French embassy as they held their own demonstration. Dr. Edgar Githua, an international relations and diplomacy expert teaching at the U.S. International University in Nairobi, told VOA that ECOWAS -- in conjunction with the United States, France and the European Union - has a strategic imperative for restoring Bazoum to power. "For the simple reason that geopolitically speaking, the U.S. doesn't want Russia to come to that region," Githua said. "If Bazoum is kicked out of power, the military junta that takes over will open wide arms. The Wagner group, don't forget, is still in Chad, is still in Libya, // they are around there; they will sweep in so fast. The U.S. knows if there's a power vacuum, Russia will move in to fill that power vacuum." France, the United States and other countries have troops in Niger and while some of these countries have the ability to do some targeted intervention, Shurkin doesn't think any of these governments would have an appetite in doing so because... "It looks terrible. It seems to re-enforce everything that many people fear and say about the French's role in the Sahel because here is France being a neo-colonial power, picking and choosing leaders and not letting Nigeriens sort things out; same thing if the U.S. did it. It's very problematic," Shurkin said. " Niger has been a key ally of the West in the fight against militant groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Sahel region, which has seen a number of coups in the past few years, including in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 14 US Lawmakers Express Concerns Over Crackdown on Bangladesh Opposition By Shaikh Azizur Rahman July 31, 2023 Fourteen members of the U.S. Congress have written to the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations expressing concerns over reports of an alleged violent crackdown by the Bangladesh government on opposition parties and other dissidents ahead of general elections likely taking place in January. In their letter to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the congressmen and women called for the deployment of U.N. peacekeeping forces during the next general election in Bangladesh to ensure free and fair polls. They also sought the immediate suspension of Bangladesh's membership in the U.N. Human Rights Council until an "impartial and transparent" investigation into the government's alleged crimes against political opponents and others, including journalists, is completed. "Over the past 6 to 8 months, thousands of peaceful and courageous protesters have demonstrated in support of free and fair elections [in Bangladesh]," the letter stated, referring to the demonstrations by the opposition and pro-democracy activists. "These demonstrations have often been met by violence, tear gas, and brutal assault by police, other state actors, and supporters of [Prime Minister Sheikh] Hasina." In the letter, the congress members also raised concerns about the coming elections, which Hasina and her ministers insist will be free and fair. "Given its history of election fraud, violence, and intimidation; we are highly skeptical that the Hasina government will permit fair and transparent elections," the congress members noted in the letter. Allegations of rigging The 2014 elections were boycotted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP the largest opposition party in the country. And, in 2018, the elections were marred by allegations of massive rigging by Hasina's ruling Awami League [AL] party a charge Hasina repeatedly denied. France-based exiled Bangladeshi pro-democracy activist and popular YouTuber Pinaki Bhattacharya said that Hasina "appears incapable" of delivering a free and fair election. "She made similar promises in 2018. But we ended up witnessing one of the most fraudulent elections in global history, with ballot boxes stuffed overnight on the eve of the election. She has structured her administration, the election commission, and the police force in such a way that they either actively engage in vote rigging or turn a blind eye when it occurs," Bhattacharya told VOA. "Sheikh Hasina has consistently dismissed any legitimate evidence from both national and international sources that indicates rampant election rigging. So, how can she claim to have the capacity or, the willingness to hold a free and fair election?" Demands to 'step aside' For several months, the BNP and its allies have been staging a series of demonstrations demanding that Hasina step aside making way for a non-partisan caretaker government before the next general elections take place a demand her government has rejected. On Saturday (July 29), tens of thousands of BNP leaders and supporters staged sit-in protests on main roads in Dhaka demanding the resignation of Hasina. As the protesters tried to resist by throwing stones, police at several locations fired rubber bullets, pellets and teargas at them. Visuals in local TV channels and newspapers showed AL supporters carrying machetes and sticks attack and chase away the BNP protesters, in the presence of police. Scores of protesters, including senior BNP leaders such as Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdus Salam Azad and Ishraq Hossain, were injured during Saturday's protests. Some police officers were injured too, a police spokesperson said. The BNP says several of its initially peaceful rallies on political and other issues were violently attacked by the police and AL activists in the past year and 19 of its activists have been killed. Also in the past year, according to the BNP statistics, more than 25,000 of its leaders and activists have been arrested. The party says police arrested at least 600 BNP protesters in the past week. A spokesperson of Dhaka Metropolitan Police did not respond to messages from VOA on WhatsApp related to the July 29 clashes with the BNP protesters. The Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs, which controls the police, has not responded to requests for comment either. Taking to the streets BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Hasina, while she was in opposition, took to the streets demanding a neutral caretaker government. "In 1996, the BNP-led government introduced the election-time caretaker government system to the constitution. In 2009, the Awami League-led government amended the constitution and scrapped the system and kept rigging the elections to stay in power. People have lost interest in such sham elections in the country and are staying away from casting their votes," Alamgir told VOA. "We want people to cast their votes. For this, we have to change the system. There is no alternative but to reintroduce the election-time non-partisan caretaker government system." Since last year, the U.S. and other countries have urged the Hasina government to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed clashes in Palestinian camp in S. Lebanon unacceptable: Lebanese PM People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:02, August 01, 2023 BEIRUT, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday that the armed clashes in a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon are unacceptable as they violate the country's sovereignty. Armed clashes between members of the Palestinian Fatah Movement and Islamist militants in the Ain Al-Helweh camp intensified on Monday, with the death toll increasing to 11 and injuries to 37. A statement released by the cabinet quoted Mikati as saying, "What is happening is unacceptable as it places the camp outside the control of the state; every resident of the Lebanese territory must respect the country's sovereignty." Mikati added that despite the cease-fire agreed upon among Palestinian factions, some parties are constantly violating it. Clashes between rival Palestinian groups often occur in the Ain Al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 31 July 2023 - Day 523 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian authorities are prioritizing amending legislation to allow more men to be rapidly drafted into the military. In mid-July 2023, the State Duma increased the maximum age of liability for conscription from 27 to 30, while retaining the current lower limit at 18. While conscripts are not currently deployed in Ukraine, extra draftees free-up professional and mobilised soldiers from other duties inside Russia. On 24 July 2023, President Putin signed a bill which will gradually increase the upper age limit for those liable for call up as reservists: senior officers can now be mobilised up to 70. Reservists made up the Autumn 2022 'partial mobilisation' and could provide a more immediate boost to the number available to fight in Ukraine. The increased chance of being compelled to fight, drone attacks on Moscow, exceptional level of domestic repression, and the recent Wagner mutiny combine to highlight the Russian state's failure to insulate the population from the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day July 31, Russian forces carried out 9x missile and 39x air strikes, launched 35x MLRS attacks on Ukrainian cities and Ukrainian Armed Forces. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilians, in particular, children. Houses and other civil infrastructure were destroyed. The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine. 30x combat clashes took place throughout the day. Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. There are no signs of the offensive groupings formation. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces carried out an airstrike at Stepnoy, Sumy Oblast, and Udyv, Kharkiv Oblast. They shelled with mortar and artillery fire more than 30x settlements, including Senkivka, Turya, Bleshnya, Buchki of the Chernihiv Oblast; Methodiivka, Sytne, Starykove, Mogrytsia, Stepok, Ryasne of the Sumy Oblast; Udy, Veterinarne, Staritsa, Vovchans'k, Nesterne and Budarki of the Kharkiv Oblast. Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers are holding the ground, successfully repelling Russian attacks east of Berestovo in the Kharkiv Oblast and near Novoselivskyi in the Luhansk Oblast. Russian forces carried out an airstrike at Druzhelyubivka Oblast of Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, including Odradne, Kolodyaz'ne, Kam'ianka, Figolivka, Novomlyns'k, and Zapadne of the Kharkiv Oblast. Lyman axis: Russian forces launched airstrikes north of Serebryanka and near Spirnyi, Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Nevske, Bilogorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Torske, Verkhnokamianske and Spirne in Donetsk Oblast were hit by artillery fire. Bakhmut axis: more than 10x settlements were damaged by Russian artillery, among them Rozdolivka, Orichovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Ivanivs'ke, Predtechine and Bila Hora of the Donetsk Oblast. Avdiivka axis: Russian forces carried out airstrikes at New York and Avdiivka. Shelled Berdychi, Avdiivka, Pervomaiske and Karlivka of the Donetsk Oblast. Mar'inka axis: Russian forces launched an air strike at Krasnohorivka. Defense Forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the areas of Mar'inka and Pobyeda. Russian forces shelled a number of settlements, including Mar'inka, Pobyeda, Georgiyivka and Hostre in the Donetsk Oblast. Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces launched airstrikes in the areas of Vugledar, Blagodatny and Staromayorsky. In the area of the latter, unsuccessful attempts were made to restore the lost position. Shelling of Vodyane, Vugledar and Blagodatne settlements of Donetsk Oblast continues. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia is concentrating its main efforts on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian troops. The Russian occupiers carried out airstrikes at Malinivka and Mala Tokmachka settlements of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. More than 35x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Orihiv, Stepove and Kam'ians'ke of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Dmytrivka and Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast; Mykhailivka, Dudchany, Beryslav, Lviv, Kherson and Dniprovske of the Kherson Oblast were shelled by artillery. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue offensive operations on the Melitopol' and Berdyans'k axes, and are equipping captured positions, open fire with artillery on identified Russian targets, and carry out counter-battery measures. Russian occupiers continue to use civilian infrastructure in temporarily occupied settlements. Thus, Russian forces placed about 100 troops in the premises of the miners' prevention center in Nizhnyi Nagol'chyk, Luhansk Oblast, and more than 100x Russian occupiers were placed in the buildings of an educational institution in the village of Semikozivka, Luhansk Oblast. Ukrainian Air Force conducted 7x strikes manpower, weapons and military equipment concentrations and 3x - on the Russian anti-air defense systems. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 2x Russian anti air systems, a heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "Solntsepek", an artillery device at a firing position and x4 manpower concentrations. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the AFU continued unsuccessful attempts at offensive actions in South Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions. In Donetsk direction, during active defence activities, the units of the Yug Group of Forces have successfully repelled 11 enemy attacks close to Belogorovka, Berestovoye, Spornoye, Severnoye, Maryinka, Vodyanoye and Mayorsk (Donetsk People's Republic). As a result of actions by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Kramatorsk, Novosyolovka, Konstantinovka and Berestovoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 220 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, two U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems, one German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, Msta-B and D-20 howitzers, as well as one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station. In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, launched an attack on AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas close to Novodanilovka, Lesnoye, Preobrazhenka, Malaya Tokmachka, Rabotino and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region). As a result of active actions by the Group's units, an enemy attack has been successfully repelled near Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). An enemy attack has been repelled and three Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been eliminated near Uspenovka (Zaporozhye region). In addition, the activity of two sabotage and reconnaissance groups has been suppressed close to Marfopol and Priyutnoe (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were up to 275 Ukrainian servicemen, three tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, three foreign-manufactured howitzers, including M109 Paladin, U.S.-manufactured M777 and UK-manufactured FH-70, as well as two Msta-B and D-20 guns. In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, Army Aviation and artillery, two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Kremennaya and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic). In addition, a comprehensive fire attack was inflicted on units of 21st, 63rd, 67th mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU close to Yampolovka and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Kuzmino, and Karmazinovka (Lugansk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 140 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, D-20 and D-30 howitzers, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. In Kupyansk direction, the assault groups of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by artillery and Army Aviation, continued offensive operations close to Kuzyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and took more advantageous positions. In the course of active defence actions, an enemy attack has been successfully repelled near Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic). In addition, the Russian troops launched a comprehensive fire attack on AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas close to Krasnoye Pervoye, Dvurechnaya and Berestovoye (Kharkov region). The enemy losses were up to 45 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and one D-20 howitzer. In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 107 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 119 areas. In addition, a workshop for assembling unmanned aerial vehicles for the AFU has been destroyed close to Velikiy Burluk (Kharkov region). The headquarters and residence of the operational units of the 35th Brigade of the AFU Marines have been hit near Vesyoloye (Zaporozhye region). One ordnance depot of 24th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Dachnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Air defence facilities have shot down one Su-25 airplane of Ukrainian Air Force near Nikolayevka (Donetsk People's Republic). 12 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles have been also intercepted. In addition, 23 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Lisichansk, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Donetsk, Soledar, Novopetrikovka, Staromlynovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Pologi, Chapayevka and Chubaryovka (Zaporozhye region). In total, 458 airplanes, 245 helicopters, 5,381 unmanned aerial vehicles, 427 air defence missile systems, 11,048 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,140 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,678 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,989 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 01 August 2023 - Day 524 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that in southern Ukraine, intense fighting continues to be focused in two sectors. South of Orikhiv, the focus of Ukrainian assaults have been against Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army (58 CAA). 58 CAA is highly likely struggling with battle fatigue and attrition in forward deployed regiments which have been in intense combat for over eight weeks. Further east, south of Velyka Novosilka, the defending Russian force is drawn from both the Eastern and Southern military districts, likely creating problems of co-ordination. Elements of the 5th Combined Army are likely to be under particular pressure, and probably also feel that they are long overdue for a rotation out of the front-line. Across the south, common problems for Russian commanders are highly likely to include shortage of artillery ammunition, a lack of reserves and problems securing the flanks of units in the defence. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day, Russian forces carried out 1 missile strike, 49 air strikes and fired 33 rocket salvo fire strikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, there are victims among the civilian population. The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine. 26x combat clashes took place throughout the day. Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces shelled with mortars and artillery more than 20x settlements. They are Halaganivka, Chernihiv Oblast; Atyns'ke, Basivka, Rozhkovichi in the Sumy Oblast and Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Petropavlivka and Nesterne in the Kharkiv Oblast. Kup'yans'k axis: Topoli, Kam'ianka, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kup'yans'ke and Kislivka of the Kharkiv Oblast were shelled Russian artillery and mortars. Lyman axis: Nevs'ke, Bilogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast and Verkhn'yokam'ians'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka of the Donetsk Oblast were shelled by artillery. Bakhmut axis: Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to restore the lost position north and west of Klishchiivka, Donetsk Oblast. More than 10 settlements, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, and Bila Gora of the Donetsk Oblast, were affected by Russian artillery shelling. Avdiivka axis: under heavy fire from the Russian forces' aircraft and artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled attacks by russian troops in the vicinities of Avdiivka. More than 10x settlements, including Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke, Karlivka and Novobakhmutivka of the Donetsk Oblast, were shelled by artillery. Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian Armed Forces are defending against the advance of russian troops in the vicinities of Mar'inka. Russian forces launched an air strike in the Krasnohorivka area. Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Pobieda, and Hostre of the Donetsk Oblast. Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces carried out airstrikes atBlagodatny and Staromayorsky of the Donetsk Oblast. Made unsuccessful attempts to recapture the lost position east of Staromayorskyi. More than 10x settlements, including Vugledar, Vodyane, Blagodatne and Zolota Niva of the Donetsk Oblast, shelled by artillery. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia is concentrating its main efforts on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces carried out an airstrike in the Orichov Oblast of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. More than 15x settlements, including Novodarivka, Biloghirya, Orihiv and Kam'ians'ke of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, were shelled by artillery. Kherson axis: more than 10x settlements were shelled by artillery, including Sadove, Tokarivka, Antonivka, Mykhailivka, and Kherson. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue offensive operations on the Melitopol' and Berdyans'k axes, and are equipping captured positions, open fire with artillery on identified Russian targets, and carry out counter-battery measures. Ukrainian Air Force conducted 7x strikes on manpower, weapons and military equipment concentrations, 1x - on the command post and 1x - on the anti-air defense system of the Russian occupiers. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 10x artillery pieces in firing positions, 4x radio-electronic warfare stations, 4x control posts, 1x weapon and military equipment concentration, 5x anti-air defense systems, 3x manpower concentrations and 2x more important Russian objects. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night the Kiev regime attempted to carry out terrorist attack using three semi-submersible unmanned boats on Russian civilian transport vessels heading to the Bosporus Strait in the south-western part of the Black Sea. The Russian Navy ships escorting the sea transport detected and promptly destroyed all the boats. The AFU continued unsuccessful attempts at offensive actions in South Donetsk, Krasny Liman, Zaporozhye, Kupyansk and Donetsk directions. In Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated actions of the defending units in close cooperation with aviation and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces, eight enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Belogorovka, Berestovoye, Severnoye, Maryinka and Zaitsevo (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, AFU units have been hit close to Seversk, Predtechino, Sukhaya Balka, Lastochkino and Georgievka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 345 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, six infantry fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS vehicle, five Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, and five field artillery guns, including one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system. In addition, two ammunition, rocket and artillery weapon depots of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade have been destroyed close to Novgorodskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, as a result of actions by aviation, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Prechistovka, Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Malaya Tokmachka, and Novoandreevka (Zaporozhye region). As a result of active actions by the Group's units, two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Yablonevoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were up to 220 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-manufactured Bradley armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and one Giatsint-B gun. One ammunition depot of the 38th Marine Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Razdolye (Donetsk People's Republic). In Kupyansk direction, the assault detachments of the Zapad Group of Forces continued to conduct an offensive and take more advantageous positions close to Kuzyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic). As a result of actions by Ground-Attack Aviation and artillery, eight AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit Novomlynsk, Timkovka, Kislovka, Kotlyarovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region) and Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic). In addition, two attacks by units of the 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU have been successfully repelled in the Popov Forest in Svatovsky district (Lugansk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 120 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer. One ammunition depot of the AFU 103rd Brigade of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine has been destroyed near Kislovka (Kharkov region). In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, Army Aviation and artillery, three enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Raigorodka, Nevskoye, and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed near Terny (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, a comprehensive fire attack was inflicted on units of 21st, 63rd and 66th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Sergeevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Druzhelyubovka (Kharkov region), Torskoye and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 75 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, D-20 and D-30 howitzers and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems. In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one Msta-B howitzer. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 103 artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and military hardware in 124 areas. In addition, one Zoopark-3 counter-battery radar system has been destroyed close to Stetskovka (Kharkov region). Air defence facilities have shot down 16 projectiles launched by HIMARS MLRS. In addition, 21 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been intercepted close to Zaliman (Lugansk People's Republic), Novoandreevka, Spornoye, Berestovoye, Kremenets, Volnoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Michurina, Balochki, Konskie Razdory (Zaporozhye region), Staraya Zburievka, Radensk, and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region). In total, 458 airplanes, 245 helicopters, 5,402 unmanned aerial vehicles, 427 air defence missile systems, 11,067 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,141 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,699 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 12,003 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Ticking bomb' malware threatens to compromise US security Military and civilian power grids, water supplies and communications may be threatened: New York Times Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.07.30 -- The Biden administration is on the hunt for malware that may compromise military and civilian power grids, communications systems and water supplies, according to a report in the New York Times. The malware, which is believed to have been inserted by Chinese hackers associated with the People's Liberation Army, could seek to disrupt and slow down any reaction by the U.S. military should China move against Taiwan, U.S. officials told the Times. One congressional official said the malware was "a ticking time bomb" that could make it possible for China to cut off power, water and communications to military bases. The malware could equally impact the homes and businesses of ordinary Americans, the same official said. In response to questions from the Times ahead of publication of the report, the White House released a statement Friday that refrained from directly mentioning China or the military bases. "The Biden administration is working relentlessly to defend the United States from any disruptions to our critical infrastructure, including by coordinating interagency efforts to protect water systems, pipelines, rail and aviation systems, among others," said Adam Hodge, acting spokesperson for the National Security Council. The report comes just two months after Microsoft announced that the presumed Chinese hacking group Storm-0558 had not only infiltrated official email accounts of government agencies in Western Europe but had "gained access to email accounts affecting approximately 25 organizations including government agencies" in the United States. Meeting on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the Chinese cyberespionage attack targeting U.S. government emails with Wang Yi, China's leading diplomat. Blinken told Wang that any action that targets the U.S. government, U.S. companies or American citizens "is of deep concern to us, and that we will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable," according to a senior State Department official. Chinese hackers are believed to have targeted email accounts at the State Department and other agencies - including that of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo - from May and were discovered just before Blinken visited Beijing in June. Disruption not surveillance According to the Times, "more than a dozen U.S. officials and industry experts" said that it was increasingly becoming apparent that Chinese infiltration of U.S. systems went well beyond telecommunications, and that U.S. efforts to track it down and eliminate it had been underway for some time. "Most spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential and in some cases classified assessments," the Times wrote. Officials said it was still unknown how pervasive the malware code was worldwide because it was particularly well hidden. "China is steadfast and determined to penetrate our governments, our companies, our critical infrastructure," Deputy Director of the National Security Agency George Barnes said at the Intelligence and National Security Summit earlier this month. Relations between the U.S. and China are at an all-time nadir since the normalization of relations half a century ago, with the two superpowers clashing over Taiwan and restrictions on China's access to high-tech semiconductor chips and both parties accusing the other of malicious activities in cyberspace. The U.S. regularly accuses Beijing of hacker attacks against its agencies and infrastructure, and earlier this year, in a high-profile drama, it shot down a bus-size balloon off the South Carolina coast. China routinely calls the U.S. "the biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief." Earlier this year a U.S. embassy spokesperson told RFA in an emailed comment: "Since last year, cyber security institutions from China and elsewhere in the world have issued reports to reveal [the] U.S. government's cyber attacks against China over the years, but the U.S. has yet to make a response." Among other things, China has accused the U.S. of hacking into its telecommunications giant Huawei, which according to documents leaked by Edward Snowden it probably did. However, the latest malware revelations suggest that China is upping its game beyond surveillance. "The discovery of the malicious code in American infrastructure, one of Mr. Biden's most senior advisers said, 'raises the question of what, exactly, they are preparing for,'" the Times reported. Microsoft first warned of the infiltration two months ago, singling out Guam - a key U.S. strategic asset in the Pacific - as a target, but later conceding that the malware is likely widely distributed and might be used to either disrupt a response by the U.S. to any regional conflict or distract the U.S. public by destabilizing local infrastructure. In Washington, the Chinese embassy denied the veracity of the Times report. "We have always firmly opposed and cracked down on all forms of cyberattacking in accordance with the law," said Haoming Ouyang, an embassy spokesman. "The Chinese government agencies face numerous cyberattacks every day, most of which come from sources in the U.S.," he wrote, adding: "We hope relevant parties will stop smearing China with groundless accusations." Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Designates Leaders and Financial Facilitators of ISIS and al-Qa'ida Cells in Maldives U.S. Department of the Treasury July 31, 2023 WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated key leaders and financial facilitators of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al-Qa'ida in Maldives, including 20 ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and al-Qa'ida operatives. OFAC also designated 29 companies associated with the individuals sanctioned today, who include leaders of Maldives-based terrorist-affiliated criminal gangs and associates of key ISIS-K recruiter Mohamad Ameen who was designated by OFAC in 2019. Several of the individuals being designated today have also planned or carried out attacks that targeted journalists and local authorities. "Treasury's actions today against ISIS and al-Qa'ida operatives and facilitators continue our efforts to help prevent and disrupt financial and other support for terrorist attacks globally," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States is committed to denying funding and resources to these terrorist support networks and countering the threats they pose both locally and internationally." Today's action targeting key ISIS facilitators and fundraisers follows recent Treasury designations of other critical nodes in ISIS' global network. Most recently, on July 27, Treasury designated an ISIS-Somalia finance leader to disrupt ISIS' ability to generate, store, and move funds. These individuals and entities are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters. ADDU CITY CELL and Key members The Addu City cell is an ISIS-affiliated cell based in Addu City, Maldives, that has attempted to carry out terror plots since at least 2018, including attacks utilizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Jinaau Naseem (Naseem), the self-proclaimed emir, or leader, of the Addu City cell, has been in direct communication with ISIS-K and has provided financial support to Maldivian ISIS foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) in Syria. Mohamed Thasleem (Thasleem)has worked with Ameen to provide guidance for the Addu City cell's terrorist operations. Thasleem was extensively involved in at least one of the cell's attempted attack plots. Thasleem is also connected to another ISIS-affiliated cell that attempted to assassinate the former President of Maldives. Faris Mohamed Didi (Didi)and Ali Nihadh (Nihadh) are members of the Addu City cell's operational team. In 2022, Didi was involved in an IED attack plot by the cell in addition to producing ISIS propaganda. Syria-based ISIS officials have previously attempted to facilitate the travel of Didi to Syria. Nihadh has been involved in multiple attempts of the Addu City cell to conduct terrorist attacks. Mohamed Naushad Shareef (Naushad Shareef) has served as a member of the ISIS-affiliated Addu City cell. Naushad Shareef has encouraged the cell to conduct terrorist attacks and was involved in attempted attacks using IEDs. Sky Nova Investment and New Sun Investments Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Naushad Shareef. Jinaau Naseem, Mohamed Thasleem, Faris Mohamed Didi, Ali Nihadh, and Mohamed Naushad Shareef are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, ISIS, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224. Sky Nova Investment and New Sun Investments Pvt Ltd are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Mohamed Naushad Shareef, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. ISIS-affiliated CRIMINAL GANG and leaders Ahmed Alif Rauf (Alif), Mohamed Inthif Rauf (Inthif), and Ibrahim Aleef Rauf (Ibrahim) lead the ISIS-aligned, Maldives-based criminal gang Kuda Henveyru. The Kuda Henveyru gang has attempted to fundraise for Maldivian ISIS FTFs in Syria and has carried out organized large-scale robberies to generate finances. Alif, Inthif, and Ibrahim have all played a critical role in obtaining funding to support ISIS's activities abroad. Specifically, Alif and Ameen have been in direct contact with each other regarding ISIS coordination in Maldives. Alif has used Kuda Henveyru to recruit and radicalize young men who are then sent to conflict zones. Maldives-based companies Street Investments Pvt Ltd, Street Motor Services, and White Beach Watersports Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Alif. Ibrahim manages Kuda Henveyru's finances and has generated funding through criminal activities. Ibrahim has additionally facilitated the travel of Kuda Henveyru members to conflict zones for engagement in militant activities. Maldives-based companies Baum Pvt Ltd and Maroc International Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Inthif. Ahmed Alif Rauf, Mohamed Inthif Rauf, and Ibrahim Aleef Rauf are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, ISIS, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224. Street Investments Pvt Ltd, Street Motor Services, and White Beach Watersports Pvt Ltd are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ahmed Alif Rauf, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Baum Pvt Ltd and Maroc International Pvt Ltd are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Mohamed Inthif Rauf, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. ASSOCIATES OF ISIS-K Recruiter MOHAMAD AMEEN Abdulla Ali Manik (Manik) is an ISIS-aligned operative linked to several terrorist plots in Maldives and maintains direct contact with Ameen and several of his associates. In 2020, Manik carried out a knife attack that was later claimed by ISIS as well as a separate attack also claimed by ISIS that targeted the former President of Maldives and speaker of the Maldivian parliament. Since at least 2007, Manik has contributed to radicalization and recruited individuals in prison. Moosa Inas (Inas) was involved in an early 2020 ISIS attack targeting police vessels at Mahibadhoo harbor, Maldives. As of early 2022, ISIS-K had appointed Abdulla Shareef (Shareef) as the ISIS emir in Maldives. Shareef, operating under ISIS-K's directions, was also in direct contact with ISIS leadership in Syria and Iraq. Maldives-based company Multi Construction Pvt Ltd is owned or controlled by Shareef. Hussain Shamil (Shamil) has helped Ameen recruit individuals in Male, Maldives. Shamil has played an important role in the recruitment and radicalization of Maldivian youth for travel to Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Maldives-based companies Larosa and Al Athmaar are owned or controlled by Shamil. Ahmed Mubeen (Mubeen) has also assisted Ameen in his recruitment efforts. As senior Maldivian ISIS members, Ameen, Shamil, and Mubeen have counselled individuals interested in travelling to conflict zones, including Syria, to participate as FTFs. Maldives-based company 3ZED Investment is owned or controlled by Mubeen. Ameen Ahmed (Ahmed) has recruited vulnerable gang members to participate in the Syrian conflict. Ahmed has also expressed a desire to fight for ISIS. Previously, he possessed instructions for bomb-making and poison-making. Maldives-based companies Inma Maldives and Jazeerat Almaldifi are owned or controlled by Ahmed. Yoosuf Shaheed (Shaheed) is an ISIS supporter who has recruited and facilitated the travel of Maldivian FTFs to Syria. Maldives-based company Dhawi Pvt Ltd is owned or controlled by Shaheed and Ahmed Afraah (Afraah). Afraah has sent nearly $1,000 to a leader of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an ISIS-affiliated terrorist group in Indonesia. Separately, Afraah has also sent thousands of dollars to a TArkiye-based ISIS intermediary. Maldives-based companies Dhawi Pvt Ltd, SIAS Investment Pvt Ltd, and Fruit Plus Maldives Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Afraah and Code A Partnership is owned or controlled by AfraahandAmeen. Mohamed Maathiu Abdul Razzaq (Razzaq) is an associate of Ameen. Maldives-based company Green Birds is owned or controlled by Razzaq. In late 2018, Ali Shafiu (Shafiu) traveled through Pakistan to Afghanistan to join ISIS-K and had previously attempted to go to Syria in 2015. Shafiu, as recently as 2022, was a part of ISIS-K's media office. Ameen had previously selected Shafiu as the Maldivian representative to ISIS-K leadership in Afghanistan. Maldives-based company Panda Maldives Pvt Ltd is owned or controlled by Shafiu and Al Athmaaris owned or controlled by Shamil and Shafiu. Abdulla Ali Manik, Moosa Inas, Abdulla Shareef, Hussain Shamil, Ahmed Mubeen, Ameen Ahmed, Yoosuf Shaheed, Ahmed Afraah, and Mohamed Maathiu Abdul Razzaq, are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, ISIS, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224. Ali Shafiu is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, ISIS-K, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224. Multi Construction Pvt Ltd is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Abdulla Shareef, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Larosa and Al Athmaar are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Hussain Shamil, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. 3ZED Investment is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ahmed Mubeen, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Inma Maldives and Jazeerat Almaldifi are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ameen Ahmed, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Dhawi Pvt Ltd is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Yoosuf Shaheed, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Dhawi Pvt Ltd, SIAS Investment Pvt Ltd, Fruit Plus Maldives Pvt Ltd, and Code A Partnership are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ahmed Afraah, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Code A Partnership is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Mohamad Ameen, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Green Birds is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Mohamed Maathiu Abdul Razzaq, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Panda Maldives Pvt Ltd and Al Athmaar are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ali Shafiu, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. AL-QA'IDA OPERATIVES Ahmed Agleel (Agleel) is the leader of the operational arm of an al-Qa'ida cell based in Maldives that also has ties to al-Nusrah Front. Its members have been involved in facilitating and financing the travel of Maldivian nationals to Syria as FTFs. Agleel was also involved in the 2014 murder of a Maldivian journalist that was carried out by an al-Qa'ida affiliate operating in Maldives. Maldives-based companies Furaha Construction Pvt Ltd, Designer Garage, and Southern Stallions Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Agleel. As of early 2021, Ali Shiyam (Shiyam) was a high-profile terrorist financier aligned with the al-Qa'ida cell operating in Maldives. Shiyam has provided both ideological and financial support to other extremists, including Maldivian FTFs. Shiyam has been a leader of al-Qa'ida in Maldives and has funded the recruitment of FTFs to send to Syria. Maldives-based companies Golden Warriors Investment Pvt Ltd, Vaaly Brothers Pvt Ltd, Syskon Pvt Ltd, Shine. X Investments Pvt Ltd, Eriyadhu Investments Pvt Ltd, Jazeera Properties Pvt Ltd, and Visions Maldives Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Shiyam. Ahmed Agleel and Ali Shiyam are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, al-Qa'ida, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224. Furaha Construction Pvt Ltd, Designer Garage, and Southern Stallions Pvt Ltd are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ahmed Agleel, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Golden Warriors Investment Pvt Ltd, Vaaly Brothers Pvt Ltd, Syskon Pvt Ltd, Shine. X Investments Pvt Ltd, Eriyadhu Investments Pvt Ltd, Jazeera Properties Pvt Ltd, and Visions Maldives Pvt Ltd are being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Ali Shiyam, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the individuals and entities designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant transaction on behalf of a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China to celebrate Army Day as armed forces urged to boost modernization, enhance preparedness amid severe security situation Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jul 31, 2023 09:03 PM As China's Army Day comes on Tuesday, the Chinese armed forces are called for to continue to modernize and accomplish entrusted tasks at a time when China's security situation is facing rising instability and uncertainty. Ahead of the Army Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to speed up efforts to boost the modernization of the armed forces. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks on Wednesday in Southwest China's Sichuan Province while inspecting the air force of the Western Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, Xi extended sincere greetings to all the officers and soldiers of the air force of the command, as well as festival greetings to service personnel of the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces. Xi demanded an accelerated pace of pushing new equipment and forces to form combat forces. The new equipment and forces should be integrated into the current combat systems, he added. It is imperative to remain committed to accomplishing the various tasks entrusted by the Party and the people, said Xi, who also called for continuous efforts to carry out training under real combat conditions. On Sunday, the five-day PLA Air Force Open-Day Event and the Changchun Aviation Exhibition held in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, wrapped up with celebrations for the upcoming Army Day. During the air force event, some of China's most advanced warplanes including the J-20 stealth fighter jet, the YU-20 aerial tanker and the Z-20 utility helicopter were displayed to the public in a very transparent manner, including flight performances and ground displays, in a move that the visitors and experts told the Global Times at the exhibition site not only showed the PLA Air Force's rapid modernization, but also its confidence and will in safeguarding China's national sovereignty, security and development interests. In recent years, these advanced aircraft have gradually been commissioned into the combat units of the PLA Air Force in large numbers, as they are expected to further elevate the comprehensive combat capability of the PLA Air Force, enabling it to better accomplish its duties, observers said. At the moment, there are potentially at least five PLA Navy units sailing beyond the first island chain around the world, namely the flotilla consisting of destroyers and frigates that is participating in the China-Russia joint naval patrol in the North Pacific, the amphibious group led by a Type 075 amphibious assault ship in the West Pacific, the Peace Ark hospital ship in the South Pacific, the 43rd escort task group in the western coast of Africa, and the 44th escort task group in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia. The Shandong aircraft carrier group recently also held drills in undisclosed waters. More warships are being commissioned into the PLA Navy and are becoming active in far sea voyages, which reflects the PLA Navy's strides in becoming a blue-water navy, analysts said. The modernization of the armed forces means not only the development of advanced new weapons and equipment, but also their rapid commissioning in large numbers, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Monday. China is facing multiple security threats at a time when the world is at unease, so it is important that the Chinese armed forces form combat capabilities with the new weapons and equipment and be ready for potential military conflicts against a world-class power under modern and informationized conditions, Song said. The Party and the people entrusted the PLA to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, which are being threatened because of troubles caused mainly by the US, including the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue, Song said. The US military has been pouring its resources in an attempt to compete with and contain China, ganging up allies and forming cliques including QUAD and AUKUS targeting China, promoting an eastward expansion of NATO into the Asia-Pacific region, arming the island of Taiwan, provoking the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue, and leaning toward India over the China-India border conflict. Conflicts in other parts of the world like the Ukraine crisis are also having a spillover effect to the global security situation. Together with the Air Force and the Navy, other PLA services and branches including the Army and the Rocket Force participated in key missions over the past year, including two large-scale encirclement exercises around the island of Taiwan countering collusions between "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and external interference forces in August last year and April this year. Last year's Army Day was a special one, as it was celebrated at the eve of then US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's provocative visit to the island of Taiwan under high tensions, as the PLA raised alert and prepared countermeasures. Immediately after Pelosi landed on August 2, the PLA announced large-scale military exercises, which saw the island completely blocked down through joint drills by the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force, with ballistic missiles flying over the island for the first time. The drills demonstrated the PLA's firm will and strong capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and thwart secessionist attempts by "Taiwan independence" and external interfering forces, Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the Naval Research Academy of the PLA, told the Global Times. Future to come Tuesday marks the 96th founding anniversary of the PLA, and there are only four years to go until its centennial. To achieve the centennial goal, the Chinese armed forces are expected to continue to make concrete steps in modernization and complete their missions and tasks. China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is the country's first 80,000 ton-class electromagnetic catapults-equipped carrier, was launched on June 17, 2022. Experts expect the vessel to hold its first sea trial this year, after official reports said its mooring trials went smoothly. Other warships, including additional Type 052D destroyers as well as China's next-generation frigate allegedly called the Type 054B, could also be launched this year, according to foreign media reports. With the successful development of domestically made engines, the production and delivery of J-20 stealth fighter jets are expected to increase. Other surprising developments could also come out anytime, observers said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Italy's BRI dilemma worsens as 'pressure from US, EU mounts' Global Times Shift also driven partly by incumbent govt's right-wing nature: expert By GT staff reporters Published: Jul 31, 2023 07:31 PM Updated: Jul 31, 2023 07:56 PM The defense minister of Italy, Guido Crosetto, has added to recent signs that this Group of Seven (G7) and NATO member state may tend to leave the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), describing the decision to join the framework as "improvised and atrocious." Italy's policy turn is driven partly by the incumbent government's right-wing nature, but is more a dilemma resulting from mounting pressure from the US and the EU against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical confrontation, observers said on Monday. According to Crosetto, "The issue today is: how to walk back (from the BRI) without damaging relations (with Beijing). Because it is true that China is a competitor, but it is also a partner," Reuters reported Sunday. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after a meeting with US President Joe Biden, said on Thursday that her government was still deliberating on whether to renew the BRI agreement and announced a trip to Beijing in the near future. Meloni earlier said the decision to stay or leave will be finalized by December and the issue required discussions with the Chinese government and within the Italian parliament. The joint construction of the BRI has provided a new platform for pragmatic cooperation between China and Italy, achieving numerous practical results in economy, trade and business cooperation, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Further exploring the potential of jointly building the BRI is in line with the interests of both sides, the spokesperson said. Meloni's far-right populist Brothers of Italy party is dominant in the incumbent government and noises about BRI deal renewal have been on the rise ever since the power change in 2022. The incumbent government has tended to stand with the US on political and security issues and interprets the BRI as a risk and even a threat rather than a framework for win-win cooperation, Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. A defense minister commenting on BRI also demonstrated Europe's sweeping trend of over-stretching security concepts on economic and trade issues, which Italy alone can hardly resist, Zhao said. Both Meloni and Crosetto have expressed the necessity to preserve China relations even without the BRI pact, which will renew automatically in March 2024 if neither side opts out. Maintaining ambiguity on the issue is Italy's approach to maximize its room for operation as the country is put under pressure under intensifying geopolitics, Zhao said, noting that the defense minister is responding to US pressure while the Italian government is still weighing the costs and gains. Critics of BRI said it did not bring about substantial benefits to Italy, but the fact is the bilateral trade volume between China and Italy has repeatedly hit new highs during the past four years. Official data shows that in the first five months of 2023, Italian exports to China increased by 58 percent, with Chinese analysts saying it showcases the resilience and potential of bilateral trade. Exports to China have grown by more than our French and German competitors' during the period since the signing of the BRI MoU, and the potential for joint investment projects in Asia and Africa, now that we have exited three years of COVID, is apparent, Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, told the Global Times previously. Geraci believes the massive coverage of every single expression and comment Italy has made on BRI is more media hype, as the government decision is yet to be made and does not have to be made before the deadline. Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, also stressed that China should not fall into the narrative trap set by Western media of equating Italy's decision on BRI to its attitude to China relations. Italy has not changed its attitude on pragmatic cooperation with China, but the BRI is an easy target due to the West's bloc confrontation with China, and Italy's signing of the MoU has increasingly been seen as a political burden for this G7 and NATO member, Cui said. Ultimately, the BRI is for win-win cooperation, rather than a coercive alliance that imposes duties and binding clauses on members. If Italy ultimately yields to external pressure and domestic far-right waves, "it is a pity but no big deal to BRI itself," Cui noted. There might be twists and turns, but the prospects of BRI hinge on how many projects can be implemented and how many benefits participants can enjoy, not on how many members stay in the framework, some analysts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China imposes export controls on certain UAVs to safeguard national security, interests; curbs to take effect on September 1 Global Times By Chen Qingqing and Yu Xi Published: Jul 31, 2023 05:18 PM Chinese authorities on Monday issued two notices to implement export controls on certain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related items to safeguard national security and interests, which will take effect on September 1. Some Chinese experts considered the latest controls as China's action as a responsible major country, and the export control is conducive to the regional security, especially when the drones for civilian use are increasingly converted for military purpose. High-performance drones have certain military attributes, and it is an international norm to implement export controls on them. Since 2002, China has gradually implemented export controls on drones, with the scope of control and technical standards in line with international practices, a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Monday commenting on the latest export restrictions. In recent years, drone technology has rapidly evolved, and its application scenarios expanded. The risk of high-grade, high-performance civilian drones being repurposed for military use has increased, the spokesperson said. As a major producer and exporter of drones, China, based on comprehensive assessments, has decided to moderately expand export controls on drones. This is not targeted at any specific country or region, the spokesperson said. The certain UAVs to be under export control include unmanned aircraft or unmanned airship-related items which are capable of controlled flight beyond the operator's visual line of sight, with a maximum endurance of 30 minutes or more, and a maximum take-off weight of over 7 kilograms or an empty weight of over 4 kilograms, as well as with certain features, said one notice issued by China's Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs, State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Equipment Development Department of China's Central Military Commission. The period of temporary export control on certain UAVs shall not exceed two years, according to the notice. During the period, if an exporter knows or should know that the export will be used for proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorist activities or military purposes, all the relevant UAVs, whose indicators do not meet the existing control standards, won't be allowed to be exported, according to the notice. In the other notice issued on the same day, certain export restrict requirements are listed for UAV-related items. It's the first time that China has explicitly imposed export controls on anti-drone systems, according to media. The systems can be used to disrupt and destroy the operating function or flight capability of UAVs through technical measures. However, if the anti-drone systems are used improperly, it may also lead to serious consequences, including affecting civilian aviation safety and increasing the risk of military conflict, noted experts. By managing different drone products, especially in line with the different types of products with export permit required, the latest restriction showed that "China holds a responsible attitude" as a major country in drone export, since if unrestricted, some drones could end up in the hands of terrorists, posing threats to other countries and regions, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Monday. "China has its own standards for weapons and equipment export curbs, including missiles, drones, and other objects. We strengthen the permit control over these drone exports in order to act as a responsible country, ensuring that drones aren't transferred to end users who should not possess them," Song said. Especially now as some drones converted from civilian to military use have become increasingly frequent on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. "As a responsible major country, it's necessary for China to tighten its regulations," Song noted. Export controls on certain UAVs are "not a ban on exports." As long as they are used for lawful civilian purposes, they can be exported normally after going through the relevant procedures, so it will not have a huge impact on the civilian UAV industry, Wang Yanan, an aviation expert from Beihang University and chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge, told the Global Times on Monday. The export control is focused on the civil UAVs which could be possible used as military purposes so that the tech indicators include infrared imaging equipment, UAVs' power, to prevent those UAVs with large and more accurate tech indicators to be used as other purposes, according to Wang. In response to the newly introduced export control on certain drone items, Chinese drone maker DJI told Global Times on Monday that as a global company, DJI always maintains a strict and responsible attitude in the field of export control. DJI has always strictly complied with and implemented the export control laws and regulations applicable in China and other countries or regions where our business is located, the company said. If an operator exports without permission, beyond the scope of the license or commits other illegal acts, the relevant departments shall impose administrative penalties in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws and regulations. If the case constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated based on the law, according to the notice. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on China-Italy Belt and Road Cooperation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-07-31 Q: According to reports, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on July 30 that the Italian government made an "improvised and atrocious" decision when it joined China's Belt and Road Initiative four years ago as it largely increased China's export to Italy yet did little to boost Italian export to China. The issue today is how to walk back without damaging relations with Beijing, because China is both a competitor and a partner. What is China's comment? A: The Belt and Road Initiative provides a new platform for practical cooperation between China and Italy, and Belt and Road cooperation has achieved numerous tangible outcomes in economy, trade and business cooperation. According to data by the Italian side, in the first five months of this year, Italian export to China surged by 58 percent year-on-year. Further tapping the potential of Belt and Road cooperation serves the interests of both sides. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China curbs drone exports due to concern over military use Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 1:08 PM China has restricted exports of long-range civilian drones, citing concerns they might be converted for military use. Exports of certain classes of drones, their engines and infrared imaging equipment will not be allowed without a license starting September 1, government agencies said. The restriction will be effective for no longer than two years. The agencies said the decision was made to prevent the use of drones for "non-peaceful purposes." "The risk of some high specification and high-performance civilian unmanned aerial vehicles being converted to military use is constantly increasing," the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement. Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, "some Chinese civilian drone companies have voluntarily suspended their operations in conflict areas," the ministry said. It also said the United States and Western media keep spreading "false information" about Chinese drone exports. In April, the ministry said US and Western media were spreading "unfounded accusations" that Beijing was helping Russia evade Western sanctions and likely providing Moscow with military and dual-application technology for use in Ukraine. Beijing has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia since the conflict began. China has "always opposed the use of civilian drones for military purposes," the ministry said. "The moderate expansion of drone control by China this time is an important measure to demonstrate the responsibility of a major country." China is a leading developer and exporter of drones. More than 50% of drones sold in the US are made by Chinese-based company DJI, and they are the most popular drones used by public safety agencies, according to US lawmakers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Georgia boost ties to 'strategic partnership' Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 10:20 AM China's President Xi Jinping has met and held talks with Georgia's visiting Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili as the two leaders boosted mutual ties to "strategic partnership." According to a joint statement published on Monday, the strategic partnership is expected to deepen cooperation between China and Georgia in various areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. "Both sides regard each other as an important strategic partner and thus regard the deepening of bilateral relations as a priority of their respective foreign policies." the statement read. The partnership further aims to expand economic ties between China and Georgia, including bolstering bilateral trade and investment opportunities, as well as collaborating on infrastructure projects. The statement also pointed to the growth of bilateral trade between Beijing and Tbilisi in recent years, noting that both sides expressed "readiness to further increase bilateral trade, optimize its structure, expand types of products and increase the export of Georgian goods and services to China." Georgia has expressed its support to the Chinese initiative called Belt and Road and has signed documents including the Bilateral Cooperation Plan with China, as both sides aim "to gain greater strengths and opportunities of cooperation." "The two sides will strengthen policy coordination and synergy of development planning under the Belt and Road Initiative; deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields," according to the statement. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in Chengdu, China on Friday to discuss the deepening of cooperation between the two countries. The meeting was part of Garibashvili's official visit to China, during which he also met with other Chinese officials and business leaders. During his meeting with Xi on Friday, Garibashvili expressed Georgia's appreciation for the long-standing friendship and cooperation with China, noting that Georgia highly values its relationship with China and hopes to expand and deepen cooperation in various fields, including economy and trade. Xi, in turn, emphasized the significance of China-Georgia relations and expressed his support for the deepening of cooperation between the two countries, noting that Garibashvili's visit to China was an important step in strengthening the partnership between the two countries. In 2017, China and Georgia signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that came into force in January 2018, after less than a year of negotiations, which has helped to boost bilateral trade between the two countries, which reached a record high of $1.8 billion in 2022. Under the free trade regime, Georgia imposed zero tariffs on 96.6 percent of imports from Chinese, and in return got zero Chinese tariffs on 93.8 percent of its exports to China. China is Georgia's top export destination, accounting for $736.8 million worth of imports in 2022, according to its National Statistics Office. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's Xi replaces commander of the country's nuclear arsenal The move comes as investigators target the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force for investigation. By Wang Yun for RFA Mandarin and Fong Tak Ho for RFA Cantonese 2023.07.31 -- Ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping on Monday replaced the commander of the country's rocket corps -- which controls the country's nuclear missiles -- amid media reports of an investigation into his predecessor and his deputies. At a ceremony held by the ruling party's Central Military Commission in Beijing on Monday, Xi named Wang Houbin as the new commander of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, promoting him and political commissar Xu Xisheng to the rank of general, state news agency Xinhua reported. "The two officers promoted to the rank of general came to the rostrum full of energy," the report said. "Xi Jinping issued orders to them and congratulated them. Wearing the epaulets of the rank of general, the two officers saluted Xi Jinping and all the comrades who participated in the ceremony, and the audience burst into enthusiastic applause," it said. Wang's appointment, while not explained by state media reports, is widely seen as confirmation of reports that his predecessor Li Yuchao is under investigation behind the scenes. "This is indirect proof that there was a [political] problem with the former leadership of the Rocket Force," U.S-based political commentator Hu Ping said via his X account on Monday. "The fact that these two new appointments have no connection to the Rocket Force shows that Xi Jinping is uncomfortable with the entirety of the former Rocket Force team," Hu wrote. Li was reportedly taken away for investigation in June, according to U.S.-based former PLA Navy Lt. Col. Yao Cheng, who posted the news on June 28 to X, formerly known as Twitter. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper then cited two sources on July 28 as saying Li Yuchao and his former deputies Zhang Zhenzhong and Liu Guangbin are currently under investigation by the commission's disciplinary arm, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Corruption or loyalty? The investigation began some time after March, when Wei Fenghe retired as defense minister, the paper cited one source as saying. "Almost all the senior generals [in the rocket force] had good reputations before their promotion. They became immoral after moving to Beijing headquarters, allowing them to have more chances to engage with defense-related enterprises," the paper quoted one source as saying. The rocket force is "an important element in Beijing's efforts to ramp up the military pressure on Taiwan," the paper said, citing Middlebury Institute of International Studies researcher Decker Eveleth. Yao Cheng told Radio Free Asia on July 28 that the investigation has little to do with corruption, however, and that Xi is investigating the Rocket Force to ensure it continues to carry out his orders faithfully. "This isn't about Xi Jinping rectifying them [due to corruption]," said Yao, who formerly served in the PLA Naval Command. "Xi Jinping wants them to fight a war, and they didn't want to, so now he's coming for them." "It's been the Rocket Force people who don't want to go along with Xi Jinping's plan," Yao said. "They don't want a war -- they fear war because they have a very clear idea of what their missile capabilities are." "They know very well what the outcome would be of any surgical strike by U.S. forces," he said. Yao said Xi is nonetheless determined to carry out a military invasion of democratic Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party nor formed part of the 73-year-old People's Republic of China. "He definitely wants to go to war," he said. "Otherwise, he can't realize [the goals of] his third term in office." Readiness questions Current affairs commentator Cai Shenkun said Xi's political attack on the Rocket Force raises questions about its readiness for military engagement. "Xi Jinping's plan to forge a new Rocket Force is a major blow," he said. "There is a question mark over whether or not the Rocket Force is truly ready for war." Meanwhile, China's internet censors have been deleting reports that Lt. Gen. Wu Guohua, a former deputy Rocket Force commander, died at the beginning of July. Party-backed news site The Paper reported on July 27 that it had "learned from [his] relatives and friends that Lt. Gen. Wu Guohua, a former deputy commander in the rocket corps, died in Beijing on July 4, 2023 at the age of 66 due to medical issues." The link to the story returned an error message when clicked on Monday, and the story had also been deleted from Sina.com's finance channel and Sohu.com, although cached versions of those syndicated stories were still available via Google. An unconfirmed death notice also remained on the social media platform Sina Weibo on Monday. "Comrade Wu Guohua, former deputy commander-in-chief of the Rocket Army, died in Beijing on July 4, 2023 due to illness at the age of 66," the notice said, adding that the funeral was scheduled for July 30 at Babaoshan Funeral Home. However, Taiwan's Central News Agency and the Sing Tao Daily's U.S. edition both reported that Wu's death had been described as suicide by his former boss Zhang Xiaoyang. Citing a now-deleted social media post by Zhang the reports said Wu had "hanged himself due to heavy work-related pressure and family conflict." Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Belarus sign defense cooperation agreement IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 31, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian and Belarusian defense ministers in a meeting in Tehran on Monday have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Defense on Monday, facilitated an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest and culminated in the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between the two sides. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani emphasized the convergence of perspectives between Iran and Belarus on various regional and international issues, stating that "Belarus holds a special place in Iran's foreign policy". He underscored the importance of defense cooperation and said leveraging the capabilities of Iran and Belarus would foster peace, stability, and security in the region. In the context of the crisis in Ukraine, the Iranian defense minister voiced support for any diplomatic effort aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution. He, however, expressed concern over NATO's eastward expansion without any consideration for the concerns of other regional countries. In response, Belarusian Defense Minister General Viktor Gennadievich Khrenin said he hoped his visit to Iran would help strengthen bilateral ties and achieve common objectives. The Belarusian minister also emphasized the potential for direct and indirect collaboration between the defense ministries of both nations, with a focus on enhancing various aspects of military and defense cooperation. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says continued talks to revive JCPOA not based on trust in US IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 31, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that Iran acts based on its national interests rather than the idea of trusting the US. "A continuation of talks to remove the sanctions is not based on Iran's trust in the US," he said. He said the US could have built "relative trust" by honoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but it "did not even build this relative trust for Iran." "We are striving to have the cruel sanctions removed and have all the parties, including the US, return to the JCPOA responsibly," he said. "Iran negotiates and follows the path of diplomacy based on its national interests and the clear provisions of the JCPOA." The spokesman further noted, however, that the JCPOA can be revived whenever the other side is ready and can assure Iran that they will honor their commitments. "As the only side that has behaved responsibly, we are ready to continue the talks to secure the country's national interests," he added. Asked about a leaked audio file of the US special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, Kanaani said it is up to the US government to clarify what the American diplomat has said, reiterating that Iran acts only in order to secure the rights of the Iranian nation. "Our view on the US government is clear. We never negotiate with the US based on trust, and the JCPOA was not a product of our trust in the US either," he stated. UN capacity to help boost peace in Iraq Touching on a recent visit of the Special Representative for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq Jenin Hennis-Plasschaert to Tehran, Kanaani said that it is natural the Iranian government welcomes the role of the United Nations in helping to create peace, stability and security in the neighboring country in line with Iraq's benefits and that the dialogue between the UN special representative and Iran has been going on for years, so the recent visit was also as a follow-up of the previous trips by the UN representatives to Tehran in this regard. The spokesman also went on to say that various policies were discussed in the framework of providing more assistance with the aim of strengthening popular government, economic development, peace, stability and security in the neighboring state. The way to utilize the potential of the United Nations to enhance peace, stability and security in the West Asia region was also one of the topics of discussion between the UN special envoy and the Iranian authorities, he added. Taliban urged to fulfill duties The Iranian diplomat also pointed to the issue of Iran's water rights from the Helmand (Hirmand) River and the follow-ups by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard. He said that the issue is one of the issues covered in Iran's regular talks with Afghanistan's caretaker officials and that there have been some preliminary agreements as well, so Tehran expects the Afghan side to act responsibly in this respect. As the Afghan side has repeated that they accept Iran's water rights based on the existing agreement between the two countries, they are expected to fulfill their obligations, he said. Compromising with Zionists will not help Palestinian nation The US administration showed their unconditional commitment to supporting the Zionist regime, Kanaani said. Within the framework of this policy, the US made several attempts and has normalized political relations between the Zionist regime and a number of countries in the region, he added. What happened in practice was providing the Zionists with more freedom to commit crimes against the Palestinians. In the first six months of the current year, we witnessed the killing of about two hundred innocent Palestinian people. Compromising with the Zionist regime will not help the Palestinian nation, Kanaani said. Iran does not see any step in recognition of the Zionist regime in the interest of neither Palestine nor the regional peace and security, he stated. Details of the Syrian delegation's trip to Tehran Regarding the high-ranking Syrian delegation's trip to Iran, Kanaani said that the Syrian foreign minister, as well as the ministers of economy and telecommunications, arrived in Tehran yesterday, and "today we will have negotiations." Fight against terrorism, the process of de-escalation in Turkey-Syria relations, and paving the ground for holding the quadrilateral meeting between Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Russia will also be discussed, he noted. Foreign minister's visit to Pakistan In response to a question by IRNA's correspondent regarding Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian's visit to Pakistan, Kanaani said the trip is being planned based on the official invitation of the Pakistani foreign minister. "We have various issues to discuss with the Pakistani side. In addition to political issues and common security issues, we will also discuss the issue of fighting terrorism." "A high-ranking economic delegation from Iran is also going to accompany the foreign minister on this trip so that economic issues can be discussed as well," he added. BRICS invitation to President Raisi On the upcoming summit of BRICS leaders, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said President Raisi has been invited to participate in the summit, adding that the details of this trip will be announced soon. "Iran's economic capacities will help us develop complementary cooperation in line with the goals of this organization when it becomes a BRICS member state, and as you know, BRICS has economic goals that can bring mutual benefits to both sides with Iran's membership," he said. Europe responsible to fight terrorism The spokesman also pointed to the arrest of a terrorist network in Iran, adding that the issue shows once again that the enemies of the Iranian nation spare no effort to carry out inhumane measures such as resorting to terrorist methods in a bid to create instability and insecurity. According to the official, in the contacts between the security services of Iran and certain countries, such issues are communicated, Kanaani said. Iran has repeatedly conveyed the responsibility of those states to deal with the terrorist groups, he said, adding that European countries, which portray themselves as the flag-bearers in the fight against terrorism, should pay attention to the fact that they have a responsibility to fight the phenomenon. Iran's response to reactions to agreement with Bolivia The spokesman referred to a defense agreement between Iran and Bolivia, noting that Tehran reached a consensus with La Paz to assist the Latin American country in its combat against drug trafficking and the mutual agreement poses no threat to other states in that region, he noted. Such reactions are to promote Iranophobic policies, the spokesman said. Not only should no third state be concerned about the cooperation between Iran and Bolivia on combating drug trafficking, but it should welcome it, Kanaani said, adding that Iran has not yet found out why two countries have opposed the agreement. Urging Europe to prevent disrespect for sanctities We urge the European governments, especially the ones that paved the ground for this insult, to prevent such unacceptable acts, Kanaani said. Apparently, the Swedish and Danish authorities announced that they are looking for a mechanism to prevent the repetition of such insults. Border agreements between Iran and Iraq Fortunately, we have made the necessary legal agreements in Iraq, the border lines have been determined, and the joint border committees of the two countries maintained their regular cooperation and have done their joint technical measures, he said. We do not have a particular political problem in this field, and do not see any obstacle for the joint border committees, Kanaani said. Negotiation, solution to Niger problem Regarding the coup in Niger, he said that Iran is carefully following the developments in this country. Iran stresses respecting the rule of law and is after establishing peace and stability in this friendly African country, he added. Iran seeks settlement of border disputes with neighbors Touching upon excavation of a shared gas field with Kuwait, the foreign ministry spokesman said that Iran favors peaceful settlement of bordering and maritime disputes with its neighbors. Kanaani noted that Iran has sought dialogue and negotiations in dealing with shared oil and gas fields, adding that in the case of Arash gas field which is shared with Kuwait, Tehran has officially announced it wants a joint excavation of the field and is ready for dialogue with the Kuwaiti side. In case the other side is not prepared to cooperate in joint excavation of the shared field, Iran reserves the right to protect its interests and will put the exaction of the field on its agenda, the spokesman said. Noting that Iran will not tolerate any violation of its rights, Kanaani stressed that the government feel duty-bound to protect the rights and interests of the Iranian nation. Iran steadfast in asserting rights of nation Furthermore, Kanaani addressed the legal complaint filed against South Korea in the pursuit of the return of Iran's blocked funds. He emphasized Iran's commitment to safeguarding the rights of the nation and freeing the frozen financial resources in South Korea. "The Iranian government and diplomatic apparatus are steadfast in asserting the rights of the Iranian people," the spokesperson stated. However, he expressed disappointment at the lack of "anticipated progress" in pursuing the matter with South Korea, despite repeated assurances by their officials. Kanaani clarified that Iran has taken the legal action to complement the continuous diplomatic negotiations with South Korea. "This action by the Iranian government sends a clear message to South Korean authorities," he noted. He said Iran expected the South Korean government to act prudently and wisely in releasing Iran's funds, and take a step towards improving bilateral relations. Tehran said on Saturday that it had officially started the process of referring the dispute with South Korea to international arbitration. Iran has more than $7 billion worth of blocked funds from the sale of oil and petrochemical products in the past to South Korean in two banks in that country. 4354**4208**9376**4353**9341**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran pursuing talks on JCPOA to protect, fulfil rights of nation: Kanaani ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 31 July 2023 / 12:32 Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani stressed that the Islamic Republic is pursuing negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and on lifting sanctions based on national interests in order to protect and fulfill the rights of Iranian people. Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Kanaani said, "We don't trust the US and the JCPOA wasn't a product of trust in Washington". Responding to a question about the audio file attributed to Robert Malley in which he said that the purpose of negotiations with Iran and the JCPOA is to increase pressure on Iran, the spokesman said, "The US is the responsible of what has been said in this audio file and they should clarify in this regard". "Iran is pursuing negotiations on the JCPOA and on lifting sanctions based on national interests in order to protect and fulfill the rights of Iranian people," he continued. "The continuation of negotiations to revive the JCPOA and lift unjust sanctions and the responsible return of both sides to their commitments is not based on the trust of the Iranian government and nation in the US regime," Kanaani emphasized. Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani stressed, "We consider any action aimed at recognizing the Zionist regime and establishing relations with this regime neither in the interest of the Palestine's cause nor peace in the region". "The Zionist regime has defined its security strategy in the region based on creating insecurity and instability," he added. Regarding the recent visit of the UN's Special Representative for Iraq to Tehran and the goals of this trip, Kanaani said, "Iran welcomes the role of the UN in establishing peace and stability in Iraq. During this visit, negotiations were held on various issues related to Iraq, including the process of fighting terrorism in Iraq and at the regional level, and using common capacities of Iran and Iraq in this regard". He also announced that the arrangements are underway for Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Pakistan. The spokesman emphasized that in this visit, increasing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economic areas and the fight against terrorism will be discussed. "A high-ranking economic delegation will accompany the Iranian foreign minister on this trip," Kanaani continued. Pointing to the issue of Iran's water rights from the Hirmand River and the follow-ups by Iranian Foreign Ministry in this regard, Kanaani said, "The issue is one of the issues covered in Iran's regular talks with Afghanistan's caretaker officials and that there have been some preliminary agreements as well, so Tehran expects the Afghan side to act responsibly in this respect". "As the Afghan side has reiterated that they accept Iran's water rights based on the existing agreement between the two countries, they are expected to fulfill their obligations," he added. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Belarus sign MoU to boost defense cooperation Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 2:05 PM The defense chiefs of Iran and Belarus have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve cooperation in the defense sector. The MoU was signed by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin following a meeting in Tehran on Monday. Pointing to the two countries' common stance on many regional and international issues, Ashtiani said Belarus has a special place in Iran's foreign policy. He added that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran in March and his meeting with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei indicate the significance of Minsk in Iran's foreign policy. During Lukashenko's state visit to Tehran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Belarusian counterpart signed eight agreements on various fields, including trade, transportation, agriculture and mining, under a cooperation roadmap which marked 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two counties. Ayatollah Khamenei also told the Belarusian president that those countries that have been put under unilateral sanctions by the United States and its Western allies must join hands to destroy those bans. Referring to defense cooperation between Tehran and Minsk, Ashtiani said, "Making use of the two countries' capabilities and capacities and defense synergies will establish peace, stability and security in the region." He reaffirmed the determination of the two countries' top officials to improve the level of bilateral cooperation in various areas as a strategic principle to overcome the West's sanctions policy against independent states, including Iran and Belarus. The Iranian defense minister added that the global developments over the recent years indicate that the world is moving towards a new geometry and international order. In this new world order, he said, independent countries refuse to accept a unipolar system and seek to play a greater role in global management. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian defense chief said the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) into eastern Europe regardless of the regional countries' concerns is the root cause of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. "The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any diplomatic effort that leads to the peaceful settlement of the conflicts in Ukraine," Ashtiani pointed out. Russia has repeatedly warned US-led NATO forces against the alliance's expansion. It says that NATO leaders betrayed a promise not to expand the body after the fall of the Soviet Union. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago, Moscow has seen NATO expand to 15 European countries. Moscow launched the military campaign in Ukraine in February last year, with NATO's eastward expansion blamed for it. Opportunity to deepen mutual ties, achieve common goals Khrenin, for his part, said his current visit to Tehran would provide the two countries with an opportunity to deepen mutual relations and help them achieve common goals. He added that the defense ministries of Iran and Belarus can use their capacities to strengthen defense and military cooperation and expand ties in issues of common interest. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel 'main source' of instability in West Asia region: Iran FM Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 1:54 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian calls the Israeli regime the main source of instability in West Asia, stressing that the region has not been and will not be indifferent to the moves by the occupying entity. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in the capital Tehran on Monday. The top Iranian diplomat highlighted the Islamic Republic's constant efforts to achieve "peace, stability and lasting security" in the region, and strongly condemned Israel's repeated attacks on the Syrian territory. "This regime is the main source of instability in the region, and finds its supposed survival in [advancing] warmongering in the region," Amir-Abdollahian said. "The fake rulers of the Zionist regime have realized that no action of the Zionists would go unanswered," he added. "The region has not been and will not be indifferent to the moves of the Zionist regime." Amir-Abdollahian underscored the necessity of continuing the Astana talks on the Syrian conflict and said there is consensus among all parties that the format will continue to operate in subsequent meetings at the level of foreign ministers and presidents. The top Iranian diplomat said the framework of the quadrilateral meetings between Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran as part of the political process to end the Syria conflict was the "most suitable diplomatic path" for the establishment of security on the common borders of Syria and Turkey. "Iran firmly backs the right of the Syrian people to support the country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Amir-Abdollahian said, adding, "We believe that the military presence of foreign countries in Syria will not contribute to stability and security in the country and the region." Stressing that Iran fully understands Turkey's concerns about the security of its common borders with Syria, Amir-Abdollahian said, "We, however, believe that military presence in Syria is not the solution." The Iranian foreign minister underlined that the immediate withdrawal of the American occupation forces from Syrian territory would be a great contribution to the stability and security of the region. "The occupying American forces brought about nothing to the region but intensified insecurity in Syria and support for terrorists in [Syria's northwestern province of] Idlib," he added. Amir-Abdollahian also underlined the need for the immediate and safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. In a Twitter post later on Monday, Iran's top diplomat said development of all-out relations between Tehran and Baghdad, especially in the fields of politics, trade, energy and science, was the main highlight of his meeting with the Syrian foreign minister. Amir-Abdollahian added that the two sides also reiterated the need for the American forces to leave the Syrian soil immediately, while urging all countries to respect their neighbors' territorial integrity. Syria 'resolutely' stands by Palestine Mekdad, for his part, expressed satisfaction with his visit to Tehran and said the two countries are taking practical steps to further expand their bilateral ties in all fields. Mekdad censured certain countries in the region for disrupting relations between the states and said Syria "resolutely" stands by the Palestinian people. He praised the Palestinian nation as "noble" and said, "We condemn the Zionist regime for the crimes it commits, they have martyred around 300 Palestinians since the beginning of the year." Stressing that the ongoing developments in Israel are the result of the deep crises the illegal entity is facing, Mekdad said, "The Zionist regime commits various crimes in Palestine, and the countries that support it are also an accomplice in the crimes of that regime." Mekdad also said Damascus supports all efforts for the unification between the Arab and Muslim countries, and praised Iran's active diplomacy in that regard. US presence in Syria 'illegal' Elsewhere in his remarks, Mekdad pointed to the US crimes in the region and said, "War crimes of the United States will definitely end because the Syrian people will not allow this process to continue." Stressing that the US presence in northeastern Syria is "illegal," he said, "Syria calls for the withdrawal of American forces and the [so-called] international coalition." The Syrian diplomat also called on the Arab countries to stop their support for terrorism. Asked about the rise in the number of American troops in the region, Mekdad said, "The goal of the United States in increasing its forces in Syria is to continue the aggression and looting of Syria, and it is not surprising that the United States supports terrorism." Underlining that the US relocates terrorists in the region to achieve its goals, the diplomat said the same situation is true in northern Syria, where the goal is to prevent the resolution of conflicts and to weaken the Syrian government. "The Syrian government and nation want the liberation of the occupied Golan Heights and taking control of Syria's resources," he added. No difference between Daesh, US and Israel Mekdad also censured hostile measures by certain Western governments to support the US crimes in Syria and the region. "Almost 300,000 terrorists entered the Syrian territory [since the outbreak of the Syria crisis] but we managed to emerge victorious [in the war] thanks to the resistance front and the brave Syrian army and the faith of the Syrian people," he said. He said that the United States' direct aggression against Syria killed more than 250 Syrian citizens since 2014 when the US-led coalition got involved in the Syria conflict. Underscoring the need for the withdrawal of foreign occupation forces from Syria, Mekdad said, "A number of countries allied with the evil powers ... followed the approach of Daesh." Mekdad added, "The forces that entered Syria's territory will face the resistance of the Syrian people ... There is no difference between Daesh, the US and the Zionist regime. We will not forget the crimes against Syria." The top diplomat also offered his gratitude to Iran's leadership, government and nation for their aid to Syria in tough times. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Efforts in response to govt's call to create better business environment China's top procuratorate and top court have pledged to intensify efforts to strengthen the legal protection of the rights of private companies, and improve their internal management, to curb crimes at the source. The Supreme People's Procuratorate held its 42nd opening day on Monday and called for the equal protection of market players, and the creation of a properly regulated business environment. It also issued a guideline on punishing and preventing company insiders from infringing on the rights and interests of private companies. Zhang Xiaojin, head of the SPP's fourth procuratorial office, said that the guideline is an important measure for implementing central government policies to promote the development and growth of the private economy, actively respond to the concerns of entrepreneurs, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of private companies. On July 19, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued a document on boosting the growth of the private economy, promising to improve the business environment, and enhance policy support and legal guarantees. Additionally, the general office of the State Council released a notice on July 28 on investigating problems hindering the development and expansion of the private economy. The SPP's guideline tasks prosecutors with suggesting harsher punishments for private company employees involved in embezzlement, bribery and other forms of corruption. Prosecutors should apply a recovery mechanism for the property involved in the case to minimize losses to the company. Prosecutors should also encourage governance of corruption at the source to both punish and prevent insider crimes, including the abuse of position to engage in acts such as operating parallel companies to the ones they work for, and the unauthorized sale of company assets. Zhang said that prosecutors have found that using criminal means to intervene in economic disputes, such as the illegal seizure and freezing of the property of private companies, and maintaining normal production and operation of private companies involved in crime, are prominent problems encountered during case handling. A series of measures have been introduced in recent years to protect the rights and interests of private companies facing the two problems, but insufficient attention has been paid to crimes committed by company insiders, Zhang said. "Private company insiders, especially employees in key positions such as senior executives, and those working in finance, procurement, sales and technology who infringe upon the rights and interests of private companies, are not punished promptly and effectively," he added. The handling of cases shows that problems such as an imperfect corporate management system, chaotic financial management, the lack of internal prevention mechanisms, and employees with poor legal awareness are behind insider crime and even directly affect the investigation and collection of evidence, he said. The guideline called for prosecutors to help companies identify shortcomings and close loopholes to develop a modern management system. The SPP and the Supreme People's Court will formulate judicial interpretations of the laws applicable to the handling of criminal cases involving bribery and embezzlement by people other than civil servants, and clarify the standards on the application of the law in such cases. Liu Guixiang, a member of the adjudication committee of the Supreme People's Court, said that during the execution of cases involving companies, the court will guarantee that the successful party realizes their rights in a timely manner, while minimizing impact on normal operations. The court also takes a prudent attitude, and prohibits the seizure and freezing of property involved in excess of that required by law, to create a better legal environment for the sustainable and healthy development of the private economy, he said. Fu Jinlian, deputy head of the No 2 Civil Division with the SPC, said that when handling cases where company insiders are suspected of crimes, the court will crack down on the criminal act, while reducing the negative impact on companies resulting from the detention of the employees involved, as much as possible. "The court will also help companies plug management loopholes, and resolve risks and hidden dangers to promote healthy development," she said. South Africa, Venezuela welcome enhanced defense ties with Iran Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 11:08 AM The navy commanders of South Africa and Venezuela have expressed their keenness to expand defense ties with Iran. During a meeting with Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani on Sunday, Chief of South African Navy Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese expressed his country's interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries' naval forces as much as possible. Lobese also stressed that " South Africa's waters and ports are open to all Iran's military and non-military vessels." For his part, Shahram Irani appreciated the African country for welcoming the Iranian Navy's 86th flotilla of warships which anchored in the city of Cape Town as part of its round-the-world voyage, urging his South African counterpart to visit Iran and take part in naval drills. The 86th flotilla of warships, comprised of domestically-manufactured Dena destroyer and Makran forward base ship, entered Iran's territorial waters in May after sailing 63,000 kilometers of sea routes over eight months and a circumnavigation of the globe in 360 degrees as part of the Islamic Republic's efforts to expand its naval presence in high seas. The meeting between Iran and Lobese took place on the sidelines of Russia's annual Navy Day event in Saint Petersburg. Also on Sunday, Irani met with the General Commander of the Venzeuala's Navy, Admiral Neil Jesus Sanchez, who hailed the military relations between Tehran and Caracas. "Military cooperation between Iran and Venezuela, especially in the maritime field, is very deep," Neil Jesus Sanchez said, adding that "These ties are expanding day by day." The meetings were also attended by Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Russia and Reza Khosarvi Moqaddam, Iran's military attachA to Moscow. Russia's annual Navy Day is marked on the last Sunday of July in honor of the victory of Russia's navy in the 1714 Battle of Gangut with Sweden. Besides the participation of Shahram Irani in the ceremony, the Iranian Navy also deployed three vessels to Russia to join the naval parade north of the Caspian Sea. Iranian naval forces, together with their Russian counterparts, have held several joint war games in recent years with the purpose of improving the security of international maritime trade, countering piracy and maritime terrorism, exchanging information in naval rescue and relief operations, and exchange of operational and tactical experiences. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran reaffirms resolve to pursue rights in Arash gas field dispute Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 11:03 AM Iran says it will not tolerate a violation of the nation's rights over the Persian Gulf Arash natural gas field shared with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Speaking during a weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani stressed that the country has always adhered to "the path of dialog and consensus" about the operation of the oil and gas fields shared with its neighbors. "As we officially said, we want joint exploitation of the Arash gas field, and we announced our readiness for talks with the Kuwaiti side in this regard," he added. "However, if perhaps there is no desire for joint exploitation of the field, Iran has naturally put on its agenda its own rights and interests concerning the exploration and exploitation of its resources and it will not tolerate any violation of the rights of the Iranian nation." The government, he said, is obliged to defend and protect the rights and interests of the nation. The remarks came after Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad al-Barrak said that the Arab country's plans for production from the field will not wait for border demarcation with Iran. The maritime border demarcation dispute between Iran and Kuwait dates back to more than 60 years ago. Some estimates suggest more than 70% of the resources of the disputed gas field, which is believed to contain up to 60 trillion cubic feet (1.7 trillion cubic meters) of gas, lie in waters claimed by Iran under the dispute with Kuwait. Also in his comments, Kan'ani emphasized that Iran supports and abides by the settlement of border and maritime issues with its neighbors in a "friendly" manner. He further noted that Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji announced Iran's position on the disputed Arash gas field. Speaking on Sunday, Owji said Iran will not stand idle in the face of any move by Kuwait or by Saudi Arabia on the gas field. 'Kuwait proposed pursuing issue in technical talks' The spokesman underlined the need for pursuing the policy of good neighborliness and the resolution of disputes with neighboring states through dialogue. He also referred to a recent meeting between Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the sidelines of a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Azerbaijan's Baku. During the meeting, "there was a consensus between the two sides and the Kuwaiti side suggested that we pursue the issue outside the media ... within the framework of technical talks between the two countries," Kan'ani said. "Iran believes that such issues should be discussed within the framework of technical, specialized, and legal negotiations and that it is not helpful to raise them in the media. "We stand ready to cooperate and talk with Kuwaiti brothers in this regard." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran urges South Korea to 'act wisely', release its frozen funds Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 10:51 AM Tehran has urged South Korea to "act wisely" and release billions of dollars worth of Iranian funds frozen in South Korean banks under the pretext of US sanctions. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said Tehran is in continuous consultations with Seoul to restore the rights of the Iranian nation, but complained about the limited progress of the talks. "We expect the Korean government to act prudently and wisely in releasing Iran's assets in a timely manner," he asserted. He also called on Seoul to play its role in order to improve the relations between the two countries and revive the bilateral commercial and economic ties. Elsewhere in his remarks, Kan'ani said Iran will use the legal path along with the negotiation path to restore the funds, pointing out that the administration of President Ebrahim Raeisi has recently sent a bill to the parliament on referring the dispute to arbitration to start the legal process of the case. Earlier this month, President Raeisi sent the bill on referring the dispute to arbitration to the Iranian parliament. The bill, addressed to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, was ratified by the cabinet of ministers on July 5 and was forwarded to the parliament "in order for the legal procedure to be taken." Deputy President for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehghan said on Saturday that Iran will spare no legal efforts to force South Korea to release its funds. South Korean banks blocked Iran's assets after former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reinstated economic sanctions against Tehran. Unofficial estimates suggest Iran has more than $7 billion worth of frozen funds in two South Korean banks which refuse to release them because of fears of facing US penalties. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that unilateral US sanctions cannot justify Seoul's inaction in repaying its debts to Tehran. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Insurer Shut After Pictures Surface Of Female Employees Without Hijabs By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 31, 2023 The Iranian government has suspended the operating license of Azki.com, a startup specializing in online insurance sales, following the publication of images showing some of its female employees without the compulsory hijab, as the government continues to tighten its enforcement of dress-code regulations. The suspension was announced by the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), on July 30. The agency had previously labeled the images of Azki's female employees as a "violation" and "norm-breaking." Last week, a video circulated on social networks showing Azki's employees in various departments, many of whom were not observing the compulsory hijab. In response to the backlash, Azki stated that these images were published without the company's knowledge or permission. However, under pressure from hard-line media and Twitter accounts supporting the government and the compulsory hijab, the Central Insurance Agency of the Islamic Republic suspended Azki's license. Azki is one of several private sector companies in Iran to face government action in recent weeks due to its employees' resistance to the compulsory hijab law. Digikala, an online platform for selling goods, had its administrative building sealed after supporters of the Islamic republic reacted angrily to the publication of images of employees without the compulsory hijab. A few days later, the online bookstore Taaghche faced a similar backlash, with state publishing institutions announcing contract cancellations because of images of employees without the compulsory hijab. The closing of commercial and trade places has been extended beyond large cities and metropolises to include smaller towns. Mohammad Rostami, the law enforcement commander of the northern Iranian county of Talesh, said 24 business units there have been shut as part of "preventive actions to confront social abnormalities." Anger over the suppression of human rights, and women's rights in particular, has boiled over since last September when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in police custody. She was being held for an alleged violation of the hijab law, which makes it compulsory for women and girls over the age of 9 to cover their heads when out in public. While the protests appear to have waned slightly in recent months, resistance to the hijab remains strong as it is seen now as a symbol of the state's repression of women and the deadly crackdown on society. The wave of government intervention against those violating the law has been met with stiff resistance from women. The campaign against the compulsory hijab has grown so widespread that Abdolhossein Khosropanah, the secretary of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, conceded in June that while women defying the hijab law should technically be arrested, the large numbers of women involved made such mass detentions unfeasible. In recent weeks, authorities have broadened their crackdown on the issue, shutting down businesses, restaurants, cafes, and in some cases pharmacies due to the failure of owners or managers to enforce Islamic laws and hijab rules. In the face of the unrest, some religious and government figures have repeatedly advocated a tougher stance by the government against offenders. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hijab-insurer-companies- violators-women-rights/32527986.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Nurses, Pensioners Rally As Living Conditions Worsen By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 31, 2023 A group of Iranian nurses from Tehran's Khomeini Hospital staged a protest on July 30 over unpaid wages and the flawed implementation of the 2007 Nursing Tariff Act, another sign of growing anger among Iranian nurses over working conditions. The nurses' demands come after the recent warning by the head of the Iranian Nursing Organization, Mohammad Mirzabeygi, that while several large hospitals are opening, there is a marked shortage of nurses in the country. At the center of the dispute is that the Nursing Tarriff Act, which regulates overtime nurses can work and as well as the benefits they receive, has yet to be implemented, according to the nurses and their representatives. "The nursing law, approved by the Guardians Council and passed by the parliament about 15 years ago, has never been implemented," the chairman of the board of the Mashhad Nursing System, Mohsen Gachpazan, said recently. In a parallel development, retirees from the Social Security offices in Shush, Karun, and Haft Tappeh held a protest in front of the Shush district social security building on July 30 to call attention to their ongoing demands for pension increases in the face of sharply rising living costs. The demonstrations by retirees comes after the government recently announced a decision to consolidate 18 different pension funds into one in an attempt to address a shortfall equivalent to $6 billion and rising. For more than a decade, the Iranian government has been staving off the crisis in the pension funds through various measures such as allocating shares, transferring factories, and even gifting land to offset debts. Despite these efforts, official reports indicate that out of the 18 pension funds in Iran, 17 were either bankrupt or teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Iran's economy has been ravaged by U.S. sanctions, hitting budget revenues hard while also leading to a surge of protests countrywide. A sign of the difficult times faced by Iranians came in a recent report from the Labor Ministry, which showed that Iran's poverty rate doubled in 2021, with one-third of the population living in "extreme poverty." Unrest has rattled Iran for more than a year in response to declining living standards, wage arrears, and a lack of welfare support. Labor law in Iran does not recognize the right of workers to form independent unions. Adding to the dissent, the death in September of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly breathed new life into the demonstrations, which officials across the country have tried to quell with harsh measures. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-nurses-pensioners- rally-living-conditions/32527911.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel rules out any concession to Palestinians to secure Saudi normalization Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 6:01 PM Members of the far-right Israeli regime led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say they will not make any concession to the Palestinians as part of a potential deal for normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia. "I can say that Israel will not give in to anything that will erode its security," Tzachi Hanegbi, an adviser to Netanyahu, told public broadcaster Kan on Monday. The adviser said Israel had not been involved in the US-Saudi negotiations in recent weeks. "I can identify with what the United States president said in an interview a few days ago, where he said that the road is still long but that he thinks there will be a possibility of progress." Also on Monday, a member of a key party in Netanyahu's coalition rejected such concessions. Minister Orit Strock said, "We certainly won't agree to such a thing." "We are done with withdrawals. We are done with freezing settlements in Judea and Samaria (the occupied West Bank). This is the consensus among the entire right-wing." Her remarks were echoed by another member, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who heads the Jewish Power party. "But if this deal includes concessions to the (Palestinian) Authority, handing over territory, arming the Authority or ... then I surely object." On Friday, US President Joe Biden said a deal may be on the way after talks that his national security adviser had with Saudi officials in Jeddah aimed at fixing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sullivan's visit was made public by the White House and reported in Western media though Washington did not directly point to the normalization deal. A White House statement made no mention of Israel, but a White House official said a possible normalization agreement with between Saudi Arabia and Israel was among various topics. US officials have sought for months to reach what would be a historic agreement between the two apparent adversaries - though behind-the-scenes allies - but the Saudis have remained resistant so far. Washington has expressed worries about reestablishment of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia as well as Tehran's growing influence and alliances across West Asia and beyond. Despite high-profile visits by US officials to the Arab kingdom in recent months, including a trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month, the US has failed to get any assurances from its Arab ally on the question of Israel normalization. Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia in early June ended without any result, despite the statement before the high-stakes tour that normalization of Saudi-Israel relations was one of the top priorities of the US government. Saudi Arabia seems to be reluctant toward normalization with Israel and is taking a cautious approach to any public steps that could be seen as a normalization act. At a critical time when Biden is seeking re-election, the US government has been left embarrassed by Saudi Arabia's bolstering of ties with Iran and Syria, and its further gravitation toward China. US-Israel ties have been strained in recent months by the Tel Aviv regime's expansion of settlements on the occupied lands. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Unflushed Toilets And Water Tankers: How Almaty's 'Elite' Region Ran Dry By Chris Rickleton July 31, 2023 ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- "Where is the water tanker?" In the residents' WhatsApp chat for a housing complex in the Medeu district of Almaty, "vodavoz" -- the Russian word for water tanker -- was everywhere. Whole swathes of the mostly affluent district of the country's former capital spent the past week without running water -- a development that Almaty's city government attributed to "natural factors." More specifically, city authorities said that strong runoff from glaciers had made the Small and Big Almaty rivers so fast and muddy that the filtering station serving the local water supply could no longer process the dirt. The situation, they said, would only correct itself once the heat wave -- temperatures were constantly around 35-40 degrees Celsius throughout the second half of July -- had abated. On day three of the water shutoff, as residents of at least one housing complex staged a small protest, portable toilets arrived at the complexes. Not everyone was sympathetic. Back in the WhatsApp chat, some residents expressed contrition at comments under news posts about their situation to the effect of, "Let them see how the rest of us live." According to government data, nearly all of Kazakhstan's urban residents (a slight majority of the total population) and just over half of all rural residents have running water taps inside their homes. Journalist Mikhail Kozachkov, therefore, summed up the situation more accurately when he wrote on his Telegram channel that "residents of the upper sections of Almaty are living worse than ordinary Almaty residents on the very outskirts of the city. They have no water, nothing to flush away feces, and nothing to make porridge with." "We did not buy housing here to find out how places without water and other basic conditions live," wrote one woman in the chat. "As rude as it sounds, people work themselves into the ground in order to have the opportunity not to come into contact with these inconveniences." To be sure, this was not the dream they were sold. Residential complexes in the Medeu region are some of the most expensive in Almaty, with flats typically selling from over $1,500 per square meter to several times that. For some of the older complexes, these are significant discounts on what the flats originally cost in dollar terms before successive financial crises shook Kazakhstan's housing market more than a decade ago. Invariably, new housing developments in the Medeu district are billed as "green" and "ecologically pure" answers to the noise and dirt of the city center. One of the more upscale, which only recently sprang to life, is literally called La Verde -- Spanish for "the green." Apartments there that are bigger than 200 square meters begin at around $700,000. But there is nothing green about having no water. Water Tanker Politics This year has already brought major water shortages to big Central Asian cities. Parts of Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, and Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek endured water shutoffs at the beginning of the summer. In Bishkek, where the problem was more protracted, authorities acknowledged that the water table had sunk lower than expected due to below-average precipitation in the first half of the year. They promised to tap new sources of groundwater for a city where more than 1 million people live. The ultimate source of water for most Central Asian cities is glacier-fed rivers, and most of those glaciers are shrinking. A warming atmosphere, hot summers, and shortfalls of snow and rain are all factors beyond the control of local governments. But water can always be managed better, and in Central Asia it often seems to be managed badly, with decaying infrastructure ignored from decade to decade. Prior to the return of a regular supply of water last weekend, Medeu residents showered complaints on the private management of the housing complexes -- where utility bills are typically higher than in the city center -- and public officials. Kozachkov, the journalist, wrote in his post that companies dumping construction waste upstream were the real cause of the crisis. Famous Kazakh rapper Skriptonite, a Medeu resident, was also inclined not to believe the "muddy waters" explanation -- which Almaty's City Hall reinforced with a helicopter press tour for selected journalists -- and shared his pessimism with his 2 million followers on Instagram. In the fog of anger, the "vodavoz" driver emerged as both a savior and a villain for Medeu, depending on whether the vodavoz had arrived or not, and on the order in which he made his rounds. In one of the complexes, there was a debate about where the vodavoz should stand. Should he park next to the fifth building, which was more elevated than the rest, to ensure nobody had to carry pails of water up a steep hill? Or next to the playground, which was central for all residents? He eventually stopped at both and helped queuing residents to fill up empty, 6-liter water bottles and buckets. "People think I am hanging around," said Daulet, the vodavoz driver. "They are ringing me asking when I'll be here. They can't understand that I am stuck in traffic on Al-Farabi and literally cannot move," he told RFE/RL as he took a rest in the midday heat. That is yet another stick with which to beat Almaty's mayor, Yerbolat Dosaev. Medeu's water shutoff dovetailed awkwardly with a city transport collapse, after Dosaev green-lighted major renovation works on Al-Farabi and another major road, Abay, at the same time. That decision has slowed the journey from the suburbs to the city center and funneled more traffic through the byroads, where several of the affected complexes are located. Separately, government critics point out that authorities habitually use road repairs as an opportunity to launder money. Dosaev has pleaded for patience, insisting that the roadwork is vital for Al-Farabi and Abay to survive the winter. Al-Farabi has not seen serious renovation since 2012, he said. The mayor has so far ignored a petition with tens of thousands of signatures calling for his resignation, maintaining that many of the signatories are probably bots. Angering The 'Apolitical' Middle Class The midnight line waiting for the vodavoz was a more relaxed place to be. The temperatures had cooled and residents shared jokes as they filled up using mobile-phone flashlights, as teenagers broke the curfew to do water runs on their electric scooters. Thanks to the recent extension of the pedestrianized section along the Big Almaty River, it is now possible to take an electric scooter or a bicycle all the way down from this part of Medeu into central Almaty, encountering few cars in the process. Back in Soviet times, this part of Medeu hosted a large sovkhoz (state farm) that grew apples and other fruits. Just a few years ago, residents of older houses in the district could still occasionally be seen grazing their goats in what is now a sprawling recreational zone. The extension of the pedestrian path has made Medeu an even more attractive place to live, with the La Verde development boasting walk-on access to the river. If in the past this section of Almaty enjoyed a cooler microclimate than the rest of the city -- and significantly less smog in the winter -- these boundaries are increasingly blurring with the emergence of yet more housing projects. Normal water service has now been restored in Medeu, and the anti-sanitary funk has dissipated. But the memories of their week without water -- of nighttime visits to the portable cubicles with mosquitos circling inside and neighborhood dogs barking at the door -- will likely linger with these residents for some time. And this is significant insofar as the people in these apartment complexes are the type who have done well for themselves in modern Kazakhstan, often while steering clear of politics. Yet during the water shutoff, "an amorphous and apolitical public suddenly felt that they could not do without protesting" and mobilized, wrote Marat Asipov, editor in chief of the Ratel.kz website and another Medeu resident. And if the situation generated ironic comparisons between middle-class Kazakhs and rural poor, it has also reinforced the division between that same middle class and the super wealthy ruling elite, Asipov argued. "[Mayor] Dosaev, with his money, can easily move to any other country. He could, for instance, become a neighbor of another odious mayor of Almaty, Viktor Khrapunov, who now lives in Geneva," Asipov wrote. "It is us who will have to live here." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-no-water- upscale-neighborhoods-crisis/32528020.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Explosion kills 1, injures 12 in Myanmar's Kayin state No group has claimed responsibility for the blast near a junta checkpoint. By RFA Burmese 2023.07.31 -- An early morning explosion near a checkpoint in Myanmar's eastern Kayin state killed a civilian and injured 12 people, the junta told RFA Monday. Saw Khin Maung Myint, the junta's state spokesperson, said most of the injured were staffing the checkpoint in Hpa-An township. "The explosion happened at 6:48 this morning," he said. "Ten personnel providing security at the gate and three civilians were injured. A civilian died on the way to the hospital. I cannot say yet what kind of bomb it was." The spokesperson said the injured were all being treated at the emergency department of Hpa-An Hospital. He said Thanlwin Bridge - which links Hpa-An to Mawlamyine township - had been sealed off and security tightened while the junta searched for those responsible. A Hpa-An resident, who did not want to be named for security reasons, told RFA that junta troops are carrying out a stop-and-search operation in the township. "Security patrol vehicles are patrolling all the crowded places, including Hpa-An market," he said. "People everywhere are being searched by the troops. "The blast was so loud that the entire Hpa-An town could hear it. I can't yet confirm what type of blast it was." No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion. RFA called the spokesperson for the state's leading ethnic army, the Karen National Union (KNU), but nobody answered. There have been more than 5,000 clashes between junta troops and armed groups, including the KNU, in Kayin state since the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup, according to a May report by independent researchers the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar. That's the highest number of battles of any state or region in Myanmar, Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hundreds in need of aid at Indian border after junta airstrike in Myanmar Indian authorities are turning away would-be refugees, citing conflict in Manipur state. By RFA Burmese 2023.07.31 -- Some 2,000 villagers displaced by two consecutive days of junta airstrikes on a township in Myanmar's Sagaing region are in dire need of basic necessities after being refused refuge by authorities across the border in India, according to the villagers and aid workers. The situation in Khampat, a 2,000-home township located around 8 kilometers (5 miles) southeast of the border with India's Manipur state, highlights the plight of internally displaced persons in Sagaing. Fighting between the military and anti-junta forces in the region has forced nearly 800,000 people to flee their homes since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup d'etat, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. A man who was among more than 1,000 people from Khampat who fled the July 25-26 airstrikes to nearby Kale township told RFA Burmese that the conditions for displaced there are among the worst he had faced in the nearly 30 months since the coup. "I've faced many difficulties as an internally displaced person," said the man who has had to flee fighting in the region before and who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns. "There are several sick people and others who had to run [from the fighting] with only the clothes on their backs, who are dealing with extreme difficulties," he said. "Since we all have to stay together in one shelter, it's very crowded and inconvenient." A person assisting the displaced in Kale said they are sheltering in three or four Christian churches there. "They number more than 1,000, which is almost the entire population of Khampat," he said. "They had no choice but to flee here." In addition to those in Kale, more than 700 from Khampat's Kanan and Kamagyi villages have fled across the border into Manipur since July 21, when clashes between military troops and anti-junta People's Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitaries intensified in the township. Hundreds ordered home Myanmar shares a border of more than 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) with eastern India. More than 60,000 people have crossed into India's Manipur and Mizoram states since the coup, according to UNOCHA, but Indian authorities in Manipur have been dealing with violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kuki minority there since early May and say they no longer have the resources to accommodate refugees. The Manipur state government recently ordered the Indian Border Guard to send the 700 Myanmar nationals - including more than 300 children and 200 women - who have fled since July 21 back across the border. Many of those who have been forced to leave India and others fleeing the fighting in Khampat now have no option other than to shelter in the jungle, with few resources. Salai Dokhar, the founder of India for Myanmar, an India-based pro-democracy group, told RFA that there are security challenges in seeking refuge for Myanmar nationals, who risk being "driven back" across the border. "We've learned that India doesn't let Myanmar refugees enter ... due to the Manipur conflict," he said. "Some refugees in Manipur who were found out to be Myanmar nationals were even driven back, too." Dokhar said that "more than a few hundred" have been returned to Myanmar since the order was given. He added that authorities in Manipur have cut off the internet in the conflict area and communication is limited. "As telephone services have been irregular, we can't get accurate information every day," he said. Tensions high Meanwhile, a member of the PDF in Khampat told RFA that the military situation there remains "tense." "Our People's Defense Forces have no plans to retreat," he said. "The [military] doesn't want to lose control of the town either. So it's a tense situation between the two sides." Reports that the ethnic Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, is also involved in the fighting against junta troops in the area could not be immediately confirmed, as the group's military command is located far away. "That's not our active area, which is why I haven't heard that we have military bases there," said KIA news and information officer Colonel Naw Bu. "I can't say that we are involved in the fighting there, nor can I confirm that we are. It's a little far from us [at] the military headquarters." Attempts by RFA to contact the junta's spokesman for Sagaing region by telephone went unanswered. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Matthew Reed. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bangladesh wants UNHCR to pay $7M for transfers of imported vehicles Meanwhile, a decision to freeze the U.N. agency's imports could harm Rohingya relief efforts, analyst warns. By Reyad Hossain for BenarNews 2023.07.31 -- In a move that could disrupt humanitarian aid to Rohingya, Bangladesh has frozen UNHCR's import license and accused it of irregularities after the U.N. refugee agency brought in dozens of vehicles duty-free, according to a letter reviewed by BenarNews. In the letter dated June 21, the government's customs department stated it would not release imported goods destined for UNHCR until the U.N. agency paid US$7 million for alleged irregularities in the vehicles' transfers. The letter was signed by Md. Abdul Hannan, deputy commissioner of the National Board of Revenue, which oversees the customs office. The board has locked the humanitarian aid organization's business identification number (BIN), which is required for all exports and imports. "The 46 vehicles were imported duty-free for official use, but transfers of those vehicles violate NBR rules," the letter reads, adding UNHCR was notified in a letter demanding that it pay the $7 million, which includes fines and interest. "But it didn't pay any amount," the letter states. The vehicles, which were imported into Bangladesh in 2018, include a Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Cruise ambulance and trucks. NBR alleged that the vehicles were used by the Bangladesh government's Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief as well as the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner without permission. It was unclear whether the vehicles that UNHCR shipped into the country duty-free were later sold second-hand or given away or donated. On Monday, Md. Bodruzzaman Munshi, deputy commissioner of NBR's Customs House in Chittagong, confirmed the freeze. "UNHCR has violated the rules in the case of 46 vehicles - that is why they have been asked to pay customs duty and other taxes," he told BenarNews. The UNHCR office in Bangladesh did not immediately respond to a BenarNews request for comment. On Monday, a local UNHCR official asked a BenarNews reporter to send questions that were to be relayed to more senior U.N. representatives, but the official did not pick up subsequent follow-up calls after the questions were emailed to him. Last week, the U.N. agency did issue a statement to Bangladesh media. "UNHCR has not violated any government regulation on import and export. However, UNHCR is currently in discussion with the Government of Bangladesh to solve this issue," Bangladesh spokesman Mostafa Mohammad Sazzad Hossain told The Financial Express. Concerns for Rohingya Meanwhile, the executive director of the Policy Research Institute called the NBR action reckless. "If the organization's imports are disrupted because of this decision, how will UNHCR work for the Rohingya? Since UNHCR is working in the greater national and international interest, it should be resolved in an amicable way, taking consideration of small mistakes," Ahsan H. Mansur told BenarNews. "They [UNHCR] did not sell any vehicle. Maybe another organization is using them," he said, adding UNHCR should not be forced to pay for a small mistake. "They are bringing relief and feeding people and now you want them to pay taxes," he said. "Now if they fail to import, then the government will have to feed the Rohingya." About 1 million Rohingya who have fled Myanmar live in refugee camps in and around Cox's Bazar, a southeastern district near the Burmese border. These include about 740,000 who fled a military offensive in their home state of Rakhine in August 2017. UNHCR is one of the international organizations assisting the refugees. A July 2000 NBR order states "a diplomatic mission or diplomat or privileged organization or person may sell or transfer such goods without payment of duties and taxes only to another such diplomatic missions or person's with prior permission from the NBR." "They neither complied with the NBR rules nor informed the customs authority," Munshi told BenarNews. M. Masrur Reaz, an economist with the World Bank's office in Bangladesh, called on both sides to reach an agreement. "UNHCR should have followed the rules of the NBR. Customs will take action if there is any irregularity," Reaz told BenarNews, adding such action is normal. He questioned the BIN lock, calling it a harsh decision. "There is no point in imposing tax on the vehicles if there is no personal use except for refugees or humanitarian work," he said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Death Toll From Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Rises to 54 - Reports Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The death toll from a bombing attack that rocked a political party rally in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has climbed to 54 after more victims died from their wounds on Monday, media reported, citing police. Earlier reports put the death toll at 46. A total of 83 people are receiving treatment at hospitals, the Geo TV broadcaster reported, citing Additional Inspector General of the Counter-Terrorism Department Shokat Abbas. The explosion occurred on Sunday at around 4:00 p.m. local time (11:00 GMT) at a gathering of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party in the town of Khar, located near the Afghan border, in Pakistan's northwestern Bajaur district. The blast killed around 40 people on the spot, leaving more than 100 injured. Police qualified the deadly blast as a terrorist attack, saying that Daesh* was responsible for it. JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman demanded that Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and regional caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan investigate the incident. The party is one of the main allies of the prime minister's coalition government, which is preparing to participate in national elections, scheduled for November. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. July 31, 2023 13:45 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Has the session ended? State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin: Yes, it has. Actually, it was the longest session. The fourth session of this State Duma lasted from January to July, almost until August, and meetings were held with hardly any interruption. We began by identifying several priorities. One of them had to do with concern for participants in the special military operation and their families, something you mentioned more than once when formulating the goal of adopting laws to protect our military personnel and their families and ensuring that our soldiers and officers do not lack anything. Based on your instructions, we have created a system that rests on 77 laws, or as many laws as we have adopted in this sphere, aimed at shaping comprehensive legislation because we have not encountered such challenges before and did not have to address these issues. In addition, it would be correct to mention another priority. It is a very serious issue for us; it has to do with creating a legal environment in the new constituent entities of the Russian Federation. However, we accumulated some experience in this sphere when Crimea and Sevastopol were integrated in the common legal space. It should be said that we have almost completed tasks which previously took us up to five years; there are only three more laws to be adopted. We will do this during the autumn session. Overall, we have adopted 54 laws, which regulate all issues from healthcare, social protection and pension support to business and the creation of conditions for economic performance in the new regions. In fact, we almost completed work on this block of issues during the spring session. We have fulfilled the tasks you set for the parliament jointly with the Government. One more issue that we have been working on since the beginning of the special military operation has to do with countering sanctions. It was no easy matter, of course, considering that over 16,000 sanctions have been imposed on Russia. Over that period, we have adopted 192 laws and worked with the Government to take more than 300 measures to support our people, enterprises and regions. We did this in accordance with Presidential instructions, and we can see the effect of this work now. In general, if we speak about challenges, of course, they are unprecedented, but the political system built by the President and the economic model have shown their resilience. Today we can confidently say this because to date, our country has already been through many different challenges. It is clearly obvious that the entire State Duma, regardless of members' political views, has consolidated around the country. And again, despite their party-specific programmes, everybody understands that achieving the goals of the special military operation will ensure the future of our state, Russia. I want to thank you, Mr President, on behalf of all members of the State Duma. We all support you, as we have said repeatedly, during the most difficult times when the country is facing challenges. We all understand that as long as there is our Motherland, our people, our children and grandchildren have a future. We know this and build our work around the country's current agenda. Vladimir Putin: Mr Volodin, on my part, I want to thank you, senior officials of the State Duma and all parliament members for their collaboration during this session. I want to thank you for supporting the key aspects of the country's development and especially its foreign policy. I can see that there is a consensus here among all the political parties, despite their different approaches to social and economic issues and our domestic policy, which is natural. But when it comes to key issues, life-changing aspects of the further existence of the Russian state, I always feel the support of the parliament. And I want to thank you all for that. I also hope that this intense work together that you spoke about will continue in the key sectors, including the support for our military personnel taking part in the special military operation, and for their family members, as well as for the integration of the new territories into the Russian Federation. We do have the experience of Sevastopol and Crimea, we have the specific practices, and these practices should be used, of course. Although in this case, there are significant nuances. For example, people in Donbass have been living in war-time conditions since 2014, and even today, tragic events occur in those territories caused by hostilities. We must certainly take this into consideration when developing our strategy. When it comes to social issues, economic development and the economy, which is the basis for solving all other issues in the country, I hope that, as before, in a dialogue with the Government, you will always be able to find mutually acceptable solutions for the benefit of Russia's development. Thank you very much. I hope that we will follow this course during the next session. Vyacheslav Volodin: Thank you, Mr President. Of course, we have many plans especially as the new session will bring new opportunities. We plan to hold expanded parliamentary hearings on the development of small and medium-sized businesses. We want to meet with as many business representatives as out halls could sit and discuss these issues together with the Government. You set a task for us to create conditions for businesses to develop more effectively. We will try to find the right words that will allow us to come up with solutions, and then we will present our proposals to you. Vladimir Putin: Sounds good. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Court Upholds 25-Year Prison Sentence Of Kremlin Critic Vladimir Kara-Murza By RFE/RL July 31, 2023 The First Court of Appeals in Moscow has upheld the 25-year prison term handed to outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza on charges of high treason, involvement in activities of an undesirable group, and discrediting Russia's armed forces that he and his supporters call politically motivated. The court rejected Kara-Murza's appeal against his imprisonment, saying his verdict and sentence must stay unchanged. Kara-Murza was initially arrested in April 2022 after returning to Russia from abroad and charged with disobeying a police officer. He was later charged with discrediting the Russian military, a charge stemming from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and a Kremlin push to stamp out criticism of the subject. The treason charges were added later over remarks he made in speeches outside Russia that criticized Kremlin policies. The former journalist who holds Russian and British passports has spent years as a politician opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin and has lobbied foreign governments and institutions to impose sanctions on Russia and individual Russians for purported human rights violations. He has twice survived being poisoned, according to his own accounts and those of his supporters. Russian authorities deny any involvement in the alleged attacks. After Kara-Murza's appeal was rejected, Britain announced sanctions against several Russian judges and officials involved in his trial. "This is desperate and unfounded," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Twitter. "Rejecting @vkaramurza's appeal is unjustifiable. He should be released immediately." Moscow city court Judges Vitaly Belitsky, Yekaterina Mikhailovna Dorokhina, and Natalia Nikolaevna Dudar were among those added to the U.K.'s sanctions list. Britain has previously imposed sanctions on some of those connected to the case. Kara-Murza is one of many opposition activists, reporters, and others who have been arrested and prosecuted under tightened legislation amid a growing Kremlin crackdown on civil society. According to the human rights group OVD-Info, almost 20,000 Russians have been detained for anti-war protests since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kara-Murza was a key advocate for the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which sets out sanctions for human rights violators in Russia. In March, the United States designated six people, including three judges, for sanctions due to their role in Kara-Murza's detention. The judge who oversaw Kara-Murza's trial and who read out his sentence on April 17, Sergei Podoprigorov, was one of the first sanctioned by the United States under the Magnitsky Act 10 years ago. With reporting by Reuters, TASS, and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kara-murza-25-year- sentence-upheld/32528000.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister holds topical teleconference with leadership of Russian Armed Forces 31.07.2023 A topical teleconference with leadership of the Russian Armed Forces was held today at the National Centre for State Defence Control of the Russian Federation under the leadership of the head of the military department General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. Opening the meeting, the Defence Minister informed the participants about the situation in the area of the special military operation According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, the Joint Group of Forces continues to conduct active combat operations in all directions, concentrating its main efforts on reducing the enemy combat capabilities. 'The command of the AFU is desperately send new troops into the assault on Russian positions. Thanks to a competently constructed defence, skilful organisation of the fire system, professional actions, endurance and perseverance of the Russian servicemen, the enemy advance was prevented. A large-scale attempt by Ukrainian troops to break through Russian defences was thwarted in Orekhov direction. The units of the 810th Marine Brigade and the 71st Motorised Rifle Regiment showed fortitude and self-sacrifice. So, I'd like to thank all of our guys again. All the guys, especially from these brigades, but from the others too, because we have not seen such an onslaught yet, but in this case everyone worked on that. For two days alone - 26 and 27 July - more than 400 Ukrainian servicemen, 31 tanks, including three German-manufactured Leopard and two French-manufactured tanks, as well as 32 armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed near Rabotino. A total of 63 armoured vehicles were destroyed. Using manoeuvre, counterattacks and counterstrikes, Russian formations and military units liberated from the AFU troops Kovalyovka and Sergeevka in Krasny Liman direction, as well as Molchanovka railway station in Kupyansk direction. The 15th Motorised Rifle Brigade and the 234th Airborne Assault Regiment particularly distinguished themselves. The servicemen acted actively and manoeuvrably. As a result, the servicemen have successfully achieved the goals. Also the 238th Artillery Brigade, the 31st Engineer Regiment, the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment are acting bravely. Over the past month, as a result of the successful actions of Russian troops, the enemy were up to twenty thousand eight hundred servicemen, to be precise, 20824 men and 2227 units of various weapons, including 10 Leopard tanks, 11 U.S.-manufactured Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, 40 U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems and 50 self-propelled artillery systems from the U.K., the U.S., Germany, France and Poland. It is obvious that the Western-manufactured arms supplied do not lead to successes on the battlefield, but only prolong the military conflict. Against the backdrop of the failed so-called 'counter-offensive', the Kiev regime, with the support of Western sponsors, has focused on carrying out terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure in cities and towns in the Russian Federation. Given the evolving situation, additional measures have been taken to improve defences against air- and sea-based attacks. The intensity of the strikes on Ukrainian military facilities, including those providing support for these terrorist acts, has been increased many times over. I thank all military personnel involved in the special military operation for the service, courage and heroism. Earlier we spoke about single feats, but today we have dozens and hundreds of worthy servicemen, soldiers, officers, sergeants, who not just honourably perform their duty, but do it in a highly professional manner. The servicemen show really the highest examples of courage, heroism and, once again, - professionalism. *** Our sailors, whose professional holiday we celebrated on 30 July, are taking an active part in the operation in Ukraine. On Day of the Russian Navy, parades of naval, warships took place in Baltiysk, Vladivostok, Kaspiysk, Novorossiysk, Severomorsk, and the Syrian city of Tartus. Forty-five ships of various classes and three thousand servicemen were involved in the Main Naval Parade in St Petersburg. Nineteen foreign delegations arrived for the events. Important events were the opening of the Museum of Naval Glory in Kronstadt and the bas-relief in honour of the capture of the island of Corfu by the Russian squadron under the command of Vice Admiral Fyodor Ushakov. We will continue the tradition of immortalising the legendary pages of the history of the Russian Navy and preserving the memory of the valiant exploits of military sailors. *** A few words on the results of enrolment in the educational institutions of the Ministry of Defence. This year, more than 15 thousand first-year students have been enrolled in military universities, and from 1 September they will naturally begin their studies, including in pre-university educational institutions. Of those enrolled in universities - one and a half thousand participants of the special military operation, a lot of, and to be more precise, most of them have combat awards. Officer training for the Armed Forces has been resumed at the Donetsk Higher Combined Arms Command School. There has been a significant increase in the interest of young people in the educational establishments of the Navy, the Strategic Missile Forces and the flight schools of the Aerospace Forces. The competition in other higher education institutions is still as high as it was before. In pre-university military educational institutions, the competition was up to 11 people per place. This year, the Irkutsk Suvorov Military School opens its doors to new students. I would like to wish the officers, cadets and students success in their studies and perseverance in mastering new knowledge. And here I would like to draw attention to those who are engaged in education and personnel training, we should make maximum use of the experience of those who have proved themselves in the special military operation and, naturally, who have something to pass on. *** Next, a few words about the most significant events of the coming month. The International Military-Technical Forum ARMY-2023 starts on 14 August. Almost 1.5 thousand enterprises will present about 28 thousand samples of military and dual-purpose products. Heads of 108 defence departments have been invited to the forum. Domestic military-technical developments that have been tested in real combat situations will be widely presented. The scientific and business programme includes more than 260 events to discuss topical aspects of the development of the defence industry, military and military-technical cooperation. The Ministry of Defence plans to conclude contracts worth over 433 billion rubles. The XI Moscow Conference on International Security will be held along with the forum. Its programme includes the issues of global stability in a multipolar world, interaction between defence departments of different countries, as well as military aspects of regional security in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Independent experts, including from Western countries, will be able to discuss pressing issues on the agenda in the format of the 'One World - Common Security' discussion club. Discussions in the roundtable format on issues of the special military operation will be held at the forum. The Second International Anti-Fascist Congress will be held also in August on the territory of Belarus and at the Patriot Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kubinka near Moscow. In addition to the plenary session, the sections will include a scientific and practical conference 'Nazism in Ukraine: a view through the prism of a special military operation'. *** Now to the thematic part of our today's conference call. At the outset, we shall first consider the construction of the Project 12700 Alexandrite minesweepers. These new ships solve the tasks of mine defence of the near sea zone. They are equipped with the latest means of searching and destroying mines, hydroacoustic stations, a mine countermeasure circuit and robotic systems. Today we will be briefed on how the production schedule for these types of vessels is being fulfilled. The second issue on the agenda concerns the construction of small missile ships of Project 22800 Karakurt. These ships are capable of delivering high precision missile strikes at critical facilities on land and enemy ships at sea while operating in the near sea zone. In July, A Cyclone serial ship of the same project entered into service of the Black Sea Fleet. Three ships are planned to be put in service of the Russian Navy by the end of this year. Two more are to be commissioned in 2024. Let's discuss the timing of the construction of ships of this project.' Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Nuclear Weapons to Stay in Belarus Unless US, NATO Quit Hostile Policy - Diplomat Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said in mid-June that Moscow had transferred the first part of the nuclear warheads to Belarus and would complete the task of moving tactical nuclear weapons by the end of the year. A hypothetical withdrawal of Russian tactical nuclear weapons from Belarus could only happen if the US and NATO abandon the policy of undermining the security of Russia and Belarus, which implies a complete withdrawal of all US nuclear weapons to the territory of the United States, a senior Russian diplomat told Sputnik. "I would like to immediately note that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus was a response to the many years of destabilizing nuclear policy of NATO and Washington, as well as to the fundamental changes that have recently taken place in key areas of European security," Aleksey Polishchuk, the head of the Russian foreign ministry's second department for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, said. Polishchuk emphasized that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is a forced containment measure, designed to ensure the security of Belarus, which has a common defense space with Russia. "In this regard, the hypothetical withdrawal of Russian tactical nuclear weapons from the territory of Belarus will be possible only if the United States and NATO abandon their destructive course of purposefully undermining the security of Russia and Belarus. This stipulates the complete withdrawal of all American nuclear weapons to the territory of the United States with the elimination of the corresponding infrastructure in Europe," Polishchuk told Sputnik. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow had transferred the first part of the nuclear warheads to Belarus and would complete the task of moving tactical nuclear weapons by the end of the year. Putin said the deployment was an element of deterrence and a signal to those thinking of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sanctions key figures involved in deplorable sentencing of dual British national Vladimir Kara-Murza after appeal is rejected New sanctions target six figures involved in the trial of Vladimir ara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in a penal colony after the rejection of his appeal. 31 July 2023 UK government sanctions six figures involved in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in a penal colony after the rejection of his appeal 3 judges, two prosecutors and an 'expert witness' have been sanctioned for their part in his politically motivated targeting Mr Kara-Murza, a dual British national, is being persecuted by the Russian regime for his anti-war stance The UK government has today (31 July 2023) sanctioned six individuals for their involvement in the politically motivated conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza. It comes as the Foreign Secretary calls for the immediate release of Mr Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in prison after his appeal against trumped up charges was rejected in Moscow today. Mr Kara-Murza is an opposition politician, journalist, and human rights activist in Russia. He has received wide recognition for his work, including the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. The charges against the dual British-Russian national included treason and spreading 'knowingly false information' about the Russian armed forces. In reality, he bravely spoke the truth about Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Those sanctioned today include two Moscow City Court Judges who convicted and sentenced Mr Kara-Murza, the lead prosecutor in the trial, and an 'expert witness' who provided false justification for Mr Kara-Murza's detention following 'analysis' of his speech. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: The rejection of Vladimir Kara-Murza's appeal following his sentencing on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime, and their complete disregard for human rights and freedom of expression. Today we've sanctioned six people connected with his case, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens. We will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family, who have worked tirelessly to try and secure his release. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally. The following individuals have been sanctioned today and will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes: Vitaly Alexsandrovich Belitsky and Ekaterina Mikhailovna Dorokhina: both Moscow City Court Judges who convicted and sentenced Mr Kara-Murza on charges of treason, membership of an undesirable group and 'fake news' Natalia Nikolaevna Dudar: a Basmanny District Court Judge who further extended Mr Kara-Murza's pre-trial detention Boris Georgievich Loktionov: the lead prosecutor in the trial who described Mr Kara-Murza as "an enemy of the state" and pressed for the maximum sentence Danila Yurievich Mikheev: an expert witness for the Russian government who claimed Kara-Murza's statements on the Russian Armed Forces amounted to knowingly spreading false information - which served as part of the basis on which judge Elena Lenskaya ordered Mr Kara-Murza be held Anna Evgenievna Potychko: Prosecutor who supported the denial of Kara-Murza's appeal against his pre-trial detention Today's sanctions follow punitive measures the UK has already taken against those involved in Mr Kara-Murza's case. In April 2023 the UK Government sanctioned five individuals - a judge, 2 investigators involved in Mr Kara-Murza's trial and 2 FSB agents involved in his poisoning and arrest. The UK will continue to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia until it ends its brutal invasion of Ukraine, including by implementing further sanctions and leaning in to tackle Russia's attempts to circumvent the measures in place. Background: In January 2023, the Minister for Europe met Mr Kara-Murza's wife to discuss his case and treatment. British Embassy officials have attended Mr Kara-Murza's court hearings in Moscow throughout the year. FCDO officials have consistently raised Mr Kara-Murza's case with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy and will continue to do so. In 2020 the UK sanctioned Sergei Podoprigorov, the judge that went on to preside over Mr Kara-Murza's trial, and Dmitry Komnov, the head of the detention centre where Mr Kara-Murza was held, under our Global Human Rights Regime for involvement in human rights violations against Sergei Magnitsky. Additionally, last year the government sanctioned Oleg Mikhailovich Sviridenko, the Russian Deputy Minister of Justice, who oversees the prosecution of criminal cases including that of Mr Kara-Murza. In April 2023, following Mr Kara-Murza's sentencing, the UK sanctioned Elena Lenskaya - a judge who approved Vladimir Kara-Murza's arrest, along with Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin - investigators involved in the arrest of Mr Kara-Murza. FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev were also sanctioned. The pair were members of the operational team which followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned both in 2015, three months after close friend and fellow opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was assassinated, and 2017. With international partners, the UK has invoked the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism which evidenced Russia's efforts to wage a campaign of repression against its own people. We are also taking forward the report's recommendations, and have helped secure a United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur. They will be charged with undertaking country visits, acting on individual cases of reported violations and concerns of a broader nature, and raising public awareness and providing advice for technical cooperation. View the full UK Sanctions List and more information about UK sanctions relating to Russia. Asset freeze An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. Travel ban A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Syria agree on continuation of Astana process ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 31 July 2023 / 17:08 Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed that Iran and Syria have agreed that Astana process should continue to operate. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks on Monday while speaking in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad. "Today, we followed up the cooperation documents and agreements signed during the Iranian President's recent visit to Damascus," Amir-Abdollahian said. "We have witnessed great progress in the implementation of the economic, commercial, and technological agreements between the two countries in recent weeks," he added. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian top diplomats stressed that Iran and Syria have agreed that Astana process should continue to operate and holding a meeting on the level of foreign ministers and presidents of Astana process member states is on the agenda of all parties. He also noted, "We understand the concerns of TArkiye regarding the security of the common borders with Syria, but we believe that military presence in Syria is not the solution". "The Iran-Russia-Syria-TArkiye quadrilateral meeting is the most appropriate diplomatic path for the agreement and establishment of security on the common borders of Syria and TArkiye," Amir-Abdollahian emphasized. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force to assess extending service life of Mirage fighter jets ROC Central News Agency 07/31/2023 09:43 PM Taipei, July 31 (CNA) Taiwan wants to assess whether the service life of a number of its Mirage fighter jets can be extended for both strategic and risk-hedging reasons, the Air Force Command Headquarters said in a statement Monday. Taiwan's Air Force said it has enlisted the help of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation to help Taiwan evaluate the possibility of extending the life of nine of the nation's Dassault Mirage 2000 Two Seat Fighters. Taiwan acquired a fleet of 60 of the Mirage fighters starting in 1997, and they are now entering a later stage of their life cycle, with the cost of maintaining and repairing the planes exceeding that of the other aircraft used in the Air Force. The Air Force said it has budgeted NT$150 million (US$4.77 million) to commission Dassault to evaluate whether or not nine of its two-seater Mirage planes could continue serving Taiwan for another 20 years, with the assessment scheduled to be completed by July 2026. According to a military source, Taiwan wants to extend the service life of some of the two seaters in part because they can be used for both regular mission deployments and training sessions for new recruits, giving the Air Force strategic flexibility. At the same time, the source said, Taiwan has purchased 66 new F-16Vs fighter jets from the United States, but there remain questions whether they can be delivered on time given that there have already been delays. The first two of the 66 fighters ordered were to be delivered by the end of 2023, but that has since been postponed until the third quarter of 2024. If Taiwan were to retire all of its Mirage-2000 fleet without the security of the U.S. F-16Vs, it could potentially leave a personnel and military power vacuum, and keeping the French fighters would protect the Air Force against that risk, the source said. Of the 60 Mirage-2000 fighters that began to be delivered in 1997, six have been destroyed over the years due to various accidents, but they still remain one of the three main fighter models in Taiwan's fleet, deployed mainly to protect Taiwan's northern airspace. The Mirage 2000 have also been deployed to Taitung County many times to safeguard the airspace in the southeastern part of the island. (By Matt Yu and James Lo) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. House introduces bill to strengthen Taiwan military capabilities ROC Central News Agency 07/31/2023 11:46 AM Washington, July 30 (CNA) U.S. House representatives have introduced their own version of the Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act, following their colleagues in the Senate, with the aim of enhancing Taipei's military capabilities amid rising threats from China. In a bipartisan move, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas and Republican Representative Jim Banks on Friday introduced the bill to "reinforce our nation's support of Taiwan as the island faces the increased threat of a Chinese Communist Party military attack," the Democratic lawmaker said in a statement. "As Taiwan continues to face threats to its security and sovereignty, the United States must reaffirm our support for and long-term cooperation with Taiwan," Pappas said. "This legislation would prioritize Taiwan's resiliency in the face of potential conflicts and expedite the delivery of much-needed resources to ensure they have the capability to defend themselves effectively." U.S. Senator Marco Rubio introduced the Senate version of the Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act on June 14. Also in the statement, Banks said he was proud to be leading this bipartisan effort with Rubio to bolster Taiwan's defenses because Chinese President Xi Jinping's (cea) "extreme rhetoric makes it clear that lawmakers in Washington must act now to deter a Chinese invasion." While the content of the House version was not immediately available, Chris said in the statement that the act clarifies U.S. authorities intent to arm Taiwan as stated in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). In the Senate version of the bill, the legislation requires language regarding "arms of a defensive character" to be replaced with new language that sets an new standard for arms sales, in order to deter conflict with China's People's Liberation Army. The TRA was enacted in 1979 to maintain commercial, cultural and other unofficial relations between the U.S. and Taiwan after Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. It requires the U.S. "to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character," therefore Washington has so far only provided defensive weapons to Taipei. According to Pappas, the House bill also requires U.S. military sales to Taiwan to be expedited and prioritized in the face of a delivery delay of about US$19 billion worth of arms. In addition, the bill aims to set up regular U.S.-Taiwan exercises, training and professional exchanges, as well as the establishment of a Taiwan Critical Munitions Acquisition Fund. As part of this, the U.S. government would be authorized to spend US$2 billion on Taiwan in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) a year. The bill also states the U.S. would apply Ukraine munitions production capacity authorities to Taiwan, according to Pappas. Typically, after the House and Senate pass their own versions, a bill will be negotiated between the two before being sent to the president to sign into law. Washington also announced a US$345 million military aid package for Taiwan on Friday, which is set to be delivered under a Presidential Drawdown Authority approved last year by the U.S. Congress. The White House announced the package will include "defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training," but did not specify what exactly will be provided. (By Stacy Hsu, Sean Lin and Frances Huang) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Large Bipartisan Majority Approves US Military Aid to Ukraine Program for Public Consultation (PPC) - School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland July 27, 2023 A bipartisan majority of seven-in-ten voters favor the US continuing to provide significant military aid to Ukraine to help in their ongoing war with Russia, according to an in-depth study by the Program for Public Consultation together with the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy.A Continuing to provide military aid to Ukraine, including military equipment, ammunition, training and intelligence, was favored by 69%, including 55% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats and 58% of independents. The sample was large enough to enable analysis of attitudes in very Republican and very Democratic districts based on Cook PVI ratings. In both very red and very blue congressional districts, equally large majorities (71%) favored continuing military aid. The public consultation survey of 2,445 registered voters ensured that respondents understood the issues by first providing a briefing on the history of Ukraine-Russia relations, the events and circumstances leading up to the 2022 invasion, and the current state of the war. They were presented several proposals in detail, and evaluated arguments for and against each before making their final recommendation. The content was reviewed by experts from each side of the debates, to ensure that the briefing was accurate and balanced and that the arguments presented were the strongest ones being made. Ukraine's stance has been that it will not start negotiations until Russia first commits to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine. Some Members of Congress and foreign policy leaders have proposed that the US pressure Ukraine to start peace negotiations without this precondition. When informed about the situation and asked whether the US should "encourage" Ukraine to enter into negotiations, "whether or not Russia first commits to withdraw from all of Ukraine," 56% said the US should not, including 68% of Democrats and 53% of Independents, but less than half of Republicans (47%). Recently the Biden administration shifted its position on US fighter jets, allowing NATO allies to send US-made jets to Ukraine, with the US training Ukrainian pilots to operate these jets. A bipartisan majority of 73% approved of this move, including 63% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 64% of independents. Respondents evaluated arguments for and against continuing military aid, the full text of which can be found in the Questionnaire. The strongest argument was that the US has a duty to help counter Russia's violation of international law by assisting Ukraine, which was found convincing by 83% (Republicans 76%, Democrats 92%, independents 78%). Close behind was the argument that it is important for US security that Russia does not gain a foothold in Europe, because if they attack a NATO member it would trigger an all-out war (78% convincing, Republicans 70%, Democrats 88%, independents 73%). The arguments against were found convincing by approximately half of respondents. Majorities of Republicans found them convincing but less than the majorities of Republicans that found the pro arguments convincing.A The argument that US involvement risks escalation to nuclear conflict with Russia was found convincing by 46% (Republicans 55%, Democrats 33%, independents 58%). The argument that Europe is perfectly capable of handling the problem itself and that this conflict isn't going to collapse the world order was found convincing by 52% (Republicans 63%, Democrats 36%, independents 63%). "Overwhelming bipartisan majorities of Americans agree that it is critical for the US to help uphold the international law against cross-border aggression, even in the face of the risk of escalating to nuclear war," commented Steven Kull, director of PPC. "While Republicans and independents are responsive to the arguments that the Europeans should take care of the problem, and that the nuclear risks are high, in the end they come out in favor of US involvement."A A Respondents were also asked about the US providing humanitarian aid, including food, shelter and funds for critical infrastructure repair. A bipartisan eight-in-ten were in favor, including 92% of Democrats, 72% of Republicans and 73% of independents. The survey was fielded online June 15-28, 2023 with a probability-based national sample of 2,445 registered voters provided by Nielsen Scarborough from its larger sample, which is recruited by telephone and mail from a random sample of households. The margin of error is +/- 2%. Download Full Report Questionnaire with Frequencies Try the Policmaking Simulation Slides with Findings Source: https://publicconsultation.org/ukraine/large-bipartisan-majority-approves-us-military-aid-to-ukraine/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US may intensify Ukraine conflict during 2024 vote: Russian MP Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 11:28 AM The US might heighten the raging Ukrainian conflict during its 2024 presidential elections in efforts by both dominant political parties to win votes, says a top Russian legislator, predicting "a terrible if not catastrophic event." "If one of the parties feels that it needs to escalate the situation in Ukraine in order to gain more votes in the elections, it will do so," Deputy Speaker of Russia's Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Konstantin Kosachev said in an interview with a local media outlet as quoted by TASS news agency. "This is a very dangerous situation, because the Americans are not afraid to use foreign policy in their inter-party rivalry," he added. He further predicted that the next US presidential election might develop into "a terrible, if not catastrophic event," noting that "I can't guarantee that there will be an escalation, but the risk is obvious to me." The unpredictability of American behavior will increase and the tail may start wagging the dog again," the senior Russian lawmaker went on to emphasize in response to a question about the impact of the US presidential poll on the raging conflict. According to Kosachev, further escalation of the military conflict with the use of Heavier types of weapons could increase the likelihood of nuclear use, saying: "Fortunately, we have not yet reached that threshold. However, there is a risk of approaching it." He also said that in 2022 Washington persuaded Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky to pull out of peace talks with Russia, and Kiev has no plans to return to the path of negotiations. "President Zelensky banned himself and all other Ukrainian authorities from engaging in such talks. This is, of course, a decision made by the United States. They most likely have the ability to reverse their decision. But I have not yet seen such intentions," Kosachev noted. Kosachev's remarks echoed similar warnings of a nuclear war by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev warned on Sunday that Moscow would have to use a nuclear weapon if Kiev attempted to take a part of the motherland. Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council - a body chaired by Putin - said on social media that to defend the country against foreign aggression the Kremlin would be left with "no other option". Zelensky, meanwhile, claimed on Sunday that Ukraine's military forces were getting stronger and attacks on Russian territory were an "inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process." "Today is the 522nd day of the so-called 'Special Military Operation', which the Russian leadership thought would last a couple of weeks," he said in a video address from the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia - to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," he so claimed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says Ukraine drone attack struck a police station, caused no casualties Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 10:53 AM Russia has reported another Ukrainian drone attack in a border region, striking a police station but causing no casualties. "Ukrainian forces attacked the district of Trubchevsky at night," said Governor Alexander Bogomaz of Russia's western Bryansk region in a post on his official Telegram channel on Monday. "A drone hit the police station in this district. There are no victims," the official added, noting that the windows and roof of the building were damaged. The overnight drone strike in Bryansk came just a day after Russian authorities reported shooting down or suppressing with electronic warfare multiple Ukrainian drones that had separately targeted the country's capital of Moscow and the Crimea Peninsula. Russia on Sunday said the drones that targeted Moscow slightly damaged two office buildings in the capital and briefly shut an international airport. Images from the scene showed that several windows have been damaged at the corner of the buildings, with debris scattered on the ground below. In a statement, the Russian defense ministry said Ukraine's "attempted terrorist attack" had been "thwarted". The defense ministry added there had been no injuries in the attack. Moscow is about 500 kilometers from the border with Ukraine and has been targeted several times. A drone attack on the Kremlin in May was described as an attempt on President Vladimir Putin's life. Kiev denied carrying out the drone attack on the Kremlin. Russian officials have repeatedly slammed Ukraine's drone attacks on Moscow which have been largely repelled. Russia's foreign ministry has blamed the US and its NATO allies for providing Kiev with arms for such attacks. Russia has warned the West against arming Kiev's "Nazi" regime with weapons, saying it would only add to the losses. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: Talks with US 'guarantee to win' war with Russia Iran Press TV Monday, 31 July 2023 9:41 AM A Ukrainian presidential aide has declared upcoming talks between Kiev and Washington aimed at obtaining "the most reliable security guarantee" that ensures Kiev's "ability to win" its war with Moscow prior to gaining NATO membership. The arrangements will include "clearly defined forms and mechanisms of support," said Andrey Ermak, an aide to Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky, during a press briefing on Sunday, claiming that Kiev expects the guarantees to ensure Ukraine's "ability to win" the conflict with Moscow and contain "Russian aggression" in the future. Saying that the "negotiations" are expected to commence "as early as next week," Ermak further described the security arrangements as a temporary measure until Ukraine joins the US-led NATO military alliance, referring to the yet-to-be worked out deal as "the most reliable security guarantee." The presidential aide also boasted that the set of measures, which he said will be outlined in a future bilateral agreement between Kiev and Washington, will involve military and financial assistance for Ukraine, as well as "sanctions and punishment for the aggressor." The incredible claims by Zelensky's aide come amid Kiev's persisting battlefield defeats and huge losses in its widely publicized counteroffensives against Russian forces as well as its failure to secure NATO membership in a recent summit of the military alliance. Many member nations openly expressed annoyance at Kiev's demanding attitude after being denied NATO membership despite receiving tens of billions of dollars worth of military and financial aid from them. Ermak further asserted that agreements with the US and other Western nations will be based on the joint declaration issued by Ukraine and the G7 nations in Vilnius last month, claiming that more than a dozen other nations had already joined the declaration - though he did not identify any of them. Ukrainian media, however, have reported that the deal reached by Kiev and the G7 member nations does not involve any specific support mechanisms, but is merely "framework" agreements. This is while Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly explained to Washington and Kiev's other Westerner backers that "ensuring one nation's security should not pose a threat to another nation's security." "As for Ukraine's NATO membership, we have repeatedly stated that it creates a threat to Russia's security," the Russian leader said earlier this month, adding that NATO's eastward encroachment was one of two main reasons prompting Moscow to launch a special military operation in Ukraine in late February 2022. Meanwhile, Putin said on Saturday in response to African leaders' call for a ceasefire that the offensive launched by Kiev had made a cessation of hostilities "virtually impossible" "There are things that are virtually impossible to implement, like a ceasefire - but Ukraine is advancing, they're on a strategic offensive, how do we hold our fire when they're advancing on us?" Putin told reporters. "This can only be a bilateral initiative. But the [African] initiative in my opinion can become the foundation of certain processes towards a peaceful resolution, just like China's initiative, there's no competition or contradiction here," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Orders Tech Support for Abrams Tanks Used by Ukraine - Pentagon Sputnik News 20230731 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Army has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) an almost $34 million contract extension to provide technical support for Abrams Main Battle Tanks including those provided to Ukraine, the Department of Defense announced in a release. "General Dynamics Land Systems [of] Sterling Heights, Michigan was awarded a $33,845,103 modification ...contract for Abrams system technical support," the release said on Monday. Work on the technical support program will be performed in Sterling Heights in the US state of Michigan over the next 17 months with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2024, the release said. "Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army; research, development, test, and evaluation, Army; and Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds in the amount of $33,845,102 were obligated at the time of the award," the Defense Department said. Work on the support program will be overseen by the US Army Contracting Command based in Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, the release added. The latest comes as US media earlier reported that Abrams tanks were expected to arrive in Ukraine in September, after spending a month in refurbishment in nearby Germany. An estimated 31 tanks are due to be forked over once training for Ukrainian troops and refurbishment procedures are being Prior to the latest report, the Biden White House had only earlier detailed that the Abrams tanks would arrive in Ukraine later in the year, around the fall months. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian FM Claims Ukraine, Croatia Agree to Use Croatian Ports for Grain Transit Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has reached an agreement with Croatia to use the country's ports on the Danube River and in the Adriatic Sea for the transit of Ukrainian grain after the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday. "We have agreed on the possibility of using Croatian ports on the Danube and the Adriatic for the transportation of Ukrainian grain. Now we will work out the most effective routes to these ports and make full use of this option," Kuleba stated after a meeting with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman during the latter's visit to Ukraine. The minister also mentioned that he had discussed with Grlic-Radman Croatia's further support for Ukraine. The parties have agreed on concrete arrangements, which will be implemented soon, Kuleba added. On July 18, the Turkiye- and UN-mediated Black Sea Grain Initiative, which provided for a humanitarian corridor to allow exports of Ukrainian grain over the past year, expired, as Russia did not renew its participation in the deal. Moscow emphasized that the deal's component on facilitating Russian grain and fertilizer exports had not been fulfilled, specifically with regard to reconnecting Russian banks to SWIFT and unblocking the Tolyatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline. On July 18, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which provided for a humanitarian corridor to allow exports of Ukrainian grain over the past year, expired, as Russia did not extend its participation. Moscow has been consistently critical of the fact that the deal's provisions pertaining to Russia had not been fulfilled. The Russian Defense Ministry has said it would consider all ships sailing in the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports as potential military cargo carriers starting July 20, while countries under whose flags such vessels travel would be regarded as involved in the conflict on Kiev's side. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Receives $1.25Bln in US Grant Funds for Paying Wages, Social Assistance Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has received a new grant from the United States worth $1.25 billion to reimburse state budget expenses, including wages for state employees and social benefits, the Ukrainian Finance Ministry said on Monday. "The State Budget of Ukraine received a grant from the United States of America in the amount of USD 1.25 billion through the Multi-donor Trust Fund of the World Bank," the ministry said in a statement. The grant was provided as part of the fifth additional financing under the World Bank's Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE in Ukraine) project, which seeks to partially cover state budget expenditures, including for social and humanitarian purposes. "The involved grant funding will be aimed at reimbursing state budget expenditures, in particular, to pay wages for government employees and payments under certain state social assistance programs (IDPs [internally displaced persons], people with disabilities, low-income families and housing, utility subsidies) and other social payments," the ministry said. Ukraine has received $8.45 billion in US grants to support the state budget in 2023 alone, while as much as $20.4 billion has been disbursed since February 2022. Last week, the chairwoman of the Ukrainian parliament's budget committee, Roksolana Pidlasa, said the state budget received $25.3 billion from international partners in 2023, accounting for 49.1% of all state budget revenues. Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said in May that the country's budget has been running a deficit of about $5 billion a month since the military conflict began, with two-thirds of the money coming from foreign loans and grants and three-quarters spent on military needs. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Counteroffensive Fails, Special Military Operation to Continue - Kremlin Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine's counteroffensive is unsuccessful in all directions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding that Russia will continue its special military operation. "The Kiev regime has no successes. Moreover, the Kiev regime is in a very, very difficult situation. The special military operation continues. It is obvious that the counteroffensive is not working out the way it was intended in Kiev," Peskov told reporters. The spokesman called NATO's multi-billlion resources spent on Ukraine "ineffective and pointless". ""The multibillion-dollar resources that were transferred by NATO countries to the Kiev regime are actually spent inefficiently, spent pointlessly, and this also raises big questions for Western capitals, and great discomfort for taxpayers in Western capitals," Peskov said. According to Peskov, at the moment it is impossible to agree on a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. "There are no prerequisites for this," Peskov said. The United States' policy on Ukraine contradicts international norms and leads towards deteriorating security in Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "This is contrary to a very important principle in international law and will only lead to a further deterioration of the security situation on the European continent," Peskov told reporters, adding that the US policy also goes sideways with the understanding of indivisibility of security. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, has said that Ukraine plans to start talks on bilateral security guarantees with the US next week. Moscow calls for restoration of the rule of law in Niger as soon as possible, urging conflicting parties to show restraint, Kremlin spokesman said. "As regards the Kremlin, we are monitoring this [the situation in Niger] especially given that together with African partners we were very engaged with developments in Africa last week. And of course, the situation there causes major concern and it was concerning for all participants of the [Russia-Africa] summit. We are calling for restoration of the rule of law in the country as soon as possible, we are calling for restraint from all parties so that it will not lead to victims," Peskov told reporters when asked about armed mutiny in Niger. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has initiated making a statement on Ukraine following the Russia-Africa summit last week, and Moscow prepared the draft and transferred it to the South African delegation, Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov has said that a short statement on Ukraine is being prepared and will be published after coordination. "Indeed, there was an understanding that some, let's say, the main parameters of the discussion that took place were enshrined in a joint statement in writing, this is not a signed document. And since Mr. Ramaphosa is the organizer of this initiative, the Russian side prepared its own draft of such a statement, which was handed over to the South African delegation before their departure from St. Petersburg, as soon as there is a joint understanding and the text is agreed upon, the South African side will publish it," Peskov told reporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold a phone conversation on Wednesday, Peskov said, adding that there are no news regarding Putin's possible visit to Turkey. "No, nothing has changed since the day before yesterday, when President Putin answered this question. Indeed, the phone conversation, as Putin said, is planned for Wednesday," Peskov told reporters. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Over 20,000 Soldiers During Battles in July - Shoigu Sputnik News 20230731 Ukraine launched its much-touted counteroffensive in early June after repeatedly delaying the campaign over a lack of military supplies from its Western donors. Ukraine lost 20,824 soldiers and 2,227 pieces of military equipment during battles in July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday. "Over the past month, as a result of the successful activities of our troops, the losses of the enemy amounted to more than 20,800 servicemen, to be exact, 20,824 people, and 2,227 pieces of various weapons," Shoigu told military officials, adding that Kiev lost 10 Leopard tanks. He specified that among the equipment lost by Kiev were 10 Leopard tanks, 11 US Bradley BMPs, 40 US M777 artillery systems and 50 self-propelled artillery systems from Britain, the US, Germany, France and Poland. "It is obvious that the supplied Western weapons do not lead to successes on the battlefield, but only prolong the military conflict," the minister added. Russian armed forces are active in all directions in the area of the special military operation in Ukraine, focusing on weakening combat capabilities of Ukraine, Shoigu said. "The joint group of forces is continuing to conduct active operations in all directions, focusing on weakening combat capabilities of the enemy," the minister said at a meeting with the defense ministry's leadership. The Ukrainian troops lost 400 soldiers and 63 pieces of equipment in the Orekhove direction on July 26-27, Sergei Shoigu said. Shoigu mentioned that Russia thwarted Ukraine's large-scale attempt to break through defense lines in this direction. "Only in two days, July 26-27, in the area of aathe village of Rabotyne, more than 400 Ukrainian military personnel, 31 tanks, including three German Leopards, two French [tanks], and 32 armored combat vehicles were destroyed. A total of 63 armored vehicles [were destroyed]," Shoigu said at a defense meeting. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four Killed, Ten Wounded in Ukrainian Shelling of Donetsk Sputnik News 20230731 Earlier, Donetsk Mayor Aleksey Kulemzin said that the central Voroshilovsky district of Donetsk was shelled by Ukrainian troops on Monday morning. At least four people have been killed and 10 more injured in a shelling of Donetsk, the Donetsk People's Republic's (DPR) representative office in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes said in a statement. "The DPR office in JCCC has received the information on civilian casualties as of 12:00 p.m. [local time, 09:00 GMT], July 31. According to preliminary data ... two people have died [in the Voroshylovskyi distict of Doneskt]. 10 more people have been injured ... In the Kuibyshevskyi district ... a woman has died," the office wrote on Telegram. Earlier in the day, Donetsk Mayor Aleksey Kulemzin said that as a result of the shelling of the city center by Ukrainian forces, one person was killed and three wounded. "As a result of shelling of the Voroshilovsky district, a shuttle bus and two passenger cars have caught fire. There are victims. Details are being clarified," Kulemzin wrote on his Telegram channel. Ukrainian troops fired 18 shells at Donetsk, Makeyevka and Gorlovka, the DPR representative office at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of Issues Related to Ukrainian War Crimes reported. At 6:20 a.m., four 155-millimeter shells were fired at Makeyevka. Gorlovka was bombarded by Ukrainian forces at 7:00, struck by four 152-mm caliber projectiles, the DPR representative office added. Artillery of 155 mm caliber is used by NATO countries. The United States supplied Ukraine with long-range M777 155 mm howitzers, which Ukrainian troops are actively using to shell the cities of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Prevent Attempts by Ukrainian Troops to Conduct Reconnaissance-in-Force Sputnik News 20230731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Units of the Russian "Vostok" Group of Forces have prevented two attempts by Ukrainian troops to conduct reconnaissance-in-force in the Zaporozhye direction, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Sputnik. "In the Zaporozhye direction, the motorized rifle subunits of the group thwarted an enemy attempt to conduct reconnaissance-in-force in the area north of Priyutnoye. Having suffered losses in manpower, the enemy retreated. To the east of the village of Rabotino, the Armed Forces of Ukraine also made an attempt to conduct reconnaissance-in-force. During the fire impact, the militants, having suffered losses, retreated," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that Russian bombers, attack aircraft and helicopters targeted the points of temporary deployment of Ukrainian troops, accumulations of manpower and equipment, in three other areas. In the past 24 hours, units of the Russian "Vostok" group of forces destroyed a Leopard tank, several infantry fighting vehicles, an M777 howitzer and an electronic warfare station of Ukrainian troops in the Zaporozhye direction, the defense ministry spokesperson told Sputnik. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address To protect the lives of Ukrainians, our military must have enough long-range weapons - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 31 July 2023 - 21:12 Dear Ukrainians! Today at 7 p.m., the rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih on the site of the Russian missile strike was completed. It was two Iskander missiles. Ballistic missiles against a residential building. In one entrance, floors 4 through 9 were destroyed. Just against civilians, ordinary people, children. This is terrorism, which no one in the world will call otherwise. As of now, six people are known to have been killed, including a child, a girl, her name was Darya. She was only ten years old... Her mother died with her, her name was Nataliya... An ordinary family in an ordinary city whose lives were destroyed by Russian murderers. My condolences to all those who lost their loved ones... 69 people were injured. Dozens are now in hospitals. Some of them are in serious condition. Everyone is being provided with the necessary assistance. And I thank everyone who is fighting for people's lives! The rescue operation was difficult. Parts of the building structure were falling. There was a fire on the fourth floor. In total, more than 350 employees of the State Emergency Service, police, and utilities were involved in the rescue. Volunteers also helped. I am grateful to everyone! Today I would like to especially mention the following employees of the State Emergency Service for the rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih: Lieutenant Vadym Kuchkurda, Junior Sergeant Volodymyr Hembichner, Petty Officer Viktor Ilika and Deputy Commander of the State Paramilitary Mining Rescue Detachment Serhiy Bytsko. Police officers: Lieutenant Colonel Mykola Harmash and Captain Roman Bondarchuk. Doctors: Vladyslav Voloshyn and Kostiantyn Isaychenkov. National Guardsmen: Sergeant Andriy Holovin, Captain Denys Tereshchenko. Utility workers Serhiy Dmytriyev and Andriy Shayda. Volunteers: Larysa Sydorenko and Viktoria Tretiak. Thank you! It is very important when we all defend lives together and help overcome Russian terror! According to preliminary data from our military, these two missiles were fired at Kryvyi Rih from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, from the area of Dzhankoy. And this proves again and again that for the safety of our cities, for the protection of the normal life of Ukrainians and our children, our military must have enough long-range weapons, enough means to defeat terrorists. The world's sanctions pressure against Russia deserves a significant increase. And now there is more and more open information, including investigations by journalists, about how a terrorist state circumvents global sanctions and obtains critical components for weapons production. And, by the way, we have repeatedly provided such information to our partners in a classified regime. We must act together. Significantly strengthen sanctions for terror. Significantly limit the channels of delivery of critical components for missile production to Russia. And we must respond with determination - determination to supply Ukraine with the necessary modern weapons, including long-range missiles, so that we can remove this terrorist threat that Russia is creating against our people, against our children. Today, Russian savages also shelled Kherson. They used artillery. A police officer was killed. My condolences. Nine people were wounded, including a child and four volunteers of the City of Power NGO... Despite any Russian terror, despite any attempts by Russia to blackmail the world, our collective strength - of everyone in the world who values life - is enough to overcome evil. Not only can we defeat the terrorist state, but we can also ensure that justice prevails. When all those responsible for terror are held accountable. But for this we need to increase our cooperation and pressure on the aggressor every day, every week, every month. And I thank everyone in the world who is doing just that! I thank everyone who defends freedom and humanity together with Ukraine! And, of course, our warriors. Bakhmut. The whole of Donbas, Orikhiv and all our southern positions, the border, and everyone who keeps the regions of our country calm. Our defenders of the sky. Thank you, our heroes! We are working on new weapons for you! Together we are bringing victory closer! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Brazil and President Lula da Silva could help implement one of the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula President of Ukraine 31 July 2023 - 17:46 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy notes that Brazil and President Lula da Silva could do a lot to end the war in Ukraine, in particular, help implement one of the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The Head of State said this in an interview with a journalist from Globo. "I know that President Lula and the Brazilian society support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that Brazil must be a party to the implementation of the Peace Formula proposed by Ukraine, in particular the implementation of the paragraph on global food security, because helping our country export agricultural products also means helping other countries that suffer from food shortages and may be on the verge of starvation. The President of Ukraine also believes that Brazil and its leader could help our country in the humanitarian sphere. For example, with special equipment for de-mining territories so that Ukrainian farmers would not be afraid to die in their fields while growing and harvesting crops. "I believe that today President Lula should use all his capabilities to bring peace closer. Every leader is responsible for whether there is a war in the world or not," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Head of State said he would like to meet with his Brazilian counterpart. In his opinion, it is important for the President and the people of Brazil to hear him personally and receive truthful information about the events in our country. "Then the relations between our countries will only get better and stronger. I am sure our peoples are absolutely interested in this," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added. According to the Head of State, the position of Brazil and other Latin American countries is very important for Ukraine today. According to him, President Lula da Silva could play a leading role in organizing a multilateral meeting between Ukraine and Latin American leaders so that they could learn more about our country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Latest in Ukraine: Russia Strikes String of Ukrainian Towns By VOA News July 31, 2023 Latest developments: Croatia allocated $1.1 million for the demining of Ukrainian agricultural lands, Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Monday. Britain added new sanctions Monday against Russia, targeting judges and officials involved in the trial of political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. A British-Russian citizen, Kara-Murza lost his appeal Monday of his 25-year jail sentence for treason and for spreading "false information" about Russia's war in Ukraine, the RIA state news agency reported. He was arrested two months after the war began just hours after CNN broadcast an interview with him in which he said Russia was run by "a regime of murderers." judges and officials involved in the trial of political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. A British-Russian citizen, Kara-Murza lost his appeal Monday of his 25-year jail sentence for treason and for spreading "false information" about Russia's war in Ukraine, the RIA state news agency reported. He was arrested two months after the war began just hours after CNN broadcast an interview with him in which he said Russia was run by "a regime of murderers." Ukraine's birth rate was 28% lower in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2021, marking the biggest decline since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the Ukrainian data analytics website Opendatabot reports. Ukraine's Defense Ministry signed an agreement with Turkish company Baykar to build a service center for the repair and maintenance of drones in Ukraine, a ministry official said on Monday. Russian attacks on Ukrainian towns have left a trail of dead and injured, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stress Ukraine's need for long-range weapons. At least six people were killed by two Russian missiles that hit the city of Kryvyi Rih in southern Ukraine, Zelenskyy's hometown, Ukrainian officials said Monday. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak announced a day of mourning in the city, saying that among the dead were a 10-year-old girl and her mother. Seventy-five others were wounded, including six children ages 4 to 17 years. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the missiles hit an apartment building and a university building. At the damaged residential building, nearly 150 of the building's residents managed to get out by themselves, and 30 were helped by rescuers, the governor said. During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said preliminary data show that the two missiles were fired at Kryvyi Rih from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, from the area of Dzhankoy. "This proves again and again that for the safety of our cities, for the protection of the normal life of Ukrainians and our children, our military must have enough long-range weapons, enough means to defeat terrorists. The world's sanctions pressure against Russia deserves a significant increase," he said. "This is already a kind of genocidal everyday reality ... Kryvyi Rih," Zelenskyy's adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "International law will never work if the aggressor does not see a real power behind it. The power begins with closing the Ukrainian skies with missile defense and air defense systems," he added. Russian strikes in Kherson Oblast killed four people and wounded 17 others on Monday, among them a 16-year-old girl. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said that one of the people killed, as well as six of those injured, were working at a utility company when it came under fire. Five others injured were volunteers. Later Monday, Russian forces launched another attack against the city, targeting the Korabel district, while another attack on the city of Beryslav killed another man. Prokudin said the intense shelling is due to Russia replenishing its forces on the east bank of the Dnipro River. Ukraine drone attacks The United States is not encouraging or enabling attacks inside Russia, White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby told CNN on Monday. His comments came after several hostile drones hit the heart of Moscow in recent months. There has not been any major damage or deaths in those attacks, but a senior Ukrainian official said last week that there would be more such attacks to follow. Three Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow on Sunday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, which called the strikes an "attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime." This was the fourth such strike on Russia's capital region this month and the third this week, revealing Moscow's vulnerability as Russia's war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month. Two of the drones struck the capital's financial district. A skyscraper was damaged, and a security guard there was injured, Russia's state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials. Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency reported the building's tenants included several government agencies. There was no extensive damage, but the attack on the Moskva-Citi business district several miles west of the Kremlin has caused nervousness among employers and employees there, who felt the war's reach to Russia's nerve center. Tech giant Yandex, which has offices around the Russian capital including in Moskva-Citi, asked employees to vacate offices at night when strikes on the Russian capital have tended to occur. Flights were suspended at Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport while the airspace over Moscow and outlying regions was temporarily closed. Ukrainian officials did not acknowledge the attacks, but Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia a to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process." A Ukrainian air force spokesperson also did not claim responsibility but said the Russian people were reaping the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine. Peace summit U.S. government officials will attend a Ukraine summit in Saudi Arabia, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced during a briefing on Monday, saying that he could not provide more details. The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major developing countries to the high-level talks. Saudi Arabia's summit is reportedly scheduled to be held in Jeddah over the weekend to discuss implementation of Zelenskyy's peace plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for an end to the "irrational" war in Ukraine and urged the upcoming peace talks in the Middle East to include representation from both Ukraine and Russia. Lopez Obrador said Mexico would only participate in the peace talks if both sides were present. The Mexican president has tried to keep his country neutral in the war, though his government has backed some major U.N. resolutions against Russia. Mexico has refused to send arms to Ukraine and has not imposed sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin said Monday it would "follow" the meeting but did not currently see conditions for peace talks with Kyiv. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy's presidential office, said Sunday the summit would bring together national security advisers for talks that follow an initial round held in Copenhagen in June. Yermak said Ukraine is "working hard to involve as many partners as possible from the West and the Global South." He did not confirm a date for the summit, but The Wall Street Journal reported it would take place August 5-6 and involve 30 countries. The Associated Press cited officials saying the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa would participate. "The Ukrainian Peace Formula contains 10 fundamental points, the implementation of which will not only ensure peace for Ukraine, but also create mechanisms to counter future conflicts in the world," Yermak said in a statement. "We are deeply convinced that the Ukrainian peace plan should be taken as a basis, because the war is taking place on our land." Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Croatia supports UN project to demine and release productive agricultural land in Ukraine World Food Programme 31 July 2023 KYIV -- The Government of Croatia donated a1 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today to help farmers and food producers resume work in regions most affected by explosive remnants of war. The agreement was signed by Gordan GrliA Radman, Foreign Minister of Croatia, and Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Country Director in Ukraine, in the presence of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko. The a1 million contribution is Croatia's largest ever donation to the UN World Food Programme. The funds will support a collaborative project led jointly by the UN World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in conjunction with WFP's partner for mine action, the Fondation suisse de dAminage (FSD). The project aims to survey productive agricultural land for the presence of mines and other explosives, demine it where necessary, and release it safely to restore food production and support the livelihoods of rural communities. The project will also extend support to farmers in rehabilitating soils and re-establishing their agricultural production once the lands are deemed safe. The work is already underway in Kharkivska oblast with plans to expand to Mykolaivska and Khersonska oblasts. The project is designed and implemented in close coordination with the Government of Ukraine as well as local authorities to ensure complementarity in action and directly support the Government's demining efforts. "The Ukrainian government has identified demining as one of the five key priorities for the country's rapid recovery, as it concerns the safety of people, restoration of fully operational agricultural enterprises, and the establishment of food supply chains," said First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. "We are actively collaborating with our international partners to launch a humanitarian demining market in Ukraine, procure specialized equipment, train deminers, certify private demining operators, and establish local production. We highly value the support of partners who provide donor and international technical assistance for demining projects in Ukraine, particularly Croatia, which possesses significant demining expertise. The funds raised under the joint Memorandum with Croatia and the UN partners will be used for surveying and clearing contaminated lands, which potentially amount to 174,000 square kilometres in Ukraine," the First Deputy Prime Minister added. "This meeting marks a significant milestone as we have just signed a crucial agreement with the World Food Programme to implement a demining project in Ukraine, aimed at revitalizing food systems and local livelihoods in conflict-affected areas" said Gordan GrliA Radman, Foreign Minister of Croatia. "During our meeting, we emphasized the critical importance of mine action in restarting economic and social activities in Ukraine. Understanding the pressing need to address the challenges posed by mines and explosive remnants of war, we reiterate our dedication to working hand in hand to bring about positive change in the affected regions", the Minister added. "We are deeply grateful to count the Government of Croatia as one of our key partners on this project," said Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Country Director in Ukraine. "Croatia's experience in conducting successful, large scale demining operations makes it a proven leader in humanitarian demining and an invaluable partner to help release land for Ukraine's farmers, who desperately want to resume work and feed their families and communities", Hollingworth added. The war has damaged Ukraine's agriculture and food production, disrupted supply chains and exports, increased production costs, and caused widespread mine contamination. According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, published in February 2023, Ukraine's production of grain and oilseeds decreased by 37 percent in 2022. Croatia will host the International Donor Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine on the 11th and 12th of October in Zagreb. The conference will be a platform to mobilize additional international support and resources for demining initiatives in Ukraine. WFP is in Ukraine to provide food and cash assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war, and works closely with farmers, bakeries and other actors to restore or sustain food production and food systems. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) between March 1, 2020 and July 26, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). A class action has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 26, 2023 in the securities class action commenced by the Firm. SO WHAT: If you purchased AT&T securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the AT&T class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17730 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 26, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) AT&T owns cables around the country that are highly toxic due to their being wrapped in lead, and which harm Company employees and non-employees alike; (2) it faces potentially significant litigation risk, regulatory risk, and reputational harm as a result of its ownership of these lead-covered cables and the health risks stemming from their presence around the United States; (3) it was warned about the damage and risks presented by these cables but did not disclose them as a potential threat to employee safety or to everyday people and communities; and (4) as a result, Defendants statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the AT&T class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17730 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm. Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firms attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40thFloor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com New York, NY, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Print is dead. Or is it? Last year, No.3 Media decided it was time to bring print back to life, and they wanted to use blockchain to do it. Mark, the founder of No.3, teamed up with Patrick from Agami Co., Sarah at TokenPr, and a host of other advisors to bring print to the era of Web3. This weekend web3 insiders got the first sneak peak of the premier issue at the CryptosRUs party in Las Vegas. Many attendees of the event were also featured in the magazine including Brian D. Evans, George Tung, Jett Tang, executive producer of The Next Crypto Gem, BeNFT, Flux, Rick Dugdale, and more. The event was a who's who in crypto and the first issue was received with rave reviews. GeN3 Magazine While the focus always was and is, a medium to tell the story of Web3, the original concept has become a blockchain beast. The first issue will feature well-known brands like Animocas Mocaverse, Club3, Gala Games, and Vulcan Forged. With a focus on content with long term relevance to the crypto cultural movement, GeN3 Magazine aims to serve more or less as a time capsule of the technology as it evolves. Each issue will feature traditional and digital artists using emerging technologies to engage the community with their work, Lifestyle pieces on crypto clubs or destinations, industry changes that are taking place, and professional advice for those working or interested in the Web3 world. New technologies that have long-lasting potential for positive change will be another crucial focus. GeN3 Magazine Image 2 For the first cover, we chose Brian D. Evans of BDE.ventures. His networking abilities have landed him in several unique positions in the Web3 world. Brian D. Evans not only serves as an advisor on multiple projects, but he also is a regular keynote speaker at conferences, a judge on The Next Crypto Gem TV series, and an active player in the NFT and crypto communities. Many have pointed out that print media cannot keep up with digital news with the fast pace that the market changes and technology advances. GeN3 Magazine is not building itself up to be another breaking news crypto site. While the brand will expand into GeN3 Media with more digital options available, the revolution that is taking place in finance, decentralization, and blockchain technology is world changing and deserves to be documented and encapsulated for all to witness. What better way to share the movement and help the rest of the world catch on, than to return to the familiar and trusted feel of print. But this wont be the magazine of the 90s we all remember. In order to tell the story of Web3, people need to experience the power of it. GeN3 magazine will showcase multiple interactive features that will be expanded upon with each issue. The first issue features secure QR code technology from Flowcode throughout the issue that allows users to move from physical print to digital content from their mobile phones. Looking ahead to Issue 2, the magazine will feature Agami Cos NFC chip technology embedded in each copy. Not only does the chip verify the authenticity of the magazine with a simple scan of a smartphone, but it also has the ability to unlock multiple features and benefits for magazine holders. As the magazine takes root, holders will eventually get exclusive access to partner brands and discounts, first launches, whitelists, and more. One of the highlights of issue 1 of GeN3 magazine is the 40 under 40 list highlighting Web3 leaders and innovators. This first list was carefully curated behind the scenes to highlight the talent in the industry, and show a wide selection of individuals working to move the space forward. Developers, artists, influencers, advisors, investors, executives, and more populate the list to provide the public with a snapshot of the breadth of Web3. A host of new advisors and investors have joined up since the project first started. Oliver Blakey from Ascensive Assets, George Tung from CryptosRus, and Fund Manager Sami Rusani have all come on board to bring the story of Web3 to life. With a dedicated and well-known team of advisors ready to see this project through, GeN3 Magazine is well situated to become Web3s premier magazine. Most of the population of the world does not understand what is taking place in the world of crypto. Mainstream media highlights scam and fraud as the main narrative of Web3 and magic internet money is still the bulk of their understanding. This is a space many could get behind, if only they understood it. GeN3 is on a mission to change that narrative and share the intricate world of innovation and ownership. By offering a visual and easy to digest print Magazine, the goal is to not only help the world understand Web3 but get excited about it. The glossy, perfect bound issue will have a limited print run with an exclusive number of collectible versions of the magazine available to the public. Interested readers can put their name on the list at gen3mag.com and will then be one of the first to be notified when the option to purchase an issue goes live. Visit their twitter @number3mag to stay on top of all the latest updates. Source: Mark Barnard, GeN3 Magazine New York, NY Media Contact: sarah@tokenpr.com Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. TOKYO, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FLUED Inc. (FLUED) announced that it has reached the platinum tier of HubSpots Solutions Partner Program, joining just six other Platinum-tiered partners in Japan, which makes them the seventh in Japan. HubSpot, a leading CRM platform for scaling companies, works hand-in-hand with partner experts to grow their businesses through inbound software, services, and support. The Solutions Partner Program is an ecosystem of experts that offer marketing, sales, customer service, web design, CRM, and IT services. Its a global community that believes putting customers first is the key to growth, and enables its members to offer a wide breadth of more sophisticated solutions across the entire customer experience. Over the past year, FLUED has grown its business by incorporating inbound strategies to attract, engage, and delight customers. FLUED is one of a small number of expert groups specialized in B2B marketing/sales in Japan. In 2019 FLUED became a HubSpot partner, gold partner in 2020, and has now attained the level of Platinum partner. As of April 2023, there are only 7 Platinum or higher-ranking partners in Japan. Notable milestones and achievements include: Offering tools that automate data migration from other CRMs such as Salesforce and ZOHO. Building operations by combining B2B marketing/sales tools from in and out of the country that can integrate with HubSpot. Utilizing high expertise and working knowledge of marketing and sales activities, FLUED proposes appropriate operations and data maintenance methods. In B2B marketing and sales areas, we are able to provide a wide range of support for both online and offline measures, which has built trust with customers. With our strong partnership with HubSpot, we will continue to be dedicated to consulting areas such as strategy formulation and planning, to BPO and practical operations such as production, operation, and agency. says Soh Matsunaga, CEO of FLUED. As an expert group of B2B marketing and sales, we provide project participation type of support. This project-participation type of support and HubSpot's range of services go very well together.I believe that it is a major reason why we were able to reach the platinum tier of HubSpot's Solutions Partner Program this time because it meets the needs of the times. We will continue to support our clients in solving their problems through both B2B marketing and sales. Our mission at HubSpot is to help millions grow better, and we are extremely fortunate to have solutions partners like FLUED who share this goal," said Brian Garvey, VP, Solutions Partner Program, HubSpot. "Through their hard work and unwavering commitment to customers, FLUED has helped global B2B companies with specialized marketing and sales professionals successfully make an impact in the Japanese region. Im thrilled to welcome FLUED and their entire team to the platinum tier of the Solutions Partner Program. About HubSpot HubSpot provides a cloud-based CRM (customer relationship management) platform that supports the growth of companies with products and services that combine "ease of use" and "advanced functionality". HubSpot's CRM platform includes products for marketing, sales, customer service, operations, website management and supports the practice of the idea of "inbound" which grow your own business by attracting, building trust, and satisfying customers. It enables to expand flexibly according to the needs of growth phase of each company and is currently installed in about 177,000 companies in more than 120 countries around the world. https://www.hubspot.com/ About FLUED FLUED was established in 2019 as a group of experts in B2B marketing and sales. We run a project participation type of support by a group of experts to solve problems of Japanese companies that are behind in sales digital transformation. We provide a wide range of support, from consulting areas such as strategy formulation and planning, to BPO and practical operations such as production, operation, and agency. Other services provided by FLUED In addition to HubSpot implementation/utilization support, we also provide the following services. ABM target definition / list creation Customer journey design CRM / MA / SFA design / construction / establishment WEB / LP / B2B-EC production Web advertisement (Google/FB, etc.) operation Article content / video production Inside sales agency Sales training / sales enablement Webinar / exhibition lead acquisition Construction of B2B marketing organization Contact Information FLUED Inc. Soh Matsunaga, CEO sohmatsunaga@flued.jp Address: Ark Hills South Tower 16F, 1-4-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo URL: https://flued.jp/en/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flued-inc/ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d8ff09f9-5930-4c37-9168-8fdeb7fc765b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f40737b-d412-4200-8185-493999f6c997 Westford, USA, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, aluminum cans market is experiencing robust growth, primarily fueled by the escalating consumption of packaged and processed food & beverages worldwide. As the demand for convenience and shelf-stable products rises, metal cans have emerged as a popular choice for packaging due to their ability to preserve the quality and freshness of various food and beverage items. Browse in-depth TOC on the "Aluminum Cans Market" Pages - 157 Tables - 65 Figures 75 Aluminum cans have undoubtedly become a staple in the packaging of the aluminum cans market. Their widespread usage can be attributed to the numerous advantages they offer. Particularly, aluminum cans provide an efficient and convenient means of transporting food products and liquids, ensuring their preservation and maintaining their quality and taste over an extended period. Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/aluminum-cans-market Prominent Players in the Aluminum Cans Market Ball Corporation Crown Holdings Inc. Ardagh Group S.A. Norsk Hydro ASA CPMC Holdings Limited Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. Can-Pack S.A. Jamestrong Packaging Silgan Holdings Inc. Hulamin Containers Ltd. ORG Packaging Co., Ltd. ShengXing Group Co. Ltd. Tetra Pak International S.A. GZ Industries Kian Joo Group Trivium Packaging Tata Steel Europe Ltd. Envases Universales de Mexico China Metal Packaging Group Co., Ltd. Alcoa Corporation Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/aluminum-cans-market Food & Beverage Segment is Expected to Grow the Market Due to the Rising Packaging Options The food & beverage segment boasting the largest market share in the aluminum cans market and showcasing immense potential for growth during the forecast period. Aluminum cans have emerged as the preferred choice for various popular beverages among the different packaging options available. The markets in North America has emerged as a leader, capturing the maximum revenue share of 32.4% in aluminum cans market. The region's commanding position is expected to persist throughout the forecast timeframe from 2023 to 2030. 201-450ml Segment is Expected to Grow the Market Due to Numerous Advantages that Aluminum Cans Offer 201-450ml segment has emerged as the leader, boasting the largest market share in the aluminum cans market. This segment is witnessing a remarkable surge in popularity, with more companies preparing to venture into the domain of aluminum-packaged water dominated by renowned players such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The appeal lies in the numerous advantages of aluminium cans, making them a preferred choice for consumers and producers alike. Regional markets in the Asia Pacific are poised to showcase unparalleled growth, with an impressive revenue CAGR of 6.6% projected during the forecast period from 2023 to 2030 in the aluminum cans market. This substantial surge in market performance is attributed to the unwavering support from significant economies within the region, most notably China and Japan. A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the aluminum cans market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/aluminum-cans-market Key Developments in the Aluminum Cans Market French Water Company Evian unveiled its "Evian Sparkling" drink in 2022, now available in aluminum cans and bottles made entirely from recycled PET plastic. This significant stride aligns with the brand's commitment made in 2018 to adopt more environmentally friendly packaging practices and transform into a circular brand by 2025. Recently, Ball Corporation a renowned supplier of aluminum packaging, took a similar path by offering spring water in aluminum beverage cans under its household brand Responsible Water. Using aluminum cans ensures that the pure water remains untainted by external elements, as they effectively shield the content from light and heat exposure, preserving the water's freshness and quality. Key Questions Answered in Aluminum Cans Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence. In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Plastic Decking Market Global Antimicrobial Packaging Market Global Retort Packaging Market Global Flexible Glass Market Global Wax Emulsion Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (1 August 2023) IMCD N.V. (IMCD or Company), a global leading distribution partner, formulator of speciality chemicals and ingredients, and solutions provider, today announces that it signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Sachs Chemical, Inc. (Sachs). Sachs strong industry reputation, close customer relationships and customized solutions for the pharmaceuticals industry are an excellent fit with IMCD, said Fernando J. Espinosa, Jr., LATAM North Managing Director, IMCD. Puerto Rico is an important production location for the major US-based pharmaceuticals customers, and this acquisition is an important step to accelerate IMCDs growth in the region. Sachs has operated in Puerto Rico since 1986. In 2015, the business expanded to Costa Rica, supplying to the advanced materials markets. Headquartered in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico, Sachs generated a revenue of approximately USD $50 million in 2022. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified, has strategically located warehouses in Puerto Rico; plus a newly constructed state-of-the-art warehouse and facility in San Jose, Costa Rica to serve the Central American markets. IMCD welcomes Sachs 38 employees to its local organization. Sachs Chemical has been a beacon of innovation and customer service in the region for nearly four decades, said Michelle Ortega, Operations Manager, Sachs Chemical. The opportunity to become part of IMCDs worldwide presence is a catalyst for further growth. With our shared corporate values and customer first mentality, we look forward to providing our customers in the region with a comprehensive approach to meet their needs. IMCD entered the Puerto Rican pharmaceuticals market in 2016. The acquisition of Sachs marks the entitys first purchase since IMCD Puerto Rico was established. It demonstrates a firm intention of business development in the pharmaceuticals industry in the LATAM region. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to take place in August 2023. Attached, the full press release in pdf format, the main visual and the photo caption. Attachments Bedford, Mass., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conagen, the bioplatform innovator and biomanufacturer, and Sumitomo Chemical, Japan's leading chemical company, have announced to jointly develop p-hydroxystyrene (HS) and its polymer, poly p-hydroxystyrene (PHS), using a combination of biosynthesis, chemosynthesis, and polymerization. The monomer and the polymer are 100% renewable carbon, marking a new era of sustainable production. Developing PHS using a combination of biosynthesis, chemosynthesis, and polymerization represents a significant breakthrough in sustainable material production. Efforts to reduce reliance on petroleum and transition towards renewable and sustainable alternatives have gained momentum in recent years. With renewable biomass as the starting material, this joint devolvement between Conagen and Sumitomo Chemical creates an environmentally friendly and cost-effective product. The partnership is in the lead position of active global initiatives to reduce petroleum-based products' consumption and environmental impact. This partnership represents a significant milestone in developing sustainable materials, and this approach to PHS production is expected to reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional chemical synthesis methods. It is a crucial step towards more sustainable manufacturing processes with a positive impact. The Conagen-Sumitomo partnership leverages Conagen's expertise in microbial strain design and development with Sumitomo Chemical's proficiency in chemical production and commercialization. The collaboration aims to create a platform that enables the production of sustainable chemicals to replace petrochemicals in an extended range of many applications. PHS is used to produce polymers, resins, and other chemicals. The monomer HS can also be used as an input for the synthesis of other substances, such as pharmaceuticals and fragrances. The applications of HS and PHS are limitless and can span uses from electronics to personal care and other consumer products. This partnership represents a significant step forward in pursuing green chemicals for sustainable material production," said J. McNamara, Ph.D., V.P. of chemical applications at Conagen. "Our commitment is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of combining our technologies with synthetic and polymer chemistries to create innovative, sustainable solutions that can significantly reduce petroleum-based products in the environment," McNamara stated. Together, were marking a new era of carbon-neutral material production efforts." The monomer HS, with the chemical formula C 8 H 8 O, is a derivative of styrene in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to the aromatic ring's para position (carbon atom 4). The HS and PHS are examples of green chemistry for minimizing waste, reducing hazardous chemicals, and using catalysts that can be easily separated and reused. This joint development project promises to potentially pave the way for developing novel renewable and sustainable materials. Similar technology can be used to produce other key chemical ingredients by fermentation at industrial scale, such as cinnamic acid, monohydroxy-benzoic acid, and dihydroxy-benzoic acid, said McNamara. ### About Conagen Conagen is making the impossible possible. It is a product-focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large-scale manufacturing service capabilities. Its proprietary strain development, fermentation, and scale-up technologies enhance our partners' sales, production, and profitability across a broad spectrum of current and developing markets in food, beverage, nutrition, flavor and fragrance, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials. About Sumitomo Chemical Sumitomo Chemical is Japan's leading chemical company, with a global presence in the chemicals, petrochemicals, and plastics industries. The company is committed to sustainability and has a product portfolio contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Top of Form Attachments VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the previously announced purchase (the Transaction) of an additional mineral license contiguous to the northern border of its Robinsons River Salt Property in Newfoundland and Labrador (the Mineral License) from Galloper Gold Corp. (Galloper). The Company paid C$162,800 in cash and issued 750,000 common shares of the Company (Vortex Shares) to Galloper in connection with the closing of the Transaction. In addition, subject to the terms of the property purchase agreement with respect to the Transaction, the Company has agreed to (i) issue an additional 1,000,000 Vortex Shares to Galloper in the event that the Company completes a drill hole on the Mineral License which intersects a core length of at least 300 meters with an average grade of at least 90% Sodium Chloride and (ii) issue an additional 3,000,000 Vortex Shares and pay an additional C$1,000,000 to Galloper if the Company utilizes, on a commercial basis, any salt caverns on the Mineral License for underground energy storage (collectively, the Milestones). Paul Sparkes, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, Combining the Robinsons River Salt Property with the Mineral License will create synergies of scale and we believe will improve the exploration potential of the Robinsons River Salt Property. We are thrilled to be in a position to unlock exciting new exploration opportunities and are focused on continuing to make progress at the Robinsons River Salt Property. All Vortex Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction are subject to an eighteen-month contractual escrow arrangement, during which time, subject to customary exceptions, such Vortex Shares may not be traded without the prior approval of the Company. The Vortex Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction will be released from the escrow arrangement in three equal tranches: one-third will be released after six-months, a further one-third after twelve-months and the remaining one-third after eighteen-months. In addition, all Vortex Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction shall be subject to a statutory four-month hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. Galloper has also agreed to customary orderly sale provisions with respect to sales by Galloper of any Vortex Shares issued to Galloper in respect of the achievement of the Milestones, pursuant to which Galloper is required to give prior notice of a proposed sale of such Vortex Shares to the Company and to allow the Company a period of time to organize a buyer for such Vortex Shares. About Vortex Energy Corp. Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project located approximately 35 linear km south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador covering over 17,000 hectares. Leveraging the Robinson River Salt Project, the Company is also exploring the development of technologies to efficiently store green Hydrogen in Salt Caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Paul Sparkes Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 819-0164 info@vortexenergycorp.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the effects of the Transaction on the Company, including that the Transaction will improve the exploration potential of the Robinsons River Salt Property; and the prospectivity of the Mineral License for salt. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the acquisition of the Mineral License will improve the exploration potential of the Robinsons River Salt Property by adding additional property containing salt mineralization to the Companys portfolio. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors and risks include: that the acquisition of the Mineral License will not result in the anticipated benefits to the Company, including as a result of the Mineral License not containing salt mineralization which compliments the salt mineralization at the Robinsons River Salt Property; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that the geology or mineralization of nearby projects may not be indicative of the geology or mineralization of the Mineral License; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; and such other factors and risks as are identified in the Companys public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/baeb62d5-dd57-4a1a-bed2-f0c76ff68932 Significant Intercept: 386 m of 0.66% Cu, including 196 m of 0.99% Cu (Hole GTK2320) TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McEwen Copper Inc., 52% owned by McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX), today reports additional assay results of the recently completed drilling season at its Los Azules project, located in San Juan, Argentina. These assay results include significant copper values over wide intercepts and demonstrate very good agreement between these new assay results and those predicted by the resource block model used in the 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment, said Rob McEwen, Chairman & Chief Owner. Los Azules is a large copper porphyry deposit with growth potential, it has many features comparable to world-class copper-gold deposits in South America and its depth and lateral extent have yet to be determined. Infill drilling serves several purposes, including providing better data density to increase confidence in the mineral resources, along with providing material and data for metallurgical, geotechnical, and hydrological studies. Table 1 provides an overview of the new assay results. This infill drilling has been designed to upgrade the copper resource estimate classification from Inferred to Measured or Indicated. Highlights Hole GTK2320 intercepted an Enriched zone of 386 meters (m) grading 0.66% Cu (est. true thickness) and includes a sub-interval of 196 m grading 0.99% Cu . (Figure 2) intercepted an Enriched zone of grading (est. true thickness) and includes a sub-interval of grading . (Figure 2) Hole GTK2319 intercepted an Enriched zone of 383.5 m grading 0.50% Cu (est. true thickness) and includes a sub-interval of 120 m grading 0.67% Cu . (Figure 3) intercepted an Enriched zone of grading (est. true thickness) and includes a sub-interval of grading . (Figure 3) Hole AZ23237 intercepted an Enriched zone of 308 m grading 0.69% Cu (est. true thickness) and includes a sub-interval of 142 m grading 0.82% Cu . (Figure 4) intercepted an Enriched zone of grading (est. true thickness) and includes a sub-interval of grading . (Figure 4) Hole AZ23233 returned an Enriched zone of 374 m grading 0.50% Cu including an Enriched zone intercept of 206 m grading 0.65% Cu. (Figure 5) This recently completed phase of drilling occurred between October 2022 and June 2023 and used up to 15 rigs to complete 39,900 m of drilling in 138 holes, to evaluate geotechnical, hydrological, resource and exploration-related parameters and opportunities. The Los Azules drill hole database now totals 126,000 m. To test the performance of the resource model copper grades versus actual drilling results, some 30 infill holes completed subsequent to the data cut-off on December 31, 2022, for the updated PEA model (released June 20, 2023) were utilized. The length-weighted average grade of the new drilling was 0.553% Cu compared to a resource model prediction of 0.515% Cu. This limited test of the resource models predictive capacity is encouraging, with actual grades 7.5% higher than the model prediction. Over time, we anticipate the local sensitivity of the models predictive capacity to improve, as drilling increases the geologic confidence required to delineate a Measured and Indicated mineral resource estimate. Table 1 - Los Azules Drilling Results, May-June 2023 Hole-ID Section Predominant Mineral Zone From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu % Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Comment GTK2320 44 Total 126.0 515.0 389.0 0.65 0.05 1.94 Enriched 126.0 512.0 386.0 0.66 0.05 1.95 Incl. 196m of 0.99% Cu Primary 512.0 515.0 3.0 0.16 0.01 0.96 GTK2319 46 Total 110.5 507.4 396.9 0.49 0.07 1.62 Enriched 110.5 494.0 383.5 0.50 0.07 1.64 Incl. 120m of 0.67% Cu Primary 494.0 507.4 13.4 0.24 0.04 1.09 AZ23237 48 Total 110.0 446.0 336.0 0.66 0.07 1.86 Enriched 110.0 418.0 308.0 0.69 0.07 1.86 Incl. 142m of 0.82% Cu Primary 418.0 446.0 28.0 0.37 0.09 1.82 Incl. 10m of 0.44% Cu AZ23233 50 Total 70.0 510.0 440.0 0.47 0.06 1.93 Enriched 70.0 444.0 374.0 0.50 0.07 1.99 Incl. 206m of 0.65% Cu Primary 444.0 510.0 66.0 0.35 0.05 1.62 AZ23236 52 Total 88.0 417.7 329.7 0.23 0.01 0.83 Enriched 88.0 374.0 286.0 0.23 0.01 0.87 Incl. 12m of 0.56% Cu Primary 374.0 417.7 43.7 0.22 0.00 0.58 AZ23225 65 Total 60.0 900.7 840.7 0.24 0.03 1.74 Enriched 60.0 206.0 146.0 0.32 0.06 2.06 Incl. 16m of 0.51% Cu Primary 206.0 900.7 694.7 0.22 0.03 1.67 AZ23231 71 Total 48.0 701.0 653.0 0.10 0.01 0.59 Enriched 48.0 288.0 240.0 0.07 0.01 0.84 Primary 288.0 701.0 413.0 0.12 0.01 0.44 Description of Results Figure 1 shows a plan view of 2023 PEA mineable Indicated and Inferred resources, with pit wall shown as a black trace at surface and gray shading. Drill holes and cross-section locations relevant to todays release are also shown. The drilling results are summarized on four schematic cross sections that include interpretations of Overburden, Leached, Enriched (also called Supergene) and Primary (also called Hypogene) mineral zones. The green line on each section indicates the wall of the Base Case 27-year pit outline according to the updated PEA. Adjacent cross sections occur every 50 m, with the lowest section numbers located at the southern end of the field and increasing northwards. Figure 1 Cross Sections and Recent Drill Holes on the 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit Plan Figure 2 - Section 44 - Drilling, Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking North) Hole GTK2320, shown in the center of Figure 2, has been added to section 44 to infill a 200 m gap in drilling between holes AZ23218 and AZ22170. The hole returned an Enriched zone intercept higher than either of those holes, with 386 m of 0.66% Cu, including a sub-interval of 196 m of 0.99% Cu. Overall, the cross section is characterized by a 200-300 m flat-lying Enriched zone located immediately below a thin Leached zone horizon. Locally, the significant vertical extent exceeding 350 m reflects the favorable structural environment commonly found in the core of the deposit. Figure 3 - Section 46 - Drilling, Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking North) Hole GTK2319, shown on section 46 in Figure 3, returned outstanding Enriched zone results of 383.5 m grading 0.50% Cu, including a sub-interval of 120 m grading 0.67% Cu. The hole highlights changes to grade and width toward the flank of the deposit. The mineralization and lithology are consistent with the previously released drilled hole AZ17126, which supports our view that continuity within the deposit is very good. Figure 4 - Section 48 - Drilling, Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking North) Hole AZ23237 shown on section 48 in Figure 4, highlights a 308 m Enriched zone intercept grading 0.69% Cu, including a 142 m intercept of 0.82% Cu. The grade has increased toward the center of the section compared to hole AZ22161 immediately to the east. This is consistent with the overall trend of increasing grade from the flanks of the deposit toward its center. Figure 5 - Section 50 - Drilling, Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking North) Hole AZ23233 shown on section 50 in Figure 5 intersected 374 m of Enriched zone mineralization grading 0.50% Cu and includes a 206 m section of 0.65% Cu. Mineralization continues at depth where the Primary zone was intersected over 66 m grading 0.35% Cu. Technical information The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen McGibbon, P. Geo., McEwen Mining's Senior Consulting Geologist, and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. All samples were collected in accordance with generally accepted industry standards. Drill core samples, usually taken at 2 m intervals, were split and submitted to the Alex Stewart International laboratory located in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, for the following assays: gold determination using fire fusion assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy finish (Au4-30); a 39 multi-element suite using ICP-OES analysis (ICP-AR 39); copper content determination using a sequential copper analysis (Cu-Sequential LM-140). An additional 19-element analysis (ICP-ORE) was performed for samples with high sulphide content. The company conducts a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program in accordance with NI 43-101 and industry best practices using a combination of standards and blanks on approximately one out of every 25 samples. Results are monitored as final certificates are received, and any re-assay requests are sent back immediately. Pulp and preparation sample analyses are also performed as part of the QAQC process. Approximately 5% of the sample pulps are sent to a secondary laboratory for control purposes. In addition, the laboratory performs its own internal QAQC checks, with results made available on certificates for Company review. Link to drill results, locations and lengths of drill hole collars corresponding to June 2023 at Los Azules: https://www.mcewenmining.com/files/doc_news/archive/2023/2023_07LA/2023_06_DrillResults_LA.xls Link to drill results, locations and lengths of drill hole collars corresponding to the October 2022 to June 2023 drilling campaign at Los Azules: https://www.mcewenmining.com/files/doc_news/archive/2023/2023_07LA/2022_10-2023_06_DrillResults_LA-2.xls Table 2 Hole Locations and Lengths for Los Azules Drilling Results HOLE-ID Azimuth Dip Length Loc X Loc Y Loc Z GTK2320 70 -73 515.0 2383040 6559496 3628 GTK2319 62 -78 507.4 2383242 6559676 3637 AZ23225 250 -75 900.7 2382804 6560524 3615 AZ23233 250 -77 510.0 2383158 6559861 3628 AZ23236 250 -70 417.7 2382596 6559760 3614 AZ23237 250 -81 446.0 2383225 6559776 3633 AZ23231 70 -75 701.0 2382671 6560817 3647 Coordinates listed in Table 2 based on Gauss Kruger - POSGAR 94 Zone 2 ABOUT MCEWEN COPPER McEwen Copper is a well-funded, private company which owns 100% of the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project, located in San Juan province, Argentina. McEwen Copper is a 52% owned private subsidiary of McEwen Mining, which has the ticker MUX on NYSE and TSX. Los Azules is being designed to be distinctly different from a conventional copper mine, consuming significantly less water, emitting much lower carbon and progressing to be carbon neutral by 2038, being powered by 100% renewable energy sources once in operation. It recently released an updated PEA (preliminary economic assessment) which projects a long life of mine, low production cost/lb, short payback period, high annual copper production and a 21.2% after-tax IRR. ABOUT MCEWEN MINING McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. In addition, it has significant exposure to copper through its 52% ownership of McEwen Copper. The Companys goal is to improve productivity and extend the life of its mines with the objective of increasing its share value and price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the company of US$220 million. His annual salary is US$1. CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements and information expressed, as at the date of this news release, McEwen Mining Inc.'s (the "Company") estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs as to future events and results. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results or future events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, political, economic, social and security risks associated with foreign operations, the ability of the corporation to receive or receive in a timely manner permits or other approvals required in connection with operations, risks associated with the construction of mining operations and commencement of production and the projected costs thereof, risks related to litigation, the state of the capital markets, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral resources and reserves, and other risks. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information included herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption "Risk Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements and information made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement. The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by the management of McEwen Mining Inc. Want News Fast? Subscribe to our email list by clicking here: https://www.mcewenmining.com/contact-us/#section=followUs and receive news as it happens!! WEB SITE SOCIAL MEDIA www.mcewenmining.com McEwen Mining Facebook: facebook.com/mcewenmining LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mcewen-mining-inc- CONTACT INFORMATION Twitter: twitter.com/mcewenmining 150 King Street West Instagram: instagram.com/mcewenmining Suite 2800, PO Box 24 Toronto, ON, Canada McEwen Copper Facebook: facebook.com/ mcewencopper M5H 1J9 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mcewencopper Twitter: twitter.com/mcewencopper Relationship with Investors: Instagram: instagram.com/mcewencopper (866)-441-0690 - Toll free line (647)-258-0395 Rob McEwen Facebook: facebook.com/mcewenrob Mihaela Iancu ext. 320 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robert-mcewen-646ab24 info@mcewenmining.com Twitter: twitter.com/robmcewenmux Figures accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7ff30df-2e18-4978-8282-5c2bc3d3dd82 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c59ecf49-bc7d-4a2b-9039-a9c7bc97ed61 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76996122-4240-48df-9acc-9649142de2c0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/830d3aad-f281-4eb9-b2d3-e3d02db18918 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8cb4998-281f-47f8-a15e-3af8e7aa976b Rio Tinto Exploration Canada has signed two (2) Option to Joint Venture Agreements with Azimut Exploration Inc. for its Kaanaayaa and Corvet lithium properties Azimuts Kaanaayaa and Corvet properties border Victorys Lac Block and Riviere Block directly to the east and south respectively (Figure 1) Victorys Stingray array of properties includes 347 claims, totalling 17,792 hectares on ground adjacent to Patriot Battery Metals, (TSXV: PMET), Corvette Property Declared The Largest Lithium Pegmatite Resource in the Americas on 30 July 20232 VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA (1 August 2023) Victory Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: VR) (FWB: VR61) (OTC: VRCFF) (Victory or the Company) is excited to share that Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. has just signed two (2) Option to Joint Venture Agreements with Azimut Exploration (TSX.V: AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF) for Azimuts Kaanaayaa and Corvet lithium properties, situated directly to the east and south of Victorys Lac Block and Riviere Block (Fig.1), for up to C$115.7 MILLION.1 Figure 1: Victorys Stingray Property Blocks in Relation to Azimuts Corvet and Kaanaayaa Properties Option to Joint Venture with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. Victory CEO and Director, Mr. Mark Ireton commented: The Rio Tinto Exploration / Azimut Exploration options to joint venture represent a significant advance in the direct area of Victorys Stingray claims. Our exploration team is finalizing a comprehensive phase one work program for Stingray, the details for which we will be able to announce in short order. We are highly encouraged by Patriot Battery Metals announcement of the largest Lithium Pegmatite Resource in the Americas on 30 July 2023 for its Corvette Property, directly to the north of Victorys Stingray array of properties - and pleased that Canada, in particular Quebec, is being recognized globally as a major player in the EV revolution, specifically in this prolific area in which we have substantial and well-placed ground. About the James Bay Lithium District The James Bay Region of Quebec is composed of the Superior Province. This Archean craton has been deformed by various orogens over time and contains gold, lithium, copper, zinc, and silver mineralization. CV5, Corvette Property, James Bay, Quebec, Spodumene Pegmatite is firmly established as the largest lithium pegmatite mineral resource in the Americas and the 8th largest globally. 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O and 160 ppm Ta2O5 inferred, (0.40% Li2O cut-off grade). Based on 163 core holes totalling 56,385 m.2 The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Helgi Sigurgeirson, Victory Geologist, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. 1https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1471-tsx-venture/azm/144587-azimut-and-rio-tinto-sign-agreements-for-the-corvet-and-kaanaayaa-lithium-properties-james-bay-region-quebec.html 2 https://patriotbatterymetals.com/patriot-announces-the-largest-lithium-pegmatite-resource-in-the-americas-at-cv5-corvette-property-quebec-canada/ For further information, please contact: Mark Ireton, President Telephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653) E-mail: info@victorybatterymetals.com About Victory Battery Metals Corp. VICTORY BATTERY METALS CORP. (CSE: VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV:WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to report additional drill results from its Phase 1 exploration program on its 100% owned Rowan Property located in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern, Ontario, Canada. Results from Hole RLG-23-149B, most notably 50.52 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) over 4.0 metres (m), was one of the best intercepts ever drilled on the Rowan Property. Based on the success of the current exploration campaign, the 2023 drill program has been expanded from 17,000m to 25,000m. HIGHLIGHTS: Hole RLG-23-149B Intersected 4.0m @ 50.52 g/t Au, from 299m to 303m, Including 0.5m @ 371.08 g/t Au, from 302m to 302.5m. Hole RLG-23-150 Intersected 4.2m @ 15.40 g/t Au, from 384m to 388.2m, Including 1.0m @ 63.76 g/t Au, from 386.1m to 387.1m. Hole RLG-23-152 Intersected 4.2m @ 10.41 g/t Au, from 344.95m to 349.15m, Including 0.5m @ 78.97 g/t Au, from 348.15m to 348.65m. Drilling at the Rowan Mine target continues to deliver intercepts with exceptional gold grades over significant widths that demonstrate the potential for being amenable to traditional underground mining methods. Baseline environmental and archaeological studies initiated to begin progressing Rowan Mine Target to Advanced Exploration Permit status. Shane Williams, President & CEO, stated, The Rowan Mine target continues to deliver spectacular results with every hole drilled. Our team is very encouraged not only by the exceptional grades we are seeing come out of Rowan, but also the overall thickness in a few of the intercepts which suggests very real potential for a future underground mining scenario. Based on the positive results we have seen so far in 2023, we have decided to expand the drilling program from 17,000m to 25,000m further demonstrating our commitment to exploration and an aggressive growth strategy in the Red Lake Mining District which includes not only Madsen, but all of our high-priority regional targets. This strategy will allow us to maximize value across our portfolio of Red Lake Assets and take full advantage of the future optionality that could be provided by a hub-and-spoke mining operation. The high-grade mineralized vein zones encountered at the Rowan Mine target area (the Rowan Mine Target) continue to exceed expectations, confirm the geologic model, and further improve the existing high-grade (9.2 g/t Au) 827,462 ounce Inferred Mineral Resource at the Rowan Mine. Sections for the Rowan Mine drilling outlined in this release are provided in Figures 1 through 6. High resolution versions of all the figures contained in this press release can be found at the following web address: https://westredlakegold.com/august-1st-news-release-maps/. A total of 34 diamond drill holes for 9,183m have been completed so far in 2023 at the Rowan Mine target area. Fire and metallic screen assays have been returned for 21 out of 31 holes completed, with 3 holes having partial assay results and 8 holes pending assays and QAQC. TABLE 1. Significant intercepts (>4 g/t Au) from drilling at Rowan Mine Target. Hole ID Target Zone From (m) To (m) Thick (m)* Au (g/t) RLG-23-148 Rowan Mine V102 209.00 211.90 2.90 4.06 Incl. Rowan Mine V102 211.40 211.90 0.50 12.64 AND Rowan Mine V102 222.00 222.50 0.50 5.04 AND Rowan Mine V102 245.00 246.50 1.50 5.09 Incl. Rowan Mine V102 246.00 246.50 0.50 14.62 AND Rowan Mine V101 (hw)* 300.65 301.15 0.50 7.40 AND Rowan Mine V101 313.20 313.70 0.50 8.06 AND Rowan Mine V100 368.00 369.00 1.00 7.34 RLG-23-149B Rowan Mine V103 207.00 209.10 2.10 5.71 Incl. Rowan Mine V103 208.50 209.10 0.60 11.12 AND Rowan Mine V102 219.00 220.00 1.00 4.84 AND Rowan Mine V102 243.00 244.00 1.00 6.98 Incl. Rowan Mine V102 243.00 243.50 0.50 13.78 AND Rowan Mine V102 (fw)* 284.00 285.00 1.00 5.42 AND Rowan Mine V101 299.00 303.00 4.00 50.52 Incl. Rowan Mine V101 299.00 300.00 1.00 15.72 Also Incl Rowan Mine V101 302.00 302.50 0.50 371.08 RLG-23-150 Rowan Mine V102 245.80 247.00 1.20 4.44 AND Rowan Mine V102 280.00 281.00 1.00 5.94 AND Rowan Mine V101 384.00 388.20 4.20 15.40 Incl. Rowan Mine V101 386.10 387.10 1.00 63.76 RLG-23-151 Rowan Mine V103 201.00 203.00 2.00 4.73 Incl. Rowan Mine V103 201.00 202.00 1.00 9.11 AND Rowan Mine V102 227.00 227.50 0.50 5.55 RLG-23-152 Rowan Mine V102 261.50 262.60 1.10 5.02 Incl. Rowan Mine V102 261.50 262.00 0.50 10.54 AND Rowan Mine V101 (hw)* 300.00 304.00 4.00 6.84 Incl. Rowan Mine V101 (hw)* 301.00 301.50 0.50 51.40 AND Rowan Mine V101 344.95 349.15 4.20 10.41 Incl. Rowan Mine V101 348.15 348.65 0.50 78.97 *The From-To intervals in Table 1 are denoting overall downhole length of the intercept. True thickness has not been calculated for these intercepts but is expected to be 70% of downhole thickness based on intercept angles observed in the drill core. Composite intervals do not cross sample boundaries < 0.1 g/t Au. Under Zone column, (hw) is indicating hanging wall to and (fw) is indicating footwall to main vein zones. A total of 17,000m of infill and expansion drilling was originally proposed for the Rowan Mine target in 2023. Based on the positive results received to date, the program has been expanded to 25,000m and is expected to be completed by year end 2023. The additional drill meters will be used to continue de-risking the Rowan Mine resource, and test the growth potential down-plunge on the highest-grade portions of the resource. Current drilling at Rowan has only tested mineralization down to a depth of approximately 550m. All of the high-grade zones still remain open below this vertical depth. The Red Lake Mining District is known to host orebodies that extend down to +4km depth, which bodes well for the down-plunge growth potential at Rowan. It is the Companys belief that potential synergies could exist between high-grade resources at the Rowan Mine target area and Madsen. Early indications suggest that the gold mineralization at Rowan could be amenable to gravity separation. The Company has initiated a metallurgical study at Rowan to begin evaluating this potential opportunity, as well as a geotechnical study to better characterize the rock mass properties within the mineralized vein zones at Rowan. In conjunction with infill and expansion drilling, the Company is also initiating the necessary baseline environmental and archaeological assessments to begin moving the project towards an Advanced Exploration Permit status. Those studies will include the following: Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment; Surface Water, Aquatic Ecosystems, Country Foods and Geochemistry Studies; Subsurface Water and Hydrologic Studies; and Fish Habitat, Terrestrial Vegetation, and Terrestrial Wildlife & Habitat Assessments. FIGURE 1. Deposit-scale plan map of Rowan Mine Target area showing traces and intercepts for holes highlighted in this News Release. TABLE 2: Drill collar summary for holes reported in this News Release. Hole ID Target Easting Northing Elev (m) Length (m) Azimuth Dip RLG-23-148 Rowan Mine 422051 5657752 380 435 0 -53 RLG-23-149B Rowan Mine 422051 5657752 380 390 355 -54 RLG-23-150 Rowan Mine 422051 5657752 380 483 4 -58 RLG-23-151 Rowan Mine 422171 5657799 365 387 355 -64 RLG-23-152 Rowan Mine 422171 5657799 365 384 340 -60 DISCUSSION The Rowan Mine Target consists of more than seven sub-parallel, near-vertical, east-west trending veins that are currently defined over a strike length of approximately 1.1 kilometre (km) mineralization remains open along strike and at depth. The orientation of the veins at the Rowan Mine tend to follow the direction of D2 deformation, which is oriented in an east-west direction over this part of the property. Individual mineralized vein zones usually average 1.0 to 1.5m in thickness, with an overall thickness of the Rowan vein corridor at around 115m. Gold mineralization is typically localized within quartz-carbonate veins hosted within and along the footwall margin of a porphyritic felsic intrusive, with increased grades often associated with the presence of visible gold and base metal sulphides (e.g. galena, sphalerite). High-grade dilation zones or ore chutes along the Rowan vein trend have been recognized as important controls for localizing thicker and higher-grade zones of gold mineralization. The position and geometry of these dilation zones is well understood at Rowan. The drilling completed at the Rowan Mine Target in 2023 has been focused on validating historical data across the Inferred Resource, and also infilling apparent gaps in the analytical data set which was a product of very selective sampling techniques implemented during previous drilling campaigns. Assay results received from the 2023 drilling program continue to confirm our thesis that quartz veining and gold mineralization continue at depth and along strike, with grades consistent with, or higher than those outlined in the current Inferred Mineral Resource which remains open in all directions. For example, the 100 Vein Zone - which is the furthest north vein currently modeled within the overall Rowan vein corridor - was previously interpreted to be a lower grade portion of the block model. Recent drilling has confirmed that higher grades are present within the 100 Vein Zone below 150m elevation, suggesting that gold grades are increasing at depth within this zone which is a trend that has been observed elsewhere in the Red Lake district. Drilling at the Rowan Mine Target area will continue with an emphasis on infill and expansion of the existing high-grade mineral resource. FIGURE 2. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-148, RLG-23-149B and RLG-23-150[1]. ____________________________ 1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com. FIGURE 3. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-151 and RLG-23-152[1]. ___________________________ 1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com. FIGURE 4. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 101 showing all intercepts > 3 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red[1]. ___________________________ 1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com. FIGURE 5. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 102 showing all intercepts > 3 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red[1]. ___________________________ 1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com. FIGURE 6. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 103 showing all intercepts >3 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red[1]. ___________________________ 1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL Drilling completed at the Rowan Property consists of oriented NQ-sized diamond drill core. All drill holes are systematically logged, photographed, and sampled by a trained geologist at WRLGs Mt. Jamie core processing facility. Minimum allowable sample length is 0.5m. Maximum allowable sample length is 1.5m. Standard reference materials and blanks are inserted at a targeted 5% insertion rate. The drill core is then cut lengthwise utilizing a diamond blade core saw along a line pre-selected by the geologist. To reduce sampling bias, the same side of drill core is sampled consistently utilizing the orientation line as reference. For those samples containing visible gold (VG), a trained geologist supervises the cutting/bagging of those samples, and ensures the core saw blade is cleaned with a dressing stone following the VG sample interval. Bagged samples are then sealed with zip ties and transported by WRLG personnel directly to SGS Natural Resources Facility in Red Lake, Ontario for assay. Samples are then prepped by SGS, which consists of drying at 105C and crushing to 75% passing 2mm. A riffle splitter is then utilized to produce a 500g course reject for archive. The remainder of the sample is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns from which 50g is analyzed by fire assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Samples returning gold values > 5 g/t Au are reanalyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50g sample. Samples with visible gold are also analyzed via metallic screen analysis (SGS code: GO_FAS50M). For multi-element analysis, samples are sent to SGSs facility in Burnaby, British Columbia and analyzed via four-acid digest with an atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish for 33-element analysis on 0.25g sample pulps (SGS code: GE_ICP40Q12). SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operates under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. West Red Lake Golds Rowan Property presently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Inferred Mineral Resource of 2,790,700 t at an average grade of 9.2 g/t Au containing 827,462 ounces of gold with a cut-off grade of 3.8 g/t Au (NI 43-101 Technical Report authored by John Kita, P.Eng., dated December 13, 2022 and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com). The Inferred Mineral Resource is located in the area of the historic underground Rowan Mine site and situated within a 1.8 km strike length portion of the regional scale Pipestone Bay St Paul Deformation Zone. The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines - Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit. ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD. Shane Williams Shane Williams President & Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Amandip Singh, VP Corporate Development Tel: 416-203-9181 Email: investors@westredlakegold.com or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws. Figures accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9cd4db62-4f97-4a2c-9fdd-7eda87fd3bd6 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b110bfe-9809-4d9a-af08-66273d1dc707 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1472d8ac-92d1-409a-96c8-baadde67da42 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c4da133-f3da-4258-9d8a-b111c2adeeec https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c166263d-cc2b-4d9b-9b50-6b1e8141622e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c06c8cf6-d415-4251-bd25-706ba7ed87ea https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9463a2b5-9e61-4b83-a891-bec5ad2c7d19 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective) is pleased to discuss the interpreted exposure level of its Princeton Project in southwest Princeton, British Columbia (the Flagship Project or the Project). The Project and its surrounding area boast a wealth of mineralized occurrences, documented as MINFILE occurrences in the provincial Assessment Report Index System. Many of these MINFILE occurrences document Gold and/or Platinum Palladium recovered in placer operations, potentially indicating the presence of alkalic Copper-Gold porphyry occurrences, the target of interest on the Project property. East of the Project, the Copper Mountain Intrusive Complex (CMIS) was intruded into Nicola Group host rocks. The CMIS consists of the zoned Copper Mountain Stock and the dioritic Voigt Stock, subsequently crosscut by the multiphase Lost Horse dykes of which the last two phases are associated with mineralization. Subsequent intrusion of the unmineralized Verde Stock and the Mine Dykes complete the simplified geology of the CMIS. Christopher Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Collective Metals, commented, The mineralization and geological setting at the Copper Mountain Mine is very well understood. This allows Collective to focus our efforts quickly on prospective areas that have similar geological structures and lithologies. Using this information, the team can begin testing with soil and rock samples this year so that we have an opportunity to begin drilling a number of targets in 2024. The Princeton Project, located approximately 10 km west of the Copper Mountain Intrusive Complex, shares remarkable similarities with its counterpart. The Whipsaw target on the Princeton Project showcases comparably small diorite intrusions hosting intimately associated pyroxenite intrusions, reminiscent of the diorite phase observed in the Copper Mountain Stock. Initially concealed by unmineralized Princeton Group rocks, glacial activity subsequently exposed a significant portion of the Nicola Group rocks and their associated intrusions on the Project, although to a lesser extent than in the Copper Mountain camp. Figure 1 Schematic representation comparing interpreted levels of exposure of the Copper Mountain Intrusive Complex (east of the Boundary Fault; right) with the Princeton Project (west of the fault; left). For diagrammatic purposes, an identical idealized representative intrusion is displayed for comparative purposes (from Goldcliff Resources, 2013). The Project area is geologically separated from the Copper Mountain camp by the regionally significant boundary, believed to juxtapose higher stratigraphic levels to the west against lower stratigraphic levels to the east. This interpretation suggests the equivalent level of exposure of the CMIS at Copper Mountain is present at depth on the Princeton Project (Fig. 1 above). Notably, a large, high intensity magnetic anomaly observed in the central and southern portion of the Project is interpreted to suggest a similar intrusive complex to that exposed at Copper Mountain. In support of this interpretation, several MINFILE occurrences within the Project area have been interpreted to exhibit porphyry-style alteration and/or mineralization. The Companys recent efforts have focused on identifying epidote-bearing samples, a style of alteration (propylitic) typically associated with porphyry deposits. Samples collected have been submitted to the Mineral Deposits Research Unit (MDRU) at the University of British Columbia for a Porphyry Vectoring study. Previously conducted ground geophysical surveys in the Trojan Condor corridor delineated several intriguing sub-surface anomalies, the most noteworthy being the Bolas and Condor anomalies. The Bolas and Eagle 3D Induced Polarization anomalies are spatially associated with the Trojan (092HSE267) and NEV MINFILE (092HSE112) occurrences. Of particular interest, the Condor anomaly extends from surface to a depth of at least 500 m. These surface showings, along with the spatially associated 3D IP / Magnetic anomalies represent potential targets for drill testing in 2024. The Trojan Condor corridor was the focus of initial mapping and rock sampling (see News Release dated June 1, 2023) and a subsequent, extensive soil sampling survey (see News Release dated June 15, 2023). Geochemical results from rock and soil sampling are pending. The Companys Flagship Project is easily accessible by road and is located immediately west of Highway 3 south of Princeton, BC, in a well-established mining district with excellent infrastructure, a local workforce and support services. The Project hosts potential for identification of one (or more) copper gold alkalic porphyry occurrences similar in age and deposit type to the Copper Mountain Mine. The Project is also approximately 10 km west of Copper Mountain Mining Corporations currently producing Copper Mountain Mine, which hosts a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 702 Mt of 0.24% Copper1. Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companys Qualified Person for the Princeton Property project, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101. The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Princeton Project. References 1 Copper Mountain Mine Life of Mine Plan and 65Kt/D Expansion Study Update NI 43-101 Report, Richard Klue, VP Technical Services, CMMC; Patrick Redmond, VP Exploration and Geoscience, CMMC; Luis Alberto Chang, VP Mining, CMMC; Berge Simonian, Director of Metallurgy, CMMC; Amaru Humala, Director of Mechanical Engineering, CMMC Scott Weston, VP Business Development and Strategy, Ausenco; August 1, 2022 About Collective Metals: Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3. The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares. Social Media Twitter @COMT_metals LinkedIn Collective Metals Inc Facebook Collective Metals Inc ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC. Christopher Huggins Chief Executive Officer T: 604-968-4844 E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: future plans regarding exploration of the Project including drilling. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae9be623-d054-44da-b629-bb48fb2cfd66. Dublin, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Loss Adjusters Industry Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides a detailed overview of the Loss Adjusters market worldwide and offers comprehensive individual analyses of the top 470 companies, including well-known entities such as 3A Konsult AB, Adestore, and Ajax Adjusters & Surveyors Pte. Ltd. The report covers essential areas within the loss adjusters industry, including claims adjustment, loss adjustment, risk and damage evaluation, and claims management. Additionally, it provides a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years, making it an invaluable resource for industry professionals. Key Insights: The report utilizes the publisher's exclusive methodology to assess financial ratings of companies in the loss adjusters market. Notably, 40 companies have a declining financial rating, while 62 have demonstrated good sales growth. Each of the largest 470 companies is meticulously scrutinized through an individual assessment, using the most up-to-date financial data. The comprehensive analysis includes a graphical assessment of a company's financial performance, a four-year assessment of profit/loss and balance sheet, and a written summary highlighting key performance issues. Moreover, the report provides a thorough 100-page market analysis, presenting the latest changes and trends in the Loss Adjusters market. Key Topics Covered: The report offers a definitive and accurate study of the Loss Adjusters sector. It is divided into two sections, utilizing both written and graphical analysis to examine the top 470 Loss Adjusters companies. The analysis includes Best Trading Partners, Sales Growth Analysis, Profit Analysis, Market Size, and Rankings. In the section focusing on company analysis, the report provides an in-depth assessment of the largest companies within the Loss Adjusters industry. Each business is analyzed using the publisher's model, resulting in the production of The Publisher's Chart. This chart graphically analyzes a company's financial well-being, providing valuable insights into its performance, investments, debt, and resource utilization. With access to full business names, addresses, directors' names and ages, and registration addresses, industry professionals can benchmark their own financial performance, identify market leaders, seek out attractive acquisitions, and gain a better understanding of industry trends. The "Global Loss Adjusters - Industry Report" is an essential tool for busy managers and decision-makers looking to stay informed about the financial welfare of their company, rivals, or potential acquisition targets. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lmw7xb About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Completed the acquisition of the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers Drug Mart business. Launch of Avicannas new medical cannabis care platform MyMedi.ca. TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avicanna Inc. (Avicanna or the Company) (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN) a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products is pleased to announce it has closed of the previously announced acquisition of the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers Business (Business) from Shoppers Drug Mart and pleased to announce the launch of an all-new medical cannabis care platform, MyMedi.ca. Today, MyMedi.ca, a medical cannabis care platform, has officially launched nationwide in Canada. The platform's features include: Medical Cannabis Marketplace: A diverse medical cannabis marketplace featuring approximately 200 unique products supplied by a network of 35 brands from various leading Canadian licensed producers. A diverse medical cannabis marketplace featuring approximately 200 unique products supplied by a network of 35 brands from various leading Canadian licensed producers. Pharmacist-Led Patient Care Services: Pharmacist-led fully bilingual (English and French) patient care service programs including pharmacovigilance, compassionate pricing, and insurance adjudication in compliance with standards established by private and public payers. Pharmacist-led fully bilingual (English and French) patient care service programs including pharmacovigilance, compassionate pricing, and insurance adjudication in compliance with standards established by private and public payers. Patient Education: Patient education programs and informational resources, including harm reduction strategies and risk mitigation. Patient education programs and informational resources, including harm reduction strategies and risk mitigation. Education for Healthcare Professionals: Medical education, training, and resources available to health care practitioners, hospitals, clinics, and institutions, along with potential collaboration opportunities, through the Companys Medical Affairs department We are pleased to have closed the acquisition of the Business from Shoppers Drug Mart and recognize this as a transformational milestone in the life of our Company. We would like to express our gratitude to the incredible network of collaborators who came together to ensure a smooth transition for the patients and deliver this medical platform that is adhering to required standards of patient privacy and care. We are motivated to meet the needs of our new patients through MyMedi.ca and welcome the thousands of patients that have transitioned over from the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers platform, stated Aras Azadian, CEO of Avicanna. About Avicanna Inc. Avicanna is a commercial-stage international biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement and commercialization of evidence-based cannabinoid-based products for the global medical and pharmaceutical market segments. Avicanna has an established scientific platform including R&D and clinical development that has led to the commercialization of more than thirty products across various market segments: Medical Cannabis & Wellness Products ( RHO Phyto) : The formulary offers a diverse range of proprietary formulations including oral, sublingual, topical, and transdermal deliveries with varying ratios of cannabinoids and is supported with ongoing patient, and medical community education. RHO Phyto has been established as a leading medical brand in Canada and is currently available nationwide to patients across several medical channels and continues to expand into new international markets. The formulary offers a diverse range of proprietary formulations including oral, sublingual, topical, and transdermal deliveries with varying ratios of cannabinoids and is supported with ongoing patient, and medical community education. RHO Phyto has been established as a leading medical brand in Canada and is currently available nationwide to patients across several medical channels and continues to expand into new international markets. Pharmaceutical Preparations and Pipeline : Leveraging Avicannas scientific platform, vertical integration, and real-world evidence, Avicanna has developed an extensive a pipeline of patent-pending drug candidates that are indication-specific and in various stages of clinical development and commercialization. These cannabinoid-based drug candidates look to address unmet medical needs in the areas of dermatology, chronic pain, and various neurological disorders. Avicannas first pharmaceutical preparation (Trunerox) is in the drug registration stage in South America. Leveraging Avicannas scientific platform, vertical integration, and real-world evidence, Avicanna has developed an extensive a pipeline of patent-pending drug candidates that are indication-specific and in various stages of clinical development and commercialization. These cannabinoid-based drug candidates look to address unmet medical needs in the areas of dermatology, chronic pain, and various neurological disorders. Avicannas first pharmaceutical preparation (Trunerox) is in the drug registration stage in South America. MyMedi.ca Medical Cannabis Care : MyMedi.ca is Avicannas medical cannabis care platform that is formed with the aim to better serve medical cannabis patients needs and enhance the patient journey. MyMedi.ca features diverse and scientifically curated products from leading Canadian licensed producers in addition to pharmacist led patient support programs and educational resources to facilitate the incorporation of medical cannabis into health care regimens. MyMedi.ca also provides specialty services to distinct patient groups such as veterans and collaborating with public and private providers for adjudication and reimbursement. Click to watch Avicannas Corporate Video 2022 SOURCE Avicanna Inc. Stay Connected For more information about Avicanna, visit our website, contact Ivana Maric by email at info@avicanna.com or follow us on social media on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , or Instagram . The Company posts updates through videos from the Company YouTube channel. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this news release may be identified using words such as, may, would, could, will, likely, expect, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook and other similar expressions. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to current and future market conditions, including the market price of the common shares of the Company, and the risk factors set out in the Companys annual information form dated March 31, 2023 filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ddd63440-3166-4827-879b-b327f0c70476 TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VitalHub Corp. (the Company or VitalHub) (TSX: VHI) (OTCQX:VHIBF) is pleased to announce that it will release its financial results for its quarter ended June 30th, 2023, after market close on August 10th, 2023. The Company will subsequently hold a conference call via Zoom on August 11th, 2023, at 9:00am EST hosted by CEO Dan Matlow and CFO Brian Goffenberg with a Q&A session to follow. To register for the conference call please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_inRMLjeLSSu7j3RHmPOprQ ABOUT VITALHUB: Software for Health and Human Services providers designed to simplify the user experience and optimize outcomes. VitalHub provides technology to Health and Human Services providers including Hospitals, Regional Health Authorities, Mental Health, Long Term Care, Home Health, Community and Social Services. VitalHub solutions span the categories of Electronic Health Record (EHR), Case Management, Care Coordination & Optimization, and Patient Flow & Operational Visibility solutions. The Company has a robust two-pronged growth strategy, targeting organic growth opportunities within its product suite, and pursuing an aggressive M&A plan. Currently VitalHub serves more than 1,000 clients across Canada, USA, UK, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe. VitalHub is based in Toronto, Canada, with an offshore development hub in Sri Lanka. The VitalHub team comprises more than 350 team members globally. The Company is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "VHI" and on the OTC Markets OTCQX Exchange under the symbol VHIBF. https://www.vitalhub.com/ CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding the Corporation and its business, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the appointment of a new directors. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of each entity believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the companies, including risks regarding the technology industry, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, market conditions, economic factors, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Although the Corporation 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. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. New York, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06481627/?utm_source=GNW The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region. Growing Marine Research and Oceanographic Studies The increasing focus on marine research and oceanographic studies is fuelling the demand for AUVs. Researchers and scientists utilize AUVs to study marine ecosystems, map seafloor habitats, and monitor underwater environments. AUVs provide a cost-effective and non-intrusive means of collecting valuable data in challenging and remote marine locations, contributing to a deeper understanding of ocean dynamics and marine life. Surging Demand for Underwater Surveys and Inspections The need for efficient underwater surveys and inspections in industries such as oil and gas, offshore renewables, and marine infrastructure drives the adoption of AUVs. These vehicles can autonomously perform detailed inspections of underwater structures, pipelines, and seabed, reducing the reliance on manned diving operations and ensuring comprehensive data collection for maintenance and safety assessments. What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report? How is the autonomous underwater vehicle market evolving? What is driving and restraining the autonomous underwater vehicle market? How will each autonomous underwater vehicle submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033? How will the market shares for each autonomous underwater vehicle submarket develop from 2023 to 2033? What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033? Will leading autonomous underwater vehicle markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others? How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033? Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? What are the autonomous underwater vehicle projects for these leading companies? How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of autonomous underwater vehicle projects taking place now and over the next 10 years? Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the autonomous underwater vehicle market? Where is the autonomous underwater vehicle market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market? What are the best investment options for new product and service lines? What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite? You need to discover how this will impact the autonomous underwater vehicle market today, and over the next 10 years: Our 411-page report provides 127 tables and 190 charts/graphs exclusively to you. The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them NOW. It contains in-depth analysis of global, regional and national sales and growth. It highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors. This report tells you TODAY how the autonomous underwater vehicle market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years. Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares. You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments. Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising autonomous underwater vehicle prices and recent developments. This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report. Segments Covered in the Report Market Segment by Type Shallow AUVs (up to 100 m) Medium AUVs (up to 1,000m) Large AUVs (more than 1,000m) Market Segment by Shape Torpedo Laminar Flow Body Streamlined Rectangular Style Multi-hull Vehicle Market Segment by Technology Collision Avoidance Communication Navigation Propulsion Imaging Market Segment by Application Military and Defense Oil and Gas Environment Protection and Monitoring Oceanography Archeology and Exploration Search and Salvage Operations In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets: North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Spain United Kingdom France Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa GCC South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations. Leading companies and the potential for market growth Bluefin Robotics Boston Engineering Corporation ECA Group Fugro General Dynamics Mission Systems Hydromea Kongsberg Gruppen L3 OceanServer L3Harris Technologies Inc. Liquid Robotics Lockheed Martin Corporation Oceaneering International, Inc. Riptide Autonomous Solutions Saab AB Teledyne Technologies Incorporated Overall world revenue for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$1,079.6 million in 2023, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead. How will the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 report help you? In summary, our 410+ page report provides you with the following knowledge: Revenue forecasts to 2033 for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for type, application, technology, and shape, each forecast at a global and regional level discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues. Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets See forecasts for the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies. Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market including company profiles for 15 of the major companies involved in the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06481627/?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. __________________________ TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) (OTCQB: APMLF) (ApartmentLove or the Company), a leading provider of online home, apartment, and vacation rental marketing services to property managers, owners, renters, and vacationers from around the world is pleased to provide a corporate update summarizing the progress of the Companys organic growth and specifically the expansion of its global Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) marketing business OwnerDirect.com in addition to managements efforts to consolidate the long term home and apartment rental industry. Recent Highlights and Milestones Redesigned STVR marketing website OwnerDirect.com ahead of global expansion. Signed agreements to permit the display of more than 2 Million STVR listings in 100+ countries. Finalizing engineering to connect OwnerDirect.com with global STVR listing supply. Signed LOI to acquire Canadian FinTech processing $750M+ in annual rental payments. LOI stage to acquire another Toronto area long-term rental marketing provider. APA stage to acquire website promoting high-end luxury homes for sale around the world. Short-Term Vacation Rentals Organic Growth of Global Inventory Managements well publicized plans to expand the scope and capacity of OwnerDirect.com from a marketplace primarily serving western Canada and certain sunny destinations in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean to a global solution capable of advertising rental properties on behalf of property managers and private owners from around the world is in full swing. Now in what is generally considered the code certification phase or the last stage of testing and quality assurance before integrating with the Companys next major US listing provider, management expects OwnerDirect.com to be certified in the coming days. Once certified, OwnerDirect.com will be provided tens of thousands of new STVR listings via dedicated data transfer feeds ensuring the reliability and correctness of all listing details including property photos and descriptions, list of features and amenities, calendar availabilities, and comprehensive pricing models, and owner/manager contact details in real time. Integrating with dedicated and dependable supply lines means our users from coast to coast and around the world will have confidence using OwnerDirect.com as they make their travel bookings, said Trevor Davidson the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer. Trevor continued to say the Company is actively integrating with many listing feeds that in aggregate provide access to more than 2 Million STVR listings in 100+ countries around the world. Leveraging much of the same code logic from each new integration, management expects all such supply chain integrations will be completed in the near term. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to Attract Renters in Major Vacation Markets As part of the comprehensive rebuild of the OwnerDirect.com interface and its underlying architecture to facilitate managements global expansion plans, the Company also retained dedicated SEO partners to write custom website logic to align OwnerDirect.com with Googles search algorithm. Targeting an initial selection of about 400 unique keywords relevant to the STVR industry, the keywords are searched an average of about 3.7 Million times each month. Already ranking on page 1 of search results for many of the keywords including high-value searches like vacation rental by owner and more focused searches such as Florida vacation rentals, management is very encouraged by the growth of its SEO program and excited to see the new rankings across the United States materialize especially considering the ultra-high value of well-qualified organic website traffic. Through continued investments in SEO to perfect the connection between OwnerDirect.com and the Google algorithm, management has budgeted to capture an average of about 845K Monthly Active Users (MAUs) in Q4/2023 amounting to about 22% of the initial North American addressable market growing to an estimated 1.4 Million MAUs in Q4/2024. Conversion Rate Optimization the Silicon Valley Machine Learning Company Revenue per month per MAU or the Conversion Rate, a common sales metric in the STVR industry, is about $5.00 per month per MAU. To assist management in achieving the $5.00 per month per MAU Conversion Rate target, the Company has retained a proven successful machine learning company based in Californias Silicon Valley that specializes in Conversion Rate Optimization (the Silicon Valley Machine Learning Company). The Silicon Valley Machine Learning Company, through their proprietary technology, has been collecting data and evaluating every detail of the OwnerDirect.com website and user experience for months. The Silicon Valley Machine Learning Company will, among many other things, now begin adjusting the look, feel, and functionality of the OwnerDirect.com website to personalize the experience of searching for STVR properties on OwnerDirect.com for each individual user. Dovetailing the display of vacation rentals on OwnerDirect.com with the learned preferences of each visitor based on thousands of data points collected from all corners of the Internet, the Silicon Valley Machine Learning Company has a proven history in todays very active digital economy. Consolidation of the Long-Term Rental Market Furthering managements aim of consolidating the deeply fragmented and ultra-high margin Internet listing industry, the Company is in late-stage negotiations to acquire another Toronto area listing provider in conjunction with its previously announced plans to acquire a Canadian FinTech processing more than $750 Million in rental payments each year. These proposed acquisitions in the home and apartment space will see the Company vertically integrated by bringing together all aspects of the long-term renting experience under the growing ApartmentLove umbrella, said Trevor Davidson. Trevor explained that post-closing, the takeover prospects are projected to unlock hundreds of thousands of dollars in operating efficiencies for the Company while firmly entrenching ApartmentLove as the leader in the home and apartment rental market. Subject to the successful negotiation of definitive purchase and sale agreements with each respective vendor, the Company intends to close these transactions in Q3/2023. The Company is also finalizing contract terms to acquire an internet listing website that specializes in the advertising of high-end luxury real estate for sale in major centers including Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, New York, and Miami. Counting many of the worlds largest real estate brokerages as clients and having a long history of monthly recurring revenues, Management expects closing to occur later this summer. Those interested in selling their internet listing businesses are asked to contact the ApartmentLove Deal Team via email at: acquisitions@apartmentlove.com. About ApartmentLove Inc. ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) (OTCQB: APMLF) is a leading provider of online home, apartment, and vacation rental marketing services to property managers, owners, renters, and vacationers in more than 30-countries around the world. Promoting more than 350,000 daily active homes, apartments, and vacation properties on its network of short-term and long-term rental marketing websites, ApartmentLove has proven its ability to scale as a fast-growing PropTech in todays complex and dynamic markets. Seeking to consolidate the deeply fragmented internet listing industry, ApartmentLove has acquired multiple businesses that have many monthly active users, a history of recurring revenues, positive cashflows, and custom technologies that accelerate and destress the renting experience. For more information visit www.apartmentlove.com/investors or contact: Trevor Davidson President & CEO ApartmentLove Inc. tdavidson@apartmentlove.com (647) 272-9702 Reader Advisory Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the successful negotiation and entering into of definitive agreements in connection with transactions discussed herein; the final negotiated terms and conditions of such definitive agreements; the closing of the contemplated transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions of their respective definitive agreement; the anticipated benefits of the planned acquisition of the targeted assets summarize herein, provided that such respective transactions result in successful closings, and the ability of the Company to realize the benefits of the acquired assets per the transactions contemplated herein; the Company realizing the benefits of its growth by acquisition plans; and the receipt of all governmental and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the CSE, if required. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof. The Company will not update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place any undue reliance on forward looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ApartmentLove | the feeling of home Baar, Switzerland, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, Medela, the brand trusted by millions of moms*, announced today a new feature in the award-winning Medela Family app coming later this month to raise awareness for the effort breastfeeding requires and celebrate a mothers breastfeeding achievements. The new feature, called The Feed, will allow users to see and share a personalized recap of hours spent breastfeeding or pumping in addition to how much milk theyve pumped throughout their breastfeeding journeys. Were excited to announce this new feature in the Medela Family app during World Breastfeeding Week, in celebration of the commitment breastfeeding families make to provide for their babies and to elevate the reality of that commitment, explains Annette Bruls, CEO of Medela. As we work to extend support to families in achieving their current and future breastfeeding goals, we want to raise awareness about the hours spent breastfeeding and recognize the commitment of parents who breastfeed, because their efforts help to nurture health for generations. Global breastfeeding rates vary by region, country and population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global exclusive breastfeeding rate for infants under six months of age in 2021 is approximately 41%; including pumping, the rate is 65%. The highest breastfeeding rates are in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 60% of infants are exclusively breastfed, and the lowest rates are in parts of Europe and North America. Breastfeeding rates are largely determined by factors such as education, cultural background, hospital care and support, and workplace conditions such as length of maternity leave or breastfeeding-friendly workplaces. Medela is committed to enabling breastfeeding by raising awareness of the benefits of breast milk, advancing breastfeeding and lactation research and improving access to education, advocating for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and bringing products to market that enable families to successfully return to work. Recently in the USA, the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act was extended, offering more nursing mothers the ability to take a break at work to pump in a private, sanitized environment. Giving mothers the ability to track the amount of hours pumped and milk produced while at work is a crucial part of Medelas commitment to supporting working families. The Medela Family app is used around the world by expectant and breastfeeding families to track from the first trimester through babys first years, offering personalized, evidenced-based guidance and easy tracking to simplify breastfeeding and pumping for new parents, including connectivity to Medela breast pumps, checklists for returning to work, virtual storage freezer, and more. Coming off of an exciting year of innovation by Medela, including the launch of Medelas Freestyle Hands-free Breast Pump, Organic Breast Care Products, and extended, inclusive sizing for nursing apparel, Medela is excited to continue innovating to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Download the Medela Family app for free from the App Store and Google Play. Visit medela.com/medelafamily for more information. About Medela Through advancing research, observing natural behavior and listening to our customers, Medela turns science into care while nurturing health for generations. Medela supports millions of moms, babies, patients and healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries all over the world. As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding and baby products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education. Medela is dedicated to building better health outcomes, simplifying and improving life, and developing breakthroughs that help moms, babies and patients live their life to the fullest. For more information, visit www.medela.com. *Medela global sales, 2022 Medela wordmark and logo are registered in the U.S. Trademark Office. Medela Family is a trademark of Medela. 2023 Medela Attachment OAKVILLE, Ontario, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX, OTCQB: FDXTF, FSE: E8D) (the Company or FendX), a nanotechnology company developing surface protection coatings, today announced that Dr. Carolyn Myers, President & CEO, will present live at the OTCQB Venture Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on August 3rd, 2023. DATE: August 3rd TIME: 11 11:30 AM ET LINK: https://bit.ly/3J2h3Of Available for 1x1 meetings: August 3rd & 4th, 2023 This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com . About FendX Technologies Inc. FendX is a Canada-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make peoples lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens. The Company is conducting research and development activities using its nanotechnology in collaboration with industry-leading partners, including McMaster University. The Company has exclusive worldwide licenses to its technology and IP portfolio from McMaster, which encompass both film and spray coating nanotechnology formulations. About Virtual Investor Conferences Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Carolyn Myers Carolyn Myers Chief Executive Officer and Director Contacts: Dr. Carolyn Myers, CEO and Director 1-800-344-9868 Alyssa Barry, Investor Relations 1-833-947-5227 investor@fendxtech.com Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; and products under development, commercialization plans and any pathogen reduction benefits related thereto. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, aims, potential, goal, objective, prospective, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, can, could or should occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made and involve several risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include product candidates only being in formulation/reformulation stages; limited operating history; research and development activities; dependence on collaborative partners, licensors and others; effect of general economic and political conditions; and other risk factors set forth in the Companys public filings which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, the reader is urged to refer to the Companys such filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change. New York, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Agricultural Lighting Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Installation, By Light Source, By Wattage Type, By Sales Channel, By Offering, By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2023 - 2030" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06481129/?utm_source=GNW Agriculture is an industry that employs a significant portion of the local workforce in this region. Moreover, the growth of the regional market is due to the increasing adoption of agricultural lighting technology like Controlled Environment-Agriculture, which controls the environmental component. Some of the factors impacting the market are widely utilization of LED lighting fixtures in a controlled agricultural environment, Year-round crop production without consideration to the weather conditions, and significant need for diverse light wavelengths for various crops. For plants to thrive and grow, there must be enough light with the right spectral spectrum to trigger photosynthesis. The plants growth, development, and blossoming depend on various wavelengths. For plants to flourish, the time they are exposed to light is important. This means that the "natural daytime" can be extended with artificial light, leading to stronger development and bud formation. These elements are essential in the rising demand for LED grow lights in the market. The benefits of CEA and its capacity to assist in crop production all year, despite weather conditions, have expanded its acceptance in regions where the climate does not allow conventional farming. For instance, due to a lack of agricultural land and unfavorable weather, European nations import a significant portion of their fresh food requirements. In various nations around the world, changes in temperature and rainfall patterns could reduce agricultural productivity. As a result, all these factors are predicted to lead to a rise in the market in the forecasted time period. However, lights multiple characteristics, including wavelength, intensity, duration, and direction, can affect how a plant grows and develops. The wavelength range between 400 to 750 nm, which includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet light, is typically used by plants. This is a significant challenge that may affect market growth significantly. Offering Outlook Based on offering, the market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. In 2022, the hardware segment dominated the market with the maximum revenue share. The enormous number of hardware elements, such as lighting fixtures (lamps, luminaires) and lighting controls necessary to set up any agricultural lighting system, be it in an application, horticulture, livestock, or aquaculture, is what is credited to the hardware offering. Light source Outlook On the basis of light source, the market is classified into fluorescent, HID, LED, and others (xenon, plasma, and induction lighting). In 2022, the LED segment held the highest revenue share in the market. The market is quickly switching from traditional lighting systems to LED lighting technologies. The use of LED technology in agriculture is still heavily influenced by energy efficiency, in addition to the advantages of low heat, a long lifespan, lightweight, and improved controllability. Wattage Type Outlook Based on wattage type, the market is fragmented into below 50w, 50-150w, and above 150w. In 2022, the 50-150w segment recorded a remarkable revenue share in the market. Due to the nature of the crops being cultivated, lighting solutions for agricultural applications usually need lower power. Numerous plant species require medium light intensity, particularly leafy greens, herbs, and young seedlings. The 50W-150W segment provides adequate light output for these crops without using excessive energy or producing heat. Because they use less energy, lighting systems with lower wattages use less money and electricity. Installation Outlook By installation type, the market is categorized into new, and retrofit. In 2022, the retrofit segment covered a considerable revenue share in the market. Commercial greenhouses, vertical farms, and animal facilities can reduce energy usage and maintenance expenses by updating lighting systems. Low operating expenses are the consequence, as grow lights must operate for between 14 to 18 hours each day, depending on the type of plant being grown. Sales channel Outlook Based on sales channel, the market is segmented into retail/wholesale, direct sales, and online/e-commerce. The online/e-commerce segment projected a prominent revenue share in the market in 2022. The wide range of products available, ease of use & accessibility to each buyer, remote availability of product specifications & information, and the ability to compare that include products for cost-effective purchasing. Application Outlook By application, the market is classified into horticulture, livestock, and aquaculture. In 2022, the horticulture segment projected a prominent revenue share in the market. Horticulture lighting provides artificial light to plants in order to promote, maintain, and facilitate their growth. Horticulture lighting enhances photosynthesis by supplementing natural daylight and raising growth light levels, which benefits plant growth and quality. Regional Outlook Region wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2022, the Asia Pacific region held the highest revenue share in the market. The Asia Pacific region, which includes nations like China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries, has some of the largest agricultural economies in the world. Strong agricultural sectors in these nations contribute significantly to their national economies. Large-scale agricultural operations in the region create a high demand for agricultural lighting solutions, which results in a sizable market share. Due to the wide range of lighting requirements for the numerous crops grown throughout the region, there are significant growth prospects for the market. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Signify N.V., ams-OSRAM AG, Tetra Laval International S.A. (DeLaval), Heliospectra AB, Valoya Oy, California LightWorks (MWW Inc.), Gavita International B.V., Hortilux Schreder (Dool Industries), and CBM Lighting, Inc. Strategies Deployed in Agricultural Lighting Market Jun-2023: ams OSRAM unveiled OSLON Square Hyper Red LED, designed to provide faster plant growth and allow optimized system cost. The launched product is intended for utilization in all horticultural lighting applications consisting of greenhouse top lighting and inter lighting, sole source lighting, and vertical farming applications. Mar-2023: Signify took over Intelligent Lighting Controls, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of wired control systems. The acquisition adds a well-established technology and competitive portfolio to fuel the uptake of energy-saving solutions in the attractive North American market. Jan-2023: California LightWorks announced a partnership with Virex Technologies, a company engaged in providing different services based on the requirements of each client for professional horticultural projects. Under this partnership, both companies aim to broaden European distribution. Moreover, the partnership enables California LightWorks to bring its unique, patented MegaDrive technology to the quickly broadening European market for grow lights. May-2022: ams OSRAM introduced OSLON Optimal family of LEDs, based on the latest ams OSRAM 1mm2 chip for horticulture lighting, that provides a combination of high efficiency, great value, and reliable performance. The product is available in Far Red and Hyper Red colors. Mar-2022: Signify took over Fluence, a leading global supplier of energy-efficient LED lighting system solutions. This acquisition bolsters Signifys global Agriculture lighting growth medium and extends its role in the North American horticultural lighting market. Additionally, firms would be capable to produce the worlds most advanced horticulture technology for cultivators on an international scale. Oct-2020: California LightWorks released its MegaDrive, a new professional grow light system. This system provides accurate outcomes while drastically lowering both up-front & long-term operating costs. In addition, the new system comprises a large central power unit joined to a series of up to 30 LED fixtures in a chain. High voltage three-phase power can connect directly to the central power unit, removing power drops to each fixture. Sep-2020: Valoya expanded its product line of RX-Series line of greenhouse LEDs with two new models - RX500 & RX600. These new models have been built to be strong & firm; they would produce the least shading over the canopy. With an Ingress Protection rating of IP65 (wet location), these luminaires are dust-tight & can combat spraying with water jets from any direction. Sep-2020: Valoya came into a licensing agreement with Citizen Electronics, a top developer of electronic devices & applied products. Under this agreement, Citizen Electronics would take Valoyas LED spectrum portfolio into use. This spectrum would be all the revolution, as high-quality light creates high-quality plants. Both companies are looking forward to watching their COB LED products with the spectrum reach the market & benefit the growers from Valoyas spectra. Mar-2020: Signify extended its collaboration with Planet Farms, a leading European operator of vertical farms based in Italy. Under this agreement, Europes largest vertical farm would fuel the quality & yield of the crops with the use of the Philips GreenPower LED production module handled by the Philips GrowWise Control System. Signifys latest horticultural LED innovation for vertical farming, would aid growers optimize multilayer crop cultivation. Scope of the Study Market Segments covered in the Report: By Installation New Retrofit By Light Source LED Fluorescent HID Others By Wattage Type Below 50W 50 - 150W Above 150W By Sales Channel Retail/Wholesale Direct Sales Online/E-commerce By Offering Hardware Software Services By Application Livestock Horticulture Aquaculture By Geography North America o US o Canada o Mexico o Rest of North America Europe o Germany o UK o France o Russia o Spain o Italy o Rest of Europe Asia Pacific o China o Japan o India o South Korea o Singapore o Malaysia o Rest of Asia Pacific LAMEA o Brazil o Argentina o UAE o Saudi Arabia o South Africa o Nigeria o Rest of LAMEA Companies Profiled Signify N.V. ams-OSRAM AG Tetra Laval International S.A. (DeLaval) Heliospectra AB Valoya Oy California LightWorks (MWW Inc.) Gavita International B.V. Hortilux Schreder (Dool Industries) CBM Lighting, Inc. Unique Offerings Exhaustive coverage Highest number of market tables and figures Subscription based model available Guaranteed best price Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06481129/?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. __________________________ SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Airnguru , a cloud-native provider helping airlines optimize their pricing strategies, has announced the launch of a dynamic pricing engine for bundle discounts that enables airlines to increase revenue from potential passengers, with SKY Airline as its first adopter. This tool, deployed in partnership with Piano Software a leading digital experience platform that supports commerce conversion, analytics and personalization outcomes harnesses the power of automated A/B testing technology to test various bundle discounts. This integration will enable airlines to calibrate demand models, and use this information to maximize the net expected revenue from potential passengers browsing the airline's webpage. SKY Airline, a low-cost regional carrier headquartered in Chile, is leveraging this solution to drive ancillary revenue at the point of sale. For SKY Airline, the sales of ancillaries represent a fundamental pillar in its business strategy, which is why the association with Airnguru and Piano who have built a critical capability for airlines seeks to increase the penetration of ancillary services substantially, do it in a profitable way, and ensure that the preferences of our clients are met. While revenues from ancillary services surpassed 150 billion dollars in 2022 globally, and are expected to grow at a 18.9% CAGR through 2027, according to estimates by MarketWatch , Airnguru observed that tech support for airlines in this rapidly growing area was still immature. Airnguru and Pianos new solution delivers an ongoing process of automated price experimentation and optimization, that continuously updates price sensitivity and adjusts bundle discounts accordingly. Javier Jimenez, COO & cofounder of Airnguru, recently presented the conceptual and mathematical frameworks of this new solution at the AGIFORS meeting in Helsinki on June 7th . Ensuring customer needs are satisfied and the overall net expected revenue is maximized along the customer journey is our ultimate goal for airlines, said Sergio Mendoza, CEO & co-founder of Airnguru, By offering this new capability with Piano, and deploying it with the innovative team at SKY Airline, we expect to substantially contribute to the profitable growth of the airline's ancillary and overall revenues. Pianos platform empowers global brands to build their audiences, automate their business and create actionable insight that helps them drive revenue as well as segment and personalize and target content across audiences. For airlines, this means helping them boost ancillary revenue through intelligent micro-segmentation and relevant personalization with a simple site-level or SDK integration. Piano saw an opportunity to help airlines combine multiple data points they are likely not leveraging today, each of which can be used to personalize offers and create an impact on conversion and basket size, says Trevor Kaufman, CEO of Piano Software. By integrating with powerful capabilities such as Airngurus pricing intelligence, we are thrilled to help SKY Airline and other carriers realize the value of personalization to drive incremental revenue. About Airnguru Airnguru is a cloud-native vendor of commercial systems that is helping airlines orchestrate and optimize their pricing strategies. Airnguru launched the first comprehensive, big-data enabled pricing intelligence solution in the market in 2017 and since then it has rapidly positioned its pricing technology as best-in-class, offering a broad suite of solutions across pricing intelligence, price execution, price automation, price optimization, and price data feeds. Airnguru has already added eight international carriers to its customer list, including three airlines in Europe (British Airways, LOT, and Finnair), three in LATAM (Avianca, Copa Airlines, and SKY Airline), and other two recently added in the Middle East. Airnguru customers are benefiting from user-friendly, scalable solutions, agile innovation and cutting edge technology, to optimize their pricing strategies, boost their productivity, minimize their time-to-market, eliminate pricing errors, and increase their total revenue. You may find more information about Airnguru at www.airnguru.com . About Piano Software Pianos Digital Experience Platform empowers organizations to understand and influence customer behavior. By unifying customer data, analyzing behavior metrics and creating personalized customer journeys, Piano helps brands launch campaigns and products faster, strengthen customer engagement and drive personalization at scale from a single platform. Headquartered in Amsterdam with offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, Piano serves a global client base, including Air France, the BBC, CBS, IBM, Kirin Holdings, Jaguar Land Rover, Nielsen, The Wall Street Journal and more. Piano has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing, most innovative technology companies in the world by World Economic Forum, Inc., Deloitte, American City Business Journals and more. For more information, visit piano.io. About SKY Airline SKY Airline is a Chilean low-cost airline. With more than 20 years in the market, it is present in eight countries in the Americas and has transported more than 50 million passengers. Currently, it is the only airline in the sector worldwide with a fleet 100% composed of Airbus A320 and A321 NEO, lighter, faster and more environmentally friendly models. Sergio Mendoza Airnguru +569-99695552 sergio@airnguru.com CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POPcodes, an international provider of innovative value-added solutions for the merchant services industry, announces it has appointed Andy Tierney as Head of Sales. A leading expert on enterprise-ready solutions at the point of purchase, Tierney will guide the companys expanding sales efforts. In his role, Tierney will engage with payment processors, acquiring banks, ISOs and merchants to sell POPcodes direct-to-merchant and direct-to-consumer communication platforms. He will be driving POPcodes sales efforts from Atlanta, Georgia, also known as Transaction Alley, home to numerous leading payment providers that collectively manage over 70% of the credit transactions occurring worldwide each day. Im thrilled to be adding Andys leadership and experience to the team, said Gregg Aamoth, founder and CEO of POPcodes. Weve proven the value and scalability of our platform with the largest processor outside of Atlanta, and with six of the Top 10 processors globally headquartered in Atlanta, well now be ideally positioned to help more. Tierney has over 10 years of experience in the FinTech industry. Prior to joining POPcodes, he was the VP of strategic accounts for Chargebacks911. He also served as head of partnerships at Radial, formerly eBay Enterprise, as well as director of channel partners for CardinalCommerce, a subsidiary of Visa. Im excited to take on this position and lead sales at POPcodes, Tierney said. Smart terminals are essential to meeting todays consumers in-person payment experiences, and its our job to help service providers, merchants and their customers leverage the full potential of this powerful and secure infrastructure. Were well-positioned to help our clients transform their growing network of smart payment devices into a highly engaging and effective merchant and customer engagement tool. Helping payment providers directly communicate to merchants on smart devices decreases deployment, training and support costs, and increase revenue, satisfaction and retention. To learn more about POPcodes, visit: https://www.popcodes.com/. About POPcodes POPcodes provides innovative, omnichannel solutions for payment providers and their merchants, transforming the vast network of smart payment terminals into an exclusive B2B and B2C media channel, driving growth and profitability for service providers and enabling seamless online to in-store shopping experiences for consumers. Media Contact Matt Greenfield Uproar PR for POPcodes mgreenfield@uproarpr.com CLERMONT, Fla., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Special Olympics Florida announced today the addition of Virginia M. Buchanan to its Board of Directors. Buchanan will begin serving immediately. Buchanan is a shareholder at the Pensacola-based law firm of Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty, Proctor, Buchanan, OBrian, Barr & Mougey, P.A. She has served as the lead or co-counsel on more than 50 jury trials, is considered one of the nations leading consumer lawyers, and has lectured extensively to bar associations, medical groups, and class-action lawyer organizations. A graduate of the University of Florida and UFs Levin College of Law, Buchanan has served on multiple Florida Bar committees and leads her firms medical negligence department. Buchanan has also served on several nonprofit boards in the Panhandle. We are incredibly grateful and honored to have Virginia join our board, said Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock. She is a dedicated supporter of our athletes and our mission, and we are so fortunate she has chosen to bring her intellect, talent, and passion to our organization. Buchanan said she looked forward to building on the work that Special Olympics Florida has been doing for 51 years. Special Olympics Floridas mission is to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and to create communities of inclusion and acceptance, said Buchanan. I am thrilled to be part of such a world-changing movement. About Special Olympics Florida: Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition, crucial health services, and life-changing leadership programs to people with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers. The organization serves 60,000 athletes statewide and seeks to build communities where people with intellectual disabilities are treated with respect and given the opportunities they deserve. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ec029fd-7b5f-45c9-b263-511eac1a7d27 TORONTO-Ontario, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States Avante Corp. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) (Avante or the Company) is pleased to announce its financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 (all amounts in Canadian dollars thousands, unless otherwise indicated). SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 3 1 , 20 2 3 : $ thousands unless otherwise noted Mar. 31, 2023 Mar 31, 2022 INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION : RMR in the period, continuing operations (1) (3) $ 10,337 $ 9,649 Revenues, continuing operations (1) $ 19,960 $ 18,156 Gross profit, continuing operations (1) (3) $ 8,122 $ 7,848 Gross profit margin, continuing operations (1) (3) 40.7 % 43.2 % Adjusted EBITDA, continuing operations (1) (3) $ 1,354 $ (7 ) Net loss, continuing operations (1) (2) $ (4,004 ) $ (5,937 ) Net Income (loss) (2) $ (525 ) $ (4,392 ) Average Common Shares during the year 26,489,438 26,489,438 BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION : Mar. 31, 2023 Mar 31, 2022 Cash balances & GIC investments (1) $ 10,114 $ 354 Total funded debt as reported, IFRS $ 500 $ 443 Total funded debt & lease obligations, IFRS (1) $ 2,134 $ 1,284 Common Shares at period end 26,489,438 26,489,438 (1) The Company sold Logixx Security Inc. (Logixx Security) on June 1, 2022. Its financial results are treated as discontinued operations for the reporting periods noted above. (2) The net income (loss) during the year ended March 30, 2022 reflect costs related to the Boards strategic review initiated in August 2021 and restructuring costs related to the transition of the Board and Management on March 30, 2022. The estimated gain on sale of Logixx Security is reflected in fiscal 2023s net income. (3) Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenues (RMR) are non-IFRS financial measures that have no standard meaning under IFRS and as a result may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures by other companies. See Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and RMR to Net Income or Revenues, as applicable, are provided in the Companys Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A). Year Ended RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA Mar. 31, 2023 Mar. 31, 2022 Total comprehensive income (loss) from continuing operations $ (4,004 ) $ (5,937 ) Deferred income tax expense (recovery) 741 61 Interest expense 213 458 Depreciation and amortization 1,099 1,224 Amortization on capitalized commission 9 7 Share based payments 697 118 Reorganization and acquisition expense 2,560 4,406 Deferred financing fees 39 125 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations $ 1,353 $ 462 "Our sales continue to grow with the introduction of new services such as Avante Black, International Secured Transport, and refined Video Analytics, among many other new services actively in developed. Focusing on efficiencies in both office and field operations, while tightening internal communication, has resulted in better client services and increased client referrals. We are continuing to grow and I am excited about introducing these unique new products and services to our clients," said Manny Mounouchos, Founder, CEO & Board Chair of Avante. Added Raj Kapoor, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, We are starting to see some results from our efforts to streamline the company and create increased efficiency. I expect to see continued improvement in the coming year. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 3 1 , 202 3 : Within continuing operations, the Company reported year-over-year revenue growth of 9.9%, or $1,804, during the fiscal year 2023, increasing to $19,960 from $18,156 for the prior fiscal year. Gross profit margins within continuing operations declined to 40.7% of revenue, versus 43.2% during the prior year, with total gross profit increasing by $274. The Companys recurring monthly revenues (RMR) from continuing operations during the last eight quarters are summarized below. The Avante Security segment delivered RMR of $10,338 during the year ended March 31, 2023, up from $9,649 during the prior year. Gross profit margins over the last eight quarters ranged between 37.8% and 45.1%, and were 40.7% on a trailing twelve-month basis to March 31, 2023: Avante Security F22(1) F23(1) $thousands Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 RMR in the period $ 2,372 $ 2,372 $ 2,416 $ 2,488 $ 2,463 $ 2,584 $ 2,600 $ 2,691 Other revenue 1,657 2,066 2,335 2,450 2,105 2,350 2,492 2,675 Total revenue $ 4,029 $ 4,438 $ 4,751 $ 4,938 $ 4,568 $ 4,934 $ 5,092 $ 5,366 Total Gross Profit $ 1,776 $ 1,842 $ 2,143 $ 2,087 $ 1,995 $ 1,921 $ 2,177 $ 2,029 Gross Profit % 44.1 % 41.5 % 45.1 % 42.3 % 43.7 % 38.9 % 42.8 % 37.8 % (1) The Companys fiscal year end is on March 31 of each year. F22 means the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022; and F23 means the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. SEGMENT RESULTS : The Avante Security segment reported Adjusted EBITDA of $3,009 during the year ended March 31, 2023, versus $1,400 during the year ended March 31, 2022. This increase of $1,611 was largely due to a decrease in divisional legal and consulting costs and increased revenue. The loss in Adjusted EBITDA from central corporate costs, net of eliminations, within continuing operations was $(1,654) during the year ended March 31, 2023. This represented a decrease of $250 versus the $(1,407) Adjusted EBITDA net of central costs during the year ended March 31, 2022. The current quarterly benefits from restructuring implemented in the first and second quarters, including closing the head office. On December 1, 2022, the Company acquired the assets of C & B Alarms Ltd. In Muskoka, Ontario. Four months of revenue from the acquisition is included in the March 31, 2023 Avante Security results. On June 1, 2022, the Company sold its ownership interest in Logixx Security. During first quarter ended June 30, 2022, Discontinued Operations reflected two months of operations from the Logixx Security Segment, whereas the first quarter of the prior fiscal year reflected three months. During the first quarter ended June 30, 2022, Adjusted EBITDA of Discontinued Operations was $526, compared to $2,371 during the first quarter ended June 30, 2021, a decrease of $1,845. In addition to one less month of operations reflected this quarter, Logixx Securitys prior year quarterly period benefited more significantly from strong margins on COVID-19 related service revenues. LIQUIDITY HIGHL IGHTS : On June 1, 2022, all remaining funded debt of the Company was repaid from proceeds of the sale of Logixx Security. On the same date, the Company entered into amended and restated credit facilities with its bank to provide a $2 million revolving credit facility, provided on a demand basis and subject to a customary borrowing base. In January, the Company took a small draw on this credit facility. On July 7, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive loan agreement with affiliates of its largest shareholder. This agreement permits the Company to draw term loans, on a non-revolving basis, for up to $10 million at a fixed rate of 5.0% with terms to maturity ending July 7, 2027. Drawings are subject to a minimum senior leverage test and other conditions. A standby fee on the unused portion of the facility of 0.5% is payable annually in arrears. To date, the Company has not drawn on this term loan facility. With cash balances of $10.1 million, and access to the senior secured revolver of $2 million and to the $10 million unsecured term loan facility, the Company has excess liquidity to more than meet its existing requirements. Readers should refer to the Companys financial statements and MD&A in respect of its year ended March 31, 2023, for additional risk factors, accounting policies, detailed financial disclosures, reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures, related party transactions, contingencies and reporting of subsequent events since the year ended March 31, 2023. Such financial statements and MD&A are incorporated by reference into this news release and are filed electronically through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), which can be accessed at www.sedar.com. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities described herein in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities described herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. A BOUT A VANTE CORP . : Avante Corp. (TSXV: XX), provides high-end security services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Avante Security Inc., serving residential customers located in Toronto and Muskoka regions of Ontario, Canada. With an experienced team, a focus on customer service excellence and development of innovative solutions, we remain committed to providing our shareholders with exceptional returns. Please visit our website at avantelogixx.com. Emmanuel Mounouchos Founder, CEO & Board Chair, Avante Logixx Inc. 416-923-6984 manny@avantesecurity.com Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of the Company and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as believe, anticipate, project, expect, intend, plan, will, may estimate, pro-forma and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Companys expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Companys ability to achieve the benefits expected as a result of the sale of Logixx Security Inc., anticipated growth from acquisitions, new service offerings and from development and deployment of new technologies and the list of risk factors identified in the Companys Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A), Annual Information Form (AIF) and other continuous disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Non-IFRS Financial Measures This press release includes certain measures which have not been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR). These non-IFRS measures are not recognized under IFRS and and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, users are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to net income determined in accordance with IFRS. The non-IFRS measures presented are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. References to EBITDA are to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. References to Adjusted EBITDA are to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization of intangibles & capitalized commissions, share-based payments, acquisition, integration and / or reorganization costs, deferred financing costs, loss (gain) in fair value of derivative liability and expensing of fair value adjustments per IFRS. Recurring Monthly Revenues, or RMR, represent revenue during the fiscal period that benefited from contractual periodic billing to customers, typically monthly, quarterly or annually. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenues are appropriate additional measures for evaluating Avantes performance. Readers are cautioned that neither EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA nor Recurring Monthly Revenues should be construed as an alternative to net income or revenues (as such financial measures are determined under IFRS), as an indicator of financial performance or to cash flow from operating activities (as determined under IFRS) or as a measure of liquidity and cash flow. Avantes method of calculating EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenues may differ from methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, Avantes reported Non-IFRS measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SOI (Students on Ice) Foundation is expanding programming focused on ocean and water careers with an expedition along the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland and Labrador from July 29 - August 10, 2023. The expedition is the first official activity of Phase 3 of the Blue Futures Pathways program, an endorsed United Nations Ocean Decade Action. It brings together young people aged 18-30 with Indigenous knowledge-holders, scientists, and industry personnel in a journey that will highlight various career pathways within the Sustainable Blue Economy, and promote workforce development. Blue Futures Pathways has shown that work-integrated learning is a powerful way for young people to explore career options, said Geoff Green, President and Founder at SOI Foundation. "We are excited to grow these opportunities for youth to become a core part of Canadas sustainable ocean and freshwater future. Blue Futures Pathways connects youth across Canada with education, employment and funding opportunities that support them in developing successful, meaningful careers in the emerging, opportunity-filled Sustainable Blue Economy. This expedition is made possible thanks to the support of Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation, Miawpukek-Horizon Maritimes Services, Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, and numerous scholarship funders. For more information and to find out how you can follow the journey, visit SOIs expedition webpage here. About the SOI Foundation The Students on Ice Foundation inspires connection and empowers leadership for a sustainable future. Our mission is to foster globally minded leaders by immersing youth in transformative experiential learning environments and collaborative cross-cultural journeys to the Arctic, Antarctic and places in between. CHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Moving closer to an integrated self-distribution network, ADUSA Distribution converted its newest distribution center located on Elizabeth Drive in Chester, N.Y. on July 30. Transitioned from C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC (C&S) this facility serves Stop & Shop and Hannaford stores with an anticipated volume of 65 million cases of product each year. Were excited to welcome Chester into the supply chain network, said Sanja Krajnovic, EVP, ADUSA Distribution & Transportation. The conversion of the site is an important step in the completion of our work to move to a self-distributed network. We look forward to delivering our Trusted to Always Deliver mission in Chester so the brands we serve can be depended on by their customers whenever, wherever, however they want to shop. The site features nearly 600,000 square feet of multi-temperature and freezer warehousing space. The yard features more than 350 trailer spots with nearly 100 dock doors to keep items moving in and out as seamlessly as possible. Nearly 500 people are employed at the site by ADUSA Distribution, ADUSA Transportation, and third-party labor providers, including C&S. Theres a great team in place at Chester and were excited for this opportunity to serve our brand partners more directly and continue to be a great neighbor in the Chester community, said Sammy Tsang, Director, Operations for the Chester distribution center. The supply chain network serving Ahold Delhaize USA companies is one of the most expansive on the East Coast, moving more than 1.2 billion cases in 2022. About ADUSA Distribution & Transportation ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation are the supply chain operations companies of Ahold Delhaize USA, providing distribution services to one of the largest grocery retail supply chains in the nation. ADUSA Distribution fosters a culture that inspires and empowers our associates to always deliver exceptional service and value. The team is supporting the supply chain network evolution to an integrated self-distribution model of the future, serving leading omnichannel grocery brands Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Interested applicants can search open positions at Chester and other locations by visiting www.adusadistributionjobs.com. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af3a7085-b19b-4984-88f9-a51ceaee730e Lifestyle Wellness Brand Launches New Pet CBD Tincture to Expand Renowned Portfolio of Product Offerings ANN ARBOR, MI, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - Exclusive Brands (Exclusive Brands or Exclusive), Michigan's premier, vertically integrated cannabis company composed of state-of-the-art retail locations, a processing and manufacturing facility, and licensed grow operations, as well as Michigans home to a breadth of iconic cannabis brands, announced today that their top-selling lifestyle wellness brand, Nenos Naturals, has launched their brand new Pet CBD line ahead of the categorys expected growth, starting with their new Bacon Flavored 500mg CBD Pet Tincture. The lifestyle wellness brand will be launching the new Pet CBD tinctures in a vegan bacon flavor perfect for everyones furry friend. In addition to Pet CBD products, Nenos Naturals continues to prioritize a world that provides cannabis for everyone. Nenos Naturals CBD and Nenos Naturals offers both medical and adult use consumers access to superior quality natural products through utilizing ingredients that are sourced from local farmers to both support health and strengthen communities. Were so excited to be able to provide cannabis for everyone, now including our furry friends! Its so important to our brand that we are providing safe, equitable access to some of the finest and most carefully produced CBD products on the market today, said Narmin Jarrous, Chief Development Officer at Exclusive Brands. Were committed to developing formulations that are safe for both humans and their pets by ensuring that our research is conducted carefully, ethically and responsibly. As part of the initial Pet CBD line launch, Nenos pet tinctures will now be available at all Exclusive Brands retail stores. Nenos Bacon Flavored 500mg CBD Pet Tincture will be available at partnering stores and online at nenosnaturalscbd.com. Notably, the pet CBD market was valued at $125 million in 2020, and is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 12% during the forecast period 2022-2027. CBD is very clearly the next generation of animal health and we are confident our line of pet CBD products will be a huge success here in the US, said Gus Shukeireh, CEO of Exclusive Brands. As an industry leader in the CBD space, we feel that it's important to connect users of all shapes, sizes and species of all levels of experience with trustworthy research, education and guidance when it comes to the capabilities of this miracle plant. For more information about Exclusive Brands, company developments, and the ever-growing portfolio of brands Exclusive works with, visit https://exclusivebrands.com/ . Follow Exclusive Brands on Instagram at @exclusivebrandsmi and follow Nenos Naturals at @nenosnaturals. About Exclusive Brands Exclusive Brands is Michigan's leading vertically integrated cannabis company with a retail presence in multiple locations including the companys flagship retail location in Ann Arbor, the first recreational marijuana retailer in the state. Exclusive also houses a strong portfolio of premier cannabis brands including Kushy Punch, Platinum Vape, Terpene Tanks, Nenos Naturals, Church Cannabis Co., Strain Kings, Packwoods, Flav, Magic, and more. Exclusive places the utmost importance on premium genetics and effectual grow techniques to provide Michigan, setting the standard for premium cannabis products. Exclusives cultivators maintain and manicure cannabis to the highest standards in the market, with a portion of the fresh flower processed in our state-of-the-art lab for their exclusive line of Terp Sugars, Sauce, Shatter, Budder, Batter, RSO, and Distillate. Exclusive Brands is committed to providing high-quality cannabis accessible and is driven by excellence. Visit https://exclusivebrands.com/ to learn more. Media Contact: Cassandra Dowell CMW Media Phone: 858-264-6601 exclusive@cmwmedia.com Attachment Golden, CO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden, CO, August 1, 2023 - The Boppy Company, a trusted name in newborn essentials, kicks off August with the release of the new Boppy Bassinet in Gray Pickup Sticks. Arriving before Baby Safety Month in September, the offering furthers the brands commitment to putting safe solutions at the forefront, positioning them as safety ambassadors in the industry. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the need for infants to sleep alone on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. They recommend keeping loose blankets, pillows including nursing pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items out of the sleep space. Following safe sleep practices is the best way to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Boppy Bassinet helps families meet these guidelines, allowing babies to stay close to their parents during the night while maintaining a safe sleep environment. Perfect as a bedside sleeper for 0-5 months and up to 20 lbs., the bassinet is a versatile and convenient option for parents. It is also suitable for daytime naps around the house and its easy to transport while on the go. The lightweight design requires no assembly and stores flat, complying with ASTM F2194. Parents can rest easy knowing the bassinet features a wipeable mattress pad and two fitted mattress covers, with no-move technology to keep the mattress flat and in place to protect babies from pets and siblings crawling under the sleep surface. The 100% polyester mesh/knit sides provide comfort, breathability, and fewer distractions. "The Boppy Bassinet is everything a baby needs for safe sleep," said Senior Product Designer Haley Gibbons. "New parents can worry less with the mesh wall design for added airflow, the shorter height to more easily keep an eye on baby, and the lightweight, assembly-free construction that allows you to simply move the bassinet from room to room so you always have a safe sleep space for your infant nearby." The modern gray color and sturdy wood-like design of the Boppy Bassinet is a stylish and neutral aesthetic complement to various home decors. The combination of style and functionality makes it a desirable choice for parents looking for a safe and beautiful sleep solution for their little ones. The Boppy Bassinet in Gray Pickup Sticks, priced at $169.99, is available Aug. 1. For more information, visit www.boppy.com. ### About The Boppy Company Founded in 1989, The Boppy Company, LLC is the pioneering leader in creating comfortable and supportive products for parents and babies. It all started with the iconic, beloved, and award-winning Boppy Original Support Nursing Pillow, a must-have staple for all nurseries. Boppys brand essences beloved, bonding, comfort, fashion, safe, simple, and versatile remain at the heart of the business and drive product innovation. More than three decades later, Boppy continues to expand its product line to include carriers, pregnancy pillows, breastfeeding accessories, travel products, and more. Boppy offers comfort and confidence throughout the journey of parenting. For more information, visit www.boppy.com. The Boppy Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Artsana Group, www.artsana.com. Attachments BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 4media group, a leading provider of innovative public relations and communications solutions, today announced the launch of its latest service, Insights-Driven Broadcast (I-DB). This cutting-edge offering, developed in collaboration with its in-house Insights & Analytics division, Atomik Research, revolutionizes the landscape of broadcast PR tactics, empowering PR and communications teams to make their projects smarter and more impactful. In today's competitive media landscape, effective Broadcast PR services such as Satellite Media Tours (SMTs), Radio Media Tours (RMTs), and Audio News Releases (ANRs) are indispensable for efficiently securing media coverage and generating impressions. As budgets are continually scrutinized, it becomes increasingly crucial for organizations to reach the right audiences with data-driven stories that resonate and engage. "Insights-Driven Broadcast is a way to make broadcast PR tactics smarter," said Alex Hinojosa, Executive Director of Atomik U.S. "Everyone's dollars matter, so making sure you reach the right audiences with the right content or data that can spark interest and engagement is not only necessary but vital. PR pros already do this, but it's time to level up those efforts to maximize every dollar spent." I-DB is available exclusively in conjunction with an SMT, RMT, ANR, or other broadcast-focused media tour, offering a comprehensive suite of tools designed to maximize tactical broadcast executions. The service includes: Insights Map: Aligning Narratives with Target Audiences The Insights Map empowers PR pros to verify current focus markets while uncovering new ones, ensuring better alignment between narratives and target audiences. By combining general consumer demographic data points with relevant lifestyle data, an Insights Map aids in precise audience targeting for TV and/or radio outlets. Media Scan: Cutting Through the Clutter The Media Scan identifies similar topics in the media within a defined 45-day timeframe, revealing whitespace opportunities to make messages stand out from the crowd. By leveraging this data, brands can ensure their stories capture maximum attention and engagement. PR Survey: Elevating Brand Storytelling The PR Survey offers invaluable insights derived from 1,000 general population U.S. respondents. This data can enhance brand storytelling across paid, earned, shared, and owned channels, infusing content with newsworthy data that is more likely to captivate audiences. With a typical timeline of 5-7 business days, I-DB is a swift and powerful addition to any broadcast PR campaign, added Hinojosa. We look forward to helping PR and communications professionals achieve unprecedented success by telling untold and relevant, data-driven stories with their broadcast PR campaigns. About 4media group: As an integrated communications agency, 4media group has been storytelling on behalf of the worlds most notable brands and organizations since 2008. Using insights to inform our approach, we create the best achievable outcomes for our clients through marketing strategies, social media, influencer programs, broadcast media tours, video production, news distribution, public service announcements and public relations. Were a global company with headquarters in London, UK and Bentonville, Arkansas, with satellite offices spanning from Los Angeles to New York City. We work as one company, one culture for our clients every day. Visit us online at 4media-group.com . Media contact: Jaimee Davis Director of Marketing, 4media group jaimee.davis@4media-group.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66f4c311-8b24-4ebe-abbb-017eb42fbfe3 Santa Clara, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Santa Clara, California - Interview Kickstart (IK), a company in Santa Clara, CA, is happy to announce that an alumnus of its IK course, M. Kane, joined Meta and left a review thanking IK for the interview preparation that allowed him to pass the job interviews at Facebook. The company notes that the course cost is not an expense because IK alumni gained salary increases averaging 66.5% in 2021. To learn more visit IK's LinkedIn page here: https://www.linkedin.com/school/interview-kickstart/ M. Kane said, I really liked the course. For many working professionals, going through examples and different perspectives is very valuable in interview preparation. I started interviewing for Facebook in May, then took Interview Kickstart to study for this specific company. Interview Kickstart was great because its structure helped me understand each problem in my interview. The high sense of comradery in Discord was also great! I had a study group with other people in my cohort and felt the engagement was much stronger than in an academic setting. Also, it was super helpful to do the mock interviews. The instructors were very helpful in finding my weaknesses and (this) was very helpful in my interviews. There are three kinds of programs offered by Interview Kickstart. The Switch Up program is for students wishing to enter a new domain, enabling them to switch to a new technology position at a Tier-1 tech company. The Level Up program, which is the flagship course, is an instructor-led live interview prep course designed to help students achieve a higher position in a Tier-1 company. The Step Up program is an accelerated version of the LevelUp program specifically for students aiming to get into a Tier-1 company in less than 3 months. Those who are interested can choose from 18 domains. These include: back-end engineering, front-end engineering, full stack engineering, test engineering, iOS engineering, android engineering, data engineering, data analyst & business analyst, data science, machine learning, embedded systems, security engineering, site reliability engineering, AWS cloud solutions architecture, technical program manager, product manager in technology, engineering manager, and early engineering. The Switch Up program, which enables students to transition into the AI/ML domain, takes more than 11 months to prepare. It has two options, where the student can aim to become an AI/ML engineer or an AI/ML data scientist. The program for becoming an AI/ML engineer has two parts, which are mastering machine learning and interview preparation. The first part includes: foundations, deep dive into machine learning engineering, and essential mathematics for machine learning. The second part includes: software system design interview, AI/ML learning interview, data structures and algorithms interview, and career and behavioral sessions. The program to become an AI/ML data scientist also comprises two parts, which are mastering data science and interview preparation. The first part includes: data analysis with Python, databases and SQL programming, Python fundamentals, predictive analysis, deep learning and computer vision, essential math for DS & ML, introduction to big data & Spark, advanced statistics & time series forecasting, natural language processing & generative AI, and Capstone project. The second part includes: data science interview prep and data structures & algorithms interview prep. Interview Kickstart cost is considered an investment by the alumni. Started in 2014, IK is a new type of school that offers courses to help students prepare for their interviews for a technology job and to help them transition into a new role in a different domain. Students are offered guidance on what they have to do to prepare for the interview that will help them land a job in a technology company, improve their position in a company, or switch to a technology role in their company. IK has already successfully helped more than 15,000 experienced engineers, TPMs, Product Managers and Analysts, which is the result of the companys proven strategy for helping students fully understand the core fundamentals of their profession. How an applicant understands these core fundamentals is often utilized as a way to check the technical knowledge of tech professionals during the interviews. IK can also give advice to engineers on how they should present themselves in their resumes and on their LinkedIn profiles, especially when preparing for the interviews. That the courses offered by IK are really effective is evidenced by the alumni getting valuable job offers from FAANG and Tier-1 technology companies, with salaries increasing by at least $75,000 and as much as $200,000 for those who are able to level up. Those who are interested in interview preparation courses can visit the IK website or read more at GlobeNewswire.com ### For more information about Interview Kickstart, contact the company here: Interview Kickstart Dashrath Rajpurohit +1 415-888-9207 start@interviewkickstart.com 4701 Patrick Henry Dr Bldg 25, Santa Clara, CA 95054, United States NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mark Kirschner, an experienced marketing executive, will now apply his extensive Technology, SaaS, and eCommerce industry experience to drive client revenue growth as a Fractional CMO for Chief Outsiders. Recently, Kirschner joined Chief Outsiders team of more than 120 Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Fractional Chief Sales Officers (CSOs). Mark works with SaaS and technology companies to develop and execute strategies that align with company objectives and deliver measurable results, said Deborah Fell, Managing Partner, Chief Outsiders. Were pleased to add his deep technology and eCommerce industry experience to our battle-tested network of marketing professionals. With a substantial background in AI, eCommerce tech, marketing tech, and ad tech, Kirschner drives topline growth, scale, and product differentiation through integrated marketing programs, analytics, and holistic go-to-market strategies. A strategist with an entrepreneurial mindset, he transforms brands and businesses and is known for unlocking breakthroughs to growth. As a Chief Outsiders technology company focused Fractional CMO, Mark brings a particular specialty in new product/brand introduction and promotion, product positioning, building awareness, influencing customers decision-making, ROI/customer experience improvements, technology adoption, and sales enablement. Technology, SaaS, and eCommerce Marketing Leadership At Chief Outsiders, Kirschner works with the CEOs of middle-market technology, AI, SaaS, and eCommerce industry companies to accelerate sales and market share growth. For example, prior to joining Chief Outsiders, as VP, Chief Marketing Officer at eBays enterprise organization, he drove account-based marketing (ABM) demand generation programs that delivered leads, opportunities and closed/won business across multiple lines of business, meeting annual goals in under six months. As CMO at Rakuten Marketing, he engineered the pivot of a faltering line of business by re-deploying skills they already had to completely change its business model after the 2008 market meltdown. After the shift, the unit returned to profitability in 6 months and grew monthly recurring revenues (MRR) 3x within 18 months. Kirschners executive marketing experience also includes service as Chief Marketing Officer at ESW cross-border ecommerce, Albert.ai, and The Trade Desk. Prior to his successful marketing career, Kirschner earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/International Relations from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. About Chief Outsiders Chief Outsiders, the nations leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs and their organizations identify the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firms cohesive team of more than 120 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses. Chief Outsiders fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 1,550 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for nine consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US. The company was also recognized as a Forbes Small Giant in 2019. The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success, is an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs co-authored by Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes. For additional information about the companies and CEOs who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, visit us at www.chiefoutsiders.com. Attachment New York, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "VHF Air Ground Communication Stations Global Market Report 2023" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06479963/?utm_source=GNW , System interface Ltd., Rohde And Schwarz GmbH And Co KG., Chengdu Spaceon Electronics Co. Ltd., Spectra Group, Jotron AS, Morcom International Inc., Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited (AEROTHAI), Leonardo S.p.A., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, IACIT Technological Solutions, CommSystems Ltd., Elbit Systems Ltd., and Selex ES. The global VHF air-ground communication stations market is expected to grow from $1.27 billion in 2022 to $1.42 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, a surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions and affecting many markets across the globe. The market is expected to reach $2.20 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 11.5%. The VHF air ground communications stations market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing VHF air ground communications station services such as voice communication services, emergency communication services, weather information and advisory services, navigation assistance services, and radio coverage extension solutions.The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The VHF air ground communications stations market also includes sales of transceivers, antennas, communication radios, test equipment, remote control units, control consoles, and voice recorders which are used in providing VHF air ground communications station services.Values in this market are factory gate values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods. VHF air-ground communication stations refer to the radio telephony systems used for voice and audio communication between an aircraft and the ground.These systems use very high-frequency (VHF) radio waves and are one of the traditional methods of air-ground communication. VHF is a portion of the radio spectrum that ranges from 30-300 MHz. North America was the largest region in the VHF air ground communication stations market in 2022.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the VHF air ground communication stations market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The main types in VHF air ground communication stations are desktop air-ground communication stations and portable air-ground communication stations.Desktop air-ground communication stations refer to two-way communication systems between aircraft and ground stations that are installed on a desktop or fixed location. They are included in the different airport categories, such as commercial service airports, cargo service airports, reliever airports, and general aviation airports. These are used for several applications, including air traffic control systems, civil aviation air-ground communication, military aviation communication, and others. The growing air traffic is expected to propel the growth of the VHF air ground communication stations market.Air traffic refers to the movement of aircraft in airspace, including takeoffs, landings, and all other phases of flight. It encompasses all types of aircraft, including commercial airliners, private planes, helicopters, and military aircraft.VHF air ground communication stations are used in air traffic control to facilitate communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. These stations are installed at airports, air traffic control towers, and other ground-based facilities that manage air traffic and provide pilots with important information about weather conditions and navigation, so these factors boost the VHF air ground communication stations market. For instance, in April 2023, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a Canada-based trade association of the worlds airlines, reported a rise in overall air traffic of 55.5 percent from 2022 to 2023. In addition, compared to 2022, domestic and foreign traffic rose by a combined 25.2 and 89.7 percent, respectively. Furthermore, in March 2023, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a US-based government agency, reported that in 2022, the US airlines carried 194 million more passengers than in 2021, a 30 percent increase year-over-year. Therefore, the growing air traffic is expected to propel the growth of the VHF air ground communication stations market. The adoption of innovative technologies is a key trend gaining popularity in the VHF air ground communication stations market.Major companies operating in the VHF air-ground communication stations market are introducing advanced technologies to sustain their position in the market. For instance, in November 2021, Kuwait Airways, a Kuwait-based national airline service, launched Collins Aerospaces ACARS over IP communication solution.In collaboration with Airbus, Ground FOMAX offers an IP connection that is VPN-secured between the aircraft and the ground. ACARS over IP enables airlines to send data using internet protocol over traditional VHF and safety SATCOM channels.This innovative technology solution decreases Kuwait Airways reliance on conventional media and aids in easing VHF congestion in congested areas. Additionally, this technology enables airlines and operators to send and receive ACARS messages over the Internet or other IP-based networks. This provides a more efficient and cost-effective way to transmit ACARS messages, especially for airlines and operators that have a large fleet of aircraft. In November 2021, Viasat Inc., a US-based communications company, acquired Inmarsat, for $7.3 billion. Through this acquisition, Viasat Inc. aims to strengthen its product portfolio of fixed and mobile satellite communication services, which will also include broadband, narrowband services, and IoT services. Inmarsat is a UK-based mobile satellite communications company that provides services including VHF air ground communication stations. The countries covered in the VHF air ground communication stations market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products. The VHF air-ground communication stations market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides VHF air-ground communication stations market statistics, including VHF air-ground communication stations industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a VHF air-ground communication stations market share, detailed VHF air-ground communication stations market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the VHF air-ground communication stations industry. This VHF air-ground communication stations market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06479963/?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. __________________________ Pune, India, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to The Insight Partners latest study on Diabetes Care Devices Market Size Report & Share Forecast to 2028 COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Type and End User, the market size is expected to grow from $28.94 billion in 2022 to $42.11 billion by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2028. The global diabetes care devices market majorly consists of the players such as BD; Novo Nordisk A/S; B. Braun Melsungen AG; Medtronic; Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.; Insulet Corporation; Eli Lilly and Company; DEXCOM, INC.; Terumo Corporation; F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE. Download Sample Pages: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00003753 Global Diabetes Care Devices Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in USD 28.94 Billion in 2022 Market Size Value by USD 42.11 Billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2028 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Base Year 2022 No. of Pages 190 No. of Tables 113 No. of Charts & Figures 79 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Type and End User Global Diabetes Care Devices Market Analysis: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments BD; Novo Nordisk A/S; Medtronic; B. Braun Melsungen AG; Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.; Insulet Corporation; Eli Lilly and Company; Dexcom, Inc.; Terumo Corporation; F. Hoffmann-LA Roche LTD among others are a few of the key companies operating in the diabetes care devices market. The market leaders focus on new product launches, expansion and diversification, and acquisition strategies, which allow them to access prevailing business opportunities. In February 2023 , Ascensia Diabetes Care has partnered with SNAQ to empower patients with diabetes to make mealtime decisions and improve the management of diabetes. In April 2022 , A partnership between Abbott, CamDiab, and Ypsomed was launched in order to create and market an integrated automated insulin delivery (AID) system in European nations. The linked, intelligent wearable device is intended to continuously track a person's blood sugar levels, automatically modify, and give the appropriate dose of insulin at the appropriate moment, doing away with the need for guessing in insulin administration. Browse key market insights spread across 190 pages with 113 list of tables & 79 list of figures from the report, "Diabetes Care Devices Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Glucose Monitoring Devices and Insulin Delivery Devices) and End User (Homecare and Hospitals & Clinics)" in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/diabetes-care-devices-market Increasing Geriatric Population is Fueling the Growth of Global Diabetes Care Devices Market Growth: Diabetes among the geriatric population is a growing public health burden. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the aging population and leads to various chronic complications. Moreover, this population is growing exponentially. As per a report of the UN (2019), in 2019, there were ~703 million people aged 65 and older globally. Moreover, according to report of the UN (2019), the global geriatric population is expected to double over the next three decades, reaching 1,549 million by 2050. It is expected to grow significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Northern Africa & Western Asia, and Central & Southern Asia. The geriatric population is more likely to have diabetes than the younger population, and its effect on the quality of life is particularly more in the former population. With a rise in the geriatric population, the prevalence of diabetes has increased. Therefore, the growth of the diabetes care devices market is increasing. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Diabetes Care Devices Market: The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized health data sharing and interoperability under the microscope. The interruptions in the supply chain and the massive demand for efficient treatments for the therapy of COVID-19 have put the health research industry in the world in a crucial position. COVID policies in regions have slowed the region's economic recovery compared to the rest of the world. While the region was extremely successful in slowing the spread of the virus early in the epidemic, it was reluctant to vaccinate and is only now slowly restoring borders and relaxing mobility. In Jan 2022, Japan expanded the areas subject to stricter coronavirus controls to cover 70% of the country, to combat a record wave of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron type. As an outbreak centered in the eastern states spread, Australia began 2022 with a record number of new COVID-19 cases, and New South Wales reduced its isolation regulations for healthcare workers as the number of individuals hospitalized with the virus increased. Case severity and urgency of the operations, clinical staff availability, and the number of backlogged patients is all important factors to consider as hospitals priorities elective procedure categories to ramp up. In the Asia Pacific, the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on rate of hospital visits. In recent few years, the government bodies of many countries across this region are focused toward advancing the healthcare services. As a result, they are introducing many regulations regarding advanced surgeries and treatments. This factor is working in favour of the Diabetes Care Devices market in the years ahead. Apart from this, the market for Diabetes Care Devices is estimated to gain the advantage of favourable reimbursement policies in several countries. COVID-19 can affect the global economy in three main ways: by directly affecting production and demand, by creating supply chain and market disruption, and by its financial impact on firms and financial markets. Directly Purchase this Report at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00003753 Global Diabetes Care Devices Market: Segmental Overview The global diabetes care devices market, based on product is segmented into diabetes care devices market is segmented into glucose monitoring devices and insulin delivery devices. In 2022, the glucose monitoring devices segment hold the largest share of the market, by product. Moreover, the glucose monitoring devices segment of diabetes care devices market is also expected to witness growth in its demand at a fastest CAGR of 5.0% during 2022 to 2028. The global diabetes care devices market, based on the end user was segmented into home care and hospitals & clinics. In 2022, the homecare segment holds the largest share of the market, by end user. In addition, the segment is also expected to grow at the fastest rate during the coming years owing to the rise in the prevalence of the diabetes and it makes patients independent to manage and monitor their diabetes. Go through further research published by The Insight Partners: (Purchase with 10% Instant Discount): Diabetes Care Devices and Drugs Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis Diabetes Therapeutics Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis Next Generation Diabetes Therapy and Drug Delivery Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis Diabetes Monitoring Devices Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis Needle Free Diabetes Care Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis Diabetes Care Drugs Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Lutz, Fla., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vistra Communications is proud to announce Chris Zarreke as its new chief financial officer. Zarreke brings three decades of relevant finance and accounting experience to the role and a plan to build upon the companys growth and financial stability. A Florida Certified Public Accountant, and a double Florida State University alumnus, Zarreke steps into the position previously held by Zoe Gustafson who recently retired after seven years with Vistra. A seasoned senior-level finance and accounting executive, Zarreke began his career as an auditor and consultant with PwC, also known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, before transitioning to private industry accounting and finance within metals, paper, food distribution, health care, and operations consulting. Chris Zarreke brings the right experiences and passion to help take us to the next level, said Brian Butler, President and CEO of Vistra Communications. His leadership style and appetite for growth, excellence and creative innovation is a great fit for Vistra. Were excited to have him join our team. Zarreke plans to build off his predecessors foundation and lead Vistra into the future with a people-first approach using new systems to make the companys finance operations more efficient and user-friendly. My goal is to help secure our companys financial and organizational strength for the next decade of growth and success, said Zarreke. We have a great team here at Vistra and through the continued use and leverage of technology and streamlined systems and processes we can deliver timely and high-quality financial data to make decisions. Our team will focus on providing the best-in-class internal and external customer service. As Vistras CFO, Zarreke is primarily responsible for directing the organization's financial accounting and reporting, pricing, budgeting and cost management activities in accordance with accounting standards, company values and strategic plans. He is a member of both the American and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as a member of the RSM Middle Market Leadership Council. About Vistra Communications Founded in 2007, Vistra Communications (Vistra) provides award-winning, integrated marketing, communications, and consultancy expertise to government and corporate clients. Vistra has worked in more than a dozen federal agencies and supported several Fortune 100 global brands. Its team includes nearly 120 professionals with an extensive range of government and corporate experience. The company has been ranked No. 1 in the Top PR Firms in the Tampa Bay area according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Vistra is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Lutz, Florida. For more information, please call 813.961.4700, or visit ConsultVistra.com. ### Attachment MONTREAL, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (Osisko) (OR: TSX & NYSE) is pleased to congratulate Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (Patriot) on the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite (CV5) at its wholly owned Corvette Property (Corvette or the Property), located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. The MRE at CV5 has established it as the largest lithium pegmatite mineral resource in the Americas, returning 109.2 million tonnes at 1.42% Lithium Oxide (Li 2 O) and 160 parts per million (ppm) Tantalum Pentoxide (Ta 2 O 5 ) of Inferred Resources, at a cut-off grade of 0.40% Li 2 O, for a total of 3,835,000 tonnes contained lithium carbonate equivalent. Additionally, and as reported by Patriot, the resource and geological modelling has outlined significant potential for growth at CV5, which remains open at both ends along strike, and to depth along a significant portion of its length. Osisko holds a sliding scale net smelter return (NSR) royalty of 1.5-3.5% on precious metals, and 2.0% on all other products, including Lithium, at Corvette. Osisko estimates that a large majority (~80-95%) of the CV5 MRE falls on its 2.0% Lithium NSR royalty area (Figure 1). The maiden MRE includes only the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, and therefore does not include any of the other known spodumene pegmatite clusters on the Property CV4, CV8, CV9, CV10, CV12, and CV13; some of which are covered Osiskos royalty. Figure 1. Map from Patriots July 30, 2023 press release with Osiskos 2% NSR Lithium Royalty coverage overlayed in a yellow outline. In addition, Osisko would like to further congratulate Patriot on its subsequently announced C$109 million strategic equity investment (Strategic Investment) by Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle). Upon closing of the Strategic Investment, Albemarle will own approximately 4.9% of Patriots issued and outstanding common shares on a fully-diluted in-the-money basis, or 6.4% on a non-diluted, issued and outstanding basis. The proceeds from the Strategic Investment will be used to accelerate the development activities at Corvette and for general corporate purposes. Paul Martin, Interim CEO of Osisko commented: The consistency at which the Patriot team has been able to achieve remarkable drilling success going back to the discovery hole in the Fall of 2021, and now punctuated by yesterdays maiden CV5 MRE, speaks to the unique quality of the Corvette property, as well as Patriots vision and understanding of a highly prospective hard rock Lithium camp. The subsequently announced strategic investment be Albemarle only serves to further underpin the quality of this asset on a global scale. Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Guy Desharnais, Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice President, Project Evaluation at Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). About Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd is an intermediate precious metal royalty company which holds a North American focused portfolio of over 180 royalties, streams and precious metal offtakes. Osiskos portfolio is anchored by its cornerstone asset, a 5% net smelter return royalty on the Canadian Malartic mine, one of Canadas largest gold mines. Osiskos head office is located at 1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, H3B 2S2. For further information, please contact Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd: Grant Moenting Vice President, Capital Markets Tel: (514) 940-0670 #116 Email: gmoenting@osiskogr.com Heather Taylor Vice President, Sustainability & Communications Tel: (514) 940-0670 #105 Email: htaylor@osiskogr.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact, that address, without limitation, future events, that the development of the Corvette property by Patriot will be diligently pursued, , production estimates of Osiskos assets (including increase of production), timely developments of mining properties over which Osisko has royalties, streams, offtakes and investments, managements expectations regarding Osiskos growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, production costs, carrying value of assets, ability to continue to pay dividend, requirements for additional capital, business prospects and opportunities future demand for and fluctuation of prices of commodities (including outlook on gold, silver, diamonds, other commodities) currency, markets and general market conditions. In addition, statements and estimates (including data in tables) relating to mineral reserves and resources and gold equivalent ounces are forward-looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates will be realized. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations), or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, most of which are beyond the control of Osisko, and actual results may accordingly differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, without limitation, (i) with respect to properties in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest; risks related to: (a) the operators of the properties, (b) timely development, permitting, construction, commencement of production, ramp-up (including operating and technical challenges), (c) differences in rate and timing of production from resource estimates or production forecasts by operators, (d) differences in conversion rate from resources to reserves and ability to replace resources, (e) the unfavorable outcome of any challenges or litigation relating title, permit or license, (f) hazards and uncertainty associated with the business of exploring, development and mining including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters or civil unrest or other uninsured risks, (ii) with respect to other external factors: (a) fluctuations in the prices of the commodities that drive royalties, streams, offtakes and investments held by Osisko, (b) fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, (c) regulatory changes by national and local governments, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies, regulations and political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held, (d) continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, and (e) responses of relevant governments to infectious diseases outbreaks and the effectiveness of such response and the potential impact of such outbreaks on Osiskos business, operations and financial condition; (iii) with respect to internal factors: (a) business opportunities that may or not become available to, or are pursued by Osisko, (b) the integration of acquired assets or (c) the determination of Osiskos PFIC status. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: that the Corvette property development schedule will be maintained in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by Patriot; no adverse development in respect of Corvette; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended and the absence of significant change in Osiskos ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended and, with respect to properties in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest, (i) the ongoing operation of the properties by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice and with public disclosure (including forecast of production), (ii) the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties (including expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production), (iii) no adverse development in respect of any significant property, (iv) that statements and estimates relating to mineral reserves and resources by owners and operators are accurate and (v) the implementation of an adequate plan for integration of acquired assets. For additional information on risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to the most recent Annual Information Form of Osisko filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov which also provides additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Osisko cautions that the foregoing list of risk and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Osisko believes that the assumptions reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate as actual results and prospective events could materially differ from those anticipated such the forward looking statements and such forward-looking statements included in this press release are not guarantee of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. In this press release, Osisko relies on information publicly disclosed by Patriot pertaining to the Corvette property and the development thereof and, therefore, assumes no liability for such third party public disclosure. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Osisko undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b0db2a60-5c7a-41fc-913a-39f00fe46012 Washington, DC, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) will open sales for the U.S. Navy Bronze Medal on August 8 at noon EDT. This is the bronze version of the U.S. Navy Silver Medal issued through the United States Armed Forces Silver Medal Series that honors the proud history and unique traditions of each branch of the Armed Forces. Like its silver counterpart, designs featured on this medal are emblematic of the history and mission of the U.S. Navy. The obverse (heads) depicts the U.S. Navy destroyer John Paul Jones cutting through the water while the USS Constitution sails behind it. An F-18 Hornet formation flies by, leaving smoke trails in the sky, paying honor to both ships. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES NAVY and DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP, the latter spoken by mortally wounded Commander James Lawrence to his crew on the USS Chesapeake during the War of 1812. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Donna Weaver created the design, which was sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Jay M. Kushwara. The reverse (tails) features a line of sailors manning the rail while the American flag flies in the background. The inscriptions are the Navy's core values, HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT. AIP Designer Steve Ferris created the design, which was sculpted by Medallic Artist John P. McGraw. The medals in the Armed Forces Bronze Medal Program are 1.500 inches in diameter and are struck in 95 percent copper and five percent zinc. The U.S. Navy Bronze Medal is priced at $20. To set up a Remind Me alert for this product, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/us-navy-bronze-medal-MNVS.html/ (product code MNVS). To view the Mints complete portfolio of medals, please visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/shop/medals/. These products are also available at the Mints sales centers at the Philadelphia Mint, 151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street); at the Denver Mint, 320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 (on Cherokee Street, between West Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue); and from the Mint Headquarters Coin Store in Washington, D.C., 801 9th St. NW, Washington, DC 20220. Anticipated future releases in the Armed Forces Silver Medal Program include one ounce medals honoring the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Space Force. About the United States Mint Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. United States Mint numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers. Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of August 8, 2023, at noon EDT. Please use the Mints catalog site at https://catalog.usmint.gov/ as your primary source of the most current information on products and services or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/medals/us-armed-forces to learn more about the United States Armed Forces Silver Medals Program. Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint. Visit and subscribe to the United States Mints YouTube channel to view videos about the United States Mint. Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and the monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents . . Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. # # # United States Mint Connecting America through Coins NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (PSG) will host a webcast for Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: RA) (the Fund) on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 4:30pm ET. PSG will provide an update on the Fund and on general market conditions. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the Fund during the call. Questions may also be submitted ahead of the call by sending an e-mail to publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com. Registration and Webcast Link: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1625434&tp_key=b8717848c4 Audio Only Dial-In: Audience Listen by Phone: +1 323-794-2423 or 888-394-8218 Participant Code (required): 8377782 It is not necessary to dial into the audio conference, unless you are unable to join via the webcast URL. A replay will be available via this link shortly following the webcast. A transcript of the call will also be available by calling 855-777-8001 or by sending an e-mail request to the Fund at publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com . Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (Public Securities Group or PSG) is a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management ULC, an unlimited liability company formed under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. Brookfield Corporation holds a 75% interest in Brookfield Asset Management ULC, while Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (Brookfield Asset Management), holds a 25% interest in Brookfield Asset Management ULC. Brookfield Asset Management is a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately US$825 billion of assets under management as of March 31 ,2023. PSG is an SEC-registered investment adviser and represents the Public Securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., providing global listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure equities, multi-strategy real asset solutions and real asset debt. With over US$20 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2023, PSG manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for institutional and individual clients, including financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors. For more information, go to https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/. Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. is managed by PSG. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material information about the Fund. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/. COMPANY CONTACT Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. Brookfield Place 225 Liberty Street, 43rd Floor New York, NY 10281-1048 (855) 777-8001 publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Quasar Distributors, LLC, provides filing administration for Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. DENVER, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axcient, the leader in business availability software for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), today announced that the companys Chief Executive Officer, Rod Mathews, was named to the 2023 Top 100 Executives list in the Disruptors category by CRN , a brand of The Channel Company . This annual list honors the passionate and hard-working technology executives supporting, growing, and redefining the IT channel. The executives named to this list demonstrated their commitment to the channel and proved themselves exemplary leaders through their innovative channel-focused strategies and initiatives. Axcients partners are thriving as they consolidate and modernize their Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) portfolios to grow their revenue and profitability, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to support them on their mission to Protect Everything for their clients, said Mathews. In the last twelve months, we have grown at an accelerating pace because MSPs are choosing Axcient. Thanks to CRN and our partners for the recognition as we continue to innovate and deliver reliable, easy-to-use BCDR solutions that enable our partners to cure data loss. CRNs Top 100 Executives list acknowledges the tech visionaries setting the pace for the rest of the IT industry. It honors executives across four sub-categories: the 25 Most Influential Executives, Top 25 Channel Sales Leaders, Top 25 Innovators, and Top 25 Disrupters, each with its own set of strengths that impact the IT channel. It is the bold and decisive who continue to dominate our annual list in the technology world, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. Those featured on our CRN 2023 Top 100 Executives list demonstrate perpetual commitment to business growth, partner success, and IT innovation and arent afraid to push boundaries even in a time of economic uncertainty. The Top 100 Executives list will be featured in the August 2023 issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/Top100 . To learn more about Axcient and its upcoming MSP Xperience event on October 12, please click here. About Axcient Axcient is an award-winning leader in business availability software for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Axcient x360 empowers MSPs to Protect Everything by combining SaaS Backup, BCDR, and secure File Sync & Share into one platform and experience. Trusted by MSPs worldwide, Axcient protects business data and enables continuity from events such as security breaches, human error, ransomware, and natural disasters. For more information, visit www.axcient.com. Media Contact Amanda Lee ARL Strategy for Axcient Amanda.lee@arlpr.com Washington, D.C., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in Lemelson, et al. v. SEC, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case that poses an important First Amendment dilemma. May the SEC punish commentary about publicly traded corporations that contains a few purported misstatements or omissions when a jury has cleared the accused of all fraud and deception charges? Surprisingly perhaps, the Supreme Court has never answered this question. So, for now, the SEC punishes such speech freely. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson, a Greek Orthodox priest and activist investor, issued five lengthy reports and several online interviews about Ligand Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Under pressure from Ligand, SEC investigated Fr. Lemelson for years and eventually charged him with fraud in 2018. Although a jury rejected all fraud allegations, it did find that one sentence and one sentence fragment (about a company he didnt trade in) embedded in some 56 pages of written reports, and one two-second online interview comment, were misleading. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts then held Fr. Lemelson liable for violating the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5. It fined him $160,000 and barred his making similar statements for five years. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit declined to overturn that ruling, claiming Fr. Lemelsons three isolated statements were assertions of fact, not opinion, and thus unprotected by the First Amendment. That decision contradicts well-established Supreme Court precedent demanding clear and convincing evidence proving intentional deception before speech loses First Amendment protection. The jury specifically found Fr. Lemelson did not intentionally or recklessly engage in a scheme to defraud, or any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit. The jury also determined he did not defraud his own investors, even under a lower negligence standard, nor did it find his harshest statements about the companys insolvency untrue. The First Amendment protects the expression of inaccurate or misleading speech, in part to avoid chilling other, more useful speech. For example, it even protects false speech about having a military medal. So, the SEC cannot punish someone for uttering speech just because a jury finds it misleading. The government instead must prove that such speech was uttered in conjunction with a scheme to defraud and that someone was harmed by that fraud. Here the government fined and enjoined an activist investors speech, even though a jury cleared him of all fraud charges. Indeed, Fr. Lemelsons criticism proved prescient as Ligand stock price fell significantly. And the district court said SEC failed to provide evidence it could identify any victims of the alleged fraud in this scenario. The Supreme Court should take advantage of this ideal vehicle to further its valiant historical defense of First Amendment rights. In the absence of a deceptive or fraudulent scheme, the Court should forbid SEC from punishing activist investors like Fr. Lemelsonwho publicly disclosed his short position in Ligandfor their isolated, cherry-picked snippets of speech against public corporations that a jury later deems untrue or misleading. NCLA released the following statements: The lower courts have profoundly abridged our clients free speech rights under the First Amendment. The federal government punished him for his past speech and enjoined him from engaging in similar future speech. Unlike many First Amendment threats that are clad, so to speak, in sheeps clothing, where the hand of government is more remote or subtle, here the enormous power of government was on full display. This free speech threat, to quote the late Justice Scalia, comes as a wolf. Russ Ryan, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA The First Amendment applies to the SEC just the same as it applies to every other federal agency. Contrary to current practice, 100 F St. NE is not a First Amendment-free zone. If SEC could punish untrue or misleading speech, while proving nothing else, that would chill far too much valuable speechby activist investors and other critics. Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA For more information visit the case page here. ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### Kincora secures 100% interest in all NSW projects Acquisition of Rarex Ltd.'s ("RareX") carried 35% asset level interests in the Trundle, Fairholme, Jemalong, Cundumbul and Condobolin licenses for 40m Kincora Chess Depositary Interests ("CDIs") and a 1% Net Smelter Return Royalty ("NSR") Binding commitments for oversubscribed A$2m private placement Lead from largest shareholder, Big Ben Holdings Pty Limited, subscribing for 10.4m Kincora CDIs Further 30.2m CDIs to be placed with professional and sophisticated investors Experienced resource executive Jeremy Robinson to join Kincora's board MELBOURNE, July 31, 2023 - Kincora President & CEO, Sam Spring, and chair, Cameron McRae, commented: "These transactions significantly increase the strategic value of, and funding options for, our NSW project portfolio and strengthen Kincora's balance sheet. Kincora will hold 100% ownership in 8 projects, covering 2,367km2 in highly prospective settings within world-class gold-copper mineral belts in a Tier-1 jurisdiction. Coupled with the oversubscribed A$2m raising, the Company is in a strong position to both extend high priority drilling and accelerate ongoing asset level partner discussions at a time where we are seeing very significant corporate activity in our district. We are very pleased to welcome experienced resource director and executive Jeremy Robinson to Kincora's board and a number of new professional investors to the register." Jeremy Robinson, founder and chairman of RareX, and incoming Kincora board member, said: "RareX is a big believer in Kincora's NSW portfolio and industry leading technical team as evidenced by us becoming significant shareholders and converting our asset level interests. We expect these transactions to be a real catalyst to accelerate ongoing asset level partner discussions and also be a positive share price catalyst in the immediate to longer term. I am personally very pleased to assist at the board level and support Kincora's endeavour to become a significant copper-gold player." Acquisition Kincora has executed a conditional agreement with Rarex Ltd. ("RareX") to acquire its carried 35% asset level interests in the Trundle, Fairholme, Jemalong, Cundumbul and Condobolin licenses on July 27, 2023. In consideration, the Company will issue 40m Chess Depositary Interests ("CDIs"), at a deemed price of C$0.05 per CDI, and grant 1% NSR for the vended licenses to RareX (the "RareX Transaction"). The RareX Transaction is subject to: (a) shareholder approval proposed to be obtained at an Annual General and Special Meeting ("AGM") to be convened in September; (b) completion of the placement (described below) for an aggregate subscription amount of not less than 30 million CDIs ($1.5m); and, (c) the parties obtaining approvals required under the Mining Act 1992 (NSW). Completion will result in Kincora securing a 100% interest in all of the Company's NSW projects. Consolidating the project ownership and removing the existing carried interests increases the strategic value of the NSW project portfolio. The portfolio already attracts interest from mid-tier and industry majors. The acquisition provides optionality for project level funding and is expected to support an acceleration in ongoing asset level partner discussions at a time of increasing and very significant corporate activities in the district from the exploration stages (eg AngloGold Ashanti's up to A$145m earn-in with Inflection Resources adjacent to Kincora's Northern Junee-Narromine Belt project) to producing mines (eg >A$1.3b sale of the CSA mine, Newmont's acquisition of Newcrest and earn-in agreement with Legacy Minerals, and, on-going divestment process for the Northparkes mine). Capital Raising As part of the acquisition, Kincora has received firm commitments from professional and sophisticated investors for a conditional placement to raise A$2 million via the issuance of 40.6 million new CDIs at A$0.05 per share (C$0.045), representing an 25.4% and 21% discount respectively to the last closing price and 15 day VWAP of the Company's CDI's on the ASX prior to the Company CDIs being placed in a trading halt on July 27, 2023 ("Brokered Placement"). The Brokered Placement was oversubscribed and includes a one (1) for two (2) free-attaching option exercisable at A$0.075 (C$0.065) and expiring 24-months from the issue ("Attaching Options"). A lead investor in the Brokered Placement was the Company's largest shareholder, Big Ben Holdings Pty Ltd ("BBH") that subscribed for 10.4 million new CDIs (and 5.2 million Attaching Options). The proceeds from the placement will be used to continue ongoing drilling efforts across the NSW project portfolio, support corporate development initiatives and for general working capital purposes. Morgans Corporate Ltd and Bridge Street Capital Partners Pty Ltd have acted as Joint Lead Managers. Associated with the raising 7.5 million unquoted options will be issued at an exercise price of $0.075 and expiring 24-months from the issue ("Broker Options") and a cash fee will be paid on funds raised. The Broker Options will be issued subject to shareholder approval to be sought at the AGM referred to above. The CDI's issued under the Brokered Placement are to be issued within existing capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1/a and are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The Attaching Options and Broker Options are subject to shareholder approval at the AGM to be convened in September and to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Kincora's board, management and BBH have each separately indicated their support for the RareX Transaction and Brokered Placement, and, for the purposes of shareholder approvals at the upcoming General Meeting are expected to represent an approximate cumulative shareholding of 25%. Board Appointment Concurrent with the RareX Transaction, Mr. Jeremy Robinson has been invited to join Kincora's Board as a Non-Executive Director and member of the Company's Remuneration Committee. Mr. Robinson is the founder and the current chair of RareX and brings to Kincora an extensive track record of fund raising, corporate development and successful exploration, resource growth and development stages in the junior sector. Mr. Robinson has 18 years corporate finance experience both in investment firms and in-house, having earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia majoring in Corporate Finance, Investment Finance and Marketing. Vended RareX licenses In January 2020, Kincora executed a binding agreement with RareX that provided for a controlling interest in a portfolio of 6 advanced to early stage copper-gold exploration licenses that have demonstrated mineralisation and strategic appeal. In March 2020, Kincora acquire a 65% interest in the respective licenses, becoming operator and sole funder of all further exploration until a positive scoping study or preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") was delivered on a license-by-license level basis. The July 2023 transaction with RareX sees Kincora increase its interest to 100% and remove the carried interest. The vended Trundle (EL8222), Fairholme (EL6552 and EL6915), Jemalong (EL8502), Cundumbul (EL6661) and Condobolin (EL7748) licenses all host demonstrated large scale mineral systems and are located in highly prospective settings on proven mineral and mining belts of the Lachlan Fold Belt, in Central West NSW. This portfolio has previously attracted investment from Newcrest, Goldfields, High Powered Exploration Inc. (now Ivanhoe Electric), Kaizen Discovery, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Ramelius Resources Ltd., amongst others. All most recent previous asset level counterparties withdrew within a 6-month period at the bottom of the previously commodity price cycle. No drilling or follow up exploration of note had taken place until Kincora's recent activities. Consolidating the project ownership and removing the existing carried interests increases the strategic value of Kincora's NSW project portfolio. The portfolio already attracts current interest from mid-tier and industry majors. RareX is listed on the ASX with the ticker "REE", and is formerly known as Sagon Resources and Clancy Exploration Limited. RareX is now focused on the development of its Cummins Range rare earths and Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) phosphate project in Western Australia. Post the RareX Transaction and Placements, RareX is anticipated to increase its current shareholding in Kincora from ~3% to ~18%. This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Kincora Copper Ltd. (ARBN 645 457 763) Executive office Subsidiary office Australia 400 - 837 West Hastings Street Vista Australia (formerly Leydin Freyer Corp Pty Ltd) Vancouver, BC V6C 3N6, Canada Level 4, 100 Albert Road Tel: 1.604.283.1722 South Melbourne, Victoria 3205 Fax: 1.888.241.5996 Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding Kincora contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Kincora believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Kincora cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Kincora currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. Kincora does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the Australian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Kincora Copper Ltd. Toronto, July 31, 2023 - Kuya Silver Corp. (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") has granted 250,000 stock options ("Options") to acquire common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share"), to independent directors at an exercise price of $0.475. The Options are subject to vesting provisions. Any Common Shares issued pursuant to the Options, are subject to a hold period expiring December 1, 2023. About Kuya Silver Corporation Kuya Silver is a Canadianbased mineral exploration and development company with a focus on acquiring, exploring, and advancing precious metals assets in Peru and Canada. For more information, please contact: David Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 3984493 info@kuyasilver.com www.kuyasilver.com Reader Advisory This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "focus," "potential," "progress," "develop," "investigate," "optimize," "opportunity," "future," "vision," "envisage," "option," "roadmap," "pursue," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in the market price of silver and other commodities, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, the Company's ability to obtain and renew required permits, licenses, consents, authorizations, and approvals, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175571 VANCOUVER, July 31, 2023 - TSX VENTURE COMPANIES Affinity Metals Corp. ("AFF") BULLETIN TYPE: Delist BULLETIN DATE: July 31, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at the close of business August 1, 2023, the common shares will be delisted from TSX Venture Exchange at the request of the Company. The Company will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). ________________________________________ CUSPIS CAPITAL II LTD. ("CCII.P") BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading BULLETIN DATE: July 31, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at the opening, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the securities of Cuspis Capital II Ltd. (the "Company") will resume trading, a Company's news release having been issued on July 6, 2023, announcing that the Company will not be proceeding with its proposed transaction, which was previously announced on June 7, 2022 and December 15, 2022. The transaction contemplated would have constituted a Qualifying Transaction as defined under Exchange Policy 2.4. _______________________________________ 23/07/31 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins TSX VENTURE COMPANIES ABASCA RESOURCES INC. ("ABA") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: July 31, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on July 13, 2023: Number of Shares: 5,000,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.25 per share Warrants: 2,500,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 2,500,000 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.30 for a two-year period Number of Placees: 16 placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 3 3,820,000 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Finder's Fee: N/A The Company issued a news release on July 31, 2023 confirming the closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. ________________________________________ Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. ("BAY") BULLETIN TYPE: Halt BULLETIN DATE: July 31, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 5:10 a.m. PST, July 31, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules. ________________________________________ REVOLUGROUP CANADA INC. ("REVO") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt BULLETIN DATE: July 31, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 320,394 shares to settle outstanding debt for $25,631.52. Number of Creditors: 3 Creditors Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation: Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: 3 $25,631.52 $0.08 320,394 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued and the debt extinguished. ________________________________________ VVC Exploration Corp. ("VVC") BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading BULLETIN DATE: July 31, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 5:00 a.m. PST, July 31, 2023, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made. ________________________________________ SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange Vancouver, August 1, 2023 - Majuba Hill Copper Corp. (CSE:JUBA) (OTC:JUBAF) (FWB:4NP) ("Majuba Hill Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce recently completed new geologic mapping at the Majuba Hill Porphyry Copper Deposit in Pershing County, Nevada. Significant and noteworthy advancements in understanding the geological factors influencing copper mineralization was developed from the independent technical report (the "Report") authored by Jeffrey M. Bickel, C.P.G., and prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") titled "Technical Report for the Majuba Hill Copper Project, Pershing County, Nevada, USA". Click Image To View Full Size The insights gained from the Report were facilitated by field mapping techniques that incorporated cutting-edge 3D modeling and the utilization of the NI 43-101 block model. As a result, geologists from the company can now effectively apply the robust geologic framework to the project's geological map. Figure 1: 3d Modeling "This improved understanding is extremely valuable for guiding the drilling that will advance the copper mineralization into the inferred and indicated resource categories. Our upcoming drill program will utilize the conceptual Whittle Pits as outlined in the Report. Field-based geologic mapping combined with the sophisticated modeling, is giving us a high level of confidence in strategically orienting the holes to delineate more copper mineralization," commented Buster Hunsaker, Senior Geologist and Technical Advisor for Majuba Hill Copper Corp. Geologic Overview The copper block model has revealed significant northeast-southwest corridors associated with both intermediate (0.05 to 0.5% Cu) and high-grade (>0.5% Cu) copper mineralization. A closer examination of the detailed model geology highlights that the copper control corridors are closely situated to the contact zones between the pyroclastic rock, intrusive rocks, and breccias. The low grade copper envelope has an obvious northwest fabric. Domain Total Copper (%) Low Grade 0.02 - 0.05% Cu Intermediate Grade 0.05 - 0.5% Cu High Grade >0.5% Cu Table 1: Majuba Hill Grade Domain Ranges Copper mineralization remains open in all directions. Recent geologic mapping to the west and southwest of Conceptual Pits 13, 42, and 56 has been very successful in delineating these prominent northeast and northwest trending zones. Only three holes have been drilled to the west and southwest of the conceptual pits. MHB-17 intersected a very long interval of low/intermediate oxide copper with 244 meters @ 0.055% Cu from 0-244 meters, which included: 6.1 meters @ 0.16 % Cu from 38.1 to 44.2 meters 15.2 meters @ 0.17% Cu from 100.6 to 115.8 meters 7.6 meters @ 0.16% Cu from 178.3 to 185.9 meters Planned drill holes are situated to improve the grade of the copper mineralization by tightening up the drill spacing adjacent to the favorable geology. Holes PDH-j, PDH-k, and PDH-l will target the intermediate and low-grade copper zones shown on Section 900 below. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: Section 900 Exploration Plans During 2023 the Company will focus on drilling up to 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) to advance and expand the copper deposit. The primary objective of the drilling is to convert the mineralization from an exploration target category into the inferred and indicated resource categories. The following table summarizes the tonnage and grade ranges for the Whittle Pits: Model (1) Tonnage Range Tonnes (Bickel, 2023) Grade Range Copper (%) (Bickel, 2023) Copper Range (pounds) Calculated Exploration Target - All 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 0.15% to 0.30% 165,000,000 to 660,000,000 Exploration Target - High Grade 10,000,000 to 20,000,000 0.40% to 0.80% 88,185,000 to 352,739,000 (1)Conceptual open-pit scenarios for the mineralized material do not meet the test for "reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction" with currently appropriate economic inputs,Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (2014) Table 2: Whittle Pits The Company geologists have determined locations for 15 to 20 core and reverse circulation ("RC") holes. Holes are sited to achieve four main objectives: Tighten up drill spacing to convert waste blocks to mineralized blocks. Complete additional drill holes between Whittle Pit 13 and the much larger Whittle Pit 42 to improve the grade of copper mineralization and infill areas that currently have no drillholes. Extend high-grade mineralization. Characterize the metallurgy of the oxide and enriched mineralization to aid with the economics of processing the copper mineralization. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). About Majuba Hill Copper Corp. Majuba Hill Copper Corp. is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity. The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. On Behalf of the Board of Majuba Hill Copper Corp. "David Greenway" David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: Joel Warawa VP of Corporate Communications E: jw@majubahillcopper.com P: 1 (855) 475-0745 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Majuba Hill Copper Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Majuba Hill Copper Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Majuba Hill Copper Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. ### Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 - (TSX:NEXT) ("NextSource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced overnight marketed public offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, NextSource issued 30,303,500 common shares of the Company (each a "Share") at a price of C$1.65 per Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of C$50,000,775. The Offering was conducted through a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Cormark Securities Inc. and BMO Capital Markets, and including Clarus Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated July 13, 2023 entered into among the Company and the Underwriters. In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Shares issued under the Offering on the same terms exercisable at any time up to 30 days following the date hereof, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any. Vision Blue Resources Ltd. ("Vision Blue") purchased 14,151,500 Shares under the Offering to maintain its pro rata ownership in the Company. The Offering is subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The net proceeds of the Offering are intended to be used by the Company to advance and complete construction of a battery anode facility in Mauritius and other matters as to be described in the Prospectus (as defined below). The Shares issued under the Offering were qualified for distribution by way of a final short form prospectus dated July 27, 2023 (the "Prospectus") filed in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, and were offered in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws, and certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States. A copy of the Prospectus is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer of Shares for sale in the United States. The Shares offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such Shares may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. The participation of Vision Blue in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has determined that the transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemptions contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of securities issued to Vision Blue nor the consideration paid by Vision Blue exceeded 25 percent of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the transaction 21 days in advance of closing of the Offering because Vision Blue's participation had not been confirmed. The shorter period was necessary in order to permit the Company to close the Offering in a timeframe consistent with usual market practice for transactions of this nature. Early Warning Disclosure Prior to the Offering, Vision Blue held an aggregate of 58,428,572 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), 150,000 stock options ("Options"), each entitling it to purchase one Common Share, expiring on March 19, 2024 and 15,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") entitling it to acquire one Common Share, and expiring on June 30, 2024, representing approximately 46.6% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 46.8% on a partially diluted basis (in the event that the Vision Blue exercises its outstanding Options and RSUs). After giving effect to the closing of the Offering, Vision Blue owns and exercises control or direction over 72,580,072 Common Shares, 150,000 Options and 15,000 RSUs, representing approximately 46.6% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 46.7% on a partially diluted basis. Vision Blue is acquiring the Common Shares for investment purposes and intends to review its investment in NextSource on a continuing basis. Vision Blue may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control or direction, over securities of NextSource through market transactions, private agreements, treasury issuances or otherwise. Vision Blue's registered address is 1 Royal Plaza, Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, GY1 2HL, Guernsey. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the subject early warning report, please contact: Aura Financial info@vision-blue.com +44 207 321 0000 About NextSource Materials Inc. Nextsource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals. The Molo Graphite Mine has begun production and is expected to ramp up to its Phase 1 nameplate capacity of 17,000 tpa of graphite concentrate over a period of up to three months. The Company has announced plans to build the first of several Battery Anode Facilities ("BAF") in Mauritius, which will be capable of producing coated, spheronized and purified graphite. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering, the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the construction and potential expansion of the BAFs, expansion plans, as well as the Company's intent on becoming a fully integrated global supplier of critical battery and technology materials. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. SOURCE Nextsource Materials Inc. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 01, 2023 - Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) president and chief executive Mark Bristow says with the updated feasibility study on the giant Reko Diq copper-gold project making rapid progress, the company is aiming to start production in 2028. Speaking at the inaugural session of Pakistan's first Minerals Summit, Bristow said the signing of the New Reko Diq agreement last year was a landmark event in the development of a mining industry in Pakistan, a process which will be accelerated by the Minerals Summit. "I hope the momentum created by this event will be sustained by successive efforts to unlock this sector's full potential and build its capacity by attracting other foreign investors to follow Barrick, to the lasting benefit of Pakistan and its people," he said. "There is a growing demand for metals and minerals, especially copper, and the challenge for mining companies and their host governments is to ensure that these resources are extracted in a responsible and equitable manner. Barrick believes in the principle of mutual advantage and shares the value its operations create with all stakeholders, including its host countries and communities." Bristow noted that Reko Diq was the latest manifestation of Barrick's partnership model, already successfully applied elsewhere in its global portfolio. Barrick owns 50% of Reko Diq and is developing and will operate the mine. The Balochistan province, which hosts the deposit, has a 25% share and the federal government holds the other 25% through state-owned entities. Barrick Enquiries Investor and media relations Kathy du Plessis +44 20 7557 7738 Email: barrick@dpapr.com Website: www.barrick.com Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "target", "progress", "aim", "process", "hope", "potential", "grow", "ensure", "believe", "create", "will", "would" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: the planned updating of the historical Reko Diq feasibility study; the future construction, development and operation of the Reko Diq project, including the anticipated timeline for construction and first production; the contemplated life of mine of the Reko Diq project; the anticipated sharing of the benefits from the Reko Diq project with Barrick's host governments and communities in line with Barrick's partnership model; future demand for metals and minerals, particularly copper, and expectations regarding financial performance and other outlook or guidance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by Barrick as at the date of this press release in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper or certain other commodities (such as diesel fuel, natural gas and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and development and for which additional technical, engineering and other analysis is required; disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in development, construction and mining activities; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the construction of capital projects; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities, including geotechnical challenges and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of required infrastructure and information technology systems; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; the failure to obtain key licenses by governmental authorities; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan or the Province of Balochistan; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; risks associated with illegal and artisanal mining; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; damage to Barrick's reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Barrick's handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with Barrick's expectations; risks that exploration data may be incomplete and considerable additional work may be required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited to drilling, engineering and socioeconomic studies and investment; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; litigation; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties, or over access to water, power and other required infrastructure; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, Barrick; risks associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages related to climate change; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barrick's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2023 - Dore Copper Mining Corp. (the "Corporation" or "Dore Copper") (TSXV: DCMC; OTCQX: DRCMF; FRA: DCM) provides an update on its project activities located near Chibougamau, Quebec. Exploration Activities During Q2 2023, the Dore Copper geology team focused on data compilation and interpretation for the Gwillim and Jaculet projects. A drilling program of 1,557 meters was completed in July 2023. Gwillim During Q4 2022, Dore Copper completed two drill holes (KOD-22-04 and 05) totaling 1,342 meters at the KOD Zone in the western part of the Gwillim property, which is under a 50/50 joint venture with Argonaut Gold through its wholly owned subsidiary Prodigy Gold with Dore being the operator. Dore Copper reported the results from the first hole on May 29, 2023. KOD-22-04 intersected 9.67 g/t Au over 5.3 meters, including 19.46 g/t Au over 2.1 meters, starting at a vertical depth of approximately 580 meters and 11.10 g/t Au over 3.0 meters, which after a new revised interpretation are interpreted as Zone C of the KOD mineralized structure. Hole KOD-22-05, drilled on the same pad as KOD-22-04 and approximately 60 meters west-southwest of Zone C intersected in KOD-22-04 was determined to have been stopped short of Zone C by approximately 50 meters and was therefore extended in the July drilling program (see below). In July 2023, Dore Copper completed three holes totaling 957 meters at Gwillim. Hole KOD-22-05 was extended by 90 meters to test Zone C and the other two holes (KOD-23-06 and 07) tested a geophysical anomaly (airborne VTEM survey conducted in January 2023), immediately west of the projected down plunge of the near-surface high-grade gold mineralization of Zone C. Hole KOD-22-05E intersected Zone C from 633 to 654 meters with several specks of gold observed at the beginning of Zone C and mineralization similar to KOD-22-04 Zone C. Hole KOD-23-06 intersected a 1.5 meter interval containing chalcopyrite and sphalerite in stringers. Hole KOD-23-07 intersected the Signal Zone (approximately 250 meters north of the KOD Zone C) characterized by several meters of massive pyrite, pyrrhotite and trace chalcopyrite and KOD Zones A, B and C. Assays for the three holes are expected in September. The KOD mineralized system remains open along strike to the west and below 600 meters. Jaculet Dore Copper completed one drill hole of 600 meters in July 2023 to test the potential down plunge extension of high-grade copper mineralization intersected in two surface historical holes from Chibougamau Jaculet Mines Ltd. in 1956. Historical holes V17 and V17A (wedge from V17 and located approximately 50 meters to the east) intersected Jaculet Zone 1 at a vertical depth of approximately 400 meters with 4.55% Cu and 0.86 g/t Au over 6.7 meters and 4.25% Cu and 0.59 g/t Au over 6.4 meters, respectively (refer to May 3, 2023 news release). Hole JA-23-01 intersected 1.5 meters of mineralization, mainly chalcopyrite in centrimetric veins, at a downhole depth of 438 metres (Jaculet Zone 1), approximately 12 meters below the interpreted location of the historical intercepts in V17 and V17A. It is now believed that the location of the historical holes is perhaps inaccurate and more to the east, in the area of the underground workings, indicating that the mineralization hit in hole JA-23-01 is at the periphery of the main ore shoot. Assays are pending for hole JA-23-01. Corner Bay Metallurgical Test Work During Q4 2022, a spatially diverse composite sample from the Corner Bay core was prepared for additional ore sorting tests at Steinert's facility in Kentucky, United States, using a XRT sensor (X-ray transmission) and a laser sensor. The composite sample weighted 202 kg and graded 2.20% Cu, and included an 18% external mining dilution from the hanging wall and foot wall of the mineralized interval. The results, announced on April 18, 2023, showed a copper grade increase of 77% (from 2.20% to 3.93%) and copper recoveries in the order of 93.5% with the final reject portion representing 47.5% of the feed mass at a grade of 0.30% Cu. Results were equally positive for gold, silver and molybdenum. Lastly, the arsenic grade of the two pre-concentrates was found to be 12 ppm which leads to a final concentrate with low arsenic levels. During Q2 2023, a metallurgical test program was started at Base Metallurgical Laboratories in British Columbia. A total of four spatially diverse composites were prepared, including the samples from the Steinert ore sorting tests. The metallurgical test work will include grind size optimization, reagent determination, and grade-recovery curves for copper. Recoveries for gold, silver and molybdenum will also be determined, as well as minor element concentrations in the copper concentrate. The program will also include thickening and filtration testing. Preliminary results of the metallurgical test work indicate high rougher recoveries of +95% copper with little sensitivity to a grind size between 100 and 180 microns. Complete results are expected in Q3 2023. Environmental and Social Assessment In June 2023, Dore Copper received the project directive for the environmental and social assessment of its proposed hub-and-spoke operation from the Quebec Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP). The project directive is for the development of two underground mines (Corner Bay and Devlin), the rehabilitation of the Copper Rand mill and the use of the existing tailings management facility. Activities at Copper Rand Mill During 2022, obsolete electrical cables from the Copper Rand mill were removed as part of the refurbishment program. During Q2 2023, the cables were stripped of their aluminum and rubber sheathing and the copper was sold as #1 copper scrap. The Corporation project sites and infrastructures were not impacted by the forest fires in northern Quebec. All fires in the Chibougamau area are currently under control. Dore Copper sincerely thanks all involved in mitigating the impacts of the forest fires in northern Quebec and keeping our employees and local communities safe. Drilling and Quality Control The Company is using Miikan Drilling as the drilling contractor. Miikan is a joint venture between Chibougamau Diamond Drilling Ltd., the First Nations community of Ouje-Bougoumou and the First Nations community of Mistissini both located in the Eeyou Istchee territory. Sample (half core) preparation was done at ALS Canada Ltd. ("ALS") in Val-d'Or, Quebec, and the fire assay and ICP analysis was done at ALS in Vancouver, B.C. Samples were weighed, dried, crushed to 75% passing 2 mm, split to 250 g, and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are fire assayed for gold (Au) (50 g) and sodium peroxide fusion ICP-MS finish for 34 elements. Samples assaying >10.0 g/t Au are re-analyzed with a gravimetric finish using a 50 g charge. If visible gold is observed in the sample, the assay is performed by metallic screening whereby the entire sample is crushed, a 1 kg portion is pulverized and screened to 106 m and analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish. QA/QC is done in house by Dore Copper geologists with oversight from the Vice President Exploration. The check samples (blanks and standards - 4% of total samples with another 2% of core duplicates taken on half split core) that were inserted into the sample batches are verified against their certified values and are deemed a pass if they are within 3 standard deviations of the certified value. The duplicates are evaluated against each other to determine mineralization distribution (nugget). If there are large discrepancies in the check samples, then the entire batch is requested to be re-assayed. Sylvain Lepine, M.Sc, P.Geo, MBA, Vice President Exploration of the Corporation and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Dore Copper Mining Corp. Dore Copper Mining Corp. aims to be the next copper producer in Quebec with an initial production target of +50 million pounds of copper equivalent annually by implementing a hub-and spoke operation model with multiple high-grade copper-gold assets feeding its centralized Copper Rand mill1. The Corporation has delivered its PEA in May 2022 and is proceeding with a feasibility study. The Corporation has consolidated a large land package in the prolific Lac Dore/Chibougamau and Joe Mann mining camps that has historically produced 1.6 billion pounds of copper and 4.4 million ounces of gold2. The land package includes 13 former producing mines, deposits and resource target areas within a 60-kilometer radius of the Corporation's Copper Rand Mill. **Please note, as of August 1, the new address for the Corporate office is 130 King St. W., Suite 1900, Toronto, ON M5X 1E3 ** For further information, please contact: Ernest Mast Laurie Gaborit President and Chief Executive Officer Vice President, Investor Relations Phone: (416) 792-2229 Phone: (416) 219-2049 Email: ernest.mast@dorecopper.com Email: laurie.gaborit@dorecopper.com Visit: www.dorecopper.com Facebook: Dore Copper Mining Twitter: @DoreCopper LinkedIn: Dore Copper Mining Corp. Instagram: @DoreCopperMining Technical report titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Chibougamau Hub-and-Spoke Complex, Quebec, Canada" dated June 15, 2022, in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Technical Report was prepared by BBA Inc. with several consulting firms contributing to sections of the study, including SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and WSP Inc. Sources for historic production figures: Economic Geology, v. 107, pp. 963-989 - Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Magmatic, Volcanogenic, and Shear Zone-Hosted Mineralization in the Chapais-Chibougamau Mining Camp, Northeastern Abitibi, Canada by Francois Leclerc et al. (Lac Dore/Chibougamau mining camp) and NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Joe Mann Property dated January 11, 2016 by Geologica Groupe-Conseil Inc. for Jessie Ressources Inc. (Joe Mann mine). Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to aiming to be the next copper producer in Quebec with an initial production target of +50 Mlbs of copper equivalent annually, implementing a hub-and spoke operation model; and completing a feasibility study. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing and ability of the Corporation to receive necessary regulatory approvals, and the plans, operations and prospects of the Corporation and its properties are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required regulatory approvals, health emergencies, pandemics and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulators. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Verstappen-Lambiase spat great fun says Marko Dr Helmut Marko has played down a major narrative that emerged from the Belgian GP weekend - that Max Verstappen is increasingly at odds with his race engineer. Max Verstappen, Belgian GP 2023 Red Bull Radio traffic between the pair as Verstappen dominated at Spa-Francorchamps indicated that the 25-year-old and Gianpiero Lambiase may be on a collision course to a split. But Marko says the pair, who have worked together at Red Bull Racing from the outset, actually get along very well. It's great fun for journalists and the public, the Austrian said when asked about the narrative of increasing tension. The things they talk about always have a serious undertone, but if you know the background, you understand it, Marko told De Telegraaf newspaper. I don't want to explain it in detail but first of all it was about the fastest lap and then about taking it easy and whether the other driver (Sergio Perez) was doing the same. Ultimately, the latest controversy is probably simply a symptom of the media not having a lot to talk about at the very front of the field at present. Even the most extraordinary successes become routine with Verstappen, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport noted. The gap between the Dutchman and his rivals is widening. Verstappen is an alien who only drives against himself. Indeed, a new narrative might be to wonder if any driver at all could actually go toe-to-toe with Verstappen at the wheel of the Red Bull. Who can beat Max? I think only (Fernando) Alonso, Marko told DAZN. But with the same car it would still be very difficult. What is clear is that Red Bull no longer sees a place in the energy drink company's family for Indycar driver Colton Herta, whose debut for Alpha Tauri this year was stopped because he could not secure a super license. He is relatively old, Marko told motorsport-total.com when asked about the 23-year-old. "He also does not have the necessary experience. Why do SME business owners require capacity building? Andrews Ayiku Business News Aug - 01 - 2023 , 02:46 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) suffer increased uncertainty in a hard economic environment, which might affect their survival and growth. Ghana's economy is now characterised by turbulent market circumstances, shifting client preferences, and unpredictability from external causes. To compete in a challenging economy, SMEs must distinguish themselves in a crowded market by presenting themselves as competitive players, attracting more consumers, and securing a larger proportion of the market. To remain sustainable, SME owners may need to enter new markets or diversify their services. Building capacity is not a luxury. Instead, it is a requirement for SME business owners operating in a difficult economic climate. It enables SMEs to adapt, innovate and prosper in the face of uncertainty, allowing them to protect their market position, attract investment, and keep a high-performing staff. Business owners may adapt, innovate and capitalise on possibilities even in the face of uncertainty by investing in their own and their employees' growth. Among the primary benefits of capacity building are resilience, financial acumen, digital readiness, market responsiveness, teamwork and crisis management abilities, which enable SMEs to navigate difficult times and emerge stronger on the other side. Finally, capacity development is critical to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of SMEs in an ever-changing economic situation. I've explained why SME business owners must expand their capacity, especially in these difficult times. Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty Capacity building provides SMEs with the necessary skills and mentality to traverse difficult times with resilience. Entrepreneurs with resilience can bear failures, adjust swiftly to changing conditions, and recover from adversities. Business owners who engage in capacity building promote a resilient culture inside their businesses, which may have a substantial impact on the overall performance and long-term sustainability of their operations. SME owners should identify possible risks and develop contingency plans for various circumstances. This proactive strategy helps firms adapt to unanticipated difficulties swiftly and efficiently, reducing the burden of uncertainty. Improving Financial Planning and Management Financial management is one of the most significant areas in which SMEs frequently fail during economic downturns. Capacity development in this sector enables business managers to make educated financial decisions, maximise cash flow, and build efficient cost-control methods. SMEs can weather financial storms, maintain steady operations, and make smart investments when opportunities come with superior financial planning. SME owners may deploy resources sensibly with the help of effective financial management. SMEs may focus resources on growth possibilities such as extending product lines, entering new markets, or investing in technology by optimising cash flow, minimising wasteful expenditures, and prioritising lucrative initiatives. SME owners may make more informed investment decisions with better financial planning. Acceptance of Digital Transformation Traditional company models have been challenged by the digital era, making digital transformation essential for SMEs. Capacity development programmes assist business owners in comprehending and embracing digital technologies, e-commerce platforms, and data analytics. SMEs may reach new markets, improve consumer experiences and optimise internal processes by embracing technology, increasing efficiency and creativity even in challenging economic times. Automation and digital technologies streamline operations, minimising manual labour and increasing overall efficiency. Digital transformation may help SMEs access customers outside of their local markets by breaking down geographical boundaries. E-commerce platforms and online marketplaces enable SMEs to increase their worldwide presence and generate new revenue streams. The agility provided by digital transformation allows SMEs to respond swiftly to market developments and alter their services as needed. Digital technologies enable SMEs to remain ahead of competition and answer changing client demands through rapid prototyping, iterative development, and quick modifications. Taking Advantage of Market Research and Customer Insights Building SME capacity is critical for organisations to capitalise on market research and consumer insights by allowing them to extract important information, make educated decisions, and improve their strategy for greater customer engagement and market success. Consumer behaviour and market dynamics can vary dramatically during difficult economic times. Capacity development provides SME owners with the knowledge and skills needed to perform rigorous market research, gain consumer insights, and detect new trends. With this information, SMEs may adjust their goods or services to match shifting demands and achieve a competitive advantage. Building capacity in data analysis enables SMEs to correctly evaluate market research data. SME owners and staff may see trends, patterns and client preferences, allowing them to gain a better grasp of the market landscape and prospective prospects. SMEs may design rich consumer personas based on market research and insights through capacity building. Understanding your customers' demographics, tastes, behaviours and pain areas enables you to develop focused marketing tactics and provide unique customer experiences. Network Development and Collaboration For SMEs experiencing economic uncertainty, strong networks and teamwork are essential. Capacity development efforts enable company owners to engage with peers, possible partners and industry experts through networking events, workshops and industry forums. Collaboration with like-minded entrepreneurs can result in pooled resources, information sharing, and collaborative ventures, which can assist SMEs in jointly overcoming problems. Building capacity improves SMEs' ability to discover possibilities for collaboration within their industry or similar areas. SMEs can identify suitable partners with complementary skills or shared aims through market research and strategic planning. Capacity building promotes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to attend industry events, conferences and trade exhibitions. These events provide an opportunity to network with important players, promote products/services, and discuss future partnership opportunities for loans and funding. Incorporating digital transformation into capacity building indicates the company's foresight and adaptability to market movements. Human Resource Management that works. Human resources (HR) are the foundation of any firm, and efficient HR management is critical for SMEs in difficult times. Building SME capacity is critical for efficient human resource management because it provides companies with the tools, information and skills they need to recruit, develop and retain skilled and motivated staff. Training in talent acquisition, employee engagement and retention initiatives is available through capacity development programmes. A motivated and trained staff can boost productivity, stimulate innovation, and greatly contribute to the resilience of SMEs in adverse economic times. Building succession planning capabilities assists SMEs in identifying possible future leaders within the business. Internal talent may be developed and groomed by SMEs to take on critical responsibilities, allowing a smooth transfer and continuity in the firm. Improper migration has made library authority staff worse off Daily Graphic Opinion Jul - 31 - 2023 , 15:11 Good salaries and incentives really count in every growing institution. If salaries and incentives of a job are good, the job attracts a lot of skilled personnel. Unfortunately, the Ghana Library Authority was not lucky when its staff were being migrated unto the new salary structure, that is the Single Spine Pay Policy. This new structure ended up reducing grades and salaries of staff. It led to some staff resigning from work, while others are now reluctant to work harder. Are some government institutions better than others? Why should a degree holder working in institution 'A' receive higher salary than a degree holder working in institution 'B'? If a worker's low salary is further reduced in this so called migration exercise, should the worker work or quit? Please, I call on the leadership of the Ghana Library Authority, together with the government, to do all within their power to solve this problem and save the institution. My bittersweet Cape Coast weekend Daily Graphic Opinion Aug - 01 - 2023 , 12:54 I have always had a special place in my heart for Cape Coast (or Oguaa), which I insist is the gastronomical capital of this country. The locals are perceived to be sweet-toothed and love to roast, panfry or grill their food to give it an exotic twist perhaps a carry-over from the early contact with Europeans. But beyond that, they are famed for having the particular skill of delivering their Fantse with aromatic panache and seasoning it with a liberal sprinkling of English words what in linguistics is called code mixing. Oguaa is one of my favourite weekend getaway destinations. My love for this former administrative capital of the then Gold Coast until 1877, when Accra took over, is steeped in its rich, evocative sense of history and quaint charm, especially with its castle, many of its very old buildings and narrow lanes reminiscent of the pre-colonial and colonial eras. Then of course there is the grandly-named, but grossly overhyped London Bridge. I shall say no more about the bridge. Special congregation Over the weekend, work took me to Cape Coast, specifically to the University of Cape Coast, for a special congregation on Saturday to honour Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Energy Minister and MP for Manhyia South, and six others, with honorary doctorate degrees. I arrived on Friday evening and decided to sample the night life as I always do whenever in town. Shortly after midnight, after a few stops with a couple of old friends and a few drinks, I told myself I was no longer as young as I used to be for late-night pub crawling, so I hauled my weary bones to bed. Not much happens in Cape Coast on Friday nights anyway. The action takes place on Sunday nights. The next day, after breakfast, my colleagues and I made our way to the New Examination Centre at the university. In addition to Dr Prempeh, who is also known as Napo, the other awardees were Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI, a lawyer and businessman who is also the Paramount Chief of the Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area of the Central Region, Dr K.K Sarpong, immediate past CEO of the GNPC and a philanthropist, Prof. Harold Stewart Amonoo-Koufi, a medical practitioner and Chairman of the Council of Cape Coast Technical University, Dr Deborah Rose, researcher and philanthropist, Dr Yaw Adu-Agyei Gyamfi, clinical pharmacist and CEO of Dampong Healthcare Group and Prof. Daniel A. Wubah, a biologist and President of Millersville University, Pennsylvania, USA. Friends, family and colleagues of each of the awardees had travelled from out of town to support them. Convocation was in full force, as were council members and other key officials, draped in their colourful robes and looking very gravely academic. One of Ghanas foremost art and classical musicians and organist, Dr Patrick Addaquaye, wooed the audience with some amazing pieces during the two interludes. Napos award Eventually, we got to the crux. In turn, each of the seven awardees rose to have their full citations read to the gathering, before being called up to be robed and then presented with their scrolls and their certificates, to drum appellations. In the case of Dr Prempehs Doctor of Educational Leadership (DEL, Honoris Causa) award, his leadership in delivering the Free SHS programme, which saw enhanced access to SHS education, student population jump from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.2 million was the highlight. Several other reforms pursued in his tenure as Education Minister also gave impetus to the award. These included curriculum reforms for Kindergarten to Primary Six, as well as an aggressive push to mainstream Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through the development of a five-year TVET Strategic Plan, among others. The citation referred to Dr Prempehs role, whilst Education Minister, in an agreement between the Government of Ghana and UNESCO that established the University of Cape Coasts Institute Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA) as a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence. This was the culmination of a great deal of engagement and deliberations through his lobbying of the UNESCO Executive Board to facilitate a record-time approval. The elevation of the institute highlighted the importance of the need for a centre of excellence such as IEPA to guide teacher training in this country. Seven honorees at the University of Cape Coast's Special Congregation on Saturday. The IEPA has since then been working assiduously towards its strategic goals, through capacity building workshops, collaborations with key stakeholders and training of school heads, among others. Beyond the IEPA, Dr Prempeh as Education Minister also lobbied and obtained an agreement in 2018 with UNESCO to host a UNESCO Centre of Excellence in mathematical and allied sciences under the auspices of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Ghana (AIMS-GHANA) in Accra. This was Dr Prempehs third honorary doctorate award. The University of Education Winneba (UEW) and the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) both awarded him honorary doctorate degrees in 2021 for his leadership in the education sector. I joked with a colleague that with these three doctorate awards on top of his bachelors degree in Medicine from KNUST, he could now insist on being addressed as Dr Dr Dr Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh. Soon, it was time to head back to Accra with beautiful memories of the day. Tragedy I have always held the view that a trip to Cape Coast without the purchase of Fantse kenkey, some crispy, deep-fried octopus and shrimps at Yamoransa Junction on the way back is a travesty. The size of the kenkey relative to the layers of wrapping leaves is the subject of another article. As we approached the old toll booth just before Moree junction, and seemingly without any reason, a bus right in front of our vehicle that was full of small children suddenly veered off the road, rammed through some rickety stalls on the side of the road and plunged violently into a ditch. A young lady who was brandishing some kenkey and other wares and was approaching our vehicle jumped out of the way in fright, barely escaping being crushed. I have never seen an accident unfold before my very eyes, and I was rattled, as was driver of our vehicle. Traffic had been slow, and we were barely doing 20km per hour so it was clearly not a case of over speeding. Passing by the vehicle to find a safe place to park, we saw the driver slumped before the wheel, his head resting on the steering wheel, his windscreen cracked. Thankfully, all the children were pulled out safely. However, another lady vendor had been mowed down by the bus and was stuck underneath it, with one of its front wheels sitting on her left leg while her head was stuck in an awkward position. She was barely breathing, and eventually she stopped breathing altogether and lay still. It was distressing to watch helplessly. The lady who had escaped death by the skin of her teeth was still in shock and could barely speak. As word spread among the other vendors along the stretch, they came running, tearfully screaming her name - Kwakyewaa!! We all speculated that the driver must have dozed off at the wheel. Helpless, we bought our kenkey and continued our journey after our driver had recomposed himself. In our muted conversations, we wondered at the fleeting nature of life itself, like a wispy cloud across the skies. A woman told us she had exchanged hearty greetings with her just fifteen minutes earlier, and that she was sitting at her stall. Now, she was gone, just like that and without warning. I kept wondering whether the construction of short, reinforced concrete pillars on the edge of the roads where vendors congregate, especially along our major highways, cannot help prevent some of these tragedies, since moving them altogether is unlikely to work. My otherwise pleasant weekend had been marred, and I still cannot get poor Kwakyewaa out of my mind. May her soul rest in peace. Female teachers encouraged to embrace potential Daily Graphic Education Aug - 01 - 2023 , 12:17 The 7th edition of the Women in the Classroom Conference was held last Friday to empower female teachers. It was organised by the Youngsters and Teachers Hub in collaboration with the Yilo Krobo Municipality chapter of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) on the theme; Becoming. Held at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya, the conference featured speakers and dignitaries who inspired, educated and motivated the participants. They included the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Sky Limited and Novalle Ebullience Limited, Mavis A. Leonards; the Chief Executive Officer of ICS Africa, Emmaline Datey the Principal of TUCEE Institute of Counselling, Dr Cecilia Tutu Danquah; and the Commercial Director, Angel Broadcasting Network, Barbara Dede Sedode. Inspiration Taking their turn, they each encouraged participants to embrace their potential fearlessly. A Consultant, HR & Leadership Development, Dr Stella Agyenim-Boateng, in her keynote address, emphasised the importance of discipline and optimism for a brighter future, and motivated participants to overcome challenges and pursue their aspirations. Dr Tutu-Danquah, who was the guest speaker, highlighted the crucial role of mental health in the learning process and emphasised the need for a supportive environment. Crucial role The National Vice-President of GNAT, Lucy Amanda Asamoah, in sharing her perspective during the panel discussion acknowledged the crucial role women played in shaping the future of education and society, and reiterated the organisations commitment to positively impact them. One of the highlights of the conference was the recognition of 60 exceptional female teachers who were awarded citations for their dedication and hard work in shaping the minds of the younger generation. $300m dispute: Court places injunction on mining firm Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Aug - 01 - 2023 , 11:05 The Commercial Division of the Accra High Court has placed an injunction on Australian mining firm, Cassius Mining Limited, from going for international arbitration over a $300 million dispute with the Government of Ghana (GoG). Cassius Mining has been fighting the government in international arbitration forums since February this year, seeking compensation for what, it claimed, were unfair treatment and breaches of mining laws by the GoGs failure to extend the term of the companys Prospecting Licence Agreement (PLA) after exercising its contractual right of extension. The court, presided over by Justice Akua Sarpomaa Amoah, imposed the injunction yesterday after it upheld an application by the Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame. The A-G had argued that per the PLA, any dispute between the mining firm and the GoG ought to be settled by arbitration in Ghana in accordance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798), and not by an international arbitration panel. Courts decision In upholding the application for injunction, Justice Amoah held that Cassius Mining failed to convince the court that it would suffer greater hardship, if the arbitration was done in the country. On the other hand, the judge was of the view that the GoG stood to suffer greater hardship, if the arbitration was done outside the country. The balance of convenience also tips in favour of the applicant (A-G) as allowing the respondent to resort to international arbitration is not only arbitrary but will incur costs on the Ghanaian tax payers, Justice Amoah held. Again, the court was of the considered view that the dispute settlement clause in the PLA, which enjoined the parties to resort to arbitration in Ghana, was an enforceable contract which was binding on the two parties (Cassius Mining and GoG). The respondent (Cassius Mining) is restricted from instituting any international arbitration or taking any steps to initiate an international arbitration until the arbitration initiated at the Ghana Arbitration Centre by the respondent is determined, Justice Amoah ordered. Challenge This is not the first time the A-G has successfully challenged Cassius Minings decision to go for international arbitration over the dispute. In March this year, the A-G successfully challenged the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, to hear the dispute after Cassius Mining had filed for arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules before the PCA. Raising a preliminary legal objection, Mr Dame argued that the GoG had not consented to the PCA administrating the arbitration and also per the PLA, any dispute between the two parties must be resolved in Ghana in accordance with Act 798. The PCA upheld the objection by Mr Dame, declined jurisdiction over the dispute and refused to constitute a panel to hear the dispute. The PCA Secretary-General may act as appointing authority under the UNCITRAL Rules, if all parties so agree. The PCA understands that no such agreement has been reached in this matter, the PCA said in a letter dated March 20 this year to the parties. Background Per court records, on October 12, 2016, Cassius Mining Limited applied for a prospecting mining licence to explore minerals in Talensi in the Upper East Region. On December 28, 2016, the government, through the then Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, granted the mining firm a prospecting licence for two years, which was to expire in December 2018. On June 14, 2018, Cassius Mining alleged that the government had failed to uphold its part of the contract by not renewing the prospecting licence which was set to expire in December 2018. The mining firm, therefore, dragged the government to the Ghana Arbitration Centre on June 26, 2018, in accordance with the dispute settlement clause of the Prospecting Licence Agreement, which enjoins the parties to settle their disputes in Ghana in accordance with Act 798. An arbitral panel, which comprised Emmanuel Amofa, Kizito Beyuo and Professor Albert Fiadjoe, was formed to hear and determine the dispute. However, per the court documents, on January 23, 2019, Cassius Mining applied for a stay of proceedings for three months in order to explore settlement with the government. After the expiration of the three months, the mining firm applied for an extension which was granted but nothing was heard about the arbitration, although it was still pending. In February 2023, Cassius Mining instituted fresh arbitration at the PCA, which declined to hear the matter following the objection raised by the A-G. Bank of Ghana deemed unfit for purpose by Minority GraphicOnline Aug - 01 - 2023 , 06:57 The Bank of Ghana has come under strong criticism from the Minority in Parliament, with the group asserting that the central bank is not competent for its designated role. The Minority laments that the BoG is unable to execute monetary policies without resorting to printing money. According to the Bank of Ghana's recent audited report, it has registered GH60 billion in losses during its debt restructuring exercise. In response to the Finance Minister's presentation of the mid-year budget review to Parliament, Isaac Adongo, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the government has not successfully turned the situation around. He said: "All the funds in our banks, which they compelled to save with the Bank of Ghana under the Prudential Reserve, have gone to waste. The foreign currency borrowed to support the Cedi has also been depleted. In fact, even if we deduct the GH48 billion government debt, the Bank of Ghana still faces a GH22 billion deficit. This indicates that the Bank is inadequate for its role as it cannot execute monetary policies without resorting to printing money due to its lack of funds." Character education, discipline missing in most Ghanaian schools - Prof Felix Hammond bemoans graphic.com.gh Aug - 01 - 2023 , 14:11 The Chairman of the Governing Council of Dominion University College, Professor Felix Nikoi Hammond says a combination of character education and discipline is the best approach to reducing the increasing indiscipline in Ghanaian public and private schools. According to him, the aforementioned will create a safe and nurturing educational community that fosters academic excellence and personal growth. Speaking to the media on Monday, July 31, 2023, in Accra, Prof Hammond explained that character education is aimed at cultivating positive values such as empathy, respect, self-discipline, punctuality, kindness, congeniality, and responsibility among students. He indicated that introducing character education in schools will significantly reduce incidents of bullying and promote a healthy school environment. On the other hand, he said discipline will involve the enforcement of consequences for bullying behaviour to deter its recurrence and restore justice to the affected parties. His call comes after a student was seen in a video assaulting a colleague at Adisadel College (ADISCO) last week. Viral video The incident attracted anger, fury, and outcry from the public, who called for immediate action to be taken. The incident, which happened at a dormitory at the Quaque House, left one of the students, Kelvin Ofori, who was attacked by a taller student, with a swollen cheek. The student has since been arrested and granted bail. The victim has been recalled to the school after initially being suspended. He is currently undergoing medical treatment, and the school has assigned a psychologist to provide him with the necessary support and counselling to help him through the trauma he experienced Grading system Touching on the incident, Prof Hammond expressed concern that Ghanas educational curricula and assessments appear to be disproportionately focused on cognitive development, with little attention paid to the behavioural and character development of students. Consequently, the crucial aspects of morality and character development that are a vital ingredient in comprehensive education are frequently ignored, he stated. He added that students are not graded for exhibiting praiseworthy character traits, despite their importance in shaping an individual's overall development. He said, By incorporating the principles of character education across all levels of basic, secondary, and tertiary education, students will be incentivized to practice good behaviour. To achieve the above, he said grades should be awarded for exemplary conduct, which will then contribute to their overall WASSCE performance or university classification. Deduction of grades In addition, the chairman of Dominion University College said to ensure that students are held accountable for their misconduct, the grades should also be deducted for anti-social conduct to serve as a deterrent to the students who engaged in this conduct. This approach would be advantageous for both individuals and society at large, as it inculcates the necessary qualities for a well-rounded education, which eventually leads to a well-rounded workforce. Prof Hammond maintained that character education alone will not suffice, adding that a system of education that does not enforce disciplinary measures for inappropriate behaviour is inherently flawed. According to him, such a system may foster a culture of delinquency and intimidation, which could potentially spill over into professional arenas, such as the workforce or political arena. As corporal punishment is now outlawed, he said it was imperative to implement more productive and transformative disciplinary measures. These measures, he stressed would be critical in creating a conducive learning environment and upholding the integrity of educational institutions. Communications Minister commissions rural telephony sites in Northern Region Mohammed Fugu Aug - 01 - 2023 , 08:59 The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has commissioned three Rural Telephony sites in the Kumbungu and Tolon districts in the Northern Region. The sites are located at Tibungu, Jagriguyili and Nagbligu. The facilities formed part of the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), which seeks to connect deprived communities to telecommunication services. In order to provide basic telephone voice and data connectivity to underserved and unserved communities, the government has started the construction of 2,016 cell sites under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project. This is in line with the government's digitalisation agenda to create a strong digital economy and sustainable development throughout the country. One of the Rural Telephony sites Until the commissioning of the sites, the beneficiary communities had no access to telecommunication network. To access network, the residents had to trek several kilometres to nearby communities or climb higher mountains to make calls. Commissioning Commissioning the sites at separate occasions, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said extending the telecommunication networks to the communities would go a long way to open up the area. She indicated that a total of 2,016 cell sites were being built across Ghana with about half of the total number now in full operation and added that the second phase of the project would also be rolled out to reach more deprived communities. "With all the digital infrastructure the government is putting up across the country, without access to telecommunication network, we can't access them. To work, live, learn and connect with the rest of the world as the world changes, our people must be able to access these digital infrastructure," she said. Regular maintenance For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of GIFEC, Prince Ofosu Sefah, urged the community members to take good care of the facilities to enable them to serve the intended purposes. The District Chief Executive for Kumbungu, Abdul-Salam Hamza Fataw, thanked the GIFEC for the gesture and pledged his outfit's commitment to take proper care of them. Cultural oneness festival to be held in Tamale Daily Graphic Aug - 01 - 2023 , 06:39 A major event to celebrate and showcase the rich cultures of the countrys diverse communities is to be held in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital. The event, which is being organised by The Taste of Afrika in partnership with the African Tourism Board will come off in December to coincide with the Christmas festivities this year. Dubbed Cultural oneness festival, it is also aimed at promoting cultural awareness and unity, unique traditions, arts and music, particularly in the northern part of the country. It offers an option to visitors from the diaspora who intend to come to the country for the yuletide festivities to savour the rich culture of the people. It will also contribute to fostering mutual understanding and consolidate unity, while developing the tourism industry to attract investment among other benefits to that part of the country. Statement In a statement jointly signed by the Executive President of the ATB, Dr Cuthbert Ncube and the Secretary-General of the board, Hiwotie A. Assefa, it further said we recognise the significance of this cultural event and the potential it holds in highlighting the diverse cultural heritage of the African continent. We are excited to collaborate with you to showcase the richness and uniqueness of African local cultures, promote cultural awareness and unity, and attract tourists and investments to the region, it said. The statement also said that as a strategic partner, the board was committed to supporting and promoting the festival to ensure its success, adding we will actively participate in promoting the festival through our various communication channels including our websites, social media platforms and members group platforms. It also intends to explore collaborative marketing initiatives and joint promotional campaigns to maximise the reach and impact of the event. Partnership The Chief Executive Officer of The Taste Of Afrika, Tengol K. Kplemani, described the collaboration as significant and meant to give tourism in the north a unique flavour. To us, our vision for this project is aimed at, among other things, projecting the continents diverse cultural heritage and identity and connecting its roots to the diaspora and the rest of the world. We are happy that the vision of making the north of Ghana and Africa as a whole a tourists hub is fast piecing up together, he added. Mr Kplemani further said the partnership will help identify the beauty and importance of African tourist destinations for the African people, the diaspora and the world at large. GEA schools trainers on occupational safety, health Yaa Kuffour Senyah Aug - 01 - 2023 , 10:51 The Ghana Employers Association (GEA) has organised a workshop to educate its trainers on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) guidelines to help eliminate occupational hazards and risks at the workplace. The two-day workshop, which was held in Accra last Thursday, was aimed at providing its members with effective training techniques to disseminate OSH knowledge and practices to their colleagues at the workplace while enhancing the understanding of the guidelines developed by the association specific to the manufacturing sector. Targeted at professionals in the manufacturing sector, the training was also to equip the participants with diverse expertise, including risk assessment and control management, among others, to ensure that they gain valuable insights which would enable them to implement best practices at the workplace. Workshop Addressing participants in the workshop, the Director of Industrial Relations of GEA, Joseph Kingsley Amuah, said proactive management of OSH-related issues was critical for enterprise development and the well-being of workers. However, the absence of a unique and standard OSH framework has affected the way and manner work-related injuries, accidents and near accidents at workplaces have been addressed. This gap, he said, had resulted in huge expenses incurred by businesses to defray compensation to their workers who suffered various degrees of work-related injuries, fixing, replacing and installing equipment to maximise safety; thus, it was against this background that GEA had developed the guidelines to support employers and businesses to adequately mainstream the culture of OSH management in every workplace. Guidelines Mr Amuah said the guidelines came in four direct forms which included a generic one which served as an invaluable reference tool for all employers and workers, national institutions and other agents that played various roles in ensuring that workplaces in Ghana were safe and healthy. The rest, he said, were the manufacturing, agriculture and construction sector OSH management guidelines which were generally to ensure that health and safety management in the workplace constituted a core management function that was ongoing and promoted a culture of cooperation between the major stakeholders. Mr Amuah further encouraged that the sector adequately adapted the use of the guidelines to actively develop a sustainable safety culture at all workplaces. So let us remember that the true measure of our success lies not in the guidelines themselves but in their implementation across every factory floor and in the hands of every worker, he added. Policy For his part, the Country HSSEC Manager of Blue Ocean Investments, Fred Asante Antwi, said health safety had become a global issue; hence, most companies needed to pay keen attention to health and safety issues at the workplace. He said safety, in the long run, was profitable as when invested in would prevent future costs and boost productivity in the companies. He took the participants through topics such as identifying hazards, risk assessment of risks and reviewing controls, among others, and how they can be applied in different company settings. Mr Antwi further called on policymakers to take steps in producing a national safety policy that would ensure that the safety of employees at the workplace was protected. Ghana elected to World Tourism Organisation executive council Daily Graphic Aug - 01 - 2023 , 11:00 Ghana is now a member of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), an agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. The organisation also promotes tourism as driver of economic growth, inclusive development and sustainable environment. It also offers leadership and support to the sector to advance knowledge of tourism policies worldwide. Apart from Ghana, five other countries Nigeria, Rwanda, Namibia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, were also given the nod to serve on the council. Event The council members were selected at the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting in Mauritius last Thursday. It was on the theme: Rethinking tourism for Africa: Addressing global challenges; Promoting investment and partnerships. The council, among other things, will consult with the Secretary-General to implement decisions that will boost tourism across the globe. The council will be unveiled at the next UNWTO General Assembly meeting which will take place in Uzbekistan in October this year. Commitment In his acceptance speech, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, pledged Ghanas commitment to put travel and tourism at the summit of the global development agenda. He also commended his colleague ministers for the trust they put in him. Dr Awal urged Africa tourism ministers to pursue sustainable tourism practices in order to protect the environment and to also ensure that communities benefit from tourism dividends. Investment The minister further called for investment in tourism infrastructure and building the capacity of operators along the tourism value chain to enhance the continents competitiveness. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently tasked the ministry to implement innovative strategies to make tourism, arts and culture contribute effectively to national development. He also directed specific sectors to ensure that international tourists arrivals reached two million by 2025, with a corresponding receipt of $6 billion annually. UK govt supports Ghana to fight illegal mining Timothy Ngnenbe Aug - 01 - 2023 , 10:41 The United Kingdom Government has launched a 3.9-million programme to support Ghana's fight against illegal gold mining and smuggling. The three-year initiative will augment the government's effort to tackle illegal mining by strengthening community resilience, improving regulation and building the capacity of law enforcement agencies. A brief ceremony was held at the National Assay Laboratory, located near the Kotoka International Airport, at which the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Spencer Cleverly, jointly launched the programme. Context Since 2017, the government has been implementing a raft of measures to help clamp down on illegal mining, popularly called galamsey. A ban was placed on all forms of small-scale mining for almost two years until it was lifted in December, 2018. As part of reforms to stem the tides, the countrys mining laws were reviewed to include more punitive regimes for perpetrators of galamsey. Among other measures rolled out to tackle the galamsey menace were the military deployments to illegal mining areas, revision of mining laws, community mining scheme, the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), and other law enforcement mechanisms. Despite these interventions, illegal miners have remained adamant to halting their destructive activities on the environment. Good addition Mr Jinapor said the programme would be rolled out in the Ashanti, Western and Savannah regions. "The objective of the programme is to ensure traceability, enhanced regulation, provision of alternative livelihoods and generally support law enforcement, all targeted at halting galamsey," he said. He said a technical team at the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry would work closely with the UK High Commission to ensure the effective implementation of the initiative. The minister further said the new programme would go a long way to augment the existing measures to help sanitise the small-scale mining sector. "This initiative will augment the work we are doing and there is the thinking around rationalising and synchronising what we are doing already," he said. He stressed that the government would do whatever was right, and within the laws of the country, to ensure that the small-scale mining sector was made more beneficial to citizens. Mr Cleverly commended the government for the bold steps that had been taken to tackle the galamsey menace head-on. "I am proud that the UK is working alongside the government to tackle illegal mining and smuggling of gold. It is important to continue to do what is right to ensure that criminality will not thrive," he said. Also, the UKs Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, stressed the need for the government to do more to protect citizens from the harm emanating from galamsey. The environmental impact of unregulated mining is huge, damaging and destructive to agricultural lands that could be put to better use, and must be stopped," he said. He gave an assurance that the UK government would remain committed to supporting Ghana to deal with the galamsey menace. Ghanaian company begins Chilli pepper export Benjamin Xornam Glover Aug - 01 - 2023 , 13:31 The Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Project (GIRSAL) has commenced the export of chilli pepper to the European Union (EU) Market. The Bird's Eye chilli variety was cultivated and harvested under a pilot project rolled out to grow and export chilli pepper using shade net house technology to meet the phytosanitary requirements of the EU market. Planting activities started at the Agri Impact Greenhouse enclave at Dawhenya in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region, on May 17, 2023, and harvesting and export began on July 24, 2023. The first harvest from a 0.4-hectare net house at the Agri Impact greenhouse enclave in Dawhenya yielded 80 boxes of freshly harvested chilli weighing over 400 kilogrammes and was airlifted to the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday. The production cycle from the farm is expected to last for one year. USAID Speaking to Journalists, the Director of Agribusiness at GIRSAL, Samuel Yeboah, said the initiative by GIRSAL, with support from the USAID Ghana Trade and Investment Activity, VegPro Kenya, and other partners, including the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), formed part of a five-year strategic plan to increase export and reduce inputs, using the organisations credit risk guarantee. He said following challenges identified in the vegetable export sector, GIRSAL undertook a study tour of Vegpro Group's operations in Kenya, one of the largest horticultural businesses in Kenya, which produced and exported over 30 commodities in a greenhouse and net house conditions. Mr Yeboah said the team came back with some learning, including piloting the production of chillies in net houses and thereafter using the results to encourage farmers/exporters to adopt. Project He said the project had identified four locations for commercial trials, namely the Dahwenya Irrigation Site in the Greater Accra Region, Ziope and Woadze, both in the Volta Region and Kyekyewere in the Eastern Region, adding that the plan was to work with vegetable industry association members to establish four hectares of net houses in these locations. Shade net technology is a form of protected cropping structure that offers an ideal environment for plant growth, and protection from sunlight, wind and pests. The technology reduces the risk of insect pest invasion, as it uses insect-proof nets, and minimises wind damage and water stress during hot, dry and windy conditions. Mr Yeboah noted that Ghana used to be a significant supplier of chillies to the EU and vegetable export generated a significant amount of foreign exchange for the Ghanaian economy and provided a market avenue for numerous smallholder farmers. He said the EU in October 2014 banned the export of vegetables such as chillies and other vegetables from Ghana to its markets because of suspicions that the farm produce was infested with pests and, therefore, was being introduced into the ecosystem of the EU. The ban resulted in the country losing more than US$ 30 million in export revenue from five selected vegetables banned from entering the EU market. Credit risk The Chief Operating Officer of GIRSAL, Takyi Sraha, said GIRSAL was initially set up to provide credit risk guarantees to financial institutions to increase lending to the agricultural sector in Ghana. He said the results from the commercial trial in terms of costs of required infrastructure, agro-inputs and labour, as well as the expected revenue would be used for a cost-benefit analysis and subsequently build a business case for commercial production of chillies under the net house. The President of the Ghana Vegetables and Exporters Association, Dr Felix Kamassah, was optimistic about the success of the intervention and called on the government to put in place appropriate policies to support the private sector in the quest to overturn the misfortune that hit Ghana in the vegetable export business. The Executive Director of Agri Impact, managers of the greenhouse enclave in Dawhenya, Juliana Asante Dartey, thanked GIRSAL for the partnership and called for more collaborations towards investing in the agriculture sector, particularly greenhouse technology development, to address food insecurity and post-harvest loss in Ghana amidst issues on global climate change. How Apple AirPods led to the conviction of a thief GNA Aug - 01 - 2023 , 06:47 The Police had an easy task of locating an unwitty thief with the aid of an embedded tracking device in an Apple AirPods he stole in a solo burglary. Isaac Bortey Borteye, 30, unemployed who broke into the house of a pharmacist and made away with money and some personal items, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court. Borteye, who was held for causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing, denied the charges. The court presided over Mr Isaac Addo at the end of the trial, found Borteye guilty and convicted him accordingly. The court sentenced Bortey to two years on the charge of causing unlawful damage and five years prison term on the charges of unlawful entry and stealing. Sentences are to run concurrently. During the trial, prosecutors called two witnesses. Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer said the complainant, David Bortey Bletcher, was a pharmacist. Prosecution said the accused person, now a convict, and the complainant were residents of Nungua. It said on May 31, 2023, at about 4:00 am, the complainant woke up only to detect that a thief or thieves had entered his room and made away with assorted items. Prosecution listed the items as: cash in the sum of GH3,000, 50 pounds sterling, a power bank, calculator, an Apple phone charger, Apple Air Pods valued at GH1,500, pair of caveman watch valued at GH600 and a wallet containing different complimentary cards and bank credit cards. According to the prosecution, the complainant got to know that thieves or thief entered his room through the main door by breaking the lock. It said a report was made to the Police and during investigations, the complainants Apple Air Pods was tracked to the accused persons room. Prosecution said a search conducted in the convicts room, GH2,905, 50 pounds sterling, a ring was retrieved. It said four pieces of Fiesta vibe condoms with batch number: CN58901, like some condoms in the complainants room, were retrieved. Prosecution said Borteye led the Police to a cemetery near the Nungua Presbyterian Church where he disposed off the complainants wallet with the ID cards. Mystery solved. A donor who gave a student 1,000 yuan ($140) each month to help her with her studies has been identified. The donor, who started supporting the girl in Haining, Zhejiang province in September 2019, was identified by Dachao News, a news portal based in Haining. It said 23-year-old Wu Yuqi took a deep bow to express her gratitude toward Zhang Shaomin, the father of one of her high school friends, who had been donating without disclosing his identity. Wu had been seeking the identity of her benefactor ever since the anonymous contributions started arriving four years earlier. After being raised by her mother, who became deaf after Wu's father died in a car accident when Wu was six months old, Wu grew into an independent and mature girl. She was always frugal in her spending and diligent in her studies and believed studying was the key to a better future. In 2019, a scholarship campaign was launched by local media in Haining to help college students in need and Wu, who had been achieving good grades, was among those featured as she prepared to attend Lanzhou University. Zhang Shaomin, who learned Wu's story through the news report, was moved to the extent that he decided to donate a monthly allowance of 1,000 yuan. With the support of his wife and daughter, who were good friends with Wu back in high school, Zhang made the decision to make the donation without disclosing his identity. When asked why he remained anonymous, Zhang said he did not want to put Wu under additional pressure. Finally, with the help of local media in Haining, Wu Yuqi learned the identity of her donor and, after hearing Wu wanted to meet him, Zhang agreed. "I just lent a hand, it's not a big deal," he said. Wu said: "I never expected him to be the father of my high school classmate." On July 21, accompanied by her mother, Wu Yuqi set off from her home to express her gratitude to Zhang, handing him a thank-you letter and reports about her studies. Wu also told him she had been admitted to Fudan University for her master's degree. Before parting, Zhang and Wu exchanged contact information and Zhang told her: "If you encounter any financial difficulties during your postgraduate studies, make sure to reach out to me!" MTN Ghana reports significant increase in profit and revenue; declares interim dividend Kweku Zurek Aug - 01 - 2023 , 11:39 MTN Ghana, the leading telecommunications operator in the country, has announced substantial growth in both pretax profit and revenue for the first half of the year. The company's exceptional performance is attributed to remarkable growth in voice, data, and Mobile Money revenue. As a result, MTN Ghana has revised its medium-term guidance upwards, expecting high-20s percentage growth in service revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, MTN Ghana recorded a pretax profit of GH2.44 billion ($213.6 million), a significant rise compared to GH1.68 billion achieved in the first half of 2022. Additionally, the company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) also improved, reaching GH3.47 billion, up from GH2.68 billion in the same period last year. Total revenue for the group surged to GH6.18 billion, up from GH4.67 billion in the previous year. Notably, service revenue experienced a remarkable 32% increase, reaching GH6.16 billion in the first half. The company attributes its outstanding performance to the expansion of network capacity and coverage, along with improvements in IT systems and service delivery. These factors have supported the usage of the company's services by its 27.3 million subscribers across Ghana. The rise in data revenue is especially noteworthy, growing by 41.0% year on year to GHS 2.6 billion. This growth was driven by an increase in active users, growth in data traffic, and effective price revisions. Similarly, MoMo (Mobile Money) revenue increased by 48.8% year on year to GH1.3 billion, supported by cash-out revenue and advanced services revenue. Despite these remarkable achievements, digital revenue experienced a decline of 22.1% year on year to GH63.6 million. However, MTN Ghana is executing portfolio rationalization initiatives to enhance digital services and aims to return to positive growth in digital revenues by 2024. Regarding costs, MTN Ghana is committed to managing expenses effectively to mitigate the impact of macroeconomic dynamics on the business. The company also made investments in property, plant, and equipment, leading to increased depreciation charges. The positive financial results have enabled MTN Ghana to declare a gross interim dividend of GH0.05 per share for the period ended June 30, 2023, subject to appropriate taxes. Shareholders registered on or before August 18, 2023, qualify for the dividend payment scheduled for September 8, 2023. Prempeh College 2000 Class (Millennium Amanfoo) honour 15 outstanding members Beatrice Laryea Jul - 31 - 2023 , 19:08 The southern branch of the 2000-Year Group of Prempeh College, famously known as Millennium Amanfoo, last Friday recognized and celebrated 15 of their members who had distinguished themselves in their various fields of work. The solemn and well attended event dubbed Millennium Amanfoo - Southern Excellence Awards Gala, brought together several members of the 2000-Year Group together with their spouses as well as other old students of the college. It was held at the African Regent Hotel in Accra amidst traditional highlife music with sumptuous buffet. Award winners The awardees included Associate Professor at the Department of Accounting, University of Ghana Busines School, Prof. Godfred M. Y. Owusu, Head of Department of Civil Engineering at Koforidua Technical Univerisity, Dr. Clement Nyamekye, current occupant of the Ashanti Ninibe Stool, Nana Kwakye Abamono Ababio, General Manager at Tri-Star Insurance Services, Kofi Ntiamoah Frimpong, Commissioner of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, Akwasi Agyeibi Prempeh, Senior Fire Officer with the Ghana Fire Service, DO Albert Aidoo, Partner at PwC Ghana, Prince Adufutse and Director for Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Safeguard and Non-Proliferation Departments, Dr. Emmanuel Amponsah-Amoako. The rest were Regional Exploration Manager at Newmont Ghana, Kwaku Takyi-Kyeremeh, Chief Operation Officer of KGL Group, Dr Michael Owusu, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Alberta, Prof. Godwin Dzah, Businessman and Municipal Chief Executive of Weija Gbawe Municipal Assembly, Mr. Patrick Kwesi Brako Kumor, Brands Manager at Ernest Chemists, Obed Oduro, Head of Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Research at Right to Information Commission, Lawyer Stephen Owusu and Immunization Officer, World Health Organisation-Ghana Team Lead for Country Operations, Fred Osei-Sarpong. Selection process Speaking at the event, Lead Organiser, Mr. Rene Plahar said the winners were carefully selected after reviewing their profiles and present achievements in their various fields. There were so many superlative profiles, so many stellar credentials, so many shining lights and so much quality. We tried. We zoned in and drilled this to the finest strands of our high Amanfoo standards. We settled on these outstanding nominees, he said. Mr Plahar continued: We are here to celebrate excellence. We are here to be inspired by excellence. We are here to show our colleagues how proud we are of their excellent exploits. We are here in true fellowship and solidarity with our Amanfoo ethos. Inspiration For his part, Southern Branch Chairman of the group, Mr. Roland Akomea noted that the awardees were deserving of the recognition due to the high standards set and urged others to take a cue from their achievements. The Seniors who are going to be honoured today have set the standard, raised the bar for others to emulate. May we all learn from their achievements in various fields of endeavour. Let them inspire, motivate and encourage us to excel wherever we find ourselves, Mr. Akomea said. As our term of office draws to a close, on behalf of fellow executives, I would like to thank you all for the support and cooperation given us. May our association continue to grow from strength to strength and be a model for others to follow, he added. Reactions After picking their awards, most of the recipients thanked the organisers and charged them to extend the gesture to other year groups to inspire more people to excel in their endeavours. I thank God to be here. I am really honoured to be here that after 23-years we are under the same roof to celebrate each other. I believe the next edition will be bigger and better than this, said Municipal Chief Executive of Weija Gbawe Municipal Assembly, Mr. Patrick Kwesi Brako Kumor. This means a lot to me because usually we get these kinds of recognition from other organisations but when it is coming from your colleagues who appreciate what you have achieved so far, it means a lot. Today, I have really felt that spirit of brotherliness, said Associate Professor at the Department of Accounting, University of Ghana Busines School, Prof. Godfred M. Y. Owusu. UCC awards 141 retirees Francisca Eshun Aug - 01 - 2023 , 12:08 One hundred and forty-one retired workers of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have been honoured for their dedicated service to the institution at a send off ceremony. The retirees included 19 senior members, 33 senior staff and 89 junior staff from various departments and sections of the university. This years retirees include, 136 persons who had served the university between 10 and 42 years in various capacities. They received deep fridges, gas cookers, a set of living room furniture, generators, televisions with a TV guard and citations. The long service ceremony was introduced in 2004 to appreciate the invaluable service by retiring staff of the university. Initially, the ceremony presented awards and citations to retiring staff who had served the university for at least 10 years and more. The management of the university, however, reviewed the awards, extending it to all retiring staff irrespective of the numbers of years served since every staff was deemed to have contributed to the growth of the university in various capacities. Those honoured included John Egya Ekow Abonyi who served the university for 42 years. Commendation The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, stated that the retirees had made various significant contributions in their areas of work and spent the greatest parts of the productive years in the institution and congratulated them on their support during their years at the UCC. He added that management would maintain a continuous appreciation and commitment to the wellbeing of the retirees by strengthening and providing medical health support to the retired staff as a way of supporting their health. Prof. Boampong noted that the major criteria for determining the value of the award given to the retirees was the length of service, adding that management was pleased to continue with the programme and would explore other avenues to improve on the packages for retirees amidst the limited financial resources. Provident fund Meanwhile, he said the university's governing council had approved the establishment of the Provident Fund for staff and modalities were being put in place by the directorates of Human Resource and Finance. He called on worker unions to invest in their members and support them to plan towards an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement. Strengthen relationships He admonished employees to take time off to ponder over the kind of relationships they had individually established with the institution and with others over the years and to improve such relationships. Prof. Boampong encouraged them to join clubs and associations to enable them fraternise and stay healthy. Appreciation Paulina Nana Yaa Kwafoa, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, expressed appreciation to the management and staff for their support and encouragement. She encouraged the staff to continue to diligently perform their duties to help keep the flag of UCC flying high in the ensuing years. Ms Kwafoa pledged that the relationship between the institution and the retirees would be strengthened for the benefit of all. Target governments to solve reproductive health needs in Africa Daily Graphic Health Aug - 01 - 2023 , 10:40 The Executive Director of the National Population Council, Dr Leticia Adelaide Appiah, has called for advocacy directed towards governments and political leaders if reproductive health needs and the challenges associated with it in sub-Saharan Africa are to be addressed. She said reproductive health policy and programmes should be viewed not only as health-related issues but also as educational, employment and security policies. Dr Appiah said this at the Experts Group Meeting on Assessing the Status of Implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action at the United Nations (UN) in New York. The meeting, chaired by Noemi Ruth Espinoza Madrid, Deputy Permanent Representative of Honduras and Chair of the 57th session of the CPD, focused on examining progress and gaps in implementing the goals and objectives set out in the ICPD Programme of Action. Dr Appiah who delivered a presentation on the African perspective, focusing on the current situation, health, economic and security perspectives was of the view that governments and stakeholders in the region must consider local production of contraceptives to enhance accessibility, adding that engaging communities through evidence-based advocacy, particularly on the negative consequences of child marriages, teen pregnancies and unintended pregnancies, could help raise awareness and garner support. Additionally, she said a widespread public campaign should promote rights and choices, emphasising the health, educational, economic and security benefits of contraceptive use. Current demographics and health implications She said Africa's high population growth rate was sustained by preventable conditions such as child marriage, teen motherhood and unmet need for family planning. These factors, she said, contributed to a high number of unintended pregnancies, leading to increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Consequently, she said a significant number of individuals experienced suboptimal health outcomes, resulting in a high dependency ratio. Current situation She said Africa's current demographic indicators showed a total fertility rate of 4.6 per woman, 100 per 1000 teen pregnancies, with 40 per cent of the total population being under 15 years old, and a median age of 18 years. Also she said there was an unmet need for family planning at 37 per cent, and the annual population growth rate of 2.41per cent. The region she said faced challenges in addressing the 3.2 per cent HIV prevalence and a lower life expectancy of 61.63 years compared to the global average of 72.6 years. Also she said of particular concern was the significant fertility differential between the rich and poor quintiles, which could hinder fertility decline if not targeted for intervention. Dr Appiah added that the current demographics and security implications were intertwined, with Africa's median age of 18 years falling within the documented crime-prone age group of 15 to 24 years. This situation she said made young individuals vulnerable to various vices when their needs were not met by the government. Notably, the UNDP's report in 2021 cited sub-Saharan Africa as the new global epicenter of violent extremism, accounting for almost half of global terrorism deaths. Lack of job opportunities 25 per cent and the need for livelihood 40 per cent were cited as key motivations for joining extremist groups. Ama Sey to contest Akwatia NPP parliamentary primary Daily Graphic Politics Aug - 01 - 2023 , 07:16 The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Mercy Adu-Gyamfi, popularly known as Ama Sey, has expressed her determination to recapture the Akwatia seat from the NDC in the 2024 general election. Mrs Adu-Gyamfi, who was elected MP on the ticket of the NPP in the 2016 general election and a member of the seventh Parliament, lost in her re-election bid in the partys parliamentary primary to Ernest Kumi, who eventually lost the seat to the NDC in the 2020 election. However, the former NPP MP, who expressed her determination to recapture the seat for the NPP, stated this when she received the partys parliamentary nomination forms presented to her by a group of NPP polling station executive members who picked the forms for her at Akwatia last Friday. She stated that the main reason for staging a comeback and to return to Parliament was to serve the people of Akwatia and bring development to the area. Mrs Adu-Gyamfi said a lot of consultations have been ongoing between herself and some key personalities in the NPP and outside the party on her intentions to contest for the parliamentary seat once again on the ticket of the NPP in 2024. Forms Presenting the nomination form to Mrs Adu-Gyamfi, a polling station chairman at Akwatia and leader of the group, Obi-Dombie Kofi Ntiamoah said the decision to pick the form on behalf of Ama Sey was taken by the polling station executive members, coordinators and party supporters in Akwatia who have come together to throw their support behind the former MP to ensure her success in both the NPP primary and the parliamentary election in 2024. Timeline Per the timelines, the party opened nominations in the 137 constituencies where the party has no sitting MPs also known as orphan constituencies from Tuesday, July 11, 2023 and it is expected to close on Thursday, August 10, 2023. It said elections in the orphan constituencies would be held on a case-by-case basis to elect parliamentary candidates to contest on the partys ticket in the 2024 general election in those constituencies from September 2023 to December 2, 2023. The Akwatia parliamentary seat is held by the NDC with Henry Yiadom Boakye as the MP who won the seat in the 2020 general election after defeating Ernest Kumi of the NPP. Mr Boakye won with 19,899 votes, representing 51.5 per cent to join the eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic against Mr Kumi who had 18,742, votes representing 48.5 per cent. The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Mercy Adu-Gyamfi, popularly known as Ama Sey, has expressed her determination to recapture the Akwatia seat from the NDC in the 2024 general election. Mrs Adu-Gyamfi, who was elected MP on the ticket of the NPP in the 2016 general election and a member of the seventh Parliament, lost in her re-election bid in the partys parliamentary primary to Ernest Kumi, who eventually lost the seat to the NDC in the 2020 election. However, the former NPP MP, who expressed her determination to recapture the seat for the NPP, stated this when she received the partys parliamentary nomination forms presented to her by a group of NPP polling station executive members who picked the forms for her at Akwatia last Friday. She stated that the main reason for staging a comeback and to return to Parliament was to serve the people of Akwatia and bring development to the area. Mrs Adu-Gyamfi said a lot of consultations have been ongoing between herself and some key personalities in the NPP and outside the party on her intentions to contest for the parliamentary seat once again on the ticket of the NPP in 2024. Forms Presenting the nomination form to Mrs Adu-Gyamfi, a polling station chairman at Akwatia and leader of the group, Obi-Dombie Kofi Ntiamoah said the decision to pick the form on behalf of Ama Sey was taken by the polling station executive members, coordinators and party supporters in Akwatia who have come together to throw their support behind the former MP to ensure her success in both the NPP primary and the parliamentary election in 2024. Timeline Per the timelines, the party opened nominations in the 137 constituencies where the party has no sitting MPs also known as orphan constituencies from Tuesday, July 11, 2023 and it is expected to close on Thursday, August 10, 2023 It said elections in the orphan constituencies would be held on a case-by-case basis to elect parliamentary candidates to contest on the partys ticket in the 2024 general election in those constituencies from September 2023 to December 2, 2023. The Akwatia parliamentary seat is held by the NDC with Henry Yiadom Boakye as the MP who won the seat in the 2020 general election after defeating Ernest Kumi of the NPP. Mr Boakye won with 19,899 votes, representing 51.5 per cent to join the eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic against Mr Kumi who had 18,742, votes representing 48.5 per cent. Mahama: Akufo-Addo, Bawumia govt poses biggest threat to Ghana's democracy GraphicOnline Politics Aug - 01 - 2023 , 06:16 Former President John Dramani Mahama has voiced his apprehension about the governance of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration, asserting that it poses the most significant risk to Ghana's democracy. In a post on Facebook on Monday, July 31, Mr. Mahama urged Ghanaians to vote out the current government in the 2024 elections to rescue the nation. As the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he believes that the nearly seven years of the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia administration have jeopardized Ghana's constitutional democracy. Mahama argues that a change of leadership is essential, replacing the current "inept" NPP government with the NDC administration to safeguard democracy and restore hope to the people. He emphasized that transparent and accountable governance, offering opportunities to all, not just a select few, is the cornerstone of a strong democracy. "The almost seven years of Akufo Addo and Bawumia's maladministration is the biggest threat to the survival of our constitutional democracy. Only a CHANGE in this inept NPP government can ensure the sustainability of our democracy. The next NDC administration will work to restore hope to Ghanaians quickly. The business-as-usual approach to governance, lies, and propaganda will not work. We cannot and must avoid repeating the mistakes of the NPP." Read the entire post below; In addition to his concerns about the government's performance, Mr Mahama at the weekend criticized President Akufo-Addo in relation to the conduct of his appointees. He pointed out that the president's appointees seem to have disregarded his earlier advice to explore opportunities in the private sector if they seek personal enrichment. Addressing the graduating class of 2023 at the Academic City University College on Saturday, Mahama expressed his worry about the deviation from the president's previous admonishment six years ago. "Some of you who will find yourself in politics, I wish to sound a note of caution, as President Akufo-Addo said if your goal into office is to enrich yourself, then don't come, go to the private sector. Very profound words were spoken by the President, more than 6 and a half years ago. With what is happening today, I'm sure the President himself does not remember he spoke these very wise words." Parliament approves re-appointment of Cynthia Lamptey as Deputy Special Prosecutor Daniel Kenu and Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Aug - 01 - 2023 , 14:58 Parliament on Tuesday approved the re-appointment of Ms Cynthia Naa-Koshie Lamptey as Deputy Special Prosecutor. In May 2018, Ms Cynthia Naa-Koshie Lamptey was appointed Deputy Special Prosecutor for a five-year term pursuant to section 16(2) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and with prior approval of Parliament. Her first 5-year appointment lapsed in May 2023. Before her approval, the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, presented the report of the Appointments Committee which was done in camera and subsequently, moved for it to be adopted. Moving the motion, Mr Afenyo Markin said the committee has no challenge with her, more so, when she had occupied that position in the past. He said the Committee recommended to the House by consensus the approval of the nomination of Ms Lamptey for re-apportionment as Deputy Special Prosecutor. The motion was seconded by the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah. Report The Committee's report said it was satisfied with the responses of the nominee and having regard to the numerous contributions of the nominee towards the investigation and prosecution of cases before the Office of the Special Prosecutor, recommended to the House to adopt it's report and by consensus, approve the re-nomination of Ms Lamptey as Deputy Special Prosecutor to the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Comment Commenting on the approval of Ms Lamptey, Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South said throughout the world, corruption was facilitated by three important variables - greed, opportunity and need. He said corruption remained an integral part of Ghanaian public life of which the blame was placed on political office holders. "It is as if, it is only ministers and MPs that are to blame because of our opportunity to supervise state resources that we can be associated with the conduct of bribery and corruption. "Declaration of assets is an important ingredient to measure income against persons earnings and whether your earnings is commensurate to your income," he said. Mr Iddrisu said probably, Ghana must now review it's legislation to criminalise unexplained worth and shifting the burden of proof to the accused person. "A matter may be immoral but not necessarily unlawful or illegal. But where does the law itself derives it's powers from," he asked. He said because of the high office that public officials occupy, when one engages in conducts that raise eye brows, it is incumbent on parliament to rise up to the occasion to review it's criminal legislation and asset declaration regime in total. "When officials indulge in unethical practice, the public confidence is waned,"he said. Archer Aviation, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company, has significantly expanded its partnership with the US Department of Defense (DoD) by signing new contracts with the US Air Force with a total value of up to $142 million. This new execution phase of the partnership includes the delivery of up to six of Archers Midnight aircraft to the Air Force, the sharing of additional flight test data and certification related test reports, pilot training, and the development of maintenance and repair operations. Archer has been partnering with the DoD since 2021 on a series of projects through the US Air Forces AFWERX program with the goal of helping the AFWERX Agility Prime program assess the transformational potential of the vertical flight market and eVTOL technologies for DoD purposes. Now, with Archer recently completing the manufacturing of its first Midnight aircraft, the DoD recognizes that with its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, target payload of approximately 1,000lbs, proprietary electric powertrain system, and low noise profile, Archers aircraft represents a potential paradigm shift in military aviation and operations. These aircraft hold the promise of enhancing rapid response, agility, and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles, from personnel transport and logistics support to rescue operations and more. Archer says that its Midnight aircraft can provide a much safer and quieter alternative to helicopters while being more cost-effective for the US military to transport, operate and maintain in the field. It is our mission to ensure the US continues to lead the world in developing and deploying emerging aerospace technology. eVTOL aircraft represent the cusp of the third revolution in aerospace, and these aircraft and their descendants will drive advances in capabilities and efficiency. Our contracts with Archer Aviation provide the US Department of Defense and US Air Force the opportunity to play a role in ensuring from the onset, and as the technology evolves, that we unlock the many benefits these aircraft have to offer the US military. Colonel Tom Meagher, the lead for AFWERX Agility Prime programs This announcement comes on the heels of Archer announcing the formation of the companys Government Services Advisory Board in May. The goal of the advisory board is to allow Archer to more fully engage with US government and public safety agencies to explore opportunities to commercialize its eVTOL aircraft. The members of this advisory board are assisting and facilitating Archers direct engagement with appropriate government agencies and officials to advance both consideration and implementation of Archers eVTOL aircraft and related technologies. The board includes Retired 4-star General Steve Townsend (USA), Retired 3-star Lieutenant General David A. Krumm (USAF), Retired 3-star Vice Admiral Ron Boxall (USN), Retired 2-star General Clayton M. Hutmacher (USA), Retired 2-star General Bill Gayler (USA), and Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Durant (USA). General Hutmacher was an Army Special Operations Aviator and commanded at every level during his three tours with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Night Stalkers)the primary rotary-wing support to the DoD Special Operations Forces. During his Army career, CW4 Durant served with the 160th SOAR. He is a master aviator, qualified in the UH-1 Huey, MH-6 Loach, and MH-60A, L, and K models of the Blackhawk. He has a total of 3,700 flight hours with more than 1,400 under Night Vision Goggles. While piloting an MH60 Blackhawk in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993, he was shot down and captured, becoming part of the Blackhawk Down story by Mark Bowden. GM announced today that CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, will begin building battery modules in the second quarter of 2024, supporting the companys increasing EV production volume. The new 400,000 square-foot facility will assemble modules for BrightDrop Zevo production at CAMI as well as additional Ultium EVs built at other GM plants. The project will support nearly 300 CAMI Assembly jobs. To support GMs EV transformation, the company is also installing more battery module capacity to its other North American EV plants. At CAMI, individual battery cells will be assembled into full vehicle packs in four steps: Battery cells are arranged into small stacks of cells, where sealer and retaining clips are applied. These mini stacks are assembled into full modules, where cooling plates, insulation, and electrical components are installed. Modules are then assembled into vehicle packs, where cooling lines and additional electrical components are installed. Vehicle battery packs are then subjected to final testing before they are sealed and transferred to the vehicle assembly line. More details about the project at CAMI will be released closer to launch. Since 2021, GM has made significant EV-related investments in Canada, including: vivo V29 gets official for Europe first, large ring light in tow for portraits vivo just made the V29 official for Europe, and specifically mentioned it's coming to Europe first. Afterwards, it should make its way to Latin America as per the press release, but it's not an exhaustive list so India might get it in the future too. The V29's main claim to fame is its Aura Light function, a light ring 15.6mm in diameter that sits right under the two large camera circles in the same island. This is meant to significantly improve your Portrait Mode shots, creating "a three-dimensional lighting effect" and ensuring "even illumination from every angle, eliminating facial shadows and dark areas". It has a light-emitting area nine times larger than a standard flash, and can delicately accentuate skin tones while "artfully concealing imperfections, unveiling one's natural beauty", vivo says. Compared to the V27, there's a 36% increase in brightness. The Aura Light features Smart Color Temperature Adjustment, which lets it automatically adapt to the environment, compensating for the color temperature of the lights around you and providing you "With the expertise of a personal light designer". The vivo V29 has a 50 MP OIS main camera, a 50 MP "HD" selfie camera with expanded field-of-view and "precise autofocus", eSIM support, and a 4,600 mAh battery with 80W wired charging (1% to 50% in 18 minutes). The phone is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, and will become available in two color versions: Peak Blue and Noble Black. The former has a unique, industry-first design - 15 million micron-sized 3D magnetic particles create "a variety of different shimmering and cascading gradations of light and shadows", inspired by "the mighty grandeur atop the mountains". The V29 has a 6.78-inch "1.5K" AMOLED curved screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and a pixel density of 452 ppi. It's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778G chipset paired with 8GB of RAM. There's support for 8GB Extended RAM too. Unfortunately those are all the specs we have for now, stay tuned for more in the future. Source As the legislature continues to propose solutions for putting students back in classrooms, multiple bills have been proposed to alleviate the issues between the Guam Department of Education and the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Bill 159-37 specifically was introduced as a bipartisan measure to provide adequate time for GDOE to ensure full compliance with Public Law 37-4, according to a news release from the sponsors of the bill. Bill 159-37 will extend GDOE timelines while mandating status reports and oversight hearings. The bill was introduced by Sens. Frank Blas, Jr., Joanne Brown, Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, Telo T. Taitague, Chris M. Duenas, Jesse A. Lujan, and Thomas J. Fisher. The bill would give GDOE until school year 2024-25 to come into full compliance with public healths rules and regulations for school sanitary permits. It would also require GDOE to submit monthly written reports to the legislature regarding each schools status on compliance. The legislature would also hold monthly oversight hearings with GDOE for their reports until all schools obtained their sanitary permits, according to the bill. While we agree with the intent behind Public Law 37-4, we believe the timeline imposed by this law has severely hindered the ability of GDOE to provide an adequate education to our students, according to a news release issued by the sponsors of Bill 159-37. As policymakers, it is our responsibility to know when to take a step back and course correct actions taken by this body. This is one of those moments where we must take a unified approach to do what is right for the betterment of our community and still achieve the intentions of Public Law 37-4. Public Law 37-4 mandated the immediate inspection of schools and was intended to help GDOE comply with the public healths sanitation rules and regulations by the start of the upcoming school year. Unfortunately, due to numerous reasons such as a lack of resources, effects of typhoon Mawar, maintenance issues, and more, the law also effectively shuts down public schools that are not in compliance with the school inspections. This will force students to attend school via alternative methods such as online in the home-learning plan or double session, according to the news release by the sponsors. A viable option to remedy this problem would be to extend the laws deadline. By extending the deadline, we can put students back into the classrooms. Lets prioritize education and immediately open our schools, the senators concluded. With the continuation of the 37th Guam legislatures emergency session, senators were able to ask additional questions toward the panelists from the Guam Department of Education and the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Sen. Thomas Fisher used his time to stress that double sessions are a nightmare logistically and otherwise. I dont want kindergarteners being woken up at 3 a.m. and marched up to a dark bus stop where they wait for a bus that is probably 20 to 30 minutes late, then they return to a house without adult supervision, said Fisher. Thats not a good message to send to the kids. We need to avoid double sessions at all costs. To me, that is the real emergency. Fisher then clarified what he believed were the actual emergency conditions with public education. The emergency is that the children are not in the chairs. We must get the schools opened as soon as possible, stated Fisher. I also want the children to get a hot and nutritious breakfast and lunch. I want them to learn how to socialize and to be citizens. As a society, Fisher noted three responsibilities, which is keeping people safe, keep a reasonable level of public health and educate the children. It is not an emergency if one of the walls is dripping. Thats unfortunate, but its repairable. Its not an emergency if one school has a rat. Thats unfortunate, but we can take care of the rat, added Fisher. The senators dissolved into the committee of the whole since Monday in order to get additional information and feedback regarding Speaker Therese Terlajes Bill 156-37. Terlajes bill addressed an amendment to Public Law 37-4, which will now allow public health to issue variances to GDOE schools to open if there are established plans on how to fix the issues. The bill would also allow public health to temporarily hire retired inspectors while there is a critical need and allow the governor to detail inspectors from other government agencies to assist public health. Bill 156-37 would also raise GDOEs small purchases limit up to $250,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2023 and the first six months of FY 2024. Francine Salas, DPHSS Acting Chief Environmental Public Health Officer, assured public health has adequate funding to fund the individuals. However, she also shared her concerns with the recruitment. For the temporary employment of retired inspectors, initially there was interest, but competing factors with our retired personnel and their lives has changed, stated Salas. Currently, we only have one retiree that is interested with a soft confirmation. Even then, my concern would be how to expedite that process at the Department of Administration level because they do that for us on our end. Sen. Joe San Agustin utilized his time to ask GDOE superintendent, Dr. Erik Swanson, about possibly reducing the number of GDOE campuses that need to be inspected. Swanson noted their capacity could be up to 50,000 students across the department while only around 25,000 students are currently enrolled in GDOE. San Agustin brought up a possibility of rezoning, but Swanson noted its not an easy process. We have to engage our community because in every community Ive ever been in, theres a great deal of emotional attachment to different campuses for a number of reasons. Thats not something I would do out of hand, said Swanson. We have to work our way through that. I agree we have to downsize the real estate. In this process, I want to first look at the campuses that are going to cost the most to renovate and see if we still need them or not. San Agustin mentioned how the village of Tamuning alone has three elementary schools, but it doesnt have a middle school there. How does that make sense? Your number of schools might possibly go down from 41 schools to possibly 30, said San Agustin. Swanson then affirmed it is possible and the number of schools could certainly be less than what they have open. In response to the cultural and emotional attachment, San Agustin also noted how villages could end up keeping closed schools, such as Francisco Q. Sanchez Elementary, which was transferred to the mayor of Humatak in 2013. The emergency session was still ongoing as of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday as the senators further discussed Bill 156-37 and an amendment to it. In order to help provide adequate representation and closer relationships for the growing population of Guam, Sen. Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas introduced Bill 157-37 to increase the number of senators in the Guam Legislature from 15 to 21, if enacted into Guam law. I introduced this legislative measure because our population has grown and I believe that 15 senators is not adequately enough to represent the entire community, said Sen. San Nicolas, author of Bill 157-37. I believe the greater amount of senators would serve the community more and the people of Guam will have better access to their elected officials to voice their concerns. San Nicolas further added that up until the 24th Guam legislature, Guam had 21 senators serving the island needs and interests. However, the number was reduced to the current 15 in 1996 as the representation in our legislature was not in proportion to the small population of our island at the time, according to the bill. San Nicolas bill also claims that some believe our government had a closer relationship with the people during the decades that the island was governed by 21 senators. In response to the introduction of the measure, Sen. Telo Taitague, Vice Chair on general government operations and appropriations, voiced her disapproval for the time being as the bill could require more funding for the Guam legislature. We need more public health inspectors and a bigger public-school workforce, not a bigger Legislature, stated Sen. Telo T. Taitague. Im generally not a fan of power being held by only a few people, but weve got to be prudent about spending taxpayer money and ensuring a stable financial outlook for GovGuam. The Guam legislature must demonstrate that fiscal responsibility begins at home. Perhaps, this can be revisited in the future. San Nicolas concluded that increasing the number of lawmakers will not only increase representation in the Guam Legislature, but it will also foster a closer relationship between the government and the residents of the island, which will serve the community more efficiently. Increasing the number of our senators will increase the number of public servants and there will be more officials to oversee the many agencies of our government, which would create more efficient and focused committees to pressure these agencies into fulfilling their mission to the people, according to San Nicolas bill. If signed into law, it will be effective upon the following senatorial election subsequent to the enactment of this act. In response to the fiscal impact of the legislation, San Nicolas stated it will go into effect next fiscal year. This is a matter of appropriation and finding it. Just like last fiscal year, when we prepared for this budget, they allotted for 15. Well cross the bridge when we get there, stated San Nicolas. I need people to digest it. This is a very important bill for me because I want our legislative body to reflect the stratum of our society. Lee Webber is the former publisher of the Pacific Daily News, Honolulu Advertiser, president of Gannett Pacific and Asia area manager for USA Today international. Haiti - UN FLASH : Antonio Guterres urges the States of the region to join Kenya Although there has been broad support for an international rapid reaction force with several countries expressing interest in contributing, so far none have volunteered to lead such a force. Monday, July 31, 2023, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, welcomed Kenya's willingness to lead an international force to help Haitian police combat gang violence. Let's recall that Kenya is ready to deploy 1,000 police officers to help train and assist the Haitian police to "restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations," Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said on Saturday https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40134-haiti-flash-kenya-agrees-to-deploy-1-000-police-officers-in-haiti.html Antonio Guterres "values Kenya's consideration to possibly lead a non-U.N. multinational force", UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters on Monday, adding "The Secretary-General reiterates his call to the Security Council to support such a non-U.N. international operation and encourages member states, particularly from the region, to join forces with Kenya." Although there has been widespread support for a rapid action force with several countries expressing interest in contributing, so far none have volunteered to lead such a deployment. "I'm very happy to see that many other countries are becoming involved to help," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Monday July 31 when asked about Kenya's announcement. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40141-haiti-flash-first-reactions-to-kenya-s-announcement-to-support-the-pnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40134-haiti-flash-kenya-agrees-to-deploy-1-000-police-officers-in-haiti.html SL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2019/06/27 | Source Actress Park Ji-hyun is coupling up with Choi Wooshik. Advertisement Park Ji-hyun plays Choi Wooshik's fiancee in the movie "My Heart Puppy", the latest by director Kim Joo-hwan from "Midnight Runners", which aims to release after his other movie, "The Divine Fury". Choi Wooshik and Gong Myung are headlining and Mega Box Plus M is in charge of distribution. Park Ji-hyun's role as Choi Wooshik's fiancee is the spark that sets off the movie's story. The film is about a man who is about to get married going through an adventure when he sets off with his friend to drop his dog off at the pet-sitters. Park Ji-hyun made an impression in the film "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" and is coming out with the drama "Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung" in July as well. Park Ji-hyun puts on a sophisticated city-girl look in "My Heart Puppy", which begins filming this fall. Published on 2023/08/01 | Source Posters released for the upcoming Korean movie "Havana" (2022) Advertisement Directed by Hong Yong-ho With Yoo Da-in, Kang Min-hyuk, Gong Sang-ah, Joo Bo-young, Jung Sae-byeol, Lee So-yoon,... Synopsis Jeong-min, a rookie lawyer, becomes Yoon-ah's public attorney, as she is accused of murdering her husband. Against a nasty prosecutor, a mysterious judge, and all the suspicions surrounding the defendant, Jeong-min seeks to unravel the truth behind the conspiracies of the case. Release date in Korea : 2023/09 In an effort to adapt to the consequences of climate change and create more pleasant urban environments, the city of Helsinki has announced plans to introduce new planting areas with trees and vegetation on five streets in the city center. Responding to the desires of its residents, the addition of street trees and greenery is expected to enhance the overall appeal of the city's streets. The following five streets have been selected for the new planting areas, with the number of parking spaces to be removed indicated in parentheses: Eerikinkatu (3 parking spaces) Alppikatu (2 parking spaces) Kinaporinkatu (4 parking spaces) Paijanteentie (5 parking spaces) Kuortaneenkatu (3 parking spaces) The specific greenery to be planted, including street trees, tree-like shrubs, and perennial plants, will be determined based on the conditions of each location. In total, 17 parking spaces will be converted into the new planting areas. The selected streets were chosen based on their relatively limited amount of street greenery, and consideration was given to the compatibility with the surrounding landscape and municipal infrastructure. Additionally, some locations will see improvements to traffic safety as pedestrian crossings are shortened. Furthermore, damaged tree guards of nearby street trees will be replaced, and asphalt and leveling works will be carried out. The main objective of this initiative is to experiment with different plant species to assess their suitability in an urban setting. Furthermore, the impact of these plantings on stormwater management will also be studied. This move aligns with Helsinki's city strategy, which aims to increase the amount of street greenery. The current changes represent a part of a larger, comprehensive goal. Heikki Takainen, the project manager from the Helsinki City Environment Department, stated, "Similar solutions to increase street greenery have been implemented in cities like Paris and Stockholm. Through these experiments, we aim to gather insights into their applicability in Helsinki." The renovation work will commence with excavation on Kinaporinkatu during the week starting August 7. The project is slated for completion in the autumn months of September to October. By enhancing the presence of greenery and trees on these five streets, Helsinki is not only contributing to a more climate-resilient urban landscape but also striving to create a greener and more inviting atmosphere for its citizens and visitors alike. HT Throughout the preliminary investigation, Finnish Customs has conducted searches and apprehensions in the Helsinki region and Jyvaskyla. Finnish Customs is currently conducting a high-profile investigation into a smuggling organization involved in trafficking narcotics from Spain to Finland within commercial freight consignments. This criminal case has led to the identification of eight suspects. The largest seizure, comprising approximately 90 kilograms of marijuana and 10 kilograms of hashish, was discovered at a self-storage facility in Helsinki. The illicit substances were ingeniously concealed in nearly 400 rucksacks, all of which were seized during the operation. Additionally, authorities have confiscated 45,000 euros in cash and two unlicensed handguns, with suspicions that the cash was derived from narcotics trade. Furthermore, investigators are looking into other shipments of narcotics smuggled by the same criminal organization. "We initiated our criminal investigation and tracked down the smuggling organization. Our suspicions indicate that the group has orchestrated eight different consignments of narcotics from Spain to Finland since November last year. These consignments are estimated to contain a total of at least 280 kilograms of marijuana and hashish, with a street value of approximately four million euros," revealed Senior Customs Officer Janne Kallio, who leads the case. Notably, the smugglers resorted to using legal freight consignments for trafficking narcotics. The transport company involved is not suspected of complicity in the smuggling scheme, according to Kallio. Throughout the investigation, Finnish Customs has collaborated closely with the Central Finland Police Department and exchanged information with authorities from Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany, along with other Finnish agencies. Besides the narcotics offenses, the investigation encompasses a firearms offense. The preliminary investigation has led to eight suspects, including three Finnish nationals and five foreign citizens. After concluding the preliminary inquiry, the case will be forwarded to the Prosecution District of Southern Finland for consideration of charges. This ongoing operation reflects Finnish Customs' commitment to combating drug trafficking and organized crime, as they work relentlessly to protect public safety and uphold the law. HT While Cosmos (ATOM) and Binance (BNB) experience slower growth, Tradecurve (TCRV) is reaching unprecedented heights, setting new price records. Read the article to know how you can seize the opportunity, and witness an unparalleled success that awaits in the realm of this new token. >>Register For The Tradecurve Presale<< Cosmos (ATOM) Gets Fundraised Money; Token Trades at $9.65 Neutron, a Cosmos (ATOM) platform's smart contract blockchain, needed money for its development. Therefore, Binance led the Cosmos fundraising haul along with other funder groups. The event received a funding amount of $10 million. Cosmos officials call it a remarkable gain in a tight fundraising environment. The Cosmos team believes that the collected money can help in smaller contract expansion in an effective manner. They also concluded that this funding would encourage developers to create smart contacts on Cosmos. However, token price charts still need to impact the funding gains significantly. Cosmos is trading at $9.65, a 2.83% rise in a day. Analysts predict Cosmos price to drop to $9.04 by July's first week. Binance (BNB) Exchange Gets in Conflict; the Token Sells at $239.26 Binance (BNB) got called out by the regulatory authority of Belgium. The platform is instructed to halt its services. Thus, Binance won't be accessible to Belgium's local customers. The authority's official statement says that Binance provides exchange services for both legal and digital currencies. Additionally, it also provides custody wallet services to Binance users from non-European Economic regions. The regulators say that Binance violates applied prohibitions through these services. Additionally, news about French authorities launching an investigation into Binance exchange's operations soon has started floating on the internet. Presently, the exchange token is trading at $239.26, a 0.90% decrease in a day. Experts estimate Binance tokens to trade around $250 for the rest of 2023. Tradecurve Shows Non-Stop Price Growth Attracting a Huge Number of Investors Tradecurve (TCRV), a hybrid infrastructure model exchange platform, is set to redefine users' interaction with DeFi. Users get to discover a versatile token that offers exciting trading opportunities in global markets besides cryptocurrencies. Such versatility is not even available in established exchanges like Binance, and Coinbase. Additionally, users can stake the tokens for passive income. 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For more information about the Tradecurve (TCRV) presale: Website: https://tradecurve.io/ Buy presale: https://app.tradecurve.io/sign-up Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tradecurveapp Telegram: https://t.me/tradecurve_official Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/ editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/ subscribe to the contents of the article/advertisement and/or views expressed herein. The reader is further advised that Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute a financial advice. New Delhi, 1st August 2023 - Today, Medhavi Skills University (MSU), Sikkim takes a pivotal step forward by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Air Force. This historic moment serves as a testament to MSU's resolute commitment to revolutionize India through skill-integrated, practical education and unwavering support for our nation's guardians and their families. The ground-breaking MoU pioneers an enduring collaboration between MSU and the Indian Air Force to establish unique educational and Skilling opportunities for the wards and spouses of serving, deceased, and retired Air Force personnel. In a tribute to their immense sacrifices and service, MSU has fashioned this initiative with generous scholarships, preferential seat allocations, and accommodations tailored to the needs of the Air Force personnel and their dependents. In this unprecedented venture, MSU reserves 100 seats across undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes for the children and spouses of active-duty, reserve, and deceased Air Force members. Along with these seats, a 50% tuition fee reduction will be extended to dependents of active-duty, reserve, and retired Air Force members. Furthermore, performance-based concessions in national level admission exams will be granted to enhance their educational prospects. The IAF and MSU teams at the signing of the MoU. The landmark MoU was signed by Mr. Pravesh Dudani, the Chancellor of MSU, and Air Vice Marshal Rajeev Sharma, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Education, representing the Indian Air Force in presence of Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha (Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel), PVSM, AVSM. Recognizing the unique challenges that military service poses for traditional educational pursuits, MSU seeks to make education more accessible for military personnel and their families. By offering substantial financial concessions, we aim to alleviate the burdens associated with higher education and make it a viable option for our nation's heroes and their families. Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder & Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University expressed, Our objective extends beyond merely providing educational opportunities for the Armed Forces and their families. We aim to ease veterans' transition into the civilian economy with specialized training and degree programmes that align with prospective civilian employment. As we move forward, we intend to work closely with military institutions to tailor training programs, research projects, and educational opportunities to their specific needs." Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha (Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel), PVSM, AVSM, expressed his thoughts on the collaboration, stating: This MoU will be a historic step in engaging the deserving family members of the IAF fraternity in highly paid jobs through quality skills and higher education initiatives of MSU. Through these transformative educational initiatives, MSU aspires to fortify its relationship with the military community, promoting their wellbeing, professional growth and thereby contributing to the nation's development. By doing so, we seek to honour the valiant sacrifices made by our troops and their families in service of our nation. Media Contact: Subhajit Chakraborty Senior Manager Marketing & Communication Mobile: 8777 525200 E-mail: subhajit.c@msu.edu.in About Medhavi Skills University (www.msu.edu.in) Chartered under the Sikkim Act, 2021, and acknowledged by the UGC in March 2022, Medhavi Skills University holds the distinction of being India's pioneering skills university that is fully compliant with NEP2020. With NCVET approval to operate as an Awarding Body, MSU is reshaping higher education by intertwining industry-specific training with academic learning, in line with the New National Credit Framework (NCrF). MSU is not just about providing degrees; we are committed to equipping our students with real-world experience and creating an industry-ready workforce from day one. Our mission is to foster a quality-centric, outcome-driven, inclusive ecosystem for skill-integrated higher education. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Karnataka Minister of Infrastructure Development MB Patil and IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge met with Foxconn chairman Young Liu to discuss projects for which the company is keen to invest in the southern state. The company, a major supplier for Apple Inc, recently proposed a second manufacturing unit in Karnataka, which would create 14,000 jobs. MB Patil and Priyank Kharge are ministers in the Karnataka cabinet. "The industrial and investment policies of the state government are conducive to nurturing an ecosystem favouring the growth of industries. The talks held with the company chairman were fruitful," MB Patil said after the meeting. This comes after a high-level meeting including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Foxconn Industrial Internet CEO Brand Cheng in mid-July. READ | Foxconn unit proposes second iPhone plant in Karnataka, to invest 8,800 crore The Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant has a plant, its first in Karnataka, of around 300 acres, coming up in the Devanahalli area near Bengaluru. A subsidiary of the company which manufactures screens, outer coverings and mechanical components needed for phones, called Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii), will set up a second plant of around 100 acres in the Japanese Industrial Park in Tumakuru by investing around 8,800 crore. The state government in Karnataka faced several legal hurdles in providing the 300 acres of land needed for the first plant, however, Patil recently announced that those have been resolved and the land will be handed over soon to the company. Foxconn is expected to start production at the plant by next April. which would provide 50,000 jobs, as per officials. READ | Legal hurdles resolved, 300-acre of land will be given to Foxconn soon: Karnataka Minister MB Patil The iPhone maker on Monday also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to set up a new mobile components manufacturing facility in neighbouring state Tamil Nadu at the cost of 1,600 crore in the Kanchipuram district. This has potential to generate 6,000 jobs, according to the state's Industries Minister TRB Rajaa. (With inputs from ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested the brother of a former Chandigarh deputy mayor, along with a scrap dealer, in a 3-lakh graft case, while hunt is on for a constable of the Chandigarh Police. Manish Dubey before being presented before a court in Chandigarh on Tuesday. (HT Photo) The role of inspector HS Sekhon, in-charge of operation cell, Chandigarh Police, is also under scanner. Appointed to the post in May this year, he has been transferred to the police lines in Sector 26, pending probe. The absconding constable is Pawan, who is deployed in the police control room (PCR) wing. Along with Pawan, Manish Dubey, alias Bablu, brother of BJP leader and former deputy mayor Anil Dubey, and Anil Kumar, alias Kuki, a scrap dealer, have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Manish is a resident of Sector 32-A, Chandigarh, and Kuki of Sector 16, Panchkula. The duo was caught red-handed from Industrial Area while accepting a bribe of 3 lakh from the complainant, while Pawan managed to flee. Searches were also conducted at the residences of all accused until Tuesday. The complainant, Deepak of Ram Darbar, had approached CBI, alleging that constable Pawan and inspector HS Sekhon had sought 7 lakh from him not to nominate him in an extortion case, wherein the operation cell had recently arrested five men, including gangster Deepu Banur, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. CBI has issued notices to Sekhon and Pawan to join the probe. Notably, the constable and Sekhon have previously worked together in the crime cell. His involvement in the graft case, even after being moved to the PCR wing, has raised questions. A special CBI court sent Manish and Kuki to three-day police custody on Tuesday. The senior public prosecutor, Narender Singh, had sought four-day remand, arguing that Pawan was still absconding and Sekhon had not joined investigation. Accused have been interrogated but have not disclosed much. They need to be confronted among themselves to unearth the larger conspiracy and ascertain the role of other government/private persons, he contended. Sought bribe not to name complainant in extortion case In his complaint to CBI, Deepak, who runs a chicken shop in Ram Darbar, alleged that on July 22, some cops came to his shop and told him that inspector HS Sekhon had called him to the operation cell in Sector 26. On accompanying the cops, Deepak met constable Pawan and Sekhon, who questioned him about his association with Mani Topi, one of the accused arrested in the extortion case. As Deepak revealed that Mani was his childhood friend, Pawan and Sekhon told him that they had recovered a chat that proved his criminal involvement with Mani. Offering to exclude his name from the FIR, the two cops demanded a bribe of 7 lakh. Deepak alleged he was detained in the operation cell overnight, before being let go on July 23, with a warning to pay 5 lakh soon. On July 27, he got a call from Manish, who claimed that his friend Kuki was friends with Sekhon and Pawan, and will save him from getting named in the extortion case. Manish and Kuki took him to the operation cell on July 29, where Pawan again threatened him in front of Sekhon to pay 5 lakh or be jailed, Deepak alleged. He claimed that Manish repeatedly pressured him over WhatsApp calls to pay 5 lakh to the cops, following which he approached CBI on July 29. After verification of the complaint, CBI laid a trap on July 31 and arrested Manish and Kuki while accepting 3 lakh on behalf of Pawan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Gangsters Puneet Bains and Jatinder Jindi, who had become a headache for the Ludhiana police, revealed that they were changing their locations frequently to avoid being traced. The accused also told the police that they refrained from using mobile phones during their proclamation. Gangsters Bains and Jindi were collecting weapons to eradicate their rivals. (HT FILE) Bains and Jindi were arrested by Ludhiana police a couple of days ago and a total of nine illegal pistols, and ammunition were recovered from the accused. While Jindi was wanted by the police in 18 cases, Bains was facing trial in 12 cases. According to police officials, during the proclamation they stayed at different locations. Bains was hiding near Zirakpur, while Jindi kept on moving near Hoshiarpur. The gangsters also told the police that they did not use mobile phones to avoid being traced. They met very few people. They had come to Ludhiana several times, but mostly during the night and for a short period of time. Further, the accused told the police that as they have many rivals, they were collecting weapons to eradicate their rivals. Commissioner of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu said that the police expect more important information from the gangsters. The police will bring the gangsters on production warrants for questioning in cases lodged against them. Some members of their gangs are already in jail in different cases. More arrests are expected. Jindi had released a video alleging the police of implicating him in forged cases. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the scale of violence in Nuh district and the pre-planned attack on a procession when it was passing through the communally sensitive region points towards a bigger conspiracy. Shops and shaties set ablaze by miscreants in Sector 67 near Badshahpur village after the communal violence in Nuh, in Gurugram on Tuesday. (Parveen Kumar/HT) A day after violence erupted in Nuh during the procession called by right wing Hindu groups VHP and Bajrang Dal that were marching to a temple, snowballing into full-fledged clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups later in the day and on Tuesday, with incidents reported from Gurugram, home to top Indian and global companies, chief minister Khattar chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the prevailing situation and said the troublemakers would not be spared. Home minister Anil Vij was present in the meeting, while director general of police (DGP) PK Agrawal and additional DGP (CID) Alok Mittal, who are camping in Nuh, attended the meeting through video conferencing. The BJP-JJP coalition government, which has been left red-faced by the size and scale of the arson in Nuh where rioters attacked police stations, torched vehicles, resorted to stone pelting and used fire arms, said a probe has been ordered into the incident. The administration has known for some time that the procession was planned. The procession had all required permissions. And details provided by the police, after the violence, of how everything was pre-planned, and Khattars own comments, point to a complete breakdown of the state polices intelligence-gathering mechanism. That the state turned a blind eye to provocative videos posted by cow vigilantes, including by Monu Manesar, allegedly involved in the lynching of two Muslim cattle traders in February -- the fact that he has not been arrested is a sore point in Nuh and adjoining Bharatpur in Rajasthan -- is also surprising. Late on Tuesday, India Today TV showed the districts intelligence chief as claiming that he had warned of trouble if participants in the procession walked through the Muslim areas of Nuh, waving swords and shouting slogans. The channel also showed Nuh Sadars SHO claiming that he received no intelligence inputs. According to Khattar, five people have so far been killed, including three civilians and two home guards. The police have lodged 44 First Information Reports (FIRs) and at least 70 people have been detained. Among the scores of police personnel injured are three policemen who received bullet injuries and are on ventilators. It was a pre-planned attack that points towards a larger conspiracy as the procession, which was attacked, has been taking place annually for the past several years, Khattar said, pointing out that the attackers included several outsiders. That was seconded by policemen who said there seemed to have been significant mobilisation of people and arms in anticipation of the procession, something they attributed to Manesars declaration that he too would be part of the march. The authorities are investigating the incident further to ascertain the underlying causes and potential motives behind it. Efforts are underway to identify individuals involved in the incident and who are not from the Nuh area, Khattar said. Reiterating that there seems to be a larger conspiracy at play to disturb the law-and-order situation in the state, he said the attackers didnt just target members of the procession but also the police, thereby managing to disrupt the yatra. Earlier, Haryana home minister Anil Vij said that the incident did not appear to be spontaneous and that it was masterminded by elements who are against peace. He said the violence in Nuh was unfortunate as both Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully in Nuh for years. The anti-social elements collected stones, bullets were fired...it did not happen suddenlytherefore, an inquiry has been set up in this matter and whoever is found guilty will not be spared, Vij added, appealing to parties to not politicise the incident. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at two houses in Dalewal village of Jalandhar district in the wee hours on Tuesday. One of the houses that was raided by the NIA, at Jalandhars Dalewal village. (HT Photo) As per information, the houses belong to UK residents Luvshinder Singh and Balwinder Singh, who are settled abroad for the last 35 years. Accompanied by the local police, the NIA officials questioned Balwinders nephew for six hours and also confiscated his mobile phone. Meanwhile, Luvshinders sister-in-law and her son were also questioned for three hours and were summoned to appear at NIA headquarters on August 7. A senior Punjab police official said the NIA officials didnt divulge details but the raids are aimed at investigating the violent protests at the Indian high commission in London by Khalistan supporters on March 19 this year. The NIA had recently released pictures of those involved in the incident in which the National Flag at the Indian high commission was pulled down during a protest by Khalistani supporters. An official said the construction of a library in the name of former activists of Sikh student federation is also under scanner. In a crackdown against those involved in the attack on the Indian high commission in London, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided 31 locations in Punjab and Haryana to unravel the full contours of the conspiracy and bring to book the culprits, an official said. In a crackdown against those involved in the attack on the Indian high commission in London, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided 31 locations in Punjab and Haryana to unravel the full contours of the conspiracy and bring to book the culprits. Simultaneous raids were conducted in the morning at Moga, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar, Muktsar, Sangrur, Patiala and Mohali districts in Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana, a spokesperson of the NIA said. Also read: NIA attaches one of PFIs largest arms training centres in Kerala The high commission of India in London was attacked on March 19 by pro-Khalistan activists. They committed criminal trespass, injured officials, disrespected the Indian flag and damaged public property. The attack was allegedly organised by UK-based Gurcharan Singh of the Dal Khalsa, Avtar Singh Khanda of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and Jasvir Singh, and many of their associates. They were identified during investigation, the spokesperson said. In May, a team of the NIA visited the UK to probe the case. Subsequently, crowdsourcing of information was carried out to identify UK-based entities and individuals involved in the incident, the spokesperson added. The raids led to the seizure of digital data containing information related to those involved in the attack on the high commission and other incriminating documents, the spokesperson said. The agency conducted searches at the residence of a widow, Soni Kaur, at Dhurkot Ransih village in Nihal Singh Wala sub-division of Moga district, as according to the NIA, her son and daughter had allegedly participated in protest outside the Indian high commission in London. Kaurs both children moved to the UK last year and her husband Jaswinder Singh died a few years ago. During searches, the NIA team recovered 37 live cartridges from the house. Kaur, however, said her husband had a licenced gun which they sold after his death. But they were not able to sell the cartridges, she said. The NIA has given a notice to Kaur to appear at the agencys headquarters in New Delhi on August 10 for questioning. NIA officials also took away the mobile phone of Soni. Kaurs father-in-law Jagtar Singh was the driver of slain militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Kaurs family belongs to Mogas Rode village, which is the native village of Bhindranwale but her family had moved to Dhurkot Ransih a few years ago. The team also searched a house at Muktsars Sarawan Bodla village. Officials of the raiding party directed the house owner, Satnam Singh, a farmer, to appear at the NIA headquarters in New Delhi on August 7. Satnams brother Arvind Singh is based in the UK for over a decade, and had returned on Monday, said people familiar with the development. Arvind, who allegedly participated in the pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian mission in the UK, was not in the house when the raid was conducted. Raids were also conducted at houses of UK residents Luvshinder Singh and Balwinder Singh, at Dalewal village of Jalandhar district in the wee hours. Both are settled abroad for the last 35 years. Accompanied by the local police, the NIA officials questioned Balwinders nephew for six hours and also confiscated his mobile phone. Meanwhile, Luvshinders sister-in-law and her son were also questioned for three hours and were summoned to appear at NIA headquarters on August 7. The agency conducted a raid at the house of Paramjit Singh Pamma of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) in Phase 3B2, Mohali. The NIA team reached Pammas residence around 6.30am and conducted searches till 10.30am. Also read: NIA conducts raids at 2 houses in Jalandhars Dalewal village The team questioned Pammas mother and father, both in their eighties. Pamma is on the list of one of the most-wanted persons by the NIA and was accused of various terror-related activities in Punjab. He was also the mastermind of the 2009 killing of Rulda Singh, head of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, a wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to Punjab Police. The agency grilled Harbans Singh Dhillon of Salemgarh village in Sangrur in connection with Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh. He was questioned about Amritpal for over six hours. The agency summoned him at the NIA office in Delhi on August 4. The agency raided two locations in Hoshiarpur district and questioned three persons for their alleged involvement in terror-related activities. An NIA team landed at the residence of retired teacher Narinder Singh in Hariana town early in the morning. They wanted to question his son Sarabjtt Singh also but when told that the latter had gone to a nearby village, NIA sleuths went to the given place and brought him to his house where the father-son duo was questioned about their recent visit to Pakistan. Narinder Singh revealed that they had been asked to reach NIA headquarters in Delhi on August 3 for further investigation. He said he and his son had gone to Pakistan on Baisakhi as part of the Sikh jatha. The NIA also raided the house of one Jaswant Singh in Dhamai village. Jaswant Singh runs a shop of insecticides. (Inputs from HTC Faridkot, Bathinda, Mohali, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has convened a high-level meeting to discuss the law-and-order situation prevailing in the communally sensitive Nuh district where violence broke out on Monday. Clashes had broken out in Haryanas Nuh on Monday afternoon after a religious procession passing through the district was attacked. (HT File) Haryana home minister Anil Vij, who on Tuesday ordered probe into the Nuh violence, will also be present in the meeting to be held in Chandigarh. Reacting to the Nuh violence which has so far claimed lives of two Home Guard jawans and an unidentified person, the home minister said what happened in Nuh was a well-planned conspiracy. He said the state government officials have been ordered to investigate the entire matter and that whosoever is guilty will not be spared. The violence did not take place suddenly. It was masterminded by someone with the target to disturb peace of the country and the state. The anti-social elements had collected stone, bullets were fired...it did not happen suddenlytherefore, an inquiry has been set up in this matter and whoever is found guilty will not be spared, Vij said in a statement. Haryana has sought 20 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre which held a flag march in Nuh where an uneasy calm prevailed a day after the violence in which scores of police personnel were injured. At least three cops received bullet injuries and are on ventilators. Vij appealed the political parties not to play politics over Nuh episode, saying the top most priority of the government is to restore peace. He said the political parties should exercise restraint and help in restoring peace. Vij said the situation in Nuh is under control and curfew has been imposed in Nuh along with suspension of internet services. Adequate force has been deployed to deal with any situation. Clashes had broken out in the district on Monday afternoon after a religious procession passing through the district was attacked. The violence began spreading to other parts of Haryana too by Monday evening, with violence also reported from Sohna in Gurugram district. A mob of close to 45 people fired at a mosque in Gurugrams Sector 57 late on Monday night, subsequently setting it ablaze, police said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Toronto : Ahead of their threat to besiege Indian missions in the country on Independence Day, pro-Khalistan elements in Canada continued their poster campaign against Indias senior-most diplomats in the province of British Columbia. Ahead of their threat to besiege Indian missions in the country on Independence Day, pro-Khalistan elements in Canada continued their poster campaign against Indias senior-most diplomats in the province of British Columbia. The latest series of posters, with the word Wanted, were placed at various locations in the town of Surrey. As with the Kill India posters earlier, videos of the posters being placed at various locations were circulated on social media on Monday and were amplified by what appeared to be either Pakistan-based or pro-Pakistan handles, many of them created in recent days. The latest batch of posters referred to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justices (SFJ) principal figure in British Columbia. Nijjar was murdered in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara he headed in Surrey on June 18. SFJ has blamed India for his assassination. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or Investigation Team (IHIT), which is probing the killing, has not ascribed any motive while it seeks the murderers. Several similar posters had appeared at various locations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) last month, prior to SFJ conducting the latest round of the so-called Khalistan Referendum in a gurdwara in the area on July 16. Local municipal authorities, including those from the city of Brampton had stated those posters had been illegally put up. Maninder Gill, president of the Surrey, BC-based Friends of Canada and India Foundation, said his organisation strongly condemned the posters and added the city should not allow them to be displayed as they violated municipal bylaws. As with the previous campaign, the new posters have appeared before SFJs organises its next referendum in September in Surrey. These posters again target Indian diplomats in Canada: High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and the consul generals in Vancouver and Toronto. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had raised the issue of the security of Indian diplomats when he met Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly on the margins of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting in Jakarta in July. Joly had reiterated Ottawas commitment to the security of the envoy, tweeting Canada takes very seriously its obligations under the Vienna Convention on the safety of diplomats. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Tuesday objected to the policy of the New York Police Department (NYPD) of stopping Sikh policemen from growing their beard. He wrote a letter in this regard to the Indian Ambassador to the United States (US) Taranjit Singh Sandhu and also sought intervention from the Union minister of external affairs S Jaishankar. Harjinder Singh Dhami, president, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). (ANI) In his letter, Dhami said the NYPD policy of stopping a Sikh policeman from growing a beard sighting safety issues was not rational. Stopping Sikh policemen from growing beards on the basis that it posed a safety issue regarding the use of gas masks is wrong. Even if a Sikh trooper has a fully grown beard, the gas mask can easily be worn by tying the unshorn beard while serving on such a duty. An example of this is the Sikh soldiers serving in the Indian Army, one of the worlds top military forces, Dhami said. Initiated Sikhs do not cut hair, and keeping hair unshorn for a lifetime is one of the commitments towards the Sikh religion and the Gurus (masters). By adopting such a discriminatory policy, the Sikhs are being forced away from their religion by the NYPD, thus also limiting employment opportunities for the initiated Sikh community in a democratic country like the US, Dhami added. In a country like the USA, the religious beliefs and customs of Sikhs are no longer a matter of introduction, and the community has the right to practice their religion, he added. The SGPC president requested the Indian ambassador to raise the issues with his counterparts in the USA. He also requested that the Indian Embassy in the USA at Washington DC to also follow up on this case to ensure that such a discriminatory policy of NYPD is amended to protect the rights of the Sikh community. Already hit by weather vagaries and the flood fury, apple growers are struggling to sell their produce, with the export of the red golden variety of apple to Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal being hit adversely. Foreign buyers generally show a preference for smaller-sized red gold variety of the Himachal apple. (HT Photo) The same comes at a time when the government has estimated 50% less crop than the previous year. Buyers from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh have in the past shown significant interest in purchasing red golden apples, particularly in six and seven-layered boxes. The demand primarily revolves around small-sized apples, which command a premium in these neighbouring countries. However, this year, the scenario has taken an unexpected turn due to an increase in import duty and the use of the newly-introduced 24-kg universal cartons. The absence of these foreign buyers has raised concerns among apple growers, leading to a possibility of falling prices in the markets. Speaking of the same, Kisan Samyukt Manch co-convener Sanjay Chauhan said, China has dumped its cheap varieties in neighbouring countries consequently the diplomatic ties with our b neighbours are also hitting the apple growers. Nepal, one of the major buyers of red golden apples from Himachal, has recently raised its import duty, resulting in a considerable rise in transportation costs. Previously, a truckload of apples incurred a tax of around 50,000, but now it amounts to a hefty 1.5 lakh. Consequently, multi-axle trucks have faced difficulties in traversing the challenging Kalka-Shimla National Highway, further exacerbating the situation. Traditionally, Himachals mandis would witness the arrival of more than a hundred buyers from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh by the end of July. However, this year, not a single buyer has arrive, raising concerns among local apple growers and traders. Stakeholders remain optimistic Agricultural Marketing Board managing director Hemis Negi remains optimistic despite the current situation. He believes that foreign buyers are likely to make their presence felt after August 10. Buyers from these countries generally show a preference for smaller-sized apples, which are currently reaching the mandis in limited quantities. The increase in import duty and the new condition of 24-kg boxes have significantly impacted the purchasing patterns of foreign buyers. Aadhati (commission agent) Association and Advisor Nahar Singh Chaudhary confirmed that buyers from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh are now seeking alternatives in Chandigarh and New Delhi, avoiding Himachal altogether. Concerns are also rife about the potential impact on the prices of red golden apples in the mandis. To mitigate the situation, apple growers have been diversifying their market reach, sending their produce to mandis in other states. The future of the market remains uncertain as growers and traders anxiously await the arrival of buyers from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh after August 10. The hope is that they will find their way back to Himachals orchards, bringing with them renewed demand and stability in the apple market. Until then, the local apple industry remains cautiously optimistic about navigating through these challenging times. Warm winter may affect yield Unusually warm winters and abrupt rainfall patterns this year are likely to bring down apple production by about 50% this year. As per the reports from field staff of the horticulture department, the apple production is likely to remain at 1.25 crore boxes. In comparison, the state had produced more than 3.36 crore boxes of the apple. Even if the fruit grows to a good size the production would not be more than 1.90 crore boxes. Red Gold apples are small to medium-sized oblong fruit with shiny deep red skin over a gold background. The flesh is juicy and light yellow and is often considered the sweetest apple on the market, so this apple is great for those who like sweet fruit without any tangy notes. It is mostly used for manufacturing ciders. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gaurav Bisht Gaurav Bisht heads Hindustan Times Himachal bureau. He covers politics in the hill state and other issues concerning the masses. ...view detail Commuters were left to face the brunt as taxi drivers from across the tricity went on a strike in protest against the murder of their colleague, Dharampal, who was stabbed in the throat by some unidentified passengers in the Mullanpur area on Monday. Cab drivers persuading a driver not to ferry passengers in Panchkula. (Sant Arora/HT) Scores of commuters who travel by cabs, meanwhile, were left to wait for long hours, while a few were left stranded altogether when drivers ended the trips midway. Gaurav Gupta, who was commuting from Ludhiana, said the taxi he was travelling in was stopped midway. He was asked to step down after protesters managed to convince his driver to join the protest. I was in the middle of nowhere and had to walk for several minutes before finally getting an auto to reach Mohali, Gupta said Cab traffic in parts of Kharar, especially on the highway, came to a standstill, with drivers stepping out to protest and seeking speedy arrest of the accused. A section of taxi drivers demanded a ban on the app-based taxi services. Parminder Singh and Jaspreet Singh, both leaders of a taxi drivers association that was on protest, reasoned, Cases of robbery, snatching and murder are rising with drivers associated with online car booking services. Taxis were also seen lining up by the roadside to express solidarity with the deceased in some areas. Some of the drivers raised slogans and halted traffic under the Kharar flyover. The effects of the gruesome crime were also witnessed in Chandigarh, with nearly three-fourths of cab drivers calling off work. Speaking about this, Tricity Cabs Association president Vikram Singh Pundir said, There was no strike called by us or any union. Just as the murder news spread among taxi drivers, we called off work given the shocking nature of the incident. The taxis will start plying from Wednesday as Pundir said their association had met the police and were assured of speedy action. Cab drivers in Panchkula also joined the protest, with anguished workers asking their colleagues to suspend work in the middle of their active rides akin to Mohali. Unlike Chandigarh, the Haryana Cab Association called for a protest in Panchkula, batting for work to remain suspended for 24 hours. Association members were seen standingguard at the Hafed Chowk, Agrasen Chowk, Sector 16 and Housing Board Chowk to ensure compliance. Body president Somvir Singh said the districts 500-600 strong community of taxi drivers were demanding justice for Dharampal and the protest was a way to express their anger. Notably, police have launched an investigation into the murder, but no vital information has come to the fore yet. Probe officials said the murder did not come across as motivated by a robbery as the killers left the deceaseds car behind. Kharar deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Dharamvir Singh said the investigation was underway and the accused will be nabbed soon. Dharampal, 35, was murdered near Palm Residency, Mullanpur barrier, around 9 pm on Monday. As per the available information, the deceased, whose cab had a Mohali-based registration plate, had picked up the passengers from Sector 43 and was headed to Mullanpur. Eyewitnesses, meanwhile, said the police and the ambulance did not arrive at the spot for at least 25 minutes. The victim died on the spot due to excessive bleeding. An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday. A murder case has been registered against the unidentified accused. Dharampal, a native of Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, shared his taxi along with his two brothers. He was married, and has two minor sons who reside in Rajasthan with their mother. He stayed in Zirakpur with his sister for his livelihood. The victims brothers have demanded compensation for the family.. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Of the five people who were killed during the communal violence in Nuh, Sohna, and Gurugram in Haryana on Monday and Tuesday, at least four, including the two home guards, died due to bullet injuries, according to the Nuh police. Vehicles torched by mobs at the Nuh bus stand on Tuesday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) Over 60 people were injured in the clashes with at least a dozen being shot, said senior Haryana Police officers, adding that they believe that around 500 country-made pistols and revolvers were procured from local gunrunners to be used during the clashes. Also read: Haryana violence: Schools may reopen in Gurugram, firms offer WFH Thousands of empty soft drink bottles kept in crates and improvised petrol bombs apart from stones, iron rods, and wooden sticks were found on the roofs of houses around the areas that saw the most violence, suggesting that the clashes were not spontaneous but meticulously planned as a part of a larger conspiracy, the officers said. To be sure, the fact that the police were unable to gather intelligence despite this magnitude of mobilisation of people and arms, reflects poorly on them. The police officers cited above added that cartridges were also found at the mosque in Gurugram Sector 57 that was set ablaze late on Monday night after a Hindu mob allegedly assaulted people inside , killing the deputy imam and injuring at least three others, one of them critically. The planning and mobilisation, HTs reporting showed, was a direct result of the annual procession supported by Hindu groups passing through the area at a time when relations between Hindus and Muslims in the entire Mewat region, of which Nuh is a part, being strained over the lynching of two Muslim cattle traders in February. It has been a sore point among Muslims that the police have been unable , or unwilling to arrest Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante allegedly involved in that incident. Ahead of the procession, Manesar posted videos claiming he would be part of the procession in what appears to be a sort of a dare. That the police and the administration chose to not react to any of this is surprising. HTs reporting also shows that both sides appear to have been prepared for trouble, although Manesar did not eventually show up. According to some residents of Nuh, the guns were procured from gunrunners active in the Mewat region of Haryana apart from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. They were told that the firearms would be returned to them after use. The guns and cartridges were kept on the terraces of the houses in Nuh from where shots were fired. The intent was not to kill anyone but to scare them and disperse the crowd. The preparation was going on for the past 10 days. The guns would be returned to the gunrunners who will sell them to different buyers as quickly as possible to ensure the police do not recover them, said one resident. There also seems to have been a division of responsibilities. As many as 50 groups of volunteers were created and every group was given specific tasks in terms of arranging arms and ammunition, preparing petrol bombs, collecting stones, empty cold drink bottles, iron rods, and sticks. The petrol bombs were prepared two days in advance. The group I was part of was tasked to store petrol bombs, firearms, and stones on the rooftops in Nuh, said a second person, a resident of Punhana. A third person, from Nalhar said that his group was near the hills of Nalhar around the temple where hundreds of Hindus, police, and media persons took shelter during the clashes. The members of our group pelted stones and fired several rounds from the hills where we had gathered . Meanwhile, some Hindus from Nuh said that a few people participating in the religious procession were also equipped with firearms, swords, and sticks. Many people like me were taken aback when we saw some participants carrying weapons. Such weapons were also found in the vehicles they had arrived in. It seems that they had come prepared. Either they had anticipated a backlash from the Muslim groups, or their intention was to disturb law and order, said Mukesh Saini from Sirhual village. As of Tuesday evening, 45 FIRs have been registered in connection with the communal clashes in which even police officers, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and an inspector, suffered bullet injuries, said a senior police officer, adding that over 100 people involved in the clashes were identified till Tuesday evening. Also read: Haryana unrest: Fresh violence erupts in Gurugram, mob burns shops Our initial probe and intelligence gathered from various sources revealed that the preparation for the confrontation began on July 20 soon after the first video of Monu Manesar, an accused in the abduction and killing of two Muslim cattle traders in Rajasthans Bhiwani on February 16, surfaced on social media. He purportedly asked people in the video to participate in the procession by Hindus in Nuh on July 31. As per our intelligence reports, over 500 country-made pistols and revolvers with cartridges were arranged. The Hindu groups were also armed with firearms, swords, and other weapons during the procession, said the officer, requesting anonymity. Another police officer said that the investigating teams were trying to identify the key conspirators instrumental in mobilising people, arranging logistics, and the supply of arms, ammunition, and petrol bombs. The officer said that hundreds of litres of petrol were also arranged and used to set private and police vehicles on fire in Nuh, Sohna Chowk, Badkali Chown, and Nalhar. The teams are making efforts to identify the places where petrol bombs were prepared. As far as the source of country-made firearms is concerned, we are of the view that they were assembled locally in Mewat, the second officer said. The police say the registration number plates of most of the vehicles that were found around the clash spots at Nuh were blackened using paint or grease to avoid identification. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leena Dhankhar Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents. ...view detail ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karn Pratap Singh Karn Pratap Singh has been writing on crime, policing, and issues of safety in Delhi for almost a decade. He covers high-intensity spot news, including terror strikes, serial blasts and security threats in the national capital. ...view detail Mohit Yadav, 28, better known as Monu Manesar, could not be arrested for over five months despite being named (along with 21 others) in the abduction and killing of two cattle traders, Junaid and his cousin Nasir, whose charred bodies were found in a burnt car in Rajasthans Bhiwani on February 16. Cleaning operations underway after communal violence hit Nuh district in Haryana, on Tuesday. (Parveen Kumar/ HT photo) Also Read| Attack on yatra pre-planned, conspiracy: Khattar Manesar, who heads the cow vigilante wing of Bajrang Dal in Haryana, is now at the centre of Mondays communal violence during a procession led by right-wing outfits Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Haryanas Nuh that later spread to Sohna and Gurugram, claimed at least five lives, and left over 50 injured. The communal clashes are believed to have been triggered by three videos released on social media two by Monu Manesar and another by Bittu Bajrangi, also a cow vigilante between Sunday and Monday. In one of the videos, Monu Manesar can be heard announcing that he will reach Nuh to participate in the procession on Monday (July 31) and urging people to visit temples in Mewat region in large numbers. The procession, while ostensibly religious, was also meant to be a show of strength. Bittu Bajrangi in his video is also heard making derogatory remarks. A few videos challenging Monu Manesar and threatening him to face consequences if he reached Nuh also emerged on social media from accounts having Muslim profiles. Also Read| Nuh to Gurugram: The spread of violence Haryana police officers say they suspect that the videos infuriated several Muslim residents in the Nuh and Mewat region and prompted them to gather in large numbers in Nuh town and resort to violence during which they pelted stones, vandalised and torched private as well as police vehicles, and allegedly surrounded a local temple where several Hindus, police personnel and media professionals took shelter to save their lives. The officers said that the clashes were ignited by rumours that Monu Manesar had arrived and joined the procession. However, he did not turn up for the event on the advice of the VHP, which feared that his presence would create tension. According to the officers, the violence began 10 minutes after the procession of 3,000 to 4,000 people started to walk from Edward Chowk in Nuh town around 2pm. Also Read| 40 cases registered in Nuh, over 100 detained The Hindu processionists initially fled, but then regrouped and retaliated. While the videos emerged at least a day before the scheduled procession, which had all requisite permissions from the police, the local administration made no attempts to remove them or ensure that they did not trigger violence, said residents of Nuh; they added that no efforts were made to take Monu Manesar into custody. Senior officers from the Haryana police said Manesar has been at large since Rajasthan police booked him in the abduction and murder case of the two Muslim cattle traders and another case was registered against him at Pataudi, Haryana in connection with rioting and other serious charges. They said they did not know when and where Monu Manesar shot the videos and from where they were uploaded. Several raids have been conducted at his house in Manesar village and other possible hideouts by Rajasthan and Haryana police in the past to arrest Monu Manesar. However, he was never found at these places. He has remained underground since February, when his name surfaced in the two murders. Our teams are still making efforts to nab him, said a senior Haryana officer, who asked not to be named. Bharatpur superintendent of police Mridul Kachhawa said, Monu Manesar is under investigation, though we cant say whether he is guilty or innocent. We have arrested three accused and are trying to arrest more culprits who absconded (in the February lynching case). The role of Monu Manesar will be clear after arresting other accused, their interrogation and investigation. Son of Om Prakash, a private school bus driver, Monu Manesar was born in Nuh village in 1995 and was married at the age of 19. He is the father of an eight-year-old boy. He is said to be a polytechnic diploma holder and joined the Bajrang Dal during his second year of college. He has risen to prominence over the course of the past five years as a leading figure in the cow protection task force implemented by the Haryana government in Gurugram. A locally influential person, Monu Manesars photos with political leaders, police officials and bureaucrats have surfaced in the past. His YouTube page called Monu Manesar Bajrang Dal had over 200,000 subscribers and nearly 330 videos till it was taken down. Most featured high-speed chases; some boast of a gunfight; some showed him and his men standing victoriously next to a group of men they have apprehended, like game they have hunted. The first uploaded video was dated January 18, 2017. In October 2022, Monu Manesar received a silver play button from YouTube for crossing 100,000 subscribers on his channel, which now seems to have been taken down from the platform. Monu Manesars name made headlines in 2019, when he was shot at while chasing cattle smugglers. He has been absconding since his name emerged in the abduction and killing of Junaid and Nasir in Bhiwani, Rajasthan. He has denied any involvement in the Bhiwani killings. At least two Hindu Mahapanchayats happened in Haryana in his support and demanded that his name be dropped from the FIR on the two murders. After close to 100 days, the Bharatpur police named Monu Manesar in the Bhiwani murders. On February 22, the police named nine accused Rinku Saini, Anil and Srikant Pandit from Nuh, Kalu Jaat from Kaithal, Kishore from Karnal, Monu and Gogi from Bhiwani, Vikas and Sashikant Sharma from Jind. A reward of 10,000 each was announced by the police. A forensic report confirmed that the charred bodies and blood stains found in the SUV recovered from a cow shelter in Jind were of Junaid and Nasir. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Delhi University (DU) on Tuesday announced the first allocation list for the universitys undergraduate programmes. A total of 85,853 allocations have been made in the first round, said university officials. DU is offering admission to 71,000 seats across 78 undergraduate programmes and 198 BA programme combinations A university statement said 7,042 candidates were assigned seats in line with their first preference. About 22,000 candidates have been allocated seats from among their first five preferences. A total of 2,02,416 were considered in this round. DU is offering admission to 71,000 seats at the undergraduate level across 78 undergraduate programmes and 198 BA (Bachelor of Arts) programme combinations in 68 colleges. Candidates can accept their seats by August 4. Candidates whose names figure in the list in the first round have to accept the allocated seat by 4:59pm on August 4 on the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal to enable respective colleges to scrutinise the applications of the allotted candidates. Colleges will complete this exercise by 4:59pm on August 5. Candidates whose applications are approved by colleges have to submit the fees by 4:59pm on August 6. Officials said a college may raise a query in case they need any clarifications from the candidate. Only those who complete their admission process including payment of fees, will be able to opt for Upgrade to participate in the second round. The university will announce the second round on 5pm on August 10. The university admitted students based on the marks scored in the Class 12 board examination till 2021 and switched to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admissions last year. You cannot get close to Mirza Ghalib by sitting beside his marble grave. That intimacy can only be attained by reading the poets ghazals and letters, if not in original Persian and Urdu, than in translations. Delhiwale: In search of Ghalibs kin Even so, you must be familiar with the mazar of Delhis greatest verse writer, at this walled courtyard in Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. Some of us might also be familiar with the grave right behind the tomb the final resting place of Umrao Begum, the poets wife. But we have 10 more graves here. All are from the Ghalibian era (19th century), except for one from the 1980s that of poet Sagar Nizami, a Padma Bhushan awardee. Walking into the enclosure, Aqil Ahmad, who heads the Ghalib Academy next door, nods towards lesser-known graves. That qabar is of Zain ul Abidin Khan Aarif, he was Ghalibs wifes bhanja (nephew). This qabar is of Ghalibs father-in-law, Ilahi Baksh Maroof, he was the nawab of Loharu, in Haryana. Time has erased the inscriptions on some of these graves. The exuberant Sunil Kumar, a guard at the tomb, confidently identifies the unidentifiable graves as belonging to Ghalibs seven children. But not a single child could survive beyond 15 months, Aqil Ahmad mumbles, doubting that those infants could have had such large graves. With Shams Badayunis book Mazar-e-Ghalib as his guide, Aqil Ahmad notes that till the early 20th century, this graveyard, belonging to the Loharu nobility, was originally a grove of anar trees called Bagicha-e-Anarkali. Turning to another page, he says Ghalib, who died aged 73 at his rented two-room house in Old Delhis Ballimaran, had his funeral prayers performed outside Dilli Gate. (His wife died on his first barsi, the death anniversary according to the Islamic calendar.) Shutting the book, Aqil Ahmad walks to the grave of Ghalibs nephew, and stands in silence. In their book Ghalib: Life and Letters, scholars Ralph Russell and Khurshidul Islam noted that following the successive deaths of his children, Ghalib gave a fathers love to this nephew. A Persian poem by him described the nephew as the flame of the candle that lights my house. As fate would have it, Ghalib wrote his saddest ghazal on this young mans death, ending it with these lines: It makes no sense to ask me why are you alive Ghalib? It is my fate to go on longing for death, a few more days. Because the nephews wife had died a few months before the nephew, Ghalib and his wife took over the custody of the couples little sonsBaqir Ali and Husain Ali. The older child also died soon, making Ghalib so protective about the remaining child that he never let him out of his sight according to poet Hali, author of Yadgar-e-Ghalib, the first book written on the poet. This child grew to be a poet acquiring the takhallus (nom de plume) of Raqim, the writer. He outlived Ghalib, but died young, aged 30. According to Hamida Sultans book Khandan-e Loharu ke Shora, Raqim too lies buried here. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mayank Austen Soofi Mayank Austen Soofi is a writer-snapper trying to capture Delhi by heart. ...view detail One person died and at least three were injured, one critically, after a mob vandalised a mosque in Gurugrams Sector 57 shortly after midnight on Monday, subsequently setting it ablaze, police said on Tuesday. Police personnel outside Anjuman Mosque which was set ablaze in Sector 57 area, in Gurugram on Tuesday. (PTI) Later in the evening, four people were arrested this connection, officers said.Their identities were yet to be disclosed. The incident is said to have occurred at around 12.10am on Tuesday, with a mob carrying sticks attacking Anjuman Jama Masjid in New Gurugram. Some entered the mosque and attacked those inside. Soon after, the mob set the mosque on fire. A mob of around 45 attacked the mosque late on Monday night and it was later set on fire. At least one person is confirmed dead and three are injured and hospitalised. Among these, one is said to be critical, said Gurugram DCP East, Nitish Agarwal. The person killed has been identified as the mosques deputy or naib imam, Mohammad Hafiz Saad, 29, who belonged to Sitamarhi in Bihar. Police said that he suffered multiple stab injuries in chest, abdomen and limbs. Also read: Haryana unrest: Fresh violence erupts in Gurugram, mob burns shops Kala Ramachandran, CP, Gurugram, said that the police have identified the attackers. The attackers have been identified by the police and following raids conducted throughout the night, several of the attackers have been rounded up. Security around places of worship has been tightened. The CP also clarified that the sadar imam of the mosque was not present at the mosque at the time of the attack. When contacted on Tuesday, sadar imam Mufti Shahnawaz Mohammad said there were five people on the premises of the partially constructed mosque when it was attacked. The mob got hands on Saad and Khursheed Ahmed, 52, who were asleep in a room outside the main structure. Mohammad Shahabuddin, 60, cleaner Mahmood, 39, and guard Izhar, 36, were in office and managed to flee, Mufti Shahnawaz Mohammad said. He also alleged that at least five to six people threatened them two months ago to stop organising Friday prayers, following which a police complaint was filed. They were all from Tigra village located across the main road in front of the mosque, he alleged. Hakim Khan, a local, who was at the spot when the mosque was set afire, alleged that the attackers had come from Tigra village. Forensic experts and other senior officials visited the mosque later in the day. The area was cordoned off and heavy deployment was made around the mosque. An FIR was registered against 90-100 suspects in this connection, police said. ASI Sandeep, who was at the spot, alleged in the FIR that the heavily armed mob pelted stones and opened fire on them after which they breached the security cordon and barged inside the mosque. Clashes broke out in Haryanas Nuh on Monday afternoon allegedly after a procession led by Hindu groups passing through the district was attacked. The attack left at least two home guards dead and dozens injured, including policemen. The violence began spreading to other parts of Haryana by Monday evening, with violence reported from Palwal, Faridabad and Gurugram too. The Haryana government on Monday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Nuh and Gurugram, and the Centre sent 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces to control the situation. The mosque, Anjuman Jama Masjid, is the one mosque in New Gurugram located on government-allocated land. It caters to a significant section of Gurugrams Muslim population. Construction on the land started in 2004 but was stalled after some real estate players moved the court against allocation of land to the mosque. Although the mosque was semi-constructed when it got stuck in litigation, regular prayers are held in it. A mufti who leads prayers at another government-designated site in the city said that he saw the mosque up in flames at 1am. Around a 100-strong mob reached the mosque post midnight. The group included locals from Tigra village who had threatened the imam almost two months ago. Back then, police had also detained four to five people and the matter was defused. The mob included these people along with others. They were armed with swords, lathis, sticks, and rifles. The mosque was vandalised before it was set on fire, said mufti Abdul Haseeb, president, Gurugram Imam Sangathan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Violent mobs roamed the streets of some parts of Gurugram on Tuesday afternoon, vandalising and torching shops and restaurants in Badshahpur, Pataudi Chowk and Sector 67, hours after a man was killed in Sector 57 and a mosque was burned down. A damaged shop on the Gurugram-Sohna Road in Nuh on Tuesday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) All the sectors and areas are fairly removed from the business hub of Gurugram, home to the HQs of hundreds of Indian companies and MNCs. Clashes broke out in Haryanas Nuh on Monday afternoon after a procession led by Hindu groups passing through the district was attacked. The attack left at least two home guards dead and dozens injured, including policemen, and led to the Haryana government imposing prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in Nuh and Gurugram, but the violence spread to neighbouring Sohna and eventually, to Gurugram later on Monday and on Tuesday. Shortly after midnight on Monday, a mob of close to 45 people vandalised the Anjuman Jama Masjid in Sector 57 and set it ablaze, the police said on Tuesday. At least one person, identified as the deputy or naib imam, was killed in the incident, while three others were injured. The incident was followed by an uneasy calm, with many streets deserted. Schools were shut on Monday and many people preferred to work from home. The Gurugram administration on Tuesday evening announced that educational institutions in the Sohna subdivision will remain closed on Wednesday, but schools in Gurugram can reopen, as no specific closure order was issued for them. By 3.30pm on Tuesday, violence broke out once again, with groups of armed men vandalising and torching shops at Sector 67, followed by Badshahpur both surrounded by residential neighbourhoods. Arif Khan, who works at a biryani shop, said he was serving food to three customers when a mob descended on the eatery. They threw all the utensils and broke the wooden counter and furniture and shouted religious slogans. They also threatened the customers, telling them not to visit the shop again. Karim Hussain, a scrap dealer, said his shop was attacked by a group of people carrying Molotov cocktails, which they threw inside. Within minutes the fire spread across the shop and it was gutted. Sudhir Singh, a fireman posted at Sector 29, said four fire tenders were pressed into action. The fire was brought under control in 30 minutes, while cooling operations continued for around two hours. A team of 16 firemen controlled the situation but all the items were gutted in fire. A 10-member committee of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind, including its Haryana state president Mufti Salim Ahmed, and former Rajya Sabha member Mohammad Adeeb met Gurugram commissioner of police Kala Ramachandran, expressing their concern on the burning of the Sector 57 mosque. Those who attacked the mosque had also recorded videos, probably to circulate on social media for inciting further violence. However, police have obtained those videos in which the faces of the suspects were clearly visible, Adeeb said. He added, Why is murder suspect Monu Manesar being protected? He is uploading videos and provoking people but police are not arresting him? His reference is to the cow vigilante who has remained at large despite his alleged involvement in the February lynching of two cattle traders. People of the Mewat region were upset that the police had not been able to find him, and when he posted videos about his presence at an annual procession taken out by Hindu groups in Nuh, some Muslims in the area appear to have reacted to his dare. Some shopkeepers alleged that though the administration imposed section 144, which restricts movement of people in groups, there was little action on the ground. Since morning, four-five people were making rounds on motorbikes but no one was caught or questioned. Their motorbikes did not display registration numbers, but still they had safe passage to roam freely and attack us. We have suffered huge losses, they have robbed us of cash and damaged our shops, said Karim Khan, whose eatery in Badshahpur was trashed and then set afire. By evening, Gurugram police teams swung into action. More than 100 policemen were deployed in Badshahpur area and 3,000 personnel were deployed across the city to maintain law and order. We are yet to identity the suspects involved in Badhshapur and Sector 66 incidents. We are scanning footage and case has been registered against them, said Satish Deswal, station house officer of Badshahpur police station. In light of the incident, Gurugram deputy commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav issued an order that prohibited all fuel stations from selling loose petrol and diesel except in emergency situations. Speaking of other cases of arson and vandalism, Ramachandran said police have received complaints of vandalism from several parts of the city, and cases will be registered after compiling all the reports. Ramachandran said the police have deployed teams at all major intersections and sensitive areas and are watching social media platforms and the movement of vehicles, and that senior officers are making rounds Yadav said that all senior officers have been asked to keep a check and monitor the situation across the city. Internet services have been suspended in Manesar and Pataudi to prevent the spread of fake news, rumours or inciteful speeches through social media. We have appealed to the residents through the media that they should not pay heed to any kind of rumour. The district administration is also keeping an eye on those who try to disturb harmony. The security of religious places in the district has also been beefed up, he said. Meanwhile, Kulbhushan Bharadwaj, a local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, said a mahapanchayat will be held in Manesar on Wednesday morning, in which Hindu groups will demand that the arms licences of Muslims be cancelled. To be sure, most of the guns used in Mondays violence are believed to be illegal country-made ones. (With inputs from Debashish Karmakar) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leena Dhankhar Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents. ...view detail The death toll in the aftermath of communal violence in Haryanas Nuh reached five on Tuesday morning while over 50 persons were injured after a mob of miscreants pelted stones and set cars on fire during a religious procession on Monday evening, police said. There was heavy police deployment in the area. (HT Photo) According to police, four of these deaths have been reported from Nuh, which included two home guards and two locals, one of whom is yet to be identified. A death has been reported from Gurugram too, where a mosque was fired at and later set ablaze, police said. The police said one of the locals who died in Nuh has been identified while the identity of the other local was being ascertained. Also Read: Nuh violence: What led to communal clashes during religious rally in Haryana? Haryanas home minister Anil Vij said curfew has been imposed in the violence-hit Nuh district. According to police, a religious procession - Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra - which was flagged off from Gurugrams Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar, was stopped by a group of men near Khedla Mod in Nuh. The violence spread to other parts of Haryana with the administration issuing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) in several districts of Haryana including Nuh, Gurugram, and Rewari districts. Internet has also been suspended in the region till August 2. According to locals, several shops and cars have been either burnt, damaged or vandalised. At Sohna near Sohna chowk, around 50 cars were damaged while multiple shops were either burnt or looted. Similar scenes were reported from Nuh on Tuesday morning. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) battalions were stationed at the affected districts to maintain peace. Locals said over 50 shops, including vendors carts, have been vandalised. A mob of close to 45 people fired at a mosque in Gurugrams sector 57 late on Monday night, subsequently setting it ablaze, the police has said. The incident is said to have occurred between midnight and 1am. A mob of around 45 attacked the mosque late on Monday night and it was later set on fire. At least one person is confirmed dead and three are injured and hospitalised. Amongst these, one is said to be critical, said DCP East, Nitish Agarwal. Clashes had broken out in Haryanas Nuh on Monday afternoon, after a religious procession passing through the district was attacked. The attack left at least two homeguards dead and dozens injured, including policemen. The violence began spreading to other parts of Haryana including Sohna in Gurugram distruct by Monday evening. Late on Monday night, the Haryana government also issued an order announcing closure of schools in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal for Tuesday. A mob of close to 45 people fired at a mosque in Gurugrams sector 57 late on Monday night, subsequently setting it ablaze, the police has said, stating at least one person has died in the incident and three are injured, with one of these said to be critical. Police personnel stand guard at areas near the violence-hit Gurugram sector 57. (HT Photo) The incident is said to have occurred between midnight and 1 am, with a mob carrying lathis, charging at a local mosque in sector 57. The mob began pelting stones and fired multiple rounds at the mosque, with some members of the group entering inside the mosque to attack those present there. Within a few minutes of the firing, the mosque was set on fire. A mob of around 45 (people) attacked the mosque late on Monday night and it was later set on fire. At least one person is confirmed dead and three are injured and hospitalized. Among them, one is said to be critical, said DCP East, Nitish Agarwal. Clashes had broken out in Haryanas Nuh on Monday afternoon after a religious procession passing through the district t was attacked. The attack left at least two home guards dead and dozens injured, including policemen. The violence began spreading to other parts of Haryana too by Monday evening, with violence also reported from Sohna in the Gurugram district too. Dozens more including around 20 policemen were injured in the frenzy of violence that followed. The Haryana government on Monday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrpC in Nuh and Gurugram, with Centre sending 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to control the situation in the state. Late on Monday night, the Haryana government also issued an order, announcing closure of schools in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal for Tuesday. Fresh violence erupted in Gurugrams Badshahpur on Tuesday, a day after communal clashes broke out in Haryana's Nuh. Fourteen shops were vandalised in the main market as nearly 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs targeted outlets, mostly selling biryani, and other food stalls. In Sector 66, seven stores were set ablaze. Fourteen shops were vandalised in the main market as nearly 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs targeted outlets, mostly selling biryani. The mob ransacked shops belonging to a particular community and chanted Jai Shri Ram in front of a mosque in Badshahpur, news agency PTI reported. The Badshahpur market was also shut down, police told PTI. On Monday, a mob of roughly 45 people fired at a mosque in Gurugrams sector 57 and later set it on fire. Police said that at least one person died in the incident and three were injured, with one of them said to be critical. Gurugram deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav on Tuesday told news agency PTI that the situation is peaceful. Law and order is normal. There were some spill-over impact in Sohna of whatever happened in Nuh yesterday, however, situation was brought under control by evening. We have conducted flag march as well...in Gurugram one death reported in Sector 57 mosque, 5 vehicles were torched in Sohna and 2-3 shops have been vandalised, he said. The Haryana government on Monday imposed Section 144 CrPC in Gurugram and Nuh. Late on Monday night, it also ordered all educational institutions in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal to remain shut on Tuesday in lieu of the violence. Clashes had broken out in Nuh on Monday afternoon after a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession passing through the district was attacked. The attack left at least two home guards dead and dozens injured, including policemen. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, after chairing a high-level meeting to discuss the prevailing situation, said on Tuesday that there seems to be a larger conspiracy at play to disturb the law-and-order situation in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail More than 500 policemen were deployed at Nalhar and Badkali Chowk in Nuh district for a shobha yatra by Hindu groups on Monday, and after the processions were attacked allegedly by Muslim groups, the police personnel were forced to flee, often ditching their uniform in order to escape unscathed, the officers said on Tuesday. Broken glass and debris strewn on a street as policemen patrol after communal clashes in Nuh, on Tuesday. (AP) Also Read| Five killed as Nuh riots spill over to Gurugram Two members of the home guard were killed in Mondays violence, and at least 60 policemen were injured. Officers said they were caught unawares by the mobs, which were armed with bottles, rods, hammers and other weapons. One policeman who was deployed at Badkali Chowk, on condition of anonymity, said that the mobs were angered by perceived inaction by police after cow vigilante Monu Manesar released provocative videos on social media ahead of the yatra. Also Read| Haryana violence: Vigilante Monu Manesar at the centre of row The policeman said that he and other officers were having tea with a group of people when one man received a phone call. Immediately after speaking to the caller, the man slapped a constable and asked his associates to join him. We were shocked. Around the same time, another constable who was passing by on his bike was hit on the head with a glass bottle. The group then locked us inside the police post and set it on fire. We saved our lives by rushing out through a window after removing its iron mesh, the officer said. Also Read| Haryana violence: Police indicate large scale use of local guns by rioters Another officer, also declining to be named, said he and several colleagues hid in shops and houses and removed their uniform so that they were not attacked. Separately, a group of nearly 300 people attacked the cyber police station in Nuh, rammed a bus into the building, vandalised vehicles parked nearby, and set them on fire. They also tried to burn the building, police officers said, adding that they suspect that those involved in the attack could be cyber criminals from the Nuh region. They wanted to attack those who were working inside but we survived, said constable Raghuvir Singh, whose motorbike parked outside was torched. On Tuesday, Gurugram police commissioner Kala Ramachandran said in an official release, Two of our colleagues, home guard Neeraj and home guard Gursev, who were deployed from Gurugram to Nuh in the wake of the law-and-order disturbance in that district, laid down their lives in the line of duty yesterday... While no amount can compensate for the loss of a loved one, the bereaved family will be provided with 57 lakh and all support by Haryana Police. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leena Dhankhar Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents. ...view detail ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karn Pratap Singh Karn Pratap Singh has been writing on crime, policing, and issues of safety in Delhi for almost a decade. He covers high-intensity spot news, including terror strikes, serial blasts and security threats in the national capital. ...view detail LUCKNOW: Mistake in following procedures forced 1560 candidates to skip the first round of NEET-2023 counselling, as they did not submit the counselling fee or did not submit documents properly with the directorate of medical education and training, Uttar Pradesh that is conducting the counselling. The first round of counselling is being done for about 11000 MBBS/BDS seats (Pic for representation) These candidates still have the option to participate in the next round of counselling, said Kinjal Singh, director general, medical education, on Tuesday. The directorate has published the list of students who failed to pay security fee or their documents were rejected during online verification process. As many as 1300 candidates did not pay fee while documents of 260 were rejected. The registration fee was 2000. The first round of counselling is being done for about 11000 MBBS/BDS seats and 18717 candidates got registered for it. After registration, the candidates were required to upload documents and get them verified via an online process. They were also required to submit security fee according to the choice of seat and colleges they wanted. For government institutions, the fee was 30,000, while for private MBBS colleges it was 2 lakh and for private dental colleges 1 lakh. Among the candidates, 1560 could not fulfil the directions. The candidates who registered in the first round of counselling will now have to participate in the second round and will have less choices, as seats in high-ranking government institutes are locked in the first round. This will leave fewer options for those joining the second round of counselling, said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, association of International Doctors. The first round of counselling will get completed and merit list will be out on August 3 after which students can join the institutes allotted. Students can download allotment letters and join designated colleges between August 5 and 8. Once students join colleges, the remaining seats in each college will be uploaded on the portal for the next round of counselling. Students can then check for availability of seats and lock their choice of college. The merit list will be published again and same process for admission will be followed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LUCKNOW The Samajwadi Partys demand for caste census will now gather momentum and put pressure on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the Patna high court on Tuesday upheld the exercise initiated by the Nitish Kumar government in the neighbouring Bihar. Revoking the stay on caste-based survey is the victory of social justice. Caste census will prove the right way for social justice, stated SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in a tweet. (File Photo) The Patna high court dismissed all petitions challenging the conduct of a caste survey in Bihar by the state government. The caste survey in Bihar was slated to be carried out in two phases. Revoking the stay on caste-based survey is the victory of social justice. Caste census will prove the right way for social justice, stated SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in a tweet. Apart from the SP, all opposition parties in UP welcomed the Bihar governments move and the HCs decision. Even OBC-based BJP allies reiterated support for the caste census in the state and the country. However, the BJP maintained silence on the caste census. The SP, which had been demanding a caste census for over two decades, had turned the issue into its top poll plank for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as part of party chief Akhilesh Yadavs new formula - the PDA (Pichada, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) that is backwards, Dalits, and minorities - chiefly Muslims. The caste census idea that the SP had been talking about was primarily aimed at OBCs (other backward classes) the single-largest section of voters in the U.P. Both the BJP and the SP were vying to win the support of this section. In UP, the SP, the Congress, the RLD, Apna Dal (K) - all part of the national INDIA opposition coalition of 26 parties, had joined hands on the issue and welcomed the Patna HCs decision. Of course, the Bihar development will rev up our caste census campaign. We will not sit quiet till the census happens, said Rajpal Kashyap, state president of the Samajwadi Backward Classes Cell. Imagine, the country is still following the caste data from the pre-independence era when India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were one entity. Uttar Pradesh has 79 OBCs, and according to the 1931 caste-wise census, they are 52% of the total population. Now, the OBCs may have easily surpassed 60% of the total population, but are getting only 27% of reservations based on 1931 data. That is why we want caste census so that different castes get benefits as per their share in the population, said Kashyap. The Congress pitch for the caste census was also getting louder. The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the SP in the 2022 UP assembly polls, supported the demand along with another SP ally - Apna Dal (K) that held a caste census demand-themed conference in Lucknow last month. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which was not part of any coalition as of now, too hailed the Patna HCs decision, but said that it might not bring in the desired advantages because of the diminishing government sector jobs. It is BSPs stated policy that we support caste census. Every religion has castes but there is no count. For ensuring social justice as enshrined in our Constitution, first, we should know the numbers so that various castes get benefits accordingly, said Bhimrao Ambedkar, a BSP MLC. He added: The caste census might not lead to any benefits to the disadvantaged groups because this government is abolishing vacancies in the government sector. It is turning regular jobs into contractual ones. How will there be social justice, he asked. Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and NISHAD party - both allies of the BJP - supported the caste census. SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said: We support the caste censusit should happen. His son and partys spokesperson Arun Rajbhar said: Social justice cannot happen without caste census, and we hope that the next NDA government led by PM Modi will think over it. Political observers felt the BJP-led NDA government developed cold feet on the caste census and maintained status quo fearing that the census might lead to a tricky situation that was witnessed when the Mandal Commission report was implemented in 1990 and the caste census might also harm the BJPs goal of uniting and mobilising Hindus. Mumbai: After sharing the dais with him in Pune, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said that he and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were not separated. Ajit was speaking in Shirur, Pune, at a gathering where he inaugurated a memorial of former BJP MLA Baburao Pacharne who died last year. I remember during an election, Popatrao (Pawar) was Sahebs (Sharad Pawar) candidate and Baburao (Pacharne) was my candidate. That does not mean we were separated. We were not separated then and not even today, Ajit said. There is no need to worry about it, he added with a smile amid applause from the gathering. (Hindustan Times) The statement came hours after Ajit and his uncle attended an award ceremony where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Lokmanya Tilak Award in Pune. Pawar attended the program despite unease in the opposition coalition and requests were made to him not to attend it. I remember during an election, Popatrao (Pawar) was Sahebs (Sharad Pawar) candidate and Baburao (Pacharne) was my candidate. That does not mean we were separated. We were not separated then and not even today, Ajit said. There is no need to worry about it, he added with a smile amid applause from the gathering. Later, when asked by mediapersons, Ajit clarified that they are together as a family and are free to take different political stands. Family is family. When my aunt (Sharad Pawars wife Pratibha) underwent a surgery I had gone to meet her (on July 15, days after the split). Our political stand can be different but communication within the family is a separate thing, the deputy chief minister said. Last month, Ajit, who split from NCP, and his rebel MLAs met Pawar multiple times to convince him to join the BJP-led NDA. Most NCP MLAs and senior leaders have sided with Ajit who joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government on July 2. They have also staked a claim on the NCP name and election symbol before the election commission. Despite that, no NCP leader including senior Pawar has attacked Ajit thus far. There is complete silence from both the sides who have stopped targeting each other. Moreover, Ajit as finance minister also chose to allocate funds for NCP MLAs who are still loyal to senior Pawar. In the state Assembly, senior leaders from both factions can be seen laughing and chatting with each other. Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan said that Pawar needs to clear the confusion. First of all, attending an event organized by a non-government organization is not wrong. However, when the opposition has formed a coalition named INDIA, such an incident creates confusion and speculation. It would be much better if Pawar saheb clears his stand, Chavan said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Faisal Malik Faisal is with the political team and covers state administration and state politics. He also covers NCP. ...view detail Mumbai: After 24 hours of frantic communication between co-founder of Goila Butter Chicken, Vivek Sahani, and his Melbourne-based businessman brother Apoorv, with authorities of a cruise liner, where their parents were holidaying, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) it emerged that their mother who had gone missing onboard had actually died. The Sahani brothers took to social media platforms on Monday seeking help from Indian authorities as soon as they received news from the cruise staff on Monday that their mother had jumped off the liner. Their posts suggested that Reeta Sahani, 64, was sailing with her husband Jakesh Sahani, 67, on the Singapore-based cruise liner Spectrum of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises. The Sahani brothers took to social media platforms on Monday seeking help from Indian authorities as soon as they received news from the cruise staff on Monday that their mother had jumped off the liner. Their posts suggested that Reeta Sahani, 64, was sailing with her husband Jakesh Sahani, 67, on the Singapore-based cruise liner Spectrum of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises. Apoorv wasted no time in tagging external affairs minister S Jaishankar from his Twitter handle at around 7:30 pm on Monday. His Tweet stated: My mother was travelling in Royal Caribbean cruise (Spectrum of the Seas) from Singapore. She has gone missing from the ship since this morning. Cruise staff are saying she jumped, but they have not shown us any footage and are washing their hands off. In a subsequent Tweet where he tagged the PMO, he said: They didnt carry out any rescue operation and off boarded my dad. Is this even humane? At around 11 am on Tuesday, Vivek shared on his Instagram page: Royal Caribbean questioned my dad for hours but refused to actually show us or give proof as to what happened to my mom or fully search for her on the liner or did proper rescue operation. The couple were on a four-day cruise, and on their way back to Singapore from Penang aboard the cruise liner, reported Singapore daily The Straits Times on Monday evening, Singapore time. The newspaper reported Jakesh woke up to find his wife missing. He tried to locate her, but on failing, informed the crew. He was told that the vessels onboard detection systems had been alerted that something had fallen from the ship into the Singapore Strait. On Tuesday evening, Saransh Goila, Viveks business partner spoke to HT about the incident. He shared that the couple was on a holiday. The ship was supposed to dock Monday when the family learnt the news. The Indian Embassy in Singapore and the MEA in India responded to their call for help on social media platforms, said Goila. The brothers social media posts had gone viral and by Tuesday evening the High Commission of India (HCI) in Singapore tweeted: HCI is in constant touch with the Sahani family since the news of the unfortunate incident reached us. We are also in close contact with Singaporean authorities to address related issues and are facilitating legal procedures. The cruise liners spokesperson responded to this newspapers email query, stating that a guest went overboard on Spectrum of the Seas and the crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and launched a search and rescue operation. The shipboard team is working with local authorities, and our Care Team is offering assistance and support to the family. Out of privacy for the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share. The representative did not respond to queries on the search and rescue operation. However, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issued a statement, saying, it was notified that a passenger onboard a Cyprus-flagged passenger vessel, Spectrum of the Seas, had fallen overboard in the Singapore Strait en route into Singapore. It added that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) coordinating the search had issued navigational safety broadcast to vessels in the Singapore Strait and vessels in port to keep a lookout for the missing person and report any sightings to MRCC Singapore. By the evening both brothers shared the news of their mothers demise on social media platforms, thanking authorities for showing their overwhelming support in this time of distress. They added that the cruise liner had finally shared the footage and a search was also underway. Ironically, today is also her birthday, Apoorv posted on Twitter. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: After the M East ward, Muslim cemeteries in the neighbouring N Ward, covering Ghatkopar and Chembur, are now facing a space crunch. HT Image A report by the Public Health Department of the N Ward has alerted that no space remains in the Pankeshah Baba Muslim Cemetery, while the only other Muslim cemetery in the ward, Kamraj Nagar Cemetery, has space only for 50 more burials. The bigger of the two graveyards, the Pankeshah Baba Muslim Cemetery, has been tackling space issues for at least five years now. There is no empty space in the graveyard. Now, when we get bodies, we reuse the old graves that are a year old, said Altaf Hussain, the secretary of the trust which runs the graveyard. Asked if there is a concern that the bodies will not be completely decomposed as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) prescribes a minimum period of 18 months for decomposition, he says they take care not to disturb those bodies. The retili matti we use is mixed with some salts, which speeds up the decomposition process. Mohammad Ismail, caretaker, pointed out that every three years - last done in 2021 - the cemetery has been laying a new layer of soil over the existing graves, raising the height of the graveyard bit by bit. Hussain said the trust had requested the BMC for additional space to be added to the graveyard from the adjoining BMC recreational ground around five years ago, and the process for it is close to completion. The Muslim population in this area has steadily increased, with the new towers built. In keeping with it, the space for graveyards is less. We get bodies from Vikhroli, some from Powai, Surya Nagar, Pankesha, Ghatkopar, Chiraj Nagar, Nityanand Nagar, Kachar Patti, and more. And it is understandable, as the graveyard is 70 years old and many people want their families buried together, said Hussain. On the other hand, the shortage in the Kamraj Nagar cemetery, also referred to as the Chedda Nagar cemetery, is recent. We barely have space left for a month. After that, if we dig other graves for more space it will come with a big risk, as they have only been buried for six months. Weve been facing a shortage of space ever since the Rafi Nagar graveyard in Govandi was shut in June, said Mohammed Shafique, from the management of the graveyard. HT had reported on June 10 that the BMC had shut the Rafi Nagar graveyard as partially decomposed bodies were found on digging graves to make space for new bodies, even after the minimum stipulated time of 18 months. This is reflected in the report, as the number of bodies buried in the cemetery spiked to 45 in June, while the figures of previous months are typically below 10. The number of bodies buried till June 23 was 82, already surpassing the number buried in the entire year of 2022 and 2021, at 49 and 57 respectively. Shafique added, We get bodies from Kamraj Nagar, Pestom Sagar, Gulshan Nagar, and Chedda Nagar. But now were also accommodating bodies from Mankurd, Lallubhai Compound, Shivaji Nagar, and the other areas of Govandi. He added that they had faced issues with space previously in the lockdown, when the graveyards in Govandi were similarly shut. Shafiques request to the BMC is for more space for the graveyard from the adjacent empty PWD plot, where even a 10 square metre plot would suffice. For the residents of Govandi, this has added another worry about the destination of the dead bodies from their ward, as after the closure of the Rafi Nagar graveyard and Deonar graveyard, they have been instructed to take their bodies to the Chedda Nagar graveyard. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar will on Tuesday share stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lokmanya Tilak National Award function in Pune, the first time the two NCP leaders will come together publicly after Ajit joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra against his uncles wishes. Nationalist Congress Party leaders Ajit Pawar (left) and Sharad Pawar. (Rahul Raut/ HT File Photo) Ajit Pawar had last month joined hands with chief minister Eknath Shinde and assumed the post of deputy CM alongside Devendra Fadnavis on July 2. Leaders from the Ajit Pawar faction later met Sharad Pawar on July 17 at the YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai for a closed-door discussion. CM Shinde and Fadnavis will also attend the event today. While opposition parties including the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have expressed displeasure over Sharad Pawar attending the event as chief guest, NCP MP Supriya Sule said dialogue is important in democracy despite political differences. Modi is on a visit to Pune today to attend multiple events. At 11.45 am, the PM will be conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award for 2023 by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in recognition of his supreme leadership and for awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) network in Uttar Pradesh will be equipped with different security and safety levels, apart from the introduction of AI-based security checks at 21 stations, said officials aware of the development. The 82km RRTS project is being executed by National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to connect the three cities of Delhi and Ghaziabad and Meerut. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo) The 82km RRTS project is being executed by National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to connect the three cities of Delhi and Ghaziabad and Meerut. As part of the security arrangements, the NCRTC has planned a police station at Duhai Depot, and police posts at Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai RRTS stations in Ghaziabad. These stations are part of a 17km priority section, which is already ready and awaiting inauguration. We have planned police stations and police posts at RapidX stations,which will be manned by the Uttar Pradesh special security force (UPSSF), the agency tasked with the security of the entire network in the state. For the safety of the commuters in the countrys first regional rail system, a security system aided by the latest technologies is being established, said Puneet Vats, chief public relations officer, NCRTC. Officials said they are also conducting the training of UPSSF personnel on operational procedures, use of various state-of-the-art safety equipment and also to ensure effective handling of emergency situations. The NCRTC has estimated a daily ridership of about 800,000 passengers once the entire 82km corridor gets operational. Officials said safety and security besides law and order becomes vital at stations and also for passengers. As part of the security arrangement, the stations will be continuously monitored via CCTV cameras at two levels at stations and the central security control level. Officials said the CCTV system will also issue alerts regarding any unauthorised entry, unclaimed luggage and overcrowding. The multi-zone door frame metal detector (DMFD) will be deployed for security screening of commuters at the time of entry. The DMFD will conduct full screening of commuters to scan for any suspicious items. There is also a provision of AI-enabled baggage scanners which will be capable of scanning luggage even of the size allowed on international travel, said a spokesperson from NCRTC. The officials said these AI technologies include dual view generator X-ray baggage inspection system which will bring out images of both the upper and lower parts of the bags passing through the scanner, thereby enabling the AI system to automatically identify any restricted items and alert the operator. All safety and security arrangements are made for ease of passengers and also to bolster safety and security at RRTS stations. The measures are vital and also consume time. So, we are trying to minimise the time taken with the use of AI systems, Vats said. The entire 82km long corridor is likely to become operational by March 2025, said officials. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel has said that his government will examine the viability of implementing a system that mandates parental approval for love marriages, but only if it is in line with constitutional provisions. The proposal comes in response to demands from certain sections of the influential Patidar community in the state. Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel. (File Photo) The CM shared insights from his conversation with health minister Rushikesh Patel during an event organised by the Sardar Patel Group in Mehsana on Sunday. While coming here, (cabinet minister) Rushikesh Patel told me that we should relook the occurrences of girls eloping, and carry out a comprehensive study with an aim to make parental consent mandatory for love marriages. If the Constitution supports it, we will carry out a study and try to achieve the best possible outcome, Patel said. The idea of making parental consent mandatory for love marriages has garnered support from Congress MLA Imran Khedawala. At a time when parents are neglected in love marriages, the government is planning to create a specific system that is constitutionally feasible... The CM has assured to get a study conducted on mandatory parental approvals. If the government brings such law in the assembly session, then my support is with them, he said. The state government in 2021 amended the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act that penalises forcible or fraudulent religious conversion by marriage. Under the amended Act, there is a provision of up to 10 years imprisonment if a person is found guilty. The Gujarat high court later stayed certain contentious sections of the Act and its order was challenged in the Supreme Court, where it is still pending hearing. During a discussion in Gujarat assembly in March, BJP MLA Fatehsinh Chauhan linked love marriages to crimes and claimed that making parental approval mandatory would reduce the crime rate in the state. Marriages solemnised without parental consent contribute to the crime rate in the state. If such marriages are registered with parental consent, the crime rate could potentially decrease by 50 percent. The current practice of registering court marriages in districts other than the couples own often leads to the concealment of documents, resulting in unfortunate situations where the girl suffers, or the parents are driven to extreme measures such as suicide. Additionally, parents occupied with their professions may struggle to care for their daughters, making them vulnerable to exploitation by anti-social elements who lure them into elopement. During the same discussion in the assembly, Congress MLA Geni Thakore echoed a similar demand to address the issue. She emphasised the importance of safeguarding girls from potential harm caused by boys with criminal backgrounds or those unable to find marriage partners. Our intention is not to oppose love marriages, but rather to ensure that girls are not lured into relationships by boys with criminal backgrounds or desperation, leading to harassment and suffering for the girls involved. We propose an amendment to the act, mandating that marriages take place in the girls village, following the customary marriage procession, and with registration conducted in the taluka where she resides. Additionally, witnesses should be from her own village to ensure her safety and well-being, Thakore said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Union coal ministry has withdrawn Tara coal block from commercial mining auction process which has a forest cover of 81% in the states Hasdeo Aranya following objection by the Chhattisgarh government. A notice of withdrawal from auction was issued by the Union coal ministry on July 28. (Representative file image) A notice of withdrawal from auction was issued by the Union coal ministry on July 28. The Ministry of Coal had launched the 7th round and second attempt of the 6th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auction on March 29, 2023. Tara Coal Mine was offered under the 7th round of commercial coal mine auction. However, the competent authority has decided to withdraw the coal mine from the current auction process, the notice stated. Also Read: No new mining reserves required in Hasdeo, Chhattisgarh tells SC Tara coal block is in Hasdeo Aranya forest area (Surajpur district) and has the existence of 15.96 sq km of Very Dense Forest (VDF) area in the coal mine. On June 23, the Chhattisgarh government wrote a letter to the central coal ministry to refrain nine coal blocks out of 23 total coal blocks (in Chhattisgarh) from the auction for commercial mining citing environmental reasons, including Tara coal block. Tara was the only coal block from Chhattisgarh which had received bidders according to the list issued by coal ministry on June 28. The bidders of Tara coal block were Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and Raigarh Natural Resources Limited. The state government had also said that the Chhattisgarh forest and climate change department cited the loss to environment as reasons for asking the central government to withdraw the nine coal blocks. The nine coal blocks were Tara (Surajpur district), Karkoma (Korba), Koilar ( Raigarh), Tendumudi (Raigarh), Jilga Barpali (Korba), Barpali Kalmi Tikra (Korba), Batati Kolga North East (Korba), Batati Kolga East (Korba) and Fetehpur south (Raigarh). Tara is in Hasdeo Arand forest area and other eight coal blocks are in the catchment area of Mand, river which flows in Mand-Raigarh forest area. On 26 July 2022, the Chhattisgarh assembly passed a resolution to oppose mining in the entire Hasdeo forest area. The Union government in March 2023 announced the 7th round of its coal mine auction. The total number of mines to be auctioned is 101, including Tara block in Chhattisgarhs Hasdeo Aranya forests which has a forest cover of 81%. Sudiep Shrivastava, a Chhattisgarh-based advocate who is also main litigant against mining in Hasdeo Aranya No-Go Area said, The withdrawal was very important for the biodiversity of Hasdeo Aranya, around 10 lakh trees was there in this block which is densely forested. Centres policy of auction also says that it avoids mining if blocks have more than 30% forest cover and in Tara it was 81%. Activists also lauded the state governments efforts in the withdrawal of Tara coal block. The state government has played an admirable role in ensuring these constitutional provisions and views of local communities are respected, which the central government seems to have agreed to abide by. We whole-heartedly welcome this move and hope that the entire Hasdeo Aranya region gets protected, and all remaining coal blocks including Parsa and Kete Extension also be similarly deallocated as per commitment of Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha and the gram sabha resolutions, said Alok Shuka, convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A leopard has become synonymous with terror in Bijnor. Elephants being used to search leopards. (HT photo) The wild cat has so far killed twelve people including children and women in the past seven months, the last killing of a 22-year-old woman Jamna Devi reported from village Bhatpura of Rehad area on Sunday. The wildlife authorities have directed the district forest staff to identify and neutralise the animal, who they said could even be more than one. Seven teams have been formed to search for the leopard who could be more than one. We have placed cages at many places and used baits to attract the animals, but so far, the animal has managed to dodge our teams, said Ramesh Chandra, conservator of forest in Moradabad division. Chandra said that there was a possibility that wild cat (or cats), could be those who were caged in the past and released in the jungle of Amangarh and hence familiar with the cages and prey placed to lure them. Forest department caged 4 to 5 leopards in the past months and released them in Amangarh forest area. These animals might have returned close to human population and were attacking them. They were aware of tricks of caging them therefore avoiding going close to cages and prey placed at different locations, Chandra said. Such intelligent behaviour of animals could be challenged only by doing a proper study of their behaviour. Therefore, we have also invited a team of experts from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, to study the behavior of leopards involved in killing of people, he said. He said waterlogging in low lying areas and sugarcane fields after heavy rains could be the possible reason these animals have come to highlands which were generally close to human population. Meanwhile, two elephants with their mahout from Dudhwa National Park were being used to carry out search operation. These elephants searched an area of 13 km on Sunday and continued their search operation on Monday. We have asked them for two more elephants to intensify the search operation, said Chandra. The search operation is underway in two areas namely Machhmar, Siriyawali, Mohsanpur and 9 villages under Rehar police station limits and Telipura, Jalalpur and 3 villages under kotwali dehat police station limits, Chandra said. Two veterinary officers, two elephants from Dudhwa, WII team, five forest officers, range officers and around 70 staff have been deployed for conducting search operations. Thirteen trap cages, 15 infra-red cameras and 10 flush cameras have been installed at possible movement locations of the leopard. Round the clock patrolling is on and entire operation is being monitored by senior officials, he said. The forest department has declared 22 villages as sensitive zones because of the movements of leopards. We have been sensitising villagers about dos and donts in order to minimize the risk of attack on them, said sub divisional officer (SDO) of forest department Gyan Singh. People have been asked not to go alone in their fields or in the night and walk with a stick, he said. The villagers said that leopard killed three people in the past 12 days. They also ambushed goats, dogs and cows after entering into villages and their attacks on people going on motorcycles have also been reported from different areas. Bhartiya Kisan Union also have raised the issue and its divisional president in Moradabad Baburam Tomar expressed his concern on killings of twelve farmers and their family members. They staged a protest at the office of divisional commissioner of Moradabad on Monday and demanded to identify and neutralize the animal and ex gratia for bereaved families whose members were killed. Box Deaths due to leopard attack in past 7 months 17 Feb- Aditi in village Kiratpur of Nageena 4 Mar- Purvi in village Ballasherpur of Nahtaur 18 Mar- Mithilesh in village Kajiwala of Nageena 19 April- Tungal Saini in village Shreewaschand of Afzalgarh 23 April- Arshi in village Udaipur Chandpur of Rehad 25 April- Khushi in village Moosapur of Rehad 26 April- Rahul of Rehad area 21 June- Kamlesh Devi in village Mohammadpur Rajpuri of Afzargarh 22 June- 10-year-old child in village Machmaar of Rehad 17 July- Guddi in village Makhwada of Kotwali Dehat 27 July- Sandeep in village Telipura of Nageena 30 July- Jamna Devi in village Bhatpura of Rehad SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON KANPUR A day after a Class 10th student slit the throat of his classmate in his classroom at city-based school, police have revealed that the minor accused learnt about the most effective ways to kill a person through Google and YouTube. For representation only (HT File) Cops privy to the investigation have said that the accused watched several videos on how to kill a person for over four weeks before actually killing his classmate. The autopsy has revealed that the victim had six wounds, including a five-inch-deep injury on the wind pipe. The accused made the kill exactly in the manner he saw it in the videos. Assistant commissioner of police, Ghatampur, Dinesh Shukla, said that the accused student had made up his mind to kill his classmate due to regular face-offs with him. The accused wanted to learn ways to make a kill. Therefore, he started watching related videos on YouTube. The cop added, The accused used the mobile phones of his relatives for this. Police are trying to find out the sites he visited and the videos he watched. During interrogation, the accused told investigators, Using the knife on neck was described as the most effective way to kill a person. First, you overpower, then slit the neck and after that, drive the knife inside. I did exactly that. On being asked about the knife, the accused said that he bought it from the market. He specifically chose a big one which he could hide in his bag and carry it to the classroom. During questioning, the accused also revealed that he and the victim were in love with the same girl, a Class 12th student from the same school. He added that his classmate would often threaten to kill him. In fact, the accused has said that the boy and his friends were planning to attack him after school hours on Monday. I always feared he will kill me; I wanted to be prepared for a duel. I would often ask him to not abuse me for speaking to his girlfriend. However, he threatened to kill me on Monday again. I was convinced that if I did not kill him, he will kill me, the accused told police in custody. Additional DCP Ankita Sharma said during investigation, police found the notebook of the Class 12th girl. The accused also had feelings for the girl. This was the bone of contention between the two boys. A case of murder has been lodged on the complaint of the victims father against the accused. The accused would now undergo age determination examination. He is 13 years old as per his Aadhaar card. Subsequently, Nilendra would be sent to a juvenile home, said the senior cop. Significantly, the murder was captured by CCTVs installed in the classroom. Police have seized the digital video recorder to keep the footage safe, said officials. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Haidar Naqvi Haidar Naqvi covers central UP and Bundelkhand. He closely tracks developments in internal security in the region and beyond. ...view detail The Patna High Court on Tuesday upheld the caste survey ordered by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar last year as perfectly valid and initiated with due competence. Advocate Dinu Kumar, counsel for one of the petitioners challenging Bihar caste survey, speaks to the press outside the Patna High Court on Tuesday. (Santosh Kumar) A division bench comprising Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarathy passed the order while rejecting a bunch of petitions challenging the survey, which was ordered last year and began earlier this year. We find the action of the state to be perfectly valid, initiated with due competence, with the legitimate aim of providing development with justice, as proclaimed in the address to both Houses, and the actual survey to have neither exercised nor contemplated any coercion to divulge the details... not having violated the rights of the individual, especially since it is furtherance of a compelling public interest, which in effect is the legitimate state interest. We dismiss the writ petitions, leaving the parties to suffer their respective costs, said the bench. The first round of the caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21 this year. The second round started on April 15 and was scheduled to continue till May 15, but midway through the process, the HC stopped it. The court had reserved the judgment after concluding the hearing, which continued for five consecutive days, from July 3 to July 7. It is clear that the Centre, as a matter of policy, decided not to carry out any caste-based enumeration... Karnataka has also done it through a commission and by a legislation, which only reinforces the power of state to carry out such survey for collection of data to achieve the constitutional goal of uplifting the downtrodden and the marginalised, the bench observed. The court said the contention of the State cannot be faulted that one can very well start the process with caste, wherever they are found, to evolve the criteria for determining backwardness. The state governments cannot wait on their haunches for the Central government to carry out the Census and provide it with the details so as to ensure affirmative action within the state... it is empowered to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward class of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes; which necessarily is not confined to an affirmative action but essentially is an upliftment of such socially and educationally backward communities so as to ensure due recognition and representation in society, the court observed. Maintaining that the power of the State legislature to make laws under the above fields of legislation, without repugnancy to any legislation brought out by the Union, cannot at all be disputed, the court said, Articles 15 & 16, while prohibiting any discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and providing for equality of opportunities in matters of public employment, inherently provides for beneficial schemes for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes and reservation in favour of citizens, not adequately represented in, the services under the State, its instrumentalities and the various representative bodies of governance. Bihar chief secretary Amir Subhani said further action would be taken in the light of the court order. We will study the order. The ongoing survey has been upheld and now the government would decide on further action, he said. After studying the judgement, we will move the Supreme Court, senior advocate Dinu Kumar, counsel for one of the many petitioners, told reporters soon after the bench pronounced its verdict in an open court. Earlier, in May, after the HCs decision to stay the caste-based enumeration in the state and rejection of interlocutory application (IA) for an early hearing, the Bihar government had filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court. However, the apex court refused to hear the matter till its disposal by the HC. The Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar an alliance of CM Kumars Janata Dal (United), the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Congress had ordered the survey last year after the Centre declined its request for a headcount of social groups other than SCs, STs and religious minorities as part of the Census. Earlier, both houses of the state legislature had passed unanimous resolutions in favour of a caste survey. On May 4 this year, however, the HC had observed that the caste-based survey is a census in the garb of a survey and that the power to carry out the exercise is exclusively on the Union Parliament, which has also enacted a Census Act, 1948, and directed the Bihar government to immediately stop the caste-based survey and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed in the writ petition. There is a question of data integrity. Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the state has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament, the HC had said. The state government had already made a budgetary outlay of 500 crore for the ambitious exercise. In Bihar, the numerically powerful OBCs have dominated the political space since the Mandal churn of the 1990s. Leaders like Lalu Prasad, the RJD supremo who is the father of incumbent deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, and chief minister Nitish Kumar, both of whom owe their rise to the Mandal wave, were of the view that a headcount of all castes was necessary since the last time such an exercise was undertaken was in the 1931 census. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Kumar Arun Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He has spent two-and-half decades covering Bihar, including politics, educational and social issues. ...view detail PUNE The accident happened near Kharadi between Janak Baba Dargha and Aple Ghar Housing Society, according to local police. (HT PHOTO) On Tuesday morning, a collision between two Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway resulted in 29 passengers suffering injuries. The accident happened near Kharadi between Janak Baba Dargha and Aple Ghar Housing Society, according to local police. As per primary information, a CNG-operated PMPML bus, which was heading from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to Talegaon Dhamdhere collided with another PMPML bus heading from Wagholi to Warje-Malwadi. Vimantal police officials said that the bus headed towards Talegaon Dhamdhere entered the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route from the wrong lane, resulting in a head-on clash with another public transport vehicle coming from the other direction. The incident happened at around 9 am on Tuesday. The bus headed towards Warje-Malwadi was severely damaged in the mishap, and the 29 injured passengers were admitted to Sassoon General Hospitals for further treatment. No causalities have been reported from the accident. Shivpal Lahande, assistant police inspector at Vimantal police station said, Prima facie, it seems that one of the buses entered the BRT lane from the wrong direction, resulting in a head-on clash with another PMPML bus. However, the process to register FIR is going on and the exact reason behind the accident will be ascertained only after a detailed investigation. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Pune unit demanded strict action against culprits after a detailed inquiry into the accident. In a press release, Aam Admi Patry stated that, in the last few months, AAP has taken PMPML Sudharana Mohim under which many issues related to the safety and security of the passengers have been raised. AAP requested safety and security equipment like a first aid box, fire extinguisher, and safety glass hammer, should be kept in the bus. AAP had further demanded that PMPML issue a number to register complaints. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed Congress-led governments in Karnataka and Rajasthan and said that when the power goes into the wrong hands, citizens and society face the effects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award ceremony at SP College on Tuesday. (HT PHOTO) PM Modi was in Pune to launch the second phase of the Pune Metro rail, handing over the homes under Prime Minister Awas Yojana and inauguration of waste to energy plant. PM said that the country is witnessing development in all directions in Maharashtra, however, what is happening in Karnataka is also before the nation. Like Pune, Bengaluru is a big IT and global investors hub. Bengaluru and Karnataka needed to undergo rapid development. However, the way the government was formed by making announcements, the ill effects of this is being witnessed by the entire country with concerns raised, Modi said while referring to populist announcements made by Congress Party before recently held assembly elections. The Congress party secured a 43% vote share with 136 seats with its campaign revolving around key issues against the ruling BJP and five guarantees it offered to voters before polls. After the formation of the government, Congress started fulfilling its promises in the state. When a political party empties state coffers for its interests, the people of that state bear the brunt while the future of young generations is also in danger. Announcements help the party to form the government but the future of the people is in danger, said PM Modi. Modi also referred to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumars refusal to the allocation of funds during the current financial year for undertaking development work in assembly constituencies across the state, on the pretext of implementing five pre-poll guarantees promised by the Congress party. The Karnataka government is accepting that it doesnt have money for the development of Bengaluru and the state as the coffers are empty. This is extremely concerning for the country, Modi said, adding that in Rajasthan too the situation is the same. Same is the situation in Rajasthan where development is stalled and debt is mounting, Modi said. To take the country forward and make it developed, niti (policy), niyat (intention), and nishtha (loyalty) are equally essential. These three things determine whether development will happen or not, he said. On Ajit Pawar-led NCP alliance PM Modi also, for the first time referred to the realignment of political forces in Maharashtra after Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction joined BJP-Shiv Sena government. Here in Maharashtra, different parties have come together with the same resolve of development. The target is the same, that with everyones contribution, work even better for Maharashtra, which should progress even faster, Modi said in his 30-minute speech. Speaking at the same function, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, that last year in March when Pune Metro rails initial stretch was inaugurated, he along with Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar were present in different roles. During the previous inauguration, all three of us - Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and I - were present but in different roles. Shinde was the urban development minister, I was the opposition leader, and Ajit Dada was the deputy CM. Now that we have come together, this journey of development will be expedited During the program, PM Modi flagged-off metro trains on two sections between Garware College to Ruby Hall clinic, and Phugewadi to Civil Court. He also handed over 1,280 houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and over 2,650 PMAY houses constructed by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to the beneficiaries. Before 2014, the metro network was available in only five cities and spread over 250 km. But now 900 km of metro routes are operational in 20 cities of the country. The work of the metro on 1,000 km is in progress. For a better urban life, quality public transport in cities is necessary, Modi said. In his speech, the PM also acknowledged the importance of Pune City and Maharashtra in Indian history, culture, and economy. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Recently, the inaugural conference of the Yangtze River Delta New Energy Vehicle Industry-Academia Integration Community and the NEV Industry-Academia Integration Summit Forum were grandly held in Hefei, Anhui Province. The communitys first batch of members covers the YRD region, including 35 vocational colleges, 37 NEV manufacturers, component enterprises, and related organizations and institutions. The platform of the YRD NEV Industry-Academia Integration Community was officially launched and put into operation on the same day. On July 15th, the Chinese automobile industry celebrated its 70th anniversary. Over the past 70 years, the Chinese automobile industry has transformed from relying on technology import to going global, and has shifted from being a novice to becoming a leader. Compared with the traditional automobile industry, intelligent connected vehicles have become an important driving force for promoting the high-quality development of the connected vehicle industry and fostering sustained economic growth worldwide. In this context, it is necessary for multiple industries such as automobiles, transportation facilities, information communication, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence to integrate and collaborate, leading to significant changes in the talent structure and characteristics. The development path of the NEV industry lies in technology, the key lies in talent, and the foundation lies in education. Sun Gexin, Deputy Director of Anhui Provincial Department of Transportation, stated in his speech that Anhui Communication Vocational and Technical College, as a higher vocational college mainly offering transportation and logistics-related specialties and sponsored by the Anhui Provincial Department of Transportation, has provided a large number of highly skilled technical talents for the economic development and high-quality development of the transportation industry in Anhui. The establishment of the Yangtze River Delta NEV Industry-Academia Integration Community, led by the college, is an important measure to promote vocational education reform and deepen industry-academia integration, which is of great significance for promoting the high-quality development of vocational education in the transportation field. He hopes that member units of the community will fully utilize the significant opportunities brought by the rapid development of vocational education and the great leap of transportation, unite the efforts of schools, enterprises, and research institutes related to the NEV industry in the Yangtze River Delta, and promote the development of the regional industry and the improvement of high-skilled talents for NEVs. During the conference, the list of members of the Yangtze River Delta NEV Industry-Academia Integration Community was officially announced, including one chairman unit, 29 vice-chairman units, and 42 director units. Among them, 35 automotive professional vocational colleges and 37 enterprises and organizations were consecutively awarded honors, marking the official establishment of the Yangtze River Delta NEV Industry-Academia Integration Community and the formal operation of the affiliated platform. This will open up new prospects for the development of the NEV industry in the Yangtze River Delta region, bring new opportunities, and provide more driving forces. Source: Anhui News Reported by Shi Ruiwen Edited and translated by Zheng Chen PM Modi Pune Visit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated not just two sections of Metro Rail during his visit to Pune but also the waste-to-energy plant under Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and handed over 1,280 houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). PM Modi arrived in Pune on August 1 around 11 am and then performed pooja at Dagdusheth Ganpati Mandir. PM Modi speaks in Pune Due to PM Modi's visit some schools and colleges located in Peth areas have decided to remain shut while others have announced online classes anticipating traffic, road closures and security measures. School administrations stated that they have not received clear instructions from district administration on whether to give a holiday. However, students and parents have been asked to not visit the campus. A security detail of over 5,000 personnel and officers including Maharashtras elite Force One anti-terror commandos has been put in place for Modi's visit. The Pune city police issued prohibitory orders from July 30 to August 2. A ban on the use of drones for video shooting has been announced by police in addition to the closure of several arterial roads and traffic junctions in the city. All eyes in political circles were on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar who shared the dais during the Lokmanya Tilak National Award function in Pune on Tuesday. Among others present during the function included deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who deserted his uncle and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government on July 2. PM Modi in Pune on Tuesday (HT PHOTO) This was the first time that both senior Pawar and his nephew were seen at a public event after the NCP split. Ajit, however, avoided coming face to face with his uncle who arrived at the venue 10 minutes before Modi, and left the dais immediately after the award function got over. On July 17, Ajit and leaders from his faction met senior leader Sharad Pawar at the YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai although it was a closed-door meeting. Chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also attended the event in Pune besides Ajit. While the opposition parties, including the Congress and the Shiv Sena, had expressed displeasure over the NCP leader Sharad Pawar attending the event as a chief guest, party MP Supriya Sule had said that despite political differences, dialogue is important in democracy. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has invited applications for admission to the courses being offered by its Zanzibar Campus. It will offer academic programs starting in October 2023: A four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science & AI and a two-year Master of Technology degree in Data Science & AI. IIT Madras invites applications for Zanzibar campus admission The programmes are open to students of all nationalities, including Indians, the institute said. Apart from a comprehensive curriculum that includes all aspects of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, students will have access to several interesting opportunities during their course of study. These include study abroad/semester exchange programs with IITMs partner institutions in the U.K. and Australia, among other countries, internships with various relevant companies and a chance to meet some of the course requirements at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai, India, IIT Madras said. Interested candidates can apply for the two courses on zanzibar.iitm.ac.in by August 5. Elaborating on the admission process, Prof Preeti Aghalayam, Director-in-charge of Zanzibar campus, said, The selection process will include a screening test (which is an aptitude test, covering mathematics, science, English and analytical ability), and interviews with faculty. Students who have cleared Class XII, Form VI or equivalent in the past three years are eligible to apply to the BS program while those with a 4 year UG degree in any engineering/science discipline may apply to the MTech program. Further information regarding admissions can be obtained through email: zanzibar@ge.iitm.ac.in and WhatsApp: +91 90433 38564, the institute said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Maharastra NEET UG 2023 1st Merit List: State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra will release the provisional merit list of NEET UG counselling for state quota seats today. Candidates who have applied for the first round of CAP counselling can check the list by visiting cetcell.mahacet.org. Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2023: First state merit list today on cetcell.mahacet.org The CET Cell had revised the schedule for the first round and according to it group A candidates (MBBS/BDS) have to fill the online preference form by August 3, 6 pm. The selection list for such candidates will be released on August 4 and they have to join physically at allotted institutions with original documents and fees between August 5 and 9 (up yo 5:30 pm). Registration for round 2 (AYUSH and Allied courses only) will begin on August 4. How to check Maharashtra NEET UG merit list Go to cetcell.mahacet.org. Go to the CAP portal. Select NEET UG. Now, open the link to check the state merit list. Key in your credentials and login. Check the list and save the page. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is a cute and funny anime about two religious characters. Pastor Lawrence hangs out with Saint Cecilia, who helps people by giving them good advice. The much-awaited anime "Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence" Season 1 is gaining popularity with its first few episodes. Don't miss out on Episode 4, which will be released on August 2nd! Cecilia is responsible for guiding people, but she can be a bit lazy sometimes. Also, she secretly has feelings for Lawrence, but he doesn't know it. The anime follows their daily adventures and hints at the possibility of their relationship turning into something special. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence Season 1 Episode 2 exact release time Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence Season 1 Episode 4 will release on Thursday, August, 2 at 11:00 am JST. Heres the exact release time of Saints Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence episode 4 in your time zone. Date Saint Cecilia and Pastor lawrLawrence Season 1 Episode 4 Release Date JST EST PT ET GMT IST August, 2 11:00 AM 10:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 PM 2:00 AM 7:30 AM Where can I find Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence to watch? The first season of Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is currently airing in Japan on Tokyo MX and other local channels. For fans outside of Asia, you can stream it on Crunchyroll. What Happened in Episode 3? Lawrence starts to feel doubtful about Cecilia because she was impolite to him. But then Cecilia consoles Lawrence and reassures him that she knows and understands him. Later, when Abel gets better, Lawrence finds a scarf left behind at the church. So, he, Abel, and Cecilia leave the church to return it to its owner. When Cecilia meets a fortune teller, her cloak gets damaged by a piece of wood. Meanwhile, Lawrence and Abel successfully return the scarf while a visitor comes to visit the village's saint. Keep watching with us for updates on anime! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Shekhar Suman's son Adhyayan Suman opened up about why he spoke about his break up with Kangana Ranaut 'not in 2009, but in 2017', almost eight years after they dated. In a new interview with News18, the actor said he 'faced backlash' for speaking about his breakup in public, but he does not regret it at all. Also read: Kangana Ranauts ex-boyfriend Adhyayan Suman talks about black magic, physical abuse, Hrithik Roshan Kangana Ranaut and Adhyayan Suman date for some months around 2009. Kangana and Adhyayan Suman were in a relationship in 2008-2009 for a few months. The actors had worked together in the film Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2009). They had an ugly breakup, and later, he made several allegations against her, accusing her of trying to influence him. Adhyayan had claimed Kangana Ranaut was an abusive girlfriend, who made his life 'hellish' for the one year they dated. On why he spoke about his relationship with Kangana Now, Adhyayan has said that he has no regrets about talking about his relationship publicly and sharing intimate details about what transpired between him and Kangana Ranaut.I dont regret speaking about my relationship. I spoke about it like any human being would. I spoke about it at a point when people didnt know about my side of the story. If you recall, there were no press conferences arranged. I never created a hullabaloo saying that things happened with me. It was just once that I spoke out of respect for that person and more importantly, for myself," Adhyayan told News18. The actor, who was recently seen in the web series Inspector Avinash, further said, If I was publicity hungry, I wouldve spoken about it back in 2009 when I had the relationship and not in 2017. What difference does it make to my career? You dont get work because of your affairs but because of your talent. People judged me back then but then they came back and apologised to me after I spoke about my side of the story. I faced backlash but I dont regret it at all." What Adhyayan had said about Kangana In an old interview to DNA, amid actor Hrithik Roshan and alleged ex-girlfriend Kangana's public spat, Adhyayan had said in 2016, One moment she made me feel loved and then in the next, it was like I was a nobody in her life! I was standing at the bar alone when Kangana walked up to me said some actor at the party was trying to grab her a** so I told her, Lets go. She went back to doing her thing. Later she came and told me lets go right now. I was walking down the stairs with her, when she turned around and slapped me! The actor had also alleged that Kangana took him to astrologers and tried to do black magic on him. One day, Kangana called me at home in the night to do some puja. I reached at 11.30 pm as the puja was to start at 12. She had a small guest room in her apartment and she had covered it in black, including black curtains. There were some random statues of God, fire all around, some scary things (kept) puja. She asked me to chant some mantras, and locked me in. I was terrified. I didnt do it and I came out and told her that I had. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Aditya Roy Kapur is basking in the success of his debut web show The Night Manager and has just returned from Portugal after a much needed break. He convincingly plays a night manager in the show which has the prime antagonist Anil Kapoorb keeping an eye on him and Sobhita Dhulipala as the female lead. The actor is now willing to feature in a love story but is also not averse to anything which allows to do something refreshing on screen. Also read: Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday are lost in conversation at a restaurant in Lisbon; fans react: The eyes never lie Aditya Roy Kapur in a still from The Night Manager. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Aditya Roy Kapur talked about the challenges of filming for the Disney+ Hotstar show as well as his upcoming film with Anurag Basu. He also revealed what he missed during his Portugal trip. Excerpts: Before The Night Manager, you were seen in Rashtra Kavach Om last year. Why is there such a vast difference between the two projects and their success rates? That's just the way it goes. You never know what's going to connect, what's not going to connect. That's just the nature of the beast. Never know for sure what's going to be successful. All you can do is try and do things that excite you, try and do things that you hope people would want to watch. And then eventually the outcome is in nobody's hands. So it's an example ofone day it's feast, one day it's famine. Did you watch the original British show before doing its remake? Did you imbibe the qualities of the original characters or you tried to make it look different? I watched it once the project came up, to kind of figure out what I felt about it. I wanted to remake something because I liked it in the first place. So for me, I think it was important that I saw. I love the show, I love the performances. But what was nice was me, Sandeep and the writers had managed to create a unique world in the sense that they had adapted it in a great way. As an actor I had a lot of different stimuli and a lot of different stuff to draw from. He changed a few things and allowed me to find my own way into the role. Of course, the original performances were definitely something to get inspired by. I think as an actor, every time you have to do a role, you have to find your own way into it. You know you have to do that work for yourself. Playing Shaan was an emotionally intense character for you. What is more difficult - doing action or emoting? I think they are difficult for different reasons. Action requires a lot of energy. It requires another skill set. It is definitely difficult in its own way to to do back-to-back action, to do a lot of it. Its physically draining and physically challenging to perform while doing action, while being tired. Its tough in itself. For me, this was tough in its own way because it was a very thin line as a character. Shaan Sengupta had so much going on internally that needed to reflect. Sandeep and I had to really at all times be walking a tightrope between what we want to. Because as a character, he is not revealing who he is to the people around him. But he has a lot going on inside. And it's also how much we want to reveal to the audience, like when do we show what he's actually thinking and when do we allow him to just continue to be the spy where you don't know if he is this way, is he that way? Is he good? Is he bad? So it was definitely tricky and challenging, but one that I really savoured. I really enjoyed it because the writing was good. And when you have all of that written on paper, it just makes your life much easier as an actor. There is no back story about why a navy guy became a night manager. Will there be a prequel or a sequel? Ask the platform, ask Sreedhar. Its a character I enjoyed playing and would love to explore. People also enjoyed watching it. How was your experience of shooting with Anil Kapoor? You two were kept apart to bring out a hesitance among you? Anil sir and I have already done Malang so we had worked together quite a bit. That ice had already been broken. In this case, the scenes required us to be strangers. The discomfort or hesitation would have only aided the scene. He did workshops with Anil sir and people in his orbit and me and people in my orbit separately. When we were required to collide, Sreedhar preferred for us to not rehearse. You have also worked with two child actors in the show. How was it to work with them? Yes I think I really enjoyed shooting with them, they are such gifted actors. They always kept us on our toes. They had done quite a lot of work so they were quite polished actors. They have done amazing work in the show. Its always great and spontaneous and fun to work with them. You recently shared your desire to feature in some love stories now. Are you taking a break from action films after Rashtra Kavach O? If something very good comes my way, be it adventure, thrill or a right love story - I would love doing it. I am open, not rigid about what I want to do. Anything which I havent done before, I would like to do. What should we expect from MetroIn Dino? Dada (Anurag Basu) is doing what dada does - making something relatable, fun, quirky, touching. I am looking forward to shooting with him, I havent done much yet. That journey is still in front of me. Its a sequel for Life in aMetro. It will have multiple things happening, you can expect some romance as well. How was your Portugal trip? I definitely needed a break. I missed the monsoons though, I love monsoons in Mumbai. Since the moment I came back, it has been raining non-stop for one week. You made headlines here. Its a good thing I am not so much on social media. But definitely, I have heard SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The friendship between BTS' Jungkook and Seventeen's Mingyu is the stuff of legend. Despite their hectic schedules, the 97-liners best friends always make time for each other, and fans can't get enough of their bond. Recently, the duo teamed up for yet another dance challenge, this time grooving to Jungkook's latest solo single "Seven." BTS' Jungkook & Seventeen's Mingyu's dance challenge to "Seven" delights fans.(Weverse ) Earlier, Jungkook had joined Mingyu for the "SUPER" challenge, which went viral in no time. Now, Mingyu returned the favor by dancing with Jungkook for the "Seven" challenge. Both dressed in matching black and white outfits with sunglasses, they exuded a cool vibe that perfectly complemented the sensual ethos of Jungkook's song. However, as they danced effortlessly, a blooper ensued when Mingyu momentarily forgot the choreography, leaving Jungkook puzzled. It was a classic "huh, what just happened?" moment that added even more charm to their friendship. Jungkook released his solo track "Seven" in June, showcasing his mesmerizing vocals and visuals, and it quickly became a hit among fans. Recently returning to South Korea after international promotional activities, Jungkook hinted at the possibility of another challenge collaboration with Mingyu during a live broadcast. He joked that he was too "Lazy" to teach Mingyu the choreography, encouraging him to learn it himself for the challenge. As expected, netizens couldn't contain their excitement when Jungkook posted the "Seven" challenge video. The blooper, matching outfits, and undeniable chemistry between the two besties made the video an instant hit. The way mingyu made a mistake and stopped and jungkook just looked at him lol CUTE, wrote one fan. Not mingyu forgetting the seven choreo and the way jungkook glared at him. Their friendship is so adorable, tweeted another. With BTS' Jungkook and Seventeen's Mingyu always setting major friendship goals, fans can't wait to see what they'll do next. As ARMYs and Carats celebrate this heartwarming collaboration, they eagerly await more interactions between the two talented artists in the future. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Asafak Alam, the 29-year-old man accused of raping and murdering a five-year-old girl in Keralas Ernakulam district last week was out on bail in a Pocso Act case dating back to 2018 in Delhi, a top police officer said on Tuesday. A senior Delhi police officer aware of the matter said that the accused was arrested after the incident and subsequently bailed out. (Representational) Also Read| Kerala child rape-murder accused also named in 2018 POCSO case in Delhi: Police A case was registered against him in 2018 at the Ghazipur police station in Delhi under sections 12 of the Pocso Act and 354, 354A of the IPC. He was an undertrial prisoner in the case, spent a month in jail and later got out on bail. We got the information about that case when we matched fingerprints in the NCRB database. We are investigating if there are more cases registered against him, Ernakulam Rural SP Vivek Kumar told reporters. While cases under Pocso are expected to be tried under a year according to the law, reality is different. A study by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy analysing judicial data across 10 years (2012-21) and 400,000 cases in 28 states and Union Territories shows that the proportion of Pocso cases that takes more than three years to be disposed of is increasing year-on-year, and Delhi has the highest average case length among the states studied (three years and six months). It also found that in a typical Pocso trial, over six months are spent at the evidence stage alone. Also Read| Tortured to confess to husbands murder: Kerala woman after he is found alive A senior Delhi police officer aware of the matter said that the accused was arrested after the incident and subsequently bailed out. In 2018, the man was arrested on charges of molesting a Class 5 student in Ghazipur. The complainant said he molested her and touched her inappropriately. He was arrested at the time of the incident and was eventually released on bail. The matter is pending trial, the officer added, on condition of anonymity. Alam, a native of Bihar, was arrested last week from a suburb near Aluva in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a five-year-old daughter of migrant workers, also from Bihar in an incident that has caused nationwide outrage. He was charged with several counts of aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping, destruction of evidence, and murder. According to police, the accused kidnapped the Class 1 student from her home and brutalised her before strangling her to death and dumping her body under heaps of waste near a market. The senior police officer said that the test identification parade of the accused by eyewitnesses was completed on Tuesday and an application seeking his custody for questioning will be filed before a Pocso court. Investigation is going in the right direction and we will file the charge sheet as soon as possible, Kumar said. Meanwhile, health minister Veena George and industries minister P Rajeeve paid a visit to the victims home and assured them of speedy justice. The state government has announced a compensation of 1 lakh for the affected family. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishnu Varma Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment. ...view detail Hyderabad Enforcement Directorate authorities on Tuesday conducted searches in the residences and offices of former MP and Telugu Desam Party leader Rayapati Sambasiva Rao. Enforcement Directorate authorities on Tuesday conducted searches in the residences and offices of former MP and Telugu Desam Party leader Rayapati Sambasiva Rao and his associates in Transstroy (India) Private Limited, in connection with alleged siphoning of bank loans, people familiar with the matter said. The raids began early in the morning at nine different locations at Jubilee Hills, Manikonda, Punjagutta and other places in Hyderabad, besides in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. As many as 15 teams of the ED took part in the searches, it continued till late in the evening. An ED official privy to the development said the searches were going on in connection with the alleged default of loans to the extent of over 9,000 crore, taken from various banks by Transstroy India Private Limited. Apart from that of the TDP leader, the ED conducted searches on the offices and residences of Malineni Sambasiva Rao, a director with Transstroy India Private Limited. The ED suspects siphoning of money from Transstroy into various companies in which Sambasiva Rao is the director. Transstroy, which had bagged the contract for the multi-crore Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh, was terminated from the contract after it failed to stick to the deadline of the project works. There were allegations against the company that it had siphoned off the loans borrowed from various banks to execute the project. In April 2020, the former MP has been charged under Section 120 (b), 420, 406, 468, 477 (a), Section 13 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, following the complaint of Union Bank of India. In the complaint, the bank said Transstroy had defaulted clearance of loans to the banks. The CBI sleuths raided on Sambasiva Raos house and his offices in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur and Delhi. It alleged that the company had defaulted a loan of a whopping 8,832 crore. The former MP could not be reached for comment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON One day in April, Periya Ganesan started work , the same way he had for the previous four days, sifting through the sediment and dirt in his assigned trench at the dig site. PREMIUM Tamil Nadu: In Keeladi dig, artefacts, history, heritage and politics It was tiring but significant work, the brass tacks that archaeology is built on but rarely spoken of in the final telling of discovery. Like some of the others on the site, this was Ganesans ninth year at the dig. Like every year, work started in early April this year. At 9.30am on that day, April 10, he saw a flash of white. It was right below the surface. It looked hard. It looked like a floor. Ganesan ran to archaeological officer Ajay Kumar, and told him something was different. Kumar knew Ganesan was not lying. The workers at the dig site were well versed with the topography. The senior officer descended the trench and started digging. Soon, it became ever clearer that Ganesan was not mistaken. Underneath, there was something white and firm; a mixture of clay and lime, over 2,000 years old. Kumars eyes widened. It even looked like a modern concrete floor. In 2015, excavations began in the town of Keeladi, around 500 kilometres away from Chennai, after carbon dating samples from the area were traced back to 580 BCE, suggesting that similar to the second urbanisation in the Gangetic plains, there was a civilisation that existed in Keeladi, and Sivakalai (172 km away) between 2,600 and 3,200 years ago. It narrowed the gap between the imaginations of the Tamil and the Indus Valley Civilisations (3300 BCE to 1300 BCE), the earliest known in the Indian subcontinent. Since 2015, for several months every year close to a dozen archaeologists and labourers of, first, the Archaeological Survey of India till 2018 and then the Tamil Nadu government have been digging a 110-acre area of what was once a coconut farm. Less than six acres have been excavated thus far. In April this year, in the ninth season of excavations, M Ramesh, co-director of the Keeladi site, says they made a breakthrough; what he terms a floor activity. Three months later, in mid-July, labourers are working feverishly inside a fifth trench dug under the discovered floor. It rained briefly in the early days of the month, and a lot of time is spent scooping out wet mud. Yet, it is all worth it, for the goal is to find missing links from the results of previous excavations. There is, of course, a political underpinning to the sense of urgency. For several in Tamil Nadu, the reconstruction of an ancient society evokes both linguistic and cultural pride. The findings have prompted chief minister MK Stalin to claim that the Tamil civilisation was rich, modern and developed, and juxtapose Tamil pride against the Hindi heartland. Our governments mission is to prove scientifically that the Indian subcontinents history should be written starting from the Tamil landscape, Stalin said in the state assembly in September 2021, four months after his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party formed its government. On April 6, Stalin himself launched the ninth phase of excavations at Keeladi and the surrounding clusters of Agaram, Manalur and an ancient burial site at Kondagai. The journey so far Some time in the 1970s, locals in Keeladi began digging a well in a local coconut tree farm. They found potsherds, or broken pieces of pottery. Excited by the discovery but blissfully unaware of the significance, children at the local government school took the potsherds to their history teacher V Balasubramaniam, who in turn wrote a letter to the Tamil Nadu state department of archaeology (TNSDA). But it was only 40 years later that officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) went hunting for that well, after Keeladi was earmarked with several other sites in Madurai as part of ongoing research on a possible civilisation that existed on the banks of the Vaigai river. A team led by K Amarnath Ramakrishna, then the superintendent archaeologist at ASI, officially commenced excavations in March 2015. Since then, 18,000 artefacts have been unearthed from Keeladi alone. Across Tamil Nadu, there are eight sites where archaeologists are hard at work: Kilnamandi (Tivuvannamalai), Porpanaikottai (Pudukkottai), Boothinatham (Dharmapuri), Gangaikondacholapuram (the capital under Chola king Rajendra I in present day Ariyalur), Vembakottai (Virudhunagar) and Thulukkarpatti (Tirunelveli). But of all these, Keeladi has remained firmly in the spotlight -- for the mixture of the wonder its discoveries have produced, and the controversies that have followed, exposing fault lines between the state and the Union government. Ramkrishna led the team for the first two seasons and members said they found evidence of brick construction, terracotta and beads that matched with the descriptions in Tamil literature of the Sangam era. But after the second season of excavations, Ramkrishna was transferred to Odisha, and at the end of the third season, ASI declared that there were no significant findings. There was a political storm. Regional parties protested loudly and there were multiple approaches to court. Eventually, in 2017, the Madurai bench of the Madras high court handed over the responsibility of excavations to the state government, then led by chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami of the AIADMK. TNSDA took over and began excavations almost immediately. By 2019, the government said that extractions from the excavation had pushed back the imagination of the Sangam era three centuries from what was originally thought to be, something that aided the argument that Keeladi was contemporaneous with the civilisations in the Gangetic plains. The fifth and sixth seasons found water channels made of brick, and subsequent digs seemed to confirm a thriving sea trade, weaving, and agrarian management. In May 2021, the DMK stormed to power defeating the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Much of the DMKs political narrative was built on regional pride, and the change in guard added new impetus to the sense of a civilisational battle, challenging the imposition of Hindi and celebrating Tamil pride. Four months later, Stalin proudly told the state assembly, I am extremely happy to announce that the rice samples have yielded the date of 1155 BCE and hence, the Tamiraparani river civilisation (in Tirunelveli) is 3,200 years old. This is scientifically validated. The government made this claim based on a communication by Beta Analytic Inc, a Miami-based company, writing to the TNSDA that a rice and husk sample, scraped off a pot in Sivakalai, that they had sent was dated around 1155 BCE. In many ways, this government enthusiasm is what sustains Keeladi. The ninth phase at Keeladi A narrow bitumen village road, dotted by coconut trees, leads off from the Madurai-Mandapam national highway, and almost immediately brown boards that say Keeladi Archaelogical Site begin to emerge out of the idyllic countryside. For the most part, the village looks like any other, operating at a gentle pace; MGNREGA workers dot the area; villagers amble, as they keep watch of their goats. There is one corner of the village however, that is now home to a constant stream of visitors and curious school students. In 2021, trenches dug that year -- the seventh season of excavations -- were thrown open to the public. Inside the trench, the remarkable findings include a terracotta ring well with the symbol of a fish, and markings of full lives once lived; dice and evidence of hopscotch. The government plans to transform this into a full-fledged on-site museum soon. Beyond this point, restricted to the public for now, a team of 10 painstakingly dig. Every day, less than 10 centimetres of sediment from a square trench is removed. It was here that on April 10, Periya Ganesan first saw something white, something hard, the first evidence of a floor. Ajay Kumar remembers that day. He remembers bursting with joy when he confirmed that it was indeed a floor, and his thus far unsuccessful hunt for a roof on every side of the square trench. A roof would have confirmed that this was a living settlement. But it is unexpected to find something so important at such a short depth, Kumar said. The logical next step was to find out what lay under the floor. Archaeologists began digging to the right of the trench. There, they hit another first; thousands of pots within one square trench of about 10x10 metres. While finding pots themselves is not unusual, Ramesh said that it was not normal for thousands of pots to be in such close proximity. Maybe they stored these pots for floor activity, Ramesh said. The pots have hundreds of graffiti markings. It is graffiti like this that is the genesis of the Tamil Brahmi script, experts said. Since then, soil from the floor activity and the recovered potsherds have been collected, and will likely be sent for further examination to institutes such as Punes Agharkar Research Institute, Deccan College, French Institute of Puducherry and Madurai Kamaraj University. The way ahead Thangam Thenarasu, Tamil Nadus minister for finance and archaeology, said that the state government wants to establish a clear link between the Tamil civilisation and the Iron Age from excavations this year. We are not at war with anyone but our ideological stance is that Indian history should be written starting from the banks of the Cauvery river rather than the Ganges. We have solid evidence and make announcements only backed by scientific evidence, he said. Thenarasu pointed to excavations between 2021 and 2022 in Mayiladumparai that ostensibly suggested that the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu took root around 4,200 years ago. Sivakalai and Keeladi have already established links with the Iron Age and the prehistoric period. Thulukkarpatti will help us in determining the cultural coincidence within Adichanallur (Thoothukudi), he said. There are other clear signs of a government push. In March 2023, Stalin opened the Keeladi museum, a kilometre away from the excavation site, and set up at a cost of 18.4 crore. The once dormant state archaeology department is now flush with money -- 5 crore was allotted last year, and another 5 crore this year. There are two more on-site museums in the pipeline at Tirunelveli and Ariyalur as well as a Chola museum that will showcase the contribution of the famed dynasty, government officials said. Kurush Dalal, archaeologist and director of the School of Archaeology at Mumbai-based India Study Centre-Trust, said that Keeladi is one of the most important explorations in India. For the longest time, archaeology in southern India, not just in Tamil Nadu, was in the doldrums. That the south was given stepmotherly treatment is not in doubt, but Keeladi has now received lots of eyeballs. Experts, however, have urged for politics and archaeology to be kept separate, and said that it does not inspire confidence when announcements on discoveries are made by government representatives and not archaeologists. Looking for the oldest, greatest, most fantastic finding is parochial. There is a bizarre game of one-upmanship between the north and south for glory, which does not help archaeology, Dalal said. Dalal for instance, is sceptical about the claim that Tamil Nadus Iron Age is the oldest in the world. This Iron Age, according to the governments claims, is older than the Neolithic and Stone Age in the area. To believe that stone-tool-using Neolithic citizens were preceded by iron-using people in the area means a practice mysteriously disappeared and then returned, or continued to coexist in multiple communities without any impact on the other, he said. With two months left for the ninth season to end, a team of six interns from Punes Deccan College and Tamil Nadus Thanjavur University works barefoot in a trench, trowels and picks in hand, in a quadrant to the right of where the floor activity was found. One student has found a tiny bone while another has found the tooth of a bovine. Animals such as cows, bulls, buffaloes, deer, goats and wild pigs have been identified in Keeladi earlier. And the hope is that soon, after the discovery of the floor, more evidence of a residential living quarter emerges, perhaps a furnace. But Ajay Kumar has words of reassurance for his young wards nonetheless. Teeth are precious for DNA, crucial for analysis, he says. In Keeladi, everything is a source of wonder and discovery. And the repository of not just historical evidence, but political bragging rights. GUWAHATI: A first information report (FIR) has been registered by the Assam Police for a four-day training camp organised by a right-wing Hindu outfit in a school on the outskirts of Darrang districts Mangaldai town, police said on Tuesday. The Darrang Police have registered a FIR against Rashtriya Bajang Dal over the training camp (Twitter/Darrang_Police) Darrang superintendent of police (SP) Prakash Sonowal said the FIR was registered against Rashtriya Bajrang Dal for the training camp. We have registered an FIR under sections 153A and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention, said Sonowal said. The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal is associated with the International Hindu Parishad, a right-wing group led by Pravin Togadia. The FIR was registered after Assam director general of police GP Singh late on Monday took note of a widely-circulated video clip and photographs which showed an instructor giving what appeared to be arms training to a group of men. HT cannot verify the authenticity of the video. Late on Monday, Singh said in a post on Twitter that the Darrang SP had been instructed to register a case under appropriate sections of law and take lawful action. Sonowal said the principal and administrative officer of Maharishi Bidya Mandir, the school where the training was conducted, have been detailed to question them for information on the training camp. The camp, which took place from July 27 to July 30, was reportedly conducted under the garb of providing yoga training to youths. No arrests have been made in this case yet. The school authorities didnt keep any records of the camp. Therefore, its not possible to say how many people took the training. No permission was taken from district authorities to conduct the training camp and the school authorities allowed Rashtriya Bajrang Dal to hold the event on their own, said Sonowal. According to one account, 300 people were imparted training in handling arms during the four-day camp. . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, and with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) indicating its support for the legislation on the floor of the house, its passage in the Rajya Sabha, never really in doubt, is now a certainty. Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session. (ANI) Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai introduced the contentious bill -- it replaces an ordinance that effectively overrides a Supreme Court judgment and gives the Centre control over Delhis bureaucracy -- in the Lok Sabha, where it is expected to sail through, given the NDAs brute majority. Also read: Lok Sabha debate on no-confidence motion against NDA govt for three days, PM Modi to reply on August 10 The BJDs support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliances (NDA) on the bill is crucial as its nine MPs will take the number of those supporting the bill in the Upper House to 123. In the 245-member house, the majority mark is 120 as some seats are vacant. The Opposition grouping, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), has 107 MPs, including seven of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The YSR Congress Party with nine Rajya Sabha MPs has already confirmed its support for the bill . Union home minister Amit Shah dismissed the Oppositions efforts to question the governments legislative competence to bring the bill, saying it was a political move. He cited a paragraph in the Constitution benchs May 11 verdict. which handed the charge of the Capitals bureaucracy to the elected government, excluding departments connected to police, public order and land. The legislative assembly of NCTD has competence over entries in List II and List III except for the expressly excluded entries of List II. In addition to the Entries in List I, Parliament has legislative competence over all matters in List II and List III in relation to NCTD, including the entries which have been kept out of the legislative domain of NCTD by virtue of Article 239AA(3)(a), the verdicts Para 164 [c] said. The ordinance has inflamed the tussle between the elected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the centrally appointed lieutenant governor over control of the national capital. The AAP government in Delhi has called the ordinance illegal, unconstitutional and a black law. Senior AAP leaders, including party chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, traversed the country to rally support against the ordinance. The party also hinged its entry into the INDIA grouping on the Congress taking a stand on the ordinance. The Opposition was hoping to put up a stiff fight in the Rajya Sabha, where the gap between the government and the Opposition is far narrower than the lower House, and where the NDA doesnt enjoy a majority. But the BJDs announcement will ensure a smooth passage for the bill in the Upper House. Biju Janata Dal has decided to support the passing of the Delhi bill and we will be opposing the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition. In this regard, a three-line whip has been issued by the party, Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra said. HT reported last week that the YSR Congress Party, which also has nine members in the Upper House, has decided to back the Delhi services bill. In the Lok Sabha, BJD leader Pinaki Mishra countered the Opposition over the issue of legislative competence. The government has brought a law pursuant to the Supreme Courts judgment. How can you challenge its legislative competence? On a point of law, you cant challenge the introduction of this bill, he told Opposition leaders. The issue is also before the top court. On July 20, the apex court referred to a Constitution bench the Delhi governments challenge to the ordinance. To be sure, the top courts decision to have the legality of the ordinance tested by a Constitution bench has no bearing on the introduction or passage of the ordinance in Parliament as a legislation. In the Lok Sabha, Shah underlined that Article 249 of the Constitution empowered Parliament to even make laws on a matter in the state list in national interest. Article 249 says, Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List specified in the resolution, it shall be lawful for Parliament to make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of India with respect to that matter while the resolution remains in force. Shahs intervention -- after Rai moved the bill for introduction -- came after several Opposition leaders objected to the bills introduction. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the bill vindicates the outrageous infringement of the powers of the Delhi government and claimed the Union government was making a graveyard of cooperative federalism. This bill takes away the power to make laws for services. The Delhi government should have the power to make laws in services. It raises serious concerns about the Centres intention. This bill aims to offset the SC verdict. This bill expands the power of the LG, Chowdhury alleged. AAP MP Raghav Chadha criticised the legislation, claiming it will turn democracy into babucracy. This bill essentially takes all powers away from Delhis elected government and transfers them to the lieutenant governor and babus. This bill will give the bureaucracy and the LG overriding powers, Chadha said. Also read: Deadlock persists in Parliament as Manipur discussion stalls AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who was suspended from the Upper House for the rest of the monsoon session, said the bill was against the decision of the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the countrys federal structure. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi said the bill violated Article 123 (about the Presidents power to promulgate an ordinance when Parliament is in recess) and the theory of separation of power. Owaisi sought division of votes on the introduction of the bill. Saugata Ray of the Trinamool Congress complained that the bill was outside the legislative competence of the government. Ray said the government was attempting total abrogation of the power of the Delhi government. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, who labelled the bill as unconstitutional, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TR Balu argued that no substantive motion could be brought till the Lok Sabha took up the no-confidence motion . The no-confidence motion is scheduled to be taken up on August 8. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor argued that the bill undermined the Delhi assembly and the top court judgment. If the Delhi government is not able to control or hold officers accountable, a government cant function, he said. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Giriraj Singh on Tuesday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his tweet attacking the BJP for "spreading kerosene of hatred across the country." Union Minister Giriraj Singh(HT File Photo) Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Giriraj Singh wrote, Those who do politics of hatred from generation to generation, today they are spreading the knowledge of love. In the greed of becoming the Prime Minister, they got India divided and got millions of Hindus killed." "The second generation imposed emergency, the third generation got thousands of Sikhs killed. He himself is the leader of Tukde-Tukde gang, who gets cows slaughtered in Kerala and abuses India abroad. This is the Qutub Minar of hatred, he said. Giriraj Singh made the statement after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP and its forces were spreading the "kerosene of hatred" across the country and that only love could douse the fire. The BJP, the media and the forces standing with them have spread the kerosene of hatred across the country, Rahul said. Rahul Gandhi's comments came after clashes between communities in Haryana's Nuh got violent over the past few days. Five people, including two home guards, were killed and many others were injured in the violence. The clashes broke out in the Muslim-dominated Nuh district after a mob tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession. As news of the clash spread, mobs in Gurugram's Sohna pelted stones and set ablaze four vehicles and a shop. Protesters also blocked a road for hours. Speaking about the violence Haryana home minister Anil Vij said on Tuesday, "The violence did not take place suddenly. It was masterminded by someone with the target to disturb peace of the country and the state. The anti-social elements had collected stone, bullets were fired...it did not happen suddenlytherefore, an inquiry has been set up in this matter and whoever is found guilty will not be spared. The Patna High Court on Tuesday dismissed the writ petitions against the caste survey initiated by the Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance (GA) government, allowing the government to carry out the exercise which the chief minister has pitched as essential and imperative to further the cause of social justice. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (File) Leaders of several parties that are part of the INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance) grouping of political parties opposed to the national political hegemon, the Bharatiya Janata Party, have previously separately pitched for similar caste surveys or for social justice to become the issue on which they fight the 2024 national election. We find the action of the state to be perfectly valid, initiated with due competence, with the legitimate aim of providing development with justice, as proclaimed in the address to both Houses, and the actual survey to have neither exercised nor contemplated any coercion to divulge the details and having passed the test of proportionality, thus not having violated the rights of the individual especially since it is furtherance of a compelling public interest, which in effect is the legitimate state interest. We dismiss the writ petitions, leaving the parties to suffer their respective costs, said the bench of chief justice K Vinod Chandran and justice Partha Sarthy. Lalu Prasad, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president, credited Nitish Kumar for the high court verdict terming the decision a victory for backwards and deprived. I am sure that the survey work will be completed soon and results will be announced, he said. State parliamentary affairs minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the HC decision clearly shows that the state government is within is right to conduct a caste survey. Some vested interests wanted to stop the survey. The plan has been defeated by the court, he said. It is likely that the legal sanction to the survey, which is aimed at pushing for more reservation for backward classes on the grounds that current quotas are not proportionate with the share of these communities in the population, will engender demand for similar surveys in other states. In Uttar Pradesh for instance, the Samajwadi Party (also part of INDIA) has demanded a caste census. Whenever the Samajwadis get a chance, we will get the caste census done. Till the time we are out of government, we will continue to tell the government that social justice without caste census is not possible... using technology, caste census can be done fast, Akhilesh Yadav, SP national president. And in a June meeting that he called of opposition leaders, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin also pushed for a caste survey in the interests of social justice. Conducting caste census was a central issue adopted by Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance meeting in Bengaluru in later part of July 2023. The Union government has been ambivalent about the issue, although it did set up the Rohini Commission to sub-categorise the 27% reservation for other backward classes on the grounds that much of this was being higged by the dominant groupings; this report, however, is yet to be submitted. Bihar MP and BJP leader Janardan Singh Sigriwal said,The state government wants to move Bihar towards caste-based frenzy...The government is only talking about the caste survey and not about development, stopping crimes and rising corruption. The first round of the caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21. The second round started on April 15, and was scheduled to continue till May 15, but midway through the process the high court stayed the process. It reserved the judgment after concluding the hearing, which continued for five consecutive days from July 3. The hight courts stay came on a petition filed by Youth For Equality, which argued that caste survey was violative of right to privacy under Article 21 of Constitution. There were fears that by doing the survey, the state would be stepping on the turf of the Union government, which carries out censuses. The Bihar government went to the Supreme Court in appeal, but the apex court refused to stay the high courts order. On Tuesday, citing various orders of the Supreme Court, including the judgment in Indra Sawhney case, and speech of BR Ambedkar, the bench said that the security concerns raised by the petitioners had been taken care of by the state government and that does not invalidate the survey. It is clear that the Centre, as a matter of policy, decided not to carry out any caste-based enumeration and the mere inclusion of census under entry 69 of List-1 does not preclude the state from carrying out such exercise, as is carried out in Bihar. Karnataka has also done it through a commission and by a legislation, which only reinforces the power of state to carry out such survey for collection of data to achieve the constitutional goal of uplifting the downtrodden and the marginalised, the bench observed. The court agreed with the states argument that such a process is a criterion to determine backwardness, and also pointed out that this has been accepted by a judgement of a Constitution Bench of the SC. State governments cannot wait on their haunches for the Central government to carry out the census and provide it with the details so as to ensure affirmative action within the state, in its services under Article 16(1) & (4) and for its downtrodden under Article 15(1) & (4). The state is empowered to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward class of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes; which necessarily is not confined to an affirmative action but essentially is an upliftment of such socially and educationally backward communities so as to ensure due recognition and representation in society, the court observed. India did carry out a caste survey along with the 2011 national census, but later scrapped the process claiming the methodology was faulty. The results were never officially released. Maintaining that the power of the state legislature to make laws under the above fields of legislation, without repugnancy to any legislation brought out by the Union, cannot at all be disputed, the court said, Articles 15 & 16, while prohibiting any discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and providing for equality of opportunities in matters of public employment, inherently provides for beneficial schemes for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes and reservation in favour of citizens, not adequately represented in, the services under the state, its instrumentalities and the various representative bodies of governance. Bihar chief secretary Amir Subhani said that further action will be taken in the light of the court order. We will study the order. The ongoing survey has been upheld and now the government would decide on further action, he said. Bihar parliamentary affairs minister Choudhary said the verdict would have far-reaching consequences and similar demands would be raised in other states to compel the governments to go for it. This one decision has once again brought not focus the farsightedness of chief minister Nitish Kumar to build an inclusive and egalitarian society. Social analyst and former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies DM Diwakar said that in the absence of general census 2021, caste census will help the Bihar government plan and identify the marginalised people to bring them to the mainstream. Moreover, this judgment will give political edge to the Grand Alliance to consolidate their political constituency. Now this will have wider implications and also echo in other states. The Centre will also be under pressure to take a policy decision on this, which it resisted so far, he added. The Mahagathbandhan government an alliance of Kumars JD(U), the RJD, and the Congress ordered the survey after the Centre declined its request for a headcount of social groups other than SCs, STs and religious minorities as part of the Census. On May 4, while staying the survey, the high court observed that the caste-based survey is a census in the garb of a survey, the power to carry out which is exclusively on the Union Parliament which has also enacted a Census Act, 1948, and directed the Bihar government to immediately stop the caste-based survey and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed in the writ petition. There is a question of data integrity. Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the State has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament, the court said then. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Kumar Arun Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He has spent two-and-half decades covering Bihar, including politics, educational and social issues. ...view detail Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration has turned down Aam Aadmi Partys request for a suitable plot in the Union territory for its office, saying the party does not fulfil the criteria for such allotment. Bhagwant Mann (PTI) Confirming the development, adviser to the UT administration, Dharam Pal, said according to the Chandigarh administrations revised policy, a political party can get land for its office in the city if it meets two grounds: first, it should have a national party status, and second, it should have an elected member of Parliament from Chandigarh in the last 20 years. In the case of AAP, they are a national party, but do not fulfil the second condition, following which the proposal has been rejected, Pal said on Tuesday. Earlier, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had written twice to Chandigarh administrator Bhanwarilal Purohit, urging him to allot a suitable plot in the UT for AAPs office, stressing that they are a national party and enjoy a huge majority in Punjab. All seven Rajya Sabha members from the state belong to the AAP. In Chandigarh [Municipal Corporation], out of 35 councillors, we have 14. The Aam Aadmi Party is the most popular party in Punjab and Chandigarh, Mann wrote to Purohit, who is also the governor of Punjab, in June. After receiving no response from the UT administration, Mann sent a reminder on July 11. The Punjab chief minister had alleged that the Chandigarh administrations inaction and deafening silence indicate it is playing favoritism and has some ulterior motives. People familiar with the matter said the UT administrations decision has been conveyed to Punjab government officials. In 2005, the UT administration had amended the bylaws for the allotment of land in the joint capital city of Haryana and Punjab to political parties. Two clauses were subsequently added: first, the political party should have national party status, and second, they should have an elected MP in Chandigarh in the last 20 years. At present, the Shiromani Akali Dal holds a three-acres plot in Sector 28, while the Congress has its Punjab unit office on a one-acre plot in Sector 15 and a four-kanal (equivalent to 0.5 acre) land in Sector 35 housing its Chandigarh unit office. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has two plots one measuring two kanal (0.25 acre) in Sector 33 housing its Chandigarh unit office and three kanal (0.375 acre) in Sector 37 for its Punjab unit office. All these allotments were made before the policy change in 2005. In 2016, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had also made a request for a plot in Chandigarh, saying it was a national party. However, the UT administration turned down its proposal on the second ground that the party did not have an MP in Chandigarh in the last 20 years. When contacted, Malvinder Singh Kang, the chief spokesperson of AAPs Punjab unit, said he was not aware of the development on the issue. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The communal violence that erupted in Haryanas Nuh district on Monday spread to parts of Gurugram on Tuesday as mobs set fire to and vandalised dozens of establishments in at least three of the citys neighbourhoods in the afternoon, hours after a mosque in Sector 57 was vandalised and a cleric killed, taking the toll in the clashes that began Monday to five. PREMIUM Flames and smoke rise from shops and other temporary structures set ablaze by miscreants in a fresh case of communal violence after Monday's attack on a VHP procession in adjoining Nuh district, in Gurugram (PTI) Security forces fanned across Nuh, Palwal, Gurugram and Faridabad districts to snuff out further outbreaks and rein in tensions, with 45 first information reports (FIRs) registered, 70 suspects detained, and 100 more identified. Mobile internet services remained suspended in Nuh, Manesar and Pataudi, while prohibitory orders were under effect in Faridabad, Palwal and Gurugram districts. Also read: Alert in 11 west UP districts in wake of Haryana violence Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who chaired a high-level meeting to assess the situation, said the attacks were pre-planned and that a conspiracy was at the heart of the violence that has rocked the region. Interviews with police officers and those involved in the violence all spoke on condition of anonymity paint a picture of a meticulously planned attack, raising questions as to why the police did not have a clue about what was going to go down despite hundreds of guns and people being mobilised. Questions are also being raised on why the administration and the police did nothing even after Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante on the run from the law after his alleged involvement in the killing of two Muslim cattle traders in February, posted videos claiming he would be at an annual religious procession in Nuh. Finally, questions are also being asked on the speed of response, with the violence spreading in under 24 hours from Nuh to Gurugram, home to the headquarters of large Indian and multinational firms. Khattars deputy, Dushyant Chautala, meanwhile said the organisers of Mondays Shobha Yatra which was attacked by Muslim groups did not properly inform the administration about the expected turnout. Senior administration officials, however, insisted that the regions law and order was in check. Opposition leaders said the violence was evidence of the administrative failure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Jannayak Janta Party state government and accused the BJP of fanning communal tensions. The Monday procession was given permission despite Nuhs fragile communal situation, the states intelligence machinery failed to pick up the mobilisation of people from neighbouring areas in response to the rally, while the police seemed to be taken by surprise at the large-scale use of weapons starting Monday night. Government officials said schools in Gurugram district will reopen for in-person lessons on Wednesday. Schools in the Sohna subdivision, which was engulfed by violence on Monday, will stay shut, said the order issued by the districts deputy commissioner. Clashes first ensnared the region on Monday when Hindu and Muslim groups clashed during a Shobha Yatra taken out by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Nuh district, roughly 50km from Gurugram with two home guards killed and over 200 people injured in the violence that followed. The trigger for the violence, according to a police officer, were videos suggesting that Bajrang Dal member and cow vigilante Monu Manesar, wanted for murdering two Muslim men in Haryanas Bhiwani this February, would also be a part of the procession. However, the wanted cow vigilante, who has been at large for months, did not turn up at the procession. Tensions soon spiralled and scattered to other districts, with violence reported from Sohna, Palwal and Gurugram. Minutes after midnight, a mob of around 45 people vandalised a mosque in Gurugrams Sector 57, killing the mosques deputy, or naib, imam and injuring three others. The incident, according to police officers, unfolded around 12.10am on Tuesday, with a mob carrying sticks attacking the Anjuman Jama Masjid in New Gurugram. Some entered the mosque and attacked those inside. Soon after, the mob set the mosque on fire. When contacted on Tuesday, sadar imam Mufti Shahnawaz Mohammad said five people were on the premises of the partially built mosque when it was attacked. He also alleged that at least five to six people threatened them two months ago to stop organising Friday prayers, following which a police complaint was filed. They were all from Tigra village, located across the main road in front of the mosque, he alleged. Hakim Khan, a local, who was at the spot when the mosque was set afire also alleged that the attackers had come from Tigra village. Gurugram police chief Kala Ramachandran said many of the attackers were held and security around places of worship in the region was tightened. She also clarified that the imam of the mosque was not present at the mosque at the time of the attack. The violence continued to course through urban Gurugram on Tuesday afternoon. According to eyewitnesses, several mobs, with people on motorcycles and SUVs, scoured the streets and destroyed 25 shops and restaurants in at least three neighbourhoods Badshahpur, Pataudi Chowk and Sector 67. The shops vandalised included 14 in Badshahpur that were run by Muslim men. Two more civilians were killed in the violence at Nuh on Monday. One of them was identified as Shakti Singh Saini, a local resident who was not involved in the clashes, but was standing by the side of the road, where he was shot dead. The other person is yet to be identified, but his body was found at the main crossing in Nuh around 8.30pm on Monday. Arif Khan, a resident of Sohna who worked at an eatery on the main road that links Sohna Road and Sector 67, said he was serving customers at 3pm when a mob of 200 entered the establishment and began tearing it apart. I fled from the back, towards the market. They smashed all the utensils, broke the counter, and destroyed furniture. They then shouted slogans and fled, he said. Karib Hussain, a scrap dealer in Sector 67 said that 50 men entered his shop around 3.10pm carrying bottles filled with petrol. They set fire to the bottles and launched them into the yard behind the store. The blaze spread within minutes and gutted the shop. I informed the police, who sent in fire tenders. But there was nothing left by then, he said. We have deployed 1,600 officers across the city. Teams are conducting raids to arrest the suspects involved in violence and murder. All the forces are on alert, including senior officers, Ramachandran said. Senior officials are taking rounds, keeping an eye on social media and tracking the movement of vehicles to ensure communal tensions are not stoked, she added. Satish Deswal, station house officer of Badshahpur police station, said 100 officers were out on the streets of Badshahpur alone to keep the area free of further turmoil. In Nuh, police teams kept vigil throughout the day, as a tenuous peace persisted in the town. Recollecting Mondays incidents, Mukesh Saini, a shopkeeper said the mob was holding weapons and local police was given only a lathi to fight against them. They (the police) could not save themselves, what would have they done for us, Saini said. Chief minister Khattar said efforts were on to identify and bring in people involved in perpetrating the violence, even as he pointed to, what, he said was a larger conspiracy It was a pre-planned attack that points towards a larger conspiracy as the Samajik Yatra, which was attacked, has been taking place annually for the past several years, Khattar said after the meeting on Tuesday that also included Haryana home minister Anil Vij, deputy general of police (DGP) PK Agrawal and additional DGP (CID) Alok Mittal. He added: Authorities are investigating the incident further to ascertain the underlying causes and potential motives behind it. Efforts are underway to identify individuals involved in the incident and those not from the Nuh area. Also read: Haryana violence: Schools may reopen in Gurugram, firms offer WFH Gurugram deputy commissioner (DC) Nishant Yadav said all senior officers have been ordered to monitor neighbourhoods across the district. In Gurugram, the situation is under control, Sohna was our main focus area. A peace committee meeting has taken place there, normalcy restored and markets have opened. We have conducted a flag march as well, he said. Internet services have been suspended in Manesar and Pataudi to prevent the spread of fake news, rumours or hate speech on social media. We have appealed to the residents through the media that they should not pay heed to any rumours. The district administration is also keeping an eye on those who try to disturb harmony. The security of religious places in the district has also been beefed up. The residents of the district should also cooperate with the district administration in maintaining social harmony, he added. A 10-member committee of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind, including its Haryana president Mufti Salim Ahmed, and former Rajya Sabha member Mohammad Adeeb met Gurugram commissioner of police Kala Ramachandran, expressing their concern on the burning of the Sector 57 mosque. Those who attacked the mosque had also recorded videos, probably to circulate on social media for inciting further violence. However, police have obtained those videos in which the faces of the suspects were clearly visible, Adeeb said. He added, Why is murder suspect Monu Manesar being protected? He is uploading videos and provoking people but police are not arresting him? Deputy CM Chautala said the organisers of the rally did not furnish a proper estimate of the turnout expected. The organisers of Mondays event did not give proper estimation and information to the district administration about the crowd participating in this event. The lack of this information seems to be at the root of this incident, Chautala said. However, Opposition parties hit out at the BJP and the Haryana government. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener called the clashes deeply disturbing. After Manipur in the Northeast, now, we have seen such incidents in Haryana, which is not a good sign. I pray with folded hands to all the people of Haryana that we maintain peace, he tweeted. Congress parliamentarian Deepender S Hooda blamed the state government for administrative failure. The Haryana home ministers statement that it (the violence) did not happen suddenly itself shows administrative failure. Had the government been alert beforehand, this incident could have been averted, he said. In a statement, the Trinamool Congress said: Govts incompetence in maintaining law and order has threatened the safety and security of the states residents. Mysuru At present, 36 residents, who have fallen sick after consuming contaminated water, have been admitted to the district hospital and Basaveshwara medical college hospital in Chitradurga. (HT Photo) A woman died and more than 50 people fell ill after consuming contaminated water in Chitradurga city on Monday night, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Manjula (23), a resident of Kavadigaratti . The woman was admitted to Chitradurga district hospital, but she didnt respond to treatment and died, officials said, adding 51 people fell ill at night after 10pm and they complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. At present, 36 residents have been admitted to the district hospital and Basaveshwara medical college hospital. Fifteen residents got treatment at the outpatient department. The condition of a woman, Srishti (18), and a four-year-old child is said to be critical. Both have been admitted to a private hospital for advanced treatment. Eight of those hospitalised were children. Medical officials said the condition of six of them is critical. Four patients are being treated at Chitradurgas Basaveshwara Hospital. The residents alleged that the Chitradurga municipal corporation authorities did not clean the overhead tank for many years. Deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu and SP Parushurama visited the district hospital on Tuesday. They also visited Kavadigaratti and inspected the overhead tank and RO plant. During their visit, the residents criticised them for their delayed action. You come when someone dies, but not earlier, a resident said. They demanded that the officials investigate the matter to know the exact reason for gastroenteritis. So far, 51 residents have fallen ill, and unfortunately, a woman died. We have rushed our health team to the spot, district health officer Dr R Ranganath said. He said they have collected water samples, urine and stool samples of the infected people and are waiting for the laboratory report. The autopsy of the woman was conducted on Tuesday and the exact reason of death could be known only after getting the report, he said. Officials have opened a temporary clinic at Kavadigaratti government primary school and three doctors, four staff nurses have been deployed and the patients are being treated. We have also kept two ambulances in the area to shift patients without any delay, Ranganath said. Chitradurga municipal corporation commissioner M Srinivas said, We supply water to nearly 2000 people from the same overhead tank but only residents of two streets have complained of gastroenteritis. He said supply from the tank has been stopped and water is being supplied through tankers. We have cleaned the tank and taken all precautionary measures to prevent contamination, he added. MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday sharply criticised Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar for his decision to attend an event in Pune where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated, saying Maharashtra would have lauded Sharad Pawar if he stayed away from the event to protest dictatorial policies of the prime minister. **EDS: IMAGE VIA PIB** Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award ceremony, in Pune, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI08_01_2023_000165B) (PTI) The Saamana editorial on Sharad Pawars decision also recalled a quote by Lokmanya Tilak to take a stinging swipe at the 82-year-old leader: To become the leader of people, a person needs to give up selfishness and his conduct should be good. The editorial said people had different expectations from a leader such as NCP chief Sharad Pawar at a time the country was fighting what it described as the second freedom struggle. It is contradictory when the leader shares the dais with PM Modi and NCP workers hold protests against the PM. A few days back, PM Modi levelled corruption charges, then split the same party and accommodated its leaders in the Maharashtra government. Therefore, some people did not like Sharad Pawars decision to attend the function, the editorial added. Pawar had the opportunity to clear doubts about him by not attending the function but he chose to attend the event, it said, stressing that Pawar would have been lauded by the entire state if he absented himself from the event. The editorial reflected the discomfort in the opposition camp over Sharad Pawars decision to be present on the dais at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award ceremony in Pune on Tuesday. According to news agency PTI, PM Modi and Sharad Pawar were seen exchanging jovial banter, with Pawar patting Modis back before the event started. But Pawar was not the only opposition leader on the dais. Also present was Congress leader and former Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who were also present, shook hands with Sharad Pawar but Pawars estranged nephew and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and walked past his uncle. To be sure, Pawar did take a dig at PM Modi in his speech at the event, saying that Shivaji Maharaj never snatched anyones land. The remarks are being seen as Pawars dig over BJP allegedly orchestrating splits in Shiv Sena and NCP, according to PTI. SC refuses tree cutting around Taj, stalls proposed industrial hub in Agra The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request to fell over 4000 trees in Agra for a manufacturing hub project of the state government, emphasising that Agra is not short of industries but it is short of trees, and also to protect the environment around the iconic Taj Mahal. Read more The Supreme Court observed that Agra is not short of industries; it is short of trees. Telangana CM urges govt to confer Bharat Ratna upon Annabhau Sathe Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday called upon the Maharashtra government to propose the name of social reformer-poet Annabhau Sathe for the prestigious Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country. Read more Suhana Khan holidays in Goa with cousin Alia Chhiba, her vacation look is all about minimal styling. All pics Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan's daughter, Suhana Khan, travelled to Goa for a short getaway with her cousin Alia Chhiba and their friends. Read more Web Stories | Kriti Sanon's Birthday Week Photo Bump Dream Girl 2 trailer: Ayushmann Khurrana takes his Pooja avatar to a whole new level. Watch The trailer of Ayushmann Khurrana's upcoming, Dream Girl 2 was released on Tuesday. Much like the first installment, the sequel is directed by Raaj Shaandilya. Read more Displeased Hardik fires back after ex-West Indies star's 'you won't want to be that captain...' remark in 3rd ODI toss Hardik Pandya is leading the Indian team in the decisive third ODI against the West indies with Rohit Sharma choosing to sit out this game as well alongwith Virat Kohli. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji arrested in the cash-for-jobs scam by the Enforcement Directorate told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that nothing prevented the ED from interrogating him in the hospital during his 15-day remand beginning June 14 while he was hospitalised for bypass surgery. Having chosen not to do so, he added that the agency will have to interrogate him in jail where he is currently lodged and cannot again seek his custody as the 15-day period mandated under law is over. V Senthil Balaji told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that nothing prevented the ED from interrogating him in the hospital during his 15-day remand beginning June 14 while he was hospitalised for bypass surgery. (PTI) Making the arguments on behalf of Balaji, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi took the Court through the provisions of law and various judgments of the top court to show that the order of the Madras high court on July 4 and July 14 allowing ED to take his custody was bad in law. Sibal said, There is no constitutional right for an investigating agency to interrogate at a specific place. While he (Balaji) was in hospital, you could have taken him to another room and interrogated. The fact remains they had an order of remand. For whatever reason, those chose not to execute it. After the 15-day period has expired, now they cannot have his custody. Under Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) the police has power to take a person accused of an offence in their custody for a maximum period of 15 days. Sibal said that once this period is over, then the accused has to be sent to judicial remand in jail. In the present case, although ED had obtained Magistrates order for police custody on June 14, due to the ministers hospitalisation they could not interrogate him in this condition and sought to set off the period of hospitalization from the 15-day remand period. Rohatgi, who appeared for Balajis wife, who too had filed a petition in the HC challenging her husbands arrest, said, There is no bar to interrogate in judicial custody. It is not that there is any golden period for interrogation. The law does not provide for any exclusion during the 15-day period even if there is illness or any other emergency. Once the clock starts to tick, the clock cannot stop. He further stated that the agency cannot claim to have a right to interrogate. The only right available is speedy investigation. The law does not admit any exclusion from the 15-day period on account of unforeseen emergency as these are matters of human liberty. As arguments of the petitioners concluded, the bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh asked ED to make submissions. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who appeared for the ED sought to open arguments on Wednesday. As the matter had been substantially heard, the bench directed the Registry to obtain permission from the chief justice of India (CJI) to constitute the same bench on Wednesday to conclude arguments in the matter. Balaji, who is currently a Minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government in Tamil Nadu, was arrested on charges of accepting bribes while serving as Transport Minister in the AIADMK-led government from persons seeking jobs in the state transport department between 2011 and 2015. On May 16, the Supreme Court had allowed the ED to proceed with the investigation against him that led to his arrest in the case. He claimed that since ED cannot be equated to police officer, the ED can arrest him and interrogate him but not keep him in custody as this power is available only to a police officer. In his petition, he stated that prevention of money laundering Act (PMLA) is a regulatory law which does not empower officers to keep a person in custody as to do so, ED must be equated with an officer in charge of a police station where the person accused of an offence under PMLA is to be kept. Balaji had argued this before the high court to set aside the order of Magistrate granting his custody to ED. On July 4, the HC gave a split verdict with Justice D Bharath Chakravarthy ruling in favour of ED while justice Nisha Banu holding the ministers custody to be illegal. The matter went to a third judge, justice CV Karthikeyan who in his decision of July 14 sided with justice Chakravarthys opinion. The matter went back to the earlier bench it refused to pass any order and left the final consideration on this issue to the top court. The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted raids at residence of chairman of Hero MotoCorp Pawan Munjal as part of a money laundering investigation. The searches were carried out at premises located in Delhi and Gurugram in accordance with provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO at Hero MotoCorp. The investigation comes after a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) complaint against a person, allegedly close to Pawan Munjal, who was investigated on charges of carrying undeclared foreign currency. Shares of Hero MotoCorp took a beating in Tuesday's trade. The stock fell 5.34 per cent to hit a low of 3,032.10 on BSE. The scrip is still up 13 per cent year-to-date. In March 2022, the Income tax department had conducted searches at offices of Hero Motorcorp over alleged tax evasion. The department had also conducted searches at Munjal's residence. HT contacted Hero Motorcorp for a response. The copy will be updated when the company issues a statement. Hero MotoCorp became the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer in 2001, in terms of unit volume sales in a calendar year, and has maintained the title for the past 20 consecutive years. The company has a presence across 40 countries spanning Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted raids at the premises of Hero Motorcorp chairperson, Pawan Munjal and other officials of his company, people aware of the matter said. The federal agency did not immediately share details of the raid. (Representative file image) The raids were conducted simultaneously in Delhi and Gurugram for alleged money laundering under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The federal agency did not immediately share details of the raid. Also Read: Chhattisgarh: ED raids IAS officer, Congress treasurer in money laundering probe News agencies reported that the ED probe is related to a complaint that the Department of Revenue Intelligence had filed against a person, allegedly close to Munjal, who was investigated for carrying undeclared foreign currency. In March 2022, the income tax department conducted searches at offices of Hero Motorcorp over alleged tax evasion. The department had also conducted searches at Munjals residence. HT contacted Hero Motorcorp for a response and the copy will be updated when the company issues a statement. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Larger conspiracy at play to disrupt peace: Haryana CM on Nuh violence A day after violence broke out in Haryanas Nuh district, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday, that there seems to be a larger conspiracy at play to disturb the law-and-order situation in the state. Read More Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar(ANI) Donald Trump pressures House Republicans to impeach Joe Biden at rally in Pennsylvania In an address to supporters at his campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Donald Trump roared the idea to impeach current US President Joe Biden and put pressure on House Republicans to initiate the process. Read More Moms reaction to seeing pilot son on the same flight is priceless. Watch A heartwarming video of a mom and a son has been doing rounds on the Internet. The video captures a mothers priceless reaction after she discovers that her son is the pilot on the flight she boarded. This wholesome video is sure to bring a smile to your face and fill your heart with happiness. Read More Alia Bhatt's hot pink linen shirt and shorts for an outing in Mumbai is the perfect look to beat the heat in style The advent of the Barbiecore trend with the release of the Barbie movie filled our timelines with the striking hot pink shade, making pink this season's favourite colour. Read More Anurag Basu on Super Dancer 3 row: 'Will not defend this because I understand how embarrassing it was for the parents' Anurag Basu, who was one of the judges on Super Dancer: Chapter 3, has reacted to the clip thats gone viral, which shows a minor contestant being asked inappropriate questions. Read More SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail At least 20 people were killed and three others injured after a girder launcher collapsed on the under-construction Samruddhi Expressway in Thane district of Maharashtra on Tuesday morning, officials said. NDRF personnel during a rescue and search operation after a crane collapsed in Thane district of Maharashtra on Tuesday. (PTI) The incident occurred at Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, sometime after midnight, officials said, adding the injured people were admitted to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital at Kalva in Thane. Also Read| Bhide controversy snowballs, Thane police book him The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in a statement said that the girder launcher as well as a crane, weighing 700 tonnes, came crashing down from a height of 35 metres. MSRDC is the executing agency of the 700-km Nagpur-Mumbai road project. The deceased included at least 10 labourers, two engineers and some staffers of the Singapore-headquartered private company, who were at the site during the construction of a viaduct for the expressway, officials said. Most of the deceased labourers were from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, officials said, adding their identity was being ascertained. The 2.28-km-long viaduct is being constructed by Navayuga Engineering and VSL India Private Limited, Singapore. Also Read| 20-yr-old PUBG player stabs his friend for using choicest abuses A first information report (FIR) under sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at Shahapur police station against two contractors of the company engaged in the bridge construction work, a police officer in Thane said. MSRDC in its release further said that it was a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction and to install precast box girders in highway construction projects that collapsed while being shifted between pier numbers 15 and 16 of the viaduct as part of preparatory work for the next day. Of total 114 segments of the viaduct, 98 were successfully constructed using the same launcher, MSRDC added. While the construction of a 600-km stretch is completed and opened for traffic, the work of remaining 101-km stretch between Nashik and Thane is in progress. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident. I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people in the accident in Thane district of Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, Murmu tweeted in Hindi. Condoling the loss of lives, the prime minister announced ex gratia of 2 lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased and 50,000 for the injured people. CM Shinde also announced assistance of 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The accident that occurred in Thane, Maharashtra, is very sad. NDRF [National Disaster Response Force] teams are engaged in relief and rescue work along with the local administration, home minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi, while expressing grief over the loss of lives. The Maharashtra government has ordered a probe by experts, Fadnavis said in a tweet. Maharashtra cabinet ministers Dada Bhuse and Ravindra Chavan also visited the mishap site. After protests by the family members of the deceased at the hospital, VSL officials said the company would bear all expenses and gave a written assurance regarding the same. (With agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 17 workers were killed as a girder machine fell on them during construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtras Thane district on Monday late night, police said. The machine is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction. The machine is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction. Two National Disaster Response Force or NDRF teams are working at the site after the crane fell on the slab of a bridge in Shahapur tehsil of Thane district, news agency ANI reported. At least five are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure, the NDRF said. News agency PTI reported that the machine is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction. It is used to install precast box girders in highway and high-speed rail bridge construction projects. Police and fire brigade personnel along with local agencies are engaged in a rescue operation. The death toll is likely to rise, PTI reported citing an official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of those who killed. Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected, Modi said. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000, he added. What is Samruddhi Mahamarg/Expressway? The Samruddhi Mahamarg, named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a 701-km-long expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur. It traverses 10 districts, including Nagpur, Washim, Wardha, Ahmednagar, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Amravati, Jalna, Nashik, and Thane. The construction of the Samruddhi Mahamarg is being carried out by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The first phase, connecting Nagpur to the temple town of Shirdi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022. It covers a distance of 520 km. Chief minister Eknath Shinde said in May that the third and last phase would be completed by the end of December this year. (With inputs from PTI, ANI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Despite the assurance from the administration that the law and order situation in Gurugram was under control, a mob set ablaze shops and food stalls in Sector 70 area in a fresh case of communal violence. Earlier, the mob ransacked some shops belonging to a particular community and also chanted "Jai Shri Ram" in front of a mosque in Badshahpur. A mob set ablaze shops and food stalls in Gurugram's Sector 70 Some youths were trying to create ruckus in the market and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. We reached the spot and handled the situation, said Satish Kumar, SHO of Badshahpur police station. At least three shops in Badshahpur were looted by the miscreants, while a group of men vandalized shops near Pataudi Chowk on Basai Road in Gurugram. Ban on sale of loose petrol, diesel Gurugram district magistrate Nishant Yadav issued an order prohibiting fuel bunks from selling loose petrol or diesel with immediate effect. Yadav said that the communal tensions in the Nuh district of Haryana and bordering areas in Gurugram posed a potential threat to law and order in the region. He mentioned that immediate preventive measures were required to maintain public order, peace and harmony in the district. [In] exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), and in the interest of public safety and security, hereby order that all fuel stations operating in Gurugram district are strictly prohibited from selling loose petrol/diesel to any person (except for emergency purposes) with immediate effect, the order read. Schools, colleges closed in Sohna tomorrow In a separate order, the official said that all educational institutions will remain closed on August 2 in the Sohna subdivision of Gurugram in view of the communal unrest in the area. The educational institutes in other parts of Gurugram will function normally. Five people have been killed so far in the violence that erupted on Monday after an attack on a VHP procession in adjoining Nuh district. Social media advisory The administration urged the public to refrain from posting any content on social media that "may hurt the religious sentiments of any individual or threaten religious harmony." "It is requested to avoid using any indecent language and refrain from sharing any videos, photos, or posts with the intention of hurting individuals based on their religion, caste, or any other personal attributes," the advisory issued by Gurugram DM said. "Posting such objectionable content may lead to legal action as per the applicable rules. Spreading false rumors on social media platforms is strongly discouraged. If anyone spreads rumors or makes inappropriate comments targeting someone's religion or caste, the police will take strict action against such individuals," it added. VHP demands NIA probe The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Tuesday likened the incident of communal violence in Haryana to a terror attack and demanded a probe into it by the National Investigation Agency. Addressing a press conference, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain claimed that the attacks were carried out against Hindu devotees in a pre-planned manner during a religious procession on Monday and were "incited" by some Congress leaders of Haryana. He also alleged intelligence failure of the state police and claimed that rioters used sophisticated weapons and other regular firearms to attack the Hindu devotees during the procession. (With PTI inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The parliamentary committee on communications and information technology tabled a report on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, 2023, in Parliament on Monday, advocating its immediate enactment into law. It included a dissent note by opposition members, who objected to the report being written without access to the draft legislation. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, is part of the list of business for introduction in the ongoing monsoon session, which will conclude on August 11. (Representational image) Also Read| Oppn MPs walk out of panel meet amid uproar over data bill The Committee, in no uncertain words, stresses the urgent necessity for the early enactment of a robust and all encompassing legislation that effectively safeguards citizens data and privacy, the 40-page report said. As the digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly, such legislation would serve as a crucial protective measure, ensuring the secure and responsible handling of personal information while instilling public confidence in the digital ecosystem. The standing committee report suggests some changes have been made since the draft was released for public feedback last year. These include proposals to allow startups to be notified by the government as exempted from the provisions of the law, and that decisions of the data protection board, which would act as a regulator, can be challenged at the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) court, and not at the high court level as previously proposed. Also Read| 3 years on, a sexual assault and viral clips come to haunt top SoBo school kids The report goes on to suggest that cross-border data flows would be proposed to be allowed via a blacklisting model, whereby the government would notify countries where data cannot be transferred. This is different from the previous proposal of having trusted countries. In the earlier draft, the government would have had to notify countries where data could be transferred to. The report also discussed the Significance of Consent in the Draft Bill, Certain Exemptions (Legitimate Uses) to Maintain Public Order, Accountability and Deterrence Mechanism under the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill and Flexibility and Evolvability of the Provisions of the Draft Bill. Key opposition members have been loggerheads with the government ever since the parliamentary panel had on July 27 adopted this report, titled Citizens data security and privacy, which also made new recommendations to the DPDP Bill just one day after it was shared with the opposition members in the committee. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader John Brittas had written to the House chairman on Friday, objecting to the way the report was prepared by the committee by bypassing procedure, which required a Bill to be first introduced in either House of Parliament before it can be referred to a standing committee. Also Read| Indias G20 presidency: For Virtual Digital Assets Brittas also questioned why under the new report, startups had been exempted from the provisions of the proposed law and asked why a decision of the data protection board was now proposed to be challenged at a tribunal and not in high courts. The cross-border data flows are now proposed to be allowed via a blacklisting model, whereby the government will notify countries where data cannot be transferred. This is different from the previous proposal of having trusted countries. Is this true? Can you tell us why this change is proposed? Decisions of the data protection board are now proposed to be challenged at the TDSAT, as opposed to the high court. Is this true? Why was this change considered? Brittas asked. Reacting to the issues raised by Brittas, minister of state for electronics and information technology, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, in a Tweet claimed that whatever the former was saying was misinformation and completely wrong, as the DPDP Bill has not been introduced in Parliament and hence, the question of considering it in a committee doesnt arise. This is misinformation and completely wrong.No bill including the proposed DPDP (Digital Personal Data Protection Bill) can be referred to any committee unless it is done so by Parliament. In turn, the bill can be only referred to committee AFTER the Cabinet-approved bill is introduced in Parliament. #DPDP has not been introduced into Parliament AND so the question of considering it in committee doesnt arise, he tweeted. The report revolves around a DDPB that has been approved by the Cabinet but not introduced in the House or referred to the Committee. Which is why oppn members in the Committee staged a walkout over that report prepared before seeing the final Bill, which will be tabled today. I agree. Ruling party members in the Committee flouted norms and are in the wrong, Brittass retorted. When Brittas tried to raise it in Parliament by issuing a point of order, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar turned it down and said that the CPI(M) MPs point was devoid of any merit. Report of a committee if it was put before this House, can it be stopped? It is no point of order and it is the right of the committee to place a report. The rest will follow in accordance with rules, vice-president Dhankhar said. The report which has been presented on the Digital Data Protection Bill which has been approved by the Cabinet but not introduced in the House nor referred to the standing committee. The Standing Committee has overstepped and it is beyond their jurisdiction breaching and it is breaching your authority and the authority of this house, Brittas had told the chair while raising the point of order, which was later rejected. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, is part of the list of business for introduction in the ongoing monsoon session, which will conclude on August 11. Opposition members have also pointed out that like its previous iterations, the current version of the draft legislation, too, makes exceptions for government entities to process personal data of individuals in certain instances and includes a provision for taking deemed consent from the person to whom the data is related for providing subsidies. The Indian Air Force rescued a stranded civilian helicopter near the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir after its single-engine copter developed some snag. The daring mission took place at a high altitude of 11,500 feet and involved a Mi-17 V5 helicopter. The Panchtarni helipad is now open for pilgrims, allowing the smooth continuation of the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine. The stranded helicopter had caused blockage and disruption at the Panchtarni helipad- the final helicopter drop point for the Amarnath Yatra, affecting the pilgrimage to the sacred shrine. The crew of the Mi-17 helicopter managed to airlift the damaged helicopter, which was attached to their own aircraft, through a valley surrounded by steep mountains, visuals shared by the Indian Air Force showed. Read | Amarnath Yatra sees huge response, over 3.7 lakh pilgrims in 27 days The operation required precise planning and preparation due to the heavy load and challenging terrain, an official was quoted as saying news agency PTI. The Indian Air Force displayed exceptional flying skills and executed the rescue mission flawlessly. Read | 3 held following scuffle at Sheshnag camp of Amarnath Yatra: J&K Police The Panchtarni helipad is now open for pilgrims, allowing the smooth continuation of the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine. It was airlifted to the Neelgrar helipad by the air force. The 62-day-long yatra to the Amarnath holy shrine commenced on July 1 and will culminate on August 31. Located 141 km from the capital Srinagar at an altitude of 12,756 feet above sea level, the holy cave of Amarnath lies in the Ladar Valley, which is covered by glaciers, and snow-capped mountains for most of the year. 1,006 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath Over 1,000 Amarnath pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar camp on Tuesday for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake the onward journey to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine. As many as 3.97 lakh pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the shrine since the beginning of the 62-day-long annual pilgrimage on July 1. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The floor leaders of the Oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) along with the 21 MPs' delegation that visited violence-hit Manipur will meet President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, informed Congress sources. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 11.30am on Wednesday. (PTI) According to the sources, the meeting is scheduled to be held at 11.30 am. The sources said that the leaders will raise the Manipur issue, the Haryana issue and the functioning of Parliament with the President. The 21-member delegation of the grand Opposition alliance, on Saturday, visited Manipur which has seen ethnic strife and violence since May 4. Firm on the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday sought to know when he will discuss the "serious issue". The Congress leader said members of the Opposition alliance INDIA were ready for a discussion on the Manipur situation, but only if PM Modi attends the session. Speaking to ANI ahead of the start of the ninth day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Venugopal said, "We are ready for any discussion. We also told as much to the Rajya Sabha chairman. If the Prime Minister comes to the House and makes a statement (on Manipur), we are ready for a discussion. When is he going to discuss this serious issue in Parliament? Why is PM running away from a discussion?" Also Read | Congress accuses BJP of obstructing Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha On whether the government should reach out to the Opposition to end the deadlock in Parliament over Manipur, the Congress leader said, "You have to ask this question to the ruling BJP leadership. When are they going to speak up on these matters? For the past 90 days, Manipur has been burning. Unprecedented incidents (of violence) have happened there." Taking a dig at PM Modi over his brief statement on Manipur before the Parliament convened for the Monsoon Session on July 20, the Congress leader said, "Prime Minister spoke merely for thirty seconds on the Manipur situation." Earlier, PM Modi condemned the viral video of two women purportedly being stripped and paraded in Manipur, vowing that the "culprits involved in this heinous act would not be spared". Addressing the media after meeting the Governor, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is part of the visiting delegation, said, "All 21 MPs handed over a memorandum to her. As we spoke with her over the Manipur situation, she expressed her pain and grief. "The Congress MP added that they shared their first-hand account of the ground situation and shared their experiences during their two-day visit with the Governor. "We shared whatever we witnessed and experienced during our visit to the relief centres. She agreed with the suggestions that we put forward," he added. The BJP, however, termed the Opposition's Manipur visit as a show off and political tourism. Accusing the Opposition of running away from a debate in Parliament on Manipur, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said, "The Opposition has the right to go anywhere. But, the Parliament is currently in session and the government is ready for discussion (on Manipur). So, why are they running away? For the last seven days, they haven't allowed the Parliament to function." The 21-member Opposition delegation includes Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Gaurav Gogoi, K Suresh and Phulo Devi Netam of the Congress; Rajiv Ranjan Lalan Singh of the JDU; Sushmita Dev from Trinamool Congress; Kanimozhi from DMK; Sandosh Kumar of the CPI; AA Rahim from CPI(M), Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD; Javed Ali Khan of SP; Mahua Maji of JMM; PP Mohammed Faizal of NCP; Aneel Prasad Hegde of JDU, ET Mohammed Basheer of IUML; NK Premachandran of RSP; Sushil Gupta of AAP; Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT); D Ravikumar of VCK; Thiru Thol Thirumavalavan also of VCK; and Jayant Singh of the RLD.(ANI) The Indian Army has adopted a new, common uniform for officers of the rank of brigadier and above to bolster a common identity and approach in service matters among the senior leadership, officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. With the new regulation in place, senior officers will no longer wear accoutrements specific to their respective arms and services. (Representative image) Also Read| Overhauling Indian military structure and HR is vital to tackle future challenges The decision to switch to the common uniform was taken in April during the Army Commanders Conference, chaired by army chief General Manoj Pande, after extensive consultations with all stakeholders: The decision was implemented on Tuesday. With the new regulation in place, senior officers will no longer wear accoutrements specific to their respective arms and services. The ubiquitous lanyard around the shoulder has also been done away with; these officers now wear dark green berets, the belt is common, and they will all wear brass ranks, the officials said, asking not to be named. Also Read| Supreme Court commutes life sentence of non-commissioned army officer These officers include major generals, lieutenant generals, and the army chief. Earlier, the uniforms worn by senior officers varied with the arms they were from. For instance, while generals from the Gorkha Rifles wore their trademark hats, their counterparts from specific armoured regiments donned brown shoes, and the Special Forces brass sported the famous maroon beret. All senior officers will henceforth will wear only black shoes. The belt is no longer arms or services specific, and the buckles have the Indian Army crest on them. The shoulder rank badges are golden for all senior officers. Also Read| Army court martial awards over 10 years sentence to soldier caught sending secret information to Pakistani spy Until now, officers from the rifle regiments such as Gorkha Rifles, Garhwal Rifles and Rajputana Rifles wore black rank badges. The common uniform does not reveal the regimental or service affiliation of the senior officers. Once you reach a particular rank, regimental affiliation can be done away with, former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd) said when the common uniform was announced in May. The message is that there should be no regimental bias in functioning and decision making. The senior officers will belong to a common pool and old affiliations will no longer be important, he then said. A standard uniform will ensure a common identity for all senior officers, while reflecting the true ethos of the army, the officials said. To be sure, there will be no change in the uniforms worn by colonels and below. Distinct identity within the arms, regiments and services is essential for junior leadership and the rank and file to further strengthen camaraderie, esprit de corps and regimental ethos which form the bedrock of soldiering, the officials said. At the unit level, a distinct sense of identity reflects a strong bond among officers and men in the same regiment, they added. In 2022, the army introduced a new combat uniform, and all soldiers will switch to it over the next two years. The army said at the time that the new uniform provided soldiers better camouflage, more comfort, and uniformity in design. While soldiers wear the combat uniform in operational areas, officers posted in the Army headquarters in New Delhi also wear the combat dress on Fridays, in solidarity with men operating in forward areas. Manvendra Singh Gohil, India's first openly gay prince of an erstwhile royal dynasty, revealed that his parents attempted to subject him to brain surgery in an effort to alter his sexuality. After Gohil came out as gay, he experienced humiliation as his parent sought medical intervention to convert him, reported Sky News. Prince Gohil Gohil revealed that his parents visited doctors with the hope of finding ways to perform a surgery on his brain and even subjected him to electroshock therapy. However, their attempt failed as doctors in the US, where they sought the "treatment," refused to perform the procedures, firmly stating that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. "It was an absolute case of discrimination and violation of human rights. Whether I'm a prince or not a prince, parents have no right to put their children through [this] kind of torture," Prince Gohil told SkyNews. "It didn't happen but imagine how much harassment one has to go through, how much humiliation one has to go through, just to endure this pain and suffering at the hands of parents - and this is happening to so many individuals in India," he added. Sky News further quoted the Prince, It is a lack of education, lack of awareness which causes people to be homophobic and bigoted... It's our duty to educate them and to make them aware about the facts. Prince Gohil, the heir of the Maharaja of Rajpipla, an erstwhile princely State in Gujarat, has initiated a legal battle in the Supreme Court, aiming to achieve an outright ban on conversion therapy in India through legislation. In 2006, the prince gained significant media attention when he openly declared his homosexuality, which sparked protests and angry demonstrations in his home state. His effigies were burnt by enraged crowds at that time. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid continued disruptions in Parliament over the Manipur issue, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday alleged that the government is stifling their voices. Kharge said that they are seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the matter because certain crucial information is only available to him, not Union home minister Amit Shah. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge leave the well after a discussion with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)(ANI) "This is not the only question of the home minister (being present), those things that are the subject of the prime minister, those information he gets, the home minister can't get that. There is a limitation in it," the Congress president said at a joint presser in the Parliament complex. Sharpening his attack on Modi, Kharge accused the prime minister of avoiding a statement on the Manipur issue and not speaking in Parliament. "The government is trying to create confusion that the Opposition is not ready to discuss the issue, but we are waiting for the past 11 days to discuss this issue," he added. "The PM has been visiting (different) states, but not coming to Parliament. He is making election speeches, but he is not ready to give a small statement in the House on Manipur issue," said the Congress president. Previously, PM Modi condemned the incident of two women being stripped and paraded in Manipur, vowing that the "culprits involved in this heinous act would not be spared". Rule 176 vs Rule 267: Government and Opposition lock horns over the duration of the debate On Monday, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated that the government agreed to discuss the Manipur violence in Parliament but the Opposition was not allowing it. However, the Opposition insists on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the issue and a detailed discussion under rule 267. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected this demand, citing precedence from 2014, and allocated two-and-a-half hours for discussion under Rule 176 of Rajya Sabha. Kharge said that under Rule 176, only 2-2:30 hours can be allotted for the discussion and for such a big matter like Manipur that was not enough. Meanwhile, Kharge has sought an appointment from President Droupadi Murmu for a meeting to raise the Manipur issue. He will lead a 21-member delegation of floor leaders from I.N.D.I.A to meet the president. The controversial Delhi services bill, which seeks to replace an ordinance that mandated the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union home minister Amit Shah. According to the revised list of business for Tuesday, Union home minister Amit Shah will introduce the bill, while his deputy Nityanand Rai will make a statement on the reasons for bringing an immediate legislation by promulgating the ordinance. Top points on Delhi services bill in Lok Sabha: 1. The Delhi services bill aims to replace an ordinance promulgated on May 19 to allow the Centre to retain control over the bureaucracy in Delhi and effectively overrides a May 11 Supreme Court judgment, which handed the charge of the national capitals bureaucracy to the elected government, excluding departments connected to police, public order and land. 2. The ordinance has become a new contention between the Opposition parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA. 3. According to The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, all transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister. 4. The National Capital Civil Service Authority shall have the responsibility to recommend the transfers and postings of all Group 'A' officers (IAS) and officers of Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) officer (DANICS) serving in the Delhi government. It says that this would balance the interest of the nation with the interest of the Union territory of Delhi in the administration of the capital to the manifestation of the will of the people reposed in the central government as well as the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. 5. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party has opposed the ordinance saying the Centre had "deceived" the people of Delhi. "This is an attack on the Supreme Court of India and this is an assault on India's federal structure, democracy and Constitution," AAP MP Raghav Chadha said. 6. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said the BJP has a majority in Lok Sabha, and this bill should be passed in the House. "The bill is as per the status of Delhi. If you want to give powers to Delhi, then it should be made a full-fledged state....In my opinion, opposing this bill is wrong," he said. 7. Kejriwal met Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Monday. There was no comment from either side on the details of the meeting that lasted more than half an hour at the Raj Niwas said. Sources told news agency PTI that the meeting was "cordial" and the two constitutional functionaries discussed issues related to Delhi. 8. The Opposition parties, which formed the INDIA alliance last month, have been protesting since the beginning of the session to seek the Prime Ministers statement on Manipur, is likely to halt its protests on Manipur to focus on the Delhi bill. 9. The Rajya Sabha is expected to discuss the bill next week. 10. Officials pointed out that the bill will only be introduced on Tuesday and a separate date and time will be allotted for debate and passage of the legislation. (With inputs from Bureau) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said pucca houses will be built on 23,000 acres of land freed of mafia in the state. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan digitally transferred 300 crore under the scheme into the accounts of the beneficiaries (Shivraj Singh Chouhan Twitter) Our government has taken stringent action against mafia and freed 23,000 acres of land, which will now be used to construct pucca houses for landless poor people, the CM said, addressing an event held to distribute aid to 100,000 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). A total of 300 crore has been transferred into the accounts of the beneficiaries. So far, around 70,000 beneficiaries have shifted to the new houses built under the PM housing scheme across the state, the CM said. The chief minister also said that labourers coming from the villages to the cities for work will soon get food at a subsidised rate of 5 under the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana. During the event, Chouhan also rewarded the best performing civic bodies based on their progress in the housing scheme. AGARTALA: A 35-year-old man who was caught last year for raping his 12-year-old step-daughter has been handed down a 20-year jail term by a Tripura court, police said on Tuesday. The girl later told her mother about the incident (File Photo) A sessions court in West Tripura district, Agartala, on Monday convicted and sentenced the accused to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 20 years, a police statement said. The police statement said the convict was accused of raping his step-daughter when her mother went to hospital on July 1, 2022. The girl later told her mother about the incident. The mother filed a complaint against her husband at the West Agartala Women Police Station. Apart from imprisonment for 20 years, the court has also ordered the convict to pay a 30,000 fine failing which he will be imprisoned for another six months. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday, speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks during a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs, said that the Prime Minister's comments only prove that he (Modi) is scared of the opposition INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (PTI) Modi on Monday said that the opposition alliance may have changed its name from UPA (United Progressive Alliance) to INDIA, but it will not be able to wash off its sins of corruption and misgovernance. Chowdhury responded, INDIA [the Opposition alliance] means India [country]. You praise India at every point but when it doesn't suit you (Modi), you hold nothing back while abusing the same India. When we speak of India, you don't hear us. The country has seen your hypocritical face. The Lok Sabha MP also hit back at the PM's assertion that the UPA renamed itself as its name got attached to scams like 2G, 3G and Commonwealth. On this, Chowdhury said that all the issues related to 2G and Commonwealth were with the government. We really want the government to come forward and tell us about the number of scams and arrest related to 2G. The losses shown during 2G were all presumptive. Chowdhury also said that along with the scams relating to 2G, the government should also discuss all the issues in the Parliament that the Opposition has raised since the BJP-led Central government came to power. He said, Discussions on China border and PM Modi's talks with China president should also be held in the Parliament. BJP to hold regular NDA meetings The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has divided NDA MPs in groups of 40, and PM Modi will speak to them separately during the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament. The meetings are being held to mark 25 years of the party-led NDA and to strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The first two meetings were held on Monday, with more planned over the coming days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: The no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government over the Manipur violence and other raging issues will be debated from August 8 to 10 in the Lok Sabha, officials said on Tuesday. The no-confidence motion against the BJP government led by PM Modi is the second no-confidence motion against the Modi government. The NDA defeated one in 2018. (PTI) On July 26, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla admitted a notice for a no-confidence motion by Congress lawmaker Gaurav Gogoi, setting the stage for a parliamentary battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the newly constituted Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The debate on the one-line motion -- which says the House has lost its confidence in the Union council of ministers will start on August 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the debate on August 10, functionaries added. The motion, however, poses no threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration which commands a brute majority in the Lower House but the Opposition has signalled it wants to use the debate to try and corner the government on the continuing violence in Manipur. Indira to Modi: When PMs faced no-confidence motion a year ahead of polls For the last over 84 days, the law and order system has broken down in Manipur, communities are divided, there is nothing in the name of the government there...all this compelled us to bring a no-confidence motion against the government, senior Congress leader Manish Tewari said last week. Two officials said the schedule for the no-confidence motion was decided at the Lok Sabhas Business Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday. Congress leader Manickam Tagore said the INDIA allies demanded that the no-confidence motion be debated from tomorrow without any further delay. We also pointed out that in 2018, when the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) gave the no confidence motion, the debate started the very next day, he said At least 150 people have died in ethnic clashes in the northeastern state, and a 30-second video of a barbaric sexual assault of two women by a mob has sparked a nationwide outcry, and jammed Parliament. The rulebook gives the Speaker a window of 10 days to start the debate. The Speaker shall declare that leave is granted and that the motion will be taken up on such day, not being more than ten days from the date on which the leave is asked for, says Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha. The monsoon session is scheduled to end on August 11. This is the second no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government -- the NDA defeated one in 2018 -- and the 28th since 1952. This is also the seventh instance of the Lok Sabha discussing a no-confidence motion within 12 months of national polls. The BJP has 303 members in the Lok Sabha, and with its allies, the NDA has 336. The Opposition INDIA has 134 members in the Lower House. Admitting the motion last week, Birla said that he will talk to leaders of different parties and announce a schedule for the debate later. As per the procedure, the Prime Minister, who is also the Leader of the Lok Sabha, and other parties were consulted before the dates were finalised. Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi appeared before Metropolitan Magistrate Kapil Gupta on Monday to record her statement in a defamation case filed against another actor, Jacqueline Fernandez, and various media organisations. Fatehi, who arrived at the Patiala House Court, stated that the case was filed against Jacqueline and others, whom she accused of tarnishing her reputation in the public eye by spreading false narratives. Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi arrives to appear at Patiala House court in connection with the money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, in New Delhi, Monday.(PTI) They have called me a gold digger and accused me of having a relationship with a con artist Sukesh Chandrasekhar, the actress said, adding that it had caused her financial loss as well as her reputation. "The reason why I have filed this case is because of the ongoing ED case against Sukesh who was accused of conning a sum of 200 crore that I have nothing to do with and neither do I know anything," she added. 'Used as a scapegoat' Fatehi also alleged that she has been used as a scapegoat in this case in the media to safeguard certain people". The actor said she was taken as a soft target as she is an outsider in the industry and demanded compensation for all the damages caused to her career. She charged Fernandez of causing prolonged and unnecessary harassment due to her statement to the media about why Fatehi was listed as a witness in the case. Fatehi said she is aggrieved by defamatory remarks made by Fernandez and carried forward by media organisations and alleged them of acting in connivance with each other". Her complaint also stated that a conspiracy was hatched by Fernandez to ensure the financial, social, and personal downfall of the complainant (Fatehi). Fatehi said Fernandez unnecessarily dragged and defamed her as she is in the same industry. The case pertains to Sukesh, who is being investigated for allegedly extorting more than 200 crore from the wife of a former Fortis promoter and other corruption allegations. With him, it has been also alleged that Fernandez received over 7 crore in proceeds of crime from Sukesh. The statement of another witness in the matter will be recorded in the month of September. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two home guards, identified as Neeraj and Gursevak, were killed and more than 200 people were injured and dozens of vehicles were set on fire as mobs in Haryanas Nuh and Gurugram districts tried to stop a religious procession by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Monday, officials said. Charred remains of vehicles set on fire by miscreants after clashes broke out during a 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' in Nuh on Monday. (PTI Photo) Deputy superintendent of police (Hodal) Sajjan Dalal was shot in the head and is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital with inspector Anil Kumar of Gurugram police, who has also sustained a bullet injury in his abdomen, a police official told HT. As news of the clash in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna in Gurugram pelted stones and set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, belonging to people from that community. Protesters there blocked a road for hours. What triggered the Nuh violence? Police officers said the violence began 10 minutes after the procession, of around 200 people, began to walk from Edward Chowk in Nuh town around 2pm. As the group walked down the main road, it was allegedly pelted with rocks by a large crowd. The Hindu side initially fled, but then allegedly regrouped and retaliated. An officer said the trigger for the violence was a rumour that Bajrang Dal member and cow vigilante Monu Manesar, who was booked for the murder of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in Bhiwani district in February, would also be a part of the procession. Follow Live Updates on Nuh violence This was preceded by a video of Manesar that began circulating on social media on Sunday. Manesar, however, told news agency PTI that he did not participate on the advice of the VHP, which feared that his presence would create tension. There were also threats on Twitter daring him to come to Nuh. On the other hand, Nasir Ahmed, a resident of Punhana neighbourhood in Nuh, accused people in the procession of raising provocative slogans. Iqbal Khan, a resident of Firozpur Jhirka, alleged that people in the procession first attacked passersby. Schools, colleges shut in Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal districts Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of people were clamped in Nuh and Gurugram districts. Mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday. Educational institutes were ordered closed on Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, about 2,500 men, women and children at a Shiva temple in Nuh were evacuated by police, Haryana home minister Anil Vij said. These apparently included devotees and those who had taken shelter there as the two sides clashed. (With inputs from Leena Dhankhar and Debashish Karmakar) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday termed the communal violence in neighbouring Haryana "deeply troubling" and appealed to the state's people to maintain peace and brotherhood at this critical time. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal(HT File Photo) He said people need to unite and defeat the forces against peace and politics of violence. Five people have been killed in the violence. Four people, including two home guards, died and many others injured in Nuh, where mobs tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, while a naib imam was killed at a mosque in Gurugram. Authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Nuh. In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal said, The communal violence in Haryana's Nuh (Mewat) is deeply troubling. After Manipur in the Northeast, now such an incident in Haryana is not a good sign. He further said, "I appeal to the public in Haryana with folded hands to maintain peace and mutual brotherhood at this critical time. Together, we have to defeat the forces against peace and the politics of violence." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At the centre of the Nuh communal violence that broke out during a religious procession on Monday is Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar, who was booked in connection with the killing of two Muslim men in Bhiwani in February. Haryana Bajrang Dal member chief Monu Manesar. Besides Manesar, 20 others were booked for the abduction and murder of the two Muslim men, who were found dead inside a charred vehicle on February 16. The police said the Nuh violence was triggered after rumours spread that Manesar would be attending the procession organised by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. A video of him, who is at large, over his possible presence was also circulated online on Sunday. (Nuh violence LIVE updates) Two cops died and as many as 200 were injured in the clashes that broke out a little later after 2pm the next day. Who is Monu Manesar? 1) Mohit Yadav alias Monu Manesar is the head of the cow vigilante wing of Bajrang Dal in Haryana. Manesar has refuted his involvement in the Bhiwani killings. The case is linked to the death of two cousins Junaid and Nasir, whose charred bodies were found inside a four-wheeler in Bhiwani district. Their families had alleged that they were abducted and murdered by Bajrang Dal members. The outfit has denied the charges. 2) An influential personality, Manesar's photos with police officials and bureaucrats have surfaced in the past. His YouTube channel had also surfaced in the past, showing how the cow vigilante group catches cow smugglers. 3) In October 2022, Manesar received a silver play button from YouTube for crossing 1 lakh subscribers on his channel, which now seems to have disappeared from the platform. 4) Manesar is reportedly a polytechnic diploma holder and joined the Bajrang Dal during his second year of college. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As the Congress-led INDIA briefly stopped their protest in Lok Sabha to allow the introduction of the Delhi services bill on Tuesday, All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP Asaduddin Owaisi took a swipe at the opposition and treasury benches saying "chess and ludo are being played" in the Parliament. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday.(ANI) The opposition parties have been disrupting the House proceedings during the Monsoon session of the Parliament demanding that the prime minister make a statement on the ethnic violence in Manipur. However, they briefly stopped the protest as the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha. "I thank the opposition leader, he has allowed the House to function without the presence of the prime minister," Owaisi said. "Chess and ludo are being played in the House," Owaisi quipped. "They are playing chess," he said, pointing to the treasury benches, while "this side is playing ludo". Owaisi's AIMIM is not part of the 26-member opposition bloc that has been formed to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The AIMIM chief, however, asserted that the bill violated Article 123, saying the Constitution cannot be amended with a simple bill. "It is a violation of the theory of separation of powers, and it is SC judgement of a five-membered bench from 2018 so that is why I am saying that the house does not have legislative competence for this bill and that is why I am opposing it," he said. The proposed legislation, which gives the Delhi Lieutenant Governor a final say on the transfer and posting of officials of the city government, will strengthen the Central government's control over the national capital. The bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 25. Union home minister Amit Shah asserted that Parliament is empowered to make laws for Delhi and termed the objection to it "politically motivated". SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail NEW DELHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed his willingness to hold talks with India, saying the two countries cannot be normal neighbours unless serious issues are addressed through peaceful and meaningful discussions. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs government is set to be dissolved later this month to pave the way for holding a general election in Pakistan (via REUTERS) Sharifs offer of talks during his speech at the inaugural session of the Pakistan Minerals Summit in Islamabad, came a little more than six months after he made a similar proposal during an interview with AlArabiya news channel. India and Pakistan have not had any substantial talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks New Delhi has linked any contacts to Islamabad cracking down on terror. Though Sharif didnt name any country in his remarks, it was obvious he was referring to India. He said war wasnt an option for both countries and that there would be no survivors in the event of a nuclear flashpoint. We have nothing against anybody. We have to look after our own self, build our nation, even with our neighbour. We are prepared to talk to them, provided that the neighbour is serious to talk serious matters on the table because war is no more an option, Sharif said. He said it is important for both countries to address their serious issues through talks but did not specifically mention any of these issues. But it is equally important that our neighbour has to understand that we cannot become normal neighbours unless abnormalities are removed, unless our serious issues are understood and addressed through peaceful and meaningful discussions, Sharif said. There was no immediate response from Indian officials to Sharifs remarks. The business meeting in Islamabad was attended by Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir and several foreign dignitaries. Sharif further said: Pakistan...is a nuclear power, not as an aggressor but for our defence purposes. And we had three wars, fought in the last 75 years. And what happened? Im being very honest with you. It generated more poverty, unemployment and lack of resources to finance education, health and well-being of the people. He added: So is this the way we have to adopt or to have a war of economic competition? Because, God forbid, God forbid, if there is any nuclear flashpoint, who will live to tell what happened? So that is not an option. In January, Sharif had offered to hold talks with India and said he had asked the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help bring the two countries to the table. Soon after, Islamabad made any discussions conditional to New Delhi restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. At the time, Sharif was visiting the UAE. Hours after Sharif made the offer during the interview with AlArabiya, the Prime Ministers Office in Islamabad said talks can only take place after India had reversed its illegal action of August 5, 2019 a reference to the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmirs special status. The developments in Jammu and Kashmir and a string of terror attacks blamed on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), including the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian troopers and brought the two sides close to war, have taken bilateral ties to an all-time low. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several peace overtures when Sharifs elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, was the premier during 2013-17. Modi invited Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014 and made a surprise visit to Lahore in December 2015 to meet his then Pakistani counterpart. However, ties between the two sides were subsequently derailed. Sharifs government is set to be dissolved later this month to pave the way for holding a general election in Pakistan. It is unlikely that his government or the caretaker administration to be formed to oversee the election will be in a position to conduct any substantial talks with India. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail Parliament Monsoon Session highlights: On Tuesday, the ninth day of Parliament's monsoon session, the contentious Delhi services bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha, with the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc opposing the legislation, which it has repeatedly dubbed as an attack on the country's federal structure. Amidst sloganeering by the Opposition MPs against the Delhi Services Bill introduced earlier today in the Lok Sabha, the session has been adjourned till 3 pm. (ANI) (File) The session, which began on July 20 and is scheduled to conclude on August 11, has been stormy since day one, with I.N.D.I.A demanding that prime minister Narendra Modi break his silence on the Manipur issue. The government, however, says it is ready for a discussion and that it is, in fact, the opposition that is not ready to debate the issue. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Flagging the dismal representation of scheduled castes and tribes in the higher bureaucracy, a parliamentary committee has recommended steps to fix the imbalance, suggesting that the names of candidates taking the public service exams should remain undisclosed during selection to ensure fair assessment. In its report titled Role of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) in Formulation, Implementation and Monitoring of Reservation Policy, the panel highlighted that the representation at various levels for STs and SCs is far below the constitutionally mandated percentage of 15 % and 7.5 %, respectively. (ANI) In its report titled Role of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) in Formulation, Implementation and Monitoring of Reservation Policy, the panel highlighted that the representation at various levels for STs and SCs is far below the constitutionally mandated percentage of 15 % and 7.5 %, respectively. The 30-member panel, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party member Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, submitted its report in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Noting that even with an increase in representation of SC and ST candidates in the higher bureaucracy from 458 in 2017 to 550 in 2022, it remained below the expected level. The maximum number of SC and ST candidates were appointed at the level of deputy secretary or directors -- 423 in 2017 to 509 in 2022. At the senior level of Joint Secretary /AS/Secretary, the figure remains almost the same with 35 in 2017 and 41 in 2022, the committee said. The appointment of officers to senior posts under the government of India are filled on deputation, the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions said in its response. Out of the empanelled officers, those who give the option for deputation are considered for appointment for Joint Secretary and above under the CSS. There is no provision for reservation in the posts filled up on deputation basis under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), it said. The committee in turn asked the ministry to explore all possibilities to increase representation of SCs and STs in the process of empanelment so as to ease out the current imbalance in the empanelment process, while emphasizing that there are adequate officers from SC and ST communities who have requisite experience for empanelment as they enter public service. There are currently 12 additional secretaries and 25 joint secretaries against the sanctioned numbers of 90 and 242, respectively, from the SC and ST categories, according to ministry data. At deputy secretary or director level, there are just 79 officials from SC or ST communities against 509 snactioned posts. The committee recommended that candidates should be allowed to appear in all competitive exams using a unique identification number without disclosing names for fair assessment, and asked the department of personnel and training under the ministry to issue directions and present an action taken report within three months. The Committee further desires that the name of the caste of SC/ST community should also not be disclosed once selection processes in all aspects are completed so that any possible form of discrimination against such community may be less evident, it said. The panel also flagged that there is negligible or no presence of SC and ST members in the boards of directors of almost all ministries, departments, public-sector units and state-run banks, and said it would deprive them from becoming a part the decision-making process and policy matters. The most common reason provided being that the Officers of SC/ST community could not be appointed to the post of Members and Chairman, primarily due to non-availability of suitable candidates. The Committee is not willing to accept routine replies as there are highly qualified deserving and meritorious candidates among SCS/STs available, the panel said. The panel also asked the ministry may set up a separate regulatory authority under DoPT to ensure meaningful implementation of reservation policies and orders till legislation to this effect is enacted by the government. It said the DoPT should identify the backlog of vacancies and carry out special recruitment drives to fill the posts. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fareeha Iftikhar Fareeha Iftikhar is a principal correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. She tracks the education ministry, and covers the beat at the national level for the newspaper. She also writes on issues related to gender, human rights and different policy matters. ...view detail Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared stage with NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award ceremony in Pune. Pawar attended the event held to confer Modi with the Lokmanya Tilak Award in recognition of his supreme leadership and for awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens. PM Modi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar shaking hands at the Pune awar event on Tuesday. Pawar did not entertain requests from members of the opposition INDIA alliance to not share stage with Modi. The INDIA alliance members felt this won't be good optics for the opposition at a time when a united front is being put up against the BJP. Pawar did not meet some MPs who wanted to dissuade him from gracing the occasion. (LIVE updates) The two were seen shaking hands on the stage at the event and also engaged in a brief candid conversation, the video of which surfaced. After receiving the award, Modi said Lokmanya Tilak changed the course of the freedom struggle. The British called him the father of Indian unrest. The PM said he feels honoured to receive the award named after Lokmanya Tilak, who was at the forefront of Indias freedom struggle. The award was constituted in 1983 to honour the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak and is presented every year on August 1, Tilaks death anniversary. Some social organisations and members of various political parties staged a joint protest against Modi during the visit. Prominent social activist Baba Adhav led the protest where the participants waved black flags. The alliance members held the protest at Mandai, around 300 metres from the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh temple where Modi performed pooja soon after reaching Pune. Leaders of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and members of various social outfits took part in the protest. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party after a hate crime in a moving train and the communal violence in Haryana, and said only love can douse this fire. Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi.(Reuters) In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, The BJP, the media and the forces standing with them have spread the kerosene of hatred across the country. Only love can douse this fire in the country, he added. The communal violence first broke out in the Muslim-dominated Nuh district as a mob tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, according to police. Authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Nuh where four people, including two home guards, were killed and many others injured on Monday. The violence spread to Gurugram as a mob attacked a mosque and killed its naib imam, or deputy imran, taking the toll in the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a VHP procession in Nuh district to five. Even as the administration claimed that the situation in Gurugram was under control, a mob set fire to an eatery and vandalised adjoining shops in Badshahpur on Tuesday afternoon in a fresh case of communal violence. On Monday morning, four persons were shot dead allegedly by an RPF constable on a Mumbai-bound train. RPF constable Chetan Singh allegedly shot dead his senior Assistant Sub-Inspector Tikaram Meena and three passengers near Palghar station on Mumbai's outskirts. All three passengers were bearded Muslims. Singh rested the hilt of his assault weapon on the side seat and began a short hate-filled rant against Muslims that he asked the bystanders to record for the medias consumption. The Railway Board has set up a five-member committee to conduct a "comprehensive inquiry" into the incident which took place on Monday on the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express train, an official said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail The mines department of Rajasthan has started the process of e-auction for a composite license of the Khidarpur potash block of Gharsisar and Karauli Sapotra in Churu district from Monday, said Veenu Gupta, additional chief secretary of mines, petroleum and industries on Tuesday. Potash is used as a fertilizer, being the third important component as a soil nutrient after nitrogen and phosphorus (File) Also Read| Gehlot moves court against summons in defamation case The bidding process will be completed by September 4, she said. Potash is not yet being mined in the country and the country is completely dependent on imports from abroad, Gupta added. This will be the first time in the country that auction has been initiated for commercial license of two potash blocks. Potash deposits have been found in Bikaner division and around Karauli in Rajasthan. Both the blocks are being auctioned for composite license by the department. According to preliminary results of potash deposits in the country, more than 95% of Indias reserves are possibly in Rajasthan, Gupta said. Exploration in this regard continues in Bharusari, Satipura , Jhandawali, Khujan, Jorkia , Lakhasar and Jetpur. Also Read| Modi slams Congress regimes in Karnataka and Rajasthan over lack of development India imports potash worth more than 10,000 crore every year, mainly from Canada, Belarus, Russia and Jordan. Some smaller quantities are also imported from Israel, Saudi Arabia and Germany. Indias annual potash and phosphate fertilizer subsidy bill is 38,000 crore. The e-auction of composite license of Ghadsisar and Khidarpur potash blocks started on July 31, said Sandesh Nayak, director, mines and petroleum. The tender document will be sold till August 16, and bids can be placed till September 4. Potash is used as a fertilizer, being the third important component as a soil nutrient after nitrogen and phosphorus, Nayak said. Apart from fertilizer, other uses of potash are in making glass, gunpowder, chemicals and petrochemicals. Indias own mining of potash will reduce dependence on imports and will boost Make in India for fertilizers. The ministry of chemicals and fertilizers has finalised an action plan to make India Atmanirbhar in Phosphate to make India self-reliant in fertilizers. Mining leases for potash in Rajasthan is a step in this direction, officials said. Nobody listens to our orders, the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday while refusing to accord urgent hearing to a plea seeking massive reforms in police forces across the country. A bench declined a request for urgent hearing on a plea seeking police reforms.(PTI File) Police reforms are going on and on. Nobody listens to our orders, a bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar lamented while declining the request for urgent hearing on the plea filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhayay, lawyer and Delhi BJP spokesperson. Sorry. Declined, said the bench that also comprised justices DY Chandrachud and SK Kaul. Upadhyay, in his plea, sought directions to the states and the Centre to implement massive reforms in the police force including a fixed tenure for senior officers. Earlier, the apex court had allowed Upadhyay to intervene as a party in a pending PIL on the issue of police reforms. He had sought direction to the Centre, state governments and the Law Commission to implement police reforms and the Model Police Act, 2006 to ensure an effective and impartial police system. That arbitrary and unaccountable functioning of the police has led to complete alienation of many citizens from the state. Complete politicisation of the police force has led to highly partisan crime investigation. State governments have been habitually abusing their powers to drop serious criminal charges against their supporters and foist false cases against their opponents, the plea said. The Model Police Act creates mechanism and processes which will help the police perform its functions more efficiently and enhance its credibility in the eyes of the public, it said. The plea sought direction for setting up of State Police Board under the chairmanship of the State Home Minister and comprising the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police among others to lay down policy guidelines for efficient policing. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request to fell over 4000 trees in Agra for a manufacturing hub project of the state government, emphasising that Agra is not short of industries but it is short of trees, and also to protect the environment around the iconic Taj Mahal. The Supreme Court observed that Agra is not short of industries; it is short of trees. (PTI File) The bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said, This Court has been passing orders protecting the environment around the Taj Mahal. We cannot appreciate cutting of so many trees in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) and that too for a non-specified purpose. The Court had received an application from the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) requesting to cut 4087 trees for setting up of an integrated manufacturing cluster (IMC) at Agra. The site was preferred due to its strategic location on the Yamuna Expressway, National Highway NH-19 and close proximity to the dedicated freight corridor at Tundla. The application was taken up by the top court as part of its monitoring in the MC Mehta case related to protecting the Taj Mahal and the environment around it. The Court had mandated that to cut trees in the zone around Taj, known as TTZ, its permission will be necessary. The state department in its application said that the proposed IMC Agra project is to be executed by a special purpose vehicle involving the UPSIDA and the Central government. The project is expected to generate approximately 37,000 direct employment opportunities across the shortlisted sectors as per the demand assessment. This also means that the indirect employment generated due to the proposed -IMC could be as high as approximately 22,000 making the total employment generated by the IMC approximately 70,000. This could be a huge boost to the richly available skilled and semi-skilled labor in and around Agra, the application said. The bench said, Agra is not short of industries; it is short of trees. Part of the project seems to be coming up on forest land. The Court-appointed amicus curiae, senior advocate ADN Rao pointed out that the project is proposed on an area of 1058 acres at Rahan Kalan in Etmadpur tehsil of Agra. He further informed the Court that the applicant authority has obtained state government sanction to undertake compensatory afforestation by planting 10 saplings for every tree that is cut. The state had even earmarked non-forest land in the same village for planting 40,870 saplings. However, the Court was not convinced as saplings would take several years to grow into trees. Also, the bench observed that the purpose for felling trees was to set up a manufacturing complex that would be detrimental to the environment in the area. The UPSIDA had moved the application before the top court in December and had simultaneously forwarded a proposal to the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Lucknow, for preparing the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project. The SEIAA had issued standard terms of reference in May 2022 for granting environmental clearance to the project. In September, the state government had sanctioned an estimated 332 lakhs as the cost for chopping 4087 trees and planting of 40,870 saplings along with their maintenance for the next 10 years. The application by the state said, Agra has not witnessed a major foreign direct investment in the district in the last few years and this IMC presents a chance for Agra to cater to some of the FDI coming into the state of Uttar Pradesh. Aaftab Amin Poonawala had revealed to Shraddha Walkar's father that he had "strangulated" her with "his own hands", the father of the victim on Monday testified in a Delhi court that was recording the statements of the witnesses in the sensational murder case. Shraddha Walkar was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Aaftab Poonawala at a flat in south Delhi in May last year (ANI Photo) The father also testified about Poonawala's statement that after strangulating the victim, he bought a saw, chopped off her wrists and put those in a trash bag. Shraddha Walkar, who was in a live-in relationship with accused Poonawala (28), was allegedly strangulated by the latter on May 18 last year. The accused allegedly dismembered her body, kept the body parts in a fridge and disposed those of at desolate places across Delhi over several days to dodge police and the public. Many of the body parts were found later from a forest near the accused's house. Vikas Madan Walkar, who was examined as a prosecution witness by the public prosecutor before Additional Sessions Judge Manisha Khurana Kakkar, testified that he went to the Mehrauli police station on November 11, 2022, where he was asked by the police officials whether he recognised Poonawala. "I replied in the affirmative and said this is Poonawala, who was living with my daughter for the last three years. I also informed the police that he quarrelled with my daughter and beat her up on several occasions," Vikas Walkar said. He said at the police station, he saw officials interrogating Poonawala about the transfer of an amount from Shraddha's account on May 20 (two days after the killing). Poonawala got perplexed and said no such thing had happened, he said. "On my inquiry from Poonawala as to where my daughter was, he said she was no more...," Vikas Walkar said. "I was shocked and started feeling dizzy. When I recovered after a while, Poonawala started revealing how he killed my daughter. He told me that he had a fight with my daughter on May 18, 2022 at their Chhatarpur residence and further informed me that he had strangulated Shraddha with his own hands," he said. The victim's father deposed that Poonawala also told him that after killing Shraddha, he purchased an "aari" (saw), two extra blades, a hammer etc. from a hardware store and at night, chopped both her wrists off and put those in a polythene or trash bag. Vikas Walkar also deposed about meeting Poonawala for the first time after his wife's death in January 2020, when Shraddha brought the accused to her father's house in Mumbai. When the family opposed Shraddha's decision to opt for a live-in relationship with Poonawala in 2019, the victim said being a 25-year-old woman, she was capable of taking her own decisions and that her father could well assume that henceforth, she ceased to be her daughter, Vikas Walkar said. The examination-in-chief of the victim's father will continue on August 5. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), witnesses are examined by the public prosecutor in support of the prosecution's case and at the conclusion of the examination-in-chief, the defence counsel cross-examines the witnesses. A 64-year-old Indian woman lost her life after reportedly jumping from the Royal Caribbean Cruise while it was sailing through the Singapore Strait. The woman's son had sought assistance from the prime minister's office (PMO) and the ministry of external affairs, hoping to find his mother after he alleged that the cruise company was "washing their hands off" the situation. According to Sahani, the cruise staff informed him that his mother had jumped off the ship,(REUTERS) Sahani informed that his mother has lost her life during the voyage. After relentless efforts by the authorities, the cruise liner has finally shared the surveillance footage to aid in the investigation, and a search operation is now underway to locate the missing body. The incident was reported on Monday when Reeta Sahani and her husband Jakesh Sahani were on their way back to Singapore from Penang aboard the Spectrum of the Seas. According to reports, it was the last day of the couple's four-day cruise journey. Jakesh Sahani, 70, discovered his wife missing from their room. Despite his efforts to locate her on the cruise ship, he was unsuccessful. He then informed the ship's crew, who notified him that the ship's overboard detection systems had been triggered, indicating that something had fallen from the vessel into the Singapore Strait. Apoorv Sahani, whose X bio describes him as a Melbourne-based Indian businessman, alleged that the cruise company is "washing their hands off", asking the Indian government for help. According to Sahani, the cruise staff informed him that his mother had jumped off the ship, but they have not provided any surveillance footage to confirm this. Moreover, no rescue operation was carried out to locate his mother, and they even off-boarded his father from the ship. "We've asked to see the CCTV (closed-circuit television) footage, but so far, we've not received anything yet for us to confirm that it was her. All we know is that the ship's crew thinks she jumped," Apoorv Sahani was quoted as saying by Strait Times. "Eventually, my father was told to get down from the ship because there was another cruise that was going to take place, but we think she may still be on the ship, stuck somewhere," Sahani told the Strait Times. Sahani said his mother cannot swim, and his father was interviewed by the cops lasted for hours. Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) confirmed that the "passenger had fallen in the Singapore Strait." The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is currently coordinating the search and has issued a navigational safety broadcast to vessels in the Singapore Strait and port, urging them to be on the lookout for the missing person and inform the MRCC of any sightings. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) against the Tamil Nadu governments planned offshore memorial for late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. People pay homage to late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi after he passed away on 7 August 2018. (PTI File Photo) Let us make it clear that if this is a political petition, the Supreme Court is not the forum to fight your political battles. Fight it elsewhere. And if this is about environmental concerns, why cannot the NGT (National Green Tribunal) hear it? Why should everything come directly to the Supreme Court? We are not going to entertain it directly, a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said while dismissing the petition. The bench addressed the statements to senior counsel Siddharth Dave, who appeared on behalf of some of the fishermen who had challenged the proposed 81-crore, 42m-tall Muthamizh Arignar Dr Kalaignar Pen Monument 360m off the Bay of Bengal coast, on grounds of environmental damage and loss of livelihoods. Dave, on his part, tried to persuade the bench that the PIL has been filed by the fishermen to enforce their fundamental right to livelihood, and therefore, the plea can be directly maintained before the apex court. He contended that the proposed erection of the statue over half an acre of reclaimed sea would spell disaster for the ecosystem and environment and will cause long-term damages. However, the bench was not convinced. If it is about fundamental rights, why cannot the high court hear it? It is, after all, a local issue. And our view is that if the issue concerns a local matter, it must go to the jurisdictional high court first if the high court is competent to take it up. If it is an environmental issue but a local one, you go to NGT. We are not going to call all the matters from high courts just because an argument of fundamental right is made, the bench told Dave. Representing the DMK government, senior counsel P Wilson submitted that the plea before the top court is a politically motivated petition, being fought in the garb of fishermens livelihood. Wilson added that not only is the NGT seized of the issue, but the state government has also secured a Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) clearance and other approvals for the Pen Monument. Wilson further said that objectors to the proposal have stayed away from public hearings even as the state government carried out the consultation process, as required under the relevant regulations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An anguished Supreme Court lashed out at the lethargic and tardy probe into the loss of human lives, dignity and properties during the ethic violence in Manipur, lamenting that the state has seen an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery for two months, and summoning the states director general of police (DGP) on August 7 to furnish an explanation. Locals gather near the houses set ablaze, in Imphal (PTI) One thing is clear; the state police are incapable of investigations. Its absolutely clear they have lost control of law and order in the state...There is no law and order left in Manipur. Investigation is so lethargic. For two months, FIRs are not recorded, arrests are not made, and statements are recorded after such a lapse of time, said a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud. Also read: Tamil Nadu: Stalin writes to Biren Singh, offers 10-cr aid to Manipur The bench asked the DGP to adduce all records relating to the date of incidents, timing of registrations of FIRs, arrests made, and the recordings of the victims statements. If even FIRs could not be registered for two months since May 3, this gives the impression that there was no law. Maybe it is correct that arrest could not be made because police could not enter the localities. Assuming that it was so, does it not point out there was a complete breakdown of law and order and the constitutional machinery in the state? the bench, which also included justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, asked solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta. Under Article 356 of the Constitution, breakdown of constitutional machinery is a ground to impose Presidents Rule in a state. Mehta, representing the N Biren Singh government, responded that the state was still not witnessing the complete breakdown of constitutional machinery, and that there has been no lethargy after the Union government ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case related to a video of two women being stripped and paraded naked. But the bench retorted: People who are living in the state, if law and order machinery cannot protect them then what happens to the people? Addressing the May 4 viral video case, where three women were stripped and at least one of them was gang-raped and her brother and father killed, the bench pointed out that the victims said in their statements that they were handed over to a frantic mob by the police. What has happened after their statements? Have those personnel been identified or arrested? Did the DGP try to find out who those policemen were? Have they been interrogated? What has the DGP done so far? Isnt it his duty to do this? it asked Mehta, who, on his part, requested the bench to await the outcome of the preliminary investigation by CBI into the case. Mehta, who informed the bench that 11 out of 6,523 FIRs involved offences against women and children, offered that all these 11 FIRs could be handed over to CBI. The bench, however, asked him: And what about the remaining 6,000-odd FIRs? The state police clearly cannot investigate. If you dump it on CBI, you will render that agency dysfunctional since CBI is not capable of handling such a volume. It would be important in a situation like this to have a mechanism in place to bifurcate the FIRs and find out how many of them involve serious offences like murder, rape, destruction of homes and places of worship, serious bodily injuries and suchlike crimes. Referring to Mehtas repeated statements that the Centre has now intervened, the bench remarked: Its clear from the records that for those two months, between May 3 and July, police was not in charge. They did something perfunctory. They were not in charge either because they were incapable of doing it or unwilling to do it. Even as it permitted CBI to record the statements of the victims of May 4 incident that was handed over to the agency by the Centre on July 27, the court said that it is contemplating forming a committee, consisting of some former high court judges and others, who, under its remit, may give recommendations on relief and rehabilitation, compensation as well as to ensure that the investigation is fair. Subject to hearing both sides, who will conduct the investigation is also something you should think about. There are around 6,500 FIRs. Obviously, you cannot transfer lock, stock and barrel everything to CBI. And we have serious limitations to the state police looking into these FIRs, it told Mehta. Clashes between the dominant Meitei community and the tribal Kukis first erupted on May 3 during a protest against a high court order proposing scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meiteis. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders. At least 150 people have lost their lives in the violence so far. The authorities quickly clamped a curfew and suspended internet, pumping in additional security forces to force a break in the spiraling clashes. On June 4, the Union government formed a three-member judicial inquiry panel to probe the ethnic violence in Manipur on the recommendation of the state government. A bunch of petitions relating to the violence in the northeastern state also queued before the top court, which has been monitoring rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures since the third week of May. On July 20, the court also took a suo motu cognisance of the horrific video of the assault on three women on May 4, terming it deeply disturbing and grossest violation of constitutional rights, as it threatened to step in if the Centre and the state failed to act. During the proceedings on Tuesday, Mehta told the bench that of the 6,523 FIRs, he was unable to furnish a break-up of incidents involving other serious offences such as murder and destruction of houses. The bench replied that the information is inadequate. State must carry out the process of segregation and inform the court on how many FIRs deal with murder, rape, arson and looting, destruction of house property, outraging of modesty of woman and destruction of places of religious worship and grievous hurt, said its order. The order further recorded: Based on the preliminary data, it prima facie appears that investigation has been tardy with considerable lapse between occurrence and the registration of the FIR, recording of witness statements and arrests have been few and far between. In order to help the court to determine the nature of investigation, we direct the DGP, Manipur, to remain personally present before the court on August 7. Apart from other details as mentioned above, in respect of each FIR, the court directed, the tabular statement by the DGP shall mention if the accused have been named in the FIR and the status of arrest. Also read: Proposal from Manipur for installing world's tallest flagpole in Imphal: Centre When informed during the hearing that 118 bodies are still lying morgues in Manipur, the bench asked the SG to come back on August 7 with information about the mechanism of handing over bodies to their families and the compensation package. They cannot keep rotting and you cannot keep 118 bodies indefinitely in a morgue. Some solution will have to be found, it observed. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for two Meitei organisations, submitted there is another case in which a woman was burnt alive that is not a part of the 11 cases adduced before the bench. The court asked Gupta to give the details of the 12th case to Mehta so that the DGP can gather information about it. We want to approach this issue with absolute data. We have, therefore, asked for full disclosure of data. We have something in mind for the ultimate order, but it is subject to us deducing the final data submitted to us. Our approach is irrespective of who is the perpetrator and who is the victim. An offence is an offence irrespective of who is the perpetrator and who is the victim, the bench told Gupta. Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the High Court Bar Association of Manipur, voiced his concerns over illegal immigration from Myanmar and the alleged involvement of drug cartels in fanning the violence in the northeastern state. The bench, however, told him: People who were raped and murdered were our people. We have to ensure that justice is done. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has written to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh on sending aid, including medicines, to the violence-hit north-eastern state. MK Stalin (ANI) The Tamil Nadu government has asked Manipur to provide its concurrence to send the aid material to those living in relief camps. Stalin told the Manipur chief minister in a letter dated July 31 that he has been informed that more than 50,000 people were staying in relief camps due to the "prevailing situation" in the northeastern state, apparently referring to the violence there. READ | 'After wiping off tears...': AAP's Raghav Chadha on INDIA MPs' Manipur visit "...there is an increasing need for some essential items for the affected people. At this crucial time, the Government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend support to your State by providing necessary relief materials like tarpaulin sheets, bed-sheets, mosquito nets, essential medicines, sanitary napkins, and milk powder worth around 10 crore," Stalin said. This assistance will be very useful to the people staying in camps and "they can also be airlifted, if required," he said. "I would request you to kindly give your government's concurrence for this humanitarian aid. Also, kindly inform us about the further action to be taken in this regard, so that my officers can coordinate with your officers and send the relief materials at the earliest," the Chief Minister added. READ | Not like Nirbhaya: Supreme Court on Manipur sexual assault case; police role questioned Stalin had earlier offered to provide training facilities for Manipur sportspersons in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of ethnic violence there. More than 160 people have lost their lives and several hundreds injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday requested his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh to accept humanitarian aid from Tamil Nadu worth 10 crore for the people living in the relief camps in the ethnic strife-torn northeastern state and also offered airlifting services. Imphal: Smoke and flames billow out after the houses of Kuki-Zo community were allegedly set on fire by miscreants in the strife-ridden Manipur, at Cannan veng/Zomi villa in Imphal on Tuesday. (ANI) I am informed that more than 50,000 people are staying in relief camps due to the prevailing situation and there is an increasing need for some essential items for the affected people, said Stalin in his letter to Singh. At this crucial time, the Government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend support to your State by providing necessary relief materials, he said such as Tarpaulin sheets, Bed-sheets, Mosquito Nets, Essential Medicines, Sanitary Napkins, and Milk Powder worth around 10 crores. These materials will be very useful to the people staying in camps and they can also be airlifted, if required. Stalin also thanked Singh for the support extended to Tamils in Manipur and requested continued protection for their lives and property. I would request you to kindly give your Governments concurrence for this humanitarian aid, Stalin said. Also, kindly inform us about the further action to be taken in this regard, so that my officers can coordinate with your officers and send the relief materials at the earliest. When many as 3000 Meitis were initially evacuated and brought to the camp, the Tamil community provided most of the food and relief materials, locals in Manipurs Moreh have said. It would have been extremely difficult to run the camp without help from the Tamils because the Army did not have adequate food and supplies in stock, a senior Assam Rifles officer said at Moreh in May. Among the buildings that remained untouched on May 3 during the ethnic clashes were five churches, two mosques, a gurdwara and a temple set up by the Tamil community in Moreh. It borders Myanmar and used to be cited as a typical example of unity in diversity, said experts. Tamils, Bengalis, Sikhs, Odiyas, Meitis and the Kuki tribal people are among the 11-odd communities that have lived in Moreh for decades. Everything changed overnight, N Pulindro Singh, 65, one of the senior members of Morehs Meiti community told HT at a relief camp on May 10. The Tamils arrived from south India around a century ago and settled down in Moreh as traders. Many Tamils and Bengalis settled down in Myanmar (then called Burma) as well during the British rule, Singh added. RAIPUR The Union coal ministry has withdrawn the Tara coal block from the commercial mining auction process following objections by the Chhattisgarh government as it falls in an area with 81% forest cover in the states Hasdeo Aranya, according to a notice issued by the ministry last Friday. On June 23, the Chhattisgarh government wrote a letter to the central coal ministry to keep nine coal blocks out of 23 (in Chhattisgarh) from the auction process for commercial mining citing environmental reasons. This included the Tara coal block. (File photo) The Ministry of Coal had launched the 7th round and second attempt of the 6th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auction on March 29, 2023. Tara Coal Mine was offered under the 7th round of commercial coal mine auction. However, the competent authority has decided to withdraw the coal mine from the current auction process, the notice stated. Tara coal block is in the Hasdeo Aranya forest area (Surajpur district) and has 15.96sq km of very dense forest (VDF) area in the coal mine. On June 23, the Chhattisgarh government wrote a letter to the central coal ministry to keep nine coal blocks out of 23 (in Chhattisgarh) from the auction process for commercial mining citing environmental reasons. This included the Tara coal block. Tara was the only coal block from Chhattisgarh that received bidders, according to the list issued by coal ministry on June 28. The bidders were Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and Raigarh Natural Resources Limited. The state government had also said that the Chhattisgarh forest and climate change department cited loss to the environment as the reason for asking the central government to withdraw the nine coal blocks. The nine coal blocks were Tara (Surajpur district), Karkoma (Korba), Koilar ( Raigarh), Tendumudi (Raigarh), Jilga Barpali (Korba), Barpali Kalmi Tikra (Korba), Batati Kolga North East (Korba), Batati Kolga East (Korba) and Fetehpur south (Raigarh). Tara is in Hasdeo Arand forest area and the other eight coal blocks are in the catchment area of Mand river which flows in the Mand-Raigarh forest area. On 26 July 2022, the Chhattisgarh assembly passed a resolution to oppose mining in the entire Hasdeo forest area. The Union government in March 2023 announced the 7th round of its coal mine auction. The total number of mines to be auctioned is 101, including the Tara block in Chhattisgarhs Hasdeo Aranya, which has a forest cover of 81%. Sudiep Shrivastava, a Chhattisgarh-based advocate who is also the main litigant against mining in Hasdeo Aranya, said, The withdrawal was very important for the biodiversity of Hasdeo Aranya, as around 10 lakh trees are there in this block, which is densely forested. The Centres policy of auction also says that it avoids mining if blocks have more than 30% forest cover. Activists lauded the state governments efforts towards the withdrawal of the block. The state government has played an admirable role in ensuring these constitutional provisions and views of local communities are respected, which the central government seems to have agreed to abide by. We wholeheartedly welcome this move and hope that the entire Hasdeo Aranya region gets protected, and all remaining coal blocks, including Parsa and Kete Extension, also be similarly deallocated as per the commitment of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha and the gram sabha resolutions, said Alok Shuka, convener of the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Belagavi An official from the horticulture department in Belagavi said that hundreds of farmers in northern Karnataka having dry agriculture land are earning good amount by cultivating tomatoes. (PTI) As the price of tomatoes has skyrocketed across the state, a farmer from Vijayapura district in north Karnataka has earned a net profit of 50 lakh in 45 days. He said he has cultivated tomato on his four-acre dry land and expects 50 lakh more profit if the current price continues for three weeks. Like others in Vijayapura and neighbouring Bagalkote and Belagavi districts, 40-year-old Bhimu Bavsingh Lamani of Aliyabad Tanda had earlier grown crops, such as maize, grapes and sugarcane, and incurred losses. With the sudden rise in the demand for tomatoes, Lamani said he cultivated the crop and in only 45 days, he earned a net profit of 50 lakh. Now called red gold for its current price, hundreds of farmers have abandoned traditional commercial crops, such as beans, toor dal , tobacco, sugarcane, maize, paddy, and jowar, and are turning to tomato. Earlier, we used to get a return up to 1 lakh only during periodical harvest, Now we are getting lakhs of rupees everyday by growing tomatoes, Lamani said. Like other districts in Kalyana Karnataka, Vijayapur, Bagalkot and Chikkodi belt in Belagavi in Kittur Karnataka region is known for drought and for dry agricultural land. It is used for growing maize, grapes, sugarcane, beans, among other crops. Since the harvesting time for tomato is less and price is also high, hundreds of farmers from these regions are earning in lakhs in just 3-4 weeks, he added. Lamani earned profits in lakhs by sending up to 150 trays of tomato to Agriculture Produce Marketing Corporatiin (APMC) at Vijayapur. From every tray containing 25 kg of tomato he is getting between 2,500 and 3,000, which was between 800 and 1,000 earlier. About 25 farm labourers along with Lamanis wife Kamala are working in his field whom he is paying up to 400 per day as wage. Earlier I incurred losses by growing regular crops. Now, tomato has become a saviour. Neither I nor my family saw such a huge profit in our life, Lamani said. An official from the horticulture department in Belagavi said that like Lamani hundreds of farmers in northern part of the state having dry agriculture land are earning good amount by cultivating tomatoes. The harvest period is also less, and timely use of fertiliser is enough to grow the crop. After the price has gone high, tomotoes are being grown in thousands of hectares, even dry land, and tomatoes are being supplied to states like Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, he said, adding the farming community would really get good returns if the current rate continues for 2-3 weeks more. Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangh mattu Hasiru Sene Belagavi taluk president Appasaheb Desai said hundreds of farmers in Belagavi taluk are getting good returns from tomato. On several occasions we used to dump the harvested vegetables on the premises of the deputy commissioners office as protest for the fall in prices. Now, smile is back on our faces by growing tomatoes, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two youth, with alleged long criminal records, were gunned down after they attacked a police sub-inspector during a vehicle check on the city outskirts in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said. The deceased have been identified as S Vinood alias Chota Vinood, 35, and S Ramesh, 32, both known history sheeters who have over 50 and 20 cases, respectively, pending against them. (File) The two, armed with machetes, inflicted cut injuries on the police SI and made a bid on his life near Guduvanchery at about 3.30 am. "The SI managed to evade the lethal blow aimed at his head and shot at one of them, while the police inspector, Murugesan, who was also part of the team checking the vehicles, rushed to his colleague's help and fired at another man," a senior police official said. Two others who also attacked the SI fled from the scene. The police rushed the two injured persons to the Chengalpattu government hospital where the doctors declared them "brought dead," said police. The deceased have been identified as S Vinood alias Chota Vinood, 35, and S Ramesh, 32, both known history sheeters who have over 50 and 20 cases, respectively, pending against them. The charges against them include murders, attempt to murder and extortion, police added. The Sub Inspector of Police Sivagurunathan has been admitted to the Chromepet government hospital for treatment. NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday cited the Supreme Courts May 11 judgment to counter the Oppositions objections in the Lok Sabha to the introduction of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 that replaces an ordinance promulgated on May 19. Union home minister Amit Shah said the Oppositions objections to the Delhi services bill were political, not legal (PTI) The bill aims to replace an ordinance promulgated on May 19 to allow the Centre to retain control over the bureaucracy in Delhi and effectively overrides a May 11 Supreme Court judgment, which handed the charge of the Capitals bureaucracy to the elected government, excluding departments connected to police, public order and land. Shah dismissed the Oppositions effort to question Parliaments legislative competence to discuss the bill, saying it was a political move. Shah cited a para of the Supreme Courts May 11 verdict which referred to the legislative competence of the assembly and Parliament. The Legislative Assembly of NCTD has competence over entries in List II and List III except for the expressly excluded entries of List II. In addition to the Entries in List I, Parliament has legislative competence over all matters in List II and List III in relation to NCTD, including the entries which have been kept out of the legislative domain of NCTD by virtue of Article 239AA(3)(a), the verdicts Para 164 [c] said. Shah also underlined that Article 249 of the Constitution empowered Parliament to even make laws in respect of a matter in the State list in the national interest. According to Article 249: Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List specified in the resolution, it shall be lawful for Parliament to make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of India with respect to that matter while the resolution remains in force. Shahs intervention - the minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai moved the bill for introduction - came after several opposition leaders objected to the bills introduction. Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said the bill vindicates the outrageous infringement of the powers of the Delhi govt and claimed the Union Government is making a graveyard of cooperative federalism. This bill takes away the power to make laws for service. The Delhi government should have the power to make laws in services. It raises serious concerns about the Centres intention. This bill aims to offset the SC verdict. This bill expands the power of the LG, Chowdhury alleged. Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi maintained that the leaders could only talk about the competence of the bill, RSP MP NK Premachandran said, I am questioning legislative competence. The bill is against the principles of federalism. If an elected government doesnt have any administrative and bureaucratic control, then what is the purpose of having a government? AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said it violates Article 123 (about the Presidents power to promulgate an ordinance when Parliament is in recess) and the theory of separation of power. Owaisi sought division on the introduction of the bill. Saugata Ray of the Trinamool Congress complained that the services bill was outside the legislative competence of the government as it was brought to override the Supreme Court judgement. Ray said the government was attempting total abrogation of the power of Delhi government. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, who labelled the bill as unconstitutional, and DMK leader TR Balu argued that no substantive motion could be brought till the Lok Sabha takes up the no-confidence motion that was requested last week. The no-confidence motion is scheduled to be taken up on August 8. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor argued that the bill undermines the Delhi assembly and the Supreme Court judgment. If the Delhi government is not able to control or hold officers accountable, a government cant function, he said. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pinaki Mishra indicated his partys support for the bill and countered the Opposition over the issue of legislative competence. The government has brought a law pursuant to the Supreme Courts judgment. How can you challenge its legislative competence? On a point of law, you cant challenge the introduction of this bill, he told Opposition leaders. . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: The United States has sanctioned 20 individuals and 29 companies in the Maldives for links with Islamic State and al-Qaeda, sparking concerns about the spread of activities of the terror networks in Indias neighbourhood. Several of the individuals designated on Monday had planned or carried out attacks that targeted journalists and local authorities (Representative image) At least two of the individuals designated by the US treasury department were accused of either recruiting and radicalising Maldivian youth to travel to Pakistan, or using Pakistan to travel to Afghanistan to join Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), the regional affiliate of Islamic State. Several of the individuals designated on Monday had planned or carried out attacks that targeted journalists and local authorities, the US treasury department said. Eighteen of those designated were linked to Islamic State or ISKP, and two were described as al-Qaeda operatives. The US state department said the designated individuals included leaders and members of Maldives-based terror cells, an affiliated criminal gang, and persons associated with key ISKP recruiter Mohamad Ameen, who was sanctioned by the US in 2019. There was no immediate response to the development from Indian officials. In recent years, India has stepped up cooperation on counter-terror and security issues with Indian Ocean countries such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius through the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). The Maldives hosted a meeting of deputy national security advisers of the CSC on July 12. Among those designated by the US were members of an Islamic State-affiliated cell based at Addu City in the Maldives that has attempted to carry out terror plots since 2018, including attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unmanned aerial vehicles. Jinaau Naseem, the leader of the cell, has provided financial support to Maldivians fighting with Islamic State in Syria, the US treasury department said. Another member of this cell, Mohamed Thasleem, was connected to a group that attempted to assassinate former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed in 2021. Nasheed is currently speaker of the Maldivian parliament and his relations with his former ally, President Ibrahim Solih, are strained. Nasheed used the development to target Solih, accusing the government of covering up extremist activity. He said in a tweet: US is able to investigate, sanction and make public info on extremists in Maldives, its concerning @ibusolih Gov has done close to nothing to tackle extremism, and continues to turn a blind eye, or actively cover up, extremist activity. Three Maldivian individuals were designated for leading the Islamic State-aligned criminal gang Kuda Henveyru, which was accused of raising funds for Maldivians fighting with Islamic State in Syria. Hussain Shamil was designated for his role in recruiting and radicalising Maldivian youth for travel to Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, the US treasury department said. It added Ali Shafiu, another designated individual, travelled through Pakistan to Afghanistan to join ISKP in late 2018. The US said it will continue to deter and disrupt financial and other support for terrorist attacks in the Maldives. We are also committed to denying funding and resources to these terrorist support networks and countering the local and international threats they pose, the state department said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The ongoing India Couture Week, organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), presented a mesmerising display of style and glamour on the seventh day. Ever since the fashion week started, it has been making headlines for all the right reasons and we have been on the edge of our seats. On Monday, fashionistas were treated to a sweet surprise when the unlikely duo of the stunning Sara Ali Khan and Bollywood heartthrob Aditya Roy Kapur walked the ramp together as showstoppers for couturiers Shantnu & Nikhil. With their undeniable charm, beauty and head-turning outfits, they left everyone in awe. Keep on reading to know more. (Also read: Disha Patani stuns in a silver sequin ensemble, igniting the ramp as the showstopper for Dolly J at India Couture Week ) Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur turn showstoppers for Shantnu & Nikhil at India Couture Week. (Instagram/@fdciofficial) Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur turn showstoppers for Shantnu & Nikhil As soon as the FDCI uploaded their videos and pictures from the event, it quickly went viral on social media. Their posts are creating quite a stir online, garnering numerous likes and comments from their adoring followers who can't stop showering them with praise and compliments. In the video, the Bollywood duo can be seen gracing the ramp together, however, while some loved their walk, others criticised it for lacking chemistry and labelled it as awkward. Let's have a look. Decoding Sara's stunning look For her stunning show-stopping look, Sara was dressed in a gorgeous pastel pink ballet top with a plunging neckline, silver sequined trim and a long netted cape attached to the sleeves. She paired it with an enchanting lehenga skirt featuring intricate silver hand embroidery and extensive sequin work all over. The beautiful flair and exquisite embellishment make her outfit a complete head-turner. Keeping her accessories to a minimum, opting for a single diamond drop earring, she looked like a dream. Her make-up included brown eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, mascaraed lashes, contoured cheeks and nude lip colour. With her hair left open in the centre part and cascading beautifully down her shoulders, Sara completed her glam look. Decoding Aditya's look On the other hand, Aditya Roy Kapur for his dapper look was dressed in an ivory sherwani set with zardozi collar, intricate threadwork all over accentuated with French knots and delicate sequins in a geometric pattern on a raw silk base. The addition of an extra piece of fabric on the side of her kurta adds a touch of oomph to his look. The ensemble is paired with off-white cotton-silk loose pants. With an ivory-coloured juttis, perfectly groomed beard and gelled hair, he completed his showstopper look. Shantnu & Nikhil's collection This collection draws inspiration from the ethereal beauty of travel and the allure of a bygone era. Influenced by the designers travels across Italy, especially Catania in Sicily, it fuses Indian and Roman elements to create a tapestry of magnificence. Bridal silhouettes feature ornate veils, bejewelled capes, and gloves, reminiscent of the Gatsby Era. Maison Shantnu & Nikhil's signature cocktail gowns are revisited with splendour. The menswear showcases regal three-piece layering, ornamented tuxedos with crystals and glass beads, exuding opulence in Indian Couture. One of our favourite frozen desserts ice cream sandwiches are much in demand these days as hot and humid weather conditions are prevailing in many parts of the world. The first-ever ice cream sandwich was sold in the year 1900 by a pushcart in New York for just a penny. It was plain ice cream sandwiched between two crispy milk biscuits. The experiment became a rage soon, and many versions of such ice cream sandwiches appeared. As the amazing frozen dessert became more popular, many recipes and versions of it was created and soon chocolate wafers replaced milk biscuits and many other ingredients from brownies, fruits, nuts, cakes formed the layers apart from the ice cream in the sandwich. (Also read: Snack-a-licious: Easy and fun recipes to make your kid's birthday party unforgettable) The United States of America celebrates National Ice Cream Day every year on August 2 to honour this very special sweet delicacy that is loved by millions around the world. The United States of America celebrates National Ice Cream Day every year on August 2 to honour this very special sweet delicacy that is loved by millions around the world. On this occasion, here are 5 lip-smacking recipes of ice cream sandwich you can make at home. 1. Choco Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich (Recipe by Swapnadeep Mukherjee, Executive Chef, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa) Ingredients Chocolate cookies (premade) - 10 Nos. Vanilla ice cream - 3 scoops Red cherry - 50gm Red cherry syrup (readymade) - 1 medium cup (optional) Method Separate each chocolate cookie and put them on a pan with insides facing up. Scrape off the inside filling. Using a medium cookie scoop, place one scoop or 1 tablespoons of ice cream on half of all the sandwich cookies. On top, cover each ice cream scoop with another cookie. Put chopped red cherry or cherry syrup (readymade) over the top of the ice cream. Press down slightly to secure in a way to push the ice cream to the edge of the cookie. Cover and place ice cream sandwiches in freezer for 1 hour, or until ice cream freezes. Serve choco chip ice-cream sandwich with red cherry on top. 2. Cinnamon, strawberry and mint ice cream sandwich (Recipe by Swapnadeep Mukherjee, Executive Chef, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa) Ingredients Cinnamon rolls (premade) - 2 Nos Vanilla ice cream - 300gm Mint ice cream - 300 gm Strawberry fresh - 50gm Mint leaf (for garnishing) - 3-4 leaf Butter - 10 gm Cinnamon Powder (for garnishing) - 5gm Readymade icing (optional) Method Open the sheet of pre-made cinnamon rolls and separate each roll individually, placing them all on a piece of parchment paper. Lay another layer of parchment paper over the top and press down on each roll, flattening it to about half its height. By doing so, it is equally leveled. Now, smash them in the waffle iron or a grill pan. Warm up your waffle iron or grill pan. Coat waffle iron or grill pan with some butter. Place one of the smashed cinnamon rolls in the press/grill pan. Cook it for about 1 minute till light brown. Don't smash the roll further during this process. Also, if the rolls are sticking, maybe brush them with a bit of butter. Place all cooked rolls in the fridge for 30 minutes to fully cool them down. Pair the rolls by size and then place 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream and 1 scoop of mint ice cream onto half of them and add strawberry (cut into pieces) Using a spoon spread the ice cream evenly on the cinnamon roll. Top it up with another roll. Place the ice cream sandwiches in the freezer at least for 30 minutes before serving. Cut them in desired shape. Top up with icing, cinnamon powder and add a mint leaf when serving for an excellent flavour. 3. Apple and nuttie ice cream sandwich (Recipe by Swapnadeep Mukherjee, Executive Chef, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa) Ingredients Vanilla/plain biscuits (premade) - 10 nos. Fudge spread (readymade) - 1 bottle Apple - 02 nos Caramel cream - 50 gm Vanilla ice-cream - 300 gm Peanuts, or any other kind of nuts, crushed candy or crushed cookies Method Take a tray, grease it generously with butter. Place biscuits; Spread a layer of ice cream and fudge on it. Sprinkle peanuts, add diced apple and drizzle with caramel topping.Add another layer of ice cream and fudge. Sprinkle with nuts of your choice and sliced apple. Cover it with biscuits. Now, top it up with cool whip and again a layer of ice-cream. Freeze for 3 hours. Slice into squares and serve. 4. Classic chocolate ice cream sandwich (Recipe by Chef Dhanraj Kohli, Senior Sous Chef of The Park, Navi Mumbai) Ingredients Vegetable oil cooking spray cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour teaspoon kosher salt teaspoon baking soda cup sifted Dutch-process cocoa powder 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened cup white sugar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar teaspoon pure vanilla extract cup whole milk, at room temperature 6 scoops vanilla ice cream Method: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner (such as Silpat). Spray the liner with cooking spray and rub it in to be sure it's completely covered. Whisk 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa together in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Sift the mixture if it seems at all clumpy or chunky. Mix butter, both sugars and vanilla in another bowl with a spatula until you have a smooth paste. Add flour mixture along with milk and stir until the batter is smooth and stiff. Clean off the spatula with a cookie scoop and drop 12 scoops of batter onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the centre of the preheated oven until the tops of the cookies no longer look wet and shiny, 9 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and tap and shake the pan on the counter 5 times to settle and compress the cookies. Let cookies cool to room temperature on the pan, for about 15 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer until cookies are firm, about 15 minutes. Remove from the freezer and remove cookies from the pan by lifting the silicone liner carefully under each one. Poke 10 or 12 holes in the surface of each cookie with the sharp edge of a chopstick. Return to the freezer until ready to assemble. When ready to assemble, remove from the freezer. Turn one cookie upside down, place 1 scoop of ice cream on top, and sandwich with a second cookie. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours before serving. Repeat to make the remaining ice cream sandwiches. 5. Brownie ice cream sandwich (Recipe by Chef Dhanraj Kohli, Senior Sous Chef of The Park, Navi Mumbai) Ingredients: 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup (200g) firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 2 large eggs a gallon ice cream, any flavour Method: Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter the bottom of the jelly roll pan, then line it with parchment, leaving enough to hang over the sides. The butter will help the parchment stick to the pan when you spread the batter. The jelly roll pan should be about 15x11, give or take a little. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Set aside. In a medium saucepan set over low heat, slowly melt the butter, chocolate, vanilla, and salt together, stirring constantly. Once melted, remove from heat. Stir the brown and white sugars into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until well combined. Fold in the flour mixture. Using an offset spatula or standard spatula, spread the batter into a thin, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. When finished, the brownie should have puffed up just a little, and the top should look dry. Let cool completely. Once cool, use the parchment sides to lift the brownie slab out of the pan. Transfer to a large cutting board. Cut the brownie in half down the middle from north to south. Use an offset spatula or knife and run it between brownie slabs and the parchment. Put one brownie on top of the next just to make sure the top is the same size as the bottom. Trim about 1/4 of an inch off each side so you have smooth even edges. You are going to make one large ice cream sandwich, wrap it, freeze it, and then cut it into individual ice cream sandwiches a little later. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the baking sheet. Leave enough hanging over the edges to wrap the entire brownie once you've finished assembling the ice cream sandwich. Place one of the brownie slabs on the plastic wrap. About 15 minutes before you plan to assemble the ice cream sandwiches, remove the ice cream from the freezer to soften on your kitchen counter. It should be soft enough to scoop and spread, but not so soft that it's melting. Spread the softened ice cream in an even layer over the brownie slab on the plastic wrap-lined baking sheet. Top with the remaining brownie slab. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least two hours. Remove the ice cream sandwich from the freezer. Place on cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into 6 rectangular or 12 square-shaped ice cream sandwiches. Re-wrap in plastic wrap and freeze. When an ice cream (or brownie) craving kicks in just go to your freezer and grab a sandwich! Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin was spotted in Bengaluru on the eighth anniversary of the cryptocurrency. The decentralised blockchain was introduced on July 30 in 2015. Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal took to X (formerly Twitter) to share images of Buterin enjoying ghevar and masala dosa. The post mentioned that the Indian sweet ghevar was the crypto birthday cake. Extending birthday wishes to the world's second largest crypto, Sandeep Nailwal said that Buterins visit also included a bit of "Bharat Darshanam". The post was captioned, "Celebrating Ethereum's eighth birthday with Vitalik with Indian 'Ghevar' as cake in Bengaluru. Ghevar is a Rajasthani disc-shaped sweet made with flour, ghee, and milk, soaked in sugar syrup. Extending birthday wishes to the world's second largest crypto, Nailwal said that Buterins visit also included a bit of "Bharat Darshanam". The founder of CrytoRelief wrote, Happy Birthday Ethereum! Also getting Vitalik do a bit of Bharat Darshanam." Angel investor Ishank Gupta also met the Russian-Canadian computer programmer and shared his fanboy moment. He wrote, "Literally had a fanboy moment earlier tonight / met @VitalikButerin in person with @sandeepnailwal and @manishdiesel. Got a chance to briefly explain the social impact in gaming being created by @IndiGG_DAO." In 2021, Buterin donated $1 billion worth of Shiba Inu cryptocurrency coins to Covid relief fund set up by Nailwa. However,only 5 per cent of the entire donation could be utilised to support Covid efforts in India as CryptoRelief had to return $100 million (roughly 747 crores) to Buterin to avoid violation of Indian laws. Ethereum has become the second only to Bitcoin in market capitalisation. Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken said on Sunday that issues with cryptocurrency Ethereum's funding gateway have been resolved. Kraken had said early on Sunday that it was investigating an issue with the Ethereum funding gateway and that it could cause a delay in deposits and withdrawals. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ritu Maria Johny Multimedia journalist with Hindustan Times. Covers India, world, business and tech news with a keen eye for human-interest stories rooted in gender and culture. ...view detail Social media has become an integral part of our lives. People often take to these platforms to share about their personal and professional lives, including milestones and challenges they faced at their workplaces. And this Reddit user did just that. The user took to the platform to share the abrupt departure without any explanation. Expectedly, the post has earned numerous responses from people who shared similar experiences. An individual took to Reddit to share about losing job without any 'explanation or warning'. This prompted many to share similar experiences. (Representational Image: Pexels (Antoni Shkraba production)) Finally found a decent job. Just got fired with no explanation, reads the title of the post shared by the Reddit user who goes by circesporkroast on the platforms r/antiwork community. In the next few lines, the user shared about getting fired without any explanation or warning. My boss just fired me last night with no explanation or warning. Just told me not to come back. I was supposed to work tomorrow, and now I dont have a job, and I dont even know why. Just got told I wasnt a good fit after four months of working, and now I dont know how Ill afford rent. This was a boss that I thought actually cared about his employees. Up until now, I had been thinking I was so lucky to have finally found a job that treats me like a person, wrote an individual on Reddit. The user later shared an edit saying that despite showing up consistently and working well with coworkers they were fired without any reason. The individual added, Up until yesterday, I thought I was a pretty good employee. I knew how to do my job, I showed up consistently, I worked well with my coworkers, and customers regularly gave me good feedback. And the store is currently understaffed. I have several chronic illnesses that have forced me to leave work early two times and take semi frequent bathroom breaks (like once an hour or so). My boss is aware of my illnesses. However, I have no evidence that this is the reason I was fired, and if it was, Ill never get him to admit it. Also Read| Boss asks employee to train replacement on last day of work In another edit, the user shared about receiving confirmation in an e-mail about getting fired. The individual wrote, I now have a confirmation in writing that I was fired. Not an official report, just an email from my boss confirming it. Im going to file for unemployment. Take a look at the Redditors post about losing their job here: Since being shared a few hours, the post has accumulated over 11,000 upvotes, and the numbers are still increasing. Many even took to the comments section of the post to leave their thoughts. Heres how people reacted to this Reddit post: An individual wrote, Sounds like you were hired as either a placeholder or, to fill in for a surge in business demand. Years ago, I was in the same situation. And found out from one of my brief coworkers that I was hired to complete a task, and once I did, I was no longer needed. I, too, was told I was not a good fit. Take it as a lesson learned that your employer doesnt care about you beyond your ability to show up on time. Apply for unemployment. Make them defend it, added another. A third wrote, It's happened to me too. Had received nothing but positive feedback for months leading up to it. Literally had a conversation with the owner on a Saturday about the event at hand and how everything was going well. Went in Monday, got called to a meeting, and was canned. Pretty much the same excuse about not being a good fit going forward, shared a third. What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever gone through a similar situation? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Australia's Great Barrier Reef is not a site "in danger", a UNESCO heritage committee said while warning that the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and warming of oceans. In November, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said that the reef should be put on the danger list after frequent coral bleaching events. A green turtle swims through corals on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Australia.(Reuters) But the panel, in its latest report, "noted with appreciation" the commitments and initial actions by the Australian government. Australia has been attempting to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the list as it could lead to the site losing its heritage status resulting in dimming it as a tourist attraction. The reef contributes about A$6 billion ($4 billion) to the Australian economy and supports 64,000 jobs. "The draft decision cites 'significant progress' being made on climate change, water quality, and sustainable fishing all putting the reef on a stronger and more sustainable path," Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said, acknowledging that the UNESCO draft decision does not put the reef in the clear. More steps were needed to keep it off the endangered list, he said. The Australian government has pledged A$1.2 billion to protect the reef. Among many decisions, he has also withdrawn federal funding for dams and denied permission for a coal mine that it said could have affected the reef. What next for the Great Barrier Reef? The UN panel asked the Australian government to submit a progress report by February 2024. The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia said UNESCO could place the reef on the endangered list if the country's government failed to show progress on existing commitments. "UNESCO has kept the Australian and Queensland governments on probation. There's an opportunity for Australia to lift its game before it is required to provide a progress report ... next year," Richard Leck, WWF-Australia Head of Oceans, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chinese state media reported that 11 people have died and 27 are missing amid flooding in the capital Beijing as heavy rainfall prompted authorities to close train stations and evacuate people. The level of rainfall is highly unusual for Beijing in the wake of Typhoon Doksuri and flooding in other parts of northern China was also witnessed. These places rarely see such large amounts of rain. Beijing Rainfall: Rescue workers in a boat go through a flooded street in Beijing.(Reuters) The nations emergency management ministry warned that flooding in areas including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province could get worse. What we know about rainfall in Beijing? Heavy rains hit the west suburban parts of Beijing most severely. The deaths include at least one rescue worker and a local official while 27 people were reported missing. Authorities evacuated more than 50,000 people, state media reported earlier. Tourist areas, subway and bus lines were shuttered as well. Authorities dispatched aid, personnel and food supply to flood-hit districts. Almost 2,000 passengers on two trains were reported to be stranded earlier. Another train carrying 800 passengers remained stuck near western Beijing, Reuters reported. What is the reason for massive rainfall in Beijing? Remnants of typhoon Doksuri have battered northern China since Saturday evening. Doksuri is one of the strongest typhoons to hit China this year. It landed in the southeastern province of Fujian on Friday. China could also experience another storm as it braces for typhoon Khanun which is forecast to bring torrential rains and high winds to Japans Okinawa and Amami regions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail Hours after China's top legislature convened a special meeting last week to remove foreign minister Qin Gang, photos and mentions of the 57-year-old started disappearing from his former ministry's website. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (Reuters) While some of this information reappeared days later, Qin does not feature on the website's list of "former ministers", and for several more days a search for his name had been turning up: "Sorry, Qin Gang is not found". In fact, he has not been seen in public for more than a month. The foreign ministry's brief explanation weeks ago that this was due to health reasons, a remark later excised from official transcripts, has failed to stem a swirl of speculation not just about his fate but on how the whole saga reflects on the man that supported his meteoric rise, President Xi Jinping. China named veteran diplomat Wang Yi to replace Qin, but gave few further clues on the reason for the change. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday said Beijing will release information in a timely matter regarding Qin and opposes "malicious hype". She was responding to a reporter who asked about transparency around Qin's removal, one of more than 25 questions mentioning Qin at press briefings in recent days that the ministry has ducked. SPECULATION SWIRLS China's Foreign Ministry and the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of the party and government, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story. Qin's unusually long and unexplained absence, his abruptly cut-short tenure, as well as other strange happenings like the ministry's website, mean speculation will continue to swirl. "The truth will eventually come out - it usually does in China, although it sometimes takes months or years - but the way he was dismissed makes it unlikely that it was for health reasons," said Ian Johnson, senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Beijing-based political analyst Wu Qiang said he could "almost certainly rule out health as the real reason". If that was the case, the state could have assigned a deputy to fill in for him rather than officially removing him, Wu said. Qin lasted barely half a year in the role after becoming one of the country's youngest foreign ministers in December 2022, a position with a five-year tenure. There are precedents for officials disappearing and being scrubbed from the collective memory in China. Industry minister Xiao Yaqing vanished for nearly a month last year before it was revealed he was being investigated for corruption. The foreign ministry removed all online traces to its former chief protocol officer Zhang Kunsheng who was found guilty of corruption and using his position of power to obtain sex in 2016. Such erasures go back decades in China. A state-commissioned painting depicting the historic moment when Mao Zedong stood on top of Tiananmen Gate to announce the founding of the people's republic was altered three times between 1955 and 1972 to erase officials that subsequently fell foul of Mao. 'ONE-MAN POLITICS' But other observers say, in Qin's case, it is far from clear cut. The National People's Congress Standing Committee that convened on Tuesday did not remove Qin's other title of State Councillor, a cabinet member who ranks higher than a minister, despite having the power to do so, experts say. And despite the omissions from the foreign ministry's website, a portrait of the former U.S. envoy remained hanging prominently on the wall of the Chinese embassy in Washington on Thursday, according to a Reuters witness. Analysts also point out that Qin would have gone through a rigorous vetting process to take the role just months ago. Communist Party regulations say leaders are vetted based on their ideologies, work performance and adherence to party discipline, while they also have to declare details about their family, including whether they have lived overseas and what assets they have. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has put in place a slew of regulations to combat corruption and enforce party discipline in a bid to address corruption in ways that analysts say have consolidated members' loyalty towards him. But this also raises the stakes for Xi if Qin's removal is about something more than just health, especially given his meteoric ascent through the ranks has been partly attributed to his closeness to the president. Qin came to Xi's attention when he served as chief protocol officer during Xi's first term, a job that would give him direct access to Xi whenever the latter meets with foreign leaders. He then made a triple jump from director of protocol to U.S. ambassador and then to foreign minister and state councillor in five years, bullet-train speed by China standards. The final leadership lineup for Xi's precedent-breaking third term in office revealed earlier this year consisted mostly of officials he worked with before and trusts, analysts say. Xi ditched a traditional process of allowing current and retired top leaders to vote on potential candidates before finalising a list for a wider group of party delegates to formally endorse. Instead, the names were decided under Xi's "direct leadership" after he personally met with potential candidates and consulted with others, according to state media Xinhua. "This Qin saga exposes the vulnerability of Xi's one-man politics," said Alfred Wu, associate professor at the Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. In an address to supporters at his campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Donald Trump roared the idea to impeach current US President Joe Biden and put pressure on House Republicans to initiate the process. Donald Trump(AFP) Any Republican that doesnt act on Democratic fraud should be immediately primaried and get out, said Trump. We got a lot of good, tough Republicans around. People are going to run against them and people are going to win, he added. Trump's actions to put pressure on House Republicans to impeach Biden comes in the wake of his ongoing legal troubles, including a possible indictment for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. ALSO READ| Kate Middleton lovingly mocks Prince William for his 'bald look' with a nickname: Report Notably, last week at a press conference, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in a reference to House Republicans' various investigations into whether Biden benefitted from Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, said: If (the Biden administration) does not provide the information we need, then we would go to an impeachment inquiry. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are caught in a dilemma over the idea of impeaching Biden. House Republicans would want to approve must-pass spending bills when they return to Washington in September, and an impeachment inquiry could take up their valuable time. Moreover, Several House Republicans represent districts that Biden won in the 2020 presidential election. Heading into the 2024 elections, those Republicans won't want to jeopardize their political position by proceeding with an impeachment inquiry against Biden. Every time we walk the plank we are putting moderate members, members that won Biden districts, we are putting those seats at risk for 2024. We are putting the majority at risk, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. said on Fox News Sunday. Trump is currently leading the race among Republicans for the 2024 US Presidential elections. He has been accusing Biden and the Department of Justice of targeting him as he is the frontrunner to get the Republican nomination. That's why Trump wants the House Republicans to fight back on his behalf. They impeach me, they indict me. And the Republicans just dont fight the way theyre supposed to fight, said Trump at his rally in Erie. A drone hit an office tower in Moscow on Tuesday that was struck over the weekend, while at least one other drone was downed, the city's mayor said. Rescuers work on a nine-storey residential building partially destroyed.(AFP) "Several drones were shot down by air defense systems while trying to fly to Moscow. One (drone) flew into the same tower in (Moscow) City as last time. The facade on the 21st floor was damaged," Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted on Telegram "There is no information on casualties," he said, adding that emergency services were on the scene. On Sunday, Russia said it had downed Ukrainian drones targeting the capital in an attack that damaged two office towers in Moscow-City, a business district. Shortly after the drone attack, Moscow's Vnukovo international airport was briefly closed, TASS state news agency reported. "Vnukovo was temporarily closed for arrivals and departures, the planes are redirected to other airports," emergency services said, according to TASS, which later reported that it had resumed normal operations. Moscow and its environs, lying about 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border, had rarely been targeted during the conflict in Ukraine until several drone attacks this year. Sunday's attack is the latest in a series of recent drone assaults -- including on the Kremlin and Russian towns near the border with Ukraine -- that Moscow has blamed on Kyiv. The Kremlin said that attack was "an act of desperation" by Ukraine due to setbacks on the battlefield. Ukraine began its long-awaited counteroffensive in June but has made modest advances in the face of stiff resistance from Russian forces on the frontline. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Australian former childcare worker has been charged with abusing 91 children in what police described Tuesday as one of the country's "most horrific" child sex abuse cases. The man has been charged with 1,623 separate crimes, including 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10, officers said. (File) He has been charged with 1,623 separate crimes, including 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10, officers added. Investigators arrested the 45-year-old man after discovering graphic child pornography posted on the dark web, using visual clues in the background to eventually trace them to a childcare centre in Brisbane. But it was only when they started sifting through his phone and computer that they realised the gravity of his "heinous" alleged offences, which were depicted on more than 4,000 seized images and videos. Police said the crimes happened at 10 different childcare centres between 2007 and 2022 and exclusively targeted "prepubescent girls". Some of his alleged victims were as young as one, police said. While 87 of the 91 victims were from Australia, police believe four other unidentified children were abused while the man worked overseas for a brief spell between 2013 and 2014. Police said they were working with international crime agencies to find those children, without revealing which country they were targeting. Read Here: Indian student attacked with iron rods by Khalistan supporters in Australia "There is not much solace I can give parents and children who have been identified," assistant federal police commissioner Justine Gough said. "This is a distressing time for families, carers and the community broadly." New South Wales assistant police commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said it was one of the most horrific cases he had ever seen. "It's beyond the realms of anyone's imagination what this person did to these children," he said. "I can only say, you try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police, but this is a horrific case." Some 35 detectives and investigators across the states of Queensland and New South Wales were called in to work on a task force dedicated to sifting through the sheer volume of child abuse material police had discovered. Police said the man had passed the stringent series of background checks needed to work at childcare centres in Australia. He is scheduled to face court in Queensland on August 21. Once those proceedings are finished, he will be extradited to New South Wales to face further charges. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A royal commentator has claimed that six additional hours of revealing interview tapes of Princess Diana have been found, as many as 26 years after her death. The tapes are from interviews Diana gave to biographer Andrew Morton, which eventually became part of the book Diana: Her True Story. Diana died after a car carrying her and Dodi al-Fayed crashed in Pariss Pont de LAlma tunnel on August 31, 1997. Princess Diana died after a car carrying her crashed in Pariss Pont de LAlma tunnel on August 31, 1997 (The Royal Family Channel screenshot/YouTube) Royal commentator Kinsley Schofield spoke to Talk TVs Cristo Foufas about the new tapes being discovered. In these tapes, Diana opened up more about her life as a royal family member. These new tapes delve into Dianas relationships with her family Do you remember Dr. James Colthurst? He was the middleman between [Princess] Diana and Andrew Morton, Kinsley said. When he was writing Diana: Her True Story. Diana would do these interviews with her dear friend James. He would bike these tapes to Andrew Morton, she added. James reportedly revealed six more hours of Dianas interview, parts that have never been heard before. [Colthurst] worked with Tom Jennings on the documentary Diana: In Her Own Words, Kinsley said. Reportedly, these new tapes delve into Dianas relationships with her family. Talking about Dianas revelations, Kinsley likened them to Prince Harry speaking up against the royal family. Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as working members of the family in 2020. They now live with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in California. The two made several allegations against the royal family, and attacked them on various occasions. Its hard to critique and criticize Harry for spilling family secrets when there are so many examples of his mother doing the same thing, Kinsley said. The Diana stuff is going to sell, she added. Previously [the documentary film] Diana: In Her Own Words was a smash hit. Getting to the truth is a really exciting thought Kinsley noted that Dianas character should remain sacred, but there is such a lot of mystery surrounding it. To the point that people have created this character that might not necessarily be the truth. Getting to the truth is a really exciting thought, she said. Kinsley added that the information gathered from the newly-revealed tapes should not be released now. I would not be releasing it right now, she stated. I dont feel it is the appropriate time with the Harry chaos. She added, It is also the beginning of the kings new reign. Allow King Charles to show us what hes capable of doing. There have been speculations about strain in the marriage between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry amid their reported financial issues after termination of million-dollar deal with Spotify. Some royal experts have speculated that Harry-Meghan are headed towards an eventual divorce. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry(AP) If the divorce were to really happen, Meghan is likely to get a huge compensation. As per reports, there is a prenuptial agreement between the couple. A clause in the alleged agreement notes that Meghan should receive $80 million for the support of their children, Lilibet and Archie, according to The Daily Mail newspaper. ALSO READ| Goldman Sachs banker John Castic goes missing after night out in Brooklyn, conspiracy theories plague his friends Does King Charles know about the prenuptial agreement? According to a report in marca.com, King Charles III is aware of the prenuptial agreement and the proposed compensation to Meghan in case of a divorce. Reportedly, King Charles III didn't agree to the pre-agreed compensation amount. Likely legal battle for children Harry and Meghan are parents to two children- a son named Archie and a daughter named Lilibet. In case of a divorce, a battle for the custody of their children is highly expected. According to marca.com, the British Royal Family would extend its support to Prince Harry in case of a divorce. Reportedly, King Charles III has told Harry that he could regain his royal privileges once divorced. Meghan's title as Duchess of Sussex Reportedly Meghan wants to keep her royal title as Duchess of Sussex even if a divorce actually happens. Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry are currently living with their children in Montecito, California in the United States. There are reports that Meghan wants to revive her acting career in Hollywood. And in order to be closer to Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, the royal couple are house hunting in Malibu. Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermanns wife has revealed that her two children, 26-year-old Victoria Heuermann and 33-year-old Christopher Sheridan, cry themselves to sleep after their fathers arrest. Asa Ellerup, 59, said she has been suffering constant anxiety as investigators turned their Massapequa Park home into a wreck, trying to find evidence. Rex Heuermanns arrest is tied to the Gilgo Four, referring to the four women whose bodies were found within days of each other in 2010 Asa said she does not even have a bed to sleep in now. I woke up in the middle of the night, shivering, according to New York Post. Anxiety. My children cry themselves to sleep. I mean, theyre not children. Theyre grown adults but theyre my children, and my son has developmental disabilities and he cried himself to sleep, she added. Asas daughter, Victoria, revealed she feels not human after the mess authorities left behind. Ellerups lawyer, Bob Macedonio, explain the statement, saying, She meant what theyve done to them and the family is not even human. They were just complete animals. They treated them like animals. Its the only thing I got, Asa said of the house, adding that it is unlivable at present. We did get another chair out from the basement and upstairs so me and my son can sit and talk. Hes so distraught and doesnt understand, and as a mother, I have no answers for him, she added. But I said, Were together,' Asa said. Thats really what matters right now. That you and me are sitting here together and we will get through this.' Rex Heuermann property being visited by curiosity seekers Previously, Asa was seen screaming at reporters after returning to the familys Long Island home.Dont talk to me, Asa Ellerup could be heard yelling at a reporter from the front yard of her home. Wanna take pictures? Go ahead Dont talk to me. A man believed to be a detective escorted Asa, after which she was seen sitting on a bench in front of her home. Rexs property is being visited by several curiosity seekers.The single-family home is situated on First Avenue in Massapequa. Reporters and people swarming the place have now raised concerns among Rexs neighbours. The family had reportedly been living in a hotel before returning to the house,Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison had said. "They were in shock, disbelief, Rodney said of Rexs family. "We had to kind of show them some type of proof to let it be known who their father was behind the curtain," he added. "But they're cooperating. They're currently, I'm being told, in a hotel. And I just was told that the wife's filed for divorce. And she retained a lawyer and we'll see what happens next." Rexs arrest is tied to the Gilgo Four, referring to the four women whose bodies were found within days of each other in 2010. The women in question were Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25. Iran has announced Wednesday and Thursday this week will be public holidays because of "unprecedented heat" and told the elderly and people with health conditions to stay indoors, Iranian state media reported. Temperatures are expected to be 39 C in Tehran on Wednesday. (File) (Representational Image)(REUTERS) Many cities in southern Iran have already suffered from days of exceptional heat. State media reported temperatures had this week exceeded 123 degrees Fahrenheit (51 Celsius) in the southern city of Ahvaz. Government spokesman Ali Bahadori-Jahromi was quoted by state media as saying Wednesday and Thursday would be holidays, while the health ministry said hospitals would be on high alert. Also Read | Roasting heatwave sizzles southwest America, surge in severe burns cases leave hospitals swamped Temperatures are expected to be 39 C in Tehran on Wednesday. Heatwaves have affected large parts of the globe in recent weeks. Scientists have linked them to human-induced climate change. President Joe Biden's approval ratings have seen a slight increase, putting him in a stronger position as he gears up for the 2024 presidential contest, according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. Democrats, once divided about his re-election bid, have now largely accepted him as their representative, though half still prefer an alternative candidate. President Joe Biden leaves St. Edmund Roman Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Del., after attending a Mass, Saturday, July 29, 2023.(AP) Head-to-head race with Trump Despite improved repo among Democrats, Biden faces a tight race with former President Donald J. Trump in a hypothetical rematch for the 2024 election. The two were tied at 43 percent each in the poll. Trump maintained a commanding lead among likely Republican primary voters, even amid pending criminal charges. Lack of enthusiasm among Democrats Biden's support within his party appears wide but not deep, with many Democrats showing lukewarm enthusiasm. Only 20 percent of Democrats said they would be enthusiastic about Biden as the 2024 nominee, while 51 percent would be satisfied but not enthusiastic. In contrast, 26 percent expressed enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris as the potential nominee. Recovery from last year's downfall Biden's approval ratings have rebounded significantly from last summer when discontent among Democrats about his re-election bid was prevalent. Currently, half of all Democrats are content with him as the nominee, compared to 64 percent who were dissatisfied last year. Biden maintains strong support from groups that helped secure his victory in 2020, including women, suburban voters, college-educated white voters, and Black voters. However, early signs indicate potential vulnerability with Hispanic voters, who have leaned toward Republicans in recent elections. Also Read | Donald Trump pressures House Republicans to impeach Joe Biden at rally in Pennsylvania Approval rating and economic perception Biden's current approval rating of 39 percent is historically low for an incumbent president seeking re-election but has seen improvement from 33 percent last July. More Americans now believe the country is on the right track (23 percent) compared to a year ago (13 percent). Additionally, a higher number of Americans view the economy as in good shape (20 percent) compared to 10 percent in 2022. Concerns about Biden Among Democrats who prefer someone else as the nominee, age remains the primary concern, with 39 percent citing it as an issue. Job performance is a concern for 20 percent, while 14 percent are looking for someone new. As President Biden moves forward into the 2024 election, he faces a mixed bag of support and challenges. While his approval ratings have improved, his lack of fervor among Democrats and a neck-and-neck race with Trump indicate a tough fight ahead. Agiant X sign that marked the spot whereElon Musk's messaging companys headquarters is situated in San Francisco is gone. The company, previously known as Twitter, has now been renamed X. Several people said the intrusive lights disturbed them (@elonmusk/X) The city building department reportedly logged as many as 24 complaints about the bright X, which was erected last week. Several people said the intrusive lights disturbed them. This comes shortly after Elon said the newly named firm would remain in San Francisco, although he previously said the city's recent "doom spiral, with one company after another left or leaving." Elon acquired the company for $44 billion in October 2022. Beautiful San Francisco, though others forsake you, we will always be your friend "You only know who your real friends are when the chips are down. San Francisco, beautiful San Francisco, though others forsake you, we will always be your friend," Elon wrote. The massive X, however, was soon taken down. "This morning, building inspectors observed the structure being dismantled," a spokesperson from the city Department of Building Inspection said on Monday, August 1, according to CNBC. X noted that the removal was voluntary. X sign taken down An X user shared a video of what appears to be workers taking the X sign from atop the building. Just over 48 hrs after a large "X" sign with pulsating bright lights was installed on the roof of the former @twitter hq, workers dismantled and took down the sign on Monday morning. The sign was being investigated by SF officials due to lack of permits and neighbor complaints, the user wrote. Several social media users shared photos and videos of the large X after it was erected, revealing the bright light they claimed was making life difficult. Imagine no more. This is my life now, one user wrote, sharing a video of the sign and the beams. Myanmar's military-led government has reduced the prison sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a clemency connected to a religious holiday in the Buddhist-majority country, state media said Tuesday. Myanmar's then leader Aung San Suu Kyi (AP/File) Former President Win Myint also had his sentence reduced as part of the clemency granted to more than 7,000 prisoners. But Suu Kyi, 78, still must serve a total of 27 years out of the 33 she was originally imprisoned for. The head of Myanmar's military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, granted the clemency order to reduce the sentences in five cases against Suu Kyi in which she was convicted for violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition, according to a report on state MRTV. She was initially sentenced for 19 offenses that her supporters and rights group say were attempts to discredit her and legitimise the 2021 army takeover while preventing her return to politics. The clemency was announced a day after Myanmar's military extended the state of emergency it imposed when it seized power from Suu Kyi's elected government 2 1/2 years ago, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over. Read Here | Myanmar junta postpones election promised after 2021 coup: Report Several of Suu Kyi's cases are awaiting final appeals. Min Aung Hlaing pardoned a total of 7,749 prisoners and commuted the death sentences of others to commemorate the day the Buddha gave his first sermon, the MRTV report said. The army leader also granted amnesty to 125 foreign prisoners and 22 members of ethnic armed groups, it added. The announcement said he dropped cases against 72 people connected to ethnic armed groups. It wasn't immediately clear if any of the released prisoners included the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing army rule. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organization, 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. At least 3,857 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. MRTV said it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for an election. The clemency also came three weeks after Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met Suu Kyi in prison, becoming the first foreign visitor to be granted access to her since she was detained. Don told journalists she was in good health and conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation. Suu Kyi has been unable to give her version of the July 9 meeting, said to have lasted about an hour-and-a-half. Myanmar's military confirmed the meeting had been held, but said it had no details because its was one-on-one between the ousted leader and the Thai diplomat. Don revealed the event when he was attending a meeting in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN has been seeking to mediate an end to the violent conflict in Myanmar, which some members believe destabilises the region. Myanmar's ruling junta has officially postponed an election promised by August this year after its 2021 coup, state television reported late on Monday. Myanmar has been in chaos since the coup, with a resistance movement fighting the military on multiple fronts after a bloody crackdown on opponents that drew global condemnation and saw Western sanctions re-imposed. (File) Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, in a meeting on Monday with the army-backed National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), extended a state of emergency by six more months. The military had pledged to hold elections by August 2023 after it overthrew the elected government headed by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, but it cited ongoing violence as a reason to postpone the vote. "While holding an election, in order to have an election that is free and fair and also to be able to vote without any fear, necessary security arrangements are still needed and so the period for the state of emergency is required to extend," read the junta statement on state TV. Myanmar has been in chaos since the coup, with a resistance movement fighting the military on multiple fronts after a bloody crackdown on opponents that drew global condemnation and saw Western sanctions re-imposed. The military seized power after complaining of fraud in a November 2020 general election won by Suu Kyi's party. Election monitoring groups found no evidence of mass fraud. The overthrow of Suu Kyi's elected government derailed a decade of reform, international engagement and economic growth, while leaving a trail of upended lives in its wake. In response to the junta's announcement, the U.S. State Department said extending the state of emergency would plunge the country "deeper into violence and instability". "The regime's widespread brutality and disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma continue to prolong the crisis," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. A spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General said: "We want to return to democratic rule in Myanmar as soon as possible". North Korea has offered a very brief response to the United Nations Command about a U.S. soldier who dashed over the heavily-guarded border with South Korea on July 18 and was immediately taken into custody, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.(AFP) However, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that North Korea only acknowledged the U.N. Command's request for information about U.S. Army Private Travis King and stopped short of offering detailed information about him. "I can confirm that the DPRK has responded to United Nations Command, but I don't have any substantial progress to read out," Ryder told a press conference, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. When pressed, Ryder said that North Korea's message back to the U.N. Command was just "an acknowledgement" of the U.N. Command's inquiry. King sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on the border, landing the United States in a new diplomatic quandary with nuclear-armed North Korea. King, who joined the U.S. Army in January 2021, had served as a Cavalry Scout with the Korean Rotational Force, part of the decades-old U.S. security commitment to South Korea. But his posting was dogged by legal troubles. He faced two allegations of assault in South Korea, and eventually pleaded guilty to one instance of assault and destroying public property for damaging a police car during a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans, according to court documents. From May 24 to July 10 he served a sentence of hard labor at the Cheonan correctional facility in lieu of paying a fine, Yonhap news agency reported. After his release from the prison, which is designated for U.S. military members and other foreigners, King stayed at a U.S. base in South Korea for a week, Yonhap said. A Cheonan prison official confirmed King had served the hard labor sentence there, but declined to provide further information citing privacy concerns. U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said King had been due to face military disciplinary action on his return home to Fort Bliss, Texas. U.S. officials have expressed deep concern over King's fate in North Korea. The Army has noted the case of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months and died shortly after he was returned to the United States in a coma in 2017. Toronto: Ahead of their threat to besiege Indian missions in the country on Independence Day, pro-Khalistan elements in Canada continued their poster campaign against Indias senior-most diplomats in the province of British Columbia. Khalistan flags at an event in Toronto, Canada in 2021. (Supplied photo) The latest series of posters, with the word Wanted, were placed at various locations in the town of Surrey. As with the Kill India posters earlier, videos of the posters being placed at various locations were circulated on social media on Monday, and were amplified by what appeared to be either Pakistan-based or pro-Pakistan handles, many of them created in recent days. The latest batch of posters referred to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justices (SFJ) principal figure in British Columbia. Nijjar was murdered in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara Sahib he headed in Surrey on June 18. SFJ has blamed India for his assassination. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or Investigation Team (IHIT), which is probing the killing, has not ascribed any motive while it seeks the murderers. Several similar posters had appeared at various locations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) last month, prior to SFJ conducting the latest round of the so-called Khalistan Referendum in a gurdwara in the area on July 16. Local municipal authorities, including those from the city of Brampton had stated those posters had been illegally put up. Maninder Gill, president of the Surrey, BC-based Friends of Canada and India Foundation, said his organisation strongly condemned the posters and added the city should not allow them to be displayed as they violated municipal bylaws. As with the previous campaign, the new posters have appeared before SFJs organises its next referendum in September in Surrey. These posters again target Indian diplomats in Canada: High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and the consul generals in Vancouver and Toronto. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had raised the issue of the security of Indian diplomats when he met Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly on the margins of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting in Jakarta in July. Joly had reiterated Ottawas commitment to the security of the envoy, tweeting Canada takes very seriously its obligations under the Vienna Convention on the safety of diplomats. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Princess Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, has leveled some strong accusations against Meghan Markle, claiming that the Duchess of Sussex befriends people only to discard them when they've served their purpose. Burrell, who worked for Princess Diana for a decade and later for the Queen, shared his views in an interview with GBNews' Dan Wootton, following reports of Meghan and Prince Harry's falling out with David and Victoria Beckham. FILE - Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, April 15, 2022. (AP) Burrell minced no words Burrell minced no words, labeling Meghan as a "predator" who uses people and drops them when she's done with them. He remarked, "She sucks them dry, and then, they'll be gone." The accusations came in light of rumors that the Beckhams were accused of leaking stories about the Sussexes to the press, leading to a tense phone call between the two couples. The fallout between the Sussexes and the Beckhams appears to have strained their once-strong friendship. The Beckhams, who were allegedly "absolutely bloody furious" about the accusations, chose not to invite Meghan and Harry to their son Brooklyn's wedding to Nicola Peltz in April 2022. According to insiders, any chance of reconciliation seems unlikely. Also Read | David Beckham ends friendship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Report The former butler sympathized with the Beckhams, stating, "They don't need Harry and Meghan. They're A-list celebrities in their field." He also pointed out that other high-profile figures, like the Obamas and Clooneys, who attended Meghan and Harry's wedding, are now seemingly distant from the couple. Burrell believes this shows that people are starting to see the true nature of Meghan and Harry's relationship. Prince Harry and David Beckham's friendship dates back to 2010 when they met at a FIFA reception. Over the years, they attended various events together, including Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding and the London Olympics in 2012. The Beckhams were also guests at Meghan and Harry's wedding in 2018, and David Beckham was asked to be an ambassador at the Invictus Games in 2018. However, recent events have cast a shadow over their once-close bond. Neither the Beckhams nor the Sussexes have officially commented on the state of their friendship. As the drama unfolds, it remains uncertain if this is a temporary bump in the road or a permanent rift between the two couples. In January 2023, Prince Harry released his highly anticipated memoir, "Spare," which provided an intimate account of his life within the royal family. While some hailed it as a courageous move to share his story, others found it disrespectful to his family. The book didn't shy away from controversy. One notable person who reportedly declined to read the book is none other than Harry's father, King Charles III. Britain's King Charles III reacts during a visit of the Sandringham Flower Show, in Sandrigham, north west England, on July 26, 2023.(AFP) Royal source reveals King Charles' decision According to Express, King Charles III, Harry's father, has chosen not to read the memoir due to its perceived "hurtful" comments about the royal family. A royal source revealed that King Charles had no interest in reading something that might further strain their already strained family relationships. It remains uncertain if other members of the royal family have taken a glimpse at the best-selling book, which sold over one million copies on its debut day. Strained relationships within the royal family The memoir's release was expected to trigger emotional responses within the royal family, given the strained relationships that have plagued the household since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their royal duties in 2020. The couple's relationship with their relatives has been rocky, and they have been selective about their visits to the United Kingdom, attending only essential events, such as the queen's funeral and Charles' coronation. Prince Harry desires reconciliation, but conditions apply Despite the conflicts, Prince Harry has expressed his desire to reconcile with his loved ones. In a 2023 interview with Tom Bradby, he indicated that he believes reconciliation is possible, but he emphasized the need for accountability from his father and brother, Prince William. "I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back. At the moment, I dont recognize them, as much as they probably dont recognize me," Harry revealed during the interview. In May 2023, Prince Harry made a solo trip to the UK to attend his father's coronation ceremony. However, his visit was brief, and rumors suggest that meaningful conversations between Harry, William, and Charles were limited. The challenges in their relationships raise doubts about the possibility of them resolving their differences anytime soon. Amid swirling rumors about a potential return to the royal family alongside Meghan, it remains uncertain if Prince Harry's hope for reconciliation will materialize. The Kremlin said that it did not completely know the purpose of talks planned in Saudi Arabia about Moscow's war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, Of course, Russia will follow this meeting. We need to understand what goals are set and what will be discussed. Any attempt to promote a peaceful settlement deserves a positive evaluation. Russia-Ukraine War: Russian president Vladimir Putin speaks during a press conference.(Reuters) "The Kyiv regime does not want and cannot want peace, as long as it is used exclusively as a tool in the war of the collective West with Russia," he added. Meanwhile, Ukraine said that Russia was not welcome at the meeting which was first reported last week by the Wall Street Journal. The report claimed that Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major countries to talks focusing on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan which was proposed earlier this year and calls for the withdrawal of all Russian troops and restoration of Ukraine's post-Soviet borders. Kyiv and Western countries hoped that the talks could lead to international backing for Ukraine's peace terms, the report claimed. Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrado said that he was willing to attend the meeting if both Russian and Ukrainian representatives were present. If there's acceptance from both Ukraine and Russia to look for solutions to achieve peace, we'll participate. We don't want the Russia-Ukraine war to continue, it's very irrational, he said. What Ukraine has said so far on talks in Saudi Arabia? Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said Ukraine would be "boundlessly happy if West, East, South and North work in this format towards renewing a system of world security". "But this is a forum of responsible states who stand by international rights and the UN statutes. And that's why Russia won't be there," Andriy Yermak asserted. Will Vladimir Putin attend the talks? It is unclear whether Russian president Vladimir Putin would attend the talks. The Russian leader said last week that an African initiative on Ukraine war could be a basis for peace. Ukrainian attacks on Russia made this hard to realise, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The United States has formally invited China's newly reappointed foreign minister, Wang Yi, to Washington, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday, after Wang's predecessor was abruptly removed from his post by Beijing. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) shakes hands with China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (AFP) China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang last week, replacing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for more than month -- a mysterious absence after just seven months in the job that has raised questions about transparency. China's foreign ministry has only said Qin was off work for unspecified health reasons. The invitation to Wang was extended on Monday during a meeting at the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, Director General of the North American and Oceania Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing. "In the meeting yesterday, we extended the invitation that had previously been made to foreign minister Qin Gang and made clear that invitation did transfer over," Miller said. Miller did not say if the Chinese side had accepted the invitation but added that this was Washington's expectation. "We certainly expect that it is something that they would accept and is a trip that we expect to happen, but we have not yet scheduled a date," Miller said. A spokesperson for China's Washington embassy said that in the "consultation" with Kritenbrink, the two sides had "candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges of views on China-U.S. relations as well as global and regional issues of mutual interest." "Concerning the high-level exchanges, both side have maintained necessary communication," the spokesperson added. A U.S. readout of the discussion called it "candid, substantive, and productive" and "part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the bilateral relationship." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Qin on June 18, on the first visit by America's top diplomat to China in five years. The U.S. State Department said then they held "candid, substantive, and constructive" talks, and Blinken invited Qin to Washington to continue discussions. Blinken subsequently met Wang on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Jakarta in Qin's absence. Wang, 69, served as foreign minister from 2013-2022 as ties frayed with the United States to a point Beijing described as an all-time low. United States announced its first standalone trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea will take place on August 18. US President Joe Biden.(AFP) With North Korea's 'continued threat' as the top agenda further, the summit will address global and regional security challenges, reported The Japan Times. US President Joe Biden will host Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol, according to the White House. Adding to that, the White House announced that the summit will be held at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland as the three leaders look to expand trilateral cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. "The summit will advance a shared trilateral vision for addressing global and regional security challenges, promoting a rules-based international order and bolstering economic prosperity," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement, according to The Japan Times. In Seoul, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon told the Yonhap news agency that the summit will be an important opportunity to elevate the cooperation among the three countries to a new level. Earlier, the three leaders have held joint meetings on the sidelines of international events, but have never held a formal trilateral summit. Moreover, during the summit, the three are also likely to release a joint statement condemning North Korea's missile tests and nuclear sabre-rattling while also calling for Pyongyang to return to long-stalled denuclearization talks, The Japan Times reported. The talks, however, remain a nonstarter with Pyongyang, which in September passed a law that makes its nuclear status "irreversible" and bars any negotiations on relinquishing its arsenal. North Korea has fired off a volley of missiles this month, including the solid-fuel Hwasong-18, in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions that ban its possession and testing of the weapons. Pyongyangs unprecedented spate of more than 100 missiles tests since last year has helped push the Japan-South Korea bilateral relationship closer as they look to cooperate on security issues, including with their mutual ally, the U.S., after years of soured ties over disagreements about wartime labour and other historical issues, reported The Japan Times. Japan which called North Korea an increasingly serious and imminent threat" in its annual defence white paper released Friday warned that provocations by the North could continue, including a potential seventh nuclear test, a possibility that only grew with the appearance of the officials from United Nations Security Council members China and Russia. The two countries, Japan and South Korea have been pressurized by the US and its partners amid Moscow's war in Ukraine and the growing Sino-American rivalry. In the past, they have been sought to distance themselves from their neighbour's nuclear and missile ambitions, according to The Japan Times. However, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang has made a shift with Shoigu photographed viewing banned North Korean ballistic missiles with Kim at a defense expo. In response to a question about the Russian defence minister's recent trip to Pyongyang, the US said that it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on North Korea and Russia when necessary as they have already done it in the past a number of times. Zoo officials in China have been forced to clarify to the visitors who have been suspecting a bear to be human dressed in animal costume. Video of Angela, the Malaysian sun bear standing on its hind legs just like a human does, has gone viral on social media. Zoo officials in China have been forced to clarify to the visitors who have been suspecting a bear to be human dressed in animal costume. (Twitter) To add to the fun surrounding the issue, Hangzhou Zoo authorities have issued a statement on behalf of the bear, pretending as if it can speak. Some people think I stand like a person. It seems you dont understand me very well, read the statement. Social media is rife with viral video of the bear, with people turning into investigators to ascertain if it's a bear or human? Some people have pointed to the slender legs and folds of fur in the body of the bear which looks highly suspicious to them, as it feels "quite human". The local Hangzhou Daily first noted the special attention to the bear, writing: Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are humans in disguise,' as quoted by New York Post. ALSO READ| Japanese man transforms into human dog by spending $20K, takes first walk in public Meanwhile, the bear has become very famous in China. There has been a surge in visitors to the zoo in eastern China's Zhejiang province to get a glimpse of the sun bear. "Visitor numbers at Hangzhou Zoo have gone up by 30 percent to around 20,000 a day since a video of the Malayan Sun bear, named Angela, became a trending topic on Chinese social media over the weekend", reported Zhejiang province-based Chao News as quoted by Reuters. In interviews with local Chinese media, Zoo officials have clarified that the bear is 'definitely not a human'. Officials have highlighted that a human inside a fuzzy costume would not able to withstand summer temperatures which have been going above 100 degrees. If a person did wear a bear costume, they would be lying down within minutes due to the heat, a spokesman said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Drayton Hotel will continue to charm guests in the heart of Savannah, Georgia with added perks and amenities beginning on Aug. 1, 2023. The Drayton Hotel is excited to announce it will join Curio Collection by Hilton beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1, marking the brand's debut in Savannah. The Drayton Hotel Savannah, Curio Collection by Hilton was hand-picked by Hilton for its individual character and personality, allowing the hotel to offer its elevated hospitality in the heart of Savannah's Historic District with the added benefits of the Hilton Honors Program. Opened in 2019, the hotel reinvents one of Savannah's oldest buildings dating from the 1890s and was carefully restored to embrace the building's 19th century exterior and the charm of the surrounding neighborhood. The Drayton features 50 rooms and suites, and three signature culinary and beverage experiences, including St. Neo's Brasserie, a classic French restaurant inspired by the Lowcountry, The Vinyl Room, an intimate cocktail lounge, and the Pendant Terrace and Bar, a vibrant rooftop bar with unmatched City Hall, Savannah River, and Historic District views. Curio Collection by Hilton represents a carefully selected, global group of individually remarkable hotels that evoke a bespoke story through their distinctive design and character that are reflective of the destination. From a cozy living room lounge upon entry, to cobblestone-style floors and greenery similar to Savannah's iconic squares, The Drayton Hotel Savannah reflects the dynamic essence of a historic Savannah residence where guests instantly feel like they're welcomed home. The Drayton Hotel Savannah, Curio Collection by Hilton and the Savannah Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony outside of the hotel on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. Coffee and light bites will be available in The Drayton Living Room, and media is welcome onsite at 9 a.m. for coverage opportunities including images of the space and interviews with Raghav Sapra, owner, and/or Taylor Cerwin, hotel manager. Guests are now able to book stays at The Drayton Hotel through the Hilton platform here. The Drayton Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits and the Hilton Honors mobile app. Book direct at Hilton.com, through the Hilton Honors app or through other official Hilton channels for more perks and a price match guarantee. Hilton Honors members can redeem Points using the Points Explorer tool. For more information, follow along at @thedraytonhotel. About The Drayton Hotel The Drayton Hotel, located in Savannah's Historic District, reinvents one of Savannah's oldest buildings dating from the 1890s. Carefully restored to embrace the building's 19th century exterior and the charm of the surrounding neighborhood, The Drayton Hotel strikes the perfect balance of honoring its historic roots while offering a contemporary, luxury experience with modern amenities. The Drayton features 50 rooms and suites, and signature culinary and beverage experiences including St. Neo's Brasserie, a classic French restaurant inspired by the Lowcountry, The Vinyl Room, an intimate cocktail lounge, and the Pendant Terrace and Bar, a vibrant rooftop bar with unmatched City Hall, Savannah River, and Historic District views. With an atmosphere as dynamic and hospitable as the city itself, the hotel's living and entertaining spaces embrace the essence of a historic Savannah residence where guests instantly feel like they're welcomed home. Hotel website Cheval Collection has appointed Nikola Miljkovic as feasibility manager, joining the group as it accelerates its expansion. The company opened its first property outside the UK earlier this year, in Dubai, under its strategy of global growth through management contracts. Miljkovic joins Cheval Collection from HVS, where he was a senior associate, with previous experience at the Conrad St James in London and Croatian hotel group HUP Zagreb. He is a graduate of the masters programme at the Glion Institute of Higher Education, where he specialised in hotel development and finance. Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC announced the appointment of Chef Jorge Dionicio as the new Executive Sushi Chef of Saishin, the rooftop omakase concept at the iconic Gansevoort Rooftop. The sky high sushi experience offers a luxe omakase service as well as a la carte nigiri and sashimi at their 66-seat restaurant with views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River, featuring a custom 16-person sushi bar. In addition to their 12 and 15-course tastings, the restaurant also features a wide selection of sake, japanese whiskey, and unique cocktails for those looking to imbibe. Saishin, which translates to "something new," is holding true to its name by entering a new era after two years of operation in the intimate rooftop space at the hotel with the addition of Dionicio. Originally hailing from Lima, Peru, Chef Dionicio plans to combine his traditional edomae-style training with his Peruvian background to create a truly unique experience for guests dining at Saishin. The new offerings will incorporate elements of Nikkei, a type of cuisine known for combining Peruvian ingredients with Japanese style cooking, adding unique flavor profiles to the bites presented as part of the omakase experience through sauces, toppings, and creative combinations. Chef Jorge Dionicio is a classical Edomae-style trained sushi chef, with a focus on seasonal and innovative omakase. Inspired by his upbringing in Lima, Chef Jorge combines his traditional training with Peruvian treatments, including nuanced sauces and accouterments, to elevate his dining experiences. Chef Jorge currently brings his expertise to the omakase counter at Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop as Executive Sushi Chef. Having honed his skills in both the United States and Japan, Chef Jorge began his US training in Omaha, Nebraska, eventually moving his way up through the kitchens of several Michelin Star restaurants including Azabu, Hirohisa, and Hiramasa in NYC along with Austin's famous Uchi, NYC's Morimoto, helmed by Iron Chef Morimoto, artful omakase restaurant Akashi, renowned Chef David Bouley's Bouley at Home, and James Beard Award Winning sushi restaurant O-Ya, among others. Chef Jorge continued his training as a member of Japan's World Sushi Skill Institute, where he participated in the 2014 World Sushi Cup, a global sushi competition where chefs from every country compete for a spot in the World Sushi Cup in Tokyo. Placing third in the US competition and seventh in the Tokyo World Sushi Cup, Chef Jorge now serves on the jury for the association, helping the judging process and selection of the top sushi chefs in the world. Dimension Hospitality, a leading hotel management and development company, today announced the appointment of Greg Friedman as CEO following the sudden death of company founder and philanthropist, Sam Friedman, on July 2. Greg Friedman joined the company in 2000 as General Counsel and most recently served as company President. Greg and Sam focused on growing the company's portfolio to its current 80 hotels through both hotel development and management contract acquisitions. During this time, he worked closely with Sam on the company's core initiatives, and in the future he intends to continue the partnership-driven growth that has marked Dimension's expansion throughout its history. Stockholm ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, has announced the successful upgrade of its VingCard Classic locks to include RFID security abilities at several Celtic Collection properties, in addition to the adoption of VingCard Signature RFID locks for the brands recently constructed locations. An operator of both luxury and family friendly destinations throughout the UK, The Celtic Collection via its latest investment in ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions technology can significantly ensure consistent high level security while enhancing guest experiences and convenience with the activation of Mobile Access. Aiming to streamline and boost the effectiveness of its security access operations, The Celtic Collection opted to perform a full upgrade of its VingCard Classic locks to VingCard Classic RFID at both The Celtic Manor Resort and Coldra Court Hotel. Designed to be scalable and future-proof, VingCard Classic locks are able to be upgraded with RFID capabilities without requiring an extensive and costly overhaul of existing lock hardware. With the presence of RFID-enabled readers, The Celtic Collection now benefits from enhanced security encryption technology that protects against keycard cloning and unauthorized room access. Switching to RFID-based keycards also eliminates the risk of guest keycards becoming demagnetized that can result in a drop in satisfaction rates. The upgrades at The Celtic Manor Resort and Coldra Court Hotel also include the installation of satin brass and gothic lever door handles in order to combine advanced security with an attractive exterior design. For its recently constructed locations, including Ty Hotel Milford Haven and Park Gate Hotel, Cardiff, The Celtic Collections adoption of VingCard Signature RFID likewise provides the same enhanced security capabilities while featuring a sleek and minimalistic design able to blend in seamlessly with any hotel environment. Both VingCard Classic RFID and VingCard Signature RFID installations have further leveraged each lock solutions compatibility with Mobile Access in order to provide guests with a modern and instantly convenient alternative to checking-in and gaining guestroom access. Able to function as a standalone solution or be integrated with existing hotel systems and services, Mobile Access at Celtic Collection locations is made available to guests via the MyCheck app. From their personal devices, guests seeking a hassle-free arrival experience can check-in electronically and receive a digital room key that converts their device into a secure and effortless means of gaining instant room access. The Celtic Collection prides itself on delivering exceptional guest service and experiences, which can realistically only be achieved by supporting operations and staff with new advances in technology, said Declan Bloomer, IT Service Delivery Manager at The Celtic Collection. Over the course of our long-term relationship with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, the company has always proven that it has both the advanced tools and support necessary to live up to guest expectations for a safe and enjoyable stay. We look forward to more of our guests experiencing the enhanced security and convenience that RFID-based VingCard locks and Mobile Access can provide. Both VingCard door locks and Mobile Access are supported by the Visionline access management system at each of The Celtic Collections properties. As the platform responsible for generating keys and granting room access, Visionline features the industrys highest standards in data encryption technology. Its intuitive dashboard design ensures the streamlining of operations in order to provide guests with faster service and to make more efficient use of employee time and resources. For more information about ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and its comprehensive line of electronic in-room safes and locking solutions for the hospitality industry, please visit www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com/hospitality. About ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world. ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is dedicated to reimagining how people move through their world. Our expertise in customer journey mapping, innovation and service design leads to the invention of new security solutions that create value for our clients and exceptional experiences for end users. For the hospitality market, these solutions include integrated software systems, mobile access and location solutions designed to help our customers enhance the hotel guest experience, while improving operational efficiency. In order to provide best-in-class customer service, we offer support in more than 166 countries. For more information, please visit assaabloyglobalsolutions.com/hospitality and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Mark Howbrook 50% of IHG Hotels & Resorts hotel signings in South East Asia this year has been with the Holiday Inn brand family, comprising Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Express, highlighting its enduring appeal for owners and guests across the region. A series of eye-catching announcements in 2023 has included Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach, Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Asoke and Holiday Inn Express Bali Sunset Road, while the opening of the first Holiday Inn Express & Suites property in Singapore situated in Novena has grown its estate to 95 open and pipeline hotels. The Holiday Inn brand family continues to be a phenomenal growth engine for IHG, generating around half of its global openings in 2022 and accounts for about 70% of its total estate. Famous the world over, its a leading choice of guests and owners everywhere. Its wonderful to see our Holiday Inn brand family continuing to grow from strength to strength in South East Asia. We opened fantastic hotels last year in Ho Tram in Vietnam, Cebu in Philippines, Koh Samui and Krabi in Thailand, and are collaborating with partners whose confidence to convert and build more properties across the region will ensure it keeps growing at pace. Were seeing great interest from owners in a wide range of destinations, including resorts where our Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts brand continues to be much loved by families and groups alike. The brand portfolio has a fantastic long-term, proven appeal, and we never stand still, our teams work closely with owners to bring to life new designs and F&B offerings that deliver memorable guest experiences, assert our competitive advantage, and create even stronger returns. We are always listening to guest and owners feedback, and one great example of how were enhancing the Holiday Inn Express experience is Express Cafe & Bar an all-day-dining experience that provides guests with simple-to-deliver 24/7 food and beverage options in a modern cozy environment, while maximising space efficiency and investment returns. On top of this, were also recognising the growing popularity of longer stays and the increase in larger travelling parties by developing more Holiday Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express & Suites properties across our markets. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Singapore Novena, which opened in May 2023, is the first in Singapore, while the first Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel will open in Thailand at Bangkok Central Pier soon, and were preparing to debut Holiday Inn & Suites in Vientiane Laos in 2024. Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts Across South East Asia, there are 33 open Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts properties and 26 in the pipeline. The brand provides outstanding value for guests who travel on business and require flexible work spaces, as well as families who appreciate its Kids Stay & Eat Free programme. Also in the region, IHG has 22 Holiday Inn Express properties and 14 in the pipeline. The worlds largest hotel brand, it offers a simple and smart travel experience and is a fantastic option for travellers that require the basics done brilliantly. Upcoming openings: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Singapore Novena (opened in May 2023) - Immersed in the historic charm of Singapore's Balestier District, this is the first Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Singapore and offers the first Express Cafe & Bar in South East Asia. Holiday Inn Sepang Airport Opening this year, the 252-room hotel is a 15-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It is a perfect choice for layover passengers, and within easy reach of Sepang International Circuit. Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach- A perfect family getaway where fun meets paradise. The resort, set to be rebranded this year, is situated on the breathtaking shores of Surin Beach and offers a picturesque setting that harmoniously blends natural beauty with contemporary design. Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach- Nestled along the picturesque shores of Karon Beach, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and soft sandy beaches, the resort is close to some of Phukets best attractions including Big Buddha and Wat Karon. H oliday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Central Pier With 180 contemporary rooms and suites, the hotel is a stones throw from the Chao Phraya River, making it the perfect base for guests to explore the citys many attractions such as ICONSIAM, Wat Arun, Grand Palace and Khao San Road. Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu Nestled in the heart of Canggu, the resort offers a variety of spacious room types to suit all travellers and is a five-minute walk to the beach and close to leading attractions including Tanah Lot Temple and the Seminyak Shopping district. Holiday Inn Lampung Bukit Randu Located in the prime city center of Bandar Lampung, on Bukit Randu, a hill of an altitude of 200 meters above sea level, the hotel enjoys easy access to popular attractions, including the Krakatau Monument, Bumi Kedaton tourism park and Duta Wisata beach. About IHG IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Gone are the days when a good mastery of Powerpoint, Excel sheets, online meetings, and email was enough to succeed in a management role. In todays workplace, digital leadership requires far more than digital literacy, it means being fluent and flexible in the digital sphere and having a fine-tuned set of technical and soft skills. As leadership roles continue to evolve rapidly, with digital technologies playing a crucial role, its important for managers and leaders to understand these skills and develop them proactively for future success. Why good digital leadership is non-negotiable Compared to past decades, digital skills are now essential to nearly every role in todays workplace. Even before the pandemic, a UK government report showed that digital skills were required in at least 82% of online advertised vacancies. As basic jobs and non-managerial roles have evolved to require an increasingly complex range of digital skills, managers and leaders are having to adopt and integrate digital leadership skills, tools, and strategies even faster. And this phenomenon is not just applicable to purely digital skills. It is the evolution of the leadership mindset in parallel to the evolution of the modern workplace and employees. Indeed, traditional leadership styles are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the digital workforce: i.e. the top-down mentality of making decisions based on ones own expertise and experience doesnt fly in an era when data-driven decision-making is expected. Other key factors driving this evolution include the move towards remote work, the ubiquitous use of digital communication and collaboration tools, and the need to think critically and creatively about both the physical and the digital sphere. According to a survey of 15,000 workers by the Adecco Group, maintaining a good work-life balance is just as important as salary. Career development; up- and reskilling opportunities; feeling trusted; leaders who exercise empathy; and a company with great purpose are also key components for an engaged, loyal workforce." Overall, digital leadership plays a critical role in driving organizational success. At an executive level, this means being able to drive digital transformation, build a digital-first culture, and prepare their organizations for the future of work. At a managerial level, it means using digital leadership skills to enhance team and/or department performance, improve customer experience, speed up time to market, implement solutions, communicate better, and generate data-driven insights. What are the most in-demand digital skills? Todays leaders need a highly specialized set of skills to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. On one hand, they must be digitally literate concerning the tools that are specific to their roles or teams. Digital literacy examples include being able to use software programs such as Adobe Photoshop for designers; Data analysis tools like R Management or Stata for business analysts; and Salesforce for sales and marketing professionals. On the other, digital leaders must have the right soft skills to manage people and teams using digital tools with the right mindset. The following qualities and skill sets are essential for digital leadership. Strong digital literacy skills In order to make informed and pragmatic decisions about technology, digital leaders must: Stay up-to-date on the latest technological tools and trends Be able to evaluate the impact of new technologies on their organizations Use data to inform decision-making. Assess and manage risks related to data privacy and security. Growth and experimentation mindset To drive digital innovation, leaders must be agile and flexible and adapt their opinions quickly. Embrace change and view failure as an opportunity for growth. Encourage curiosity and creativity, creating a culture where innovation can flourish. Embrace continuous learning for themselves and their teams Empower their teams to make data-driven decisions. Ability to foster collaboration People are the greatest resource of any organization and success lies in promoting key skills. Identify and recruit people who have skills for current and future work opportunities. Proactively nurture talented people to retain and motivate them. Create a culture of teamwork and engagement that celebrates group success. Improve collaboration by facilitating remote work and streamlined virtual teamwork. Clear and inspiring communication skills Communicating on strategy is where the heavy lifting happens, so its vital for leaders to: Model clear two-way communication with stakeholders and employees. Share a well-defined strategic vision to get stakeholders to buy in. Talk about what success looks like and the roadmap to get there. Use active listening and teach others to do the same. "Digital transformation requires a cultural shift in how processes are completed." Employees have to become accustomed to experimenting regularly with their processes and even sometimes fail in their efforts to innovate. Businesses might find that they must sometimes step away from their old processes(...), in favor of experimenting with innovative solutions that have not had the same extensive testing. It is only by adopting these best practices and fully integrating the employees into the mindset of digital innovation that brands can remain at the forefront of their industries and continue to serve customers with the care that they have come to expect. Avik Bhattacharya, Consultant at EHL Education Consulting How to address the digital skills gap For people to adapt to a digital transformation, they must also have the skills needed to effectively use new technology. However, many digital skills gaps plague people across all industry sectors. In the United States, about 1 in 3 workers have limited or no digital skills, and in the UK, about 43 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) vacancies go unfilled because workers do not have the technological skills needed to fill them. In other words, the skills gaps remain a big roadblock to digital leadership. Consequently, businesses need to find ways to incorporate digital learning opportunities into their digital transformation plan. Including workshops and seminars that empower employees and managers to embrace digital transformation and new tools is one way to reduce the skills gap. Creating an environment where continuous learning is expected and appreciated within the organizations is also very helpful. Helping managers to modernize and build technological skills serves both individuals and organizations. Experiential learning improves digital leadership skills While some digital literacy skills can be easily acquired through training and courses, digital soft skills are a different matter. Unlike technical skills that can be learned through lectures and theoretical exercises, digital soft skills require hands-on experience in real-world situations. Yet experiential learning doesnt necessarily mean on-site courses, it can also be done in a digital learning environment, as long as the course is designed correctly. Experiential learning requires that individuals be exposed to real-world situations that enable them to apply their digital soft skills in innovative, creative, and adaptive ways. It encourages individuals to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences in a safe and controlled environment, ultimately leading to better outcomes. As a leader in its field, EHL Hospitality Business School offers a portfolio of graduate courses and professional training programs based on four academic pillars, of which one is Experiential Education. As such, EHLs Masters degrees and MBAs all use the latest digital tools and incorporate high-tech trends into the curriculum to develop digital leadership skills throughout the program. "At EHLs Graduate School, we address the digital skills gap through an integrated digital approach, and we equally design and deliver tailored courses that evolve with the needs of the markets." For example, in the course Service Innovation by Design, we train participants in the skillset to design digital service offerings that speak to current and evolving market demands while conveying the toolkit to lead these processes within their respective companies going forward. Central to this design process is the adoption of psychological and sociological insights that allow for a deep understanding of both the customers and your own needs. Additionally, EHL offers many executive education programs delivered by industry experts and designed for professionals who want to gain experience and upskill in targeted areas for the most up-to-date knowledge. Nicole Hinrichs, Associate Dean of Degree Programs at EHL Graduate School Striking the balance: High-tech and human-centric leadership Given the growing need for strong digital leadership across all industries and activities, todays businesses must prioritize leadership training and skills development in this area. And the most effective way to improve digital skill sets is with guided practice in real-world situations. Therefore, providing team leaders and managers with the chance to participate in upskilling and short courses that integrate digital themes with experiential education is an excellent way to patch up the skills gap. And looking to graduates from degree programs that are based on experiential education is also a surefire way to bring digitally-savvy talent into an organization. Whatever tools and techniques leaders choose to harness the ever-growing digital wave, they must seek to be equally high-tech and human-centric, for without this balance the results will not lead to success long term. About EHL Group EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector. With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Quore, the leading provider of workflow management and productivity tools for hotels, today announced it has been recognized for excellence in business growth and financial leadership. Quore received a 2023 Roaring 20 Award from the Tennessee Chapter of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), and Quores Vice President of Accounting Elizabeth Tarnow was named a finalist for the Nashville Business Journals 2023 CFO Awards. In 2020 when COVID-19 slowed business operations for many, the pandemics impact on the hospitality industry was especially brutal. Quore remained focused on its mission to help hotels create smarter teams and happier guests. It developed specialized cleaning plans and worked closely with hotels to ensure they felt supported during the crisis. This dedication to customer success enabled Quore to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in November 2022; its 6,000th customer and integration with IHG Concerto in April 2023; and the company continues to celebrate new milestones in customer growth and team success. Hospitality is all about generosity. We practice that every day with our hotel customers, creating a deep level of trust so they have confidence in our solution and our team. This culture has enabled us to grow our team and our business during some of the hardest years in the hospitality industry, said Scott Schaedle, Founder and CEO of Quore. We are honored to have our efforts recognized by ACG and the Nashville Business Journal. I applaud the entire Quore team and the amazing work they accomplish every day. ACGs Roaring 20 Awards honor the top 20 fastest-growing, middle-market companies. Quore has consistently grown its business year over year, even after the hospitality industry struggled with the impacts left from COVID-19. From 2020 to 2022, Quore increased revenue by 102% and increased customers by 58%. In the past year alone, Quore has grown its team by 23%. The Nashville Business Journals 2023 CFO Awards recognize Nashville executives leading their companies to success. Tarnow and other nominees were evaluated on accomplishments over the past year and how they kept their companies finances in the black and thriving. An independent panel of judges scored the questionnaires. Winners will be announced on September 14, 2023, at a reception in Nashville. About Quore Quore is an award-winning, cloud-based hotel operations solution, supporting hotels of any size to be more efficient and improve guest experiences. Founded in 2012, Quore manages all aspects of the guest experience, including preventative maintenance, guest requests and complaints, work orders, housekeeping, and workforce/shift communication. Quore's software is used by more than 6,300 hotels, including hotels from the industry's largest brands, like IHG, Marriott, and Choice. The Tennessee-based company is privately owned and was named one of America's Best Startup Employers by Forbes as well as a 2023 Top Workplace by The Tennessean. Ashley Schulte Media Contact Newton, MA Sonesta, the 8th largest hotel company in the US, today announced that it added 13 hotels to the companys global portfolio during the first six months of 2023. The new hotels, with a total of more than 1,000 rooms, include (in order of opening): Sonesta Nouba Aswan Egypt Americas Best Value Inn Laurel Laurel, MD Grand Z Hotel Casino by Red Lion Hotels Central City, CO Signature Inn Houston Galleria Houston, TX Americas Best Value Inn Carlisle Carlisle, PA Red Lion Inn & Suites Liberty Liberty, MO Red Lion Inn & Suites Gretna Gretna, NE Hotel 11, MOD a Sonesta Collection Calgary, Ontario Z Ocean Hotel, Classico a Sonesta Collection Miami, FL Americas Best Value Inn Lafayette Lafayette, LA Red Lion Inn & Suites Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach Miami, FL Sonesta Essential Vacaville Vacaville, CA Sonestas progress in the first half of 2023 illustrates our success growing multiple brands across our platform and was driven by strong owner relationships and our ability to meet consumer needs. With additional growth opportunities through two new soft brands, a rapid and seamless conversion and signings process and effective communication with our owner community, we look forward to continued success in the latter half of 2023. Keith Pierce, Sonestas Executive Vice President, and the President of Franchise & Development at Sonesta Late in 2021, Sonesta Franchising debuted in the U.S. with a complete platform of franchise services, hotel operations and franchise support. Since then, the company has seen significant growth with the recent launch of five brands including The James, Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Essential and two soft brands, Classico and MOD. Our extensive hospitality experience gives us unique insight into owner and consumer demands and the ability to respond to emerging industry trends. As owners and operators ourselves, Sonesta has the expertise to open and run managed hotels such as The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach and to create a brand portfolio that is attractive to franchisees. We will continue to build on our commitment to be fast, friendly and flexible. Brian Quinn, Sonestas Chief Development Officer Sonestas portfolio of 17 brands offers owners and developers a diverse selection spanning the upper upscale, lifestyle, upscale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. Sonestas continued growth, owner-centric approach, market availability and executive accessibility make it a compelling choice for developers. About Sonesta Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,200 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 17 brands in eight countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta; The James; Classico A Sonesta Collection; Sonesta Hotels & Resorts; MOD A Sonesta Collection; Sonesta Select; Sonesta Essential; Sonesta ES (Extended Stay) Suites; Sonesta Simply Suites and Sonesta Cruise Collection operating in Egypt, also; Sonesta Posadas del Inca; Red Lion Hotels & Suites; Signature Inn; GuestHouse Extended Stay; Knight's Inn; Americas Best Value Inn and Canadas Best Value Inn. For more information about Sonesta and its locations, visit franchise.sonesta.com or email [email protected]. Lorie Juliano Sonesta International Hotels Corporation +1 617 421 5429 Sonesta How tips are distributed can quickly become a hot topic in restaurants and hotels. Employees care about justice and want to be rewarded according to their efforts. Is it fair that a server who is capable to deliver a better service than his or her colleagues (and gets more tips) has to put all the money earned in a pot that will be equally shared with other employees? Or, is it fair that a server keeps all the tips received when part of the excellent customer experience is also shaped by fellow colleagues (chefs, runners, bartenders)? None of these systems is totally fair, but they are used in many restaurants and hotels. However, research is being made into alternative ways to share tips. Hospitality industry's new tipping system: What you need to know In 2020, the first author of this article was tasked with a senior colleague to design a new system to create a transparent and fair distribution of tips among the F&B department in a three-star superior hotel in Switzerland. Around 65 employees worked in the hotel, and 27 worked in the F&B department. The restaurant had seven stations inside and three outside on the terrace, with 160 seats. The food was prepared in a central kitchen for all stations. The barkeepers prepared the beverages for the runners and chefs de rang to bring to the tables. Before the introduction of the new tipping systems, chefs de rang were expected to share 20% of their tips with the kitchen and bar staff, but since there was no control mechanism, it was rarely executed. It created mistrust between colleagues and strained relationships between the service staff and the kitchen crew. The new tipping system required each chef de rang (responsible for a station) to put 1% of their daily revenue into a shared tip pot. The chef de service or deputy collected the money while checking the final bill for each station at the end of each day. The choice of 1% was made on the assumption that every server was making at least a 5% tip on their revenue of the day, which would leave them with 4% at minimum. This percentage aligns with other figures demonstrating that customers provide tip amounts averaging 3-4% of the bill in Swiss restaurants (Fernandez et al., 2016; Gossling et al., 2020). For instance, if a chef de rang generated CHF 1200 revenue for one day and received CHF 85 as tips, they would have to take 12 CHF from the tips earned to put them in the shared pot. The chef de rang would therefore keep CHF 73. The following day, the chef de service (or deputy chef de service) would give 75% of the collected money to the chef de cuisine, again allowing him/her to check the amount received with the final bill. The rest (25%) would be distributed evenly among the food runners, bar personnel and the chef de service. A larger percentage would be given to the kitchen because there are more employees in this department. With a 50/50 split, each person working in the kitchen would have received almost nothing. Since a greater number of personnel are usually where a higher revenue is generated, the CHF amount was relatively constant for all supporting elements (runners, barkeepers, chef de service). The money earned each day varied a lot, but each supporting element would get on average CHF 10-20, while chefs de rang could earn 50 CHF or more. The management team recognized and resolved a significant problem that emerged early on. Indeed, different-sized stations in the restaurant gave the respective chefs de rang different tip amounts, so it was decided to rotate the chef de rang through the stations. This was beneficial from a training point of view and in keeping morale high among the servers. This resulted in the new tipping system being quickly adopted by the staff. The beneficial effects of this tipping system for the employees It is well documented that employees who perceive their work environment as fair are more satisfied, more committed to their employer, make more effort, perform better, and are less likely to quit (Colquitt et al., 2001). Keeping in mind that employees are more motivated when the rewards received align with their effort, the tipping system described in this article was fair in many aspects. We can summarize the beneficial effects of this system as follows. It motivated chefs de rang to deliver exceptional service, the tipping system was based on accurate information, and all employees who contributed to shaping excellent service were rewarded. Interestingly, this new tipping system allowed chefs de rang to keep the most significant share of their tips. It might be painful for them to share a very large part of their tips with their colleagues, particularly when tips reward their unique interaction with customers. In some servers mind, they own their tips. Hence, the main benefit of the new tipping system is to push them to deliver excellent service and generate revenue. This is reinforced by tips being given at the end of each day. Considering that there was no delay between service behaviors and the financial reward, tips could positively reinforce excellent service behaviors (e.g., giving an extra chocolate to the kids, asking with a smile how the meal was). The new tipping system supported then chefs de rangs effort to better serve guests. On the contrary, the practice of servers earning their tips at the end of the week or month poses a potential danger, as it fails to align with the principles of operant conditioning, which states that delayed reinforcement diminishes its effectiveness as a motivator, rendering it less likely to positively influence behavior. An inclusive and fairer tipping system This system was fair as it was based on objective information (revenue). It was hence not possible for employees to cheat. In other restaurants, chefs de rang are required to share a fixed percentage of the tips earned. When employees have to distribute a percentage of the tips earned, it can be tempting for some of them to minimize the amount received to not lose too much money, but here it was not possible to manipulate revenues as they were already entered into the system. Moreover, employees could examine if the amount received every day was fair because there was a document where all these pieces of information were recorded. The system was also fair because all chefs de rang rotated between stations. Some stations generated more revenues than others. Therefore, if chefs de rang were strictly allocated to these stations, they would generate more revenue and more tips. The rotating system was implemented to ensure that all chefs de rang had an equal opportunity to get tips. The new tipping system allowed all employees involved in the restaurant to earn tips. This feels fairer because they all contribute one way or another to the customer experience. These supporting elements receive fewer tips than chefs de rang, but this can be justified for two reasons. First, they are not in direct contact with the guest (or have less contact), thus, they have less of an impact on the overall guest satisfaction. Second, some of them (chefs de service and kitchen chefs) receive a higher base salary than chefs de rang. It could be perceived as unfair if they get the same amount as the latter. In many hotels, there exists a points system where employees with a higher status receive a larger percentage of tips than chefs de rang even if they have less contact with guests, despite earning higher salaries. In the hotel depicted in this case, it was not the seniority, age or personality that determined the tip share but the contribution to the guest's overall experience. It is also important to note that apprentices and interns did count the same as regular employees in the daily business. If they had a station, they would keep their tips as a more experienced chef de rang; if they were food runners or behind the bar, they would get the same percentage as a supporting employee on that day. How to implement the innovative tipping system into the industry The tipping system depicted in this article presents many advantages. First, it presents the advantage of the tip-keeping system, in which waiters retain most of their tips. Second, it keeps the advantage of the tip-pooling system, in which employees that do not normally get tips earn a share of them. Third, the way tips are shared is transparent, known in advance, and based on objective information (revenue). This kind of system is hence very likely to be perceived as fair and motivating for most employees. Despite these advantages, this kind of system should take into consideration the local norms, culture and constraints. For instance, the specific percentage of revenue (1%) allocated to the shared pot might be modified. Even in the restaurant described in this article, the management team now realizes that giving 1% of revenue might not compensate enough for the supportive elements. Implementing a 2% system is now considered fairer and adapted to the current situation. If the average tip amount still represents 4-5% of the revenue, chefs de rang would still keep 2-3% of their revenue, while the rest of the staff would get 2%. EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Over the past years, hotel companies including brands, managers and owners have increasingly sought the benefit of access to public markets and, in doing so, have become subject to the registration and disclosure requirements of the United States Securities Act and Securities Exchange Act. In doing so, these companies need to comply with a broad variety of detailed regulations addressing their disclosure and reporting obligations. The Securities Exchange Commission recently adopted regulations which will have an impact on publicly traded hotel companies that suffer a data breach. Breach Notifications for the Past 20 Years. Ever since California became the first state to require companies to notify their customers of data breaches in 2003, the time between the date a breach was discovered and the time the breach was reported has been an issue of contention. Early reporting gives consumers a leg up in protecting their personal information, and lets investors, vendors and customers of companies know if key business information has been compromised. At the same time, companies want as much time as possible to investigate a breach, understand what happened, and provide accurate information companies that give early notice often have to give multiple notices as more information becomes available, and may even find that the original notice wasnt necessary. Regardless, lawsuits against companies that have suffered data breaches almost universally point to the gap in time between the discovery and notification of a breach. The SEC Acts. Regulators have stepped in and identified time frames for public notification of a data breach. Most recently, the Securities Exchange Commission issued a final rule that reduces the time for reporting companies (companies whose securities are registered with the SEC) to disclose cyberattacks publicly. As has been widely reported, with some exceptions, a company that is the victim of a cyberattack now has four days to publicly disclose the impact of the attack. Cyberattacks that involve the theft of intellectual property, a business interruption or reputational damage will likely require disclosure under the regulations. The rules were proposed last year and contested by trade organizations and businesses, arguing that four days is inadequate to identify the nature and scope of a breach, and would be as likely to disclose inaccurate information as it would to benefit consumers and shareholders. In contrast, the SEC, in adopting the new regulation, cited the new rule as enhancing transparency into cyber threats after years of attacks against businesses by criminal gangs and, most significantly, groups backed by nation states. The SEC also saw this as an opportunity to address gaps in existing cybersecurity disclosures. Gaps in Disclosure. Because there are a wide variety of laws and rules governing disclosure, there is little consistency in the timing or content of breach notifications. Companies that report incidents provide different amounts of detail about the impact and their response to it. Some cyber incidents arent reported in a timely manner, while others arent disclosed at all. Christopher Hetner, a former cybersecurity adviser at the SEC who provides guidance to the National Association of Corporate Directors, said, The outcome of this rule will be to create more normalcy across disclosures. Arguments against the Regulation. The tight timeframe for disclosure raises concerns. The brief period for making incident disclosures could leave investors with information that isnt accurate. The rules allow a company to update its incident disclosure with added information that was unavailable at first, but that also could create consumer and shareholder confusion. The regulation is also unclear in defining how an incident would become material and how much detail will be required in public filings. This is a particular issue, since four days is unlikely to be adequate to collect and verify meaningful information about a security incident. Third Party Risks. The regulation also will require companies to create stronger reporting relationships with vendors. Over the past several years, the cyberattack risks raised in the supply chain of information management has become key, and unless vendors (and all of the parties in the vendors supply chain) cooperate promptly, a reporting company may be unable to meet the requirements of the new rule. Annual Reporting. An issue that has not been widely reported is the requirement that companies must describe in their annual report what processes, if any, a company has in place to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats in sufficient detail for a reasonable investor to understand those processes. Combined with the SECs plain language mandate, this requirement alone might be a significant task. Companies can deal with these new regulations by creating, implementing, testing and updating strong cybersecurity incident response plans. When a company has 96 hours to report publicly a cybersecurity incident, it cannot waste time trying to create a playbook to respond; the playbook must be in place and accurate. The necessary parties must have the muscle memory to know how to respond, not only to respond directly to the breach, but to comply with new and potentially burdensome regulations. The JMBM Global Hospitality Group and Cybersecurity and Privacy Group work with hospitality clients to achieve these goals and prepare them for the challenges of an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. JMBMs Cybersecurity and Privacy Group counsels clients in a wide variety of industries, including accounting firms, law firms, business management firms and family offices, in matters ranging from development of cybersecurity strategies, creation of data security and privacy policies, responding to data breaches and regulatory inquiries and investigations, and crisis management. The Cybersecurity and Privacy Group uses a focused intake methodology that permits clients to get a reliable sense of their cybersecurity readiness and to determine optimal, client-specific approaches to cybersecurity. Further information about cybersecurity issues If this article was of interest, you may also wish to read other articles by Bob Braun on Data Technology, Privacy & Security, which include the following: Whos Responsible for Personal Data at a Hotel? Why hotels need visibility to avoid data privacy liability Hotel Data Security: Challenges to Address in 2022 New Challenges for Hotels: The New California Privacy Rights and Enforcement Act of 2020 Hotel Managers and Owners Be Warned You are Responsible for Your Hotels Data Security The California Consumer Privacy Act What Hoteliers Need to Know Now Avoiding Hotel Data Breaches With a Risk Assessment Audit Lessons From the Marriott International Glitch California Adopts the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 GDPR: What you need to know about the EEUs new data privacy rules Cyberattacks on Hotels What Should Hotel Owners and Operators Do? See how JMBMs Global Hospitality Group can help you. Click here for the latest articles on Data Technology, Privacy & Security. Jim Butler +1 310 201 3526 JMBM View source IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Ginger Tree Goveia to bring a new hotel to Goa, India. voco Goa Arpora is set to open its doors in January 2025. Complementing Goas white-sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, sacred temples, and World Heritage-listed European-influenced architecture, a premium hotel, voco Goa Arpora will be a great fitment to the destination. Often referred to as a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, Goa draws in leisure travellers from across the globe throughout the year. Once opened, voco Goa Arpora will cater to the growing demand for quality and unique accommodation requirements in Goa, catering to the needs of discerning travellers seeking a modern and comfortable hospitality experience. Centrally located in prominent North Goa, voco Goa Arpora will offer proximity to popular night markets, high-quality dining experiences, boutique shopping and the prominent beaches of Baga & Calangute. In addition to best-in-class guest rooms, the hotel will feature an outdoor pool, a rejuvenating spa and a well-equipped gym for guests looking to unwind. voco Goa Arpora will also house meeting rooms spread across two venues and a banqueting space. For guests looking to indulge in exceptional culinary experiences, the new hotel will offer three dining options including a bar and lobby lounge, catering to diverse guest preferences. Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, We are delighted to bring our voco brand to Goa in partnership with Ginger Tree Goveia. Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and there is a constant demand for quality branded accommodations. We are confident that voco Goa Arpora, with its distinct premium hospitality experience, will be a preferred stay option for leisure travellers. We look forward to delivering exceptional hospitality and creating memorable experiences for our guests in Goa. He further added, We are committed to expanding our presence in the country and are collaborating with the right partners to bring our global brands to the right markets. Mr. Sagar Wadhwani, Partner, Ginger Tree Goveia added, We are pleased to join the IHG family and bring the voco brand to Goa. This partnership aligns with our vision of offering upscale hospitality experiences in Goa. The hotels prime location combined with outstanding facilities, fresh, vibrant and colorful designs, voco Goa Arpora is set to become a preferred destination for both domestic and international travelers seeking a premium hotel experience in the heart of Goa. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360. If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email. Members of veteran-led Team Rubicon working at a flooded North Adams home last week. A rotating group of 'gray shirts' helped clean out basements flooded in the July rainstorm. Team Rubicon incident commander Stephen Scott with Mayor Jennifer Macksy, Congressman Richard Neal and homeowner Michelle Groves. Furniture and other damaged items the team moved out of Groves' home. PreviousNext Team Rubicon Heeded Call to Help Flooded North Adams Homes Team Rubicon dedicated their volunteer service in North Adams to Michael DeMarsico II, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012. A memorial to DeMarsico is outside the Armory where the team was billeted; a memorial ceremony was held last week. North Adams 911 has more photos of the team on its Facebook page. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The torrential rains two weeks ago damaged roads and flooded basements. While Highway Department focused on roads, the veteran-led Team Rubicon arrived to help residents deal with the damage to their homes. The "gray shirts" rolled up their sleeves and started clearing out cellars of wet and damaged items. "We're helping people on the worst day of their lives. So, you know, we're giving them hope that they can recover from, from the disaster that they've just lived through," said the group's incident commander Stephen Scott. "And we're providing the first step to that recovery." He and Mayor Jennifer Macksey were coordinating on Friday with the Department of Public Works on Friday about picking up the loads of debris the volunteers had pulled out basements around the city. "They've helped close to 20-25 houses within the community. Great group of veterans, just trying to help us and I don't know where we would be without them," said Macksey. The mayor said she'd contacted the volunteer organization on a reference from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. "It could have been faster if we had known about you earlier," she said to Scott. "But they've helped several of our community members with their flooded basements and getting debris out. And they've been just wonderful to work with and a big asset to us during this difficult time." Scott had arrived a day later to assess the situation and the city offered up the Armory as a billeting site with access to bathrooms and showers and food. "We quickly realized that there was a need here so we changed to the planning stage of obtaining building and food services and all the stuff we need in order to keep our gray shirts wealthy and well taken care of," he said. The team was dubbed Moca Grande, a play off the name of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, and could be seen around the city in their gray Team Rubicon T-shirts with their names written on them. Team Rubicon is positioned to help in disaster areas that aren't maybe getting the national press, or a big Federal Emergency Management presence, Scott said. "But you do have isolated local requirements and we're now positioned to be able to respond to that." Team Rubicon more than 100,000 members respond to disasters across the nation and even international a group recently went to Ukraine. Over the last four years, it's been building a "Resilient City" strategy organized around decision making close to the local level and using local resources. "That strategy, which has been playing out for a couple few years, is now in a state of maturity, where operations of a scope like this can be spun up and executed using local resources," said Scott. "It's a long process ... we were mature enough now that as this storm passed through the Northeast, we were able to spin up seven operations between New York, Massachusetts and Vermont." There are three core components can essentially be summed up as cut it down, cover it up and muck it out. That means chainsaw operations to remove trees and barriers and tarping roofs to prevent further damage. In North Adams, it was more about mucking out. "The third operation is what we call muckup and that's going into houses and getting all of the stuff that got wet from the flooding getting out of the house," said Scott. "We're highly concerned about about mold forming in the house and spreading through the house." A former Boston planner and administrator in Worcester, Scott's area of operation covers North Adams. From there, a 450-mile radius was established around the site for volunters. "We've had people that have come from close to 300 miles to be here," he said. Brian MacDougal of Wilmington, overseeing logistics for the team, said about a dozen volunteers were here on any one day. Some came for a week, others for a day or two. And a couple were local. The Navy veteran retired in 2019 and found Team Rubicon was way to fulfill his desire to help people. "My civilian job didn't allow for it," he said, because of time commitments. "When I had free time, I was able to do what I always wanted to do." Scott's volunteering story was similar, saying he got to retirement age but refused to retire. "But I was ready to leave that career. So the way I describe it is I'm moving to a new career and disaster response, and I'm going to achieve my goals and objectives through Team Rubicon," he said. While the organization is still largely military, it began accepting what MacDougal described as "kick ass" civilians about five years, particulary first responders. Scott says it give the team more diversity but with enough military experience to "keep order and follow orders." Volunteers have to go through extensive training for their deployments, such as for chainsaw operations. No one just shows up and Scott's been building up his volunteer base. "We offer a wide range of training opportunities to our volunteers that prepare them to know what to expect when they get here and have been given the skills that they need in order to execute the work," he said. Team Rubicon was active over the weekend with the intent to cease operations on Monday. There were a few more homeowners who'd called in for some help. Scott acknowledged the help the team's gotten from the city, including working with the mayor, fire chief and highway foreman. He sad the volunteers had gotten a very positive response for the efforts and he'd had calls thanking them for the work they've done. "Our culture is a service-oriented culture. So all of our people understand that service is the fundamental motivation for what we try to do," he said. "The reward for the work we do is the response that we get from the people that we help. That it is remarkably rewarding." Yondr representative Matt Army gives a presentation to the School Committee on the pouches. Central Berkshire Mulls Implementing Yondr Pouches Yondr pouches lock digital devices so they can't be used during school. DALTON, Mass. The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee is still mulling over introducing Yondr pouches to its middle and high schools. The goal of the policy change is to help students be more engaged in school and to prevent students from taking videos of their peers without permission and spreading them around, the school committee said during its June meeting. School Committee Chair Richard Peters said at last week's meeting that although it is likely that the committee will be in favor, a vote was not on the agenda and the matter was postponed to the next meeting. This program would require training that would take up to four weeks, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. The district will still apply for the state grant that would aid in covering the cost of this initiative in case the committee votes to support it. The hope is that this change would be budget neutral. The district may not know if they have been approved for the grant by the next meeting, Blake-Davis said. Yondr works with approximately 1,200 schools across the country and has a "huge" presence in Massachusetts, Yondr representative Matt Army said. The organization works with approximately 45 schools across the state including Boston Public Schools, Springfield, Greenfield, Chicopee, McCann Technical School in North Adams, and many more. The first school that implemented Yondr pouches reported an increase in attendance by 4 percent. "That's odd right, but it makes very sense and it's a very middle school answer. The kids at home couldn't text the kids at school. They got bored and decided to start coming to school more," Army said. The implementation has had a profound impact on students, Army said. They are able to take all the attention that goes into the phones and focus it on books. Yondr pouches were originally created for adults, which is why every teacher and admin will receive one of the Velcro pouches, Army said. "We the adults created this technology, gave it to students and didn't have any rules or regulations. We just said don't look up anything inappropriate," Army said. "It's time to re-evaluate that." Yondr does an annual evaluation and out of the 900 school partners, it was determined there were improvements in academic performance, student behavior and student engagement, Army said. "Anecdotally, I'll say, day one, the students are going to learn how to make eye contact with each other," "...number two is conflict resolution. Students can't just go in the bathroom and message each other all day long perpetuating these, kind of, very small dramas that can get pretty serious. You know, if you have a problem with somebody you have to actually have a conversation." As a result, since school is a better place to be at becoming more "calm and nurturing" Army said. The organization installs mountable bases at the school's entrance that the students use to lock their electronic devices at the beginning of the day and open at the end. The pouch can fit multiple devices from multiple phones, Airpods, and an Apple Watch. The pouch is then placed in the student's backpack. Yondr has found that the dismissal process is faster than non-yondr schools because students have to go to the exit in order to open their phones and they want their phones pretty bad, Army said. Included in the program is a building walkthrough to figure out the logistics, a policy consultation, a presentation to the community, and two days of in-school support if needed, Army said. The pouches would cost $19 per student and $15 per teacher plus a one-time shipping fee. All of the equipment is included in that price. Pouch replacements are part of the program cost. The district has approximately 900 middle and high school students, Blake-Davis said. The organization tries to give its school partners one invoice per year so that they are not sending out multiple invoices for replacements. "That's just so cumbersome for everybody. So we try our best to make an all inclusive program," Army said. Every year the district will collect the pouches from the students and catalog how many would need to be replaced. Once the inventory is complete Yondr will send a return label so the district can return the pouch using the box it came in. Day one of the program implementation is distribution and introduction day. Students are assigned a pouch and help the students at the beginning and end of the day, Army said. "The middle of the day, that's where they get to have their first phone free experience and for some students, it's easy for others it's not so much but that's all part of the process," Army said. "And that's why we really have the Velcro patches for the adults, to model that behavior and make the acknowledgement that this is a pretty tough change to go through," Army said. Day two is the pouch check day because it is likely that some students are going to try and mess with the pouch. If there are any dents or marks that show students are trying to get into the locked pouch the phone will be taken away following a check-in conversation with the student. "But, moral of the story is if you break your pouch we're going to hold the phone for the day. If it happens again, we're going to hold it till the parent or guardian can pick it up," Army said. The magnet Yondr uses to lock the pouches is specially designed to not wipe the phones. The organization has seen instances where students will try to get into their pouches using a magnet to unlock it but since it is not the specially designed magnet it can wipe the student's phones. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} David Baddiel has questioned the casting of Cillian Murphy as Jewish theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans film. The comedian and writer, who is Jewish himself, has previously spoken critically about non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles in film and TV. In a new interview, Baddiel, 59, shared his unease regarding the casting of Murphy and Tom Conti, who plays Albert Einstein, in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. Both Oppenheimer and Einstein were Jewish, but are played in the film by non-Jewish actors in the film. Authenticity casting I think of as an a priori thing that exists, Jews Dont Count author Baddiel told The Times. Whatever the rights and wrongs of it, I can promise you that in this business and I am in this business still casting directors are now frightened to cast except in line with the minority they are casting. But they are not so worried about Jews. The Independent has contacted Nolans representatives for comment. Conti (left) as Albert Einstein and Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer' (Melinda Sue Gordon) The casting of Murphy as Oppenheimer had previously drawn criticism from reviewers and watchers of the film. In her four-star review of Nolans film, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey wrote: [Oppenheimer] feared deeply, as a Jewish man, about what would happen if the Nazis were to develop a weapon of such deadly capability (that a non-Jewish actor has taken on a role in which identity plays such a central role is, in this light, somewhat strange). The casting decision was also highlighted in The Guardians review, where Peter Bradshaw noted that Nolan, rightly or wrongly, uses non-Jewish actors for Oppenheimer and Einstein, two of the most famous Jewish people in history and in fact doesnt quite get to grips with the antisemitism that Oppenheimer faced as an assimilated secular American Jew. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free The real-life Oppenheimer was the child of two Jewish immigrants, and was raised in a secular Jewish household. Baddiel has previously criticised non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for The) However, historians have noted that the physicist faced antisemitism throughout his life and would often deny his Jewish heritage. Biographer Ray Monk, the author of Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the Center, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: To the outside world, he was always known as a German Jew, and he always insisted that he was neither German nor Jewish. In 2022, Baddiel addressed the debate about whether non-Jewish actors should play Jewish roles, following comments by Maureen Lipman that Helen Mirren should not play former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir as she is not Jewish. Casting a non-minority actor to mimic that identity feels, to the progressive eye, like impersonation, and impersonation may carry with it an element of mockery, he said. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Oppenheimer featured a tiny detail thats disturbing viewers who noticed it. The film, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, was released in July, and is on track to become one of the biggest hits of his career. It tells the story of physicist J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), who was the man who led the creation of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Near the beginning of the film, the character of Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) is introduced. Tatlock was Oppenheimers lover, with whom he continued his relationship while he was married to his wife, Kitty (Emily Blunt). *Spoilers follow you have been warned* Oppenheimers involvement with Tatlock is also frowned upon because of her ties to the communist party. This concerns US government officials who employed Oppenheimer to oversee the top secret Manhattan Project. The fate of Tatlock is hinted at throughout the film, before its revealed that she died by suicide. In harrowing scenes, made up of quick shots, she is shown drowning herself in her bathtub. However, at one point in the film, when it quickly cuts to Tatlock in the bathroom, hands wearing black gloves can be see pushing her head into the tub. The shot is so quick that many are failing to notice it the first time they watch the film and even those who do spot it are wondering if they imagined it. While some are theorising that Nolan is suggesting Tatlocks suicide was faked, its more likely that the filmmaker intended it to be a manifestation of Oppenheimers guilt after hes informed of her death. Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures) One thing in Oppenheimer I havent been able to get out of my head is that brief insert of black gloves in that one flashback with Florence Pugh, @thejoshl wrote, adding: Nolan was really in his horror mode. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free I cannot get the shot of the black glove out of my head, @NotYetSurgeon wrote, with an additional viewer saying its probably the most disturbing image in the film. It flickers by in the blink of an eye, never to be brought up again, @ashleynaftule wrote. Find more reactions to the fleeting moment below. Oppenheimer is in cinemas now, and has more than quadrupled its budget of $100m in less than two weeks. Meanwhile, Barbie, which was released on the same day as Oppenheimer, will hit $1bn this week. Both films look set to be two of the biggest hits of the year. Barbie is also receiving acclaim from critics and audiences, although one joke in the film and directed at its lead star Margot Robbie has been branded self-aware and the worst in the film. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ridley Scott has reflected on the painstaking process of how he and Joaquin Phoenix prepared for their forthcoming film, Napoleon. The filmmaker and actor have collaborated on a film about the French emperor, played by Phoenix. Also starring Vanessa Kirby as Napoleons wife, Josephine de Beauharnais, the movie will explore the leaders ambitions of world domination and the darkness surrounding his volatile marriage. In a new joint interview, Scott shared some insight into the intense preparation that took place ahead of filming, including talking Phoenix through the specifics of each scene. Hell come in, and youre f***ing two weeks out, and hell say, I dont know what to do, Scott told Empire of Phoenix. Ill say, What?! I dont know what to do. Oh God. I said, Come in, sit down. We sat for 10 days, all day, talking scene by scene. In a sense, we rehearsed. Absolutely detail by detail. Phoenix is known for portraying dark and psychologically challenging characters. His portrayal of the title role in the 2019 DC Comics thriller Joker was highly acclaimed and won the actor his first Academy Award. Scott and Phoenix previously worked together on the 2000 blockbuster epic Gladiator. Phoenix played Commodus in the film, the adversary of Russell Crowes Maximus Decimus Meridius. Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix (Getty) I had such an incredible experience working with Ridley on Gladiator, and I was so young. It was my first big production, Phoenix told the magazine. I really yearned for that experience again, or something similar. For the Walk the Line star, the mental requirements of playing Napoleon provided enough of a challenge for him to combine with Scott again, as well as a sense of nostalgia from their previous collaboration. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Hes approached me about other things in the past, Phoenix explained, but nothing that felt like it would be as demanding for both of us. And so I really liked the idea of jumping into something with Ridley that was going to be that. Looking back at Phoenixs work in Gladiator, Scott praised the actors emotional performance. My heart went out to him, the director said. He is the best player of damaged goods. The full interview will be in the Thursday 3 August issue of Empire. Napoleon is slated for release in cinemas on 22 November. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Chinese man allegedly swam nearly 10 hours from Fujian Province to Taiwan's Matsu Islands in an effort to "seek freedom". The Chinese national in his 40s reportedly sought help from tourists near the Beigan Township on Beigan Island, the second largest island in Matsu on Monday after being stung by a bee. The tourists notified the local authorities, who arrived at the scene and confirmed the mans identity to be an illegal Chinese immigrant, CNA reported. The Chinese national was taken to the Beigan health center, an official said, noting that his injuries were not serious. The man carried dry food, clothing, medicine, and Renminbi, according to officials. He told authorities that he embarked on the journey from Huangqi Peninsula in China's Fujian Province to Taiwan's Matsu Islands to "seek freedom." The distance between Huangqi Peninsula and Beigan Island is about 12km. The main island of Taiwan is located over 200km away from Chinas coast. He was taken to Lienchiang district prosecutors office for investigation in accordance with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the officials said. China has beefed up its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, arguing that Taipei is obliged to reunite with Beijing, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations. Taiwan has been self-ruled since it split from the mainland in 1949 following a civil war. In 2020, a 45-year-old Chinese national was arrested after he swam seven hours to reach the Taiwanese island of Kinmen County due to the "political environment" in China. He was arrested for illegally entering Taiwan. The man, surnamed Li, claimed he began his journey from Chinas coastal city of Xiamen for "freedom". Two men were reportedly arrested in 2019 after attempting to swim to Kinmen. One of the men used childrens inflatable swimming rings to stay afloat while the other person used empty soda bottles to make a raft. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least 20 people were killed and three sustained injuries after a crane collapsed on a bridge during construction in India's western state of Maharashtra on Tuesday. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Tuesday evening pulled out three more bodies that were trapped under the debris. Television footage showed the collapsed crane on the ground as rescue workers looked for survivors between pillars of the bridge near the Shahapur area in Thane, a city just outside state capital Mumbai. The crane was reportedly used to install a precast box girder while building highway and high-speed rail bridges. According to the local police, 28 staffers were working during a night shift when the crane collapsed shortly after midnight. While 17 were killed on the spot, three suffered injuries and at least were stuck under debris. "Rescue operation is still underway. Five staff survived with no injuries, the Shahapur police said in a statement. Prime minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs200,000 (1,900) for the next of kin of the deceased and assistance of Rs50,000 (475) for the injured. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured, the prime ministers office tweeted. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said an inquiry has been ordered into the accident. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least five people were killed and 45 sustained injuries after riots broke out between Hindu and Muslim groups in India's northern state of Haryana. The clashes began Monday when a Hindu religious procession was passing through a Muslim-dominated area in Nuh district, located nearly 75km south of the capital New Delhi. The procession was meant to move from one temple to another but clashes broke out between two groups on the way, which resulted in the death of four people, Krishan Kumar, a spokesperson of Nuh police, told Reuters. Two of the victims have been identified as members of the home guard, a voluntary force that helps police control civil disturbances. The home guards were shot dead as a mob reportedly tried to stop the procession by throwing stones. People who were part of the procession retaliated by throwing stones at the mob, which aggravated the violence. A third person was killed in the overnight violence. Several cars and public buses were torched as the violence spilled into neighbouring Gurugram, touted as the country's IT hub. Nearly 2,500 people, who had arrived in Nuh to take part in the procession, were later rescued by the local police on Monday evening as they sought shelter in a nearby temple. Later, a mob of nearly 70 people set fire to a mosque in Gurugram, killing the imam during the early hours of Tuesday. We have identified some of the accused and action will be taken soon, deputy commissioner of police Nitish Aggarwal told reporters. Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of people have been placed in Nuh district, while mobile internet services have been suspended in multiple parts of the state till Wednesday to contain the "intense communal tension", the Haryana government said. Schools and colleges were directed to remain closed while private companies issued work- from-home orders for their employees. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar condemned the violence as he appealed to people to maintain calm in the state. "The guilty will not be spared at any cost, strictest action will be taken against them," he tweeted. State home minister Anil Vij said the situation in Nuh was under control on Tuesday. "Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this," Mr Vij told ANI. Paramilitary forces and additional police forces from neighbouring regions have been deployed in Nuh to bring the situation under control, the home minister said, adding: We are also trying to send forces by helicopter. Police have reportedly registered about 20 First Information Reports and detained few people in connection with the violence. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Myanmars military junta has reduced the prison sentence for Aung San Suu Kyi, having been pardoned of five legal charges but the 78-year-old still has more than a dozen cases against her and faces the prospect of being detained for the rest of her life. Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her championing of democracy, is still expected to serve a total of 27 years out of the 33 she was originally imprisoned for, a sentence that was widely derided by the international community as an attempt to discredit her and legitimise a 2021 army takeover while preventing her return to politics. The head of Myanmars military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, granted the clemency order to reduce the sentences in five cases against Suu Kyi in which she was convicted for allegedly violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition, according to a report on the state-run MRTV. The latest announcement was part of an amnesty of more than 7,000 prisoners to mark Buddhist Lent. A close ally of Suu Kyi told The Independent: More meaningless words from the military. They are still playing the political game but we are still fighting for her freedom. Suu Kyi has always denied all of the charges for which she was convicted, ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption, and has been appealing against them. Several of her cases are awaiting final appeals. Last week, Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrest in the capital, Naypyitaw. Notice of Suu Kyis pardon (Supplied) Former president Win Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Suu Kyi after the 2021 coup, was also pardoned on some offences by the military government, reducing his jail term from 12 years to eight. He had faced eight cases, but this has been reduced to six. An informed source said both Suu Kyi and Win Myint would remain in detention. She wont be free from house arrest, said the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Photo taken on 24 May 2021 shows detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi (L) and detained president Win Myint (R) during their first court appearance in Naypyidaw, (MYANMAR MINISTRY OF INFORMATION/) Daughter of Myanmars independence hero, Suu Kyi was first put under house arrest in 1989 after huge protests against decades of military rule. She was only fully released from house arrest in 2010. She swept a 2015 election, held as part of tentative military reforms and her party won the next election in November 2020. A protester holds up a poster featuring Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup at in front of the Central Bank of Myanmar in Yangon on February 15, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images) But the military complained of election fraud after the 2020 vote and said it had to take power in early 2021 to ensure that the complaints were investigated. Suu Kyis party rejected the accusations of election fraud. Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing (AFP via Getty Images) Many governments have called for the unconditional release of Suu Kyi and thousands of others who were detained in a bloody crackdown that the junta unleashed against pro-democracy protests following the coup. The United Nations called on Monday for Myanmar to return to democratic rule. It wasn't immediately clear if any of the released prisoners in the amnesty included some of those thousands of political detainees. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organization, 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. At least 3,857 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. At the same time as the announcement, state television said it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for an election. That proposed election will now be delayed by that extension. The clemency also came three weeks after the Thai foreign minister, Don Pramudwinai, met Suu Kyi in prison, becoming the first foreign visitor to be granted access to her since she was detained. Mr Don told journalists she was in good health and conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her nation. Suu Kyi has been unable to give her version of the 9 July meeting, said to have lasted about an hour-and-a-half. Myanmar's military confirmed the meeting had been held, but said it had no details because its was one-on-one between the ousted leader and the Thai diplomat. One diplomatic source described the latest pardons as a cosmetic move. This is a signal to the international community - without doing anything substantive, said the source who declined to be identified. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The youngest son of Aung San Suu Kyi has demanded the Myanmar military give his mother complete freedom as she continues to face the prospect of being detained for the rest of her life despite the junta reducing her prison sentence. Kim Aris has expressed deep scepticism about the militarys latest announcement, accusing the government of playing political games and saying they would continue to fight for justice. Ms Suu Kyi, 78, was pardoned for five out of 19 charges, but her sentence has only been reduced by six years, bringing it down from 33 years to 27. It is a sentence that has been widely derided by the international community as an attempt to discredit her and legitimise the military takeover while preventing the ousted leader from returning to politics. Kim Aris is the youngest son of Aung San Suu Kyi (Sky News/AFP/Getty) Speaking to The Independent, Mr Aris a British national said: We fight on to see my mother find freedom. She is jailed illegally on trumped-up charges. We know the military play politics and games with her. Nothing less than her complete freedom is acceptable. She is a courageous symbol of freedom and democracy still shining brightly in a dark regime. The world awaits and must demand freedom and justice for her. Mr Aris and his elder brother have largely been separated from their mother since she moved from the UK to Myanmar in 1988 to look after her mother and ended up staying. As the daughter of General Aung San the nations founder who was assassinated in 1947 she formed a pro-democracy movement against the military dictatorship. Ms Suu Kyi was not allowed to leave the country to see her British husband before he died of cancer in 1999 and Mr Aris did not see his mother again until 2010. The head of Myanmars military council, General Min Aung Hlaing, granted todays clemency order to reduce the sentences in five cases against Ms Suu Kyi in which she was convicted for allegedly violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, and sedition, according to a report on the state-run MRTV. A close ally of Ms Suu Kyi told The Independent: More meaningless words from the military. They are still playing the political game but we are still fighting for her freedom. Protesters attend a candlelight vigil to honour those who have died during demonstrations against the military coup in Myanmar (AFP/Getty) The mother of two has always denied all the charges against her, ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption, and has been appealing against them. Many governments have called for her unconditional release along with thousands of others who were detained in a bloody crackdown that the junta unleashed against pro-democracy protests following the coup in 2021. Notice of Suu Kyis pardon (Supplied) Several of her cases are awaiting final appeals. Former president Win Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Ms Suu Kyi after the coup two years ago, was also pardoned on some offences by the military government, reducing his jail term from 12 years to eight. He had faced eight cases, but this has been reduced to six. An informed source said both would remain in detention. The ousted leader was pardoned of five legal charges out of 19 she was convicted for by the military junta (Reuters) She wont be free from house arrest, said the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Gen Hlaing also granted amnesty to 125 foreign prisoners and 22 members of ethnic armed groups, it added. The announcement said the army leader dropped cases against 72 people connected to ethnic armed groups. The day before the clemency announcement, state TV said it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for an election. That proposed election will now be delayed by that extension. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights-monitoring organisation, 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. Security forces have killed at least 3,857 civilians in the same period, the group says. Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint during their first court appearance in Naypyidaw, on 24 May 2021 (Myanmar Ministry of Information) Daughter of Myanmars independence hero, Ms Suu Kyi was first put under house arrest in 1989 after massive protests against decades of military rule, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her championing of democracy. She was only fully released from house arrest in 2010. Known and beloved in much of Myanmar as the Lady, she fulfilled the dreams of millions when her party won a landslide election in 2015 that gave elected politicians power for the first time in 50 years. Her party then won the next election in November 2020. But Ms Suu Kyi appalled global leaders only two years later by denying the extent of a sweeping military-led crackdown against the Rohingya minority which forced hundreds of thousands to flee the country. The military complained of election fraud after the 2020 vote and said it had to take power in early 2021 to ensure that the complaints were investigated. Ms Suu Kyis party rejected the accusations of election fraud. Following the coup and her arrest in February 2021, Ms Suu Kyi was initially held at her official residence in the capital under house arrest before being moved to an undisclosed location widely believed to be on an army base. She was again transferred, this time to prison on 22 June 2022. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Angus Clouds rumoured girlfriend Sydney Martin honoured the Euphoria actor following his sudden death at the age of 25. On 31 July, TMZ reported the 25-year-old had died inside his childhood home in Oakland, California. Later that day, Martin, 22, took to her Instagram Story to share a series of photos expressing her condolences and revealing her sadness. The first photo was a display of broken heart emojis against a black backdrop, with no mention of Cloud. Her follow-up photo featured the two of them together with the caption: My heart is so broken. I love you forever. Martin gave fans a peek into her and Clouds intimate relationship with a video of them spending time together on the third slide. On top of the footage, she included a song he loved - Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar. Clouds affection for the actress was displayed in her fourth post, a collage of four photos in which he could be seen embracing her, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek. Across an image of street art created by Cloud, Martin wrote: I will never let the world forget you. Bless Bless One Love. She also reposted the young talents old Instagram photo with the same caption: Bless Bless One Love. Though Martin and Cloud never publicly confirmed their romantic relationship, the two werent shy about showing affectionate photos on social media. The Alaska-born Martin included loving mirror selfies of them in her old post celebrating the release of Euphoria season two. Martin assumed the role of the Bikini girl who sat next to Ashtray by the bonfire in the first episode. Clouds family confirmed his passing in their statement to TMZ. It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways, they expressed. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. My heart is so broken, Martin writes in her Instagram tribute series for Cloud (@thesydneymartin on Instagram) The beloved HBO actors death comes after he lost his dad, Conor Hickey, in May. He and his family travelled to Ireland the week of 24 July for the burial. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence, Clouds family continued. We hope the world remembers him for his humour, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss. Martin and Cloud embrace eachother in a collage of selfies (@thesydneymartin on Instagram) Following his death, tributes to Cloud have poured in. Kathrine Narducci, Colman Domingo, Javon Wanna Walton, and Storm Reid paid homage to their late Euphoria co-star in poignant Instagram posts. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ashley Graham has opened up about her viral interview moment with Hugh Grant on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. The 35-year-old model spoke about the awkward interaction she shared with the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery actor at the Academy Awards in March during an interview withThe Sunday Times, where she revealed that she could tell Grant didnt want to be at the awards ceremony. I could tell he didnt want to be there, that was obvious, the body positivity activist said. Before, we were chatting, he was very pleasant. Then we started rolling and he was like: I dont want to be here, and I was: Okay, work with me! I get it! But like, work with me? Graham explained that she was trying her hardest to be [her] nice, upbeat self but Grant simply gave her all the energy that he had. During their cringeworthy red carpet interview, the Love Actually star described the Oscars event as Vanity Fair - seemingly referring to the frivolity and ostentation of the ceremony, according to William Makepeace Thackerays 1848 novel of the same name. However, Graham acknowledged that she didnt understand Grants reference when she replied: Oh, its all about Vanity Fair. Thats where we let loose. I didnt get the Vanity Fair comment. My public school system didnt have that book, probably, she said, noting that its crazy how viral the interview moment went online. When noted by the Times that everyone has a grumpy Hugh in their family, Graham admitted: I wish I wouldve known that. I just remembered him from Love Actually where he was charming! she added. Ashley Graham took on the role of red carpet correspondent at the 2023 Oscars in Los Angeles, California, last March. While interviewing Grant before the ceremony, she asked the actor if he was excited by the prospect of any certain actors winning, to which he replied: No, not one in particular. Trying another question, Graham asked: Okay, well what are you wearing tonight, then? In response, Grant simply said: Just my suit. Ashley Graham wasnt prepared for her Hugh Grant interview at the Oscars (ABC) Graham then decided to ask Grant about the Knives Out sequel Glass Onion, in which Grant makes a cameo appearance. "So tell me what was it like to be in Glass Onion? she asked, adding: It was such an amazing film. I really loved it. How is it to shoot something like that? Well, Im barely in it. Im in it for about three seconds, Grant said. When Graham replied: Yeah, but still, you showed up and you had fun, right? Grant said: Um, almost. The model then quickly wrapped up the interview after realising she had hit a wall with the actor, who appeared to shake his head in confusion. The red carpet interview was immediately described by viewers as the most awkward piece of television and a complete disaster. Many people also criticised Grant for giving blunt answers, with some viewers accusing him of being rude and obnoxious towards Graham. Other viewers have asked why Grant attended the event in the first place given that he did not appear enthusiastic about being there. Meanwhile, Graham was praised by viewers for handling the interview moment like a professional. Her grace was admirable. She didnt give up on being civil in the face of his rudeness, one person tweeted, while another said: Major shoutout to Ashley Graham for handling that Hugh Grant interview with grace and patience. Since then, Graham has subtly addressed their viral interview in an interview with TMZ. When asked whether she took offense to Grants comments, the model said: You know what, my mama told me to kill people with kindness, so there you go. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Gwyneth Paltrow is renting out her guesthouse on Airbnb, free of charge. The Goop founder announced on Tuesday 1 August that shes partnering with the vacation rental company in an effort to make the world feel a little less lonely. In a post on Instagram, Paltrow shared that two fans will be able to stay for one night at her Montecito, California, mansion for free. Loneliness is a human condition, but in the past few years, increased isolation and our lack of community has made our lives even more fragmented, Paltrow wrote on Instagram. @airbnb had the brilliant idea of doing something to make the world a little less lonely, which is why Im inviting you to come stay at my Montecito guesthouse for a night. Alongside the announcement, the Oscar winner shared a tour of the zen luxury rental that two lucky guests will call home for one night. The one-bedroom guesthouse, which Paltrow said was nestled right in nature, features a wood-burning fireplace, high beamed ceilings, and a marble bathroom fully stocked with Paltrows favourite Goop products. The two guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy a Goop Kitchen-inspired dinner with Paltrow and her husband, producer Brad Falchuk, in their wine room with whatever bottle of wine they choose. While we may begin as strangers, I hope well find connections and commonalities over a delicious meal, Paltrow said. Fans can have their chance to stay at Paltrows home in the coastal Santa Barbara town by booking online at Airbnb beginning on 15 August at 1pm ET. The duration of the stay is one night only on 9 September. In the listing for Paltrows guesthouse rental, the Shakespeare in Love star described her Montecito mansion as her sanctuary for respite and mental clarity. The one-night stay will also include a guided transcendental meditation session and a Goop-filled spa day. Guests will be greeted by Paltrow upon arrival, as she will ensure you have all the necessities for a comfortable and rejuvenating stay. Many followers instantly rushed to the comments of Paltrows post, where they shared their excitement at the possibility of staying in the Iron Man stars home. I will literally pay my life savings to go stay with Gwyneth, one fan commented. Me. I will book this. See you soon bestie, another wrote. This is literally my biggest dream, a third follower said. Back in 2022, Paltrow showed off her sprawling Montecito mansion in an interview with Architectural Digest. Over the course of six years, the lifestyle guru designed the house of her dreams alongside Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams, with the concept of a Parisian apartment set within an old European barn as inspiration. Ive always gravitated toward Santa Barbara. Even when I was living in London, wed take the kids there for holidays. It was our sweet gem of an escape in the US, she told AD, as she recalled discovering the property during a 2015 visit to the area. According to the Daily Mail, Paltrow and Falchuk originally bought their Montecito mansion for $4.9m in 2016. The entire house is powered by solar energy, with 60 solar panels installed on the 14,000 square foot property, as well as an Olympic-sized pool. The home also includes a spa that resembles an ancient bathhouse, reclaimed-stone floors from Chateau Domingue, and an indoor hammock swing. This house has taught me so much about patience and gratitude, Paltrow said. If you commit to design integrity and character, youll never be sorry. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A farmer has surprised his wife for their 50th wedding anniversary by planting 80 acres of sunflowers. Lee Wilson, a farmer from Kansas, planted about 1.2 million sunflowers in his field, with roughly 15,000 sunflowers per acre. With the help of his son, Wilson began planting the flowers in May and managed to keep them a secret from his wife, Renee Wilson. "Well were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary August 10th and you know whats a guy get his gal for the 50th? Wilson told Wichita-based outlet and ABC affiliate, KAKE-TV. And I put a lot of thought into it and she always liked sunflowers. The couple have been together since high school, according to KAKE-TV, after their first date at a roller skating party. We met in high school. She couldnt date until she was 16, and I called her on her 16th birthday and thats when we started dating, Lee said. As for how Renee reacted to her husbands anniversary surprise, she said: It made me feel very special. It couldnt have been a more perfect anniversary gift than a field of sunflowers. Now, fans of the yellow flower can view the 80-acre field off the south side of Highway 54, four miles outside of Pratt, Kansas, where the Wilsons live. However, sunflower season is soon coming to a close, so the flowers will only be in bloom for another two weeks. For most climates, sunflower season blossoms in late August to early September. The sunny flower is known for its high-reaching stalks, with some growing up to 10 feet tall. It also happens to be the state flower of Kansas. Much like Lee and Renee Wilson, a couple married for more than 82 years previously shared their advice for a long-lasting marriage. In 2019, D W Williams and Willie Williams celebrated their anniversary during a joint birthday party thrown by their daughter and granddaughter at First Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. While reflecting on their decades-long marriage, which spanned the Great Depression and the Civil Rights era, the couple shared that kindness was key to making love last. I dont have no secret for that, just be nice to each other, Willie told WSOC-TV at the time. The couples granddaughter, BJ Williams-Greene, also shared what shes learned about relationships from watching her grandparents over the years. Its communication and loving each other and working together, she said. They are each others best friend. To see them at this age and still doing well, its just a blessing to have them here. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Taco Bell has been sued for false advertising over the amount of filling in its Mexican Pizzas and Crunchwraps. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Frank Siragusa, accused Taco Bell of unfair and deceptive trade practices for falsely advertising the amount of beef and/or ingredients contained, after he and fellow customers bought items at a Taco Bell in Ridegewood, New York. Some of the items purchased were a Crunchwrap Supreme, Grande Crunchwrap, Vegan Crunchwrap, Mexican Pizza, and Veggie Mexican Pizza. All the foods were described as Overstated Menu Items in the lawsuit. According to the class action lawsuit, Siragusa and other individuals had these experiences in the Taco Bell restaurant on or after 31 July 2020. The lawsuit included photos of how much filling people allegedly got in their meal orders, alongside what the menu items looked like online. For example, as noted on Taco Bells website, some of the ingredients in a Crunchwrap Supreme are: Seasoned beef, tomatoes, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and a corn tortilla. The lawsuit also alleged that Taco Bell materially overstates the amount of beef and/or ingredients in its advertisements for these menu items by at least double the amount. The court document added that the false advertising is financially damaging to consumers, as they are receiving a product that is materially lower in value than what is being promised. On behalf of Siragusa and others who were in the same situation as him, the lawsuit is seeking monetary damages fully compensating all individuals who purchased an Overstated Menu Item, along with injunctive relief that would require Taco Bell to provide corrected advertising and/or stop selling the Overstate Menu Items. The plaintiff is also seeking other relief as the Court deems necessary and appropriate. Taco Bell advertises larger portions of food to steer consumers to their restaurants for their meals and away from competitors that more fairly advertise the size of their menu items, unfairly diverting millions of dollars in sales that would have gone to competitors, Siragusas legal team wrote in the filing. Earlier this month, Taco Bell also made headlines when it won its quest to make Taco Tuesday free of trademark restrictions, with Taco Johns formally abandoning its decades-old claim to own the phrase amid a challenge from its bigger rival. In a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office, Cheyenne-based Taco Johns gave up any further claim to Taco Tuesday in 49 states, ending a high-profile spat with Taco Bell. However, the dispute has continued on the Jersey Shore, where Gregorys Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point promised to keep fighting Taco Bell over the exclusive right to hold Taco Tuesday promotions in New Jersey. The Independent has contacted Taco Bell for comment. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Warner Bros has apologised after the studios Japan branch accused its social media posts of trivialising nuclear war in memes about Barbie and Oppenheimer. The Japanese branch of the studios official social media account reacted to the regrettable and inconsiderate posts, which attempted to join in on the recent craze surrounding the release of both films, whose titles have been merged to create the phrase Barbenheimer. Meme images that Warner Bros replied to included one showing Barbie lead star Margot Robbie with a hairstyle in the shape of a mushroom cloud, a reference to the atomic blast featured in Christopher Nolans biographical drama Oppenheimer. The social media account wrote in response: This Ken is a stylist. Meanwhile, another meme shows Oppenheimer lead star Cillian Murphy carrying Robbie through a burning city, with Warner Bros replying: Its going to be a summer to be remembered. Warner Bros Japan addressed the messages this week, stating on its official Barbie account: We find it extremely regrettable that the official account of the American headquarters for the movie Barbie reacted to the social media postings of Barbenheimer fans. It continued: We take this situation very seriously. We are asking the US headquarters to take appropriate action. We apologise to those who were offended by this series of inconsiderate reactions. Warner Brothers regrets its recent insensitive social media engagement. The studio offers a sincere apology, Warner Bros US responded. Deadline reports that the offending tweets are being deleted. On Twitter, community notes have been added to highlight information about the atomic bomb attacks that occured in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The suffering and destruction led to the deaths of an estimated 129,000 to 226,000 people. The Independent has contacted Warner Bros US for comment. Oppenheimer, which follows the physicist as he creates the atomic bomb, is yet to receive a release date in Japan. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures) However, the film is proving to be one of Nolans biggest hits, and has more than quadrupled its budget at the box office in less than two weeks, amassing global takings of $405.6m. Barbie has performed even better, and is set to hit the $1bn mark this week. While the film has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, one joke in the Greta Gerwig-directed film, directed at Robbie, is rubbing many viewers of the blockbuster film up the wrong way. The Independent spoke to Nolan about Oppenheimer, which is based on the director called the new release the biggest film Ive ever made, stating: Its not about money, its not about budget the magnitude of the story is what attracted me to it. Read the full interview here. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The stance of West Africas regional bloc known as ECOWAS in the military takeover in Niger is clear: We will stand with our people in our commitment to the rule of law, its chairman, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said at the body's meeting this week. The 15-nation bloc summoned its defense chiefs to discuss its threat to take all measures necessary (that) may include the use of force if ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within one week. ECOWAS is resolved to use military force after economic and travel sanctions used against the coup plotters failed, according to a Western diplomat in Niamey who did not want to be identified for security reasons. How the bloc would carry out its threat remains unclear given its lack of coordination in providing security regionally and formally with the U.S. State Department in Niger, said Aneliese Bernard, director of Strategic Stabilization Advisors. Theres not enough actual trust among ECOWAS members, and that lack of trust is what will break any type of coordinated response, Bernard said. But here's what we can tell so far on how such a military option could play out: HAS ECOWAS INTERVENED MILITARILY IN MEMBER COUNTRIES BEFORE? This is the first time in recent years that ECOWAS has considered the use of force to intervene and restore democracies in countries where the military took over. Amid the resurgence of coups in West and Central Africa, four nations are run by military governments in the region, but the bloc has unsuccessfully tried to return democracies in these places. Its best shot has been economic sanctions that often end up with no effect other than squeezing the citizens already facing a high rate of poverty and hunger. However, ECOWAS has used force in recent history to restore order in member countries, most recently in 2017 in Gambia after longtime President Yahya Jammehs refusal to step down after he lost the presidential election. But even in that case, the move had involved diplomatic efforts led by then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow. ECOWAS also operated a regional peacekeeping operation known as ECOMOG that was led by Nigeria in the 1990s and early 2000s to help restore order in several countries, from Liberia when forces were first deployed in 1990 during the deadly civil war to Sierra Leone in 1997 when the democratically elected government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was overthrown. CAN A MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGER WORK? The military in landlocked Niger which relies on neighbors like Nigeria for electricity supply and Benin for port operations may not be able to hold out for long against a joint ECOWAS force, said Bacary Sambe, a conflict researcher with the Senegal-based Timbuktu Institut think tank. Analysts have said the success of such a military intervention would also depend on how ECOWAS is able to coordinate among its members and with external bodies like the African Union. There are already signs of a lack of synergy: ECOWAS gave the Niger junta a one-week deadline, shorter than the 15-day ultimatum the African Union handed them to return to their barracks. There are also economic limitations to how logistics and financing for such a force could be implemented, leaving a window open for Western support, said Kabir Adamu, the founder of Beacon Consulting, an Abuja-based security consulting firm. A military intervention would be a bit difficult, however, there are options in the Western world and France. In the case of the financial challenge, that can be addressed by support from other countries, likewise the technical challenge," Adamu said. The resistance threatened by other countries run by regimes Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea could further complicate ECOWAS' response. The four countries share borders which could make it easier for them to team up across the Sahel region in the vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert, starting from Guinea on one end to Niger at the other. WHAT COULD BE THE CAPACITY OF AN ECOWAS MILITARY FORCE? In December, the bloc said it was determined to set up a regional force to intervene in occasions like coups but there has been no word since then on establishing such a force or how it would operate. In terms of numbers though, it is believed that should ECOWAS decide to deploy security forces in Niger, their number would be far more than the 7,000 members of the multinational force sent to remove Jammeh from office. Nigeria alone has West Africas largest armed force with 230,000 personnel, though not all are frontline troops. Nine of the top 20 countries with the best military in Africa are from remaining West African democracies, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. Only Nigeria, ranked fourth, is among the top five, while 21st-placed Mali is the highest-ranked among the four countries that have recently witnessed coups. HOW MUCH EXTERNAL INFLUENCE FROM THE WEST AND RUSSIA COULD WE SEE IN NIGER? An ECOWAS-led military intervention in Niger and the resulting resistance from Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea could keep West and other parts of Africa sandwiched in the middle of a geopolitical battle between the West and Crimea, said Adamu with the Abuja-based Beacon Consulting. The coup in Niger could extend the reach of Russia's private military group Wagner in West Africa where it has emerged as the preferred security partner, from Mali where they have helped fight jihadi groups to Burkina Faso where the regime has hailed Russia as a strategic ally after ousting French troops in February. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin welcomed the military takeover as the fight of its people (Niger) against the colonizers, referring to France, which along with the U.S. has thousands of troops in Niger, seen as the last remaining Western ally in the Sahel. The military junta (in Niger) can't look at Russia (but) it depends on how far it wants to go, Adamu said. ___ Sam Mednick in Niamey, Niger, and Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali, contributed. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A group of parents, faith leaders and a public education nonprofit sued Monday to stop Oklahoma from establishing and funding what would be the nations first religious public charter school. The lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court seeks to stop taxpayer funds from going to the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 last month to approve the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to establish the school, and the board and its members are among those listed as defendants. The vote came despite a warning from Oklahomas Republican attorney general that such a school would violate both state law and the Oklahoma Constitution. The Rev. Lori Walke, senior minister at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said she joined the lawsuit because she believes strongly in religious freedom. Creating a religious public charter school is not religious freedom, Walke said. Our churches already have the religious freedom to start our own schools if we choose to do so. And parents already have the freedom to send their children to those religious schools. But when we entangle religious schools to the government we endanger religious freedom for all of us. The approval of a publicly funded religious school is the latest in a series of actions taken by conservative-led states that include efforts to teach the Bible in public schools, and to ban books and lessons about race, sexual orientation and gender identity, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which is among several groups representing the plaintiffs in the case. We are witnessing a full-on assault of church-state separation and public education, and religious public charter schools are the next frontier, Laser said. Oklahomas Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier this year signed a bill that would give parents in the state a tax incentive to send their children to private schools, including religious schools. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma said in its application to run the charter school: The Catholic school participates in the evangelizing mission of the Church and is the privileged environment in which Christian education is carried out. Rebecca Wilkinson, the executive director of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, said in an email to The Associated Press that the board hadn't been formally notified of the lawsuit Monday afternoon and that the agency would not comment on pending litigation. A legal challenge to the board's application approval was expected, said Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma. News of a suit from these organizations comes as no surprise since they have indicated early in this process their intentions to litigate, Farley said in a text message to the AP. We remain confident that the Oklahoma court will ultimately agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in favor of religious liberty. Stitt, who previously praised the board's decision as a win for religious liberty and education freedom, reiterated that position on Monday. To unlock more school options, I'm supportive of that," Stitt said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A retired miner who killed his seriously ill wife to end her suffering has visited her grave for the first time the day after being freed from prison in Cyprus. British expat David Hunter was released from custody on Monday after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his spouse of 52 years. After her death in December 2021, Mrs Hunter was buried at a cemetery minutes from the couples home in Tremithousa a small village near the coastal resort town of Paphos. But Hunter, 76, has been unable to visit the grave as he was admitted to hospital immediately after Mrs Hunters death following a failed suicide attempt, then taken into custody and prosecuted for murder. The pensioner spent 19 months in prison before being cleared of premeditated murder but found guilty of manslaughter by a three-judge panel. He was jailed for two years but allowed to walk free within 15 minutes of being sentenced at Paphos District Court due to time already served and good behaviour. On Tuesday morning, he paid an emotional first visit to Mrs Hunters grave. Hunter could not initially find the grave and was guided to it by Michael Polak of Justice Abroad, which represented him during his trial. Carrying a bouquet of pink, purple and yellow flowers, he immediately knelt down by the grave and appeared to be silently shaking. Hunter stayed at the site for around half an hour. The couples daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, previously said she believes that, rather than return to the UK, her father will initially choose to stay in Cyprus to be near Mrs Hunters grave and say his goodbyes properly. Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. He broke down in tears as he said he would never in a million years have taken Mrs Hunters life unless she had asked him to. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became hysterical. Judges heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose but medics arrived in time to save him. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British husband who said he killed his terminally ill wife to end her suffering has paid an emotional visit to her grave for the first time, the day after being freed from prison in Cyprus. Retired miner David Hunter was released from custody on Monday after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his spouse of 52 years. He had already spent 19 months in prison over his wifes death. Mrs Hunter died in December 2021 and was buried at a cemetery minutes from the couples home in Tremithousa a small village near the coastal resort town of Paphos. But Hunter, 76, has been unable to visit the grave because he was admitted to hospital immediately after Mrs Hunters death following a failed suicide attempt, and then taken into custody before going on trial. The British expat was cleared of premeditated murder but was found guilty of manslaughter last month by a three-judge panel. David Hunter visits wifes grave for first time since prison release (PA) He was jailed for two years but allowed to walk free within 15 minutes of being sentenced at Paphos District Court due to time already served and good behaviour. On Tuesday morning, the pensioner paid an emotional first visit to Mrs Hunters grave. David Hunter lays flowers at the grave of his wife Janice Hunter at a cemetery near their former home in Paphos, Cyprus (PA) Hunter could not initially find the grave and was guided by Michael Polak of Justice Abroad, which represented him during his trial. Carrying a bouquet of pink, purple and yellow flowers, the widower immediately knelt down by the grave and appeared to be silently shaking. Hunter stayed at the site for around half an hour. Retired miner David Hunter was released from custody on Monday after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his spouse of 52 years (PA Media) The couples daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, previously said she believes that her father will initially choose to stay in Cyprus to be near Mrs Hunters grave and say his goodbyes properly instead of returning to the UK. Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. He broke down in tears as he said he would never in a million years have taken Mrs Hunters life unless she had asked him to. David Hunter was sentenced to two years in prison for the manslaughter of his wife Janice (PA Wire) He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became hysterical. Judges heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose but medics arrived in time to save him. In mitigation, Hunters defence lawyer Ritsa Pekri said that his motive was to liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions. The court heard it was Ms Hunters wish to die and that her husband had only feelings of love for her. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The wife of an Afghan pilot threatened with deportation to Rwanda has made an emotional plea to the UK government to give her family sanctuary in Britain. The woman, who is in hiding in Afghanistan, said her family is paying a heavy price for her husbands work with the British and that her life has become dark and bleak as they wait for help. The pilot made the final leg of his journey to Britain in a small boat across the English Channel after fleeing Taliban rule, leaving his young family behind. But, on reaching the UK, the Afghan air force official did not receive the help he hoped for and was instead given a notice by the Home Office threatening him with deportation to Rwanda. The pilots wife is despairing at the lack of help from Rishi Sunaks government. Speaking for the first time since this newspaper raised the pilots plight, and in a message through her husband, she told The Independent: When will this uncertainty end? She added: The world has become dark and bleak for me, I dont know what to do. Im about to go crazy. We cannot go out because of the fear of Taliban. Our days and nights are spent in fear. Accusing the UK of failing to provide safe haven for the family, she added: I am really tired of the situation. Believe me, it is clear that the government there does not want to help. Addressing him directly, she said: It is obvious what your job role was and how you helped them. It really is an unappreciative and unreliable government. Unfortunately, we now have to pay a heavy price for your cooperation with them, and that is to be killed by the Taliban. After the fall of Kabul, the pilot waited in hiding for several months before making the heartbreaking decision to leave his wife and young family and find safe refuge. Knowing she could not make the perilous journey, his wife told him: I put you into his hands. Go. But she said today: I wish I could predict the future and knew whats awaiting us. I would not have let you go. The pilot applied for settlement in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), set up to bring those who helped British forces during the war to safety in the UK, but was turned down. He has now been left in limbo as he awaits a decision on his future. She added: At times I even think, death at the hands of the Taliban would be better than going through this mental torture by the waiting game of that government. She said the only reason she is alive is because of her innocent young family who still know nothing. The Independent is campaigning for the pilot and other Afghan veterans to be given asylum in countries for whom they have risked their lives. Numerous military chiefs, politicians, and celebrities have backed the call. The pilot is being considered for possible sanctuary in the US (The Independent) With his asylum claim paused in the UK, the pilot has been forced to turn to the US for help with the White House pledging to take care of the folks who helped us during the longest war in this country. He is being considered for possible sanctuary in the US under the P1 resettlement scheme, following a referral by a US official. He has had his initial relocation interview to determine his eligibility for the scheme, and has a follow-up interview later this month. The Rwanda notice has still not been removed despite the UKs Court of Appeal ruling that the governments returns agreement is illegal. Without the notice being removed, the pilots asylum application cannot progress. Members of the US senate have also backed calls for safe haven for the Afghan pilot, after the UKs Ministry of Defence said he did not qualify for their resettlement scheme. The airman, who was praised as a patriot to his nation by his coalition forces supervisor, said his family were living in fear. He added: They cant go anywhere. They cant go outside. They are hardly living. My wife is depressed and she talks very disappointedly. They are waiting and asking me what is going on about my case. They ask me when will we come? Sometimes I have to lie to them because I cant tell them the truth. If I say the truth, it is too painful. Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais and a former army colonel, said: The Afghan veterans we are supporting, including the pilot, sacrificed so much to support UK forces but our government is slamming the door in their faces. All they want is to have a safe future with their families in the UK. But rather than offering them the promised sanctuary, the government is delaying their asylum claims, threatening to remove them to Rwanda and leaving their families stuck in Afghanistan, hiding in fear every day from the Taliban. A UK government spokesperson said: Whilst we do not comment on individual cases, we can confirm that all applications are rigorously assessed against the eligibility criteria published online. The Arap scheme was established for a defined cohort of Afghans who had worked directly for, or with, the UK armed forces. We have already relocated more than 12,200 Afghans under Arap and continue working to bring all those people eligible to safety in the UK. We understand the desire of Afghans now seeking to leave their country, however, we cannot support all former members of the Afghan security forces, who number in the hundreds of thousands. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Asylum seekers ordered to move to a quasi-prison barge are fighting the transfers, in the latest development to hit the beleaguered Home Office scheme. No migrants are expected to arrive on the Bibby Stockholm until next week, after the timetable was pushed back yet again because of ongoing checks by the Health and Safety Executive at Portland Port. A Home Office source denied the delays related to fire risks, and said they were partly due to local authorities preferences on the timing of new services. Some asylum seekers were previously told that they would be moved to the Bibby Stockholm on Wednesday, but the Home Office has not confirmed any dates and said only that transfers would happen as soon as possible. The Independent understands that lawyers representing people who have received transfer notices in hotels have sent a volley of letters to the government arguing the barge is unsuitable for them. The department faces a new wave of costly legal action if it resists formal appeals to remove asylum seekers from consideration because of mental health issues, physical conditions and other vulnerabilities. The Independent is also aware of at least one case where the Home Office sent a transfer letter to the wrong person, and widespread confusion over official notices that were marked with hotel room numbers rather than asylum seekers names. Ministers announced the barge would be used for 500 asylum seekers in April, but it has not yet taken anyone on board following delays to refurbishment work, safety checks and concerns over fire risks. Rishi Sunak did not give a date for transfers to start on Tuesday, telling journalists that checks were ongoing. All migrant accommodation has to go through a series of checks and inspections to make sure it complies with regulation, thats whats happening in this case, he added. This is ultimately about fairness. I dont think its fair that British taxpayers are forking out six million quid a day to house illegal migrants in hotels I want to put an end to that. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge has not yet taken any asylum seekers on board (PA Wire) Katy Robinson, a partner at Wilson Solicitors, said it was representing several clients who had received official notices saying they would be moved to the barge imminently. She said the Home Office had suspended some transfers already, but that there were also concerns about the adequacy of accommodation on board in general. The issues raised include restrictions on movement in and out of the barge, fire and other safety risks, overcrowding and the level of medical care. In our experience so far it also appears that the Home Office is failing to adequately determine the individual suitability for accommodation on the Bibby Stockholm of those it is seeking to transfer, with potentially disastrous consequences, Ms Robinson told The Independent. We have written to the Government Legal Department outlining these issues and await a response. Richard Drax, the Conservative MP for South Dorset, has likened the barge to a quasi-prison and urged the Home Office and vessel operators to ensure all safety requirements are met. The Bibby Stockholm has 222 single bedrooms, but the Home Office has put between one and three bunk beds in each one to increase the capacity to 506 people (Bibby Marine) The Care4Calais charity said survivors of torture, people with disabilities and people who have experienced trauma at sea were among those facing transfer. Chief executive Steve Smith added: Housing any human on a floating prison like the Bibby Stockholm is unacceptable. Doing so to people like this is completely inhumane. Thats why our volunteers are doing everything they can to support people to challenge the governments decisions. A charity called Migrants Organise said the barge, which has had its 222 tiny cabins filled with bunk beds to increase capacity, was simply not suitable accommodation for vulnerable asylum seekers. Legal organiser Brian Dikoff said its lawyers had sent formal correspondence to the Home Office questioning whether the barge amounts to unlawful detention, because migrants cannot freely move around Portland Port and must be taken out by an official bus. We are particularly concerned that many asylum seekers are not going to be able to move freely and in effect, will be detained, he added. Rival protesters argue in Portland in Dorset after the Bibby Stockholm barge arrived last month (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire) We also know from extensive experience with the asylum support system that there are serious deficiencies with the Home Office's screening and safeguarding mechanisms. Mr Dikoff said the charity was aware of clearly unsuitable people being selected for the Bibby Stockholm, including those with phobias or traumatic experiences at sea. Government accommodation for asylum seekers works on a no choice principle, because it is granted on the basis that they would otherwise be homeless and destitute. If people refuse to move when told, financial support and housing can be discontinued, and disputes can also lead to arrests for breaching immigration bail. Ministers argue that housing asylum seekers on the barge and disused military sites is a cost-effective and necessary alternative to costly hotels. But with a backlog of asylum claims at a record level, Ms Robinson argued: The current need for additional asylum accommodation is entirely of the governments own making in failing to process asylum claims promptly and fairly, and should not result in individuals being accommodated unsuitably or where they are unsafe. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A senior police officer who allegedly smoked cannabis daily after drawing up an anti-drugs strategy for the Metropolitan Police was never sober at home, a tribunal has heard. Commander Julian Bennett, who has served in the force since 1976, is said to have taken the drug before breakfast and work, where he would be praised by senior colleagues. He is also accused of taking LSD at a party and magic mushrooms while on holiday in France. The officer is also alleged to have failed to provide a urine sample for testing and lied about why he had not done so. Sheila Gomes, a nurse who lived with the officer between October and December 2019, claims the officer was never sober. He has to drink and he has to smoke. Julian Bennett was most of the time not sober. He was never sober Sheila Gomes, witness She told the hearing in Southwark, south London: He was never sober at home. He has to drink and he has to smoke. Julian Bennett was most of the time not sober. He was never sober. She also claimed he was in and out buying the drug but she did not know where it came from. John Beggs KC, representing Mr Bennett, told the hearing she is a gold digger and serial litigator who wants money. Following an exchange about the officer being praised at work, he told her: You are a liar. She replied: I am not. He asked: Or a fantasist? She replied: I am not. He said: You are just making it up as you go along? She said: I didnt. He said: You are hoping this would be another bit of litigation or a book you can write to make money. She replied: I asked the previous chair and I told this one that I wanted to be anonymous. That would be very strange if I want to be anonymous that I would write a book. He said: I am suggesting you are a gold digger; you are looking for money. She replied: No. He said: You do sue people. She replied: I dont sue people. He asked: You are currently involved in a litigation. It is not a matter of confidentiality that you are currently litigating. She replied: I am. He asked if she had previously litigated, and she replied that she had done so in Portugal, where she was born. The hearing was told Mr Bennett was praised for his performance by senior officers at the time and shortly after. A former assistant commissioner had thanked him for a report on the released under investigation procedure which Mr Beggs said had quite complicated statistical analysis about a month before Ms Gomes moved in. In April 2020, the then deputy commissioner and deputy assistant commissioner expressed personal appreciation for his work. On 28 April, deputy commissioner Sir Stephen House said he had shown determination and real focus in leading many improvements in the criminal justice portfolio. Dame Cressida Dick, the then commissioner, praised him at work at the time of the alleged drug-taking, an earlier hearing was told. Mr Bennett wrote the forces drugs strategy for 2017-21 as a commander for territorial policing. The document, entitled Dealing With the Impact of Drugs on Communities, set up plans to raise awareness of the impact of drug misuse. Freedom of information requests showed Mr Bennett presided over 74 police misconduct hearings involving 90 officers between June 2010 and February 2012. Out of the hearings involving Mr Bennett, 56 officers were dismissed more than three-quarters. He chaired 69 hearings during that time and two officers were dismissed for drugs misuse, the figures showed. Mr Bennett is accused of breaching the forces professional standards for discreditable conduct three times, honesty and integrity twice, and orders and instructions once. His actions are alleged to have amounted to gross misconduct. He denies the allegations and has been suspended on full pay since July 2021. The tribunal continues. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Scientists may have identified a major reason why individuals age, which could lead to therapy to slow down the process as well as reduce the risk of blood cancer. High levels of toxic chemicals in the body, such as formaldehyde, which is best known as an embalming agent, have recently been found to be naturally made by cells and also to cause ageing. Leading scientists from Cornell University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK are trying to understand what causes the body to overproduce formaldehyde. It is hoped that drugs may be able to lower levels of it in the body and reverse the ageing process. Professor Meng Wang, a haematology expert who led the study at Cambridge before moving to Cornell, told The Daily Telegraph: We believe we have pinned down one of the potential causes of natural ageing. This could potentially lead to a therapy to slow down natural age-related decline. Scientists have also recently discovered a condition caused by a genetic mutation that prevents sufferers from removing formaldehyde from their system. It affects fewer than one in a million people, and can lead to the development of blood cancers. According to Cancer Research UK, formaldehyde causes DNA damage to blood stem cells, which can accelerate their ageing and increase the likelihood of blood cancers. The research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, identified a common link between DNA damage in blood cancer and ageing. Prof Wang added: Theres this debate in ageing. One side says that ageing is a result of slow, gradual, accumulated damage, like riding the same bicycle over the years. Slowly bits of rust and everything makes it not work as well as it used to. And then theres the other camp that says, actually, ageing is a programmed response triggered by various stressors that turns a young cell into an older one. What we found is that actually, at least in blood stem cells, it is very much a triggered response, dependent on a protein called p53. The team only looked for signs of ageing in blood, but it is suspected that ageing also occurs in the organs. The team are also investigating whether formaldehyde production is affected by food or other lifestyle factors. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Some of the UKs most precious conservation sites have been hit by hundreds of sewage overspills in the last year, according to Greenpeace. Family-favourite locations such as the Lake District and the Brecon Beacons national park are among the beauty spots that have suffered hours of sewage overflows, according to the environment groups investigative unit Unearthed. The protected areas, including sites of special scientific interests (SSSIs) or special areas of conservation (SACs), are home to rare or threatened species and habitats. Using mapping analysis, Greenpeace said it found sewage was poured into conservation sites for more than 300,000 hours last year, and identified almost 1,200 storm overflow pipes that discharged into or within 50m of internationally important ecosystems in 2022. The Solent and Dorset coast, a large special protected area (SPA) spanning the West Sussex, Isle of Wight and Dorset coasts, is one of the worst-affected areas, with 14,174 hours of sewage spills last year, its data found. Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District is among the popular nature hubs hit by sewage overspills (Getty Images) In the norths Lake District, Greenpeace said the River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake received more than 6,600 hours of sewage spills in 2022, while Esthwaite Water, an SSSI in the south of the region, received over 2,700 hours. This map below shows all the areas where sewage overspills took place in protected areas last year, according to Greenpeace, with darker spots showing the worst-hit areas. View more Storm overflows are designed to prevent overwhelming sewerage systems by discharging wastewater into rivers. According to the regulator Ofwat, spills come from storm overflows in emergency situations, for example, if there are sewer blockages or equipment failures at wastewater treatment works. This means the network discharges a mixture of rainwater, groundwater, and sewage. Water companies told Unearthed they were committed to reducing their use of storm overflows. Campaigners have called for greater monitoring on emergency overflows and tighter rules on storm overflow sewage discharges (PA) A spokesperson for Surfers Against Sewage said: This is yet another shocking example of the wilful decimation of the natural world that the government is allowing. Weak regulation, hollowed out enforcement, pollution for profit its a sewage scandal, plain and simple. No one is falling for their empty rhetoric any more, and the public are rightly rising up and demanding change. The grubby tentacles of the sewage scandal are everywhere from excellent rated beaches, to sites of special scientific interest and its clear that a complete system overhaul is needed to turn the tide on this foul state of affairs. A Defra spokesperson said: Polluters must pay for their actions so we are scrapping the cap on civil penalties and have given Ofwat new powers to toughen up rules on dividends so that peoples bills do not reward environmental damage. And the Environment Agency has launched a major criminal investigation into potential non-compliance at wastewater treatment works by water companies. Our Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan set strict new targets on water companies and it prioritises action in ecologically important sites such as SSSIs so overflows in these areas are addressed. It comes after a new poll found that almost one in four UK sea swimmers are being put off from taking a dip because of sewage. Just over 30 per cent of UK adults said they go sea swimming during the summer, and of these 23 per cent said they will not this year because of sewage dumping by water companies, according to the poll from the Liberal Democrats. The poll, carried out by Savanta with 2,272 UK adults between July 21 and 23, found 43 per cent of regular beachgoers said they were less likely to visit the British seaside this summer because of the sewage discharges. A Water UK spokesperson said: Water and sewerage companies have been too slow to tackle spills from overflows and have a plan to put it right. The sector is proposing to invest 10 billion over the next seven years in an intensive programme to improve sewage overflows tripling current levels of investment as part of the biggest modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era. Chalk streams, and other sensitive sites, will be prioritised as part of this investment and will be among the first to receive funding. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Shoplifters committing repeat offences could be handed prison sentences under new government plans. According to reports, the government is working on plans that would force judges to impose jail time when sentencing repeat offenders for shoplifting, burglary, theft and common assault. The terms are to be covered in revisions to the crime and justice bill. At present, shoplifting does not necessarily equate to time in prison across England and Wales. If the goods are worth less than 200, the maximum sentence is six months in prison. Anything over 200 could facilitate a maximum sentence of seven years. At present, shoplifting does not necessarily equate to time in prison across England and Wales (PA) However, a police caution can be given as an alternative to prosecution, though this will still be accompanied by a criminal record. In March 2023, Office of National Statistics figures for England and Wales reflected a 22 per cent rise in shoplifting in the year to September. Elsewhere, the British Retail Consortium figures suggested a similar trend, reflecting 7.9 million cases last year. This represented five million more than in 2016/17. Elsewhere, a 2022 study by the Centre for British Retail noted that shoplifting cost the British economy 660m between 2021 and 2022. However, the British Retail Consortium found that, in March 2023, shop prices were 8.9 per cent higher than one year prior. Shoplifting strikes at the heart of local communities and we expect police forces to take this seriously deterring this kind of crime but also catching more offenders, a Home Office spokesperson told The Independent. We have delivered more police officers in England and Wales than ever before and invested a record of up to 17.6 billion in 2023/24 into policing, including for more visible patrols in our neighbourhoods and better security such as CCTV and alarm systems. It added that throughout the Police Uplift Programme, forces received 700m in 2020/21, 425m in 2021/2022 and 550m in 2022/2023. Meanwhile, campaigners have slammed the governments plans to introduce facial recognition cameras to crack down on shoplifting, labelling the move dangerously authoritarian. "Live facial recognition is a dystopian mass surveillance tool that turns innocent members of the public into walking ID cards, Mark Johnson, from Big Brother Watch, told the BBC. The organisation is dedicated to campaigning for civil liberties. "Deploying this face-scanning surveillance to track the public is a dangerously authoritarian step that aligns the UK with the likes of Russia and China. Rather than promote its use, the government should follow other liberal democracies around the world that are legislating to ban this Orwellian technology from public spaces." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tesco has urgently recalled a batch of cooking salt over fears it could contain small pieces of plastic. The product being pulled from the shelves is the supermarkets own brand 1.5kg salt bags, worth 1.90. The food safety watchdog has issued a do not eat warning over the product. Officials at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned that the possible presence of plastic could be harmful if eaten. The recall only affects salt with the batch code 3200. No other batches are at risk. Shoppers who have bought products with this batch code are urged not to use it and instead return it to their nearest Tesco supermarket. A full refund will be offered to affected customers, who do not need a receipt to get their money back. The recall relates to 1.5kg bags of British cooking salt with the batch number 3200 (Food Standards Agency) A spokesperson for the supermarket giant said: We have been made aware that a specific batch of Tesco Cooking Salt 1.5kg may have been contaminated with small pieces of plastic. This could potentially pose a risk if ingested. Please do not consume this product and return it to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required. Tesco apologises to our customers for any inconvenience caused. Customers can call the companys customer services for further details, on 0800 505 555. Other products recalled in July include Jeremy Clarksons Hawkstone Cider, because of the risk of bottles exploding, Potts Truffle Mayonnaise, because of the presence of Listeria, and Yaadgaars Celebration Cakes because of undeclared soya. Two recall notices were issued for Sci-Mx Nutritions Ultra Muscle Strawberry Flavour, sold at Home Bargains, because of high levels of caffeine. Bumerang Ltd recalled its Candy Stars Lollipops because of the sticks sharp ends while Tesco also recalled its Free From Snacks because of undeclared gluten. This included Tesco Free From Onion Rings, Tesco Free From Cheese Flavour Balls, and Tesco Free From Bacon Rashers. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} While much of southern Europe has been battling 40C heat and out-of-control wildfires in recent weeks the latest disturbing illustration of the climate crisis in action the UK has been enduring one of the most damp and dismal summers in recent memory. This time last year, the country experienced precedent-shattering temperatures but, 12 months on, several areas including Preston, Lancashire, and Castlederg in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, have reported their wettest July since records began, according to the BBC. There appears to be no let-up either, with the Met Office forecasting further downpours this week as we enter into August. Meteorologist Alex Deakin warned that the drab weather seen on Monday, which brought heavy rain to Scotland and northwestern England, would gradually ease on Tuesday, only for a fresh belt of rain to materialise on Wednesday over Cornwall, pushing up from the south west and bringing further torrential rain to southern England and Wales. That expected shift will be driven by an area of low pressure from out over the Atlantic, making its way eastwards towards the UK before lingering over the Republic of Ireland and bringing unusually windy conditions to the Channel for the time of year. There will still be no relief after that, according to Mr Deakin, who warns that northerly winds racing south through Scotland will bring a cool feel and a mix of further sunshine and showers on Thursday. The culprit behind all of this misery is the jet stream, a channel of strong winds blowing from west to east five to seven miles above the Earths surface, which typically brings high pressure and therefore sunny, dry, stable conditions to Britain in summer but is not currently occupying its customary place. While it normally lies to the north of the UK at this time of year, it is presently positioned to its south, meaning Europe is being subjected to low pressure and more unsettled conditions than the continent is typically accustomed to, explaining both the damp squib of the British summer and the dangerous temperatures seen in Italy, Spain and Greece. The Met Offices Stephen Dixon explains: Typically we are to the south of that jet stream and what that allows and what it allowed last summer is for a high pressure to build over the UK and allows the UK to kind of draw up warmer air from the south. More air was kind of fed in from the equator, almost, and moved over the UK and so that high pressure, coupled with the time of year it was, allowed that day-on-day to rise to the UK to that record level of 40.3C that we saw at Coningsby [in Lincolnshire] in July. We just havent been in that weather pattern this summer. Its down to that jet stream and how it how it develops weather towards the UK. At the moment, its kind of directed towards the UK, which helps to develop these low pressure systems and gives us a bit of a little autumnal-feel for the weather that weve seen in recent weeks and yeah, not so much for what we saw last year. Forecasters are currently warning that there is little chance of any meaningful change to this pattern until late August as present conditions persist. But there are hopes of a warmer, dryer September prevailing particularly welcome news for farmers struggling with waterlogged fields and oversaturated crops. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Acts by the so-called Islamic State (IS) against the Yazidi people in 2014 have formally been determined by the UK Government as genocide. IS held large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014 when the terrorist group attacked the Yazidi religious minority. The House of Commons in 2016 called on the Government to formally declare that IS was committing genocide against Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. The Government has said determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts, and linked what it described as a formal acknowledgement that acts of genocide had been committed by IS against Yazidis in 2014 to a finding from the German Federal Court of Justice. The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day Lord Ahmad, Foreign Office minister Earlier this year, the final court of appeal in Germany confirmed a conviction against an IS member for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against Yazidis in Iraq. UN investigators have claimed to have found clear evidence that genocide was committed by IS against the Yazidi religious group. A UN report in 2016 found an IS offensive against the group which began in August 2014 sought to destroy the Yazidis, with killings and sexual slavery, enslavement, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and forcible transfer. More than 5,000 people were reportedly killed by IS, which is also known as Daesh. Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad said: The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day. Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated. Today, we have made the historic acknowledgement that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice. The UK will continue to play a leading role in eradicating Daesh, including through rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda. He made the announcement ahead of events marking the nine-year anniversary of atrocities committed by IS against the Yazidi people. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Keir Starmer is to face another by-election test within weeks after former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier was stripped of her seat over a breach of Covid lockdown rules. More than 10 per cent of her constituents in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, near Glasgow a key Labour target seat voted to recall her following her suspension from the House of Commons. The outcome of the by-election will be closely observed as a potential sign of how the parties will perform in Scotland in next years general election. Traditionally a Labour seat, it fell to the SNP in recent elections but with Hamza Yousafs party struggling in the wake of the scandal over its finances and Nicola Sturgeons resignation, Sir Keirs party will expect to win it back. Ms Ferrier was suspended from the SNP, which means she would have to stand as an independent if she wants to retake the seat. The recall comes after she travelled twice between England and Scotland in September 2020 despite testing positive for coronavirus. Her decision to take a train from Glasgow to London and back with Covid symptoms was denounced at the time as reckless and dangerous. She also went on to speak in the Commons, even while awaiting the outcome of a Covid test. In a statement to Sky News following the result, she said it had been a difficult and taxing process and she did not want to prolong it further. I respect the outcome of the petition, the statement said. It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the member of parliament for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. I have always put my job and my constituents first, and I am disappointed that this will now come to an end. I decided some time ago that I would not stand in the upcoming by-election. This has been a difficult and taxing process that has now come to its conclusion and I do not wish to prolong it further. I would like to thank my team for their loyalty and continued dedication to supporting me in delivering for my constituents. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labours deputy leader, said: The people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West have made their voices heard and demanded change. For far too long the area has been failed let down by two incompetent governments and left voiceless in Parliament by their rule-breaking MP. Mr Yousaf, Scotlands first minister, said the circumstances in Rutherglen and Hamilton West would be challenging for his party, but that it nevertheless has solid support. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: Margaret Ferriers constituents have delivered a very clear verdict on her reckless and selfish actions at the height of the pandemic. Of course, this by-election would have happened a lot sooner if she had done the right thing and resigned as an MP straight away. Instead, she brazenly stuck it out to the bitter end, which was a total insult to her constituents who made huge sacrifices during Covid. Ms Ferrier was handed a 270-hour community payback order after admitting culpably and recklessly exposing the public to the risk of infection, illness and death. Following a lengthy parliamentary probe into her actions, she was suspended from the House of Commons for 30 days in June. It will be Scotlands first recall by-election. A total of 11,896 voters in Ms Ferriers constituency signed the petition to trigger a fresh contest. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The UK has sanctioned six people following the unjustifiable decision to reject an appeal from a British-Russian dissident facing 25 years in jail for opposing Russias invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced in April after being convicted of treason and spreading false information about the Russian army in a process he described as a show trial. After Mr Kara-Murzas appeal was rejected by judges in Moscow on Monday, prime minister Rishi Sunak called the decision desperate and unfounded. He wrote on Twitter: Rejecting @vkaramurzas appeal is unjustifiable. He should be released immediately. The United Kingdom stands with him and his family. Kremlin critic Mr Kara-Murza, a close ally of murdered opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, has already survived two poisonings that left him in a coma in 2015 and 2017. The UK government confirmed it has sanctioned six individuals, including two Moscow city court judges, for their involvement in the conviction of Mr Kara-Murza. They will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes. The individuals were named as: Vitaly Alexsandrovich Belitsky and Ekaterina Mikhailovna Dorokhina, both Moscow city court judges; Natalia Nikolaevna Dudar, a Basmanny district court judge; Boris Georgievich Loktionov, the lead prosecutor in the trial; Danila Yurievich Mikheev, described as an expert witness for the Russian government; and Anna Evgenievna Potychko, a prosecutor. Jailed Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza gestures as he stands behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants during a court hearing to consider an appeal against his prison sentence, in Moscow, Russia 31 July 2023 (REUTERS) Foreign secretary James Cleverly said: The rejection of Vladimir Kara-Murzas appeal following his sentencing on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime, and their complete disregard for human rights and freedom of expression. Today weve sanctioned six people connected with his case, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens. We will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family, who have worked tirelessly to try and secure his release. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally. In April, the UK sanctioned five people including two Russian spies for their involvement in Mr Kara-Murzas arrest. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} France began the evacuation of hundreds of European citizens from Niger on Tuesday, a day after neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso said any outside intervention to restore the ousted government would be seen as a declaration of war. A military junta overthrew Nigers democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his government last week in the seventh military takeover in less than three years in west and central Africa. The coup has sent shockwaves across the Sahel region, one of the poorest and most unstable in the world, where Niger was considered the Wests most stable ally in the fight against a fast-growing Islamist insurgency. West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to use force to reinstate Mr Bazoum, while neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso also ruled by military juntas said they would come to the Niger coup leaders defence. With the risk of conflict escalating, Spain also said it was preparing to evacuate more than 70 citizens by air and Italy said it would organise a repatriation flight. Germany urged its citizens to join the French flights. The recent coups in the region have come during a wave of vitriol aimed at former colonial power France that resulted in its troops being kicked out of Mali and Burkina Faso this year and last. Many of those soldiers are now stationed in Niger. A French military aircraft lands at Diori Hamani airport on Tuesday (EPA) The United States, Germany, and Italy also have troops in Niger on counter-insurgency and training missions. There has been no announcement of troops being evacuated so far. Nigers new military leaders have arrested senior politicians and warned against any foreign attempts to extract Mr Bazoum, who is still shut in his palace. Considering the ongoing coup in Niger and the fact that the situation continues to be worrying, we decided to make sure that the French citizens who want to leave Niger can do so, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna told Frances LCI TV. She estimated that hundreds of French citizens and hundreds of other EU citizens wanted to be evacuated on flights she hoped would be completed over 24 hours. Flightradar showed a plane registered to the French armed forces left the airport of the capital Niamey on Tuesday evening. Earlier, a crowd of expats gathered outside the terminal with their suitcases. I never thought we would leave like this, said a Frenchwoman who was waiting to depart with her family and sent messages to Reuters by phone. Its a scene worthy of a war movie. French nationals gather to be airlifted back to France from the international airport in Niamey on Tuesday (AP) ECOWAS has taken its hardest line yet on Niger, after struggling to persuade the military rulers of member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea to restore democracy. A declaration by Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday night suggested a new alliance may be forming in opposition to the rest of the 15-member-state bloc. Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, said a joint statement read out on both countries national broadcasters. They threatened to withdraw from ECOWAS and adopt measures of legitimate defence to support Nigers army if ECOWAS intervened. Guineas military leaders also expressed solidarity with Niger. It is not clear what help Mali and Burkina Faso would provide, given that their under-equipped armies are already failing to contain domestic Islamist insurgencies that have killed thousands. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russias Wagner mercenary group which operates in Mali, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. Niger is the worlds seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer. Reuters Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Did he know that his time was up? His alleged internet searches would certainly seem to suggest so. Over the last year between March 2022 and June 2023, the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann repeatedly looked online for updates in the investigation police say. He searched for details about the victims and their families. He googled the use of new phone technology in the case and looked for podcasts and documentaries about the murders. And he even took a keen interest in the newly-launched task force headed up by newly-appointed Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison that was actively hunting for him. For up to 16 years, police say he had gotten away with brutally murdering young women and dumping their bodies along the shores of Gilgo Beach in Long Island. As body after body lay undiscovered, he added more victims to his graveyard, prosecutors allege. Then, in late 2010, a search for another missing woman led authorities to the grim discovery. But the suspects time still wasnt up. For more than a decade, the accused killer continued to go about his day to day life going to work at his architecture firm in Manhattan and coming home to his wife and two children. He seemed just as baffled by his lack of arrest as the local residents and victims families who questioned why police had not been able to catch the killer. Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Megan Waterman (from clockwise top left) (AP) He even searched Google for the answers to questions including why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer and why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught, court documents state. Was he looking over his shoulder? Did he have an inkling that he was under surveillance? Or after all this time had passed, did he think that he might never get caught? Then, last Thursday, as he left his office in Midtown after a days work and walked along a busy Manhattan road, a group of suit-clad men approached and surrounded him. The gig was finally up. Rex Heuermann a 59-year-old married father-of-two, professional architecture, Manhattan business owner and Long Island native was arrested and charged with the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello. He was also named as the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who was last seen alive in New York City in early June 2007. Moment Gilgo Beach suspect arrested in crowded New York street Its taken 13 years but Suffolk County Police finally say theyve caught the serial killer who lured in sex workers, brutally murdered them and then dumped their bound and wrapped bodies along the shores of Gilgo Beach. What led them to the suspected killer was laid out in court documents as prosecutors asked a judge to deny him bail. It consisted of a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, sadistic online searches, phone calls taunting victims families, his wifes hair and a pizza crust. Sighting of pickup truck The first piece of the puzzle came when a witness in the Costello case revealed details about a vehicle that a client was driving when she was last seen alive. Costello, who worked as a sex worker, was seen alive on the evening of 2 September 2010 when she left her home in West Babylon. One night earlier, witnesses said that a prostitution client had come to her home but the client was subjected to a ruse where a man posing as Costellos outraged boyfriend showed up and made him leave in a move to swindle the client out of cash. A witness Costellos unidentified pimp said that the client was driving a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche. The next day the same client contacted Costello to meet her but said that he wouldnt come to her home because of her boyfriend, the court documents state. Police remove evidence from home of Long Island serial killer suspect (Patrick Reichart) Costello left her home and was never seen alive again. The details of the vehicle came to light last year after a new taskforce was assembled in January 2022 to solve the serial killings once and for all. The taskforce reviewed the evidence gathered in the case and investigators interviewed Costellos pimp in the spring of 2022. He told officials about the suspect in the green Chevrolet Avalanche, telling them he didnt know the mans name but that you might want to look at him. In March 2022, a registration search showed that local man Mr Heuermann owned a first-generation model of the truck at the time of Costellos disappearance. He also matched the witness description of the man believed to be the killer: a large, white ogre-like male in his mid-40s, around 64 to 66 tall, with dark bushy hair, and big oval style 1970s type eyeglasses. As described below, this was significant, because a witness to the disappearance of Amber Costello identified a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche as the vehicle believed to have been driven by her killer, the court documents state. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told New York Daily News this was the turning point in the investigation and the moment that authorities zeroed in on Mr Heuermann. The turning point was the car, he said. Once we got that car, who it connected to, thats when the investigation got legs. The discovery of the car led investigators to hone in on Mr Heuermann including executing 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain evidence to determine his potential involvement in the killings. Trove of burner phones Mr Heuermanns alleged use of burner phones then led police to make an arrest. At the time when the three women went missing, they had been in contact with a person who was using a burner phone to arrange to meet them. People often use burner phones for illicit or illegal activities as they are more difficult to trace. But, according to the court documents, Mr Heuermann still managed to make a series of critical errors while using them. The burner phones used to contact the victims always pinged off the same cell towers as Mr Heuermanns legitimate cellphone, the documents show indicating that while using the burner phones, he was also in possession of his cellphone at the same time. The burner phones also pinged off cell towers in two key locations close to Mr Heuermanns office in Midtown Manhattan and close to Mr Heuermanns family home in Massapequa Park. Rex Heuermann leaves court on Friday (Fox 5/YouTube) Records show that Mr Heuermanns personal cellphone and the burner phones were in the same locations at the same time and in the locations that corresponded with the disappearances and murders of each of the three women around Massapequa, Long Island and Midtown Manhattan. Investigators could find no instance where Heuermann was in a separate location from these other cellphones when such a communication event occurred, the court documents state. In the days leading up to Barthelemys disappearance, she had been contacted by the same burner phone multiple times. The last contact from the phone came on 10 July 2009 when she was last seen alive in New York City. Cell site records show the burner phone traveled from Massapequa Park to Midtown Manhattan that day. Then, chillingly, Barthelemys own cellphone traveled from Midtown Manhattan to Massapequa Park. Victims cellphones and taunting calls to grieving families The killer took at least two of his victims cellphones after their murders as a trophy and, in a sick move, called one of the victims families from her phone to taunt them about what he had done. Prosecutors say the evidence shows this person was Mr Heuermann. Following Brainard-Barnes and Barthelemys murders, the killer took and used their cellphones. Barthelemys last cell site location was in the early hours of 11 July 2009 in Massapequa. Surveillance footage captures Rex Heuermann adding credit to one of the burner phones (via REUTERS) Throughout the next two months, the killer then used her cellphone to make taunting phone calls to Barthelemys family members. In at least one of those calls, answered by a devastated family member, the male caller gloated about killing and sexually assaulting Barthelemy. Prosecutors allege that Mr Heuermann made those cruel calls from or in the vicinity of his Midtown office where his own daughter is now an employee. Records show that each of the taunting calls pinged off cell towers in Midtown Manhattan. Mr Heuermann also allegedly used Brainard-Barnes cellphone to check her voicemail, the court documents show. Online searches for explicit images and the LISK investigation In the years after the murders, Mr Heuermann allegedly continued to slip up in his use of technology as he allegedly continued to use burner phones to illicit sex from sex workers right up until his arrest. While it showed a pattern of behaviour, prosecutors also point to other disturbing activity traced to the cellphone numbers. Court documents show that Mr Heuermann had Tinder profiles and several email accounts under a series of fake names. He used these accounts linked to his burner phones to search for graphic images of young girls and children and sadistic, torture-related pornography. Selfie taken on one of his fake accounts (via REUTERS) Searches included girl hog tied torture porn and 10 year old school girl. As well as the disturbing sexual searches, prosecutors say he also looked up images of the murder victims and their relatives, and researched podcasts, documentaries and news stories on the case. These included why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer, and why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught, Long Island killer and Long Island serial killer phone call. He also looked for information about the new task force on the case. Knowing he was keeping a close eye on the investigation, police kept the developments close to the vest. Surveillance footage captured Mr Heuermann adding credit to one of the burner phones and he had it on him when he was arrested. Wifes hair In a bombshell twist, hair belonging to Mr Heuermanns wife was allegedly found on the bodies of three of the four victims. Prosecutors say that two female hairs had been found on Waterman, one of them on the tape which the killer wrapped around her head. One female hair was found on tape used to wrap burlap around Costello and one hair was found in a belt buckle used to bind Brainard-Barnes who Mr Heuermann is yet to be charged over. To identify the female who the belonged to, investigators trawled through the trash at the Heuermann home in Long Island. New York State police officers carry out a large item from the home of Rex Heuermann (AP) In July 2022, they recovered 11 bottles from the trash and they were swabbed for DNA. Forensic testing found that the DNA on the bottles matched the female hair found at the crime scene, concluding that the hair belonged to Mr Heuermanns wife. The accuracy is such that more than 99 percent of the North American female population can be ruled out, according to the court documents. Prosecutors found that the suspects wife was out of town at the time of the three murders for which he has been charged but that her hair could have transferred to the crime scene through her husbands clothing or through him using items such as tape taken from the family home. Pizza crust As well as his wifes DNA, Mr Heuermanns DNA was also found on one of the victims. Prosecutors said that a male hair had been found on the burlap used to wrap Watermans body before the killer dumped her along Gilgo Beach. When the hair was first retrieved in 2010, it was unsuitable for DNA analysis, according to the court documents. But that hair was kept safely locked away and was submitted for analysis in 2020. A DNA profile came back. A pizza box discarded by Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann was used to link him to the killings through DNA (Suffolk County DA) Now, to check if it matched Mr Heuermann, investigators needed his DNA to compare the samples. This January, a surveillance team watching the suspect saw him chuck a pizza box into the trash close to his office in Manhattan. They nabbed the box and found a leftover pizza crust inside. Last month, court records state the forensics came back: it was Mr Heuermanns hair found on Watermans body. Close Search of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killers home ends Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Gilgo Beach murders victim previously known only as Jane Doe 7 has finally been identified more than 26 years after her partial remains were first discovered along the Long Island shores. In a press conference on Friday, Long Island officials announced that they had identified the victim as Karen Vergata, a 34-year-old who was last seen alive in Manhattan in 1996 while working as an escort. Police refused to take any questions and would not comment on whether or not they believe her disappearance and murder may be linked to serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann. This comes as prosecutors have asked the court to obtain a swab of DNA from Mr Heuermann and as his wife broke her silence in her first interview since his shock arrest to reveal she is filled with anxiety and their two children cry themselves to sleep every night over the horror case. Mr Heuermann, 59, was arrested on 13 July and charged with the murders of Amber Castello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. He is also the main suspect in Maureen Brainard-Barnes killing. The women all went missing in 2009 and 2010 before their remains were found along Gilgo Beach. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} For around two decades, the sands and marshes of Long Islands Gilgo Beach kept a dark secret. A killer or killers roamed the locality, luring in escorts and sex workers and brutally murdering them. Body after body was dumped along the shoreline, hidden for months and even years without being discovered. Then, in 2010, a chilling 911 call made by a woman in fear for her life led police to search the area. What they discovered was far more horrifying than anyone could have imagined. Over the next year, the remains of 11 victims mainly female escorts were discovered dumped in the area, plunging the Suffolk County community into terror. But, the case went cold and no arrests were made, no suspects were named and there was no justice for the victims and their families. That is, until now. On Thursday, local married father-of-two Rex Heuermann was arrested on suspicion of being the infamous serial killer. The 59-year-old has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello and is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman Maureen Brainard-Barnes who was last seen alive in New York City in early June 2007. Rex Heuermann in a video about architecture posted on YouTube (Bonjour Realty) Long Island native Mr Heuermann lives close to Gilgo Beach, where the killer dumped his victims. He also works as an architect in Manhattan, where some of the women were last seen alive. While neighbours, professional acquaintances and victims families react to the shocking news, the question is: now an arrest has been made, is the hunt for the Gilgo Beach serial killer finally over? The murders For more than a decade, the Gilgo Beach murders stumped law enforcement officials in Suffolk County who believed it could be the work of one or more serial killers who targeted sex workers and dumped their bodies along the remote beaches on Ocean Parkway. The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker, vanished after leaving a clients house on foot near Gilgo Beach. She called 911 for help, saying she feared for her life, and was never seen alive again. In the chilling call, released last year, Gilbert is heard repeatedly telling the 911 operator that somebodys after me. She is also heard arguing with a man who she refers to as Mike who appears to be trying to encourage her to get back into a car; at one point, she is heard asking if he is going to kill her. Map of the sites the bodies were dumped (Suffolk County Police Department) These people are plotting to kill me, she tells the dispatcher. During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman. Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by. By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found eight women, a man, and a toddler. Gilberts body was found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested, with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the clients home. However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her mother believes she was murdered. Like Gilbert, most of the victims targeted were sex workers. Several theories have been considered over the years but no one had ever been charged with the killings. Authorities have previously said they believe that three separate serial killers could be responsible for the slayings over a period of around 20 years. Brush area along Ocean Parkway. where Megan Watermans remains were recovered in 2010 (Suffolk County Police Department) The case appeared to go cold for several years until last year when Suffolk Polices Rodney Harrison vowed to finally close the case and bring the killer or killers to justice. The newly appointed commissioner said that, with a set of fresh eyes, he had faith that he could get the cold case across the finish line. He launched a dedicated taskforce for the case. The victims The remains of at least 11 victims were found in the Gilgo Beach area though it remains unclear if they are all the work of the same killer. Many were sex workers who offered escort services on Craigslist or worked in New York City. The first victim found was Melissa Barthelemy, whose remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway on 11 December 2010 during the search for Shannan Gilbert a 24-year-old sex worker from New Jersey who vanished after visiting a client in Oak Park and making a chilling 911 call where she revealed fears for her life. Two days later on 13 December, the remains of three other victims Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello were found close by. All three women were known to advertise escort services on Craigslist. Brainard-Barnes known as one of the Gilgo Beach Four was last seen alive in early June 2007 in New York City while Costello was last seen leaving her North Babylon home one day in early September 2010. Waterman was last seen alive in early June 2010 at a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge. This combination of undated image provided by the Suffolk County Police Department, shows Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. (AP) Seven months later, on 26 July 2011, the remains of Jessica Taylor were found in a wooded area in Manorville during the ongoing search for Gilbert. Taylor worked as an escort in New York City. Valerie Mack also worked as an escort but was last seen alive in Philadelphia in 2000. Her remains were found on two separate occasions in Manorville in 2000 and in Oak Beach in 2011 but she was only identified in 2020 through the use of genetic genealogy. On 4 August 2023, Long Island officials announced that another victim known as Jane Doe 7 or Fire Island Jane Doe had also finally been identified. Karen Vergata, 34, was last seen alive in Manhattan in 1996 while working as an escort. Her legs were first found wrapped in plastic at Davis Park on Fire Islands Blue Point Beach in 1996. Almost exactly 15 years later on 11 April 2011, her skull was found off Ocean Parkway close to some of the other Gilgo Beach victims. In a press conference announcing her identity, officials refused to confirm whether or not Vergatas murder may be linked to Mr Heuermann. Some of the victims have never been identified. The skeletal remains of an Asian male, aged between 17 and 23 years old, around 5 feet 6 inches tall and with poor dental health, were found along Ocean Parkway in April 2011. He is believed to have died around five to 10 years earlier. That same day, the remains of a female toddler were discovered. She was later identified as the daughter of the also-unidentified female victim dubbed Peaches whose remains were found in Nassau County. The suspect On 13 July, there was a huge breakthrough in the case when Mr Heuermann was finally arrested and charged with three of the murders and suspected of a fourth. Dramatic video captured him walking along a Manhattan road when he was suddenly surrounded by plainclothes officers and taken into custody. Gilgo Beach: What we know so far The accused killer has been married twice and shares a 26-year-old daughter and stepson, with special needs, with his second wife. Mr Heuermann is president of architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates, a company which he founded in 1994 and which his adult daughter also works for. According to the company website, Mr Heuermanns company has worked with the likes of Catholic Charities, NYC-DEP Sewerage Treatment and American Airlines and other major tenants at the JFK International Airport. A company page called Meet The Team and featuring his photo was taken down on Friday morning as news of his arrest broke. In an interview posted on YouTube by Bonjour Realty last year, the father-of-two said that he was born and raised in Long Island but had been working in Manhattan since 1987... [a] very long time. The architecture firm is based in Midtown Manhattan where some of the Gilgo Beach victims were last seen alive. According to court records, phone calls made from burner phones and some of the victims cellphones can be traced to his office. In his professional life, some acquaintances described him as arrogant while others said he was creepy. Paul Teitelbaum, who worked with Mr Heuermann on a building in Brooklyn Heights, told The New York Times that the suspect had a swagger and an attitude that said: Im the expert, youre lucky to have me. Meanwhile, Dominique Vidal an interior designer who was part of the same architecture networking group as Mr Heuermann said that he repeatedly called her and left her a creepy voicemail despite them never having worked together. Rex Heuermann booking photo (AP) He left this [voicemail] for me end of February after I left the group, she said in a TikTok video posted on Sunday. Previous to that, he did call me a couple of times. I answered the phone. Nothing really significant. I found it odd he was calling me because I had no work for him. Theres no ongoing relationship. We were just two people who used to be in the same networking group. Theres nothing incredibly scary about the voicemail, besides the fact that he is the Gilgo Beach murderer. Neighbours of Mr Heuermann in Massapequa Park which is located just a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach where the killer dumped the bodies of his victims gave a mixed picture of the accused killer. Neighbours told The Independent that he was a quiet family man who lived in the close-knit community with his wife and two children. One neighbour, who has lived a stones throw from the Heuermanns for more than two decades, said that the family is a very quiet family who made no imprint at all on the neighborhood. Basically, we never had any contact with him... living here 22 years and never said two words to him, the long-time Massapequa Park resident said, adding that one bad apple doesnt spoil the bunch in a great neighbourhood. Yet another neighbour who had lived there for 13 years told Newsweek that children would avoid his home on Halloween. Most people dont knock on his door, said Barry Auslander. During Halloween, the kids are told to stay away. Hes not a very nice person. He added that his home was dilapidated and always dark. New York State police officers move a metal cabinet as law enforcement searches the home of Rex Heuermann, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (AP) Mr Heuermann has lived on Long Island his whole life and now lives in the same property where he spent his childhood. He grew up in Massapequa Park and attended Berner High School where Billy Baldwin was a classmate. Maureen Holpit, 59, who also attended Berner High School with Mr Heuarmann, told The Independent that Mr Heauerman was once a shy teen who would often leave love notes in her locker. Ms Holpit said her exchanges with the now suspected serial killer were always pleasant and polite. I was always nice and friendly to him, you know. Seemed like he kind of got picked on and people would make maybe portray him as a little nerdy. He was very quiet, mild-mannered. So I was nice and would say, Hey, Rex, how are you?, Ms Holpit, who now lives in Florida, tells The Independent. I was getting these notes in my locker. As Im remembering, there were multiple little love notes but they were not signed, she added. Then, one day I did see him put it in my locker and so I knew they were from him. I may have said to him that I had a boyfriend or I just liked him as a friend. The investigation Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police, Suffolk County Sheriffs Office and the FBI revamped the probe into the killings that ultimately led to Mr Heuermanns bombshell arrest outside his Midtown office on Thursday. A bail application released by the Suffolk County District Attorney revealed that Mr Heuermann was linked to the serial killings through cellphone evidence and surveillance. Prosecutors have argued that no bail should be set for Mr Heuermann due to his recent searches for sadistic materials, child pornography, images of the victims and their relatives. Mr Heuermann was first linked to the cold case in March 2022 after investigators discovered that a Chevrolet Avalanche registered to him was possibly the one spotted by a witness in Costellos disappearance. Mr Heuermann appeared in court in handcuffs on Friday and pleaded not guilty to six murder charges (Fox 5/YouTube) As law enforcement closed in on him, they served more than 300 subpoenas and search warrants that uncovered cellphone records for burner phones used to arrange meetings with three of the Gilgo Four victims before they went missing. Further analysis also allegedly linked Mr Heuermann to taunting calls made to family members of the victims, according to investigators. The calls were made from the Midtown Manhattan area, where the offices of Mr Heuermans architecture business are located. Among the evidence linking Mr Heuermann to the murders was a hair found on burlap material used to wrap Watermans corpse, according to court documents. DNA analysis had not been possible in the early stages of the investigation, but new technology allowed testing in July 2020. A team surveilling Mr Heuermann collected a discarded pizza box that then confirmed a DNA match with the suspect on 12 June. Records also show that several online accounts under fictitious names linked to Mr Heuermann were used for illegal activities. Mr Heuermann allegedly used those accounts and burner phones to contact women for prostitution services, as well as making chilling online searches. Police remove evidence from home of Long Island serial killer suspect (Patrick Reichart) The searches included sadistic, torture-related pornography, child pornography and other disturbing content. Mr Heuermann is also accused of searching why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer, why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught and new phone technology may be key to break in case. More forensic analysis revealed that female hairs found in the three crime scene locations belonged to Mr Heuermanns wife. However, authorities have determined through cellphone records that Mr Heuermanns wife was out of state when the murders took place. At the time Barthelemy went missing in July 2009, Mr Heuermanns wife was in Iceland. She visited Maryland around the time Waterman disappeared in June 2010, and also travelled to New Jersey when Costello was last seen in September of that year. It is likely that the burlap, tape, vehicle(s) or other instrumentalities utilised in furtherance of these murders came from Defendant Heuermanns residence, where his wife also resides, or was transferred from his clothing, prosecutors explained. Mr Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who is believed to be one of the Gilgo Four. Prosecutors noted in the application that records for the burner phones used to contact Brainard-Barnes were not obtained at the time she went missing and no longer exist. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ever since authorities began searching for Lori Vallows children in late 2019, the case of the doomsday cult mom has captivated and horrified the nation. Four people close to Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell have been murdered. Others are also now mysteriously dead. And beliefs about zombies, dark spirits and the apocalypse have come to light. The bizarre and tragic case came to a head in a courtroom in Boise, Idaho, where Vallow was convicted of all charges in the murders of her children Joshua JJ Vallow, seven; Tylee Ryan, 16; and Mr Daybells first wife Tammy Daybell. On 12 May, the jury took less than seven hours to find Vallow guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft over the deaths of Tylee and JJ. She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mr Daybells first wife Tammy, 49. Dressed in a black suit, with her blonde hair down in waves around her shoulders, Vallow stood between her two attorneys as the verdict was read out. She showed no reaction as she learned that the jury had returned a verdict of guilty on all charges. Vallow was sentenced to life in prison without parole on 31 July. JJ and Tylee vanished without a trace back in September 2019, with their mother refusing to reveal their whereabouts to authorities for many months. One month after they were last seen alive, Tammy an otherwise healthy 49-year-old died suddenly. Her cause of death has since been ruled asphyxiation. Vallow and Mr Daybell soon jetted off to Hawaii to get married on the beach. In June 2020, the remains of JJ and Tylee were found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybells property in Rexburg, Idaho, and the doomsday cult couple were eventually charged with murder. Prosecutors alleged that Vallow and Mr Daybell conspired with Vallows brother Alex Cox to murder Tammy, JJ and Tylee as part of their bizarre cult beliefs but also for financial purposes so that they could collect Tammys life insurance money and the childrens social security and survivor benefits. New harrowing and bizarre details about the cult beliefs which drove or excused the 49-year-old came to light during her murder trial in Ada County Courthouse. But, beyond the trial testimony, there was also some bizarre happenings taking place inside the courtroom. Lori Vallow falls asleep During a harrowing day of testimony on 11 April, the woman on trial for murder raised eyebrows when she appeared to fall asleep in the middle of proceedings. That day, the court heard harrowing testimony about the state of JJ and Tylees remains when they were found buried on Mr Daybells property. While jurors gasped and the victims families sobbed, Vallow asked to waive her right to be present in the courtroom, citing her mental state. The judge denied the request and Vallow had to attend the remainder of the day where jurors were shown graphic images of the childrens remains. She appeared to try to avoid looking at the photos, casting her head down most of the time, reporters in the courtroom said. Then at one point she appeared to fall asleep. Gigi McKelvey, a Law & Crime journalist, told NewsNation that Vallow seemed to be asleep for a solid 30 minutes. She speculated that Ms Vallow may have been medicated after her apparent distress over the harrowing testimony. Lori Vallows three words to her surviving son Mother-of-three Vallow was spotted mouthing three words to her only surviving son as he took the witness stand to testify against her at her murder trial. Colby Ryan, 27, testified about his sister Tylee and brother JJ and how his mother had lied to him about their whereabouts. Jurors heard a phone call where Mr Ryan confronted his mother about killing his siblings and posing as Tylee on her cellphone. When he took the stand, Vallow was seen mouthing oh my baby to her son. Confiscated phones and noise complaints On multiple occasions, the court bailiff aired issues with noises from reporters typing too loudly to spectators rustling candy wrappers. On 13 April, at least three people had their phones confiscated, including one for an alarm sounding, reported The New York Posts Stephanie Pagones. She revealed that members of the media had also been told off for typing too loudly in the courtroom. On 20 April, East Idaho News reporter Nate Eaton tweeted that the bailiff reminded everyone about courtroom conduct including saving any whispering for breaks and to minimize candy wrapper crinkling. If you have a Lifesaver fetish, please open your candy now, the bailiff said. But the bailiff seemed to win over the courtroom. By the end of the trial, he had earned the nickname of courtroom daddy. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A sobbing Lori Vallow shockingly claimed that no one was murdered as she broke her silence for the first time over the horrific murders of her two children and her lovers wife in a chilling statement at sentencing. In the bizarre remarks, the so-called cult mom read out a Bible quote, spoke of visiting heaven and continued to channel her doomsday cult beliefs while claiming I have had many communications with Jesus Christ. While her victims loved ones were forced to listen in horror, she claimed that she had communicated with her murdered children Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow as well as her friend Tammy Daybell from beyond the grave and that they are very happy. Jesus Christ knows the truth. Jesus Christ knows no one was murdered in this case. Accidental deaths happened. Suicides happened. Fatal side effects of medications happened, she said. She claimed that she has had many communications from people in heaven and that because of these communications I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in heaven. The 50-year-old convicted killer appeared in Fremont County Courthouse in Idaho on Monday morning to be sentenced for the murders of her two youngest children Tylee, 16, and JJ, 7, and conspiracy to murder her new husband Chad Daybells first wife Tammy. Sitting slouched cross-legged at the defence table, Vallow kept her head down and refused to look her victims devastated family members in the eyes as they gave heartwrenching impact statements to the court and as prosecutors asked that she spent the rest of her life behind bars with no chance of parole. In a defence statement, Vallows attorney John Thomas asked the judge to give her hope that the most hated woman in America could one day be free from prison. Following the statements, Vallow was asked if she had anything to say. In a bombshell move, she chose to address the court giving her first comments ever about the murders of the three victims. Dressed in an orange striped prison jumpsuit, Vallow instantly began quoting from the Bible passage John 8:7: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast the stone. This photo of Tylee Ryan and her brother Joshua JJ Vallow with their uncle Alex Cox was taken days before they were killed (Handout) Speaking to the court, she said that Jesus knows me and Jesus understands me and claimed that I mourn with all of you who mourn my children and Tammy. Vallow claimed that she died when she gave birth to her daughter Tylee and that her spirit left her body. From then on, she knew heaven was her real home and she had had many visits from people in the spirit world. As I stood in heaven, I did not want to go back because I was peaceful and happy and home. But then I was told by Jesus that I needed to go back that I had covenanted or promised to do before I was born, she said. I knew heaven was my real home... I knew what I needed to do, she said, saying she then returned to her body. I am homesick for heaven everyday. Heaven is more wonderful than you can ever possibly imagine. From then on, she claimed that she has had many communications with people in heaven. Since her childrens deaths, she said that they had both visited her. JJ who was smothered to death with a plastic bag tied around his head with tape visited her and told her you didnt do anything wrong mom, she said. The seven-year-old came to her as an adult spirit and was very, very tall, she said. Meanwhile, Tylee whose body was so badly burned and dismembered that it was impossible to determine cause of death had long suffered with both ill-health and alleged sexual abuse, she said. I am the only person on this earth who knows how much Tylee suffered in her life, she said. She had pain every single day. She never felt good. Her body did not work right. She went on to claim that Tammy was my wonderful friend and that the 49-year-old woman who was murdered in her bed weeks before Vallow fled to Hawaii to marry her husband Mr Daybell had also visited her since her killing. Because of communication with my friend Tammy Daybell, I know she is very happy and extremely busy, she said. Vallow said that she looks forward to when she can join them in the arms of Jesus. Following her shocking statement, Judge Steven Boyce handed down his sentence, ordering her to spend the rest of her life behind bars. She was handed five life sentences without parole for each murder charge and 10 years for one count of grand theft. Vallow was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, and son Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, back in May. She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mr Daybells first wife Tammy, 49. Chad and Tammy Daybell before her death in October 2019 (Facebook) JJ and Tylee vanished without a trace in September 2019 sparking fears for their safety from desperate family members all the while Vallow refused to say where they were. One month later, Tammy an otherwise healthy 49-year-old also died suddenly. Her death was initially ruled natural causes. This bizarre spate of disappearances and death came just months after Vallows fourth husband Charles Vallow was shot dead by Vallows brother Alex Cox in Arizona in July 2019. With Vallows children and both of their spouses then out of the way, she and Mr Daybell embarked on a new life together flying to Hawaii to get married in a fairytale wedding on the beach. But, with months passing since the last signs of life of Vallows children, concerns continued to grow, prompting authorities to exhume Tammys body. A subsequent autopsy revealed that she had died by asphyxiation. In June 2020 nine months after they were last seen alive Tylee and JJs remains were found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybells property in Rexburg, Idaho. JJ, who had autism, had been smothered with a plastic bag taped over his face, his little body still dressed in a pair of red pyjamas. Tylees cause of death meanwhile has been impossible to establish as the teenagers dismembered, charred bones and body parts were found scattered in the ground on Mr Daybells pet cemetery. Jurors in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, took almost seven hours to find Vallow guilty on all charges over the three murders after a grueling six-week trial where the panel heard harrowing details about the doomsday cult moms path of deadly destruction and were shown graphic images of the murdered childrens remains. Lori Vallow slouches in her chair at her sentencing hearing (Law & Crime) The state called over 60 witnesses to lay out its case that Vallow was motivated by both her cult beliefs but also lust for Mr Daybell and financial greed when she conspired with him and her brother Cox to kill the three victims. In a bombshell move, Vallows attorneys declined to present any defence case or call any witnesses and the cult mom chose not to take the stand to give her side of the story. Vallows legal troubles and the chilling case are far from over. Following her sentencing, she is expected to be extradited to Arizona where she is awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to murder her fourth husband Charles Vallow and the attempted murder of her nieces husband Brandon Boudreaux. Meanwhile, Mr Daybell is still awaiting trial for the murders of JJ, Tylee and Tammy with a scheduled trial start date set for 1 April 2024. But, the third person accused of being a co-conspirator in the case wont ever have his day in court. On 11 December 2019 hours after Tammys body was exhumed Cox died suddenly at the age of 51. His death was ruled natural causes, with indications of a blood clot wedged in the arteries of his lungs. However the overdose drug Narcan was also found in his system. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Lori Vallows attorney claimed that the cult mom who murdered her two children and conspired to kill her new lovers wife is misunderstood and is actually all about love as he asked the judge for leniency at her sentencing hearing. The 50-year-old convicted killer appeared in Fremont County Courthouse in Idaho on Monday morning to be sentenced for the murders of her two youngest children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, and conspiracy to murder her new husband Chad Daybells first wife Tammy Daybell. Sitting slouched cross-legged at the defence table, Vallow kept her head down and refused to look her victims devastated family members in the eyes as they gave heartwrenching impact statements to the court and as prosecutors asked that she spent the rest of her life behind bars with no chance of parole. In a defence statement, Vallows attorney John Thomas asked the judge to give her hope that the most hated woman in America could one day be free from prison. I think Lori Daybell is the most hated woman in America right now and maybe in the world. That hate will never bring closure to the victims, he said. The attorney began his bizarre statement by saying that he used to be a prosecutor but realised that I dont think Jesus Christ was a prosecutor. He is our greatest advocate. And now I sit next to Lori Vallow, he said. He went on to claim that Vallow who conspired to kill her children and love rival is misunderstood and people who know her, know she is actually about love. People who truly know her know shes about love. We didnt always get along and our team has had a lot of misunderstandings, he said. But Loris overarching theme is about love. She is very different than who she plays on tv. Shes smart, insightful, witty. Mr Thomas argued that Vallows sentence should be a fixed term to give her an incentive to rehabilitate herself with an eye to possibly being released from prison aged 70. If we give her a fixed term we protect her from society until her 70s and she helps other inmates and becomes a better person. After Mr Thomas finished his sentencing recommendation, Vallow took the opportunity to address the court herself. She shockingly claimed that no one was murdered as she broke her silence for the first time over the horrific murders of her two children and her lovers wife in a chilling statement at sentencing. In the bizarre remarks, the so-called cult mom read out a Bible quote, spoke of visiting heaven and continued to channel her doomsday cult beliefs while claiming I have had many communications with Jesus Christ. While her victims loved ones were forced to listen in horror, she claimed that she had communicated with her murdered children Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow as well as her friend Tammy Daybell from beyond the grave and that they are very happy. Ultimately, Judge Steven Boyce was not swayed by either argument and Vallow was sentenced to five life sentences, three consecutive, without the possibility of parole. Close Moment Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison with no parole for murders of her children Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Cult mom Lori Vallow smirked in a new mug shot taken the day after she was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of her two children and love rival. The photo was taken on Tuesday as Vallow, 50, was remanded to the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections. The so-called cult mom was convicted in May of killing her seven-year-old son Joshua JJ Vallow, 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, who vanished in September 2019. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband Chad Daybells first wife, Tammy, who died in October 2019. Before the sentence was handed down on Monday, the court heard victim impact statements from several family members devastated by the harrowing saga that has gripped the nation for nearly four years. To the surprise of many, Vallow spoke herself and appeared to show no remorse for her crimes, claiming the children and Tammy were busy and happy in heaven. She appeared emotionless as the sentence was handed down. The families of the victims shared outrage at her bizarre statement as they praised the harsh sentence. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Relatives of cult mom Lori Vallows victims have decried her unhinged claims during her sentencing trial. Vallow was sentenced on Monday to spend the rest of her life behind bars over the killings of her 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, her nine-year-old son Joshua JJ Vallow and her husband Chad Daybells first wife Tammy Daybell. Vallow, 50, was convicted in May on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft in the murders that prosecutors say she and allegedly Mr Daybell plotted as part of their doomsday cult beliefs. In a shocking statement addressing the court just moments before she was handed down five consecutive life sentences without parole, Vallow said that her children were happy and busy in the spirit world and that she knew her friend Tammy ... is also very happy and extremely busy. Tammys sister Samantha Gwilliam has since slammed Vallows remarks. Ms Gwilliam was in court during the sentencing and deliver her victim impact statement along with her aunt Vicki Hoban and JJs grandparents Kay and Larry Woodcock. I dont know who she was talking to but she wasnt talking to my sister, Ms Gwilliam told Pretty Lies and Alibies podcast host GiGi McKelvey. The Woodcocks also described Vallows statement as vile BS in an interview with NewsNation. This is part of her farse, her hoax, and she is never going to give it up. Its just more of her crap, there is no other way to put it, Ms Woodstock said. To say that JJ and Tylee were happy and busy ... and then her friend Tammy? I mean get out of here. Ms Woodstock and her husband had been frantically trying to establish contact with JJ before the little boy and Tylee vanished in 2019. They reported the children missing shortly after Vallow moved with them from Arizona to join Mr Daybell in Idaho. Tylee and JJ were missing for nine months before their bodies were found in June 2020 at a pet cemetery in Mr Daybells residence in Rexburg, Idaho. Tylees remains were discovered burned, while JJ was strangled to death and found still in his pyjamas and with a plastic bag over his head and duct tape over his mouth. I had to sit there and I couldnt say a word. She is absolutely playing this system, Mr Woodstock told NewsNation. There is no way that she is a special being, that she talks to God, that she talks to the kids, that she talks to Tammy. That is a ridiculous statement. I can tell you right now that she is nothing but a five-gallon bucket of BS. Tammys aunt Vicki Hoban also told the outlet that she believed Vallow didnt take accountability for her actions as part of another plot to seek a new trial. District Judge Steven Boyce rejected Vallows request for a new trial last month. I think she is creating a narrative now that will make her look crazy, which I dont believe, I think she is just trying to figure out how to maybe get a new trial, Ms Houb said. It was just a slap in the face for her to continue to talk about Tammy as a friend. She was murdered in cold blood. Tammy died a month after the children went missing. She was an otherwise healthy 49-year-old when she was initially believed to have died of a cardiac event an autopsy later determined that her cause of death was asphyxiation. Chad and Tammy Daybell before her death in October 2019 (Facebook) Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow (Family handout) Mr Daybell is expected to stand trial over JJ, Tylee and Tammys death next year. Mr Daybell and Vallow were slated to stand trial together before Judge Boyce ruled in March that the cases would be severed. On Tuesday, Ms Woodluck took to Twitter to celebrate the news that Vallow had been booked into prison after her custody was transferred to the Idaho Department of Corrections. Arizona prosecutors are now expected to file for her extradition to the state so she can stand trial in the death of her fourth husband Charles Vallow, who was shot to death by Vallows late brother Alex Cox just months before her children vanished. Hope the worst for her. She doesnt deserve anything good. Someday Ill forgive, just not quite yet, Ms Woodstock tweeted. Its a great day to be alive!!! Thanks to all for your support. Its meant everything to us. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} His Manhattan business describes him as a registered architect with over 30 years experience. His neighbours describe him as a family man living with his wife and two children in a tight-knit community in Suffolk County. But now authorities are describing him as the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer who unleashed terror along the shores of Long Island more than a decade ago. Rex Heuermann was arrested on 13 July in connection to the shocking murder case where body after body was found dumped along the remote beaches on Ocean Parkway. The 59-year-old has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello and is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman Maureen Brainard-Barnes who was last seen alive in New York City in early June 2007. All four women known as the Gilgo Beach Four worked as sex workers and vanished after going to meet clients. While he has pleaded not guilty to the charges and broke down in tears sobbing to his attorney that he is innocent of the heinous crimes, authorities have painted a picture of a warped demon or animal who preyed on his victims, was obsessed with police efforts to catch him and was at risk of striking again. So who is the man suspected of being the infamous Long Island serial killer? Rex Heuermann Manhattan architect and married father-of-two Rex Heuermann was taken into custody at around 8.30pm on Thursday night near his Midtown office. Dramatic video captured him walking along a Manhattan road when he was suddenly surrounded by plainclothes officers and taken into custody. The accused killer has been married twice and shares a 26-year-old daughter and stepson, with special needs, with his second wife. Mr Heuermann is president of architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates, a company which he founded in 1994 and which his adult daughter also works for. Rex Heuermann in his booking photo (AP) According to the company website, Mr Heuermanns company has worked with the likes of Catholic Charities, NYC-DEP Sewerage Treatment and American Airlines and other major tenants at the JFK International Airport. A company page called Meet The Team and featuring his photo was taken down on Friday morning as news of his arrest broke. In an interview posted on YouTube by Bonjour Realty last year, the father-of-two said that he was born and raised in Long Island but had been working in Manhattan since 1987... [a] very long time. The architecture firm is based in Midtown Manhattan where some of the Gilgo Beach victims were last seen alive. According to court records, phone calls made from burner phones and some of the victims cellphones can be traced to his office. In his professional life, some acquaintances described him as arrogant while others said he was creepy. Paul Teitelbaum, who worked with Mr Heuermann on a building in Brooklyn Heights, told The New York Times that the suspect had a swagger and an attitude that said: Im the expert, youre lucky to have me. Meanwhile, Dominique Vidal an interior designer who was part of the same architecture networking group as Mr Heuermann said that he repeatedly called her and left her a creepy voicemail despite them never having worked together. New York State police officers carry out a large item as law enforcement searches the home of Rex Heuermann, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (AP) He left this [voicemail] for me end of February after I left the group, she said in a TikTok video posted on Sunday. Previous to that, he did call me a couple of times. I answered the phone. Nothing really significant. I found it odd he was calling me because I had no work for him. Theres no ongoing relationship. We were just two people who used to be in the same networking group. Theres nothing incredibly scary about the voicemail, besides the fact that he is the Gilgo Beach murderer. Neighbours of Mr Heuermann in Massapequa Park which is located just a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach where the killer dumped the bodies of his victims gave a mixed picture of the accused killer. Neighbours told The Independent that he was a quiet family man who lived in the close-knit community with his wife and two children. One neighbour, who has lived a stones throw from the Heuermanns for more than two decades, said that the family is a very quiet family who made no imprint at all on the neighborhood. Basically, we never had any contact with him... living here 22 years and never said two words to him, the long-time Massapequa Park resident said, adding that one bad apple doesnt spoil the bunch in a great neighbourhood. Yet another neighbour who had lived there for 13 years told Newsweek that children would avoid his home on Halloween. Most people dont knock on his door, said Barry Auslander. During Halloween, the kids are told to stay away. Hes not a very nice person. Rex Heuermann in a video about architecture posted on YouTube (Bonjour Realty) He added that his home was dilapidated and always dark. Mr Heuermann has lived on Long Island his whole life and now lives in the same property where he spent his childhood. He grew up in Massapequa Park and attended Berner High School where Billy Baldwin was a classmate. Maureen Holpit, 59, who also attended Berner High School with Mr Heuarmann, told The Independent that Mr Heauerman was once a shy teen who would often leave love notes in her locker. Ms Holpit said her exchanges with the now suspected serial killer were always pleasant and polite. I was always nice and friendly to him, you know. Seemed like he kind of got picked on and people would make maybe portray him as a little nerdy. He was very quiet, mild-mannered. So I was nice and would say, Hey, Rex, how are you?, Ms Holpit, who now lives in Florida, tells The Independent. I was getting these notes in my locker. As Im remembering, there were multiple little love notes but they were not signed, she added. Then, one day I did see him put it in my locker and so I knew they were from him. I may have said to him that I had a boyfriend or I just liked him as a friend. The murders The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker, vanished after leaving a clients house on foot near Gilgo Beach. She called 911 for help saying she feared for her life and was never seen alive again. In the chilling call, released last year, Gilbert is heard repeatedly telling the 911 operator that somebodys after me. She is also heard arguing with a man who she refers to as Mike who appears to be trying to encourage her to get back inot a car and at one point, she is heard asking if he is going to kill her. Map showing proximity of home being searched by police and Gilgo Beach where bodies were found (Google Maps) These people are plotting to kill me, she tells the dispatcher. During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman. Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by. By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found including eight women, a man, and a toddler. Gilberts body was found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the clients home. However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her mother believes she was murdered. Like Gilbert, most of the victims targeted were sex workers. Several theories have been mulled over the years but no one had ever been charged with the killings. Authorities have previously said they believe that three separate serial killers could be responsible for the slayings over a period of around 20 years. Aerial view of Manorville area where Valerie Mack remains were recovered (Suffolk County Police Department) The case appeared to go cold for several years until last year when Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison vowed to finally close the case and bring the killer or killers to justice. The newly-appointed commissioner said that, with a set of fresh eyes, he had faith that he could get the cold case across the finish line. He launched a dedicated taskforce for the case. The victims The remains of at least 11 victims were found in the Gilgo Beach area though it remains unclear if they are all the work of the same killer. Many were sex workers who offered escort services on Craigslist or worked in New York City. The first victim found was Melissa Barthelemy whose remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway on 11 December 2010 during the search for Shannan Gilbert a 24-year-old sex worker from New Jersey who vanished after visiting a client in Oak Park and making a chilling 911 call where she revealed fears for her life. Two days later on 13 December, the remains of three other victims Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello were found close by. All three women were known to advertise escort services on Craigslist. Brainard-Barnes known as one of the Gilgo Beach Four was last seen alive in early June 2007 in New York City while Costello was last seen leaving her North Babylon home one day in early September 2010. Waterman was last seen alive in early June 2010 at a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge. From L to R: (top) Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman. From L to R: (bottom) Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, John Doe (Suffolk County Police Department) Seven months later, on 26 July 2011, the remains of Jessica Taylor were found in a wooded area in Manorville during the ongoing search for Gilbert. Taylor worked as an escort in New York City. Valerie Mack also worked as an escort but was last seen alive in Philadelphia in 2000. Her remains were found on two separate occasions in Manorville in 2000 and in Oak Beach in 2011 but she was only identified in 2020 through the use of genetic genealogy. On 4 August 2023, Long Island officials announced that another victim known as Jane Doe 7 or Fire Island Jane Doe ha finally been identified. Karen Vergata, 34, was last seen alive in Manhattan in 1996 while working as an escort. Her legs were first found wrapped in plastic at Davis Park on Fire Islands Blue Point Beach in 1996. Almost exactly 15 years later on 11 April 2011, her skull was then found off Ocean Parkway. In a press conference announcing her identity, officials refused to confirm whether or not her murder may be linked to Mr Heuermann. Karen Vergata (Suffolk County DA) Some of the other victims are yet to be identified. The skeletal remains of an Asian male, aged between 17 and 23 years old, around 5 feet 6 inches tall and with poor dental health, were found along Ocean Parkway in April 2011. He is believed to have died around five to 10 years earlier. That same day, the remains of a female toddler were discovered. She was later identified as the daughter of the also-unidentified female victim dubbed Peaches whose remains were found in Nassau County. The evidence Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police, Suffolk County Sheriffs Office and the FBI revamped the probe into the killings that ultimately led to Mr Heuermanns bombshell arrest outside his Midtown office. A bail application released by the Suffolk County District Attorney revealed that Mr Heuermann was linked to the serial killings through cellphone evidence and surveillance. It also revealed recent internet searches for sadistic materials, child pornography, images of the victims and their relatives. Mr Heuermann was first linked to the cold case in March 2022 after investigators discovered that a Chevrolet Avalanche registered to him was possibly the one spotted by a witness in Costellos disappearance. Surveillance footage still of Rex Heuermann topping up a burner phone (via REUTERS) As law enforcement closed in on him, they served more than 300 subpoenas and search warrants that uncovered cellphone records for burner phones used to arrange meetings with three of the Gilgo Four victims before they went missing. Further analysis also allegedly linked Mr Heuermann to taunting calls made to family members of the victims, according to investigators. The calls were made from the Midtown Manhattan area, where the offices of Mr Heuermans architecture business are located. Among the evidence linking Mr Heuermann to the murders was a hair found on burlap material used to wrap Watermans corpse, according to court documents. DNA analysis had not been possible in the early stages of the investigation, but new technology allowed testing in July 2020. A team surveilling Mr Heuermann collected a discarded pizza box that then confirmed a DNA match with the suspect on 12 June. Records also show that several online accounts under fictitious names linked to Mr Heuermann were used for illegal activities. Mr Heuermann allegedly used those accounts and burner phones to contact women for prostitution services, as well as making chilling online searches. The searches included sadistic, torture-related pornography, child pornography and disturbing content. Mr Heuermann is also accused of searching why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer, why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught and new phone technology may be key to break in case. Moment Gilgo Beach suspect arrested in crowded New York street More forensic analysis revealed that female hairs found in the three crime scene locations belonged to Mr Heuermanns wife. However, authorities have determined through cellphone records that Mr Heuermanns wife was out of state when the murders took place. At the time Barthelemy went missing in July 2009, Mr Heuermanns wife was in Iceland. She visited Maryland around the time Waterman disappeared in June 2010, and also travelled to New Jersey when Costello was last seen in September of that year. It is likely that the burlap, tape, vehicle(s) or other instrumentalities utilized in furtherance of these murders came from Defendant Heuermanns residence, where his wife also resides, or was transferred from his clothing, prosecutors explained. Mr Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who is believed to be one of the Gilgo Four. Prosecutors noted in the application that records for the burner phones used to contact Brainard-Barnes were not obtained at the time she went missing and no longer exist. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nothing could have prepared Tara Pakanich for what she encountered in the early morning hours of 23 February 2022. Inside a green bucket covered with a shower towel at her home in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was the mutilated head of her 24-year-old son Shad Thyrion. Thyrions torso, penis and carved-out organs were later found by law enforcement in her basement. The gruesome nature of the murder was on full display in court this week as Taylor Schabusiness went on trial charged with his murder. On Wednesday, a jury took just 30 minutes to convict her on all counts of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in Thyrions death. Now, she faces life in prison as the death penalty is not legal in Wisconsin. Schabusiness, 25, and her victim knew each other since middle school and had been involved in a sexual relationship, she told law enforcement. On the fateful day of Thyrions death, they had been consuming methamphetamines and prescription drugs. Taylor Schabusiness scowls as shes convicted of killing and dismembering lover But despite Schabusiness attempts to enter not-guilty pleas for reason of insanity, prosecutors honed in on the atrocious evidence they said suggested premeditation. Over the course of the three-day trial, jurors heard about Schabusiness online searches for Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy as well as how she allegedly preserved Thyrions blood and then showered with it before recounting to detectives how much she liked strangling him. Throughout the proceedings, she also attacked her own lawyer and was seen smirking as gruesome details about the murder are mentioned. Heres everything we know about the case: The murder According to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors, Schabusiness picked up Thyrion from her mothers home around 9.30pm on 21 February 2022. A friend of the couple joined them before they headed to an apartment where the three smoked marijuana. Schabusiness told police that she and Thyrion also smoked methamphetamine and injected Trazodone. Schabusiness and Thyrion eventually returned to his mothers home and spent the day there while Ms Pakanich was away. The alleged murderer claimed in an interview with police that she and Thyrion used chains to choke one another as foreplay. This time, she said, she and Thyrion put metal chains on each other. Thyrion reportedly laid face down in bed before Schabusiness went crazy and repeatedly choked him despite the fact that he was coughing blood and turned purple. Green Bay Police Detective David Graf testified in court that Schabusiness allegedly admitted to enjoying the ordeal. Her response was that she liked it, Detective Graf said, according to local news station WBAY. Taylor Schabusiness (Taylor Schabusiness/GBPD) Schabusiness allegedly went on to tell law enforcement that she continued having sex with the dead body for a period of time because she enjoyed it and then gathered kitchen knives with the intention to dismember Thyrion and keep all his body parts, but she got lazy, according to theGreen Bay Press-Gazette. Detective Graf said that Schabusiness proceeded to use a bucket and a tote bag to collect Thyrons blood, which she then used to shower with. Dane County Medical Examiner Dr Vincent Tranchida also testified in court about the lack of blood on the scene of the murder. We have decapitation, we have dismemberment, we have transection of the torso, subsequently internally the body has been eviscerated. In other words, we have entered inside the body through various cuts through the abdomen and between the ribs where the victims organs have been removed, largely one by one, he told jurors. Dr Tranchida also said that one of Thyrions feet had been shoved into his chest cavity and that his back was filleted. Decapitated head found by Thyrions mother Ms Pakanich told the court on Monday that she was woken up by a knock on her front door around 2.30am on 23 February 2022. She went to the basement to check whether Thyrion was there and after not finding him, she went back upstairs and found the bucket with part of her sons remains inside. Ms Pakanichs boyfriend Steve Hendricks then called 911. Bodycam video of the officers responding to the scene shows them searching the basement of the home and securing the crime scene after confirming that a human head was inside the bucket. Shad Thyrion (Shad Thyrion/FB) I went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, to the right, there was a green bucket with a shower towel on top of it. Just to verify we had an actual head in the bucket, lifted the towel off and there was in fact a human head severed head in the bucket, Green Bay police officer Alex Wanish testified during the trial. The rest of Thyrions body parts were found placed inside plastic bags and cardboard boxes in the basement and in a minivan at the property. Schabusinness told police they would had fun trying to find all of the organs Schabusiness had been previously convicted of unrelated fleeing, eluding and obstructing a police officer charges. She was sentenced to three months in jail in January 2022, but it is unclear whether she was under home arrest or work release at the time of Thyrions murder. Following testimony from Thyrions mother, authorities eventually located Schabusiness, who had removed a GPS tracker from her ankle. Detective Graf testified that Schabusiness had initially claimed to have blacked out while choking Thyrion, but then allegedly admitted thinking that she regained consciousness and thought she was already this far so she just kept on, referring to choking the victim. Taylor Schabusiness returns to a Brown County courtroom after attacking her attorney Quinn Jolly, during a hearing in Green Bay, Wis., Feb. 14, 2023. The criminal complaint also read: Schabusiness stated she thought it took 3-5 minutes for the Victim to die. Detective Kempf clarified with Schabusiness that when the Victim began to cough up blood she just did keep on choking the Victim because she wanted to see what happens. Schabusiness stated she enjoyed choking him and made comments to detectives asking if they knew what it was like to love something so much that you kill it. Schabusiness allegedly indicated the crime scene and told officers that they would have fun trying to find all of the organs. Schabusiness entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity entered by her former attorney. Last year, a physician appointed by the court found that she was able to stand trial. Her attorney said at that time that Schabusiness has been diagnosed as bipolar in the past and that she had been getting mental health treatment since she was in the seventh grade. Woman attacks lawyer in court whilst standing for trial for killing lover However, Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh ruled in March that Schabusiness was competent to stand trial. In February, Schabusiness attacked her previous attorney during a court hearing before a deputy wrestled her to the courtroom floor. Schabusinesss current attorney filed a motion to exclude evidence of searches Schabusines made before the murder, including Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy and Jeffrey Dahmers butt. Judge Walsh ruled that the evidence can be admitted in court, but no mention should be made of her searches for satanism. He thought of others before himself According to his obituary, Thyrion worked with his father and grandfather in the family business. Shad enjoyed camping, games, and spending time with his family, the obituary read. He was a very kind and compassionate person who often thought of others before himself. A talented artist, he also enjoyed wood carving. Sixteen jurors were selected last week, following Judge Walshs ruling that Schabusiness can help in her defence. The panel took just over half an hour to return a verdict of guilty on all charges. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The family of Henrietta Lacks reached a confidential settlement on Monday with a biotech firm who they accused of unjustly profiting from the Baltimore womans cells for more than 70 years. The 2021 lawsuit filed by Lacks surviving relatives demanded compensation from Thermo Fisher Scientific for their use of the cells, known as HeLa cells, which were taken without permission and are still being used for research and vaccines. Family attorney Ben Crump, flanked by Lacks only living son and several grandchildren, welcomed the settlement at a press conference in Baltimore on Tuesday, on what would have been her 103rd birthday. I can think of no better present... than to give her family some measure of respect for Henrietta Lacks, some measure of dignity for Henrietta Lacks, and most of all some measure of justice for Henrietta Lacks 70 years later, Mr Crump said. In 1951, Lacks, a tobacco farmer, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore where she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. A sample of tissue from her tumour obtained from a biopsy was cloned by researcher George Grey, who discovered that instead of dying, they would double in size every 20 to 24 hours, according to the hospital. Henrietta Lacks unique Hela cells have become a cornerstone of modern medicine (The Lacks Family) Although Lacks died aged 31 on 4 October 1951, her cells played a crucial role in the development of the polio and Covid-19 vaccines, and treatments for HIV, leukemia and cancer, according to Johns Hopkins. The HeLa cells have also been used to study the human genome and examine the effects of toxins, drugs, hormones and radiation on cancer cell growth without the need for human experiments. Lacks story was virtually unknown until the release of a biography, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, in 2010 and a subsequent HBO movie starring Oprah Winfrey in 2017. While the university stressed that it had never benefited financially from Lacks unique cells, companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, the largest maker of scientific tools, have. Oprah Winfrey starred in the 2017 biopic The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (PA) The terms of the settlement were reached at a closed door hearing on Monday and have not been disclosed. The 2021 lawsuit Thermo Fisher Scientific of reaping billions of dollars from a racist medical system. The Massachusetts-based firm was named as the sole defendant, however more than 100 companies have profited from use of the Hela cells. A family spokesperson told the Boston Globe that Thermo Fisher was unlikely to be the the last biotech-pharma company to face a lawsuit. In 2021, the World Health Organisation honoured Lacks for her contributions to medical sciences in the face of exploitation and bigotry. Last week, Marylands two Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin introduced a bill to posthumously award her with the Congressional Gold Medal. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} US government officials are still unsure of the status of an American nurse and her young daughter who were kidnapped in Haiti. Hundreds of people have been reported kidnapped since January, marking a significant increase in cases, according to the Associated Press. The power of Haiti's gangs has increased since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The surge in violent crime has resulted in a spike in violent civilian vigilante groups in the nation. Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were kidnapped on Thursday, sparking an angry march of approximately 200 Haitians on the nation's capital to voice their anger. Ms Dorsainvil was working for a nonprofit Christian ministry El Roi Haiti when she was taken. She is the wife of the ministry's founder, Sandro Dorsainvil. US State Department spokesman Matt Miller would not provide further details concerning the abductees' statuses. Obviously, the safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority. We are in regular contact with the Haitian authorities. Well continue to work with them and our US government interagency partners, but because its an ongoing law enforcement investigation, theres not more detail I can offer, he said in a written statement to the Associated Press on Monday. Many nonprofits which are some of the few remaining aid organisations operating in regions of the country most afflicted by gang violence have closed due to the worsening violence. Among those is Doctors Without Borders, which announced earlier this month it was suspending its services at one of its hospitals after 20 armed men burst into an operating room and kidnapped a patient. A woman who was waiting for a checkup at the nonprofit witnessed Ms Dorsainvil's abduction. She recalled seeing a man enter, pull out a gun, and tell her to relax. A girl carries a sign that reads in Creole Free school is broken. Release the nurse, during a march to demand the freedom of New Hampshire nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter, who have been reported kidnapped (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) When I saw the gun, I was so scared, Ms Louima said. I said, I dont want to see this, let me go. Other community members told the Associated Press that the armed men demanded a $1m ransom which had become standard practice for gangs involved in abductions. The US State Department issued an advisory warning Americans to avoid traveling to Haiti on the same day the aid worker was abducted. It also ordered nonemergency personnel to leave the country citing the widespread kidnappings. The protesters who demanded action at the capital carried signs supporting the aid worker, including one that read "she is doing good work in the community, free her." Mr Dorsainvil asked for the public's prayers for his wife in a blog post on Monday. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter," he wrote. "As our hearts break for this situation, we also continue to pray for the country and people of Haiti and for freedom from the suffering they endure daily. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Multiple police dogs being transported from the Chicago area to Indiana died after the air conditioning unit in a cargo area where they were being held failed. Nearly 20 German shepherds were being transported from O'Hare International Airport when the driver of the vehicle was caught in a two-hour traffic delay, according to police in Lake Station, Indiana. The air conditioning in the unit where the dogs were being held failed, resulting in high temperatures that caused some of the dogs to suffer heat-related medical conditions. National Weather Service data showed that highs in the area reached 91F the day of the incident. The dogs began barking, which the driver heard after he stopped at a convenience store. He entered the cargo area of the vehicle and found the dogs in distress inside their crates. Lake Station police and fire responded to the scene. Officers noted that the experience "took an emotional toll on all that were involved in trying to save as many canines as possible." Jenny Webber, the executive director of the Humane Society of Hobart, Indiana, called the incident "truly devastating," according to CBS News. She was present at the scene and said that protocol was not followed in the transport of the animals. "I don't think any veterinarian would've signed off on their health certificate given the temperature and the exposure that those pets would've been under," she told CBS News. "Now I don't, however, I'm not even quite sure if they had any of the paperwork or any of the documentation they should've had." This photo provided by the Humane Society of Hobart, Ind., shows a cargo van, in Lake Station, Ind., in which dogs were being transported from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to a K-9 training facility in Michigan City, Ind., Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP) Ms Webber told the New York Times that "its not safe to travel with animals when temperatures are that high." She confirmed that four were taken to a nearby animal clinic, and that at least 10 of them died. It is unclear exactly how many dogs have died. "The driver left with four and the rest were decreased, and he left deceased animals and four live animals that I recommended be hospitalised immediately," she said. She said some of the dogs had clearly experienced heat stroke, and noted that some were vomiting or suffering from diarrhea. Police have maintained that the incident was not the result of neglect or cruelty, but a mechanical failure of the air conditioning unit. Ms Webber said she is waiting for answers from the police department. "It's very confusing," she said. "It's very disheartening, and I would like a call from the chief of police immediately." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The estranged wife of Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann has pleaded with the media to respect her familys privacy. Asa Ellerup, 59, filed for divorce after Mr Heuermann was charged on 13 July with the murders of three women whose bodies were found on a stretch of Long Island shoreline more than a decade ago. Police spent 12 days searching the familys run-down home in Massapequa Park, which has since become a macabre landmark attracting hundreds of true crime enthusiasts and reporters. The mother of two is yet to comment publicly on Mr Heuermanns alleged murder spree, but in a statement released through her lawyers Macedonio & Duncan, she asked for space to regain some normalcy. On behalf of my family and especially my elderly neighbors, who have also had their lives turned upside down by the enormous police presence, in addition to the spectators, and news crews, Ms Ellerups statement read. They deserve to live peacefully; they should be able to walk their dogs and go to the grocery stores without cameras shoved in their faces. I am pleading with you all to give us space so that we may regain some normalcy in our neighborhood. Police removed crime scene tape and reopened the block last week after excavating the homes yard and removing a cache of more than 300 guns from a vault in the basement. Authorities spent 12 days searching Rex Heuermanns Massapequa Park on Long Island (Associated Press) Last week, Nassau County police warned that anyone trespassing at the home would be fined $150. The county executive has made it very clear that we are protecting the neighborhood and we are not allowing this to turn into a side-show, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told a public meeting. If you dont live on that street or visiting someone on that street and are there to stop and take pictures and break the law you will be issued a summons no questions asked. Mr Heuermann, 59, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27, whose bodies were found along a Long Island beach roadway in 2010. He has been named as a prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, but has yet to be charged in the case. Police allege he committed the murders when his wife and children were out of town on vacation. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Senegal's government Monday dissolved a major opposition party and restricted internet service hours after the party's popular president and opposition leader said a judge ordered his arrest. The Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity partys dissolution was criticized by former Prime Minister Aminata Toure as an unprecedented setback in the West African nations democratic history. It further raised concerns about next years presidential election in Senegal, long considered a bastion of democracy and a regional leader in diplomacy. The opposition party has "frequently called on its supporters to take part in insurrectionary movements, Antoine Felix Diome, Senegals interior minister, alleged in a statement. Diome indirectly blamed the opposition party for loss of life and the looting of properties during protests in June against the prosecution of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who is seen as a key challenger in the election. Consequently, the assets of the dissolved party will be liquidated in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force," the minister said. There was no immediate statement from the Patriots of Senegal in response but the party has in the past denied causing violence. The Senegalese government, meanwhile, restricted mobile internet services on Monday, a measure taken due to the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages on social networks, according to Moussa Bocar Thiam, the communications minister. Residents throughout the country reported they were not able to access the internet. Sonko said a local judge in the capital Dakar ordered him held temporarily following fresh charges against him Saturday, including conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrection. The charges are different from an earlier one of corrupting youth. That led to Sonko's conviction in June, which ignited deadly protests across the nation with 23 people killed. Ive just been unjustly placed under a committal order, Sonko wrote on his Facebook page Monday. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the legal action taken against Sonko. Sonko is popular among Senegal's youth and has been seen as a threat to the ruling party ahead of the 2024 election. His supporters have said the charges are to prevent him from running again for president after he placed third in the 2019 race. His legal battles may bar him from running under Senegalese law. If the Senegalese people, for whom I have always fought, abdicate and decide to leave me in the hands of (President) Macky Salls regime, I will, as always, submit to Gods will, Sonko wrote on his Facebook page. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Myanmars military-led government has reduced the prison sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a clemency connected to a religious ceremony, state media said Tuesday. Former President Win Myint also had his sentence reduced as part of the clemency granted to more than 7,000 prisoners. Suu Kyi, 78, is serving 33 years' imprisonment after being convicted of 19 charges her supporters and rights group say were attempts to discredit her and legitimize the 2021 army takeover while preventing her return to politics. Several of her cases are awaiting final appeals. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Joe Biden has rejected former president Donald Trumps plans to move the US Space Command headquarters to Alabama and elected to keep it in Colorado amid his fight with senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), according to a new report. General James Dickinson, who leads the Space Command, reportedly convinced Mr Biden that moving the headquarters from Colorado Springs to Alabama would affect readiness, sources told the Associated Press. But US Air Force leadership said relocating the headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama would be the best decision. Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement that the decision was based on objective and deliberate process informed by data and analysis and that defence secretary Lloyd Austin supported the decision. House Armed Services chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) criticised the decision, saying it was politically motivated. Its clear that far-left politics, not national security, was the driving force behind this decision, he said. This fight is far from over. The move comes as Mr Tuberville has blocked more than 250 military promotions to try and force the Pentagon to reverse its policy that provides travel for US service members to seek abortion care in areas where it is more readily accessible. But US officials said Mr Tuberville and abortion policy had nothing to do with the decision. Mr Tuberville for his part lambasted the decision. This decision to bypass the three most qualified sites looks like blatant patronage politics, and it sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are now to be used as rewards for political supporters rather than for our security, he said. This is absolutely not over. I will continue to fight this as long as it takes to bring Space Command where it would be best served Huntsville, Alabama. But senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) praised the decision. Todays decision restores integrity to the Pentagons basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions, he said. Colorado is the rightful home for US Space Command, and our state will continue to lead America in space for years to come. Supporters said moving the headquarters to Huntsville would set back progress when it needs to be ready to match Chinas rise in military space action. Colorado Springs also houses the US Air Force Academy, where Space Guardians also graduate. Meanwhile, a Huntsville facility would not be ready until 2030. But Huntsville scored higher than Colorado Springs in a Government Accountability Office assessment of potential locations. Huntsville is also home to the US Armys Space and Missile Defence Command. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps shocking claims that stars can get away with sexual assault unfortunately or fortunately during the E Jean Carroll rape trial may yet form a key piece of self-incriminating evidence at his criminal hush money payments trial. A portion of the former presidents video-taped deposition was played at the federal civil trial in New York in May, where jurors ruled he was liable for sexually assaulting Ms Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s and ordered him to pay her $5m. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who charged Mr Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in March, has subpoenaed Ms Carrolls lawyers for the full deposition tape, a court filing in July revealed. Prosecutors demonstrated that the request seeks items that are relevant and material to the New York criminal case, the judge in the hush money case, Juan Merchan, wrote. The tapes will likely add to the weight of evidence already in the public domain that Mr Trump was utterly dismissive when confronted with allegations of wrongdoing, lied and attacked his accusers and harboured deeply mysoginistic views. In October 2022, Mr Trump was deposed by Ms Carrolls attorney Roberta Kaplan where he was asked about the Access Hollywood tapes in which he was boasted of being able to grab women by the p*****. Historically thats true with stars. If you look over the last million years, thats largely true, unfortunately or fortunately, Mr Trump replied. Donald Trump claimed that stars could get away with sexual assault, unfortunatelyor fortunately (Associated Press) Elsewhere on the recording, Mr Trump repeated defamatory comments that Ms Carroll was a liar and not his type. He added that Ms Kaplan wouldnt be a choice of mine either. The tape helped convince a nine-person jury that Mr Trump was liable for a vicious sexual assault on Ms Carroll that had upended her life. Mr Bragg sought to obtain the full deposition tape to show how the former president dealt with allegations of a sexual nature, according to a court filing. New York prosecutors first requested the depositions in May, when they wrote to Ms Kaplan asking for the full transcript, full video recording, and all exhibits related to the videotaped deposition of Donald J. Trump. Mr Trumps lawyers tried to block the subpoena, arguing it was part of a fishing expedition designed to harm his reputation. On 7 July, Judge Merchan issued a ruling that the request was not overbroad or otherwise inappropriate. He asked prosecutors to seek clarification from Judge Lewis Kaplan whether the release of the full video would breach a confidential order put in place before the trial. A decision is expected within days. E Jean Carroll leaves a Manhattan court in May after a jury awarded her $5m for a sexual assault committed by Mr Trump (Associated Press) The hush money charges stem from allegations that Mr Trump directed his former fixer Michael Cohen to pay the adult actress Stormy Daniels to suppress a planned story about their affair prior to the 2016 presidential election. Cohen also allegedly arranged for the National Enquirer to pay for a story about an affair Mr Trump had with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, only to never publish her account. Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion and campaign finance violations in 2018 for his role in the so-called catch and kill scheme and was sentenced to three years in federal prison. Prosecutors allege Mr Trump covered up the payments to help his election chances, and potentially breached campaign finance laws. The trial is due to go to trial in March 2024, when the presidential campaign season will be in full swing. The Manhattan DAs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent. Mr Trump is also facing dozens of federal criminal charges in Florida related to his retention of classified documents after leaving the White House. Special prosecutor Jack Smith last month sent him a target letter as part of an investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential elections. And Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has said she would soon announce charging decisions in her investigation into efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election result. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Black prosecutor overseeing an investigation into Donald Trumps attempts to overturn election results in Georgia has faced a wave of racist hate mail as the former president faces several likely imminent criminal indictments. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis warned prosecutors to stay alert over the next several weeks as her office likely prepares an indictment involving Mr Trump and his allies following efforts to upend the 2020 presidential election. One email with the subject like Fani Willis = Corrupt N***** said You are going to fail, you Jim Crow Democrat whore. The message is pretty typical of the emails and equally ignorant voicemails her office has received, she wrote in a message to staff, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I expect to see many more over the next 30 days ... I guess I am sending this as a reminder that you should stay alert over the month of August and stay safe, she added. I took an oath. No one other than the citizens of Fulton County put me in this seat. I have every intention of doing my job. Please make decisions that keep your staff safe. Fulton County solicitor general Keith Gammage said the repugnant, hateful and ignorant messages appear designed to intimidate law enforcement against prosecuting the former president. In my view, the words chosen, taken together go beyond harassing communications and constitute a veiled threat to a public official, he added. These are haunting words and the reference to Jim Crow harkens back to a time that we will never revisit. The investigation is among several facing the former president, who is separately the subject of a US Department of Justice special counsel probe into his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He also faces dozens of federal charges stemming from a separate federal indictment involving the alleged mishandling of dozens of sensitive government documents. Racist threats against Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg followed his offices investigation and criminal charges against Mr Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges from hush-money payments allegedly used to bury potentially damaging stories about his affairs in the leadup to the 2016 election. Mr Trumps business empire also faces a $250m lawsuit from the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. The former president has baselessly and repeatedly called all three of those Black prosecutors racist. Ms Williss office has helmed the investigation into the former president and his allies for more than two years, following Mr Trumps pressure campaign targeting state officials to reject the results. She began investigating Mr Trump shortly after his call to Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the states top elections official, who was pressed to find 11,870 votes just enough needed for then-President Trump to beat Joe Biden in the state. A special grand jury previously heard testimony from 75 witnesses, including aides and former attorneys to Mr Trump. That jury concluded its report in January with recommendations for state prosecutors to bring charges that will soon be reviewed by the newly impaneled grand jury. Last month, a separate grand jury was sworn in to hear evidence and consider charges against Mr Trump and others. Ms Willis has indicated that any potential charges stemming from the grand juries could come in August. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pakistans lower house Tuesday passed a bill that recommends a three-year prison term for anyone found guilty of disclosing the identity of an intelligence official, a move apparently aimed at stifling criticism of military-backed spy chiefs and agents. The legislation comes amid growing criticism of military and intelligence officers by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his deputies. It is expected to pass the Senate this week and then go to President Arif Alvi for signing into law, a formality. It was necessary to amend the official secret act law to make it more effective, said Parliamentary Affairs minister Murtaza Abbasi, who introduced the legislation in the National Assembly. Khan was the first politician to publicly disclose the names of some of Pakistan's senior intelligence officers, saying they were conspiring against him. He even claimed that Maj. Gen. Faisal Naseer, who works at Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, was behind the Nov. 3 gun attack that wounded Khan when he led a protest march to pressure the government to agree to early elections. One of Khan's supporters was killed in the shooting. The gunman was immediately arrested, and police later released a video of him in custody confessing to the shooting and saying he acted alone. Since then, Khan has alleged that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Naseer conspired to attack him. Sharif and the military have denied the charges. Khan was replaced by Sharif in April 2022 in a no-confidence vote in parliament. On Tuesday, lawmakers from Sharifs government sent the new legislation to the National Assembly and amended the Secret Act, proposing that anyone who discloses the names of intelligence officers, informers or sources would face three years in prison. The legislation comes days after the National Assembly and Senate passed another bill recommending up to five years in prison for both currently serving and retired officers found guilty of taking part in politics or disclosing sensitive information. Sharif is making new laws only two weeks before the current parliament completes its five-year term, paving the way for parliamentary elections in October or November. According to analysts, the legislation done in recent weeks is primarily aimed at taking action against some of those retired officers who have been maligning the military since the ouster of Khan, who claims his removal was part of a U.S. plot. Currently, Khan is facing more than 150 legal cases, including several on charges of corruption, terrorism and inciting people to violence over deadly protests in May that saw his followers attack government and military property across the country. The violence subsided only after Khan was released on an order from Pakistans Supreme Court. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Podcaster Joe Rogan has faced criticism after he once again pushed the baseless conspiracy theory that the January 6 insurrection was a false flag operation. The same claim has led Fox News to face a second defamation lawsuit in connection to their coverage of the 2020 election. In a settlement, the network paid Dominion Voting Systems $787.5m for airing false claims about the company. Mr Rogan has told his listeners on several occasions that federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies influenced the Capitol riot using agent provocateurs, including Ray Epps, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, who Mr Rogan said clearly instigated the insurrection, according to The Daily Beast. The January 6 thing is bad, but also, the intelligence agencies were involved in provoking people into the Capitol building, thats a fact, Mr Rogan said during his 28 July episode with fellow comedian Jim Gaffigan. But the podcaster added that he wasnt sure that Mr Epps was working with the FBI, claiming that he was only posing questions and noting that others appeared to think that Mr Epps was an undercover agent. But Mr Rogan made some of the same claims that Mr Epps included in his lawsuit against Fox and its now-ousted host Tucker Carlson. I think that every other person who was involved in January 6, who was involved in coordinating a break-in into the Capitol and then instigating people, they were all arrested, Mr Rogan said. This guy wasnt. Not only that, but they were defending him in The New York Times, The Washington Post, all these different things saying Fox News has unjustly accused him of instigating when he clearly instigated, he did it on camera. I dont know if he was a Fed. I know a lot of people think he was a Fed. Mr Rogan argued that the intelligence community wanted to frame Mr Trump because of his opposition to the deep state and that they created the right circumstances for the violence to occur to make Mr Trump appear responsible for the crimes committed by his supporters. Trump was very open about his disdain for the intelligence agencies. Throughout history, people of unchecked power and unchecked influence have enemies and Trump was their enemy, Mr Rogan said. He added that the intelligence community was going to get him any way that they could. Mr Epps has sued Fox and Mr Carlson for defamation for claiming that he was an agent provocateur. It led to him facing death threats and he and his wife had to leave their home and move to a remote area. Just as Fox had focused on voting machine companies when falsely claiming a rigged election, Fox knew it needed a scapegoat for January 6th, Mr Epps legal filing states. It settled on Ray Epps and began promoting the lie that Epps was a federal agent who incited the attack on the Capitol. Mr Rogan has previously said that the intelligence community had a vested interest in this going sideways. If somebody wanted to disparage a political party or to maybe have some sort of a justification for getting some influential person like Donald Trump offline, that would be the way they would do it, he has said. In his legal filing, Mr Epps says he was a frequent viewer of Fox News and that their false claims that voting machines had been rigged was part of the reason he travelled to DC in January 2021. The filing also states that following right-wingers accusing him of being a federal agent, the Department of Justice told him in May of this year that he was facing charges in connection to the insurrection. The lawsuit states that this goes against the notion that hes protected from prosecution. Mr Epps attorney Michael Teter told The Daily Beast on Tuesday that Joe Rogans recent comments show the staying power and consequences of Foxs and Tucker Carlsons lies about Ray Epps. For years, Fox targeted Ray and spread falsehoods about him and Foxs viewers used the lies as a basis to harass and threaten Ray. The absurdity of the conspiracy theory does not stand in the way of it being spread and weaponized to harm Ray. If Mr Rogan is truly interested in focusing on who instigated the attack on the Capitol, he would find more truth in looking at the mirror than he does in focusing on a wedding venue owner from Arizona. The FBI has said that Ray Epps has never been an FBI source or an FBI employee. The House Select Committee that investigated the riot has said theres no evidence to support the claim that Mr Epps planned or instigated the riots. Philip Bump of The Washington Post tweeted that Mr Rogans comments were just plain old-fashioned dumb. Former Republican strategist Stuart Stevens added: Ive done a lot of reporting on steroids and multiple studies have proven steroid abuse is dangerous but does not turn you into a barking dog conspiracy nut. So Joe Rogan cant blame his condition on the juice. Now Joe Rogan, who currently runs one of the largest media platforms out there, is saying January 6th was a false flag. please stop asking me why I think Rogan is a raging moron, Ryan Shead wrote. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as US vice president Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the 20th Womens Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Quadrennial Convention. Ms Harris has travelled to Florida to speak at the event, which comes coincidentally after Florida governor Ron DeSantis challenged her to come to the state. In a letter sent on Monday, Mr DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican Partys nomination in the 2024 presidential election, touted Florida as the number one state in the nation for education. The vice president has been busy over the last few weeks, which saw her already visit Florida in July. Ms Harris was on a trip to speak at an event in Jacksonville, where she spoke out against some changes to how African-American history is taught in Florida. During her visit to the Ritz Theatre and Museum in Jacksonville, Harris lamented how damaging it is when schools don't discuss historical crimes as part of the curriculum. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Lawyers for impeached Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday sought to have most of the charges against him dismissed, arguing that they rely on alleged acts of corruption before he was reelected to a third term in 2022. In motions filed with the Senate, where Paxton's impeachment trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 5, his attorneys said they believe state law bars the removal of an official for conduct that occurred before their most recent election. Paxton was first elected attorney general in 2014 and the impeachment charges include alleged conduct since then. "The Articles allege nothing that Texas voters have not heard from the Attorney Generals political opponents for years, Paxton's attorneys wrote. They accused the GOP-dominated Texas House of Representatives of seeking to oust Paxton because they were unable to unseat him by popular vote. Texas voters rendered their judgement by re-electing Attorney General Paxton to serve a third consecutive term. As a matter of both common sense and Texas law, that should be the end of the matter, his attorneys wrote. Only one of the 20 impeachment charges an allegation that Paxton settled a whistleblower lawsuit in an effort to hide from the public corruption allegations against him would not have to be dismissed under the so-called prior term doctrine," Paxton's attorney said. Paxton asked state lawmakers this year to have the state pay the proposed $3.3 million settlement. In a second filing, Paxton's attorneys said the trial should exclude any evidence of alleged conduct that occurred prior to January 2023, when his third term in office began. The motions from Paxton's attorneys are similar to moves in a criminal or civil legal cases when defense attorneys seek to have charges or lawsuits dismissed before trial. In this case, the presiding officer over Paxton's impeachment trial will be Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a powerful Republican who also serves as the president of the state Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate will consider the evidence and decide whether to convict or acquit Paxton in the first impeachment trial of a statewide official since 1917. Patrick has already issued a sweeping gag order over the parties and attorneys involved ahead of the Senate trial. Attorneys for House of Representatives managers prosecuting Paxton did not immediately respond to the motions filed Monday. Paxton has been suspended from office since the House first approved the articles of impeachment on May 27. He could be permanently removed if convicted by the Senate. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Republicans raged in response to the news that a grand jury indicted former president Donald Trump for a third time in a year, calling for his office to be defunded and saying that the investigation was politically motivated. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) led Republicans charge against Special Counsel Jack Smiths office amid news that a federal grand jury had indicted former president Donald Trump on four charges for violating federal criminal code. Ms Greene posted on X, former known as Twitter, that Mr Smiths office should be defunded amid the news of the indictment. Jack Smith is a terrible attorney with a lot of failures in his career, she posted. Now, hes abusing his power, the power of the special counsel, and the power of the Department of Injustice. In addition, Ms Greene said that she would invoke the Holman rule, which prohibits appropriations for for any expenditure not previously authorized by law. Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) echoed the sentiment. DEFUND JACK SMITH'S WITCH HUNT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP! he said. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who previously said that Mr Trump bore responsibility for the riot on January 6, said that the indictment was meant to distract from House Republicans investigations into President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Everyone in America could see what was going to come next: DOJs attempt to distract from the news and attack the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, President Trump, she said. House Republicans will continue to uncover the truth about Biden Inc. and the two-tiered system of justice. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) also spoke out against the charges. When you drain The Swamp, The Swamp fights back, he said. President Trump did nothing wrong! Rep Lauren Boebert (R-CO) said Mr Trump was the victim of a double standard and said that Mr Biden should be investigated. We've become completely accustomed to seeing President Trump indicted for crimes while Joe Biden skirts the law every single day, she posted on X. No politically-motivated indictment is going to change my mind. TRUMP 2024 NOW MORE THAN EVER. Sen Josh Hawley (R-MO), who led the efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results on January 6, called the efforts politically motivated. Biden DOJ unveils the latest effort to stop Trump from running against Biden - totally unprecedented in American history, he said. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who trails Mr Trump in nearly every poll for the Republican nomination for president, pledged to end the weaponisation of government, though Mr DeSantis said he had not read the indictment. I do, though, believe we need to enact reforms so that Americans have the right to remove cases from Washington, DC to their home districts, he said. Washington, DC is a swamp and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of the swamp mentality. One of the reasons our country is in decline is the politicization of the rule of law. No more excusesI will end the weaponization of the federal government. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated his commitment to pardoning Mr Trump were he to be elected. The real cause was systematic & pervasive censorship of citizens in the year leading up to it, he said. If we fail to admit the truth, Jan 6 will just be a preview of far worse to come & I dont want to see us get there. The now twice-impeached, three-times indicted former president has maintained his innocence and said that the investigation is politicised. This is nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election, in which President Trump is the undisputed frontrunner, and leading by substantial margins, the campaign said in a statement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Robert F Kennedy Jr is facing mockery and criticism after it has been revealed that more than half of his Super PAC funding came from a single Republican mega-donor. The son of the assassinated Attorney General and New York Senator Robert F Kennedy is running against President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, with observers giving him little chance of giving the incumbent a real challenge. The PAC, American Values 2024, was established the same month that the environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist launched his campaign. It reported $9.8m in funding by the end of June. On Monday, the group said it raised $6m last month for a total of about $16m, Politico noted. The initial financial report states that the PAC received donations from both Republicans and Democrats, with the GOP donors providing the lions share of the funding. More than half of the $9.8m donated through 30 June $5m was provided by longtime Republican donor Timothy Mellon, a former supporter of ex-President Donald Trump. On Monday, Mr Mellon said Mr Kennedy was the one Democrat who can win in the general election. Author and consultant Gavin De Becker gave $4.5m. He was previously an advisor to Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and has previously donated to both major parties. The PAC also received donations from a number of Democrats, such as Abby Rockefeller, who donated $100,000. But the Democratic donations made up a small share of the total. The PAC received $50,000 from Cancer Monthly Inc, which pushes alternative treatments for cancer. While the PAC has spent some money on newspaper ads in the early primary states, its mostly retaining its cash at this time. The major donors who supported Mr Kennedys campaign directly included dozens of people who previously donated to Mr Trump or Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Politico notes. Mr Kennedy was quickly criticised and mocked for the political leanings of his supporters. No surprise: More than half of the main RFK political action committees revenue came from a Trump mega donor. Kennedy is a Republican stooge, Matthew Sheffield, a former right-wing media operative, wrote on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. Lawyer Ron Filipkowski said that it was The Least Surprising News of the Day award winner. Shocking... how much from the Kremlin? Bill Maxwell asked. Such a surprise that RFK Jrs anti-immigration, pro-Russia, anti-vaccine, homophobic talking points are resonating so much with Republican donors I mean, whoever could have predicted it? Duke University Professor Gavin Yamey wrote. The founder and former CEO of the Democratic Leadership Council, Al From, added: RFK Jr has no appeal to Republicans. Hes is a Republican plant to hurt Biden. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New Jersey Lt Gov Sheila Oliver has died one day after being hospitalised for treatment for an undisclosed medical issue while serving as acting governor. Ms Oliver was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Monday, while Governor Phil Murphy was in Italy on a family vacation. Her family confirmed her death at the age of 71 in a statement on Tuesday. It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey, the family said in a statement to ABC7. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero. No cause of death has been released. In a statement, Gov Murphy said he and his family were incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government. Ms Oliver, a Democrat, was selected as Gov Murphys running-mate in 2017, and was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, he said. New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver has died at the age of 71 (Associated Press) In 2010, she became the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, and was the second Black woman in US history to lead a state house legislature. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made. Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari is serving as acting governor, the governors spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said. Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ty6drz7DgY Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 1, 2023 The governor will be returning to the US soon, Mr Gunaratna added. Along with serving as Gov Murphys top deputy, Ms Oliver also oversaw the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and supervises code enforcement. She had been twice elected to the lieutenant governors role in 2017 and 2021, becoming the second person to hold the post in New Jersey. Born and raised in Newark, Ms Oliver earned a degree in sociology from Pennsylvanias Lincoln University before being elected to the Essex County board of chosen freeholders in 1996. New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, with Governor Phil Murphy in 2020 (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) Ms Oliver had served on the New Jersey assembly since 2004. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of colour, Gov Murphy said in a statement. Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable. Tributes flowed for Ms Oliver from state and national politicians. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker described her death as a tremendous loss for New Jersey, for her family, and for all of us who loved and worked with her. Sheila Oliver was a trailblazer whose legacy of service will long be remembered. Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat of New Jersey, said Ms Oliver was a relentless voice for the voiceless, a passionate advocate for the disadvantaged, and a champion for the most important issues facing the Garden State. From her earliest victories in public service when she saved affordable housing for low-income residents in Newark to her trailblazing service as the first African American woman to lead the General Assembly as Speaker, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was an inspiration to all of us who dream of an equal and prosperous future. Ms Olivers family requested privacy, and said details of a memorial service would be provided at a later date. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has been charged over an alleged plot to overthrow the 2020 election, adding to his growing list of legal woes. The ex-president now faces four counts of violating three sections of the federal criminal code as he and a group of allies schemed to find a way to somehow keep him in the White House for a second term despite losing to Joe Biden. Grand jurors in Washington DC have spent months hearing evidence and witness testimony as part of a long-running probe into Mr Trumps efforts to overturn his election loss and the January 6 attack on the Capitol which sprung from those efforts. Donald Trump has hit back at the charges (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) On Monday they approved the indictment against the Republican on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding, and deprivation of rights under colour of law on Tuesday after a four-hour presentation by Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and his team of prosecutors. In a statement to reporters shortly after the indictment was unsealed, Mr Smith said the January 6 attack was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy that was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the US government: The nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. Mr Smith praised the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol that day as heroes ... patriots and they are the very best of us who put their lives on the line to defend who we are as a country and as a people and defended the very institutions and principles that define the United States. He also said the case against Mr Trump is part of the Justice Departments efforts to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for what happened that day and said his office would seek a speedy trial of Mr Trump, who was summoned to appear in court to answer the charges on 3 August at 4.00 pm at the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington. The indictment alleges that the ex-president engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by using dishonesty, fraud, and deceit to impair, obstruct, and defeat the lawful federal government function by which the results of the presidential election are collected, counted, and certified by the federal government, conspired to corruptly obstruct and impede the January 6 congressional proceeding at which the collected results of the presidential election are counted and certified, and conspired against conspiracy against the right to vote and to have ones vote counted. Prosecutors allege that Mr Trump had six co-conspirators, including five attorneys. Trump speaks to supporters on January 6 shortly before the assault on the Capitol (AFP via Getty Images) According to the indictment, Mr Trump and his co-conspirators co-conspirators used knowingly false claims of election fraud to get state legislators and election officials to subvert the legitimate election results and change electoral votes for the Defendants opponent, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to electoral votes for the Defendant. They further allege that Mr Trump Defendant pushed officials in certain states to ignore the popular vote; disenfranchise millions of voters; dismiss legitimate electors; and ultimately, cause the ascertainment of and voting by illegitimate electors in his favour. Prosecutors also cite the efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to cause fake electoral college certificates to be submitted for use by then-vice president Mike Pence to hijack the certification of the election and declare himself and Mr Trump the winners despite having lost. When Mr Pence refused, prosecutors allege that Mr Trump and co-conspirators repeated knowingly false claims of election fraud to gathered supporters, falsely told them that the Vice President had the authority to and might alter the election results, and directed them to the Capitol to obstruct the certification proceeding and exert pressure on the Vice President to take the fraudulent actions he had previously refused. They also allege that Mr Trump and his allies exploited the January 6 attack on the Capitol disruption by redoubling efforts to levy false claims of election fraud and convince Members of Congress to further delay the certification based on those. Trumps Jan 6 arguments dubbed the Costanza defence after Seinfeld joke Continuing, they say Mr Trump and his co-conspirators attempted to use the power and authority of the Justice Department to conduct sham election crime investigations and to send a letter to the targeted states that falsely claimed that the Justice Department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the election outcome as they sought to advance the Defendants fraudulent elector plan by using the Justice Departments authority to falsely present the fraudulent electors as a valid alternative to the legitimate electors. A significant portion of evidence against the ex-president appears to come from testimony given by Mr Pence, the former vice president. A section of the indictment recounts several private conversations between Mr Trump and Mr Pence, including one in which Mr Trump complained that Mr Pence was too honest after he told the then-president that he lacked the power to overturn the election. The latest charges against Mr Trump are some of the most serious allegations levied against the twice-impeached, now thrice-indicted former president, and are just the first of two possible sets of charges that he could face as a result of his efforts to unlawfully reverse the result of his defeat nearly three years ago. A separate grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia has also been hearing evidence about efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to pressure Peach State officials into reversing his loss to Mr Biden there, and the district attorney who has been supervising that process has said charges be approved against multiple targets in the coming days. The addition of a second federal indictment to the legal troubles facing Mr Trump is certain to complicate his quest to return to the White House by winning next years presidential election. He is scheduled to be tried in two separate criminal cases against him, including on the federal charges against him and co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira which are pending in a Florida federal court as a result of their alleged roles in the ex-presidents alleged unlawful retention of national defence information and obstruction of justice. The January 6 riot was an attack on democracy, the Department of Justice special counsel said (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) A separate case against him for allegedly falsifying business records in his former home state of New York is set to go to trial in March 2024, while the federal case in Florida is scheduled for trial in late May 2024. The ex-president has maintained that the multiple investigations against him amount to election interference and a politically motivated hoax, and has repeatedly attacked the prosecutors investigating him in extremely personal terms. These latest charges against Mr Trump are the result of an eight-month investigation by Mr Smith, who was appointed by US Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to supervise a pair of probes focusing on the ex-presidents conduct. In addition to investigating the ex-presidents alleged unlawful retention of national defence information, Mr Smith was also handed control long-running probe into the events leading up to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, when a riotous mob of Mr Trumps supporters stormed the seat of the US legislature in hopes of blocking the final certification of his loss to Mr Biden. While prosecutors in the office of the US Attorney for the District of Columbia have charged more than 1,000 people for various crimes committed during the riot including rare seditious conspiracy charges against members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers extremist groups the charges against Mr Trump [and his co-defendants] are the first to be brought against anyone for the efforts to overturn the election which arguably led to the Capitol attack. Mr Trump was impeached for inciting the attack with just days left in his presidency, and though a majority of senators voted to convict him, they fell short of the two-thirds supermajority required to sustain a conviction. But the ex-president and his co-defendants are not being charged for organising, inciting or fomenting what was the worst attack on the Capitol since British troops set it ablaze in 1814. Instead, the charges against them are for crimes which prosecutors allege to have been committed as Mr Trump sought to employ a variety of strategies by which he and his allies thought he could reverse or override the will of voters, including pressuring state legislatures to use their own authority to replace swing state electors for Mr Biden with electors for Mr Trump. Key points from Trump's infamous Georgia call Mr Trump and his allies also pushed state officials, most notably Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, to act to decertify Mr Bidens wins in swing states, according to prosecutors. Figures connected to Mr Trumps campaign also spearheaded an effort to submit forged electoral college certificates to the National Archives and to the Senate, while Mr Trump personally sought to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into unilaterally throwing out the legitimate electoral certificates for Mr Biden in favour of the forged ones listing Mr Trump as the winner. The case currently pending against him in the Southern District of Florida arose out of a criminal referral from the National Archives and Records Administration after officials discovered documents bearing classification markings in a set of 15 boxes which the agency had retrieved from Mr Trumps home at Mar-a-Lago, the 1920s-era Palm Beach mansion turned private beach club where he maintains his primary residence and post-presidential office. Investigators later discovered more than 100 additional documents with classification markings during an 8 August 2021 search of Mr Trumps property, and in June charged him with unlawfully withholding the documents from the government and obstructing efforts to determine whether all the classified documents in his possession had been returned. Close Trump claims Georgia DA had an affair with a gang member Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A previously unseen legal memo by Kenneth Chesebro , a lawyer from Donald Trumps failed 2020 re-election campaign, laid out how the ex-presidents efforts to interfere with certification of that years electoral college results were meant to buy time and delay the joint session at which Mr Trumps defeat to Joe Biden would be made official. The memo, which was first reported on by The New York Times, was referenced in the four-count indictment returned against the former president by a Washington DC grand jury last month. Mr Chesebro is described but not named in the indictment as an un-indicted co-conspirator in the alleged conspiracy to obstruct certification of the 2020 election. The first hearing is scheduled for Friday at 10am. Meanwhile, former New Jersey Governor and presidential candidate Chris Christie has hit back at the latest cheap barb levelled against him by the former president. Mr Trump emphasised comments referring to Mr Christie as a fat pig at a New Hampshire rally on Tuesday. The former governor responded on social media: If you had the guts you would show up to the debate and say it to my face. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump was indicted for a third time on Tuesday 1 August after a grand jury in Washington, DC, charged the ex-president on four counts related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and incite the US Capitol riot of 6 January 2021. On Thursday 3 August, the former commander-in-chief appeared at an arraignment in hearing in DC at which he pleaded not guilty and denounced the affair as an act of persecution by his political enemies. This comes after he has already been indicted twice this year first in New York over allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments and second over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Now, Mr Trump has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. Whats more, a fourth indictment could soon follow, as Mr Trump is also under investigation by Fani Willis, district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, over his apparent attempt to influence state officials in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. For his part, Mr Trump has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly insisted as he did in DC, without any evidence that he is the victim of a costly witch hunt by the Joe Biden administration, which he claims has weaponised the US justice system against him in order to thwart his proposed political comeback. What is a grand jury? In the American legal system, a grand jury is simply a group of randomly-selected American citizens called upon by the federal or state laws of the United States to conduct legal proceedings, chiefly to weigh the evidence in a criminal case to determine whether there is a sufficent basis under which charges should be brought. Unlike a trial, a unanimous verdict is not required. Typically, just 12 of a 16 to 23-strong grand jury needs to vote to indict a person for it to take place. All proceedings surrounding grand juries are secret in accordance Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the burden of proof for prosecution lower than it is at a trial, with only a majority belief in probable cause needed to secure an indictment. What is an indictment? Should a grand jury conclude in favour of issuing formal charges, an indictment is then issued to the subject, which serves as formal notice that the state has reason to believe that person has committed a crime. An indictment does not determine guilt or innocence but is a required procedural step in a criminal proceeding. What is an arraignment? After the state secures an indictment, it can take a case forward to an arraignment. At an arraignment hearing, which takes place before a judge, defendants are read the charges facing them and the maximum penalties they carry and then are offered the opportunity to make a plea either not guilty, no contest, or guilty. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the case most frequently moves to sentencing. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the judge will set the terms of bail and the dates for subsequent events in the case, including any pre-trial hearings and an eventual trial, which can sometimes occur months or years after the initial charging date. So where is Trump in all of this? The former president has already been indicted twice once by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg for his alleged role in the hush money scheme and by Mr Smith in Florida for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstruction of justice. Mr Trump was arraigned in New York in the state case on 4 April, in Miami in the first federal case on 13 June and now once again in Washington in response to the second federal indictment on 3 August. The former commander-in-chief pleaded not guilty in all instances. Mr Trump was released after all three arraignments and is not expected to be held in jail while awaiting a potential trial in either case. He is, of course, running for the presidency again and is the current runaway leader in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination, leaving the likes of Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and Chris Christie trailing in his wake, which could make things interesting going forward. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former childcare worker in Australia has been charged with more than 1,600 child abuse offences against 91 young girls at a dozen early learning centres in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas between 2007 and 2022, Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Tuesday. The 45-year-old Gold Coast childcare worker, who has not been identified by authorities yet, has been in police custody in Queensland state since August last year and was initially charged and arrested for making child exploitation material. The man has now been charged with 136 counts of rape and at least 110 counts of forced sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10. He faces 1,623 child abuse charges for crimes committed over 15 years. All survivors were said to be girls at the time of the crimes, with some now aged over 18 years. The man has been accused of recording the offences on phones and cameras while working in 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 and 2013, as well as from 2018 to 2022, an overseas centre in 2013 and 2014, and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017, the police said. The offences are deeply distressing and unfathomable, Australian federal police assistant commissioner Justine Gough said. There is not much solace I can give parents and children who have been identified under Operation Tenterfield [police operation to find the accused and his alleged crimes], but I can tell you that we never gave up, and we never will when it comes to protecting children. This is a distressing time for families, carers and the community broadly, she said. The police officials said more self-produced child abuse material has been recovered on electronic devices purportedly owned by the man, after further investigations since his arrest last year. This is one of the most horrific child abuse cases that Ive seen in nearly 40 years of policing, New South Wales state police assistant commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said. Its beyond the realms of anyones imagination what this person did to these children, he said. The police commissioner warned that once the accused faces the AFPs charges in Queensland, they will try seeking to extradite him to Sydney and subject him to the full force of the law in New South Wales. The AFP is working with international authorities to help identify four children recorded in alleged child abuse material created overseas, it said in a statement. The case will be next heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 21 August. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A large chunk of debris from space has been identified after it washed up on a remote West Australian beach. Police cordoned off the object after it was found in July on a beach near Green Head, about 250km north of Perth. The large cylinder, which was about 2.5m high and partly made of a gold-coloured woven material, raised theories that it could have been part of a downed airliner. But police also urged people to refrain from drawing conclusions after several rumours linked it to UFOs while others linked it to the missing Malaysian MH370 flight. After a two week investigation, the Australian Space Agency said the debris is most likely from a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation. We have concluded the object is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), said ASA on their official Twitter profile. The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation. Earlier this month, European Space Agency engineer Andrea Boyd said her colleagues believed the item that washed up from the Indian Ocean fell from an Indian rocket while launching a satellite. Were pretty sure, based on the shape and the size, it is an upper-stage engine from an Indian rocket thats used for a lot of different missions, she told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Meanwhile, Indian Space Research Organisation chair S Somnath told the BBC the debris was indeed a part of a rocket but could not confirm if it was from their launch. Whoever launched the object into space would be responsible for its disposal. The mysterious giant cylinder washed up on an Australian beach (screengrab/7News) There is a United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and they have an outer space treaty that everyone has signed saying that whoever launches something into space is responsible for it right until the very end, Boyd said. Authorities initially treated the device as hazardous and urged the public to stay away but Western Australia Police later said in a statement that a government chemical analysis had determined the object was safe and there is no current risk to the community. Police said the device would be removed following formal identification of its origin. Police will maintain security of the object until it is removed and members of the public are requested to stay away from the location, the statement said. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said the debris could be displayed in a local museum alongside the wreckage of Skylab that fell back to Earth in 1979 in Australia. Skylab was the USAs first space station launched by NASA. It orbited unmanned for about five years before breaking up and scattering debris across the Esperance region. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A sailor who was rescued after spending three months adrift with his dog in the Pacific Ocean has revealed why he will now be leaving his faithful pet to get lost in the jungle. Tim Shaddock, 54, and his dog Bella were found alive on board his catamaran on 12 July, having survived on raw fish and rainwater under a beating sun for more than 90 days. Mr Shaddock, a former IT manager from Sydney, said the last time he saw land was in early May as he sailed out of the Sea of Cortez with the aim of reaching French Polynesia. The boat, however, became lost after the electronics were wiped out by a storm, leaving him unable to call for help and stranded at sea with Bella. Mr Shaddock sits with Bella after being rescued by a Mexican tuna boat (Grupomar/Atun Tuny via AP) The pair were reunited a week after they were spotted by a helicopter and saved by a crew of tuna fishermen who took them to the Mexican city of Manzanillo. Mr Shaddock told The Times: Im so happy to have seen my dog again. Shes still as lively as ever. But their time together will not last for long, as it was revealed the pair are to be parted for good. Mr Shaddock said he had decided to leave Bella in Mexico after a crew member from the rescue boat promised to give her a happy and loving home. Mr Shaddock wants to continue his adventures, with Belize next on his list. Ill see if I can get lost in the jungle there, he said. But he plans to do these potentially dangerous explorations solo. He said that, while he cared less for himself, he could not put his beloved dog at risk again. Mr Shaddock, a former IT manager from Sydney, said the last time he saw land was in early May as he sailed out of the Sea of Cortez with the aim of reaching French Polynesia (AP) However, he added: Im sad to lose her, shes a remarkable animal. Ive had her since she was a pup, and she just hasnt stopped following me. Bella enjoyed her time on the boat, said Mr Shaddock, keeping him calm and sane throughout the ordeal (AP) He met Bella, who was a stray, in March 2020 in Mexico, where he was plotting a sailing route home to Australia, having been barred from the country due to pandemic restrictions. The duo drifted around Mexico for three years before finally setting off for what would have been a 5,000-mile ocean crossing. With coronavirus restrictions relaxed, the journey became more about a quest for solitude for Mr Shaddock. The dog jumped into his car when he left central Mexico for the coast last spring. I thought to myself, well thats it then, he said. The crew of the Mexican tuna boat Maria Delia, which rescued the pair, pose for photos with Bella (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Bella enjoyed her time on the boat, said Mr Shaddock, although she did not once get off the vessel to swim with him. He said she kept him calm and sane throughout the ordeal. You wouldnt believe how well she managed out there. When we were rescued, all the crew commented on how fit she still looked, especially compared to me. Fisherman Genaro Rosales, 48, a member of the rescue crew, will be adopting Bella (AFP via Getty Images) Despite his sadness, Mr Shaddock is philosophical about losing his dog, happy in the knowledge she will be taken care of by her new Mexican family. Genaro Rosales, 48, along with his three children and their pug-chihuahua will be adopting Bella. Shes got a really good outcome, said Mr Shaddock. The worst outcome was that she would lose her life out there with me. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has cheered the recent flurry of drone strikes on Moscow as evidence that Vladimir Putins illegal invasion of his country is backfiring and that its consequences are becoming ever clearer to the Russian people. Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process, he said in a video address from the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk. Russias defence ministry conceded on Sunday (30 July) that a 50-storey building containing the offices of a number of government agencies and a shopping precinct in the capitals western Moskva-Citi business district were both hit by drone strikes it blamed on Ukraine, claiming to have brought down three more devices. Then, on Tuesday (1 August), the same high-rise was struck again by more drones, with the Kremlin again claiming to have jammed others. Meanwhile, a police station in Trubchevsky in the Bryansk region of western Russia has also been targeted in recent days, as has an administrative building in Russian-occupied Donetsk that dramatic explosion caught on a motorists dashboard camera. Expressing a similar sentiment to Mr Zelensky in the wake of the blasts was Ukrainian air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat, who said: All of the people who think the war doesnt concern them its already touching them. Theres already a certain mood in Russia: that something is flying in, and loudly. Theres no discussion of peace or calm in the Russian interior any more. They got what they wanted. Kyiv has largely preferred to remain coy about its activities rather than take responsibility but there is no denying that the retaliatory strikes against the enemy have coincided with the launch of its spring counteroffensive. That long-anticipated shift to the frontfoot has also come alongside a period of turmoil at the top of Russias military establishment caused by Yevgeny Prigozhins extraordinary aborted mutiny of 24 June, seemingly a protest against his Wagner Group mercenaries being denied the ammunition and resources they need to be able to wage Mr Putins war effectively. Without confirming or denying Ukrainian involvement in the recent assaults on targets within Russia, Mr Zelenskys adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted on Tuesday that the invader is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war, which, in turn, will soon finally move to the territory of the authors of the war to collect all their debts... He continued: Everything that will happen in Russia is an objective historical process. More unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, more war. Despite Kyivs successes whose strategic impact has, in truth, so far been negligible Ukraine itself has also remained under siege, with heavy shelling seen lately in Kherson and drone strikes reportedly hitting civilian targets, including a college dormitory in Kharkiv, the countrys second city, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The cities hit by strikes in both Ukraine and Russia in late July and August 2023 (The Independent/Datawrapper) Volodymyr Tymoshko, the northeastern towns mayor, called it a very difficult night and wrote on Telegram: One of the drones destroyed two floors of a dormitory. A fire broke out and emergency services are attending. Missile strikes have also been reported in Sumy and in Zaporizhzhia in recent days and in Mr Zelenskys home town of Kryvyi Rih, a target surely chosen to cause the president maximum personal anguish. At least six people were killed when ballistic missiles struck a school building and a residential tower block, a five-year-old girl among the dead, while dozens more were wounded. Mr Zelensky said that as many as 350 people were involved in the emergency rescue effort, which is still ongoing. The city was last attacked in June, when another 11 residents were killed. Since the war began 17 months ago, Russian missiles have taken out civilian homes, schools, hospitals, churches, power plants and even a famous Holocaust memorial in Ukraine and the latest wave of retaliation is only likely to invite a further escalation. As the journalist Tim White told The Independent in late May when Moscow was last hit by drone strikes attributed to Ukraine: Putins only response is violence, weve seen it time and time again. Close Huge smoke cloud rises after massive explosion at factory in Moscow For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 45 people have been injured in a blast at a night-vision goggle factory in Moscow, The Moscow Times reports. The explosion rocked the town of Sergiev Posad, 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Moscow on Wednesday, with emergency services reporting that the blast appeared to have taken place in a warehouse containing pyrotechnic equipment. 23 people were hospitalised, with six in intensive care, the Sergiev Posad mayors office said. Unverified footage on social media showed a huge column of smoke, and high-rise buildings with windows blown out. The Zagorsk Optical and Mechanical Plant produces optical equipment for industrial and healthcare applications as well as for the Russian security forces. However, TASS cited emergency services as saying they did not believe the blast had been caused by a Ukrainian drone attack - many of which have taken place in Moscow and the surrounding area in recent weeks and months. The news comes as Russia claimed it shot down two Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow, one near a major airport to the south of the city and one to the west of the capital. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Moscow suffered another drone strike on Monday night when a high-rise building housing a number of government ministries was hit for the second time in two days, with Kyiv warning Russia that it will face further drone attacks. An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted that the Kremlin will soon collect all of their debts over the invasion of Ukraine with further strikes on Russian soil. While Ukraine stops short of directly claiming such attacks, of which there have been a flurry in recent weeks, officials often show their satisfaction and seek to undermine Russia in any way they can as Kyivs forces press on with their counteroffensive. Moscow is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war, Mr Podolyak wrote on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. He said Russia should expect more unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, more war. The building that was hit by the drone is known as the IQ quarter, which houses the Russian ministry of economic development, the digital ministry and the ministry of industry and trade. While the repeated drone incidents have not caused casualties or major damage, they have provoked widespread unease and are an embarrassment for Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, which is constantly seeking to give the impression to the countrys citizens that its invasion now nearly 18 months long is proceeding according to Moscows plan. Moscow resident Alexander Gusev, 67, said: In this situation, any place can be hit, so it is quite hard to feel 100 per cent safe... We dont know what will hit us and where. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said: Indeed, a threat exists, it is obvious, but measures are being taken. Several panes of glass were damages or destroyed (AP) In a statement, the Russian defence ministry claimed to have thwarted what it labelled an attempted terrorist attack and downed two drones west of Moscows city centre. It said another one was foiled by jamming equipment and went out of control. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that was the drone that hit the same tower that had been struck on Sunday. The facade has been damaged on the 21st floor. Glazing was destroyed, Mr Sobyanin said. Vnukovo airport, one of three major airports serving the capital, briefly shut down but later resumed full operations. Elsewhere, Ukrainian regional officials said a doctor was killed and five medical workers were wounded in Russian shelling of a hospital in the southern city of Kherson. Today at 11.10am [GMT 0810] the enemy launched another attack on the peaceful residents of our community, military administration head Roman Mrochko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said four medical workers had been wounded in addition to a badly wounded nurse whose injuries were reported earlier. Mr Mrochko said the young doctor had only worked in his job for a few days and that the nurse was in a critical condition. Meanwhile, Russia also claimed it had stopped attacks by sea drones on its navy ships, plus civilian vessels in the Black Sea. Mr Podolyak later said that such statements were fictitious and that Ukraine has not attacked, is not attacking and will not attack civilian vessels, nor any other civilian objects. Mr Podolyak said nothing of attacks on Russian navy ships, which Ukraine considers legitimate targets given the invasion it is battling. Moscow has said it would treat any ships leaving or entering Ukrainian ports as valid targets after it ended a deal for Ukraine to export its grain through the Black Sea last month. Russia has since struck Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure repeatedly. Kyiv has previously used drones to target Russias navy base in Crimea and the bridge that Russia has built to the peninsula. Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and Kyiv has pledged to recover it along with other territory seized by Moscow since its full-scale invasion began last February. Late on Tuesday, the Moscow-installed governor of the Sevastopol district of Crimea said a drone had been shot down there too. Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Google is reportedly planning to supercharge its virtual personal assistant software with the inclusion of new generative artificial intelligence features similar to those in chatbots like Bard and OpenAIs ChatGPT. Work on the new version of Google Assistant has begun with the mobile version of the product, Axios first reported, citing an internal e-mail sent to employees. The tech giant is reportedly reorganising its team working on Assistant with an anticipated elimination of a small number of roles. However, it remains unclear how many employees in the team will likely be affected by layoffs. We remain deeply committed to Assistant and we are optimistic about its bright future ahead, Axios quoted Peeyush Ranjan, the vice president of Google Assistant, and Duke Dukellis, the companys product director, as saying. Google spokesperson Jennifer Rodstrom told The Verge in a statement that the company is currently exploring ways to use large language models like ChatGPT to supercharge Assistant and make it even better. The move comes as Google announced a major update to its own ChatGPT rival Bard last month, which allows the AI chatbot to respond to queries by talking. Bard draws on vast quantities of training data to come up with human-like responses to a wide range of queries. Similar to ChatGPT, Bard has proven capable of producing a range of output, from summarising texts to generating computer code, for creating games or software programmes. The decision to supercharge Assistant also comes as the tech giant noted in a report last month that artificial intelligence marks the most profound technology shift in our lifetimes with the potential to turbocharge the UK economy. Google estimated in the report that the economic boost from AI would be equivalent to an annual growth of 2.6 per cent, creating 200bn in extra revenues for public services and turning around the recent growth stagnation. The tech giants estimation did not account for the impact of AI on some jobs, however, with many critics expressing fear of the impact that disruptive technology has. For instance, professor Geoffrey Hinton widely regarded as the godfather of AI for his research contributions to the field resigned from his job at Google, expressing fear that bad actors could use new AI technologies to harm others. It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things... I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadnt done it, somebody else would have, he said. No one knows who discovered perovskite. A sample of the crystal was collected in the Ural Mountains in Russia in the early 19th century, before making its way to the lab of German mineralogist Gustav Rose, who officially named it in 1839. He didnt know it at the time, but its extraordinary properties would be hailed nearly 200 years later for their potential to revolutionise renewable energy. This realisation began in 2009, when researchers in Japan began tinkering with the material and saw that shining light on it created a small electric charge. The team were only able to deliver 3.8 per cent power conversion efficiency on a tiny surface a fraction of the roughly 20 per cent efficiency of conventional silicon solar panels but the revelation spawned a brand new field of research. By 2017, phenomenal progress meant efficiency rates had already passed 22 per cent, leading physics professor Valy Vardeny from the University of Utah to refer to it as a miracle material. Others described it as a wonder material capable of meeting the ambitious net zero targets being set at the time just so long as its potential could be realised outside of a laboratory. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The April 2020 supermoon will be the biggest and brightest of 2020 as its elliptical orbit brings it closer to the Earth in more than a year. On 7-8 April, the full moon will reach as close as 356,907km (221,772 miles), and will appear most impressive at moonrise on Tuesday and moonset on Wednesday. Clear skies in the UK, combined with unusually low air pollution due to the coronavirus lockdown, make it one of the best opportunities in years to view the rare celestial phenomenon. Heres how to take the perfect picture of it: Use a landmark to get perspective Everyone will be taking pictures of the supermoon by itself, but some of the best pictures show the moon next to a land mark or trees and houses, which is what helps to give the picture a sense of place, says Nasas senior photographer, Bill Ingalls. Think of how to be creative that means tying it into some land-based object. It can be a local landmark or anything to give your photo a sense of place. 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon Show all 9 1 / 9 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon The moon rises over the O2 Arena in south-east London PA 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon A commerical jet flies in front of the moon on its approach to Heathrow airport in west London on November 13, 2016. AFP/Getty Images 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon A super moon rises over the Statue of Freedom on the Capitol dome in Washington, DC November 13, 2016. AFP 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon The "supermoon", the closest the moon comes to Earth since 1948, rises over the Power and Light building in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., November 13, 2016 Reuters 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon A woman sits on the rooftop terrace of a house during the "supermoon" in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, November 13, 2016 Reuters 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon The moon rises behind the eagle sculpture high atop LeVeque Tower in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 AP 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon The moon rises beyond the Arch in St. Louis as seen from the Compton Hill Water Tower on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 AP 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon The moon rises behind Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas, Sunday evening, Nov. 13, 2016. AP 9 best images of the 2016 supermoon The moon rises over the harbor of the costal town of Lambert's Bay, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 AP Pick the best spot Location isnt everything, but it can definitely help with getting a perfect picture of the supermoon if you have time to plan it. You can look up the best monuments or statues in your area to photograph the image of the moon against, like Mr Ingalls does in Washington D.C., where he lives. It means doing a lot of homework. I use Google Maps and other apps even a compass to plan where to get just the right angle at the right time, he told Nasa. Use an app to find the moon Unless you're an astronomer, the best way to know where the moon will rise or set is to use a app on your smartphone to locate it. There are several free or cheap options you can choose from, each using your phone's inbuilt accelerometer to know which way you're facing. The apps can also tell you what phase the moon is in, while some even give other celestial details, like the location of planets and star constellations. Decent options for iOS and Android devices include Star Chart, Sky Safari and Skyview. Get the right exposure If youre using a camera where you can control the shutter speed, dont go for a long exposure even though the picture will be taken in low light, National Geographic photographer Mark Thiessen told the magazine, as it will lose any chance of capturing lunar detail and make the moon itself appear too bright. April's supermoon will offer the biggest and brightest view of the full moon in over a year (Getty Images/iStockphoto) If youre taking a picture on your camera, control the light balance by first tapping the screen where the moon appears to get the camera to focus on the object before dragging your finger up and down to play with the exposure. Youll usually want to drag it down for underexposure to be sure you have all the highlight detail, National Geographic photographer Michael Christopher Brown said. Use a tripod for your camera or rest your phone on a solid surface David Reneke, an astronomer and writer for Australian science magazine told ABC.net that if youre using an SLR or DSLR then its important to play with aperture settings on your camera to photograph the supermoon, but that using a tripod is essential. Its worth using a tripod for taking pictures with a smartphone too, as any camera shake can compromise the quality of the pictures but if you dont have one to hand you can simply rest your phone on a window ledge. For older smartphones that use a digital zoom rather than an optical zoom, its generally best not to use the zoom as it could compromise the quality of the image. Instead, take the picture and then crop it. Newer phones like the Huawei P30 and P40 series feature incredible zoom capabilities that can take detailed pictures of far away objects. Other cameras come with special features to improve pictures of the night sky, such as the Google Pixel 4s Astro mode. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A controversial cryptocurrency started by the founder of ChatGPT has surged in price in the days following its launch, with market commentators referring to it as both outlandish and revolutionary. Worldcoin, launched last week by OpenAI boss Sam Altman, offers people a free share of the crypto token WLD in exchange for their biometric data. More than 2 million people have signed up through an iris-scanning orb, which is currently operating in 35 cities across 20 countries. The biometric data collected by Worldcoin is used to verify an individuals unique personhood to ensure noone signs up more than once. It also offers a way to differentiate humans from AI bots, which Worldcoin claims is a core offering of its technology. Regulatory and legal challenges mean people are unable to sign up in certain markets, however Mr Altman claimed shortly after its launch that one person every eight seconds was signing up for the crypto project. A spokesperson for Worldcoin told The Independent that 1,500 orbs were being distributed around the world to meet demand, including to London, New York and Paris. Crypto market commentators have said that a 50 per cent price surge in the day following its launch showed the level of interest and demand in the WLD token despite concerns surrounding its rollout. OpenAI co-founder Sam Altmans Worldcoin project might just be one of the most ambitious cryptocurrency projects in recent years, Louis Schoeman, a managing director at Forex Suggest, told The Independent. The main aim of this global digital identification is to connect your World ID to websites and apps rather than traditional logins, proving youre a real person without having to share personal data like names and emails. This sort of digital ID will be necessary in the development of AI, in order to tell the difference between humans and AI bots online. A global digital ID enabling private identity verifications is undeniably revolutionary, however, its certain to stir up controversy, with many already calling the exchange of biometric data for crypto tokens an outlandish bribe. The Worldcoin cryptocurrency spiked from $1.90 to $3.15 on the day of its launch, before dropping back below $2. It has since surged again and was trading above $2.30 on Tuesday, bucking broader market trends. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A mother and daughter who were allegedly sexually assaulted during a flight claim Delta Air Lines not only did nothing to stop their attacker, but actively enabled him by over-serving him drinks. The victims, a mother and her teenage daughter, have sued Delta for gross negligence, according to Fox Business. The complaint was filed in the Eastern District of New York and seeks compensation for the victims. The lawsuit claims that attendants on a flight between JFK Airport and Athens Greece a nine-hour flight "blatantly ignored" the victims' pleas for assistance and continued to serve an allegedly already drunk and belligerent man seated next to them. Over the course of the trip, the man was reportedly served 10 vodka drinks and a glass of wine, according to court documents viewed by Fox Business. "The intoxicated Delta passenger appeared to be getting drunker and drunker as the Delta flight attendants continued serving him alcohol," the lawsuit claims. The litigation claims that the man's aggression increased alongside his intoxication, manifesting in him allegedly inappropriately touching and verbally harassing the women during the flight. The man, allegedly from Connecticut, reportedly made "obscene gestures" at the victims, and demanded personal identifying information from the daughter. The girl's mother stepped in to tell the man she was a minor, to which he allegedly yelled that he did not care and then tried to grab the mother's arm. The victims reportedly told the flight attendants that the man was making them feel unsafe and asked that they move him and stop serving him alcohol. The attendants reportedly told the women to "be patient." An attendant did eventually address their complaints, and told the alleged drunk to "stop talking" to the victims. That resulted in the man becoming angry and allegedly yelling out that the victims were "f****** b*****." The lawsuit also claims that the incident caused the teen girl to experience a panic attack. She put her head in her mother's lap for comfort, after which the man allegedly reached under her shirt and touched her bra clasp. The girl fled her seat. Once she was gone, the man allegedly touched the mother's leg, running his hand up her thigh, until she too fled her seat. After the alleged sexual assault, the mother said she again pleaded with the flight attendants to change their seats, but they were again told there was nothing that could be done. A man on the flight stepped up and offered to switch seats with the teen girl. He sat between the drunk man and the mother for the remainder of the flight, according to the lawsuit. Once the plane landed, Delta reportedly allowed the man to leave the plane without notifying the local police or US authorities about what happened. Instead, they offered the mother and daughter 5,000 airline miles as recompense. What happened to them during a flight was not just a nightmare, it was completely preventable, Evan Brustein, the victims' lawyer, told the New York Post. Delta offered a statement to The Independent regarding the lawsuit. While we dont have any specific comment on this pending litigation, Delta has zero tolerance for customers who engage in inappropriate or unlawful behavior. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people. Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan arrived at the Court of Appeal in Romanias capital Bucharest on Tuesday 1 August. The divisive social media personality, who is charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, claimed that the truth will be known very soon as he spoke to reporters outside the building. He has appealed against a courts decision to keep him and his brother under house arrest for the duration of his trial. A decision is expected later on Tuesday. The UKS first done delivery service has been launched in a remote part of Scotland. Royal Mail and Skyports Drone Services have launched the Orkney I-Port operation to distribute letters and parcels between the islands. Mail will be transported from Royal Mails Kirkwall delivery office to Stromness, where the drone deliveries will transport items to staff on Graemsay and Hoy to allow postal workers to carry out their usual island delivery routes. The service will initially operate for three months, but could be made permanent. Alex Brown, director of Skyports Drone Services, described the launch as revoluntionary. Body worn footage shows the moment British Transport Police (BTP) intercepted and arrested a sex offender minutes after he assaulted a woman on a London train. Edgar Junior, 50, of Barnsdale Road, Reading, boarded an Elizabeth Line train at Paddington on 28 March 2022 and immediately started harassing a woman sat opposite him. He assaulted the victim before continuing to make sexual comments and gestures. Police were alerted and met the offender at Reading where he was arrested. Junior was sentenced to 20 months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years after pleading guilty to sexual assault. A retired miner who killed his terminally ill wife to end her suffering has visited her grave for the first time since his release from prison in Cyprus. British expat David Hunter was released from custody on Monday after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice. Carrying a bouquet of pink, purple and yellow flowers, Mr Hunter immediately knelt down by the grave and appeared to be silently shaking. The couples daughter, Lesley Cawthorne has said her father is to stay in Cyprus to be near Mrs Hunters grave and say his goodbyes properly. This suspected thief was immediately found by police in South Texas after they tried to hide while wearing a high-visibility jacket. As you can see in the video, drone footage from above shows the suspect lying down in a patch of brush, sticking out like a sore thumb in a bright orange jacket. Police slowly approach the suspect lying down in the shrubbery before apprehending them in handcuffs. Aransas Pass Police Department shared a video to Facebook with the caption: "Note to thieves: Might be wise not to dress like a road crew worker while running from the police." Larry Goodman vehicle Vevan holds a 20pc stake in oil and gas firm The High Court has appointed an examiner to Barryroe Offshore Energy (BOE) after hearing a vehicle of beef tycoon Larry Goodman could inject significant capital for a pivot away from fossil fuel exploration towards green energy. There was no opposition to the examinership petition presented to the court by Mr Goodmans Vevan Unlimited, which holds a 20pc stake in the oil and gas exploration firm. BOE had been facing potential liquidation, but a shareholder vote scheduled for July 24 was called off after Mr Goodman initiated a bid for the court to protect BOE from its creditors. The court heard the companys operations are negligible to non-existent and have been scuppered by Environment Minister Eamon Ryans refusal to grant a permit for its key Barryroe oil project 50km off the Cork coast. Moving the petition on behalf of Vevan, Lyndon MacCann SC said his client is confident the company would succeed in quashing the ministers May refusal in a judicial review challenge. However, going beyond quashing, to the point of compelling the minister to accede to the licence application, is less certain, he acknowledged. BOE is technically insolvent but its activities are capable of being resuscitated with appropriate funding. His client sees potential in the green energy sector and is part of a group of companies with a fairly deep pocket to potentially fund BOEs future activities. He acknowledged the examiner is entitled to look elsewhere for funding, but said the petitioner has resources and is prepared to commit its resources. Vevan believes BOE managements skill set in exploring natural resources for energy use can be applied to the green energy sector, he added. Mr MacCann, appearing with Declan Murphy BL, pointed to a report prepared by independent expert Damien Murran, head of Teneo Irelands corporate restructuring practice, which says BOE has a reasonable prospect of survival if a scheme of arrangement can be put in place. Barrister Alison Keirse, for BOE, said her client was neutral on the application, while Arthur Cunningham BL, for the Revenue Commissioners, owed some 20,000, was neutral so long as certain terms concerning tax filings were attached to the orders. Mr Justice Michael Quinn noted the application was relatively unusual in originating from a shareholder rather than the company itself. BOEs directors had resolved to place it into liquidation, but there is no evidence that it is being pursued immediately by creditors, the judge said. He was satisfied the statutory conditions were met to enable him to appoint Kieran Wallace, managing director of Interpath Advisory in Ireland, as examiner. Barryroe was found more than a decade ago to have more than 300 million barrels of oil as well as gas resources. Future ministers mother took him to London to spare him from industrial schools, then died two days later It is hard not to see The Seven Ages of Noel Browne (RTE 1) as a tragedy, not just for Noel Browne, but for the whole country. Browne wasnt ahead of his time, he was of his time. It was Ireland that was lagging behind, somewhere in 18th century Spain, with its darkness and its love of punishment. How much suffering we could have avoided if we had listened to him. This is not to say that the one-time minister for health was an easy or even an amenable person. He was a hard person to deal with if you were not his adored wife, Phyllis, or one of his loving daughters, Susan and Ruth, who were interviewed for the programme and read extracts from his biography. However, Browne was difficult and, although that aspect of him was not explored in this documentary, it was certainly explained. The programme showed how childhood trauma a peculiarly modern term, presumably not often heard in popular culture during Brownes lifetime seared through his life and his family. Trauma so terrible that Ireland did not want to hear about it for 50 years. And Browne did not want to talk about it either; different times indeed. His daughters remembered that it was only when filming a documentary for RTE in 1968 that he put his head down and wept. The 1968 documentary brought him back to Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, from where his dying mother had fled. She knew she was dying and was terrified that her children would be taken into industrial schools notably that Noel would be sent to Letterfrack, which Browne said was already notorious. That was in 1929. So she sold everything the Browne family had (which was not very much; her husband had died two years before, leaving 100), and dragged herself and her seven children to London. She died two days later. Noel was 14. In 1968, he said: I felt the only thing I could do was to try do what I could to destroy the kind of system which gave so much unhappiness not just to my family but to many families like my family innocent people. Some of the Browne children were supported by the gentry. Noel was eventually taken up by the family of Sir Arthur Chance, a Catholic surgeon in Dublin. Brownes mother had never sought medical help in Ireland, because she could not afford it. Now he was studying medicine at Trinity College Dublin. It was at a boat club dance that he met Phyllis, some years his junior. His daughters remembered that he grew anxious if she was delayed coming home from the shops. His anxiety, which Phyllis identified as rooted in his childhood, was alleviated only by her. But his campaigning politics were also rooted in his childhood. He wanted Ireland to have a free health service, and he had witnessed the beginnings of Britains National Health Service when he was a TB patient at a London hospital. In fact, reform was already partially on the books when Browne returned to Ireland, in the shape of the 1947 Health Act. But the doctors of Ireland were not happy about it. The first organisation to condemn Brownes Mother and Child Scheme was not the Catholic Church but the Irish Medical Association, charming men that they were. Noel Brown with his wife Phyllis It was downhill from there. Browne was branded a communist and unable to find work. Phyllis took in sewing. Schools even Church of Ireland schools refused to admit their daughters. And then finally what looked like total happiness with Phyllis in Connemara. What a life. This was a sensitive programme perhaps too sensitive; no hero is without flaws. It was a particular pleasure to see Ruth and Susan Browne and hear their reminiscences about their loving parents. The extensive interview with Noel Browne was originally conducted in 1997 by James Black, who himself contracted a terrible disease and did not complete his project. Tragedy is everywhere. Thats why we need a functioning health service. Rise in number of dairy-bred animals slaughtered leads to drop in grading The stark figures raise serious questions over the future of the beef grid. Photo: Getty The percentage of quality cattle being slaughtered at meat plants is now at its lowest level in 10 years. This fall in quality saw factory returns last year registering just 29.8pc of steers and 38.7pc of heifers making the R grade, while the number of R grade cull cows fell to just 10.9pc. These figures are the lowest recorded in 10 years. The percentage of young bulls making Us also hit a 10-year low in 2022, with only 33pc making the cut. These figures coincide with a surge of 36pc in the number of dairy-bred cattle being killed over the past decade. The dominance of dairying is further underlined by the fact that 60.4pc of all cull cows slaughtered in 2022 registered as P grades, a 10-year high. That figure is 20.1pc stronger than what it was when mechanical grading was first introduced in 2004. On the steer side, the fall in R grading steers since 2004 has been 21.1pc, with R grading heifers less by 19.8pc. These stark figures raise serious questions over the future of the beef grid. We think that any grid needs to reflect that reality, said Des Morrison, Chairperson of ICMSAs Livestock Committee. And the reason why so many farmers now sell off the grid is precisely because both the farmers and the factories now know that the original QPS Grid is no longer fit for purpose we would say that it never was. The fact is that the Grid was designed and presented on two flawed premises: firstly, that suckler beef was better quality and should be rewarded at the expense of dairy beef and, secondly, the absolute myth that this was going to be achieved by redistributing the money within the overall payout. In other words, lower prices for dairy, higher prices for beef, with no reduction in overall payment to farmers. Its worth remembering that this Grid was cheered to the rafters by every farm organisation except ICMSA. We said and its a matter of record that this bias in favour of beef breeds would quickly end up being a bias in favour of the factories and that is exactly what happened. The QPS Grid has drained money from the farmer side from day one and diverted it over to the beef processors. As to the future, Morrison said: Most Irish Beef is now coming from the dairy side and thats not going to change. A spokesperson for Teagasc said the figures reflect a breed shift. As there are more dairy-bred and less suckler-bred cattle, there will be confirmation implications. The increased use of Dairy Beef Index will help to arrest this effect, he said. A spokesperson for Bord Bia said the developments have also led to a decline in average carcase weights, and the plainer O and P grading carcases also produce a lower yield of saleable meat. It also said the development of the Dairy Beef Index, alongside greater usage of sexed semen technology, aims to improve the quality of beef animals produced from the dairy herd. Meanwhile, ICSA Beef Chair Edmund Graham said the focus should be on improving the beef merit of dairy breed stock. He said the daily liveweight potential gain of calves born to the dairy sector must reach 1kg/day if beef farmers are to be expected to rear them. At the moment, marts are full of dairy-bred animals in the 18-24 months age range that has only achieved a 0.5kg to 0.7kg daily liveweight gain over their lifetime, which can only be seen as a non-starter for beef finishers, said Mr Graham. If the genetic beef merit is not there and we cannot see that daily liveweight gain closer to 1kg, then there is no efficiency no financial efficiency, and no environmental efficiency. Put simply, it is a bad investment on every front. It makes no financial sense to spend exorbitant sums on feed to finish inefficient cattle, nor is it possible to finish these animals earlier as we are being encouraged to do. Both the IFA and Meat Industry Ireland did not reply when asked to comment on the fall in the numbers of quality cattle slaughtered in 2022. It is better for farms to be managed under nitrates derogation than to export slurry in order to avoid the regulation, MEP Colm Markey has said. Last month, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue opened up a consultation process with farm organisations over a proposed dairy reduction scheme. Image: Getty Dairy sector leaderships view on the mooted dairy cow reduction scheme is hardening, while Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has been urged to end uncertainty over the proposal. Tirlan, Irelands largest Milk Processor, asked its suppliers last week if they would take part in such a scheme, should it come into fruition. Earlier this year, Minister McConalogue said his Department was considering the option of a voluntary dairy reduction scheme and 2022 would be a reference year. In May, the Farming Independent revealed Department officials estimate that up to 65,000 dairy cows may have to be removed from the national herd every year for three years at a cost of 200m if the farming sector is to meet its climate targets. Last month, Minister McConalogue opened up a consultation process with farm organisations over the proposed scheme, however it is now understood sentiment within the sector is starting to turn against the proposal, while few believe that it will actually happen. According to multiple sources in the sector, there is now a general feeling that the Department will wait to see how stocking rate restrictions, due to water quality concerns, will impact overall cow numbers. Views among the dairy processors in particular are said to have hardened against the proposal. In a milk-planning census last week, Tirlan asked its suppliers if presented with a dairy farmer retirement scheme/exit scheme with favourable terms, would they avail of it. And if so, what would be their primary reason for retiring or taking part in a herd reduction scheme: age, lack of successor, economic viability, labour issues, increasing regulation, or investment requirements. On a herd retirement scheme, they were asked by how many cows would they reduce their numbers by. They were also asked if they were to retire from dairy farming, what would they do with their land, such as using it for drystock, contract rearing, lease it, plant forestry or use it for an alternative enterprise. Suppliers were also asked how many cows they plan to milk in each year between 2024 and 2028, and what their ideal number of cows is. Another question centred on whether land availability, stocking rates, limited farm infrastructure, environmental issues or possible successors will limit milk production over the next five years. They were also asked if suppliers are in derogation and if they intend to apply for it in the next five years. ICMSA President Pat McCormack said palpable levels of paralysis and indecision throughout Irish agriculture had certainly not been helped by the Departments habit of kite-flying potential schemes in the media. The Minister needs to call it now either he is introducing the scheme or not and let farmers decide their future based on that knowledge, said Mr McCormack. This is happening too often for it to be considered accidental. We have rumours of schemes with the Minister thinking out loud and even discussing them in public and in the media. People pay attention and plans and decisions are put on hold. Months pass, years pass and still we see no signs of these schemes that were apparently being strongly considered and looked at. "ICMSA engaged constructively in the Dairy Vision and Beef & Sheep Vision Groups in 2022 and the reports have since gathered dust, with no Government funding of consequence put into their implementation. The study examined disordered alcohol and substance use in 351 Irish farmers. Stock image The rate of drug use among Irish farmers is far less than anecdotal reports in the media suggest, a new study has stated. Almost half a million people in Ireland are getting their drinking water from public supplies that the environmental watchdog says are at risk of contamination. The latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stressed that the water from public supplies across the country was 99.7pc compliant with quality standards last year. It said, however, that 481,000 people were served by 58 separate at-risk supplies in 18 counties. Thats an increase on the 374,000 people served by supplies in need of works the previous year. The at-risk supplies have catchment populations ranging from 17 to 115,000 the smallest in Ballymorris, Co Wicklow, and the largest covering Limerick city. All were placed on the EPAs Remedial Action List (RAL) because the treatment plants were found to be under strain, outdated or in need of expansion or changes to management practices. There were 19 incidents where disease-causing parasites and micro-organisms such as cryptosporidium and giardia were found in drinking water last year 12 supplies were placed on the RAL as a result. In 23 cases, the main concern was the presence of chemicals called THMs, which form when dissolved organic material such as leaves and mud from the rivers and lakes where the water is sourced reacts with chlorine added to the supply during treatment. Public health authorities are concerned about the effects of THMs, with some studies suggesting links to cancer. The number of people using supplies with high THM levels doubled to 235,000 last year and the European Commission is taking Ireland to the European Court of Justice over the breaches. In 17 cases, excessive pesticide was the main issue causing concern. In 23 cases, deficiencies in oversight and management practices were observed, leading to concerns that changes in water quality or machinery failure would not be spotted and addressed fast enough to avoid contamination. Drinking water treatment in many supplies is still not as robust as it needs to be to ensure all supplies are resilient and safe into the future, the annual drinking water quality report published today said. Contamination fears led to 79 boil water notices being issued throughout 2022 and while most of them were in small catchment areas, the total number of people affected was 182,000. A third of those notices were in place for more than a month. A further 10 water restriction notices were issued, which meant the water could not be drunk even after boiling. They affected almost 9,000 people. Exposure to possible poisoning from lead pipes continued to be an issue last year and the EPA says Uisce Eireann (formerly Irish Water) has not been moving fast enough to replace lead sections of the network. It will take over a decade to address the risks posed to public health from lead in drinking water at the rate seen in 2022, the EPA said. This is a significant overrun of Uisce Eireanns original plan for completion in 2026. Tom Cuddy, head of asset operations at Uisce Eireann, said that the utility was managing 700 drinking water supply plants and had invested 500m in improvements last year. We recognise that challenges remain in addressing all the issues associated with our ageing water infrastructure, he said. It will take a number of years and sustained high levels of investment to address all these legacy issues. EPA director Tom Ryan said he recognised the progress made but that 18 of the plants on the RAL did not even have a plan for improvement works that came with a completion date. The EPA continues to identify drinking water plants that are at risk and require improvements and upgrades, he said. Uisce Eireann needs to prioritise investment in those plants to improve the resilience of drinking supplies, to provide a safe and secure supply into the future. Uisce Eireann said all drinking water leaving its plants was lead-free and it was continuing to replace lead connections in the public network. But it said full safety could not be ensured unless householders also replaced lead pipes on their property. The Government last year scrapped the means test for a lead pipe remediation grant. It offers up to 5,000 towards the cost of pipe replacement. Householders can apply for the grant through their local authority. Crime LATEST | Woman (19) left with hole in her face after gunshots fired and car hijacked in second night of disorder in Derry Gang boss Barry Young, who was jailed for 11 years on Monday has been a model prisoner for well over a year, in which time he has had no disciplinary issues in jail, Independent.ie has learned. The Department of Media has refused to publish a report from a group of senior civil servants that has advised the Government on how the TV licence can be reformed. The report details how the 160 charge can be overhauled and lists a number of options for ministers. Publication of the report under Freedom of Information laws has been rejected by the Department of Media. It is now not clear whether it will be published or when. The group of senior civil servants was tasked with exploring options to shake up the TV licence after the Government rejected the main recommendation by the Future of Media Commission to scrap the charge. The report from the technical working group, made up of civil servants from the Departments of Media, Public Expenditure and Reform, Finance, as well as An Post and Revenue, has been on Media Minister Catherine Martins desk since March. In a list of reasons for declining to publish the report, the Department of Media said the work of the technical working group may not have been completed. It said publication of the report would also prejudice meetings between Ms Martins department and others, as well as containing information that would be brought to Cabinet. The report would be used in response to questions from Cabinet members and party leaders. The department said ministers would have to consider the report first before it could be published. A spokesperson for the department said it was "not possible" to give a date when the report would be published. "High-level discussions will however continue in tandem with the external reviews, with a view to a decision on the longer term funding model at the appropriate juncture," the spokesperson said. Reform of RTE has been held off until the controversy surrounding payments to Ryan Tubridy has been resolved. RTE has long advocated for Revenue and not An Post to be a collector of the 160 charge in a bid to reduce the current evasion rate of 15pc. This has previously been rejected by the Government, but it is believed ministers are now more likely to opt for Revenue in light of the Tubridy payments scandal. Evasion rates have spiked since the biggest scandal in the public service broadcasters history, with figures showing RTE was hit with a 2.2m drop as less than two-thirds of people paid the charge in the third week of July compared to the same period last year. Last year, the TV licence evasion rate was estimated to be around 15pc and RTE estimates this is worth about 60m a year in lost revenue. Latest figures show the number of television licences sold in the country is falling and the speed of decline is accelerating. Concerns have also been raised about the dual funding model of RTE, in which the broadcaster takes in public funds from the TV licence as well as generates its own revenue commercially. Ms Martin said that if commercial funding was to be scrapped, the TV licence would increase to an annual charge of 260. Euphoria star Angus Clouds Irish cousin has paid tribute to the lovely guy who adored Ireland and played a role just as the man he was. Angus Cloud (25), was beloved by young fans across the world, for his role as kind-hearted dealer Fezco ONeill in the hit drama, starring Zendaya. Tragically Angus passed away on Monday, a week after laying his father, Conor Hickey, from Swords, Dublin, to rest. Though Angus was raised in Oakland, California, his father was an Irishman, born and bred in Dublin, who left for America as a young man for work. Angus Cloud stars in JJ Houghs pub's 'The Biscuit Tin' Christmas Ad In summer 2022, Angus, who was fiercely proud of his Irish roots, visited Banagher, in Co Offaly, and even took part in an amateur Christmas movie for his cousin, Gerald Hough, to advertise JJ Houghs pub in Banagher. In tribute to the actor, gone far too young, Gerald said: Angus was a lovely guy. He played the role of Fez in Euphoria, just how he was in real life - a really kind person. Its a terrible loss. His father passed away and I kind of think it was tough on all the family. But Angus was a really nice fella, a really gracious guy. You wouldnt think he was in one of the biggest TV hits, the way he was when you met him. He was a typical Irish kind of fella. He was kind of like how Cillian Murphy is, just really talented but down-to-earth normal, with it. Angus has carried that Irishness with him. We are not as braggadocious. You really knew he was Irish, with his red hair. He was very understated. He visited Ireland with his father and two sisters, in the summer last year. They were on the Shannon and came to Banagher, to the pub for a night out. While the star was in the pub, he agreed to take part in a movie ad for the bar and he took it all in his stride to help publicise the business. We impromptu shot a scene for my ad for the following christmas, Gerald said. Angus did a few scenes and he loved taking part - he was just such a lovely person. He was a kind, quiet character. Gerald said the family holidayed around the Shannon on a family river tour and visited Dublin too. His father was originally born in Swords in Dublin but he moved to Oakland, many years ago, as many Irish did during recessions, Gerald said. We will always remember a lovely, kind young man but he also had an immense talent. You can see it in Euphoria. And people had a great affinity to his character. He was basically playing himself. He was very like his character in that show in reality. Its very sad to lose someone so young, someone with such talent. Angus is survived by his mother, Lisa Cloud Mclaughlin and his two sisters. Both of Angus parents worked as university professors throughout their lives. But growing up, Conor was a rugby player for the Ashbourne Rugby Club. He moved to Oakland in the 1980s, where he built a life with his wife and three children. According to Conors obituary, in May 2023, he had passed away after suffering cancer. A week later, Angus tragically passed away. The stars full name was Conor Angus Cloud Hickey and he was extremely proud of his Irish roots. The actor had even planned to move to Ireland before he was discovered to play a role in Euphoria. The actor was walking down the street in Greenwich Village in New York, when he was spotted by a casting agent. At the time, he was working as a waiter in Brooklyn. Tragedy struck when their car left the road and hit a tree killing Kiea (17) and Dlava (16) Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys pictured speaking to the media outside Largy College in Clones. Two students were fatally injured in a car accident last evening. Picture: Frank McGrath Road closed near the scene of the accident at Legnakelly Cross near Clones, Co Monaghan. Photo: Philip Fitzpatrick A black ribbon on the gates of Largy College in Clones after two teenagers died in a car accident on the way to a Debs Ball. Photo: Frank McGrath. Heather Humphreys (left) TD for Cavan and Monaghan awaits the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann as they are brought to the family home in Clones, Co. Monaghan (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) People form a guard of honour as the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann arrives to the family home in Clones, Co. Monaghan. Kiea, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, both students at Largy College in Clones, were killed, and three others were injured on the N54 Clones to Smithborough road at Legnakelly, Co. Monaghan, after a road traffic collision at around 6.45pm on Monday. Issue date: Tuesday August 1, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Monaghan. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire People form a guard of honour as the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann arrives to the family home in Clones, Co. Monaghan. (Liam McBurney/PA Wire ) People await the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann as they are brought to the family home in Clones, Co. Monaghan. (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) People form a guard of honour as the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann travels to the family home in Clones, Co. Monaghan, on Tuesday night, 1st August. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire. Inset: Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohammed, who both died in Monday's collision. People have lined the streets of Clones to form a guard of honour for 17-year-old Kiea McCann, one of two teenagers who died in a car crash while travelling to a Debs ball in Co Monaghan. Ms McCann and Dalava Mohamed, 16, died on Monday after the car they were travelling in left the N54 and crashed into a tree on the side of the road, just outside Clones. Tonight, as Kiea's remains returned home to Clones, dozens of people from the local community stood on Monaghan Street and at the town square, The Diamond, as a mark of support for the family. Among them were Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, who is a local TD. People await the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann as they are brought to the family home in Clones, Co. Monaghan. (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) It comes as Kieas father Frankie told Independent.ie how best friends Keia and Dlava were so looking forward to their debs ball before tragedy struck. He said they had champagne and balloons in the family home to celebrate their daughters big night. There was great excitement here in the house before they went out. We had food and champagne and balloons, and it was going to be a great night, Kieas father told Independent.ie from the family home in Clones. Describing their daughter, Kieas mother, Teresa said she was a stunning girl who was bubbly, intelligent and good natured. She was great to everybody, she said, adding that Kiea and Dlava had been best friends for years. Dlavas family are originally from Syria, and the McCanns moved to Clones at around the same time seven or eight years ago and the two girls were great pals at school. Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohammed It will be hard on all the young people. Hard on all the friends, said Teresa. Kiea was the fifth of 10 children, and Frankie McCann said they had been to her first motorbike rally only last Saturday in Kildare. I have a few bikes and Kiea loves them, so we went to the rally and she really enjoyed it, he said. She was going to college in September to study childcare, he added. Kiea, is predeceased by her brother Jason and will be forever missed and always loved by her brothers and sisters; Brandon, Jentzen, Frankie, Michaela, Shauna, Shaunice, Tameaka, Tanisha, Amelia and her wide circle of best friends and family. Her death notice, posted online this evening, says she will also be missed by her heartbroken grandmothers Mary Ellen Mc Cann and Anna Rose Flynn, her two nephews Tadhg and Liam, her uncles and aunts, cousins and friends. Those paying tribute to Kiea online described her as a beautiful girl inside and out with an infectious smile. 'Utter shock and disbelief' - Two teenage girls dead and two critical after crash on way to debs ball in Monaghan Meanwhile the family of Dlava Mohamed, who also live in the town, were being comforted by friends today as they tried to come to term with their grief. In a death notice on rip.ie, Dlava is described as the cherished and much loved daughter of her parents Hohamed and Zenab Mohamed. She will be sadly missed by her brothers Mostafa and Rashid, her sisters Lilov, Asmahan, Auin and Giham and her wide circle of family and friends. "My heartfelt thoughts are with your family and friends during this terrible sad and tragic time, one mourner wrote. Sending love and strength to get you all through the sad days ahead. The arms of Ireland are wrapped around you all. People in Monaghan and surrounding counties were in shock as news filtered through, and the graduation event planned for students at a local secondary school was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy. The students were attending the debs ball for the class of 2023 at Largy College in Clones and the school remained open late last night to welcome students returning from the cancelled celebration. Another female teenager aged 18 is also in a critical condition in Cavan General Hospital. The driver of the car, a man in his 60s, is also in a critical condition and being treated in hospital in Belfast. An 18-year-old male is also being treated for less serious injuries in Cavan Hospital, gardai said. Speaking to the media at Clones Garda Station this evening, Superintendent Patrick O'Connell said the collision took place "when a single vehicle, which was carrying five people, left the roadway and collided with a tree". Superintendent Pat O'Connell speaking outside Clones Garda station He said that the families affected are "hugely devastated" and asked that their peace and privacy be respected. "(They are) suffering from shock and trauma. They were at the scene last night, so they're trying to deal with the whole aftermath of that and we're there to try and support them. We have family liaison officers appointed and we will continue over the days and weeks coming to continue to do that." He said he could not give details as to the focus of the garda investigation but said the tragedy had been extremely traumatic for everyone involved, as he thanked first responders and members of the public who stopped at the scene to offer assistance. He added: "Having attended the scene last night it was particularly harrowing, particularly the chaos that emanates when such an incident happens. The fire service (and) the ambulance services, I've said already, were particularly brilliant as they usually are here, and without them we wouldn't have been able to manage this incident and deal with it. "We've a senior investigating officer appointed, we've already had a case conference at Monaghan Garda Station. "I can't really go into the details of where we're at in terms of focus, but we are appealing for information and our primary concern at the moment is to support the families of those affected. But our investigation will progress at pace." He repeated the garda appeal for witnesses or recorded footage of the incident on the N54, near Clones. In a statement on Tuesday, Largy College and the Cavan Monaghan Education Training Board said students, staff and all in the school community are in deep shock following the tragic accident. Sharon Magennis, Principal of Largy College, said: It is with profound sadness and grief that we have learned about the devastating accident that resulted in the untimely and tragic loss of two cherished members of our school community. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends who have tragically lost loved ones. The other individuals involved in the accident also remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the emergency services and gardai who responded swiftly to the incident. Our priority now is the wellbeing and welfare of the students, parents and staff at this difficult time. The Largy College Critical Incident Team has met to co-ordinate a response and to enact the Critical Incident Plan. We are grateful to the public for their deeply felt expression of support and ask that we be given the time and space to concentrate on supporting those in the school community who are most in need." Local priest Fr Peter Corrigan said he got a call from a student yesterday evening to say there had been a crash. I went out to the scene. It was very tragic. The car was in the ditch and the injured had been taken away, but the two young girls that died were still there, he said. The fire brigade and ambulances and gardai were there. It wasnt on a bend or anything. I think it was a straight enough stretch of road, but there had been intermittent heavy showers earlier. I dont know what happened. There is a sadness in the town. People are heartbroken. A time of celebration and happiness was turned to tragedy.. Minister Heather Humphreys said it was an unimaginable tragedy and that the whole community has been numbed. Ms Humpreys visited the school and met staff this morning. This is a very very sad day for Clones. Theres a cloud over the town. People just feel so upset and just numbed by the tragedy, she said afterwards. Its not easy. Up in the Diamond in Clones last night the children all got ready. The girls especially were in their dresses and they were all ready for a great night out and unfortunately it ended in tragedy. Its every parents worst nightmare because nobody expects to get that phone call. One of the parents was on the football field last night and she got the call to go.. Heather Humphreys speaks outside Largy College in Clones The Social Protection Minister said earlier: This is just terrible. It's an unimaginable tragedy. And I have to say my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two young girls who have lost their lives and with those who are very seriously injured in hospital, I can just say the entire community...has just been knocked by this. "You know, this was a debs night for Largy College. It should have been a night of celebration, and a kind of coming of age for these young people and it just turned into their families worst possible nightmare. This is just awful for so many families, you know, young people to see their friends cut off at such a young young age. It's just It's heartbreaking. It really is. And it's very, very difficult for them to take. They're sitting at home now with their parents and... none of us never know, never know whats around the corner? I know a lot of parents across the country will hear this news today. And I know that they're holding their children extra tight because it really every parent's worst nightmare.. This morning, Largy College on the outskirts of Clones remained closed, but it is understood the principal is to hold a critical meeting at the premises this morning and may issue a statement this afternoon. Two black ribbons could be seen on the gates of the college. Within hours of the crash, the Youth Centre in Clones town was opened so that support could be offered to young people in the town as they tried to come to terms with the tragedy. Youth workers went out onto the streets to help anyone who needed it. Caolan Faux, regional director of Youthwork Ireland for Cavan/Monaghan, said: This is one of our oldest centres. It's also one of our busiest centres across the region and the staff team are deeply, deeply ingrained in the community as well as staff in other projects who come from the community here. So we had staff here from projects across Cavan and Monaghan last night who all feel a real connection with Clones. I was out on the street with the staff last night and they knew each of the young people by name, by first name, and they knew their backgrounds. They knew what supports they were going home into or what supports home might struggle to provide. And it's that kind of personal connection and that link and that relationship that makes the work we do quite special, and obviously that's the access for young people to make their way in and we had a number of young people in the centre here last night as well, just as a safe place to be, and to talk, and to be with each other and obviously supported by the staff here. Asked what supports the centre will provide in the near future, Mr Faux said the centre is more than just a physical space. We use that term space very advisedly. It's a physical space, but it's also a space that young people feel a real ownership of. We'll work with all the inter-agency groups, and we'll take guidance from some, and well certainly play our part in terms of steering the inter-agency response in terms of the supports that can be offered to the community, and the building will be available and I would imagine over the next couple of days and weeks we'll have more than Youthwork Ireland based in this building as we roll out the support, he said. I had a fantastic message from a colleague this morning just offering support so we will work with all of our partners to ensure that Clones gets the best of everything. And the supports aren't going anywhere is the piece that I would really stress. We're here for the long haul and we will be here on this project. We'll be here to support the community and to play its part and continue to play its part, he said, adding that the centre will work closely with the schools which are currently closed for the summer holidays. We work closely with the schools we were speaking to a number of the teachers last night, and obviously they're waiting for guidance from their own response teams within the school. "But we do have an important role to play. The school will step up and play its part I've no doubt, and we will have our part to play and we will work with the school and we'll work with everyone else to make sure that we all do that effectively just to make sure that it's accomplished in the interest of the young people in the community. Families of Monaghan crash victims hugely devastated and suffering from shock Gardai said in a statement on Monday night: An Garda Siochana remain at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 6.45pm this evening, Monday 31st July 2023, on the N54 in Legnakelly (Clones to Smithborough Road), Co Monaghan. Two female teenagers (aged 16 and 17 years), who were passengers of the car, were fatally injured during the collision. Their bodies have been removed from the scene to Monaghan General Hospital. Post-mortem examinations will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 1st August 2023. A female teenager (aged 18 years) is in a critical condition and currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital. A male teenager (aged 18 years) is currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The male driver of the car (aged 60) is in a critical condition and is currently receiving treatment in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. The N54 remained closed while Garda forensic collision investigators carried out a technical examination of the scene. The road remained closed overnight, with commuters advised to avoid the area. Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan Matt Carthy said his thoughts were with the victims of the tragedy and their families. Horrendous, heart-wrenching news coming from Clones this evening, he said. "God help the families that are affected, it's just a completely gut-wrenching situation. "Unfortunately for these families, tonight will mark the beginning of a lifetime of devastation for them." Deputy Nianh Smyth said the tragedy was a shocking and tragic loss of life. Shocking and tragic loss of life this evening in Clones. My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and school community at Largy College tonight, Ms Smyth said. Parents are numb and shocked so is the local community, Sinn Fein Councillor, Pat Treanor said. "It's an absolute horror thats unfolding - heartbreak from those who live in the area, he said. Mr Treanor, who lives a mile from where the accident happened, was leaving work when he saw the gathering of the students of Largy College. Earlier on when I was leaving work, I would have witnessed all the young people gathered for their Debs, all excited, getting photos, meeting their friends. Then about an hour later, there were helicopters in the air, there were sirens from ambulances and the sad messages started to come through. There is a fearpeople are just waiting to hear who exactly is involved in this tragedy. We can only imagine how traumatised the other students and pupils, teachers and all the parents are this morning. Everybodys parents were really numb and shocked, and waiting on the most tragic news, so is the local community. We can only hope that God gives those families strength to cope with what they are now facing, which we can only imagine how difficult it is for them. Fine Gael councillor and cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council David Maxwell said: It's an awful tragedy to hit Monaghan. Two people have lost their lives and three people are hospitalised with two critical, he said. As Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, my thoughts go out to the families of the people who have passed away. Gardai in Monaghan are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N54 between Clones and Smithborough this evening, Monday 31st July 2023, between 6.15pm and 7.00pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardai, they said. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. More to follow A SINN Fein election candidates social media attack on gardai will not damage efforts to recruit more men and women into the force, the partys justice spokesperson has insisted. Kerry TD Pa Daly said comments made by Josh ORourke, a Sinn Fein local election candidate for Dublin City Council, did not come up in meetings he held with Dublin city centre business owners and a senior garda about crime and policing today. Mr ORourke, who will run in the Artane-Whitehall area next year, posted f**k the gardai. thats the tweet on Twitter just over a year ago. The tweet was deleted shortly after the Irish Independent contacted Sinn Fein about it last week. I think things that are putting people off joining An Garda Siochana is not issues like that, Mr Daly said outside Leinster House today. It's problems with, will they be supported, the rates of pay when they're going into the guards and do they feel safe when theyre working around the city. Guards that I know, particularly ones who are on the lower pay grade, they're looking around, they're working with people who are getting better terms and conditions than they have and theyre looking at the date theyre going to resign. There is a huge issue with recruitment [and] retention. He added: I am aware of what was tweeted and later deleted by the proposed candidate. Hes a very young fella, he has deleted it, he accepts that he shouldnt have done that. Hes 23 now. When I was that age, thankfully, there wasnt social media around to say some of the things 30 years ago or whatever. On This Day In History - August 1st Mr Daly was speaking after meeting businesses owners in the north inner city today and also holding talks with Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis. He said that a lack of visibility of gardai on the ground and slow response times were brought up by those he met with. Mr Daly said one of the issues that also came up in his engagements was gardai doing a lot of ancillary services. He called for the bar on hiring people over 35 into the guards to be lifted and for the Justice Minister to sign regulations allowing more recruits into the Garda Reserve. Mr Daly added: It has been suggested that maybe, bring some retired guards back to deliver people down the courts, to sign passports, to do all the work that is keeping [guards off the street]. Guards feel frustrated when they're talking to me. Theyre ringing me and saying that we would like to be out on the ground, keeping the community safe and keeping our colleagues safe because when they're stuck in the garda station doing paperwork. They feel that they're not contributing in the way that they thought they were going to be able to contribute when they first joined. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan, who was appearing alongside Mr Daly outside Leinster House, said everything is perfectly fine now just eight months after she vowed to resign from the party. Ms Boylan, a close ally of Mary Lou McDonald sent a letter of resignation to her council colleagues in December after she was turned down for a role as secretarial assistant in the Sinn Fein leaders office. Ms Boylan admitted today that this had been a hard blow for her. She admitted that at the time she felt humiliated as there were a few issues that had happened that had gone unaddressed and I just felt I wasnt listened to. But Ms Boylan insisted she now feels listened to and supported. My concentration is on the local elections now coming next year, the north inner city councillor said, declining to be drawn on whether she wanted to be Ms McDonalds running mate in the next general election. Latest blow comes after 400 jobs were cut earlier this year State agencies will now try to find work for laid-off Accenture workers after the company announced plans to cut a further 890 jobs, according to Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney. Accenture employs more than 6,500 people in Ireland, bringing its employment reduction in the downturn to almost 20pc. The layoffs come on top of 400 cuts already announced by the services giant earlier this year. It was heavily affected by operational cuts at tech multinationals such as Meta, which has let more than a third of its workforce go in the last year. This is a significant blow to the workers involved and their families, and my thoughts are with them, said Mr Coveney. Our State agencies will now work with the company and the workers to assess openings elsewhere in the economy. It is important to note that the workers involved are from a highly skilled sector and those skills are likely to be sought after elsewhere in the broader economy. The Department of Enterprise said it had been notified yesterday of the planned redundancies by Accenture. In March, we initiated a series of actions to streamline our operations, including the departure of around 2.5pc of our current global workforce, said a spokesperson for Accenture. We will be commencing a collective employee consultation for a proposed redundancy programme that is expected to affect around 890 people at Accenture in Ireland. We do not plan to comment further while the consultation process is ongoing. The 890 job losses were branded a nuclear button by Labours finance spokesperson Ged Nash TD, who said it was a huge blow. He said Accenture now had a month to carry out a formal consultation and it must be meaningful and not tokenistic. What the company ought to do is to work with their staff and staff representatives to identify possible other cost-cutting measures that could be considered outside of the nuclear button of 890 redundancies. It should not be a fait accompli. This is a consultation process. This is a huge blow, he said. Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly said the news was crushing for staff and their families. This is yet another concerning blow for tech workers in Ireland, and a worrying sign of continuing volatility in the sector, she said. She called on Mr Coveney to investigate how many people losing their jobs would be re-employed. We need to know the full picture. The volatility in the tech sector over the past 18 months further reinforces the need for all workers to join, and be active, in their trade union. Thousands of Accentures employees act as outsourced workers for tech giants, including Meta and Microsoft, many of which decided to reduce their workforces because of the economic downturn. It also provides services to banks, government agencies and big industrial and pharma businesses around the world. Our business in Ireland continues to show strong performance and we remain focused on our strategy to be at the centre of our clients business and help them reinvent themselves to reach new levels of performance. We continue to focus on ensuring we have the right talent to serve our clients, to invest in our people and recruit in critical skills areas. We remain firmly committed to our business in Ireland and will continue managing for the long-term, the spokesperson said. Accentures business in Ireland is headed by country managing director Hilary OMeara. Ciara Mangan, a Mayo native, was attacked by colleague Shane Noonan at a house party. Afterwards she endured taunts from some co-workers. Jesus Noonan, be careful of Ciara there, youve already raped her, you wouldnt want to do it again, a certain colleague would shout. Then from some of her other co-workers, came a cruel chorus of laughter. Chuckling and sniggering, looking over to see if she would react. Sometimes they would sing, usually whatever song was in the charts at the time, with the lyrics changed to, Im Shane Noonan and I love to rape women, its so much fun. But its not just in Ireland that the Golden Arches has faced criticism for its handling of sexual assault and misconduct allegations. Irish Independent Special Correspondent Catherine Fegan speaks to The Indo Daily about Ciara's brave fight for justice and growing allegations levelled at the fast food giant. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this episode, call the Rape Crisis Centre on Freephone 1800 77 88 88; call Samaritans (free) on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie, or call Pieta House on 1800 247 247 Emma O Sullivan and Isobelle Rahilly pictured with Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team at the Croke Rovers Cul Camp Children in Group 1 at the Croke Rovers (Kilbrin & Castlemagner) Cul Camp pictured with Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team. Children in Group 2 at the Croke Rovers (Kilbrin & Castlemagner) Cul Camp pictured with Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team Jack Linehan, Aaron Lucey, Axel O Donoghue and Oran O Keeffe picking up some hurling tips from Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team at the Croke Rovers Cul Camp Ruairi Cronin, Daniel Sneddon and Luke Winkle pictured with Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team at the Croke Rovers Cul Camp Children in Group 4 pictured with Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team at the Croke Rovers Cul Camp Emily Barry, Ali Mai Cott and Grace O Shea pictured with Conor O Callaghan of the Cork Senior Hurling Team at the Croke Rovers Cul Camp Emma O Riordan, Jean McLoughlin and Kara Donovan having fun at the Croke Rovers Cul Camp in Castlemagner. All photos by Sheila Fitzgerald. As the autumn arrives and the end of the summer holidays in sight, kids in North Cork are busy making the most of their days of freedom by enjoying a week of Cul Camp fun at the Croke Rovers camp in Castlemagner. Colm ODwyers image Star Boy will be among the 13 photos included in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies outdoor exhibition. Keith Levins photo The Almighty Arch was runner-up in the Back to Earth Category in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition. Sara Harveys photo M-51 - A Galactic Dance won the Out of the World category in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition. A STUNNING pair of breath-taking images taken by Cork photographers have scooped prizes in a national competition aimed at opening up the cosmos to the star gazers.. One of the photographs, entitled M-51 A Galactic Dance captured by Sara Harvey from Bishopstown was selected as the overall winning entry in the aptly named Out of this World category in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition. Entrants to the category were tasked with capturing images depicting scenes or elements of astronomical interest, such as deep space stills or images of the solar system. Saras photo captured the Whirlpool Galaxy, located a mere 31 million light years from the Earth. As viewed from Earth, the galaxy has a face-on appearance, with Saras image capturing its distinct spiral structure and galactic core in all its spectacular and vibrantly colourful glory. Commenting on Saras winning photo Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS and a member of the judging panel for Reach for the Stars described it as a technically brilliant image. The level of detail captured is really impressive. It is well framed to include many points of interest including the hot, young stars and yellow, older stars within the winding, graceful arms of the Galaxy, said professor Gallagher. You can also see some tiny galaxies floating in the background and its companion galaxy NGC 5195 is clearly visible, he added. Another image, captured by Keith Levins from Blackrock entitled The Almighty Arch was runner-up in the Back To Earth category. A tracked panoramic image, its was shot at Bray Head on Valentia Island, part of the Kerry International Sky Reserve, a gold tier sky reserve and the only one of its kind in the northern hemisphere. The image shows the Bray Tower, which was used for coastal watches during World War II resting below the illuminated Milky Way. Both award winning submissions, along with 11 other top-rated images, are being showcased as part of a free outdoor exhibition at DIASs Dublin premises. Among them will be another image called Star Boy taken by Colm ODwyer from Ballincollig of Barnard 150, a meandering dark dust nebula approximately 1,200 light years away located in the constellation Cepheus All the winning images are all available to view now online at www.reachforthestars.ie. Mike Ryan set to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role at the Macroom venue Mike Ryan, the newly appointed artistic director at the Briery Gap Cultural Centre in Macroom, which is due to reopen next year following the completion of a multi-million Euro refurbishment project. THE newly appointed artistic director at Macrooms Briery Gap Cultural Centre has said he is looking forward to leading the venue into a new chapter in its long and storied history. Management at the venue, which his due to reopen next May after a multi-million Euro facelift after a devasting fire in 2016 forced its closure, this week announced that Mike Ryan will take up the role as its first ever artistic director on September 6 following what they described as a competitive interview selection process. Steeped in the arts for his entire life, Mr Ryan studied music and English at UCC, winning several national student and amateur awards for his sound and lighting designs for theatre. A resident of Cork City for the past 15-years, he has been immersed in Cork vibrant artistic scene working as a writer and director for theatre and in recent years fulfilled a variety of roles within both the local and national the arts sector. These have included working as artist liaison with the Cork Midsummer Festival, reviewer and journalist for The Thin Air magazine, a script writer for the Abbey Theatre and as a judge for the Northern Ireland Music Prize. He has also worked with the Corkadorca Theatre company, the Audi Dublin International Film Festival and has participated in several prestigious arts development schemes including MAKE, Gap Day and Pop-Up. The chair of the Briery Gap Cultural Centre GLC, Noel ODriscoll, said the board was very confident, based on Mr Ryans expertise and experience, that he was the right man for the job. His appointment will be very productive and will enable the Briery Gap to become a major player in the arts sector, not only in County Cork but nationally. Mike is proudly neurodivergent, which often leads him to have varied interests and passions, as well as making him a passionate advocate for inclusivity in the arts, said Mr ODriscoll. The board will be very supportive of Mike as our first artistic director and we will collectively work with all key stakeholders in the Macroom hinterland to progress the artistic product for the betterment of the region. The Board would also like to acknowledge the enormous support we have received from Cork County Council in making this happen, he added. Commenting on his new role, Mr Ryan said that during his career he has strived to be a champion for artists from every walk of life. For me this role will be no different. I am thrilled and honoured to lead the Briery Gap into this new chapter in its long and storied history. Im excited by the possibilities that exist to create new movements, develop the talents of local artists and to welcome artists from across the country to see what Macroom has to offer the arts in Ireland, said Mr Ryan. He said he was also looking forward to collaborating with the team at the adjoining library when it reopens next year in engaging with then many local creative community groups and welcoming them in to their new space.. As we rebuild Briery Gap as a home for storytellers, it is my ambition that we will also provide inclusive and compelling cinema, theatre and music, that embraces both our history and the present moment, reaching new audiences and re-energising the ones that are already waiting at the Briery Gap door to take their seats, said Mr Ryan. The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn, said Mr Ryans appointment brings the Briery Gaps reopening another step closer and combined with other projects including the opening of the Macroom Bypass, the regeneration of St Colmans Church and the public realm works planned for South Square and Masseytown would help drive further economic development for the town. It is a very exciting time for the people of Macroom to see their town thrive and develop to its full potential, said Cllr OFlynn. Disposable vapes are becoming a growing environmental and health concern. Pic: PA An environmental group is putting pressure on government ministers to ban disposable vapes as theyre almost advertised as candy. Voice Ireland has written to Ministers Ossian Smyth and Stephen Donnelly regarding the environmental and health problems that come with disposable vaping. The group has a petition with almost 3,000 signatures to prohibit the sale of the product. Stephen Byrne, Project Manager at Voice Ireland, said: Disposable vapes have become a huge thing, theyre very noticeable on our streets as litter. They are non-biodegradable materials made out of plastic, electronics, lithium batteries, they contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the environment. Theyre a waste of valuable resources too. They can contain lithium and copper, they have to be mined, theyre rare and theyre also whats needed for a green economy. Its estimated that the global disposable vape market uses 90 tonnes of lithium and 1,600 tonnes of copper. Those products are being wasted on a disposable object. In disposable vapes, they have an aerosol solution which has been seen to have inflammatory effects on the respiratory system. When you look at disposable vapes, theyre particularly attractive to young people. They come in all different flavours like cola and bubble-gum, theyre almost advertised as candy. Its become as common as traditional smoking and its a gateway to smoking, they said. Voice Ireland wants to raise awareness on the environmental and health issues surrounding disposable vapes. The Government recently introduced legislation to ban the sale of vaping products to under-18s. Voice Ireland is concerned about the impact of single-use vapes on the environment. Pic: PA Were hoping for an outright ban. In the past, Ireland were leaders in tobacco control. In the 2000s we were the first country to ban them in the workplace and pubs, a spokesperson for Voice Ireland said. Australia has brought in a lot of legislation surrounding vapes, particularly disposable vapes. We wrote an open letter to Ossian Smyth and Stephen Donnelly. Minister Donnelly wanted to ban the sale to minors and Ossian wanted an outright ban. Under Minister Smyths plans, theres three ways there could be improved legislation. Wed hope for an outright ban through the waste management act. The other options include a deposit return scheme, retailers should be accepting back disposable vapes they sell. Option three is enforcing an EPR scheme so producers of disposable vapes are paying towards the waste management of them. The Department of Health confirmed that Minister of State Ossian Smyth launched a public consultation on disposable vapes in June of this year. "The purpose of the consultation is to examine what action should be taken, from an environmental perspective, as disposable vaping devices present several challenges to the waste collection and recycling systems and there are several proposed policy options, the department said. "These include a ban on disposable vaping devices or a deposit and return system for disposable vaping devices. The results of the consultation are awaited. "In May 2023 the Minister for Health received government approval to publish the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill and bring it forward for enactment. This Bill includes wide-ranging measures to tackle smoking and vaping among those aged under 18 years and all adults. These measures focus on preventing children from beginning to smoke or vape to protect their health. Stephen Donnelly has been asked for comment. High hotel costs and ticket prices for major events in Dublin will come back to haunt the tourism industry, according to one TD. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny said the Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts, due to take place next year, have shone a spotlight on the parasitic nature of the ticketing business. Its extortionate, some of the prices hotels are asking for, particularly around the times of concerts like Coldplay and Taylor Swift. The prices are immoral, he said. Hotels in Dublin, prices go jacked up at the time of big events. Profiteering is going on in the hotel industry, its outrageous. Its hard to think that people are being ripped off so much. The hotel industry is making an enormous amount of profit. Theyve a lot to answer for. Some people dont have an alternative. If they want to go to a concert, they have to stay if they live outside of Dublin. Itll come back to haunt the tourism industry if people keep getting ripped off. It would turn people off coming to Dublin, he added. People Before Profit is demanding a solution to the Ticketmaster issue as they have cornered large parts of the live music market. Ticketmaster is a monopoly. They make serious money from concerts. The government had legislation a number of years ago in relation to price-gouging, but there needs to be more, the Dublin Mid-West TD added. Taylor Swift on stage in Chicago on the opening night of her Eras tour, which comes to Dublin in June 2024. Photo: Getty Images In response, Ticketmaster said: The artist team (promoter, manager and agent) plan all aspects of a tour. This includes which venues to play, when to put tickets on sale, ticket prices and how various presales will run. As the ticketing agent, we implement their decisions. The Irish Hotels Federation has also suggested ways to get the cheapest accommodation around the time of concerts. The Irish Hotels Federation consistently advocates for competitiveness and value across the industry, a spokesperson said. With regard to supply and demand issues, there are times when Dublin like cities the world over experiences significant increases in demand around major events, and this can result in price increases. MILAN, ITALY - JUNE 25: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Chris Martin of Coldplay performs at Stadio San Siro, on June 25, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images for ABA) This tends to happen for a limited number of nights during the year. These rates are not reflective of the overall value available in Dublin during the remainder of the year or throughout the country on a given night. In relation to the recently announced concert dates, the vast majority of Irish hotels do not make rooms available online any earlier than one year out. For many hotels, even shorter lead-in times apply for listing rooms through online booking engines. People looking to book at this stage should consider contacting hotels directly to get the best value. Councillor Hugh Lewis outside his father's house in Ballybrack following the recent attack. Pic: Frank McGrath A Dublin TD has called for the removal of home addresses from election ballot papers following the attack on the family home of a councillor last month. Green Party TD Patrick Costello said personal information on ballot papers poses significant safety risks and should be reviewed. The Dublin South-Central TD voiced the security concerns following a rise in anti-immigration protests which he said are designed to intimidate and spark violence. Last month, Independent councillor Hugh Lewiss family home was attacked and a rock thrown through the window with a threatening anti-immigrant note attached. The public representatives 78-year-old father was sitting in the room where the window was smashed. The note, written on a piece of cardboard, read: Hugh, stop supporting f***ing refugees or youll have to move out. This is your last warning. The incident happened during a series of anti-immigration protests in the village of Ballybrack in south Dublin, where the protestors believed a building was being repurposed to accommodate refugees. In a statement, Mr Costello said threats to public representatives are unacceptable and addresses in the public domain also pose a risk to the individuals family members who are by virtue of association at risk. Mr Costello said: In todays digital age, where personal information can easily be accessed and exploited, the presence of home addresses on ballot papers poses significant safety risk and should be reviewed. This is especially true in light of the rise in activity of individuals on the far-right. Such individuals seek to portray elected leaders as sellouts and traitors, which is designed to intimidate and spark violence. Only last month we saw the inevitable manifestation of this hate when the home of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Cllr Hugh Lewis was attacked. Cllr Hugh Lewis talks of attack on home That elected representatives might live in fear of such an event recurring is unacceptable in a democracy. We have also seen in the past a politician having his car set on fire in front of his house. Its not just politicians at risk here. The fact that the father of cllr Lewis was the only individual home at the time highlights a further risk with this publicly available information. Politicians friends and family are, by virtue of association, at risk. We have also seen journalists, librarians and teachers targeted with intimidation and violence. We must not allow the undermining of political and democratic rights in Ireland today, he added. Mr Costello has written to both the Minister and the Electoral Commission in relation to home addresses on ballot papers and said the protocol should be changed for the local and European elections set for June next year. Minister Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Steve Crocker, left, with Michael Lyne, Chairman, Valentia Island Development Company at Foilhomurrum Bay, Valentia Island. Housing must be developed on Valentia lsland as a key priority to help the island develop and grow. Chairman of the Valentia Island Development Company Micheal Lyne has said that if housing is not developed, other initiatives planned for the island will not flourish. These include getting UNESCO status for the islands transatlantic cable sites a project that is tipped to transform and regenerate the island community. At a special presentation at a Kenmare Municipal District meeting on Friday last, Mr Lyne sought support from councillors. He said the development company was formed in 2012 to try and stem the tide of falling population, help maintain pupil numbers in the local school and keep a thriving GAA club alive through creating better opportunities for employment. Much work has been completed but more is needed. One of the key projects began in 2014 and sought to have Valentia and the transatlantic cable nominated as an Industrial UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is now on the Tentative List for this status as part of a joint trans-national application with Newfoundland. A delegation is due to travel to Newfoundland this weekend to progress the road to UNESCO status. As part of the project, Valentia Island Development company (VIDCO) has taken over the the Cable Building, which was generously handed over by Mrs Pollmeier on condition that it be restored. They are now planning to develop a Digital Hub upstairs, which will help stem the tide of emigration from our shores he told councillors. VIDCO has also opened The Eighth Wonder Cable Experience and has purchased the Slate Yard, including the First Message building, from which the first messages were sent across the Atlantic in 1958 through the cable. Plans are also underway to develop a small industrial site in Chapeltown, where small enterprises could be developed, and a site is also to be purchased to develop housing. Mr Lyne said that housing must be on the agenda. "We have worked hard for our community over the past 10 or 12 years but there is lots more to be done. Our greatest need is housing. What good is a remote working hub if there is no accommodation?, he said. He said there are currently 18 staff employed at Valentia Radio Station but only one lives on the island due to the shortage of housing. He said the same situation applies to Fionnan Murphy, of Murphy Marine Ltd, who employs about 20 people and cant find accommodation for them. He said other issues also need to be addressed, including the provision of a water-treatment plant at Chapeltown. The Council purchased a site for this more than 20 years ago. He said similar issues exist in Knightstown, with the capacity of their plant halting housing developments. "To say it is to be expanded so many years from now is not good enough, he said. "We need to develop Knightstown commercially, we need to expand the village, not close it down. Leon O'Neill from Kilgarvan: They did alright. They tried their hardest and it was hard on them. Paudie Clifford was the best player for me on the day. The skies may have been grey yesterday at the homecoming for the Kerry team but the message from the diehard fans who gathered in the pouring rain in Killarney to welcome home their heroes, was clear as day - Kerry will be back! Sligo native, Brendan Gallagher, was recently awarded an honorary BEM (British Empire Medal), for his charity work, supporting children with physical disabilities and sensory needs, in the North London area where he has lived for over thirty years. Brendan works as a Customer Services Manager with the Transport for London organisation. He became a volunteer with its Childrens Fund in 2001 and in his role as chairman, he and his colleagues have raised over 100,000, supporting children with learning difficulties and those facing adversity. The projects they have supported include providing equipment and facilities for schools that cater for students with special needs, funding a school excursion to Germany and day-trips to the seaside. Honorary British Awards are given to non-British citizens in recognition of their exceptional contributions to community and charity work. An assistant headteacher at one of the schools supported by Brendans work said she was truly delighted that Brendans work and ongoing commitment had been recognised. Caroline Brown of the Richard Cloudesley School in Islington described Brendan as a special man who quietly empowers others to make a difference. Caroline Brown of the Richard Cloudesley School in Islington described Brendan as a special man who quietly empowers others to make a difference. Mike Brown MVO, Londons Transport Commissioner, said: Brendan really deserves this recognition for his selfless efforts to improve the lives of children with physical disabilities and additional sensory needs, while also working hard to make sure that customers using the Northern line get to where they need to be. He is an inspiration both within TfL and the wider community. Brendan is from Newtownholmes in Sligo, a son of the late Joe and Kathleen Gallagher. His only sister, Gay Devaney, lives in Breeogue and runs a successful driving school. His brother Frankie is based in Dublin, Kevin lives in Co Mayo and Vincent recently retired in Perth, Australia. His oldest brother, Eugene, died in 2019. Brendan said: I am pleased to be recognised with this honour and I hope that it inspires more people to realise the positive impact they can have on their community, whether thats making a donation or taking on a more active role through fundraising. It is truly wonderful to see the effect that the money we raise on the Northern line can make, seeing childrens faces light up in surprise, excitement and laughter. Sligos Mayor, Cllr Declan Bree is proposing that the area in Doorly Park where 22 modular homes have been constructed for Ukrainian refugees, be called Sinead OConnor Place to honour the memory of the singer and activist who passed away last week. The refugees recently moved into the modular units which were constructed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Speaking to The Sligo Champion, Cllr Bree said, Sinead O Connor was an outstanding artist and a compassionate and caring activist who won the hearts of people worldwide. Her steadfastness and her unwavering resolve in campaigning over the years for the marginalised and persecuted has been reflected in the outpouring of admiration, love and sadness we have witnessed over the past number of days. She was an extremely courageous woman who was unapologetic for speaking out about the abuse and the oppression of women and girls by Catholic institutions and clerics, about the Magdalene laundries where women were incarcerated, about Industrial Schools, about mental illness, about homelessness, sexism, homophobia and racism. Her goodness, her decency her compassion and her activism came from her own experiences in life. A consistent anti-racist, in January this year she dedicated the Choice Music Award she had received, to every refugee in Ireland. Youre very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness, she said. In this context I believe it would be fitting to honour and remember her by naming the new 22 unit modular home development Sinead OConnor Place. While a small number of people have complained about accommodation being provided for refugees we must not allow racist elements to redirect the legitimate anger people feel over the housing crisis onto those fleeing war and persecution. We really need to highlight the fact that the abject failure of the government to provide adequate housing for our citizens is not the fault of refugees. The reason we have a housing disaster is that successive Governments have handed housing delivery over to the market - to private developers, speculators and to investor funds. But the market does not deliver housing to meet actual housing need. The market only builds when it can make a sufficient profit. In addition, it has to be pointed out that Ireland currently has 163,000 vacant houses, with 3,954 of them located in Sligo. This is absolutely unacceptable in the midst of a housing crisis and its a matter which the government needs to tackle as a matter of urgency. As I have pointed out on numerous occasions, it is unjust and immoral to have people on the housing waiting list, living in overcrowded conditions or in hostels when there are so many houses lying vacant. That is why I and other activists have been continuously lobbying and campaigning for a rights-based housing system and a referendum to insert the Right to Housing in our Constitution. said Cllr Bree . Cllr Bree has confirmed that his proposal to name the development Sinead OConnor Place must be submitted to the Placenames Committee for consideration in advance of any decision being taken by the council. While Roses from around the world (including two from Co Wexford) prepare for their big night at the Dome later this month, their four-legged counterparts are busily preparing for a nerve-wracking experience of their own. With voting opening on August 3, the finalists in this years Nose of Tralee are getting groomed, manicured, and dolled up in anticipation of being crowned the 2023 winner. Lily, a one-year-old border collie from Killane, will represent Wexford in a competition which sees dogs and cats from all 32 counties compete to be named Irelands best pet. A boisterous, loveable pooch, Lily has developed a special bond with her owner, 14-year-old Gillian McGrath Kerins. She is the best dog anyone could ask for and the most loveable dog you could get especially with her never-ending kisses, said Gillian. When I first met Lily she was a very quiet pup, but after a while she became so excited when I came home, even if I was only gone for ten minutes, she would squeal and bark saying hello until I said hello back. Fresh back from a visit to the grooming studio, Gillian said her beloved pet loves the limelight and was only too happy to have her photo taken for the paper. She has this special trick where she sticks the tip of her tongue out and makes everyone around her laugh and smile. Lily can sense when theres a camera around, shes the biggest poser I have ever seen. Described by Gillians mother as inseparable, the teenager and her dog have formed a lasting connection since Lily joined the familys other dog, Bruno. You dont need to set an alarm in the morning with Lily, she runs down the hall and jumps up on the bed, giving you kisses until you get up, Gillian said. Before she goes to bed she waits for me to give her a hug and a kiss goodnight. Ive never had such a special bond with a dog until I met Lily, she makes me laugh every time I see her. "When shes scared she trusts me to mind her by standing behind me. People say a dog is a mans best friend, and its true; Lily is my best friend, I know shes always got my back and Ive always got hers. To vote for Lily in this years Nose of Tralee visit The Pet Sitters Ireland Nose of Tralee Competition on Facebook. Voting opens on Thursday, August 3 and the winner will be announced on August 22. Guitar maestro David Creevy is excited to see some stellar six-stringed talent at the New Ross Guitar Festival from August 10 to 13. It may sound like stating the obvious, but founder of the New Ross Guitar Festival David Creevy loves guitar playing of all kinds. Its what drove him to start a celebration of all things guitar in his adopted hometown of New Ross. A handful of notes played in the right order can instantly transport him back to his childhood, being awestruck by the intricate work of maestros like Eric Clapton on car journeys or at home with his parents. The passion is clearly still there for him too. "Eric Clapton was a family favourite and probably the reason I took up the guitar, the musician, guitar teacher and principal of County Wexford School of Music said. I began trying to learn his songs and solos and quickly explored his mentors like Buddy Guy and Robert Johnson. "While the electric guitar had such an appeal on me hearing the old great blues masters, like Lonnie Johnson really had a profound impact on me, no electricity, no amps, pedals, just pure raw sound and so much sincere expression. From there, David explored further and further until he ended up listening to recordings of the great Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia and from that point, he was hooked. I got an opportunity to study with John Feeley in the conservatory of music and then studied with the actual air to the legacy of Segovia, Christopher Parkening in California, he recalls. While Ive dedicated myself to this style I still love all kinds of music and the impact different styles can have for people. Thats why I wanted to keep the festival as eclectic as possible and expose people to styles they might be familiar with. And eclectic it is, with performances from internationally renowned players such as Celil Refik Kaya and Reento Dirks, to flamenco with John Walsh, amazing local guitarist Colm Lindsay and Irish music legend Donal Lunny. The aim of the festival is to essentially promote the guitar with as many different styles of playing as possible, David says. Were trying to do this by carefully selecting nationally and internationally acclaimed guitarists that people may or may not have heard of before and probably wouldn't travel to Dublin to see them, but if they are in New Ross, we hope people will see it as a great opportunity to experience their talents on their doorstep. The festival kicked off last year with some memorable performances from the likes of Italian Matteo Mancuso and one of the worlds best classical guitarists Ana Vidovic. This year aims to build on those solid foundations and David is keen to ensure that they seize the opportunity to showcase Irish guitarists in particular, such as classical guitarist Remond OToole, who performs on opening night (August 10) in Rosbercon Church at 8 p.m., Colm Lindsay who brings his own brand of rock/jazz/funk fusion to the courtyard of St Michael's Theatre at 1 p.m. on August 12 and flamenco master John Walsh, who will perform in the Library Park Hill at 7 p.m. on the same day. Of course, David himself is also looking forward to taking to the stage with a leading string quartet named Musici Ireland and performing a programme of mostly popular Spanish classics. For a completely programme of events and ticketing details for the festival, visit newrossguitarfestival.ie. A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency has shown that drinking water quality in Wicklow remains high, but the resilience of many supplies needs to improve. According to the newly published EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies Report 2022, over 99.7 per cent of public water supplies comply with bacterial and chemical limits. However, many supplies still lack robust treatment measures to guarantee their long-term resilience and safety. The EPA identified priorities for Irish Water to address on a national level to protect and improve public water supplies, with two Wicklow supply zones on their Remedial Action List which identifies at-risk supplies at the end of 2022, including the Aughrim/Annacurra supply, which services a population of 1,588 and the Ballymorris supply, which serves a population of 17. The Ballymorris public supply also features on the EPAs list of supplies currently on a boil water notice or water restriction (as of July 28, 2023), with notices also issued to a population of six people accessing the Johnstown South (Arklow) public supply. Launching the report, Dr Tom Ryan, EPA Director said: Our public water quality remains very high, which means that the public can be confident that the drinking water supplied to their homes is safe to drink. Uisce Eireann has made good progress in delivering necessary new drinking water infrastructure such as the new plant at Lee Road in Cork which now supplies high-quality drinking water to 97,000 people. However, the EPA through our inspection and monitoring programme, continues to identify drinking water plants that are at risk and require improvements and upgrades. At the end of 2022, there were 481,000 people being served by at-risk supplies on EPAs RAL. Uisce Eireann needs to prioritise investment in those plants to improve the resilience of drinking supplies, to provide a safe and secure supply into the future. In addition, the growing number of people affected by persistent THM (Trihalomethane) failures, now at 235,000 people, is of particular concern. Greater effort is needed by Uisce Eireann to implement improvements at supplies to minimise exposure to THMs, including at major supplies such as Limerick City and the Barrow supply in Kildare. With regard to lead in drinking water, Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said: Lead in our drinking water is a cumulative risk to human health. Progress to remove lead from our drinking water supply networks, public buildings and affected homes is far too slow. The EPA welcomes the expansion of the lead remediation grant scheme, which will ease the financial burden on homeowners to replace lead piping. However, leadership is required at the national level to address lead in public supplies. Uisce Eireann must accelerate the rollout of their lead mitigation plan and Government departments must outline their plan for lead replacement in public buildings as part of the National Lead Strategy. CLLR Derek Mitchell has lashed out at Transport Minister Eamon Ryan for not providing improvements to the railway service in Wicklow in the recently published All Ireland Strategic Rail Review. It follows on from the Green Ministers decision not to provide funding for the N11/M11 improvement scheme. The All-Island Rail Review sets out 30 recommendations for developing a rail network that would significantly benefit commuters, communities, businesses, the environment and economies. However, Cllr Mitchell feels that Wicklow has been all but ignored in the review. He said: The Wicklow Rail line to Kilcoole and Wicklow town provides the worst service of any in the Greater Dublin Area. There are only two trains at rush hour, both short. The recent All Ireland Strategic Rail Review does not provide much improvement. It says the direct commuter services will be maintained and there will be an hourly shuttle from Wexford to Greystones. It says that passing loops were considered but rejected. 30 billion spending is proposed but none in Wicklow. Once again Wicklow is being left out which is very annoying to me. The Minister of Transport Eamon Ryan has also stopped work on the N/M11 upgrade in 2022 and 2023. This would have provided bus lanes and would be safer for all. My belief, and that of Fine Gael, is that providing better public transport is the way to reduce car commuting. The Greens want to create traffic jams but not to make the rail line work for people. If you want people off the roads then you have to provide a proper public transport system. It seems the Greens dont want people driving but they also dont seem particularly interested in improving public transport either. Many of the rail proposals are in low density places whereas north Wicklows population is growing rapidly. In 2018 Cllr Mitchell shared details of a rail plan he devised, which he feels would greatly enhance the service by providing more direct trains to Wicklow town and Kilcoole. My plan provided a 3km double tracking north of Greystones allowing 50 per cent more trains, said Cllr Mitchell. This was validated by a Jacobs Study and I thought included in the DART+ plan. Also it provided more direct trains to Kilcoole and Wicklow town which probably needs passing loops. The Strategic Study seems to reject this as they are not mentioned. Also The Bus Connects Plan was prepared six years ago but is not implemented. Love Island winners Sammy Root and Jess Harding say the reality TV programme has allowed them to mature, with Root declaring that the show has made him a man. The final of the Virgin Media Two show was held on Monday, hosted by TV presenter and Radio DJ Maya Jama. In their first interview since winning the show, Root and Harding discussed what they had learned about themselves. Root said: I came in immature and wanted to mess about and have a laugh. To actually meet someone, Ive matured a lot. Im now in a relationship and have won the show its made me a man now. Harding mentioned she had learned about herself from how she had handled certain situations. Talking about the show, she said: It has been the best. To say Ive done this its amazing I have matured and dealt with arguments and trusting the process, realising if its meant to be it will be. Dont chase a man, you have to trust in things. The couple first met when Root arrived to the villa as a bombshell and chose to take Harding for a hot tub date. Their relationship faced some bumps and the pair often found themselves coupled up with other islanders. During the final, Whitney Adebayo and Lochan Nowacki were announced as the runners up with Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde placed third and Zachariah Noble and Molly Marsh placed fourth. Love Island figures posted on Twitter showed that Root and Harding had won 34.57pc of the votes. Adebayo and Nowacki received 26.85pc of the votes while Thomas and Hyde secured 24.21pc and Marsh and Noble received 14.37pc Love Island: The Reunion will air on Sunday August 6 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Love Island returns in 2024. Actor Kevin Spacey outside Southwark Crown Court, London, after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men following a trial. Photo: Yui Mok, PA Kevin Spaceys latest film may hit cinemas as soon as this year after the actor was cleared of sexual assault. In July, Spacey (64) was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men following a trial in London. The Oscar-winner had denied nine charges, including sexual assault, which were alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013. Addressing reporters outside the court, Spacey said: I would like to say that Im enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision. I am humbled by the outcome. Since allegations of sexual misconduct were first made against Spacey in 2017 by actor Anthony Rapp, who a New York jury found in October 2022 Spacey did not molest, the House of Cards stars screen roles have been few and far between. Peter Five Eight, which featured Spacey in his first leading role in five years, was screened at Cannes last summer, and in November, it was announced that he had been cast in a voice role in Control, a British indie film. At the time, writer and director Gene Fallaize said that while the allegations against Spacey and his personal life were a consideration, I wouldnt say it was a concern. Now, the films sales agent has said that the film could be in UK and US cinemas by the end of the year. Strath Hamilton, the co-CEO of distribution company TriCoast Worldwide, said that he is having serious conversations with buyers, adding: We would like to have the film in cinemas in December. While Spacey was awaiting trial when his casting was first announced, Hamilton said that Control had initially attracted positive interest from buyers in territories where social media matters and culture wars are not top of the agenda. Before the verdict was even announced, the company said that it was very well prepped for the obviously possibility that these false charges would be proved not to be true, [and had] a lot of buyers ready in the US and UK. Control centres upon a government minister (Lauren Metcalfe) who is having an affair with the Prime Minister (Mark Hampton) and ends up being kidnapped after her self-driving car is hijacked. Spacey will voice the villain who has taken control of the car and only appears as a voice. During his trial, which took place at Southwark Crown Court last month, Spacey denied seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Spacey described the allegations against him as madness and a stab in the back. Kerry family speaks out as killer set to be released: I can't believe he is out after just five years Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, Monday, July 31, 2023. The Idaho mother Vallow Daybell has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival. The case has included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess sent to usher in the Biblical apocalypse. (Tony Blakeslee/EastIdahoNews.com via AP, Pool) We are all just scrambling to keep our heads above water Actor Josh Hooks joined the union picket for the first time last week. Photo: Allison Zaucha Josh Hooks piled cleaning equipment into his pickup truck. Rubber gloves, bathroom brushes, a vacuum cleaner held together by duct tape, all props for a role he hoped he would never need to play again: An out-of-work actor struggling to pay his bills. Kolkata: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and commercial vehicle manufacturer, commenced the third route in 'Dream Drive' from Kolkata as part of its momentous 75th-year anniversary celebrations. The drive, which kicked off today, is an expedition with the Partner Super 914 vehicle to various cities and dealerships, culminating at the company's manufacturing plant at Hosur. It will cover the cities of Durgapur, Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Vizag, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Kurnool, Ongole, Kadapa, and Krishnagiri in this journey. The Dream Drive will have a total of 10 vehicles which will be traversing the length and breadth of the country on five different routes. Starting from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jammu, Kolkata, and Dibrugarh, the drive will travel through key locations around the country and culminate at the manufacturing plants of Ashok Leyland. The drive aims to celebrate the company's enduring relationship with the nation in many dimensions. Along the way, Ashok Leyland will engage with its extensive network of dealerships, a direct connection with its valued customers and gather insights from the years of experience of the Commercial Vehicle ecosystem. Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Ashok Leyland said, Today, as we embark on the 'Dream Drive' to mark the momentous 75th Year Anniversary Celebrations of Ashok Leyland, we reflect upon the journey that has run parallel to the development of our Nation. The Dream Drive represents our renewed pledge to further shape the future of the CV Industry to support Indias economic development for years to come. Shenu Agarwal, MD and CEO, Ashok Leyland said, As we commemorate our 75th anniversary, we are grateful to all of our customers, employees, and partners who have been an integral part of our journey. The 'Dream Drive' is a unique opportunity for us to connect with them personally, and express our gratitude for their unwavering support, and association for seven and a half decades of nation-building. Effective 1 September 2023, he will assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari. Supported by a strong leadership team, Puneet will oversee the integration of Microsoft's businesses across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, further boosting the company's presence in the region, while deepening its focus on key industries through a customer-centric approach with generative AI at its core. We are delighted to announce that Puneet will be joining Microsoft India, said Ahmed Mazhari, President Microsoft Asia. Puneet has a strong track record of building and growing technology businesses and leveraging technology to deliver impact and change. As we embrace an AI-led future, Puneet's leadership will play a vital role in ensuring Microsofts ongoing success in South Asia, and I extend my thanks to Anant Maheshwari for setting us on a growth path. Commenting on his appointment, Puneet Chandok said, "I am inspired by Microsofts mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As India expands its own digital public infrastructure, I believe that this mission is more relevant here than ever before, and I am thrilled to be joining the One Microsoft team to make this mission a reality. "It has been a privilege to participate in Microsoft India's remarkable growth over the last seven years, said Anant Maheshwari. I am filled with gratitude for an exceptionally talented team with a strong set of leaders driving this momentum. The Microsoft India team has created a strong foundation of trust and entrepreneurial business models." Image Courtesy: twitter.com/AkasaAir Bengaluru: Indias newest carrier, Akasa Air, announced on Tuesday the addition of the 20th jet to its fleet, ushering it into the league of international airlines in India. Airlines must possess a minimum of 20 aircraft in their fleet to meet the requirements for conducting international operations. Bearing the registration VT YAV, the airline received the ceremonial keys to the milestone aircraft in Seattle, USA on July 28, 2023, and the aircraft arrived in Bengaluru at 0931 hrs today, the company said in a statement. With this, Akasa Air has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first airline in Asia to include the 737-8-200 variant of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in its fleet. Thrilled to welcome our 20th aircraft in Bengaluru today! This landmark addition to our fleet also makes us the first airline in Asia to receive the Boeing 737-8-200 aircraft. #20AndCounting #ItsYourSky Read more: https://t.co/PgBNljXj4S pic.twitter.com/W55m1Ad0Bm Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) August 1, 2023 In a recent interview, the company had expressed its intentions to explore the possibility of expanding its network to include destinations in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other parts of South Asia, such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The company also plans to maintain a single-class configuration on these routes. "Todays landmark addition to our fleet, heralds the international chapter of growth in Akasas story, and makes us extremely optimistic about our future. We are very excited at the prospect of showcasing our unique and distinct service to the world," said Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air. Akasa Air was launched in August last year. In June, the airline captured a market share of 4.9 percent by flying 6.18 lakh passengers. The airline has been steadily expanding its fleet with orders for 76 Boeing aircraft, and recently placed an additional order for four more planes from Boeing. Some domestic carriers have seen an increase in market share due to the grounding of the cash-strapped Go First, which ceased operations on May 3. I am particularly gratified in the way our airline has grown. The unprecedented pace of our expansion is fuelled by the passion of our employees, who strive to make air travel increasingly accessible and reliable, said Akasa Air CEO. The carrier has recorded the highest on-time performance for several consecutive months in 2023 and this milestone was achieved without compromising on our unflinching commitment to service leadership, added Dube. "I think we are adequately funded. We were adequately funded to order 72 aircraft. We are adequately funded to add 4 more aircraft on top of that were adequately funded to place another three-digit aircraft order between now and the end of this year," the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Akasa Air said. As Akasa prepares to commence its international services, the company aims to hire up to 800 new workers by the end of this fiscal year. This move comes in line with the expansion plans of other major airlines in India. Market leader Interglobe Aviation operated IndiGo and Tata-owned Air India are also actively ramping up their hiring efforts, with plans to recruit thousands more staff. Both airlines have placed substantial orders for hundreds of aircraft from Airbus SE and Boeing Co., reflecting their commitment to future growth and development in the aviation industry. Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing Brad McMullen said, This milestone symbolizes the strength of our partnership with Akasa, as they take delivery of the first 737-8-200 in the Asia region. The 737-8-200 offers a balance of airline economics and unparalleled customer experience that is a perfect fit for Akasa and allows the airline to deliver on its promise of service excellence. The VF Fellowships being offered in India are aimed at increasing the pool of accomplished surgeons to learn through intensive surgical and clinical practice and research under the mentorship of eminent robotic surgery specialists of repute. The fellowships are available in Surgical Oncology, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Gynaecologic Surgery as well as different aspects of Urologic Robotic Oncology. The Vattikuti Foundation will grant a one-year paid Fellowship to 12 to 15 fellows to be trained under eminent robotic surgeons. The robotic surgeons from seven Indian cities Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi - have agreed to mentor VF Fellows as Program Directors. The Vattikuti Foundation Fellowship Program facilitates training and certification of promising surgeons in minimally invasive surgery with a focus on robotic technology. The program offers comprehensive training in a wide range of disciplines to prepare fellows to deliver the best available care and to practice surgery focused on patient outcomes, says Dr Mahendra Bhandari, CEO, Vattikuti Foundation and Director, Robotic Surgery Research, Henry Ford Health System, Michigan, USA. A set of experienced Robotic Surgeons - Dr Anant Kumar, Dr Gagan Gautam, Dr Sudhir Rawal and Dr Surender Dabas (from Delhi NCR); Dr TB Yuvaraja (from Mumbai); Dr Ashwini Kudari, Dr Rakesh Sharma and Dr Prof Rooma Sinha from Hyderabad, Dr Kishore TA from Kochi, and Dr Ashwini Kudari, Dr Deepak Dubey and Prof Dr Somashekhar SP from Bengaluru; Dr A Sivaraman from Chennai - have agreed to serve as mentors to these surgeons over a period of one year. As part of Fellowship in addition to a handsome monthly stipend the Foundation will cover the expense for one international conference to every participant. The applicants would have completed a nationally approved and accredited residency program in the specialty that they wish to pursue. Applicants from India should have earned a recognized M.Ch. or equivalent super specialty qualification, within 10 years of obtaining their degree. This Fellowship offers VF Fellows one year of unique surgical, clinical and research experience. In addition to the eminence of mentors, the institutes have been chosen based on clinical volume and the technology that allows VF Fellows to exploit the full scope of training and research facilities. The Fellowship program culminates in a VF certificate upon successful completion of training based on the program directors assessment of the progress of the technical, clinical, and research skills of the fellow. Applications are open at Vattikuti Foundation website on August 20, 2023. The participating healthcare providers include: Bengaluru: Aster International Institute of Oncology for Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital for Urologic Robotic Surgery and Narayana Health System for Surgical Oncology Chennai: Chennai Urology and Robotics Institute for Urologic Oncologic Surgery Delhi NCR: BLK Super Speciality Hospital for Surgical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket for Urological Robotic Surgery, Medanta the MediCity for Robotic Urologic Oncology and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre for Urologic Oncologic Surgery Hyderabad: Apollo Health City for Minimally Invasive & Robotic Gynaecologic Surgery, Apollo Hospital for Urological Robotic Surgery, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital for Urologic Oncology Kochi: Aster Medcity for Robotic Urologic Surgery Mumbai: Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for Urologic Oncologic Surgery The Vattikuti Foundation Fellowships, first awarded in 2015, have created a pool of over 50 VF fellows who have gained hands-on experience conducting surgeries under the mentorship of a senior Robotic Surgery mentor at large corporate, government, trust and private hospitals in India. Most fellows have also been sponsored for 2-to-4-week study programs in the United States. The Vattikuti Foundation has helped the growth of Robotic Surgery, especially in India. This is a philanthropic initiative of Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Raj Vattikuti sponsoring research and training for 25 years across geographies. Applications close: August 20, 2023 Representational image/credit: Unsplash/Engin Akyurt Toronto/IBNS: Warning labels on individual cigarettes required by Health Canada regulations are set to come into effect on Tuesday. In the ongoing effort to help smokers quit the habit and deter potential puffers from picking it up, this move was announced earlier this year making Canada the world's first country to take that step. The wording written in English and French on the paper around the filter for every cigarette would range from warnings about harming children and damaging organs to causing impotence and leukemia. "Poison in every puff," cautions one. After the regulations take effect, manufacturers have until the end of July 2024 to ensure all king-size cigarettes sold have the warnings on them. Manufacturers of regular-size cigarettes and little cigars with tipping paper and tubes would have until the end of April 2025 to have the warnings on them. (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Photo courtesy: Pixabay The Ministerial Conference on Womens Empowerment under the G20 Indian Presidency, chaired by Union Minister of Women & Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani is set to take place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from August 2 to August 4. Gandhinagar is an exquisite example of a vibrant fusion of centuries-old architecture with modernity and cultural vibrancy and is known for its historical legacy, artefacts, handicrafts, arts, festivals, grand temples and museums and a rich civilization that flourished on the western bank of the river Sabarmati. The Ministerial Conference on Womens Empowerment takes place amidst global challenges ranging from insufficient progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), challenges posed by climate change and uneven pandemic recovery. The G20 Ministerial Conference while focusing on women-led development will be an opportunity for accelerating achievement towards Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment and achieving SDG: Goal 5. The Ministerial meeting spread over three days will witness the participation of more than 150 delegates led by their respective Heads of Delegations from G20 members, invitee countries, and International Organisations (IOs). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a special video address at the start of the Ministerial Conference. The discussions and deliberations during three days will focus on priority areas on Education, a Game-changing Pathway to Womens Empowerment; Womens Entrepreneurship, a Win-win for Equity and Economy; Creating a Partnership for Promoting Womens Leadership at all Levels including at Grassroots; Women and Girls as Change-makers in Climate Resilience Action and Digital Skilling for Womens Empowerment. The thematic discussions and deliberations in these sessions will reflect in the Chairs Summary and will be provided as recommendations to G20 leaders. Further, Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN Women and NIPCCD will jointly organize a side event with support from the Ministry of Women & Child Development to identify the actions and policy levers in three keys areas of fiscal policies and tools for gender equality, the care economy and climate change challenge to accelerate gender equality. On August 2 and 3, the Ministry of Women & Child Development will be organising an exhibition on the theme of India @ 75: Contribution of Women with focus on Women in Crafts, Nutrition & Food, Health, STEM, Education & Skilling and in Trade & Economy. Cultural programmes including programmes by Shillong Chamber Choir, Drums of India besides musical and dance performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India and a performance by Children from Bal Bhavan will be organized for the participating Ministers and their delegations. Further, local cuisine and millet-based food will be served during the event to celebrate the International Year of Millets. Excursions have also been planned to provide the delegates with an opportunity to enjoy the vibrant historical heritage of the State of Gujarat. MCWE under Indias Presidency, while building on the work done by previous G20 presidencies, will take forward its mandate of enhancing G20's contribution to accelerate progress towards womens empowerment and strengthen G20 efforts in fostering women-led development. The government says, "India today is going through major transformational changes with the transition happening from womens development to women-led development. Image Credit: India Blooms File Kolkata/UNI: The health condition of former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is considerably better on Tuesday. Bhattacharjee successfully weaned off invasive ventilation, and then he was put on non-invasive ventilator support on Monday, according to sources at the Woodlands hospital. Bhattacharjee was admitted to the hospital on Saturday afternoon with lower respiratory tract infection and Type-2 respiratory failure. The overall clinical status of the septuagenarian Marxist leader remained stable under close monitoring by a team of medics at the private hospital in south Kolkata, sources said. Some more routine blood tests will be done this morning on the 79-year-old former chief minister of Bengal. The medical board team constituted by the hospital would examine and take the next course of medication, sources added. Different political parties' leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, visited the ailing former politburo member of the CPI (M) on Monday evening and wished him a speedy recovery. A multidisciplinary medical team comprising Dr Kaushik Chakraborty ( Medicine), Dr Soutik Panda (Critical Care), Dr Susmita Debnath (Critical Care), Dr Saroj Mandal ( Interventional Cardiology), Dr Ankan Bandopadhyay (Internal Medicine and Pulmonology), Dr Dhruba Bhattacharya ( Internal Medicine and Critical Care), Dr Asis Patra ( Anesthesiology), Dr Somnath Maity and Dr Saptarshi Basu (Physician and Medical Superintendent, Woodlands) is closely monitoring his progress. Photo courtesy: Twitter/PMO India New Delhi/IBNS: In a setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik -led Biju Janata Dal's has pledged support to the Centre over the Delhi services bill. With his support, the bill will comfortably sail through the halfway mark in the Parliament. According to reports, the BJD will also oppose the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition front-INDIA-against the BJP-led Centre. The decision of Odisha's ruling party, which has nine MPs in Rajya Sabha, will help the government cross the halfway mark in the upper house, where the BJP-led NDA does not enjoy a full majority on its own. Earlier, Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party, which has nine members in Rajya Sabha and 22 in Lok Sabha, announced its support to the government on the critical bill. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) bill replaces an ordinance for the control of Delhi's bureaucrats, which was issued by the Centre to override a Supreme Court order that said the elected government in Delhi, not the Centre, has control over the transfer and appointments of bureaucrats. While the BJP and allies in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have 103 members, the support from BJD and YSRCP will take the number to 127. Around 109 MPs comprising those from the 26-member opposition alliance INDIA, and some Independents such as Kapil Sibal, are expected to vote against the bill. Singapores Sikh community has been recognized and applauded for their exceptional contributions across diverse fields while preserving their rich culture, faith, and distinct identity. During the 75th anniversary celebration dinner of the Sikh Advisory Board (SAB), Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong commended the community for their remarkable achievements. Addressing the gathering, Lawrence Wong praised the Sikhs for their remarkable accomplishments in various professions and their significant impact on diverse sectors. He acknowledged their ability to excel and assume leadership positions, whether it be in the civil service, uniformed services, judiciary, business, sports, or numerous other fields. It is evident that Sikhs in Singapore have not only succeeded but have also managed to maintain their cultural heritage, faith, and unique identity, stated Lawrence Wong. He emphasized the governments profound appreciation and value for the close collaboration with the Sikh community. Though their numbers may be comparatively smaller, their contributions to Singapore have been disproportionately immense. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the instrumental role played by the Sikh Advisory Board in advising the state on matters concerning the community, encompassing religious, customs, and welfare issues. The Boards candid and open approach in sharing perspectives and views has been highly valued. Despite being an Advisory Board, their advice is taken seriously and is crucial in shaping government policies. Furthermore, Lawrence Wong acknowledged the Sikh Advisory Boards crucial involvement in mediating disputes, particularly those related to employment practices. This ensures that Sikhs can continue to observe the core principles of their faith while being integrated into the workforce. The Sikh communitys ability to thrive professionally, preserve their heritage, and actively engage with the government underscores their exceptional spirit and determination. Singapore stands as a testament to the strength that cultural diversity brings to a nation, with Sikhs making a profound impact in the countrys progress and success. As Singapore moves forward, it is clear that the contributions and achievements of the Sikh community will continue to be a source of pride and inspiration for all citizens, proving that diversity and cultural harmony are essential elements in building a vibrant and prosperous nation. (Image and Text credit: Khalsavox.com) In image Salman Khan from sets of Big Boss OTT/ credit: Facebook New Delhi/IBNS: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who hosts Bigg Boss OTT Season 2, has allegedly received threats from the underworld after the actor blasted Elvish Yadav during the weekend episode. A screenshot of a tweet purportedly by gangster Goldy Brar has gone viral on social media. The tweet was in Punjabi in which the gangster threatened to take revenge on the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor for criticising Elvish on a public stage, according to media reports. Elvish Yadav, a popular YouTuber was seen bursting into tears after Salman slammed him for using inappropriate words for Bebika Dhurve. However, soon after the show aired, Elvish's fans took to Twitter to lash out at Salman. Social media was flooded with tweets criticising the superstar and supporting Elvish. And now what has come as a big concern for Salman's innumerable fans, is the screenshot of what appears to be a tweet from Canadian gangster Brar, threatening to take revenge on the actor for his treatment of Elvish on the show. Representational image by US Coast Guard via Wikimedia Commons Tripoli: The Libyan Border Control Department on Monday found two bodies of illegal migrants near the Tunisian border, where hundreds more remain stranded after being expelled by Tunisian authorities. The patrols found the unidentified bodies of African nationalities in Al-Assa town (near the border), the department said in a statement. On Saturday, six bodies of the kind were found near the border, it said. According to Human Rights Watch, since July 2, Tunisian security forces have collectively expelled several hundred Black African migrants and asylum-seekers, including children and pregnant women to a remote, militarized buffer zone at the Libyan-Tunisian border. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin says a military drone hit the same skyscraper in the city that was targeted earlier. Photo Courtesy: Igor Sushko Twitter page video grab Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin on Tuesday said a military drone hit the same skyscraper in the city that was targeted earlier. He said Russias Air Defense Forces have shot down several military drones overnight. No injuries were reported so far. BREAKING: 2 more drone strikes reported in the heart of Moscow - again in "Moskva City" elite business district. One of the explosions occurred at 00:50 on August 1st. pic.twitter.com/nZsJepH69p Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) August 1, 2023 "Air Defense Forces shot down several drones en-route to Moscow. One of them hit the same skyscraper in the [Moscow] City as previously. The facade at the level of the 21st floor of the building sustained damages. Emergency services are working at the scene of the incident," Sobyanin wrote on his Telegram social network channel as quoted by TASS. At least six people died, including children, after Russian missile hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video post on X. After today's Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, six people are known to have been killed, including a child, a girl. She was only ten years old. 69 people were injured. In Kherson, a police officer was killed by artillery fire... Nine people were wounded, including a child pic.twitter.com/5Dc7uUCFcD (@ZelenskyyUa) July 31, 2023 "After today's Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, six people are known to have been killed, including a child, a girl. She was only ten years old. 69 people were injured," he wrote on X. "In Kherson, a police officer was killed by artillery fire... Nine people were wounded, including a child and four volunteers," he said. Meanwhile, the ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine are resulting in a surge in humanitarian needs, the top UN humanitarian official for the country said on Monday, urging increased funding to ensure assistance for those in need. Denise Brown, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, spoke remotely at a press briefing at UN Headquarters, in New York, and said that funds are needed particularly to prepare for the approaching winter. It is almost August, and it gets cold very early in Ukraine, she said. She said that humanitarians are preparing for winterization, which involves distributing quilts, fuels, stoves, and thermal insulation to houses damaged last winter. There is additional damage on top of what we had to deal [with since then], she added, referring to increased needs resulting from the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and attacks on major cities. Image:Ziad Taleb More than two days of armed violence at the Ein El Hilweh Palestine Refugee camp in southern Lebanon continues to impact civilians, including children, a senior UN official in the country said on Monday. Eleven people were killed and another 40 were injured, including a staff member with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said Dorothee Klaus, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, citing reports. Two schools operated by the agency sustained damage, and more than 2,000 people were forced to flee in search of safety. UNRWA reacts In response to the urgent needs for shelter, UNRWA with volunteers opened its schools to accommodate displaced families and is providing basic humanitarian assistance, said Ms. Klaus, adding that all UNRWA services in the camp have been temporarily suspended due to the violence. UNRWA called on all parties to immediately return to calm and take all measures necessary to protect civilians, including children. Armed actors are urged to respect all the agencys premises and facilities in accordance with international law. Ein El Hilweh camp Ein El Hilweh , the largest of 12 Palestine Refugee camps in Lebanon, is located south of the city of Saida. Its inhabitants originally came in 1948, mostly from coastal Palestinian towns. The site also hosts a large number of Palestine Refugees displaced from other parts of Lebanon, particularly from Tripoli, who found shelter there during the Lebanese civil war and in the aftermath of the Nahr el-Bared conflict in 2007. Security and governance in the camp are the responsibility of Popular Committees and Palestinian Factions. The camp is surrounded by a wall and access for people and building materials is controlled by the Lebanese Armed Forces through checkpoints. Image: UNI Washington: The company formerly known as Twitter took the "X" logo down from atop its headquarters building in San Francisco after city officials said the sign was installed without a permit, NPR reported. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection received 24 complaints about the sign, including concerns regarding structural safety, the report said on Monday. According to a city complaint filed on July 28, a company representative declined to provide inspectors access claiming the structure is a "temporary" lighted sign for an event. A second attempt to gain access was made the following day, but access was denied again by the tenant, the document said. Last Monday, the city said Twitter removed the original sign without proper permits or taping off the sidewalk as part of pedestrian safety measures. "The property owner will be assessed fees for the unpermitted installation of the illuminated structure," Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection, told CNBC. "The fees will be for building permits for the installation and removal of the structure, and to cover the cost of the Department of Building Inspection and the Planning Departments investigation." Last week, owner Elon Musk changed the name and logo of Twitter to "X." In a tweet on Friday, Musk vowed never to leave the city despite its "doom spiral, with one company after another left or leaving." (With UNI inputs) In the chilling wake of the recent bomb blasts in Pakistan, the lethal dangers of harboring terrorists have again been ruthlessly highlighted. These horrific acts of violence, including a devastating suicide bombing in a teeming Peshawar market that extinguished over 100 lives, have ripped the nation apart. The Islamic State Khorasan (ISKP), a banned terrorist organization, was swift to claim responsibility for the atrocity. This is hardly their debut in the theater of terror, the ISKP and other such organizations have for long held Pakistan hostage with their insidious operations. These groups have wantonly targeted innocent civilians, security personnel, and government officials, causing untold misery and destabilizing the nation at its roots. Unfortunately, these groups have met with limited resistance from the Pakistani government. Time and again, their feeble attempts at reigning in terrorism have fallen flat, and the ISKP and similar organizations continue to thrive, executing their operations with chilling ease. The harsh reality is that Pakistan has long been a hospitable environment for terrorists. Accusations of the countrys intelligence agencies covertly supporting such groups have added to the public dismay. The governments reluctance to deal with these malevolent entities has given rise to a breeding ground of terror that has only harmed the nation. In the words of Hillary Clinton, If you have snakes in your backyard, they wont just bite your neighbors. Terrorism, too, follows the same chilling principle. Should Pakistan continue to be a sanctuary for terrorists, they will eventually turn their fangs upon their host. The recent bombings are but the latest cruel reminder of this imminent danger. The time for lukewarm responses and half-hearted attempts at combatting terror has passed. Pakistans government must awaken to the pressing urgency of the situation, cut off all support to terrorist groups, and dedicate itself to bringing the culprits of these heinous crimes to justice. The ripple effects of nurturing terror extend beyond immediate security threats. It leaves long-lasting scars on the nations economy and political stability. A nation in the clutches of terror can hardly be alluring to foreign investors, consequently leading to economic decline. Not to forget the added security measures acting as a barrier to smooth economic activity. Despite the IMF bailout, Pakistans economy remains in shambles. In this grim scenario, the future certainly seems bleak. Likewise, rampant terrorism threatens to dismantle the nations political stability. When a government fails to shield its citizens from violence, it creates a fertile ground for extremist groups to grow and seize power. The path to a prosperous future for Pakistan must involve severing its ties with terrorism at all levels. The government must tighten its security measures, boost economic growth, and work towards fostering an inclusive political system that inspires faith rather than fear. The recent bomb blasts in Pakistan have sounded a blaring siren that the nation cannot afford to ignore any longer. Now, it is upon Pakistans government to answer this urgent call and steer the nation away from the grip of terrorism, towards a future that promises stability, prosperity, and peace. (Image and text credit:Khalsavox.com) Image: Unsplash/Shiza Nazir New York: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the deadly suicide bombing at a political rally in northwest Pakistan on Sunday. At least 54 people were killed, and 83 injured, in the attack, which occurred in Bajaur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. International media reported on Monday that the Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Speaking that day in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the Secretary-General extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a prompt recovery to the wounded. The UN chief also called on the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice. The Secretary-General denounces all instances of terrorism and deliberate targeted attacks against civilians and stands in solidarity with the government and the people of Pakistan in combating this scourge, he said. The UN Office in Pakistan has also strongly condemned the attack In a post on Twitter, adding we express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a quick recovery. Myanmars ruling military Tuesday pardoned jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi on five of the 19 offenses for which she was convicted. However, the 78-year Nobel Laureate will continue to remain under house arrest, media reports said. The pardon will help Suu Kyis 33-years jail term be reduced by six years and that it was a part of an amnesty under which more than 7,000 prisoners were freed across conflict-hit Myanmar. Myanmar has been witnessing a bloody turmoil since 2021 when the military overthrew Suu Kyis elected government and enforced a crackdown on the opponents of the military rule. It was during this time; thousands of people were jailed, and several were even killed. On Monday, the election promised to be held in the country by August this year, was postponed, and the state of emergency was extended for a period of another six months. Suu Kyi was last week removed from prison and was placed under house arrest in the capital. She denies all charges, ranging from election fraud to corruption, for which she was detained during the coup. The countrys military state administration also reduced the jail term of former president Win Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Suu Kyi, by four years. According to reports, both Suu Kyi and Win Myint would continue to remain in detention. Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmars independence hero, was first put under house arrest in 1989 after huge protests rocked the country against decades of military rule. In 1991, she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her long campaign for democracy but was freed from house arrest only in 2010. She swept the 2015 election as well as the next one in 2020. However, the military complained of election fraud during the 2020 vote and resorted to a coup in early 2021 to ensure complaints were properly investigated. Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer is ruling the theatres like anything. Not just the audiences but also several celebrities across the world are appreciating the film. Indian actress Kangana Ranaut recently watched this Biographical drama and reviewed the film as a cinematic orgasm. Twitter Starring Cillian Murphy in the lead role, Oppenheimer opened in the theatres on 21st July with roaring reviews. Kangana took to her Instagram and shared a video talking about her thoughts on Oppenheimer. She wrote alongside, "Christopher Nolans best work so far. Most important film of our time. I am so excited I just didnt want it to end, it has everything I deeply love, I am passionate about physics and politics. For me, this was like a cinematic orgasm. Beyond wonderful!!". When a Twitter user asked Kangana about her favourite part in the film, she shared, When the final explosion happens, the deafening silence and blinding fire, we cut to Oppenheimer's face and there is a voice-over And now I am the destroyer of the world. it reminded me of the Kurukshetra battle when lord Vishnu took Virat roop before Arjuna who was blinded by his light and Lord Vishnu said I It was a gorgeous built up to that moment, I was stunned and enthralled!! Twitter The sequence in reference has created a wide uproar in India as it features Cillian reading the lines of Gita while having sex in the film. Several users have now taken to Twitter and schooled the actress for being a hypocrite. One user wrote, "So You dont have a problem with Oppenheimer's disrespect towards Bhagwat Gita, what a hypocrite!". Another said, "Dont preach about Sanatan Dharam if you are supporting a movie which shows the actor Reciting Bhagwad Gita while having intercourse." Seems like Hindu sherni wakes up only when Bollywood does something disrespectful but for other industries its allowed and fine. Its a character demand I have said it many times If bollywood does that, its an insult. If other industry does that, its a character demand. Bollywood (@Apna_Bollywood) July 31, 2023 Dont preach about Sanatan Dharam if you are supporting a movie which shows the actor Reciting Bhagwad Gita while having intercourse Jitesh (@Chaotic_mind99) July 31, 2023 What about this, so called sanatani..?? pic.twitter.com/BfFFYReoEr Dr Jain (@ImmadiPulakesh) July 31, 2023 So You dont have problem with Oppenheimer disrespect towards Bhagwat Gita , what a hypocrite! @KanganaTeam @zoo_bear @Delhiite_ https://t.co/v8656WDMeA NRI ADNAN (@ma18k) July 31, 2023 Another user had asked her, "What about the scene related to Bhagavad Gita? Seems like intentional". To this, Ranaut replied, "Everyone has their own way of showing devotion, being a Jewish person he wont see Hindu Gods religiously but in the film, if he has devotion or influence of anyone thats Lord Vishnu, now thats also Bhakti in its raw form." Also Read: Deepfake Reimagines Barbie Trailer With Kangana Ranaut And Hrithik Roshan, Internet Is Stunned At the global box office, Oppenheimer clashed with Greta Gerwigs Barbie. The Margot Robbie starrer is Greta Gerwig's satirical take on the patriarchy and is racing ahead by a great margin from Nolans film. On the work front, Kangana will be next seen in Tejas, Emergency and Chandramukhi 2. (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.) Friendship Day is celebrated around the world to honor the importance of friendship. It is a time to cherish the bonds we share with our friends and to express our gratitude for their support and companionship. Friendship Day has become a popular way to celebrate the importance of friendship in our lives. In India and several other countries, Friendship Day is typically celebrated annually on the first Sunday of August. However, in many countries, Friendship Day is celebrated on July 30. There are many ways to celebrate Friendship Day. Some people like to exchange gifts with their friends, while others prefer to spend time together doing activities they enjoy. Some popular activities for Friendship Day include going out to eat, going to the movies, or simply spending time talking and laughing. No matter how you choose to celebrate the special with your friends, the most important thing is to show them how much you care about them. Let your friends know how much they mean to you, and how grateful you are for their friendship. Friendship Day isn't a public holiday but people around the world celebrate it with great pomp and enthusiasm. In this article, you will get know, How many days until Friendship Day in India, Friendship Day history, Friendship Day celebration, and more about the special day. Scroll through to learn all about this day: How Many Days Left For Friendship Day 2023 In India? As of Sunday, 06 August 2023, there are 0 days until Friendship Day 2023 celebration in India because not just in India but many countries around the world such as - Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, India, the United States, and Bangladesh observed Friendship Day on first Sunday of August, while many other countries celebrate Friendship Day on July 30. . Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August, which is August 6, 2023. In some countries, Friendship Day is celebrated on July 30, which is the International Friendship Day declared by the United Nations. However, in India and some other countries such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, India, the United States, and Bangladesh, Friendship Day will be celebrated on Sunday, August 6. Friendship Day 2023 will be observed on Sunday, August 6th in India. Many countries including India celebrate Friendship Day on 6th August, except for a few countries that celebrate it on July 30th. Friendship Day is a popular day to celebrate with friends and family in India. People often exchange gifts, greeting cards, and flowers, and they may also go out for meals or events together to honour their friendships. Some people also wear friendship bands or bracelets to show their love for their friends. Friendship Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the importance of friendship in our lives. Friends are there for us through thick and thin, and they make our lives richer and more enjoyable. So on August 6th, make sure to reach out to your friends and let them know how much you appreciate them! Friendship Day history | Origin of Friendship Day The history of Friendship Day is a long and varied one. There are many different countries and cultures that celebrate friendship in their own way, and the date of the celebration can vary as well. According to various reports, the proposal for Friendship Day was first given by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards in the year 1930. In the United States, Friendship Day was first celebrated in 1935 by the U.S. Congress. The date of the celebration was originally August 2, but it was later moved to the first Sunday of August. The idea of Friendship Day spread to other countries in the 1960s and 1970s. In another story, the first known celebration of Friendship Day was in Paraguay in 1958. Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho, a Paraguayan dentist and peace activist, proposed the idea of a global day of friendship to promote peace and understanding between people of different cultures. He started the foundation called the World Friendship Crusade. This idea gained popularity, and July 30th was designated as the day to celebrate friendships in Paraguay. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly officially (UNGA) recognised July 30 as International Friendship Day. The UN General Assembly declared that the day would be a time to celebrate the importance of friendship and to promote peace and understanding between people of all cultures. Today, Friendship Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. The date of the celebration may vary from country to country, but the basic idea is the same: to celebrate the importance of friendship and to show appreciation for our friends. Facts of International Friendship Day - International Friendship Day is observed on different dates around the world. In most countries, it is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. However, some countries observe it on different dates, such as July 30th. - The concept of International Friendship Day was first proposed by the World Friendship Crusade, an international organization founded in Paraguay in 1958. - In 2011 UN General Assembly declared 30 July as an official International Friendship Day. - The UN proposed that friendship can inspire peace efforts between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals and can link up communities. - The yellow rose is often associated with International Friendship Day. It is considered a symbol of friendship and is exchanged among friends on this day. - The utmost reality of this Day is to celebrate friendship regardless of race, color or religion. - Friendship Day provides an opportunity to resolve the issues between individual people, and countries. Here are some ideas for how to celebrate Friendship Day: 1. Plan a special outing with your friends. This could be anything from going to a concert, movies or going out for a party. 2. Give your friend an exciting gift that brings on your friend's face. This could be something as simple as a card or a flower. 3. Spend some quality time with your friends. This could mean talking, laughing, or just enjoying each other's company. 4. Write a letter to your friends expressing your gratitude for their friendship. 5. Post a message on social media about how much you value your friends and tag them. 6. No matter how you choose to celebrate Friendship Day, make sure to let your friends know how much you care about them. Friends are a precious gift, and they deserve to be celebrated. Here are some inspiring quotes on friendship that you might share with your friends: - "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." - Elbert Hubbard - "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." - Woodrow Wilson - "True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost." - Charles Caleb Colton - "A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have." - Irish Proverb - "Friendship is a sheltering tree." - George Herbert - Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. - Anais Nin - My definition of a friend is somebody who adores you even though they know the things youre most ashamed of. - Jodie Foster - Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life. - Amy Poehler - "Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness." - Chanakya - "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints in your heart" - Eleanor Roosevelt Happy Friendship Day 2023 best wishes, messages, greetings, Whatsapp status Sending wishes to a friend on Friendship Day is a thoughtful and meaningful way to express your appreciation and affection for your friend. Here are some best Friendship Day wishes that you should send to your friend: - The most invaluable thing I have is your friendship. I will forever cherish it. Happy Friendship Day Bestie. - Dear friend, ever since you came into my life, you have filled my life with utter joy and happiness! Happy Friendship Day to you! - Happy friendship day to you all. Sending love and best wishes to you on this friendship day. Love you all. - Happy Friendship Day, my buddy! You are someone I can count on in every step of my life. May our beautiful friendship lasts forever! - Happy friendship day to you. Im happy to have you as my friend. - Not many things in life make me happy. But you are an exception. Happy friendship day, my friend! - Your friendship is a special gift generously givenhappily accepted and deeply appreciated. Happy Friendship Day 2023! - On this special day, I want to thank you for being there through thick and thin. You are truly a gem of a friend. Happy Friendship Day! - People may need a lot of friends to feel special but having you by my side alone makes me feel like Im on top of the world. Happy International Day of Friendship to you! - Its hard to find someone who will stay with you in your hard times, someone who will help you rise up again after you fall. Fortunately for me, that person is you! You are a rare gem, my friend! - With heartfelt affection and genuine appreciation, I send warm hugs and best wishes to my best friend on National Best Friends Day. Your presence in my life brings immeasurable joy and brightens my days. Happy Friendship Day 2023 images to share with your friends #1. Happy Friendship Day 2023 images | Photo: Freepik #2. Happy Friendship Day 2023 images | Photo: Freepik #3. Happy Friendship Day 2023 images | Photo: Freepik #4. Happy Friendship Day 2023 images | Photo: Freepik #5. Happy Friendship Day 2023 images | Photo: Freepik For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events In August 2022, a video went viral on social media showing the oath-taking of office following the Panchayat elections in the state. The only problem was that none of them were elected but were the male relatives of women candidates who won the Panchayat elections. BCCL What is Sarpanch Pati? Often referred to as Sarpanch Pati, this is a widespread practice not just in Madhya Pradesh but in most states across India, where the elected representative is often the proxy for a male family member because the constituency was reserved for women. In February 2023, MoS Panchayati Raj, Kapil Patil informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 21 states -- Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and two Union Territories --Lakshadweep and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have provided 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies Elections. BCCL How Sarpanch Patis failed women empowerment The move to provide 50 per cent reservation for them in local bodies was hailed as a significant step towards women's empowerment. However, the sad reality is that the real power still lies with the husband or other male members of the female representatives. While it is covert in many cases, others don't even pretend to cover it up, and it is not uncommon for a male person to replace a female candidate on election campaign posters. BCCL Sarpanch fighting against Sarpanch Pati system Dolly Verma, a woman sarpanch from Bihar, has launched an online campaign against the patriarchal practice that continues to thrive across India. Nguvu Change Leader Dolly, popularly known as 'Dolly Sarpanch', is the Sarpanch of 13 wards of Shadipur gram panchayat in Gaya says it is important for elected women representatives to function independently, without being dictated by their male family members. "I am dejected to see Women Sarpanches being sidelined by their husbands or other family males in public forums. When the husbands and fathers take over as Sarpanch Patis or proxies, it is an insult to democracy and to citizens who voted in Gram Panchayat elections," Dolly said. BCCL From MNC to politics 'Born in Meerut, Dolly holds an MBA in International Business and was working with MNCs before she began her political career in her husband's hometown. As a second-term Sarpanch, Dolly has seen firsthand how prevalent the infamous Sarpanch Pati system is around her and how many husbands are running the show, sidelining their wives. "There are instances where on behalf of elected women Sarpanches, their male family members or mostly Sarpanch Patis officially participate in meetings with government officials without winning elections. Nobody objects to it. In public posters and banners, their photographs are bigger or equal in size to that of the woman Sarpanch. Such behaviour goes against basic tenets of democracy and the Indian Constitution," she said. BCCL Dolly strongly feels that reserving 50 per cent of seats for women can serve no purpose if women cannot serve their communities without interference. Pushback against Sarpanch Pati The issue of Sarpanch Pati had become a major talking point nearly a decade ago. The then Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi proposed a new law to disqualify woman sarpanchs if they were found to have delegated their official powers to their husbands. In 2015 even Prime Minister Modi had called to "put an end to the Sarpanch Pati system. In April this year, a 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, chaired by Lok Sabha MP from DMK Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, had said women elected representatives in panchayats should be empowered and trained in leadership in order to prevent prevalent such practices. Dolly agrees. "I believe that if the government offers capacity-building training to elected women representatives, they can bring lasting change and empower other women as well," she said. BCCL Need strict rules, social attitude change According to her, it is high time that rules are framed to end this practice so that people indulging in such practices face criminal action. She also feels that society's attitude must change, and it should accept that women leaders can function independently. "Since our society is deeply patriarchal, many can't even imagine women as political leaders and elected representatives. This social attitude will change only when we have more strong and independent women politicians and ministers. I am hopeful that with more girls becoming educated, even in rural areas, they will become more politically aware and about their own rights. I am sure that change will come, if not today, in the near future," Dolly said. For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. A 37-year-old man from the US habitually consumed 12 cans of Mountain Dew daily and indulged in large McDonald's meals for lunch. However, everything changed when he saw a photograph of himself at his father's funeral, which left him feeling unwell and compelled him to make a change. "Who is going to carry my casket?"As per Chris Stewart, a forklift driver in Illinois, as reported by South West News Service. "I thought if I didnt change something, Im going to die." Twitter At the time, Chris Stewart weighed approximately 180 kg and wore clothes in a 5XL size. His daily breakfast consisted of two cans of Mountain Dew. He would have two McDonald's cheeseburgers, a McChicken sandwich, and fries for lunch. As for dinner, he mainly consumed frozen food. "Id stuff my face with whatever I could," Stewart told the publication. "My wife and I put in a different order for food." Following the realization that struck him at his father's funeral, Chris Stewart embarked on a healthier journey. Through significant lifestyle changes, he managed to shed nearly 90 kg. He swapped Mountain Dew for sparkling water and abandoned fast food. His current breakfast typically consists of a protein smoothie with banana, mixed frozen fruit, peanut butter powder, chia, and hemp seeds, and he snacks on a peanut butter oatmeal bar. Unsplash He stated that he had experienced a significant boost in his energy levels. "I used Pinterest to look up healthy recipes," he explained. "Now I am half the man I used to be." For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Lindsay Shiver, a 36-year-old woman from Georgia, found herself behind bars after being accused of plotting to murder her husband, Robert Shiver, several months after the couple filed for divorce. As the story unfolds, court documents obtained by CNN reveal that Lindsay allegedly conspired with two individuals from the BahamasTerrance Adrian Bethel, 28, and Farron Newbold Jr., 29to carry out the sinister plan against her estranged husband. This chilling plot's shocking details send shockwaves through the community, leaving many wondering what led to such a disturbing turn of events. In a twist of fate, the woman's alleged murder plot against Robert Shiver came to light through a fortunate accident. While investigating an unrelated case, the police stumbled upon the chilling scheme, leading to her arrest. According to Bahamas Court News, the revelation astounded and shocked authorities. Agencies According to court documents, the accused collaborated to execute their plan on July 16 while together on the Abaco Islands. Bethel and Newbold Jr, the two men allegedly involved in the murder plot, have been apprehended by the police and are now in custody. They will be charged with conspiracy to commit murder. As reported by CNN, the three defendants, including the woman accused of planning the murder, were transported to Nassau, the capital city, for further legal proceedings. Twitter The authorities are taking swift action to ensure justice in this disturbing case. Following an investigation into a break-in at Grabber's Bar and Grill on Guana Island, the police made a startling discovery. While searching a suspect's phone in connection with the July 16 incident, they stumbled upon crucial evidence: WhatsApp messages pointing to an alleged plot to kill Mr. Shiver. Promptly acting on this disturbing information, the authorities arrested the accused. Unsplash/Representational Image The investigation into this sinister plot is now in progress as law enforcement endeavors to uncover all the details surrounding this chilling case. "On July 16, 2023, at Abaco, [the defendants], while being together, did, with a common purpose, agree to commit an offense, namely the murder of Richard Shiver," the police report said, according to the Thomasville Times-Enterprise. The trio appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley, not entering a plea. They are currently held in a Bahamian jail, with their next court appearance scheduled for October 5. According to CNN, Robert Shiver filed for divorce on April 5, 2023, and his wife filed the following day, citing "adulterous conduct" as a reason. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. KPFA Local Station Board Candidates Speakout On A Vision For KPFA & Pacifica Date: Sunday, August 20, 2023 Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Event Type: Panel Discussion Organizer/Author: Joan Simon Location Details: San Jose Peace and Justice Center 48 S. 7th Street San Jose, CA 95112 KPFA is part of the Pacifica Foundation which was founded in 1949 to provide alternative radio for people of the Bay Area. It helped publicize the Free Speech Movement at UC with live streaming of speeches of the students who were fighting for a democratic university. It opposed the Vietnam war and has as its goal to provide information that leads to peace and justice. Today, according to candidates supporting the Rescue Pacifica slate, it is going in the opposite direction. The management has removed the only labor show at KPFA with no replacement. This candidates forum sponsored by Rescue Pacifica is open to all candidates and welcomes the South Bay community to participate. Our slate believes that KPFA should have news bureaus in the South Bay, North Bay, Peninsula, Central Valley, Santa Cruz, so it can carry out its'goal of covering all the regional news that its signal reaches. The election will allow all KPFA members to be part of this process by voting for candidates. The future of KPFA and Pacifica in our view is at risk. SAN JOSE RALLIES FOR FAST FOOD WORKER RIGHTSUnited Workers Will Never be Defeated!Los trabajadores unidos nunca seran derrotados!We won $15 in CA. We won a Fast Food Council in California. Now it's time to create it - #UnionsForAll!Support the historic moment for the labor movement happening across the nation: From writers, hotel workers, Starbucks workers, UPS workers, auto workers, and beyond, fast food fast food workers in San Jose have been striking and organizing to end the crises in the industry for years.Join hundreds of not-yet-union fast food workers as we demand the right to survive and thrive in San Jose.Last year we made history and won a Fast Food Council for over 550,000 California fast food workers and even though its on pause, that doesnt mean our problems. While our bosses may try to divide us in our stores, brands, country of origin, or language we speak, we're united!Join us for a workers' rights rally at San Jose City Hall at noon, or at one of several stores across the city - note, times may change, so recheck FB page: https://www.facebook.com/NorCalFightfor15 10:30AM - Rally at Carl's Jr - 1346 Saratoga Avenue12PM - Rally at City Hall - 200 E Santa Clara Street1PM - Rally at KFC 522 E Santa Clara Street The investment firm Flannery Associates has bought around $800 million worth of land around Travis Air Force Base in northern Californias Solano County "It is time for the European acquis to apply to the entire island and the only way, as you said, is to start negotiations again under the auspices of the UN Secretary General," he added. There was drama at the upper chambers floor today as Senator Bello Muhammeds credentials were questioned during his Senate screening as a ministerial nominee with questions raised about his university admission on secondary school results that included no more than two credits. Muhammed is one of President Bola Tinubus 28 initial appointees who had been scheduled for interrogations during a special plenary session in the Red Chamber. One of the questions was posed to the nominee by Senator Allwell Onyesoh of Rivers East, who sought to know how Muhammed was able to advance academically, given his school leaving certificate. However, the Senators on Monday, observed inconsistencies in the nominees Olevel result as it showed he had 3 F9s, and 2 passes. I have taken time to go through your resume, I would like you to go back to your academic qualifications, Ive been looking for your school certificate, I saw that you sat for 5 subjects and got only 2 passes, I dont know how, but I want to imagine that you still have another one to bring, if not, I would want you to explain how you got into University with that? Alwell asked. READ MORE: Tinubu Wont Regret Nominating Me As Minister, Wike Tells Senate In his response, Goronyo explained that how he got admission is not an issue as the constitution recognizes a secondary school certificate as the minimum qualification for any elective position in the country, adding that he has other results but didnt add them to his CV. I have other secondary results, which I have passed and not attached to my CV. I want to remind the distinguished senator that with SSCE qualification you can stand for an election up to the presidency, so I didnt bother you with much certificates but I know I have the qualification for that, he said. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded the nominee that he wasnt seeking an elective office but was being considered for a ministerial appointment. You are telling us that you chose the qualifications to bring to the senate because of the constitution that secondary school certificate is what is required to stand for election? You are not coming to stand for election, you are coming to become minister, so which are the other certificates you concealed and did not put in your CV?, Akpabio queried. The development unsettled Goronyo as he responded that, The secondary school certificate is there and other certificates of other qualificationswhat Im trying to say is that I have sat for another examination and I have passed, but I dont want to attach qualifications because This generated noise from the Senators who disagreed with the nominee but Akpabio intervened and directed the nominee to bring the other certificates. He also prevented the ministerial nominee from answering other questions, directing him to take a bow instead. Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu has announced reduction in transport fare on all Bus Rapid Transport, BRT routes by 50 per cent, beginning from Wednesday, August 2. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the governor also said that commercial yellow buses, known as Danfo will follow suit with a reduction of 25 per cent in fare on all routes. Sanwo-Olu made this known on Monday, while addressing journalists at the State House, Ikeja, during the end of a security meeting with agencies such as the army, police and the navy. READ MORE: Lagos Govt To Close Eko Bridge For Repairs On Sunday The Governor also added that the number of Lagos State staff buses will be increased, adding that new buses have been purchased for distribution soon. He also said the state will commence distribution of food packs such as rice, beans and cassava flour, known as garri to the vulnerable people in the state. According to Vanguard, the distribution will be done through the Community Development Associations, CDAs, churches, mosques, and local government. These measures, he said, are to cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, as well as the harsh economic situation in the country. The state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, while reeling out efforts the police is making to address security situation in the state, said there have been increase in the activities of cultists and vehicle vandalism in the state. Owohunwa added that since Operation Flush was formed by the force, 260 suspects have been arrested and under investigations. He said the governor has charged the police to upscale their operation, and warned that anyone planning to disrupt the peace of the state will be dealt with. The Federal Government has so far saved over N1trillion following the removal of payment of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu disclosed this on Monday evening in his nationwide broadcast on the state of the economy. In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion Naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families, he said READ ALSO: School Fee Hike: Tinubu Warns Tertiary Institutions Against Arbitrary Fess increase, Approves Buses For Students For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian student will have to abandon his or her education because of lack of money. Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On this principle, we shall never falter, Tinubu added. A post where Ajuri Ngelale, new Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the possibility of serving in the administration Tinubu has resurfaced online. Information Nigeria reports that Ngelale was recently appointed on Monday by the President for the position. The confirmation was made in a statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and signed by the Director of Information of the office, Willie Bassey. The statement noted that the appointment takes effect from 31st July 2023 and would terminate at the end of the current administration unless otherwise decided by Tinubu. However, earlier this year, Ngelale was reported to have rejected the possibility of serving in the administration of President Tinubu. His rejection came after news made rounds that the former aide to ex-president Muhammadu Buhari has bagged an appointment as Tinubus spokesman. At the time, Ngelale took to Twitter to debunk the piece of news, stating he had been receiving several congratulatory messages from people. Ngelale who described the reports as false, stressed that nothing of such had happened and that he would not accept such a role again. READ ALSO: President Tinubu To Review Salary Increase For Civil Servants PUBLIC NOTICE I have received congratulations from people regarding fake news circulating that I have been appointed into government once again as a Spokesperson. It is FALSE. Please disregard. Nothing of such has occurred, and I do not accept such a role again. Thank you, he tweeted at the time. But speaking on his latest appointment on Monday night via Twitter, Ngelale thanked Tinubu and promised to give his best in the service to Nigeria. I am most humbled and honoured by H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubus recognition of the need for more hard work ahead as I have been appointed as his Official Spokesperson & Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity. I will give my best as always. I love you all, he wrote. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has said earnings of members of the National Assembly cannot take care of the volume of requests from their constituencies. Akpabio made the submission on Monday, while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Abdulraman Kawu Suleiman, addressing the need to avert the impending strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He, however, insisted that the the sum of N14.250 million monthly pay is grossly inadequate for the lawmakers. Information Nigeria understands that lawmakers in the upper legislative chamber receive about N14.2 million monthly for both salary and running cost. READ ALSO: Senate Moves To Discourage NLC Strike, Says Actionll Cripple Nigeria I think what we can say is that the running cost of a senator is N13.5 million every month. But what I am saying is that, that money (N13.5 million per month) must be receipted for what you do with it. But what you are given to go and spend without any accountability is N750,000, former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani had disclosed. The Senate President in response to Kawus motion said, although hardship associated with removal of subsidy on petroleum products is unquantifiable, Nigerians need to be more patient with the government, as it devises steps to mitigate their suffering. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has expressed great concern regarding the impending nationwide protests announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). Recognizing the constitutional right to peaceful protests, Egbetokun on Tuesday appealed to participants to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful so as not to be hijacked by miscreants. The IGP who acknowledged the labour unions grievances, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in resolving the issues with the Federal Government (FG). To this end, he directed the Commissioners of Police across various commands and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to engage with the NLC and TUC leadership to find a common ground regarding the protests. He further reiterated via a statement through the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensuring the safety and security of citizens during the protests. READ ALSO: NLC Strike Is Illegal, Advise Your Clients Accordingly FG Replies Femi Falana The NPF affirmed that it would not tolerate any act of vandalism, gangsterism, or extortion that threatens public peace and order. In light of the potential challenges posed by the planned protests, the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of our citizens. The IGP therefore calls on all officers to be vigilant, professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period. The Police boss urges all stakeholders, including the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most effective means of resolving grievances, while also reemphasizing that the Police is committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement and mutual understanding for a seamless exercise of civil rights, the statement added. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-political organization, has agreed to meet and discuss with the acclaimed prime minister of Biafra Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, and his cohorts. The meeting, as disclosed by Ohanaeze, is scheduled to find a lasting solution to the incessant sit-at-home orders in the South-East. The organisations statement issued on Monday by Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, the President General, read: We hereby request Mr. Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion and an opportunity to air their grievances. Unfortunately, several non-state actors in an attempt to enforce the order have unleashed mayhem on the people. Several people have been killed, and maimed, and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed. The sit-at-home order has been instilling fears and trepidation on the good people of the Southeast, making it difficult for people to come out to transact their lawful businesses. The Southeast is noted for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication, and agro-allied industries. Authorities have put the losses encountered by the people of Southeast at trillions of naira on each sit-at-home day. Iwuanyawu added that the region had witnessed a loss of clients and customers who find alternatives because of the unstable business environment. The food transporters to the Southeast charge more for a trip to the region because of these sit-at-home orders, he added. Iwuanyanwu who further highlighted the increasing insecurity and activities of unknown gunmen in the region noted that over 250 persons are estimated to have lost their lives through the enforcement of the sit-at-home order. READ ALSO: Sit-At-Home: Nigerian Govt., DSS Sponsoring Simon Ekpa Nnamdi Kanu Speaking on the fresh two weeks sit-at-home declared by Ekpa, Iwuanyawu said, This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to succeed in Igboland. Kanu, on whose behalf Ekpa claims to be working, has directed the said Simon Ekpa to end all sit-at-home in the Southeast and to stop antagonizing the governors of the Southeast or politicians from the region. It is disturbing that at a time Ohanaeze is engaging the Igbo entrepreneurs all over the world on a think-home philosophy, a foreign based Igbo is bent on destabilizing the home front. The sit-at-home in Igbo-land should be discountenanced. I urge the security operatives to exercise the highest degree of prudence in the discharge of their official duties to avoid further loss of innocent lives in Igbo-land, Meanwhile, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti said that residents of the State cannot afford to stay at home for two weeks in compliance with the directive issued by the Ekpas Otti said this on Monday in Abuja, the Federal capital, on the sideline of a security meeting convened by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu to address issues of insecurity in the South-East, which was attended by the Governors of the region. The Abia Governor who said only a handful of people were benefitting from the sit-at-home order, said the government cannot sit and watch them succeed. Governments all over the world cannot be threatened and we need to sound that note of warning. You cannot afford to sit at home when you have work to do. A lot of people live on a daily basis; the taxi drivers, the keke drivers, the woman that is selling pepper in the market, if she sits at home for two weeks, she will die of hunger. So, it (the order) is null and void, Otti told journalists after the security meeting. The secessionist group, identified as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has alleged that the factional leader, Mr Simon Ekpa was working for the Department of State Services (DSS), to bring down the group. Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful made the allegations in a press release, on Monday, claiming that Ekpa was in 2016, trained by DSS and sent into IPOB as a mole. Ekpa, a Finland-based separatist leader, since the arrest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu in 2021, claimed leadership of the group and later styled himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile. The agitator has been in charge of declaring civil disobedience orders, also known as sit-at-home days, in the South Eastern region. However, despite Ekpas claims that his actions are geared towards ensuring the speedy release of Kanu, IPOB has dissociated itself from him. READ MORE: Shoot IPOB, ESN Enforcing Sit-At-Home Asst. IG Zone 9 Charges Officers However, Powerful challenged Ekpas authority within IPOB and called on its members to disregard him. The group wondered why the Nigerian government has not made any diplomatic effort to engage the Finnish government regarding Ekpas activities. He said: Ekpa was prior to this period groomed by the Nigerian DSS to usurp the leadership of IPOB in 2016, but that evil plan failed woefully. Simon Ekpa was the same person as the faceless Okwudili that DSS created in 2016 as the new leader of IPOB when our leader was in detention in 2016. Prior to this time, Simon was a hater of Ndigbo and particularly IPOB in Finland. IPOB members in Finland will attest to this. Simon Ekpa is the exclusive project of the Nigerian DSS, to create a situation of unrest and hostilities in the South East, with the end product being to destroy the image of IPOB. Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused the Nigerian government of bankrolling Simon Ekpa to cause unrest in the South-East. According to him, anyone still observing the sit-at-home order was working for the Nigerian Government to destroy our once peaceful land. Kanu was quoted as making the submission in a statement on Monday, issued by IPOBs lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor. We visited our indefatigable and formidable Client Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, today, being the 31st Day of July 2023, at the SSS Headquarters, Abuja, where he is still being illegally and unconstitutionally held in solitary confinement. Todays visit was to brief Onyendu on pertinent developments concerning his specific written order calling off the senseless sit-at-home, hitherto being enforced by enemies of our people. Onyendu used the opportunity provided by the visit, to remind our people and all Ezigbo Umuchineke to note that whoever still goes about to observe any unauthorized sit-at-home directive, should know that he or she is working for the Nigerian Government to destroy our once peaceful land. READ ALSO: Sit-At-Home: Dont Blame Nnamdi Kanu For Actions Of Biafra Agitators Simon Ekpa Onyendu was very emphatic that Simon Ekpa is procured and fully bankrolled by the Nigerian Government to cause unrest in our region, he said. Ejiofor also said Kanu stated that the economic hardship and violent crimes in the region were uncalled for, adding that they had nothing to do with their aspiration. Onyendu directed our people to check records of freedom fighters across the world and tell or identify anybody, if any, whose style of liberating his or her people, is to impose economic hardship and unimaginable terror on the same people. Onyendu observed that the evil activities of these marauders, which have no connection with freedom fighting, also extend to the perpetration of all forms of violent crimes in our region, which include but are not limited to kidnapping and killings. Other far-reaching directives Onyendu handed down today on how to nip the activities of Ekpa and his criminal cohorts in the bud, shall remain private, the statement added. The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is planning to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses. Speaking in a nationwide broadcast on Monday, President Tinubu said the buses would be rolled out across the states and local governments for mass transit at a affordable rate. This is part of some palliatives to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians. According to Tinubu, these buses will be shared with major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital. READ MORE: School Fee Hike: Tinubu Warns Tertiary Institutions Against Arbitrary Fess increase, Approves Buses For Students He added that participating transport companies will be able to access credit under this facility at 9% per annum with 60 months repayment period. The President also said that the government is working in collaboration with the Labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. I want to tell our workers this: your salary review is coming, he said. Once we agree on the new minimum wage and general upward review, we will make budget provision for it for immediate implementation. The President also conceded to the fact that there was an unavoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online but said the government is swiftly closing the gap. I plead with you to please have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being, he further appealed. Central Bucks residents protested the board's vote on a library policy which would ban books with "sexualized content." Parents and groups against the ban (including the NAACP and ACLU) held a press conference outside the district building decrying the policy in Doylestown in July 2022. Read more As news spread of the more than 60 book challenges in the Central Bucks School District, librarians at the Glenside Library were hearing from residents: Did they have the books some were seeking to ban? Those asking the question wanted to make sure we didnt have any plans to remove these things from our shelves, said Mary Kay Moran, director of the Cheltenham Township Library System. The library decided to make the answer clear: putting up a display labeled Books Challenged in Central Bucks School District, featuring books available to be checked out and a list of the titles at risk of removal from the district. The idea was lets just put together a display that shows the type of books being banned, and let everyone make a decision for themselves, Moran said Tuesday. Advertisement The display, present for a couple months, was recently retired to make space for a new topic, Moran said, though it gained new attention Monday, as Central Bucks Engage, a Facebook page that monitors the Central Bucks school board and is backing this years Democratic candidates, shared a photo of it. The post garnered nearly 2,000 likes and more than 100 comments. All libraries should do this! one person wrote of the Glenside display one of numerous commenters to praise the library. Others said they were embarrassed for Central Bucks. Since enacting a contentious library policy last year prohibiting sexualized content, Central Bucks has banned two books Gender Queer and This Book Is Gay out of five that committees have reviewed. Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh has said the district has a duty to guard against the sexualization of children, and recently linked the content of This Book Is Gay a nonfiction book that aims to serve as a guide to LGBTQ relationships and includes discussion of sex apps to a former teacher charged with sending messages of a sexual nature to a child. Given that the most recent occurrence of employee misconduct involved the use of one of these sex apps, I find it inconceivable anybody would support the existence of this content in our libraries, Lucabaugh said last week. The district didnt respond to a request for comment Tuesday on the status of the 60 other books that have been challenged. It also has not identified the people who filed the challenges, which object to not just sexual content, but also to discussion of racism, gender identity, and abortion. At the Glenside Library, we got nothing but support for our display, Moran said. People were really interested to see lots of LGBTQ resources and books featuring characters of color. The library serves a diverse community, Moran said, and we want them to see themselves when they come into the library, and to give others a window into the lives of people from different backgrounds. Moran said that she was somewhat surprised by the attention the display has garnered, in part because the library didnt have any reservations about creating it. Its a core belief of librarianship to make sure you can get people the information they need, Moran said. We didnt think anything of it when we did it. Its natural. This is what we do. For years, the Pitman High School senior scavenger hunt was treated as a rite of passage, including pranks such as tagging a teachers house, shaving an eyebrow, or throwing a lightbulb at someones front door. But teacher Sean Cunningham grew concerned in June when the list compiled by the class of 2023 seemed to take a dark turn, with activities that included swimming across Alcyon Lake, having an orgy among team members, or performing other sexual acts with fellow students, according to the list obtained by The Inquirer under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. I felt obligated to pass this along to you, Cunningham wrote in a June 10 email to interim Superintendent Steven Crispin, attaching a page from this years scavenger hunt list. Not that this is necessarily a school matter, but it brings into light the potential bad decisions that several of our students could possibly be making ... . Cunningham said another teacher forwarded the list to him, and other educators were wondering what we should do about the event they anticipated would be that night, a Saturday, even though it wasnt sanctioned or sponsored by the school system, which is in Gloucester County. Crispin responded to Cunningham a short time later that day, saying in an email: Thanks for the heads up. I was not aware of this activity and I am hopeful that nothing goes wrong. Any additional information would be appreciated. The scavenger hunt was held that Sunday, a day later, when senior Victor Rodriguez, 18, of Deptford, drowned while trying to swim across Alcyon Lake. His body was pulled from the lake about 17 hours later, after an intensive search. Advertisement According to police, Crispin did not alert the department about the list that was forwarded to him, and, according to records provided to The Inquirer under the states open records law, did not email anyone else about the scavenger hunt after Cunninghams note. Crispin and Cunningham did not respond to email messages and telephone calls seeking comment. In a statement, the districts lawyer, Daniel Long, declined comment, offering sympathy to Rodriguezs family. Like Cunningham, a school resource officer named Peter Stefanopolous heard that the scavenger hunt was planned for that Saturday, according to Deputy Police Chief Tom Zander, so police were on alert for possible pranks although unaware of any specific items on the list. They certainly didnt know that swimming the lake was an item, Pitman Police Chief Dan McAlteer said. Although the 21-member department regularly patrols the lake, which is 10 feet at its deepest point, McAlteer said, they would have increased patrols had school officials shared the list. In a message to Pitman staff on June 12, shortly before crews found Rodriguezs body, Crispin wrote, One of our students, while participating in a senior scavenger hunt, in all probability drowned in Alcyon Lake. As you can certainly imagine, this is a heart-wrenching issue to deal with for the students and staff at the high school and they are going to need everyones thoughts and prayers as they deal with this tragic event. I sleep lightly whenever this night comes around Pitmans senior-organized scavenger hunt is a well-known, longtime tradition in the borough of about 8,800 residents, McAlteer said. The list of challenges was passed down every year so the next class could make changes, although the planned date and the list were mostly kept secret. A former student who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the list usually has about 150 challenges. In the past, most items on this list have been innocuous, innocent pranks, Cunningham wrote in that June email to the superintendent, showing one page of the list with 20 challenges. As a fellow resident in town, I know I sleep lightly whenever this night comes around. Carried out on a single day by five-member teams, the hunt is won by the team with the most points. Values are assigned for each activity the more outlandish, the more points. To get credit, the challenge must be photographed or videotaped. Like scavenger hunts held in other school districts, Pitmans list included everything from food pranks to (many) sexual acts to borderline illegal activities: eating a stick of butter, licking peanut butter off a girl team members nipple, selling fake drugs to middle schoolers (at least $5 worth), having sex in the back seat of a car, and swimming across Alcyon Lake. Swimming the lake was worth 70 points, with an additional 30 points possible for swimming back. (The orgy was worth 100 points.) Rodriguez, a member of the wrestling team, was enrolled at Pitman High for his senior year and previously attended Deptford schools, where he was a popular student and athlete. It was unclear how or why he was chosen among his group to swim the lake, where swimming is prohibited, but authorities believed he was the only student to attempt it. His brother did not respond to a message. He made it about halfway across when he disappeared. In a 911 call obtained by The Inquirer, a woman told rescuers that her boyfriend had jumped into the lake to try to save Rodriguez. Hes in the middle of the lake and hes screaming for help. We need someone here fast, she said. The dispatcher told her help was on the way and sirens could be heard on the call. By the middle of the call, the woman said Rodriguez was no longer visible. The episode remains under investigation by the county prosecutors office. READ MORE: New funding will help rescue some N.J. school districts facing budget cuts for now McAlteer said police plan to work more closely with school and borough officials to help students organize positive, not dangerous things. If we saw swimmers swimming in the lake absolutely the officers would say Get out of the lake, McAlteer said of Alcyon Lake, whose water was once contaminated by runoff from a toxic landfill. This is an absolute tragedy. I want to learn from it. The BlackStar Film Festival is back! Back in 2012, Philadelphias own Maori Karmael Holmes conceived a microfestival that would celebrate the legacy of Pan-Africanism and similar movements, and illuminate a shared cultural lineage across the globe. Today, BlackStar is a multiday platform for films made by Black, brown, and Indigenous artists and one of the foremost film festivals in the country. From Aug. 2-6, some of us here at The Inquirers features team will be at the festival, attending screening and panels. Here are some films we are excited about. Please check out The Inquirers festival guide to plan your BlackStar visit. Short Documentary. In-person screenings: Aug. 3, 3 p.m., Lightbox Film Center. Aug. 6, 2:30 p.m., Suzanne Roberts Theatre; Virtual screenings: Aug. 1, 3. Ebony follows a Brooklyn mother of six, Ebony Andrews, through a two-year journey of navigating slumlords and losing her home, to securing transitional housing for her family in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Andrews love for her children fuels her her efforts to find permanent housing and ensure a better life for her young ones. Andrews journey is similar to the nearly 4,000 Philadelphians living in transitional or emergency housing, with the number of people who identify as Black, African American, or African, being overwhelmingly high among the citys unhoused population. Advertisement HS Feature Documentary. In-person screening: Aug. 5, 3 p.m., Lightbox Film Center; Virtual screenings: Aug. 1, 6 Enter the world of Palestinian foragers in director Jumana Mannas feature documentary. Foragers depicts the drama between the foragers and the Israeli Nature Authority. The film raises questions about the politics of extinction with a wry sense of humor. Learn what it takes to get ahold of essential Palestinian ingredients like artichoke-like akkoub and zaatar in the Golan Heights, the Galilee, and Jerusalem. HQ Feature Documentary. In-person screening: Aug. 4, 2:30 p.m., Suzanne Roberts Theatre; Virtual screenings: Aug. 1, 5 Conga music doesnt have to be heard to be felt. The percussion, the energy, and the movement is engrossing; it pulls you in from the first few seconds, which is exactly the way I felt seeing it through filmmaker Daniela Munoz Barrosos lens (and that was just the trailer). Barroso is seeking the legendary Cuban bell player Mafifa, a.k.a. Gladys Esther Linares, who died decades ago. Barroso, whos losing her hearing while filming, traces the musicians life through interviews with those who knew her and heard her. RC Experimental Short. In-person screening: Aug. 2, 6 p.m., Lightbox Film Center; Virtual screenings: Aug. 1, 3 In an eight-minute experimental short, Indigenous filmmaker and writer Siku Allooloo uses Super 8 film that she developed using medicinal plants and botanicals to explore a spiritual connection to her late mother. The effect is eerily alluring and otherworldly. The film also provides a rare chance to hear the language spoken by Tainos, the people indigenous to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and other Caribbean islands. Its just so rare to see a film about Tainos included in a festival lineup! RC Feature Documentary. In-person screening: Aug. 6, 11 a.m., Perelman Theater; Virtual screenings: Aug. 1, 6 This is filmmaker Set Hernandezs debut, and I am excited to see how they explore the intersections of undocumented immigration in the U.S. and disability through the life of the films protagonist, Pedro. Pedro is a blind activist and, like Hernandez, is undocumented. Id be intrigued to see how Hernandez is able to portray Pedros story as one of hope and resilience even as he fights large and powerful systems to remain present for himself, his community, and his family. Definitely a must-watch for the people of this Certified Welcoming city for immigrants. BDC Short Documentary. In-person screening: Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m., Suzanne Roberts Theatre; Virtual screenings: Aug. 1, 4 For decades, racism has caused people to be forcefully removed from their homes. What the Soil Remembers tells the story of Die Vlakte, South Africa, from the perspective of senior folks who experienced this displacement in their formative years. Their testimonies are a piece of living history that we need to hear to prevent history from repeating itself. Plus, director Jose Cardoso is an Ecuadorean filmmaker, and its always nice to see another Ecuadorean in Philly. Last time the Historical Society of Pennsylvania checked, there were only 420 of us. MM Tina Fey at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The New York Post reported that she is "being courted to take over as executive producer of 'Saturday Night Live.' Read more Not a joke: Tina Fey is rumored to return to Saturday Night Live, this time as the boss behind the sketch show action, according to a recent report from The New York Post. An unnamed source said Fey is being courted to take over as executive producer and replace SNL creator/producer Lorne Michaels. Though Michaels has been cagey about whether or when he plans to retire, 2024 may be a transition year as SNL celebrates its 50th anniversary season and he turns 80- years- old. In previous interviews, he has said the half-century mark would be a good time to leave, but he may have changed his mind more recently. However, hes made no formal announcement. According to ET Canada, an NBC spokesperson has denied the rumor. The Inquirer has reached out to Michaelss production company for comment. Regardless of the exact timing of Michaelsretirement, the show is likely considering candidates for his job, and Fey, the longtime Weekend Update co-host and Upper Darby native, seems like a logical choice to put on Bossypants and run the show. Advertisement The historic comedy series has had a rocky few years with high turnover and low ratings. There have also been rumors that SNL could sunset after Michaels leaves. Some fans are worried SNL will change drastically without him, but if Fey follows Michaels, she may retain and expand his vision, given their close and longstanding relationship. SNL was a major launch pad for Feys career, where she started in the writers room and eventually became the shows first female head writer in 1999. Onscreen, she cemented her SNL fame with unforgettable characters and impressions, like Sarah Palin, and her perfect Philadelphia accent in the Revolutionary War sketch. (She got venison hoagies, porridge-stuffed peppers, and corn fritters from Wawa!) Name recognition aside, Fey has produced popular comedies in recent years, like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Girls5eva. At the moment, she is traveling across the country with fellow Weekend Update co-anchor Amy Poehler for their Restless Leg tour, which will stop at The Met Philadelphia for four nights in December. DoorDash, the largest third-party restaurant delivery service operating in Philadelphia, is accused of skirting the citys rules instituted during the pandemic that cap commissions at 15%. Some restaurateurs now may be paying more to DoorDash, and customers eventually may see higher menu prices. In late June, DoorDash notified its Philadelphia restaurant partners by email that their agreements with the company would be automatically restored to what they had before the pandemic. In some cases, these plans which include wider delivery areas and more visibility on the platform can be twice as expensive. Any merchants that were previously contracted at the basic 15% did not have their rate changed. The owners can restore the 15% plans at any time by notifying DoorDash, a spokesperson said. Advertisement Some restaurateurs contacted by The Inquirer said they were told that if they kept the basic plan, their delivery area would shrink and their customers delivery charges would increase, effective July 26. But not everyone said they saw the notices of June 28 and July 24. Dean Kitagawa, who owns Wood Street Pizza at 12th and Wood Streets, said he learned of DoorDashs move late last week from Ben Fileccia, senior vice president for strategy and engagement at the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, which lobbied for the cap in 2020. I get so many dang emails from them a day, so I dont necessarily drill down into those so much, Kitagawa said. The reality is that most restaurants wont receive this email because the recipient may believe its another promotional email, the email lands in a spam folder, or most likely, the email is delivered to an employee who may no longer be employed with the restaurant, said Fileccia, calling DoorDashs opt-out process unfair. We also fear that many small, independent, and minority-owned businesses are simply not aware of this law or DoorDashs incorrect interpretation and will be forced to pay higher commission rates instead of using the revenue to create better experiences for their staff and guests. Fileccia said he had not heard similar complaints about other delivery companies, although one pizzeria owner in Northern Liberties said he was negotiating a better plan not only with DoorDash but with Grubhub. The pizzeria owner asked that his name not be used because he feared reprisals during talks with the companies. He said restaurateurs can get relief through negotiation. A DoorDash spokesperson said that the company was in compliance with the city law and that it reached out to all Philadelphia merchants multiple times to inform them of changes to their commission. We know every restaurant is different, so we want to make sure they know the options available for local restaurants and that they can change their plan at any time, the spokesperson said. Delivery commissions and the law in Philadelphia In 2020, as the pandemic drove patrons and restaurants to delivery and takeout, restaurants began complaining about commissions charged by companies such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and UberEats. In some cases, restaurants were paying 25% or 30% for delivery and marketing positioned as necessary expenditures in a digital dining world with keen competition. In mid-2020, Philadelphia joined a list of cities capping fees. Philadelphia capped them at 15% 10% for delivery and 5% for marketing in a bill sponsored by then-City Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker, now the Democratic nominee for mayor. Last year, when the city made the cap permanent, the law was modified to allow delivery companies to also offer pricier enhanced services, such as wider delivery areas and better marketing that puts ads in front of more potential customers. DoorDashs website says it serves at least 2,500 food businesses in Philadelphia. The company, based in San Francisco, reported an annual net loss in 2022 of $1.3 billion on sales of $6.58 billion. Not following the guidelines DoorDashs recent move has piqued the interest of the city. It does appear that they are not following the guidelines, said Anna Breece, director of policy and strategic initiatives for the city Commerce Department. She said the department would attempt additional engagement with DoorDash. Fileccia said DoorDash was thwarting the law by penalizing those that keep the 15% basic plan. Under the rules, delivery services may not penalize anyone for opting into a lower tier of service. Kitagawa, of Wood Street Pizza, said he learned that DoorDash was restoring his old plan, which calls for a 20% commission. DoorDash told Kitagawa that if he changed his rate back to the 15% basic plan, his customers delivery fee would increase while his delivery radius would decrease, which means fewer customers can order from your store. By rolling back to 15%, his pizzeria also no longer would be enrolled in DashPass, a subscription service that DoorDash told him accounts for 54% of the shops DoorDash sales. Im waffling back and forth on whether to go with [the 20%], Kitagawa said. He enjoys his wide delivery area, which at certain times extends to the Main Line. If Kitagawa goes with the more expensive plan, he said, he would raise his menu prices to help offset the higher fee. I already increased them to offset the 15%, he said. Fileccia urged restaurateurs to check current and past statements from all third-party delivery companies and to contact him at ben@prla.org or to the citys Office of Business Services at business@phila.gov or 215-683-2100. Joey Termini holds a section of the original black-and-white porcelain pinwheeled-tiled floor, near a display of artifacts at Termini Brothers bakery on Monday, July 31, 2023. His grandfather, founder Joseph Termini and his brother, Gaetano, handpicked the design in 1938. The flooring was recently replaced, and Joey and his brother Vinny Termini plan to offer pieces of the old tiles to customers. Read more Joey and Vinny Termini couldnt put it off any longer. It was time to replace the bakery floor. The third-generation owners of Termini Brothers bakery fretted this bit of remodeling. Their late grandfather, Joseph Termini, lauded as the citys King of Cannoli, built the family bakery from scratch. And was proud of it. When his son, Vincent Sr., took over the business and later Joey and Vinny, the king imparted that pride, along with a decree: Leave it alone. The wooden display cases, tin ceilings, linoleum countertops. Leave it alone. The big brass scale, antique candy jars, and old clock. Leave it all alone. He made it from the bottom up, said Vincent Termini Sr. He figured if we changed anything, it wouldnt be from the bottom up anymore. Over the years, as the holiday lines grew so long that Vincent Sr. invited everyone out of the cold and into the kitchen, and as the business grew into a Philadelphia institution with other locations, the pristinely preserved bakery on South 8th Street came to represent something more: tradition. Advertisement We dont like change much, said Vinny Termini. But the floor. The beautiful, black-and-white porcelain pinwheeled-tiled design that Joseph Termini and his brother, Gaetano, selected in 1938, when they moved into a bigger shop across from their original corner bakery. The one that has sleekly wound through towering displays of sfogliatelle, zeppoli, and cannoli, all made from recipes Joseph Termini carried with him from Sicily. The one that swirled through generations of sugar-infused childhood memories. They could no longer leave it alone. Despite Joey and Vinnys best efforts portions of worn tile had been replaced over the years it was deteriorating. The subfloor was crumbling. It had become a trip hazard. They selected the most similar design they could find. Our hands were kind of forced, said Vinny. Priding themselves on the bond the bakery has built with its customers, Joey and Vinny Termini expected a response when they announced on social media last month that the shop would temporarily close as the new floor was installed. They did not expect the outpouring that followed. The posts went viral. Hundreds of customers commented, sent messages, called. One neighbor wrote a letter by hand. The first response was, What the hell are you guys doing? Joey Termini said with a laugh. We had to talk them down. Reporters called. News cameras set up under the neon bakery sign. Customer after customer shared sweetly-tinged stories of long-ago bakery trips and treasured traditions, of rum cakes and lamb cakes and Italian cream cakes, of bygone Easters when Joseph Termini, or Mr. Joe, as he was known in his trademark paper hat and white apron, dished out cream puffs to neighborhood kids, of wedding proposals and lost loved ones, of sad and happy tears shed on a bakery floor. More than anything, people wanted to know: Could they have a piece of tile? Julie Gubitosa Ferris asked for a piece to remember her father, who died when she was 2. He would take her and her sister to Terminis for cupcakes and cannolis. Theres something about having a piece of the floor he walked on with us, she wrote. Jodi Griffith, 44, of Downingtown, remembered pressing her nose against the glass to choose my dessert whenever her late grandmother took her to Termini Brothers. I would love a piece, she said. Frances Cimorelli Gery, 77, of Pennsburg, asked for a tile to honor her late cousin, Mary Arcaro, who worked at the bakery for nearly 50 years. Arcaro affectionately known as Big Mary never failed to arrive at family parties without stacks of white boxes stuffed with treats from Termini Brothers. Having those delicious baked goods was her way to say I care about you, said Cimorelli Gery. Some offered $50 a tile. Immediately, my brother and I looked at each other and said, Its not about that. Were giving these away, this is theirs, Vinny Termini said. With the new floor now installed, and the shop back open, Joey and Vinny Termini hope to begin handing out the 3,000 tiles sometime in September (for now, the tiles are stored somewhere safe, Vinny said, with a laugh.) They are a representation of the business and just like everything else we do, its got to be done right, said Joey Termini. Each tile will be packaged, and to guard against hoarders, customers will likely need to make a purchase of any cost at the Eighth Street shop. Joey and Vinny have set aside ones for special customers, old employees, and the holiday diehards (We have our little stash, Vinny Termini said.) They understand the emotions stirred by a little piece of porcelain. Building a business from nothing, Joseph Termini seemingly never threw away a single pastry knife, ice cream scoop, marzipan mold, almond crate, or cookie tin. The countless keepsakes now decorate the bakery and the familys cafe across the street, Nonna & Pops. Our history, our lineage of being a Philadelphia institution carries a lot of weight for us, Vinny Termini said. On a recent afternoon, Joey and Vinny gave a tour of the new floor to their father, Vincent Termini Sr., 85. The new black-and-white tiles, shaped like flowers, shined. Vincent Termini said he knew just what his father would say, if he were still around: Good, now leave it alone. Penn's new patient pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania opened in the fall of 2021. Read more Penn Medicine announced in June that starting next year, it will no longer submit data for the annual best hospital rankings by U.S. News & World Report. But in a last hurrah, the combo of Penns Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Presbyterian Medical Center, both in University City, retained their spot in the U.S. News 2023-24 honor roll of the nations 22 best hospitals and their ranking as the best in Pennsylvania. Penn said Tuesday that it stands by its decision to back away from the U.S. News ranking. While Penn Medicine has always ranked well, and this years numbers are better than ever, we remain concerned that the underlining methodology used to determine the yearly rankings does not account for the full and diverse settings where health care is delivered, Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, said in an emailed statement. Advertisement Mahoney told The Inquirer in June that hospitals sometimes chased rankings by devoting time and money to improve performance measures that mattered only because they were part of the U.S. News methodology. Penn is among the first health systems to say it will no longer submit data for the rankings. Another is St. Lukes University Health System, headquartered in Bethlehem. Penns health system includes six hospitals. In addition to HUP and Presbyterian, Penn owns Pennsylvania Hospital, Chester County Hospital, Lancaster General Hospital, and Princeton Medical Center. The not-for-profit system also owns 11 outpatient centers for specialty care. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, 71, a political trailblazer who was the first Black woman to serve as head of the state Assembly and helped steer Atlantic City through a contentious state takeover, has died. It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, lieutenant governor of the State of New Jersey, her family said in a statement. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero. Oliver was hospitalized Monday with an undisclosed illness. She had been serving temporarily as New Jerseys governor after Gov. Phil Murphy left for a vacation last week, according to his office. He is expected to return to New Jersey within the next few days, spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said. Advertisement Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D., Union) assumed the duties of acting governor Monday morning. According to the New Jersey state constitution, the lieutenant governor fills in as acting governor when the governor is not in the state. If the lieutenant governor is unable to fill in, the Senate president takes over. READ MORE: How New Jersey will pick a new lieutenant governor after Sheila Olivers death In a statement, Murphy said that making Oliver his lieutenant governor was the best decision I ever made. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color, Murphy said. In Trenton and Camden, flags were ordered to fly at half-staff until her interment. Three decades in government A Newark native, Oliver spent nearly three decades in government, beginning in 1994, when she began serving on the East Orange Board of Education. In 2004, she was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly, and by 2006, she had become the assistant majority leader and served as chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee. Oliver made history in 2010 as the first Black woman in the state to serve as Assembly speaker. She more or less epitomized the American dream, said Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D., Mercer), adding that her impact was inspirational, particularly for women and people of color. She was a regular person, born and raised in an urban area, grew up there, and went on to blaze new trails and create a legacy for herself and so many people. In 2017, Murphy picked Oliver as his running mate, and she went on to become the first Black woman to hold the position of lieutenant governor in the state. In past stints as acting governor, Oliver signed a number of bills into law, including 2021 legislation that created a pilot program to renovate New Jerseys juvenile justice system in several cities throughout the state. I talked with [Oliver] right after I was elected, She had kind words and solid advice for me as a new LG and young elected official, said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. Her work advocating for juvenile justice reform and equal pay made N.J. a better place. Rest in Power, Lt. Gov. Oliver. A big supporter of Atlantic City The news of Olivers death hit especially hard in Atlantic City. As lieutenant governor, Oliver also worked as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, a role in which she served at times as de facto mayor of Atlantic City, overseeing a 47-part Implementation Plan designed to reinvigorate the financially ailing city under the states takeover law. An emotional and tearful Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. said he was devastated by Olivers death. He said the L.G., as he called her, was a great friend, a big supporter of Atlantic City, as well as an adviser, mentor and advocate. Before becoming lieutenant governor, he recalled, Oliver opposed the state takeover under then-Gov. Chris Christie and traveled to Atlantic City to attend community forums and help residents in speaking out against the takeover. Then, he said, she was put in the position of overseeing a takeover she didnt support. She made it very clear that she was going to support Atlantic City, Small said. She believed in our leadership. She told me she would give me all the tools necessary to succeed and she had full faith in our leadership. Im in shock, said Ralph Hunter, a historian and head of the African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, located in Atlantic City. She was a dear friend of Atlantic City, Hunter said. He continued, ... She was instrumental in getting good things done for us, for the city and the museum, in her tenure. What a loss. Under her leadership, the once-hostile state takeover of Atlantic City blossomed into a partnership praised by city leaders and residents. She was elegant, sophisticated, intelligent, a committed leader, said Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, who first met Oliver when she held a seat now referred to as a county commissioner in Essex County. I counted her as a colleague, as a friend, and a great champion of Atlantic City without a doubt. She will be surely missed. Loss of Oliver a sad day for N.J. Politicians around the state offered remembrances of their late colleague. Her passing, Christie said on social media, is a sad day for N.J. and for me personally. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) noted that Olivers career was spent fighting tirelessly for social justice, affordable housing, and economic opportunity for New Jerseyeans. And Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D., Bergen), a friend and confidant who worked with Oliver co-chairing the New Jersey Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny, called her a strong advocate who respected the positions she held. In one of her texts, she said that we have to show that not only should women be in the room and at the table, but also in the fray, Weinberg said. I thought, that kind of sums her up. She was never afraid of the fray. Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. recalled Oliver as an advocate for the county due to her work on improving conditions at some of its neglected privately owned apartment complexes, and her support for the Camden County Historical Societys Black History Marker Program. In addition, Cappelli added, Oliver was a strong supporter of the Camden County Police Department, promoting its principles of de-escalation, conflict resolution, and accountability in law enforcement. State Assemblyman Bill Moen (D., Camden) credited Olivers support for the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. In 2021, she visited Camden to announce funding for renovations to the historic ship. Moen called her death profound for the entire state. Longtime lobbyist Jeannine Frisby LaRue remembered Oliver as a mentors mentor, particularly for young women. Her voice, LaRue said, will be missed. Shes left her mark in politics, in that chamber she certainly left her mark being the first female Democrat to be elected, LaRue said. She left her mark as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly and Im glad that she did it. Olivers family said further information and details regarding memorial arrangements would be provided in due course. Staff writer Emily Bloch contributed to this article. New Jersey Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver signaling four more years with the crowd of supporters waiting election results at Gov. Phil Murphys Election Night party in Asbury Park in 2021. Read more Update: Sheila Oliver, Lt. Governor of New Jersey, has died New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was hospitalized and will be unable to discharge the duties of acting governor, a position she temporarily took over after Gov. Phil Murphy left for vacation last week, the Governors Office said Monday. Senate President Nicholas Scutari assumed the duties of acting governor Monday morning. According to the New Jersey state constitution, the lieutenant governor fills in as acting governor when the governor is not in the state. If the lieutenant governor is unable to do so, the Senate President takes over. Advertisement I want to extend my best wishes to Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver for a rapid and healthy recovery, Scutari said in a statement. We look forward to her return. The medical emergency keeping Oliver, 71, from serving as acting governor wasnt immediately clear early Monday. Oliver is currently receiving care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Essex County, Murphy spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said. We wish the Lieutenant Governor well as she undergoes medical care, Gunaratna said. Oliver took over as acting governor Friday, when Murphy left for a family vacation, reportedly in Italy. He is currently due back Aug. 13. Wishing my partner in government a speedy recovery, Murphy tweeted Monday morning. It wasnt immediately clear how long Scutari would sit as acting governor. Should her health improve, Oliver could return to the position ahead of Murphys scheduled arrival back in New Jersey. Oliver has served as Murphys lieutenant governor since 2017, when, after serving as the governors running mate, she became the first Black woman to hold that position. Previously, she was the first Black woman to have served as Assembly speaker in the state. Scutari has served as acting governor twice before since becoming Senate President, first in June last year, and then again in December. Central Bucks School District Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh and school board president Dana Hunter listen to members of the public before the board approved a library policy that bans books with "sexualized content." Lucabaugh has supported the Republican-controlled board's political agenda that has little to do with education. Read more Carrying out an extreme political agenda that has little to do with delivering a robust education in the Central Bucks School District apparently has its benefits. With no warning and little public debate, the Republican majority on the Central Bucks school board voted 6-3 to give Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh a new five-year contract and increase his salary by nearly 40%. Never mind that Lucabaughs existing contract had three years to go, or that the district has 130 other open positions that need to be filled before school starts next month. READ MORE: The Central Bucks School Districts indefensible treatment of LGBTQ students | Editorial Advertisement Lucabaugh, a former principal with a doctorate in educational leadership from Delaware Valley University, is set to receive a base salary of $315,000 to oversee 17,000 students. Across Pennsylvania, only Philadelphia Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., who leads a district with an enrollment of 197,288, has a higher salary at $340,000. In voting for the hefty salary hike, school board member Debra Cannon cited Lucabaughs clear educational vision. Lets review some of the highlights of Lucabaughs visionary two-year tenure. In December 2021, Central Bucks was the focus of a New York Times report detailing the culture wars that have overtaken school districts across the country as school board meetings have become bogged down in politicized debates about mask mandates, critical race theory, and transgender bathrooms. In July 2022, the school board voted 6-3 to adopt a policy aimed at removing books from libraries that contain sexualized content, despite claims of censorship and a petition opposing the policy signed by more than 3,000 people. In October 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal complaint alleging the Central Bucks School District had created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students. That same month, the U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into allegations of a toxic educational environment in the district. In December 2022, the school district hired former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain at a rate of $940 an hour to examine the allegations in the ACLU complaint. McSwain, a former Republican candidate for governor, came with his own baggage of being hostile toward the LGBTQ community. In a Facebook post he later deleted, McSwain referred to a West Chester schools sexual identity club as leftist political indoctrination, and pledged: This ends when Im governor. In January, the board voted 6-3 to prohibit the display of Pride flags in classrooms. That move prompted students, teachers, and parents to protest outside the schools, sparking more negative attention for the district. In April, a popular teacher was suspended after he advocated on behalf of LGBTQ students who were getting harassed and bullied. The teacher sued the district and Lucabaugh, alleging retaliation for supporting LGBTQ students. Also in April, McSwain and a fellow law partner hired at $640 an hour delivered a report without speaking to any students who alleged bullying that found Central Bucks did not discriminate against students. ACLU of Pennsylvania Legal Director Witold Vic Walczak called the report a one-sided hit job. Indeed, two Central Bucks students detailed enduring homophobic or transphobic bullying during their time at two different Central Bucks schools. Meanwhile, the legal bills from McSwains law firm cost Central Bucks taxpayers more than $1 million. Thats money that didnt need to be spent for what was essentially a whitewash report. READ MORE: Voters should prioritize education and student well-being in Central Bucks school board race | Editorial In May, Central Bucks removed two books from libraries that were among 60 that have been challenged, leading to a costly, time-consuming, and opaque review of content that has been pushed by a small cadre of conservatives and religious groups. In June, some graduating seniors asked that Lucabaugh and the school board president not give them their diplomas at graduation and asked instead for a school board member who values equality, diversity, and inclusion. All and all, Lucabaugh has presided over an exhausting and divisive couple of years that have saddled taxpayers with unnecessary legal bills and tarnished the reputation of a highly regarded school district. For that, he got a 40% raise. When tallying the winners and losers of the Central Bucks School District culture wars, Lucabaugh is clearly coming out ahead of the students he should be serving. David McCormick, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2022, holds a gold coin he says was given to him by the mother of a U.S. serviceman who died by suicide after enlisting after 9/11 and serving in Afghanistan. He's expected to run again for a chance to face Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in 2024. Read more David McCormick is not in a rush. The former hedge fund manager who lost a bruising and close GOP Senate primary campaign last year is widely expected to run again, this time for the chance to take on Democrat Bob Casey. But nearly six months since he started making plans, nothings been made official yet. Several Republican sources who know McCormick say hes eyeing a potential fall entrance but is being cautious about the decision, coming off the primary loss to Mehmet Oz last year. Hes wary of whats expected to be a tough run against Casey, a well-known incumbent, sources said, as well as how the outcome of the presidential GOP primary could impact Pennsylvanias Senate race. Advertisement Hes staring down the barrel of two guns trying to beat Bobby Casey is not an easy thing to do, even in a great environment, GOP strategist Vince Galko said. The other thing is, does he want to be running in a swing state with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket? How does that play? The GOP primary field is currently wide open. State Sen. Doug Mastriano had indicated interest but announced in May he wouldnt run. Democrats, meanwhile, are already treating McCormick as the Republican nominee and are preparing for to Casey face him in a race that could determine control of the Senate. But party leaders and strategists on both sides of the aisle say McCormick has both plenty of time to get in the race and political strengths that dont require him to jump in early. McCormick waits as GOP presidential primary heats up McCormick, 57, who has family ties to Western Pennsylvania, is a West Point graduate who served in Iraq and then in George W. Bushs administration before becoming the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the worlds largest hedge funds, until 2022. He moved from Connecticut to Pennsylvania two years ago to run for retired Sen. Pat Toomeys seat and has spent this summer promoting his book and other GOP candidates with a super PAC he started. Hes not exactly lying low, attending GOP events, penning op-eds and doing cable news interviews. But by waiting to announce, McCormick contrasts Senate candidates in other states where campaigns have kicked into gear. The GOP presidential primary is also in full swing, with Trump the front-runner among more than a dozen candidates. Pennsylvania is a unique battleground. After GOP losses here in 2022, some of which were blamed on Trump, theres lingering uncertainty about the former presidents impact. McCormick is likely eyeing the pros and cons of running in a swing state should Trump be at the top of the ticket, said Calvin Tucker, second vice chair of the Philadelphia Republican Party. I was told he stuck his toe in the Atlantic Ocean and the temperatures not where he needs it to be right now, Tucker said. I think at some point, we will just go ahead and plunge in, but I dunno when that day will be. Democrats are already running against McCormick Democrats have already started blasting out weekly emails attacking McCormicks former companys ties to foreign governments and his largely antiabortion stance highlighting an issue that was key to Democratic success in Pennsylvania last year. Those attacks are low-dollar digital ad buys, far from the expensive TV blitz sure to come next year. But the early offensive shows Democrats are testing messages against the assumed GOP front-runner. A July email from the Pennsylvania Democratic Party tried to cast McCormick as an out-of-touch millionaire for attending the swanky Aspen Ideas Festival, where he spoke about his new book. While McCormick was socializing with billionaires, Sen. Bob Casey gathered with labor leaders in Pittsburgh to lay out his agenda to stand up to China, support workers, and boost Pennsylvania manufacturing, the email read. Casey, 63, launched his reelection campaign in April and has not started actively campaigning. But some of the topics hes focused on in the Senate could be touted in a potential battle with McCormick, who faced scrutiny in 2022 over comments praising China. Last week, the Senate adopted a Casey-backed provision which he first cosponsored in 2021 requiring screening of U.S. national security investments in China as part of a defense policy bill. National and state Republicans are also assuming McCormicks their guy. He was included in a slate of candidates endorsed this summer by Americans for Prosperity Action, a conservative grassroots political action committee. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is encouraging Dave to run, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R., Pa.) said. Name ID and money are less of an issue for McCormick With 15 months to go until the general election, McCormicks timing isnt all that out of the norm. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, who unseated incumbent Claire McCaskill in Missouri in 2018, announced his bid in October 2017. When former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta challenged Casey in 2018, he launched his primary campaign around Labor Day and, by his own telling, was lesser known than McCormick, who is coming off of a statewide campaign just a year ago. Everyone wants you to get out there and start swinging, but theyre probably feeling more angst than McCormick would feel that he needs to get in right now, Barletta said. People are on vacation. Theyre not really as focused on politics. Two Pennsylvania Republican Party officials said the campaign is waiting for a super PAC backing McCormicks campaign to launch first. In the unlikely scenario that McCormick waits a while and then decides not to run, some Republicans do worry it could shorten the runway for other GOP candidates to gain steam. When McCormick ran in 2022, he got into the race in January amid a late reset of the GOP field, after front-runner Sean Parnell suspended his campaign over abuse claims. Parnell said this week hes fully behind McCormick. Casey has never had a real challenge, and Im confident Dave is the person who can show Pennsylvania we deserve better leadership in the Senate, he said. The race will likely be one of the most expensive in the nation, with resources pouring in from both national parties and outside groups. McCormick, a multimillionaire who partially self-funded his campaign last year, is expected to do so again. Fundraising will not be a problem for him, Barletta said. But fundraising will likely affect the timing. Campaigns like to announce with a full fundraising quarter ahead of them in order to show a robust first filing. The deadline for the second quarter reports just passed, and the next isnt due until Oct. 15. Not getting in too early could also be strategic. It delays the onslaught of attacks once hes officially in the race, Democratic strategist J.J. Balaban said. The only reason to get in early is to consolidate political support or raise money, Balaban said. In his situation, he doesnt need the early start. He can write himself a check and not miss a step. Carey comes to the role with more than 20 years of experience working in senior management and underwriting roles. He previously worked at Everest, where he was the regional head of insurance for Asia and chief executive for Singapore. According to his LinkedIn, Carey had a prior 19-year career at Chubb where he worked in various roles across Asia and Australia, most recently as senior vice president and head of corporate A&H business for Chubb Overseas General. Hubbard (pictured) joined Crawford in 2016 as head of business improvement before taking on the role of chief client officer. For the past five years, he has served as one of Crawford's most senior executive adjusters within Crawford Global Technical Services. Why sell the business to Gallagher? We see this as really the next opportunity, Gallagher brings global strength, he said, referring to the sale of the business Gallagher. Theres no denying insurance is getting more and more difficult, so having one of the big players like that backing us to do our job and enable us to service our clients could be very beneficial. When you have that financial strain on this segment, the result is often a higher frequency of fire and theft losses, said Stacy Bradshaw (pictured), president of Bradshaw Insurance Group (BIG). Were seeing indications of that in our business and the trend is probably going to rise. Legge began his career at American International Group in 1992, eventually transitioning to the brokerage side in 1996 with Johnson & Higgins and later moving to Marsh when they acquired J&H in 1997. At Marsh, he held increasingly influential roles, culminating as the leader of its FINPRO global private equity practice. In 2008, he co-founded Vanbridge, where he developed numerous insurance products catering to the private equity space and continued to broker transactional liability programs. Its the right time to focus our efforts on our home market in Canada, where we have operated for nearly 127 years, said Jeff Goy, president and CEO of Wawanesa. We look forward to further strengthening the products and services we provide Canadian families and businesses, and to providing exceptional service to even more members across Canada. We do think that the market is at a turning point, Lucas said. The legislation from December, we think is working, we think that the future is very bright as a result of that. It's given me the confidence to grow and expand in Florida. Vesttoo will lay off 75% of its staff and will shutter some Asia offices following allegations that fraudulent letters of credit (LOC) were issued in the name of third-party banks as part of transactions arranged via its platform, according to a recent report. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Key takeaways: What automation looks like for variable lines compliance How automated broker compliance can help or harm carrier reputations Why broker preferences are the future of variable annuity and variable insurance distribution How automated variable lines broker compliance will affect the bottom line Why life insurance carriers are automating broker compliance Its not a secret that, for insurance carrier compliance and operations teams the world over, managing the variable lines broker lifecycle is complex. Its also a point of friction for variable lines brokers themselves. Repetitive manual entry for multiple systems, filling out multiple points of information only to have an onboarding team send over yet another link to fill out The. Same. Information. Again Many life insurance carriers know all too well that their broker management practices leave them exposed to unnecessary risks and are unwieldy for the brokers they appoint. Yet, with legacy systems that house sometimes centuries of data, making the move to a modern compliance management system is a daunting challenge. But, with Ajit Jain, Vice Chairman of Insurance Operations for Berkshire Hathaway proclaiming that legacy insurers must spend the next few years condensing their tech systems from hundreds of softwares to tens of softwares, perhaps other carriers will take note: Integrated, automated tech can take your internal operations from a huge cost center to a cost savings; and the longer you delay, the higher your pain. Lets consider a world where a compliance management system automates much of the process for these brokers, and what it could look like for insurance carriers and brokers alike. Imagine the future of variable lines broker management By its very nature, variable lines compliance requires carrier and MGU teams to monitor insurance licensing data and securities information. For the insurance side of the business, this means taking in E&O data, completing a background check, verifying state licensing, and making appointments. For the securities side, you have to draw information from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to verify that your broker has passed a Series exam, in addition to validating things like E&O data, completing a background check, etc. (You might be sensing a theme.) Imagine, then, a future state, one in which multiple teams can access the relevant compliance data from multiple sources of truth for a single view of total compliance for your broker force. Instead of data silos, imagine using software that surfaces insurance and securities data in a unified view. A solution that seamlessly integrates into other software for your compliance team to enforce the appropriate variable lines disclosures for a broker, or for your commissions payment system to stop inappropriate commissions payments before they happen. 5 reasons automating variable lines compliance is crucial to insurance carrier reputations This future state may seem out of reach if youre living in difficult-to-navigate legacy systems. But rest assured, were no longer in the Wild West of early tech adoption. At this point, if youre not considering cloud-based applications and automations to bring both speed and ease of use to your daily processes, you risk being left behind by the carriers, MGAs, and MGUs of your cohort. 1. Attract better distribution partners When you automate more pieces of your broker compliance process, this has follow-on effects for your distribution partners. Downstream agencies and firms that have to chase their brokers to comply with your requests for information find themselves caught in the same paper turmoil that your internal teams recon with. By automating onboarding and unifying your data views from sources of truth, your partners (and you) spend less time on data collection and more time building relationships. 2. Make it easier for your distribution partners to recruit brokers Your distribution channel is only as good as your partners. When you make it easier for brokers to onboard, contract, and stay in compliance with your carrier or MGU requirements, you make it easier for your distribution partners to attract and retain talented brokers. Once again, this serves as a boon to your overall reputation, stoking the kind of word-of-mouth organic referral that you just cant buy. 3. Simplify compliance audits for life insurance carriers Part of maintaining a sterling reputation in the insurance industry is in maintaining good relationships with state and federal regulators. By moving out of outdated systems, you can work with automated compliance software that time stamps your activity to make complying with state and industry audits a breeze, with no or low internal reporting costs. 4. End data silos for variable product disclosure requirements and other variable-product-specific regulations Who do you want to work with a business that makes you re-enter your information for every team and frequently sends the wrong set of information to you, or one thats buttoned-up processes sends you correct, streamlined information each time? The reality is, brokers selling variable life insurance and variable annuity products will have higher standards for disclosures and maintaining records. But, frequently, carriers and MGUs treat variable brokers the same as their life-only producers. By automating dually licensed communications and ending data silos for your internal teams, you can give everyone a source of truth with unified licensing information to ensure your brokers get the right paperwork to fill out, the relevant disclosure information, and the pertinent record-keeping standards the first time and every time. 5. Maintain parity with similarly positioned variable lines life insurance carriers By 2017, nearly a third of life and health carriers internal operations costs had become technology-based, according to a McKinsey study. Carriers that took a digital-first approach to internal operations in that period shrunk their expense ratios 40 percent more than their traditional legacy peers. Five years later, operational efficiency isnt cutting edge, its the expected norm. Carriers and variable lines insurers that delay using automation for operational efficiency are losing ground to businesses that have taken a more proactive approach to their internal tech stacks. While securities compliance adds a layer of complexity, it doesnt have to hold you back. 7 ways to turn automated variable lines broker compliance into a cost savings 1. Limit risk Automatic compliance and easy compliance data reporting for audit records limit your exposure to fines from state departments of insurance and FINRA. Additionally, having an easy-to-access audit trail complete with time stamping and historical data make it easy to comply in the event that you end up on the wrong side of a compliance investigation. Instead of paying teams of people to gather stacks of data, integrated reporting capabilities make complying with a state investigation a low-cost, low-hassle event. 2. Limit appointment costs With Just-In-Time appointment capabilities, you can use timely onboarding processes to appoint only those brokers that are actively writing business for you. By validating personal data and automatically conducting background checks, you can meet state limits for appointment deadlines with ease, saving thousands of dollars lost to slow, proactive, unnecessary appointments. 3. Limit cost of new employee acquisition Plenty of people will take jobs doing manual data entry. But not many will stay in that job once they have an opportunity for higher-level work. By automating many of the tasks that require repetitive manual data entry, you can avoid the churn of entry-level employees while freeing up your senior staff to spend more time on higher level work like relationship building, data analysis, and strategic planning. 4. Limit the cost of recruiting partners If you saw the benefits to your reputation of automating more of your broker management lifecycle, then youll understand the potential you have for organic reputation building. Knowing your brokers and downstream distribution partners are satisfied is a sure way to keep your funnel filled. Put another way: If other businesses genuinely enjoy working with you, you dont have to pay as much to try to convince new business partners that they will, too. 5. Limit compliance headcount Variable lines have had plenty of new regulations roll out in the last few years, and we suspect its not over. If carriers and MGUs have ever-expanding oversight duties, that could mean ever-expanding employee headcount. Thats frankly not sustainable if you also have a bottom line you have to meet. So, either you can work harder, hire more people in operations and compliance, and spin on a hamster wheel of expansion to keep up with the regulatory Whack-a-Mole, or you can work smarter to automate as many of those duties as is practicable. 6. Limit cost of legacy systems To give legacy systems their due, theyve kept the industry going for a long time, and they often have decades, sometimes centuries, of sensitive data baked in. Coming off of a legacy system is no small task. But legacy systems also come with significant costs. For one thing, state and FINRA regulations change constantly. For another, technology standards are constantly shifting. DOS was once cutting edge. Now, low-code and cloud-based systems can outmaneuver tech that was hot five years ago. Not only does that translate to a cost for your internal operations, but legacy systems can also represent a significant risk in terms of data protection if they arent following best practices. 7. Get more out of what you have Automated, integrated broker compliance means making life easier for your employees and your external broker force, but it also means getting more out of the tech youve already invested in. An automated function could check every commission payment before it goes out to ensure its only paid to properly licensed and appointed brokers. A change to an address in your client relationship management system could trigger an address update across all systems. Your compliance system could send out important reminders based on a calendar trigger, with no one having to copy and paste information over and over. Time is money, and by automating your broker compliance processes, you can waste less of it. AgentSync Manage offers enhanced variable insurance support that unifies FINRA and insurance data into a single profile, providing a consolidated view of broker eligibility for informed decision-making, accelerated onboarding, and compliance. To make these fantastic attributes work for you, schedule a demo. Topics Trends Agencies New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse on Thursday announced a $100 million settlement with people who say they were sexual abuse victims as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. Catholic dioceses around the state are dealing with a surge of lawsuits dating to when New York temporarily suspended the statute of limitations to give people who say they were victims of childhood sexual abuse the ability to pursue decades-old allegations. I can tell you as shocking as the settlement amount may seem to leaders of our own parishes and other Catholic entities, more appalling and heart-rending to me is the pain and mistreatment experienced by the survivors of child and adult sexual abuse at the hands of those they thought they could trust, Bishop Douglas Lucia wrote in an open letter Thursday. The Syracuse diocese, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020, said there are 411 claims involving 387 people, with some people filing multiple claims. An abuse claims reviewer will be appointed to evaluate claims and make awards to survivors, according to the diocese. The settlement, which remains subject to a creditor vote and court approval, would provide $100 million to all victims of sexual abuse committed in the diocese by clergy, employees and volunteers. Under the agreement, the diocese would contribute $50 million, parishes would contribute $45 million and the remaining $5 million would come from other diocesan entities, according to the diocese. The diocese and the committee of unsecured creditors were still discussing ways to strengthen child protection protocols. This settlement does not include the six insurance companies that provided coverage to the diocese. Although the battle is not over, todays settlement represents a significant step toward the accountability and justice that survivors in the Diocese of Syracuse deserve, said Taylor Stippel, an attorney for victims. Six of New Yorks eight dioceses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Claims Church Some of the worlds largest aircraft lessors and insurers are aiming to be ready to go to trial in June 2024 over contested insurance claims for aircraft stuck in Russia, a lawyer for one of the lessors said on Monday. Lessors are suing dozens of insurers around the world for billions of dollars after more than 400 planes were unable to leave Russia due to Western sanctions in response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine that forced the termination of their leases. The worlds number two and three lessors, SMBC and Avolon, as well as BOC Aviation, CDB Aviation, Nordic Aviation Capital and Carlyle Aviation Partners are pursuing their claims in Ireland, where more than 60% of the worlds leased aircraft are owned or managed. Kelley Smith, a lawyer for Avolon, told a hearing on Monday that all parties involved were aiming for a trial date of June 4 next year, with a number of procedural steps to be completed before then. Those steps include finding a venue large enough for the 180 attendees Smith said were expected at the trial each day. Justice Denis McDonald told a packed hearing last month that no court in Ireland was large enough to hear the case. The worlds biggest aircraft lessor, Irish-based AerCap, is pursuing its insurance claims through Londons High Court. AerCaps Chief Financial Officer said on Monday that it continued to have discussions with Russian insurers on a potential settlement regarding some of its aircraft stranded in Russia. Given the sensitive nature of those discussions and the uncertainty regarding any potential recovery, were not going to comment further on any of that, Peter Juhas told an analyst call. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; editing by Mark Potter) Topics Claims Russia Aviation Pen Underwriting, the London-based managing general agent and Gallagher subsidiary, announced changes to its divisional structure to bring together core underwriting capabilities and expertise, for the benefit of its brokers. As of Aug. 1, Pen is separating its International & Financial Lines (IFL) division, creating a standalone UK Financial Lines & Specialist Liability division. This is led by Richard Webb who becomes managing director of the new division and joins the Pen Executive Committee. The recently expanded, newly dedicated International division having made two acquisitions in the last three months will continue to be led by Adrian Scott as managing director. The structural changes follow the expansion of the IFL division, with Pen having invested in significantly increasing the proportion and range of risks it writes emanating from outside the UK. In addition, the restructuring brings together the full breadth of its UK financial lines expertise from both Pen and the 2021-acquired Manchester Underwriting Management (MUM). Founder of MUM and current CEO Charles Manchester will become chair of the new UK Financial Lines & Specialist Liability division, providing ongoing strategic counsel and support to the teams and business, as they continue to execute on their growth strategy. Richard Webb is currently the director of MUM responsible for broker development, marketing and claims, and joined Pen in October 2021 when MUM was acquired. He brings 37 years insurance industry experience to his new role, having held senior positions at HCC International and Hiscox, prior to joining MUM in 2010. The creation of our standalone divisions focused on International business and UK Financial Lines & Specialist Liability is testament to our investment, diversification and growth in these two areas over recent years, commented Tom Downey, CEO of Pen Underwriting. Creating dedicated divisions with a streamlined and focused approach best positions us to continue that growth trajectory, by bringing together the best blend of expertise, experience and technical knowledge to expand the respective product areas in line with our ambitions, Downey added. Im delighted to welcome Richard onto the Pen Executive Committee and know his decades of industry experience and 13 years on MUMs leadership team stand him in excellent stead to lead the full breadth of our financial lines and specialist liability propositions, driving and developing opportunities to further enhance our broker offering, he said. I would also like to thank Charles for being such an exceptional leader of MUM, from first founding and then building such a successful business. I know his extensive experience, knowledge and strategic advice will continue to prove invaluable to the new UK Financial Lines & Specialist Liability division and the wider Pen business. About Pen Underwriting Pen Underwriting is a multi-class, multi-territory managing general agent (MGA) that operates as a virtual insurer, meaning it can fulfill all the typical functions of an insurance company from underwriting, sales & distribution, pricing & analytics, product innovation, risk & governance through to claims handling other than the provision of insurance capital. Pen Underwriting has five divisions International, UK Financial Lines & Specialist Liability, Public Sector, SME & Personal Lines and Specialty Lines offering a range of specialisms from e-solutions and delegated authorities for volume business through to specialty products with individual underwriting for hard-to-find placements. In April 2023, Pen acquired Tay River Holdings Ltd. and its five specialist marine MGAs Vessel Protect, Trafalgar Marine Trades, BMM Ports & Terminals, Freeboard Maritime and Fortify Marine adding more than 90 million of gross written premiums (GWP) to the overall Pen Family; before acquiring specialist Norwegian MGA Fender Marine in July 2023, adding another 14 million of GWP. Together, the businesses now generate more than 810 million of GWP with a combined team of over 460 insurance professionals. Source: Pen Underwriting Topics Underwriting Insurance Wholesale A Spanish court on Friday exempted a Swedish mining firm from paying 89 million euros ($98 million) in compensation for the cleaning of a toxic sludge spill that occurred in 1998 at a heavy metals mine in southern Spain. The court dismissed the lawsuit brought by the regional government of Andalusia, which demanded that the firm Boliden pay the sum for the environmental cleaning operations following the spill at a wastewater reservoir in the Aznalcollar mine. The court said there was insufficient evidence to prove that Boliden was legally obliged to pay for the restoration and cleaning work and exonerated it from any environmental responsibility. Spanish Authorities Seek Damages From Swedish Mining Firm for Toxic Spill in 1998 The verdict, handed down by a court in the southern city of Seville, can be appealed before Spain`s Supreme Court. In the trial earlier this month, the Swedish firm said it spent the equivalent of some 600,000 euros back in 1998 in the cleaning. In 1999, Bolidens Spanish branch was sentenced to pay the equivalent of 43 million euros by the Spanish Supreme Court. The company avoided the payment by pleading insolvency. The Andalusian government took the action against Boliden in April 2022, after six years of unsuccessful negotiations to settle the matter. On bursting its banks, the reservoir poured an estimated 1.3 billion gallons of acidic liquid into the Guadiamar River in Seville province. Makeshift dikes kept the liquid and mud from flowing into the nearby Donana National Park, but a vast area near the mine was inundated with toxic sludge containing traces of zinc, iron and other heavy metals. Thousands of fish and birds were killed. The mine was closed in 2001 but a Mexican group has recently applied to reopen it. By volume, the 1998 spill is the second worst toxic spill in Spain after the Prestige oil tanker wreckage off the northwestern coast of Galicia in 2002. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Talent New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The US Supreme Courts ruling against affirmative action has sparked a fierce debate over the future of diversity in corporate America, with dueling sides claiming either that workplace programs are unaffected by the decision, or that theyre suddenly open to legal challenges. The resolution could be years away, throwing companies existing efforts into an indefinite limbo. The courts decision last month, which effectively banned race-conscious admissions in universities, sent an immediate chill through US company boardrooms as CEOs wondered whether the scope of the ruling could apply to their own hiring goals. It also offered fresh provocation to some Republican lawmakers whove long campaigned against what they call woke capitalism. Companies that had been bragging about their diversity, equity and inclusion progress in the three years since George Floyds murder are now questioning whether theyve set themselves up for future legal action, said Lindsay Burke, co-chair of the employment practice group at law firm Covington & Burling, which has done racial equity audits for companies including Airbnb Inc. and BlackRock Inc. Though most companies designed their diversity programs in a way that would pass any potential Scotus challenge and the rules that apply to workplace hiring already prohibit what was allowed in universities the threats from conservatives are causing them to take pause, she said. The companies that undertake these projects, we have observed, have generally done so very thoughtfully and enthusiastically and have a lot that they want to share, Burke said. Now, are they thinking hard about what they want to share? Yes, they are. Theyre right to hold off, said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, one of the authors of a July 13 letter from Republican attorney generals to Fortune 100 CEOs that urged them to reassess their stated diversity goals. The letter, which singled out companies including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc., was meant to caution executives that their diversity efforts could come under scrutiny if laws that govern corporate equity are reviewed, he said. He claimed there is already interest among private lawyers in challenging existing programs. Critics of diversity programs often accuse companies of using illegal quotas to give under-represented workers an advantage in hiring, which they say is part of a broader trend toward prioritizing social initiatives over profits. Research shows that most Fortune 100 companies arent setting targets to hire people of color beyond each groups current share of the population. According to an analysis by Windo, which provides diversity information to Gen Z jobseekers, just 23% of companies set race-related targets, of which 93% aimed for numbers that were less than or equal to US Census data for the targeted groups. But though separate sections of the Civil Rights Act govern education (Title VI) and employers (Title VII) and only the former was tackled by the high court detractors say that parallels between the two could lead to future challenges to how companies make hiring decisions. There was so much misinformation out there that the Supreme Court case would have no effect on employment law, Skrmetti said. Its irresponsible for any employer to act as if theres not at least some risk there. The leadership of the Democratic Attorney Generals Association hit back with a letter that urged corporate leaders not to be intimidated by the message. The chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Charlotte Burrows, whose agency enforces workplace equity issues, has also weighed in on the Scotus ruling, reassuring companies that it doesnt address employer programs. After Floyds murder at the hands of police in May 2020, companies were rushing to get in line, to make commitments in terms of hiring and also in terms of their corporate social responsibility, said Esther Silver-Parker, an independent consultant whose previous corporate roles included helping develop to Walmart Inc.s initial DEI program. Now, I see them now back off and backing down because I think they are really gun shy. They are reacting to the current political environment. Companies may still be doing the work, but calling attention to themselves has become a clear risk, she said. I think the stance is, do what we need to do, and not talk about it, she said. Lets fly under the radar. When Bloomberg reached out after the Supreme Courts ruling to the 69 companies and organizations that signed a legal brief last year supporting affirmative action in higher education, 15 companies responded to reaffirm their support. The rest didnt respond or declined to comment. The reluctance of companies to call attention to their diversity efforts builds on a pattern already seen among Wall Street banks and asset managers in discussing investment aimed at environmental, social and governance policy, which includes diversity. A Republican backlash against ESG strategies chilled investor support for such initiatives this summer at annual meetings this year. For now, there arent any cases before the US Supreme Court that might provide answers to questions about corporate diversity practices, and it could take a decade for any potential challenges to work their way to the top court, said Kimberly West-Faulcon, a professor of constitutional law at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. In the meantime, companies should focus on complying with the law as it is currently enforced and understood, she said. There is a true and significant difference between a legal theory and actual legal doctrine, she said. What were living in is a moment where people with very strong ideological views, very strong policy views, are making inaccurate and erroneous statements. Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Federal legislation introduced last week that would require insurance companies with more than $100 million in annual premiums to disclose investments and underwritings related to coal, oil and gas projects, and fossil fuels is already required at the state level and would increase costs for consumers, said industry trade associations. State regulators have been examining the impact of climate change on insurers and the insurance marketplace for years, and disclosure has long been a part of that, said Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). Federal calls for insurers to publicly disclose investments is a red herring designed to score political points and does nothing to help consumers. Moreover, said Nat Wienecke, the American Property Casualty Insurer Associations (APCIA) senior vice president of federal government relations: Insurers play an important role in helping protect families, businesses, and communities as our economy transitions to a greener energy future. The call for an immediate end to insurance services for certain fossil fuel activities and producers ignores the importance of providing an effective energy transition to renewable sources. On July 25, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) introduced the Polluter Portfolio Disclosure Act. The U.S. representative said the legislation would shed light on how big insurance companies are profiting from the climate crisis and, at the same time, failing to provide the necessary coverage to communities in need. The bill calls for annual disclosures of climate-related investments to the Federal Insurance Office, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, and the Office of Financial Research and for the information to be made public and searchable online. NAMIC said the measure scapegoats the insurance industry, which is greatly affected by and is sympathetic to the victims of the increasing natural disasters. Americas insurers pay billions of dollars every year to help their policyholders recover from extreme weather, and they will be there for policyholders when the next disaster strikes, Grande said. We also continue to press Congress to fund more mitigation projects to reduce risk and better protect Americas communities from future extreme weather events. Climate change is a problem that affects everyone; needless legislation and political grandstanding arent part of the solution. Insurers play an active role in facilitating a more resilient economy through their investment strategies and by closely partnering with policyholders and creating products that support their own transition pathways, added Wienecke. Hard exits prevent insurers from contributing what they do best helping consumers and businesses understand physical and transition risk and operationalize their plans. Hard exits may also contribute to negative, global economic impacts, as we remain in a period where traditional fossil fuels are still very much in need and a hard exit would disproportionately impact marginalized communities and developing economies. Public Citizen, one of a group of organizations endorsing the bill, said reducing climate risks requires reducing the insurance industrys financing and insurance of the fossil fuel industry. While insurance companies flee states that face the most harm from the climate crisis, they continue to hold tight to their investments in fossil fuels, said Carly Fabian, climate insurance advocate with Public Citizen. The combination of a planet on fire and an insurance industry underwriting and investing in the accelerant is not sustainable. Photo: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) gives an interview at the U.S. Capitol (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images) Almost 6 million Texans, or about 20% of the population, live in an area susceptible to flooding, according to first-of-its-kind data gathered as part of a statewide effort to harden Texas against floods and rising sea levels. The analysis is part of the Texas Water Development Boards first statewide flood plan, still in development, which the Legislature required in a 2019 law passed in response to Hurricane Harvey. Flood risks in Texas are increasing as climate change brings heavier precipitation, stronger hurricanes and sea level rise and as the states population continues to climb. More than 2.4 million Texans live in areas that have a 1% chance of flooding each year, known as the 100-year floodplain, the analysis found. Another 3.5 million people live in areas with a 0.2% chance of flooding each year, known as the 500-year floodplain. One-fifth of the states land roughly 56,000 square miles now fall within the 100-year floodplain, TWDB staff said in a presentation this week. It will likely cost Texas tens of billions of dollars to protect people and property from floods. The first projects proposed in the plan add up to $38 billion, including the massive coastal barrier proposal with its Ike Dike, a huge gate system proposed for the mouth of Galveston Bay. Getting this program up and running is a really big deal, TWDB Chair Brooke Paup said before the board approved the 15 regional plans, a major step in creating the statewide flood plan. Each region is built around one of the states major watersheds. I know itll truly go so far to save lives and peoples homes, Paup said. As climate change worsens, higher global temperatures increase the amount of moisture in the air and thus the risk of extreme rainfall events, the Texas state climatologist and a national climate assessment have found. Heavier precipitation linked to climate change likely increased Hurricane Harveys total rainfall by as much as 19%, one study found. Almost 50 inches of rain fell in some areas of Houston during Harvey the highest rainfall amount in a single storm for any place in the continental U.S. At the same time, higher global temperatures are melting glaciers, increasing sea levels around the world including in Texas and making coastlines more vulnerable to storm surges. Between 2000 and 2019, rising sea levels caused the Texas coastline to retreat about 4 feet per year on average, according to a 2021 University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology report for the Texas General Land Office. Reem Zoun, director of flood planning at the TWDB, said that to decide how to prevent flooding in Texas, the agency first needed to identify which areas of the state were at the most risk. The analysis identified how many buildings, homes, people, hospitals, roads and agricultural areas are in a floodplain. The San Jacinto region, which includes Harris County and Galveston, has the most people living in a floodplain: almost 2.5 million people are in a 100- or 500-year floodplain. The Lower Rio Grande region, which spans much of Texas southern border and includes the Rio Grande Valley, is next with about 1 million people at risk. Though floodplains are defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the agency does not map every inch of the U.S. and its maps have long been criticized as out of date and underestimating actual flood risk. Texas used existing flood data to create the maps that served as a baseline that regions could add to with their own flood hazard maps if any existed and supplement with knowledge from local water managers. In regions with very little data, gaps were filled with data from a contracted flood risk modeling data company called Fathom. Sixty-three of Texas 254 counties had no existing flood hazard information prior to the planning effort, according to the TWDB. In the Canadian-Upper Red region, for example, which includes much of the Panhandle and Wichita Falls, hardly any flood maps existed, while 98% of the Lower Red-Sulphur-Cypress region in the northeast corner of the state had inadequate flood mapping, James Bronikowski, TWDBs manager for regional flood planning told the board on Tuesday. The TWDB often functions as a water infrastructure bank and intends to use the planning process to help finance the construction of flood prevention projects with low-cost loans and grants, although the cost of the projects far outweighs the money thats been dedicated to the agency by lawmakers. During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers allocated $625 million to finance flood prevention projects through the Flood Infrastructure Fund. Once the statewide flood plan is finalized, projects will have to be included in the plan in order to access those funds. Another $550 million of the surplus was allocated to the coastal barrier project that includes the Ike Dike. Disclosure: The Texas General Land Office has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Photo: A house and vehicles stand in floodwaters due to Hurricane Harvey in Spring, Texas, U.S., on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017 Topics Texas Flood NEW ORLEANS (AP) A McDonald`s franchise that controls 12 restaurants in metro New Orleans violated child labor laws and has hired more than 80 minors in two states, the U.S. Department of Labor said. CLB Investments LLC in Metairie employed 72 workers who are 14 and 15 years old allowing them to work longer and later than federal law permits at 12 restaurants in New Orleans, Kenner, Jefferson and Metairie, the department said. Investigators with the Labor Department`s Wage and Hour Division also determined the employer allowed three children to operate manual deep fryers, which is prohibited for employees under age 16. The franchise received a $56,106 civil penalty for the violations, according to the news release. New Orleans Owner/Operator Chris Bardell said he`s committed to the safety of his people. Since learning of these violations, Ive introduced mandatory child labor law trainings for my restaurant managers and conducted regular audits to ensure were in compliance with labor regulations, Bardell said in a statement. The division also found similar violations at four McDonald`s locations operated in Texas by Marwen & Son LLC in Cedar Park, Georgetown and Leander. Investigators found that in Texas, the company employed 10 minors, 14- to 15- years-old, to work hours longer shifts than is permitted by law. They also learned the employer allowed seven children to operate a manual fryer and oven, and two of the seven to also operate a trash compactor. Marwen & Son was assessed $21,466 in civil penalties for its violations. Employers must never jeopardize the safety and well-being of young workers or interfere with their education, explained Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell in Dallas. While learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, an employers first obligation is to make sure minor-aged children are protected from potential workplace hazards. These findings follow a May announcement of federal investigations that found three McDonalds franchise operators violating child labor laws, involving more than 300 children, some as young as 10, at 62 locations in four states. We take this issue seriously and are committed to ensuring our franchisees have the resources they need to maintain compliance with all U.S. labor laws, Tiffanie Boyd, Chief People Officer, McDonalds USA, said in a statement. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Texas Louisiana New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The Florida lawyer and entrepreneur who reportedly made millions by disrupting the auto insurance industrys Medicare set-aside practices is under federal investigation and may be in financial trouble, according to news reports. John Ruiz, whose MSP Recovery, now known as LifeWallet, is the target of investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the FBI and the IRS, according to multiple news outlets. The Miami Herald reported that, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the SEC said it could not turn over some records because of law enforcement activities. The Herald also reported that LifeWallet, once valued at $32 billion, has lost much of its value since going public last year. Ruiz, of Coral Gables, founded MSP Recovery in 2014. The company filed hundreds of lawsuits around the country against more than 300 auto insurers that MSP said had failed to recognize that Medicare was a secondary payer in many auto accidents and had not properly reported their own primary payer status. The omissions have left Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurance plans with billions of dollars in illegal costs, the MSP suits have charged. Some of the tort actions alleged that 90% of no-fault auto insurers utilize the same software, produced by the Insurance Services Office, part of Verisk Analytics. It systematically and erroneously reports that Medicare should be the primary payer in many accidents, contrary to federal law, Ruiz told Insurance Journal in 2022. If they are aware of the flaws in the software and theyve done nothing to fix it, it becomes intentional, Ruiz said. MSP has won a number of court decisions upholding its legal tactics. A year ago, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that a lower court had erred when it dismissed a lawsuit brought by MSP Recovery against Metropolitan General Insurance Co. and its sister companies. The defendants are auto and liability insurers and subsidiaries of MetLife Inc. About that same time, MSP rebranded part of its operations as LifeWallet and went public. Within days of the initial public offering, however, the stock price had fallen significantly, according to news reports. The investigations may now be looking at how Ruiz represented the company to investors and in tax filings, the Herald reported. A former prosecutor told the newspaper that LifeWallets recent financial filings show multiple red flags: The firm was late in filing its annual report and acknowledged that some of its quarterly reports were not accurate. Ruiz could not be reached for comment Monday and he declined to comment for the recent Herald news reports. In court filings in one Florida case, he said statements that LifeWallet was in poor financial condition were false. Topics Lawsuits Carriers Auto New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Nashville-based trucking company Yellow Corp., just shy of its 100th birthday, has shut down operations and is headed for a bankruptcy filing, according to the Teamsters Union and multiple media reports. After years of financial struggles, reports of Yellow preparing for bankruptcy emerged last week as the trucker saw customers leave in large numbers. Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to the Wall Street Journal, following the layoffs of hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday. In an announcement early Monday, the Teamsters said that the union received legal notice confirming Yellow was ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy. Todays news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government, Teamsters general president Sean OBrien said in a statement. This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry. The Associated Press reached out to Yellow for comment on Monday. No bankruptcy filings had gone live as of the early morning. The bankruptcy reports have renewed attention around Yellows ongoing negotiations with unionized workers, a $700 million pandemic-era loan from the government and other bills the trucker has racked up over time. Yellow, formerly known as YRC Worldwide Inc., is one of the nations largest less-than-truckload carriers. The company`s reported closure puts 30,000 jobs at risk. Heres what you need to know. WHAT WOULD BANKRUPTCY MEAN FOR YELLOW? According to Satish Jindel, president of transportation and logistics firm SJ Consulting, Yellow handled an average of 49,000 shipments per day in 2022. Last week, he estimated that number was down to between 10,000 and 15,000 daily shipments. With customers leaving as well reports of Yellow stopping freight pickups last week bankruptcy would be the end of Yellow, Jindel told The Associated Press, noting increased risk for liquidation. The likelihood of them surviving and remaining solvent diminishes really by the day, added Bruce Chan, a research director at investment banking firm Stifel. Yellow declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday. In a Wednesday statement to The Journal, the company said it was continuing to prepare for a range of contingencies. On Thursday, Yellow said it was in talks with multiple parties about selling its third-party logistics organization. Even if Yellow was able to sell its logistics firm, it would not generate a sufficient amount of cash to keep them operational on any sort of permanent basis, Chan said. Without a major equity injection, it would be very difficult for them to survive. HOW MUCH DEBT DOES YELLOW HAVE? As of late March, Yellow had an outstanding debt of about $1.5 billion. Of that, $729.2 million was owed to the federal government. In 2020, under the Trump administration, the Treasury Department granted the company a $700 million pandemic-era loan on national security grounds. Last month, a congressional probe concluded that the Treasury and Defense Departments made missteps in this decision and noted that Yellows precarious financial position at the time of the loan, and continued struggles, expose taxpayers to a significant risk of loss. The government loan is due in September 2024. As of March, Yellow had made $54.8 million in interest payments and repaid just $230 million of the principal owed, according to government documents. Yellows current finances and prospect of bankruptcy is probably two decades in the making, Chan said, pointing to poor management and strategic decisions dating back to the early 2000s. At this point, after each party has bailed them out so many times, there is a limited appetite to do that anymore. In May, Yellow reported a loss of $54.6 million, a decline of $1.06 per share, for its first quarter of 2023. Operating revenue was about $1.16 billion in the period. A Wednesday investors note from financial service firm Stephens estimated that Yellow could be burning between $9 million and $10 million each day. Using a liquidity disclosure from earlier this month, Yellow had roughly $100 million in cash at the end of June, the note added estimating that the company has been burning through increasing amounts of money through July. It is reasonable to believe that the Company could breach its $35 mil. liquidity requirement at any moment, Stephens analyst Jack Atkins and associate Grant Smith wrote. DID THE COMPANY JUST AVERT A STRIKE? Last week`s reports of bankruptcy preparations arrived just days after a strike from the Teamsters, which represents Yellows 22,000 unionized workers, was averted. A series of heated exchanges have built up between the Teamsters and Yellow, who sued the union in June after alleging it was unjustifiably blocking restructuring plans needed for the companys survival. The Teamsters called the litigation baseless with OBrien pointing to Yellows decades of gross mismanagement, which included exhausting the $700 million federal loan. On July 23, a pension fund agreed to extend health benefits for workers at two Yellow Corp. operating companies, averting a strike and giving Yellow 30 days to pay its bills, notably $50 million that Yellow failed to pay the Central States Health and Welfare Fund on July 15, the union said. While the strike didnt occur, talks of a walkout may have caused some Yellow customers to pull back, Chan said. The financial struggles of Yellow are not related to the union and the contracts, Jindel said, pointing to managements responsibility around its services and prices. He added the union wages from Yellow are lower than any competitor. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YELLOW WENT UNDER? As Yellow customers take their shipments to other carriers, like FedEx or ABF Freight, prices will go up. Yellows prices have historically been the cheapest compared to other carriers, Jindel said. Thats why they obviously were not making money, he added. And while there is capacity with the other LTL carriers to handle the diversions from Yellow, it will come at a high price for (current shippers and customers) of Yellow. Chan adds that were in an interesting time for the LTL marketplace noting that, if Yellow liquidates, the freight would find a home with other carriers, which may not have been true in recent years. It may take time, but theres room for it to be absorbed, he said. Photo: Yellow trucks, with their famous orange logos, at the YRC Freight terminal Friday, July 28, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Trucking New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Another structural issue has been located with a large roller coaster thats been closed for weeks since a large crack in a support column was discovered, a North Carolina agency confirmed on Friday. A Swiss-based engineering company that designed and built the Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds, which sits along the North Carolina-South Carolina border, replaced that steel support column earlier this month, news outlets reported. But the North Carolina Department of Labor, which inspects the ride and decides whether it can operate, said in an email that the agency has now been notified of a separate weld indication, which could be either a break or a crack. No certificate of operation has been issued nor do we have a timeline of when the certificate of operation will be issued for the Fury 325, department spokesperson Meredith Watson said, referring other questions to Carowinds. In a statement released last week, Carowinds said it was conducting a full maintenance review of the ride while test runs are performed. During such reviews, it is not uncommon to discover slight weld indications in various locations of a steel superstructure. It is important to note that these indications do not compromise the structural integrity or safety of the ride, the statement reads. Once a repair is completed, it undergoes inspection and approval before the ride is deemed operational. Park staff closed Fury 325 on June 30 after a visitor pointed out the sizable crack. State Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said earlier this month that the crack had been visible for at least a week before it was shut down. Video of the coaster, which reaches 325 feet (99 meters) in height, had showed a key support beam bending with the top visibly detached as cars with passengers barreled by. The roller coaster runs at speeds of up to 95 mph (150 kph). The department`s Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau said it had conducted its annual inspection of Fury 325 in February and only found a few signage issues, which the park quickly corrected. Inspections by the park, the engineering company, a third-party testing firm and the Department of Labor have been ongoing. Carowinds has said its changing how it inspects rides daily, including the use of drone cameras to examine areas. While the park straddles the border between the two states, North Carolina regulators inspect Fury 325 because its nearby entrance is in North Carolina. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics North Carolina Vancouver, British Columbia - August 1, 2023 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has submitted a drilling permit application for the next phase of drilling at the high-grade Nora silver-gold property (the "Property") in the state of Durango, Mexico. Figure 1: Location of Nora property and other mines and deposits in the region. "With the surface rights agreements in place, we look forward to starting our inaugural exploration campaign on the Nora property once the drilling permit is received," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar. "Multiple drilling contractors have visited the Property, and we are currently evaluating their bids." Silver Dollar can acquire a 100% interest in the Nora property under an option agreement with Canasil Resources Inc. Situated in the Eastern Sierra Madre sub-province, in the transition to the high plateau of Mexico, the Property lies centrally within the "Silver Trend" that runs from the northwest to the southeast through Durango State. Significant deposits in the region include Endeavour Silver's Guanacevi mine and Fresnillo's San Julian mine on-trend to the northwest, with Endeavour Silver's Pitarrilla Project approximately 50 kilometres (km) to the east. Pitarrilla is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in the world and was discovered by Perry Durning and Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, who serve as Silver Dollar's technical advisors. Figure 2: Nora property looking north at the main outcrop of the Candy vein structure. The geological setting is a Tertiary-aged volcanic flow-dome complex. Gold-silver mineralization is hosted within two structurally controlled epithermal veins, Candy and Nora. Drilling by Canasil in 2020 and 2021 was the first on the Property, with 3,296 metres (m) drilled over 13 holes to test the Candy vein structure. All 13 drill holes cut the mineralized vein structure, returning wider high-grade gold and silver intercepts within the central 200-metre zone tested. Only 500 m of the potential 3-km strike of the Candy vein structure has been drill tested, and only to a depth of 250 m below surface. The consistently high gold and silver grades and relatively low base metal values, confirm the upper levels of a robust gold-silver mineralized system within the Candy structure, which is open for significant expansion along strike and to depth where grade and thickness appear to be increasing. See Silver Dollar's news release of May 24, 2023, for selected highlights of drill results and additional information on the exploration targets on the Property. Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the information on the Nora Property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work. About Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that completed its initial public offering in May 2020 and is fully funded for its 2023 exploration plans with approximately $5 million in the treasury. The Company's primary projects lie within the prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt and include the advanced exploration stage La Joya Silver Property and the recently discovered Nora Silver-Gold Property, both located in the state of Durango, Mexico. The Company has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Michael Romanik" Michael Romanik, President, CEO & Director Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Direct line: (204) 724-0613 Email: mike@silverdollarresources.com 179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416 Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9 Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Source: Streetwise Reports August 1, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Stillwater Critical Minerals has provided information on its expansion of operations following strategic investment by Glencore. Read on to see how as demand for critical minerals increases, this company is pushing for growth. Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (PGE:TSX.V; PGEZF:OTCQB; 5D32:FSE) has begun drilling at its flagship Stillwater West nickel platinum group element copper cobalt and gold project in the state of Montana, and has provided an update on its progress. The highlights of the expansion are as follows: Drilling is focused on the expansion of the National Instrument 43-101 compliant resources announced on January 25, 2023. This demonstrated that the project had 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper, and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold (4E)in a base case study totaling 255 million tons (Mt), with a high-grade component of 11.6 Mt of grading 1.05% recovered nickel equivalent (0.56% Ni, 0.33% Cu, 0.03% Co, 0.54 g/t Pd, 0.27 g/t Pt, 0.15 g/t Au, and 0.019 g/t Rh). The company has placed priority on the expansion of high-grade mineralization at the DR-Hybrid deposit at Chrome Mountain, including drill hole CM2021-05, which returned 13.2m of grading 3.33% nickel equivalent (2.31% Ni, 1.51 g/t 4E, 0.35% Cu, and 0.115% Co), beginning at 37.6m. The high-grade mineralization is of a type not previously identified in the district, and appears to be related to 8.5m of similar high-grade, high-tenor nickel sulfide returned in hole CM2020-04, approximately 125m down dip to the west. Drilling is also expected to expand on high-grade targets at the CZ and HGR deposits at Iron Mountain up to nine kilometers east of Chrome Mountain, as stepouts from the following intercepts: Drill hole CZ2021-01, which returned 63.7m of grading with 0.86% NiEq (0.47% Ni, 0.42 g/t Pd, 0.27% Cu, and 0.04% Co as well as significant Pt and Au values), within 367.6m of continuous mineralization. This hole was a stepout from hole CZ2019-01, which returned 62m of grading 0.56% NiEq and also 3.54m of 2.67% NiEq (as 1.53% Ni, 0.49% Cu, 0.099% Co, and 3.45 g/t 4E) within 399m of continuous mineralization, starting at surface. The CZ deposit benefits from a historic resource and positive preliminary metallurgical work completed by Amax in the 1970s. Drill hole IM2021-05 in the HGR deposit area returned 7.3m grading 0.70% NiEq (as 0.45% Ni, 0.51 g/t 4E, 0.17% Cu, and 0.026% Co), and 2.4m 2.04% NiEq (as 1.55% Ni, 0.85 g/t 4E, 0.17% Cu, and 0.087% Co), within 379.2m of continuous battery and precious metal mineralization starting at surface. This hole was a stepout from hole IM2019-03, which returned 26.8m of grading 0.85% NiEq (as 0.34% Ni, 0.15% Cu, 0.019% Co, and 1.24 g/t 4E) within 272.5m of continuous mineralization. The 2023 campaign will be the first to apply updated geological models which incorporate similar geology from South Africa's Platreef district under the direction of Dr. Danie Grobler, who joined the team in May of 2022 as Vice President of Exploration. The campaign is financed by the recent 9.99% strategic equity investment by Glencore and is expected to consist of approximately 5,000m of diamond core drilling. According to Michael Rowley, the president, and CEO of Stillwater Critical Minerals, " Those intercepts included some of the widest and highest-grade intervals in their respective years and drove a robust and low-cost expansion of our previous mineral resource. We are focused on continuing that trend as we apply our new understanding of the geology of the Stillwater complex from the giant mines of South Africa. The broader fundamentals are stronger than ever for our sector, and the recent strategic investment by Glencore in Stillwater is an important validation of both the project and the underlying fundamentals of U.S. critical mineral supply. We look forward to further announcements from this iconic and expanding American mining district, which has been producing high-grade critical minerals for over 100 years." A Favorable Market According to Richard Mills of Ahead of the Herd, demand for clean energy technology is driving critical minerals upward. Mills remarks, "For the U.S., the world's leading economy, securing reliable supplies for these minerals is especially important to not only sustain its dominance but also shed its supply reliance on key rivals like China." Like many other sectors, international tensions are also driving up demand for scarce resources. Looking Ahead Stillwater Critical Minerals shares the Stillwater district with Sibanye-Stillwater's high-grade PGE mines and recently retained two top geologists from Ivanhoe's Platreef project to guide expansion. It has one of the largest cobalt resources in the United States, and eight of its suite of metals have been listed as critical minerals by the U.S. federal government. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-9539] Ownership and Share Structure Gregory Shawn Johnson, Chair, owns 3.28% of the company with 5.83 million shares. Michael Victor Rowley, CEO, owns 2.81% with 5.00 million shares. Gregor John Hamilton, Director, owns 1.82% with 3.25 million shares. Gordon L. Toll, Director, owns 0.56% with 1.00 million shares, and Daniel F. Grobler, Vice-President Exploration, owns 0.04% with 0.06 million shares. U.S. Global Investors, Inc. owns 1.12% with 2.00 million shares, and Plutos Vermogensverwaltung AG owns 0.09% with 0.16 million shares. The company recently attracted global mining giant Glencore as a strategic investor. Stillwater Critical has approximately CA$7.1 million, with no debt and no reported monthly burn rate. There are 49 million warrants out in tranches ranging from CA$0.25 to CA$0.55 in price, with an average exercise price of CA$0.35. There are 198 million shares outstanding, with 163 million free-float traded shares. The company has a market cap of CA$40 million. It trades in the 52-week period between CA$0.15 and CA$0.28. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Salem, OR - August 1, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Today, after years of advocacy by the Stand Up to Factory Farms (SUFF) coalition to encourage state legislators to protect Oregon's environment and communities from the threat of factory farms, Governor Kotek signed SB 85 into law. The bill is the first legislation in decades to reform the regulation of Oregon's factory farms. SB 85 requires a multi-step process for water quality permitting, including a water supply plan, for new factory farms and temporarily closes an exemption allowing use of drinking water for livestock without a permit or water right. The bill also increases agency oversight of spreading factory farm waste on land where the groundwater is already contaminated with nitrates and gives authority to, but doesn't require, local governments to require setbacks when siting factory farms. A previous version of the bill to institute a moratorium on all state permitting of new and expanding factory farms drew broad support from farmers, activists, rural residents and more than 50 organizations - the moratorium language was stripped from the bill in May. SUFF Organizer Lilli DiPaola issued the following statement: "Stand Up to Factory Farms is grateful to the legislators that understand the factory farm influx facing Oregon and its contribution to the climate crisis, freshwater shortages, and public health crisis in the Lower Umatilla Basin. Oregon's latest factory farm law is a small step forward in addressing these issues - it must be the first of many. SUFF is committed to continue working with our elected officials and allies to protect Oregonians, secure vibrant rural economies, and ensure a livable environment for all communities across our great state. The work is far from over. We call on state legislators to protect our values: clean air and water for all, safe and fair jobs, humane treatment of animals, and a livable climate for future generations." For decades, factory farms have harmed Oregon's family-scale farmers and polluted the air and water of neighboring communities. SUFF first called for a moratorium on new and expanding factory farms after the disastrous Lost Valley mega-dairy was permitted to open a 30,000 cow operation near Boardman, Oregon and the existing Threemile Canyon Farms mega-dairy (permitted for up to 90,000 cows and a main supplier of Tillamook Creamery). Absent a moratorium on new and expanding operations, the son of the infamous Cody Easterday's pending application with Governor Kotek's Oregon Department of Agriculture to reopen the Lost Valley site and multiple proposals for mega-chicken farms in the Willamette Valley could be approved. Center for Food Safety's mission is to empower people, support farmers, and protect the earth from the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture. Through groundbreaking legal, scientific, and grassroots action, we protect and promote your right to safe food and the environment. Please join our more than one million members across the country at www.centerforfoodsafety.org. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Power Capital Renewable Energy, Ireland's largest solar power producer, has announced the closing of two greenfield project finance transactions with a club of lenders composed of AIB and La Banque Postale (LBP), for an aggregate commitment of 125m in bank facilities. Proceeds from the first of the agreed financing packages will be used to fund a portfolio of solar projects across Cork, Louth and Meath with an aggregate capacity of 150 MW and supported by long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Microsoft. The facilities from the second financing will go towards the construction of a single solar farm of 85 MW located in county Wexford, with all projects already under construction and expected to be commissioned over the next 9 months. Established in 2011, Power Capital has since grown its Irish pipeline to 5 GW following a strategic investment in the company from Omnes Capital in 2020. Last year, Power Capital was awarded a 15-year subsidy support for 300 MW of solar projects in the 2022 Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS-2) auction. Currently, the company is working on deploying a solar and battery storage pipeline of 5 GW in Ireland. In January 2023, Power Capital secured 240m of construction equity facilities from a consortium of lenders managed by Eiffel Investment Group including Belgian insurance company Ethias and the European Investment Bank, with the facilities supporting the power producer's growth at home and abroad. In addition to its domestic expansion, Power Capital has also made advances in the United States, having recently acquired the development platform Hawthorne Renewables, marking the company's first investment outside of the Irish market. The Phoenix-based team boasts a pipeline of 5 GW of solar and storage across three US markets in New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Speaking on the funding, Justin Brown and Peter Duff, Co-CEOs and Founders of Power Capital Renewable Energy, said: Securing 125m from two major banks is a huge vote of confidence in the future of solar power and corporate power purchase agreements. "We are delighted to begin construction on these projects which will employ up to 400 people and will boost the renewable energy footprint of Ireland." Luis Duran from AIBs Energy Climate Action and Infrastructure Team said: We are delighted to back Power Capital Renewable Energys ambitious plans to construct a portfolio of solar projects in counties Cork, Louth, Meath and Wexford supported by long-term Corporate PPAs. Agri-food trade missions are planned to Nigeria, Senegal, Malaysia, the Philippines, and to a number of key European markets during the remainder of 2023. These trips "support the diversification of market opportunities for Irish agri-food on international markets", Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said recently, responding to a parliamentary question. Mr McConalogue said he is "fully committed to supporting the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, and to helping it to effectively navigate the many challenges it faces". These challenges include "the continuing impacts of Brexit, the aftermath of the covid pandemic, and geopolitical difficulties such as those created by the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine". "At a strategic level, Food Vision 2030 sets out a clear ambition to grow the value of Irish exports over the next ten years," Mr McConalogue said. "This ambition will be realised by implementing actions that are focused on market diversification, as well as investment in innovation at producer and processor level. "This focus on market diversification has been a key element of the response to Brexit, which has, for example, seen increased investment by Government in Bord Bia's market diversification and market promotion activities." Trade missions In 2022, a "comprehensive series" of ministerial-led trade missions was delivered in the US, Mexico, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam, as well as European promotional activities in the UK, France, and Germany, the minister said. "In 2023 to date, my colleague Minister Pippa Hackett has led an organics trade mission to Germany, and Minister Martin Heydon led a trade visit to China in April," he continued. "The latter's focus on Irish exporters in Hainan and Shanghai has been complemented by my own visit to China in May, which focused on key Government-to-Government engagements in Beijing and a series of trade promotion engagements in both Beijing and Shanghai following the successful re-admission of Irish beef to the Chinese market in January 2023. "During the remainder of 2023, trade missions are planned to Nigeria, Senegal, Malaysia, the Philippines, and to a number of key European markets." Irish actor Jack Gleeson, who played Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones, will be returning to screens for a role in the BBCs The Famous Five series nine years after announcing he was retiring from acting. The 31-year-old, who married Cork actress, Roisin O'Mahony, in Kerry a year ago, had said he was quitting after playing the villainous king, revealing in interviews that the experience of acting full-time had made him less passionate about the job. After playing roles in independent theatre, as well as on the BBC miniseries Out of Her Mind, he will now appear as Wentworth in the much-anticipated adaptation of Enid Blytons childrens books. Adapted by Nicolas Winding Refn, whose films include Drive, Only God Forgives, the Pusher trilogy, and The Neon Demon, the series follows five explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, mysteries and secrets. It is unclear which of Blytons 21 books will form the basis for the three 90-minute episodes. The books, about siblings Julian, Dick and Anne and their attempts to thwart assorted kidnappers, thieves, and smugglers around the Cornish coast with their cousin, George, and her dog, Timmy, were written between 1942 and 1962. Diaana Babnicova as George, Elliott Rose as Julian, Belfast's Kit Rakusen as Dick, and newcomer Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne. With Bearded Collie Cross, Kip, as Timmy the dog. Picture: BBC / James Pardon The BBC announced on Wednesday that Diaana Babnicova would play the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, and Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne. Other cast members include Ann Akinjirin as Fanny, James Lance as Quentin, and Diana Quick as Mrs Wentworth. Tim Kirkby, director of the first episode and executive producer, said: Our brilliant young cast are mind-blowingly talented and, along with Kip [a bearded collie cross playing Timmy the dog], they are already bringing these gorgeous characters to life in a fresh and modern way we cant wait to bring these glorious, action-filled, epic, family adventures to the screen. The first of the Famous Five books was published in 1942 Blytons books remain staples of childrens literature, despite criticism over outdated attitudes towards a number of minorities in the stories, and some of the writers other work. In 2021, English Heritage published a profile of the author, highlighting the fact some readers took exception to what they perceived as social snobbery, racism and sexism embedded in Blytons storylines. Others have highlighted the apparently progressive gender fluidity of George, born Georgina, who dresses as a boy and would like to be treated as one. Gleeson will also appear in the upcoming Irish thriller film In the Land of Saints and Sinners, which stars Liam Neeson and Kerry Condon. Liam Neeson in Land of Saints and Sinners which was shot in Donegal Guardian The number of people in the country relying on at-risk public water drinking supplies has jumped to nearly half a million. The latest report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also raised red flags over the effects of lead in our water and how insufficient progress was made last year to improve the situation. The newly published 56-page report also shows: The quality of drinking water from public supplies remains very high with nearly 100% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits; Some 481,000 people are currently served by at-risk supplies on the EPAs remedial action list that is up from 374,000 people in 2021; Persistent bacteria and trihalomethane (THM) failures were detected in supplies serving 235,000 people. The cumulative risk from lead in our drinking water continues, with insufficient progress reported for 2022. Cork City plant Meanwhile, a major new treatment plant for Cork City which will serve 97,000 people has been welcomed by the EPA. Our public water quality remains very high, which means that the public can be confident that the drinking water supplied to their homes is safe to drink," said EPA director Tom Ryan. Uisce Eireann has made good progress in delivering necessary new drinking water infrastructure such as the new plant at Lee Rd in Cork which now supplies high-quality drinking water to 97,000 people. However, the EPA, through our inspection and monitoring programme, continues to identify drinking water plants that are at risk and require improvements and upgrades. The findings also show 45 public supplies failed to meet the standard for THM at least once last year, which is a decrease from 58 the year before. When there are numerous breaches for THM the supply is placed on the remedial action list. THMs are chemicals which may be found in water treated with chlorine. Some water supplies have reported levels of THMs which are higher than the recommended levels. Uisce Eireann is developing a national THM plan to deal with this issue. Remedial action list The environment watchdog also found that, in 2022, the number of supplies on the remedial action list increased to 23, impacting 235,000 people, in comparison to 19 supplies, impacting 110,000 people, in 2021. Last year, Limerick City, which supplies 115,000 people, was added to the remedial action list. The EPA can issue legally binding directions to Uisce Eireann under the drinking water regulations. Ten directions were opened by the EPA over THM and last year it issued legal proceedings for failure to control bacteria in the West Clare supply, securing a conviction this year. Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Waterford, and Tipperary were all on the remedial action list last year. So far this year, 51,579 people have been affected by boil water notices in several counties, including Tipperary, Waterford, Limerick, Cork, and Kerry. Last year, 79 boil water notices were in place at 67 supplies, affecting more than 182,000 consumers, up from 70 in 2021 and 43 in 2020. The figures show 25 of the notices were in place for 30 days, with 11 in place for over a year. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) spent 4,300 on gift packs for children who were adopted last year. The figures, which were released to the Irish Examiner, show how the children were given a canvas bag containing a candle, pen, and badge following the granting of their adoption order. Overall, the AAI which is the regulator for adoptions in Ireland said it spent 4,845 on gifts, which also covers similar presents for adopted children in 2021 and in 2022. A spokesperson for the AAI said adoption orders were also granted remotely during the pandemic. Last week, the Irish Examiner highlighted how there were 102 domestic adoption orders in 2022. That included adoptions by step-parents, long-term foster carers, and infant adoptions, while the authority received 110 applications overall. A further breakdown of expenditure in 2022 by the AAI included 12,064.52 which was spent on guardian ad litem reports. A guardian ad litem or Gal is a court-appointed person who gives advice on the best interests of the child. Expert reports The watchdog also spent 16,475 on expert reports but provided no further details on the experts involved. However, despite recommendations by the European Committee on the Rights of the Child, the AAI said it did not engage the services of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist for adoptions in 2022. It also did not engage the services of an independent social worker last year. The Hague Convention on domestic adoption recommends multi-disciplinary teams oversee the adoption of a child. Guidelines for the OHCHR state, Decision-making on alternative care in the best interests of the child [] should be based on rigorous assessment, planning and review, through established structures and mechanisms, and carried out on a case-by-case basis by suitably qualified professionals in a multi-disciplinary team. The process for adopting a child in Ireland can also take up to five years and there are no guarantees. The process begins with a potential parent/parents applying for a declaration of eligibility and suitability from the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. Following a positive recommendation on the assessment, the application is then forwarded to a Local Adoption Committee (LAC), for further review. If the outcome there is successful, the application is then sent to the AAI, where a matching committee will oversee the assessments provided for the children and potential adopters as part of the Adoption Act 2010 as amended 2016/2017. The AAI recently told the Irish Examiner that between 20 and 25 potential adopters were waiting to be matched with an infant for domestic adoptions. However, most of those applicants will not be successful because there are only about five to seven infants placed for adoption every year, according to the Adoption Authority of Ireland. The level of domestic adoptions has fallen dramatically in recent decades. A High Court judge has described claims that a family of six has been living in a one-berth caravan and sleeping in a car for several months as "wretched" and a "very unsettling situation". The comments were made on Monday by Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger after she granted lawyers acting for John and Nikita McInerney and their four young children permission to bring a High Court challenge against Tipperary County Council's handling of the family's accommodation situation. The family, who are members of the Irish Traveller Community, had been living in places on the side of the road in Toomevara, Co Tipperary, for a period, but the court was told that after being moved on they have located at Springfort Retail Park in Nenagh. They had been told by An Garda Siochana to vacate that location as well, the judge also heard. The family fear that they may be prosecuted by the gardai and the vehicles they have been using seized. Between April and mid-July, they mainly had been sleeping in a car, the court heard. They had spent some of that time in emergency accommodation, before obtaining a one-berth caravan in mid-July. Court action In their High Court action, the McInerneys have claimed that since May they have been precluded by the council from getting hotel accommodation as they say they are only provided with funds that only partially cover the cost of B&B accommodation. Senior counsel Colm O'Dwyer, with Sean Betty, instructed by solicitors for the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac), for the family, said that the situation was pretty bad for his clients, and it was their case that the council's policy towards the McInernerys was rigid, inflexible, and not meeting his clients' basic needs. Counsel said that the caravan was totally unsuitable, and the gardai had also told the family that it cannot remain in the retail park. Counsel said that the council has offered his clients 100 per night towards B&B accommodation, which is insufficient. The cost of B&Bs, they claim, is more than what they have been given by the council, and in order to get that accommodation they have to make up the shortfall themselves. The court heard that Mr and Ms McInerney are on social welfare. Counsel said that the family find it difficult to get emergency B&B accommodation in the area in which they live, for reasons including that the family size is too large and that many of the places they contact are full of tourists. Having no fixed address has also caused the family difficulties, he added. A further concern is that some of the children are due to return to school in September. Counsel said that the council's decision amounts to a breach of the McInerneys' constitutional and ECHR rights and the local authority's obligations under the 2014 Irish Human Rights and Equality Act. Orders sought In their judicial review action against Tipperary County Council, the family seeks various orders and declarations from the court including orders directing the council to reconsider their accommodation needs. They also seek orders quashing the council's decision to place them on a waiting list for emergency accommodation and that they only be provided with partial funding for B&B accommodation. Ms Justice Bolger said that she was prepared to grant the family permission, on an ex-parte basis, to bring the challenge. The judge said that she noted the council's response to the family's situation, which she added was "unsatisfactory from all relevant parties' point of view". The judge said the matter was urgent, and she wanted to have both sides' arguments put before the court as soon as possible. The judge also encouraged all the sides to work together to try and resolve the situation. The judge, after making directions regarding the exchange of legal documents in the case, adjourned the case to a date in September. Two Dublin women are to appeal the High Court's dismissal of their action aimed at halting their prosecution for allegedly refusing to quarantine at a hotel during the covid-19 pandemic in 2021 following their return to Ireland from a holiday in Dubai. In a recently published judgment, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger dismissed judicial review proceedings brought by Niamh Mulreany (27) and Kirstie McGrath (32) seeking to halt their proposed prosecution before the District Court for alleged breaches of measures introduced during the covid-19 pandemic. It is understood that the two are to appeal that decision and may seek a "leapfrog" appeal directly to the Supreme Court, rather than the Court of Appeal. The two were arrested at Dublin Airport on Good Friday April 2, 2021, on their return from the UAE, where they originally intended but did not undergo cosmetic surgery. On their arrival back to Ireland they and most other passengers travelling to Ireland from certain designated countries, which at the time included the UAE, were required to undergo mandatory quarantine at a hotel for up to 14 days. The measures which have since been discontinued, were brought in to help prevent the spread of the virus. Both women refused to go to the hotel claiming that they could not afford the cost of the stay, which was estimated at over 1800 each, and because they needed to get back to their children. They claimed they had only had child-minding arrangements in place for the time they were in Dubai. Arising out of their refusal both have been charged with breaches of the 1947 Health Act, and if convicted face fines of up to 2,000 and a period of several months' imprisonment. Niamh Mulreany (pictured in pink leggings) refused to undergo mandatory quarantine at a hotel because she claimed she could not afford the 1,800 cost of the stay, and child-minding arrangements she had put in place were only for the duration of her holiday. File picture: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos They claim that the charges against them are unconstitutional and that their trials should be halted. Their action was against the DPP, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Minister for Health, Ireland and the Attorney General. They were represented by Michael O'Higgins SC, Keith Spencer Bl and Mark Lynam Bl. The State respondents, represented by Catherine Donnelly SC, and Michael Cush SC, with Emile Burke-Murphy Bl and Kate Egan Bl for the DPP, opposed the action. In their proceedings, they had argued that the Minister for Health's designation of certain states, as places from where persons who travel to Ireland from had to undergo mandatory periods of quarantine, breached the separation of powers, the principle of law and was unconstitutional. It was claimed that such a measure should have been introduced by way of legislation through a statutory instrument and not by way of a Ministerial order. The second legal issue concerned what he described as the lack of a legally permissible appeals process for those who were undergoing the mandatory quarantine. Under the measures, a designated appeals officer could entertain an appeal from somebody who was detained in the quarantine facility. However, the measures under the 1947 Act conferred what counsel said was a judicial power on what was a non-judicial body, which amounts to a breach of Article 37 of the Irish Constitution. High Court ruling In her decision, Ms Justice Bolger said that the measures clearly provided for the designation of states for mandatory quarantine to be done by way of a decision made by the Minister for Health. This power was not intended to be done by regulations, the judge added. The Oireachtas determined that it was in the public interest for the minister to be able to designate persons coming into the country from a particular state for mandatory hotel quarantine. Not only did the Oireachtas apply its scrutiny to the power of designation, but it has added an "additional layer of scrutiny" by imposing a sunset clause, the judge added. This clause meant the entire system of mandatory hotel quarantine had to return before the Oireachtas after a lapse of three months. The judge also rejected claims that the appeal process was unconstitutional or that Article 37 of the Constitution had been breached. Orders sought In their actions, they had sought various orders including one halting their prosecutions, and a declaration that the offence of resisting being taken to a designated quarantine facility is invalid. In late March 2021, the two friends went on holiday to Dubai to celebrate "landmark birthdays" that had been paid for by their relatives and friends. Initially they had intended to undergo cosmetic surgery procedures in the UAE, but ultimately did not go through with the planned procedures. Ms McGrath of St Anthony's Road, Rialto, Dublin 7, and Ms Mulreany of Scarlett Row, Essex Street West, Dublin 2, are lone parents and their children were being cared for by their relatives while they were on holiday. After they left Ireland, the State introduced covid-19 quarantine requirements which stipulated that most persons arriving from certain states, including the UAE, would have to quarantine at designated hotels for up to 14 days. Despite testing negative for the virus when they returned to Ireland, they refused to get on a bus taking them to a designated hotel to quarantine. Both women were arrested and charged with breaching Section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021 due to their refusal to go the designated hotel. They were granted bail by the District Court the day after their arrest but were unable to take it up because they could not afford it. They were detained at Mountjoy women's prison. They were released from prison and were taken to another hotel where they remained in quarantine for several more days. At the hotel they engaged in the state's appeal process during their detention. However, their appeal process was refused. In a democracy, we are all entitled to our opinions, but we are absolutely not entitled to make up our own facts. We have to be able to agree on objective reality, including trust in science, as it forms the solid foundation on which policies can be developed and debated. When this basic trust is undermined, the results are invariably bad, as has been witnessed in recent years in the US in particular. Ireland had largely escaped the worst of this 'counter-factual' debating up to now, but there are indications that the virus has jumped the Atlantic and is now infecting our own institutions. This to me was chillingly illustrated when watching a recent Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture hearing, where scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were testifying around nitrates and water quality. The chair, dairy farmer Jackie Cahill TD made it clear that he fundamentally rejected the scientific evidence on water quality presented by the EPA. Why? The meticulously gathered and collated EPA evidence, drawn from constant sampling almost 3,000 Irish water bodies, came under sustained attack not just from Cahill, but from right across the committee. Senator Victor Boyhan claimed the EPA report is not scientific and its integrity is questionable, a baseless slur on the integrity of the researchers who contributed to it. The EPA scientists were then harangued by other committee members with intensely hostile questioning. Fine Gael TD Michael Ring for instance described the EPA as a necessary evil. SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE Check out our Sustainability and Climate Change Hub where you will find the latest news, features, opinions and analysis on this topic from across the various Irish Examiner topic desks and their team of specialist writers and columnists. Though at times looking shell-shocked, the EPA scientists, led by Dr Eimear Cotter, held up admirably and stuck to the facts despite the simmering enmity. This hostile atmosphere evaporated in the afternoon session, when the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) reps were treated as honoured guests by the same committee, with their statements going largely unchallenged. To underline the difference in how they were treated, Cahill stated: it was clear that in spite of significant increases in dairy cow numbers since 2015, water quality has not disimproved. He wisely waited until the EPA scientists had left the committee room before delivering that demonstrably false assessment. The line of questioning of the EPA by most of the committee members repeatedly used the same industry talking points. A new pattern of direct attacks on science by farm groups is fast emerging. In February, an EPA Land Use Review document was described by the IFA as fundamentally flawed, with its president, Tim Cullinan threatening an uprising in rural Ireland. Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice claimed the EPA report amounted to ethnic cleansing of the agriculture community. The deployment of this kind of inflammatory language by the agri-sector and their political confreres is become ever more egregious. Earlier this year, Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen claimed EU nature restoration proposals smack of cultural imperialism. Eddie Punch of the Irish Sheep and Cattle Association said he was sick of listening to hippie dippies and tree huggers telling us we need to do more for the environment. Dermot Kelleher, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association said that a small cabal of unrepresentative but noisy activists were salivating at the prospect of ripping out the heart of economic activity in Ireland. Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association in June said: Everyone can see that at this stage its not about the data or the science: its actually about the ideology and the Governments need to keep in harness viciously anti-farming elements. Apart from flatly rejecting the EPA's science around water pollution, McCormack also dismissed the role of agriculture in biodiversity loss, instead making the ludicrous assertion that motorway building and invasive minks were the real issue. Padraic Fogarty Ecologist Padraic Fogarty, campaigns officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has studied and reported on the drastic declines in Irish biodiversity for many years, and has been an outspoken and articulate critic of agricultural intensification and the negative impacts it has had on our already depleted ecosystems. Fogarty is an expert in this area. Almost two weeks ago, he posted a blog on the IWT website accusing farmer representative groups of increasingly lurching to the far right, comparing their obstructionism and negativity to that deployed by the DUP. The IFA took umbrage, even though Fogartys language was more measured than much of the frenzied mud-slinging from the agri side, and demanded its removal. Yielding to intense pressure, the board of the IWT amended the blog, but without consulting Fogarty, who then resigned, accusing the trust of a capitulation to the IFA. In 2021, Oireachtas Agriculture committee chair, Jackie Cahill accused An Taisce, Irelands national trust, of a revolting act of treason for opposing a cheese plant. Where were the calls for his resignation for peddling such an outrageous slander? Almost two weeks ago, Padraic Fogarty posted a blog on the IWT website accusing farmer representative groups of increasingly lurching to the far right, comparing their obstructionism and negativity to that deployed by the DUP. File picture: Dan Linehan Agriculture appears to be a genuine blind spot for the Irish media. Were this level of rhetoric coming from, say the motor trade or construction industry, it would be rightly condemned and the agitators publicly denounced. This drift in discourse has not gone unnoticed. In Dublin last year, senior EU Commission official, Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea expressed the Commissions alarm at the increasingly aggressive stance being taken against environmental defenders. This was, he added, highly unusual to witness in an advanced society like Ireland. The reaction to his comments? Silence. This is how societies fail. Nobody spoke up against years of vicious attacks on environmentalists, so this emboldened agri-industrial activists to ratchet up the rhetoric and now target scientists and even smear the scientific process itself. Seriously, its time to shout stop. Read More The State must take responsibility for the restoration of nature I found Barbie again during 2020s covid lockdown. Indoors, confined to Juicy Couture tracksuits, I was missing excuses to express my hyper-femininity through clothing, as I had done pre-pandemic. Collecting Barbie dolls became a way to display my love of femininity in all its fun, ridiculous, and pink-saturated possibilities. My shelf of Barbies from Western Winking Barbie (1981) to Enchanted Evening Barbie (1995) is now my favourite part of my home. But for many, her rediscovery will come through Greta Gerwigs movie, Barbie the dolls first live-action film, starring Margot Robbie. As an artist and a researcher of expressions of femininity, Barbie is a constant source of inspiration to me. The doll is a conduit for cultural ideas surrounding femininity and the endless ways it can be played with. Hyper-femininity describes femininity at its most extreme, at the far end of the spectrum of different gender expressions. Contemporary expressions of hyper-femininity are often intended to subvert aspects of hegemonic femininity (expressions of femininity that reinforce traditional gender roles). These versions of hyper-femininity reclaim aspects of patriarchal, traditional femininity and play with, perform, and parody it. Margot Robbie arrives for the European premiere of Barbie at Cineworld Leicester Square in London First created by Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler in 1959, Barbie is a pop culture icon. For children, Barbie has been a beloved friend. For artists including Andy Warhol, a muse. And depending on who you ask either an ally or enemy of the feminist cause. Its Barbies hyper-femininity with her shiny blonde hair, perfect make-up, and excessively pink wardrobe that often causes these vast differences in opinion. In her book, Forever Barbie: The Unauthorised Biography of a Real Doll, author M G Lord describes Barbie as a complicated and contradictory pop-culture figure. Lord sees Barbie as a reflection of American popular cultural values and notions about femininity. Over its 64-year history, the dolls evolution has reflected the often contradictory demands and ideals placed on women. Some feminists argue that Barbies hyper-femininity isnt self aware in the way that, for example, the hyper-femininity of drag queens is. Instead, they say, Barbie reflects a more hegemonic femininity, with her idealised and impossible feminine body criticised as perpetuating harmful female beauty standards. Even Barbies curvier builds have been called out for failing to measure up to the average womans body. When scaled up, curvy Barbie would in fact be a UK size eight. And the problems dont end with Barbies body. In 1992, the talking Teen Talk Barbie was criticised for using phrases such as Math class is tough, echoing gender stereotypes. Career girl However, Barbie is also capable of subverting hegemonic femininity. Barbie has been marketed as an unmarried career girl since her inception, during an era where women were severely underrepresented in the workforce. With her first few careers including fashion designer (1960), nurse (1961) and astronaut (1965), Barbie stood as a role model to girls who showed there were options for their future beyond homemaking. Now, Barbie has had over 200 official careers. Often decked out in her signature pink, the doll has showed generations that they do not have to sacrifice their love of femininity in order to succeed. She has also changed her appearance over time, with Barbie appearing as different races and body types. In April, Mattel released a Barbie doll with Downs syndrome. In 1997, Mattel launched a lawsuit against Danish-Norwegian pop group, Aqua. The company alleged that the bands song 'Barbie Girl', released the same year, infringed upon Mattels trademark and imposed an adult image onto Barbie. Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie arrive for the European premiere of Barbie at Cineworld Leicester Square in London. The song featured lyrics such as Im a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world. Bimbo is a derogatory word for hyper-feminine women who are perceived as being unintelligent. In 2002, a California federal appeals court dropped Mattels lawsuit. Fast forward 20 years and the soundtrack to the Barbie movie features a song by rappers Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj entitled 'Barbie World', which samples Aquas 'Barbie Girl'. With lyrics such as Im a Barbie girl, pink Barbie Dreamhouse/The way Ken be killin shit got me yellin out like the Scream House, the pair position Barbie-branded hyper-femininity as a source of sexual empowerment. The inclusion of the Aqua sample in the Mattel-approved film marks a shift the brand is now leaning into the song. Perhaps this further indicates a transition from resisting Barbies bimbo reputation to embracing it. This reflects a wider vindication of the bimbo figure in recent years. Posts to social media platform TikTok reclaiming the term are proving wildly popular, with one self-professed bimbo influencer boasting 4.6 million followers. Hyper-feminine identities have been belittled within some feminist writing (such as Ariel Levys Female Chauvinist Pigs in 2005), because theyve been interpreted as a submission to the male gaze and patriarchal oppression. But this recent bimbo renaissance has highlighted how embracing hyper-femininity can, for some, be subversive, joyful, and empowering. In the movie, Barbie Land is a matriarchal society where hyper-femininity is a sign of power. In one scene, Barbie (Margot Robbie) explains: Basically everything that men do in your world, women do in ours. Now in her movie star era, Barbie is unashamedly embracing her hyper-feminine gender expression and its subversive and playful possibilities. To echo Barbies 1985 advertising slogan: We dolls can do anything. Daisy McManaman is a PhD Candidate at the Centre for Women's Studies, University of York This article was originally published on TheConversation.com The military has appointed at least 20 of its officers to high-ranking positions at Myanma Economic Bank (MEB) this year and they were put in charge of overseeing branches in at least five regions and two states last month, according to the juntas gazette and letters from the bank seen by The Irrawaddy. Five majors were appointed as managers at the banks headquarters, a March 15 gazette said. Another gazette on the same day said 15 captains had also been appointed as assistant managers at MEBs headquarters. In July, the state-owned commercial bank appointed them as civilian managers and assistant managers of administration departments in branches across the country. The five majors were transferred to branches in Shan State, and Yangon, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions, according to a letter from the MEB seen by The Irrawaddy. In another letter, 15 captains, including the 14 appointed to MEB in March, were transferred to MEB district banks in Yangon, Magwe, Sagaing, Mandalay and Bago regions, and Kayah and Shan states. They have been appointed civilian deputy heads of the branches. Zin Yaw, a former captain in the juntas military who joined the civil disobedience movement, said more military officers had been appointed to high positions at the bank. Its true that the junta appointed its officers to Myanma Economic Bank [but] this was not the first time. The junta [began] appointing military officers to the MEB in the months after the coup, he said. Appointing officers to civilian government departments and state-owned businesses is a method the junta uses to tighten its control, he explained, adding that the junta has plenty of majors and captains and most are transferred to civilian government departments and state-owned financial institutions. The junta transferred majors and captains to MEB branches, and in the future it will continue transferring [officers] into such [enterprises] and other civil departments to spread its cells, Zin Yaw said. The transfer of military officials from MEB headquarters to its branches followed the imposition of sanctions by the United States on two state-owned banks: Myanma Foreign Trade Bank and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank. After the sanctions were imposed in late June, the regime attempted to open secret bank accounts for the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and Myanma Timber Enterprise at the MEB to bypass sanctions on international transactions. Daily attacks hit regime targets in almost every corner of Myanmar in July as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs)the armed wings of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG)and ethnic armed organizations escalated their assaults on junta troops and targets, often in unison. Armed wings of the Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmars oldest ethnic political organization, pushed south, taking control of more territory and threatening the juntas administrative capital, Naypyitaw. At the same time, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) continued to hold its ground in the north as regime forces attempted to retake their former bases. Heavy fighting also occurred in northern Shan State, where regime forces faced three ethnic armed groupsthe KIA, Taang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. Fierce clashes continued to break out in Kayah State and southern Shan State in July as the junta sent reinforcements to attempt to retake a border town seized by resistance groups. The junta also ran into heavy resistance from armed ethnic Chin groups in July after sending more troops to the western state in an attempt to regain control. Daily attacks on regime troops and targets also occurred in Magwe, Sagaing and Mandalay regions, where resistance forces escalated their use of improvised drones. The junta responded to its daily defeats and the loss of territory by engaging in what it is best known forwar crimes. Three teens were stabbed to death and had their tongues cut out during a predawn raid on July 25 on an office of the All Burma Federation of Student Union in Sagaing Regions Budalin Township. Other atrocities included arbitrary murders, massacres, rape and other forms of sexual violence, looting of villages, torching of homes, bombarding civilian targets, and using civilians as human shields. The escalating conflict and atrocities in July appeared to confirm what several international analysts have been saying since late May. After more than two years of armed revolution, the regime is losing the war and is no longer in control of much of the country. On Monday, the regime admitted as much by breaching the constitution to extend the State of Emergency for another six months, citing an extraordinary situationresistance against military rule. Resistance rising in the south Amid decreasing offensives by junta forces, PDFs and allied KNU forces escalated their attacks in Mon and Karen states and Bago and Tanintharyi regions in July, taking control of more territory in the south. PDFs and KNU troops have been conducting near-daily security checks on vehicles on the Yangon-Dawei Highway in Mon State since mid-June to cut off the flow of weapons, ammunition and troops to the region. On July 1, the Joint Operation Command office of NUGs Southern Military Command issued a statement urging people to avoid using highways in Bago Region and Mon State between 6pm and 6am, saying it was escalating attacks on regime targets. Drivers were urged not to use mirrored windows in their vehicles and passengers were urged to allow PDF members to inspect them when traveling on highways during the day. A week after the statement, Taungoo District PDF Battalion 3501 ambushed a military convoy of 10 vehicles believed to be carrying the juntas quartermaster-general near the 169-mile point on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, destroying two vehicles. Joint forces of KNU and NUG PDFs have escalated attacks in eastern Bago Region, cutting off the juntas logistics routes to Karen State. The attacks are threating the junta just miles from Naypyitaw. KNU troops and PDFs managed to seize a strategic junta base on Lat Khat Taung Mountain in Karen States Myawaddy Township, inflicting heavy losses on junta troops in July. Junta troops have failed to re-take the base despite several attempts to do so. In response to the growing resistance, junta units conducted indiscriminate artillery shelling on civilian targets in KNU-controlled territory in Mon and Karen states and Bago Region nearly every day in July, forcing about 30,000 residents to flee their homes and injuring dozens more, according to reports from the KNU. At least several civilians were killed during the shelling, the KNU said. Fierce fighting resumes in Chin State Several days-long clashes with Chin resistance groups and PDFs began in southern Chin State in mid-July when large numbers of regime forces were deployed to reinforce the remaining junta bases and raid resistance areas. More than two dozen regime soldiers were reportedly killed. Except for a few towns, Chin State remains under the control of resistance forces. In the second week of July, two days of heavy clashes with Chin resistance forces erupted between Hakha and Thantlang towns as junta forces tried to take the mountaintop town Thantlang, which is controlled by resistance groups. The entire town was incinerated by the juntas bombardments and arson attacks. Still, junta troops suffered a defeat and retreated from the mountain. Chin resistance forces lost a strategic hill near Thantlang on July 20, but continued attacking regime targets in Mindat, Tedim and Matupi townships. Renewed clashes in the north Intense fighting occurred almost daily along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Highway in Kachin State in July after the junta deployed massive reinforcements to retake its bases near the headquarters of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Laiza town on the border with China. The junta had abandoned the bases near Laiza after the coup, according to the KIA. The KIA also clashed with regime forces in Kutkai Township in northern Shan State. Fierce fighting between junta troops and the Taang National Liberation Army was also reported in Muse Township in northern Shan State. Steady resistance attacks three regions With daily attacks, ambushes, drone strikes, artillery shelling and hit-and-run raids on junta bases and regime targets, several local resistance groups and PDFs are continuing their revolution against the regime in Magwe, Sagaing and Mandalay regions. Resistance forces in Magwe and Sagaing have escalated drone strikes on junta bases, police stations and some villages that are bases of regime forces and pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militias. Improvised mortar rounds and makeshift bombs are increasingly used to attack junta bases, including the headquarters of North West Military command in Monywa, the second-largest city in Sagaing Region. In retaliation, the junta has inflicted atrocities, including massacres, extrajudicial killings, looting and torching houses, artillery and airstrikes on civilian homes, as well as rapes and other forms of sexual violence. In June, a total of 374 clashesincluding 103 shootouts, 125 resistance raids and 74 resistance land-mine ambusheswere reported in the NUGs Military Region 1, which comprises Sagaing and Mandalay regions and northern Shan State. According to the NUG, 427 regime troops and 47 resistance fighters were killed in the clashes. The junta responded with 26 airstrikes. Fierce clashes in Kayah State A series of intense clashes broke out in Hpasawng Township in southern Kayah State in July as the junta sent a large number of troops to retake its military bases and Mase Town on the Thai border, which were under the control of Karenni resistance groups. Since July 21, combined resistance groups have been fighting to block 400 junta troopssupported by shelling and airstrikesfrom reaching Mase Town. Karenni resistance groups attacked and seized six junta bases and Mase Town in June. During the clashes, several dozen regime forces surrendered to the resistance groups and some battalions of the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Frontwhich are part of the juntas border guard forcesswitched sides and joined the resistance. Several days of clashes occurred near Loikaw Town in late July when resistance groups attacked junta troops guarding the Loikaw-Mobye Highway. Two military convoys of 80 trucks were attacked on the highway. An eight-day long battle occurred in neighboring Pekon Township in southern Shan State. Thirteen regime troops were reportedly killed from July 21 to 28 when Karenni and other resistance groups attacked a military unit in the township. Fighting is likely to intensify in Kayah State as the junta reportedly deployed about 6,000 troops to attempt to regain control of territory in the resistance stronghold. As of June 30, a total of 729 clashes between resistance groups and the regime broke out in Kayah state. The post-coup fighting took the lives of 2,177 junta soldiers and 305 resistance fighters, according to the Progressive Karenni People Force, an activist group that monitors the war and regime atrocities. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the numbers. The junta responded with 527 airstrikes, killing 365 civilians. More than 1,640 houses, including religious buildings, have been destroyed by junta bombs and arson attacks in the state since the coup. Junta in State of Emergency Faced with daily, nationwide resistance, including relentless attacks, coup-leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing violated the constitution to extend the State of Emergency on Monday, prolonging military rule for another six months. The accused war criminal told a cabinet meeting two weeks ago that much remains to be done to restore stability and rule of law across the union. He was referring to the resistance against him and his administration. Myanmars dictator also commanded his cabinet to increase military operations in three major resistance strongholds: Sagaing Region and Kayah and Chin states. As a result, fighting will escalate this month. War crimes will too. Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing again vowed to take whatever action was necessary for his regime to regain control of Myanmar as he extended emergency rule for another six months on Monday. More than two-and-a-half years after the coup, the regime is still struggling to impose control in large parts of the country. He justified the six-month extension by saying it was intended to speed up measures to restore stability and rule of law in parts of the country experiencing terrorist acts, referring to the resistance movement. The regime has labeled the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and Peoples Defense Force (PDF) as terrorists. At a meeting of his regimes cabinet on July 13, Min Aung Hlaing also called for increased security operations in Sagaing Region as well as Chin and Kayah states, which he described as hotbeds of terrorism. Speaking at a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on Monday, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated his plan to hold a general election. Foreign governments and blocs have rejected the plan, saying any vote held under the junta would be a sham. PDF groups and some ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are making it difficult to organize polls in Sagaing, Magwe, Bago and Tanintharyi regions as well as Karen, Kayah, Chin and Mon states, Min Aung Hlaing said. He also warned ethnic people not to press their demands by wielding arms. On Myanmars Armed Forces Day on March 27, Min Aung Hlaing vowed to crush EAOs helping the NUG and PDFs. He has admitted that more than 130 townships across the country are outside of the militarys control, while imposing martial law in nearly 50 townships in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe regions as well as Chin and Kayah states. While it has greater firepower and troop strength than the resistance forces, which began forming and training a few months after the 2021 coup, Min Aung Hlaings military is stretched thin fighting a multi-front war, making it necessary for the junta chief to create incentives to buy loyalty from his soldiers. The dictator has twice sponsored beach holidays for junta soldiers who were badly wounded in fighting with resistance forces. On July 23, he awarded medals of honor to 45 police officers in Sagaing and Magwe regions, resistance strongholds in central Myanmar. The state of emergency was initially declared in February 2021 when the military ousted the democratically elected government of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The countrys constitution states that an emergency can be declared for an initial period of one year and can normally be extended for a maximum of two half-year terms at the discretion of the military-dominated NDSC. However, Min Aung Hlaing has extended the emergency rule twice beyond the maximum of two years, thereby breaching, or at least bending, the constitution. Washington is deeply concerned by the juntas extension of the state of emergency, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday. Canada echoed the concern, saying the extension prolongs the regimes illegitimate rule over Myanmar. Myanmars military regime cut six years from detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyis 33-year combined sentence as part of a general amnesty on Tuesday. The amnesty marking an important Buddhist religious dayDhamma Cakka Day, which falls on Tuesdayalso saw a four-year reduction in the sentence of ousted President U Win Myint of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) government, which was toppled by a military coup in 2021. The regime announced pardons for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in five criminal cases filed against her in 2021 for alleged offenses including incitement and violations of the disaster management, telecommunications and export-import laws. She has been convicted in a total of 19 cases. The 78-year-old continues to serve a combined 27-year sentence in the remaining 14 cases. U Win Myint was pardoned in two casesincitement and breaching the disaster management lawand continues to serve sentences handed down in six others. Both have been detained by the regime since the first day of the takeover. Though they were put under house arrest initially, they were later transferred to prisons. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was reportedly moved to home confinement late last month but the junta has yet to confirm the move. The regimes partial pardons for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint failed to impress Myanmar people, many of whom took to social media to express their views. Why should we bother to thank them [for the pardons], as they [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint] should not have been arrested in the first place? said one. U Kyaw Zaw, a spokesperson for Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG), told The Irrawaddy that the pardons were nothing more than cosmetic and called for the unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Win Myint and all political prisoners. The NUG was formed by elected lawmakers from the NLD and their ethnic allies to challenge the junta politically at home and abroad. Many in Myanmar consider it their legitimate government. The move comes straight out of the regimes dirty politics playbook to ease international pressure, he said. Since the coup and the ensuing bloody crackdowns on protesters, the regime has been struggling to cope with the impacts of international sanctions and widespread armed resistance at home. Tuesdays amnesty saw the release of more than 7,000 people detained at prisons across the country. Among them were 71 people detained for their affiliations with ethnic armed organizations. At the time of reporting on Tuesday afternoon, some political prisoners had reportedly been released but the exact number was not available yet. The clemency came one day after the junta extended its military rule for another six monthsthe fourth such extension since the coup. Tuesday, Aug 1st, 2023 (10:10 am) - Score 816 New research from network operator Virgin Media (VMO2) and economic consultancy Cebr has claimed that 65.1bn could be added to the UK economy and employment could be increased by 6.8% (creating an additional 284,000 new jobs), but only provided all rural areas get access to excellent digital connectivity. According to Ofcoms data (here), some 97% of UK premises are already within reach of a 30Mbps+ capable fixed-line broadband network, which falls to 73% for gigabit-capable speeds, while just 1.4% are unable to access speeds of 10Mbps+ (USO level). As for mobile connectivity, 4G reaches 80-87% for geographic coverage across all operators, while 73-82% of premises can get outdoor 5G coverage via at least one operator. Sadly, rural areas are often the last to benefit from digital connectivity upgrades, which can leave areas such as tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses at a disadvantage. But the new report The Great Rural Revival suggests that solving this could deliver a huge economic boost. However, the report is fairly short and basic, which is probably because it was based on an Opinium survey of just 1,096 rural respondents with a decision-making role on tasks related to digital connectivity. VMO2 and Cebr then used this to derive the difference of quality in rural and urban connectivity, and by how much turnover and employment could increase if rural businesses had excellent digital connectivity. Take with a pinch of salt. Biggest Benefits from Excellent Rural Connectivity The sector as a whole would grow turnover by 10.5% a rise of 65.1 billion across businesses in current prices. Further, employment in rural areas would grow by 6.8%, equivalent to creating 284,000 new jobs. The East of England would benefit most from digital connectivity upgrades, unlocking a 12 billion boost for the local economy and 42,000 new jobs. Other regions set to benefit include the South West, where the local economy could unlock 7 billion and benefit from 39,000 new jobs, as well as Wales, where 5 billion could be unlocked alongside 25,000 jobs. Rural tourism businesses could increase turnover by 9.9% (equating to an extra 842 million per year) and boost employment by 3.8% with improved connectivity. Overall, our impression of reading this research is that VMO2s report is more focused on promoting the operators own efforts to upgrade mobile and broadband connectivity, rather than in actually doing a deeper analysis of the issues. For example, the report highlights VMO2s recent Starlink trial in remote Wales (here), while noting their 4G upgrades under the Shared Rural Network programme, as well as their planned full fibre upgrades and so forth. Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: At a time when communities across the UK are struggling, this new analysis demonstrates how improved rural connectivity could herald a Great Rural Revival. The last decade has seen fixed and mobile networks rolled out to new corners of the UK, and now the transformational potential of connectivity has been made clear with the ability to unlock 65 billion of new growth in rural areas. Through working closely with industry partners, the UK Government, planning authorities and landowners, we can deliver the essential network upgrades that will help to bridge the rural-urban connectivity divide, provide faster and more reliable coverage and unlock new jobs and growth in the process. One of the biggest problems with this report is that theyve defined excellent connectivity in a very unspecific way, basing it off a vague score of 10 for both fixed and mobile connectivity when survey respondents were asked to rate the quality of their connectivity. This was then used alongside questions around anticipated turnover and employment changes to calculate the impact to the rural economy as a whole. In our view, that approach just seems a bit too weak and anecdotal to give an accurate picture, particularly as such opinions do not always reflect the actual availability of better networks (e.g. you might be unhappy with what you have, but may also be unaware that better connectivity already exists). As we always say when such reports surface trying to accurately gauge the economic impact of deploying faster broadband or better mobile is notoriously difficult, not least since most premises wont be starting from a point of zero connectivity and many of the most common tasks (e.g. online shopping, banking etc.) only need a fairly basic connection. Not that better connectivity isnt needed, but there can be an issue of diminishing returns. The government are currently working to improve rural broadband and mobile connectivity via a variety of changes (e.g. softer planning rules, easier infrastructure sharing and better access to upgrade existing sites) and programmes. For example, theres the 1bn industry-led Shared Rural Network (SRN) project that aims to extend geographic 4G coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025 (it may also help the 5G rollout). On top of that, theres also the 5bn Project Gigabit rollout that aims to ensure that a minimum of 85%+ of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable broadband ISP connection by the end of 2025, before possibly reaching nationwide (c.99%) coverage by the end of 2030 (here and here). Not to mention various other programmes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Finally, a number of technology trials are also being conducted to test Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and LEO satellite based broadband solutions for rural areas (examples here and here). This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Reddit Email 36 Shares By Atmaja Gohain Baruah, Kings College London | Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to climate extremes. The nations topography lays its citizens bare to cyclones, flash floods, erosion and drought not to mention the significant socio-economic impact these bring. Agricultural economist GM Monirul Alam showed, in a 2017 study, that with more than 230 tidally active rivers and waterways, 20 of the countrys 64 districts are extremely vulnerable to river-bank erosion. Every year, a total of 8,700 hectares of land is lost, with river channels shifting by as much as 300 meters, displacing 200,000 people as a result. In 2018, a report for the World Bank estimated that if appropriate mitigation measures are not taken to prepare for climate extremes, as many as 13.3 million people could face displacement within Bangladesh by 2050. With the population expected to reach 220 million by then, that would equate to 6% being made homeless. Disaster preparedness and relief have always been a key focus for the Bangladeshi government since independence in 1972. The Ashrayan programme, launched in 1997, seeks to build new homes for people who are homeless and landless. It now stands as the biggest project of its kind globally. By 2022, it had helped 507,244 families resettle at a cost of $355.13 million (297.98 million). For my doctoral research, I have studied Bangladeshs response to climate-related migration, conducting interviews with public officials and other people impacted by the project. I have found that when structures are built at speed, without the necessary support system in place, communities vulnerability to the climate crisis only increases. What is an Ashrayan? The Ashrayan, which means to shelter in Bengali, stems from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas longstanding vision of inclusive development. Hasina, who first came to power in 1996, and was re-elected in 2009 and again in 2014, has repeatedly stated her goal that: No-one will be left without address or homeless and landless. An Ashrayan comprises anything from a few dozen barrack houses to several hundred, depending on the land available and the scale of the site. The standard house features two to three rooms, a kitchen, a toilet and a small veranda. Joint ownership of the land can be awarded in the name of both the wife and husband. Special priority is given to widows, disabled people and the elderly. Article continues after bonus IC video Bangladeshs struggle with flooding | DW Documentary The development approach is about much more than just construction. It seeks to implement what development experts and urban planners term people-centric rehabilitation. Residents have access to technical training courses and micro-credit programmes, as well as community centres and prayer halls. Going by numbers of people who have been rehoused around 554,597 families to date the success of the programme is evident. However, critics point to the projects failure to take geographical specificities and cultural nuances into consideration when Ashrayans are built. This, in turn, is hampering efforts to achieve policy objectives. First, as noted in 2022 by urban planners at Khulna University, local agricultural, ecological and geological knowledge was not being taken into account in the spatial planning process. This oversight in selecting safe sites means residents, and the infrastructure they rely on, are even more vulnerable. This was made clear when cyclone Amphan hit in 2020. Several barracks were severely damaged. The following year, in 2021, seven of the 22 homes in a Bogra district Ashrayan, in Rajshahi, collapsed after moderate rains caused subsidence. News reports highlighted the poor construction of the barracks and the fact that they had been built on the sandy soil of a canal bank. Second, observers have noted inconsistencies in how basic infrastructure is constructed. Without a proper drainage system, untreated sewage and waste is allowed to run off into nearby bodies of water, on which communities depend for water and fishing for a livelihood. Little consideration has been given to where Ashrayan sites are located in terms of the residents chances of employment, access to affordable healthcare and education. When families are unable to make ends meet, children often drop out of school to work in jute mills, shipyards or car garages. Many households have reportedly left their designated barracks because they have been unable to find work. Most illnesses go untreated simply because the health financing system in the country is underfunded and relies heavily on cash payments. Those who cannot afford to pay thus have little access to healthcare. Moreover, when situated at a remote location, residents lose access to the socio-cultural networks that are key to rebuilding communities. Administrative bureaucracy is also taking a toll. The process for acquiring a piece of land under the Ashrayan programme and obtaining proof of land ownership is fraught. Relocated families are supposed to be handed the registered deed on the spot. In practice, however, the actual delivery of the relevant certificates and title deeds is taking years. Barracks are built at speed, and local municipalities, beset with competing priorities, are struggling to keep up. This is evident in the recurring cost and time overruns. Many of the projects are coming in way over budget and are taking longer than predicted. Successful resettlements across the world have always been more than a reconstruction of what was materially lost. They are about helping communities to rebuild their social fabric on every level: infrastructural, economic and cultural. When, by contrast, local autonomy, expertise and aspirations are excluded from the planning process and when existing patterns of inequality are not taken into consideration, the foundation on which the resettlement project is built is shaky. It risks further amplifying the vulnerabilities people face. Bangladesh should be lauded for undertaking the worlds largest resettlement programme. However, without following a systematic approach that combines resilient infrastructure with governmental investment in human and social capital, its citizens will continue to be at the mercy of shifting lands and weather patterns. Atmaja Gohain Baruah, Joint PhD Researcher at the National University of Singapore and KCL, Kings College London This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Reddit Email 24 Shares Middle East Studies Association | Committee on Academic Freedom | Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington DC alejandro.mayorkas@hq.dhs.gov Mr. Anthony Blinken Secretary Department of State Washington DC secretary@state.gov Dear Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken: We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom in order to express our concern regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently concluded between the United States and Israel concerning Israels admission to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Many MESA members conduct research or engage in scholarship and study that requires travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). We therefore write out of concern that these members, whether students, faculty or researchers, may face discrimination and exclusion under the terms of the MOU. We have reviewed the version of the MOU dated 19 July 2023, recognizing that an official version is yet to be published, together with the voluntary reporting portal and the Israeli government website containing instructions on how to apply for entry to Israel and the OPT. We are deeply concerned that the provisions of the MOU may negatively impact U.S. citizens and nationals seeking entry to Israel or the OPT, especially Palestinian-Americans, Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans, as well as Americans of other backgrounds who wish to travel to Israel or the OPT for study or research. There is good reason to expect that, on illegitimate grounds that the U.S. government will be unable to adequately assess, review or challenge, U.S. citizens and nationals may be denied entry because of their ethnic, national or religious identity, or because they have expressed certain views regarding Israeli policies. Such grounds may include alleged Israeli security concerns and alleged violation of Israeli laws against advocacy of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. Tolerating such denials of entry would constitute a violation of the constitutional right of US citizens and nationals to freedom of speech and expression, and would also infringe the principles of academic freedom. MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 3000 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and elsewhere. We are most concerned about the following four issues with the MOU and the initiation of a trial period for a VWP with Israel: First, the MOU adopts existing Israeli policy for differential treatment of certain categories of U.S. citizen travelers, subjecting those who hold a Palestinian Authority identity card to a variety of separate requirements and permissions while U.S. citizens not on the Palestinian population registry will benefit from a standard waiver of such restrictions to entry. This means that, by definition under the MOU, Israel will be entitled to impose additional conditions on the entry of some American students and scholars to Israel for short-term visits, whereas no comparable restrictions are imposed on Israeli citizens access to the U.S. These discriminatory restrictions will adversely affect opportunities for access to Israel for research and scholarly exchange from which our members ought to be entitled to benefit. We therefore believe that the MOU should be revised to explicitly rule out exclusion on such grounds. Second, the MOU allows a discriminatory regime to govern access to Gaza in ways that would adversely impact our members. The arbitrary restrictions on U.S. citizens access to Gaza under the MOU make it nearly impossible for students and scholars to travel to that territory, impeding ordinary scholarly exchanges and conduct of short-term research typically made possible under a VWP. Given that access to Gaza is directly controlled by Israel, whose citizens will benefit under the MOU from unfettered access to the United States, restrictions and exclusion from Gaza should be lifted as a condition of reciprocity. Moreover, access to Gaza is also subject to restriction and regulation based on the national origin or religion of U.S. citizen academics and students seeking to travel. We are deeply concerned that these restrictions will impede the academic freedom of a subset of students and scholars seeking to study and conduct research in a territory administered by Israel, with no reciprocal restrictions on Israeli academics in their access to territories controlled by the U.S. We urge the Biden administration to address the non-reciprocal character of the MOU by requiring that Israel lift the provisions pertaining to access to Gaza as well as access to Israel for American citizens with family ties to Gaza. Third, we are concerned that the MOU applies only to Israeli citizens, rather than to nationals as provided under federal statute. We believe that this amounts to excluding scholars and students who are Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and who are issued Israeli travel documents and should qualify as nationals as defined by the VWP statute from benefitting from VWP access to the United States. Given the clear language of the relevant statute, the omission of the term nationals, which would encompass East Jerusalems Palestinian residents, imposes arbitrary, discriminatory and impermissible restrictions on members of MESA and other scholars and students who wish to access the United States to benefit from scholarly exchanges and short-term research visits, including attendance of MESAs annual meeting, the largest international gathering of scholars in the field of Middle East studies. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, given Israels long and well-documented record of excluding Palestinian-Americans, Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans and other American citizens based on suspected pro-Palestinian sympathies or activism on alleged security grounds, we are deeply concerned that the academic freedom of many American scholars in the field of Middle East studies will be adversely impacted by the ongoing imposition of arbitrary exclusion from Israel under the terms of the MOU. As it stands, the MOU does not explicitly require as part of the agreement on reciprocity that arbitrary use of security as a basis for exclusion be ended. While legitimate and evidence-based security concerns, matched with due process, may be a permissible basis for both countries to retain rights of exclusion, Israels practice of exclusion without either evidentiary basis or procedural protections must be terminated. The practice of using national or religious origin or protected speech as a proxy for exclusion amounts to impermissible discrimination and violations of the right to free speech, which adversely impacts the academic freedom of U.S. students and scholars. We note that Israel currently treats human rights scrutiny of its practices including by leading human rights organizations internationally and within Israel or activism on behalf of Palestinian rights as a security threat or evidence of antisemitism. With the potential admission of Israel to the VWP, there is every risk that Israeli officials will deny American scholars and students entry to Israel on the basis of spurious allegations of antisemitism, which will result not only in arbitrary restrictions on scholarly travel but also taint those accused. We therefore urge the Biden administration to clarify that the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism does not extend the definition of antisemitism to criticism of Israeli state policies or actions. The MOU must also make it clear that criticism of Israeli state practices or actions is protected by the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and academic freedom, and cannot serve as a basis to exclude U.S. citizens from the VWP. In light of our concerns, we ask that you immediately suspend the initiation of a trial period for the admission of Israel to the VWP and revise the MOU to explicitly provide for protections against discrimination based on national or religious origin or protected speech activities. We further urge you to take measures to ensure that all U.S. citizens and nationals are given equal access to the benefits of visa-free travel to Israel and the OPT before taking any additional steps towards the inclusion of Israel in the VWP program. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, Eve Troutt Powell MESA President Professor, University of Pennsylvania Laurie Brand Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom Professor Emerita, University of Southern California cc: Senator Gary Peters Chair, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee United States Senate via fax: (202) 224-7387 Shoba Sivaprasada Wadhia Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Department of Homeland Security shoba.sivaprasadwadhia@hq.dhs.gov Andrew P. Miller Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State millerAP1@state.gov Hady Amr Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State AmrHA@state.gov Via MESA Reddit Email 86 Shares ( Middle East Monitor ) At first glance, the statement may seem baffling. If Israel is a Jewish State that serves as a homeland for all Jewish people, everywhere, does it not follow that the struggle, at least from an Israeli viewpoint, is essentially a religious one? If only it was that simple. Israels dichotomy is that it was founded by an ideology, Zionism, which purposely conflated between religion and nationality. The Zionist movement was non-religious from the start, Avnery wrote, if not anti-religious. He went on to cite a famous quote by the founder of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, we shall know how to keep (our clergymen) in their temples. Clearly, Herzls descendants could not keep the clergymen in their temples. The once marginal impact of Israels religious Zionists has long exceeded the margins allocated to them by their liberal brethren. It is the likes of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israels far-right ministers of national security and finance, respectively, who are the new kings of the hill. The days of Chaim Weismann, David Ben-Gurion, Levi Eshkol and even Shimon Perez are long gone, and most likely irreversibly so. The irony and the source of confusion is that all past and current leadership of Israel liberal, conservative or religious are proud Zionists who saw Judaism as a centrepiece in the Israeli identity. But how can one then understand the current layers of religious, class, ethnic and, ultimately, ideological conflicts at work in Israel? The simple explanation of Israels ongoing protests is that nearly half of the Israeli population objects to judicial reforms championed by an extremist rightwing government under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu. Protesters say that the mass mobilisation aims at saving Israeli democracy from the likes of Ben-Gvir and others. Yet, there was no such mobilisation when Israel passed its Nation-State Law in 2018, defining Israel as the national home of the Jewish people, in which it fulfils its natural, cultural, religious and historical right to self-determination. The truth is that most Israeli Jews have no qualms with a law that exists to discriminate against the Palestinian Arab citizens of the country. This should hardly be a surprise as Israel is a settler-colonial state whose very existence was made possible by the expulsion of most of the native Palestinian population. The phrasing of the Nation-State Law, however, did not only exist to cancel the rights of the Palestinians, but to ensure some kind of balance between the competing Israeli-Jewish groups. Writing in Haaretz in June 2017, Shlomo Sand asserted that Zionism was a national movement that rebelled against historical Judaism and that it was mainly atheistic. In this context, atheism did not simply translate to the denial of Gods existence, but also to the rejection of all religious myths, notions and beliefs affiliated with traditional Judaism. Article continues after bonus IC video Al Jazeera English: Israel judicial protests: Anti-occupation bloc questions democracy of the state It was no wonder that religious Jewish organisations and communities in Europe had initially rejected Zionism and perceived early Zionist leaders as heretics. Yet, such terms as Jews and the Jewish people remained essential to atheistic Zionists because such references were not only strategic and functional, but critical to the very survival of the ideology. For the atheistic Zionists, God was dead and, therefore, the Holy Land became the homeland, Sand argued, describing how Zionists converted Judaism from a religion to a national movement. This is why the language of the Nation-State Law was phrased in such a way. When the terms natural, cultural, religious and historical are combined, they produce a relatively modern definition of nationhood though an exclusivist and racist one. The way that liberal Zionists redefined religion according to nationalistic lines, religious Zionists are now redefining nationality according to religious beliefs. Armed with a legally binding definition of Israel as an exclusively Jewish state, many Israelis would like to see the religious component of the state become the dominant one, thus challenging the liberal Zionists peculiar definition of democracy. For that to happen, the countrys political, educational, judicial and military systems would have to be entirely revamped to adhere to a religious, messianic code and priorities. Now that Israels most rightwing government in history has a comfortable majority, the next step is to remove the main obstacle out of the way: the judicial system and, particularly, the Supreme Court the only entity capable of blocking or reversing the governments decisions. The media presentation of Israels mass protest as a fight for democracy is misleading, at best, as it fails to address the historical, ideological and, ultimately, class divides in Israeli society. When the state of Israel was finally established on the ruins of historic Palestine in May 1948, it was liberal and atheistic Zionists who declared its independence, invented its founding myths and laboured to give it international legitimacy. References to Jews, Judaism and the Jewish people were enough to give it a religious facade and appeal, but not enough to hand the keys over to religious Zionists. The latter group proved critical to liberal Zionists, as they became the backbone of Israels colonial enterprises in the Occupied Palestinian Territories following the 1967 war. Not until the late 1970s did right-wing, revisionist Zionism become more relevant, and not until recently did religious Zionists become the power brokers, dominating the Israeli government and some of the most critical political institutions. It seems that the balancing act of liberal Zionists of being both Jewish and democratic has failed. This strange equation has served Israel well among its Western allies, who not only believed in this perplexing reasoning, but defended it as well. Thus without Jewish and democratic together in the same sentence, the idea of Israel will become even more indefensible in the future. Ideological shifts do not appear and disappear overnight. Regardless of the outcome of Israels protests, the ideological shifts in Israel are seismic and long-lasting. For now, liberal Zionists and their Western allies must accept the historical truth that Herzls clergymen have escaped the temples and are now running the country. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Via Middle East Monitor Vancouver, BC , Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) (OTCQX: SYHBF) (Frankfurt: SC1P) (the Company) is pleased to announce that it has acquired by staking seven new prospective uranium exploration claims in Northern Saskatchewan, increasing Skyharbours total land package that it has ownership interest in to 518,302 ha (1,215,941 acres) across 24 projects. These 100% owned claims add an additional 13,945 ha to Skyharbours existing holdings in and around the Athabasca Basin, which is host to the highest-grade uranium deposits in the world and is consistently ranked as a top mining jurisdiction by the Fraser Institute. As the Company remains focused on its co-flagship Russell Lake and Moore projects, these new properties will become a part of Skyharbours prospect generator business as the Company will seek strategic partners to advance these assets. Skyharbours New Uranium Project Portfolio Map List of New Claims: CBX Project additional five new contiguous claims totalling 6,804 ha linking the Companys former CBX and Snow projects Karin Project one additional claim totalling 5,882 ha 914W Project new project totalling 1,260 ha Jordan Trimble, President and CEO of Skyharbour Resources, states We continue to add to our dominant uranium project portfolio in the Athabasca Basin with this recent staking while advancing our core projects through ongoing drilling and exploration. These new mineral claims bolster existing properties and provide additional ground to option or joint-venture out to new partner companies as a part of our prospect generator business. Summary of Recently Staked Properties: CBX Project: The CBX property has been recently expanded through staking to include five additional claims adjoining the previously staked CBX and Snow properties, which have been combined to include a total of seven claims covering 8,777 ha. The new claims lie approximately 6.5 km to 25 km north to northeast of the Eagle Point uranium mine and cover the northern shore of Wollaston Lake including parts of Cunning Bay. Outcrop exposure on the property is poor, but historical mapping and drilling shows that the newly expanded CBX project is underlain by a mixture of Wollaston Supergroup metasedimentary gneisses, Hudsonian intrusives, and Archean felsic gneisses of the Western Wollaston Domain. Similar lithologies host uranium mineralization at the Rabbit Lake operation, including the Eagle Point deposit, and other uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin and surrounding regions. CBX Project Map Like the previously staked CBX claims, these new claims have seen a variety of historical exploration conducted mainly between 1968-1981, including airborne and ground EM, magnetics, and radiometrics surveys, marine seismic surveys, prospecting, geological mapping, and geochemical, with some additional work in 1993. There was also a limited amount of historic drilling in 1979-1980, including drill hole CBA-1 on the Cunning West Grid in the southeastern end of the property, and two diamond drill holes, WN-14 and WN-15, drilled in 1980 in the north-central part of the property on the Ross Channel Grid. All three drillholes were shallow (<100 m depth) and successfully intersected variably chlorite-altered graphitic biotite gneiss, with local pegmatites and graphitic fault gouges, however no geochemical samples were taken from these drill holes. These new claims have seen no modern exploration, although drilling and other modern exploration have been done on adjacent properties. The CBX property is prospective for unconformity-related, basement-hosted uranium mineralization, pegmatite- and granite-hosted uranium and REEs, and for molybdenite, as sedimentary-hosted molybdenite and pyrite were identified in fractures in a quartzite outcrop on the property (SMDI 4890). 914W Project: The 914W project consists of one claim covering 1,260 ha approximately 48 km southwest of Camecos Key Lake Operation. Highway 914 runs through the western edge of the project, providing excellent access for exploration. Historical geological mapping of the property and surrounding area has shown that the project is predominantly underlain by prospective Wollaston Supergroup pelitic and psammitic to arkosic gneisses of the Western Wollaston Domain, which host significant unconformity-related uranium mineralization further to the north in the Athabasca Basin as well as pegmatite-hosted uranium mineralization elsewhere in the Wollaston Domain. 914W, 914, 914N, and Elevator Projects Map Despite the projects proximity to Highway 914 and prospective geology, the project has seen limited exploration work. The earliest work on the 914W property included airborne EM and magnetic surveys and ground geological reconnaissance in 1968-1970, lake water and sediment sampling in 1976, ground VLF-EM, magnetic, and radiometric surveys, geological mapping, trenching, as well as sampling on the project and surrounding areas. Immediately to the north of the 914W property, prospecting led to the discovery of the Scurry Rainbow Zone E (SMDI1961) and the Don Lake Trenches (SMDI 1983), where up to 1,288 ppm U was encountered in drill hole ML-1 (SMDI1961) in a pyroxene-rich unit, and surface prospecting revealed up to 0.64% U 3 O 8 in a trench at Don Lake Zone E (SMDI 1983). More recently, the project has seen airborne geophysical coverage by helicopter-borne VTEM (southern half) in 2005 and Tempest TDEM (northern half) in 2007, with prospecting, geological mapping, rock/sediment sampling and lake sediment sampling occurring on the project and surrounding areas in 2005-2007. However, much of the most recent exploration work was completed on areas outside of the extents of the 914W project and the project remains underexplored and prospective for unconformity-related and pegmatite-hosted uranium and REEs. Karin Project: One additional claim was added to Skyharbours Karin Project during this latest round of staking, extending the project to cover six claims totalling 24,265 ha, approximately 21 km to 33 km east of Highway 914 and 20 km southeast of Camecos Key Lake operation. This new claim, totalling 5,882 ha, is adjacent to Skyharbours Foster project. Like the remainder of the Karin project, it is underlain by Wollaston Group metasedimentary gneisses, mostly psammitic to meta-arkosic in composition but with localized prospective pelitic to psammopelitic gneisses in fold noses, and it is prospective for both unconformity-related and pegmatite-hosted uranium mineralization. Karin Project Map The Karin project, including the new claim, had seen some exploration in the late 1960s to early 1980s, including airborne EM, magnetics and radiometrics, radon surveys, prospecting, geological mapping, lake water and sediment sampling, as well as a limited amount of diamond drilling. Two drill holes were attempted on the new claim added to the Karin project, however both attempts were lost during casing. Five drill holes that were successfully drilled on the remainder of the Karin project intersected Wollaston Supergroup meta-arkose and semipelitic to pelitic gneisses, amphibolite and pegmatite to granodiorite, along with localized hematite, chlorite, epidote, and/or goethite alteration. One of these drillholes, 78-1, intersected a weakly radioactive pegmatite which returned 0.025% U3O8 over 0.45 m at a depth of 72.85 m (AF 74H03-0036). The drilling on the Karin project was targeting some of the stronger EM conductors and radon anomalies on the property, however several other historical EM anomalies did not receive follow-up work. Given that this work took place prior to the development of modern geophysics and uranium exploration models, it is likely that additional prospective targets remain untested on the Karin project. The only recent exploration on the project consisted of limited prospecting in 2008, which led to the discovery of a pegmatite outcrop that returned 181 ppm U, 205 ppm Nb, and 39 ppm Ta (SMDI 5179). The Karin project has otherwise been unexplored since the 1980s and remains prospective for both intrusive-type and unconformity-related uranium deposits and intrusive-related REEs. Marketing Agreement with Outside the Box Capital Skyharbour also announced that it has entered into a six month marketing and consulting contract with Toronto-based marketing firm Outside The Box Capital Inc. (OTBC). OTBC specializes in various social media platforms and digital marketing strategies, and will be able to facilitate greater awareness and widespread dissemination of the Company's news. In connection with the agreement set to commence in August, 2023, and run for six months, the Company will pay Outside The Box Capital Inc. a total cash fee of CAD $100,000 plus applicable taxes. Outside The Box Capital Inc. owns no securities of the Company as of the date hereof and is arms length to the Company. The engagement of OTBC remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by David Billard, P.Geo., a Consulting Geologist for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person. *SMDI refers to the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposits Index and AF refers to Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment File. About Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with twenty-four projects, ten of which are drill-ready, covering over 518,000 hectares (over 1.2 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone that returned drill results of up to 6.0% U 3 O 8 over 5.9 metres including 20.8% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Adjacent to the Moore Uranium Project is Skyharbours recently optioned Russell Lake Uranium Project from Rio Tinto, which hosts historical high-grade uranium drill intercepts over a large property area with robust exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drill programs. Skyharbour has joint-ventures with industry-leader Orano Canada Inc. and Azincourt Energy at the Preston and East Preston Projects, respectively, whereby Orano and Azincourt earned majority interests in the projects through exploration expenditures, cash payments and share issuances. Skyharbour also has several active earn-in option partners including: ASX-listed Valor Resources at the Hook Lake Uranium Project; CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; CSE-listed Medaro Mining Corp. at the Yurchison Project; Yellow Rocks Energy, a private Australian entity, at the Wallee and Usam Island projects; North Shore Energy Metals at the South Falcon Project; and TSX-V listed Tisdale Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project which is host to the Fraser Lakes Zone B Uranium and Thorium Deposit. Collectively, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to over $37 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $28 million worth of shares being issued and over $19 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Skyharbours Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Companys website at www.skyharbourltd.com. SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD. Jordan Trimble Jordan Trimble President and CEO For further information contact myself or: Nicholas Coltura Corporate Development and Communications Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-558-5847 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements, including the Private Placement. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, regulatory approvals, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Galway Metals Inc. (TSXV:GWM) (OTCQB:GAYMF) (the "Company" or "Galway") is pleased to report the expansion of mineralization in multiple locations within the Triangle Area -which includes the recently-discovered Stewart Zone- at Clarence Stream as highlighted as exploration target #1 in Figure 1 . The significance of these intersects is: That the 900 metre gap between the Stewart Zone and the SW Deposit has returned intersections all along it ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), that mineralization has been expanded along all three strike directions that make up the triangle, mineralization has been intersected in a previously undrilled area in the NE corner within the Adrian/GMZ pit shell as defined in the Clarence Stream Mineral Resource Update reported on April 25, 2022 . Drilling is now following up on these intersections, designed to follow the resource block models where they are open towards surface within the pits (where no drilling has taken place to date) ( Figure 4 ). Robert Hinchcliffe, President and CEO of Galway Metals, states: " The Triangle Area represents a tremendous exploration opportunity for Galway. It is situated immediately north of the SW Deposit, which is by far the largest component of Galway's gold resource at Clarence Stream. The area of this Triangle is 180% of the area that hosts the SW Deposit. If Galway can continue to successfully fill in this triangle, it can be quite material for the future development of the project." Drill result highlights: Stewart Zone to Richard Zone Hole BL-240: 8.0 g/t Au over 9.5m , including 62.4 g/t Au over 1.1m, starting at 91m from surface , including 62.4 g/t Au over 1.1m, starting at 91m from surface Hole BL-238: 5.8 g/t Au over 1.1m, including 10.6 g/t Au over 0.6m, starting at 13.6m from surface Stewart Zone to Adrian and GMZ Zones Hole CL-178A: 3.9 g/t Au over 6.0m , including 21.7 g/t Au over 1.0m, starting at 67m from surface , including 21.7 g/t Au over 1.0m, starting at 67m from surface Hole BL-248: 1.6 g/t Au over 6.0m , including 4.7 g/t Au over 1.5m, starting at 16m from surface , including 4.7 g/t Au over 1.5m, starting at 16m from surface Hole CL-176: 0.7 g/t Au over 7.2m , plus 1.2 g/t Au over 3.0m, starting at 14 m and 98m, respectively, from surface , plus 1.2 g/t Au over 3.0m, starting at m and 98m, respectively, from surface Hole CL-177: 0.7 g/t Au over 4.0m, starting at 14 m from surface m from surface Hole CL-173: 0.5 g/t Au over 8.5m, including 3.7 g/t Au over 0.5m, starting at 75m from surface Hole BL-237: 1.1 g/t Au over 6.0m , including 2.8 g/t Au over 1.0m, starting at 111m from surface , including 2.8 g/t Au over 1.0m, starting at 111m from surface Hole BL-235: 0.9 g/t Au over 5.0m, starting at 82m from surface Richard Zone to Adrian Zone Hole BL-236: 6.1 g/t Au over 1.7m, including 12.2 g/t Au over 0.7m, plus 3.4 g/t Au over 4.0m , including 11.1 g/t Au over 1.0m, plus 4.7 g/t Au over 1.0m, starting at 91m, 83m and 65m, respectively, from surface , including 11.1 g/t Au over 1.0m, plus 4.7 g/t Au over 1.0m, starting at 91m, 83m and 65m, respectively, from surface Hole BL-233: 0.7 g/t Au over 15.0m , including 2.6 g/t Au over 0.5m, starting at 65m from surface Previous drilling at Stewart intersected 4.8 g/t Au over 3.1m , and was followed up with a hole that hosted 5 separate veins, the best of which intersected 4.1 g/t Au over 10.25m . Other intersections around this discovery include 8.6 g/t Au over 2.0m (incl. 19.6 g/t Au over 0.5m), located 257m NW of the Stewart Zone discovery (and 1.0 km NW of the Resource), 18.9 g/t Au over 1.0m , plus 2.3 g/t Au over 2.0m (incl. 5.7 g/t Au over 0.5m), located 204m SE of the Stewart Zone discovery, and 13.0 g/t Au over 0.5m with V.G. (visible gold), plus 4 other zones located 246m SE of the Stewart Zone discovery. Together with what has now been intersected as reported in this release, 1125 metres have been successfully drilled going north of the resource (not including the intersection located a further 257m north), all dipping shallowly (30-50 degrees) towards the SW Deposit, following the dip of the nearby intrusive. The intersection of 3.9/6.0m is particularly important in filling in the triangle because it is located 79 metres down-dip of previous intersections at Stewart towards the SW Deposit. The 0.7/7.2m is likewise important because it is located 106 metres up-dip from the closest point in the resource and is only 14 metres below surface. The Stewart Zone is also located 680m WNW, up-dip from a 385m deep, previously-reported intersect in the Adrian Zone, where Galway reported 70.3 g/t Au over 1.5m , including 104.2 g/t Au over 1.0m , plus 7.2 g/t Au over 1.5m in hole CL-51 (refer to the March 30, 2021 press release ). The 4.1 g/t Au over 10.25m intersect in hole CL-111 in the Stewart Zone appears to trend right toward this deeper high-grade intersect in the Adrian Zone. The deep intersects in hole CL-51 are not yet included in the Resource as they are located too far from the other Adrian holes. These two veins are also near the interpreted location of the Sawyer Brook Fault, which, Galway believes, is the main conduit for gold mineralization at Clarence Stream. Table 1. Assay Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Intercept (m) Au g/t BL-246 30.0 32.0 2.0 2.3** including 30.0 30.5 0.5 5.7** 50.5 51.5 1.0 18.9** 60.5 61.5 1.0 3.5 75.0 77.0 2.0 0.5 80.0 81.5 1.5 0.8 215.0 216.0 1.0 7.7 BL-243 101.5 103.0 1.5 0.5 138.0 139.0 1.0 0.5 169.5 170.0 0.5 0.4 BL-242 72.0 72.6 0.6 1.4 113.5 114.3 0.8 1.9 BL-241 102.0 103.0 1.0 0.4 116.0 117.0 1.0 0.4 138.0 139.0 1.0 1.0 BL-240 97.0 98.0 1.0 0.5 134.5 144.0 9.5 8.0 including 136.0 137.1 1.1 62.4 BL-238 19.0 20.1 1.1 5.8 including 19.5 20.1 0.6 10.3 BL-237 99.0 100.0 1.0 0.5 132.0 138.0 6.0 1.1 including 132.0 133.0 1.0 2.8 142.5 144.0 1.5 0.7 BL-235 26.0 27.0 1.0 0.4 89.0 90.0 1.0 0.4 97.0 102.0 5.0 0.9 BL-234 102.5 103.0 0.5 0.9 136.0 136.5 0.5 0.7 BL-233 103.5 118.5 15.0 0.7 including 104.0 104.5 0.5 2.6 BL-232 126.5 127.8 1.3 0.8 129.5 132.5 3.0 0.6 BL-230 17.5 18.0 0.5 0.9 68.0 69.0 1.0 0.4 134.0 135.0 1.0 0.6 141.0 142.0 1.0 0.4 BL-247 36.0 36.5 0.5 0.5 66.0 67.5 1.5 0.6 118.0 119.0 1.0 0.4 201.0 202.0 1.0 0.4 257.0 258.0 1.0 3.9 BL-248 17.0 19.0 2.0 0.6 23.0 29.0 6.0 1.6 27.5 29.0 1.5 4.7 31.5 34.0 2.5 0.6 44.0 45.0 1.0 1.5 72.0 73.0 1.0 0.7 110.0 110.5 0.5 1.6 116.0 117.0 1.0 1.5 164.0 165.0 1.0 1.7 243.0 246.0 1.0 1.3 BL-244 71.0 72.0 1.0 3.4** 113.0 115.55 2.55 0.6** 119.5 122.0 2.5 0.44** 129.0 130.0 1.0 0.9** 144.0 145.0 1.0 3.5** 175.5 176.0 0.5 13.0 V.G.** CL-129 80.0 80.5 0.5 0.8** 90.0 92.0 2.0 8.6** including 90.0 90.5 0.5 19.6** CL-178A 68.5 69.2 0.7 0.9 92.5 93.3 0.8 0.7 96.0 102.0 6.0 3.9 including 97.0 98.0 1.0 21.7 112.0 113.0 1.0 0.5 188.0 189.5 1.5 0.5 68.5 69.2 0.7 0.9 CL-175 47.5 48.0 0.5 1.6 51.6 52.3 0.6 0.4 136.8 137.5 0.7 0.8 CL-174 90.5 91.5 1.0 0.5 CL-128 140.0 142.5 2.5 0.5 CL-145 24.0 24.5 0.5 1.8 49.5 51.0 1.5 0.8 53.0 53.7 0.7 0.4 54.4 55.5 0.6 0.4 124.0 125.5 1.5 6.8 135.0 135.6 0.6 0.6 145.0 146.0 1.0 1.6 CL-111 14.00 16.85 PENDING 16.85 27.10 10.25 4.1* * including 16.85 17.95 1.10 33.5* * BL-236 96.5 97.5 1.0 4.7 139.0 140.7 1.7 6.1 including 140.0 140.7 0.7 12.2 125.0 129.0 4.0 3.4 including 125.0 126.0 1.0 11.1 CL-177 20.0 24.0 4.0 0.7 46.0 47.0 1.0 1.4 107.0 108.0 1.0 1.1 114.5 116.0 1.5 1.0 124.0 125.5 1.5 0.5 131.5 133.0 1.5 0.6 CL-176 19.0 26.2 7.2 0.7 126.0 129.0 3.0 1.2 CL-173 110.0 118.5 8.5 0.5 including 117.5 118.0 0.5 3.7 135.0 136.5 1.5 0.4 ** previously reported ; used 0.38 g/t Au for the bottom cut-off as per pit constrained for all new results; 0.42 g/t Au was used for previously-released pit constrained results. (TW=True Widths, which are calculated - sectional measuring may give slightly different numbers); True widths are unknown if not noted; VG=Visible Gold; Drill Hole CL-178 was lost; Drill holes CL-127, -132, and -141, plus BL-245, and -239 (and pending assays for CL-129, -131, and -149, and BL-244) did not produce significant assays. Table 2: Drill Hole Coordinates Hole ID Azimuth Dip UTM Total Depth (m) Easting Northing BL-248 295 -45 653781 5022743 264 BL-247 295 -78 653737 5022647 327 BL-246 295 -45 653737 5022647 316.55 BL-245 295 -78 653693 5022536 231 BL-236 295 -45 653743 5022160 235 BL-246 295 -45 653737 5022647 316.55 BL-243 300 -73 653649 5022428 192 BL-242 300 -45 653649 5022428 186 BL-241 300 -71 653651 5022331 168 BL-240 300 -45 653651 5022331 186 BL-239 290 -73 653659 5022257 171 BL-238 290 -45 653659 5022257 186 BL-237 295 -62 653743 5022160 234 BL-235 290 -60 653675 5022080 159 BL-234 290 -45 653675 5022080 165 BL-233 310 -45 653580 5022047 153 BL-232 310 -78 653620 5021997 210 BL-230 310 -45 653620 5021997 183 CL-178A 295 -45 653806 5022841 263.55 CL-178 295 -45 653806 5022841 30 CL-177 300 -50 654345 5022845 300 CL-176 300 -50 654249 5022777 252 CL-175 300 -50 654335 5022730 222 CL-174 285 -45 654268 5022556 402 CL-173 285 -45 654280 5022650 597 CL-145 300 -48 653629 5022819 156 CL-141 320 -45 653475 5023245 108 CL-132 300 -45 653469 5023161 98 CL-128 315 -78 653615 5022885 150 CL-127 320 -45 653057 5023118 152 For results of all holes that Galway has drilled at Clarence Stream, go to Galway's website at www.galwaymetalsinc.com . New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program Galway would like to acknowledge financial support from the New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program, which partially funded drilling of the SW Deposit. Clarence Stream Geology and Mineralization Clarence Stream deposits can be characterized as intrusion-related, quartz-vein hosted gold deposits. They contain elevated levels of bismuth and arsenopyrite in multiple quartz veins, with significant antimony in the South and North Zones and tungsten in the vicinity. The Zones contain multiple zones of quartz veining with sulfides and sericite alteration. In general, mineralization at Clarence Stream consists of 10-70% quartz stockworks and veins with 1-5% fine pyrite plus pyrrhotite plus arsenopyrite in sericite altered sediments. The South and North Zones also contain stibnite. Locally there is up to 10% sphalerite and semi-massive galena veinlets. The 3.1 km trend that hosts the SW Deposit is associated with a mineralized mafic intrusive locally - similar to the South Zone. A more complete description of Clarence Stream's geology and mineralization can be found at www.galwaymetalsinc.com . The Stewart Zone intersections are located in sediments between two intrusions and mineralization is controlled by fault structures. It was originally drilled to test a modest 61 ppb soil anomaly that coincided with a strong linear magnetic low, and is in quartz veining with associated 1-3% pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite, very similar to other mineralization in the area. It is located close to the contact with a granite and appears to parallel the contact with multiple veins, at 15 degrees along strike (horizontally - almost north-south) - following a line of soil anomalies, and dipping 40 degrees east toward Adrian. There is also evidence that a second set of veins are in a different orientation, running NE-SW along magnetic lows with corresponding soil anomalies. This is a similar setting, and with similar geochemical/geophysical signatures, as all the other intrusion-related gold deposits and discoveries at Clarence Stream. Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports - Clarence Stream The Mineral Resource estimates for the North and South Zones were prepared by Mr. Reno Pressacco, P.Geo, SLR Principal Geologist. The Mineral Resource estimate for the Southwest Deposit was prepared under the supervision of Ms. Valerie Wilson, M.Sc., P.Geo., SLR Managing Principal Geologist. Mr. Pressacco and Ms. Wilson are Independent Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101 and have read and approved the scientific and technical content of this news release as it relates to the updated Mineral Resource estimates. Michael Sutton, P.Geo., Director and VP of Exploration for Galway Metals, is the Qualified Person who supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical disclosure of the Clarence Stream portion of this news release on behalf of Galway Metals Inc. All core, chip/boulder samples, and soil samples are assayed by Activation Laboratories, located at 41 Bittern Street, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, Agat Laboratories, located at 5623 McAdam Road, Mississauga Ontario, Canada L4Z 1N9 and 35 General Aviation Road, Timmins, ON P4P 7C3, and/or Swastika Laboratories situated in Swastika, ON. All four labs have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. All core is under watch from the drill site to the core processing facility. All samples are assayed for gold by Fire Assay, with gravimetric finish, and other elements assayed using ICP. The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at one per 20 samples. Approximately five percent (5%) of the pulps and rejects are sent for check assaying at a second lab with the results averaged and intersections updated when received. Core recovery in the mineralized zones has averaged 99%. About the Company Galway Metals is focused on creating significant per share value through the exploration and sustainable development of its two 100%-owned projects in Canada: Clarence Stream, a new high-grade gold district in SW New Brunswick, and Estrades, the former-producing, high-grade, gold-rich polymetallic VMS mine in the northern Abitibi of western Quebec. Galway's activities will be conducted while respecting the environment and communities in which it operates. Galway is well capitalized. The Company began trading on January 4, 2013, after its successful spinout to existing shareholders from Galway Resources following the completion of the US$340 million sale of that company. With substantially the same management team and Board of Directors, Galway Metals is keenly intent on creating similar value as it had with Galway Resources. Should you have any questions and for further information, please contact (toll free): Galway Metals Inc. Robert Hinchcliffe President & Chief Executive Officer 1-800-771-0680 Website: www.galwaymetalsinc.com Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Look us up on Facebook , Twitter or LinkedIn CAUTIONARY STATEMENT Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements made herein with respect to, among other things, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, potential corporate and/or property acquisitions, exploration results, potential mineralization, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations, and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, exploration results being less favourable than anticipated, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, risks associated with the defence of legal proceedings and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, as well as those risks set out in the Company's public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that management's assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, including that, among other things, the Company will be able to identify and execute on opportunities to acquire mineral properties, exploration results will be consistent with management's expectations, financing will be available to the Company on favourable terms when required, commodity prices and foreign exchange rates will remain relatively stable, and the Company will be successful in the outcome of legal proceedings, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The Company is fully funded and ready to commence its first drilling program since acquiring the project in April Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has submitted a drilling permit application for the next phase of drilling at the high-grade Nora silver-gold property (the "Property") in the state of Durango, Mexico. Figure 1: Location of Nora property and other mines and deposits in the region. "With the surface rights agreements in place, we look forward to starting our inaugural exploration campaign on the Nora property once the drilling permit is received," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar. "Multiple drilling contractors have visited the Property, and we are currently evaluating their bids." Silver Dollar can acquire a 100% interest in the Nora property under an option agreement with Canasil Resources Inc. Situated in the Eastern Sierra Madre sub-province, in the transition to the high plateau of Mexico, the Property lies centrally within the "Silver Trend" that runs from the northwest to the southeast through Durango State. Significant deposits in the region include Endeavour Silver's Guanacevi mine and Fresnillo's San Julian mine on-trend to the northwest, with Endeavour Silver's Pitarrilla Project approximately 50 kilometres (km) to the east. Pitarrilla is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in the world and was discovered by Perry Durning and Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, who serve as Silver Dollar's technical advisors. Figure 2: Nora property looking north at the main outcrop of the Candy vein structure. The geological setting is a Tertiary-aged volcanic flow-dome complex. Gold-silver mineralization is hosted within two structurally controlled epithermal veins, Candy and Nora. Drilling by Canasil in 2020 and 2021 was the first on the Property, with 3,296 metres (m) drilled over 13 holes to test the Candy vein structure. All 13 drill holes cut the mineralized vein structure, returning wider high-grade gold and silver intercepts within the central 200-metre zone tested. Only 500 m of the potential 3-km strike of the Candy vein structure has been drill tested, and only to a depth of 250 m below surface. The consistently high gold and silver grades and relatively low base metal values, confirm the upper levels of a robust gold-silver mineralized system within the Candy structure, which is open for significant expansion along strike and to depth where grade and thickness appear to be increasing. See Silver Dollar's news release of May 24, 2023, for selected highlights of drill results and additional information on the exploration targets on the Property. Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the information on the Nora Property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work. About Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that completed its initial public offering in May 2020 and is fully funded for its 2023 exploration plans with approximately $5 million in the treasury. The Company's primary projects lie within the prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt and include the advanced exploration stage La Joya Silver Property and the recently discovered Nora Silver-Gold Property, both located in the state of Durango, Mexico. The Company has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Michael Romanik" Michael Romanik, President, CEO & Director Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Direct line: (204) 724-0613 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416 Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9 Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release. Vancouver, BC - TheNewswire - August 1, 2023 - Majuba Hill Copper Corp. (CSE:JUBA) (OTC:JUBAF) (FWB:4NP) (Majuba Hill Copper or the Company) is pleased to announce recently completed new geologic mapping at the Majuba Hill Porphyry Copper Deposit in Pershing County, Nevada. Significant and noteworthy advancements in understanding the geological factors influencing copper mineralization was developed from the independent technical report (the "Report") authored by Jeffrey M. Bickel, C.P.G., and prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") titled Technical Report for the Majuba Hill Copper Project, Pershing County, Nevada, USA. Figure 1: 3d Modeling The insights gained from the Report were facilitated by field mapping techniques that incorporated cutting-edge 3D modeling and the utilization of the NI 43-101 block model. As a result, geologists from the company can now effectively apply the robust geologic framework to the project's geological map. "This improved understanding is extremely valuable for guiding the drilling that will advance the copper mineralization into the inferred and indicated resource categories. Our upcoming drill program will utilize the conceptual Whittle Pits as outlined in the Report. Field-based geologic mapping combined with the sophisticated modeling, is giving us a high level of confidence in strategically orienting the holes to delineate more copper mineralization," commented Buster Hunsaker, Senior Geologist and Technical Advisor for Majuba Hill Copper Corp. Geologic Overview The copper block model has revealed significant northeast-southwest corridors associated with both intermediate (0.05 to 0.5% Cu) and high-grade (>0.5% Cu) copper mineralization. A closer examination of the detailed model geology highlights that the copper control corridors are closely situated to the contact zones between the pyroclastic rock, intrusive rocks, and breccias. The low grade copper envelope has an obvious northwest fabric. Domain Total Copper (%) Low Grade 0.02 0.05% Cu Intermediate Grade 0.05 0.5% Cu High Grade >0.5% Cu Table 1: Majuba Hill Grade Domain Ranges Copper mineralization remains open in all directions. Recent geologic mapping to the west and southwest of Conceptual Pits 13, 42, and 56 has been very successful in delineating these prominent northeast and northwest trending zones. Only three holes have been drilled to the west and southwest of the conceptual pits. MHB-17 intersected a very long interval of low/intermediate oxide copper with 244 meters @ 0.055% Cu from 0-244 meters, which included: 6.1 meters @ 0.16 % Cu from 38.1 to 44.2 meters 15.2 meters @ 0.17% Cu from 100.6 to 115.8 meters 7.6 meters @ 0.16% Cu from 178.3 to 185.9 meters Planned drill holes are situated to improve the grade of the copper mineralization by tightening up the drill spacing adjacent to the favorable geology. Holes PDH-j, PDH-k, and PDH-l will target the intermediate and low-grade copper zones shown on Section 900 below. Figure 2: Section 900 Exploration Plans During 2023 the Company will focus on drilling up to 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) to advance and expand the copper deposit. The primary objective of the drilling is to convert the mineralization from an exploration target category into the inferred and indicated resource categories. The following table summarizes the tonnage and grade ranges for the Whittle Pits: Model (1) Tonnage Range Tonnes (Bickel, 2023) Grade Range Copper (%) (Bickel, 2023) Copper Range (pounds) Calculated Exploration Target - All 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 0.15% to 0.30% 165,000,000 to 660,000,000 Exploration Target - High Grade 10,000,000 to 20,000,000 0.40% to 0.80% 88,185,000 to 352,739,000 (1)Conceptual open-pit scenarios for the mineralized material do not meet the test for reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction with currently appropriate economic inputs,Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (2014) Table 2: Whittle Pits The Company geologists have determined locations for 15 to 20 core and reverse circulation (RC) holes. Holes are sited to achieve four main objectives: Tighten up drill spacing to convert waste blocks to mineralized blocks. Complete additional drill holes between Whittle Pit 13 and the much larger Whittle Pit 42 to improve the grade of copper mineralization and infill areas that currently have no drillholes. Extend high-grade mineralization. Characterize the metallurgy of the oxide and enriched mineralization to aid with the economics of processing the copper mineralization. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). About Majuba Hill Copper Corp. Majuba Hill Copper Corp. is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity. The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. On Behalf of the Board of Majuba Hill Copper Corp. David Greenway David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: Joel Warawa VP of Corporate Communications E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. P: 1 (855) 475-0745 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Majuba Hill Copper Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Majuba Hill Copper Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Majuba Hill Copper Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Reports Additional Assay Results from Trenching Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the drill rig for its upcoming exploration program has mobilized to its Los Pavitos project located in the well mineralized Alamos region of southern Sonora State, Mexico. The Company plans to test the main mineralized targets with a first ever drill program planned for approximately 2500 meters. The Company also announced assay results for the last four trenches for its recently completed trenching program (Table 1, also see News Release of July 21, 2023). Two samples from the Santa Cruz area yielded 3.98 and 1.18 g/t Au over 1 and 2.7 meters respectively as shown in the table of results in Table 2. Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO, commented: "Exploration over the last year and a half has identified several robust exploration targets at Los Pavitos. We are looking forward to drilling the particularly prospective Santa Cruz and Las Aurus areas as well as other mineralized zones. The first round of drilling will be comprised of shallow inclined holes of 75-100 m depths to confirm correct dip and widths of the mineralized structures." Table 1. Final four trenches sampled at Los Pavitos Coord start WGS84 Coord end WGS84 Trench Location Length Azim Easting Northing Easting Northing ZOR3 Oromuri 8.10 140 674,358 3,002,675 674,363 3,002,670 ZOR4 Oromuri 33.70 340 674,109 3,002,443 674,099 3,002,473 ZH1 Santa Cruz 24.80 305 677,097 3,002,112 677,081 3,002,124 ZH2 Santa Cruz 23.90 315 677,117 3,002,139 677,101 3,002,153 Table 2. Highlight assays from Los Pavitos trenches Trench Location Length (m) Au_g/t Ag g/t ZA1 Auras 6.4 0.1 - ZA2 Auras 19.0 2.2 22.9 includes 4.0 10.3 104.3 ZSC4 Santa Cruz 18.5 0.2 - ZSC3-1 Santa Cruz 2.1 1.7 - ZSC9 Santa Cruz 8.0 0.5 - ZSC10 Santa Cruz 7.8 2.3 13.0 ZSC12 Santa Cruz 2.5 0.9 69.6 ZSC1 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.95 - 2.30 0.50 - ZSC7 Santa Cruz 17.70 0.13 - includes 8.80 0.16 - and 2.90 0.25 35.2 ZSC13 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.22 - ZE3 Espanola 1.40 0.74 - New Data ZH1 Santa Cruz 1.00 3.98 5.1 ZH2 Santa Cruz 2.80 1.18 15.8 The trenching program across the main mineralized trends on the Los Pavitos property consisted of a cumulative length of 698 meters in 25 trenches. The best assays for individual samples are 20.4 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2 meters at Las Auras and 16.7 g/t Au and 48,2 g/t Ag over 1 meter at Santa Cruz. The main objective of the trenching program was to define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign. Figure 1. Trench locations at Los Pavitos. Palos Verdes Drilling Update The Company is in the process of completing a 2,500-meter drill program on the Palos Verdes project. The drill program is designed to test the areas of the Palos Verdes vein system in areas where there previously was no drill access, mainly along the northeastern extension of the vein system and certain areas in the southwestern portion where previous drilling occurred. Ten holes have been completed for a total of about 2,035 meters of HQ core drilled for the current program, with an eleventh hole in progress. Assays for seven holes, PV-23-19 to PV-23-25 have been reported. Three holes remain in the program, after which the drill crew is expected to take a two-week break. Photos of core from holes PV-23-26 and 27 showing intervals with multistage vein mineralization with brecciation and locally abundant sulfide minerals. Assay results pending. QA/QC Rock samples taken by Prismo were analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods by ALS Group, an internationally recognized analytical service provider. Gold is analyzed as part of the ICP package using a 25-gram aqua regia digestion. Ag, Pb and Zn over 1% and Au values over 1 g/t are re-analyzed by the by an overrange ICP method. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material were inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals. Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. About Prismo Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia). Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube Prismo Metals Inc. 1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Contact: Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Jason Frame, Manager of Communications This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - (TSX:NEXT) ("NextSource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced overnight marketed public offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, NextSource issued 30,303,500 common shares of the Company (each a "Share") at a price of C$1.65 per Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of C$50,000,775. The Offering was conducted through a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Cormark Securities Inc. and BMO Capital Markets, and including Clarus Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated July 13, 2023 entered into among the Company and the Underwriters. In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Shares issued under the Offering on the same terms exercisable at any time up to 30 days following the date hereof, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any. Vision Blue Resources Ltd. ("Vision Blue") purchased 14,151,500 Shares under the Offering to maintain its pro rata ownership in the Company. The Offering is subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The net proceeds of the Offering are intended to be used by the Company to advance and complete construction of a battery anode facility in Mauritius and other matters as to be described in the Prospectus (as defined below). The Shares issued under the Offering were qualified for distribution by way of a final short form prospectus dated July 27, 2023 (the "Prospectus") filed in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, and were offered in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws, and certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States. A copy of the Prospectus is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer of Shares for sale in the United States. The Shares offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such Shares may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. The participation of Vision Blue in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has determined that the transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemptions contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of securities issued to Vision Blue nor the consideration paid by Vision Blue exceeded 25 percent of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the transaction 21 days in advance of closing of the Offering because Vision Blue's participation had not been confirmed. The shorter period was necessary in order to permit the Company to close the Offering in a timeframe consistent with usual market practice for transactions of this nature. Early Warning Disclosure Prior to the Offering, Vision Blue held an aggregate of 58,428,572 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), 150,000 stock options ("Options"), each entitling it to purchase one Common Share, expiring on March 19, 2024 and 15,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") entitling it to acquire one Common Share, and expiring on June 30, 2024, representing approximately 46.6% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 46.8% on a partially diluted basis (in the event that the Vision Blue exercises its outstanding Options and RSUs). After giving effect to the closing of the Offering, Vision Blue owns and exercises control or direction over 72,580,072 Common Shares, 150,000 Options and 15,000 RSUs, representing approximately 46.6% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 46.7% on a partially diluted basis. Vision Blue is acquiring the Common Shares for investment purposes and intends to review its investment in NextSource on a continuing basis. Vision Blue may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control or direction, over securities of NextSource through market transactions, private agreements, treasury issuances or otherwise. Vision Blue's registered address is 1 Royal Plaza, Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, GY1 2HL, Guernsey. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the subject early warning report, please contact: Aura Financial This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +44 207 321 0000 About NextSource Materials Inc. NextSource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals. The Molo Graphite Mine has begun production and is expected to ramp up to its Phase 1 nameplate capacity of 17,000 tpa of graphite concentrate over a period of up to three months. The Company has announced plans to build the first of several Battery Anode Facilities ("BAF") in Mauritius, which will be capable of producing coated, spheronized and purified graphite. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering, the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the construction and potential expansion of the BAFs, expansion plans, as well as the Company's intent on becoming a fully integrated global supplier of critical battery and technology materials. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. ("Quartz Mountain" or "the Company") (TSXV:QZM) (OTC PINK:QZMRF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the Jake Porphyry Copper-Gold-Silver Property (the "Property"), which is located 160 km north of Smithers, British Columbia ("BC") (see Figure 1). The Company now owns 100% of the Jake Property and also 100% of the Maestro Gold-Silver-Copper-Molybdenum Property. The Company recently obtained BC Mines Act Permits for 50 drill sites for each of the Jake and Maestro properties and drilling is being planned to start in 2024. Figure 1 "The acquisition of 100% of the Jake Property is an important milestone for Quartz Mountain as we continue to forge the foundation of a truly exciting opportunity," said Quartz Mountain Chairman Robert Dickinson. "The porphyry copper-gold deposit target we have located at Jake with our modern surface exploration programs is very compelling. We have begun planning for, what we expect to be discovery drill programs in 2024 at both the Jake Property and the Maestro Property." Jake Porphyry Copper-Gold-Silver Property Quartz Mountain acquired the Jake Property after comprehensive research, review and analysis of historical data indicated the potential for the discovery of gold-rich porphyry copper deposits as well as gold-silver low-sulphidation epithermal type and silver-rich polymetallic vein systems (see Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. news releases dated October 24, 2022 and September 7, 2022). Jake Property mineralization is contained within a prominent gossan measuring 3.5 km long by 1.5 km wide over an elevation of more than 800 m (see Figure 2). Within this large scale target is a swarm of north trending Babine age monzonite dykes intruding sedimentary rocks that host extensive areas of alteration and mineralization. Figure 2 To accurately delineate high-potential porphyry Cu-Au deposit targets on the Property a series of modern exploration programs, including a detailed airborne magnetic survey, geological mapping/geochemical sampling and geochemical modeling were systematically undertaken to build further on the very compelling historical data. In 2022, an IP survey was conducted with the results indicating the presence of an extensive sulphide mineral system underlying an area of highly anomalous Cu, Au, Ag, and Mo values in soils. A single, historical, shallow (121 m) diamond drill hole, cored in 1973 within the area of this developing important scale target, bottomed in intrusive rock hosting pervasive potassic alteration and Cu-Au-Ag porphyry stockwork type mineralization (see Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. news release dated September 7, 2022). Jake Property Acquisition Terms The Company purchased the JakeProperty from UnitedMineral Services Ltd. ("UMS") by reimbursing UMS $200,000 for its costs to assemble the Property. UMS is a private company owned by Robert Dickinson, a controlling shareholder of Quartz Mountain and a non-arms-length vendor. The Property comprised a 100% interest in four claims owned by UMS and the transfer to it of an option to acquire a 100% interest in five adjacent mineral claims held by Electrum Resource Corporation ("Electrum"). The mine claims cover an area of 2,374 hectares. The Electrum option was fulfilled by Quartz Mountain with a final payment of $75,000 in July 2023. The Electrum claims, also now owned 100% by Quartz Mountain are subject to a 2% net smelterreturn royalty which is capped at $3 million (see Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. news releases December 8, 2021 and May 24, 2022). About Quartz Mountain Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. (TSXV:QZM), (OTC PINK: QZMRF) is a restructured mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, Canada. It is focused on acquiring, exploring, developing, and transacting high-value gold, silver and copper projects. The Company currently holds 100% of the Jake Porphyry Copper-Gold-Silver Property, the Maestro Gold-Silver-Copper-Molybdenum Property and the Troy Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Property, all located in BC.Projects are selected under Quartz Mountain's key acquisition principles: access to infrastructure, high potential for important scale resources and significant early future transaction potential. Quartz Mountain is associated with Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI), a company with over 35-years of success, discovering, developing, and transacting mineral projects in Canada and internationally. Former HDI projects in B.C. included Mount Milligan, Kemess South, and Gibraltar - all of which are porphyry deposits with current or former producing mines. Other well-known projects with HDI involvement include Sisson and Prosperity in Canada, Pebble and Florence in the United States, and Xietongmen in China. Quartz Mountain is committed to the advancement of critical and essential mining assets while following responsible mineral development principles, including a mandate to employ best practice approaches in the engagement and involvement of local communities, and meeting rigorous environmental standards. Qualified Person Farshad Shirmohammad, M.Sc., P.Geo, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, who is not independent of Quartz Mountain Resources, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Robert Dickinson Chairman For further details, contact Robert (Bob) Dickinson T: (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. W: www.quartzmountainresources.com This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: the Company's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits, and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of the Company's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Though the Company believes the expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to future events and third party discretion such as regulatory personnel. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include variations in market prices, continuity of mineralization and exploration success, and potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories that may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, and which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions as well as the effect of COVID 19. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, and the risks and uncertainties connected with its business, investors should review the Company's home jurisdiction filings as www.sedar.com and its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Drill Rigs Currently Active at the Santa Cruz, Tintic, Hog Heaven and Lincoln Projects Typhoon Technology Deployed at the White Hill Project PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Ivanhoe Electric (NYSE American:IE) (TSX:IE) Executive Chairman, Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer, Taylor Melvin are pleased to provide an update on current exploration activities at the Company's U.S. electric metals exploration projects. Ivanhoe Electric's experienced exploration teams are operating eight diamond drill rigs at its projects: Two drill rigs are exploring the Tintic Copper-Gold-Silver Project, located 60 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. Two drill rigs are exploring the Hog Heaven Copper-Gold-Silver Project, located 50 miles southwest of Kalispell, Montana. One drill rig is exploring the Lincoln Copper-Gold-Silver Project, located in southern Utah. Three drill rigs are actively supporting technical work at the Santa Cruz Copper Project, located west of Casa Grande, Arizona. In addition to exploration drilling, Ivanhoe Electric recently completed a three-dimensional induced polarization geophysical survey, using our proprietary Typhoon technology, over 25 square kilometers at the White Hill Copper Project in western Nevada. Mr. Friedland commented: "The amount of exploration activity underway at our US projects is impressive. Our team of talented and experienced geologists and geophysics specialists have been hard at work this summer and will remain so well into the fall. We look forward to providing additional updates on our progress as we advance our important exploration activities in the United States." Mr. Melvin commented: "It is exciting to see our experienced exploration teams simultaneously advancing multiple projects in the United States. We are combining the talents of our teams with our proprietary TyphoonTM geophysical surveying technology to search for the next generation of electric metals supply. In addition to work on our robust exploration portfolio, we are finalizing the Initial Assessment for our Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona. We continue to expect that study to be complete by the end of Q3 2023." Exploration Programs Underway at Multiple U.S. Electric Metals Projects Santa Cruz Drill Core Being Inspected by Arron Jergensen, Exploration Manager - Santa Cruz (foreground left), Nansen Olson, Ph.D., Senior Geologist (foreground right) and other members of the Geology Team (July 2023) Ongoing Exploration Drilling at Tintic in Utah Tests the Typhoon-Identified Geophysical Anomalies At Tintic, our exploration program is focused on identifying porphyry, skarn and carbonate replacement-type mineralization, potentially containing copper, gold, silver and other critical metals. Ivanhoe Electric's exploration efforts have been guided by the three large-scale geophysical anomalies identified by our 72 square kilometer three-dimensional induced polarization survey completed using Typhoon. The current drill program is testing new areas of the historic Main Tintic Mining District that have yet to be explored by modern exploration techniques and will look for the potential porphyry copper-gold systems that may have been the source (or sources) to the significant past-producing silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc mines. The drill program at Tintic is being conducted on Ivanhoe Electric's private patented mining claims, located near the towns of Eureka and Mammoth, Utah, and 40 miles south of Rio Tinto's Bingham Canyon Porphyry Copper-Gold Mine. Exploration Diamond Drill Site at the Tintic Copper-Gold-Silver Project, Utah (July 2023) Exploration Drill Program at Hog Heaven in Montana Designed to Test for High-Grade Extensions of Historic Mines and the Potential Porphyry Source The historic Flathead Mine, located within the Hog Heaven Project area, previously produced high-grade silver with associated lead, zinc, copper and gold. Mineralization is believed to continue below previous mine workings, remaining open to depth. Ivanhoe Electric's current drilling campaign is designed to search for potential porphyry copper mineralization located at depth, which may represent the heat and fluid source to previously mined mineralization; and for additional silver, gold and copper-rich high sulfidation epithermal mineralization, which was the focus of previous mining activities by Anaconda Copper Mining Company who direct shipped high-grade silver ore to their Butte smelter. The Hog Heaven Copper-Gold-Silver Project is operated through a joint venture, where Ivanhoe Electric may earn up to a 75% ownership of the Project by completing a combination of cash payments and work expenditures. Hog Heaven is located on private land approximately 50 miles south-southwest of Kalispell, Montana. Exploration Diamond Drilling Underway at the Hog Heaven Copper-Gold-Silver Project, Montana (July 2023) Exploration Drill Program at Lincoln in Utah Designed to Test Typhoon-Identified Geophysical Anomalies The Lincoln Project area encompasses numerous historic small underground workings with little record of past production. It is thought to be the oldest mining district in Utah. Prior to Ivanhoe Electric's involvement, almost no modern exploration occurred on the project. Following the completion of a Typhoon survey in the Fall of 2022 and the inversion of the data into a three-dimensional model by our subsidiary Computational Sciences Inc., Ivanhoe Electric has commenced drilling on the large-scale geophysical features including chargeability, resistivity, magnetic and density anomalies identified below the historic mine workings, which could represent skarn and/or porphyry-style mineralization. The drill program at Lincoln is being conducted on a combination of private patented mining claims and unpatented mining claims, located near Minersville, Utah, and 160 miles south of Rio Tinto's Bingham Canyon Porphyry Copper-Gold Mine. Drillers Processing Diamond Drill Core at Lincoln Copper-Gold-Silver Project, Utah (July 2023) Typhoon Survey Completed at White Hill in Nevada Ivanhoe Electric has recognized the potential for buried porphyry, skarn and carbonate-replacement mineralization at the White Hill Project and potential extensions to areas of known copper-skarn mineralization. The recently completed 25 square kilometer three-dimensional induced polarization Typhoon survey will help to identify any geophysical anomalies potentially related to sulfide-bearing skarns, carbonate replacement deposits and/or porphyry copper systems, located at depth and will be used to help pinpoint future exploration drilling. Ivanhoe Electric operates the White Hill Copper Project through an earn-in and joint venture agreement, where Ivanhoe Electric has the right to earn up to an 80% interest through a combination of payments and work expenditures. The White Hill Project is located approximately 20 miles east of Hawthorne and 100 miles southeast of Reno, Nevada. Ivanhoe Electric's Proprietary and Powerful Typhoon Geophysical Survey System in Action at the White Hill Project, Nevada (July 2023) Infill Drilling at Santa Cruz to Support Technical Studies Current infill drilling activity at Santa Cruz is focused on increasing the geological confidence of identified mineralization in the three known deposits: Santa Cruz, East Ridge and Texaco. In addition, the drilling is also testing the hydrogeological characteristics of the host rocks to help determine the quantity and movement of water within the subsurface. This activity is essential as Ivanhoe Electric furthers its technical studies of the Santa Cruz Project and works to complete the Initial Assessment by the end of Q3 2023. Qualified Persons Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature included in this news release with regard to the Tintic, Hog Heaven, Lincoln and White Hill Projects, including the sampling, analytical and technical data underlying the information, have been reviewed, verified and approved by Charlie N. Forster, P.Geo. and Shawn Vandekerkhove, P.Geo, each of whom is Qualified Persons as defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Both Mr. Forster and Mr. Vandekerkhove are employees of Ivanhoe Electric. Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature included in this news release with regard to the Santa Cruz Project, including the sampling, analytical and technical data underlying the information, have been reviewed, verified, and approved by Glen Kuntz, P.Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Kuntz is an employee of Ivanhoe Electric. Ivanhoe Electric has had prepared an independent technical report summary for the Santa Cruz Project prepared under SEC Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 and an independent technical report prepared under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The reports are available on the company's website, on EDGAR and on the company's SEDAR profile: "Mineral Resource Estimate Update and S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary for the Santa Cruz, Texaco, and East Ridge Deposits, Arizona, USA," authored by Nordmin Engineering Ltd. ("Nordmin") and Met Engineering LLC ("Met Engineering"). Current to December 31, 2022 and dated February 14, 2023. "Mineral Resource Estimate Update and NI 43-101 Technical Report for The Santa Cruz, Texaco, and East Ridge Deposits, Arizona, USA," prepared by Nordmin and Met Engineering with an effective date of December 31, 2022 and an issue date of March 14, 2023. The technical report summary and technical report include relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Santa Cruz Project, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. Ivanhoe Electric has prepared an independent technical report summary for the Tintic Project prepared under SEC Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 and an independent technical report prepared under Canadian Instrument NI 43-101. These reports are available on the company's website, on EDGAR and under the company's SEDAR profile: " SEC Technical Report Summary, Exploration Results Report, Tintic Project, Utah, U.S.A." prepared by SRK Consulting U.S., Inc. ("SRK") with an effective date of May 5, 2021. SEC Technical Report Summary, Exploration Results Report, Tintic Project, Utah, U.S.A." prepared by SRK Consulting U.S., Inc. ("SRK") with an effective date of May 5, 2021. "NI 43-101 Technical Report: Mineral Project Exploration Information, Tintic Project, Utah, USA" prepared by SRK with an effective date of May 5, 2021 The technical report summary and technical report include relevant information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. About Ivanhoe Electric We are a U.S. company that combines advanced mineral exploration technologies with electric metals exploration projects predominantly located in the United States. We use our accurate and powerful Typhoon geophysical surveying system, together with advanced data analytics provided by our subsidiary, Computational Geosciences Inc., to accelerate and de-risk the mineral exploration process as we seek to discover new deposits of critical metals that may otherwise be undetectable by traditional exploration technologies. We believe the United States is significantly underexplored and has the potential to yield major new discoveries of critical metals. Our mineral exploration efforts focus on copper as well as other metals including nickel, vanadium, cobalt, platinum group elements, gold and silver. Through the advancement of our portfolio of electric metals exploration projects, headlined by the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona and the Tintic Copper-Gold Project in Utah, as well as other exploration projects in the United States, we intend to support United States supply chain independence by finding and delivering the critical metals necessary for the electrification of the economy. We also operate a 50/50 joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma'aden to explore for minerals on ~48,500 km of underexplored Arabian Shield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Website: www.ivanhoeelectric.com. Contact Information Investors: Valerie Kimball, Director, Investor Relations 720-933-1150 Follow us on Twitter Ivanhoe Electric's Executive Chairman Robert Friedland: @robert_ivanhoe Ivanhoe Electric: @ivanhoeelectric Ivanhoe Electric's investor relations website located at www.ivanhoeelectric.com should be considered Ivanhoe Electric's recognized distribution channel for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation FD. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable US and Canadian securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Such statements in this news release include, without limitation: timing and results of drilling operations, including the ability to continue drilling as planned, at Santa Cruz, Hog Heaven, Lincoln and Tintic Projects, results of the Typhoon survey at White Hill, the timing of the completion of the Initial Assessment for the Santa Cruz Copper Project and other planned or potential developments in the businesses of Ivanhoe Electric. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including changes in the prices of copper or other metals Ivanhoe Electric is exploring for; the results of exploration and drilling activities and/or the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations; the final assessment of exploration results and information that is preliminary; the significant risk and hazards associated with any future mining operations, extensive regulation by the US government as well as local governments; changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; and the impact of political, economic and other uncertainties associated with operating in foreign countries, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economy. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risk factors described in Ivanhoe Electric's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Ivanhoe Electric cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, and Ivanhoe Electric expressly disclaims any requirement to do so. SASKATOON, SK, July 31, 2023 /CNW/ - Star Diamond Corporation (TSX: DIAM) ("Star Diamond" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the following management appointments, effective August 1, 2023: George Read has been appointed Senior Vice President Corporate Development. In this role George will be responsible for the furtherance of the Company's interests in the Fort a la Corne and Buffalo Hills projects in Saskatchewan and Alberta, respectively. In addition, George will also assume responsibility for all incoming corporate development opportunities. George recently provided consulting services to the Company in the role of Senior Technical Advisor on a part-time basis. Mr. Read has over 39 years of experience in the diamond industry including a stint as Senior Vice President Exploration and Development at Star Diamond from October 2003 to September 2020. Ewan Mason, Chairman and Interim CEO said "We are excited to have George back in the fold as we prepare to move forward with two extremely interesting, advanced stage diamond projects." Mark Shimell has been appointed Vice President Exploration. In this role Mark will be responsible for coordinating all technical work as it pertains to the evolution of the Fort a la Corne and Buffalo Hills projects. Mark has worked with Star Diamond since 2000, initially as a geological consultant and later in the role of Project Manager for the Fort a la Corne and Buffalo Hills properties. Mark has worked as a geologist in mineral exploration and evaluation, both internationally and in Canada, for over 27 years. Brian Desgagnes has been appointed Operations Manager for the Fort a la Corne Properties and was first employed by Star Diamond in 2005 on the Fort a la Corne and Buffalo Hills projects, in roles of ever-increasing responsibilities. Mr. Mason said "We are pleased to offer both Mark and Brian increased responsibilities as we move forward with work on our diamond projects. They are both long-term, highly valued employees and we look forward to them tackling aspects of these two world class projects". About Star Diamond Corporation Star Diamond is a Canadian-based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of Star Diamond trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "DIAM". Star Diamond's most significant asset is its interest in the Fort a la Corne property in central Saskatchewan. These kimberlites are located in close proximity to established infrastructure, including paved highways and the electrical power grid, which provide significant advantages for future mine development. The Company also holds a 50% interest in the exploration and evaluation properties and assets of the Buffalo Hills-JV located in north-central Alberta, Canada. Canterra Minerals Corporation ("Canterra") holds the remaining 50% interest. Canterra is the operator of the Buffalo Hills-JV. Website www.stardiamondcorp.com Stay Connected with Us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarDiamondCorp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/star-diamond-corp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Star-Diamond-Corp/100058096376664/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stardiamondcorp/ Caution Regarding Forward-looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and/or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Star Diamond's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Star Diamond and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. Risks exist that forward-looking statements will not be achieved due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, changes in exploration, development or mining plans due to exploration results and changing budget priorities of Star Diamond, developments in world diamond markets, changes in diamond prices, risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar and other currencies relative to the US dollar, the impact of changes in the laws and regulations regulating mining exploration, development, closure, judicial or regulatory judgments and legal proceedings, operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in Star Diamond's most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim MDA. The British government on Tuesday officially acknowledged that the Islamic State group committed "acts of genocide" against the Yazidi people in 2014. The Yazidis -- whose pre-Islamic religion made them the target of IS extremists -- were subjected to massacres, forced marriages and sex slavery during the jihadists' 2014-15 rule in the northern Iraq province of Sinjar, the Yazidis' traditional home. The UK foreign office made the announcement ahead of events to mark "the nine year anniversary of atrocities" committed by the Islamic State against the Kurdish-speaking Yazidi minority in Iraq. "The UK has today formally acknowledged that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people by Daesh in 2014," the statement said, using another name for IS. So far, the UK has acknowledged only four other instances where genocide has occurred, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica, and acts of genocide in Cambodia. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," UK's Middle East minister Tariq Ahmad said in the statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated," he added. Murad Ismael, co-founder of global Yazidi organisation Yazda, hailed the UK recognition as an "important step". "Acknowledgement is the heart of justice process and helping victims to heal from the deep wounds of this genocide," he told AFP. "I am pleased that the UK government has formally recognised the horrors suffered by the Yazidis as genocide", said Nadia Murad, a Yazidi Nobel Peace Prize Laureate campaigning against the use of sexual violence in war, particularly against the Yazidis. "I hope that the British government will now begin to seek justice for the victims by holding British-born fighters to account," she added. "The world cannot afford to let ISIS members walk free. It sends a message to the world that you can murder and rape with impunity." - German court ruling - The official UK recognition follows a German court judgement which found a former IS fighter guilty of acts of genocide in Iraq. "The UK's position has always been that determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts," according to the statement. In a landmark trial, a Frankfurt court in November 2021 sentenced Taha al-Jumailly to life in jail for crimes including the murder of a five-year-old Yazidi girl in Iraq. Prosecutors said al-Jumailly in 2015 chained the enslaved child outdoors in extreme heat, leading to her dying of thirst. Activists hailed the court ruling as a "historic" win. The verdict was upheld after the German Federal Court of Justice this January rejected the defendant's appeal. Germany is one of the few countries to have taken legal action against IS. The UK's lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, had unanimously voted to condemn the IS's treatment of Yazidis and Christians in Iraq as amounting to genocide in 2016, in a rare instance of parliamentary determination of genocide. The foreign ministry had refused to acknowledge the genocide then, in keeping with a long-standing policy on the determination of genocide by courts rather than governments. Nearly six years since Iraq declared "victory" over IS, many Yazidis have still not been able to return to Sinjar. Thousands still live in precarious conditions in camps for displaced people. Those who have returned face an unstable security situation and inadequate or nonexistent public services. The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday condemned Moscow for putting another of its judges on a wanted list in Russia, after the court issued an arrest warrant for the country's President Vladimir Putin. ICC judge Tomoko Akane issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March for the war crime of allegedly unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children, as well as for Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights Maria Lvova-Belova over similar charges. Russian news agency TASS reported last week that Akane was the latest target of an arrest warrant in Russia following ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, who have been investigated since May over the decision to seek Putin's arrest over the Ukraine war. The Russian notice seen by AFP describes the judge as a woman born June 28, 1956 in Japan, and says she is wanted for violating the Russian Criminal Code, without specifically listing the nature of the offence. The presidency of the Assembly of States Parties, representing the ICC's member countries, said it was "deeply concerned" by the move and called it a "new attempt to undermine the international mandate" of the court. It also reiterated "it stands firmly by the Court, its elected officials, and its personnel" and has "full confidence" in the court's independence and impartiality. The warrant against Putin and Lvova-Belova accuse the pair of committing war crimes for having "illegally deported" thousands of Ukrainian children since invading the country in February 2022, accusations which Moscow has rejected. Russia -- which is not a member of the ICC -- does not recognise the warrant against Putin, calling it "illegal." Putin will not be participating in person in the upcoming BRICS summit this month in Johannesburg as a result of the warrant, as ICC member South Africa would be obliged to detain the Russian leader if he enters its territory. Shenzhou-15 astronauts meet press after quarantine, initial recovery Xinhua) 08:15, August 01, 2023 Fei Junlong (C), Deng Qingming (R) and Zhang Lu, astronauts of China's Shenzhou-15 crewed mission, meet the press in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-15 crewed mission met the press on Monday, their first appearance after returning to Earth in June. Having completed the quarantine and recuperation stage, the astronauts are now undergoing observation, the gathered press were told at the Astronaut Center of China in Beijing. At present, all crew are good physically and mentally. They will resume regular training after passing all health and wellbeing assessments. China launched the manned spaceship Shenzhou-15 on Nov. 29, 2022, sending Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu to China's space station core module Tianhe. During their six-month mission, the crew carried out more than 40 science experiments and tests and performed four extravehicular activities (EVAs), more than any other previous Chinese crew. They were also the first crew to spend Spring Festival in the space station after its completion. "It is our honor to participate in and witness the official completion of China's space station," said Fei, the mission commander. China will make more solid progress in exploring outer space, he added. Chinese astronaut Fei Junlong speaks during a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) Chinese astronaut Zhang Lu speaks during a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) Chinese astronaut Deng Qingming speaks during a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Harry Severance, an emergency physician, as we explore the factors contributing to this issue, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the demonization of health care workers. Discover the alarming statistics and consequences presented by organizations like the Association of American Medical Colleges and National Nurses United. Harry shares his perspectives on the mass exodus of health care professionals, the instability of hospitals, and the challenges faced in providing critical care. Gain valuable insights into the need for action and the role of public awareness in addressing this pressing problem. Harry Severance is an emergency physician. He discusses his KevinMD article, The escalating violence in health care workplaces: a critical problem facing the nations health care system. The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience. With a growing physician shortage, increasing burnout, and declining patient satisfaction, a dramatic change is needed to make health care more efficient and effective and bring back the joy of practicing medicine. AI-driven ambient clinical intelligence promises to help by revolutionizing patient and provider experiences with clinical documentation that writes itself. The Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX for short, is a voice-enabled, ambient clinical intelligence solution that automatically captures patient encounters securely and accurately at the point of care. Physicians who use DAX have reported a 50 percent decrease in documentation time and a 70 percent reduction in feelings of burnout, and 83 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational. Rediscover the joy of medicine with clinical documentation that writes itself, all within the EHR. VISIT SPONSOR https://nuance.com/daxinaction SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://earnc.me/4Wrty9 Powered by CMEfy. By Promise Twinamukye The Parliament of Uganda has arranged for Mr Muhammad Ssegirinya, the Member of Parliament representing Kawempe North, to travel to Germany for medical treatment after tests revealed lung tumors that cannot be treated in Uganda. Carrying test results in an envelope from Ecurei, Mengo Hospital, Mr Ssegirinya stated that he would head to Nairobi Hospital for further examinations before proceeding to Germany for comprehensive treatment. I am not in good shape. The doctors also found out that I have wounds on my lungs. I have difficulty breathing, and my stomach also hurts a lot. During the night, I feel so hot. I also have hypertension, he said. Read more Government has announced a 50% reduction in the cost of internet in a bid to promote the inclusive use of digital services by all groups of people. While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the reduction in the cost of internet takes effect today, August 1, 2023. KFM understands that the cost of internet through the national backbone fibre has been reduced from 70 USD per Megabits per second to 35 USD per Megabits per second monthly. Ladies and gentlemen, with all the key achievements undertaken by government under NITA, I`m delighted to announce that effective today, 1st August 2023, the price of internet has been reduced from $70 to $35 per Mbps per month, Baryomunsi told journalists on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, the National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) Executive Director says the reduction in the cost of internet will save the government a lot of revenue that has been often spent on the communication budget, as it encourages adoption of e-government services conveniently. By Mike Sebalu The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent serving under the East African Community Regional Force has disposed of 18 pieces of unexploded ordinances, the force announced on Tuesday. According to a statement published on the UPDF official website, the explosives include; rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, main battle tank bombs, anti-tank bombs, 82-millimeter recoilless bombs, bomb fuses, hand grenade,s and assorted live ammunition of assault rifle weapons from several plantations, fields and bushes within the villages of Mabenga in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The commanding officer of the 9th battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Mawanda Lubega says some of the bombs were still functional and posed a great danger to human lives and animals if tampered with. UPDF says calmness has been restored in the area, adding that civilians have gone back to cultivate their fields but are currently faced with the challenge of unexploded ordinances left behind as a result of previous wars. Farmers from Mabenga lauded the UPDF EACRF Contingent for the efforts towards removing the ordinances. They called upon EACRF and partners to come to their rescue and rid of the general areas of North Kivu because their lives depend on agriculture and animal husbandry, the statement reads in part. The force says Mabenga is one of the food-producing areas of North kivu where food and cash crops are produced to sustain the population. Kilkennys Newpark Hotel has announced the appointment of a new general management team to steer the 4-star property towards its ambitious future goals. The strategic appointments will see Niall Dunne, who previously held the role of deputy manager, and Mark Flynn, a highly experienced hospitality professional and member of the Flynn family, take up the shared general management role. The third-generation family run hotel, which is part of the Flynn Collection of hotels, has invested heavily in the property in recent years with refurbishments and upgrades to the value of 250,000, including a new-look wedding ballroom and lobby. They have also creatively diversified their outdoor offering, utilising the extensive grounds to create extra amenities to enhance the guest experience including a wildlife farm, tree top adventure playground, fairy trail and most recently the addition of Jurassic Newpark dinosaur walkthrough attraction. Newpark Hotel is already recognised as one of the countrys leading family hotels with a stellar reputation for weddings, their adult only floor, and corporate events. The hotel boasts an impeccable reputation for delivering outstanding wedding celebrations as attested by the glowing testimonials from their clients. Under the direction of the new management team, Newpark will continue their focus on service excellence associated with the Newpark Hotel and Flynn Hotel Collection, fostering the positive workplace culture within the hotel, supporting employment in the area, and using local suppliers and products where possible. Niall Dunne and Mark Flynn say they want to exceed guest expectations and be innovative in their offering and they will continue to expand and improve the Jurassic Newpark dinosaur attraction on the hotel grounds and push forward the on-going sustainability efforts at the hotel. We are delighted to have Niall and Mark leading our team," said owner of the Newpark Hotel John Flynn. "They are both highly experienced and talented local men, as we continue to develop and grow our position as one of Irelands leading destination hotels. There is a strong sense that the hotel is being passed to safe hands. Niall Dunne has over 20 years of service working here at Newpark, and we value him highly as a dedicated and passionate manager. "On a personal level, I am delighted that my son Mark Flynn is returning home to Kilkenny bringing his extensive experience, knowledge of the property and brand along with passion for the family business to the table. The future looks bright for the hotel under their shared leadership, and it is exciting to see what we can achieve as a team. Commenting on his promotion, Niall said he was delighted and proud to be trusted with leading Newpark into the future and to be part of creating the strategic vision. "I love being empowered to think creatively and am grateful to the owners for backing outside of the box thinking and for being authentic in their commitments to sustainability and the #becausewecare ethos that is carried throughout all the Flynn Hotel Collection properties," he said. Commenting on his appointment Mark said it was a huge privilege to be coming home to Kilkenny with the exciting prospect of overseeing both operations and long term ambitions. "We have a fantastic team who always go the extra mile to exceed guest expectations, and on that foundation, we can build great things," he said. For further information see www.newparkhotelkilkenny.com/ Canciller Gervasi: El Peru asume hoy la Presidencia Pro Tempore de la @A_delPacifico con el firme compromiso de acercar las oportunidades y beneficios que genera dicho bloque regional a sus aproximadamente 233 millones de ciudadanos. Lee mas aqui?? https://t.co/WG9Ocyf3V1 Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Darwin Green, executive chairman of Onyx Gold, spoke to Kitco mid-July in Dawson City at Invest Yukon's Yukon Mining Property Tours & Investment Conference 2023. The conversation took place just prior to Onyx Gold's July 24 trading debut on the TSX Venture Exchange. Onyx Gold (TSX-V: ONYX) was spun out from HighGold Mining, which has a gold-zinc-copper project in Alaska. HighGold's former Canadian assets, now owned by Onyx Gold, include three projects in the world-famous Timmins, Ontario gold camp; and four properties within an emerging Yukon gold district, where Snowline Gold made a compelling discovery. Green says the $8.36 million raised through the spinout will be put into drilling, starting with the Yukon projects this summer and moving onto the Timmins properties in the fall. Onyx's Yukon focus is the King Tut property, which Green says is comparable to Snowline Gold's nearby Valley discovery: We have a target that's very much a look-alike in terms of intrusion-related, very strong and large gold soil anomaly." Field crews are currently mapping the target areas, taking samples and conducting geophysics. The plan is for a 2,500-meter drill program starting in August, aimed at two targets Golden Mask and Main Tut. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Barrick Gold (NYSE:) (TSX:ABX) announced today that with the updated feasibility study on the giant Reko Diq copper-gold project making rapid progress, the company is aiming to start production in 2028. Speaking at the inaugural session of Pakistans first Minerals Summit, Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said the signing of the New Reko Diq agreement last year was a landmark event in the development of a mining industry in Pakistan, a process which will be accelerated by the Minerals Summit. I hope the momentum created by this event will be sustained by successive efforts to unlock this sectors full potential and build its capacity by attracting other foreign investors to follow Barrick, to the lasting benefit of Pakistan and its people, he said. There is a growing demand for metals and minerals, especially copper, and the challenge for mining companies and their host governments is to ensure that these resources are extracted in a responsible and equitable manner. Barrick believes in the principle of mutual advantage and shares the value its operations create with all stakeholders, including its host countries and communities. Barrick owns 50% of Reko Diq and is developing and will operate the mine. The Balochistan province, which hosts the deposit, has a 25% share and the federal government holds the other 25% through state-owned entities. Reko Diq is expected to have a life of at least 40 years as a truck-and-shovel open pit operation with processing facilities producing a high-quality copper-gold concentrate. Construction is expected in two phases with a combined process capacity of 80 million tonnes per annum. MADRID, Aug 1 (Reuters) - British hedge fund Oceanwood Capital Management is selling up to 117 million shares in Spanish bank Unicaja (UNI.MC) via accelerated bookbuilding, equal to a 4.4% stake or more than half of its total holding, bookrunner BOFA Securities said on Tuesday. At Tuesday's closing price the stake on offer was worth around 124 million euros ($136.04 million). Oceanwood holds a 7.4% stake in Unicaja. In a filing with the Spanish stock market regulator CNMV after the closing bell, BOFA Securities said bookbuilding was starting immediately and may close at short notice, with the pricing to be announced later. The other bookrunner is Citigroup Global Markets. Books in the placement were covered, according to the bookrunners. BOFA said Oceanwood reserved the right to sell fewer shares or no shares at all. Since the fund may no longer have a sufficient stake to justify Unicaja board membership, it also said that the sale, depending on its outcome, would likely mean Oceanwood's representative, David Vaamonde Juanatey, would resign as director. Unicaja, which is controlled by Unicaja Banking Foundation with a 30% stake, bought smaller lender Liberbank in 2020 to create Spain's fifth-largest bank with around 110 billion euros ($121 billion) in assets. ($1 = 0.9115 euros) Aug 1 (Reuters) - National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) said on Tuesday it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Canadian commercial loan portfolio of collapsed U.S. regional lender Silicon Valley Bank. The fall of the Silicon Valley Bank in March this year had triggered the worst U.S. banking crisis in 15 years. Under the terms of the agreement, National Bank would acquire a portfolio in the technology, life science and global fund banking sectors, further diversifying its commercial loan portfolio across Canada, it said in a statement. The portfolio comprises approximately C$1 billion in loan commitments, of which around C$325 million are outstanding. LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday on signs of profit-taking after rallying in July when investors wagered on tightening global supplies and demand growth in the second half of the year. Brent crude futures for October were at $84.86 a barrel at 1328 GMT, down 57 cents. Front-month Brent settled at its highest since April 13 on Monday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $81.21 a barrel, down 59 cents from the previous session's settlement, which was its highest since April 14. "Oil prices may face a correction risk as the markets may have been overbought in the past month," said Tina Teng, an analyst at CMC Markets. PVM analyst Tamas Varga noted that for months, predictions have been made that global oil demand will grow in the second half of 2023, versus the first half, in tandem with supply cuts to reduce global oil inventories. Recession worries made investors more cautious earlier in the year, he said. "Then July arrived and the mood has promptly changed," he added, citing the action of central banks that has investors more confident that a "soft landing" is achievable and recession avoidable in major economies. The latest figures from the United States - the world's biggest fuel consumer - showed fuel demand rose the highest level since August 2019. A Reuters poll also estimated U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have declined last week. To revive the private sector amid a flagging economic recovery following a protracted period of COVID restrictions, Chinese ministries, regulators and the central bank on Tuesday pledged more financing support to small businesses. Meanwhile, data released on Monday showed manufacturing activity in the euro zone contracted in July at the fastest pace since May 2020, tempering enthusiasm. On the supply side, this Friday's OPEC+ meeting is expected to see Saudi Arabia roll its voluntary cuts through September, further tightening supplies. In a conference on Monday, BP (BP.L) chief Bernard Looney presaged oil demand growth continuing into next year and OPEC+ being increasingly disciplined. "(This creates) a situation where you'd describe the outlook for oil prices to be strong over the coming months and years." Aug 1 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian stocks extended losses in early trade on Tuesday, as traders booked profits after the benchmark index hit a nine-month high last week, while the Dubai index hit an eight-year high. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.5%, on course to extend losses for a third session, weighed down by a 2% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) as the lender traded ex-dividend. However, Bupa Arabia (8210.SE), the kingdom's second largest insurer, jumped more than 4% after reporting a sharp rise in second-quarter earnings. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that a normalisation of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel would harm regional peace and stability. Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI) gained 0.2%, hitting its highest since 2015, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU) leading gains and rising 3.1%. In Qatar, the index (.QSI) advanced 0.9%, led by a 2.4% rise in Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) and a 1.9% increase in petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA). The Abu Dhabi index (.FTFADGI) eased 0.1%, weighed down by a 1% slide in the country's biggest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD). Prices of oil - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - slipped, but were still near a three-month high reached in the previous session on signs of tightening global supply, as producers implement output cuts, and strong demand in the United States, the world's biggest fuel consumer. "We estimated a contraction in June, due to the impact of fishing and agriculture, but in July, the economy returned to its growth path again," Contreras said at a press conference. "We see a W-type growth trend; the first fall was associated with conflicts but was followed by a rapid recovery; then came a second drop, which was associated with El Nino event and drought, but was also followed by a revival," he added. In this regard, the government official remarked that this trend, with two recoveries, reflects the resilience of Peru's economy. "The effort of all Peruvians is behind this result because people continue to work despite the difficult context," he expressed. The Cabinet member indicated that good data are expected in Peru's economy during the second half of 2023, although on average these will be affected by the negative numbers registered over the first half of this year. Recession Moreover, the minister ruled out that Peru's economy may have entered a recession , and explained that the negative data recorded (in the first and second quarters of 2023) were generated by "exogenous factors." "Peru has suffered high-impact shocks, such as El Nino (phenomenon), Cyclone Yaku, social conflict, the fall of the fishing sector, and the crisis over fertilizers. These elements do not depend on the government," he pointed out. "There are people who live obsessed with the issue of recession and other negative data. They have been affirming that our economy is sinking. However, it is the opposite; we are coming out of two major shocks and, in parallel, the third wave of reform is being carried out, which had not been done for many years," he remarked. Business confidence Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly clear. Low 61F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly clear. Low 61F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. In his appeal, Elledge argued that evidence during his trial was not sufficient to convict him. An appellate panel disagreed. El dia de hoy los Coordinadores Nacionales de la #AlianzaDelPacifico se reunieron en un formato hibrido (presencial y virtual), como antesala al traspaso de la presidencia pro tempore de Chile a Peru, que se realizara el dia de manana en Santiago de Chile. pic.twitter.com/8oeMcrTaUe Alaska child fatally shoots another child with a rifle moments after they were playing with toy guns Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Free Report) by 22.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,318 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 1,177 shares during the quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLCs holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $555,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MS. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 23,258,148 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,973,640,000 after purchasing an additional 97,672 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 19,315,836 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,695,930,000 after purchasing an additional 314,567 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 4th quarter valued at about $956,566,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,737,304 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $912,886,000 after purchasing an additional 379,286 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 125,756.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,641,190 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $904,714,000 after purchasing an additional 10,632,735 shares during the period. 84.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Morgan Stanley alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $95.00 to $100.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Morgan Stanley from $106.00 to $104.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Morgan Stanley from $100.00 to $103.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Odeon Capital Group raised Morgan Stanley from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $94.00 target price for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Morgan Stanley in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Morgan Stanley has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $95.94. Insider Activity at Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley Stock Performance In related news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total value of $9,921,451.05. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at $79,917,525.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total value of $9,921,451.05. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at $79,917,525.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, Director Thomas H. Glocer sold 4,535 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.11, for a total value of $395,043.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 98,110 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,546,362.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,423,524 shares of company stock worth $44,951,491. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. Shares of MS stock traded down $0.80 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $90.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,386,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,554,626. The company has a market cap of $151.58 billion, a PE ratio of 16.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The business has a fifty day moving average of $86.74 and a 200-day moving average of $89.46. Morgan Stanley has a 52 week low of $74.67 and a 52 week high of $100.99. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $13.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.02 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 10.98% and a net margin of 12.19%. Morgan Stanleys quarterly revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Morgan Stanley will post 5.83 earnings per share for the current year. Morgan Stanley Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a $0.85 dividend. This is an increase from Morgan Stanleys previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.75%. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio is presently 59.96%. Morgan Stanley announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Friday, June 30th that authorizes the company to buyback $20.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 12.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Morgan Stanley Company Profile (Free Report) Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday. CL has been the subject of a number of other reports. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $88.00 to $92.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $80.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $84.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 20th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $85.00 to $91.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $83.00 price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Monday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Colgate-Palmolive currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $85.00. Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts: Colgate-Palmolive Stock Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE CL traded up $0.64 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $76.26. 8,089,308 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,944,456. Colgate-Palmolive has a 52-week low of $67.84 and a 52-week high of $83.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.26 billion, a PE ratio of 42.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.87, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.40. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $76.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.84. Insider Activity at Colgate-Palmolive Colgate-Palmolive ( NYSE:CL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.02. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 386.76% and a net margin of 8.02%. The company had revenue of $4.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.72 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.14 EPS for the current year. In other Colgate-Palmolive news, Director Stephen I. Sadove sold 12,032 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.37, for a total transaction of $979,043.84. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $965,536.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Noel R. Wallace sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.66, for a total transaction of $4,033,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 246,619 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,892,288.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Stephen I. Sadove sold 12,032 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.37, for a total value of $979,043.84. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $965,536.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 187,748 shares of company stock valued at $15,138,660. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Beaumont Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 2.7% in the first quarter. Beaumont Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,842 shares of the companys stock worth $364,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC increased its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 2,824 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Rowland & Co. Investment Counsel ADV boosted its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Rowland & Co. Investment Counsel ADV now owns 3,695 shares of the companys stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 6,329 shares of the companys stock worth $476,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zullo Investment Group Inc. raised its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 3,088 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. 79.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Colgate-Palmolive Company Profile (Get Free Report) Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cordoba Minerals Corp. (CVE:CDB Get Free Report) shares fell 7.1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.40 and last traded at C$0.40. 2,000 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 88% from the average session volume of 16,620 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.43. Cordoba Minerals Trading Down 7.1 % The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$0.40 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.46. The stock has a market cap of C$35.25 million, a P/E ratio of -1.13 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.85, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.11. Cordoba Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cordoba Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of base and precious metal properties in Colombia and the United States. The company explores for copper, silver, and gold deposits. It primarily holds a 100% interest in the San Matias project with exploration licenses covering 146.62 square kilometers and has an additional 893.91 square kilometers of mining titles under application located in the municipality of Puerto Libertador, Department of Cordoba, Colombia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cordoba Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cordoba Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Co. (OTCMKTS:JRFIF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,200 shares, a decline of 21.5% from the June 30th total of 7,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 62.0 days. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Get Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment alerts: Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Stock Performance Shares of Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment stock remained flat at $659.29 on Monday. Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment has a 12 month low of $659.29 and a 12 month high of $713.23. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $685.88. About Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Corporation (JMF) has been listed on the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Section on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities code: 8953) as Japan Retail Fund in March 2002. It was the first investment corporation in Japan to specifically target retail property assets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan raised its holdings in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XHLF Free Report) by 69.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 678,299 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 278,274 shares during the period. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan owned 7.06% of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF worth $34,132,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Polaris Wealth Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,240,000. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $11,982,000. Tanager Wealth Management LLP increased its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 41.6% during the 1st quarter. Tanager Wealth Management LLP now owns 867,341 shares of the companys stock worth $43,644,000 after purchasing an additional 254,606 shares in the last quarter. Shore Point Advisors LLC bought a new stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $3,107,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 51.0% during the 1st quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 77,785 shares of the companys stock worth $3,914,000 after purchasing an additional 26,285 shares in the last quarter. Get BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF alerts: BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA XHLF traded down $0.19 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $50.07. 48,683 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 224,592. BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a one year low of $49.94 and a one year high of $50.36. The companys 50-day moving average is $50.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.17. BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Dividend Announcement About BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 5th were issued a dividend of $0.1486 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 3rd. (Free Report) The Bondbloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XHLF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of six months. XHLF was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO Free Report) had its price objective raised by Berenberg Bank from GBX 6,100 ($78.32) to GBX 6,300 ($80.88) in a research note released on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. RIO has been the subject of a number of other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group to a buy rating and lowered their price target for the stock from GBX 6,200 ($79.60) to GBX 6,000 ($77.03) in a report on Monday, June 5th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,390 ($69.20) to GBX 5,440 ($69.84) in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 7,400 ($95.01) to GBX 6,800 ($87.30) in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,600 ($71.90) to GBX 5,500 ($70.61) in a research report on Monday, July 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 6,149.09 ($78.95). Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance Shares of LON RIO opened at GBX 5,150 ($66.12) on Friday. The company has a market cap of 64.38 billion, a PE ratio of 874.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.71. Rio Tinto Group has a 12 month low of GBX 4,424.50 ($56.80) and a 12 month high of GBX 6,406 ($82.24). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 5,068.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 5,411.06. Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend Insider Buying and Selling The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 10th will be given a dividend of GBX 137.67 ($1.77) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.55%. Rio Tinto Groups payout ratio is currently 6,910.02%. In related news, insider Ngaire Woods purchased 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 4,921 ($63.18) per share, for a total transaction of 24,605 ($31,589.42). Insiders own 14.67% of the companys stock. About Rio Tinto Group (Get Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Con ocasion del 202 aniversario patrio, en misiva enviada a la senora Presidenta de la Republica Dina Boluarte, @POTUS Joseph Biden reafirmo su voluntad de continuar profundizando la asociacion entre nuestras naciones, construyendo un crecimiento economico integrador. ?????????? pic.twitter.com/SpulKIGSxW STMicroelectronics (EPA:STM Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Citigroup to 70.00 ($76.92) in a report published on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. STMicroelectronics Stock Performance Shares of EPA STM opened at 44.40 ($48.79) on Friday. STMicroelectronics has a 12 month low of 12.40 ($13.63) and a 12 month high of 21.45 ($23.57). The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of 44.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of 44.12. Get STMicroelectronics alerts: STMicroelectronics Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also STMicroelectronics N.V., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Automotive and Discrete Group; Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group; and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group segments. Receive News & Ratings for STMicroelectronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for STMicroelectronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO Free Report) in a report published on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. Separately, TheStreet upgraded shares of Argo Group International from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Get Argo Group International alerts: Argo Group International Price Performance Shares of ARGO opened at $29.70 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of -4.76 and a beta of 1.01. The companys 50-day moving average is $29.67 and its 200-day moving average is $29.48. Argo Group International has a fifty-two week low of $19.00 and a fifty-two week high of $32.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.65. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($1.11). Argo Group International had a negative net margin of 12.43% and a negative return on equity of 4.57%. The business had revenue of $419.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $461.90 million. Equities analysts forecast that Argo Group International will post 1 EPS for the current year. Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 35.0% in the 2nd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 537,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,924,000 after acquiring an additional 139,300 shares in the last quarter. EA Series Trust purchased a new position in shares of Argo Group International in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,404,000. Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA raised its holdings in shares of Argo Group International by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA now owns 21,925 shares of the companys stock worth $649,000 after purchasing an additional 2,175 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Argo Group International during the second quarter valued at $591,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 1,128.4% in the first quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 185,126 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,422,000 after buying an additional 170,056 shares during the period. About Argo Group International (Get Free Report) Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Argo Group International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Argo Group International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $261.67. Several research analysts have commented on HSY shares. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Hershey from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an inline rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Hershey from $243.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $269.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $252.00 to $249.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Get Hershey alerts: Insider Transactions at Hershey In other Hershey news, CEO Michele Buck sold 14,251 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.73, for a total transaction of $3,402,141.23. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,678,316.23. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Hershey news, CEO Michele Buck sold 14,251 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.73, for a total transaction of $3,402,141.23. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,678,316.23. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder Hershey Trust Co Trustee In Tr sold 67,139 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.39, for a total transaction of $17,482,324.21. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 2,338,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at $608,832,180.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 292,911 shares of company stock worth $76,238,787. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Hershey Hershey Trading Down 1.8 % A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HSY. Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in shares of Hershey by 3.1% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 30,767 shares of the companys stock worth $6,665,000 after purchasing an additional 916 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the first quarter worth $238,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 28.8% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,566 shares of the companys stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 1.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,057,990 shares of the companys stock worth $3,045,383,000 after acquiring an additional 216,715 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. lifted its position in Hershey by 10.8% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 32,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,972,000 after purchasing an additional 3,129 shares during the last quarter. 54.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Shares of HSY stock opened at $231.31 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $251.27 and a 200-day moving average of $249.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Hershey has a 12-month low of $211.49 and a 12-month high of $276.88. The firm has a market cap of $47.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.62, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.30. Hershey (NYSE:HSY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $2.01 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.12. Hershey had a net margin of 16.49% and a return on equity of 55.74%. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.80 EPS. Hersheys revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Hershey will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current year. Hershey Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th will be paid a $1.192 dividend. This represents a $4.77 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 17th. This is an increase from Hersheys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Hersheys dividend payout ratio is currently 47.64%. Hershey Company Profile (Get Free Report The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hershey Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hershey and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Ko Dong-hwan In this picture from 2022, a Kazakhstani patient receives a comprehensive medical examination at Ain Hospital in Incheon. Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City Around 50 people from Kazakhstan will arrive in Incheon on a medical tourism package offered by the western port city. The Incheon Metropolitan Government said this is the first time people from the Central Asian country are visiting the port city since it began offering the package trips to Kazakhstanis in June. Two people from the group, who are cancer patients, arrived in Incheon in July to receive treatments at Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital. The rest of the group will go to six other hospitals in the port city to receive comprehensive medical examinations as well as optometric and gynecological tests during August, according to the Health Promotion Division under the Incheon Metropolitan City's Health and Welfare Bureau. Following the treatments, the visitors will be guided by the city authority to local tourism venues including Ganghwa Island and Song Island. The medical tourism package includes lodging in the Harbor Park Hotel, operated by the Incheon Tourism Organization, which provided discounts to the visitors from Kazakhstan, according to the city authority. Asiana Airlines, which offers direct flights between Incheon International Airport and the Kazakh capital, Almaty, also provided discounted air fares to the travelers. The Incheon city government opened a medical tourism promotion center in Almaty on June 28. Six medical centers in Incheon and two private medical tourism companies based in Almaty are involved in the program. Shin Nam-sik, chief of the Health and Welfare Bureau, said the package tours are one of the city government's goals to sustain networks between the city government, local medical centers and medical tourism product developers to keep attracting foreign patients to the city. A security member stands guard at the site of a suicide attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, July 31. Xinhua-Yonhap The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Monday for a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people, including 23 children, at a political party gathering ahead of elections due later this year. The blast has raised fears Pakistan could be in for a bloody election period following months of political chaos prompted by the ousting of Imran Khan as prime minister in April last year. Around 400 members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party a key government coalition partner led by a firebrand cleric were waiting Sunday for speeches to begin when a bomber detonated a vest packed with explosives and ball bearings near the front stage. "I was confronted with a devastating sight lifeless bodies scattered on the ground while people cried out for help," Fazal Aman, who was near the tent when the bomb went off, told AFP. Shaukat Abbas, a senior official with the counter-terrorism department (CTD), told AFP that 54 people were killed, including 23 under the age of 18. On Monday, the IS group claimed responsibility. "A suicide attacker from the Islamic State... detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd" in Khar, the jihadist group's news arm Amaq said in a statement. The attack occurred in the town of Khar in the northwestern Bajaur district, just 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the Afghan border, in an area where militancy has been rising since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021. Parliament is likely to be dissolved after it completes its term in the next two weeks, with national elections to be held by mid-November or earlier. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Pakistani authorities to find those responsible for planning the attack and bring them to justice, his spokesman Farhan Haq said. Security personnel examine the site of a bomb blast in Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, July 3. AFP-Yonhap Shattered family Blood-stained shoes and prayer caps littered the site Monday, along with ball bearings and steel bolts from the suicide vest. Pieces of human flesh, blasted 30 meters (100 feet) from the stage, could still be seen. Thousands of mourners attended the first funeral ceremonies, including for two cousins aged 16 and 17. "It was not easy for us to lift two coffins. This tragedy has shattered our family," said Najib Ullah, the brother of one of the boys. JUI-F's leader, cleric Fazl-ur-Rehman, started political life as a firebrand Islamist hardliner, and while his party continues to advocate for socially conservative policies, he has more recently forged alliances with secular rivals. In the past, he has helped facilitate talks between the government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an IS rival. Last year, IS said it was behind attacks against religious scholars affiliated with JUI-F, which has a huge network of mosques and schools in the north and west of Pakistan. IS accuses the JUI-F of hypocrisy for being a religious party while supporting secular governments and the military. JUI-F officials hit out at authorities for failing to provide better security in areas where militants operate. "I think the state has failed regardless of who is in power," said Shams uz Zaman, deputy general secretary of its Bajaur branch. "For God's sake, take notice of the situation." While Rehman's party never musters more than a dozen or so seats in parliament, it can be crucial in any coalition and his ability to mobilize tens of thousands of religious school students grants him additional clout. "It is important to consider why workers of a religious inclined political party could have been subjected to such bestial violence," Dawn newspaper said in an editorial. "However ultra-conservative the JUI-F's worldview, the party has chosen to contest power and operate within the parameters set by the Constitution of Pakistan." A spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the blast was "an attempt to weaken democracy". Haji Ghulam Ali, center, governor of KP province greets an injured man in a hospital in Peshawar, July 30, after at least 44 people were killed and dozens more wounded by a suicide bombing at a political gathering of a leading Islamic party in northwest Pakistan. AFP-Yonhap Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Queen and Adam Lambert are returning to Japan in February 2024 for their first shows there since 2020. Sir Brian May, Roger Taylor, and Adam - who sings in the place of late frontman Freddie Mercury - will return to East Asia to play a series of Dome concerts, kicking off at Vantelin Dome in Nagoya on February 4, before heading to Osaka and Sapporo, and wrapping with two consecutive nights at Tokyo Dome, beginning on February 13. The 'Bohemian Rhapsody' hitmakers admitted it "may be the last time" they get to perform in the country. Drummer Roger, 74, and guitar hero Brian, 76, said: We are so excited to be returning to Japan, the country that has always held a special and most honoured place in our hearts. This may be the last timewho knows? We promise to bring a very real spectacular for you to enjoy! The guitarist almost emphasised that this will be an even more ambitious version of the Rhapsody tour show and among the biggest concerts theyve ever played in Japan." Adam, 41, said: The Japan shows back in 2020 were so much fun, the audiences were incredible! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come back. Cant wait!" The announcement read: Since their first arrival in Japan in April 1975 to scenes of fan mob mania, the bond between Queen and Japan has been richly woven into band history. Despite their absence on the touring circuit, Queens music continued to be treasured in Japan throughout the 90s and into the 21st Century, thanks in part to their inclusion in TV commercials and television dramas. Featured in a beer commercial, the bands I Was Born To Love You reached No. 1 on the singles chart. Invited to return in 2014 - now fronted by Adam Lambert - to headline at Japans largest rock festival, Summer Sonic, Queens status as Japans favourite foreign band was reconfirmed. Japan is now once again a regular feature on the touring schedule, Queen and Adam Lambert having returned as recently as 2020 to perform four massive sold-out shows playing to a combined audience of over 132,000 people across the country, clearly evident that the bond between Queen and Japan continues to remain as strong as ever. Pre-sale lottery for Japanese residents only is open from 12pm on August 10 until the end of October 6. Pre-sale for overseas customers then opens on October 7 until the end of October 25 and public general admission from 10am on October 28. Queen and Adam Lamberts 2024 Japan tour dates are: February 4, Nagoya Vantelin Dome February 7, Osaka Kyocera Dome February 10, Sapporo Sapporo Dome February 13, Tokyo Tokyo Dome February 14, Tokyo Tokyo Dome Waterloo leaders, business owners and Surf representatives gathered in front of the Town Hall Tuesday morning for a ceremonial ground-breaking for a new fiber-optic internet service offered for residents and businesses. From left are Waterloo Library Assistant Director Samantha Williams; Chris Rowe from Charleston Metal Products; council members Greg Iddings, Ken Surber, Josh Caudill, Jess Jessup and Katy Hobbs; town manager Pam Howard; Gene Crusie, founder, CEO of SURF Internet; clerk treasurer Renee Duszynski; Scott Franko, SURF Internet Development and Community Relations representative; Kevin Reed, owner of Three Bean Coffee Roaster in downtown Waterloo; and Shane Gann of Direct Line, principal contractor for the project. Plans are to begin construction this week with service to begin in late September. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The German government supports the EUs efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the German foreign ministry told the Germany-based Haypress media outlet. The German federal government maintains constant contact with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, the ministry added. Haypress asked the German foreign ministry whether Germany was represented during the visit by the diplomatic corps to Kornidzor to inspect the blocked humanitarian convoy, and what actions has Germany taken in this direction. The federal government supports EUs efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The federal government maintains permanent contact with representatives of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The German embassy in Yerevan maintains continuous contact with the government and civil society of Armenia, as well as the EU mission in Armenia. Regarding the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the embassy is regularly cooperating with the International Committee of the Red Cross, with Germany having the largest share in involving humanitarian assistance envisaged for Nagorno-Karabakh. Germany supports the decision of the International Court of Justice on the free movement of persons and goods along Lachin Corridor, through which the vital needs of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh should be guaranteed. Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations. On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor. YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The United States State Department has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to make difficult compromises to reach a peace agreement. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on July 31 that the United States continues to believe that a peace agreement is within reach. We continue to talk about a peace agreement and we continue to believe that a peace agreement is within reach. However, we have always said that for it to be within reach both parties have to make difficult compromises, and thats why the Secretary has been remained engaged in talking to the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to encourage them to make those difficult compromises so they can reach an agreement, Miller said. New Delhi, August 1: About 88 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes have returned to the banking system since the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in May decided to withdraw the high-value note from circulation, the central bank said in a release Tuesday. The Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation as on July 31 stood at Rs 0.42 lakh crore, RBI said. The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023 - when the RBI decided to withdraw the note. Thus, the total value of Rs 2000 banknotes returned to the system after the announcement on May 19 is to the tune of Rs 3.14 lakh crore, the RBI release said, citing data it received from banks. "Data collected from major banks indicates that out of the total banknotes in Rs 2000 denomination received back from circulation, about 87 per cent is in the form of deposits and the remaining around 13 per cent ha s been exchanged into other denomination banknotes," RBI said. How To Exchange Rs 2000 Notes? Know How To Deposit Rs 2000 Currency Notes in Banks, Amount Limit and Deadline. September 30 has been decided as the last date for the purpose of completing the exercise in a time-bound manner and to provide adequate time to the public. RBI may or may not revisit the September deadline based on the situation going ahead. People are requested to utilise the next three months to deposit or exchange their Rs 2000 banknotes to avoid any rush at the last moment. People can exchange or deposit their Rs 2,000 notes in bank branches and regional branches of RBI. A non-account holder also can exchange Rs 2000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time at any bank branch. On May 19, the RBI decided to withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation but said it will continue to remain as legal tender. However, RBI has advised banks to stop issuing such banknotes with immediate effect. The Rs 2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016 under Section 24(1) of the RBI Act, 1934, primarily to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of the legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes in circulation at that time. Rs 2,000 Notes Worth Rs 1.80 Lakh Crore Have Come Back in Banks So Far, Says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. The objective of introducing Rs 2000 banknotes was met once banknotes in other denominations became available in adequate quantities. Therefore, the printing of Rs 2000 banknotes was stopped in 2018-19. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], August 1: RPS Consulting Private Limited, an NIIT Limited subsidiary, announced it has been recognized as a finalist of 2023 Microsoft Learning Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. Also Read | FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Round of 16 Schedule in IST: Know Who Play Whom in Pre-Quarters of Football WWC. Prasad Balakrishnan - Director & CEO of RPS Consulting, an NIIT Limited subsidiary, said As a Microsoft partner, we have been providing an extensive range of bespoke Microsoft training and certification courses across India and globe. We truly appreciate Microsofts recognition of our efforts in partner innovation using Microsoft technology. The award is a testament to our partnership with Microsoft in powering learning innovations for our joint customers. The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. These awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. RPS Consulting is honored with this recognition for providing outstanding solutions and services in Learning Category. Also Read | Nuh Violence: Cow Vigilante Monu Manesar in Spotlight After Communal Clashes Between Two Groups in Haryana. Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards! said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year's winners demonstrate the best of whats possible with the Microsoft Cloud. It is indeed a tremendous achievement for RPS Consulting to have been selected as a Finalist from over 4200 nominations from 106 countries/regions, an increase over previous years. We are thankful to Microsoft stakeholders and to our customers on this journey, said Francis Jacob - President & Head of Business of RPS Consulting. RPS Consulting have a 1200+ strong pool of instructors with varied competencies, who not only impart training but ensure that teams are job or project ready. While focused on customer needs, RPS Consulting brings value to enterprises by using a combination of strategic partnerships, experienced subject matter experts and highly adaptable delivery methodologies. We are happy to be receiving this award and we thank Microsoft for helping us in the way we look at market opportunities. We have been mindful of aligning our business to Microsofts goals and priorities this has been a mantra for our success. We have invested a considerable amount of time and effort to build our capabilities around Microsoft technologies, said Hari Shankar PR Head Alliance & Partnership of RPS Consulting. The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the companys global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which took place on July 18-19, 2023. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): Shraddha Walkar's father Vikas Madan Walkar on Monday broke down while deposing before a Delhi Court. He also identified the accused in the court. He also said that in Mehrauli police station, accused Aftab Amin Poonawala had revealed that he had strangulated the victim with his own hand. Also Read | TSRTC Staff to Become Government Employees After Telangana Cabinet Decides to Merge With Government. Shraddha Walkar was allegedly murdered by her live-in Partner Aftab Amin Poonawala on May 18, 2022. After the killing, the accused cut off the body in 35 pieces and threw them in the jungle to destroy the evidence. Some of the parts were recovered later on. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Manisha Khurana Kakkar recorded the statement of seven witnesses in Shraddha's murder case. Vikas Walkar could not complete it on Monday as he got emotional while deposing. His statement has been deferred till August 5. Also Read | Rayagada Culvert Collapse: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Announces Ex-Gratia of Rs 4 Lakh for Each Victims Family . On Monday a refrigerator was also brought to the court. The refrigerator was allegedly used by the accused to stuff the dead body of the victim. While deposing before the court, Vikas Walkar also testified the statement of the accused that after killing Sharadha, he purchase two saws, then he cut off the wrist of the victim and put them in a trash bag. In his statement, Vikas Walkar said that he was called by the police and that he had gone to the Mehrauli police station on November 11, 2022, where he identified Aftab Amin Poonawala as he had come to his house. He had also informed the police that he recognised the accused as he had visited his house and was living with his daughter for the last three years. He used to quarrel and beat his daughter, Walkar deposed. On inquiry, Aftab told him that his daughter is no more, Shraddha's father told the court. Vikas Walkar was shocked after hearing this and started feeling dizzy. When he recovered, the accused told him that he had a fight with Shraddha on May 18, 2022, at their residence in Delhi's Chattarpur and he strangulated her. He also told the court that Aftab visited his house in Mumbai along with Shradhha in January 2020 after the death of his wife. He also deposed before the court that his family opposed the decision of Shraddha's decision to stay in live in relation with Aftab in 2019. She did not pay any heed and said the his father can assume she ceased to be his daughter anymore. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling on Azerbaijan for the immediate lifting of the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, as more than 120,000 peopleincluding 30,000 childrenare suffering under an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis. As the humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) reaches a tragic level, the World Council of Churches reiterates its statements and positions on the need for urgent and immediate action by the international community, said WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. The Lachin corridor, the only road that links the region to Armenia, has been blocked for more than seven months, sparking a humanitarian emergency and putting the lives of 120,000 people, including children, in great danger. People lack food, medication, electricity, and gas. The WCC urges the international community to intervene immediately and quickly in order to end the blockade and save the lives of the Artsakh residents and then proceed to efforts of finding diplomatic solutions for a just peace in the region, said Pillay. The WCC calls on Azerbaijan and other forces involved for the immediate lifting of the blockade and to reopen the Lachin corridor to allow for the two-way free and safe passage of civilians, transport, and goods along the corridor and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). The WCC has made several previous statements and minutes on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), including a minute at the WCC 11th Assembly entitled Consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, in which it reiterated its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions, the targeting of civilians, hospitals and public infrastructure, and all other war crimes, beheadings, torture, and other atrocities witnessed during the conflict. Thane (Maharashtra) [India], August 1 (ANI): The death toll in the mishap where a girder launching machine collapsed in Maharashtra's Thane rose to 17 after one more body was pulled out from the accident site on Tuesday morning, officials said. A search and rescue operation is continuing to rescue more people feared trapped under the debris after the crane collapsed on a bridge slab during construction of the third phase of the Samruddhi Expressway near Shahpur in Thane district. According to officials, the accident took place around 1:30 am Also Read | Nuh Clashes: Curfew Imposed in Haryana District, Internet Services Suspended Day After Three Killed in Communal Violence. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered an investigation into the unfortunate incident. Shinde announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who were killed. Also Read | German Archaeologists Excavate Centuries-old Ship in Baltic. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Shinde said, "Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia will be given to the next of kin of the deceased. It is an unfortunate incident. A company based in Switzerland was working here. Instructions have been given for its thorough investigation. The NDRF team has reached the spot and has given instructions for rescue work. Our concerned department officials and minister are present at the spot." Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund. Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected, the prime minister said on Twitter. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condoled the loss of lives. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Fadnavis wrote in Hindi (roughly translated), "In Shahapur taluka some labourers died in an accident during the construction of a bridge on Samriddhi highway which is very sad and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him. We share the grief of their families. Three workers were injured in this incident. They are undergoing treatment in hospital. I pray to God for their speedy recovery. I have ordered an inquiry into the incident". Meanwhile an NDRF official said, "One more dead body has been recovered. Three injured people are being treated, as per the administration, at Shivaji Hospital in Kalva, Thane." Speaking to ANI, Sarang Kurve, National Disaster Response Force, Assistant Commandant, said, "We received the information about the incident at around 1:30 am. Our first team started the rescue operation around 5:30 am. Search and rescue operation is still underway". The official further said that sniffer dogs have also been brought in to look for survivors buried under the rubble of the collapsed structure. According to officials, the exact number of people who might still be trapped under the debris is not clear. "Six more people are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure," the NDRF had said in an earlier statement. Officials said that two NDRF teams are engaged in a search and rescue operation. Officials said that the machine was being used in the construction of Phase III of the Samruddhi Express Highway late at night. Initial reports confirmed the death of 14 workers while three others were injured. According to eyewitnesses, the incident took place around 11:00 pm on Monday. "We were working on the other side when the structure collapsed. Around 30 people were working there at the time when the incident took place," an eyewitness said while speaking to ANI. "Many of them were trapped under the structure with injuries on their legs, hands and head," 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) New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli will visit India to participate in the three-day G20 Ministerial Conference on Womens Empowerment in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The European Commissioner will represent the EU at the Ministerial, which this year has the theme of Women-led Inclusive Development as Cusp of Inter-Generational Transformation, according to the statement released by the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan. Also Read | China Floods Video: 20 Dead, 27 Missing in Flash Flooding Surrounding Capital Beijing, Thousands Evacuated. On 2 August, the Commissioner will attend the opening session of the G20 Ministerial Conference on Womens Empowerment at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre. She will then deliver the EUs Ministerial Statement at the Session on Education and STEM," the statement read. During the session, Commissioner Dalli will speak on the Fora such as the "G20 play a key role in enabling a global discussion on challenges and opportunities to safeguard and strengthen womens rights. More importantly, they facilitate discussions on common efforts to mainstream equality across several policy areas. At the European level, we have worked over the last four years to set up an institutional framework to ensure that a perspective on gender equality is included at all stages of decision-making, from policy development to implementation. We are keen to share what we have learned from this experience and to learn from what other countries have succeeded in doing to promote womens empowerment, the statement added. Also Read | Sea of Death in China Claims Four Lives: Desert Expedition Turns Deadly, 4 Tourists Die of Thirst After Their Car Breaks Down While Crossing Dry Lake in Lop Nur Reserve. Addressing the session's topic of Education and STEM, Commissioner Dalli will also state that gender stereotypes have a multitude of detrimental impacts on our societies, which can inhibit the aspirations of both women and men. The outdated belief that certain careers such as those in STEM are for men, while others such as those relating to care are for women, has no place in the 21st century. And yet, these gender stereotypes continue to distort career aspirations. This is the reason that men occupy 80 per cent of the workforce in the digital sector. The G20 members need to do more to encourage women to participate in STEM, including through specialized training courses and programs, Dalli will speak at the session. The three-day G20 Ministerial Conference on Womens Empowerment will start on August 2 and will be chaired by Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Iran. The Ministerial Conference on Womens Empowerment takes place amidst global challenges ranging from insufficient progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to challenges posed by climate change and uneven pandemic recovery, according to the statement released by Ministry of Women and Child Development. The G20 Ministerial Conference while focusing on women-led development will be an opportunity for accelerating achievement towards Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment and achieving SDG: Goal 5. The Ministerial meeting spread over three days will witness the participation of more than 150 delegates led by their respective Heads of Delegations from G20 members, invitee countries, and International Organisations (IOs). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a special video address at the start of the Ministerial Conference. The discussions and deliberations during three days will focus on priority areas on Education, a Game-changing Pathway to Womens Empowerment; Womens Entrepreneurship, a Win-win for Equity and Economy; Creating a Partnership for Promoting Womens Leadership at all Levels including at the Grassroots; Women and Girls as Change-makers in Climate Resilience Action and Digital Skilling for Womens Empowerment. The thematic discussions and deliberations in these sessions will reflect in the Chairs Summary and will be provided as recommendations to G20 leaders. Further, Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN Women and NIPCCD will jointly organize a side event with support from the Ministry of Women & Child Development to identify the actions and policy levers in three keys areas of fiscal policies and tools for gender equality, the care economy and climate change challenge to accelerate gender equality. On August 2 and 3, the Ministry of Women and Child Development will be organising an exhibition on the theme of India @ 75: Contribution of Women with a focus on Women in Crafts, Nutrition & Food, Health, STEM, Education & Skilling and in Trade and Economy. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], August 1 (ANI): Pakistan's former Information and Broadcasting Minister, Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday submitted a written apology to the Election Commission of Pakistan in a contempt case, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. The ECP has reserved its decision in the contempt case against the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, according to ARY News. Speaking to reporters at the election commission, Fawad Chaudhry called for a charter of democracy before general elections in Pakistan. Also Read | China Floods Video: 20 Dead, 27 Missing in Flash Flooding Surrounding Capital Beijing, Thousands Evacuated. Fawad Chaudhry said, "How could the election be possible without addressing the issue of estrangement between PTI chairman and Nawaz Sharif?" He further said, "If elections are held without addressing this estrangement nothing will be solved." Chaudhry stressed that the normalisation of Pakistan is required more than the polls. In August last year, the electoral watchdog issued notices to Fawad Chaudhry and others for allegedly using "intemperate" language against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and the electoral body, ARY News reported. Also Read | Sea of Death in China Claims Four Lives: Desert Expedition Turns Deadly, 4 Tourists Die of Thirst After Their Car Breaks Down While Crossing Dry Lake in Lop Nur Reserve. During the previous hearing, Fawad Chaudhry apologised to the ECP and requested to withdraw the show cause notice issued against him. He further said whatever he had spoken was the narrative of the party as he was its spokesperson, according to ARY News. He said, "It was the partys position which I described." He added, "I respect the institutions including ECP." Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja asked Fawad Chaudhry whether he will kill anyone on the orders of the party chief, the report said. Chief Election Commissioner further said PTI had said a lot against him, his family and ECP in public gatherings. Fawad Chaudhry was asked to submit an apology in writing to the ECP and the electoral body will review it. On July 25, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) deferred the indictment of Pakistan's former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, till August 2 in a case related to contempt of the electoral body and the chief election commissioner (CEC), Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The ECP issued the directions as a four-member bench headed by member Nisar Durrani heard the case on Tuesday, according to Dawn reported. During the hearing on Tuesday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan appeared before ECP since the matter was taken up in October 2022. The decision comes after the ECP on Monday ordered Islamabad police to arrest Imran Khan and present him before the election watchdog. During the hearing on Tuesday, Imran Khan appeared before the ECP bench alongside his counsel, Shoaib Shaheen, Dawn reported. A member of the ECP bench said that they had intended to indict the PTI chairman in the case today. However, Imran Khan's lawyer requested ECP to defer the hearing as he required more time to gather the case record, according to the report. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Port-au-Prince [Haiti], August 1 (ANI): The dangers for journalists in Haiti have escalated in recent months, with killings, abductions, and attacks among the most pressing threats, Voice of America (VOA) reported. In the latest incident, the independent broadcaster Radio Antarctique was burned down in an apparent gang attack. Also Read | Langar on Capitol Hill Unites Members of US Congress and Sikh Community in America. According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), some 50 men attacked the village of Liancourt, located about 110 kilometres from the capital, Port-au-Prince, in the early hours of July 23 and set fire to the station and dozens of homes. "They smashed everything and then set fire to it. It was reduced to ashes," the broadcaster's founder, Roderson Elias, told CPJ. Also Read | Earthquake of Magnitude 5.1 on Richter Scale Shakes Papua New Guinea, No Casualty Reported. Elias founded Radio Antarctique a year ago and ran it with around a dozen staff. None of them was injured in the attack, but four residents from Liancourt were killed and several others abducted, according to reports. VOA reached out to the station but did not immediately get a response. In media interviews after the attack, however, Elias said he believes that gang members had targeted the station because of its reporting and that he had received threats earlier in the year. The station regularly reported on violence and other issues affecting the community. The head of a local gang reportedly accused Elias of inciting the community against his organisation, and the media foundation cautioned that conditions for journalists in Haiti "remain untenable," according to Voice of America (VOA). "Local authorities must restore order so that all citizens, including journalists, can live without fear from armed gangs," Cristina Zahar, CPJ's Latin America and the Caribbean program coordinator said in a statement. "Journalists should not face violent retaliation simply for doing their jobs." The deteriorating state of media parallels broader insecurity since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, Voice of America (VOA) reported. On July 7, 2021, a squad of gunmen assassinated the president at his home in the capital, Port-au-Prince throwing the country into a deeper crisis amid growing chaos and gang violence. Since then, for journalists, one of the biggest risks is kidnapping. On July 21, unidentified people kidnapped radio host Blondine Tanis near her Port-au-Prince home, demanding a ransom for her return. On Monday, CPJ reported that Tanis had been released. "The decline in her health while in gang custody is deeply concerning," CPJ's Zahar said in a statement announcing the reporter's release. "It is unacceptable that gangs have repeatedly kidnapped members of the press and held them for ransom," he added. Earlier this week, an American nurse and her child were kidnapped in Haiti, according to El Roi Haiti, the Christian humanitarian aid organisation she works for, CNN reported. Alix Dorsainvil, wife of El Roi Haiti director Sandro Dorsainvil, and their child were reportedly abducted on Thursday morning, according to a statement on El Roi Haitis website. The post read that the two were taken while serving in their community ministry on El Roi Haitis campus, near the capital Port-au-Prince, as per CNN. The statement said, Alix is a deeply compassionate and loving person who considers Haiti her home and the Haitian people her friends and family. Alix has worked tirelessly as our school and community nurse to bring relief to those who are suffering as she loves and serves the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus. Dorsainvil, originally a nurse from New Hampshire, moved to Haiti after her husband invited her to a Haitian school to provide nursing care for the children, Dorsainvil said in a video on the organizations website. According to a statement given to CNN by a State Department spokesperson, US authorities are aware of the abductions and are working with Haitian authorities and the US government inter-agency partners. The US Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas, the spokesperson 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) Washington, Aug 1: The annual Langar on the Capitol Hill was hosted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) last week with prominent members of the Congress and community leaders in attendance. The event, supported by Senator Chuck Schumer's office, brought together nearly 150 attendees, including Congresswoman Judy Chu and Congressman Shri Thanedar. The event embodies the 500-year-old Sikh values of unity, equality, and food justice. With its profound message of eradicating segregation and promoting universal friendship, Langar on the Hill' serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring principles at the heart of the Sikh American experience and their commitment to civic engagement, SALDEF said in a media release. Sikhism in US Schools: Washington DC To Include Sikhism as Part of School Curriculum. It said with a 125-year history in the United States, Sikh Americans continue to face misconceptions, making Langar on the Hill an invaluable platform to share their rich heritage, values, and unwavering commitment to equality for all. Maharashtra: 'Langar' That Fed 2 Million People During 2020 Lockdown Razed on Yavatmal National Highway, Elderly Sikh Baba Evicted. As they deepen their civic participation and leadership, this event becomes a pivotal opportunity for the rising generation to express their vision for a united nation, the release added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad (Pakistan), August 1 (ANI): The Pakistan Government on Tuesday announced a hike in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 19 on Tuesday, according to the Dawn newspaper. Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper that was launched in British India in 1941. It is the largest English newspaper in Pakistan and also serves as the country's newspaper of record. The Pakistan Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, informed about the development that led to the prices of petrol and diesel at Rs 272.95 and Rs 273.40 per litre, respectively. Also Read | China Floods Video: 20 Dead, 27 Missing in Flash Flooding Surrounding Capital Beijing, Thousands Evacuated. The statements of Ishaq Dar reported by the Dawn newspaper said that the government had checked the working of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) until the late hours of the night. The delay in the announcement, the basic reason, was that we were looking at if there were ways to reduce it if there was some leeway, Dar said. Also Read | Sea of Death in China Claims Four Lives: Desert Expedition Turns Deadly, 4 Tourists Die of Thirst After Their Car Breaks Down While Crossing Dry Lake in Lop Nur Reserve. The minister also informed the organisation that the matter was discussed with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier on Tuesday. We all know that the international commitments we have with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the petroleum levy, if they werent there [] then we wouldve announced a smaller increase but everyone knows we have a standby agreement, he said as he highlighted how the previous PTI government had reneged on its promises with the money lender, reported Dawn. The publication states that the minister then added, So in the countrys interest, it is necessary that the minimum increase calculated to be passed and HSD is being increased by Rs19.90 and the new price will be Rs273.40. And petrol price is being increased by Rs19.95 to Rs272.95. Dar added that the new prices would be effective immediately. He went on to say that the government was determined to provide relief to the people as he pointed out how diesel prices were slashed by Rs 30. But international prices are not in the governments control. And as I said, we did the working down to the last penny, he said. Dar said that the prices were increased based on the final recommendation given by Ogra and with the premiers approval, claimed a report by Dawn. The publication reports that the government could not announce the fortnightly adjustment in the prices of petroleum products on Monday, with consultations continuing into the early hours of Tuesday. However, a 17.5 pc increase was announced in the producer price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as a 13.5 pc raise in the LPG consumer sale price for August. As per Dawn, the LPG price was increased by Rs 281.5 per domestic cylinder of 11.8kg. The new producer price is Rs 1,886.30 per 11.8 kg cylinder, while the consumer price is Rs 2,373.64 per cylinder. The publication also reports that a top official said the government was finding it difficult to announce a major price increase just before it leaves office. Dar remained engaged for hours with the Ogra chairman, his team, and petroleum division officials, to find ways to avoid jacking up prices, or at least a way to minimise the increase. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Maale Adumim (West Bank), Aug 1 (AP) A Palestinian gunman opened fire in an Israeli settlement east of Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding at least four people before being shot and killed, Israeli police said. The shooting outside a shopping mall in the sprawling Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, in the occupied West Bank, was the latest in the most violent stretch of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the territory in nearly two decades. Also Read | China Floods Video: 20 Dead, 27 Missing in Flash Flooding Surrounding Capital Beijing, Thousands Evacuated. The Palestinian assailant, dressed as a security guard, was shot and killed by an off-duty Israeli police officer who had heard gunshots and rushed to the scene. The Israeli police said the attacker wounded four civilians, who were in light to moderate condition. Also Read | Sea of Death in China Claims Four Lives: Desert Expedition Turns Deadly, 4 Tourists Die of Thirst After Their Car Breaks Down While Crossing Dry Lake in Lop Nur Reserve. Fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank intensified early last year when Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in the West Bank in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis. The violence has spiked this year, with more than 150 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of 2023 in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the raids and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis during that time. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Divers salvaged the remnants of a 400-year-old shipwreck in the southwestern Baltic Sea. Scientists hope the wreck will give insight into Lubeck's role at the center of the Hanseatic League.Underwater archaeologists from the northern German city of Lubeck finished salvaging a centuries-old shipwreck in the mouth of the Trave River on Monday. Also Read | Thane Tragedy: 17 Workers Dead as Crane Falls on Bridge Slab During Samruddhi Expressway Construction in Shahpur, Devendra Fadnavis Orders Probe. Thanks to good underwater visibility and weather conditions, work was completed ahead of schedule. The scientific team engaged in the effort had earlier expected work, which started in June, to last some three months and to be completed in September. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Two Injured in Exchange of Fire During Police Action Against Cow Slaughter in Mawana Area. Total cost for the project, which is being funded by the citizens of Lubeck, is estimated at roughly 2 million ($2.2 million). The wreck, which lay 11 meters (36 feet) below the surface, was coincidentally discovered during routine surveying by the regional Water and Shipping Office (WSA) and made public in July 2022. "We have found more than we had hoped and are already able to draw a number of conclusions as to the cargo and equipment of the Hanseatic ship," said Felix Rosch, who heads the project. It is thought that the vessel was likely built in Holland around 1650. Scientists say cargo fire likely caused ship to sink Archaeologist Rosch said black marks on some of the cargo found with the mid-sized sailing ship suggest it may have sunk as the result of fire. "There was apparently a larger fire on deck," he said. Among the vessel's cargo were barrels of calcium oxide, often referred to as quicklime or burnt lime, a material commonly used for housing construction at the time. "There are about 170 barrels down there, they'll be hauled out over the next few days," said Rosch. Rosch added that water seeping into the barrels could have caused a chemical reaction, generating intense heat that eventually led to a fire. Initial indications suggest the vessel was likely en route to Lubeck from Scandinavia when it sank. Crews excavating the ship are vacuuming sediment from the sea bed to uncover its remains layer by layer. Pieces brought to the surface are then being taken to a warehouse in Lubeck to be cleaned and documented. Three-dimensional digital scans are being made of all the objects brought to the surface, and the pieces themselves are being treated to protect them from rapid deterioration. Scientists say without such measures the find would be destroyed within a few years' time. Lubeck's history as capital of the Hanseatic League By analyzing the wreckage, scientists hope to gain valuable insight into the history of the city of Lubeck and its trade relations within the Hanseatic League in which Lubeck held a leading role for centuries. Scientists say it is possible that the find is related to a 1680 shipwreck mentioned in documents stored in the city's archives. Although a number of warships from the period have been found in the Baltic over the years, the discovery of such a well-preserved trade ship in the sea's southwestern basin has been hailed as a sensation, especially considering its extremely well-preserved state. The Hanseatic League derived from the Old High German "Hanse," meaning band was a commercial and defensive confederation of European cities and city-states that began in northern Germany in the 12th century and flourished to dominate trade in the North and Baltic Seas until it ultimately dissolved in late 17th century. Hanseatic League still inspires European trade relations today At its height, the League stretched from Novgorod in modern-day Russia, to London. Hansa members traded in what are now Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, with Lubeck at its center. Traders, who amassed great private wealth, enjoyed special privileges and legal autonomy not dissimilar to today's Freeports. The discovery of the Americas and the rise of transatlantic trade signaled the wane of the confederation and the loss of the London Steelyard in the Great Fire of London in 1666 generally marks its disintegration. Beyond the porcelain, animal bones and ship's tackle found among the ruins of the 25-meter long and six-meter wide Lubeck shipwreck, archaeologist Rosch was especially proud of a schnapps bottle found among the wreckage. On it, the word "Londn," very likely a reference to the British capital and key trading port. Despite its demise, the idea of the confederation has continued in various iterations, most recently in the New Hanseatic League also known as the Hanseatic League 2.0. This was established by EU finance ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden in February of 2018. AFP news agency contributed to this report Edited by: Wesley Dockery (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2023 10:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, Aug 1: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has sent interim recommendations to President Droupadi Murmu regarding the ongoing violent clashes in Manipur, an official said on Tuesday. As a response to the viral video depicting sexual assault on two women, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal ,along with members, travelled to Manipur on July 23 to visit the violence affected areas, including Churachandpur, Moirang, Kongpokpi and Imphal districts to interact with those affected by violence. The DCW has given 24 interim recommendations to the President, which include the imposition of President's rule in the state, resignation of the Chief Minister, and the urgent visit of the Prime Minister and Union Ministers to assess the situation and devise a comprehensive strategy to bring peace to the state. Additionally, the DCW has called for the establishment of a Supreme Court Monitored Special Investigation Team to probe the root causes of the ethnic clash and the government's actions and omissions in managing the crisis. Manipur Violence: Swati Maliwal Meets Paralysed BJP MLAs Family, Wife Recounts Horrific Attack (Watch Video). It also seeks investigation into the looting of over 4000 sophisticated weapons from the police forces and complaints received in the past three months against police inaction and/or collusion. The Commission has recommended two separate SITs, one headed by retired Supreme Court judges, to monitor the investigation of all cases of murders, missing persons, etc., and the other specifically to look into cases of sexual assault. It further suggests that all cases of sexual assault should be handed over to the CBI, and trials should take place in a fast track court outside the state, preferably in Delhi, the DCW said in a statement. Manipur Violence: DCW Chief Swati Maliwal Writes to JP Nadda, Urges Him To Help BJP MLA Vungzangin Valte Who Was Attacked (Watch Video). Moreover, the Commission has proposed launching a helpline for reporting cases of sexual violence, acknowledging that sexual violence is often used as a weapon to humiliate and terrorize vulnerable people in a conflict zone. It expresses concern that many such cases may have occurred in Manipur in the past three months, urging the administration to urgently establish a helpline encouraging women to report cases of sexual violence, if any. Maliwal has also requested time from the President to discuss the situation in Manipur and said, "The situation in Manipur is very disturbing. Urgent steps need to be taken to restore normalcy and peace. I have submitted an interim report and recommendations to the Hon'ble President. The people of Manipur need immediate help. I have urged the President to immediately impose President's rule in Manipur and form SITs for monitoring investigations, including those involving sexual assault. I have also requested the President to direct relief and rehabilitation for all survivors. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2023 03:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Thiruvananthapuram, August 1: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V.Muraleedharan on Tuesday said that it is surprising to know that the Kerala Police had no clue about the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) training centre functioning in the state. It is a huge surprise that such a unit was functioning in Kerala and neither the police nor the authorities appeared to have any clue about it, the Union Minister said. On Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached one of the oldest and largest arms and physical training centres of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala. This is a serious lapse on the part of the state government, the Union Minister said. Kerala BJP President K. Surendran has applauded NIA action calling it a slap on face of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who did nothing to take appropriate action against the banned outfit. PFI Ban: NIA Detains Banned Outfit's Madurai President Mohammad Qaiser From Tamil Nadu's Pazhani (Watch Video). Other states did take action against the banned outfit but the Kerala government did nothing and that was done only to gain few votes, said Surendran. NIA had said that the training PFI training centre was spread over 10 hectares of land at Manjeri in Malappuram and was known as Green Valley Academy. Kerala Road Accident: KSRTC Bus Collides With Car, Rams in To Church Wall in Pathanamthitta (Watch Video). The PFI had been using the property for imparting arms training, physical training, and training on use and testing of explosives to its cadres, identified as part of their Service Wing. The facility was also used to harbour several PFI Service Wing members after they committed crimes, including murders, NIA said. So far, the NIA has attached 18 PFI-owned properties in Kerala under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) provisions. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2023 05:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power has expressed concern about food insecurity and shortages of medical supplies in Nagorno-Karabakh. Food insecurity & shortages of medical supplies in Nagorno-Karabakh are very troubling. The Lachin corridor is critical for getting lifesaving supplies to the people of NK. I join Secretary Blinken's call for the free transit of commercial & humanitarian supplies through the corridor, Power tweeted. Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients. On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor. PM Ulf Kristersson has announced plans to expand police authority at the country's borders amid an elevated risk of attack as the result of repeated anti-Islam provocations in the Scandinavian country.Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Tuesday announced that Sweden will introduce a new law, expected to be approved Thursday, that will give police expanded powers to conduct identity checks as well as vehicle and body searches at Sweden's borders. Also Read | Thane Crane Crash: Death Toll Rises to 20 After Three More Victims Succumb to Injuries; 3 Critical in Hospital. Electronic border surveillance is also to be expanded. Also Read | Gurugram Violence: Cleric Killed, Mosque Set on Fire by Mob of 100 People in Sector 57. The measure, said Kristersson, is intended to prevent, "people with very weak connections to Sweden" from entering the country, "to commit crimes or to act in conflict with Swedish security interests." Sweden and neighboring Denmark have come into global focus in the wake of numerous anti-Islam "protests" in which a small number of individuals have desecrated the Muslim holy Quran, inciting widespread rage across the Muslim world. Swedish security experts fear the continued provocations could trigger serious threats, "from individuals within the violent Islamist milieu." For that reason, said Kristersson, it is "extremely important" to stop those individuals perceived as threats from entering the country. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer, who appeared alongside Kristersson at a Stockholm press conference, said, "Border controls are a measure that gives us the conditions to identify people coming into Sweden who could represent a threat to security." Stockholm seeks balance between free speech and respect for religious liberty Both the Swedish and Danish governments have been at pains to strike a balance between protecting free speech and respecting the rights of religious communities. Kristersson has repeatedly called for de-escalation and the responsible and respectful exercise of free speech. Muslim countries have called for Quran burnings and similar desecrations carried out by provocateurs to be forbidden. Though Stockholm initially bristled at the idea, citing democratic liberalism, it has now begun to look into ways to curtail such protests as threats to its national security grow. Kristersson on Tuesday said sweeping changes to freedom of speech laws were, however, not in the cards. Still, he noted that, "Everything that is legal is not appropriate, it can be legal but still awful." On Monday, a day which saw yet another Quran desecration in Stockholm, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened a special online meeting to discuss the situation and advised all 57 member states to dial back relations with countries that allow such actions, urging them to recall ambassadors, for instance. It also urged action from the United Nations on the issue. The suggestion echoed moves taken by Iraq in late July, when Baghdad expelled Sweden's ambassador in the country and its embassy was attacked and set ablaze by angry Muslims. As an example of the type of threats potentially facing the country, a Turkish woman employed as a secretary at the Sweden's diplomatic mission in western Turkey's Izmir province was seriously injured Tuesday when a gun-wielding man attacked her outside the Swedish honorary consulate there. Turkish authorities detained the man, whom the local governor's office described as "mentally disabled," but the woman remains hospitalized in critical condition. "Sweden's general consul will travel to Izmir tomorrow to be informed of the situation and express her condolences," said Sweden's Foreign Ministry, adding it would, "not comment on threat scenarios against the foreign mission or which security measures are being taken, as that could counter the purpose of the measures." Sweden in a 'complicated' and 'dangerous' situation At Tuesday's press conference, Prime Minister Kristersson said Sweden currently faces its most difficult security situation since World War II. Calling it "dangerous" and "complicated," he mused that, "people who want to harm Sweden" might be trying to exploit the situation to their advantage. He suggested one such actor might be Russia, which has voiced anger over Sweden's attempts to join the NATO military alliance in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "It may be to prevent a Swedish NATO accession," said Kristersson. Indeed, Turkey, which only just recently relented its monthslong opposition to Swedish NATO membership, has now once again suggested it may block accession if Stockholm fails to crackdown on further Quran desecrations. In a developing situation in Turkey's western Izmir province, a Turkish woman was seriously wounded Tuesday when an armed man attacked the Swedish honorary consulate where she is employed. js/lo (AFP, dpa, Reuters) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2023 01:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted an 'A' certificate to Akshay Kumar's next, OMG 2. This means that the film is only suitable for adults. Reportedly, CBFC has ordered more than 20 modifications in the film. Not just this, the plot of OMG 2 is also revealed which is said to revolve around Akshay as Lord Shiva who helps his devotee (Pankaj Tripathi) to seek justice for his kid's predicament. Helmed by Amit Rai, the flick releases in theatres on August 11. OMG 2 Teaser: Akshay Kumar's Lord Shiva Act Impresses Netizens, Calls the Film's First Glimpse 'Fantastic'. OMG 2 Censored With 'A' Certificate: OMG 2 Censored (Photo Credits: CBFC India) Watch OMG 2 Teaser: Watch Video: (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.) In a significant victory for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, the Patna High Court dismissed all petitions challenging the state government's caste-based survey. The court's verdict upholds the legality and implementation of the government's initiative to conduct a caste-based census in Bihar. However, Advocate Dinu Kumar, representing the petitioners, has announced his intention to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Declines To Entertain Petitions Against Caste-Based Census in Bihar. Patna High Court Dismisses Petitions Against Bihar's Caste-based Survey #WATCH | Patna: Advocate Dinu Kumar says "Judge gave this verdict that all petitions challenging Bihar Government's Caste based survey have been dismissed. He will move Supreme Court against this" pic.twitter.com/SrYnxJ3Pdp ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 (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.) ASSOCIATED PRESS The passage of 60 years has muted but not silenced the controversy over the kidnaping of 20-month-old Charles A. Lindbergh Jr. on March 1, 1932. Was Bruno Richard Hauptmann the kidnaper, and did he act alone? A note, with many misspellings, left on the windowsill of the nursery in the New Jersey mountainside home of the babys father, Charles A. Lindbergh, and his mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, demanded $50,000 for the childs return. The ransom was paid. The state said it caught Hauptmann with the marked bills. Hauptmanns defense was that the money had been left with him for safekeeping by a friend who had since died. The ransom note was part of the evidence that led to Hauptmanns conviction. Advertisement The state contended that the baby died in a fall when a crude ladder used in the kidnaping broke under the combined weight of Hauptmann and the baby. Hauptmann, a 36-year-old German-born carpenter, was arrested Sept. 19, 1934, in the Bronx, N.Y., after he used a $10 bill from the ransom to pay for gas at a service station and police found $14,600 in his garage. He died in the electric chair in the New Jersey state prison in Trenton on April 3, 1936. Hauptmanns 93-year-old widow, Anna, one of the last surviving principals in the case, is trying again to clear his name. At a news conference a few months ago in Flemington, N.J., where the trial took place, she said: My husband was never, never near the Lindbergh home. They killed an innocent man. Her lawyer, Robert R. Bryan of San Francisco, who has represented her for years, said: The trial of the century was probably the greatest fraud in the history of this country. Hauptmann testified that her husband called for her the night of March 1 at the Bronx bakery where she worked. She said they went home together about half past 9, quarter to 10 and stayed there. On cross-examination, she was asked if she had not told a New York City police detective at the time Hauptmann was arrested that you had no recollection of what happened March 1, 1932 . . . that you did not know whether your husband was with you or not? Advertisement There was some sparring between the prosecutor and the witness, but no direct answer. In the recent news conference, Hauptmann asked that New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio declare her husband unfairly convicted. Florios director of communications, Jon Shure, said later that Bryan had submitted some documents, and they are being reviewed in the attorney generals office. The controversy, seemingly endless, persists because the case against Hauptmann was based largely on circumstantial evidence. Books have been written decrying and upholding the verdict. One of the most recent, The Lindbergh Case, written in 1987 by James Fisher, a former FBI agent and a professor of criminal justice at Edinboro State College in Pennsylvania, said: The evidence was overwhelming. Very few cases are proven that well, particularly cases where you dont have a confession and where you dont even have an eyewitness. An earlier book, Scapegoat, by Anthony Scaduto, a former New York Post reporter, contended that every piece of physical evidence introduced against the accused Lindbergh kidnaper at his trial was either manufactured by the police or distorted by so-called expert witnesses. Appeals have been rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court several times. Hauptmanns widow has contended through her attorney that her husband was the victim of a conspiracy to conceal evidence. She has sought monetary damages. A few years ago, a San Francisco Court of Historical Review and Appeals, an unofficial body that examines controversial trials, recommended that the case be reopened. New Jersey authorities said they supported the verdict and saw no reason to do so. About 10 years ago, then-Gov. Brendan Byrne ordered the 90,000-page Lindbergh files opened, saying there was no need to preserve secrecy at this late date. Byrne, a former judge, said: The jurys decision was a sound one and justice was done. Lindbergh, as a 25-year-old mail pilot, became the most famous figure of his time almost overnight. A small-town boy from the Midwest, he had flown his single-engine plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, from San Diego to St. Louis to New York. Six days later--on May 20, 1927--The Lone Eagle, as he became known, was aloft again over the Atlantic. He had a compass, five quarts of water and five sandwiches, but no radio (too heavy). He left behind famous competitors for a $25,000 prize for the first nonstop flight from America to Paris. Among them was Richard E. Byrd, the polar explorer. Six pilots died trying. Lindbergh landed at LeBourget Airport, some 3,600 miles and 33 1/2 hours later, and introduced himself to a cheering crowd of thousands. Later that year, Dwight W. Morrow, ambassador to Mexico, invited Lindbergh to be his guest. At the embassy Lindbergh met the Morrows daughter, Anne, whom he married in 1929. The couple, who had lived in an uptown New York hotel suite since their honeymoon, decided to build a house. They chose a site in the Sourland Mountains near Hopewell, N.J., 60 miles from New York. It was in their new home that tragedy struck. The stone house was livable but not yet finished and the Lindberghs usually spent only weekends there. Most other days they were at the Morrow family estate in Englewood, N.J. The Lindbergh boy had a slight cold. It was raw and windy, so Anne decided it would be best to stay home that Tuesday, March 1. Lindbergh returned from New York. Hauptmanns defense made much of the fact that the Lindberghs had decided only that night to stay in Hopewell. How could a kidnaper have known? Col. H. Norman Schwarzkopf (father of the Army general), superintendent of the state police, and his staff questioned the servants in both the Lindbergh and Morrow households to determine if the crime could have been an inside job. After one of the servants committed suicide, police said it indicated guilty knowledge of the crime. Others said she was frightened to death. Lindbergh, reading in a downstairs room, testified at Hauptmanns trial in January, 1935, in the Flemington Court House that he heard a strange noise, which he said sounded like the slats of an orange crate falling off a chair. Nurse Betty Gow went to the second-floor nursery about 10 p.m. and found the baby missing. She checked with the parents. Neither had him. Lindbergh ran to the nursery, saw the empty crib and said: Anne, they have stolen our baby! The note on the windowsill read: Dear Sir: Have 50000$ ready 25000$ in 20$ bills 15000$ in 10$ bills and 10000$ in 5$ bills after 2-4 days we will inform you where to deliver the mony we warn you for making anyding public or for notify the police the child is in gut care. The note said the singature for future letters would be two interlocking circles with three square holes. Early on, there were many bizarre developments, fed by speculation that underworld figures had taken the baby. Among them: * Al Capone, under an 11-year sentence for income tax evasion, offered a $10,000 reward for the babys return. He told Arthur Brisbane, a Hearst newspaper columnist, that he would restore the child to the Lindberghs in return for his release from prison. Lindbergh and authorities turned him down. * The Lindberghs announced that they had authorized two minor mob figures, Salvatore Spitale and Irving Bitz, to act as go-betweens in dealing with the kidnapers. * In Washington, Gaston B. Means, a private detective with a shady past, tried to interest wealthy socialites in the case. One of them was Evalyn Walsh McLean, owner of the 44 1/2-carat Hope Diamond. She gave Means $104,000 ($100,000 ransom and $4,000 for expenses) on his promise that he could return the baby alive. Meanwhile, Dr. John F. Condon, a 72-year-old educator in the Bronx, was upset that the Lindberghs had chosen mobsters as go-betweens. He wrote the Bronx Home News, offering $1,000 in addition to the $50,000 ransom. He asked the kidnapers to get in touch with him and promised never to reveal their names. His letter was published March 8. Surprisingly, he received a reply, saying, handl inclosed letter personally to Mr. Lindbergh. It will explain everything. It went on to say if the press and police were notifyed everything are cansell. And a final instruction: after you get the money from Mr. Lindbergh put these words in The New York American: Mony is redy. Condon took the letter to Lindbergh at Hopewell. Lindbergh conferred with his friend and adviser, Henry C. Breckinridge. They were convinced that the letter writer knew something because the signature seemed the same. The interlocking symbols, never printed in the newspapers, were on the letter. Condon got the go-ahead, and on March 11, this advertisement appeared in the New York American: I accept. Money is ready. Jafsie. The name Jafsie, from Condons initials J.F.C., was used in the belief that only the kidnaper would recognize it. There were further exchanges, and Condon received in the mail as evidence the babys sleeping suit. On the night of April 2, Condon and Lindbergh went to a Bronx cemetery, as instructed, and Condon handed $50,000 to a man who called out, from behind a hedge: Hey, Doctor--over here! Lindbergh, who waited in a car nearby, was asked at Hauptmanns trial: Have you heard that voice since? He said he had, and added: It was the voice of Bruno Richard Hauptmann. Condon was handed this note: the boy is on the Boad Nelly . . . You will find the Boad between Horseneck Bay and Gay Head near Elizabeth Island. Lindbergh searched the waters off Cape Cod, the Virginia capes, Norfolk and South Jersey. He was returning from Norfolk on May 12 when he was notified that his sons body had been found in a shallow grave a few miles from his home. Although Lindbergh and Betty Gow identified the remains in a Trenton morgue, and Edward J. Reilly, chief defense counsel, said there was never any claim but that it was the Lindbergh child, there have since been some challenges based on the last measurements of the child and the size of the body. Several men now in middle age have claimed to be Charles A. Lindbergh Jr. The trail of ransom money led to Hauptmanns arrest on Sept. 19, 1934. A few days earlier he had paid Walter Lyle, a gas station attendant in the Bronx, with a $10 gold certificate. Lyle wrote the cars license number on the bill. The gold bills were hot because President Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 3, 1933, had ordered that all holders of gold-backed notes exchange them for silver certificates. The government distributed 250,000 circulars giving the serial numbers of the gold notes. As each ransom bill turned up, state police marked the location on a wall map with a pin. Most were in the Bronx. After Hauptmanns arrest, police found $14,600 of the ransom money in his garage. Hauptmann said he had found the money in a shoe box left with him by Isodor Fisch, with whom he had a business partnership, when Fisch left for Germany. Fisch had since died. Hauptmann said the money had been in a closet and untouched until he hit it with a broom. He said gold certificates fell out of the box, and he hid them in the garage. Frank J. Wilson, special agent in charge of the Intelligence Unit of the Internal Revenue Service, testified that between $18,000 and $19,000 of the ransom money was recovered. The state has said that no more of it turned up after Hauptmanns arrest. Seven handwriting experts testified that Hauptmann wrote the ransom notes. Their testimony, the ransom money in Hauptmanns possession and the ladder were among the main pieces of circumstantial evidence. The ladder used to enter the Lindbergh nursery was crude. Hauptmann denied making it, saying, I am a carpenter. Atty. Gen. David T. Wilentz, the chief prosecutor, said the noise Lindbergh heard that night was the ladder breaking under the weight of Hauptmann carrying the child. A physician testified that the baby died of a fractured skull. A state witness, Arthur Koehler of the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis., testified that a ladder rail had come from a floor board in Hauptmanns attic. He said he laid the board on a joist in the attic and found that the nail holes in the floor board matched those in the joist. In his charge to the jury, Supreme Court Justice Thomas W. Trenchard, noted the circumstantial evidence. He said: The crime of murder is not one which is always committed in the presence of witnesses, and if not so committed, it must be established by circumstantial evidence or not at all. Hauptmann was convicted and sentenced immediately to die in the electric chair the week of Jan. 17, 1936. But there were more bizarre events: * Gov. Harold G. Hoffman granted Hauptmann a reprieve for 30 days after paying him a secret visit in the death house. Hoffman said in a statement: I share with hundreds of thousands of our people the doubt as to the value of the evidence that placed him in the Lindbergh nursery. I do doubt that this crime could have been committed by one man. * Evalyn Walsh McLean came back into the picture. She had lost faith in Gaston Means ability to find the child and had asked for her $100,000 back. The money was not returned and Means was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison, where he died. * McLean was uncertain about Hauptmanns conviction. She hired Samuel S. Leibowitz, a famous criminal lawyer, to investigate. He visited Hauptmann three times in his cell and said he told Hauptmann he was certain the Court of Pardons would commute his sentence to life imprisonment if he came clean. Leibowitz got nowhere. He told McLean there was no question Hauptmann was guilty. I said the only way he could be saved from the chair was to name his accomplice or accomplices. I said I was convinced that he did not act alone. In the meantime, the Supreme Court denied a last-minute request from Lloyd Fisher, who had replaced Reilly as chief defense counsel, to apply for a writ of habeas corpus. The New Jersey Court of Pardons denied clemency. There were 55 witnesses in the execution chamber when Hauptmann, accompanied by two clergymen, came in at 8:41 p.m. Robert H. Elliott, the gray-haired executioner, spun a wheel three times. Six doctors applied stethoscopes. Then Dr. Howard Weisler, the prison physician, said: This man is dead. It was 8:47 1/2 p.m. ASSOCIATED PRESS New Mexicos most infamous drunken-driving case did more than shatter the lives of the Navajo driver and the woman and three young daughters he killed. In six years marked by survivors grief and hung juries, it has changed the way people think about drinking and driving in a state that has ranked for years as one of the worst in the nation for DWI fatalities. Last year, the state closed all 234 drive-up liquor windows. This year, it required drivers with more than one drunken driving conviction to install ignition interlocks, which measure a drivers blood alcohol and prevent a vehicle from starting if he or she has been drinking. In 1994, it lowered the legal blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 to 0.08. Advertisement Lawmakers who championed the changes credit the crusading perseverance of Nadine Milford, whose midlife serenity was ripped apart on Christmas Eve 1992. She cannot forget that, while others opened presents that Christmas Day, she was planning a funeral. I was a warm, fuzzy grandma with a job at a Christian school, Milford says. I was happiest when I had a child to hold. Thats what my whole life consisted of. The warm fuzziness vanished that Christmas Eve, along with the legal career of Gordon House, then 32, a criminal justice graduate who worked with troubled Indian teens. House, the father of two, spent the day in Albuquerque, shopping and drinking. He would later testify he consumed 7 1/2 beers. That night, his red pickup truck ended up on the wrong side of Interstate 40--heading east in the westbound lanes. House drove the wrong way for 12 miles, sometimes at speeds up to 90 mph, before colliding head-on with a car carrying Milfords daughter, Melanie Cravens, 31, and three granddaughters--Kandyce, 9, Erin, 8, and Kacee, 5--killing all four. Cravens husband, Paul Woodard, was seriously injured. House, who claimed that a migraine headache, not beer, caused his disorientation, was tried three times in 1994 and 1995 on vehicular homicide and other charges. Advertisement Two trials at Taos ended in hung juries on the homicide charges, although House was convicted at the first trial of driving while intoxicated. At the third trial, moved 300 miles away to Las Cruces, he was convicted on four counts of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 22 years in prison. House spent 291 days in prison, then was released in 1996 on appeal. A year later, the state appeals court tossed out his convictions on grounds that the trial should not have been moved. But the state Supreme Court reinstated the convictions in March, and House returned to prison in April. His attorney, Ray Twohig, plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. Milford began lobbying for tougher DWI laws within two weeks of the tragedy. Although a novice, she soon became a participant at legislative hearings, public meetings and rallies where drunken driving was the issue. Today she heads the states Mothers Against Drunk Driving group and is among the most visible lobbyists at the Legislature. State Rep. Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque says Milford was a major factor in getting lawmakers to close the states drive-up windows. She is a constant presence. She wont let people forget what a heartbreak it was to lose almost her entire family, Stewart says. If there had not been a Nadine Milford, I dont think this case would have received so much continuing attention. Others say the timing of the crash and who was involved contributed immense notoriety. Its Christmas Eve. Its an Indian driving the wrong way on the highway, and the people in the other vehicle that died are four whites, says Dr. Paul Guerin, a criminologist with the University of New Mexico Institute for Social Research. Guerins doctoral dissertation examined fatal motor-vehicle accidents in New Mexico from 1982 to 1991. It gathers much more press because its an Indian killing whites, Guerin says. There have been other cases where Indians kill Indians, but it occurs in a rural area and it doesnt get as much publicity. Race has been an issue throughout the case, subtly or otherwise. Twohig says House was made a scapegoat for the states DWI problem. New Mexico ranked first in DWI fatalities in 1996 and second in 1995. In 1997, the last year for which statistics are available, New Mexico had dropped to No. 3. Twohig restated his thesis after House was returned to prison. A lot of people seem to think that sending Gordon to prison or seeing him taken away has a beneficial effect--that it has something to do with ending the case or it has a healing effect, Twohig says. I dont think people get healed by inflicting pain on others. Those who are looking at this incarceration as a way to help themselves had better look elsewhere. Some feel House and his family--wife, Sue, son Ryan, 12, and daughter Leatricia, 9--have suffered enough and criticize Milfords work to keep him behind bars. Milford responds that her crusade is about justice, not racism. You walk in my shoes and tell me his pain is deeper than mine, she says. Asked if the changes her campaign wrought have provided any solace, Milford answers, You bet. Thats exactly what I live for. For being visible about this issue. The year my children died there were 274 people killed in DWI crashes [in New Mexico]. Last year there were 169. Times Staff Writer Eric Millers career as an Army Ranger wasnt ended by a battlefield wound, but his DNA. Lurking in his genes was a mutation that made him vulnerable to uncontrolled tumor growth. After suffering back pain during a tour in Afghanistan, he underwent three surgeries to remove tumors from his brain and spine that left him with numbness throughout the left side of his body. So began his journey into a dreaded scenario of the genetic age. Advertisement Because he was born with the mutation, the Army argued it bore no responsibility for his illness and medically discharged him in 2005 without the disability benefits or health insurance he needed to fight his disease. The Army didnt give me anything, said Miller, 28, a seven-year veteran who is training to join the Tennessee Highway Patrol. While genetic discrimination is banned in most cases throughout the country, it is alive and well in the U.S. military. For more than 20 years, the armed forces have held a policy that specifically denies disability benefits to servicemen and women with congenital or hereditary conditions. The practice would be illegal in almost any other workplace. There is one exception, instituted in 1999, that grants benefits to personnel who have served eight years. You could be in the military and be a six-pack-a-day smoker, and if you come down with emphysema, Thats OK. Weve got you covered, said Kathy Hudson, director of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University. But if you happen to have a disease where there is an identified genetic contribution, you are screwed. Advertisement Representatives from the Pentagon declined multiple requests to discuss the policy. A high cost The regulation appears to have stemmed from an effort to protect the armed services from becoming a magnet for people who knew they would come down with costly genetic illnesses, according to Dr. Mark Nunes, who headed the Air Force Genetics Centers DNA diagnostic laboratory at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. The threat is almost certainly small. A 1999 military analysis estimated that about 250 service members are discharged each year for health problems involving a genetic component. Disability payments for them would amount to $1.7 million the first year and rise each year after that as more veterans join the rolls. Healthcare expenditures would have added to the tab. Maybe they didnt want to foot the bill for my disability, said Miller, whose rare genetic disease is called Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Its saving money for them. Im just one less soldier that they have to dish out compensation to. But the cost for individuals medically discharged can be high. While some eventually receive benefits from Veterans Affairs or private insurers, the policy leaves Miller and others scrambling to find treatment for complex medical conditions at the same time they are reestablishing their lives as civilians without having the benefit of Tricare, the militarys health insurance. It seems particularly draconian to say, Well, youre out with no benefits, whereas another person with the same injury gets the coverage simply because we dont know theres a gene in there thats causing this, said Alex Capron, a professor who studies healthcare law, policy and ethics at USC. The fear of genetic discrimination coincides with early efforts to decode the human genome more than 25 years ago. It took no great insight to realize that a complete inventory of lifes building blocks would not only revolutionize the practice of medicine, but also mark individuals whose genes put them at risk for myriad diseases. Congress took action in 1996, banning genetic discrimination in group health plans, and in 2000, President Clinton signed an executive order forbidding the practice against the federal governments nearly 2 million civilian employees. Similar laws against genetic discrimination swept through 31 states. Congress is working to extend the federal law with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which would protect people with individual medical policies. The act has passed the House and awaits a vote in the Senate. Even if it becomes law, it will not apply to military personnel. The Defense Departments original policy did not consider genetics when determining whether a soldier deserved medical retirement, assuming that any disease discovered during service had been incurred in the line of duty. There was little reason to consider genetic mutations, since few were known. But by 1986, as scientists associated more sections of DNA with particular diseases, the military declared that it was not responsible for soldiers with congenital and hereditary conditions. At the urging of the National Human Genome Research Institute, the Defense Department proposed in 1999 that anyone who had served for 180 days be eligible for medical retirement, even if their health problem had a genetic component, said Barbara Fuller, assistant director for ethics at NHGRI, part of the National Institutes of Health. But the Office of Management and Budget decided on the longer, 8-year term to conform with other military health and retirement guidelines, according to an OMB official. Some genetic discrimination is unavoidable given the demands of military service, said Nunes, now a geneticist at Ohio State University. If you have achondroplasia -- if youre a dwarf -- youre not eligible for military service, he said. If you have hereditary hearing loss, youre not eligible for military service. If you have color blindness, youre not eligible to fly an airplane. Obviously, theres genetic discrimination in the military, for good reason. But Nunes said the armed forces disability policy was flawed by a fundamental misunderstanding about the biology of inherited diseases. Only in a few cases, such as Huntingtons disease, does a specific mutation in a particular stretch of DNA guarantee the onset of illness. In most cases, a faulty gene increases an individuals risk of developing a disease, but does not ensure it. Typically, an external event is necessary to trigger the onset of a medical condition. Such was the case with an Army helicopter gunship pilot who was reassigned to desk duty after she became too pregnant to fly. Dr. Melissa Fries, an Air Force geneticist who became involved in the case, said the pilot developed a blood clot in her leg -- a typical complication of pregnancy that is exacerbated by inactivity. She was diagnosed with chronic thrombophlebitis, a condition that disqualified her from flying. The pilot, who declined to discuss her case, decided to retire from the Army. As part of her medical work-up, doctors discovered she had a genetic mutation for Factor V Leiden, which is found in 5% of Caucasians and increases their risk of developing blood clots. An Army physical evaluation board, which determines disability benefits, denied her claim because of the mutation. Her military doctors were stunned since her thrombophlebitis was probably caused by her pregnancy and desk job. They downplayed the role of her mutation because 99% of Factor V Leiden carriers never develop blood clots. Testing discouraged Military doctors now discourage their patients from getting potentially life-saving genetic tests, undermining their ability to provide top-notch care. If someone called me up with regard to genetic testing, I had to say, That might not be something you want to pursue, Nunes said. Thats very hard to say. In her 26 years in the Air Force, Fries said she often dissuaded women from getting tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that dramatically increase their risk of developing breast cancer. She recalled counseling a 22-year-old soldier whose father had just been diagnosed with Huntingtons disease. The soldier had 50-50 odds of developing the disease. A neurologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center ordered a genetic test for Huntingtons, and it turned up positive. He was discharged from the military on the basis of the Huntingtons disease gene even though, at that level of gene expansion, there was expected to be another 25 years before he would display any symptoms, said Fries, now director of genetics and fetal medicine at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. For many in the military, the best course is to simply refuse all genetic tests, even though they may be needed for an accurate diagnosis, she said. Getting genetic tests through civilian channels is not an option because it would violate the uniform code of military justice. You could get court-martialed if it were revealed that you had sought medical treatment or testing outside the system, Nunes said. Most soldiers have no idea about the genetic rule, much less have a reason to challenge it. For those who choose to fight, it can be arduous process. No one contested the policy until Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jay Platt did in 1998. Platt had lost an eye and a testicle to Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome before doctors told him he had a malignant tumor in his left kidney and four benign tumors on his brain. He knew his 15-year Marine career was over. If you want to go ahead and medically retire me, Im not going to fight it, he told his doctors. But the Marines refused. Instead, he was medically discharged without any benefits because his genetic disease was a preexisting condition. A discharge have would cut Platt off from Tricare, which allows members to seek care from a large network of providers, just like a civilian HMO. That was my biggest thing, he said. I needed to have treatments for the rest of my life. With the help experts from NHGRI, Platt appealed his case to an physical evaluation board. His doctors said that although the mutation predisposed him to Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, some aspect of his service -- such as repeated exposure to the solvents used to clean weapons -- could have triggered the tumors. Platt ultimately won his case and was granted disability payments of about $2,000 a month. He now travels the country as a motivational speaker talking about his fight against his disease. The helicopter pilot with the Factor V Leiden mutation also appealed her case, going all the way to the Army surgeon general to win a medical retirement. But Miller, the Army ranger, did not fare so well. Even though he had the same disease as Platt, he lost his appeal and was discharged without benefits in 2005. He still has to monitor his slow-growing tumors and be on the lookout for new ones. But without Tricare coverage, he cant afford to see a civilian doctor close to his home in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Instead, he travels an hour and a half to the Veterans Affairs facility in Johnson City at least twice a year. Every so often, he makes the three-hour drive to another VA facility in Lexington, Ky., to see a neurologist with expertise in his disease. The worry never leaves him. His genes guarantee that he will never be cured. karen.kaplan@latimes.com On 31 July the Argentine federal judiciary accepted an extradition request by Chile for the radical Mapuche leader End of preview - This article contains approximately 351 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 31 July, the governor of Sao Paulo state in Brazils southeast, gave a press conference in which he praised an operation by the state military police (PM) in the coastal municipality of Guaruja and dismissed suggestions about potential acts of police brutality. End of preview - This article contains approximately 576 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Hollywood is on strike as members of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and Writers Guild of America are picketing against major studios and streamers. There are many underlying concerns, but while the issue involves all of Hollywood, the most affected are not the big celebrities but the background actors, extras, side characters, struggling actors who can barely make ends meet, and writers who write the scripts and often also help out in production. The strike for SAG-AFTRA is against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the various movie and TV studios, broadcast networks, and streaming services. This has brought all of Hollywood to a halt, with many movies premiering without the biggest stars and some productions currently on hold. According to The Today Show, actors and writers are primarily striking for better pay and working conditions as studios constantly earn more money, while many actors and writers do not get paid enough. There is also dwindling compensation for actors and writers, especially around payments called residuals that actors and writers often get paid for every time a show or movie they appeared in gets a re-run. Streaming Services Want To Pay Writers Less One hot-button issue involves streaming services, which seem to be paying writers a lot less in residuals than cable and network TV. Collider noted that streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ tend to pay less under the current agreements. Now, however, these streamers have a bigger share of the industry, which means writers and actors tend to get paid less as more and more works go into streaming. READ MORE: Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville Under Fire for Demanding To Have More White Nationalists in Military Writers and actors seem to be on the same page in asking the studios for better pay, too, as some of the industry's biggest names showed solidarity, including Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep. Meanwhile, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson donated a massive amount of money to help out the striking members of SAG-AFTRA, and the entire cast of "Oppenheimer" walked out of the film's premiere as a show of solidarity. SAG-AFTRA, the WGA, Hollywood, and AI Artificial intelligence is slowly being embraced by Hollywood, especially to cut costs. It has also been suggested that the studios want to use AI to replace background actors and writers. The topic is one of the most contentious issues for both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, as actors and writers fear that they will soon be replaced. This includes a suggestion that actors only be paid for a day of work, be scanned, and have their likeness be used as extras or background characters for many of a studio's works. Such deals will mean that actors might lose control of their likenesses, with many not being able to work anymore as one studio has the right to their likenesses so they would not be able to find any work for other studios. Fortune noted, however, that the AMPTP challenged this description and stated that its offers included an "AI proposal which protects performers' digital likenesses, including a requirement for performers' consent for the creation and use of digital replicas or for digital alterations of a performance." As for writers, the WGA wants AI-generated storylines or dialogue to be regarded as "literary material." This means that human writers would not have to compete with AI for credit. In addition, writers also do not want these AI-generated storylines or dialogue to be considered "source material" as well. READ MORE: Florida 'Openly Hostile Toward African Americans,' Warns NAACP This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Adam Conover Explains the SAG-AFTRA & WGA Strikes, Writing Residuals & Why He's not Scared of AI - Pod Save America The infamous "Doomsday Cult Mom" Lori Vallow Daybell finally received her sentence after being found guilty of the Idaho killings of her own children to receive their insurance money. The 50-year-old Idaho mom killed her two children, 7-year-old Joshua "J.J." Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, back in 2019 and was found guilty of the crime. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband's first wife, Tamara Daybell, who died on Oct. 19, 2019, according to ABC News. Because of these crimes, Judge Steven Boyce sentenced her to life in prison without parole, mentioning that Lori Vallow Daybell "lived a law-abiding life" until this case. He then added that she suffers from mental health issues, noting, "Something radically changed in you that led you to where you are today." The judge also stated that a mother killing her children is the most "unimaginable type of murder" and addressed the infamous "Doomsday Cult Mom," saying, "You had so many other options. ... You could have found someone to take care of those kids." He then talked about her plot to get their insurance money, saying, "You killed those children ... to remove them as obstacles and to profit financially." Idaho Killings Suspect Lori Vallow Daybell Insisted She Is Innocent The "Doomsday Cult Mom" finally addressed the court for the first time and insisted she is innocent. "Jesus knows me, and Jesus understands me," she said and added that she mourns the people who died. However, she then added. "Jesus Christ knows that no one was murdered in this case." NPR noted that the Idaho killings suspect had a roughly 8 1/2 minute-speech as she talked about her own account. She stated that in 2002, she underwent a "personal transformation." claiming to have a near-death experience while giving birth to Tylee. READ MORE: Doomsday Cult Mom Lori Vallow Daybell Confronted by Surviving Child for Killing Siblings Over Insurance Money "I had access to Heaven, and the spirit world," she said. "Since then, I have had many communications from people now living in Heaven, including my children." She then claimed that she knows her children are happy and busy in the spirit world and that her "friend" Tammy Daybell is "also very happy and extremely busy." "Tylee has visited me. She is happy ... and free now," said Lori Vallow Daybell, and claimed that her son visited her as "an adult spirit," describing him as "very tall and is thriving in the afterlife." She then finished her speech and stated that she is "fully satisfied" with how her lawyers represented her during her trial. Lori Vallow Daybell Wanted Her Children's Insurance Money Vallow Daybell is now serving multiple life sentences, and it was mainly because the prosecutors successfully laid out the case around the theme of "money, power, and sex." According to USA Today, prosecutors argued that the Idaho killer manipulated her late brother, Alex Cox, into fatally killing her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, Tylee's father. She also manipulated Cox into helping her lover-turned-fifth husband, Chad Daybell, into doing other crimes. Tylee was receiving insurance money from the death of her father, and Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell conspired to receive this insurance money, so they killed their own children. After days of searching, authorities found the bodies of the two children buried in a property belonging to her husband, Chad Daybell, a would-be cult leader. He is also facing similar charges to his wife and will be tried separately. READ NEXT: Fox News Resolves Dominion Lawsuit, But It Cost Them $787.5 Million This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Judge sentences Lori Vallow Daybell to life in prison - East Idaho News YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Former U.S. senator Sam Brownback has said that Azerbaijan must be sanctioned for its humanitarian abuses in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is getting progressively worse for Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Lanchin [sic] Corridor is closed, in spite of an agreement to keep it open. Azerbaijan must be sanctioned for their humanitarian abuses before it gets even worse. #SaveKarabakh, the former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback tweeted. Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations. Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira, the latest co-defendant in the Donald Trump classified documents scandal, made his initial appearance in a Miami courtroom on Monday. Upon arrival, he was mobbed by reporters as he made his way to the James L. King Federal Courthouse in Miami, Florida. He became the third co-defendant, along with Walt Nauta and Trump, after a federal grand jury indicted him on four charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to the FBI. Chief Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres reportedly ordered the newest co-defendant in the case not to discuss anything regarding the case with potential witnesses except through counsel. The Mar-a-Lago property manager was then given a list of names that he cannot talk to regarding the case, according to CNN. After his initial court appearance, he was once again surrounded by reporters but was escorted by federal agents and his attorney, John Irving. He declined to answer any of the reporters' questions. Mar-a-Lago Employee Carlos de Oliveira Delays Plea, Did Not Have Florida Lawyer Representing Him During his time in court, however, the 56-year-old Trump property manager did not enter a plea in court. Because of this, the plea has been delayed for now. NBC News noted that he did not have a Florida-based lawyer to represent him, as his attorney, John Irving, is not based in the state. The same thing happened with co-defendant Walt Nauta, who also did not have a Florida-based attorney to represent him. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Defamation Lawsuit Vs. CNN Dismissed It seems that de Oliveira is looking for local counsel, though, as Irving told reporters, "We're working on ascertaining local counsel" before the hearing began. The defense asked the judge to give them more time to look for a local attorney to represent them but agreed to return before a judge in Fort Pierce on August 10. The judge then set the signature bond for Carlos De Oliveira at $100,000 after the four charges against the Trump employee were read. He was then released on bail after the hearing. Who Is Donald Trump Employee Carlos de Oliveira? Before becoming the property manager for Mar-a-Lago, Carlos de Oliveira was a maintenance worker at the Donald Trump property. He worked there for over a decade and climbed the ranks to become one of the former president's most trusted workers. He was only a little-known aide for Trump at Mar-a-Lago before the new developments for the Trump classified documents scandal came to light. It was noted that many close to Trump do not even know who he is. However, co-defendant Walt Nauta reportedly noted that de Oliveira is very loyal to the former president. According to ABC News, de Oliveira was tasked by Trump himself to tell another Mar-a-Lago employee to delete the property's security camera footage during the summer of 2022. This was around the time Trump ordered boxes of classified documents to be hidden from the FBI. Donald Trump reportedly ordered the security footage to be deleted after the FBI issued a subpoena for the said security footage. Carlos de Oliveira also reportedly lied to the FBI, telling investigators in a January 13 voluntary interview that he was not involved in helping move and unload boxes at Mar-a-Lago. However, it was later found that he was indeed the one who helped Nauta move several boxes from the Trump residence to a storage room. READ MORE: Court Finds Donald Trump Liable For Sexual Abuse This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Indicted Trump employee Carlos De Oliveira appears in court - MSNBC Millions of retirees are set to receive Social Security payments in the coming days, with some eligible to receive up to $4,555, according to Washington Examiner. Social Security Payments August 2023 will be distributed in three waves, based on recipients' birthdates. Those born between the first and the 10th of the month will receive the first wave of payments on August 9. The second wave, on August 16, will benefit individuals born between the 11th and 20th of the month. The third wave, on August 23, will cover recipients born after the 21st. Recipients will receive one payment each month, but there are also specific payment dates for retirees living outside of the United States and those receiving both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security benefits. For individuals who retired before 1997, there will be a separate payment on August 3. The amount received by each beneficiary can vary due to several factors. The age at which an individual retires, the length of time they contributed to the program, and the amount they paid into Social Security during their working years all play a role in determining the total amount they receive. These factors calculate the maximum payment each retiree is eligible for under the Social Security program. READ NEXT: Social Security Benefits: Expert Talks About Shocking 'Stealth Tax' How Much Money Will Be Sent Out for Social Security Payments August 2023? Social Security beneficiaries can expect an increase in their benefit payments due to the 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) implemented by the Social Security Administration in August 2023, per Disability Benefits Center. The COLA aims to adjust benefits to account for changes in the cost of living based on the previous year's consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. The average Social Security payment for retirees is around $1,827 per month. Those who retired at age 62 may receive up to $2,572 per month in benefits, while those who waited until the maximum age of 67 can receive up to $3,627 per month. Individuals who wait until age 70 to draw their Social Security retiree benefit may be eligible for up to $4,555 per month. For recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the maximum benefit they can receive is $914 per month, while the average benefit is around $600. For married couples where both partners receive SSI benefits, the combined monthly benefit can be up to $1,371. It's important to note that the exact amount of Social Security payments August 2023 will vary depending on everyone's unique situation. However, with the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment, it is anticipated that almost all Social Security beneficiaries will experience a higher benefit payment amount in August 2023 than August 2022. Standard Retirement Age in the United States House Republicans have recently proposed a significant change to the standard retirement age in the United States, said NSFAS. As of now, the standard retirement age is 67. However, the new proposal seeks to gradually increase the full retirement age to 69 by 2033. This change could potentially impact individuals planning to retire in the coming years. Under the current system, individuals can retire early at 62, but choosing to do so may result in a reduced benefit amount. On the other hand, those who decide to delay their retirement beyond the standard age of 67 can earn delayed retirement credits, which could increase their benefit amount by 8% for each year they postpone retirement until the age of 70. READ MORE: Social Security Benefits: Calculating How Much Payments Will Increase in 2023 This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Social Security Benefits Increase in 2023 - From US Social Security Administration Missouri Governor Mike Parson has announced that the state will proceed with the scheduled execution of Johnny Johnson, despite ongoing claims from Johnson's attorneys that he is mentally incompetent, according to ABC News. Johnson, 45, is set to receive a lethal injection on Tuesday for the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Casey Williamson in Valley Park, Missouri, in July 2022. Johnson's legal team has filed an appeal with the US Supreme Court seeking to halt the execution, and they have also requested clemency from Governor Parson, asking for a reduction of Johnson's sentence to life in prison. They argue that Johnson's mental illness has left him unable to comprehend the connection between his actions and the impending execution. Missouri Governor Mike Parson has denied the clemency request, pointing out that multiple courts, including the original trial judge and the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals, have already rejected Johnson's claims of incompetency in the days leading up to the execution. READ NEXT: Missouri Convict Becomes First Openly Transgender Woman Executed in US Johnny Johnson's Mercy Plea Johnny Johnson's case has garnered widespread attention and calls for clemency due to his diagnosed schizophrenia and continued struggles with mental illness, The Kansas City Star reported. According to his attorneys, Johnson has been hearing voices and has developed a belief that his impending execution is linked to apocalyptic visions involving Satan and the State of Missouri. Several notable figures, including Democratic Reps. Emanuel Cleaver and Cori Bush have urged Missouri Governor Mike Parson to halt the execution. They point to extensive evidence suggesting that Johnson lacks a rational understanding of the reasons for his execution, likely due to his mental health condition. Adding to the voices calling for clemency, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Vatican's ambassador to the US, wrote a letter on behalf of Pope Francis, appealing for mercy based on the shared humanity of all individuals. While recognizing the seriousness of Johnson's criminal conduct and its consequences, the letter emphasized the sacredness of life and the need to honor the gift of life even in challenging circumstances. Casey Williamson's Brutal Death Johnny Johnson's conviction stemmed from the tragic and heinous killing of 6-year-old Casey Williamson in Valley Park, Missouri, in July 2002. The young girl's disappearance sparked a frantic search in the small suburb of St. Louis, per Yahoo! News. Casey's mother had been childhood friends with Johnson's older sister, and they had even babysat him. Johnson attended a barbecue the night before the killing and was allowed to stay overnight on a couch. The following morning, Johnson lured Casey to an abandoned factory nearby. He carried her on his shoulders as they walked to the derelict site. Tragically, Johnson attempted to sexually assault Casey, prompting her to scream and struggle. He then brutally killed her with a brick and a large rock and later washed off in the nearby Meramec River, according to court documents. Johnson did not attempt to hide his actions and confessed to the crimes on the same day. Despite search efforts by first responders and volunteers, Casey's body was found buried beneath rocks and debris in a pit less than a mile from her home. READ MORE: Missouri Man Walks Free After 27 Years This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Execution of Johnny Johnson will proceed on Aug. 1, stay lifted - From FOX 2 St. Louis In a tragic incident on Monday morning, a Minnesota state trooper shot and killed a motorist on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, per MPR News. The incident began when the trooper, while on patrol at approximately 2 a.m., noticed a car without visible taillights and pulled it over on northbound I-94. During the traffic stop, it was discovered that the driver was wanted in Ramsey County on a suspected felony-level offense. The trooper attempted to take the driver into custody, but the driver resisted and refused to exit the vehicle. Instead, the driver fled from the scene. As the pursuit unfolded, at least one trooper opened fire during the encounter. A Minnesota Department of Transportation camera footage captured the police cruisers chasing the fleeing car, eventually surrounding it against the median near the 42nd Avenue bridge over the interstate. Tragically, the driver lost his life during the incident. READ NEXT: Minnesota Hit-and-run Suspect Jailed Motorist Fatally Shot by Minnesota State Trooper Identified by Family The motorist who was fatally shot by a Minnesota state trooper on Interstate 94 has been identified by family members as 33-year-old Ricky Cobb II of Spring Lake Park, according to StarTribune. Cobb's tragic death has added to the ongoing discussions and concerns surrounding law enforcement's use of force, particularly involving Black individuals. He is the latest in a series of Black motorists killed by law enforcement in the Twin Cities, a trend that has sparked intense protests and calls for accountability. On Monday night, over 100 people, including Cobb's family and friends, gathered to remember him with a group prayer. Danielle Pickett, the mother of Cobb's two older children, expressed her belief that Cobb's race played a role in the fatal encounter with the police. She recounted witnessing instances of racial profiling directed towards him over the years. Pickett also emphasized the devastating impact of such incidents on families, leaving children fatherless. She highlighted Cobb's deep love for his children and how much they meant to him in his life. Cobb was wanted for questioning in connection with an alleged violation of a standing domestic order for protection, according to information from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office issued a 72-hour request for agencies to detain and hold Cobb Friday concerning the felony-level violation. The order, which provided law enforcement with probable cause to detain individuals, was set to expire later on Monday morning. Minnesota State Troopers Involve in Fatal Shooting on Administrative Leave In response to the fatal shooting incident on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, three State Patrol troopers have been placed on administrative leave, following standard departmental policy, KARE 11 noted. The Minnesota State Patrol stated that body and squad car cameras were activated during the incident. Col. Matt Langer, the State Patrol's chief, has ordered the release of the video footage as soon as possible after the driver's family has had the opportunity to view it. Additionally, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has been requested to investigate the use-of-force incident. The BCA is an independent agency responsible for investigating certain incidents involving law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, the westbound lanes of I-94 were closed following the incident but were later reopened to traffic. READ MORE: Missouri Governor Denies Mercy Plea From Man Scheduled To Be Executed This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Driver fatally shoot by state trooper on I-94 in Minneapolis - From WCCO - CBS Minnesota YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Today, Ralph Yirikian, the Director General of "Ucom" CJSC, personally oversaw the unloading process of the equipment of Ericsson, one of the global giants in the supply of modern ICT products, solutions, software, and services, which arrived in Armenia. During a recent press conference, the Director General highlighted that the modernization and expansion of both mobile and fixed networks in Armenia are key pillars of Ucom's 5-year strategy. The company has already initiated the modernization of the mobile network to make it 5G ready, collaborating with industry leaders like Ericsson. "We have previously announced the commencement of the re-equipment, development, modernization, and network expansion works, which will be carried out in several stages. The equipment for the first part of the initial phase has already arrived, and we are currently in the process of unloading and installing them at different stations. I want to once again remind our subscribers that a little patience will be required during this extensive network improvement, as there may be intermittent interruptions or temporary degradation in service quality. However, the ultimate goal is to achieve excellent mobile network quality and provide an exceptional experience for our unique and beloved subscribers," stated Ralph Yirikian, Director General of Ucom. Besides modernizing the network, Ucom is set to revamp several of its services by replacing the outdated technological platforms and solutions with the most advanced and innovative alternatives. Editors note: This story has been updated with new details from city police. Allentown police say a 21-year-old man is charged for allegedly making a bomb threat that led to the evacuation of a city bank. Elhame Hassan Basyouny, of the 2500 block of Mountain Lane in the city, is facing a making terroristic threats charge in Monday afternoons incident. Shortly after 4 p.m. at Wells Fargo bank, 1901 S. 4th St., responding officers said a patron, later identified as Basyouny, was allegedly threatening a bomb was inside the building as he left the business. City police, fire officials and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations helped to evacuate people from the building. The bank was then searched by an Allentown Police K-9 unit, which turned up with no explosives, police said. An alleged motive was not disclosed. The incident remains under investigation by the Allentown Police Department. Those with information can call Allentown police detectives at 610-437-7721. Anonymous text tips can be sent via the Tip411 App available on the Allentown Police Facebook page or via the Allentown Police Department website. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The Easton Arts Academy school board approved six staff cuts at a special board meeting Thursday. New school CEO Paul Hunter confirmed the board did not offer contract renewals to: Assistant Principal Yu Kai Cheung (who was hired in January ). A transportation coordinator A part-time school nurse A security guard A substitute teacher A separation from employment agreement was reached with a teacher Theyre all very good people and we were sorry we had to let them go, Hunter said. Hunter said he was confronted with a $300,000 budget deficit not long after he was hired in May. The school didnt meet enrollment projections, resulting in the budget crisis, he said. Chief Operating Officer Mohamed Hagag was placed on administrative leave June 7 after the budget situation came to light. Hagags position wont be funded for the 2023-24 school year, Hunter said. School officials are discussing internally how to divide Hagags duties among current staff, he said. The district outsources some fiscal duties to Charter Choices, a consulting firm for charter schools. Hunter said offer letters will be sent out shortly to teachers inviting them to return next year. Returning teachers will get 3% raises next year, he said. Hunter said he does not anticipate cutting any more teacher jobs for the 2023-24 school year. The school board approved an agreement with Palmeri Transportation to provide bus service for students who live furthest away from the school. The cost for the 2023-24 school year will not exceed $61,200. Working with Palmeri was a far more economical decision than busing in-house, Hunter said. Last year the district budgeted for an enrollment of 300 students but only had 281 at its peak, Hunter said. This years budget accounts for 265 students, a more realistic target, he said. Charter schools are privately-run but financed with taxpayer funds. The charter school gets a set amount from the sending school district of each child who attends the charter school. Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School opened its doors in 2017 at 30 N. Fourth St. in Easton. It serves children from kindergarten through fifth grade. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. A Blairstown man on an electric bike was seriously injured Monday in a crash with a vehicle in Warren County, New Jersey State Police said. The crash was reported at about 1:13 p.m. Monday on Route 519 in White Township, state police Sergeant First Class Philip Curry said. The 31-year-old Blairstown man was riding an Aventon e-bike on the right shoulder of Route 519 North and a Hyundai was traveling behind the bike, troopers said. A preliminary investigation shows that near milepost 38.5, the e-bike turned left in front of the Hyundai, hitting the front of the vehicle, troopers said. The e-bike overturned, the man was thrown off it and was seriously injured, according to state police. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and the road was closed for about two hours. The driver of the Hyundai remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, troopers said. The crash is under investigation. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Lehigh Valley police and other first responders are gearing up for National Night Out. Thousands of communities in all 50 states host events in August as a way to build relationships under relaxed conditions between residents, police and other emergency responders. The free annual events typically involve food, giveaways, law enforcement demonstrations and rescue apparatus displays. Always held on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, according to the official National Night Out website. Heres a list of local National Night Out events planned for Tuesday, Aug. 1: National Night Out, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Bethlehem Township Municipal Park, along Farmersville Road. Games; inflatable rides; meet and greets with first responders; K-9 demonstration; and hot air balloon rides by Unity Bank. National Night Out: starting at 5 p.m.: events at Pioneer Park, at Lincoln and Milton streets across from Cheston Elementary School on the South Side; and 12th Street, next to Paxinosa Elementary School in the West Ward. Hosted by the West Ward Community Initiative and partners; and on South Side, hosted by the South Side Civic Association. Both events have food, live music, games and activities. National Night Out, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: the Community Park Amphitheater, 500 Zucksville Road. First responder demonstrations, hot dogs and ice cream, face-painting, inflatable rides, dunk tank, coloring contest for children, and music by a disc jockey. National Night Out, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Lower Saucon Township Municipal Complex, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike. First responder vehicles demo; games; and door prizes. National Night Out, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Park Boulevard. Games and activities; live music; and touch-a-truck and K-9 demonstrations. 2nd Annual National Night Out, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Catasauqua Park, 501 American Street. First responder vehicles on display; live music by the Catasauqua High School band; face painting, raffles. National Night Out, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Emmaus Police Department, 400 Jubilee St. Small toys will be provided to all small game participants. National Night Out, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Salisbury Elementary School, 1400 Gaskill Ave. Food; raffles; music; face painting; and meet and greets with first responders. National Night Out: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Northern Lehigh High School, 1 Bulldog Lane. Event is being held in conjunction with first responders from Walnutport; the Northern Lehigh School Police, and other emergency response organizations. National Night Out: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Coverage Bridge Park, 2465 Wehr Mill Road. Cornhole tournament starts at 5:15 p.m. and all participants must be pre-registered here. Awards for first, second and third place teams. K-9 and police bicycle demonstrations; inflatable rides; police hayrides; games; and $2 hot dogs provided by the Allentown West Rotary Club, in which all proceeds will benefit Parkland CARES Food Pantry. National Night Out, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Grange Park, 360 Grange Road. Beach Party theme with rides; K-9 demonstrations; food trucks; a car show by Rockguard Film; live music; face painting; and a photo booth. 4th annual National Night Out, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Hopewell Park, 4695 W. Hopewell Road. Food; giveaways and prizes; and emergency response vehicles on display for children to learn more about. National Night Out, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 1: Meadow Breeze Parks pavilion, along Meadow Breeze Lane in Washington Township. Participation from various first responders in the areas the department covers: Washington Township, Washington Borough and Oxford Township. Also, mechanical bull riding and line dancing at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. also is planned. Therell be music by DJ Dave Rupell. Did we miss an event? Email us at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. St. Lukes University Health Network says five of its hospitals received five-star ratings from a quality and safety hospital review conducted by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. The network in a news release Tuesday said each of its hospitals in Fountain Hill, Bethlehem Township, Wilson Borough, Monroe County and Warren County got the highest possible rating of five stars from the federal agency. Its hospitals are the only hospitals in the Lehigh Valley to receive that rating, the news release says. St. Lukes is proud to consistently earn the highest rankings for superior quality and outcomes on national lists based on objective data sources, health network Vice President & Chief Quality Officer Donna Sabol says in the release. The ratings are based on an examination of the quality of care at more than 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals across the country, the news release says. The quality measures include safety and value of care, readmission, infection, complication rates, mortality, patient experience, effectiveness and timeliness of care and efficient use of medical imaging. The ratings are posted on the federal governments Hospital Compare website, medicare.gov. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy. The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat. Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesdays criminal case, with charges including conspiring to defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the bedrock function of democracy. Its the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next years Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, said Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nations process of collecting counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. The Trump campaign called the charges fake and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them. Trump was the only person charged in Tuesdays indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in seven battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them. The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to exploit the violence and chaos by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Bidens victory. It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President Mike Pence that give gravitas to Trumps relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation called him too honest to stop the certification. Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters and even some of his rivals as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history. The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the riot at the Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that mote than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says. Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he repeated and widely disseminated them anyway to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election. The indictment had been expected since Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding. The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution in this case, the right to vote. The mounting criminal cases against Trump are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself. In New York, state prosecutors have charged Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial begins in late March. In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts, accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. The trial begins in May. Prosecutors in Georgia are investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks. As part of his federal investigation, Smiths team cast a broad net, with his team of prosecutors questioning senior Trump administration officials, including Pence, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results. Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors weeks before the indictment. Giuliani was not cited by name in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a good-faith basis for the actions he took. Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Departments public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trumps retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as deranged and called him politically motivated, Smiths past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats. The Justice Departments investigations began well before Smiths appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy. Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. ____ Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Lindsay Whitehurst and Michael Kunzelman in Washington contributed to this report. This story will be updated Portlaoise Camera Club is proud to announce its fourth and final Laois Through the Lens exhibition, hosted by the Dunamaise Arts Centre and supported by Laois County Council and Creative Ireland. To read more see below picture. To see a sample of pictures taken by club members tap NEXT or ARROW. The first of the Laois Through the Lens exhibition, which took place ten years ago, was initiated by John Dunne, one of the founding members of the Club. The photographers of the club were to pick a subject living in Laois, whether they were from the county or not, and to portray them in their environment. The models were then asked to write a statement to shed light on their relationship with the location they were photographed in. Both photograph and statement were printed together. The concept proved most successful, with a wide variety of people and places represented, that there were two more exhibitions. The original idea had always been to make the images into a book, that would become some kind of early 21st century archive of Laois, its places and its people. This year, Terry Conroy, current chairperson of the club, spearheaded the project to put together a final exhibition to bring the number of photographs to 122 and to finally bring the images of all four exhibitions together in a book. The Club feels that this is a most special project, a testimony as some of the people photographed have passed and some of the businesses have closed. The variety and quality of images will speak for itself. Alongside the black and white Laois Through the Lens images, members of the club will also be displaying some of their personal images. The exhibition will open August 15th and run until September 15th, with the official opening to take place on August 25th at 7pm, and the Club hopes to see many of its past and current models and photographers there. A new peer support group for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been set up Laois. Serving Portlaoise and the surrounding areas, it is now meeting weekly on Wednesdays from 11 am at the Portlaoise Parish Centre. The new initiative was launched at an event at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise on 28th July. The HSE says there is no charge to attend the COPD Support Ireland Group, participation is free at all times. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It includes: emphysema damage to the air sacs in the lungs; and chronic bronchitis long-term inflammation of the airways. COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke or used to smoke. Most people with COPD do not have any obvious symptoms until they reach their late 40s or 50s. The new Portlaoise COPD Support Group is funded by the HSE and has been established in collaboration with COPD Support Ireland and Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Stephanie Hyland, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator, Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise outlined what is involved. The Portlaoise COPD Support Group will provide, free of charge, weekly fun exercise classes and an opportunity for people living with COPD to learn more about how to manage their condition from each other and local health care and community professionals. This new support group is available to anyone who is living with COPD. There are weekly exercise classes by a fully qualified trainer and everyone is encouraged to exercise at their own pace. It is suitable for all fitness levels and all are welcome, she said. Katie Macintyre is the Support Co-ordinator, COPD Support Ireland. COPD Support Ireland peer support and exercise groups are a wonderful way for people living with COPD to meet each week, exercise together and share their lived experience of COPD. Many people with COPD can feel isolated by this condition, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic where many withdrew from their usual social activities. COPD support and exercise groups have been vital to help reconnect them with their community and navigate the challenges of life with this chronic disease in a safe and empathetic peer support environment. "We are delighted to have been supported by the National Clinical Programme, Respiratory in receiving funding from the HSE this year to deliver and grow our COPD support and exercise groups nationally and we are very excited to welcome all those living with COPD in Portlaoise and surrounding areas to our new group, she said. Elmary Purtill is the Operational Lead for the Integrated Care Chronic Disease Hub, Laois Offaly. She welcomed the initiative. Ireland has a very high rate of hospital admissions for people with COPD, and we are delighted the support group is up and running so that individuals with COPD and their families and carers can live well with the condition. "Participating in regular exercise is proven to increase muscle strength, flexibility, strength and most importantly control of breathing and quality of life for those living with COPD, she said. Richard Hanly attends the Wexford COPD Support Ireland Group and has this to say about the support groups. Living with a debilitating condition can be a lonely and very worrying place to be. Depression is not uncommon. Having a community of fellow sufferers to meet up with once a week provides an immeasurable sense of belonging and solidarity. Exchanging stories, chewing the beef, having a good laugh, and just providing each other with simple words of encouragement and care go a long, long way to boosting ones confidence and self-esteem," he said. Pictured: Stephanie Hyland, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator, MRHP; Ger Walsh, Self Management Support Co ordinator for Long term Health Conditions, Midlands, Louth, Meath, Community Healthcare Organisation; Joan Johnston, General Manager, COPD Support Ireland; and Olivia Lafferty, Interim Director of Nursing, MRHP. John Joyce, General Manager of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, spoke at the launch. We are delighted to support this wonderful initiative and work with COPD Support Ireland to provide support and information to those living with COPD in the Midlands. Providing learning, exercise classes and peer to peer support will have significant benefits to those suffering from this condition. It will be a great community support that will assist patients to look after their physical and mental health, he said. The launch was attended by: Elmary Purtill, Operational Lead for the Integrated Care Chronic Disease Hub, Laois Offaly; Patricia Clancy, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Respiratory Adults, MRHP; Stephanie Hyland, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator, MRHP; Dr John Connaughton, Clinical Director, MRHP; Joan Johnston, General Manager, COPD Support Ireland; Ger Walsh, Self Management Support Co ordinator for Long term Health Conditions, Midlands, Louth, Meath, Community Healthcare Organisation; Anne Marie O'Shea, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Respiratory, MRHP; Olivia Lafferty, Interim Director of Nursing, MRHP; and Monica Callaghan, Clinical Nurse Specialist COPD Outreach, MRHP. COPD Support Ireland is a charity set up to support all those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We are Irelands only national COPD support and advocacy body, bringing together local support groups from around the country, to help those living with, and caring for someone with, COPD. For further information on venues and times for activities, contact (083) 086 4118 or e-mail support@copd.ie A free exhibition titled 'SOUND | IMAGE | CODE' is coming to the McKenna Gallery. Kildare-based artist Gavin Casey investigates the intrinsic relationship between colour and sound, and its representation in art. Gavins exploration into this realm began in 2001 while studying Fine Art at Dublin Institute of Technology (now TU Dublin). Here, Gavin mapped vivid colours to the sounds of an African percussion instrument called the 'Djembe'. These initial investigations paved way for Gavins artistic practice today, which is still firmly rooted in this area of engagement. His work is abstract, emotive and created through a uniquely intuitive process. For SOUND | CODE | IMAGE, Gavin has created a multi-sensory exhibition to captivate audiences of all ages. Visitors can expect a new collection of paintings by the artist. The collection comes to life through a series of Augmented and Virtual Realities. Offering a unique insight into the construction (and de-construction) of the artistic process. SOUND | CODE | IMAGE is supported by Kildare County Council Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centres 'Emerging Visual Artist Bursary Award', which Gavin Casey was awarded in 2022. ABOUT THE ARTIST Gavin Casey is a multidisciplinary artist living in County Kildare. He has a formal education in Advertising and Design followed by a BA Fine Art (Painting/Graphics). He has over two decades of experience working creatively in the post-production industry, compositing for film, broadcast and TV commercials. Gavin returned to painting in 2021. He is a member of Visual Artist Ireland and Kildare Art Collective. Gavin has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions. Official Opening will take place on Saturday, September 9, 6pm. All are welcome. McKenna Gallery | Saturday, September 9 to Friday, October 27 | Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm. Flooding in a northern Kildare region has been highlighted by a local resident. Patrick Comerford has shown the Leinster Leader examples of severe flooding following the heavy rain that afflicted the Ballycurraghan area over the weekend of July 22 and July 23 last. Mr Comerford claimed that he is concerned that such flooding will only be exacerbated with the proposed development of the DART+ West, between Kilcock and Maynooth. He further claimed that Gheel Autism services buildings in Ballycurraghan and a section of the M4 will be 'severely impacted' by flooding if the development goes ahead according to current plans. Mr Comerford added: "I understand the need for such a development, but I have concerns over the details of the development. "It seems like the developers are trading one type of infrastructure for another, and I also feel that the general public is not being made aware of the potential implications of the development. The station would be better situated in Kilcock," Mr Comerford said. He also said that he has submitted an objection to An Bord Pleanala regarding the development, and he has raised the issue with Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Picture supplied by Patrick Comerford. In a letter to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy, he alleged that 'a considerable section' of the M4 would be rendered impassible in the region of 5 kilometres, if the development is allowed to continue as planned. In the letter, which has been seen by the Leader, he tells Ms Murphy TD: "I heard you speak about this matter in the Dail and I agree fully with your views. "I thought you might be interested in the attached photo prepared by the DART+ West engineers to show the likely scenario in the event of flooding at Jackson's Bridge and surrounding areas in a climate change scenario. This photo is taken directly from the DART+ West Planning application and the projected flooding will be extensive." He alleged: "The photo also clearly shows that Gheel Autism buildings in Ballycurraghan and its residents will be flooded, and there is no provision to defend or protect these vulnerable people in this planning application. You will note from the photo which is the post-development climate change scenario at Jacksons Bridge that a considerable section of the M4 is impassible in the region of 5 kilometres. Mr Comerford also asked: "Why in a spend of over 1 billion are the government not doing anything to prepare for this projection and help these people?" Another photograph showing flooding at the lane to Ballycuraghan, which was provided by Patrick Comerford. This photograph was included in his objection to the development, which was sent to An Bord Pleanala. Iarnrod Eireann / Irish Rail was asked by the Leinster Leader to comment on the matter. A spokesperson for Iarnrod Eireann said: "DART+ West is part of the DART+ Programme, and through a series of investments in infrastructure, fleet and a new depot, increase peak passenger capacity from 5,000 to 13,200 passengers per hour per direction and increase train frequency between Maynooth and M3 Parkway and Dublin City: facilitating fast, frequent and reliable transport to the surrounding communities. "The site-specific flood risk assessment (SSFRA) for DART+ West has considered flood risk within the subject area including the lands between Jacksons Bridge and Kilcock. The assessment has concluded that flooding can be appropriately managed at these locations." The spokesperson continued: "Furthermore, the level for level compensatory storage areas have been designed to control flood waters in extreme weather events up to the 1-in -1000 year event (and climate change). "It should be noted that the depth of excavation required varies and that the excavation of higher areas will not result in a higher flood level at that location." They added: "The compensatory storage shall ensure that there is no increased risk of flooding upstream or downstream outside of the lands acquired, in all events up to and including the 1 in 1000 year event (and climate change). "An Bord Pleanala are currently considering the Railway Order application for DART+ West, and have indicated that they will make a decision by December 2023." "They will consider all submissions made in reaching this decision, and may decide to undertake an oral hearing to assist in that process," the spokesperson concluded. STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno-Karabakh authorities have reiterated readiness to discuss reasonable proposals on organizing meetings between their representatives and the authorities of Azerbaijan, the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS. ARMENPRESS asked the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry to comment on the media reports regarding a possible meeting between representatives of Stepanakert and Baku. "While recognising the significance of public interest in both Artsakh and Armenia regarding the possibility of initiating a dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, we believe it would be inappropriate to comment on specific meetings, which were cancelled due to reasons not related to us. We would like to emphasise that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have always been open to discussing reasonable proposals aimed at facilitating dialogue between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Moreover, Artsakh, for its part, has consistently put forward initiatives and proposals aimed at arranging meetings between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with the involvement of mediators. We firmly believe that the success of any dialogue relies on the sincere willingness and good faith of both parties to resolve their differences. There is such willingness on our part. If the Azerbaijani side also shows it, this will pave the way for the beginning of the dialogue. At the same time, we reiterate our position that dialogue between Artsakh and Azerbaijan should take place within an agreed international format, supported by an appropriate mandate. This approach will facilitate increased engagement of the international community in the negotiation process, bolster its legitimacy and sustainability, and ensure reliable guarantees for the implementation of potential agreements between the parties," the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS. A man who was found with four Collie puppies in his car was prosecuted at Naas District Court was banned from keeping animals for five years. Anthony Stokes, 24, whose address was given as 5 Carton Terrace, Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was before the court for a breach of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Sgt Dave Hanrahan outlined that the incident arose following a single vehicle accident on May 8, 2021, at 11.50am on the M4 at Killickweeny, Kilcock. He said the defendant had the animals in the back of the car and they were in a poor state. The court heard there was inadequate food, drink or bedding. The puppies were approximately 10 weeks old. Garda Conor McCarthy said they were brought to a vet who deemed them to be poorly cared for. He added that the vet bill amounted to 800. Read more Kildare news The puppies were later homed through the My Lovely Horse animal rescue charity. Garda McCarthy said the defendant indicated he bought them that day in Kinnegad but he had no documentation. Defending barrister Aisling Murphy said messages on a social media platform indicated the defendants interest and he was aged 21 at the time. She added he works as a dump truck driver and he had intended to care for the animals. The defendant was never in trouble before. Judge Desmond Zaidan also imposed the minimum fine of 4,000 as well as ordering that the defendant pay the 800 bill. The teacher shortage crisis is undermining childrens and young peoples education and must be addressed as a matter of urgency, according to the new ASTI President, who originally hails from Leitrim. Geraldine OBrien, a second-level teacher at St Josephs Community College, Kilkee, Co. Clare, begins her term as ASTI President on August 1. The Government must get real about addressing the factors that are making teaching in Ireland unattractive. While the teacher shortage problem goes back several years, research indicates it is now at its worst. Housing difficulties, teachers workload, and the fact that schools are starved of essential resources are key reasons behind this, said Ms OBrien. In an ASTI/ RedC survey carried out earlier this year, three quarters of school leaders reported that they had received no applications for an advertised teaching post in the 2022/23 school year; 81% said they had to employ at least one unqualified teacher during the year. The Government must tackle housing issues affecting young workers. Teachers working conditions must be also tackled through proper investment in schools and in the teaching profession. "The OECD report Education at a Glance 2022 ranked Ireland 36th out of 36 countries in terms of investment in second-level education as a percentage of GDP. What this means is under-staffed and under-funded schools, leading to burnout and demoralisation amongst teachers, said Ms OBrien. Trust in change The ASTI President said the failure to consult and collaborate with teachers on proposed changes to the Senior Cycle is also impacting on teacher morale. Education must continuously evolve, this is a given. However, it is teachers who best understand what will work in the classroom. It is teachers who drive change in the classroom. Therefore, side-lining teachers will have implications. Ms OBrien teaches Home Economics, Computing, CSPE and SPHE in St Josephs Community College, Kilkee, Co. Clare and is originally from Drumkeerin in Leitrim. She previously served as ASTI Vice President, Standing Committee representative for Clare, Limerick North, Limerick South and Nenagh, and Vice Chair of the Clare ASTI branch, amongst other roles. The 2023- 2024 school year is an important one for the future of the teaching profession and for education in Ireland. My objective is to follow in the footsteps of our 2022/23 President Miriam Duggan, RIP, during my term as ASTI President. Miriam, who sadly passed away in June, demonstrated tenacity and courage in standing up for teachers, students and education. The ASTI represents over 18,000 second-level teachers. Residents of the Complexo do Alemao favela protest during a police raid in Rio de Janeiro, on July 21, 2022. MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP At least 33 people have been killed in police operations against drug gangs in two Brazilian states since last week, authorities said Tuesday, August 1, triggering calls for independent investigations. In the southeastern state of Sao Paulo, Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said police had killed 14 suspects after coming under fire during a massive anti-gang operation launched after an officer was shot dead Thursday in the port city of Guaruja. In the northeastern state of Bahia, officials meanwhile said 19 suspects in three different cities had been killed since Friday in clashes with police. In all the cases, authorities said police had returned fire after coming under attack. Frequent accusations of abuses However, the killings drew criticism from rights groups in Brazil, where accusations of abuses by security forces are frequent. The Sao Paulo operation was launched Friday, a day after a 30-year-old police special forces officer was shot dead while on patrol in Guaruja, one of several ports that feed the Brazilian economic capital. The state police force's internal ombudsman's office is investigating more deaths stemming from that operation, and estimates the total number could rise to 19, the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reported. TV channel Globo News said that locals have accused police of torturing suspects during the crackdown, dubbed "Operation Shield." Freitas, an ally of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, denied Monday that officers had committed rights violations. But "if there were abuses, they will be punished," he told during a news conference Tuesday. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's justice minister, Flavio Dino, criticized the operation, saying the police reaction "doesn't seem proportional to the crime committed." The Arns Commission, a rights group, called for an "immediate investigation" of the deaths, and Amnesty International criticized Freitas for "legitimizing police violence." Authorities said they had arrested 32 suspects so far in the operation, including the policeman's alleged killer, and seized 11 weapons and more than 20 kg (44 pounds) of drugs. In Bahia, authorities said a police operation Friday had left seven people dead in the city of Camacari. That was followed by an operation Sunday that killed eight people in a rural area outside Itatim, and another Monday that killed four in Salvador, the state capital. Last year, 6,429 people were killed by police in Brazil, an average of 17 a day, according to the Public Security Forum, a watchdog group. Following the military coup in Niger, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (second from left) and a dozen other West African leaders met in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 30, 2023. CHINEDU ASADU / AP How far will tensions escalate between Niger, where a junta seized power on Wednesday, July 26, and the countries of the region, led by Nigeria, which are threatening Niamey with military intervention to reinstate the elected president Mohamed Bazoum? As the expiry date of a regional ultimatum set for August 6 approaches, the situation is deteriorating. On July 31, countries also led by coup leaders took up the cause of the Nigerien junta. Spokespeople from Burkina Faso and Mali, whose governments are ruled by military juntas, warned that "any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali." Mali's Colonel Assimi Goita and Burkina Faso's Captain Ibrahim Traore expressed "their solidarity" with the "people of Niger," and denounced "the persistence of these regional organizations in imposing sanctions [...] jeopardizing the spirit of pan-Africanism" on Monday, July 31. They were followed by Guinea's Mamadi Doumbouya, who spoke in similar terms. There are two camps: the "putschists" versus the "democrats." The formers response was commensurate with the severity of the latters. On July 30, eleven countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened "recourse to force" at the end of an extraordinary summit held in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. Since then, the idea of a ground military intervention, backed by air support and with a strong Nigerian contingent (the two countries are neighbors), has become less hypothetical. The head of the Nigerian armed forces, General Christopher Musa, declared on Monday that "we are ready." Is this a form of psychological pressure? France, which supports the ECOWAS initiative to restore legitimate power in Niger, announced on Tuesday morning that, "in light of the deteriorating security situation in Niger, and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey," an evacuation operation for its nationals by air was due to begin "as of today." This is the first time since the start of the series of coups in the region two in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Guinea since 2020 that ECOWAS has been so severe. The regional group has given General Abdourahamane Tiani and his men seven days to reinstate the elected president of Niger. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes General Tiani, a new Nigerien leader with fragile power These countries imposed an economic blockade on Niger and the "immediate" suspension of "all commercial and financial transactions" with the country, including the freezing of assets and a travel ban being placed on putschist officers. Upon expiration of the ultimatum, they warned that "all necessary measures" would be taken, which could "include the use of force." "Firmness, firmness, and more firmness, this demonic spiral must be stopped!" affirmed a West African minister. You have 63.94% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. THE VILLAGE of Adare in Limerick is considered one of the most expensive places in Ireland to buy a home. However, councillors, at the bi-monthly meeting of the council, approved a sale of a property in the village for just under 200. Subject to the legal process, the property, at Desmond Drive, will now be transferred from council ownership to a private party for the sum of 195.42. In an explanatory note to members of the Adare-Rathkeale district earlier this year, staff housing officer Kathy O'Grady explained: The following property was purchased under a Tenant Purchase Scheme. The legal personal representative of the estate is now acquiring the freehold interest. The council had previously acquired the land from another private party. As of this Tuesday, there were only six properties for sale in the village of Adare, according to the website daft.ie. The cheapest asking price was a three-bedroom home for 350,000. The two most expensive properties in Adare would set you back at least 950,000 each. These are detached homes in secluded locations. Councillors in Adare have long complained that young people brought up in Adare simply cannot get on the housing ladder in their own parish. They argue this has been exacerbated by the ban on once-off houses. THE SOCIAL Democrats have indicated they will stand a candidate in the first elections for a directly elected mayor in Limerick in 2024. The Government signed off on publication of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 last Tuesday, which will establish the office of a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick. Newly-elected party leader for the Social Democrats Holly Cairns was in Limerick on Tuesday and reacted positively to the news: It's a slow move back to bringing power back into communities but it's really really welcome, she said. The need for more power for local government, I think couldn't be more apparent. The centralised model of everything coming from Dublin really doesn't benefit the region. We've just got the news but we'll have a think and it'll be great to contest the elections. Under the new arrangements laid out in the bill, the current two-pillar structure, made up of an elected council and chief executive performing the functions of Limerick City and County Council, will be replaced a three-pillar structure composed of the elected council, the directly elected mayor, and the director general, formerly the CEO. The mayor will take on executive functions in areas including housing, roads and transport, and will be responsible for proposing the annual budget to the council, and for the representative functions of the cathaoirleach outside the Chamber. A new role of priomh comhairleoir will replace the cathaoirleach. The current CEO of Limerick City and County Council will become the director general, and will have operational responsibility for the running of the Council. The mayoral elections will take place alongside local and European elections next summer. Shannon Airports passenger figures continue to surpass pre-Covid numbers as the airport forecasts its busiest August bank holiday in five years. Staff at Shannon Airport are expecting to welcome 48,000 passengers through its doors throughout the holiday weekend, a 25% increase in passenger traffic on the same period last year and a 9% rise on figures over the August bank holiday in 2019. During the first six months of this year the airport has recorded its highest passenger traffic figures in over a decade, signifying a strong rebound in overseas travel. Speaking on the predicted figures, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said: "This will be our busiest August bank holiday at Shannon Airport in five years." "We are seeing passengers flying out to popular summer destinations like Mallorca, Lanzarote, Porto, Malta and Naples, to name a few. UK City breaks are also in demand such as Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh, while transatlantic travel to New York, Newark, Boston and our latest destination Chicago is strong both outbound and inbound," she continued. "This increase in passenger traffic is a clear sign that overseas travel is back on track. We remain dedicated to providing a safe and smooth experience whilst ensuring Shannon is the friendly and easy choice for all our passengers." THE RATE of breastfeeding mothers is dubbed depressingly low, as figures emerge which rank Ireland much lower than other western countries. The HSE estimated that 59% of Irish mothers were breastfeeding in 2021, compared to that of 80% in America. In light of World Breastfeeding Week 2023, new mothers are being urged to consider the health benefits of breastfeeding their newborns: Its the perfect nutrition, says Professor Louise Kenny. So, every breastfeed is specific for that baby at that time and its readily available, always served at the right temperature, and its free. In terms of babies health, we know that breastfed babies have a lower risk of infections and theyre less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs - they also grow up into adults that have a lower risk of obesity and Type 1 diabetes. Expanding her advice to that of the mothers health, Prof Kenny, who spoke with a national radio station, also noted health benefits for the person who is breastfeeding. She said that those individuals also have a lower risk of breast cancer, obesity and diabetes. Prof Kenny considers the low rates of breastfeeding to be a cultural thing: We certainly dont make it easy for young Mums who wish to breastfeed. Weve got low rates of breastfeeding that go back a couple of generations now and its quite difficult if youre a young mum to do something [different]. You cant be what you cant see, she concluded. The worlds largest asset manager and a top stock-market-index compiler are being investigated by a congressional committee for facilitating American investment in Chinese companies the U.S. government has accused of bolstering Chinas military and violating human rights. The House of Representatives Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party notified BlackRock and MSCI on Monday of the probes into their activities, according to letters viewed by The Wall Street Journal. While the committee doesnt have lawmaking authority, it does have subpoena powers and has garnered bipartisan support for its initiatives. The goal of the investigation is to gather facts that would inform the U.S.s China policies, including on American capital flows. The panel told the firms that a review of just a sliver of their activitieswhich arent illegalshowed that they are causing Americans to fund more than 60 Chinese companies that U.S. agencies have flagged on security or human-rights grounds. By routing massive flows of American capital" to such Chinese entities, the U.S. firms are exacerbating an already significant national-security threat and undermining American values," said the letters, signed by the panels chairman, Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and its top Democrat, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois. Across five funds, BlackRock has invested more than $429 million in such Chinese companies, the panel found. BlackRock manages more than $9 trillion in assets and is entrusted by millions of Americans to invest their savings. The firm said in a statement that it has engaged the committee directly to better understand its concerns. The majority of our clients investments in China are through index funds, and we are one of 16 asset managers currently offering U.S. index funds investing in Chinese companies," it added. MSCI selects the securities that make up the indexes many investors use as a basis for their portfolios. There are more than $13 trillion of assets benchmarked to MSCIs products. In a statement, the firm said its reviewing the committees inquiry. It has previously said that all of its index decisions are made after consultations with a range of global market participants. The select committee on China, which was set up this year, is increasingly targeting the role of U.S. companies and financial institutions in fueling the rise of China. Its work exemplifies a shift in thinking in the White House and on Capitol Hill that once supported U.S. business ties with China but now sees some investment as counter to U.S. interests. Like the Jan. 6 select committee that investigated the 2021 attack on the Capitol, the China panel aims to build a narrative in a way that is accessible to the public. Last week, the Senate made progress on passing potential legislation that would require certain U.S. entities to notify the Treasury Department of investments in sensitive technologies in adversary countries such as China. Lobbying from the business community has so far quashed attempts to review or block such investments. The China committee in Julylaunched an investigation into U.S. venture-capital firms funding Chinese artificial-intelligence, semiconductor and quantum-computing startups. The White House and a bipartisan coalition in Congress have deemed such investments especially harmful because of the operational expertise and critical relationships the U.S. venture capitalists offer their targets. With this latest investigation into BlackRock and MSCI, the panel is broadening its focus by now also scrutinizing asset managers and index compilers. Such firms would typically have little to no direct involvement with the Chinese companies in their portfolios or indexes, but they play a crucial role in directing large sums of Americans retirement savings into their coffers. The panel said its review has shown that, as a direct result of decisions" made by BlackRock and MSCI, Americans have been unwittingly funding" an array of Chinese companies that operate against the interests of the U.S. A representative from the Chinese Embassy in Washington said Monday that politicizing economic, trade and investment issues runs counter to the principles of market economy." Buying shares of Chinese companies has provided big returns in the past for investors. The optics of such investments have shifted, however, as U.S.-China tensions have escalated. In 2018, MSCI added domestic Chinese stocks to its widely followed Emerging Markets Index, sending billions of dollars flowing into those companies. The move came after pressure from the Chinese government, the Journal previously reported. In addition to its passive funds invested in Chinese companies, two years ago BlackRock raised money for a Chinese mutual fund. That decision drew scrutiny from billionaire investor and political activist George Soros, who at the time said pouring money into Chinese companies would likely lose money for BlackRock clients and damage U.S. national-security interests. The committee, in its letters, called out BlackRock and MSCI for including in its funds or indexes companies featured on various U.S. government red flag lists," such as a Pentagon list of Chinese companies operating in the U.S. that help Chinas military and a Department of Homeland Security list of entities involved in human-rights abuses in Chinas Xinjiang region. It criticized the U.S. firms for investing in or including in indexes companies such as Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE, which the Federal Communications Commission has put on a list of national-security threats, and units of Aviation Industry Corporation China, a state-owned company known as AVIC that makes jet fighters for the Peoples Liberation Army. Representatives from AVIC and ZTE didnt respond to requests for comment. In its letters, the committee asked each firm to make a full accounting of the Chinese entities it is investing in or including on indexes, and to report any due diligence it undertakes before doing so. The World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling on Azerbaijan for the immediate lifting of the blockade of Artsakh, as more than 120,000 peopleincluding 30,000 childrenare suffering under an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis. August 1, 2023, 10:55 WCC calls on Azerbaijan for immediate lifting of blockade of Artsakh STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 1, ARTSAKHPRESS: As the humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) reaches a tragic level, the World Council of Churches reiterates its statements and positions on the need for urgent and immediate action by the international community, said WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. The Lachin corridor, the only road that links the region to Armenia, has been blocked for more than seven months, sparking a humanitarian emergency and putting the lives of 120,000 people, including children, in great danger. People lack food, medication, electricity, and gas. The WCC urges the international community to intervene immediately and quickly in order to end the blockade and save the lives of the Artsakh residents and then proceed to efforts of finding diplomatic solutions for a just peace in the region, said Pillay. The WCC calls on Azerbaijan and other forces involved for the immediate lifting of the blockade and to reopen the Lachin corridor to allow for the two-way free and safe passage of civilians, transport, and goods along the corridor and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). The WCC has made several previous statements and minutes on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), including a minute at the WCC 11th Assembly entitled Consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, in which it reiterated its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions, the targeting of civilians, hospitals and public infrastructure, and all other war crimes, beheadings, torture, and other atrocities witnessed during the conflict. Foxconn Technology Group, the main supplier for Apple, has plans to invest nearly ( 4,100 crore) $500 million in the construction of two component factories in India, according to a report by Bloomberg News on July 31. The chosen location for these factories will be in the southern state of Karnataka. It is anticipated that at least one of these facilities will be dedicated to manufacturing Apple components, including those used in iPhones. In March, Karnataka greenlit an investment of 8,000 crore ($972.88 million) by a Foxconn subsidiary, becoming the third southern Indian state, after Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, to welcome Foxconn's ventures. The specific sites for the upcoming facilities in the state are still under consideration, and an official announcement is anticipated to be made this week. As of now, neither Foxconn nor Apple has responded to Reuters' inquiries seeking comments. Foxconn Industrial Internet has embarked on an investment initiative in India in a move to expand its investments beyond China. As part of this endeavor, the Taiwanese company has inked a significant deal with Tamil Nadu, committing to invest 1,600 crore in the establishment of a new electronic components manufacturing facility. Also Read: Foxconn releases its future plans for India This project is expected to generate around 6,000 job opportunities for the local workforce. Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII) CEO Brand Cheng and several company representatives held a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and other government officials last week, as reported by Reuters, to discuss potential investment opportunities in the southern state. During the meeting, FII presented a plan to invest an initial amount ranging from $180 million to $200 million in the proposed facility in Tamil Nadu, as per sources cited by Reuters. The FII facility will be situated in the Kancheepuram district, close to the state capital, Chennai, an unnamed source within the state government told Reuters. (With agency inputs) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author New Delhi: High-speed electric two-wheeler registrations rose 17% over a year ago in July, to 54,232 units, or up 19% from the previous month. In June, e-two-wheeler sales took a hit following the governments decision to significantly slash subsidies on electric vehicles (EVs) under FAME-II scheme. As a result, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were compelled to raise vehicle prices. Despite the sales growth, registrations in July were short of the monthly sales average so far this financial year at 68,000 units. Moreover, it also trails the FY23 average monthly sales of 60,500 units. Electric vehicles accounted for 4.4% of two-wheeler sales at the end of July, compared to 3.5% in the month of June. Recovery in electric two-wheeler sales, despite price increases after June, is impressive. With the expected lower-priced product launches in this segment, we expect sales to recover further," Jay Kale, senior vice president, Elara Capital, said. View Full Image Graphic: Mint Ola Electric led the volumes in July with 19,237 units, accounting for 35.5% market share, followed by TVS Motor Co. with 10,330 units and a 19% market share. Ather Energy with a 12.2% share (6,607 units), Bajaj Auto (7.5%; 4,089 units) and Okinawa (4.2%; and 2,263 units), also aided the growth in e-two-wheeler sales in July. In the case of passenger vehicles, factory-gate dispatches (PVs) rose 3% to 352,492 units in July, compared to 341,971 units in the previous year. Despite the industry clocking its highest-ever PV wholesale dispatches last month, growth was muted at just 3% because of the high base during the Q2FY23, when PV sales had peaked. Maruti Suzuki, the countrys largest carmaker, saw 6.5% growth in sales to 152,126 units in July compared to 142,850 units a year ago. However, growth in the PV sector, barring Maruti Suzuki, was just at 0.6%. A major contributor to the PV industry growth was sport utility vehicle (SUV) maker Mahindra & Mahindra, with its UV sales witnessing a 30% rise at 36205 units. Rival Tata Motors saw a flat month compared to June, with PV dispatches, including EVs up by just 0.1% over a year ago to 47,689 units. However, its EVs sales grew 52.9% year-on-year in July to 6,329 units, while shipment of its internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger vehicles contracted 5% from a year earlier to 41,360 units. South Korean carmaker Hyundai, too, saw flat sales, with shipments up by just 0.45 to 50,701 units, compared to 50,500 units a year ago. If you look at the cumulative wholesale figure from April to July, for the passenger vehicle industry, sales stood at 13,48,466 against 12,52,407 units in a year ago. Thats a growth of 7.7%. Maruti Suzukis PV sales in the domestic market (for the April-July period) was at 566,000 units against 512,000 units in the year-ago. Thats a growth of 10.6%. Again, Marutis growth has been faster than the industry," Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director, Maruti Suzuki, said. Our market share grew by 1.1% over last year, and is now at 43.3% compared to 41.8%. However, industry retail was at 319,000 units against wholesale volumes of 362,500 units, which means a 33,500 unit difference between retail and wholesale. Stock levels in the industry are up. We started July with a stock of 260,000 units (industry-wide), which is now gone up to 294,000. This is almost 30 days of inventory for the industry. If you consider pre-covid, this is the highest stock in four years." In terms of SUV sales, Maruti Suzuki became the number one player in July. But on a cumulative basis, we are equal with Mahindra. In July, our SUV sales were at 42,620 against 36,124 for the next-placed OEM, Mahindra," he said. SUVs now account for just over 49% of all passenger vehicle sales in India. Meanwhile, sales of two-wheelers remained muted in July, with Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto reporting a sharp dip in sales, with domestic dispatches shrinking 13.8% (371,204 units) and 13.6% (141,990 units) for the two OEMs respectively in July, compared to the same month last year. TVS Motor Company, however, clocked a better-than-expected 16.5% growth in domestic two-wheeler dispatches at 235,230 units in July. Royal Enfields sales were up 42% but missed industry estimates. A large part of inventory addition by two-wheeler makers will start from August due to the delayed festive season, while last year it has started from July . Additionally, heavy rainfall impacted retails in many places, especially the North of India", Jay Kale, senior vice president, Elara Capital told Mint. Days after its transformation into X, Twitter was forced to remove its company logo from its San Fransisco headquarters on Monday in the afternoon hours, reported ANI citing The Hill. The X logo was removed from the company headquarters in San Francisco after local residents and officials. The Hill stated that the workers removed the luminous sign after receiving complaints from city residents and officials. The logo was put up last week during the company's re-branding. However, the the installation of the logo attracted investigation into the company's headquarter last week. Also read: Twitter threatens legal action against nonprofit that tracks hate speech: 'Tried to hurt social platform' According to Patrick Hannan, a spokesman for the Department of construction Inspection, "a building permit is necessary to ensure the sign is structurally sound and installed safely." The old Twitter sign on the building's side, which police had prevented workers from removing, was in unsafe condition", according to complaints filed on Friday. A city inspector's attempt to access the roof where the X sign was installed was also turned down by the business, reported ANI citing The Hill. The "X" building was purportedly described by an X spokesperson as a "temporary lighted sign for an event. The announcement of the rebranding of the social media site, formerly known as Twitter, was made a week earlier by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk also changes his profile avatar to X" logo. The micro blogging site went through a tremendous transformation after the takeover by Elon Musk in October last year. There were a number of changes made in the site, including restrictions on how many direct messages users can send and how many tweets they can view. The company had also appointed Linda Yaccarino, a former NBCUniversal advertising executive as the CEO of X by Elon Musk in May. Elon Musk, last week, announced that the number of the social media site X, had hit a new high" after certain organisational changes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for West Bengal and Odisha till Wednesday as it expects over 204.4 mm rainfall in these regions. Red alert indicates take action. When extremely bad weather conditions are certainly going to disrupt travel and power, and have significant risk to life, IMD issues a red alert. As a deep depression is likely to move northwestwards and cross Bangladesh coast close to east of Khepupara from north-east Bay of Bengal today evening, the met department sees light to moderate rainfall at most places in Odisha and isolated extremely heavy rainfall over north Odisha tonight, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday, and isolated heavy rainfall on Thursday. Under the influence of this weather system, gangetic West Bengal is predicted to receive light to moderate rainfall at most places, isolated extremely heavy rainfall over coastal districts today, and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday. East and northeast India has 25% rainfall deficit as on 1 Aug since the beginning of the four-month monsoon season on 1 June. Squally wind speeds reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph is prevailing over north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal and along & off the Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts, and 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph winds are likely to prevail along & off north Odisha coast until Wednesday morning and decrease thereafter. Rough to very rough sea condition is seen prevailing over north & adjoining central Bay of Bengal and along & off Bangladesh-West Bengal-North Odisha coasts till forenoon of Wednesday. Therefore, IMD has advised fishermen to not venture into these areas during this period. Such weather conditions may cause minor damage to loose or unsecured structures, banana trees and near-coastal agriculture, and some breaches in kutcha roads due to flooding. Damage to standing agriculture and horticulture crops is also expected. A global shortage of healthcare workers is setting off a bruising worldwide battle for talent, as rich countries raid other nations medical systems for staff to care for their aging populations. The competition has helped countries such as the U.S. and Australia replace some nurses who quit in record numbers during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But it is also leaving hospitals in developing countries and some wealthier nations such as the U.K. worse off, as they lose staff to countries offering bigger paychecks. Australia has been one of the most aggressive poachers, with offers of special bonuses and fast-tracked visas. An Australian advertising campaign in the British Isles this past winter featured workers with sunshine streaming through windows behind them. The campaign coincided with British nurses going on strike over pay, long hours and other concerns. You can surf in the early mornings, go fly fishing on weekends, take photography classes, write novels, or sell preserves at the farmers markets," stated an ad in the British Medical Journal, an industry magazine, for an emergency-medicine registrar job. The health department in Australias Tasmania state, which placed the ad, said that like other local authorities it is looking to many countries including the U.K. for overseas workers. The battle is part of a global resurgence in migration that is reshaping the world economy this year. As borders have reopened since the worst of the pandemic, countries have been welcoming foreign workers in selected industries to address labor shortfalls, helping push migration to record levels. Douglas Chikobvu, a nurse at Gweru Provincial Hospital in Zimbabwe, said he has watched about a dozen nurses from his surgical ward move to take jobs abroad in recent years. Chikobvu, who is secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union, said that in some hospitals one nurse sometimes ends up looking after 25 or 30 patients during a shift, instead of a more reasonable level of 10. Doctors are being forced to cancel procedures because they dont have enough staff. Zimbabwes vice president, Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the health minister, in April threatened that his country would pass a new law that would criminalize the active recruitment of Zimbabwes healthcare workers. Data released by the U.K. government this year showed that the U.K. alone issued 17,421 health- and care-worker visas to Zimbabwe nationals in the 12 months to March 31almost six times as many as in the previous 12 months. Speaking at an event on human trafficking in April, Chiwenga referred to the recruitment of developing-world medical staff as a crime against humanity." If people die in hospitals because there are no nurses and doctorsand somebody who has been so irresponsible for not training their own nationals, but wanting poor countries to train for themits a crime that must be taken seriously," he said. The World Health Organization in March this year published a list of 55 countries37 of them in Africawith the most pressing health-workforce challenges. These countries on average have just 15 health workers per 10,000 people, compared with 148 per 10,000 in high-income countries. The WHO has asked its members not to actively recruit doctors and nurses from these 55 nations without first sealing bilateral agreements to support the countries where they are recruiting. Such support could include financing the training of new staff or plans for health workers to return to their country of origin after a number of years. For wealthier countries, luring medical staff from abroad is attractive because it can take years to train nurses and doctors. Between 2020 and 2021, the U.S. lost more than 100,000 nurses, the largest decline on record, a study in the journal Health Affairs showed. Since the height of the pandemic, hospitals have struggled to rebuild normal staffing levels and morale. Improved salaries and working conditions have since drawn some workers back, but shortages remain. In Australia, the number of advertised vacancies for health professionals more than doubled from early 2020 to August 2022 and remained close to that historic peak nine months later, according to the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The country granted 4,950 visas to healthcare workers over the nine months through March 2023, according to data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. That number is up 48% from a year earlieryet the country is still facing nursing shortages, officials say. Ramsay Health Care, which owns more than 500 hospitals and clinics in Australia and 10 other countries, recently said a lack of skilled workers continues to limit its ability to treat patients. It is looking overseas for staff, it said. Dr. Hardeep Kang, a sexual-health physician, was working in northern Britain when she was approached by a recruitment agency to see whether she would be interested in a move to Australia. She now works in Cairns, a city in northern Australia known as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, after migrating in November. Kang said she now earns about $56,000 more a year than in the U.K., in part because of a supplement offered by the state government to sweeten roles outside major cities. Her daily commute involves riding a bicycle along the oceanfront. Rebekah Daly, a radiologist who moved to Australia in January from Ireland, said that almost a quarter of her co-workers back home had quit to travel or work overseas now that Covid-related travel restrictions had been lifted, adding to the workload of those left behind. The U.K. has introduced a new visa for healthcare workers with less onerous provisions than those for other skilled workers. It issued 101,570 visas to health and care workers in the 12 months ended March 31, nearly three times as many as during the previous year, with most recruits coming from India, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, according to government data. After the publication of the WHO list, the U.K. government said health and social care organizations wouldnt actively recruit from nations flagged by the agency, but there is nothing that stops health workers from these countries from applying for open posts. Irelandwhich depended heavily on overseas health workers before the pandemiclast year relaxed employment restrictions for non-European doctors already in the country as part of an effort to keep them. More than 70 countries have introduced laws in recent years to make it easier to hire health workers from abroad, according to the WHO. Other rich countries like Germany have made the recruitment of healthcare workers part of high-level trips to countries such as Ghana, Brazil and Albania. In the U.S., recruiting nurses from abroad effectively stopped because the type of green card that healthcare institutions use to hire nurses became so oversubscribed that the State Department stopped processing applications. Visa-screening requests from overseas healthcare workers, including registered and vocational nurses, rose more than 40% in each of the past two fiscal years, which run through September. Some developing countries are pushing back by making it more difficult for health workers to emigrate. The Philippines, which has long lost many of its healthcare workers to the U.S., imposed a temporary ban on more leaving during the pandemic. It continues to cap the number who can work overseas, even though doing so deprives the country of much-needed income from remittances. Nigerian lawmakers are considering a bill that would require doctors to work at home for at least five years before they are allowed to emigrate. Zimbabwes Health Service Commission, which oversees staffing there, says it needs 81,517 healthcare workers to meet population needs, but as of last September it had only 74,298. Chikobvu, the nurse at Gweru Provincial Hospital in Zimbabwe, said he and his colleagues share ads for jobs in countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. in dedicated WhatsApp groups. Despite seeing the effects of the medical brain drain in his country, Chikobvu is currently applying for nursing jobs in the U.S. and opposes restrictions on rich countries hiring nurses from poor ones. He said his monthly income of about $425 isnt enough to pay for his familys food and healthcare and cover school fees for his four children. A lot has been said about how Indians are more eager than ever to hit the roads and skies for foreign trips. Social media feeds show many Indians vacationing in places from Thailand and Singapore to Paris, and going on revenge travel since the borders opened up after the pandemic. Indians were ranked as second-most confident" tourists in the Asia-Pacific region, only behind Hong Kongers, according to a 2023 survey conducted by travel portal Booking.com. However, a Mint analysis of data from several countries shows that while tourism is indeed seeing a rebound, travel numbers to popular tourist countries are yet to touch pre-covid levels. Indian tourist visas also see high rejection rates in key developed countries. Mint explores: Surging travel Over 20 million Indians travelled abroad last year, with tourism being the third biggest reason for doing so, shows tourism ministry data. However, this was 18% lower than the pre-pandemic average of over 25 million seen between 2017 and 2019. But the pace is growing: in the first four months of 2023, nearly 8.5 million have travelled abroad, already touching two-fifths of the full-year figure of 2022. Footfalls at Indias international airports are also showing an upward trend. Top picks So where are Indians travelling to? Dubai, London, Bangkok and Toronto are among the foreign locales searched the most often by Indians this year, shows data from Kayak, an American metasearch engine, shared with Mint. The split between Asian and western destinations is equal in the top 10, and popular Asian spots dominate the top five. Indians are also spending big. Foreign exchange outflows due to overseas travel under the Reserve Bank of Indias liberalized remittance scheme topped $13.7 billion in FY23, the highest ever. Asian cheer? With fewer visa-related hassles, cheaper travel due to weaker currencies, and visa-on-arrival facilities, its no wonder that Asian destinations have caught the fancy of Indians. Destinations like Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia are gaining interest, said Nishant Pitti, chief executive officer at EaseMyTrip. However, despite what social media posts might tell you, Indian visitor arrivals to some top Asian destinations still lag 2019 levels. As the next round of the festival and holiday season beckons, we must wait and watch whether the trend changes. Lost money Meanwhile, there are cautionary tales. Prospective Indian visitors visa applications continue to see high rejection rates in key developed countries even as the rate has fallen over the years. For every 100 applications submitted, around 20 in Australia, 18 in the EU, 14 in the UK and over six in the US were rejected in 2022. Collectively, these rejections cost Indians a staggering 281.2 crore for trips that never happened! Looking ahead The Indian passport has grown stronger over the past decade with its passport now allowing visa-free access to 57 nations, up from 52 a decade ago. The expansion of airport infrastructure and low-cost carriers are making travel accessible to more Indians. Some increasing travel trends we have witnessed and anticipate are meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) travel, travel to off-beat destinations, sleep tourism, sun tourism along with short-hauls to European and South-Asian destinations," said Pitti. YES BANK has launched UPI payments through RuPay Credit Cards. With this, customers can now link their YES BANK RuPay Credit Card with UPI-enabled apps such as BHIM, PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay, Slice, MobiKwik, PayZapp, among others, making credit card-based transactions easier with enhanced security. The launch of UPI Payments through RuPay Credit Cards empowers customers to now enjoy the credit-free period feature on a UPI platform, which was earlier only limited to POS/eCom based transactions. Any existing YES BANK Credit Card customer who does not have a RuPay Credit Card can avail a virtual YES BANK RuPay Credit Card and link it with their existing UPI app. "Today, YES BANK powers nearly 40% of all the UPI merchant transactions in the country. Given our digital prowess, over the years, we have built capabilities that can power digital transactions at scale, thereby impacting the lives of millions of customers. The launch of our UPI payments facility on RuPay Credit Cards is a testament to the effort, through which, we aim to provide customers with a rewarding and convenient banking experience. With this collaboration, we aim to further strengthen Indias march towards establishing a digitally empowered economy, while providing a safe, secure and seamless payment experience for customers," Rajan Pental, Executive Director, YES BANK, said. We are delighted to onboard YES BANK RuPay Credit Card customers to experience this cutting-edge digital payments solution that combines the convenience of UPI with the benefits and rewards of RuPay Credit Cards. With the integration of YES BANK RuPay Credit Card on UPI, individuals can make seamless transactions across online and offline platforms on RuPays highly secure network, eliminating the necessity of physically carrying their card. As the demand for credit cards continues to rise in the country, RuPay Credit Card on UPI is changing the perception of credit consumption and has the potential to deepen credit penetration, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas," Praveena Rai, Chief Operating Officer, NPCI, said. YES BANK RuPay Credit Card users can avail of the following benefits Safety and security: UPI payments on YES BANK RuPay Credit Cards are safeguarded with robust security measures, ensuring the protection of customers' financial data. Reward points: Customers can earn attractive reward points on UPI transactions. Credit-free period functionality: Leveraging the credit-free period feature of Credit Cards, customers can now manage their finances efficiently even when they use UPI. Consolidated billing: YES BANK offers the convenience of settling the consolidated bill of UPI payments once a month through the Credit Card statement, simplifying financial management for customers. Steps to link YES BANK RuPay Credit Cards on UPI: Tap on the profile icon / bank account icon Click on linking RuPay Credit Card option Select YES BANK from the dropdown of bank names Find YES BANK RuPay Credit Card and verify One of the countrys largest forest-carbon firms is launching a platform to enable Southern-timberland owners to sell carbon offsets on properties as small as 40 acres, expanding a market that has mostly been limited to owners of vast wooded tracts. Finite Carbon, which is majority owned by energy giant BP, said it would begin this month to enroll landowners in 13 Southern states in the program. It will pay them quarterly if they agree to not cut down trees for 20 years and then maintain a steady volume of standing timber on their property for another two decades. The trees must be big enough to be salable at the time the no-cut contract is signed. Finite has arranged more than $900 million of forest-carbon deals for large U.S. landowners such as timberland investment firms, conservation groups and tribes, dispatching foresters to remote woodlands to measure trees and calculate how much carbon is held on properties that are tens of thousands of acres. That is only economical for big tracts, so Finite is using Forest Service data, satellite imagery and computer programs to determine how many offsets smaller landowners can sell if they promise not to cut, said Finite Chief Executive Sean Carney. Mercuria Energy Group agreed to buy the offsets through a Tennessee startup that the Swiss commodities trader backs called LandYield. Mercuria plans to hold some of the forest creditseach representing a metric ton of sequestered carbonto offset emissions generated by its fossil-fuel businesses and to sell the rest to other companies looking to reduce their own carbon footprints, said Josh Fain, LandYields director of operations. We are convinced that private, nonindustrial landowners have a significant role in both mitigating climate change and in fostering the long-term health of U.S. forests," said Enric Arderiu, Mercurias global head of environmental products. There are several ways to generate carbon offsets, which are awarded for reducing greenhouse gases, such as capturing methane emissions from dairy barns and mines. The most popular in the U.S. are associated with forgoing wood harvests so that trees can keep sucking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. Forest offset guidelines developed by regulators in California for the states cap-and-trade emissions market have spread to unregulated markets. Firms such as Finite broker so-called voluntary offset deals between landowners and companies that have promised to cut or make up for emissions. Wall Street firms, such as T. Rowe Price Groups Oak Hill Advisors and J.P. Morgan Asset Management, have made some of the largest timberland purchases in recent years with an eye toward producing carbon offsets, not wood products. Even the countrys biggest lumber producers are crunching numbers to see where they can earn more by reducing logging and selling offsets. Weyerhaeuser CEO Devin Stockfish said last week that Americas most prolific logger expects to sell 30,000 offsets this year against some of its timberlands in northern Maine at more than $20 apiece. Weyerhaeuser is planning two more offset projects in the Southeast. There have been other efforts to bring the Souths thousands of individual timberland owners into the offset market. NCX, bankrolled by Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff and others, in 2021 facilitated payments from companies including Microsoft and Shell to timberland owners who agreed to defer logging for one year. But subsequent offerings were stalled after a carbon-standards organization said last year it wouldnt approve NCXs methodology. The American Carbon Registry, another offset vetting group, approved Finites small-tract methodology in 2021. The carbon gains we think are really clear," LandYields Fain said. Finite embarked in 2019 on plans for a platform where owners of between 40 acres and 5,000 acres could find their property, circle where they wanted to sell offsets and get an instant estimate of the payments. It started by using computers to compare the governments forest inventory with satellite images, locating pixels that matched one of the thousands of plots surveyed by the Forest Service, Finites Carney said. Next, Finites data scientists made programs to simulate clear cuts on every wooded property, using each states logging rules to determine which trees could be cut and which couldnt, such as along streams. We basically had to map everything in advance and then develop a carbon project for the entire Southeast," Carney said. Were taking a cookie cutter and putting it on that, but the dough is already all rolled out." Once landowners sign up, they must attest periodically that the trees are still standing. Finite will check quarterly using a program it patented earlier this year to detect changes in the forest using satellite imagery. Mercuria and LandYield have agreed to pay $11 an offset for the first three years, Fain said. Thereafter market pricing will dictate payments. He estimated landowners could earn between $30 to $40 per acre a year. A total of 39 broker defaults occurred between 2017 and 2022. One such episode in 2019 impacted millions of investorstheir accounts were frozen and there were delays in transacting their rightfully owned securities and funds. Despite a provision allowing a change of broker, there was no way these investors could access their securities and funds through another broker. Multiple reasons were citedthe broking firm was not transferring the shares from pool account to DP holding account, payout requests were not being honoured, etc. Primarily, it was misuse of clients securities and funds that added to the complexity. Notably, after that episode, a commendable wave of reforms swept the Indian securities markets. The rightful use of clients securities and funds was made compulsory. This entailed segregation of clients funds from those of the broker; collateral usage provided by clients only for their own purpose was mandated, and ASBA was introduced in the secondary market . In addition to these, portability of brokers is a much awaited reform in the course of investor protection efforts. This would ensure seamless transfer of trading account from one broker to another, in case of a broker default,without causing any inconvenience to the investors. Portability would imply transfer of contractual positions, funds, or securities from one party to another. Broker default episodes, when there is no broker portability, is marked by forced liquidations that creates risk exposures and eliminates potential risk-taking market participants who are capable of tolerating market risk at a critical time. Their elimination thus exacerbates price volatility, stresses markets and questions the efficient risk management model of securities markets. With portability, the positions of clients will not be liquidated but transferred to other non-defaulting clearing members. In countries such as the UK, US, Europe, Australia and Japan, the segregation of client funds and securities has been the prerequisite for allowing broker portability. This facilitates easier portability than co-mingled accounts. One factor that significantly affects portability is the margining system. According to a survey by the IOSCO and Bank of International Settlement (BIS), in practice, the central clearing counterparty (CCP) has been successful in porting both gross and net margined accounts following a significant brokerage default. A transition towards gross margined accounts instead of net margined accounts is recommended to enable portability. In gross margined accounts, clients should individually have sufficient collateral with the CCP to fully margin their positions. Thus, while porting such clients, no additional collateral would be required by receiving trading member/brokerage. Despite the transfer, margin requirements would not change in this scenario. The CCPs that transferred net margined accounts found it challenging and noted that significant effort was required by stakeholders to reconcile client positions. Other constraints cited in portability have been KYC and anti-money laundering requirements. However, in the US, temporary waivers are provided to facilitate portability and thus lessons follow for India. The current reforms illustrates Indias preparedness towards broker portability. Already, Sebi has laid down parameters for designating qualified stock brokers (QSBs) and has formulated a framework for their orderly winding down in case of closure of business or due to their inability of providing services to clients or any other reason. This would result in seamless portability of clients to other Sebi-registered stock brokers. Thus, an effective portability mechanism for stock brokers is much desiredit will contribute to market efficiency and safeguard clients money. Rasmeet Kohli is working with the National Institute of Securities Markets. Mutual funds investment: Large-cap mutual funds invest in top-ranked companies based on market capitalisation such as Reliance , HDFC Bank , TCS , and Infosys, among others offering low-risk and long-term growth investment options for investors. Hence, these funds are usually associated with lower risk than other types of equity funds . They provide stable returns over the long term. As per the guidelines set by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), large-cap funds must invest at least 80% of their fund corpus in large-cap stocks. As per data available on SMC, one of the leading financial service providers in India, Nippon India topped the chart for one year return, followed by HDFC Top 100 Fund, ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund, SBI Bluechip Fund - Growth, among others. Top 10 large-cap funds delivered thebest return in one year 1) Nippon India Large Cap Fund - Reg - Growth 25.70 This fund has been in existence for more than 15 years now, and was launched on August 08, 2007. 2) HDFC Top 100 Fund - Growth 22.80 It was launched on 3 September 1996 and currently has an AUM of 24,819.04 crore. 3) ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - Growth 20.60 It was launched on 23 March 2008 4) SBI Bluechip Fund - Growth 19.80 This fund has been in existence for 10 yrs 4 m, having been launched on 14 February, 2006. 5) DSP Top 100 Equity Fund - Reg - Growth 19.70 This fund has been in existence for 20 yrs 5 m, having been launched on 10/02/2003. 6) Sundaram Large Cap Fund - Reg - Growth 18.00 It was launched on 8 October 2020 7) Tata Large Cap Fund - Reg - Growth 17.70 It was launched on 7 May 1998 8) Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund - R-G 17.60 This fund has been in existence for more than 20 years, having been launched on August 12, 2002. 9) Baroda BNP Paribas Large Cap Fund - Growth 17.60 It was launched on Sep 23, 2004 10) Canara Robeco Bluechip Equity Fund - Growth 16.80 Canara Robeco Bluechip Equity Fund scheme was launched on August 20, 2010. Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Member of the European Parliament Nacho Sanchez Amor (Spain) has said that there are positive signals for progress in terms of EU-Turkey and Armenia-Turkey relations, but at the same time he has warned that Turkey is an unpredictable country. August 1, 2023, 13:12 European Parliaments call on Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide has been traditional position MEP Nacho Sanchez STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 1, ARTSAKHPRESS: Nacho Sanchez Amor, the rapporteur on Turkey in the European Parliament, gave an interview to ARMENPRESS Brussels correspondent on the latest report on Turkey, its foreign policy, the probability of Turkey someday recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the possibility of Turkey joining the EU. -Your latest report on Turkey welcomes the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations. How realistic do you think a settlement is, considering Turkey's endless preconditions? And what effect can this have on Armenia-Azerbaijan relations? - Well, I think it depends on the real political will of both parties. I think it's good that at least they started this conversation. It's good that they appointed two interlocutors, but apparently after this good first impression there was a moment of stagnation. I don't know, I'm not aware of some talks that could have happened more discreetly, but I think it's good in the current moment, when apparently Turkey is sending signals of some kind of openness and is trying to mend ties with every neighbor. I think Armenia is very symbiotic of this policy, this really new policy and for that reason, we encourage both parties to continue dealing with the bilateral issues because this is good for both and this is good for the region. - Like last year, this year as well the report urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide, how realistic is this? -I think it depends... It depends... There were some approaches in the past and there were some attempts to try to have a common ground. If there is a good bilateral relation, it could be the moment to try to encounter the way in which both parties could reach some kind of agreement on how to tackle the issue. There were, I remember, some ideas about historians or political moves, but it depends on the mood. If the mood is better, it could be a thing to be put on the agenda, how to tackle the issue, probably not to go fast to an immediate and plain recognition, but at least how to tackle this. Trying to keep the position of both parties. I think it's good. Regarding the Armenian Genocide this is the traditional position of the European Parliament. We are always trying to send the message and for that reason we use the word again and again, to recognize, because that has been and is a very traditional position. -Now for many years you are following Turkey very closely. How do you assess Turkeys role in the South Caucasus, what effect does it have on Azerbaijani President Aliyev? -Well, the problem with Turkey, like in other countries is improvising, you can never know what could happen because things change overnight, because the system is so hyper centralized that everything depends on one person and two or three desks in the palace and for that reason you see, as we are seeing complete shifting, complete delving, complete abandoning positions, exploring other ways. And for that reason, you never know what could happen with Turkey. But what I know is, apparently, Turkey is coming back to the old idea of zero problems with neighbors. And this is a good policy. I think we encourage that kind of policies and if you have a problem, you have to deal with the problem with the normal diplomatic means. No putting pressure on the statement. No, of course not using military means, not threatening but talking. This is the way we have been calling Turkey to come back to a more normalized foreign policy. And for that reason, we encourage these policies. Realistic? I'm not sure, but at least the signals we have received lately are good signals. -After the last elections held in Turkey, many are desperate, many are optimistic. What is your position? Should we expect changes in Turkey's foreign policy or not? - Yes, of course. I don't have a particular personal opinion on domestic politics in Turkey. We have to deal with Turkey as it is and with the government that the Turkish people choose. But even we know that during the elections there were some problems that were clearly detected by the international electoral observation that was done. We have to deal with Turkey as it is and we try to encourage the moves and the drills and the opinions in Turkey, they are more conducive to good relations with their neighbors and with the European Union. This is our stance. I think yes, it's true. Well, they are having local elections and probably this is again a moment of more tensions. But it's true that President Erdogan has five years ahead to try to compose a more consensual policy and foreign policy, and I think this is also related with the economic direct threat of the country, it is in a very difficult situation from the economic point of view, and probably that could help to try to conduct foreign policy which is more friendly, more open and less assertive, and sometimes we use assertive not to use aggressive, but I think it's good that for whatever reasons Turkey have realized that they need to have different ties with the neighbors, and with the blocks and with the European Union, the United States and China and Russia. -You propose an alternative way of cooperation with Turkey instead of EU membership, what format are we talking about? -Well, finally we reached an agreement in the Parliament, not to get rid of the accession process immediately, but to try to maintain the accession process as it is, meaning frozen, and try to really, seriously explore other ways. Because the accession process has not been functional. The conduct of reforms has not protected, unluckily, the profile of a democratic society in Turkey, and this is becoming growingly dysfunctional. The idea is let's explore other ways. There are some approaches to come back or to explore deeply or to review. The whole association agreement. It's good to remind that the current customs union is pending under the umbrella of the old association agreement and we have to deal with the agenda as we can deal with custom unions. We always have been open to that. We have to deal with visa with the conditionalities well known in Europe and not so well known in Turkey. Apparently, we have to deal with migration. We have to deal with economic cooperation in our area, we have to resume the higher level talks because it's a little bit cynical than theoretically we don't have an element of that. There are a lot of Commissioners and a High Representative, and the Presidential Commission and the Council dealing with, we took his authority, but theoretically we don't have high level talks. There is a lot of things that we can do to mend the agenda, to regain trust. This is the first step to regain trust and try to fix or try to create another framework in the relations with Turkey. - What is your assessment of Turkey-EU relations from now on? -With the EU, it's the same. There are no changes because despite what happened in the world, despite the Green Deal, despite the geopolitical earthquakes, the accession to the European Union is about a very clear process, you have to approach the European Union in every field and one field at the core of the accession process is human rights, democracy, rule of law and from this point of view, there is no minor signal of improvement, not even a minor signal. The gestures of the state, the facts are sending a very confusing message. There are prisoners like Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas despite the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, the prosecution of HDP as the party. There are journalists in prison. There are clashing with LGTB movement activists and feminist activists. And regarding the European Union accession process, these are the things we have to assess and examine. Is not just, say, the good behavior of Turkey in the Greek island, in Cyprus, in the Black Sea, in the Green Deal or in the prisons. That is we welcome any good move in that question, but the official process is completely different and for that reason se were astonished when the [Turkish] president said OK, I let Sweden to enter the coalition, but we have to get something from the EU. These have nothing to do with each other. I criticized openly the NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. I know for sure that Mr. Stoltenberg has to fix the issue. But the accession process to the European Union is not a bargain piece inside the NATO. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly advocated for conferring the prestigious Bharat Ratna award upon the freedom fighters Udham Singh, Bhagat Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha. CM Mann was speaking on the occasion of Shaheed Udham Singh's martyrdom day after having paid floral tributes to Shaheed Udham Sing. He has expressed his belief that honouring these iconic martyrs with the Bharat Ratna would elevate the significance of the award, considering their supreme sacrifices in liberating the nation from British rule. CM Mann praised the heroic sacrifice of the legendary martyr, Shaheed Udham Singh, stating that it would forever serve as an inspiration for the youth to selflessly serve the nation. He emphasised that the freedom enjoyed by the countrymen today was the result of the immense sacrifices made by such legendary heroes. He hailed Shaheed Udham Singh as a true son of the soil, who displayed exemplary courage through his heroic act of avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating Michael O Dwyer, the prime perpetrator. Bhagwant Mann acknowledged that the unprecedented sacrifice of this iconic martyr played a vital role in liberating the country from the clutches of British Imperialism. Bhagwant Mann further emphasised that his government would try to bring back the belongings associated with Shaheed Bhagat Singh, currently lying in Pakistan. The Punjab CM expressed his commitment to retrieve the personal belongings of Shaheed Udham Singh from London as well. He assured that the state government would exert significant efforts and raise the matter at appropriate forums to expedite the return of these cherished items. Mann on Narendra Modi government Mann expressed his disappointment with the Narendra Modi government, describing it as "pseudo-nationalist" and accusing it of neglecting the recognition and honor deserved by these sons of the soil, ANI reported. The present government is undermining the legacy of these martyrs by restricting democratic principles in the country, as per Mann. He criticised the government's frequent use of ordinances, which he viewed as a severe blow to the democratic system that the nationalists fought for during the freedom struggle. The chief minister highlighted the irony that the brave souls had sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom and democracy, yet the actions of the present government are seemingly at odds with the vision of the country envisioned by these great patriots. (With ANI inputs) The Narendra Modi government tabled a bill to replace the Delhi services ordinance in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid vociferous protests from the Opposition. Home Minister Amit Shah noted that the Constitution had allowed Parliament to make laws for the national capital. The Lower house was eventually adjourned till 3 pm amid protests. Constitution has given the House, power to pass any law regarding the state of Delhi. Supreme Court judgement has clarified that Parliament can bring any law regarding the state of Delhi. All objection is political. Please permit me to bring this bill," Shah said. The Bill seeks to replace the Delhi Ordinance brought by the Centre in May soon after a Supreme Court order on the issue. It excludes certain services from the legislative competence of the Delhi legislative assembly. The Bill has been vehemently criticised by Opposition leaders within the INDIA coalition. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had personally called on top Opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and NCP stalwart Sharad Pawar, in a bid to solicit their support. "This is a deception committed with the Supreme Court and the people of Delhi who have chosen Kejriwal thrice as the chief minister. He doesn't have any powers but the LG, who has not even been chosen but forced upon people, will have powers and through him the Centre will keep tabs on the work happening in Delhi. This is contempt of court," AAP chief spokesperson and Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had said. This is not about numbers. It is an attack on federal democracy. Is centre above the elected government in Delhi and the Supreme Court. Even silent allies of the BJP should protest against it. Today it has happened in Delhi, tomorrow it can happen in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana or Odisha," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi told ANI on Tuesday. (With inputs from agencies) To celebrate Switzerland's 700-year-old pact of unity against outsider, Google Doodle opted for a waving national flag of the country. The day is celebrated as Switzerland's National Day on 1 August 2023. On this day, people from all 26 cantons ( can be understood as districts) celebrate the country's culture and history with huge fervour. Celebration of Switzerland's National Day is a reminder of the alliance between the three cantons. On 1 August 1291, the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed the Federal Charter and formed an alliance that promised unity against outsiders. Reach of this Google Doodle is limited only to Switzerland, that's why the waving flag won't appear on Google's mast head for those who will use the search engine outside the country. After the pact completed its 600 years and continued to protect all the district from intruders and outsiders, it was celebrated by the people for the first time in 1899. Since then, it has become an annual observance. The festivities start with a traditional farmers brunch offered by many local farmers on their estates to be continued by political speeches and a gathering on the Rutli" Meadow, according to the information provided by Google doodle. On this medow, it is said that the confederates took their oath that formed the historic alliance. The night is reserved for celebrations around bonfires on the many mountaintops and fireworks in the sky. National flag of Switzerland can be seen on every building across the country. It is even found atop special bread rolls called zopf. New Delhi: India plans to bat for its signature digital public infrastructure (DPI) platforms at the upcoming 78th session of the UN General Assembly starting in Septemberan annual congregation of some 200 countries.Through its promotional activities, India hopes to win the backing at multilateral forums like the UN for projects related to Indias DPI platforms, including UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, Mint has learnt. This would enable New Delhi to pitch its India Stack digital solutions implemented at population-scale to deliver social benefitsto the developing world. New Delhi hopes that this in turn will make Indian platforms the benchmark for the global development of DPIs and cement its place as a key technology-partner amid a worldwide move toward digitalization. Digital public infrastructure has become a key facet of Indias diplomatic outreach to the developing world, riding on the back of UPI, the Aadhaar bio-metric digital identity system and data management systems like DigiLocker. India has already expended significant diplomatic energy in exporting UPI. In its neighbourhood alone, Bhutan and Nepal are already using UPI while Sri Lanka announced its intention to roll out the platform during President Ranil Wickremesinghes recent visit. According to foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, UPI could be operational in Sri Lanka in the next 2-3 months. India and Singapore also agreed to link their national payments platforms this year. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is currently in talks with a number of Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, to build digital systems and expand cross-border remittances. Indias skill and experience with developing and deploying digital platforms at scale has become a key part of New Delhis push to project itself as a technologically advanced nation capable of delivering workable solutions to global challenges. The push comes as India positions itself as a champion of developing countries that are grappling with debt crises, food insecurity and climate change. Digital public goods developed by India in fields like electronic-payments, health, education, or e-governance, can be useful for many other developing countries," Prime Minister Modi said in January this year. He was talking to representatives from developing nations during a Voices of the Global South Summit. In June, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Sierra Leone and Suriname on sharing India Stack. India is in talks with a number of other developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, to extend these DPI partnerships. Modi told the G20 Summit in Bali last year, Our digital payments ecosystem has been developed as a free public good." Examples like UPI can be templates for many other countries too. We would be happy to share our experience with the world and the G20 can be a vehicle for this." Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will be among the top three economies in the world during his third term, presuming the Bharatiya Janata Party wins next years Lok Sabha elections . On the basis of [our] track record, in the third term of our government, India will become the worlds third-largest economy. This is Modis guarantee," the Prime Minister said while speaking at an event in New Delhi. What he did not mention is that his guarantee is self-fulfilling in that no matter who is PM after elections, India will become the third largest economy in a few years. Population and economic growth will ensure a larger economy. With more people than in any other nation, it would be unfathomable to have a shrinking economy, as that would mean mass penury. A day after the Prime Minister spoke, the State Bank of India issued estimates indicating that the Indian economy would become the third largest in 2027. This must all seem like good news for Modi and the ruling BJPs prospects in the upcoming general elections. Over the last several years, BJP leaders from the Prime Minister down have talked up Indias gross domestic product (GDP), sometimes setting a goal of a $5 trillion economy" and at other times showcasing Indias improving GDP ranking globally as a way of inspiring nationalistic fervour among citizens. This has become an obsession that has little to do with the well-being of most Indians, however, and may in fact distract from opportunities to meaningfully improve the lives of ordinary citizens. While economists view GDP as an overarching indicator of an economys health, they focus more on economic growth or levels of per capita income than on the absolute value of GDP. If GDP rankings were a measure of well-being, our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru would have celebrated Indias 8th largest economy rank in 1960 when much of the country lived in extreme poverty. Japan has had one of the worlds three largest economies since the mid-1960s but has stagnated for several decades and no longer serves as an inspiration for emerging economies. Elevating the overall size of an economy as the singular measure of progress and well-being is a dangerous delusion. No wonder US Senator Robert Kennedy famously said that GDP measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile." As Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz points out, GDP does not measure health, education, equality of opportunity, the state of the environment or many other indicators of the quality of life. It does not even measure crucial aspects of the economy such as its sustainability: whether or not it is headed for a crash." It is not just Western economists who caution us against relying too much on GDP numbers. Bibek Debroy, chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, co-authored an article in the Harvard Business Review with the title GDP Is Not a Measure of Human Well-Being. Writing with Amit Kapoor, Debroy asserted that modern economies have lost sight of the fact that the standard metric of economic growth, gross domestic product (GDP), merely measures the size of a nations economy and doesnt reflect a nations welfare." What if India magically became the third largest economy tomorrow? What will Indians feel besides a momentary pride that India is now in third place compared to its eighth place in 1960? How will life change for school kids who cant read basic text or do simple arithmetic? What about the millions of Indian kids who remain in the grip of unrelenting malnutrition? Will Indias third place bring down youth unemployment from its current dizzying levels? Will we make a dent in the deficit of 200 million jobs that India confronts based on global averages of worker-population ratios? Will Indian women suddenly take their rightful place in the Indian jobs market after years of declining participation in the countrys labour force? Will the fruits of Indias progress suddenly be shared more broadly? For a dignified life, other things matter toothat you will not be paraded naked by a mob or gang-raped, that you will not be lynched because you practice a different faith, that you will not be denied a sip of water or the shelter of a home, that you will not be called unpatriotic and worse if you dont subscribe to a particular ideology, that you will be able to live freely in pursuit of lifes happy moments as well as moments of contemplation, and that you will live as an equal of your fellow citizen. It is self-serving to highlight Indias GDP rank and deny other ranks such as on hunger (107/121), gender gap (127/146), press freedom (161/180), economic freedom (131/176), intellectual property (42/55) and perceptions of corruption (86/107). It would be hypocritical of me to completely deny the value of an economys size. After all, economists spend a lot of time poring over GDP data. But GDP must be used in concert with other measures of well-being for a fuller view of an economys capacity, its performance and the benefits that accrue to individual citizens. Perhaps the ruling party is clutching at straws, given the widespread distress that is becoming evident. But the more one focuses on straws, the more likely one is to drown. I can guarantee that. These are the authors personal views. Salman Anees Soz is an economist, author and deputy chairman of the All India Professionals Congress. A set of announcements over the past few days have fuelled hopes of some sort of policy convergence in the Indian financial sector. First, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government would soon unveil rules on allowing Indian firms to list directly on overseas exchanges and at the International Gift City exchange in Gujarat. Next, the securities market regulator Sebi said it was working on introducing a T+zero settlement cycle, meaning instantaneous settlement of stock market transactions. There was also a media report that the government and the RBI are working on an alternative to the global payment messaging system Swift. The proposal to allow Indian companies to directly list overseas without a public offering in India has been in the works since the glory days of the Indian software services industry, but the argument for it remains valid even now. Its thought that Indian firms will fetch better valuations in overseas markets, thanks to a broader set of investors and greater pools of capital at lower costs. This time around, Indian unicorns are leading the charge for this change. These companies are in the midst of a funding winter with venture-capital and private-equity funding scarce, and allowing them to list overseas could benefit them greatly. An expert committee formed by Sebi had recommended this four years ago. The plan to move towards a T+zero trade-settlement is truly ambitious, and a reflection of the strides made by Indias financial market. India is now one of the few countries with a stock market that operates on the T+1 system, in which transactions are settled within 24 hours. Just over two decades ago, settlement took place once a fortnight and was patchy. But successive governments worked with the regulator to bring forward the settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 and now T+1. A shift to instantaneous settlement would further boost liquidity and volumes, and reduce risks. India has also been discussing an alternative to the Swift payment system for the past five years, but the economic sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine have made it a pressing issue for policymakers. India has made a start by signing bilateral agreements with a few Asian countries to carry out transactions in rupees, with the long-term goal of internationalising the currency. In a recent report, the RBI termed its recent moves as a process and not an event, implying that it is more of a signalling effort now. With a share of around 2% of global merchandise trade, invoicing exports or imports in rupees will take considerable time. As with China, which started to internationalise its currency well over a decade ago, capital controls and the exchange rate will be key factors. Strategically, the move by the government and the RBI to push for a central bank digital currency or CBDC should also be of help down the line in bilateral payments. But Indias share in the global trade pie needs to grow significantly for that to happen, and for multiple countries to accept the Indian rupee as a credible alternative to the US dollar. As Sebi works on the next set of changes, it also needs to demonstrate that it is on top of its game on checking and preventing market abuse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the stage with NCP chief Sharad Pawar at an award ceremony on Tuesday. Visuals from the event showed the duo exchanging jovial banter as members of Maharashtra's ruling coalition - including his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar - looked on. Pawar was also seen patting Modis back as the two spoke ahead of the ceremony. The event had sparked debate in the Opposition ranks with many voicing concern that PM Modi sharing the stage with Sharad Pawar would send out the wrong message. While the senior politician had refused to entertain requests to avoid the event he appeared to take a swipe at the PM during his address. Shivaji Maharaj never snatched anyone's land," he said, seemingly a reference to allegations that the BJP orchestrated splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. This incidentally was the first time that Modi and Pawar were meeting since his nephew led a rebellion and joined the BJP and Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government last month. Prime Minister Modi received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune today. The event was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his two Deputies. After receiving the award, the PM said he would donate the prize money to the Namami Gange project. The PM also flagged off metro services and laid the foundation stone of various projects worth 15,000 crore. Today, trust surplus is seen both in policies and hard work of the people in the country. In the last nine years, the people of India laid the foundations of big developments and made big transformations possible, and that is why India became the fifth largest economy in the world. It is the people of India who made it happen," Modi said. (With inputs from agencies) Chinas tech sector is showing the strain from last years sweeping U.S. export restrictions, which seek to stall Beijings ambitions in cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence and supercomputing. Semiconductor imports to China are falling. Chinese companies say they are struggling to get key components and machinery. And chipsets that have been remodeled to make them less powerful so they fall within U.S. rules are now threatened by the possibility of additional restrictions. The distress signals show Washingtons nine-month-old policy of denying Beijing access to the most advanced semiconductors and the tools to make them is starting to bite, despite loopholes and workarounds keeping some key components flowing. The restrictions also show the obstacles facing China in developing domestic alternatives for some of the most sought-after foreign semiconductor technologies. The controls appear to be making it harder and costlier for China to gain certain inputs," said Emily Benson, a senior fellow specializing in trade and technology at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Customs data released by Beijing this month highlighted the reality for Chinese buyers of high-end chips: Imports of semiconductors fell by 22% in value terms during the first six months of 2023 from a year earlier. Imports of chip-manufacturing equipment dropped by 23%, extending last years decline. Leading chip-manufacturing regions accounted for the lions share of the decline in semiconductor imports. Taiwan, home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the worlds largest chip maker, accounted for about 40% of the drop in Chinas chip imports during the first five months of the year. South Korea, home to Samsung, SK Hynix and other chip giants, accounted for almost one-third. The U.S. restrictions affect foreign companies that use U.S. chip-making toolswhich virtually all of them do. There are likely other factors at play behind drooping semiconductor imports. Chinas economy is slowing amid weaker global demand. Beijing has also invested heavily in domestic technology industries in a push for greater self-reliance, though that will take time to bear fruit. In the meantime, China lacks the ability to make the most advanced chips, with key elements in their supply chain controlled by the U.S. and its allies. Japan on July 23 restricted the export of crucial semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, following curbs announced by the Netherlands. The two countries, with the U.S., are the only makers of some machinery essential to manufacturing the most advanced chips. This month, the largest listed subsidiary of Inspur, Chinas top maker of servers used to develop AI, issued a warning to investors: Citing tight supply, the company said it is struggling to get chips critical to powering its AI servers, the powerful machines used in laboratories and tech companies to develop advanced AI. The company said it could take a 30% hit to its revenue in the first half of the year as a result. Unable to access the latest chips, Chinas AI contenders risk falling behind in a sector that Beijing has said it aims to lead the world in by 2030. UBS said it expects global demand for AI products to reach $300 billion by 2027, from $28 billion last year. Meanwhile, U.S. tech giants including Microsoft, Google and Amazon are pumping billions into AI platforms unhindered. Other Chinese companies are facing challenges getting parts. Late last month, Chinas leading maker of memory chips, Yangtze Memory Technologies, urged suppliers to show integrity" and deliver machinery parts it had already purchased. We cant get the components, which we have bought legally," said Nanxiang Chen, chairman and acting chief executive of YMTC, which is among the companies cited by the U.S. that cant receive exports from America or its allies. A major Chinese tool maker at the same industry event in Shanghai said it must now apply for licenses through its U.S. suppliers to obtain certain components. The license application procedure can take months, and there is no guarantee of receiving the components in the end, an employee at the Chinese tool maker said. The U.S. export rules announced Oct. 7 included caps on the power of certain processors used in AI applications and in supercomputers, as well as restrictions on the types of chip-making machinery, components and software China can import. While selling top-end chips and tools to Chinese buyers may no longer be an option, some Western companies are benefiting from Chinas accelerating buildup of domestic chip capacity. ASML, the Dutch maker of lithography machines that are critical to chipmaking, posted a 27% rise in second-quarter revenue, driven in part by sales to China, its third-largest market during the period. CEO Peter Wennink said Chinas demand for less-advanced machines that arent affected by sanctions, is very sustainable for the next couple of years," because Chinese companies are investing in new factories to reduce reliance on imported chips. At least two U.S. chip giants have tweaked the specs on products to meet export-control thresholds. Nvidia last year released a chip for the China market called the A800, a downgraded version of a high-end AI chip. It followed with another China-focused chip called the H800. Earlier this month, Intel executives said the company was releasing a tweaked version of its Gaudi2 AI chip for the China market. Intel said it was joining with Inspur to offer the chip. Despite the new chips, Handel Jones, CEO of consulting firm International Business Strategies, said Inspur appears to be having major problems" getting high-end processors from chip makers including Intel, AMD and Nvidia, and called Intels new chip a minor step" that could invite pressure from Washington. The Biden administration is weighing further restrictions, including tighter exports to China of chips used in artificial intelligence, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Whether the controls remain successful or whether they inadvertently accelerate Chinese indigenization efforts" remains to be seen, said Benson from CSIS. On July 3, China said it would restrict exports of gallium, used in some advanced semiconductors. More recently, Chinas ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, threatened further retaliatory action, saying that Beijing wont flinch from any provocation." It is like restricting the other side to wear outdated swimwear in a swimming contest, while you yourself are wearing a Speedo Fastskin," Xie said, referring to what the iconic sportswear brand calls its most technologically advanced swimwear. This isnt fair." It is one of the wonders of the worldor, more accurately, off the world. The Starlink constellation currently consists of 3,335 active satellites; roughly half of all working satellites are Starlinks. In the past six months new satellites have been added at a rate of more than 20 a week, on average. SpaceX, the company which created Starlink, is offering it as a way of providing off-grid high-bandwidth internet access to consumers in 45 countries. A million or so have become subscribers. And a huge part of the traffic flowing through the system currently comes from Ukraine. Starlink has become an integral part of the countrys military and civil response to Russias invasion. Envisaged as a celestial side-hustle that might help pay for the Mars missions dear to the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk, it is not just allowing Ukraine to fight back; it is shaping how it does so, revealing the military potential of near-ubiquitous communications. Its a really new and interesting change," says John Plumb, Americas assistant secretary of defence for space policy. Appropriately enough, the story started with a tweet, one sent by Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines minister of digital transformation, two days after the invasion: @elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from spaceRussian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand. Mr Musk replied to him within hours, saying that the Starlink service had been turned on over Ukraine and that the hardware would follow. Within days lorries full of the pizza-sized flat dishes used to access the satellites began to arrive in Ukraine. By May around 150,000 people were using the system every day. The government quickly grew to rely on it for various communication needs, including, on occasion, the transmission of the nightly broadcast by Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president. Because the dishes (some of which are round and some rectangular) and their associated terminals are easily portable and can be rigged to run off a car battery, they are ideal for use in a country where the electricity and communication networks are regularly pounded by Russian missiles. When Kherson was liberated in November Starlink allowed phone and internet services to resume within days. Crucially, Starlink has become the linchpin of what military types call C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance). Armies have long relied on satellite links for such things. An hour before Russia launched its attack, its hackers sought to disable thousands of modems associated with the terminals which provide access to the main satellite used by Ukraines army and government, among many other clients. But the capabilities Russia sought to degrade in that pre-emptive strike were far less advanced than the capabilities Ukraine enjoys today. View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist) Starlink does not just provide Ukraines military leaders with a modicum of connectivity. The rank and file are swimming in it. This is because of the singular capacities of the Starlink system. Most satellite communications make use of big satellites which orbit up at 36,000km. Perched at such a height a satellite seems to sit still in the sky, and that vantage allows it to serve users spread across very large areas. But even if such a satellite is big, the amount of bandwidth it can allocate to each user is often quite limited. The orbits used by Starlinks much smaller satellites are far lower: around 550km. This means that the time between a given satellite rising above the horizon and setting again is just minutes. To make sure coverage is continuous thus requires a great many satellites, which is a hassle. But because each satellite is serving only a small area the bandwidth per user can be high. And the systems latencythe time taken for signals to get up to a satellite and back down to Earthis much lower than for high-flying satellites. High latencies can prevent software from working as it should, says Ian Muirhead, a space researcher at the University of Manchester. With software, rather than just voice links, increasingly used for tasks like controlling artillery fire, avoiding glitches caused by high latency is a big advantage. Seeker to shooter Franz-Stefan Gady, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a think-tank, recently visited the Ukrainian front lines and saw an example of what cheap, ubiquitous connectivity makes possible: a sort of Uber for howitzers. Ukrainian soldiers upload images of potential targets via a mobile network enabled by Starlink. These are sent to an encrypted group chat full of artillery-battery commanders. Those commanders then decide whether to shell the target and, if so, from where. It is much quicker than the means used to co-ordinate fire used up until now. The system also makes drone warfare much easier. In September a Ukrainian naval drone washed up in Sevastopol, the Crimean headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet with what looked like a Starlink terminal attached to its stern. In late October seven similar drones were used to mount a successful attack on the port. Ukraine published a video of the attack shot from the boats bow. Ukrainian military operations are hugely dependent on having access to the internet," says Mr Gady, so Starlink is a most critical capability." A Ukrainian soldier puts it more starkly. Starlink is our oxygen," he says. Were it to disappear Our army would collapse into chaos." View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist) This kind of connectivity is something no previous army has enjoyed. Western armies fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq had access to some vast flows of data. For the most part, though (with special forces being the notable exceptions) they found it very hard to get that information to where it was needed in a timely manner. One former member of the British armed forces recounts an operation he conducted a decade ago to find some explosives. While he flew to the site where they were thought to be, a surveillance drone showed them being moved elsewhere. Brigade headquarters, which could see the drones feed, passed on the intelligence to his company command over a satellite channel by voice. The company command then relayed the news to his helicopter by high-frequency radio. Each hop added time and confusion. In todays Ukraine, he notes, he could simply have accessed the live drone feed himself. Such frustrations led the Pentagon to start talking of Joint All-Domain Command and Control" (JADC2, for those keeping score at home), an approach which would allow information from more or less any drone, plane or soldier to be easily sent to whatever missile, gun or aircraft might be best placed to use it. If that sounds familiar, it should. What we are seeing with Starlink is where the US wants to be in terms of connectivity," says Thomas Withington, an expert on battlefield communications. Developing such a capability within the military-industrial complex has been slow; the bureaucracy has proved predictably resistant. Now it seems all but available off the shelf. This would be of only theoretical interest if Starlink, conceived as a civilian service, were an easy target in times of war. So far it has not been. Russias armed forces have lots of electronic-warfare equipment that can locate, jam or spoof radio emissions. But the Starlink signals are strong compared with those from higher flying satellites, which makes jamming them harder. And the way that the dishes use sophisticated electronics to create narrow, tightly focused beams that follow satellites through the sky like invisible searchlights provides further resistance to interference. Unless you can get a really good bead on where that beam is coming from, its very hard to get a jamming signal into the receiver," says Mr Withington. If its signals cannot be jammed, the system itself could be attacked instead. In September the Russian delegation to a UN working group on space security hinted that, despite its status as a nominally civilian system, Starlink might be considered a legitimate military target under international humanitarian lawwhich is probably a fair assessment. In May researchers affiliated with the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army published a paper calling for the development of countermeasures" that could be used against Starlink. Cyber-attacks like the one aimed at Ukraines legacy satellite system on February 24th are one possibility. So far, though, similar sallies against Starlink appear to have been ineffective, in part thanks to SpaceXs ability to quickly update the systems software. Dave Tremper, director of electronic warfare for the Office of the Secretary of Defence, has said the speed of the software response he witnessed to one attack was eye-watering". Physical attacks are also possible. Starlink satellites relay signals they receive to fairly nearby ground stations". They in turn send the data on to the internet or back up to another satellite, depending on where the intended recipient is. They thus represent a vulnerability. But with ground stations which handle the traffic to and from Ukraine on NATO soil, a physical attack would be a severe escalation. And then there are the satellites themselves. America, China, India and Russia have missiles that can shoot satellites out of the sky. Again, though, using them would seem a severe escalation. It would also be a lot less useful against a constellation like Starlink than against older systems. Knocking out a single Starlink would achieve more or less nothing. If you want to damage the space-based bit of the system, you need to get rid of lots of them. Scorched orbits One possibility would be to try to trigger a chain reaction in which the debris from one target goes on to destroy secondary targets, debris from which spreads the destruction yet farther in a sort of scorched-orbit strategy. Such a wholesale attack on a global commons would be a desperate measure. Experts contacted by The Economist were also unconvinced that it would be of military benefit. For one thing, debris clouds would start out mostly confined to particular orbits, and expand only gradually. Its not obvious to me that, even if you deliberately set out to create as much debris as possible, that you could deny the use of Starlink on a timescale that was relevant to a war," says Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard who keeps a census of objects in orbit For another, if debris is tracked, smart satellites can dodge it. Debris created by an irresponsible Russian missile test in November 2021 came within 10km of a Starlink satellite some 6,000 times, according to COMSPOC, a firm which monitors satellites and debris. But no harm has been done, partly because Starlink satellites can tweak their orbits to reduce the risks from incoming debris. They did so 7,000 times in the six months from December 2021. And when satellites are small and mass-produced, as the Starlink ones are, they can be replaced with much less fuss than would previously have been the case. Brian Weeden of the Secure World Foundation, an NGO, reckons that Starlinks use in Ukraine marks the beginning of the end" for the value of anti-satellite missiles. [It] turns out theyre only useful if your adversary relies on small numbers of really large/expensive satellites." A good indicator that adversaries do not see Starlink as fatally vulnerable is that they are scrambling to develop similar things themselves. In 2020 China filed documents with the International Telecommunication Union, a UN body, for a 13,000-satellite constellation of its own. Russia has ambitions for a 264-satellite constellation designed to operate in higher orbits than Starlink. Americas allies are enthusiastic too. In 2020 Britains government, Bharti, an Indian multinational, and Eutelsat, a satellite operator, rescued OneWeb, a firm which had gone bankrupt building a constellation of Starlink-like satellites. In November 2022 the EU agreed to begin developing its own low-orbit communications system, IRIS2. Starlink also has an American would-be competitor in the form of Kuiper, a planned constellation bankrolled by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and of Blue Origin, a rocket firm. But Starlink has a huge advantage: SpaceXs launch capacity. SpaceX has the worlds best satellite-launch system, the partially reusable Falcon 9 rocket. That allows it to launch satellites at an unmatchable rate. There were 61 Falcon-9 launches in 2022. The company is talking of getting its Falcon-9 launch rate up to two rockets a week this year, with one a week devoted to Starlink. Each such launch will add another 50 or so satellites. Starships and enterprise More is to come. The company is working on a much larger, fully reusable spacecraft called Starship which would be capable of launching some 400 Starlinks at a time, and thus taking the constellation from thousands of satellites to tens of thousands. The long-delayed first attempt to get a Starship out into space and back is expected this year. The programme has seen explosive failures in the past and may well do so in the future; among other things Starships will have to re-enter the atmosphere at much higher speeds than the first stage of a Falcon 9 does. But investors in the company, which is privately held, seem confident. SpaceX raised $2bn in 2022; it is said to be in the process of raising more at a price which values the company at $137bn. Meanwhile other launch systems are either unavailable, undersized or have yet to get up and running. American rules stop Western companies from buying launch services from China, and since the war began launch contracts with Russia have been cancelled. OneWeb, which relied on Russian launchers for its launches until this year, now uses SpaceXs Falcon 9 and a launcher developed by India. The United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin which is SpaceXs only direct American competitor in the launch market is retiring its current launchers in favour of a new one, the Vulcan Centaur, which has yet to fly. Much the same is going on at Arianespace in Europe. The first flight of the New Glenn launcher being developed by Mr Bezoss Blue Origin is not expected to take place until the end of the year, if then. This means that Mr Musk currently has a dominant position in both the launch market and satellite-internet operations. This concentration of power provides three causes of concern. Mr Musk is an unaccountable single individual; Mr Musks other business interests may play a role in his decisions; and Mr Musk is Mr Musk. In September Ukrainian officials told The Economist that Mr Musk had rejected a Ukrainian request to allow Starlink to be used in Crimea, a part of Ukraine which Russia invaded and annexed in 2014, and where Ukraine has conducted numerous raids on ports and air bases. In October Mr Musk polled his followers on Twitter as to whether Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of a peace deal, which provoked outrage from the countrys leaders. Mr Musk replied by suggesting that SpaceX would stop carrying the costs for Ukraines use. But he quickly changed course, and relations seem to have settled down since. Im super grateful to them for what theyre doing for us," says Mr Fedorov, the minister for digital transformation. Still, SpaceX has continued to restrict the use of Starlink in Russian-occupied territory, according to Ukrainian officials, a power that is unusual for a commercial company, to say the least. Per bellica ad astra If service is denied in some places, it can be permitted in others, even if it is unwelcome. Some countries do not want Starlink services making the internet uncontrollable, and so do not allow the company to operate within their borders. But this can be circumvented when ground stations in neighbouring countries are close enough. Starlink services are currently being used by protesters in Iran, says Mr Musk, despite the country not officially allowing the technology in. In future, service will be possible even in places with no convenient ground stations nearby; the next generation of satellites is intended to be able to pass messages between themselves, rather than sending them back down to the nearest ground station, creating a network which could be much more unevenly tethered to the Earth. But that does not mean countries will be forced to accept Starlink; some will have ways to fight back. Given the importance of its Shanghai gigafactory to the fortunes of Tesla, Mr Musks car company, for example, it would be something of a surprise to see Starlink being made available to internal opponents of the Chinese state. And could Taiwan, if push came to shove, depend on Starlink in the way that Ukraine has come to? Just conceivably notwhich may explain why the island is accelerating efforts to develop its own satellite constellation. All that said, Mr Musk also has reason to keep on the right side of the government closest to him: Americas. And that might make good business sense. SpaceX already gets a lot of money from government contractsit is NASAs biggest commercial supplier, and launches big satellites for the countrys soldiers and spooks. And for all Starlinks impact in Ukraine, it is not as yet a commercial success. Flat antennae which can scan the skies currently cost more than most customers are willing to pay; the company is subsidising them in the hope that, as the market grows, the costs will fall. But military users of the system can be expected to pay full price, and then some, from day one. In December SpaceX revealed the existence of Starshield, a subsidiary aimed explicitly at serving such customers. It is hard to doubt that the decision to help Ukraine was idealistic. But it could well prove to have been a fortuitous loss-leader, too. Read more of our recent coverage of the Ukraine crisis. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com A Turkish staff member at Sweden's honorary consulate in the western city of Izmir has been shot and seriously wounded in front of the consulate building, TRT state broadcaster reports. Izmir's governor's office said in a statement a Turkish citizen registered to the eastern province of Agri has been apprehended. The police are investigating the incident, it added. The Swedish consul general will travel to Izmir on Wednesday to get more information about the incident, the Swedish foreign ministry said. The ministry said it was in close dialogue with the Consulate General in Istanbul and its staff in Turkey. The Consulate General is in contact with the Honorary Consulate in Izmir and with local authorities, the foreign ministry added. The ministry said it would not comment further "on the threat to the diplomatic service or what security measures are being taken, as this risks counteracting the purpose of the measures". Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc condemned the attack in a post on Twitter. He said a criminal investigation had been initiated to shed light on the incident. Alabama health care providers sue over threat of prosecution for abortion help Health care providers in Alabama have filed lawsuits against state Attorney General Steve Marshall over threats to prosecute people who help women arrange abortions outside the state Two political allies of former President Donald Trump have been criminally charged in Michigan in connection with an alleged effort to access and tamper with voting machines following the 2020 election A local organization that administers Head Start programs in Cayuga County will receive $5 million in federal funding, according to U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney. CAP Cayuga/Seneca has been awarded the funds for its Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The organization has been administering Head Start, a federal program providing educational, health and other services for low-income families, since 1969. It has run the local Early Head Start program since 2009. With the $5 million from the federal government, CAP Cayuga/Seneca will use the funding to prepare the county's most vulnerable children for school and provide early learning and health services to children and families. CAP Cayuga/Seneca's Early Head Start program has participants in Auburn and Moravia. The Head Start program has children and families from the Auburn, Cato-Meridian and Moravia school districts. "Thank you to Congresswoman Tenney for her support and assistance in ensuring families most in need have access to quality early childhood development programming and comprehensive supports to foster good health, strong families and positive early learning experiences," said Laurie Piccolo, executive director of CAP Cayuga/Seneca. The grant was one of three announced by Tenney, R-Canandaigua, on Tuesday. Fire departments in Auburn and Watertown will receive funding through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Watertown has been awarded $85,754, while Auburn will get $30,368. Tenney's office said the funds "will be used to bolster fire and medical response capacities, ensuring the safety of emergency personnel and the public." More information wasn't immediately about Auburn's grant. In a statement, Tenney said she is thrilled that the grants have been awarded to the 24th district, which includes all of Cayuga County. "This funding will boost the capabilities of our fire departments in Watertown and Auburn and work to strengthen education resources in Cayuga and Seneca counties," she continued. "These grants will be a remarkable asset to our community, and I remain committed to supporting essential programs in New York's 24th district." Police investigating shooting in East Chattanooga after victim taken to hospital with serious injuries Yellow is shutting down and headed for bankruptcy, the Teamsters Union says. Here's what to know The U.S. Mint has selected the final designs for the Harriet Tubman commemorative coins that will be sold in 2024, with half of the proceeds likely going to the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn. Designers with the U.S. Mint's Artistic Infusion Program designed the $5 gold, $1 silver and half-dollar clad coins. The designs were sculpted by the U.S. Mint's Medallic Artists. The obverse of each coin will feature Tubman's likeness, while the reverse side recognizes her contributions as an abolitionist for leading the Combahee River Raid during the Civil War. The coins were unveiled at the A.M.E. Zion Church's Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society's quadrennial conference in New Orleans. Two members of Congress, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and former U.S. Rep. John Katko, first introduced the Tubman commemorative coin bill in 2020. It gained traction in the last Congress when the bill was reintroduced by Katko, who represented Auburn and central New York, and Meeks. The U.S. Mint will produce up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins and 750,000 clad half-dollar coins. There will be a $35 surcharge for the gold coins, $10 surcharge for the silver coins and a $5 surcharge for the clad coins. When Katko and Meeks reintroduced the version of the bill that was signed into law, they changed the entities that will receive the surcharges. The initial bill named Project Legacy, a Brooklyn-based organization, as the beneficiary. But the final measure will direct the funds to the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. If all the coins are sold, the Harriet Tubman Home would receive $4.75 million, a significant windfall for the historic site. Karen Hill, president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, told The Citizen in 2022 that the funds could be used to construct "a world-class visitor center." Other ideas floated by Hill included hiring more staff or providing additional programming at the South Street property. Katko, who represented Auburn and Cayuga County for four terms in Congress, was credited by Hill with making the change in the commemorative coin bill to direct half of the surcharges to the Harriet Tubman Home. Hill noted, though, that "there is a lot of work to be done" before the Harriet Tubman Home can collect the surcharges. One condition of the legislation is that the organization must raise private funds equal to or more than the surcharges. The U.S. Mint has not yet released the date when the coins will go on sale. When the coins are available for purchase, orders can be placed at catalog.usmint.gov. "The Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program will celebrate the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman," said Ventris Gibson, director of the U.S. Mint. "We hope this program will assist both the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in accomplishing and advancing their missions." Gallery: U.S. Mint releases final designs of Harriet Tubman commemorative coins If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 01 2023 DHSES-OFPC, NYSERDA, DEC, DPS, and DOS to Examine Energy Storage Facility Fires and Safety Standards. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the creation of a new Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group to ensure the safety and security of energy storage systems across the state, following fire incidents at facilities in Jefferson, Orange, and Suffolk Counties this summer. State agencies will begin immediate inspections of energy storage sites, and the Working Group will help prevent fires and ensure emergency responders have the necessary training and information to prepare and deploy resources in the event of a fire. Following multiple fire safety incidents across New York, I've directed State agencies to immediately form the Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group to mobilize the personnel and resources necessary to keep New Yorkers safe, Governor Hochul said. The Working Group will collaborate with first responders and local leaders to identify best practices, address potential risks to public safety, and ensure energy storage sites across New York are safe and effective." The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) staff and the Department of Environmental Conservations (DEC) Emergency Response Unit responded to the Jefferson County incident on Thursday and supported emergency response partners with performing precautionary air monitoring tests in the surrounding area of the fire. OFPC is deploying additional personnel to Jefferson County today to assist local fire officials in their investigation into what initially caused the fire. The Divisions Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and DEC continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to provide additional support on the ground in Jefferson County. An additional investigation is underway in Orange County from fires earlier this month. While fires at energy storage facilities are exceedingly rare, Governor Hochul has directed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Office of Fire Prevention and Control, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Public Service (DPS), and the Department of State (DOS) to lead the Working Group to independently examine energy storage facility fires and safety standards. The Group will leverage nationally renowned experts and national laboratories in energy storage root cause and emergency response analyses to independently assess and identify common causes, air monitoring results or other community impacts, and other factors involved with energy storage fires. The Working Group will thoroughly investigate the recent energy storage fires in New York and will conduct a comprehensive fire safety review, including emergency response analysis, of energy storage projects that experienced thermal runaway events across New York. Findings will include a list of recommendations for stationary energy storage equipment and installations. The Working Group would review energy storage system operations and operators as they: examine the condition of their batteries to verify operation within design parameters; remedy any deficiencies identified; verify operation of on-site fire suppression; and confirm fire suppression plans with local fire departments, among other best practices. The findings and resulting recommendations will also be shared with the New York City Fire Department, National Fire Protection Association, International Code Council, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, and Underwriters Laboratories, establishing New York as a national and international leader in fire safety and stationary energy storage systems. Energy storage facilities play a critical role in the states efforts to reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and help the state achieve its ambitious climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, DEC applauds Governor Hochul for prioritizing New Yorkers safety and ensuring the growth of this critical industry is advancing in a manner that is protective of our communities and the environment. DEC stands ready to work with our partners to analyze current practices and find ways to improve operations at energy storage facilities to set the gold standard for safe and responsible clean energy future. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, The safety of our communities is paramount, and State officials are immediately commencing a multi-pronged initiative to address these concerns today with the formation of an Inter-Agency Working Group to focus on the strategic and safe deployment of energy storage across New York coupled with on-site inspections of energy storage facilities. NYSERDA looks forward to expanding our collaboration with other state agencies, local officials, host communities and first responders, as well as national laboratories and partners, to identify recommendations that can assist the State and industry in standardizing best practices. Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, The Department will work to ensure safety comes first as we continue to see more and more batteries going into service. We will join the effort to do root cause analysis and follow-up with recommendations on what needs to change to mitigate the occurrence and impact of such events in the future. Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, Keeping New Yorkers safe is our number one job, and our team quickly responded to the fire in Jefferson County conducting air monitoring to ensure nearby residents were not in immediate danger. We remain on the ground to address this fire and assist the investigation. These sites are essential to securing our climate future and Governor Hochul is taking action to ensure they are operated safely. We are working with our agency partners on long-term solutions to mitigate future energy-related fires throughout the state. New York State Fire Administrator James Cable said, The State Office of Fire Prevention and Control continues work alongside our local counterparts in Jefferson County to make sure residents are safe. While we work to assist investigations into recent fires, we are partnering with other agencies throughout the state to prevent these incidents from causing harm to New Yorkers. New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, The safety of our community is priority one for the State and we are working with our partners in government to ensure that energy storage facilities are safely maintained across the state. The Department of State stands ready to assist and support Governor Hochuls Inter-Agency Working Group that will inspect energy storage sites in New York and make sure our communities are safe and served. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 01 2023 Robert Kloska Crashed His Car into a Pole and Refused to Cooperate with Police After Driving While Intoxicated and With a Revoked License. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Robert Kloska, 54, of Lindenhurst, was found guilty after a jury trial for Driving While Intoxicated after operating his vehicle while he was drunk and with a revoked license and crashing into a utility pole. This defendants continuous and selfish disregard for the safety of other drivers and pedestrians is shocking. Unfortunately, in New York State, the current bail laws regarding drunk driving do not allow for prosecutors to ask for bail no matter how many prior DWIs a defendant has been convicted of, said District Attorney Tierney. Repeat drunk drivers like this defendant this are a prime example of why we must reform our laws so defendants cannot continue to get released after a DWI arrest and get right back behind the wheel of a car to wreak havoc both here in Suffolk County and across the state. I thank the jury for their careful attention to this case and hope that a long prison sentence will finally deter this defendant, as well as anyone else, from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. According to the investigation and evidence presented during the trial, on November 17, 2021, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Kloska was driving an orange 1968 Dodge Dart near the corner of Straight Path and 35th Street in Copiague when he crashed into a utility pole. Kloska got out of his vehicle and walked away from the scene of the accident but was later found by law enforcement in the parking lot of a shopping center across the street from where the crash occurred. When police spoke with Kloska, he admitted to drinking two beers, but he quickly became combative, yelled profanities, and refused to submit to any standardized field sobriety tests when asked. In addition to his behavior, officers observed Kloska exhibited signs of intoxication such as bloodshot and glassy eyes, slurred speech, unsteadiness on his feet, and an odor of alcohol emanating from his breath. Kloska was arrested and transported to the Suffolk County Police Departments First Precinct, where he refused to submit to a chemical test of his breath and continued to yell profanities and racial slurs at the officers. During the course of their investigation, the officers determined Kloskas license was revoked at the time he was driving for one prior Driving While Intoxicated conviction as well as for previously refusing to submit to a chemical test relating to a prior Driving While Intoxicated arrest. On July 28, 2023, Kloska was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, for the crimes of Driving While Intoxicated, a Class D felony, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor. On November 10, 2021, one week prior to his arrest in Suffolk County, Kloska had been convicted of Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony, in Nassau County, and was sentenced to conditional discharge and a license revocation. He had also previously been convicted of misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated in Southold Town Court on January 8, 2016, and was sentenced to three years of probation. Kloska was remanded and is due back in court for sentencing on August 24, 2023, where he faces up to seven years in prison. He is being represented by Colin Astarita, Esq. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ashley Stapleton and John Sciandra of the Major Crime Bureau. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 01 2023 Joseph Makhani Allegedly Filed Forged Deeds and Falsified Documents to Steal Two Harlem Brownstones Worth Over $4.7 Million. New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the indictment and arraignment of Joseph Makhani, 60, of Kings Point, Long Island for deed theft on the grounds that he stole two brownstones located at 107 West 118th Street and 135 West 131st Street in Harlem. Makhani is alleged to have stolen the two homes in 2012 through a scheme involving forged and falsified documents and shell companies to conceal and execute the thefts. In New York state real estate tax filings, Makhani claimed to have paid only $10 for each home, but the properties had a combined estimated value of more than $4.7 million during the relevant times of possession. In one building, Makhanis actions resulted in a vulnerable and elderly homeowner being forced to live in a homeless shelter despite being the true owner of a property valued at approximately $2.9 million, and in the other building, he tried to evict tenants, causing confusion and stress. Makhani was arraigned today in New York County Supreme Court before Judge Michele Rodney, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. He faces a maximum penalty of eight and a third to 25 years in state prison. Makhani was previously arrested and indicted for these crimes by Attorney General James in 2021. Shameless deed thieves like Joseph Makhani target vulnerable homeowners and steal their most valuable and personal asset, said Attorney General James. This crime harms entire communities, especially those facing population displacement and gentrification. The fear and confusion unleashed on New Yorkers when they learn their homes have been stolen out from under them is something no one should have to endure. I will continue my efforts to address deed theft and hold people like Joseph Makhani accountable. West 118th Street Property Makhani used forged deeds, other fraudulent documents, and shell companies to steal the brownstone located at 107 West 118th Street from an elderly and vulnerable owner. In a New York state tax filing used to further his scheme, a Makhani-controlled corporation claimed to have paid only $10 for the brownstone. In a mortgage application filed by Makhani, he falsely claimed that he paid $975,000 for the brownstone and obtained a $650,000 construction loan for renovations. Makhani then refinanced and received a $1.2 million long-term mortgage loan on the property. Makhani also applied to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to convert the building into market-rate apartment rentals. From 2016 to 2023, Makhani rented each unit out for approximately $3,000 and $3,400 per month, allowing him to collect a monthly rent income of more than $12,000. Makhani was able to amass this wealth while the elderly and vulnerable owner of the brownstone never received any money from him. The true owner of the brownstone now lives in a homeless shelter while her stolen home has been recently valued at approximately $2.9 million. West 131st Street Property Makhani illegally took ownership of the property located at 135 West 131st Street through falsified documents, shell companies, and other fraudulent tactics. Prior to Makhani's takeover, the last true deed recorded on this property was recorded in 1975 in the name of an elderly owner who died soon after. Around 2012, Makhani approached one of the buildings tenants and told them that he had purchased the brownstone. Makhani secured the tenants signature by pretending to offer him a job. Makhani then filed a new deed with that tenants forged signature, misrepresenting the tenant as the owner, which was simply untrue. Makhani then transferred the brownstone to a company he controlled. When Makhanis ownership of the brownstone and the deed was questioned in eviction cases brought by his company against the tenants, Makhani filed a new fraudulent deed that claimed the heirs of the last recorded owner transferred the property to his company. HPD sued Makhani in 2013, and in 2015 obtained a more than $1 million judgment for his failure to appropriately maintain the brownstone, which was estimated to be worth $1.8 million. Soon after, Makhani abandoned the property, which was then foreclosed on by the City of New York. Attorney General James thanks the New York State Police, New York City Sheriffs Office, and the Office of the City Register for their assistance on this matter. The charges filed in this case are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Attorney General James has taken significant action to protect New York homeowners and combat deed theft. In April, Attorney General James proposed legislation to establish a crime of deed theft, strengthen protections and remedies for victims of deed theft, and bolster the Office of the Attorney Generals (OAG) ability to prosecute these crimes. In December 2022, she announced the indictment of five members of a deed theft ring for allegedly stealing three homes worth more than $1 million in total from elderly, vulnerable homeowners in Queens. In February 2021, Attorney General James announced an $800,000 grant, funded by OAG settlements, to HPD and the Center for New York City Neighborhoods as part of a program aimed at increasing awareness of deed theft in vulnerable neighborhoods. In January 2020, Attorney General James launched the Protect Our Homes initiative and announced the formation of an interagency law enforcement task force to respond to deed theft and other real estate fraud. In January 2019, Attorney General James announced the sentencing of a Brooklyn scammer for deed theft of two homes in Central Brooklyn. New Yorkers who believe they are a victim of deed theft are encouraged to contact OAG by calling 1 (800) 771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or filing a confidential complaint online. The Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), a network of housing counselors and legal services providers throughout New York supported by OAG, offers free housing counseling and legal assistance statewide. Homeowners can contact HOPP online or call 1 (855) 466-3456 to get help. This investigation was conducted by Investigator Angel LaPorte who was assisted by Investigator Ruben Valencia, under the supervision of Detective Supervisors William Carbone and Michael Leahy and Deputy Chief Investigator Juanita Bright. The Investigations Division is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney Generals Nazy Modiri and Matthew Luongo from the Real Estate Enforcement Unit and Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Real Estate Enforcement Unit and Public Integrity Bureau Chief Gerard Murphy and Deputy Bureau Chief Kiran Heer. Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Batsidis and Legal Support Analysts Grace Koh and Hannah Mueller assisted in the prosecution. The Criminal Justice Division is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 01 2023 Tapovana Lunch Box is more than just a cafe. It's a community initiative where 100% of the proceeds go towards sharing meals with the local hungry population. Tapovana Lunch Box, the Hamptons' first non-profit spiritual cafe, is making a difference in the community through its unique approach to dining and service. Located at 2357 Montauk Hwy, Bridgehampton NY 11932, the cafe is open Monday to Friday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, offering eat-in, take-out, and delivery options. Inspired by time spent at the Ramanaashram in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India, Tapovana Lunch Box is more than just a cafe. It's a community initiative where 100% of the proceeds go towards sharing meals with the local hungry population. The cafe aims to provide artisanal South Indian Cuisine and other specialties based on Ayurvedic principles of vibrant health and longevity. Every dish is prepared single-handedly, sincerely, and mindfully in small batches using only the finest, health-conscious ingredients. In collaboration with the Bridgehampton Lions Club and the Bridgehampton Community House, Tapovana Lunch Box donates hundreds of fresh, healthy, delicious meals a month to local food pantries, feeding thousands of community members. The cafe currently donates over 300 fresh meals per month and aims to increase this number with the community's support. The cafe's menu changes daily, offering a variety of dishes like Homestyle Dosa, Masala Potato & Local Zucchini with Roasted Cashews, Cucumber Drumstick Sambar, and Coconut Chutney. Side dishes and extras include Pineapple Beet Salad, Carrot Mung Bean Slaw, Spinach Potato Pakora with Chutney, and a range of refreshing drinks like Authentic Masala Chai, Ginger Mint Lime Drink, and Watermelon Cooler. In addition to its daily menu, Tapovana Lunch Box also offers a selection of market items, featuring their most signature dishes and items packaged for convenience. These include a variety of chutneys, drinks, and frozen meals that customers can take home and enjoy at their leisure. Tapovana Lunch Box invites everyone to join their community and stay updated with their fresh daily menu, events, and updates. For more information or to donate, visit https://www.tapovana.com/. About Tapovana Lunch Box Tapovana Lunch Box is the Hamptons' first non-profit spiritual cafe, providing artisanal South Indian Cuisine and other specialties based on Ayurvedic principles of vibrant health and longevity. 100% of the cafe's proceeds go towards sharing meals with the local hungry population. Tapovana Lunch Box is committed to serving the community through mindful cooking and a dedication to health-conscious ingredients. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapovana.lunch.box/ He lived and created in France, but the acclaimed artist was always a Spaniard in his heart. 1-Aug-23 At the Museo Casa Natal Picasso in Malaga, birthplace of the widely celebrated and often controversial Pablo Picasso, I was told the artists first spoken word was Spanish for pencil. Its a satisfying story that may or may not be true, but one recited across Picasso hagiographies. What is true is Picasso holds the title of worlds most prolific professional artist, with an oeuvre of more than 150,000 paintings, prints, engravings, illustrations, sculptures, and ceramics. He created so many works that he gave away museums worth, literally, making the pencil story all the more prescient. Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, a seaport city on the sunny southern coast of Spain, in 1881. Although he lived in France his entire adult life, he always claimed Spanish heritage. Likewise, Spain is happy to claim its native son. He died in 1973, marking this year the 50th anniversary of his death. Dozens of cultural institutions in Europe and North America are hosting special exhibitions and events to commemorate his art and legacy under the umbrella Picasso Celebration: 1973-2023. I traveled to Spain to experience Picassos hometown, to learn about his life and relationships, and, most of all, to view troves of his art. In Malaga, two very different museums are dedicated to the artist. Museo Casa Natal Picasso, on the jacaranda-lined Plaza de la Merced, is the former apartment building where he was born and where he lived with his family until age nine. Exhibitions and galleries showcase early drawings, family mementos, and significant motifs such as doves and bullfights. One room is appointed as living and dining areas such as they might have appeared during the time the family lived here. On the plaza is a bronze sculpture of a seated Picasso on a bench. Join him there and post your selfie on the gram. Picasso yearned for a museum in Malaga, but refused to participate while Francisco Franco was in power. Alas, the authoritarian dictator outlasted him by two years. Museo Picasso Malaga finally opened in 2003 with generous donations from the Picasso estate. The museum displays about 300 works of various media and from all periods of his expression. He may be most famous for his outrageous forays into cubism and abstraction, but here we also see his romantic leanings into realism and impressionism before he moved on to the avant-garde. Anchoring my stay at the boutique hotel Molina Lario, I was footsteps from the fashionable Calle Larios boulevard; the magnificent but incomplete Holy Cathedral Basilica of the Incarnation 500 years after construction began; ancient Roman and Islamic ruins; hammam baths; outdoor eateries specializing in tapas; city park with towering palm trees; Malagueta beach; and a humongous multi-level Zara apparel store. On the eighth level of the hotel, named The Top, are a swimming pool, cocktail bar and aerial views of the park, harbor and cathedral. Another fabulous observation point is the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro, a charming 38-room hotel with a white tablecloth restaurant, high on the mountainside. Do make a reservation for lunch if you cant book an overnight stay. On the waterfront is a modern promenade lined with palm trees, restaurants, boutiques, and street performers. I bought from a sidewalk artist named Oleg a small painting of sardines on a spear, a reference to the espetos or skewers of fish commonly grilled on the beaches of the Costa del Sol. Its not a Picasso, but I paid $25 cash and carried it home safely in my carryon. At the crux of the V-shaped harbor is Centre Pompidou Malaga, a blocky edifice with a facade of transparent and primary bright panels. Its the first outpost of The Centre Pompidou in Paris and nicknamed El Cubo. I couldnt help but think how fitting it is for the venerable institution of modern art to make its initial outreach into the city where Picasso made his first drawings. Within the museums holdings are works by such greats as Marc Chagall, Frida Kahlo, and, of course, Pablo Picasso. After a few days in Malaga, I headed north on the high-speed Renfe AVE train to broaden my Picasso connections. Museu Picasso de Barcelona. The artist lived his teenage years in the Catalonia capital and staged his first exhibition there before moving to Paris, as did many creatives of the time. Museo Picasso holds a collection of more than 4,000 pieces, many of which were donated by him or his widow, Jacqueline. Most prominent is the 44-painting series, Las Meninas, his Cubist interpretations of the royal court portrayal by the same name by Spanish Baroque painter Diego Velazquez in 1656. Las Meninas translates to ladies in waiting. Museo Picasso Coleccion Eugenio Arias. In the hamlet of Buitrago del Lozoya, a day trip 50 miles north of Madrid, lies a small but extraordinary museum. The artist developed a deep friendship with his long-time barber, Eugenio Arias, a fellow Spaniard also self-exiled in France. Over the decades, he gifted Arias with numerous prints, drawings, ceramics, inscribed books, and decorated barbering tools. Seventy or so of these works are presented as the Museo Picasso Eugenio Arias Collection in the barbers hometown. The museum is currently housed in the basement of the town hall but will be moving into a nearby historic mansion under renovation. Three world-class art museums make up Madrids Golden Triangle of Art on the western side of Parque del Retiro, or Retiro Park. (The new Hard Rock Hotel Madrid will keep you within walking distance of the trio.) Museo Nacional del Prado focuses on European masters between the 16th and 19th centuries. Among them is the afore-mentioned Diego Velazquez Las Meninas, the driver for Picassos series by the same name in Barcelona. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional, which began as a private collection by an industrialist family, holds American and European paintings from the 14th to 20th centuries, including several Picassos. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is renowned for its vast collection of 20th century modern and contemporary art. Here, perhaps Picassos best-known work, the mammoth black-and-white anti-war Guernica, consumes an entire gallery on its own. The artist made the painting in outraged response to the 1937 fascist-led bombing of the Spanish town by the same name. During World War II, while France was occupied by Nazis, a German military officer interrogated Picasso about Guernica. Did you do that? he asked. No, you did, the artist replied. Its a satisfying story that may or may not be true. Id like it to be. Photos by Pamela Dittmer McKuen except where noted otherwise. Honda Elevate finally puts the Japanese car brand in India in a fertile play-field, one that ought to have been tapped into much earlier because of the enormous potential it offers. So even if the likes of Honda City and Amaze have been faring well, a sedan-only portfolio was never going to cut it in times when mid-size SUVs have snatched the crown and the mantle. Honda is either patient or slow, depending on whether the one judging is a fan or a critic. For a company that traces its India roots back to the mid 1990s, it has offered a number of car models here but not all have been well received. So while there is the City and Amaze on the one end of the spectrum, the likes of the Mobilio, BR-V, 10th-gen Civic and the CR-V failed to impress. Even models like WR-V and Jazz were eventually taken off shelves despite doing respectable numbers. Brand repute and engineering capabilities are crucial but will only carry one so far. Evolving with times will elevate fortunes and that is exactly what the all-new Honda Elevate is now looking to do for the company. Watch: Honda Elevate SUV: First drive review The Elevate is an India-first product and this in itself shows how serious Honda is about the world's third-largest vehicle market. India overtook Honda's home market of Japan to reach the podium place and to then not have Honda play a bigger, much bigger game here would have been blasphemous. The Honda Elevate, therefore, drives in as a potential game changer. The question is is the Elevate a game-changer for Honda, the segment or the market? Here is the first-drive review of the all-new Honda Elevate SUV: Honda Elevate: Exterior highlights The Honda Elevate is a well-styled product and its main USP is in the fact that the designers have not gone overboard in plugging in too many elements that almost always finds way into modern-day cars. Instead, the Elevate has a butch, muscular appeal that is mostly devoid of flashy ingredients like chrome and strong creases. The biggest visual highlight of the Elevate is its enormous front grille in Black that also houses the very prominent Honda logo. This grille alone lends the vehicle a uniquely aggressive appeal but flanked by LED head light units with integrated DRLs and the very pronounced bonnet, the dominating face is enhanced even more. There is a set of fog lights towards the bottom but these are more for function than form. A large grille on the face of the Honda Elevate is this SUVs biggest visual highlight. The side profile, in comparison, is more conventional even though the slightly flared wheel arches, roof rails and the body-coloured cladding on both doors extend the appeal. The Elevate SUV stands on 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. The alloy design has been carried forward from the latest City sedan and is more sophisticated than outright sporty. Cladding on towards the bottom of the side doors lend some character to the profile of the Honda Elevate SUV. The same emphasis on sophistication extends to the rear of the Honda Elevate where the wraparound LED tail lights, roof spoiler, shark-fin antenna and a grey skid plate lining at the bottom complete a simple yet appealing look. A look at the rear profile of the Honda Elevate SUV. The Honda Elevate is being offered in seven single-tone colour options which include an all-new Phoenix Orange shade as well. There are also three dual-tone hues that one can choose from. Honda Elevate: Dimensions Length 4,312 mm Width 1,790 mm Height 1,650 mm Wheelbase 2,650 mm Ground clearance 220 mm Overall, the Elevate's design isn't radical, sensational or outright rugged. But while looks depend on various perceptions, this Honda SUV sure is smart to look at, without trying too hard. Honda Elevate: Cabin highlights Step inside the Honda Elevate and the significance here too is attached more to an aesthetically pleasing cabin than one that screams outright sporty or cutting-edge. The stretched dashboard layout houses rectangular AC vents, leather padding and faux-wood inserts. There is still a lot of hard plastic in play - and to be expected too in this segment, but the careful use of dual-tone Black + Beige colour theme seeks to raise the premium appeal here. The most significant highlight here, however, is the new 10.25-inch infotainment screen that is a mammoth jump forward from the screen inside other Honda models. The company has finally - phew, heard the feedback about screen glare, low resolution on camera feed and dodgy touch interface. The screen inside this vehicle - an IPS display - fixes all the follies from before and is at par with any screen on any rival model. If only the rear-camera feed had dynamic guidelines, this screen would have scored a perfect ten. A stretched and clean dashboard design inside the Honda Elevate lends the interiors a mature appeal. A perfect ten, however, is still some distance away for the driver display which continues to be a semi-digital unit. There is inherently nothing wrong or faulty here - easy data reading and simple enough to operate. But it is still rather old-school when pitted against MIDs from many rival brands. The likes of Honda, Maruti Suzuki (in the Grand Vitara) and Toyota (in the Hyryder) need to shift towards a smarter all-digital screen behind the steering. The three-spoke steering with mounted controls and the center console are done well and there are plenty of storage spaces all around the cabin. There are a series of buttons under the infotainment screen for HVAC controls and a dedicated phone storage space which doubles up as a wireless phone charging pad. Two conventional USB ports and a 12V socket have been fitted in as well. Gaze upwards and there is a conventional sunroof which go well with the generous window size to allow for the elements to filter in. But Honda could have gone a bit more creative by adding crowd-pleasing features like a larger sunroof, seat ventilation, power-adjustable driver seat, ambient lighting, air-purification system and the likes. I personally think these misses are fine but a growing number of buyers tend to especially scan the feature list and some may find the cupboard comparatively bare. But the Elevate hits back and hits back strong with a very spacious and comfortable cabin. On comfort alone, the Honda SUV is more than likely to hit competition out of the park. The seats inside the Honda Elevate is one of the most comfortable for a model in this segment. All five seats are perfectly-well cushioned with the front seats receiving an additional lower-back support which is great for long drives. And even with the front passenger seat pulled quite some way back, there was still an impressive amount of room just behind for the passenger at the back. There is acres of leg, knee and feet room here while the headroom is also quite generous. The only shortcoming is that the rear seats are angled slightly upwards which reduces the under-thigh support. Otherwise, the rear seats, complete with the central armrest, are quite a nice place to be in for the family. And families usually come with baggage, the actual and physical kind. The Elevate knows and therefore, packs in a mammoth 458 litres of cargo area. This is the largest in the segment - and by quite a bit, while the split-folding rear-seats open further options. Overall, the Elevate cabin is a fairly nice place to be in and is mighty comfortable. The feature list is decent but not extensive and the materials used all around are par for the course. Honda Elevate: Drive highlights The Honda Elevate is powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol motor that does duty inside the new Honda City. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission box as well as a CVT. I spent the maximum time with the CVT while an hour was enough to assess the manual gearbox. The Honda Elevate is offered in a single engine option but with two transmission choices. The first thing you would notice as soon as you enter the driver's seat is the high drive position with a very commanding view of the road ahead. The muscular bonnet does a great job of underlining that for your driving pleasure is indeed an SUV. What works real well for the Elevate SUV is its reliable motor and the CVT hitting the right numbers at the right times. It is hardly excitable but ambles forward well, the well-engineered steering pushing the vehicle into the intended turns and twists with precision. The balanced suspension also deserves a thumbs up. Within city limits, the Elevate is at its strongest. On open highway stretches, it patiently builds up to triple-digit speeds. It is on climbs though that the struggles are glaring. Our test roads for the Honda Elevate included gentle ascent roads on the hills just outside of Udaipur city. The CVT and engine pairing - much like on the City - is far from impressive on uphill climbs. Even on the gentlest of ascents, the Elevate will groan and grumble enough to put you off. The engine noise seeping into the cabin in such scenarios is a marked departure from the otherwise charming drive trait of the vehicle. And while the vehicle will do the climb minus the need for engaging paddle shifters, the lack of eagerness to do so is a chink on the drive armour. Switch to the MT and you obviously get complete control over the gear shifts. The throws are not as slick as on the Korean models but fairly decent nonetheless. The reach of the third and fourth gear in particular are long and impressive. But there is only so much that the gearbox can do when a lot of pulling power is the need of the hour. Once again, the Elevate impresses with its genial ride quality. But once again, the need to push forward and to do so on climbs exposes the Achilles Heel. You will have to intricately - and repeatedly - work the gearbox to get the Elevate to push itself on ascents. Honda Elevate: Key specifications Engine 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol Max Power 88 bhp Max Torque 145 Nm Mileage 16.92 kmpl (CVT); 15.31 kmpl (MT) Turn radius 5.2 meters Overall, the Elevate has a mature drive trait with solid control on NVH levels and a great suspension set up. The steering offers a reassuring feel on high speeds and the CVT keeps ticking the right figure. But on uphill stretches and for those in the habit of hurried drives, the Elevate falls short on expectations. Could Honda have conjured up a turbo engine? Honda Elevate: Sensing ADAS A key ace up the sleeves of the Elevate is Honda Sensing technology. Sensing is essentially Honda's version of ADAS but unlike conventional ADAS that makes use of an array of radars and cameras, the Honda Sensing tasks just one front cam - on the windshield - to provide assisted functions. Elevate is not the first Honda model in the country to get Sensing technology. The same tech has been carried forward from the City to the SUV and in that sense, works just as well. During our test drive, we could only assess a handful of the features like Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Forward Collision Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (auto braking) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). In Indian conditions and on any model offering ADAS technology, the convenience and benefits are the most on long highway drives. And on open stretches, the Honda Sensing on Elevate worked perfectly to keep the vehicle in its intended lane and even offering a visual warning every time we intentionally neared our support vehicle. For most parts though, I spent trying the ACC and the Elevate kept a fair pace and distance at all times. Honda Elevate: Verdict Elevate assimilates all the strengths of Honda in an SUV form factor. A spacious and comfortable cabin will be its biggest connect with potential buyers while a mature exterior design and pleasing interiors are great tag-team partners to have. The Honda Sensing technology is a great bonus. But it is also true that comparisons galore with rivals galore would be drawn. The Elevate is a year or two late to the party and while it is still likely to impress the Honda fanbase in India, it is not a showstopper for sure. Is it the best from Honda in India so far? Absolutely. Is it the best option in the segment? Time and its eventual pricing will tell. The official launch is around the festive season and we would be in a better position to predict its fate then. First Published Date: (Sharecast News) - London stocks were set for a flat open on Tuesday as investors eyed the latest reading on the UK manufacturing sector. The FTSE 100 was called to open just three points higher at 7,702. The S&P Global/CIPS manufacturing PMI for July is at 0930 BST. CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: "Today's economic agenda shifts the focus back to the weakness of the manufacturing sector, as well as the resilience of the US labour market, as we look to a flat open. "In Germany especially, the performance of the manufacturing sector has been dire with July manufacturing PMI expected to be confirmed at 38.8, the lowest level since the manufacturing sector was shut down due to Covid. In France, manufacturing PMI is expected to slow to 44.5, while only modest improvements are expected in Spain and Italy of 48.3 and 44.3. "The UK manufacturing numbers are expected to slow to 45, from 46.5." In corporate news, BP reported a sharp 78% drop in its second quarter attributable profits to $1.79bn. Capital expenditures also declined, by $4.3bn after a $3.3bn decline over the previous three months. On a replacement cost basis, the oil major's profit fell 73% to $2.34bn. Earnings per share on that same basis meanwhile reduced from $27.74 to $14.77. Its net debt on the other hand rose by 11.4% to $23.66bn. Fresnillo reported a 6.1% increase in adjusted first half revenues to $1.43bn on the back of higher gold and silver volumes and prices. Also on an adjusted basis however, production costs jumped by 17.4% to $773.9m in comparison to a year earlier, as a result of the appreciation in the Mexican peso. Hence, its profit before tax dropped 69.2% to $47.9m and basic diluted earnings per share from continuing operations by 44.7% to 8.8 US cents. Free cash flow reduced sharply, falling from $93.5m in the year earlier period to $18.7m. The miner declared an interim dividend of 1.40 US cents. (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News: ---------- Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC - Belfast-based infrastructure projects operator - Wins GBP800,000 contract to repair Sun Shine, a heavy lift vessel owned by Korean-based Pan Ocean Group. Says the Sun Shine is the first vessel of its kind to be dry docked in the company's building dock in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Says vessel will enter dry dock on Aug 7, while repairs will take around 21 days including seal changes, steel works and painting. Chief Executive Officer John Wood says: "We are delighted to have signed this contract with Pan Ocean and we look forward to working on the Sun Shine and redelivering it to the client, on time and on budget. Our reputation and recognition for handling large complex vessels in Belfast is growing globally and this bodes well for a number of similar outstanding bids that we have made. We expect the Belfast yard to be busy over the course of the summer and it is pleasing to see the momentum that is developing in the yard." ---------- Galantas Gold Corp - Owner of Omagh open pit gold mine in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland - Says QME Mining Services (NI) Ltd Ireland has "substantially concluded" its work on the mine plan for the Omagh gold project in Northern Ireland, in line with the previously announced July target. Says it will provide an update to the market in "due course". Last month, Galantas said it drilled around 20 grams per tonne of gold over 1.7 metres targeting the Kearney vein development at the Omagh project. It said a new surface drilling program was underway at Omagh to test a predicted dilation zone at Joshua vein, which has the potential to host higher widths of mineralisation. Earlier, it said it updated its mineral resource estimate for the Omagh gold project, with the new MRE indicating increased strike and depth continuity of the veins modelled in the Kearney and Joshua systems. ---------- Cellular Goods PLC - London-based skincare and wellness company providing consumer products formulated with lab-produced cannabinoids - Says its products in the 'Look Better' skincare range will soon be available to purchase for the first time in France and Germany. This includes the "best-selling rejuvenating face serum, rejuvenating night cream and nourishing face oil which are all powered by the company's hero breakthrough anti-inflammatory CBG". Claims CBG has been shown to prevent inflammation in the skin and accelerate skin ageing "without the side effects associated with industry-standard ingredients retinol and vitamin C". Sales will open from its ecommerce website for shipping to France and Germany in the autumn, as it begins "building momentum for the peak Christmas shopping period". Interim Chief Executive Officer Darcy Taylor says: "Cellular Goods is focused on continuing its expansion of the 'Look Better' skincare range into new markets and increasing global access to our products...ss the market for our 'Look Better' high-end skincare range experiences positive sales year on year, we want to continue expanding our distribution to deliver revenue growth and long-term shareholder value." ---------- Chariot Ltd - Africa-focused transitional energy company - Receives valid acceptances for 33.1 million open offer shares, representing an oversubscription from 16.6 million available offer shares. Says all qualifying shareholders will receive their full basic entitlement, with applications under excess facility to be scaled back, as outlined previously, on a pro-rata basis, with the same scaling methodology to be applied to each shareholder who applied for excess entitlements. As a result, it has conditionally raised around USD3 million or GBP2.3 million at 14 pence each. Also signs petroleum agreement for a new Loukos exploration licence in Morocco. Intends to drill priority targets with drill rigs available in country. Notes potential to deliver early gas sales "due to the proximity to a significant and undersupplied industrial gas market", with further potential development synergies through the location of the planned Anchois processing facility and pipelines being situated on-block. Chief Financial Officer Julian Maurice-Williams says: "We are pleased to again have received the support of our shareholders in such a convincing manner and to have raised a further USD3 million via this significantly oversubscribed open offer which brings the total fundraise to USD19 million. Further to signing the Loukos licence as announced this morning, we look forward to moving forward with our drilling plans and into a busy period for the company over the coming months." ---------- Triple Point Venture VCT PLC - small and medium-sized enterprises investor - Announces intention to launch an offer of new company shares for subscription in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 tax years. Says full details of the offer will be outlined in a prospectus which is expected to be published in September. ---------- Impellam Group PLC - Luton, England-based staffing firm - Requests extension of deadline by which HeadFirst Global is required to announce a firm intention to make an offer for all Impellam shares to August 11 until 1700 BST. UK Panel on Takeovers & Mergers consents to extension. This can be further extended by Impellam with the consent of the panel; notes any consent for a further extension will only be requested by the board with the approval of the company's majority shareholder. Also notes this announcement does not amount to a firm intention from HeadFirst to make an offer, although discussions between Impellam and HeadFirst are ongoing. ---------- Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC - London-based, Caspian Basin-focused independent oil and gas company - Approves appraisal programme for Stepnoy Leopard fields, which it estimates will cost around USD6 million. Expects rig operations to start in mid-September. Says: "The appraisal programme would allow re-classification of certain of the contingent resources to proven reserves and help determine the commercially viable development schemes. The scope of work consists of re-entering two wells in the Teplovskoye reservoir, taking representative samples, and conducting extended production well testing in both wells...The Stepnoy Leopard fields, located about 100 km west of our world-class full-process infrastructure, are potentially an attractive Nostrum-operated upstream tie-back project that could deliver material reserves in addition to the group's rapidly depleting resource base in the Chinarevskoye field." ---------- Eckoh PLC - Abingdon, England-based supplier of technology and services to the education sector - Says it has been named as a supplier on UK Crown Commercial Service's Network Services 3 framework (RM6116) for both contact centre and inbound telephony services. Says this gives the company the "opportunity to deliver its market-leading contact centre services and solutions to central government and across the public and third sectors", alongside continuing to "grow its business in large enterprises and public sector organisations, offering a suite of secure customer engagement products and services". Notes the CCS "helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits" equal to GBP3.8 billion, offering "best value" for taxpayers with "world-class" public services. Chief Executive Officer Nik Philpot says: "It is a major step forward in the delivery of our market-leading, cloud-first suite of solutions into UK government. At Eckoh we're on a mission to make customer data arising from customer engagement more secure, and we believe that the UK general public should be able to trust every organisation and engage without risk. Tightening data regulations and the shift to home working has created new security and performance challenges for contact centres across the public and private sectors, which significantly expands the opportunity for us." ---------- By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The Macalope has long said that Apple is the Schrodingers cat of tech companies, it is either a success or a failure depending on your perception of it. And how fast you have to bang out an article about it. Despite a decade and a half of dire warnings about iPhones being snuffed out of existence by Android phones, Apple still does pretty well in the smartphone market, particularly in the U.S. The other guys have had a bit of a time of it recently. According to Counterpoint Research, slumping Android phone sales mean the iPhone hit 55 percent market share in the U.S. in the second calendar quarter of 2023. To be fair, iPhone shipments fell, too, but at a much smaller rate than those of Android phones. Counterpoints director of North American Research Jeff Fieldhack further suggested it might not get better this year for Android OEMs. Weakness is likely to continue through the start of Q3 2023, but stronger iPhone 15 demand could offset weakness across Android. Thats not great. And whats even not greaterer is that market share isnt even as important as profit share. Its nice to sell 500 things for a $1 profit each. Its even better to sell one thing for a $1,000 dollar profit. This, of course, doesnt mean Apple isnt still receiving dire warnings about its iPhone lineup from what are surely just people looking out for the companys best interests. Apple needs a foldable iPhone soon or iPhones wont be worth buying (Tip o the antlers to Daring Fireball.) Because all anyone is buying are those $1,800 and up foldable phones from other vendors. So many of them that Android sales are drastically down. No one said it had to make sense. The Macalope doesnt know why no one said that, but apparently no one said it. Also, not to rain on your Trip Chowdhry fan fiction but, if you will recall, Apple had the original foldable smartphone. Aherm. Bending iPhone 6: Apple claims only nine customers have complained IDG And at the time it was described as a big problem so please make up your minds. Counterpoint doesnt really seem to see the problem with as much urgency. In a report issued just days before the one above, it said foldable phones were currently a niche product, but the market could reach $100 million by 2027 assuming a foldable iPhone comes out in 2025. Senior analyst Jene Park said, In the long term, we are waiting to see what Apple does. You dont say. Turns out iPhones arent the only Apple product line thats been faring better than the competition lately. According to IDC, while the PC market fell overall in the second calendar quarter of 2023, Mac sales grew by 10.3 percent. Some of this is because Apple had a bad second quarter in 2022. Also, Apples share is still relatively small, just 6.8 percent. And, hey, they shouldnt be trying to compete against anyone. They should just be trying to be the best Apple they can be. Oh, sorry, forgot we were talking about capitalism. Never mind. Strike that. Crush your enemies. Drive them into the river Despair so they can be swept into the Sea of Misery. And maybe get eaten by some sharks, too. Suffice it to say, that despite the fevered dreams of some, Apples going to be just fine. Its weird that you have to say that about a $3 trillion company but here we are. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On the first day of August, Changan Ford, the joint venture between Changan Automobile and Ford Motor Company in China, announced the official takeover of the operation of Ford Mustang Mach-E in the Chinese market, starting the same day. Mustang Mach-E; photo cedit: Ford As part of this transition, all existing Ford Mustang Mach-E owners will receive a comprehensive upgrade to Qualcomm's third-generation 8155 chip, enhancing the responsiveness and intelligence of the vehicle's systems. This move marks the end of the model's independent operations as it joins Changan Ford's product lineup and sales channels. In line with this change, Ford Mustang Mach-E's official statement addresses the shift in sales, service, and user maintenance operations. As Ford Motor Company undergoes strategic transformation and business adjustments in the Chinese market, the Mustang Mach-E's operating model will be adjusted accordingly. This involves broadening sales and service channels to strengthen the brand's presence in China's electric vehicle market. Starting from August 1, 2023, Changan Ford will become the new operating entity responsible for Ford Mustang Mach-E's sales, after-sales service, and user maintenance, replacing Ford China's electric vehicle division, formerly known as Ford Electric Mach Technologies (FMeT). According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Ford Mustang Mach-E recorded only a few thousand units in total sales throughout 2022, trailing behind Chinese new energy vehicle startups' monthly sales figures. Between March and May this year, monthly sales of the Ford Mustang Mach-E plummeted to around 300 units, far below the average sales levels of the previous year. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual confirmed that the Philippines and the European Union will resume free trade agreement discussions, following the visit of European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen in Manila to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and EU President Ursula von Der Leyen, with key secretaries in Malacanang Pascual visited Brussels in June, as a follow up to DTIs campaign in 2022 to resume the PH-EU FTA negotiations. He held a series of meetings with key officials in the EU Commission and EU Parliament including Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, European Parliament Vice President Heidi Hautala, EP Chair of International Trade Committee Bernd Lange and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The meetings focused on the renewal of the EU-Generalized Scheme of Preferences-Plus (EU-GSP+) and PH-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. With the countrys upward growth trajectory towards reaching upper middle-income status, it is important for the Philippines and the EU to resume FTA negotiations. The FTA will serve as a more permanent basis for the Philippines economic relations with the EU than the time-bound GSP+ coverage currently enjoyed by the Philippines as a lower middle-income country, Pascual said. He said the Philippines and EU government technical experts would hold meetings in the coming months to cover a range of topics from market access of goods, and services, investment liberalization, trade and sustainable development, government procurement, dispute settlement, among others. Under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., the DTI along with our inter-agency negotiating team will closely work with counterparts from the European Commission to ensure the success of the scoping exercise this year. We look forward to the results of this exercise in support of our mutual objective to officially resume the PH-EU FTA negotiations in the most opportune time, he said. The scoping exercise is responsive to the strong call of the business sector, he said, adding that the DTI recognizes the recommendations of the business sector. The DTI recognizes the recommendations from the business sector to resume the FTA negotiations, with entities such as the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines leading the call, according to Pascual. ECCP conducted a survey among its members, mostly composed of European companies, in the first half of 2023. The said survey showed that 81 percent of the companies recommend the timely conclusion of the PH-EU FTA negotiations. A May 2020 survey conducted by the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry also showed that 83 percent of German companies advocated for the resumption of Philippines-EU FTA negotiations. The PH-EU FTA would be a strategic platform for the economic engagement of the EU in the Indo-Pacific and PH can very well serve as its strategic trade partner, Pascual said. Since last year, the Philippines and the EU have been closely working together after the assumption of the Marcos administration. There have been high-level exchanges with the EU Council, EU Commission and EU Parliament since last year. These included DTIs visit as well as the PH-EU Interparliamentary Meeting in October 2022, President Marcoss visit in December 2022, EUs Parliament visit in Manila in February 2023 and the DTI Secretarys follow-up meeting with the EU Parliament and EU Commission in June 2023. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. NEWLYWED couple Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos Arjo Atayde and Maine Mendoza-Atayde will be heading to Europe on an official trip on August 5, as the former is Vice Chairperson of the Special Committee in the Congress on Creative Industry and Performing Arts. They will be attending the 76th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland after Ataydes action-packed thriller Topakk of Director Richard Somes was recognized anew by another international film institution last week. Ninangs and Ninongs (from left) Jeny Ferre, Rosabella Fernandez, Madeleine Tuviera, Celeste Tuviera, Novelita Gallegos, Maricel Soriano, ABS CBN executive Cory Vidanes, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Rhea Anicoche-Tan, the wedding couple Maine Mendoza-Atayde and Cong. Arjo Atayde, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, ABS CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak, Roldeo Endrinal, Joey de Leon, Miguel Atayde, former Senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Antonio Tuviera pose for a pictorial last Friday at the Alphaland Chapel in Baguio City. Me, Maine and the rest of my family are so thankful to hear this announcement just a few days before our wedding day, the 32-year-old actor-politician said, noting that hes happy to bring home another pride for the Philippines film industry. I am so thrilled and excited together with my wife Maine to be recognized by Locarno Film Festival. The last time film Topakk was recognized by an international film industry was last May in Cannes, France. Despite the fact that he will be on official trip from August 5 to 27, Atayde will be working remotely while even he is away since his work in the congress and in his district, among other venues, are endless. Theres so many things to be done in the congress and to my district. We cannot stop helping people more so in our district l, Atayde said, adding that his family is already known for helping others for the long time. He is also tasked by the Congress to visit also the Filipino communities around the area while in Europe after his wedding in Baguio City last Friday. Parents of the newlywed couple Maine Mendoza-Atayde and husband Cong. Juan Carlos Arjo Atayde (from left) Engineer Teodoro Mendoza Jr. and Mrs Mary Ann Mendoza, Arturo Atayde and Josette Atayde pose for a photo after the wedding last Friday at the Alphaland Chapel in Baguio City. Even before my special day or even the day I became a congressman of my district, we are already donating and helping a lot of typhoon or fire victims or anybody who need our help. Our team in my district is always monitoring any calamity and any other assistance needed by the people. he added. We never stop helping anyone even before. Arjo and Maine, meanwhile, have expressed their gratitude to all guests especially on their principal sponsors not just only for inspiring them how to become a good role model to the people but also for weathering the storm just to attend the wedding. Their ninongs and ninangs (godfathers and godmothers) mostly from the showbiz and political sides had defied Typhoon Egays wrath over the weekend to show their all-out support to Arjo and Maine by being present with them during their special day. Thank you for being with us despite the rainy weather in Baguio City and thank you for inspiring us, Atayde said which the inclusion of Topakk was announced also by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) last Thursday. We are really inspired to see their presence despite the continuous rains and the huge risk of being in Baguio during that moment. They still found a way to join us in our special day and thats the kind of persistence we want to show on helping our people in return, he added. The ninongs, as expected who attended the wedding, were led by former senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, who are Maines noontime show colleagues, along with Antonio Tuviera. Senate President Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri, House Speaker Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, businessman Miguel Atayde, ABS CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak and film producer Roldeo Endrinal were present in the wedding day. The ninangs were led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, veteran actresses Maricel Soriano and Nova Villa, Jeny Ferre, Rhea Anicoche-Tan, Madeleine Tuviera, Celeste Tuviera, Jinky Jane Lacarta, ABS CBN executive Cory Vidanes and Rosabella Fernandez. According also to the wedding invitation sent to all guests, ninongs and ninangs, in lieu of wedding gifts they were encouraged to just give donations to the victims of all kinds of calamities and any other type of assistance to the people more so in District 1 of Quezon City. After the church wedding in Alphaland chapel, all the guests and relatives of the newlywed went to the Baguio Country Club for the reception. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Nigerias president announced measures to tackle the soaring cost of living on Monday, including the release of 200,000 tonnes of reserve grain after food store looting in the countrys northeast. Since coming to power in May, President Bola Tinubu has made a series of decisions designed to boost long-term investment but the moves have hit households hard and exacerbated poverty in Africas largest economy and most populous country. Last month the president ended a fuel subsidy regime, leading to petrol prices quadrupling and rocketing food costs. Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it, Tinubu said in a televised speech on Monday. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. To reduce the burden, he pledged at least $264 million for agriculture, $165 million for small and medium-sized businesses, and $99 million for manufacturing. In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable, he said, explaining his decisions in a marked contrast to his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari. To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households, he said. On Sunday, authorities in Nigerias northeastern Adamawa state imposed a statewide round-the-clock curfew to stop widespread looting of food stores in the state capital Yola. Hundreds of residents broke into public and private warehouses storing grains and other commodities and carted them away. Earlier this month Tinubu declared a state of emergency over food security, promising investment in agriculture and cash transfers to the nations poorest. Nigerias economy has been weakened by recession, the fallout from Covid-19, and Russias invasion of Ukraine, making life hard for its 215 million citizens nearly half of whom live on less than $2 a day. The northeast has been hit especially hard by rising prices, where a 14-year conflict between the army and jihadist groups has displaced millions of people and driven farmers from their land. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The worlds largest Catholic event, a week-long religious festival known as World Youth Day, kicks off in Lisbon on Tuesday, a day before Pope Francis arrives on his first foreign trip since recent surgery. Around 300,000 people are expected to attend the opening mass at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) at the hillside Eduardo VII park, which offers sweeping views of the Portuguese capital and the Tagus river. The 86-year-old pontiff is set to arrive in Lisbon on Wednesday morning to celebrate World Youth Day, a week of religious, cultural and festive events held about every three years in a different city. He has a typically packed schedule for his five-day visit to Portugal, despite having spent nine nights in hospital after undergoing hernia surgery in June. Francis, the first Latin American pope, is due to make 11 public pronouncements and hold numerous meetings, and on Saturday will visit the shrine of Fatima north of Lisbon. Church organisers expect one million faithful will attend the events closing mass held by the pope on Sunday at a waterside park on the outskirts of Lisbon. World Youth Day, which has been dubbed the Catholic Woodstock, is part of the Vaticans efforts to galvanise young Catholics at a time when secularism and disgust over clerical child sex abuse cause some faithful to abandon the Church. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said Monday that this is the largest international event the country has ever organised, which will bring us youths from the entire world. In recent days groups of event volunteers, decked out in their distinctive yellow T-shirts, could be seen outside of churches in Lisbon to welcome pilgrims who have flocked to the city. It is a special moment that you should experience at least once in your life, said Samuel Navarro, a 19-year-old student from Spain. I cant wait to see people from around the world celebrate the faith and see to which point the Church is alive, said Paige Lipetska, a 26-year-old who came from the United States. Meeting with abuse victims Pope Francis is expected during his visit to meet privately with victims of sexual abuse by members of the Portuguese clergy. A report published in February by an independent commission found at least 4,815 children were sexually abused by clergy members mostly priests since 1950. The inquiry, based on testimony from over 500 victims, concluded that the Church hierarchy in Portugal systematically tried to conceal the abuse. I know (the meeting) will take place but I dont know where it will happen or how many people will take part, Lisbons patriarch, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, told a news conference Monday. There is a total commitment on the part of the Portuguese Church to settle this issue, he added. Around 16,000 members of law enforcement, civil protection and medical staff are being deployed for the popes visit, officials said. Roads and metro stations will be closed presenting a challenge for the city of 550,000 inhabitants already busy with summer tourists. Initially scheduled for August 2022, but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lisbon World Youth Day is the 16th international edition of what has become the largest gathering of Catholics worldwide. The brainchild of late Pope John Paul II, this years event is the fourth presided over by Pope Francis, who became head of the Catholic Church in 2013. The last three events took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013, Krakow, Poland in 2016 and Panama City, Panama in 2019. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The United States on Monday said it would support a multinational police force led by Kenya to be deployed in Haiti, including by spearheading a push for the UN Security Council to authorize the mission. We are committed to finding the resources to support this multinational force, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told the press, adding it was too early to specify what aid, whether financial or material, Washington might provide. Kenya had announced Saturday that it was willing to head up a multinational force in Haiti, which is sinking under compounding humanitarian, political and security crises that have overwhelmed its weak government and security forces. Elections have not been held in the Caribbean country, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, since 2016. Gangs control roughly 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince, and violent crimes including kidnappings for ransom, carjackings, rapes and armed thefts are common. Both Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the UNs Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have called for an international intervention. Up to now, no country had stepped forward, partly out of fear of finding itself in a bloody quagmire. A UN peacekeeping mission was in operation in Haiti from 2004 to 2017 but fell out of favor after a cholera outbreak traced to infected UN personnel claimed thousands of lives. Now, Nairobi is pledging 1,000 police officers to help train and support their Haitian counterparts in combating the gang violence. Such a deployment would need formal approval from local authorities and the UN Security Council. The United States which takes up the rotating presidency of the Security Council on Tuesday plans to introduce a resolution with Ecuador authorizing the force in the near future, Miller said. Kenya would also need to send a delegation to Haiti to evaluate the conditions under which the force would deploy. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been active in discussions around a proposed international intervention, and spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday. A high-level State Department official, Todd Robinson, visited Nairobi in recent days to help finalize the details of Kenyas plans. This week, the United States ordered nonessential embassy personnel and their families to leave Haiti as soon as possible. On Thursday, a young American nurse and her infant child were kidnapped in Haiti, according to the Christian aid group for which she works. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. A French gendarme, called out to settle a fight between neighbours, on Monday shot dead a man armed with a Japanese sword who refused to give up his weapon, a source close to the case said. The gendarme arrived in the northern French town of Isbergues with a colleague to find a man who threatened them with the long-bladed weapon outside his home, regional newspaper La Voix du Nord said. Gendarmes are police-style units often used for law enforcement in Frances rural areas. The paper said that the gendarmes tried unsuccessfully to neutralise the man with tasers, before drawing their service weapons. One of them shot and killed the man, the source said. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Russia said on Tuesday that it has repelled an overnight Ukrainian drone attack targeting its patrol boats in the Black Sea. During the night, Ukrainian armed forces tried without success to attack with three drones the Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov, patrol boats of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, the defence ministry said in a statement. The three naval enemy drones were destroyed, it said, adding that the boats were attacked 340 kilometres (210 miles) southwest of Sevastopol, the base of Russias Black Sea fleet on the annexed Crimea peninsula. Last week, Russia said it had repelled another drone attack on the Sergei Kotov patrol boat. Hostilities around the Black Sea have escalated after Russia pulled out of an agreement that had allowed safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. US officials denounced the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan particularly for women and girls during a meeting with Afghan Taliban representatives in Doha, the State Department said Monday. The American delegation also expressed deep concern regarding the humanitarian crisis and the need to continue supporting aid organizations and UN bodies delivering assistance, a State Department statement said. The closed-door meeting was one of the highest-level known gatherings of US and Afghan government officials in months, with the Washington team headed by Special Representative Thomas West and Kabuls by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The US statement did not, however, identify the Afghan representatives describing them only as senior and as technocratic professionals. A separate Afghan foreign ministry statement issued late Monday did name Muttaqi, and said his team included finance ministry and central bank representatives. It noted human rights were discussed, without elaborating, and said the meeting underscored discussions between the sides on ending banking restrictions and sanctions. Womens rights have been a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition since the Taliban swept back to power in August 2021. The Taliban government has barred girls and women from high schools and universities, banned them from parks, funfairs and gyms, and ordered them to cover up in public. Rina Amiri, the US Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, who attended the meeting, said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that she had been urged to directly engage the Taliban. We called for the removal of restrictions on women & girls, including access to education & work; release of detainees; & end to corporal punishment, & crackdowns on media & freedom of expression, she wrote. The Afghan statement said Kabul emphasized once again that to build trust, it is important to remove blacklists and release the bank reserves so Afghans can develop their economy without foreign aid. The State Department said it would be open to a technical dialogue regarding economic stabilization issues soon. The Afghan foreign ministry said the delegation also reiterated calls to restore consular services for its nationals globally. A handful of Afghan embassies are operating under Taliban authority including in Pakistan, Turkey and China but many are occupied by diplomats associated with the previous government which is still, officially, represented at the United Nations. The State Department statement said it acknowledged Kabuls continuing commitment not to allow Afghanistan to be used as a platform for attacks on the United States and its allies, noting a decrease in large-scale terrorist attacks against Afghan civilians. It also said it recognized a significant decrease in cultivation of poppies this growing season. Since taking over, Taliban authorities have banned cultivation of the crop, which is used to make opium. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Since 2005, Cuba has sent medical brigades to various countries to assist in combating the dreaded Ebola virus as well as COVID-19 We share with the far-off island of Cuba a long history of Spanish colonial rule that spanned more than four centuries. We also freed ourselves from the same colonial master at about the same time in the late 19th century. We likewise share a history of fierce resistance against tyranny and oppression. Today, this shared historical experience against colonialism and tyranny finds concrete expression in the Philippines-Cuba Cultural and Friendship Association or PhilCuba, which, as the name suggests, seeks to foster solidarity with the Cuban people and supports their struggle to defend their national sovereignty. The group recently issued a press statement to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Moncada Barracks Attack on July 26, 1953 that started the Cuban Revolution and eventually achieved victory in 1959 under the leadership of Fidel Castro. PhilCuba pointed out that at present, despite economic difficulties, Cuba has shown the world how its people benefit from a system which considers the welfare of the people its primary concern. Cuba guarantees free education, from preschool to tertiary, to the entire population. It continuously trains medical and health professionals and improves its health system that caters to the entire population all throughout their lives. It has a very low infant mortality rate, even lower than those in some rich countries, it emphasized. The association also noted that in the last six decades, a total 605,698 Cuban health professionals have served in 165 countries in five continents. Since 2005, Cuba has sent medical brigades to various countries to assist in combating the dreaded Ebola virus as well as COVID-19. It has also trained thousands of medical doctors worldwide, and made significant advances in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. In fact, Cuba is the only Caribbean nation that has produced five candidate-vaccines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped it cope with the pandemic despite the US-imposed blockade. Cuba could have contributed immensely in responding to health crises and pandemics, the group said, if the blockade had been lifted. The blockade and the tightening of the sanctions make it almost impossible for Cuba to procure primary materials for its pharmaceuticals, to sell its products, especially the medicines and inventions in biotechnology, and even to allow people to freely travel to Cuba to conduct business. Much worse, PhilCuba said, after the Trump administration, Cuba was again included in the list of countries supporting terrorism, which further aims to strangle the Cuban people. The Biden administration, on the other hand, recently announced a $1-million campaign to counter Cubas medical collaboration. PhilCuba also emphasized that as the Cuban people fight US sanctions that have gotten more cruel even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lesson of Moncada that they should dare resist an unjust rule or dictatorship is one source of strength. It said: We in PhilCuba call on the Marcos government to resist US pressure to take its side on Cuba, and instead, see how the Philippines and Cuba could learn from, and help, each other. We call on governments and peoples to make a stand against unilateral sanctionsCuba has much to contribute to peoples development around the world, but instead of supporting the island-nations efforts, the US is tightening its sanctions. PhilCuba was organized in year 2000 by Dr. Francisco Dodong Nemenzo, who remains its head up to the present. The website of the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), a private, non-profit organization of professional social science associations and social science research and instructional institutions in the country, describes Nemenzo as one of the countrys most respected political scientists who, in his own words, specialized in the study of unconventional politics. Nemenzo pursued graduate studies at the University of Manchester in England, where he immersed himself in Marxist philosophy and political economy. His scholarly works focused on the dynamics of revolutionary movements in the Philippines. At UP, Nemenzo served in various capacitiesas political science professor, college dean, Chancellor, and. finally, as University President. During his stint at the helm of the premier State University, the council said, Nemenzo led the development of the Revitalized General Education Program which now allows students to choose their own general education courses which would lay the foundation of their college education; a special fund to support the academic growth of the faculty; and much-improved facilities and equipment that enhanced the learning environment in the University. The PSSC concluded that his contributions to the academic community prove his commitment to education and belief in the Filipino youth. Nemenzo was among those hauled to Camp Crame after the declaration of martial law in 1972. Upon his release, he resumed teaching at UP. I was among those who enrolled in his class on Philippine Revolution in the mid-70s. I forget now what grade I obtained in his class. What I do remember distinctly is that he smoked a cigarette while lecturing us on the theory and practice of revolution in the Philippine setting. I did likewise and so did a few others, if I remember right. Amid the haze from the cigarette smoke in the classroom, we listened intently to what he had to tell us about unconventional politics that got him into trouble with the military at the time and landed him in the stockade along with many others because of Proclamation 1081. (Email: [email protected]) Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Joining HONORs critically acclaimed HONOR N Series, the HONOR 90 5G is confirmed to arrive in the Philippines on August 15, 2023! HONOR 90 5G will debut massive improvements across multiple key areas pertaining to the user experience, to deliver human-centric innovation that offers great value to consumers around the world. We are very excited to bring HONOR 90 5G here in the Philippines! This newest HONOR smartphone is a copilot that can streamline the content development process to enable creators to share their vibe online effortlessly, said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. Equipped with Flagship 200 MP Main Camera + 50 MP Selfie Camera Further enhancing photography and videography capabilities, the HONOR 90 5G comes with a Flagship 200MP Main Camera with a large 1/1.4-inch Sensor, a 12MP Ultra Wide and Macro Camera, and a 2MP Depth Camera capturing incredible amounts of detail and recreating stylish bokeh effects. Revolutionizing shooting in Portrait mode, the HONOR 90 5G is also upgraded to support 2x zoom to generate portraits that are more homed in and make the key subject stand out more than ever before. You can also take better selfies with its 50 MP Front Camera. Worlds First Zero Flicker Display Fusing aesthetics and technology, the HONOR 90 is equipped with a best-in-class 6.7-inch Quad-curved Floating Screen which supports HONORs industry-leading and TUV Rheinland-certified eye protection technology. Supported with the industrys highest Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Dimming frequency of 3840Hz1, the device effectively minimizes the strain it puts on users eyes when it is set at low brightness. The display also supports a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and delivers up to 1.07 billion colors, bringing users stunning colors and visuals in vivid clarity. Launching brand new AI technology for video capture, the HONOR 90 5G is equipped with AI Vlog Assistant and AI-powered noise reduction allowing for quick video production and the ability to capture clean voice recordings that are free of ambient background noises. Catch the official Live Facebook Event here: https://bit.ly/200MPFlagshipCamera and stay tuned for more announcements via HONORs website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONORs complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. SALT LAKE CITYA federal judge in Utah this morning granted the state's motion to dismiss the case brought by adult industry advocacy group the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) challenging the recently-enacted law there requiring age verification for those who visit adult websites. FSC subsequently announced that it plans to appeal the decision. "The court ruled that state officials could not be sued by the Plaintiffs, who claimed they do not have the necessary power to enforce the age-verification mandate. FSC plans to contest that finding," the organization said in the announcement of its appeal. "Utahs newly enacted verification law requires sites to verify identity through a non-existent state digital ID, or to partner with data brokers to otherwise verify age and identity of all visitors. Consumers, tech groups and the adult industry have all raised serious privacy concerns about the legislation." Utah is attempting to duck responsibility for a dangerous law passed by its own legislature, but make no mistakethe law is unconstitutional," FSC executive director Alison Boden said. "As weve seen with Dont Say Gay, the Texas Heartbeat Act and other attacks on free speech, states are attempting to do an end-run around the First Amendment by outsourcing censorship to citizens. Its a new mechanism, but a deeply flawed one. Government attempts to chill speech, no matter the method, are prohibited by the Constitution and decades of legal precedent. Fighting this as a pre-enforcement challengerather than waiting for a case to be brought against one of FSCs memberswas always going to be an uphill battle. But, given the chilling effect of this law, its a necessary one. While Utah was able to temporarily slow FSCs challenge, we are encouraged by the Courts acknowledgement of the constitutional concerns raised by the law, and look forward to arguing our case at the appellate level. As the Supreme Court has established, the government can not, and should not, wall off the internet when less restrictive options for protecting minors exist. FSC has also filed suit in Louisiana over that states age-verification law. Unlike Utah, Louisianas Attorney General is directly involved with enforcement of the law, which allows the state to bring civil suits against sites, largely barring concerns raised in the Utah case. Faith Aguirre and Maguire Harrison wanted to find careers where they could help others. I enjoy serving other people, Aguirre said. Its like they say, Find a job you love, and youll never work a day in your life. Harrison said, I knew I always wanted to help people and be a part of something bigger than myself. Both of them found a home working for fire departments in the Flagstaff region after completing their studies at Coconino Community College. They recently completed an 11-week Fire Department Training Academy and graduated in late June. They began their shifts as newly minted firefighters in July -- Aguirre for Highlands Fire Department, Harrison for Summit Fire Department. Notable about their class was the fact that there were only eight recruits, and the pool of applicants was the smallest the Greater Flagstaff Region (GFR) fire departments have ever experienced. For the last three years, candidates applying for the regions fire academy have gone down, said Earl Callander, the regional training chief who oversees hiring for Flagstaff, Summit and Highlands fire departments. As a result, the region will be having a Firefighter Recruitment Event on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Flagstaff to try to reignite interest in an important public safety occupation. Its definitely getting harder to hire people -- not just locally but nationally, Callander said. According to information from the GFR: -- The academy class of January 2022 had a total of 105 applicants, and 76 of them qualified for available firefighter positions to allow them access to the academy. -- The academy class of November 2022 had a total of 62 applicants, and 47 of them qualified. -- The academy class of April 2023 had a total of 39 applicants, and 32 of them qualified. Callander said the reasons for the decline, both locally and nationally, are currently under study in the industry. Many reasons have been floated, but locally, Callander said, anecdotally, among them are changing priorities in young people, the high cost of living, the shift work, and the fact that other trades pay better wages. Frankly, he added, fire departments are used to people coming to them. Weve never had to recruit, he said, adding that the Aug. 5 event will feature a variety of activities to show people who are interested in a career as a firefighter. Local firefighters will be working side by side with participants as they perform simulated firefighting activities. On hand will be firefighter mentors, financial aid, scholarship and advising help, as well as people dedicated to helping prospective recruits in workforce development funding eligibility. First responder Aguirre did not know early on in her life that she wanted to be a firefighter. It never seemed like something I was capable of doing, she said, adding that she considered nursing first, but then settled on emergency medical technician, and then a paramedic. Already set with a four-year degree, Aguirre worked for Guardian Medical Transport after studying for her certifications through CCC, and she would regularly be inspired by the fire personnel she was working alongside when she would go out on medical emergency calls. It seemed like such a family, she said. And so, after taking her own advice by suggesting to a friend that he give the fire sciences a try, and with some gentle prodding from Marc Goldberg, the fire science coordinator at CCC, she began taking the classes -- and was hooked. She put in the study time, did the physical training to get stronger and applied after completing the requirements to apply for firefighting positions. She was accepted into the April 2023 academy and graduated. Graduating means if I set my mind to something, Ill go out and accomplish it, Aguirre said. Graduating also means Ive done the work to prepare and be prepared for this career, and now its time to give it everything Ive got ... . 'Shot in the dark' Harrison was a studying biology at Northern Arizona University when the pandemic sent him home to Washington to regroup. I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do, he said, adding that he took several career-compatibility tests and each time, the answer came back firefighter -- primarily because he liked fast-paced, continually changing work. So, I took a shot in the dark and got right into the Fire Science program at CCC. He completed the courses necessary to be eligible to apply for the fire academy and got in on his second try. The more he learned, the more he loved the profession. Its been a super rewarding path the whole way, Harrison said. And the fact that its like a family is really important to me. He graduated in the same academy class as Aguirre, and he is in his third shift at the Summit fire station in Doney Park. Graduating, to me, is a reminder of all the hard work I have put in to accomplish my goal of obtaining the best job in the world, Harrison said. Graduating has given me the confidence to work hard every day in pursuit to be the best firefighter I can be, for I am thankful I get the opportunity to be in this line of work and to give back to those in my community. Aguirre works at the station just off Interstate 17 off Old Munds Highway. Also on her third shift, she smiles broadly when she talks of her new career path. I ended up exactly where Im supposed to be, Aguirre said. Im so excited to go into this work. I found my spot. Hours after police issued a warrant for his arrest, the suspect in the July 18 hit-and-run that killed a 4-year-old boy turned himself in to Boston police on Monday, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced. Olguens Joseph was wanted on a warrant out of West Roxbury District Court for motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, leaving the scene of personal injury and death and operation of an unregistered/uninsured motor vehicle, Boston police said in a statement on Monday. Read more: Brothers suspected of cutting off ear in Boston machete attack due in court Tuesday Hayden confirmed the news during a National Night Out event at Ross Field, not too far away in Hyde Park, audio of Hayden, provided by his office, said. This has happened as a result of tremendous community cooperation, Hayden said. We asked for the communitys help in this matter, and we got the communitys help. At around 9:30 p.m. on July 18, officers assigned to Hyde Park responded to the area of 165 Wood Ave. following a report of a child struck by a motor vehicle. Officers found a 4-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries, who was then taken to a nearby hospital where he died. The investigation so far has determined the hit-and-run crash killed the boy, police said. The car sought in connection with the incident that happened on Tuesday, July 18, in the area of 165 Wood Ave. in Hyde Park is described as a grey 2016-2022 Chevrolet Spark, Boston police reported. Police said they are still investigating the incident and are asking anyone with information to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at (617) 343-4470. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). Joseph is anticipated to be arraigned on Tuesday, Hayden said. A pair of Boston hospitals often lauded as among the nations best were again recognized Tuesday as two of the leading medical institutions in the United States. Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Womens Hospital were both named to the annual Honor Roll published by U.S. News & World Report, which gathers data on hundreds of hospitals to determine which provide the highest quality care in a wide variety of specialties. U.S. News & World Report which is also known for its rankings of colleges and other institutions found Brigham and Womens to be the top hospital in the United States for obstetrics and gynecology, and the nations fifth-best for rheumatology. Its Dana-Farber/Brigham and Womens Cancer Center was also ranked as the nations fifth-best institution for cancer treatment. Mass General, according to U.S. News & World Report, is the nations second-best hospital for psychiatric care and the fourth-best for ophthalmology, which deals with the treatment of eye disorders. In a break from its ratings in past years, U.S. News & World Report did not rank the 22 hospitals named to its honor roll or name one institution as the nations top hospital. Rather, the publication honored medical centers that provided exceptional breadth of excellence across clinical specialties, an announcement released Tuesday said. All of the hospitals listed, U.S. News & World Report said, have attained the highest standard of care in the nation. Mass General and Brigham and Womens earned their places on that list along with four hospitals in New York, five in California and 11 others across the country. On last years U.S. News & World Report honor roll, the final annual list to include an explicit ranking, Mass General was named the nations eighth-best hospital, while Brigham and Womens placed 14th. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, earned last years top honors. Though not named to the national honor roll, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, also in Boston, was named the third-best hospital in Massachusetts. It is among the nations top-25 hospitals for both cancer treatment and gastroenterology, U.S. News & World Report found. UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester was ranked the states fourth-best hospital. Tufts Medical Center in Boston ranked fifth, followed by Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. This was the 34th year that U.S. News & World Report evaluated the nations top medical centers. The rankings, the organization said in a Tuesday press release, are intended to help patients choose their medical care. One of the victims of Sundays bout of shootings in Boston has been identified, and a suspect is in police custody. Boston officers identified Jackson Beausejour, 33, of Mattapan, who was found with a gunshot wound at Blue Hill Avenue and Washington Street in Roxbury around 7:47 p.m., police said in a statement. Beausejour died after he was taken to a local hospital, police said. While the investigation into what led to the shooting is ongoing, police arrested and charged Riccardy Romain, 51, of Chesterfield, Virginia, with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, police added. Video taken by a witnesss cell phone helped police find Romain, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office. Romain was charged in Roxburys Boston Municipal Court with murder and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. Judge David Weingarten ordered him held without bail and he is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on Aug. 23, Haydens office said. These are the positive things that happen when community members step forward, Hayden said in a statement. Were charging this man today largely due to this persons brave decision to provide police the information they needed to identify the vehicle and arrest the person inside. We saw some terrible violence on Sunday, violence that our neighborhoods cannot accept and must not ignore. If we as a city and a society want to reduce this gun violence we need to work together to identify the people with the illegal guns and get them off the streets. Thats exactly what happened here and I pray it keeps happening. Beausejours death was one of three deaths related to shootings or stabbings throughout the city Sunday night. Another man who was shot at Weldon and Quincy streets, also in Roxbury, just after 11 p.m. He was taken to the hospital where he also died, police said. Police reported a third shooting at 99 Draper St. in Dorchester. Officers found a man shot inside a home at around 11:30 p.m., Boston police confirmed to MassLive on Monday. The man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two other people in another incident in Dorchester, this time in the area of Charles Street, were found with stab wounds around six minutes later, police said. A third person with a stab wound brought himself to the hospital. All three were said by police to have life-threatening injuries. None of the other victims have been identified. We should all be outraged by the calamitous violence that rocked our neighborhoods last night. My heart cries out for our city and for everyone impacted by these tragedies, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. Well work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice and we ask anyone in the community with information to please help us. It is high time, the necessary time indeed, for a tidal attitude shift around illegal gun possession and the havoc it wreaks. Boston police asked that if anyone with information with information about Beausejours death or any of the other incidents can make an anonymous tip by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). A Mattapan woman charged in connection with misusing thousands of dollars in school funds agreed to plead guilty to her actions, acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office said Tuesday. Former New Mission School principal Naia Wilson, 60, was charged with one count of wire fraud, Levys office said in a statement. The charge stems from the allegation that she engaged in a scheme to defraud Boston Public Schools of $38,806 by misusing school funds for her own personal misuse. In her role as head of New Mission School, Wilson would have to make a formal check request to the external fiscal agent for a check to be issued from the schools bank account. Between September 2016 and around May 2019, Wilson requested checks from the external fiscal agent to be issued in the name of other individuals, fraudulently endorse those checks to herself and then deposited them into her own bank account without the nominee ever knowing or authorizing her to do so, Levys office said. Wilson then requested checks from the external fiscal agent, which were used to pay for two all-inclusive personal vacations to Barbados for Wilson and her friends in 2016 and 2018, Levys office said. For both trips, she requested that the agent issue checks payable to other people who went on the trips and then converted that money to pay for the all-inclusive hotel and airfare, and she fraudulently endorsed the checks used to pay for the 2018 trip. Protecting children is one of the very top priorities of this office and threats come in all forms. Here, Ms. Wilson is accused of diverting school funds for her personal benefit. We will not allow this type of gross abuse of authority and responsibility to fly under the radar. Individuals who take advantage of public trust to line their pockets will be investigated and held accountable, Levy said in the statement. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Todays charges should serve as a reminder to municipal workers everywhere that there are serious consequences for such shameful conduct, and it is the taxpayers they serve and answer to at the end of the day, FBI Boston acting special agent Christopher DiMenna said in the statement. Wilson agreed to plead guilty and pay restitution, Levys office said. She will appear in Boston Federal Court at a later date. A machete attack near Boston Common left one victims ear detached and two South Boston brothers facing charges, prosecutors say. Elisha Kimanga and Eliya Kimanga, both 28, each face charges of mayhem and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The twins are due to appear in court for a probable cause hearing Tuesday, the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said Monday. HOLYOKE Holyoke Media plans to expand real-time Spanish interpretation services for all city council and subcommittee meetings. The proposal comes at a time when one city councilor wondered if the job should not be left to artificial intelligence. Executive Director of Holyoke Media Scott MacPherson, updating the City Councils Finance Committee, said Holyoke Media broadcast 281 hours of City Council and subcommittee meetings in 2022. He also indicated the mayors interest in broadening this initiative. Currently, the real-time translation is only offered for the councils regular sessions. Once in place, the expanded translation service will cover all city council subcommittee meetings. MacPherson broke down the 281 hours to an hourly rate of $150 for two interpreters who alternate every 20 minutes. Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said the hourly rate seemed steep. He suggested exploring artificial intelligence for captioning to replace the $150-per-hour interpreters. Jennifer Myszkowski, Holyoke Medias president, empathized with Jourdains concerns. However, she emphasized the specialized skills interpreters need to translate the meetings in real time. Its extremely taxing to do that kind of work, she said. In response, MacPherson explained that if Holyoke Media adopted artificial intelligence for translation services, it would require specialized technology to integrate the text into the livestream and cover a subscription service. According to MacPherson, the requisite technology could cost about $50,000 per output channel, and the subscription service isnt cheap either. He noted that captioning could exclude viewers who cannot read. Jourdain urged Holyoke Media to seek a more affordable interpreting solution. TransFluenci of East Longmeadow currently handles the councils interpretation services. Ward 6 Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos countered by stating that TransFluenci had been transparent about the hourly rate and that using artificial intelligence would eliminate jobs. In the rare event that an interpreter is unavailable for a council meeting, MacPherson said TransFluenci would arrange for backup personnel. If necessary, an interpreter could review the meeting video files afterward to generate the interpretation. The City Council initiated real-time translation in August 2021 for regular sessions after identifying a community need. An agreement with Comcast, the citys sole cable television provider, designates a portion of annual profits to maintain a cable access channel, a community studio and a translation service. The existing contract with Comcast will expire in the upcoming year, triggering a renewal. About $12,000 each quarter is deposited into a specific account to support interpretation services. MacPherson assured that the revenues from the Comcast agreement were adequate to finance the proposed expansion. The account presently has $53,000 in it. Under the Comcast agreement, the mayor is authorized to expend the revenue. The mayor then sends cable-related invoices to Holyoke Media for processing, which includes interpretation services. Councilor Joseph M. McGiverin questioned whether Holyoke Media or the City of Holyoke should monitor and manage the expenditures. There needs to be a check and balance, he said. SPRINGFIELD A federal prosecutor said a music promoter who bought stolen credit information on the dark web is the centerpiece of an ongoing fraud case in U.S. District Court. Lawyers and U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni conferred via a phone conference Monday morning to discuss next steps in the case after prominent Chicago-based rapper Herbert G Herbo Wright III last week pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and lying to a federal agent. Another Western Massachusetts chase brought police from one city to another, this time when a suspect led Holyoke police to Chicopee on Tuesday, WWLP reported. Carlos Principe was charged with two counts of failing to stop for police, two counts of operating a motor vehicle to endanger, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, operation after suspension of a license, defective equipment, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and possession of a Class B drug, the news station said. Principe, known to police to have a suspended license, was found by Holyoke police driving in a blue Nissan Altima Tuesday morning, Holyoke Police Lt. John Monaghan told the news station. Officers tried to stop him, but Principe sped off and led police on a chase before it was determined to be too dangerous to continue. Police attempted to stop him again in Wilbraham, where he was spotted in the same car, WWLP said. That chase ended when it was also deemed too dangerous to follow Principe. Read more: Worcester man charged after police say they found modified machine gun By around 12:40 p.m., Principe was seen driving in Holyoke again, prompting a third pursuit. Principe hit an unmarked police cruiser before giving chase and fled into Chicopee, the news station reported. There, he reportedly hit another car and a Holyoke police cruiser in the area of Grattan Street and Memorial Drive. Principe and a passenger in the car both ran away before they were found and arrested by police, the news station said. Read more: Trump charged by Justice Department for efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss Tuesdays chase followed a similar situation on Monday, when a Chicopee man led police on a chase before crashing in Springfield, according to authorities. That man, Christopher Caballero, was charged with a number plate violation to conceal his identity, failing to stop for police, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, speeding, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, the reckless operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, refused to identify himself, resisting arrest, trafficking in over 10 grams of fentanyl and possessing to distribute a Class B drug. Amherst Assistant Superintendent Doreen Cunningham, placed on leave in May amid an investigation into gender-based discrimination, has filed her own discrimination complaint against Amherst school officials. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) complaint names the Amherst school district, Superintendent Michael Morris, and former acting Superintendent Douglas Slaughter, officials confirmed. An LGBTQ-friendly restaurant in the Boston area that was on the verge of closing will stay open, thanks to the generosity of others. When Max Ritcey opened Ritcey East, offering homemade comfort food in Watertown six years ago, he never imagined the impact his own story and restaurant would have on the community. I dont think we give people enough credit of, like, how much people do want this because its not just a queer community in Watertown and around thats, like, lifting me up. It is everyone around here, and theyve seen everything, he said. The 36-year-olds gender transition two years ago was very front-facing, he described. Although he was often worried about other peoples comments, Ritcey was impressed with how much positive feedback he got for being so open and honest with his community. They saw me at all different things and my vulnerability, you know, of announcing, you know, the change in who I am and still facing people and correcting people in that time, Ritcey continued. I guess people see it as honorable. Little did Ritcey know that this same community would support him through an incredibly difficult financial hardship. Ritcey was one of many small business owners who struggled to stay open during COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, Ritcey kept his employees working full-time by funneling all the restaurants earnings into their paychecks. Meanwhile, loans given out by the state and federal government helped the business stay afloat. Ritcey even took out an additional $150,000 loan to help keep the doors open. At the time, however, Ritcey was not thinking about the future, and these expenses eventually caught up with him three years later. This, coupled with the change in the restaurant landscape, became suffocating for his business. Peoples idea of dining has changed, Ritcey said. Now people have gotten more comfortable at their houses than I think going out. The later crowds at Ritcey East have declined as more people are eating in instead of dining out. Customers used to fill the dining room until 11:30 p.m. or midnight, but now the space is empty by 10 p.m. Ritcey said this loss in service hours has created an even bigger loss of revenue, resulting in thousands of dollars in debt. When Ritcey noticed that numbers were not still where they should be at the start of the year, he launched a GoFundMe to help pay off his loans and credit card debt. The restaurant owner originally asked for $30,000, but through the campaign, Venmo, cash and checks, Ritcey collected about $43,000. He said the overwhelming amount of support was a huge confidence booster, not just for his restaurant, but for himself. As a trans person, I spent so long hating myself and, like, its just crazy to think that so many people like me after I spent so long not liking myself, he said. That really feels good for me. While the money will mostly go toward paying off the loans and debt, Ritcey also plans on increasing the restaurants brand by leaning more into the communities it serves. This especially applies to the LGBTQ community, which often struggles to find a family-friendly atmosphere in the Boston area, according to Ritcey. Very rarely is there a place that you can bring your child, he said. We have so many people who come in with, like, non-binary teens andthat its just so affirming to see that and people to have, like, a really safe space. Ritcey has already seen an influx of LGBTQ community members reaching out to him throughout this entire process. He hopes to continue this trajectory by being authentically [himself] that allows others to feel the same. Ritcey East is located at 208 Waverley Ave. in Watertown and is open Tuesday through Friday from 3-10 p.m. and Saturday from 3-11 p.m. People can also follow Ritcey on Facebook and Instagram. With the United States government ordering employees to leave Haiti on the same day an American nurse and her child were kidnapped last week, a volatile situation in the Caribbean nation complicates the work of non-profits and missionaries. Massachusetts organizations, however, described how for years the island has posed security challenges and the latest update by the U.S. State Departments do not travel advisory is nothing new. Weve already adapted to the security risks for some time, said Elizabeth Fischelis, program manager for the Haiti Development Institute, an initiative of The Boston Foundation. The kidnapping of Alix Dorsainvil and her child from a missionary in Port-au-Prince has drawn renewed attention to a dangerous and tumultuous capital city warned by the U.S. government as a no-travel zone due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. Dorsainvil was kidnapped on July 27, according to a statement by the humanitarian organization El Roi Haiti the same day the U.S. government updated its do not travel advisory originally issued in March 2020. The update ordered non-essential government employees and their families to leave Haiti. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe, the travel advisory reads. As of Tuesday morning, the Haitian National Police continue to work on Dorsainvils return, according to USA Today. Fischelis, currently in the southern region of Haiti, said many donors and supporters of the Haiti Development Institute have not been able to travel to the island nation for years due to unsafe conditions. There are intrepid donors who still go, but many dont, she said, adding that she arrived on the island last week and planned to stay only for a few days. Haiti Development Institute, a non-profit with an office in Boston, supports organizations in rural Haiti and provides funds and grants to grassroots organizations. Fischelis said that the non-profit intentionally set up offices outside of Port-au-Prince to promote development in rural areas before violence grew. On Tuesday, she spoke from inside a seminary and within view of a school being rebuilt after the countrys devastating earthquake in 2021 when thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed. The work is proceeding but it is much quieter than after the earthquake in 2021, Fischelis said. There are definitely security concerns and areas not to go, but there are some places you can go safely and there is work that is proceeding. Fischelis emphasized that great work is always being done by local Haitian leaders and organizations that are building their communities ... work by Haitians continues always. A Mission of Hope International, founded in March 2000, has an office in Gardner and has established churches throughout Haiti. The missionary established two schools and has over 800 students, according to co-founder Renee Edme. Weve been at this for 23 years and we developed a very strong leadership core at the mission on the ground there, Edme said. We spend a lot of time on the phone with them but they are running everything. When the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory last week, Edme said not much changed for the organization since its already navigated through tumultuous times. I didnt really have a reaction because its been like this for a couple of years now, Edme said. When the U.S. government raised the travel advisory to Level 4 the most restrictive in 2020, the mission stopped bringing Americans into the country. It was inconvenient to our work but it was with reason. Things were definitely getting even worse than they had been, Edme said. Dorsainvil and her child were taken from El Rois campus amid escalating violence after a period of relative respite, The New York Times reported. A report published in early July by a Haitian human rights group called CARDH had found a sharp decline in abduction, The Times reported, mainly due to vigilante campaigns known as bwa kale. Civilians by force reclaimed areas claimed by gangs in the capital region for the past two years using violence. Since the report came out, The Times found that theres been a spike in kidnappings and killings. My hope is that the international community will step in, Edme said. Personally, I cant see how Haiti gets out of its situation without international intervention. ENFIELD, Connecticut The building department here is fielding calls from demolition contractors, figuring out what preliminary steps theyd need to take before razing an unused Macys at Enfield Square mall. That is a good sign, said Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu today. Mall owners Namdar Realty Group and Mason Asset Management did not respond to questions for comment today. But Zoppo-Sassu said she reiterated recently to new Namdar management that the town has little interest in working with the company and prefers they sell or bring in a new partner for redevelopment. Its just too far gone at this point, she said. In July, the town and the Thompsonville Fire Department threatened to shut the mall down all of it, including Target and the movie theater after the fire alarm and sprinkler systems were damaged by rain through a hole in the roof. In May, police and firefighters training in the former Macys mens and housewares store, once a Filenes, found a hole in the roof. That set off months of warnings from the town that went unanswered before the threat of closure, Zoppo-Sassu said. 25 1 / 25 Enfield Square mall through the years The mall owners told the town that repairing the hole in the roof could cost $200,000 or more, and that it might make more sense to demolish the store and leave the rest of the complex up. She said the mall has crews on site complying with town orders to repair the damaged fire detection and suppression equipment, and contractors are finishing a new fire-resistant wall blocking the empty Macys off from the rest of the mall. The mall opened in 1971 with G. Fox & Co., Steigers and JCPenney as anchors. Today, it has a Target, Cinemark Enfield Square 12 theaters and a host of small restaurants, and mom-and-pop stores. Macys closed in 2016, but the space was used for craft fairs in recent years. The Sears store closed in 2017, and JCPenney closed in 2000. The town seeks to have the 63-acre site and 677,000-square-foot mall redeveloped with mixed uses, including offices and retail. In Springfield, Eastfield Mall is empty now, awaiting demolition and redevelopment by new owners Onyx Partners Ltd. Onyx has not yet applied for a Springfield demolition permit at the Eastfield Mall, according to the city. A man wanted in connection with a hit-and-run death of a 4-year-old boy in Boston had bail set at $15,000 on Tuesday after turning himself into police the day before, officials said. Olguens Joseph was wanted on a warrant out of West Roxbury District Court for motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, leaving the scene of personal injury and death and operation of an unregistered/uninsured motor vehicle, Boston police said in a statement on Monday. Joseph was arraigned in West Roxburys Boston Municipal Court Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. He is due back in court on August 30. Lets hope that our community, all of our communities, will use this as a powerful reminder of the importance of obeying our traffic laws and driving safely, Hayden said following the arraignment. Hayden also reiterated that speed restrictions were posted in the area where the fatal hit-and-run happened. A view of the Wood Avenue where the hit-and-run occurred does show a sign telling drivers to go slow. A tip reportedly led police to find Joseph, who turned himself in to Boston police around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Boston police said. Hayden did not specify how many tips were sent in to investigators but thanked the community for their involvement in the case. Were brought here today in large part, if not entirely, because people in the community spoke up and provided information to the police that was tremendously helpful to the investigation. At around 9:30 p.m. on July 18, officers assigned to Hyde Park responded to the area of 165 Wood Ave. following a report of a child struck by a car. Officers found a 4-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries, who was then taken to a nearby hospital where he died. Hayden confirmed that the boys name was Ivan Pierre following Josephs arraignment, which he called an important step towards the road to justice. We continue to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and we ask that the community continue to do that same, Hayden added. A visitation and funeral service for Ivan was held at the Dorchester Nazarene Church on Saturday, July 29. Read more: Brothers suspected of cutting off ear in Boston machete attack due in court Tuesday The car sought in connection with the incident that happened on July 18 was described as a grey 2016-2022 Chevrolet Spark, Boston police reported. Police had previously released surveillance photos and video from the incident, hoping to find the car and its driver. The investigation is still ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at (617) 343-4470. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). Efforts to install a support system that will allow eastbound traffic to travel down Route 2 in Gill, following damage caused by heavy rains, could take another four to five weeks, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. These repairs will be conducted on the closed section of Route 2 eastbound in the area just west of the Avenue A Bridge, MassDOT said in an advisory. Read more: USDA declares disaster in seven Massachusetts counties after flooding Strong thunderstorms that delivered heavy rain to the area produced slope erosion, causing officials to shut down one side of Route 2 on July 25. As of July 27, Gill Police Chief Christopher Redmond said it was unclear how soon that part of Route 2 would be open, possibly weeks, months, he had told MassLive. But Tuesdays DOT announcement suggests the road could reopen at the end of August, beginning of September. Traffic will be detoured via the northbound side of Interstate 91 to Route 10 northbound at exit 50A, MassDOT said. Traffic will also continue to Route 63 southbound to rejoin at Route 2 eastbound in Erving. Read more: Doreen Cunningham files discrimination complaint against Amherst schools Detour signs, message boards, arrow boards and police details will be used to control traffic temporarily while repair operations are underway, MassDOT added. Drivers in the area should expect delays, slow down and use caution. The department added that all scheduled work is subject to change due to weather and emergencies. Threats made through social media prompted lockdowns at several summer programs on Nantucket Tuesday, according to authorities, but were determined to be from juveniles posing no real threat. The FBI told Nantucket police about a potential threat made against a school at 9:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, Nantucket police said in a release posted to their Facebook page. The threat was made through a social media account that was determined to be located on the island. As a result, police responded to several schools and summer camps, including the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, which was placed on lockdown around 10 a.m., the Nantucket Current reported. The club immediately moved all children indoors and followed lockdown protocol, a statement from the club posted to Twitter read. The lockdown was lifted around 10:20 a.m. Nantucket Public Schools Superintendent Beth Hallett told the Current they also went on lockdown for about 30 minutes. All of our children were safe and a message was shared with parents and caregivers, Hallett told the outlet. During this process, officers were able to find the person behind the social media account as well as two other people involved, police said. No immediate threat was detected. All three people involved are juveniles, police said, and therefore their names were not released. At least one of the three was arrested Wednesday, the Current said on Twitter. It is unclear if they will face charges. The investigation is ongoing. A New Hampshire woman and her child were kidnapped while working for a Christian nonprofit in Haiti the country that has been the womans home for years. Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were kidnapped Thursday morning from El Roi Haiti Outreach Internationals campus near Port au Prince while serving in their community ministry, the nonprofits website states. She has been a nurse for the school, according to a video on the website. But she also provides services for the community. Alix is a deeply compassionate and loving person who considers Haiti her home and the Haitian people her friends and family, the website states. Alix has worked tirelessly as our school and community nurse to bring relief to those who are suffering as she loves and serves the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus. She first visited Haiti soon after the 2010 earthquake. She was still in college but fell in love with the people, the website reads. She continued taking trips back to Haiti during her breaks from school and during the summers. Dorsainvil graduated from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, according to the Associated Press, where there is a program to support nursing education in Haiti. She then started working as a nurse. It doesnt surprise me that Alix chose to get involved in this type of service work, Regis College president Toni Hays told WMUR. She [is] amazing. She [is] passionate, she [is] compassionate. And she continued going to Haiti. Once she started working as a nurse she would save money and then self-fund all of her trips to Haiti, going as often as she could, the website said. She had lived in Haiti for multiple years, showing love and care in a variety of ways before coming on staff with us, but has had a heart for the hurting since she was a child. She seeks people out to show them love and compassion, and no one is excluded from receiving her kindness. In 2020, Dorsainvil became a staff member at El Roi Haiti as a school nurse. About a year later, she married the ministry director, Sandro Dorsainvil. Sandro Dorsainvil grew up in the Cite Soleil area, a community in Port-au-Prince known for its poverty and violence, according to the website. He taught himself English and Spanish and had multiple translating jobs in Haiti, including a translating job by an adoption agency. He later attended high school in Montana and graduated from Liberty University in 2018. He is now the founder and director of El Roi Academy. On Thursday, witnesses told The Associated Press that Dorsainvil was working in the small brick clinic when armed men burst in and seized her. Lormina Louima, a patient waiting for a check-up, said one man pulled out his gun and told her to relax. When I saw the gun, I was so scared, Louima told the AP. I said, I dont want to see this, let me go. Some members of the community said the unidentified men asked for $1 million in ransom, a standard practice of the gangs killing and sowing terror in Haitis impoverished populace. The violence has stirred anger among Haitians, who say they simply want to live in peace. 8 1 / 8 Alix Dorsainvil, a nurse who works for El Roi Haiti, and her daughter were kidnapped Around 200 protesters, largely from the area around El Roi Haitis campus, echoed that call as they walked through the sweltering streets wielding cardboard signs written in Creole in red paint. She is doing good work in the community, free her, read one. Local resident Jean Ronald said the community has significantly benefitted from the care provided by El Roi Haiti. Such groups are often the only institutions in lawless areas, but the deepening violence has forced many to close, leaving thousands of vulnerable families without access to basic services like health care or education. Earlier this month, Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending services in one of its hospitals because some 20 armed men burst into an operating room and snatched a patient. As the protesters walked through the area where Dorsainvil was taken, the streets were eerily quiet. The doors to the clinic where she worked were shut, the small brick building empty. Ronald and others in the area worried the latest kidnapping may mean the clinic wont reopen. If they leave, everything (the aid groups programs) will shut down, Ronald worried. The money they are asking for, we dont have it. The nonprofit has asked for prayers. We continue to work diligently with authorities and partners in the United States and Haiti to secure their freedom. Many people are laboring for their return, but currently we cannot share more specific details. We are so thankful for all of the support that has been shown, the website reads. Please continue to pray with us for the protection and freedom of Alix and her daughter. As our hearts break for this situation, we also continue to pray for the country and people of Haiti and for freedom from the suffering they endure daily. The U.S. State Department confirmed to the Boston Globe on Friday that it was aware of reports of the kidnapping of two U.S. citizens in Haiti. We are in regular contact with Haitian authorities and will continue to work with them and our U.S. government interagency partners, a department spokesperson told the newspaper. We have nothing further to share at this time. There was also a do not travel advisory issued for Haiti. Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure, the advisory states. It states kidnappings are widespread and that victims regularly include U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked, it reads. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victims families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members. The Associated Press contributed to this reporting. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, a pioneering public official who was the first Black woman to serve as the states Assembly speaker and then the first in state history to be elected to statewide office, died Tuesday. The Democrat, from Essex County in that state, was 71. Officials did not announce the cause of death, but Oliver had been suffering from a long illness. It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero, the Oliver family said in a statement released by Gov. Phil Murphy. Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community. An often poetic speaker, Oliver spent 16 years in the General Assembly, the lower chamber of the New Jersey Legislature, including a sometimes stormy time as its leader, the third-most powerful post in Trenton, the states capital. She was later elected lieutenant governor as Murphys running mate 2017, becoming the second person to ever hold the post. No other Black woman has held statewide elected office in New Jersey. In a statement, Murphy, a fellow Democrat, said he and his family are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government. When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word, Murphy said. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color. The governor plans to cut short his vacation in Italy and return to New Jersey, his office said Tuesday. Oliver was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Monday while serving as acting governor in Murphys absence. Born and raised in Newark, Oliver graduated from the citys Weequahic High School before earning a sociology degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a masters in planning and administration from Columbia University. She was an East Orange resident. She later worked for a nonprofit social services organization and taught at Essex County College and nearby Caldwell University. Oliver moved into politics when she was elected to the East Orange Board of Education, an office she held from 1994 to 2000. During that time, she served two years as vice president and ended her time as president of the board. She concurrently served as an Essex County freeholder from 1996-99. And in between, she lost a bid for East Orange mayor by a mere 51 votes. A few years later, Oliver moved up to Trenton. She was elected to the Assembly in 2003 and after the 2009 election was chosen by her fellow Democrats to lead the lower house. She become the chambers 169th speaker in January 2010. Oliver was the second woman after Marion West Higgins in 1965 and the second Black lawmaker, after S. Howard Woodson in 1974, to ascend to the powerful position. She was also the second Black woman in American history to lead a state legislative chamber, after Karen Bass of California. Read more: Maine expands access to abortion later in pregnancy if deemed medically necessary Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, D-Passaic and chairwoman of the New Jersey Legislature Black Caucus, described Oliver as a beloved mentor and an inspiration. As a freshman entering the New Jersey General Assembly, I was fortunate to work alongside Lt. Governor Oliver. Having the privilege of witnessing her lead as Speaker of the Assembly had a powerful impact on me, Sumter said. Representation matters, and I was honored to have Lt. Gov. Oliver be my mentor and educate me on the history of the politics in the state of New Jersey and how to navigate through the Legislature. Lt. Governor Olivers influence transcended generations and she paved the way for Black and Brown women to pursue higher office. She taught us the importance of being informed, skilled, and graceful. Her four-year tenure as speaker was most famous for the controversial push to require public workers to contribute more to the states notoriously underfunded public-worker pension system. Oliver ultimately joined Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat, in supporting the plans, drawing the very public ire of government-employee unions and even some fellow Democrats. Christie tweeted Tuesday that her death marks a sad day for New Jersey and noted we treated each other with kindness and respect and got things done. She was a great person and partner, he added. At one point, there was an unsuccessful coup to oust Oliver from the speakership. But she was chosen by Democrats for a second term under a deal in 2011. I am a focused problem-solving leader. I am not a Go in the back door, close the door, light up a cigar and lets make a deal kind of leader, " Oliver said in an uncharacteristic fiery speech as she campaigned for another term as speaker. Read more: Maine Legislature vote expands sovereignty for Native American tribes In an interview with The Star-Ledger in 2010, Oliver described the casual misogyny she encountered after ascending to the speakership. Many men historically have held a view that women dont have the ability to lead, that women somehow dont have the same level of intellect that men have, she said. If there is any tension, I think the tension could be described in those terms. Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, who was Olivers boss prior to her joining the Murphy administration, said at the time that people should not underestimate her. She is such a strong leader, and people are going to find that out, DiVincenzo said. She was catching the wrath from all the union leaders, but she didnt back down. She stood up, took it, and then she made her decision. In this 2017 file photo, President Barack Obama joins Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. candidate Sheila Oliver at rally in Newark's Robert Treat Hotel. NJ Advance Media for NJ.com In 2013, Oliver attempted to make the leap to Washington when she ran in a special election for the Democratic nomination to replace the late Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate. But she finished fourth among four candidates. Four years later, however, Murphy, a former Wall street executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany, won the Democratic nomination to succeed Christie as governor and selected Oliver as his running mate. They defeated Kim Guadagno, the states first lieutenant governor, and her running mate, Carlos Rendo, in 2017. Guadagno tweeted Tuesday that she shared a unique bond with Oliver as the only two people who have held the job so far. She was the kind of leader who inspired everyone she met, Guadagno said. New Jerseys two lieutenant governors have also served as commissioners of state departments. Oliver ran the state Department of Community Affairs, helping determine how the state government helps New Jerseys 564 municipalities. Notably, she oversaw the continued state takeover of Atlantic Citys government. In addition to her elected positions, Oliver had been employed by Essex County, serving as director for the Department of Citizen Services, the Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment and as assistant Essex County administrator. She had been considered a potential Democratic candidate to succeed Murphy in 2025. Under the state Constitution, Murphy now has 45 days to select a successor for Olivers elected position. State Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, praised Oliver for her unwavering passion for social justice, womens equality, and education and using her position to advocate for a fairer and more equitable society. As Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, she championed initiatives to provide fair and affordable housing, uplift distressed communities, and prevent homelessness, Ruiz said. Her impact extended beyond legislation; she touched the lives of countless individuals through mentorship and friendship. Her dedication to public service was rooted in the belief that government should work for the people, and she lived by that principle every day. Retired state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, a Bergen County Democrat, called Olivers death awful news. Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was a friend, a sister, a colleague and a co-chair. She stood tall for all of us, said Weinberg, who asked Oliver to help lead a working group Weinberg created to identify and weed-out misogyny and harassment in politics. She always reminded me that, Women deserve a seat at the table, in the room and in the fray, " Weinberg said, reading from a text Oliver sent her last year. I will miss this wonderful woman my friend and ally. I am deeply saddened for our loss. NJ Advance Media staff writer Matt Arco contributed to this report. Over the protests of a few House Republicans, a policy change to allow undocumented immigrants to qualify for lower in-state tuition rates made it into the annual budget on Gov. Maura Healeys desk without ever having been debated in the House this year. Rep. Paul Frost, a Republican from Auburn, appealed Monday to his House colleagues to suspend legislative rules to consider an amendment dealing with the policy change, a Senate proposal that three House budget negotiators opted to accept during private budget negotiations. I have concerns over this measure, as do others, that this is another incentive to encourage more illegal immigration to our commonwealth, that the taxpayers and the residents of Massachusetts will have to subsidize, Frost said. Democrats rejected Frosts motion 132-25, along party lines, so representatives didnt get to vote on the tuition policy. Most Republicans then joined the Democrats and voted in favor of advancing the $56.2 billion budget, with GOP Reps. Nick Boldyga of Southwick and Marc Lombardo of Billerica dissenting. In a joint statement, Boldyga and Lombardo said there were policies in the final budget unrelated to the budget itself, which they could not support. Policies that were added behind closed doors with no opportunity for public input. The lack of transparency is alarming and a growing trend that can not be ignored. This isnt what a representative democracy looks like, the statement said. The tuition measure appears a lock to become law now since Healey has signaled support for it. Offering in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants is absolutely essential and a no-brainer, Healey said in May. In-state students will pay $17,357 in tuition to attend the University of Massachusetts flagship campus in Amherst this year, while their classmates who arent from Massachusetts will pay $39,293. The shift in status to in-state students could also mean more in aid for undocumented immigrants. As government aid has struggled to keep pace with demand and tuition increases, UMass-generated financial aid has grown to represent 69 percent of free aid available for students $395 million in fiscal year 2023. Of the university-generated aid, 81 percent goes to in-state students. Read More: UMass tuition to increase next academic year after board approves hike Senate Democrats in May made the immigrant tuition proposal a centerpiece of their budget. Under the policy, students without legal immigration status will qualify for in-state tuition rates and state financial aid at public colleges or universities in Massachusetts if they have attended a high school in the state for at least three years or obtained their GED here. Currently, these students have to pay out-of-state tuition rates that are significantly higher. House Democrats did not include the measure in their budget bill and it was not debated as an amendment in April before the House and Senate budgets were referred to closed-door negotiations between three representatives and three senators. When the conference committee bill emerged from talks on Sunday night, it included the undocumented immigrant tuition policy and conference committee reports are subject only to up-or-down acceptance votes. After the House accepted the conference report, House Minority Leader Brad Jones moved to suspend House rule 40 to allow a late-stage amendment. There is a measure that is in this budget, some language that I have some concern with language I do not agree with, and I think other members in this chamber may not agree with either that did not get debated during the House version of the budget, when we did our budget debate, Frost said on Monday. Read More: Clark University to offer discounted tuition to Worcester Chamber members He later added, I do recognize and understand that the federal government needs to do something about immigration, specifically illegal immigration, into our country. And they need to get off their collective butts and do something ... We offer this opportunity to suspend the rules to take this up because we didnt debate it in the House. They did in the Senate, and they had a vote. We didnt get that opportunity to be recorded. During Senate budget debate, Democrats in that branch swatted aside a Senate Republican amendment to strike the tuition policy change from the budget. Second Assistant Majority Leader Sarah Peake opposed suspending the rule on Monday. She noted that all six members of the negotiating committee four Democrats and one Republican from each chamber signed off on the budget. We took some Senate language and the Senate took some House language. We agreed to accept certain Senate initiatives and the Senate conferees agreed to accept certain House initiatives some of which, by the way, were earmarks for my district and earmarks for all of your districts that you put into the budget, Peake said. The Provincetown Democrat added that if the House voted to suspend the rule, it would open the budget up to any amendment, not just one dealing with undocumented immigrants tuition rates. Amendments would then be subject to debate and votes, which would further delay the budget getting to Healeys desk, Peake said. As of Monday, the spending bill was already 31 days late. Read More: Holyoke Community College adds nursing program with Westfield State I would remind the body that if we vote today to suspend Rule 40 that opens up this conference report for any member to pull out any amendment and debate it. Its not limited just to this one thing. So lets get on with the business at hand ... Lets defeat this motion to suspend the rule and get on about our business and send what I think is a beautiful and wonderful budget to Her Excellency, Peake said. House Speaker Ron Mariano voted against the immigrant tuition reform 17 years ago, but joined Democrats Monday is blocking the topic from being debated. He was joined in voting against rules suspension by others who opposed the policy change in 2006, including Reps. Bruce Ayers of Quincy, Antonio Cabral of New Bedford, Paul Donato of Medford, William Galvin of Canton, Colleen Garry of Dracut, Patricia Haddad of Somerset, David Linsky of Natick, James Murphy of Weymouth, Alice Peisch of Wellesley, Tom Stanley of Waltham and William Straus of Mattapoisett. Sitting representatives who voted in favor of the tuition access reform in 2006 are Reps. Ruth Balser of Newton, Kevin Honan of Allston, Kay Khan of Newton, Mike Moran of Brighton, Smitty Pignatelli of Lenox and John Rogers of Norwood. This is an issue that many of you have worked on for many years, going as far back as 20 years ago. I think I could remember [from] when I was just an aide, House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, who worked for former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, said Monday during his presentation of the budget. DiMasi in 2006 voted for immigrant tuition reform in 2006. Representatives applauded an unusual step during floor deliberations when Michlewitz mentioned that the reform was included in the budget. A man who led police on a chase in Chicopee before crashing on Monday was met with several charges, including drug charges from the U.S. marshals, Chicopee police announced on Tuesday. Christopher Caballero was charged with a number plate violation to conceal his identity, failing to stop for police, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, speeding, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, the reckless operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, refused to identify himself, resisting arrest, trafficking in over 10 grams of fentanyl and possessing to distribute a Class B drug. At around 2:29 p.m., an officer traveling on Front Street noticed a car that was missing its front license plate, Chicopee police said in a statement. While the officer turned his cruiser around so he could conduct a vehicle stop, the car sped off. The officer made note of several motor vehicle violations as the car fled the stop, police said. The car continued on into Springfield before crashing in the area of Liberty Street Plaza. Read more: Former Brimfield animal control officer gets jail time for stealing from company The driver, later identified by police as Christopher Cabellero, 30, from Holyoke, left the car and ran on foot, police said. The officer who followed him parked his cruiser and continued to follow Cabellero. The officer was 10 to 15 seconds behind him but he chased him on foot, Chicopee police public information officer Travis Odiorne told MassLive Tuesday. During the chase, a black fanny pack was flung by the suspect and it had drugs inside it. When Caballero was booked, police determined that he had provided a fake name to the arresting officer, police said. Once his identity as Cabellero was confirmed, U.S. marshals told Chicopee police that he was wanted for drug charges as well. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, New York, US, June 28, 2023. [Photo/Agencies] (Xinhua) -- During his latest Asia-Pacific trip, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tried to persuade New Zealand to join the AUKUS alliance. The response he got was clear -- it would cost New Zealanders their soul to accept the top U.S. diplomat's advice. "It's a club we'd have to sell our soul to join," said New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Mahuta replied to Blinken on Thursday that her country was "not prepared to compromise or change our nuclear-free position," and continued to support a nuclear-free Pacific. In fact, this was not the only time the top U.S. diplomat got snubbed during his visits. At a joint press conference after meeting with Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni on Wednesday, Blinken called Beijing's engagement in the region "problematic behavior," but was only told that Tonga had "no concerns" about its relationship with China. The reasons why Washington was given the cold shoulder are obvious. Blinken claimed that "We really understand what is a priority for the people here," but his real priority is nothing but "American First." What he and those decision-makers back in Washington have proposed for the region are simply not in line with or even counterproductive to its key interests and urgent needs. That is something the regional countries understand fairly well. In recent years, the United States has been bent on peddling the so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy" and "great power competition" in an attempt to build an alliance in the Asia-Pacific region against China's rise. From throwing mud at China's cooperation with local countries to trying to expand the AUKUS grouping, Blinken's current visit is actually seeking to either sabotage Beijing's image or force the island nations to take sides. Nations in the region want peace, stability and development. The AUKUS pact, which has violated the principles and practices of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and severely undermined the international non-proliferation regime, can only stir up confrontation and fuel an arms race in the area. That is also why former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating warned earlier this month against the U.S.-led NATO's Asia expansion attempt, saying that "exporting that malicious poison (NATO) to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague upon itself." Despite Washington sparing no efforts in smearing China, countries in the Asia-Pacific region see Beijing as an equal partner and a real friend. Take Tonga. Over the past years, China has provided around 100 grant-aid projects, big and small, to the Tongan government and Tonga people, which covered agriculture, fishery, education, health, environment protection and climate change. When Tonga was faced with multiple challenges, including volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, China rushed to its assistance. As facts have proven, China's friendship has always been based on deeds rather than words, Tongan King Tupou VI has said. As for New Zealand, China is the country's largest trading partner for trade in goods, both in terms of imports and exports. The relationship with China is incredibly important for New Zealand and both countries now enjoy a very constructive and positive relationship, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said during a visit in China last month, adding that his country hopes to further expand bilateral trade and sees it as a priority to re-establish economic activity with China in the post-pandemic era. Between confrontation and common development, it's not difficult for Asia-Pacific countries to choose. SPRINGFIELD A beautification plan for a rusty downtown overpasses got some words of support from City Hall on Tuesday, but its unclear how long the effort might take. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he supports City Councilor Sean F. Currans recent request to repaint the overpasses on Dwight and Chestnut streets. Curran, an attorney, said he began looking into the proposed project during a business meeting in Haverhill, a city to the northeast of Lawrence that has a welcome sign on its overpass. He added that he cant remember the last time the overpasses in Springfield were painted. Curran serves as the chair of the City Councils maintenance and development committee and also took inspiration from Northampton and Hartford, Connecticut, before sharing his idea in a letter to the mayor. He said Springfield needs to make its downtown area more appealing to visitors, much like Haverhill has done. With about $150 million being put into the citys Union Station redevelopment project and East-West rail funding not being included in the $56.2 billion state budget, Curran said thats further reason to address the current maintenance of the railway overpass. Sarno said he has asked his chief development officer, Tim Sheehan, and Department of Public Works Director Chris Cignoli to look into the initiative. This is an interesting idea as we look to continue to enhance the beautification aspects of our city, and I look forward to having further discussions with my city team and Councilor Curran on this potential project, Sarno said in a statement. Sheehan said its too premature to make an estimate on the project timeline and its costs, since they would have to meet with representatives of Amtrak and CSX before any work on the overpass can begin. He does, however, support the proposed redevelopment project. I think we all agree that the conditions certainly can be improved and doing so will improve pedestrian connections on both Dwight and Chestnut streets, Sheehan said. In an email, Jen Flanagan, lead public relations specialist for Amtrak, said the rail company could not yet say how long such a project would take. Sheehan said members of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority will be a part of the meeting, since it owns the largest asset of Union Station. The Redevelopment Authority previously acquired the once-vacant property in 1989 and oversaw its $88.5 million redevelopment, according to the Union Station website. A Worcester man who Massachusetts State Police said they found drunk on Monday, July 24, was also carrying a pistol modified into a machine gun, state police announced Tuesday. Miguel Cruz-Ramos, 23, was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, illegal possession of a machine gun, possessing a firearm while intoxicated, three counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without an FID card and improper storage of a large capacity firearm, state police said in a statement. At around 1:30 a.m. on July 24, a state trooper found a damaged car on West Main Street in Spencer. The trooper spoke with Cruz-Ramos. Suspecting he was drunk, the trooper had Cruz-Ramos conduct a series of tests before placing him in custody and requesting a tow truck to remove the vehicle. Before the tow truck arrived, another state trooper searched the vehicle and found a loaded 15-round magazine, state police said. Cruz-Ramos did not have a firearm license with him or an FID card. Troopers continued to search Cruz-Ramos car until they uncovered a 10 mm pistol, loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, state police said. The gun was modified in a way that enabled it to be a fully-automatic firearm. Cruz-Ramos was taken to the Brookfield Barracks for booking. His bail was set for $5,000 and he was taken to East Brookfield District Court to be arraigned, although state police did not say when. TWENTY-EIGHT modular houses in Claremorris are to be occupied by Ukrainian families later this week. The development, which is situated on the Ballyhaunis Road, began in December and is now ready to accommodate over 100 refugees from Ukraine. Mayo County Councils Director of Services, Tom Gilligan, confirmed that the houses were to be occupied this week when contacted by The Mayo News yesterday (Monday). It is understood that the houses will be occupied by families-of-four from the Claremorris and wider Mayo area. The development on the OPW-owned site was opposed by local county councillors Tom Connolly and Richard Finn when it first came to light last October. Both representatives argued that there were more appropriate sites in the locality and expressed concerns about the lack of housing for local people. Cllr Connolly (Fine Gael) said that the development would go ahead over my dead body while Cllr Finn (Independent) threatened to lie in front of the machinery to halt it. The development is one of 16 modular housing developments which are to be put in place throughout the country. A similar recently-opened development in Sligo is housing 24 Ukrainian families on land owned by Sligo County Council. Planning permission for modular housing has been waived by the government for a period of three years. There is to be no more than one modular housing development in any county. Some 150 newly recruited soldiers attend a training session in freezing temperatures in Yichuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (File photo/VCG A soldier of special operations under the PLA 75th Group Army descends to the ground during a parachute training in southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo: China News Service/Lin Sijin) Female soldiers conduct a series of rappels and sling loads from helicopters in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Shudong) The medical imaging procedure known as cerebral angiography makes the blood vessels in the brain visible by utilising contrast agents and X-ray technology. It is done in order to identify and assess a number of cerebrovascular conditions, including as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and blood vessel obstructions. A catheter will be placed into the blood vessels during the procedure to administer a contrast dye. This dye will help highlight the blood vessels on the resulting X-ray images. An imaging procedure called cerebral angiography looks at the structure and operation of the blood vessels in the brain. The diagnosis and planning of treatment for cerebrovascular disorders can both benefit from this information. The global cerebral angiography market has witnessed significant growth, with a value of US$ 14.96 billion in 2023. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2023 to 2030, reaching US$ 22.64 billion. Ask Us to Get Your Sample Copy Of The Report, Covering TOC and Regional Analysis @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5922 Market Dynamics: The main drivers of the cerebral angiogram markets growth are the rising prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases, advances in imaging technology, ageing populations, demand for minimally invasive procedures, technological investments and research, favourable reimbursement policies, and expanding healthcare infrastructure. The market for cerebral angiography is expected to experience slow growth over the forecast period due to factors such as high procedure costs, potential risks and complications, the availability of alternative imaging modalities, a lack of awareness and education, the need for specialised knowledge, and regulatory and reimbursement issues. Cerebral Angiography Market Drivers: Increasing prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases: The rising incidence of cerebrovascular diseases, such as strokes, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), is a significant driver for the cerebral angiography market. As these conditions require accurate diagnosis and treatment, cerebral angiography plays a crucial role in visualizing and evaluating blood vessels in the brain. Advancements in imaging technology: Technological advancements in cerebral angiography techniques have improved the accuracy, safety, and efficiency of the procedure. The development of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), 3D rotational angiography, and flat-panel detector technology has enhanced image quality and reduced radiation exposure for patients, driving the demand for cerebral angiography. Growing geriatric population: The aging population is prone to various neurological disorders and vascular conditions, leading to an increased demand for cerebral angiography. With the elderly population expected to grow in the coming years, the market is likely to experience a positive impact due to the higher prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases in this demographic. Increasing awareness and healthcare infrastructure: Growing awareness among patients and healthcare professionals about the benefits of early detection and intervention for cerebrovascular diseases has increased the demand for cerebral angiography. Additionally, the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, especially in emerging economies, has improved access to advanced medical technologies, including cerebral angiography systems. Cerebral Angiography Market Opportunities: Technological advancements: Continuous advancements in imaging technology, such as improvements in image resolution, faster acquisition times, and the development of hybrid imaging systems, offer significant opportunities for the cerebral angiography market. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can assist in automated image analysis and interpretation, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of cerebral angiography procedures. Expansion in emerging markets: There is a growing demand for advanced medical imaging technologies, including cerebral angiography, in emerging markets. Rapidly developing healthcare infrastructure, increasing healthcare expenditure, and a rising middle-class population with higher disposable income contribute to the markets potential in countries such as China, India, Brazil, and others. Manufacturers and service providers can capitalize on these opportunities by expanding their presence and establishing partnerships in these regions. Integration with other medical specialties: Cerebral angiography can benefit from integration with other medical specialties, such as neurosurgery, interventional radiology, and cardiology. Collaborative approaches and interdisciplinary practices can lead to improved patient outcomes and better utilization of cerebral angiography techniques. Opportunities exist for cross-specialty training, knowledge sharing, and collaborative research to enhance the application and effectiveness of cerebral angiography. Rising demand for outpatient and ambulatory care: The shift towards outpatient and ambulatory care settings presents opportunities for the cerebral angiography market. Minimally invasive procedures, shorter recovery times, and advancements in imaging technology allow for performing cerebral angiography in outpatient settings. This trend offers convenience to patients, reduces healthcare costs, and opens avenues for the market to expand into outpatient clinics and ambulatory surgical centers. Cerebral Angiography Market Regional Insights Because of the developed healthcare infrastructure, established reimbursement practises, and widespread use of cutting-edge medical technologies, North America has historically held a sizable portion of the global market for cerebral angiography. Due to its strong healthcare system and continual technology improvements, the United States has been a significant contributor to the North American market. The market is expected to remain dominated by North America, taking up 45% of the market in 2023. The high frequency of stroke, rising investments in the creation of cerebral angiography technology, and the presence of numerous important businesses are all contributing factors to the regions growth. Europe is a significant market for cerebral angiography, with significant increase being seen in nations including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. The area gains from a strong healthcare system, a growing elderly population, and an increase in the prevalence of cerebrovascular disorders. In 2023, Europe is anticipated to have a 30% market share, making it the second-largest market. The demand for minimally invasive procedures is on the rise, government efforts are expanding, and there are many major players present in Europe, which are the main drivers of market expansion. Acquisition and partnerships Siemens Healthineers and Corindus: In 2019, Siemens Healthineers completed the acquisition of Corindus Vascular Robotics, a company specializing in robotic-assisted vascular interventions. This acquisition aimed to combine Siemens Healthineers angiography systems with Corindus robotic technology for enhanced precision and automation in cerebral angiography procedures. Canon Medical Systems and Olea Medical: In 2019, Canon Medical Systems announced a strategic partnership with Olea Medical, a leading provider of advanced imaging software solutions. The partnership aimed to integrate Olea Medicals advanced post-processing software with Canon Medicals angiography systems, enabling advanced analysis and visualization of cerebral angiography images. Philips and IGT Solutions: In 2018, Philips partnered with IGT Solutions, an Indian-based software development company specializing in healthcare imaging and visualization solutions. The collaboration aimed to develop and enhance image-guided therapy solutions, including those used in cerebral angiography, by leveraging Philips expertise in medical imaging and IGT Solutions software capabilities. Top companies in Cerebral Angiography Market : Siemens Healthineers AG, GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd., Carestream Health, Inc., Medtronic plc, Stryker Corporation, Terumo Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, AngioDynamics, Inc., Penumbra, Inc., MicroPort Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical LLC. % @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/5922 Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 US$ 14.96 Bn The revenue forecast in 2030 US$ 22.64 Bn Growth Rate CAGR of 6.1% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017 2021 Forecast period 2023 2030 Growth Drivers: Increasing prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases Advancements in imaging technology Growing geriatric population Increasing awareness and healthcare infrastructure Restraints & Challenges: High cost of procedures Potential risks and complications Availability of alternative imaging modalities Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Overview Definition of Cerebral Angiography Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Cerebral Angiography Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Identified business opportunities Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services. A clear understanding of your customers A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising. Clear data-driven insights Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers. Ask For Discount Before Purchasing This Business Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/5922 Explore More Related Insights: The global fibrinolytic therapy market is projected to reach US$ 45.08 billion by 2030, from US$ 34.96 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 3.7% during 2023-2030. Fibrinolytic therapy, also known as thrombolytic therapy, is a medical treatment used to dissolve blood clots that can block blood vessels and cause serious health conditions. Blood clots can form within blood vessels, obstructing blood flow and leading to complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms. The main objective of fibrinolytic therapy is to restore blood flow by breaking down the fibrin mesh that holds the clot together. Fibrin is a protein involved in blood clot formation. Fibrinolytic agents, commonly called thrombolytics, are medications that promote the breakdown of this fibrin network. The Fibrinolytic Therapy market has been witnessing significant growth over recent years, driven by the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases and acute ischemic strokes. Fibrinolytic therapy involves the use of drugs to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow, thereby reducing the severity of these conditions. The increasing geriatric population and the growing awareness of the benefits of early intervention have also contributed to the expansion of the market. Moreover, advancements in healthcare infrastructure, coupled with the ongoing research and development activities in the field of thrombolytic agents, are expected to further fuel the markets growth in the coming years. Ask Us to Get Your Sample Copy Of The Report, Covering TOC and Regional Analysis @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5879 Top Companies: Genentech, Inc. (Roche), Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Pfizer Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Novartis AG, AstraZeneca PLC, Johnson & Johnson, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi S.A., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation are top companies associated with Fibrinolytic Therapy Market. Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Drivers Increasing Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases: Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The rising incidence of these conditions has led to an increased demand for fibrinolytic therapy as a treatment option to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow. Growing Aging Population: The global population is aging, and older individuals are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases and other thrombotic conditions. As the elderly population continues to grow, the demand for fibrinolytic therapy is expected to increase. Advancements in Thrombolytic Agents: Ongoing research and development efforts have led to the introduction of more effective and safer thrombolytic agents. Newer fibrinolytic drugs with enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse effects have widened the scope of applications and improved patient outcomes. Increasing Awareness and Early Diagnosis: Improved awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the importance of early diagnosis has led to more people seeking medical attention promptly. Early detection allows for timely administration of fibrinolytic therapy, leading to better treatment outcomes. Technological Advancements in Medical Devices: Advancements in medical devices, such as catheters and delivery systems, have facilitated the targeted delivery of fibrinolytic agents directly to the site of thrombosis. This has improved the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Trends Technological advancements: The fibrinolytic therapy market has witnessed continuous advancements in drug formulations and delivery methods. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies have been working on developing more effective and safer fibrinolytic agents, such as improved tissue plasminogen activators (TPAs) with reduced bleeding risk. Increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, remain a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. The rising prevalence of such conditions has driven the demand for fibrinolytic therapy as a crucial treatment option. Expanding applications: Fibrinolytic therapy has expanded beyond its traditional use in heart attacks and strokes. It is being explored for various other medical conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, leading to potential growth opportunities in new indications. Growing geriatric population: As the global population ages, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is expected to rise. The elderly population is more susceptible to heart-related conditions, which could boost the demand for fibrinolytic therapies in the coming years. Rising healthcare expenditures: Governments and private sectors worldwide have been increasing their healthcare spending, which could support the adoption of fibrinolytic therapy in healthcare facilities and improve patient access to these treatments. Challenges in treatment timelines: Fibrinolytic therapys effectiveness often relies on prompt administration, especially in acute conditions like heart attacks and strokes. However, challenges in timely diagnosis and access to medical care may hinder the optimal utilization of these therapies. Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 USD 34.96 Billion The revenue forecast in 2030 USD 45.08 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of 3.7% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017 2021 Forecast period 2023 2030 Growth Drivers: Increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases: Growing geriatric population Technological advancements Access to healthcare facilities Restraints & Challenges: Limited efficacy in certain patient populations Risk of bleeding complications Availability of alternative treatment modalities Time sensitivity and door-to-needle delays % @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/5879 Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Segmentation By Drug Type: Alteplase Reteplase Tenecteplase Streptokinase Anistreplase Urokinase By Indication: Acute Ischemic Stroke Acute Myocardial Infarction Deep Vein Thrombosis Pulmonary Embolism Peripheral Arterial Thrombosis Other Thrombotic Conditions By End User: Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Specialty Clinics Others By Administration: Intravenous (IV) Intra-arterial (IA) By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Online Pharmacies By Patient Age: Adult Patients Pediatric Patients By Packaging Type: Vials Ampoules Pre-filled Syringes By Application: Emergency Care Interventional Cardiology Thrombosis Treatment Others By Dosage Form: Lyophilized Powder for Reconstitution Solution for Injection Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Regional Insights North America: North America, comprising the United States and Canada, was one of the largest markets for fibrinolytic therapy. The region has a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, high awareness about advanced treatment options, and a large patient population susceptible to conditions that require fibrinolytic therapy. Europe: Europe also had a significant market share for fibrinolytic therapy. Several European countries had established healthcare systems, which contributed to the growth of this market. The presence of prominent pharmaceutical companies and ongoing research and development in the field of thrombolytic drugs also played a role in the markets expansion. Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific region witnessed substantial growth in the fibrinolytic therapy market due to factors such as a large population, increasing healthcare expenditure, and improving healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in countries like India and China contributed to the demand for fibrinolytic therapies. Latin America: Latin America experienced moderate growth in the fibrinolytic therapy market. Factors such as improving healthcare facilities, rising awareness about advanced treatments, and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the region drove the markets expansion. Middle East and Africa: The fibrinolytic therapy market in the Middle East and Africa region was relatively smaller compared to other regions. However, with advancements in healthcare infrastructure and increasing investments in the healthcare sector, the market was expected to witness growth in the coming years. Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Overview Definition of Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Fibrinolytic Therapy Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! Ask For Discount Before Purchasing This Business Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/5879 Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Identified business opportunities Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services. A clear understanding of your customers A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising. Clear data-driven insights Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers. Explore More Related Insights: Non invasive diabetes therapy market Angiostomy cannula market Intravenous stopcock market Wound debridement products market Special purpose needles market Nasal cannula market Us safety needles market Safety needles market Us biochip product and services market Medical biomimetics market Anti biofilm wound dressing market Traditional wound management market Medical metal tubing market Middle east and asia injectable drugs market Catheters market Introduction Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by facial redness, visible blood vessels, and small, pus-filled bumps on the skin. The Rosacea Treatment Market has been steadily growing over the years, driven by increasing awareness, a growing aging population, and advancements in medical technology. This report aims to provide an overview of the Rosacea Treatment Market in 2023, including market size, key trends, major players, and future projections. Market Size and Growth As of 2023, the global Rosacea Treatment Market has experienced robust growth. The increasing prevalence of rosacea among the general population, along with rising demand for effective treatment options, has contributed to the expansion of the market. Additionally, growing disposable income and improved healthcare infrastructure in emerging economies have further fueled the markets growth. The global rosacea treatment market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 1.91 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 2.93 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. The Rosacea Treatment Market Research report provides growth estimations, size, and forecasts for each section of the market, with trends and forecasts based on revenue (in USD million). Discover More Insights! Get Sample Copy of This Premium Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5954 The provided sample copy offers complet 160 Pages concise overview of the research report, showcasing a detailed table of contents, a graphical representation of regional outlook, an analysis of key market players and their revenue, as well as an explanation of our unique research methodology. Key Treatment Options The market offers various treatment options for rosacea, including topical medications, oral antibiotics, laser therapy, and other advanced therapies. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patients individual needs. Topical medications like metronidazole and azelaic acid are commonly prescribed for mild cases, while oral antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline are used for moderate to severe cases. Laser therapy has gained popularity as a non-invasive option to reduce redness and visible blood vessels in patients with persistent symptoms. Major Players in the Market Several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are actively involved in the development and commercialization of rosacea treatments. Some of the key players dominating the market in 2023 include: Galderma SA Allergan plc (AbbVie Inc.) Bayer AG Pfizer Inc. Leo Pharma A/S Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Mayne Pharma Group Limited AnaptysBio Inc. Mylan N.V. Emerging Trends In 2023, the Rosacea Treatment Market witnessed several emerging trends that could shape the industrys future: a) Personalized Medicine: Advancements in genetic research and molecular profiling have led to the development of personalized treatment approaches for rosacea. Tailoring treatments to individual patients genetic makeup and specific symptoms may improve treatment outcomes. b) Combination Therapies: Physicians and researchers are exploring the efficacy of combining different treatment modalities to address multiple aspects of rosacea simultaneously. Combination therapies have the potential to enhance treatment results and reduce the risk of drug resistance. c) Innovative Drug Delivery Systems: Companies are focusing on developing novel drug delivery systems, such as microspheres and nanoparticles, to improve the efficacy and convenience of topical treatments. Future Projections The Rosacea Treatment Market is projected to continue its growth trajectory in the coming years. Factors such as increasing prevalence of rosacea, expanding geriatric population, and ongoing research and development activities are expected to drive the market further. Additionally, the launch of new treatment options and potential breakthroughs in rosacea management could fuel market expansion. The report comprises a detailed table of contents, covering various aspects of the research, including research methodology, executive summary, market dynamics, global analysis, regional analysis, and company profiles. Buy Now to Enjoy Discounts Up to 25% (Limited Time Offer): https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/5954 Table of Contents: A Few Topics Discussed in the Report For a comprehensive table of contents, readers are encouraged to speak with the analyst and fill out an inquiry form to access the detailed report. Chapter 1: Setting the Research Framework (Research Objectives and Market Segmentation) In this initial chapter, we establish the research framework, outlining the research objectives and market segmentation to guide our investigation. Chapter 2: Research Methodology This chapter delves into the comprehensive research methodology employed for the study. It encompasses both qualitative and quantitative research, highlighting primary and secondary data sources. The chapter also explores the process of market size estimation and data triangulation, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of our findings. Chapter 3: Executive Summary An overview of the entire research report is presented in this chapter. The executive summary provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the key insights and findings, allowing readers to grasp the essence of the study at a glance. Chapter 4: Understanding Market Dynamics In this chapter, we delve into the global industry outlook and assess the markets dynamics using Porters Five Forces Model. Additionally, the chapter addresses the impact of COVID-19 on the market and investigates the major strategies adopted by key players in the industry. Furthermore, we analyze the market positioning of key players to gain a deeper understanding of their roles in the market landscape. Chapter 5: Global Market Analysis by Market Segmentation Here, we present key insights and forecasts related to the market segmentation. Through an in-depth analysis, we explore the market size and trends for each segment, providing valuable insights to stakeholders and decision-makers. Chapter 6: Global Analysis by Geography This chapter focuses on key insights and market size forecasts for different geographical regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The diverse market dynamics in each region are thoroughly examined to identify potential opportunities and challenges. Chapter 7: Analysis of the North American Market In this chapter, we provide a detailed analysis of the North American market, including key insights and market size forecasts, while also exploring the market segmentation within this region. Chapter 8: Analysis of the European Market Similarly, this chapter offers an in-depth analysis of the European market, encompassing key insights and market size forecasts for the identified market segments within the region. Chapter 9: Analysis of the Asia Pacific Market The Asia Pacific market is thoroughly analyzed in this chapter, presenting key insights and market size forecasts for the various market segments within the region. Chapter 10: Analysis of the Latin American Market This chapter focuses on providing a comprehensive analysis of the Latin American market, presenting key insights and market size forecasts for the identified market segments within this region. Chapter 11: Analysis of the Middle East & Africa Market In this chapter, we conduct a detailed analysis of the Middle East & Africa market, offering key insights and market size forecasts for the various market segments within this region. Chapter 12: Company Profiles The final chapter comprises profiles of the companies involved in the industry. Each profile includes essential information such as company basic information, manufacturing base, sales area, company sales, net income highlights, and a comprehensive business overview. Furthermore, notable company news is also included to provide readers with a holistic understanding of each companys operations and achievements. Explore More Reports Achondroplasia treatment market analysis Ragweed pollen allergy treatment market analysis Asia gout disease treatment market analysis Toxoplasmosis treatment drugs market analysis Hemoglobinopathy treatment drugs market analysis India immune oncology drugs market analysis Achondroplasia treatment market analysis Ragweed pollen allergy treatment market analysis Hemoglobinopathy treatment drugs market analysis Asia gout disease treatment market analysis Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Discover the cutting-edge solution from Coherent Market Insights: a business intelligence-powered dynamic storytelling platform tailored to your specific market needs. With a comprehensive analysis of emerging trends and trusted insights across 20,000+ rapidly growing and specialized sectors, we empower you to make critical decisions that drive substantial revenue growth and secure your future prosperity. Our expertise extends to delivering a profound understanding of the global competitive landscape, encompassing your region, country, sector, and key industry players. Streamline your operations and optimize resources with our integrated presentation tool, saving up to 70% of your time and efforts in crafting investor pitches, sales & marketing strategies, R&D initiatives, and product development proposals. Gain access to more than 15 essential market indicators relevant to your market, all packaged in user-friendly Excel and Interactive PDF formats for seamless data distribution. Contact Us: Mr. Shah US: +12067016702 / UK: +4402081234027 Coherent Market Insights Pvt Ltd, 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Choose Coherent Market Insights for unparalleled market analysis and strategic decision-making. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, August 1, 2023 Two prominent series airing and streaming right now -- one a comedy and the other a drama -- symbolize just how far TV has come in its depiction of Native Americans. Today, indigenous characters are played by indigenous actors. And the characters, whether comedic or dramatic, are not depicted as buffoons or savages. The comedy is Reservation Dogs, the half-hour FX/Hulu series about a group of Native-American teen friends in rural Oklahoma -- all played by indigenous actors. The show returns for its third and final season Wednesday on Hulu. The drama is the mystery series Dark Winds, about a police detective on the Navajo Nation police force. Dark Winds returned for its second season on AMC+ last Thursday and AMC this past Sunday. advertisement advertisement The way Native Americans are depicted on TV today -- and on these two current shows in particular -- is another illustration of the old adage (which I just made up) that if you live long enough you will observe dramatic social change on television. For example, in the memory of your TV blogger, one such Indian (as they were called back then) from the 1960s still stands out -- the stoical Chief Wild Eagle of the fictional Hekawi tribe in the old sitcom F Troop. Played by Frank De Kova (who was not Native American), the comical Chief Wild Eagle had business dealings with a shrewd sergeant (Forrest Tucker) and his bumbling corporal (Larry Storch) who both served in the United States Cavalry in an Old West outpost called Fort Courage. In a way, Chief Wild Eagle was as comical an Indian chief as Col. Klink was as the commander of a German POW camp in World War II in Hogans Heroes. But here is what stands out about Chief Wild Eagle and the Hekawis -- the story of the origin of the tribes name. Chief Wild Eagle told the story in the show. To make a long story short, when the Hekawis left Massachusetts to migrate west, they got lost and a medicine man said to the then-chief, I think were lost. Where the heck are we? The phrase later morphed into Were the Hekawi. This is a far cry from the way Native Americans are depicted anywhere today -- whether on TV or in movies. Both Dark Winds and Reservation Dogs are current examples. There are no Chief Wild Eagles in either of them, Produced by FX Productions for co-owned Hulu, Reservation Dogs is a comedy whose characters are nothing like the broad, clownish stereotypes of the past. The four characters at the center of the show are Cheese (played by Lane Factor), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis), Bear Smallhill (DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai, above photo, right) and Elora Danan (Devery Jacobs, above photo). The show was co-created by New Zealander Taika Waititi, who also produces the vampire comedy What We Do In the Shadows for FX and the pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death for HBO. Waititi is of mixed Jewish (on his mothers side) and Maori (his father) heritage who identifies as both. Recurring characters featured in Reservation Dogs have also been played by Native-American actors, the most notable being Zahn McClarnon, who was seen throughout the first season of the show. He happens to be the star of Dark Winds in the role of Navajo cop Joe Leaphorn. The TV Blog has already praised this show at least twice here -- most recently on July 24 to herald the shows second season. What more can I say? Hello, Lt. Leaphorn. Good-bye, Chief Wild Eagle. The third and final season of Reservation Dogs premieres Wednesday (August 2) on Hulu. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, July 31, 2023 Long the favorite jeans of American teens, American Eagle Outfitters is launching an exclusive collaboration with Maddie and Kenzie Ziegler for its back-to-school campaign. The new effort will include social-media takeovers, introducing teens to a 1990s vibe that ruled classrooms long before they were born. New denim always tops teens back-to-school shopping lists, and American Eagle usually ranks No. 1. This year, it's out to expand that dominance, winning over Gen Z and Gen Alpha with a retro collection designed in partnership with the famed Dance Mom siblings, called AE x Maddie & Kenzie. "The socially connected Ziegler sisters and their personal approach to styling represent a genuine connection to our customer community, providing the inspiration to incorporate AE jeans into any outfit, for any occasion," said Jennifer Foyle, president and executive creative director, in the company's announcement. advertisement advertisement The sisters also headline the retailer's back-to-school campaign, modeling the collection on their social channels. Ads are also running on its site, in-store and on all owned social, including Instagram and TikTok. There's also an extensive out-of-home effort, including a 3D billboard in Times Square and advertising liveboards throughout New York. It's hard to overstate AEOs outsized presence in teens' closets. In Piper Sandler's closely-watched "Taking Stock with Teens" survey, it's the No. 2 apparel brand, topped only by Nike, beating Lululemon, H&M and Shein, and other teen specialty retailers. That list includes J. Crew's Madewell, Abercrombie & Fitch and its Hollister banner. Of course, Levi's is also out to win those teens over, launching fresh back-to-school creative to further support its massive anniversary celebration for the 501 collection. American Eagle's sales grew 2% to a record $1.1 billion in its most recent quarterly results. And while its Aerie stores continued to be the company's fastest-growing, American Eagle's results saw sequential improvement. However, sales declined 2% as teens (and their parents) continued to slow down spending. But experts anticipate a boost to spending industrywide as the economic outlook settles. The National Retail Federation predicts that families with kids in elementary through high school will spend about $890 on back-to-school items this year, up $25 more from last year. And those with college-bound kids are forecast to raise their spending even more, at $1,367 per student, up from $1,200 in 2021. Two years after a deadly mishap caused the death of eight Marines and a Navy corpsman when their amphibious vehicle sank off the coast of California's San Clemente Island, pushing the Marine Corps to accelerate the launch of its replacement vehicle -- which itself suffered several non-deadly accidents, the service says it has graduated its first batch of troops under a new training program intended to prevent future problems. Officers in charge of the program told reporters that so far they have retrained 59 Marines to safely operate the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or ACV. Since it was rushed into service in 2020, the ACV has experienced a string of safety mishaps and issues that have left it either completely sidelined or unable to operate in certain conditions, incidents that the Corps has tied to problematic training. Read Next: Veterans in Congress Press for Bowe Bergdahl to Be Retried After Sentenced Was Dismissed In 2021, there was a stand-down over an issue with the ACV's towing mechanism. Then, in the summer of 2022, one of the vehicles tipped onto its side in a surf zone, and another became disabled at Camp Pendleton in California. Neither of those incidents resulted in deaths, but the Marine Corps stopped using the vehicle in the water after the two accidents. The service let the craft get back in the water in September, only to have another ACV flip off the coast of Camp Pendleton in October. The Marine Corps subsequently reinstated its surf zone ban. Col. Howard Hall, who oversaw some of the Corps' efforts to get the ACV back into the surf, told reporters that a study of ACV mishaps revealed that one major issue was operators were trying to run the new craft, and trainers were instructing troops to use the new vehicles, like the older Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). "The changes to the [technical and training manuals] were happening faster than the training institution could adapt," Hall told reporters as part of a roundtable Friday. "It's a different vehicle that operates differently; it gives the operator different subconscious cues." Hall said that the Marine Corps realized in late 2022 that a rethink on training was necessary. The result was a small team "comprised of subject-matter experts from across all of the assault amphibian community" that Hall proudly noted was "17 Marines -- mostly sergeants" -- who set out to "define what right looks like in terms of training." The revamped regimen was announced in April and, according to materials provided by the Corps on Friday, the first instructors for the retraining effort, dubbed the Transition Training Unit (TTU), were certified in May. The first operator graduates came in June. The unit will ultimately retrain all the Marines who run and maintain the ACV by next fall through either a 15-day operator course or a five-day maintainer certification course. At the same time, the Marine Corps has realized that it doesn't have enough instructors for the vehicles and is trying to fix the problem. "By this August, we will have received a 30% increase in the number of instructors and support staff Marines," Col. Benjamin Venning, commander of the Assault Amphibian School, told reporters. Venning also explained that the Marine Corps is looking to write a standard set of procedures for the ACV called the Assault Amphibian Training and Operating Procedures Standardization manual, or AATOPS, that models itself on the legendary Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization, or NATOPS. NATOPS was introduced by the Navy in 1961 and is credited with making naval aviation significantly safer and dramatically reducing the number of mishaps. Lt. Col. Frederick Monday, the man who is overseeing the TTU, said that "over 100 ... splashes" -- going out into the ocean in an ACV and coming back in -- have been safely done as part of the training and certification efforts as a sign that the new efforts are working. However, the Corps is still not ready to say when the ACV will leave the training ground and deploy with Marines. "We're working to ensure we've set the proper conditions, to include making sure our training is appropriate, before we speculate on future deployment decisions," Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Ryan Bruce told Marine Corps Times on Friday. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: The Marines' Amphibious Craft Isn't Allowed in the Surf. The Corps Hopes New Training Will Fix That. A Republican-sponsored provision tucked into the Senate's version of the annual defense policy bill seeks to crack down on stolen valor by targeting businesses that lie about being veteran owned. Small businesses that only self-certify as being service disabled and veteran owned could not count toward the government's goal of having 3% of contracting dollars going to such businesses, under the provision by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, in the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. While the bill would not eliminate self-certification or prevent contracts from being awarded to self-certified businesses altogether, the aim is to incentivize federal officials to award contracts to formally certified businesses and thereby disincentivize stolen valor. Read Next: Marine Drill Instructor Not Guilty. To Family of Dead Recruit He Said, 'I'm Sorry' "As the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate, I know that our service members have the grit, talent and leadership abilities needed to become successful small-business owners following their time in uniform," Ernst, who championed the provision as the ranking member of the Senate Small Business Committee and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement to Military.com. "I'm grateful that my effort to prevent stolen valor and enhance integrity in federal contracting for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses passed through the Senate NDAA with bipartisan support," she added. Before becoming law, the provision must still survive negotiations with the House on the final NDAA, which are expected to be contentious due to unrelated issues. Asked about the prospect of the provision surviving in a final version of the bill and being passed into law, Ernst's office noted that it was added to the Senate's NDAA unanimously through a "manager's package," which is a group of amendments that are considered non-controversial and were added to the bill in a voice vote. At issue is the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program that allows the federal government to restrict competition for some contracts to just businesses owned by veterans with service-connected disabilities. In the 2021 NDAA, Congress required the Small Business Administration, or SBA, to set up a process to certify veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Previously, the Department of Veterans Affairs certified whether a business was owned by a service-disabled veteran for the purpose of awarding VA contracts, but businesses only needed to self-certify for contracts awarded by any other federal agency. In late 2022, the SBA did not entirely eliminate the ability to self-certify despite receiving some public concerns about fraud. Among the ways the SBA continued to allow self-certification was for the purpose of meeting the government's goal of 3% of contracting dollars going to small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. In keeping self-certification alive, the SBA said it was consistent with other programs, such as the Women-Owned Small Business Program, that allow for self-certification. Still, the agency said it plans to do a comprehensive review of all self-certification programs and anticipated sunsetting any self-certification in five years. The SBA estimated that applying for and maintaining formal certification would take businesses about three hours and cost $280.32 per applicant. "SBA's final rule does not require additional information or documents that the firm would not already have on hand and does not impose additional burdens on the participant," the agency wrote in the Federal Register. Ernst's bill has received support from some veterans groups, including the American Legion. "Loopholes allowing small businesses to self-certify as service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) cause imposters to take advantage of government contracting benefits exclusive for SDVOSBs," Vincent Troiola, American Legion national commander, said in a statement in May when Ernst first introduced the proposal. "This has directly led to stolen valor and fraud against the American taxpayer." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: Stolen Valor Researchers Sound Alarm on House Proposal to Curtail Access to Military Records NEW YORK A U.S. Army veteran who violently assaulted several Asian women in an April 2022 hate crime rampage throughout Manhattan was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison on Monday. During a violent spree lasting nearly three hours, Steven Zajonc, 30, spewed racist insults when he punched, elbowed and shoved seven women of Asian descent aged 19 to 57 in the Midtown, Nolita and Greenwich Village neighborhoods, ambushing some from behind. At his Manhattan Supreme Court sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Neil Greenwell said Zajonc systematically picked out Asian women to attack as they went about their daily business, striking six with his fists or elbows and shoving one woman to the ground. One victim who Zajonc knocked unconscious suffered a concussion and fractured teeth necessitating prolonged treatment. Others suffered cuts and bruises on their faces, the assistant district attorney said. Greenwell said the victims scars from the psychological impact of being attacked because of their race would take far longer to heal. The incident came amid a spate of unprovoked attacks on Asian New Yorkers, including an assault on a Yonkers woman pummeled at least 125 times the month prior in the vestibule of her building. The ADA said Zajoncs victims did not attend his sentencing as several feared seeing him again. Greenwell said that one who provided a victim impact statement to prosecutors said she no longer felt safe coming into the city alone or going out at night. Why her? is the question the victim feared people would ask if she spoke publicly about the attack, Greenwell said, adding that she was still dealing with classic symptoms of trauma, like worrying whether people would believe she did something to deserve being on the receiving end of Zajoncs vitriol. Zajonc pleaded guilty to six felonies of third-degree assault as a hate crime and one misdemeanor of second-degree aggravated harassment in June. His 1 1/3- to 4-year sentence on the felony counts and 364-day term for the misdemeanor will run concurrently. According to court records, the Florida man was homeless at the time of the incidents dealing with untreated mental illness. Zajoncs mother previously said he hadnt shown animus toward Asian communities before the day of the attacks. I started having visions and hearing voices a couple of years ago of people insulting me. Everything bad in my life has happened since that started, Zajonc told cops after his arrest. Greenwell said prosecutors had factored Zajoncs significant mental health issues in forming a treatment plan for his release. He has a pending case in the Bronx for allegedly attacking a corrections officer in April. Zajoncs lawyer, Michael Fineman, could not be reached for comment. New York City officers received 111 hate crime complaints in the first quarter of 2023 and made 61 arrests, according to NYPD data. _____ 2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said for months that additional analysis was needed to decide whether U.S. Space Command should move to Alabama or remain in Colorado -- and that the decision was his to make. But on Monday, President Joe Biden told the Pentagon that he had made the decision, a move which military experts said is unusual and clearly breaks with public comments that the choice would remain with the Air Force. The president's decision also appeared to end a years-long political tug-of-war between lawmakers from the two states vying for the command, its prestige and all the federal dollars it could attract. Biden's announcement angered the Alabama delegation, including Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee who had choked off Air Force funding to force a decision for his state. Read Next: Public's Confidence in the Military Drops Again "Today's decision by President Biden to locate the permanent headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs will avoid any disruption to its operational capability," Kendall said in a statement. "The Department of the Air Force will now work expeditiously to implement the decision." Kendall, who was nominated by Biden in April 2021 and confirmed by the Senate a few months later, added in his statement that "I fully support the president's decision." A Department of Air Force spokeswoman didn't comment on whether Biden's announcement came as a surprise or if he was asked to provide input on the decision. Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Biden notified the Pentagon that he had selected Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs for Space Command "after consultation with [Defense Secretary Lloyd] Austin and weighing the input of senior military leaders." The White House did not immediately return a request for comment asking whether Kendall was consulted prior to the announcement and why Biden chose to make the final decision instead of the Air Force secretary. Gen. James Dickinson, the head of U.S. Space Command, also told reporters in November that the decision was Kendall's to make. "That is a decision by the secretary of the Air Force, and I know that they have been doing a very deliberate analysis of the two reports that came out," Dickinson told Military.com. More recently, at the Air and Space Force Association's conference in Colorado in March, Kendall himself told Military.com that he was requesting additional information and conducting more reviews before he made a final choice. "I hoped to make a decision and make an announcement earlier," Kendall said during a roundtable at the Air Warfare Symposium. "We're doing some additional analysis; we want to make very sure we got this right and have a well-defended decision." At the time, Kendall said that one issue would be potentially putting two combatant commands in Colorado, which is already home to U.S. Northern Command. He added that his office was doing "sensitivity analysis," a type of financial modeling that looks at what-if scenarios to measure risks. It's not clear whether that analysis was completed prior to Biden's decision. Katherine Kuzminski, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security think tank who researches military culture and family issues, told Military.com that the president does have the right to make basing decisions but noted it is unusual. "As the commander in chief, he is kind of the ultimate guidance for any confirmed appointees," Kuzminski said. "But usually we don't see presidents having much of an opinion on exactly where our military basing decisions are made." The fight over the final basing decision quickly became seen as a fight between Republicans and Democrats, Red State and Blue State politics and, ultimately, former President Donald Trump and current President Biden. U.S. Space Command -- SPACECOM -- was reactivated in August 2019 and temporarily stationed at Peterson. SPACECOM is responsible for military operations related to space, while the Space Force organizes and trains space personnel. In August 2021, while speaking on an Alabama radio show, Trump said the move to the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville was his decision, which sparked speculation that the former president may have intervened in the process for choosing the base, something that could give ammunition to legal challenges. Two watchdog reports, requested by members of Colorado's delegation in Washington, followed. They did not point to any major issues with Huntsville as a location for the base, but did scrutinize the process for choosing it. In May, the findings of a Department of Defense inspector general report said that, while the selection process was marred by shoddy recordkeeping, the ultimate decision to choose Huntsville was reasonable. And in June, the Government Accountability Office released a report saying that Space Command's move from Colorado to Alabama was driven by an unorganized and unclear process. While that report did not comment on or analyze whether the choice of Huntsville as the home of Space Command was acceptable, the congressional watchdog organization did express concerns about "significant shortfalls in its transparency and credibility," as well as the "appearance of bias" in the decision. The GAO report did not address whether Trump, or any senior military official, was responsible for the ultimate selection of Redstone Arsenal. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court decision last year allowing states to ban abortion also hangs over the decision. Moving Space Command from Colorado, where abortion access is unrestricted, to Alabama, where it is illegal with limited exceptions, was also seen as a negative for service members assigned to the command. It has raised a red flag for some Colorado lawmakers who believe it will hurt troops' quality of life, as well as harm the military's retention efforts. In June, the Air Force denied the concerns. It told Military.com that "reproductive health care and state laws regarding the LGBTQ+ community are not currently part of the criteria considered in the Department of the Air Force strategic basing process." But Rogers decried the Biden administration's choice in a statement Monday, claiming "that far-left politics, not national security, was the driving force behind this decision." The chairman told Military.com last month he was holding up the military's ability to move around budgeted funds and cover funding shortfalls because the Air Force hadn't announced whether U.S. Space Command would be permanently located in his state. A week later, he backtracked and allowed the Air Force to reinstate bonuses for service members that were held up. Rogers said he was investigating the circumstances around the basing reversal. "I will continue to hold the Biden administration accountable for their egregious political meddling in our national security," Rogers said. "This fight is far from over." Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who is currently holding up hundreds of military promotions -- which are typically approved in bulk by the Senate -- over the Pentagon's travel policies relating to abortion, similarly accused Biden of politicizing the decision. "Once again, Joe Biden is injecting politics into the military," Tuberville said in a statement. "This sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are to be used as rewards for political support rather than for national security." Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Colorado Democrats, praised the reversal. "Over the past two and half years, we have repeatedly made the case that the Trump administration's decision to relocate U.S. Space Command was misguided," Bennet said in a statement. "Colorado is the rightful home for U.S. Space Command, and our state will continue to lead America in space for years to come." Ryder said in a statement announcing Biden's selection of Colorado Springs that the decision was connected to readiness. "Locating Headquarters U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs ultimately ensures peak readiness in the space domain for our nation during a critical period," Ryder said. "It will also enable the command to most effectively plan, execute and integrate military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression and defend national interests." The saga of the basing and what appears to be a final decision by the president has created a concerning scenario, according to Kuzminski. "Both the White House and Congress don't come out looking great if what they're doing is teeing up the military as a bargaining chip over political and partisan issues," Kuzminski said. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Alabama Chairman Releases Hold on Air Force Personnel Funds, But Space Command Standoff Continues In a program overseen by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), a Santa Clara, Calif.-based company has agreed to deliver up to six electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, sometimes called flying taxis or flying cars. Archer Aviation Inc. on Monday said the new contracts with the Air Force will have a total value of up to $142 million. The obligation is to deliver up to six of Archer's "Midnight" aircraft to the Air Force, share flight test data, test reports, offer pilot training and develop maintenance and repair operations, the company said Monday. Archer has worked with the DoD and AFWERX to advance the AFWERX Agility Prime program for the military. Overseen by AFRL, Agility Prime has sought to pave the way for eVTOL aircraft with the military, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration. AFRL is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and local contractors such as Dayton's Infinity Labs have contributed to the effort. The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, a site meant to advance the technology, has been built at Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport. A ribbon cutting for the center is scheduled for Sept. 18. "This historic agreement reflects the steadfast commitment by our Armed Forces to embrace the cutting-edge technology our eVTOL aircraft offer," said Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and chief executive. "It's clear that the development and commercialization of eVTOL technology continues to remain a national priority. We look forward to working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force to integrate Midnight into their operational fleet with a focus on transport, logistics and rescue operations." ___ (c)2023 Springfield News-Sun, Ohio Visit Springfield News-Sun, Ohio at www.springfieldnewssun.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The public's confidence in the military is the lowest it's been since 1997, according to a new poll released by Gallup. A June study found that only 60% of respondents reported "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the military, a steady downward trend for one of America's most trusted institutions. In 2009, the same question garnered an 82% vote of confidence from the public. The plummet in trust for the military appears to be most dramatic among Republicans, where Gallup measured a 20% decline in confidence over just three years. In 2020, Republican confidence in the military was measured at 91% -- nearly the highest it's been since 1975. The new poll measured their confidence at 68%. Read Next: Veterans in Congress Press for Bowe Bergdahl to Be Retried After Sentenced Was Dismissed "Now that the U.S. has completely withdrawn from both Iraq and Afghanistan, the two most significant military legacies of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S., confidence in the military has continued to decline among the public," the Gallup analysis of the study, released Monday, said. While the military shifts its attention toward the Pacific to challenge China's influence in the region, it has struggled with recruiting and finding a public identity post-Afghanistan. Conservatives have recently targeted the military, especially in the wake of the tumultuous pullout from Afghanistan, citing policies like diversity initiatives and travel reimbursement for reproductive care, including abortions. Confidence for Independents dropped by 13 points. Democrats -- whose trust has never risen above 80% -- also lost confidence in the military, declining from 68% to 62%. America's confidence in the military has waxed and waned since the mid-1970s, however. The Cold War -- specifically as measured in 1981 -- saw the public's lowest confidence in the military at 50%. After the Gulf War, the military garnered its highest percentage of public trust at 85%, which soon plummeted to the mid-low 60s for the rest of the 1990s. After the 9/11 attacks, confidence exploded into the 80s again. "Confidence generally held above 70% for the next two decades, until dipping to 69% in 2021 and declining further since then, following the poorly executed exit from Afghanistan," the Gallup report found. Despite the decline, the military is still one of the country's most confidence-evoking institutions, second only to small business. Most institutions measured by Gallup saw some decline, including the police, banks and newspapers. The Gallup survey was conducted from June 1 to June 22 this year. It recorded responses from 1,013 people living in all 50 states at a 95% confidence level. -- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence. Related: 2023 Ain't 2022: More Americans Signing Up with Army Guard, Internal Docs Show The Republican governors of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Nebraska this week joined a growing list of those deploying National Guardsmen to the U.S.-Mexico border to bolster the ranks of the Texas National Guard's scandal-scarred mission. The roster now includes at least 13 Republican governors who collectively made pledges to send roughly 1,300 Guardsmen to the border to support Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star, which is well into its second year and has cost at least $4.5 billion in an effort to combat illegal immigration and smuggling. The Texas National Guard makes up the lion's share of the mission. At its peak, Operation Lone Star had some 10,000 National Guardsmen, but the Texas Guard did not have the personnel to sustain that mission for a long period of time, thus prompting Abbott to ask other states for their troops in May. Read Next: Public's Confidence in the Military Drops Again "I have approved the deployment of members of the WVNG to help secure our border, reduce the flood of fentanyl, and combat the human trafficking crisis," West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said in a statement Monday. "Several governors are doing this because the situation on our Southern Border is terrible, and I want to make sure we're doing our part." The Texas border mission has long been plagued with complaints of late pay for soldiers and issues with troops having little to actually do, leading to issues of drinking and poor morale. There is also little evidence the Guard's mission is combating smuggling and illegal immigration. Many of the out-of-state deployments to Texas are relatively small and short missions. Each of the three states sending troops this week are sending only about 50 Guardsmen and for only a month, leaving little time for actual operations on the border after moving personnel and gear on and off the mission. All of those deployments are voluntary and with created task forces instead of a pre-existing unit. Meanwhile, each state sending assistance to the Texas border is also juggling its own missions at home and abroad. Ohio, for example, was one of the first states to deploy to Texas, sending 185 troops in 2021. The following year, it deployed some 2,000 troops to Syria and Iraq, marking some of the only conventional troops deployed to a combat zone at that time. Virginia deployed 100 Guardsmen to the border in May, shortly after it returned from its mission in the horn of Africa. The Guardsmen with Operation Lone Star are on state active-duty, or SAD, orders. That means they are generally paid less than if they were on traditional military duty and must even fill out new W4 tax forms like state contractors. Troops on SAD orders do not accrue benefits associated with service, such as the GI Bill or VA home loans, and are not entitled to disability through the Department of Veterans Affairs if injured on duty. Guardsmen usually fall under federal protections against retaliation from their civilian employers for taking time off to serve, but those laws mostly do not protect them while on state duty, though some states have their own protections. The Operation Lone Star troops are separate from the 4,000 service members on the border as part of a federal mission largely centered around administrative tasks ordered by President Joe Biden. Under federal orders, troops earn full pay and benefits. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: The National Guard Is Stuck in the Middle of Political Infighting, and It's Getting Worse NIAMEY, Niger France prepared to evacuate French and other European nationals from Niger on Tuesday, telling them to carry no more than a small bag, after a military coup there won backing from three other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers. The French Foreign Ministry in Paris cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for the decision. The closure of Niger's airspace also leaves our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means, the ministry said. The evacuation comes during a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Nigers democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The evacuation was starting Tuesday for French and other European citizens who wish to leave Niger, the French ministry said in a statement. It gave no other details. It estimates that several hundred French citizens are currently in Niger, a former French colony. In hotels in the capital, French and other European citizens, including some who have worked in the country for years, packed their bags awaiting news of where and when the evacuation would happen. My job is not finished, I hope the situation will finish and one day soon we can come back, a former French military official who is now training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press. This happened very quickly and no one saw this coming. I was really surprised, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it could use force if the coup leaders dont reinstate Bazoum within one week. Bazoum's government was one of the Wests last democratic partners against West African extremists. In a joint statement, the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso said that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali's state minister for territorial administration and decentralization, read the statement on Malian state TV Monday evening. The two countries also denounced the ECOWAS economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Also on Sunday, Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses." The sanctions measures advocated by ECOWAS, including military intervention, are an option that would not be a solution to the current problem, but would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could extend beyond Nigers borders, said Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, general of the brigade, in a statement from the ruling party. He added that Guinea would not apply the sanctions. Nigers coup will embolden jihadi violence, increase recruitment across the country and threaten regional stability, a former jihadi member said last week. Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM, said the military overthrow is exactly what the jihadis want because it will distract and weaken the army. Jihadis are very supportive of this coup that happened in Niger, because it will allow them to become very strong, he said. Moussa, who spoke to the AP in Niamey, is part of a nationwide program to bring back jihadis, reintegrate them into society and use their help in counterterrorism efforts. It was spearheaded by Bazoum when he was minister of interior and is intended as an alternative to a military solution to stem violence across the country. The AP cannot verify that Moussa actively fought for JNIM. In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the references to Russia, but some demonstrators regard the country as symbolizing their anti-Western feelings. Protesters also burned down a door and smashed windows at the French Embassy before the Nigerien army dispersed them. The evacuation was announced by France's embassy in an email sent to French nationals in Niamey. The message said the evacuation would be an airlift and that the spouses and children of French nationals were also eligible. It asked people to pack one small bag per person and to also take water, a bit of food, phones and batteries. Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their coups, analysts say. After the second coup in Burkina Faso in September, protesters also attacked the French Embassy in the capital, Ouagadougou, and damaged and ransacked the Institut Francais, France's international cultural promotion organization. If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. While unlikely, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic, said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank. Lyammouri said he does not see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger. But a Western diplomat in Niamey, who did not want to be identified for security reasons, said the first sanctions used against the coup plotters havent worked so there is resolve to use military force, which could include troops from Nigeria, Benin and Ivory Coast. Niger is being squeezed and if imports are cut off, gas and food could run out quickly, the diplomat said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to defend constitutional order in Niger after the sanctions announcement, and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family. Also Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he described as harmful to state security. He also claimed without evidence that Bazoums government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged the coup leaders to release detained members of the ousted government and return power to them. It is not too late to return to the path of democracy, Baerbock said in a statement. She said the German government has suspended development cooperation and that we stand ready to take further measures together with our European partners. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. After neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military and began working with Wagner mercenaries, Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce $150 million in direct assistance, calling the country a model of democracy. The U.S. will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. U.S. assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday. When people say theres an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, its extremely difficult for people. ... Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community, he said. In the capital, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they cant pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Since the 1990s, the 15-nation ECOWAS has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. ___ AP journalist John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report. ___ This story corrects the name order and affiliation of jihadi member to Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM. The state agency charged with enforcing Nebraska's campaign finance disclosure and lobbying laws named its next executive director after commissioners mulled the choice for nearly an hour Friday. Members of Nebraska's Accountability and Disclosure Commission ultimately voted 7-0 Friday to promote David Hunter, who has worked for the agency for 23 years, to head the commission. Hunter, the agency's deputy director, will succeed his longtime boss Frank Daley Jr., who will retire in September after serving for more than two decades as the agency's executive director, a job he's held since 1999. At an open meeting Friday at the Capitol, the commission interviewed Hunter and two other finalists: Tag Herbek, a senior attorney at the state Department of Banking and Finance, and Jamie Karl, the managing director of communication services at the Ohio Manufacturers' Association. Karl previously worked for Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, the state Department of Agriculture and two Republican representatives in the state's congressional delegation. Hunter and the two other finalists were among 77 applicants who vied for the executive director job, which pays $105,000 to $110,000 annually. His exact salary will be negotiated in the coming weeks. In his interview with the commission, Hunter, who started at the agency in 2000, touted his decades of direct experience on the commission and said he plans to work there until he retires. "Without our office, the opportunities for corruption ... could be unlimited," Hunter said Friday after Secretary of State Bob Evnen asked him what he viewed as the primary purpose of the commission's existence. Hunter, who told commissioners he planned to model his leadership in part off of Daley, who he was worked under for his entire career at the agency, also faced questions over what he might do differently than his predecessor. "Frank Daley is an extremely impressive person," Hunter responded. "He does the job of multiple people. I think I would try to and build up some more staff, perhaps." Hunter noted that the agency has had a vacant auditor position for more than a year, and he said he would seek funding for an additional staffer. The longtime deputy director suggested he might allow employees to work from home in a hybrid model to help recruit staff in what he described as a difficult labor market, particularly in the public sector. "The bottom line for the majority of applicants, I think, is pay. At least that is what's, I think, preventing the auditor position from being filled," he said of the job that pays $21.45 an hour. He suggested that he would consider adding duties to the auditor position to in turn raise the pay scale in an effort to attract qualified candidates. After interviews with all three candidates, the commission entered closed session for approximately 50 minutes to select the finalist that will lead the agency, ultimately settling on Hunter. Though the board publicly voted unanimously to appoint the longtime deputy to the director position, it's unclear if there was consensus from the start of the commission's closed-door discussion. Marty Callahan, who has served on the commission since 2018, said outside the meeting room that commissioners held "general discussion (of) the candidates" amid the closed session. "I mean that's nothing we'll go into detail on," he said. "I think it was just a review of the candidates. Nothing spectacular, and the vote came out at, I think, 7-0." When the meeting reopened to the public Friday, Daley summoned a beaming Hunter from elsewhere in the Capitol building to reappear before the commission. "Well, Mr. David Hunter, congratulations. You are soon to be our new executive director," said Kate Sullivan, the commission's chair. "Have any thoughts?" "I'm ready to work," he said. The Pentagon said Tuesday it has suspended security cooperation with Niger due to the political unrest in the West African nation, but U.S. troops are not being evacuated, and some are still even continuing to engage with members of the country's military. "There's no imminent threat against any U.S. personnel or American citizens," Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman, told reporters Tuesday. Ryder said that while the security cooperation between the U.S. and Nigerien military has been suspended, "we maintain close contact with our Niger military counterparts in the country, as the situation continues to unfold" and "when necessary [and] environment permitting," service members are still able to go off base to foster that engagement. Read Next: Public's Confidence in the Military Drops Again Niger's democratically elected leader, President Mohamed Bazoum, was put under house arrest late last week when part of the country's military mutinied. The news became public in the early hours of July 27, shortly after several military leaders appeared on TV and declared a curfew and the closing of the country's borders "until the situation stabilized," the Associated Press reported. Bazoum was elected president two years ago in the nation's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960. He has not resigned his office since being detained. Now, nearly a week later, Ryder is hesitant to describe the situation as a coup -- a term that carries legal implications for U.S. foreign policy -- and instead stressed that military leaders are closely monitoring the situation there. "It continues to remain very fluid," he said, before adding that "it's too soon to characterize the nature of ongoing developments." The Pentagon announced that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley spoke with Niger's Armed Forces Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Issa Abdou Sidikou on Thursday by phone and, according to a readout of the call, the two men "discussed the safety of Americans and the developing situation in Niger." On Monday, Milley also spoke with the French defense chief about the situation in Niger. Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken to Bazoum several times last week. Ryder said that no U.S. forces have been pulled out of the country but noted that "we're always going to plan for various contingencies." He also pushed back on reports and speculation that Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was involved in the incident. "Based on the information that I have, we see no indication that Wagner played a role in this particular action," Ryder explained, referring to the mercenary group run by Prigozhin. Various international news outlets reported that Prigozhin took to social media after the Nigerien military seized power to praise the move and to offer his fighters' services. "We are going to continue to be focused on using diplomatic tools to try to preserve Niger's hard-earned democracy," Ryder stressed. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: West African Nations Threaten to Use Force if Niger's President Isn't Reinstated Within a Week The convoy is under attack. A roadside bomb obliterates the Humvee that had been leading the column and gunfire rains down on the windshield in front of you, with the screams of civilians seeping through the developing holes in the vehicle. The driver next to you steps on the gas and the Humvee lurches forward, the roar of the truck drowning out the radio operator's call for air support. That's what patients experience in a new breed of treatment design to help combat the effect of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. BraveMind, one of the developers of virtual reality (VR) treatments for psychological disorders that are being used by trained therapists, created the improvised explosive device attack scenario. Treatments like this one are currently live at more than 60 veterans' hospitals, universities and military centers. Some look to help veterans process past traumas. Others transport them to peaceful environments to provide a bit of peace. Read Next: Veterans in Congress Press for Bowe Bergdahl to Be Retried After Sentenced Was Dismissed Jonathan Spier, deputy executive director of the Long Island State Veterans Home, has been working on virtual reality as a treatment for years. In an interview, he said he "felt strongly there was great potential" and has started to see results. Three hundred and fifty veterans are under his charge at the home who have served in every conflict from World War II up through Iraq and Afghanistan. His oldest veteran is 106 years old and still thriving. "When he tried the VR goggles, his reaction was priceless," Spier said. "He was so excited." As Spier was developing the program, a friend introduced him to Chris Brickler, CEO of MyndVR, who had already collected an impressive library of audiovisual content that featured a wide array of virtual locations such as national parks, museums and destinations worldwide. Brickler and Spier have been collaborating since they met. "Patients don't generally enjoy therapy," Brickler said. He added that a VR program, known as digital therapeutics in the field, "makes it fun for them." "It's something they look forward to, so the outcomes are better," he said. MyndVR has a big focus on elderly veterans. Thanks to a recent grant from the nonprofit charity Bowlers to Veterans Link, it will be bringing the technology to veterans' homes across the country. The videos for elderly vets, like those who served in Vietnam and Korea, are completely different from those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead of VR depicting troops under attack, PTSD treatment for Vietnam veterans typically uses what Spier calls distraction, or reminiscent therapy. The scenes are peaceful and soothing, such as being part of a safari on the Tanzanian savanna, a casual stroll through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, splashing the surf on a national shoreline, or hiking the Alps. These are all part of a massive library of videos collected by MyndVR, many of which came from National Geographic, PBS, renowned museums, and creators worldwide. "The history of virtual reality goes back to the '90s," said Skip Rizzo, director of Virtual Reality Medicine at the University of Southern California's Institute of Advanced Technology. "Back then, there was exposure therapy where someone with a phobia of, say, crowds would be put in different public situations. Along with a therapist, and over time, the individual generally became more comfortable, and the phobia would become extinguished. Using repeated cycles was proof the brain could be fooled, and the phobia would no longer be an issue." Those were the early days, when very few had access to developing VR systems. "Back then, the technology was primitive and expensive," Rizzo said. "Over the last 25 years, the science and technology has evolved to a point where progress actually helps a lot of people." Rizzo said there are five areas where VR is most useful: pain management therapy, PTSD, fears, exposure, and reminiscence therapy for older adults. Rizzo worked to develop BraveMind, the VR system that can produce the Humvee under attack scenario, while at USC while working on a contract for the Office of Naval Research. "When we first pitched the NIH [National Institutes of Health], while we entered the Middle East, they said PTSD wouldn't be an issue for returning vets, but as it turned out, it was," he said. Rizzo said what excites him the most is that there are no limits with what they can do with VR therapy. It has become readily adopted to help treat autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and has quickly caught on in pain management circles. The promise of VR appears to extend to a range of patients beyond veterans, and the research is growing. The National Institutes of Health research library -- PubMed -- lists 781 studies looking into "VR as treatment." "Immersive VR has been identified as a potentially revolutionary tool for psychological interventions," according to a study published in the journal "Current Opinion in Psychology." -- Douglas C. Atkins is an Army veteran and the author of "Diminishing Horizons," a collection of science fiction dystopian short stories. He lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Related: Virtual Reality Therapy May Help PTSD Patients ABUJA, Nigeria The stance of West Africas regional bloc known as ECOWAS in the military takeover in Niger is clear: We will stand with our people in our commitment to the rule of law, its chairman, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said at the body's meeting this week. The 15-nation bloc summoned its defense chiefs to discuss its threat to take all measures necessary (that) may include the use of force if ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within one week. ECOWAS is resolved to use military force after economic and travel sanctions used against the coup plotters failed, according to a Western diplomat in Niamey who did not want to be identified for security reasons. How the bloc would carry out its threat remains unclear given its lack of coordination in providing security regionally and formally with the U.S. State Department in Niger, said Aneliese Bernard, director of Strategic Stabilization Advisors. Theres not enough actual trust among ECOWAS members, and that lack of trust is what will break any type of coordinated response, Bernard said. But here's what we can tell so far on how such a military option could play out: HAS ECOWAS INTERVENED MILITARILY IN MEMBER COUNTRIES BEFORE? This is the first time in recent years that ECOWAS has considered the use of force to intervene and restore democracies in countries where the military took over. Amid the resurgence of coups in West and Central Africa, four nations are run by military governments in the region, but the bloc has unsuccessfully tried to return democracies in these places. Its best shot has been economic sanctions that often end up with no effect other than squeezing the citizens already facing a high rate of poverty and hunger. However, ECOWAS has used force in recent history to restore order in member countries, most recently in 2017 in Gambia after longtime President Yahya Jammehs refusal to step down after he lost the presidential election. But even in that case, the move had involved diplomatic efforts led by then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow. ECOWAS also operated a regional peacekeeping operation known as ECOMOG that was led by Nigeria in the 1990s and early 2000s to help restore order in several countries, from Liberia when forces were first deployed in 1990 during the deadly civil war to Sierra Leone in 1997 when the democratically elected government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was overthrown. CAN A MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGER WORK? The military in landlocked Niger which relies on neighbors like Nigeria for electricity supply and Benin for port operations may not be able to hold out for long against a joint ECOWAS force, said Bacary Sambe, a conflict researcher with the Senegal-based Timbuktu Institut think tank. Analysts have said the success of such a military intervention would also depend on how ECOWAS is able to coordinate among its members and with external bodies like the African Union. There are already signs of a lack of synergy: ECOWAS gave the Niger junta a one-week deadline, shorter than the 15-day ultimatum the African Union handed them to return to their barracks. There are also economic limitations to how logistics and financing for such a force could be implemented, leaving a window open for Western support, said Kabir Adamu, the founder of Beacon Consulting, an Abuja-based security consulting firm. A military intervention would be a bit difficult, however, there are options in the Western world and France. In the case of the financial challenge, that can be addressed by support from other countries, likewise the technical challenge," Adamu said. The resistance threatened by other countries run by regimes Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea could further complicate ECOWAS' response. The four countries share borders which could make it easier for them to team up across the Sahel region in the vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert, starting from Guinea on one end to Niger at the other. WHAT COULD BE THE CAPACITY OF AN ECOWAS MILITARY FORCE? In December, the bloc said it was determined to set up a regional force to intervene in occasions like coups but there has been no word since then on establishing such a force or how it would operate. In terms of numbers though, it is believed that should ECOWAS decide to deploy security forces in Niger, their number would be far more than the 7,000 members of the multinational force sent to remove Jammeh from office. Nigeria alone has West Africas largest armed force with 230,000 personnel, though not all are frontline troops. Nine of the top 20 countries with the best military in Africa are from remaining West African democracies, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. Only Nigeria, ranked fourth, is among the top five, while 21st-placed Mali is the highest-ranked among the four countries that have recently witnessed coups. HOW MUCH EXTERNAL INFLUENCE FROM THE WEST AND RUSSIA COULD WE SEE IN NIGER? An ECOWAS-led military intervention in Niger and the resulting resistance from Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea could keep West and other parts of Africa sandwiched in the middle of a geopolitical battle between the West and Crimea, said Adamu with the Abuja-based Beacon Consulting. The coup in Niger could extend the reach of Russia's private military group Wagner in West Africa where it has emerged as the preferred security partner, from Mali where they have helped fight jihadi groups to Burkina Faso where the regime has hailed Russia as a strategic ally after ousting French troops in February. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin welcomed the military takeover as the fight of its people (Niger) against the colonizers, referring to France, which along with the U.S. has thousands of troops in Niger, seen as the last remaining Western ally in the Sahel. The military junta (in Niger) can't look at Russia (but) it depends on how far it wants to go, Adamu said. ___ Sam Mednick in Niamey, Niger, and Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali, contributed. Does the Armys spaghetti carbonara get you down? Are you constantly missing chicken tendies day? Are you a grave shift worker who doesnt want the rest of the installations rejected food? Subway is offering one lucky American the opportunity to change all that with free Subway sandwiches for life. Subway is looking for its biggest fan, and theres no better way to prove your fandom than a legal name change. All one has to do is visit SubwayNameChange.com between now and 11:59 p.m. on August 4 to enter the contest. Youll be asked to enter your full name, birthdate and email address. The promotion is free to enter, on the condition that you agree to legally change your first name to Subway. Its a contest that just screams E-4 and Below. A winner, chosen at random August 7, will receive $750 to cover the cost of changing their name. The free Subway sandwiches for life will come in the form of a $50,000 gift card, valid at Subways 37,000 restaurants in 100 countries. Subway Sandwiches: Still technically declared bread in most countries. (Tom Sulcer) It probably includes those at deployed locations, but its probably better to keep that at home. Subway will not replace lost, damaged or stolen Subway gift cards. The restaurant chain will also probably not cover the costs of getting new OCP nametapes. Its important to note that the contest isnt just for military members. Its open to all Americans with a name they can legally change to Subway. Entrants must be 18 years old in most states, 19 in Alabama and Nebraska or 20 in Mississippi. Subway has learned from some of its previous mistakes, and thus the winner will have to pass a background check conducted by the sponsor. They will then have four months to legally change their name via Legalzoom to receive the grand prize. The winner will also have to pay taxes on the prize, which is $50,750, even though most of it comes in sandwich form. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Drought-stricken Flathead and Lincoln counties earned natural disaster declarations from the federal government Monday, after increasingly dry conditions helped fuel wildfire growth over the weekend. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the declarations in a letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte. Requested by the governor last week, the move frees up emergency loans for farmers impacted by the drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the majority of Flathead County has been under an extreme drought since early May. That classification is associated with high levels of fire activity and fire danger, poor crop yields and quality and bone-dry soils. The services last weekly update, released July 27, shows the growing patch of extreme drought stretching into several neighboring Montana counties and northern Idaho. Water supply has been dwindling in northwest Montana, due to poor winter snowpack that largely vanished during an unusually hot May. The Flathead River is running historically low, and Flathead Lake has fallen to more than 2 feet below its typical summertime water level, according to data published Monday by the U.S. Geological Survey. Other parts of the state, in particular the southeast and south-central regions, saw plentiful rainfall in June and early July, according to Michael Downey, the drought program coordinator for the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. But little of that precipitation fell in the northwest, he told a legislative panel last week. And the long-term forecast shows the rest of the summer will likely remain hotter and drier than usual. Were really not anticipating drought development at least through the southern part of the state and into the east, Downey told the Environmental Quality Council during a July 26 presentation. I think that the drought will continue to expand across north-central (Montana) and into the northeast, as well as into the northwest. Ten other counties on Monday received designations as contiguous to the primary disaster area of Lincoln and Flathead counties. They include Glacier, Lake, Sanders, Powell, Pondera, Teton and Lewis and Clark counties. In Idaho, Bonner and Boundary counties were also on the list. Farmers in all 12 counties may qualify for emergency loans administered by the Farm Service Agency, though Vilsacks letter notes that each determination is made on an individual basis. Applications for loans must be made within eight months of the disaster designation. The Yankees dropped tonights 5-1 contest to the Rays. Theyre at 55-51 heading into the deadline, last place in the AL East despite being four games above .500. New York is only 3.5 out of a Wild Card spot and recently welcomed Aaron Judge back, but theyve gone 21-27 since the start of June. With around 18 hours before the deadline, general manager Brian Cashman and his front office find themselves with a difficult balancing act. Whether to add for a playoff push, entertain offers on veterans, or attempt to walk the line by doing both is in question. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported before tonights loss that the Yankees were telling other clubs theyre willing to entertain trade offers on their impending free agents. Nevertheless, it doesnt seem the Yankees are strictly bucketing themselves as sellers. Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted this afternoon New York was still searching the market for outfield help. Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the St, Louis Post Dispatch reports the Yanks are among the teams that have reached out to the Cardinals on starter Jack Flaherty though it isnt clear how recent that interest is. It seems Cashman and his front office could entertain multiple moves that blur the line between buying and selling. Their impending free agents are having relatively disappointing seasons, though they could find varying levels of interest in each (not including Frankie Montas and Josh Donaldson, whose injuries and high salaries make them essentially impossible to move). Harrison Bader has continued to battle injury issues, missing time with oblique and hamstring problems. Hes gotten into 57 games, connecting on seven homers but with a modest .283 on-base percentage. While its his second straight below-average offensive showing, Bader is an elite center fielder and has stolen 10 bags in 12 attempts. Hes playing on a $4.7MM salary and should have a decent amount of appeal on a trade market light on position player talent. Left-hander Wandy Peralta would be a fairly straightforward target for clubs seeking relief depth. Hes holding same-handed hitters to a putrid .091/.242/.091 batting line in 67 plate appearances. Peralta has a 2.29 ERA in 37 1/3 innings overall. His strikeout and walk numbers are both subpar but hes picking up grounders at an elite 64.1% clip while averaging 96 MPH on his sinker. Hes making $3.35MM in his final arbitration season. Thered be less appeal with either Luis Severino or Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The former is playing on a lofty $15MM salary and having a nightmarish season. Hes been tagged for a 7.49 ERA across 12 starts. His formerly plus strikeout rates have fallen to a meager 18% clip. Severinos velocity remains intact, but hes not missing bats on either his changeup or slider at typical levels and is giving up tons of hard contact. Kiner-Falefa, playing on a $6MM arbitration salary, has moved into a multi-positional role after serving as the primary shortstop in 2022. Hes spending the bulk of his time in the outfield, where he has slightly below-average reviews from public defensive marks. Kiner-Falefa is hitting .257/.322/.374 in 240 trips to the plate, making plenty of contact without much power. Flaherty, of course, is an impending free agent himself. If New Yorks interest in the Cards righty was somewhat recent, itd obviously be with this season in mind. Its hard to imagine the Yankees completely throwing in the towel in 2023. Each of their impending free agents is having a middling (or downright poor) enough season that they could move someone in the group while still looking for immediate help in other areas. There could also be financial considerations at play. Roster Resource projects the Yankees competitive balance tax number just above $294MM. Thats a bit north of the $293MM that marks the highest tier of luxury penalization. Offseason reports indicated Yankees ownership was reluctant to go above that mark, although there are no non-monetary penalties for doing so. Offloading the money still owed to the likes of Bader or Peralta could allow them to dip below that number. Players like Gleyber Torres and Clay Holmes are into arbitration and would surely attract interest from other clubs, though theres nothing to suggest the Yankees on taking offers on players who can be controlled beyond this season. Both Torres and Holmes are eligible for arbitration once more. 1:40pm: The Padres are out on Verlander at this point, tweets SNYs Andy Martino. The Giants, who briefly threw their hat into the ring, have also backed out of the bidding. 11:55am: Feinsand reports that the Astros were close to a Verlander deal last night but that things have really cooled down today. He says the sticking point in the talks was the players going to the Mets, not the financials. 11:46am: Heyman tweets that while the Braves have been involved on Verlander, theyre not strongly in the mix at present. 11:14am: With just over six hours to go before the deadline, rumors about Justin Verlanders future continue to swirl. The Astros, Dodgers and Orioles have all been linked to the three-time Cy Young winner. Theyre not the only clubs with interest, however. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports (on Twitter) the Braves are also in conversations on Verlander. Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of the New York Post tweets that the Padres are involved, though its not clear how serious San Diegos interest is. The Friars also like Detroit southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez, suggests Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (on Twitter). Even with the revelations of Atlanta and San Diego being at least on the periphery of the Verlander market, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the previously-known trio of Houston, L.A. and Baltimore appear to be leading the market. Andy Martino of SNY and Bob Nightengale of USA Today both reiterate that Houston appears the likeliest landing spot. Neither Atlanta nor San Diego has a strict rotation need. The Braves have some uncertainty towards the back of the staff at present, relying on recent waiver claim Yonny Chirinos to start games. Yet theyre a virtual lock to secure the NL East title and a first-round bye given their 11-game lead in the standings. Any additions at this point are geared more towards the playoffs. Max Fried will soon be back to join Spencer Strider at the top of the rotation. Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton are each playoff-caliber starters, while Kyle Wright could also factor into the plans in October. Still, the Braves excellent roster at least affords them the flexibility to kick the tires on luxury buys. Verlander has an accomplished postseason track record. Hes not pitching at last years Cy Young level, but he carries a 3.15 ERA over 16 starts this season. It seems an open question whether the Mets would actually pull the trigger on a move to Atlanta, however. New York flipped David Robertson to Miami, so theyre not categorically opposed to intra-division trades. Yet Robertson is an impending free agent during a season in which the Mets are more or less conceding their playoff chances. Dealing Verlander, under contract for next year, to a club with which New York will ostensibly try to compete for a division title in 2024, would be a much bigger move. San Diego seemingly checks in on every big-name player available. The Padres are reportedly targeting position player depth and bullpen help, which indeed seem like bigger concerns than the starting rotation. San Diegos starters lead the majors with a 3.63 ERA and rank seventh with a 24% strikeout rate. With Blake Snell and Seth Lugo (by likely declining a player option) seemingly a few months from free agency, theres an argument for the Friars looking for rotation help controllable beyond this season. That said, their reported diligence on Verlander and Rodriguez seem more like the Friars general approach of staying involved on any star. Verlander is owed around $14.2MM on his record salary through seasons end. Hes due $43.333MM next year, while his contract contains a $35MM vesting/player option for 2025. The Mets would have to pay down some portion of the salary. Theyre clearly amenable to doing so, though reports have suggested they value Verlander more highly than they did Max Scherzer whose contract they paid down to $22.5MM over the next two seasons to land Luisangel Acuna from Texas. See them while you can. Elton John, Bob Seger and Fleetwood Mac are three legendary music artists who will likely never perform another concert in Michigan. Four more huge bands are set to join this list as they embark on farewell tours with one last stop in the Mitten State in 2023. The first big farewell tour coming through will be Foreigner, who will be at Pine Knob on Wednesday, August 30. Loverboy will open for them. Foreigners last remaining original member, Mick Jones, is still with the band but doesnt really perform anymore. The band is fronted by Kelly Hansen, who joined in 2005. He says at 62, its very difficult to perform Foreigners songs the way he feels they deserve to be performed. This catalog of songs, its extremely challenging for a rock tenor vocalist like myself to sing, Hansen told Billboard. I never would have thought in a million years Id be singing these songs in the keys at this age, and I dont know how much longer I can do that at the level I need do. You can drop keys and do this and do that, but Im more of an old school person. If Im not doing it for real then I shouldnt be doing it. FOREIGNER TICKETS (starting around $40) It doesnt get any bigger than Aerosmith in the world of rock music. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford will be in Michigan for the final time at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, September 18. The Black Crowes will open for them. Joey Kramer is not touring to focus his full attention on his family and health. Were opening up Pandoras Box one last time to present our fans with the Peace Out tour, Tyler said to The Associated Press. Perry added: I think its about time. Its kind of a chance to celebrate the 50 years weve been out here. You never know how much longer everybodys going to be healthy to do this. AEROSMITH TICKETS (starting around $100) Next is one of the biggest bands in music history: The Eagles. Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, are scheduled to be in Michigan for the finale time at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, October 13. The band will be joined on stage by Vince Gill and Deacon Frey. Steely Dan will open for them. The band says on The Long Goodbye tour, they will perform as many shows in each market as their audience demands, meaning another Michigan concert could possibly be announced. This farewell tour is expected to continue into 2025. The Eagles have had a miraculous 52-year odyssey, performing for people all over the globe; keeping the music alive in the face of tragic losses, upheavals and setbacks of many kinds, the band said in a statement. We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful. Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle. EAGLES TICKETS (starting around $300) Finally, one last show for KISS. The rockers are scheduled to play their last concert in Michigan on Friday, October 20 at Little Caesars Arena. Its the second show (Cincinnati) on the final leg of their tour. KISS TICKETS (starting around $70) With the summer heat wave in full swing in Southern California, a backyard pool is a tempting place to take a dip. Even for a bear. Police in the city of Burbank responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood and found the animal sitting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes. After a short dip, the bear climbed over a wall and headed to a tree behind the home, police said in a statement Friday. Police released a video of the animal in the neighborhood, which is about 10 miles north of Los Angeles and near the Verdugo Mountains. The Burbank police have issued warnings for residents to avoid bears and to keep all garbage and food locked up to discourage bears from coming to their residences. The Associated Press DETROIT A double amputee who was panhandling in Detroit was attacked by an unknown assailant and shot in the back of the head and in the hand over the weekend, WDIV Local 4 reports. The 64-year-old victim fell out of his wheelchair and was shot in the head and hand with an automatic-type pistol around 5 p.m. Sunday on 8 Mile Road near Southfield Freeway in Detroit, police said. His injuries were non-life-threatening. He is among a rash of panhandler victims who have recently been threatened by unknown attackers, said Commander Vernal Newson, of the Detroit Police Department. The type of person that will do that is a monstrous type of individual. Police are still searching for the suspect who was masked and fled in a vehicle that was waiting at a nearby store, police said. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the DPD at 313-596-2200. READ MORE: Northern Michigan woman attacks man with toilet cleaner Man, 20, charged in fatal shooting of 19-year-old in Kalamazoo Bay City police officer injured in motorcycle crash DETROIT A former Michigan pastor has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of a transgender woman nearly five years ago, authorities announced. Kelly Stough, 36, of Detroit, was shot to death around 6 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2018, in Detroit. Her body was discovered by a Detroit Police officer. Albert Weathers, then-46, of Sterling Heights, was charged with open murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony on Dec. 10, 2018. Last week, Weathers pleaded guilty in 36th District Court to second-degree murder and felony firearm, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. The plea bargain includes a sentencing agreement of eight years for second-degree murder and two years for felony firearm. The mother of Stough agreed to the plea bargain and was grateful for the case to come to a resolution, according to the prosecutors office. She will not be forgotten. She mattered, Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who bring harm to this and other Wayne County communities. Weathers is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 8 before Judge Bridget Hathaway. The case was previously expected to go to trial. Weathers initially claimed he was acting in self-defense and his gun went off by mistake. He said Stough got in his vehicle and demanded money. Stough died from a gunshot wound to the left underarm. The prosecutors office alleged that Weathers knew the victim and the crime took place in an area known to be frequented by sex workers. Weathers was previously the pastor of Logos Baptist Church in Detroit. READ MORE: Swimmers itch outbreak detected in Lake Superior, health officials say Northern Michigan woman attacks man with toilet cleaner Double amputee shot in back of head is among rash of panhandler victims in Detroit Theres still plenty of summer left, and plenty of opportunities to experience Michigans great outdoors in a fresh way. Paddleboard yoga and paddlefit classes are continuing through the summer and early fall at Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton and Pinckney Recreation Area in Pinckney, offering visitors the chance to unplug, connect with nature, and enjoy low-impact exercise on the water. The classes are led by southeastern Michigan-based Eclipse Yoga and are open to all experience levels even total beginners, says instructor and Eclipse Yoga co-founder Roo Morgan. I get people out there who have never been on a paddleboard and have never done yoga before, and thats OK, she says. The paddleboard yoga classes are largely focused on relaxation and enjoying the present moment, Morgan says. The paddleboards are anchored and the water isnt deep, and the yoga poses are slow and modified to suit each person. The whole class is about being in nature, being relaxed, and enjoying the moment, Morgan says. The paddlefit classes, meanwhile, are more fitness focused, challenging participants to work on balance and strength while still having a great time on the water. These classes are the best core and stabilizer muscle workouts that you will have, she says. Youre laughing, youre having fun, and again, I modify to what peoples levels are. I want people to feel good about themselves. The classes are $35 per person, open to ages 18 and up, and ages 14-17 if accompanied by a parent/guardian. Paddleboards are provided. Every class starts out with basic paddleboard instruction and safety practices. Participants must register at least 2 hours before class. A state park Recreation Passport is required for entry into the parks. For class schedule, registration, other Eclipse Yoga offerings/class locations, and more details, visit eclipseyoga.net/standuppaddleboard. RELATED: New 360-acre Northern Michigan riverfront nature preserve opens to public Northern Michigan stargazing park is also a gorgeous waterfront wedding venue MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - When former Mackinac Island dockporters-turned-authors Dave McVeigh and Jim Bolone were casting around for ideas to follow their first award-winning novel, they had lots of intriguing options. They could have just turned back the clock on their heroic college-age protagonist, dockporter Jack McGuinn, morphing him into an 11-year-old island paperboy bent on solving a cold case murder for a $25,000 reward. Or they could have simply shared the real-life excitement of seeing Hollywood stars and a film crew descend on the island in 1979 for the making of the cult classic Somewhere in Time. The fact that the authors layered both those storylines - all while throwing in an Arch Rock-size twist at the end of the plot - is probably why their new book, Somewhere in Crime: A Mackinac Island Novel, has already vaulted to the top of Amazons list of Hot New Releases in the teen and young adult travel fiction category. Its officially available as a paperback or as a Kindle version. And Audible version is coming soon. Draped with a #1 New Release banner, it could be an early sign this new novel will do as well as the duos first book, The Dockporter: A Mackinac Island Novel, which also made the online retail giants bestseller list and was named a Michigan Notable Book in 2022. But whats not in question is whether this will be a fun read packed with island insider tidbits that any Mackinac enthusiast will love. After getting a sneak peek, we can tell you its a big, sweet, laugh-out-loud scoop of late-70s nostalgia. So slip on your checkered Vans, pull on your faded KISS T-shirt (because to Jacks gang of bike-riding buddies, there is no argument that KISS is better than Black Sabbath. Natch.) and get ready to free-fall into the era of Schwinn bikes, Izod shirts, Superman and Space Invaders. Authors Dave McVeigh, left, and Jim Bolone, right, at The Island Bookstore. Photo provided by Dave McVeigh. Pulling from the Past While the authors are quick to say this book, like the last one, is 100% fiction, Mackinac aficionados will spy some thinly-veiled references to real islanders. And its packed with island landmarks like the Haunted Theatre, Island House, Stonecliffe, Skull Cave and more. Like their last creative effort, the friends say this one, too, was born out of a sincere love for the island, its people, and the era in which they lived and worked there. Both were dockporters during their college years, nimbly stacking a jumble of suitcases, bags and packages onto their bikes before pedaling those precarious loads from the ferry docks to the guests hotels. McVeigh also lived on the island as a youngster, his family having owned the Brigadoon cottage on Main Street, across from the harbor. He was a kid when the Somewhere in Time crew arrived on the island with much fanfare. Those details helped shape this latest novel - once they had the perfect title for it. When Dave came up with that title, that kind of was our carrot in front of us, said Jim Bolone, a creative writing teacher who graduated from Wayne State University and was a dockporter for eight summers, beginning in 1982. We generated a lot of our thoughts and imaginings from that. McVeigh had a good basis to pull 1979-tinged fiction from. He, like most of the islands summer crowd that year, were enthralled to see movies stars Jane Seymour and the late Christopher Reeve and Christopher Plummer on Mackinac. McVeigh was nearly tapped as an extra, but was a little too shaggy. I didnt want to get my hair cut, he remembered with a laugh. And I regret it. It was a really interesting summer, McVeigh said. It was pretty easy for us: If youre going to do a young Jack story, it was going to be that summer. I was always fascinated with that idea. He ended up watching a lot of the Somewhere in Time production that summer. And it made an impact. In a note to readers at the end of Somewhere in Crime, he says seeing Hollywood come to Mackinac was among what fueled his later decision to get into film. The Milford native and University of Michigan grad who spend four summers as a dockporter is now a writer/director living in the Philippines. Together, the authors teased the fiction out of that memorable summer. With Forrest Gump-like incredulity, their main character becomes indirectly responsible for an epic line from Somewhere in Time. The young Jack also coaxes a portrait-perfect smile from Jane Seymours character, and is praised for producing a particularly crucial coin. In real life, there were moments in that summer of 79 that seemed just as magical to a young McVeigh. Among them: Cars did show up on the island to be used in the film. McVeigh and his mother, completely by coincidence, ended up in a horse-drawn taxi with Christopher Plummer and a movie exec on the way out to the area of Stonecliffe and Woods restaurant. Plummer bought his mother a glass of wine. And this gem, showing why it was especially handy to have the actor who played The Man of Steel on the island: The island theater showed Superman when the movie was being shot. The sound went out. Everyone started booing. Suddenly a hush. Reeve stood up and started narrating the movie for us until the sound came back on. When the sound came on, everyone booed again because they didnt want him to stop. Such a class act, that man. McVeigh hopes this new book hits a chord with Somewhere in Time fans. They are a devoted bunch to be sure, with some making the pilgrimage each fall for Grand Hotels fancy weekend devoted to the film. Guests love wearing period costumes and spending time with actors and others who worked on the movie. Seymour has made a couple appearances in recent years. I think if you love the movie, you will love this book, he said. RELATED: Jane Seymour dishes on Mackinac Island love during her Somewhere in Time weekend Bikes parked at British Landing during the dockporter's Road Jam in July 2021. Photo provided by Dave McVeigh. Wrangling Time Zones to Collaborate With Bolone in Toledo and McVeigh in the Philippines for this novel-writing effort, the pair perfected the time-zone wrangling theyd used to collaborate on their first novel. It took more than a year, but they both seem boyishly excited by the end result. Capturing the spirit of a boy who insists hes almost 12 made the process buoyant. Add in a chain-smoking, Black Sabbath-loving burnout named Blaze as an antagonist. Throw in all of Seymours loveliness - and Reeve sporting period bowler hats. Then interweave the decades-old murder mystery shrouded with cannibalistic Wendigo lore. As Jack says in the book Its a helluva story. Thats a major feat - its the challenge, Bolone said of their cross-country writing and editing sessions. Many people find it difficult to write in tandem. We have this thing where we know its a challenge, but thats part of (the process). Probably because we have both worked the docks together and we genuinely like each other. The duos first book, released in the spring of 2021, created a domino-effect on the island and among its rapidly-expanding fan base. People began flooding social media with memories of when they, too, had worked on Mackinac. And not just dockporters. Former wait staff, hotel workers, shop employees, fudge makers and more joined the wave of those reminiscing. The whole thing was quite a bit beyond what we expected, McVeigh said. The Island Bookstore held a signing event and people lined up. A dockporters reunion was planned, the authors were feted with a homecoming, and took part in an epic Road Jam around the island. Then the Notable Book award came in 2022, and the authors were tapped to speak about their book at library events. Bolone took the in-person role while McVeigh participated virtually. Bolone said they were so grateful to have their first book recognized in such an important way. The new book means another joint trip to the island for a book signing. The Island Bookstore is set to host Bolone and McVeigh later this month. Another Road Jam just might be in the works. And Rum Runners from The Pink Pony might be part of the post-ride shenanigans. Will we be hearing more about young Jack McGuinns adventures in the future? You can bet a heavy luggage load - wrapped in a bungee cord - on the likelihood of that, McVeigh said. We really are excited about the idea of going backward in time and meeting Jack the dockporter as a budding scoundrel, a young paperboy. We want to just keep following him through different times of his life and his summers. Ready to read more about some of Mackinacs favorite places? How a Mackinac Island mansions playhouse became Grand Hotels fine dining showpiece Fairy Arch, the Musical Well: Fascinating forgotten spots on Mackinac Island Is Lovers Leap the most bittersweet spot on Mackinac Island? Maybe not How Grand Hotels cupola lookout spot became a bar with Mackinac Islands best view YPSILANTI, MI Ypsilanti voters could decide in 2024 if the city should pay out reparations to Black residents. Talks of a citizen-led ballot initiative are bubbling up, with local activist group Survivors Speak aiming to put the question to voters to let the people decide. Right now were just talking, building and mobilizing the community, said activist Trische Duckworth, the organizations founder and executive director. If we can make it happen in 2024, I believe that would be the time to move on it. Survivors Speak welcomes any group that wants to partner on the campaign, she said. While some activists want to put pressure on Ypsilanti officials to act on reparations, Duckworth said shed rather have the community decide the issue. This needs to be a ballot initiative so they can hear from the people loud and clear this is what we want, she said. That is our hope that we can put together a collective of people and mobilize the community so that we can get signatures, get it on the ballot and allow the people to speak. Survivors Speak did a survey in 2022 that showed strong support for reparations in Ypsilanti, Duckworth said. The survey of mostly Black Washtenaw County residents and mostly Ypsilanti-area residents found 78.4% of respondents believe the descendants of enslaved Black Americans in the United States should receive reparations, while 12.5% said maybe and 9.1% said no, according to the results shared in April. Forms of possible reparations listed in the survey include cash payments, housing down payments, neighborhood revitalization, student loan forgiveness, college tuition, business grants, childcare and health care. A majority of respondents supported all of those options and more. Thats why we started with the survey, Duckworth said. We wanted to test the temperature of the community so we could see if in fact something like that was possible. Trische' Duckworth leads protesters down Main Street after a "Where do we go from here?" rally in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. Her hope is to run a successful campaign in Ypsilanti, where Black residents account for roughly a quarter of the population, and then look next to neighboring Ann Arbor, where city leaders are talking about possible reparations as redress for harms caused to local Black families from systemic racism, including housing discrimination. Washtenaw County leaders also are exploring the topic and are working to set up an advisory council. The county is doing something thats great, Duckworth said. Every municipality in America should be doing something. We actually have to heal first While Duckworths organization has its sights set on a ballot campaign, talks about reparations in Ypsilanti may reach into other arenas, too. In May, a group including organizers affiliated with Rising for Economic Democracy in Ypsi, or REDY, organized a community forum on the topic. To me, part of the reason to be having this conversation is that we need to get (reparations) to just be common parlance ... for people to actually be thinking about why would a government actually repair harms that they did to a population, said Desirae Simmons, an Ypsilanti City Council member and REDY activist involved in facilitating the event. Personally, to get to have a real conversation with folks about what reparations is, what it looks like, is actually a healing process, she said. We actually have to heal first. The group behind the discussion is no more formal than a text thread and hasnt defined goals beyond plans for another meeting in the coming months, Simmons said. Part of whats motivating the talks is to make sure Ypsilanti takes advantage of the work of the county-level reparations council, which is intended to produce a countywide plan, said Justin Harper, another organizer. That could mean gathering local data on racial disparities in housing, health care and education, he said. A Black Lives Matter mural is painted on South Washington Street off Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor News One place where the work of repairing past harms could begin is housing, said Shannon McFall, who has participated in the discussions. Just a look at Ypsilanti today, with the most densely populated Black neighborhoods concentrated on the south side, shows the impact of redlining and racist housing policies that locked Black residents out of the wealth-generating promise of homeownership, he said. You cant pull equity out of a Section 8 home. You cant pull equity out of subsidized housing. You just cant. And the people who are coming up today deserve those same abilities that people should have got way back when, McFall said. Its not going to be one stroke of the pen, as a lot of people think its going to be, he added. Its a multi-generational detriment, so its going to be a multi-generational repayment. Flow those resources into the Black community Nationally, trillions of dollars in reparations are owed to Black people, Duckworth said, lamenting the harms and disadvantages Black people have faced throughout American history from slavery to today still lagging financially and in other ways. It has allowed us to sit in impoverished neighborhoods across this country and be subjected to poverty, which breeds gun violence, crime and everything else that we are experiencing, she said. They cannot keep acknowledging what was done to us as a people without following up with the repair. Ann Arbor neighborhood officially repeals 1947 whites-only policy Since many Black residents and Black-owned businesses have been pushed out of Ann Arbor, Duckworth argues Ann Arbor also owes something to the citizens of Ypsilanti who work in Ann Arbor and help boost its economy. We are not the help, we built this country, and they should seriously be looking at how they are going to usher in reparations, she said, arguing Ann Arbor should be looking for more ways to bring Black-owned businesses back downtown and considering other programs to help Black people. Trische Duckworth, a Black Lives Matter activist in Ypsilanti and founder of Survivors Speak, addresses the Ann Arbor City Council on July 6, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News The sad part is now here in Ypsilanti, were looking at the same thing happening, Duckworth said of Ypsilanti growing more expensive and pricing people out. Now youre paying $1,300, $1,200, $900 for a one-bedroom how are people supposed to live like that? she said. In terms of any potential cash payouts Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti should offer as reparations, Duckworth is hesitant to say how much she thinks Black residents are owed. I dont want to say a specific amount, because to me you cannot quantify everything that has been done to our people who have been pushed into impoverished neighborhoods, she said. As for where Ypsilanti could get the money for reparations, Duckworth suggests the city tap into the more than $500,000 in new annual marijuana tax revenue flowing to the city, in addition to leveraging additional funding from local dispensaries and other sources. Reparations payouts also should come with free financial literacy programs, free bank accounts, startup money for businesses and free college education, she said. They need to take care of everybodys bill, she said. If you are a Black citizen and you want to go to school up to a doctorate degree, your bill should be covered. Organizers march down Michigan Avenue to the Ypsilanti Police Department during a Black Lives Matter protest in Ypsilanti on Saturday, June 20, 2020.Jacob Hamilton Its time to implement real solutions, Duckworth said. Im tired of the studies, Im tired of the talks. Its time for them to put their money where their mouth is and flow those resources into the Black community, she said. We dont have to have 1,000 meetings to know theres been a lot of Black pain and we need some relief. Survivors Speak is now in talks with a group from Detroit and an attorney who has written ballot language to consider, Duckworth said, adding she plans to meet with REDY again soon to continue the local reparations dialogue. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: What could reparations for Black residents look like in Ann Arbor? City leaders discussing Idea of mashing together city commissions proves controversial for Ypsilanti leaders Big elections changes will bring network of early voting sites to Washtenaw County Should police use facial-recognition technology? Ann Arbor to vote on issue Big raises for top officials, expansion of COVID premium pay OKd by Washtenaw County leaders FLINT, MI -- City Councilman Eric Mays has been suspended for 30 days for conduct unbecoming of a council member but the lightning rod of Flint politics is accusing his colleagues of discrimination and suggesting that hell challenge the discipline in court. Its different treatment for the same or similar conduct, Mays said on Monday, July 31, before the vote to remove him from his council seat for the month of August. I cant stand discrimination. Were dealing with discrimination here. The 1st Ward councilmans suspension comes after he delivered a profanity-laden critique of other council members during a meeting last month -- before and as a police officer removed him from that meeting. Mays and council members Jerri Winfrey-Carter (Ward 5) and Tonya Burns (Ward 6) said during Mondays meeting that Mays profanity shouldnt result in a suspension and said other council members have used the same or similar language in different circumstances without having been removed from a single meeting. A separate resolution to suspend council members Judy Priestley (Ward 4) and Eva Worthing (Ward 9) never gained traction. The resolution claimed Worthing stood from her seat in a threatening manner while arguing with Burns during a previous meeting and that Priestley failed to discipline Worthing. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, Mays said attorneys working on his behalf were drafting a lawsuit to block his suspension. Mays was ordered to leave a July 10 council committee meeting by committee Chairwoman Ladel Lewis (Ward 2), after he called an audience member, a staffer for Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Lewis and others a**holes. The councilman used the same expletive at least seven times before he was escorted from the meeting room and complained as he left that he was tired of other council members discriminating against him every fu***** meeting, repeating the same phrase at least four times. The resolution to suspend Mays cites sections of the city charter allowing the council to punish its own members for misconduct and says council members are expected to conduct themselves with appropriate decorum (and) act respectfully with constituents, each other, and other public servants. But the councilman said Tuesday he doesnt believe the suspension will hold up to legal scrutiny. Mays cited a 2021 Genesee Circuit Court ruling in which former council President Kate Field successfully challenged a censure that allowed her to remain on the council but stripped her of the right to speak during meetings for 30 days. In that case, former Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farah ruled the council did not have the authority to take the action, and Fields was allowed to return and speak just days after the censure. Both the city and Fields asked higher courts to intervene in the case to provide future guidance on how the discipline of elected officials should be handled in the future, but the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Mays himself was also previously suspended from council meetings for 30 days in March 2020 for having been disruptive during a meeting at which he was removed. Burns and Winfrey-Carter voted against the suspension of Mays while council members Lewis, Quincy Murphy (Ward 3), Priestley, Dennis Pfeiffer (Ward 8) and Worthing supported it. 7th Ward Council member Candice Mushatt, who was just appointed to her position last week, abstained from voting. I hear a bunch of people who have been hurt, Mushatt said Tuesday about the division and arguing among council members. There has to be a better way forward. Pfeiffer said he supported the suspension of Mays -- not just because of the words he used but the way they were delivered. When you shout derogatory and abusive language at colleagues, thats where I draw the line, he said. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Read more at The Flint Journal: Flint councilman thrown out of meeting after barrage of racial slurs Mays thrown out of Flint council meeting again, threatens to sue the hell out of city Michigan Supreme Court wont hear case of Flint council president who was silenced FENTON, MI Wing Snob, a fast-casual chicken wing restaurant chain headquartered in Warren, is opening its first location in Genesee County. The franchise is planning to open a new restaurant on Silver Lake Parkway, next to Midwest Mercantile, in Fenton this fall. Wing Snob, owned by Jack Mashini and Brian Shunia, offers award-winning chicken wings, boneless wings, cauliflower wings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, desserts and award-winning fries. Were continuously expanding not only in Michigan but across the country, Mashini told MLive-The Flint Journal. Were looking to grow the Genesee County market, and we see a lot of opportunity out there and a great area to continue to grow the brand. In 2017, Mashini and Shunia opened the first Wing Snob location in Livonia inside of a former pizza place, and within 90 days, it sold to a franchise owner, signaling big things were ahead. By the end of the year, there will be 18 locations in Michigan, including in Allen Park, Dearborn and Lansing. The chain is growing its footprint outside of Michigan, too, with franchises coming soon to Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and Canada. Mashini said there are a lot of players in the chicken space right now. Chicken has been hot for the last few years, especially in the wing world, he said. We saw a need for another brand to go out there and play in the big players field. Were on the national stage; people are talking about the brand. Wing Snob has won multiple awards for best fries and best wings in the state. It offers 21 flavors of fries, ranging from the basic salt and pepper to chili cheese fries and honey barbecue glazed fries. The restaurant chain also offers 15 different sauces. All of our chicken is fresh, marinated and house-cooked made to order, Mashini said. Other competing brands are pushing a frozen wing or frozen boneless or frozen chicken tenders. By being voted the best, it proves the concept and quality that were serving. Were competing against chains that have 5,000 locations, and were trying to build a household name and do it faster than its normally done. Every Monday, Wing Snob offers specials that include 70 cent boneless wings, and every Tuesday, it offers 70 cent traditional wings. Customers can also sign up for a rewards program called Snob Perks. After they sign up, they get free fries for registering and can then earn points along the way to redeem for free food. Mashini and Shunia also own Middle Eats, a new restaurant in Warren and Detroit offering a Mediterranean style Chipotle menu. New locations are opening in Lansing and Bloomfield. For more information, find Wing Snob on Facebook. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Read more at The Flint Journal: A new Michigan Rage Room is opening for customers to vent their frustrations Whats that? A fast food chain is bringing toasted subs to Genesee County New Michigan bar arcade features 30-plus games, adult lunchables and plenty of nostalgia This Michigan blueberry farm has berries that dont exist anywhere else in the world UPDATE: Jim The Shark Dreyer is back in the water, 25 years after first swim across Lake Michigan GRAND RAPIDS, MI Twenty-five years after he swam across Lake Michigan, Jim Dreyer is diving back into the big lake for an even longer swim, from Milwaukee to Grand Haven. Dreyer, who turns 60 in August, is expected to enter Lake Michigan as early as 7 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Milwaukee, depending on the weather. The swim will be about 25 miles longer than his Aug. 1, 1998, swim from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, to Ludington State Park. The previous swim, with cross currents pushing him far off course, covered 65 miles and took nearly 41 hours. The new route is 82.5 miles, point to point. It is likely he will have to swim about 90 miles because of lake currents. He expects to spend over 60 hours in the water before reaching Grand Haven City Beach, just south of the state park. Jim Dreyer nears the Lake Michigan shore in Ludington after swimming from Wisconsin in this Aug. 3, 1998, Grand Rapids Press photo. Twenty-five years ago I stood on a Wisconsin beach and stared at what seemed like an endless expanse of water, Dreyer, nicknamed The Shark, said in a Facebook post. I was about to attempt something that had never been done before, and I contemplated the daunting task of swimming to the horizon multiple times before seeing land. Well, Im about to do it again but this time it will be approximately 25 miles further. Some may question whether Im 25 years wiser, right? Related: Jim The Shark Dreyer sets Guinness record with 51-hour swim to Detroits Belle Isle The swim, called the silver sequel, is expected to begin Tuesday morning but could start as late as the end of Thursday, depending on the weather and lake conditions. Dreyer, originally from Byron Center, lives in Grand Haven. He is a motivational speaker and president at Event Marketing Enterprises. His endurance challenges have taken him to all of the Great Lakes. The swim benefits the Grand Haven chapter and Western Lake Michigan (Milwaukee) chapter of the U.S. Coast Guards Chief Petty Officers Association. Dreyer asked for donations to the association. To track his progress or donate, go to Dreyers website at www.jimthesharkdreyer.com/lake-michigan-the-silver-sequel Read more: Parade of ships arrive in Grand Haven as Coast Guard Festival begins July rainfall over northern Lower Michigan either deluge or drought. See hi-res rain totals Traverse City woman plans fresh start, new business after winning $1M jackpot GRANDVILLE, MI Grandville Public Schools is getting a $125,000 donation for its robotics program. The Kent County school district announced in a news release that its getting the funding from Bradford White Corporation, a company that manufacturers water heaters, boilers and storage tanks. The donation, announced Monday, gives the company naming rights for to the robotics fabrication lab at the districts robotics competition center. We are excited to partner with such a great organization as Bradford White, Grandville Public Schools Superintendent Roger Bearup said in a July 31 statement. We are grateful for their support as we provide an amazing learning environment for our scholars. Bradford White will provide the funding to the district over a five-year period, the release said. The new robotics competition center will be attached to the districts new middle school, 4900 Canal Ave. SW. The middle school is slated to open in August for the 2023-24 school year. We are thrilled to be partnering with Grandville Public Schools and to provide funding that will positively impact the students in Michigan through meaningful workforce development training and education and exposure to industry careers, Their robotics program has a successful history, and we look forward to a great partnership together, said said Rebecca Owens, a spokesperson for Bradford White. Their robotics program has a successful history, and we look forward to a great partnership together. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More on MLive: Artists sought for street murals in Muskegons Lakeside Business District Woodland Mall hosting fourth annual Black-owned business showcase 103-room, 4-story hotel approved for Grand Rapids suburb JACKSON COUNTY, MI A man sent to prison for shooting his toddler son in the face with a shotgun then trying to shoot the boys mother with a handgun that jammed is set to be resentenced. The Michigan Court of Appeals issued an order on April 20 ordering the Jackson County Circuit Court to resentence Michael Christopher Glance, who in 2021 was sent to prison for shooting his 2-year-old son in the face during a domestic dispute with the boys mother. ST. JOSEPH, MI Professional and amateur artists from across the region and world will turn a Southwest Michigan beach town into their personal canvas this weekend. Chalk the Block, an annual tradition in St. Joseph, will showcase the talent of numerous artists. They will be actively chalking up Broad Street from Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6. Presented by St. Joe Today, the festival gives community members and visitors a chance to watch artists work through the weekend to bring their pieces to life. Four artists will lay down a preview of what attendees can expect in Pleasant Plaza starting Wednesday, Aug. 2 and finishing on Friday. The plaza, along with Broad Street from Lake Boulevard to State Street will then be filled with artists at work through Sunday. Event-goers can participate by voting for their favorite artists in the Peoples Choice vote from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday. All art will be finalized by noon. Tickets cost $1 per vote and can be purchased at the peoples choice tent on Broad Street. To catch a preview of this years artists check out stjoetoday.com/chalktheblock. The festival also offers a Chalk the Block Kids Zone, which will be open to kids of all ages from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Kids Zone will be set up in the Giannola parking lot across from Wanderlust Outfitters, 120 State St. Event organizers hope the event will entice people to explore more of St. Joseph. Theres a little something for everyone, said Amy Zapal, St. Joe Today executive director. Sun-filled beach days, a wide variety of shops, breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries, the Whirlpool Compass Fountain, fantastic restaurants, local events, live music and so much more. Among other events happening, the B-Side Growlers will perform at the Friday Night Concert Series at 7 p.m. at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell, at 500 Port St. The City of St. Joseph Municipal Band will perform there at 7 p.m. Sunday. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, visitors can also check out the St. Joe Farmers Market in Lake Bluff Park. On Sunday, Antiques on the Bluff will bring 50 vendors to Lake Bluff Park from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. People 21 and up can also enjoy St. Josephs downtown social district throughout the weekend. Looking for more to do along Michigans Great Lakes? Check out MLives Lakeshore Travel series. Also on MLive: RibFest brings 90s hip-hop, dance favorites to Kalamazoo this weekend 9 places to kayak in and around Lake Michigan This free water taxi will take you to your dining destination near Lake Michigan GRAND HAVEN, MI -- The Coast Guard Festival is in full swing, including an opportunity for the public to tour the ships. Three U.S. Coast Guard cutters the: USCGC Bristol Bay (WTGB-102), USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) and USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30) paraded past thousands of onlookers as they ported in Coast Guard City USA on Monday, July 31. MLive was on aboard the USCGC Mackinaw when it opened to the public Monday evening for tours of the main deck of cutter and the bridge. RELATED: Parade of ships arrive in Grand Haven as Coast Guard Festival begins The 240-foot Mackinaw (WLBB-30) was launched in 2005 and is the only heavy icebreaker on the Great Lakes. The ship is configured to handle a variety of roles including buoy maintenance, search and rescue and handling environmental spills. The current cutter replaced the Mackinaw (WAGB-83), which served the Great Lakes for over 60 years. The Mackinaws home port is located in Cheboygan. The original Mackinaw was constructed during World War II in response to the need to keep shipping active during the winter months to maintain production of steel. Today the original Mackinaw serves as a lakeside museum in Mackinaw City. Visitors can also tour the Bristol Bay (WTGB-102), a 140-foot icebreaking tug based out of Detroit. The Bristol Bay is one of two Bay class cutters that work in conjunction with a special barge. The ships primary responsibility is opening and maintaining icebound shipping lanes in the Great Lakes. It also performs missions such as search and rescue, marine environmental protection, law enforcement, and port security and safety. RELATED: 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival ultimate guide: Live music, ship tours on deck The 140-foot Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) is homeported in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The unit missions include icebreaking, homeland security patrols, light house projects and law enforcement. The ships will be open to the public for tours all week. Here is the tour schedule: Monday, July 31: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1: 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2: 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3: 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., *Mackinaw is closed for a private event. Saturday, Aug. 5: 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Additionally the Canadian Coast Guards Samuel Risley is expected to port later in the week. Tours for Ottawa based icebreaker are listed below: Friday, Aug. 4: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5: 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Ship tour rules include: No weapons Shoes required Proper attire required Bags and purses subject to search No skating Children must be accompanied by an adult More information at Coast Guard Festival 2023 can be found at www.coastguardfest.org. 44 1 / 44 Coast Guard Festival 'Parade of Ships' 2023 Also on MLive: Will it float? Makeshift cardboard boats take to the water during Coast Guard Festival Congresswoman Scholten hosting Grand Haven town hall World of Winter bringing 6 large art installations to Grand Rapids next year ALBION, MI Albion College leaders named an atrium on campus after Dr. Samuel J. Shaheen, the Saginaw man whose family remains tied to some of mid-Michigans most well-known business and residential developments. A class of 1988 Albion College alumnus, Shaheen recently donated $1 million to support science education at his alma mater, located about 50 miles west of Ann Arbor. Buoyed by billions in federal funding and a record surplus, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigans budget Monday that Democrats, controlling state government for the first time in 40 years, contend better reflects the peoples interests, the peoples values. Whitmer characterized the budget as a direct extension of her broader economic agenda and focus on growing the states population. I think todays budget is going to make a real difference to make sure that weve got communities that we are proud to call home and attract talent and keep young people here, Whitmer said at the signing. The bills signed Monday provides $57.4 billion to fund state government for the next fiscal year beginning in October. Combined with a $24.3 billion education budget Whitmer signed in Traverse City two weeks ago, the nearly $82 billion in spending is the most in the states history. If theres unifying theme of the budget its a single word: more. More spending and investments in public safety, education, economic development, environmental protection and a host of other areas key to Democrats agenda. We have settled for sub-par schools, sub-par roads, for cities and town that that have been overlooked and undervalued, never really got their fair share, state Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, who led the budgetary process in the legislatures upper chamber, said. And so we knew that this surplus of federal dollars, we wanted to do things a little bit different. A record surplus that stretched toward $10 billion gave Democrats the freedom to lay out their agenda, even as fiscally conservative Republicans in the legislature raised questions about the sustainability of their aims. Theres a budget that has something in it for everyone, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist told a crowd gathered at a Wyandotte fire station for the signing. That potpourri of projects includes free trips to state parks for all fourth graders, $150 million toward restarting the Palisades nuclear power plant, funding lead service line replacements and $500 million into a fund to lure business projects to the state. More: Michigans $82 billion budget brings record spending to all corners of state government A few have been framed as pilot programs, such as $250 million for payments toward teachers student loans, or $20 million for high speed rail. In a statement House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, called the budget an extravagant document that fails to deliver solutions. Their spending is a mile wide and an inch deep funding all sorts of half-baked programs without giving enough support to actually deliver the solutions the people of Michigan deserve, Hall said. More: Big new projects in Michigans $82 billion budget This budget will largely spend down the pandemic-era fiscal cushion Democrats inherited. State Budget Director Chris Harkins said State Fiscal Recovery Funds, the major bucket of federal dollars, will be exhausted by the budget that money had to be spent by the end of the year. State accounts are estimated to have roughly $620 million left over. Still, Democrats emphasized the budget is fiscally responsible, noting their $200 million deposit in the states rainy day fund means the account has a record balance. Weve been very smart about using one-time dollars for one-time expenditures, Whitmer said. This is a fiscally sound budget. The budgetary process under Whitmer, until this year, had been marked by the push and pull of negotiations between her office and a Republican-led legislature. It hasnt always been smooth. The governor carries the power of line-item veto, and in 2019, Whitmer vetoed 147 measures from that budget, nixing nearly $1 billion in spending. This budget, with Democrats holding slim majorities, had just two vetoes: removing $5 million for sewer infrastructure repairs for the Great Lakes Water Authority and a $2 million grant to a Catholic social services charitys office relocation in Livingston County. Republicans complained they had been shut out of the budgetary negotiation and sidelined by Democratic majorities who only allowed them to review the nearly 1,600 pages of legislation on the day it passed. Democrats also rained down new spending on their districts, with dozens of individuals grants and spending earmarked for the states largest cities, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Yes, our large urban cores are mostly Democratic, said Rep. Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township, after the budget passed the legislature. Its been a very long time since weve had a Democratic majority and they have been ignored. Anthony views the budget as the beginning of a course correction under Democratic leadership The challenges are still very great. And one budget is not going to be able to do it all, Anthony said. But I am hopeful that the investments weve made today will start additional conversations so that we can have a more strong, more robust and diverse Michigan. Read more on MLive Michigan crash survivors injured before 2019 no-fault law retain full care, Supreme Court rules Election deniers Dinesh DSouza, Kari Lake highlight Michigan GOP fall conference Ex-GOP gov. candidate Ryan Kelley pleads guilty to Jan. 6 charge Former republican attorney general candidate Matt DePerno and ex-state Rep. Daire Rendon have been indicted by a grand jury, facing criminal charges for their alleged role in a scheme to access voting machines following the 2020 presidential elections, according to case details provided by the Oakland County Circuit. This process is ongoing and still not over, Muskegon County prosecutor DJ Hilson, who has been named special prosecutor in the investigation, said in a statement. Via email, Hilson told MLive there is still more to come, but it wasnt immediately clear if the grand jury is still deliberating whether to indict the seven others named in the investigation. Hilson declined to comment on grand jury proceedings. DePerno spelled erroneously online as Matthew DeParno is facing four charges: Undue possession of a voting machine, conspiracy to commit undue possession of a voting machine, conspiracy to commit unauthorized access to a computer or computer system and willfully damaging a voting machine. Rendon is also facing two charges: Conspiracy for undue possession of a voting machine and false pretenses. All the charges they are facing can be charged as felonies. DePerno, through his attorney Paul Stablein, said the charges are unfounded and lack merit. The indictment arises from a court-ordered forensic investigation of the Antrim County election where Mr. DePerno uncovered significant security flaws, Stablein wrote in a statement. He maintains his innocence and firmly believes that these charges are not based upon any actual truth and are motivated primarily by politics rather than evidence. In a statement released shortly after news of the charges broke, Hilson released a statement saying the charging decision was the result of a thorough decision-making process by an independent citizens grand jury and that he and his team will be preparing for the next steps in this process. This citizens grand jury carefully listened to the sworn testimony and analyzed the evidence as required by law and returned a decision to indict each of the defendants. ... Although our office made no recommendations to the grand jury as to whether an indictment should be issued or not, we support the grand jurys decision and we will prosecute each of the cases as they have directed in the sole interest of justice, he said. Both DePerno and Rendon were arraigned via Zoom on Tuesday and released on $5,000 personal bonds, each standing mute to the charges according to staff for Chief Judge Jeffery Matis. As of time of publication, DePerno and Rendon are the only ones officially charged for their role in allegedly seizing and tampering with a tabulator machine in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. Niether DePerno, Rendon or the attorneys listed as representing them responded to requests for comment Tuesday. RELATED: What to know about probe into alleged election machine tampering by Michigan AG candidate, others Others who could face indictments, however, include Stefanie Lambert Junttila, an attorney who has repeatedly pushed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Michigan and Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf. Junttila claimed last week on a conservative podcast her lawyer had been notified she would also soon be indicted for her role in the ongoing tabulator probe. No record of charges against Junttila were found online as of time of publication Tuesday. Already, conservatives are speaking out on the charges with House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, expressing skepticism about the charges in a statement but nevertheless called them very serious. Many Americans are concerned about the recent flood of politically charged prosecutions in Michigan and around the country, and this prosecutor will need to prove his allegations in court beyond a reasonable doubt, Hall said. Wed like to see defending our democracy and safeguarding our elections be a priority for Democrats in the bills we pass in the House, not just in the headlines. In August 2022, Attorney General Dana Nessel requested a special prosecutor take over a probe into a team which allegedly stole and illegally analyzed voting machines in 2021 following the 2020 presidential election. The five tabulators the team obtained were taken to hotels and/or Airbnbs in Oakland County, according to Nessels petition, where four others Jeff Lenberg, Ben Cotton, James Penrose and Douglas Logan broke into the tabulators and performed tests on the equipment. By September 2022, Hilson was appointed by an independent body to oversee the case, removing Nessel from the equation as she was set to face DePerno in the November election in the race for attorney general. The alleged actions by these defendants, and others, who worked to erode trust in our election system caused undeniable harm to our democracy, Nessel said in a statement in response to the charges. We hope for swift justice in the courts, and that the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission takes a sincere and sober assessment of the actions of the attorneys involved in the campaign of circulating disinformation about our elections and any related criminal activities. Attorneys who participated in baseless post-2020 election lawsuits have faced penalties and even disbarment in Michigan and other states for bringing lawsuits without evidence alleging the election had been fraudulent, and Nessel had previously blasted Michigan commission for failing to discipline attorneys involved in state lawsuits,. More from MLive Michigan Capitol eyes implementing total gun ban around Labor Day Michigan crash survivors injured before 2019 no-fault law retain full care, Supreme Court rules Michigan cities, schools are banning Pride flags in the name of neutrality. But is it? Whitmer signs $57.4 billion state budget, enacting a Democratic trifecta agenda Election deniers Dinesh DSouza, Kari Lake highlight Michigan GOP fall conference The Interior Department has approved a new federal mine plan at the Center Mine in North Dakota, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven announced Tuesday. The plan was needed to allow mining of federal coal under a lease awarded in January 2021, according to Hoeven, R-N.D. His office said Interior in July 2021 required a supplemental environmental assessment that was held up for almost two years "due to additional regulatory hurdles." Center Mine is owned and operated by BNI and supplies coal to the adjacent Milton R. Young Station power plant that provides electricity to customers in North Dakota and Minnesota. Hoeven convened a meeting between Minnkota, BNI and Interior officials in November to move the process along. Without plan approval, BNI would have had to implement contingency plans that could have cost millions and raised electric prices, according to the senator's office. In an effort to maintain content neutrality when it comes to flag flying in Michigan, some communities across the state are cracking down on what can be flown over city hall or in local classrooms. But when it comes to the rainbow Pride flag emblematic of the LGBTQ community opponents of the ban say while content neutrality may be the goal, whats occurring is targeted ostracization. ONTONAGON COUNTY, MI The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has found the source of water at an unusual roadside spigot in the Western Upper Peninsula which environmental regulators previously ordered to be shut down. An old, buried wellhead was unearthed in July by DNR crews, but the agency says deteriorated pipes makes its continued use as a public water source unfeasible unless a new well can be dug at reasonable cost to service nearby homes. We found the wellhead, but we cannot support its continued use, said Rob Wolfe, Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) district environmental analyst in Ontonagon County. We are looking for providing a viable option. In January, EGLE ordered the makeshift filling station shut down because the source of water being used by some nearby homes couldnt be verified as safe to drink. The well is along Bill Nichols Rail Trail off M-38 at Lake Mine, a former mining town in Greenland Township. It is located at a former steam locomotive railroad filling station which is connected to an old Copper Range Railroad watermain found under the trail in 2020. In 2021, the DNR began working with local officials to test the water and figure out where, exactly, it was coming from. In December, EGLE said that state law required the well be plugged because the water source was unknown. EGLE extended the closure deadline at the DNRs request after U.P. lawmakers began advocating for its preservation. The agency began searching in earnest this spring using old maps and interviewing locals familiar with the area. In July, a wellhead was found a half-mile from the spigot on land administered by the DNRs Forest Resources Division. It is unknown how deep the vertical pipe goes, but EGLE thinks it may have tapped an artesian flow underground by drilling through native clay. Wolfe said the old piping is too fragile for continued use. If the pipe were to break, it likely couldnt be repaired. It is also shallower than what underground piping needs to be to prevent winter frost breakage, the DNR said. The DNR is exploring funding and easement options for potentially digging a new well to service two nearby homes which use the water. The agency has until September to figure out a solution under another extension of the EGLE shut down order. Related stories: DNR extends search for roadside well source UP snowmelt flooding causes millions in damage Boreal forests store more carbon than tropics Abandoned mine causes Ishpeming sinkhole Tesla supplier accelerates hunt for nickel in the UP In the UP, 1,400 year-old trees hide in plain sight $1B eco-disaster is swallowing the Keweenaw coast Gotion Inc. is moving forward with its plan to build a $2.36 billion electric vehicle battery parts plant near Big Rapids. The company announced Tuesday, Aug. 1 it purchased 270 acres of land in Green Charter Township, a key step for the development of the facility. Mastercard is telling banks to stop allowing marijuana transactions on its debit cards a move that highlights the rocky financial landscape for dispensaries. Many dispensaries cannot accept credit cards or work with large banks because marijuana remains illegal federally. But some buyers had been using debit card PIN transactions to bypass those restrictions. As we were made aware of this matter, we quickly investigated it, Mastercard said in a statement first reported by Bloomberg. In accordance with our policies, we instructed the financial institutions that offer payments services to cannabis merchants and connects them to Mastercard to terminate the activity. Recreational marijuana is legal in 23 states including Michigan; 38 states in total have legalized medical marijuana. The federal government considers cannabis sales illegal, so these purchases are not allowed on our systems, Mastercard said. Marijuana businesses often rely on regional credit unions or deal in cash-only transactions to tap into banking services. This has created a hardship for the nearly $2 billion recreational marijuana industry in Michigan, according to Jevin Weyenberg, owner of Lake Effect and Doja dispensaries in Southwest Michigan. Of course, we would rather be able to take credit cards, Weyenberg said. Think about how much quicker the transaction goes when you can take a credit card versus somebody getting out the cash, counting the cash, giving it to the cashier, the cashier gives them change in cash. The lack of access to banking services has also created problems for Michigan dispensaries that are struggling to stay afloat in an oversaturated market. Additionally, relying on cash leaves shops vulnerable to theft. Related: Could debt domino effect topple Michigans marijuana businesses? A bill before Congress aims to address the banking pitfalls for the cannabis industry. The SAFE Banking Act would protect banks from being punished for providing services to legitimate marijuana businesses. Weyenberg said the legislation would help normalize the industry financially. Our customers wouldnt have to constantly use ATM machines to get cash out, he said. They wouldnt constantly have to make another stop on the way to the store or theyre stopping at their local banks to withdraw cash to go to the store. Nobody has to do that when they go buy alcohol. Nobody has to do that when they buy a machine gun. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reiterated her support for the bill in March after a string of dispensary break-ins across the state. Warrants were issued for 12 people accused of breaking into 20 marijuana stores. Many were identified after they were caught trying to break open a safe by throwing it off a house. Without access to traditional banking the cannabis industry is left as a ripe target for criminals. Any legal business should have fair access to our banking institutions for the security of their own business and employees as well as public safety, Nessel said in a statement. The SAFE Banking Act was introduced for a third time in April. More on MLive: Unions find foothold in marijuana industry, but growth is slow Michigan ends marijuana testing for some government job applicants Are Michigan marijuana customers being ripped off by inflated THC potency claims? Afton Shavers. A meeting of Genesee County's health equity council. Susan Salhaney. Charles Wilson. 01.08.2023 LISTEN Nigerian musician Davido has revealed that he will be performing in Ghana this December. According to the hitmaker, the historic tour bus will make a stop in Ghana. During a recent interaction with his followers, Davido responded to queries about his much-awaited visit to Ghana. On July 31, he tweeted, "Gh December." Due to a failed event with Wizkid, Ghanaians are having mixed reactions. Wizkid was scheduled to perform as the headlining act at a concert in Ghana last year, but failed to appear, leaving over 5,000 disgruntled fans waiting for almost 12 hours. Davido promises his Ghanaian fans that he is determined to give an amazing and memorable performance. As the countdown to December 2023 begins, Ghanaian fans eagerly await the arrival of the music sensation. Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases in collaboration with the Ho Teaching Hospital and other stakeholders in the Volta region has held A National Hepatitis Day celebration at Ho to mark this year's World Hepatitis Day. The week-long celebration in the region was marked with series of activities especially Ho to raise awareness in efforts to reduce the spread of the disease. As part of the celebration, the Association and the Ho Teaching Hospital have reached out to communities with free screening and vaccination exercises. Records show a total of 930 persons have been screened for Hepatitis B virus and over 600 were also vaccinated within one week of the celebration at Ho and Anfoega Senior High School. In an interview with Prof. Yao Asante Awuku the President of the Ghana Association for the Study of the Liver and the Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD) downplayed the spiritual perceptions of Hepatitis. According to him, their main aim was to campaign and educate the public on the need to test to know their status and enable individuals the next steps to take. "In terms of what people think as in spiritual component, No! We think is about the physical component we know about the transmission, we know about how it is diagnosis and how it is treated and even for viral hepatitis C fact that it can have a cure, so this is the campaign that we've been on till today, we have educated the public on the need to test to know their status," Prof Awuku stated. Prof. Asante Awuku however appealed to the government to enrol the Hepatitis treatment fully onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) since government's support is woefully inadequate in the fight against the disease in the country. "If you look at the insurance, testing is actually covered by the insurance but there are further investigations that they need like the viral loads, genotyping which is not covered by the National Health Insurance and therefore one will have to pay out of pocket, again treatment for both hepatitis B and C are not covered by national Health Insurance Scheme so one have to pay on his or her own," he noted. He further lamented that even though there is a vaccination for people who are negative to protect them from getting the disease they can't afford it. He added that even the health workers who are to get the vaccination to stay safe from the disease have to also pay. Addressing the stakeholders at the celebration, Prof. Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Health And Allied Sciences (UHAS) also appealed to the government to make the treatment of Hepatitis available, accessible and affordable to the people. She charged the health professionals to check their attitudes and act friendly towards patients who visited their facilities for medical care. She urged them to also learn more communication skills especially the local dialect to enable proper communication with the patients. Dr. Kenneth Tachie, a member of GASLIDD and the keynote speaker to mark the celebration on the theme "One Life One Liver" charge the policymakers to put investment in the fight against Hepatitis to enable the country meet the WHO's target in the fight. He stressed the myths surrounding hepatitis saying patients are free and not restricted from eating any kind of food but urged the public to practice safety measures to protect themselves from the hepatitis virus. "The liver is vital, let's protect it, we just have one, so protect your liver, protect your Life, protect your love ones I can't wait to be vaccinated or treated for hepatitis so I encourage you to also not wait to know your status if you are negative get vaccinated and if you're positive get treated," Dr. Tachie advise. The Ghana Private Health Insurance Association has celebrated Private Health Insurance Week to advance the cause of accessible healthcare for every Ghanaian. The week-long event, which took place from July 24 - 28 aimed to propagate the importance of private health insurance in complementing public healthcare services and making comprehensive medical coverage accessible to all citizens. According to the chairman of the planning committee and CEO of Equity Insurance, Mr. Elton Afari, the initiative aimed to address healthcare disparities and offer essential healthcare services to those who often lack access to formal medical facilities. Speaking to the media, he said, the celebration is to propagate that private health insurance is also as same as national health insurance. We complement each other to achieve the universal health coverage we are pushing that every Ghanaian will have access to health care, there is this perception that private health insurance is very expensive but looking at all of our 15 companies we have a different array of products depending on whatever your preferences and choices are. He added that, "Government has been good to us through the NHIA, but we think there is more to be done to get the national health insurance scheme working and as we complement each other we believe that the government can also continue to support us in propagating this message out there to the public so that they will understand that our operations are to complement and also help each individual for us as a country to achieve the universal health coverage that as a country we seek to achieve." Addressing stakeholders at the private health insurance week conference on the theme "Building Sustainable Private Health Insurance as a Viable Channel for Universal Health Coverage," the Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, revealed that the government is working with stakeholders to address the high cost of medicines which has been identified as one of the major factors crippling effective health care delivery in the country. He said, The rising health care cost is a key challenge to health care finance initiatives as the government is working closely with stakeholders to address the cost of medicines through tax rebates and other incentives to boost local production. The initiative, organized by a collaboration of private health insurance providers, healthcare professionals, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, sought to raise awareness about the role private health insurance plays in bridging gaps in healthcare access and promoting overall well-being in Ghana. The event throughout the week, had a series of activities to create awareness and education through media outreach, free health screenings, conferences, and panel discussions to educate Ghanaians about the various health insurance options available and how they can choose the right plan to suit their individual needs and financial capacities. It was climaxed with an award and Dinner to recognize and honor outstanding individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have exemplified excellence in the field of private health insurance. Experts in the healthcare industry emphasized that having private health insurance provides an added layer of protection and peace of mind, ensuring that individuals and families can seek timely medical attention without facing the burden of excessive medical expenses. A comprehensive media campaign accompanied the on-ground efforts, reaching a wide audience through radio, television, and digital platforms. The campaign aimed to dispel myths about private health insurance and encourage Ghanaians to consider it as a viable option to ensure their well-being. Furthermore, the event featured collaborations with charitable organizations, facilitating initiatives to support the medical needs of vulnerable populations. By working together, participants sought to create a more inclusive healthcare system that leaves no one behind. The success of Private Health Insurance Week reflects the determination and collective spirit of the Ghanaian people and their commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare becomes a reality for every citizen. The event's organizers hope that the momentum gained during this week will lead to lasting changes in the nation's healthcare landscape and pave the way for a healthier and more equitable future. 01.08.2023 LISTEN Volta Region, Ghana in a bold stride towards improved healthcare, scientific advancement, and economic growth, prominent social activist and farmer Delanyo Agbe is spearheading a petition to designate the Volta Region as a Medicinal Cannabis Development and Research Center. This groundbreaking initiative aims to propel the region into a position of leadership, embracing responsible cannabis cultivation, groundbreaking research, and compassionate patient care. A Vision for Transformative Healthcare: Delanyo Agbe, a renowned advocate for social and medical progress, has long recognized the untapped potential of medicinal cannabis in addressing unmet medical needs in the Volta Region. Armed with a vision for compassionate healthcare and a passion for scientific innovation, Delanyo Agbe is championing this petition to bring about lasting change and positive transformation. The Call for Responsible Cannabis Development: The petition emphasizes the need for a well-regulated and responsible medicinal cannabis industry that adheres to strict quality control measures and international standards. Delanyo Agbe firmly believes that by establishing a Medicinal Cannabis Development and Research Center, the region can attract leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and responsible industry players, fostering a nurturing environment for scientific progress and patient well-being. The Impact on the Economy and Community: Beyond advancements in healthcare and scientific research, Delanyo Agbe highlights the potential economic growth that such an initiative could unlock. By capitalizing on the booming global medicinal cannabis market, the Volta Region has the opportunity to attract domestic and international investments, creating jobs and spurring economic prosperity. Social Responsibility and Sustainability: At the heart of the petition lies a commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. Delanyo Agbe envisions a Medicinal Cannabis Development and Research Center that actively engages with local communities, supports educational initiatives, and promotes responsible cultivation practices that protect the region's natural resources. Join the Movement Delanyo Agbe invites all residents, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, and supporters to rally behind this petition and make their voices heard. By uniting in support of the establishment of a Medicinal Cannabis Development and Research Center in the Volta Region, we can pave the way for a healthier, more compassionate, and prosperous future. Delanyo Agbe stated, "We envision a future where responsible medicinal cannabis development and research contribute to better healthcare, economic growth, and social progress. Together, we can make the Volta Region a beacon of innovation and compassion, driving positive change for our community." The petition initiated by Delanyo Agbe reflects a visionary call for progress and compassion in healthcare and scientific research. By joining forces and supporting the establishment of a Medicinal Cannabis Development and Research Center, the Volta Region can position itself as a leading force in the medicinal cannabis industry, impacting lives and paving the way for a brighter future. To sign the petition or learn more about the initiative, visit Can you add your signature? Make Volta Region Medicinal Cannabis Development and Research Center In Ghana A federal appeals court has upheld a judges ruling in 2021 that favored a project to bring Missouri River water to parts of central North Dakota. The decision also will benefit efforts to bring river water to eastern North Dakota, according to officials with the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and the city of Fargo. The state of Missouri challenged a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation environmental review of the Central North Dakota Water Supply project, alleging violations of federal policy, including failure by officials to properly study the projects environmental impacts and its alternatives. U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey in August 2021 ruled against Missouri on all counts. The state took its case to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which recently upheld Laughreys decision. The Central North Dakota Water Supply Project will receive water from the McClusky Canal for systems in Burleigh, Sheridan, Wells, Foster, Kidder, McLean and Stutsman counties. Allowing the use of the McClusky Canal to provide water for central North Dakota is a win for the state. It enables us to put to beneficial use a federal facility that has been largely underutilized since its construction, Garrison Diversion General Manager Duane DeKrey said. The project will take water nearly 13 million gallons a day from the same pipeline as the Red River Valley Water Supply Project. The Red River program will move Missouri River water by underground pipeline from Washburn east to supply systems in the east and central parts of the state. This is a really favorable ruling and we are very pleased with the result, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said. This really helps the Red River Water Supply Project going forward. Pragyia Riders and Mechanics Association in Ghana has declared a sit down strike in the Ashanti region, effective Monday, 31 July, 2023. The strike is in the protest against decision taken by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to ban tricycles within the Central Business District (CBD). Transport Department at the KMA on Monday, July 24, 2023, released a statement banning all tricycles, also known as pragyia within the CBD. The ban according to the Head of Transport Department, Randy Wilson, is to control growing concerns over the increasing indiscipline among some of the tricycle riders. It is also a step to decongest the central business district and bring sanity in the transport business in the city, Randy Wilson added. The ban by the city authorities said is to take full force on Monday, July 31, 2023. But the National President of Pragyia Riders and Mechanics Association Ghana, Mohammed Alhassan, said the KMA decision is an attempt to render over 20,000 members jobless. He explained to Otec News that the ban will also affect the developmental progress of the Zongo communities in the region where most of the pragyia operators come from. Mohammed Alhassan noted most of the operators are able to meet their daily sales by plying their activities in and around the CBD, and any ban will financially affect them. With the emergence of the activities of pragyia, most of the youth at Zongo communities, who were hitherto alleged to have been engaged in criminal activities, are making ends meet. Does the KMA want to increase unemployment in our areas, he quizzed. He also believed that the ban will affect transport activities in the city as their operations are highly patronized than any form of transport, due to its affordability and convenience. The association wants the city to reconsider the ban, adopt ways to bring discipline among the operators and decongest the area. Ashanti Ports Services Limited, Concessionaires on the much anticipated Boankra Inland Port Project has toured the project site with a pledge to complete the work ahead of time to make the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Ghana proud. Top officers from the Ashanti Ports Services Limited on Friday July 28, 2023 visited the site to get a progress report on the project. This was the second time in one month the concessionaire has called on the contractors on-site to get first-hand information on the project. Present at the tour were the Board Chairman of the Ashanti Port Services Limited, Nana Bugyei, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Isaac Afum, the Financial Consultant, Mr Harris Ntim, Project Manager, Mr Stephen Ofosuhene, and top officials from the contractor working on the site, Justmoh Constructions. The Board Chairman for the Ashanti Port Services Limited Nana Bugyei in an interview with this reporter after the tour said they will not disappoint the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who from day one has been very instrumental to the progress of the work. "We are aware of how important this project is to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the President of the land, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the rest of Ghanaians, particularly those in the Ashanti Region. "That is why, as concessionaires, we have taken upon ourselves to be at the site periodically to keep the contractors on their toes, and I can assure you, we will not disappoint Ghanaians on this all-important project," he stated. He noted that a lot of energy and monies have been invested in the project and so, the company will see to it that, constructors work according to the right specifications. He commended Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President Akufo-Addo for their unflinching support of the project. For his part, the Chief Executive Officer for Ashanti Ports Services Limited, Isaac Afum, expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work done at the site so far. He said the contractor was within schedule and the concessionaire expected it to be completed and commissioned phase one by next year, November, barring any challenges. Mr Isaac Afum said the terminal will inure to the benefit of the country, adding that he is also optimistic Justmoh Construction will deliver on its expectations. The Project Manager for Ashanti Ports Services Limited, Mr Stephen Ofosuhene who supervises the work of the contractor and the consultant said he was impressed with work done so far. "Currently, the contractor has completed earthworks at the commercial area, he is almost done with the construction of the drainage and other earthworks which I believe is within schedule," he stated. He emphasized that Ashanti Ports Services Limited will leave no stone unturned to deliver a masterpiece to the country. Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mr Osei Assibey Antwi 01.08.2023 LISTEN The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has commended the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mr Osei Assibey Antwi for his sterling leadership since his appointment to the NSS office. According to NUGS, Mr Osei Assibey's outstanding performance as the head of NSS in his few months in office has brought about major positive changes in the lives of National Service Personnel in Ghana. The National Secretary for NUGS, Mr Ransford Turge in an exclusive interview with this reporter on Sunday July 30, 2023 described the former Kumasi Mayor as an open dynamic leader, who strives to achieve the best for his country. "Mr Osei Assibey Antwi after assuming office as NSS Director has been operating an open door policy where he listens to all stakeholders in the NSS ecosystem and makes the best out of the suggestions he receives. "He has never for once rejected NUGS attempts to meet him for round table discussions on issues affecting students and NSS personnel in the country. "He always makes time for us, for the countless times we knocked the doors of his office, he opened and gives us the needed information we sought for, so if you see people commending government for the recent achievements at the NSS office, I think it is because of the current management," he stated. Mr Ransford Turge was reacting to the recent increment of allowance for National Service Personnel in Ghana. Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) on July 23, 2023, announced governments approval for the upward adjustment of monthly allowances for national service personnel from GH599.04 to GH715.57. The increment according to NSS management came as a result of a series of engagements between the National Service Scheme, Fair Wages and Salary Commission, and the Ministry of Finance. Following the announcement, NUGS has commended government for the increment, adding that, it will help Ghanaian youth who will go for their national service duties to make ends meet. History of NSS allowance increments Government in December 2016 approved GHC559.04 to be paid to National Service Personnel as a monthly allowance (starting January 1, 2017). The reviewed amount represented a 60 per cent increment of GH350 which personnel were receiving at the time. In January 2014, the National Service Scheme allowance increased to GH350.00 from GH243.48. The Department of Fashion and Technology of the Tamale Technical University (TaTU) has held its 7th annual Fashion Exhibition and Show for final year students from the fashion department with a call for an investment into the fashion design and technology department to enhance brighter and sustainable future for the youth in the industry. The two-day event dubbed "Creating Ecosystem for the Youth in the Fashion Industry" was aimed at showcasing the potential of young graduates and future fashion designers to the world. It was also to empower the young graduates from the university on the need to enhance their greatness and take advantage of the opportunities available in the industry to establish their own companies. Speaking at the ceremony, the Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Technology of the Tamale Technical University (TaTu), Dr. Joana Akweley Zanu said imbibing in the young graduates the spirit of entrepreneurship had been the core mandate of the university. She said the university provides practical skills to the graduates to become self-employed and also creates jobs to employ the teaming youth to minimize the graduate unemployment rate in the country. "Investment into the fashion industry and the department would go a long way to equip graduates with practical knowledge and skills to support them become job creators and not job seekers after their graduation." She said the final-year students of the university were made to exhibit their fashion products which included bags, sandals, necklaces, ladies' shoes, clothes, hats, and many other things to show their potential. "The exhibition was not just to showcase designs, it was a platform to enable graduates to carve their paths and leave an indelible mark in the world of fashion," she said. Dr. Joana noted that the university's commitment was to support the next generation of fashion leaders to lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive fashion industry. To create an ecosystem, she said graduates need innovation and research skills to promote research and foster an environment that values creativity to challenge norms, push boundaries, and ultimately drive the industry forward. She reiterated that the provision of materials to the students would support them to add value to their designs in order to meet the demand of the market to create direct and indirect jobs. The Chief Executive Officer of Khard Global Fashion, Abass Ridwan Dawda commended the leadership of the department for such a wonderful fashion created by the students. He called on Ghanaians to patronize local products to keep the industry growing. Mr. Dawda urged the students to come together and form cooperation to create new fashion designs that would help them to also employ their colleagues in society. The Head of Department of Department of Fashion and Technology, Madam Rebecca Larteikai Lartey said the event is held annually with an examiner engaged to award marks for the products of the students. She noted that logistics continue to hamper the commitment of the department to nurture future fashion entrepreneurs. She appealed for support to provide the needed materials and machines to train more students. The 2023 Teshie Homowo Festival, a cherished cultural event of the chiefs and people of Teshie, was officially launched at the Teshie Traditional Council. The festival, celebrated annually, aims to promote unity, peace, and the preservation of the Teshie people's culture and heritage while fostering growth and development. Gbetsoolo Nii Ahitey Okanfra, the Paramount Chief of Teshie, presided over the launch of the Homowo festival, which carries the theme "Consensus-Building for Sustainable Development." The festival, set to commence on August 1, features a series of exciting events such as the Veneration of Sea Deities, Ban on Deep-Sea Fishing, Return of Deep-Sea Fishing Crew, Teshie Villages Yam Festival on Sunday, August 6, Unity Walk with Parliamentary Aspirants on Monday, August 7, and a ban on drumming and noise-making. Throughout the festival, family reunions and gatherings of friends reinforce the bonds of relationships and promote peaceful coexistence among all attendees. The Teshie Homowo Festival has also become a notable tourist attraction, drawing people from various backgrounds to contribute to Ghana's thriving tourism industry. During the media launch for Teshie 2023 Homowo, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Okanfra, who serves as the President of Teshie Traditional Council, revealed that the Homowo festival is an important event in the life of all GaDangmes. He noted that it also reminds the people of the difficult choices and personal sacrifices that confronted their ancestors during their long trek on empty stomachs to their present town. Homowo he said, teaches the people of GaDangme a useful lesson of unity in diversity, to be their brothers keepers and share the little they have amongst kin and kindred. He added without internal peace there can be no development in any town and no society can develop when there is no internal unity and cohesion. Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Okamfra urged the people to dismiss uninformed outbursts and treat them as worthless propaganda by a group of disgruntled elements with a hidden agenda to cause mischief. He further urged the public to treat the 'Teshie has no chief mantra' as another worthless propaganda by people with doubtful chieftaincy titles and no locus as Teshie Kingmakers. The Gazetted Teshie Mantse appealed to all Teshiemei to bury their differences and join him in the uphill task of restoring Teshie to its former pride of place in the GaDangme State and beyond. He further appeals to all individuals, groups and corporate entities especially the telcos to come on board and support the Teshie Homowo Programmes in cash and kind. He called on the Churches and the Muslim Community to religiously observe the total ban on drumming and noise-making as they have been doing over the years. He commended the Asafo of Teshie Kpaashimo groups for their impressive music display. He encouraged them to continue displaying the same level of enthusiasm and energy during the festival's activities. In a message delivered on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Hon. Benjamin Nii Ayiku, Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Seth Nii Atto Sowah expressed that the Teshie Homowo Festival holds a special place in the hearts of the Teshie people. Beyond being a celebration of their rich culture, the festival serves as a platform for unity, solidarity, and progress. Seth Nii Atto Sowah emphasized the importance of collaboration, understanding, and collective action, especially in the context of sustainable development. He urged the people of Teshie to come together as a community and as global citizens to tackle the challenges ahead. The theme "Consensus-Building for Sustainable Development" resonates deeply, calling for open dialogue, empathy, and the inclusion of diverse voices in decision-making processes. By embracing unity and setting aside differences, the people of Teshie can overcome obstacles and find innovative solutions that lead to a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come. The festival embodies a spirit of solidarity that the people of Teshie are encouraged to embrace. It is a time for them to work hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, towards a future that is both sustainable and inclusive. As the 2023 Teshie Homowo Festival unfolds, the hope is that it will be a resounding success in promoting consensus-building for sustainable development and that the spirit of unity and cooperation displayed during the festivities will endure long after the celebrations have concluded. A delegation from the Ejura Traditional Council has met Ejura residents in diaspora to discuss ways to develop communities within the traditional area. The delegation led by Ejura Maawerehene, Oheneba Owusu Bekoe, was the second meeting between the traditional council and the Ejura residents in Diaspora, an indication of how important the relations between the two groups were. The meeting which was held in Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, on Sunday July 30, 2023, was also to strengthen the already cordial relations between the two groups, especially in the area of supporting the development of the Ejura Traditional Area. Oheneba Owusu Bekoe in an interview with this reporter after the meeting said major developmental projects led by the Ejurahene Barima Osei Hwedie II and his elders were projected to the well-meaning residents who have traveled outside the country. "One of the projects we discussed extensively was the Divisional Police Headquarters which was initiated by the traditional council, although the project is more than 80 per cent complete, we still needed to tell them and find ways to complete it with alacrity. "Ejura is fortunate to have residents who have the community's development at heart; they came to the meeting in their numbers to appreciate the works put in place by the traditional council. "Those who showed up, after learning about the unprecedented infrastructural projects by Barimah Osei Hwedie II lead Ejura Traditional Council were happy to be part of the success story. "Our brothers and sisters in Diaspora have already supported major projects in Ejura, they are currently assisting the traditional council and other stakeholders who have taking upon themselves to provide quality infrastructure in health care at the Ejura Government Hospital, that notwithstanding, they have vowed to help other good works by Ejurahene Barima Osei Hwedie II," he stated. Oheneba Owusu Bekoe revealed that the residents who were at the meeting were very impressed with the gains Ejura has made since the enstoolment of Ejurahene Barima Osei Hwedie II. Other gains made by Barimah Osei Hwedie II Oheneba Owusu Bekoe added that other achievements by Barima Osei Hwedie II worth mentioning was how he together with the traditional council have done very well to end fratricidal conflicts which used to be a bane to the development of Ejura. "I explained to them how the leadership style of Ejurahene, has brought a massive sense of belongingness among all factions, including ethnic, social and political groups serving as a beacon of unity and progressive development in the area. "On the infrastructural projects, some of the list I gave them was the construction of a seven-bedroom apartment for doctors working at the Ejura Government Hospital, released a 20-acre land for construction of a district hospital under the Agenda 111 project to which the Vice President of Ghana Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has cut sod for the commencement of the project," he said. Oheneba Owusu Bekoe added that he told the diasporans at the meeting, how the traditional council also build a wall around Ejura Government Hospital, provided boreholes to communities who had no access to portable clean water, construction of a six-unit classroom block for Ejura Anglican basic school. "It is a fact that, under Barima Osei Hwedie II, the traditional council in less than eight years has also constructed an ultra-modern Divisional Police Headquarters, donated over 600 acres of land to the Ghana Prisons Service, facilitating the construction of the military base at Ejura by providing free land and houses to government, provision of a seven-bedroom apartment for officials of the Ghana National Fire Service GNFS among others. "That notwithstanding, Barimah Osei Hwedie II has also paid and is still paying fees for many tertiary students while securing jobs for hundreds of youth in the municipality which I must say needs the massive support of all," he said. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) have successfully concluded a two-day stakeholder discussion on developing a national labour and multi-factor productivity measurement. When completed, the document will have many benefits, including improved evidence-based decision-making in the labour market and industrial sectors, increased transparency and accountability in wage determination, and a stronger foundation for economic growth and development. This initiative is under the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work project. The meeting held on July 17-18, 2023, brought together representatives from the Trades Union Congress, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Embassy of Norway, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, UNFPA, Management Development and Productivity Institute, the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, University of Cape Coast, Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research, University for Development Studies, other relevant development and social partners to contribute to how the dataset will be computed. David Marcos the project manager for Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work delivering a message on behalf of Vanessa Lerato PHALA, Director ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, said, "For the workers and unions, sometimes wage negotiations can get a bit tense," making the availability of credible data to make these negotiations crucial. He said this research is essential to form the benchmark to measure Ghana's productivity performance and to know the impact of the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work project. Fred Pappoe, a representative from the Embassy Norway said For us at Norway and I believe I can also speak for SECO--thats the Swiss Embassy who are also co-sponsors of the programme. It gives us a very good sight to behold the level of discussions. He said the nature of the PE4DW project s multi-institutional and just looking around the table here we have quite a lot of key institutions represented and participating very actively. Labour economist from the University of Ghana, Dr. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, presented the policy scan on productivity and decent work in Ghana. She identified decent work as one requisite to mitigate the adverse effects of globalisation. In her presentation, she also highlighted some key factors accounting for the deficits in productivity in Ghana's economy. She said, "There is the overall lack of a long-term plan working toward increasing productivity in the country. The average Ghanaian spends a lot of time in traffic which affects productivity, poor work environment, inadequate resources, and overall lack of commitment by workers due to low remuneration on the job." She concluded that productivity improvement in Ghana has been a challenge at all levels of the economy despite various policies implemented over the years. She identified the lack of funding, over-dependence on external financing, and political interference as some of the setbacks to productivity growth that justify the PE4DW project. In his presentation on productivity statistics computation, Professor Ezzahid Elhadj, a consultant from University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco, explained multi-factor productivity as the point of differentiation between a country with a GDP of $100 billion and another with a GDP of $50 billion with the same capital and labour output. He further explained that multi-factor productivity measures The efficiency with which the economy works. Because we can say that the economy's growth may depend on the accumulation of labor and capital, but it may depend on productivitymeaning how efficiently you use the inputs." The Director of Economics at the Ghana Statistical Service Edward Asuo Afram declared the Services support to the committees by providing all data needed for the computation of the labour and multi-factor productivity measurement. He said Ghana has the potential to revive its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth again when everyone works to ensure this project is successful. About the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Programme The Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Programme addresses constraints to productivity growth and decent work at the policy, sector, and enterprise level. It supports the structural transformation of economies and labour markets towards more and better jobs, higher productivity, and equitable distribution of productivity gains via social dialogue. Supported by Governments, employers and workers organizations during the ILO Governing Body discussions in November 2022, it is being piloted in South Africa, Ghana, and Viet Nam from 2022 to 2025 with US$ 9.2 Million from SECO and US$ 7.2 Million from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a leading member of the opposition National Democratic Congress, said Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's mid-year budget review speech on Monday would lack substance. In a tweet before the much-anticipated speech, Kwakye Ofosu said: "Ken Ofori Atta will speak today but he wont say anything." Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta delivered the mid-year budget review to Parliament on Monday, July 31. Among other things, the minister in his speech, admitted that 2022 was a difficult year, pointing to economic challenges that led to Ghana seeking an IMF bailout. He revealed that Ghana's GDP growth had declined from 5.1% in 2021 to 3.1% in 2022. Regarding flagship programmes, Ofori-Atta said the One District, One Factory initiative had created over 160,000 jobs. Parliament will on Wednesday debate the budget review before it goes on recess on Friday, August 4. Leading Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection and his party dissolved, prompting clashes between protesters and police. Sonko, a presidential candidate and President Macky Sall's fiercest critic, has faced a string of legal woes, which he claims have been designed to keep him out of politics. His sentencing in absentia to two years in prison last month in a moral corruption case sparked clashes that left 16 dead according to the government, 24 according to Amnesty International, and 30 according to Sonko's PASTEF party. But he had not been jailed despite that sentencing. On Friday he was arrested on new allegations tied to comments he has made, rallies he has held, and other episodes since 2021. The new charges include undermining state security, criminal association with a terrorist body, disseminating false news and theft. "I have just been unjustly placed in custody", 49-year-old Sonko wrote on Facebook on Monday afternoon. "If the Senegalese people, for whom I have always fought, abdicate and decide to leave me in the hands of Macky Sall's regime, I will submit, as always, to divine will", he said. Less than two hours after Sonko's indictment, the interior minister announced that PASTEF would be dissolved for having "frequently" called for insurrection, leading to destruction and the loss of life. The party slammed the move, saying in a statement sent to AFP that the country's stability was "now compromised", attacking the "anti-democratic" move to dissolve the party. Sporadic clashes broke out on Monday evening in the suburbs of Dakar, AFP journalists saw. The demonstrators burned tyres and set up roadblocks while chanting "Free Sonko", before being dispersed by police with tear gas. 'Farce' Senegal's public prosecutor said Saturday that this new legal affair had "nothing to do" with the high-profile moral corruption case for which Sonko was sentenced on June 1. That verdict makes him ineligible to contest next year's presidential election. But his lawyers have argued that his arrest on Friday cancelled out his conviction in the moral corruption case, because he had been tried in absentia. "It's a farce," Cire Cledor Ly, another of Sonko's lawyers, told reporters outside the courthouse on Monday. "It's a plot that was formed, thought out, planned and executed." Map of Senagal locating the capital Dakar and Ziguinchor. By Vincent LEFAI, Laurence SAUBADU (AFP) Sonko on Monday continued a hunger strike he began a day earlier, his lawyers said. They said there was no limit to his detention time as the new charges are criminal. "The judge can retain him until the case is heard", Babacar Ndiaye, one of the lawyers, said. Sonko was arrested on Friday after claiming on social media that security forces had been filming him outside his house and that he had snatched one of the phones to ask them to delete it. Earlier on Monday, authorities announced they were restricting mobile internet access due to "hateful and subversive" messages on social media. The company operating the fast train link between Dakar and its suburbs also said it would halt the line due to "malicious acts" committed by protesters. "This time I think it's over for Sonko," Sidiya Tall, 34, told AFP. "The young people will certainly go out, but they can't do anything about it." 'Resist oppression' Sonko had called, a day earlier, on Senegalese people to "stand up" and "resist... oppression". The internet was restricted for six days during the unrest in early June. Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko was being held on new charges and has launched a hunger strike. By SEYLLOU (AFP) Amnesty International condemned the internet restrictions, calling them an "attack on freedom of information". In Ziguinchor, the major southern city of which Sonko is mayor, clashes broke out Monday between his supporters and the police, an AFP journalist reported. Groups of young people threw stones at police, who tried to disperse them with tear gas canisters, the journalist said. A former civil servant, Sonko rose to prominence in the 2019 presidential election, coming third. He has portrayed Sall as a would-be dictator, while the president's supporters say Sonko has sown instability. Sall in early July eased tensions in the normally stable West African nation by announcing he would not seek a controversial third mandate, following months of ambiguity and speculation about his intentions. After bust-ups with Mali and Burkina Faso, France is now watching its relationship with Niger spiral downwards following the Sahel's third military takeover in as many years. The same scenes that have played out in Niger since the July 26 coup have been eerily witnessed in its two neighbours, where elected leaders were tossed aside in 2020 and 2022. In each event, France -- the former colonial power and ally in the fight against jihadism -- becomes the target of crowds chanting anti-French and pro-Russian slogans, followed by verbal broadsides from the new junta. President Mohamed Bazoum, a linchpin in France's strategy in the Sahel, was overthrown last Wednesday by members of his guard. A day after hostile demonstrations outside the French embassy triggered a warning from Paris, the putschists on Monday accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily" by plotting with the head of Niger's National Guard. Coups in the Sahel "are supported by a fringe of the population which have already shown a hostile attitude to French or Western presence," said Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, a researcher with the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank. "Anti-French talk, or anti-French politics, have been around for a long time," a study published last month by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) said last month. "However, they are no longer limited as they were in the past to the intellectual elite but have also spread extensively among the working classes, particularly in urban areas." In the capital Niamey, a stronghold of Bazoum opponents, there seemed scant support for France's policies in Niger even before the coup. France was accused of failing to eliminate jihadists who had been rampaging across the country since 2015, and attacked for a diplomatic style deemed opaque or arrogant. Disinformation campaign Against this background -- and in a country where some two-thirds of the population are illiterate -- conspiracy theories have flourished. Allies: French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Niger President Mohamed Bazoum at the Elysee Palace on June 23. By Ludovic MARIN (AFP) "Opinion is widespread in the public that French troops are only going to conflict zones to provide arms for the jihadists," Rahmane Idrissa, a researcher at the African Studies Centre at the Netherlands' University of Leyden, said on his personal blog. This idea "is not based on facts but on feelings, and sadly you don't counter feelings by offering factual proof." Countries in the Sahel have become an information battleground, with Russia accused by France of leading a campaign of denigration. Bazoum took a risk by agreeing to host France's reconfigured anti-jihadist force in the Sahel, which quit Mali last year after the Bamako regime brought in Russian paramilitaries. "Bazoum teamed up with France over the head of public opinion," said Nigerien analyst Amadou Bounty Diallo. In November 2021, a French military convoy that was pulling out of Mali was blocked by demonstrators at Tera, in western Niger. Three of them were killed, by shots that the Nigerien government attributed to French troops. Election hopes "Mr. Bazoum was unable to clearly show the Nigerien public that he had an independent relationship with western partners -- in public opinion, he looked like someone who was very close to France," said Ibrahim. Map locating jihadist attacks attributed to the Islamic State group or other jihadist groups since 2021 to July 21, 2023 in the Sahel region.. By Jonathan WALTER, Anibal MAIZ CACERES, Sylvie HUSSON (AFP) Bazoum was feted internationally after winning elections in 2021, opening the way to Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. He won in a second-round runoff with 55 percent of the vote, defeating an opposition that had criticised ties with France deemed too cosy and complicit. France is a major provider of financial aid to Niger, which has since been suspended, but trade ties these days are "extremely thin", said Alain Antil, head of the Sub-Saharan African Centre at the IFRI think tank. "Niger is no longer a strategic partner for uranium, as it was able to be in the 1970s and 80s," he said. A Canadian man accused of shooting up an electrical substation in northwestern North Dakota earlier this year has been ordered held in custody pending trial in federal court. Cameron Monte Smith is accused of firing shots into the Wheelock Substation near Ray on May 13, knocking out power to an estimated 243 people and causing damage estimated in the millions of dollars. A substation helps regulate the flow of electricity through a distribution system. Smith, 48, in mid-July pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Bismarck to federal charges of destroying an energy facility, and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. A jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 12. The destruction charge carries a maximum punishment of up to 20 years in prison, and the weapons charges each has a potential punishment of up to 15 years. Smith also could face up to $750,000 in fines if convicted. A detention hearing was held Monday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Clare Hochhalter ordered that Smith be detained until his trial, citing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions (of release) will reasonably assure Smiths appearance at trial or the safety of other persons or the community, according to court documents. Hochhalter cited Smiths alleged use of a weapon, history of deception including with a passport application, and lack of ties to the area. The court finds under these circumstances a risk of danger to persons and property and a risk of flight is created, and no conditions will presently mitigate those issues, Hochhalter wrote. The U.S. Attorneys Office as of Tuesday was still trying to determine where in Canada Smith is from, according to spokesman Terry Van Horn. Authorities say Smith had a Canadian passport when he was arrested and told immigration officials he was a Canadian citizen. Theres no evidence he legally entered the U.S., according to the FBI, and immigration officials allege hes in the country illegally. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has put a detainer on him, according to Hochhalters order, meaning he could be deported. Smith is being held at the Ward County Jail in Minot, jail records show. Defense attorney Kevin Chapman declined comment to the Tribune on Tuesday. The Wheelock Substation is owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Mountrail-Williams Electric Co-op. Its surrounded by an 8-foot-high barbed wire fence. FBI Special Agent Daniel Lewis wrote in an affidavit that law officers who investigated the shooting recovered about five empty .450 Bushmaster cartridge cases outside the fence, and determined that about 15 bullets had damaged the substation. A .450 Bushmaster is a high-powered rifle sometimes used for hunting big game. Smith also allegedly had a 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol. Basin Electric on Tuesday did not yet have repair estimates but expected the damage to cost between $1 million and $4 million to fix, according to spokesperson Tracie Bettenhausen. Federal court documents dont touch on a possible motive. State court documents say officers observed DAPL and other unspecified symbols spray-painted in the rocks outside the substation marks that the property owners said were not there before the incident. DAPL references the Dakota Access oil pipeline that was opposed by many Native American tribes and environmentalists. Smith was arrested at a Williston hotel after the shooting. Authorities say they recovered a .450 Bushmaster rifle, magazines and ammunition, along with the pistol, in a dumpster in the city. They say they also found a rifle case and more ammunition in an SUV that Smith allegedly drove to the substation. The Accra High Court trying nine persons for treason has sentenced Colonel Samuel Kwadzo Gameli to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for six months for contempt. Colonel Gameli, one of the accused persons facing abetment of High treason charge, was caught playing audio of the Courts proceedings whilst Court was in session. Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, President of the three-member-panel court, whose voice was heard on the audio, called for a warrant officer to seize the cellular phone of Colonel Gameli. He was then asked how long he had been recording and he confessed that since Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Asked why he did that and whether he knew whether his action amounted to contempt of court, the accused person said he knew it was contempt, but he had to record the proceedings down for his lawyer, Mr Eric Senyo Pongo, who had not been around. Justice Stephen Oppong, another Judge on the panel, enquired that had the Court not been telling the court users not to record the Court and Colonel agreed with him. Is it the first time your lawyer has been away, then why are you doing this now, Justice Oppong further probed and Colonel Gameli answered that he did not know why. That was when Justice Afia Serwaa said with Ghanas history whereby some judges were martyred, producing and sharing judges photos, audio recordings and others with the public was unsafe. We dont feel safe, I feel unsafe, she added. She asked why with his calibre, knowing the security implications of the act, would do that. At the time when the Court was contemplating detaining him till the final determination of the case, Mr Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, who stood in for Mr Pongo, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy because the Colonel was the only one among the accused persons who had not done anything to incur the wrath of the Court since the trial began. Justice Afia Serwaa was certain it was not the first time the accused had done that, but Lawyer Adawudu insisted Colonel Gameli was remorseful and assured the Court that whatever was on his phone had been deleted. I am so scared right now, how are we supposed to know where he has shared the audio recording? She questioned. The phone was then handed over to an IT (Information Technology) expert of the Judicial Service and after checking the phone, he informed the Court that nothing had been shared during that period. Mr Adawudu, pleading for mitigation, said, Forgive us our trespasses. The Court after finding him guilty, asked him to sign the bond to be of good behaviour, adding that it should be a lesson to everyone in the courtroom. Justice Afia Serwaa threatened to report the incident to the Chief Justice, adding that in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), just a sentence from someone could put him in trouble. Justice Hafisata Amaleboba is the third judge on the panel, and they are all Justices of the Court of Appeal with additional responsibilities as High Court judges. Colonel Gameli is standing trial with Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah, Johannes Zikpi, WOII Esther Saan Dekiwine, Lance Airforce Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akankpewu, Corporal Seidu Abubakar and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo. GNA The Achimota District Court has convicted Maxwell Afful, 18, to a fine of 40 penalty units for stealing and possessing stolen meters belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). In default, the accused, who pleaded guilty to the charges of illegal possession of stolen property and intentionally interfering with the supplier's distribution system, meters and any equipment, will serve four months jail term. Narrating the facts of the case to the court presided over by His Worship Prince Osei Owusu, the prosecution said, Afful was arrested by the Achimota Mile 7 Police Patrol team at dawn with a backpack containing some tools and six meters that had been stolen from the premises of ECG customers. The prosecution said the accused, now convict, in his statement, admitted to removing the meters installed for households and reselling them to other customers at different locations. Dr Mark Owusu Ansah, the Revenue Protection Manager of ECG, Accra West Region, in a news brief, bemoaned the worrying trend and said the menace was frustrating the Companys delivery of quality service. He said the meters, which were geo-tagged, helped ECG monitoring teams to track their movements. All our installed meters are geo-tagged to indicate their exact locations. This helps our teams to monitor the state of our meter installations regularly, he said, adding that, however, stealing, reselling and changing the original location of installed meters was affecting the revenue generation of the Company because some clients used power without paying due to the illegality. Mr Emmanuel Akinie, the General Manager of ECG, Accra West region, warned criminals engaged in meter thefts and sales to desist from such acts. Mr Akinie said the Company was introducing technology to aid in identifying meters that were stolen and re-installed. The Accra West region, which is made up of eight operational districts, has since the beginning of this year recorded about 600-meter theft cases in four out of the eight operational districts. The eight operational districts are Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korlebu and Nsawam. GNA Joyce Bawa Mogtari, a special aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, has strongly criticized the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. She called on Ghanaians to vote the ruling party out in the 2024 elections. In a tweet on Monday, July 31, Bawa Mogtari described the NPP government as "inconsistent, ineffective, inefficient, inept and corrupt." She further accused the party of having "no principles" and being "plain dishonest." Her comment follows recent remarks by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who claimed the economy is gaining momentum thanks to an IMF programme. During his 2023 mid-year budget presentation to parliament on Monday, Ken Ofori-Atta pointed to recent economic growth as a result of the IMF deal. But Bawa Mogtari dismissed this claim, tweeting "They have absolutely no principles none whatsoever and are plain dishonest! Ghanaians must vote them out!" The government has commenced an alternative offer for pension funds exchange inviting holders of domestic notes and bonds of the central government, E.S.L.A Plc and Daakye Trust Plc. The government is seeking to exchange approximately, GHS 31 billion principal amount of the eligible bonds for a package of new bonds. This invitation is intended to enable the Pension Funds to preserve their patrimonial value while exchange their eligible bonds for bonds that offer more potential liquidity, a Monday, July 31, 2023, statement from the Ministry of Finance announced. It is a sequel to the recently launched dollar-denominated bonds and cocoa bills exchange. The Invitation is available only to registered holders of Eligible Bonds that are Pension Funds (Eligible Holders). Eligible Holders tendering their Eligible Bonds pursuant to the Invitation will receive Exchange Bonds of the Government on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Exchange Memorandum. All offers to exchange Eligible Bonds made by Eligible Holders (an Offer or Exchange Instruction) are irrevocable and subject to withdrawal rights under certain limited circumstances. By tendering their Eligible Bonds, Eligible Holders represent and warrant that such Eligible Bonds constitute all the Eligible Bonds owned by them and consent to the blocking by the Central Securities Depository (CSD) of any attempt to transfer them prior to the Settlement Date or the termination of the Invitation by the Republic. Offers may only be submitted starting today (the Launch Date) and ending at 4:00 p.m. (Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)) on 18th August 2023 (the Expiration Date). However, the Government may extend the Expiration Date (including for one or more series of Eligible Bonds). Eligible Holders who deliver valid Offers at or prior to the Expiration Date that are accepted by the Government receive on the Settlement Date (as defined below) in exchange for their Eligible Bonds accepted by the Government, the same aggregate principal amount distributed (in the proportions indicated below) across new tranches of the currently outstanding GOG Bonds issued in February 2023 and maturing in 2027 and 2028 (respectively, the GOG Bond 2027 and the GOG Bond 2028, and collectively, such new tranches issued pursuant to the Invitation, the New Tranches). In addition to the Exchange Bonds, tendering Eligible Holders will receive a distribution of two additional interest payment instruments linked to the Exchange Bonds, with no principal amount, each maturing, respectively, in 2027 and 2028 (collectively, the New Interest-Only Bonds). The proportions of New Tranches and New Interest-Only Bonds to be received by tendering Eligible Holders in exchange for their Eligible Bonds are allocated. The Invitation will expire at 4:00 p.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) on 18th August 2023, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Government as set forth in the Exchange Memorandum (the Expiration Date). Offers may not be revoked or withdrawn at any time except in the limited circumstances described in the Exchange Memorandum. On 25th August 2023 (the Settlement Date) the Government will issue the New Bonds to Eligible Holders whose Offers are accepted for credit to the account of such Eligible Holder at Ghana's CSD. The Government reserves the right to extend the Settlement Date (including with respect to one or more series of Eligible Bonds) without offering Eligible Holders the right to withdraw their Offers, provided that such extended Settlement Date is not later than 28th August 2023 (the Longstop Date). The Government may extend the Settlement Date beyond such Longstop Date and designate a new Longstop Date, but such extension will be subject to the granting of withdrawal rights to Eligible Holders who submitted Offers before such extension, subject to the conditions described in the Exchange Memorandum. -citinewsroom A 39-year-old Businessman, who allegedly stole a cash sum of GH60.00 from Earlbeam Company Limited has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court. Mr Alfred Danso Darkwah is also said to have stolen 2,400 from the same company. Mr Darkwah, who was charged with two counts of stealing, pleaded not guilty. The Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, admitted Darkwah to GH50, 000.00 with two sureties. It directed that the sureties should be ordinary Ghanaian citizens. Police Chief Inspector Ramata Asumah, who held the brief of Superintendent of Police, Augustus Yirenkyi, narrated to the Court that the complainant Mr Michael Danso Darkwah, the operation Manager of Earlbeam Company Limited resided at Achimota, Accra, while the accused person was also a resident of cantonments, Accra. The Prosecution said the accused person was the Managing Director of Earlbeam Company Limited, headquartered at Dzorwulu. It said on June 9, 2023, the company through its Board Chairman wrote a letter to terminate the appointment of the accused person as the Managing Director. However, the accused person who disagreed with the termination of his appointment sent the matter to a civil court which is still pending, the Prosecution added. It said despite the pendency of the matter, the accused person, on June 14, 2023, went to the company and forcibly took cash, the sum of 2,400 sterling from a client of the company through the company's accountant. The Prosecution said on June 15, 2023, the accused person went to the restaurant of the company and changed the company's POS, a money collection machine of the company and used the new POS machine to receive GH60.00 from clients of the company. It said a report was made to the Police and the accused person was arrested. The prosecution said in the investigation caution statement of the accused person, he admitted collecting 2,400 pounds sterling and GH60.00 from the company but stated that the company owed him. GNA Two people were killed Monday during protests in southern Senegal after the indictment and detention of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, a presidential candidate for the 2024 election, the interior ministry said. Sonko, President Macky Sall's fiercest critic, on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection and his party dissolved, prompting clashes between protesters and police. The leading opposition figure has faced a string of legal woes, which he claims have been designed to keep him out of politics and jeopardise his participation in the February 2024 presidential election. The interior ministry said protests erupted Monday afternoon in the southern city of Ziguinchor where "two lifeless male bodies" were discovered. The ministry press release sent to AFP did got give further details of the circumstances of the deaths in the city where Sonko is mayor. Less than two hours after Sonko's indictment, the interior minister announced that his PASTEF party would be dissolved for having "frequently" called for insurrection, leading to destruction and the loss of life. The party slammed the move, saying in a statement that the country's stability was "now compromised", and that the dissolution was "anti-democratic". 'Farce' Sonko's sentencing in June in absentia to two years in prison in a moral corruption case sparked clashes that left 16 dead according to the government, 24 according to Amnesty International, and 30 according to PASTEF. He had not been jailed despite that conviction, which rendered him ineligible to stand in next year's election. Map of Senagal locating the capital Dakar and Ziguinchor. By Vincent LEFAI, Laurence SAUBADU (AFP) On Friday, he was arrested on new allegations tied to comments he has made, rallies he has held, and other episodes since 2021. The new charges include undermining state security, criminal association with a terrorist body, disseminating false news and theft. "It's a farce," Cire Cledor Ly, one of Sonko's lawyers, told reporters outside the courthouse on Monday. "It's a plot that was formed, thought out, planned and executed." Sonko, who has a passionate following among Senegal's disaffected youth, on Monday continued a hunger strike he began a day earlier, his lawyers said. They did not say where he would be held. "I have just been unjustly placed in custody", 49-year-old Sonko wrote on Facebook on Monday afternoon. "If the Senegalese people, for whom I have always fought, abdicate and decide to leave me in the hands of Macky Sall's regime, I will submit, as always, to divine will", he said. Sonko was arrested on Friday after claiming on social media that security forces had been filming him outside his house and that he had snatched one of the phones to ask them to delete it. 'Resist oppression' Sporadic clashes broke out on Monday evening in the suburbs of Dakar, AFP journalists saw. The demonstrators burned tyres and set up roadblocks while chanting "Free Sonko", before being dispersed by police with tear gas. Earlier on Monday, authorities announced they were restricting mobile internet access due to "hateful and subversive" messages on social media. Amnesty International condemned the internet restrictions, calling them an "attack on freedom of information". The company operating the fast train link between Dakar and its suburbs also said it would halt the line due to "malicious acts" committed by protesters. Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko was being held on new charges and has launched a hunger strike. By SEYLLOU (AFP) "This time I think it's over for Sonko," Sidiya Tall, 34, told AFP. "The young people will certainly go out, but they can't do anything about it." In Ziguinchor clashes broke out Monday between his supporters and the police, an AFP journalist reported. Groups of young people threw stones at police, who tried to disperse them with tear gas canisters, the journalist said. Sonko had called, a day earlier, on Senegalese people to "stand up" and "resist... oppression". A former civil servant, Sonko rose to prominence in the 2019 presidential election, coming third. He has portrayed Sall as a would-be dictator, while the president's supporters say Sonko has sown instability. Sall in early July eased tensions in the normally stable West African nation by announcing he would not seek a controversial third mandate, following months of ambiguity and speculation about his intentions. Junta-led Burkina Faso and Mali warned Monday that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered a "declaration of war against their two countries. The warning from Niger's military-ruled neighbours came a day after West African leaders, supported by their Western partners, threatened to use "force" to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and slapped financial sanctions on the putschists. In a joint statement, the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali warned that "any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali". They said the "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilise the entire region". Niger: French and US military assets. By Jonathan WALTER, Anibal MAIZ CACERES, Sylvie HUSSON (AFP) The two also said they "refuse to apply" the "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger". At an emergency summit on Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded that Bazoum be reinstated within a week, failing which it would take "all measures" to restore constitutional order. "Such measures may include the use of force for this effect," it said in a statement. The bloc also slapped financial sanctions on the junta leaders and the country, freezing "all commercial and financial transactions" between member states and Niger, one of the world's poorest nations, which often ranks last on the UN's Human Development Index. Pressure to push the perpetrators of the July 26 coup to quickly restore constitutional order is building from Western and African partners in Niger, a country considered essential in the fight against jihadist groups that have ravaged parts of the Sahel region for years. Former colonial power France and the United States have between them deployed 2,600 soldiers in Niger to help battle the jihadists. 'Extremely dangerous' Niger's junta on Monday accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily" to reinstate Bazoum, which French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denied. "It's wrong," Colonna told France's BFM news channel of the allegation, adding it was still "possible" to return the president to power. Pro-junta demonstrators hold a sign taken from the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday. By - (AFP) "And it's necessary, because destabilisation is perilous for Niger and its neighbours," she said Monday evening. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed "immediate and uncompromising" action if French citizens or interests were attacked, after thousands rallied outside the French embassy in Niamey. Some tried to enter the compound but were dispersed by tear gas. Colonna said the demonstration had been "organised, not spontaneous, violent, extremely dangerous, with Molotov cocktails, Russian flags appeared, anti-French slogans (that were) an exact copy of what you can hear elsewhere". Russia has called for the swift return of "the rule of law" and "restraint from all parties" in Niger. Macron has spoken to Bazoum several times as well as to regional leaders, the presidential palace in Paris said. Protesters supporting the junta say France has failed to shield them against the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. By - (AFP) Bazoum -- a Western ally whose election just over two years ago marked Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960 -- was toppled on July 26 by the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally and ECOWAS has given him a week to hand back power. Bazoum is one of a dwindling group of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, where since 2020 a jihadist insurgency has also triggered coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. Bazoum's PNDS party on Monday warned Niger risked becoming a "dictatorial and totalitarian regime" after a series of arrests. The country's oil minister and mining minister were arrested that morning, according to the party. The head of the PNDS's national executive committee was also arrested. The PNDS said the junta had previously arrested the interior and transport ministers along with a former defence minister. The European Union condemned the arrest of ministers from the ousted government and demanded they be freed immediately. Coups and jihadists Landlocked Niger became the third Sahel country in less than three years, following neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, to be shaken by a military coup. In all three nations, a jihadist insurgency strained fragile governments, stoked anger in the military and rained economic blows on some of the world's poorest countries. Mediation: This image obtained from the Facebook page of Chad's president General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, shows him meeting with Bazoum (right) in Niamey on Sunday. By - (FACEBOOK/AFP) The overthrow of elected presidents has been accompanied by anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. Protesters supporting the junta say France, the country's traditional ally, has failed to shield them from the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. In Mali, a 2020 putsch led to a bust-up with France, which last year withdrew its troops as the junta brought in Russian paramilitaries. France also quit Burkina Faso after two coups last year brought in a junta that adopted a nationalist line. The withdrawals prompted France to reconfigure its decade-long anti-jihadist strategy in the Sahel, concentrating on Niger, where it fields 1,500 troops with a major air base near Niamey. The latest coup, according to the putschists, was a response to "the degradation of the security situation" linked to the jihadist conflict, as well as corruption and economic woes. International critics have ratcheted up pressure, targeting trade and development aid. ECOWAS has suspended all commercial and financial transactions, while France, the European Union and the United States have either cut off support or threatened to do so. UN humanitarian operations have also been put on hold. Niger has seen four coups since independence and numerous other attempts, including two previously against the 63-year-old Bazoum. On Friday evening, the Chale Collective, a group of African Americans, Afro-Brits, Afro-Europeans, and Native Ghanaians hosted Chale Collective Trivia Night at Captain Yaws in Osu, Accra. This remarkable event brought together adults from for an unforgettable night of trivia and music. Clint owner of Captain Yaos thanking the crowd for their support The Chale Collective focuses on producing events that unite The African Diaspora in Ghana and practice circular economy directing spending power to Ghana Black Businesses. Chale Collective Member Maurice Nii Ayiyey Cheetham, a Ghanaian American says We love to enjoy ourselves, I frequent a lot of restaurants and lounges in Greater Accra but realized Im not spending my money with people that look like me and ensuring sure my Cedis circulates with my uncles, aunties, and cousins that look like me. Our Chale Collective Group Members, Gabriel Ammah, Andy Ansomah, Adwao Yeboa Davis, Kindra Parker, and Maurice Nii Ayitey Cheetham have all committed to actively doing our part in producing great events while supporting Ghana Black Business with great service and products. This does mean that our events are limited to certain people but we are focused on increasing exposure and generating sales for those businesses, he added. The event featured teams competing in games and trivia questions focused on African diaspora history, music, and sports. An exciting segment called Name that Tune involved teams competing to name a song by title and artist. Chale Collective Member Adowah Yeboah Davis and Lead Trivia Organizer presenting African Trivia Questions to the teams According to Andy Kwadwo Asamoah, a leading member of the Challe Collective, the purpose of the event was to build networks within Ghana's thriving African diaspora community. "We are Africans from Europe and America who are living here in Ghana. We decided to come together to play games, have fun, and release stress after our week-long activities," said Asamoah. He added, "We want this group to be like an international group because not all of us grew up in Ghana but we have Ghanaian Roots in Africa. We have many of us Africans in France, the UK, the US, Australia, and other countries. So when we come back home, its nice to have a network where we can connect, interact, and support each other. "One thing Ive learned since being back in Ghana is that we all have to be a bit more patient with things because, in the outside world, we get things very fast. Things move quickly and this is not always the case in Ghana," Kwadwo Asamoah further remarked. The African diaspora refers to the communities throughout the world that descend from the historic mass dispersion of Africans, especially during the Atlantic slave trade. According to some of the attendees, the Chale Collective Events help Adult Diasporans in Ghana maintain a sense of community and connection to their roots while also supporting Native Ghanaian Black Businesses. Good times for friends from all over the African Diaspora to come join and have fun The competition was intense while teams competed for prizes from sponsors such as 500 Degrees Hat Company, A&C Fitness Gym and the gracious host Captain Yaw Restaurant. Challe Collectiva Trivia Night Team Winners "The Mangoes" came out on top after a tough battle with the Honest Party Team France prepared to evacuate its citizens from Niger on Tuesday, as tensions escalated after the coup last week that toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in Africa's jihadist-plagued Sahel region. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by his own presidential guard in a third coup in as many years in the Sahel, following putsches in neighbouring fellow former French colonies Mali and Burkina Faso. West African leaders, supported by their Western partners, threatened to use force to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and slapped financial sanctions on the putschists. Amid the anti-French protest unleashed by the coup, Paris on Tuesday said it was moving to withdraw its nationals from the capita. Niger: French and US military assets. By Jonathan WALTER, Anibal MAIZ CACERES, Sylvie HUSSON (AFP) "In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey... an operation of evacuation by air... is being prepared," said a message sent out by the embassy to French citizens, adding that the evacuations "will take place very soon in a very limited span of time". Junta-led Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday warned that any military intervention in Niger to restore Bazoum would be considered a "declaration of war against their two countries. They said the "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilise the entire region". Arrests Bazoum's PNDS party on Monday warned Niger risked becoming a "dictatorial and totalitarian regime" after a series of arrests. Since the coup, the junta has arrested the country's oil, mining, interior and transport ministers; the head of the PNDS's executive committee; and a former defence minister, according to the PNDS. The European Union condemned the arrest of ministers from the ousted government and demanded they be freed immediately. Pro-junta demonstrators hold a sign taken from the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday. By - (AFP) At an emergency summit on Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded that Bazoum be reinstated within a week, failing which it would take "all measures" to restore constitutional order. "Such measures may include the use of force for this effect," it said in a statement. The bloc also slapped financial sanctions on the junta leaders and the country, freezing "all commercial and financial transactions" between member states and Niger, one of the world's poorest nations, which often ranks last on the UN's Human Development Index. Pressure to push the perpetrators of the July 26 coup to quickly restore constitutional order is building from Western and African partners, who consider Niger as essential in the fight against jihadist groups that have ravaged parts of the Sahel region for years. Former colonial power France and the United States have between them deployed 2,600 soldiers in Niger to help battle the jihadists. 'Extremely dangerous' Niger's junta on Monday accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily" to reinstate Bazoum, which French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denied. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed "immediate and uncompromising" action if French citizens or interests were attacked, after thousands rallied outside the French embassy in Niamey. Some tried to enter the compound but were dispersed by tear gas. Colonna said the demonstration had been "organised, not spontaneous, violent, extremely dangerous, with Molotov cocktails, Russian flags appeared, anti-French slogans (that were) an exact copy of what you can hear elsewhere". Russia has called for the swift return of "the rule of law" and "restraint from all parties" in Niger. Protesters supporting the junta say France has failed to shield them against the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. By - (AFP) Bazoum -- a Western ally whose election just over two years ago marked Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960 -- was toppled on July 26 by the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally. Coups and jihadists Landlocked Niger became the third Sahel country in less than three years, following neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, to be shaken by a military coup. In all three nations, a jihadist insurgency strained fragile governments, stoked anger in the military and rained economic blows on some of the world's poorest countries. Mediation: This image obtained from the Facebook page of Chad's president General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, shows him meeting with Bazoum (right) in Niamey on Sunday. By - (FACEBOOK/AFP) The overthrow of elected presidents has been accompanied by anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. Protesters supporting the junta say France, the country's traditional ally, has failed to shield them from the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. In Mali, a 2020 putsch led to a bust-up with France, which last year withdrew its troops as the junta brought in Russian paramilitaries. France also quit Burkina Faso after two coups last year brought in a junta that adopted a nationalist line. The withdrawals prompted France to reconfigure its decade-long anti-jihadist strategy in the Sahel, concentrating on Niger, where it fields 1,500 troops with a major air base near Niamey. The latest coup, according to the putschists, was a response to "the degradation of the security situation" linked to the jihadist conflict, as well as corruption and economic woes. 01.08.2023 LISTEN At its 1st Ordinary Meeting of the 4th Session of the 8th Assembly held at Agona Swedru last Thursday, Members of the Agona West Municipal Assembly bemoaned the snail pace at which management of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was collecting property rates for the Assembly. According to the Assembly Members, the collection of property rate was the lifeline of the Assembly till it was taken over by the Ghana Revenue Authority. They added that the takeover has adversely affected the financial strength of the Assembly immensely. Presiding Member for Agona West Municipal Assembly, Hon. Frank Yeboah who led the discussion of the Assembly's financial situation noted with concern the abysmal performance of GRA describing it as woefully inadequate and a lazy way of collecting revenue. He wonder why the major point of revenue collection for the Assembly could be taken away at a time the Assembly was struggling to meet its revenue target. "The are many towns and villages in the Agona West Municipality, why should collect property rate in Agona Swedru only, don't we have properties in Agona Nyakrom, Upper and Lower Bobikuma, Abodom, Nkum, Otsenkorang, Otapiro and others place which could fetch the Assembly some Revenue?" In his sessional address, the Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Evans Addison Coleman disclosed that the Assembly gets its revenue mainly from Internally Generated Fund (IGF) and the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF). It also receives support from donor-funded programmes such as Modernized Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) and Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP). He noted that the Assembly as of the end of May, 2023 was able to collect a total amount of Ghc750,280.47 out of an estimated annual budget of Ghc2,358,045.00. He added that management was committed to ensuring that the Assembly meet its revenue target by the end of the year. The Municipal Chief Executive further stated that during the year under review, the Assembly received an amount of Ghc232,250.94 as its share of the District Assembly Common Fund for the 4th quarter of 2022 indicating that the amount had been expended on various projects and programmes. On development projects, Hon. Evans Addison Coleman mentioned the construction of 1 No. 40 seater open market stalls at Lower Bobikuma, the construction of 1 No.3 bedrooms apartment for medical doctors at Agona Swedru and the completion of the Municipal Assembly office complex also at Agona Swedru. Stressing the need for smooth transportation of goods and services, the Municipal Chief Executive stated various road projects over the period such as the completion of bituminous surfacing of Falcon and Eduful streets. The bituminous surfacing of Greenland (phase 1& 2) streets both in Agona Swedru. According to him, the procurement process for UDG 3 projects of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme has been initiated. He hinted that the Assembly intend to construct a 3-Storey 60 no. lockable shops at Mandela Market and also construct the Otabilkrom road with double seal bituminous surfacing. "These two projects are aimed at improving the local economic development of the Municipality. The year under review also saw the Assembly supporting the vulnerable in the Municipality through the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development. "We supported 59 Persons With Disability (PWDs) with a total amount of Ghc 66,700.00 to either start a new trade or expand existing trade as well as educational support. "A total of Ghc 54,898.00 of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) grant was disbursed to 703 households comprising 2,229 beneficiaries. The National Health Insurance Cards for 123 visually impaired persons and vulnerable children, as well as 50 LEAP beneficiaries, had their health insurance cards renewed," the MCE stated. The Municipal Chief Executive also touched on other sectors such as security, Agriculture, Water and Sanitation, Education, Health and Governance noting that a sub-office of the Assembly has been established at Agona Nyakrom to bring local governance closer to residents and also reduce the cost of transportation people who wants to reach the Central Administration at Agona Swedru to access services "Staff of the various departments of the Assembly have been posted to the sub-office to sensitize the people about the work and activities of the Assembly in the need for them to honour their tax obligation," Hon. Evans Addison Coleman concluded. A man accused of killing a woman in northwestern North Dakota last year has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. David Handeland, who officials say is from Minnesota but court documents list as being from Williston, was sentenced Monday by Northwest District Judge Kirsten Sjue. She also gave him five years on a terrorizing charge, court documents show. Defense attorney David Dusek didn't immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment. The Williams County Sheriffs Office on June 19, 2022, responded to a shooting at a residence northwest of Epping. The body of Leslie Lyon, 25, was in a chair near a mobile home just off 127th Avenue Northwest, according to a police affidavit. Authorities found a 9 mm casing outside another mobile home and a 9 mm handgun inside. Lyons mother, Jennifer Zinsmaster, told authorities Handeland took one of her guns and shot her daughter, the affidavit states. She convinced Handeland not to shoot her and was able to leave the area, authorities said. Handeland faced the terrorizing charge for allegedly threatening her. Court documents do not state the nature of the relationship between Handeland and the women or discuss a possible motive. Handeland, who is around 60 years old, initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. In March he entered Alford pleas, which means he didn't admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence to support a conviction. The court treats it like a guilty plea. Court documents indicate that Handeland entered an "open" plea, meaning the defense and prosecution did not come to an agreement on what sentence would be recommended. Bono East Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ibrahim Baba Bukhari popularly known as Game Changer has said the founder of House of Ezra Worldwide Ministry, Prophet Kofi Amponsah must stop disgracing Christianity. According to him, while everyone is entitled to form an opinion on issues affecting the country, it was not proper for the pastor to use his pulpit to engage in politics. The founder of House of Ezra Worldwide Ministry was captured in a video which has gone viral, opposing the idea of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becoming Ghana's next president. In the video, the pastor made some strong statements, declaring his determination to prevent the Vice President from becoming the president as long as he is alive. "From now onwards, whatever I am going to say is as the Lord says, somebody says, says the Lord the first says the Lord is that in the next 21 days, a gentleman called Bawumia, Bawumia, the Vice President. "Tell him that what the Lord says is this. Tell Bawumia that he should stay off the flagbearership and stay longer. This is the prophet through whom God is speaking. This is what the Lord says," he stressed. He dared anyone who disagrees to challenge him. Does the country belong to him? If he is wise as he claims why didnt he use it to help Akufo-Addo? You think there are no men in Ghana. If you are a man challenge me. You think anybody can speak as I am doing now? he continued. In reaction, Mr Ibrahim Baba in an exclusive interview with this reporter on Monday, July 31, said it was dangerous for the man of God to engage in partisan politics while on the pulpit. "The buffoonery of these modern charlatans clothed as pastors and their deluded followers can cause stir. Prophet Kofi Amponsah is a threat to Christianity and the peace of Ghana and must be dealt with," he added. Chairman Ibrahim Baba noted that "the sole motives of these mushroom prophets and dodgy pastors within the Christian domain in Ghana are for self-enrichment, self-gratification, extortionist and get-rich-quick." He added that they make false prophetic claims with the sole aim of boosting attendance," Chairman Ibrahim Baba has therefore, appealed to National Peace Council and Christian leaders to call Prophet Kofi Amponsah to order in the interest of national unity and peace. Am appealing to the leaders of the National Peace Council, Christian fraternity in Ghana, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the National Security apparatus, and any relevant institution to call Prophet Kofi Amponsah to order in the interest of national unity, peace, and harmony, he stated. He has therefore called on pastors to be apolitical and avoid using their pulpits to campaign for political parties, saying that could lead to divisions and conflicts. He emphasized that, while pastors had the right to be sympathetic towards the course of a certain political party or show preference for a politician, that preference should not be forced on their congregation. Such a situation, he said, was likely to cause disunity among the congregants as they also had their own preferred political affiliations. He has therefore advised the Prophet Kofi Amponsah to stop making sensitive comments when preaching to his congregation. 01.08.2023 LISTEN The Ghana Education Service (GES), its directorate in the central region and authorities of Adisadel College are in frenzied moods over the virtual mauling of a junior at that rather prized college. The incident was said to have happened in June. However, a video recording of it went viral lately drawing heavy flows of comment from the authorities and the general public. The student, who hooked his victims neck with his arms, drew a few steps and smashed his head against a metal bed. Pity, the students looking on sounded thrilled. A flurry of actions has followed, with more perhaps to come. The sadistic student, who is in his final year, has been sacked. He will take his final examinations from home. There were other punitive actions going to some school authorities, reprimands to the victim for not reporting the incident and also the student who took the videos. Committees at different levels are to investigate the issue and make recommendations for action. The reports are also to be expedited. Already the bully student has been arraigned and the process is on. GES, umbrella managing body for schools, issued a statement signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Public Relations Officer assuring that the GES is committed to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students across the country. Also that the GES deems acts of violence within schools as entirely unacceptable and harmful to students wellbeing, and it remains steadfast in ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students nationwide. The disgusting happening at Adisadel College might only be a tip of the iceberg. What happened is not bullying as it has been happening in the past but a reflection of a wave of arbitrariness moving over the country. In Senior Secondary Schools across the country today, belts are used freely by seniors on juniors, some head-butted. Seniors demand money from the juniors in default, maltreated. A senior will pick a juniors provisions at will and dare him to complain. These are happening in schools but the problem is a societal one, reflected in many institutions. One will be surprised the number of suspects mauled at police stations every day. The many reports in the media, almost every day of spousal killings, love-relationship-fatalities, some brutally, give indications perhaps of a society on edge. I chanced upon a very, very, young boy in a rage walking menacingly towards another boy threatening, I will slap you. Both were about six years. There is the need to strengthen good family life in the country as a way of easing the mistreatments being meted out to supposed subordinates be it in schools, at work places and in relationships. The issue of reporting is a tricky one. A second year student in a Senior High School in the Volta Region said a senior hit him with a belt injuring him told him, he, victim, should go live with the school master he will complain to. Many people are on tenterhooks and so are authorities in the schools. Work values are drooping as motivation slackens in the face of weakening compensation packages. I am wondering what kind family Bobby, the aggressive, malevolent, brutish student comes from, to have such wicked traits ingrained in him. Discussions in the media, among individuals and comments picked on the streets and public transport give indication of confusion in the minds of the population. Many are blaming prohibition of corporal punishment for the supposed surge in indiscipline in the schools. In any case corporal punishment is still going on in the schools even in the schools supposed to be models. The GES has a lot more to do to ensure that investments in policy initiatives are beneficial and that people appointed to head schools and teachers generally go by GES directives. There is also the need for governments to increase investments in education and raise the practical competencies of teachers and educational workers. By Sepenyo Dzokoto Minister of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta says the government is engaging the Independent Power Producers on debt relief for the energy sector. He announced this during the Mid-year budget review in Parliament on Monday in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act. Mr. Ofori-Atta acknowledged that IPP power payments remained a critical challenge to the economy. He said the government was currently collaborating with the IPPs to address the impact of excess capacity on the economy. To this end, he said the government had engaged the IPPs to restructure the accrued outstanding balances and eliminate arrears in the sector. In the attempt to reduce excess capacity commitments, the minister said the government had renegotiated the Gas Sales Agreement between VRA and N-Gas. In the area of alternative energy, he said the government had shortlisted vendor companies and countries to develop Ghana's first nuclear power plant. He also said the government had engaged some companies to identify an economic resilient nuclear power technology for Ghana as a clean source of energy. To lessen the strain the energy sector places on the public purse, he called for a collective effort to assist the Electricity Company of Ghana in its revenue collection exercise. He explained that the implementation of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism(CWM) and Natural Gas clearing had improved the equitable distribution of revenues in the energy sector. He said the CWM was being reformed to ensure mandatory compliance to provide cash flow to the IPPs. GNA France prepared to evacuate French and other European citizens from Niger on Tuesday, six days after a coup that toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel and stoked anti-French demonstrations. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his own guard, in the region's third putsch in as many years following takeovers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso. After hostile crowds gathered on Sunday outside the French embassy and Niger accused France of plotting to intervene militarily, Paris said Tuesday it would withdraw its citizens and offered to evacuate other Europeans as well. Pro-junta demonstrators hold a sign taken from the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday. By - (AFP) "In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an operation of evacuation by air is being prepared," the embassy said a message sent to French citizens. The evacuations "will take place very soon in a very limited span of time," it said. The foreign ministry in Paris later said the evacuations would begin later on Tuesday. There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger, not counting visiting tourists or French residents currently outside the country. The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday slapped sanctions on Niger and warned it may use force as it gave the coup leaders a week to reinstate Bazoum. The following day, the junta accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily," a charge which drew a French denial, while junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso warned any military intervention in Niger would be a "declaration of war" against them. Unstable The events are unfolding in one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world -- a vast semi-desert nation that had already experienced four coups since independence in 1960. Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. But his tenure was already marked by two attempted coups before last week's dramatic events, in which he was detained at his official residence by members of his elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani has declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally, from ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN to France, the United States and the European Union. Mediation: This image obtained from the Facebook page of Chad's president General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, shows him meeting with Bazoum (right) in Niamey on Sunday. By - (FACEBOOK/AFP) Bazoum was seen in a photo on Sunday sitting alongside Chadian leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, another pro-Western leader, who was sent to Niamey by ECOWAS. According to Bazoum's PNDS party, the junta has arrested the country's oil, mining, interior and transport ministers, the head of the PNDS's executive committee, and a former defence minister. Alarm The coup has triggered alarm bells in Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now threatens the borders of fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. An unknown number of civilians, troops and police have been killed across the region, many of them in ruthless massacres, while around 2.2 million people in Burkina Faso alone have fled their homes. The economic damage, to three of the poorest countries in the world, has been devastating. France had at one point around 5,400 troops in its anti-jihadist Barkhane mission across the Sahel, supported by fighter jets, helicopters and drones. Niger: French and US military assets. By Jonathan WALTER, Anibal MAIZ CACERES, Sylvie HUSSON (AFP) But that mission had to be drastically refocussed on Niger last year, when France pulled out of Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with their juntas. Today, the reconfigured French force has around 1,500 men, many of them deployed at a major air base near Niamey, while the United States, which also has an important air base in Niger, has around 1,100 personnel. Russia In all three Sahel countries, the disgruntled military intervened against elected presidents as the toll mounted from jihadist attacks. 'Thank you, Wagner' - a banner at a rally in the Malian capital of Bamako in February 2022 held to celebrate France's withdrawal from the country. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP) The takeovers have been accompanied by nationalist rhetoric and strident anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. Mali in particular has forged close ties with Moscow, bringing in Russian military hardware and paramilitaries that Western nations say are Wagner mercenaries. Junta supporters say France has failed to shield them from the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has called on West African leaders to convene an emergency meeting focused on curbing the recent spate of military coups in the subregion. He argued that a high-level meeting focused on understanding and preventing further coups is urgently needed. In a tweet on Tuesday, August 1, Braimah specified that the ECOWAS heads of state gathering should focus on two key questions: 1. Why are the coups happening? 2. How can we make democracy work for our citizens as it should? The media advocates call comes just days after Niger experienced its fifth coup since independence on July 26th. Soldiers from the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum and announced his overthrow on state television. A junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani has now taken power. The incident in Niger, which endured its last coup in 2010, represents the first military takeover in the country in over a decade. It follows similar coups in neighboring Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso in recent years, leading some analysts to label the region a "coup belt." Regional bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS have strongly condemned the coup in Niger and called for constitutional rule to be immediately restored. The Art of Leadership 01.08.2023 LISTEN Creativity always leads to activities that lead to increasing returns. The terms increasing returns and decreasing returns are used in the world of industry and business. It is very helpful to understand these terms as they throw a lot of light on the causes of poverty and riches. Rich and prosperous countries specialize in increasing returns activities whilst poor countries, and poor people specialize in decreasing returns activities. Can you imagine what a country we will have if our efforts are put into increasing returns activities? What Are Decreasing Returns? An activity which has decreasing returns is often an activity like farming, mining or fishing. A lack of creativity gives rise to decreasing returns activities that consist of activities from which the profit gets less and less as the years go by. Usually, decreasing returns are caused by the nature of the work itself. For instance, farming, which is a typical decreasing returns activity, can only yield less and less as the years go by because the land gets worn out and no more as fruitful as it used to be. Also, there is only a certain amount of investment you can make into a piece of land. Pouring more investments to what you have already put in, will not cause the land to give any more yield. If, for instance, you have ten plots of land and you have two tractors that are working the land, buying a hundred more tractors will not make the land yield any more produce. In fact, investing like that will make you lose even more money on your already diminishing returns farm. The same thing goes for an activity like mining where the minerals that are being mined get finished as you continue to mine. Putting more and more investments into the same mine will not make the mine more profitable. Therefore, generally speaking, the owners of the farms and the mines can only expect diminishing profits, less money and less prosperity as the years go by. What Are Increasing Returns? So what are increasing returns activities? An activity which has increasing returns is often something like running a factory or some kind of industry. On the other hand, increasing returns activities are borne out of creativity and consist of things like manufacturing, running factories, etc., that continue to give higher and higher profits every year (if they are run efficiently). When you spend a great deal of money to set up a factory, you will not require such monies in the coming years when the factory is running. This is because the same investment that was made to set up the factory will not need to be made again every year. For example, if two million dollars was used to set up the factory, the investors may have paid back their bills by the fifth year. This means that from the sixth year onwards they will make more and more profit because they will not have those initial expenses any more. They will continue to make ever-increasing profits from their industry because of this reality. So whilst the farmer and the miner are experiencing reduced or diminishing returns from their farms, the operators of the factories and industries will be experiencing increasing and higher profits from their activities. Leadership and Creativity Creativity is a form of godliness. Creativity depicts the traits of God in us. This is because God is first and foremost a creator. Some leaders of this world have used this principle of creativity and it has caused rich countries to get richer. The leaders who have not used this principle of creativity have caused their poor countries to get even poorer. Rich and creative countries actually specialize in wealth creating activities (what the economists call increasing returns activities) and poor countries actually specialize in noncreative poverty-causing activities (what the economists call 'decreasing returns' activities). Rich countries have all become rich in exactly the same way, through policies steering them away from diminishing returns activities and into increasing returns activities like manufacturing. Rich countries have become superior and dominated poorer countries through creativity. Those who sell iPods and iPads have risen up to dominate those who harvest oranges and groundnuts and tomatoes for a living. Like God, they lead, they rule and they dominate the world because creativity makes you rise and operate in higher and superior dimensions. When you hear leaders of third world countries declaring their principal economic goals to be agriculture, you realise that they are actually making their countries specialize in poverty. We have a task to pray for our leaders so that they will be directed into increasing returns activities so that we can have a greater yield for our efforts. Increasing returns activities fights poverty and helps with innovation and creativity. May God help us to progress on increasing returns activities! [email protected] By Dag Heward-Mills 01.08.2023 LISTEN The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) has urged the government to to establish wellness clinics across the country to aid routine health screening. Dr Richard Adanu, Rector of GCPS, said that was crucial to help fight non-communicable diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. He said this during a health screening exercise for residents of Chorkor in the Ablekuma South Constituency and its environs as part of the Colleges 20th-anniversary celebration. ''It is best for people to annually go for health checkups at least once a year to have their blood pressure and blood sugar checked as well as their general healthcare for early diagnosis and treatment,'' Dr Adanu said. He noted that diabetes and hypertension did not demonstrate obvious symptoms hence the public must regularly go for health screening to know their status. Dr Adanu said the health screening exercise was to give back to society and advised Ghanaians to utilise the wellness clinics established by the Ghana Health Service around them. Residents of Chorkor were screened for general illnesses, ENT services (ear, nose, and throat), eye examination, dental problems and offered family planning services. Dr Justina Ansah, Vice President of the College and the Chairperson for the anniversary planning committee, said the Community was chosen because it was deprived and had many health needs. We decided to choose a deprived community, over the years we have gone to other communities like Bawjuasi, but we wanted a community in Accra that is deprived and we researched and found out that Chorkor Chemuana is the right place to conduct this exercise,'' she said. Dr Ansah said poor sanitary in the Community posed health risks to the residents and appealed to the local Assembly and other stakeholders to address the situation. GNA France and Italy prepared on Tuesday to fly out their citizens and other Europeans from Niger on Tuesday, six days after a coup that toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel and stoked anti-French demonstrations. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his own guard, in the region's third putsch in as many years following takeovers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso. After hostile crowds gathered on Sunday outside the French embassy and Niger accused France of plotting to intervene militarily, Paris said Tuesday it would withdraw its citizens and offered to evacuate other Europeans as well. Pro-junta demonstrators hold a sign taken from the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday. By - (AFP) "In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an operation of evacuation by air is being prepared," the embassy said a message sent to French citizens. The evacuations "will take place very soon in a very limited span of time," it said. The foreign ministry in Paris later said the evacuations would begin later on Tuesday. There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger, not counting visiting tourists or French residents currently outside the country. In Rome, the Italian government said it was putting on a "special flight for those (Italians) who want to leave the country," adding that this was "not an evacuation." It said there were around 90 Italian nations in Niamey, out of just under 500 across the country. The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday slapped sanctions on Niger and warned it may use force as it gave the coup leaders a week to reinstate Bazoum. The following day, the junta accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily," a charge which drew a French denial, while junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso warned any military intervention in Niger would be a "declaration of war" against them. Unstable The events are unfolding in one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world -- a vast semi-desert nation that had already experienced four coups since independence in 1960. Mediation: This image obtained from the Facebook page of Chad's president General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, shows him meeting with Bazoum (right) in Niamey on Sunday. By - (FACEBOOK/AFP) Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. But his tenure was already marked by two attempted coups before last week's dramatic events, in which he was detained at his official residence by members of his elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani has declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally, from ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN to France, the United States and the European Union. Bazoum was seen in a photo on Sunday sitting alongside Chadian leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, another pro-Western leader, who was sent to Niamey by ECOWAS. According to Bazoum's PNDS party, the junta has arrested the country's oil, mining, interior and transport ministers, the head of the PNDS's executive committee, and a former defence minister. Alarm The coup has triggered alarm bells in Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now threatens the borders of fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. Niger: French and US military assets. By Jonathan WALTER, Anibal MAIZ CACERES, Sylvie HUSSON (AFP) An unknown number of civilians, troops and police have been killed across the region, many of them in ruthless massacres, while around 2.2 million people in Burkina Faso alone have fled their homes. The economic damage, to three of the poorest countries in the world, has been devastating. France had at one point around 5,400 troops in its anti-jihadist Barkhane mission across the Sahel, supported by fighter jets, helicopters and drones. But that mission had to be drastically refocussed on Niger last year, when France pulled out of Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with their juntas. Today, the reconfigured French force has around 1,500 men, many of them deployed at a major air base near Niamey, while the United States, which also has an important air base in Niger, has around 1,100 personnel. Russia In all three Sahel countries, the disgruntled military intervened against elected presidents as the toll mounted from jihadist attacks. 'Thank you, Wagner' - a banner at a rally in the Malian capital of Bamako in February 2022 held to celebrate France's withdrawal from the country. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP) The takeovers have been accompanied by nationalist rhetoric and strident anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. Mali in particular has forged close ties with Moscow, bringing in Russian military hardware and paramilitaries that Western nations say are Wagner mercenaries. Junta supporters say France has failed to shield them from the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. Airforce Corporal Seidu Abubakar, the seventh accused person out of the nine persons standing trial over an alleged high treason, says he is not part of the meeting, which birthed the alleged plot to overthrow the government. Corporal Abubakar also denied taking part in the discussions held at the Next Door Beach Resort, Teshie on the subject matter. He said this when he gave his evidence-in-chief at the High Court trying them. He admitted knowing Lance Airforce Corporal (LAC) Ali Solomon, the eighth accused person, his colleague in the Ghana Armed Forces, both Northerners, living in the same barracks. The accused person said in September 2018, the two (he and Ali Solomon) were on their way to buy fish when Ali had a call from Sylvester Akankpewu, their neighbour, to meet him at the Beach Resort. He said when they got there, they saw a group of people under one of the summer huts and they also settled under another. Corporal Abubakar said Ali Solomon then called Sylvester for a private chat, and that he was not involved in that conversation. In a Cross-examination, it was put to Abubakar that at the said meeting on June 27, 2018, he and the others were incited to repeat the 1979 coup detat, which was staged by some junior ranked military officers, but Abubakar insisted he did not know what was discussed and the participants. Abubakar, Ali, the late Dr Frederick Mac Palm, Donyo Kafui, Debrah, Johannes Zikpi, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Warrant Officer Class Two Esther Saan, Dekuwine, Corporal Sylvester Akankpewon and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Benjamin Agordzo are standing trial in the case. They have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. GNA Government has invited Pension Funds to exchange GHS31 billion of old bonds for new ones as part of efforts to complete domestic debt restructuring under the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme. The Finance Ministry announced this in a statement issued on Monday, July 31 and copied to the Ghana News Agency. This Invitation is intended to enable the Pension Funds to preserve their patrimonial value, while exchanging their Eligible Bonds for Bonds that offer more potential liquidity, the Ministry said in the statement. It indicated that eligible holders tendering their eligible bonds pursuant to the Invitation would receive Exchange Bonds of the Government on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Exchange Memorandum. The holders will exchange outstanding bonds issued in February 2023 for new ones maturing in 2027 and 2028. In 2023 and 2024, both instruments will pay 5 per cent coupon in cash, and the remainder will be capitalised into the nominal amount of the two bonds to comply with the cash constraints and the macro-framework defined under the programme agreed between the government and the IMF, the statement said. The alternative offer has been designed to achieve the same average maturity as pension funds current holdings of old bonds, currently between 4 and 5 years, achieve a better average coupon (currently at 18.5 per cent while alleviating the cash constraint for the government during the initial years after the exchange. Overall, the offer preserves the net present value of pension funds current holding of old bonds at a 21 per cent discount factor, the Minister said in a letter accompanying the Memorandum of Exchange, it added. All offers to exchange eligible bonds made by eligible holders are irrevocable subject to withdrawal rights under certain limited circumstances, the statement said. The submission of offers, which commenced July 31 would end August 18, 2023, but subject to extension, the statement indicated. By tendering their Eligible Bonds, Eligible Holders represent and warrant that such Eligible Bonds constitute all the Eligible Bonds owned by them and consent to the blocking by the Central Securities Depository (CSD) of any attempt to transfer them prior to the Settlement Date (as defined below) or the termination of the Invitation by the Republic, it stated. The government indicated that on August 25, 2023 (the settlement date), it would issue the new bonds to eligible holders whose offers were accepted for credit to the account of such eligible holder at Ghana's CSD. The government added that it reserved the right to extend the settlement date (including with respect to one or more series of Eligible Bonds) without offering Eligible Holders the right to withdraw their Offers. That would occur, provided that such extended Settlement Date was not later than August 28, 2023 the longstop date. The Government may extend the settlement date beyond such longstop date and designate a new longstop date, the statement noted. However, such extension would be subject to the granting of withdrawal rights to eligible holders who submitted offers before such extension, subject to the conditions described in the Exchange Memorandum. GNA Federal investigators renewed their recommendation that major freight railroads equip every locomotive with the kind of autonomous sensors that could have caught the track flaws that caused a fatal 2021 Amtrak derailment in northern Montana. But installing the sensors on the tens of thousands of locomotives in the fleet could be cost prohibitive, and it's not entirely clear if one would have caught the combination of rail flaws that the National Transportation Safety Board said caused the crash near Joplin, Montana, that killed three people and injured 49 others. And rail unions caution that no technology should be a substitute for human inspectors. The NTSB report laid blame in part on BNSF railroad, which owns the tracks, and a shortcoming in its safety culture. But it noted that even if track inspections had been more frequent, the severity of the problems may not have been noticed the day of the crash without devices and technology designed to enhance the inspections. It is unlikely that the track deviations would have been detected through the current track inspection process, the board concluded in the report released Thursday. But "autonomous monitoring systems ... have the ability to monitor track conditions and provide real-time condition monitoring that could be used for early identification and mitigation of unsafe track conditions. BNSF defends its safety record and said it already employs a number of the sensors that the NTSB is recommending, but spokeswoman Lena Kent said the Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad will review the report for any additional lessons and ways to improve safety. But track problems have long been a safety concern for the NTSB, which can recommend but not mandate changes. In a 2021 report on the Joplin derailment, it attributed 592 U.S. derailments over a decade-long timespan to track geometry, which includes the distance between the rails and their horizontal and vertical alignment. Those issues were the second-leading cause of derailment in 2021. Railroad safety expert Dave Clarke, the former director of University of Tennesse's Center for Transportation Research, said it is important to remember that the NTSB doesn't do any kind of cost-benefit analysis on its recommendations. If they think something is a good idea for safety they put it out there. In the real world there may be no way to economically or practically do everything NTSB recommends, Clarke said. Clarke said it's also not clear that these sensors would have definitely caught the problems that caused the Montana derailment because none of the individual factors was severe enough to be considered a defect under Federal Railroad Administration rules. The NTSB said it was the combination of all those factors that caused the derailment. The major freight railroads have more than 23,000 locomotives in their fleets, including thousands that have been put into storage in recent years as the railroads have overhauled their operations to rely more on longer trains that dont need as many locomotives. It would require a major investment to add detectors to every locomotive, although the Association of American Railroads trade group couldnt immediately provide an estimate of how much each sensor costs. BNSF and the five other major U.S. freight railroads already spend roughly $23 billion every year on improving and maintaining their networks and investing in new equipment. But attorney Jeff Goodman, who represented family members of the three passengers who died in the derailment, said he believes his clients would have lived if trains that had passed through the area before the Amtrak train had been equipped with these sensors. Tracks will always bend or get out of sync because theyre exposed to the elements, but monitoring allows trains to know when to slow down and prevent accidents, he said. If the recommendations that the NTSB issued today were implemented prior to this tragedy, Zach Scheider and Don and Marjorie Varnadoe would all be alive today, he said, naming the deceased family members of his clients. Railroads have long resisted new regulations, Although there aren't any rules requiring these automated inspection sensors or the thousands of trackside detectors they employ, railroads have spent millions developing the technology and installed them voluntarily to improve safety. But regulators are considering drafting rules for them in the wake of recent derailments. An AAR trade group spokeswoman said that the type of sensors the NTSB singled out measure the force a locomotive exerts on the track and hasn't proven as useful as other kinds of sensors railroads have developed. This technology has been difficult to maintain in real-world operations and lacks a strong correlation to track geometry defects, Jessica Kahanek said. Railroads are experimenting with a variety of technologies to find the best way to spot problems. Another kind of autonomous sensor that can be installed on locomotives as well as the trucks inspectors use to ride along the rails can spot problems like misaligned track and wear on the rails by testing the track continuously. Vehicle track interaction systems, like the ones the NTSB singled out, must be mounted on locomotives because they measure the force a train puts on the tracks. Both kinds of sensors can help identify areas of concern for a human inspector to follow up on after computers analyze the data they generate. But the VTI sensors tend to be so sensitive that they flag areas where there arent true defects. Kent said BNSFs use of both kinds of sensors allows the railroad to check its track network multiple times more than 450,000 miles (720,000 kilometers) of track each year and that the technology has helped the railroad reduce the rate of defects that it finds by 82% over the past five years. In the past, BNSF and other railroads have even petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration to get a waiver releasing them from some inspection requirements because they believe the track geometry sensors provide enough information that the frequency of human inspections can be safely reduced. Federal officials approved a waiver allowing BNSF to reduce inspections on a couple of areas of its more than 30,000-mile (48,000-kilometer) network after the railroad successfully tested the devices for several years, but later declined to let the railroad expand that practice, including its tracks that cross Montana. BNSF took the FRA to court over that decision and the dispute is still pending. Rail unions have opposed the waivers. They argue that while the new technology is helpful, it shouldnt replace human inspections. Even with an interest in preserving jobs, they say safety is their primary concern. Already, the unions say the widespread job cuts the major railroads have made eliminating nearly one-third of all rail jobs over the past six years have made it difficult for employees to keep up with inspection demands and meet all FRA requirements. The NTSB pointed out that the inspector responsible for the territory where the Montana derailment happened had worked an average of 13 hours a day in the four weeks prior to the crash. Former NTSB director Bob Chipkevich, who spent years investigating rail crashes, said it often takes multiple derailments to force railroads to implement new safety technology. One of the biggest recent advances in rail safety came after a commuter train collided head-on with a freight train near Los Angeles in 2008, killing 25 people and injuring more than 100. Congress mandated a $15 billion automatic braking system that stops trains when they're in danger of colliding, derailing and other situations but it took 12 years to complete. When there are safety issues that have been raised after multiple accidents that occurred again and again, the question is to the industry, Chipkevich said. Why havent you done it after all these years? Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska, and Metz reported from Salt Lake City. Follow Josh Funk on Twitter at www.twitter.com/funkwrite 01.08.2023 LISTEN Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, the Deputy Director of Communications of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken a swipe at veteran Ghanaian media personality Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known as KKD, over his recent comments about the NPP's "breaking the eight" agenda. During a widely circulated video interview, KKD described whoever came up with NPP's "break the eight" slogan as "mad." His statement sparked a wave of criticism from NPP members, who find his remarks disrespectful and offensive. Speaking on NEAT FM's Ghana Montie morning show, Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah voiced his displeasure, stating that KKD has "lost his senses." He further accused him of making unsound criticisms driven by his bitterness towards the Akufo-Addo-led government. "He [KKD] has a big problem. His argument and criticism are born out of bitterness," Owusu-Bempah asserted during the interview. Taking the confrontation further, Owusu-Bempah directed KKD to direct his "bitter energy" to his son. "KKD should be advising his son now to repent as gay," he stated. Mr Samuel Okoe Amanquah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA), was involved in a fatal accident in the early hours of Monday, July 31, 2023. The MCE and his wife were heading towards Accra from Kpone when the unfortunate incident happened on the spot of the defunct toll booth near the China Mall area, off the Accra Tema Motorway at 05:30 hours. Confirming the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Abdela Abdulai, the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said Mr Amanquah and his wife were responding to treatment at a health facility in Tema. Mr Abdulai cautioned that no one should read any spiritual meaning into the unfortunate incident, saying it had the tendency to create disaffection in the party, especially going into the forthcoming Parliamentary primaries. This is the second time the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive has been involved in a fatal accident in recent times. Mr Abdulai said had it not been for the couple using their seat belt, the story would have been completely different, hence it was important for drivers and other car users to fasten their seat belts anytime they set their vehicles in motion. He hinted that the MCE would soon be discharged to continue with his work as the head of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality Assembly. It will be recalled that on July 26, this year Mr Amanquah filed his nomination form at the NPP Kpone-Katamanso Constituency Office to contest in the forthcoming Parliamentary primaries of the party. Mr Amanquah told the GNA afterwards that the NPP was ready to win the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency Parliamentary Seat for the first time under the fourth republic. He further hinted that he was the best person to lead the NPP in Kpone Katamanso for Victory in 2024, saying that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) dominance in the constituency since 1992 would be a thing of the past. The Kpone-Katamanso MCE called for unity amongst the rank and file of the party to guarantee their win of the seat in the Elections 2024. About 1,035 delegates are expected to cast their votes in the forthcoming NPP parliamentary primaries, expected to come off in November this year. GNA 01.08.2023 LISTEN The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul has declared government's determination to protect citizens from the threat of terrorism. He acknowledged the real and persistent terrorist threats in the country, particularly in the northern regions that share borders with Sahelian countries. Speaking to journalists after witnessing a counter-terrorism demonstration by UK-trained Ghanaian soldiers, the Defence Minister highlighted the significant efforts being made to shield the nation from terrorist attacks. Mr. Nitiwul revealed that more deployment of troops has been made to the Northern regions to bolster security and safeguard citizens from potential terrorist attacks. The demonstration, witnessed by the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, marked another step in the defence partnership between Ghana and the United Kingdom. In attendance were also the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, and various army chiefs. The Defence Minister called for more training exercises to enhance the military's preparedness in handling acts of terrorism and maintaining national security. He said, we need more of such training exercises so that we can continue to protect our citizens. He stressed the importance of garnering the support of the people, emphasising that with the people's backing, the military would be more effective in ensuring the nation's safety and security. "Once you have the support of the people, the military would do anything and everything for you, he stated. Regarding recent developments in the West African region, Mr. Nitiwul addressed the issue of a possible ECOWAS mission to Niger following a coup in that country. He stated, After the one-week ultimatum issued by the sub-regional body to restore constitutional rule, Ghana would seek the direction of the President on the way forward. He further revealed that If the decision calls for the use of force, member countries of ECOWAS, including Ghana, are prepared to contribute troops to the mission. We would wait for the direction of the Commanders-in-Chief of the various Armed Forces and if the decision is to use force, member countries would contribute troops to do that, Mr Nitiwul said. In his remarks, the Defence Minister vehemently rejected the notion of using force to overthrow governments. He emphasised that the days of resorting to military interventions are over and that such actions should not be tolerated. ...And we should not accept that in our nation, not today, not tomorrow. To take up arms to remove the government, the armed forces of Ghana is beyond that, the minister added. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Chief Justice, has called for a more rapid application of contempt proceedings against judges who comment on ongoing court cases. Speaking at the 7th Annual Legal Ethics Training Programme organized by the African Centre on Law and Ethics (ACLE) at GIMPAs law faculty, she emphasized that the same standards should apply to judges as they do to ordinary citizens who comment on pending cases. The Chief Justice cited the code of conduct for judges, which explicitly prohibits them from making public statements that could influence the outcome or fairness of a pending or impending court matter. She stressed the importance of upholding these ethical standards and urged immediate action when judges are found to have violated them. If we could call an individual for contempt before any court for discussing a case in court, then we ought to haul a judge even faster, Gertrude Torkornoo said in her address. A judge shall refrain from making any public statement that might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or impair the fairness of a matter pending or impending in any court or any non-public statement that might substantially interfere with a fair trial or hearing. As you can see, I am reading, that is part of the code of conduct on propriety, Justice Torkornoo added. Dormaahene Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, who serves as both a traditional leader and a high court judge On July 1, appealed to the President and the Attorney General to halt and terminate the trial of Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson. As a matter of urgency, I am appealing to the President of the Republic, if he has any role to play, that trial should be aborted, and the Attorney-General should as a matter of urgency file a Nolle Prosequi to end that particular decision and abort the criminal case against Mr Quayson, the Dormaahene explained at the Prof John Evans Atta Mills Commemorative Lecture in Sunyani. The Chief Justice also justified the decision not to persons with obscene and offensive conduct to the bar. Her comments come months after a student of the Ghana School of Law, popularly known as Ama Governor on social media was denied the call to the bar. It followed a petition to the General Legal Council about her conduct on social media a few days before the call to the bar. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo said; When somebody has behaved in a certain way and we say we cannot call the person to the bar I was surprised at the furore that rose up concerning the call to the bar of certain people and I thought, like seriously, this is proper conduct for the legal sector. Thats interesting Anyway, so for you to come into our space, and to come into the space of the legal sector, your conduct cannot be obscene and offensive and you expect that you would be admitted. It doesnt work like that. Your comments on social media, your ex parte communications for judges is extremely critical, she added. -citinewsroom Buipe, Aug 01, Lying along the banks of the Black Volta River, just about 500 metres away from the Buipe Foot Bridge in the Savannah Region, is a four-acre vegetables farm. The field is populated with lettuce, African spinach, spinach, hot pepper, and green pepper, which look very natural and fresh. The natural vegetation surrounding the field and the state of the soil, which looks very dark, are indicative of an attempt to do something different from what other farmers do. Mr Abdul Wahid Yakubu, a 52 year-old farmer, who owns the field, said he had been cultivating vegetables and fruits on the field for the past two decades using organic farming methods; that is using only manure and compost. He spoke about how it all began saying I have been brought here by a lady, who is married to a European; and the lady hates inorganic fertilizer and other agrochemicals. She brought me here purposely to be growing vegetables for them using organic means. That is why I also rely on this method. He said with the compost and manure, the crops are very healthy. With this method, it is not expensive to cultivate the field compared with the inorganic fertilizer where you need to buy the inorganic fertilizer and other chemicals. He told other farmers to stop the slash and burn method of handling residues on their fields saying when you are clearing the land, do not gather the residue at one place. Clear and spread it evenly on the field so that it will dry and after rains, it will decompose and increase the humus content of the soil; and that is the meat (nutrients) for the plants. You can only get that when you do not burn your residue. The residue will also create room for soil organisms, which will die and add nutrients to the soil. How organic farming contributes to addressing climate change Whilst Mr Yakubus main goal is to produce healthy foods, his organic farming method is also contributing to addressing climate change. Like Mr Yakubu, organic farmers do not use synthetic chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides in treating pests and amending the soil. Organic farming relies on nature-based inputs and therefore, helps to improve soil health as well as the general well-being of the farmer. Concerning its contribution to addressing climate change, organic farming is known to enhance the biodiversity of the soil. Specifically, organic farming ensures that there are beneficial insects that are in the soil as well as beneficial flora that grows in the farm, all of which promote biological diversity. This improves the productivity on a farm where different crops are grown. By opting for organic instead of inorganic fertilizer, Mr Yakubus farming practices are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions reduction. In other words, focus on organic fertilizer eliminates emissions associated with the application of inorganic fertilizer and those related to the production of inorganic fertilizer from fossil fuel-based products such as natural gas. Thus, a shift to organic farming and increased use of organic fertilizer will translate to reduced production of inorganic fertilizer and related emission of carbon dioxide. This is critically important for Ghanas fight against climate change and her contribution to global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 Degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Dr Gerald Forkuor, Climate Change Lead at Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK Activity, in an interview on the significance of organic farming to addressing climate change, said organic farming also enhanced the resilience of vulnerable communities and farmers. Dr Forkuor added that having the skill to use materials that are easily accessible to you to, for example, produce organic fertilizer means that vulnerable population can easily bounce back should there be external shocks such as shortage or inaccessibility of inorganic fertilizers. He alluded to the high likelihood of organic farmers having livestock, and therefore practising integrated crop/livestock systems, which is an important adaptation strategy that facilitates organic fertilizer production, and reduces the potential impact of climate change on the farmer and increases their resilience. Dr Joseph Badanaa, Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, also said that organic farming was nature-based and confirmed its improvement of soil health, and even the general well-being of the farmer. Dr Badanaa, therefore, encouraged many farmers to shift to organic farming to protect the environment. Organic farming amongst Ghanaian farmers It is true that organic farming improves soil health, guarantees healthy food, improves the health of the farmer and addresses climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. About 136,000 km2 of land, covering approximately 57 per cent of the Ghana's total land area of 238,539 km2 is classified as agricultural land area out of which 58,000 km2 (24.4%) is under cultivation. Even though there is a Desk on Organic Farming at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the country does not have data on the percentage of farms that is organic and inorganic. However, it is common knowledge that most farmers in the country rely heavily on imported agrochemicals including inorganic fertilizers to increase food production, which goes to confirm that many farmers in the country are yet to shift to organic farming. Official trade data obtained from Ghana Statistical Service and validated by CountrySTAT Fertilizer Technical Working Group-Ghana showed that in the year 2020, fertilizer imports totaled 618,638mt and 1,399,757 liters. Agrochemicals and inorganic fertilizers negatively affect the health of the soil, and once used on a field, the farmer must continue using them to be able to gain expected yields. Besides contributing to the climate crisis and negatively impacting the health of consumers, agrochemicals and inorganic fertilizers are increasingly becoming expensive and leading to food price hikes. In recent years, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, the country experienced shortage of inorganic fertilizers, which affected food production resulting in high food prices on the market. The way forward There can be no better time than now for farmers in the country to switch to organic method of farming. Through this, they will not only be contributing to addressing the climate crisis but also safeguarding their health and the health of consumers. This will also ensure that they do not have to worry much in times of shortage of inorganic fertilizers. A lot more farmers must take a cue from what Mr Yakubu is doing to shift to organic method of farming to protect the environment. Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko's presidential plans have been blighted by a fresh barrage of criminal charges and the dissolution of his party ahead of next February's elections. The firebrand politician, President Macky Sall's fiercest critic, has faced a string of legal woes, which he claims have been designed to keep him out of politics. "It is impossible for Ousmane Sonko to stand in the presidential election", political analyst Abdou Ndukur Kacc Ndao told AFP. He said Sonko's PASTEF party does not have the political means necessary for Sonko to run. He also said he worried there would be a "hunt" for other party members, who could face persecution as well. Two people were killed Monday during protests in southern Senegal after Sonko's indictment. The 49-year-old politician, who is popular among young Senegalese, was formally charged Monday with calling for insurrection, undermining state security, criminal association with a terrorist body and other crimes. His lawyers say he could face between five and 20 years in prison. Convictions The charges laid on Monday are just the latest in a string of court cases Sonko has faced in recent years. On June 1 he was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for morally corrupting a young woman, a verdict that made him ineligible to contest the February 2024 presidential election. His sentencing sparked fatal clashes that left at least 16 dead. And an appeals court on May 8 gave him a six-month suspended sentence in a defamation case. Map of Senagal locating the capital Dakar and Ziguinchor.. By Vincent LEFAI, Laurence SAUBADU (AFP) On Monday, the interior minister announced that Sonko's party would be dissolved in a statement issued less than two hours after his indictment. It said the party had "frequently" called for insurrection, leading to destruction and the loss of life. The party slammed the move, saying in a statement that the country's stability was "now compromised", and that the dissolution was "anti-democratic". Earlier, Sonko had said on social media that "if the Senegalese people, for whom I have always fought, abdicate and decide to leave me in the hands of Macky Sall's regime, I will submit, as always, to divine will". He had previously claimed no one could block him from running for president. Cracks in the coalition "This judicial decision that's struck Ousmane Sonko could sound the death knell for his presidential ambitions in view of the February 2024 election, for which he has been a candidate for a long time", wrote commentator Momar Dieng in a blog post. "Not only could he lose his electoral eligibility, which would then exclude him from the presidential election, but (he could) also find himself still in prison during the electoral campaign and the said ballot." In recent months, hundreds of members of Sonko's party have been arrested, including senior officials within the party who are still in prison. The arrests have weakened the party, analysts said. Cracks also appeared in the coalition of which PASTEF is a member. The party boycotted a political dialogue held in late May between President Sall and other parties. Following the dialogue, Sall promised to change the electoral code to permit two other opponents to run. Karim Wade and Khalifa Sall had been blocked from contesting the 2019 election due to court convictions of their own. "The man on whom the PASTEF had bet is on the margins", said Thierno Souleymane Diop Niang, a political science and international relations researcher. "It's time for those who supported him to readapt by choosing other personalities who can carry this project forward". Sunon Asogli Power Limited has till tomorrow, Wednesday, 2nd August 2023, to take a decision on the reinstatement of three union executives of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) who were dismissed. The TUC bemoaned the refusal of Sunon Asogli Power to reinstate the three union leaders describing their termination as wrongful. The National Labour Commission (NLC) has set Wednesdays deadline for Sunon Asogli Power Limited to reach a final decision on the demand for the reinstatement of three dismissed union executives of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). On Monday, 10 July 2023, the TUC declared a strike which was called off later after the intervention of the Council of State requesting more time to enable it engage stakeholders in order to resolve the matter amicably. The Deputy Secretary General of TUC, Joshua Ansah, during the National Executive Council Meeting of the Ghana Mineworkers Union of TUC, explained: The strike was suspended and not abandoned, anything that has been suspended can be reactivated at any time. Dont get sad that we have suspended it. We want to assure you that our demand is that our three brothers will have to be reinstated. Last Wednesday, myself, the deputy, secretary general, met with the National Labour Commission, upon invitation. And they have given the management of Sunon Asogli tomorrow August 2 to make a decision. -classfmonline.com 01.08.2023 LISTEN Stanley Martey has dismissed allegations that the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has disconnected schools in Tema. There were claims that several Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Eastern Region and Accra including Ada SHS and Chemu SHS, have been disconnected by the company. In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM monitored by ModernGhana News, the Communications Manager of the GWCL Mr. Martey clarified. He stated that GWCL had not disconnected any school. Instead, the company had taken steps to demand payment for outstanding bills from educational institutions. What you are hearing in recent times is that we go in to demand our money, and so far, we have not disconnected any of the schools. We have requested and demanded for our money, but we have not disconnected any schools, he stated. Mr. Martey further elaborated that the company's standard operating procedures explicitly forbid the disconnection of schools. He said, Per our standard operating procedures, we do not disconnect schools. Schools are classified as essential service providers, so we do not disconnect them." We only disconnect them when they have been recalcitrant in the payment of their bills or when they have deliberately refused to settle their bills, he explained. He also shed light on a unique scenario where the company received word from the secretariat responsible for handling the Free SHS (Free Senior High School) program. In some cases, the secretariat requested GWCL to take action and disconnect specific schools, possibly due to the release of funds to them. Sometimes, we receive a communication from the secretariat that handles the Free SHS program, stating that we should go and disconnect some of the schools. "This is perhaps because they have released some of the funds to them, so we go there to demand the money, he stated. In such situations, GWCL went to the schools to demand payment rather than initiate an immediate disconnection, he clarified. 01.08.2023 LISTEN ECOWAS gave the Military Junta in Niamey, Niger seven day ultimatum to step down and bring back the elected democratic President. Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso military leaders have declared they would assist Niger to fight against any such attempts. Foreign nations including Germany condemned the Niger Coup and asked the military to return back to their barracks. If you try them Europe will see more migrants as military officers do not care. A few months ago Ingo Drossmann (SPD, MdB) member of the German Parliament Bundestag and of the Defence Commitee of the Parliament told us party members in a small public circle the German government had renewed the contract with Mali and in addition Niger to keep Russians out of the region. He stressed out to have done so well aware of the regimes Germany does not really like but needs to support for a greater strategic course. Now the same government instead of observing what the new rulers truthfully intend to do possibly a new set of J.J. Rawlings or Paul Kagame are quick to jump into the demand for a president to return to the office they do not see fit for office in the first place. When Germany and the USA and other Western nations should support ECOWAS in any military intervention against Niger's new rulers and Mali and Burkina Faso go in counter offense not only a hard-to-control war will be the consequence but the moral and strategic credibility of Germany will hang in the balance. Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo is the Chair of ECOWAS. His position in Ghana is on the brink of collapse. Refugees from Niger in Ghana could trigger further opposition against him. Unlike other African countries, Ghanaians fear blood otherwise more coups would be possible there as well. As an English and Christian country Ghana is surrounded by Muslim and French-speaking nations. Ghanaian refugees find it difficult to flee to neighboring countries for refuge. Archbishop Duncan Williams of Action Chaple in a 2019 Metro TV interview said: "The wind is blowing. The African Spring will come. Not now but from 2020, 2022, 2024. But it is coming. African Spring is coming." In case we see signs of this effect who will be the next set of leaders as the people currently in the systems of West Africa can not be the answer? Time will tell. Frontliners in the fight against viral hepatitis in Ghana Monday called on the Government to consider an action plan for the elimination of the disease. Ghana presently has a National Policy on Viral Hepatitis dated 2014 but has no elimination plan. Dr Kenneth Tachi, a Gastronomy Specialist, said the nation annually recorded more than 50,000 cases of the disease that infects a third of the global population. There was, therefore, the need for a clear-cut elimination plan with targets aligned to the World Health Organisation Global Strategy to halt the over 7000 lives claimed yearly. Dr Tachi was the Guest Speaker at a stakeholders' meeting to mark the World Hepatitis Day in Ho, organised by the Ghana Association for the Study of the Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD), and the Ho Teaching Hospital. He said the action plan should help enhance critical indicators and interventions such as testing as the disease deserved attention equal to HIV, malaria and other resident life reapers. Dr Tachi, who co-founded a virtual clinic that offers hepatitis care support, said the present disease awareness rate among the infected was at 60 per cent as Hepatitis was often downplayed, adding that even professionals in the medical field seemed to ignore its impact. If the current trajectory continues, more people will die from hepatitis than the major killer diseases combined, he said. Stigma surrounding the disease added psychological burdens to the financial costs of managing it, and so the gaps, including in information, prevention, testing, and treatment, must be addressed. He said there was also a lack of policy on vaccination, which should ensure introduction of a birth dose, an important component. Dr Tachi told the Ghana News Agency that Ghana had less that 50 specialists in gastronomical diseases, while several smaller health facilities did not have the expertise. A total of about 42,300 cases of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and about 9,200 of Hepatitis C (HCV) are recorded annually in Ghana, and with deaths of about 4000 and 3000, respectively. Approximately 90 per cent of the infected are undiagnosed. The WHO Global Elimination Strategy says hepatitis infections should be reduced by 90 per cent by 2030 and deaths by 65 per cent. It also aims to ensure that at least 90 per cent of people with Hepatitis B and C are diagnosed, and at least 80 per cent of those eligible receive the appropriate treatment. This years World Hepatitis Day is on the theme: One Life One Liver, and the stakeholder meeting climaxed a week-long activity by GASLIDD to mark the occasion. Management of the Ho Teaching Hospital, students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), some senior high schools in Ho among other organisations attended the programme. Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor of UHAS, who was the Guest of Honour, said the elimination of the disease was achievable with the availability of vaccines and treatments, as well as greater awareness and understanding of the disease, the risks, and access to cheaper diagnostics and treatment. With Covid-19 no longer a global health emergency, now is the time to prioritise a hepatitis-free world and meet the Global 2030 targets, she said. Prof. Yaw Asante Awuku, the President of GASLIDD, said a series of health screening, networking and education activities were undertaken during the week to mark the Day. More than 900 were screened, and 600 were vaccinated in the Ho Ahoe Community, the Anfoega SHS, and the Ho Teaching Hospital's Taxi Rank, with similar activities ongoing across the country. Prof Awuku bemoaned what he described as inadequate action by the Government and stakeholders, including the Ghana Health Service, saying healthcare for the prevention of the virus was inadequate and should receive total coverage from the National Health Insurance Scheme. If it is fully placed on the NHIS, we would be able to fully eliminate viral hepatitis within a decade, he said. GNA Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in Montana and North Dakota. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the settlement in a 2022 federal court lawsuit. Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC will pay the $12.5 million to resolve the claims made under the Clean Water Act and Pipeline Safety Laws, the EPA said. The affiliated companies own and operate oil pipelines in North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. In 2015, Bridger's Poplar Pipeline broke and spilled more than 50,000 gallons of crude into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, Montana. Bridger has completed cleanup of the site, and in 2021 settled a lawsuit with federal and Montana authorities for $2 million. Montana's Department of Environmental Quality previously fined Bridger $1 million in the case. The spill prompted officials to issue a Do Not Drink advisory and distribute bottled water to Glendive residents, as a spike in the carcinogen benzene was detected at the citys water treatment plant. The advisory lasted six days. There also were water quality concerns downstream as far as the Williston region, but no drinking water advisories were issued there. In 2016, Belle Fourche's Bicentennial Pipeline in southwestern North Dakota's Billings County broke due to a landslide and spilled over 600,000 gallons, impacting an unnamed tributary, Ash Coulee Creek and the Little Missouri River. Belle Fourche's cleanup is ongoing with oversight from North Dakota's Department of Environmental Quality, according to the EPA. The agreement announced Monday does not resolve all issues with the Ash Coulee spill and reserves the governments right to bring future legal claims. The $12.5 million civil penalty includes a nearly $4.6 million portion for North Dakota's DEQ. Belle Fourche also will pay the state's past response costs, totaling over $98,000, according to court documents filed Monday. The $4.6 million will go into a state fund used to help clean up contaminated sites in North Dakota, according to DEQ Director Dave Glatt. Oil pipeline spills can cause enormous and long-lasting damage to the environment, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPAs Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said in a statement. This settlement holds Belle Fourche and Bridger Pipeline accountable for their significant oil spills and requires them to take meaningful measures to prevent future spills from their oil pipelines. The operators also are required to implement specified compliance measures, in addition to the civil penalty. Through this settlement, we are furthering North Dakotas twin objectives of safe energy development and protection of our environment, Attorney General Drew Wrigley said in a statement. Belle Fourche and Bridger are owned by Wyoming-based True Companies, whose spokesman, when reached by email, did not have an immediate comment on the agreement. (The Billings Gazette and The Bismarck Tribune contributed to this story.) Actor cum politician John Dumelo has expressed his ambition to reduce Ghanas reliance on onion and tomato imports. Dumelo, who is also a vocal advocate for local agriculture, said that he could achieve this goal if he had just a fraction of the $1 million that was allegedly stolen from former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah. According to the renowned actor, farmer, and politician, he would use the money to expand his own onion and tomato farm, and to invest in modern irrigation techniques and high-yielding seeds. He believes that this would allow him to produce more vegetables locally, which would reduce the need to import them from neighbouring countries. Below is the tweet ---citinewsroom FOUNDER and leader of the Hopepress Chapel International, Prophet George Clottey, has caused a stir on social media after claiming recently that the results of the 2024 general elections would be contested in court. According to the man of God noted for his controversial prophecies, he saw in a revelation, a man not chosen by God allegedly forcing himself into the presidential seat by shooting down the one chosen by God. This, he added, would lead to the case going to the Supreme Court for a final determination. I see the seat of Ghana vacant and I saw seven spirits of the Lord with 12 angels who have travelled and entered a place to bring a man that has been hidden for a long time to fill the seat that was formerly vacant. Nonetheless, we need to pray because I saw that the chosen one has been shot down and another took over. I saw the flag of NDC waving in victory because they thought they had won, only for it to be shot down by the candidate of the NPP. The results will be contended but it will not stand, he claimed. The charismatic preacher made these claims during his highly patronized prayer program dubbed, BREAK THE LUNCH which is hosted everyday live on Facebook and YouTube between 1pm and 2pm. As Ghana prepares to hold its general elections next year with the two main political parties - the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) - both preparing their arsenals for the elections, Prophet George Clotteys comments have since attracted a sheer amount of attention by the public who took to social media to express their opinions. The prophet also admonished Ghanaians to pray against potential tensions that may arise between the countrys two main political parties which could lead to some terrible outcomes in the 2024 general elections. See the prophet making the claims in the link below: 01.08.2023 LISTEN The stage is set, the anticipation palpable and the night ablaze. The grand finale of Ghana Technical Students' Awards (GTSA) comes off, Saturday 12th August, 2023 at the GNAT Premium Hostels (GNAT Hall), Adabraka. Ghana's educational landscape has always been enriched by the presence of talented and skilled technical students whose knowledge put to practice enhances national development. Technical skills play a pivotal role in fostering a proactive generation of problem solvers ready to help the country with practical and workable initiatives. To honour their dedication, creativity, and innovation, the Ghana Technical Students Awards and Tech Fair Project has taken center stage, shining spotlight on the brightest minds in technical education. This prestigious event is a celebration of excellence, providing a platform for students to showcase their prowess to inspire young minds of national thinkers achievers. The Grand Finale of the Ghana Technical Students Awards is set to bring together a diverse array of talented students across second cycle and tertiary institutions. These young technocrats represent the future of Ghana's industry poised to revolutionize various sectors with their technical expertise. Technical awareness creation, skills meeting industry and Creativity Empowerment is at the core of this project. The Awards Project features a number of categories, honouring achievements in various technical disciplines to recognize the ingenuity and dedication of students who have excelled in their chosen fields. A panel of esteemed judges, comprising of industry experts, educators, technocrats, tech enthusiasts and professionals etc meticulously assess each nomination. The judging process is marked by rigor and impartiality, ensuring that only the most deserving students take home the coveted awards. The Grand Finale of the Awards provides a platform for students to exhibit their groundbreaking projects and innovations. Attendees are treated to a diverse exhibition of technological advancements, sustainable designs, and inventive solutions that reflect the ingenuity of Ghana's technical students. The event features special guests of honour, dignitaries and industry players and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the tireless efforts of educators and students who have demonstrated track records of nurturing technical minds and putting knowledge to practice. It presents a platform to foster a spirit of collaboration and networking among students, educators, industry professionals, and policy makers serving as catalyst for forging meaningful partnerships and fostering a community of like-minded individuals passionate about advancing technical education and practice in Ghana. Beyond the event, the Ghana Technical Students Awards scheme provides mentorship and leaves footprints on the nation's technical landscape. It serves as a driving force of awareness creation, inspiring young minds and investing in skills to contribute to Ghana's growth and development. The Ghana Technical Students Awards (GTSA) is a testament to the transformative power of technical education. By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of students and educators. The event reinforces the importance of technical skills in driving innovation, growth, and sustainable development in Ghana. As the nation witnesses the brilliance of its technical students on this grand stage, it paves the way for a brighter and a more prosperous future powered by the vision and authenticity of Ghana's young technocrats. Be part of a revolution for sustainable national development. 01.08.2023 LISTEN The Ghana Country Chair for Child Care and Protection, Club G100, Ms Raissa Sambou has indicated that the objectives of the just-ended sixth edition of the Women Deliver (WD) Conference are worth emulating. WD focuses on promoting a robust civic space for feminist action, organizing, and mobilization by creating space for critical dialogue, knowledge sharing, and networking. According to the Ghanaian journalist, bringing thousands of delegates, including world policymakers together, from across the world to discuss issues bothering on the protection and empowerment of women and young girls was a move in the right direction. She, therefore, called on all participants of the conference to put the various discussions into action to realize the needed results as soon as possible. Ms Sambou, who is a passionate women and child protection advocate made the remarks during an interview with the media on the sidelines of the WD conference held in Kigali from July 16 to July 20, 2023, on the theme "Spaces Solidarity and Solutions." She said, "I am very glad to have been part of such a remarkable gathering of people to discuss and take various actions against all unfavorable conditions that could hinder the progress of women and young girls. "I personally believe that women have the ability to provoke positive change, lead and save lives." "We should under no circumstance think we cannot achieve anything. Let us all come together and support each other to make the world what we want it to look like. Together we can," she added. G100 is an influential group of 100 women leaders from across the world, in 100 wings and sectors, supported by G100 eminent, "He for She" champions, and 100 country clubs in each wing for powerful advocacy, awareness & impact across governments and global organizations for a gender equal future in this decade. 01.08.2023 LISTEN Minority in Parliament has said the sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of the National Affordable Housing Project by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unlawful. The President cut sod on Tuesday for work to begin on the construction of some 8,000 units of affordable houses with support from the private sector. However, a member of the Works and Housing Committee of Parliament, Sampson Ahi, said that the government has failed to provide the details of the agreement to Parliament for approval. This particular project is supposed to be laid in Parliament today, but it has not been done which means that the EPC agreement has not been approved in Parliament and so if you have presented such a document to Parliament for approval, it has not even been laid, yet we are there cutting sod to commence work and that is a slap or disrespect to government structures. We are raising concerns, and we will want to know the value of the land, the cost of the onsite infrastructure that the government is supposed to provide as part of its equity in the project, and all these questions must be answered. -citinewsroom The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has urged the Bank of Ghana to develop a clear foreign exchange policy for the country to address the continuous hikes in petroleum prices. COPECs call comes on the back of increment in petroleum prices at the pumps in the second pricing window, which commenced on August 1, 2023. Currently, some major Oil Marketing Companies are selling diesel XP at GH12.95 and Super XP also at GH12.95, from a previous GH12.45. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, Mr Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary of COPEC, attributed the new prices to increased petroleum prices on the global market. He said the central bank must, therefore, come up with a clear foreign exchange policy to strengthen the Cedi to ensure a stable price in the country. We just ended the first half, from the look of things, price of oil could increase in the second half of the year, so we need the BoG to have a perfect idea as to what to do with the currency, he said. Oil prices witnessed little change on Tuesday, with trading near a three-month high on Monday, with signs of tightening global supply, as producers implement output cuts, and strong demand in the United States, the world's biggest fuel consumer. Brent crude futures for October are at $85.25 a barrel at 0402 GMT, down 18 cents or 0.2 per cent lower from its close. Front-month Brent settled at its highest since April 13 on Monday, according to a Barrel of Oil Equivalent (BOE) report. In June, OPEC agreed on a broad deal to limit oil supply into 2024, and Saudi Arabia pledged an additional voluntary cut of one million barrels per day for July. On July 3, Saudi Arabia said the cut would include August, adding that it could be extended further. Mr Amoah also warned that should the two factors increase in oil price at the world market and instability of the cedi increase in the second half, prices of petroleum would increase significantly at the pumps. GNA I am not sure that a lot of Nigerians know about the revolution that eclipsed ten years of French history from 1789 to 1799. Despite the fact that it happened about 225 years ago, the French Revolution still remains one of the most significant life changing events in human history. Those ten revolutionary years were a period of intense political and social upheaval in France and they had profound and far-reaching effects, not only on the government and people of that country, but also on the wider global political landscape. The revolution arose, in the first place, from a culmination of factors, part of which was an oppressive monarchical system, economic inequality among citizens, a general awakening of the desire for liberty from oppression and growing fraternity among the common people. And if today, we take a cursory look at the causes, key events and consequences of that revolution, if we highlight its enduring impact on the modern world, we will easily notice how Nigeria is gradually but steadily drifting into the type of abysmal conditions that created the scope for the French Revolution. Professor Chinua Achebe said it all in There was a Country, the last book he wrote before he gracefully bowed out, that once a people have been dispossessed and subjected to dictatorships for such a long time as in Nigerias case, the oppressive process also effectively strips away from the minds of the people the knowledge that they have rights. Achebe was correct. For the over six decades that Nigeria had self rule, a systematically criminal electoral process prevailed and continued to churn out and recycle a greedy, mediocre crop of politicians who became more or less accepted as the countrys leaders. As a result of their incompetence, these trader-moni politicians naturally had a proclivity towards dictatorialism. That was the preferred way they could operate without thought or regard for the welfare of Nigerian citizens. They became a ferocious gang of opportunists that practically turned the country into their private orchards. They turned the people into slaves in their own country as they saddled and enclosed the political space like an army of occupation. The oppressive process happened in the wake of massive official corruption that culminated in the broad day light rigging of election results and the brazen use of incumbency to subdue popular opinions, producing the crop of inefficient so-called leaders whose only mission and ambition was to make money, and more money, and more money out of the sufferings and penury of their less endowed fellow Nigerians. In some states, Nigerians were forced to become refugees in their own country, sacked from their ancestral homes by fellow Nigerians who chose to be known as bandits and unknown gun men. Progressively, Nigerians continued to live in fear, from day to day. And no one knew what peace of mind meant any more. The Nigerian political class became totally alienated from the people and consequently lost grip of any knowledge of the desires and aspirations of the very constituents that voted them into public office. If there was indeed one word that defined the Nigerian political class today, the word would rightly be oppressive. That oppressive attitude was vividly captured in the rather annoying recent video clip making the rounds. In that clip, some distinguished Nigerian senators purportedly debated whether or not poor families in the land should be allowed to breathe. Ironically, the session was superintended over by the No. 3 citizen and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, mockingly asking his colleagues if the poor in the land should be allowed to breathe. The senators chorused aye to allow the poor to breathe Gods own air. The senators possibly thought the entire issue was a joke, but to many people across countries that saw the video, it told the story of an unfeeling legislative assembly of wicked men who could go to any length to make themselves comfortable while millions of their country men and women were being crushed to death by hunger and penury. It is no wonder that in the past few decades, Nigeria has been preeminently defined as a paradox, a country where the gap between the very rich families and the very poor families had continued to widen from one administration to another, as the country steeped in official corruption. And as matters stand at the moment, it would not be far from the truth to postulate that, given the present circumstances, the underlying causes that led to the eruption of the revolution in France are in fact beginning to raise their ugly heads in Nigeria. First and foremost was the oppressive and autocratic rule of the Bourbon monarchy, under King Louis XVI. The monarchy was characterized by its extravagance, just as Nigerian politicians are, buying up very expensive cars and state-of-the-art mansions in Abuja, Dubai, New York, London and elsewhere; mismanagement of finances, just as the Nigerian politicians are doing with public funds which they refuse to subject to accountability and insensitivity to the plight of the impoverished masses, which Nigerian politicians have continued to show with impunity to poor and gravely marginalized Nigerian families. In France at the time under review, the privileged classes, including the nobility and the clergy, enjoyed significant exemptions from taxation, exacerbating economic disparities between the privileged and the downtrodden, which is exactly what is happening in Nigeria today. In the midst of all these, the unexpected encroachment of enlightenment ideas began to question the legitimacy of the monarchy, just as many Nigerians are beginning to question the morality of their political class, and advocate for the rights and freedoms of individuals, just the same way Nigerians from various ethnic groups are seeking to be set free from the contraption that is called Nigeria. Such experiences as Nigerian youths, in particular, had with the Endsars protests, the 25 February 2023 presidential election and the unexpected emergence of the third party Obidients as a new political Force, began to circumvent throughout Nigeria, igniting a sense of intellectual awakening among a populace that was determined to reclaim its country. The middle class and intellectuals which had been focal groups affected by the greediness of the political class embraced these notions and demanded for more accountability in governance and the establishment of stronger democratic institutions. Where is the morality of Nigerian leaders? The French Revolution had far-reaching consequences globally as well as within France. Domestically, it led to the abolishment of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic in 1792. The principles of liberty, equality and fraternity became the foundation of the new French society, and significant social reforms were implemented. Feudal privileges were abolished and more emphasis was placed on equality before the law. In Nigeria, it had always been a bitter cold struggle between the old ruling class of very rich families who had grown to take the country for granted and the young working class families whose wages, paid irregularly, were scarcely enough to keep the life in them while the ones said to be well connected in government circles evoked ghost workers whose pay they pocketed in their rotten system that was the product of massive official corruption, backed by military fiat. The French Revolution laid the groundwork for modern nationalism, with a sense of French identity and patriotism emerging from the collective experience of upheaval and craving for change. Nigeria has never experienced anything like that before. But let Nigerians not take that for granted, for its own revolution might be on the way, with what could be its dark side, the reign of terror by unknown gun men and the violent excesses by kidnappers and ritualists that occur daily during this period tarnishing the amiable image and legacy the country inherited from its founding fathers. Nigerians must realize that revolutionary ideas and demands for liberty and true democracy always spread like wildfire, leading to a series of revolutions and uprisings. This has been the experience of various countries. The French Revolution had a profound impact, inspiring and influencing similar movements across Europe and the world. Today, Nigeria is fast coming to the end of its business-as-usual days. And we pray that the political class would do the needful. Very soon the labour movements will start on a nationwide industrial action to press their points home to government concerning the deplorable working conditions of their members. Unless the government is able to come to a meaningful compromise with them, the lives of Nigerians are likely to get messier and messier until no one is safe anymore. At this level, there are just a few practical things the Tinubu administration needs to do immediately to salvage Nigeria from crashing and thereby leave its footprints on the sand of time. It doesnt have to take 8 years to do that. First is to change the name Nigeria. Second is to decentralize economic, political and military authority from Abuja. Each state should then be given full autonomy as it is done in America to manage its economy and the welfare of its people. And they meet in Abuja to discuss matters of mutual interest to the various states. This situation will encourage healthy competition among the various states as well as enhance bilateral trade between them. Another approach could be to grant each of the zones created by General Ibrahim Babangida the status of a nation as it is in Great Britain where they have England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales making up the nation and each having the status of a country. If these steps are debated in the National Assembly and made law, all the agitations and insurgency would be more easily managed by the political, religious and traditional leaders and normalcy would return once again to the land. The drift Nigeria is sliding through can also be halted if the Supreme Court wants to use the opportunity at its disposal currently to do so. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and a very significant player in the continent's economy and politics. So the citizens always regard their presidential election with utmost concern. And as the country waits with anxiety for the Supreme Court's final verdict on the last presidential election, Nigerians expect the judiciary to ensure that justice, transparency and stability are demonstrated in the democratic process. A foremost expectation of the Nigerian people is the Supreme Courts assurance of fairness and impartiality in the handling of any election-related disputes. Nigerians expect the judges to be guided by the rule of law, to be devoid of any bias or external influence, and to make decisions solely based on the evidence presented during legal proceedings. In the circumstances that prevail, the credibility of the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of justice rests heavily on its ability to dispense justice without fear or favour and ensuring the sanctity of the democratic process. Nigerian Supreme Court Anticipating transparency in the court's proceedings, Nigerians will demand a clear explanation of the reasoning behind the final judgment. The court's verdict should be accompanied by a detailed account of the evidence considered and the legal principles applied. This transparency will not only foster trust in the judiciary but also provide insight into the rationale behind the decision, helping citizens to understand and accept the outcome. The transparency of the Supreme Court's proceedings and the rationale behind its judgments are paramount to Nigerians. The Supreme Court must, therefore, demonstrate accountability in its verdict, addressing concerns raised by all parties involved in the election dispute. This transparency will help foster public confidence in the judicial system and the electoral process. Another very pressing expectation of the people is the timely resolution of the election dispute. A prolonged legal battle can create uncertainty, leading to unrest and, perhaps, the destabilization in the country. Therefore, Nigerians expect the Supreme Court to expedite the legal process while ensuring that due diligence is observed to arrive at a just and accurate decision. The Supreme Court must act swiftly to bring closure to the election-related issues and uphold the principle of justice in a timely manner. The Nigerian people expect the Supreme Court to uphold their collective will, as expressed through the ballot box. If there were proven cases of electoral fraud or significant irregularities, the court's verdict should reflect the need for justice while respecting the sanctity of citizens' votes. Any ruling that goes against the popular will must be backed by credible evidence and compelling legal arguments to reassure Nigerians of the court's integrity. Central to any democratic process is the concept that the will of the people prevails. Nigerians expect the Supreme Court to respect the choice made by the voters in the February presidential election. If there were irregularities or disputes during the voting process, it is the hope of citizens that the court will thoroughly investigate these claims and, if necessary, take corrective measures to ensure the election's integrity. Beyond resolving specific election disputes, Nigerians hope that the Supreme Court's decision will contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country. The court's rulings should set a precedent for future elections, serving as a deterrent against electoral malpractices and providing clarity on legal boundaries for all participants in the political process. By doing so, the Supreme Court can play a vital role in building a robust and sustainable democratic system in Nigeria. Like the French revolution, the Supreme Court's decision on the February presidential election will have far-reaching implications for future electoral processes. Nigerians expect that the court's ruling will set a precedent and contribute to strengthening the country's electoral integrity and this will include taking a firm stance against electoral malpractices and sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated in Nigeria's democratic system. In the aftermath of the court's verdict, Nigerians will expect all parties involved, including the candidates and their supporters, to respect the rule of law and abide by the court's decision. Peaceful acceptance of the outcome is vital to maintaining stability and cohesion in the country. The Supreme Court's judgment should mark the end of the electoral dispute and facilitate an orderly transition of power or continuation of the incumbent's term, depending on the ruling. Nigerians are aware that the court's verdict will shape the course of Nigeria's democracy and will be instrumental in upholding the principles of justice and preserving the unity and stability of the nation. Regardless of the outcome, it is crucial for all Nigerians to embrace the decision and work collectively towards a stronger and more prosperous future. It is the hope of the Nigerian people that the Supreme Court will rise to the occasion and deliver a ruling that upholds the rule of law and serves the best interests of the nation. If they fail, it might trigger a lack of confidence by the people in the institutions of democracy in Nigeria and the chances are that Nigerians would lose interest in future votes because they know that, as usual, their votes wont count. That would be the beginning of the anarchy Datti Baba-Ahmed spoke about on television and his detractors kept on crying for his head. Whichever way it is, Nigerian law makers must make hay while the sun shines. Mapletree Logistics Trust (OTCMKTS:MAPGF Get Free Report) and Big Yellow Group (OTCMKTS:BYLOF Get Free Report) are both real estate companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, earnings, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Institutional & Insider Ownership 16.9% of Mapletree Logistics Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 53.1% of Big Yellow Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Mapletree Logistics Trust alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Mapletree Logistics Trust and Big Yellow Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mapletree Logistics Trust 0 1 0 0 2.00 Big Yellow Group 0 1 3 0 2.75 Profitability Big Yellow Group has a consensus price target of $1,237.50, suggesting a potential upside of 9,032.84%. Given Big Yellow Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Big Yellow Group is more favorable than Mapletree Logistics Trust. This table compares Mapletree Logistics Trust and Big Yellow Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mapletree Logistics Trust N/A N/A N/A Big Yellow Group N/A N/A N/A Earnings & Valuation This table compares Mapletree Logistics Trust and Big Yellow Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mapletree Logistics Trust N/A N/A N/A $0.12 9.94 Big Yellow Group N/A N/A N/A $0.43 31.80 Mapletree Logistics Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Big Yellow Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Mapletree Logistics Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.05 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Big Yellow Group pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Mapletree Logistics Trust pays out 39.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Big Yellow Group pays out 23.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Summary Big Yellow Group beats Mapletree Logistics Trust on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Mapletree Logistics Trust (Get Free Report) MLT, the first Asia-focused logistics REIT in Singapore, was listed on the SGX-ST Main Board on 28 July 2005. MLT's principal strategy is to invest in a diversified portfolio of income-producing logistics real estate and real estate-related assets. As at 31 March 2023, it has a portfolio of 185 properties in Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam with assets under management of S$12.8 billion. MLT is managed by Mapletree Logistics Trust Management Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd. About Big Yellow Group (Get Free Report) Big Yellow is the UK's brand leader in self storage. Big Yellow now operates from a platform of 108 stores, including 24 stores branded as Armadillo Self Storage. We have a pipeline of 0.9 million sq ft comprising 11 proposed Big Yellow self storage facilities. The current maximum lettable area of the existing platform (including Armadillo) is 6.3 million sq ft. When fully built out the portfolio will provide approximately 7.2 million sq ft of flexible storage space. 99% of our stores and sites by value are held freehold and long leasehold, with the remaining 1% short leasehold. The Group has pioneered the development of the latest generation of self storage facilities, which utilise state of the art technology and are located in high profile, accessible, main road locations. Our focus on the location and visibility of our stores, with excellent customer service, a market-leading online platform, and significant and increasing investment in sustainability, has created in Big Yellow the most recognised brand name in the UK self storage industry. Receive News & Ratings for Mapletree Logistics Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mapletree Logistics Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (BATS:PICK Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $43.64 and last traded at $43.56, with a volume of 169622 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $42.91. iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF Trading Up 1.4 % The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $40.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $42.14. The stock has a market cap of $1.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 1.18. Get iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,510,818 shares of the companys stock valued at $192,702,000 after purchasing an additional 38,538 shares during the last quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan now owns 2,493,325 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,515,000 after purchasing an additional 228,219 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 286,185 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,242,000 after purchasing an additional 20,778 shares during the last quarter. Oversea Chinese Banking CORP Ltd bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,003,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $3,132,000. About iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF The iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in materials equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of global metals mining, extraction or production firms, excluding gold and silver mining firms. PICK was launched on Jan 31, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Panasonic Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:PCRFY Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $12.75 and last traded at $12.33, with a volume of 180140 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $12.23. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Panasonic from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Get Panasonic alerts: Panasonic Stock Up 0.8 % The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The company has a market cap of $28.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.98. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $11.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $10.04. Panasonic Company Profile Panasonic ( OTCMKTS:PCRFY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.02 by $0.31. The company had revenue of $16.29 billion during the quarter. Panasonic had a return on equity of 7.17% and a net margin of 3.18%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Panasonic Holdings Co. will post 0.92 EPS for the current year. (Get Free Report) Panasonic Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, research, develops, manufactures, sells, and services various electrical and electronic products worldwide. It operates through five segments: Lifestyle, Automotive, Connect, Industry, and Energy. The Lifestyle segment offers refrigerators, microwave ovens, rice cookers, washing machines, lighting fixtures, vacuum cleaners, air-conditioners, air to water heat pump system, air purifiers/sterilizers, and freezing or refrigerating showcases, as well as ventilation and perflation equipment. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Panasonic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Panasonic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Donald Trump and two of his employees were indicted on criminal charges related to an alleged attempt to delete surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago that had been subpoenaed by the Justice Department. According to the new indictment, Trump instructed Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira to find out how long the security footage was stored and to delete it. The indictment also alleges that Trump's valet, Walt Nauta, traveled to Mar-a-Lago on Trump's orders and pointed out security cameras to De Oliveira. The indictment states that De Oliveira asked the IT director at Mar-a-Lago to delete the footage, saying "the boss wanted the server deleted." Trump, De Oliveira, and Nauta have all been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and attempting to violate laws against destroying evidence. De Oliveira was also charged with making false statements to the FBI for denying his involvement in moving boxes at Mar-a-Lago. In this YouTube video, the Legal Eagle lawyer says the new indictment presents a strong case against Trump based on the evidence, that the charges are serious felonies with potentially severe consequences, and that Trump's failure to cooperate and alleged attempts to cover up evidence only made the case against him worse. Key takeaways: Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:USCA Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $28.40 and last traded at $28.40, with a volume of 4 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.12. Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF Stock Performance The businesss 50 day moving average is $27.04. Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF (USCA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Climate Action index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap US stocks, selected as a leader in their respective GICS sector for emphasizing climate-friendly objectives. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund bought a new position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Free Report) during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm bought 3,720,800 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $26,563,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Wealth Planning LLC raised its stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 266.7% during the 1st quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC now owns 95,469 shares of the banks stock worth $646,000 after acquiring an additional 69,432 shares during the period. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC raised its stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 79.1% during the 1st quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC now owns 28,997 shares of the banks stock worth $204,000 after acquiring an additional 12,803 shares during the period. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the first quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 1,962.2% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 309,166 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,180,000 after buying an additional 294,174 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 96.6% during the first quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 109,134 shares of the banks stock valued at $769,000 after buying an additional 53,614 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.55% of the companys stock. Get Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria alerts: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Price Performance BBVA traded down $0.26 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $7.68. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,866,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,517,927. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $7.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.26. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a 12 month low of $4.32 and a 12 month high of $8.14. The stock has a market cap of $45.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( NYSE:BBVA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The bank reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.02. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 26.54% and a return on equity of 15.04%. The company had revenue of $7.83 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.30 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in a research report on Friday, May 26th. They set an equal weight rating on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $6.34. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Company Profile (Free Report) Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services. It offers current accounts; and demand, savings, overnight, time, term, and subordinated deposits. The company also provides loan products; deals in securities; leasing, factoring, brokerage, and asset management services; and manages pension and investment funds. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amplify Energy (NYSE:AMPY Get Free Report) is set to issue its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Tuesday, August 8th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.28 per share for the quarter. Parties that wish to register for the companys conference call can do so using this link. Amplify Energy (NYSE:AMPY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.09). Amplify Energy had a return on equity of 186.60% and a net margin of 103.74%. The firm had revenue of $79.87 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $63.79 million. Get Amplify Energy alerts: Amplify Energy Stock Performance AMPY traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $7.44. The stock had a trading volume of 398,419 shares, compared to its average volume of 523,275. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $6.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.44. Amplify Energy has a 1 year low of $5.62 and a 1 year high of $10.38. The stock has a market cap of $289.94 million, a PE ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 2.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Insider Buying and Selling at Amplify Energy Institutional Trading of Amplify Energy In other Amplify Energy news, CEO Martyn Willsher sold 26,599 shares of Amplify Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.85, for a total transaction of $182,203.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 120,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $825,000.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Amplify Energy by 28.3% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 33,344 shares of the companys stock worth $229,000 after buying an additional 7,352 shares during the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its position in Amplify Energy by 140.5% in the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 41,610 shares of the companys stock worth $286,000 after buying an additional 24,310 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Amplify Energy by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 663,376 shares of the companys stock worth $4,557,000 after buying an additional 17,999 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Amplify Energy by 49.4% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 44,031 shares of the companys stock worth $302,000 after buying an additional 14,556 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Amplify Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $206,000. Institutional investors own 40.63% of the companys stock. Amplify Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Amplify Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, exploitation, and production of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The company's properties consist of operated and non-operated working interests in producing and undeveloped leasehold acreage, as well as working interests in identified producing wells located in Oklahoma, the Rockies, federal waters offshore Southern California, East Texas/North Louisiana, and Eagle Ford. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Amplify Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amplify Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 900 shares, a decrease of 10.0% from the June 30th total of 1,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. ASM International Price Performance OTCMKTS:ASMIY traded down $2.67 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $475.59. The stock had a trading volume of 1,763 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,610. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $429.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $383.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.46 billion, a PE ratio of 35.76 and a beta of 1.69. ASM International has a 12 month low of $206.20 and a 12 month high of $483.13. Get ASM International alerts: ASM International Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th were paid a $2.2659 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a yield of 0.61%. ASM Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.37%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades About ASM International Separately, Sanford C. Bernstein cut shares of ASM International from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ASM International has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $341.50. (Get Free Report) ASM International NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Its products include wafer processing deposition systems for single-wafer atomic layer deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, epitaxy, silicon carbide, vertical furnace systems, and low pressure chemical vapor deposition and diffusion products, as well as provides spare parts and support services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ASM International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ASM International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) had its target price lowered by BMO Capital Markets from $87.00 to $79.00 in a report released on Friday morning, Marketbeat reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has an outperform rating on the biopharmaceutical companys stock. A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and set a $59.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $72.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Bank of America lowered their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, July 14th. They issued a reduce rating and a $56.00 price target for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.14. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 1.3 % BMY opened at $62.20 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The firm has a market cap of $130.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.54, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $64.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $67.75. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12 month low of $60.05 and a 12 month high of $81.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.24). The company had revenue of $11.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.81 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.51% and a net margin of 17.62%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.93 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is 60.64%. Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares in the company, valued at $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, First Personal Financial Services lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 67.8% in the first quarter. First Personal Financial Services now owns 495 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.57% of the companys stock. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cedar Fair (NYSE:FUN Free Report) had its price target trimmed by Morgan Stanley from $53.00 to $48.00 in a research note released on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of Cedar Fair from $50.00 to $43.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 24th. StockNews.com raised shares of Cedar Fair from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Cedar Fair from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from $50.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Cedar Fair in a report on Thursday, May 25th. They set an overweight rating and a $54.00 price target for the company. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Cedar Fair from $50.00 to $42.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $49.50. Get Cedar Fair alerts: Cedar Fair Trading Down 1.6 % Shares of Cedar Fair stock traded down $0.61 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $38.34. The stock had a trading volume of 168,687 shares, compared to its average volume of 214,973. Cedar Fair has a twelve month low of $35.55 and a twelve month high of $47.95. The stocks 50 day moving average is $40.80 and its 200 day moving average is $42.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.97 billion, a PE ratio of 8.68 and a beta of 1.40. Cedar Fair Announces Dividend Cedar Fair ( NYSE:FUN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($2.61) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.91) by ($0.70). Cedar Fair had a net margin of 14.51% and a negative return on equity of 22.47%. The firm had revenue of $84.55 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $101.23 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Cedar Fair will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 7th were issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.13%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 6th. Cedar Fairs payout ratio is presently 27.21%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Natixis raised its position in Cedar Fair by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Natixis now owns 3,071,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $126,980,000 after buying an additional 1,535,800 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Cedar Fair by 36.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,516,915 shares of the companys stock worth $160,688,000 after purchasing an additional 946,782 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Cedar Fair by 112.4% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,407,705 shares of the companys stock worth $77,142,000 after purchasing an additional 745,056 shares during the period. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Cedar Fair in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,633,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Cedar Fair by 117.9% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,226,084 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,190,000 after acquiring an additional 663,373 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.75% of the companys stock. About Cedar Fair (Get Free Report) Cedar Fair, L.P. owns and operates amusement and water parks, and complementary resort facilities in the United States and Canada. Its amusement parks include Cedar Point located on Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo in Sandusky, Ohio; Knott's Berry Farm near Los Angeles, California; Canada's Wonderland near Toronto, Ontario; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina; Kings Dominion situated near Richmond, Virginia; California's Great America located in Santa Clara, California; Dorney Park in Pennsylvania; Worlds of Fun located in Kansas City, Missouri; Valleyfair situated near Minneapolis/St. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Cedar Fair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cedar Fair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centerspace (NYSE:CSR Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $4.55-$4.75 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $4.32. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Centerspace Stock Up 2.2 % Shares of CSR stock traded up $1.32 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $62.10. 99,857 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 77,079. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $61.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.59. The stock has a market cap of $929.02 million, a PE ratio of 29.86, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.93. Centerspace has a 1 year low of $51.26 and a 1 year high of $90.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Get Centerspace alerts: Centerspace Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. Centerspaces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 140.39%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Insider Transactions at Centerspace A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Raymond James raised Centerspace from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Colliers Securities raised Centerspace from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $70.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Centerspace from $66.00 to $62.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $70.00. In other news, Director Mark Okey Decker, Jr. purchased 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $58.85 per share, for a total transaction of $58,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 54,252 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,192,730.20. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centerspace Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in Centerspace by 1.3% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 167,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,413,000 after purchasing an additional 2,193 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Centerspace by 35.5% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 7,203 shares of the companys stock worth $707,000 after purchasing an additional 1,887 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in Centerspace by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 42,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,200,000 after buying an additional 1,005 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in shares of Centerspace by 19.8% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,933 shares of the companys stock worth $1,269,000 after acquiring an additional 2,139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Centerspace by 2.2% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,736,058 shares of the companys stock worth $268,463,000 after buying an additional 58,404 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.27% of the companys stock. About Centerspace (Get Free Report) Centerspace is an owner and operator of apartment communities committed to providing great homes by focusing on integrity and serving others. Founded in 1970, as of March 31, 2023, Centerspace owned interests in 75 apartment communities consisting of 13,497 apartment homes located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Centerspace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centerspace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Strong Sell from the five ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and two have assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $2.30. Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Bank of America lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Itau BBA Securities lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $2.30 target price on the stock. in a research report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Get Companhia Siderurgica Nacional alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Companhia Siderurgica Nacional A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 62,453 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $339,000 after acquiring an additional 2,595 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 69,592 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $207,000 after purchasing an additional 3,192 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 18.1% during the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 20,881 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 3,201 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 31.8% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 13,378 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 3,224 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 28,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $77,000 after purchasing an additional 3,500 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.25% of the companys stock. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Trading Up 3.1 % Shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional stock opened at $2.95 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -295.00, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.72. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional has a 12-month low of $2.20 and a 12-month high of $3.70. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $2.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $2.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The basic materials company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by ($0.34). Companhia Siderurgica Nacional had a negative return on equity of 0.46% and a negative net margin of 0.24%. The firm had revenue of $2.18 billion for the quarter. Analysts predict that Companhia Siderurgica Nacional will post 0.25 EPS for the current year. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 11th were given a $0.1175 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. This represents a yield of 23.2%. Companhia Siderurgica Nacionals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -4,200.00%. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Company Profile (Get Free Report Companhia Siderurgica Nacional operates as an integrated steel producer in Brazil and Latin America. It operates through five segments: Steel, Mining, Logistics, Energy, and Cement. The company offers flat steel products, such as high, medium, low carbon, micro-alloyed, ultra-low-carbon, and interstitial free slabs; hot-rolled products, including heavy and light-gauge hot-rolled coils and sheets; cold-rolled products comprising cold-rolled coils and sheets; galvanized products; tin mill products consisting of flat-rolled low-carbon steel coils or sheets; and profiles, channels, UPE sections, and steel sleepers for the distribution, packaging, automotive, home appliance, and construction industries. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Companhia Siderurgica Nacional and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Koninklijke Vopak (OTC:VOPKF Get Free Report) and Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Koninklijke Vopak and Antero Midstreams net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Koninklijke Vopak alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Koninklijke Vopak N/A N/A N/A Antero Midstream 34.36% 18.13% 6.92% Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings for Koninklijke Vopak and Antero Midstream, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Koninklijke Vopak 0 0 0 0 N/A Antero Midstream 3 1 1 0 1.60 Earnings and Valuation Antero Midstream has a consensus target price of $12.25, indicating a potential upside of 2.64%. Given Antero Midstreams higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Antero Midstream is more favorable than Koninklijke Vopak. This table compares Koninklijke Vopak and Antero Midstreams gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Koninklijke Vopak N/A N/A N/A $2.21 17.86 Antero Midstream $1.06 billion 5.40 $326.24 million $0.70 17.05 Antero Midstream has higher revenue and earnings than Koninklijke Vopak. Antero Midstream is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Koninklijke Vopak, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Koninklijke Vopak pays an annual dividend of $0.77 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Antero Midstream pays an annual dividend of $0.90 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.5%. Koninklijke Vopak pays out 34.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Antero Midstream pays out 128.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Insider and Institutional Ownership 23.0% of Koninklijke Vopak shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 51.0% of Antero Midstream shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Antero Midstream shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Antero Midstream beats Koninklijke Vopak on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Koninklijke Vopak (Get Free Report) Koninklijke Vopak N.V., an independent tank storage company, stores and handles liquid chemicals, gases, and oil products worldwide. The company owns and operates terminals, including storage tanks, jetties, truck and rail loading stations and pipelines, as well as provide access to road, rail, and pipeline networks. It operates 78 terminals in 23 countries with a storage capacity of 36.6 million cbm. The company was founded in 1616 and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. About Antero Midstream (Get Free Report) Antero Midstream Corporation owns, operates, and develops midstream energy infrastructure in the Appalachian Basin. It operates through Gathering and Processing, and Water Handling segments. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collects and processes production from Antero Resources' wells in West Virginia and Ohio. The Water Handling segment delivers fresh water from sources, including the Ohio River, local reservoirs, and various regional waterways; uses water handling systems to transport flowback and produced water; and offers pumping stations, water storage, and blending facilities. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke Vopak Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke Vopak and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ellevest Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 12.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,682 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 756 shares during the quarter. Ellevest Inc.s holdings in Aflac were worth $431,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Aflac during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Studio Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 66.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Aflac alerts: Aflac Stock Performance Shares of AFL traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $72.36. The stock had a trading volume of 1,197,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,454,539. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $56.03 and a fifty-two week high of $74.01. The company has a market cap of $43.72 billion, a PE ratio of 10.44, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $68.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $67.96. Analyst Ratings Changes Insider Activity at Aflac A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Aflac from $77.00 to $72.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. 888 restated a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. 58.com restated a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Aflac in a research note on Monday, June 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on Aflac from $73.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.22. In related news, VP June P. Howard sold 8,230 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $556,101.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 119,402 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,067,993.14. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Aflac news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.60, for a total transaction of $34,800.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 27,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,885,116. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP June P. Howard sold 8,230 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total value of $556,101.10. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 119,402 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,067,993.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 35,319 shares of company stock worth $2,367,212 in the last 90 days. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Aflac Company Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. YouTuber Eddy Burback posted this surprisingly entertaining and informative 58-minute video documenting his recent road trip, during which he ate at every one of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurants in the United States and Canada22, to be exact. He was accompanied on this journey by fellow YouTuber Ted Nivison, who also posted his own video documenting the adventure (but I prefer Eddy's, because he expresses a lot more existential angst during the trip). They start their 24-day journey at the Margaritaville at Universal Studio's City Walk in Hollywood, and eat their final Margaritaville meal on the Las Vegas strip. Along the way they hit up every Margaritaville restaurant, and also stay at several Margaritaville hotels. They also stop at some tourist attracitions, like a Buc-cee's somewhere on the drive from Texas to Louisiana, andmuch to my delightThe Thing, in Arizona. In the video, you can follow along as Eddy learns to appreciate the magic of a Margaritaville lifestyle, falls in love with Jimmy Buffett, and, after his 18th or 19th Margaritaville meal and god-knows-how-many margaritas, suffers from stomach aches and becomes disillusioned with the Margaritaville way of life. It's a surprisingly engaging journey to witness! I was surprised by how different each Margaritaville restaurant is. While some design elements remain the same across the restaurants (they all use similar fonts for the signage and menus, they all have televisions playing Jimmy Buffett interviews and music, they all seem to have some version of a giant margarita pitcher or blender as decor, etc.), and while most restaurants offer staples like the "Cheeseburger in Paradise," many of the menu items differ across the restaurants (the Niagara Falls, Canada restaurant, for example, has "Buffalo poutine"), as does the quality of the food and drinks. After watching Eddy and Ted eat and drink their way through so many Margaritavilles, though, I don't feel compelled to change my 'never eaten at a Margaritaville' status. But it was definitely interesting to see them do it. They did a similar trip last year where, over the course of three weeks, they ate at every Rainforest Cafe18 in totalin the United States and Canada, which you can watch here. Ellevest Inc. trimmed its stake in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 20.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,027 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 1,507 shares during the period. Ellevest Inc.s holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $499,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Core Alternative Capital grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 96.1% during the 1st quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 353 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 708.0% during the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 404 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 354 shares during the last quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. MCF Advisors LLC grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 179.6% during the 1st quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 411 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. 79.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Insider Activity at Edwards Lifesciences In related news, CEO Michael A. Mussallem sold 19,875 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.49, for a total transaction of $1,758,738.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 81,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,231,845.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, VP Catherine M. Szyman sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.81, for a total transaction of $429,050.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 35,056 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,008,155.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Michael A. Mussallem sold 19,875 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.49, for a total transaction of $1,758,738.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 81,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,231,845.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 223,301 shares of company stock valued at $19,757,393. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance Shares of NYSE EW traded down $0.61 on Tuesday, hitting $81.46. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,114,740 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,121,518. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 12-month low of $67.13 and a 12-month high of $107.18. The company has a market capitalization of $49.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 3.15 and a quick ratio of 2.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $88.72 and a 200-day moving average of $84.28. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.01. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 24.56% and a return on equity of 25.43%. The company had revenue of $1.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.51 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.63 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on EW. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $101.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $94.00 to $102.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $96.00 price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $95.00 to $102.00 in a research note on Monday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $92.68. About Edwards Lifesciences (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report) had its target price upped by Royal Bank of Canada from $71.00 to $72.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on EQR. Piper Sandler raised Equity Residential from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the company from $63.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Equity Residential in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. TheStreet upgraded Equity Residential from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Monday, July 17th. Barclays lowered their target price on Equity Residential from $71.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price target on Equity Residential from $72.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $68.88. Get Equity Residential alerts: Equity Residential Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:EQR traded down $0.32 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $65.62. 787,742 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,012,175. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $65.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $62.89. The company has a market cap of $24.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.68, a P/E/G ratio of 3.44 and a beta of 0.83. Equity Residential has a one year low of $54.60 and a one year high of $80.89. Equity Residential Dividend Announcement Insider Activity at Equity Residential The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 26th were issued a dividend of $0.6625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 23rd. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.04%. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 119.91%. In other Equity Residential news, Director Mark S. Shapiro sold 42,435 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.91, for a total transaction of $2,627,150.85. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 12,497 shares in the company, valued at $773,689.27. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.69% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Equity Residential Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 41,457,571 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,487,454,000 after purchasing an additional 878,998 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Equity Residential in the 4th quarter valued at $1,822,309,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in Equity Residential by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 24,983,779 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,515,182,000 after buying an additional 1,269,082 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Equity Residential by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 18,062,840 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,083,773,000 after purchasing an additional 1,415,255 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. grew its position in Equity Residential by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 7,912,891 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $474,727,000 after purchasing an additional 566,203 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.52% of the companys stock. Equity Residential Company Profile (Get Free Report) Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 301 properties consisting of 79,351 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Equity Residential Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Residential and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B (NYSEARCA:BDCZ Get Free Report) shares were down 0.1% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $18.18 and last traded at $18.20. Approximately 1,963 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 54% from the average daily volume of 4,267 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.22. ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B Stock Performance The firms 50 day moving average price is $17.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.19. Get ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B alerts: ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th were paid a $0.4292 dividend. This is a positive change from ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series Bs previous dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 13th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B stock. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B ( NYSEARCA:BDCZ Free Report ) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 11,496 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $195,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC owned 0.40% of ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B at the end of the most recent reporting period. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lessened its position in shares of FedEx Co. (NYSE:FDX Free Report) by 4.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 101,361 shares of the shipping service providers stock after selling 4,523 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in FedEx were worth $23,160,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. RB Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of FedEx by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 1,951 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $451,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. AMI Investment Management Inc. increased its position in FedEx by 43.9% in the 1st quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,385 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $3,560,000 after acquiring an additional 4,693 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its position in FedEx by 101.5% in the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 4,274 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $989,000 after acquiring an additional 2,153 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in FedEx by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 148,735 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $34,408,000 after acquiring an additional 10,731 shares during the period. Finally, Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its position in FedEx by 553.3% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 392 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.39% of the companys stock. Get FedEx alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Robert B. Carter sold 19,270 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $4,740,420.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 58,875 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,483,250. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Robert B. Carter sold 19,270 shares of FedEx stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $4,740,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 58,875 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,483,250. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Jennifer L. Johnson sold 10,801 shares of FedEx stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.61, for a total transaction of $2,577,226.61. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $762,597.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 35,816 shares of company stock worth $8,822,147. Corporate insiders own 8.62% of the companys stock. FedEx Stock Down 0.7 % Shares of FedEx stock traded down $1.79 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $268.16. 1,249,889 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,047,448. The company has a 50 day moving average of $241.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $223.93. FedEx Co. has a fifty-two week low of $141.92 and a fifty-two week high of $270.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stock has a market cap of $67.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.35. FedEx (NYSE:FDX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 20th. The shipping service provider reported $4.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $21.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.55 billion. FedEx had a net margin of 4.41% and a return on equity of 15.32%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.87 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that FedEx Co. will post 17.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on FedEx from $228.00 to $251.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on FedEx from $259.00 to $288.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on FedEx from $240.00 to $282.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on FedEx from $273.00 to $265.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, Atlantic Securities began coverage on FedEx in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued an overweight rating and a $265.00 target price for the company. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $246.14. About FedEx (Free Report) FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates through FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments. The FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; and time-critical transportation services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for FedEx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FedEx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE:FSM Get Free Report) (TSE:FVI) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,190,000 shares, a decline of 10.5% from the June 30th total of 5,800,000 shares. Currently, 1.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,860,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. First Trust Advisors LP bought a new stake in Fortuna Silver Mines in the third quarter worth $26,000. Northern Trust Corp purchased a new position in shares of Fortuna Silver Mines in the second quarter worth $28,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fortuna Silver Mines in the second quarter worth $33,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Fortuna Silver Mines by 27.9% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 13,530 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 2,955 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leo Brokerage LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fortuna Silver Mines in the second quarter worth $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 29.37% of the companys stock. Get Fortuna Silver Mines alerts: Fortuna Silver Mines Price Performance NYSE FSM traded up $0.09 during trading on Monday, reaching $3.55. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,182,283 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,414,692. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.03 billion, a PE ratio of -7.21 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.26. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $3.38 and a 200 day moving average of $3.54. Fortuna Silver Mines has a one year low of $2.05 and a one year high of $4.20. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Fortuna Silver Mines ( NYSE:FSM Get Free Report ) (TSE:FVI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.04. Fortuna Silver Mines had a positive return on equity of 1.81% and a negative net margin of 22.37%. The business had revenue of $175.65 million for the quarter. Analysts expect that Fortuna Silver Mines will post 0.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. FSM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. National Bank Financial dropped their price target on Fortuna Silver Mines from C$7.25 to C$6.75 in a research note on Friday, July 21st. StockNews.com upgraded Fortuna Silver Mines from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Scotiabank began coverage on Fortuna Silver Mines in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. They set a sector perform rating on the stock. About Fortuna Silver Mines (Get Free Report) Fortuna Silver Mines Inc engages in the precious and base metal mining in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Peru, and Cote d'Ivoire. It holds interest in the Caylloma silver, lead, and zinc mine located in southern Peru; the San Jose silver and gold mine located in southern Mexico; the Lindero gold project located in Northern Argentina; Yaramoko gold mine located in south western Burkina Faso; and Seguela gold mine located in south western Cote d'Ivoire. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Fortuna Silver Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortuna Silver Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresnillo (OTCMKTS:FNLPF Free Report) had its price target decreased by Morgan Stanley from GBX 620 ($7.96) to GBX 590 ($7.57) in a report released on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. Berenberg Bank decreased their price target on Fresnillo from GBX 700 ($8.99) to GBX 670 ($8.60) in a research note on Friday, July 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Fresnillo from GBX 650 ($8.35) to GBX 600 ($7.70) in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Credit Suisse Group dropped their price target on Fresnillo from GBX 660 ($8.47) to GBX 620 ($7.96) in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. UBS Group upgraded Fresnillo from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Fresnillo from GBX 630 ($8.09) to GBX 525 ($6.74) in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Get Fresnillo alerts: Fresnillo Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of Fresnillo stock opened at $7.83 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.10, a current ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $8.08 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.00. Fresnillo has a one year low of $7.30 and a one year high of $11.95. About Fresnillo Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fresnillo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresnillo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL Free Report) in a research note published on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. GHL has been the topic of several other research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. TheStreet cut Greenhill & Co., Inc. from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, JMP Securities downgraded shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.83. Get Greenhill & Co. Inc. alerts: Greenhill & Co., Inc. Stock Performance Greenhill & Co., Inc. stock opened at $14.70 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.90. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.64 and a 12 month high of $14.97. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.49. Greenhill & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend Greenhill & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:GHL Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported ($1.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Greenhill & Co., Inc. had a negative net margin of 3.02% and a negative return on equity of 13.14%. The company had revenue of $49.68 million for the quarter. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 7th were issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 6th. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -58.82%. Institutional Trading of Greenhill & Co., Inc. Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the third quarter valued at $33,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 69.0% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,859 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,576 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 139.0% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,456 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,010 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP bought a new stake in Greenhill & Co., Inc. in the third quarter worth $62,000. 63.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Greenhill & Co., Inc. Company Profile (Get Free Report) Greenhill & Co, Inc, an independent investment bank, provides financial and strategic advisory services to corporations, partnerships, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. The company offers advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, financings, private capital raising, and other similar transactions. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Greenhill & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greenhill & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heritage Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Stryker Co. (NYSE:SYK Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 150 shares of the medical technology companys stock, valued at approximately $43,000. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SYK. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Stryker by 8.4% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 25,970 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $6,349,000 after purchasing an additional 2,005 shares during the period. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Stryker during the 4th quarter worth about $271,000. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its position in Stryker by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 27,814 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $7,940,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Stryker by 10.4% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 157,812 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $38,583,000 after acquiring an additional 14,850 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FourThought Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Stryker during the 4th quarter worth approximately $338,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.89% of the companys stock. Get Stryker alerts: Stryker Stock Down 1.6 % SYK stock traded down $4.55 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $278.86. The stock had a trading volume of 1,019,674 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,310,172. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Stryker Co. has a 1-year low of $200.80 and a 1-year high of $306.93. The company has a fifty day moving average of $289.35 and a 200 day moving average of $280.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.74, a PEG ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.96. Stryker Announces Dividend Stryker ( NYSE:SYK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The medical technology company reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.14. Stryker had a return on equity of 22.17% and a net margin of 13.86%. The company had revenue of $4.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.56 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.97 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Stryker Co. will post 10.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. Strykers dividend payout ratio is 43.67%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Srikant M. Datar sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.50, for a total transaction of $139,250.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,467 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,522,559.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Stryker news, Director Srikant M. Datar sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.00, for a total value of $286,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,706,562. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Srikant M. Datar sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.50, for a total value of $139,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,467 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,522,559.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 5.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets SYK has been the topic of several recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Stryker from $320.00 to $345.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Stryker from $280.00 to $310.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Stryker from $280.00 to $330.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Truist Financial upped their target price on Stryker from $300.00 to $310.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Stryker from $314.00 to $321.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Stryker has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $307.71. About Stryker (Free Report) Stryker Corporation operates as a medical technology company. The company operates through two segments, MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine. The Orthopaedics and Spine segment provides implants for use in hip and knee joint replacements, and trauma and extremities surgeries. This segment also offers spinal implant products comprising cervical, thoracolumbar, and interbody systems that are used in spinal injury, deformity, and degenerative therapies. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SYK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stryker Co. (NYSE:SYK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Stryker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stryker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hippo Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 702,800 shares, a drop of 11.8% from the June 30th total of 796,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 80,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 8.7 days. Approximately 5.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Institutional Trading of Hippo A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HIPO. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hippo by 135.5% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 15,042,378 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,934,000 after purchasing an additional 8,655,415 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Hippo by 157.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,045,702 shares of the companys stock worth $3,555,000 after acquiring an additional 2,475,532 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in Hippo by 237.3% during the second quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,473,055 shares of the companys stock worth $2,174,000 after acquiring an additional 1,739,907 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in Hippo by 265.8% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,084,106 shares of the companys stock worth $4,147,000 after acquiring an additional 1,514,406 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP increased its stake in Hippo by 141.0% during the second quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP now owns 967,578 shares of the companys stock worth $850,000 after acquiring an additional 566,158 shares during the last quarter. 33.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Hippo alerts: Hippo Stock Up 2.8 % Shares of HIPO traded up $0.47 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $17.17. 42,502 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 84,494. Hippo has a fifty-two week low of $11.30 and a fifty-two week high of $27.25. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $16.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $399.37 million, a PE ratio of -1.17 and a beta of 0.86. About Hippo Hippo ( NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($3.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($2.64) by ($0.37). Hippo had a negative return on equity of 44.09% and a negative net margin of 248.59%. The firm had revenue of $39.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.00 million. Research analysts predict that Hippo will post -8.9 EPS for the current fiscal year. (Get Free Report) Hippo Holdings Inc provides home protection insurance in the United States and the District of Columbia. Its insurance products include homeowners' insurance against risks of fire, wind, and theft; and personal and commercial insurance products. The company distributes insurance products and services through its technology platform; and offers its policies online, over the phone, or through licensed insurance agents. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hippo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hippo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ivanhoe Mines (TSE:IVN Get Free Report) will release its earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, August 3rd. Analysts expect Ivanhoe Mines to post earnings of C$0.11 per share for the quarter. Ivanhoe Mines (TSE:IVN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of C$0.09. Get Ivanhoe Mines alerts: Ivanhoe Mines Trading Down 1.9 % Shares of TSE:IVN traded down C$0.27 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$13.71. The company had a trading volume of 1,478,447 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,601,960. The stock has a market cap of C$16.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.88 and a beta of 1.97. Ivanhoe Mines has a one year low of C$7.56 and a one year high of C$14.01. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$12.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$11.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.24, a current ratio of 10.37 and a quick ratio of 20.86. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Ivanhoe Mines Company Profile Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.50 to C$15.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Raymond James increased their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Eight Capital set a C$18.50 price target on Ivanhoe Mines and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, TD Securities increased their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. (Get Free Report) Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals located primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ivanhoe Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ivanhoe Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Darryl Warren, an officer with Wilmington Police Department in North Carolina, was fired Tuesday after allegedly hitting his girlfriend with a car and being charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. The case is notable, as WECT reports, because of the presiding judge's ongoing reluctance to restrain him. R. Russel Davis had earlier denied a motion for a domestic violence protection order against Warren and even now has denied prosecutors' request for a substantial bond. Port City Daily also reported that, back in 2002, he was charged in Durham for resisting a public officer and simple possession of schedule VI controlled substances which the district attorney "dismissed without leave." PCD says he was charged with felony breaking and entering later that year, a charge which he pleaded guilty to after it was reduced to a misdemeanor. Per PCD, the DA also dismissed a charge of felony possession of a stolen firearm in 2005 and a charge of making a threatening phone call to a male in 2006. PCD says he moved to Wilmington in 2014 and became a Wrightsville Beach Police Department officer in 2015. Then in 2020, he began working for the Wilmington Police Department. Even with the thin blue line, qualified immunity, union contracts and the rest of it, there's a certain milieux within which bad cops can get away with it: an unfair but perceptible order of things. But this guy just seems to do whatever insane violent random shit he wants and the only thing so far done is a firing which achieves some bare functional minimum of limiting the prospect of catastrophic financial liability for the municipality. Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Jefferies Financial Group from $132.00 to $144.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Several other brokerages have also commented on DLR. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Digital Realty Trust from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $138.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $113.00 to $112.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. StockNews.com began coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $125.00 target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Digital Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $116.36. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Digital Realty Trust Stock Up 1.5 % Shares of NYSE DLR opened at $124.62 on Friday. Digital Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $85.76 and a 1 year high of $135.20. The company has a market capitalization of $37.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 96.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The business has a 50-day moving average of $109.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $104.51. Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement Insider Buying and Selling at Digital Realty Trust The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 378.30%. In other news, CAO Peter C. Olson sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.67, for a total value of $73,969.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $753,849.78. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Digital Realty Trust news, Director Jean F. H. P. Mandeville sold 1,500 shares of Digital Realty Trust stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.47, for a total value of $146,205.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 10,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $991,854.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Peter C. Olson sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.67, for a total transaction of $73,969.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $753,849.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Digital Realty Trust A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DLR. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 17,365 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,132,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Courier Capital LLC purchased a new position in Digital Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,917,000. Strs Ohio boosted its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 47.3% in the second quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 649,701 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $73,981,000 after purchasing an additional 208,752 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 4.0% in the second quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 636,954 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $72,530,000 after acquiring an additional 24,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 19.9% during the 2nd quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 518 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.76% of the companys stock. Digital Realty Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lemonade (NYSE:LMND Get Free Report) is set to issue its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Wednesday, August 2nd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($1.02) per share for the quarter. Lemonade has set its FY 2023 guidance at EPS and its Q2 2023 guidance at EPS.Investors interested in participating in the companys conference call can do so using this link. Lemonade (NYSE:LMND Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.95) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.14) by $0.19. Lemonade had a negative net margin of 93.89% and a negative return on equity of 33.54%. The company had revenue of $95.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $88.20 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($1.21) earnings per share. Lemonades quarterly revenue was up 114.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect Lemonade to post $-4 EPS for the current fiscal year and $-3 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Lemonade alerts: Lemonade Trading Up 6.9 % Shares of NYSE LMND opened at $23.25 on Tuesday. Lemonade has a 1 year low of $10.28 and a 1 year high of $32.97. The companys 50-day moving average is $18.96 and its 200 day moving average is $16.21. Insider Transactions at Lemonade Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other news, CFO Timothy E. Bixby sold 1,474 shares of Lemonade stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.26, for a total value of $26,915.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 268,581 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,904,289.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . In other news, insider John Sheldon Peters sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.00, for a total value of $100,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 47,784 shares in the company, valued at $955,680. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, CFO Timothy E. Bixby sold 1,474 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.26, for a total transaction of $26,915.24. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 268,581 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,904,289.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 7,012 shares of company stock valued at $136,739 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 11.70% of the companys stock. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LMND. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in shares of Lemonade by 28.5% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,536 shares of the companys stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 562 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Lemonade by 0.5% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 173,021 shares of the companys stock worth $2,467,000 after acquiring an additional 803 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Lemonade by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 17,684 shares of the companys stock valued at $374,000 after purchasing an additional 878 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in Lemonade by 91.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,909 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 913 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lemonade during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 51.70% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LMND has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Lemonade from $13.00 to $11.50 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Lemonade in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. They set an underweight rating and a $14.00 target price for the company. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Lemonade from $14.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on shares of Lemonade from $16.00 to $17.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.06. About Lemonade (Get Free Report) Lemonade, Inc provides various insurance products in the United States and Europe. Its insurance products include stolen or damaged property, and personal liability that protects its customers if they are responsible for an accident or damage to another person or their property. The company also offers renters, homeowners, car, pet, and life insurance products, as well as landlord insurance policies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lemonade Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lemonade and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD Get Free Report) CFO Tina Miller sold 2,000 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total value of $620,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 11,622 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,602,820. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Lithia Motors Stock Up 1.3 % Lithia Motors stock traded up $3.93 during trading on Monday, reaching $310.56. 293,374 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 328,724. The companys 50-day moving average is $281.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $252.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 1.36. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52-week low of $180.00 and a 52-week high of $329.00. The firm has a market cap of $8.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.76, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.44. Get Lithia Motors alerts: Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $10.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.26 by $1.65. The company had revenue of $8.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.92 billion. Lithia Motors had a net margin of 3.76% and a return on equity of 20.32%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $12.18 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 35.12 earnings per share for the current year. Lithia Motors Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 11th will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 10th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.64%. Lithia Motorss payout ratio is currently 5.00%. Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Guggenheim cut their price target on Lithia Motors from $332.00 to $320.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Lithia Motors from $245.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. Stephens boosted their price target on Lithia Motors from $365.00 to $385.00 in a report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Lithia Motors from $305.00 to $348.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $219.00 to $318.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $335.90. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithia Motors A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LAD. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 32.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 3,618 shares of the companys stock valued at $743,000 after purchasing an additional 879 shares in the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at about $960,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 13.1% in the 4th quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 5,620 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,131,000 after purchasing an additional 649 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 21.4% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 163,824 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,541,000 after purchasing an additional 28,900 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp raised its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 11.8% in the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 1,207 shares of the companys stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. 98.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Lithia Motors Company Profile (Get Free Report) Lithia Motors, Inc operates as an automotive retailer. The company operates through Domestic, Import, and Luxury segments. It offers new and used vehicles; vehicle financing services; warranties, insurance contracts, and vehicle and theft protection services; and automotive repair and maintenance services, as well as sells body and parts for the new vehicles under the Driveway and GreenCars brand names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lithia Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithia Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN Get Free Report) will be issuing its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of C$0.06 per share for the quarter. Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The mining company reported C$0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.28 by C($0.06). Lundin Mining had a return on equity of 4.64% and a net margin of 8.15%. The firm had revenue of C$1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$1.02 billion. Get Lundin Mining alerts: Lundin Mining Price Performance Shares of Lundin Mining stock traded down C$0.04 on Tuesday, reaching C$11.75. 1,501,682 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,877,048. The firm has a market cap of C$9.08 billion, a PE ratio of 31.76, a P/E/G ratio of -0.26 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.86, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.26. The firms 50 day moving average is C$10.65 and its 200-day moving average is C$9.83. Lundin Mining has a one year low of C$6.24 and a one year high of C$11.93. Lundin Mining Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were paid a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. Lundin Minings payout ratio is 97.30%. LUN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James reduced their price target on Lundin Mining from C$11.00 to C$10.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. CIBC increased their target price on shares of Lundin Mining from C$21.00 to C$22.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. TD Securities downgraded shares of Lundin Mining from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$11.50 to C$12.50 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on shares of Lundin Mining from C$12.00 to C$12.50 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Lundin Mining from C$10.60 to C$12.70 in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$11.93. About Lundin Mining (Get Free Report) Lundin Mining Corporation, a diversified base metals mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. It primarily produces copper, zinc, nickel, and gold, as well as lead, silver, and other metals. The company holds 100% interests in the Chapada mine located in Brazil; the Neves-Corvo mine located in Portugal; the Eagle mine located in the United States; and the Zinkgruvan mine located in Sweden. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lundin Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lundin Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:MR.UN Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by stock analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$6.00 to C$5.50 in a research note issued on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 16.03% from the companys current price. Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance TSE:MR.UN traded down C$0.14 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting C$4.74. 8,725 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,788. The firm has a market cap of C$61.43 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.02 and a beta of 1.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 263.66. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$4.77 and its 200-day moving average price is C$5.19. Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust has a one year low of C$4.45 and a one year high of C$6.83. Get Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also Melcor REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. Melcor REIT owns, acquires, manages and leases quality retail, office and industrial income-generating properties in western Canadian markets. Its portfolio is currently made up of interests in 38 properties representing approximately 2.93 million square feet of gross leasable area located across Alberta and in Regina, Saskatchewan; and Kelowna, British Columbia. Receive News & Ratings for Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Melcor Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The industrial products company reported $1.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.37, Briefing.com reports. MSA Safety had a negative net margin of 0.38% and a positive return on equity of 27.70%. The company had revenue of $447.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $421.14 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.29 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. MSA Safety Price Performance Shares of MSA Safety stock traded up $9.00 on Tuesday, reaching $175.00. 41,954 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 133,055. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.84. The firm has a market cap of $6.87 billion, a PE ratio of -1,035.41 and a beta of 0.99. The firms 50 day moving average is $159.65 and its 200-day moving average is $143.33. MSA Safety has a one year low of $108.75 and a one year high of $178.95. Get MSA Safety alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes MSA has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on MSA Safety in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet cut shares of MSA Safety from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, William Blair upgraded MSA Safety from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Insider Activity at MSA Safety Institutional Trading of MSA Safety In related news, CEO Nishan J. Vartanian sold 12,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.73, for a total transaction of $1,784,125.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 39,547 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,644,543.31. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In other MSA Safety news, CEO Nishan J. Vartanian sold 12,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.73, for a total transaction of $1,784,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 39,547 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,644,543.31. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CEO Nishan J. Vartanian sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total value of $372,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 37,047 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,520,003. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 15,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,261,991 over the last three months. 6.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MSA. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 19.5% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,275 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $301,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 37.5% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 6,856 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $910,000 after purchasing an additional 1,870 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of MSA Safety by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 5,793 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $796,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 36.1% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 24,055 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,192,000 after buying an additional 6,385 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 58.6% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,844 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $643,000 after buying an additional 1,789 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.83% of the companys stock. MSA Safety Company Profile (Get Free Report) MSA Safety Incorporated develops, manufactures, and supplies safety products and software that protect people and facility infrastructures in the oil, gas, petrochemical, fire service, construction, industrial manufacturing applications, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, utilities, military, and mining industries in North America, Latin America, and internationally. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for MSA Safety Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSA Safety and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group (NYSE:NOA Free Report) (TSE:NOA) had its price target hoisted by Canaccord Genuity Group from $30.00 to $39.00 in a research note released on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the oil and gas companys stock. Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of North American Construction Group from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. TD Securities raised shares of North American Construction Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Get North American Construction Group alerts: North American Construction Group Stock Performance NYSE:NOA traded up $0.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $24.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 44,728 shares, compared to its average volume of 67,417. North American Construction Group has a 1 year low of $9.20 and a 1 year high of $26.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of $650.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.40 and a beta of 1.48. The businesss fifty day moving average is $19.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $17.67. North American Construction Group Increases Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.075 per share. This is a positive change from North American Construction Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 30th. North American Construction Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 15.31%. Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CWM LLC acquired a new position in shares of North American Construction Group during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of North American Construction Group by 121.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,216 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,215 shares during the last quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department acquired a new position in shares of North American Construction Group during the 1st quarter worth about $40,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of North American Construction Group by 114.5% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,831 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,511 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund acquired a new position in shares of North American Construction Group during the 1st quarter worth about $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.21% of the companys stock. North American Construction Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group (TSE:NOA Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) had its price objective hoisted by Raymond James from C$30.00 to C$40.00 in a research note released on Friday morning, Marketbeat reports. Raymond James currently has an outperform rating on the stock. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on NOA. TD Securities upgraded North American Construction Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from C$27.00 to C$36.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. National Bankshares raised their price target on North American Construction Group from C$27.00 to C$33.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. National Bank Financial raised their price objective on North American Construction Group to C$33.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. CIBC raised their price target on North American Construction Group from C$23.50 to C$27.50 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on North American Construction Group to C$34.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$35.61. Get North American Construction Group alerts: North American Construction Group Stock Performance North American Construction Group stock opened at C$32.09 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 125.83, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.15. The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$25.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$23.83. The company has a market capitalization of C$847.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.21, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.56. North American Construction Group has a fifty-two week low of C$12.65 and a fifty-two week high of C$34.30. North American Construction Group Announces Dividend About North American Construction Group The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 6th. Investors of record on Friday, October 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 30th. North American Construction Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.46%. (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS Get Free Report) updated its FY23 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $2.30-$2.60 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $2.55. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.00-$2.08 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.08 billion. Nu Skin Enterprises also updated its Q3 guidance to $0.54-$0.69 EPS. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Nu Skin Enterprises in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Nu Skin Enterprises currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.33. Get Nu Skin Enterprises alerts: Nu Skin Enterprises Price Performance NYSE NUS traded up $0.35 on Tuesday, reaching $29.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,067,389 shares, compared to its average volume of 600,105. The firms 50 day moving average is $32.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $37.64. The stock has a market cap of $1.48 billion, a PE ratio of 19.08 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 2.08. Nu Skin Enterprises has a twelve month low of $28.14 and a twelve month high of $47.31. Insider Activity Nu Skin Enterprises ( NYSE:NUS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.04. Nu Skin Enterprises had a net margin of 3.68% and a return on equity of 14.13%. The firm had revenue of $481.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $477.49 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.76 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Nu Skin Enterprises will post 2.6 EPS for the current year. In other news, Director Edwina D. Woodbury sold 1,255 shares of Nu Skin Enterprises stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.87, for a total value of $47,526.85. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,469 shares of the companys stock, valued at $585,811.03. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Andrew D. Lipman sold 2,000 shares of Nu Skin Enterprises stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.28, for a total value of $68,560.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 58,393 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,001,712.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Edwina D. Woodbury sold 1,255 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.87, for a total transaction of $47,526.85. Following the transaction, the director now owns 15,469 shares in the company, valued at approximately $585,811.03. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 7,255 shares of company stock valued at $238,307 over the last three months. Insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC grew its stake in Nu Skin Enterprises by 37.1% during the second quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 809 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 118.2% during the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,150 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 623 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises in the first quarter valued at $83,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises in the second quarter valued at about $144,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in Nu Skin Enterprises by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,657 shares of the companys stock worth $158,000 after buying an additional 413 shares in the last quarter. 89.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Nu Skin Enterprises (Get Free Report) Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops and distributes various beauty and wellness products worldwide. It offers skin care devices, cosmetics, and other personal care products, including ageLOC LumiSpa and ageLOC LumiSpa iO, ageLOC Body Spa; and nutricentials skin care products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nu Skin Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nu Skin Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its holdings in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 0.7% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 411,505 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,909 shares during the period. Chevron accounts for approximately 0.8% of Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Chevron were worth $67,141,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 1st quarter valued at about $217,000. Joseph Group Capital Management grew its position in shares of Chevron by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management now owns 7,481 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,221,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Chevron by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 9,406 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,535,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Little House Capital LLC raised its position in Chevron by 18.4% in the 1st quarter. Little House Capital LLC now owns 24,035 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,922,000 after purchasing an additional 3,743 shares during the period. Finally, Resolute Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chevron in the first quarter valued at about $587,000. 69.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CVX traded down $1.36 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $162.30. 7,512,833 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,093,448. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Chevron Co. has a one year low of $140.46 and a one year high of $189.68. The businesss fifty day moving average is $156.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $162.39. The stock has a market cap of $307.50 billion, a PE ratio of 10.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.16. Chevron Dividend Announcement Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.13. Chevron had a return on equity of 19.46% and a net margin of 13.54%. The business had revenue of $48.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.82 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 28.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 13.06 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 11th. Investors of record on Friday, August 18th will be given a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 17th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.72%. Chevrons payout ratio is 38.30%. Analysts Set New Price Targets CVX has been the subject of several research reports. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Chevron from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. HSBC raised Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $189.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Mizuho lifted their price target on Chevron from $202.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Chevron in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $212.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Chevron from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the company from $161.00 to $170.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chevron has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $191.05. Chevron Profile (Free Report) Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A Japanese man known only by the name Toco has finally achieved his life-long dream of becoming a collie. Yes, like the dog. According to the New York Post, Toco spent $14,000 about 2 million yen to hire a company called Zeppet to create a custom hyper-realistic flat-coated collie costume. It reportedly took about 40 days to build. A spokesperson for the company told News.com.au that the costume was, "Modelled after a collie dog, it reproduces the appearance of a real dog walking on four legs." The video above shows Toco doing his first public reveal in his new dog costume. About a year ago, Toco had posted another video in which he answered questions from his 30,000 subscribers about why, exactly, he wants to become a dog. I have had a vague dream of becoming an animal since I was a child. [] [Why a Rough Collie?] The reason for this is because it is my favourite breed and because of its size. The fact that the size gap with humans is not large was also a deciding factor. [] Sometimes it is reported that I am tired of being human, but I have never said that. [] In the first place, I only told people who are really close to me. For example, if I told the people I work with that I wanted to be an animal and I became a collie, they would look at me funny, wouldn't they? Follow your dreams, kids. Even if it means becoming a collie, I guess. Palladiem LLC trimmed its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report) by 30.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,122 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 930 shares during the period. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF makes up about 0.6% of Palladiem LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Palladiem LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $518,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 145,777.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 223,496,182 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $47,881,822,000 after purchasing an additional 223,342,974 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 38,134,434 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,169,921,000 after acquiring an additional 3,186,645 shares during the period. Polen Capital Management LLC lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 329.8% during the 4th quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC now owns 2,537,512 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $543,637,000 after acquiring an additional 1,947,087 shares during the period. CI Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $227,744,000. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,099,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,734,550,000 after buying an additional 1,283,522 shares during the period. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA IWF traded down $0.65 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $283.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 505,993 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,451,098. The companys 50-day moving average is $271.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $249.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $202.05 and a 1-year high of $286.96. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Profile iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report) by 13.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,925 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,295 shares during the period. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $972,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Thompson Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Tradition Wealth Management LLC grew its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 18.9% during the 4th quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,282 shares of the companys stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 43.1% during the 1st quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,304 shares of the companys stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont grew its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 4,571.1% during the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 1,775 shares of the companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 1,737 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance IEMG stock traded down $0.64 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $51.59. 8,356,136 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,265,146. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.77 billion, a PE ratio of 12.26 and a beta of 0.75. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 52 week low of $41.44 and a 52 week high of $52.30. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $49.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $49.19. About iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pipestone Energy (OTCMKTS:BKBEF Get Free Report) was downgraded by Royal Bank of Canada from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report issued on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Separately, National Bank Financial decreased their target price on Pipestone Energy from C$4.00 to C$3.50 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Get Pipestone Energy alerts: Pipestone Energy Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:BKBEF traded down $0.21 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $1.84. 205,598 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 24,051. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $1.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.96. Pipestone Energy has a 12-month low of $1.54 and a 12-month high of $4.00. About Pipestone Energy Pipestone Energy Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in Western Canada. It offers natural gas liquids comprising condensate, pentane, butane, propane, and ethane. The company focuses on the Montney asset that covers an area of 90,029 net acres located to southwest of Grande Prairie in Northwest Alberta. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Pipestone Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pipestone Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF) CEO Richard D. Fairbank sold 3,891 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.17, for a total transaction of $448,126.47. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,848,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $443,220,919.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Capital One Financial Price Performance Shares of COF traded down $0.51 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $116.51. 2,889,333 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,235,824. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $110.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $104.35. The company has a market cap of $44.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. Capital One Financial Co. has a 1 year low of $83.93 and a 1 year high of $123.09. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The financial services provider reported $3.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.31 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $9.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.13 billion. Capital One Financial had a net margin of 11.94% and a return on equity of 9.72%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.96 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Capital One Financial Co. will post 11.71 earnings per share for the current year. Capital One Financial Dividend Announcement Institutional Inflows and Outflows The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 18th. Investors of record on Monday, August 7th will be given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.06%. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.38%. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Capital One Financial by 75.6% in the first quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 295 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Capital One Financial by 122.2% during the first quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 300 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the period. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC boosted its position in Capital One Financial by 43.4% during the first quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 1,081 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 327 shares during the period. America First Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Capital One Financial during the first quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in Capital One Financial by 223.4% during the second quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 304 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the period. 88.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $112.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $110.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $86.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $119.00 to $114.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $109.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $109.09. Capital One Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One Bank (USA), National Association; and Capital One, National Association, which provides various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shell (LON:SHEL Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Royal Bank of Canada from GBX 2,800 ($35.95) to GBX 2,700 ($34.66) in a report issued on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Shell from GBX 2,907 ($37.32) to GBX 3,268 ($41.96) and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 2,850 ($36.59) target price on shares of Shell in a research note on Monday, July 24th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Shell from GBX 2,750 ($35.31) to GBX 2,800 ($35.95) in a research note on Monday, June 19th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 3,500 ($44.94) target price on shares of Shell in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 3,000 ($38.52) price objective on shares of Shell in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 2,987.30 ($38.35). Get Shell alerts: Shell Stock Up 1.0 % LON:SHEL opened at GBX 2,366 ($30.38) on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of 158.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 496.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.67. Shell has a one year low of GBX 2,093 ($26.87) and a one year high of GBX 2,613.50 ($33.55). The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 2,333.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 2,389.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.54, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.47. Shell Increases Dividend Shell Company Profile The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.33 per share. This is a boost from Shells previous dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 10th. This represents a yield of 1.07%. Shells payout ratio is presently 2,159.33%. (Get Free Report) Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Shell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Santander Bank Polska S.A. (OTCMKTS:BKZHF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 13,100 shares, a decline of 13.2% from the June 30th total of 15,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently days. Santander Bank Polska Price Performance OTCMKTS BKZHF remained flat at 45.48 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of 45.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of 45.48. Santander Bank Polska has a 1-year low of 45.48 and a 1-year high of 48.04. Get Santander Bank Polska alerts: About Santander Bank Polska (Get Free Report) Read More Santander Bank Polska SA provides various banking products and services for individuals, small or medium-sized enterprises, corporate clients, and public sector institutions. It offers personal account, deposits and currencies, internet and mobile banking, and mobile contactless payments, and credit solutions. Receive News & Ratings for Santander Bank Polska Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Santander Bank Polska and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oppenheimer (NYSE:OPY Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Monday. Oppenheimer Price Performance Shares of NYSE OPY traded down $2.35 during trading on Monday, hitting $38.11. The company had a trading volume of 38,412 shares, compared to its average volume of 76,643. The firm has a market capitalization of $421.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.60 and a beta of 1.13. Oppenheimer has a fifty-two week low of $28.41 and a fifty-two week high of $49.32. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $40.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. Get Oppenheimer alerts: Oppenheimer (NYSE:OPY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $321.68 million during the quarter. Oppenheimer had a net margin of 2.60% and a return on equity of 4.07%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Oppenheimer Oppenheimer Company Profile A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. New York State Teachers Retirement System bought a new position in Oppenheimer in the second quarter worth $28,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer during the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Spire Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Oppenheimer by 436.7% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,830 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 1,489 shares during the period. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Oppenheimer in the second quarter valued at approximately $71,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 37.59% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Oppenheimer Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a middle-market investment bank and full-service broker-dealer in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company offers brokerage services covering corporate equity and debt securities, money market instruments, exchange-traded options and futures contracts, municipal bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and unit investment trusts; financial and wealth planning services; and margin lending services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oppenheimer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oppenheimer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Global Investments raised its position in Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Free Report) by 6.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,723 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after buying an additional 593 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Teledyne Technologies were worth $4,350,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 29.5% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,876,353 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $2,350,012,000 after purchasing an additional 1,339,098 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,098,739 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $2,409,817,000 after purchasing an additional 64,262 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,717,685 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $1,086,830,000 after purchasing an additional 60,379 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in Teledyne Technologies by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,838,405 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $620,407,000 after buying an additional 14,077 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Teledyne Technologies by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 940,751 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $375,518,000 after buying an additional 21,360 shares during the period. 93.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TDY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $470.00 to $455.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price objective on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $503.00 to $499.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $533.00 to $565.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $501.75. Teledyne Technologies Stock Up 1.2 % TDY traded up $4.63 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $389.16. 209,180 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 228,805. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The businesss 50 day moving average is $402.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $416.92. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $325.00 and a fifty-two week high of $448.71. The stock has a market cap of $18.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.10, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.07. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $4.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.63 by $0.04. Teledyne Technologies had a net margin of 13.75% and a return on equity of 10.90%. The firm had revenue of $1.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.43 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 19.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Teledyne Technologies news, VP Melanie Susan Cibik sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $413.00, for a total transaction of $826,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 27,305 shares in the company, valued at $11,276,965. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.14% of the companys stock. Teledyne Technologies Profile (Free Report) Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Teledyne Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teledyne Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Telefonica Brasil S.A. (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Monday, July 31st, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 1st will be given a dividend of 0.0431 per share by the Wireless communications provider on Wednesday, August 2nd. This represents a yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 1st. Telefonica Brasil Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of Telefonica Brasil stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $8.98. The company had a trading volume of 1,064,281 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,895,901. The companys 50-day moving average is $8.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.10. Telefonica Brasil has a twelve month low of $6.49 and a twelve month high of $9.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The company has a market cap of $14.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.92 and a beta of 0.54. Get Telefonica Brasil alerts: Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Telefonica Brasil had a net margin of 8.98% and a return on equity of 6.54%. The business had revenue of $2.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.41 billion. Analysts anticipate that Telefonica Brasil will post 0.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Hedge Funds Weigh In On Telefonica Brasil A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on VIV. TheStreet downgraded shares of Telefonica Brasil from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Telefonica Brasil from $10.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $10.50. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of VIV. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 20.7% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 18,222 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $239,000 after purchasing an additional 3,127 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Telefonica Brasil by 40.8% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 111,375 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $1,253,000 after acquiring an additional 32,301 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Telefonica Brasil by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 42,076 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $473,000 after acquiring an additional 4,571 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Telefonica Brasil by 17.9% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 12,097 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $136,000 after acquiring an additional 1,839 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in Telefonica Brasil by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,227,500 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $36,309,000 after acquiring an additional 103,931 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.53% of the companys stock. About Telefonica Brasil (Get Free Report) Telefonica Brasil SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mobile telecommunications company in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, as well as mobile value-added and wireless roaming services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Telefonica Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telefonica Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TransAlta Renewables (TSE:RNW Get Free Report) will post its quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, August 3rd. Analysts expect TransAlta Renewables to post earnings of C$0.12 per share for the quarter. TransAlta Renewables (TSE:RNW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C$0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.15 by C$0.02. TransAlta Renewables had a return on equity of 4.12% and a net margin of 14.55%. The business had revenue of C$119.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$134.80 million. Get TransAlta Renewables alerts: TransAlta Renewables Price Performance Shares of TSE:RNW traded up C$0.01 on Tuesday, hitting C$13.43. The company had a trading volume of 282,102 shares, compared to its average volume of 585,988. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.52. TransAlta Renewables has a 52-week low of C$10.63 and a 52-week high of C$18.45. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$12.32 and a 200 day moving average of C$12.22. The company has a market cap of C$3.58 billion, a PE ratio of 44.77, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.71. TransAlta Renewables Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be given a $0.0783 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.00%. TransAlta Renewabless dividend payout ratio is currently 313.33%. Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. ATB Capital downgraded TransAlta Renewables from a sector perform rating to a tender rating and reduced their price objective for the company from C$14.00 to C$13.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. CSFB downgraded TransAlta Renewables from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from C$14.50 to C$13.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. TD Securities increased their target price on TransAlta Renewables from C$12.00 to C$12.50 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Raymond James reduced their target price on TransAlta Renewables from C$15.50 to C$13.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, National Bankshares reduced their target price on TransAlta Renewables from C$13.00 to C$12.50 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$14.50. About TransAlta Renewables (Get Free Report) TransAlta Renewables Inc owns, develops, and operates renewable and natural gas power generation facilities and other infrastructure assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through Canadian Wind, Canadian Hydro, Canadian Gas, US Wind and Solar, US Gas, and Australian Gas segments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for TransAlta Renewables Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransAlta Renewables and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. I can't get enough of these adorable bats that are being rehabilitated at Amutat ATALEF, a bat sanctuary in Israel. The sanctuary's website describes their mission: Amutat ATALEF (an NPO) was established in order to help, treat, and rehabilitate fruit bats, and then release those who are able back to nature. These include bats from all over Israel, who were found wounded, sick, orphaned or exhausted. We receive bats from petting corners, zoos, research labs, and from good people who happened upon a bat that required help. We aspire primarily to rehabilitate the bats and return them all to nature. Bats whose condition does not enable return to the wild, stay at the shelter and join the community of permanent residents. The permanent enclosure is specially adapted to various bat handicaps, and is equipped with enrichment toys, physiotherapy equipment and a soft landing area. The shelter provides the quiet surroundings the bats require in order to recover. They receive individual treatment, according to their condition. All of our members are volunteers. We believe that if each person will contribute a bit of their talent, time and money, together we can change the world! Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. decreased its holdings in Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:VEEV Free Report) by 8.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 13,891 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,243 shares during the quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc.s holdings in Veeva Systems were worth $2,553,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VEEV. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Veeva Systems in the 1st quarter valued at $1,647,000. EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. increased its holdings in shares of Veeva Systems by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. now owns 19,313 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,550,000 after purchasing an additional 2,194 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Veeva Systems by 17.6% during the 1st quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 65,210 shares of the technology companys stock worth $11,985,000 after purchasing an additional 9,745 shares during the period. Achmea Investment Management B.V. increased its stake in Veeva Systems by 15.5% in the first quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. now owns 14,921 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,742,000 after acquiring an additional 1,998 shares during the period. Finally, ZRC Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Veeva Systems in the first quarter valued at about $103,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.65% of the companys stock. Get Veeva Systems alerts: Veeva Systems Price Performance NYSE VEEV traded down $1.87 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $202.35. The stock had a trading volume of 312,579 shares, compared to its average volume of 984,171. Veeva Systems Inc. has a 1 year low of $151.02 and a 1 year high of $232.26. The stock has a market cap of $32.42 billion, a PE ratio of 63.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $193.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $180.97. Insider Activity Veeva Systems ( NYSE:VEEV Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The technology company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $526.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $515.47 million. Veeva Systems had a net margin of 23.85% and a return on equity of 10.88%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Veeva Systems Inc. will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, Director Timothy S. Cabral sold 12,036 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.05, for a total transaction of $2,407,801.80. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 71,078 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,219,153.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Michele Oconnor sold 3,137 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.95, for a total transaction of $620,969.15. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,669,312.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Timothy S. Cabral sold 12,036 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.05, for a total transaction of $2,407,801.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 71,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,219,153.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,425 shares of company stock worth $3,078,109. 10.98% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have commented on VEEV shares. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Veeva Systems from $215.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Veeva Systems from $218.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Veeva Systems from $200.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. KeyCorp increased their price target on Veeva Systems from $185.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered Veeva Systems from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $181.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Veeva Systems has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $206.86. About Veeva Systems (Free Report) Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and data solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VEEV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:VEEV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Veeva Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Veeva Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waycross Partners LLC trimmed its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 3.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 138,026 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,261 shares during the quarter. Wells Fargo & Company comprises about 1.5% of Waycross Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Waycross Partners LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $5,159,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. US Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Studio Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 494.8% during the 4th quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 2,754 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 2,291 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. 72.11% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades WFC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Monday, June 26th. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 3rd. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Atlantic Securities raised their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $50.00 to $52.50 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $48.62. Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance Shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock traded down $0.45 on Tuesday, hitting $45.71. 12,032,423 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 21,716,475. The stock has a market capitalization of $171.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $48.84. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $42.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $42.31. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $20.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.18% and a return on equity of 11.15%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.74 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 4th will be given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 3rd. This is a boost from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is currently 30.00%. Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. West Fraser Timber (TSE:WFG Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by research analysts at CIBC from C$144.00 to C$141.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. CIBCs price objective would suggest a potential upside of 28.10% from the companys previous close. West Fraser Timber Trading Down 0.9 % Shares of TSE:WFG traded down C$1.03 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting C$110.07. 102,496 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 207,065. The firm has a market capitalization of C$8.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.24 and a beta of 2.03. West Fraser Timber has a 1 year low of C$91.06 and a 1 year high of C$125.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.93, a current ratio of 3.66 and a quick ratio of 2.10. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$107.49 and a 200-day moving average price of C$104.35. Get West Fraser Timber alerts: West Fraser Timber Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading West Fraser Timber Co Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards. Receive News & Ratings for West Fraser Timber Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for West Fraser Timber and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. So, can Honda make its mark on the mid-size segment space? In a market populated by the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun, does the Elevate have enough going for it to truly stand out? The answer really depends on how much of a Honda loyalist you are and how much of the Honda loyalist tribe remains to this day. With the exception of Skoda and Volkswagen, Honda, as a brand, has enjoyed a certain halo effect over consumers, thanks to its impeccable build quality, and penchant for performance. Sure, that halo has dimmed over the years, with Honda not maintaining its reputation among enthusiasts with products backing their claims. But the Elevate has long-been touted as the vehicle that will resuscitate Hondas dwindling fortunes in India. Elevated underpinnings Fundamentally, the Elevate is based on the same platform as the Honda City, and, as such, gets the same powertrain. To be clear, it gets only one powertrain the naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder, 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, producing 121 bhp of power and 145 Nm of torque. This gives the Honda a clear advantage over its rivals, as far as naturally-aspirated options are concerned, since its the most powerful naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre unit in the segment. Power delivery is crisp and linear, although the absence of a turbocharger can be felt, particularly when dealing with the CVT gearbox. Sure, theres a 6-speed manual, which is a lot more engaging to drive, but the CVT is the option most consumers will be going for. The same was attested by Honda Cars India, which claimed that over 60 percent of the customers for both the Amaze and the City opt for the range-topping trim. Where Honda has really missed a trick is by not offering a hybrid option for the Elevate. Given that the brand has one of the best, most efficient hybrid powertrains in the City sedan, the decision to sell the Elevate with just one powertrain is truly baffling. For its part, Honda blames the lack of government incentives and a high GST bracket for its decision to shelve the hybrid in favour of an electric version of the Elevate. Design Functional is probably the best way to describe the Elevates design. A product of meticulous study, the Elevate is designed for practicality and not for sheer aesthetic beauty. Its designed to offer just as much room and utility as its chief competitors, and so is similarly proportioned, give or take a few millimetres. Every design attribute stems from an ergonomic need, with short overhangs designed to accommodate a shorter turning radius while the unapologetically boxy stance maximises headroom and overall space. Given its near-identical dimensions, it doesnt offer anything more in terms of legroom, compared to its rival, but Honda has engineered the seats to be more comfortable, offering greater lower back support. Its a small thing, but it goes a long way in making the Elevate a very comfortable car as the seats offer tremendous comfort. It also has greater boot storage than most of its rivals (sans the Citroen C3 Aircross), with 458 litres of overall space. While the top-end variant offers 17-inch alloys, the base variant comes with 16-inch steel wheels as standard equipment, along with dual airbags and LED projector headlamps. Surprisingly enough, Honda hasnt bothered to equip the top-end with rear disc brakes, offering only drum brakes. This is despite, or perhaps because theres such extensive Level 2 ADAS on offer, but Honda claims that they get the job done and help the brand manage costs. The ADAS features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane change assist, among other things. The rest of the equipment list is just as extensive. An eight-speaker sound system, wireless charging dock, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among the many features to be found here. There is a 10.25-inch infotainment unit, featuring a crisp, easy-to-use interface, rounding up whats a plush and elegant cabin. And before you ask, yes there is a sunroof. There are also some choice connected car functions which allow you to remotely access vehicular functions, in a rare instance, with your Android or Apple smartwatch. Falling short Multimedia features and comfort are not areas where the Elevate falls short. What sets it back is the CVT gearbox. Honda claims to have reduced the rubber-band effect with something called the step-up and step-down shift. The idea being that you get more responsive acceleration on upshifts and more effective engine braking on the way down. Neither seemed particularly effective. On straight roads, with a steady throttle, the CVT works fine. But pedal to the floor, and it releases a pained groan which accompanies you all the way to the redline. Under even moderate strain, this is a noisy unit. Noisy enough to nullify any attempts by Honda to further insulate the cabin and reduce the NVH levels. The manual is heaps better. Slick, easy throws allow you to utilise the power band far more effectively. NVH levels are low, and the engine actually sounds like its enjoying the experience rather than being struck by hot needles. But the question is, what would you prefer in start-stop traffic? Especially considering the fact that the CVT is the more fuel-efficient unit with a claimed mileage of 16.5 kph. The upside Where it does excel is in the way it handles. The monocoque has been tweaked to improve cornering stability. This includes connecting the C and D pillar from the base, as per Honda. But leaving aside the efficacy of that feat of engineering, the Elevate does handle very well. Throw it around bends and the body roll is quite minimal. This is surprising because the SUV rides taller than some of its rivals, such as the Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun. The Honda Elevate is unlikely to dethrone the Creta or the Seltos. From the looks of it, Honda wants a piece of the pie and not the whole pie. The Elevate will help the brand bump up sales by 30 percent, and, quite possibly, bring a stay of execution. Its comfortable, peppy (manual), well-equipped and safe. In short, its a Honda. More than three years after the Government placed certain types of pneumatic tyres under import restrictions, the Commerce Ministry has released fresh guidelines for tyre manufacturers committing to invest in India in brownfield or greenfield projects. In June 2020, the Centre imposed curbs on the imports of certain new pneumatic tyres used in motor cars, buses, lorries, and motorcycles to promote domestic manufacturing. "Import policy of new pneumatic tyres...is amended from free to restricted," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated in a notification. Once the goods were put under the restricted category, importers had to acquire a license or permission from the DGFT for imports. Also read: Tyre-makers under pressure as too much rubber hits the road However, as the Indian tyre industry has been witnessing a rise in the demand for the production of tyres for export and domestic sales, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to amend the restrictions. According to Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) Chairman Satish Sharma, earlier this year in March, the export of tyres from India was expected to rise by 15 percent in the ongoing fiscal year. Tyre exports from India went up by 50 per cent last year, and we are likely to close the ongoing financial year with nearly 15 percent growth, he said. The ministry stated in a notification: The increasing ownership of vehicles aids the tyre industry. There is also a surge in demand for tyres for trucks and buses owing to rising mobility and industrialization. Research and Development (R&D) and the launch of advanced and eco-friendly tyres also aid the market growth for tyres. It added: Presently, import authorizations for new pneumatic tyres have been placed under the restricted category in terms of Notification No. 12/2015-2000 dated 12-06-2020 issued by the DGFT, and hence, the importers have to apply for an Import License for tyres covered under the aforesaid notification. But, considering the overall growth of the tyre industry, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has proposed fresh guidelines for tyre manufacturers committing to invest in India in brownfield or greenfield projects for manufacturing tyres falling under the restricted list. As Indias first B737-8-200 (VT-YAV) gets inducted into Akasa Airs fleet, the airline is all set to embark upon a new chapter. This will be Akasa Airs 20th plane, completing the mandate of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, which requires an airline to have 20 aircraft in its fleet to be able to start international operations. This will also be significant for Indian aviation since this will be the first B737-8-200 aircraft in India. The airline currently has 19 aircraft in its fleet and has placed an order for 76 aircraft, of which 23 are the MAX-8 while the other 53 would be the B737-8-200. What is the MAX-8-200? The 737-8-200 is the same as the MAX 8 (or 737-8) in length, height, width and wingspan, but has an additional pair of exit doors which help accommodate more seats. The 200 denotes the number of seats it could potentially have. Also Read | Akasa Air makes the most of Go First's fall Three of the eight trolleys in the galley have been removed to make way for additional seats. The washrooms have also been re-designed and moved to the galley for this. From a low cost carrier perspective, the additional safety exits could mean additional revenue since such seats with extra leg room are sold at additional fees. The seats are configured with a tighter pitch (space between a seat and the one in front of it) as airlines feel that for short haul travel, passengers would not have a problem with such a seat pitch, given the cheaper fares on offer. Who else has this aircraft? Akasa Air will be the first airline in the country to operate this aircraft. European LCC Ryanair was the first customer to operate the `-8-200. The airline, known for its cost cutting, has configured the aircraft with 197 seats and called it a game changer when it was inducted in June 2021. Ryanair will close 2023 with over 90 of these aircraft in its fleet of a staggering 500+ planes. Also Read | Double-engine sarkar (in the Indian skies) may be good news for airport operators The -8-200 has also been ordered by Arajet an ultra-low cost carrier from the Dominican Republic and Allegiant Air of the United States. VietJet has also placed an order for the aircraft, but none of these carriers have taken deliveries, making Akasa Air the second carrier world-wide and the first in Asia to take delivery of the B737-8-200. Then International Airlines Group (IAG) which owns British Airways, Iberia and Air Lingus amongst others have placed orders and it is not yet known which of them will take the aircraft. How is Akasa Air getting these aircraft so fast? With Akasa also opting for 197 seats, seating is 4.2 percent more than its 189-seater aircraft and 13 percent more than some of its aircraft that have 174 seats. (The Boeing aircraft that Jet Airways could not pick up because it went bust, and were lying with the manufacturer). The airline sells the business class seats as A++ on routes where these aircraft are deployed. The increase in capacity with 197 seats is significant for an operating cost which does not go up in proportion. Also Read | Vistara to soon boast of all-modern fleet, second Indian airline to achieve the feat Akasa Air signed the deal with Boeing at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021 and took delivery of its first plane in June 2022, starting operations in August the same year. The sequence of events have been very fast and it is rare for an airline to take delivery from the manufacturer the same year. This was made possible by an earlier sequence of events where the B737 MAX aircraft was grounded pending rework after two deadly crashes. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic and streak of cancellations meant that there were many white tails (industry parlance for aircraft not taken up by the original ordering entity) available. With Boeing sitting on a large pile of such inventory and the regulators clearing them to fly again, Akasa Air made the most of it. However, there was a problem. Akasa Airs initial aircraft featured 189 economy class seats with USB chargers, something the airline talked about proudly at the time of launch. The next set of aircraft had a different type of configuration of seats and no chargers. The airline had to give up its mono class configuration for a two-class configuration, but continued to sell it as mono class with the seats upfront being sold as a special seat because of the aircraft. The airline sells the front cabin as A++ seats with a single class of service. Between the two difficult choices of opting for standardisation or going ahead with whatever was available to add capacity, the airline chose the latter and became one of the fastest growing airlines in the first year of operations. With the induction of the -8-200, the airline will try to further reduce its per seat cost (CASK) to become more competitive in the cut throat Indian aviation market. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on August 1 said Rs 3.14 lakh crore worth of Rs 2,000 banknotes, or 88 percent in circulation, have returned to the banking system as on July 31. Consequently, Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation as at the close of business on July 31 remained at Rs 0.42 lakh crore, the release said. Of the total notes received back from circulation, 87 percent is in the form of deposits while the remaining 13 percent has been exchanged into other denominations, release added. The central bank urged the public to utilise the remaining time period to exchange or deposit Rs 2,000 notes. On May 19, the central bank announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency bills from circulation. "In view of the above, and in pursuance of the 'Clean Note Policy' of the Reserve Bank of India, it has been decided to withdraw the Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation," the RBI said on May 19. While, on May 24, the RBI Governor said the central bank decided to withdraw the Rs 2,000 currency notes as this denomination was not much in use and high-denomination notes could lead to collateral issues. In our surveys, we found out that Rs 2,000 notes were not being used at all... It was being used, but not commonly used, he said. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Standard Chartered Plcs co-head of corporate, commercial and institutional banking for India is leaving the firm after more than 23 years. Manish Jain is set to join Yes Bank Ltd. as its head of corporate banking, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified as the information isnt public. Jain has decided to follow other pursuits outside the bank, a spokesperson for Standard Chartered said in response to a Bloomberg News query. It will announce a successor in due course, they said. Jain declined to comment, while a representative for Yes Bank didnt respond to requests for comment. Joining in 2000, Jain began his latest position in 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile. His role includes responsibility for large local corporates, mid-market companies, commercial real estate, supply chain finance and transaction banking sales, the profile shows. Ankur Khurana took over as Standard Chartereds co-head of corporate, commercial and institutional banking head in July after Ashish Vijayakar left the firm after 24 years, Bloomberg News reported. Despite being based in the UK, Standard Chartered makes most of its money outside of the country from its operations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The bank reported a 27% rise in adjusted pretax profit in the second quarter, marking the best first-half performance by the lender since Bill Winters took over as chief executive officer in 2015. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Yudiz Solutions Ltd, a blockchain, AI and gaming-focused enterprise solutions technology company, plans to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on August 4 to raise Rs 44.84 crore. The company plans to issue 27,17,600 fresh shares of a face value of Rs 10 each. The price band for IPO has been set at Rs 162 to Rs 165. The issue will close on August 8. The stock will be listed on the NSE Emerge platform. The book-running lead manager to the issue is Narnolia Financial Services Limited, advisor to the issue PLS Capital, Longview Research & Advisory and the registrar to the issue is Mas Services Limited. Out of 27,17,600 shares, 1,36,800 equity shares will be reserved for subscription by the market maker, the remaining 25,80,800 will be referred to as the net issue, the company said. The issue and net issue will constitute 26.33 percent and 25.01 percent of the post-issue paid-up equity share capital of the company. The company is also focusing on expansion and acquisition and plans to spend Rs 12.31 crore from the IPO proceeds. The company's Chairman and Director Bharat Patel in a recent interview to Moneycontrol had said that most of their business is international at 75-80 percent. This is why they are looking to acquire companies in markets like North America and the UK. He had said that the end-customer is not known to them but with such acquisition and expansion, they can be in touch directly with the customers, eliminating intermediaries and increasing their margins. It is looking at companies with experience in blockchain and AI product development to further strengthen its core technological offerings. They are also looking for firms that are well-known for their work in Animation, VFX, and 3D modelling. The company has two offices in Ahmedabad with employee strength of 400-450 and with expansion plans it expects more requirement for talent and estimates 20-30 percent increase in hiring. Patel said that they are looking at talent with all the forward-looking tech knowledge, including AI, VR (virtual reality) and Web 3. The government has notified restrictions on the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) refund route for exports of such items as tobacco and pan masala, and of mentha oil, effective from October 1. The decision has been approved by the GST Council at its 50th meeting last month in accordance with the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on capacity-based taxation and special composition scheme. The GoM was chaired by Odisha Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari. The measure has been implemented to curb tax evasion on pan masala, chewing tobacco and similar products. Such restriction on automated refunds for pan masala tobacco and other similar items would lead to a blip in exporters' cash flow, reduce global competitiveness in the sector, and increase compliance and administrative burden on the exporters, Rajat Mohan, Senior Partner, AMRG & Associates told Moneycontrol. Depending on the extent of the impact of such restriction, exporters may reduce their export volumes due to cash flow constraints. On the other hand, restricting IGST refunds may lead to a temporary increase in tax revenue for the government, as the refund amount will remain with the government for a more extended period, he said. India is one of the world's major exporters of pan masala, primarily to countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and in Africa. Exporters of pan masala may see a constrained cash flow position in the last quarter of 2023, impacting the normal course of business, Mohan said. However, tax refunds like input tax credit for such exports would continue to be sanctioned under ordinary course by the proper officer of the jurisdictional tax authority. The GoM report suggests efforts be made for implementation of track-and-trace mechanisms for all tobacco products, preferably by the end of 2023. The government also capped the maximum rate of GST compensation cess that would be levied on pan masala, cigarettes and other forms of tobacco and linked the highest rate to their retail sale price. The capping of the cess rate was brought in as part of the amendments to the Finance Bill, 2023, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 24. A group of 18 German shepherds were in transit to a police K-9 training center in Indiana last week when the air conditioning in the vehicle failed, leading to the deaths of at least eight of the the dogs. From The Boston Globe: The Lake Station Police Department, which responded to a chaotic scene at a gas station off the interstate in Lake Station, Ind., did not specify in a statement issued Friday how many dogs had been en route to the training center or how many had died. A local animal rescue organization in Hobart, about 3 miles south, estimated that 18 dogs had been in the vehicle and that at least eight of them had died during or after the episode. The driver had been stuck in a traffic delay for two hours and had not been aware of the air conditioner's failure because the dogs were in a separate cargo area, the statement said. The driver was alerted to their distress when he heard barking. The area near Hobart reached highs of at least 91 degrees Thursday, according to the Chicago forecast office of the National Weather Service. There are two issues at play here. First is that extreme heat is a major problem, with fatalities from extreme heat rising across the country. And that's just humans; our animal companions can be even more susceptible to heat-related death and suffering because of the way that humans contain them, limiting their natural abilities to regulate their temperatures (like leaving a dog in a heat car). Climate change: it's bad news! The other issue is that police dogs are a huge factor for police brutality, especially against people of color. In a just world, these poor pups would have never been in a situation where they were being exposed to such brutal heat conditions, because they shouldn't have been sent to a training facility to be weaponized in the first place. It's cruel to the dogs, and it's cruel to the humans. And this is the tragic result. Dogs die from heat-related injuries on their way to police training [Lauren McCarthy / The Boston Globe] A high-level inter-ministerial meeting is planned this week to discuss imposing anti-dumping duty on Chinese goods and review the trade deficit with China, an official said. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will chair a meeting on August 3 regarding imposition of anti-dumping duty and China trade, the government official told Moneycontrol. Officials from the finance ministry, including the revenue department, and the commerce ministry are likely to attend the meeting, he said. A proposal to impose anti-dumping duty on certain products imported from China, including steel, is likely to be discussed. The steel ministry has recommended anti-dumping duty on stainless steel products in view of an influx of cheaper goods from China that is said to have hurt domestic demand and forced small local producers to operate at a lower capacity Additionally, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies has recommended extension of anti-dumping duty on steel wheels from China for five years. Anti-dumping duties are taxes imposed on imported goods in order to compensate for the difference between the price at which they are sold and their normal value. Dumping adversely affects domestic producers in the importing country. The DGTR also recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duty on optic fibre cables from China, alleging they are sold at artificially lower prices. An anti-dumping probe is currently under way into imports of aluminium frames for solar panels from China. The alleged dumping of other Chinese products including alloy steel chisels, electrolytic tin plates, self-adhesive vinyl, aniline, isobutylene-isoprene rubber and pentaerythritol is being investigated. India's trade deficit with China widened to $77.6 billion in FY23 from $72.9 billion in FY22, according to the commerce ministry. Exports to China declined 28 percent to $15.3 billion while imports grew 4.16 percent to $98.51 billion. India has not been able to cut its imports from China even after a border dispute because it depends on the second-largest economy for key raw materials. India has been imposing anti-dumping duty on several Chinese goods from time to time. Currently, anti dumping duty on Chinese goods includes flat rolled products of aluminium, sodium hydrosulphite, silicone sealant, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) component R-32, hydrofluorocarbon blends, etc. Developing countries like India will flag serious concerns over the impact of European Union's (EU) regulations on climate change and trade such as carbon tax, on their domestic industry, during WTO ministerial meeting next year, an official said. The four-day 13th ministerial conference (MC) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is scheduled for February 26 next year in Abu Dhabi. MC is the highest decision making body of WTO. These issues will come up in the WTO in a big way. Countries like India will oppose these measures in the WTO, the official said. In the first seven months of this year, the EU has introduced four regulations on climate change and trade. These are carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM); deforestation regulation; including shipping in the EU's emissions trade system; and Foreign subsidies regulation. EU member Germany too has announced a supply chain due diligence act (SCDDA). In the first seven months of this year, the EU has introduced four regulations on climate change and trade. This will become a major issue in the MC13. Many member countries have already submitted papers against some of these regulations in the WTO. It looks like discussions will happen on these regulations and a general view will also converge, the government official, who did not wish to be named, said. Geneva-based 164 member multi-lateral body WTO deals with global exports and import-related norms. Besides, it adjudicates trade disputes between the member countries. According to think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the EU will collect billions annually once these provisions come into operation completely. They need these funds to provide subsidies to their companies and farmers. The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will have an adverse impact on India's exports of metals such as iron, steel and aluminium products to the EU. It will come into force from October 1 this year. CBAM will translate into a 20-35 per cent tax on select imports into the EU starting January 1, 2026. The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will have an adverse impact on India's exports of metals such as iron, steel and aluminium products to the EU. From January 1, 2026, the EU will start collecting the carbon tax on each consignment of steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizer, hydrogen and electricity. In 2022, India's 27 per cent exports of iron, steel, and aluminium products of value USD 8.2 billion went to the EU. Further, India's exports of products like coffee, leather hides and paperboard worth USD 1.3 billion annually to the EU will get impacted due to European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EU-DR). The regulation covers cattle, buffalo, the meat of bovine animals, preparations, oil cake, soya beans, palm oil, cocoa bean, powder, chocolate, coffee, leather hide, skin, paper, paperboard, wood, wood articles, wood pulp, boards and wood furniture. The exporters now have to ensure that these products have been grown on land, which has not been deforested after December 31, 2020. The new rules will apply to large firms after 18 months and small firms after 24 months. Thus, the timeline for large firms is December 2024 and for small firms is June 2025. As the EU parliament has included shipping in its emissions trade system on April 18 this year, it will charge a carbon tax like levy from EU's inbound and outbound shipping firms from January 1, 2027. Similarly, under the Foreign subsidies regulation, which came into force on January 12 this year, the EU can investigate cases where foreign subsidies distort competition within the region. The German law to prohibit forced labour and protect human rights in global business supply chains will have little impact on India's trade with the European country as India already has comprehensive rules to deal with these issues, according to a report by GTRI. Germany has banned forced labour and other labour law violations in its supply chains extending within and outside Germany. The law, SCDDA, came into effect from January 1 this year. It applies to firms with more than 3,000 employees. These include German firms and foreign firms doing business with Germany. India is already engaging bilaterally with the European Union on these issues. India's exports to the EU has increased to USD 74.9 billion in 2022-23 from about USD 65 billion in 2021-22. The EU accounts for over 16 per cent of India's total merchandise exports. Imports from the EU rose to about USD 60 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 51.4 billion in 2021-22. The Union government will not complete the disinvestment process for Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh in 2023-24, Minister of State for Finance, Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad said on August 1 in a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha. The process of appointment of advisers for the transaction through a bidding process has been completed. An expression of interest (EoI) from interested eligible parties is yet to be issued, Karad said. On whether the disinvestment process will have a compulsory clause to ensure that none of the existing workforce will be retrenched, Karad said while finalizing the terms and conditions of the transaction, the legitimate concerns of employees are suitably addressed. In line with the Centres new Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) Policy, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in January 2021 had given in-principal approval for 100 percent disinvestment of the Union governments shareholding in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) along with RINLs stake in its subsidiaries or joint ventures through strategic disinvestment. RINL is the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Back in April 2023, the Ministry of Steel had reportedly said that the disinvestment process of RINL is under progress and efforts are being made by the company, and supported by the government, to improve the performance of the state-owned entity. Trade unions and political parties in the opposition have been protesting the Centres decision to divest its stake in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and have been demanding a withdrawal of the proposal. The Union government has set a target of Rs 51,000 crore from disinvestments in the financial year 2023-24. Disinvestment is an ongoing process, and execution and completion of specific transactions hinges upon market conditions, domestic and global economic outlook, geopolitical factors, investor interest and administrative feasibility, Karad said on August 1 responding to a different question on the government's privatisation process. "Profit or loss is not among the relevant criteria for privatisation or disinvestment. Minority stake sales in various PSEs are carried out based on investor interest and market conditions as per SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) approved methods and norms," the minister said. Kolkata-based UCO Bank will join the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot project by September 2023, MD & CEO Ashwani Kumar told Moneycontrol in an exclusive interview on August 1. "Yes, we will be joining RBI's CBDC pilot project by September end. Initially, we will only join in the retail segment. Later on, looking at the opportunities, will think about other segments," said Kumar. The central bank launched the first pilot of the digital rupee on October 31, 2022, in the wholesale segment and identified nine banks as participants. The nine lenders include the State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank and HSBC. A month later, RBI kick-started the pilot for the retail segment as well. The retail digital rupee, or e-R, can be used for day-to-day transactions. Eight banks are participating in the retail pilot project. They are SBI, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank, BoB, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Under the pilot project, banks can invite select customers and merchants to try the services through their mobile applications. After this, the users can make peer-to-peer transactions and peer-to-merchant transactions. Other plans Kumar added that the banks target is to bring down its gross non-performing asset (GNPA) to 3.5 percent and net non-performing asset (NNPA) to less than 1 percent by the end of this year. The bank's GNPAs had declined to 4.48 percent in Q1FY24 in an absolute figure of Rs 7,355 crore from 7.42 percent, that is Rs 9,740 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. NNPAs fell to 1.18 percent which is Rs 1,877 crore from 2.49 percent, Rs 3,104 crore. He said UCO's home loan portfolio growth is reasonably good. "For the affordable segment, specifically, we are into a co-lending arrangement. Generally, our funding is towards the affordable segment," said Kumar. UCO Banks home loan portfolio has seen a 23.08 percent YoY growth in Q1FY24, and its vehicle loan and personal loan segments for the period has grown 23.79 percent and 25.93 percent, respectively, YoY. Kumar said that UCO Bank is planning to expand its current and savings account (CASA) deposits significantly. UCO Bank had, on July 28, reported an 81percent jump in net profit at Rs 223.48 crore in Q1FY24 from Rs 123.61 crore in the year-ago period. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the "adoption" of a report prepared by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT and Communication on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP), especially since it has not yet been introduced in Parliament. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar clarified on August 1 that the DPDP Bill has not yet been formally sent to the committee. He also stated that a bill must be tabled in Parliament before it can be referred to a committee. However, it is also true that the committee has met twice, December 2022 and June 2023, where it was briefed on the "intricacies" of the DPDP Bill. Based on these meetings, the committee has formed a report. In the report, as Moneycontrol had earlier reported, sources had said that the committee fully endorsed the bill and called for its immediate enactment into a law. The report has earned the ire of opposition members, who have been protesting against the possibility of the report being tabled in Parliament. Also read: Do not table IT Committee report on Data Protection Bill, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas tells Dhankar, Birla However, in the report, the committee also made some crucial remarks regarding the bill's mandate to exempt government agencies from its provisions. "The Committee are of the view that there is still a possibility of these exceptions being misused," the report tabled on August 1 read. Therefore, the report urged the ministry to devise a mechanism to ensure that these exemptions do not "become general rule and only used in exceptional circumstances." The DPDP Bill 2022 states that the Central Government may by notification, exempt "any instrumentality of the State" from the provisions of the bill in "interests of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, maintenance of public order or preventing incitement to any cognizable offence" and so on. The committee's warning symbolises the strongest voice against this particular provision, which has been criticised by industry, civil society and experts alike. Earlier, retired Supreme Court judge BN Srikrishna, who led the committee that drafted the Personal Data Protection Bill in July 2018, said that the draft of the new Digital Protection Data Bill (DPDB) contains provisions that give the government too much power in terms of exemptions from the bill's provisions. "The government can exempt entire provisions of the Act in respect to any government department, company and so on. That cannot be done. If you do that, then you are virtually giving by one hand and taking away by other," Srikrishna told Moneycontrol. "At least the previous one had provisions that if one had to access the data of an individual, they (the government) would have had to do it in a fair and reasonable manner. This bill does not even have those restrictions," he said. A subsidiary of tech giant Foxconn said that it had not signed any agreement to invest 16 billion rupees ($194.6 million) in Tamil Nadu, China's Securities Times reported on Tuesday. The government of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu said on Monday it has signed a deal with Foxconn for a new electronic components manufacturing facility that would create 6,000 jobs. Also Read: Apple Supplier Foxconn plans $500 million component plants in India The Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII) facility will be built in the Kancheepuram district near the state capital of Chennai, a state government source told Reuters on condition of anonymity as details are not yet public. "We did not sign any investment agreement," FII was quoted as saying by the Securities Times newspaper, adding the company had issued a statement in July refuting similar "rumours." Foxconn did not immediately respond to a request for comment. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday said its wholesales increased by 4 per cent year-on-year to 66,701 units in July. The automaker had dispatched 63,851 units to its dealers in July 2022. Domestic sales rose marginally to 50,701 units last month, from 50,500 units in the year-ago period, the South Korean automaker said in a statement. Exports rose by 20 per cent to 16,000 units last month, as compared to 13,351 units in July 2022, it added. "Our domestic July sales volume of 50,000 plus units is backed by a strong SUV portfolio. This has been bolstered by the addition of Exter to an already strong SUV line-up," Hyundai Motor India COO Tarun Garg said. With the semiconductor supply issues more or less behind, the automaker is all geared up for the upcoming festive season in India starting with Onam in Kerala, he added. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Indias imports of crude oil from Saudi Arabia declined 34 percent in July, according to energy cargo tracker Vortexa. Saudi Arabia supplied 484,000 barrels of crude oil per day in July compared to 734,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the previous month. The decline in imports from Saudi comes after the country announced additional supply cuts of 1 million bpd in July. Earlier in May, Saudi Arabia had reduced supply by 500,000 bpd, while Iraq had cut over 200,000 bpd until the end of the year. Russia had announced an extension of its production cut of 50,000 bpd from May until the end of 2023. In total, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, commonly known as OPEC+, had in May announced oil production cuts of 1.6 million bpd for 2023. Meanwhile, Russia remained the top supplier of crude oil for India in July. Moscows crude oil supply to India exceeded the combined shipments of oil from Saudi Arabia and Iraqthe traditional suppliers of India. India imported 1.9 million bpd of crude from Russia, while Iraq supplied 891,000 bpd in July. Russian Uralsthe sour grade of crudecontinues to constitute the majority of imports from Moscow. In July, India imported 1.6 million bpd of Russian Urals. Russia has become a major source of crude oil for India ever since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, and has overtaken Saudi Arabia and Iraq to become Indias top crude supplier. India has been importing the maximum crude oil from Russia since October 2022. Moscow has been diverting its oil to Asian countries, especially India and China, at discounted rates ever since the European Union (EU) and the US imposed a slew of sanctions on Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine. India has increased its share of Russian crude procured at discounted prices. India imported a total of 4.57 million barrels of crude oil per day in June from Russia, Saudi, Iraq, the US, UAE, and some other countries. Nilesh Shah, MD of Kotak Mahindra AMC, said in an interview with Moneycontrol that the defence sector might run into headwinds in the short term. He emphasized the sector's vulnerability to changes in government policies. "The current priority given to domestic manufacturers of defence equipment has resulted in this Bull Run," he said. After a year of stellar returns, defence stocks might be riskier in the short term as they might witness profit booking. These stocks include Bharat Dynamics (49.66 percent), Hindustan Aeronautics (95.13 percent), Astra Microwave (33.98 percent), Bharat Electronics (39.97 percent), Cochin Shipyard (100.03 percent), MTAR Technologies (64.03 percent), Zen Technologies (235.60 percent). Defence stocks have been able to give spectacular returns on the back of solid order books, R&D investments, government preference for manufacturing locally, import embargo and technological support from DRDO. Experts have maintained that the defence sector has long-term growth potential. He said if there is a change in this priority it might make the sector vulnerable. He also added the possibility of profit booking in the defence stocks. He added that "the long-term fundamentals of the sector will continue to look good as long as the domestic manufacturers get priority." Shah also hinted at the possibility of some of the companies being able to supply offshore markets along with local markets. But he warned that other countries will only buy defence goods from companies that can supply to its domestic markets well. The defence sector has improved significantly after the governments push for local manufacturing. The domestic defence procurement surged from 38 percent to 68 percent in FY23 under the Make in India initiative. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. A poll reveals that the number of Republicans who former president and party front-runner Donald Trump is a criminal has more than doubled in the last few months. But it's still only 13 percent The New York Times/Siena College poll found that 13 percent of Republicans said they believe the former president has committed serious crimes, up from 6 percent last September. The portion of Republicans who said they remain unsure whether Trump committed serious crimes also ticked upward in Tuesday's poll, rising from 10 percent to 13 percent. However, the vast majority of Republicans 74 percent still said that they do not believe the former president committed serious crimes, the poll found. Something that coverage of this poll doesn't get at is that his supporters don't care much if he's a serious criminal. The presumption "if they think he's a criminal they won't vote for him" still prevails in the floating world. Hero MotoCorp Limited shares closed 3.24 percent lower at Rs 3,100 on August 1. The drop comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the residence of Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, after taking cognisance of a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) case, CNBC TV-18 reported on August 1. Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended a close associate of Pawan Munjal for carrying undeclared foreign currency. Sources told CNBC-TV18 that a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case has been registered against Munjal. "The development is certainly a blow for the company. It is a corporate governance issue as promoter is himself charged," Varun Baxi, an analyst at Nirmal Bang told Moneycontrol. "I feel the stock will remain under pressure in the coming days. The company is anyway the weakest among 2-3 wheeler companies." As for the Q1 results, Baxi said that results shall remain unaffected. Follow our market blog for all the live action Moneycontrol reported on June 15 that Hero Motocorp, a leading domestic automobile company, was under the scrutiny of the government, with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) initiating an investigation against it. The MCA's probe comes in response to a previous investigation conducted by the Income Tax department into specific transactions undertaken by Hero Motocorp. On June 17, Hero MotoCorp made an official statement to the stock exchanges confirming that they have been contacted by the ministry, which is seeking specific information from the company. In a previous development, in March last year, the Income Tax department had collected evidence that indicated Hero MotoCorp's involvement in various financial irregularities. These included the booking of bogus purchases, significant unaccounted cash expenditures, and obtaining accommodation entries, which altogether amounted to over Rs 1,000 crore. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. In a hilarious goof-up, an executive of an investment advisor called up an officer of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and offered assured returns from one of their services, which is like calling up a police officer and trying to sell a stolen mobile. The market regulator sees the promise of assured returns as a violation of its Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Regulations (PFUTP Regulations) and Code of Conduct for Investment Advisors. To make matters worse (or even funnier) the executive also told the SEBI officer that risk profiling of clients is being done by SEBI Mumbai, according to a SEBI order passed on July 31. Talk about foot-in-the-mouth! Also read: Sebi trashes reports of plans to curb retail participation in derivatives segment The regulator has fined the investment advisory named Investment Visor, owned by Praveen Verman, Rs 12 lakh for various violations and asked the firm to refund fees to resolve disputes raised by clients. On the registration of the advisory, the order stated that it has been cancelled in a parallel enquiry proceeding. Besides misleading investors, Investment Visors list of violations include charging GST to clients even though its GSTN numbers were cancelled, failure to furnish documents and provide information when asked by the regulators inspection team, failure to resolve client complaints, poor risk profiling of clients, selling multiple services without any regard for interest of the client in order to maximise its advisory fee, failure to ensure that employees had requisite qualification and certification prescribed under IA Regulations, and misrepresentation and miselling. On the companys website investmentvisor.com, details on the research team proved to be false. It read, Apart from rich experience, our team who prepares and delivers free and paid content and trading and investing advice have following degrees and educational qualifications. They includes (sic) MBA finance, Certificate in taxation, International Banking and International finance master degree, ICWA degree holder, intermediate CAs, intermediate CSs, CAs, CSs, CFAs, NCFM (NSE's Certification in financial markets) capital markets, NCFM derivatives market, NCFM depositories operations, MCX Certified Commodity Professional and more. Also read: Excel Realty fined for misleading investors with bloated balance sheets; hiding risk to 66% of assets But as the SEBI order noted, the employee details submitted by the Noticee, no employee of the Noticee was NISM (National Institute of Securities Market) qualified or possessing qualifications/ certification in taxation, International Banking, ICWA, CAs, CSs, CFAs. The above claim on the website of the Noticee regarding qualification of research team was found to be false. When questioned about the testimonials on their page, which talk of accuracy on consistent basis and earning huge profit in future trading, the investment advisor submitted to the regulator that the testimonials were copy-pasted by its IT executive from other websites. We have seen yet another rangebound session in the market on August 1, consistently facing resistance at 19,800, which experts feel can play a crucial role for the next upmove if the Nifty50 gives a decisive close above it. The immediate support is likely at 19,700, followed by 19,600 levels. Till then, they expect the rangebound and volatile trade to continue for coming sessions. The Nifty50 was settled at 19,734 on Tuesday, down 20 points and formed a bearish candlestick on the daily timeframe, but continued with higher highs and higher lows formation, which still gives some hope for rebound amid ongoing consolidation. The traded volume was above average for yet another session. "The Nifty traded in a narrow range of 19,700-19,800, maintaining its overall bullish sentiment. It stayed above the critical near-term moving average (21-day EMA which is placed at 19,550), reinforcing the positive outlook," Rupak De, senior technical analyst at LKP Securities said. He believes that a hidden positive divergence on the daily chart indicates a potential bullish reversal in price momentum. "Short-term prospects suggest a sideways to positive trend if the index stays above 18,550. A decisive move above 19,800 could drive the index towards the 20,000 mark," De said. The BSE Sensex closed at 66,459, down 68 points, but the broader markets maintained an uptrend, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices rising 0.03 percent and 0.68 percent respectively amid positive breadth. Three shares advanced for every two declining shares on the NSE. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks are the aggregates of three-month data and not just the current month. Key support and resistance levels on Nifty The pivot point calculator suggests that the Nifty may get support at 19,710, followed by 19,688 and 19,654. In case of an upside, 19,779 can be the key resistance followed by 19,801 and 19,836. Nifty Bank On August 1, the Bank Nifty was also under pressure, falling 59 points to close at 45,593 after a volatile session. The index has formed a bearish candlestick pattern on the daily scale, but making a higher top, higher bottom formation. Experts still expect the rangebound trade to continue, unless it decisively breaks 45,800 on the higher side for upmove or 45,300 on the lower side for correction. "The Bank Nifty index is currently engaged in a persistent battle between the bulls and bears, resulting in a consolidation phase. A notable resistance level can be observed at 45,800, and a decisive break above this resistance would potentially pave the way for further upside movements in the index," Kunal Shah, senior technical & derivative analyst at LKP Securities said. Conversely, he says that a significant support level is visible at 45,300. If the index breaks below this support level, it could signify the bears gaining full control, leading to potential downside movements towards 45,000-44,700 levels, Shah said. The pivot point calculator indicates that the Bank Nifty is likely to take support at 45,496, followed by 45,423 and 45,304. In the case of an upside, the initial resistance is at 45,735, followed by 45,808 and 45,927. Call options data As per the options data, we continued to the maximum weekly Call open interest (OI) at 19,800 strike, with 1.38 crore contracts, which can act as a key resistance for the Nifty. It was followed by 20,500 strike, which had 87.80 lakh contacts, while 19,900 strike had 80.3 lakh contracts. The meaningful Call writing was at 19,800 strike, which added 49.35 lakh contracts, followed by 19,900 and 20,100 strikes, which added 23.56 lakh and 18.92 lakh contracts, respectively. The maximum Call unwinding was seen at 19,600 strike, which shed 5.58 lakh contracts, followed by 20,400 and 19,500 strikes, which shed 5.12 lakh contracts, and 2.6 lakh contracts, respectively. Put option data On the Put side, the maximum open interest remained at 19,600 strike, with 97.89 lakh contracts. This can be an important support level for the Nifty50 in the coming sessions. It was followed by 19,700 strike, comprising 95.91 lakh contracts, and 19,500 strike, with 73.92 lakh contracts. We have seen the maximum Put writing at 19,700 strike, which added 16.09 lakh contracts, followed by 19,500 strike and 19,300 strikes, which added 14.14 lakh contracts and 11.99 lakh contracts, respectively. The meaningful Put unwinding was at 19,100 strike, which shed 11.19 lakh contracts, followed by 19,200 and 18,900 strikes, which shed 8.41 lakh contracts, and 3.53 lakh contracts, respectively. Stocks with high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. Bhati Airtel, Dabur India, Torrent Pharma, Hindustan Unilever, and Infosys were among the stocks that saw the highest delivery. 37 stocks see a long build-up Astral, Hindustan Copper, Britannia Industries, Escorts Kubota, and Berger Paints were among 37 stocks to see a long build-up. An increase in open interest (OI) and price indicate a build-up of long positions. 39 stocks see long unwinding Based on the OI percentage, 39 stocks, including ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, Polycab India, Piramal Enterprises, Aditya Birla Capital, and REC saw long unwinding. A decline in OI and price indicate long unwinding. 64 stocks see short build-up A short build-up was seen in 64 stocks, including Hero Motocorp, InterGlobe Aviation, DLF, Power Grid Corporation of India, and Maruti Suzuki India. An increase in OI along with a fall in price points to a build-up of short positions. 47 stocks see short-covering Based on the OI percentage, 47 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included Navin Fluorine International, Coromandel International, Coforge, Dr Lal PathLabs, and Atul. A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering. Bulk deals DLF: Promoter Kushal Pal Singh has sold his entire 1.45 crore shares, which is equivalent to 0.59 percent of paid-up equity, via open market transactions, at an average price of Rs 504.21 per share. The stake sale was worth Rs 730.87 crore. (For more bulk deals, click here) Results on August 2 Titan Company, Ambuja Cements, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, InterGlobe Aviation, Mankind Pharma, Godrej Properties, Aditya Birla Capital, Adani Wilmar, Engineers India, Firstsource Solutions, Fusion Micro Finance, Gateway Distriparks, Gujarat Gas, Indian Overseas Bank, Metropolis Healthcare, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Quess Corp, Sapphire Foods India, Sheela Foam, Strides Pharma Science, Vaibhav Global, and VIP Industries will be in focus ahead of quarterly earnings on August 2. Stocks in the news Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy: The company has received a limited notice to proceed with an engineering, construction and procurement order worth Rs 360 crore for a project in India. This is in addition to the new order value of Rs 466 crore that the company reported in Q1 FY24. Maruti Suzuki India: The country's largest car maker has announced production of more than 1.86 lakh vehicles in the month of July 2023, up nearly 1 percent over the production of 1.85 lakh vehicles in the same period last year. This data included production by Suzuki Motor Gujarat. TVS Motor Company: The two-and-three-wheeler company has recorded sales volume at 3.26 lakh units for July 2023, which came in slightly above analysts' estimates, increasing by 4 percent compared to the year-ago month. Two-wheeler sales volume rose 4 percent YoY to 3.12 lakh units, while electric vehicle sales doubled to 13,306 units against 6,304 units during the same period. Power Grid Corporation of India: The state-owned electric services company has received board approval for the implementation of an 85 MW solar PV power project at Nagda in Madhya Pradesh. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 554.91 crore. Ashok Leyland: The country's second-largest commercial vehicle maker has announced sales of 15,068 units for July 2023, better than analysts' estimates, rising 10.6 percent over the corresponding period last year. Medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales increased by 17 percent to 9,571 units, and light commercial vehicle sales rose by 0.4 percent to 5,497 units during the same period. Eicher Motors: The automobile company has announced sales volume data of its Royal Enfield. Total sales grew by 32 percent year-on-year to 73,117 motorcycles, driven by domestic sales which surged 42 percent YoY to 66,062 units, but exports dropped 22 percent to 7,055 units during the same period. Thermax: The energy and environment solutions provider has reported a 0.1 percent year-on-year decline in consolidated profit at Rs 58.88 crore for the quarter ended June FY24 despite strong operating numbers and topline, dented by provisions of Rs 50.63 crore related to litigation. Revenue from operations jumped 16.83 percent YoY to Rs 1,933 crore in Q1FY24. Fund Flow FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FII) sold shares worth Rs 92.85 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DII) bought Rs 1,035.69 crore worth of stocks on August 1, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) shows. Stocks under F&O ban on NSE The NSE has added Hindustan Copper to its F&O ban list for August 2, while retaining Piramal Enterprises, and Indiabulls Housing Finance in the said list. Securities banned under the F&O segment include companies where derivative contracts have crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. NHPC Ltd, the public sector hydropower company, will need at least Rs 11,000 crore to augment its resources and acquire THDC India and NEEPCO as part of a government plan to merge hydel companies and improve efficiency, a top company official told Moneycontrol. Firstly, the proposal that is being worked upon is not literally a merger it is for acquisition or takeover. Our assessment so far shows that any acquiring considerations of THDCIL and NEEPCO will not be possible without the governments help, NHPC director (finance) RP Goyal said. In April, Union minister for power and renewable energy RK Singh told Moneycontrol that the government intends to merge THDC India and NEEPCO with NHPC. The government hopes this will improve efficiency and cut costs as hydropower projects are often delayed, sometimes stretching over a decade or two, due to geological factors, local pushback and a series of clearances. Goyal said NHPC has limited resources and may have to turn to the government to acquire the two smaller hydel companies. Limited resources If you look at NHPCs current capital allocation, out of the total cash generation, we have a commitment of around Rs 10,000 crore for capex, and then 50 percent goes as dividend pay-out. So, if we have to deploy an additional Rs 11,000 crore for capex in order to acquire the two hydel PSUs, then the dividend payout needs to be adjusted (reduced) somewhere. That's how we are considering it for now, he said. Financially, we have limited resources in NHPC's bucket. Senior officials in these hydel companies said on condition of anonymity that for NEEPCO, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, NHPC will need at least Rs 5,000 crore. For THDCIL, in which NTPC has 74.496 percent ownership and the Uttar Pradesh government has a 25.5 percent stake, NHPC will require about Rs 6,500 crore. Also read: Exclusive | No more wind energy; NHPC will focus on solar power, says official. According to analysts, the acquisitions may result in reduction of the dividend that the government gets from NHPC, which is equivalent to 5 percent of the companys net worth. Analysts requesting anonymity said Rs 1,700-1,800 crore of NHPCs profit, or about 50 percent of its profit, goes in dividend pay-outs. Such an acquisition can be possible if the 5 percent which goes as dividend pay-out to the government is reduced as it will then create a substantial amount of cash, which can be diverted to the acquisition. If it is a strategic consolidation of all public sector hydropower companies including SJVN, which is also into this power generation segment, then it could revive Indias hydropower story and increase its contribution in the countrys energy mix, said an analyst. Another analyst said the government of India doesnt have a direct shareholding in NEEPCO and THDCIL. Whatever shareholding is there, it is that of NTPC. The government has already taken its consideration, its share price from NTPC, for these entities. So, there doesnt seem to be any trade off or direct benefit for the government in this current proposal, unless it is a strategic consolidation, the analyst said. Hydropower contributes about 11 percent to India's energy mix, according to the Central Electricity Authority. NHPC has a 15 percent share (6,971 MW) of the total installed hydro-electric capacity of 46,850 MW. Hydropower is considered a flexible generator. Unlike coal-fired plants, the output of these units can be ramped up and down, in keeping with power demand. Also read: All tenders for Dibang hydropower project to be awarded by December: NHPC Ltd. Apart from ensuring energy security, India is looking at increasing its hydropower capacity in the Northeast for geopolitical reasons. China is on a mega dam construction spree on stretches of the Brahmaputra, called Yarlung Tsangpo, which pass through its territory. According to government data, the Brahmaputra alone can meet 40 percent of Indias hydropower potential. Delhi-NCR's leading milk supplier Mother Dairy turnover increased 17 per cent to around Rs 14,500 crore in FY23 on better demand across all categories, including fresh milk, value-added dairy products and edible oils, the company's top official said. The turnover stood at about Rs 12,500 crore in the previous fiscal year (FY22). "Overall, the growth was very healthy last financial year. Both in value and volume, we grew in almost all the categories. The growth in value-added dairy products was significant," Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd MD Manish Bandlish told PTI. He noted that the demand for value-added products like ice-cream, curd, butter milk and paneer was strong due to good summer, helping the company achieve handsome growth of above 30 per cent. When asked about the revenue of 2022-23, Bandlish said," Our revenue grew by 17 per cent last fiscal to around Rs 14,500 crore." He highlighted that the last two financial years have been very strong for Mother Dairy with a growth of 20 per cent in 2021-22 and 17 per cent in 2022-23. Bandlish said the growth in fresh milk and edible oils has been higher than the industry average. Out of the total turnover, he said the edible oil segment contributes around 20-22 per cent, while the horticulture (fresh-frozen fruits and vegetables) 6-7 per cent. Mother Dairy, which was commissioned in 1974, is a wholly- owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It was established under the initiative of 'Operation Flood', the world's biggest dairy development programme launched to make India a milk-sufficient nation. Mother Dairy manufactures, markets and sells milk and milk products including cultured products, ice-cream, paneer and ghee under the 'Mother Dairy' brand. The company sells edible oils under the 'Dhara' brand and fresh fruits & vegetables, frozen vegetables & snacks, unpolished pulses, pulps & concentrates, etc. under the 'Safal' brand. In Delhi-NCR, it has hundreds of milk booths as well as Safal retail outlets. Mother Dairy has nine company-owned processing plants for dairy. It also undertakes processing at third party facilities. The total milk processing capacity is over 50 lakh litres per day. For horticulture (fruits and vegetables) segment, the company has its own 4 plants, while for edible oils it manufactures through 16 associated plants. Fintech company One97 Communications, which operates under the Paytm brand, wants the government to bring payment segment devices under the production-linked incentive scheme to boost local production, a top company official said on Monday. Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said the company has started manufacturing soundbox devices in India even though local production attracts higher taxes compared to imported ones. While announcing the launch of two new models of payment soundboxes, Sharma said that India is a services-dominated country and there is a need to go towards manufacturing for job creation. Making software in India and importing devices from China to operate -- it is depriving the country of full advantage of the technology, he added. "Paytm soundboxes are completely made in India. We have done indigenisation of soundboxes. As we all know, we are under pressure from one new thing. When soundboxes come from overseas, duty is not levied on them but we are required to pay duties. My request to the government is to declare PLI on payment equipment," Sharma said. The company launched Paytm Pocket Soundbox and Paytm Music Soundbox for merchants. Merchants using Soundbox get to hear about payment alerts when they receive money. With the new music soundbox, they will be able to connect their phone to the device and listen to music as well. "My imagination is that there should be 4-5 crore soundboxes installed in the next 3-5 years in this country," Gupta said. As of June 30, 2023, the company had a subscription base of over 79 lakh merchants for Paytm payment devices like soundboxes and card machines. While I am a proponent of index funds to get large-cap exposure (read why here), it is also true that nowadays, passive investors are spoilt for choice as the number and variety of index funds in India have suddenly shot up. And given the increased interest, asset management companies (AMCs) also dont want to be left behind in this passive wave. They would want to gather as much assets under management (AUM) as possible; otherwise, competitors (other fund houses) are there to mop it up. But as an investor, how should you navigate this space? How should you pick index funds if there are so many confusing choices? In my view, there are just a few basic factors that you need to keep in mind while picking index funds for your portfolio. First step: Choosing the passive category Large-cap index funds are the most suitable category for most investors looking to start their own passive investments. One of the major reasons for taking a passive route to large-cap exposure is the consistent inability of most active large-cap funds to outperform the index. So, if you wish to take large-cap exposure, you can pick between Nifty50 or Sensex-based index funds. Technically, even the Nifty Next50 index funds qualify as large-cap funds. But in reality, its risk-return profile is a lot more like that of mid-cap funds. As for mid-cap or small-cap exposure, I think the active funds are still doing quite well compared to passive indices in this market segment. This might change in the future. But for now, if you are investing in this space, it is still okay to pick well-managed, proven active mid- and small-cap funds. Related Reading How to mix Active & Passive funds to build your MF portfolio As for sectoral / thematic index funds, I dont think these are needed. Most investors are better off investing in broad, diversified indices and dont need to take sectoral bets. In recent times, Factor Investing has also attracted many investors. If we look at the back-testing data, several factors seem to outperform and generate alpha over the plain vanilla index. But, in any given year, all factors will not work simultaneously. So maybe, at least hypothetically, there is a need to create a multi-factor portfolio to stabilise portfolio outcomes. This will help avoid being stuck with a single factor that continues to underperform. But all said and done, all these factor strategies are just based on back-tested data and, hence, lack a reliable and long track record. So, it is best to ignore these as well or limit the exposure to them. Shortlisting based on expense ratios Once you have chosen an index or two to invest in, the next question arises -- which scheme should you choose from the multiple AMC offerings based on the chosen index? That is to say, how to choose a Nifty50 Index Fund from among the 12 AMCs (say) that offer it. While the underlying portfolio of stocks is obviously the same, their expenses (or expense ratio) may vary for different reasons. The lower the expense ratio, the better it is for you as an investor. But beware. Many times, AMCs launch new passive funds with extremely low expense ratios to attract cost-conscious passive investors. But once sufficient AUM is gathered, the AMC may increase the expenses if need be. So, it is best to pick existing passive funds from your chosen category that have sufficiently large AUMs from a few large fund houses. That way, the benefit of a large AUM and its cost-efficiencies can be passed on to the investors. Also read | Midcap darlings of conservative hybrid funds for long term growth Filtering based on tracking errors and differences The job of an index fund (manager) is to simply replicate the portfolio of an underlying index. But there are various reasons (like impact costs, etc.) that make it difficult to achieve the replication. So, if a fund manager is unable to properly replicate the index in a low-cost, low-impact manner, then the index funds returns may not be exactly the same as the index being replicated. And this is where you need to review the metrics of Tracking Errors and Tracking Differences. The tracking difference is the percentage difference in returns between the index fund and its underlying index (on a total return index (TRI) basis) over a specified period. The tracking error, on the other hand, measures the extent to which the index funds returns deviate (annualised standard deviation of daily return differences) from the underlying indexs total returns. All AMCs offering passive instruments will regularly publish both of these figures on their websites. So for investors, the lower these figures are for the periods for which the schemes are being compared, the better it is. Happy passive index fund picking! Several real estate developers from Bengaluru, Pune and Ahmedabad have entered the Mumbai market over the last few years. DLF announced last week that it would re-enter the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with Trident Buildtech, which is developing a slum rehabilitation project in Andheri West. Real estate experts say that its primarily the margins, high sales and redevelopment opportunities that make Indias financial capital an attractive market for realtors. A few days back, real estate major DLF announced its re-entry into the Mumbai property market and said that it intends to launch close to nine lakh square feet (sq ft) of space in Andheri West by the end of this fiscal year along with its partner Trident Group, as part of the first phase of a project in the metropolis. DLF will pump in close to Rs 400 crore as equity to develop the entire project, which has a potential saleable area of 30 to 35 lakh sq ft, the company had said in an investor call on July 24. We will be developing the first phase of free sale area totalling approximately 9 lakh sq ft of the saleable area. This will be a pilot project to understand the market dynamics and apply these learnings to see how best we can apply our expansion strategy in this market, the company said. DLF will hold a 51 per cent stake in the special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will develop the project. Trident Group will hold the remaining 49 per cent, DLF CEO Ashok Tyagi told analysts. We reflected for a long time before re-entering the Mumbai real estate market...We are investing Rs 400 crore as equity for the entire project, which has a potential saleable area of 3-3.5 million square feet, he had said. DLF had said that Pegeen Builders & Developers Private Limited (Pegeen) agreed to enter a development agreement with Sahyog Homes to develop the first phase of the Slum Rehabilitation Project in Andheri (W). In 2012, DLF sold 17 acres of prime land in Mumbai to Lodha Developers (now renamed as Macrotech Developers) for about Rs 2,700 crore. DLF had bought the land from National Textile Corporation for Rs 703 crore in 2005. Bengaluru developers Real estate developer Puravankara has all along said that it was looking at expanding its presence in the western markets by focusing on more projects in Mumbai. Mumbai has always held significant interest for us as a prominent player in the real estate industry. Currently, we have two residential projects in the city Purva Clermont in Chembur and Provident Palmvista in Shilphata, Kalyan, said Abhishek Kapoor, Group CEO and director, Puravankara Ltd. The positive customer response we received serves as a resounding validation of our unwavering commitment to excellence and the quality of our offerings. As construction is in full swing for both projects, we are poised to announce new launches in the coming years that will enrich our portfolio and further strengthen our brands presence in Mumbai. Our approach towards Mumbai is a blend of strategic planning and versatility, encompassing redevelopment, society redevelopment, and brownfield projects. We envision a manifold increase in revenue streams from Mumbai over the next few years, he told Moneycontrol. Prestige Gruop, a Bengaluru-based developer, has invested approximately Rs 6,000 crore in Mumbai and launched close to Rs 2.3 million sq ft. While some projects are for redevelopment or are projects acquired via the NCLT, the vast majority have been on freehold or leasehold land parcels. If the right opportunity comes by, the company takes it up, irrespective of the nature of the development, Tariq Ahmed, CEO, West India, Prestige Group, told Moneycontrol. He added that the launches expected this fiscal year include Prestige Ocean Towers, in Marine Lines, and Prestige Nautilus, Worli. Asked why the company decided to venture into Mumbai, he said that the chief reason was because the city is the financial capital of the country. The consumption of real estate as well as the prices prevalent here are among the highest in the country. Hence it is a very attractive market for real estate developers, Ahmed explained. Earlier this year, Pune-based listed real estate developer Kolte-Patil Developers Ltd announced the launch of two redevelopment projects in Mumbai with the aim of strengthening its residential portfolio in the financial capital. The two launches in the western suburbs of Mumbai, named K52 in Khar and Alora in Kalina, Santacruz, have a revenue potential of Rs 110 crore and Rs 300 crore, the company had said. Ahmedabad-based realty developer Savvy Group has also entered the Mumbai market this year. Major real estate developers that have a good track record in their own markets are making their presence felt in Mumbai on account of better margins and high sales velocity, said Ritesh Mehta, Senior Director and Head, West and North, Residential Services & Developer Initiatives, JLL. Many of these developers are seizing opportunities that exist in the redevelopment projects segment by entering mid-way to fill in the gap as an executor of these projects. Both their leveraging and execution capacity is high due to which they get easy access to bank funding at reasonable rates. Besides, they are utilising the opportunity to diversify and expand to other markets, he said. US-based Asset Management Company (AMC) Vanguard has cut the fair value of ANI Technologies, the parent company of ride-hailing platform Ola, for the second time in three months, effectively valuing it at less than half of its previous valuation. Vanguard, which holds 166,185 shares of Ola or about 0.7 percent stake in the company, has pegged the fair value of its stake at $25,038,000 down from its acquisition cost of $51,748,000, the AMC's regulatory filings showed. This implies a valuation of $3.5 billion for Ola against its last private market valuation of $7.3 billion. In February, Vanguard had marked down the fair value of its stake in Ola by 35 percent, effectively valuing it at $4.8 billion. This is the fourth valuation markdown of Ola by the same investor. Vanguard Group cut the value of its investment in the ride-hailing firm by 45 percent in the first half of 2020 and another 9.5 percent in 2021. The second consecutive markdown of Ola by Vanguard highlights the stress in valuations at India's startup ecosystem, which is currently the world's third-largest. Investors have cut back on deals, especially late-stage significantly over the previous 12 months. Till July 2023, startups in growth and late stages secured $3.7 billion in funding across 146 deals against a seven-month aggregate of $12.4 billion raised across 272 deals in the seven-month period in 2022. India has also not seen a new unicorn (a startup valued at over $1 billion) for 11 months. Industry observers have also started raising questions about the depth of India's internet market. Startup founders like Zerodha's Nithin Kamath, PhonePe's Sameer Nigam, and Cuemath's Manan Khurma, along with veteran investors like SoftBank's Rajeev Misra, have recently suggested that founders oversold India's market, especially in 2021 while raising funds. Earlier this week, Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest AMCs halved the fair value of conversational messaging unicorn Gupshup to about $700 million. Other unicorns including Eruditus, Byju's, Swiggy, Pine Labs, and Pharmeasy have seen their fair values get marked down by US-based AMCs including Baron Capital and Private Shares Fund, alongside Fidelity. It is important to note that these adjustments to fair values are typically based on AMC's internal assessment of the macro and microenvironment. They do not necessarily indicate a permanent markdown in the startup's overall valuation. Dr Ranjan Pai, chairman of Manipal Group, is in early discussions to invest in Byjus owned Aakash, emerging as a white knight to help the embattled edtech firm. It also marks a full circle, as Pai was one of Byjus early investors. Byju Raveendran who holds a 30 percent stake in Aakash, is expected to partially offload his stake to Pai for $80-90 million, sources said. Raveendran would use the funds to repay about Rs 800 crore to Davidson Kempner after Byjus had a technical default on the loan it raised in May. Further, he would also look to release the pledge on shares of Aakash, which he had offered as collateral for the Davidson Kempner loan, the people quoted above said. While Pai had then invested through Aarin Capital, he is expected to invest this time via his family office. Byju's is further seeking another $200 million (Rs 1,600 crore) in Aakash as a part of the funding round and sovereign wealth funds are expected to come on board, the people said requesting anonymity. Aakash Educational Services, which Byjus acquired for close to $1 billion in 2021, has been the companys best-performing acquisition by far. But the due diligence for the deal has not been smooth. About 70 percent of the transaction was supposed to be in cash, while for the rest promoters of Aakash and Blackstone, which held more than 30 percent of the tutoring giant before the acquisition, were supposed to get equity in Byjus. But the shareholders of Aakash have been reluctant to execute the share swap, citing Byjus declining value, according to sources. According to a report by Mint, Blackstone was supposed to get an additional 0.7 to 1 percent stake in Byjus upon completion of the swap, while Aakashs promoters would have got 1.5 to 2 percent. The people quoted above said that as the valuation of Byjus has taken a beating over the past two years, Blackstone and Aakash promoters are not keen on swapping their shares with Think and Learn, the parent entity of Byjus. Davidson Kempner and Pai declined to comment. Byju's did not respond to queries sent by Moneycontrol. A seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Pai recently gave up a controlling stake in his chain Manipal Hospitals to Singapores Temasek, in what was the largest deal ever by a private equity fund in Indias healthcare sector. He also runs the Manipal group of educational institutions. It makes sense for Ranjan Pai to invest in Aakash, considering it is a cleaner structure and business model, generates profit and has a clear path to an IPO, said one of the people quoted above. Once Ranjan Pai comes on board, it will be easier for Byju to bring in other investors, the person added. If the funding is successful, it will provide much-needed relief to Byju's, which is currently grappling with various challenges, including immediate liquidity constraints due to a prolonged fundraise for its parent company, Think and Learn Pvt. The move also indicates Raveendran's intention to address his debts while inviting trusted equity investors to join the company's ownership, amidst an ongoing struggle with term loan B creditors based in the US. Ranjan Pai had first invested in Byjus in 2011 through his venture capital fund Aarin Capital, acquiring about a third of the company then. Aarin had eventually exited the company with bumper returns over the years, as Byjus raised over $5 billion over the past decade. Ranjan still believes in the Byjus story and that Byju wants to bring in people whom he trusts, said a second person in the know. Byju has been looking to ring-fence the company from investors who have explored hostile takeover, the person added. Back in June, Bloomberg reported that Byju's was in advanced negotiations with potential new investors for a $1 billion fundraising round, aiming to fend off efforts by certain investors seeking to reduce founder Raveendran's control over the startup. To be sure, Byju's has been actively pursuing a significant fundraising effort since the beginning of the year, but thus far, they have been unable to finalize the funding round, leading the company to implement various cost-cutting measures such as laying off over 2,000 employees, deferring appraisals, and relinquishing office spaces. In May, it signed a definitive agreement with Davidson Kempner to raise $250 million in structured instruments, linked with future cash flows of Aakash Educational Services. In May, it signed a definitive agreement with Davidson Kempner to raise $250 million in structured instruments, linked with future cash flows of Aakash Educational Services. But the beleaguered edtech did not meet certain covenants of the agreement, prompting Davidson Kempner to hold back more than half of the amount. According to a report in The Morning Context on July 31, Davidson Kempner has accused Byjus of financial misconduct. However, the claim could not be independently verified. In the same report, Morning Context also mentioned that Pai was looking to invest about Rs 500-700 crore in Byju's. North Carolina state Rep. Tricia Cotham shocked the country when the vocally pro women's rights to healthcare legislator suddenly switched parties to vote against women's rights. Turns out Cotham was encouraged to run and supported by Republicans while keeping Democrats at arm's length. The lengths that the Republican party will go to, to gain and hold on to power are astounding. Jezebel: Geojit's report on Agri Picks India received 3.9 mm rainfall on Monday, 55% below the weighted average of 8.6 mm, data from IMD showed. All four homogenous regions in the country received lower than normal rainfall. The east and northeast region received 40% below-normal rainfall at 6.5 mm. In the northwestern parts, rainfall was 62% below normal at 2.7 mm, and in central India, it was 55% below normal at 4.7 mm. Rainfall in the south peninsula was 65% below normal at 2.2 mm. Of the 36 subdivisions in the country, rainfall was 'large deficient' in 17 and 'deficient' in 14. One subdivision got 'large excess' rainfall and four subdivisions received normal rainfall today, according to the data. Since Jun 1, the country has received 467.0 mm rainfall, 5% above the normal weighted average of 445.8 mm for the period. India's 2023-24 (Jul-Jun) kharif acreage fell 0.2% on year at 83.03 mln ha, according to data from department of agriculture and farmers welfare. Acreage of paddy, the key grain in kharif season, was up 1.9% on year at 23.76 mln ha. The paddy acreage turned positive for the first time this kharif season as sowing activity picked up with the increase in rainfall activity. Monsoon rains, important for sowing rice in non-irrigated areas, were 7% above long-period average as of Friday. Since Jun 1, the country has received 448.6 mm rainfall, 7% above the normal weighted average of 418.9 mm for the period. However, still there remains serious concern as the key paddy growing region of east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and West Bengal have received deficient precipitation so far. The area under coarse cereals was 14.6 mln ha, up from 14.4 mln ha a year ago. Acreage under oilseeds was up 2% at 17.1 mln ha and area under pulses fell 11.3% at 9.7 mln ha. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has revised upward its estimate for exports of dry beans from Canada to 370,000 tn in 2022- 23 (Aug-Jul) from 323,000 tn in 2021-22. It has also raised its estimates for export of chickpeas to 235,000 tn from 176,000 tn last year. In its July report, the farm agency said that a rise in import demand from the European Union, the US and, Turkey has been partly offset by decreased exports to Pakistan. "Carry-out stocks are expected to fall sharply. The average price (of chickpeas) has risen to record levels due to smaller supplies in Mexico, Australia and Turkey," the agency said. The estimate for overall supply of chickpeas in Canada has been projected at 323,000 tn in 2022-23, compared with 395,000 tn in last year. The estimates for overall supply of mustard seed has also been increased to 179,000 tn from 130,000 tn in 2021-22. The agency reduced its price estimates for lentils, dry beans, and dry peas to $815 per tn, $1,165 per tn, and $450 per tn, respectively. Canada is one of the biggest exporters of lentils to India. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is responsible for policies governing production, processing and marketing of farm, food and agri-based products in Canada. For all commodities report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. 01082023 - comm Shares of Engineers India were down 2.4 percent at Rs 154.75 at 10.34 am on August 1, after hitting a 52-week high of Rs 160.50 earlier in the session. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has awarded the project for revamping of SV stations, gas terminal & kribhco terminal at Hazira plant on EPC reimbursable basis to Engineers India Limited (EIL). The total estimated order value is about Rs 837.34 crore with a project completion schedule of about 45 months. A meeting of the board of directors of the company will be held on August 2, 2023 to consider and approve unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results of the company for the first quarter ended on June 30, 2023. Catch all the market action on our Live Blog Projects win in June 2023 ONGC awarded the project for replacement of 03 CSU Off-gas compressors and 6 Regeneration Gas Compressors, installation of CBD vessel at Uran Plant under EPC Reimbursable basis to the company, of Rs 472 crore with a project completion schedule of about 40 months. Also, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has selected the company for providing consultancy services for updation of detailed project report (DPR) for Pottangi Bauxite Mines for enhancing raw-ore production. Jindal Steel and Power signed a contract with the company for supply of basic engineering and detail engineering for Direct Reduced Iron plant covering associated facilities at Angul, Orissa. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Shares of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) lost nearly 2 percent to Rs 9,660 at 9:20am on August 1 on concerns over the cash buyout of Suzuki Motor stake in Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG). The Q1 numbers too failed to match the expectation of most analysts. The country's leading automobile manufacturer reported a 145.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) jump in its standalone net profit at Rs 2,485.1 crore during the first quarter on the back of larger sales volume, improved realisations, cost reduction efforts, and higher non-operating incomes. Maruti announced that its board has approved the termination of the contract manufacturing agreement with Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG) and it will acquire the shares of SMG from Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in accordance with regulatory approvals. RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India, said that Maruti Suzuki will take over EV production at the Gujarat unit, replacing Suzuki Motor. "EV production at the Gujarat facility will now be done by Maruti Suzuki, instead of Suzuki Motor Corporation. Acquisition of Gujarat Plant will be completed by FY24 end," he said. The valuation of Suzuki's stake has not been determined yet, as it depends on the book value. The battery plant will remain separate from this deal, Bhargava said, adding that though they are open to purchasing the battery plant from Suzuki, a final decision has not been made yet. Follow our market blog for all the live action Several brokerages, however, remained upbeat on the company's first quarter earnings. Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited has said that stable growth in domestic passenger vehicles and a favourable product lifecycle augur well for Maruti. "We expect market share gains and margin recovery in FY24, led by an improvement in supplies, a favourable product mix and operating leverage." Analysts at Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities are of the view that MSIL's plan to expand production will help it to increase its overall market share. The company's increased focus on SUVs in its overall portfolio will boost margins. "We expect the sales momentum to continue in the coming quarters." Also read: Can Maruti SUV drive trigger renewed optimism in the stock? Brokerage firm Antique Stock Broking has said Jimny, Fronx, and Invicto, new additions in the SUV space, have plugged the product gap for the company in the UV segment. Analysts suggest that Invicto has an outstanding order book of 8,000 units in the first month of the launch. "It testifies MSIL's acceptance in the premium segment." The company is also capitalising on easing supply constraints. As a result, the order backlog has reduced and helped normalise inventory to four weeks at 125,000 units. Nomura has maintained a 'neutral' rating on the stock as the margin declined due to a rise in employee and marketing costs. Analysts at CLSA have a sell rating on the stock as EBITDA missed estimates and the current volume run rate is below the firm's estimates. Furthermore, if the company pays cash for the SMG acquisition, it could lead to a Rs 900 crore decline in other income in FY25. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Power Grid Corporation of India was trading almost 4 percent lower on August 1 morning, a day after the state-owned firm reported a 6 percent year-on-year decline in standalone profit at Rs 3,542.65 crore in the June quarter of FY24. Power Grid Corporation of India had posted a profit of Rs 3,765.93 crore in the year-ago period. Revenue from operations fell marginally to Rs 10,436.1 crore from Rs 10,446.08 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew 3.4 percent year on year to Rs 9,099.5 crore, with a margin expansion of 290 basis points at 87.2 percent in Q1FY24. One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. Catch all the market action on our live blog The companys board also recommended the issue of bonus shares in the ratio of 1:3, which means for every three shares that investors hold, they will get one additional share. The board recommended raising up to Rs 12,000 crore from the domestic market in the financial year 2024-25 in one or more tranches. The decision came after a committee of directors on July 29 approved the raising of upto Rs 5,700 crore in FY 23-24 through bonds in multiple tranches to meet the firms capex requirement and to provide inter-corporate loans to wholly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures. The funds will also be used for general corporate purposes by securitization of cashflows of 4 operational special purpose vehicles including Powergrid Bhuj Transmission Limited, Powergrid Khetri Transmission System Limited, Powergrid Medinipur Jeerat Transmission System Limited & Powergrid Varanasi Transmission System Limited upto March, 2034. At 9.55 am, the share was trading at Rs 257.7 on the National Stock Exchange, down 3.89 percent from the previous close. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Reliance Industries and Brookfield Asset Management on August 1 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities to manufacture renewable energy and decarbonisation equipment in Australia. The MoU aims to accelerate and de-risk Australias energy transition by enabling it to locally produce clean energy equipment such as photovoltaic modules, long-duration battery storage, and components for wind energy, the company said in a press release. This will help Australia transition to a net zero future, it added. In March this year, Brookfield had also signed a binding agreement with EIG to acquire Origin Energy. The proposed acquisition is currently going through the relevant approvals processes. As part of its proposed acquisition of the Origin Energy Markets division, Brookfield along with its institutional partners and global institutional investors GIC and Temasek have set out a plan to invest between A$20 billion and A$30 billion over the next ten years to accelerate its energy transition. Follow our live blog for all the market action "We are establishing these types of global partnerships in manufacturing now to allow us to get started as quickly as possible given the ever-reducing timeline for Australia to reach its first emissions-reductions targets in 2030," Luke Edwards, Brookfield Renewable Head of Australia, said. Moreover, Anant Ambani, Director, Reliance New Energy, is confident that both companies will provide a fillip to the global green energy movement. India's clean energy sector, which is expected to grow to a $200-billion market and see cumulative spending of $2 trillion by 2050, is the next key trigger for Reliance Industries' stock, financial services firm Bernstein has said. "We believe the clean-energy business to be worth Rs 200 a share today but with plenty of scope for expansion over time," Bernstein said in a June 9 report. The value is nearly 8 percent of the company's current market price of around Rs 2,500 a share. It expects RIL to potentially achieve $10 billion of revenue from the new energy business in 2030, which represents 40 percent of the TAM (total addressable market). At 9:20 am, Reliance Industries was quoting at Rs 2,544.55 on the NSE, lower by 0.18 percent from the previous close. Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) on Tuesday reported its best-ever monthly sales in July at 21,911 units. The company's total dispatches to dealers increased by 11 per cent last month to 21,911 units, as compared to 19,693 units in July 2022. Last month, the company's domestic wholesales stood at 20,759 units, while exports accounted for 1,152 units. TKM previously posted its best monthly wholesales in May 2023 by selling 20,410 units. "The month of July has been tremendous for the company, we are thrilled to have recorded our highest wholesales ever by selling 21,911 units. We are witnessing an overwhelming response to our entire product range," TKM Vice President (Sales and Strategic Marketing) Atul Sood said in a statement. Given the mid-year sales trend and the favourable demand sentiments, coupled with increase in production by adding a third shift operation, the automaker is confident of recording one of strongest years in the country, he added. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Private sector lender Yes Bank on August 1 said that the bank is not looking to acquire Spandana Sphoorthy. The statement from the lender came after a media report suggested that the bank is evaluating whether to acquire the microfinance institution. The Bank would like to clarify that such news articles reported by the media are completely based on media/market speculations, it said in a statement. The lender further said that it plans to grow its base in the sector specifically for the priority sector through organic and inorganic means. Also read: Yes Bank doesn't depend on large deposits anymore: Prashant Kumar Towards this and as also in the usual and ordinary course of its business, the bank continues to explore various alternatives including tie-ups and partnership opportunities, joint ventures, strategic investments, portfolio buy-outs, merger, and acquisition opportunities, the lender said. On June 15, similar media reports said that Spandana Sphoorthy is likely to be acquired by Yes Bank. The micro-finance institution (MFI) in a statement denied any such development and termed the report as incorrect and speculative. Earlier, in an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Prashant Kumar, MD and CEO of Yes Bank, said that the bank has plans to buy an MFI. Absolutely, we would be exploring the possibility of acquiring an MFI to address our issue on the shortfall in the PSL (priority sector lending), Kumar said. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Ministry of Environment and Forests and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have told the Supreme Court the death of five adult cheetahs and three cubs at KNP is troubling but not "unduly alarming, and the surviving big cats are being captured and medically examined as a precautionary measure. Under Project Cheetah, a total of 20 radio-collared animals were imported from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh and later four cubs were born from Namibian cheetah Jwala. Out of these 24 feline, eight including three cubs have died. Some cheetahs were reported to have developed infections due to radio collars. The joint affidavit, filed on behalf of the environment ministry and NTCA, said the provisional diagnosis of mortality events points towards "natural causes and none of the cheetahs have died due to unnatural reasons such as poaching, snaring, poisoning, road hits, electrocution etc. "It is respectfully submitted that the NTCA today has no reason to believe that the mortalities were caused on account of any inherent unsuitability at the Kuno site, it said. The affidavit said the general scientific awareness is that being an integral part of the ecosystem, cheetahs in general have a very low survival rate of 50 per cent in adults even in non-introduced populations. Non-introduced cheetah populations are essentially native species. "In the case of introduced population the survival rates are even much lower taking other variables into account which may lead to about 10 per cent survival in cubs, and thus, mortalities (at KNP) though troubling and in need of redressal and curtailment are not unduly alarming, it said. Giving the details of each and every cheetah death, including three cubs, translocated from South Africa and Namibia, the NTCA said the programme for their introduction is being implemented in accordance with the 'Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India. "As per the said action plan, the mortality of cheetahs before release into free-ranging condition may happen due to intraspecific fights, diseases, accidents and post-release of animals into free-ranging condition, the mortality might result from injury caused during the hunting of prey, poaching, road hits, poisoning and predatory attack by other predators etc. Considering the possible scenarios the Action Plan has made provision for annual supplementation of the initial founder population annually for managing the demographic and genetic composition of the introduction population, it said. The NTCA said out of 20 translocated adult cheetahs, 15 adult cheetahs and 1 Indian-born cub are surviving as of date. The authority said a steering committee comprising experts from various fields such as wildlife, forest, social science, ecology, veterinary sciences etc. has been constituted to oversee and monitor the effective implementation of project cheetah. "Further, for veterinary care, day-to-day management and monitoring and other specific aspects related to ecology and behaviour of cheetahs is being done in consultation with internationally experienced cheetah experts, when and where required, and in conformity with the scientific Action Plan. The best possible veterinary support and health care is provided to the cheetahs to ensure their survival in the natural ecosystem, it said. The affidavit said in view of the recent deaths, various steps have been taken to ensure the well-being of the surviving cheetahs. Highlighting the steps, it said all remaining cheetahs are being captured and critical medical examination is done. Thirteen 13 adults and 1 cub have already been captured and treated. It said prophylactic treatment is being administered to all surviving cheetahs and a review of project implementation is being undertaken. The affidavit said international experts are being consulted and further training and capacity building of veterinarians, frontline staff and officials in cheetah management is being undertaken. On July 20, the top court observed that the death of eight cheetahs in the KNP in less than one year doesnt present a "good picture and asked the Centre to not make it a prestige issue and explore the possibility of shifting the animals to different sanctuaries. The top court, while voicing concern over the feline deaths, had asked the Centre to file a detailed affidavit explaining the reasons and remedial measures taken. The top court had on May 18 expressed serious concern over the cheetah deaths and asked the Centre to rise above politics and consider shifting the animals, which became extinct in the country in 1947-48, to Rajasthan. The top court is hearing an application filed by the Centre seeking direction from the court that it is no longer necessary for the NTCA to continue taking guidance and advice from the expert committee appointed by the apex court through an order dated January 28, 2020. The Centre had said in its application that according to the action plan for cheetah introduction in India, annually 8-14 big cats are required to be brought in from African countries at least for the next five years, and a memorandum of understanding to that effect has been signed by the government of India with Namibia and South Africa. The devil, as they often say, is in the details. And so it is with the The Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act 2023, passed in the Rajasthan Assembly on July 24 to nearly universal fanfare. The need for some form of social security measures for gig workers was so acutely felt that this Act is currently lauded with messianic zeal just for the good intentions behind the law. There is a good chance that other states will follow suit and therefore, a closer scrutiny can instruct areas for improvement. The Gig Landscape Around 7.7 million workers are employed as gig workers in India according to a NITI Aayog report released in July 2022. This is due to grow three times by 2029-30. Zooming in on Rajasthan, there are 2.25-2.70 lakh gig workers in the state. In the gig economy, people are contracted for specific tasks or gigs and paid for that gig alone. Since they are not employees, they do not receive any benefits, such as pensions, insurance, or even well-defined leave from work. There is also considerable variability in income levels, which hampers any form of financial planning. Platforms or aggregators that hire gig workers have absolved themselves from providing any of these benefits by emphasising that the personnel are partners and not employees. The bigger problem is that the nature of gig work in India is quite different from how the sector originally evolved. By design, a gig worker does small, temporary freelance tasks when they have extra time or idle resources for instance, hypothetically, an Economics professor is done with research for the day and undertakes a couple of trips on Uber in the evening to earn beer money. In India, however, there is little difference between gig work and full-time employment. A delivery partner relies entirely on delivery service for their income, and so does an Uber driver. The only small difference, however, is that they can choose between different aggregators drive for Uber in the morning and Ola in the evening. Technically, this should be referred to as multi-homing employment. Rajasthans Proposed Solution While the minute details of the Act can be found elsewhere, heres a summary. The Act proposes to: 1. Levy a cess (specific tax) on every transaction (between 1 and 2 percent) 2. Register every gig worker, aggregator and record all transactions (a data privacy nightmare!) 3. Constitute a welfare board that will implement welfare schemes for the gig workers accidental and health insurance, pension, scholarships, and anything else they may deem fit. 4. Impose fines on errant aggregators While there is a skeletal architectural structure for the welfare of gig workers, the Act delegates the actual welfare measures entirely to the board. The only mention of what will be done with the cess is about the payment of salaries to board members. The success of the bill is entirely dependent on the functioning of the board and unfortunately, from past evidence, constituting a welfare board is no panacea for welfare of workers. There is a similar cess and welfare board for construction workers in many states and their performance has been dismal. Will Benefits Reach Workers? Of the 87,000 crores collected through cesses on construction transactions, nearly 44 percent or 38,000 remain unused, despite many workers claiming woeful working conditions and lack of a safety net. Even Rajasthan has a utilisation rate of about 55 percent. The relatively successful example of this model is the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and other manual workers welfare board, but even that has had mixed results related to workers getting the full benefits and having agency. The other logistical issue is of distribution of benefits. Given that all the resources (collected through cesses) are pooled in a centralised account, is every individual who is registered on the platform equally entitled to the benefits? Is the aforementioned Professor who has done two Uber rides in a month equally entitled to pension as a person who does gig work 12 hours a day? This is a crude socialisation of social security and removes individual incentive. To avoid this, the board will end up getting greater (arbitrary) discretion of when to disburse funds and we will get stuck in a soul-crushing bureaucratic quagmire. A better model, as Takshashilas Nitin Pai suggests is to use the existing Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-UPI architecture and have individual welfare accounts to make targeted payments based on volume of transactions. The sums in the individual accounts can still be used to buy group insurance for health, accident, and life, have a pension fund and even generate long term returns that can be used to grant scholarships, etc. Some Macro Questions The inevitable question that arises is about the need for a cess to pay for social security. Individuals and corporations already pay taxes, direct and indirect (including when they use the gig economy), which is supposed to cover basic social security. The next valid question is why only gig workers or construction workers? Surely, contract employees in factories deserve social security. So do street sweepers, domestic help, waiters, and every form of non-corporate employees. We might end up putting a cess on every economic transaction, which is nothing but the indirect tax (or GST). Finally, there is an invariable issue of federalism that props up. In an ideal cooperative federalism scenario, this sort of mechanism should be done at the union level, as having different state wise laws and registration for a fluid nationwide digital service makes little sense. However, in election times, the state government may not want to cede space and credit to the Union, which will be quick to whip up an acronym and seize the political mileage. Anupam Manur is a Professor of Economics at the Takshashila Institution, an independent think tank and school of public policy. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. A few weeks ago, on a Monday morning, India woke up to the news of the break-up of the Vedanta-Foxconn joint venture which was planning to build the much-coveted silicon-based integrated circuit (IC) fabrication units or semiconductor fabs as popularly known. Amidst media headlines suggesting a blow to India and prime minister Modis ambitious plans of semiconductor manufacturing in India, the minister of state (MoS) for the ministry in charge of overseeing the Rs 76,000 crore incentive scheme for the semiconductor industry in India put out a tweet. The overall emphasis of the tweet was that since Foxconn did not have expertise in semiconductor fabs, the breakup of the joint venture (JV) hardly has an impact on Indias plan. However, the question now is, was it a case of zero minus zero is a zero and so no loss? While this author is also of the view that Foxconn was never a useful partner to Vedanta in a mission to start silicon-based high-volume chip fabs, had questioned the partnership in the past, and does not subscribe to the view held by some quarters that Foxconn would have been able to bring customers, a big question that arises after the break up is, currently who owns the 40nm technology license which Vedanta Foxconn Semiconductor Ltd (VFSL) was said to have possessed from STMicroelectronics before the breakup? Vedanta? Foxconn? Or neither? The tweet on July 10 from the MoS gave a ray of hope as he mentioned: Vedanta thru VFSL has recently submitted a 40nm fab proposal backed by tech licensing agreement from a global semicon major which is currently being evaluated by the India Semiconductor Mission Tech Advisory group. ISM is the nodal agency in charge of reviewing the applications, which unfortunately is yet to employ full-time industry experts 18 months since inception. Blurred Picture On July 20, the Economic Times quoted PTI as, Vedanta yet to submit application for chip unit, find partner. Around the same time, the MoS was quoted in an interview as saying, The proposal is likely to stay with Vedanta or be replaced by a fresh one from Vedanta and that The legal entity that applied continues to remain, and any equity changes were not relevant to the proposal. He also said, We will certainly have, very soon, an announcement of a 40nm silicon fab. ISM however has not been able to deliver on such promises in the past. By July 22, the language had changed further, in an interview with the Indian Express, Both Vedanta and Foxconn have said they will send proposals to set up fabs in India, so we will have two proposals when earlier there was only one proposal it was now becoming increasingly clear that the earlier application submitted by VFSL is likely to be considered invalid. Two days later, in an interview given to WION, the MoS said, I am hopeful and I am reasonably confident that in the coming months, they (Vedanta and Foxconn) will be submitting proposals and giving visibility of the 40nm technology partner that they are both talking to individually. So even the re-application process is months away and both are still talking to a technology provider. Interestingly, it is the junior minister who is defending this continued delay while Union electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw seems to come into the picture only occasionally. On a different note, India calling Chinas semiconductor manufacturing journey unsuccessful is questionable because as per the state of the industry 2022 report by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), China is first both in wafer fabrication with 21 percent of global share and chip packaging with 38 percent. India is not even in the picture. The MoS has also been repeatedly hinting at converting the SCL fab at Mohali into an India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC). While public-private industry partnerships are welcome, this author is of the opinion that the more the academia controls the ISRC, the lesser will it be of use to the industry. Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho and also a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), once tweeted about academic research often getting caught up in the publish or perish culture which makes you polish up stupid stuff as if it were great work, cloaking it in esoteric jargon. He also emphasises, and rightly so, that industrial R&D is not the same as academic research. It will be crores down the drain if multi-million dollar equipment which can ideally process hundreds of wafers every hour are bought using taxpayers money and used only to publish papers. Arun Mampazhy is a semiconductor engineer. Twitter: @nano_arun. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. For the second straight year, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center did not crack the Top 50 in the annual U.S. News & World Report ranking of the countrys top cancer hospitals a list that Western New Yorks premier cancer hospital used to appear on regularly. The 2023-24 rankings, released Tuesday, did not assign Roswell Park a numbered ranking it only ranks the Top 50 but the Buffalo institutions overall score of 51 (out of 100) was the 95th-highest score among cancer hospitals. That was better than Roswell Parks score last year of 48.9, though that figure was the 76th-highest mark a year ago. In an email to employees Tuesday, President and CEO Candace S. Johnson blasted U.S. News & World Reports methodology, saying the process the publication uses to build this feature is surrounded by significant and well-founded questions and criticisms. Roswell Park spending up to $500,000 on PR firm focused on diversity, equity and inclusion Western New York's premier cancer institution is looking to hire a public relations firm to promote its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, a contract with an estimated value of $50,000 to $500,000 over a term of three to five years. Know this: This list says nothing about the care we provide to our patients, Johnson said in the message, which Roswell Park shared with The Buffalo News. You have shown in so many measurable ways that we should take pride in Roswell Parks care for our patients. U.S. News simply does not do a good job of understanding, measuring or highlighting what is truly exceptional in cancer care today. Johnson said U.S. News & World Report bases its conclusions about cancer patients outcomes on a narrow category of inpatient cases that do not reflect modern cancer care. She said the publications methodology favors centers in large cities and those with a high percentage of patients on traditional Medicare plans. Meanwhile, it unfairly looks at a tiny fraction of care at centers in smaller markets like Buffalo, Johnson wrote. U.S. News & World Report confirmed that its patient outcome data, which is 45% of the overall score, includes traditional Medicare members but not Medicare Advantage patients. The methodology and Johnsons criticism of it underscores the love-hate relationship that hospitals, colleges and many other institutions have with numbered rankings. For years, Roswell Park was a mainstay in the Top 50, ranking No. 34 in 2021 and peaking as high as No. 14 in 2020 and 2019 a ranking it still promotes in its advertisements around the area, such as inside Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Cheektowaga. Roswell Park, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, also made the Top 50 in 2018, 2017 and six years in a row from 2010 to 2015. Experts have long advised patients to use the hospital rankings as a starting point to make health care decisions. While the U.S. News & World Report rankings are just one of many, hospitals zone in on the rankings and when things go well use them to recruit physicians and to market to patients. Larry Zielinski, a health care administration expert at University at Buffalo and a former Buffalo General Medical Center president, said the reason U.S. News & World Report focuses on traditional Medicare patients is because the data is readily available. It is a limited segment of the population, he said, but health systems have typically been hesitant to share data that can be easily compared and understood. Still, he advises patients to carefully scrutinize how rankings are computed. In my experience, when hospitals are highly ranked, they trumpet the results, Zielinski said. When they are ranked poorly, they usually find some blemish in the methodology and downplay them. I would advise patients to dig a little into the rankings when comparing two hospitals and focus on those quantitative measures, he said. If used like that, the rankings can be a useful tool. Methodology battle On its face, Roswell Parks rapid drop in ranking from two years ago doesnt seem to make sense, said Dr. Stephen Edge, the cancer centers vice president for system quality and outcomes and a professor of oncology. Theres been some jumpings in rankings for us and a number of other cancer centers, but nothings really changed, said Edge, a breast cancer surgeon. People are still getting the same excellent care they got at Roswell Park three years ago, five years ago, 15 years ago. If anything, its getting better. But because U.S. News bases its patient outcome data on only those with traditional Medicare who are admitted to the hospital, he said the publication is missing a significant segment of Roswell Parks patients and failing to account for how more cancer care is shifting to outpatient centers. Because of the small numbers of patients, the ups and downs, the jumping in the rankings, are due to slight changes in that, with just a few patients here and there, Edge said. So its a flawed methodology. They use it because thats the only information they can get on every hospital in America. Roswell Park falls out of Top 50 in U.S. News cancer hospital rankings The 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report rankings labeled Roswell as "high performing in cancer" but did not assign the cancer center a numbered ranking. Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News & World Report, said in a statement that the publication appreciates the constructive and ongoing dialogue it has had with Roswell Park leadership about its methodology. The publication said early last month it is working on numerous methodological refinements to keep pace with the evolution of health care. Some of those changes were included in the 2023-24 Best Hospitals rankings, while others are in development and may be introduced next year. Future U.S. News methodology refinement may include supplementing traditional medical data with data on commercially insured patients, incorporating social risk into our risk adjustment algorithms, and broadening our study of outpatient outcomes for services such as uterine and prostate cancer surgeries, Harder said. Roswell Park is not the only hospital that has criticized the rankings. The University of Pennsylvania Health System announced in late June that it would discontinue active participation in the annual U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings, which are now in its 34th year. That system, too, pointed to the need for greater transparency and access to more comprehensive quality data beyond the narrow information collected by the publication. In the 2023-24 rankings, U.S. News & World Report did, however, dub Roswell Park high performing in six conditions/procedures: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma; colon cancer surgery; lung cancer surgery; ovarian cancer surgery; prostate cancer surgery; and uterine cancer surgery. While Johnson in her message to employees congratulated those services, she said that Roswell Park for years has urged U.S. News & World Report to improve its methodology. We will not promote Best Hospitals in its current form, as it simply doesnt reflect the quality of care at Roswell Park, Johnson said. It cannot be used as a measure of our success. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs assertion that if his party, the Pakistan Muslim League, won the forthcoming parliamentary elections then the party chairman Nawaz Sharif will be the next prime minister of the country may be unusual but not a surprising decision. Nawaz Sharif had remained the de facto leader of the PML (N) and the Pakistani Prime Minister had rushed to London on several occasions to consult him on crucial issues. Traditionally, a sitting prime minister seeks a fresh term if his party wins the election. The Nawaz Sharif factor To announce Nawaz Sharif as the next prime minister is not surprising. It is the logical culmination of a process that began months back to pave the way for Nawazs return. Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former prime minister and Shehbaz Sharifs elder brother, has been in self-exile in London since 2019. It is also a candid acknowledgement on Shehbaz Sharifs part that he is not a vote-catcher and to make the PML (N) win Nawaz has to be projected as the future prime minister. Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party has made heavy inroads in the Punjab province, the traditional stronghold of the Sharifs, in recent years. Punjab is politically the most significant province in the country as it is not only the most populous but also has 50 percent of the parliamentary seats. Imran Khan has been able to spread his influence in Punjab and the bulk of the youngsters who throng his rallies have been from the province. Nawaz Sharif, who rose to political prominence as chief minister of Punjab in 1985 before becoming the Prime Minister, was an extremely popular leader in the province before his governments ouster in 2017 on a corruption charge. He was prime minister twice before that but like most Pakistani prime ministers was unable to complete his full five-year terms. In 2018, the Supreme Court barred him from contesting the election and later that year Imran Khans PTI won a massive mandate to rule in the parliamentary election. Nawaz Sharif was convicted for seven years and after spending some time in jail, he was released for treatment. He left for London in 2019 and has lived there in self-exile since. Efforts to get Nawaz Sharif back Frantic efforts have been made by the Shehbaz Sharif government in past months to get him back to the country to counter Imran Khan politically. An Act was passed by Pakistan some months back which allowed Nawaz to get the earlier decision of the Supreme Court that barred him from contesting elections reviewed. The Pakistani Prime Minister said Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in the next few weeks and indications suggest that he will also take charge of the PML (N) election campaign. Shehbaz Sharif also clarified recently that the parliamentary elections will be held under a caretaker government, which will be headed by a neutral person and not a political leader to ensure non-partisan and free and fair elections. Once Nawaz Sharif returns, he will certainly be able to motivate and rejuvenate the cadres and supporters of the PML (N). But he could still face a tough challenge from Imran Khans PTI. Imran Khan the most popular leader Imran Khan is currently the most popular leader in Pakistan. A Gallup poll survey in March showed Imran Khans popularity rating to be 61 percent while that of Nawaz Sharif was around 36 percent. The huge gap in their popularity could be because Imran Khan was present in the country and Nawaz Sharif was away in London in self-exile at the time the Gallup survey was conducted. Over the past years, Imran Khans popularity has also grown in Punjab. In the Punjab provincial by-elections held in July 2022, Imrans PTI had won 15 of the 20 seats. He repeated this feat during the by-election of the National Assembly Seats from Punjab in October last year by winning six out of seven of them. But now Nawaz Sharif is being brought back to change the opinion in the ruling PML (N)s favour. Nawaz and the army Nawaz Sharifs political rise had begun with the armys patronage and support. In 1990 when the army wanted to counter Benazir Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party clout, it propped up Nawaz Sharif and he became Prime Minister. But in subsequent years Nawazs independent streak ran against the armys interest and proclivity to keep civilian leaders in check. The difference between Nawaz Sharif and the army establishment became sharper when the Pakistani Prime Minister responded warmly to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modis overtures to normalise bilateral relations. The top military echelon got worried that Nawaz Sharif was building ties with India without keeping them in the loop. This became evident when Modi made an impromptu visit to Lahore in December 2015 for a brief meeting with Sharif. The subsequent ouster of Sharif as prime minister in 2017 was the armys way of showing that it is the generals who call the shots in Pakistan and not the civilian head of government. However, the current army chief Asim Munir was nominated by Shehbaz Sharif with Nawaz Sharifs approval. The decision to bring him back to the country is also being done with the armys blessings as the military establishment in the country is looking for a strong and popular civilian leader who can challenge Imran Khan. But there is no doubt that Nawaz Sharifs popularity and influence will be seriously contested if Imran Khan is allowed to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Opposition leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday to raise the Manipur issue after their demand for the prime ministers statement in Parliament followed by a comprehensive discussion on the violence in the state remained unfulfilled. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had sought time from President Murmu on behalf of the opposition parties to discuss the Manipur issue, and the President has granted time to them on Wednesday at 11.30 am, party leaders said on Tuesday. The delegation will also include 21 MPs of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) who visited Manipur on July 29-30. The opposition is demanding a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed by a discussion under Rule 267 after suspending all other House business, while the ruling dispensation wants a short-duration discussion on Manipur which will be replied to by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The opposition parties have now sought the Presidents intervention in the matter, claiming that the violence in the BJP-ruled northeastern state is continuing unabated. "The 21 INDIA party MPs who visited Manipur on July 29th and 30th will be meeting with the Honble President of India on August 2nd at 1130 am. They will be accompanied by the floor leaders of INDIA parties, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said. The opposition parties have also been demanding the dismissal of the Biren Singh government in Manipur over the violence which started on May 3. The opposition parties said they will continue to raise the demand for the dismissal of the BJP government in Manipur before the President during their meeting on Wednesday and will seek her intervention in ensuring the restoration of law and order in the state. The delegation of 21 opposition MPs, on its return from the ethnic strife-torn state, had apprised the leaders of the INDIA alliance about the situation there. The delegation visited the affected areas and met people in relief camps in both the hills and the valley. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the opposition delegation to Manipur, has described the situation in the state as "grave. Florintree Advisers Pvt. this month bought a 15% stake in BotLab Dynamics, an Indian drone maker that specializes in light shows, for about 200 million rupees ($2.4 million), according to Mathew Cyriac, the investment firms founder and a former Blackstone Inc. dealmaker. The transaction values BotLab at about 1.2 billion rupees, he said. We had evaluated at least 15 drone makers in India before this investment, Cyriac said. BotLab is a deep tech company which brought electronics, control systems and hardware together, he added. BotLab was established in 2016 at the technology business incubator unit at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, according to its website. Three years later, the countrys Army Design Bureau asked the startup to demonstrate its drone swarm technology with 10 drones. In 2022, BotLab put on a light show with 1,000 drones that formed images and transitioned from Mahatma Gandhis image to showcasing the 75th anniversary of Indias independence. BotLab will use the fresh capital for product development as well as getting into applications in defense and surveillance, Cyriac said. It plans to export to other Asian countries and the Middle East later, he added. The bet on BotLab came about a year after Florintree invested around 1 billion rupees in IdeaForge at a valuation of 8.5 billion rupees. IdeaForge earlier this month went public after an initial public offering that raised about 5.7 billion rupees. Its shares have risen nearly 70% from the IPO price, giving the company a valuation of around 47 billion rupees. Florintree didnt sell any shares in IdeaForges IPO and remains its single largest shareholder with an 11% stake. The investment generated a return of over 570% based on its latest market value, Cyriac said. Cyriac joined Blackstone as its second employee in India in 2006 and eventually became the firms co-head for private equity in the country. He bought precision engineering firm Mtar Technologies Pvt. from Blackstone in 2017 when he left the buyout firm. Mtars shares have surged more than 270% since their debut in 2021. Three other companies that Florintree is backing could go public in the coming year, Cyriac said. They are in the digital and precision engineering sectors, he added. In a horrifying incident from Australia, a woman was rushed to the hospital after dogs dragged her out of her wheelchair to attack her. The attack took place on a 51-year-old woman in in Palm Island, off Townsville, on Monday night. The dogs even ripped off her ear and she was also bitten on her neck, head and arm, the police told 7News. It is believed that the woman might have broken her arm during the attack. After being rushed to the island's hospital, she was flown to Townsville University Hospital in a serious condition. She lost her entire right ear according to ABC News. A spokesperson of the hospital informed that the woman is now in a stable condition. The Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council confirmed that they located the two dogs and euthanised them, as per ABC News. In addition, the owner of the dogs has been given a notice to comply with the by-laws to restrain their other dogs. The name of the woman was not released. She also underwent a surgery after the horror attack. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept An elderly womans lifelong dream of embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca was shattered when her entire life savings were consumed by a swarm of termites. The incident garnered widespread attention after the Malaysian womans grandson shared the incident on social media, accompanied by shocking images of the ravaged banknotes. According to reports, the unnamed senior citizen had diligently set aside RM30,000 (approximately Rs 5.40 lakh) in a box, hoping to make the sacred journey to Mecca in 2024. However, her dreams were reduced to fragments as she discovered that the termites had chewed the banknotes into leaf-like shapes, rendering them worthless. Khairul Azhar, her grandson, recalled the harrowing experience of witnessing his grandmother's life savings reduced to tatters. He attempted to salvage the situation by sending half of the destroyed bills to the Central Bank of Malaysia, hoping for replacements. The damage to the other half was beyond repair. In his post, he also wrote that the incident serves as a sign that it was not his grandmother's time to go to Mecca. He also warned against storing money at home. The incident sparked a wave of empathy and concern on social media, with users sharing their suggestions and cautionary tales about the perils of storing cash at home. Many suggested that cash should be converted to gold to store at home. Termites' appetite for wood-based materials, including banknotes that contain cellulose, has resulted in similar incidents in the past. A Chinese woman lost a staggering $65,000 (over Rs 53 lakh) to termites back in 2013 in a similar incident. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept India has proudly held on to its unique position as the pharmacy of the world with the numbers that it commands on the global stage. However, as the regulatory landscape evolves pharma companies need to transition from volume play to value play. How exactly can they navigate this transition to unlock sustainable growth and profitability? What R&D strategies and investments need to be in focus for the future? What is the role that Indian pharma companies can play in the emerging global healthcare ecosystem? These are some of the questions that an eminent panel of industry leaders and experts comprising Tapan H. Sanghvi, MD, U S Pharma (I) Pvt. Ltd., Manoj Saxena, MD, Bayer Zydus Pharma and Country Division, Suresh Pattathil, President - OPPI and General Manager, AbbVie India, Vijay Chawla, Partner & Head Life Sciences, KPMG in India, Achin Gupta, CEO, One India business at Cipla, Yugal Sikri, MD, RPG Life Sciences and Maharukh Rustomjee, Chief Scientist Founder & Managing Partner, Amaterasu Lifesciences LLP, discussed at the KPMG CNBC TV 18 panel discussion on Transforming Dilemmas into Decision-Making. For Indian pharma companies theres big opportunity in the global pharmaceutical market, which is currently estimated at about $1.5 trillion. Indian companies can tap these emerging opportunities, as a number of products get off patent and biosimilars come into play. Vijay says, in the next five years or so, the number of products that get off patent is close to about 200 billion dollars for annual, that's the sales, and with biosimilars coming, I think there's an estimate that by 2027, it should be about 70 billion dollars. He also sheds light on the resources that India can leverage, for example, its R&D ecosystem with its global alliances and big investors stepping into the picture to partner with premier institutions. If you look at just the ecosystem that India has on the R&D side, on the alliance side, I think there's a big play that is available today. In terms of leverages, the schemes the government has announced, the Rs 15,000 crore outlay but utilization at only about two hundred odd crores, all these factors Indian players can tap to move from volume to value play. At this juncture, it is critical priority for pharma players to create better offerings for patients through differentiated products and more advanced offerings in order to unlock growth, profitability and sustainability. We need to create better offerings for the patients. I would say the biggest lever for that is creating differential products including more advanced offerings and that can be on various fronts. One of them is delivery technology, says Achin. Giving an example he adds, We focus on respiratory, where we have orals and trying to move people onto inhalation. within inhalation, we have more sophisticated devices focus. There are other avenues like new and complex treatments and therapies, which are becoming more accessible and affordable with improving income levels and insurance cover. These are the kinds of initiatives that pharma companies can take to move up the value chain. The second important thing is to have more patient centricity that can be manifested by saying that instead of a pill provider can I now participate in the journey of the patient, he elaborates. For pharma companies it is important to keep an eye on the emerging trends. If you can pick the right trends, you create the right consumer insights end up creating brands which translate into value, says Achin. He points out digital and technology related interventions that Indian pharma companies can work to their advantage. These can lead to deeper market penetration and widening footprints. Volume needs to come with sustainability and for this to happen pharma companies need to look at how technology can help them achieve it. For example, how do you engage patients digitally, or how do you improve automation at the facilities, Achin elucidates his point. All this is ultimately in sync with the goal of sustaining volume, but alongside volume, companies must create more value on top and more sticky business on top so that they create the ability to invest further. Talking about the transformations that can create a much more conducive environment for fostering innovation, Suresh says, that the industry has moved from simple chemical entities to more targeted therapies for patients and the question now is about the access to those therapies in India. The key to this will be how Ayushman Bharat, for example, evolves from simple medical and surgical treatments to more innovative drug treatments as it moves along, he adds. Pointing to the big missing middle not covered by any schemes, he says how the healthcare system evolves in the future will dictate the access to innovative therapies for all the patients who require it. If you look at the whole access story, you have a 50% of the people covered by the Ayushman Bharat. You have another top 5 to 10% covered by the public sector organizations, like CGHS, or they could even pay for the therapies. But then, you have a big missing middle. Giving the example of Glaucoma, he explains that a big driver for the Indian pharma market will be diagnosis and origination of patients. There are eight million patients of Glaucoma but only two million are getting treatment. The remaining six million are unaware that they are suffering from the disease. This is true for many diseases, and this will be a big driver for the growth of Indian markets. In terms of innovative drugs, there needs to be more evolution of the world pharma healthcare system in India which will provide access to those innovative therapies to patients. Throwing light on R&D, investments, challenges and risks, Manoj says, We all know pharma research is a risky affair. It costs more than two billion dollars to find a new treatment and the treatments are life changing. For companies wishing to walk the path of innovation and trying to create value at a global scale there can be many challenges. The improving life expectancy in India is partly because of the innovative distance that pharma sector has traversed. With the changing demographics of the country with more ageing population, a lot of resources will go into oncology, cardiovascular drugs, and also newer ways of treating diseases. We are looking at personalized therapies, he adds. India is playing a critical role in this and virtually for every global clinical trial we are enrolling patients. Manoj says this is important because when those therapies are launched in India, we have to look at the nuances for Indian patients. What really needs to be done to make India, a global value creator? What sort of government support is required, what is the biggest challenge for an industry player? Maharukh enlightens: India hopes to become a ten trillion economy soon and to achieve that goal we need to have innovations in all spheres and in pharma specifically we need a lot of research because we need to solve our problems ourselves. The set of problems that the country faces are unique, which we cant keep on looking at others to solve. Driving home the importance of developing Indias human capital Maharukh says, the spending in research unfortunately is driven by the government, which goes to all government laboratories. Although there is a lot of research happening in these labs, they need to come out of labs and reach markets. The premier institutes of higher education, which are less than one percent, conduct research and also corner a large part of the government funding. In more than 90 to 95 percent institutions research is not taught which leads to a deficit in manpower for research. We need to develop human capital and the new education policy is thinking in that direction. The new research policy passed recently will drive this, Maharukh adds. We also need to create the infrastructure, the culture and the ecosystem that retains talent else it results in brain drain. Unless we have that research ecosystemwe cannot maintain our talent, says Maharukh and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between industry, academia and pharmaceutical start-ups as it is going to build it (the ecosystem) and bring the solutions for our country and also add values so that we can innovate for India and innovate for the world. Maharukh suggests an Innovate in India initiative just like Make in India. There is a need for research-linked incentive schemes, supportive policies, and regulators as enablers to help companies that are into innovation. Intellectual property protection is not at the level that gives confidence to people to invest in research in India, says Maharukh, adding these are critical factors for pharma companies to build value. The vibrant Indian start-up ecosystem has big advantages, for example, start-ups can apply for accelerated patent grant or for some research funding. Things are definitely, moving in the right direction for them, but we really need to build the research human capital and the infrastructure, Maharukh adds. Yugal is confident that every pharma company, big or small can contribute to volume to value game. For a small or mid-sized company, the way to contribute to the volume to value movement could simply lie in identifying certain niche areas and adding value to it in such a way that we are not only strong in domestic business, but we are also strong in global business. On Indian pharma companies ability to embrace customer-centricity, he says, patient centricity scope exists across the treatment journey starts from awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention at each stage there is scope for us to bring patient awareness. By talking about the disease, and the effects of it, you are making the patient much more enlightened about the disease, and he gets many queries answered The second important thing is diagnosis and lots of positive things are happening in disease detection camps. Giving the example of Arogya Parivar initiative, he calls it an excellent initiative for patient centricity, where you have a set of people who are working on increasing awareness, diagnosis level access to the doctor, and on the other end, there is another section of the company working on making affordable medicines to the same segment of people. This is a perfect example of patient centricity to rural population, which is 67% of the country, but is responsible for only 22% of the sales in the country. They are the people who need access. The third important aspect is treatment. How do we talk about adherence? There are wide variety of ways to do this, and smaller innovations can bring a lot of patient compliance or patient adherence for chronic disease management. The entire patient continuum if we pick up, we get lots of impactful interventions which can help us to bring the concept of patient centricity in the operations that we do, Yugal explains. Sharing his views on how Indian pharma companies are unlocking sustainable growth and profitability using technology, Tapan says, Indian pharma has overwhelmingly accepted and embraced technology, right from the word go. This has helped companies to shorten the whole process cycle and improve operational efficiencies leading to learnings about differentiated data sets, which in turn have improved analysis resulting in better margins, better profitability, and better turnaround. Talking about AI in the pharma sector, Tapan adds, These are now being used primarily for accelerated drug discovery. These new technologies are helping companies shorten the process cycle, from getting a product synthesized to getting a product manufactured, whether it is for trials or for mass production. AI is helping companies across the spectrum from API manufacturers to formulation manufacturers. And this is going to be a very exciting space to watch out for in the future, he shares. On the need for collaboration across industry, academia, and government to shorten the journey from lab to market for pharma products, Manoj comments that technology is already playing its role in R&D and also in the entire journey of a product from pre-clinical to clinical trials to market. For innovation to thrive you need an ecosystem and for that ecosystem you need industry-academia collaboration in India. There is a need to look at how pharma companies can bring in collaborations and partnerships. What are the incentives? India also needs to look at the access models because some of these pathbreaking therapies require significant investments. Hence, there is a need to look at this and find the answer to how do you go to market, which would help innovation to thrive. It is the collaboration of academia, companies and investors which makes innovation happen. The journey from the lab to the market is a long one, says Suresh. The first step is to start with some great initial basic research happening in government labs or other labs, which can be picked up by investors, private equity players, start-ups, or by big pharma who take it forward from there to clinical trials, phase one, two, three and finally at the end of the journeyalmost $2.6 billion is what somebody spends for a drug to reach a stage where it is commercialized in the marketplace. You need to have risk capital, you need to have a great idea for the target, the disease, and the type, which you are going after, and you need to have somebody to take it from the lab to the market. If you have all these three things happening, then we have people in the next 10 years; have targeted therapies homegrown in India and hitting the global markets, which will definitely drive it from the volume where we are to a value market. If you really look at it, while we are the pharmacy of the world, we are playing in only five percent of the 1.5 trillion global market. Vijay emphasises the importance of quality which is taken for granted. Providing a glimpse into the stringent quality requirements in the pharma industry, he says, In terms of just the USFDA approved sites outside of the US, the largest is in India which is about 665. The number of inspections by USFDA increased by more than 100% just in FY22 compared to twenty-one. The inspection reports point to many challenges, for example, in drugs and biologics, the number of inspections went up eight times last year. the number of 483s that were issued were over about 450warning letters again about 42 based on site inspections. Its not a good story to tell. That these warnings have come despite the time, effort and money that companies have spent on quality, is self-revealing. Technology is the answer to it, Suresh says while pointing to the absence of quality culture in the industry. If you look at these inspection reports, one common thread that comes out very clearly is the quality culture. We need to build the culture of quality in India and that is very critical. And that combined with technology is something that we can achieve, he concludes. With digital technology available, it has become easier to make sure where the issues lie in the manufacturing system. The solutions which are available, to my mind, are not that expensive, Yugal asserts adding, small and mid-size players also can afford them. For small companies, The only way to grow is to consider global as their territory rather than India only as their territory. So, if they want to expand, I think you have got to be quality driven, and you must inbuild quality systems in your manufacturing. Quality is not an option, and we must take it as a lever or driver for business expansion, he emphasizes. Quality and compliance are non-negotiable in global pharma as every ingredient used in the products is globally dictated and validated, remarks Suresh. He however emphasizes the need for a lot of quality orientation training for the MSME sector. As regards big pharma companies, they have to a large extent quality management systems and digitalization in place. He suggests handholding of MSME sector by large pharma players to see how we can bring about the learnings from the large pharma to the smaller manufacturing units along with processes and systems for quality control. Quality orientation in small manufacturers will go a long way in ensuring self-regulation. Self-regulatory body will be a good step in the right direction in terms of making people conscious that quality is non-negotiable, he says. Achin seconds Yugal adding, theres knowledge transfer from big to small companies, which is part of the process. He feels a little bit more regulation, whether it is self-regulation or through inspections, or through knowledge transfer, is necessary. This would help Indian pharma keep raising the bar on quality as a country. This is not a debatable topic. It is something that simply has to be done, he adds emphatically. Many companies are taking up measures to boost productivity by undertaking enhanced market research, improving product availability, optimizing supply chain, etc. Giving insights into how Indian companies are doing this, Tapan says, they have always asked their partners to step into the rural areas and towns and speak to the doctors there. The purpose is to make them understand nuances of the product and the therapy areas where they will be useful for the patients; figure out through the post marketing exercise what they have actually been conveying to patients and how effective the strategy has been as a way of breakthrough into that particular market. This is one thing that we've done as a company, he explains. As regards the robustness of Indias pharma supply chain, Manoj says Covid proved that pharma industry works beautifully with the supply chain network in the country to make sure that every single patient who needed our drugs, got it. The distribution network in India is pretty good and technology is definitely helping pharma sector become more efficient. The ability to look digitally into inventories and logistics has brought in immense efficiencies into the entire supply chain system. As regards the pharma start-up sector, There's a lot of knowledge in the start-up ecosystem, says Maharukh. There is also a lot of collaboration in the start-up space with academic institutes. Academia gets to learn from start-ups how to do research in such a way that it can be commercialized. We have a win-win situation, and we can work on a lot of these unmet needs which we identify together, adds Maharukh. However, what they do need is more support from the regulator. There is a lot of advice, but I think if it is available to the start-ups where they are in the ecosystem, it will be very, very helpful, she emphasizes. Developing human capital is critical and skill sets of quality are needed, as quality is driven by the people. Part of research is driven in the minds of our scientists, and they need to be able to think in that direction so that they can do research on an unmet need and come up with a solution, which can be commercialized. Unless it can be commercialized, we cannot add value, Maharukh emphasizes. Discussing the people challenge in taking the pharma industry from being a volume to a value player, Yugal says, Human capital is the most important factor when you approach any project. It is equally critical to build this resources system within the organization as also across the ecosystem. It is all about being open, as knowledge can only grow when you share it. Achin emphasises the importance of skilling as pharma is a science-based sector. Summarizing the takeaways Vijay says, first, if Indian players could look at using collaboration and the ecosystem as an important step, second the availability of risk capital and third patient-centricity, availability of data, digitally making sure that this data is available for players that's going to be very critical. All these will be key to how Indian pharma plays out on the global stage. To add to these, innovation, collaboration, and investments are some of the crucial ingredients that can make India rise up the value chain in the global pharma industry. Moneycontrol Journalists were not involved in the creation of the article. A senior analyst at Goldman Sachs disappeared after attending a concert in New York City, early Saturday morning. The incident happened weeks after another man vanished from the same venue and turned up dead, according to the police and his friends. John Castic, 27, was last seen about 2:30 am outside The Brooklyn Mirage near the Williamsburg neighbourhood of Brooklyn after an electronic music show, the police told Fox News. A missing person flyer showed that he was wearing a navy and white button-down floral shirt. "One of my best friends, John Castic, went missing after the Zeds Dead show Friday night in NY. Any information would be greatly appreciated, as well as sharing this to anyone in NYC that might have seen him, his friend, Sara Kostecka, shared a post on Monday on Facebook. She also mentioned that she had heard rumours about concert-goers being asked to "hop in a taxi/cab from some creepy people" near the music venue. "Im supposed to walk with him in my brother's wedding next weekwe just want to find John," she added. According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), Castic was reported missing on Sunday. His phone died at some point after the concert and hasnt been on since, said another friend of Castics named Jonah Shales. "Were absolutely very worried about him. No one has had any contact with him, Shales added. After graduating from DePaul University, Castic started working at Goldman Sachs about a year ago, according to his LinkedIn profile. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Indian government has ordered a drugmaker whose cough syrup was linked to the deaths of at least six children in Cameroon to stop manufacturing, it said on Tuesday, the fourth Indian company to face a crackdown over tainted medicines. The move comes as Indian regulators step up inspections at drugmakers after cough syrups made in the country were linked to the deaths of dozens of children overseas, denting Indias image as the "pharmacy of the world. Riemann Labs, based in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, was ordered to stop manufacturing activities after an inspection by central and state drug regulators, Deputy Health Minister Bharati Pravin Pawar told the parliament. Rajesh Bhatia, one of the three directors at Riemann Labs, according to the companys website, told Reuters by phone that he wasnt aware of the matter. He did not answer further questions and his phone was later unreachable. India has suspended manufacturing licences for three cough syrup makers so far. Pawar did specify if Riemanns licence was also suspended. Cough syrups made by two of the three firms were linked to the deaths of at least 89 children in Gambia and Uzbekistan last year. The companies deny any wrongdoing. The World Health Organization said last month that a batch of cough and cold syrup sold in Cameroon under the brand name Naturcold contained extremely high levels of a toxic ingredient. The agency has sought help from Indian authorities to establish the origins of the syrup. Pawar did not name the cough syrup sold by Reimann in Cameroon. India has tightened its testing of cough syrup exports since June, making it mandatory for companies to obtain a certificate of analysis from a government laboratory before exporting products. As waves of layoffs from global companies that started last year refuse to die down, most employees continue to be on tenterhooks regarding their jobs, future careers, and financial prospects. Amid this, a career expert has shared notes on how to figure out if a company has been planning job cuts. Suzy Welch, career advisor and CNBC contributor, told the publication that there are some signs that will "send shivers down your spine". Follow news on your company Sometimes the earliest canary in the coal mine is the industry media, Welch told CNBC. "Monitor your company online by reading what industry analysts and other experts are saying on different platforms about its finances and prospects. Subscribe to newsletters, blogs, and outlets that cover your industry to keep a closer look at trends in your sector," she said. Pay close attention to your companys financial health Earnings reports and guidance, and movements in its share price offer a fair idea of how a company is doing financially.You have to have the discipline to take a look at what the markets are saying about your company and which way the stock price is going, Welch said. Observe your boss for clues Maintaining a trusting relationship with your manager or supervisor can ensure that in case there is a layoff coming up, you may hear of it in advance from your boss, as they will know before you. Your boss is a human being. A boss will share that information with members of the team that they really trust, Welch told the publication. Watch for cost-cutting Cost-cutting is also a sign to watch out for before any impending job cuts. For example, cancellation of events programmes, projects, perks and even appraisals. Anything that signals resource cuts that are not people, companies generally will try to cut projects, programs, and events before they start cutting staff. You can be concerned that they are coming for people next, Welch said. Read more: Byju's employee shares tearful video: 'Was told to resign or else my salary On July 31, Go First informed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that it was seeking its consent to refund the ticket fares of 15.5 lakh passengers, amounting to Rs 597 crore. The application was moved under Section 60 (5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, which empowers the tribunal to adjudicate on any issue in relation to the insolvency resolution process. The Resolution Professional (RP) chose to file this application as there is little clarity on the status of money received by a company in the insolvency process for a service to be rendered in the future. In Go Firsts case, the airline had taken bookings for a day beyond its grounding i.e., May 3. It now proposes to refund the same in order ensure that its resumption of service is smooth. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had also asked the RP to inform it of a mechanism to refund passengers whose flights were cancelled pursuant to the airlines grounding on May 3. Lawyers have opined that the application is likely to provide legal clarity on issuing refunds when a company has taken money to render services in the future. Addressing customer claims during insolvency is not a straightforward matter as the IBC provides a mechanism to resolve insolvencies, but does not explicitly outline the treatment of customer claims, such as refunds for cancelled tickets, noted Aditya Chopra, managing partner at Victoriam Legalis, Advocates & Solicitors. The Go First case could set a precedent for failing airline companies with regard to customer refunds during insolvency. If the NCLT permits the airline to refund passengers, it may signal a shift towards considering customer claims as valid during insolvency proceedings. This is a plea that doesnt seem to be within the four corners of the IBC code. It is, in essence, a pleading to keep the airline in business, making sure that it doesnt leave behind disgruntled passengers. It would be interesting to see what legal provisions the NCLT would apply to grant such a right, if at all it does, notes Archana Balasubramanian, partner, Agama Law Associates. Not a first This is, however, not the first time the tribunal has had to deal with ticket refund claims. In the Jet airways insolvency case, refunds were processed as part of the resolution plan. The refunds, however, were presented as a resolution plan, which was subsequently accepted by the tribunal. In Go Firsts case, however, the tribunal has been asked to pass orders to this effect. Aditya Vardhan Sharma, Counsel at SKV Law Offices, noted that this is not the first time the NCLT is adjudicating on refunds, and that normally, refunds fall under the category of operational debt. The question of whether a claim regarding refund of advance payment where services have not been provided by a party, despite receipt of such advance, can be considered as operational debt under the IBC has not been conclusively settled. This question, if addressed in the Go First Case, will surely be a precedent on refunds in the context of failing transport companies, he said. CoC, IBBI response to play key role During the hearing on July 31, the tribunal sought responses from the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBB) and the Committee of Creditors (CoC) of the airline. The tribunal also opined that it would be appropriate if the RP obtained a resolution from the CoC on refunds, since it would have a direct bearing on them. In this case, since the RP is looking to refund the money to the ticket purchasers, it will reduce the asset size of the company, which was frozen as on Insolvency Commencement. It will also impact recovery for the other creditors to the extent of Rs 580 crore. Hence, it seems the NCLT has asked the RP to take approval from the CoC in this regard, said Nakul Mohta from Chambers of Nakul Mohta and Misha Rohatgi Mohta. The IBBI is expected to file a response on the classification of the nature of the liability that the airline has with customers. The IBC broadly classifies creditors into two categories: financial creditors and operational creditors. Financial creditors are those from whom the company has borrowed money; operational creditors are those to whom the company owes money by virtue of its operations. Banks can be classified as financial creditors while workmen and employees can be classified as operational creditors. Under IBC, any kind of dues that are payable by the Corporate Debtor as on the insolvency commencement date are usually claimed as operational claims or financial claims under prescribed forms, said Shashank Agarwal, an advocate at the Delhi High Court. In the present case, the situation is different. Such monies are paid by the customers to the websites/aggregator/marketplace providers and kept in a separate escrow-like account. Thus, as long as the money is lying in such an account, the Corporate Debtor cannot lay claim on such monies. It will be interesting to see whether the NCLT, COC and IBBI take the view that such a refund is part of the ongoing business of the airline, as part of its revival, said Prashant Mara, managing partner at BTG Legal. He added that India needs a travel insurance product for delays and cancellations caused due to such insolvencies. The case is expected to be heard by the NCLT on August 7. Go First was admitted into the insolvency process by the NCLT on May 10. On May 22, the NCLAT upheld the order admitting Go First into the IBC process. Plans to redevelop a derelict and burned-out former factory along the Scajaquada Creek into a 50-unit apartment waterfront apartment complex are ready to advance into demolition, remediation and construction, after Savarino Companies on Monday earned city Planning Board approval. More than a year after initially proposing and winning clearance for a larger project at 1 Howell St., the Buffalo-based company is preparing to start work on its $15 million venture to redevelop a 130-year-old industrial warehouse. In the process, it will clean up a highly polluted parcel that has been used for industrial manufacturing and petroleum distribution and storage. Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week. The proposed five-story, 49,000-square-foot building will contain 14 studio, 28 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments. The 0.53-acre site on a dead-end street will also offer 58 on-site parking spaces, including 26 semi-submerged spaces underneath the four apartment floors. Savarino has to undertake an $2 million remediation of the property, which has very substantial contamination from petroleum, solvents and other pollutants, making it much dirtier than a typical cleanup site in the City of Buffalo, project attorney Sean Hopkins said. Savarino intends to clean the property to residential standards under the state Brownfield Cleanup Program. Built in the 1890s, the 24,488-square-foot warehouse was originally home to the American Buffalo Robe Co, whose workers made robes and lap blankets from bison hides to warm passengers in open-air carriages. But it was later used by Ashland Oil for petroleum distribution and storage, and, more recently, it was occupied by general contractor Mar Con Erectors before it suffered heavy damage in a fire. Its now the subject of Housing Court proceedings.Savarino wants to start the demolition and cleanup this year, but doesnt expect to begin construction until spring 2024, with 18 to 20 months of work ahead. But first, the company which has the property under contract has to close on the property purchase, expected within the next two weeks. The project has gone through multiple iterations over the past two years, as Savarino worked with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, neighbors and city officials on the design. The current plan is a reduction from Savarinos previously approved proposal of 66 apartments in a 60,000-square-foot building, which had four above-ground floors, but a larger footprint. That is because the developer had to shrink the project after the DEC required it to restrict the new construction to roughly the same shape as the existing factory that will be torn down, and to raise the lower level by a few feet, to avoid digging up too much and too far into the ground. Savarino also dropped plans at least for now to buy and redevelop the adjacent city-owned lot at 18 Howell for more parking and townhomes. Even so, neighbors including Assumption of the Blessed Catholic Church on Amherst still opposed the plan as too big, saying it would create traffic and parking problems, and would infringe on the nearby waterfront parkland. Its going to compound problems. Thats what were worried about, said Susan Cholewa, an Amherst Street resident. Im all for increasing people in my neighborhood, but its got to be done well. Its got to be good development. China recently shut down a Macho Restaurant which reportedly had provocatively dressed male waiters feed women customers mouth-to-mouth. The racy eatery, which was opened in April in the popular tourist destination of Xishuangbanna Dai, raised both eyebrows and temperatures, leading to it being shut down by authorities after videos of scenes recorded inside it began circulating online, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. No need to go to Thailand, you can experience a male model restaurant right here in Xishuangbanna! Beijing Youth Daily quoted a social media user as saying. As per reports, the self-styled "Macho Restaurant" had tall and muscular men, some shirtless, others dressed in tank tops, performing provocative dance routines for its women diners. They even offered shoulder massages. Some of the waiters even fed the women mouth-to-mouth and wiped their mouths afterward. Business was not doing well, so to boost customer numbers, the restaurant hired well-built actors to perform," a staffer at the restaurant told Beijing Youth Daily. Initially, there were just six actors offering relatively normal dance performances. When customers filmed at the restaurant and shared the videos online, the restaurant owner saw it as a promotional opportunity. The Macho Restaurant, with an average cost of around 110 yuan (Rs 1,263) per person, had also received positive reviews on Dianping -- one of Chinas most prominent platforms for crowd-sourced reviews on catering services. Many reviewers praised the male models for their impressive physique and passionate dancing. Some even compared it to the famous Magic Mike live show in London which was conceived and co-produced by stripper-turned-actor Channing Tatum and has raunchy dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts presented by performers from around the world. The show is open only to adults. Read more: Bihar restaurant fined Rs 3,500 for not serving sambar with masala dosa USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A US-based plastic surgeon has come under fire after being accused of injecting a patient with blood contaminated with pea-sized plastic beads. Karl William Schwarz, the surgeon in question, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the plaintiff was a disgruntled patient with ulterior motives. The alleged incident took place during a procedure at 305 Plastic Surgery in Miami, Florida in January 2021. Amidst the ongoing legal battle, Schwarz has agreed to pay nearly $14,000 in fines and case fees. The 34-year-old woman had previously undergone a Brazilian Butt Lift and liposuction at the same clinic in 2019, performed by a different surgeon. Seeking additional treatments, she turned to Schwarz for another round of the same procedures. Schwarz's attorney, Gregory Chaires, explained that the surgeon had taken the necessary precautions before the operation, asking the patient if she had received any implants or injections, which she allegedly denied. Additionally, she signed a disclaimer that warned about potential complications if any foreign objects were found during the liposuction, which might hinder the transfer of material to her buttocks. During the surgery, the doctor found the patients blood contaminated with plastic and he stopped the surgery for the sake of her health and to avoid complications. The patient was seen recovering after the failed procedure. Schwarz denied the patient's further allegations, pointing out that the mention of blood being injected into her buttocks in the operation report was a misunderstanding by the person who took notes during the procedure. The legal battle began in January 2022 when the patient took action, expressing frustration at not receiving a refund for the butt lift that the surgeon was unable to perform. The woman accused Schwarz of providing "substandard care" and demanded accountability for the alleged contamination incident. In an effort to bring an end to the protracted legal dispute and refocus on his medical practice and family, Dr Schwarz agreed to a settlement agreement. The terms of the agreement stipulate a payment of $7,500 in fines, $6,196.11 in administrative costs, and mandatory training in medical record keeping and risk management, totalling three and five hours, respectively. Read: This woman sold her house for plastic surgery: I look fabulous but live in a van Despite agreeing to the settlement, Schwarz has maintained his innocence and firmly denied any wrongdoing. His attorney reiterated, "Nevertheless, as Dr. Schwarz wishes to put this matter behind him so that he may return his complete focus to his patients and family, he has decided to enter into the proposed Settlement Agreement." Robert Bosch has opened a new test centre for chips and sensors in Malaysia for 65-million-euro ($71.62 million) and plans to invest a further 285 million euros by the middle of next decade, the German technology group announced on Tuesday. Up to 400 jobs will be created by the mid-2030s, it added. Bosch currently carries out most of the final testing of its semiconductors from its factories in the German cities of Reutlingen, Germany, Suzhou, China and Hungary. Those locations will be joined by the new test centre in Penang, for which Bosch is receiving funding from Malaysia. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept China will continue to work with its all-weather ally Pakistan to take their strategic ties to new heights, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said as the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the launch of the ambitious CPEC infrastructure projects in the South Asian country for regional connectivity. In his congratulatory message to the 'Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' (CPEC) celebration event held in Islamabad on Monday, Xi said the USD 60 billion CPEC infrastructure programme is an "important pioneering project" of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is opposed by India as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The event was attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan. "China will work with Pakistan to aim for high-standard, sustainable and livelihood-enhancing outcomes and further build the CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation," Xi said. "Since its launch in 2013, China and Pakistan have been advancing CPEC under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and have achieved a number of early harvests," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency. Xi, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, said the CPEC has added new impetus to the economic and social development of Pakistan and laid a good foundation for regional connectivity and integration. He said the project is a "vivid testament to the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan", and provides an important underpinning for building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Stressing that China and Pakistan will continue to improve overall planning and expand and deepen cooperation, Xi said no matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan, the report said. "China and Pakistan will continue to work hand in hand and forge ahead in solidarity to carry forward the ironclad friendship, coordinate development and security," Xi said. He said the two countries will continue to "pursue the cooperation of higher standards, broader scope and greater depth, and take the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, so as to make an even greater contribution to peace and prosperity in the two countries and the broader region". The key agreement for the CPEC projects was agreed in 2013 but it was formally launched when President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in 2015. The BRI was launched by Chinese President Xi in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. The BRI is seen as an attempt by China to further its influence abroad with infrastructure projects funded by Chinese investments all over the world. The initiative also led to allegations of smaller countries reeling under mounting Chinese debt after Sri Lanka gave its Hambantota port in a debt swap to China in 2017 on a 99-year lease. Meta Platforms is preparing to launch a range of artificial intelligence (AI) powered chatbots that exhibit different personalities as soon as September, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Meta has been designing prototypes for chatbots that can have humanlike discussions with its users, as the company attempts to boost its engagement with its social media platforms, according to the report, citing people with knowledge of the plans. The Menlo Park, California-based social media giant is even exploring a chatbot that speaks like Abraham Lincoln and another that advises on travel options in the style of a surfer, the report added. The purpose of these chatbots will be to provide a new search function as well as offer recommendations. The report comes as Meta executives are focusing on boosting retention on its new text-based app Threads, after the app lost more than half of its users in the weeks following its launch on July 5. Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Facebook parent reported a strong rise in advertising revenue in its earnings last week, forecasting third-quarter revenue above market expectations. The company has been climbing back from a bruising 2022, buoyed by hype around emerging AI technology and an austerity drive in which it has shed around 21,000 employees since last fall. Bloomberg News reported in July that Apple is working on AI offerings similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard, adding that it has built its own framework, known as 'Ajax', to create large language models and is also testing a chatbot that some engineers call 'Apple GPT'. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Myanmar reduced ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's 33-year prison sentence by six years in a partial pardon on Tuesday, as the junta struggles to quell bloody resistance to its rule. The country has been ravaged by violence in the two years since Suu Kyi was deposed in a coup and hit with 19 criminal cases ranging from corruption to breaching Covid-19 rules. There have been concerns for the 78-year-old Nobel laureate's health and the junta moved her from prison to a government building last week. "Six years imprisonment will be reduced," junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told reporters after it was announced she had been pardoned in five cases. Suu Kyi still faces 14 cases despite the pardon. Rights groups have condemned the legal battle against her as a sham designed to remove a popular democratic leader from the public eye. Former Myanmar president Win Myint, who was also removed in the 2021 coup, was granted a four-year reduction in relation to two cases, the junta spokesman said. - 'Cruel games' - "She couldn't be freed completely, although some sentences against her were pardoned. She still has to face 14 cases. Only five cases out of 19 were pardoned," a legal source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. Tuesday's announcement was part of an amnesty of more than 7,000 prisoners to mark Buddhist Lent, including 125 foreigners who are to be released and pardoned. An unspecified number of prisoners facing the death penalty also had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment, the announcement said. David Mathieson, an independent analyst on Myanmar, said the partial pardon was a "cynical ploy to tell the world that there might be some kind of political resolution coming. When we know that there is not". "I think they are just playing cruel games with a political prisoner," Mathieson told AFP. "All the charges against her are absurd and shaving six years off 33 isn't mercy." - Still popular - Suu Kyi was detained on the night of the coup in February 2021 and has only been seen once since -- in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom in the military-built capital Naypyidaw. She was required to attend almost daily hearings in the junta court to hear cases against her ranging from corruption to possession of illegal walkie-talkies and flouting coronavirus restrictions. In July, Thailand's foreign minister met Suu Kyi, the first known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained, although details of what they discussed are not known. She remains popular in Myanmar, even after her international image was tainted by a power-sharing deal with the generals and her failure to speak up for the persecuted Rohingya minority. But many of those fighting for democracy since the coup have abandoned her principle of non-violence and taken up arms to try and permanently root out military dominance of Myanmar's politics and economy. As a result, much of the Southeast Asian country is in armed conflict, with thousands killed since the coup, more than a million displaced according to the United Nations, and the army struggling to assert its dominance. According to a local monitoring group, more than 3,800 people have been killed since the coup, a figure the junta puts at 5,000. With unrest raging, the junta announced on Monday it would extend a state of emergency by six months, which is likely to delay elections promised for August. The military cited alleged widespread voter fraud during elections in November 2020 as a reason for its coup, which sparked huge protests and a bloody crackdown. Those polls were won resoundingly by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, with international observers saying at the time the polls were largely free and fair. Myanmar regularly grants amnesties to thousands of prisoners to commemorate holidays or special Buddhist dates. The junta released some 23,000 prisoners after the 2021 coup in a move that human rights groups feared at the time was aimed at freeing up space for military opponents. More than 24,000 people have been arrested since the military booted Suu Kyi's government from power, according to a local monitoring group. Almost 20,000 remain behind bars, according to the latest figures. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 1 offered talks with India to address all serious and outstanding issues as he said "war is not an option for both countries as they fight poverty and unemployment. Sharif made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Minerals Summit here. The meeting, organised under the slogan of 'Dust to Development, aimed at bringing foreign investment to the cash-strapped country. "We are prepared to talk with everyone, even with our neighbour, provided that the neighbour is serious to talk serious matters on the table because war is no more an option, the prime minister said, in an apparent reference to India. Prime Minister Sharifs comments came amid continued strain in ties between India and Pakistan on a number of issues including Islamabads continued support to cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir issue. India has also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir "was, is and will always be part of the country. Prime Minister Sharifs remarks came as his coalition government is getting ready to face an election at the completion of the five-year term of Parliament on August 12. It is expected that the National Assembly, the lower house, will be dissolved a few days before the end of the term to provide more time for the next elections. The prime minister talked about the history of wars between Pakistan and India. The wars in his opinion resulted in an increase in poverty, unemployment, and lack of resources to finance education, health, and well-being of the people. He said Pakistan's nuclear capability was for defensive purposes and not for aggression. "Because if there is any nuclear flashpoint, who will live to tell what happened? So (war) is not an option, he said. Sharif emphasised that Pakistan was well aware of the dark side of a nuclear conflict but India should also realise it. He also said that relations would not become normal until the "abnormalities were removed by addressing the unresolved issues. "It is equally important that our neighbour has to understand that we cannot become normal neighbours unless abnormalities are removed and unless our serious issues are understood and addressed through peaceful and meaningful discussions, he said. Bilateral relations between Islamabad and New Delhi have been tense since August 2019 when India changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. On Indias ties with Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that it is not possible for India to have normal relations with the neighbouring country until the policy of cross-border terrorism is abrogated. "We cant allow terrorism to be normalised; we can not allow that to become the basis for getting us into discussions with Pakistan. To me it is a fairly common sense proposition, he said in June. Earlier, Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik, inviting foreign investors to invest in the minerals and mining sector, revealed that Pakistan has estimated mineral reserves of USD 6 trillion, which include gold, copper, coal, and other precious metals. "We want to increase our exports from USD 1 billion to USD 5 billion and employment in the mineral sector from 300,000 to 600,000 in the next few years," he said. Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir also attended the summit along with several national and foreign dignitaries. A U.S. government committee on foreign investments reviewed a record number of proposed transactions in 2022, the Treasury Department said Monday. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) said in its annual report it had reviewed 286 "covered notices" for transaction approvals last year, up from a record 272 in 2021 and 187 in 2019, the report showed, with about 80% of the cases involving finance, information and services and manufacturing. Chinese investors filed 36 so-called "covered notices" seeking green lights for deals in 2022, compared with 44 in 2021 and 17 in 2020. CFIUS said "transactions reviewed by CFIUS, including the technology being invested in, are increasingly complex and result in more national security agreements to resolve the risks identified." Most foreigners seeking to take even non-controlling stakes in U.S. companies must seek approval from CFIUS, a powerful Treasury-led committee that reviews transactions for national security concerns and can block them. CFIUS opened 162 investigations in 2022, compared with 130 in 2021. The report said 88 transaction notices were withdrawn, with 68 refiled with changes aimed at mitigating concerns. In September 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden told CFIUS to sharpen its focus on threats to sensitive data, cyber security and areas such as microelectronics and artificial intelligence, and to more closely vet transactions that could affect U.S. leadership in biotechnology and quantum computing. The committee, whose powers were dramatically expanded under a 2018 law, was used by former President Donald Trump to upend many Chinese investments in the United States. Before the 2018 law known as FIRRMA required filings and reviews for more types of transactions, including minority stake purchases by foreigners, China accounted for most investments in American critical technology in 2016-2017, accounting for more than a fifth of the total. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Auto thefts in the Buffalo region have skyrocketed to the highest levels in recent memory. More than 1,600 vehicles have been reported stolen through June from the city alone, rising 135% from the first half of last year to the first half of this year. Buffalos percentage spike ranked third highest among 32 major cities analyzed by the Council on Criminal Justice. The city had three times more car theft reports than it did during this same time period five years ago. Its not looking good, said Ernesto Lopez, a research specialist for the independent criminal justice think tank. Yet, the same report notes that St. Paul, Minn., has seen a 41% decrease in motor vehicle thefts through June. That is much better than what is happening in many other cities, including Minneapolis, the city located just across the Mississippi River from St. Paul. The Buffalo News compared local efforts in Buffalo and Erie County to those in St. Paul and its surrounding county of Ramsey. The difference is stark. While this region has made efforts to ratchet up its response to motor vehicle thefts, it is trying to build off of a long-established system for what has always been considered a low-level property crime. But both locally and nationally, these motor vehicle thefts have soared, while violent crime rates from last year to this year have fallen. Fighting auto thefts in the Buffalo region is almost nobodys full-time job, although these thefts have contributed to violent crimes and shootings resulting in serious injuries or deaths to adults, police officers and children as young as 13 since the fall. But in Minnesota, not only does the St. Paul Police Department have a couple of investigators in each district devoted solely to motor vehicle theft, but the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office plays a key role in tracking thieves and recovering vehicles. The Sheriffs Office established a Carjacking and Auto Theft (CAT) Unit in 2021, thanks to a two-year state grant that was expanded this year for another $1.4 million. That money pays for roughly eight deputies and civilian analysts who work together, in conjunction with the St. Paul Police Department and prosecutors in the Ramsey County Attorneys Office, to apprehend car thieves, recover vehicles and get offenders connected with intervention programs or court appearances as soon as possible, according to officials in those agencies. The CAT Unit is not the only reason thefts are going down, but it is a key component, said Steve Linders, a spokesman for the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office. The key here is we have a dedicated unit, he said. That contrasts sharply with this region, which has no obvious, overarching system to comprehensively address this crime wave. Four Erie County departments, multiple local police and courts agencies and the state all handle some aspect of area motor vehicle theft. But many local criminal justice officials said their hands are tied in many ways. John Choi, the Ramsey county attorney, said the St. Paul area faces many of the same problems as communities here and elsewhere. But coordination among all relevant organizations makes a difference, he said. The criminal justice system and policing is usually at its worst when we started experiencing things that we havent experienced in a long time, he said. I really think some of the secret sauce in Ramsey County is working together and recognizing that the blame game just needs to stop, and instead, we need to focus on the outcomes. CAT Unit at work Here is what that kind of coordination looks like on the ground level. A week ago, a St. Paul resident called in the morning to report a missing Kia Soul. About an hour later, another 911 call came from a resident noting that occupants of a red Kia Soul were attempting to break into another car at a different location. Elsewhere in the city, a resident reported the carjacking of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and noted the teenage male passengers were ripping apart the inside of the car and throwing things out the window, including an iPad. The CAT Unit joined the hunt for the Cherokee. St. Paul police worked with the car owner to trace the discarded iPad to a specific city street. A CAT Unit investigator met a witness there who helped identify two suspects. Investigators realized one of these men wears an ankle monitoring device. The CAT investigator contacted the suspects probation officer and began tracking the monitoring device. Over two hours, they followed as the juvenile thieves stole and ditched a BMW X1 in Minneapolis and got back into the Kia Soul before abandoning it. The team waited until the ankle monitor suspect was on foot and found him hiding in a closet. Four other accomplices were also arrested. The team pursued five thieves across five jurisdictions, arrested them all and helped recover three stolen vehicles. The Ramsey County Sheriffs Office also collects data on where thefts are occurring and by whom. Intelligence analysts often follow the social media posts of known offenders. Deputies use the element of surprise to intercept offenders, sometimes with help from a drone or helicopter. Sheriffs Office deputies also may execute pursuit tactics that involve tagging cars with special GPS pucks and employing unmarked cars to force a fleeing vehicle to fishtail and come to a stop. The CAT Unit is supported by a state grant that funds Sheriffs Office personnel and two prosecutors from the County Attorneys Office the equivalent of the District Attorneys Office here who also serve on the team. Choi pointed to the maddening problem of juvenile offenders being caught and immediately released pending a court appearance weeks away. The same teen would keep stealing cars in the meantime. All sides ultimately worked together to enable a judge to hear the juvenile case the next day and take action. We changed that, he said. We diagnosed the problem together. Limitations and local efforts Car thefts are still a serious problem in St. Paul. During the first half of last year, the city reported 2,332 car thefts, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. But that number fell to 1,387 for the first half of this year, lower than Buffalos car thefts stat, even though St. Paul is 11% bigger, with 30,000 more residents. Differences in financial support and local laws also present issues with implementing a similar program in Western New York. While Ramsay County can access a $1.4 million grant, similar-sized grants arent being awarded here. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has an auto theft prevention program that is supported by a $1 surcharge on each auto insurance policy, Choi said. New York State has a more limited motor vehicle theft prevention grant program that is primarily designed to combat insurance fraud, not the spike in thefts fueled by the social media trend targeting Kias and Hyundais, many of which were manufactured without engine immobilizers. In 2021, law enforcement agencies in Erie and Niagara counties received less than $400,000 in combined grant money. Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said his departments $107,000 state grant is being used to bring in detectives on overtime to track where stolen cars are being dumped and recovered, to stay in touch with the families of frequent offenders and to contact victims about recovered vehicles and prosecution. Theft reports in July are down 27% compared to June, he said last week. Police using new strategy to catch Kia thieves helicopters Faced with an explosion of car thefts over the last year, Buffalo police are using helicopters with the hope that they will help them catch more car thieves and discourage future attempts. He and Erie County Undersheriff William Cooley credited some of the decline to the Sheriffs Office helicopter assisting in car theft surveillance efforts. Since October 2021, the sheriffs Air One helicopter has tracked 19 stolen vehicles and helped apprehend 27 people, Cooley said. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old helicopter is frequently grounded and was out of commission for nearly three months this year. When its out of service, its just that simple, Cooley said. We dont have a Plan B. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn, whose office also receives grant money, uses it to fund one prosecutor, who handles both auto insurance fraud and theft cases. He recently assigned a second assistant DA to assist with car theft cases part time to avoid repeat offenders having their cases scattered among many prosecutors. He acknowledged opportunities to elevate initial misdemeanor charges against repeat offenders have been missed. Im trying, Flynn said. Im not throwing my hands up. Other differences Buffalo region police have pointed to bail reform laws; ineffectiveness in dealing with repeat, teenage offenders; and lack of accountability for property damage being frustrating for both victims and officers. The limited ability to pursue car thieves in high-speed chases for less-serious crimes has also been raised as an issue. Buffalo Police Lt. Mark Goodspeed said hes seen instances where car thieves would tail Buffalo police officers, speed past them at 100 mph, then circle back to drive by officers again. But he also recognized the potential for public harm in vehicular pursuits. Youre stuck between a rock and a hard place, he said. Minnesota doesnt have the same cashless bail restrictions, though such a law is under consideration. The Ramsey County Sheriffs Office has more leeway to chase thieves, though it is not preferred because of the risk. Finally, prosecutors there play a more direct role in addressing juvenile cases, unlike here. Choi also said Ramsey County struggles with the same issues or barriers as other cities, from grappling with treatment of juvenile offenders to police staffing shortages. But a cooperative, solutions-based mindset matters. He also stressed the importance of lobbying for resources, finding grants to fund innovative responses and partnering with local community organizations. Nothings going to change if people continue to blame each other, he said. The stronger solution is people getting together and understanding each others various challenges, and coming to the same conclusions. Credit Corp group released its FY23 results showing the company had an NPAT of $91.3 million, down by 5% from last year, despite growth in its books. It seemed like sluggish US collections, and a rising headcount dragged the debt company down. Australias largest debt buyer and collector Credit Corp Group [ASX:CCP] had a rough start to the month, with shares down by 13.60%, trading at $20.39 per share. Despite reporting some positive signs of growth, the FY23 financial report has raised eyebrows and captured the attention of investors concerned about its growth prospects. Trading this morning has wiped out all the companys gains seen this past 12 months with the share price now down by 15.67%. This is a stunning reversal for CCP, which was the most overbought stock early last week after reaffirming it would meet expectations of its net profit guidance of $9096 million. What are the final numbers, and what does this mean for the company moving forward? Source: TradingView Credit Corps day in the red CCP released its FY23 results today, showing a mixed bag of results that scared investors who pushed the sell button today. Here are the highlights of the release: Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) fell by 5% to $91.3 million 70% growth in lending segment NPAT 43% growth in consumer loan book to record $358 million 29% decrease in AU/NZ debt buying Rise in payment delinquency in all markets One of the standout performers for the company was its lending segment which experienced a 70% growth in Net Profit After Tax. This was mainly through AU/NZ lending, which has seen increased demand from lower-income consumers who have re-leveraged after the pandemic. These groups raised the consumer loan book by 43%, reaching an all-time high of $358 million in gross closing balance. However, amidst these accomplishments, there was a less optimistic aspect of the report. The overall NPAT for the company was down by 5% compared to the previous year, settling at $91.3 million. Source: CCP This decline in profitability was attributed to lower sales and the ongoing run-off in Credit Corps AU/NZ debt-buying as Interest-bearing credit card balances remain approximately 40% below pre-COVID levels. The company also faced additional costs from resourcing efforts in the US to revamp its sluggish revenue growth there. After a flat first half of the year, the company eventually saw a 14% growth in collections in the US, but this was offset by rising delinquency rates that added to the financial strain. Credit Corps CEO Thomas Beregi remained upbeat about the future, saying: Despite the core business facing headwinds arising from reduced purchased debt ledger (PDL) supply, it has remained critical that we continue to invest in developing our advantage. The outlook for the US debt purchasing and Australian consumer lending segments is for a year of solid profit growth. We invested heavily in the US in 2023 and have worked hard to grow and improve our operations. Initial expectations for FY24 NPAT are for growth of 4% at the mid-point of the $90$100 million range. Outlook for Credit Corp The small display of vulnerability from CCP has come at an interesting time, resulting in a clash between bullish and bearish attitudes within the overall market. Todays share trading has seen large swings, showing some very different calculations in the underlying growth prospects. Considering the mixed results, investors should closely watch Credit Corps strategic response to ensure that it can find profitability especially in the US. The companys management acknowledged the challenges faced in the market and promised increased automation and Australian overnight shifts to bolster the US team. They also promised a cautious approach to lending, with tightening of credit requirements and reduced loan size and duration to riskier cohorts. The record starting loan book should produce strong lending segment earnings growth in 2024. With a higher headcount and increased automation, the US market should deliver improved collections growth also. However, investors are obviously concerned about the sluggish debt buying as consumers keep their credit cards in their wallets and pay down loans in uncertain times. Source: CCP Investors should closely monitor future delinquency rates and credit buying to gauge Credit Corps resilience and growth prospects. Credit Corp announced a final dividend of 47 cents per share, providing some consolation to investors who may have been disappointed with the financial performance. Credit Corps results present a tale of two halves. The growth in the lending segment and the record-breaking consumer loan book were highlights, but the decline in NPAT and the challenges in the AU/NZ market and US expansion efforts raised concerns. Other opportunities in the market Strap in as the share price of CCP continues to swing today. If the hope of a recovery of the share price excites you, then you might be joining the turnaround. Whats the turnaround? Its a dramatic shift in sentiment we are seeing throughout the markets. Everyone is watching Wall Street climb higher and higher and hoping the ASX will be next. But no one is watching WINDOW 24 which will open soon. Whats WINDOW 24? According to Fat Tail Investment Researchs best-performing trader of the last five years, recognising this turning point for what it is and making a couple of trades now could potentially be the most defining moment in your 2020s investing. Too good to be true? See for yourself in our free company-wide online event. Click here to find out how to join us for our biggest call of the year. Regards, Charles Ormond, For Money Morning "I've tried this stuff and it doesn't work. This is so addictive and there is just as much nicotine [in a vape] as there is in a cigarette and it's so hard to give this up. And I'm actually on the verge of tears because I feel like I'm being failed. I am so addicted to this. At the moment, I feel like I don't have an out. I'm glad vaping is there for those people that smoked because I know a lot of people that transit, so I understand the reason for them being here in the first place. I do not understand the reason to not even be smoking or ever have that addiction issue, to then start vaping. A Buffalo man accused of stealing mail from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes has been charged with theft or receipt of stolen mail, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Prosecutors said Eric Steven Arroyo, 41, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 fine if he is convicted on the charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright said the Postal Inspection Service was notified Thursday that someone who was not a postal employee was seen opening up a blue collection box near Tonawanda and Briggs streets in Buffalos Riverside neighborhood. The culprit was described as someone on a fat tire bicycle who was using a key to open the box, before taking mail from it, prosecutors said. Buffalo police saw someone who was later identified as Arroyo on a fat tire bicycle next to a collection box on Elmwood Avenue near Hertel Avenue. The suspect allegedly opened the box with what appeared to be a key, before taking some mail and leaving . Police apprehended Arroyo at the rear of a nearby building opening the stolen mail, according to prosecutors. Arroyo appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released from custody subject to various conditions. Harold McNeil Getting to the moon was the first part. Staying there permanently is NASAs next big goal, and students from Michigan Techs Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab may soon play a big role in helping them achieve it. Next year, a team of students in Michigan Technological Universitys Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (PSTDL) will get the chance to prove their promising design for a lunar power management system to NASA engineers. On June 27, the PSTDL team was one of four teams selected to advance to Phase 2, Level 3 of the Watts on the Moon Challenge. All four teams received a $400,000 award and a chance to compete for a share of the competitions grand prizes: $1 million for the winner and $500,000 for the runner-up. Were thrilled that we get to go on to Level 3 and show off what our solution can do, because I think we have something thats very promising, said Paul van Susante, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and PSTDL leader. Wed love to see the technology we design eventually go to the moon, and this is a great way to show NASA that it can perform well in lunar conditions. To live and work on the moon for an extended period of time, humans will need many things nearly all of which will require electricity. But because of how the moon orbits the Earth, supplying that power is trickier than just putting up a few solar panels. The lunar night is almost two weeks long, with long stretches of extreme darkness and frigid temperatures, and some regions of the moon are permanently shaded. To help solve such problems, NASAs Watts on the Moon Challenge, begun in 2020, asked teams from around the country to design new technologies for storing, distributing, and managing energy for use throughout the lunar day/night cycle. "As we tread new ground in exploration, we'll need to draw on creativity across the nation," said Denise Morris, acting program manager for Centennial Challenges at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The technologies created through Watts on the Moon are one example, with new perspectives helping us address a crucial technology gap." The Artemis Award plaque and trophy in front of T-REX, the PSTDL lunar rover. The PSTDL team began exploring lunar power management through their participation in the 2020 NASA BIG Idea Challenge, where they devised a system of tethered rovers to navigate the uncertain terrain and deliver power via superconducting cables. After winning the Artemis Award in that competition, they enhanced their design to incorporate a power management system and battery storage hub to connect power infrastructure elements using updated rover and electronic designs. They call their solution TEMPEST the TEthered Mechanism for Persistent Energy Storage and Transmission and they test its various capabilities in a dusty thermal vacuum chamber (DTVAC), the central feature of their lab. The DTVAC can reach a low temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius, a high temperature of 150 degrees Celsius, and a vacuum of 10E-6 Torr. It can also hold up to 3,000 pounds of lunar regolith simulant. Team lead Travis Wavrunek said the PSTDL team is motivated not just by the challenge of enabling human presence on the moon. They also want to make a difference here on Earth. We see space as a field in which to do research that can help people closer to home, said Wavrunek. Many of the lunar technologies that we develop for space have huge implications for Earth. For instance, the battery science and thermal management problem-solving we do for the Watts on the Moon Challenge is huge for things like electric vehicles. And energy storage and transmission is important for getting away from coal power and transitioning toward renewable energies. "We do research for space, but as a way to help Earth." Travis Wavrunek, PhD student in mechanical engineering and MTU team lead for Watts on the Moon According to NASA, advancing from Level 2 means the PSTDL team is well prepared to test prototypes of their TEMPEST system in a simulated lunar environment at NASAs Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. There, in spring 2024, the teams system will be placed inside a vacuum chamber that mimics the low temperatures and absence of pressure found at the permanently shadowed regions of the Lunar South Pole. The chamber will serve to test the technology of the teams design while troubleshooting and mitigating any issues that could occur in possible future use on the moon. Wavrunek said the biggest challenge in Phase 2, Level 2 was the short timeline they had for completing the challenge requirements. Getting all the parts ordered in time, getting all the design work done ahead of the February deadline it was a very short timeline for us to do all this work, particularly because everyone on our team is also a student, Wavrunek said. Everyones taking classes. Everyones doing exams. We have breaks in the school year, when everyone goes back home for a time. Even if wed had another four months, it would have been a short timeline, especially given some of the long lead times on parts and the supply chain issues we ran into. But we worked together and got everything in on time. Im really proud of the team. PSTDL researchers guide their lunar rover down a slope of simulated lunar regolith. After learning that the team advanced to Level 3, van Susante echoed that sentiment. The team has done amazing work, he said. I cant speak highly enough of all theyve done. Team members who contributed to the Phase 2, Level 2 competition include Wavrunek, Marcello Guadagno, Hunter McGillivray, Collin Miller, Austen Goddu, Erik Van Horn, Chuck Carey, Parker Bradshaw, Nate Bruursema, Brian Johnson, Austin McDonald, Suhayb Zeqlam and Isaac Couling. Research engineers Ben Wiegand and George Johnson contributed additional support, as did many others. Wavrunek said the team is looking forward to the final level of the challenge and the opportunities it presents. Were excited to get our battery ordered and our structures built and to see the different systems weve been designing start merging together to be one integrated system, he said. Were also excited to get to be at NASA facilities. Some of us on the team will get to set up our system in their vacuum chambers, and test it and run through the hardware. That will be an amazing opportunity and experience. The Watts on the Moon Challenge is just one of the NASA Centennial Challenges in which PSTDL students are participating. Other competitions include the Break the Ice Challenge, a lunar resource excavation competition for which the PSTDL team was recently chosen to be one of 15 semifinalists. Engineering is always fun, because you get to build things, try them out, test them, and hopefully improve on or develop some technology that people need, said van Susante. But if it's NASA that needs what youre designing, thats even cooler. "Maybe something we design will go to the moon or somewhere else in space. That's one of the goals of our lab: to get a piece of hardware developed in our lab on a lunar mission to the lunar surface. It's not the only goal, but it's a big one. So competing in this challenge is a fantastic opportunity to learn and to work toward achieving that goal." Paul van Susante, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and PSTDL leader Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. A man who pointed a gun at Buffalo police officers after a traffic stop was sentenced Monday to 3 1/2 to seven years in prison by Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office. Prosecutors said William A. Fugate, 34, of Buffalo, was sentenced as a second felony offender. On Dec. 29, 2019, Fugate was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by officers on Northland Avenue and Lonsdale Road after they observed the vehicle make an illegal U-turn. He exited the back seat and attempted to flee . As he ran, Fugate pointed an illegal gun at the officers, who fired their weapons. He was struck four times by police gunfire. After he was found hiding in a nearby yard, Fugate was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he was treated for wounds to the side of his body. Meanwhile, officers recovered the illegal pistol. Fugate pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. An investigation conducted by the District Attorneys Office determined that the officers use of force was appropriate. Harold McNeil Liverpool has officially named Virgil van Dijk as their new club captain, following the recent departure of Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League for a transfer fee of approximately 7 million. Manager Jurgen Klopp made the decision known to the players ahead of their 4-0 pre-season victory against Leicester City. As the 2023/24 campaign approaches, Van Dijk is set to shoulder the esteemed responsibility of leading the team on a full-time basis. The Dutchman has previously demonstrated his leadership abilities by wearing the captain's armband during Henderson's absences, but now, he will carry out the role permanently. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been selected as the vice-captain to support Van Dijk in his new position. Amidst Liverpool's pre-season tour in Singapore, Van Dijk expressed his profound feelings on this significant milestone, stating, It's] a really proud day for me, for my wife, for my kids, my family. It's been a special feeling and I can't really describe it at this point. But it's something that I'm really, really proud of. WASHINGTON (Reuters) Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his wide-ranging attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in fou Public invited to weigh in, learn more about proposed missile defense system this week Joshua Gilley of Lancaster is desperate to get his 4-year-old male Alaskan Malamute dog, Bandit, returned to him. Gilley, who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car crash more than 10 years ago, said the registered service dog has been an invaluable companion and helps him control his seizures. That is, until about a month ago. That's when Bandit was taken away by animal control officers in the village after the dog was inadvertently let loose to roam the neighborhood and bit a neighbor who may have tried to to grab him by the collar. "It's really just eating me alive, as far as this whole scenario, because, I'm not kidding, I didn't train Bandit to bite people or hurt people or anything like that. He's a saver, not a hurter," said Gilley. According to an official at a local animal advocacy group that Gilley contacted to help him, a village justice may be in a position to determine whether Bandit is euthanized for what happened or returned to his owner. Christine Townsend, a director with Against All Oddz Alliance, which also runs a nonprofit animal sanctuary and rescue service in Darien Center, said a lawyer for the group will represent Gilley on Tuesday in Village Court in his attempt to save Bandit. "The nice thing is that Against All Oddz is a legal-based animal advocacy group," Townsend said. According to a court clerk in the village, typically when there is an incident where a dog is alleged to have bitten someone, animal control officers will seize the animal and file paperwork with the court, after which a hearing is scheduled. The justice presiding over the case makes the final determination about what happens to the dog, depending on the circumstances of the case, she said. Townsend said some jurisdictions in the state seek creative solutions to address specific situations. Bandit has been held in the village's animal shelter since June 28, which is a longer holding time than usual, she said, and which is why members of her group are seeking to have Bandit reunited with Gilley as soon as possible. "We did have Bandit assessed over the weekend by a certified trainer who's an expert in this area, and is ready to work with Bandit and his family to ensure that Bandit never gets loose again. She believes that keeping him captive and euthanizing him is really cruel, inhumane and just not the answer for this situation, and we agree with that," said Townsend. "However, we always feel for the victim," she added. "I don't ever want to diminish what happened to someone, of course, because they sustained trauma, both mental and physical. So we're not taking away from that. We're just trying to work toward the best outcome." Meanwhile, Gilley said the loss of Bandit has him shaken. "My seizures have been coming back with a vengeance, and with my anxiety, it's been pretty rough," he said. "In the last four years ... I've progressed so much, physically and mentally," Gilley added, "and I owe 98% of it to Bandit." HAGATNA (The Guam Daily Post) Guam Department of Education schools are hosting registration fairs in the Lagu and Kattan districts through F Former Vietnamese refugee visiting Guam for the first time in 48 years Nicholas Moore appears during trial Jan. 10, 2023, in the Superior Court of Guam in Hagatna. HAGATNA (The Guam Daily Post) Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas is looking to expand the Guam Legislature, asserting that reverting to a 21-member law Lauren Chmielowiec would seem to be a poster child for New Yorks program to incentivize women-owned businesses. The 42-year-old Buffalo native is president of Upstate Steel, a Hamburg steelmaker and supplier founded by her parents. I grew up with both of my parents actively involved in this steel company, Chmielowiec said. Thats all Ive known my whole life. But that doesnt mean much in the eyes of New York State. Chmielowiec was rejected from New Yorks list of certified women-owned businesses because state regulators questioned her status as the true owner of her company. She said the state claimed some of the men she employed did too much of the work. Id go toe-to-toe with any man or woman, that I know every single thing about my business and I run it over anybody else, Chmielowiec said. We should be the example. Chmielowiec is appealing the decision, but in the meantime, shes missing out on what some in the industry see as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: providing steel and other materials for the Buffalo Bills new $1.54 billion stadium. The Bills have struggled to meet early minority- and women-owned business goals for the project. Last month, Empire State Development concluded that the Bills hiring through early June of minority and women-owned businesses, as well as service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses, to build the new stadium is well below its expected performance under project participation goals. Theyve created a pool of companies that arent qualified to do the job, and now they cant meet the utilization goals, Chmielowiec said. And theres legitimate companies right down the street. Ive been working very closely with the large steel contractors that are building the main portion of it. And they are begging me, saying, Cant you get this (contract)? And I have to say, Guys, it doesnt work like that. In a written statement, Empire State Development officials did not respond to Chmielowiecs comments but said, in part: ... Each application is evaluated thoroughly based on the requirements and criteria outlined in state regulations. ESD remains committed to fostering an environment where MWBEs can thrive, and we continuously work to improve the certification process, provide clarity and guidance to all applicants, and connect the thousands of State-certified MWBEs to contracting opportunities across New York. New Yorks program, which is overseen by Empire State Development, began in the 1980s as a way to encourage the hiring of minorities and women, who have historically been underrepresented in the building trades. State law requires agencies to set goals for the awarding of contracts to businesses that have at least a 51% minority or woman ownership stake. Construction firms who bid on state contracts typically try to meet the goals by hiring subcontractors that are owned by certified minority- or women-owned business enterprises, or MWBEs. There are more than 9,000 certified MWBE companies listed on a state directory used by contractors, government agencies and private developers seeking minority business participation. They get access to lending and bonding programs and support services from the state. Chmielowiecs mother and father ran Upstate Steel for two decades, she said, and the company benefited from its status as a certified woman-owned business. The company hired dozens of employees and now operates in an old Bethlehem Steel building in Hamburg. For 20 years, this was an economic engine and small-business engine, Chmielowiec said. But in 2015, Chmielowiec said the state denied the companys recertification as a woman-owned business enterprise, or WBE, because state officials said her mother, Bonnie Chmielowiec, was listed on tax forms as a bookkeeper for the business. State officials claimed her father and other men made most business decisions. Bills missing early minority contracting goals on new stadium Representatives with the Bills and with the project construction manager say that only a small fraction of all the bid packages have been released, and even fewer have been awarded. State officials made a similar determination in 2017 when an affiliated company, Upstate Rebar, applied for certification as a WBE and was denied. With respect to operations, the (State) Division (of Minority and Womens Business Development) determined that Bonnie Chmielowiec and the other woman owner (Lauren Chmielowiec) do not make decisions pertaining to the operation of the business enterprise, a state administrative law judge wrote in a document explaining the denial. New York in recent years has been aggressive in booting from its programs companies it says are not authentic WBEs because the husband, father or brother of the female owner controls the company. A 2021 review of state economic development files and court records by The Buffalo News revealed nearly 500 cases in the last three years where state officials either denied the certification of a woman-owned business or revoked its certification years after the state initially approved it. Most of those cases involved family businesses where a woman owned a majority stake in the company but a male member of the womans family either co-owned or had significant roles in the business. We need to do that to ensure the integrity of the program, Goldie Weixel, acting general counsel for Empire State Development, said at the time. The purpose is to support woman-owned businesses. Its not the family-owned business program. Lauren Chmielowiec said the day before her hearing, state officials offered her mother a settlement, which she accepted. After she explained that her parents were planning to retire and that she planned to buy out their shares in the company, Lauren Chmielowiec said state officials told her that she could re-apply for WBE certification under her own name. They said they would put the application at the top of the pile and renew immediately, Chmielowiec said. This was reasonable, and this was the truth of what was going on. We accepted the bait. To her surprise, the state in February 2022 denied Lauren Chmielowiecs application. I never got a site visit. I never got a phone interview, she said. They just denied me. Chmielowiec said the state refused to consider a series of letters she provided from well-known contractors, including Herbert F. Darling, Inc., Piasecki Steel Construction Corp., CATCO and the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY, where she is a board member, attesting to her involvement in the business. Personally, I cannot imagine an individual being more involved in their companys day-to-day activities than Lauren, one project engineer wrote. Chmielowiec has appealed the decision and will plead her case at a November hearing, though even state officials acknowledge appeals are rarely successful. The states MWBE program has been troubled by allegations of fraud for years. Like any government program, people take advantage, she said. But she said the state is overcorrecting in its attempts to make up for years of lax enforcement. Chmielowiec said excluding companies like hers only increases the likelihood that phony companies will be used as pass-through businesses to meet MWBE goals, as happened on other large state projects like the Buffalo Billion. I welcome them to just show up and spot check that were here, she said. I only wish this was a front and that I would be sipping a margarita, but that is the farthest thing from the truth. And I cant even get credit for it. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding Democrats reckless spending. McConnell was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Yesterday, Senate Democrats celebrated the approaching anniversary of their reckless taxing and spending spree. As the Democratic Leader put it, this legislation is paying huge dividends. Well, hes right about that much. But the windfalls from this deluge of liberal spending are headed to all the wrong places. Last year, Mr. President, Senate Republicans warned anyone who would listen about the dangers of our colleagues plan. We explained how green slush funds dreamed up by left-wing activists wouldnt bring on the American industrial renaissance Democrats were claiming it would. How half-baked climate schemes that relied on Chinese components and raw materials would give American workers and job creators the short end of the stick. And how crucial industries would face even heavier reliance on foreign supply chains. But Washington Democrats paid these warnings no mind. They rammed through their radical spending on party lines. Afterward, the senior Senator for West Virginia boasted that he, did it to help America. The senior Senator for Montana said he, look(s) forward to seeing the benefits of that bill. And President Biden summed up their action by saying, Were going to invest in America again Thats been my economic vision. Well, its now crystal clear: Either Democrats didnt know what their own bill was actually designed to do Or they knew exactly what it would do, and decided to sell out American workers and job creators. Heres the inconvenient and dangerous truth. Of the $110 billion this scheme has spent on green projects so far, foreign companies are involved in over 60% of it. In fact, foreign entities have their hand in fifteen of the twenty biggest projects receiving money from the bill. And a full $8 billion is benefiting companies either based in or with significant ties to the Peoples Republic of China. Over a hundred billion dollars in left-wing spending, and the majority of has some tie to foreign countries, including Americas biggest strategic adversary. Mr. President, our Democratic colleagues sold their reckless spending spree as a Made in America investment. But the only thing it appears to be making in America is a mess. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Governor Ron DeSantis and Former President Donald Trump View Photo Sacramento, CA The winner of the California Republican Presidential Primary election next March could walk away with a much bigger election boost than in past years. Previously, candidates could secure up to three delegates for each Congressional district. This has traditionally led to various Presidential candidates splitting shares of the states 169 delegates based on results from different regions. This past weekend the party voted to change the rules, and if one candidate receives over 50% of the overall statewide party primary vote, they will receive all of the 169 delegates. If no one receives over 50%, the previous system will be used. It makes California a much bigger potential prize and the race could bring additional interest from leading candidates. A Public Policy Institute of California Poll released two weeks ago showed former President Donald Trump with 50% of the likely California GOP vote if the election was held today, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was second with 24%. Much could shift over the coming months, but the numbers currently put former President Trump in a strong position to win all of the states delegates. In the Democratic-leaning state, the PPIC poll also shows President Biden beating former President Trump, head-to-head, in California, 57% 31%. The Town of Tonawanda has had enough of Kia and Hyundai car thefts. Monday night, the Town Board unanimously voted to join other cities across the country in a lawsuit against Kia America and Hyundai Motor America accusing the automakers of failing to install engine immobilizers in a majority of their vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States between 2011 and 2021. Buffalo auto thefts have risen 135%. St. Paul's coordinated approach led to a big drop The Buffalo News compared local efforts in Buffalo and Erie County to those in St. Paul and its surrounding county of Ramsey. The difference is stark. Like Buffalo and other towns in Western New York, Tonawanda has seen a dramatic increase in car thefts, driven mostly by thefts of Kias and Hyundais. According to data from the Town of Tonawanda police department, vehicle thefts have steadily risen in the town since 2019, when 39 thefts were reported to the police, to 2022, when there were 101. As of Aug. 1, the town has already recorded 87 car thefts. The data also shows a dramatic increase in the number of Kias and Hyundais involved. Back in 2019, just two Kias and two Hyundais were reported stolen about 5% each of the total vehicles stolen. In 2022, 11 were Kias, and 20 were Hyundais. So far this year, 27 Kias and 19 Hyundais were reported stolen. Thats more than half of all the vehicles reported stolen in the town as of Aug. 1, 2023. Kia and Hyundai owners get creative to avoid thefts Kia and Hyundai owners across Western New York say they feel like sitting ducks, anxiously waiting to become the next victims of the "Kia Challenge." A Seattle-based law firm, Keller Rohrback L.L.P., is representing the Town of Tonawanda, along with Buffalo, Rochester, New York City, Yonkers, Seattle, Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Diego, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. The Town has been experiencing an inordinate number of thefts of Hyundais and Kias, Town Supervisor Joseph Emminger said in a statement. Most significantly, over Memorial Day weekend, one of our police officers was severely injured and dragged 30 feet by someone who stole a Kia. He is still not back to work. We feel there are damages that should be awarded, and we think its in the best interests of the residents and taxpayers of the Town of Tonawanda to file this lawsuit. On the evening of May 29, Dareious T. Akbar, 19, of Buffalo is accused of driving a Kia Sportage, reported stolen from East Aurora earlier that day, through a red light at Sheridan Drive and Sheridan-Parkside Drive, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said. After he was stopped by Town of Tonawanda police, Akbar is accused of driving off, dragging Officer David Piatek, who was taken to Erie County Medical Center. Akbar was arrested the following day. In July, Akbar was arraigned on an indictment charging him with first-degree attempted murder and five other felonies and a misdemeanor. Akbar is amid three other criminal cases. The lawsuit argues that the two automakers decision to forego standard safety features to prevent the easy theft of their vehicles put profits over the safety in communities nationwide, a press release from the town said. Hyundai and Kia could have prevented this nuisance by including as standard engine immobilizers, parts that are inexpensive and significantly effective in reducing the rate of vehicle theft, the statement continued. The lawsuit said that many of the car thieves are teenagers and even younger, and that they learned how to steal the cars via social media. Thieves need little more than a screwdriver and a USB drive to break into and start the cars. Dispute over Persian Gulf gas field poses early challenge to Saudi-Iranian rapprochement View Photo DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) An escalating dispute over a gas field in the Persian Gulf poses an early challenge to a Chinese-brokered agreement to reconcile regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia and neighboring Kuwait jointly claim the offshore Al-Durra gas field. Iran says it has rights to the field, which it refers to as Arash. The two sides held talks in Iran in March but were unable to agree on a border demarcation. A spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, said the country would not tolerate any infringement on its rights, echoing remarks by the countrys oil minister the previous day. We have expressed our readiness to engage in dialogue with the Kuwaiti side, Kanaani told reporters Monday. But if there is no interest in mutual utilization of this joint field, the Islamic Republic of Iran has naturally put the exploration and utilization of the resources on its agenda. Kuwaits oil minister told Sky News Arabia last week that his country would commence drilling and production without waiting for a deal. Saudi Arabia has sided with Kuwait, saying the two countries have exclusive ownership of the field, and has called on Iran to return to negotiations. Saudi Arabia and Iran, which have backed opposite sides in conflicts across the Middle East and accused each other of destabilizing the region, formally restored diplomatic relations in April following a seven-year freeze. They have since reopened embassies and welcomed senior officials on visits. But they continue to back opposite sides in Yemens civil war, which is ongoing despite a 15-month cease-fire. Saudi Arabia is also in negotiations with the United States over potentially normalizing relations with Israel, which Irans leaders have said should be wiped off the map. Any step in the direction toward normalization of ties with this aggressive regime will only serve to give it more leeway to commit more atrocities against the Palestinian nation, Kanaani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said. Its unclear whether the dispute over the gas field, which goes back to the 1960s, will escalate beyond rhetoric. But tensions are already high in the Persian Gulf, where the U.S. is building up military forces in response to what it says is Irans unlawful seizure of oil tankers and harassment of commercial vessels. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait agreed last year to jointly develop the gas field. Kuwait said at the time that they aimed to produce 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 84,000 barrels of liquefied gas per day. Iran denounced the agreement as illegal and said it should be included in any such plans. A military conflict over the field is highly unlikely, but the race to develop disputed hydrocarbon resources in the Persian Gulf has the potential to seriously undermine the cause of regional detente, said Alex Vatanka, the director of the Iran program at the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Meanwhile, the heavily sanctioned Irans inability to join this race from a commercial standpoint shows how the Islamic Republics foreign policy has debilitated its massive energy sector. By NICK EL HAJJ Associated Press Iran will close government offices, banks and schools for 2 days over high temperatures Iran will close government offices, banks and schools for 2 days over high temperatures View Photo TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran announced a nationwide two-day holiday because of increasing temperatures, state media reported Tuesday. Government spokesperson Ali Bahadori Jahromi said the decision to close governmental offices, banks and schools on Wednesday and Thursday came after the health ministry warned about a possible increase in cases of heat exhaustion because of high temperatures, the official IRNA news agency reported. In recent days, cities and towns in Iran saw temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The capital, Tehran, experienced 38 C (100.4 F) on Tuesday. The metrological office predicted Tehran would see temperatures of 39 C (102.2 F) over the next three days. Ahvaz, the capital of an oil-rich province in the countrys southwest, experienced 50 C (122 F) on Tuesday. In 2022, Iran registered its hottest temperature at 53 C (127.4 F) in Ahvaz. Earths hottest day in modern history was likely July 4, when the average global temperature reached 17.18 degrees Celsius (62.9 degrees Fahrenheit). It was mainly blamed on climate change and emerging El Nino pattern. The highest registered air temperature on Earth is 56.7 C (134 F), recorded July 10, 1913, in Death Valley in the United States. Associated Press Palestinian opens fire in West Bank settlement, wounding 6 people before being killed View Photo MAALE ADUMIM, West Bank (AP) A Palestinian gunman opened fire in an Israeli settlement east of Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding six people before being shot and killed, Israeli police said. The shooting at a mall in the sprawling Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, in the occupied West Bank, was the latest in the most violent stretch of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the territory in nearly two decades. Later on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said the Israeli military shot and killed a 15-year-old Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab soldiers in the southern West Bank, near the city of Hebron. In the hilly settlement of Maale Adumim on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem, an off-duty police officer heard the gunfire, rushed toward the sound and killed the assailant, police said. The attacker had shot diners outside a burger joint before running to the street, shooting and wounding more people near the shopping mall, authorities added. When confronted, the assailant turned his gun on the off-duty Israeli officer and started to shoot, police said. The officer opened fire, killing the Palestinian, who was dressed as a security guard in a neon vest. The Islamic militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad praised the attack as heroic but stopped short of claiming responsibility. In an audio clip purportedly recorded by the assailant and shared on social media, he vows to die for the sake of Allah and asks that he not be claimed by any political faction. This operation is a natural response to the storming of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islamic Jihad spokesman Tariq Salami said, referring to a visit to the sensitive Jerusalem holy site by hard-line Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and thousands of other religious Jews last week. The contested compound has long been a flashpoint for violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the assailant as 20-year-old Muhannad al-Mazraa from Azariya, a West Bank town just east of Jerusalem. The attacker wounded at least six people, Israels rescue service said, including a 41-year-old man who was seriously hurt. The rest of the men, ranging in age from 14 to 37years old, were fully conscious and in moderate condition, it added. Some of the victims escaped and hid in shops in the mall, said Israeli medic Miryam Sharvit. A victim was in a restaurant with his wife and 5-year-old daughter when they suddenly heard gunfire. Surveillance video showed a middle-aged man wielding a chair chasing the gunman out of the burger restaurant. Meanwhile, in the southern West Bank near the Palestinian town of As-Samou, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian teenager who allegedly tried to stab them at a bus stop. The army said that soldiers had been questioning the 15-year-old at a junction when he lunged at them with a knife. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the boy as Mohammed al-Zaarir. Fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank intensified early last year when Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in the West Bank in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis. The violence has spiked this year, with more than 150 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of 2023 in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the raids and innocent bystanders have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis so far this year. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. ___ DeBre reported from Ramallah, West Bank. By ISABEL DEBRE and OHAD ZWIGENBERG Associated Press Suspected militant attack in Yemen kills 5 troops loyal to secessionist group, spokesperson says View Photo SANAA, Yemen (AP) A suspected militant attack early Tuesday in southern Yemen killed at least five troops loyal to a secessionist group, in the latest such assault blamed on an affiliate of al-Qaida, a military spokesman said. The attack took place in Wadi Omran in Abyan province and also wounded four troops from the Southern Armed Forces, which is loyal to the secessionist Southern Transitional Council, spokesman Mohammed al-Naqib said in a statement. The separatist council is backed by the United Arab Emirates and controls much of Yemens south. It is at odds with the internationally recognized government. Al-Naqib said suspected militants attacked their forces using mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. He said their forces were chasing the assailants, who fled to a mountainous area between Abyan and neighboring Bayda province. No group claimed responsibility for the ambush But according to two security officials and a tribal leader, the attack was carried out by al-Qaeda militants. They said the militants ambushed tents where many soldiers were sleeping, and fired at several armored cars. Both the officials and the tribal leader spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal. The al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula group, or AQAP, is seen as one of the more dangerous branches of the terror network. Last month, suspected AQAP militants clashed with forces of the secessionist council in the province of Shabwa. At least two troops and one militant were killed. AQAP is active in several regions in Yemen, exploiting the countrys yearslong conflict to cement its presence in the improvised nation. Yemens ruinous civil war began in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forced the government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition including the UAE intervened the next year to try to restore the internationally recognized government to power. By AHMED AL-HAJ Associated Press Pakistan urges the Afghan Taliban to prevent militants from crossing the border and staging attacks Pakistan urges the Afghan Taliban to prevent militants from crossing the border and staging attacks View Photo ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistans prime minister on Tuesday asked neighboring Afghanistans Taliban rulers to do more to prevent militants from crossing the border to stage attacks such as the massive suicide bombing earlier this week that killed dozens in a border region. The appeal came days after the bomber struck an election campaign rally of supporters of a pro-Taliban cleric on Sunday, killing dozens and wounding scores in the district of Bajur. The death toll from the bombing rose to 55 on Tuesday, after a critically wounded person died in hospital in the northwestern city of Peshawar, hospital officials and the government said. An Afghan-based branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Bajur attack. IS militants are Taliban rivals and have stepped up attacks since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the militants find sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, regroup and rearm there, and subsequently infiltrate Pakistan where they carry out anti-government attacks. The Afghan Taliban government should undertake concrete measures toward denying their soil be used for transnational terrorism, he said while visiting some of the wounded in a Peshawar hospital. The bomber targeted a rally of the radical Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which is part of Sharifs coalition government and also has ties to the Afghan Taliban. The party has a strong following in northwestern Pakistan. The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the suicide bombing in Bajur and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, describing it as one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Members of the council called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and for other countries to cooperate with Pakistan on the matter. Northwestern Pakistan was formerly a militant stronghold until successive military operations claimed to have routed militants from there, including the Pakistani Taliban, a separate group but allied wiith the Afghan Taliban. The group is also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The Bajur bombing was the latest in several huge attacks over the past years. A Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in 2014 killed 147 people, mostly schoolchildren. In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a mosque bombing inside Pesharwar police headquarters. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this story. By MUNIR AHMED Associated Press Its Kamala Harris vs. Ron DeSantis in the fight over Floridas new teachings on slavery View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, facing heavy criticism for defending anti-woke teaching in Florida, this week teed up an unusual proposal to the nations first Black vice president: Come debate the merits of the states new curriculum on African-American history. Less than 24 hours later, Kamala Harris was in an African Methodist Episcopal church in Orlando, firing back. Im here in Florida, Harris said Tuesday to a cheering audience at a convention of Black women missionaries. And I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery. It was the latest volley in a rhetorical war over Floridas new education standards that has escalated in recent days. And it highlights the elevated role that Harris has been taking: Leading the White House charge against Republicans vying to face off against President Joe Biden in the 2024 campaign. Harriss trip to Orlando was her second to Florida in just over a week, after the state cleared new school guidelines that, in part, require teachers to instruct middle school students that enslaved people developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Its language that DeSantis defends against strong pushback from Democrats and leading Black Republicans on Capitol Hill. Two days after the new guidelines were formally approved, Harris and her aides quickly organized a trip to the states largest city of Jacksonville and denounced extremists who she argued were forcing propaganda on Florida schoolchildren. The vice president also flew to Iowa last week and met with abortion rights advocates as top GOP presidential candidates gathered in Des Moines to address an influential state Republican Party dinner. That came on the heels of a new Iowa law that bars most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is now on hold, blocked by a state judge. Harriss moves to seize the political offensive are a departure from years past, when she found herself under repeated Republican attacks after making scant progress on tackling the migration challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. Harris was also the point person on the administrations efforts to bolster voting rights, which failed to gain traction on Capitol Hill. Her newfound aggressive posture is a natural one, Harris allies say, considering her background as a prosecutor who thrives on zeroing in on an opponent and hammering their faults. The vice president has long been an effective messenger when Americans fundamental rights are at stake, said Rohini Kosoglu, Harriss former chief of staff. This recent attack on education, which most Americans would consider extremist, is no different. Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said of DeSantis: He took the bait. The fact that he doubled down and brought another week of attention to a losing issue for him gives opportunity for the vice president to reinforce the message from the White House, and to reinforce what Americans understand slavery to have been, Fried said. At issue are Floridas revised curriculum standards, particularly the mandate on teaching middle-school students about the personal benefits of slavery. On Tuesday, Harris called it an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates. She said the invite from DeSantis whom she never called out by name was an effort to legitimize that debate. DeSantis has said his critics are intentionally misinterpreting the language and notes that among the people who worked on the new standards is William B. Allen, a Black professor emeritus at Michigan State University who has defended the wording about slavery. Still, most of the Black Republicans in Congress have come out against Floridas new Black history curriculum, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, one of DeSantiss challengers for the GOP presidential nomination, and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a former ally of the governor who has endorsed former president Donald Trump. Rather than backing down, the DeSantis campaign has gone on the attack against critics, including Donalds, whose conservative credentials they question. In his letter challenging Harris for a debate on the curriculum, DeSantis accused the vice president of trying to score cheap political points and said Florida was unique in requiring this level of learning about such an important subject. Kamala Harris got on a jet at taxpayer expense and flew to Florida to lie about the African American history standards, DeSantis told Foxs Bret Baier in a Monday interview. You cant bend the knee to the lefts lies. When the left lies and creates these phony narratives, youve got to push back. Theyve been doing this to Republicans for years and years. After Harriss response in Orlando on Tuesday, Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting DeSantis, tweeted, Kamala Harris announces she is too afraid to meet with Ron DeSantis & the African American history scholars who created the Florida curriculum standards she is lying about. Quisha King, a Jacksonville mother of two African American girls, said she wants an apology from the vice president for spreading what she calls lies about Floridas new Black history curriculum. King said its Harris, not DeSantis, who is continuing to fuel the controversy, adding that she has counted at least four times in recent days that Harris has spoken about the Florida standards. Personally, I want an apology. She should not be doing this, said King, a Black conservative activist who supports DeSantiss presidential bid. Its damaging for our kids. They hear it and it creates confusion. DeSantis and other Republicans are eager to make the 2024 presidential race about Harris, believing she can be a liability for Biden. DeSantiss campaign tags administration as the Harris-Biden administration, and the Florida governor has been one of a handful of Republican challengers who have suggested Harris would be the ultimate commander in chief because of Bidens advanced age. She could end up being president of the United States and I think voters need to take a hard look at that and see if thats something that they would want, DeSantis told CBS News last week, adding that I thank her for her rapid response against him and other Republicans around the country. But Democrats say they will continue to bolster her role, which will be particularly visible this week as Biden remains on vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Harris steps into the spotlight Her schedule includes a trip to the critical swing state of Wisconsin later this week as well as remarks on the economy after the latest job figures are released on Friday. Shes been such an effective messenger in prosecuting the case against extremist Republicans who want to rip away fundamental freedoms, attack our rights and gaslight Americans because shes got a lifetime of experience of fighting back, said Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Unfortunately for Ron, Vice President Harris stands up to bullies and will always be a staunch defender for the people. ___ Peoples reported from New York. By SEUNG MIN KIM, WILL WEISSERT and STEVE PEOPLES The Associated Press From a pre-opening Mexican taqueria party and an international food and cultural arts festival to two Latino festivals to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Connecticut has a series of Latin events coming up that appeal to various interests. Here are five in-state events coming up in August and September. Jazzys Cabaret to host Latin Soul Night Dre Romero is hosting its Latin Soul Night in New Haven on Wednesday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 11 p.m. at Jazzys Cabaret, 4 Orange St. The weekly event includes a special Latin cuisine menu, a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and a live disc jockey from 8 to 11 p.m. Entry for the event is free. Attendees must pay $100 to reserve a VIP or birthday table for 10 guests with complimentary champagne. To book a table or purchase a VIP or birthday table, visit the Eventbrite website or call or text LatinNight ar 203-444-2509. Mexican taqueria hosts pre-opening party in East Westport The authentic Mexican taqueria Tacombi is hosting a pre-opening party on Friday, Aug. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in East Westport. The party at Tacombi, at 1680 Post Road, will include the chain restaurants renowned Mexican cuisine and live music before the restaurant opens to the public. The fast-casual restaurant has multiple locations throughout New York City, Miami and Arlington, Virginia. The party acts as a way for the restaurant to connect with the Westport and Connecticut community for the first time. It will donate ticket earnings to the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services team. Attendees can pay $75 or $150 for a ticket donation. Tickets are available on the Eventbrite website. New Haven performing arts center to host international food, cultural arts fest The Westville Performing Arts Center, at 351 McKinley Ave. in New Haven, is hosting an International Food and Cultural Arts Festival on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will feature a fusion of flavors and performances to celebrate various cultures. Twenty restaurants representing different countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Portugal and China, will serve food. In addition, the festivals vendors will offer raffles, handmade crafts, jewelry and cultural artifacts. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Arts in CT website. Latino festivals in Bridgeport and Willimantic In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Bridgeport is hosting its first annual Latino pop-up festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 12 to 6 p.m. The free event will occur at McLevy Green Park, 102 Bank St. The afternoon festival will include Latin-style food, beverages, vendor booths and networking opportunities. For more information, visit the Latino Fest USA website. Also, Windham County is hosting its third annual Latino festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 12 to 7 p.m. in Willimantic. The free event will take place at Shaboo Stage, 645 Main St. Similarly to the Bridgeport Latino pop-up festival, the afternoon festival will include Latin-style food, beverages, vendor booths and networking opportunities to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Friday, Sept. 15, and concludes on Sunday, Oct. 15. Free parking is available. If you know of any local event that interests and is relevant to our Latino communities, please share it with us via email: RJLatinos@record-journal.com. MERIDEN The Board of Education defended its request to pause new housing applications as not discriminatory against any particular group. Robert Kosienski, president of the Board of Education, sent a letter dated May 31 to the Zoning Board of Appeals asking that it scrutinize any proposals before you and be cautious about permitting any variances regarding apartment development until the study is complete later this summer. Kosienski said Monday the letter was drafted with bipartisan consent of all members of the Board of Education but was not formally voted upon. This concerns the entire board as our student population has increased over the year, Kosienski said. We are struggling with the ability to pay and the funding is not there. We want the city to know that more housing means more students. The city needs to be prepared down the road, that our resources are extended way too far. To address concerns over where to place resources in the citys schools, administrators hired the SLAM Collaborative Inc., an architectural firm with offices in Glastonbury, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Iowa City, Los Angeles and Orlando. SLAM will research demographic information to see how housing developments in the city will impact the local schools. SLAM is conducting a similar study for the city of New Haven schools, Kosienski said. SLAM was hired in April for the study and will reveal its results in early September, Kosienski said. In the meantime the school board hopes the ZBA pauses action on any new housing developments. Kosienski stated there are 595 units in the pipeline for development throughout the city, a number he received from the Planning Division of the citys Department of Development and Enforcement. Each year Meriden Public Schools presents overall grade-level enrollment projections to the Board of Education. About every five years, a school-based enrollment study is performed by an outside firm that breaks down trends by individual school locations. In 2018, the district hired Milone and MacBroom for $16,800 to create the report, and this year the board selected SLAM. The board voted on April 4, 2023, to hire SLAM at a cost of $21,500 using board funding to create the report. The reports included housing, demographic and economic analyses. A description of the scope of the report reads: The project team will review and analyze trends in employment, building permits, housing sales, and rental occupancy rates to understand the impact on school enrollments. The accuracy of enrollment projections depends on a thorough understanding of local housing market conditions. The boards request for a pause was read at last months ZBA meeting and brought before the City Council for a recommendation, but after a lengthy discussion, the measure was tabled due to a lack of information. Members of the councils conservative caucus Minority Leader Dan Brunet, Deputy Leader Michael Carabetta, Bob Williams Jr. and Ray Ouellet were listed as the presenters of the resolution for the proposed moratorium. Brunet described the proposal as an "effort to address concerns" related to recently built housing developments and others that have been approved that he said have been conveyed by the Board of Education, other councilors and members of the public. Council Majority Leader Sonya Jelks characterized the proposal to enact a moratorium as premature. Jelks said she would prefer to wait until the council has data from the study to review before voting on a measure related to it. "I do not act without information," Jelks said, describing the moratorium as being based on thoughts and theories at this point. During the discussion, the topic of affordable housing came up, as well as the fact that the percentage of housing in Meriden that is considered affordable is well above that of surrounding communities, including Wallingford and North Haven. Jelks said Meriden "should not be doing what everyone else is doing. Meriden should be doing what's right we should only do what's best for our citizens." "Of all the populations of residents we support in Meriden, we would potentially be having a conversation about how we care about young people in Meriden. We're talking about a moratorium that could impact families, that could impact economic development," Jelks said. Councilor Yvette Cortez said she was concerned about the moratorium and potentially discriminating against lower income families. She said a moratorium on housing would likely impact those families, as well as market rate housing. She described concerns that the city is building too much housing as just anecdotes. Cortez added that she feels as though discriminating against a large population of people "seems unjust." "It's not something I'll support," she said. "If the data proves to be reliable, then I will absolutely be willing to revisit the conversation." But Kosienski and other moratorium supporters bristled at the word discrimination and said that the letter encompassed all types of housing, not just affordable, or certain sections of the city, but market-rate apartments as well. Ive heard some comments made in the City Council meeting, Kosienski said. There is no race or comment about low income at all. Anybody who is trying to make this race baiting is absolutely wrong. We have to let them know how many students we can handle on our current budget. The Zoning Board of Appeals was set to meet Tuesday to discuss plans for 21 units of cottage-style apartments on Crown Street. Its unclear what action members will take without any City Council recommendation. State Rep. Michael Quinn, D-Meriden, an attorney and former corporation counsel for the city, said he would not speculate on any possible legal challenges to a moratorium. Quinn said the city should make decisions based on the best interests of all the residents in the city, while evaluating the important school data. I do not believe that any representative of our municipal government should undertake actions that could discourage people from moving into our city, Quinn stated in an email. We should not be picking and choosing one type of residential development over another, but rather make decisions that are in the best interests of all of our residents. Quinn continued that many units in the citys apartment stock are still in need of significant repair or replacement, so we should not pass up opportunities to improve our rental housing stock when they are presented, Quinn wrote. He believes there is merit in getting the results of the study, but officials should not stall development while they wait. Once the BOE has the report, then there should be discussions amongst all relevant city stakeholders as to how to best interpret and apply the studys results, Quinn stated. mgodin@record-journal.com203-317-2255Twitter: @Cconnbiz MERIDEN Since its inception in 1967, the citys Puerto Rican Festival has hosted a series of nonprofit organizations and vendors at the cultural celebration, providing resources, giveaways, information and merchandise to the greater Meriden community. Eighteen vendors and nonprofit organizations will be featured at the annual festival on Sunday, Aug. 6, in Hubbard Park. Nonprofit organizations Virginia Jewel, director of the Meriden Historical Society, said the Meriden Puerto Rican festival is an excellent opportunity for residents to learn more about different nonprofit organizations available to them. I dont think people really understand all that goes on in any town, not just Meriden, Jewel said. And I think if something doesnt touch your life personally, you sort of dont know about it. I am hoping to make connections within the community so that we can more fully serve all of Meriden. The nonprofit organizations that will be present include the Meriden Historical Society, American Red Cross, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Casa Boricua De Meriden, Midstate Chamber of Commerce, Columbia University, Connecticut Army National Guard, Grace Fellowship Church, Hartford HealthCare, Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, New Opportunities of Meriden, Spanish Community of Wallingford and the Women and Families Center. The Meriden Historical Society, at 41 W. Main St., will bring its Meriden Then and Now project, which opened at the Meriden public library on July 15, to the festival. Attendees who visit the booth can fill out a questionnaire about growing up in Meriden and a survey about what kind of programming they would like to see at the historical society. What we are trying to do is capture the oral histories of people who have grown up in Meriden, Jewel said. I hope to collect a lot more oral histories from people I havent reached so far; thats No. 1. The Meriden Historical Society, also known as the Meriden Museum and History Center, are the citys history caretakers and stewards. The museum collects artifacts and documents and the stories of people who make Meriden what it is. In addition, Casa Boricua De Meriden, at 204 Colony St., will have a table at this years festival. Since 1978, the agency has helped its Spanish-speaking clients with various services, including learning to speak English, making doctor appointments and even applying for benefits through the Department of Social Services website. In addition, the location also is home to the Hispanic Senior Center on the first floor. Anything that somebody who doesnt speak English cannot do, we can help them with, or find other resources for (another) agency to help them, said Anabel Beltran Roman, the executive director of Casa Boricua De Meriden. Guests can expect to get more information about the agency at the festival and see pictures of the group and of Puerto Rico. Roman said the group will also hold raffles. Its nice to be out there and just be with the community enjoying a nice day with the community and letting them know that were here, Roman said. Because Meriden is small, there are people who dont know us ... they think that its just for Puerto Ricans, and were not, were for everybody. Vendors Plexus, Renewal By Anderson, United Healthcare, Ditos Creations and Castillo Souvenirs will participate as vendors at the event, selling various goods and services. Raymond Castillo of Castillo Souvenirs has participated in the festival for about 10 years. The New York City-based part-time business sells various mementos decorated with the Puerto Rican flag, ranging from hats to sneakers. Castillo sells his products at different festivals and flea markets in other cities. It could be sneakers, it could be a shirt, it could be a glove, it could be a ball, anything that has the flag of Puerto Rico, I try to get, Castillo said. This years festival also will mark retired Meriden police officer Damaris Chamis selling her products at the celebration for the first time. Chamis is the business owner of Ditos Creations, which kickstarted in April. She specializes in custom handmade goods, including tumblers, mugs, keychains, T-shirts and tote bags. After working for several companies post-retirement, she started her own business. I didnt feel like I was appreciated, Chamis said. Im a hard worker. So I said, Okay, let me try and put all this energy into something thats going to be mine. I like to craft. I love to decorate for different holidays; I make my own things. So I came up with the idea of doing anything custom somebody may want, extend it to me, and I could bring it to life. Her brands name, Ditos Creations, comes from her granddaughter, who calls Chamis Dito. When her granddaughter was a baby and while Chamis lived in Florida, she would FaceTime her and consistently call her granddaughters dog bonito, which translates to cute or beautiful in English. With this, her granddaughter would call Chamis Dito, a shortened version of bonito, since she was a baby. She would look at me and say, Hi Dito, Chamis said. It stayed. She will be 9, and she still calls me that. Since Riveras is a new business, she hopes the festival will bring exposure to Ditos Creations. Im excited but nervous at the same time, she said. So, hopefully, Ill get my name out there. And people love what Im doing, and more orders come from it, you know. Since April, Chamis has completed a few orders, including two big orders. She also credits her son for helping with the graphics for her custom goods. She has an Etsy, Instagram and TikTok page set up under her brand name, Ditos Creations, where people can view her custom creations and contact them directly if they have an idea. Chamis will be selling items that they have made at the festival. I feel that going to this festival for the first time will give me a lot of exposure, she said. I hope to get my name out there and the business name out there. My prices are very reasonable, and Im not out to kill anybody with prices, but you know enough that I can make a living off of it. Chamis said she looks forward to seeing people at the festival she hasnt seen in a long time. She retired as a Meriden officer in 2009 and moved away to Florida in 2012. She came back in 2016 but lives in Middletown. I really dont go through Meriden, she said, and (Im) so excited to see people that I havent seen in ages. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the murders of her two youngest children and a woman she saw as a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess tasked with ushering in an apocalypse. Vallow Daybell, 50, was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husbands previous wife. Vallow Daybell, will serve three life sentences one after the other, the judge said. The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her nieces ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her nieces ex survived an attempt later that year. Vallow Daybell has not yet entered a plea on the Arizona charges. At the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, Judge Steven W. Boyce said the search for the missing children, the discovery of their bodies and the evidence photos shown in court left law enforcement and jurors traumatized, and he would never be able to get images of the slain children out of his head. A parent killing their own children is the most shocking thing really that I can imagine, Boyce said. Vallow Daybell justified the murders by going down a bizarre religious rabbit hole, and clearly you are still down there, the judge said. I dont think to this day you have any remorse for the effort and heartache you caused, he said. Boyce heard testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybells only surviving son, Colby Ryan. Tylee will never have the opportunity to become a mother, wife or have the career she was destined to have. JJ will never be able to grow and spread his light with the world the way he did, Ryan wrote in a statement read by prosecuting attorney Rob Wood. My siblings and father deserve so much more than this. I want them to be remembered for who they were, not just a spectacle. JJs grandmother Kay Woodcock, who first raised the alarm about the missing children in 2019, told the judge that it has been 1,536 days since she was last able to hug and kiss her grandson. JJ was a preemie and had autism, and his biological parents werent able to care for him so he was adopted by Woodcocks brother Charles and Lori Vallow. Vallow Daybell appeared stoic through most of the testimony, but wiped her eyes when Woodcock talked about how confident she had been that Vallow Daybell would be a good mom. I knew she would be 1,000% involved in his care, Woodcock said. The Woodcocks frequently visited JJ, cooking and playing together and patting his back as he fell asleep at night. Now they have only memories and immeasurable grief, Woodcock said. Lori is a monster that has not taken any responsibility or shown an ounce of remorse for her vile actions, she said. The murder scheme and Tammy Daybells death left a deep rift in her family, Tammys sister Samantha Gwilliam told the court. Why? Why plan something so heinous? You are not exalted beings, and your behavior makes you ineligible to be one, Gwilliam said, referring to a religious belief that Vallow Daybell purportedly incorporated into her claims. Because of the choices you made, my family lost a beloved mother, sister and daughter. Tammy Daybells mother was fighting cancer, and spent the last months of her life watching the murder trial, Gwilliam said. I miss my sister every day. I will grieve her, and the loss of my mother, every single day of my life, Gwilliam said. Boyce also heard from Vallow Daybell before handing down the sentence. She quoted Bible verses about how people should not judge each other. I mourn with all of you who mourn my children and Tammy, Vallow Daybell said, crying and calling Tammy Daybell her eternal friend. Jesus Christ knows that no one was murdered in this case, she said. Accidental deaths happen. Suicides happen. Fatal side effects from medication happen. She also claimed that she regularly is visited by the spirits of the three victims, and that the childrens spirits had told her to stop worrying and that she didnt do anything wrong. Because of these communications, I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in the spirit world, Vallow Daybell said. Because of my communications with my friend Tammy Daybell I know that she is also very happy and extremely busy. Wood pointed to the two Arizona cases as well as the three murders in six weeks in Idaho. A defendant who is willing to murder her own children is willing to murder anyone, Wood said. Society can only be protected from this defendant by a sentence of life in prison without parole. Vallow Daybell was committed multiple times for treatment to make her mentally competent for the court proceedings. But Wood said there is no evidence that her crimes were impacted by her alleged mental illness, which includes a diagnosis of a delusional disorder featuring bizarre content and hyper-religiosity, as well as a personality disorder with narcissistic features, according to a doctors report provided to the court. The evidence is overwhelming that she did know right from wrong, Wood said, noting testimony from several people who said she lied to them about the deaths. In July 2019, Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self-defense. He was never charged and later died of natural causes. Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published writer of doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him. The children were last seen alive in September 2019. A few weeks later Tammy Daybell was killed. Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married just two weeks after Tammys death in November 2019. The childrens bodies were found buried in Chad Daybells yard the following summer. Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his weird apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths. Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a sexual goddess who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said. Vallow Daybells former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into zombies, including JJ and Tylee. Last week, Congress passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which would authorize and amend programs administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. Through this process, I was able to pass one of my biggest legislative priorities for Western New York so far my amendment to maintain the 1,500-hour in-air training requirement for pilots with the hard work of Reps. Brian Higgins and Claudia Tenney. The current training requirement was put in place by Congress after the tragic crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in Clarence. As a congressional staffer at the time, I was at the crash site that night, and attended the funerals of the victims. Witnessing firsthand the unimaginable grief endured by the families as they grappled with the loss of their loved ones, and knowing that the crash resulted from pilot error instilled in me an unwavering determination to make our skies safer for all. Due to the families of Flight 3407, who tirelessly fought for enhanced safety standards, Congress implemented regulations mandating pilots to obtain a minimum of 1,500 hours of training in-flight. In the years since its implementation, this training requirement has proven to be a resounding success. Our skies have become the safest theyve ever been, safeguarding countless passengers and crews from avoidable mishaps. Despite these remarkable strides, the proposed legislation brought forth by my colleagues posed a concerning risk. It sought to cut the inflight training hours and allow pilots to qualify for their licenses by spending 250 of the 1,500 hours in a flight simulator. My bipartisan amendment protects the integrity of the 1,500-hour flight training requirement in the face of these efforts to lower pilot training standards and jeopardize the safety of passengers and crew alike. The voices of experienced aviators, including Capt. Sully Sullenberger, renowned for his heroic Miracle on the Hudson landing, agree that while simulators play a valuable role in training seasoned pilots, they cannot replace the invaluable experience gained through in-the-sky training. Our bipartisan amendment found overwhelming support in the House, securing a vote of 241 to 191. Beyond this, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act holds immense promise for the future of aviation in the United States. This bill will improve the efficiency and operations of the FAA, foster growth in the aviation workforce that supports 11 million jobs, invest in critical airport infrastructure, and uphold Americas esteemed gold standard in safety. Furthermore, it aims to encourage innovation, with the potential to enhance the passenger experience for the over 850 million people who fly annually. The passage of this legislation signifies a watershed moment for the aviation industry, marking the dawning of an era characterized by heightened safety, efficiency and progress. In conclusion, H.R. 3935 and our amendment stand as a testament to the power of bipartisan collaboration in advancing critical legislative priorities. Preserving the 1,500-hour in-air training requirement for pilots not only honors the memories of those lost in the Flight 3407 tragedy, but also maintains the safety and security of millions of domestic airline passengers. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of aviation, we must be guided by the principles of unwavering commitment to safety, fostering innovation, and driving progress to create a future in which our skies are even safer, and our aviation industry thrives. A WATERFALLS couple is facing rap charges after allegedly drugging their maid and forcing her into a thrsome. Allen Mangoro and Letwin Mabhena appeared before Harare magistrate Letwin Rwodzi and pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Ethel Mahachi closed her case and the couple placed an application for discharge which will be determined on Thursday. The court heard that the complainant, who is 24-years-old, secured a job as a maid for the couple through her sister. She travelled to Harare from Gokwe and was met by Mangoro at Roadport. Article continues below these jobs... Work In Zimbabwe Latest Jobs Class 1 Auto Electrician on 10 August 2023 Our client in the auto [] Bus Driver on 10 August 2023 Proton Bakers is currently [] Driver/Salesman on 10 August 2023 Proton Bakers is currently [] Electrician on 10 August 2023 Proton Bakers is currently [] Mangoro took her to his house in Waterfalls where he introduced the maid to his wife Mabhena. The State alleged that on April 9, Mabhena told the maid that she wanted to share her husbnd with her, but she refused. Mabhena allegedly then drugged the maid using a certain drink and she started feeling dizzy. Mangoro then went into the room and stripped the maid, in his wifes presence. When the maid asked what they were doing to her, she was told that was what the couple did to enjoy themselves. Mangoro threatened to kill the maid if she refused to comply. Mabhena allegedly cheered on as her husband rped the maid. Breaking News via Email Police have launched a manhunt for suspects believed to be part of a gang in which two of their accomplices were shot dead in Budiriro last Friday following a shootout at their hideout in Budiriro. Four other members of the gang were arrested. Mugove Chimuti (36) and Ishmael Mutungira (30) died after the shootout, while Tinotenda Zhuwawo Dzvairo (27), Tinashe Ray Chirombo (31), Trymore Derere Guta (30) and Hebert Clayton Nyamangodo were taken into police custody. They are suspected of masterminding 17 robberies that occurred between January and July this year. Police are now pursuing the other four accomplices only identified as, Satan, Brighton Mangondo alias Mombe, Jonna and Ishewekunze who are still outstanding. Article continues below these jobs... Work In Zimbabwe Latest Jobs Class 1 Auto Electrician on 10 August 2023 Our client in the auto [] Bus Driver on 10 August 2023 Proton Bakers is currently [] Driver/Salesman on 10 August 2023 Proton Bakers is currently [] Electrician on 10 August 2023 Proton Bakers is currently [] National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were appealing for information that might assist to track down the suspects. On July 25, 2023 detectives from CID Homicide, Harare received information that Tinotenda Zhuwawo Dzvairo, Herbert Nyamangodo and Tinashe Chirombo who are linked to a spate of robberies which were occurring in and around Harare were travelling in a Toyota Mark II vehicle towards the CBD from Epworth. The detectives acted on the information leading to the arrest of the three suspects along Park Street in the city. Their arrest led to the recovery of a bolt cutter, two cellphones, a watch, eight pairs of shoes and seven baby blankets. The suspects then implicated Trymore Derere Guta leading to his arrest at Munyuki Shopping Centre in Epworth. Police said the arrest led to the recovery of a video camera, a watch, jewellery, ten cellphones, five pairs of sneakers, and new baby wear clothing at the suspects residence in Zinyengere, Reuben area in Epworth. Trymore Derere Guta also implicated Ishmael Mutungira and Mugove Chimuti. On July 27, police received information that Mugove Chimuti and Ishmael Mutungira were staying at a hideout in Budiriro 5B and arrested the suspects at the house on July 28, after a shootout. The arrest led to the recovery of three 303 rifles, a Taurus revolver, six 12-bore live rounds, three 0.38 special rounds, and 12 x 7.65 mm live rounds. Mugove Chimuti and Ishmael Mutungira were injured during the shootout and were referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital where they died upon admission. The suspects are linked to several cases of robbery where cellphones were stolen from pedestrians at Msasa Industrial area and a case of armed robbery which occurred at a business premise in Chegutu on July 11, 2023, where Trymore Derere Guta was captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage while committing the offence. Further, the suspects are clearing a case of armed robbery which occurred at Unadale Farm in Beatrice on July 6, 2023 where various household goods were stolen. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the suspects accomplices identified as, Brighton Mangondo alias Mombe, Jonna, Satan and Ishewekunze. Anyone with information to contact National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station, Asst Comm Nyathi said. Breaking News via Email Yves here. I am bothered that this article describes the risk of exposure to medical identity theft but suggest remedies only after the victim sees evidence of a breach. A key point in this article on medical identify fraud is that it can be perpetrated with as little as medical insurance information and a drivers license. Admittedly this loss can occur, as the article admits, when a wallet is pilfered. But it can also be the result of hacking. The article contends that thefts of medical data still occur primarily to perpetrate financial and not medical insurance fraud. Still. A pet peeve of mine is the frequency with which various organizations want to take copies of a drivers license when they dont have very sound grounds for making that demand. Even federally insured financial institutions, aka your bank, are allowed to keep drivers license copies only on a temporary basis.1 I doubt many are good about compliance but if you have time and energy, it might not hurt to make a demand. I routinely resist demands to copy my license, including when getting procedures at hospitals. I say it is fine for them to sight it to verify identity but not to copy it.2 I have generally prevailed. Note I havent tried invoking the argument that even banks arent allowed to take and keep a drivers license copy.what are their policies regarding permanent removal of the record? 3 Similarly, Labcorp asks for you to insert your license in their obnoxious recently-installed patient check-in devices to be scanned and presumably copied. I never do that and instead input my data.which of course does not include anything from any government ID. By Michelle Andrews, a contributing writer and former columnist for KFF Health News. whose work has appeared frequently in The New York Times, where she wrote the Money and Medicine column, as well as in Money, Fortune Small Business, National Geographic and Womens Health magazines, among others. Originally published at KFF Health News After HCA Healthcare announced this month that the personal identification data of roughly 11 million HCA patients in 20 states had been exposed in a breach, people may be justifiably concerned that their own medical data and identities could be stolen. Consumers should realize that such medical identity fraud can happen in several ways, from a large-scale breach to individual theft of someones data. Just ask Evelyn Miller. The first sign something was amiss was a text Miller received from an Emory University Hospital emergency department informing her that her wait time to be seen was 30 minutes to 1 hour. Thats weird, she thought. She no longer lives in Atlanta and hadnt used that hospital system in years. Then she got a second text, similar to the first. Must be spam, she thought. When she got a call the next day from an Emory staffer named Michael to discuss the diagnostic results from her ER visit, she knew something was definitely wrong. It amazed me someone could get registered with another persons name and no ID was checked or anything, Miller said. And while the name and date of birth the staffer had on record for her were correct, Millers address was not. She now lives in Blairsville, Georgia, a few hours north of Atlanta. Michael said hed correct the problem. The next week, she got a bill from Emory for more than $3,600. After an unsatisfactory conversation with someone in the hospitals billing department, Miller sent a letter to the hospitals privacy officer. Miller recalled writing: I think theres something going on, that someone is using my information, and the visit and the charges appear to be fraudulent. When contacted, Emory Healthcare spokesperson Janet Christenbury declined to comment on Millers case specifically but did say, We take these matters seriously and work with our teams to ensure our processes and procedures are followed. Miller, 63, a retired health care administrator, was savvier than many about what might have occurred. The average person may have no idea a problem like this can arise until long after a theft occurs. The majority of victims find out when theyre trying to move on with their lives, if bills have gone to collections, said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit that provides free assistance to victims of identity theft. Someone may apply for a mortgage, for example, and learn their credit is ruined due to unpaid medical bills for care they didnt receive. Its a double whammy. Unlike other forms of identity fraud, medical identity thieves may steal not only their victims personal data Social Security number, date of birth, address but also information about their medical records and care, potentially putting their health at risk. Sometimes people cant get their prescriptions, if their records are mixed with someone elses, Velasquez said. Maybe you wont be able to get treatment that you need. There are serious implications. A theft may affect just one person whose insurance card gets stolen or borrowed to pay for health care, or it may result from a data breach, as HCA Healthcare experienced. Such large-scale breaches are more likely to be used in financial fraud schemes than to get medical care, experts say. Compared with other types of identity fraud, medical identity theft is rare. In 2022, for example, the Federal Trade Commission received 27,821 reports of medical identity theft, while reports for identity theft related to new credit card accounts totaled more than 400,000. Medical identity theft also presents itself in different ways. One Thief, One Victim If someone gets ahold of another persons health insurance number and drivers license or other ID, they may be able to use it to receive medical services in someone elses name. Busy hospital emergency departments may make an attractive target for fraudsters. Procedures typically require patients to present insurance and photo identification information at check-in, said Rade Vukmir, an emergency physician in Pittsburgh and a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. But these facilities also dont want to put people off from getting care, and people who are uninsured or disadvantaged might not have those documents. We want to treat that population, he said. Were Americas safety net. We always provide care. Medical identity theft can happen if someone loses a wallet with their insurance card in it, for example, or a piece of mail from their insurer goes astray. But it doesnt occur only among strangers. The victim often knows the thief and may even be in on the friendly fraud, as its called. According to one study, nearly half of people who failed to report medical identity theft said it was because they knew the thief. For example, one person might have a higher copayment for emergency department visits, Vukmir said, so they let a family member, such as a cousin or a sibling, use their insurance card to get medical care. Usually, in those cases, it wasnt an emergency, said Vukmir. Gangs of Thieves, Millions of Victims In 2022, 707 health care data breaches affected nearly 52 million patients, according to an analysis of data from the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by the HIPAA Journal, which tracks compliance with health care data privacy law. Under federal law, health care organizations must notify individuals when their medical data has been exposed through a breach. The largest health care data breach to date occurred in 2015, when nearly 80 million Anthem records were exposed. Though the 2022 figures for incidents among all health plans were slightly lower than the year before, there has been a clear upward trend in recent years in breaches, which are typically caused by hacking or IT incidents. The American Hospital Association is very concerned about foreign-based hacking groups from countries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, said John Riggi, the national adviser for cybersecurity and risk for the American Hospital Association. Riggi said the personal information in peoples medical records may be sold in bulk to criminals who create phony providers to submit fraudulent claims on a mass scale that can result in hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurance fraud. Or they may use the information to create fake identities to apply for loans, mortgages, or credit cards. They flee with the money, and the individual is left to deal with it, Riggi said. Health plans could take lessons from the financial services industry to detect red flags, Riggi said. Financial institutions have sophisticated algorithms to identify purchasing and other patterns that are out of the ordinary, Riggi said. In health care, such mechanisms could be used to flag claims in which a provider is located more than 1,000 miles from where a patient lives, for example, or sees a patient for conditions that dont jibe with their age or health status. AHIP, an insurance industry trade group, didnt respond to requests for comment. What Consumers Can Do Consumers should generally monitor the notices and bills they receive from insurers and providers and contact them immediately about anything suspicious. In Millers case, its unclear whether her problem was due to an administrative snafu, such as another patient with the same name, or medical identity theft. But within a month of her initial call, the hospital removed the charges and assured her that her medical record had been disentangled from the other patients. Other steps to take: Go to the FTCs identity theft site to learn about next steps and file an identity theft report, if appropriate. If someone has used your name, contact every provider who may have been involved and ask for a copy of your medical records, then report any errors to your medical providers. Notify your health plans fraud department and send a copy of the FTC identity theft report. File free fraud alerts with the three major credit reporting agencies and get free credit reports from them. Consider filing a police report. If your health plan offers free credit or identity theft monitoring following a breach, take advantage of it. Its best to proceed as if your data has been compromised and will be for sale, said Velasquez, whose organization offers free assistance in recovering from identity theft. Dont be afraid to ask for help. ____ 1 See the highlighted language: A little-known federal law imposes restrictions on federally insured financial institutions in connection with copying and retaining copies of state-issued drivers licenses and similar identification cards when accounts, products or services are requested through online applications. The statute, part of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, applies to situations involving online requests by an individual to open an account or obtain any other financial product or service from a federally insured financial institution. The law (titled, Making online banking initiation legal and easy) permits a financial institution to copy and temporarily store an individuals state ID card in an electronic format only for certain purposes. Under the law, financial institutions may use the information obtained from copying and storing a state ID card to: Verify the authenticity of the identification card; Verify the identity of the individual; and Comply with legal requirements related to opening an account or obtaining a financial product or service, such as the requirements of the federal Bank Secrecy Act. The law further provides that upon copying and storing a state ID card for the permitted account opening or related product or service request, a financial institution must permanently delete any image of the ID card and any copies of the image. The law preempts any state law that conflicts with the above federal provisions. https://www.gfrlaw.com/what-we-do/insights/your-institution-handling-drivers-license-copies-correctly 2 The place I have had the least success in resisting these requests is in NYC buildings who regularly copy IDs as a condition of entry. Most when probed claim to wipe them daily, but thats not much protection from a rogue employee. I have what amounts to burner ID for this purpose (a valid looking and current looking state ID that is actually not current) but I am not sure if that buys me much more safety. 3 Admittedly I have the luxury that I am not in a network so I dont have to accept the lax security procedures of medical providers. The only time my balking at unwarranted demands for information led me to reject dealing with a provider was for an MRI imaging center recommended by a NYC orthopedist because he thought they did a particularly good job. They wanted my Social Security number to register me. I said I was unwilling to provide that and my insurer did not use SSNs as identifiers. They said too bad, we wont treat you without that. I said fine, no appointment. Note many medical intake forms ask for a SSN. I have never provided it and just about never have been given grief about it. You can normally politely stare down the admin staff who dont want to tell the doctor that he lost a new patient over that. Gonzalo Lira is alive, as the videos embedded below and a fresh 25-entry tweetstorm attest. However, he has a very ugly story to report. He was detained and repeatedly tortured by prisoners at the behest of guards, so as to create official deniability. He was allowed to go free by virtue of paying $70,000 in bribes (after having stolen $9,000 of emergency cash) plus $11,000 in bail to be set loose before an August 2 trial date, where he was told his conviction was a certainty, despite the prosecution effectively admitting in its own filings that Gonzalos only crime was running afoul of Ukraines extreme restrictions on free speech. The anticipated sentence was 5 to 8 years in a labor camp. Gonzalo was not given access to an attorney despite claims otherwise. And predictably, the State Department was not help, due not just to Gonzalos critical reporting on the US role in the conflict and outing some Western propaganda, but no doubt more specifically to his video on Russia-hater-in-chief Victoria Nuland, who was just promoted to number two at State. Representatives of the US Embassy did visit him three times, but offered, as Gonzalo put it, only bromides. But apparently there was enough noise made, particularly by the Chilean government, about Gonzalo not being allowed to post bail, so State apparently did eventually clear its throat about that. The one bit of good news is Gonzalo is fleeing coop and that is apparently what the authorities want. He was told while incarcerated that he was supposed to leave Ukraine after the late time he was detained (but not roughed up then) and didnt understand the message: Later at the SBU offices, they >returned other documents< they'd confiscatedmy driver's license and my motorcycle registration. In Sizo, I told an inmate how last year I'd been detained, released, but told not to leave Ukraine. He laughed. They were telling you to leave! 20/ Gonzalo Lira (@GonzaloLira1968) July 31, 2023 Gonzalo said he is going to Hungary to seek asylum. I would not be so open about my plans unless there were well settled procedures at border checks for asylum seekers and I would not be confident of Ukraine compliance. Perhaps this announcement is a smokescreen. Needless to say, the US failure to intervene is yet more evidence this country no longer operates by the rule of law (American citizens are entitled to support of their embassies when abroad), particularly when we have bought and paid for the Ukraine government and are able to tell them what to do. Gonzalo Liras status report is getting traction outside the Twitterverse: And the videos: Please circulate widely. More exposure is Gonzalos best protection at this point. I dont want to sound a sour note, but Gonzalo has repeatedly said the measure of a life is the distance between the highs and the lows. This is an awfully low low, so lets hope a successful escape validates a positive take on his world view. ___ Yves here. Although this post is a pretty comprehensive takedown of the movie Oppenheimer via pointing out numerous critical omissions, like how horrifically destructive nuclear blasts are, your humble blogger has a couple of possible quibbles, but since this period of history is somewhat contested, I may not be relying on the best sources for what follows, and welcome correction or calibration. William Hartung points out that Oppenheimer and his allies were disappointed that they failed to persuade Truman to shut down Los Alamos and cede control of nuclear weapons to an international body so as to prevent a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union. Historians are likely to be representing Oppenheimer accurately, but that suggests he was naive or kept out of the loop on key aspects of decision-making. There is a school of thought, and I dont know how well accepted it is now, that the reason we dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August despite Japan suing for peace through non-US diplomatic channels since IIRC April 1945 is we wanted to put the Soviets on the back foot by showing how far we had gotten with our nuclear program. Another element Hartung skips over (admittedly one can only cover so much in one article) is that the nuclear bombings were the culmination of the normalization of mass killings of civilians in World War II. An excellent but grim book Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century by Jonathan Glover focuses on why so many atrocities happened then and has a chapter on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Glover did a considerable amount of archival research to find out who made the decision to drop A-bombs on Japanese cities. All the key players, from Truman on down, acted as if the decision has already been made somewhere else, that they had to defer to the question having been settled away from them. A curious and convenient way to escape personal responsibility for a horrific action. By William D. Hartung. Originally published at TomDispatch Unless youve been hiding under a rock for the past few months, youre undoubtedly aware that award-winning director Christopher Nolan has released a new film about Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb for leading the group of scientists who created that deadly weapon as part of Americas World War II-era Manhattan Project. The film has earned widespread attention, with large numbers of people participating in whats already become known as Barbieheimer by seeing Greta Gerwigs hit film Barbie and Nolans three-hour-long Oppenheimer on the same day. Nolans film is a distinctive pop cultural phenomenon because it deals with the American use of nuclear weapons, a genuine rarity since ABCs 1983 airing of The Day After about the consequences of nuclear war. (An earlier exception was Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove, his satirical portrayal of the insanity of the Cold War nuclear arms race.) The film is based on American Prometheus, the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 biography of Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin. Nolan made it in part to break through the shield of antiseptic rhetoric, bloodless philosophizing, and public complacency that has allowed such world-ending weaponry to persist so long after Trinity, the first nuclear bomb test, was conducted in the New Mexico desert 78 years ago this month. Nolans impetus was rooted in his early exposure to the nuclear disarmament movement in Europe. As he said recently: Its something thats been on my radar for a number of years. I was a teenager in the 80s, the early 80s in England. It was the peak of CND, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Greenham Common [protest]; the threat of nuclear war was when I was 12, 13, 14 it was the biggest fear we all had. I think I first encountered Oppenheimer in Stings song about the Russians that came out then and talks about Oppenheimers deadly toys. A feature film on the genesis of nuclear weapons may not strike you as an obvious candidate for box-office blockbuster status. As Nolans teenage son said when his father told him he was thinking about making such a film, Well, nobody really worries about nuclear weapons anymore. Are people going to be interested in that? Nolan responded that, given whats at stake, he worries about complacency and even denial when it comes to the global risks posed by the nuclear arsenals on this planet. Youre normalizing killing tens of thousands of people. Youre creating moral equivalences, false equivalences with other types of conflict [and so] accepting, normalizing the danger. These days, unfortunately, youre talking about anything but just tens of thousands of people dying in a nuclear face-off. A 2022 report by Ira Helfand and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War estimated that a limited nuclear war between India and Pakistan that used roughly 3% of the worlds 12,000-plus nuclear warheads would kill hundreds of millions, perhaps even billions of us. A full-scale nuclear war between the United States and Russia, the study suggests, could kill up to five (yes, five!) billion people within two years, essentially ending life as we know it on this planet in a nuclear winter. Obviously, all too many of us dont grasp the stakes involved in a nuclear conflict, thanks in part to psychic numbing, a concept regularly invoked by Robert Jay Lifton, author of Hiroshima in America: A History of Denial (co-authored with Greg Mitchell), among many other books. Lifton describes psychic numbing as a diminished capacity or inclination to feel prompted by the completely unprecedented dimension of this revolution in technological destructiveness. Given the Nolan films focus on Oppenheimers story, some crucial issues related to the worlds nuclear dilemma are either dealt with only briefly or omitted altogether. The staggering devastation caused by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is suggested only indirectly without any striking visual evidence of the devastating human consequences of the use of those two weapons. Also largely ignored are the critical voices who then argued that there was no need to drop a bomb, no less two of them, on a Japan most of whose cities had already been devastated by U.S. fire-bombing to end the war. General (and later President) Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote that when he was told by Secretary of War Henry Stimson of the plan to drop atomic bombs on populated areas in Japan, I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary. The film also fails to address the health impacts of the research, testing, and production of such weaponry, which to this day is still causing disease and death, even without another nuclear weapon ever being used in war. Victims of nuclear weapons development include people who were impacted by the fallout from U.S. nuclear testing in the Western United States and the Marshall Islands in the Western Pacific, uranium miners on Navajo lands, and many others. Speaking of the first nuclear test in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Tina Cordova of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, which represents that states residents who suffered widespread cancers and high rates of infant mortality caused by radiation from that explosion, said Its an inconvenient truth People just dont want to reflect on the fact that American citizens were bombed at Trinity. Another crucially important issue has received almost no attention. Neither the film nor the discussion sparked by it has explored one of the most important reasons for the continued existence of nuclear weapons the profits it yields the participants in Americas massive nuclear-industrial complex. Once Oppenheimer and other concerned scientists and policymakers failed to convince the Truman administration to simply close Los Alamos and place nuclear weapons and the materials needed to develop them under international control the only way, as they saw it, to head off a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union the drive to expand the nuclear weapons complex was on. Research and production of nuclear warheads and nuclear-armed bombers, missiles, and submarines quickly became a big business, whose beneficiaries have worked doggedly to limit any efforts at the reduction or elimination of nuclear arms. The Manhattan Project and the Birth of the Nuclear-Industrial Complex The Manhattan Project Oppenheimer directed was one of the largest public works efforts ever undertaken in American history. Though the Oppenheimer film focuses on Los Alamos, it quickly came to include far-flung facilities across the United States. At its peak, the project would employ 130,000 workers as many as in the entire U.S. auto industry at the time. According to nuclear expert Stephen Schwartz, author of Atomic Audit, the seminal work on the financing of U.S. nuclear weapons programs, through the end of 1945 the Manhattan Project cost nearly $38 billion in todays dollars, while helping spawn an enterprise that has since cost taxpayers an almost unimaginable $12 trillion for nuclear weapons and related programs. And the costs never end. The Nobel prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) reports that the U.S. spent $43.7 billion on nuclear weapons last year alone, and a new Congressional Budget Office report suggests that another $756 billion will go into those deadly armaments in the next decade. Private contractors now run the nuclear warhead complex and build nuclear delivery vehicles. They range from Raytheon, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin to lesser-known firms like BWX Technologies and Jacobs Engineering, all of which split billions of dollars in contracts from the Pentagon (for the production of nuclear delivery vehicles) and the Department of Energy (for nuclear warheads). To keep the gravy train running ideally, in perpetuity those contractors also spend millions lobbying decision-makers. Even universities have gotten into the act. Both the University of California and Texas A&M are part of the consortium that runs the Los Alamos nuclear weapons laboratory. The American warhead complex is a vast enterprise with major facilities in California, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. And nuclear-armed submarines, bombers, and missiles are produced or based in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, North Dakota, Montana, Virginia, Washington state, and Wyoming. Add in nuclear subcontractors and most states host at least some nuclear-weapons-related activities. And such beneficiaries of the nuclear weapons industry are far from silent when it comes to debating the future of nuclear spending and policy-making. Profiteers of Armageddon: The Nuclear Weapons Lobby The institutions and companies that build nuclear bombs, missiles, aircraft, and submarines, along with their allies in Congress, have played a disproportionate role in shaping U.S. nuclear policy and spending. They have typically opposed the U.S. ratification of a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty; put strict limits on the ability of Congress to reduce either funding for or the deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs); and pushed for weaponry like a proposed nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile that even the Pentagon hasnt requested, while funding think tanks that promote an ever more robust nuclear weapons force. A case in point is the Senate ICBM Coalition (dubbed part of the Dr. Strangelove Caucus by Arms Control Association Director Daryl Kimball and other critics of nuclear arms). The ICBM Coalition consists of senators from states with major ICBM bases or ICBM research, maintenance, and production sites: Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The sole Democrat in the group, Jon Tester (D-MT), is the chair of the powerful appropriations subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he can keep an eye on ICBM spending and advocate for it as needed. The Senate ICBM Coalition is responsible for numerous measures aimed at protecting both the funding and deployment of such deadly missiles. According to former Secretary of Defense William Perry, they are among the most dangerous weapons we have because a president, if warned of a possible nuclear attack on this country, would have just minutes to decide to launch them, risking a nuclear conflict based on a false alarm. That Coalitions efforts are supplemented by persistent lobbying from a series of local coalitions of business and political leaders in those ICBM states. Most of them work closely with Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the new ICBM, dubbed the Sentinel and expected to cost at least $264 billion to develop, build, and maintain over its life span that is expected to exceed 60 years. Of course, Northrop Grumman and its 12 major ICBM subcontractors have been busy pushing the Sentinel as well. They spend tens of millions of dollars on campaign contributions and lobbying annually, while employing former members of the governments nuclear establishment to make their case to Congress and the executive branch. And those are hardly the only organizations or networks devoted to sustaining the nuclear arms race. You would have to include the Air Force Association and the obscurely named Submarine Industrial Base Council, among others. The biggest point of leverage the nuclear weapons industry and the arms sector more broadly have over Congress is jobs. How strange then that the arms industry has generated diminishing job returns since the end of the Cold War. According to the National Defense Industrial Association, direct employment in the weapons industry has dropped from 3.2 million in the mid-1980s to about 1.1 million today. Even a relatively small slice of the Pentagon and Department of Energy nuclear budgets could create many more jobs if invested in green energy, sustainable infrastructure, education, or public health anywhere from 9% to 250% more jobs, depending on the amount spent. Given that the climate crisis is already well underway, such a shift would not only make this country more prosperous but the world safer by slowing the pace of climate-driven catastrophes and offering at least some protection against its worst manifestations. A New Nuclear Reckoning? Count on one thing: by itself, a movie focused on the origin of nuclear weapons, no matter how powerful, wont force a new reckoning with the costs and consequences of Americas continued addiction to them. But a wide variety of peace, arms-control, health, and public-policy-focused groups are already building on the attention garnered by the film to engage in a public education campaign aimed at reviving a movement to control and eventually eliminate the nuclear danger. Past experience from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament that helped persuade Christopher Nolan to make Oppenheimer to the Ban the Bomb and Nuclear Freeze campaigns that stopped above-ground nuclear testing and helped turn President Ronald Reagan around on the nuclear issue suggests that, given concerted public pressure, progress can be made on reining in the nuclear threat. The public education effort surrounding the Oppenheimer film is being taken up by groups like The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Federation of American Scientists, and the Council for a Livable World that were founded, at least in part, by Manhattan Project scientists who devoted their lives to trying to roll back the nuclear arms race; professional groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists and Physicians for Social Responsibility; anti-war groups like Peace Action and Win Without War; the Nobel Peace prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons; nuclear policy groups like Global Zero and the Arms Control Association; advocates for Marshall Islanders, downwinders, and other victims of the nuclear complex; and faith-based groups like the Friends Committee on National Legislation. The Native Americanled organization Tewa Women United has even created a website, Oppenheimer and the Other Side of the Story, that focuses on the Indigenous and land-based peoples who were displaced from our homelands, the poisoning and contamination of sacred lands and waters that continues to this day, and the ongoing devastating impact of nuclear colonization on our lives and livelihoods. On the global level, the 2021 entry into force of a nuclear ban treaty officially known as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a sign of hope, even if the nuclear weapons states have yet to join. The very existence of such a treaty does at least help delegitimize nuclear weaponry. It has even prompted dozens of major financial institutions to stop investing in the nuclear weapons industry, under pressure from campaigns like Dont Bank on the Bomb. In truth, the situation couldnt be simpler: we need to abolish nuclear weapons before they abolish us. Hopefully, Oppenheimer will help prepare the ground for progress in that all too essential undertaking, beginning with a frank discussion of whats now at stake. Here we go again. In a replay of problems that had once seemed resolved, the United States is once again mistreating travelers hoping to cross the border from Ontario into Western New York. It needs to be fixed, pronto. The No. 1 problem is as it once was lack of staff, at least partly driven by the diversion of border agents to the countrys Southern border. Traffic volume is also an issue, but shouldnt be: Summer is always prime travel time. The country and region need to be inviting crossings not discouraging them especially as the tourism industry continues to recover from the economic violence of the Covid-19 pandemic. The binational economy was really looking forward to a normal year, said Ron Rienas, general manager of the Peace Bridge. American businesses were relying on Canadians coming over and the fear is that once they have a bad border experience, they will be way more reluctant to come over again. Yet, as The Buffalo News reported this week, border backups have stretched as long as two hours. You really need to be somewhere to put up with that kind of disincentive more than once. And, as word gets around, some travelers wont even do it once. As Rienas observed, why would they? The problem makes itself obvious. At 9 a.m. on July 24, just three of the 12 passenger lanes entering the United States at the Peace Bridge were open. Delays reached more than 90 minutes. Twenty minutes later, two more lanes had opened still less than 50% of the total but the delay topped two hours. On other days, more lanes were open, but delays still reached an hour or more. At the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, meanwhile, delays on that same day ranged from 29 minutes at 9 a.m. to two hours by 1:30. Entering Canada, by barbed comparison, travelers encountered no delays at either 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. at either bridge. The whole world knows about the challenges at the countrys Southern border. They need to be fixed in an effective and humanitarian way no razor wire in the Rio Grande, please but it cant come at the expense of the Western New York economy, or anywhere else along the Northern border, for that matter. Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, is clear about that. If matters dont resolve, the co-chair of the House Northern Border Caucus said, he is prepared to force the issue legislatively with his Republican counterpart, Rep. Elise Stefanik of Saratoga County. This is not good for the Western New York economy; its not good for the Niagara region of Southern Ontario. And things have to change. That sounds like a welcome shot across the bow.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. Back in pre-pandemic halcyon days, small-scale fests like Spewfest gave East Nashville music appreciators semi-regular crash courses on rising regional artists. But only the hardest partiers ever stuck around for the late-night acts bands like Soot. Since 2015, the foursome has gleefully unleashed multi-guitar cacophony on the after-hours crowd. However, performances filmed as part of The 5 Spots run of streaming shows gave other folks a glimpse into what Soot still known at the time by their previous name, Lacquer and other pavement-pounding small-venue regulars were up to. Of the dozens of gigs the clubs head honcho Todd Sherwood and his audiovisual crew captured, few hit harder than the one the quartet delivered in January 2021. Their set included a ferocious cover of Drive-By Truckers Lookout Mountain and an even more intense original called The Family Gun, a studio recording of which appears on Soots 2022 full-length Talons of Empathy. Saturday, Soot co-headlines The Blue Room with local hardcore-and-metal agitators Waxed, commemorating Idlewild, the two groups new split 10-inch recorded by Israeli American guitar guru and All Them Witches consiglieri Elad Shapiro. Rapper Brian Brown and punks Circle K support. Ahead of the gig, Soot frontman-guitarist Micah Mathewson, his cousin and fellow six-stringer Cole Cosby, bassist Zane Lake and drummer Dan Hinkle caught up with the Scene over post-practice beers at Mickeys in East Nashville. Whats behind your name change from Lacquer to Soot? Micah Mathewson: We got a cease-and-desist from an electronic artist from France whod been inactive since 2001, but was about to do a split with Fischerspooner. He was like, Could you just change it, because youre small? To be fair, we were. Are. [Laughs] How far back do yall go? MM: I moved here from Knoxville 10 years ago. Zane moved shortly thereafter from Birmingham. Cole and I are cousins; hes from near Chattanooga, and started playing in Lacquer at the tail end of 2015. Dan I met when I was in high school in Florida. Hes from Sarasota; we met in 13, been music friends since then, but its been pretty effortless since we started. Cole Cosby: My dad Craig taught Micah and I our first few chords, then set us loose. Hes a hobbyist, but taught us everything. Wed bring guitars to Thanksgiving starting at age 10, 11, and play. Dan Hinkle: Ive been in Nashville four years. I used to identify as a guitar player, but when I moved here, I realized the skill set of playing drums is a lot more in demand. Since starting playing in Soot, Ive just tried to put my own spin on how [former drummer Luke Fedorkos] parts were hit the drums as hard as I can. MM: Theres been a definite shift in the sound since Dan joined, in an organic way leaning into things he loves. Momentum, drones grooves. Zane Lake: I love all kinds of metal, and try to utilize that with the bass. Lots of fuzz. Was the material on Idlewild the first youve written together? MM: Yeah, in this configuration. These songs feel like the best representation of where were at, right now. DH: Not to get too sentimental, but I feel privileged. These guys are my best friends. I got to see them at shows, now I get to play with them, and that feels pretty special. Are the Waxed guys part of your extended local-music family? MM: Theyre newer friends, but while were drastically different in our approach to heavy music, it complements each other. Theyre good boys. Real sweeties. CC: Only intimidating from the outside. ZL: Ultimate sentimental meatheads. Is All Them Witches a major band for yall? MM: I worked at Eastside Music Supply for five, six years. We all have, at some point. [ATW guitarist] Ben [McLeod] recorded some of the early Lacquer stuff. [Drummer] Robby [Staebler] is Elads best friend; they have a band called UVWAYS. Its incestuous. Id imagine being around all those pedals and guitars all day would make you contemplate your sound, make you want to try new things. MM: Yeah, it helps a lot. [Laughs] Maybe too much. Talons of Empathy is pretty intense unhinged, sometimes. CC: A COVID baby, for sure. A remote album. ZL: Take a month, make it weirder. Do whatever we want. MM: Thats an important aspect of Soot. Nothings off limits. Genuinely. Youd do remixes? An acoustic song? MM: Yeah, anythings fair game. We just got off a Midwest tour that went well. The 10-inch is coming soon. Thats exciting. Were doing the Northeast circuit in October, and the hope is that funds Talons of Empathy vinyl. CC: The pandemic was actually a beautiful time for me. Since 2015 Id been driving up from Chattanooga for rehearsals. Then when it all shut down, I finally got those dang ol Donnie dollars, saved up and moved [to Nashville]. MM: Serendipitous noise excursions are some of our favorite sounds. On the song Monksdream, Luke was recording a drum solo and there was echo delay on the microphone hitting his snare. He picked up a trumpet, played some noise, and we kept it. ZL: Then, on Angels, radio frequencies were bleeding into my fuzz. This cool old country song. That house had terrible electricity. MM: But it was the fabric that held that album together. CC: The sound of people going insane in a small COVID house. A song that stuck out from your 5 Spot livestream was The Family Gun. Whats that one all about? MM: Southern mania. Characters weve all met, coming into a room, occupying a story. Leonard Cohen, Gillian Welch, Tom Waits influences I cant help but incorporate. Whose idea was the Drive-By Truckers cover? ZL: Theyre secretly a heavy band. CC: That song got me through high school. Like, Throw myself off Lookout Mountain. Oh shit, thats 30 minutes from me. Im thinking about it. [Laughs] ZL: On tour, I had the visceral realization that were so much more Southern than anyone else playing up here. Weve embraced that ever since. Twenty-three NATO Allies have officially become Limited Partners of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), which is preparing to make its initial investments later this year. The Participating Allies have also welcomed Sweden's interest to join the NIF. Sweden's participation will take effect upon its accession to the North Atlantic Treaty. Swedens contribution will add to the current EUR 1 billion venture capital fund, boosting the investible capital of the NATO Innovation Fund and bolstering innovative capacity across the Alliance. As a member of NATO, Sweden will contribute to the strength of the Alliance, not only through our geo-strategic location and military capabilities, but also through a vibrant security and defence industry that promotes innovation and development of cutting-edge technology. This is further enabled through participation in the NATO Innovation Fund, said Pal Jonson, Minister of Defence, Sweden. Mr. David van Weel, NATOs Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, welcomed Swedens future participation, This years Summit set Sweden further on track to becoming the 32nd country to join our Alliance, and this historic step will make way for Sweden to participate in the NATO Innovation Fund and to contribute to its important mission. The NATO Innovation Fund is the world's first multi-sovereign venture capital fund and will invest in start-ups developing cutting-edge technological solutions, leveraging the potential for commercial innovation to address critical defence and security challenges. The Funds Limited Partners include 23 NATO Allies at the highest levels of government, venture capital, innovation and defence. The Fund will make direct investments into start-ups located in any of the 23 participating Allied nations, as well as indirect investments into deep tech funds with a trans-Atlantic impact. It will provide patient capital to meet the needs and timelines of deep tech innovators and to secure an enduring future for the Alliances 1 billion citizens. Biden administration denies Secret Service protection for RFK Jr. despite repeated death threats Democrat presidential nomination hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted Friday on X, the microblogging site formerly known as Twitter, disclosing that President Joe Biden's administration has denied him Secret Service protection RFK Jr. revealed that his campaign's 67-page report detailed and established security and safety risks aside from commonplace death threats. This appeal did not get any response despite several follow-ups. After 88 days, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas finally replied only to deny his request. "I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F Kennedy Jr. is not warranted at this time," Mayorkas reportedly said. Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me. Typical turnaround time for pro forma protection requests from presidential candidates is 14-days. After 88-days of no response and after several Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 28, 2023 Commenters on RFK Jr.'s post pointed out that he is actually requesting too early for the protection services. According to the United States Secret Service website, protection is only afforded to "major candidates" within a period of 120 days from the general election. At the time of writing, it is still 400-plus days until the presidential polls. However, software engineer and citizen journalist @ChiefNerd created a separate thread enumerating the reasons why RFK Jr. should still be provided the requested protection. According to him, following the assassination of presidential nominee and RFK Jr.'s father Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968, the Secret Service began protecting leading presidential nominees as well as their spouses. "Just days after the assassination, the Secret Service became responsible for the safety of five candidates, and by the end of the 1968 campaign, 12 candidates were protected by the Secret Service. The new responsibility was undertaken to maintain the integrity of the democratic process," @ChiefNerd wrote. He also pointed out that the evolution of the protective detail is based upon actual threats and acts of aggression against both the highest public office in the land and those who seek the position. The citizen journalist proceeded to prove precedents for candidates receiving protection more than 120 days ahead of the general election. He said former President Donald Trump and Republican presidential primary candidate Ben Carson were provided Secret Service protection 365 days before the 2016 elections. Ex-President Barack Obama received it 551 days before the 2008 polls. Also, former Senator John McCain was offered the service 551 days before election day, which he declined in 2007. Meanwhile, ex-Senator Ted Kennedy was provided protection 410 days before Election Day in 1980. "RFK Jr. is within the time range of the precedent set by the candidates above and is arguably under even greater threat given the Kennedy family's tragic history of assassinations," @ChiefNerd wrote. Nolte: Biden regime is making sure nothing gets in his way to stay in power For Breitbart's senior writer John Nolte, the current U.S. administration is "beyond ruthless," citing how it is working on imprisoning Trump, Biden's top Republican rival, and getting its compelling Democrat challenger killed. "Obviously, the decision to offer Secret Service protection is based on several factors that have nothing to do with winning the nomination or polling at a certain level. So, the fact the Biden administration is denying Robert Kennedy Jr. this protection is truly inexplicable, at least from a human point of view," Nolte wrote. "From a partisan point of view, from the mercenary point of view that Biden and the Deep State will do anything to rid themselves of a threat, it makes perfect sense." He believes RFK Jr. is a great threat to the current president. He could weaken Biden even if the latter loses to him in the primaries. "A major challenger from within your own party is a sitting president's biggest fear, especially when that sitting president is as unpopular as Biden," he pointed out. "So, yeah, that's the kind of person Democrats and the Deep State want dead." (Related: Ron Paul, RFK Jr. publicly call out the CIA for Kennedy assassination, covid pandemic.) Visit VoteDemocrat.news for stories related to RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign. Watch the video below that talks about the Biden administration's refusal to provide RFK Jr. with Secret Service protection. This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: TruNews: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential bid a BIG THREAT to the Deep State. RFK Jr. commits to making America an EXEMPLARY DEMOCRACY again in 2024 presidential bid. Even GOP donors are supporting RFK Jr. proof that his appeal goes beyond party lines. RFK Jr. dismisses "conspiracy theorist" accusations, insists he hasnt been proven wrong about his beliefs. READY TO RUMBLE! RFK Jr. joins platform that can help him take America back from the hands of corporate powers. Sources include: SecretService.gov Twitter.com Breitbart.com Brighteon.com DUMPING DEBT: Nearly two dozen countries, including many US allies, are dumping their US Treasury bond holdings Major holders of United States Treasury bonds are selling off American debt at an alarming rate. Even the two major holders of U.S. Treasuries Japan and China are starting to sell off their holdings. China began its long process of selling off its massive U.S. debt holdings in June 2019, when it was removed from its top spot as the largest foreign owner of U.S. Treasuries as Japan increased its own bond holdings. By April 2022, U.S. Treasuries held by the Chinese dropped below the $1 trillion mark. From December 2022 to March, China sold over $31.3 billion in U.S. debt. By the end of July, China once again sold $46.2 billion in U.S. Treasuries. Current estimates of Chinese holdings of U.S. Treasuries put the number close to $859.4 billion. The last time it was this low was in May 2010. (Related: China is replacing its US Treasury holdings with GOLD.) The reductions in Treasury holdings come at a time of heightened economic turmoil in the United States. Treasury yields have been declining for over a year, and Beijing is seeking ways to end the U.S. dollar's dominance in international transactions as the communist nation's relations with Washington continue to sour. "The point of view is that after the [outbreak of the] Russia-Ukraine conflict, in order to reduce the risk of foreign exchange reserves being frozen, the People's Bank of China took the initiative to reduce the U.S. dollar allocation of foreign exchange reserves on a large scale," said Zhang Ming, a deputy director at the Chinese think tank the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Japan, a major U.S. ally and the largest holder of U.S. Treasuries, is also selling off its holdings. By the end of 2022, Japan's Treasury holdings dwindled below $1.1 trillion from $1.3 trillion at the end of 2021, the lowest level since early 2019. The country is expected to keep trimming its holdings until it goes below the $1 trillion mark the first since 2011. Other major US allies are also selling off debt At least 19 other notable nations, including many major U.S. allies, have been selling off their debt. Amid America's looming banking crisis and the uncertainty caused by the debt ceiling deadlock in May, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Bahamas sold off U.S. Treasury bonds to varying degrees. These nations are known by many companies and wealthy Americans as the place where they open offshore accounts to store their funds with little to no tax. The U.K., the third-largest holder of U.S. Treasury bonds, sold off $14.1 billion in May, making it the second consecutive month it reduced its U.S. debt holdings, with a total sell-off of $44.5 billion in April and May. Australia, another major U.S. ally, sold $6.5 billion worth of U.S. Treasury bonds in May for the second consecutive month, representing a sell-off rate of 11 percent. Major allies in the Middle East Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also sold significant amounts of U.S. Treasuries. Israel sold $3.8 billion in April and May, reducing its holdings from the peak of $69 billion in December 2021 to around $43 billion today. Saudi Arabia sold $4.9 billion in May, continuing a two-year-long trend of declining U.S. Treasury holdings for the kingdom from its peak of $184.4 billion two years ago. It now only has around $111 billion. The U.A.E. sold off $1.2 billion in Treasuries in May. Iraq has sold $8.5 billion worth of U.S. Treasury bonds since February, representing a 21 percent sell-off rate with only $32.7 billion worth of U.S. debt held. Other countries that sold off U.S. Treasuries are Belgium, Colombia, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and Vietnam. Watch this clip from Newsmax questioning why Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen is painting a rosy picture of the economy despite the flashing warning signs. This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Bond investors warn: Brace for INEVITABLE RECESSION caused by Fed's continued RATE HIKES. Calm before the storm: Treasury bills to flood market following sealed debt-ceiling deal. China is selling off treasuries as it prepares for a blockade of Taiwan and war with the United States. Former Treasury official: If U.S. dollar loses global reserve currency status, there will be a complete economic IMPLOSION. Sources include: RaymondMhor.com Min.news TBSNews.net SCMP.com VisualCapitalist.com WSJ.com Brighteon.com US government quietly announced COLLAPSE of another bank late Friday (hoping nobody would notice) Late last week, the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner shut down Heartland Tri-State Bank of Elkhart, Kan., prompting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to enter into a purchase and assumption agreement with Dream First Bank, National Association, of Syracuse, Kan. The FDIC and Dream First Bank, National Association have since assumed all the deposits of Heartland Tri-State Bank, and all four of the bank's branches reopened as branches of Dream First Bank, National Association on Monday, July 31, resuming their normal business hours. All of this happened late in the day last Friday, July 28, when almost nobody noticed, and the switch occurred quietly and seamlessly over the weekend with the new bank taking over as of Monday. The depositors of Heartland Tri-State Bank can now access their money by wiring checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed as normal, and loan customers are expected to continue making their payments as usual. "Depositors of Heartland Tri-State Bank will become depositors of Dream First Bank, National Association, so customers do not need to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage," the FDIC announced. "Customers of Heartland Tri-State Bank should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Dream First Bank, National Association, that it has completed systems changes to allow its branch offices to process their accounts as well." (Related: Is the American financial system in a death spiral?) Dream First Bank, National Association agrees to purchase all of failed Heartland Tri-State Bank's assets As of March 31, 2023, Heartland Tri-State Bank had about $139 million in total assets and $130 million in total deposits. Dream First Bank, National Association has assumed all associated deposits and has also agreed to purchase all of the failed bank's assets. The FDIC and Dream First Bank are also entering into a commercial shared-loss agreement on the loans it purchased from the former Heartland Tri-State Bank. The FDIC as receiver along with Dream First Bank, National Association will share in the losses on loans covered by the shared-loss agreement while also sharing in potential recoveries. This setup is projected to maximize recoveries on the assets by keeping them in the private sector while also minimizing disruptions for loan customers. Any customers who have questions about the transaction, or about the collapse of Heartland Tri-State Bank in general, can contact the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-431-1725, or by visiting the FDIC's website. The FDIC estimates that the total cost to cover the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be around $54.2 million. Compared to other alternatives, Dream First Bank, National Association's acquisition was the least costly resolution for the DIF, which is an insurance fund created by Congress in 1933 and managed by the FDIC to protect deposits at U.S. banks. The corporate-controlled media is claiming that the failure of Heartland Tri-State Bank "is not believed to be a sign of broader problems within the state's banking industry." According to the Office of the State Bank Commissioner, Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart was deemed to be insolvent "due to an isolated event," even though the details of what this entails have not been disclosed. The official claim is that the Kansas state banking industry is doing just fine and Heartland Tri-State Bank had a much smaller amount of assets than Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which collapsed earlier this year along with several other larger banks. "Overall, the Kansas banking industry is unaffected by this event and Kansas banks remain strong," the OSBC said. It is only a matter of time before the system implodes on itself. Learn more at Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: 100percentfedup.com Newstarget.com CJOnline.com Danger behind the wheel: New MA law allows ILLEGAL ALIENS to get a US drivers license A new Massachusetts law allows illegal aliens to apply for and obtain a U.S. driver's license Since the law took effect on July 1, over 100,000 illegal immigrants have applied to obtain a driver's license through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles an agency under the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. According to state officials, over 300,000 illegal aliens will have a U.S. driver's license by the end of the year. This will cost taxpayers a whopping $28 million. Breitbart noted in a report that the Bay State is the 17th to implement such a law permitting illegals to apply for and obtain a U.S. driver's license, putting it in the same league as California, New York, Colorado and Connecticut all liberal states. It added that about 316,000 illegal aliens reside in Massachusetts as of writing. Massachusetts voters approved the law through a ballot initiative during the 2022 midterm elections. Fifty-four percent of voters favored the initiative. Former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, vetoed the bill in May 2022. However, the Democrat-controlled Massachusetts General Court overrode his veto and put the legislation on track to become law. "The open borders lobby, with the help of elected Democrats, has made securing driver's licenses for illegal aliens a key fixture of their agenda to eliminate privileges meant solely for American citizens and legal immigrants," the outlet noted. "Driver's licenses for illegal aliens are vital for the open borders lobby because often when illegal aliens are pulled over by local police, driving without a driver's license is the first criminal charge that can put them in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for arrest and deportation." Illinois lets illegals become cops While several states allow illegals to apply for driver's licenses, Illinois takes it a step further by allowing them to become police officers. In a piece for the New American magazine, conservative writer Selwyn Duke expounded on the implications of the Prairie State's proposal. He noted that House Bill (HB) 3751 "permits anyone who is not a U.S. citizen but is legally authorized to work in the country under federal law to apply to become a police officer or a sheriff's deputy. Illegals enrolled in the federal government's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would be qualified to become law enforcement officers under the bill. HB 3751 was approved by both houses of the Illinois General Assembly and was forwarded to the desk of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Duke warned that "even if [the governor] chooses to veto the bill, the Democratic super-majority in the legislative chambers can override his decision potentially making it a law without his support." The proposal received much criticism, including from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. The organization said in a statement: "What message does this legislation send when it allows people who do not have legal status to become the enforcers of our laws? This is a potential crisis of confidence in law enforcement at a time when our officers need all the public confidence they can get." "The weight of this choice is immense, as it could significantly impact the state's law enforcement landscape. [Moreover], the implications of such a decision are drawing strong reactions from both sides of the immigration debate," Duke continued. "With authorities having entertained Black Lives Matter-like schemes to 'abolish the police,' demonized cops, used them as scapegoats and unfairly imprisoned them morale has diminished and many officers have left service," Duke said. "But is filling the ranks with foreigners wise? After all, do you really want to be arrested by someone with a badge and a gun and a foreign accent?" Visit Migrants.news for more stories about illegals being given the same privileges as bona fide citizens and legal immigrants. Watch this footage of illegal aliens in Chicago demanding housing and paid training. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Biden now plans to give ID cards to ILLEGALS. Illinois bill would allow illegal aliens to become police officers. Colorado plans to issue driver's licenses to thousands of illegal immigrants. Smartphones issued to track illegals cost American taxpayers over $360,000 per day. Minnesota offering free college tuition ONLY to illegal aliens American citizens must still pay. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 TheNewAmerican.com Brighteon.com Lithium-ion batteries of e-bikes and e-scooters are causing hundreds of fires in New York and San Francisco Electric bikes and scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries have sparked hundreds of fires across New York and San Francisco , resulting in many deaths and injuries. These accidents have triggered concerns about public safety over the proliferation of these vehicles. Investigations revealed that at the heart of the issue is the use of substandard or sometimes damaged lithium-ion batteries. Instead of a slow smoldering ignition point that grows over a matter of minutes, these fires often result in actual explosions. Within just a minute, lithium-ion battery fires can grow massively and get out of control. (Related: Electric cars in Florida catching fire after Hurricane Ian.) Lithium battery fires cause over a dozen deaths in New York In New York, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh noted during a public safety briefing that the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries has "grown exponentially every year since 2021." "We are now, unfortunately, seeing more and more of these kinds of extremely fast-moving, very powerful fires with some regularity in the city," she continued. "As of this week, there have been 131 fires, 76 injuries and 13 deaths caused by these lithium-ion batteries." This year alone, 24 fires have already been attributed to lithium-ion batteries. In the deadliest incident to occur in the city, a lithium-ion battery set fire to an e-bike store, killing four people in the apartments above. The owner allegedly violated multiple rules surrounding the number of devices at the location and the way they were being charged. "All it takes is for one small battery cell to be defective, overcharged or damaged, and a tremendous amount of energy is released in the form of heat and toxic flammable gases all at once," warned New York Fire Department Chief of Hazmat Operations Daniel Murray. "You go from no fire at all to a fully involved fire within seconds," warned New York Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn. "This isn't something that we've really seen for accidental fires in the past. These behave almost like an incendiary fire, like arson, like a gas pour, with the speed that they travel." Fire caused by lithium battery burns down apartment building in San Francisco Capt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department, admitted that the city has experienced 24 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries this year alone. Since 2017, San Francisco has recorded more than 200 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which have injured eight and killed one. In one particular devastating instance, a defective lithium-ion battery started a fire at 959 Powell Street in San Francisco's Nob Hill neighborhood, near Chinatown, nearly burning down the 12-unit apartment building. In the nearby Tenderloin neighborhood, two individuals were forced to jump out of an apartment complex window to escape a fire spreading in their unit caused by an overheated e-scooter battery plugged into a charger near the unit's front door. "It has become very popular to get around San Francisco on these devices that are very compact," said Baxter. "[But] the manufacturing of these items is surpassing legislation to ensure that they're as safe as possible." Watch this video showing how the lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles are catching fire. This video is from the channel The Old Folk Show on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Car companies are expanding into the lithium mining business to secure their supplies for EV manufacturing. Amazon shuts off ALL fulfillment center solar panels after spate of fires, electrical explosions. Electric vehicle charging causes house fires that result in substantial losses. Electric scooters shouldn't be treated as toys: Face and head injuries caused by the motorized scooters have TRIPLED, warn researchers. "Eco-friendly" scooters revealed to be largely a fraud: They're far dirtier for the environment than their advocates could have imagined. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CarScoops.com NYTimes.com SFChronicle.com Brighteon.com Shocker! McCarthy backtracks on impeachment of Joe Biden during Thursdays press briefing surprising no one Congress will take month-long vacation (Article by Jim Hoft republished from TheGatewayPundit.com) We all knew this was going to happen. On Monday night House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appeared on the Sean Hannity show to discuss the latest revelations on Joe Bidens corruption. McCarthy has been slow to invoke the idea of impeachment for Biden, but he finally mentioned it during the interview and signaled that he is coming around to it. This comment made national headlines and sent Democrats into a panic. But three days later and Kevin McCarthy is backtracking already. McCarthy on Thursday downplayed any impeachment of Joe Biden. According to McCarthy there must first be several more hours of investigations and hearings. Kevin McCarthy: Okay, so youre claiming that I said were going to impeach the President. I floated the idea of impeachment. Okay, so youre wrong. So if you record, go back and watch. I said impeachment inquiry. There is a big difference. And let me explain it, because maybe not everybody understands it what impeachment inquiry does. When you vote on the floor, it gives you the apex of power of Congress I was concerned when asked a question that I havent seen an administration act this way at the same time as Nixon did by withholding information. If they do not provide the information we need, then we would go to an impeachment inquiry. Impeachment inquiry which simply is an investigation and providing Congress the power to do that investigation. We all know its not going to happen. The most corrupt politician in US history does not need to worry. The weak and fearful Republicans are afraid of their own shadows. Joe Biden and Democrats are safe. Via Midnight Rider. Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com News / Local by Staff reporter SOUTH African opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says Zimbabwe should undertake a cocktail of measures for a free and fair elections saying window dressing plebiscite will not win confidence of international community.Malema, who has never shied away from Zimbabwean politics, said this on the eve of his party's 10 year anniversary celebrations.Malema told Zimbabweans not to tire in fighting for their country, encouraging those living in the diaspora to be more vocal, demanding credible election."They must never despair. They must continue to fight for their country and reclaim it from kleptocracy and criminality that has hijacked Zimbabwe. We want Zimbabweans to fight and takeover their country back."We want the international community to lift the sanctions and let us get Zimbabwe to work again," said Malema.Zimbabwe is scheduled to hold its general elections next month to elect members of parliament, council and Presidency.The build up to the elections has been marred by opposition's accusations of electoral playing field tilted in favour of ruling party Zanu-PF.Last week, Saviour Kasukuwere lost his bid of making it on the presidential ballot in the Supreme Court.Malema further said Zimbabwe should oversee a genuine elections next month."This thing of pretentious elections is not going to work, is not going to deliver confidence, the much needed confidence that Zimbabwe need now from international community to lift sanctions. The Zimbabweans must never despair," said Malema.Commenting on Malema's sentiments, ministry of information permanent secretary Ndabaningi Mangwana accused Malema of being a G40 sympathisers."Ndezvake izvo. Who asked for his 2 pence? He is a G40 sympathizer but we don't give 2 hoots. He can go to hell," said Mangwana. Rebranding? New neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe stages armed protest with swastika flags at LGBT pride event in Wisconsin (VIDEO) On Saturday, the newly named Blood Tribe, a self-declared Neo-Nazi group, made a bold show of force with rifles and swastika flags at an LGBT Pride in the Park event in Watertown, Wisconsin. (Article by Jim Hoft republished from TheGatewayPundit.com) It looks like the Feds got tired of using the name Patriot Front because it had already been exposed. Now the Feds are using the name Blood Tribe and carrying flags in Watertown Wisconsin protesting a Pride event, said Twitter personality Wall Street Silver. Sporting the same uniform clothing and masks previously donned by the Patriot Front, the group brandished rifles and swastika flags outside the Pride event. The group chanted, Us or the pedophiles! and There will be blood, blood blood! at the event. VIDEO THREAD: Today, avowed Neo-Nazi group "Blood Tribe" rallied with rifles and swastika flags outside an LGBT "Pride in the Park" event in Watertown, Wisconsin. "Us or the pedophiles!" they chanted at the crowd, which included children. "There will be blood, blood blood!" pic.twitter.com/DBtntCGerG Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 29, 2023 According to News2share producer Ford Fischer, one brave Pride participant confronted the armed protesters, stating, It just makes me so happy that I get to wake up every day and just love who I want without fear of judgement or fucking Nazis apparently. 2. One participant in the pride event confronted the Nazis, explaining that "It just makes me so happy that I get to wake up every day and just love who I want without fear of judgement or fucking Nazis apparently." The Nazis left shortly after I interviewed that participant. pic.twitter.com/9rbPZLiROu Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 29, 2023 3. "Us or the pedophiles!" the Blood Tribe chanted as they marched around the Pride in the Park event. A woman confronted them, and a rifle-wielding Nazi told her "I would say, young lady, that you would look a lot lovelier if you were wearing a proper dress." pic.twitter.com/jzJ8NJ9T42 Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 29, 2023 Ford Fischer was able to interview one of the members of the Blood Tribe. In response to questions regarding federal affiliation, the group members answered with denials and sarcastic admissions of being federal agents. 4. I asked the masked, Neo-Nazi Blood Tribe group if any are federal informants. "No!" "Absolutely not!" "No!" they answered. "I'm a fed!" one said sarcastically, before they all started listing off federal agencies they mockingly say they're a part of. pic.twitter.com/mubzuXI8Q4 Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 29, 2023 Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com Clown world: Texas Dem lawmaker lauded for 9-hour hunger and thirst strike Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) reportedly received much adulation after announcing the end of his nine-hour "food and water strike" tantamount to skipping one full meal at the U.S. Capitol steps. The Democrat had taken his last sip of water at 10:15 a.m. of July 25, vowing not to consume any food or drink until nurses told him it was unsafe to do so. He concluded his strike at around 7 p.m. of the same day. Casar's nine-hour fast sought to get the White House on board to implement a heat protection rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that includes water and food breaks. "It's challenging and it's hot, but it's not as hot as it is in Texas," the congressman said in an interview. "If things were working the way they should, then we wouldn't have had multiple workers die in Texas of heat exhaustion just in this month alone." Casar pointed to a recent heat wave that brought triple-digit temperatures to the Lone Star State. Given this, he argued that workers need water breaks now more than ever. The Democrat denounced a state law signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June that will overturn some local ordinances. The so-called "Death Star Bill" will overturn local ordinances that require water breaks for workers. This prompted Casar to call for more action at the federal level culminating with his strike. "During the Civil Rights era, when governors in the South did terrible things, people of conscience in Washington, D.C. stepped up and did the right thing," he said. "I think we're called upon in this moment do the same to pass national heat protections to give everybody the right to water." Casar made use of a heart rate monitor, and even livestreamed his medical checkups. Before ending his strike, nurses checked his vital signs. The crowd surrounding Casar burst into applause as he chugged down a glass of water. Casar's "strike" equal to skipping ONE FULL MEAL During Casar's strike, several of his colleagues from the Democratic Party showed up to offer support including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York. New York Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman also showed up in support of their fellow Squad member. The Progressive Squad lists Casar, Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez as members. Reps. Al Green and Sylvia Garcia, both Texas Democrats, also joined Casar in the morning. Garcia even recounted a story of her working in the fields under the hot sun, causing her to get so overheated and suffer a nosebleed. This was not the first time Casar went on a hunger or thirst strike. He previously did so in Austin back in 2010, and went on strike again five years later in 2015. The Democratic lawmaker addressed supporters after his fast, saying: "I was honored to be joined at my thirst strike by workers in Texas and across the nation and by lots of colleagues pushing for federal heat safety protections." Activists and union workers joined Casar, including labor leader Dolores Huerta. She founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) with Cesar Chavez in in 1962. NFWA later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, led by Filipino-American labor leader Larry Itliong, to form the United Farm Workers of America. Greg Price of Para Bellum News poked fun at Casar's strike, tweeting: "Bro skipped one meal and is breaking out the heart rate monitor." (Related: Intermittent fasting 101: How many hours do you have to fast to reap its benefits?) Looking at the silver lining of things, Casar himself became an unexpected poster boy for the benefits of fasting. He said: "I thought I would be feeling way hungrier or crankier. Nine hours without water or food, but I'm more energized than ever to get this done." Watch this MSNBC news report about the "Death Star Bill" Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed, and what Rep. Greg Casar fasted against. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Stay hydrated and boost your fiber intake: 10 Ways to reset your diet. Tyson Foods runs slave camp as workers are forced to wear diapers, denied bathroom breaks. A 3-day fast can reduce inflammation, revitalize the immune system and clear up post-vaccine symptoms. Sources include: TheGatewayPundit.com RollCall.com Brighteon.com Biden regime creates PERMANENT pandemic agency to unleash decades of emergency vaccines In anticipation of the next global "pandemic," the Biden regime has created a new pandemic agency called the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR) that will be tasked with procuring the next round of emergency "vaccines" for whatever scary new "virus" or bioweapon gets unleashed. A fact sheet released by the White House makes it abundantly clear that the OPPR is a permanent new fixture in Washington, D.C. This suggests that the pandemic psy-ops are also here to stay will the next one be Ebola? Monkeypox? Another coronavirus? Whatever the next public health scare ends up being, the OPPR will be ready and waiting to lead, coordinate, and implement "actions related to preparedness for, and response to, known and unknown biological threats or pathogens." Reading between the lines, the OPPR will be tasked with unleashing more lockdowns, mask mandates, and other forms of tyranny the next time a biological threat or pathogens, including the "unknown" fake kind, is announced and unveiled by the government and the media. (Related: Check out these eight insidious goals of the Biden regime.) The OPPR is Operation Warp Speed on steroids Ret. Air Force Major Gen. Paul Friedrichs, fake president Joe Biden's current special assistant, will be tasked with heading up the OPPR. Friedrichs also serves as the Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense at the White House National Security Council. Prior to his OPPR appointment, Friedrichs served as the joint staff surgeon at the Pentagon (Pentagram) where he provided guidance to the United States military's Covid-19 task force. The OPPR will officially come into existence on August 7. Immediately after its launch, Friedrichs will start the process of forming a dedicated team to ensure that the Strategic National Stockpile is overflowing with essential medical supplies. He will also collaborate with Congress to secure more funding for U.S. preparedness initiatives. Friedrichs will also be tasked with supervising and managing domestic biosecurity preparedness. A major component of this will be to spearhead the development of next-generation "vaccines" for future pandemics. As he is doing all this, Friedrichs will also have the responsibility of enhancing spying and surveillance initiatives to monitor and detect (create?) new biological threats as the globalists determine when to unleash them. Based on the timeline of events that occurred prior to covid that quietly announced its coming arrival, what is happening right now points to the year 2025 as being when the next global plandemic is to be unleashed. A simulated pandemic preparedness exercise known as Catastrophic Contagion that was staged last October in Brussels centered around "SEERS," a fictional virus that likely represents the next one to be unleashed, perhaps in 2025. "During the simulated exercise, participants engaged in a series of World Health Organization meetings to strategize and analyze the best course of action to combat the fictional virus, SEERS," reports Great Game India about the exercise and what it entailed. "The description of the virus in the summary of the event indicated that it had a higher fatality rate than COVID-19 and had a particular impact on children and young people." Naturally, the usual suspects were involved with the SEERS psy-op: Johns Hopkins University's Center for Health Security, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to name just a few. "As part of the exercise, a highlight reel was assembled, featuring various components, including a fictional television news segment dedicated to reporting on the developments and impacts of the SEERS virus. This simulated media coverage aimed to mimic real-world situations and enable participants to assess how information dissemination and public communication would be vital during a potential pandemic situation." Wondering what the next virus or bioweapon might be? Learn more at Plague.info. Sources for this article include: GreatGameIndia.com Newstarget.com Citizens can SUE federal employees for censorship collusion under new Republican legislation House Republicans have authored a new bill that would grant Americans the right to sue federal employees caught aiding or abetting the suppression of free speech online. Known as the Censorship Accountability Act, the legislation aims to take down what has come to be known as the Censorship Industrial Complex, a collusive anti-First Amendment initiative being spearheaded by corporations, Big Government, Big Tech, and Big Academia. Authored by Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), the Censorship Accountability Act takes direct aim at federal employees who act as enablers, or even orchestrators, of social media censorship on platforms like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter). "The Censorship Industrial Complex should no longer be allowed to operate with impunity, and those who seek to destroy the freedom of speech should have to answer for it in a court of law," Bishop tweeted in support of his bill. (Related: Donald Trump is promising to ban all collusion between Big Tech and the federal government if elected president again in 2024.) The First Amendment is under attack, but YOU can fight back What the Censorship Accountability Act would do is empower individuals in America to file lawsuits against executive branch employees who in any way help manipulate social media companies into "shadow-banning" posts or banning users for "wrongthink." Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) all support the Censorship Accountability Act, which outlines in clear terms the rights and recourse that are available to any U.S. citizen who has been deprived of his or her First Amendment rights to hold complicit federal employees accountable. "Any federal employee found doing so under the aegis of any official stature or protocol will be liable to legal action," explains Reclaim the Net about the bill. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Bishop spoke directly about why he feels passing his legislation is critical to the future of the nation. "Freedom of speech is the bedrock principle of our nation," Bishop said. "Unfortunately, many malicious actors, especially federal bureaucrats, are bent on undermining the First Amendment and censoring Americans at every turn." "Current law allows government agents to censor and suppress free speech with little recourse for those being silenced. My bill will change that by finally allowing Americans to sue federal employees who violate their First Amendment rights. The Censorship Industrial Complex should no longer be allowed to operate with impunity, and those who seek to destroy the freedom of speech should have to answer for it in a court of law." The bill states that any federal employee caught depriving, or trying to deprive, any person of his or her First Amendment right "shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress." The bill clearly focuses its attention on the Biden regime, which we now know has been colluding with Big Tech and social media companies to do just that: deprive American citizens of their First Amendment rights online. Bishop's legislation comes on the heels of a federal judge's ruling in Missouri v. Biden earlier this month, who found "substantial evidence" of a "censorship campaign" coordinated between the federal government and social media platforms during the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "pandemic." In a scathing opinion, that judge compared the Biden regime and its censorship actions to an Orwellian "Ministry of Truth." "The resulting injunction restricted some federal agencies and officials from coordinating with social media companies to remove or limit the reach of posts," reported Fox News. The latest news about the Censorship Industrial Complex can be found at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: ReclaimTheNet.org Newstarget.com FoxNews.com The Right Side with Doug Billings: Democrats, MSM trying to blow up Trumps classified docs issue yet again Brighteon.TV The Democratic Party and the mainstream media (MSM) are again trying to blow up the classified documents issue against former President Donald Trump, according to Doug Billings. During the July 25 episode of "The Right Side" on Brighteon.TV, Billings cited how Trump addressed the recording where the former president touched on newspaper clippings and magazine articles. The MSM and Democrats twisted this to mean that Trump was discussing classified documents. But Billings noted that the two parties' accusations against Trump are "a work of fiction" as the former president has always been clean. "Trump is clean. He's done nothing wrong. The media is spinning it, [and] they are going with it," he said. "He's talking about having articles, magazine clippings, newspaper clippings and the like about stuff that was in the news Afghanistan, Iran, etc. that were not classified documents," said Billings before showing a video clip of Trump addressing the issue. Trump stressed that he has done nothing wrong and that the allegations are a hoax, just like the Russia-gate issue and the now-discredited Steele dossier. Instead, current President Joe Biden is the one clearly doing all the wrongdoing with his acceptance of money from China and his boxes being "all over the place." "It's called, I would say, election interference more than anything else," Trump continued. "It's a disgrace that they can do it." According to Billings, people who are again trying to spin this issue against Trump only make Americans support Trump more. He also noted the "strenuous effort" by the Democratic Party to keep the former president from returning to the White House. (Related: Trump indictment shows that power-crazed Democrats are INCOMPATIBLE with human society.) Billings: Decent Democrats still exist The host of "The Right Side" still thinks that there are good Democrats who do believe in America, even though they have a different opinion about things. He cited presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) as an example of a decent Democrat, despite some Americans disagreeing with what he stands for. "We can talk with him, we can debate with him, we can compromise with him [and] we can reach [an] agreement with people like him," Billings remarked. The Brighteon.TV host said people who think Trump has done something wrong are basically "putting their intellectual immaturity on full display." The former president and his family have been investigated more than any political family in the history of American politics for the last seven years, but the probes have found nothing wrong. This only proves that Trump is clean and, in Billings' own words, "like Teflon [because] nothing sticks [to] him." "He has risen to new highs in the polls. He really is setting new highs, and the indictments are enabling him to gain more momentum. Because Americans are smart, Americans are intellectually mature [and] they can smell a rat. The rat is the Communist-Socialist [Party], formerly known as Democratic Party." Follow Trump.news for more news about former President Donald Trump. Watch the July 25 episode of "The Right Side" below. Tune in to "The Right Side" every Tuesday at 7-8 p.m. and every Saturday at 10-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Lawyer who lost Clinton sock drawer case says Trump has every right to the classified docs he had at Mar-a-Lago. Trump lays out 2024 presidential run agenda, promises to complete mission and build America up again. Doug Billings: Democratic Party has been replaced by the Communist Socialist Party Brighteon.TV. Former federal prosecutor finds numerous problems with indictment documents against Trump. Bidens Justice Department might file a THIRD INDICTMENT against Donald Trump. Sources include: Brighteon.com DougBillings.us Dr. John Clauser CANCELLED from IMF talk after declaring climate change narrative to be pseudoscience Nobel Laureate (Physics 2022) Dr. John Clauser has been axed from speaking at an upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) engagement due to statements he recently made about man-made climate change being "pseudoscience." Dr. Clauser was scheduled to present a seminar on climate models to the IMF before he received an email out of the blue from Pablo Moreno, director of the IMF's Independent Evaluation Office, explaining that Dr. Clauser's July 25 Zoom talk had been summarily and immediately cancelled though the word used in the email was "postponed." "There is no real climate crisis," Dr. Clauser had previously declared before getting canned from the IMF event. "Climate science has metastasized into massive shock-journalistic pseudoscience." Dr. Clauser had also criticized the awarding of a 2021 Nobel Prize for work that was done developing computer models predicting global warming. Dr. Clauser had also told fake president Joe Biden directly on at least one occasion that Biden's climate policies are disastrous and not at all based on science. (Related: Dr. Clauser is very outspoken about man-made global warming, which he says is a total hoax." Dr. Clauser's climate models include consideration for visible light reflected by cumulus clouds, which is routinely ignored by climate fanatics The vast majority of accepted climate "science" completely ignores the visible light that cumulus cloud cover reflects. Cumulus clouds, by the way, cover, on average, about half of the Earth. Dr. Clauser's climate models deviate from the establishment's climate models in that he takes this visible light into consideration, which is important because cumulus cloud cover exerts "a very powerful, dominant thermostatic control of the Earth's temperature," to quote the Watts Up With That? climate blog. "Key processes are exaggerated and misunderstood by approximately 200 times," Dr. Clauser stated at the recent Korea Quantum Conference, adding once again that he does not "believe there is a climate crisis." Last month, the CO2 Coalition made Dr. Clauser a member of its board. The CO2 Coalition, by the way, argues that carbon dioxide emissions from humans and human activity are good for the planet because they contribute to a "greening" effect, meaning more plant life and more abundance and beauty. The climate fanatics hate CO2 for some reason. They also hate nitrogen and other natural elements that plants, animals, and humans require in order to live. In their fairy tale imaginations, ridding the planet of CO2, nitrogen, and all other natural gases will help to "cool" the planet and stop the polar ice caps from melting. Back in the 1970s, Dr. Clauser demonstrated "quantum entanglement," which allows particles such as photons to interact at great distances at communication levels that seemingly exceed the speed of light. "The popular narrative about climate change reflects a dangerous corruption of science that threatens the world's economy and the well-being of billions of people," Dr. Clauser warns. "Misguided climate science has metastasized into massive shock-journalistic pseudoscience." "In turn, the pseudoscience has become a scapegoat for a wide variety of other unrelated ills. It has been promoted and extended by similarly misguided business marketing agents, politicians, journalists, government agencies, and environmentalists. In my opinion, there is no real climate crisis. There is, however, a very real problem with providing a decent standard of living to the world's large population and an associated energy crisis. The latter is being unnecessarily exacerbated by what, in my opinion, is incorrect climate science." In the comments, someone joked that Dr. Clauser might want to reiterate that he is not depressed and does not possess any dirt on two-time failed presidential wannabe Hillary Clinton, the insinuation being that his climate skepticism could put him in the crosshairs of some very dangerous and powerful people. The latest climate-related news can be found at Climate.news. Sources for this article include: WattsUpWithThat.com Newstarget.com Millions of UK students are using BIOMETRICS for school-related activities without parental consent Blogger and concerned parent Pippa King has warned that millions of school children in the United Kingdom are using biometrics for school activities , with educational institutions storing their data. According to King, approximately 4.5 million of of the U.K.'s nine million school children use biometrics for a wide variety of school activities and services. These include library access, canteen payments, locker access and registration. She noted that this use of biometrics has been going on since 2001 without parental consent. The concerned parent behind the "Against RFID in Schools" and "Biometrics in Schools" blogs has been documenting the rise of radiation frequency identification (RFID) technologies and real-time location systems in schools. She has also highlighted the issues of biometric data collection, such as fingerprints, iris scans, facial recognition and infrared palm scanning used for different school activities. (Related: Track em young: Newborns in Kenya are being used to develop a biometric vaccination management tracking program.) King's advocacy began when the school of her children attempted to collect their fingerprints for a library system without parental consent. At the time, the U.K. Data Protection Act (UKDPA) of 1998 did not classify biometric data as sensitive personal data, which means schools can store and process children's biometric information without their permission. The Protection of Freedoms Act passed in May 2021 23 years after the UKDPA was passed required schools to acquire written parental consent before storing or processing the biometric data of children. However, the act does not address the use of RFID tags on children. Schools may now have the option to opt out of using biometrics, but they may use RFID technology instead. (Related: VACCINE PRISON CAMP: LA schools to track students using Microsoft's "Daily Pass" tracking app.) In the course of her research, King uncovered a link between school RFID tracking systems and military-industrial corporations such as Lockheed-Martin and Honeywell. According to her, these firms have developed active RFID tracking systems to monitor student attendance and use it to study social peer relationships. RFID systems make students susceptible to military tracking sensors The RFID systems used by students operate on the same frequency as the ones used by the U.S. military and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for tracking assets. With these tags, which continue transmitting data outside school premises, students have become more susceptible to military tracking sensors with the same frequency compatibility. Former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent Robert David Steele exposed the military's link to child trafficking in an April 2018 testimony. Steele said the military, law enforcement and non-government organizations were involved in these abhorrent crimes. Steele, who died in August 2021, shed light on the dark and disturbing reality of international child trafficking and the horrifying practices surrounding it. He emphasized that children were not just kidnapped, but, in some cases, bred by families as a cash crop, then sold without birth certificates for easier transactions. "Pedophilia is how the Deep State recruits and controls people," Steele stated during his testimony. He further exposed that this heinous practice was not limited to child slavery and abuse, but also involved child torture, blood-drinking ceremonies, the harvesting of body organs, ritual ceremonies, and even ritual murder. "I am on record as a former CIA operations officer in saying that our thousand [military] bases overseas are not there for national defense; they're there to serve as lily pads for the smuggling of guns, gold, cash, drugs and small children." Watch former CIA agent Robert David Steele exposing the horrendous activities related to child trafficking, which the military is reportedly involved in. This video is from the genexerquestions channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Tyler Schwab discusses efforts to rescue CHILD TRAFFICKING victims Brighteon.TV. Biden DOJ erases child sex trafficking language from government website after losing track of 85,000 migrant children. Big Media trying to discredit blockbuster Sound of Freedom film do they all support child sex trafficking? YouTube protects child sex trafficking, pedophiles and groomers by BANNING interviews and videos about Sound of Freedom film. Sources include: Expose-News.com Ohio voters to decide on making abortion a right in the states constitution in November Voters in Ohio will decide in November whether abortion-on-demand should be a right added to their state's constitution The decision to leave the matter up to a referendum comes after Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a statement on Tuesday, July 25, that the left-wing pro-abortion coalition Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights was able to submit nearly 496,000 valid signatures, comfortably more than the approximately 413,000 needed to put a constitutional amendment before voters on the Nov. 7 election ballot. The measure, should it pass, would establish "a fundamental right to reproductive freedom" with "reasonable limits." The language is very similar to a constitutional amendment that voters in Michigan approved in last year's midterms. The constitutional amendment would essentially make all abortions until around the 24th week of pregnancy the standard under the now-overruled Roe v. Wade ruling to be legal. Any restrictions imposed past a fetus' viability outside the womb after the 24th week must be based on "evidence of patient health and safety benefits." "Every person deserves respect, dignity and the right to make reproductive healthcare decisions, including those related to their own pregnancy, miscarriage care and abortion free from government interference," said Lauren Blauvelt and Lauren Beene, executive committee members for the Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. The Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights is part of a coalition advocating for keeping abortion legal and restriction-free. This coalition includes the state chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, and URGE, a group that has vigorously campaigned to drop parental involvement laws in the state. (Related: Abortion giant Planned Parenthood grosses $1.7 billion from murdering over 383,000 unborn babies.) Abortion in Ohio remains legal up to 20 weeks' gestation following a judge's order issued in a lawsuit challenging a ban once cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks into the pregnancy. To help prevent the referendum's passage, Republican lawmakers have set a special election on Aug. 8 to vote on a series of constitutional amendments known as Issue 1. If it passes, Issue 1 could raise the threshold for a referendum to pass a constitutional amendment from a simple majority to 60 percent. It should be noted that polling suggests only around 59 percent of Ohio voters believe abortion should generally be legal. The Aug. 8 special election also features votes to eliminate the 10-day curing period for when referendum initiatives led by citizens need to procure additional signatures if they initially fall short, and increase the number of counties where signatures must be collected from 44 to all 88 in the state. Pro-abortion groups trying to buy their way into Ohio's constitution Opponents of Issue 1 claim the amendments are an effort to prevent them from enshrining the right to abortion into the state constitution. But supporters of Issue 1 note that the amendments will protect Ohio's constitution from being tampered with by out-of-state special interest groups that allegedly circumvent the legislature and "buy their way into the constitution," including the local branches of national pro-abortion groups driving the abortion-on-demand amendment. Republican State Rep. Brian Stewart said there is precedent in pushing for more than a simple majority when it comes to referendums on constitutional amendments. "Florida requires 60 percent for all constitutional amendments. Colorado a blue state requires 55 percent for amendments. New Hampshire requires 66 percent for amendments. Arizona requires 60 percent for amendments that would increase taxes," said Stewart. "So, there's a lot of precedent for moving in this direction, and we think it's time to finally get it done." Follow Abortions.news for more news about abortion in America. Watch the video below to know why abortion is considered a mass industrialized murder. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pro-lifers oppose "extreme" bill in Maine that seeks to legalize abortion after fetal viability. Radical group Jane's Revenge attacks, vandalizes Ohio pregnancy. ABORTION WELFARE: Getting an abortion in California is now free, thanks to Gavin Newsom. Abortion industry wants legal immunity to kill live-birth babies who survive botched abortions. Sources include: Breitbart.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Dr. Meryl Nass: WHOs pandemic treaty to remove human rights, sovereignty under the pretext of pandemic preparedness and biosecurity agendas Board-certified internist and biological warfare epidemiologist Dr. Meryl Nass issued a disturbing warning that the Pandemic Treaty being pushed by the World Health Organization (WHO) is going to take over the jurisdiction of everything in the world. During the International COVID Summit of the European Parliament held in Brussels, Belgium in May, Nass said that the health authorities will use the treaty to impose the idea that climate change, animals, plants, water systems, and ecosystems are all central to health. According to Nass, the Pandemic Treaty will remove human rights protections currently embedded in the International Health Regulations (IHR), enforce censorship and digital passports, get rid of freedom of speech, require governments to push a single "official" narrative and dictate which drugs should be prescribed in every country. "We're undergoing a soft coup," she alerted. She also pointed out how the organization is moving to create a whole new set of laws and ignore the existing human rights laws under the pretext of pandemic preparedness and the biosecurity agenda. Nass divulged how it is working on binding states so there are no longer recommendations, providing a liability shield for vaccine manufacturers and public health officials getting rid of intellectual property rights, and moving supplies from one country to another. The doctor from Maine added that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus would be able to declare pandemics at the mere threat of a public health emergency of international concern. He can also call for a world lockdown for declared climate change emergencies as per the treaty. Dr. Meryl Nass explains how the WHO's proposed pandemic treaty will enable the WHO "to take over jurisdiction of everything in the world by saying that climate change, animals, plants, water systems [and] ecosystems are all central to health". In addition to that, it will remove pic.twitter.com/XKkuN387DP Wide Awake Media (@wideawake_media) July 27, 2023 Watch the full video of the International Covid Summit where Dr. Meryl Nass spoke about the Pandemic Treaty's alarming provisions. Meanwhile, in a separate interview with the independent media organization Bright Light News, the epidemiologist stressed how the "One Health" concept will put animals and ecosystems on the same level as humans. She said under the direction of the WHO's Pandemic Treaty and proposed changes to the IHR, the United Nations (UN) specialized health agency would be given centralized powers superseding those of its 194 member states' sovereign governments. Nass explained that under "One Health," animals and the environment would be given equal status with humans. "One of the methods that is being used for the WHO to gain more power is a concept that was rolled out in Davos in 2012 at the World Economic Forum (WEF). This concept states that human health cannot be looked at in isolation. But instead, we must consider the health of animals, plants, the environment, water systems or ecosystems together," Nass noted. "In this connection, doctors are not allowed to look at health anymore. Instead, we need ecologists and veterinarians, pathologists, etcetera to be involved. Now, do you think the WHO is going to elevate animals to the status of humans? No, it's going to lower humans to the status of animals." (Related: Biological warfare expert warns: WHO will lower humans to the status of animals to gain more control.) Legislation passed in Congress to develop a national "One Health Framework" Congress enacted into law a bill that seeks to develop a national "One Health Framework" that will coordinate federal activities in combating zoonotic disease outbreaks and advance public health preparedness. Said legislation was supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The One Health language passed is taken from another bill, the "Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act (HR 2061/S 681)," and directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with other relevant federal departments and agencies to develop the national framework within a year. The bill was passed in December 2022. "The One Health legislation passed by Congress will help strengthen the nations preparedness for diseases that can spread between animals and humans," AVMA President Lori Teller said. "We have all witnessed the significant threat that zoonotic diseases pose to our society. With animals, humans, and the environment being more interconnected than ever, the AVMA applauds Congress for taking this crucial step forward in fully implementing a One Health Framework so we can better protect public health." Dr. Bruce Kaplan, the co-founder of the One Health Initiative, lauded the decision of the House, saying: "Passage of this long-overdue One Health Framework provision by the Congress is heartening and I am delighted. However, my fervent hope is, as Winston Churchill said, 'Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.'" Follow MedicalTyranny.com for more news on the globalist health agencies' efforts to take control of the world. Sources for this article include: BrightLightNews.com AVMA.org 1 AVMA.org 2 NEVER FORGET: Pfizer RIGGED scientific studies, promoted off-label use of its epilepsy drug Neurontin to hit sales targets Pfizer manipulated scientific studies centering on and promoted off-label use of its epilepsy drug Neurontin to increase its sales , according to a 2008 probe by the New York Times. Neurontin, whose generic name is gabapentin, was initially approved in 1993 for treating epilepsy. But over the years, its primary purpose represented only a fraction of its actual usage, as Neurontin had been used for off-label uses most of the time since its approval. The drug's off-label use helped propel its annual sales to nearly $3 billion before it lost patent protection in 2004. The company's rigging of scientific studies included "delaying the publication of studies that had found no evidence the drug worked for some other disorders;" "'spinning' negative data to place it in a more positive light" and "bundling negative findings with positive studies to neutralize the results." Meanwhile, Pfizer issued a statement denying the accusations. Former employee turned whistleblower David Franklin explained how Pfizer utilized deceptive marketing practices to push the use of Neurontin. He had been a former employee of Parke-Davis, which was acquired by Warner-Lambert in 1970. Pfizer eventually acquired Warner-Lambert in 2000, also taking Parke-Davis under its wing. According to Franklin, the New York-based drug manufacturer had engaged in illegal off-label marketing practices to boost sales of Neurontin for other conditions like pain management, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches and drug and alcohol withdrawal. Pfizer's crimes eventually catch up The controversial marketing campaign behind Neurontin aimed to convince physicians, who may not have been well-versed in Neurontin's clinical data, that the drug was a viable treatment option for various disorders. As a result, patients were prescribed the medication for off-label uses without sufficient evidence of its efficacy. Pfizer promoted Neurontin to high-prescribing physicians, cultivated thought leaders by recruiting and training local physicians to serve as speakers in "peer-to-peer selling" programs, and solicited academic leaders with grants and speaking opportunities. These tactics further convince doctors to prescribe Neurontin for unapproved uses, a practice known as "off-label prescribing." One of the most insidious tactics used in promoting Neurontin was the employment of "seeding trials." These trials, disguised as patient studies, encouraged doctors to use the drug under the guise of participating as investigators in clinical trials. The Neurontin seeding trial involved 772 physicians and 2,759 patients, leading to 11 deaths and 73 serious adverse events. (Related: Pfizer has a shockingly long history of engaging in illegal activities and human experimentation.) Franklin's concerns were raised when he was informed in April 1996 that the Food and Drug Administration strictly prohibited the promotion of any drug for off-label uses. A Parke-Davis executive reportedly dismissed his concerns, telling him to be "out there every day" pushing Neurontin on physicians. This prompted Franklin to resign and sue his former employer in July 1996. The whistleblower's choice to do the right thing paid off. The company's illegal marketing practices caught up with it leading to a $430 million settlement, one of the largest False Claims Act recoveries against a pharmaceutical company in U.S. history, in May 2004. Ten years later in June 2014, Pfizer shelled out another $325 million to settle Neurontin-related claims. For his efforts, Franklin received about $26.6 million in the May 2004 settlement money. According to SFGATE, this was awarded to him "under legal provisions that reward citizens for helping to recover government money obtained by fraud." Learn more about Pfizer and other Big Pharma companies at BigPharmaNews.com. Watch InfoWars founder Alex Jones expounding on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's admission that Israelis were used as human guinea pigs for Pfizer's Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pfizer's criminal history is EXTENSIVE, Pfizer Files show. NEVER FORGET: Pfizer sued for $7B over illegal drug trials on kids. Pfizer a "habitual offender" that "persistently" engages in illegal activity, study warns. Sources include: GlobalResearch.ca TuscaloosaNews.com SFGate.com FiercePharma.com Brighteon.com News / National by Staff reporter A 43-year-ol Muzarabani man went berserk on Saturday, killing his niece's four children in a shock arson attack after the woman had turned down his sexual advances.In a statement, police confirmed Tonderai Muchimwe committed the heinous crime at Mafararikwa Village in Marange.Police said Muchimwe also set himself on fire and died along with three minors.The deceased minors have been identified as Ashton Mundoko, 12, Quinton Mundoko, 7, and Tamari Mundoko, 5.One of the children Takunda Mundoko, aged 14, had managed to escape through the window but succumbed to the burns on Monday.The children's mother Violet Muchimwe had fled from the house following the confrontation by Tonderai.Said the police, "On 29th July 2023 at about 0000 hours, Tonderai Muchimwe broke into the room in which his niece, Violet Muchimwe, 35, Tonderai Muchimwe who was armed with a knife demanded to have sexual intercourse with his niece, leading to a scuffle."Violet Muchimwe fled leaving her children behind. Tonderai Muchimwe sprinkled petrol in the house and set the house on fire."As a result, Tonderai Muchimwe, Ashton Mundoko, Quinton Mundoko and Tamari Mundoko were burnt beyond recognition whilst Takunda Mundoko sustained burns all over the body after escaping out of the room through the window."In a related incident, the police said they were investigating circumstances surrounding the death of Emily Kamugiya, 65, Letina Chimuka, 70, and Maxwell Josi, 12, after the thatched bedroom they were sleeping in was set on fire by an unknown suspect on 30th July 2023 at Chitimbe Village, Muzarabani. Hundreds of public school districts are SUING Big Tech for warping their students minds into a MENTAL HEALTH DISASTER Somewhere in the vicinity of 200 public school districts across the U.S. are suing social media companies for the profound damage these tech platforms have inflicted on students who use them. In support of the new Social Media Parental Notification Act, the suit aims to force tech giants like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok to include parental consent as part of their terms of service before allowing underage children and teens to use their platforms. According to the plaintiffs, countless children across the country have had their brains destroyed by using social media. The suit specifically names cyberbullying and mental health issues as being among the most prominent harm that students are incurring as a result of using social media. The suit was recently consolidated in the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., due to the multiple individual suits that were brought by schools. Hundreds of families are also suing for the exact same thing in the exact same court. (Related: Be sure to check out our earlier report about how public school "teachers" are colluding with one another to devise new ways to "subversively and quietly" transition students into the cult of LGBT without their parents' knowledge or consent.) Families, schools address Section 230 provisions that unfairly shield social media companies from substantial liability for harm caused by their platforms At the heart of the suit is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which as we reported in the past grants Big Tech an unfair liability shield, whereby nobody can sue social media platforms for harm caused by their services. What Section 230 does is allow social media companies to weasel their way out of accountability for harms caused by the content they host. In essence, the provision allows them to pretend to be service providers rather than the content curators they technically are with all of the censorship and manipulation they engage in. "The parent companies of these social media platforms argue the case should be dismissed due to Section 230 protections," KATU reported about the lawsuit. "However, the schools argue that Section 230 does not apply in this case. Their claim centers on the platforms' product design and addictive algorithms, which they say are addictive and manipulative to vulnerable students." While it is certainly going to be an uphill battle for the plaintiffs, it is not an impossibility for the suit to succeed. If enough evidence can be put forth in the case, it might just be a success in finally holding Big Tech responsible for destroying the country while raking in obscene profits. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has confirmed that social media is harmful to users, and particularly younger users whose brains are still developing. Back in May, he issued an advisory that social media use damages mental health and well-being, and that younger people in particular should limit use to no more than three hours per day. Other experts say that children should use social media for no more than two hours per day, but the notion still stands that it is harmful when used in excess and some would argue that social media use at all is harmful. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, some 76 percent of schools in the U.S. have mobile phone bans, as of 2020. So, we can see that some steps are being taken to curb social media in this way, though much more can still be done to protect children. Congress is also considering the passage of minimum age restrictions for social media use, with 13 years old being thrown around as a potential cut-off with nobody younger than that being allowed to use toxic platforms like X (Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. American public schools have become LGBT grooming factories run by pedophiles and perverts. Learn more at Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: KATU.com NewsTarget.com European security officials claim Putin appeared indecisive in first hours of Wagner Group rebellion European security officials are claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared paralyzed and indecisive after Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Wagner mercenary group, launched an attempted mutiny on June 24. Prigozhin, a 62-year-old Russian oligarch, famously known as "Putin's chef" due to his close ties to the Russian president, is facing serious allegations of incitement to armed rebellion against top Russian military officials. (Related: Was Prigozhins mutiny a Western intelligence op derailed by Russian spies?) Based on intelligence assessments, Russian security services had warned Putin about the possible rebellion two to three days prior to the incident. While some measures were taken to boost security at strategic facilities, including the Kremlin, the lack of decisive action from Putin's side left officials in confusion. European security officials, supported by corroborating statements from Western governments, revealed that the lack of clear orders from the Kremlin's top command left local officials to decide independently on how to respond to the Wagner troops. Heavily armed Wagner troops entered the Russian city of Rostov and seized control of the main command center of the military before moving toward Moscow. The attempted mutiny exposed the reluctance of Putin to confront a warlord who had gained significant support within Russia's security establishment over the years. However, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesman, dismissed the intelligence assessments as "nonsense" and insisted they were shared with no credible information. Wagner group's mutiny attempt exposes vulnerabilities in Putin's leadership system The situation has exposed the vulnerabilities in Putin's management system, which relies on pitting rival clans against each other. With no clear commands from the leadership, local military and security chiefs opted not to confront the Wagner troops, assuming there might be tacit support from the Kremlin. While some within the power structures supported Prigozhin's attempts to clean up the leadership, others were horrified by the mutiny attempt and the Kremlin's lackluster reaction. The crisis ended after Prigozhin brokered a deal with the help of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, leading to the withdrawal of Wagner troops and avoiding major bloodshed. However, this episode has left Putin significantly weakened, and critics argue that he failed to make important and timely decisions during a critical situation. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Wagner Group has been increasingly relied upon by the Russian military, especially after suffering significant losses. The group, primarily active in Syria and parts of Africa before, took on a more significant role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, tensions between Prigozhin and Russia's military leaders have been simmering for some time. In February, Prigozhin openly criticized Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov for not adequately supporting his forces and failing to conduct the war effectively. His troops suffered heavy casualties during the intense fighting in the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. The situation escalated further when Prigozhin accused the Russian military of carrying out a strike on a Wagner camp in Ukraine, an accusation vehemently denied by the Defense Ministry. Subsequently, he called on fellow Russians to join a "march of justice" against Shoigu and Gerasimov, accusing them of lying about the war in Ukraine and downplaying the number of casualties. The call for a "march of justice" has led to accusations of incitement to armed rebellion against Prigozhin, further deepening the rift between the Wagner Group leader and the Russian military establishment. Visit RussiaReport.news to know the latest developments in Russia. Watch the video below discussing Yevgeny Prigozhin's short-lived rebellion. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: China pledges support for Russia following failed Wagner mercenary rebellion. Russian paramilitary Wagner Group said to have captured Ukrainian salt mines as experts predict war will escalate. New Energy Market Order: Russia, China, Iran sign over a dozen new trade agreements mostly concerning energy. Ukraine launches biggest attack in months as much-hyped counteroffensive begins. Russian paramilitary Wagner Group said to have captured Ukrainian salt mines as experts predict war will escalate. Sources include: MSN.com TheWashingtonPost.com Brighteon.com Musk allegedly created secret team to SUPPRESS consumer complaints about poor EV driving range It has come to light that Elon Musk's Tesla corporation is secretly suppressing thousands of driving range complaints from customers who say the distance their battery-powered heaps of junk can travel on a single charge does not come anywhere close to the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer's claims. Back in March, a man named Alexandre Ponsin set out on a family road trip from Colorado to California in his newly purchased Tesla, a used 2021 Model 3, that supposedly lasts 353 miles on a single charge. In reality, Ponsin's Model 3 only traveled about half that distance before failing. "We're looking at the range, and you literally see the number decrease in front of your eyes," Ponsin said, referring to what the dashboard range meter on the vehicle displayed versus what it is actually able to travel. It turns out that Tesla is lying to customers about how for its EVs can travel on a single charge, especially in cold weather like the kind that occurs in the mountains of Colorado. When Ponsin tried to make an appointment with Tesla about the matter, the company canceled it after determining through "remote diagnostics" that the car's battery was "fine." "We would like to cancel your visit," is the automated response that Ponsin received, leaving him and his family perplexed at the total lack of customer service from Musk's company. (Related: Linda Yaccarino, the new Musk-appointed CEO of Twitter, now known as "X," is a vaccine-pushing, pro-mask-wearing, World Economic Forum [WEF] globalist.) Tesla has been rigging the dashboard range readouts of its EVs for YEARS Reuters conducted an in-depth investigation into the matter, revealing that lies about Tesla EVs' range of travel is nothing new for Musk's company. For at least the past decade, Tesla has been rigging the dashboard readouts on its EVs to provide "rosy" projections about how far they can travel before needing a recharge. "The automaker last year became so inundated with driving-range complaints that it created a special team to cancel owners' service appointments," reported Reuters' Steve Stecklow and Norihiko Shirouzu. This "special team" is officially known as a "Diversion Team," which was quietly created by Tesla in Las Vegas to cancel as many range-related appointments as possible. "Inside the Nevada team's office, some employees celebrated canceling service appointments by putting their phones on mute and striking a metal xylophone, triggering applause from coworkers who sometimes stood on desks," Reuters reports. "The team often closed hundreds of cases a week and staffers were tracked on their average number of diverted appointments per day." "Managers told the employees that they were saving Tesla about $1,000 for every canceled appointment, the people said. Another goal was to ease the pressure on service centers, some of which had long waits for appointments." Tesla's business model involves over-hyping the range of its "futuristic" battery-powered plastic piles in order to trick customers into thinking they are getting a "green" car that is just as good and just as reliable as a gas-powered car. According to Stecklow and Shirouzu's findings, "Teslas often fail to achieve their advertised range estimates and the projections provided by the cars' own equipment," this based on what automotive experts who test them for a living are reporting. Keep in mind that Tesla would not even exist, nor would it be sustainable as an actual business, were it not for the billions of dollars in welfare handouts that Musk received to keep the company afloat. U.S. taxpayers, in other words, have been footing the bill for this monstrosity of business, which appears to be based on lies. The latest news about Elon Musk and Tesla can be found at Corruption.news. Sources for this article include: Reuters.com Newstarget.com Check out the top 7 organizations engineering the Censorship Industrial Complex While wars of the past primarily involved weapons like guns, missiles, and bombs, today's "hybrid warfare" protocols look a little different in that censorship is a major component of the current war against free speech Over the past several years, we have witnessed the rise of what many now dub the Censorship Industrial Complex, a hodgepodge of corrupt government agencies, media outlets, social media platforms, and even individual people who have made it their mission to stamp out the First Amendment and ultimately the truth. According to Racket News, there are 50 some-odd organizations directly involved with the Censorship Industrial Complex. They include government agencies, "non-profit" foundations, Big Tech corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), so-called "fact checkers," think tanks, academic institutions, and for-profit companies. Here are seven of the most notable offenders, though you can view the full list of 50 at Racket.news. 1) The Information Futures Lab (IFL) at Brown University An institute housed within Brown's School of Public Health, the IFL's tasks include combatting "misinformation" and "outdated communications practices." The IFL is also the only academic, non-profit organization involved with the Trusted News Initiative, a legacy media creation that exists to control the debate about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "pandemic" response. 2) The Public Good Projects This non-profit consultancy group also specializes in dealing with "disinformation." Twitter's public policy team head Jennifer McDonald noted that the PGP, as it is also called, is one of Twitter's "strongest information sharing partnerships" for dealing with covid "misinformation." 3) Graphika This for-profit company with ties to the defense industry specializes in "digital marketing and disinformation & analysis." Graphika is one of two outside groups that was hired in 2017 by the Senate Intelligence Committee to assess the alleged Russian "cyber menace." It is also one of the "core four" partners at Stanford's Election Integrity Partnership and Virality Project. (Related: Back in the spring, the Censorship Industrial Complex and who and what it involves really started gaining traction in the national spotlight.) 4) The Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLabs) of the Atlantic Council DFRLabs is the public-facing disinformation arm of the "highly influential, extravagantly funded, NATO-aligned think tank" known as the Atlantic Council. Its duties as part of the Censorship Industrial Complex include working with Facebook to "prevent our service from being abused during elections." Part of this involves helping Facebook to purge its platform of "abused accounts" and "coordinated inauthentic activity." 5) Stanford Internet Observatory The parent of two foundational efforts at mass content surveillance and censorship at Stanford University's Election Integrity Project, the SIO helps to "fill the gap" of things "the government could not do themselves," including interfering with American elections. 6) Park Advisors This for-profit firm is funded by the State Department's Global Engagement Center (GEC), specializing in developing "solutions to pressing issues such as Disinformation, Terrorism, Violent Extremism, Hate Speech, Human Trafficking, and Money Laundering." Park Advisors also helped established the so-called "Disinfo Cloud," a dashboard for evaluating and implementing counter-disinformation tools for clamping down on free speech. 7) Moonshot CVE This private corporate tech firm works both with the government and private industry, including with the United States Military Academy, to look for and snitch on people or entities that are engaged in "online hate." Moonshot CVE published a report that included the geolocation of service members who search for specific hate terms, including phrases like "the truth about Black Lives Matter." Once it identifies patterns of online searches for "hate" and "extremist ideology," Moonshot CVE uses its "redirect method" to send advertisements that deter service members towards "constructive alternative messages." The latest news about the deep state's efforts to silence all truth can be found at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: Racket.news Newstarget.com Zelensky proposes another 90-day extension of MARTIAL LAW in Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed another 90-day extension of the country's state of emergency, potentially leading to the cancellation of the Ukrainian parliament's elections. According to the TV actor-turned-president, his proposal centers on his belief that "elections need to happen in a time of peace [and] when there is no fighting." This, he added, ensures that democratic processes can function properly. "The [Ukrainian] constitution prohibits any elections during martial law," Zelensky announced back in May. "If we have martial law, we cannot have elections." If Zelensky's proposal is approved, it would effectively eliminate the possibility of the Verkhovna Rada Ukraine's unicameral parliament holding its elections in October. It could also impact the presidential elections scheduled in March 2024, as the campaign season for that election set to start on Aug. 28 would overlap with the extended state of emergency. (Related: Permanent dictator: Zelensky declares NO MORE ELECTIONS in Ukraine until war ends.) Zelensky first declared martial law on Feb. 24, 2022, following the Russian invasion. Since then, Zelensky has consistently extended its duration, with the most recent 90-day extension set to expire on Aug.18. His new proposal would extend that state of emergency through Nov. 15. Zelensky already laid the groundwork for his dictatorship It is worth noting that Zelensky has done nothing but consolidate his power through martial law and other things. Ironically, the president who became famous for starring in the Ukrainian series "Servant of the People" is doing the direct opposite of how a servant of the people should act. Back in May 2022, Zelensky signed a law that banned a dozen political parties, accusing them of challenging his official position on the conflict with Russia. The Opposition Platform For Life, the largest parliamentary opposition bloc, was outlawed last June. Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich's Party of Regions was also banned in February 2023. According to reports, Zelensky also nationalized all of Ukraine's media and forbade 10 additional opposition groups from holding seats in the parliament. Furthermore, the Federal Intelligence Service of Switzerland accused Zelensky of attempting to "politically eliminate" Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko ahead of the upcoming presidential election. A classified report leaked to the outlet NZZ cited "credible intelligence" indicating that Zelensky was exhibiting authoritarian traits. In May, Martinus Joseph Maria "Tiny" Kox, the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), urged Ukraine to begin preparations for elections as soon as possible. He also acknowledged the restrictions imposed by martial law on holding elections. "Although democracy is far more than only elections, I think we all agree that without the elections, democracy cannot properly function," Kox said. However, Aleksey Danilov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, insisted that elections cannot take place while martial law remains in force. Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk also reiterated the prohibition of holding any further elections during a martial law declaration. "Ukrainian legislation stipulates it is impossible to hold any elections during martial law, and this makes sense," he said. Stefanchuk stressed that such a measure is crucial to prevent the rupture of the state. His statements have raised concerns about the future of democracy in Ukraine amid the backdrop of increasingly centralized power. Learn more about the striking similarities between Zelensky and Biden at Corruption.news. Watch Steve Bannon and Ben Harnwell discussing the U.S. Department of Defense's $3 billion accounting error in Ukraine aid on "Bannon's War Room" below. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Zelensky admits Ukraine already ran out of ammo. Zelensky has a lookalike bodyguard stunt double its all theater. Zelensky quietly deletes photo of his bodyguards pro-Hitler patch. Zelensky signs decree ruling out peace talks with Putin as "impossible." Zelensky admits Ukraine already OUT OF AMMO another begging spree in the works. Sources include: RT.com 1 News.AntiWar.com RT.com 2 Brighteon.com Salvage experts began towing a burning freighter ship off the coast of the Netherlands to a less hazardous location, the authorities said. According to a report from DW, the Panamanian-registered Fremantle Highway has been burning since Tuesday, and the effort to put out the fire and move the ship has been meticulously done in the fear of sinking the ship and causing an "ecological disaster." While on its way from Germany to Egypt, the fire broke out, resulting in the death of one crew member. The remaining members of the 23-person crew were rescued by helicopter. According to local Dutch officials, the injured crew was being treated for respiratory problems, burns, and fractured bones. Towing efforts According to Rijkswaterstaat, the Netherlands' national water management agency, the towing began late Sunday afternoon. The ship is being slowly pulled to a location around 16 kilometers (about 10 miles) north of the islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland, a few dozen kilometers from where it was struck. "There was considerably less smoke on the cargo ship this afternoon," the government agency said, as quoted by the Associated Press. Experts are constantly monitoring the ship's stability, and a specialized boat designed to clean up oil spills is nearby in case of a spill. The initial plan for the towing process was originally set for Saturday; however, due to the southeasterly wind, it was determined that it was not yet safe to begin the operation. The tow was expected to take up to 14 hours, depending on weather conditions, smoke, and the tide. Read Also: Sri Lanka Faces 'Worst Maritime Disaster' After Ablaze Container Ship Caused Oil Spill Fear for Ecological disaster According to a Japan-based charter company, K Line, the ship was carrying 3,783 vehicles, including 498 electric vehicles. The spokesperson for the company, that chartered the vessel declined to comment on the car brands, including whether any Japanese cars were included, Reuters reported. Authorities were concerned that the car components, batteries, and fuel would affect the environmentally sensitive site and its people. The burning ship lies close to the shallow Wadden Sea nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area that is one of the world's most important migrating bird habitats. It's also close to the border between the Netherlands and Germany, whose environment minister, Steffi Lemke, has warned of "an environmental catastrophe of unknown proportions" if the ship sinks, according to ABC News. The source of the fire is still unknown, but the ship's owner believes it started on one of the electric vehicles, whose lithium-ion batteries are difficult to extinguish and can spontaneously restart after catching fire or exploding. The Panama Maritime Authority has initiated an investigation, with the Netherlands aiding the probe, according to the Dutch Safety Board. The fire was the most recent in a string of incidents involving automobile transporters. Earlier this month, two New Jersey firefighters were killed and five were injured while battling a fire on a cargo ship carrying hundreds of vehicles, while another fire in February last year damaged thousands of luxury cars on a ship off the coast of Portugal's Azores islands. Related Article: Burning Cargo Ship Deposited Tons of Toxic Pellets on Sri Lanka Beaches Related Video: Some 2,000 properties have been placed under evacuation alerts in a Canadian town after a wildfire had crossed border from Washington the Canada. According to a report posted on Reuters, an evacuation order was issued across 732 properties in the town of Osoyoos as well as its surrounding areas in the province of British Columbia due to a wildfire, which has been out of control. Due to the effects of the wildfire, a total of 132 individuals have sought emergency assistance and support from the authorities. Officials from the British Columbia Wildfire Service dubbed the wildfire as "Eagle Bluff," which was more or less four kilometers from the said town and was estimated to be 885 hectares in size as regards the Canadian side of the border. Read Also: Canada Wildfire Smoke: Unhealthy Air Quality Affects Chicago, Minneapolis Evacuation order The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Town of Osoyoos stated that the evacuation order has been issued in order "to protect the health, safety or welfare of a person or to limit damage to property due to the threat of a wildfire." Officials advised members the RCMP and other agencies under the direction of the said office to expedite the action to ensure the protection of the public. The said order, meanwhile, covers the area north of the Canada/US border to the intersection of Highway #97 and Highway #3 as well as the west and north along Highway #3. A CBC News entry indicated that an evacuation alert means residents should prepare to evacuate their homes, possibly with little to no notice, amid the threat of the wildfire. On the other hand, an evacuation order means residents should leave immediately for their safety. It was observed that a growing plume of smoke as well as flames were seen from Osoyoos Lake on Saturday afternoon, and this smoke has blanketed the skies since Saturday evening. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said that the wildfire has now scorched an area of more or less 8.8 square kilometers on the Canadian side, while the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WSDNR) gave an estimation that it had burned more than 40 square kilometers in the US. Shaelee Stearns, a BCWS fire information officer, said in the CBC News report that there have been 50 personnel who are exerting their full efforts to combat the fire. They have been using a total of 11 heavy equipment and air support to control the wildfire. "There are Initial Attack crew personnel, several single resources, two helicopters, structure protection personnel and heavy equipment responding to the incident," BCWS said in a VOA News report. What to do The Town of Osoyoos advised residents to reduce water usage in order to guarantee that the town's reservoirs will be available for the fire department in battling the fire. Authorities also called on the public to leave the area immediately once directed by officials. They should also follow the directions being given by emergency responders. When traveling, they should also follow the safest route available. The public is also asked to go to the Oliver Community Centre - Meeting Room 2, Located at 6359 Park Drive, Oliver BC if they need immediate assistance. Related Article: Canada Wildfire Smoke Clearing Up Along US East Coast, Extreme Heat Danger an Emerging Threat: Meteorologists Related Video: The latest reports said that the population of Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens is under threat due to wildfires, affecting their habitats and breeding success. Researchers have been investigating the impact of wildfires on riparian zones and the Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens in Northern Australia. Extreme heat and wildfires can harm their population. The researchers looked into how low-intensity and high-intensity fires can affect their habitat. Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens at risk due to wildfires In Northern Australia, experts were concerned about the wildfire risk impact on the Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens population. According to the report published in The Conversation and Phys.org, the research explained that drought conditions and fire would harm the populations of the said birds. The Australia Wildlife Conservation said that the population of Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens (Malurus coratus) in the Western subspecies is considered endangered due to fires. In the Western subspecies, the report noted that it has about 5,000 to 9,800 western subspecies. Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens live and thrive in riparian zones in tropical savannas. Destructive fires and dry seasons can burn the said areas. The study in the Journal of Applied Ecology showed that birds in riparian areas are sensitive to fires, even at low-intensity levels. The protection of the bird is essential because they serve as bioindicators in ecosystems. Furthermore, the researchers highlighted the importance of conservation and fire management in riparian zones, calling for urgent protection of their habitats. Based on the Conversation report, low-intensity fire could affect 80% of the breeding success of the Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens, which could impact their population reproduction. Birds in the burnt areas would die from fires. After the fire in riparian zones, about 30% would later die after eight months. As climate change and rising temperatures continue, wildfires could likely emerge in a tropical savanna, affecting riparian areas and the endangered Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wrens. Also Read: Largest Cactuses in US Die from Extreme, Record-breaking Heatwaves Wildfires impact on wildlife in Greece Recently, Nature World News (NWN) reported the impact of raging wildfires in Greece on wildlife and ecosystems. About 50,000 hectares were burned in the wildfire in Greece, as firefighters fought against more than 660 fires in July, according to recent reports. People were advised to bring and keep their animals or not leave them chained or trapped. Also Read: July As Hottest Month: Intense Global Heatwaves To Bring Health Risks The era of global boiling In The Washington Post and NWN, the United Nations Secretary-general Antonio Guterres explained the impact of climate change on global temperatures. The UN Secretary emphasized the scorching heat and rising ocean temperatures this year due to climate change. July marked one of the hottest months on record. Read here. Due to climate change's effects, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital to mitigate rising temperatures. Dry conditions and extreme heat can help unleash wildfires in forests. Related Article: Wildlife, Ecosystems in Greece At Risk Due to Raging Wildfires, Reports Show For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. The latest report from Health officials in Georgia said that a resident died from a rare brain-eating amoeba after likely swimming in a freshwater pond or lake. As summer season is here, people look forward to easing the country's scorching heat by swimming on beaches. Infections of exposure to Naegleria fowleri could be life-threatening. Everyone visiting lakes and rivers for their vacations should take precautions in swimming in warm freshwater areas, including untreated geothermal waters where the brain-eating amoeba could be possible. Brain-eating amoeba case in Georgia According to CNN and NBC News reports, a resident in Georgia became infected with the Naegleria fowleri, or known as brain-eating amoeba. The resident, who was not identified, died. Reports showed the person likely got the infection after swimming in a freshwater. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health news release, the brain-eating amoeba infection can result in brain swelling and tissue damage. While the case is considered rare, the infection can become deadly, and the amoeba could be present in warm freshwater lakes, including hot springs. Before the latest case, Georgia has recorded five cases of the infection since 1962. Also Read: Young Dog in UK Dies After Eating Toxic Algae While On Lakeside How to stay safe from brain-eating amoeba The report highlighted that the case of brain-eating amoeba in the United States is very rare. People should stay safe while going to freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and hot springs, where the Naegleria fowleri could be present. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website (CDC), the case of brain-eating infections could emerge in warmer conditions and high water temperatures, especially during July, August and September. The CDC added that rare brain-eating amoeba is not present in ocean and saltwater. Parents should also monitor their children, especially when playing near lakes or rivers, and everyone should watch out for the symptoms of the rare brain-eating amoeba so that it will not be left untreated. The presence of the brain-eating amoeba could be in the bottom of lake sediments. Based on the Cleveland Clinic, here are the possible signs of the Naegleria fowleri: Severe headaches High fever and vomiting Stiff neck, coma Some deaths of amoeba resulted in meningitis The report noted that the brain-eating amoeba symptoms could show after 15 days of exposure. Here are essential reminders for people, especially if they plan to visit freshwater lakes, hot springs, ponds or rivers. People should understand that the risk of brain-eating amoeba could be likely during the warmer months in freshwater areas. Swimmers should ensure their head is above the water, especially in hot springs. Also Read: Mussels Play Crucial Role in Protecting U.S. Coastal Areas, Ecosystem Did you know? According to the National Health Institute (NHI), amoeba refers to single cells found in freshwater. Amoeba is in the freshwater because of their role in the terrestrial ecosystem, but it harms people. Related Article: Increasing Toxic Algae Blooms in U.S. Can Make People Sick, Report Warns For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News. The UNESCO is eyeing to add the City of Venice in the list of world heritage sites that are considered to be in danger. According to a report on the BBC, Venice, which is a famous tourist destination in Italy, is at risk of "irreversible" damage because of many factors such as the overwhelming tourism, overdevelopment and the rising sea levels due to climate change. The UNESCO's cultural agency is calling for the better preservation of the City of Venice. Read Also: Venice Stops Flooding and Holds Back Sea Waters with Mile-Long Barrier Network Failure to protect Venice? Officials from UNESCO have urged the Italian government to guarantee its utmost dedication in addressing the long-standing problems in Venice, according to a report on CNN. It noted that the city has been grappling for years with problems because of too many tourists who have been flocking the place as well as the adverse effects of climate change. The draft resolution of UNESCO pointed out that there has not been any significant level of progress when it comes to addressing the persistent and complex issues in Venice, including the mass tourism, development projects and climate change. For UNESCO, the Italian authorities lack the strategic vision of solving the problems faced by one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It claimed that these officials have failed to protect the historic city as well as its surrounding lagoon. Furthermore, it indicated that these issues have brought deterioration and damage to building structures and urban areas as it also degrades the cultural and social identity of the area. The UNESCO further observed that the issues hounding the tourist destination has threatened the integrity of its cultural, environmental and landscape attributes and values. The huge number of tourists flocking Venice has been an issue for a long period of time. The UNESCO said that there have also been efforts to address problems that comes with the over tourism, including banning the large ships from entering the San Marco Basin - Giudecca Canal. Moreover, weather problems also hound Venice City as it also experienced city drought, making it impossible for gondolas, water taxis and ambulances to pass through some canals. Warming planet, rising sea levels Experts see that the warming planet has also contributed in what is happening in Venice. This warming planet had brought damaging impact as they could result in rising sea levels. Due to the fact that Venice is known to be surrounded by water, the area has been very vulnerable to flooding. Meanwhile, authorities said around 28 million tourists visit Venice on a yearly basis, which means this could result in more urban expansion projects. UNESCO then said these infrastructure and expansion projects would bring damage in the city. The UNESCO said the high-rise buildings could have a negative visual impact on Venice, noting that these infrastructures should be built far from the city. Meanwhile, an Evening Standard report said that a spokesperson for the Venice municipality said that the city would carefully read the recommendation of the Center for UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. Venice officials also said they would discussed measures with the national government. Related Article: Venice, On The Road To Doom Due To Overtourism, Climate Change Related Video: News / National by Stephen Jakes A human and civil rights activist Obert Chinhamo has expressed concerns over the escalation of vote buying ahead of elections describing it as a clear violation of the electoral act and human rights to choose leaders of their choice."The Zimbabwean political campaign period ahead of the 23rd of August 2023 is a hive of activity characterized by a myriad of activities by political candidates and their supporters promoting their candidacy and persuade voters to support them," he said."It has emerged during this campaigning period that genuine political campaigning is being confused with vote buying. I have heard some politicians arguing that one cannot claim to be campaigning without offering material incentives and other benefits to voters."He said political parties, such as the ruling ZANU PF political party, have embarked on a vote-buying spree under the pretext of political campaigning, in which its candidates are offering material incentives and other benefits to voters in exchange for votes."For instance, in the Mabvuku Constituency one Scott Sakupwanya has launched a US$1 million loan facility to voters as well as free buses to and fro Harare Central Business District. In the Redcliff Constituency boreholes are being drilled at a rate that had never been seen before. In Epworth residents ZANU PF has offered title deeds as part of the formalization of informal settlements," he said."The main challenge is that these political parties were not giving these material incentives and other benefits immediately after the 2018 elections but have surfaced ahead of the 23rd of August 2023 elections."He said in the town of Redcliff, I met a politician arguing that one can not claim to be campaigning if he or she is not dishing out food, beer, money and other incentives to the electorate.He said according to this politician, campaigning is not effective when there are no incentives to the electorate."This is exactly what prompted me to write this opinion seeking to differentiate vote buying and campaigning since these concepts are distinct practices in the context of elections. It is my understanding that political campaigning refers to the activities carried out by political candidates and their supporters to promote their candidacy and persuade voters to support them," he said."Campaigning include a variety of activities, such as public speeches, debates, advertising, canvassing, and social media outreach. The goal of campaigning is to persuade voters to support a candidate based on their policy positions, qualifications, and other factors."Chinhamo said on the other hand, vote buying refers to the practice of offering material incentives or other benefits to voters in exchange for their vote.He said this can include offering money, food, clothing, or other goods or services."Vote buying is generally considered unethical and illegal, as it undermines the integrity of the election process and can lead to corruption and unfair outcomes.In addition, when candidates or political parties offer money or other incentives in exchange for votes, it essentially reduces the value of a citizen's vote to a commodity that can be bought and sold," he said."This can result in voters making decisions based on personal gain rather than on the merits of the candidate or the issues at stake, which can lead to the election of candidates who may not be the best qualified or most representative of the electorate."He said furthermore, vote buying can create a culture of corruption and a lack of trust in the political system. It can also disenfranchise voters who cannot afford to accept bribes or who are not targeted by vote-buying campaigns."In Zimbabwe, vote buying is illegal and can result in criminal charges and penalties. It is important for political campaigns to adhere to ethical standards and to promote transparency and accountability in the democratic process, which helps to ensure that elections are fair and free from corruption," he said."I wish to state that politician campaigning is a legitimate and legal practice that seeks to persuade voters based on the merits of a candidate and his or her political party, while vote buying is an illegal and unethical practice that seeks to bribe voters with material incentives." According to information published by GE Marine on July 25, 2023, GE Marine will be providing new lightweight composite encapsulated LM2500 marine gas turbines for frigates number 6, 7, and 8 of the Turkish MILGEM Project's Istanbul-Class, as part of an agreement signed with the TAIS OG-STM Joint Venture. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Turkish Navy's Istanbul class frigate TCG Istanbul. (Picture source: STM) These composite encapsulated turbines were first employed on the USS Santa Barbara, a warship belonging to the US Navy, back in April. The Turkish Navy, under this project, will also benefit from the numerous features achieved in the transition from steel to composite capsules. As of now, 31 LM2500 marine gas turbines are powering 18 Turkish vessels, including the Barbaros, Gabya, and Istanbul-Class frigates as well as ADA-class corvettes. This project will mark the first time frigate-class warships will be constructed in private shipyards in Turkey. GE will support the accelerated construction process, scheduled to last 36 months, at the Anadolu, Sedef, and Sefine shipyards. The new Istanbul-Class frigate, which will accommodate the evolving capabilities of weapon systems, will be 10 meters longer than previous models. Each LM2500 will supply a power output of 22 MW to the new MILGEM frigates. This selection underpins the cooperation goal announced in April 2023 between GE Marine and TEI (TUSAS Engine Industry Inc.) in Turkey. Under this cooperation, TEI has become the authorized in-country service provider for the maintenance, repair, and overhauls of GE's LM2500 marine gas turbines. GE's revolutionary new composite gas turbine capsule, which replaces the traditional steel variants, offers an array of benefits. It not only ensures a safer environment in the engine room and provides seamless access for sailors but also dramatically cuts down the weight impacting the ship's design. The advantages brought forth by this novel composite gas turbine capsule encompass: The tranquility of the engine room is greatly amplified, with noise levels dipping by 60% or 4dBA compared to the steel capsules. The heat emitted into the engine room sees a substantial reduction, owing to the capsule wall temperatures that are now lower by 4.44C to 10C (25F to 50F), effectively releasing about half the previous amount of heat. Durability and functioning period are significantly enhanced, given that the composite walls are crafted from a single, corrosion-resistant piece. Weight savings are noteworthy, as the one-piece composite walls and ceiling lighten the load by 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs), a 50% decrease that imparts more flexibility to ship designers in managing extra loads, fuel, or other systems. Sailors find their way to the engine room simplified, and operating the lighter main door becomes considerably easier. Engine assembly and disassembly are also made more convenient on the ship, as gas turbines can be disassembled and reassembled using the air intake duct. NVIDIA DGX Cloud is an AI supercomputer in the cloud, designed for enterprise users with demanding needs and deep pockets. The offering comes as a complete software and hardware package for large-scale AI development, accessible via web browser. DGX Cloud gives enterprises the power to train modern AI workloads such as generative AI and large language models, says Charlie Boyle, NVIDIA's vice president of DGX Platforms. It combines an AI developer suite, workflow software, a high-performance infrastructure, direct access to NVIDIA AI experts, and 24/7 support. Market impact of generative AI Generative AI's arrival has sparked a rapid increase in demand for AI-based products and services. As a result, companies are racing to acquire the skills and infrastructure needed to leverage AI in their product development processes and business operations. With DGX Cloud, enterprises can obtain nearly instant access to a full-stack AI supercomputing environment without having to worry about software compatibility, optimization, data center space, power, cooling, or the expertise needed to install and maintain a supercomputer cluster, Boyle says. "It lets them focus on innovation rather than infrastructure and gets them working in days instead of months." Vladislav Bilay, a cloud solution engineer with Aquiva Labs, an app and software development services company, adds, "It enables researchers, developers, and data scientists to access and utilize NVIDIA's DGX systems remotely, eliminating the need for costly on-premises hardware." Bilay says that DGX Cloud provides a seamless and scalable environment for training and deploying AI models, allowing users to leverage NVIDIA technologies and accelerate their workflows in a flexible and convenient manner. One of DGX Cloud's key advantages is its tight integration with popular AI frameworks and tools. "It supports frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MXNet, allowing users to leverage their preferred libraries and APIs." Bilay adds that DGX Cloud also provides access to NVIDIAs comprehensive software stack, which includes drivers, libraries, and frameworks tailored for AI development. Scott Lard, general manager and partner at IS&T, a Houston-based information systems and technology retained search and contingency staffing firm, adds that DGX Cloud provides an opportunity to leverage the power of high-performance computing (HPC) and AI without the need for expensive hardware investments. "Users can tap into NVIDIA's robust infrastructure, accessing powerful GPU resources remotely and accelerating their workloads, be it deep learning, data analytics, or scientific simulations," he explains. "It's like having a virtual AI powerhouse at your fingertips, ready to revolutionize your computing capabilities." Multiple components DGX Cloud incorporates multiple, integrated components. Users access DGX Cloud from a web browser using NVIDIA Base Command Platform software. "This is the central hub of DGX Cloud, where multiple users manage their complete AI development workflows," Boyle says. "It eliminates the complexity of resource sharing for large-scale AI training, leveraging multiple instances, known as multi-node training, which is often difficult to achieve, with an easy to use graphical user interface and integrated monitoring and reporting tools." DGX Cloud also incorporates NVIDIA AI Enterprise, the software layer of the NVIDIA AI platform, which includes over 100 pretrained models, optimized frameworks and accelerated data science software libraries. These add-ins give developers an additional jump-start to their AI projects, Boyle notes. Organizations rent multiple DGX Cloud instances and, in return, get dedicated, full-time access during the rental period, Boyle says. The instances automatically appear in Base Command Platform software, allowing users to submit and run jobs. Each instance includes eight NVIDIA H100 or A100 80GB Tensor Core GPUs, for a total of 640GB of GPU memory per node. Boyle says that a high-performance, low-latency fabric, built with NVIDIA networking, ensures that workloads can scale across clusters of interconnected systems, allowing multiple instances to meet the performance requirements of advanced AI training. High-performance storage is also integrated within DGX Cloud. From a financial angle, DGX Cloud provides several significant benefits and advantages. The approach eliminates the need for customers to invest in and manage their own expensive hardware infrastructure. "This translates to cost savings, increased flexibility, and scalability in their AI and deep learning endeavors," Bilay explains. DGX Cloud integrates with popular AI frameworks and tools, simplifying the development workflow. It also prioritizes security and data privacy, ensuring adopters can confidently work with sensitive data and models. "Overall, DGX Cloud empowers adopters by providing a high-performance, flexible, and user-friendly cloud platform tailored to their AI and deep learning needs," Bilay says. Serving a need, but not inexpensive Boyle says that by providing dedicated AI supercomputing instances, DGX Cloud meets a critical need by allowing enterprises to stand up services rapidly and affordably. NVIDIA is partnering with leading cloud service providers including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud to host the DGX Cloud infrastructure. DGX Cloud instances start at $36,999 per instance per month, with no additional fees for AI software or data transfers. So, thats $444,000 a year for one instance, and thats a recurring cost. When a user initiates a task, such as training an AI model, their work is processed on available DGX systems in the cloud. These systems feature high-performance NVIDIA GPUs specifically optimized for deep learning workloads. User data and models are securely transferred to DGX systems, where the computation takes place. DGX Cloud supports major AI platforms and tools, ensuring compatibility with the user's preferred libraries and APIs. This allows users to seamlessly develop and deploy their AI models in the cloud, Bilay says. Getting started Boyle says that customers and their teams can get up to speed pretty quickly. NVDIA offers eight interconnected GPUs per instance and provides access at scale in every region DGX Cloud is hosted in. The service's network fabric is based on NVIDIA's own technology, which Boyle claims delivers a high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnect thats optimized for multi-node training. He also points to a simple user interface that allows users to run multi-node training jobs. A multi-cloud approach avoids the need to lock-in with any one cloud provider, Boyle says. "The DGX Cloud Base Command Platform provides a single pane view for hybrid cloud management across cloud and on-prem resources." Other considerations and caveats DGX Cloud isnt the only player offering this type of service. Major competitors include Google Cloud AI Platform, Amazon AWS Deep Learning AMIs, Microsoft Azure Machine Learning, and IBM Watson Studio. "These platforms provide similar capabilities, such as scalable computing resources, integration with popular AI frameworks, and support for deep learning workflows," Bilay says. The cost of deploying and using DGX Cloud varies depending on factors such as the subscription plan, resource allocation, and usage duration. NVIDIA offers different pricing models and plans tailored to the specific needs of users, Bilay says. Embracing a cloud solution makes users dependent on the service provider's infrastructure and support, Bilay cautions. Failures and technical issues on the provider's end can affect platform availability and performance, potentially affecting a project's execution and timing. Perhaps more ominously, particularly for organizations with strict data privacy or compliance requirements, using a cloud platform can raise data security and privacy concerns. "While NVIDIA DGX Cloud implements security measures, it's important for users to evaluate the platform's security protocols and ensure they meet their specific compliance requirements," Bilay advises. By: Stuart Strickland, Wireless CTO and Fellow, HPE Aruba Networking and Pingping Zong, Senior Distinguished Technologist, HPE Aruba Networking As we discussed in an earlier post, over the coming years private cellular is expected to join enterprise Wi-Fi in delivering wireless mobility. Regulatory and technological factors have converged to make private cellular an attractive solution to specific enterprise networking needs. In this post, well expand upon an opportunity to leverage private 5G (and LTE) to solve a common challenge faced by the vast majority of enterprises -- gaps in public cellular coverage that inhibit business productivity, frustrate employees, and degrade visitor experiences -- by using neutral host technology. A neutral host can accept all clients, rather than only those with credentials from a single service provider, by acting as a shared resource that does not depend on licensed spectrum from a single company. Although public Wi-Fi is the epitome of the neutral host concept, there are distinct advantages to using a private cellular network to enable this capability within the enterprise. But, before we jump to specific solutions, lets consider the extent of the problem, using healthcare institutions as an example. The typical hospital or healthcare clinic supports communication among a complex community of patients, visitors, staff, office machines, and medical equipment. Some are permanent fixtures of the institution, others are transient guests, and still, others are regular visitors, such as clinicians. While Wi-Fi carries much of the internal traffic at healthcare institutions, most visitors and staff members enter facilities carrying their mobile phones as their primary means of communication with each other and the outside world. However, an increasingly common problem is a lack of reliable cellular network coverage in these buildings. Substantial gaps in public network coverage inhibit patient communication with their families, block urgent communication among staff, and delay resolution of routine service calls from visiting technicians. What causes public cellular gaps? Given that enterprises and users have come to depend on both Wi-Fi and cellular, heres whats known about the causes of public cellular coverage gaps: Energy efficiency improvements are essential to protecting our environment, but prevent signals generated by outdoor cellular towers from penetrating thicker walls, multi-pane windows with thermal coatings, and improved roofing materials. As building efficiency increases, the traditional model of delivering public network coverage indoors from cell towers outdoors is breaking down. are essential to protecting our environment, but prevent signals generated by outdoor cellular towers from penetrating thicker walls, multi-pane windows with thermal coatings, and improved roofing materials. As building efficiency increases, the traditional model of delivering public network coverage indoors from cell towers outdoors is breaking down. Densification of public cellular networks is a movement driven by both the escalating demand for capacity and a need for greater network energy efficiency. The most efficient way to increase the capacity of a cellular network is to make it denser by moving towers closer together. In a denser network, however, each tower can serve fewer clients with the same resources. Each tower must also transmit at lower power levels to avoid interference with its neighboring towers. For nearby outdoor clients, this results in a much better experience. But these lower-power signals have an even tougher time penetrating building walls. is a movement driven by both the escalating demand for capacity and a need for greater network energy efficiency. The most efficient way to increase the capacity of a cellular network is to make it denser by moving towers closer together. In a denser network, however, each tower can serve fewer clients with the same resources. Each tower must also transmit at lower power levels to avoid interference with its neighboring towers. For nearby outdoor clients, this results in a much better experience. But these lower-power signals have an even tougher time penetrating building walls. Limited coverage in rural areas. Public networks depend upon economies of scale. So we see a lot of investment in urban areas where dense networks can serve dense populations of paid subscribers. Outside urban population centers, the cost of improving coverage often exceeds the prospects for revenue, leaving gaps in coverage that no mobile network operator is incentivized to close. DAS: The legacy answer Until now, the most established solution for the mobile network operators to provide reliable public cellular connectivity inside of a building or venue has been a distributed antenna system (DAS). At a high level, a DAS system is comprised of a network of antennas placed throughout a building or venue. Each antenna is connected via fiber optical cable to the mobile operators baseband processing units, which are normally installed in the basement. In order to provide coverage for multiple operators public cellular connectivity, a DAS system must support multiple cellular frequency bands as well as multiple cellular technologies when required by the operators. The enterprise, or an entity managing the DAS system, must generally work closely with multiple mobile network operators to address the radio planning and coverage optimization during the deployment of the DAS system. The high deployment cost, complex fiber cabling required, and multi-party involvement have limited the viability of DAS mostly to large public venues (LPVs) and airports, where the benefits could outweigh the costs. The rise of 5G neutral host network A private 5G network operating in shared spectrum, such as Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the US, and supporting a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN)-based network sharing solution can offer an attractive alternative to DAS. Commonly described as a 5G neutral host network, a privately deployed 5G network in this configuration provides 5G coverage to the mobile subscribers of any number of mobile network operators (MNOs), as if the subscriber were within its operators own area of network coverage. The figure below highlights the key differences between a neutral host-based in-building solution and a DAS-based in-building solution: In order to support multiple MNOs, a neutral host solution only needs to support a single frequency range dedicated to the local deployment. This will translate to cost savings and simpler radio frequency (RF) planning. A DAS solution must support multiple MNO-specific frequency ranges. In addition to extending the MNOs public cellular coverage inside the building, a neutral host network also operates as a standalone private 5G network, under enterprise control and serving enterprise users and business objectives. This is not possible with a DAS solution. HPE Aruba Networking Fully integrated neutral hosts: An attractive solution Networking suppliers like HPE Aruba Networking are developing fully integrated neutral host solutions to make them attractive to enterprises in the following aspects: Eliminates contract burdens. Rather than leaving the burden on an enterprise, or independent DAS operators, to negotiate contracts with each participating mobile network operator for each of its individual venues at multiple locations, leading enterprise networking suppliers are actively working to negotiate umbrella agreements with cellular network operators. This will allow inbound roaming across their entire global footprint, streamlining and simplifying the process of adopting and deploying enterprise 5G neutral host solutions. Returns control to the enterprise. Within the framework of DAS systems, the constant direct involvement of multiple MNOs in network management leaves the enterprise with very little visibility or control. This includes RF planning and optimization, on-site MNO equipment management, and hardware/software upgrading. Further, the enterprise has no visibility and control of DAS-based in-building coverage performance or data analytics because the network performance data is collected and owned by the MNOs. With a 5G neutral host network, the enterprise deploys and manages its own private network, or selects managed service providers to perform this work on its behalf and in its interests. Within the neutral host framework, the enterprise has full visibility and control over feature selection, hardware/software upgrading, performance analytics, and network optimization, all of which are key to satisfying users and ensuring operational efficiency. Reduces infrastructure complexity and cost. As noted in the previous post, cellular networks have their own set of connectivity protocols and operating requirements. However, enterprise networking suppliers are developing solutions that streamline and integrate private cellular, providing IT departments with familiar tools. The most advanced solutions will fold cellular management into the same AIOps-enabled administrative layer as the accompanying wired and wireless infrastructure, such as with HPE Aruba Networking Central, for intelligent, automated, unified, and centralized administration. A bright future Overall, there is growing excitement within the enterprise networking industry for the opportunities that private cellular networks, including neutral cellular hosts, present for addressing enterprise connectivity concerns. Whether its providing mobility in challenging environments, cost-effectively covering large outdoor areas, or filling gaps in public cellular services within the enterprise, youll certainly be hearing more about private 5G as an integral component of enterprise networking strategies. Meanwhile, you can learn more about private cellular solutions and how to leverage them in your enterprise by consulting What is Private 5G?, our handy guide to this new opportunity to improve experiences, increase productivity, and reduce costs at your company. News / National by Staff reporter A NEW study on Zimbabwe's electoral politics, processes and institutions has found that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is deeply distrusted by voters, hence cannot be trusted to preside over free, fair, transparent, credible and legitimate elections.The new study titled Electoral Politics in Zimbabwe, Volume I: The 2023 Election and Beyond, edited by local academics Esther Mavengano and Sophia Chirongoma, says Zec is captured, compromised and unfit to hold free and fair elections.Says the study: "The most important factor in ensuring credible elections in Zimbabwe is by promoting a transparent Independent Commission."There is no way elections can be free and fair, while the commission is accused of being aligned with the ruling party, State President and Constitutional Court."Zimbabwe needs an independent electoral commission that is ready to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy and rule of law. Zec should be independent from the Government of Zimbabwe, political parties or individuals or groups interested in election results."As a result of Zec's partisan role, dysfunctionality and incompetence, the 23 August general elections are likely to be disputed again.Elections in Zimbabwe have since 2000 been disputed due to Zec's professional and operational failures, irregularities, coercion, violence and manipulation.The study says: "The 2023 Zimbabwean elections could witness another sad electoral history of having disputed elections and accusation of rigging unless Zec presents transparency in its handling of the elections to the satisfaction of the electorate."The Government of Zimbabwe should ensure Zec is allocated adequate funding to initiate the voter registration and election preparations in time."The commission should have financial independence after the annual budget is announced so as to promote effectiveness of its performance and independence."The prevailing economic and political environment in Zimbabwe po ints to a very volatile election in 2023 if the government does not put a conducive environment in place."The research also says there is a need for professional and impartial resolution of electoral disputes by the judiciary."In addition, the government and the judiciary should remain independent to harmonise jurisdictions arising from elections disputes."The study recommends that political parties and civil society continuously deploy agents to be trained by Zec to support its efforts and advance transparency.Further, there should be research on the role of political actors in analysing the independence of Zec, it says."International organisations such as the European Union should also continue to support electoral processes so as to enhance and promote transparency in elections. Local and international observers should continue monitoring the electoral environment to boost citizens' confidence in the electoral process."The study brings more insight into what voters think about Zec."The research findings presented that Zec is responsible for conducting free, fair and transparent elections. All the participants acknowledged that it is the responsibility of Zec to conduct free and fair elections. "However, some of the participants cited that the commission is failing to generate uncontested election results giving reference to the case of Chamisa v. Mnangagwa constitutional petition after the 2018 elections," the study says.It goes on: "Respondent 2 said that the Zimbabwean elections, since the inception of Zec in 2004 have been contested for their credibility'. All the participants expressed that Zec is not really performing its duty when there are always issues on the credibility of election results and the voters' register."The research findings also revealed that Zec is responsible for designing, printing and distributing ballot papers to polling centres."However, due to hard copies, the visually impaired people fail to have equal access to the resource materials, therefore failing to cater to the needs of some disadvantaged members of the community."Further, the study, says: "Respondent 14 expressed concern over the provision of braille material, an issue that has long been petitioned before the Commission to address. The participants further expressed that Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, and as such should be the case on voter education information dissemination toward promoting principles of democracy. During the interview discussions, issues arose pertaining to the financial capability of the commission to conduct voter education and print materials in diverse languages in all mass media."The research also focuses on Zec's other role and activities."Participants acknowledged the role of Zec in promoting voter education on social media and press. The study found out that Zec made use of media such as newspapers, radio and internet in voter education. Respondent 12 expressed that, radio has the potential of wide coverage, however, we must not forget fellow citizens who are deaf.' The study presents that there is no adequate decentralisation of vital information such as voter registration and voting to disabled people such as those with hearing impairment."The research findings also revealed that Zec should really strengthen its voter registration process. Most of the participants expressed concern that despite Zimbabwe having elections since 1980, there are citizens who do not even know the requirements needed to register to vote."The crucial question to ask is, are those people even aware of the biometric voter registration system?" it says."During the interview discussions, only one participant expressed that she was not aware that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is responsible for maintaining the biometric voters' register. The respondent expressed that I do not even know that Zec is responsible for voter registration..what is BVRwhat is the difference between Zec and the Government of Zimbabwe?"The research also found out voter education ought to be taken seriously in order to eradicate confusion and misunderstandings from the citizens concerning the electoral commission and the government.An interesting finding was that most of the participants were aware of the Biometric Voter Registration.The research findings also revealed that Zec is responsible for promoting digital technology in elections.Digital technology is also important in the conduct of elections to ensure credibility and transparency. According to Respondent 1, the manual vote register has been used by the Zimbabwe government since 1980 elections except recently in the 2018 elections when biometric voter registration was adopted.The respondent further indicated that the challenges of having an updated voters' register in past elections, including the 2013 elections, led to the outcry for a biometric voter registration system."Respondent 3 expressed that manual voter registration used in previous elections was a slow process, associated with long queues at the Registrar-General. By removing the deceased voters from the voters' list and adding new registrants, the Registrar-General was required to update the voters' list, which was not always the case," the study says."The Zimbabwe Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 has the mandate for registering, transferring and removals of the dead from the voters' roll. Most of the participants further highlighted that during the 2013 elections, there were accusations of electors' slips being used to vote whose foundation could not be discovered."The research findings implied that the participants praised Zec as most of the participants acknowledged that the manual voter registration process acted as a major barrier to voter turnout leading to an inaccurate voters' register."The study found that despite technology in the voters' registration process, manual paper registrations were not totally scratched off from the process."Respondent 5 highlighted that besides the biometric voters' registration system, Zec also employed a registration and data verification process on paperwork which was done manually."However, Respondent 6 indicated that: Voter registration exercise remains a crucial and indispensable process in the electoral cycle in Zimbabwe because in most countries, including Zimbabwe itself, only those who are registered to vote ultimately participate on the Election Day."The principles of transparency and accountability could be ensured by a system of biometric voter registration.The study also found out that the manual voters' register was being manipulated by the late former president Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF.The participants expressed that Zanu-PF has been controlling the manual vote register to its benefit so that the party wins in all the elections. Respondent seven argued that the manual voters' roll contained several ghost voters who were not removed from the voters' list. The participant further highlighted that Zanu-PF controlled the vote register so that it can pave way for multiple voting."Another interesting finding was that the voter registration process in the urban areas was not as strict as it was in the rural areas. The participants expressed that at times the Zec registration teams would either open late or close too early."Revealing the foe side of Zec, Respondent 11 expressed that at one point, Zec could not release the manual voters' roll when it was being asked for it."The participants' argument was based on the fact that in the case of Dabengwa vs. chairperson of Zec and two others, the voters' roll was not accessible. Dabengwa had asked for the electronic voters' roll in 2012, unfortunately Zec failed to cooperate. The participant further stated that the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights even asked for the voters' roll before voter registration commenced and the voters' register could not be accessed upon request as it was not up to date."Most of the study participants also noted that the manual vote register was not best fit for Zimbabwe elections. When asked if the Biometric technology has made a difference in the 2018 election results, most of the respondents were of the view that the biometric devices improved the credibility of elections as the biometric machines reduced multiple voting. Respondent 10 said that the biometric voter registration system is also capable of promoting peaceful and credible elections in the forthcoming 2023 harmonised elections."However, another participant expressed that while both domestic and international observers praised the 2018 elections as free and fair, there were several problems and obstacles that called into doubt the legitimacy and integrity of the results."A post-election audit conducted by several parties uncovered evidence of irregularities, technological failures and election officials' willful cooperation in the overall conduct of the elections."Some of the study participants also argued that neither the regulatory nor the administrative framework for electoral management body were able to ensure genuine elections, even with the presence of the biometric voter registration.All the participants expressed that it is the sole responsibility of Zec to handle election results."Respondent one said that perhaps the greatest failure of Zec in the 2018 elections is the manner in which the Commission handled the whole aspect of the 2018 results and the Chamisa vs. Mnangagwa Constitutional Court petition."The participant further indicated that from counting, tabulation, declaration and transmission of results, manifest failures were noted, electoral violence and there is a lot of uncertainties in the 2023 presidential elections."The respondent also said that after the 2018 elections, there were a lot of discussions over elections from tallying, transmitting and publishing results, and petitions were brought contesting the process and methodology adopted by Zec in the results annunciation.Mchomvu (2011) asserts that electoral violence is often triggered by the losing party, which usually claims that they lost the elections unfairly.Nevertheless, in the case of Zimbabwe's 2018 elections, from the interviews conducted, the participants indicated that the judiciary did not receive much compliment in its work to resolve electoral disputes, with allegations of favouring the ruling party.It adds: "Me cost of the participants indicated that Zec's delivery of the results on election day failed miserably, among other technological issues that did not come as a surprise to quite several Zimbabweans since Zimbabwe's elections have always been accused of fraud. Such an environment demotivates electoral participation with specific reference to young people and women."During the interview discussions, respondent four shared the following: Zec failed to adhere to the codes of conduct of the Electoral Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct."When in 2008, government announced election results instead of the Commission itself. Respondent 6 blamed electoral violence on Zec for failing to handle electoral conflicts and violence."All the participants expressed their concern with time taken by Zec in counting election votes. As such, political violence occurred after the 2018 elections, due to the electoral commission's delay in releasing election results. This resulted in the shooting of civilians by suspected security forces."Respondent six further critiqued the fact that Zec takes a lot of time in counting ballot papers, and he suggested that such a status quo calls for digital technology to allow voting online. Hence, the study uncovered that Zimbabwe has always been in a crisis of tallying, transmission and declarations of election results."The research findings reveal that Zec relies on temporary workers, especially teachers, to provide operational voter registration support during electoral activities."Respondent expressed that adequate training and preparedness is therefore indispensable to the efficient electoral administration. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act 14(3) states that, The commission is free to nominate anyone to help it with voter education.'The Act further stipulates that such person to conduct voter education must be a permanent resident of the country.The commission may delegate the voter education task when it so deemsfit. Most of the participants acknowledged that Zec tried its best in training the staff and for cascading the training in the constituencies and polling stations."Respondent twelve indicated that the question of the effectiveness and efficiency of the trainings, however, could not be ascertained in view of the numerous errors discovered in elections and the significant amount of spoilt ballot papers."According to the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (2018), voter illiteracy is caused mainly by the electiral commission's restricted, administrative, under-resourced and undemocratic voter education system, which has fundamental problems."Respondent 15 felt that electoral trainings are not given enough period and Zec staff are influenced by political parties and candidates. Such a scenario limits effective and efficient role of the commission," the study adds.During the interview discussions, respondent 10 indicated that Zec lacked objectivity toward promoting democracy through its management of elections in 2013 and 2018."Respondent 10 further highlighted that Zec was ineffective in promoting free, and transparent elections in the 2018 elections though the biometric voter registration system was used."Respondent eight concurred with respondent 10, saying: "Nothing new is ever going to come out of Zec in the 2023 elections as long as it continues to be accused of being politically aligned with the ruling party."During the interview discussions, respondent nine expressed Zec is not communicative to citizens because in the 2022 by-elections, some of the names of voters were moved to new wards without even informing the affected voters.The participants further expressed that the intention was only to frustrate citizens not to vote.The research findings imply that the commission is failing to keep the citizens informed on the place of voting, hence the legitimacy of the election process becomes questionable.Respondent seven contended that Zec must operate with complete autonomy and that electoral law must explicitly provide Zec exclusive authority and responsibility for accrediting election observers."The respondent indicated that, to be honest, Zec is not independent to the Government of Zimbabwe.' Participants also stated that Zec's independence and post would ultimately increase trust in Zec and the vital work of managing the elections. Respondent six questioned the Electoral Act's provision granting the minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs authority to enact Zec guidelines."Respondent six indicated that in the run-up of both the 2013 elections and 2018 elections, Zec clearly developed cracks and divisions that compromised its autonomy and objectivity."In another interview, respondent four stated that Zec is manipulated by members of the security forces. The participant indicated that the commission must not depend on the government to fulfill its responsibilities.The participant expressed her point in the form of the following question: "Can Zec get the trust from the Zimbabwe citizens in bringing free and fair in 2023 elections when security forces are on Zec's neck?"In another interview, the respondent stated that as long as the state President has the responsibility of announcing the election date, then Zec will never be an independent commission. Respondent three proposed that the election date itself must be set by the commission and not the President.All the study participants concurred that Zec should provide its election roadmap together with election dates rather than wait for the President to proclaim them."Additionally, the participant questioned the appointment of a former Zimbabwe National Army member, Utloile Silaigwana, to lead Zec in the 2018 elections. The study noted that the appointment of the former military personnel limited the credibility of Zec and led to suspicion of election rigging," the study says."Respondent eight put this point across as follows: how can one expect credible elections when Silaigwana is appointed as the Chief Elections Officer?"However, another participant expressed that at times the appointment is based on qualifications and merit without intentions of manipulation. Most of the participants indicated that the probability that Zec is going to manage the 2023 elections well is 50:50.The possibility of violence and results contestations in the forthcoming elections therefore presents further justification to reforming election management and the independence of Zec.With such an eye-opening view and political state, is it even impossible for Zimbabwe to hold free and fair elections?The researchers noted that the independence of the commission is the only way to guarantee free and fair elections.The study's key finding was that there was a slight or no separation of electoral governance, electoral cycle and election management in Zimbabwe's 2013 and 2018 elections."Most of the participants were unanimous that Zimbabwe's elections were treated as an event rather than a process. This was substantiated by the fact that the electoral design and management did not recognise the link between the electoral cycle, administration and governance."Respondent two indicated Zimbabwe appears to view elections as a one-time event that does not require thorough institutional development or planning because the same events of violence happened in 2013 and in 2018."The participant further expressed that unfortunately in the post-2018 elections, a lot of violence occurred particularly in Harare city where lives were lost. Such a political environment is not expected in a democratic state where elections must be held in a free and peaceful manner and their outcomes respected by all," it says.The research sought to evaluate the efficacy of Zec. Semi-structured interviews were used in the study's qualitative methodology to ascertain the targeted respondents' perspectives."Several important lessons were generated from the study that will contribute meaningfully to the 2023 elections and beyond, voter registration and democratic consolidation in Zimbabwe and strengthening of the electoral process," it says."The research study found out, notwithstanding the fact that Zec dominates election administration in Zimbabwe, the government also has a significant impact on the electoral process and election administration with its actions. It is imperative to take into account Zec's need for strengthening and reform, as well as the role performed by the Government of Zimbabwe, political parties and media on election administration."For instance, credible election administration depends on the behaviour of political parties in the electoral process, the role of voters exercising their sovereign right to register and vote, and the judiciary's settlement of any rising electoral disputes."The study concluded that the Zimbabwean elections are associated with poor election management and election violence. As the participants indicated in the study, electoral violence in Zimbabwe is caused by the disputed election results. If left unresolved (election management), the potential for electoral violence remains high before the 2023 elections and beyond."While the 2018 elections saw notable progress in the legislation and the way the elections were conducted, thanks to the introduction of the biometric voter registration system, the shortcomings noted, if not addressed, would make the 2023 elections extremely difficult to execute."The findings show that there have been issues with the entire electoral cycle, including the creation of laws, Zec's independence and autonomy, the process for registering voters, transmitting election results and resolving electoral disputes."As a result, it has been determined that Zec, in its current form, cannot be trusted to deliver an electoral procedure that is credible in the 2023 elections." By Express News Service CHENNAI: The Tambaram city police shot dead two men with criminal records, in the early hours of Tuesday, after they allegedly attacked a police officer during a vehicle check. The deceased were identified as S Vinoth alias Chotta Vinoth, 36, and S Ramesh, 32, from Mannivakkam. Police said that Vinoth had over 50 cases against him including ten murder cases and 15 attempted murder cases. Ramesh had over 20 cases including five murder cases and seven attempted murder cases. While Vinoth was an A+ category rowdy, Ramesh was an A category rowdy and both were marked in the history-sheeter list of Otteri police station. The duo had several pending cases in different police stations across Chennai city, Tambaram city, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram police. The Tambaram city police said that they had launched a special team of police personnel to nab the accused several months back but the duo had gone into hiding. According to police reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday around 3:30 am when a team of police officials were conducting vehicle checks near Guduvanchery. A black car that drove fast towards the checkpoint rammed into the police car. Four men got out of the vehicle with machetes. One of them attacked Sub Inspector Sivagurunadan on the left shoulder and he sustained injuries. When he swung again, the police officer managed to escape, said a senior police officer. The police said SI Sivagurunadan shot Vinoth while Inspector of Police Murugesan shot Ramesh on the spot. The other two men ran into the bushes and are absconding, said the police. The police team rushed the duo and injured police officer to the Chromepet Government Hospital, where Ramesh and Vinoth were declared dead on arrival, while SI Sivagurunadan is undergoing treatment. The Tambaram City police commissioner Amalraj and other police officers later visited the spot. CHENNAI: The Tambaram city police shot dead two men with criminal records, in the early hours of Tuesday, after they allegedly attacked a police officer during a vehicle check. The deceased were identified as S Vinoth alias Chotta Vinoth, 36, and S Ramesh, 32, from Mannivakkam. Police said that Vinoth had over 50 cases against him including ten murder cases and 15 attempted murder cases. Ramesh had over 20 cases including five murder cases and seven attempted murder cases. While Vinoth was an A+ category rowdy, Ramesh was an A category rowdy and both were marked in the history-sheeter list of Otteri police station. The duo had several pending cases in different police stations across Chennai city, Tambaram city, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram police. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Tambaram city police said that they had launched a special team of police personnel to nab the accused several months back but the duo had gone into hiding. According to police reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday around 3:30 am when a team of police officials were conducting vehicle checks near Guduvanchery. A black car that drove fast towards the checkpoint rammed into the police car. Four men got out of the vehicle with machetes. One of them attacked Sub Inspector Sivagurunadan on the left shoulder and he sustained injuries. When he swung again, the police officer managed to escape, said a senior police officer. The police said SI Sivagurunadan shot Vinoth while Inspector of Police Murugesan shot Ramesh on the spot. The other two men ran into the bushes and are absconding, said the police. The police team rushed the duo and injured police officer to the Chromepet Government Hospital, where Ramesh and Vinoth were declared dead on arrival, while SI Sivagurunadan is undergoing treatment. The Tambaram City police commissioner Amalraj and other police officers later visited the spot. By Express News Service KOCHI: To resolve the crisis related to the implementation of the synodal decision on the uniform mode of celebrating the Holy Mass, Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Cyril Vasil S J as the pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly in India. Archbishop Vasil will study the problems and propose ways to end the crisis. He currently serves as the Bishop of the Eparchy of Kosice in the Slovak Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia and previously held the position of secretary of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. The unified Holy Mass has been already implemented in other Eparchies of the Syro-Malabar Church. The proposal for a pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy came up first in the meeting that the permanent synod of the Syro-Malabar Church had in the Vatican with the Secretary of State and Cardinal-designate Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches at the Vatican on May 4, 2023. Subsequently, it was communicated that the Pope will consider the proposal, said the spokesperson for the Syro Malabar Church. In this context, the synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church convened in June 2023 and held extensive discussion regarding the proposal for the appointment of a pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy, and having decided favourably in the synod on the matter, it was communicated to the Apostolic See, said the spokesperson. The pontifical delegate will arrive on August 4, 2023. Even while the pontifical delegate functions in the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly as a special envoy of the Pope, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath will continue to be the administrator of the Archeparchy in his capacity as the apostolic administrator. KOCHI: To resolve the crisis related to the implementation of the synodal decision on the uniform mode of celebrating the Holy Mass, Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Cyril Vasil S J as the pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly in India. Archbishop Vasil will study the problems and propose ways to end the crisis. He currently serves as the Bishop of the Eparchy of Kosice in the Slovak Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia and previously held the position of secretary of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. The unified Holy Mass has been already implemented in other Eparchies of the Syro-Malabar Church. The proposal for a pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy came up first in the meeting that the permanent synod of the Syro-Malabar Church had in the Vatican with the Secretary of State and Cardinal-designate Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches at the Vatican on May 4, 2023. Subsequently, it was communicated that the Pope will consider the proposal, said the spokesperson for the Syro Malabar Church. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In this context, the synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church convened in June 2023 and held extensive discussion regarding the proposal for the appointment of a pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy, and having decided favourably in the synod on the matter, it was communicated to the Apostolic See, said the spokesperson. The pontifical delegate will arrive on August 4, 2023. Even while the pontifical delegate functions in the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly as a special envoy of the Pope, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath will continue to be the administrator of the Archeparchy in his capacity as the apostolic administrator. Ramashankar By Express News Service PATNA: Ahead of the Opposition leaders third round of meetings slated to be held in Mumbai, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars party, JD (U) has once again revived the demand of projecting him as the Oppositions Prime Ministerial candidate. Several former JD (U) ex-MPs and former legislators contended there was no better PM candidate than Nitish in the Opposition alliance 'INDIA' (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). Nitish had held meetings with them at 1, Anne Marg, the official residence of CM. We want Nitish ji to be made the Prime Ministerial candidate. If this happens, INDIA will gain significantly, they claimed. Nitish is giving special attention to strengthening his party before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Regarding this, he is holding one-on-one meetings with all the old and new leaders of the party and is also taking feedback from them about the ground-level realities. The former MPs and legislators after calling on Nitish asserted that Nitishs political career had been clean all these years and was fully qualified to be declared as the Oppositions ministerial candidate. He deserved to be declared as Oppositions PM candidate, said a senior JD(U) leader on condition of anonymity. Nitish, however, has repeatedly said that he was not in the race for PMs post. All that I want is to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha election, he had said. Nitish had first met JD (U) MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers last month. After that, he has met former party MPs, MLAs and MLCs and has taken feedback from them on issues. It is being speculated that Nitish may hold a meeting with the district heads soon. PATNA: Ahead of the Opposition leaders third round of meetings slated to be held in Mumbai, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars party, JD (U) has once again revived the demand of projecting him as the Oppositions Prime Ministerial candidate. Several former JD (U) ex-MPs and former legislators contended there was no better PM candidate than Nitish in the Opposition alliance 'INDIA' (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). Nitish had held meetings with them at 1, Anne Marg, the official residence of CM. We want Nitish ji to be made the Prime Ministerial candidate. If this happens, INDIA will gain significantly, they claimed. Nitish is giving special attention to strengthening his party before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Regarding this, he is holding one-on-one meetings with all the old and new leaders of the party and is also taking feedback from them about the ground-level realities.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The former MPs and legislators after calling on Nitish asserted that Nitishs political career had been clean all these years and was fully qualified to be declared as the Oppositions ministerial candidate. He deserved to be declared as Oppositions PM candidate, said a senior JD(U) leader on condition of anonymity. Nitish, however, has repeatedly said that he was not in the race for PMs post. All that I want is to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha election, he had said. Nitish had first met JD (U) MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers last month. After that, he has met former party MPs, MLAs and MLCs and has taken feedback from them on issues. It is being speculated that Nitish may hold a meeting with the district heads soon. Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service MUMBAI: The Opposition on Monday urged NCP chief Sharad Pawar not to attend the August 1 function in Pune where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award for 2023 in recognition of his leadership and for awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said Pawars presence at the function will create confusion in the mind of Opposition leaders and workers. He said Pawar is the senior most leader of the Opposition unity alliance INDIA. Raut said Maha Vikas Aghadi and INDIA alliance partners feel that the NCP chief should avoid attending the Pune function. He said they are not unhappy with Pawar, but they are expressing their feelings and now it is up to him whether to or not to attend the programme. Who should get what sort of award is not our concern. We will not go into it. But we as part of Opposition unity feel that Sharad Pawar attending the programme where Modi is getting the award will send a wrong message and confuse the alliance and its workers. This is the time we have to take the stand against the BJP who are destroying every independent institution, Raut said. Pawar should work to clear the doubts and confusion among the workers and leaders of Opposition unity, he added. Pawar knows better than anyone else what confusion his attendance can create. He should strengthen the alliance and the Opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha elections We will not advise him. He is a very senior leader, Raut said. On the other hand, Maharashtra Congress leaders said if Pawar is not cancelling his programme in Pune, then he should use this platform and the opportunity to raise the Manipur violence before Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has been silent for more than 70 days on this major incident. Pawar should seek answers from the PM. PM should be also accountable for his act and inactions, said Balasaheb Thorat, a senior Congress leader. Rohit Pawar, NCP MLA and grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar said people should not mix politics with social function. He said Pawar in his political career never mixed social and personal relations in politics. Sharad Pawar will surely attend the programme in Pune, he said. MUMBAI: The Opposition on Monday urged NCP chief Sharad Pawar not to attend the August 1 function in Pune where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award for 2023 in recognition of his leadership and for awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said Pawars presence at the function will create confusion in the mind of Opposition leaders and workers. He said Pawar is the senior most leader of the Opposition unity alliance INDIA. Raut said Maha Vikas Aghadi and INDIA alliance partners feel that the NCP chief should avoid attending the Pune function. He said they are not unhappy with Pawar, but they are expressing their feelings and now it is up to him whether to or not to attend the programme.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Who should get what sort of award is not our concern. We will not go into it. But we as part of Opposition unity feel that Sharad Pawar attending the programme where Modi is getting the award will send a wrong message and confuse the alliance and its workers. This is the time we have to take the stand against the BJP who are destroying every independent institution, Raut said. Pawar should work to clear the doubts and confusion among the workers and leaders of Opposition unity, he added. Pawar knows better than anyone else what confusion his attendance can create. He should strengthen the alliance and the Opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha elections We will not advise him. He is a very senior leader, Raut said. On the other hand, Maharashtra Congress leaders said if Pawar is not cancelling his programme in Pune, then he should use this platform and the opportunity to raise the Manipur violence before Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has been silent for more than 70 days on this major incident. Pawar should seek answers from the PM. PM should be also accountable for his act and inactions, said Balasaheb Thorat, a senior Congress leader. Rohit Pawar, NCP MLA and grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar said people should not mix politics with social function. He said Pawar in his political career never mixed social and personal relations in politics. Sharad Pawar will surely attend the programme in Pune, he said. By PTI GURUGRAM: A mob attacked a mosque in Gurugram and killed its naib imam, taking the toll in the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Nuh district to five, police said on Tuesday. In Gurugram's Sector 57 area, the 26-year-old imam was killed and a mosque was set ablaze as the violence spread from neighbouring Nuh, police said. According to the police, a mob reached the Anjuman Masjid in Sector 57 after midnight. Some people in the crowd opened fire at the people present in the mosque and also set it ablaze. Meanwhile, authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Nuh where two home guards were killed, and many others, including several policemen, were injured on Monday. The deceased home guards were identified as Neeraj and Gursevak. They were deployed at Khedali Daula police station. #WATCH | Clashes erupt between two groups in Haryana's Nuh Further details awaited pic.twitter.com/huZVBzjK4d ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2023 In Nuh, two more people injured in the violence on Monday succumbed to their injuries. One of them has been identified as Saad, a native of Bihar, a senior officer said. The identity of the fourth person is yet to be ascertained. Ten policemen were among 23 injured in the violence in Nuh. The police have registered 11 FIRs in the district and detained 27 people in connection with the rioting. At least 120 vehicles were damaged during the violence in the district. Of these, 50, including eight belonging to the police, were set ablaze. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said a curfew has been clamped in Nuh district. #WATCH | On Nuh clashes, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij says "The situation in Nuh is under control and a curfew has been imposed in the district...Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, pic.twitter.com/zqzuOFhcWz ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread on Monday, mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop. The situation in Nuh and Sohna continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers in Nuh and other affected areas, the police said. Thirteen companies of central forces have already reached the district, while six others will reach soon. CMs of Delhi, Haryana react to communal violence incidents Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday appealed to the state's people to maintain peace and brotherhood at this critical time. In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal said, "The communal violence in Haryana's Nuh (Mewat) is deeply troubling. After Manipur in the Northeast, now such an incident in Haryana is not a good sign." He further said, "I appeal to the public in Haryana with folded hands to maintain peace and mutual brotherhood at this critical time. Together, we have to defeat the forces against peace and the politics of violence." Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said "strictest action" will be taken against those responsible for the incident. "Today's incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and the strictest action will be taken against them," the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. (With online desk inputs) GURUGRAM: A mob attacked a mosque in Gurugram and killed its naib imam, taking the toll in the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Nuh district to five, police said on Tuesday. In Gurugram's Sector 57 area, the 26-year-old imam was killed and a mosque was set ablaze as the violence spread from neighbouring Nuh, police said. According to the police, a mob reached the Anjuman Masjid in Sector 57 after midnight. Some people in the crowd opened fire at the people present in the mosque and also set it ablaze.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Nuh where two home guards were killed, and many others, including several policemen, were injured on Monday. The deceased home guards were identified as Neeraj and Gursevak. They were deployed at Khedali Daula police station. #WATCH | Clashes erupt between two groups in Haryana's Nuh Further details awaited pic.twitter.com/huZVBzjK4d ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2023 In Nuh, two more people injured in the violence on Monday succumbed to their injuries. One of them has been identified as Saad, a native of Bihar, a senior officer said. The identity of the fourth person is yet to be ascertained. Ten policemen were among 23 injured in the violence in Nuh. The police have registered 11 FIRs in the district and detained 27 people in connection with the rioting. At least 120 vehicles were damaged during the violence in the district. Of these, 50, including eight belonging to the police, were set ablaze. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said a curfew has been clamped in Nuh district. #WATCH | On Nuh clashes, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij says "The situation in Nuh is under control and a curfew has been imposed in the district...Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, pic.twitter.com/zqzuOFhcWz ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread on Monday, mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop. The situation in Nuh and Sohna continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers in Nuh and other affected areas, the police said. Thirteen companies of central forces have already reached the district, while six others will reach soon. CMs of Delhi, Haryana react to communal violence incidents Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday appealed to the state's people to maintain peace and brotherhood at this critical time. In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal said, "The communal violence in Haryana's Nuh (Mewat) is deeply troubling. After Manipur in the Northeast, now such an incident in Haryana is not a good sign." He further said, "I appeal to the public in Haryana with folded hands to maintain peace and mutual brotherhood at this critical time. Together, we have to defeat the forces against peace and the politics of violence." Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said "strictest action" will be taken against those responsible for the incident. "Today's incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and the strictest action will be taken against them," the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. (With online desk inputs) By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Centres telemedicine application eSanjeevani, which provides doctor-to-doctor and patient-to-doctor consultations, has completed 14,17,81,384 teleconsultations till July 26, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. This application works on a hub and spoke model wherein doctors including specialists provide services to patients in Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) in rural areas. Further people in remote and rural areas can also avail services through the OPD module of eSanjeevani, the minister said. With an aim to support the effective implementation of digital health initiatives including telemedicine services across the country, the Union Health Ministry provides financial assistance to all states/UTs under National Health Mission for strengthening health IT infrastructure and internet connectivity. The government has also taken initiatives such as short videos, brochures and pamphlets, including in local languages through social media platforms to disseminate information about telemedicine services and to create awareness among the masses in rural areas. NEW DELHI: Centres telemedicine application eSanjeevani, which provides doctor-to-doctor and patient-to-doctor consultations, has completed 14,17,81,384 teleconsultations till July 26, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. This application works on a hub and spoke model wherein doctors including specialists provide services to patients in Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) in rural areas. Further people in remote and rural areas can also avail services through the OPD module of eSanjeevani, the minister said. With an aim to support the effective implementation of digital health initiatives including telemedicine services across the country, the Union Health Ministry provides financial assistance to all states/UTs under National Health Mission for strengthening health IT infrastructure and internet connectivity.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The government has also taken initiatives such as short videos, brochures and pamphlets, including in local languages through social media platforms to disseminate information about telemedicine services and to create awareness among the masses in rural areas. By PTI NEW DELHI: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu on behalf of the opposition parties to discuss the Manipur issue, sources said on Tuesday. They added that he has not yet got time from the President. The opposition parties have been demanding a comprehensive discussion on violence in Manipur in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with a statement from the prime minister in Parliament. ALSO READ: Opposition demands PM's statement on Manipur violence, holds protest in Parliament premises They have now sought the President's intervention in the matter, claiming that the violence in the BJP-ruled northeastern state is continuing and many people have lost their lives. A delegation of 21 opposition MPs has visited the ethnic strife-torn state and apprised the leaders of the INDIA alliance about the situation there. The delegation visited the affected areas and met people in relief camps in both the hills as well as the valley. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the opposition delegation to Manipur, has described the situation in the state as 'grave'. NEW DELHI: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu on behalf of the opposition parties to discuss the Manipur issue, sources said on Tuesday. They added that he has not yet got time from the President. The opposition parties have been demanding a comprehensive discussion on violence in Manipur in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with a statement from the prime minister in Parliament.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ: Opposition demands PM's statement on Manipur violence, holds protest in Parliament premises They have now sought the President's intervention in the matter, claiming that the violence in the BJP-ruled northeastern state is continuing and many people have lost their lives. A delegation of 21 opposition MPs has visited the ethnic strife-torn state and apprised the leaders of the INDIA alliance about the situation there. The delegation visited the affected areas and met people in relief camps in both the hills as well as the valley. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the opposition delegation to Manipur, has described the situation in the state as 'grave'. Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Elections are fought and won the performances of the government and the NDA-led Central government has set a record in performances, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chairing the first meetings of MPs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in New Delhi on Monday. The NDA MPs, in attendance, resolved to use coordinated effort and collective strategy to take on the Opposition in the Lok Sabha elections next year. The back-to-back meetings on Monday were the first such cluster meetings being chaired by PM Modi with groups of NDA legislators between July 31 and August 10. At the first meeting of NDA MPs, 42 MPs from West UP, Braj region, Kanpur region and Bundhelkahnd were in attendance, with Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh present. At the second meeting, 41 MPs from Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal were in attendance, with the presence of BJP national chief JP Nadda and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The PM shared success tips to not only ensure a stronger chance of winnability but also to help the MPs develop a deeper bond with the electorate. The MPs also shared their strategies before PM Modi and the other leaders present. One of the MPs, (who did not wish to be quoted) said that the meeting with the PM was basically to draw a common strategy to tackle the mounting political attack of the Opposition, united under the new political acronym I.N.D.I.A. The PM has raised the need to expose those parties which have come together under the INDIA alliance. Corruption charges of each of the Opposition parties must be amplified through various platforms of communication with the electorate. Their involvement in scams worth over Rs 20 lakh crore must be taken to the common man, sources said, quoting a detail from the meeting. Sources also said that the NDA allies had decided to address the Opposition as UPA-III, and not the INDIA. Coining such an acronym for political purposes will not succeed in misleading the people in the polls, the sources said, adding that the PM also urged the NDA MPs to power over the Opposition through development. The BJP, which is the biggest ally of NDA, has divided the entire NDA comprising of 38 parties into 11 clusters each cluster having 30-35 MPS of both the Houses. NEW DELHI: Elections are fought and won the performances of the government and the NDA-led Central government has set a record in performances, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chairing the first meetings of MPs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in New Delhi on Monday. The NDA MPs, in attendance, resolved to use coordinated effort and collective strategy to take on the Opposition in the Lok Sabha elections next year. The back-to-back meetings on Monday were the first such cluster meetings being chaired by PM Modi with groups of NDA legislators between July 31 and August 10. At the first meeting of NDA MPs, 42 MPs from West UP, Braj region, Kanpur region and Bundhelkahnd were in attendance, with Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh present. At the second meeting, 41 MPs from Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal were in attendance, with the presence of BJP national chief JP Nadda and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The PM shared success tips to not only ensure a stronger chance of winnability but also to help the MPs develop a deeper bond with the electorate. The MPs also shared their strategies before PM Modi and the other leaders present. One of the MPs, (who did not wish to be quoted) said that the meeting with the PM was basically to draw a common strategy to tackle the mounting political attack of the Opposition, united under the new political acronym I.N.D.I.A.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The PM has raised the need to expose those parties which have come together under the INDIA alliance. Corruption charges of each of the Opposition parties must be amplified through various platforms of communication with the electorate. Their involvement in scams worth over Rs 20 lakh crore must be taken to the common man, sources said, quoting a detail from the meeting. Sources also said that the NDA allies had decided to address the Opposition as UPA-III, and not the INDIA. Coining such an acronym for political purposes will not succeed in misleading the people in the polls, the sources said, adding that the PM also urged the NDA MPs to power over the Opposition through development. The BJP, which is the biggest ally of NDA, has divided the entire NDA comprising of 38 parties into 11 clusters each cluster having 30-35 MPS of both the Houses. Amit Mukherjee By Express News Service The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided 31 locations across Punjab and Haryana to unravel the full design of the conspiracy behind the March 19 attack on the High Commission of India in London in a bid to nab those involved in the incident. "The NIA is leaving no stone unturned to pinpoint culpability in the London attack and arrest the perpetrators, their associates and their supporters, based in India and abroad," said a source in the investigating agency. The NIA has been carrying out extensive investigations into the incident with a view to ensuring there is no repeat of such a breach of security, disrespect to the Indian flag or any threat to Indian interests abroad. The raids led to the seizure of digital data containing information related to the accused persons involved in the attack on the High Commission and other incriminating documents and evidence. The districts where the searches took place include Moga, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar, Mukhtsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Mohali in Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana, NIA sources said. The High Commission of India in London was attacked in March by a group of about 50 people, who committed criminal trespass, caused disrespect to the Indian flag, damage to public property and injuries to officials of the mission. The attack was allegedly organised by Gurcharan Singh, Dal Khalsa, UK; Avtar Singh Khanda of KLF, Jasvir Singh and many of their associates, both Indian and foreign nationals, who have been identified during the ongoing NIA investigations. An NIA team had visited the UK in May 2023 to probe the attack. Subsequently, the agency identified many of the attackers by collecting information about UK-based entities and individuals involved in the incident through crowdsourcing. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided 31 locations across Punjab and Haryana to unravel the full design of the conspiracy behind the March 19 attack on the High Commission of India in London in a bid to nab those involved in the incident. "The NIA is leaving no stone unturned to pinpoint culpability in the London attack and arrest the perpetrators, their associates and their supporters, based in India and abroad," said a source in the investigating agency. The NIA has been carrying out extensive investigations into the incident with a view to ensuring there is no repeat of such a breach of security, disrespect to the Indian flag or any threat to Indian interests abroad. The raids led to the seizure of digital data containing information related to the accused persons involved in the attack on the High Commission and other incriminating documents and evidence. The districts where the searches took place include Moga, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar, Mukhtsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Mohali in Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana, NIA sources said. The High Commission of India in London was attacked in March by a group of about 50 people, who committed criminal trespass, caused disrespect to the Indian flag, damage to public property and injuries to officials of the mission.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The attack was allegedly organised by Gurcharan Singh, Dal Khalsa, UK; Avtar Singh Khanda of KLF, Jasvir Singh and many of their associates, both Indian and foreign nationals, who have been identified during the ongoing NIA investigations. An NIA team had visited the UK in May 2023 to probe the attack. Subsequently, the agency identified many of the attackers by collecting information about UK-based entities and individuals involved in the incident through crowdsourcing. South Africa has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a summit in August Any attempt to arrest Vladimir Putin if he visits South Africa would be a declaration of war against Russia, the country's president says. Cyril Ramaphosa made the warning with weeks to go before an international meeting happens in Johannesburg, to which the Russian president is invited. But if Mr Putin leaves Russian soil, he will be subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. He is accused of committing war crimes during the Ukraine conflict. Russia has consistently described the ICC arrest warrant as outrageous and legally void because the country is not a member of the organisation. South Africa is an ICC signatory and should therefore help in his arrest. Yet it has refused to honour that obligation in the past - allowing safe passage in 2015 to Sudan's then-President Omar al-Bashir who was wanted for war crimes against his own people. Mr Putin has been invited to South Africa in August, when the country hosts a summit for members of the Brics countries - an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This bloc of fast-growing economies is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of advanced economies. South Africa's biggest opposition party, Democratic Alliance, has gone to court to try to force the authorities to carry out an arrest on Mr Putin should he set foot in the country. Court documents reveal that President Ramaphosa is firmly against any such move, stating that national security is at stake. "South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin," he said in an affidavit. "Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia." President Ramaphosa added that South Africa is one of several African nations holding talks with Russia and Ukraine "with a view of ending the war altogether", and that attempting to arrest Mr Putin would be counter-productive. Story continues Last month saw a peace mission to the European nations, where African presidents hoped they could bring Ukraine and Russia to the table together but ultimately failed. Much has been made of African nations' reluctance to back UN general assembly resolutions condemning Russia's war in Ukraine. Correspondents say the reasons range depending on the nation - be it South Africa's anti-apartheid ties to the Soviet Union, or Mali's present-day reliance on Russian Wagner mercenaries to fight jihadists. There are economic ties between Russia and African nations too, not least in South Africa. A sanctioned Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, is said to be one of the biggest donors to South Africa's governing party - the African National Congress (ANC). By PTI NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till noon amid protest by opposition parties demanding discussion on the Manipur issue in the House. Soon after the listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed anguish over repeated disruptions of the proceedings in the House on the "same issue". He said a short-duration discussion on the issue was scheduled the previous day, but it could not take place. Dhankhar also did not approve 60 notices for taking up discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha which allows for suspension of the day's business to debate on any issue suggested by a member. Meanwhile, opposition members started raising slogans. Around 11.25 am, the Chair adjourn House proceedings till noon. Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday following protests by opposition members on the Manipur issue. As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members started shouting slogans and held up placards Some of them were in the Well of the House while some stood near the Speaker's Chair, holding placards, as they sought to raise the Manipur issue. Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they will be given time to raise the issues. BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali, standing in his seat, raised slogans on the violence in Nuh in Haryana. "Sir, Nuh jal raha hai (Nuh is burning)," he said, addressing the Speaker. Three questions and related supplementary were taken up during Question Hour, which went on for around 15 minutes. However, as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm. Protests on the Manipur violence have been disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20. NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till noon amid protest by opposition parties demanding discussion on the Manipur issue in the House. Soon after the listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed anguish over repeated disruptions of the proceedings in the House on the "same issue". He said a short-duration discussion on the issue was scheduled the previous day, but it could not take place.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Dhankhar also did not approve 60 notices for taking up discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha which allows for suspension of the day's business to debate on any issue suggested by a member. Meanwhile, opposition members started raising slogans. Around 11.25 am, the Chair adjourn House proceedings till noon. Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday following protests by opposition members on the Manipur issue. As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members started shouting slogans and held up placards Some of them were in the Well of the House while some stood near the Speaker's Chair, holding placards, as they sought to raise the Manipur issue. Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they will be given time to raise the issues. BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali, standing in his seat, raised slogans on the violence in Nuh in Haryana. "Sir, Nuh jal raha hai (Nuh is burning)," he said, addressing the Speaker. Three questions and related supplementary were taken up during Question Hour, which went on for around 15 minutes. However, as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm. Protests on the Manipur violence have been disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20. By Online Desk CHENNAI: Academician and human rights activist Prof Anand Teltumbde has said that at the theoretical level he has never understood the rationale behind prisons except for the obvious fact that they are an essential part of the arsenal of the state to torment people the state does not like. Some of the more pronounced issues in prison relate to the lack of rule of law. What the jail superintendent thinks is the law in jail. Prison time entails unnecessary humiliation. It is embedded in each process in the jail, Teltumbde said in an interview with Live Law. ALSO READ | After five years, two activists get bail in Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case "Stripping a person every time and checking his private parts with bare hands in the name of security needs to be stopped. I saw poor inmates being made to do sit-ups in a completely naked position while the security checks at the gate. I was spared the humiliation," Teltumbde said in the interview. "One thing I learnt in the jail was that prison is not the reform centre as it is claimed it is the centre of sadism. Every action and every decision of the jail administration is to cause maximum possible harassment to the prisoners. On November 26, 2022, a day after Supreme Court upheld his bail, Elgaar Parishad accused Anand Teltumbde was released from Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai. EDITORIAL | Supreme Court demolishes NIA proof against Elgar case accused The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city. Soon after his release from prison, Teltumbde said, I am happy after being released from prison after 31 months. It is obvious, but the sad thing is that this is the fakest case and it put us behind bars for years. Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist, who also was arrested in connection with the case, passed away in July 2021 while in judicial custody. CHENNAI: Academician and human rights activist Prof Anand Teltumbde has said that at the theoretical level he has never understood the rationale behind prisons except for the obvious fact that they are an essential part of the arsenal of the state to torment people the state does not like. Some of the more pronounced issues in prison relate to the lack of rule of law. What the jail superintendent thinks is the law in jail. Prison time entails unnecessary humiliation. It is embedded in each process in the jail, Teltumbde said in an interview with Live Law.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | After five years, two activists get bail in Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case "Stripping a person every time and checking his private parts with bare hands in the name of security needs to be stopped. I saw poor inmates being made to do sit-ups in a completely naked position while the security checks at the gate. I was spared the humiliation," Teltumbde said in the interview. "One thing I learnt in the jail was that prison is not the reform centre as it is claimed it is the centre of sadism. Every action and every decision of the jail administration is to cause maximum possible harassment to the prisoners. On November 26, 2022, a day after Supreme Court upheld his bail, Elgaar Parishad accused Anand Teltumbde was released from Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai. EDITORIAL | Supreme Court demolishes NIA proof against Elgar case accused The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city. Soon after his release from prison, Teltumbde said, I am happy after being released from prison after 31 months. It is obvious, but the sad thing is that this is the fakest case and it put us behind bars for years. Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist, who also was arrested in connection with the case, passed away in July 2021 while in judicial custody. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Rohini Commission, constituted to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), has submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. The Commission for Other Backward Classes was appointed through an October 2017 notification to examine the sub-categorisation of OBC. Justice G Rohini, a retired chief justice of the Delhi High Court is its chairperson. After 13 extensions, the commission submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, the Social Justice Ministry said in the statement. The Commission had been entrusted with the task to study the various entries in the Central List of OBCs. It was also tasked with recommending correction of any repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription, examining the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the OBCs, and working out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific approach, for sub-categorization within such OBCs. NEW DELHI: The Rohini Commission, constituted to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), has submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. The Commission for Other Backward Classes was appointed through an October 2017 notification to examine the sub-categorisation of OBC. Justice G Rohini, a retired chief justice of the Delhi High Court is its chairperson.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After 13 extensions, the commission submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, the Social Justice Ministry said in the statement. The Commission had been entrusted with the task to study the various entries in the Central List of OBCs. It was also tasked with recommending correction of any repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription, examining the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the OBCs, and working out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific approach, for sub-categorization within such OBCs. Ujwal Jalali and Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: At least two home guards were killed, around 20 others were injured and more than 80 vehicles were set ablaze during communal clashes that broke out in the Nuh district of Haryana on Monday. By the evening, the violence spread to Gurugram borders with stone pelting being reported from the Ambedkar Chowk in Sohna. At least 12 police personnel, who had been injured in Nuh, were taken to Medanta, Gurugram. The Haryana government suspended internet services in Nuh till August 2 and Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in both Nuh and Gurugram districts. All educational institutes will remain shut on Tuesday. One of the deceased home guards has been identified by cops as Neeraj Kumar, while DSP of Hodal Sajjan Singh has suffered a bullet wound on his head and inspector Sandeep Kumar, in charge of the Crime Unit in Sector 40, Gurugram, had a gunshot injury on his stomach. The clashes erupted in Muslim-dominated Nuh after unidentified people tried to stop the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra of right-wing outfits VHP and Bajrang Dal following reports of Monu Manesar, an alleged cow vigilante and an accused in the Nasir Junaid murder case in Haryanas Bhiwani, joining the religious procession. He, however, didnt turn up. But a video posted by a Bajrang Dal member in Ballabhgarh aggravated the situation. Stones were thrown at the procession, which led to communal clashes during the yatra, which was flagged off from Gurugrams Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. Caught in the crosshair, thousands of people took shelter at the Nalhar Mahadev Temple in Nuh and remained stranded for hours before they were rescued. There were also reports of firing at the temple. NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: At least two home guards were killed, around 20 others were injured and more than 80 vehicles were set ablaze during communal clashes that broke out in the Nuh district of Haryana on Monday. By the evening, the violence spread to Gurugram borders with stone pelting being reported from the Ambedkar Chowk in Sohna. At least 12 police personnel, who had been injured in Nuh, were taken to Medanta, Gurugram. The Haryana government suspended internet services in Nuh till August 2 and Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in both Nuh and Gurugram districts. All educational institutes will remain shut on Tuesday. One of the deceased home guards has been identified by cops as Neeraj Kumar, while DSP of Hodal Sajjan Singh has suffered a bullet wound on his head and inspector Sandeep Kumar, in charge of the Crime Unit in Sector 40, Gurugram, had a gunshot injury on his stomach. The clashes erupted in Muslim-dominated Nuh after unidentified people tried to stop the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra of right-wing outfits VHP and Bajrang Dal following reports of Monu Manesar, an alleged cow vigilante and an accused in the Nasir Junaid murder case in Haryanas Bhiwani, joining the religious procession. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He, however, didnt turn up. But a video posted by a Bajrang Dal member in Ballabhgarh aggravated the situation. Stones were thrown at the procession, which led to communal clashes during the yatra, which was flagged off from Gurugrams Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. Caught in the crosshair, thousands of people took shelter at the Nalhar Mahadev Temple in Nuh and remained stranded for hours before they were rescued. There were also reports of firing at the temple. C Shivakumar By Express News Service CHENNAI: Taiwans Foxconn signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government on Monday to invest Rs 1,600 crore in a new mobile components manufacturing facility in Kancheepuram. The facility will generate 6,000 jobs. Foxconn Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Young Liu, who is visiting the state for the first time, said his company is not only looking at the manufacturing sector but also exploring investment opportunities in research and development in Tamil Nadu. The Taiwanese company, which is being wooed across India, has signed a tripartite agreement with IIT-Madras Research Park and Guidance for research and development and innovation and to promote collaboration for sharing knowledge and best practices in advanced technologies. Foxconn Chairman Young Liu said Chennai is the biggest site for Foxconn in India. We have many developments in the production side. We got a lot of support from the government. And definitely, we would like to get more in the future. We have 40,000 workers as of today, Liu told reporters during his interaction at the Indian Institute of Technology Research Park To a question on whether he has identified a partner for a semiconductor venture in India, Young Liu said Foxconn is still working on the proposal. The company recently called off its joint venture with Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta for setting up a semiconductor plant in India. Companies showing interest in TN due to Stalins efforts: Minister Earlier, Chief Minister MK Stalin held discussions with Liu in the presence of industries minister T R B Rajaa, chief secretary Shiv Das Meena, additional chief secretary (industries) S Krishnan, MD and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu Vishnu Venugopalan, chief strategy officer (semiconductor) of Foxconn SY Chiang, and top company officials. They signed a letter of intent (LoI) for the new facility that will be set up near the companys existing plant in Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district. Sources said the facility will be separate from the current sprawling campus used by Foxconn for assembling Apple iPhones where nearly 35,000 people are employed. Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said, The credit for companies like Foxconn showing keen interest in Tamil Nadu to increase their manufacturing footprint across sectors goes to Chief Minister MK Stalins vision and continued efforts to ensure sustained industrial growth in the state. It is heartening to see industries reinforce their faith in Tamil Nadus inherent strengths as the most industrialised state in the country. Parrying queries on whether talks were held for setting up a semiconductor plant in TN, Rajaa said the state is going to witness interesting developments soon. He said new investments in Tamil Nadu will generate high-end jobs. He said the government is looking at new investments in south Tamil Nadu but refused to divulge details. Mobile components unit to generate 6,000 jobs The mobile components manufacturing facility to come up in Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district will generate 6,000 jobs. It will be set up by Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a subsidiary of Foxconn. CHENNAI: Taiwans Foxconn signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government on Monday to invest Rs 1,600 crore in a new mobile components manufacturing facility in Kancheepuram. The facility will generate 6,000 jobs. Foxconn Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Young Liu, who is visiting the state for the first time, said his company is not only looking at the manufacturing sector but also exploring investment opportunities in research and development in Tamil Nadu. The Taiwanese company, which is being wooed across India, has signed a tripartite agreement with IIT-Madras Research Park and Guidance for research and development and innovation and to promote collaboration for sharing knowledge and best practices in advanced technologies.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Foxconn Chairman Young Liu said Chennai is the biggest site for Foxconn in India. We have many developments in the production side. We got a lot of support from the government. And definitely, we would like to get more in the future. We have 40,000 workers as of today, Liu told reporters during his interaction at the Indian Institute of Technology Research Park To a question on whether he has identified a partner for a semiconductor venture in India, Young Liu said Foxconn is still working on the proposal. The company recently called off its joint venture with Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta for setting up a semiconductor plant in India. Companies showing interest in TN due to Stalins efforts: Minister Earlier, Chief Minister MK Stalin held discussions with Liu in the presence of industries minister T R B Rajaa, chief secretary Shiv Das Meena, additional chief secretary (industries) S Krishnan, MD and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu Vishnu Venugopalan, chief strategy officer (semiconductor) of Foxconn SY Chiang, and top company officials. They signed a letter of intent (LoI) for the new facility that will be set up near the companys existing plant in Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district. Sources said the facility will be separate from the current sprawling campus used by Foxconn for assembling Apple iPhones where nearly 35,000 people are employed. Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said, The credit for companies like Foxconn showing keen interest in Tamil Nadu to increase their manufacturing footprint across sectors goes to Chief Minister MK Stalins vision and continued efforts to ensure sustained industrial growth in the state. It is heartening to see industries reinforce their faith in Tamil Nadus inherent strengths as the most industrialised state in the country. Parrying queries on whether talks were held for setting up a semiconductor plant in TN, Rajaa said the state is going to witness interesting developments soon. He said new investments in Tamil Nadu will generate high-end jobs. He said the government is looking at new investments in south Tamil Nadu but refused to divulge details. Mobile components unit to generate 6,000 jobs The mobile components manufacturing facility to come up in Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district will generate 6,000 jobs. It will be set up by Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a subsidiary of Foxconn. By Express News Service PERAMBALUR: Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Saraswathy Kandasami on Sunday remarked that the Southeast Asian country was looking to increase food production by purchasing millets from Tamil Nadu and making agriculture profitable. On a visit to Tamil Nadu, Kandasami met with S Prakadeesh Kumar, owner, Plus Max Group of Companies, in Permablaur. During an interaction with reporters, she remarked, "youngsters in Malaysia are showing more interest in farming, so I came to visit the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore to discuss technological development in agriculture. To mark the International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023, we are planning to grow millets in Malaysia. While paddy is the staple crop in Malaysia, we are planning to introduce millet varieties, for which we have to procure the seeds from India." "Malaysia relies on imports for 60 per cent of its food and agricultural needs, and our aim is to reduce this by increasing food production through cooperatives. We are going to hire a lot of workers for agricultural work in the country. There's enough land and rain in Malaysia, which is suitable for cultivating crops, but we also plan to find ways to make agriculture profitable through the use of technology," the deputy minister added. Prakadeesh Kumar said, "Talks are going on with the Tamil Nadu government to export maize from Tamil Nadu to Malaysia. A decision regarding this will be taken soon. In the next stage, we might even set up the export of shallots to Malaysia. Soon we can set up a vegetable market in Poolambadi in Perambalur for export to Malaysia." PERAMBALUR: Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Saraswathy Kandasami on Sunday remarked that the Southeast Asian country was looking to increase food production by purchasing millets from Tamil Nadu and making agriculture profitable. On a visit to Tamil Nadu, Kandasami met with S Prakadeesh Kumar, owner, Plus Max Group of Companies, in Permablaur. During an interaction with reporters, she remarked, "youngsters in Malaysia are showing more interest in farming, so I came to visit the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore to discuss technological development in agriculture. To mark the International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023, we are planning to grow millets in Malaysia. While paddy is the staple crop in Malaysia, we are planning to introduce millet varieties, for which we have to procure the seeds from India." "Malaysia relies on imports for 60 per cent of its food and agricultural needs, and our aim is to reduce this by increasing food production through cooperatives. We are going to hire a lot of workers for agricultural work in the country. There's enough land and rain in Malaysia, which is suitable for cultivating crops, but we also plan to find ways to make agriculture profitable through the use of technology," the deputy minister added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Prakadeesh Kumar said, "Talks are going on with the Tamil Nadu government to export maize from Tamil Nadu to Malaysia. A decision regarding this will be taken soon. In the next stage, we might even set up the export of shallots to Malaysia. Soon we can set up a vegetable market in Poolambadi in Perambalur for export to Malaysia." By Online Desk Historian Ramachandra Guha has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin calling for the immediate release of publisher and political analyst Badri Seshadri. Mr Seshadri is accused of having criticised the Supreme Court of India. In a functioning democracy, such criticisms cannot be by themselves a basis for arrest. If there is a case to be made against him, it should be made in court. A pre-emptive arrest merely on the basis of an FIR appears to be an act of political vindictiveness, wrote Guha in the letter. I do not endorse Mr Seshadris political views, yet his arrest is inconsistent with the principles of natural justice. It brings discredit to your Government and to the culture and history of the Tamil people. Given this rich literary and intellectual history, Tamil Nadu should be the last state in the Indian Union to be held guilty of persecuting writers for their political views, Guha went on to say. Seshadri was arrested from his Chennai home by the Perambalur police over his remarks on the Chief Justice of India during a YouTube discussion on the Manipur violence. The arrest was made following a complaint from a lawyer who claimed that he was disturbed by Seshadri's views on the judiciary. Police had booked him under IPC sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (1) (a) (promote enmity between groups through words) and 505 (1) (b) (causing fear and alarm in public). You have yourself recently inaugurated a library named after Mr Karunanidhi. Earlier in the year your government organised an international book fair in Chennai. Yet your governments claim to promote literature and culture rings hollow in the light of the arrest of Mr Seshadri. As a writer who has deep personal connections to the state of Tamil Nadu, I appeal to you to release Mr Seshadri immediately, added Guha. Historian Ramachandra Guha has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin calling for the immediate release of publisher and political analyst Badri Seshadri. Mr Seshadri is accused of having criticised the Supreme Court of India. In a functioning democracy, such criticisms cannot be by themselves a basis for arrest. If there is a case to be made against him, it should be made in court. A pre-emptive arrest merely on the basis of an FIR appears to be an act of political vindictiveness, wrote Guha in the letter. I do not endorse Mr Seshadris political views, yet his arrest is inconsistent with the principles of natural justice. It brings discredit to your Government and to the culture and history of the Tamil people. Given this rich literary and intellectual history, Tamil Nadu should be the last state in the Indian Union to be held guilty of persecuting writers for their political views, Guha went on to say.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Seshadri was arrested from his Chennai home by the Perambalur police over his remarks on the Chief Justice of India during a YouTube discussion on the Manipur violence. The arrest was made following a complaint from a lawyer who claimed that he was disturbed by Seshadri's views on the judiciary. Police had booked him under IPC sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (1) (a) (promote enmity between groups through words) and 505 (1) (b) (causing fear and alarm in public). You have yourself recently inaugurated a library named after Mr Karunanidhi. Earlier in the year your government organised an international book fair in Chennai. Yet your governments claim to promote literature and culture rings hollow in the light of the arrest of Mr Seshadri. As a writer who has deep personal connections to the state of Tamil Nadu, I appeal to you to release Mr Seshadri immediately, added Guha. By PTI CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has written to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh on sending aid, including medicines, to the violence-hit north-eastern state. The Tamil Nadu government has asked Manipur to provide its concurrence to send the aid material to those living in relief camps. Stalin told the Manipur chief minister in a letter dated July 31 that he has been informed that more than 50,000 people were staying in relief camps due to the 'prevailing situation' in the northeastern state, apparently referring to the violence there. " At this crucial time, the Government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend support to your State by providing necessary relief materials like tarpaulin sheets, bed sheets, mosquito nets, essential medicines, sanitary napkins, and milk powder worth around Rs 10 crore," Stalin said. "This assistance will be very useful to the people staying in camps and they can also be airlifted if required," he said. "I would request you to kindly give your government's concurrence for this humanitarian aid. Also, kindly inform us about the further action to be taken in this regard, so that my officers can coordinate with your officers and send the relief materials at the earliest," the Chief Minister added. Stalin had earlier offered to provide training facilities for Manipur sportspersons in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of ethnic violence there. More than 160 people have lost their lives and several hundred injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals, Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has written to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh on sending aid, including medicines, to the violence-hit north-eastern state. The Tamil Nadu government has asked Manipur to provide its concurrence to send the aid material to those living in relief camps. Stalin told the Manipur chief minister in a letter dated July 31 that he has been informed that more than 50,000 people were staying in relief camps due to the 'prevailing situation' in the northeastern state, apparently referring to the violence there.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); " At this crucial time, the Government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend support to your State by providing necessary relief materials like tarpaulin sheets, bed sheets, mosquito nets, essential medicines, sanitary napkins, and milk powder worth around Rs 10 crore," Stalin said. "This assistance will be very useful to the people staying in camps and they can also be airlifted if required," he said. "I would request you to kindly give your government's concurrence for this humanitarian aid. Also, kindly inform us about the further action to be taken in this regard, so that my officers can coordinate with your officers and send the relief materials at the earliest," the Chief Minister added. Stalin had earlier offered to provide training facilities for Manipur sportspersons in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of ethnic violence there. More than 160 people have lost their lives and several hundred injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals, Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, which is grappling with a surge in suicide attacks, reported 18 such incidents in the first seven months of 2023 that killed more than 200 people and left over 450 others injured, according to a think tank report. The report was published by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a day after an Islamic State suicide bomber triggered a powerful blast that killed at least 54 people at a political convention of a hardline Islamist party in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistan experienced 15 suicide attacks in the entirety of 2022, significantly less than the number of suicide attacks witnessed in the first seven months of this year, Dawn News cited Monday's report by the Islamabad-based think tank. The report said the most severely affected region was the restive tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, accounting for half of the total suicide attacks in 2023. ALSO READ | IS claims responsibility for the bombing that killed 54 at a pro-Taliban election rally in Pakistan The nine attacks in the area claimed around 60 lives, while over 150 others sustained injuries, the report said. However, Sunday's attack during a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) JUI-F gathering was the deadliest in the tribal belt this year so far. The attack on the JUI-F rally was claimed by the banned militant group Islamic State. "Mainland" Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced its own share of devastation, with four suicide attacks causing the deaths of more than 110 people and leaving 245 injured, the report said. Balochistan, which also experienced a troubling wave of violence, encountered at least four suicide attacks within the first seven months of 2023, killing 14 people and injuring 27 others. Separately, one suicide attack was reported in Sindh, claiming five lives and injuring 18 persons. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, which is grappling with a surge in suicide attacks, reported 18 such incidents in the first seven months of 2023 that killed more than 200 people and left over 450 others injured, according to a think tank report. The report was published by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a day after an Islamic State suicide bomber triggered a powerful blast that killed at least 54 people at a political convention of a hardline Islamist party in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistan experienced 15 suicide attacks in the entirety of 2022, significantly less than the number of suicide attacks witnessed in the first seven months of this year, Dawn News cited Monday's report by the Islamabad-based think tank.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The report said the most severely affected region was the restive tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, accounting for half of the total suicide attacks in 2023. ALSO READ | IS claims responsibility for the bombing that killed 54 at a pro-Taliban election rally in Pakistan The nine attacks in the area claimed around 60 lives, while over 150 others sustained injuries, the report said. However, Sunday's attack during a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) JUI-F gathering was the deadliest in the tribal belt this year so far. The attack on the JUI-F rally was claimed by the banned militant group Islamic State. "Mainland" Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced its own share of devastation, with four suicide attacks causing the deaths of more than 110 people and leaving 245 injured, the report said. Balochistan, which also experienced a troubling wave of violence, encountered at least four suicide attacks within the first seven months of 2023, killing 14 people and injuring 27 others. Separately, one suicide attack was reported in Sindh, claiming five lives and injuring 18 persons. By AFP LONDON: The British government on Tuesday officially acknowledged that the Islamic State group committed "acts of genocide" against the Yazidi people in 2014, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The UK has today formally acknowledged that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people by Daesh in 2014," the statement said, using the Arab acronym for the Islamic State. So far, the UK has acknowledged only four other instances where genocide has occurred, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica, and acts of genocide in Cambodia. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the announcement comes ahead of events marking nine years since the "atrocities" were committed by the Islamic State against the Kurdish-speaking Yazidi minority in Iraq. The Yazidis, whose pre-Islamic religion made them the target of IS extremists, were subjected to massacres, forced marriages and sex slavery during the jihadists' 2014-15 rule in the northern Iraq province of Sinjar, the Yazidis' traditional home. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," UK's Middle East minister Tariq Ahmad said in the statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated," he added. The official recognition follows a German Federal Court of Justice judgement which found a former IS fighter guilty of acts of genocide in Iraq. The verdict was delivered in 2021 and upheld this January after the court rejected the defendant's appeal. "The UK's position has always been that determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts", according to the statement. UK's lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, had unanimously voted to condemn the IS's treatment of Yazidis and Christians in Iraq as amounting to genocide in 2016, in a rare instance of parliamentary determination of genocide. The foreign ministry had refused to acknowledge the genocide then, in keeping with a long-standing policy on the determination of genocide by courts rather than governments. LONDON: The British government on Tuesday officially acknowledged that the Islamic State group committed "acts of genocide" against the Yazidi people in 2014, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The UK has today formally acknowledged that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people by Daesh in 2014," the statement said, using the Arab acronym for the Islamic State. So far, the UK has acknowledged only four other instances where genocide has occurred, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica, and acts of genocide in Cambodia.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the announcement comes ahead of events marking nine years since the "atrocities" were committed by the Islamic State against the Kurdish-speaking Yazidi minority in Iraq. The Yazidis, whose pre-Islamic religion made them the target of IS extremists, were subjected to massacres, forced marriages and sex slavery during the jihadists' 2014-15 rule in the northern Iraq province of Sinjar, the Yazidis' traditional home. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day," UK's Middle East minister Tariq Ahmad said in the statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated," he added. The official recognition follows a German Federal Court of Justice judgement which found a former IS fighter guilty of acts of genocide in Iraq. The verdict was delivered in 2021 and upheld this January after the court rejected the defendant's appeal. "The UK's position has always been that determinations of genocide should be made by competent courts", according to the statement. UK's lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, had unanimously voted to condemn the IS's treatment of Yazidis and Christians in Iraq as amounting to genocide in 2016, in a rare instance of parliamentary determination of genocide. The foreign ministry had refused to acknowledge the genocide then, in keeping with a long-standing policy on the determination of genocide by courts rather than governments. Britons urged to register for possible Niger evacuation as France starts airlift plan The Government was on Tuesday drawing up plans for the possible evacuation of Britons from coup-hit Niger after France said it would get its own citizens out of the former French colony. The Foreign Office urged UK citizens in Niger to register online or on a special phone line, replicating the system used before 2,450 Britons were airlifted out of war-torn Sudan over eight days from late April. Protests can be violent and the atmosphere can change quickly and without warning, the Foreign Office said in updated travel guidance for Niger. We advise British nationals to remain indoors. It is understood that UK diplomats are staying in close contact with France after the Foreign Office appealed to Britons in Niger to register their name, location and contact details. Officials were unable to say how many Britons are currently in Niger. Paris said there were just under 1,200 French nationals in Niger in 2022. It announced the evacuation after rioters in Niamey targeted the French embassy and burned French flags. Protests can be violent and the atmosphere can change quickly and without warning, the Foreign Office said in updated travel guidance for Niger. We advise British nationals to remain indoors. The French evacuation was expected to start Tuesday afternoon. The German foreign ministry urged its citizens in Niger to take up an offer from the French authorities to join their evacuation flights. "We can confirm that our French colleagues have offered, within the limits of available capacity, to take German nationals on board their flights from Niger," the ministry said in a statement, adding that it advised "all German nationals in Niamey to accept this offer." The French foreign ministry said its evacuation would begin very soon, after a junta overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger last Wednesday. The regions seventh military takeover in less than three years has pitted Niger's former Western allies against the likes of Russia and other junta leaders in the countrys neighbours. Story continues France has had troops in the region for a decade helping to fight an Islamist insurgency, but faces accusations of meddling in Nigers internal politics. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that Sundays protest in front of the embassy and ensuing accusations that French soldiers shot at the crowd - which Paris denies - "have all the usual ingredients of destabilisation, the Russian-African way". Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. But the Kremlin said on Monday that the situation in Niger was "cause for serious concern" and called for a swift return to constitutional order. Some pro-junta supporters in Niamey have waved flags in praise of Vladimir Putin and denouncing France, telling the international community to stay away. The West African regional body ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday, and said it would use force if the coup leaders do not reinstate Mr Bazoum within a week. But the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso late on Monday issued a joint statement declaring that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against them as well. The two countries also denounced the ECOWAS economic sanctions as "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane", and refused to apply them. Lok Sabha passes Bill to curb film piracy, revamp age-based certification New Delhi, July 31: The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill to curb the menace of film piracy, revamp age-based certification given by the Central Board of Film Certification as well as uniformity in the categorisation of films and content across platforms. Lok Sabha passes Bill to curb film piracy, revamp age-based certification The Cinematograph Bill 2023 was passed in the Lok Sabha with a voice vote despite protests by the members of the Opposition parties over the ongoing Manipur ethnic violence. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 27.Speaking on the Bill, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said "We will do the work of stopping piracy through this Bill.""Piracy is like cancer and we are trying to uproot it through this Bill," Thakur said in support of the Bill, which has provisions to curb transmission of pirated film content on the internet as well as to classify films on the basis of age group, instead of the current practice of 'U', 'A', and 'UA'."U" is for unrestricted public exhibition and "A" is restricted to adult audiences, while "UA" is for unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of 12 and "S" for special category audiences such as doctors and scientists.The Bill seeks amendment to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The amendments will address the issue of unauthorised recording and exhibition of films.The draft Act constitutes the Board of Film Certification for certifying films for exhibition. Such certifications may be subject to modifications and deletions. The Board may also refuse the exhibition of films.The Bill adds certain additional certificate categories based on age. Under the Act, the film may be certified for exhibition without restriction ; without restriction, but subject to guidance of parents or guardians for children below 12 years of age ; only to adults ; or only to members of any profession or class of persons .The Bill substitutes the UA category with the following three categories to also indicate age-appropriateness UA 7+, UA 13+, or UA 16+. The age endorsement within the UA category by the Board will inform guidance of parents or guardians, and will not be enforceable by any other persons other than parents or guardians.Films with an 'A' or 'S' certificate will require a separate certificate for exhibition on television, or any other media prescribed by the central government. The Board may direct the applicant to carry appropriate deletions or modifications for the separate certificate.The Bill prohibits carrying out or abetting the unauthorised recording and unauthorised exhibition of films. Attempting an unauthorised recording will also be an offence.An unauthorised recording means making or transmitting an infringing copy of a film at a licensed place for film exhibition without the owner's authorisation. An unauthorised exhibition means the public exhibition of an infringing copy of the film for profit at a location not licensed to exhibit films or in a manner that infringes upon the copyright law.Certain exemptions under the Copyright Act, 1957 will also apply to the above offences. The 1957 Act allows limited use of copyrighted content without owner's authorisation in specified cases such as private or personal use, reporting of current affairs, or review or critique of that work.The offences will be punishable with imprisonment between three months and three years, and a fine between three lakh rupees and 5 per cent of the audited gross production cost.Under the Act, the certificate issued by the Board is valid for 10 years. The Bill provides that the certificates will be perpetually valid.The Act empowers the central government to examine and make orders in relation to films that have been certified or are pending certification. The Board is required to dispose matters in conformance to the order.ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! India Gate Spearheads Pan-India Basmati Education Initiative to Further New FSSAI Standards for Basmati Rice Category NewsVoir, New Delhi, July 31: KRBL Limited's India Gate Basmati Rice, the World's No.1 Basmati Rice brand, has announced a pan-India 360-degree awareness campaign to drive consumer and trade awareness around the recently released regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which stipulate rigorous quality parameters for Basmati Rice. India Gate Spearheads Pan-India Basmati Education Initiative to Further New FSSAI Standards for Basmati Rice Category The new regulations are set to be enforced on August 1, 2023, and shall mark a significant milestone in establishing clear benchmarks for the India market, enhancing and ensuring the continued excellence of Indian Basmati rice.KRBL takes a consumer-centric approach, placing the spotlight on the discerning consumers who seek unparalleled purity and excellence in their rice choices. With a strong focus on education, KRBL is committed to empower consumers, to make informed choices in picking the right Basmati rice for their family. Through a mix of media vehicles, including captivating TV commercials, informative print advertisements, and interactive social media campaigns, KRBL passionately creates awareness about these new standards and nudges consumers to choose their Basmati Rice wisely. By engaging with consumers directly, KRBL aims to build trust in their commitment to delivering the finest basmati rice to homes across Indian markets.Ayush Gupta, Business Head, India Market, KRBL, commented, "We laud the FSSAI for their visionary approach in establishing identity standards for Basmati Rice. These regulations will undoubtedly bolster consumer confidence in the authenticity and safety of our cherished Basmati rice, both within India and in the global arena. As the World's No. 1 Basmati Rice Brand, India Gate has always been committed to maintaining the integrity of the Basmati grain through compliance, and these regulations align perfectly with our mission to deliver the finest Basmati rice to consumers worldwide."It is for the very first time that FSSAI has laid down identity standards for various forms of Basmati Rice, including brown Basmati, milled Basmati, parboiled brown Basmati, and milled parboiled Basmati. These standards, as outlined in the Food Safety and Standards First Amendment Regulations, 2023; and notified in the Gazette of India, signify a momentous step forward in promoting the reputation and trustworthiness of Indian Basmati rice in the Indian markets.The first-ever regulations take on the issue of rampant adulteration in Basmati Rice sold in India and therefore restrict presence of non-basmati grains to 15% in Basmati Rice, ensuring that the consumer gets unadulterated quality basmati rice.The standard comprehensively captures various attributes of the basmati rice which are pivotal for building a food safety culture. As per the standard, basmati rice shall possess a natural fragrance, characteristic of basmati rice and be free from artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances. These standards also specify various identity and quality parameters for basmati rice such as average size of grains and their elongation ratio after cooking; maximum limits of moisture, amylose content, uric acid, defective/damaged grains and incidental presence of other non-basmati rice etc.Gupta added, "Basmati has unique quality characteristics that no other rice in the world possesses. Basmati is a GI product of India. Over the years, due to mass commercialization, there is a significant amount of adulterated basmati available in trade. These include blending of other grains, mixing artificial fragrances and colours. The prime objective is to safeguard the integrity of the grain and maintain the authenticity of flavour and taste, and ensure that consumers get what they pay for . Through our media engagement, we want to empower consumers to make well-informed choices, fostering a deeper connection with our brand and values."KRBL Limited remains optimistic that this campaign will not only increase consumer awareness but also foster an appreciation for the superior qualities of Basmati rice, further solidifying India's position as a key player in the global Basmati rice market.ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! First responders who were already in the area due to another emergency were able to treat the man and transport him to a nearby hospital SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Flickr Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas). Bull sharks are among the top 3 species implicated in unprovoked shark attacks. A man was bitten on his lower leg in what authorities are calling a rare shark attack off the coast of Florida. The victim, who is in his 20s, was in the water at the north end of Anna Maria Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico about 40 miles south of Tampa, on Sunday afternoon when the incident occurred, according to CBS affiliate WTSP-TV and Spectrum Bay News 9. At the same time, West Manatee Fire Rescue was in the vicinity, transporting nine injured passengers from a nearby boat crash when authorities were flagged down, according to ABC affiliate WFTS-TV. Two lifeguards hopped aboard the boat with the victim and were able to treat the man, whose leg had already been placed in a tourniquet, before transporting him to an area hospital. Related: 12-Year-Old Survives Shark Attack While Swimming at Florida Beach WFTS-TV reported that he had non-life-threatening injuries. West Manatee Fire Rescue did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Bob Heuter, chief scientist at OCEARCH, an organization that tracks ocean life, told WTSP-TV that the man was likely spearfishing at the time and that the shark involved was likely a bull shark. "This is the species that will sometimes go for a fish that a spear fisherman has shot and the person will get in the way and they'll get a leg or an arm bitten. It happened just a couple of months ago in the same area," Heuter said. "[Bull sharks] are actually increasing in numbers because we've been rebuilding the shark population over the last 30 years." Authorities say shark attacks around the barrier island are rare and that only three have happened in the last 15 years, per WFTS-TV. Related: College Student 'Blindsided' by Shark Bite While Fishing One of 2 Florida Attacks in Less Than 36 Hours Story continues Most shark incidents occur on the Atlantic side of the state, with Volusia County recording the most shark bites last year, seven total, per the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "The East Coast sees large migratory schools of bait fish, acres if not miles of them, that run along the beach on the Atlantic side. They attract all kinds of sharks," Don Stansell, a marine biologist with Clearwater Marine Aquarium, told WFTS-TV. "Sharks will chase them right up to the surf." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. REVA University a offering global education crafted for the future Mediawire, New Delhi, July 31: Backed by technology, great minds and academicians, REVA has been striding ahead to provide future-ready teaching and learning. This we are sure will enable learners to grow to be lifelong learners, innovators and leaders in the global world. REVA University a offering global education crafted for the future Bengaluru-based REVA University has pioneered technology-driven education in the country. Established as REVA Group of Institutions in the year 2003, in less than a decade, in 2012, REVA was granted university status by The Government of Karnataka. As a university, the premier educational institution has been altering paradigms in the education sector. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission and is approved by the AICTE, BCI, COA and other regulatory bodies.Founded by the Chancellor Dr P Shyama Raju, REVA University is one of the most sought-after destinations for quality and excellence in technical education. Umesh S Raju, Pro Chancellor, who currently oversees the entire digitisation and is responsible for the complete operations of REVA University, believes that his experience and exposure ensure top-class and in sync with the world standards technology on the campus. Speaking about REVA's growth, Umesh said, "our bouquet of programmes is well-planned and defined after a detailed study of the industrial need, social relevance and global job markets. We have ensured that the highly qualified and experienced faculty and scholars from reputed institutions, and experts from industries and business sectors have contributed to preparing schemes of instruction and curricula for these programs."Umesh said that as a result of its advanced specialisations, modern academic infrastructure, an esteemed panel of faculty with rich industry experience, and placement models that attract high packages from top MNCs, REVA University has bagged several prestigious rankings and has been consistently attracting top recruiters. "Currently, REVA has a DIAMOND Band rating from QS I Gauge. We are also on the QS Asian University Rankings as we are ranked 47th among all the private universities of India and sixth among all private universities of Karnataka. In a recent achievement, REVA has entered the Top 100 Universities in NIRF Innovation Rankings with it featuring in the 51-100 band," he added.https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd3axakff3s&t=27s"In 2020, when the landscape of education changed, and 'Blended Learning' became new the normal, REVA University was ahead of time and transitioned to online classes in less than three days. While we are enabled to conduct 100 percent online classes and digital examinations, the university is constantly striving to adopt modern methods like Microsoft and Salesforce that will enrich the learning experience for students at REVA University. All the operations of REVA are digitised, and the team believes in a paper-free campus as far as possible. The trend continues to date, and we do offer the Hybrid model of teaching-learning as and when required. The IT infrastructure and the investment towards the required academic IT infrastructure have been our goals. Hence, SLCM and other portals that support students are in place at the campus and students are encouraged to use the entire IT infrastructure and support," Umesh added.Under the guidance of Pro Chancellor, REVA University has effectively integrated and used digital learning tools in classrooms, boosting student engagement, assisting faculty members to improve their lesson plans, and utilising online learning as a potent education tool. "We also incorporated virtual classrooms, video, Augmented Reality, robots, and other technological tools thereby making learning environments accessible and conducive to the development of essential 21st-century skills," he said.As one of the young leaders who believes in promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus, Umesh said that REVA adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as part of the university's commitment towards society. "As part of SDGs, REVA University is working to advance gender equality and women's empowerment through a series of initiatives like Nyaya Darshana, Samaavesha, and Pancavaktram to name a few. REVA University ensures that it contributes to the larger goal of betterment and a humane vision of higher education. By doing so, it aligns with creating a society that is committed to sustainable development and ultimately the betterment of people's lives," he said.REVA University has been on the path of delivering quality education on the foundation of innovation, academic excellence, and modern pedagogy. The University has been unidirectional in building leadership skills, boosting research culture, and nurturing innovation in youngsters.To know more visit, https//www.reva.edu.in/Twitterhttps//twitter.com/REVAuniversityYoutubehttps//www.youtube.com/@revauniversity_officialInstagramhttps//www.instagram.com/revauniversity_official/ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! China: Tens of thousands flee homes as strong Typhoon Doksuri wets Bejing, another storm approching Beijing, July 31: Tens of thousands of people fled their homes in Beijing after Typhoon Doksuri -- one of the strongest storms in years -- led to torrential rain across China amid a warning of another hurricane-level storm, CNN reported. China: Tens of thousands flee homes as strong Typhoon Doksuri wets Bejing, another storm approching Notably, China is reeling from extreme weather events this summer, much like much of the world. Earlier, heat waves scorched Beijing, before than usual this year while records have been set worldwide for global temperatures, ocean heat and the loss of sea ice.Doksuri hurtled into the southeastern coastal province of Fujian late last week, weakening as it carved its way north but bringing huge amounts of rain to at least five northern Chinese provinces since Saturday.As of Sunday night, more than 31,000 people were evacuated from the Chinese capital, CNN reported citing state broadcaster CCTV.Another half million people in the southern province of Fujian were forced to evacuate from flooding, CNN reported citing state news agency Xinhua.The storm killed two and another two went missing while mushroom picking in northeastern Liaoning province, CCTV further reported.Meanwhile, the precipitation in Beijing could break records as nearly 40 inches of rain is projected to pour over the southwestern parts of the capital and neighbouring Hebei province, CNN reported citing the China Meteorological Administration on Monday.Heavy downpours are expected to continue through Tuesday, increasing concerns about dangerous flooding and landslides.The intense downpours in the capital has prompted the temporary closure of several railroads and highways, while schools also remained closed and people were told to stay indoors.Earlier on Monday, nine districts of Beijing were under a red rainstorm alert, the highest in the country's warning mechanism, while the weather signal was downgraded to the second-highest level in other parts. At least 95 other weather warnings were issued across the country.Doksuri is the most powerful typhoon to make landfall in China and the strongest storm to hit Fujian since Typhoon Saomi in 2006, according to CNN Weather based on preliminary information.Before hitting Fujian it had killed at least 39 people in the Philippines and lashed parts of southern Taiwan.The closest and most powerful storm to pass near Beijing was Rita back in 1972.ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! Jr NTR begins shoot of intense water sequence for Devara New Delhi, July 31: Actor Jr NTR has started shooting the next schedule of the much-anticipated magnum opus 'Devara', which involves an intense water sequence, and will be filmed in Hyderabad itself. Jr NTR begins shoot of 'intense' water sequence for 'Devara' Post wrapping up an action-packed schedule of the film recently in Hyderabad, the makers are now geared up to film yet another important sequence.Announcing the same on social media, the film's official social media handle tweeted "After a short break and some rehearsals to execute the sequence on a massive scale, we are back on sets from today. #Devara."Hailed as a blockbuster in the making and one of the biggest films of 2024, 'Devara' has set the audience's expectations really high.Expected to be one of the major portions of the film, the latest sequence is expected to be something audiences have never witnessed NTR Jr perform, which further makes it all the more exciting.A high-budget spectacle, 'Devara' is directed by Koratala Siva, produced by Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts, and presented by Nandamuri Kalyana Ram.The film's music is done by Anirudh Ravichander with R Rathnavelu being the cinematographer.'Devara' also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles. The film marks Janhvi Kapoor's long-awaited debut in Telugu cinema.The film is slated to release on April 5, 2024.IANS31 July 2023 Shared Recently! Experts discuss role of society in child development at seminar in J-K Handwara, July 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Imam Association organized a seminar on child development in the Handwara town of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. Experts discuss role of society in child development at seminar in J-K The seminar titled "Role of Society in Child Development" was attended by over 500 students, teachers, advocates and social activists from the area.The aim of the seminar was to raise awareness of the importance of society in child development.In his message, Chairman of Imam Association Hilal Ahmad Lone said, "Parents and society, on the whole, must become brand ambassadors to guide our children towards the right path."Others who spoke on the occasion included SDPO Handwara Syed Sleet Shah IPS, Dr Nisar Nadwi, Grand Mufti of North Kashmir Nizamuddin Nadvi, Advocate Ab Majeed Banday and others.Jammu and Kashmir have a large number of youth who have been showcasing their talent in various fields.ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! Article 370 abrogation brings about transformation in J-K Srinagar, July 31: Following the historic abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a remarkable transformation across diverse sectors, paving the way for new opportunities and growth. Article 370 abrogation brings about transformation in J-K The region's educational institutions have remained operational without any disruptions, and the availability of seamless internet services has acted as a catalyst for the expansion of digital businesses.Tourist footfall has surged in various areas, with border tourism gaining immense popularity, drawing visitors from across the country. As we explore the multifaceted impact of these changes, we sit down with local residents and business owners, who share their experiences and insights into the region's post-Article 370 era.The seamless functioning of educational institutes has been one of the most significant positive outcomes of the post-Article 370 transformation. Despite the challenges during the transition, schools and colleges have remained open, providing students with a stable and uninterrupted learning environment.Ajaz Ahmad government school teacher in Srinagar, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunities it brought. "Our commitment to education remained unwavering during the transition period," he said."The resilience shown by our students and staff was commendable. We are witnessing a renewed passion for learning and academic growth among the youth," he said.Mohammad Ismail another teacher said that the continuity of education has not only instilled hope among the students but has also provided them with a platform to thrive and pursue their aspirations.The seamless operation of internet services has served as a catalyst for the growth of digital businesses in the region. Startups and entrepreneurs have capitalized on the newfound opportunities, bolstering the region's economy.Aisha Khan, a young entrepreneur from Jammu, launched her online fashion boutique during this period. "The availability of seamless internet services has been a game-changer," she explained. "It has empowered us to reach customers across the country and has opened up markets that were previously out of reach."The flourishing of digital businesses is a testament to the region's potential and its readiness to embrace the digital age.Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has transcended its traditional boundaries, with border tourism gaining immense popularity. Visitors from different parts of the country are now drawn to the enchanting hooting and waving exchanges between tourists on both sides of the Line of Control .Rahul Verma, a tourist from Delhi, shared his experience. "The camaraderie and warmth exchanged between visitors from different countries is truly unique," he said. "It's heartwarming to see the borders dissolve, even if just for a moment, and witness the sense of unity that transcends boundaries."The emergence of border tourism has opened doors for cultural exchange and understanding, fostering a more inclusive and connected world.To gain a deeper understanding of the transformation, we spoke with local residents and business owners, who have witnessed the changes firsthand.Suhail Ahmad, a home stay owner in Keran, expressed his gratitude for the positive impact on the region. "Tourism has not only improved our livelihoods but also brought cultural exchange and understanding," he said. "We are dedicated to continuously improving our blessed region, ensuring the safety and security of tourists while sharing the rich history of our land."Firdous Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Srinagar, highlighted the economic growth spurred by the increased tourist footfall. "The influx of tourists has breathed new life into our businesses," he said. "We have witnessed a surge in demand for locally-made handicrafts and souvenirs, showcasing our culture and heritage to the world."As the region embraces the opportunities and challenges of the post-Article 370 era, it is evident that a new dawn has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir. The resilience shown by its people, the flourishing businesses, and the rise of border tourism all paint a picture of a region ready to flourish on its own terms.The transformation has laid the groundwork for a brighter future, fostering unity, prosperity, and inclusivity. As the sun rises on this new day, Jammu and Kashmir is ready to embrace the limitless potential that lies ahead.The number of organised stone pelting incidents, associated with terrorism-separatist motives, which were at 1,767 in 2018, has reached zero in 2023. Similarly, there were 52 cases of organized bandh/hartal in 2018, but it has also dropped to zero in 2023. The home ministry's affidavit highlights that decisive anti-terror measures have led to the dismantling of the terror eco-system, resulting in a significant decline in terrorist recruitment from 199 in 2018 to 12 in 2023.Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently said that the union is witnessing a new era of peace and development.He also said the efforts to revive J-K's bond with the film industry. "Significant steps like film policy and opening of cinema halls in the districts have created a vibrant film ecosystem in J-K," the LG had said.J-K has become the most preferred destination for filmmakers and more than 300 movies and web series were filmed last year. This is also providing huge opportunities to the local youth," he added.Earlier this year Sinha invited business leaders from the United Arab Emirates to become partners in development and move together towards creating a more prosperous, equitable and vibrant Union TerritoryHe had addressed the India-UAE Investment Summit and interacted with the business delegates from the UAE and across the country at the SKICC.The successful holding of the recent meeting of the G20, the world's largest economies, in Srinagar earlier this year has also brought Kashmir on the global tourism map as there has been a significant increase in inquiries and bookings from foreign tourists.ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! Kremlin 'very closely' monitoring situation in Niger, calls for restoration of rule of lawA Moscow, July 31: Russian Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday said that the Kremlin is seriously concerned about the situation in Niger and called for prompt restoration of the rule of law and order in the country, Russian news agency TASS reported. Kremlin 'very closely' monitoring situation in Niger, calls for restoration of rule of lawA Peskov said that Kremlin is monitoring the situation in Niger very closely. He further said that what was happening in Niger was of serious concern to all participants in the Russia-Africa summit held in St Petersburg, according to TASS.Dmitry Peskov said, "We are monitoring it very closely, especially in the context of the fact that over the past week we have actually been very closely involved in African affairs together with the Africans. Of course, what is happening there is of serious concern."Peskov said that Russia backs restraint on all sides which would help avoid casualties. He said that Russia wants Niger to restore constitutional order at the earliest, TASS reported.Peskov said, "We are in favour of the prompt restoration of the rule of law in the country. We are in favour of restraint on all sides, which would help avoid casualties. Of course, we want Niger to restore constitutional order as soon as possible and to continue to work for coping with the enormous tasks that face that country on the way of its development," according to TASS.He noted that the Kremlin's assessment of the situation in Niger and PMC Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's remarks about "what is happening in that country should not be put in the same semantic row," according to TASS.On Wednesday, the rebels on national television announced the ousting of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, the closure of the country's borders, a curfew, the suspension of the constitution, and a ban on the activities of political parties, TASS reported.On Thursday, the Nigerien army command said it was supporting the seizure in a bid to thwart bloodshed. The military's statement also warned against foreign military intervention, which it said "risks having disastrous and uncontrolled consequences", CNN reported.In a statement released on Twitter, Niger's army command said it had to "preserve the physical integrity of the president of the republic and his family," and "avoid a deadly confrontation... that could create a bloodbath and affect the security of the population, according to CNN. It further said that any foreign military intervention "risks having disastrous and uncontrolled consequences."Following the military coup that sparked international condemnation, Abdourahamane Tiani, a Niger general, declared himself as the country's new leader, by appearing on national television, CNN reported.Tiani appeared on Tele Sahel with a banner identifying him as "President of the national council for the Preservation of the Homeland." The appearance comes a day after the West African country's military endorsed the leaders responsible for toppling Niger President Mohamed Bazoum's government.ANI31 July 2023 Shared Recently! Deepika Padukones throwback swimsuit pic leaves Ranveer awestruck, latter says warning wouldve been nice Mumbai, July 31 : Treating fans with a gorgeous throwback picture of herself, Deepika Padukone set the internet ablaze with her black and white swimsuit look. However, her husband Ranveer Singh's comment caught the attention of the netizens. Deepika Padukone's throwback swimsuit pic leaves Ranveer awestruck, latter says "warning would've been nice" Taking to Instagram, Deepika shared a picture and captioned it, "Once upon a time...Not so long ago..."https://www.instagram.com/p/CvXFKBbLi8A/In the photo, the actor is seen donning a black and white swimsuit while flaunting her toned abs.In no time, Ranveer chimed in the comment section and wrote, "A warning would've been nice."Designer Manish Malhotra dropped fire emoticons.Bipasha Basu wrote, "Ooohhhh."Earlier today, Ranveer also took to his Insta and shared a throwback picture from the film's preparations in which he could be seen flaunting his chiselled body inside a gym.He captioned the post, "It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." - ROCKY #MondayMotivation #Throwback #RockyEra."Both husband and wife support each other and inspire fans with couple goals.On Saturday night, Deepika and Ranveer went on a movie date to watch the latter's latest release, Karan Johar's directorial 'Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', in Mumbai.Several pictures and videos of the couple surfaced on social media, but the thing that caught everyone's attention was the 'Piku' actor's denim jacket.Deepika's customized denim jacket stole the spotlight.She wore a blue denim jacket with her husband Ranveer Singh's name initials 'RS' written on the front and the 'Befike' actor's colourful image imprinted at the back.The actor completed her look with a white top, high-waist blue denim trousers, and oversized sunglasses. Ranveer, on the hand, opted for an all-black hooded sweatshirt, matching trousers, face mask, beanie cap, and sunglasses.Helmed by Karan Johar, the film stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles.'Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' is currently getting positive reviews from the audience and the '83' actor received a lot of praise for his performance in the film.The Alia-Ranveer starrer minted Rs 11.10 crore at the box office on its opening day in India.Karan Johar directed the movie after seven years of his last film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.'Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will be next seen in the sci-fi action film 'Kalki 2898 AD' opposite Prabhas. Helmed by Nag Ashwin the film is set to hit the theatres on January 12, 2024.Apart from that, she also has an upcoming aerial action thriller film 'Fighter' opposite Hrithik Roshan.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Myanmar junta extends state of emergency by another six monthsA Naypyidaw, July 31 : Members of Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council on Monday decided to extend the state of emergency in the country and the term of the junta led by Min Aung Hlaing for another six months, Myanmar Now reported citing an announcement broadcast by state-run media. The decision was taken during Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council meeting in Naypyidaw on Monday. Myanmar junta extends state of emergency by another six monthsA As the term of the Myanmar junta led by Min Aung Hlaing expired on Monday, the junta chief presented a report to council members sharing details regarding two-and-half years of military rule as is needed by the army-drafted 2008 Constitution. He stressed that there was still "unrest" in Myanmar.Notably, the Myanmar military declared a year-long state of emergency when it seized power. Since then, the state of emergency has been extended three times, each for six months, with Monday's extension marking the fourth, Myanmar Now reported.The military-drafted constitution permits only two six-month extensions and it requires authorities to hold elections within six months of a state of emergency being lifted. On July 14, during his meeting with senior officials, Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing indicated that he might further extend a state of emergency and delay promised elections, Myanmar Now reported.According to the military-drafted Constitution, the NDSC body is prescribed to include the president, two vice presidents, two house speakers, the commander-in-chief and his deputy, and the ministers of foreign affairs, defence, home affairs and border affairs. Following the coup, Vice President Myint Swe was appointed Myanmar's acting President and leads the NDSC.On Monday, Myint Swe announced the continuation of the state of emergency in Myanmar for a further six months and transferred the power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing. He said that the detailed statement by the NDSC will be issued later, according to Myanmar Now report.Another Vice President Henry Van Thio has not been in the public eye since the army's seizure of power. Citing "health issues," he did not attend three previous NDSC meetings, Myanmar Now reported. Henry Van Thio reportedly attended the meeting on Monday and was seen sitting next to Lower House speaker T Khun Myat in video footage of the event.In November 2020, the National League for Democracy secured victory in Myanmar's parliamentary elections. However, less than three months later, the Myanmar military carried out a coup and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi. Currently, she is serving a prison sentence which totals 33 years.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Andhra govt focusing on educational reforms, says CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Amaravati, July 31: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, this month, focused on taking educational reforms to the next level, a press release from the Chief Minister's office said. Andhra govt focusing on educational reforms, says CM Jagan Mohan Reddy The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister instructed the Working Group on Future Technology Skills to work on an action plan to integrate school education reforms with higher education, introduce Artificial Intelligence in curriculum in schools and colleges and change the examination system, the release said.Jagan also laid the foundation stone for the construction of 50,793 houses for the poor in the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority region and sent a clear message that Amaravati would be home for all ushering in an era of social justice.The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for five food processing units in Chittoor, Satya Sai and Anantapur districts, 7-star Oberoi Hotels at Gandikota, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor Dairy, Medical College and a 300-bed hospital at Chittoor, Virtualmaze Softys and TeknoDome units at Kopparthi.Jagan inaugurated six food processing units in Annamayya, Chittoor, Vizianagaram and Kurnool districts. AIL Dixon Technologies at Kopparthi, YSR Integrated Sports Academy, YSR ISTA Skill Development Centre at Pulivendula, City Forest Park and NuTech Biosciences and the new municipal administrative building in Kadapa.The Cabinet decided to bestow full rights to 66,111 dalits over 63,191acres of assigned lands and distribute 54,129 acres of assigned lands to 46,935 landless farmers afresh, remove Inam lands from Section 22-A and fill existing vacancies in several departments, Government educational institutions and hospitals.The Cabinet also ratified the SIPB approval to allow investments worth Rs. 11647crore for setting up hydro storage power project, solar, wind power units, resorts, food, beverages, coco butter and powder-making units.During review meetings, Jagan directed officials to ensure high quality of ration given to women and lactating mothers and to use drones extensively in agriculture.According to the press statement, the Chief Minister released Rs. 1117.21crore towards insurance claims benefiting 10.20 lakh farmers, Rs.560.73crore under Jagananna Thodu benefiting 5,10,412 small and marginal street vendors, Rs.194crore for Nethanna Nestham for helping handloom weavers, Rs.45.53crore under Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena benefiting 357 students and flagged off 146 new ambulances to further strengthen the 108 ambulance services.The Chief Minister called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi and sought their cooperation for the development of the State.He also appealed to the Telugu NRIs to be part of State development by extending financial support and sharing their exposure and experience. With the State witnessing a hectic schedule of Jagananna Surkasha camps for resolving people's grievances, the Chief Minister also strongly defended the volunteer system and brushed aside the opposition's allegations, the press release stated.Among the most prominent visitors who called on the Chief Minister in July include Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, Sri Lankan Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman and the island nation's Deputy High Commissioner in India Dr D. Venkateswaran, K Raheja Group President Neel Raheja and AP Grama Revenue Officers' Association President Ravindra Raju.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention unveils 'Landscape of Health Research Report in the UAE 2017-2022' Dubai, July 31: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced that health research in the UAE is growing at a rate three times faster than the global average. UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention unveils 'Landscape of Health Research Report in the UAE 2017-2022' The Ministry revealed that health research outputs in the country have shown a remarkable increase of 25.2 per cent from 2017 to 2022. Furthermore, the UAE is a leading collaborator in health research among GCC countries, with 80 per cent of the health research published by the UAE being conducted in partnership with international institutions.The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention unveiled the "Landscape of Health Research Report in the UAE 2017-2022" at an event held in Dubai.The report was prepared by the National Centre for Health Research in collaboration with Elsevier and launched in the presence of esteemed officials such as Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Regulations Sector and representatives from various health and academic authorities were also present.The report offers significant insights into the prevailing trends of health-related research in the UAE, pinpointing areas of proficiency and potential avenues for further growth.These findings stem from a thorough review of research published in esteemed journals, including scientific articles and conference papers. The study utilises verified quantitative indicators, such as the total number of published research works. Quality-wise, it uses the Field-Weighted Citation Impact to evaluate the top 10 institutions in the UAE.Furthermore, the report underscores the benchmarking of performance indicators in health research and clinical trials in the UAE in comparison to the GCC and G20 economic countries.The Ministry expects the report to serve as a trustworthy resource for decision-makers in the health sector, with a vision to enhance effective health policies on a wide range of significant health topics.These topics span from chronic diseases and global epidemics to research on technology applications and modern medical advancements. The report mirrors the UAE's commitment to consistently review research performance in the health sector and strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange with both academic and health institutions, as well as the private sector, regionally and globally.The report shows that the Medicine subject tops the list in terms of the volume of health research published in the UAE, followed by biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacy, toxicology, and pharmaceuticals. Interestingly, dentistry stands out as a field that receives exceptional emphasis, with health research publications in dentistry in the UAE being more than double the worldwide percentage.The report further highlights that an impressive 19 per cent of health research in the UAE ranks within the top 10 per cent of research published on the Scopus platform. Furthermore, UAE health research has been cited more frequently than its counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the G20 economic group, and other countries, exceeding the global average citation rate by 74 per cent.The UAE University and the University of Sharjah have made significant contributions towards the advancement of health research. They have collectively published more than 2,500 research papers between 2017 and 2022. In addition, over 200 clinical trials have been carried out in the UAE, involving more than 250 disease cases.The country has made remarkable progress in clinical research, establishing itself as the second-largest participant among GCC nations regarding trial numbers.Dr Al Amiri has emphasised the importance of the report on the Landscape of health research from 2017 to 2022, which is a significant accomplishment resulting from the National Health Research Strategy. The goal of the strategy is to establish a strong culture of health research and provide an environment that encourages the active involvement of Emirati scientists and researchers while adhering to global best practices.Furthermore, Dr Al Amiri has highlighted that the Ministry is collaborating with health and academic authorities to establish a robust bioethical research framework and a collaborative ecosystem for sharing knowledge and resources related to biomedical research. The Ministry is committed to creating an environment that supports scientific biomedical research and finding sustainable solutions for health challenges.According to Dr Khalil Qayed, the bibliometric analytical data from published research is a valuable and reliable resource for policymakers, healthcare providers, researchers, research management professionals, and the community.The report's findings will serve as catalysts for further research to help devise strategies focused on specific health research domains. This, in turn, will boost the productivity and quality of health research and clinical trials. As a result, the UAE's relevant competitiveness indicators for R&D will improve, and more investments in biomedical research and development will be attracted.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Ecology as a Career : Introduction Living beings and non living beings together form the environmental ecosystem. Ecology is a branch of science which deals with the study of the environment and the mutual relationship between its inhabitants. It is defined as the scientific study of interactions of organisms with one another within the physical and chemical environment. Someone who studies nature, and the organisms within nature is known as Ecologists. Ecologists are sometimes called environmental scientists, as their knowledge of the science is put to use in protecting the natural environment. Ecologists often have to study and explain how human actions affect other living beings and their environment. They study the close ties between the environment and all living creatures including plants, animals & humans. They are the ones who bring together the study of all natural systems- earth, air, water, plants and animals. Ecologists can be found in varied jobs in most sectors of the economy. They explore a wide variety of fields like agriculture, forestry, nature conservation, pollution control, regional development and environmental education to name a few. Most ecologists are scientists with backgrounds in chemistry, environmental science, botany, zoology, forestry, geology, biology, climatology, statistics and, in many cases, economics. There are different sub specialties under this branch, for example there are marine ecologists who study aquatic ecosystems, then there are forest ecologists who studies the forest environment and its impact- while some specialize in studying plant life others specialize in animal life. The primary duty of ecologists is to investigate the species within ecosystems and gather scientific and behavioral information. An ecologist ensures that available natural resources are being used efficiently and responsibly. Ecologists spend most of their time doing research, analyzing data and preparing reports. These scientists work mainly with research and higher education institutions, private research laboratories, and governmental agencies. Many careers in ecology require both education and field experience to be successful. Moreover a love for outdoors, an innate interest in nature and observation is essential, to be in this field. Eligibility Someone who wants to become an ecologist should have a strong science background, especially in subjects such as botany, biology, zoology and forestry. Majority of the Ecologist positions require at least a bachelors degree in science, and it is often beneficial to have a master's degree. A Ph.D is necessary for those who wish to teach in colleges and universities and often for those who conduct research. Depending on the area of specialization, an Ecologist may have an educational background in subjects as diverse as economics, climatology, mathematical modeling, geology, forestry, oceanography, meteorology, environmental science etc. It is also important to have good computer and math skills. Personal skills Main attribute required is love of nature and conservation. Other skill requirements include: adaptability to a range of different working modes and environments. excellent observational skills creativity and problem solving skill ability to gather and interpret data an inquisitive mind and the ability to analyze data presentation and writing skills a sense of professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm for the work physical stamina to withstand fieldwork under rough conditions team work and effective communication skills ability to handle numerical and statistical data good IT skills Job prospects & Career options With the number of ecological disasters escalating every year there is an increasing need for ecologists. Ecologists can work as researcher/ecology scientist, natural resources manager, wildlife manager, environmental consultant, restoration ecologist etc. Ecologists work for many federal, state and local governments as well as in a number of capacities in private industry. Employers of ecologists mainly include Research organizations such as CSIR, universities, Agricultural Research Institutes, agriculture departments, department of environmental affairs, forestry department, departments of Nature Conservation, national parks, museums and many more. Private organisations, with a special interest in nature conservation may also employ ecologists. Conservation bodies employ ecologists to manage nature reserves, ranging from ancient woodlands to gravel pits. The main job of an ecologist is to perform research, and many prepare field studies based on concerns about the environment. In national parks, Ecologists play the role of guides to visitors and study about various species, their interaction with environment. Ecologists employed in museums focus on the historical aspects of the environment and environmental change. Ecologists hold research positions within government or academic institutes. Some work for organizations as program coordinators and environmental analysts. Ecologists also work with private consulting firms that examine environmental issues or as advisers to landowners, industries and water companies. The work of an ecologist involve managing natural resources and studying the environmental effects of pollutants, population size and climate change. The job also involves writing detail reports of their studies on environment conservation projects or the impact evolution is having on the ecosystem. Ecologist work both in the field and in the laboratory, collecting data from the natural environment and analyzing it through statistical and methodological analysis. Many ecology students choose a specialty according to their interests and career goals. Some specializations are Urban Ecologist- Urban ecology is a recent field of study compared to ecology as a whole. Urban ecologist study ecosystems that include humans living in cities and urbanizing landscapes. To be more specific, they study the relation of living organisms with each other and their surroundings in the context of the proposed urban environment. Forest Ecologist-Studying and classifying the different species of plants, animals and insects in the forest is one of their major tasks. They will also study the impact of humans and global warming on the forest soil and climate. Marine Ecologist-this branch of ecology deals with aquatic life and the impact it has on the environment that we live in. Marine ecologists will study the aquatic life forms like fish, plants, etc and study the impact on their environment. They will also work in zoos, and aquariums to help preserve and protect marine life forms. Restoration Ecologist- They work in areas where there has been ecological damage like deforestation and try to revive the environment by planting trees and at times removing non native weeds. Restoration ecologists will work on projects dealing with reviving the environment with introducing measures like re-vegetation. Wildlife Ecologist- Wildlife ecologist study animals, especially animal populations, and seeks to identify ways in which those populations can be helped. The main objective of an ecologist working in this setting is to promote healthy animal conservation. Environmental Biologist- Environmental biologists study a specific environment and the organisms and wildlife that inhabit it. An environmental biologist aids in the protection and survival of wildlife within the ecosystem, ensuring against endangerment and assessing the impact of human activity on the environment. Remuneration Like most jobs, the ecologist salary depends on the location, education and experience of the individual. Ecologist earn more while working in independent research and university positions. They also have other benefits like pension plans, health benefits and paid leaves. Starting salary for an ecologist in India with a masters degree can be approximately Rs. 8,000- 12,000/-. In UK Starting salaries vary considerably from about 13,000 to 20,000 depending on the employer and your own skills and experience. Institutes To get the list of institutes in India click on the course name Biology Botany Environmental science Zoology Abroad institutes Canada USA 108 projects sanctioned under A North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme in last 4 yrs New Delhi, July 31: A total of 108 projects worth Rs 2,273.44 crore were sanctioned under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme from 2019-23, Union Minister for Development of North-East Region said on Monday.A . '108 projects sanctioned under A North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme in last 4 yrs' The Minister said this in a written reply in Lok Sabha in response to a question on the details of the projects under NESIDS in the last four years."Under the NESIDS, projects are sanctioned from the sectors relating to water supply, power, connectivity and specially the projects promoting tourism and the social sector of primary and secondary sectors of education and health," Reddy added.In response to a another question on connectivity in the northeast, the Minister said "On rail connectivity, a total of 19 railway infrastructure projects, falling fully/ partly in northeastern states, covering a total length of 1,909 km at a cost of Rs 81,941 crore have been undertaken and are at different stages of planning/approval/execution. Out of these, 482 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of Rs 37,713 crore has been incurred upto March 2023."On air connectivity in the region, Reddy said "There were nine operational airports in 2014 in the northeastern region. Presently, there are 16 operational airports in the region. Additionally, Advanced Landing Ground at Ziro (in Arunachal Pradesh) has also been operationalised. Further, 13 major infrastructure works worth Rs 1,543.70 crore are under implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura."On road connectivity, the Minister said "A total of 261 road projects under different schemes of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with a total sanctioned cost of Rs 1,02,594 crore are under implementation through National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) and state Public Work Departments (PWDs) in the northeastern states."IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Ktaka govt holds meeting with Foxconn chairman Bengaluru, July 31: Karnataka Large and Medium Industries on Monday said Karnataka government had a 'fruitful' meeting with the iPhone maker Foxconn about the projects for which the company is keen to invest in the state. K'taka govt holds meeting with Foxconn chairman Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B Patil, IT/BT Minister Priyanka Kharge and Foxconn Chairman Young Liu were present during the discussion which took place at a private hotel in Chennai.MB Patil said that the industrial and investment policies of the state government are conducive to nurturing an ecosystem favouring the growth of industries.The Minister said that the talks held with the company chairman were 'fruitful'.Dr EV Ramana Reddy, ACS, Department of Electronics and IT/BT, and Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner, Department of Industries and Commerce were present in the meeting.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Telangana floods claimed over 40 lives, Cabinet approves relief Hyderabad, July 31: Heavy rains and floods in Telangana claimed over 40 lives, the state government said on Monday. Telangana floods claimed over 40 lives, Cabinet approves relief The state Cabinet decided to release Rs 500 crore for immediate relief operations and repair of the damaged roads.The Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, decided to pay ex-gratia to the families of the deceased and also paid homage to the people who died in the floods.The meeting discussed the damages due to heavy rains. Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Hanmakonda, Nirmal, Adilabad, Khammam and Kothagudem districts were affected by heavy rains and floods. The floods damaged crops, roads and bridges while canals and lakes breached.It decided to undertake repair of R and B and Panchayat roads and on a war footing .The Cabinet requested the Collectors to send details of the crop damages. The Collectors will go to the field and get information to help the affected farmers. The damages will be enumerated. Damaged culverts and roads will be repaired and will be made motorable soon.The Cabinet was told that 27,000 people were shifted to relief camps in the affected district and decided to provide rehabilitation to all.The Cabinet discussed Munneru vagu floods in Khammam and decided to construct RCC flood wall. Officials have been asked to finalise a report. Since the monsoon is delayed, it is decided to provide seeds and fertilizers immediately to the farmers.In a humane approach, the state government decided to take care of all orphan children by bringing an orphan state policy. "They will be called children of the state. The government will take care of them as parents," state minister K. T. Rama Rao told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.The policy will be approved in the next Cabinet meeting.The Cabinet also approved the name of B. Satyanarayana from Erukala community (Scheduled Tribes) and D. Sravan from backward classes as MLC candidates under the Governor's quota.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Decision to celebrate Dasara festival in meaningful and grand manner: Siddaramaiah Bengaluru, Aug 1: Karnataka's high-level committee on Nada Habba Mysore Dasara, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Monday decided to celebrate the occasion in a meaningful and grand manner to make it a people's festival. Decision to celebrate Dasara festival in meaningful and grand manner: Siddaramaiah Siddaramaiah also suggested that while selecting the tableaux, along with showcasing the state's heritage, district features and five guarantees should also be depicted to give a message to the people.The state festival will be inaugurated on October 15, between 10.15 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., and the famed Jumbu savari will be held on October 24, on the day of Vijayadashami.It was decided to celebrate cultural events, film festivals, farmer's Dasara, and Yuva Dussehra in a systematic way. Jambu savari, lighting, and torch light parade are important events of the festival.This time, there must be special lighting arrangements which should begin from the day of inauguration till the end of Dasara and then continue for a week, the Chief Minister suggested.The exhibition will also be inaugurated on the opening day of Dussehra.He suggested that the government departments should open the stalls in the exhibition.As there are good artistes in the state in all genres, It was decided that preference should be given to them and a platform should be created in Yuva Dussehra for college students and local artists to exhibit their talent.Necessary infrastructure should be provided to the tourists who will visit Mysuru on the occasion of Dasara.Siddaramaiah said that action should be taken to ensure the safety of the tourists. Women are expected to come in large numbers due to the Shakti scheme, he said.It was also decided to hold Dasara in Srirangapatna and Chamarajanagar districts.The Chief Minister was given the power to select the name of the person to inaugurate Dasara.The executive committee will submit a proposal on the expenditure, and it was decided to take a decision on providing grants for the festival based on it. It was decided to cut down unnecessary expenditure and unnecessary programmes should be avoided.The CM said that it is intended to hold an air show during Dasara and this will be discussed with the Defence Minister. Deputy Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar, Ministers Dr. H.C.Mahadevappa, H.K.Patil, Bairathi Suresh, Venkatesh, Legislators Tanveer Sait, G.T. Devegowda, Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Mysuru Dr. Rajendra.K.V and others were present.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! UN counter-terror official decries roadblocks to global terrorism pact India proposed United Nations, Aug 1: A UN counter-terrorism official has decried the failure of the General Assembly to agree on a global agreement to fight terrorism proposed by India. UN counter-terror official decries roadblocks to global terrorism pact India proposed Raffi Gregorian, the Director of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), told the Security Council on Monday, "Unfortunately, there has not yet been consensus at the General Assembly on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, including in relation to how the definition of terrorism would precisely apply in situations of armed conflict."Neither does the Assembly give the UNOCT "the mandate to investigate or ascertain the conduct of states and other actors, nor to determine what constitutes an act of terrorism, whether by a state, a group or an individual," he added.This despite the Assembly setting up the UNOCT "with the clear intention of helping member states implement General Assembly and Security Council resolutions related to the fight against terrorism," he said.The main roadblock to adopting the convention proposed by India in 1996 is the dispute over the definition of terrorists, with some countries claiming that their favoured terrorists are "freedom fighters".Speaking at a Council meeting convened at the request of Russia on threats to international peace and security, Gregorian pointed out these two barriers to the UN effectively dealing with terrorism."For these reasons, I regret that I have nothing else to contribute to the substance of today's discussion," he said.However, while criticising the Assembly and praising the Council's "admirable record", Gregorian was silent on the Council's failure to act against some terrorists because of China's opposition.In the latest case of Beijing providing cover for Pakistan-based terrorists, China blocked in June designating Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Sajid Mir as an international terrorist.Mir was one of the leaders behind the 26/11 attack on Mumbai launched from Pakistan in 2008.On the other hand, Gregorian claimed that the "Council has had a long and admirable record of consensus when it comes to the issue of terrorism".To back his assertion, he referred to the Council resolutions on al-Qaeda and the Islamic State terror organisation also known as Da'esh, and the setting up of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.In June, the Assembly urged its 193 members in a resolution "to make every effort to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism".However, there has been no fresh effort toward adopting the agreement.The Council meeting generally focused on the Ukraine war, with only mentions of the global terrorism menace by representatives of countries like Ghana and Mozambique.Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy said that Moscow asked for the Council meeting to discuss "the terrorist essence of the Ukraine regime".He asserted that Ukraine bombing the bridge connecting Crimea with the Russian mainland and using the Crimean people as "hostages" for negotiations amounted to terrorism.Only China backed Russia, while most members of the Council heavily criticised Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.US Deputy Political Counsellor, Trina Saha, said that Moscow asking for the meeting was an effort "to divert the council's attention from the core issues at hand or a transparent ploy to distract from its own aggression"."Russia's complaints about the impacts of a war it began should remind us all of a simple truth," she said."This war would end today if Russia withdrew its forces from Ukraine's sovereign territory and abandoned its relentless, brutal attacks against Ukraine cities and civilian infrastructure," she added.Britain's Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley said that it was Russia that "is inflicting terror on the Ukrainian people, and in parallel, it is inflicting suffering on its own population, and millions across the world".(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Over 780 trucks deliver 35,000 tonnes of relief to Sudan amid violence Khartoum, Aug 1: Amid the ongoing violent conflict in Sudan, more than 780 trucks have delivered about 35,000 tonnes of aid across the country since May 22, according to the UN humanitarians. Over 780 trucks deliver 35,000 tonnes of relief to Sudan amid violence Between July 22 and 27, more than 40 trucks carrying 1,600 tonnes of food reached Kassala, Gedaref and White Nile states, and another five trucks carrying some 300 tonnes of relief reached West Kordofan state, Xinhua news agency quoted the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as saying.The World Food Programme (WFP) reported providing food and nutrition assistance to more than 450,000 people in Central, East, North and South Darfur states since the conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15.With the Sudanese Red Crescent, WFP supplies are reaching people internally displaced by conflict in the Al Firdous locality in East Darfur.The vast, western Darfur region of Sudan was particularly hard-hit by the conflict.More than 3,000 people have died and over 6,000 others injured in the bloody conlict, which the two warring sides have blamed each other of escalating it.According to the Unicef, at least 435 children have been reported killed in the conflict and some 2,025 others injured.The UN agency has also claimed to have received reports of a staggering 2,500 severe violations of childrenas rights, representing an average of at least one an hour since April 15.To date, over 3.5 million people have been displaced inside and outside the country.Nearly 2.7 million have been displaced internally as of 25 July, according to the International Organization for Migration.People have been displaced across all 18 states, the majority of whom are in River Nile, followed by Northern, White Nile, and Sennar states.About 73 per cent of the people displaced are originally from Khartoum.In addition, over 823,000 refugees, asylum seekers and returnees have crossed the border into neighbouring countries, including Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN Refugee Agency.The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that attacks on health care continue to be reported across the country.Since the violence began, the WHO has verified 53 such attacks resulting in 11 deaths and 38 injuries.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Cyprus, Greece welcome EU-Turkey moves to engage in promoting relations Nicosia, Aug 1: Cyprus and Greece welcomed the moves by the EU and Turkey to engage in consultations for the promotion of their relations, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during an official visit to Cyprus. Cyprus, Greece welcome EU-Turkey moves to engage in promoting relations He was speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported."Cyprus and Greece welcome the rapprochement between the EU and Turkey, but the process must be gradual and also reversible," Mitsotakis added.Christodoulides said that a positive agenda by the EU in relation to Turkey is important for efforts to promote a Cyprus solution that could end the island's partition brought about by the Turkish military operation against the eastern Mediterranean island in 1974.He added that accepting a positive agenda by the EU in relation to Turkey was conditional on "positive moves" by Turkey over Cyprus and particularly on accepting a restart of the Cyprus peace negotiations along the lines described in UN Security Council resolutions.The two leaders also said that Cyprus and Greece were eager to help Turkey's efforts to promote its relations with the EU in several areas, including a visa concession for Turkish nationals visiting EU countries and an upgrading of an EU-Turkey customs union.They also spoke about the close relations of their countries, which will be further advanced at a meeting of a newly formed Supreme Cooperation Council of Greece and Cyprus, with the participation of the two leaders and Ministers from the two countries.Christodoulides announced that as a gesture of friendship and solidarity Cyprus will cover the cost of the reforestation of parts of forest land that was burned down by wildfires last week on the island of Rhodes in Greece.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! This is how Kiara Advani celebrated her birthday with husband Sidharth Malhotra Mumbai, July 31: As actor Kiara Advani turned a year older today, she celebrated this special occasion with none other than her husband and actor Sidharth Malhotra. This is how Kiara Advani celebrated her birthday with husband Sidharth Malhotra Taking to Instagram, the 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2' actor shared a video from her undisclosed vacation.https//www.instagram.com/p/CvXLh6KISqD/In the video, Kiara and Sidharth were seen diving into the ocean. And enjoying their time together.Kiara can be seen wearing a black and white stylish swimsuit while Sidharth opted for red shorts.Sharing the video, the birthday girl wrote, "Happy Birthdayyyy to meeeee.#blessed #Grateful for every day and all the love."As soon as the video was uploaded, the actor's fans and industry friends flooded the comment section with their wishes.Shraddha Kapoor wrote, "Happy birthday!!! Have the most amazing one!"Neha Dhupia wrote, "Happy birthday ki."Sidharth re-shared the same video on his Insta story and wished his wife with the adorable message.He wrote, "Happy birthday KI! Here's to always having the best time with you, one adventure at a time."Not only Sidharth but several Bollywood celebs took to their respective social media handle to wish the birthday girl.Designer Manish Malhotra shared a picture of himself and Kiara from latter's reception. He wrote, "Happy birthday my darling @kiaraaliaadvani stay the girl that you are cse you are not only stunning but one of the most amazing person I have met lots of blessings and love for you always."Kareena Kapoor dropped a portrait of Kiara and wrote, "Happy birthday -dearest Kiara!"Kiara's 'Jugjugg Jeeyo' co-star Neetu Kapoor also showered love and blessing on the actor.She wrote, "Happy happy @kiaraaliaadvani have a brilliant one W you are the loveliest n deserve only the best."Rakul Preet Singh penned a sweet message for Ki, "Happy birthday Kiara. Wishing you a beautiful day and many blessings for the year ahead."Ram Charan's wife Upasana Kamineni posted a picture of Kiara with 'RRR' star's fur baby 'Rhyme' from a flight.She captioned the post, "Happy happy happy birthday Kiara. To many more fun times together."Parineeti Chopra dropped a stunning picture of Kiara and wrote, "Happiest birthday you beaut. Sending you love and hugs!"Sharing the photo from the stage, Vicky Kaushal wished his 'Govinda Naam Mera' co-star and wrote, "Happy Birthday @kiaraaliaadvani! Wish you a year full of love, laughter and happiness!!"Shahid Kapoor wished his "Preeti" a.k.a Kiara Advani on her birthday.Taking to Insta story, Shahid shared a still from the movie and captioned it, "Happy Birthday Preeti! @kiaraaliaadvani Kabir wishes you so much love and happiness."Shahid and Kiara, who worked together in the blockbuster 'Kabir Singh', share a great bond.Preeti was Kiara's character name in 'Kabir Singh'.Ahead of her birthday, Kiara jetted off to an undisclosed location on Thursday night with Sidharth Malhotra.Taking to Insta, Kiara shared an adorable selfie from the airport which she captioned, "Time to," followed by an aeroplane emoticon.Sidharth and Kiara tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on February 7 at Suryagarh Palace in Rajasthan.Meanwhile, Kiara will be seen in the upcoming 'Game Changer' alongside 'RRR' actor Ram Charan and an action thriller film 'War 2' alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.Sidharth, on the other hand, will be seen in his upcoming film 'Yodha'. Apart from that, he will also be making his digital debut with the upcoming web series 'Indian Police Force'. Helmed by Rohit Shetty, the series also stars Vivek Oberoi and Shilpa Shetty in pivotal roles and will stream exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war, says US on drone attack in Moscow Washington, D.C, August 1: Following the recent Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, the United States has said that it is up to Kyiv to decide how to conduct this war. Up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war, says US on drone attack in Moscow During a regular briefing on Monday, US State Department official spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "First of all...I am not sure that I would agree with that interpretation of what 'symbolic centres' mean. I will say we neither encourage nor enable strikes outside Ukraine's borders...but as we have said many times it is up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war."He responded to a media query regarding Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy's recent statement in which he said that the war is "returning to symbolic centres" now.The reporter raised a question on whether the US administration supports that stand specifically with regard to "symbolic centres, which appears to mean civilian targets."Responding to the query on the same, Miller said, "And when it comes to strikes... as you raised on civilian centres, it has been Ukrainian, civilian infrastructures that have been targeted over and over.""Ukrainian civilians have been murdered in this war. Schools, hospitals, apartment buildings...I could go on down the list," he added.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday warned that the war is "gradually returning" to Russia, adding that it is an "inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process." He stressed that Ukraine is "getting stronger."Zelenskyy's remarks come after Russia brought down three Ukrainian drones. According to the statement released by the Ukraine President's office, Zelenskyy said, "Russian aggression has gone bankrupt on the battlefield. Today is the 522nd day of the so-called "special military operation," which the Russian leadership expected to last for a week or two. Ukraine is getting stronger.""Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia - to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," he added.Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's capital Moscow on Sunday morning, leaving one person injured, TASS News Agency reported citing the emergency services."A security guard was injured in a Oko-2 building as a result of the blast. Glazing from the first to the forth floor were shattered as a result of a drone attack," a source told TASS.Regarding the incident that took place, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said the city was attacked by Ukrainian drones.Russia also said it had brought down three Ukrainian drones that were attempting to attack Moscow. It is the second reported attack in Moscow in a week."Tonight there was a Ukrainian drone attack. The facades of two office buildings in Moscow City were slightly damaged. There are no casualties," he wrote on his Telegram channel, according to TASS News Agency.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! G20: Think20 begins in Mysuru with digital public infrastructure and environmental protection among eight focus areas Mysuru, August 1: The Think20 Summit began in Mysuru on Monday with a plenary panel that brought together members of the T20 India Core Group and its International Advisory Board. The T20 is an official engagement group of the G20 and serves as an "ideas bank" for the G20 by bringing together think tanks and high-level experts to deliberate on relevant policy issues. G20: Think20 begins in Mysuru with digital public infrastructure and environmental protection among eight focus areas Observer Research Foundation is serving as the T20 Secretariat during India's Presidency of the G20.Samir Saran, Chair, T20 India Secretariat and President, ORF opened the proceedings by drawing attention to the highlights of the T20's interventions over the last eight months of the Indian G20 Presidency.The T20, Saran said, has produced over 300 policy briefs and other research products by 1,000 authors from over 700 institutions worldwide, 45 per cent of whom are women. As part of its outreach and stakeholder engagement, 64 convenings have been held across 16 Indian cities and six abroad. During the remaining four months of the Presidency, further high-level events are likely to be held in New Delhi, New York, Dubai, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro.Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, Chair, Think20 Core Group of India's G20 Presidency and Director General, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, underscored eight issues that have emerged as key focus areas of the T20's deliberations.First, macroeconomic stability as a precondition for economic growth; Second, the recognition of the population-scale digital transformations brought about by "India's digital public infrastructure and India Stack"; third, a focus on environmental protection and solutions for responsible consumption - particularly the LiFE movement; fourth, the importance of climate governance, with a central focus on "the energy security, sustainability and access of developing countries"; fifth, the critical need for women-led development and gender equality; sixth, a need to reimagine the global financial architecture and fiscal landscape; seventh, a consensus that multilateral reform is imperative; and eighth, a recognition that the G20 should engage with underrepresented regions, and seek to work towards the inclusion of the African Union as a member of the G20.There have been marked continuities between the Indonesian and Indian Presidencies, pointed out Bambang Brodjonegoro, Professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia. He observed that the similarity of the priorities identified by both countries' T20 Communiques stemmed from the fact that both were emerging economies with broadly similar development concerns; and that India had been closely involved with and supportive of the Indonesian Presidency.Ahead of the inception of the Brazilian G20 Presidency of 2024, Luciano Serva, President, of the Institute of Applied Economic Research, Brazil felt that a common strand running through the present G20 troika was a focus on promoting inclusive growth and advancing efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals . She also felt that pushing for multilateral reforms was likely to be a core element of the Brazilian G20 agenda, and noted that closer dialogue was required between the G20 and the T20.Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive, South African Institute of International Affairs, South Africa lauded the Indian and Indonesian Presidencies for foregrounding the development country agenda. She went on to observe that a more just and fair global debt and taxation system needed to be evolved; and that every effort would have to be made to recover the gains made before the pandemic, which had since been lost, causing the development and growth status of most nations to regress.The panellists agreed that there was a stronger need than ever before for countries to work collaboratively; to further mainstream think tanks into policy planning processes; to build mechanisms to enable stronger convergences between the G20 and the T20; and to devise creative forms of engagement between think tanks, governments and intergovernmental organizations.The plenary panel was followed by the launch of the T20 Communique, a key outcome document that synthesizes insights from the T20 Taskforce Statements, policy briefs, and the Ideas Box - a novel platform introduced by Think20 India to engage citizens and allow them to share their perspectives.The inaugural evening of the T20 Summit concluded with a special address by Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa. The Sherpa complimented the T20 for its contribution as a global ideas bank. He reiterated Prime Minster Modi's message that the Indian Presidency had sought to be ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive, coming as it did at a time of global slowdowns, debt crises, and geopolitical turbulence. Each of the Presidency's major outcome documents - including the T20 Communique - he noted, had thus attempted to define a clear roadmap for action.Drawing attention to the IMF's projection that 80 per cent of the world's near-future growth would come from emerging markets and developing countries, the Sherpa noted that the G20 troika plus one made for a historic moment when four developing countries in succession could set and steer a global agenda, rather than simply responding to an agenda set by others. "For the first time ever, there is a real chance to ensure a greater flow of resources to support the SDGs and climate action," he said. Given that changes in emerging nations could lift millions out of poverty, it was critical to initiate the process of reforming the global financial architecture and stabilizing lending rates.The Sherpa pointed out that the transformational impacts of technology were a defining feature of the present. India's DPIs - which are open-source, use open APIs and are interoperable - have helped provide direct cash transfers and social protection to millions. Big tech platforms have tended to compromise personal data, but DPIs' public interest layers support a more responsible form of public and private innovation, which has also allowed for "quantum digital pole-vaulting" by countries that have created them.The Sherpa also asserted that an annual flow of financial resources worth around USD 7 trillion was required to catalyse efforts to achieve the SDGs. He dismissed the notion that resources were scarce, arguing that around USD 350 trillion could actually be made available if the private sector were to step in and a more market-based approach to development adopted. As part of this approach, high carbon-emitting companies also needed to be actively penalized. In this context, India - the Sherpa felt - should "take the lead in industrializing without carbonizing".Finally, concluded the Sherpa, women-led development was another area where India could demonstrate its leadership. As he said, "The World Economic Forum has estimated that it will take 131 years to achieve gender parity. But we have to do it in a decade. India has therefore pushed hard for this at the G20," with positive outcomes.Over 200 participants from 35 countries and nearly 110 institutions are being hosted at the T20 Summit. The delegates include ministers, diplomats, policy planners, heads of think tanks and research institutions, civil society organisations, and eminent thinkers whose collective agency will ensure rich and diverse discussions at the Summit.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! OneFest made its appearance once again in Chippewa Falls this weekend but the show is fast outgrowing the venue at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Next year the three-day Christian music festival will make its way to Cadott to the Chippewa Valley Music Festival Grounds that Country Fest and Rock Fest call home. This years lineup included We Are Messengers, Skillet, CAIN, Tyrone Crawford and Colton Dixon. Ive seen Skillet four times, said 25-year-old Natalie Oswald of Eau Claire. They put on the best shows. A lot of folks dont even know theyre Christian. They only know them as great rockers. Fridays evening shows were delayed due to severe weather and concert-goers were encouraged to seek shelter in one of the fairgrounds three approved storm shelters. Though it caused a delay, the shows did go on. It actually turned out to be a beautiful night after the storms passed. The music was amazing. I loved We Are Messengers. What a show, said Mary McGovern, 51. Guillermo Ruiz, 46, said he likes going to OneFest because its a place where he feels safe bringing his children. I come from a big Catholic family and I am constantly trying to limit the negative messages my kids see and hear from the crazy world we live in, he said. When we travel to events like OneFest I feel like I can breathe and let the kids have fun. They eat and dance. I eat and dance and I know they are going to have much fun. Ruiz said he also enjoys the fact the festival doesnt serve alcohol. Its a rare treat to attend a concert or festival these days and not have a bunch of drunk people running around. I wish we had more of that, he said. Tickets for the Aug. 2-4 2024 OneFest are now available online. Big fat egos of Malayalam film industry clash after State Film awards announced Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1: Time and again there is a flare up in the Malayalam film industry when popular film personalities engage in a war of words, and the latest one has started between director Vinayan and his fellow director Ranjith, presently chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Big fat egos of Malayalam film industry clash after State Film awards announced This time this present ego outburst began soon after the State film awards was announced, under the chairmanship of the Academy- Ranjith.Vinayan, a known CPI activist, has threatened to move the court if the Pinarayi Vijayan government "fails" to intervene in the matter, alleging that Ranjith had " influenced" the State film award jury's decision-making regarding his film 'Pathonpatham Noottandu'.Controversy erupted when Vinayan in a post on Facebook claimed that a senior member of the award jury had even informed the Cultural Affairs Minister's office regarding the academy Chairman's alleged attempts to influence the jury.Vinayan in another post came out with a voice clip of a jury member saying that Ranjith did not deserve to continue in the post.Vinayanis in no mood to relent and has decided to wait a few days to see if the Vijayan government will act or if Ranjith on his own decides to put in his paper and if neither of the two happens, he will approach the judiciary to see things like this do not happen again, sources said.Ranjith has directed quite a few notable films and has also donned the grease paint, but of late, his directorial ventures have not shaken the box office, as in the past. And on the present outbreak of the controversy, he is maintaining stoic silence.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Lenovo working on Windows PC gaming handheld Legion Go: Report San Francisco, Aug 1: Global technology brand Lenovo is reportedly working on a Windows PC gaming handheld named 'Legion Go' that will compete with Valve's Steam Deck and ASUS' ROG Ally. Lenovo working on Windows PC gaming handheld 'Legion Go': Report The Legion Go handheld is expected to sport Windows 11 for maximum PC gaming compatibility, reports Windows Central. The gaming handheld will likely feature AMD's new Phoenix processors, which the chip-maker describes as ultra-thin, focused on gaming, artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics for ultrabooks.It is also expected to come with an eight-inch screen, making it larger than the ASUS ROG Ally or the Steam Deck as they both feature a seven-inch display PC and console games ported to PC are normally designed for larger screens or TVs, and on smaller screens, user interface (UI) elements can be difficult to see, especially if the game doesn't have a UI scaling option.If the Legion Go can maintain its balance and small weight, a larger display might offer it a sizable advantage over rivals. The handheld PC gaming market is witnessing intense competition, with successful products like Valve's Steam Deck and ASUS' ROG Ally."Other long-time competitors in the space like AYANEO are also doing well, and Microsoft itself has tasked Xbox with improving the Windows experience on handhelds for this emerging category," the report said.Last month, a report revealed that Lenovo maintained its leading position in PC shipments despite an 18 per cent (year-on-year) decline. Meanwhile, in June, the global technology brand had announced that it will invest $1 billion over three years in the expansion of infrastructure solutions to accelerate the AI deployment for businesses globally.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Sudan: Rights groups call for investigation against war crimes Khartoum, August 1: Both sides in the Sudanese conflict have been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, according to a collection of Sudanese rights and professional organisations. Sudan: Rights groups call for investigation against war crimes The group has demanded an inquiry by the International Criminal Court in a letter sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to Voice of America .Both the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are charged with violating human rights against civilians in Sudan's Darfur area and elsewhere more than 30 rights organisations and professional bodies in the country.In a joint statement issued Saturday, the rights groups demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged violations and for the referral of the matter to the International Criminal Court through the United Nations Security Council, VOA reported.Nafisa Hajar, the deputy chairman of the Darfur Bar Association, told VOA that her organisation has evidence of a number of attacks and breaches, including mass executions, ethnic cleansing, and forced evictions, which she claimed would constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.She said, given that the judicial system of Sudan is now paralyzed due to the ongoing war, the international community should take action to bring the perpetrators to a court of law, VOA reported.Hajar said right now there are continued airstrikes on civilian buildings, civilians are forcefully displaced from their homes, and women are being systematically raped. All these atrocities, she said, should be counted as war crimes.On July 13, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, announced the opening of a new investigation regarding allegations of war crimes in the context of the war in Sudan, especially in the city of El Geneina in West Darfur state.Hajar said the motive behind the filed petition is to help the victims and to prevent the continued impunity of the alleged perpetrators, VOA reported.She said both the army and the RSF deserve to be investigated.Hajar said at the moment there are serious violations of all treaties and agreements that call for the protection of civilians. She said the rights of Sudanese civilians are now being violated by both warring parties.Sudanese lawyer Abdul Basit Al Haj criticized the Sudan Armed Forces for failing to protect civilians in El Geneina during RSF attacks in the city and elsewhere in Sudan, VOA reported.Speaking to VOA, Al Haj said the RSF has been attacking hospitals, occupying them, targeting doctors in Khartoum, and committing genocide and ethnic cleansing of non-Arab groups, specifically the Masalit ethnic group in West Darfur state."They are occupying civilians' houses," he said. "They occupy hospitals, schools, universities, and destroy all these buildings. ... According to the definition of war crimes, these are war crimes or crimes against humanity."Sudan Army spokesperson Nabeel Abdallah distanced the military from these atrocities, saying "all" were committed by the RSF."They took over the homes of citizens in Khartoum by force and turned them into military barracks," Abdallah told VOA.VOA reached out to the RSF commander's special adviser for foreign affairs, Ibrahim Mukhayer, for a comment, but received no immediate reply.War broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15. The conflict has since forced some 3.5 million people to flee their homes, including 844,000 who have gone to neighbouring countries in search of safety, according to the United Nations.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Winners of The Open Group India 2023 Awards Announced BusinessWire India, Bangalore, August 1: The Open Group India has announced the winners of its Awards for Innovation & Excellence 2023 to recognize and reward outstanding achievements in the use of Open Standards and Open Source software. A new "Most Promising Program for Women in Enterprise Architecture" category has been introduced for 2023. Winners of The Open Group India 2023 Awards Announced Since its inception in 2017, the awards have highlighted industry excellence, innovation, perseverance, leadership, and community contribution. Nominations across 8 different countries came from a wide spectrum of industries, including government, IT consulting, education and banking, from Member and Non-Member communities in South-East Asia, India, the Middle East, and Africa. 29 expert executives, thought leaders, and technology pioneers from 13 countries formed the panel of esteemed judges.The Awards of Distinction were presented to- Dubai Customs- Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources- Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia - Chinese Taipei City Government- DXC Technology The Awards of Merit were presented to- Capgemini Technology Services India Limited- Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development, Government of Kenya- Centre for Railway Information Systems- Petroliam Nasional BerhadSpecial Mentions were given to- Cabinet Secretariat of Government of Mongolia- Schlumberger India Technology Center Pvt Ltd- Peritos Solutions & Consulting Private LimitedAfter undergoing a rigorous two-stage evaluation process, these projects demonstrated excellence in the following criteria1. Clarity in problem definition, purpose and motivation2. Evaluation of alternatives, followed by selection of the most appropriate business and technical solution3. Use of the right standard for the stated problem and solution approach4. Corroboration of the solution through measurable and visible results and its impact5. Providing supporting documentation that substantiates the above and demonstrates the overall sustainability of the transformationHeld in conjunction with The Open Group EA for Sustainability, July 2023 Conference, the India Awards Guest of Honour, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scinda, the esteemed Hon'ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Government of India, commented "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all participants and winners for their extraordinary accomplishments. Moreover, I applaud The Open Group for rewarding and recognising of innovation and excellence in utilizing open standards and open source. Given India's diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial culture, it possesses the capability to take the lead in establishing global standards that can serve as a role model for others. It is of utmost importance for the Indian industry to actively engage, and help make them robust for the years to come." Dr. Pallab Saha, General Manager, The Open Group India, stated "In our fifth edition of The Open Group India awards, we strive to promote the use and adoption of open standards. These awards celebrate and showcase outstanding use cases of applying open standards in real-world settings that enable us to understand and foster the current state of practice. In an increasingly VUCA world, open standards balance stability along with innovation at scale." To find out more about The Open Group India Awards, please visit here.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Deterrence against China is the goal for US military Hong Kong, August 1: China, through the growing reach of the powerful People's Liberation Army, has made abundantly clear what its ambitions are towards territories on its periphery and strategic competitors. Consequently, the USA and its friends must demonstrate resolve against expanding Chinese military coercion. Deterrence against China is the goal for US military In July, the RAND Corporation issued a report entitled Inflection Point How to Reverse the Erosion of US and Allied Military Power and Influence. It laid bare a dire situation "It has become increasingly clear that US defence strategy and posture have become insolvent. The tasks that the nation expects its military forces and other elements of national power to do...greatly exceed the means that have become available to accomplish those tasks."RAND's analysts gloomily assessed that US all-domain military "superiority is gone, surely with respect to China, but in significant ways with respect to the forces of other, less powerful adversaries as well, and it is not coming back ... And herein lies the nub of the problem Neither today's force nor forces currently programmed by the US Department of Defense, appear to have the capabilities needed to execute this new approach ."It is against such a backdrop that Exercise Talisman Sabre, held in Australia from 22 July-4 August, should be viewed. One of Washington DC's most loyal Indo-Pacific friends is Australia, so the largest ever wargames between the two was the perfect opportunity to send an appropriate message to Beijing. An unprecedented 13 nations participated in the exercise, including some for the first time.Brigadier General Kevin Jarrard, Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division of the US Marine Corps, was in Australia to witness the joint and coalition exercise. He highlighted the importance of partners. "What we recognize is that whatever problems we're going to face in INDOPACOM - a crisis, contingency or conflict - we're not going to solve on our own. So, our partners and allies here in INDOPACOM, that's how we're going to solve these problems. And so the opportunity to operate alongside our longstanding friends in the Pacific and to make some new friends, we realize that we're part of the neighbourhood...These are tough problems that are going to require everybody's cooperation to solve."Surely the only conceivable way to deter China and the PLA is to combine capabilities. That means going beyond mere interoperability between allied forces. Rear Admiral Chris Stone, commander of the US Navy's Task Force 76/3, explained to ANI aboard his flagship USS America during Exercise Talisman Sabre "So we talk a lot about interoperability of our forces. I view that really as kind of the basics; that's being able to communicate with each other, and having similar systems, where you can, say, refuel each other's ships, and things along those lines."The admiral continued "Where we're really trying to progress to is interchangeability, which is kind of the next step, that any one of us, regardless of the flag that we fly, can perform a mission for the other partner/ally ... So we're really trying to progress to where we can plug and play with each other, where we have similar tactics, techniques, procedures, doctrine, understanding, training, proficiency. In any way you slice it or dice it, you can just take one and plug it into the other and do the same missions for each other."Brig Gen Jarrard described the tyranny of distance in the Indo-Pacific theatre. He mentioned the problem posed by "a contested logistics environment, which we really haven't had to operate in for a very, very long time. So, the 20 years that we spent in the desert, we essentially had air supremacy and it certainly was not a maritime theatre. INDOPACOM is inherently a maritime theatre, there's no question about that."Exercising in Australia is thus an extremely realistic challenge for the US military, as forces and supplies poured in from all quarters of the American realm. As part of that, the US established a Joint Logistics Over The Shore facility in Australia for the first time. JLOTS is a floating pier that allows equipment to be unloaded onto a beach where port facilities do not exist. Establishing expeditionary advanced bases was also an important element in Exercise Talisman Sabre.To counter China, the USMC has also created Marine Littoral Regiments, with the first already stood up in Hawaii and another currently being formed. Containing air defence and anti-ship missiles, low-signature MLRs are able to perform sea denial operations. Projecting power from land to maritime reverses how the USMC traditionally operates.Indeed, dispersal of forces through units like MLRs is critical, since the PLA has the ability to project power long distances, particularly through its missile inventory. Concentrations of American troops in Okinawa, mainland Japan and Guam are all at risk of a Chinese missile attack. Indeed, the aforementioned RAND report stated, "US forces, posture and operational concepts over the past two decades have remained an essentially static and predictable target against which China has developed increasingly potent threats."The USMC general noted "The days of concentrating large formations, I think, are gone, and so a highly capable, dispersed force. So, if you think about the capabilities that exist down at the squad level or the marine platoon level, they previously existed at the regimental or division level! So, we're pushing tremendous capability down to the smallest of our units, which allows us then to disperse on the battlefield."He alluded to MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft as being critical in such warfighting. "The capability of that aircraft is revolutionary. I mean, it allows you to move at speed, vast distances, to refuel in the air, and then to resupply those dispersed units. I think everybody understands how it's a good idea to be dispersed, but how do you sustain those units in such a dispersed battlefield? ... We're thinking hard about the problems that a dispersed force across the tyranny of the geography of the Pacific presents to us, and how are we going to solve those challenges."One example is treating casualties, where proposed solutions include blood transfusions being available at the lowest levels. "So just like we're pushing down offensive and defensive traditional military capability, we're also pushing down some of those medical capabilities that previously would only have existed far to the rear of a conflict, to the lowest possible level. So, instead of consolidating surgical care in big juicy targets...dispersing that surgical care and pushing it forward. It's going to require better training, better equipment, a new way of thinking about old problems."One lesson from the conflict in Ukraine is disrupting the find-fix-finish kill chain. Brig Gen Jarrard mused "How do we hide ourselves practically, camouflage in the traditional sense? But how do we hide ourselves in the signature, electronic realm? How do you hide? How do you camouflage yourself in that realm? So that's some of the lessons I think we're trying to learn from watching conflict unfold around the globe. We're always keenly interested in lessons that are being learned, and near-peer adversaries certainly give us some concern."In response to the Indo-Pacific's growing strategic threats, the USN is adapting too. Rear Admiral Stone said "About a year and a half ago, we took a navy command, Expeditionary Strike Group Seven, which consists of amphibious ships...and the Marine units of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and we put them together with really a concept that, if we operated together day in and day out, that would be better as a combined team and more proficient than coming together for integration and exercises and operations, and then going our separate ways and coming back together."During Talisman Sabre, Rear Admiral Stone commanded a strike group of about 11,000 sailors and marines and 14 ships. The admiral said, "Technically, it's still in the phase of experimentation. I don't view it that way. As the commander, I view this as us getting back to our roots of the Navy-Marine Corps team ... So, frankly, this is getting back to where we used to be after we've spent the last several decades focused on a different domain. It's about being able to establish power projection from the maritime to the land."Just like partnering with like-minded nations, forward deployment is critical for the US military. The RAND report "Inflection Point" stated, "US and coalition forces simply cannot count on having the time they would need to deploy to the theatre and fight to gain dominance in key domains before attacking the enemy's invasion force at scale."Especially in the case of China, speed is of the essence. We do not know confidence in the ability to prevail in a major conflict with Taiwan and the USA, but the US defence establishment has surely not done enough to deny them that confidence."Brig Gen Jarrard shared, "In the event of crisis or contingency, the thought of having to move so many troops, so much logistical support, from Camp Pendleton is a daunting task because of the tyranny of geography. So, pushing anything we can forward and then being able to use those to scale at the echelon. So, whether that's Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Guam, Okinawa, it allows us to be forward positioned to better prepare for crises."Again, it all comes back to deterrence. The US and its partners must be ready to act if China does something foolish such as attack Taiwan, even as it is already threatening stability in the region. As RAdm Stone acknowledged "Let me elevate that discussion just a bit, and talk about why it's important. So, the Indo-Pacific is expansive and we're all connected. The vast majority of the world's commerce travels via the oceans and the waterways of the Indo-Pacific. There's not one nation, there's not two and I would say three or four nations, that individually can preserve the security in the safe transfer of goods and services across these waters by themselves. We have to operate together for us to ensure that we maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and that all the nations are complying with the rules-based order which governs our conduct, and we work together well as neighbours to do all of those things."Returning to exercises like Talisman Sabre "So the more that we practice together the skills that are required to maintain that freedom of the international waterways is important, so everything we do we do together in a partnership."The USN admiral added "Our job and what we spend our time on every day is reassuring our allies and partners. And that's a big part of deterrence, and we are capable, we are ready and we are training for that every day to defend this ship, this strike group, whatever it may be. We hope it doesn't come to that; we prefer to practice our partnership ... But we're prepared, if it comes to conflict, to defend ourselves and defend the force against a range of threats and, frankly, we practice it every single day."RAdm Stone told ANI he does not lie awake at night worrying about regional threats. "I just think about how to collectively increase our skill sets and make sure that we're ready for anything that comes in the future. But I think the fact that you have 13 nations out here speaks for itself ... Increasingly, you're seeing like-minded nations that are committing to a free and open Indo-Pacific that follows a rules-based order..." He described it as a testament to commitment and deterrence.The final word goes to Brig Gen Jarrard "War with anybody is daunting ... The Marine Corps is always focused on readiness. We're ready for crisis, contingency, and conflict at any time any place. We certainly don't want war. Those of us who have lived through the wars of the last two decades don't want to see war. So, we hope that our efforts here are focused on deterrence and cooperation, that we're stronger together and that the cost of conflict is prohibitive. Because what we're demonstrating is no better friend, no worse enemy than the United States Marine Corps, combined with our allies and partners."ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Red Sea: United Nations-led mission to offload decaying supertanker carrying million barrels of oil Sana'a, August 1: A United Nations-led mission is set to off-load a decaying supertanker carrying a million barrels of oil, anchored five miles off the coast of Yemen for more than 30 years, hoping to avert one of the world's worst potential ecological disasters in decades, CNN reported. Red Sea: United Nations-led mission to offload decaying supertanker carrying million barrels of oil Experts are delicately handling the 47-year-old vessel, called the FSO Safer, working to remove the crude without the tanker falling apart, the oil exploding, or a massive spill taking place, CNN reported.UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen David Gressly said that the operation, which is expected to cost USD 141 million, is utilising the skills of SMIT, the dredging and offshore contractor who assisted in removing the Ever Given ship, which blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week in 2021.The mission is funded by 23 UN member nations, with an additional USD 16 million coming from private-sector donors. The largest private corporation in Yemen, HSA Group, is one of the donors and contributed USD 1.2 million in August 2022. According to Gressly, the UN also participated in an innovative crowdfunding initiative, contributing to the fund that was raised over the course of a year.The Nautica is a replacement oil tanker for the decaying FSO Safer. The team is pumping between 4,000 and 5,000 barrels of oil every hour, and has so far transferred more than 120,000 barrels to the replacement vessel carrying the offloaded oil, Gressly said. The full transfer is expected to take 19 days, CNN reported.The tanker was carrying a million barrels of oil. That would be enough to power up to 83,333 cars or 50,000 US homes for an entire year. The crude on board is worth around USD 80 million. However, who gets the oil remains a controversial matter, CNN reported.The ship has been abandoned in the Red Sea since 2015 and the UN has regularly warned that the "ticking time bomb" could break apart given its age and condition, or the oil it holds could explode due to the highly flammable compounds in it.The FSO Safer held four times the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez off Alaska in 1989 which resulted in a slick that covered 1,300 miles of coastline. A potential spill from this vessel would be enough to make it the fifth largest oil spill from a tanker in history, a UN website said. The cost of cleanup of such an incident is estimated at USD 20 billion, CNN reported.The Red Sea is a vital strategic waterway for global trade. At its southern end lies the Bab el-Mandeb strait, where nearly 9 per cent of total seaborne-traded petroleum passes. And at its north is the Suez Canal that separates Africa from Asia. The majority of petroleum and natural gas exports from the Persian Gulf that transit the Suez Canal pass through the Bab el-Mandeb, according to the US Energy Information Administration.The sea is also a popular diving hotspot that boasts an impressive underwater ecosystem. In places, its banks are dotted with tourist resorts, and its eastern shore is the site of ambitious Saudi development projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars.The first step of the mission was to stabilize and secure the vessel to avoid it collapsing, Gressly said. That has already been achieved in the past few weeks, CNN reported."There are a number of things that had to be done to secure the oil from exploding," Gressly told CNN, including pumping out gases in each of the 13 compartments holding the oil. Systems for pumping were rebuilt, and some lighting was repaired.Booms, which are temporary floating barriers used to contain marine spills, were dispersed around the vessel to capture any potential leaks.The second step is to transfer the oil onto the replacement vessel, which is now underway, CNN reported.After The Safer is emptied, it must then be cleaned to ensure no oil residue is left, Gressly said. The team will then attach a giant buoy to the replacement vessel until a decision about what to do with the oil has been made."The transfer of the oil to will prevent the worst-case scenario of a catastrophic spill in the Red Sea, but it is not the end of the operation," Gressly said.While the hardest part of the operation would then be over, a spill could still occur. And even after the transfer, the tanker will "continue to pose an environmental threat resulting from the sticky oil residue inside the tank, especially since the tanker remains vulnerable to collapse," the UN said, stressing that to finish the job, an extra USD 22 million is urgently needed.If a spill occurs, it would shut down Yemeni ports that its people rely on for food aid and fuel, impacting 17 million people during an ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the country's civil war and a Saudi-led military assault on the country. Oil could bleed all the way to the African coast, damaging fish stocks for 25 years and affecting up to 200,000 jobs, according to the UN.A potential spill would cause "catastrophic" public health ramifications in Yemen and surrounding countries, according to a study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine. Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Eritrea would bear the brunt, CNN reported.Air pollution from a spill of this magnitude would increase the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular or respiratory disease for those very directly exposed by 530 per cent, according to the study, which said it could cause an array of other health problems, from psychiatric to neurological issues."Given the scarcity of water and food in this region, it could be one of the most disastrous oil spills ever known in terms of impacts on human life," David Rehkopf, a professor at Stanford University and senior author of the study, told CNN.Up to 10 million people would struggle to obtain clean water, and 8 million would have their access to food supplies threatened. The Red Sea fisheries in Yemen could be "almost completely wiped out," Rehkopf added.The tanker has been an issue for many people in Yemen over the past few years, Gressly said. Sentiment on social media surrounding the removal of oil is very positive, as many in Yemen feel like the tanker is a "threat that's been over their heads," he said.However, who gets to keep the oil is a question hanging all along. The tanker issue remains a point of dispute between the Houthi rebels that control the north of Yemen and the internationally recognized government, the two main warring sides in the country's civil conflict.While the war, which saw hundreds of thousands of people killed or injured, and Yemen left in ruins is far from resolved.Ahmed Nagi, a senior analyst for Yemen at the International Crisis Group think tank in Brussels told CNN, "The government sees the Houthi militias as an illegitimate group controlling the tanker, and the Houthis do not recognize ."The vessel was abandoned after the outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in 2015. The majority of the oil is owned by Yemeni state firm Safer Exploration & Production Operations Company, experts say, and there are some reports that it may be sold."From a technical point of view, the owner of the tanker and the oil inside it is SEPOC," Nagi said, adding that other energy companies working in Yemen may also share ownership of the oil.The main issue, Nagi added, is that the Safer's headquarters are in the government-controlled Marib city, while the tanker is in an area controlled by the Houthis. The Safer is moored off the coast of the western Hodeidah province.Discussions to determine the ownership of the oil are underway, Gressly said. The rights to the oil are unclear and there are legal issues that need to be addressed.The UN coordinator hopes that the days needed to offload the oil will buy some time for "political and legal discussions that need to take place before the oil can be sold."While the UN may manage to resolve half of the issue, Nagi said, there still needs to be an understanding of the oil's status. "It still poses a danger if we keep it near a conflict zone," he said.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Aung San Suu Kyis jail term reduced Yangon, Aug 1: Myanmar's State Administration Council on Tuesday reduced the sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi and former president U Win Myint, while also granting pardons to over 7,000 prisoners. Aung San Suu Kyi's jail term reduced According to the Council, six years of sentences for Suu Kyi and four years for U Win Myint were reduced, Xinhua news agency.The Nobel Laureate and the former President were arrested shortly after the military coup on February 1, 2021.The pardon, part of a seasonal amnesty, will reduce Suu Kyi's 33-year jail sentence by six years.Periodic amnesties have been announced before, but this is the first time they have included the ousted leader and Myint.Meanwhile, the council also remitted sentences for 7,749 domestic prisoners and 125 foreign inmates, while commuting death sentences for some to life imprisonment, according to the orders.In addition, the council remitted the sentences for 22 members of the ethnic armed groups and also dismissed the cases related to 72 individuals who were in connection with ethnic armed groups, it said.Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest following the coup, was moved to solitary confinement last year in a prison in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.Almost no news of her has emerged in the last two years and she was also rumoured to have been ill, but the the military denied the reports, the BBC reported.Since the coup, Myanmar has spiralled into a civil war, which has so far killed tens of thousands of people.The military junta on Monday postponed an election promised to be held by August this year.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Peoples alliance for Gupkar declaration heading for quiet burial? Srinagar, Aug 1: What previously were described as chinks in the Gupkar Alliance of like-minded mainstream political parties of J&K, have now become gaping holes in the political alliance. Peoples alliance for Gupkar declaration heading for quiet burial? The alliance was formed post August 5, 2019 in the aftermath of Article 370 abrogation and downgrading of the state of J&K into a union territory.While other smaller political parties like the Awami National Conference (ANC) joined the alliance, its main constituents were the National Conference (NC) headed by former chief minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headed by another former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti.Dr. Farooq Abdullah was designated as the head of the new amalgam called Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. It stood for restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and statehood for J&K.Seen politically diametrically opposed to each other, the coming together of the arch rivals, the NC and the PDP was described as closing ranks among Valley centric political parties for the 'greater good of the people of J&K'.After its creation, the People's Conference (PC) headed by Sajad Lone was the first to leave the alliance.This was later followed by former minister, Javaid Mustafa Mir who represented the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM) formed by bureaucrat Shah Faesal who after sometime said he was parting ways with politics for good and rejoined his services.It was generally expected that the NC and the PDP would forge some kind of a larger poll alliance to keep the BJP away from power when the Assembly elections are held in the union territory.What was not to be, was not to be. The divergent political interests aimed at securing political power by the NC and the PDP were destined to result in making the Gupkar Alliance irrelevant.This appears to have happened much quicker than was otherwise expected. Some of the leaders of the two parties, including PDP youth leader Waheed Para and NC's Salman Sagar publicly spoke against each other recently.Speaking at the 24th foundation day of the PDP, Waheed Para said, "Those responsible for 1987 rigging, made SOG and Task Force, pushed youth to gun by depriving democratic agency over decades are begging for elections and alliance in New Delhi".He also said, "If power alone would have helped J&K then there would have not been deaths and killings in successive regimes".Reacting to Para's statement, Salman Sagar of the NC said, "The statements made by PDP leaders during their party's foundation day function clearly indicates that they want to break loose from the alliance."It was the PDP that brought BJP into the state by forming a ruling alliance with the BJP. We wanted to keep the alliance intact, but the statements made by the PDP leaders have forced us to expose them before the people".NC spokesman, Imran Nabi Dar said, "PDP must clear their stand, if they want to walk out from PAGD they can, but they must not keep people in confusion"Reacting to the recent statement of rigging in elections made by Waheed Parra, Chief Spokesperson of NC, Tanveer Sadiq stated that if PDP does not want to be part of Gupkar alliance then doors are open for them. He also stated that they are in possession of plenty of evidence of wrongdoings of PDP but they are silent just because of the alliance.This was followed by a statement from PDP spokesman, Suhail Bukhari which was obviously aimed at damage control and an attempt to prove that the PDP was not eager to break loose from the alliance, "The alliance was formed for restoring dignity and special status of people of Jammu and Kashmir. The constituents of the alliance stand by the agenda for which it was formed though there can be difference of opinion of leaders of the constituents, yet the leadership largely stands by unity and for restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir '', Bukhari said.Bukhari's statement to save the cracking alliance notwithstanding, the meaningful silence by the top leadership of the NC and the PDP over the statements made by leaders of the two parties indicates that the Gupkar Alliance is headed for a quiet burial even before the Assembly elections are announced in J&K.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! J-K: Baramulla gets its first Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre to facilitate patient care Srinagar, August 1: The Jammu and Kashmir administration recently established a state-of-the-art Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre and gymnasium at the Government Medical College, Baramulla in North Kashmir. J-K: Baramulla gets its first Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre to facilitate patient care This is the first such centre in North Kashmir. The centre caters to the specific needs of post-trauma, post-stroke, orthopaedic, and congenital orthopaedic patients with a focus on their rehabilitation and recovery.The centre is fitted with advanced equipment and offers specialised care to facilitate the healing process and enhance the quality of life for patients. Around 10 machines worth crores of rupees had been purchased by the hospital authorities to empower the MRP centre.The establishment of this centre will be a huge relief for the patients who, in the absence of such a facility, had to visit private centres in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley.The rehabilitation centre and Gymnasium at Government Medical College Baramulla will not only cater for patients from Baramulla district but from other districts of north Kashmir as well.The GMC Baramulla is emerging as a key healthcare institution across north Kashmir.The patients and their relatives lauded this step taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administrations, as these types of modern medical facilities have been provided at their doorsteps.The other facilities, like dialysis centres, are also helping patients in the district.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! UK: Kashmiri delegation meets British MP, discusses human rights issues in PoK, Gilgit Baltistan Middlesbrough, August 1: A high-level delegation of the United Kashmir People's National Party has met with British Labour Member of British Parliament Andrew McDonald at Middlesbrough in the United Kingdom and discussed several pressing issues concerning human rights, lack of basic facilities, land grabbing, occupying tourists resorts, hilltops and lack of infrastructure in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. UK: Kashmiri delegation meets British MP, discusses human rights issues in PoK, Gilgit Baltistan The members also highlighted the discriminatory practices that prevent Kashmiris from participating in elections unless they pledge allegiance to Pakistan.The UKPNP delegation that met the British MP McDonald on Monday was led by party's chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri. The delegation included Central Spokesman Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, Senior Leader Mahmood Kashmiri, President of UK Europe Zone Sardar Amjad Yousaf, Secretary General United Kingdom Zone Raja Sarfraz, Secretary of Information Sardar Tikka Khan Tahir, Rizwan Siddique, Usman Khan and others.The delegates briefed MP Andrew McDonald about the restrictions on freedom of expression, press media, and publications in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. They also expressed concern over the resurgence of extremist and radical groups recruiting youth for jihadi activities, leading to the forced disappearance of 22 young boys by a banned outfit, which has prompted protests from their parents and loved ones seeking their recovery, as per an official release.The delegation shed light on the plight of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, which are administered by Pakistan and suffer from deprivation and underdevelopment. Protests have been ongoing against shortages of flour, wheat, essential food items, inflation, electricity, and hefty charges in electricity bills.The UKPNP members also highlighted the exploitation of natural resources, denial of royalty, lack of industry and job opportunities, and the persecution of human rights activists and pro-Kashmir, pro-people, and pro-peace activists, who are often forced to leave their native places and seek refuge abroad.According to the release, the meeting served as an opportunity for the UKPNP delegation to advocate for the rights and well-being of the people in the region and draw attention to the urgent need for international support and attention to these critical issues.The concerns raised by Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri regarding the environment and land grabbing in PoK, as well as the impact of CPEC and other mega projects on climate and weather, are serious issues that require urgent attention. It's crucial for the international community to come together to address these challenges and protect the lives, wildlife, and environment in the region. Collaboration and action are essential to safeguard the affected areas and mitigate the devastating effects of such activities, according to the official release.The Labor Member Parliament Andrew McDonald assured the delegates that the people of PoK, Gilgit Baltistan should be entitled to live their lives with peace and harmony, emphasizing that without the rule of law, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement, the region cannot achieve lasting peace and stability, as per the release.Sardar Shaukat and the delegates thanked the British member of parliament for giving the time and this opportunity to share their views.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Sitting 1100 ft above sea level atop Stone Head mountainside, is this luxurious and idyllic Chalet. This 2,537 sq ft, 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath home, sits atop a 100' rock face commanding a breathtaking showcase view as you make your way up the inviting driveway. This Chalet provides a unique and extraordinary opportunity you won't find anywhere else in South Central Pennsylvania. The mesmerizing living room with Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and floor to ceiling windows, reveal breathtaking 25+ mile views from your couch. The living room extends into the dining room and gourmet kitchen, designed with imported Italian ceramic tile flooring, custom cherry wood cabinetry and granite countertops throughout. The master bedroom with a large his and her bathroom, also rests on the main floor along with the convenient laundry room and additional 1/2 bath. The lower floor provides additional bedrooms, another full bath, and a large family room with a walk out patio. The home features several walk in closets along with a large 3 car garage with a walk-up second floor, providing an immense amount of storage. From the serene mountain views, cozy central air, both electric heat and outside wood furnace, you'll understand the true feeling of luxury no matter the time of year. The 108 acres is comprised of three parcels with the home resting on 18 acres and a 50-and 40-acre parcel combined. Trails throughout the property provide great opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, ATV use and more. The areas where the trails don't extend, the property lays secluded providing wildlife sanctuaries for both small and big game animals along with several different bird species. For hunters looking to chase whitetail deer and wild turkeys, this property will provide an incredible opportunity as it is well populated with them both. You won't find a home like this anywhere in the area and if you don't believe me, come, and sit on the large deck with a telescope and look for yourself! Don't miss this opportunity to own luxury with priceless views here in York County Pennsylvania. View More KTR asks BRS leaders to spread governments historic decisions Hyderabad, Aug 1: Bharat Rashtra Samiti working president K. T. Rama Rao on Tuesday exhorted the party leaders and activists to widely spread the progressive decisions taken by the Telangana government. KTR asks BRS leaders to spread government's 'historic' decisions These decisions include regularisation of Village Revenue Assistants (VRA), recognising Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees as government employees and expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail.During a teleconference with the party MPs, MLAs, general secretaries, district party presidents, KTR said that the state government took pioneering decisions in the best interest of employees, which no other government did. He said that the onus of taking these decisions to the attention of people concerned lies on the party leaders.The BRS Working President remarked that the compassionate gesture of the state government was evident in recognising 21,000 VRAs as government employees and incorporating TSRTC employees into the government system.KTR asked the party leaders to organise celebrations with RTC employees at Bus Depots across the State. He suggested the party MLAs, Constituency in-charges hold 'Meet and Greet programmes with VRAs' families, RTC employees at their convenience in the coming two or three days.The BRS working president stated that the state administration's decision to implement a policy for orphan children and assume their responsibility serves as evidence of the compassionate approach of the state government.KTR proposed that the BRS party should extensively promote the decision to expand the Hyderabad Metro Rail from its current 70-kms length to an extensive 415-kms. The party activists have to hold celebrations in constituencies through which the expanded metro lines will pass. People have to be informed that this decision of the state government will strengthen public transportation and that it is in tune with expansion of the city.He emphasised the importance of instilling confidence in people that the expansion of metro lines will aid in rapid development of distant areas around Hyderabad. Also, they have to be informed that the immediate relief of Rs 500 crore for those affected by heavy rains across the state will prove beneficial to the affected people.KTR emphasised the importance of conducting press conferences at district headquarters to communicate the state government's decisions, ensuring that the public is well-informed about the state government's initiatives.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! 15th Finance Commission allocated Rs 1,28,122.40 cr to SDRF for 2021-26: MoS Nityanand Rai New Delhi, August 1: 15th Finance Commission has allocated a total corpus of Rs 1,28,122.40 crore to the State Disaster Response Force in all States for the Award Period, Union Minister for State Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. 15th Finance Commission allocated Rs 1,28,122.40 cr to SDRF for 2021-26: MoS Nityanand Rai Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to Lok Sabha on the question of IUML MP Abdussamad Samadani, said that the successive Finance Commission, determines the allocation of the State Disaster Response Fund for all States for each of the financial years for the entire award period."As against Rs 61,220 crores recommended by the 14th Finance Commission for the Award Period, the 15'h Finance Commission has allocated a total corpus of Rs. 1,28,122.40 crore in SDRF to all States for the Award Period, of which Central Share is Rs 98,080.80 crores and State Government share is Rs 30,041.60 crores," MoS Rai said.He further informed the Lower House that in addition an amount of Rs 32,030.60 crore has been allocated under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund for the Award Period of 2021-22 to 2025-26."Similarly, a total corpus of Rs 54,770 crores has been allocated by the 15th Finance Commission under National Disaster Response Fund and Rs 13,693 crores under National Disaster Mitigation Fund for the Award Period " he added.ANI01 August 2023 Shared Recently! Facing financial crisis, Seema-Sachin get offer to work in film Greater Noida, Aug 1: After the news of Pakistani woman Seema Haider and Sachin Meena facing financial crisis emerged, film producer Amit Jani has extended a helping hand by offering them to work in him film. Facing financial crisis, Seema-Sachin get offer to work in film Amit Jani has offered both of them to work in his film being made in Mumbai, so that they can earn their living by working. Amit Jani is making a film on murder of Udaipur's tailor Kanhaiya Lal Sahu.Amit Jani of Meerut has given an offer to Seema Haider, who came to India illegally from Pakistan, to work in his films. He says that initially he was against Seema Haider but when learnt that she and Sachin are facing financial problems, he extended them a helping hand.He said that people are extending helping hands to Anju (Indian woman) in Pakistan, whereas Sachin and Seema Haider have said that they are not able to go out to work because of the police investigation. Seema and Sachin have a livelihood problem, as soon as this news went viral, President of UP's Navnirman Sena -- Amit Jani-- extended a helping hand to Seema-Sachin. They have been offered acting in his film production house Jani Firefox.Amit Jani has recently set up a film production house in Mumbai and is making a film titled A Tailor Murder Story on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Sahu in Udaipur. The film is set to release in November. Amit Jani offered Seema-Sachin that if they work in his production, he could pay lakhs of rupees to them, so that they would be able to live their life.IANS01 August 2023 Shared Recently! One person is dead after a two-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Hempt and Texaco roads in Silver Spring Township Tuesday morning. The crash occurred around 7:20 a.m. and involved a 2022 Mitsubishi SUV and a 2017 Chevrolet SUV, Silver Spring Township Police said. First responders performed life-saving efforts on a 66-year-old passenger but the man died, according to police, who did not release his name. Silver Spring Township Police were assisted at the scene by New Kingstown Fire Company, Silver Spring and Hampden Ambulance, Fire Police, Pennsylvania State Police and the Cumberland County Coroner's Office. The crash remains under investigation and police are asking anyone with information to contact Officer Cody Phillips at 717-697-0607, extension 2021 or cphillips@sstwp.org. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly this evening. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly this evening. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2 Jacob Paul Allen in Summer Sunsets: 5:30-8 p.m., Blue Mountain Brewery, no cover. Ryan Brown in Wind Down Wednesdays: 6-9 p.m., Good Waffles & Co. food truck will be there, Carter Mountain Orchard, (434) 977-1833, $5 ages 12 and older. THURSDAY, AUG. 3 Beezin in Thursday Evening Concert Series: 6-9 p.m., Two Brothers Southwestern Grill and Sweet Janes Kitchen food trucks will be there, Carter Mountain Orchard, (434) 977-1833, $10 ages 12 and older. An Evening with Yolanda Rabun in Virginia Theatre Festival: 7:30 p.m., Culbreth Theatre at University of Virginia, (434) 924-3376, $35-$15. An Evening with Alligator: A Days Between Celebration: Presented by WNRN, 8:30 p.m., doors open at 7:30 p.m., Jefferson Theater, (800) 594-8499, $20, $18 advance, $60 ticket four-pack, all ages. Ark of Mark Record Release Show with Choose Your Own Adventure: 8 p.m., doors at 7:30 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, $10. Tailgate Thursdays with music by Paulien: 6-9 p.m., Stinson Vineyards, (434) 823-7300, no cover, bring foods to grill. FRIDAY, AUG. 4 Full Nelson Friday with Rockfish Gap: 5-9 p.m., Blue Mountain Brewery, no cover. Ramona Martinez in Summer Sundown: 6-9 p.m., Chiswell Farm & Winery, (434) 252-2947, call for price. An Evening with Yolanda Rabun in Virginia Theatre Festival: 7:30 p.m., Culbreth Theatre at University of Virginia, (434) 924-3376, $35-$15. Friday Night Out with Ken Matthews: 5-8 p.m., DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, (540) 923-4206, no cover, reservations recommended. Urinetown: The Musical: 8 p.m., Four County Players in , (540) 832-5355, all Friday tickets $10. Recommended for ages 13 and older; contains adult language and themes and depictions of violence. Parental discretion advised. Dont Look Up: Two Brothers Southwestern Grill food truck will be there, 6-8:30 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. Daniel Kepel: 5-8 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. Fridays After Five: Abbey Road with The Boomerangs: 5:30 p.m., Ting Pavilion, (434) 245-4910, free. SATURDAY, AUG. 5 An Evening with Yolanda Rabun in Virginia Theatre Festival: 7:30 p.m., Culbreth Theatre at University of Virginia, (434) 924-3376, $35-$15. Music in the Mountains with Bomar & Ritter: 2-5 p.m., DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, (540) 923-4206, no cover, reservations recommended. Urinetown: The Musical: 8 p.m., Four County Players in Barboursville, (540) 832-5355, $20, $18 seniors and students, $16 ages 12 and younger. Recommended for ages 13 and older; contains adult language and themes and depictions of violence. Parental discretion advised. Latin and Gypsy Rumba Duo Berto Sales and Vincent Zorn: 2:30-5:30 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. Ian Vest: 1-4 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. Drag Bonanza with hosts Bebe Gunn and Cherry Possums: 8:30 p.m., doors at 8 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, $15, $12 advance, must be 16 or older. Hummingbird Ale release: Remarks by Dr. Jim Plews-Ogan at 2:30 p.m. and about 4 p.m., music by 3 Piece from 3 to 5 p.m., Charlottesville Starr Hill Tap Room in Dairy Market, free donations accepted to fight ALS. Crozet Trolley will provide shuttle service between Charlottesville and Crozet sites for $1 donation. Hummingbird Ale release: Remarks by Dr. Jim Plews-Ogan at 5:30 p.m. and about 7 p.m., music by South River Strings Band from 6 to 8 p.m., Crozet Starr Hill Tap Room at 5391 Three Notchd Road, free donations accepted to fight ALS. Crozet Trolley will provide shuttle service between Charlottesville and Crozet sites for $1 donation. Dwight Yoakam with The Mavericks and 49 Winchester: 7 p.m., Ting Pavilion, (434) 245-4910, $89 lower orchestra front, $69 lower orchestra, $49 upper orchestra and lawn general admission. SUNDAY, AUG. 6 An Evening with Yolanda Rabun in Virginia Theatre Festival: 2 p.m., Culbreth Theatre at University of Virginia, (434) 924-3376, $35-$15. Music in the Mountains with Shane Click: 2-5 p.m., DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, (540) 923-4206, no cover, reservations recommended. Urinetown: The Musical: 2:30 p.m., Four County Players in Barboursville, (540) 832-5355, $20, $18 seniors and students, $16 ages 12 and younger. Recommended for ages 13 and older; contains adult language and themes and depictions of violence. Parental discretion advised. The Pollocks: 2-5 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover, donations accepted. MONDAY, AUG. 7 Monday Night Trivia with Brandon The Trivia Guy: 7 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. L.Y.A.O. Comedy Open Mic Night hosted by Chris Alan: 8 p.m., doors at 7:30 p.m., sign-ups begin at 7 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, free. A bad day on the golf course is a reminder to put things into perspective. To have gratitude for the gift of recreation. The gift of time. The gift of friendships. Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin and the Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center in Seoul have signed a memorandum of understanding. As part of this partnership, the Charite Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC) and the Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) will collaborate intensively and share their knowledge in cancer care, therapies, and oncological research, with the aim of promoting and enhancing cancer medicine. The collaboration will also entail joint research activities and the mutual provision of medical personnel for the purposes of training and professional development. Both partners will also work together to actively drive digital transformation in the areas of computerized clinical decision support systems and the development of medical technology, while consulting with each other on management tasks. Upon signing the memorandum, Prof. Martin E. Kreis, Chief Medical Officer at Charite explained that: "Healthcare is a global issue, and we now have the opportunity to collaborate intensively with another world-leading cancer treatment center. The SCCC is a pioneer of interdisciplinary treatment and houses state-of-the-art medical equipment. Prevention, rehabilitation, and a focus on professional development and research are all equally important to our Korean colleagues. The collaboration will allow us to improve personalized cancer medicine at both institutions for the benefit of patients." Why do some people take part in genetic studies while others do not? The answer may lie within our genetic makeup. According to a groundbreaking study by Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Big Data Institute, people who participate in genetic studies are genetically more likely to do so, leaving detectable 'footprints' in genetics data. This breakthrough equips researchers with the ability to identify and address participation bias, a significant challenge in genetic research. Stefania Benonisdottir, lead author of the study and a Doctoral candidate from the Big Data Institute, explains, 'Currently, most genetic studies are based on genetic databases which contain large numbers of participants and a wealth of information. However, some people are more likely to be included in these databases than others, which can create a problem called ascertainment bias, where the genetic data collected is not representative of the intended study population.' To study this link between genetics data and participation bias, the researchers turned to one of the largest biomedical databases in the world, the UK Biobank which contains information from half a million participants. Using UK Biobank data, it was found there is a genetic component to people's probability to participate - that is correlated but distinct from other human traits. Published today in Nature Genetics, the study highlights that participation could be an important human trait that has been previously underappreciated and introduces a statistical framework that could lead to more accurate analyses of genetic data. Professor Augustine Kong, senior author from the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and the Big Data Institute, notes, 'Ascertainment bias poses a statistical challenge in genetics research, particularly in the era of big data. Adjustments for this bias often rely on known differences between participants and non-participants, introducing imperfections when answering questions involving variables only observed for participants, such as genotypes. Our study identifies detectable footprints of participation bias in the genetic data of participants, which can be exploited statistically to enhance research accuracy for both participants and non-participants alike.' Genome-wide association studies offer important insights into the role of genetics in human health and diseases. However, such studies can be affected by biases, which arise when genetic databases are not representative of the intended study population. Now, the identified genetic inclination to participate can help scientists assess the representativeness of their study sample. By analysing the genetic data of over 30,000 related participants with white British descent from the UK Biobank, the researchers found that the genetic component underlying participation in the study is correlated with, but distinct from, the genetic components of traits such as educational attainment and body mass index. For example, the estimated correlation between the genetic components underlying participation in the UK Biobank and educational attainment is estimated to be 36.6%. This result is consistent with some of the previously reported differences between the participants and the non-participants, but it also shows that the participation bias is not fully captured by these previously known differences. In other words, participation is not simply a consequence of these other traits and characteristics. The study also found the genetic component of participation can be passed down through families and may affect people's participation in many different studies over their lifetimes. This highlights the potential for bias in genetic research and underscores the importance of accounting for such biases in study design and analysis. Professor Melinda Mills, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science concludes, 'As our GWAS Diversity Monitor shows, the road to improve diversity in genome-wide association studies is long. However, this statistical framework is a huge step in the right direction to mitigate the risk of incomplete or inaccurate data analysis and ensure that genetic research truly benefits everyone.' Results of a long-term, federally funded study of cognitively healthy adults most with a family history of Alzheimer's disease have added to evidence that low spinal fluid levels of a protein linked to learning and memory in mice may serve as an early predictor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) years before symptoms appear. The findings, which may potentially offer new targets for treating or preventing Alzheimer's and other dementias, showed that a relatively low level of the protein known as NPTX2 is not only a likely standalone risk factor for MCI and Alzheimer's dementia, but also improves prediction of cognitive impairment after accounting for levels of traditional biomarkers and well-established genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's. The study, conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists on more than 250 primarily middle-aged adults, the vast majority of whom were white, concluded that the findings were consistent with and expand prior studies by establishing that measurements of NPTX2 in cerebrospinal fluid were predictive of MCI onset within or even beyond seven years before symptoms occurred. A report on the study was published July 25 in the Annals of Neurology. According to the Alzheimer's Association, MCI, marked by mild memory loss or challenges with other cognitive processes, such as language or executive function, affects up to 18% of people age 60 and older. People with MCI maintain most normal daily activities, but are known to be at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. It is estimated that 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia, with that number expected to double by 2050. The growing prevalence of dementias has given urgency to the search for better and earlier predictors, and targets for treatments that prevent or slow progression. At present, there is only one FDA-approved drug on the market known to even modestly slow symptoms of Alzheimer's in its early stages, and there are no cures or preventives. "Our research shows declining levels of NPTX2 occur many years prior to the emergence of MCI or Alzheimer's symptoms, which raises the possibility of developing new therapeutics that target NPTX2," says Anja Soldan, Ph.D., associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and corresponding author of the study. "Additionally, it appears that this protein is not a specific marker to just Alzheimer's, and these findings may be relevant to a variety of other neurodegenerative diseases. So if we can find ways of increasing levels of NPTX2, then it could be applied to identify early and possibly treat other types of memory loss or cognitive impairment as well." For the study, which involved adults recruited by the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers conducted baseline medical and cognitive exams on 269 cognitively normal individuals, and collected spinal fluid samples biannually. The average age of participants at baseline was 57.7 years. Nearly all were white, 59% were female, most were college educated and 75% had a close relative with Alzheimer's. NPTX2 levels were measured, as well as the main abnormal proteins found in patients with Alzheimer's, namely beta-amyloid, total tau and phosphor-tau. Subjects underwent clinical and cognitive assessments for an average of 16 years. Results showed: Over time, 77 subjects progressed to MCI or dementia within or after seven years of baseline measurements. Of those participants, 88% were diagnosed with Alzheimer's as a primary or secondary cause of dementia. Those who progressed to MCI had on average of about 15% lower levels of NPTX2 at baseline compared with those who remained unimpaired, a difference that remained significant after accounting for baseline Alzheimer's biomarker levels and genetic factors. Higher levels of baseline tau and phosphor-tau levels were associated with greater decreases in NPTX2 over time, suggesting that NPTX2 may decline in response to tau pathology. "Currently, we only have drugs that modify mild symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and nothing right now to give people who are cognitively normal but at higher risk," Soldan emphasized. But when and if that changes, Soldan adds, having an accurate way to predict such risk will play a large role in targeting treatments. Soldan also cautioned that "we're a long way out" from a simple way to routinely test spinal fluid samples for NPTX2 levels, and further research is needed to determine what factors alter the protein's levels. Potential root causes could be genetics, lifestyle factors or a combination of them. Soldan also underscored the new study's limitations, including the racial and educational makeup of the study population. Additional authors include Marilyn Albert (principal investigator of the BIOCARD study, from which these data were derived), Sungtaek Oh, Taekyung Ryu, Corinne Pettigrew, Yuxin Zhu, Abhay Moghekar, Mei-Fang Xiao, Gregory Pontone, Chan-Hyun Na and Paul Worley from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. For women who are incarcerated and lack access to the internet and other technologies, it can be difficult to navigate an increasingly online world when transitioning back to society. An interdisciplinary team at the University of Kansas has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to expand their employment-related technology education program for women leaving incarceration and Train-the-Trainer program for peer mentors and library practitioners. The three-year, $1.6 million grant will support "Developing Sustainable Ecosystems that will Support Women Transitioning from Incarceration into Technology Careers." KU's Center for Digital Inclusion is leading the project training women leaving incarceration in Kansas and Missouri in digital skills for entry-level positions in the technology sector as well as general employment. The funding also allows the project team to offer workshops for "digital navigators," or peer mentors, who have successfully taken part in previous iterations of the program to guide other women now making the switch. Researchers will also partner with public libraries, employment agencies, and jails and prisons in the two states to make the programs sustainable for the future. "We will be able to expand and improve our existing evidence-based technology education program to include a greater number of women, as well as professional organizations, public libraries and workforce centers," said Hyunjin Seo, Oscar Stauffer Professor of Journalism & Mass Communications and principal investigator for the project. "These days, if you are not able to use digital technology, you are not able to utilize many services in society, whether cultural, social, civic or others. Women transitioning from incarceration face significant challenges in this area." Research has shown that employment is a significant factor in reducing rates of recidivism. The project will help women transitioning from incarceration gain employment through a holistic approach. Participants will learn how to navigate online job applications, secure housing and develop job skills. The digital skills trainings will range from introductory to advanced levels and provide participants with skills from competence with office technologies to building websites, online security, coding and other technology career-specific skills. The education content and topics are determined by the project team's empirical research with women transitioning from incarceration as well as co-design sessions with the women and community partners. The project team includes professors, research staff, graduate students, undergraduate students and digital navigators. The online security portion of this project builds on Seo's participation in an interdisciplinary cybersecurity research team that received KU's Research Rising grant, as well as her past collaborations with Fengjun Li, KU associate professor of computer science and co-principal investigator. Jodi Whitt, a digital navigator in the Center for Digital Inclusion, said her experience learning new skills when leaving incarceration inspired her to help women in a similar situation. "Helping other women in the program has given me a purpose in life that I never dreamed would be possible. I want to be an example to other women, that it is possible to learn new skills. I know how important it is to have someone who understands and believes in me. Having that connection and building those relationships is crucial to help empower and build confidence," Whitt said. "From experience, I also know learning new skills can help reduce recidivism. There is not a lot of opportunities for job training or employment for formerly incarcerated women. This program helps them gain experience and develop confidence for better opportunities in the workforce." Dozens of digital navigators, librarians and employment navigators will receive training on mentorship and teaching as well as advanced technology topics. The project team will begin its work with program participants shortly before they leave jail or prison. Another new feature is an ecosystem approach that is designed to build and strengthen capacity of local communities in supporting individuals with justice involvement. Tanesha Whitelaw, one of the program's digital navigators, said it is all too common to lose technical skills during incarceration. "This training is important to this population because you can easily adapt to an environment which doesn't offer any technical skills or employment skills and you're left behind when you are coming back into society," she said. "Being able to communicate in today's society requires technical skills. The systemic mechanism of communicating is gravitating toward technology, so this will be imperative for to day-to-day functions." During the grant's three-year life cycle, the program aims to support up to 600 women leaving or recently released from jails or prisons in Kansas and Missouri. During that time, researchers will also conduct extensive research and evaluation of the program. They will conduct interviews and surveys before, during and after trainings to gauge their skill levels, how they have improved, employment rates among participants as well as recidivism rates. Data will be combined with information gathered from focus groups with public libraries where trainings take place and with other partners to determine which aspects of the program are most effective and what is needed to enable community organizations to continue the trainings after the grant project. The project, led by the Center for Digital Inclusion in the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, will build on previous efforts to help women transition from incarceration by gaining new skills. KU's Institute for Policy & Social Research manages the grant. Partners and members of the research team also include: Sperm play a critical role in the creation of new life, delivering essentially half of the genetic material required. The success of this process relies on the generation of a developmentally competent sperm cell, which is often determined by shape. Indeed, during in vitro fertilization, the "best-looking" sperm is selected to fertilize an egg. However, how this optimal shape translates to proper sperm function is difficult to assess because of many confounding factors. Researchers at the University of Michigan are now delving into the molecular-level details of sperm formation, with a particular focus on how abnormalities in this process might lead to male-factor infertility. Unlike other cells in the body, sperm possess a unique characteristic-;their genetic material is packed with proteins called protamines. Protamines have been found in various living organisms such as plants, fish, and mammals, spanning hundreds of millions of years of evolution. The significance of this protamine-based packaging system of sperm cells raises an intriguing question: why do sperm use protamines to package DNA instead of histones, which are employed by all other cell types? To uncover the significance of protamines in reproduction, Saher Sue Hammoud, Ph.D., Sy Redding, Ph.D., Lindsay Moritz, Ph.D., Samantha Schon, M.D., and their team conducted an in-depth study of the molecular sequence composition of protamines to understand how variations in the protein effect function. We started looking at protamines because they are in many animal species and are also rapidly evolving, so there's a lot of sequence variation." Saher Sue Hammoud, an associate professor of human genetics, obstetrics and gynecology and urology Most mammals have multiple types of protamines and these need to be maintained in well-defined ratio, and deviations in this ratio have been associated with infertility. Conventional wisdom has it that protamines are particularly efficient at tightly packaging DNA into dense structures called chromatin because they are rich in arginine, a positively charged amino acid that strongly binds to the negatively charged DNA. However, recent studies have shown that protamines also have non-arginine amino acids that are species specific and have unexpected post-translational modifications, that chemically change proteins after they are made. This study, published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, explores previously unrecognized features of protamines. "The molecules that interact and package DNA are known to have positively charged features. What's really beautiful about this work is it reveals other logic embedded in these proteins that we never really considered, other amino acids that are doing very important jobs as well," said Redding, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biotechnology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Furthermore, what was intriguing was the presence of post-translational modifications on protamines, despite the fact that sperm are not transcriptionally active. "The fact that protamines have all of these different modifications on them suggests that these modifications must have some function in chromatin packaging," said Moritz, a postdoctoral fellow in the Hammoud Lab and co-first author on the paper. Using mice, they analyzed a modified lysine residue specific to a mouse protamine and present in mature mouse sperm. Substituting lysine with an alanine amino acid (which cannot be modified) resulted in abnormally shaped sperm, impaired embryonic development, and reduced fertility. What's more surprising was replacing the lysine with a positively charged arginine did not correct the defective sperm packaging, meaning the interactions go beyond the charge of the molecule. Male-factor infertility often lacks a clear cause, which highlights the importance of studying these modifications. Noted Schon, assistant professor in the U-M Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and co-first author on the paper, "I think these modifications are interesting as another avenue of research and identifying the cause of infertility, and the fact that it might play a role in the early embryo has huge significance as a potential diagnostic tool and post-fertilization for IVF." The team hopes to next examine the mechanisms of sperm cell packaging in greater detail in the hopes of recreating the process completely in vitro. For years, we've known that a special kind of molecular assembly known as a "polyelectrolyte complex" helps your cells keep themselves organized. These complexes are very good at forming interfaces to keep two liquids separated: your cells use them to create compartments. These abilities have led scientists to consider them for technological applications, including filtering water, better batteries, and even underwater glue, as well as for better pharmaceutical drugs. But for decades, no one knew exactly how the regions looked inside a polyelectrolyte complex. There are positively charged and negatively charged chains, but how do they line up? Were they arranged in neat alternating lines, or more like what a Russian scientist termed "scrambled eggs"? A new study from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering has laid out the internal structure of polyelectrolyte complexes for the first time. Knowing the molecular structure means you can synthesize them and prepare them more precisely, which creates opportunities for applications." Juan de Pablo, Study Co-Author, the Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory Simulations and scattering A team of scientists led by de Pablo and Matt Tirrell, dean of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and also a senior scientist at Argonne, undertook a years-long exploration to pin down the mystery. First, postdoctoral researchers Artem Rumyantsev (now on the faculty of North Carolina State University) and Heyi Liang developed molecular models and carried out thousands of simulations, as well as theoretical calculations based on statistical mechanics, to understand the most likely way these molecules would assemble. Next, a group led by graduate student Yan Fang and postdoctoral researcher Angelika Neitzel (now at the University of Florida) worked to create precise versions of these molecules in the laboratory and use an advanced technique to determine their structure. One of the few ways to see the fine details of such molecules is with a technique called neutron scattering. This is done by sending beams of neutrons-;the neutral particles that make up atomic nuclei-;at the molecules, and then reconstructing their patterns from the way the neutrons scatter away. But normally, the positively charged and negatively charged chains look the same when you do this. To tell them apart, the researchers used a clever trick. Both chains have hydrogen atoms in them. But the team replaced the hydrogen atoms in the positively charged chains with a very slightly different version of hydrogen, known as deuterium, which shows up differently when the neutrons scatter off it. Using this approach, they could see that the chains did have distinct small-scale repeating patterns, though they were not rigorously ordered over long distances. 'A powerful combination' The scientists explained that once you know the molecular structure for these molecules, you can think about using them for other applications. In addition to being important for understanding how our bodies and biology work, polyelectrolyte complexes' unique abilities make them very attractive to scientists and engineers. "These droplets still have a lot of water with them, which makes their interfacial tension low-;so they tend to encapsulate objects or spread over surfaces and adhere, which are both very useful behaviors," explained Tirrell. "You can use this to deliver drugs in the body, or for things like designing an underwater adhesive." Tirrell added that the study is a model for how theoretical and experimental science groups can work together: "It's a very powerful combination of these two approaches. It wouldn't have happened with either group working in isolation." Neurons produce rhythmic patterns of electrical activity in the brain. One of the unsettled questions in the field of neuroscience is what primarily drives these rhythmic signals, called oscillations. University of Arizona researchers have found that simply remembering events can trigger them, even more so than when people are experiencing the actual event. The researchers, whose findings are published in the journal Neuron, specifically focused on what are known as theta oscillations, which emerge in the brain's hippocampus region during activities like exploration, navigation and sleep. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in the brain's ability to remember the past. Prior to this study, it was believed that the external environment played a more important role in driving theta oscillations, said Arne Ekstrom, professor of cognition and neural systems in the UArizona Department of Psychology and senior author of the study. But Ekstrom and his collaborators found that memory generated in the brain is the main driver of theta activity. Surprisingly, we found that theta oscillations in humans are more prevalent when someone is just remembering things, compared to experiencing events directly." Sarah Seger, lead study author, graduate student in the Department of Neuroscience The results of the study could have implications for treating patients with brain damage and cognitive impairments, including patients who have experienced seizures, stroke and Parkinson's disease, Ekstrom said. Memory could be used to create stimulations from within the brain and drive theta oscillations, which could potentially lead to improvements in memory over time, he said. UArizona researchers collaborated on the study with researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, including neurosurgeon Dr. Brad Lega and research technician Jennifer Kriegel. The researchers recruited 13 patients who were being monitored at the center in preparation for epilepsy surgery. As part of the monitoring, electrodes were implanted in the patients' brains for detecting occasional seizures. The researchers recorded the theta oscillations in the hippocampus of the brain. The patients participated in a virtual reality experiment, in which they were given a joystick to navigate to shops in a virtual city on a computer. When they arrived at the correct destination, the virtual reality experiment was paused. The researchers asked the participants to imagine the location at which they started their navigation and instructed them to mentally navigate the route they just passed through. The researchers then compared theta oscillations during initial navigation to participants' subsequent recollection of the route. During the actual navigation process using the joystick, the oscillations were less frequent and shorter in duration compared to oscillations that occurred when participants were just imagining the route. So, the researchers conclude that memory is a strong driver of theta oscillations in humans. One way to compensate for impaired cognitive function is by using cognitive training and rehabilitation, Ekstrom said. "Basically, you take a patient who has memory impairments, and you try to teach them to be better at memory," he said. In the future, Ekstrom is planning to conduct this research in freely walking patients as opposed to patients in beds and find how freely navigating compares to memory with regard to brain oscillations. "Being able to directly compare the oscillations that were present during the original experience, and during a later retrieval of that is a huge step forward in the field in terms of designing new experiments and understanding the neural basis of memory," Seger said. Future therapies to help people live healthy lives for longer could be developed from drugs that release tiny amounts of the gas hydrogen sulfide (H2S), new research has indicated. A study from the University of Exeter, funded by the US Army and charity The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, found that targeting tiny amounts of H2S to specific areas of cells in adult worms using a H2S-releasing molecule called AP39, greatly improved health and activity as they aged. The research, published in PNAS, concludes that targeting H2S specifically to the energy-generating machinery of cells (mitochondria) could one day be used as a healthy aging therapeutic. The research team administered AP39 to some worms from birth, and to others after reaching adulthood. They found that this compound improved the integrity of mitochondria the "power house" of cells, which produces our cells' energy, and kept the worms' muscles active and moving, even well into old age, and when given mid-way through their life-course. A number of age-related conditions are linked to loss of mitochondrial function, including natural aging, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's as well as muscular dystrophy and primary mitochondrial diseases. The team also found a group of proteins that regulated how genes are expressed in aging (transcription factors). There transcription factors were found to be specifically targeted by H2S. This insight may identify new targets for therapy in aging and age-related conditions, particularly conditions affecting muscle. Senior author Professor Tim Etheridge, of the University of Exeter, said: "Worms are a powerful genetic tool to study human health and disease and offer a strong platform to quickly identify new potential therapeutics. Diseases related to aging take a huge toll on society. Our results indicate that H2S, administered to specific parts of the cell in tiny quantities, could one day be used to help people live healthier for longer. In previous research, the team had found that they could successfully target skeletal muscle with H2S in worms, and the new paper represents the first time this technique has been applied to natural aging. The University of Exeter has assigned the underlying technology to its spin-out MitoRx Therapeutics, which has developed next generation compounds with much better drug characteristics as potential medicines to combat diseases of aging including neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease as well as rare childhood conditions such as muscular dystrophy. This study is not about extending life it's about living healthier lives well into older age. This could have huge benefits to society. We're excited to see this research move to the next stages over the coming years, and hope it will one day form the basis of new treatments which we have the potential to develop with MitoRx. We saw a small extension of lifespan in the worms that were targeted with H2S, and what's unique here is that we extended healthspan or the time they lived healthy lives. The worms still died, albeit later than normally expected, but they died very active and with young physiology." Matt Whiteman, University of Exeter The paper is entitled 'Mitochondrial sulfide promotes lifespan and healthspan through distinct mechanisms in developing versus adult treated Caenorhabditis elegans, and is published in PNAS. In a recent article published in JAMA Network Open, researchers completed an observational cohort study in 268 counties in 22 United States (US) states between January and September 2022 to understand whether the use of at-home COVID-19 tests impacted the determination of community-level COVID-19 incidence via county-level wastewater metrics. Study: Use of Wastewater Metrics to Track COVID-19 in the US. Image Credit: Bilanol/Shutterstock.com Background The national wastewater surveillance system (NWSS) documents and reports wastewater surveillance metrics, including sewershed location identifiers of all 22 participant US states, to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They use this public health departmentmonitored sewer sheds data serving 3,000 people (minimum) to estimate county-level COVID-19 incidence. Availability, uptake, and affordability of at-home COVID-19 tests made them the preferred mode of testing, which led to substantial underestimation of COVID-19 incidence, including new cases and hospitalizations across the US. Likewise, COVID-19 vaccines and medications that reduce disease severity decreased the reliability of the estimates of COVID-19 incidence. The lack of reliable data acquired through wastewater surveillance increases the risk of contracting COVID-19 for all, especially more vulnerable patients in the community. Working in an agnostic manner towards symptomatic, diagnosed, or reported COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, high-res wastewater sequencing helps accurately identify emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and determine the effective reproductive number (Re), a predictor of viral transmission. Yet, the use and adoption of wastewater surveillance in the US are geographically limited due to challenges in interpreting findings with shifting detection methods, wastewater dynamics, and populations served. Per recent estimates, over 70 counties covering >3,500 sites are investing in wastewater surveillance. About the study In the present study, researchers used publically available NWSS data for January-September 2022, when the Omicron VOC was prevalent, to evaluate whether this wastewater SARS-CoV-2 measures data matched with temporally increasing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and formally documented new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the US, assuming that widespread at-home COVID-19 testing would attenuate this association. Additionally, they determined whether it is feasible to operationalize wastewater surveillance metrics for future integration with other diseases. It could help make apt policy decisions about resource allocation to counties with high COVID-19 incidence. Regardless of sample type and quantification method, the sewer sheds quantify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in unconcentrated wastewater/sludge. At 672 and 545 sewer shed sites, they use reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and digital RT-PCR, respectively. Eventually, they presented SARS-CoV-2 concentrations per volume of wastewater. The team analyzed NWSS-collated metrics encompassing wastewater percentile for a facility, i.e., the current SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in ascending/descending order relative to peak and the all-time lowest point at that facility, the wastewater percentage change in virus concentration, and wastewater samples with detectable virus concentrations in the preceding 15 days but with focus on the first two NWSS-collated measures. All included US counties submitted at least one week of January 2022 data and data for >50% of the coming weeks, which decreased fluctuations in percentile metrics by assessment date. The team aggregated data from each sewer shed under a county creating a weighted average; the sewer shed serving the highest population had the most weight to the average county-level COVID-19 incidence estimate. After primary analysis, the team reported new COVID-19 cases and inpatient admissions per 100,000. They evaluated the association of two wastewater metrics (the test of interest) with clinical case metrics for 2022. Moreover, they used logistic regression to determine whether combining two wastewater metrics was associated with a high incidence of COVID-19 at the community level, accounting for wastewater percentile, change, and variable interactions. In sensitivity analyses, the team assessed wastewater percentile performance in small and large counties, defined by criteria outlined by US Census Bureau. Importantly, the number of counties analyzed varied every week. Results During the study period, 268 of 730 wastewater treatment counties with an average population of 95,938 across the US submitted their wastewater metrics. Consistent with national data, new COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates were lower in the second quarter but higher in the first and third quarters, with the highest incidence of new COVID-19 cases in the first quarter of 2022 since the start of the pandemic. Furthermore, the authors noted a direct correlation between wastewater percentile and SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, even though it became less evident in the third quarter despite high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater as measured by facility percentile, indicating an increasing dissociation between community viral prevalence and reports of infection to health departments due to increasing at-home COVID-19 testing. Moreover, as population immunity increased due to prior infection and vaccination, COVID-19related hospitalizations decreased; thus, the authors observed an increasing dissociation between wastewater and new COVID-19-related hospitalization rates. Conclusions The current time-series analysis of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater metrics incorporating NWSS-monitored sewer sheds in the US reported to the CDC showed that an aggregate measure of the percentage of maximum wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentration could help estimate county-level COVID-19 prevalence. Intriguingly, US counties documenting lengthier historical data from January 2022 provided the most reliable estimates. The study findings rationalize the operationalization of wastewater surveillance data to inform public policy actions targeted to protect COVID-19 vulnerable populations. In addition, policymakers could integrate wastewater metrics with school attendance or emergency department visits for other respiratory or viral illnesses, e.g., influenza. The CDC continues to update NWSS data, which they could use during a future pandemic as an early signal of a local disease outbreak and monitoring circulating viral variants. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy. The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat. Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesdays indictment, with charges including conspiring to defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the bedrock function of democracy. Its the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next year's Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power. The attack on our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, said Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. The Trump campaign called the charges fake and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them. Trump was the only person charged in Tuesday's indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them. The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to exploit the violence and chaos by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Bidens victory. It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President Mike Pence that give gravitas to Trumps relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation derided him as too honest to stop the certification. Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters and even some of his rivals as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history. The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the riot at the Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that more than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says. Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he "repeated and widely disseminated them anyway to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election. The document carefully outlined arguments that Trump has been making to defend his conduct, that he had every right to challenge the results, to use the courts, even to lie about it in the process. But in stark detail, the indictment outlines how the former president instead took criminal steps to reverse the clear verdict voters had rendered. The indictment had been expected since Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding. The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution in this case, the right to vote. The mounting criminal cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself. In New York, state prosecutors have charged Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial is set to begin in March. In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts, accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. That trial begins in May. Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks. Smith's team has cast a broad net as part of his federal investigation, with his team questioning senior Trump administration officials, including Pence, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results. Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors. Giuliani was not named in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a good-faith basis for the actions he took. Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Departments public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trumps retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as deranged and called him politically motivated, Smiths past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats. The Justice Departments investigations began well before Smiths appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Lindsay Whitehurst, Nomaan Merchant, Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington, Jill Colvin in New York, Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Nick Riccardi in Denver, Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Claudia Lauer in Bensalem, Pa., contributed to this report. Birmingham's Pepper Place has a striking new addition to its teeming farmers' market and noted food offerings -; a multimillion-dollar cancer research laboratory. The lab is IN8bio's new research and development facility in the Martin Biscuit Building at Pepper Place. This R&D space has about 6,000 square feet of wet lab space and around 4,000 square feet for offices, conferences and break areas. IN8bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel cellular therapies for cancer, with deep roots in cutting-edge cancer research developed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and other prominent institutes in the southern United States. "IN8bio is committed to Birmingham, and we are dedicated to bringing new treatments for difficult-to-treat cancers and leveraging the power of gamma-delta T cells to develop therapies that can eradicate cancer, a vision we refer to as Cancer Zero," said William Ho, CEO and co-founder of IN8bio. Lawrence Lamb, Ph.D., former UAB professor of Medicine and senior scientist in the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, is chief scientific officer and co-founder of IN8bio. IN8bio has received FDA clearance to launch INB-400, a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial that will target newly diagnosed glioblastoma brain tumors, using IN8bio's proprietary gamma-delta T cell immunotherapy. The national multicenter trial will be an IN8bio-sponsored trial with Burt Nabors, M.D., a professor of neurology at UAB and a senior scientist in the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, as the lead investigator. The study will assess safety, efficacy and tolerability of genetically modified DeltEx drug-resistant immunotherapy, or DRI, cells at leading medical centers across the United States, IN8bio says. Last month, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, Annual Meeting, IN8bio updated its positive Phase 1 glioblastoma results. They reported that 100 percent of eight treated patients to-date have exceeded historical median progression-free survival. Two patients who received three doses have remained progression-free at 23.5 and 19.4 months, respectively. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of cancer originating in the brain. In April, IN8bio announced that its INB-100 leukemia clinical trial, using the company's DeltEx gamma-delta T cells, had 100 percent of treated patients in durable, complete remissions up to three years. In addition to progress in glioblastoma and leukemia, IN8bio last May announced positive preclinical data in ovarian cancer, underscoring the potential of its DeltEx gamma-delta T cells to target and kill ovarian cancer. The DRI technology uses gamma-delta T cells, and it is licensed from the UAB Research Foundation and two other institutions. Gamma-delta T cells are a specialized population of T cells that possess unique properties, including the ability to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue. The cells are used in a synergistic combination with chemotherapy. IN8bio has other Alabama roots besides its Pepper Place home. The UAB spinoff was incubated as a startup in Birmingham's Innovation Depot for four years. The company employees also have many ties to Birmingham, including Samantha Youngblood, IN8bio's senior lab manager, who worked in Lamb's UAB lab while she was earning her biology degree in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. Caitlyn Lucas and Becca Weekly earned their master's degrees in clinical laboratory sciences at the UAB School of Health Professions. The company is continuing to build their team through additional hires, and the new facility is a cornerstone of their commitment to building in Birmingham. The roots even extend back to high school. As teenagers, both Youngblood and Caryn Jones, a key IN8bio employee in the Birmingham R&D facility, attended Spain Park High School in Hoover, Alabama. Lucas attended Chilton County High School. IN8bio will be hosting a grand opening celebration Thursday, Aug. 10, providing an opportunity for local leaders and media to learn about IN8bio's mission, its efforts to bring novel cancer therapies to patients in need and its dedication to establishing a cutting-edge biotechnology presence in Birmingham. "By combining our business headquarters in New York City with our scientific operations in Birmingham, IN8bio capitalizes on the strengths of both locations," Ho said. "This strategic setup allows the company to harness the vibrant ecosystem in New York City while benefiting from the rich cancer research heritage and local growth opportunities in Birmingham, Alabama." At UAB, Medicine and Neurology are departments in the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine. UAB intellectual property is licensed through the Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In a recent article published in JAMA Network Open, researchers did a retrospective population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, to determine coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates for refugee, nonimmigrant, and immigrant children and adolescents (five to 11 and 12 to 17 years, respectively). Study: COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Immigrant, Refugee, and Nonimmigrant Children and Adolescents in Ontario, Canada. Image Credit: DrazenZigic/Shutterstock.com Introduction They accessed data through the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), a nonprofit research institute that collates and provides healthcare data for health system evaluation. It helped the researchers analyze data for children and adolescents in Ontario collected between May 9 and August 2, 2022. All these minors had registered in the Universal Ontario Health Insurance Program for at least one year starting January 1, 2021. Background Studies have found that racialized populations, e.g., Arab, Black, and Latin Americans who migrate to North America, including the United States of America (USA) and Canada, have a higher hesitancy to vaccinate their children for COVID-19 because of their cultural beliefs, religious beliefs and poor experiences with the health system despite adequate supply and accessibility to vaccines through public health care systems. Since COVID-19 has adversely affected pediatric populations worldwide, US and Canadian public health guidance strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for children and adolescents. Health Canada authorized a $1.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine campaign in December 2020 with a strong focus on vaccine's equitable distribution, first for healthcare workers and older individuals, and for adolescents by May 2021 and children by November 2021. The adolescent vaccination campaign focused on highly diverse populations, including immigrants and essential workers, because in Ontario, Canada's largest province, 30% of people identify as immigrants, of whom ~70% are racial minorities. Within three months of immigrant and refugee arrival in Canada, they are insured through provincial insurance or a temporary federal program. Those who lack proper documents are also offered free primary care through community healthcare centers, which makes all Ontario residents eligible for free COVID-19 vaccinations. About the study In the present study, researchers made two assumptions for evaluating the success of COVID-19 vaccine campaigns run in Ontario, Canada, for minors of immigrants and refugees. First, they hypothesized that COVID-19 vaccine coverage would be higher and homogenous in adolescents than in children. Second, they assumed that the COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate between immigrant and refugee groups would vary with immigration category and country/region of origin. They stratified the study cohort based on the COVID-19 vaccine campaigns run in 2021 in Ontario, covering adolescents by May 2021 and children by November 2021. The two outcome exposures of the current study were immigrant\refugee status, region of origin, and generation (first/second) of immigrant minors, including their immigration category and time of immigration (recency). Likewise, the two study outcomes were crude COVID-19 vaccination rates, defined as one or more than one vaccine dose for children and two or more than two vaccine doses for adolescents. The team used a logistic regression model to model the association of the immigrant category with vaccination across the study cohort, including all covariates, age, gender, other pediatric diseases, receipt of influenza vaccine in 2019/2020, primary health care model, and COVID-19 history. They also performed a generation-stratified analysis of first- and second-generation immigrants and refugees, including key mediators, like the material deprivation quintile. Finally, the team used time-to-event models to compute adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) associated with the first vaccination dose with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and health system factors. Results The study cohort had ~2.2 million minors, of which 1,098,749 and 1,142,429 were children and adolescents, respectively. Both groups had 51.3% males, and their median ages were 7.06 and 14 years, respectively. In the cohort comprising children, 4.8% and 23.4% were first- and second-generation immigrants or refugees, whereas in adolescents, their numbers were 9.2% and 19.4%, respectively. The regions of origin of immigrant and refugee minors were South Asia, followed by the Middle East. As expected, immigrants, especially refugees, lived in neighborhoods with the highest material deprivation, a construct based on the census-based Ontario Marginalization Index. In Ontario, Canada, COVID-19 vaccination coverage was 53.1% and 79.2% in immigrant children and adolescents, respectively, compared with nonimmigrants. The authors noted marked variations within immigrant groups based on region of origin in first- and second-generation immigrants and refugees. This heterogeneity persisted even after adjusting for immigration category and sociodemographic factors. In models stratified by generation, the authors noted an association between the region of origin and vaccine uptake, compared with the overall rate, with the lowest odds observed in immigrants and refugees from East Europe and Central Africa (children: aOR, 0.40 vs. 0.24; adolescents: aOR, 0.41 vs. 0.51; 95% CI). The highest odds were in minors from Southeast Asia (children and adolescents: aORs=2.68 vs. 4.42; 95% CI). Vaccination aORs among immigrant and refugee minors from regions with the lowest vaccine coverage did not vary with generations. Conclusions The current population-based study demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination coverage was lower among immigrant minors, and the observed heterogeneity by region of origin was substantial and persisted across generations. Thus, precision public health approaches should target immigrants, especially refugee minors, in ongoing vaccine campaigns. LPG Cylinder Rates: Oil marketing companies have cut the price of 19 kg LPG gas cylinders across the country. There has been a reduction of Rs 100 in Delhi. At the same time, a reduction of around Rs 93 has been made in other metros. Now 19 kg cylinder will be available in Delhi for Rs 1680, which was till now available for Rs 1780. These prices have come into effect from 1 August 2023 i.e. from today. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has updated the new rates on its website. Talking about other metros, the commercial cylinder in Kolkata will be available for Rs 1802.50 instead of Rs 1895.50. After this, instead of Rs 1733.50 in Mumbai, now a 19 kg gas cylinder will be available for Rs 1640.50. The cylinder available for Rs 1945 in Chennai has now become Rs 1852.50 (reduction of Rs 92.50). Significantly, the price of gas cylinder has been reduced by Rs 93 in Kolkata and Mumbai. The rates of 19 kg LPG cylinder were last revised on July 4 this year. Meanwhile, prices of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders or domestic cooking gas cylinders have not been revised. Prices of cooking gas cylinders for domestic use were last revised on March 1 this year. A non-subsidised 14.2 kg LPG cylinder costs Rs 1,103 in Delhi, Rs 1,129 in Kolkata, Rs 1,102.50 in Mumbai, and Rs 1,118.50 in Chennai. LPG cylinder rates are revised on the first day of every month. LPG cylinder rates were increased for the first time in June after price cuts in April, May and June. LPG cylinder prices were last hiked on March 1 by Rs 50 per cylinder, after which rates were slashed by Rs 91.50 per cylinder in April and by Rs 171.50 in May. LPG cylinder prices were slashed by Rs 83.50 per cylinder in June. How to Check LPG Prices in Your City? You can see the price of LPG in your city by visiting the website of IOCL. Not only this, you can also check the list of its previous prices in metros. For this, you have to go to the website of IOCL and go to the option of Indian Oil for You. In this, go down to the list that opens and go to Indian Oil for Media. Here you will see an option with the price of the petroleum product. Click it and you will be able to see the price of all petroleum products here. Stocks to Watch on August 1: Nifty futures traded 4.5 points, or 0.02 per cent, higher at 19,890.50, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for a muted start on Tuesday. Heres a slew of stocks that will be in focus today for various reasons. Q1FY24 results today: Anant Raj, Anupam Rasayan India, Aptus Value Housing Finance India, Adani Total Gas, Bikaji Foods International, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Deep Industries, Elantas Beck India, Escorts Kubota, Gujarat Mineral Development Corp, Godrej Agrovet, Harsha Engineers International, Kirloskar Brothers, K.P.R. Mill, Maharashtra Seamless, Metro Brands, MPS, Orient Cement, Paushak, PVR Inox, Redington, Sansera Engineering, Syrma SGS Technology, Savita Oil Technologies, Thermax, Thyrocare Technologies, Triveni Turbine, Ugro Capital, Welspun Enterprises. Maruti Suzuki India: Indias largest carmaker, on Monday, reported a 145.31 per cent jump in its first quarter net profit at Rs 2,485 crore, for financial year 2023-24 (Q1FY24). SEparately, MSI said its board has approved termination of the contract manufacturing agreement and exercising the option to acquire the shares of Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Ltd (SMG) from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). Cochin Shipyard: CSL has been upgraded from Schedule B to Schedule A CPSE by the Government of India. This upgradation of CSL to Schedule A recognises CSLs strong financial performance and operational efficiency. Power Grid Corporation: Power Grid, on Monday, reported a 5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,597 crore in the first quarter of FY24. Revenue from operations rose 1 per cent to Rs 11,048 crore. That apart, the companys Board has recommended bonus issue in the ratio of 1:3, and has also approved raising of funds up to Rs 12,000 crore from the domestic market through bonds under private placement during FY25 in one or more tranches. ITC: The Board of Directors of the company is scheduled on August 14, 2023, to consider and approve the unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results for the June quarter. Further, the Board will also consider the Scheme of Arrangement for the demerger of Hotels Business. JBM Auto: During the June quarter of FY24, the companys consolidated sales stood at Rs 94.62 crore compared to R 86.50 crore a year ago. Revenue, meanwhile, was Rs 950 crore compared to Rs 869.53 crore YoY. Its profit came in at Rs 30.18 crore vs Rs 25.81 crore YoY. The Board has approved raising of funds up to Rs 500 crore. Separately, the company said JBM Electric Vehicles Private Limited, a subsidiary of the company, has commenced its commercial operation at its new Electric Buses manufacturing plant situated at Haryana. Auto stocks: Shares of automobile manufacturers will be in focus today as the companies will annoucne their monthly sales for July. State Bank of India: State Bank of India (SBI) said it has raised Rs 10,000 crore at a coupon rate of 7.54 per cent through its third infrastructure bond issuance. The proceeds from the bonds would be utilised in enhancing long-term resources for funding infrastructure and the affordable housing segment, SBI said in a statement. Oberoi Realty: Oberoi Realty, on Monday, reported a 20.2 per cent fall in quarterly consolidated profit, at Rs 322 crore, hurt by weaker sales and higher expenses. Oberois booking value dropped by 37.5 per cent year-on-year dragging revenue from operations to Rs 910 crore, slightly lower than last year. Meanwhile, total expenses surged by nearly 10 per cent driven by a spike in operating costs. Gas stocks: The central government raised the price of domestic natural gas on Monday to $7.85 per million British thermal units for August from $7.48 per mBtu in July. The gas produced from the nomination fields of ONGC and Oil India will have a ceiling of $6.50/mBtu, according to a notification by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell. Bosch: The automaker, on Monday, reported a 22.4 per cent YoY jump in net profit at Rs 408.9 crore for the June quarter. The total revenue stood at Rs 4,158.4 crore during the quarter, up 17.3 per cent on year. It also said that cleaner fuels, green hydrogen and electrification take center stage in their commitment to a climate-neutral future. Bosch India will showcase the BS6 stage 2 hydrogen engine truck, by early 2024. Easy Trip Planners: The Board of Directors of the company has approved to acquire 51 per cent stake in Guideline Travels Holidays India Private Limited, Dook Travels Private Limited, and Tripshope Travel Technologies Private Limited. The proposed acquisitions will be paid by way of issuance of its equity. The Board has also in-principally approved the raising of up to Rs 90 crore by way of issuance of equity shares in one or more tranches through preferential allotment or any other mode. Lupin: According to reports, Lupin Pharmaceuticals has announced the voluntary recall of two lots of the pregnancy prevention drug Tydemy (drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol and levomefolate calcium tablets 3mg/0.03mg/0.451mg and levomefolate calcium tablets 0.451mg) in the US. South Indian Bank: The lender will raise Rs 1,000 crore via QIP, FPO, Rights Issue and other methods. It has also agreed to additionally raise Rs 500 crore via debt. LIC Housing Finance: The company has announced that Yerur Viswanatha Gowd has tendered his resignation as the chief executive officer upon attainment of superannuation from service of Life Insurance Corporation of India with effect from the end of office hours on July 31, 2023. Reliance Industries and Brookfield Asset Management signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the manufacturing of renewable energy and decarbonisation equipment in Australia. The MoU aims to accelerate and de-risk Australias energy transition by enabling it to locally produce clean energy equipment such as photovoltaic modules, long-duration battery storage, and components for wind energy, the company said in a press release. This will help Australia transition to a net zero future, it added. In March this year, Brookfield had also signed a binding agreement with EIG to acquire Origin Energy. The proposed acquisition is currently going through the relevant approvals processes. According to a report by Moneycontrol, as part of its proposed acquisition of the Origin Energy Markets division, Brookfield along with its institutional partners and global institutional investors GIC and Temasek have set out a plan to invest between A$20 billion and A$30 billion over the next ten years to accelerate its energy transition. We are establishing these types of global partnerships in manufacturing now to allow us to get started as quickly as possible given the ever-reducing timeline for Australia to reach its first emissions-reductions targets in 2030," Luke Edwards, Brookfield Renewable Head of Australia, said. Indias clean energy sector, which is expected to grow to a $200-billion market and see cumulative spending of $2 trillion by 2050, is the next key trigger for Reliance Industries stock, financial services firm Bernstein has said. We believe the clean-energy business to be worth Rs 200 a share today but with plenty of scope for expansion over time," Bernstein said in a June 9 report. The value is nearly 8 percent of the companys current market price of around Rs 2,500 a share. It expects RIL to potentially achieve $10 billion of revenue from the new energy business in 2030, which represents 40 percent of the TAM (total addressable market). Disclosure: News18.com is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. If there is a tie and more than two candidates have the same CUET UG 2023 merit score for a certain program and college combination, the following procedures will be followed in the following order to break the tie: 1. Preference will be given to the applicant with the highest percentage of overall marks in the top three XII class subjects. 2. Preference will be given to the applicant with the highest percentage of overall marks in the top four XII class subjects. 3. Candidates will be given precedence if they have a higher proportion of overall marks in the top 5 XII subjects. 4. The candidates age; preference will be given to those with a younger birthdate (as shown on the Class X certificate). The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras) has called for applications to the courses being offered by its first international campus the Zanzibar campus. It will offer academic programmes starting in October 2023. The IIT Madras Zanzibar campus is offering a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in data science and AI and a two-year Master of Technology degree in Data Science and AI. The programmes are open to students of all nationalities, including Indians. The last date to apply is August 5 at the official website at zanzibar.iitm.ac.in. Information including fees, accommodation, and living costs, sample question papers, financial aid, and other details may be found on the website. Financial assistance is available to deserving, meritorious students, the official press release stated. Also read| IIT Madras Begins Application For its First-Ever BS in Electronic Systems Programme Apart from a comprehensive curriculum that includes all aspects of data science and artificial intelligence, students will have access to several interesting opportunities during their course of study. These include study abroad/semester exchange programmes with IITMs partner institutions in the UK and Australia, among other countries, internships with various relevant companies, and a chance to meet some of the course requirements at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai, India," reads the official release. Elaborating on the admission process, Prof Preeti Aghalayam, director-in-charge, Zanzibar campus, IIT Madras, said, The selection process will include a screening test (which is an aptitude test, covering mathematics, science, English and analytical ability), and interviews with faculty. Students who have cleared class 12, Form VI or equivalent in the past three years are eligible to apply to the BS program while those with a four-year UG degree in any engineering/science discipline may apply to the MTech programme. IIT Madras will develop a screening test for the admission process that will be different from the JEE Advanced and will focus on analytical ability and English, Aghalayam had said earlier. She will be the first-ever woman to lead an IIT. Due to heavy rain on July 24, the university postponed 15 exams. The exams for first-and second-year students at the Institute of Distance and Open Learning were also postponed for the January session of 2023. The remaining exam papers for various courses will be conducted on August 5. The University of Mumbai recently released the revised dates for exams of various courses that were postponed due to heavy rains in the city on July 27. Through an official notice, the University informed that the pending exams of second-year Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Legislative Law (BBA LLB) candidates of both Semesters 3 and 4 will be conducted on August 8. Meanwhile, the exams for Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) and Master in Physical Education (MPEd) which were scheduled on July 27 will be held today, August 1. The students of Semester 1 of Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) and MSc (Research) will have to appear for the pending examination on August 11. The official notification further stated that the remaining exam papers of various courses will be conducted on August 5. According to the notice, Mumbai University has informed the director of the Institute of Distance and Open Learning, heads of several university departments, principals of associated colleges, and co-coordinators of all sub-centres about the revised dates. Due to heavy rain on July 24, the university postponed 15 exams. The exams for first-and second-year students at the Institute of Distance and Open Learning were also postponed for the January session of 2023. On July 27, the University of Mumbai announced a holiday for its associated colleges. In addition to the University of Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also declared a holiday for all government and private institutions and colleges. The decision was made after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city on Thursday. Mumbai University Exams 2023: Revised Schedule Recent technology, including ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, has undoubtedly made work easier on one side, but it has also sparked concerns about potential job displacement. As AI systems become more advanced, there is a growing fear that human jobs may be replaced, posing a threat to various industries. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, around 27 per cent of all jobs rely on skills that can be automated using AI. Professions such as lawyers, economists and writers are already experiencing the impact of AI tools. However, there is one sector that seems to be immune to these technological advancements. Research suggests that religion is one field where humans are likely to remain superior to AI. Every religious group requires human involvement for its functioning. The sustenance of religion heavily relies on the consistent efforts of priests and preachers, a role that technology cannot replace. In a study conducted by the Journal of Experimental Psychology, it was found that AI programs can actually reduce credibility and donations. For instance, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan experimented with a human-like silicon face that delivered a 25-minute heart sutra based on Buddhist philosophy. However, people preferred listening to a human priest and were more convinced to donate when a real person was involved, rather than a recorded AI performance. Similar observations were made in a Taoist temple in Singapore and during an online Christian sermon in the United States, where human involvement was valued more than AI-generated content. Another experiment involved sermons written by ChatGPT, with the public informed that these large-language sermons were created by artificial intelligence, not human priests. The research revealed that people found such AI-generated content less credible, as human priests often talk about intangible energies and beliefs that cannot be explained scientifically. These experiments collectively show that people consistently prefer human knowledge and experience, especially in matters of religion. They are inclined to rely on traditional and authentic ways of doing things rather than content generated by AI technologies. Television and film actor Raqesh Bapat has worried his fans after sharing a photo from a hospital bed on his social media handle. The actor did not disclose the reason for his hospitalization. Nothing much has been reported about his sudden hospitalization. Taking to his official Instagram handle, the actor shared a video in which we can see him getting drips in his hand. Raqesh was also hospitalized in 2021 due to a kidney stone. He was then part of the reality show Bigg Boss OTT but had to leave the show midway. Well, the Tum Bin actor did not return to the show. He took to social media to pen a gratitude note for his fans and said that had it not been for his health, he would have entertained us all. Take a look at the photo here: Raqesh wrote, I formed a special connection through this journey which has become precious, one which you guys have with love named ShaRa. We both are proud to have all of you in our lives and for us the Lens of positivity is most important! So keep the positivity flowingRemember if it wasnt for my health I would be entertaining you inside the house. I never wanted to leave without a proper goodbye but little did I know in that pain, that it will become my exit! Yet all I can say is this was one small part of the journey, our connection continues for a life time as Im looking forward to being back on my feet soon to entertain all of you! Que Sera Sera Lots of Love, RaQ." On the work front, he is not seen much on the screen these days. Raqesh is known for his work in films like Tum Bin, Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai, Vrundavan and Savita Damodar Paranjape. He also tried his luck in television and worked in shows like Saat Phere Saloni Ka Safar, Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? and Qubool Hai. Press Release August 1, 2023 In the implementation of PH e-visa 'National security, human trafficking must be top of mind'--Sen. Nancy ...says personal appearances necessary for certain categories Senator Nancy Binay today urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to make personal appearance at consular offices as a non-negotiable requirement for some categories applying for e-visas. Binay welcomed the pilot implementation of Philippines' first-ever electronic visa on August 24 but also urged the foreign affairs department to come up with better homeland security policies to avoid being circumvented by non-technical loopholes, and to lessen the probability of organized syndicates exploiting tour groups and junkets. "We welcome the implementation of e-visas not only to positively boost tourism, but also as our commitment to facilitate ease of travel. In the same vein, we urge the DFA and NICA to refine national security policies to deter undesirable travelers from extra-legally bypassing immigration laws. Alam naman nating marami ring pumupunta sa Pilipinas na iba ang pakay--mas i-review natin ang mga sistema at exemptions to avoid any misuse and abuse by some foreign nationals," she pointed out. Electronic visa (e-visa) is the digital version of the standard visa that allows foreign travelers to enter a certain country for a specific period or purpose. In lieu of physical holographic stamps or stickers on the passport, applicants instead receive an e-visa approval code which is linked to their passports. She noted that digitalization should improve ease of travel without compromising national security. "Though the e-visa system temporarily gives us an opportunity to recover and jumpstart Philippine tourism, kailangan natin magkaroon ng serious strategic decision on embracing the system as a modern travel solution. Every visa decision has a national security dimension. Certain parameters on security should be in place, and apply a multi-layered safety plug plus a face-to-face interview to a narrow category of travelers para talagang salang-sala ang mga pumapasok sa bansa," Binay added. The senator said that vetting on TOC-related grounds, and extensive security screening should be the prime considerations in approving visa applications. "Mas laganap ngayon ang transnational crimes lalo na ang human trafficking and prostitution na mula Mainland China. Gaano ba kasigurado tayo na ang nabibigyan natin ng e-visa eh talagang mga lehitimong turista? As a matter of national interest, I share the DFA's position to require face-to-face interviews with tourist visa applicants whose profiles fall in marked categories," Binay explained. The senator advised the DFA to proceed with caution, and added that the Bureau of Immigration should also have a system to check on foreign nationals overstaying in the country. According to Binay, considering that the Philippines is the only ASEAN country with a Tier 1 status under the US State Department's annual human trafficking report, DFA cannot turn a blind eye on media reports involving alleged trafficking of Chinese workers to the country. "Lalo pa ngayong unti-unti nang nanunumbalik ang turismo--we also cannot ignore that China is a big market. I share the opinion that we have to take advantage of the global 'revenge tourism' phenomenon, but targeting visitor quotas need not dilute national security interests. At the end of the day, safety nets in homeland security should be in place. Visa applicants must demonstrate their eligibility for an e-visa be it for tourism, business or emergencies purposes. The policy must apply to all foreign nationals, and we always have to be on the side of caution and prudence," Binay noted. DFA is scheduled to pilot the e-visa on August 24 starting with China and India. The Philippine e-visa will later allow foreign travelers to enter the country for tourism and business to apply for temporary visas online. A Charlottesville woman is asking the public's assistance to find her missing food truck. Khadijas Kitchen's food truck was last seen at Seminole Square Shopping Center in a permitted parking spot around 2 p.m. last Thursday. When business owner Khadija Hemmati returned Friday evening, the 14-foot black trailer was gone. The trailers license plate number is 318429TM, she said. I cried a lot on Saturday. So many people and this community have supported me, and I dont know how long insurance will be able to cover for me, Hemmati told The Daily Progress. My family and I are hurting right now. We have lost our only income. Hemmati said she was well on her way to achieving the American dream. The single mother of five immigrated from Afghanistan nearly seven years ago seeking a better life. She was naturalized last Fourth of July. I wanted to focus on my business and create the best service and high-quality food. A year after my family moved here, I got divorced and am the only one to provide for my five kids, Hemmati said. I wanted to introduce Afghan food to the area because it is not well known. Hemmati quit her job in 2018 to pursue her passion full-time and has traveled the commonwealth serving up Afghan cuisine. I traveled around the state to Williamsburg, Richmond, Charlottesville and throughout Albemarle with my kids for the last few years. I have been trying to achieve my dream, Hemmati said. We were working hard to improve business and expand to bigger levels, and we were doing great. Her business was going so well that she was able to secure a loan to buy a food truck in May. The truck helped me and my five kids improve our business. We didnt have to run around as a vendor selling out of a tent and unloading and reloading stuff into the back of the car. We were able to become more professional, Hemmati said. The truck was outfitted with state-of-the-art new equipment that provided everything the business needed to continue to grow, she said. We had a stove, an oven, a fridge, a freezer, tables, a specially made sink, a water heater, a generator, two propane tanks and more inside of the truck. Everything that we needed to operate the business was inside, and it was all brand new, Hemmati said. She did not, however, have enough money to purchase a logo to put on the side of the trailer, she said. Now she fears it will make the lost food truck harder to find. I am really upset I didnt have enough money to put a logo. If we had a logo, the trailer would have been much harder to steal. Its really easy to sell a trailer without a logo, Hemmati said. Hemmati said she is worried about how she is going to provide for her kids and pay upcoming bills. I dont know what to do right now. I have so many bills I have to pay and have so many events coming up. Without the food truck, I dont know how much longer Ill last, Hemmati said through tears. Since it's missing, I already have lost a lot of business on Saturday where we were supposed to sell at a local winery. Also, so many events were coming up for me as the summer continued. Hemmati has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help her and her children while police search for the missing food truck. While she said she has been in contact with police, the Charlottesville Police Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Daily Progress on the matter. Anyone with information is asked to contact the anonymous CrimeStoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000. Jennifer Mistry left everyone shocked earlier this year when she accused Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi of sexual harassment. While the case is now being probed, the former Mrs Roshan Sodhi has levelled fresh allegations. In a recent interview, Jennifer claimed that even police officials are discouraging her in the case against Asit Modi. The police is discouraging me and taking things very slow. Wo cheezo ko taal rahe hain. I am very upset because jaha par justice ke liye fight kar rahi hu, waha ye sab ho raha hai. I have also reached out to higher authorities for the same, she told Hindustan Times. This comes days after Jennifer also accused Asit Modi of influencing a key witness in her case - Gurucharan Singh Sodhi. The actress questioned Modis intentions and claimed he cleared Gurucharans pending dues just after he became a witness in her case. Gurucharan used to play the role of Jennifers husband in TMKOC. He (Gurucharan) knows all the things. Also, I would like to give the background that in May 2023, Gurucharan had himself called me and had assured me that he would be a witness for me in the court. He had categorically told me he would not comment in the media but he will come to the court to support me," she told E-Times. Suddenly, on June 9th when I went to meet him, he told me he was called to office on June 8th all of a sudden and all his outstanding dues which were pending since the last three and a half years were cleared. All the pending dues were cleared which were stuck. I realised then and there now he would not speak in my favour. I did not tell him anything, but he told me that he can be the neutral person between Asit Modi and me who can get us to sit across and discuss," the actress added. For the unversed, in May this year, Jennifer Mistry filed a complaint against Asit Kumarr Modi, TMKOC Project Head Sohail Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj of alleged sexual harassment at the workplace. The three have been booked under sections 354 and 509 (Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Parliament is the temple of democracy and parliamentary procedures the rites by which the will of the people is translated into practice. But the terms and jargon involved in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha processes can be difficult to grasp. The News18 series, House Talk, brings you a ready reckoner to make sure that none of it is Greek to you. The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 28 amid disruptions in the House over Manipur violence. The Bill comes six years after the IIM Act, 2017 was made and implemented from January 31, 2018, declaring the 20 IIMs across the country as institutions of national importance and conferring them with greater autonomy in both administration and academic functioning. However, the Centre has now gone into the reverse gear. It has proposed a draft bill to amend the 2017 Act seeking to limit the autonomy the premium B-schools enjoyed so far. In what comes across as a step back, until 2017, it was, in fact, the government who would appoint the directors, chairpersons and board members to IIMs. Tabled amid disruptions, the bill will now come up for consideration and passage this week. What the draft bill proposes? The draft bill introduced in the Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session by union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan seeks to appoint the President of India as the Visitor to the IIMs. The Visitor will have powers to conduct an audit of their functioning, order inquiries as well as appoint or remove its chairpersons of the board of governors and directors a move that could limit the autonomy of the institutes. The Visitor may appoint one or more persons to review the work and progress of any institute and to hold inquiries into the affairs thereof and to report thereon in such manner as the Visitor may direct, the draft bill stated. It also proposes that the search-cum-selection panel for the directors appointment will have a Visitors nominee. the services of the director may be terminated by the Visitor, in such a manner as may be prescribed, the draft read. According to the bill, the Visitor can also appoint the chairperson of the coordination forums of each IIMs. These forums are set up for coordination among all institutes on achieving common policy objectives. In India, the President is the Visitor to all central universities as well as IITs and is empowered to appoint its vice-chancellors and directors. What are the existing rules under IIM Act, 2017? Currently, IIMs are allowed greater autonomy to be run by its board of governors, with each institute having 19 members including only one representative each from central and state governments. The board has the power to take policy decisions related to administration and working of the institutes. The chairperson of the board of governors is appointed by the board itself. The members could be eminent persons distinguished in the field of education, science, industry, technology and management, among others. The board of governors is the highest decision-making body of each IIM with the power to appoint search-cum-selection panels for appointments of new directors as well as decide their pay (as per rules laid down by the Centre), create posts, establish departments, approve annual budgets and determine fees. Scenario before the 2017 Act Before 2017, the chairpersons to the board of governors and the directors for each of the IIMs were appointed by the Centre just as in the case of IITs or AIIMS. Also, the IIMs, till 2017, would only grant diploma for postgraduate courses and not degrees. The IIM Act gave the institutions degree-granting power. What is the tussle between Centre and IIMs? The top management schools ran into conflict with the Centre over awarding one-year executive MBA degrees in early 2020 as the latter red-flagged the granting of such a degree citing the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules, according to which, there is no provision to grant a degree for a course length of a year. Following this, several meetings were held between the IIM heads and the government to discuss the flashpoint, but the institutes continued to grant one-year degrees despite the governments reservations on the same. It is usually foreign universities following the 4+1 education model where upon a four-year undergraduate course, a one-year Masters degree is offered for many programmes. Another instance where the two were in disagreement was last year when IIM-Rohtak reappointed its director for the second time, despite a controversy over the officials academic credentials while the education ministry had been opposing it. Last year, the education ministry had informed the institutes about a new procedure being worked out to form search-cum-selection committees for the appointment of chairpersons. The board of governors of the institutes were asked to extend the tenure of the existing chairpersons till the new procedure comes into place. This, however, did not go down well with the administration of the IIMs with several board members describing it as interference in their matters. What faculty members say? Faculty members have expressed concerns on the possible dilution of the autonomy of the IIMs under the proposed bill while also saying that the institutes must remain accountable to public scrutiny without infringing on its freedom. Also, while the first-generation IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Bangalore and Indore, among others have been self-sustaining, the other newer IIMs are still largely dependent on government-funding for their functioning. Prof Trilochan Sastry of IIM-Bangalore, said that the draft bill proposes that the institutes chairperson and director will be appointed by the government, which used to be the case even earlier. However, I do feel that if we have to go global, we must look at the best practices being followed by the top universities internationally. Be it Cambridge, Oxford or Berkeley, all these universities though being partially or in some way funded by the government, still exercise a greater degree of autonomy, Sastry said. They have maintained their standards of excellence over centuries due to a host of factors, of which having a great degree of autonomy to run the institutions has been the most important. We can, of course, improve on these best practices, he added. Nuh, a town in Haryana located less than 100 kilometres from Delhi, remains infamous for being one of the least developed and most impoverished in terms of population in the country. The remote city in the foothills of the Aravallis, however, does not feel ignored, as it remains in the news for all the wrong reasons, from the Mewati gangs and cybercrimes to alarmingly low social indicators. The city is back in the news after communal violence broke out during a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally on Monday, leading to at least five deaths, including three police officers. According to police and government officials, the situation is under control in Nuh and adjoining districts, while Section 144 is imposed to avoid any untoward incident. Nuh: In Numbers Nuh in Haryanas Mewat belt, with predominant Muslim population, is one of the most backward regions in the country. The fact was officially confirmed in April 2018, when NITI Aayog identified the district as Indias most backward district. The Mewat region is loosely stretched from Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan to parts of Haryana and some parts of western Uttar Pradesh. It derives its name from the Meos, the numerically dominant caste of Muslim peasants. The district was carved out of areas of Gurgaon and Faridabad by the Bhupinder Hooda-led Congress government in 2005. The Meos traces their origins to Rajputs but experts suggest that they were more likely to have converted to Islam from castes such as the Meenas, Jats and Gujars. According to the 2011 Census, around 79.2% of Nuhs total population of around 11 lakh people were Muslims, while Hindus comprise 20.4% of the population. Despite being two-hour drive from Delhi and sharing its border with IT hub Gurugram, Nuh still happens to be the most backward district. To add to the problem, the poor literacy rate and water crisis worsens the citys economic conditions. Mewat to Nuh The district of Nuh was known as Mewat till 2016 when the Haryana government decided to change the name saying that Mewat was not a town but a geographical unit. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar approved the proposal to change the name of Mewat to Nuh in April 2016. CM Khattar said the reason behind the change of name was to demarcate areas in the state from those in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. He added that the renaming was part of the governments development plan for the region. The Haryana government also said that Mewat was not a town and it was a geographical term to refer to the area adjoining Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Mewat in fact is a geographical and cultural unit and not a town. It is spread beyond Haryana in the adjoining States of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Headquarters of Mewat district is at Nuh town. The people of area and the elected representatives had been demanding that the name of Mewat be changed as Nuh," Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu reportedly said. Cybercrimes and Violence on Rise The unemployment, backwardness and the lack of opportunities have given rise to violence, especially cybercrimes, in Mewat. In April, the Haryana Police uncovered the cybercrime gang in the district, which gave a glimpse of the thriving crime in the area. A 102-member police team conducted raids in 320 locations and detained 126 people, out of which 65 were arrested. During the raids, police recovered 166 fake Aadhaar cards, 128 ATM cards, 99 Sim cards, 66 mobile phones and 5 POS machines. One of the main reasons behind the rise of cybercrimes in Mewat has been its location as the region is spread over three states- Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. This unique demography makes it a cybercrime hotspot as cybercriminals escape from the police by crossing the state border. There have also been cases where the police have been attacked when they have gone to raid villages in the area, according to a report in India Today. Police say that it is more difficult to uncover the cybercrimes in the region as it is not an organised crime, but the boys operate in groups of two-three. Moreover, the unorganised crimes are difficult to wipe out. As of June 2023, the cybercrime cell has blocked 5 lakh Sim cards that were used in Mewat region for cyber fraud across the country, according to reports. Nuh SP Vrun Singla said in May that there has been a decline of 26 percent in the number of complaints filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal from the district. The district has also seen rise of communal speeches and rise of right-wing cow vigilante groups. In May 2021, a mahapanchayat was held in Mewats Indri village where several anti-Muslim hate speeches were made by Hindutva leaders in support of the accused of mob lynching violence. The Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has taken the custody of Zulfikar Ali, one of the four with alleged links to the Islamic State (ISIS or IS) arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Thane in July, from Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. ALSO READ | NIA Conducts Raids in Mumbai and Pune, 4 Alleged ISIS Sympathisers Detained The NIA arrested the four accused Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba from Pune, and Sharjeel Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Thane on July 3. A few days later, the Pune ATS on July 18 arrested Mohd Imran and Mohd Yunus, who were working for Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) offshoot SUFA and were wanted in an NIA case, from Kondhwa. The ATS last Friday arrested Simab Nasaruddin Qazi for helping Shahanawaaz Alam, who is on the run, after the arrest of Imran and Yunus. 'Maha' #ISIS plot: 'India faces huge threat from international organization like ISIS, etc. and all has been done over the internet, we need to monitor these websites': @spvaid, Ex-DGP, J&K. @sushantsareen, Sr fellow ORF shares views#TheRightStand | @AnchorAnandN | #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/tD1rP7WwDF News18 (@CNNnews18) August 1, 2023 BOMB-MAKING MATERIAL; LOCATION TRACED TO INTERIORS OF MAHARASHTRA According to ATS sources, Ali could be the mastermind of the terror module, which the agency is investigating. Cops are also on the lookout for Shahanawaaz Alam. Once we question Ali, we will know whether Alam is the mastermind. Our investigation has revealed that Alam had planted acid at Bopatghat, near Kondhwa in Pune. We took help of a bomb disposal squad and seized acid and other chemicals used to make bomb, said an officer, privy to the case. ALSO READ | Hi-Tech Terror Attack Bigger than 26/11: What ISIS Duo Was Planning for Mumbai | Exclusive from Intel Sources The ATS team found chemicals and lab equipment used for making bomb on July 31. The team collected bomb-making materials, including thermometer, dropper and pipette, from the spot. Investigation would now be held to find out where they got the material from. Sources said that while trying to make a bomb, one of the accused had burnt his hand. They were both trying to master guerilla warfare because their locations have been traced to jungles in interiors of Maharashtra, including Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara, among others. We can say that they were like a sleeper cell, because they did not have any instructions to attack any place yet, said the officer. ENGINEERS-TURNED-TERRORISTS The team would now investigate the links between Al Sufa and ISIS module, and the earlier case of NIA, which Ali is linked to, could also be looked into. Also, as the NIA has questioned certain accused and even found pictures of Mumbais Chabad house, among other key spots, the Central agency could investigate the case with the Pune ATS. Investigating agencies found that two of the five accused in this case are engineers, some of them earning a hefty package, but were brainwashed into working for the group. Earlier the agency had recovered 500 GB of data from the arrested accused. The data contains literature about how to make bombs, Google map images, literature for causing disharmony and brainwashing people, and several YouTube links. Among this data, various drone images, Google images, and links to locations were also found, which have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for investigation. The Tamil Nadu police, in an encounter, shot dead two criminals who attacked a sub-inspector (SI) during vehicle inspection in the outskirts of Chennai, early on Tuesday. The two youths with an allegedly long rap sheet inflicted cut injuries upon the SI with machetes near Guduvanchery. The deceased have been identified as S Vinoth alias Chota Vinoth (35) and S Ramesh (25), both are known history sheeters with 50 and 20 cases pending against them, respectively. Police said that the charges against them include murder, attempt to murder, and extortion. The SI managed to evade the lethal blow aimed at his head and shot at one of them, while the police inspector, Murugesan, who was also part of the team checking the vehicles, rushed to his colleagues help and fired at another man," a senior police official said. Police said that two others, who attacked the SI, fled from the scene. The two injured criminals were rushed to the Chengalpattu government hospital where they were declared brought dead by the doctors, a police officer said. The injured sub-inspector, Sivagurunathan has been admitted to the Chromepet government hospital for treatment. (With inputs from PTI) It all began with the dairy farmers urging the Karnataka government to give them a better price for procuring milk, which is now selling at Rs 24 per litre in some places. Thus, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) increased the prices of milk, curd and other products under its brand, Nandini, by Rs 3, giving in to the demand of the farmers. In an exclusive interview with News18, KMF chairman Bheema Naik said poor dairy farmers were unable to maintain their cattle and therefore were selling them. Farmers who had around 10 cows are now left with only five as they had to sell them to make ends meet. Those who have three to four cows are now left with just one. Our farmers are suffering, and so we brought this to the attention of the chief minister, explained Naik. The farmers had demanded to increase the procurement price by Rs 5 as they pointed out that states like Delhi and Maharashtra have fixed the rates at Rs 35 and Rs 56 per litre or product. Naik said in regions like Ballari, milk farmers are still being paid Rs 24 per litre; in Kolar, it is between Rs 26 and 33 a litre. The milk-producing cows need to be fed well only then we can get good quality milk. The farmers also need to spend a good amount of money on the maintenance of the animals and other facilities to ensure hygienic and standard quality milk is supplied. The price of commodities like cattle feed is also going up. How can a farmer survive if he is paid the lowest price in the country?" the chairman. KMF further said the prices for procuring milk are the lowest in Karnataka compared to other high-volume milk-producing states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. If you talk about the pricing there, the milk farmers there are getting anywhere between Rs 35 and Rs 56. We also sell milk at the low rates after procuring it from the farmer at a less price, explained Naik. He further cited the example of Andhra Pradesh where the price of milk per litre is Rs 56 as against Rs 39 in Karnataka, a difference of Rs 17. In Tamil Nadu, it is Rs 44, milk from Amul in Gujarat, Delhi, and Maharashtra cost Rs 54 a litre. In Kerala, the price is Rs 55. Are we not the least in the price? Shouldnt our farmers get some benefit for their struggle?" When asked about the financial strain that the consumer will face after the milk price hike, Naik was quick to defend the decision. When the fuel prices were hiked to Rs 120 per litre, nobody complained. When a decision in favour of farmers is taken, why is there a hue and cry from the BJP? They are merely playing politics and their claim to help famers is just a lip service. According to the KMF, the revised prices of various milk products from August 1 are as follow: Toned milk (blue packet) will now cost Rs 42 per litre from its previous price of Rs 39. Homogenised milk will be priced at Rs 43 per litre, previously priced at Rs 40. Pasteurised milk (green packet) will now be sold at Rs 46 per litre, up from Rs 43. Shubham special milk (orange packet) will now cost Rs 48 per litre, increased from Rs 45. Moreover, the price of curd has been increased to Rs 50 per kg from Rs 47, while buttermilk (200ml) now costs Rs 9 than Rs 8 earlier. A city court on Tuesday granted bail to businessman Dinesh Arora, who had turned an approver in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi excise scam being probed by the CBI, in a money laundering case under investigation by the ED. Special Judge M K Nagpal granted bail to Arora after hearing his counsel and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Arora was declared an approver in the CBI case on November 16, 2022. Arora was, however, arrested by ED under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case linked to the alleged scam on July 6. The ED said he was evasive in his replies and was not cooperating with the anti-money laundering agency following which he was arrested. Arora was allegedly a close associate of Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia who is also an accused in the excise policy case and has been arrested by the ED as well as the CBI. The ED and the CBI have alleged the Delhi governments excise policy for 2021-22 allowed the cartelisation of liquor traders and favoured certain dealers who had paid bribes. The ruling AAP has, however, rejected the allegations. The excise policy was scrapped after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI probe into allegations of corruption. Following this, the ED registered a case under the anti-money laundering law PMLA. The situation remained tense in Haryana a day after clashes erupted during a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Nuh district, which claimed over five lives and left over 50 injured. Fresh violence erupted in Badshahpur and Sector 70 in Gurugram on Tuesday, while all schools and colleges have been ordered to reopen on Wednesday, except in Sohna sub-division where sporadic clashes have been reported. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding the tense situation in the state, sources told News18. Authorities imposed a curfew in Nuh district and security forces conducted flag marches in neighboring districts. Additionally, several peace committee meetings were organized to address the situation. Heres all you need to know about violence in Haryana: With the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) planning protests across Delhi on Wednesday, the local police and intelligence officials are keeping a close watch on the mobilisation of people as central agencies suspect ripple effects in the national capital of the violence in Haryanas Nuh district. According to an official note from the VHP, a total of 23 spots have been picked where protesters will hold demonstrations against the alleged attack on Mahadev Mandir in Nuh. The number of places may increase, officials said. The Delhi police is anticipating that the protests will not involve a large number of gatherings and will be more of a symbolic gesture, while the right-wing group is expecting widespread participation despite it being a working day. Areas that have been earmarked for the protests include Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Mukherjee Nagar, Narela, Moti Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Nangloi, Ambedkar Nagar, Najafgarh, etc. Some of the localities are considered hypersensitive" by officials and a few are close to the Haryana border as well. Authorities prepare According to an intelligence input released on Tuesday night, all districts have been asked to mobilise extra troops, secure all religious places, and be on alert with anti-rioting gear. As night hours are more uncertain, top district officials will have to be available at those times as inputs suggest that miscreants can try to disturb the law and order situation. At least five people have been killed and many others, including several policemen, injured as mobs in Haryanas Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said. Two home guards were killed when their vehicle was set on fire. Internet services have been shut down and section 144 has been imposed in Nuh and Gurugram. Tensions bubbled up over the suspected presence of Monu Manesar, a notorious cow vigilante, during the VHPs procession. Top sources said that Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials during a meeting on Tuesday hinted that protests could turn violent in Haryana and some more incidents are likely to be reported by local authorities. Close coordination between police from Haryana and neighbouring states has been suggested and two senior officers have been deployed to disseminate information to all concerned offices to avoid any untoward incident. What VHP says The Vishva Hindu Parishad is clear that the planned agitation across the national capital on Wednesday is to register a protest against the alleged attack on the Mahadev Mandir in Nuh by elements it terms jihadis". Jagjeet Singh Goldy, who is the regional coordinator of the Bajrang Dal and is managing Wednesdays pan-Delhi protests, told News18, The temple is 5,000 years old, which was envisioned by the Pandavas. That very temple is being attacked in the Mewat region and thats unacceptable. Our demand will be to initiate immediate legal action against these perpetrators." Goldy went on to express his disappointment when asked whether the timing of the protests is apt. Why are questions being asked to the Hindu society when the actual perpetrators who opened fire on Hindu religious processions are not asked a single question? I think its rather sad," he said. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal has demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a body that handles terror cases. He also asked for a deep combing operation in the area. Bansals demand is not an aberration. It has the endorsement from the top echelons of the VHP. Its joint general secretary Surendra Jain has branded the attack on the Hindu religious procession that sparked off the communal flare-up as a terror act" and also sought an NIA probe. Someone who wanted to disturb the peace in Haryana engineered the violence in Nuh, state Home Minister Anil Vij said on Tuesday as authorities imposed a curfew in the district after the previous days violence. Four people were killed and several others injured in Nuh following violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession on Monday. A mosque was attacked in the Sector 57 area of Gurugram, leading to the death of a man and taking the toll in the violence to five, police said on Tuesday. Vij said a curfew has been clamped on Nuh district. As temperatures and lakeside land development rise, people can expect to see more toxic bacteria in the lakes of Central Virginia. Lake Anna in Louisa County is the most recent example of a growing trend; state officials have announced it is unsafe to swim in parts of the water because of algae blooms. Exposure to blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can cause in skin rashes and gastrointestinal illnesses, including symptoms such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Thats why the Virginia Department of Health continues to advise people to not swim in the Upper Pamunkey Branch of Lake Anna as well as six other sites in the commonwealth until toxic levels are reduced. You do not want to touch blue-green algae, Richmond Times-Dispatch meteorologist Sean Sublette told The Daily Progress. People can become extremely ill if you ingest it, and your skin can break out in rashes. Take much caution near it and do not swim in it. Cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater bodies because of excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from human activities, including agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge. Ample nutrients, usually from fertilizer runoff and sediment buildup, which is the case in Lake Anna, help algae grow rapidly, Michael Pace, head of the Pace Aquatic Ecology Lab at the University of Virginia, told The Daily Progress. Warm temperatures, calm water and sunlight also promote algal growth, leading to harmful blooms that can threaten aquatic ecosystems and human health. In Lake Anna, property development has resulted in massive levels of fertilizer flowing into the 13,000-acre lake. There has been massive development around the lake in the last 20 or so years, Sublette said. You combine that with rising water temperatures and those factors are compounded to create stronger algal and more frequent algal blooms. Lake Anna is not the only Virginia body of water thats had to close due to algae blooms this summer. In June, both the lake at Mint Springs Valley Park in Albemarle County and the Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake outside Roanoke were closed due to dangerous blooms. In Albemarle, we are proactive with our testing unlike many other localities, Jim Barbour, the superintendent of parks for Albemarle County, said. We were able to detect high levels of algae early and work to mitigate it through many processes and extensive testing to reopen the beaches. While crews are working to remediate the immediate problem, there could be long-lasting effects. Long term, if an areas watershed and runoff situation is not addressed we could see more of these blooms, Dail Laughinghouse, a professor specializing in harmful algal blooms at the University of Florida, told The Daily Progress. Experts in the field of algal bloom say that treating larger lakes such as Lake Anna is much more difficult because wind can help to spread the bacteria away from a treatment area. Treatment options also have to comply with local regulations regarding chemicals in the water. A large lake it is nearly impossible to treat it 100%, and you also dont want to kill everything in the lake. Its not a pool, Laughinghouse said. You have to find the right balance between having enough bacteria in the water to keep it alive but not so much that it is unsafe for people. There is always a risk when putting chemicals into the water but the ones being used at Lake Anna are the best and most safe ones that can be used, Pace said. They dont create chemical accumulation long term and their byproducts are water and air. Experts have confidence in those working to make Lake Anna safe to swim in again before the summer season is over. There is a strong citizen science group helping in Lake Anna that knows what they are doing and overtime will help to better understand the lake moving forward to prevent these blooms from hopefully happening again, Pace said. A harmful algal bloom map is regularly updated to reflect the advisory status of Lake Anna. The two men arrested by the Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in connection with a National Investigation Agency (NIA) case in Rajasthan, wanted to carry out a much bigger attack than the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, at multiple locations using technology, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18. ALSO READ | Accused Held in Terror Case Conducted Recces Across Maharashtra; New Details Emerge from Recovered Data On July 18, the Pune ATS arrested from busy Kothrud area of Pune Mohd Imran and Mohd Yunus, who were working for Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) offshoot SUFA and were wanted in the NIA case. The ATS on Friday arrested Simab Nasaruddin Qazi of Pendhari in Ratnagiri for helping Imran and Yunus. Qazi, a mechanical engineer, had also sent money to Kondhwa-based graphic designer Qadir Dastagir Pathan. Imran and Yunus are hardcore Islamic State (IS or ISIS) operatives, sources said. These locations are not only important, but also strategic and hence the attack would mean great optics, said sources. Two arrested by Pune ATS, in connection with NIA case in Rajasthan, wanted to carry out a much bigger attack than 26/11 #Mumbai terror attacks, at multiple locations, top intelligence sources to CNN-News18. #Exclusive inputs by @manojkumargupta #TheRightStand | @AnchorAnandN pic.twitter.com/xO5tEQvIyt News18 (@CNNnews18) August 1, 2023 RECCE OF KEY SPOTS IN MUMBAI According to sources, the duo had done an advanced recce of important locations in Mumbai, including Chabad House and Naval Helipad near Colaba slum area. They wanted to attack major temples in Mumbai, where the footfall is very high, they said. They wanted to attack hydroelectric power projects which are important for the development and growth of the country, sources said, adding they have taken multiple photographs of Colaba area. The data in their laptop also suggests that they had researched VIP movements with large and long conveys, said sources. This group was working very methodically. On the one side, they were carrying out a recce, and on the other, they were giving training to people to make improvised explosive devices (IED) and explosives. A lot of training material was also seized from the location. According to sources, the arrests came at the right time, as they were in the initial stages of planning. SECURITY AT CHABAD HOUSE BEEFED UP Chabad House, which was renamed as Nariman Lighthouse on the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, was among the 12 locations where 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out coordinated attacks across four days in Mumbai in 2008. ALSO READ | Mumbai: Tight Security at Nariman House As NIA Finds Google Pics of Location with Terror Suspects It is a Jewish outreach centre, which was then run by Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg. During the attack, six of its occupants, including Holtzberg and his wife, who was six months pregnant, were killed. Their two-year-old son Moshe survived the attack after being rescued by his Indian nanny Sandra Samuel. After the arrests, the police carried out a mock drill at the spot and beefed up security in the area. Central intelligence agencies have hinted at the ripple effects of the Nuh violence in districts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh bordering Haryana. Three inputs have been sent in the past 18 hours asking the police of these districts to secure religious places. Agencies have also asked to keep an eye on social media and WhatsApp groups as they can be used to disturb the law and order situation in neighbouring states. Authorities have been asked to mobilise sufficient troops in sensitive areas, especially in a few districts of Delhi and UP close to Haryanas borders. It is also suspected by intelligence agencies that violence may spread to other parts of Haryana. Another alert message says that the security personnel must have anti-rioting gear to control mobs. Religious places have been asked to deliver speeches at the time of prayers to maintain communal harmony. At least five people have been killed and many others, including several policemen, injured as mobs in Haryanas Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said. Two home guards were killed when a police team was on its way to the area and their vehicle was set on fire. Internet services have been shut down and section 144 has been imposed in Nuh and Gurugram. Tensions bubbled up over the suspected presence of Monu Manesar, a prominent cow vigilante, during the VHPs Shobha Yatra. Sources said that additional forces for Haryana are on standby and the Centre is monitoring the situation. Delhi polices top brass has asked senior officers to be present round the clock and advised them not to leave their districts at any cost. In case of any information of communal tensions, senior officers must reach the spot personally instead of sending their subordinates. Similarly, UP police have also beefed up security in areas close to Haryana. Additional troops have been mobilised to handle any untoward situation. Central agencies have given specific inputs for three districts of UP that are sensitive and close to the Haryana borders. To understand the ground situation, hourly reports have been sought by central agencies from subsidiary intelligence bureaus (SIBs). A dedicated team is keeping an eye on social media as it was found that the Nuh incident was triggered after people suspected Manesar.s presence Later, it was found that several posts were created that were inciting in nature. Parliament News LIVE: The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will be tabled in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal (BJD) announced support for the bill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond to Lok Sabha no-trust motion on August 10. The debate is scheduled from August 8 to 9. Among the Centre vs Opposition blame game over no discussion on Manipur, the Modi government is likely to pass another controversial bill that gives them authority to transfer key bureaucrats in the Delhi government. Just ahead of the Bill seeking to replace an ordinance on Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award in Pune, where he began his trip with a visit to Dagdusheth temple. PM Modi received the award from NCPs Sharad Pawar. Interestingly, this is the first time since the NCP rift that PM Modi and Sharad Pawar are sharing the stage. PM Modi then flagged off two metro trains among the various development projects he is inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for in Pune. TRACK LATEST UPDATES -Our Govt Built 4 Crore Houses in Last Nine Years: PM Modi In the past 9 years, our govt has built more than 4 crore houses in villages and cities for poor peoplemost of these houses built by us are registered in names of women. These houses are worth many lakhs and crores of women in the country have become Lakhpati Didis" in the past 9 years," PM Modi said in Pune. -PM Modis Attack on Karnataka Government On one side we can see development happening in Pune and on the other side, we can see what is happening in Bengaluru. Bengaluru is a prominent IT hub, there should have been fast-paced development but a government was formed there, by giving big announcements and now, within such a short time the whole nation is witnessing its result," said PM Modi. #WATCH | On one side we can see development happening in Pune and on the other side we can see what is happening in BengaluruBengaluru is a prominent IT hub, there should have been fast-paced development but a govt was formed there, by giving big announcements and now, within pic.twitter.com/bhBJX7yLBg ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 Karnataka govt themselves accepts that they dont have money for the development of Bengaluru or Karnataka and the same is the situation in Rajasthan, debts are increasing there and no development work taking place," he added. -PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone of Projects worth Rs 15,000 crore Foundation stone has been laid for around Rs 15000 crore projects here, thousands of families received proper houseour govt is very serious about the quality of life of the middle class & professionals in the citywhen the quality of life of the people improves, the development of the city also happens fastOur govt is working towards improving the quality of life of the people" said PM Modi at Shivaji Nagar. -PM Modi Inaugurates Metro Lines Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off metro trains, marking the inauguration of services on completed sections of the two corridors of Pune Metro Phase I. VIDEO | PM Modi inaugurates metro services of Pune Metro Phase I.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/mM8fpjhDUs Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 Excited, Emotional: PM Modi on Receiving Lokmanya Tilak Award I am excited and emotional at the same time today as I receive this prestigious award," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being honoured with the Lokmanya Tilak award. PM Modi said that the role of Lokmanya Tilak in Indias independence, his contribution cannot be summed up in a few incidents and words. VIDEO | PM Modi receives Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune, on the 103rd death anniversary of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/2KKNgqrCJW Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 PM Modi said he dedicates the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award to the 140 crore people of India. I have decided to donate the prize money to the Namami Gange project. I want to dedicate this award to 140 crore people of the country," PM Modi said PM Modi Receives Lokmanya Tilak Award PM Modi received the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and his two deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be conferred with Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune today. pic.twitter.com/evpO7MxcPC ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 PM Modi Offers Prayers At Dagdusheth Temple Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Dagdusheth temple in Pune and offered prayers there before commencing his city trip to inaugurate several projects. #WATCH | Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandir in Pune. pic.twitter.com/HKGXBWb8nd ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 PM Modi Lands in Pune PM Modi landed in Pune and was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. PM Modi is expected to now head to Dagdusheth temple. Sharad Pawar to Felicitate PM Modi with Lokmanya Tilak Award, Share Stage with Ajit Pawar Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar will felicitate PM Modi with the Lokmanya Tilak Award today at the event at SP college ground, Pune. Days after the NCP split as Ajit Pawar joined the Maharashtra government, Sharad Pawar will be seen sharing the stage with his nephew Ajit Pawar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. - I Pay Homage to Lokmanya Tilak, Tweets PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay his homage to Lokmanya Tilak on his death anniversary. I am indeed humbled that I have been conferred this award which is closely associated with the work of such a great personality of our history," he added. - Ahead of PM Modis Visit, Schools Closed in Pune City Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit, some schools in the city have been closed, while some have declared online classes. This move comes with the expectation of security measures and traffic. Owing to the PMs visit, some roads in the city will remain closed phase by phase for vehicular traffic between 6 am and 3 pm on Tuesday, a traffic police official said. The Pune traffic police issued an advisory to avoid some routes like Pune University Square, Sangamwadi Chowk, and Fergusson College Road among others, said an Indian Express report. However, the closure of the schools are not on the basis of any official notification. The state education department has confirmed that it has not issued any such notice. - Congress Puts Up Go Back Modi Posters Ahead of PMs Pune Visit Workers of the Youth Congress have put up Go back Modi posters across Pune city ahead of the prime ministers visit. One of the posters even read, Go back, Mr Crime Minister. The youth Congress workers have also put up posters in some areas as a mark of protest against the violence in Manipur, said an India Today report. One such poster read, Mr Prime Minister, go to Manipur, face the Parliament". Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Sandeep Singh Gill said they are in touch with the Pune Municipal Corporation to remove these unauthorised posters. Members of the opposition bloc INDIA are also planning to stage a protest against PM Modis visit on Tuesday. - Modi to Lay Foundation Stone for Various Development Projects The prime minister will inaugurate the Waste to Energy Plant under Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The plant is developed at a cost of about Rs 300 crores. Further, PM Modi will also hand over more than 1,280 houses constructed by PCMC under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Additionally, he will hand over 2,650 houses constructed by the Pune Municipal Corporation. The inauguration is an important step towards realising the vision of the prime minister to provide the citizens with modern and environment-friendly mass rapid urban transport systems across the country," the PMOs statement said. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone of nearly 1,190 PMAY houses to be constructed by PCMC and over 6,400 houses by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority. ALSO READ | PM Modi to Visit Pune On Aug 1, Indias Deepest Metro Station Among Projects To Be Inaugurated | Schedule - PM to Flag Off Metro Trains, Inauguration of Indias Deepest Metro Station PM Modi, at 12:45 pm, will also flag off metro trains marking the inauguration of services on the two completed corridors of Pune Metro Phase-I. These sections are; Phugewadi station to Civil Court station and Garware College station to Ruby Hall-Clinic station. The designs of these metro stations are unique and even inspired by the nations history. One such unique design is that of the Civil Court Metro Station, which is one of the deepest metro stations in India. Its deepest point stands at 33.1 metres. - Visit to Dagdusheth Mandir, Followed by Lokmanya Tilak National Award The Prime Minister started his visit to the city by marking his presence at the Dagdusheth Mandir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed pooja and darshan there. ALSO READ | Why PM Modis Visit to Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple in Pune is Significant? | Explained Followed by this, he will be conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award, constituted by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983 to honour the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak. NCP chief Sharad Pawar has been invited as chief guest for the event, organisers said. Rohit Tilak, vice president of the trust, confirmed on Monday that Pawar will attend the award ceremony. The award is given to people who have worked for the progress and development of the nation and has remarkable contributions. Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mrs India Gandhi, and Shri N R Narayana Murthy are among some of the luminaries who have received this award. (With inputs from PTI) At least five people have been killed and several others injured in communal violence that broke out during a religious procession in Haryanas Nuh district on Monday. The name of Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar, who is absconding for the last six months in connection with the killing of two Muslim men in Rajasthans Bhiwani in February, is being linked to the violence that started from Nuh and spread to several neighboring districts including Gurugram and Faridabad. Tensions reached a boiling point in Nuh over the alleged presence of Manesar, a prominent cow vigilante, during a Shobha Yatra rally organised by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). Manesar released a video message on Sunday announcing that he would participate in the Yatra and asked people to come for it in large numbers. The situation in Nuh, and neighboring Sohna, Gurugram, Pataudi and Manesar continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Who is Monu Manesar? Mohit Yadav alias Monu Manesar, is one of the prime suspects wanted in the Bhiwani murder case. Manesar has been absconding since February after he allegedly killed two Muslim boys of the area- Junaid and Nasser- for alleged cow-smuggling. Manesar is the head of Goraksha Dal - the cow vigilante wing unit of Bajrang Dal in Haryana. He is extremely active in the Mewat area, which is notorious for cattle smuggling. An influential personality, Manesar is the also district convenor of the Bajrang Dal in Gurugram. In the past, photos of Manesar with police officials and bureaucrats have surfaced. He also had a YouTube channel that shows how the cow vigilante group catches smugglers. Manesar reportedly received a silver play button from YouTube in October 2022, after crossing 1 lakh subscribers on his channel. The channel has h now disappeared from the platform. As per media reports, Manesar is a polytechnic diploma holder. He joined Bajrang Dal during the second year of his college. On Sunday, a video of Maneshar over his possible presence in the Yatra was circulated online. Police officials say Manesar did not ultimately come for the Yatra but his message raised tempers in Nuh as locals have been for long demanding Manesars arrest complaining how he has been available for media interviews but the police have not been able to catch him. Some people on social media had warned Manesar not to turn up. Ever since she stepped foot into Bollywood, Fatima Sana Shaikh has been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of the industrys most esteemed filmmakers and actors. While she is a fan of Shah Rukh Khan, she recently lauded Aamir Khan for his exceptional work in the film industry. Interestingly, her cinematic journey commenced with Aamir Khan starrer Dangal. Fatima, in interaction with Humans of Cinema, acknowledged the diverse and impactful films offered by Aamir. She said, I am a Shah Rukh Khan fan, but I feel Aamir Khan has given us a lot of films like Rang De Basanti, PK, Peepli Live, all of these films are so different. She is also a fan of actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit, Tabu, Juhi Chawla and Vidya Balan. She acknowledges their deep understanding of music and praises the kind of work they have done throughout their careers. From commercial films to projects they completely own. Fatima feels that the young generation of actresses has a long way to go to match up to the achievements and versatility of these stars. In her highly anticipated upcoming project, Sam Bahadur, directed by Meghna Gulzar, Fatima Sana Shaikh will share the screen space with Vicky Kaushal. The actor will be portraying the iconic role of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Expressing her profound admiration, Fatima considers Vicky Kaushal to be the finest actor of this generation. Fatima couldnt stop praising her co-star Vickys acting skills. She said that Vicky is a brilliant actor who has the ability to transform into his characters. She was in awe of his talent and professionalism. Fatima also appreciated Vickys down-to-earth nature, mentioning that he is a good co-actor and is always available, without any drama or tantrums. Earlier this year, the filming of Sam Bahadur came to an end and Fatima Sana Shaikh, along with the rest of the star cast, celebrated the wrap of the movie. Overwhelmed with emotions, she took to Instagram to express her feelings. Apart from Sam Bahadur alongside Vicky Kaushal, she will also be seen in Anurag Basus Metro In Dino. This star-studded movie features an ensemble cast, including Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Konkona Sen Sharma. Additionally, Fatima is expected to star in Dhak Dhak. Kalki Koechlin, who is set to star in Made in Heaven Season 2, opened up on the trolls she faced when announcing her pregnancy. Kalki and her partner Guy Hershberg welcomed their daughter Sappho in 2020. During a recent conversation, Kalki addressed the trolling they had to face for not being married and revealed that it was a deliberate decision on their part to stay unmarried. During an interview with Mashable India, Kalki shared that she had previously been married to director Anurag Kashyap, but her current partner was not keen on marriage. She shared, Not being marriedI was already divorced. He was like, Im not interested in marriage. So we just took a conscious decision not to marry but we were living together. Kalki and Guy welcomed their daughter in Goa, where they currently stay, while Kalki occasionally travels to Mumbai for work. The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara-actor shared that she keeps her visits short to minimise time away from her daughter. In a previous interview with The Times of India, Kalki explained that her decision to move to Goa was driven by her desire for her daughter to grow up in a place surrounded by greenery and ample outdoor space. During the same conversation, Kalki revealed that she first met Guy during an all-girls trip to Israel. Guy attended the same music school as one of her friends and served as one of their contacts during their trip. She mentioned that while they both travel for work, they always return to Goa when they are not working. Kalki is set to star in the film Goldfish alongside Deepti Naval. The film revolves around a touching mother-daughter story, with the daughter returning to India when her mother grapples with the early stages of dementia. She will also be seen in the much-awaited series, Made in Heaven 2. Akshay Kumar starrer OMG 2 was given an A certificate by the Censor Board after the film incorpotad 27 changes. The film was asked to make numerous modifications to scenes, delete scenes and add disclaimers following which the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certified the film. News18 has gained access to a document featuring the changes that OMG 2 made as directed by the CBFC. Read more here: Akshay Kumars OMG 2 REMOVES Frontal Nudity, Condom Poster, Makes 25 Other Changes Given By CBFC Mahesh Bhatt has left Bigg Boss OTT 2 fans furious with the way he greeted Manisha Rani on Bigg Boss OTT 2. On Tuesday, videos from the Salman Khan-hosted show surfaced online revealing that the ace director entered the Bigg Boss house to meet his daughter, actress-director Pooja Bhatt. She is among the most popular participants this year. While their teary reunion has made headlines already, fans are miffed with his approach to Manisha Rani. Read more here: Mahesh Bhatt Kissing Manisha Rani On Bigg Boss OTT 2 Makes Fans Angry: This Is So Uncomfortable Super Dancer Chapter 3 landed in trouble recently after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) accused the judges of the kids dance reality show of asking vulgar and sexually explicit questions to one of the contestants. Days after, Anurag Basu has now admitted that whatever happened on the show was embarrassing and that he should have avoided it. He said, I will not defend this because I understand how embarrassing this was for the parents." Read more here: Anurag Basu Admits Super Dancer 3 Vulgar Incident Was Embarrassing, Says I Should Not Have Made In Heaven season 2 is finally happening! On Tuesday, Amazon Prime Video dropped the trailer of the highly-anticipated season 2 of Made In Heaven and it has promises a lot more drama. The second season of the International Emmy nominated show is spread across seven episodes and the trailer has already revealed that fans will see new brides in form of Radhika Apte and Mrunal Thakur, among others, while the wedding planners Arjun Mathur and Sobhita Dhulipala tackle their own problems. Watch the trailer here: Made In Heaven 2: Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala Bring Back Wedding Season and Its High On Drama In an exclusive chat with News18 at the launch of the Dream Girl 2 trailer, Ayushmann Khurrana opened up about cross dressing as a woman in the movie. The actor told News18, Ekta is a smart producer and she got the work of hero and heroine from one person and this time it is my aspiration to be nominated in the Best Actress category (laughs). Jokes aside, it wasnt really difficult. I had to lose a bit of weight and thanks to my metabolism I could do it quickly. But my respect for women and my female co-actors has gone really high. There is a lot of comedy of errors in the film and I am sure the audience will really enjoy it." Read more here: Ayushmann Khurrana on Dream Girl 2: Would Like to Be Nominated as Best Actress for This | Exclusive As the iconic comedy Hungama completes 20 years, actor Paresh Rawal said he is surprised at the fondness for the comedy film and suggested that the hit movie deserves a remake. Its been 20 years since the film released, and it makes me extremely happy and proud that the film is fondly remembered till date, Rawal says, adding, It was a very different family entertainer which has today turned out to be a cult movie. We had a lot of fun while working on the film, which was very well directed and written by Priyadarshan ji with good co-actors. It was also supported properly by the producers. But we never imagined that it would turn out to be a classic, he said in a chat with Hindustan Times. The 68-year-old actor reflected that during the filming, no one had any expectations, nor did they ever contemplate the films success or lasting impact. They approached the project with sincerity, giving their all, without thinking itll becoming a hit or a timeless classic. Their focus was on giving their best performance, leaving the films fate to the audience. We go to the set to give our 100 percent with full honesty, and move on. It is the audience which makes the film hit, and in this case a classic. It is their love which keeps the story and film alive in their hearts and minds for 20 years, making it memorable. It is not in our hands. We just do our work and move on. Featuring Akshaye Khanna, Aftab Shivdasani, Rimi Sen and Shoma Anand in pivotal roles, the film portrays the story of a group of individuals whose misunderstandings lead to a cascade of chaotic and comedic situations. He feels it is the subject backed with performances of everyone which makes the film timeless. The film clips featuring Paresh Rawal and Soma Anand have become popular memes on social media, and the actor acknowledges their presence. However, he clarifies that he doesnt actively engage with social media or seek out such memes, finding them to be bothersome and uninteresting. Malayalam actor Rahman is geared up for the release of his upcoming film Samara. Directed by debutante filmmaker Charles Joseph, the sci-fi entertainer was previously scheduled to release on August 4. But moviegoers expecting to watch the film in the theaters on the given date, need to wait a little longer. According to reports, Samaras release date has been postponed owing to technical reasons. Today, on August 1, the makers have dropped a new poster on social media, announcing that Samara will now mark its premiere in the theatres on August 11 instead of August 4. Samara Movie - In Theatres August 11th, read the caption. The poster captures Rahman and Tamil actor Bharath Srinivasan standing on a cracked frozen lake amidst an overcast sky and an apparent snowstorm. There are also a few armed men at a distance. A helicopter can also be seen hovering above a giant vault-like structure, with the films title Samara emblazoned on it. Judging by the poster, the protagonists appear to be tensed for an undesirable outcome. Although reports claim that Samara has been shelved for one week due to technical constraints, there has been no official confirmation about the same. The trailer of the film was released four days ago. It showed Rahman slipping into the shoes of a police officer, going on a mission to a snowy region. Soon he found himself investigating a series of deaths. The trailer also promises plenty of high-octane action, violence, and gunfights. https://www.youtube.com/watch Samara is expected to take the audience on a futuristic tale. The first-look poster released in July captured Rahman and Bharath standing on a winding staircase made of books against the backdrop of a mystical library premise. Apart from Rahman and Bharath, the film also stars Mir Sarwar, Rahul Madhav, Govind Krishna, Dinesh Lamba, and Viviya Santh in important roles. Samara is produced by MK Subhakaran and Anuj Varghese under the banners of Peacock Art Movies. Reportedly, major portions of the movie were filmed in the snowy landscapes of Kullu Manali, Dharamshala, and Jammu and Kashmir. Samaras music is crooned by Deepak Warrier and Gopi Sundar. Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara, one of Hollywoods favourite couples, announced on July 17 that they were headed for a divorce. Two days later, Joe filed for divorce due to incorrigible differences" between the couple. According to the latest reports, Sofia responded to the claim, citing the same reason for divorce. She has also asked the court to enforce their prenup. As per the prenup, Sofia has asked the court to uphold that some assets, including the actors jewellery, artwork and other personal effects" would be declared as her assets solely. Despite this, however, a source close to the couple told People that there is no drama" between Joe and Sofia. The source also said, She is sad that her marriage didnt work out, but she feels very fortunate anyway. She has a great life that she loves. She is staying at her house for now. Joe is living elsewhere." Another source had previously told People that the Modern Family alum and Joe differ immensely in style and what they like to do, although, during the marriage, each tried to put the others interests ahead of their own to make it work." Despite the turbulence in their wedded bliss, the two always put on a good front publicly". Joe and Sofia first sparked rumours of their split when Sofia was seen celebrating her 51st birthday in Italy without the Magic Mike actor or her wedding ring. Joe had shared a birthday post for her (now deleted), captioned, Feliz Cumpleanos Sofia!!!" However, fans quickly called out the post for being too cold". One person wrote, Am I the only one who doesnt like the way it sounds? Sofia Not even my love, my beloved wife." Another person commented, Why so dry?!" The couple later announced their split with the following joint statement: We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives." Actors Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia have been the talk of the town since they recently confirmed their relationship. The stars have publicly expressed their love for one another on multiple occasions, and fans are loving their chemistry. The Lust Stories 2 co-stars are winning the internet again after Tamannaah called Vijay her real-life hero" in a recent interview. During the interview with Galatta Tamil, Tamannaah was shown pictures of Tamil actors and had to pose a question to them. However, Vijays photograph was also included in the selection. While Tamannaah blushed, she did not ask Vijay question, Instead, she declared, He is my real-life hero." Her answer had everyone cheering. Meanwhile, Tamannaah also clarified that contrary to the rumours, she is not a part of superstar Vijays upcoming film, Leo. However, she asked him if she could be a part of his next film, Venkat Prabhus directorial Thalapathy 68. She said she is manifesting getting a role in the movie. When Dhanushs photograph appeared on screen, the actor said, Please call me whenever you are in Mumbai. He never calls. He is always working. You can chill a bit." To her former co-star Ajith, Tamannaah asked when he would cook his amazing biryani again. Tamannaah Bhatia will soon be seen opposite Rajinikanth in the upcoming film, Jailer. The Nelson Dilipkumar directorial is set to release on August 10 this year. The film also stars industry stalwarts like Mohanlal and Shivarajkumar. Tamannaah is garnering applause for her dance moves in the films song Kaavaalaa, released by the makers earlier. The actor will be featured in two back-to-back releases this August. Her film, Bhola Shankar, opposite megastar Chiranjeevi, is scheduled to release on August 11. Directed by Meher Ramesh, the film is the Telugu remake of the 2015 Tamil hit Vedalam. The official remake will also feature Keerthy Suresh, Rashmi Gautam, Vennela Kishore and Murali Sharma in key roles. Vaani Kapoor, known for her impeccable style and on-screen charisma, once again proved her fashion prowess as she made a striking appearance at the Mumbai airport. The actress was en route to New Delhi to participate in the ongoing India Couture Week 2023, and her chic and cool casual outfit stole the hearts of onlookers. In a video shared by Bollywood Pap on social media, Vaani Kapoor showcased an effortless yet stunning airport look. The actress donned a tasteful ensemble, featuring beige baggy pants paired with a white full-sleeved top adorned with stylish cut-outs. Her choice of outfit exuded a perfect blend of comfort and elegance, making it ideal for travel while still keeping up with the fashion game. Vaani completed her look with a trendy pair of sunglasses and let her hair cascade freely, adding an air of sophistication. With a beaming smile and an air of confidence, she confidently posed for the cameras, leaving a lasting impression on her fans and the paparazzi. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bollywood Pap (@bollywoodpap) Vaani Kapoor will be the showstopper for the Romantic Reverie collection by Isha J at India Couture Week 2023. The collection is being presented in partnership with DIACOLOR Fine Jewellery. Romantic Reverie is inspired by the French Rivieras style and the charm of Hollywoods Golden Era, blending lavishness and simplicity to celebrate lifes grandest moments with a playful and romantic flair. The collection features a range of champagne-colored items that sparkle like bubbles and sunset shades that ignite a joyful passion. In an interview with News18, Vaani Kapoor expressed her excitement by stating, I am very happy to be coming to Delhi to close the show for Rose Room by Isha J at FDCI India Couture Week 2023. I have always loved Ishas vision for Rose Room and look forward to being a part of her debut couture collection." Workwise, Vaani Kapoor has some exciting projects lined up, showcasing her in completely different roles. In the movie Sarvagunn Sampanna, she will portray a character who resembles a porn star in the 90s, promising a laughter-filled ride with a unique storyline. In the Yash Raj Films OTT show Mandala Murders, directed by Gopi Puthran of Mardaani 2 fame, she will share the screen with Vaibhav Raj Gupta. Apart from movies, the actress is all set to dazzle her fans with her first-ever UK tour called Stars on Fire. She will be performing alongside Hrithik Roshan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Sanya Malhotra in London at the OVO Arena, Wembley, on September 1 and in Leeds at the First Direct Arena on September 2. Moreover, she will also be performing in the US, adding more excitement to her already impressive schedule. Legendary diva Rekha kick-started this week on an eventful note by attending an intimate get-together organized by fashion maverick Manish Malhotra. The Silsila actress ditched her saree tradition this time and opted for a trendy uber-cool look in black to attend the star-studded party. Footage of Rekha leaving Manish Malhotras residence has begun circulating on social media. The actress chose a black T-shirt topped with a long oversized shirt. Matching comfy trousers, trendy shoes, and sunglasses were used as accessories to accentuate her casual look. White jhola bag and striped head beanie wrapping her head broke the monotony of her style by adding a colour pop. Rekha looked quite elated while interacting with paps and posing for photos. At one point she also clicked pictures with a man donning a matching shirt as hers. Rekha bid adieu to the paparazzi with a namaste gesture before entering her car. She once again waved goodbye just moments ahead of leaving the premises. Catch a glimpse of her appearance here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Voompla (@voompla) Besides Rekha, actress Parineeti Chopra and sisters Khushi and Janhvi Kapoor also graced the closed-knit party hosted by Manish Malhotra. Ishaqzaade star Parineeti Chopra, who will soon tie the knot with AAP politician Raghav Chadha, chose a black button-down attire to attend the get-together. Youngster Khushi Kapoor and designer Manish Malhotra followed a similar black theme for the occasion. But Janhvi Kapoor, who has been garnering praise for her latest release Bawaal, broke the all-black pattern in a white maxi dress. All the attendees looked quite elated while striking poses for group photos together. Evenings like these at home after a long day at work are relaxing and fun and more special with Rekha ji, Parineeti Chopra, Khushi, and Janhvi Kapoor." Take a look at the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manish Malhotra (@manishmalhotra05) In another inside glimpse shared by Parineeti Chopra, the Hasee Toh Phasee star posed with Manish Malhotra and Rekha. She captioned the click Legends only" while sharing it online on her Instagram stories. Previously, Manish Malhotra hit the headlines for hosting his labels Bridal Couture Show 2023-24 in Mumbai. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani leads Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh appeared on the fashion ramp as showstoppers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manish Malhotra World (@manishmalhotraworld) Many well-known faces including Deepika Padukone, Kajol, Diana Penty, and Arjun Kapoor among others attended the fashion event. After remaining in the headlines for his dating rumours with YouTuber Xooos aka Hong Soo Yeon, South Korean star Park Seo Joon has finally revealed what he looks like while choosing a partner. The actor, who is currently busy on the promotional spree of his upcoming action-adventure Concrete Utopia, got candid about his ideal type partner. In his conversation with Wikitree, the Parasite actor stated that conversation is the foremost thing that he looks for in a person. Well, this is not all. Seo Joon is also attracted to women who can empathise with others. Explaining the same, Seo Joon claimed that this attitude attracts him, as he himself finds it hard to empathise with a person who is going through a hard time. The Korean media company Koreaboo quoted Park Seo Joon as saying, Conversation is important. I think its called, having a heart thats able to empathize. Without having peace of mind, I think empathizing with others would be difficult. These things are most important to me. It must be noted that this comes more than a month after dating rumours of Seo Joon and YouTuber Xooos aka Hong Soo Yeon set the internet ablaze. The news came to light when a source confirmed the reports and claimed that Seo Joon also made the YouTuber meet his best friend. The reports claimed the insider stated that the two have even gone on dates and share common hobbies. Soon after his dating rumours took the internet by storm, Park Seo Joon addressed the same. Without agreeing or denying the claims, the actor confessed that he feels greatly burdened about opening up on his personal life. Park Seo Joon said at a press conference, I heard that there was such news belatedly as there is a project Im currently filming now. The first thought I had was, A lot of people are interested in me. He added, Im grateful for the attention, but in my case, I tend to feel greatly burdened by opening up my private life [to the public], and since this is a personal matter, I think it will be difficult for me to particularly comment. Talking about Concrete Utopia, Tae-hwa Eoms directorial boasts an ensemble cast. Apart from Park Seo Joon, it also features Lee Byung-hun, Park Bo-young, Kim Sun-young and Park Ji-hu among others. The movie, which is expected to release on August 9, revolves around the struggle of survivors from a massive earthquake in Seoul. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Tuesday, defended the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 tabled in the Parliament to replace the Delhi services ordinance, citing Constitutional rights. He termed the opposition to the bill as politically motivated." Shah said, Our Constitution allows the Parliament to make laws for Delhi. Any opposition to this bill has no constitutional basis and is politically motivated. There is no reason for the opposition to cite parliamentary procedure. The Union Minister made the statement following vehement protests by the Opposition parties who stormed the well and tore papers questioning the introduction of the bill. The Aam Aadmi Partys lone MP Shushil Kumar Rinku, who was waiting for a chance to speak, also stormed into the Well in protest as the Home Minister started speaking on the Bill. I was not given a chance to speakThis is the murder of democracyYou are insulting Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Rinku said, amid opposition slogans shouting against the government. Rinku and Congress member T N Prathapan were seen throwing papers in front of the Chair amid the din. Amidst the din, Speaker Om Birla said that time will be given for everyone to speak and castigated the opposition members for their behaviour. This kind of behaviour is not good. The country is watching, he said. Delhi Services Bill and Why is it Being Opposing it? The proposed legislation will grant the Delhi Lieutenant Governor the ultimate authority over the transfer and posting of city government officials and bolster the Central governments control over the national capital. The bill received approval from the Union Cabinet on July 25. Tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, on behalf of Shah, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aims to overturn the impact of the Supreme Court verdict in May, which granted control of administrative services to the Delhi government. The Opposition has been protesting on the issue since the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Adhir Chowdhury while discussing the introduction of the bill, said, The bill vindicates the outrageous infringement of the government on the territory of the states. It is designed for digging up a graveyard for cooperating federalism. It aims to curb the powers of the Delhi government. The Centre wants to weaken democracy through the move." RSP leader, N K Premchandran said he is opposing the bill on three grounds, He questioned the legislative competence of the government in tabling the bill and said, It is against the principles of federalism envisaged in the Constitution of India. The elected government in Delhi not having control over the bureaucrats will mean not having a government in Delhi itself." Replying to Premchandran, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said Parliament is fully competent to pass the bill. If they want to talk about the merit of the bill let them discuss when there is consideration and passing, he said. IUML MP Asaduddin Owaisi asserting that the bill violated Article 123 and said the Constitution cannot be amended with a simple bill. It is a violation of the theory of separation of powers, and it is SC judgement of a five-membered bench from 2018 so that is why I am saying that the house does not have legislative competence for this bill and that is why I am opposing it, he said. TMC MP Saugata Roy also pointed out that the bill was outside the legislative competence of the government. The Supreme Court passed a judgement and now this bill has been brought to override it. This is a total abrogation of the legislative power of the government of Delhi under the Constitution," Roy said. Congress leader, Shashi Tharoor also opposed the bill on legislative competence. It undermines the Delhi NCT and The bill infringes the principle of representative democracy, he said. What BJP Said Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi labeled the arguments of the opposition as baseless and misleading to the people. Noting Delhi is a union territory, she asserted the centers primacy and said the opposition has nothing substantial to add and is resorting to misleading tactics #WATCH | "Arguments of opposition are baselessthey're misleading the peopleDelhi is a union territoryso centre has the primacyopposition actually has nothing left to say so they're trying to mislead the people..": Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi on Delhi Services pic.twitter.com/YsSdoUrwWm ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 AAPs Opposition The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government has challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court. Over the past few months, Kejriwal has been reaching out to various opposition leaders, seeking their support to rally against the bill and block it in the Rajya Sabha, where the NDA lacks sufficient numbers on its own. The NDA holds a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha with over 330 members, ensuring the bills passage. In the Rajya Sabha, with the support of parties like BJD, YSR Congress and some nominated and independent members, it can also surpass the required halfway mark. BJD and YSR Congress have already said that they are likely to support the bill. Number Game Around 109 MPs from the 26-member opposition bloc INDIA, along with some Independents like Kapil Sibal, are expected to vote against the bill, according to a senior leader. However, even with this opposition, they will still fall short of the halfway mark of 120 if all 238 existing members participate in the voting on that day. The House has a total strength of 243, but there are some vacancies. Among the 26 parties in the opposition grouping, at least 18 have a presence in the Rajya Sabha and collectively have 101 MPs. Additionally, the BRS with seven MPs is likely to vote against the bill, while the YSR Congress with nine MPs may support it. On the other hand, the ruling NDA holds 100 MPs in the Upper House and will rely on support from nominated members, Independents, and other non-aligned parties that have previously voted with them on various issues. (With inputs from PTI) The health condition of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya improved on Tuesday and doctors treating him were considering to put him off non-invasive ventilation. Bhattacharya, 79, is likely to undergo a few tests to ascertain whether he has developed any further infection, a senior doctor of the hospital where the former CM is undergoing treatment said. He said the next course of the treatment will be decided based on the outcome of the clinical examination. Bhattacharyas condition has improved much. He had a good sleep at night. He is responding to treatment and is conscious. his current health condition, it seems that the antibiotics administered to him have managed to arrest the infection. We will conduct a few tests today to ascertain whether he has developed any further infection, the doctor, a member of the multi-disciplinary team treating the former CM, told PTI. Bhattacharya was rushed to a private hospital in Alipore area of Kolkata with breathing troubles, and he was diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection and Type 2 respiratory failure. He has been suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and other age-related ailments. Bhattacharya took over as the chief minister of West Bengal in 2000 from party senior Jyoti Basu. He remained in the post till 2011, handling a tenure marked by agitations over the acquisition of land for industries led by now Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As Bhattacharya lost the 2011 assembly elections to Banerjees TMC, the CPI(M)-led Left Fronts 34 years of rule in the state came to an end a loss from which it is yet to recover. Over the last few years, Bhattacharya stayed away from the public glare due to his deteriorating health, and remained confined to his Palm Avenue apartment. He was last seen in public when he surprised party workers by arriving unannounced at the Lefts rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, with oxygen support. Bhattacharya had stepped down from the CPI(M)s Politburo and Central Committee in 2015, and gave up membership of the partys state secretariat in 2018. . After the show of strength by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) front, a dilemma has now set in. It showed at the opposition party meeting. Sources say that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a Congress MP raised the point that while they were waiting for the no-confidence motion, the government has begun to push legislations and pass them amid the din. This cannot be allowed. THE DELHI BILL But the bigger worry is that the Delhi ordinance bill, which gives the Centre authority over bureaucrats deputed to the Delhi government, that ensured a semblance of opposition unity in a long time, could also be passed in the din. ALSO READ | Amid Opposition Walkout, Parliaments IT Committee Adopts Report on Data Protection Bill And this is not what the AAP wants, as it wants its voice to be archived in the records of Parliament, even though it is aware that the numbers are with the government and the bill is likely to be passed easily. After two days of deliberation, the opposition parties have worked out a middle path to ensure they are heard on the Delhi ordinance. This ensures that the opposition to a bill which hurts the federal structure is put on record. WILL OPPOSING ALL BILLS WORK? But the AAP is not the only one which had a different opinion. At the meeting, some opposition leaders from the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) wondered whether opposing all bills will work. And that if the government has allowed a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, then why not protest strongly on the bills. Plus, one senior active Congress MP also said: We have given notices on which the government needs to be cornered, like the China issue. ALSO READ | House Talk | What is Whip in Parliament and Why Do Opposition Members Walkout: All You Need to Know They also felt that issues such as price rise and unemployment, which resonate with the voters in an election year, must be heard. But these differing voices were overruled. And the opposition parties have decided to continue their protest. The ordinance issue is the only break. But not a full stop. NCP chief Sharad Pawar was on Tuesday accused by AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi of hypocrisy for sharing the stage with PM Narendra Modi in Pune. The Pawar-led party rubbished Owaisis remarks, and questioned his lack of political awareness. While in Lok Sabha, NCP & other opposition parties have been protesting over Manipur; Sharad Pawar is happily sharing the dais with @narendramodi in Pune. Whats this hypocrisy? At the same time, BJP is happily getting Bills passed without discussion, Owaisi tweeted. @asadowaisi needs to keep his eyes and ears open before making statements showing his lack of political awareness. Sharad Pawar Saheb attended the function as a mark of respect to Lokmanya Tilak. Does Owaisi know the importance of Tilak ji & has he ever paid any respect to him? tweeted NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto. My respect for Sharad Pawar Saheb has risen manyfolds today because he kept his promise to organizers of Lokmanya Tilak National Award and as a mark of respect to Lokmanya Tilak, attended the function despite having to share stage with people responsible for breaking our party, Crasto tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached Maharashtras Pune to receive the Lokmanya Tilak National Award where he shared the stage with his political rival and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, for the first time since the NCP rift. Interestingly, this was the first time that PM Modi was seen with Sharad Pawar since Ajit Pawars rebellion that split the NCP into two factions. Announcing that he will be donating the prize money to Union Governments Namami Gange Project, PM Modi began his speech in the Marathi language and said that the country should learn from the ideals of Lokmanya Tilak to lead towards development. Here are some top quotes from PM Narendra Modis speech at the Lok Manya Tilak National Award ceremony in Pune. Opposition members of the INDIA bloc on Tuesday walked out in protest from Rajya Sabha twice as they pressed for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue along with a comprehensive discussion. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he can allow the debate for as long as they want but an unrelenting opposition continued its sloganeering, demanding a discussion under Rule 267 where all other business of the House is suspended to take up a matter. Asking the protesting members to introspect if they are doing justice to their duty, he told them they were losing an important opportunity and they should not surrender the space of dialogue, discussion and deliberation. About the demand for the prime ministers statement in the House, he recalled that in 2014 too a similar demand was made, but the Chair then had observed that such a demand was constitutionally illpremised". I urge members to seriously introspect and not surrender the space of dialogue, discussion and deliberation, as the same will not serve the essence of the oath the members of this august house have taken," Dhankhar said. He said, we have plunged this institution into virtual irrelevance. It does not gel with logic and rationale approach that for over last eight days the House is being disrupted over the same issue". Dhankhar said he has accepted the notices of some members under Rule 176 on a short-duration discussion and they should discuss the Manipur situation as he was ready to relax the rule for a short-duration discussion and continue the debate for as long as they want. He said the country, which has big expectations from them, was watching their behaviour. But, opposition members who continued to raise slogans during the Question Hour walked out of the House after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak on the Manipur issue. They again walked out when the House reconvened at 2 PM during the post-lunch period. During post-lunch, Kharge, who was allowed to speak during a discussion on the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, questioned why the prime minister was not present in the House. Chairman Dhankhar said, Every time I have acceded to your request your input has been the same". Kharge responded, saying, No no. I have given nearly nine points why this discussion should take place, why the prime minister should come here". Dhankhar said this was nothing but a way to challenge his decision. After this, the Opposition staged a walkout, even as the chairman highlighted the importance of the bill and said, On such an important issuesuch kind of walkout is not appreciated." Dhankar said that he realises the importance of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and has given him an opportunity to make his contribution since July 20. the contribution has been in a sense challenge to my decisionThe minimum respect we can show by a sense of propriety and decorum is to believe in the decision of the Chair I have indicated to them on a number of occasions, their demand that the prime minister be here, does not have any Constitutional premise," he said. The chairman also mentioned that he took no time in accepting the notice under Rule 176 for a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue, but the Opposition did not avail the opportunity and they want discussion under Rule 267. In the process, they (Opposition) want to revisit my decision, which I had declined on a number of occasions," he added. The Rajya Sabha members were on their feet from the beginning of the Question Hour, shouting Manipur, Manipur". The Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh, said, Today, too, the INDIA parties demanded the prime ministers presence in the Rajya Sabha to make a statement on Manipur, to be followed by a discussion." He also alleged Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak. All INDIA (alliance) parties walked out around 12:30 pm," Ramesh said in a tweet later. The Rajya Sabha was earlier adjourned till noon amid protest by the opposition members demanding a discussion on the Manipur issue in the House. Before the adjourning House proceedings around 11.25 am, Dhankhar expressed concern over repeated disruptions over demand for a discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha. We are becoming a subject of ridicule by the public at large," Dhankhar observed as opposition members, kept raising slogans demanding a statement from the prime minister on the issue. The chairman had also declined" 60 notices under Rule 267 stating they did not conform to the norms. Dhankhar told Rajya Sabha members that the proceedings were being disrupted despite his ruling on July 20 for a short-duration discussion on Manipur under Rule 176. He said a discussion was initiated the previous day but it remained inconclusive" due to continued disruption in the House. The chairman also said he had discussions with the floor leaders of various parties on Monday and suggested that more time could be allocated so that everyone gets a chance to express their views. In spite of that, the discussion could not take place. We have created a situation whereby we are throwing out the baby with the bath water," Dhankhar said. After the Question Hour was completed in the Upper House, the Chairman asked the opposition members, who boycotted proceedings despite their name being called to put forward their queries, for introspection. Question Hour is the heart of parliamentary democracy. It allows the person asking questions, a rare opportunity to generate information and accountability of the executive. It has been most unfortunate that some of the members, who asked the questions, were lucky in the valet. Starred questions were listed and they failed to avail the opportunity of asking the questions. They need to reflect and introspect, whether such an approach is justice to the duty, do they regard public welfare the way they should," Dhakhar said. Having taken the oath of the Constitution, if we failed to live up to, the aspirations and expectations of the people, we are not in the right frame of the performance of our duties," he noted. The Chairman took the names of several opposition members including Raghav Chaddha (AAP), Imran Pratapgarhi and Shaktisinh Gohil (both Cong) who were not present in the House despite questions being asked by them. Earlier in the day, CPI(M) MP John Brittas raised a point of order when a standing committee report on Citizens Data Security and Privacy of the Ministry of Electronics and IT was tabled in the House. He pointed out that the report pertains to the digital data protection bill, which has been approved by the Cabinet but has neither been introduced in the House nor referred to the standing committee. The standing committee has overstepped and it is beyond their jurisdiction and it is breaching your (Chair) authority and the authority of this House," he said. The chairman, however, overruled the point of order and said it was right to place the report of a committee in the House and the rest will follow in accordance with the rules". But to take a stand that this august House must not have such kind of input, your point of order is devoid of any merit," Dhankhar said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a few Union Ministers in New Delhi on August 3. This will be his first meeting with the Prime Minister, after the Congress formed the government in the state under his leadership, following victory in the Assembly polls in May. Siddaramaiah will meet Modi at 11 am on August 3 and hold talks, the Chief Ministers Office said in a statement. On the same day, he will meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, it said. Also, the Chief Minister along with state Congress leaders and Ministers will be meeting the party leadership in New Delhi on August 2 to strategise on a plan of action for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. AICC President M Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala among others are likely to participate in the meeting in the national capital. The Karnataka government has diverted the funds meant for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe welfare Rs 11,000 crore to fulfill Congresss five major poll guarantees. ALSO READ | Ktaka CM Sidda Rolls Out Griha Jyoti Guarantee, Remaining 4 to be Implemented Within 6 Months The money is being diverted from the Rs 34,293-crore corpus of Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (SCSP-TSP), which mandates spending on SC/ST welfare. The Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan Act requires the government to spend 24.1% of its total budget on SC/ST welfare. The five guarantees are likely to cost Rs 52,000 crore in this financial year, according to the budget presented by Siddaramaiah. The government intends to divert Rs 7,700 crore from SC Sub-Plan and Rs 3,430 crore from Tribal Sub-Plan. There are concerns that this diversion will derail welfare programmes meant for the welfare of SC and ST communities. In the financial year 2022-23, Rs 28,234 crore was allotted for SC and ST Sub-Plans, while in the budget presented just before the elections for financial year 2023-24, then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had allocated Rs 30,215 crore for SC/ST Sub-Plan. The government is trying to justify diversion of funds arguing that the guarantees will have beneficiaries from the SC/ST community as well, but the social welfare minister admitted that there is no data on the number of guarantee beneficiaries from these communities. We have allocated Rs 7,700 crore under the SCP and Rs 3,430 crore under the TSP, a total of Rs 11,000 crore. We dont know the statistics of beneficiaries. If it is over and above, the CM has instructed to give back to the social welfare department, said HC Mahadevappa, Social Welfare Minister. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been quick to latch on to the issue, questioning if this is Siddaramaiahs concern for marginalised communities. It is illegal for the government to use the Rs 11,000 crore allocated for special schemes for Scheduled Castes and Tribes to implement guarantee schemes, instead of using it for the prosperity of that society. Real development projects have been stopped due to such gimmicks of the government, tweeted former BJP Minister Sunil Kumar. The Congress governments struggle to get funds for its five guarantees was already under the scanner, with the government going against the finance departments advice while implementing the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. The department, in June, had told the government that its not possible to provide such enormous amount of funds every year for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. This, even as the BJP has expressed its doubts on whether these schemes would continue even after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Pune to receive the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award. The event is being attended by Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and both his deputy chief ministers. But the presence of one leader on stage has created ripples for more reasons than one. This is the first time NCP chief Sharad Pawar is sharing the dais with nephew Ajit Pawar since the latter joined the Eknath Shinde-BJP government as deputy CM. More importantly, as a significant senior member of the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), pitched as an anti-BJP front for 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Pawars presence at an event honouring Modi has put the Opposition bloc at unease. The Lokmanya Tilak National Award, constituted by Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983 to honour the legacy of the legendary freedom fighter, is being conferred on PM Modi this time and Pawar has been invited as the chief guest. The Maratha strongman, who has played a crucial role in bringing smaller parties under the INDIA umbrella, enjoys a long association with the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust. More than his name on the invite as chief guest, what has raised eyebrows is his admission that the Trust approached PM Modi through Pawar himself. Constituents of the INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT who are allies of the NCP in Maharashtra, were already left guessing about Pawars true sentiment on Ajit Pawars rebellion, but have now been left even more stumped on his loyalties towards the alliance. Just a few days ago, Pawar had declared that if Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress and NCP decide, they can change the political scenario in Maharashtra. He had made the statement while sharing the dais with Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat. Pawars latest move has led to questions in the INDIA camp. The INDIA bloc was formed with one agenda Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao. Sharad Pawar is part of this alliance, but if he is attending the (Pune) program and sharing the dais with Narendra Modi, then does Pawar have the moral right to be in this alliance? asked a senior Congress leader. Pawars supporters, however, cite that an invitation to the event was also extended to former chief minister and former Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and that Rohit Tilak, one of the main office-bearers of the Trust, is still member of the Congress party. Shiv Sena-UBT, too, reportedly was not in favour of Sharad Pawar attending the event. Few leaders also sought to remind Pawar of PM Modis recent remarks against the NCP. This is a non-political program and Pawar said that he gave the invitation to the PM himself three months ago so he has to attend. But the situation is different now. The PM attacked the NCP a month ago. And after the corruption attack, the NCP leaders went with the BJP. And today, those leaders will be there. So you say that your allegations of corruption against NCP and Shiv Sena are false and hence you are sharing the stage. This clarity should come from the BJP, said Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut. The most confused by Pawars flip-flop, however, are the nearly dozen MLAs who sided with the veteran politician when more than 40 of their party and Assembly colleagues followed Ajit Pawar into the Shinde-BJP fold. Sources say some of the pro-Sharad Pawar MLAs are now regretting their choice. Many NCP MLAs have preferred to refrain from attending the monsoon session of the Assembly amid the turf war as they believe to be a family issue among the Pawars. Many are also questioning the sudden drop in aggression by the Sharad Pawar camp against Ajit Pawars rebellion, during which he also took potshots at his uncles age and suggested a soft retirement from politics. The rumour in political circles indicates that some members of the Sharad Pawar camp have gone soft on Ajit Pawar to protect the possibility of getting plum berths or positions in the future. Supporters of Sharad Pawar say the Pune event is a non-political program. The NCP chief is known to keep his cards close to his chest until the last moment. Will his presence at the event honouring PM Modi expose chinks in the Opposition armour? It was a close escape for two kids in Pune who exited an elevator moments before the occurrence of a near-fatal mechanical malfunction. Footage of the incident has gone viral on social media, leaving users equal parts concerned and scared. The visual begins to show the two kids entering an elevator of a residential apartment. The duo continues to talk casually before the lift arrives on the pressed floor. Only about 5 seconds after their exit a loud noise jolts the video as the lift comes crashing down from the 10th floor of the building. It appears the mechanical malfunction after a wire broke down. In the footage of the free fall, it appears that the elevator bounced multiple times before it crashed down in the duct pit. Along with loud noises, the CCTV footage also captures the dangerous tremors caused by the accident. Near about four loud bangs can be heard in the background, as the elevator lands into the duct pit. T Take a look at the video here: Two kids had a fortunate escape when an elevator, after its wire broke, came crashing down from the 10th floor of a residential apartment in Pune.#Pune pic.twitter.com/tKdwki7vF2 Rahil Mohammed - Pune (@IMRahilMohammed) July 31, 2023 Upon watching the footage, multiple social media users deemed it utterly fortunate for the kids to have made a safe exit before the shocking incident. Many felt glad the kids were safe, and a section urged authorities to take strict action against the manufacturers. A user commented, Gosh! My heart was beating like crazy. Thank goodness they escaped a tragedy." Gosh! My heart was beating like crazy.Thank goodness they escaped a tragedy. Eva Pereira (@EvaPere37622457) July 31, 2023 Another requested investigative authorities to thoroughly look at the evidence and find out the company of the elevator and the maintenance work done by the society. Social media users also expected the building management not to take the accident lightly just because there werent any casualties. A user enquired by the elevators company while urging a case of negligence to be filed against the manufacturers. Thank God the kids exited the lift. Which brand was the lift? Case of negligence should be filed against the manufacturer and lift inspectors by government authorities," the reply read. They also added the culprits should be punished for approving things only because they come with money. Thanks the kids had exited the lift. Which brand lift. Case of negligence against Manufacturer and lift inspectors from Govt side. They approve very thing which comes with money Bajajbk1 (@bajajbk1) July 31, 2023 The CCTV footage makes it evident that none of the residents were present inside when the elevator collapsed. People do crazy things for love. From getting a tattoo for your loved one to giving expensive gifts, people have left no stone unturned to express love to their better halves. A video has gone viral on the internet about a US farmer who planted a massive field of sunflowers to surprise his wife, ahead of their 50th wedding anniversary. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) The man planted a whopping 80 acres of Sunflowers to express his love for his wife. In the video, he said, We planted her 80 acres of Sunflowers. His wife was elated on seeing a field of dazzling sunflowers and said, It made me feel very special. She further stated it couldnt have been a more perfect anniversary gift than a field of sunflowers. The video showed the couple taking a walk across the beautiful field that blossomed with hundreds of Sunflowers. The video was shared by BBC News with the caption, It made me feel very special. A bunch of flowers is a common gift, but one farmer in the US has taken it one step further planting a massive field of sunflowers to surprise his wife. The caption added, Lee Wilson told local media he planted the flowers to celebrate his and his wife Renees 50th wedding anniversary. The video got 1.7 Million views and a load of comments. The video melted the hearts of netizens as they showered praise on the man for surprising his wife with such a magnificent gift. One user said, How beautiful. She must feel very loved. Another user said, I was very touched when I saw married couples, real marriage should be like this, spouses should value and respect each other, and ask each others opinions, I wish these couples a long healthy life. Things a man can do if he truly loves his woman!! said another user. Another comment read, Such a beautiful gesture. Exceptional. Imagine the shock of receiving an unexpectedly high phone or electricity bill. This is exactly what happened to a woman from Florida, US, who was left stunned when she received her monthly mobile phone bill, amounting to more than 155,000 (Rs 1.63 crore). This incident, originally reported in 2011, has recently resurfaced on the internet. The woman, Celina Aarons, had shared her mobile plan with her two brothers, who have special needs and heavily relied on messaging and data for communication. Normally, Celinas monthly bill would be over 130 (Rs 13,715.14). However, when her brothers moved from the US to Canada for a fortnight, they were charged for international services as well as for the extensive data they used. As per the Daily Star, the woman had not checked the terms and conditions of her contract regarding overseas usage. According to reports, they sent over 2,000 texts and downloaded videos, resulting in data charges of more than 15,000 (Rs 15.83 lakh) alone. When Celina received her monthly bill the following month, she was shocked to find an invoice amounting to $201,000 (Rs 1.65 crore). She contacted her service provider, T-Mobile, to rectify the bill. However, T-Mobile insisted that the bill was accurate. Despite Celinas argument that the company failed to give her a notice when her bill crossed the $200,000 (Rs 1.62 crore) mark, T-Mobile didnt pay heed. The situation changed when Miami TV station WSVN-TV stepped in on Celinas behalf. Following their intervention, the phone provider agreed to reduce the bill to $2,500 (Rs 2.05 lakh) and allowed her six months to clear the debt. In a similar incident in 2018, a Polish charity group received a massive bill, thanks to an unexpected culprit- a stork, a migratory bird. The EcoLogic Group, a Polish charity organisation, attached a GPS tracker to the back of a white stork to monitor its migratory habits. As a result, they received a bill of over 10,000 Polish zloty (Rs 1,82,870), as per BBC News. In a bizarre incident, Olga Leontyeva, a 32-year-old postwoman from Uzbekistan capital of Tashkent died after being trapped inside a lift for three days as no one came to rescue her, news outlet the Mirror said in a report. The lift was stuck in an apartment blocks ninth floor and Olga reportedly kept screaming for help but no one heard her pleas. The family went and filed a missing report on July 24 when she did not return home after work. But following an intense search, Olgas lifeless body was found inside the lift the next day. Olga is survived by a six-year-old daughter whose relatives have stepped forward to take care of her. Officials have launched a probe into the incident. It was found that the lift, manufactured by a Chinese company, was in working condition but it was not registered. The electricity body confirmed that there were no power cuts on the day of her death. The residents surmised that there was a possible malfunction in the lift which led to the tragedy. The CCTV footage revealed Olga entering the lift from the ground floor but residents claim that her cries of help were not heard. The residents and authorities also said that the alarm system of the lift was not working properly. There were also some complaints that the lift was not functioning properly. Earlier in July, a similar incident shocked Italy, when a sexagenarian, Francesca Marchione, was found dead inside a lift in an apartment in Palermo. She was trapped in the lift during a power cut. The power failure happened on July 26 as Italy was facing a deadly heatwave. Rescuers reached the apartment only to find her lifeless body. Authorities told the Mirror that there were signs that Francesca tried to get out the lift but since it was stuck between two floors, she could not get out despite the doors being open. Authorities are also considering that it may have gotten hot inside the lift and that Francesca was trapped there without water for several hours. Authorities in Tashkent and Palermo, respectively, are thoroughly investigating the cause of the accidents and taking steps to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. Jose Paulino Gomes, a Brazilian, purported to be the worlds oldest living man, died at the age of 127, the New York Post said in a report. Gomes passed away Friday, a week before he would turn 128 years old, at his home in Pedra Bonita, located in the state of Minas Gerais. Gomes family said he died of organ failure which may have happened due to his advanced age. He was laid to rest last Saturday at Pedra Bonitas Corrego dos Filhos Cemetery. Gomes marriage certificate from 1917 from the Pedra Bonita registry office shows he was born on August 4, 1895. This makes him a survivor of both World Wars and three pandemics. Willyan Jose Rodrigues de Souza, a civil official, told a local outlet that Gomes age was accurate and he was born before 1900 but his own family remains not so confident of his age citing previous cases where there were incorrect documentation. Gomes granddaughter, Eliane Ferreira, speaking to Brazilian news outlets said that there is a lady who is 98 years old and says she knew him when he was just a boy. Thats when we became curious to confirm his age and looked up the registry office to find out what was correct, Ferreira was quoted as saying. He definitely was over 100 years old, at least 110. Now we need to know how it will be recorded on the death certificate, she further added. The report by the New York Post says it remains unclear whether the Guinness World Records will examine the Brazilians paperwork. Guinness World Records says 116-year-old Maria Branyas Morera of Spain is the worlds oldest living person. Maria was born on March 4, 1907. The worlds oldest living man, according to Guiness, is Venezuelas Juan Vicente Perez Mora, 114. Gomes was an animal tamer and his family claims he was riding horses until four years ago. Ferreira said that Gomes was a simple and humble man and did not prefer anything that was industrialised. He preferred things from the countryside and raised his own chickens and pigs. His food was all from here, and had to be grown or raised here. And he always liked to have a little drink, she said. Gomes is survived by his seven children, 25 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that Ukraine targeted a skyscraper in Russias capital Moscow using drones and Russian anti-aircraft units thwarted an alleged Ukrainian terrorist attack on Moscow on Tuesday. On the night of August 1st, an attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime with lethal drones on targets in Moscow and Moscow region was thwarted, the Russian defence ministry said in a separate statement. Sobyanin said that several drones were shot down overnight. Yet another (drone) was hit by radio-electronic equipment and, having run out of control, crashed on the territory of the complex of non-residential buildings at Moskva Citi, the defence ministry further added. The defence ministry said that two drones were downed in suburbs west of the city centre. The mayor said the Moskva City complex was once again targeted. It was earlier targeted in a drone attack on Sunday. Several square metres of the buildings glass facade high above the ground were destroyed by the impact. The drone damaged the facade on the 21st floor of the building. There are no reports of deaths or injuries. Kyiv, keeping up with the practice of remaining tight-lipped regarding these attacks, did not comment on the issue. One flew into the same tower at the Moskva Citi complex hit previously. The facade has been damaged on the 21st floor. Glazing was destroyed over 150 square metres. (The) glazing was destroyed over 150 square metres, Sobyanin was quoted as saying by the BBC. Sobyanin further added that emergency services have reached the scene. The attack led to the temporary closure of Moscows Vnukovo airport. Moscow has accused Ukraine of carrying out drone strikes inside Russian territory in recent months, including an attack on the Kremlin, where Russian President Vladimir Putin lives earlier this May. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stopped short of taking responsibility and said attacks on Russian territory are an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process. The 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war has entered its 17th month and thousands have died and millions have been displaced as the war prolongs. This week hostilities increased after a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih led to the deaths of six people, including one minor, and injured 75. An Ontario bicyclist died in a crash with an empty log truck on Highway 20. Brenden Dwyer, 34, entered Highway 20 from Knox Butte Road at around 8 a.m. Monday, July 31, according to Oregon State Police, who said Dwyer contacted a westbound Kenworth CMV near milepost 6 of the highway. Dwyer suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The truck driver, 53-year-old Jamie Rowden of Dallas, remained at the crash site and cooperated with investigators, according to an Oregon State Police news release issued Tuesday. The investigation is ongoing and will be reviewed by the Linn County District Attorneys Office, the news release states. Highway 20 was closed for more than two hours for the crash reconstruction investigation. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help (copy) Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. A 64-year-old Indian woman, who was on board a cruise ship sailing through the Strait of Singapore from Penang, the northern island state of Peninsular Malaysia, has died, her family said on Tuesday a day after she was reported missing". Reeta Sahanis family had sought help from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) after they accused the cruise company of washing their hands off". Reeta and her husband Jakesh Sahani were traveling on the Spectrum of the Seas cruise operated by Royal Caribbean. They were on their way back to Singapore from Penang on Monday, which was also the last day of their four-day cruise. Jakesh, 70, woke up to discover that his wife was missing from their room, according to a report by The Straits Times. Despite his efforts, the retiree was unable to locate his wife on the sprawling cruise ship. Subsequently, he informed the ships crew about the situation. They, in turn, informed him that the ships overboard detection systems had been activated, indicating that something had fallen from the vessel into the Singapore Strait. The busy route known as the Singapore Strait is 113 kilometers long and 19 kilometers wide. It lies between the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, with Singapore situated to the north of the channel. Cruise washing their hands off" In a tweet, Jakeshs son, Apoorv Sahani, who wasnt on the cruise in a tweet stated that while the cruise staff claimed that she jumped, they have not shown them any footage and are washing their hands off" from the matter. 1/2 My mother was travelling in Royal Carrribean cruise (spectrum of the seas) from Singapore. She has gone missing from the ship since this morning. Cruise staff are saying she jumped, but they have not shown us any footage and are washing their hands off @DrSJaishankar Apoorv Sahani (@SahaniApps) July 31, 2023 The 39-year-old architect said the cruise didnt carry out any rescue operation and off-boarded his father. Accusing the company of being inhumane" he requested urgent help from the Indian government. Indian Government Responds The Indian High Commission in a series of tweets said it is in constant touch with the Sahani family since the news of the unfortunate incident reached us". It is also in close contact with Singaporean authorities to address related issues and is facilitating legal procedures. The mission said it has also reached out to the India head of the Royal Caribbean cruise company to extend all cooperation. We remain fully committed to supporting the family in this testing time," the High Commission said. My Mother Couldnt Swim, Says Son Speaking to the publisher, he said his mother could not swim, and that his father was made to go through an interview with the police that lasted a few hours. We have asked to see the CCTV footage, but, so far, we have not received anything yet for us to confirm that it was her. All we know is that the ships crew thinks she jumped into the water," Apoorv was quoted as saying. Explaining his fathers off-boarding, he said while Jakesh was asked to leave, Apoorv said his mother could be stuck somewhere. Eventually my father was told to get down from the ship because there was another cruise that was going to take place, but we think she may still be on the ship, stuck somewhere," he said. She was on a holiday enjoying herself and then this whole thing happened. It does not make sense," he added. Investigations Commence The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issued a statement stating that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore was notified about the incident at approximately 7.50 am on Monday. The incident involved a passenger on board the Cyprus-flagged Spectrum of the Seas who had fallen overboard. However, no further details were provided in the statement. The vessel was berthed in Singapore earlier to facilitate investigations and departed at approximately 4.30 pm. As per tracking data from the marine tracking website Marine Traffic, the vessel is currently en route to Nha Trang in Vietnam. A spokesman for Royal Caribbean stated that they reported the incident to local authorities without delay. In a Tuesday evening update, Apoorv shared, the cruise finally shared the footage and unfortunately, we have learned that my mother has passed away." Thank you for showing your overwhelming support in this time of distress for my family & I will forever be grateful," he said. He continued, Would request you guys to give us some privacy as we mourn her loss. Ironically, today is also her birthday." According to cruise tracking website CruiseMapper, Spectrum of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship belonging to the Quantum-Ultra class a larger and upgraded version of the Quantum-class. (With inputs from PTI) A US mother with doomsday" religious beliefs was sentenced Monday to life in prison without parole for murdering two of her children and conspiring to kill her husbands ex-wife. Lori Vallow had been found guilty in May over the deaths of her 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan and adopted seven-year-old son Joshua JJ" Vallow. You are sentenced to the custody of the State Board of Corrections to serve the maximum allowed sentence life imprisonment with no possibility of parole," said Judge Steven W. Boyce, at a court in the northwestern US state of Idaho. Vallow claimed to be a goddess charged with preparing humanity for the second coming of Jesus Christ, and said she believed she could communicate with angels. Prosecutors alleged that she used religious beliefs to justify the murders, which became the subject of a Netflix true-crime documentary series Sins of Our Mother," released last year. They also claimed there were financial motives for the crimes. Her fifth husband, Chad Daybell the self-published author of several apocalyptic novels is awaiting trial over similar charges, which include the murder of his first wife, Tammy. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case first drew national headlines in late 2019 following the disappearance of Vallows children. Vallow and Daybell never reported that the children were missing, and their bodies were found in June 2020 on property owned by Daybell in Idaho. It also emerged that several people associated with Vallow and Daybell had died in recent years. These included Daybells wife Tammy, who died ostensibly of natural causes in October 2019, just weeks before the couple moved to Hawaii. Vallow, raised a Mormon, became increasingly radical in her religious beliefs over time. In 2018, she met Daybell the leader of a radical Mormon sect that was preparing for the end times at a religious conference in Utah. Judge Boyce on Monday ordered three consecutive, rather than concurrent, life sentences, due to the gravity of Vallows crimes. In Idaho, a life sentence is just that a life sentence without parole," he said But because there are three separate murders with three separate victims that occurred at three separate times, running the counts concurrently would not serve the interests of justice," he said. You need to be held accountable separately for each of the three murders." Myanmars Aung San Suu Kyi will be pardoned, the nations state-run broadcaster said on Tuesday. Myanmars ruling junta announced a clemency for the imprisoned democratically-elected civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Democratically-elected leader, President Win Myint, will also be part of this clemency. ALSO READ | Suu Kyi Pardoned: Who Is Myanmar Civil Rights Leader Aung San Suu Kyi? Both of these leaders have been incarcerated since the February 2021 coup. The junta has convicted Suu Kyi of 19 offences that carried a total prison sentence of 33 years. She was charged for allegedly indulging in corruption, possession of illegal walkie talkies and flouting coronavirus restrictions. The junta reduced her 33-year prison sentence by six years in a partial pardon. Chairman of the State Administration Council pardons Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced by the relevant courts, the state-run broadcaster said. The clemency will not pardon the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Win Myint for all of the alleged offences, but merely reduce their sentences. Suu Kyi was pardoned in a junta amnesty of more than 7,000 prisoners to mark Buddhist Lent, news agency AFP said in a separate report. The latest development comes after the junta transferred ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi from a prison in the capital Naypyidaw to house arrest. She couldnt be freed completely although some sentences against her were pardoned. She still has to face 14 cases. Only five cases out of 19 were pardoned, people familiar with the developments told news agency AFP. Myanmar remains caught in a conflict between rebels and the junta which has led to the displacement of more than one million people. Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned in five criminal cases but she still faces 14 other cases. The Myanmars National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) in Naypyitaw on Monday decided to extend the countrys state of emergency and the term of the junta for a period of six more months. It is the fourth time junta leader General Aung Min Hlaing extended the emergency. (with inputs from Myanmar Now) Nigers new junta on Monday accused France of seeking to intervene militarily" to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, as tensions soared with the former colonial power and its neighbours. France hit back in the evening with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denying the charges and adding it was still possible" to restore Bazoum to power. And in a sign of escalating regional tensions, the junta-led governments of Mali and Burkina Faso warned late Monday that any military intervention in Niger would be considered a declaration of war" on both their countries too. Bazoum a western ally whose election just over two years ago marked Nigers first peaceful transition of power since independence was toppled on July 26 by the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself leader but his claim has been shunned internationally and the West African bloc ECOWAS has given him a week to hand back power. Bazoum is one of a dwindling group of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, where since 2020 a jihadist insurgency has also triggered coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. Bazoums PNDS party on Monday warned Niger risked becoming a dictatorial and totalitarian regime" after a series of arrests. On Monday morning, the oil minister and the mining minister were arrested, the party charged. The head of the PNDSs national executive committee was also arrested. The party said the junta had previously arrested the interior minister, the transport minister and a former defence minister. The European Union condemned the arrest of ministers from the ousted government on Monday and demanded they be freed immediately. Extremely dangerous The putschists took aim at Paris on national television, saying: In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien National Guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorisation." Colonna told Frances BFM news channel the allegation was wrong" and that it was still possible" to return the democratically-elected president to power. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed immediate and uncompromising" action if French citizens or interests were attacked after thousands rallied outside the French embassy in Niamey. Colonna said the demonstration had been organised, not spontaneous, violent, extremely dangerous, with Molotov cocktails, Russian flags appeared, anti-French slogans (that were) an exact copy of what you can hear elsewhere". Macron has spoken to Bazoum several times as well as to regional leaders, the presidential palace in Paris said. On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sounded a tough warning. The bloc demanded that Bazoum be reinstated within a week, failing which it would take all measures" to restore constitutional order, which may include the use of force". Its time for action," said ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria Nigers southern neighbour and the regional superpower. Niger became the third Sahel country in less than three years, following Mali and Burkina Faso, to be shaken by a military coup. In all three nations, a jihadist insurgency strained fragile governments, stoked anger in the military and rained economic blows on some of the worlds poorest countries. The overthrow of elected presidents has been accompanied by anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. On Monday Burkina Faso and Mali warned of the disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, which could destabilise the entire region". Crucial ally Protesters supporting the junta say France, the countrys traditional ally, has failed to shield them against the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. In Mali, a 2020 putsch led to a bust-up with France which last year withdrew its troops as the junta brought in Russian paramilitaries. France also quit Burkina Faso after two coups last year brought in a junta that adopted a nationalist line. The withdrawals prompted France to reconfigure its decade-long anti-jihadist strategy in the Sahel, concentrating on Niger, where it fields 1,500 troops with a major air base near Niamey. The latest coup, according to the putschists, was a response to the degradation of the security situation" linked to the jihadist conflict, as well as corruption and economic woes. International critics have ratcheted up pressure, targeting trade and development aid. ECOWAS has suspended all commercial and financial transactions. France, the European Union and the United States which has 1,100 troops in Niger have either cut off support or threatened to do so. Germany suspended financial aid and development cooperation on Monday, and UN humanitarian operations have also been put on hold. Niger has seen four coups since independence from France in 1960 and numerous other attempts, including two previously against Bazoum. The 63-year-old is a former interior minister whose election marked Nigers first peaceful transition of power since independence. The arid landlocked state, which frequently ranks at the bottom of the UNs Human Development Index, is struggling with two jihadist campaigns. Pakistan is witnessing a concerning surge in the number of suicide attacks. The number of suicide attacks have grown and the number of fatalities from these suicide bomb blasts have also risen compared to the previous year, the Dawn said in a report. In the first seven months of the year 2023, Pakistan witnessed at least 18 suicide attacks. These attacks have led to the death of more than 200 people and have injured over 450 people. In 2022, Pakistan recorded 15 suicide attacks in total. The number of suicide attacks have grown largely after the ceasefire between the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and the Pakistan government ended. The most recent casualties of a suicide bomb attack were the attendees at a political event in Bajaur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Islamic States Khorasan wing (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack which led to the death of more than 40 people among whom 23 were minors. The report on the increase in suicide attack was compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The think tank made the findings public on Monday. The PICSS report also highlighted the most severely affected region in the tribal belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. At least 9 suicide attacks in the year 2023 have been reported from the KP province. These attacks claimed over 60 lives and injured over 150 people. Sundays attack on the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers convention was the deadliest so far. The report says: Mainland KP faced its own share of devastation, with four suicide attacks causing the deaths of more than 110 people and leaving 245 injured. It also mentions the Peshawar Police Line attack where a suicide bomber detonated a bomb inside a mosque, killing at least 100 people, stood out as the deadliest in the country. The report also pointed out that Balochistan is also witnessing a troubling wave of violence. Balochistan witnessed at least four suicide attacks within the first seven months of 2023. At least 14 people died and 27 others were injured in these attacks. Sindh has reported one suicide attack which led to the deaths of five individuals and injuring 18 others. A Palestinian gunman opened fire at a group of Israelis in a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, wounding six people before being shot dead, police said. Since early last year, the West Bank has seen a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. A terrorist opened fire at a group of people in Maaleh Adumim," a police statement said, referring to the Jewish settlement and adding that an off-duty border police officer neutralised" the assailant. Police later confirmed to AFP that the gunman was shot dead, during the incident near a shopping mall. The Palestinian health ministry said the assailant, named as Muhannad Mohammad al-Mazaraah, 20, was killed by occupation bullets". Hospitals in Jerusalem said they were treating six people including a teenager wounded in the attack, two of whom were in a serious condition. The off-duty officer who shot the gunman said he was in a barbershop when he heard shots and shouting, and rushed outside. He said he saw a man wearing a yellow vest and holding a pistol. I wasnt sure he was the terrorist," the officer, whose identity was not revealed, said in a video released by police. I yelled at him to stop and cocked my gun. He began firing at me, and I realised he was the terrorist." Police said the officer then managed to shoot the gunman dead in return fire. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967. Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, the territory is home to nearly three million Palestinians and around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law. The Palestinians, who seek their own independent state, want Israel to withdraw from all land it occupied in the Six-Day War and to dismantle all Jewish settlements. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took power in December in a coalition between his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, has pledged to strengthen settlements". He has expressed no interest in reviving peace talks, which have been moribund since 2014. Separate incident Israels hardline Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who himself lives in a settlement, praised the officer who killed the gunman and also the government policy to distribute weapons to citizens. It is an important policy that proves itself", he said after visiting the site of the attack. I think that (distributing weapons) to this combination of citizens, border policemen, fighters, policemen who defend the state of Israel is the right combination," Ben-Gvir said. Since being appointed in December, Ben-Gvir has worked to streamline the licensing process for private guns in Israel to enable people who meet the countrys strict criteria to bear arms. In a separate incident later Tuesday in the southern West Bank, soldiers questioned a Palestinian who aroused their suspicion at a bus stop. The suspect attempted to stab them. One of the soldiers neutralised the assailant," the army said in a statement, sharing a picture of a knife. The Palestinian health ministry said Mohammad Farid al-Zaarir, 15, was shot dead in the incident. Violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has this year killed at least 205 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides. They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority. Hate-filled flyers littered over 100 Albany cars Thursday, July 27, prompting a police report and call to the Department of Justice. The messages include Islamophobic, anti-LGBTQ+ and antisemitic and anti-Ukrainian sentiments. The incident comes weeks after the announcement of the Anti-Defamation Leagues involvement in an antisemetic incident in city council. In May, city councilor Steph Newton, who is Jewish, called out antisemitic statements she felt were made towards her during an Albany city council meeting by another city councilor. A presentation is tentatively scheduled with the council to discuss harmful tropes and antisemitic conspiracy theories. Now, Newton has found herself in an incident involving hate speech. When a constituent told her that the local Target parking lot was filled with hate fliers, Newton rushed over. For about three hours, she took down over 100 flyers with hateful messages that had been placed under front and back windshields and rolled up in car doors. She didnt want people to see them, she said. This is not what Albany is, she said. The flyers contain about 13 variations of hate filled messages depicting graphic images and Islamophobic, anti-LGBTQ+, antisemitic and anti-Ukrainian sentiments. The constituent, who wishes to remain anonymous, saw the distributer of the flyers and chose not to engage with them over fear of endangerment. Photos of the individual were taken and sent to Albany police. It took about three hours for Newton to collect the leaflets. Some were by the Safeway and Dollar Tree parking lots, while more were found at other grocery stores in town. I cant let these ideas spread in my town, Newton said. It plants seeds of animosity that sew division. When asked if she felt the incident was related to what happened in city council, Newton said she hoped it wasnt. Newton was concerned about the spread of conspiracy theories and hateful messages. After doing research on the flyers and looking at where information was attributed, Newton believes the flyers came from a hate group in Ashland. The person who was distributing the flyers had out-of-state license plates, she said. She added she didn't think they were an Albany resident. A police report was filed, citing the event as a Bias Incident or hate speech, said Albany Police Chief Marcia Harnden in an email. Both the state and Albany Police recognize incidents with hate speech as bias incidents, she said. Albany police posted vehicle information on social media in attempt to identify the person and there is a bias liaison officer who takes the responsibility of following up with the Oregon Department of Justice and conducts follow ups and resources if needed. The incident will be reported to the DOJ after the report is complete, she added. Newton said the incident was heartbreaking, and hopes more community leaders will speak out against hate speech publicly, she said. The Center for Countering Digital Hate says Elon Musk is trying to silence it with threats of a lawsuit. The nonprofit, whose researchers said hate speech on Twitter increased after Musk's takeover of the company, says it recently received a letter from Twitter's parent company accusing it of making "troubling and baseless claims that appear calculated to harm Twitter generally, and its digital advertising business specifically," the New York Times reports. The letter threatened legal action under trademark law and accused the center of carrying out false or misleading research funded by foreign governments "in support of an ulterior agenda." The letter also accused the center, without evidence, of being funded by Twitter's competitors, though it has also published reports critical of platforms including Facebook and TikTok, the AP reports. Imran Ahmed, the center's founder and CEO, tells the AP that the CCDH has never received similar threats from any other tech company. "This is an unprecedented escalation by a social media company against independent researchers. Musk has just declared open war," he says. "If Musk succeeds in silencing us other researchers will be next in line." The center says it does not receive funding from governmentsor social media companies. In one CCDH report singled out as misleading in the letter from X Corp lawyer Alex Spiro, researchers said they reported 100 posts promoting hate, including one that said "Hitler was right," and that 99 of them were not removed within four days. In response to the letter, lawyer Roberta Kaplan said that there was "no bona fide legal grievance here" and that the threat of legal action was a "transparent attempt to silence honest criticism," the Guardian reports. "Obviously, such conduct could hardly be more inconsistent with the commitment to free speech purportedly held by Twitter's current leadership," Kaplan wrote. (Read more Twitter stories.) Despite advancing medical technology, communities of color continue to have disparities in maternal health care. In the mid-Willamette Valley doulas workers who provide emotional support and guidance during pregnancy are pushing to fill the gaps. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias, according to the CDC. It has everything to do with the fact that we live in inequitable systems and institutionalized racism affects birth outcomes, said Missy Cheyney, a medical anthropologist at Oregon State University and program champion of the Corvallis-based Community Doula Program. Communities of color also have higher rates of caesarian section procedures than their white counterparts. Cheyney believes that when the issues arise because of community failures, the community also holds the key for solutions. The Community Doula Program has attempted to give more positive birth outcomes and experiences by adding an advocate and emotional support worker in the room. And having someone with a similar lived experience can make all the difference, she said. What is a doula? Ines Gonzalez stood with her hand over her belly, protruding from a long striped dress, her toddler son bobbing at her feet. Any day, she could go into labor. She can already feel the baby, a girl for whom she hasnt quite decided the name yet moving into position. Navigating the health care system while pregnant and being a Spanish speaker is daunting for the Albany resident. But with the help of a doula, Gonzalez feels she has someone she can trust, she said. The interview was translated from Spanish. Valentina Soares is a doula who knows three languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish. Sometimes her job as a doula involves being a translator, other times, an advocate or a well for emotional support. She isnt a medical professional doulas arent meant to take the place of medical professionals. Shes there to help Gonzalez have a positive birth experience. This isnt the first time the two have worked together. Gonzalez was there for the birth of her son as an instant doula, meaning the day of the birth was the first time the two worked together. Being there for someones birth creates such a deep connection, Soares said, looking at Gonzalezs son, Luis. When Gonzalez first arrived at the hospital with her husband, she knew nothing about how the hospital worked and how to navigate it. When the paperwork came in for an epidural procedure, it was all in English. Her doula had to ask for copies in Spanish for Gonzalez to sign. We are there to communicate and help them understand, but sometimes we are also their voice, Soares said. While cellphones may have apps that provide translation, that isnt the same as having a person there, Gonzalez said. Doulas typically meet with parents multiple times, before, during and after the birth. Having someone continually being a part of the birthing process can provide a sense of stability, especially for long labors, when doctors change shifts and people are going in and out of the room. Having an advocate in the room with you smooths those gaps in care, Cheyney said. Now that she knows Soares, they are meeting periodically before the birth of the Gonzalezs second child. On a recent appointment, Luis played with wooden cars from under a tented arch of magenta fabric while his mother checklisted what she will need once second baby arrives. Together she and her doula charted out a plan. They talked through what foods she feels comfortable eating after the birth, what music will help relax her during labor and her lingering stresses. Its become a tradition to pen a song together, she said, something special that helps those about to deliver in a relaxing mood, she said. It takes a certain type of person to be a doula, Roslyn Burmood, executive director of the Community Doula Program, said. You have to be on call 24/7 for months at a time. Soares tears up every time she talks about why she became a doula. During the birth of her daughter, she was surrounded by dear friends. Some were massaging her, others reading and chanting. It was a beautiful experience, one she knows not everyone gets to have. There are also a lot of horror stories, and childbirth can be frightening. But Soares hopes to help curate a beautiful experience for her clients. The consensus among the doulas is that birth is beautiful, but it can also be visceral, traumatic and lonely. There isnt enough support in postpartum, every birth is traumatic, Miranda Tasker, an Albany-based doula, said. Having someone tell you you arent alone is different from actually feeling a sense of community and togetherness, that someone is in your corner. And thats what doulas aim to do, Burmood said. Uplifting communities of color The program, which serves Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, has trained a little more than 150 doulas, 40% of whom are Black, Indigenous or come from other communities of color, Burmood said. They come in all ages, the youngest being 18, and the oldest being in their 70s, she said. Its really important that people get support from people who look like them and have a shared background, she said. Many of the people the group serves are Spanish-speaking. Collectively the doulas speak 11 languages, Burmood said. That allows us to match clients with a doula who has a shared history, shared heritage, shared life experience, she said. Oregon has been a pioneer in recognizing the role of doulas, Cheyney said. Oregon was the first state to pass legislation that reimbursed workers such as doulas. That was a big move for accessibility. Three percent of women have doulas, and these are often college-educated white women, Cheyney said. But with Medicaid reimbursements, people dont have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket, so more people have access to doulas, she said. The stereotype of doulas being something exclusive to white, wealthier classes is changing, Burmood said. Measuring success Theres a lot of data the group has collected since its conception in 2018 to show that what they do, works, Cheyney said. The C-section birth rate is reduced when theres a doula. That data is rather significant because the group serves a lot of medically complex pregnancies, she said. Theres also reduced rates of prematurity, she added. Additionally, breastfeeding rates increase when there is a doula. On average, the breastfeeding rate is about 70%, while births with a doula have numbers that cusp 100%. Thats because doulas are readily available and on call in the middle of the night, Cheyney said. They can help if there are issues with breastfeeding. Overall, theres just more attention to postpartum care, she said. Cheyney believes having a doula can curb the maternal mortality rates, but that shouldnt be the only goal. Not dead is a pretty low bar, she said. She wants people to have good birth experiences, to feel heard and feel that their rights and autonomy were respected, she said. Having a doula in the room can even create more positive interaction between medical workers and their patients, she added. People are reminded that this is an important day, and that that person is only going to birth that baby one time, it goes beyond a medical event, she said. The organization started with midwives and doulas but has since expanded to a partnership between multiple agencies to get pregnant people resources, Burmood said. The idea is that people will be able to get wrap-around care that day, including basic needs, like food or diapers. On Sept. 28, Monarch on 4th which will house the doulas and other related programs, will host a grand opening at its location in Corvallis, 520 NW Fourth St. For the Community Doula Program, its one more step toward reproductive justice. We cant be created equal if we cant get an equal start at life, Cheyney said. Former President Donald Trump lost another attempt to block a criminal investigation into attempts to change the results of the 2020 presidential election, when a Georgia judge ruled against him on Monday. Trump's team filed a motion in March seeking to quash a grand jury's findings and remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case. Trump hasn't been indicted, and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney saw that as a problem with the motion, Politico reports. While Trump may not want to be the subject of investigation, McBurney wrote, "no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation." If Willis secures charges against Trump, that would be the time to challenge the process, the judge said. "Guessing at what that picture might look like before the investigative dots are connected ... is not a proper role for the courts," McBurney wrote. Trump went to the Georgia Supreme Court earlier this month with a similar request and was summarily shut down, part of a legal campaign the judge doesn't seem to appreciate. "Perplexingly, prematurely, and with the standard pugnacity, Trump has filed not one but two mandamus actions against the District Attorney and this Court," the ruling says, per ABC News. There are indications that an indictment of Trump in the case is near. "We've been working for two and a half yearswe're ready to go," Willis said over the weekend. Trump's arguments for removing Willis include saying she supports Democrats and thus has a conflict, and he's criticizing her public comments on the case, per CNN. McBurney countered that the district attorney has said nothing publicly about whether Trump is guilty and has only said that she's following evidence and that it's an important case. "Put differently," he wrote, "the District Attorney's Office has been doing a fairly routineand legally unobjectionablejob of public relations in a case that is anything but routine." (Read more Donald Trump stories.) UPDATE Aug 4, 2023 1:45 PM CDT An eerie detail has emerged after a man fired shots outside of a Jewish school in Memphis, Tennessee, earlier this week. NBC News reports that the father of 33-year-old suspect Joel Bowman was shot dead by Memphis cops in May 2003 after they received a 911 call of him "acting erratically." A 2004 wrongful-death suit filed by Bowman's mother says police fired at Anthony Bowman as he held a gun, though it insists he never threatened anyone with it. Joel Bowman was "interrogated at the scene while his father remained lifeless on the ground," per the suit. The complaint, settled in 2017, notes Joel Bowman received counseling after the shooting for emotional distress. After this week's shooting, he faces attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and other charges. Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen says Bowman used to attend the school, per WREG. Jul 31, 2023 6:11 PM CDT Memphis police on Monday said officers shot a suspect after he attempted to enter a Jewish school with a gun and fired shots when he couldn't get into the building. Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe said the suspect, whose identity has not been released, approached Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South around 12:20pm. He fired several shots and then left in a maroon truck. "Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure and process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene," Crowe said. Hunter Biden's former business partner insisted in testimony to Congress on Monday that President Biden was never directly involved in their financial dealings, though Hunter would often put his famous father on speakerphone to impress clients and business associates, the AP reports. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee conducted a more than-five hour interview with Devon Archer as part of its expanding congressional inquiry into the Biden family businesses as the GOP explores a potential impeachment inquiry into the president. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers inside the closed-door interview said Archer testified that over the span of 10 years, Hunter Biden put his father on the phone around 20 times while in the company of associates but "never once spoke about any business dealings." New York Rep. Dan Goldman, who was representing Democrats inside the room, told reporters after the interview that Archer testified that Hunter sold the "illusion of access" to his father by taking credit for things his father did as vice president that he had no part in. But Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican member of the Oversight Committee, came out of the interview saying that testimony implicated the president directly. "I think we should do an impeachment inquiry," the Arizona lawmaker told reporters. Biggs, reading from his notes, said Archer testified that the Ukrainian gas company "Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand." Archer, who served with Hunter Biden on the board of Burisma, has long been seen by Republicans as a key witness in their search to directly connect the president to his son's various international business transactions. The White House, however, saw the testimony as a falling short of House Republicans' promise to deliver "bombshell evidence." "It appears that the House Republicans' own much-hyped witness today testified that he never heard of President Biden discussing business with his son or his son's associates, or doing anything wrong," Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement. (More on the testimony and the reactions to it here.) Chants of "freedom" echoed Monday through the streets outside an aid facility in Haiti's capital, where just days earlier an American nurse and her daughter were kidnapped by armed men. Hundreds of Haitians marched through the gang-ravaged zone of Port-au-Prince, bursting with anger at the abduction, which has become a symbol of the worsening violence plaguing the Caribbean nation, the AP reports. Alix Dorsainvil of New Hampshire had been working as a community nurse for the religious and humanitarian aid group El Roi Haiti when she and her daughter were taken from its campus on Thursday, the organization said. She is the wife of its founder, Sandro Dorsainvil. Members of the community said the unidentified kidnappers asked for $1 million in ransom, something that's become standard among the gangs. A State Department spokesman would not say whether the abductors had made any demands. Hundreds of people have been kidnapping in Haiti this year alone, figures from the local nonprofit Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights show. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, gangs have taken over much of Port-au-Prince, killing, raping, and sowing terror in communities already suffering endemic poverty. The violence has stirred anger among Haitians who say they want to live in peace, per the AP. Protesters, largely from nearby El Roi Haiti's campuswhich includes a medical clinic, a school and moreechoed that call as they walked through the sweltering streets wielding cardboard signs written in Creole in red paint. "She is doing good work in the community, free her," read one. Among the protesters was Jean Ronald, a resident who said the community has significantly benefitted from the care provided by El Roi Haiti. Such groups are often the only institutions in areas far beyond the reach of the law but have increasingly had to close as violence has deepened. The closures often leave thousands of families without basic services like health care or education. "If they leave, everything (the aid group's programs) will shut down," Ronald said. "The money they are asking for, we don't have it." (Read more Haiti stories.) Venice isn't doing enough to protect its cultural heritage, according to experts at UNESCO, who are recommending that the Italian city and its lagoon be added to a list of endangered World Heritage sites. Mass tourism, overdevelopment, and rising sea levels linked to climate change put the site at risk of "irreversible" damage, according to a UNESCO report compiled ahead of a September meeting of the UN cultural agency's World Heritage Committee, where the status of 1,157 World Heritage sites will be debated. Experts have recommended that severalincluding the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lvivjoin the 55 sites currently on the World Heritage in Danger list. In the case of Venice, "persistent and complex issues related in particular to mass tourism, development projects and climate change" risk "deterioration and damage to building structures and urban areas, degrading the cultural and social identity of the property and threatening the integrity of its cultural, environmental and landscape attributes and values," UNESCO said, per CNN. Though the Italian state has proposed corrective measures, these are "currently insufficient and not detailed enough," the agency added, per Reuters. "Resolution of long-standing but urgent issues is hindered by a lack of overall joint strategic vision for the longterm preservation of the property and low effectiveness of integrated coordinated management at all stakeholder levels." The recommendation is "a blow for authorities" in the city which receives some 28 million tourists annually, per the BBC. Venice only narrowly missed being placed on the endangered list two years ago after the government passed emergency measures meant to curtail tourists, including a ban on cruise ships in the San Marco Canal. But an "ambitious conservation plan" for the city was "never implemented," the BBC reports. The municipality of Venice says it "will carefully read the proposed decision" and "discuss it with the government." Meanwhile, Australian officials have bought some time as the committee opted to defer its decision on whether to add the Great Barrier Reef to the "in danger" list until next year, per ABC Australia. (Read more Venice stories.) Take a map of Africa, shade in the nations that have had military coups over the last few years, and you'll see the pattern: It's what Declan Walsh in the New York Times calls a "coup belt" stretching across the entire continent. It goes from Guinea on the west coast to Sudan on the east coast, with Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and, most recently, Niger, filling in the belt. Coverage: The Sahel: This six-nation band "has become the longest corridor of military rule on Earth," writes Walsh. The line roughly corresponds with what's known as the Sahel region of Africa, described by the AP as a "vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert"and one that has become increasingly linked to extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Reversing a order made by his predecessor, President Biden has decided US Space Command headquarters will remain in Colorado Springs. Then-President Trump had, in his final days in the White House, ordered it moved to Alabama, a decision some worried would cost taxpayers billions . Biden's administration reviewed that decision but delayed its final determination on where the permanent headquarters would be located; Colorado Springs was established as the temporary HQ location in 2019, and some had expected the five-year provisional term in Colorado to become permanent. Now, under Biden, it will, but Republicans are insisting the decision was politically motivated, the New York Times reports. That's because the Pentagon announced the decision six months into a standoff over military members' access to abortions. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the Pentagon launched a policy reimbursing military personnel who must travel to get either an abortion or fertility treatments, and in protest of that policy, Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has been refusing to agree to promote senior generals and admirals, leading to those promotions being held up. Republicans are accusing Biden of canceling the move to Tuberville's home state as punishment to him, but Biden says the decision was the best one for military readiness, the Washington Post reports. Gen. James Dickinson, the four-star general who oversees Space Command, had argued military readiness would be disrupted by a move, and in announcing that HQ would remain in Colorado, a Pentagon rep said the decision would ensure "peak readiness in the space domain for our nation during a critical period," as the US aims to keep up with China in that domain, and that it would "enable the command to most effectively plan, execute and integrate military space power into multi-domain global operations." The spokesperson also said the decision is supported by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. (Read more Space Command stories.) For Asa Ellerup, the nightmare of discovering that her husband is a suspected serial killer has been worsened by a police search that she says has made her Long Island home unlivable. Ellerup, who filed for divorce from Rex Heuermann after his arrest last month, was recently allowed to return to the home with her two children, a 33-year-old son with special needs and a 26-year-old daughter. She tells the New York Post that the 12-day search for evidence left her without even a bed to sleep in. She says furniture was "shredded" and the family's belongings were piled high in boxes, barely leaving any walking space inside the home. "My children cry themselves to sleep. I mean, they're not children. They're grown adults but they're my children, and my son has developmental disabilities and he cried himself to sleep," she tells the Post. Her son, she says, "is so distraught and doesn't understand, and as a mother, I have no answers for him." Authorities say a "massive" amount of potential evidence, including more than 200 firearms, was removed from the home. Police also dug up the backyard. Heuermann has been charged with three murders and is the main suspect in a fourth. Investigators believe the killings occurred when his wife and children were out of town. Lawyer Bob Macedonio says police treated Ellerup and her family "like animals." He says she "was in complete shock" and was "completely caught by surprise" by her husband's arrest. "I don't know if they're ever going to return to normalcy, but day by day she's getting better," he tells CNN. Yess Mitev, an attorney for the adult children, says they are considering legal action over the "deplorable and roughshod handling of the investigation," the AP reports. Heuermann, who has been held without bail since his July 13 arrest, appeared in court for a hearing Tuesday. Prosecutors said they had turned over huge amounts of evidence from the 13-year investigation, including crime scene photos, to Michael Brown, the suspect's attorney. Brown said he has yet to review the evidence, though he believes prosecutors "very well could have the wrong guy," the AP reports. (Read more Rex Heuermann stories.) New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, died Tuesday at age 71. No cause of death was given, according to Politico , which calls Oliver a "trailblazing political leader." Oliver had begun serving as acting governor on Friday with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on vacation overseas. In a statement, Murphy said he and his family were distraught at the news, per the AP . Naming Oliver as his lieutenant governor was, he said, "the best decision I ever made." The governor's office announced on Sunday that Oliver had been hospitalized for an unspecified medical condition. Murphy spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said the governor will be "returning soon" from Italy. He had been set to return Aug. 13. In 2010, Oliver became the first Black woman to serve as Assembly speaker, before losing the position to Assemblyman Vincent Prieto in 2013. She served in the Assembly since 2004 and was on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders from 1996 to 1999. She was born and raised in Newark and has a sociology degree from Pennsylvania's Lincoln University. Oliver was a compelling public speaker and frequent attendee at Murphy's bill signings and other events, where he typically introduced her as his "rocking" lieutenant governor. "She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color, Murphy said in his statement Tuesday. "Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable." In 2021, while unveiling tighter gun legislation alongside Murphy, Oliver's voice cracked as she lamented what she called runaway gun violence. "We are tired of funerals and memorials," Oliver said. "Growing up in Newark, I tell young people I could go to any section of this city by myself or with my friends. Our young people cannot do that today." Oliver was twice elected lieutenant governor alongside Murphy, in 2017 and again in 2021. She was just the second person to hold the post of lieutenant governor, a newer state government position that began under previous Gov. Chris Christie. The state constitution calls for the state Senate president to serve as acting governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated, and Nick Scutari had done so on Monday, per NJ101.5. The constitution requires Murphy to appoint Oliver's successor within 45 days. (Read more obituary stories.) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa has affirmed the strength of the historical ties that bind Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the solid foundations of the bilateral relations reinforced by the distinguished strategic partnership, consensus of visions and joint coordination in various fields, thanks to the care and attention they receive from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalif and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Shaikh Salman noted the importance of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, which is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in strengthening cooperation and bilateral integration between the two countries. This came during the third meeting of the Coordination Committee in the fields of economy, energy, trade and industry, which was held yesterday remotely, co-chaired by Shaikh Salman and Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadel Al Ibrahim. It is one of the five committees emanating from the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council. They reviewed the most important developments in the implementation of the initiatives and recommendations that fall within the framework of the committees work. The two sides were also briefed on the efforts of the work teams and what has been achieved in accordance with the goals set by the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, which would enhance economic integration between the two brotherly countries. Is sending heart emoticons to women a crime? Here's what Bahrain netizens have to say! Is sending heart emoticons to women a crime? Here's what Bahrain netizens have to say! TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Reported by Zahra Ayaz Young people in Bahrain have resorted to social media to voice their thoughts about whether sending heart emoticons to women is improper and should be treated as criminal behaviour. According to reports, in Kuwait, sending an online heart emoji to an unrelated female is now a crime of encouragement to the debauchery that is subject to legal sanctions. If found guilty of this offense, the maximum sentence for incarceration is two years, and the maximum punishment is KD2,000 fine. Similarly, texting the red heart emoji on WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia may result in jail time. Anyone found guilty of this violation is subject to a two- to five-year jail term in addition to a fine of SR10,000 under Saudi law. Due to these most recent incidents, there is concern among citizens and residents that Bahrain may soon consider sending heart emoticons to be a crime. They think it is OK to send these kinds of messages since it shows the recipients that the sender cares about them. These latest instances have spread a rumour among social media users that Bahrain may also soon consider sending heart emojis a felony, causing worry among citizens and residents. They believe that sending such messages is just a way to indicate that they care about the people they are sending them to and that it is not wrong. According to Mari Del Rio, sending heart emojis is as common as punctuation nowadays. "I personally just like the warm vibe the emoji gives. It should not be a crime, as people can send it to their friends and families." Rahul Rego believes that emojis are harmless. "Most people understand that the heart symbol (occasionally placed) just means 'I care about you'". Ayesha Salaam revealed that though she is used to other girls sending her heart emojis, when a guy does the same, it becomes a little questionable. "However, I dont think Bahrain will come up with such a law." Abel Joseph said, "It is strange that they consider this a crime, but yes, it would make sense to take action if a girl reported a man for harassing her through text while using the heart emoji." Meanwhile, Al Moataz Kutbi, a member of the Anti-Fraud Association in Saudi Arabia, emphasized that using "certain images and expressions during online conversation may turn into a harassment crime if a lawsuit is filed by the aggrieved party." Six killed in Zelensky's hometown as Moscow bolsters onslaught Six killed in Zelensky's hometown as Moscow bolsters onslaught AFP | Kyiv The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A missile strike on a residential building killed six and wounded dozens in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown on Monday, as Russia said it stepped up strikes against military facilities in response to attacks on its territory, including Moscow. Two missiles landed close to the centre of the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rig just after 9:00 am (0600 GMT), Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko wrote on Telegram. Among the dead was a 10-year-old girl and her 45-year-old mother, while 75 people were injured, Klymenko and local authorities said. One of the strikes hit a large nine-storey residential apartment block, punching a huge hole in the facade that destroyed flats on several floors and sparked a fire. Firefighters used a cherry-picker crane to direct jets of water at the fire, while the emergency ministry said part of the building had collapsed while the rubble was being cleared. Russia said it had intensified attacks on military infrastructure in Ukraine after increasingly frequent drone assaults blamed on Kyiv. Russia on Sunday said it had downed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and annexed Crimea in the latest wave of drone attacks. - 'Act of desperation' - "Against the background of the failure of the so-called 'counteroffensive', Kyiv... has focused on carrying out terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure," Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday. In response, "the intensity of our strikes against Ukrainian military facilities... has been considerably increased," Shoigu said. Sunday's drone attack damaged two office towers in a Moscow business district, shattering several windows and leaving documents strewn on the ground. The capital and its environs, lying about 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border, had rarely been targeted during the conflict until several drone attacks this year. Following the strikes, Zelensky warned Sunday that war was coming to Russia. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia -- to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelensky said. The Kremlin responded Monday, describing the strikes on the capital as an "act of desperation" by Ukraine following setbacks on the battlefield. "It is obvious that the counteroffensive is not a success," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that the situation was "very difficult" for Ukrainian forces on the front. "All possible measures have been taken to defend civil infrastructure" against Ukrainian strikes, Peskov added. Ukraine began its long-awaited counteroffensive in June but has made modest advances in the face of stiff resistance from Russian forces on the frontline. - Zelensky's hometown - President Zelensky, who was born and grew up in Kryvyi Rig, said Russians were "continuing to terrorise peaceful cities and people". The strikes in the city also damaged an academic building, according to the head of the city's military administration Oleksandr Vilkul. In the southern city of Kherson, Russian shelling killed four and injured another 17, said the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andriy Yermak. "The enemy is hitting residential neighbourhoods," Yermak said. Meanwhile, shelling by Kyiv's armed forces killed four people and wounded 10 in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk, which is controlled by Russian forces, Moscow-installed authorities said. Another person was killed in Ukrainian shelling on nearby Gorlivka, and a strike on an occupied village in the Zaporizhzhia region left three dead and 15 injured, the authorities said. Russian forces had repelled Ukrainian attacks in the east and south of the country, while it continued its own offensive around Kupiansk, the defence ministry said in its daily briefing. , Aug 02 ( timesofisrael.com ) - Three years before the Olympics began in 2021, Tokyo was already developing the national image it would display as the world looked on. The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education issued a handout to the citys public schools in 2018 highlighting the outstanding achievements of our predecessors that were meant to raise [students] self-awareness and pride as Japanese. Occupying a majority of the four-page handout was the story of diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who wrote thousands of life-saving visas for Jews fleeing Europe in 1940. The pamphlet recreates a dramatized version of Sugiharas life and actions, bolstered by quotes from nameless descendants of the Jewish refugees he saved. Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat to Lithuania from 1939 to 1940, helped thousands of Jewish refugees flee wartime Europe by issuing transit visas that allowed them to travel across the Soviet Union to Japan. Today, his name and story can be found all over the country, from his supposed hometown in Yaotsu to a museum at the northern Tsuruga port where Jewish refugees landed. ...continue reading EDMONTON, AB, July 28, 2023 /CNW/ - EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR) today filed its quarterly results for the period ended June 30, 2023. View PDF EPCOR Announces Quarterly Results (CNW Group/Epcor Utilities Inc.) "EPCOR's operational and financial performance was in-line with expectations for the first half of the year," said John Elford, EPCOR President & CEO. "As customer growth continues across our North American footprint, our teams are focused on ensuring continued delivery of reliable utility services and the completion of capital and construction projects that are now in progress. Capital projects include an electrical substation and transmission assets that will support new power generation supply in Alberta, a new wastewater treatment facility in Arizona, and a water treatment plant at the Darlington Nuclear Generating station. In addition, we continued to develop a groundwater supply system and an industrial water reclamation facility in central Texas, recording $753 million in construction revenues related to those projects in the first half of 2023." "In Alberta, wholesale electricity prices remained volatile," continued Mr. Elford. "Higher spring temperatures drove increased power consumption province-wide, with the system operator reporting pressure on Alberta's electricity grid. EPCOR continues to work closely with customers to manage their accounts, and with the Government of Alberta and industry to explore options for addressing affordability. Our competitive energy retailer, Encor by EPCOR, continues to see significant uptake on fixed rate plans as customers seek to manage their energy costs." Highlights of EPCOR's financial performance are as follows: Net income was $102 million and $148 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 , compared with net income of $93 million and $167 million for the comparative periods in 2022, respectively. The increase of $9 million and decrease of $19 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 , respectively, was primarily due to fair value adjustments related to financial electricity purchase contracts, higher depreciation and finance expenses in 2023, partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA, as described below. and for the three and six months ended , compared with net income of and for the comparative periods in 2022, respectively. The increase of and decrease of for the three and six months ended , respectively, was primarily due to fair value adjustments related to financial electricity purchase contracts, higher depreciation and finance expenses in 2023, partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA, as described below. Adjusted EBITDA 1 was $258 million and $502 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 , compared with $233 million and $442 million for the comparative periods in 2022, respectively. The increase of $25 million and $60 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 , respectively, was primarily due to higher construction activity, customer growth and rates, partially offset by higher operating costs. was and for the three and six months ended , compared with and for the comparative periods in 2022, respectively. The increase of and for the three and six months ended , respectively, was primarily due to higher construction activity, customer growth and rates, partially offset by higher operating costs. Investment in capital projects was $445 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 , compared with $388 million for the corresponding period in 2022, primarily due to higher spending in EPCOR's Distribution and Transmission segment and U.S. Operations segment, partially offset by lower capital spending in EPCOR's Water Services segment. Interim management's discussion and analysis and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are available on EPCOR's website (www.epcor.com) and SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). EPCOR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems in Canada and the United States. EPCOR also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is committed to conducting its business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental stewardship, public health and community well-being are at the heart of EPCOR's mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is an Alberta Top 75 employer and is ranked among Corporate Knights' 2023 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. 1. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section in Appendix 1 to this media release. Appendix 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measures EPCOR uses earnings before finance expenses, income tax recovery (expense), depreciation and amortization, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, transmission system access service charge net collections and other unusual items (collectively, Adjusted EBITDA) to discuss operating results for EPCOR's lines of business. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. The reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA to Net income as reported under IFRS is shown below: (Unaudited, $ millions) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Adjusted EBITDA by Segment Water Services segment $ 114 $ 103 $ 210 $ 186 Distribution and Transmission segment 65 62 126 122 Energy Services segment 8 14 30 35 U.S. Operations segment 62 47 115 80 Other 9 7 21 19 Adjusted EBITDA 258 233 502 442 Finance expenses (47) (37) (94) (74) Income tax expense (10) (5) (2) (9) Depreciation and amortization (110) (100) (210) (191) Change in fair value of financial electricity purchase contracts(1) 13 (3) (58) (9) Transmission system access service charge net collections(2) (2) 5 10 8 Net income $ 102 $ 93 $ 148 $ 167 1. The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments represents the change in fair value of financial electricity purchase contracts between the electricity market forward prices and the contracted prices at the end of the reporting period, for the contracted volumes of electricity. 2. Transmission system access service charge net collections is the difference between the transmission system access service charges paid to the provincial system operators and the transmission system access service charges collected from electricity retailers. Transmission system access service charge net collections are timing differences, which are collected from or returned to electricity retailers as the transmission system access service charges and customer billing determinants are finalized. SOURCE Epcor Utilities Inc. For further information: Media Relations: Niall McKenna, (780) 721-9001, [email protected]; Corporate Relations: Matt Lemay, (780) 412-3711 or toll free (877) 969-8280, [email protected] /Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States./ KINGSVILLE, ON, July 31, 2023 /CNW/ - Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation (CSE: GWAY) (OTCQB: GWAYF) ("Greenway" or the "Company"), a cultivator of high-quality greenhouse cannabis for the Canadian market, today reported its audited annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023. A copy of the audited annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the related Management's Discussion and Analysis are available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts expressed in this press release refer to Canadian dollars. The Company is pleased to report the following results for the year ended March 31, 2023: Highlights: Over the fiscal year, Greenway reported a Positive Adjusted EBITDA of $603,188 on $5,621,933 of revenue, a 183% increase in revenue over the prior fiscal year on of revenue, a 183% increase in revenue over the prior fiscal year Cost of sales comprised of $3,154,061 of cash expenses and $853,333 of amortization expense resulting in a total gross margin before inventory impairment and fair value adjustments of 29% of cash expenses and of amortization expense resulting in a total gross margin before inventory impairment and fair value adjustments of 29% An average cash cost per gram expensed for the year of $0.76 , comprised of all crop inputs and wages, bulk packaging, shipping and facility repairs and maintenance , comprised of all crop inputs and wages, bulk packaging, shipping and facility repairs and maintenance Inventory impairment of $354,256 , comprised of $278,616 of cash costs and $75,640 of amortization costs, due to low market prices for wholesale cannabis as at March 31, 2023 , comprised of of cash costs and of amortization costs, due to low market prices for wholesale cannabis as at A weighted average cash cost per gram of $0.58 of finished goods inventory on hand as at March 31, 2023 of finished goods inventory on hand as at Expanded into new markets, with over 96% of Canadian cannabis users now having access to Greenway cannabis Increased licensed cultivation area, and received a Standard Processing License In December, 2022, Greenway listed its common shares on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB"), under the ticker symbol GWAYF Recognized a gain on the sale of the surplus asset of $193,484 "Our team is proud of what we have been able to accomplish this year, from the large increase in revenue and ensuring our product is available to as many Canadians as possible" said Carl Mastronardi, President of Greenway. "We have another full year under our belts of growing great products, delivering value to our customers, and creating memorable experiences for consumers." "We have been able to maintain one of the lowest costs of production across the Canadian market, while at the same time we have increased our production and our potency," said Jamie D'Alimonte, CEO of Greenway. "Greenway has hit significant milestones this year; new licenses, new customers and new cultivars. I am excited about having our own Processing License, as it provides a pathway for more Canadians to experience Greenway brands and products." "I am pleased that at this stage of the company's development that we have positive adjusted EBITDA," said Darren Peddle, CFO of Greenway. "Greenway will be a leader in the industry because we have a significantly low cost per gram and equally as important, we have low administrative expenses. The Company's focus now transitions to increasing revenue. Despite all of the challenges in the Canadian cannabis industry, it is nearly a $5 billion consumer market. In my opinion, Greenway will achieve a significant market share in the years to come" Debt Settlement Share Transfer to Hybrid Financial As well, the Company, announces that it has issued 964,285 common shares (the "Settlement Shares") to Hybrid Financial Ltd., a marketing services provider, in partial settlement of outstanding debt in accordance with the debt settlement agreement previously announced by the Company on July 14, 2023. The Settlement Shares have a deemed issuance price of $0.28 per share. The Settlement Shares were issued in reliance on a prospectus exemption pursuant to securities legislation and are subject to a four-month plus one day statutory hold period ending on November 25, 2023. The issuance of the Settlement Shares in partial settlement of the Debt remains subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including final acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange. Non-IFRS Measures Management uses a non-IFRS measure to assess the Company's performance. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and are not a measure of financial performance under IFRS, and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Please refer to page 1 of the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for an explanation of the composition of Adjusted EBITDA, an explanation of how it provides useful information to an investor and a quantitative reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS, all of which is hereby incorporated by reference in this press release. Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures The following table reconciles the non-IFRS measure to the most comparable IFRS measure for the twelve months ended March 31, 2023. This measure does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and is not a measure of financial performance under IFRS, and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For the year ended March 31, 2023 Net Income (Loss) (2,605,705) Amortization cost of sales 853,333 Inventory impairment 354,256 Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory 1,778,591 Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets (1,260,298) Amortization operating 237,112 Share-based compensation 692,888 Transaction Costs 51,654 Gain on sale of surplus asset (193,484) Interest expense Rental income 882,341 (187,500) $ Adjusted EBITDA 603,188 This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements is available. Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation is a federally licensed cultivator for the Canadian cannabis marketplace. Greenway is headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, and leverages its agriculture and cannabis expertise in its aspiration to be a leading cannabis cultivator in Canada. More information can be found on Greenway.ca and updates can be followed on Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn . The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding the Offering and the intended use of proceeds thereof, and the Company's beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, the development of future operations, and orientations regarding the future as of the date of this news release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward- looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and includes those risks described in the Company's final prospectus dated September 3, 2021, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. SOURCE Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation For further information: Company Contact, Darren Peddle, Director and CFO, Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation [email protected], 1-519-712-0311 TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - OLLY Canada, a leading wellness brand, is making waves with its latest product range and campaign, centered on empowering women and addressing unmet needs in women's health. With a strong commitment to promoting women's well-being, OLLY's Modern Women's line offers unique, women-centric solutions, encouraging open conversations, and reshaping the narrative around women's health. OLLY Canada's latest line of supplements caters to the unaddressed needs in female sexual health (CNW Group/OLLY Canada) The Modern Women's line introduces a comprehensive range of easy-to-swallow capsule supplements specifically designed for women by women. Included in this line are Lovin' Libido, Beat the Bloat, and Happy Hoo-Ha, addressing physiological needs that have been overlooked for decades. OLLY's expert-designed products are gluten-free and do not contain artificial flavours, colours, or sweeteners. From supporting women's sex drive to supporting vaginal health, and digestion intolerance from certain foods, OLLY provides a confident approach to women's health without shame or embarrassment. Leslie Golts, General Manager Health & Wellbeing Collective Canada, expressed OLLY's commitment, stating, "Our goal is not only to create products that cater to these unaddressed needs but also to break the silence and pave the way for a more inclusive future for women's health. We invite women to embrace shame-free self-care, fostering unapologetic confidence, knowing that normal health concerns should never lead to shame. This campaign is an inspiring journey for the brand as we strive to normalize women's sexual health, driven by our passion and expertise." To launch our Modern Women campaign, we embarked on a quest to promote our fantastic new range of products. However, we discovered that advertising women's health products could be a bit tricky with some limitations. Words like "vagina" were given the side-eye, but hey, challenge accepted! We were surprised that even when we used our product name "happy hoo-ha" in an advertisement, the placement was denied. But fear not! We teamed up with the incredible, like-minded expert, Shan Boodram, who knows how to make things fun and fabulous. Together, we cracked the code and found creative ways to talk about our amazing line up of women's health products mainly by hosting an open and honest conversation around women's health and the taboos and stigmas attached. And guess what? These uplifting discussions are breaking barriers and smashing stigmas, as more women get comfortable talking about their needs. OLLY is on a mission to create a more positive and vibrant dialogue about women's well-being, and we're doing it with a big smile and a sprinkle of fun! "I was thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful evening hosted by OLLY and to be in my home city of Toronto. My mission has always been to break barriers for everyday women. Women's sexuality needs not only to be normalized but celebrated. I am excited to have teamed up with OLLY Canada, which shares the same passion and advocacy, to create a space where women can ask any question without worry or embarrassment," said expert Shan Boodram. With its latest product range and empowering campaign, OLLY Canada continues to champion women's health and wellbeing, encouraging a transformative shift in the conversation around women's sexual health and self-care. For more information on OLLY's Modern Woman range of products visit: https://www.ollynutrition.ca/en About OLLY #OLLYModernWomen #FEMPowered OLLY is a San Francisco based vitamins and supplements B Corp, crafting wellness products that are just as effective as they are delightful and delicious. The company was founded with a mission to make vitamins & supplements easy-to-understand, so you can live Happy Inside Out. In 2020, OLLY came to Canada with vitamins in gummy form that have big benefits. In 2023, OLLY launched the Modern Woman product range and campaign which focus on women's self-care for everywhere, shame-free. OLLY believes that the foundation of all happiness is good health. The company's mission is to inspire lifelong healthy habits by bringing simplicity, inspiration, and delight to the world of multivitamins and supplements. OLLYnutrition.ca Instagram: @OLLYCanada TikTok: @OLLYCanada Facebook: OLLYNutritionCA About Unilever Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of 60.1 billion in 2022. Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. The Unilever Compass, our sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while: - improving the health of the planet; - improving people's health, confidence and wellbeing; - and contributing to a fairer and more socially inclusive world. In Canada, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Degree, Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Magnum, Nexxus, OLLY, TRESemme, Vaseline and Vim. For more information about Unilever and our brands, please visit www.unilever.com. SOURCE OLLY Canada For further information: Shantelle Pereira, [email protected] Mastercard reported a 31% increase in leisure travel in march 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. compared to the same period in 2019. 98% of phone providers around the globe plan to offer eSIM options by 2025. eSIM adoption rate grew by 152% between 2019 and 2022, according to Mobilise Global. MONTREAL, July 30, 2023 /CNW/ - PlanHub.ca, a renowned Canadian telecom plan comparator, is thrilled to announce the launch of simbud.com , a travel eSim comparator website specifically designed to simplify the way consumers choose eSim plans for their next trip. The amount of eSim providers has exploded. We have counted more than 25 including Airalo, Nomad, Holafly and more. Not to mention, national players are also starting to offer options for incoming travelers. simbud: The travel eSIM comparator (CNW Group/PlanHub) Travelers today are embracing the convenience and cost-saving potential of eSim technology at an unprecedented rate. simbud.com understands the need to simplify the eSim selection journey, allowing travelers to effortlessly unlock the amazing advantages it brings. This smart choice can potentially lead to significant savings, making each adventure even more memorable and budget-friendly. simbud.com leverages PlanHub's extensive knowledge and expertise in the price comparison space to provide users with eSim plans from various service providers. The launch of simbud.com aligns with PlanHub's dedication to simplifying the telecom landscape. Users can easily compare plans based on coverage, pricing, data allowances and more. "Consumers interested in affordable data often face the challenge of limited options," says Nadir Marcos, CEO and Co-Founder of PlanHub. "simbud.com aims to bridge this gap by providing users with a convenient one-stop platform to explore and compare eSim plans hassle-free. We firmly believe that eSims have the power to revolutionise global connectivity and simbud.com is our commitment to simplifying this transition for travelers." As well as being a great tool for consumers, this fully customizable embeddable widget can also allow online media outlets to earn additional revenue generated from the widget through revenue sharing. About PlanHub: Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Montreal, PlanHub is an independent comparison platform focused mainly on mobile and internet plans in Canada. PlanHub.ca offers completely free, easy-to-use tools for sifting through thousands of plans offered by hundreds of telecommunications service providers. PlanHub also owns Branchez-vous , a Quebec-based technology website, and simbud , a global eSIM comparison platform. SOURCE PlanHub For further information: Nadir Marcos, +1-514-952-7325, [email protected] Inspired by Pop-Culture Sensation Squishmallows, McDonald's Canada has launched the Squishmallows TM/MC McFlurry , available for a limited time A version of the loveable plush toys will also be available as part of the Happy Meal while supplies last TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Summer just got a bit tastier! Starting today, Canadians can get their hands on the new Squishmallows TM/MC McFlurry, complete with smooth vanilla soft serve blended with pink popping candy and delicious blueberry flavoured syrup. And, for Squishmallows collectors, families and fans of all ages, a version of the soft and loveable plush toy will also be available in the Happy Meal for a limited time. The Squishmallows toys will be offered to guests in specially themed Squishmallows boxes that include a scannable code to bring each of the characters' personalities to life in an immersive musical experience. The Squishmallows(TM/MC) McFlurry, complete with smooth vanilla soft serve, pink popping candy and delicious blueberry flavoured syrup, is available for a limited time at McDonalds Canada restaurants starting today. (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) McDonalds Canada and Squishmallows(TM/MC) have partnered to bring the Squishmallows hunt to Canadian Happy Meals for a limited time! (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) Squishmallows McFlurry The latest addition to the McFlurry lineup showcases McDonald's commitment to menu innovation. For a limited time only, guests can try the Squishmallows McFlurry at participating restaurants in both regular and snack sizes. "We took inspiration from the vibrant and fun spirit of the Squishmallows when developing this new McFlurry and looked to bring that to life with a colourful and unique flavour combination," said Chef Jeff Anderson, Culinary Innovation Lead at McDonald's Canada. "The result is a delightful sensory experience for our guests, with unconventional ingredients that complement each other, like the pink popping candy and the sweet, fruity blueberry flavoured syrup." This new McFlurry comes as McDonald's Canada continues to innovate to deliver unparalleled flavour experiences for its guests. Earlier this summer, the brand launched limited-edition McFlurry flavours Confetti Cookie Dough and Caramel Popcorn. Squishmallows in Happy Meal For Squishmallows fans, an exclusive lineup of 10 music-themed Squishmallows toys, each with their own name and unique look, will be offered in specially-themed Squishmallows Happy Meal boxes while supplies last. "In partnering with McDonald's Canada we are able to bring fans an interactive 360-degree Squishmallows experience which includes the Squishmallows McFlurry, exclusive digital playlists and special edition Squishmallows," said Gerhard Runken, Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing at Jazwares. "Happy Meals have featured so many iconic brands throughout the years, and this is a tremendous milestone for Squishmallows as we join forces with McDonald's, a brand that is trusted and recognized across the world and loved by Canadians coast to coast." As a family destination, McDonald's Canada is committed to continually enhancing the Happy Meal experience to deliver fun moments for families and children to enjoy together. And, the brand continues to prioritize the digital experience for guests of all ages, which is why each Squishmallows Happy Meal toy design will also include an exclusive playlist, comprised of three songs, to bring their personalities to life. About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving more than one million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast to coast to coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca. About Jazwares Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with an award- winning, robust portfolio of wholly owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows, Pokemon, Star Wars, CoComelon, Fortnite, AEW, Adopt Me!, Hello Kitty, and many more. In addition to toys, offerings also include Metaverse gaming, costumes, and products for pets. Headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. SOURCE McDonald's Canada For further information: Canada Impact, McDonald's Canada [email protected] Ishaku Abbo, the lawmaker representing Adamawa north senatorial district, says he sat for the common entrance examination and passed when he was in primary 3. Abbo spoke on Monday on the floor of the senate during the screening of the ministerial nominees. He was reacting to a discrepancy in the biodata of Joseph Utsev, a nominee from Benue state. Tokunbo Abiru, a lawmaker from Lagos, had pointed out what appeared like an age discrepancy in the curriculum vitae (CV) submitted by Utsev. Abiru pointed out that Utsev, a professor of water resources and environmental engineering, was born in 1980, started his primary school in 1984 and finished his secondary school in 1989. You were born on December 2, 1980, but reading further down, you attended St John Primary School, Gboko, in 1989, Abiru said. I am wondering whether you finished secondary school in 1989 which suggests that you started primary school at the age of three to finish in 1989. You also claim that you went to secondary school in 1995. What appeared a bit distorted is that you graduated in 2004 meaning that you probably would have spent nine years for your first degree. I just need you to clarify those data starting from primary school, while it took you that long to get your first degree despite the academic brilliance you have exhibited. The nominee responded that he started primary school in the year 1984 and got his first school leaving certificate in 1989. However, when Abbo stood up to ask the nominee a question, said he was also an exceptionally brilliant student in school. First of all, our nominee from Benue state, you see some people dont understand some basic things, Abbo said. To clear the air on the issue of you finishing primary school at the age of three. Let me tell you a personal story. I sat for the common entrance examination when I was in primary three and I won because I was exceptionally brilliant. I passed. It is all the same; winning and passing are the same. So, the question of you entering primary school at the age of three did not arise but when did you finish and at what level did you sit for your common entrance examination? You may be like me, exceptionally brilliant. But we have cleared the issue because we are on national television and I dont want people to go home and think that your integrity has been called to question. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for understanding and patience from Nigerians as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and as President Bola Tinubu unpacks his administrations Renewed Hope agenda. Mr Felix Morka, the partys National Publicity Secretary, made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He congratulated APC members across the nation and assured that the Renewed Hope agenda would ensure peace, unity, security and prosperity. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of our great party, the APC, we congratulate our members, stakeholders and leaders on this important milestone. We salute the founding visionaries of our party for their commitment to progressive values and principles. APC was a child of the imperative to pull our nation from the brink where it hung precariously by the maladministration of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Morka stated. He recalled that the merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) paved the way for the founding of the APC. Morka noted that from remarkable strides, the party had come a long way from its humble nascence and morphed into Africas largest political party of more than 40 million members. This, he stated, the APC did through the enunciation of people-centred policies that had repositioned the country for holistic development in all areas of its national life. Significantly, in its first run, the party defeated the then incumbent PDP in 2015 to clinch the countrys presidency; won control of the National Assembly and majority of the states of the federation. This feat was repeated at the 2019 and 2023 general elections with a mandate to consolidate on its leadership, expand good governance and extend the frontiers of economic and social development of our dear nation. As the party celebrates this milestone, we applaud our compatriots for their invaluable support and resilience these past years, the APC scribe stated. Press Release August 1, 2023 Bong Go reaffirms commitment to advancing labor sector as he advocates for Advanced Nursing Education, Magna Carta for Seafarers bills Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Senator Christopher "Bong" Go lauded the president's initiatives and underscored his commitment to pursue the shared goal of advancing the labor sectors through his proposed legislative measures. "President Marcos has provided the necessary focus and vision to address the critical issue of the mismatch between job requirements and skills among our workforce," said Go. "His initiatives are in harmony with our endeavors in the Senate to improve the conditions of our workforce, especially seafarers and healthcare professionals," said Go. In his SONA, Marcos declared, "The bane of the mismatch between jobs and skills among our workforce is being rectified through strengthened government-industry-labor-academe partnerships, and the continuous reskilling and upskilling training programs that we have put before our workforce." The president further emphasized the importance of training and education for the country's seafarers and healthcare professionals. Marcos then discussed the resolution of the 17-year issue concerning the European Union's recognition of the training standards for Filipino seafarers. Go emphasized, "This signifies a major victory for our Filipino seafarers, preserving their competitive edge in the global shipping labor market." Notably, Go's Senate Bill No. 1191, or the "Magna Carta for Seafarers", seeks to address similar issues, emphasizing the safeguarding of seafarers' rights to decent and humane employment, providing guidance on training, overseas employment, and retirement. "I commend the president's foresight and decisive actions. His initiatives on seafarers' education and training strongly echo the sentiments expressed in Senate Bill No. 1191, which I filed to provide a Magna Carta for Seafarers," said Go. "Filipino seafarers have long served as a cornerstone of the global maritime sector, and continue to significantly fuel our economy. As such, it becomes essential to safeguard their rights and promote their welfare," he added. Turning his attention to the healthcare sector, Go, who is also the author of the proposed Senate Bill No. 191, the "Advanced Nursing Education Act of 2022," lauded Marcos' initiative to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. Go noted, "The expansion of our medical and nursing programs will bring us one step closer to achieving our goal of universal healthcare." He further expressed his support for the administration's initiative to assist nursing graduates to pass their board exams, emphasizing, "This effort will significantly bolster our pool of healthcare professionals." The Advanced Nursing Education Act, as proposed by Go, envisions a future wherein the nursing profession is fortified with relevant education, better career prospects, and a dignified existence. To this end, it will mandate community integration and immersion for students, with graduate programs built on the experiences and skills of the nurses for mastery, expertise, and leadership in practice, research, and education. The lawmaker earlier authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11466 in 2019, which gives public sector nurses and other civilian government employees their fifth round of salary increases broken down in tranches. In the same year, Go also made sure that sufficient funding was allocated for the implementation of the 2019 Supreme Court decision that upheld Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which establishes the minimum salary grade of the Nurse I position at SG-15. Go then expressed his steadfast commitment to working alongside the Marcos administration, saying, "It is clear from President Marcos' remarks that he shares the same commitment to improve the lives of our labor force and elevate the standards of our professions." "I am confident that together we can effect the positive changes our country needs," he concluded. The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar has stormed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal for the final legal fireworks in his petition against the declaration of Bola Tinubu as winner of the election. Atiku, who dressed in a sky blue kaftan, arrived the Court of Appeal, venue of the tribunal, with a retinue of his political associates and friends. The former Vice President was heralded into the court room by several members of his legal team. At the time of this report, Atiku was the focus of action and visit inside the court room. His lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche SAN, has also arrived the Tribunal to engage Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, lead counsel to President Tinubu in the last legal fireworks for and against the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 25 presidential election. Big Brother Naija All Stars housemate Cynthia Nwadiora, aka CeeC, has revealed that she is expecting her first child next year. She disclosed this in a chat with Seyi Awolowo on Tuesday. Seyi and CeeC were discussing his son when she mentioned that she would welcome her first child, a daughter, next year. She, however, didnt disclose if she was already pregnant. CeeC said, Im sure your son is so cute, and Seyi replied, If you see him ehn, you go choose to be sugar mummy like this. She then said: He will marry my daughter. She is coming. How old is he? Seyi replied: He will be three this September. CeeC added: Ah! He go marry my daughter. I dey born next year. An aircraft on Tuesday crashed into a building at Oba Akran Ikeja, Lagos State. It was gathered that the incident occurred at 3:30 pm adjacent to AP Filling Station, and United Bank For Africa, Oba Akran. The aircraft burst into flames near Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), its destination. It was learnt that the pilots of the helicopter were rescued. However, there is no information on whether or not there were other passengers on board. Responders from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were on ground at the time of filing this report. The presidential election petitions tribunal has reserved judgment in the suit filed by Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). Obi who came third in the election and his party had filed a joint petition in March challenging the outcome of the February 25 poll. They are asking the court to nullify the victory of Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In their final written address dated July 20, the petitioners insisted that Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were not qualified to contest the poll. The petitioners had said Tinubu was not eligible to run for the office of president due to the forfeiture of $460,000 in the US and his failure to secure 25 percent of votes cast in the federal capital territory (FCT). The petitioners closed their case on June 23 after calling 13 witnesses. At the court session on Tuesday, the petitioners as well as the respondents adopted their final written addresses The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) legal team led by Abubakar Mahmoud prayed the court to dismiss the petition. We humbly submit that this petition is lacking in merit and should be dismissed, Mahmoud said. Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Tinubu and Shettima, as well as Lateef Fagbemi, representative of the APC, also prayed the court to dismiss the petitioners case. The five-member panel of justices led my Harunna Tsammani reserved judgment adding that a date would be communicated to parties. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, three West African nations, have backed the coup leaders in Niger, a move that poses a threat to regional stability. Previous coups in Burkina Faso and Mali were triggered in part by frustrations over the failure of authorities to stem an Islamist insurgency nagging the Sahel region, which includes Niger. Following a tense 48 hours of political upheaval in Niamey, Nigers capital, Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and former head of ousted President Mohamed Bazoums presidential guard, declared himself as the new head of state. Tiani said the intervention had been necessary to avoid the gradual and inevitable demise of the country, and that while Bazoum had sought to convince people that all is going well the harsh reality (is) a pile of dead, displaced, humiliation and frustration. In an ECOWAS extraordinary session on Sunday, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, its chairperson, in Abuja, a resolution was reached to impose several sanctions on Niger over the military coup. ECOWAS also issued a one-week ultimatum for the coup plotters to hand over power to the democratically elected government. The decision comes days after President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic was deployed by the bloc to Niger to assess the situation. Tinubu had strongly condemned the coup, saying ECOWAS would not tolerate any anti-democratic acts. Tinubu also assured that the union will do everything to ensure that peace returns to Niger and the region at large. BURKINA FASO AND MALI THREATEN WAR IF ECOWAS FURTHER INTERVENES Shortly after the coup was announced, the Nigerien army command said it was supporting the seizure in a bid to thwart bloodshed. The army also warned against foreign military intervention, adding that it might have disastrous and uncontrolled consequences. So far, numerous calls from other countries and global organisations to reinstate Bazoum as president have been ignored. Countries such as the United States and Germany, and organisations such as the European Union (EU) have suspended their financial support to Niger in condemnation of the coup. Part of the ECOWAS resolution on Sunday was also to use all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, including the use of force, if its demands are not met in a weeks time. ECOWAS also closed all land and air borders between member countries and Niger and moved to suspend all commercial and financial transactions between member states and Niger. In a joint statement on Monday from Mali and Burkina Faso, the countries warned ECOWAS against any further interventions that would jeopardise the spirit of Pan-Africanism and threatened a withdrawal from the regional bloc. The countries also said any military intervention against Niger would force them to also adopt self-defense measures in support of the brotherly armed forces and the people of Niger. The statement said the countries expressed their fraternal solidarity with the Nigerian people who have decided in full responsibility to take their destiny into their own hands and to assume before history the fullness of their sovereignty. The Transitional Governments of Burkina Faso and Mali are deeply indignant and surprised by the imbalance observed between, on the one hand, the celerity and the adventurous attitude of certain political leaders in West Africa wishing to use force armed forces to restore constitutional order in a sovereign country, the statement reads. And on the other hand, the inaction, indifference and passive complicity of these organizations and political leaders in helping states and peoples who have been victims of terrorism for a decade and left to their fate. In any case, the Transitional Governments of Burkina Faso and Mali invite the living forces to be ready and mobilized, in order to lend a hand to the people of Niger, in these dark hours of Pan-Africanism. CONSEQUENCES WILL GO BEYOND NIGER, GUINEA WARNS Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea head of state, said sanctions advocated by ECOWAS, including military intervention, are an option that cannot be a solution to the current problem. He added that the sanctions would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could go beyond the borders of Niger. In a statement on Monday, Doumbouya said Guinea was strongly behind Niger, and hailed the military for its interventions. The head of state added that the sanctions taken and the threats made at the summit of July 30, 2023 do not in any way commit the Republic of Guinea and urged ECOWAS to return to better feelings. The federal government has insisted that the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the removal of the petrol subsidy and the high cost of living in the country is a violation of an existing court order. On Wednesday, NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all anti-poor and insensitive policies. The policies, the union said, include the recent hike in the price of petrol, and the sudden increase in public school fees, among others. However, the federal government said the union is restrained by an order of the national industrial court from embarking on any strike regarding the removal of petrol subsidy. Commenting on the issue, Femi Falana, a human writes lawyer, said the strike action does not translate into contempt of court. In a letter addressed to Beatrice Jedy-Agba, solicitor-general of the federation, Falana said the court or any other organ had not granted an order of interim, interlocutory or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the NLC. He argued that it is the constitutional right of workers to protest peacefully. However, in another letter on Monday, the solicitor-general asked Falana to advise the union to shelve the planned strike. She said the subject matter which is the major cause of the strike is subjudice. Jedy-Agba also stated that from the communique issued by the NLC, the planned strike goes beyond a peaceful protest as it intends to ground the government by endangering public peace, instilling fear in the masses. We assert that it is grossly inappropriate to lead a public protest in respect of issues relating to or connected with the fuel price increase, which are currently before the court, she said. From the communique, it is apparent that the current move by NLC goes beyond peaceful protest by issuing a seven-day ultimatum for government to meet its demands and also embark on a nationwide action to compel the government to reverse alleged anti-worker policies. Furthermore, uncontroverted media reports have established that NLC is not planning a peaceful protest but intends to ground the government by endangering public peace, instilling fear in the masses, precipitating a further crisis. Jedy-Agba also cited statements by the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in which they indicated interest to join the strike action. We reiterate that the interim order clearly restrained NLC from embarking on industrial action of any nature, the solicitor-general stated. It is common knowledge that a strike is only a form of industrial action. NLC has expressed the intention to embark on a nationwide action to force the government (employer) to agree to its demands. Furthermore, the participation of workers in the protest will result in restriction or limitation on or a delay in the performance of work. The foregoing, inclusive of the purported peaceful protest (in view of its intended aims or purposes), undoubtedly amounts to industrial action. It is incumbent on your law firm to sensitize the labour unions that peaceful protests are no justification for disrupting or shutting down essential services, which is tantamount to strike action. The lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi, during the ministerial screening on Tuesday moved against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Karimi, after el-Rufais presentations, stood up and told the chamber that he had a petition written against the former governor over the issue of insecurity in Southern Kaduna. Raising up a brown envelope, Karimi said, Mr. President, I have a petition written against the nominee over the issue of insecurity in Southern Kaduna when he was governor. If I am permitted, I will like to read the petition. El-Rufai faced the lawmakers immediately after Olawale Edun. Earlier, el-Rufai reeled out to the Senate his achievements as governor and former FCT minister before questions were entertained by the lawmakers. The first to ask him the question was the lawmaker representing Zamfara West, Senator Abdulaziz Yari. Following Yaris question, the Senator representing Kaduna North, Suleiman Kwari, appealed to his colleagues to allow the former governor to take a bow. El-Rufai, however, answered the questions by Yari after which Akpabio told him to leave. The Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, who refused to take the petition, said a number of petitions were submitted against a number of the ministerial nominees. He said, This is not the place to consider petitions, we will sit with the petitions later and refer them to relevant authorities. Please, take a bow, my brother. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Fani-Kayode has warned the military governments of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso not to underestimate the fighting force and indomitable spirit of the Nigerian military. His statement is coming on the heels of threats by the military Governments of Mali and Burkina Faso to join forces against any attack on the Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS. Fani-Kayode stated that Nigeria might have challenges and issues in the country but when at war against foreign armies on foreign soil it is never been overwhelmed or defeated. In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, the former Minister of Aviation described the threat as a pitiful and nonsensical threat from two pitiful and nonsensical unelected governments. He wrote, The military Governments of Mali and Burkina Faso have said that any attack on Niger Republic by ECOWAS will be regarded as an act of war. This is a pitiful and nonsensical threat from two pitiful and nonsensical unelected Governments headed by tin pot military dictators. The biggest mistake that the mutinous rebels and military usurpers of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and their allies can ever make is to underestimate the fighting force and indomitable spirit of the Nigerian military and the sense of solidarity that we as a people kindle, muster and cultivate when confronted in the field of battle by a foreign foe. We may have challenges and issues in our country but when at war against foreign armies on foreign soil we have NEVER been overwhelmed or defeated. History proves that. We are slow to anger but irresistible in battle and if the Burkinabe, Malian or the Nigerien Army test our will we shall bring them to their knees and teach them the lesson of their lives. Threatening great Nigeria with war is no small matter and, if carried out, will prove costly for them. Simply put we would crush them like maggots under our feet and send them back to the stone ages where they belong. President Bola Tinubu is currently at the 63rd independence anniversary ceremony of the Republic of Benin. Benin gained independence from France on August 1, 1960 two months before Nigeria. Tinubu and other leaders are at Amazone Square, Cotonou, the countrys capital, to celebrate the independence anniversary. Tinubu arrived in Cotonou, Benins capital, on Tuesday morning. On Monday, Dele Alake, Tinubus special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, announced that the president is the special guest of honour. The African Action Congress (AAC), a political party, has called on its members and all Nigerians to join the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against some policies of the federal government. Last Wednesday, NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all anti-poor and insensitive policies referring to the removal of petrol subsidy. The union also called on civil society organisations (CSOs) and its councils across the states to join in the August 2 nationwide strike to protest the high cost of living in the country. The federal government has asked the NLC to back down on the planned strike, citing a subsisting court order restraining the labour union. In a statement on Tuesday, Femi Adeyeye, the spokesperson of the AAC, advised the labour body not to back down from the protest, noting that Nigerians are in the worst form of living crises of their lives. Petrol, electricity, food, education, healthcare, and such other essential ingredients of life have been taken away from the reach of common people, especially by this Bola Tinubu regime of the anti-progressive All progressives Congress (APC), the statement reads. It is in this vein that the African Action Congress (AAC) aligns with the demands of the NLC strike and protests and calls on our members, supporters, and all Nigerians to join the Wednesday, August 2nd nationwide mass protests called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). We also want to say that people must organize beyond any limited structures. In clearer terms- Do not back down even if the NLC bureaucracy backs out. Nigerians must know that there is no sanity in patience while a big economic war is frontally waged against the people. The time to win is NOW! President Bola Tinubu says he understands the hardship Nigerians have gone through since the removal of the petrol subsidy. Tinubu, who addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on Monday, said there was no other way to save the economy but to pull the petrol subsidy. The president announced the removal of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29. The decision has led to an increase in the pump price of petrol and a hike in the cost of living in the country. On Wednesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described some of the policies made by the administration as anti-poor and insensitive, with a seven-day ultimatum given to the federal government to reverse them. Speaking on the situation, Tinubu acknowledged that the economy is going through a tough patch due to petrol subsidy removal. He added that if there were other ways to address the economic issues without making the decision, I would have taken that route as I came here to help, not hurt the people and nation that I love. Tinubu promised to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us. Our economy is going through a tough patch, and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it, the president said. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help, not hurt the people and nation that I love. What I can offer in the immediate is to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us, most especially on businesses, the working class and the most vulnerable among us. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will discuss security, trade and climate matters during his first visit to Nigeria, according to the UK foreign office. He is expected to meet Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and national security adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to discuss the links between the two countries, including how to increase bilateral trade and investment plus strengthened security cooperation. Cleverly is on a three-country, four-day African tour and his visit to Nigeria comes after a military takeover in neighbouring Niger which deposed the president. The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Niger while the Nigeria-Niger land border has been closed by the Nigerian authorities in response to the political situation. Cleverly plans to use his two-day stop in Nigeria to announce a package of support to help make the countrys agriculture sector more climate resilient. The Foreign Office said the funding would help develop heat and flood-tolerant crops and increase soil fertility, while efforts will also be made to alleviate some of the agricultural trade barriers to UK imports. Cleverly will be in Lagos on Tuesday to announce a 10 million ($13 million) UK-backed facility in Nigeria intended to unlock funding for climate-friendly infrastructure projects, such as renewable energy services to homes in urban areas. On Wednesday, the foreign secretary will head to the capital Abuja to outline a 55 million contract under a previously announced UK international climate finance programme known as Propcom+ which seeks to support the development of Nigerias rural economy. Cleverly said, Nigeria has a booming population and the largest economy in Africa there is huge potential for an even closer partnership between UK-and Nigerian businesses which will be of mutual benefit to both countries. Together we are focusing on the future putting in place green, clean measures, both in agriculture and infrastructure development, to create climate-resilient solutions for the global challenges we all face today and will increasingly face in the years to come. Veteran Yoruba actor Musiliu Ajikanle is dead Ajikanle died on Monday after seven years of battling with stroke. Nollywood filmmaker and actor Saliu Gbolagade made the announcement in an Instagram post on Monday. Sharing the picture of the deceased, the filmmaker wrote: Ina Lilah Waina Allah Rajiun. God gave each of us the gift of life, and God gifted us with eternal life. Rest well, my dear friend Musiliu Ajikanle, your footsteps can never be filled, nor your love ever forgotten. May the blessings and peace of a good life lived follow you into heaven. Yoruba movie celebrities like Ayo Mogaji, Fathia Balogun, Sola Kosoko, and actor Portable took to the comments section to express their condolences. David Umahi, senator representing Ebonyi south, has described Godswill Akpabio, president of the upper legislative chamber, as divine. Speaking on Tuesday when he was screened by his colleagues as one of President Bola Tinubus ministerial nominees, Umahi said the senate under Akpabio is not partisan. He expressed satisfaction that he is a member of the senate led by Akpabio. Let me thank Mr. President for nominating me as one of the nominees for the office of minister of the federal republic of Nigeria, he said. This is a very committed senate. A senate that is given and committed to the welfare of the country, the people, and the unity of the country. Mr. senate president let me thank you very highly for a very united senate under you. In this senate, in the number of months I have spent, you have not allowed anything like partisan politics to take place and that shows that youre divine and I am happy that God gave me the opportunity to be part of this senate leadership. It is a privilege and I want to thank you. In his remarks, Akpabio said Umahi is deserving of the nomination, adding that he has a track record of performance as governor. Umahi was then asked to take a bow and go. The senate screened 14 ministerial nominees on Monday, including Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A suspected New York serial killer arrested last month is not thought to have been involved in the deaths of four prostitutes in Atlantic County nearly 17 years ago, authorities said Tuesday. Investigators from New Jersey reached the conclusion after discussing the South Jersey cases with their counterparts investigating the alleged serial killer in Long Island, New York. In 2016, the Suffolk County Police Department in New York also said it believed the Atlantic County cases from 2006 were unrelated. Due to numerous inquiries and speculation from the media over the past several weeks, we feel it is appropriate to issue a statement regarding any connection, or lack thereof, between the 2006 homicides occurring on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township and the Gilgo Beach homicides, Atlantic County Prosecutors William Reynolds said in a statement Tuesday morning. At this point in time, after ACPO detectives recently met with Suffolk County detectives to compare timelines, dates, methodologies, etc. of both cases, there does not seem to be a connection between the suspect in the Gilgo Beach case and the Atlantic County homicides from 2006. A Long Island architect was charged last month with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. Rex Heuermann, 59, has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found. He is charged with first- and second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of three victims Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Authorities said he is also the prime suspect in another killing. Heuermann lives in Massapequa Park, New York. It is a community just north of South Oyster Bay and the sandy stretch known as Gilgo Beach where skeletal remains were found along a remote oceanfront highway in 2010 and 2011. he deaths had long stumped investigators. Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers. The case has drawn immense public attention. The mystery attracted national headlines for many years and the unsolved killings were the subject of the 2020 Netflix film Lost Girls. The disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, of Jersey City, in 2010 triggered the hunt that exposed the larger Gilgo Beach mystery. Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker, vanished after leaving a clients house on foot in the seafront community of Oak Beach, disappearing into the Long Island marsh. Months later, a police officer and his cadaver dog were looking for her body in the thicket along nearby Ocean Parkway when they happened upon the remains of a different woman. Within days, three other bodies were found, all within a short walk of one another. By spring 2011, that number had climbed to 10 sets of human remains those of eight women, one man and one toddler. Some were later linked to dismembered body parts found elsewhere on Long Island. Gilberts body was found in December 2011, about three miles east of where the other 10 sets were discovered. Authorities have raised questions as to whether her death is actually connected to the other Gilgo Beach killings. Meanwhile, its been nearly 17 years since a suspected serial killer near Atlantic City is believed to have killed Molly Dilts, 20, and three other women Kim Raffo, 35, Barbara Breidor, 42, and Tracy Ann Roberts, 23. The women, whose lives had unraveled under the weight of drug addiction, worked as prostitutes in the shadow of the resorts neon-lit casinos. Over five weeks, the killer allegedly took them one by one, dumping their bodies in a brackish, trash-strewn drainage canal that runs between the Atlantic City Expressway and the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, just over the Atlantic City border. Reynolds, Atlantic Countys prosecutor, said Tuesday that the search for the Egg Harbor Township killer is still ongoing and his office will not make any additional comments. The 2006 case remains an open joint investigation between ACPO and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department with continued assistance from our local, state, and Federal partners, the prosecutor said. Authorities will continue to follow all leads until the perpetrator of those crimes is brought to justice. Given the open nature of the investigation, there will be no further comment on this case in order to minimize the possibility of controlled information getting out into the public that could ultimately jeopardize the investigation, Reynolds said. NJ Advance Media staff writer Anthony G. Attrino and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Fox 29 in Philadelphia reporter Bob Kellys left eye remained swollen as he returned to the air Tuesday morning after being assaulted at a Jersey Shore bar over the weekend by a man filming an apparent TikTok challenge. Sea Isle City police havent said if anyone has been charged in the assault on Kelly at a party Sunday evening at Oar House Pub. Kelly, a traffic anchor who often does features highlighting Jersey Shore towns in the summer, confirmed on Good Day Philadelphia Tuesday that a man threw water at him moments before the assault. Kelly expressed gratitude for people asking how he was doing on social media. I just want to say first of all thank you so much for all of the messages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, cell phone texting, all concerned about me, Kelly said. Im OK, Im here. It was a frightening, disturbing event that was apparently incited by this TikTok challenge similar to what you saw happen to Cardi B with the water being thrown. Its under investigation and Im just going to leave it at that but I hope this can bring some light to this craziness that is out there and put a stop to it. Cardi B, a rapper who owns a home in Tenafly, had a drink thrown at her by woman during a show Saturday in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports. The performer responded by tossing her microphone at the spectator. Kelly appeared on the air Tuesday morning from The Other Lucy Beach Grille in Margate. Sea Isle police couldnt immediately be reached Tuesday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. In a sense, the shipboard blaze that killed two firefighters at Port Newark last month was a high-rise fire, burning on the upper decks of a cargo vessel on the water. You could call it a floating high-rise building, said Chief Ronald Kanterman, who teaches high-rise operations at Kean University for the New Jersey Division of Fire Safetys certification program. The July 5 port fire has raised questions ranging from how it started to whether the agencies involved were adequately prepared to fight such a unique and challenging inferno answers to which may come from an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Coast Guard. In the meantime, Newark officials say theyre bolstering their preparedness to fight high-rise fires on shore, potentially in the apartment towers built downtown during the citys recent development boom. That includes early-stage plans for the first downtown firehouse in nearly two decades, specially equipped and staffed to fight high-rise fires. The city is growing, Mayor Ras J. Baraka said last week after a graduation ceremony for nine rookie firefighters. Most of it in the downtown area, through skyscrapers and downtown living. So, obviously, we have to begin to respond to that, he added. You also have to be honest about putting a fire station downtown. Weve been talking about that as well. Despite its largely vertical growth as a residential neighborhood, downtown Newark has not had a fire station since the city removed one on Mulberry Street to make way for the Prudential Center arena, which opened in 2007. Yet Kanterman and others say fires in the high-rise apartments going up downtown are more complex and labor-intensive than ground level ones. He called having a specialized unit for fighting high-rise fires a great idea. With a house fire, everything you need is in the street, said Kanterman. The engine, the ladder truck, you pull it in, you go up the stairs two or three stories, and youre all set. But in a high-rise, simply getting firefighters laden with hoses and other equipment up near the fire floor is time-consuming and physically taxing. The remote nature of fires on upper floors, sometimes out of sight from the street and possibly in a separate stairwell or floor from other units, requires a high level of communication and careful coordination. Kanterman said fighting high-rise fires also requires knowledge of the buildings firefighting infrastructure, including the standpipes to which firefighters attach their hoses and sprinklers, and the location of elevators, the HVAC and electrical systems. There are specialized tools that firefighting units train to use, including angled nozzles that can be pointed through a window to pour water onto a fire from a floor above or curtains hung down over a smashed or open window to cut off airflow that might otherwise feed a fire. But, he stressed, The real issue is time. You cant just go up with three or four people together, he said. Youve got to go up with equipment. You have to find the fire, and once you find it, wheres it going? But the issue is time. How long is it taking you to get from the street to the 30th floor? David Kurasz, executive director of the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, a trade group, said sprinklers had been required by state law in newly built high-rises for over 30 years. He said retrofitting with sprinklers is required for some older buildings undergoing renovations or reuse, depending on the nature or extent of the changes. He emphasized that sprinklers are no substitute for firefighters, who extinguish fires and, first and foremost, rescue any occupants. A fire sprinkler system is designed to keep the fire in check, he said. You still need the fire department to go in there. Newark Fire Chief Rufus L. Jackson had been trying to beat the clock, advocating for a new downtown firehouse as new towers raise the downtown skyline ever higher. Ive been in talks with the mayor and the business administrator for months about building a station in the downtown district and expanding the department because of the growth of the downtown district and also the high-rises, Jackson said during last weeks press conference. Its important that we try to get ahead of it. And its important that we get downtown and begin to train and begin to do the things that we need to do to be safe and operate safely and keep the community safe. Notable downtown high-rises include 1 Theater Square, a 22-story apartment tower near the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, or NJPAC, completed in 2018; a 22-story building opened at 1 Rector St. a year later, and the 33-story 777 McCarter opened this spring. In addition, there are older Newark skyscrapers, some of them office buildings from the early 20th Century recently redeveloped into apartments. Jersey City, where explosive growth along the Hudson River preceded and exceeded Newarks building boom, created two high-rise firefighting units last summer. Details on Newarks new downtown fire station havent been worked out, including when it will be completed and where, how much it will cost, or how it will be equipped and staffed, said Catherine Adams, a spokesperson for the Newark Department of Public Safety, which includes the fire division. But, the City Council has discussed the need for a new downtown fire house due to the neighborhoods growth. And Council President Lamonica McIver strongly supports it, for fires in high or low-rise housing or commercial space thats been built, restored or endured downtown. This is something weve been talking about for quite some time, said McIver, whose Central Ward council district includes part of downtown Newark, as does the East Ward, represented by Councilman Michael Silva. Im supportive of it, and Im sure Councilman Silva is, as well. A new firehouse is certain to be a multi-million dollar expense. But McIver said, We have no other choice. Since the port fire that took the lives of Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, Newarks rank-and-file and fire officers unions have reiterated their longstanding positions that the fire division is understaffed. The mayor and chief acknowledged as much last week, though not to the extent the unions assert. Including the nine rookies, Baraka and Jackson said the force was 39 members short of a full contingent of 494 and that they planned to hire 50 more this year. Baraka said he didnt blame the unions for making their voices heard after the two fatalities. Michael Giunta, president of the Newark Firefighters Union, sounded a conciliatory note this week, saying talk of a new downtown firehouse sounds fantastic while noting that he had served at the Mulberry Street station as a member of Truck Company 1 and Rescue 1. Giunta said he was scheduled to meet with the mayor on Tuesday to discuss staffing issues. He said his priority was recruiting and hiring more firefighters to improve fire service more quickly than it would take to create a new firehouse, but he supported both. We as a union welcome any new firehouses, new equipment, or new firefighters, Giunta said. Youre not going to get any pushback from me. Nobody knows Jersey better than N.J.com. Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com The Jonas Brothers are on their way to Yankee Stadium. Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas will perform at the Bronx stadium on Aug. 12-13 where they will play all songs from their five albums. That includes their newest album simply called The Album. If you want to catch the Jonas Brothers at one of their two Yankee Stadium shows, tickets are available on Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, MegaSeats and TicketCity. For their Aug. 12 show, the cheapest ticket available at the time of publication was $53 on StubHub. The cheapest tickets available before fees for the Aug. 13 Yankee Stadium concert was on StubHub for $54, at the time of publication. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. You can find a full calendar of the Jonas Brothers tour dates here. More upcoming tours heading to New York The Jonas Brothers are not the only artists heading to New York while on tour. Here are a few more tours you do not want to miss. RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS: Eagles announce final tour: Dates, schedule, ticket info for The Long Goodbye Taylor Swift tour 2023: Full schedule, dates, where to buy tickets These 7 Broadway shows are ending in 2023 Taylor Swift Eras Tour: How to get tickets to newly added U.S. show Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. One man was killed and another injured in a three-vehicle crash early Saturday in Wall, authorities said. The crash involved an SUV, a car and a pickup truck took place at 5 a.m at the intersection of Route 138 and Old Mill Road, Wall police said Tuesday. The driver of the car, Leonard Akers, 55, of Wall, died of his injuries at an area hospital on Monday. A 44-year-old man driving the SUV was treated for injuries not considered life threatening, while the 62-year-old pickup driver was not hurt, police said. Both are Howell residents. Official didnt describe how the crash occurred. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information is asked to Wall police Capt. Chad Clark or police officer Megan Alexander at 732-449-4500. Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Kristian DeVito can be reached at 800-533-7443. NJ Advance Media staff writer Nicolas Fernandes contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Introducing Liam, Jedidiah and Brielle, three newborns with a most unique beginning to their lives. All three babies from one family were born within a little over 20 hours at the same Central Jersey hospital last week, officials said. Two of the babies were born to sisters. And the sisters cousin is the father of the third baby. Making the experience even more remarkable, the same doctor helped deliver all three babies at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy. Liam was born at 10:32 a.m. on July 26 to Pagliery Cabrera Nin, the hospital said. When I saw my son ... happy, happy, she told WABC-TV while recovering at the hospital. Nins cousin, Jankelly Abreu, is the father of Jedidiah, who arrived just over three hours later, at 1:47 p.m., to mom Anais Garcia Perez, the hospital said. Brielle was born at 6:37 a.m. on July 27 to Nins sister, Keydy Cepeda, the hospital said. Dr. Babalola Jinadu delivered all three babies, the hospital said. It made for joyous additions for the extended family, which recently had several other children born to other grown siblings. His sister had a baby, his brother had a baby, we had a baby, she had a baby, and then his cousin had a baby, so there are six new grandkids for their grandma, Jedidiahs mom, Anais Garcia Perez, told the television station. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. What do parental rights actually give parents the right to do? Choose where their children live, worship, go to school. Choose what to feed them, what they wear, what medical care they receive oh wait, you cant do that anymore in many places. Kenneth J. Falk, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, made that point during legislative discussions about Indianas then-proposed law to ban gender-affirming treatment, saying it was an attempt by the state to radically interfere with parental decisions and a clear violation of parental rights. But his arguments were shut down when the Republican-controlled legislature passed a ban on puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgeries for youth. Then-Republican Gov. Eric Holcombe signed it, a group of parents sued, and Judge James Patrick Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction to block it. So its pending in Indiana, but similar laws have gone or are going into effect in 17 other states. Federal judges blocked or partially blocked similar bans in Alabama and Arkansas. In Oklahoma the state Attorney General agreed not to enforce the law until a judge rules, and in Florida a judge has already ruled the law cannot be enforced. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports gender-transition care when kids feel uncomfortable in their own bodies and parents agree they should get whatever transitioning care they need. The academy says denial of such care poses serious mental health risks, infringing on their rights and the rights of parents and doctors. Here in New Jersey, the governor and the Legislature made it clear that families have the absolute right to determine what medical care their kids get. However, there is one exception that I recall from years ago. In one local hospital a seriously ill child was brought in, but his parents refused to allow life-saving blood transfusions because of their religious beliefs. Physicians treating the youngster could tell the parents were torn they desperately wanted their little boy to live but feared eternal damnation. So a hospital attorney went to court where custody of the child was temporarily awarded to a state-appointed guardian who authorized care until the boy was healthy enough to return home to his relieved parents. But that case involved religious rights, not only parental rights, and the parents did not object because it gave them the outcome they wanted without the risk of church-imposed discipline or eventual consignment to hell. These other parental rights fights are quite different. Where a small group of parents exerts their right to decide what books can be in a library, other parents are deprived of their right to allow their youngsters to be exposed to many cultures, lifestyles, and versions of history. When legislators listen to a few agitated constituents who believe in rigid gender identification and act on their demands, they deprive other parents and children of the right to self-determine who they are. When angry anti-feminist legislators make laws imposing motherhood on reluctant women, arent they violating a basic right of all of us to decide for ourselves whether or not we want to be parents? From huge decisions about becoming a parent in the first place to the most miniscule decisions about which high school bathroom an adolescent can use, the subject of parental rights varies not only from state to state but also from town to town. It took almost 200 years and a lot of bloodshed for Americans to define and protect civil rights, but I think we all recognize them now. How long do you think we will squabble over the definition of parental rights? A former assemblywoman from Jersey City, Joan Quigley is the president and CEO of North Hudson Community Action Corp. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com. A Passaic County man died Monday night when the motorcycle he was driving crashed in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Paterson, authorities said. Justin Moyett, 27, of Little Falls, was traveling in the area of milepost 58.7 when the motorcycle overturned and he was ejected, according to New Jersey State Police. Moyett was then struck by a passing car and suffered fatal injuries, State Police said. The driver of the car was unhurt. The left three lanes of I-80 West were closed for about three hours leading to major traffic congestion, state police said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, a pioneering public official who was the first Black woman to serve as the states Assembly speaker and then the first in state history to hold an elected statewide position, died Tuesday while still in office. The Essex County Democrat was 71. Officials did not announce the cause of her death, but Oliver long suffered from an illness she never publicly disclosed. It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero, the Oliver family said in a statement released by Gov. Phil Murphys office. Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community. Over a three-decade political career, Oliver was a passionate advocate for social and racial justice, boosting struggling cities, and bolstering gun safety. She was also a routinely poetic public speaker. The East Orange resident spent 16 years in the Assembly, the lower chamber of the New Jersey Legislature, including a sometimes stormy but consequential time as its leader, the third-most powerful post in Trenton. She was later elected lieutenant governor as Murphys running mate 2017, becoming the first Black person and second person ever to hold the post. The ticket was re-elected in 2021. No other Black woman or woman of color has held statewide elected office in New Jersey. MORE: Sheila Oliver, and a life well-lived | Moran In a statement, Murphy, a fellow Democrat, said he and his family are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government. When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word, Murphy said. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color. Oliver was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Monday while serving as acting governor because Murphy is on vacation in Italy. Murphy plans to cut his trip short and return to New Jersey in the wake of Olivers death, his office said Tuesday. Born and raised in Newark, Oliver graduated from the citys Weequahic High School before earning a sociology degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a masters in planning and administration from Columbia University. She later worked for a nonprofit social services organization and taught at Essex County College and nearby Caldwell University. Oliver moved into politics when she was elected to the East Orange Board of Education, an office she held from 1994 to 2000. During that time, she served two years as vice president and ended her time as president of the board. She concurrently served as an Essex County freeholder from 1996-99. And in between, she lost a bid for East Orange mayor by a mere 51 votes. A few years later, Oliver moved up to Trenton. She was elected to the Assembly in 2003 and after the 2009 election was chosen by her fellow Democrats to lead the lower house. She become the chambers 169th speaker in January 2010. Oliver was the first woman of color and first Democratic woman to ascend to the powerful position. She was just the second woman, after Marion West Higgins in 1965, and the second Black lawmaker, after S. Howard Woodson in 1974, to hold the job. She was also the second Black woman in American history to lead a state legislative chamber, after Karen Bass of California. Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, D-Passaic, the chairwoman of the New Jersey Legislature Black Caucus, described Oliver as a beloved mentor and an inspiration. As a freshman entering the New Jersey General Assembly, I was fortunate to work alongside Lt. Governor Oliver. Having the privilege of witnessing her lead as Speaker of the Assembly had a powerful impact on me, Sumter said. Representation matters, and I was honored to have Lt. Gov. Oliver be my mentor and educate me on the history of the politics in the state of New Jersey and how to navigate through the Legislature. Lt. Governor Olivers influence transcended generations and she paved the way for Black and Brown women to pursue higher office. She taught us the importance of being informed, skilled, and graceful. Olivers four-year tenure as speaker was maybe most famous for a landmark but controversial law to require public workers to contribute more to the states notoriously underfunded public-worker pension system. Oliver ultimately joined Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat, in supporting the plans, drawing the very public ire of government-employee unions and even some fellow Democrats. Christie tweeted Tuesday that her death marks a sad day for New Jersey and noted we treated each other with kindness and respect and got things done. She was a great person and partner, he added. At one point, there was an unsuccessful coup to oust Oliver from the speakership. But she was chosen by Democrats for a second term under a deal in 2011. I am a focused problem-solving leader. I am not a Go in the back door, close the door, light up a cigar and lets make a deal kind of leader, " Oliver said in an uncharacteristic fiery speech as she campaigned for another term as speaker. Get politics news like this right to your inbox with the N.J. Politics newsletter. Add your email below and hit "subscribe" In an interview with The Star-Ledger in 2010, Oliver described the casual misogyny she encountered after ascending to the speakership. Many men historically have held a view that women dont have the ability to lead, that women somehow dont have the same level of intellect that men have, she said. If there is any tension, I think the tension could be described in those terms. Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, who was Olivers boss prior to her joining the Murphy administration, said at the time that people should not underestimate her. She is such a strong leader, and people are going to find that out, DiVincenzo said. She was catching the wrath from all the union leaders, but she didnt back down. She stood up, took it, and then she made her decision. In this 2017 file photo, President Barack Obama joins Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. candidate Sheila Oliver at rally in Newark's Robert Treat Hotel. NJ Advance Media for NJ.com In 2013, Oliver attempted to make the leap to Washington when she ran in a special election for the Democratic nomination to replace the late Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate. But she finished fourth among four candidates. Four years later, however, Murphy, a former Wall street executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany, won the Democratic nomination to succeed Christie as governor and selected Oliver as his running mate. It was a move that revitalized her political career. The Murphy and Oliver slate defeated Kim Guadagno, the states first lieutenant governor, and her running mate, Carlos Rendo, in 2017. Guadagno tweeted Tuesday that she shared a unique bond with Oliver as the only two people who have held the job so far. She was the kind of leader who inspired everyone she met, Guadagno said. Lieutenant governors serve as the governors top deputy, frequently appearing a major public events and serving as acting governor when the governor is out of state. They also serve as commissioners of state departments. Oliver ran the state Department of Community Affairs, helping determine how the state government helps New Jerseys 564 municipalities. Notably, she oversaw the continued state takeover of Atlantic Citys government. When they appeared together in public, Murphy called Oliver his rocking lieutenant governor. Often, she stole the spotlight with her remarks such as in 2021, when Murphy unveiled a new package of gun legislation. We are tired of funerals and memorials, Oliver said. Growing up in Newark, I tell young people I could go to any section of this city by myself or with my friends. Our young people cannot do that today. In 2021, while serving as acting governor, Oliver signed a law establishing a pilot program to overhaul New Jersey juvenile justice system in four cities and which aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. She signed another law in 2021 restoring the states urban enterprise zone program, designed to spur economic development in some cities through lower sales tax rates. In addition to her elected positions, Oliver had been employed by Essex County, serving as director for the Department of Citizen Services, the Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment and as assistant Essex County administrator. She had been considered a potential Democratic candidate to succeed Murphy in 2025. Under the state Constitution, Murphy now has 45 days to select a successor for Olivers elected position. Olivers family said further information and details regarding memorial arrangements will be provided in due course. Until then, we appreciate your understanding and support, they added. State Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, praised Oliver for her unwavering passion for social justice, womens equality, and education and using her position to advocate for a fairer and more equitable society. As Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, she championed initiatives to provide fair and affordable housing, uplift distressed communities, and prevent homelessness, Ruiz said. Her impact extended beyond legislation; she touched the lives of countless individuals through mentorship and friendship. Her dedication to public service was rooted in the belief that government should work for the people, and she lived by that principle every day. Retired state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, a Bergen County Democrat, called Olivers death awful news. Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was a friend, a sister, a colleague, and a co-chair. She stood tall for all of us, said Weinberg, who asked Oliver to help lead a working group Weinberg created to identify and weed out misogyny and harassment in politics. She always reminded me that, Women deserve a seat at the table, in the room and in the fray, " Weinberg said, reading from a text Oliver sent her last year. I will miss this wonderful woman my friend and ally. I am deeply saddened for our loss. NJ Advance Media staff writer Matt Arco and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Miranda McCeig taps the gas on her moms green Chrysler and cruises toward the biggest story in town. Pittsgrove is farm country, she says as a rye field fades in her rearview mirror. Always has been. Always will be so long as the families who have lived here for generations have their way. But change lurks just beyond a thicket of trees up ahead, McCeig says in her soft, measured voice. Locals worry the very essence of this neighborhood is in danger. And theres only one way to find out whats really happening. McCeig, a 28-year-old with wavy brown hair, hangs a right and hurries into Joes Butcher Shop, a down-home favorite catty corner from the land in question. Dressed in black boots, black jeans and a black tank top, she steps up to a makeshift newsstand beside the hot dog buns and slaps down 20 copies of The Elmer Times. Todays front page news is the proposed warehouse that could bring 300 trucks a day to this sleepy intersection, rattling windows, fouling the air and forever disrupting a slice of rural paradise. They might have to widen the road, and that would take Joes front yard, McCeig says before explaining the stakes with a question only the most local of local journalists would consider. Where would the barbecue spot go? Meet possibly the last reporter at the last newspaper in arguably the last place in New Jersey that can afford to lose local news. Tucked in the states southwestern corner, 113 miles and a cultural galaxy away from New York City, the tiny Elmer Times is Salem Countys sole survivor of the print apocalypse. But the newspaper is more than a relic. Its a lifeline. A treasure. A timeless force connecting people in a divisive world that fractures communities just like this. Youre just not going to find that information anywhere else, says Gary Peterson, 66, a devoted reader from Pittsgrove with an annual subscription. The family-owned weekly costs 60 cents a copy. It doesnt bother with a website. And its approach to news has barely changed since its debut in 1885. Yet the paper is as relevant today to its 1,200 subscribers as it was when it covered the great flood of 1940. And maybe even more so. Closer to Newark, Delaware than Newark, New Jersey, little Elmer takes up less than a square mile. The one-stoplight town is home to The Elmer Diner, The First Bank of Elmer and The Elmer Twist ice cream shop. The rest is a mix of farmland, trees, stately Victorian-era homes and post-World War II houses. Theres no movie theater. No bowling alley. No big box retail. The boroughs population of 1,350 could get seats for the same Broadway show with room to spare. But the pull of this community and the country slice of life it represents still endures, with loyal readers subscribing from Alabama to Minnesota and from Arkansas to California. The Elmer Times readers dont want national politics or regional crime. The language of community is not written in polarizing editorials or incendiary headlines but in hyperlocal coverage of municipal meetings, church potluck dinner notices, Little League recaps and cute photos of Stan Orzechowski and his three kids with the 20-pound carp they caught in Elmer Lake. Thats the papers true specialty: photos of smiling children, like the front page news of little Brock Watson winning the Pinewood Derby. One of the hardest things we ever did was to get my grandmother to stop putting in when people are going on vacation, says publisher Mark Foster, 67, a soft-spoken carpenter by trade with long white hair and a Santa Claus beard. You cant put that in the paper anymore, because people will rob their houses now. Foster runs the paper just like his father before him. And his father before him. And his father before him. He shuffles through the cluttered office in jeans and a neon yellow T-shirt, proudly pointing out old printing press equipment or producing artifacts from underneath piles and inside drawers. But the weekly paper is not a moneymaker, says Foster, a modest man more comfortable putting up sheetrock than giving interviews. Its audience is aging. The pandemic put a dent in advertising revenue. With no desire to put The Elmer Times online, no one inside seems ready to admit what everyone on the outside accepts as fact. Its going to be impossible to keep going, says Stefanie Murray, director of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University. No matter how old people get, theyre not going to suddenly switch and change and start picking up print. Or will they? We dont let things die down here. Miranda McCeig The unlikely trio that powers The Elmer Times Foster, McCeig and editor Bonny Beth Elwell refuses to concede that the paper wont find a new generation of readers. Theyre determined to record local history and maintain the same sense of community the core coverage area of Elmer, Pittsgrove and Upper Pittsgrove has always known. I throw newspapers at young people, McCeig says cheerfully. And I yell at them. So goes the battle of The Elmer Times vs. the journalistic end of times, a conflict that embodies the nationwide struggles of newspapers, social clubs and other endangered institutions that have long bonded communities large and small. Against all odds, the scrappy news outlet outlasted Salem Citys beloved Todays Sunbeam formerly owned by the same company that operates NJ Advance Media and thousands of other U.S. newspapers and trendy websites like Buzzfeed News. But for how long? McCeig finishes her long delivery route and pulls the Chrysler into the grass next to the newspapers office, a wooden, two-story building with fading white paint and a 1890s hitching post out front. The worst thing that could happen to her, she says, her friendly tone dropping an octave, is to become the final reporter in the papers history. We dont let things die down here, she says. A country lifeline Joseph Klein hasnt lived in the Pittsgrove area since 1963. But the retired electrical engineer religiously reads The Elmer Times from his senior living facility in Southern California, 2,735 miles away from where he grew up. Klein, 95, dissects the front page news, looks for familiar last names children or grandchildren of long gone friends and gets a kick out of solving the crossword puzzle when the paper arrives in the mail, he says in a phone interview. His favorite part is the Looking Over Your Shoulder feature in which the paper revisits local news stories from 135 years ago, 110 years ago and so on. Being able to stay connected means a lot, Klein says. He is one of dozens of out-of-state readers, including subscribers in Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho and Arizona, who cant go a week without The Elmer Times. All these years later, Klein cant help but compare the community he grew up in to the one he reads about today. It doesnt seem like much has changed, he says. Its still an old, traditional town. I throw newspapers at young people. And I yell at them. Miranda McCeig The Elmer Times represents not only home, but a way of life some families have known for generations. Many of those families have lived on the same street for hundreds of years. Their entire histories birth announcements, graduations, weddings and obituaries have played out in the pages of the paper. I remember laying on my mom and dads living room floor and having it spread out, says Elaine Trumbull, a loyal reader since 1946 when she was 7 years old. Today, she and her friends would rather read The Elmer Times than they would anything else. Its the people who make Elmer, says Joe Cardona, who moved to Main Street in 1991. He has lived its motto: The little town with the big welcome. Literally when we moved in, our first day, our neighbor brought us a cake, says Cardona, 56, who attended Glassboro State in the 1980s then married a woman from Pittsgrove. He started subscribing to The Elmer Times a few years later. He views it as supporting a local institution supporting a vanishing way of life in rural America. You worry about those things that make Elmer special, he says, and you fight for those things. Local families are deeply connected to the land and the paper, says Elwell, 39, the papers lone editor, a part-time job just like McCeigs reporting position. When the publication was founded, Elmer was the town center for rolling farmland in Pittsgrove and Upper Pittsgrove the city, if you will, to the hardworking potato farmers of the late 19th century. Elwells great-great aunt and uncle worked at the paper in the early 1900s. In fact, she and Foster are both descendants of the same early settler from the 1600s. Here in Salem County, she says, everybodys related. We would rather read The Elmer Times than anything else. Elaine Trumbull, a loyal reader since 1946 McCeig, who stops to clean up litter in the Walmart parking lot during her delivery route, describes Elwell as a saintly figure always taking care of her community. When Elwell is not working part-time at the Camden County Historical Society or volunteering at her church or for the Salem County Historical Society, the unfailingly polite editor who disarmingly laughs at her own words makes sure local groups get published. No upcoming news is too small. Mothers Day Tea with the Daughters of The American? Print it. Salem County offering free fans for senior citizens? Theyll find space. A Davy Crockett presentation to the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Historical Society? You know the answer. The people who show up to community events often tell organizers they came because they read about it in The Elmer Times. In a place where the country way of life still matters, the paper brings people together event by event. Its the ultimate community newspaper, Cardona says. A tradition worth saving Once upon a time, McCeig was determined to flee this little corner of South Jersey and never look back. Elwell, who did escape to Georgia for college only to feel the regions inexorable pull calling her back, captured the reason in one word. Rural. Poverty. Transportation. Teen pregnancy rates. Drug use. You know, its got the rural issues, McCeig says. I ran off to college, like, Get me out of here. But before McCeig could graduate from Rutgers University, she became seriously ill with complications from hidradenitis suppurativa, a painful and incurable skin condition. She quit engineering school after three years and moved into her moms home in Greenwich Township. I thought my life was done, McCeig says. Then in 2021, a friend suggested she take a part-time job delivering The Elmer Times. When the papers part-time reporter left for graduate school that summer, McCeig stepped into the role with no prior journalism training, becoming the only firewall for hyperlocal newspaper coverage in a county of 65,000. Her millennial friends tell her theres no news in Salem County. Im like, Theres too much news! And Im the only one covering it, she says. Here in Salem County, everybodys related. Editor Bonny Beth Elwell Rather than hiring full-time reporters, the outlet has survived on a revolving door of part-timers and local correspondents paid by the line. Then there are the folks who have helped print the paper or deliver it or performed maintenance at its State Street office, where a sign tells visitors to ring the bell or yell real loud. Anyone who hasnt worked there has probably appeared in its pages. When you have a good experience growing up, and you have a connection with your community, youre going to want to pass that along to the next generation, McCeig says, and thats why I think The Elmer Times has staying power. She fell in love with the winding roads that take her past the rye fields and the tree nurseries, past the abandoned businesses and the John Deere tractors that sometimes drive on the street. And she fell in love with informing the people who call it home. Most people in South Jersey, they dont want to be told nothing, McCeig says. Im not trying to tell nobody nothing. Except for the facts. She wakes up at 4:30 a.m. on Thursdays delivery day and hits the Elmer IGA supermarket and various Wawas. The last stops are local convenience stores like Buds Market in Alloway, which sells a dozen eggs for $3.99 or a dozen nightcrawlers for $6.49. A lot of the older folks out here, they love their local newspaper, says Arthur Pullin, who works the cash register. Theyd rather have that than anything on TV. The recipe for success has been simple. The Elmer Times is always there. The news is affordable. And the articles dont take sides. Trumbull, 84, picks up the paper from her post office box every Friday morning and reads it cover to cover even the advertisements, which are mostly from local, family-owned businesses just like The Elmer Times. I read the local happenings. I read the birthdays. I read the anniversaries. And I read the obituaries, and then I read the cartoons that they have. And all their political news, Trumbull says. There are Facebook groups where local residents can get tidbits about whats happening, according to Cardona. But unlike the sanctity of the newspaper, those threads often devolve into fights. The newspaper is still the newspaper, Cardona says. Nothings like a newspaper that lasts all week long on your counter, and everybody in the family takes a look at it. Headlines are intentionally dry, like Pittsgrove Township Committee Holds Regular Meeting. Dispatches from local government meetings are presented in chronological order, allowing readers to extract their own personal headline along the way. When youre my size, you cant piss off anybody, says Foster, a slight man of average height. So you gotta be neutral. The paper might have never survived the 1880s without the Fosters. The original owners, who called their outlet The Elmer Gazette, couldnt make a go of it, Foster says. Enter Samuel Preston Foster, who joined the paper in May 1887 and paid $1,733 for a full ownership stake two years later. A family business was born. Most people in South Jersey, they dont want to be told nothing. Im not trying to tell nobody nothing. Except for the facts. Miranda McCeig Mark Foster got his start at the paper sweeping floors as a child. He also contributed as a pressman while launching a career in carpentry, sheetrock and drywall. His grandmother and aunt had turns at the helm before his sister, Pamela Foster Brunner, took over when their father, Preston Samuel Foster Jr., died in 1992. Then in 2005, it was Marks turn. Hes hands-off with editorial decisions, Elwell says. But he used to lay out the paper via computer until he began losing his vision a few years ago due to medical complications. Theres a legacy of The Elmer Times that Im joining, McCeig says. Theres a pride to that. I want to join that institution and keep it going for as long as I possibly can. Shes seen the impact her reporting can have. When county commissioners passed on installing a four-way stop sign at a treacherous intersection in Alloway, she reported the decision in the newspaper with their explanation that a traffic study found no need. The next four meetings were packed with residents and local fire chiefs telling stories about the crossings tragic accidents. A four-way stop sign was installed. The last stand? Foster spent his 67th birthday in the hospital last December after a heart attack. He had been a regular presence in the office, lending advice or chatting with customers who stop in. His visits are now infrequent. But the paper is always on his mind. I worry about it weekly is it coming out this week? he says with a laugh. If he dies, his stepson wont know how to run the company, he says. He also doubts any of his nieces or nephews want to lead a paper that wont turn a profit. Its not a moneymaker, he says, and everybody wants money. Foster decided he will soon sign over his majority stake to Elwell. He trusts she will do her best to preserve the companys legacy. I want to join that institution and keep it going for as long as I possibly can. Miranda McCeig History is everything here. Its why Foster stepped up to take over the paper from his sister. Its why The Elmer Times is still eight columns wide, so much wider than modern papers that Foster has been accused of making the paper bigger. Its why Fosters great-grandfathers wooden roll-top desk remains in the front corner of the office with a framed photo of Fosters father on top. Its also why theres glass photo proofs here from the early 1900s and a copy of The Elmer Times Almanac from 1925. Foster walks into a back room and points up. He still has the faded Elmer Times Printing House sign that hung on the building when it opened in the middle of a cornfield in 1892, well before there was a street out front. Losing the paper would be devastating, Trumbull says. There are a lot of things you wouldnt know about, she says. And Salem County readers are among the oldest and least digitally connected in the state, making The Elmer Times indispensable. More than 2,500 American newspapers have died since 2005. Rural areas have been hit especially hard by the mergers and closures, according to Murray, the Montclair State expert. The consequences of news deserts can include lower voter turnout, government corruption and a general decline in civic engagement, according to Murray. People lose their sense of community, Murray says. You dont feel as tied to where you live when you dont know whats happening. If the paper doesnt make it, Foster imagines everything will be sold off. It will just disappear like the rest of them, he says quietly. But he still clings to hope. Elwell isnt giving up. And McCeig will be damned if shes the final reporter to write her name on the offices basement wall alongside those who came and left before her. If it werent for you folks doing what youre doing says Peterson, the loyal reader from Pittsgrove, without finishing the thought. He recently stopped by the office with $30 to cover an annual subscription that lapsed. I worry about it weekly is it coming out this week? Mark Foster Elwell cant envision putting the news online. That breaks with tradition. Its on paper, which can last, she says, unlike digital things. So McCeig pushes on. Up at 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday night covering the Elmer Borough Council. Up at 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning to deliver papers. The job has been an awakening, she says standing in the office near a photo of Samuel P. Foster. She found herself and her community through this newspaper. It survived the shift from radio to TV, and from TV to the internet. Her mission is to see it endure the next shift, another old-fashioned piece of Salem County worth saving. Long live The Elmer Times, she says. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. NEW YORK The boos started early. They never truly went away. From Brandon Lowes two-run home run off Jhony Brito in the first inning to DJ LeMahieus lineout to center field in the ninth the final out of a miserable 5-1 loss to the Rays Yankees fans voiced their displeasure all night long at Yankee Stadium. Each of Tampa Bays four home runs off Brito sparked groans and jeers from the crowd. Each of the Yankees unproductive innings on offense against Rays starter Tyler Glasnow led to more heckling, even a Fire Cashman chant in the early innings. The Yankees only run came on a solo home run from Jake Bauers in the second frame. The only other time they had a baserunner reach third base, Giancarlo Stanton grounded into an inning-ending double play. You guessed it. More boos. BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Mondays lifeless loss wasnt how Yankees fans hoped to spend trade deadline eve. Other contenders in the American League have been improving over the last few days, getting better as they pursue a playoff spot. The Rangers and Angels are going all-in. Tampa Bay added starter Aaron Civale just a few hours before first pitch on Monday. The Yankees, meanwhile, havent made any moves, watching as other bats theyve shown interest in have gone to other clubs (or been pulled off the market). All signs point toward a retooling deadline, featuring some trades that position this club for more success in 2024. There were cheers on Monday, flashes of this teams potential. Aaron Judge reached three in his first game in pinstripes since May 28, continuing to provide a boost on offense since returning from the injured list. Harrison Bader made a leaping grab at the center-field wall to end the top of the eighth. Anthony Rizzo swatted a single off the wall in right, some of the best contact weve seen from the first baseman in weeks. That feels like the Yankees season as a whole, doesnt it? On paper, theres so much talent in this clubhouse. The highs are unmatched. But those moments are fleeting when a flawed roster, underperforming veterans and injuries have pushed this club out of the playoff picture this summer. This club got to the ballpark on Monday already 3 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot, nine games out in the division. That gap increased over the weekend when the Yankees lost two of three to the first-place Orioles. Theyll go to sleep on Monday night with an even steeper hill to climb, with their postseason odds shrinking by the day. NOTABLE -- Domingo German threw five scoreless innings in relief on Monday night. German was scratched from making his scheduled start on Monday with discomfort in his right armpit, leading to Britos promotion from Triple-A and Ron Marinaccios demotion to the minors. -- Aaron Judge walked three times, the second time hes accomplished that feat in his three games since returning from the injured list. With Rizzo hitting behind him and struggling mightily, opposing pitchers arent testing their luck with the reigning MVP. LOOKING AHEAD Tuesday: Yankees vs. Rays, 7:05 p.m., YES/TBS. LHP Carlos Rodon (1-3, 5.75) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (11-6, 3.64) Wednesday: Yankees vs. Rays, 7:05 p.m., Amazon/MLB Network. RHP Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.64) vs. LHP Shane McClanahan (11-1, 3.00) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Perhaps nothing makes our New Orleans summers more bearable than the sno-ball. Residents look forward to lining up at sno-ball shops across the city for a cup of fluffy shaved ice, colored and flavored in seemingly countless ways. With so many options, there's never a sno-ball stand too far away. We offer a handful of our favorites, broken down by neighborhood. 'Home of the boujee sno-ball' History is a big part of the sno-ball, dating back to the 1930s when locals Ernest Hansen and George Ortolano began using the first ice-shaving machines. Head west of North Causeway Boulevard and north of Interstate 10 in Metairie, however, and youll find a shop only about a year old putting its own spin on tradition. As a child, youre given a treat you love, and then the next generation has so much to add, said Shyanna Batres, founder of Nectar + Ice (3304 Green Acres Road, Unit B, Metairie). Thats what weve done. Weve become the home of the boujee sno-ball. Georgian telecoms service provider Cellfie Mobile has announced that Nokia has won an expansion deal to upgrade its 4G network and introduce 5G-ready network services. The deal, which covers the whole country, will enable even more of Cellfies customers to experience super-fast broadband services with full coverage and capacity, says Nokia. Nokia adds that its 5G-ready AirScale portfolio will also help Cellfie to launch 5G services following the successful outcome of a spectrum auction, which is due to take place in August. Under the deal, Nokia will supply equipment from its comprehensive 5G AirScale portfolio powered by its energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology. The deal will include the latest generation of AirScale Baseband, and Remote Radio Head (RRH) products. Nokia will modernize and upgrade existing sites with LTE networks as well as add new 5G-ready sites. Following the countrys 5G spectrum auction, Nokia will also introduce new 5G 3.5 GHz sites. Cellfie, a long-standing partner of Nokia, will also utilize Nokias intelligent MantaRay Network Management system to enable a consolidated network view for improved network monitoring and management, enhanced with built-in AI functionalities. Deployment is expected to begin from November. Nokia is the sole RAN supplier in the deal, increasing its market share in the country. Formerly known as Beeline and owned by Russias Veon, the company that is now Cellfie Mobile was sold last year to Khvicha Makatsaria, a Georgian businessman and a former minority shareholder in Beeline Georgia. According to its website, today Cellfie Mobile serves more than 1.3 million customers. The present population of Georgia is estimated at 3.6 million. FILE - New Orleans Police Capt. Michelle Woodfork speaks as the new interim police superintendent during a news conference at New Orleans City Hall, Dec. 20, 2022. Unjustified use of force, dangerous vehicle pursuits and racially biased policing continue to be problems for the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Justice Department said in a Friday, April 7, 2023, court filing, opposing the city's move to terminate a decade-old court-backed reform agreement. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File) A drainage canal is seen between a Marrero neighborhood and a street on May 19, 2023. Jefferson Parish has long fretted over the cost of installing guardrails along canals, like this street has, or covering the drainage channels. The law does not require prosecutors to prove people possessed pure fentanyl in those quantities. Confiscated substances just have to contain detectable amounts of the opioid to qualify for those sentences. That part of the law drew criticism from criminal justice reform groups during the legislative session. Opponents said prosecutors would use that portion of the law to aggressively charge people unwittingly caught with small amounts of fentanyl. East Baton Rouge Sheriffs deputies have been tasked with taking down major dealers in the city-parish, not users, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux told reporters. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore said even minuscule amounts of the drug in other substances have proven deadly. Regardless of the amount, it's the effect, and it's still killing people regardless of whether it's mixed with other drugs or other things that have no toxic effect, Moore said. What does not appear on the agenda of the National Assembly's sessions, and that delegates keep quiet, is often as relevant, or more so, than what is discussed there. Thus, we must ask ourselves what those other issues that did not come up in this last session were, and why. What are the topics that they want to spotlight, and what do they insist on covering up? The country's powerful elite the one that really calls the shots is very much interested in publicizing Cuba's SMBs, for example, as these entities are key to the transformation of the Cuban economy into a crony-based market, and also to bolster its external disinformation operations in order to evade the sanctions of the US embargo. Thus, it is a strategic move by the Cuban oligarchy to make them visible and promote new voices that espouse their legitimacy. The task of "making SMBs visible" in the recent session of the Assembly fell to the delegate from Playa, Carlos Miguel Perez. This deputy, who runs an SMB, is said to have been the only "businessman" who made it through the strict selection filters of the PCC and the MININT to reach the National Assembly. As is known, this approval is a sine qua non requirement to be placed on the electoral ballots of single candidacies. His intervention prompted speculation about alleged television censorship when he was speaking. The interruption of the broadcast, they explained, was to temporarily favor the TV newscast. The truth is that the delegate's words were fully transmitted when the program was later resumed shortly after from the National Assembly. Some, however, have identified in all these fireworks the fear of the powerful in the face of an unexpected outbreak of heresy by this actor in the Cuban political puppet show. Others, more skeptical, see an active move designed to enhance the credibility of a delegate that they intend to use later, before international media, in order to uphold SMBs abroad as a symbol of Cuban socialism's new entrepreneurial freedom, In any case, whether it was a planned discursive ploy, or an act of audacity by the delegate, the truth is that the scope of his public approach did not go beyond what is officially accepted. If extroverts are scarce in those media, freethinkers are even more so. This is why the skeptical get it right more often than the gullible under these circumstances. In the end, however, this is all conjecture and speculation. The important thing is what the deputy from Playa said, and what he did not. In reality, he did not refer, as some believed, to the need to free up the market for all. He did not speak of granting full economic freedoms to all citizens, the essential basis of genuine market reform. No. The most obvious sign that this deputy had no intention of defending the market economy was the exclusion of any reference to the limitations imposed on agricultural workers by the dreadful system of sales to Acopio, among other important straitjackets. Food insecurity was the central issue that was being "debated," but Delegate Perez preferred to ignore the interests of those who actually produce food, complaining instead about the price of Gouda cheese. If he believes that prices depend on the law of supply and demand in a free market, why did he limit himself to criticizing them instead of questioning the reasons that prevent an increase in supply? Simple. The negative impact of the internal blockade on Cuba's productive forces remains a taboo subject. The delegate from Playa knows this, and toed the line. But what his silence cannot hide is that agricultural laborers are food producers. In fact, less than a decade ago they produced 80% of Cuba's food, while owning just 20% of the land. That was until GAESA's policies, implemented through the Diaz-Canel government, stifled and completely suffocated them. GAESA is interested in importing chickens and reselling them at inflated prices at its foreign exchange stores, not producing them. Today, as the president of the National Assembly explained, Cuba imports all its food...courtesy of GAESA. The greatest silence in the Assembly: GAESA Another verboten subject continues to be the impact of GAESA on Cuban society. Although its main corporations are registered as private corporations in Panama, and control 70% of wealth and 95% of financial transactions, GAESA is spared any control or audit, an unmentionable ghost, a genuine black hole into which the resources of Cuban society disappear. No delegate raised his hand to ask how much said entity earned and how much it invested in the production of medicines and food for the population before, during and after the pandemic. The above examples are essential topics that a discussion on food safety should have included, but it is clear that they are excluded from what deputies are allowed to talk about. Discussing the Military Penal Code without referring to possible overseas interventions? There were also other delicate areas that were equally off limits. The Military Penal Code was approved, but no one dared to ask whether this unusual emphasis on imposing military service, with renewed coercion, has any relation to the agreements signed in this sphere with Russia and Belarus in the context of Putin's current aggression against Ukraine. It has been acknowledged that there are members of the Cuban military "training" in Belarus. It would have been logical to ask who they are, what they are in training in, and why. But no one did. At the last CARICOM summit meeting, earlier this July in Trinidad and Tobago, a proposal that United Nations peacekeepers be sent to Haiti to carry out a "police" interventions, and restore order, was discussed. Apparently, an initiative is underway to privately consult with Havana, the UN and Washington so that the first sends troops, the second provides them with blue helmets, and the third pays the bill. If they finally do, this would seem like a perfect move by the Cuban oligarchy. The countries of the region and the UN would save face by saying that they were responsible and proactive in managing a "police" intervention to rescue Haiti from the mafia-like gangs that prevail there. At the same time, Havana and those in Washington who are in favor of normalizing relations with the Cuban dictatorship would have a novel argument, based on this cooperation, to demand that Cuba be removed from the list of terrorist countries, and that sanctions be lifted. Of course, this decision is not easy for Raul Castro if there are already commitments with the Russians to somehow strengthen their aggression in Europe with the collaboration of Cuban troops. But we must not lose sight of the optics of Cuba's elites. This would transform the Armed Forces (FAR) and the MININT into lucrative tools of the oligarchy that controls the Government in Havana. Russia would compensate them for their involvement in Ukraine, and the US for their "collaboration" in Haiti. "Oh, the things we shall see, Sancho" If they achieve their aims, in the future these armed bodies would not only be a repressive instrument, but also a lucrative resource like the medical brigades are at the service of the GAESA oligarchy. They could dispose of those state institutions and the lives of their members as if they were more public property, along with that which they have already privatized, de facto (marinas, airplanes, hotels, ports and others). But the FAR are not equivalents of the Wagner Group, and the reality is much more complex. Murphy's Law looms Before making the decision to dispatch brigades of MININT "black berets" to Haiti, and FAR units to Europe, the elite has to find satisfactory answers to a series of questions. How many troops with the ability to control crowds and crush riots will remain in Cuba? Would they be enough to protect the elite from another popular rebellion, were it to occur? Will hunger, blackouts, the lack of water, medicines and transport combine with rage over the forced military recruitment of children when their units could soon be involved in lethal conflicts overseas? How would those members of the PNR, who resent the privileges of their G-2 "cousins," react this time? Would the FAR officers who do not have a slice of GAESA's cake, worth millions, all remain loyal to their leaders if they suffer in external conflicts and, at the same time, are ordered to quash the population? Murphy's Law says that if something can go wrong, it will and when it does, it won't matter what the price of Gouda cheese is. A hero husband will be soaring through the skies this week to raise money for the charity that supported his wife during her recent cancer treatment. Terry Blewett from Wrafton will also be chalking a major tick on his bucket list when he steps onto the wings of a biplane in aid of hospital charity Over and Above on Friday (August 4). The daredevil grandad hopes to raise 1,000 for the charitys Fern Centre by doing the sponsored wing walk at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton. The cancer and wellbeing centre at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) has been supporting wife Arlette, who was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in September 2021. Arlette said Terry, 78, was her hero during her three-year recovery, which included an operation and radiotherapy, followed by oestrogen hormone treatment. It was a terrible time but Terry was there for me 24-7, even though he was working full-time, said Arlette, 76. Weve been married for 57 years and Terry is my hero and always has been ever since the day we met when he gave me a lift home from work on his motorbike after I missed the last bus home. Im so proud of him for taking on this challenge for me, and to give something back to support other local people going through cancer treatment. Arlette was given the all-clear 12 months after her diagnosis but suffered many months of depression and fatigue, side effects of the hormone treatment. It was 10 months of hell and I have never felt so low, but the Fern Centre was absolutely fantastic and I started feeling normal again around April this year, she said. The centre offered me counselling, as well as complementary therapies including massage and reiki, crystal healing workshops and mindfulness pain management sessions. I dont think Id still be here were it not for Terry and the Fern Centre, added Arlette, a former NDDH nurse who now works as a customer assistant at Tesco Braunton. Terry, who works as a security guard at RMB Chivenor, said: I saw first-hand what Arlette went through in her cancer journey and now I want to support anyone else who finds themselves in that situation. It was really hard to watch the woman you love go through this and be unable to fix it. So now I really want to show my support to her and all these wonderful people on their cancer journey, so please support me and donate what you can. Kate Constable, Over and Above community fundraiser, said: We are so proud of Terry for taking on such a magnificent challenge in support of Arlette and many other local cancer patients here in North Devon. The Fern Centre is only here thanks to the generosity of local people, and with their ongoing support, will provide vital care for cancer patients when they need it most for many years to come. To sponsor Terrys wing walk, visit www.justgiving.com/page/terry-blewett-1684242165645 The NOVO HELIX T50 is a professional carbon fibre travel tripod with ball head, manufactured from a class leading "Superweave" 10x layer carbon fibre for strength, durability and stability. The main leg locks and top spider sections are made of superior quality, aviation grade aluminium. With a black/graphite hard anodised finish offering robustness and low weight. Reversing the legs 180 gives a smaller carrying profile and a small folded length of 355m. Ideal for travel the T50 strikes a great balance between compactness and strength when used with heavier equipment. Maximum height 1400mm with centre column extended, 1105mm without the column down and payload of up to 20kg, 8kg with supplied BHP-32 head. Weight including head is 1.84kg and supplied with a padded carry case. The NOVO HELIX T50 features five sections, adjustable angles of 23, 50 and 85 degrees. The centre column features two sections to reduce the folded length and maximise height whilst in use. An included short centre column enables low level shooting for macro and ground photography. The T50 also features the ability to reverse the centre column, allowing the camera to mount between the legs if required. This may be useful for copy work. Special features of the Novo the HELIX T50 Professional Tripod include the conversion to a monopod. One leg is detachable and can attach to the centre column for the additional functionality of a monopod with maximum height of approximately 1330mm, or 1430mm with BHP-32 ball head. With the T50 kit (with supplied head) you will automatically have a monopod with ball head. Other standard heads/camera gear can be attached via the standard 3/8" and 1/4" reversible screw thread if required. The leg locks use a fast twist locking/unlocking system. The legs feature new one-piece leg captured shims, developed for making cleaning and maintenance easier whilst avoiding accidental loss or damage to the shims. A detachable hook is on the base of the centre column for attaching a weight (such as a bag) for added stability, ie in breezy/windy conditions. Screw off rubber feet give you access to metal spikes on all legs for use on soft ground. The Novo BHP-32 drag/friction controlled ball head included in this kit is a beautifully and classically crafted ball head made from a lightweight aviation grade quality anodised aluminium in a distinctive two tone black/silver finish. The BHP-32 comes with 50mm Arca-Swiss compatible plate with rubberised base for added grip. The 32mm ball has been anodised for smooth control of the head, minimising juddering. Control is via a large lock knob with separate tension/drag control in the centre. The Arca-Swiss compatible quick release system plate has a safety lock and has a load bearing of 8kg and weighs 385g. The ball mechanism on the Novo BHP-32 offers a smooth, precise and effortless locking system. A silky smooth panoramic control at the base of the head is independent to the main ball lock. The panoramic control includes graticule markings with a secondary pano adjustment on the camera mounting which is very useful for night sky or macro photography. The drag control allows users to set the drag independently, so whether the ballhead main control is loosened or tightened user can always have some tension on the ballhead at all times, allowing greater control of the camera equipment particularly when loosening and repositioning the head. The Novo Helix T50 kit comes with deluxe padded case, HELIX BHP-32 ball head attached, short centre column adapter and NOVO 5yr warranty HAMMOND A 32-year-old Hammond man was sentenced in federal court to 41 months in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a handgun, according to United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Brian Long was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James T. Moody to the prison term to be followed by two years of supervised release. "According to documents in the case, on January 30, 2020, Brian Long possessed a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine in a parking lot of a business in Hammond," according to the announcement. "Longs criminal history revealed he has a prior felony conviction for continuing criminal financial enterprise, and as such is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case." Long was on probation from his prior felony conviction at the time of this latest offense. "This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Hammond Police Department," Johnson said. HAMMOND A 42-year-old Gary man was sentenced in federal court to 130 months behind bars after pleading guilty to making counterfeit money and being a felon in possession of ammunition, according to United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Kevin Lee Myers was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James T. Moody to the prion time to be followed by two years of supervised release. Drunken driver forced bus, passengers off highway, Porter County cops say The accused reportedly told police she had a couple of drinks at lunch with friends and her blood alcohol concentration was found to be 0.209%, which exceeds the legal limit of 0.08%. "The investigation revealed that from March to July 2022, Myers manufactured more than $150,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency," Johnson said. "A search warrant at Myers residence resulted in the recovery of counterfeiting equipment including, computers, printers, paper cutters, and ink cartridges, as well as a briefcase containing more than $138,000 in counterfeit bills." "Various firearms and ammunition were also discovered," officials said. "Myers has prior felony convictions and, as such, cannot possess the firearms and ammunition in this case." "The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service with assistance from the Lake County Sheriffs Department and the Portage Police Department," Johnson said. MICHIGAN CITY A police officer and firefighter had to break a window to pull a person to safety this past weekend as a fire raged through a room at the Travel Inn motel at 3944 Franklin St., the Michigan City Fire Department reported. Firefighters say an occupant of the hotel returned around 8:50 p.m. Saturday to find a fire burning in his room. A second-floor room was found to be fully engulfed in flames and extending to adjacent rooms, the department said. A police officer attempting to rescue a person from an adjacent room reportedly found the door blocked by heavy flames and was forced to break a window to gain access. The officer and a firefighter then pulled the occupant from the window to safety. The swift actions of firefighters resulted in the fire being put out quickly with little damage beyond the original room, the department said. No injuries were reported and firefighters said they were back on scene Tuesday afternoon investigating the cause of the fire. Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail William Conner Robin Hensley Benjamin Soulcheck Daniel Jones Kyle Knoll Kellen Wilson Joshua Shepherd Melissa Chambers Lucas Bradford Lakisha Walker Jaqwaun Summers Delancy Brown Caitrin Demask Arthur Smith Josiah Hostetler Corey Newsome Brian Hoops James Blackwell Jovanny Orduna GARY Plucking ripe tomatoes is a calming ritual for Josiah Horton. "There's just something something about pulling them off the vine, it feels so peaceful," the 14-year-old said, adding that Faith Farms' best crop is its strawberries. "They're nothing like the ones you find at the store, they just melt in your mouth." Filled with peach trees, cucumbers, rows of greens, chickens, ducks and even a herd of goats, Faith Farms CDC has become a peaceful oasis in Gary's Emerson neighborhood. After almost a decade, the acre-and-a-half urban farm is just getting started. Next generation of farmers When Curtis Whittaker started Faith Farms nine years ago, the corner of 656 Carolina St. was nothing but remnants of an abandoned building. Even today, only one home on Carolina Street is occupied, Whittaker said as he walked past the vacant Emerson High School building. The Emerson neighborhood has experienced even more population loss than the city as a whole; between 1970 and 2010 the area lost about 70% of its residents. The city of Gary saw a population decline of 55% during this same time period. Whittaker, who is the senior pastor for Progressive Community Church International, said the neighborhood's average household income is only $12,000. Were trying to rebuild our neighborhood by eliminating blight and investing in the area economically," Whittaker said during a Monday morning tour of Faith Farms, which was organized by Purdue Extension-Lake County. The farm works to hire local residents and makes an effort to work with African American contractors. This summer, Horton and 49 other teens were paid $15-an-hour to work at Faith Farms. The Next Urban Ag Generation Program, or NUAG, runs for six weeks; participants learn all about farming in the city and participate in "enrichment" programming. Faith Farms Administrator and NUAG educator Freida Graves said this summer guest speakers have taught students about a wide-range of topics, including healthy cooking, fiscal responsibility and photography. Lead by seven volunteer educators, NUAG also features mentoring for young men and women, a program that will continue throughout the school year NUAG Program Director Tifany Jamison said. Students are currently working to create a "Smoothie Kidz" business where they craft fresh smoothies using fruits and vegetables harvested at the farm. They've sold their smoothies at a farmer's market, but Whittaker said Faith Farms would eventually like to have a year-round space where students can create recipes and learn how to run a business. The NUAG program starts in the early spring with seven Saturday training sessions that certifies students as "Junior Urban Agriculture Master Producers." Last year the NUAG program had 25 participants, Whittaker said next summer the farm hopes to have 100, and then 200 the next year. Our goal is to raise a new generation of African American farmers. We have a history of farming in America that is not so pretty and so were trying to shift the narrative, Whittaker said 400 years of slavery and land theft has made American's agricultural history a painful one. In 1920, the number of Black farmers peaked at 949,889, or about 17% of all U.S. farm operators. By 2017, this number had plummeted to 48,697, or about 1.4% of all U.S. farmers, according to the USDA. This drop can be attributed to decades of racist lending practices and land theft. An analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture loan data conducted by National Public Radio found that in 2022, Black farmers received the lowest amount of direct loans. According to the NPR analysis, 16% of Black farmers who applied for a USDA direct loan were rejected, compared to just 4% of white farmers. We want them (NUAG students) to understand that history, but also understand that growing food is revolutionary," Whittaker said. In 1992, the USDA established the 1890 National Scholars Program, which awards scholarships to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, HBCUS. Students studying agriculture, food, natural resources sciences and related fields are eligible. A number of the current NUAG students are interested in pursuing an agriculture-related career; Whittaker said Faith is working to become a "pipeline" to the 1890 National Scholars Program. NUAG student Hannah Musa said she wants to start her own urban farm some day. "I came here and I found a new love, for the animals and for the plants," the 17-year-old said. "I think its cool how you dont have to go to the grocery store, you can just plant it in your backyard... then you know exactly where your plants are coming from and you dont have to worry about pesticides and random chemicals." This is Reid Hall's second official summer in the NUAG program, but he's been helping out at Faith Farms for four years. He's watched the farm steadily expand, year after year. "Every time we grow, the farm grows," said Hall said. 'Always in growth-mode' Whittaker led the tour to a broken-down brick house, located about a block away from Faith Farms. Moving past the overgrown front yard, Whittaker took attendees to a brightly-painted garage the Faith, Fresh, Frozen Foundation's future production facility. Last year Faith Farms received a $425,000 grant from Feeding America to start a "flash freezing" program. Flash freezing fruits and vegetables extends produce's shelf life while maintaining key nutrients. Over the past year, Faith has been hard at work, converting the vacant garage into a freezing facility. Whittaker hopes to have the space operational by August 31. Twenty percent of the produce frozen at the facility will be donated to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana; the remaining 80% will be sold to local restaurants, hospitals, school districts and even casinos. Whittaker plans on going after more grant funding so the farm can buy a refrigerated truck and hire more employees. The farm has also made a request for $350,000 of Gary's American Rescue Act Plan funding to turn the empty house at the front of the property into Faith Farms' new headquarters. The farm is also expanding its capacity through the use of "hydroponic grow pods." The grow pods are essentially shipping containers filled with rows of vertically-grown plants; Faith Farms received its first pod earlier this summer and hopes to have it up and running next month. Whittaker said the pod is the equivalent of about two to three acres of land. Right now the farm donates the majority of its produce, however they also sell food through a Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, program. In 2020, about 13% of Lake County residents were food insecure, according to a report from Feeding America. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Access Research Atlas, the majority of Gary's census tracts are considered both low income and 'low access,' meaning the nearest grocery store is more than one mile away. Weve got to do something to help move people forward and we think food can be one pathway," Whittaker said. Eventually, Faith Farms would like to expand to more of the surrounding vacant lots. The farm is in the midst of turning the corner of corner of Virginia Street and East 7th Ave. into a pollinator park. The vision for the land includes a walking path, a stage, native flowers and trees, benches and exercise equipment. The farm has the walking path partially complete, but is looking to raise $250,000 to complete the rest of the project. Looking to the other side of the farm, where the empty Emerson High School building sits, Whittaker said he wants to turn the space into a small solar farm. "We've got a lot going on," Whittaker said. "Were always in planning-mode, always in growth-mode." PHOTOS: Faith Farms tour CROWN POINT Sonya Haze was long pro-life. But then in 1995, in her second trimester, she had a miscarriage. "I had to go to the hospital and I had to have a procedure because my body could not pass the baby," she said. "There are now states in this country where women in my situation in 1995 are told to go home and wait until you bleed out. Had I done that and I also had to be treated for an infection since I waited for a few days hoping I could still have my baby, had I not been able to get the procedure for my miscarriage, I wouldn't have been able to have my beautiful daughter over there or my son. I could have died. And if you think Indiana won't do that to us, you are wrong. They will make you go home. They will make you bleed out almost to the point of death before they give you healthcare. I'm here for my daughter." Protestors gathered across the state to protest Indiana's abortion ban before it went into effect Tuesday. Dozens of demonstrators protested in Crown Point, Valparaiso, Michigan City and across the state. Indiana NOW, MAD Voters of Indiana, Hoosier Jews for Choice, Indiana Women's Action Movement and Pro-Choice South Bend organized the Stop the Bans rallies, which also took place in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Bloomington. Every woman should have the right to control over their reproductive future, Sue Elleuterio said. "Having three kids in a year drove home to me that every person should have the right to decide what their family structure is going to be and what their family situation is going to be," she said. "Indiana has one of the worst maternal health rates in the country. The people who claim they care about babies and care about mothers do not care about babies and mothers or we would not have one of the worst maternal health rates in the country." Protestors waved signs like "Abortion is basic healthcare," "I'm with her," Scotus is illegitimate," and "mandatory vasectomies. Come on guys, let's save lives." They did chants like "my body, my choice," "two, four, six, eight, separate the church and state," "get your rosaries off my ovaries" and "Pro-life is a lie. They don't care if people die." When Judy Katz was in college, one of her classmates went to Chicago to get an abortion before the Roe vs. Wade U.S. Supreme Court ruling established it as a constitutional right. "I tell you young people do you want us making all your decisions for you," she said. "Young people need to get out there and vote." Michelle Ferrell said she was protesting because when she was 13 years old her teacher told her about finding her freshman college roommate dead in the bathroom of a coat-hangar abortion. "She had bled to death in her college dorm," she said. "So when I was 13 I decided I was going to do whatever I could to prevent this from happening ever again." Pam Putzell marched in 1973 for reproductive rights. "Here I am at the age of 73 and we're still fighting the same battle," she said. "When will be heard permanently? When will our rights be everyone's rights? Anyone of us can have our rights taken away." She's an adoptive mother with two sons. "After 10 years of infertility, we were blessed because two women made their choice. Their choice was to give birth and put their children up for adoption," she said. "Thankfully they did and thankfully I'm a mom. I appreciate the people who have the courage to do that and the ability to do that but not everyone does. That's why we need this. Everyone needs to be able to make their choice, whether that's adoption or abortion. It's our choice. My body, my choice." Alex Dyonzak had a friend who became pregnant at the age of 15. "Her family did not support her. Being the older one of her friends, I had to step up and become her only support system, which was a lot for a 17-year-old to do. She couldn't seek help in Indiana because she was past 20 weeks unknowingly. Her abuser wanted her to keep the baby even though she did not. As a healthcare professional today, it's scary to see what we are going through as women. It frightens me to death to think about the challenges we have to face. It's very important we are able to seek any sort of healthcare we need. This new law is going to put us all in danger." State Rep. Carolyn Jackson said women and girls are in great danger. "I heard nine hours of testimony where mothers, physicians and healthcare workers spoke against this bill. Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears. We stood before the general assembly and stated this bill was dangerous. It's still dangerous. Nothing has changed. I have never seen so many legislators crying and begging their colleagues to do the right thing. This is an issue between a woman, her family and her medical doctor. If I were in this situation, I would want my doctor to help me make the right decision. Not a legislator. Not an old grey-haired legislator who hasn't got a clue about what types of medical emergencies women go through. When a woman is sick in the hospital with an emergency, the last person she would think of calling is her legislator." Janine Harrison said the state law would be especially harmful to women with abusive partners seeking independence as abusers often see pregnancy as a way to control and keep their partners. "When a person who is abused leaves their abuser, it's the most dangerous time for them and any children involved," she said. Rocky Davis said those concerned with the issue needed to become active, such as by putting out signs or registering to vote. "Whatever you can do, I hope you'll take the time," she said. "Make the calls. Walk and knock on doors. Talk to your neighbors." Angus Cloud, the actor best known for portraying Fezco, a lovable drug dealer on the HBO television show Euphoria, died on Monday at his family home in Oakland, Calif. He was 25. The death was confirmed by Cait Bailey, Mr. Clouds representative. A statement by his family did not specify a cause but said that Mr. Cloud had intensely struggled after the recent death of his father, Conor Hickey, whom the family buried last week. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend, the family said. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence. Dorothy Tapper Goldman, a philanthropist and major collector of American historical documents who in 2021 sold her original printed copy of the U.S. Constitution, which her husband had bought in 1988 for $165,000, for a record-setting $43.2 million, died on July 23 at her home in Manhattan. She was 78. The cause was metastatic breast cancer, her daughter, Barbra Siskin, said. The sale of the document, at Sothebys in New York, generated widespread attention for three reasons: It is one of only 14 known copies of the first printing of the Constitution, in 1787, and one of only two copies held privately. The winning bid remains a record for a document, manuscript or book sold at auction. And the purchaser was Ken Griffin, the billionaire chief executive of the hedge fund Citadel, who outbid ConstitutionDAO, a group of cryptocurrency fans who had conducted a frenzied online crowdfunding campaign that in a single week raised more than $40 million. In December 2021, the podcast Know Your Enemy billed as a leftists guide to the conservative movement welcomed Nate Hochman, a young man whom the host Sam Adler-Bell described as the boy wonder of the new right. At the time, Hochman was a 23-year-old National Review writer whod already cycled through several of the prestigious fellowships available to aspiring young conservative intellectuals. (Hed later contribute to The New York Times.) Matthew Sitman, Adler-Bells co-host and a former conservative himself, considered Hochman a friend, and on the podcast, Hochman mostly came across as thoughtful and reasonable, eager to find the places where left- and right-leaning critics of liberalism agree. When Sitman condemned the rights cruelty toward trans people, Hochman conceded some of his points. Do I love the way that some people on the right talk about sensitive culture issues surrounding stuff like transgenderism always? No, said Hochman. Could we use more empathy and humility in the way that we approach these questions? Absolutely. In March, Hochman went to work for Ron DeSantis, who at the time still looked like the most viable standard-bearer for a post-Trump Republican Party. But last week, Hochman was fired from DeSantiss ailing presidential campaign after tweeting out a video ending with the candidates face superimposed over a sonnenrad, a Nazi symbol. It soon emerged that Hochman hadnt simply shared the spot, which mixed message-board memes and media headlines like Florida City Cancels L.G.B.T.Q.+ Pride Parade as Ron DeSantis Prepares to Sign Anti-Drag Bill. As Axios reported, hed secretly created it. Though the videos imagery is clearly fascist the sonnenrad, or sunwheel, is flanked by two rows of marching soldiers Hochman has said that he didnt know what the symbol meant. Given that he is Jewish, Im inclined to believe that rather than being a covert Nazi, Hochman is simply a callow young man immersed in a milieu in which fascist idioms are so commonplace they can be picked up inadvertently. But whatever his motives, his trajectory from conservative intellectual wunderkind to disgraced troll tells us quite a bit about the culture of the young right. On the vouch dating groups, women post a few pictures of their guy friends, adding details about who the guy is and who hes looking for, Ms. Pinckney, said. And then women can comment if theyre interested, she said. The friend then shares the potential matches with her guy friend and makes the connection if its a fit. These groups provide the women with a sense of security. The posts act as endorsements like Yelp reviews for potential mates. Approaching the issue of verification from the opposite side of the coin, popular Facebook groups known as Are We Dating the Same Guy? serve as forums for women to see if the men they are dating are trustworthy. Members in those groups will share an image and brief details about a guy they are seeing along with one single inquiry: Is he taken? Others will post photos of their bad exes in an effort to warn other women. (Similar groups exist for men, called Are We Dating the Same Girl?) These forums originated with the intention of helping women look out for other women. But Are We Dating The Same Guy groups there are more than 150 in different cities around the world have become increasingly criticized for divisiveness, toxicity, defamation and privacy issues. Lawyers have warned that these pages could put posters at risk of legal action, and there is at least one petition on change.org demanding that the groups be shut down. Dating apps have long grappled with verification features. Some, like Hinge and Raya, use various strategies to make potential matches feel less like strangers. The Pentagon announced on Monday that President Biden had canceled an order by former President Donald J. Trump to move the United States Space Command headquarters to Alabama, prompting an outcry from Republicans who accused him of acting out of political spite amid a fierce partisan standoff over the Pentagons abortion access policies. The decision came as a blockade of military promotions by Senator Tommy Tuberville, Republican of Alabama, dragged into its sixth month. Mr. Tuberville has refused to consent to the promotions of senior generals and admirals in protest of a Pentagon policy that reimburses military personnel who have to travel to obtain an abortion or fertility treatments. House Republicans have also taken aim at the rule, instituted after the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion, adding language to the annual defense policy bill to cancel it. Mr. Biden made his decision after the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, argued that moving the headquarters to Alabama from its current location in Colorado Springs would hurt military readiness, particularly as the United States is racing to compete with China in space, according to a Defense Department official who spoke about it on the condition of anonymity. Testimony concluded on Monday in the federal trial of the man who killed 11 worshipers in a Pittsburgh synagogue, as the defense and prosecution laid out, in their closing arguments, the conflict at the heart of the case: whether the man who carried out the massacre was driven by a cold, calculated hatred or by a diseased mind. After nearly three months and more than 100 witnesses, all that remains in the trial is for the jury to decide whether the defendant, Robert Bowers, should spend the rest of his life in prison or be condemned to death for the October 2018 attack. Deliberations are expected to begin on Tuesday morning. The facts of the crime, considered the deadliest antisemitic attack in the countrys history, have never been in dispute. In June, after weeks of harrowing testimony from survivors, Mr. Bowers was convicted on 63 counts, including hate crimes that carry a potential death sentence. In mid-July, the jury determined he was eligible for the death penalty. Since then, the trial has focused on whether that should be his sentence. In urging the jurors to vote for a death sentence, Eric Olshan, one of the prosecutors, outlined the nine aggravating factors that the jurors will consider, including the extensive planning, the setting in a house of worship and the lack of any apparent remorse. President Biden met with and spoke to his son Hunters international business associates on a number of occasions over a decade as Hunter Biden sought to drum up consulting deals, including while his father was vice president, his former business partner told Congress on Monday. However, in nearly five hours of closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee, Devon Archer, the former partner, asserted that the elder Mr. Biden was not party to any of his sons business deals and that Hunter Biden had tried to sell the illusion that he was providing access to his powerful father when he was not, according to Democrats on the panel. Mr. Archers testimony, which he provided in response to a subpoena, was the latest bit of evidence in an investigation by House Republicans into Hunter Bidens business dealings and conduct. Republicans have claimed repeatedly and so far without proof that the investigations implicate the president in corruption and crimes. Republicans pointed to the interview as evidence that President Biden had lied when he claimed he had no involvement in his sons business dealings, and some said that was grounds for impeaching the elder Mr. Biden. OZARK-More than 60 school students in the Dale County area are recipients of brand new backpacks, school supplies, and a new school outfit thanks to the partnership of All In Credit Union and the Mary Hill Family Service Center. The credit union not only funded the project but sent volunteers to help distribute the items as part of the All In for Success Backpack Bash, held at the MHFSC building on Katherine Avenue in Ozark July 28. The mission of the Mary Hill Family Service Center, founded in 2001, is to provide short-term resources that move community members toward long-term self-sufficiency. A food pantry, a clothes closet, basic hygiene products, work force development guidance and parenting classes are among the free services available at the Mary Hill Family Services. Human trafficking awareness programs, new parent training, childrens services, and workforce development are among free services provided by the registered 501(3) nonprofit. To strengthen families in Dale County is the reason the center was created in 2001, according to MHFSC Director Paige Knight said. The Mary Hill Family Service Center is a member of Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers. The 23-member network includes the Alfred Saliba Family Service Center in Dothan, the Coffee County Family Service Center in Enterprise, and the Troy Resilience Project in Troy. The center is also a member of the Dale County Association of Service Agencies. The food pantry provides emergency, short-term groceries and the center staff help families navigate the process of applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The clothes closet provides free gently-used clothing, including business attire for job interviews. Knight said that donations of gently-used clothing, as well as unused underwear and socks, are always appreciated. The center also accepts books and miscellaneous household goods. The Ozark Boys and Girls Club recently donated items for the centers hygiene closet and Vivian B. Adams School has donated a large donation of paper products, Knight said. We are always accepting donations. Our food pantry always needs nonperishable and frozen food and our hygiene closet always needs soap, shampoo, hand sanitizer, and more. We might not be able to save the whole world, but if we can get several people to a point where they can move out of their present circumstances and become more self-sufficient, weve accomplished our goals, she said. Thank you, All in Credit Union, for the book bags, said Knight, following the distribution. Thank you for supporting the community and our mission to strengthen families and protect children. We are honored by your generous gifts. Former President Donald J. Trumps political action committee, which began last year with $105 million, now has less than $4 million left in its account after paying tens of millions of dollars in legal fees for Mr. Trump and his associates. The dwindling cash reserves in Mr. Trumps PAC, called Save America, have fallen to such levels that the group has made the highly unusual request of a $60 million refund of a donation it had previously sent to a pro-Trump super PAC. This money had been intended for television commercials to help Mr. Trumps candidacy, but as he is the dominant front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, his most immediate problems appear to be legal, not political. The super PAC, which is called Make America Great Again Inc., has already sent back $12.25 million to the group paying Mr. Trumps legal bills, according to federal records a sum nearly as large as the $13.1 million the super PAC raised from donors in the first half of 2023. Those donations included $1 million from the father of his son-in-law, Charles Kushner, whom Mr. Trump pardoned for federal crimes in his final days as president, and $100,000 from a candidate seeking Mr. Trumps endorsement. The extraordinary shift of money from the super PAC to Mr. Trumps political committee, described in federal campaign filings as a refund, is believed to be larger than any other refund on record in the history of federal campaigns. Drones have exploded over the gilded domes of the Kremlin. They have hit strategic Russian air bases hundreds of miles from Ukraine. They have struck a Moscow tower that houses several government ministry offices, including the one responsible for the military-industrial complex. And they have landed a stones throw from one of the main Russian military headquarters, where officers sitting in large situation rooms with vast screens on its walls directly oversee and manage the war in Ukraine. As Ukraine steps up its strikes inside Russian borders this summer, it is also making plain the nature of its targets: military-aligned sites that aid Moscows full-scale invasion, now in its 18th month. Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centers and military bases, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Sunday night. And this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process. In October 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had his administration send letters to thousands of clergy across the country, asking if the New Deal was helping their communities. Even from admirers, the news wasnt always good. Local administrators did not carry out your will and purpose, J.H. Ellis, a Black pastor in Hot Springs, Ark., wrote, especially as it relates to the Negro group. J.W. Hairston, an African American minister in Asheville, N.C., lamented that in the South there are two states and two cities, one white one black. The Northern Black press, meanwhile, was more blunt. The New Deal, more than one newspaper proclaimed, was also a Raw Deal. Eight decades later, that charge still hangs in the air. Conservatives have long assailed the New Deal, which radically expanded the governments involvement in the economy, as the epitome of big-government overreach. But in recent years, progressives have increasingly argued that this pillar of 20th-century liberalism rested on a Jim Crow foundation, and laid the groundwork for the yawning Black wealth gap that persists today. Pee-wee Herman was noisy. He was boisterous. He had a voice that would shoot up several decibels without warning, whether he was inviting his TV viewers to play a game of connect the dots or interrogating his friends about the whereabouts of his missing bicycle. The mysterious nature of his character was he supposed to be a man, a child or a man pretending to be a child? seemed to excuse his exuberant energy and excessive volumes, and he, in turn, gave that same permission to his audience. Like he told us on Pee-wees Playhouse, his kids show that wasnt really just for kids, You all know what to do when anyone says the secret word, right? Thats right: Scream real loud! Paul Reubens, who created and played Pee-wee Herman for more than 40 years, and who died on Sunday at the age of 70, was quiet. It wasnt simply that he had a gentle manner or a decidedly un-Pee-wee-like reluctance to call attention to himself he also had a natural speaking voice that was soft enough to be drowned out by a passing breeze. As Reubens told me when I first interviewed him in 2004, he was aware of this duality, between what his spirited alter ego promised and what he delivered in person, out of character. Fans might have expected Pee-wee levels of intensity, but face-to-face, he said, Now Im kind of like this. Putting people to sleep. There was not much mystery about Reubens, which seemed to be how he wanted it. Without the gray suit and red bow tie, he was just a guy who appreciated kitschy toys, vintage childrens television shows and making people laugh. His liveliness and creativity were expressed through Pee-wee, whom he portrayed in his own media projects and in late-night interviews. Even in the minor movie roles and TV gigs he did before Pee-wee went big-time, he was still pretty much playing the Herman character. These days we intuitively understand the distinction between the public and private lives of celebrities, between what they wish us to see and what we might later learn about them. Reubens didnt just draw a bright line between Pee-wee and Paul; he completely compartmentalized them and, for a time, had us happily believing they were distinct individuals. His beloved persona was so much his own independent entity that, in the closing credits of works like Pee-wees Big Adventure, Pee-wee Herman is simply billed as HIMSELF. A graceful novel about a squash prodigy battling grief on court, a dystopia that reimagines Ireland as a totalitarian state and a coming-of-age tale about a neurodiverse teenager are among 13 titles longlisted for this years Booker Prize. The longlist, announced in a news release on Tuesday, features only a handful of novels by celebrated authors, including Sebastian Barrys Old Gods Time, about a retired policeman confronting painful memories, and Paul Hardings This Other Eden, about a mixed-race community that faces eviction from its island home. Instead, the list is dominated by works by lesser-known writers, including four debuts. Esi Edugyan, an author who is the chair of this years judges, said in the news release that the list was defined by its freshness by the irreverence of new voices, by the iconoclasm of established ones. All the nominated books cast new light on what it means to exist in our time, and they do so in original and thrilling ways, Edugyan added. In recent years, Irish novelists, and particularly Irish women novelists, have published some of the most compelling English-language literary fiction. Not just Sally Rooney, whose three novels to date have sold millions of copies worldwide, but a whole host of women have written books which, taken together, suggest a new contemporary Irish literature that focuses on the precarity of modern working life, as well as intimacy and its failings. Naoise Dolan, 31, Megan Nolan, 33, and Nicole Flattery, 33, are three of the better-known members of this cohort. Dolans 2020 debut novel Exciting Times was the story of a love triangle set in Hong Kong; Acts of Desperation, from Nolan and published in 2021, charted the life of a young woman in an abject relationship; and Flattery also published her debut, Show Them A Good Time, a collection of deadpan and appealingly peculiar short stories, in 2020. All three have also released a second book this year: Dolans is an acerbic comedy of errors about an impending wedding called The Happy Couple, Nolans Ordinary Human Failings follows an Irish family after one of its members is accused of a terrible crime, and Nothing Special is Flatterys tale of a young woman who gets a job as a typist at Andy Warhols Factory. In the summer of 2017, the repression worsened. Izgil received news of friend after friend being carted off to internment camps, often in their pajamas. Izgil began laying out warm clothes at night, after his daughters went to sleep, then waiting hours for the sound of knocking. He wanted to be prepared, in case his turn came. If someone knocked at my door in the middle of the night, I planned to put on these warm clothes and autumn shoes before answering, he wrote in the memoir. Izgils perspective was informed in part by his upbringing in hyper-political environments, he said. Born at the height of Chinas Cultural Revolution in a village outside the city of Kashgar, Izgil attended university in Beijing and threw himself into activism when the student-led pro-democracy movement took off in Tiananmen Square. After the movement was snuffed out, he was recruited upon graduation as a Uyghur language instructor at the Central Party School in Beijing, which educated future bureaucrats. The position left him feeling stifled, and he soon left. He planned to study in Turkey, away from Chinas censorship, but was detained at the border in 1996. Even then, Uyghurs leaving the country were viewed with suspicion. Accused of trying to smuggle state secrets out of the country, he was sentenced to eighteen months of detention and eighteen months of hard labor an experience that he said helped him anticipate aspects of the crackdown to come. In 2017, when the states repression became more advanced with the aid of digital technology, he tried to subvert some of the control mechanisms: When his face was scanned and his voice recorded as part of a sprawling DNA database to track down activists, he adopted a radio presenters clear enunciation in an attempt to thwart the authorities. But afterward, he and his wife realized it was time to find a way out of the country. Behind the Numbers The sharp drop was largely due to lower prices for the oil and natural gas that the company produces and sells. Energy prices soared in the previous spring after Russias invasion of Ukraine, generating huge profits for oil companies. Since then, all major energy companies have been hit by lower prices, but BPs earnings fell more proportionally than those of other large oil companies like Chevron and Shell. In an interview, BPs chief executive, Bernard Looney, attributed the results to weak profits from products like diesel fuel as well as planned maintenance outages at its refineries. Theres really no more to the story than that, Mr. Looney said. In a reminder of how important dividend payments from large energy companies are to investors, BP said it would increase its distribution 10 percent, to about 7.3 cents a share, despite the earnings drop. The companys stock price rose more than 1 percent in Tuesday trading. German Wind Farms in the Future After launching a whirlwind of changes in both personnel and business strategy when he became chief executive three years ago, Mr. Looney seems to have settled into a company thats still heavily dependent on oil and gas but making big bets on clean energy. BP, based in London, recently said it would maintain petroleum production levels, but it also recently agreed to pay about $7 billion for the rights to build two large wind farms off Germany. Mr. Looney suggested the price was lower than it might seem because it would be gradually paid over roughly 30 years. He also said he was confident that the projects would meet BPs profit targets. The power will be used to provide green energy to BPs two refineries in the country and its extensive vehicle charging system there. We are delighted with that win in Germany, he said. Incredibly Strong Demand for Oil Oil prices have risen around 20 percent since mid-June, to about $85 a barrel for Brent crude, the international benchmark. Mr. Looney, who has a front-row seat to the oil markets, made the case that the market may remain robust in the near term. Despite worries about the global economy and a faltering recovery in China, demand for oil has been incredibly strong, he said. At the same time, he noted that the group of oil producers known as OPEC Plus was being increasingly disciplined about restraining supply while shale oil drillers in the United States were also reining in activity. Despite a lot of uncertainties in the world, youd have to believe, from that evidence at least, that prices are going to be strong over the coming months, he said. Mr. Jobs will still be dedicated to fighting cancer. My dad succumbed to cancer when I was in college at Stanford, Mr. Jobs said. I was pre-med because I really wanted to be a doctor and cure people myself. But just completely candidly, it was really difficult after he passed away. Taking a break from oncology, Mr. Jobs switched to majoring in history (with a focus on nuclear weapons policy). But he returned to the field after completing his masters degree and led Emersons health care division, which has invested in companies and given grants to labs. Of his career path, Mr. Jobs said: I had never ever wanted to be a venture capitalist. But I realized that when youre actually incubating something and putting it together, you can make a tremendous difference in what assets are part of that, what direction its going to take, and what the scientific focus is going to be. Yosemite will have an unusual operating model. The firm will run a for-profit business, but it will also maintain a donor-advised fund essentially a type of foundation that manages giving by benefactors to make grants to scientists. That dual structure creates a virtuous cycle for innovation, Jobs said: Scientists are given grants with no strings attached, but many of them, once they begin to commercialize their research, will most likely return to Yosemite for venture funding. Neither rule is an explicit ban on incandescents. And a few specialized kinds of incandescent bulbs like those that go inside ovens, and bug lights are exempt. But most if not all other incandescents will struggle to meet the new efficiency standards, and the same goes for a more recent generation of halogen lights. Energy-efficient lighting is the big energy story that nobody is talking about, said Lucas Davis, an energy economist at the Haas School of Business, part of the University of California, Berkeley. Going from an incandescent to an LED is like replacing a car that gets 25 miles per gallon with another one that gets 130 m.p.g., he said. With the new rules in place, the Department of Energy expects Americans to collectively save nearly $3 billion a year on their utility bills. In the past, a knock on LEDs was that they were more expensive to buy, but prices for LED bulbs have fallen rapidly to near parity with incandescents. The cost savings could come as a boost particularly to lower-income households, which spend a larger proportion of their income on utilities. Research has shown that retailers in poorer neighborhoods had also been among the slowest to phase out energy-guzzling bulbs. Over the next three decades, the rules will also cut carbon dioxide emissions by 222 million metric tons the Energy Department said, which it compared to the emissions from 28 million homes in one year. Press Release August 1, 2023 Senate adopts resolution saluting Biazon The Senate on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 adopted a resolution expressing its profound sympathy and sincere condolences on the death of Hon. Rodolfo "Pong" Biazon, a former senator, congressman, and chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 652 was introduced by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, taking into consideration proposed SRN 653, 654, 655, 660 and it was adopted as SRN 78. Biazon passed away on Independence Day, June 12, 2023 at the age of 88. Biazon was survived by his wife Monserrat Narag Bunoan and children Ruffy, Richie and Rino. "True to the saying that 'old soldiers never die, they just fade away,' the legendary military general and legislator, whose bravery and patriotism in protecting and defending Philippine freedom and democracy is beyond compare, and whose sincerity and dedication in serving the country inspired and touched the hearts of Filipinos, Biazon will be mourned and remembered by the Filipino people and the nation," the resolution stated. Biazon was born from humble beginnings on April 14, 1935 in Batac, Ilocos Norte, to spouses Rufino Biazon and Juliana Caspar. The young Pong Biazon lost his father at an early age and endured great hardships, particularly during the Japanese regime. To help his family earn a living, he sold food and collected and sold used bottles and newspapers. Undeterred by poverty, Biazon completed his education as a self-supporting student, eventually obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from FEATI University. In 1957, despite passing the examinations for the US Military Academy in West Point and the US Naval Academy in Maryland, he chose to enter the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), where he graduated as part of Class 1961. As a military man, Biazon proved himself to be an able and effective leader, serving as Superintendent of the PMA from 1986 to 1987, Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) from 1987 to 1989, Commanding General of the AFP National Capital Region Defense Command from 1988 to 1990, AFP Vice Chief of Staff from 1990 to 1991, and ultimately as AFP Chief of Staff in 1991. As Commanding General of the AFP NCR Defense Command and Commandant of the PMC, he rose to prominence when he successfully led the Marines and other civilian officers in thwarting the coup attempt staged by the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM). After retiring from military service, Biazon continued to devote himself to public service, being elected senator for three terms (1992-1995, 1998-2004, and 2004-2010), during which time he served as chairperson of the Senate Committees on National Defense and Security; Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement; Vice Chairperson of the Committees on Agriculture and Food and Foreign Relations. He was also a member of 15 other Senate committees, as well as the Commission on Appointments. After his stint in the Senate, he served as a member of the House of Representatives for the lone district of Muntinlupa for two terms: 2010-2013, and 2013- 2016. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin speaks at the Russia's lower house of parliament in March, 2023. Photo by AFP Russia has added Vietnam to a list of 55 countries whose nationals are eligible for a single-entry e-visa starting Tuesday along with Cambodia and Myanmar. It allows people to enter Russia for various purposes and stay for a maximum of 16 days. The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Pham Thu Hang, a former deputy spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had said that Vietnam "supports measures to create favorable conditions for facilitating trade and travel for citizens of Vietnam and other countries." Russia has also added Cambodia and Myanmar to the list. Its never been cheaper or easier to produce electricity from the sun. Economies of scale and government subsidies, especially in China, have helped to drive down solar energy prices by 85 percent since 2010, supercharging a global boom in new hookups. This year, for the first time, investors are expected to put more money into solar than oil. Thats good news for the climate. But the solar energy supply chain is still dominated by China, an authoritarian regime engaged in a trade war with the U.S. And many of the industrys key materials and components are made with forced labor from the Xinjiang region in western China. In recent years, other countries, led by the U.S., have finally gotten serious about trying to challenge Chinas dominance. But according to new research covered by my colleagues Ana Swanson and Ivan Penn, those efforts are having mixed results at best. The report, produced by human rights and solar industry experts, found that the vast majority of solar panels still have significant exposure to the Xinjiang region, where the U.S. and the U.N. say the Chinese government is committing numerous human rights violations. Edward Sexton, a master tailor who, with his business partner, Tommy Nutter, upended the staid British institution that was Savile Row with Nutters, a shop with rock n roll flair and clientele, died on July 23 in London. He was 80. His death was announced by his company, which shares his name. No cause was given. Mr. Nutter was the shops charismatic frontman, and Mr. Sexton was known as the wizard with the scissors, the expert cutter who created the flamboyant shapes the shop would become famous for: the wide lapels and sharp shoulders, the nipped in waists and waistcoats, and the sweeping trousers. The aesthetic was continental, American, queer and camp, the journalist Lance Richardson noted in House of Nutter: The Rebel Tailor of Savile Row (2018), combined with a keen fidelity to old-school Savile Row craftsmanship. Wearing a Nutters suit, one client told Mr. Richardson, made you feel like an honored custodian of something spectacular. I am Christopher McQuarrie, the director and one of the writers and producers of Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One. [MUSIC PLAYING] What are we doing? Finding us a new car. The inspiration for this sequence actually occurred to me during the shooting of Mission Impossible Fallout when I was scouting locations for the chase scene in Paris. And I came across a little Fiat 500 that was parked along the Seine River. And I thought it would be great, the idea of watching Ethan Hunt and Tom Cruise driving in a car like that. When I pitched this idea to Tom, he immediately appreciated the notion of doing a car chase that involved more humor than any of the sequences we had done previously, and he really leaned into that. Something to watch during this sequence is the behavior between Tom Cruise and Haley Atwell. Youre looking at two actors performing in two-shots, meaning you dont have any editorial control. Its not like I can pick the best moments of each actor. I have to really be giving you their best at the exact same time. And what it really does is it creates an affinity for these two characters. The most important part about this sequence is not really the action. Its the feeling of a relationship developing between two people who actually dont want to be together. And this car chase is all about creating circumstances whereby they are forced together, and over the course of a sequence, you feel them turning into a team. Rome is a very tricky place to shoot. The Fiat is a very difficult car to drive. And obviously, its very difficult to drive that car with handcuffs, let alone on cobblestone streets which make all of the driving, everything that you see Tom doing, becomes completely unpredictable. And what you end up with is a sequence where the car almost has a mind of its own. It becomes a character in the sequence along with Haleys hair, as you can see there. In this part of the sequence, we ended up on the Spanish Steps. We were allowed to shoot at the Spanish Steps with the understanding that we never could actually physically touch the Spanish Steps. But so long as we never touched the Spanish Steps, we could do whatever we want. So what we did is we built the Spanish Steps in three sections on a backlot so that we could drive cars down them. And everything that Tom and Haley are doing here is extremely difficult, extremely punishing. The car doesnt have really great suspension. So the riding down the steps is very jarring. And we got into this bit here with the cars rolling over we did in three sections. One, Tom drove down the steps. Then we had a bunch of grips roll a car down the steps with no one in it. And then, finally, we built a padded interior for the two actors to actually roll down the steps with the cameras rolling. The voices of those seated in a Long Island courtroom fell to a whisper on Tuesday as Rex Heuermann shuffled in, his hair rumpled, his wrists handcuffed and his mouth drawn tight. Mr. Heuermann, the man charged with killing three women and burying their bodies near Gilgo Beach in a case that confounded authorities for years, did not glance at the roughly 140 spectators. Some were relatives of those who were killed. Others were members of the press who had reported on Mr. Heuermann but had never seen him in person. Mr. Heuermann turned to face the judge and waited. Little had been known about the hearing in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, N.Y., early Tuesday morning. It was referred to merely as a conference in court records and, in most cases, it would have been a routine appearance. Yet roughly 250 reporters, producers, photo journalists and videographers waited for hours to watch the eight-minute proceeding. It was the second time Mr. Heuermann, a 59-year-old architectural consultant in Manhattan who has denied the charges, had appeared before a judge since his arrest on July 13. But their whirlwind romance has taken a sudden dark turn. Mr. Menendez, the 69-year-old Democratic chairman of the Senates Foreign Relations Committee, is under investigation by the Justice Department for the second time in less than a decade. And this time, his wife is also in prosecutors cross hairs. The new inquiry, led by the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan, appears to be focused at least in part on the possibility that either the senator or his wife received undisclosed gifts from a company run by a friend of Ms. Menendez, and that those gifts might have been given in exchange for political favors, according to two people with knowledge of the matter and subpoenas issued in the case. Unlike her husband, who took a seat on a New Jersey school board as a 20-year-old and rose to prominence in Hudson Countys famously sharp-elbowed political scrum, Ms. Menendez, 56, has lived a mainly private life. She holds a masters degree in French language and civilization from New York University, but did not work outside the home while raising her two children in Bergen County, N.J., according to court records and longtime friends. She is described by friends, acquaintances and two former lawyers in much the same way: social, smart and highly fashion-conscious. She struggled financially after a 2005 divorce and even faced foreclosure. But by 2020, the year she and Mr. Menendez were married, she had formed an international consulting company, and her assets included bars of gold bullion then valued at as much as $250,000. Sheila Y. Oliver, New Jerseys lieutenant governor and the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office there, died on Tuesday after being rushed to the hospital the day before. She was 71. Ms. Oliver, a Democrat and longtime resident of East Orange, N.J., was elected lieutenant governor in 2017 as Gov. Philip D. Murphys running mate after serving for more than 15 years in the Legislature. In 2010, she became the first Black woman to lead the predominantly male State Assembly. Ms. Oliver had been serving as acting governor of New Jersey since Mr. Murphy and his family left over the weekend for a vacation in Italy, where they own a home. But she was taken to the hospital on Monday morning, according to state officials who provided no additional details; leadership responsibilities then shifted to the Senate president, Nick Scutari, as dictated by the State Constitution. Mr. Murphy will return to New Jersey within the next few days, a spokesman said. The economist Stephen Billings looked at residents of Charlotte, N.C. and the surrounding county who received concealed-carry permits. He found that during the year he tracked them, people who had a permit were no less likely to be victims of violent crime than people who didnt have one. But the concealed carriers were substantially more likely to report being the victim of a property crime and what the criminals often took was one of their guns. Stolen guns are sometimes trafficked out of state but more commonly circulate locally, where they may be used to commit additional offenses. As a result, each concealed-carry permit increased the violent crime rate in the neighborhood by about 2 percent. (Dr. Billings noted that if the owners had simply practiced better gun safety, such an increase would have been blunted.) Guns that wind up in the wrong hands also make crime more lethal. Because of the combination of permissive legislation, recent court rulings that undercut gun control and aggressive manufacturing and marketing, firearms are easier to come by than ever. If fear of crime leads more people to get guns and some of those guns are then stolen, increasing violence and creating more fear, a vicious cycle could ensue. Even if this cycle doesnt lead to a major uptick in the overall rate of crime, it can create a floor below which crime rates wouldnt fall as Charlotte and other cities may be experiencing now, primarily because of guns that were stolen from cars. Fear can also make crime more likely by fraying the social and economic fabric. Decades of social science research shows that people tend to overestimate their chances of becoming victims, that they may wrongly infer that an area is dangerous from seeing individuals engage in disorderly behavior and that fear of crime sometimes reflects underlying racial or ethnic prejudice. In a classic 1986 essay, the political scientist Wesley Skogan argued that when people become afraid of criminal activity in a neighborhood for these or other reasons, conditions can rapidly worsen. People who are scared might stop socializing as much with their neighbors. They might become less active in houses of worship or as volunteers with civic organizations, sapping the strength of vital neighborhood institutions. They may no longer feel safe banding together to urge troublemakers on the street to move along, abandoning the informal social control necessary to keep further crime in check. Listening to the men in the short Opinion Video above is like encountering visitors from another planet. They are serving life sentences at Angola prison, in rural Louisiana, with little to no hope for release. Many are elderly; they have not seen the outside world, or their families, for decades. They do not face execution, but they have been sentenced to death all the same, their lives spooling out interminably on the cellblock and in the cotton fields, then ending in a prison hospice bed. The men are among the thousands in Louisiana and more than 50,000 nationwide locked up for life without parole. It costs roughly $70,000 a year for each aging inmate, and this film asks whether the best way to spend billions of taxpayer dollars is on vengeance. The point is not to diminish the severity of the crimes that put these men behind bars. As many of them acknowledge, they have been rightly punished for a long time. But, ask yourself as you watch the video, how long is long enough? Thats a question more and more states are asking. In recent years, a number of states, including Maryland, South Carolina and New Mexico, have debated changing their laws to give those serving lengthy sentences a chance at freedom. Several states have already enacted so-called second-look laws, which permit reconsideration of sentences for inmates who have reached a certain age or been incarcerated for a minimum term or whose sentences no longer serve a valid legislative purpose. At the federal level, the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission in January issued draft guidelines that would give judges more flexibility to consider releasing elderly inmates. Something deeply un-American is underway in the state of Oklahoma. In June, Oklahomas Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved the nations first religious public charter school. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa were given permission to open St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in August 2024. Thats right, a religious public school, funded by the states taxpayers. Proponents hope this model will spread to the dozens of other states that allow charter schools. Seven percent of public school students in the country attended charter schools as of the fall of 2021, and that number continues to grow. Thats why Christian nationalist groups see charter schools as fertile ground for their full-on assault on the separation of church and state in public education. In just the past year, significant progress has been made in infusing Christianity into public schools. Texas, for example, now allows public schools to replace certified school counselors with religious chaplains and came close to requiring every classroom to display the Ten Commandments. New laws in Idaho and Kentucky could allow teachers and other public school employees to pray in front of and even with students. Missouri and Louisiana authorized public schools to teach Bible classes. West Virginia nearly passed a bill that would allow public schools to teach intelligent design creationism. Accompanying these laws are increasingly successful efforts to ban books and lessons about race, sexual orientation, gender identity and even menstruation in public schools. The establishment of a school that claims to be simultaneously public and religious what has been a legal oxymoron in the United States since its founding violates one of the foundational principles of American constitutional tradition: the separation of church and state. It also threatens religious freedom and undermines public education. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution gives Congress the power to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. The necessary and proper clause gives Congress broad authority to decide on what it needs to carry out its enumerated powers. Congress has duties to perform and powers to execute, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in his opinion for the court in McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819. It has a right to the means by which these duties can be properly and most usefully performed, and these powers executed. By that standard alone, Congress almost certainly has the authority to regulate the court by way of its power to structure the federal judiciary. If that isnt enough, there is also Article III, Section 2, which outlines the jurisdiction of the court and gives Congress a direct and explicit role in shaping its procedures and conduct: In all cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the Supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make. It might be tempting to read this as a limited grant of power except for the fact that a vast majority of the Supreme Courts work is in its appellate jurisdiction. As far as the Constitution is concerned, Congress cannot only shape that jurisdiction (with such Exceptions) but also set the terms by which the court exercises its appellate authority (under such Regulations). Congress could, to use one example, require justices to recuse themselves in any appellate proceeding in which they have a conflict of interest. In addition to what is specified by the Constitution Congress cannot restrict the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and it cannot diminish the salaries of the justices while they still hold office there are obviously things the legislature cannot do to the court. No power, after all, is truly unlimited. Economic activity was seen gradually improving, driven by tourism, as exports were not expected to improve until late in the year, said Chayawadee Chai-Anant, an assistant governor at the Bank of Thailand (BOT). "In the period ahead, tourism should continue to recover and remain a key driver force, while exports are likely to be stable," she told a briefing. Thailand recorded a current account surplus of $1.4 billion in June, after a deficit of $2.8 billion in May, the BOT said. Exports, a key driver of growth, dropped 5.9% year-on-year in June, the same pace as in May. Private consumption dipped 0.3 percent in June from the previous month while private investment contracted 1.8 percent on the month, the BOT said. In the second quarter of 2023, Southeast Asias second-largest economy displayed a moderate improvement from the previous quarter as foreign tourist numbers increased and the service and private consumption expanded, the central bank said. Henrietta Lacks, a Black mother of five, was dying of cervical cancer in 1951, when doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore took a sample of her cells without her knowledge or consent. The invasive procedure led to a revolutionary discovery: Her cells were the first to reproduce in a laboratory, which no human cells had done before, allowing researchers to develop vaccines for polio and the coronavirus and treatments for disease including cancer, Parkinsons and the flu. But it would be more than two decades before her family knew that the cells were fueling research in laboratories all over the world, and even in space, creating an unparalleled medical legacy. On Tuesday, which would have been Ms. Lackss 103rd birthday, some of her descendants gathered at a news conference after reaching a settlement with a biotechnology company that they had accused in a lawsuit of profiting from the cell line named for her, HeLa. My go-to look is Japanese, Comme des Garcons or Yohji Yamamoto, she said. I love the simplicity, the craft, the tailoring of Japanese clothing. It has influenced everything I do the formalism of a bow, the idea of a belt. A rope necklace strung with several small wooden objects hung around her neck. African weaving tools, she explained, they have very strong energy. Ms. Zakowskas dedication to research was evident in the shelves lined with fashion history books and in the giant mood boards covered with vintage magazine clippings, fabric swatches and photographs. Some walls in the studio are papered to the ceiling with her costume sketches. Her official profession is costume designer, but world creator may suit Ms. Zakowska better, given her talent for conjuring character, history, place and stories through vivid, meticulously imagined fashion. She herself seems to exist in a kind of liminal space, poised amid the present and the bygone eras she animates on stage and screen, amid the many characters she coaxes into existence, and amid the many art forms she has mastered. Her life has been steeped in nearly all aspects of performance and design. After graduating from Barnard, she started her career as a professional dancer, having studied Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey technique in New York and Balinese dance in Indonesia. She went on to study painting and drawing at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and then, in the mid-1980s, attended the Yale School of Drama in costume, lighting and set design. She was an assistant to Woody Allen. She costumed the Big Apple Circus for nine years. She has collaborated and toured with Roman Paska, the renowned puppet artist and director, whom she met in college and is her life partner. And she has worked steadily in theater and film, including many collaborations with John Turturro, her close friend and former Yale roommate. Working with Donna always makes my performance better, Mr. Turturro said. How can I speak of love when Im dead? runs a powerful line in Amour, a stage adaptation of Michael Hanekes 2012 film that premiered on Sunday at the Salzburg Festival, in Austria. Love and death are, of course, the two great themes of art, but rarely have they been brought together so hauntingly as in Hanekes film, a portrait of an elderly couple forced to confront the issue of when life is no longer worth living. Told in Hanekes characteristically severe style, the film earned the Austrian director both a Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival and an Oscar for best foreign language film. Karin Henkel, the adaptations director, eschews the films realism, opting instead for a highly stylized and self-consciously artificial staging that achieves its visceral impact through a combination of Brechtian estrangement techniques, emotionally naked performances and biographical monologues written by onstage extras. Henkel scored a triumph in Salzburg two summers ago with Richard the Kid and the King, a sweeping epic of Shakespeares bloodthirsty monarch that ran to four hours. The German directors Amour a co-production with the Munchner Kammerspiele theater, in Munich, where it will run in late October is as affectingly tender as her earlier Salzburg outing was grimly savage. Pattys maternal relationships with Cecile and Sammy are the plays sources of conflict (Pattys offstage husband, Hal, were told, is fine). When Cecile, who appears onstage only in brief interludes, falls out of touch, Patty considers it personal punishment, simultaneously convinced that shes to blame for her daughters problems and defensive at her own accusation. Sammy, a font of patience as she is of exposition, gently suggests, I think this is not about you. Of course, shes right. Patty is presented as a quintessential Jewish mother, but the qualities she exemplifies are not culturally exclusive; anyone who recognizes her narcissism from their family dynamics might appreciate a trigger warning. And yet, the plays own narrow focus on Patty works to its detriment. The matriarch is little more than an amalgam of stereotypes; that there is truth to them is hardly a revelation. But the play does little to question or disrupt the preconceived notions it assumes New York audiences will have about an Upper West Side lady like Patty. Nor does Perlman mine much unseen depth from a character exclusively defined by circumstance. The production, from the director Margot Bordelon, confines Patty behind her cutting board, where she chops imaginary onions without shedding a tear for much of the plays brief 70 minutes. If this is a character study, Pattys pungent, messy center is largely withheld from view. Goldmans Cecile occasionally drags a folding chair onstage to insert herself into her mothers narrative, trembling like a frazzled live wire. Unfortunately, Cecile is kept at arms length from a story in which she seems to have the most compelling inner life. Sammy is likewise sketched mostly in relation to her aunt; that Sammys mother-in-law is near death is relevant only insofar as it keeps her from being with Patty. Another school week had just begun at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis when Orlando Harris, armed with a recently purchased AR-15-style rifle and 600 rounds of ammunition, burst into the building with a declaration: You are all going to die! Mr. Harris, a 19-year-old graduate of the school, opened fire that morning in October, killing Alexzandria Bell, 15, and Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old physical education teacher. More than half a dozen others were injured before the police fatally shot the gunman in a third-floor room where he had barricaded himself. Mr. Harris had struggled with mental health issues so severe that his family had him committed more than once, triggering an automatic rejection on the federal background check system when he tried to purchase a gun at a licensed dealer 16 days before the shooting. But Missouri is one of 29 states that have no background check requirement for private sales. So, Mr. Harris found a weapon by browsing the online site Armslist. Federal law requires background checks only for purchases made through the approximately 80,000 businesses that sell, ship, import or manufacture weapons licensed through the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Unlicensed private sellers, by contrast, can legally sell their wares at gun shows, out of their houses and, increasingly, through online platforms such as Armslist that match buyers with sellers. For hikers in the American Southwest, this searing hot summer has been an exceptionally dangerous one. A teenager collapsed at Big Bend National Park in Texas in late June, while his stepfather crashed a car as he sought help. Both died. A woman never finished her trek along a remote trail last month in the Grand Canyon in Arizona. And two people visiting Death Valley in California perished during some of hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth. Altogether, national and state parks have reported at least seven possible heat-related deaths so far this summer, as a brutal heat wave has baked the Southwest. Data on hiking fatalities is spotty, and officials caution that causes for the recent deaths have not been confirmed. But the deaths would appear to be the most for the months of June and July in at least a decade. The losses provide a glimpse of how climate change is reshaping the environment within some of Americas most popular parks, and of the risks that hikers encounter among iconic sights on increasingly hot and dry trails. The influence and scope of super PACs have exploded in the last decade as a series of Supreme Court rulings opened the door to unlimited political spending. Contributions to a presidential candidates own campaign are still strictly limited to $3,300 each in the primary and general election a cap meant to curb the influence of big donors. But super PACs can accept limitless money so long as they operate independently. Mr. DeSantis and his allies are the latest to test the limits what exactly operating independently means. Today, Never Back Down isnt just supplementing the campaigns work; it has taken over nearly every aspect of the DeSantis campaign staging events that the candidate attends as a special guest, running a bus tour through Iowa and paying people to knock on voters doors to sell them on the virtues of Mr. DeSantis. It remains unclear whether Mr. DeSantiss allies will be able to continue to raise the large sums of money required to sustain this gargantuan effort. His campaign has already fired more than a third of its staff to cut costs, and his super PAC is bearing even more of the burden of his daily operation. The filings showed that the super PAC had received donations of more than $1 million from just seven wealthy Republicans, or firms connected to them. One of those donors, Saul Fox, also gave money to a super PAC supporting Mr. Trump. Officials with the group falsely exaggerated the strength of their early fund-raising, records show. They publicly claimed at the end of March that they had brought in $30 million; the filings show the actual amount was just under $23 million. The super PAC did not reach $30 million until almost two months later, the week that Mr. DeSantis formally became a presidential candidate. An official with the group did not explain why they had initially provided a misleading number. The switchboard at Lightbulbs.com, a (pretty self-explanatory) e-commerce website, lit up with panicked callers on Tuesday, who all wanted to know if the news was true. Had the government just banned the sale of incandescent bulbs? Yes, mostly. Was this decision part of an elaborate political plot? No, mostly. Just what were fans of incandescent lighting supposed to do now? EBay, maybe? Much like its cousin, the gas stove, the humble light bulb has become a flashpoint in a cultural squabble between environmental regulatory efforts and the very American impulse to do whatever one wants in ones domicile. But unlike the gas stove debate, which grew so heated (sorry) that it drew legislation from Republicans hoping to protect the noble but possibly dangerous appliance, the ban on the sale of most incandescent bulbs went quietly into effect on August 1. (The Biden administration denied trying to ban gas stoves.) The response to the bulb ban was more of a whimper than a battle cry. Thomas Edison brought the incandescent light bulb to the masses, and in 2023 Joe Biden banned it in America, officials with the Republican Party of New Mexico wrote in a tweet. The Biden administrations government overreach continues. The charges were first reported by The Detroit News. Mr. DePerno denied any wrongdoing and said that his efforts uncovered significant security flaws in a statement from his lawyer, Paul Stablein. He maintains his innocence and firmly believes that these charges are not based upon any actual truth and are motivated primarily by politics rather than evidence, Mr. Stablein said. The criminal inquiry in Michigan has largely been overshadowed by developments in Georgia, where a grand jury is weighing charges against Mr. Trump for trying to subvert the election, but both are part of the ongoing reckoning over the conspiracy theories about election machines promoted by Mr. Trump and his allies. The efforts to legitimize the falsehoods and conspiracy theories promoted widely by Mr. Trump and his allies continued long after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and after Mr. Biden took office. In Arizona, such efforts included the discredited election audit of Maricopa County led by Republicans in the state legislature. In a statement, Mr. Hilson said, Although our office made no recommendations to the grand jury as to whether an indictment should be issued or not, we support the grand jurys decision and we will prosecute each of the cases as they have directed in the sole interests of justice. The sheriff of Fulton County, Ga., said on Tuesday that if former President Donald J. Trump were to be indicted in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state, he would not receive special treatment, and would be booked and photographed like any other defendant. The Fulton County district attorney, Fani T. Willis, has signaled that she will bring indictments in the matter by the middle of the month. Unless someone tells me differently, the sheriff, Patrick Labat, said on Tuesday, his office would follow normal practices, and so it doesnt matter your status. Well have mug shots ready for you. Sheriff Labats remarks raised the prospect that a former president could be booked at the county jail near downtown Atlanta. But it remains to be seen whether the Secret Service would weigh in and alter the sheriffs plans, should an indictment of Mr. Trump come to pass. An armed police officer stands guard on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, 2021. Photo by Reuters Three Bali immigration officers have been arrested for their alleged role in an illegal organ trafficking syndicate that ferried dozens of victims to Cambodia to sell their kidneys, Indonesian police said on Saturday. The move comes as authorities crack down on the suspected illegal organ trade ring, arresting 12 members last week- including a police officer and an immigration officer identified as AH - accused of smuggling 122 victims abroad. The three Bali immigration officers are accused of working with AH, who allegedly took bribes to allow victims lured by the trafficking ring to easily pass through immigration checks to Cambodia for kidney surgeries. "(They) will be brought to Jakarta this afternoon and will be under Jakarta police custody," Jakarta police director for general crimes Hengki Haryadi told AFP. At least 18 of the kidney donor victims left Bali for Cambodia between March and June, he said. Authorities believe there are more victims and are looking for them to come forward. Some of the members of the cell are former donors who became recruiters using Facebook and WhatsApp to lure and trade victims. The organ trafficking ring has been operating since 2019, earning 24.4 billion rupiah (US$1.58 million) in total, Haryadi told reporters last week. The traffickers received 200 million rupiah for each kidney, pocketing 65 million rupiah and giving the rest to the victims. The organs were harvested at Preah Ket Mealea Hospital in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, police said. Organ trading is outlawed in Indonesia and the 10 syndicate members arrested last week face 15 years in prison and 600 million rupiah in fines if found guilty of violating the country's human trafficking law. The police officer is accused of obstructing the investigation and receiving bribes to help the accused traffickers move locations. He faces five years in prison if found guilty. Immigration officer AH is accused of abuse of power and faces up to 20 years in prison. Cash-strapped Indonesians have previously been caught selling their kidneys online for as little as 50 million rupiah each, fuelling a dangerous and illegal trade in human body parts. Much of the desperate trade is driven by poverty, family debt or outstanding bank loans. Many of the 122 victims had lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic and were exploited because of precarious financial situations, Haryadi said. More than 250 Europeans were evacuated from the West African nation of Niger on Tuesday on a plane sent by France, nearly a week after a coup threatened to set off a regional conflict. The evacuations came less than a day after two neighboring states, Burkina Faso and Mali, said that they would join forces to defend Nigers new military junta if a bloc of other regional countries carried through on a threat to intervene unless the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, was returned to office. Marie Bertrand, who said she worked for a French company in Niger, packed hastily after receiving a message to evacuate on Tuesday morning from the French embassy, which was attacked on Sunday by supporters of the military takeover. I got ready to take just a piece of luggage and leave everything else behind me, she said. Frances foreign ministry said that most of the 262 people on the plane were French. A second plane was also scheduled to depart on Tuesday, and Italy has said that it, too, would set up a flight. Senegals government has dissolved the countrys main opposition party and detained its leader on charges of fomenting insurrection, setting off a new round of protests in which two people were killed on Monday. A series of recent legal actions against the opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has triggered some of the worst political violence in recent history in the seaside nation in West Africa. Senegals interior minister, Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, said that on Tuesday, two more people were killed and five injured when attackers threw Molotov cocktails inside a bus transporting passengers in Dakar, the capital. He did not say who was responsible, or whether the attack was politically motivated. Mr. Sonko, the 49-year-old mayor of the southern city of Ziguinchor, has galvanized fierce opposition to the countrys president, Macky Sall, a key Western ally in a region that is being shaken by a series of military takeovers. Mr. Sonko, a former tax inspector, has vowed to fight corruption and appealed to the countrys youth with talk of empowerment and abrasive rhetoric. In the United States, some truck owners delight in modifying their rigs with oversized wheels, heavy-duty suspension kits and soot-spewing exhaust systems, turning them into the monster trucks that stalk organized events like demolition derbies and mud bogs. How quaint. In Mexico, drug cartels are taking the monster truck concept to another terrifying level, retrofitting popular pickups with battering rams, four-inch-thick steel plates welded onto their chassis and turrets for firing machine guns. Some of Mexicos most feared criminal groups, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, are using the vehicles in pitched gun battles with the police. Other organizations, like the Gulf Cartel and the Northeast Cartel, use the armored trucks to fight each other. Mexican security forces call these vehicles monstruos (monsters), but they are also known as rinocerontes (rhinos) and narcotanques (narco-tanks). Cartels emblazon the exteriors with their initials or the latest in camouflage patterns, at times making them hard to distinguish from official military vehicles. The military government in Myanmar has reduced the prison sentence for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Southeast Asian nations ousted civilian leader, by six years, a military spokesman said on Tuesday. The move was part of a widespread amnesty often granted to mark religious holidays, according to Myawaddy TV News a channel run by the military government. The announcement came as a surprise but would not significantly change the fate of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed by Myanmars military in a February 2021 coup. Her lawyer said that Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, 78, still has to serve 25 more years in prison. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi has been serving a 33-year sentence on corruption and other charges since December 2021. Rights groups and supporters say the charges were trumped up and meant to keep the Nobel Peace laureate, who is extremely popular in Myanmar, from elected office. Sun, moon, grizzly, black, spectacled, sloth: Bears all over the world can stand, shuffle, totter and walk on two legs, though they usually prefer four. They do not strictly speaking talk. But a zoo in Hangzhou, China, decided that the best way to clear up a conspiracy theory about one of its bears was to release a statement in the bears voice. The confusion appeared to begin in late July, when a video surfaced on the Chinese social media site Weibo of a sun bear named Angela standing on a rock in its zoo enclosure, with ramrod posture on its hind legs. Some Weibo users began to cast doubt on the ursine truth of the bear. Some accused the zoo of using a dog impostor sun bears can grow to the proportions of a large dog, about four and a half feet long and up to 145 pounds. In June, 11 women who work together as sanitation laborers in India pooled their money to buy the equivalent of a $3 lottery ticket because they could not afford the cost individually. Last week, they won. The jackpot was $1.2 million, or more than $700,000 after taxes an enormous sum for workers who spend their days collecting household waste and building public toilets. Lottery drawings are famous feel-good stories because they make people rich overnight, but these winners may be among the most deserving in history. Most were in debt after taking out loans for medical treatment, their childrens education, dowries or other essential expenses that they could not afford on a wage of roughly $3 a day. Im swimming in debt, so this money will be a big relief, said one of the winners, Leela K., 50, a mother of four daughters. I will finally have peace of mind. But my tension will vanish only when the money comes into my account. As wind and rain from a powerful tropical cyclone continued to lash southern Japan on Thursday, the authorities said the storm had left at least two people dead, injured at least 60 others and knocked out power to around 150,000 homes. The storm, Typhoon Khanun, was causing damage and disruption in Japans Okinawa Prefecture days after an earlier tropical cyclone left dozens of people dead or injured in mainland China and the Philippines. Khanun was moving slowly northwest on Thursday, away from Japan and toward mainland China. It was expected to turn northeast, back toward Japan, in a weakened state but not before dumping several inches of rain in Okinawa and other southern Japanese prefectures. The storm was nearly 200 miles west of a major United States military base in Okinawa as of Thursday morning local time, according to the United States militarys Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii. A building in central Moscow housing government ministries was struck by a drone Tuesday for the second time in 48 hours, as Ukrainian officials make it increasingly clear that they are not going to allow the war to be limited to their own soil. Moscow is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Mr. Zelensky, said pointedly in a tweet on Tuesday. Moscows mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, said the drone had hit the 21st floor of a tower that was damaged in an earlier strike over the weekend. Two other drones were shot down on the outskirts of Moscow, Russias Defense Ministry said, while a third was reported downed in Sevastopol, in Russia-occupied Crimea. Ukraine has been generally coy when it comes to attacks within Russias borders, but in recent days President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials have signaled that the strikes are part of Kyivs strategy. Video of the latest attacks strongly suggested that one of the drones was a Ukrainian-made long-range model identified by The New York Times. Jan Dvorkin had raised and nurtured his adopted son in Moscow for seven years until, one day in May, the Russian authorities notified him they were revoking custody. A woman Mr. Dvorkin knew had filed an official complaint, saying that because he was transgender and gay, he was an unfit parent. When Mr. Dvorkin asked the woman why she had reported him, she told him he had brought it on himself, and that I could have easily avoided it by staying in the closet. He managed to find another family to take the boy, who is deaf, so that the child would not be sent to an orphanage. Mr. Dvorkins experience underscores the increasingly repressive treatment gay and transgender people are subjected to across Russia a hardship that seems certain to grow as the government leverages the war in Ukraine as justification for greater restrictions on L.G.B.T.Q. life. When Russia blockaded Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea after its full-scale invasion last year, grain that could feed millions worldwide piled up in silos. Crude iron that supplied some thirty percent of American steel makers stopped arriving. Roughly half the worlds supply of the neon used in lasers to make chips was taken off the market. But while Russian ships menaced off the Ukrainian coast, the small ports in the Danube river on the Romanian border kept working, offering a small but vital lifeline. Their importance continued to grow even after an internationally brokered deal with Russia stabilized the shipping routes on the Black Sea for the limited movement of foodstuffs. Now, two weeks after the collapse of that deal, the small Danube ports are the only shipping outlet for millions of tons of grain once again trapped in Ukraine and Russia has made clear they, too, are under threat. The Danube is our gateway at sea to Europe and the world, Stanislav Zinchenko, chief executive of GMK, a Kyiv-based economic think tank, said in an interview. We have a lot of concerns about Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a recent Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. The first is Irans nuclear program, which has steadily advanced after the previous U.S. administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: Everything the agreement effectively did to stop that has now been lost, and the efforts that we were making to make sure that the breakout time that they would have if they made a decision to produce a nuclear weapon in terms of having the fissile material for such a weapon having pushed that past a year - its now down to a matter of weeks. During the past two years, the United States and its allies have tried to convince Iran to return to compliance with a modified nuclear deal, but Iran has not agreed. Another area of concern, Secretary Blinken said, is Irans support for groups engaged in profoundly destabilizing activities in the Mideast and beyond. The drones that Iran has provided to Russia for use in Ukraine are having a real and terrible impact, and its a two-way street. Were now seeing Russia provide Iran with equipment and technology that it can use for the actions that it's taking in the region, so these are deep concerns, he said. Secretary Blinken also deplored the repression by the Iranian regime of the extraordinary protests led by women and girls. We have done a lot of work to try to help people who wanted their voices heard, not only in the sanctions, not only in the spotlighting, but also in work that weve done to provide technology to people in Iran to make sure that they could ... stay connected with each other and stay connected to the world, he said. Finally, Secretary Blinken noted the Iranian regimes campaign of repression against critics halfway around the world, including in the United States. We are pushing back resolutely against all of that, he said. Secretary Blinken believes that diplomacy remains the best way to deal with Irans nuclear threat. But he said, it takes two to engage in diplomacy. Meanwhile, the United States, as the U.S. National Security Strategy lays out, will continue to work with allies and partners to enhance their capabilities to deter and counter Irans destabilizing activities, and will always stand with the Iranian people striving for their basic rights and dignity. To protect its fragile ecosystem and stunning architecture, Venice has taken bold steps. In recent years, it has banned cruise ships from its lagoon and built sea walls to keep out high tides. Still, the city remains under serious threat, United Nations experts warned this week. The United Nations culture agency, UNESCO, proposed in a document released on Monday to include Venice and its lagoon on its World Heritage in Danger list. It said the city had not made enough progress in preventing damage from mass tourism, climate change and development projects, adding that the corrective measures that Italy has proposed are still insufficient. Some prominent Venetians took issue with UNESCOs critique. Renato Brunetta, a former government minister who now leads a foundation aiming to make Venice the worlds capital of sustainability, said the city was better equipped than most places to face todays challenges thanks to initiatives including the sea walls and the cruise ships ban. Venice has been a more fragile city than the others, he said. Paradoxically now its the most secure. He cautioned that the agencys recommendation to redirect large ships to other ports would damage the citys livelihood. Audio Stories Are Redefining Pleasure for Women Apps like Dipsea and Quinn have become popular destinations, particularly for some women who find them safe spaces to explore their sexuality. This story contains audio You know, Im a sucker for a California queen bed, Liz says to her girlfriend, Sevyn. Im imagining us chillin on that balcony, Sevyn responds. Liz laughs, Well, theres some other things Im imagining too Liz and Sevyn are characters in Open Floor Plan, a series on the audio erotica app Dipsea. Like mini podcasts but spicier, these stories detailing sexy scenarios fill the space between audio romance novels and visual pornography. Since Dipsea began publishing at the end of 2018, a handful of similar apps have hit the market. While Dipseas stories are narrated by voice actors and written in-house, Quinn, another popular platform that launched in 2019, hires mostly content creators to produce the apps stories. Other platforms like OhCleo and Bloom use a combination of those formats. I c l o s e d t h e d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n u s a n d p r e s s e d m y m o u t h a g a i n s t h e r s . S h e w a s s u r p r i s e d , b u t k i s s e d b a c k w i t h a f e r o c i t y t h a t s e n t s p a r k s t h r o u g h m y b o d y . PLAY Theres clearly this gap between what erotic content has traditionally meant and what women are looking for, said Caroline Spiegel (sister of Snaps chief executive, Evan), the founder of Quinn. Now, theres a growing opportunity to give women products and services that fill their sexual needs, because they have their own money to spend. Designed in sleek modern packages, these apps can easily be confused with those used for meditation, yoga or therapy an intentional marketing plan. Situating pleasure in a wellness wrapper has allowed them to exist on Apples app store and Spotify, as well as advertise on Facebook and Instagram. On average, subscribers for Dipsea are women between 18 and 34, the company said, while Quinns are women ages 18 to 24. Dipsea said its revenue grew 40 percent last year, though it declined to provide specific figures. Quinn said the average listenership for the past three months had been 14 million minutes each month. (For context, in all of 2021, we saw 3.2 million minutes listened, Ms. Spiegel said.) H e w a l k e d b e h i n d m e a n d r a n h i s h a n d s o v e r m y s h o u l d e r s , t h e n d o w n m y a r m s , g e n t l y g u i d i n g m y w r i s t s b e h i n d m y b a c k . I s w a l l o w e d a s m a l l m o a n . PLAY Hannah Albertshauser and her husband, Michael, are the co-founders of Bloom, an erotic audio platform based in Germany. According to a survey they recently conducted, Bloom found that there were just as many users who enjoy romantic content as were interested in stories involving different kinks, partner sharing and bondage. Despite Mr. and Mrs. Albertshauser starting Bloom to create more guided sex options for couples, 40 percent of its listeners are single women and over half are between 18 and 34, according to the same survey. Experts say that the biggest benefits of audio erotica are it allows listeners to imagine and be in control of their own story. I tell clients and students, if youre constantly watching something, youre never getting to create your own fantasies, explore your erotic imagination and know what your boundaries are, said Mal Harrison, the executive director of the Center for Erotic Intelligence, a collective of researchers and educators who study human connection and sexuality. Audio erotica, she said, is a response to power imbalances and sexual domination often seen in visual pornography. Before these apps existed, Reddit threads and the back alleys of Tumblr were often used to create erotic audio content particularly made by and for women. It felt like when you wanted accessibility to pleasure, it was in a brown paper bag down a dark alley, said Dominnique Karetsos, the chief executive and co-founder of Healthy Pleasure Group, which invests in sexual health and technology companies, including Dipsea. When she started investing in the space nearly 10 years ago, the market was limited, she added. But by the early 2010s, Ms. Karetsos said, products made for womens pleasure were marketed through partnerships with retailers like Selfridges and Sephora. The accessibility to and demand for these items created social permission, she said, for women to talk about pleasure openly. I d o n t w a n t t o g e t y o u i n t r o u b l e . I t h i n k I d a c t u a l l y l i k e a l i t t l e b i t o f t r o u b l e . H m , c o m e h e r e t h e n . PLAY Last year a sexual rights group reported that Facebook rejected numerous womens sexual health advertisements. In 2019, the sex toy company Dame sued the M.T.A. for banning its advertisements while those for erectile dysfunction medication remained. Gina Gutierrez, who founded Dipsea with Faye Keegan, said that much of what set audio erotica apart was that it was marketed as sexual wellness, unlike conventional porn. Female pleasure is seen as especially gratuitous and frivolous, she said. We wanted people to feel like they were making a choice that was good for them. Its actually like a wellness practice Liv Trexler downloaded Dipsea in 2021 after seeing its advertisement on social media. It was weird at first, she said. But when I actually tried it, things went well, very well. She now uses Dipsea regularly and said the $12.99 monthly subscriber fee was worth the cost. Its not harmful to those who make it, and its not a harmful thing to those who hear it, said Ms. Trexler, a 29-year-old project manager who lives in Brooklyn. Its actually like a wellness practice. Angela Sarakan, a senior audio producer at Dipsea, said that the dialogue featured in its podcasts could provide listeners the tools to set healthy boundaries. Youre listening in on the private worlds of these characters and, in that way, learning more about yourself and the way you might want to communicate or do things differently. I d o n t w a n t t o r e g r e t m i s s i n g t h e m o m e n t a n y m o r e . J u s t f o r t o n i g h t . G e t i t o u t o f o u r s y s t e m s . Y e s . PLAY Audio eroticas emphasis on communication and boundary-setting has helped some users with anxiety around visual porn. It was very hard for me to extricate any idea of sex, especially casual sex, from feeling safe, said a 25-year-old woman who was a victim of sexual assault. The woman, who asked not to be identified, said audio erotica helped her reconnect with her body through imagination. It helped me get out of my head a little bit in terms of self-consciousness, like comparing my movements and my body to people on the screen, she said. It made me see how you could have your sex life as part of a creative, imaginary life that feels meaningful. Olivia Taylor, the editorial lead of Dipsea, said the apps goal is to capture the texture of life and the texture of sex. Dirty talk, moans and the ruffling of sheets are just some of the sounds you may hear on the app. Dipseas characters are often written with enough specificity for listeners to relate to, but vague enough for them to imagine themselves inside the story. It might make you be like, Hey, wait, thats not me, this is some other person or some other body that doesnt feel like mine at all, Ms. Taylor said. The editorial team, she added, keeps this in mind as they edit. H e r e , c l i m b i n t o b e d w i t h u s . Y e a h , c o m e h e r e . L e t u s f e e l y o u . PLAY Aisha Jordan, an actress and a spoken word artist, was among the first to audition as a voice actress for Dipsea in early 2019. She landed the role of Liz and has since narrated many other stories. Sometimes youre breathing into a microphone for 20 seconds, she said. Sometimes you have to do something like kiss your hand to get a more authentic sound. Ms. Jordan receives a full character description and a story arc with each script. Its not just a sexual moment. Its an experience, she said. Especially for a woman of color to be able to do this, its super exciting. It allows you to be seen as a full person and not just stereotypes. Although sexual wellness is a growing industry, research on the subject is still met with skepticism. Its just highly stigmatized, more so than drugs, said Dr. Nicole Prause, a neuroscientist who studies how pleasure can be used as a treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. I almost lost my graduate funding. She said she no longer uses the word sexual in research proposals. Dr. Prause hopes audio erotica will help raise awareness of the positive, if not therapeutic, outcomes of sexual wellness, though she recognizes its limitations. Ms. Taylor of Dipsea believes that the format can at least offer an alternative. Were showing much more than a snapshot of sex, she said. Its the whole story of how people connect. All clips from shows on Dipsea, from top to bottom: Familiar Face, You Again; Bound, Meeting the Rigger; Lone Wolf, Take Me Somewhere; Familiar Face, You Again; My Partner, After the Bath." Ear image via Getty Images. Design and development by Shannon Lin. APCO Worldwide has inked an open-ended contract to provide strategic communications and media relations services to Ethiopia, Africas second most populous country with 121M people, which has been ravaged by war and drought. Ethiopia was the site of the worlds bloodiest war last year, according to Comfort Ero, head of the Crisis Group. An estimated 600K died in Ethiopias Tigray region between 2020 and 2022 as the government battled the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front. Nigeria brokered a deal between the two parties on Nov. 2. Ethiopia also is battling a long-term drought that puts 28M of its people at risk. The International Rescue Committee ranks Ethiopia as the country, after Somalia, most at risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis in 2023. APCOs job is to further the Government of Ethiopias commitments to its citizens and international partners "to build a just, prosperous and stable nation, according to its contract inked on July 27. The DC firm also will promote Ethiopia as a destination for foreign direct investment. It will receive a monthly fee of $158,537 under the agreement that shall continue indefinitely. Margery Kraus, APCO founder & executive chairman, and Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, Ethiopias US ambassador, signed the master engagement agreement. APCO has a seven-member team assigned to the Ethiopia account. Rick Waters Eurasia Group, a global political risk research and consulting firm, hires Rick Waters as managing director, China. Waters will be based in Washington, DC. He joins Eurasia Group after a 27-year career at the US State Department, where he most recently served as China coordinator and secretary of state for China and Taiwan. He also oversaw the creation of the Office of China Coordination, informally known as China House. At Eurasia Group, Waters leads the firm's China expertise and client offerings. His research interests include China's global and regional diplomacy, US-China relations, and China's domestic political economy. His deep analytical understanding of the issues and hands-on experience negotiating with Chinese authorities will help our clients grasp the complexities of China's relationship with the world," Dan Lowden Blackbird.AI, a narrative and risk intelligence company, brings on Dan Lowden as CMO. Lowden most recently served as CMO at cybersecurity firm HUMAN, which was named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023. He has also held the CMO spot at cybersecurity companies Digital Shadows and Invincea, as well as leadership positions at vArmour, IBM ThinkPad, NEC Technologies and Sharp Electronics. Lowden will lead Blackbird's global marketing efforts, working to share the company story and build strategic relationships with chief communications officers, chief information security officers and other decision-makers. His cybersecurity expertise will be key to the creation of this new category and telling the real-world stories behind it so that prospective customers better understand the threats they're up against, said Blackbird.AI CEO and co-founder Wasim Khaled, Bruno Cardinali, Leandro Gasparin OAKBERRY, which sells acai bowls and smoothies at more than 600 locations in 35 countries, names Bruno Cardinali as global head of marketing and Leandro Gasparin as head of business, North America. Both were most recently at Restaurant Business International, where Cardinali served as CMO at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Gasparin was VP, franchise operations for the US & Canada. They both previously worked for RBIs Burger King brand. In their new roles, they are tasked with guiding Oakberry through aggressive expansion plans in the U.S. and globally, including more than 150 new stores in 2023. By bringing Bruno and Leandro onto our team, their experience and leadership will fast-track our expansion both in the U.S. and globally," said Oakberry founder and CEO Georgios Frangulis. A father of six and banned motorist charged with drink driving for the fifth time was told he could be facing a spell behind bars after Judge Bernadette Owens opted, for the time being, to direct a probation report. John Cash (41) 36 York Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, was also charged with having no insurance, no driving licence, displaying a false insurance disk and giving a false name to gardai. That came after Mr Cash was stopped as gardai were on mobile patrol in the Ardnacassa area of Longford town on March 28 last shortly before 11am. Sgt Mark Mahon, for the prosecution, said gardai pulled in and spoke to the accused after noticing a vehicle colliding with a kerb. He said gardai spoke with the driver and after requesting Mr Cashs name, address and date of birth, a similar demand was made for the Dubliner to provide a sample of breath. Sgt Mahon said Mr Cash failed to meet those requirements and also provided a false name and address, the court heard. Judge Owens was informed Mr Cash was arrested under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act with the vehicle itself also being seized. Sgt Mahon said the accused later provided two specimens of breath, samples that returned a reading of 35mg per 100ml of breath. The court was told it was a result which, under current legislation, carried a six month disqualification. When asked by Judge Owens as to whether Mr Cash had a criminal past, Sgt Mahon said he had 35 previous convictions to his name, four of which were for drink driving. The last conviction for the latter came in March 2008 and resulted in Mr Cash being sentenced to three months in prison and put off the road for 20 years. His most recent conviction, other than road traffic matters, was recorded in Dublins Courts of Criminal Justice in March for public order. In defence, Brid Mimnagh said her client was a father of six who currently resided in Dublin. Judge Owens, in noting Mr Cashs previous 20 year ban and one for 15 years in 2008 for no insurance, said the amount of discretion open to her was at a premium in terms of sentencing. He has two very significant disqualifications previously and the court has to consider the possibility of a custodial sentence, she said, adding that the court would be directing a probation report. She also said the court would be varying Mr Cashs bail terms, compelling Mr Cash not to drive a vehicle prior to his next appearance in court. Judge Owens subsequently remanded Mr Cash on bail to November 7 when details of a probation report on the accused are expected to be made known. A woman has told a court how she was left mentally traumatised after receiving multiple bruising and a broken nose after being allegedly attacked on her own property earlier this year. The Longford woman, who cannot be named as the alleged assault was heard during an application by the accused to vary bail to allow him confined access to a child, told of how the alleged incident unfolded. I was attacked on my own property, she said, in reference to the said incident on May 4, 2023 at a location in Co Longford. I received punches and kicks. I had multiple bruising, a broken nose and not to mention the stress and anxiety that I have never had to experience before. The court heard details of how the man at the centre of the allegation was seeking to vary his bail conditions to allow him confined access to his child at a property a few hundred metres from the alleged victim. In the witness box, the woman said should the court accede to the request of the applicant, it would greatly hamper her day to day comings and goings. If I were to go and see my sister I would have to pass that house, if I want to go to mass and see my friends and family, I have to pass that house. I would be fearful, she said. The court was told the man, who resides in Dublin was receiving access to a property in Dublin twice a week. Solicitor John Quinn, in raising the application, said his client was already subject to stringent bail conditions, one of which included an order to stay away from the woman. There is no application to live in the house, it is only confined access to a child to that house and that house alone, he said, adding there had been no breaches to the orders of the court. The woman, however, contended any decision to grant the applicant's address would have grave repercussions for her mental well being and all-round sense of safety. I have been a school teacher for 20 years and I know the importance of having a strong family unit for a child, she said. It's not about bricks and mortar. I have been physically injured and mentally traumatised on my own property. In delivering her verdict, Judge Owens said the court had a balancing exercise to undertake in accounting for both the right of the applicant in accessing his child and taking on board the views of the alleged injured party. She said in circumstances where access was already being enjoyed by the man, the application to vary bail was being refused. Judge Owens qualified those remarks by suggesting there was nothing stopping the man taking his application to a higher venue, namely the High Court. Sgt Mark Mahon, for the State, said a criminal matter in relation to an alleged assault on the woman was still not ready to proceed. The case was adjourned to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 10. This week was the week greyhound enthusiasts were waiting for, twelve long months since the 2022 derby. Trainers have hoped and prayed to have the star dogs in mint condition for the first round of the 2023 Boylesports Irish Derby. Thirteen heats on Friday with the remaining thirteen in a packed stadium in Shelbourne on Saturday. One hundred and fifty six dogs went to traps. All trainers hoping to get their hands on the first prize cheque of 125k, but more importantly, their name on the worlds most sought after trophy in greyhound racing. Three Offaly dogs were in action in the first round, all from the Edenderry area, Carrick Fergie for Thomas Glynn, Droopys Timing for Paul Cronin and possibly our best chance of lifting the trophy, Trinity Junior for Timmy Slevin. Before racing started the sponsors of the derby had installed Coolavanny Hoffa as 8/1 fav to conquer all in front of him. Swords Rex for Graham Holland was at 10/1, Ballinabola Ed for Pat Buckley and Clona Duke for Holland at 12/1. Con and Annie Kirby Memorial winner Clonbrien Treaty and Ballymac Marino were at 14/1. 20/1 bar. Trinity was the lowest priced Offaly dog at 25/1. Besides the Derby there was plenty of other top class action around the tracks with plenty of prize money up for grabs. Some quality Offaly winners added to the mix in what was another super week of racing on the Emerald Isle. Early week racing Thursday, Shelbourne, in the quarter-finals of the RCETS Open unraced stake, all won in similar fast times with the Classicly bred Droopys Mandolin (Laughil Blake - Droopys Curio) setting the bar highest, in 28.47 by seven lengths at 5/4, with Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson at the helm. First Offaly winner of the week was in heat four of this competition, Dorothys Shoes was first home in 28.57 for Croghan owner Nuala Lynch by one length at 7/4. Nuala also had the runner up in this heat with Belles Collar and certainly has a strong hand heading into Thursday semi-finals. Another Offaly winner on the supporting card, in the semifinals of the RCETS A3 stake, Stella Sparkle won for Edenderry owner Paul Cronin in 28.45 by three lengths at 3/1. The second semi was was won by Glory Baz for Sheila Duncan one length slower in 28.52 by four lengths. Friday racing Kilkenny staged the first round of the Boylesports A3 Bitch stake, always of the highest order, won last year by Beautys Quickstep for David Flanagan. Five heats with Ballyhoe Samhain going fastest for Mairead McCarthy in 29.12 (20 slow) by four lengths at 10/11 fav. Saturday racing Curraheen Park, Cork, in the final of the Denis Murphy Memorial A2 525, the 2k first prize went to Naughty Naughty (Dorotas Wildcat - Kilcrea Harbour) in 28.61 by one length at 5/1 for Jack and Lillian McGann. Some great racing in Dundalk with the quarterfinals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup being the highlight. Four evenly contested races with the fastest heat winner being Road Exile for Pat Buckley in 20.84 by four lengths. The concluding heat went to an Offaly dog as Carrick Aldo won for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn,in 21.00 by three lengths, with David Murray training. In the Showgrounds in Galway, in the semi-finals of an A5 sweepstake, Margaret Bolton made the trip from Geashill and won with Rossies Flossy, in 29.67 (10 slow) by two lengths, at 5/4 fav. One of Limericks top annual stakes got underway on the Dock Road track, the OConnor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri-distance, won last year by Tommy Too Many for the Moydrum - Massive Syndicate. Seven heats over the 550 yard trip with Oakfront Cadet setting the bar highest in 29.73 by five lengths at 5/2. Next weeks semifinals will be over the 575 trip. Two Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an A4 contest, Superior Pearl won for Tullamore owner Niall Deegan in 29.99 (50 slow) by nine lengths at 1/1 fav. In the best race on the card, an A2 grade, Syrax was a smart winner for Edenderry owners Paul and Chloe Cronin in 29.35 (50 slow) by four lengths at 5/4 fav. Kilcohan Park in Waterford staged the first round of the John Fitzgerald Memorial Open Bitch stake, won last year by Grandard Thunder for Joe Anglim. Four heats with Clogheen Lass going fastest for Graham Holland in 28.38 (30 fast) by one length at 2/5 fav. One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in an AO 525, Verratti had his seventh career win for Edenderry owner Keith Duffy in 28.63 (30 fast) by two lengths at 6/4 with Robert Gleeson training. Boylesports Irish Derby Brief history The Irish greyhound derby commenced in 1928 in Harolds Cross with the first winner being Tipperary Hills. It stayed in the Cross until 1932 and then alternated with Shelbourne Park for a while. In 1939 the derby was held in the Markets Field in Limerick and in 1942 in the Western Road Track in Cork, both these tracks have since been closed with the Limerick venue now on the Dock Road and Corks in Curraheen Park. The last time the derby was held in Harolds Cross was in 1969 with the winner being Own Pride. It has remained in Shelbourne ever since. Only one dog has ever won the derby three times, and probably will keep this record forever, that was the great Spanish Battleship in 53, 54 and 55. Gay McKenna and Tom Lynch have both trained the winner of the derby on four occasions, while Ger McKenna, Matt ODonnell, Seamus Graham and Graham Holland have each won it three times. On ten occasions the bitches have been successful when taking on the dogs and winning with the last being the great Susie Sapphire in 2021 for Owen McKenna. Friday Derby roundup Thirteen splendid heats on a beautiful evening at the Ringsend venue, all won in splendid fashion, with some shocks but mostly favorites obliging. Fastest of the heats was Good Maestro for owner John Kennedy Jnr and trainer Pat Guilfoyle in 29.24 by four lengths at 10/11 fav. Pat Buckley didnt bring his star tracker Ballinabola Ed to the English Derby in order to have him in full fitness for the Irish equivalent where he won his heat in 29.34 by three lengths at a short 1/3 fav. Others to impress were Optic Chico for Robert Gleeson in 29.42 and antipost favorite Coolavanny Hoffa in 29.43 by eight lengths at 2/11 fav for Michael ODonovan. Edenderry owner Timmy Slevins Trinity Junior ran in heat nine and was a most impressive winner when storming home to win by nine lengths in 29.50 at 8/11 fav from the Peter Cronin kennels. This early July winner of the Champion Stakes is certainly now well in the frame to add a second classic to his ever growing CV. Another to catch the eye was the winner of heat four, where Clonroosk Sydney came from off the pace to win by two lengths, in 29.71 at a very decent price of 16/1, for Portlaoise owners Ray (Cookie) Conroy and Ollie Dunne with Mathew Harte training. No doubt these two shrewd owners had a flutter at 16s. Our other Offaly runner on Friday Carrick Fergie had no luck in running and was sadly eliminated for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn with Gleeson training. There was a double on the night for Murt Leahy with one winner each for all the other major trainers. Saturday's Derby Round Up Heats fourteen to twenty six took place in front of another bumper crowd. Another Holiday went fastest of the thirteen heats for Michael ODonovan in 29.26 by five lengths at 13/8. Others to shine were Scagletti for Pat Guilfoyle in 29.26, Ballyhimikin Rex for John and Billy Dunne in 29.33 and Ryhope Beach for ODonovan again in 29.34. All remaining heats were very competitive and all won in top class times. The big shock was Swords Rex for Holland exiting the competition when getting no luck in running and probably a lot of antipost bets going down with him as he was everyones tip for outright victory. There was a treble on the night for Liam Dowling and Guilfoyle with the double for ODonovan. Offaly third dog in this years derby Droopys Timing for Paul Cronin also exited the stake. Trinity Junior remains our only remaining dog in the competition. Derby Betting After the first round sponsors Boylesports have installed Coolavanny Hoffa as a clear 6/1 favourite with Clona Duke and Ballinabola Ed at 12/1. Ryhope Beach and De Lahdedah are at 14/1 with 16/1 bar. Trinity Junior is now into 20/1 and still seems over priced at that. Maybe worth a punt. If he wins this Saturday he could go as low as 10/1. Sunday racing Three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, two from the Joness kennels in Moneygall. In an A3 race Lingrawn Buzz won for Liam Jones in 29.74 by one length at 7/2. In an A2 contest Lingrawn Grace had her ninth career victory in 29.65 for Kevin Jones by three lengths at 10/3. Our final Offaly winner of the week was in an A5 grade as Horseleap Edel was first back in kennels for Sean McGuinness in 29.75 by three lengths at 6/1. All races in Mullingar were rated .50 slow. Upcoming Events Thursday, semi-finals of the RCETS Open Unraced and final of the RCETS A3 sweepstake in Shelbourne. Friday, quarter-finals of the Boylesports A3 bitch stake in Kilkenny. Friday and Saturday, second round of the Boylesports Irish Derby in Shelbourne. Saturday, semi-finals of the National Sprint in Dundalk, second round of the OConnor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri - Distance in Limerick and semi-finals of the John Fitzgerald Memorial AO bitch stake in Waterford. Loads of top class action to look forward to this week. Tribune Offaly dog of the week Easy one this week with Trinity Junior winning in the first round of the Boylesports Irish Derby in a most impressive 29.50 for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin by nine lengths with Peter Cronin training. Its a long time since an Offaly dog has made such a bright start to the Greyhound blue ribbon event. Offaly Winners A fine return of eleven Offaly winners this week. Well done to all involved in any way. A Government minister said a secondary school Debs celebration in Co Monaghan turned into the worst possible nightmare after two teenage girls were killed in a crash. Three other people were taken to hospital, two of them in a critical condition, after the incident on the N54 Clones to Smithborough road at Legnakelly at around 6.45pm on Monday. All five were travelling in the same car. Heartbreaking news for our local community in the Clones area this evening. Every families worst nightmare. My thoughts & prayers are with all those involved. Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) July 31, 2023 Gardai said the bodies of the two girls, aged 16 and 17, were taken to Monaghan General Hospital, with post-mortem examinations due to take place on Tuesday. An 18-year-old woman and the 60-year-old male driver of the car are in a critical condition in hospital, while an 18-year-old man is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The two 18-year-olds were taken to Cavan General Hospital for treatment, and the 60-year-old man was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The road was closed overnight. Social protection minister Heather Humphreys, who is from Co Monaghan, said the crash was an unimaginable tragedy. This was a Debs night for Largy College. It should have been a nice celebration and a kind of coming of age for these young people, and its just turned into their families worst possible nightmare. She told RTE radio that Largy College, Cavan-Monaghan ETB and the Clones Youth Centre will be providing support to students. Ms Humphreys said: This is just awful news for so, so many families, you know, young people to see their friends cut off at such a young, young age. Its just heart-breaking. She added: None of us ever know whats around the corner. I know a lot of parents across the country will hear this news today and I know that theyre holding their children extra tight because its really every parents worst nightmare. Local Sinn Fein councillor Pat Treanor expressed sincere sympathy to the families involved on behalf of the local community. Its an absolute horror thats unfolding from yesterday evening, heart-breaking for everyone who lives in the area. Mr Treanor, who lives a mile away from the crash site, said he witnessed the Debs preparations. Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, he said: When I was leaving work, I would have witnessed all of the young people gathering on The Diamond for their Debs, all excited, all getting the photos, meeting their friends. But then, about an hour later, there were helicopters in the air, there were sirens of ambulances, and the sad messages started coming through that there had been a serious accident out the Monaghan road out of Clones, and that went on all night really. He said there was a numb silence waiting on the most traumatic news within the community. Speaking on the same programme, foreign affairs minister Sean Fleming said: Its the saddest news any family or any parents could ever receive, to see that their children were heading out, really on a rite of passage, and heading on hopefully to third-level education or employment in the immediate future, everything in front of them, and this tragic accident happened. Its a shock, its a pain, the community will be strong, the community will stand together, they will support each other. But that loss will be with that family and that community for the rest of their lives. Horrendous, heart-wrenching news coming from Clones this evening.A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them. God help the families affected. The prayers of everyone in County Monaghan is with them. Matt Carthy TD (@mattcarthy) July 31, 2023 Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly told RTE that the community will rally around affected families. But its absolutely heart-breaking, devastating news for their families, for their loved ones and for the community and for everyone in Monaghan, she said. Local councillor Richard Truell told the PA news agency: Its tragic, the community is shocked. We cant get our heads around whats happened because two young lives have been lost. Our thoughts and prayers have to go to their families. Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy said it was horrendous, heart-wrenching news and that the prayers of everyone in Co Monaghan are with the families affected. A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them, he said on Twitter. Kim Jong-un expressed his appreciation for 'close ally' Vladimir Putin by decorating his residence with giant portraits of the Russian leader. Here is what it looked like. The Russian delegation visited Pyongyang last week to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War which is called Victory Day in North Korea. Although Vladimir Putin wasnt a part of the party on the Kremlin's behalf, his presence was highly visible as the venue where Kim Jong-un was receiving his guests was decorated with huge portraits of the Russian leader. The gesture caught the eye of Max Seddon, the Moscow bureau chief for the Financial Times, who didnt miss the opportunity to show this example of friendship between the two leaders to the world. Vladimir Putin reportedly hopes that this trip will help strengthen Russian-North Korean military ties. Here is what we know. Kim Jong-un's special tribute to Vladimir Putin Last week the Russian delegation visited Pyongyang, and the purpose of the trip is not only to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War but also to celebrate the 'special relationship' between the two countries and their leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. To show appreciation for his ally, the North Korean heir decorated multiple rooms of the building where he was receiving his guests with huge portraits of the Russian President so that all those present did not miss him. Max's post has been going viral with over 400K views and hundreds of retweets and comments. Kim Jong-Un appears to have decked out his residence with giant photos of Putin everywhere for Shoigu's visit pic.twitter.com/WAbaETz7ED max seddon (@maxseddon) July 28, 2023 Last Friday Vladimir Putin reportedly sent a letter to Kim Jong-un, praising the nation's solidarity with Russia on key international issues highlighting the countries common interests. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was part of the delegation, expressed hope that the trip would strengthen Russian-North Korean military cooperation. Read more: Vladimir Putin is being mocked for his 'clumsy' fashion choices and 'awkward' handshakes Kim Jong-un's alleged friend claims the North Korean leader may not have a son Russias visit to North Korea made the international community nervous During the visit, Kim Jong-un reportedly showed Sergei Shoigu around a defence exhibition that included banned ballistic missiles. Nuclear-capable missiles that were allegedly part of the display are forbidden under United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the whole situation made the international community worried. NK News, an independent English-language outlet that covers North Korea, also reported that Kim Jong-uns exhibition featured the country's largest nuclear missiles like the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang The Russian Defense Minister conveyed to Kim Jong Un a personal message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, ,,We is in a same side medall,, pic.twitter.com/gLD0MPRkb9 Spriter Team (@SpriterTeam) July 27, 2023 Ankit Panda, a senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that Russia supported the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that it appears to have given way tocourting Pyongyang as a strategic partner. He added: Kim Jong-un's support for Russia in its illegal war on Ukraine appears to have paid dividends. Does Kim Jong-un support Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine? Although Vladimir Putin failed to meet Kim Jong-un in person this time, he didn't miss the chance to thank him for his firm support in the invasion of Ukraine. Russia-Ukraine war: July 28 updates North Koreas state media KCNA, has published a letter by Russia's President Putin, who thanked Kim Jong Un for his country's firm support of his war efforts in Ukraine. Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/MmSC4Buhqepic.twitter.com/QX8mJNmN0e Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 28, 2023 The kind of help received wasnt specified, but the US has earlier accused North Korea of selling Russia artillery shells and rockets. Pyongyang denied any allegations. Read more: Kim Jong-un has reportedly issued a ban on suicide in North Korea, here's what we know Vladimir Putins reign could be over within the next year, an ex-MI6 spy predicts Sources used: - Newsweek: 'Kim Jong Un Decorates Walls With Huge Portraits of Putin' This year marks the 25th anniversary of the original signing of the International Religious Freedom Act, noted Ambassador-at-large for Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain in recent Congressional testimony: 25 years of protecting a human right that is fundamental to the history of the United States, integral to our national identity and governance, as expressed in the first Amendment and a core component of our foreign policy. The International Religious Freedom Office at the State Department works to protect and defend religious freedom around the world, including persecuted Christians in China, said Ambassador Hussain: This year, the International Religious Freedom Office worked extensively with the Shenzhen Holy Reform Church. . .to protect their members right to freedom of religion or belief in the face of relentless pressure from the Chinese Communist Party even after they fled China on April 7th. In recent years, house churches have come under heavy pressure by Chinese Communist authorities, with many prominent ones shut down. Founded in 2012, the Shenzhen church was not registered with the State and therefore illegal. According to rights groups, members were harassed by government authorities and church meetings were frequently raided by police. Authorities also threatened to shut down an underground religious school they operated. As pressure continued to build, the congregation voted to leave China, with many members departing between late 2019 and early 2020. The Shenzhen church started its journey to freedom by first fleeing to the South Korean island of Jeju. With limited hope for gaining asylum, Church members fled again, this time to Thailand. Fearing a forcible return to China after being arrested for visa overstays in Thailand, rights groups, non-governmental organizations, and the Office for Religious Freedom advocated for the release of the Chinese Christians, explained Ambassador Rashad Hussain: As a result of our efforts in the IRF [International Religious Freedom] Office and broader department efforts and coordination with Congress and other U.S. government agencies and NGOs, I was honored to welcome members of this church as they arrived to the United States at DFW Airport and was pleased that they celebrated Easter at a Texas church in safety on May 16th. We stand united as Americans, declared Ambassador Hussain, for the sake of those who suffer due to their religion or beliefs. Fact Check: Did A Shooting Incident In Gurgaon Involve 12 Cops? Fact Check oi-Madhuri Adnal There is a report circulating on some social media channels claiming that Gurgaon is on high alert due to a shooting incident involving a dozen cops, including five inspectors and a DSP, all admitted to Medanta hospital. The report further advises residents of Gurgaon and Faridabad not to venture out tonight, stating that the situation is escalating rapidly. The Gurgaon Police Commissioner has clarified that the above report is false and mischievous. As per the official statement, the situation in Gurgaon is peaceful and under control. While it is true that one inspector did receive gunshot injuries, this incident occurred in Nuh, where he was deployed along with other officers from Gurgaon. Contrary to the report, there has been no deployment of additional forces from other districts in Gurgaon. In fact, the forces from Gurgaon have been deployed in Nuh to handle the situation there. Therefore, the claim regarding a shooting incident involving multiple cops in Gurgaon is false, and the situation in the city remains peaceful and well-managed by the authorities. Residents are urged to refrain from spreading unverified information and rely on official sources for accurate updates. Fact Check Claim A report is being spread on social media claiming that Gurgaon is on high alert due to a shooting incident involving at least a dozen cops, including 5 inspectors and a DSP, all admitted to Medanta ho Conclusion The claim about a shooting incident involving multiple cops in Gurgaon and the city being on high alert is not supported by official information. Rating False Raise your request for FACT CHECKING. Mail us at [email protected] For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 15:21 [IST] 26-Year-Old Man Killed In Attack On Gurugram Mosque, Third Death In Haryana Violence India oi-PTI A 26-year-old man was killed and a mosque set ablaze in the Sector 57 area as the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession in neighbouring Nuh district spread to Gurugram, police here said. The mob opened fire in which two persons were injured. One of them died during treatment, they said. The victim has been identified as Saad, a native of Bihar, a senior officer said. This is the third death in wake of the ''intense communal tension'' that spread from Nuh. According to the police, the mob reached the Anjuman Masjid in Sector 57 after midnight. Some people in the crowd opened fire at the people present in the mosque and also set it on fire. Two home guards were killed and at least 15 others, including several policemen, were injured on Monday as a mob in Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said on Monday. Haryana: Curfew Imposed In Violence-Hit Nuh District As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, apparently belonging to people from that community. The situation in Nuh and Sohna continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers in Nuh and the other affected areas, the police said. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said ''strictest action'' will be taken against those responsible for the incident. ''Today's incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and strictest action will be taken against them,'' the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 10:44 [IST] Delhi Govt Hospitals To Reserve 5% Beds For Dengue Patients India oi-Sushmita Halder Dengue has been a rising concern in the national capital. And in order to combat the situation, the Delhi Government on Tuesday said that the hospitals have been directed to keep 5 per cent of hospital beds for dengue patients. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj further stated that a portal will be used to report daily dengue cases, as it was done during COVID-19. Addressing the media, Bharadwaj said, "Nodal officers of Delhi Cantt, NDMC, MCD, Delhi govt, and AIIMS have come here. We have directed them that the 5% of beds that were reserved for COVID, will now be reserved for dengue. We have a portal where dengue cases will also be reported the way Covid cases used to get reported every day, We asked them to reduce the duration of time taken for test results". Reportedly the Delhi Minister will be inspecting some schools on Wednesday to supervise the compliance of norms for full-sleeved clothing by students. He warned schools of action if they are found violating the directions on dengue. "All the schools have been directed to ask students to wear clothes with full sleeves and be fully covered. Schools are not following the directions. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I will be going on a surprise inspection of some schools along with district magistrates. Wherever there will be lapses, action will be taken," Bharadwaj was quoted as saying. According to a report of the Municipal Corporation released on Monday, the national capital logged 56 fresh dengue cases last week. As per the Municipal Corporation, the total number of dengue cases stand at 243, as of July 28. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 23:22 [IST] SC Notice To Centre On Plea Filed By Delhi Govt Over Ordinance On Control Of Services Delhi Row Over Services: Will Examine If Parliament Can Abrogate constitutional Principles Of Governance: SC Delhi MCD To Remove 2181 Positions, Layoffs Expected From Engineering Dept. India oi-Sushmita Halder The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) decided to remove 2181 positions within its 14 departments from its schedule of establishment for 2023-24. A majority of the abolished posts (1,400) are from the engineering department, including multi-task staff. Among the abolished posts, 66% are from the engineering department, which will now have 12,174 workers. The other departments affected include horticulture, town planning, central establishment, finance, and the press and information wing. Reportedly, within the engineering department, 100 multitask staff builders have been abolished, along with 130 masons, 45 assistant engineers, 43 carpenters, and 45 painters. Aam Aadmi Party leader Mukesh Goyal stated that the proposal has been approved but legal proceedings of some changes will be assessed. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kamaljeet Sehrawat raised concerns about the lack of open discussion on the matter and accused AAP of creating distractions. The new schedule of posts will be implemented from August 1 and now, there will be 1,44,991 posts, both plan and non-plan, as compared to 1,47,172 posts of the earlier schedule of posts 2023 (up to June 30, 2023). Thus, there is a saving of 2,181 number of posts," stated MCD in a document issued. Out of 30 departments, 13 have been found to have adequate posts and do not require any changes. Three departments will see a minor increase in posts while 14 departments will have posts abolished. The civic body in Delhi, as per a proposal cleared by the House of Councillors, will reduce its workforce from 147,172 to 144,991 posts effective from July 1. However, officials clarified that this will not result in significant layoffs but will rather affect future hiring. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 18:37 [IST] In 2014, Russia brazenly seized Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. It was a violation of international law then and remains so today, declared Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Acting U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations. Nine years later, Russia has moved its armed forces deeper into Ukraines territory, said Ambassador DeLaurentis: Russia is using the same playbook in Ukraine as it did in 2014. It resorts to the same attempts to annex additional areas of Ukraine through sham referenda. It attempts to further subjugate the people living in those regions through passportization, the installation of Russian occupation authorities in regional governments, the conscription of Ukrainians into Russias forces, and other illegitimate methods. Since February last year, Russia has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian men, women, and children. It has caused the displacement of millions of people from their homes and destroyed more than half of the countrys energy grid. In areas under Russian occupation, Russias forces have arrested and detained tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians, many of whom have been subject to sexual violence or torture and held incommunicado. Indeed, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recently presented his latest findings. He called them shocking, said Ambassador DeLaurentis. Among the many gruesome findings, there were several documented cases that suggest Russias armed forces have used detained civilians as human shields. Russias occupation of parts of Ukraine has also resulted in danger to surrounding nuclear plants and other critical infrastructure, noted Ambassador DeLaurentis: Lets be clear: Russias militarization of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, including its military presence on top of reactor buildings, jeopardizes global nuclear safety and security. The effects of this war have been devastating, not only for the people of Ukraine, but also for people across the world as energy and food prices have increased, said Ambassador DeLaurentis: Russias suspension of its participation from the Black Sea Grain Initiative was yet another selfish blow to the worlds most vulnerable. We call on all Member States to urge Russia to reverse its decision, resume negotiations, and to extend, expand and fully implement this Initiative. Russias war against Ukraine is a clear violation of the UN Charter, Ambassador DeLaurentis. We once again call on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraines sovereign territory and end this war. Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Fresh Violence Erupts In Gurugram: 14 Shops Vandalised India oi-Sushmita Halder Fresh violence erupted in Gurugram's Badshahpur on Tuesday, following communal clashes in Haryana's Nuh, according to reports. Nearly 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs targeted and vandalised 14 shops in the main market, primarily those selling biryani and other food items. Additionally, seven stores were set on fire in Sector 66. Earlier, a mob of around 45 people fired at a mosque in Gurugram's sector 57, later setting it ablaze. The incident resulted in at least one fatality and three injuries, with one person critically wounded. Gurugram's Deputy Commissioner, Nishant Yadav, stated that the situation is currently 'peaceful' and that law and order are normal. The authorities took measures to control the situation, including conducting a flag march. The violence in Sohna was linked to the events in Nuh the previous day, but it was brought under control. Recommended Video Haryana Communal Tension: Mosque set on fire, cleric shot dead in night attack | Oneindia News Haryana Nuh Violence: Death Toll Rises To 5, Over 50 Injured The Haryana government imposed Section 144 CrPC in Gurugram and Nuh in response to the clashes. Educational institutions in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Palwal were ordered to remain closed on Tuesday due to the violence. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, after a high-level meeting, expressed concerns about a potential larger conspiracy aimed at disrupting the state's law-and-order situation. Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Haryana: Curfew Imposed In Violence-Hit Nuh District India oi-Madhuri Adnal Authorities on Tuesday took the measure of imposing a curfew in Haryana's Nuh district after violent clashes erupted during an attempt to halt a procession organized by the Vishva Hindu Parishad. The clash resulted in the tragic deaths of two home guards and left several others, including policemen, injured. Haryana's Home Minister, Anil Vij, announced the imposition of the curfew in Nuh district. The situation in Nuh remains tense, although there were no reports of fresh violence on Tuesday. In response to the volatile situation, security has been strengthened in Nuh and surrounding areas. The incident occurred when a mob engaged in pelting stones and setting cars on fire to obstruct the Vishva Hindu Parishad procession. Who is Monu Manesar? Uncovering The Bajrang Dal Member In The Nuh Violence Saga Haryana's Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, expressed his concerns over the unfortunate incident on Monday. He urged the public to maintain peace in the state and assured that those responsible for the violence would face the strictest consequences. In a tweet in Hindi, he pledged that the guilty would not be spared at any cost. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 10:39 [IST] Haryana Nuh Violence: Death Toll Rises To 5, Over 50 Injured India oi-Madhuri Adnal The death toll in the aftermath of communal violence in Haryana's Nuh reached five, with over 50 people injured during a religious procession on Monday evening. A mob of miscreants pelted stones and set cars on fire, causing havoc in the area, according to the police. Among the reported deaths, four occurred in Nuh, including two home guards and two locals, with one local yet to be identified. Additionally, one death was reported from Gurugram, where a mosque was fired at and subsequently set ablaze. In response to the violence, Haryana's Home Minister Anil Vij announced the imposition of a curfew in the violence-hit Nuh district. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were issued in several districts of Haryana, including Nuh, Gurugram, and Rewari. Haryana: Curfew Imposed In Violence-Hit Nuh District Internet services have been suspended in the region until August 2. Locals reported extensive damage to shops and cars in various areas, with Sohna near Sohna Chowk being severely affected. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) battalions were deployed in the affected districts to maintain peace, but over 50 shops, including vendors' carts, were vandalized according to witnesses. The incident involving the mosque in Gurugram's sector 57 occurred late on Monday night when a mob of around 45 people attacked the mosque, resulting in one confirmed death and three injured individuals, one of whom is critical. Who is Monu Manesar? Uncovering The Bajrang Dal Member In The Nuh Violence Saga The violence originally broke out in Haryana's Nuh during a religious procession, leading to the death of two home guards and injuries to several others, including policemen. The unrest spread to other parts of Haryana, including Sohna in Gurugram district. As a safety measure, the Haryana government ordered the closure of schools in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Palwal for Tuesday. Mohammad Faiz arrested by UP police for threatening to cut minor girl into pieces Kamal K P among top five in PFI leadership arrested by UP police Haryana Violence: Alert Issued in 11 Districts Of UP India oi-Sushmita Halder The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday issued a high alert in 11 districts of western UP amid the communal violence in Haryana's Nuh district. Meanwhile, 4000 cops have been deployed in Faridabad to control the situation. The alert was mainly issued for Mathura as Kosi Kalan and Barsana towns in this district share the border with Nuh. Other districts where the alert was issued included Agra, Firozabad, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Hapur, Aligarh, Shamli and Gautam Buddh Nagar, said a senior police officer. Special D-G (law and order) Prashant Kumar asserted that vigilance had been increased in sensitive districts. Seven districts, including Saharanpur, Shamli, Baghpat, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Aligarh and Mathura share borders with Haryana. ADG (Agra zone) Rajeev Krishna said mainly Mathura and Aligarh were sensitive due to the ongoing 84 Kosi Parikrama, the 297-km religious tour that also includes some areas of Haryana's Mewat district. IG (Agra range) Deepak Kumar said the security had been intensified at Kotwan border in Mathura and traffic diversions were in place from that point. He said vehicles heading towards Kotwan border were diverted towards Delhi through different routes. Similarly, vigilance was upped in Firozabad and patrolling had been directed in sensitive areas. Meanwhile, the Haryana government imposed Section 144 in Gurugram and Nuh in response to the clashes. Educational institutions in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Palwal were ordered to remain closed on Tuesday due to the violence. Earlier, 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs targeted and vandalised 14 shops in the main market, primarily those selling biryani and other food items. Additionally, seven stores were set on fire in Sector 66. No time for complacency as PFI looks to wake up its second-rung leadership in smaller towns Haryana Violence: Petrol Pumps Prohibited to Sell Loose Petrol India oi-Sushmita Halder Amid the ongoing violence in Haryana's Nuh district, the District Magistrate of Gurugram issued an order prohibiting selling loose petrol/diesel to any person (except for emergency purposes) with immediate effect. Gurugram district magistrate Nishant Yadav said that the communal tensions in the Nuh district of Haryana and bordering areas in Gurugram posed a potential threat to law and order in the region. And in order to ensure safety and security this order shall be effective within the territorial jurisdiction of Gurugram district and shall remain in force until further notice. Any person disobeying this order shall be liable for legal action under Section 188 of the IPC 1860 (45 of 1860). Meanwhile, all government and private schools in the Sohna subdivision of Gurugram will remain closed on August 2 to avoid any untoward incident and ensure the safety of students in the wake of the communal violence. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Police issued a high alert in 11 districts of western UP. 4000 cops have also been deployed in Faridabad to control the situation. The alert was mainly issued for Mathura as Kosi Kalan and Barsana towns in this district share the border with Nuh. Other districts where the alert was issued included Agra, Firozabad, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Hapur, Aligarh, Shamli, and Gautam Buddh Nagar, said a senior police officer. Five people have been killed and several were injured in the violence that erupted on Monday after an attack on a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in the adjoining Nuh district. 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs targeted and vandalised 14 shops in the main market, primarily those selling biryani and other food items. In addition to that seven stores were set on fire in Sector 66. No Confidence Motion Debate From August 8, PM Modi Likely To Reply On August 10 India oi-Madhuri Adnal The No Confidence Motion debate is scheduled to take place from August 8 to 10. The decision was made at the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee meeting, which was boycotted by the Opposition. The Opposition demanded an immediate discussion on the motion, but the date was finalized in their absence, leading to claims by some leaders. During the Business Advisory Committee meeting, the Opposition had initially requested the government to address the no-confidence issue promptly. However, the government insisted on prioritizing bills. This disagreement led the opposition MPs, led by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, to stage a walkout in response. As per reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to respond to the motion on Friday afternoon. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 13:07 [IST] Patna HC Upholds Caste Survey; Mahagathbandhan Rejoices, BJP On Defensive India oi-PTI In a shot in the arm for the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, the Patna High Court on Tuesday upheld the caste survey ordered by it as ''perfectly valid'' and ''initiated with due competence''. A division bench comprising Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarathy passed the order rejecting a bunch of petitions challenging the survey, which was ordered last year and began earlier this year. The bench, which had reserved its judgement on July 7, said in its 101-page-long verdict, ''We find the action of the state to be perfectly valid, initiated with due competence, with the legitimate aim of providing development with justice.'' The judgement began with the note: ''The action of the state in carrying out a caste survey... and the vigorous challenge raised to it on multiple grounds... reveal that despite attempts to efface it from the social fabric, caste remains a reality, and refuses to be swept aside, wished away or brushed aside nor does it wither away or disperse into thin air.'' The judgement, which came less than three months after the court had stayed the survey, shocked the petitioners who vowed to challenge the order before the Supreme Court. Nitish Kumar Can Return To NDA Any Time, Alleges Ramdas Athawale ''After studying the judgement, we will move the Supreme Court,'' senior advocate Dinu Kumar, counsel for one of the many petitioners, told reporters soon after the bench pronounced its verdict in an open court. The ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' (Grand Alliance) in the state, which had so far been content with a countrywide caste census being adopted as a key agenda by the opposition grouping INDIA, was predictably elated. Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav took to Twitter to reiterate the promised benefits of the survey while taking potshots at the BJP, which rules the Centre, for being reluctant to order a caste census while proffering ''false pride of having an OBC prime minister''. Statements hailing the judgement and chiding the BJP also came from the JD(U), to which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar belongs, and the CPI(ML) Liberation and the CPI(M), both of which are a part of the ruling coalition but support the government from outside. The BJP was left busy deflecting the blows, pointing out that it had ''always supported'' the caste survey, and backed it when the cabinet nod came for the exercise, while the party still shared power in the state. Notably, the ambitious exercise, for which a budgetary outlay of Rs 500 crore has been laid by the cash-strapped state government, was undertaken after the Centre made it clear that headcount of social groups other than the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes would not be undertaken as part of the census. Nitish Didn't Resist INDIA Name For Opposition Bloc: JD(U) President Rajiv Ranjan The stand was not well received in the political circles in Bihar where the numerically powerful OBCs have dominated the political space since the Mandal churn of the 1990s. Leaders like Lalu Prasad, the RJD supremo who is the father of the Deputy CM, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, both of whom owe their rise to the Mandal wave, were of the view that a headcount of all castes was necessary since the last time such an exercise was undertaken was in the 1931 census. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 16:33 [IST] Rahul Gandhi's Surprise Visit to Azadpur Mandi Amid Soaring Vegetable Prices | Watch India oi-Madhuri Adnal Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi paid a surprise visit to Delhi's Azadpur Mandi at 4 am on Tuesday to gain insight into the prices of vegetables and fruits. During his visit, he interacted with vendors and traders, inquiring about the cost of essential food items. This visit is a part of Rahul Gandhi's recent trend of engaging with common people at various locations, including drivers, farmers, and mechanics. Notably, on July 8, Gandhi made an impromptu stop at Madina village in Haryana's Sonipat district. There, he spent time with farmers, worked alongside them in the agricultural lands, took part in paddy sowing, and even drove a tractor. Additionally, he shared a meal brought by women laborers working in the fields. Prior to this, on July 27, after completing a week-long Ayurvedic wellness treatment at the renowned Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala in Kerala, Gandhi left for Delhi. In a Facebook post, he expressed his gratitude to Dr. PM Varier and the team of doctors and staff for their love and care during his stay at the hospital. Woman Farmer Tells Sonia Gandhi to Get Rahul Gandhi Married. Watch Congress Leader's Amusing Reply VIDEO | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met vegetable and fruit vendors at Delhi's Azadpur Mandi earlier today. (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/eSNgpk4nEE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 During his time in Kerala, he attended a condolence meeting in memory of former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy at Malappuram and also offered prayers at Sri Viswambhara Temple on the premises of Arya Vaidya Sala. Additionally, he witnessed a captivating Kathakali performance at PSV Natyasangham, a prestigious classical center under the aegis of Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal, established by the legendary 'Vaidyaratnam' PS Varier. In a Facebook post, Gandhi expressed his enjoyment of the enthralling performance, appreciating the reflection of India's diverse histories and cultures evident in its various art forms. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 10:54 [IST] Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath Announces His State To Be First One To Have 18 'Safe Cities' In Country 'Should I Do Aarti?': Yogi Adityanath Reacts On Bulldozer Action India oi-Moumi Majumdar Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed the bulldozer incident that occurred in his state, asserting that there have been no riots or curfew in Uttar Pradesh since 2017. During an interview with ANI, the Chief Minister, who has been in office for over six years, emphasized that there have been no instances of riots in the state during his tenure. He also stated that no curfews were imposed, and all festivals were celebrated peacefully. This response came in the context of criticism of his Hindu hardliner image. When asked about the bulldozer action and the demolition of houses belonging to criminals, Yogi Adityanath defended the government's actions, stating that it was necessary to prevent illegal encroachments on government property. He emphasized that the people of Uttar Pradesh demand strict action against criminals and the mafia. UP: Azam Khan Convicted In Hate Speech Case Against PM Modi, Yogi Adityanath Furthermore, the Chief Minister refuted allegations that his government was targeting criminals based on their minority community status. He challenged anyone to come forward and claim they faced injustice solely due to their religion. He reiterated that the rule of law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of their religion, and that everyone should be guaranteed security and protection under the law. "Strict Action Will Be Taken": Haryana CM Khattar Reacts On Nuh Violence India oi-PTI In the wake of "intense communal tension" in Haryana's Nuh, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other leaders cutting across party lines have appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony in the state. Khattar also said that "strictest action" will be taken against those responsible for the incident. "Today's incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and strictest action will be taken against them," the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. Khattar said the citizens should cooperate in the interest of the state by following the principle of "Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek", asserting that all issues can be resolved through dialogue. The chief minister said that the kind of situation that has arisen in Nuh, the responsibility of every common citizen towards the society increases further. Khattar also said that no person is above the Constitution of the country. "We all should keep working together for the integrity and peace of the country," he said. Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also appealed to all to maintain peace and brotherhood. Congress MLA from Nuh Aftab Ahmed and former MLA Zakir Hussain also urged people to maintain peace and brotherhood. Hussain said that Nuh-Mewat region is known for its brotherhood and communal harmony for centuries and people should not lend an ear to any rumour and maintain peace. Union minister Rao Inderjit appealed to people of all sections to maintain peace, saying that the residents of Mewat have always set an example of brotherhood. 2 Killed, Several Injured In Communal Violence In Haryana's Nuh He said that anyone who disturbs brotherhood will not be spared. Meanwhile, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav warned the public of strict legal action for any objectionable post on social media. A home guard was shot dead and about a dozen policemen injured as a mob in Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, police said. According to police, VHP's 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was stopped by a group of young men near Nuh's Khedla Mod and stones pelted at the procession. Cars were then set ablaze. People in the procession also hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them, reports said. In Nuh, mobile internet services were suspended till Wednesday to contain the "intense communal tension", the Haryana government said. "...This order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of district Nuh and shall be in force with effect from 4 pm, July 31 to 23:59 hours of August 2," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) T V S N Prasad said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 8:58 [IST] Singapores Nanyang Technological University is searching at enhancing its research and academic partnerships with top Indian universities, Tim White, Vice President, International Engagement. The most significant institutional collaborations NTU has are with IIT Madras and IISC Bangalore where through the generosity of an endowment from Kris Gopalakrishnan, 50 Indian Ph.D. scholars will be trained at NTU, said White.Other important collaborations are under development with the All India Institute of Medicine (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), he added. For many years, NTU has sponsored an India Connect program that has allowed Indian undergraduates to have short-term research attachments in Singapore. There are numerous direct partnerships between NTU and Indian professors across science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities fields, said White. India is one of the largest strategic markets for NTU Singapore. Indian students are highly sought after by NTU faculty and researchers. The long historical and cultural ties between the countries, together with their geographical proximity, are readymade for partnership, he said. Educational collaboration is also a component of the wider narrative of Singapore being a larger source of direct foreign investment in India.On being inquired to explain how the institute facilitates Indian students to get jobs locally in Singapore, particularly at a time when the global macroeconomic uncertainty and the headwinds is impacting the employment prospects of entry-level talent, White said: In Singapore, some 250 firms have laboratories on the campus. All students have the opportunity to serve as interns with these companies. Experience has shown that internships have a high conversion to employment after graduation. In addition, NTU actively trains capable students in entrepreneurship that could allow graduates to start their own firm in Singapore to serve the ASEAN and Indian markets, he added. Supply Of Ghee To Tirupati Temple Stopped During BJP Tenure: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah India oi-PTI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the supply of Karnataka Milk Federation's (KMF) 'Nandini' brand ghee to make the famous laddus given as 'prasad' at the renowned Tirupati Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh, was suspended one-and- half years ago, during the BJP government's tenure. He hit back at state BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel, who had accused the Congress government of stopping the supply of ghee, due to its ''policy of indifference towards temples, and Hindu beliefs and devotion''. ''The supply of Nandini ghee to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has not been stopped today or yesterday. The supply of ghee to Tirupati was suspended one-and-a-half years ago, during the @BJP4Karnataka government's tenure,'' Siddaramaiah tweeted. ''Honorable Member of Parliament @nalinkateel, tell me now, was the previous BJP government against Hindu religious beliefs and devotion? Or was only the then Chief Minister @BSBommai (Basavaraj Bommai) anti-Hindu?'' he asked. ''The life of the dairy farmers is important to us along with the religious faith of the people. Therefore, if the Tirupati temple agrees to give the price we ask for, in the interest of the State's farmers, we have no problem in supplying ghee,'' he added. KMF, which sells its products under the brand name Nandini and is known for its quality, cannot compromise on the price, and hence did not participate in the tender process as required by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the trust that manages the temple, KMF Chairman Bheema Naik had said on Sunday. Tirupati Rules: Tirumala Laddus To Be Made With Different Ghee After Nandini Pulls Out Naik, a former Congress MLA too on Monday clarified that the supply of ghee to TTD has been stopped for more than a year now and is not a ''recent occurrence''. State BJP chief Kateel in a tweet had accused the present Congress government of stopping supply of ghee from KMF for Tirupati Laddu. ''Nandini ghee supply to Tirupati Laddu has been stopped due to @INCKarnataka policy of indifference towards temple, and Hindu beliefs and devotion. 50 years of legacy with Tirupati is watered down and this proves @siddaramaiah's policy of indifference towards Hindus,'' Kateel had said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 17:43 [IST] Will It Rain In Chennai? What Weather Looks Like in TN Capital For Next 2 Days Shah Slams Oppn Alliance INDIA, Says Nothing Will Happen By Change In Name Two History-Sheeters Gunned Down By Police In TN India oi-PTI Two youth, with alleged long criminal records, were gunned down after they attacked a police sub-inspector during a vehicle check on the city outskirts in the early hours of Tuesday, police said. The two, armed with machetes, inflicted cut injuries on the police SI and made a bid on his life near Guduvanchery around 3.30 am. ''The SI managed to evade the lethal blow aimed at his head and shot at one of them, while the police inspector, Murugesan, who was also part of the team checking the vehicles, rushed to his colleague's help and fired at another man,'' a senior police official said. Two others who also attacked the SI fled the scene. The police rushed the two injured persons to the Chengalpattu government hospital where the doctors declared them ''brought dead'', said police. The deceased have been identified as S Vinood alias Chota Vinood, 35, and S Ramesh, 32, both known history-sheeters who have over 50 and 20 cases, respectively, pending against them. The charges against them include murders, attempt to murder and extortion, police added. Sub Inspector of Police Sivagurunathan has been admitted to Chromepet government hospital for treatment. 4 Terrorists Gunned Down In Kupwara While Trying To Infiltrate Border From PoK According to police, four assailants were proceeding in a ''black'' car. When the SI signalled them to stop their vehicle during the vehicle check near Karanai, they hit the police jeep and stopped. The occupants stepped out of the car and charged towards the official and inflicted cut wounds on his left hand, a police statement said. Vinood, an A+ category history-sheeter in Otteri police station here, was involved in over 50 offences including 10 murders, 15 attempt to murders, 10 robberies, 15 assault and extortion cases while Ramesh was an A category history-sheeter. Ramesh has over 20 criminal cases pending against him and they include five murders, seven attempt to murder, eight assault and extortion cases, the release said. Senior police officials visited the spot where the criminals were shot and also the GH and held enquiries with the SI. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 12:27 [IST] Who Is Monu Manesar? The Bajrang Dal Leader Accused Of Inciting Communal Clashes In Nuh India oi-Madhuri Adnal Monu Manesar, a Bajrang Dal member who is wanted in connection with the killing of two Muslim men in Bhiwani, is at the center of the communal violence that broke out in Nuh during a religious procession on Monday. The police said the violence was triggered after rumors spread that Manesar would be attending the procession. A video of him, who is at large, over his possible presence was also circulated online on Sunday. Two police officers were killed and as many as 200 people were injured in the clashes that broke out a little later after 2pm the next day. Nuh Violence: Schools In Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal To Remain Closed; Internet Services Suspended Who is Monu Manesar? Monu Manesar, also known as Mohit Yadav alias Monu Manesar, is a prominent figure associated with the Bajrang Dal in Haryana. He is the head of the cow vigilante wing of the organization. Monu Manesar came into the spotlight after being booked in connection with the killing of two Muslim men in Bhiwani district, Haryana. The victims, Junaid and Nasir, were found dead inside a charred vehicle on February 16. Their families accused members of the Bajrang Dal of abducting and murdering them, but the outfit has denied these allegations. Recommended Video Nuh Violence: Role of Monu Manesar, cow vigilante in communal clashes in Haryana | Oneindia News Monu Manesar, however, refuted any involvement in the Bhiwani killings. He has gained influence in the region and has been seen in pictures with police officials and bureaucrats in the past. Additionally, he had a YouTube channel showcasing his cow vigilante activities, where the group was shown catching cow smugglers. The channel had gained popularity and even received a silver play button from YouTube in October 2022 for crossing 1 lakh subscribers. However, it appears that his YouTube channel has since disappeared from the platform. 2 Killed, Several Injured In Communal Violence In Haryana's Nuh Reports suggest that Monu Manesar holds a polytechnic diploma and joined the Bajrang Dal during his second year of college. His presence at a religious procession organized by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad is said to have triggered the Nuh communal violence. Following the spread of rumors about his attendance, clashes erupted, leading to the death of two police officers and injuries to around 200 individuals. As of the current information, Monu Manesar is at large. Drone shot down: Pakistan continues with tactics to threaten Amarnath Yatra Zawahiri dead, but terror looms large as Taliban links with Al-Qaeda intact Shah takes stock of Pakistan drone menace as agencies discuss way forward Russia used Iran made drones to attack Ukraine: Your 6 point guide On camera: Video shows moment of drone strike on Kremlin Russia accuses US of being behind Kremlin drone attack Russia reports another Moscow drone attack International dwnews-DW News Moscow was targeted by several drones overnight on Tuesday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. The incident comes two days after Russia's Defense Ministry said Moscow had been targeted by three Ukrainian drones, with one crashing in the capital. Drone attacks have increasingly hit Russian territory over the past months. What did Russian officials say about the drones? "Several drones attempting to fly into Moscow were downed by anti-aircraft fire," Sobyanin wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Wagner Chief Prigozhin In Russia: President of Belarus "One flew into the same tower at the Moskva City complex hit previously," he said, referring to Sunday's drone attack. "The facade has been damaged on the 21st floor," Sobyanin said. "Glazing was destroyed over 150 square meters." Moscow's mayor said no injuries were reported. Later, Russia's Defense Ministry said that its forces had "thwarted a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime" and downed two drones in western Moscow. "Yet another (drone) was hit by radio-electronic equipment and, having run out of control, crashed on the territory of the complex of non-residential buildings at Moskva Citi," the ministry said. The TASS state news agency reported that Moscow's Vnukovo international airport was briefly closed and then reopened on Tuesday. Source: DW Trump Indicted In Third Case. Here's Where All The Investigations Stand Trump manager appears at court in classified documents case International dwnews-DW News Carlos De Oliveira, the property manager at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, made his first appearance in federal court Monday for charges related to the classified documents case against the Republican politician. De Oliveira, who has not found a Florida-based attorney to represent him, did not enter a plea. He was added to the indictment against Trump and valet Walt Nauta last week in what is known as a superseding indictment, indicating that the government's case against Trump is widening. De Oliveira's appearance is tied to one of several federal cases against Trump, this one accusing him of plotting to illegally retain top-secret classified documents at his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as well as to block government efforts to retrieve them. In the documents case alone, the former president faces 37 criminal counts. Corrupt Sitting President: Trump Slams Biden In First Speech After Court Appearance US Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres read De Oliveira the charges against him, and ordered him to hand over his passport, not speak to the other defendants in the case, and sign an agreement to pay $100,000 should he fail to appear in court for his arraignment, which is scheduled for August 10. De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. Trump has already appeared before a Miami magistrate judge, pleading not guilty in the case brought by Department of Justice-appointed special counsel Jack Smith. Government case against De Oliveira could prove Trump criminal intent At issue are recent revelations that Trump reportedly asked De Oliveira to destroy potentially compromising surveillance video related to the retention and hiding of thousands of classified documents pertaining to a number of top-secret national security matters. Presidents are strictly forbidden from retaining any documents even personal when they leave office. At that time they are legally required to be turned over to the National Archives. Trump whom the National Archives and federal investigators say unlawfully retained records, lied about possessing them and misled government agencies charged with retrieving them has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In this latest twist, the former president and current favorite to win the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, says the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Classified Documents Case: Trump Arrives In Florida Ahead Of Court Appearance Trump claimed the tapes were not "deleted in any way, shape or form" on his Truth Social platform last week. Federal prosecutors have not claimed the tapes were destroyed. However, if able to prove Trump sought to destroy them it could bolster government prosecutors' case by showing criminal intent. In June 2022, De Oliveira reportedly told another Mar-a-Lago employee that "the boss" wanted security videos deleted after the federal government subpoenaed them. He is also accused of lying to investigators about his role in moving boxes of documents on the property. US District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta for next May. It is unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira will affect that timeline. Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty. Trump's legal defense chewing through tens of millions of dollars Trump's refusal to hand over documents after repeated requests led FBI investigators to raid Mar-a-Lago in August 2022, at which time they found more than 300 top-secret documents in a trove of roughly 11,000 government papers stored in insecure spaces such as bathrooms and a ballroom. Monday's news comes as Trump faces possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to undermine the vote in the state of Georgia in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Last week, Trump's lawyers met with special counsel Smith's team to discuss a grand jury investigation into whether the former president will be charged for seeking to overturn election results in the southern state. Fulton Country District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to announce whether Trump or anyone else will be charged in the matter in August. US media reports suggest that Trump's political action committee has spent nearly $40 million (36.3 million) on legal fees to defend him and associates in the face of numerous criminal charges so far in 2023. In April, Trump became the first US president ever to be charged with a federal crime in a case before the Manhattan District Court in New York, focused on falsifying financial records to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Source: DW In her first visit to the Philippines, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to restart negotiations on a trade deal as Chinas actions in the South China Sea rattle the region. 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Upworthy 09 Aug 2023 Myanmar's military junta, an ally of Russia that also gets weapons from China, has burned down nearly 75,000 homes in a campaign of.. Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned on five of the 19 offences for which she was convicted and jailed for a.. Upworthy 01 Aug 2023 Daily Caller 04 Aug 2023 Trump would win 43% of the vote in Michigan to Biden's 41% while Cornel West would gain 4% ELKO Were still here. Were still seeing patients, and were recruiting now that the Elko hospitals program providing pay for medical residents has ended, said Nevada Health Centers Senior Practice Manager Stephanie White. She said that Dr. Steven Lore, who was on the faculty with the University of Nevada, Reno Medical School residency program, is now a full-time physician at Nevada Health Centers Elko Family Medical and Dental facility, and the center has a roster of physician assistants, visiting doctors and telehealth capability. Residents from the UNR Medical School came to Elko to work at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital and rotated at the nonprofit Nevada Health Centers clinic in Elko, but that rotation ended on June 30 and those medical residents went back to Reno. Obviously, it was a good thing having them in the community, but we will do what we need to do for our patients, and weve moved on, White said in a phone interview. It wasnt like losing five providers, but about two-and-a-half doctors. Then Dr. Lore stayed on. The UNR residents each spent a day or two a week at Nevada Health Centers Elko facility but worked at the hospital and rotated with other physicians in the community each week as part of their training until the contract ended when the hospital decided it could no longer afford the program. Elko County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi told White and others on the Elko County Health Board that with closure of the UNR residency program, it will be interesting to see what happens. Our game plan all along has been to be in a position where we could absorb those patients that theyve been seeing. White told the board she felt pretty confident with Dr. Lore actually being able to see more patients than before and the facility bringing in the medical providers each month for a week, as well as providing telehealth coverage. Residents to still be here Medical Residents will still be coming to Elko, however, according to Gerald Ackerman, assistant dean for rural programs for the UNR School of Medicine. We will still be rotating some residents through the community, including the hospital. Also, medical students and PAs will still train, just no full-time residency and affiliated physicians, he said in an email. Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital ended the contract effective July 1. Over the past several years, NNRH invested millions of dollars into the residency program with the goal of bringing permanent providers to our region. With the cost of the residency program rising, and with the requirements of the program shifting, the NNRH leadership team made the difficult but necessary decision not to renew the current agreement with UNR, hospital spokesman Steve Burrows said in a July 24 email. Our leadership remains in frequent contact with the dean of the UNR School of Medicine in the optimistic spirit of continued collaboration. We are very grateful to the UNR residents for all their efforts on behalf of our patients, he said. The hospital provided a statement that said we are pleased to continue our collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine. While our former agreement with the UNR residency program was not renewed, we continue to welcome residents and medical students to serve rotations in the hospital. We also continue to collaborate with other educational institutions throughout the region and will continue to welcome aspiring medical professionals who are interested in gaining experience at our hospital. Naturally, all residents and medical students undergo a rigorous credentialling process and are closely monitored by our seasoned medical staff. Medicare patient advocate Larry Hyslop told commissioners during public comment in February he was concerned about what would happen when the medical residency program ended, and how Nevada Health Centers would be impacted. Telehealth and more White said visiting medical providers from other branches of Nevada Health Centers in the state will spend one week a month in Elko, and the center will be utilizing its telehealth capabilities more than in the past. She said walk-in patients will be referred to the telehealth machines and to a medical practitioner online. The Elko center has two telehealth machines so we have the capability to see two patients at the same time, White said in the phone interview, and she told the health board earlier that once people use the telehealth system they may feel more comfortable with it. The machines allow the medical practitioner to listen to hearts and lungs and check a patients ears, while vitals will be taken in person and lab work can be done at the Elko center. Andreozzi, who is the countys representative to the hospital board, said telehealth is another tool in the tool bag, especially as the provider ratio is a national issue, not just here. We have it in our mind what a traditional office visit looks like. The COVID-19 pandemic got more people used to using telehealth, White said. White provided a list of Nevada Health Centers providers working in Elko County to the Elko County Health Board. Along with Dr. Lore, two physician assistants are in Elko Spencer Davis and Kalissa Bittner. Michael Blythe is the PA for the Carlin and Austin centers, and the West Wendover facility has one PA, Brock Vance, and an advanced practice registered nurse, Rachel Grant. In Jackpot, Skyler Arnold is a nurse practitioner on site, but White said that because the Jackpot clinic isnt as busy, Arnold also does telehealth work and follow-up contacts with patients discharged from the hospital. Nevada Health Centers in Elko now has a full pharmacy for patients only and is providing behavioral health care, as well as medical care, along with offering free blood pressure and glucose checks to anyone in the community from 1- 4 p.m. Wednesdays through the end of September under a grant through the county. Nevada Health Centers provides care to all, including Medicare and Medicaid patients, those with medical insurance, and self-paying patients. There also is a sliding scale for fees. And the center provides immunizations for school-age children and will be stepping up those efforts as the new school year nears, according to White. The hospital continues recruitment, as well. NNRH continues to actively recruit full-time doctors and other healthcare providers to join our team. Since February, we have added 13 fully credentialed providers to our medical staff. We have also signed agreements to bring specialists from outlying areas to our hospital on a rotating basis to provide life-saving services, the hospital wrote. Providing high-quality healthcare to our community continues to be our highest priority at NNRH. As such, we are committed to recruiting and retaining the best medical professionals available to provide the very best care possible for the residents of northeastern Nevada, the statement continued. David White, president and founder of Aspen Quick Care in Elko and Spring Creek, wrote to county commissioners in February to reach out and let people know Aspen Quick Care also accepts Medicare and Medicaid patients, and Aspen Quick Care confirmed on July 24 that it continues to do so. Chicken prices to reduce by Rs. 100 per kilogram Posted by Editor on August 1, 2023 - 4:48 pm Poultry Producers Associations have agreed to reduce the price of one kilogram of local chicken by Rs. 100. The decision was announced following a discussion between the Minister of Agriculture and the Poultry Producers Associations, held at the Agriculture Ministry this morning (August 1) with the aim of protecting the local poultry production industry and providing an opportunity for consumers to buy chicken at a reasonable price. Poultry Producers Associations have pointed out that one of the reasons for the hike in chicken prices was the Rs. 75/- import tax imposed on maize, and requested that the tax be reduced to Rs. 25/-. The minister had informed them that he would raise the matter with the president. Poultry Producers Associations have noted that it is possible to further reduce prices in 2024. Thiruvananthapuram: An Air India Express flight, which was en route to Sharjah from Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu, made an emergency landing at the Trivandrum International Airport. The flight which took off from Tiruchirappalli shortly before 11 am landed and taxied to Terminal 1 of the airport at around 12 pm. All 154 passengers on board are safe, confirmed the airport authority. The reason for the emergency landing is not clear. It is suspected that the aircraft faced a technical glitch. While the airport authority declared a full emergency at the International Airport, AI Express said it was a precautionary landing. The flight, IX 613, with 154 passengers and six crew onboard departed from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu at around 10:45 am. The flight landed safely at Thiruvananthapuram at 12:01 pm, an Air India spokesperson said. The airport authority also informed that the Thiruvananthapuram-Bahrain Air India Express flight, IX 573, with 180 passengers, abandoned takeoff due to technical reasons at 11:06 am. (with PTI inputs) This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. For more than 18 years, Karen Greenberg has been writing about the crimes the U.S. committed at its offshore prison of injustice at Guanta'namo Bay, Cuba. It would be, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld assured Americans, "the least worst place" (a phrase Greenberg turned into the title of her book on the subject). Sorry, Don, but that was only true if you were comparing it to the "black sites" the CIA was already running then. From the moment it was set up in 2002, with the Global War on Terror just months old and the first (often already tortured prisoners) sent there, bound, hooded, and in fluorescent orange jumpsuits to be brutally mistreated beyond the shores of American justice, that prison has been a horror beyond compare. And as Greenberg showed in those years, the rest of us could have known just what was happening. Here's just one Guanta'namo quote from the time: "On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they had urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18, 24 hours or more." That was, in fact, typical of descriptions outraged FBI agents assigned to Gitmo in 2004 sent in memos or emails to their bosses back on the mainland. They confirmed prisoner claims that "military personnel beat and kicked them while they had hoods on their heads and tight shackles on their legs, left them in freezing temperatures and stifling heat, subjected them to repeated, prolonged rectal exams and paraded them naked around the prison as military police snapped pictures," and so it went. From that prison's very first day, when the initial 20 prisoners were flown in and, about a week later, the first publicity if you dare call it that! photo taken of them was released, as New York Times reporter Carol Rosenberg recalled, it looked "like torture." (The full set of photos, available years later, proved to be a first-class horror show.) Today, TomDispatch regular Greenberg, who has visited that prison and covered its horrors for endless years, considers the latest reports on the all-American nightmare that's simply never ended. Tom The Forever War's Forever Legacy Shutting Down Gitmo Is Hardly the Last Step By Karen J. Greenberg There can be little question that the grim prison at Guanta'namo Bay, Cuba, which still shows no sign of closing anytime soon, is a key legacy in the worst sense imaginable of America's post-9/11 forever wars. I've been covering the subject for decades now and that shameful legacy has never diminished. Last month, in response to a column I wrote for TomDispatch one of dozens, I'm sad to say, that I've done on Guanta'namo over these endless years I received a surprise email: an invitation to attend a meeting at the British Parliament. A group known as the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility, formed this April, was gathering for the second time. Its stated purpose is "to urge the U.S. administration to close the Guanta'namo Bay detention facility, to ensure the safe resettlement of those approved for release, and to ensure that due process is expedited for all the remaining prisoners." Nine members of the House of Parliament and four Members of the House of Lords have already joined the group. Thirty men remain in custody at that infamous American prison in Guanta'namo Bay, Cuba. Sixteen of those detainees have finally been cleared for release; they are, that is, no longer subject to criminal charges or considered a potential danger to the United States and yet they still remain behind bars. Three other prisoners have never either been charged with a crime or cleared for release. Ten more are still facing trial, while one has been convicted and remains in custody there. For the APPG, the release of those 16 cleared detainees is a paramount goal. That meeting I attended included a handful of MPs from all parties, as well as leading figures from British organizations that have been supporting justice for Guanta'namo's detainees for decades. Also present were two former detainees. One was Moazzem Begg, among the first prisoners released in 2005 and repatriated to England, where he is now a senior director at CAGE, an advocacy group focused on the remaining Gitmo detainees. In 2006, he published Enemy Combatant: My Imprisonment at Guantanamo, Bagram, and Kandahar, an early account of the injustices and cruelties in America's war-on-terror prisons. The other was Mohamedou Salahi, whose book Guanta'namo Diary led to the dramatic film The Mauritanian about his life at that infamous prison. A third former detainee, Mansoor Adayfi, author of Don't Forget Us Here, had been transferred from Gitmo to Serbia in 2016. Though invited to attend, his visa wasn't approved in time. That meeting was but one of several recent events in which organizations outside the United States have issued detailed impassioned calls for this country to finally address the ongoing nightmare it created so long ago at Guanta'namo. Site Visits and U.N. Reports In April, Patrick Hamilton, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), made a site visit to Guanta'namo and issued "a rare statement of alarm." It was, as New York Times reporter Carol Rosenberg pointed out, the ICRC's 146th visit to the prison since it opened in January 2002. That short statement urged American officials to address the deteriorating health of the prisoners there, concluding, "The planning for an aging population," it concluded, "cannot afford to wait.". Then, in mid-June, the U.N. Human Rights Council followed up its own site visit by issuing a comprehensive, devastatingly critical report. Fionnuala Ni Aola'in, that council's special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, focused on the potential war crimes and "crimes against humanity" committed against the detainees during and after their time at that island prison, now in its 21st year of existence. Ni Aola'in was the perfect person for the job. She's long defended human rights and international law, with a particular focus on issues of justice and human dignity. In 2013, she co-edited Guanta'namo and Beyond: Exceptional Courts and Military Commissions in Comparative Perspective. Her 2023 report, clear, fact-based, and measured in tone, is in many ways a step above that of any of its predecessors. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Every year, 12 people are burned to death from gas-pipeline explosions, and 57 people are burned. Such atrocities can be stopped! The following email was sent to the PHMSA. 'PHMSA Can Stop Gas Pipeline Deaths, 7/27/2023 'Ongoing, scientific, gas pipeline explosion research was published through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in July, 2023. [A] paper that documents this technology was titled, "Fluid Transients Ignited the San Bruno Gas Pipeline Explosions". A primary outcome of this recent paper is that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provide false reports with respect to gas pipeline explosions that burn a dozen people to death, year after year after year. 'Failure reports for pipeline explosions repeatedly conclude that gas pipelines explode from above-ground explosions, when the pipes explode outward. These repeated conclusions are tantamount to claiming that a stick of dynamite detonated next to an empty soda can would cause that can to explode outward, which is absurd. Yet, NTSB reports supported by the PHMSA endorse similar claims - repeatedly. 'Since the NTSB and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) do not have email contacts, please forward this information to them. Also, drafts of this paper were forwarded to PHMSA staff, and no comments were received. We can work together to stop explosions and death.' This new publication presents detailed science behind an Op Ed (Gas Pipeline Explosions and Deaths can be Stopped! - The San Bruno and Carlsbad Pipeline Explosions - Recent Findings), which describes the horrors of the San Bruno burn deaths. The scope of this fire and explosion is shown in Figure 1, and the exploded piping is shown in Figure 2 ("NTSB Investigation - San Bruno Pipeline Explosion", .youtube.com/watch?v=d-4B7DYVL2g). The NTSB falsely claims that this pipe exploded outward from an explosion that ignited above the ground. Such a statement constitutes a monumental, continuing cover-up of the facts. This latest communication documents a long-standing, deadly, safety concern that has not been addressed by the PHMSA or NTSB. 'PHMSA Inaction Will Kill People, 5/18/2019 'PHMSA inaction is a serious problem that will result in loss of life. A clearly identified explosion hazard has been provided to the PHMSA, which constitutes a potential national emergency - people will continue to die until action is taken. Based on years of research, the basic theory has been presented [to the PHMSA] to monitor pipeline performance and stop explosions, yet the PHMSA fails to act. The PHMSA and the NTSB reported explosions with uncertain causes for decades, and I provided that missing explosion cause, yet the PHMSA fails to act. Accordingly, gas pipeline and oil pipeline safety is in jeopardy.' Gas-pipeline explosions keep on coming, where not all explosions are deadly ("Gas pipeline explodes near Interstate 81 in Virginia", click here). About 75% of explosions are claimed to have unknown ignition sources, but I have proven an ignition source. The other 25% of pipeline explosions are attributed to digging accidents, where the probable cause of the piping leaks that needed repair were internal pipeline explosions. The NTSB and the PHMSA of the Department of Transportation (DOT) fail to act. I keep knocking at the door of the PHMSA to stop the killing of our people, but the door to stop burn deaths remains locked - tight. Figure 1. The 2010 San Bruno Explosion that killed 8 people. (Image by NTSB) Details DMCA Lucerne, Switzerland: CONNECT44 Group announced that it has executed the required agreement to participate in the Ericsson Industry Connect partner program, delivering value by planning, monitoring, and securing networks with more than 20 years of expertise. We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Ericsson, which will enable us to bring innovative solutions to our enterprise clients across Europe. Our strategy to digitalise, operate and secure the operations of our Los Angeles, July 31 - Student LunchBox, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to combating food insecurity among college students, is thrilled to announce a generous sponsorship from GoldenTree Asset Management ("GoldenTree"). This invaluable funding will enable Student LunchBox to continue its vital summer operations, ensuring consistent food deliveries to students at participating college campuses and empowering students with ingredients to prepare nourishing meals. Student LunchBox has organized a series of pop-up Moscow, Russia - November 15, 2012 -- URALCHEM OJSC announces operating results for the first 9 months of 2012. Production from all the enterprises of the URALCHEM Group increased by 0.5% compared to the same period in 2011, amounting to a total of 4.398 million tonnes. The production of ammonia increased by 9% and there was an 8% increase in the production of urea. The production of chemicals for industrial Charlene Williams owes her career in education in part to a French fry. Williams, Gov. Tina Koteks choice to lead the Oregon Department of Education as the states schools and students struggle to recover from the pandemics toll, was in eleventh grade in North Carolina when her pre-calculus teacher slipped on the aforementioned fry and was out for a week. A magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded off the southern Oregon coast Tuesday, four days after a 4.4 quake was detected in the same area, the U.S Geological Survey reported. It occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. roughly 100 miles west of Bandon, at a depth of around 8.5 miles, according to the federal scientific agency. There were no reports of injuries or damage and no tsunami warning was issued. The agency had not received any responses to their Felt Report survey as of Tuesday afternoon. The Oregonian/OregonLives Real-Time Earthquake Map, which updates every 15 minutes, shows how commonplace such small quakes are in the region known as the Blanco Fracture Zone. A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was recorded just over an hour before Tuesdays 4.0 quake, with the epicenters roughly 3 miles apart. On Saturday, a 4.4 earthquake was detected roughly 150 miles west of Bandon, preceded by a 3.9 quake three days prior, the agency reported. Earthquakes of a magnitude of 4.0 to 4.9 are considered light earthquakes and cause little to no damage, depending on conditions, according to the Geological Survey. Earthquakes of a magnitude of 2.5 or less are usually not felt but can be detected by a seismograph. Each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in amplitude as measured on a seismogram, the agency says. Experts believe theres about a 40% chance that a large quake from the Cascadia subduction zone -- up to magnitude 9.0 will hit sometime in the next 50 years. January marked the 323rd anniversary of the last major quake along the 600-mile fault off the Pacific Northwest coast that stretches from Northern California to British Columbia. The Geological Survey recommends that people who want to be better prepared for large earthquakes identify hazards around their homes and secure moveable items; organize a disaster plan that includes supplies and how house members will communicate in an emergency; and minimize potential financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening the property and considering insurance. Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The ousted head of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission has put the state on notice of his plans to sue, claiming Gov. Tina Kotek fired him at the bidding of a political donor who operated a troubled chain of cannabis stores. Steve Marks, the previous longtime executive director of OLCC, alleged he was summarily forced out by Kotek who bowed to pressure from Rosa Cazares, according to a tort claim notice sent to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. Cazares and her partner, Aaron Mitchell, operated La Mota, a cannabis chain. RENO Those aspiring to start their own small-scale farm can now apply for a one-year apprenticeship to bolster their abilities to start and run their own small-scale operation. The new Nevada Farm Apprenticeship Program being offered by the University of Nevada, Reno is now accepting applications, which are due by Aug. 31. Those chosen for an interview will be interviewed Sept. 11-12, and two applicants will be chosen to begin the apprenticeship Oct. 1. The program provides a $40,000 stipend to participants, based on an average of 32 hours a week, and will be hosted at the Universitys Desert Farming Initiative, which is part of the Experiment Stations Valley Road Field Lab in Reno. The program is not just for University students; anyone can apply. Minimum requirements for the positions are at least two seasons of farming experience, or a degree in agricultural sciences or closely related field and at least one year of related work experience. We are really pleased to be able to offer this hands-on, intensive farming apprenticeship program, to help fill in the gaps for those with a degree or some background in agriculture, but not quite enough knowledge or experience to start and run their own small-scale farming business, said Bill Payne, dean of the Universitys College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. Our Desert Farming Initiative team has put together an excellent program that I am sure will help establish some new small-scale farms in our state. Apprentices will be guided through a science-based curriculum taught by a team of specialists from the College and partners in the agricultural industry, as well as will receive hands-on practical farm training at the Desert Farming Initiative and partner farms, including Holley Family Farms in Dayton. The program emphasis is on certified-organic and climate-smart practices for small-scale outdoor farming. Each apprentice will manage a farm incubator space at the Desert Farming Initiative, where they will execute a crop and sales plan according to their particular farming interests. They will be allotted approximately one-eighth of an acre for growing field crops, temperature-controlled greenhouse space for starting seedlings, and half of a hoop house for season extension. Incubator spaces will be managed under the Desert Farming Initiatives organic certification and Nevada producer license, as well as rigorous food safety requirements. This program will be a springboard for people who are serious about pursuing a career in fruit and vegetable production, said Jill Moe, director of the Desert Farming Initiative, adding that its for those who intend to do small-scale farming, meaning a gross farm income of anywhere between $25,000 to $350,000. Theres a lot to know before jumping in. Its not just understanding how to grow crops. Its also creating a business plan, marketing, food safety, legal requirements, accounting, software, collaboration within the food system and managing people. Our program will cover all that and more. The Churchill Entrepreneur Development Association and the Churchill office of the Nevada Small Business Development Center will provide education in business principles and practices. The program will prioritize underserved community members and is working with tribal communities and the Colleges Extension unit to incorporate appropriate information and guest instructors. Team members for the program include Anna Miller, education program coordinator; Garrett Menghini, farm production manager; Felipe Barrios Masias, associate professor focusing on agronomy; Staci Emm, Extension professor managing the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program; and Kelli Kelly, agricultural business advisor with the Churchill Enterprise Development Association. The program is expected to be the first certified farm apprenticeship program in Nevada, pending certification from the Nevada Department of Labor. It is being funded by a $256,000 three-year grant from the USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service, as part of its Regional Food Systems Partnership Program, along with contributions from the College. Next summer, applications will be taken for another three apprenticeships, with those chosen beginning October 2024. We want to provide practical information and hands-on training for those with some farming knowledge and the burning desire to get into the business, Moe said. Its about equipping them with the knowledge they need to start a successful, sustainable enterprise, while contributing to our states healthy local food supply and economy. Its what a land-grant university should be doing, right? A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. West Virginia residents remain divided on a syringe service program aimed at reducing substance abuse issues and the spread of blood-borne infections linked to needle usage. The state leads the nation in overdose deaths per capita, yet a recent Charleston public hearing showed that many are torn on how to address the crisis. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,501 people died from drug overdoses in West Virginia in 2021, for which the most recent data is available. Due to the states size, it currently leads the country in overdose deaths per capita, even though other states saw far greater numbers of deaths. In comparison, California saw the highest number of total deaths that year at 10,901. A 2019 study conducted by researchers at Marshall University found that the states opioid epidemic stemmed from a combination of a depressed economy, lack of education and high rate of prescribing and dispensing of prescription opioids. Making matters worse, the state has grappled with HIV outbreaks since 2019, which can be directly linked to a lack of syringe service programs. But one organization is trying to improve the bleak situation. The Womens Health Center of West Virginia, the states former abortion provider, is hoping to implement a syringe service program that would be part of a greater harm reduction program at the clinic, Iris Sidikman, the centers harm reduction program coordinator, said at a public hearing about the initiative on Thursday in Charleston. The facility will offer wound care and supplies, referral services, behavioral health care, primary health care, substance use treatment and overdose prevention supplies. City Council must approve the syringe program, but theres nothing stopping the facility from offering its other services. Were going to be able to link people to the resources they need, whether its housing, ID documents, support groups or more, said Sidikman, who uses they/them pronouns. City residents that attended the hearing were divided on whether to implement the program, however. Some raised concerns about potentially helping addicts access drugs and syringe litter, while others favorably advocated for the initiative. Sidikman said the organization will send people out to look for discarded syringes in the area near the clinic. Pam Stevens and her husband spoke out against the service, explaining to attendees that their 44-year-old son, Adam, died from a drug overdose. A dirty needle was not involved in his death, Pam said. We need harm reduction programs, Stevens said. But a dirty needle trade-in program, while not intended, actually provides more opportunities for drug abusers to get more needles to get a fix. A syringe service fact sheet on the CDCs website states that such initiatives help stop substance abuse, support public safety and prevent transmission of blood-borne diseases. New users of the programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment and three times more likely to stop using drugs than those who dont use the services, the fact sheet states. Danni Dineen, quick response team coordinator with the citys Coordinated Addiction Response Effort, said syringe services saved her life. I want to see the folks I serve here in Charleston have that same opportunity. I want them to have a safe place to go without judgment, Dineen said at the hearing. I want them to have access to sterile supplies so they dont contract hepatitis C like I did. I want them to have a place where they can dispose of their used supplies. Charleston suspended its city-run needle exchange in March 2018. By 2020, 2,089 people were living with HIV in West Virginia. Of those, 139 had been recently diagnosed, according to data from AidsVu, a mapping tool by Emory Universitys Rollins School of Public Health that tracks outbreaks. When a local nonprofit stepped in to provide clean needles and testing for blood-borne diseases, city police investigated them for potentially violating a public ordinance that required harm reduction programs to be approved by the police chief or state, effectively shutting down their operations. At the time, Mayor Amy Goodwin told Mountain State Spotlight that decisions about whether to implement a syringe service program should be decided by public health and medical professionals. If they determine the need is there, then [they] should determine the next step forward, she told the outlet. Its not clear how City Council is likely to vote on the proposal. The public hearing concluded with residents shouting at each other. Out of 20 council members, 15 are Democrats and five are Republicans. They will cast their deciding ballots next month. Intel plans an enormous upgrade to its Hillsboro research factories over the next five years, according to new filings with state regulators, an expansion that could cement Oregons role as the heart of the chipmakers technology development. Plans call for a fourth phase to Intels massive D1X factory south of Hillsboro Stadium and an expansion and upgrade of its aging D1A factory at the companys original Oregon campus in Aloha. Intel also plans technological upgrades to existing facilities and new manufacturing support investment, according to the filings. Gov. Tina Kotek plans to award Intel $90 million in state funding designated for the semiconductor industry, according to a letter her staff sent to legislative leaders Monday. Its the first allocation of money lawmakers designated last year to support growth in of Oregons chip industry. Neither the governors office nor Intel would say how Intel will use the money. But The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Tuesday that Intel quietly filed last month for air-quality permits seeking authorization for a major expansion to its main manufacturing campus in Hillsboro, a project likely to run in the billions of dollars. The Portland Timbers finished second in their group in the 2023 Leagues Cup, advancing to the 32-team knockout stage of the tournament despite a 2-1 loss to group winner Tigres UANL. The Timbers will host Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey in the Round of 32 at 7 p.m. Friday at Providence Park. Monterrey enters Fridays match after winning a group that included the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake. The club known as Rayados beat RSL 3-0 and the Sounders 4-2. Because all Leagues Cup matches are played at MLS venues this year, the Timbers will host yet again with an opportunity to advance in the tournament. If they advance past Monterrey, they will face the winner of Tigres vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Friday is the first meeting between Portland and Monterrey, with a large contingent of Monterrey fans expected to make the journey to Providence Park for the match. Tickets are available for purchase here. -- Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to take the establishment of the China-Georgia strategic partnership as an opportunity to increase strategic communication and cooperation with the country in various areas, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Monday. Li made the remarks while meeting with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu. Li called on the two sides to focus on the Belt and Road Initiative, make good use of the intergovernmental committee on economic and trade cooperation and other mechanisms, and fully unleash the dividends of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement. Both sides should strengthen cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, infrastructure construction, special economic zones and industrial parks, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as digital economy and green energy, and strengthen cultural, tourism and sub-national people-to-people exchanges, Li said. China is ready to work with Georgia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and make due contribution to world peace and development, Li said. Garibashvili said Georgia attaches great importance to its friendship with China and is committed to strengthening cooperation with China, adding that upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership will benefit the two peoples. Georgia abides by the one-China principle, supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other initiatives, and is willing to cooperate more with China in terms of infrastructure, economy and trade, tourism and other fields, and strengthen the exchange of experience in state governance, Garibashvili said. After their meeting, Li and Garibashvili witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents. During Garibashvili's visit, China and Georgia issued a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership. Editor: ZAD Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Medics at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are celebrating yet another milestone in foetal medicine after they successfully transfused a baby while still in the mothers uterus Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Amnesty International on Tuesday asked the Niger military junta to urgently protect and respect human rights as members of the ousted government are rounded up Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) The official South African opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that it will file charges against prominent politician Julius Malema and the government at the United Nations Human Rights Council Kemira's President and CEO Jari Rosendal has Died Jari Rosendal Jari Rosendal Aug. 1, 2023 - Kemira announced that its long-serving President and CEO, Jari Rosendal, died on July 31 after a short illness. Mr. Rosendal was 58 years old and served as Kemira's President and CEO since 2014. He was a Member of the Board of Directors of Neste Oyj, Finnish Chemical Association and European Chemical Industry Council Cefic. Before joining Kemira, Mr. Rosendal had a long career in the mining industry. Kemira's Board of Directors, management and personnel extend their deepest condolences to Jari's family. In a statement, Kemira said, "Jari was a leader whose main focus was always the safety and wellbeing of employees. Under his leadership, Kemira's profitability improved significantly and the strategic focus shifted towards sustainable profitable growth. Jari will be greatly missed by colleagues around the world." Kemira announced on July 11, 2023 that Mr. Rosendal was on sick leave, and on July 18 announced that its Board of Directors and Mr. Rosendal had agreed that Mr. Rosendal would leave his position in 2024 at the latest and that Kemira's Board of Directors initiated a search for his successor. CFO Petri Castren will act as Interim President and CEO until the new President and CEO starts in his position. Kemira is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries with a focus on pulp and paper, water treatment, and energy sectors. SOURCE: Kemira Photo: (Photo : IONA VIRGIN on Unsplash) Trudi Shertzer, an operations duty manager at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), is eagerly anticipating the opening of a 61-slot child care center within the airport terminal. She and her husband, Ben, who works as a wildlife manager at the airport, will have the convenience of dropping off their 8-month-old son, Hunter, at the on-site facility, making it easy for them to check on him during the day. The child care center at PIT is the first of its kind in a U.S. airport terminal and aims to support not only the airport authority's 475 employees but also other staff members, including concessionaires, cleaners, and construction workers. The facility will operate under the national daycare company La Petite Academy. Supporting Working Parents: PIT's Child Care Center Benefits All Airport Staff With the airline industry ramping up its hiring efforts to meet the surge in travel demand, childcare has become a crucial focus for employers. Several other U.S. airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, are also in the process of developing or expanding on-site child care facilities to attract and retain employees, especially those in hard-to-fill, lower-paid positions. According to NBC News, the high cost of child care has been a significant barrier for working parents, and having on-site child care centers near airports can alleviate the logistical challenges of commuting to urban centers for these services. A survey found that 43% of women who left their jobs in the previous year cited a lack of child care as their main reason, demonstrating the importance of such facilities for mothers. Many working parents, like Trudi Shertzer, have had to rely on babysitters to look after their children while they work. Enrolling children in on-site child care centers can offer "significant savings" for families, contributing to their bottom line. To make child care more accessible to employees, the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates PIT, has set the tuition at approximately 10% below area market rates and ensured eligibility for state subsidies. Christina Cassotis, CEO of Allegheny County Airport Authority, emphasized that they are striving to build "sticky" and foundational benefits to invest in their employees as individuals rather than just filling job positions. The center, operated by La Petite Academy, will have its own entrance in a surplus part of a terminal once used by US Airways. Initially, the child care center will operate on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with plans to eventually offer 24/7 services to accommodate workers with late shifts. By providing this essential benefit, airport authorities are investing in their employees' well-being and work-life balance, aiming to foster a supportive and productive workforce. Airports have realized the significance of child care as a key recruitment tool and are looking to expand access to such facilities for all staff members. Annie Russo, chief political and congressional strategy officer for Airports Council International-North America, pointed out that child care centers on or near airport property can help retain and recruit employees, especially women. The pandemic further highlighted the importance of accessible child care services as 43% of women who left their jobs cited staying at home with children or a lack of child care for their decision. Read Also: Operation Fly Formula: Plane carrying Baby Formula Milk Arrives in the US, Abbott CEO Apologizes Fostering Work-Life Balance: On-Site Child Care Eases Logistical Challenges for Employees The Biden administration has also recognized the child care challenges faced by working parents and issued directives to federal agencies to reduce costs and improve access to child care services. First Lady Jill Biden praised on-site child care facilities during a visit to PIT, emphasizing how they allow workers to pursue their careers without worrying about finding care for their kids. In addition to the cost savings, on-site child care facilities also provide peace of mind to parents, knowing that their children are in a safe and nurturing environment while they work. This benefit is especially valuable for working mothers like Kristen Owens, a consultant at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), who has been bringing her 1-year-old son, Jack, to the First Flight Child Development Center at LAX since he was 4 months old. Owens highlighted that the child care at LAX costs significantly less than other daycare centers in the area, making it an attractive option for employees. Airports such as Miami International Airport and San Francisco International Airport have had child care services for employees in the past, and more airports are recognizing the importance of offering such benefits. In an effort to attract and retain employees in a competitive job market, airports are taking significant steps to support working parents and create a better work-life balance for their workforce. The expansion of on-site child care facilities not only benefits employees and their families but also contributes to a more productive and engaged workforce, ultimately enhancing overall airport operations. Related Article: New Bill on Handling of Breast Milk at Airports Introduced After Nursing Mom Calls Out TSA Photo: (Photo : LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash) A Florida university has fired a professor after an investigation concluded he "demonstrated extreme negligence" in the data management of racial bias studies that could cause "unalterable" damage to the school's reputation. In a scathing five-page termination letter penned by Florida State University's (FUS) Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, James Clark informed criminologist Eric Stewart that decades of his research "once thought to be at the forefront" of the profession were shown to contain "numerous erroneous and "false narratives." "My specific concerns are related to the details of your behavior and the extreme negligence and incompetence that you demonstrated in the performance of your duties," Clark wrote. "As outlined in the Notice of Intent to Terminate letter, you demonstrated extreme negligence in basic data management, resulting in an unprecedented number of articles retracted and numerous other articles now in question, with the presence of no backup of the data for the publications in question," he added. 16-Year Tenure Ends in Controversy: Long-Time Professor Forced to Leave FSU As reported by The College Fix and corroborated by the letter, Stewart had previously refuted the evidence of FSU's misconduct inquiry committee's lengthy investigation and stated the reports "indicate that the misconduct claims were rejected by multiple panel experts." However, Clark's termination letter to Stewart suggested the criminologist did not take "any meaningful steps" to remedy the situation in the four years since the issues came to light and did not attempt to recreate any of the studies. "You have not pursued any remedial action, and you have even refused to cooperate with your FSU colleagues and coworkers who requested to work with you on these matters," the letter continued. He had been at the school for 16 years at the time of his departure. Stewart left his post in March following the lengthy investigation that began when six race-related studies he co-authored were retracted. In one paper, Stewart, who made 190,000 per year at FSU, falsely claimed there was a correlation between a criminal's race and the public's desire to see harsher prison sentences for said criminal. However, an investigation revealed no correlation and that the sample size had been increased to yield Stewart's desired outcome. Justin Pickett, one of the study's co-authors, previously claimed that the "identified discrepancies" in Stewart's work could not be attributed to "researcher error." "Scientific fraud occurs all too frequently... And I believe it is the most likely explanation for the data irregularities in the five retracted articles," Pickett said. Fox News Digital reached out to Stewart, but his email sent an automated response saying he was "currently unavailable." FSU did not immediately return requests for comment. The termination of Stewart's employment has raised serious concerns about the quality of research and academic integrity at the university. It also underscores the importance of ensuring data accuracy and transparent research practices in academic institutions to safeguard their reputation and credibility. Allegations of negligence and academic misconduct have tarnished Stewart's once-groundbreaking research. With the retraction of numerous articles and the absence of data backups, the validity of his findings has come under scrutiny, casting doubt on the reliability of his work and the integrity of the university's research output. Read Also: Six-Year-Old Who Shot His Teacher Allegedly Used His Mother's Gun Ensuring Academic Integrity: Lessons to Learn from the Stewart Case Such incidents not only affect the academic community but also undermine public trust in the integrity of research conducted at universities. FSU now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its reputation and restoring confidence in its research and faculty. The case also highlights the need for universities to have robust mechanisms in place to identify and address research misconduct promptly. Academic institutions must prioritize ethics and data management, ensuring that researchers adhere to rigorous standards and protocols to maintain the integrity of their work. Beyond the specific case of Eric Stewart, this incident serves as a wake-up call for all academic institutions to critically evaluate their research practices. A commitment to transparent and honest research will not only preserve the credibility of institutions but also promote progress and innovation in various fields of study. As FSU moves forward, it must take this unfortunate event as an opportunity to review its research policies, enhance oversight, and foster a culture of academic integrity. By doing so, the university can prevent similar incidents in the future and continue to uphold its reputation as a respected center for learning and research. Related Article: Georgia Professor Resigns From Job After One Student Ignored Face Mask Rule Protestants have a very prominent and quite annoying tendency to select pet verses and to ignore many other relevant passages along the same lines (I think speculating because they realize down deep that the other passages contradict their view). I wrote a whole book about this; one of my own favorites, called The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants (Aug. 2004). One of these Bible verses is from the book of the prophet Jeremiah: Jeremiah 17:9 (RSV, as throughout) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? This passage is utilized and distorted in a way similar to how they frequently cite like a mantra, Isaiah 64:6 (which I recently posted about): all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (KJV). They think this proves that (supposedly) no good works are meritorious, that faith alone is the way to salvation (which works have nothing to do with), and that sanctification is a separate optional category that has nothing to do with salvation, either (which ties in with extrinsic, external, imputed justification). Jeremiah 17:9, like Isaiah 64:6, is interpreted with little or no consideration for context, or of Jeremiahs overall soteriological thought. I shall be examining the latter in this article, and my research in preparation (searching the book for many related terms) has been most enlightening indeed. The Protestant idea is that people can do absolutely nothing to be saved and this is because (using these two passages) the heart is utterly deceitful and wicked and every righteous act we do is like a filthy rag (literally, a menstrual rag in the Hebrew). Accordingly, the Good News Bible paraphrased Isaiah 64:6 in a spectacularly biased and incorrect way: even our best actions are filthy through and through. Thats pure Protestantism: particularly the extreme Calvinist view of total depravity. The first thing we need to do is look at the immediate context of Jeremiah 17:9, which would be the very next verse: Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. (cf. 32:19) Three things are apparent from this verse. First, God is trying the heart of man, looking to see if any given individual has obeyed Him or not. If the heart was always desperately wicked, in all people at all times (i.e., if 17:9 is absolutely literal, with no exceptions whatsoever), Gods statement here would make no sense. He wouldnt have to try hearts at all, since all would be equally wicked, just as (not considering His omniscience for a moment) He wouldnt have to examine all elephants to see whether they had a long trunk or not. Secondly, man is not a pawn of his supposedly always evil nature, and so, can decide in his free will whether he will follow God or not, and whether he will allow God to give him the grace to do meritorious good works, in faith working together with God, as Paul teaches , leading ultimately to salvation. Thirdly, its clear in this passage that salvation doesnt come merely from faith alone but rather, from the fruit of good works (ways and doings) done in faith, by Gods grace (the latter is taught in Jeremiah 17:5, 7, 14, as we shall see). It seems to me that if Protestantism were true, Jeremiah 17:10 would or should read something like this: I the LORD overlook your deceitful and desperately corrupt hearts, to give to every man according to his faith alone. But in fact, it doesnt read that way. It reads Catholic. And it provides contextual information that allows readers to correctly interpret Jeremiah 17:9. Jeremiah makes a clear-cut statement that goes against any notion of no hearts whatsoever being capable of good: Jeremiah 13:23 . . . you can do good who are accustomed to do evil. Above, I stated that it was important to take into consideration Jeremiahs overall soteriological thought. Lets do that now by specifically looking at what he says about hearts throughout his book, and whether it is more in line with a Protestant or Catholic understanding. Can human beings control their hearts and (by extension) their wills, or are they just pawns of the devil? Jeremiah contra to the standard Protestant take on Jeremiah 17:9 teaches that they can choose what their hearts will be like: Jeremiah 4:3-4 For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. [4] Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your doings. (cf. 9:25-26) Doing so, and getting rid of evil thoughts can even save them: Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you? Jeremiah also teaches that we can seek God with all our hearts: Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13] You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, Now, a Protestant would say about this passage, that God gave the sinner grace, which in turn caused him to call upon God. Thats true; we agree with that (Pelagianism or works-salvation being a heresy). What we disagree with is the notion that no good works that come from this grace are meritorious, as the proof of genuine faith, or that none of them can play a role in our ultimate salvation, as the fruit of faith or work of faith (1 Thess 1:3; 2 Thess 1:11) or faith working through love (Gal 5:6) or good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10), as Gods fellow workers (1 Cor 3:9), working together with God (2 Cor 6:1), and working harder as a result of the grace of God which is with us (1 Cor 15:10), abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58), since God is at work in us, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Phil 2:13), etc., etc. Secondly, note that in 4:14, we are saved not because God merely declared it to be so, but because we wash[ed] our heart[s] from wickedness. None of these things are consistent with Protestant soteriology, which consigns good works after justification and regeneration to the optional, recommended but not required for salvation separate category of sanctification. Now, its true that Jeremiah teaches that God draws all sinners by His grace, without which no one is, or can be saved, and there are passages hinting at the NT doctrines of justification, faith, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (indeed, 31:31-34 literally and magnificently foretells of the new covenant in Christ), as well as about Gods mercy and forgiveness: Jeremiah 3:12 . . . Return, faithless Israel, says the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, says the LORD; I will not be angry for ever. Jeremiah 15:20-21 . . . I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD. [21] I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless. Jeremiah 17:5, 7-8, 14 Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD. . . . [7] Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. [8] He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. . . . [14] Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise. Note how in 17:8 (right before the Protestant pet text of 17:9: more context), the one who trusts in the Lord is like a tree that never ceases to bear fruit (i.e., good works, by analogy). Jeremiah 23:6 . . . And this is the name by which he will be called: `The LORD is our righteousness. (cf. 33:16) Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 31:11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, [32] not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. [33] But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, `Know the LORD, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 32:38-40 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. [39] I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. [40] I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. Jeremiah 33:8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. Jeremiah 39:18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, says the LORD. Jeremiah 42:12 I will grant you mercy . . . On all of these matters, we are in essential agreement with our Protestant brothers and sisters. But this is not the end of the matter or the be all and end all in the book of Jeremiah. It must be harmonized with the dreaded Catholic stuff too (i.e., for those who believe in biblical inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy). Jeremiah condemns the extreme antinomian version of faith alone (often present in practice, if not in official Protestant doctrine): Jeremiah 7:9-11 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, [10] and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, `We are delivered! only to go on doing all these abominations? [11] Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, says the LORD. Jeremiah also expresses the Catholic view (most explicitly set out in the book of James) that faith is completed by works, which cannot be separated from them (two sides of the same coin): Jeremiah 5:7-11 How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of harlots. [8] They were well-fed lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbors wife. [9] Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD; and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this? [10] Go up through her vine-rows and destroy, but make not a full end; strip away her branches, for they are not the LORDs. [11] For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly faithless to me, says the LORD. Jeremiah expresses the basic idea behind the Catholic doctrine of merit: Jeremiah 31:16 . . . your work shall be rewarded . . . So we see that Jeremiah teaches the NT and Catholic doctrine of grace, works, and faith all being involved in the process of salvation (see fifty passages from Paul about this). But he also repeatedly and with the strongest emphasis, as I will now document teaches the biblical and Catholic doctrine of good, meritorious works and obedience to Gods law and moral commands playing a central role in Gods determination of every persons ultimate salvation or damnation (see fifty passages about that, too): Jeremiah 5:23 But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. Jeremiah 5:28-29 they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of wickedness; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. [29] Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this? Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it.' Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing evil upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not given heed to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. Jeremiah 7:23 But this command I gave them, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you. Jeremiah 8:9-10, 12 . . . they have rejected the word of the LORD, . . . [10] Therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to conquerors, because from the least to the greatest every one is greedy for unjust gain; from prophet to priest every one deals falsely. . . . [12] Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the LORD. Jeremiah 9:13-16 And the LORD says: Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, or walked in accord with it, [14] but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. [15] Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with wormwood, and give them poisonous water to drink. [16] I will scatter them among the nations whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them. Jeremiah 11:6-8 And the LORD said to me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: Hear the words of this covenant and do them. [7] For I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. [8] Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but every one walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not. Jeremiah 11:16 The LORD once called you, A green olive tree, fair with goodly fruit; but with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed. Jeremiah 13:10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this waistcloth, which is good for nothing. Jeremiah 15:6 You have rejected me, says the LORD, you keep going backward; so I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you; I am weary of relenting. Jeremiah 18:11 Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD, Behold, I am shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. Jeremiah 21:14 I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says the LORD; . . . Jeremiah 22:3-5, 15-16 Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. [4] For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their servants, and their people. [5] But if you will not heed these words, I swear by myself, says the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation. . . . [15] . . . Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. [16] He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. . . . Jeremiah 23:16-17 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes; they speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. [17] They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, `It shall be well with you; and to every one who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, `No evil shall come upon you.' Jeremiah 25:8-9 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, [9] behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, says the LORD, and for Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these nations round about; I will utterly destroy them, and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting reproach. Jeremiah 26:13 Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will repent of the evil which he has pronounced against you. Jeremiah 32:23 . . . But they did not obey thy voice or walk in thy law; they did nothing of all thou didst command them to do. Therefore thou hast made all this evil come upon them. Jeremiah 34:17 Therefore, thus says the LORD: You have not obeyed me by proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and to his neighbor; behold, I proclaim to you liberty to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine, says the LORD. I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. Jeremiah 38:20 Jeremiah said, . . . Obey now the voice of the LORD in what I say to you, and it shall be well with you, and your life shall be spared. Jeremiah 40:3 . . . Because you sinned against the LORD, and did not obey his voice, this thing has come upon you. Jeremiah 42:11-16, 21-22 Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not fear him, says the LORD, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. [12] I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land. [13] But if you say, `We will not remain in this land, disobeying the voice of the LORD your God [14] and saying, `No, we will go to the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war, or hear the sound of the trumpet, or be hungry for bread, and we will dwell there, [15] then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there, [16] then the sword which you fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the famine of which you are afraid shall follow hard after you to Egypt; and there you shall die. . . . [21] And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God in anything that he sent me to tell you. [22] Now therefore know for a certainty that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to live. Jeremiah 44:23 It is because you burned incense, and because you sinned against the LORD and did not obey the voice of the LORD or walk in his law and in his statutes and in his testimonies, that this evil has befallen you, as at this day. *** * Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist , and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. * *** Photo credit: Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem (1630), by Rembrandt (1606-1669) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Summary: I carefully examined the book of Jeremiah, in order to determine Jeremiahs soteriology (theology of salvation). Its very Catholic, it turns out, and quite unProtestant. Paratroopers' achievements hailed by Xi 08:21, August 01, 2023 By ZHAO LEI ( Chinadaily.com.cn Aviation: Air Force shows its capabilities President Xi Jinping has urged members of an elite airborne company of the People's Liberation Army Air Force to continue to hone their combat skills and achieve new feats. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a letter replying to paratroopers of the "Model Airborne Company", a time-honored unit under the PLA Air Force Airborne Corps. The airborne company's predecessor was an infantry company of the Chinese People's Volunteers during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), which took part in the Shangganling Campaign, known as the Battle of Triangle Hill in the West, in October 1952. During the fierce battle, which later became one of the most documented and remembered combat episodes of the war, Huang Jiguang, a signalman in the company, sacrificed his life by using his body to block the enemy's machine gun fire in order to clear the way for his comrades. To honor the hero, the company was later given an honorary title The Company of Huang Jiguang. "You have always learned from Huang Jiguang, inherited his heroic spirit, and striven to honor his name with your own achievements. You have made comprehensive progress and kept your unit an elite force. I am glad to know about your feats," Xi said in his letter. He added that he hoped the paratroopers could always keep their missions in mind, cherish the company's honor and uphold its glorious traditions, and strengthen their courage and fighting capabilities, so they could become "airborne spears" capable of defeating the enemy and make new contributions to the Party and the people. The president also extended his greetings to the paratroopers ahead of Army Day, which falls on Aug 1 each year. In a recent letter, members of the airborne company told Xi about their lives and training, and also expressed their determination to honor the unit's title and fulfill their tasks. This is the second time in the past week that Xi has given instructions to an air force unit. On Wednesday, the president inspected the PLA Western Theater Command's air force headquarters in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. During the inspection tour, he stressed the need to enhance military preparedness and ensure airspace security by thoroughly carrying out regular air defense. Xi called for an accelerated pace of pushing new equipment and forces to form combat forces. The new equipment and forces should be integrated into the current combat systems, he added. The president also said that efforts should be made to arrange more realistic combat exercises, concentrate training resources on difficult tactics and maneuvers, and seek better results from training. The PLA Air Force has displayed the outstanding skills of its pilots and the powerful capability of its aircraft at a recent air show, according to military experts. "The most notable part of this year's air show in Changchun was the tactical maneuvers conducted by the YY-20 large aerial refueling aircraft, including the short-taxiing takeoff and high-agility snake maneuver, as well as its grouping with the J-20 stealth fighter jets and the J-16 multirole strike planes," said Wang Mingzhi, a professor with the PLA Air Force Command College in Beijing. He was referring to flight performances at the 2023 Air Force Open-House Activity and Changchun Air Show that ran from Wednesday to Sunday in Changchun, capital of Jilin province. "In last year's Changchun activity, the Air Force published a picture of the YY-20, J-20 and J-16 flying in a group. And this year, these three types of advanced planes appeared together in flight performances in front of spectators in Changchun, showing their joint operation capability," Wang said. "The flying formations of the multijet group indicated how these types of aircraft would cooperate in combat exercises. The YY-20's maneuvers were well designed to show its maneuverability and intrigue the spectators." Fu Qianshao, an aviation equipment expert who served in the PLA Air Force for decades, said the aerobatic stunts performed by the PLA Air Force August 1st Aerobatics Team, China's best-known aerobatic team, at the Changchun air show have value in both performance and actual aerial combat. "Their performances showed that the training and exercises for Air Force aviators are very close to real combat scenarios. The Air Force has concentrated all of its attention to combat training and drills," he said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Press Release August 1, 2023 11 Champions in the 6th Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge each got cash and trophy from Villar Recognizing their initiatives to help ward off poverty amid several challenges, Senator Cynthia A. Villar awarded during a simple ceremony at Villar SIPAG the 11 empowered youth group winners in the 6th Villar SiPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge. The senator was joined by Former Senate President Manny Villar, Sen. Mark Villar, Deputy speaker Camille Villar and Vistaland President Paolo Villar, in handing the cash reward and trophy to the youth representatives. Each of the 10 Most Outstanding Youth Social Enterprises got P150,000 cash while and the Special Awardee received P100,000 cash. Villar said 'this is a friendly competition among the Filipino youth whose social enterprises contribute in alleviating the poverty situation in their respective communities.' "Eliminating poverty requires that young people must be recognized as a resource for change in society, " she pointed out. She said the Villar SIPAG Youth Awards is a step in the right direction as it strengthens youth organizations by giving them more space for participation, influence and power. Furthermore, she said this year's winning groups champion the promotion and preservation of the Filipino arts and culture, entrepreneurship in agriculture, environment preservation, leadership development, health and wellness, together with the promotion of their advocacy via social media. The youth organizations awarded this year are: 1. Phil.Chamber of Commerce & Industry-NCR Youth Ambassadors, Muntinlupa City 2. Banda San Jose, Las Pinas City (NCR) 3. I-Saved (Saving Vulnerable, Education & Dreams) Nabbotuan, Solana, Cagayan 4. 4-H Club Yogad Kan Balada of Divinian, Jones, Isabela 5. Eden(Empowering Dairy Enterprises Network) Youth Asso. San Francisco,Tarlac City 6. White Light Creative Productions, Inc. Dasmarinas City, Cavite 7.Ubojan Young Dreamers 4H-Club, Ubojan, Sagbayan, Bohol. 8.Cassava Growers & Processors Association (CAGAPA) - 4H Club of San Pedro, Dapitan City. 9.Luyungan Kauyagan, Inc., of Nasuli Bangcud, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. receive their steady supply of fresh vegetables. 10.Surigao Youth Convergence, Inc. of Luna, Surigao City. A special award was given to Gintong Tamaraw Artists Association of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Villar related there were 79 entries coming from different parts of the country, but only 15 were shortlisted and 10 emerged the winners, with one special award. The Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge is a competition which aims to encourage and empower youth organizations to embark on social enterprises that made significant impact in reducing poverty in their respective communities. "This is an annual search for empowered youth organizations trying to make a significant impact in society through their advocacies, and it is now on its 6th year," she said. She cited the United Nations which said that "any development objective particularly in poverty reduction needs young people's perspective given that 2/3 of the population in developing countries are under 25 years old." "A Youth Perspective in poverty reduction is built on the understanding that young people are not merely a target group but also initiators, participants, decision-makers and leaders," she added. 11 Champions sa 6th Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge, tumanggap ng cash at trophy mula kay Villar BIlang pagkilala sa kanilang pagsisikap para masupil ang kahirapan sa kabila ng maraming hamon, pinarangalan ni Sen. Cynthia A. Villar sa isang simpleng seremonya sa Villar SIPAG ang 11 empowered youth groups winners sa 6th Villar SiPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge. Kasama ng senador sina dating Senate President Manny Villar, Senator Mark Villar, Deputy speaker Camille Villar at Vistaland President Paolo Villar sa pagbibigay ng cash reward at trophy to sa mga nanalo. Tumanggap ang bawat nagwagi sa 10 Most Outstanding Youth Social Enterprises ng P150,000 cash samantalang ang Special Awardee ay pinagkalooban ng P100,000 cash. Ani Villar, "this is a friendly competition among the Filipino youth whose social enterprises contribute in alleviating the poverty situation in their respective communities." "Eliminating poverty requires that young people must be recognized as a resource for change in society, " giit niya. Sinabi niyang hakbang sa tamang direksyon ang Villar SIPAG Youth Awards dahil ponalalakas nito ang youth organizations. Ginagawa ring kampeyon ang promosyon at pagpapanatili sa Filipino arts and culture, entrepreneurship sa agriculture, environment preservation, leadership development, health at wellness. Kaakibat din nito ang pagsusulong sa kanilang adbokasiya sa pamamagitan ng social media. Ang mga youth organizations na binigyan ng award sa taong ito ay ang: 1. Phil.Chamber of Commerce & Industry-NCR Youth Ambassadors, Muntinlupa City 2. Banda San Jose, Las Pinas City 3. I-Saved (Saving Vulnerable, Education & Dreams) Nabbotuan, Solana, Cagayan 4. 4-H Club Yogad Kan Balada of Divinian, Jones, Isabela 5. Eden(Empowering Dairy Enterprises Network) Youth Asso. San Francisco,Tarlac City 6. White Light Creative Productions, Inc. Dasmarinas City, Cavite 7.Ubojan Young Dreamers 4H-Club, Ubojan, Sagbayan, Bohol. 8.Cassava Growers & Processors Association (CAGAPA) - 4H Club of San Pedro, Dapitan City. 9.Luyungan Kauyagan, Inc., of Nasuli Bangcud, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. receive their steady supply of fresh vegetables. 10.Surigao Youth Convergence, Inc. of Luna, Surigao City. Binigyan naman ng Special Award ang Gintong Tamaraw Artists Association ng San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Inihayag ni Villar na may 79 entries mula sa iba't.ibang panig ng bansa pero 15 lamang ang shortlisted, Sampung (10) organisasyon ang nanalo at isa ang binigyan ng special award. Ang Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge ay isang kumpetisyong naglalayong hikayatin at palakasin ang youth organizations para sa social enterprises. "This is an annual search for empowered youth organizations trying to make a significant impact in society through their advocacies, and it is now on its 6th year," ayon kay Villar. Binanggit din niya ang pahayag ng United Nations na "any development objective particularly in poverty reduction needs young people's perspective given that 2/3 of the population in developing countries are under 25 years old." "A Youth Perspective in poverty reduction is built on the understanding that young people are not merely a target group but also initiators, participants, decision-makers and leaders," dagdag pa niya. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Several scientists stressed the significance of talent cultivation in China's basic research and encouraged young people to challenge cutting-edge issues in basic science on the sidelines of the International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) held in Beijing. Fields Medal winners Shing-Tung Yau, Caucher Birkar, Maxim Kontsevich, and Turing Award winner Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, shared their views on talent cultivation and the development of basic research in exchange activities with university teachers and students. "We hope that young people can actively communicate with first-class scholars at home and abroad through this congress so that they can see how far the world's most advanced sciences have gone, and set clear goals for themselves," said mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, chairman of the ICBS and dean of Qiuzhen College at Tsinghua University. "It is very important for young people to communicate with world-renowned scientists and listen to their speeches," added Yau, who recalled that he solved an important question in 1979 because he listened to the speech of Fields Medal winner David Mumford, which is his lifetime memory. Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said Chinese young people are very smart, and "in fact, all they need is a little help." "They can learn new knowledge in college courses, and they can meet some good professors who encourage them to exercise curiosity and the spirit to research. Such kind of talent growth will make a difference." He added that the new wave of artificial intelligence has come, and it will have a huge and far-reaching impact on academia, industry, and even the whole society in the future. Countries should strive to create a good environment to encourage more scientists to make research and "use curiosity to discover the problems they want to solve," while also strengthening international exchanges and working together to address common challenges. Caucher Birkar, a professor at Tsinghua University, said that in addition to the unsolved mathematical questions, the biggest challenge of mathematics is the training and education of mathematicians. The textbook-style teaching, which tells students what to do and what not to do, will make many students feel bored in mathematics, and drift away from it and unable to enjoy the fun of mathematics, he added. At Tsinghua University, he often encourages students to ask each other questions and communicate in class. He believes that asking questions is conducive to stimulating students' interest and inspiring thinking. "It is very important for mathematicians to get into the habit of asking questions, which is exploring new possibilities and imagining what you can do next. This habit is best cultivated when you are a student," he said. Maxim Kontsevich, a professor at the Institute of Advanced Scientific Study in France, believes that it is very important for more teenagers to feel the beauty of mathematics because only love can inspire you to make unremitting efforts to explore. "Mathematics is a very beautiful subject, which plays an important role in the development and progress of human society, and is worth exploring and learning in our lives," he said. According to Shing-Tung Yau, countries still need to attach great importance to basic science, invest more resources, attract more talent to participate in basic science research, cultivate public interest in basic science, and promote international cooperation and sharing. "Basic science is the cornerstone of human knowledge. 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Updated 07/27/2023: To include information about the completed independent no-log audit by Altis IT on FastestVPNs servers and the addition of more streaming-specific servers for more major channels. FastestVPN: Features and services FastestVPN From the time of our last review, FastestVPN has once again upgraded the design of its application to make it simpler and easier to use across devices. Upon first opening the application in Windows, youll find a list of countries you can connect to in the main screen, making it easy to get started right away. Off to the right youll find the FastestVPN trademark lightning-bolt button to connect, along with basic info about the connection (IP address and server location). In the top-right youll have three buttons for the home screen, account info, and settings. FastestVPN provides three protocol options and an auto option, which chooses the best of the three for your tasks. FastestVPN The settings screen is similar to what weve seen in previous versions of the app. Here you can switch your VPN protocol between IKEv2, TCP, UDP, and Auto. The Auto protocol option is new and when chosen will theoretically give you the best protocol among the other three according to your given tasks. For only $40 for a lifetime plan, FastestVPN is certainly worth considering. Below the VPN protocol options are checkboxes for things such as an Internet kill switch as well as options to Launch at startup, Redial automatically if connection drops, and Auto connect after launchall standard fare for most modern VPN applications. The kill switch is a nice feature though and isnt provided by all VPN services. As for servers, its a little unclear how many servers FastestVPN actually has. It claims Servers Available in 39+ Countries and 55+ Locations, but we found that what servers are actually available will depend somewhat on the device and application you are using. Additionally, it has a limited number of streaming-specific servers and D-VPN (Double VPN) servers that bounce your connection through more than one server to provide double encryption. FastestVPN has app support for a ton of devices. FastestVPN FastestVPN has done a great job providing app support for a ton of devices. These range from the standards such as Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, to others such as Linux, Roku, and Amazon Firestick, among others. It even has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Unfortunately, one area that seems to be missing from all of FastestVPNs apps is information regarding each specific servers load or latency figures. This is useful if youre looking to connect to the fastest server in a given location, and frankly its a missed opportunity in the application design. Regardless, the applications are straightforward and easy to use across all devices. One other quirk we noticed was a problem with the Windows application when installing. It seems that it may not have the proper certification with Microsoft, which causes Windows Defender to flag the application and present an error message that halts the installation process. This is easy enough to bypass, but may be confusing at first. FastestVPN also provides a few bonus features such as helpful 24/7 chat and email support, a free password manager, and up to 2TB of cloud storage. FastestVPN: Performance In our performance tests we compared the base speed of our internet to that of different server locations across the world to see how our internet speed connected to a VPN compares to our base internet speed. Last time around we saw FastestVPN hitting 45 percent of the base speed in our tests averaged across all locations. At the time, that was a huge bump from the 30 percent base speeds in our initial review of the service. This time around we didnt see quite the same jump, but we did notice a slight improvement of up to 49.5 percent of the base download speed when connected to FastestVPNs servers. Furthermore, we saw an admirable 68 percent of the base upload speed. These are solid numbers and FastestVPNs recent upgrade to 10Gbps+ speed servers is obviously making a difference for its users. FastestVPN has specific servers to use to unblock streaming sites. FastestVPN FastestVPN does an alright job at getting around region locks and geo-restricted content. Using its normal servers was rather hit or miss when trying to access sites such as Netflix and Disney+. Some servers were able to bypass the region locks while many others were actively blocked and the streaming sites wouldnt load properly. That being said, FastestVPN (at the time of writing) has seven streaming-specific servers, which all worked just fine in our tests. The only issue here is that if you want to access content from countries other than these streaming-server locations, you may be out of luck. But just recently, FastestVPN has updated their streaming-specific servers to include more major channels including Hotstar, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime, among others, so they are making strides in the right direction. FastestVPN: Security and privacy FastestVPN security features. Sam Singleton FastestVPNs official business location is the Cayman Islands. This might sound kind of sketchy at first glance, but the company says that this was on purpose in order to avoid any laws requiring them to keep browsing records on its customers. The companys privacy policy states that it does not log any information about its customers. The only thing the company keeps, it says, is the email address you use to sign up for the service. In mid-2023 FastestVPN completed an independent audit by AltisIT to successfully verify their no-logs policy. The service uses the industry standard AES 256-bit encryption and comes with IPv6 and DNS leak protection. Our DNS leak tests proved that there were no IP or DNS leaks while using the VPN. This is important as IP and DNS data leaks can allow for outside parties to know your true location and watch your activity while online. FastestVPN: Final thoughts FastestVPN has improved upon its service since the last time we tested it, but there are some areas that still need improvement. Its obvious that it doesnt have the same resources as some of the largest VPN services, but nonetheless its still able to make the core VPN features work. Despite what is stated in its name, it may not be the fastest VPN, nor does it have the most robust feature set. But thats not the main draw anyways. The company seems to know where it stands in the marketplace and its leaning heavily on privacy and cost. It offers enough speed and security for most everyday uses, and extras such as free Cloud storage and a password manager are welcomed additions. Ultimately, its the price that will appeal to most people and for only $40 for a lifetime plan, FastestVPN is certainly worth considering. Editors note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article. Ghana International Bank (GHIB), a wholly Ghanaian-born bank incorporated in the United Kingdom, has facilitated an Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) training programme for over 50 bankers across Ghana, Gambia, and Sierra Leone. The three-day workshop organized in Ghana aims to deepen banks' knowledge of EWRA from a financial crime perspective and forms part of GHIB's comprehensive plan to work closely with banks in the African sub-region to implement robust financial crime risk management systems. Speaking to the media at the opening ceremony of the training, Ophelia Atttobrah, Chief Banking Officer for GHIB, said her outfit noted that Enterprise Risk Assessment was a key deficiency for most of these banks, hence the training. "In line with our vision to be the most compelling UK bank that focuses on Africa, we deemed it important to take the initiative to support some of these banks in upskilling in the EWRA area. This training aims to give them the necessary skills to understand how best to assess the enterprise, including products, customers, operational regions, policies, and procedures, ensuring that they meet global or international financial crime anti-money laundering regulatory standards". Baafuor Ohene Abankwa, Country Representative, Ghana, and Head of Client Coverage Africa, added that this programme will enable banks to put in place the right measures to manage risks and safeguard revenues. "In today's banking world, banks need to properly assess the risks they face to ensure they do not lose revenues. This training will equip them to assess risks from a financial crime-based point of view. Once that is done properly, banks will be confident that revenues will not be lost due to the crystalisation of certain kinds of risks. We hope that the banks will be able to examine everything, assess the risks they face thoroughly, and implement proper measures to manage them effectively, preventing the risks from materialising and causing financial losses". On his part, Director of Financial Stability Department at the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Joseph France, said the programme is timely because it plays a crucial role in correspondent banking in cross-border transactions. "The need to understand the EWRA methodology and apply it appropriately to comply with the requirements of correspondent banking cannot be overemphasized, given the crucial role of correspondent banking in cross-border transactions and the need to prepare adequately for the third round of mutual evaluation. I therefore urge all participants to leverage this opportunity to equip themselves with the required competencies in EWRA methodology to ensure utmost compliance with the requirements of correspondent banks", he concluded. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Veolia renewed its contract with AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited, part of the South African headquartered gold mining company, AngloGold Ashanti, the worlds fourth largest gold producer. Veolia Ghana Limited(*) will be responsible for operating and maintaining all the water treatment plants for the Obuasi open-cut and underground mines in Ghana. These additional two years confirm Veolias operational know-how in the preservation, depollution and renewal of water resources for the mining industry. No less than six facilities are required to guarantee the treated water and discharge quality for AngloGold Ashantis Obuasi mine: 4 wastewater treatment plants and 2 drinking water treatment plants. Water is essential to the mining industry. It is used in various activities associated with the exploration, extraction and transformation processes, whether to process ore, remove dust, transport sludge, or supply the employees needs. In a tropical climate subject to highly seasonal heavy rainfall, it is the Ghanaian gold mines responsibility to manage its wastewater and its process residue in order to comply with the local Environmental Protection Agencys requirements in terms of discharges into the ecosystem. During the first four years contract, Veolia was awarded Best Contractor Company in Quarter 3 2022, having worked more than 1 million hours without a single accident-related stoppage. Veolia also managed to comply with the environmental requirements in force by producing nearly 33.5 million cubic meters of water, including about 7 million cubic meters of drinking water for the needs of the site and surrounding communities. Owned as to 70% by Veolia Africa and as to 30% by West African Surface Solutions Ghana Limited Our Group works side by side with industrial companies to respond to the major challenges they face, both in Africa and around the world. Veolia will continue to make its know-how available to AngloGold Ashanti and to the mining industry to manage water as a finite and endangered resource, says Philippe Bourdeaux, Veolias Executive Vice President, Africa and Middle East. About VEOLIA Veolia Group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with nearly 220,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2022, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 44 terawatt hours of energy and recovered 61 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 42 885 million euros in 2022. www.veolia.com Contacts Veolia Group Press Relations Laurent Obadia - Evgeniya Mazalova Claire Billon-Galland Tel.+ 33 (0) 1 85 57 86 25 [email protected] Analysts & Investors Ronald Wasylec - Ariane de Lamaze Tel. + 33 (0)1 8557 8476 / 8480 [email protected] Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In the heart of Atorkor, a small coastal town in the enchanting Volta Region of Ghana, a joyous occasion was set to unfold. Today marked a significant milestone for education in the community as the Atorkor D/A Basic School proudly hosted the commissioning ceremony of the Atorkor Early Years Education Centre (AEYEC). The event brought together distinguished guests, including the District Grand Master of the Masonic District of Ghana, Right Worshipful Isaac Owulaku Hood, and the revered Dufia of Atorkor, Togbi Akumey Geli Adjorlolo III. The AEYEC's phase one stood as a symbol of progress and promise. Its impressive facility, comprising four classrooms, three WCs, a urinal, two shower cubicles, and a resource library, was designed to provide a solid foundation in education for pre-school children and school-going kids in Atorkor. This ambitious initiative had been made possible through the combined efforts of the Atorkor community and the Royal Masonic School for Girls (RMSG) in the UK. The excitement was heightened as seven students and two teachers from the RMSG graced the occasion. Their presence was a testament to the deep bond of partnership that had developed over time, culminating in the financing of the establishment of the AEYEC. The sense of camaraderie and collaboration filled the air as they mingled with the local teachers and parents, all eager to witness the transformation this new venture would bring to their children's lives. The commissioning ceremony coincided with the Speech and Prize Giving day of the Atorkor Basic School, adding an extra layer of jubilation to the event. The entire community gathered to celebrate the achievements of the students and honor their dedication to learning. In addition to the AEYEC, a new nursery was inaugurated, catering to children aged 2 to 3. This nursery was made possible by the support of the Atorkor Development Foundation (ADF), a local organization committed to enhancing educational opportunities in the region. The AEYEC's vision went beyond just academics. It aimed to offer comprehensive support to the enrolled children, encompassing medical and social assistance. The ADF medical clinic and laboratory would play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of the young learners. Regular health assessments, immunizations, vision and hearing checks, nutrition programs, and dental care would be provided, ensuring the children's physical and mental development received the attention it deserved. Furthermore, social support would play a crucial role in the children's education journey. By evaluating parents' educational backgrounds and the home environment, the AEYEC would be able to provide necessary support mechanisms and early intervention measures, reinforcing the children's learning experiences both in school and at home. The involvement of parents was deemed vital to the success of this transformative endeavor. During the application process, parents were actively engaged, being interviewed and educated about their roles and responsibilities in their children's education. They were encouraged to join the Parents Group and sign a contract, demonstrating their commitment to supporting their children's educational journey and adhering to the Centre's rules and regulations. The ultimate goal of the AEYEC was clear - to elevate the quality and standard of education in Atorkor, thereby enhancing the life chances of the children in the community. The appointment of a graduate specialist in Early Years or Early Childhood Education from the University of Education, Winneba, along with supporting staff, demonstrated the seriousness of this commitment. The children, starting with Nursery 1 for 2 to 3-year-olds, would be continuously supported throughout their educational journey, from kindergarten to primary and junior high school levels. As the sun set over Atorkor that day, the sky seemed to glow with hope and promise. The commissioning of the AEYEC was a beacon of light, illuminating the path to a brighter future for the children of Atorkor. It was a day that would be etched in the hearts and minds of the community, a day that marked the beginning of a new era in education, and a day that united the spirit of collaboration and determination for a better tomorrow. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku has warned all illegal lottery operating companies and individuals to desist from their actions and go to the nearest NLA offices for license. He cautioned that the Ghana Revenue Authority in conjunction with the NLA will from Tuesday, August 1, 2023 will conduct an exercise to swoop down on all lottery operators operating illegally and take the necessary punitive action against them. "It is estimated that over 380 lottery operators and companies in Ghana are illegal . . . The lottery industry in Ghana is estimated at 1 billion cedis annually. As we speak, the illegal operators, on their own, operate about 400 million cedis annually. "They pay no tax; they hide in their rooms and make profits. They don't engage in good causes. They don't pay anything to the consolidated fund. They don't pay anything to government and tax authorities. They don't pay anything to GRA," he revealed. He advised the operators to count today their "day of redemption and your day of salvation and go to the nearest national lottery in your district or regional office". "I have instructed my regional managers that any of them who tries to shield someone, I will make no distinction between the person doing the illegal thing and you at the regional or district office," he stressed. Sammi Awuku also noted that the unlicensed operators are not their only target of the NLA but also staff of the Authority who are exploiting their Authority. "We are working on it. You can have staff that deliberately through their actions the NLA can lose almost 5 million cedis a year. Some of them exploit our loopholes but day in, day out, we keep building upon these systems and closing the gap," he stated. The NLA boss made these submissions during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Monday morning. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The MOBA 04 fraternity, comprising the 2004 Class of the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association, has launched the MOBA 04 Trust Fund, setting an ambitious goal of raising GH2 million ($200,000). The fund's vision is far-reaching, encompassing various initiatives such as preparations for the upcoming 2024 Speech Day and the significant responsibility of being the main sponsor for the esteemed 2034 Speech Day. Beyond this, the Trust Fund is driven by a noble objective to extend support to fellow members facing challenges related to health and welfare while fostering essential networking and business opportunities. The event held at the prestigious Marriott Hotel in Accra, witnessed an impassioned speech by the fraternity's President, Samuel Menyah Asah-Kissiedu, expressing immense pride and excitement in addressing the esteemed gathering. The occasion held a poignant significance as it marked a reconnection after 19 years since their time at Kwabotwe, the revered Mfantsipim School. This reunion underscored the fraternity's unwavering commitment to giving back to their alma mater and positively influencing the lives of future students. The establishment of the MOBA 04 Trust Fund signifies a remarkable milestone in the fraternity's dedication to education and creating opportunities for generations to come. At the heart of the fund's mission lies the aspiration to create a secure pool of resources, fueling the development of their alma mater and ensuring the success of the 2024 Speech Day. Simultaneously, the fund aims to address critical health and welfare concerns faced by members, demonstrating a strong belief in the power of collective contributions, active involvement, and seamless collaboration among the fraternity. In his address, Mr. Asah-Kissiedu expressed gratitude for the cherished memories of their time at Kwabotwe, where they imbibed invaluable life lessons. He acknowledged the senior MOBAs' role in inspiring the MOBA 04 fraternity on their journey to serve their alma mater. To ensure the Trust Fund's objectives come to fruition, a dedicated 14-member trustee board has been formed, comprising brothers from various classes and houses, both in Ghana and beyond. These trustees have committed their time, knowledge, and resources to source and manage the funds required for the fund's initiatives. In the closing moments, the President expressed heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated and passionate members of the Executive Board for their tireless efforts in making the event a resounding success. He extended appreciation to all attendees and participants, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to Kwabotwe and their essential role in this momentous occasion. Looking ahead, the fraternity extends a cordial invitation to all members to contribute generously to the fund and actively participate in its endeavors. The fraternity recognizes that each member's involvement, insights, and experiences are invaluable in shaping a successful future for both the fraternity and their cherished alma mater. Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Chairman of the fund, Mr. Michael Darko revealed the ingenious three-pronged strategy adopted by the 14-member trustee board to raise funds. This strategy includes raising GH134,000 from each of the 13 classes within the 2004 year group, reaching out to corporate bodies in alumni networks, and raising GH100,000 each through personal connections among the 14 trustees, their friends, and families. As a demonstration of their unwavering commitment, the trustees presented a GH100,000 cheque as seed money for the fund. Captain Paul Forjoe, the Ebusuapanyin of Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA), commended MOBA 04 for their dedication in establishing the fund. He urged them to unite and contribute wholeheartedly, reminding them that contributions could take various forms, including time, money, and influence. With the momentous launch of the MOBA 04 Trust Fund, the fraternity stands ready to create a legacy of empowerment and transformation, securing a brighter future for generations of students at their beloved Kwabotwe. Their commitment exemplifies the true spirit of giving back and leaving a lasting impact on their alma mater, setting an inspiring example for others to follow. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video United Nations Development Planning (UNDP) has pledged its commitment to working with its partners in the quest to fight against violent extremism in the West African sub Region. The United Nations Development Planning (UNDP) Residents Representative, Dr. Angela Lusigi made this call at the launch of the "Project on Strengthening Community Resilenace and Engagement to prevent and respond to violent extremism in Ghana, Benin,Togo and Cote d'Ivoire. The project aims to enhance the role of leaders to contribute to building sustainable peace and strengthening the participation in advocating for community needs and the Prevention of Violent Extremism. Dr. Angela Lusigi called for more robust regional response that went beyond a securitized approach to be able to address emerging drivers and conflict by community resilience and strengthening early warning and action which needs to be addressed as a matter or urgency. The ambassador of Denmark, Tom Norring said they are ready to work with UNDP with the coastal states to maintain stability and prevent violent extremism. He said, Denmark has a long relationship with Ghana and they have achieved a lot in common. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video World Vision, a Christian relief, development, and advocacy humanitarian organization has expressed readiness to work and collaborate with the private sector to help vulnerable children, their families, and the communities in which they live, in line with its strategic goals of collaborating and advocating for broader impact. Mrs. Agnes Obeng, Senior Programme Effectiveness Manager of World Vision Ghana revealed this in a speech she delivered at the 10th edition of the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Conference at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Ghana. The Conference was organized by the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), West Africa, a leading CSR and Sustainability advocacy organization, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries, AGI. According to Mrs. Agnes Obeng, Senior Programme Effectiveness Manager for World Vision in Ghana: World Vision is ready to work with partners including the corporate sector to ensure children, irrespective of where they live, realize their full potential in societies which respect peoples right and dignity. She continued: World Vision has been working in Ghana for the past 44 years, contributing to the wellbeing of children and families especially the Vulnerable. We recognize the corporate sector with other stakeholders as a powerful force, to impact positively on the lives of marginalized children and empower our communities. By engaging with the private sector we can leverage financial and non-financial resources and engage with companies whose practices may be directly impacting on children and the realization of their rights, therefore, granting us greater opportunity to advance child rights. World Vision in Ghana has had several success stories with some corporate institutions in the area of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Health and Nutrition, livelihoods and environmental restoration, and Education for Youth. Its collaboration and work with Promasidor, Kia Motors, Societe Generale, Voltic Ghana, now and in the past, have maximized the strengths and advantages of each party as well as contributed to lasting improvements in community members and in the companies themselves. Other socially-responsible businesses and organisations such as PwC, RYTHM Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Vision, Volta River Authority, Vodafone and VIVO Energy delivered speeches and presentations on their commitments to social responsibility and sustainability at the Conference. Prof. Martin Gyambrah, Director of the University of Applied Management, Germany (Ghana campus) delivered a lecture on a new world imperative for business sustainability, post COVID-19. He campaigned for organisations to develop and harness the potentials of their workforce and transform them into Merchants of Foresight. GOIL, Ghanas leading marketer and distributor of oil and petroleum products represented by its Public Relations Manager, Mr. Robert Kyere and Madam Jamilatu Mohammed, RYTHM Foundation represented by the Head of the Foundation, Santhi Periasamy and PwC, represented by one of its Partners, Mr. Richard Ansong. Other notable companies and organisations that participated in the Conference include Toyota Ghana, Promasidor, Republic Bank, CBL West Africa, Imperial General Assurance, SIC Ghana, Ghanaian German Economic Association, Societe Generale, Consolidated Bank, Blay and Associates, Fruveg, Rivella Enterprise, J.A. Abrahams & Sons, Bosomtwi Industries, Amla Foundation, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and many others. Other dignitaries such as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries, AGI, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Director of Finance and Administration of the AGI, Mr. Nathaniel Quarcoopome, the Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Madam Suzuki Momoko, Madam Ramya Chandrasekaran, Chief Communications Officer for the QI Group and others. Mr. John Kojo Williams, Co-Founder of the Centre for CSR, West Africa concluded: Since 2013, we have been at the forefront of creating awareness on CSR and sustainability issues and matchmaking companies to create sustainable impact. We are happy that this Conference is a huge success and that companies were provided the much-needed platform to render their CSR account, network and partner for more sustainable projects that will keep their businesses alive and make society better. This Conference brought together, companies, business associations, regulatory agencies, international aid organisations, academia and the media. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video First Klass Shipping Specialist, a wholly Ghanaian-owned leading door-to-door Shipping company, has observed its 10th anniversary today 1st August 2023, marking a decade of remarkable achievements and innovation. Founded in the year 2013, the company has grown from a small startup to an industry powerhouse, revolutionizing door-to-door Shipping from the UK to Ghana and has earned a hard reputation for excellence. The company envisions an even brighter future, characterized by continuous growth, further technological advancements, and a deepened focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company has remained dedicated to serving customers with excellence, forging strong partnerships, and making a positive impact on the industry and society as a whole. At a brief ceremony at the Company's Head Office at Pokuase Katapor in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Michael Obeng, expressed his inestimable gratitude to the dedicated team of employees both past and present, clearing agents both past and present, as well as key partners, and customers who have played an integral role in the company's journey so far. According to the CEO Michael Obeng, with a steadfast commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, First Klass Shipping looks ahead to the future with optimism and excitement. He acknowledged that the company's journey over the last decade has been both challenging and rewarding. "Today marks a momentous occasion because, as the CEO, the 10th anniversary coincides with my Birthday. I am filled with immense joy and pride as we mark this incredible milestone of our journey. ....First Klass Shipping Specialist is a renowned Door to door Shipping Company that operates from the UK to Ghana and has been in operation since August 2013. Our Vision is to become the most preferred door-to-door shipping company from the UK to Ghana, Mr. Michael Obeng said. He added.. Ten years ago, we embarked on a vision to create something exceptional, and today; we at First Klass Shipping stand tall as a testament to dedication, perseverance, and innovation. We started off with 4 staff members but today we have over 60 members of staff across UK and Ghana. We Started with one Pickup Van in UK and one Delivery Van in Ghana. Today, we have a fleet of vans and trucks. .In the initial stages we rented warehousing properties in both UK and Ghana but today we have our own warehouses in the UK and our Ultra-modern warehouse in Accra Ghana with other warehousing projects in Kumasi and Takoradi ongoing. We have quickly become the preferred choice for individuals and businesses alike when it comes to shipping items from the UK to Ghana. Touching on CSR projects, he mentioned that as part of its CSR, First Klass Shipping provides ongoing support to a few orphanage homes in Ghana. A recent one was a visit to Graceland homes and contributed to the building of classroom for the kids. We also built an Ultramodern Toilet facility for the Atwedie township in the Ashanti Akyem South district of Ghana. .I want to distinctly express my gratitude to all our employees and Clearing agents both past and present. Your hard work, commitment, and unwavering support have been the driving force behind our success so far. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video DTEK Grids has presented a concept for the development of Smart Grid on the example of Kyiv region, which can become the basis for the modernization of networks in all regions of Ukraine, according to a press release from the energy holding. The presentation of the document took place on July 27 at a meeting on the development of networks of distribution system operators at the State Inspectorate for Energy Supervision of Ukraine. "DTEK Grids presented a concept for the development of Smart Grid networks on the example of Kyiv region, on the basis of which a national technical standard can be developed for updating distribution networks throughout Ukraine," the press release says. The ten-year plan of DTEK Grids provides for a complete renovation of the electrical infrastructure of Kyiv region with an investment of EUR2.4 billion and a three-year pilot project in the Irpin-Bucha-Borodianka energy hub worth EUR145 million. "Residents of Kyiv region will receive a new energy infrastructure - efficient and modern, with uninterrupted power supply, a significantly lower accident rate and higher resistance to threats," the company said. DTEK Grids named the following key advantages of the Smart Grid infrastructure: the stability of the network, which continues to operate even if one segment is damaged or destroyed, readiness for the development of renewable energy sources, distributed generation, energy storage systems and green energy transition, as well as a qualitatively different level of power supply services for customers. After the implementation of the network development concept for customers in Kyiv region, the average time of power outages will decrease from 1,500 to 100 minutes per year (System Average Interruption Duration Index, SAIDI), and 100% of customers will be equipped with smart meters. According to the energy holding, at the first stage of the project, DTEK Grids will develop a digital model, which will become the first digital twin of a real distribution network in Ukraine. This model will allow testing the effectiveness of applied technical solutions and innovations at the planning stage. "This approach will help clearly predict the effects of all technical solutions and investments, such as replacing all overhead lines with cable ones that are more resistant to weather conditions and other disasters," the company explained. IMANI Africa says it suspects the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) wants to create fiscal rooms in order to waste money during an election that is coming in 2024. This comes on the heels of the Central Bank, facing serious insolvency. Ghanas government has written off half of the 77.6 billion cedis, which is equivalent to $7 billion, it owed to the Central Bank and replaced the remainder with a lower-yielding 15-year bond, three sources with direct knowledge of the transaction told Reuters. The latest move is part of the West African nations push to restructure its domestic debt, a requirement to qualify for the next tranche of a $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue loan. Ghana now wants to focus on negotiations with external creditors. Speaking on the Morning Starr with Francis Abban on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, the Founder of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, stated that for the Central Bank to allow those huge amounts to be written off is very irresponsible. There is no longer an opportunity to run to the banks and borrow as if there is no tomorrow. Essentially, the government has even managed through this DDEP and saved close to 34 billion Ghana cedis. Which means that they can say that they are not going to introduce any more taxes." Even then, they still want to increase that savings by asking pensioners to also get involved in the debt exchange programme. I dont think its fair. What I suspect the government wants to do is to create a lot more fiscal room so that they can waste money during an election that is coming in 2024. That is what it is. Lets not dance around the issue, Mr. Cudjoe stated. He continued, I dont think it is fair to do that to pensioners. The whole aim is to spend in an election year. Why am I saying that the government has not attempted to reduce those lofty amounts that have been set aside for capital investment, which we can do without? I mean, you can do with 10 to 12 billion of those capital investments. If you are in a hole, you dont dig further. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Renowned technology expert and Paramount Chief Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, of Weta Traditional Area in the Ketu North Constituency of the Volta Region of Ghana has issued an urgent call to action, advising the government of Ghana to swiftly embark on the digitization of the country's revered Chieftaincy institutions. This proactive measure aims to avert potential crises and foster sustainable governance within traditional leadership. Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, Fiaga and Overlord of Weta Traditional Area Having recognized the prevailing challenges faced by Chieftaincy Institutions, Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, a respected authority in the field of technology and an esteemed leader, has underscored the critical need for immediate action. By harnessing the transformative power of digital advancements, Ghana can overcome these obstacles and ensure a harmonious future for traditional leadership. The advent of digital transformation holds immense potential to revolutionize the operations of our esteemed Chieftaincy Institutions, ushering in a new era characterized by enhanced efficiency, transparency, and accountability. By embracing modern digital tools and platforms, these institutions can streamline their administrative processes, empowering leaders, adjudicating bodies, ministries, and the government itself with unprecedented insights to make well-informed decisions. One crucial aspect that becomes evident is the distinction between traditional boundaries of lands and the government's administrative boundaries. It is imperative to acknowledge that these two realms differ, and this disparity has left certain traditional areas vulnerable to the machinations of charlatans seeking to undermine the rich antiquity associated with these lands. Lack of education and proper record-keeping has inadvertently contributed to this vulnerability, creating an opening for individuals with ulterior motives to manipulate the identity and heritage of traditional areas. These opportunistic actors meticulously plan their approach, often targeting lineages where the elders and kingmakers have passed away or are too feeble to actively defend their rightful legacies. However, by digitizing the Chieftaincy Institution, we can preserve these invaluable legacies for future generations, safeguarding their heritage from those who seek to exploit it. Through the implementation of digital systems, comprehensive records can be created and maintained, ensuring the accurate documentation of lineage, land ownership, and cultural practices. This will serve as an invaluable resource, empowering communities to protect their identity and resist any attempts at illegitimate kingdom capture. The preservation of these legacies is not only essential for historical continuity but also for the socio-cultural fabric of our society. The digitization of Chieftaincy Institutions will create a repository of knowledge and traditions, enabling future generations to connect with their roots, understand their heritage, and uphold the values that holds and define their respective traditional areas, he said in an interview. Moreover, digital transformation offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional institutions and the government, fostering collaboration and harmonious coexistence. By leveraging digital platforms, communication channels can be established, allowing for seamless interaction and consultation between traditional leaders and government authorities. This synergy will strengthen governance, promote inclusive decision-making processes, and ensure the collective well-being of our society. The digitalization process entails the creation of comprehensive digital infrastructure, including advanced data management systems, secure online portals, and accessible archives. These technological advancements will facilitate accurate record-keeping, ensuring a wealth of information is readily available at the fingertips of stakeholders, from traditional leaders to government authorities and the public. By embracing digitization, Ghana's Chieftaincy Institutions can build stronger bridges of communication, promoting active engagement and collaborative decision-making. This inclusive approach will reignite public trust, empowering citizens to actively participate in governance matters, and fostering a renewed sense of unity and progress without having to fight over what everyone knows to be the true record of tradition or value, he added. Paramount Chief Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI urges the Government of Ghana to prioritize the digitization of Chieftaincy Institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for dedicated resources and a collaborative task force. This joint effort, encompassing government agencies, technology experts, traditional leaders, and community representatives, will pave the way for a successful and transformative digital revolution. With the future of traditional leadership hanging in the balance, the Government of Ghana must heed the urgent call from this tech expert and Paramount Chief. By embarking on the digitization journey, Ghana has the opportunity to forge a path of resilience, prosperity, and harmony within its Chieftaincy Institutions and families. As the nation awaits the government's response, all eyes are on Ghana, anticipating the dawn of a new era where technology and tradition converge, empowering our Chieftaincy Institutions to flourish and thrive. As we embark on this transformative journey, it is crucial to recognize the urgency of digitizing our Chieftaincy Institutions. By doing so, we protect the integrity of our traditional areas, fortify the foundation of our cultural heritage, and empower future generations to embrace and celebrate their rich ancestral legacies. Let us unite in this noble endeavor, leveraging the power of digital transformation to secure our collective heritage, promote unity, and preserve the essence of Ghana's diverse traditional areas for generations to come, he concluded. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Lawyer Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, who has been described to be a stalwart of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has clarified that he is not a politician. According to him, he is only affiliated with the NPP, and that does not make him a politician. Speaking in an interview with the host Kwahu Ambassador, Odame Agyare, shared on Facebook on July 28, 2023, Gabby described himself as a public figure and political strategist. The journalist as he was framing a question referred to Gabby as a politician which led to him interjecting with the response Im not a politician. Yes, Im a public figure; I have been a journalist, I have been on radio. Ive been a political strategist. I have a political affiliation but I am not a politician, he reiterated. Watch the interview below: Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As part of the sub-regional integration process of bringing governance to the doorsteps of the people, Winneba, will in September 2023 host the Extra Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, in Ghana. This would be the second time Ghana would host the ECOWAS Parliament which convenes twice a year. The 2023 First Ordinary Session of Parliament, opened on Monday, May 8, 2023, in Abuja and ended on Friday, May 26, 2023. The session was convened under Article 21.1 of the Supplementary Act relating to the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, which provided that Parliament should meet twice a year in Ordinary Sessions to provide a platform to deliberate and strengthen Member States position on issues of regional and continental importance. As provided for in Article 32 of the supplementary Act, the Session also provides the President of the ECOWAS Commission to present a general report on the implementation of the Community Work Programme to the Plenary. This allows the House to be updated on developments in the Community and followed by debates, expressed opinions and recommendations. Further, National Delegates also have the chance to present their countrys reports to inform the Body of unfolding developments in their respective Member States and the status of implementation of their communitys texts. Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the leader of the Ghanaian delegation announced in Monrovia Liberia at the end of a joint delocalized meeting, when he interacted with the media. He explained that the Conference being hosted out of the capital would bring governance to the doorsteps of the people and create an opportunity for the region by way of putting it on the visibility map for development. This will also allow Member States not only to connect to build consensus towards ECOWAS Development but also an opportunity to travel outside the capital city to familiarise themselves with neighbour countries, he said. Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament and a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament, further told Journalists that international programmes created opportunities for growth, development and tourism; and Winneba being the capital of one of the Municipalities in the Central Region was more than ready to welcome the ECOWAS delegation. According to him, the Session would also market the region, the Effutu Constituency and the city which was a coastal city for greater opportunities. He maintained that such Sessions projected facilities towards development and urged his colleagues to push for more opportunities and take advantage of such possibilities. We cannot always over-concentrate in the capital cities; we need to move out and spread opportunity to the people, he said. The Effutu NPP Member of Parliament (MP), told Journalists from Member that this will not be the first of its kind, particularly when Winneba 2021 successfully hosted a delocalised meeting and an Extra Ordinary Session, and therefore a precedent had been set. We are optimistic that this will be better than before. The Ghanaian government will put in place the necessary protocols for all MPs, focal persons and staff, security arrangements will be in place. Winneba, which is the capital of my constituency, is just an hours drive from Accra on a good road, he said. Mr Afenyo-Markin noted that Members were already used to that route with facilities going to be there to host them, adding As I did indicate, we hope to make it a pleasurable time, profitable time for all; we encourage all of you to come and take part in the programme, he said. 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. Featured Video Saturday, July 29, 2023, the "Ghetto Talent Hunt '', an initiative by the Nii Noi Nortey Foundation held its first edition at Odawnaa/Sahara - Adabraka in the Greater Accra Region. According to the CEO of the Foundation, Valentina Nii Noi Norty, the initiative is aimed at unearthing talents and giving hope to all ghettos across the Klottey Korle municipality and beyond. He said; We were amazed by the electrifying performance and quality of music and dance talents from our youth in the Ghettos. Winners from every electoral area in the constituency will meet at the grand finale where the grand winners from six categories (Reggae/Dancehall, Afrobeat, Hip Hop, Rap, Highlife and Dance) will battle it out with the winner being signed to a record label, embark on a trip to South Africa and Dubai. The winner will also be given GHC 10000. Special appreciation to the Talent Discovery Committee of the Nii Noi Nortey Foundation and renowned Music Producer, Fred Kyei Mensah for a good job. The Foundation is exceedingly grateful to him. The next stop is at Osu Alata on 12th August, 2023. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey wept in court as he was cleared of all charges in his sexual assault trial in London. Jurors at Southwark Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts for nine sexual offence charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013. Speaking afterwards, Mr Spacey said he was "grateful" to the jury as he thanked them for their deliberations - which took more than 12 hours. Outside the court the Oscar winner added he was "humbled". The US actor was acquitted of seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. After the verdict was read, he put his hand on his chest, looked at the jurors and mouthed "thank you" twice before they left the room. Addressing journalists on the court's steps Mr Spacey said there was "a lot for me to process". "I would like to say that I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached their decision," he said. "I am humbled by the outcome today. I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, and all of those who took care of us every single day." Read Full Story .... HERE >>> : Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sheila Oliver, a pioneering public official who was the first Black woman to serve as state Assembly speaker and the second lieutenant governor in New Jersey history, has died. The Essex County Democrat was 71. It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero, the Oliver family said in a statement released by Gov. Phil Murphy. Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community. An often poetic speaker, Oliver spent 16 years in the Assembly, the lower chamber of the New Jersey Legislature, including a sometimes stormy time as its speaker. She was only the second woman ever to hold the powerful post. In a statement, Murphy said he and his family are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government. When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word ... I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color, Murphy said. The governor plans to cut short his vacation in Italy and return to New Jersey, his office said Tuesday. During her tenure as speaker, she helped enact landmark public worker pension reform with Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney in 2011, a move that angered pro-labor factions of her party and even some fellow Democrats. Oliver was later elected lieutenant governor as Phil Murphys running mate 2017, making her the first Black woman to hold statewide office in New Jersey. Born and raised in Newark, Oliver graduated from the citys Weequahic High School before earning a sociology degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a masters in planning and administration from Columbia University. She was an East Orange resident. She later worked for a nonprofit social services organization and taught at Essex County College and nearby Caldwell University. Oliver moved into politics when she was elected to the East Orange Board of Education, an office she held from 1994 to 2000. During that time, she served two years as vice president and ended her time as president of the board. She concurrently served as an Essex County freeholder from 1996-99. And in between, she lost a bid for East Orange mayor by a mere 51 votes. A few years later, Oliver moved up to Trenton. She was elected to the Assembly in 2003 and was chosen by her fellow Democrats to become the chambers 169th speaker in 2009. Oliver was the second woman after Marion West Higgins in 1965 and the second Black lawmaker, after S. Howard Woodson in 1974, to ascend to the job. She was also the second Black woman in American history to lead a state legislative chamber, after Karen Bass of California. Her four-year tenure as speaker was most famous for the controversial push to require public workers to contribute more to the states notoriously underfunded public-worker pension system. Oliver ultimately joined Christie and Sweeney in supporting the plans, drawing the very public ire of government-employee unions. At one point, there was an unsuccessful coup to oust Oliver from the position. But she was chosen by Democrats for a second term under a deal in 2011. I am a focused problem-solving leader. I am not a Go in the back door, close the door, light up a cigar and lets make a deal kind of leader, " Oliver said in an uncharacteristic fiery speech as she campaigned for another term as speaker. Get politics news like this right to your inbox with the N.J. Politics newsletter. Add your email below and hit "subscribe" In an interview with The Star-Ledger in 2010, Oliver described the casual misogny she encountered after ascending to the speakership. Many men historically have held a view that women dont have the ability to lead, that women somehow dont have the same level of intellect that men have, she said. If there is any tension, I think the tension could be described in those terms. Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, who was Olivers boss prior to her joining the Murphy administration, said at the time that people should not underestimate her. She is such a strong leader, and people are going to find that out, he said. She was catching the wrath from all the union leaders, but she didnt back down. She stood up, took it, and then she made her decision. In this 2017 file photo, President Barack Obama joins Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. candidate Sheila Oliver at rally in Newark's Robert Treat Hotel. NJ Advance Media for NJ.com In 2013, Oliver attempted to make the leap to Washington when she ran in a special election for the Democratic nomination to replace the late Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate. But she finished fourth among four candidates. Four years later, however, Murphy, a former Wall street executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany, won the Democratic nomination to succeed Christie as governor and selected Oliver as his running mate. They defeated Kim Guadagno, the states first lieutenant governor, and her running mate, Carlos Rendo, in 2017. New Jerseys two lieutenant governors have also served as commissioners of state departments. Oliver ran the state Department of Community Affairs, helping determine how the state government helps New Jerseys 564 municipalities. Notably, she oversaw the continued state takeover of Atlantic Citys local government. In addition to her elected positions, Oliver had been employed by Essex County, serving as director for the Department of Citizen Services, the Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment and as Assistant Essex County Administrator. She had been considered a potential Democratic candidate to succeed Murphy in 2025. NJ Advance Media Staff Writers Susan K. Livio and Matt Arco contributed to this report. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01. Lancaster City Police are searching for the gunman who shot and injured a person in Lancaster Tuesday morning. Just before 1 a.m., police dispatched to the 200 block of Conestoga Street to find the victim, who was later taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police believe the shooting was targeted, and said the public is not in danger. A Harrisburg City Council candidate who has made his troubled past a centerpiece of his work is now facing a legal effort to have him kicked off the November ballot, ostensibly because of that history. But both the candidate in question Lamont Jones and the Dauphin County Board of Elections say the suit is bunk, and long-time Harrisburg politicos believe the effort to remove Jones from contention has less to do with the legal intricacies of his ballot eligibility and more to do with Harrisburgs machine politics. The suit, filed on behalf of two Harrisburg voters, seeks to have the court declare that Jones has constructively withdrawn his candidacy by virtue of having past criminal convictions that could disqualify him from taking office, and for the court to allow the Democratic party to select a replacement for Jones on the November ballot. In response filings this past Friday, both Jones and the county elections board said that the court has no power to do this, arguing that the plaintiffs are asking the court to invent a legal remedy that has no basis in actual law in order to address a hypothetical scenario. That scenario in which Jones wins election but is removed from office due to past disqualifying crimes is unlikely to come to fruition, Jones indicated in his filing last week. Jones included documents showing that he has applied for a pardon from the state, a process he began long before running for office. If granted, this would make the entire premise of the suit moot, Jones attorney wrote. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Aug. 8 before county Common Pleas Judge Scott Arthur Evans. Candidates must withdraw by Aug. 14 in order to be replaced in time for the November election. Many of Harrisburgs political observers said the suit against Jones fits a pattern, in which upstart candidates often face costly legal challenges intended to discourage them from running, regardless of the merits of the case itself. Lamonts publicly-admitted past has nothing to do with anyones interest in his ability to serve, it has to do with the fact that they do not want someone to have that post who has the courage, ability, worthiness, and standing in the community, said Harrisburg activist Fred Clark, a supporter of Jones. This is not really about Lamont and his criminal record. Underneath, its about having someone who cannot be controlled, said Pamela Parson, a long-time Harrisburg political observer who was one of the plaintiffs in the landmark lawsuit that exposed former mayor Stephen Reeds financial misdeeds. Jones was one of three candidates along with Crystal Davis and incumbent Council President Danielle Bowers who emerged victorious earlier this year in the Democratic primary for city council. Given the citys heavily Democratic voter base, Jones would be overwhelmingly likely to win a council seat in November. The suit was filed in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas by attorney Marco Attisano on behalf of two city voters, Katherine Knapp and Sherron Roy. The plaintiffs argue that Jones past criminal convictions would bar him from being a city councilman pursuant to the state constitution, which prohibits those who have been convicted of infamous crimes from holding office in the commonwealth. Jones has three convictions that would meet past court precedent for what counts as an infamous crime, according to the suit; a 1997 charge for making false statements, a misdemeanor, as well as 2004 and 2005 felony charges for drug possession with intent to distribute. Thus, the plaintiffs argue, the court should pre-emptively declare Jones withdrawn from the race, otherwise voters will be deprived of the opportunity to vote for a viable Democratic candidate for all three open city council seats. Further, the suit argues, the court should declare that Jones effective withdrawal from the race be treated in the same way as if he had voluntarily withdrawn, and the court should require that the county elections board allow the Democratic Party to pick a substitute nominee to appear on the November ballot. But while the plaintiffs repeatedly allege that Jones is ineligible and not viable to hold office, there is no statutory authority granting the elections board or the court the power to make such a determination at this juncture, both the board of elections and Jones attorney, John Bravacos, argued in their filings. The plaintiffs could have challenged Jones eligibility when he petitioned to run, which is the exclusive and only remedy given to parties such as the plaintiffs for removal of a candidate based on criminal convictions, the board of elections wrote. Despite Jones history being well-known, the plaintiffs did not avail themselves of their sole statutory right, the board wrote. Jones has been open about his troubled past and his struggle for success after serving prison time. He is a former leader of Breaking the Chainz, a Harrisburg activist group that features formerly incarcerated people who mentor others on how to turn their lives around. Jones serves on multiple county- and state-level advisory boards regarding criminal justice issues, and has been featured on policy matters from the states Clean Slate Law to occupational licensing for the formerly incarcerated. Further, Jones is seeking a pardon through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, according to documents in his legal brief, and has received support from some prominent figures. A pardon would mean Jones convictions would be treated as if they never happened, obviating any eligibility concerns, Bravacos said. Jones is truly an individual who has paid his debt to society and gives back to the community he negatively impacted with his crime, wrote former PA Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel in a letter supporting Jones pardon application. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo has also lobbied in favor of Jones pardon. In a letter to the clemency board last year, Chardo notes that Jones has had a clean record for almost a decade and works to help make Dauphin County a better place to live. Chardo, the board of elections wrote in its legal brief, is the only person with current authority to have Jones removed from the ballot. While the city council itself may expel a member for criminal conduct once they are seated, Chardo can initiate a removal from the ballot - or from office - at any time quo warranto, the election boards attorney wrote. Case law around infamous crimes is well established, said Adam Bonin, an attorney and election law expert who works with the Democratic Party in Philadelphia. But, Bonin cautioned, there is some wiggle room on this. Some judges have ruled that certain crimes, including felonies, present no rational reason to disqualify a candidate; if those rulings are not appealed to face higher precedent, the individual has stayed in office. We have seen individual judges be lenient on them, and these cases not appealed up, Bonin said, pointing to what recently occurred in York, where Mayor Michael Helfrichs right to hold office was challenged for a past felony drug conviction. A judge ruled in Helfrichs favor, and the matter does not appear to have been appealed further; York County District Attorney Dave Sunday said he would not seek to remove Helfrich quo warranto. Additionally, the concept of the case against Jones that a future third party could deem him ineligible to serve, and thus the court should remove his name from the ballot now is novel. I have never heard of that before, Bonin told PennLive. Attisano acknowledged in a phone interview that its not that common, this procedural path, but reiterated that the plaintiffs are more interested in effectuating the rights of the voters to choose a candidate who would not be booted from the seat. Attisano pointed to the case of former PA House Speaker Bill DeWeese, who was removed from the ballot by a judge in 2012 based on his crimes although in that instance, DeWeese was physically in prison during the election and at the time he would have taken office. The timing of any challenge to Jones eligibility for office makes a significant difference on the final outcome. If Jones had been disqualified when he initially filed to run, county voters would have simply chosen one of the other seven candidates in the primary race. Conversely, were Jones to be removed after winning a seat, the Harrisburg City Council itself an elected body would choose a replacement to fill the seat until the next municipal election in 2025. In the current case, however, were Jones to be involuntarily withdrawn from the ballot, a Democratic party committee would have the power to choose his replacement, and that replacement would serve a full four-year council term. This risks systems making decisions in places where the people have already spoken, said Ana White, a Jones supporter and colleague in working with the formerly incarcerated. Jones was very public about his past, White noted, but the voters picked him anyway. How much more work does one need to do, how much more atonement does one need to do? White posed. Jones is an ordinary person who is not polished and has made mistakes and is very clear on it. Does that person deserve the right to be a leader in their community? Legal challenges to prevent candidates from appearing on the ballot are relatively common in Harrisburg, and often generate a great deal of discourse as to who may be backing the challenge beyond the voters whose names appear as the plaintiffs. Attisano, speaking to PennLive, declined to confirm or deny any political heavy-hitters involved in the suit against Jones, citing attorney-client confidentiality. Regardless of what may or may not be going on behind the scenes, Clark said the suit against Jones has generated a remarkable response. I want to say thank you to whoever it is who mounted this challenge that has awakened this community in a way that is overwhelming, Clark said. READ MORE: Were all tired: Severe understaffing at Dauphin County Prison boosts overtime costs Judge rules Otto Banks has done enough to establish residency in Harrisburg, can run for mayor Harrisburg City Council approves $31.4 million in federal funds for affordable housing, home repairs The participants of the third meeting of the coordination platform for solving problematic issues with business and law enforcement officers from business was the owner of the Kyivguma company, Andriy Ostrorud, the director of Inkliuz-8 LLC Tetiana Kotsiuba, the financial director of Sperco Ukraine LLC, Oleksandr Berchiy and the director of Verba-VV LLC, Tetiana Poliachuk. "The third meeting with business opened up a new layer of systemic problems. In particular, we considered interesting cases from the sphere of subsoil use, the peculiarities of registration of land plots, the specifics of the participation of law enforcement agencies in competition in public procurement," Deputy Head of the Office of the President Rostyslav Shurma said, commenting on the results of the meeting on Facebook on Tuesday. According to him, the consequences that the woodworking industry is facing as a result of the systemic corruption that existed in previous years in the forestry industry were also discussed. "A very interesting situation is with subsoil use. On the one hand, we see many companies that received licenses in past years through the use of administrative resources without competition, and on the other hand, there is work by law enforcement agencies that are currently pressing on these companies. We are dealing with it," Shurma said. In his opinion, "there will be many systemic conclusions and changes." The deputy head of the President's Office said that out of 12 cases that were considered on the coordination platform, about five have already been resolved or are close to it, and the rest need to be studied in more detail. As before, the discussion was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Bureau of Economic Security. A woman in Salem County, New Jersey was rescued after being stuck for an hour inside a well. WPVI reports that the woman had fallen into a well at a home in Pilesgrove Township, which was about 20 feet deep, around 4 p.m. on Monday. According to CBS News, the woman was stuck in the well for about an hour before firefighters from the Reliance Fire Company and Pennsville Fire Company were able to rescue her, with additional assistance from the technical rescue team from New Castle County. Firefighters were forced to use a rope rescue system to lower firefighters down into the well. The womans foot had become stuck in mud at the bottom of the well, which also required the firefighters dig her out with buckets. The woman was airlifted to Christiana Hospital for treatment for minor injuries. Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard during Listening to Listeners, an original Today in Pa. segment that occurs every other Friday. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | August 1, 2023 A woman who made and distributed child pornography involving a 2- and 4-year-old has been sentenced to federal prison. State employees could see a pay bump of 20.25 percent over the next four years. You might be able to see a NASA rocket blasting off later today. Lastly, a man survived a bear attack. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA. Fox 29 in Philadelphia reporter Bob Kellys left eye remained swollen as he returned to the air Tuesday morning after being assaulted at a Jersey Shore bar over the weekend by a man filming an apparent TikTok challenge. Sea Isle City police havent said if anyone has been charged in the assault on Kelly at a party Sunday evening at Oar House Pub. Kelly, a traffic anchor who often does features highlighting Jersey Shore towns in the summer, confirmed on Good Day Philadelphia Tuesday that a man threw water at him moments before the assault. Kelly expressed gratitude for people asking how he was doing on social media. I just want to say first of all thank you so much for all of the messages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, cell phone texting, all concerned about me, Kelly said. Im OK, Im here. It was a frightening, disturbing event that was apparently incited by this TikTok challenge similar to what you saw happen to Cardi B with the water being thrown. Its under investigation and Im just going to leave it at that but I hope this can bring some light to this craziness that is out there and put a stop to it. Cardi B, a rapper who owns a home in Tenafly, had a drink thrown at her by a woman during a show Saturday in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports. The performer responded by tossing her microphone at the spectator. Kelly appeared on the air Tuesday morning from The Other Lucy Beach Grille in Margate. Sea Isle police couldnt immediately be reached Tuesday. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. By Sam Pimental Its no secret that rural schools are inferior to suburban schools, but it needs to be brought to the spotlight more as education is the future of this nation and the current system puts rural students at a disadvantage. Pennsylvanias largest pension fund has sued a key consulting firm that incorrectly calculated its investment profits, causing a costly error and contributing to the agency falling into the crosshairs of federal investigators. The 46-page lawsuit filed by the $72 billion Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) against Chicago-based Aon Investments USA Inc. in Philadelphia seeks unspecified monetary damages in the millions, as well as indemnification of the pension fund and its employees against civil actions arising from the firms admitted miscalculation. A statement issued by PSERS said that through the lawsuit, it seeks to hold Aon accountable for the errors it made related to PSERS 2020 risk share analysis and recover damages to compensate PSERS for the significant and ongoing harm Aon has caused. The miscalculation by Aon, which tracks the systems investments, was four basis points below the 6.38% it originally reported and relied upon by PSERS actuarial consultant Buck Global LLC. A law requires that when investment returns fall below a certain threshold, employees contribution to their pension rises. Aons error resulted in certain school employees seeing a half-percent increase in their payroll deduction toward their pensions in 2021-22 and the next two school years. PSERS originally announced the mandatory contributions would remain the same. A message seeking comment from Aon drew no response on Tuesday afternoon. The court document states that despite repeated requests, the firm failed to provide additional details or explanation for the error and for awhile, denied it existed. It also accused the company of refusing to adequately address or take full responsibility for its errors. At present, PSERS has waited more than two years without receiving answers, the document states. Moreover, the pension system cites the reputational harm that AONs error caused, as well as time staff diverted from their duties to respond to subpoenas and depositions arising from a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that began in March 2021 and a separate and ongoing investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in September of that year. The justice department last summer notified PSERS it has subsequently concluded its 17-month investigation resulting in no charges. The lawsuit accuses Aon of breaching the contract it had with PSERS as well as several counts of negligence and caused it to spend millions on law firms and consultants to deal with the fallout from AONs error. Along with seeking damages, PSERS, which serves more than 500,000 current and retired school employees, is asking the court to compel Aon to produce the relevant records it has sought since the miscalculation was discovered and that the firm has declined to provide. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @JanMurphy. This was the view Tuesday morning from a live webcam at Safari Beach Resort looking east across Osoyoos Lake. The resort remains on evacuation alert due to the Eagle Bluff wildfire, which threatened the town Saturday. A tribunal that's part of the military grievance process has found that the COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Armed Forces members' Charter rights. A health-care worker fills a syringe with a COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Memorial Hospital on Oct. 5, 2021, in Miami. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Lynne Sladky The state-owned Ukreximbank is considering the possibility of returning to the service of accepting worn foreign exchange cash for instant and long-term collection, subject to the resumption of air traffic, the bank's press service has reported. "The resumption of the bank's ability to export worn-out banknotes for collection abroad to correspondent banks will depend primarily on the resumption of air traffic," the bank responded to an inquiry from Interfax-Ukraine. The financial institution, which has suspended the acceptance of cash for collection since July 25, said that this decision was caused by a lack of demand, high cost, and difficulties in logistics. At the same time, the bank added that if the collection service is resumed, Ukreximbank plans to explore the possibility of expanding its provision to the entire network of the bank or part of it. As of July 14, seven out of 65 banks operating on the market provided the service of accepting worn-out foreign currency for collection, among them Raiffeisen with a fee of 10% of the amount, FUIB with 12%, Ukreximbank with 20%, MTB Bank with 50%, Accordbank, First Investment Bank and Kredobank (at least UAH 350) with 15% of the amount, the Ministry of Finance reported with reference to the NBU. Missiles that hit residential buildings and administrative buildings in Kryvyi Rih have been fired from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea from Dzhankoy region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address on Monday. "According to preliminary data from our military, these two missiles were fired at Kryvy Rih from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, from the area of Dzhankoy. And this proves again and again that for the safety of our cities, for the protection of the normal life of Ukrainians and our children, our military must have enough long-range weapons, enough means to defeat terrorists," he said. According to Zelenskyy, "as of now, six people are known to have been killed, including a child, a girl, her name was Darya. She was only ten years old... Her mother died with her, her name was Nataliya... An ordinary family in an ordinary city whose lives were destroyed by Russian murderers. My condolences to all those who lost their loved ones 69 people were injured." Head of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine Olha Herasymiuk believes that the implementation of the law On media will help reduce the influence of major business in the media sector. "The law stipulates requirements for the ownership structure of media entities, which is recognized as transparent, with the ability to identify all persons who have a direct or indirect significant participation in a media entity, the possibility of significant or decisive influence on the management or activities of such an entity, all key participants and all key participants of all legal entities in the chain of ownership of corporate rights of a subject in media, the nature of the relationship between these entities, the absence of significant participation among the owners at all levels of the ownership structure of legal entities registered in offshore zones," Herasymiuk told Interfax-Ukraine. In addition, according to her, some requirements also work during martial law. "If these conditions are not met, the ownership structure of the subject in the media sector is recognized as non-transparent, and this is the basis for refusing registration, renewal of the license, admission to the competition or the basis for cancelling the registration or revocation of the license," the National Council's head said. Herasymiuk also said the law contains an innovation obliging television media with a nationwide coverage category to file annual financial statements, which are subject to mandatory audit by an independent auditor. Richard Ashby Adds a WSOP Circuit Ring to His WSOP Bracelet August 01, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor Richard Ashby's first live poker tournament victory since September 2019 has resulted in him adding a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit ring to the WSOP bracelet he captured in 2010. Fittingly, Ashby, a Pot-Limit Omaha specialist, won his WSOPC ring in the 1,100 buy-in PLO event at the WSOPC Super Circuit in London. Fifty-five entrants created a guarantee-busting 53,350 prize pool that the top eight finishers shared. A min-cash weighed in at 2,100 with the eventual champion, Ashby, receiving 15,430 and the all-important gold WSOPC ring. 1,100 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Results Rank Player Prize 1 Richard Ashby 15,430 2 Justin Kyriakides 12,620 3 Daniel Patel 7,500 4 Presiyan Tsvetanov 5,500 5 Robert Cowen 4,300 6 Jake Bluston 3,300 7 Rajesh Khanna 2,600 8 Ajay Kejriwal 2,100 Ajay Kejriwal was the first player to bust inside the money places. The Middlesex-based grinder, who finished fifth in the 3,000 buy-in event at the 888poker LIVE London High Roller Festival last April, bowed out in eighth for 2,100. Rajesh Khanna busted in seventh for 2,600, his second-largest live score, before Jake Bluston saw his tournament end in a sixth-place finish worth 3,300. Short-handed play is often where the best poker pros excel, but that was not the case with Robert Cowen. Cowen, who cashed in five PLO events at the 2023 WSOP this summer, and who took down the $50,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller for $1,393,816 at the 2022 WSOP, fell in sixth-place and had to make do with a 4,300 consolation prize. Bracelet Chasing in the Bahamas: First Ever WSOP Paradise Planned for December Bulgaria's Presiyan Tsvetanov was relieved of his stack and finished in fourth for a career-best 5,000, before Daniel Patel's demise in third, a finish good for 7,500, sent the tournament into the heads-up stage. Ashby, known affectionately by his online poker alias "Chufty," found himself in a one-on-one battle against Justin Kyriakides, a fellow PLO specialist. Ashby bes handled the pressure of playing for a coveted WSOPC ring and sent Kyriakides to the showers in second place, which earned the runner-up a career-best 12,620. Ashby banked the 15,430 top prize and his first WSOPC ring. Ashby has enjoyed a long and illustrious poker career and is showing no signs of slowing down. In 2010, Ashby triumphed in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event for $140,467 and a gold bracelet before narrowly missing out on a second piece of WSOP hardware when he finished second to Ian Gordon in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. He finished fourth in the same H.O.R.S.E. tournament at the 2014 WSOP, which was also when Ashby was the bridesmaid in the $10,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo, losing out to Brock Parker. To date, Ashby has more than $2.7 million in live poker tournament earnings, an impressive sum that he is sure to add to before the WSOP Super Circuit London concludes on August 13. Remaining WSOPC Super Circuit London Schedule Date Time Event Guarantee Tue 1 Aug 12:00 p.m. Mystery Million Final Day 1,000,000 12:00 p.m. 450 NLHE Colossus Day 1c 200,000 5:00 p.m. 450 NLHE Colossus Day 1d 200,000 10:00 p.m. 450 NLHE Colossus Day 1e Turbo 200,000 Wed 2 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Colossus Final Day 200,000 12:00 p.m. 770 NLHE Monster Stack 200,000 12:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Seniors 50+ 25,000 Thu 3 Aug 12:00 p.m. 770 NLHE Monster Stack 200,000 1:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Ladies Event 10,000 Fri 4 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Monster Stack Final Day 200,000 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Main Event Day 1a 1,000,000 Sat 5 Aug 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Main Event Day 1b 1,000,000 Sun 6 Aug 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Main Event Day 1c 1,000,000 8:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Main Event Day 1d Turbo 1,000,000 Mon 7 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Main Event Day 2 1,000,000 12:00 p.m. 2,200 NLHE High Rolller 250,000 12:00 p.m. 230 NLHE Flip & Go Tue 8 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Main Event Final Day 1,000,000 12:00 p.m. NLHE High Roller Final Day 250,000 12:00 p.m. NLHE Flip & Go Final Day 12:00 p.m. 3,300 NLHE Super Curcuit Main Event Day 1a 3,000,000 Wed 9 Aug 12:00 p.m. 3,300 NLHE Super Circuit Main Event Day 1b 3,000,000 Thu 10 Aug 12:00 p.m. 3,300 NLHE Super Circuit Main Event Day 1c 3,000,000 Fri 11 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Super Circuit Main Event Day 2 3,000,000 12:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Fifty Stack Day 1a 200,000 5:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Fifty Stack Day 1b 200,000 Sat 12 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Super Circuit Main Event Day 3 3,000,000 12:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Fifty Stack Day 1c 200,000 2:00 p.m. 5,300 NLHE High Roller 500,000 5:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Fifty Stack Day 1d 200,000 10:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Fifty Stack Day 1e Turbo 200,000 Sun 13 Aug 12:00 p.m. NLHE Super Circuit Main Event Final Day 3,000,000 12:00 p.m. NLHE Fifty Stack Final Day 200,000 1:00 p.m. NLHE High Roller Final Day 500,000 1:00 p.m. 560 NLHE The Closer 50,000 1:00 p.m. 10,400 NLHE Super High Roller 500,000 Thomas Muehloecker Takes Home a $93K Score at PokerStars August 01, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor Austrian superstar Thomas "WushuTM" Muehloecker is one of the most feared and respected poker tournament grinders of his generation. Muehloecker has more than $8.1 million in live tournament earnings and several more millions from his online poker exploits. The weekend just gone, Muehloecker added another $93,217 to his totals after he came out on top of the star-studded $5,200 Titans Event at PokerStars. A compact yet ridiculously stacked field of 54 entrants fought it out for the right to grab the lion's share of the $300,000 prize pool. Only the top seven finishers received some of the pot, with Jans "Graftekkel" Arends and Bulgarian Georgi "milennial" Sandev reaching the nine-handed final table but still missing out on some prize money. Sandev was the unfortunate soul who popped the money bubble, locking in at least $13,055 for the seven survivors. "Ebaaa11" collected that sum when they saw their tournament run end in a seventh-place finish. Poland's "PAX176" got their hands on $18,166 for their sixth-place finish before Swedish online poker legend Niklas "Lena900" Astedt busted in fifth, a finish good for $25,139. Fourth place and $34,885 went to Benjamin "bencb789" Rolle, who would later win the $14,601 top prize of the $1,050 Sunday Warm-Up High Roller. Heads-up was set when "zvienaz" of Lithuania bowed out in third for $48,409. Muehloecker found himself heads-up against the 2016 Irish Open champion, Dan "NukeTheFish!" Wilson. Muehlocker got the job done and his hands on $93,217, leaving Wilson to console himself with a $67,175 runner-up prize. $5,200 Titans Event Final Table Results Rank Player Country Prize 1 Thomas "WushuTM" Muehloecker Austria $93,217 2 Dan "NukeTheFish!" WIlson United Kingdom $67,175 3 zvienaz Lithuania $48,409 4 Benjamin "bencb789" Rolle Austria $34,885 5 Niklas "Lena900" Astedt Sweden $25,139 6 PAX176 Poland $18,116 7 Ebaaa11 Montenegro $13,055 Check out the incredible Power Path promotion The PokerStars Power Path is a fantasic promotion that you simply cannot afford to not be a part of! Read more "dimadub93" Takes Down the Latest Sunday Million PKO Some 10,823 PokerStars players bought into the weekend's $109 Sunday Million, dozens of them doing so having won their seat via the value-packed Power Path promotion. All those entrants meant a guarantee-busting $1,082,300 prize pool, half of which was paid out in a traditional manner, with the remaining 50% dished out as progressive bounties. Only "Serebity_p" of Romania reached the final table but did not take home a five-figure prize; they scooped $5,876 after falling in ninth. Those who did turn their investment into more than $10,000 were "Quepacha18" of Argentina ($10,199), "fart0vbli" of Kazakhstan ($14,976), and the United Kingdom's "pppharmacy" ($14,846). "GOT3As" of Honduras ($26,706), "Heidegger807" from Canada ($32,338), and Romanian player "tzini9" ($45,008) all came agonizingly close to becoming the Sunday Million's champion, too. "dimadub93" and "vilost" progressed to the heads-up stage of the tournament, and guaranteed themselves more than $55,500 from the main prize pool, leaving a massive final bounty up for grabs. Eventually, "dimadub93" defeated their final opponent, and added $26,201 worth of bounties to their winnings, for a total haul worth $81,775. "vilost" won $61,592 for their second-place finish. $109 Sunday Million Final Table Results Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 dimadub93 Montenegro $26,201 $55,574 $81,775 2 vilost Brazil $6,024 $55,568 $61,592 3 tzini9 Romania $4,117 $40,891 $45,008 4 Heidegger807 Canada $3,956 $28,382 $32,338 5 GOT3As Hondouras $6,780 $19,926 $26,706 6 pppharmacy United Kingdom $1,258 $13,588 $14,846 7 fart0vbli Kazakhstan $5,405 $9,571 $14,976 8 Quepacha18 Argentina $3,407 $6,792 $10,199 9 Serebity_p Romania $1,042 $4,834 $5,876 Other PokerStars Results Event Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize $1,050 Sunday High Roller 120 $120,000 Qee:)AA $30,923* $109 Sunday Warm-Up 1,016 $101,600 Joao "Joao Valli" Valli $16,579 $109 Sunday Cooldown 1,098 $109,800 foxjoke $15,415* $109 Sunday Fenomeno 1,024 $102,400 AadrovanRj21 $14,691 $1,050 Sunday Warm-Up High Roller 39 $40,000 Benjamin "bencb789" Roller $14,061 $1,050 Sunday Supersonic High Roller 32 $32,000 Heidegger807 $13,583 $1,050 Sunday Cooldown 31 $31,000 Vojta "vojta555cz" Skalak $12,805* $215 Sunday Supersonic 331 $67,775 WhatifGod $12,576 "Fan do Dragon" Wins As Sunday Party Again Hits Its Guarantee The Sunday Party at PartyPoker, a $109 buy-in $100,000 guaranteed PKO tournament, hit its guarantee again this week after 1,088 players bought or won their way in. Eventually, only two of that bumper crowd remained: "Fan do Dragon" and "T-777." Both heads-up players could not win less than $6,399 from the main prize pool, which was a solid result in its own right, but both players had been actively eliminating opponents on their way to heads-up, so the last bounty payments were substantial. "T-777" was personally responsible for the early exits of 19 players, but they could not claim a 20th scalp that would have seen them become the Sunday Party champion. This meant "T-777" had to make do with a second-place finish, worth $9,459 in total, with $3,060 of that sum stemming from the bounty prize pool. "Fan do Dragon"'s haul tipped the scales at $11,902, an impressive return for PartyPoker grinder. The Sunday Party Final Table Results Rank Player Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 Fan do Dragon $5,492 $6,410 $11,902 2 T-777 $3,060 $6,399 $9,459 3 Yousee.. $1,126 $4,237 $5,453 4 Eye_Sea_Emm $666 $2,749 $3,415 5 Kelkit29 $1,107 $1,877 $2,984 6 Marcello55 $608 $1,447 $2,055 7 TamTam93 $329 $1,066 $1,395 8 Du_Du $50 $848 $898 9 PiSeinn $1,208 $672 $1,880 Jonathan Proudfoot Jonathan Proudfoot came out on top in the latest edition of The Grand at PartyPoker. Fifty players created a $50,300 prize pool, and Proudfoot got his hands on $15,283 of that sum after besting a talented group at the final table. Guillaume Nolet ($2,283), Aleks Dimitrov ($2,498), Gerasimos Deres ($2,763), and Vojtech Skalak ($3,116) all came up short. As did Josh Hopkins ($3,606), PartyPoker regular Jerry Odeen ($4,666), and third-place finisher Preben Stokkan ($6,471). Proudfoot's final opponent was Sweden's Simon Mattsson, but even the Swede could not prevent Proudfoot from emerging victoriously. Mattsson claimed the $9,611 second-place prize, leaving Proudfoot to bag $15,283. The Grand Final Table Results Rank Player Country Prize 1 Jonathan Proudfoot Ireland $15,283 2 Simon Mattsson Sweden $9,611 3 Preben Stokkan United Kingdom $6,471 4 Jerry Odeen Sweden $4,666 5 Josh Hopkins Canada $3,606 6 Vojtech Skalak Czech Republic $3,116 7 Gerasimos Deres Sweden $2,763 8 Aleks Dimitrov Bulgaria $2,498 9 Guillaume Nolet Canada $2,283 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The official thinking is that moving Space Command from Colorado to Alabama would be disruptive for military preparedness, but there seems to be a message from Biden to Sen. Tommy Tuberville in the decision. The AP reported: President Joe Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado, overturning a last-ditch decision by the Trump administration to move it to Alabama and ending months of politically fueled debate, according to senior U.S. officials. The officials said Biden was convinced by the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness. Dickinsons view, however, was in contrast to Air Force leadership, who studied the issue at length and determined that relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, was the right move. By keeping Space Command in Colorado, Biden is overturning a Trump administration decision, and it would seem is sending a message to Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who has a hold on hundreds of critical military promotions. It isnt a coincidence that Biden is stressing the need for military readiness as Tuberville is being accused of jeopardizing military readiness with his blockade over the military policy of granting leave to women servicemembers who need to travel for out-of-state reproductive healthcare. The decision by Biden is a very Dark Brandon move that is justifiable in national security terms, but it also tells Tuberville that there will be consequences for political stunts that jeopardize national security. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trumps super PAC has spent so much on legal bills that they are virtually broke and cant afford money for campaign ads. The New York Times reported: Former President Donald J. Trumps political action committee, which began last year with $105 million, now has less than $4 million left in its account after paying tens of millions of dollars in legal fees for Mr. Trump and his associates. The dwindling cash reserves in Mr. Trumps PAC, called Save America, have fallen to such levels that the group has made the highly unusual request of a $60 million refund of a donation it had previously sent to a pro-Trump super PAC. This money had been intended for television commercials to help Mr. Trumps candidacy, but as he is the dominant front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, his most immediate problems appear to be legal, not political. If only Republicans had a formidable candidate with lots of money running against Trump who could take advantage of the former presidents inability to spend on his campaign. Republicans have no such candidate. Instead, they have Ron DeSantis. Gov. DeSantis has loads of campaign resources to work with, but he is a human faceplant each time he attempts to interact on the campaign trail. This is how it is going to be for Republicans. Trump is going to divert massive amounts of money that should be for his presidential campaign to pay legal bills, and who will benefit from this situation? President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party will benefit. People forget that one of the many reasons that Trump lost in 2020 was that his campaign ran out of money. The same thing is happening again in 2024. Donald Trump is already running out of cash because he is facing 75 felony charges. Those charges arent going away, which is why Democrats should be ready to benefit from what will probably be another underfunded Trump campaign. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Two former Republican candidates who are loyal to Donald Trump have been charged with felonies related to possessing and tampering with voting machines in Michigan. Via The AP: Matthew DePerno, a Republican lawyer who was endorsed by Trump in an unsuccessful run for Michigan attorney general last year, was charged with undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy, according to Oakland County court records. Daire Rendon, a former Republican state representative, was charged with conspiracy to commit undue possession of a voting machine and false pretenses. These are the latest Michigan indictments related to Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. A pro-Trump lawyer said that she was felony indicted in the voting machine plot, and the state also felony indicted 16 fake Trump electors. The message being sent by law enforcement in Michigan is that no one will get away with corrupting democracy and messing with elections in their state. A similar plot unfolded in Georgia, where voting machines were tampered with and data extracted. In Fulton County, Georgia, DA Fani Willis got the fake electors to flip and take immunity deals in exchange for their testimony. Willis appears to be going after those who masterminded the plot. It will be interesting to see if the same trajectory is about to unfold in Michigan. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Fulton County DA Fani Willis has subpoenaed a former Georgia state senator who was present for Rudy Giulianis presentation and claims of Georgia election fraud. CNN reported: Former Georgia Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan received subpoenas to testify before a Fulton County grand jury later this month, she told CNN. The subpoenas to Jordan and independent journalist George Chidi are the strongest indication yet that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis intends to seek indictments in her criminal probe into efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. On December 3, 2020, Jordan was at the Georgia Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing about election integrity during which Giuliani, then a Trump lawyer, and other supporters of the former president spread conspiracy theories about widespread irregularities and fraud in the state. The fact that Willis wants witness testimony on Guilianis election fraud presentation would suggest bad things for Trumps former lawyer. It would not be surprising if Giuliani ends up indicted for both the 1/6 federal crimes, and state violations of Georgia election law. There are currently two grand juries meeting in Fulton County. Willis will make a two-day presentation before one of them before indictments are issued. According to evidence uncovered by the 1/6 Committee, it was Giuliani who told Trump to say that the election was stolen on Election Night. Guiliani was Trumps right-hand man in the coup plot, and if anyone deserves to come out of these cases with felony convictions along with Donald Trump, its Rudy Giuliani. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print House Oversight Committee ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) ripped Chair James Comer (R-KY) for using an investigation into Biden to distract from Trumps one-man crime wave. Raskin said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA: For months, Chairman Comer has asked America to trust that he has evidence of criminal wrongdoing by President Biden as Fox News anchors have questioned his persistent claims about that. Now, Hunter Bidens own business partner has stated that: President Biden was not involved in his sons business affairs, and that President Biden was never asked to, nor did he, take any official actions in relation to those business matters. Mr. Archer stated that President Biden and his son talked every day, especially after Beau Bidens untimely death. He explained that, over the span of nearly a decade, he witnessed around 20 of those calls happen while other people were present in the room. Those calls were all about mundane subjects like the weather, geography, and other niceties and pleasantries. According to Mr. Archer, the calls were not about Hunter Bidens business dealings. Mr. Archer also confirmed that Hunter Biden was selling the illusion of access to his father. With Burisma being the focus of Republican questioning at todays transcribed interview with Mr. Archer, its clear that Chairman Comer is simply chasing the long-discredited bribery allegations first peddled and trumpeted by Rudy Giuliani and his team. As much as Chairman Comer tries to pretend that theres something new and shocking here, todays interview merely provides further confirmation that he is pursuing a baseless re-run of allegations that were thoroughly investigated and rejected by Trumps own Justice Department in 2020 and rehashed in the Senate Republicans 2020 investigation of the same bank records that the Trump-led Department of Justice and the press corps had already obtained and assessed. Indeed, the only real substantive development is that the world now knows that Rudy Giulianis former associate Lev Parnas and the head of Burisma, Mykola Zlochevsky, have both contradicted and wholly rebutted the false accusations against President Biden. Parnas has emphasized that there is nothing to the corruption allegations and has called upon Chairman Comer to call off his wild goose chase. Today, Mr. Archer explicitly stated that he is unaware of any $5 million payments to the Bidens and did not believe the allegations of bribery in the FBI Form 1023 were credible, thus debunking the unverified tip sheet Republicans released last week. Furthermore, Mr. Archer explained that it was common for Mr. Zlochevsky and other Ukrainian executives to brag, exaggerate, and lie about purported payments. Mr. Archer explained he was not aware of any actual evidence of corruption, wrongdoing, or impropriety on the part of President Biden. Ultimately, if you take Chairman Comers word that this investigation is only about President Biden, then his obsessive fascination with the Presidents son makes it obvious that his priority investigation today is just a desperate effort to distract everyone from former President Donald Trumps mounting criminal indictments and deepening legal morass. Try as he might, Chairman Comer has yet again failed to produce any evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden. Meanwhile, Trump remains a one-man crime wave. Comer Is Trying To Create A Biden And Trump False Equivalency The point of Comers investigation goes beyond a mere distraction. House Republicans have an obvious purpose with these Biden investigations. Comer, Jordan, and Speaker McCarthy want to create the appearance that Biden and Trump are the same because doing so would reduce voter turnout and interest in the 2024 election. Over the last several election cycles, it has become clear that Republicans can only win federal elections when voters dont show up. The Republican goal is to make 2024 a base election because the GOP knows that Trumps base will show up no matter what. To accomplish this, they are trying to discourage potential Biden voters with endless smears and distractions. Trump has been a powerfully motivating tool for anti-Republican turnout, so the odds are that this scheme will fail. James Comer seems to sense that he is failing, but the right will do anything to try to distract from Trump and make Joe Biden the story, Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Vice President Kamala Harris rejected Gov. Ron DeSantiss invitation to debate his pro-slavery educational curriculum in Florida. Vice President Harris said in Orlando, Florida: We even see extremists ban books and attempt to erase, and even rewrite, the ugly parts of our history. Right here in Florida, they plan to teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates. And now they attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates with a proposal that most recently came in of a politically-motivated roundtable. I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery. As I said last week when I was again here in Florida: we will not stop calling out and fighting back against extremist so-called leaders who try to prevent our children from learning our true and full history. Video of Harris: Vice President Harris correctly called out DeSantiss invitation as politically motivated and made him look like a racist fool for wanting to debate the merits of the undebatable evil of slavery. Harris isnt going to call DeSantis out directly that would be giving him and his failing presidential campaign exactly what he and it want. DeSantis is looking for the White House to elevate him so that he can appear to be presidential and an equal to President Biden and Vice President Harris. While Trump would have engaged DeSantis or anyone directly when he was president, Biden and Harris are much smarter about the platform that they occupy. Trump was constantly elevating people by fighting with them. Biden and Harris knew exactly what DeSantis was doing and denied what he wanted most all the while calling him an extremist who is trying to divide and gaslight America. Score this exchange as a giant win for the White House and VP Harris. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print There is a warning sign in new fundraising data that Trumps donors are not opening their wallets and giving as much money with each new indictment. Politico reported: All told, Trump raised nearly $4 million via WinRed from nearly 80,000 distinct donors April 4, the day he pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court on charges of falsification of business records related to payouts to porn star Stormy Daniels. It was his best online fundraising day of the year. By contrast, when Trump appeared in Miami court June 13 to plead not guilty to his second indictment on charges related to classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago, he raised only $1.3 million from just over 35,0000 donors, according to WinRed data. Overall, roughly one-quarter of Trumps total WinRed fundraising this calendar year $11.3 million came in between March 30 and April 5, according to a POLITICO analysis of the groups FEC filing. Trumps Constant Appeals For Cash Are Wearing Out His Donors Political campaigns always worry about donor fatigue. Trump has been warned in the past about his constant appeals to voters for money. Trump asks for money so often that he has hurt the fundraising efforts of Republicans running in other races. It appears that the rage and shock of the indictments are wearing off. Angry, outrage, and fear have their limits as political tools. When voters or donors are overexposed to one type of message or tone, eventually even the most dedicated will tune out and stop paying attention. Trumps super PAC is virtually broke from paying his legal bills, and if donors are fatigued, Trump may not have the money to pay for a presidential campaign even if he becomes the Republican nominee. It is a looming disaster to force Republicans to choose whether they will prop up Trump, defend their slim House majority, or pursue willing back the Senate. If the donations dry up, Republicans could be in big trouble. As a result of enemy shelling of Kherson, a hit was recorded in a health facility, a doctor was killed, a nurse was wounded, head of the city military administration Roman Mrochko said. "Today at 11:10 the enemy fired again at the civilians of our community. The hit occurred in one of the health facilities, as a result of which a young doctor died, who has been working in office for only a few days, and a nurse was wounded, for whose life our doctors are now fighting," Mrochko said on his Telegram channel on Tuesday. "Sincere condolences to the family of the deceased doctor," he said. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm late. Low 74F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm late. Low 74F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. A statement released Wednesday, Aug. 9, by Goose Creek Police Department Chief LJ Roscoe highlights a four-day effort to zero in on sexual predators. The sobering results warranted a cautious reminder to parents and guardians to be on point with watching their children's internet use. Read moreGoose Creek Police: Internet predators are prolific Morris Street was given the honorary name of Brooks Way this week, paying homage to two brothers who helped shape the Charleston peninsula's Black business community for more than six decades. Descendants of the late Albert Brooks and Benjamin Brooks and others gathered at Felix and Morris streets on July 31 to unveil a sign marking the intersection where several of their ventures once thrived. The lettering for the front door of their former real estate office is still faintly visible, covered with a layer of black paint. Steps away, the green honorary street sign is now a marker of the past. As one family member, Jean Brooks-Murphy, read off a list of businesses that once stood in the neighborhood, the older individuals in the crowd nodded and muttered "yeah" in collective remembrance. She said without the support of the community all these years, there would be no legacy to celebrate today. Morris Street itself has undergone many changes throughout Charlestons history, but the sense of community has remained steadfast even as the landscape changed. It was once where newly emancipated African Americans started their lives with newfound freedom, where the National Freedmans Relief Association opened the first public school for Black children in South Carolina and where civil rights leaders like Coretta Scott King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Martin Luther King Sr. and others were welcomed. The Brooks brothers built and owned a number of businesses along the corridor, including the Brooks Motel, Brooks Restaurant and Brooks Realty. They served their predominately Black community in more ways than one by providing valuable services during a time of division and segregation. They also were a communal gathering place. In 1963, the Brooks Motel opened in a mid-century building at 60 Morris St. At the time, it was considered the largest and one of the few lodging options for African Americans in the area. Martin Luther King Sr. and other civil rights leaders stayed at the motel, while nearby Morris Street Baptist Church and Morris Brown AME Church held rallies during Charleston labor strikes and protests. The motel was demolished in the early 2000s and replaced with apartments, but its legacy continues to live on. Brooks Restaurant at 58 Morris St. was known as a safe place for members of the Black community to gather during a time of social unrest before and after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Before it's closure in 1979, it was heralded as a restaurant for everyone, with five dining rooms. From 1959 to 1961, The Green Book a national publication providing Black travelers with lists of welcoming hotels, restaurants and service stations listed their dining establishment as one of three in Charleston that welcomed African Americans. Brooks Realty and Brooks Restaurant were active until Albert Brooks death in 1993. Benjamin Brooks died in 2016. Morris Street historically contained one of the highest concentrations of Black-owned and operated businesses, offices and residences in the city, according to records kept by the city. The dedication is part of a larger effort to help preserve and share the history and significance of the Morris Street corridor. The Preservation Society of Charleston previously launched an online exhibit dedicated to ensuring accessibility of that information. A lot of people think preservation is just about the buildings, but that couldn't be farther from the truth," Preservation Society CEO Brian Turner said. "It's also about social and our cultural connections and the bonds that form us. The Brooks' motel and restaurant, as I've learned, became the social backbone of the Black community downtown." Kenneth Henry Reid fondly recalled his youth helping his uncles with the family businesses. He said he remembers driving down Morris Street in a Pontiac LeMans station wagon and seeing the Brooks' business signs towering over the neighborhood farther down the block. He said the brothers worked 16-hour days, seven days a week. This was a vibrant neighborhood. When I come here and look around, I still feel that even though those buildings arent here anymore, he said. Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said that an installation on the Brooks family will be added in the praise house at DeReef Park. We will continue to honor and tell the story for generations to come, he said. SUMMERVILLE A national builder wants to disturb about a dozen acres of wetlands to build a 661-home development off Interstate 26 on a large parcel recently annexed into this once-sleepy town west of Charleston. D.R. Horton is asking federal regulators to approve filling 10.7 acres of wetlands and excavating 1.6 acres for road crossings and infrastructure on an 836-acre tract at Drop Off Drive and Sheep Island Road near Nexton Parkway interchange. The residential subdivision would sit on 311 acres of higher ground "while avoiding and minimizing wetland impacts to the greatest extent practicable," according to the environmental permit application. To offset disturbance of the wetlands, the Texas-based homebuilder plans to put restrictive covenants on 542 acres, including 504 acres of wetlands and a 25-foot buffer that encompasses 38 acres of high ground. D.R. Horton is proposing that the preservation would qualify the builder for a 25 percent reduction in required mitigation credits, and it would buy about 106 wetland credits through a Palmetto State mitigation bank with a site in Berkeley County. The homebuilder's move comes after Miami-based land-banking firm HIC Land LLC paid $4 million earlier this year for a 122-acre parcel in the same nearly 1,000-acre tract that Summerville annexed in 2020. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! The sold site extends from Drop Off Drive near I-26 to Sheep Island Road, near the rear portion of the age-restricted 55-plus Del Webb Nexton neighborhood. The first 177 homes were approved last year near Linda Way for the initial two phases of residential development, according to Summerville planning director Jessi Shuler. The nearly 1,000-acre parcel, including the sold tract, has been approved as a planned-unit development with about 700 housing units. HIC has been shepherding the land through the permitting process, with D.R. Horton as the homebuilder for the tract. Neither company responded to requests for comment. The large swath annexed by Summerville extends from I-26 to Wildgame Road, west of the 5,000-acre Nexton development. COLUMBIA The state's largest university will automatically admit South Carolina students who graduate high school in the top 10 percent of their classes in an effort to keep the University of South Carolina accessible. USC announced the initiative Aug. 1, the same day applications for 2024 admissions opened. To be eligible to join the university, students will still need to complete 19 college preparation classes with a high enough grade. Student rankings are created on the high school level based on class grades. USC already receives rankings for 90 percent of SC residents, including students in home school associations. If a school doesnt provide a ranking, USC can still determine the top 10 percent from GPA data from the school. USC currently admits half of the top-10 block of students in South Carolina, said USC Vice President for Enrollment Management, Scott Verzyl. Even with guaranteed admissions, Verzyl isn't expecting all of top-10 students to apply to USC, but he does hope 100 to 200 students who didn't think they were competitive will be swayed to join. "It's harder to know why the ones who are not applying are not doing so. We believe that there are at least some who don't think they're competitive," he said. Verzyl doesn't expect this admissions change to have a substantial effect on the size of the incoming classes nor the racial demographics of incoming students. "We hope it'll increase the in-state number," he said. This announcement comes just over a month after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, shaking up college admissions across the country. USC already didn't consider race in admissions, Verzyl said, but is still awaiting guidance from university lawyers and the Department of Education on its diversity measures. The victim of a violent attack on the evening of Aug. 7 in McClellanville believes that a witness' intervention during a reported assault may have saved her life. Read moreWoman survives assault on Hwy. 17 Former Hampton banker Russell Laffitte is awaiting sentencing in Charleston's federal courthouse this morning for helping disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh steal millions from clients. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel is expected to hear legal arguments and, potentially, statements from victims and Laffitte's supporters before imposing a sentence. 4:46 p.m. update: Gergel then read his sentence: Laffitte will serve 84 months, or seven years, in federal prison. He must pay the more than $3 million worth of restitution in mandatory monthly installments of $2,000. A portion of the money will be jointly paid by Murdaugh. Gergels decision is two years less than the minimum proposed in the pre-sentencing report. The judge took into account Laffittes character, describing the defendant as a good parent and spouse who is active in his community. But Laffitte was an active participant in carrying out methodical financial crimes, Gergel said. Laffitte victimized vulnerable people minors and those with severe injuries in an eight-year criminal conspiracy of fraud and deception, the judge said. Gergel recommended Laffitte serve his sentence at the federal prison in Jesup. Laffitte can voluntarily turn himself in. 4:03 p.m. update: Moore is delivering his reply to the government's argument. Laffitte expressed the amount of remorse he's able to given the state criminal charges pending against him, Moore said. Gergel didn't seem convinced. Sometimes the court has to impose responsibility when the defendant won't accept it himself, the judge said: "And that's what I intend to do." Moore asked Gergel to request the Federal Bureau of Prisons to place Laffitte at the facility in Jesup, Georgia. The medium-security prison is about a 2-hour drive from Laffitte's home and has vocational programs he can participate in. Gergel agreed. Moore also asked Gergel to recommend Laffitte for the Residential Drug Abuse Program, which provides substance use treatment for eligible inmates. Non-violent offenders who complete the program can have their sentences reduced by up to one year. Gergel agreed; a redacted memo from Laffitte's defense team disclosed a history of substance use in his family. 3:52 p.m. update: Limehouse spoke after the victims. Prosecutors cannot reconcile the Laffitte portrayed by his friends and family members with the man his victims describe. Laffitte didn't help the Plyler sisters, Hakeem Pinkney or Natarsha Thomas in their deepest time of need like he did for so many of his community members, Limehouse said. The prosecutor also emphasized Laffitte's apparent lack of remorse. The defendant apologized to the victims today but continues to minimize his role in the financial scheme and point his finger at Murdaugh, his co-conspirator, Limehouse said. White collar criminals are the easiest kind of criminals to deter, Gergel said, meaning the punishments handed to them readily discourage others from committing similar conduct. Limehouse agreed, but said these criminals are the hardest to get because they sit in positions of power. If it weren't for Murdaugh's swift and epic downfall, Laffitte never would've been held accountable, she said. Gergel dismissed the courtroom for a short break. 3:37 p.m. update: Limehouse, one of the prosecutors, is presenting the government's case. She invited Hannah Plyler and Alania Spohn to address Gergel, along with the sisters' attorneys, Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter. Plyler described herself as one of Laffitte's victims. The former banker used Plyler's conservatorship account to extend loans to himself and Murdaugh. Laffitte used money from another one of Murdaugh's legal clients to repay what he'd taken from Plyler's account. Spohn, who spoke at Laffitte's November trial, rehashed much of her testimony. She emphasized her vulnerability; Spohn was a young teen who'd lost her mother and older brother in a car crash when Laffitte became her conservator. Both Spohn and Plyler told Gergel today was the first time they'd heard Laffitte apologize for his actions. "Grown and trusted men took advantage of two little girls," Spohn said. Spohn forgives Laffitte and prays for his family every day, she added. Natarsha Thomas and her attorney Justin Bamberg spoke next. She asked Gergel to give Laffitte the sentence he deserves. Bamberg compared stories Laffitte's friends and family members had told earlier in the day about the defendant's generosity and willingness to help with the lack of care he showed the victims. Thomas and her cousin Hakeem Pinckney were riding in a car driven by Pinckney's mother Pamela when one of its tires burst. Hakeem was paralyzed in the crash; Thomas lost partial vision; Pamela suffered several broken bones. Laffitte never visited Hakeem in the nursing home where he spent the end of his life, Bamberg said a sharp contrast from the man who drove to Georgia to help his friend recover after a Category 5 hurricane blew through his home. Pamela was the final victim to speak, describing the pain of losing her son. "I forgive you, but I will never forget you," she said, turning toward Laffitte. 2:55 p.m. update: Moore, another one of Laffitte's lawyers, spoke to Gergel next. Moore reminded the judge he has the discretion to impose a prison term shorter or longer than the one recommended in the pre-sentence report. Moore, who joined Laffitte's team in January after the defendant parted ways with his trial attorneys, said he wasn't sure if he and Laffitte were going to get along. Moore had heard the word "arrogant" used to describe Laffitte, he said. It couldn't be further from the truth, Moore said. "He wasn't tried for being arrogant," Gergel said. Moore and the judge entered a lengthy back-and-forth exchange about the case and Gergel's job to impose a fair sentence. Laffitte wasn't the "number one bad guy" in carrying out these financial schemes, Gergel said. The judge was also glad to hear him apologize to the victims, whom he characterized as extremely vulnerable people. Sentencing a defendant is the worst part of Gergel's job, he said: "Every time I sentence someone, I send their families to prison." But if we're going to have a rule of law in our society, we've got to have accountability, the judge said. 2:25 p.m. update: Court is back in session after a lunch break. Defense attorney Cheryl Shoun is addressing Gergel. She's explaining the various lenses through which she views her client's case. Like Laffitte, Shoun is a mother; it's the most important role in her life, she said. Shoun grew up in a tiny coal mining community in West Virginia; much about Laffitte's case is familiar to her, she said. She highlighted pieces of testimony from the nine people who spoke on Laffitte's behalf, as well as those who'd written letters to Gergel in his defense. Shoun told the judge that she'd left her hometown two weeks after graduating from high school, never to return. Laffitte did the opposite, she said, because he loves Hampton. She described him as a pillar of the community, and emphasized his devotion to his family. Laffitte admits to mistakes and gaps in judgement, Shoun said. "The mercy we request goes to many, not just Russell," the attorney concluded. 1:17 p.m. update: One of Laffitte's best friends spoke next, telling Gergel about a promise Laffitte had made to Susie: to have dinner with their children every night, no matter how busy he was with work. Laffitte's daughter Carter then addressed Gergel. She and her father are attached at the hip, Carter said. They both share an interest in banking and turkey hunting, and are hugely devoted to the Hampton community. Carter tearfully asked the judge to consider what effects "removing" Laffitte will have: "I ask that you show mercy on my father and my family." The last speaker, Virginia Harper Breen, has a personal connection with Gergel. Breen's father, who suddenly died in 2017, was a friend of the judge. Breen grew up in a tiny town in Hampton County. She described how Laffitte helped Breen and her brother navigate their father's estate in the wake of his death and continue managing a complex timber business. Breen also addressed Laffitte's love of Hampton County, and how he stayed when many of his professional counterparts left. People like Laffitte are essential to ensuring the poor county thrives, Breen said. Laffitte himself spoke to Gergel next. The defendant, reading from a piece of paper, said he regretted his actions and failures. He apologized for the errors of his judgement, and for loaning money to himself and Murdaugh from Hannah Plyler's conservatorship account. "I now see the failures on my end," Laffitte said. The man turned to face those sitting inside the packed courtroom, addressing each of the victims by name: Pamela Pinckney, mother of the now-deceased Hakeem Pinckney; Alania and Hannah Plyler; Natarsha Thomas; Arthur Badger; and Malik Williams. Laffitte apologized to each person for the various hardships they went through many had suffered serious injury or lost loved ones in car accidents. He also apologized to many of them for not doing his job as conservator of their settlement accounts. He apologized to the customers of Palmetto State Bank, whom he said he'd let down. He apologized to his family members, thanking them for their support and prayers. Laffitte asked Gergel for mercy not so much for himself, but for his family. The judge dismissed everyone for a lunch break. The hearing will resume at 2 p.m. 12:42 p.m. update: A man from Seminole County in Georgia spoke next. A former banker and friend of Laffitte's for 13 years, the man recounted ways Laffitte has shown up to help and support him in difficult times, including when his 17-year-old son died in a boating accident and during a Category 5 hurricane. The defendant's friend described Laffitte as a good, God-fearing man who puts his family members and neighbors first in all his decisions. Laffitte's wife Susie addressed Gergel next. Before she began telling the judge about their marriage and relationship, the woman said she realized there are people in the courtroom who have "lost so much." Her husband realizes it too, Susie said. The defendant has lost weight from a lack of appetite, doesn't sleep well at night and constantly questions himself for "why he didn't do a better job for all the victims," his wife said. Laffitte is a committed father who has modeled kindness, generosity, hard work and giving back to the community to the couple's two children: Carter, 20, and 18-year-old Luke. Parenting without Laffitte by her side is the thing that frightens Susie most about the drastic changes her family faces, she said. Susie described Laffitte as Carter and Luke's hero. A woman who said she's known Laffitte for several decades spoke next. She tearfully recounted the many ways Laffitte has served the Hampton community. "I know others have suffered throughout this ordeal," she told Gergel, "but please do not think Russell and his family have not. They've suffered greatly. "I'm begging you to please show him that mercy I've been praying for." A pastor in the Hampton community for more than two decades then spoke. He met Laffitte several years ago but recently began having one-on-one meetings with the defendant. Laffitte shared very little information with the pastor about his criminal case, and the pastor didn't ask, he said. The pastor was there instead to make sure Laffitte was hearing from a man who had made mistakes: "God forgave him, and God will do the same for Russell." 12:08 p.m. update: After the short break, defense attorney Mark Moore told Gergel his team and the prosecutors came to an agreement with regard to criminal forfeiture. The amount was reduced about 25 percent to $85,245.02. Gergel then asked Laffitte's defense team to present its case for the appropriate sentence for their client. Laffitte will exercise his right to allocution, Moore said, meaning he will address the court. Nine other people will speak on Laffitte's behalf. First, the Rev. Thomas Kelly described the powerful family bankers as a trustworthy, hardworking bunch who are an integral part of the Hampton community. Kelly told Gergel he'd put his last dollar on a table and turn his back if Laffitte was the only person in the room. Laffitte's 84-year-old mother spoke next. She said she wanted Gergel to know who he's sentencing today, describing him as the linchpin of the Laffitte family. "I will miss Russell's daily calls and visits," the woman tearfully said, adding she hoped to live long enough to hug Laffitte as a free man. 11:39 a.m. update: Gergel adopted the pre-sentence report as written after overruling the defense attorneys' objections. The report recommends Laffitte receive a prison sentence between nine and 11 years. The judge is now hearing arguments about restitution, or how much money Laffitte owes to the victims of his financial crimes. Defense attorney Michael Parente suggested Murdaugh, as a co-conspirator in the case, is partially responsible for any restitution. Gergel overruled each of Parente's proposed challenges, finding Laffitte owes $3,555,884.80 in restitution. The judge declined to impose any fines. Gergel next heard arguments about criminal forfeiture property used or derived by the crime. The government asked for about $116,000. Parente suggested Laffitte wouldn't be able to pay both the restitution and forfeiture amounts. "I'm not sure that's true," Gergel said, pointing to pre-sentence report which states Laffitte has around $10 million in assets and $5 million of liabilities. The judge sent everyone on a 10-minute break before making a decision on criminal forfeiture. 11:04 a.m. update: Laffitte's team of defense attorneys presented three objections to their client's pre-sentence report, which outlines the nature of the offense, the defendant's criminal history and various sentencing options available under federal guidelines. Their challenges largely have to do with the level of Laffitte's involvement in Murdaugh's financial schemes, through which the defendant received more than $400,000 over an eight-year period. Gergel denied each of the defense attorneys' objections after listening to both them and the government's response. Laffitte, through his positions as a bank officer and the fiduciary of accounts belonging to Murdaugh's legal clients, severely abused public trust, the judge said. There is overwhelming evidence that Laffitte was an integral part of helping Murdaugh steal, Gergel added. 10:20 a.m. update: Russell Laffitte's sentencing hearing began shortly after 10 a.m. inside a courtroom packed to the brim with his family members, friends and other supporters. A long line of people eager to watch the proceeding spilled onto the sidewalk outside the brick building on Broad Street. The courtroom had already reached capacity by 9:30 a.m. a half-hour before the hearing began. Reporters and other observers who didn't get a seat were directed to an overflow room to watch the hearing via livestream. Audio quality inside the overflow room is poor, and it's difficult to understand the speakers inside the courtroom. Federal prosecutor Emily Limehouse began by telling U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel about two deals they proposed to Laffitte. In the first option, Limehouse said the government is recommending a 72-month federal prison sentence to run concurrent with any sentence Laffitte might receive if he's convicted of the state charges currently pending against him. Laffitte would also have to waive his post-conviction rights, Limehouse said. This includes his right to appeal any federal sentence, which Laffitte has said he planned to do. The offer is also contingent upon Laffitte taking full responsibility of his actions. In the second option, Limehouse said the government proposes an 87-month federal prison sentence. Laffitte wouldn't be required to make any admissions of guilt, but he would have to make full restitutions to all victims of the financial crimes within a certain time period, the prosecutor said. Laffitte would also have to waive all his appellate rights. Laffitte told Gergel he was aware of the two proposals. Laffitte's defense attorneys are now going over their objections to the pre-sentencing report. Federal prosecutors previously asked Gergel to impose a stiff sentence, in part, because they say Laffitte has refused to accept his guilt. Laffitte's attorneys say that isn't true but maintain he was an enabler to Murdaugh, not an active conspirator. Laffitte, 52, is the first person accused of participating in Murdaughs web of financial crimes to face a prison sentence. This comes eight months after a jury found him guilty of a raft of financial crimes. The former chief executive of Palmetto State Bank, Laffitte served as a court-appointed custodian of some Murdaugh clients money. As a banker, Laffitte personally handled the checks Murdaugh used to divert their settlement funds to pad his bank account and pay down his debts. As a custodian, he failed to intervene, even though the clients names were printed on the checks. Murdaugh, 55, has yet to be tried in connection with those crimes, but he is serving two life sentences in connection with the killings of his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, at the family's Colleton County hunting estate in June 2021. COLLETON COUNTY A man accused of killing six family members in Green Pond is now facing a slew of new charges, including arson for setting their house on fire. On July 2, a neighbor called 911 after noticing flames at the home on Folly Creek Lane and an injured child outside after she escaped the inferno. Inside, emergency crews found the bodies of Maggie Magwood, 101; Amos Magwood, 73; Michelle Wright, 50; Jefferson A. Burnell, 49; Sa-Riya Manigo, 11; and Shamiah Rutledge, 7. The only survivor, a 13-year-old girl, told officials she played dead and escaped after the massacre. The information she provided to investigators led to the arrest of Ryan Lenard Manigo, whose daughter was among the victims. Arrest warrant affidavits say Manigo "entered the residence under the cloak of darkness while armed with a knife, stabbed family members to death and set the residence on fire." According to the affidavits, he also sexually assaulted several of the victims. Im thinking that he need not life in prison," David Magwood, who is related to those killed, said at a bond hearing on July 31. "He need to suffer for a little while; and if theres something yall can do to make him suffer, thats what wed like to see you do." Tensions were high among those attending the hearing, held in the County Council's chambers in Walterboro. Manigo waived his right to appear. He remained locked up in the jail just behind the makeshift courtroom. "I do not forgive him," Demia Maggie Magwood said. "The hatred I have for him, its going to take a while to even get to that stage. We are still grieving." After the hearing, she added that each new development in the case made the family grieve their loss all over again. Manigo was initially charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder hours after the grisly scene was discovered on July 2. He now faces three additional counts of murder, bringing the total to five. Each count carries a penalty between 30 years and life imprisonment, according to a statement from the solicitor's office. It made no mention of death, which a magistrate judge on July 31 said is also a possible punishment. The solicitor's office declined to say whether it might pursue the death penalty in this case. Manigo was also charged with first-degree arson for the fire, which authorities say resulted in the death of the 101-year-old matriarch. The offense carries a minimum sentence of 30 years in person. Other charges against Manigo include two counts of kidnapping, five sexual assault offenses, six weapons offenses and a count of burglary. He has been held without bond since July 2. He was denied bond again on July 31. SULLIVAN'S ISLAND The body of a swimmer who went missing on Sullivan's Island around 3 p.m. July 29 has been recovered, according to authorities. Elijah Giddiens was found by the U.S. Coast Guard in Shem Creek early on July 31, according to the Charleston County Coroner's Office, which identified the 23-year-old Charleston man. Shem Creek is about 5 miles north of where he was reported missing, near Station 13 on the western tip of the island. On July 29, Andy Benke, Sullivans Island town administrator, said the town deployed two boats and a jet ski to search for the swimmer. U.S. Coast Guard units assisted, sending a helicopter and boat to surveil the ocean and nearby Charleston Harbor. But the search was called off just after 5:30 p.m. due to heavy rain and rough currents. Efforts to find the man resumed the next day, but it wasn't until 7:15 a.m. July 31 that the Coast Guard found the body. Before the end of the year, we plan to launch the Ukraine-NATO Council at all levels, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna has said. "By the end of the year, we plan to launch the Ukraine-NATO Council, established in Vilnius, at all levels. Ukraine's partners in the Alliance should send a clear signal that the very fact of the creation of the Ukraine-NATO Council means the start of joint work on all issues related to Ukraine. In essence, NATO remains the only structure in which the principle 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' applies. We very much hope that the decisions of Vilnius will change this," the Deputy Prime Minister press service said, citing Stefanishyna, following a meeting with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia by Gordan Grlic-Radman. At the meeting, the parties discussed the movement of Ukraine to the EU and reforms along the way. For his part, Grlic-Radman assured of continuing and strengthening support for Ukraine on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. As a medical educator, Im always thinking about how to mitigate the physician shortage crisis in South Carolina. A recent commentary in The Post and Courier has prompted me to offer some clarification and context around this crisis and how we can better address it. Read moreCommentary: SC needs more doctors. Here's what MUSC is doing about it. The town of Lexington had big plans for a new resort community, complete with two hotels, a marina, up to 1,000 privately owned homes and a conference center funded in part with state tax dollars. To make it work, though, the town would have to leapfrog a body of water to annex a 93-acre tract of property, and critics converged last month on a public hearing to argue that was illegal a protest that, as The Post and Courier's Leah Hincks reports, was followed shortly by the property owners decision to withdraw their request for annexation. Perhaps that contention sounds familiar to folks around Charleston, which has been the subject of multiple S.C. Supreme Court battles over annexation across bodies of water. Our history should dispel the notion that theres anything ambiguous or unclear about state law, which the court has made clear really means what it says when it allows municipalities to annex property across water as if the water were not there. Specifically, S.C. Code Section 5-3-305 says that while municipalities cant use a waterway (or a road, or other connective tissue) to establish contiguity think shoestring annexations up interstate highways if the waterway intervenes between two properties, which but for the intervening connector would be adjacent and share a continuous border, the intervening connector does not destroy contiguity. So the suggestion by Lexington Rep. Chris Wooten that the law needs to be clarified is off-base. What he means is the law should be restricted, so it would be even more difficult than it already is for S.C. cities and towns to grow as the demand for municipal services grows. And yes, as difficult as it is to believe, it actually is possible to give towns and cities even less leeway than they already have to grow in an orderly fashion. Although some states allow municipalities to annex adjacent property when it reaches a certain population density or develops other urban characteristics, our law requires that at least 75% of the property owners, who own at least 75% of the property, ask to be annexed. But while we reject the argument that state law is either ambiguous or too permissive, were always on the lookout for a compromise that can give each side something it wants, and we see the potential for one here. Whats different about the water annexations in and around Charleston and the on-hold effort in the Midlands is the water in question: In Charleston, the question has involved annexing across a river. For Lexington, it was Lake Murray, which is about 14 miles long and 41 miles wide. The town didnt plan to jump over 41 miles of water as if it were not there it was less than a mile across the cove where it wanted to annex and only a couple of miles away by land but theres nothing in state law to prohibit such a leap. Lets be realistic: Having one part of a town 41 miles or even 14 miles away from another part or effectively much more than that when you try to drive around a lake is not realistic. Particularly but not exclusively if theres an intervening municipality. How do you handle police calls and fire calls and all the other services when part of the town is a 45-minute drive away from the nearest edge of the town proper? And what about 20 miles? Ten miles? Five miles? Were not sure what the magic number is where a water-based annexation ceases to be reasonable, but there certainly is such a number. And given all the very reasonable changes we actually need to our antiquated annexation law, its not unreasonable to try to work out a deal: You want to limit water annexations? Well, we want cities and towns to be able to expand their limits to encompass the adjacent, already-urban population. We could start by prohibiting annexations across, say, 2 miles or more of water; in return, cities could annex so-called doughnut holes of up to 25 acres about half the size of the College of Charleston campus that have been completely surrounded by the city for at least five years. Or cut it down to half-mile water annexations in return for an urban-density law, which allows annexations without the owners consent once the adjacent property achieves certain characteristics spelled out in the law. The details of a deal are less important than the idea of a deal and the reminder that such agreements are much easier to identify if youre looking for them than if youre looking to make sure they never happen. Thats something our elected officials need to recognize along with the idea that compromise is a good thing, something to be sought out, rather than something to be condemned. Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier. FLORENCE A free Heirs' Property and Land seminar will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Public Library, 509 S. Dargan St., Florence. The seminar is sponsored by the Florence section of the National Council of Negro Women. It will be conducted by the Center for Heirs Property Preservation, which recently opened an office in Florence. The seminar will focus on the heirs legal rights and the risks within the Heirs' Property and Sustainable Forest Program. The center's experts will discuss forestry education and services to help landowners learn the values of managing their forestland for greater income and how to increase generational wealth from their property. The seminar also will feature information about the legal education and direct legal services to help families reach agreements, clear title to family land and probate estates. It also will inform landowners about how to get federal grants so any improvements of their land is not paid for by the landowners. The Center for Heirs Property Preservation is a nonprofit that protects heirs' property and promotes the sustainable use of land to provide increased income to historically underserved landowners. It has been protecting heirs' property through legal education and direct legal service since 2015. The Center for Heirs Property Preservation opened its Florence office, 1831 W. Evans Street, Suite 312, in July. It had an open house July 17. "Property matters to people. It's far more than just a parcel of land, it can be the window to the past that tells the story of a family, a community or a way of life," the organization's Chief Executive Officer Jennie L. Stephens said in a news release. "We believe that with our proven expertise and new office location in Florence, we can help more families in the Pee Dee region and South Carolina protect their family Land." The Center offers full legal services and forestry services in Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillion, Dorchester, Florence, Hampton, Horry, Georgetown, Jasper, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg counties. HopeHealth campaign receives large donation FLORENCE Jebaily Properties in Florence stepped up to make the Christmas holidays brighter for children with a $5,000 donation to HopeHealth's Children of Hope Christmas in July campaign. The money raised during Christmas in July helps children of HopeHealth patients facing difficult circumstances provide much-needed clothing and toys for the holidays. John Jebaily and his daughter, Julie, recently presented the $5,000 check for the program. John Jebaily has been a longtime supporter of HopeHealth, donating to the program in previous years as well. "HopeHealth is incredibly honored to have their support. This generous gift will create unforgettable Christmas memories for children in our community," HopeHealth Development and Events Coordinator Charlee Rhodes said. Anyone interested in donating to Children of Hope may call Rhoges at 843-432-2980 or email Rhodes at crhodes@hope-health.org. HopeHealth is a nonprofit leader in providing affordable, expert primary and specialty health care services for all ages in Florence, Aiken, Clarendon, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties. Hundred support CareSouth Back to School Drive-Thru DILLION Hundreds supported Dillon students and families at CareSouth Carolina's Back to School Drive-Thru event July 29 at the Dillon Wellness Center. CareSouth Carolina provided free backpacks and school supplies to 300 participants. CareSouth Carolina understands the importance of supporting students and families as they prepare for the new school year, CareSouth Carolina's Chief of Community Health Joe Bittle said. "We are delighted to host the Back to School Drive-Thru event and contribute to the educational success of our community," Bittle said. "At CareSouth Carolina, our goal is to 'enhance and improve the health and well-being of everyone.' We are appreciative to be in the Dillon community and look forward to continuing to transform care in our region." In 2022, CareSouth Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control opened the 18,640-square-foot Dillon facility as part of a partnership. The facility allows CareSouth Carolina to continue to provide preventative health services in Dillon, including family planning, sexually transmitted diseases/infections, HIV, immunizations, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, substance abuse prevention, dental, pharmacy, geriatrics, social services, behaviorial health counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-ray, migrant services and veteran's choice provider. In May 2020, the world was turned upside down when a massively-overdosed George Floyd died on a Minneapolis street while waiting for an ambulance that could have saved his life. The narrative that Minnesotas criminal justice system was biased against blacks immediately took hold, encouraged by Minnesotas own state and local officials. In response to that narrative, states and local jurisdictions across America, and even around the world, enacted reforms that handcuffed law enforcement and favored criminals. Defund the police became a mantra, and Black Lives Matter, the source of many claims of law enforcements discrimination against blacks, raked in tens of millions from corporate donors. But was the narrative of racial discrimination true? Liberals supported it by comparing the percentage of blacks in the general population of states like Minnesota against the percentage who are caught up in the criminal justice system through arrest, prosecution, conviction and ultimately incarceration. The fact that blacks are over-represented in the systemindisputably truewas taken as irrefutable evidence that our criminal justice system is racist. There is, of course, another obvious possibilitythat blacks are over-represented as criminal defendants and prison inmates precisely because they are over-represented as perpetrators of serious crimes. Over the years, Heather Mac Donald has been especially prominent in pointing out this inconvenient truth. Here in Minnesota, ground zero when it comes to anti-law enforcement propaganda, there was a breakthrough when the states Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began publishing data on offenders in each criminal category by race. When we look at the percentage of blacks (or any other group) who are arrested, prosecuted, convicted, etc., the relevant comparison is not between those individuals and the percentage of that group in the general population, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding. Rather, the relevant comparison is the percentage who become involved in the criminal justice system vs. the percentage in the offender population. The BCAs new data set allowed us to make this comparison. Enter David Zimmer. David is a veteran of 33 years in the Hennepin County Sheriffs office, from which he retired as a Captain. He now works for American Experiment as a Policy Fellow in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. David went through the painstaking work of analyzing the BCAs offender data and comparing it with arrest, prosecution, conviction, sentencing and incarceration data, which come from various sources. What he found should put to rest forever the theory that law enforcement in states like Minnesota is biased against blacks. The BCA offender data show that blacks commit serious crimes at a per capita rate ten times that of whites. That proportion is followed from arrests through incarceration, except that Davids analysis finds that Minnesotas criminal justice system discriminatesin a statistical senseagainst whites, as compared with blacks. The report is here. Some might find it boring, as it consists largely of statistical analysis and charts and graphs. But if you enjoy seeing a liberal narrative dismantled brick by brick, Davids report is for you. We issued a press release on Davids report, but shockingly, neither the Minneapolis Star Tribune nor any other liberal news outlet took us up on the opportunity to interview Zimmer, or published any reference to the report. Thats OK. We know whose side those outlets are on. They are on the side of the perpetrators of serious crimes, not the victims. Davids report concludes with the fact that the victims of serious crime line up the same as the perpetratorson a per capita basis, victims are ten times as likely to be black. So the liberals are hurting those they pretend to care about. American Experiment has inaugurated a podcast, and the podcasts maiden voyage features me interviewing David Zimmer. If you would rather spend 26 minutes listening to us talk about the report rather than reading itprobably not a bad ideahere is the podcast in video form: You can subscribe to American Experiment podcasts in any of the usual venuesApple, Spotify, etc. I encourage you to do so! Devon Archer, Hunter Bidens former business partner, testified to a House committee behind closed doors today for around four hours. Republicans and Democrats took turns questioning him. Representatives from both parties emerged to spin Archers testimony for reporters. The Wall Street Journals account is probably as fair as we are going to get: A former business associate of Hunter Biden testified on Monday to Congress that President Biden and his son were in near daily communication and that the younger Biden would occasionally put his father on speakerphone at dinners and in other situations, according to lawmakers present for the briefing. The associate, Devon Archer, said that Joe Biden and his son never discussed business on these calls, only engaging in casual conversation about such things as the weather. *** Rep. Andy Biggs (R., Ariz.), a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said Archer testified that only pleasantries were exchanged when Joe Biden was on the phone with his son during meetings. Still, Biggs said that he was confident that the testimony implicated Biden in his sons business activities. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand, Biggs said Archer testified. I dont think the situation is hard to figure out. The foreign governments and businesses who paid the Biden family millions of dollars in exchange for Joes influence didnt loop Joe in on the phone or include him in personal meetings so they could talk about the weather. The Bidens were selling Joes influence, originally as vice president with a portfolio that included Ukraine, and it was important to bring him in periodically to demonstrate that his influence was, indeed, being bought. Despite the Democrats furious spinning, it appears that most people arent fooled. Rasmussen finds that a solid majority of voters think Joe Biden is covering up his involvement in the family business: The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president has been part of an illegal cover-up to hide his involvement in his son Hunters foreign business deals, including 45% who think such a cover-up is Very Likely. Thirty-four percent (34%) say its not likely Biden has illegally covered up his role in his sons foreign business, including 18% who believe it is Not At All Likely. This, too: Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters think this is a serious scandal, including 44% who say its Very Serious;. Twenty-nine percent (29%) dont believe Bidens involvement in Hunters foreign business is a serious scandal, including 13% who believe it is Not At All Serious. Of course the majority is right. Soon Republicans will have to decide whether to cross the Rubicon of impeachment proceedings. Impeachment is inherently a political act. That is especially true here, where I think it is obvious that Biden will not seek a second term. Basically, I think Republicans should impeach Biden if it will help them politically, and should not impeach him if, as in the Clinton instance, it would hurt them politically. The grounds for impeachment are obviously there, bribery being one of two grounds for impeachment specifically cited in the Constitution. Of all the Biden administrations failures, its abandonment of the Southern border ranks near the top. No one knows exactly how many people from around the world have entered the country illegally since Biden took office, but the number is in the millions. The burden has now spread outward from the border states to places like New York City, now home to around 60,000 refugees. The Daily Mail has an appalling story on conditions at Manhattans Roosevelt Hotel, which has been turned into housing for illegal immigrants. The Roosevelt was once a fine hotel; I stayed there on business once or twice, some years ago. Not now: Hundreds of migrants have been sleeping outside of Manhattans Roosevelt Hotel for a second day in a row as NYC Mayor Eric Adams said the crisis is not over. Swathes of asylum seekers, hailing from a number of South American and African countries, lined the streets sleeping on cardboard overnight because the migrant hotel has reached capacity. *** The immense number of migrants arriving from southern states continues to rise as a result of policies that caused thousands of asylum seekers to overrun the US-Mexico border. New York City is currently housing more than 56,000 migrants across around 200 makeshift sites while thousands more are in the citys shelter system. But buses keep arriving week-on-week transporting people from the border. You can imagine how much business the stores adjacent to the hotel are doing. Over the weekend, the migrants were handed small red tickets with digits on them and once in a while hotel workers would come out and call numbers to let people inside the air-conditioned lobby. Others, desperately pushing closer to the front to get inside, were left to wait outside in the New York City heat. The desperate people looking to get inside the hotel early on Tuesday morning were speaking a number of languages, including Spanish, French and Arabic. This video shows the scene outside the hotel: The migrants are a polyglot group: The long line of migrants hail from many different countries including Venezuela, Ecuador, Sudan, Bhutan, Mauritania, and Senegal. Its not just Mexico and Central America anymore. Apparently everyone in the world knows that if you can get across the border, you just have to utter the magic word asylum. To be fair, though, the migrants at least are pro-America: Savi Khalil, from Mauritania, arrived in New York two months ago, before being transferred to Ohio and moving back to the Big Apple. He was living in the Magma Hotel in Queens before being thrown out. *** He added: My friends said theyve been here 3 days. They slept here on the street for three days. I want a better life. I wish them a better life. We are suffering in our country. *** When asked why he wants to migrate to the US, he said the country is a place of freedom and dignity. *** Troy Vargas, who arrived from Venezuela, said that New York City is beautiful and it has been his dream to work here. He said from the Midtown Manhattan street: I want to work in the United States and learn. Mohammed Fatima, who hails from Bhutan in South Asia, has so far spent three nights on the streets. He told DailyMail.com: I want a break, we sleep on the streets its hard. I want to rest, I want to sleep. I want any place to sleep. I came to America, a free and democratic country. I love America more than my country. The amount of money that will be spent to feed and house illegal immigrants, not to mention giving them medical care and ultimately education and other benefits, is incalculable. The City of New York alone is planning on a down payment of more than $4.3 billion. As long as Joe Biden remains in office, there is no end in sight. We effectively have no immigration laws. More than 1,589 children suffered in Ukraine as a result of Russia's full-scale armed aggression: as of the morning of August 1, 2023, according to official information from juvenile prosecutors, some 499 children died and more than 1,090 were injured of varying severity. "These figures are not final. Work continues to install them in places of warfare, in temporarily occupied and liberated territories," the Prosecutor General's Office said. Children suffered the most in Donetsk region some 483, Kharkiv some 298, Kyiv some 129, Kherson some 117, Zaporizhia some 97, Mykolaiv some 95, Dnipropetrovsk some 94, Chernihiv some 71, Luhansk region some 67. On July 31, a ten-year-old girl was killed as a result of a rocket attack by the Russian army on the city of Kryvy Rih, and eight children aged four to 17 were injured of varying severity. On the same day, as a result of enemy shelling in the city of Kherson, a 16-year-old girl was wounded. Lets not jump to impeachment inquiry or otherwise just because we now have testimony contradicting President Bidens long-standing line that he never spoke with Hunter Biden about his business, whatever it was. Now that Hunter Biden business partner Devon Archer has testified to Joe Bidens participation in phone calls with Hunters clients or customers over dinners for whatever it is that Hunter was selling Archer testified Bidens participation developed the brand let us consider the innocent explanations. Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman says Hunter Biden did, in fact, frequently put his dad on speakerphone for his business partners but they were only talking about the weather pic.twitter.com/HoJ5EKYOEc RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 31, 2023 Joe Biden only discussed the weather. Biden didnt really even know anything about the weather. Biden didnt think anything of the location of Hunters clients and customers in Kyiv, Bucharest, and Moscow, or of the weather there. Biden didnt know whom he was speaking to, on the phone or at dinner. Biden didnt even know what Hunters business was. Biden doesnt know what business is. Biden didnt know he or Hunter or Hunters business had a brand. Biden doesnt even know what a brand is. Biden doesnt actually know anything. Biden loves his son. Biden is a doting father. Biden found these conversations about the weather a refreshing change of pace from his daily routine along with his plastic surgery and other treatments, they kept him young. Dem Rep. Dan Goldman is this years model of Adam Schiff, though no one can ever take Schiffs place. I have to credit Goldman for the inspiration to think this thing through. Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman: The witness testified "that Hunter would put his father on speakerphone with whomever was at dinner and there was no indication that he had any idea who was at dinner with them!" pic.twitter.com/bC1c6DBWMn RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 31, 2023 Goldman has clearly found Adam Schiff to be inspirational. However, no one can fill Schiffs shoes. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 07:45:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 571 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Do you, or did you, own securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)?Did you purchase your securities between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Bausch Health Companies Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights?NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. ("Bausch" or the "Company") (NYSE:BHC) between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 25, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Among other things, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: 1) the B+L spinoff would not result in two strong separate companies; 2) without B+L, Bausch was left overly leveraged and without the cashflow generated by B+L; and 3) distribution of the B+L spinoff shares would not occur as represented.On May 4, 2023, Bausch announced negative earnings results for its first quarter of 2023, which indicated further delay of the B+L share distribution. According to analysts, the probability of a distribution was now less than 50% and, without any mention of it from management, the likelihood of it occurring in the near term was low.On this news, Bausch's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or over 20%, to close at $5.89 per share on May 4, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 21:16:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 364 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 This Year's Walk Like MADD Pinellas Event Will Take Place on October 14th 2023CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Carey Leisure & Neal Personal Injury Lawyers is excited to announce that it will be the Presenting Sponsor for this year's 2023 Walk Like MADD Pinellas in support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.Walk Like MADD raises awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving. The organization also:Supports victims of drunk driving and their familiesAttends court hearings at DUI proceedings alongside the victimsAssists with emotional support throughout the defendant's adjudication processTo date, Walk Like MADD has served over 820,000 victims and saved 320,000 lives.This cause is near and dear to Carey Leisure & Neal. In 1983, Joni Carey, the wife of the firm's Senior Partner, Tom Carey, was tragically killed by a drunk driver after only six months of marriage. Following this tragedy, Mr. Carey knew he needed to protect the lives of others in the fight against drunk driving.From 1984 to 1985, Mr. Carey served as the Pinellas County President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and, in 1986, he became the Florida State Chairman of MADD. Since his time of leadership with the organization, Mr. Carey has shared his passion with the team at Carey Leisure & Neal.To this day, the team remains active on the Walk's planning committee, where they have served for the past two years. Carey Leisure & Neal ensures every detail is considered to draw as much support as possible for MADD's mission.Carey Leisure & Neal's connection to Mothers Against Drunk Driving continues to grow, from 1984 to present, and is honored to support such an outstanding organization. To learn more about the 2023 Walk Like MADD event and register your team you can visit the Walk Like MADD website.More About Carey Leisure & Neal:Carey Leisure & Neal is a Clearwater-based personal injury firm that works diligently to represent injured parties. The team firmly believes that an attorney should work in the client's best interests at all times. With that being said, Carey Leisure & Neal always pursues clear and unequivocal authority from their clients to resolve each case. Call (727) 291-9642 to speak with a lawyer today.Contact InformationMatthew CarneyPartnermcarney@ careyandleisure.com 727-799-3900SOURCE: Carey Leisure & Neal PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 04:28:55 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 525 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 Xi'an, CHINA, Aug 1, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Recently, Dyness Digital Energy Technology Co., Ltd, a global energy storage technology company, announced that it has completed rounds of B and C financing successively. Youshan Capital and a fund affiliated with CICC Capital are the lead investors, and several other well-known investment funds also participated, such as L Catterton. Founded in 2017, Dyness is committed to becoming a global leading energy storage technology company.Dyness is one of the leading enterprises to develop global energy storage market, with a core team consisting of talents from leading companies in the industry, and over 90 international patents. Currently, it has successively launched energy storage products for all scenarios and gradually established a global sales, R&D, and production operation system. The company's management team focuses on creating value for channels and partners in areas such as products, brand, operations, and services. Mr. Yang Liu, CEO of Dyness, stated that the company will continuously reduce the marginal cost of new energy, enrich its application scenarios, and ensure its safety and reliability through ongoing technological innovation and industrial optimization. The company will make unremitting efforts to contribute to achieving the dual carbon target, reducing global temperatures, and making a difference.With its outstanding product definition capabilities and robust and efficient R&D system, Dyness has created a differentiated product matrix renowned for its stability in the residential and C&I energy storage fields. Under the guidance of the company's global strategy and after years of unremitting efforts, the product matrix of Dyness has maintained steady growth in its core markets and has fully entered major regions worldwide. Through resolute and efficient execution, the company has established multiple milestones and achieved excellent results, earning high recognition from global markets and customers for the brand and products of Dyness.Under the influence of multiple factors, the global energy structure has entered a transition period, and the unstable supply of the energy market has brought about drastic changes on the demand side. The renewable energy demand, especially solar energy storage, has seen a large-scale blowout. According to GGII, a renewable-energy research institute in China, the global residential storage installations will reach 100GWh in 2025, with a 5-year CAGR of over 90%. With years of in-depth layout, Dyness has been providing high-quality products and services for customers in many regions. Facing the changes in global energy production, scheduling and application, Dyness will also actively improve its product R&D capabilities and customer service capabilities to embrace the wave of digitalization and intelligence in the industry."With the financing completed in this stage, Dyness will further increase its investment in the R&D of new energy storage technologies and solutions, accelerate the expansion of its C&I energy storage product lines, ecological product lines, as well as the pace of the company's global expansion and the deployment of all-scenario applications," said Mr. Yang Liu, CEO of Dyness. "At the same time, the two rounds of financing will provide sufficient and solid financial support for the company's organizational iteration and brand upgrading." Contact Information:Xiao Han, DynessMail: xiao.han@dyness-tech.com Tel: +86 400 666 0655Website: www.dyness-tech.com PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 19:45:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 821 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / LenovoChildren using tablets under the Agastya International Foundation's Lab-on-a-Tab program in Kengeri, BangaloreIn India, if a village manages to bridge the digital divide and the school-going children become computer savvy, it is bound to draw attention.This is just what has happened in the remote village of Boru in Gujarat's Gandhinagar district. The local Public School managed to bridge the digital divide between the urban and rural communities by sourcing tablets from Lenovo and ushering in the information technology revolution.Boru is an unassuming village with a population of a little over 5,000 people. Despite the village's relative obscurity, it was not spared from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Public School was forced to shut down as the country went into a complete lockdown.This school is the only school in town that underprivileged children relied on for good English education and a promising future. The pandemic and the resultant shutdown put an end to that. Most students who were from low-income families did not have access to any device or laptop to learn from home and thus their education was severely affected, highlighting the digital divide that exists between the privileged and the disenfranchised. The pandemic only widened the digital divide further: Data shows that rural broadband penetration is only 29 percent against the national average of 51 percent.The school had to do something as children were missing out on their studies due to the unavailability of devices and lack of Internet connectivity, and so the administration launched a campaign where 144 students from classes 5 to 8 were provided with Lenovo's cost-effective M7 second-generation tablets with 2GB RAM, and sim cards that allowed them1.5GB of data daily.The results were magical. With almost 100% attendance, the students got back to studying online and did not face a learning gap. Moreover, there were no dropouts.The school wanted to ensure that the students did not misuse the tablets and reached out to Lenovo for support. The Lenovo tablet team advised the school on the use of educational solutions to make sure that the devices were used only for educational purposes. They deployed the Lenovo ThinkUEM software that allowed for constant monitoring and a check on the content being viewed. The Geofence feature of the program ensured the students were within the defined parameters set by the school. Additional features such as the online status and screen mirroring of the devices allowed teachers to monitor the real-time activity and helped in the quick resolution of any issues.Another example, where we are bringing in our smarter technology to solve for digital divide is with one of our largest customers Nanhi Kali' who have been using the Lenovo M7 Tabs for education. Nanhi Kali, a project jointly managed by K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation, has been empowering underprivileged girls across India since 1996. Nanhi Kali provides girls with daily afterschool academic support, through centres that operate within government schools. The girls receive access to personalized, adaptive learning software pre-loaded on digital tablets sourced from Lenovo. At present, over 180,000 girls from disadvantaged families have access to Lenovo tablets through this project.In recent years, the digital divide has attracted much debate, especially in the wake of the pandemic. In India it creates exclusion, endangers social integration, and hampers economic growth for around 360 million students in the country.However, the intervention of Lenovo technology directly addresses the gap between the digital haves and have-nots, and information technology reaches the doorsteps of even the remotest villages-like Boru. Initiatives such as the CSR partnerships between Lenovo and the NGO Meghshala Trust have resulted in over 5,000 teachers getting trained in 2,300 schools in Karnataka and Manipur. This partnership has assisted more than 210,000 students and 7,000 teachers across India from 2020-2021.Despite the setbacks due to COVID-19, teachers and educators have innovated at an accelerated pace to provide students and families with educational continuity. Through Lenovo corporate philanthropy, the partnership with Yuva Unstoppable, a not-for-profit working on setting up school infrastructure, resulted in a tablet-based learning and lending initiative, with 2,590 Make in India tablets to 79 government girls' schools in Gujarat in 2021.Lenovo's partnership with Agastya International Foundation also supports STEM education with mobile science labs in government schools in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, reaching 8,400 children, and has also created a unique STEM model known as Lab-on-Tab.By leveraging technology with educators, NGOs, and other stakeholders, Lenovo is helping reinvent learning by adopting a more student-centric approach, providing access to technology to the population that needs it the most. Even local, targeted donations and support can be hugely impactful.. It helped build access to technology in rural areas.This underlines Lenovo's belief in providing Smarter Technology for All by empowering under-represented communities with access to technology and STEM education.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: LenovoWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Lenovo PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 01:50:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 338 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2023 /Dear Fellow Shareholders of Hydromer, Inc.BWL Investments (BWL) and its affiliates are large, concerned shareholders of Hydromer, Inc., a New Jersey corporation. According to the last publicly disclosed number of issued and outstanding shares, today we represent over fifty-one percent (51%) of the company's outstanding common stock.On July 28, 2023, we issued a formal demand on the Board of Directors for a meeting of shareholders in order to address crucial matters related to the company's corporate governance and operations.In a letter addressed to J. Scott Magrane, Chairman of the Board of Hydromer, Inc., and fellow Board members, which according to the last publicly disclosed filing includes Cam Cruickshank, Lawrence R. Horwitz, Martin C. von Dyck, and Robert Bea, we expressed our concern over the prolonged, years-long absence of any meeting of shareholders, a violation of NJ Rev. Sta. 14A:5-2.To remedy this situation, we are demanding that a shareholders' meeting be called and notified of the shareholders of Hydromer on or before August 4, 2023.In the event of non-compliance with this demand, with the support of like-minded shareholders, we intend to pursue legal action by filing legal proceedings. The purpose of the action would be to obtain an order fixing a date for the meeting so that shareholders can vote in director elections and other pertinent matters, and to obtain such further relief as the courts may grantOur demand represents an attempt to amicably resolve the situation, and all parties involved are encouraged to cooperate in the best interest of Hydromer, Inc. and its shareholders.The information disclosed in this press release is subject to change and may be supplemented or amended as necessary.We encourage all shareholders not already engaged to contact BWL directly to get involved.Investor Contact: IR@ bwlinvestments.com Sincerely,Braeden Lichti, CEO, BWL Investments Ltd.Note: This press release format is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Parties involved should seek appropriate legal counsel to address their specific situationSOURCE: BWL Investments Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 03:08:03 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 473 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VIENNA, AUSTRIA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2023 / Plantations International, the globally recognized leader in sustainable plantation and farm management, proudly announces that its pioneering asset-backed Mango and Durian Green Bonds will commence trading on the prestigious Vienna Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) Exchange starting Aug. 1, 2023. This groundbreaking move further solidifies Plantations International's position as a champion of sustainable investment and agricultural innovation on a global scale.These unprecedented bonds, secured by the robust assets of Mango and Durian plantations, present a golden opportunity for investors to generate substantial returns while actively supporting the company's revolutionary sustainable farming endeavors. This initiative propels Plantations International to the forefront of the industry, driving the mobilization of capital towards environmentally-friendly initiatives, and providing investors a meaningful platform to contribute to a sustainable agricultural future."Listing our Green Bonds on the esteemed Vienna ESG Exchange symbolizes a significant achievement for Plantations International," said Mr. Gareth Cookson, Plantations International's COO. "It signals Plantations International's unwavering dedication to integrating our business operations with sustainable practices and affirms our leadership position in this sector. This innovative financial instrument allows us to foster growth while empowering investors to make a significant contribution to the sustainability of the global agriculture industry." Choosing to trade on the Vienna ESG Exchange, a trading platform celebrated for its focus on sustainable investments, clearly demonstrates Plantations International's relentless commitment to responsible and eco-friendly farming practices, reinforcing its standing as a trailblazer within the agricultural industry.The introduction of the Green Bonds allows Plantations International to significantly expand its Mango and Durian plantations and increase attract further investment in its advanced plantation management systems, cutting-edge irrigation technology, and comprehensive tree surveillance procedures, ensuring the ongoing vitality and prosperity of its plantations. Furthermore, this venture offers an attractive return for investors aiming to combine their financial interests with a meaningful, positive environmental impact."As Plantations International embarks on this journey, we invite our investors to join us as key partners in championing sustainable agriculture," added Mr. Cookson. "Their investments in our Green Bonds translate into a tangible contribution towards a more green, responsible and eco-friendly future." Plantations International's asset-backed Green Bonds represent a significant milestone in bridging economic growth with environmental stewardship. As these bonds debut on the Vienna ESG Exchange, they symbolize the dawn of a new era of sustainable investment opportunities that could reshape the global agricultural industry.About Plantations InternationalPlantations International is a pioneering multinational plantation and farm management company, celebrated for its forward-thinking approach to sustainable agricultural and forestry management services. From the early stages of planning to harvesting and marketing the final products, Plantations International consistently raises the bar, offering unmatched services that exceed clients' expectations and set new standards for the industry.Contact InformationMarvin LeeDirector of Communications+852 5808 3775SOURCE: Plantations International PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 19:50:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 891 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / PotlatchDelticUN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALSThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. At its core are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), which represent a global partnership between developed and developing countries to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and prospects of people everywhere. There are 17 UN SDGs with 169 underlying targets. The private sector has been asked to partner towards the successful achievement of the UN SDGs by identifying opportunities to incorporate them into business strategies. While PotlatchDeltic supports all the UN SDGs, we focus on the six core UN SDGs where we have the greatest impact. We also include an additional five goals that closely align with our policies and initiatives. In our ESG report, we highlight some of our work that reflects these international goals.OUR CORE UN SDGSUN - SDG 6CLEAN WATER AND SANITATIONA significant portion of the nation's drinking water originates from forests, and timberland owners play an important role in protecting water quality. PotlatchDeltic's forests play a fundamental role in protecting water quality and providing aquatic habitat. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is fundamental to our forest management efforts. Our wood products facilities seek to minimize use of water and promote water quality. We also seek conservation outcomes through rural land sales that protect water and aquatic habitats.UN - SDG 8DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTHPotlatchDeltic invests in technological improvements at our wood products facilities to increase productivity and resource efficiency. We cultivate a workplace of excellence through our inclusive culture, fair compensation, and opportunities for development. We maintain partnerships with high schools, technical schools, and universities within our communities. We aim to prevent occupational illness and injuries by focusing on the health and safety of our employees without compromise. This is at the core of every decision we make.UN - SDG 12RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTIONSustainability is a hallmark of effective forest management and wood products manufacturing. With over 100 years of experience, PotlatchDeltic embodies sustainable consumption and production. From pollution prevention programs to technology upgrades, we have many examples of reducing emissions, reducing waste generation, and maximizing the efficient use of natural resources. By combining these efforts with sustainable practices and integrated sustainability benchmarks, we provide a winning combination for our shareholders, our Team Members, and our communities.UN - SDG 13CLIMATE ACTIONAs a steward of Earth's natural resources, PotlatchDeltic recognizes the need for climate action, and that timberlands play a powerful positive role in combating climate change through carbon sequestration. We continue to improve our climate change resilience and adaptive capacity across our organization, from specialized seedling selection for planting to increased resource utilization efficiency at our mills. This is an iterative process to integrate climate change measures into our policies, strategies, and planning cycles. In addition, wood products store naturally sequestered carbon as a climate solution.UN - SDG 15LIFE ON LANDPotlatchDeltic has a vested interest in conservation and the sustainable use and management of our forests. We are a leader in the sustainable management of forests through best management practices, reforestation, and the protection of biodiversity and threatened species. As part of our sustainability commitment, we remain diligent in reducing the impacts of invasive and alien species through targeted control efforts.UN - SDG 17PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALSPartnerships represent combined and often multiplicative efforts to improve the world in which we live. PotlatchDeltic maintains that cooperation and access to science, technology, and knowledge-sharing is foundational to sustainable development. Our work with research organizations, coalitions, cooperatives, and industry associations provides evidence of this philosophy, which helps make progress towards several of the UN SDGs.Our Aligned SDGsUN SDG 3Good Health and Well-beingUN SDG 10Reduced InequalitiesUN SDG 4Quality EducationUN SDG 5Gender EqualityUN SDG 11Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesA positive human experience enables our employees to do their best work and our stakeholders to align with our mission. Our culture has health and safety as a core value and offers employees and their families comprehensive benefits and wellness initiatives. We value a culture of ethical, diverse, and inclusive teamwork and look to attract talent with diverse backgrounds and experience. Employee engagement, training, and development is promoted through a strategy of continuous performance improvement. We promote the use of wood products and innovations like mass timber in buildings as nature-based climate solutions. Our charitable giving focuses on supporting the communities where we operate.View the full PotlatchDeltic 2022 ESG Report here.This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "aim," "commitment," "continue," "goal," "look," "maintain," "promote," "seek," and similar expressions and references to achievement of objectives in the future are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's views of future events based on estimates and assumptions and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, and are not guarantees of future conduct, results, or policies. Please view the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information on page 134 of PotlatchDeltic's 2022 ESG Report.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from PotlatchDeltic on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: PotlatchDelticWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/potlatchdeltic Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: PotlatchDeltic PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 14:31:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 446 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Home Services Leader Builds Storage Solution for Local Elementary SchoolCHARLOTTESVILLE, VA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Premium Service Brands (PSB), a leader in home services franchise opportunities, partnered with a local franchise owner to provide clothing and storage solutions to a local elementary school for students in need.Kitchen Wise & Closet Wise of Charlottesville, a Premium Service Brands franchise, is building cabinets at Johnson Elementary School to create a dedicated storage space for clothing donations. The innovative solution will significantly enhance convenience for administrators and teachers. PSB is also collaborating with the franchisee to collect clothing donations from corporate staff, local businesses, and other schools to help stock the cabinets."Having extra clothing on hand addresses the diverse needs of students and supports their overall well-being and educational experience. We are proud to partner with Premium Service Brands and Kids-Lift to help children in the Charlottesville community," said Deb Jewell, franchise owner of the Charlottesville Kitchen Wise & Closet Wise. "We offer home organization systems to simplify the lives of our customers. Being able to donate our services to help children is an integral part of our company's mission." Kids-Lift, the non-profit affiliate of PSB, focuses on helping children reach their true potential by collaborating with the company's franchise owners and corporate staff to enhance the well-being of children in their community. Kids-Lift implements focused and purposeful donation campaigns to help children who don't have access to essential everyday items like food, school supplies, and clothing."Premium Service Brands and our franchisees recognize the value of being a good neighbor," said Paul Flick, PSB's CEO. "One of our goals is to help children receive the services they need to be successful. Being able to use the expertise of our local Closet Wise franchisee to help Johnson Elementary is very exciting." As part of the effort, PSB is hosting an event in early August to sort the donated clothing and stock the new cabinets. The company also arranged to have the items washed at a local laundromat to prepare for the new school year.###ABOUT PREMIUM SERVICE BRANDSHeadquartered in Charlottesville, Va., Premium Service Brands (PSB) is a leader in home services franchise opportunities. PSB provides services to an ever-expanding customer base by building meaningful connections and creating lifelong customers. The company's lineup of niche home services brands includes 360 Painting, ProLift Garage Doors, Maid Right, Kitchen Wise & Closet Wise, Window Gang, Rubbish Works Junk Removal, The Grout Medic, House Doctors, and RooterMan. To get started building a new future with a franchise of your own, visit www.premiumservicebrands.com Media Contact:Jacquelyn Masse919-459-8167jmasse@919 marketing.com SOURCE: Premium Service Brands PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 11:00:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 677 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Q Battery Metals Corp ("Q Battery" or the "Company) is very pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with 1412814 BC Ltd. and its shareholders to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of 1412814 BC Ltd. ("814BC") in exchange for 5,800,000 common shares of the Company. 814BC owns mineral claims in the Pontax River area of the James Bay region of Quebec.The transaction is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The transaction as proposed does not constitute a fundamental change or result in a change of control of the Company, within the meaning of the policies of the CSE.The claims cover 5,376 hectares in 101 contiguous claims located within the "Lithium Triangle". The property is surrounded by other signicant lithium plays including: Patriot Battery Metals Pontax project, Brunswick Exploration, Stria Lithium properties, and the Li-FT Power Ltd. large land package including the Moyenne Project. The newly acquired Q Battery Metals property is strategically positioned in an exceptionally active and promising area for lithium exploration. The reader is cautioned that potential lithium resources that exist on properties outside of the Pontax Lithium Project claims are not direct indicators of lithium mineralization on the Pontax Lithium Project.The Q Battery Metals Pontax River property is an exploration stage project that has potential for hosting LCT pegmatites and associated lithium mineralization. The property's vicinity to fertile peraluminous granite bodies, as well as being close to other known lithium deposits in the region provides strong incentive for lithium exploration. The granitic bodies and host lithologies are underexplored and need to be prospected for pegmatite bodies.Q Battery Metals geologic team is in the process of compiling all available data for the Pontax River project in preparation for a Phase I exploration program. An initial geologic mapping and prospecting site reconnaissance is scheduled to be completed this summer.Q Battery Metals is also exploring their La Corne South lithium project located north of Val d'Or, and their Pegalith lithium project located north of Gatineau, Quebec. The Pontax, La Corne, and Pegalith projects each have a variety of exploration targets, with the La Corne South currently being the project of immediate interest to Q Battery Metals for lithium potential. Rock samples taken from the La Corne South are currently at the laboratory for analysis (see Q Battery news release dated June 20, 2023), and the geologic team is preparing to return for continued targeted sampling in August.Q Battery exploration programs in Quebec are supervised by Dr. Mathieu Piche, OGQ, who is also a Company director.Perry Grunenberg, PGeo, a qualified person as that term is defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.Location Map of Q Battery Metals- Pontax Lithium Project in James Bay, QuebecLocation Map of Q Battery Metals-Pontax Lithium Project in James Bay, QuebecCautionary StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of that date. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; fluctuations in the prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Prospectus dated September 8, 2017 available on www.sedar.com . Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsRichard PennCEO(778) 384-8923SOURCE: Q Battery Metals Corp. Head of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine Olha Herasymiuk says the construction of the nationwide state digital multiplex MX-7 is nearing completion. "The decision to create a multi-channel digital television network MX-7 in the range of 174-230 MHz was made by the National Council on December 5, 2019. Concern RRT was determined by the network operator, and a list of 158 settlements, channels and transmitter powers in the MX-7 network was approved. The creation of a multi-channel digital television network MX-7 is being carried out by Concern RRT on the basis of a presidential decree, which put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on certain measures to ensure information security," Herasymiuk told Interfax-Ukraine. According to her, the development of a full-fledged state telecommunications infrastructure on the basis of a state operator is one of the ways to improve the coverage of digital television broadcasting in the regions of Ukraine. "According to the information of the Concern, for example, the operation of MX-7 multiplex transmitters in the cities of Bilopillia and Trostiantsi, Sumy region, with a power of 1.4 kW will provide a coverage area commensurate with the coverage area of destroyed much more powerful analogue transmitters. At the same time, digital broadcasting will be the main advantage on one frequency channel will be distributed up to 12 television channels," Herasymiuk said. She said, for its part, the National Council has already announced a competition for a service provider for broadcasting needs of MX-7 with a nationwide coverage category, as well as a competition for a license to broadcast in MX-7. "With the summing up of the results of these competitions, the regulator will actually complete its task. The announcement of the competitions became possible only now, since there was a need to regulate some legal procedures that require amendments to the law On media. On July 1, they entered into force... Now this path has been passed, and the development of a nationwide state digital multiplex, and this is a rather complex and lengthy project, is nearing completion," the National Council's head said. Herasymiuk expressed hope that despite the difficult situation in the country, and in particular the economic situation in the media market, there will be a sufficient number of applicants for participation in the competition for broadcasting in the MX-7 multiplex, which will ensure that the multiplex is filled with diverse, interesting and useful content. According to her, the National Council will make every effort in its power to complete the entire process in October 2023. PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 04:51:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 424 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until August 7, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of SentinelOne and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-s/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 7, 2023.About the LawsuitSentinelOne and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On June 1, 2023, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracieswe made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR" and that the Company had slashed its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance from a range of $631 million to $640 million to a range of $590 million to $600 million, due to the discovery of "historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected." On this news, shares of SentinelOne fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.The case is Johansson v. SentinelOne, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-02786.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 02:00:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 374 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2023 / Taj Quantum, a pioneer in quantum technology and blockchain-based authentication systems, is pleased to announce the awarding of a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its Above Room Temperature Type II Superconductor. This unique type II superconductor, patent #17249094, operates at a wide range of temperatures - including those well above room temperature, from about -100 F (-73 C) to about 302 F (150 C) - a characteristic uncommon in the world of superconductors.Taj Quantum Type II Superconductor (Graphene foam-based)Inventors John Wood and Paul Lilly, renowned for their extensive work with graphene and related materials, celebrated the announcement. "We are living in thrilling times where new discoveries are being made across a variety of fields," said John Wood. Paul Lilly added, "Our main objective is to pinpoint applications that can rapidly benefit everyone by providing the quickest-to-market capability." Founded originally as LGC in 2018 by Paul Lilly, Taj Quantum has grown exponentially over the past year, securing numerous contracts supporting the U.S. Military and large businesses. This superconductor patent marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to drive scientific advancements."We are in an odd position holding a patent to a technology that could prove revolutionary in many fields. The last thing we want to do is gatekeep access to further scientific developments. We are working with our attorneys to develop a means to open-source our technology for Universities and non-profit groups while retaining rights associated with monetizing derivative technologies without burdening those technologies. It's a fine line that we need to walk," said TQ CEO Paul Lilly.As the company continues to grow and innovate, Taj Quantum is committed to hiring a new scientific team and building associated laboratory and production facilities. They aim to bring this superconductor technology into everyday electronics over the next decade.About Taj QuantumTaj Quantum is a forward-thinking company specializing in quantum technology, blockchain-based authentication systems, and now, groundbreaking superconductor technology. Established as a subset of LGC by Paul Lilly, Taj Quantum is dedicated to driving scientific advancements and fostering a world of secure, efficient communications.Press Contact:Info@ tajquantum.com Contact Information:Paul LillyCEOinfo@ tajquantum.com SOURCE: Taj Quantum PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 03:28:50 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 982 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 HONG KONG, July 31, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - On 27 July 2023, on the eve of the highly anticipated Chengdu FISU World University Games, the Minister of Health Indonesia Budi Gunadi Sadikin accompanied Indonesian President Joko Widodo on a visit to China. The Indonesia-China Healthcare and Biotech Investment Forum, co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in China and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral Committee for China (KIKT), and supported by Legend Capital and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in China (INACHAM), was successfully held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chengdu. A total of 120 people, including Indonesian government officials, scholars, business people and leading Chinese healthcare companies, attended the event to jointly discuss the direction and opportunities for the development of healthcare and biotech in China and Indonesia.The forum was chaired by Mr. Jafar WANG, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Legend Capital, who mentioned Legend Capital's latest "Ecosystem plus" strategy in healthcare, and hoped to collaborate with the excellent healthcare enterprises in China and Indonesia to build an open, innovative, and international ecosystem through this forum. Mr. Garibaldi Thohir, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral Committee of China (KIKT), Mr. H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Arsjad Rasjid, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), each delivered opening speeches for the forum. They warmly welcomed Chinese healthcare companies investing and developing in Indonesia, combining innovative technologies, advanced concepts, and China's experience with Indonesia's national conditions, to promote the development of Indonesian healthcare and medical services.The Minister of Health Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, delivered a keynote speech on "Healthcare Policy and Planning in Indonesia". The speech systematically sorted out and discussed the overall health system in Indonesia from various perspectives, such as the current situation of Indonesian healthcare, the number and capabilities of medical personnel, the distribution of medical resources, and the coverage of universal health insurance. He indicated that the Indonesian healthcare system urgently needs to transform and develop, hoping to promote the transformation and upgrading of the healthcare system through the establishment of a nationwide disease prevention and control monitoring network, improving the level of primary healthcare services in Indonesia, training medical professionals and medical staffs, making rational use of funds from all parties, as well as cooperating deeply with Chinese companies through national projects. At last, He warmly welcomed Chinese companies to invest and develop in Indonesia and explore new opportunities and potentials for the development of the healthcare industry in both countries.Mr. Frank HONG, Managing Director of Legend Capital, then delivered a speech on "Trends in Investment and Industrial Cooperation in Indonesia", sharing Legend Capital's investment strategies and choice of approaches in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia. He also elaborated on the current situation and upgrade demands of the Indonesian healthcare industry and suggested that excellent Chinese healthcare companies go abroad, increase investment in Indonesia and create more value for the two countries.Subsequently, under the witness of the Minister of Health Indonesia and relevant government officials, the Ministry of Health Indonesia and Tsinghua University signed a strategic cooperation agreement. At the same time, a signing ceremony was also held between Chinese and Indonesian companies, whereby Chinese companies, including Sansure Biotech, Walvax Biotech, CanSino Bio, BGI, Sinovac Biotech, Zhifei Biological, and Wondfo Biotech, together with Indonesian companies such as UBC Medical, ETANA, Kalbe Farma, BioFarma, and Kimia Farma, reached partnership agreements, jointly supporting the coordinated development of the healthcare fields in China and Indonesia.Mr. LI Ning, Vice President of BGI Group, gave a speech on "Trends in Life Science Technology", stating that BGI Group hopes to lead the innovative development of genomics with the integrated development model of "industry, university, and R&D", promote the transformation of gene technology achievements, and realize the benefits of gene technology to humankind.During the panel discussion, Mr. Bonanza Perwira, Director of Centre for Global Health and Technology Policy of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, chaired a discussion on the "Prospects for Industrial Cooperation between China and Indonesia", which the Minister of Health Indonesia Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices of the Indonesian Ministry of Health Ms. Lucia Rizka Andalucia, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Arsjad Rasjid, Kimia Farma's President Director Mr. David Utama, and Kalbe Farma's President Mr. Vidjongtius participated in and responded to questions raised by the audience regarding Indonesian healthcare policies, Indonesian health insurance payment methods, foreign company access and commercialization, and partner selection, and expressed a warm welcome to more open cooperation with Chinese companies.Subsequently, Mr. QI Fei, Executive Director of Legend Capital, presided over the panel discussion of "Attempts for Chinese Company Collaborating in Indonesia", which Mr. DAI Lizhong, Chairman and Founder of Sansure Biotech, Mr. WU Xiaobin, President and Chief Operations Officer of BeiGene, Mr. DONG Shaozhong, Vice President of Walvax Biotech, Ms. WANG Jing, Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Director of CanSino Bio, Mr. XIA Jusong, President of International Business at United Imaging Healthcare, and Mr. CHEN Kai, Executive Director of AstraZeneca China participated in and shared and discussed topics such as the trend of China-Indonesia cooperation, development opportunities in Indonesia, practical experience of entering the Indonesian market, and cooperation models between the two countries. It is hoped that Chinese healthcare enterprises can carry out broader and deeper cooperation with more countries to benefit more people around the world.2023 is the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and is also a year of opportunities for both countries. With the joint efforts of both sides, it is believed that the collaborative development of China-Indonesia in healthcare fields will undoubtedly contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for human health.Click here https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/85574/ PR-Inside.com: 2023-08-01 16:20:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 867 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / TPT Global Tech, Inc. (OTCBB:TPTW) www.tptglobaltech.com , a leading technology company located in San Diego, CA, announces that it has entered into an Acquisition Agreement for100% of the outstanding shares of Broadband Infrastructure, Inc. (BII), a builder of fiber optic infrastructure for telecom carriers and government agencies throughout the country. The Acquisition Agreement, with a total acquisition price of $9 million, comprises $6 million in a Promissory Note and $3 million in TPT Global Tech's Series E Preferred Stock. The Promissory Note may be paid from proceeds raised from the Company's existing Reg. A capital raise or an S-1 Registered Offering in conjunction with a capital raise and listing on a major U.S. Stock Exchange. The Form of Promissory Note shall be provided during the due diligence period but is subject to a security agreement on the assets being acquired. The Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock at a 25% discount to market with an automatic conversion upon the Company uplisting to a major U.S. Stock Exchange. The closing is set no later than September 30, 2023, but may be extended. Closing is to include such that BII will be debt free except for an SBA loan outstanding for $500,000. Closing is subject to delivery of a) a valuation to which purchase price may be adjusted; and b) audits having been completed by the Company's auditors.Broadband Infrastructure, Inc. has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner for telecom carriers and government agencies, exemplified by its extensive experience in designing, constructing, and maintaining fiber networks. Their commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and high-speed connectivity has earned them a prominent position in the broadband infrastructure sector.The acquisition of BII would be a significant milestone in TPT Global Tech's growth and expansion plans. By incorporating BII's expertise, TPT Global Tech aims to strengthen its presence in the Southeast while enhancing its Smart City developments and wireless broadband services nationwide."Broadband Infrastructure Inc. has a proven track record as a renowned builder of fiber infrastructure throughout the country. Their expertise aligns seamlessly with our vision of delivering cutting-edge technology solutions," said Stephen J. Thomas III the CEO of TPT Global Tech. "This strategic acquisition empowers us to expand our capabilities, providing innovative connectivity solutions to our valued clients, while it also may also help us qualify for an uplisting to a major U.S. stock exchange." Broadband Infrastructure, Inc.'s financial performance includes an unaudited revenue YTD 2023 of $6.3 million and pretax income of $1.3. for 2023. Unaudited revenue for 2022 was $17.5 million with pretax income of $.76 million. These numbers are subject to audit confirmation.TPT Global Tech is committed to maintaining BII's exceptional service standards and reinforcing its long-standing partnerships with telecom carriers and government agencies. Moreover, the acquisition strategically aligns with TPT Global Tech's Smart City initiatives, creating intelligent and connected urban environments that embrace innovative technologies for sustainable urban development.The acquisition also strengthens TPT Global Tech's commitment to providing seamless wireless broadband services throughout the United States. BII's proficiency in building fiber infrastructure to connect cell towers enhances TPT Global Tech's ability to deliver reliable wireless broadband solutions to businesses, government agencies, and residents nationwide.About TPT Global Tech, Inc.TPT Global Tech, Inc. is a technology holding company based in San Diego, California. It was formed as the successor of two U.S. corporations, Ally Pharma US and TPT Global, Inc. The Company operates in various sectors including media, telecommunications, Smart City Real Estate Development, and the launch of the first super App, VuMe Live technology platform.As a media content delivery hub, TPT Global Tech utilizes its own proprietary global digital media TV and telecommunications infrastructure platform. They offer software as a service (SaaS), technology platform as a service (PAAS), and cloud-based unified communication as a service (UCaaS) solutions to businesses worldwide. Their UCaaS services enable businesses of all sizes to access the latest voice, data, media, and collaboration features.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates" and other terms with similar meaning. Specifically, statements about the Company's plans for accelerated growth, improved profitability, future business partners, M&A activity, new service offerings, and pursuit of new markets are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements should not be construed as fact. The information contained in such statements is beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases, the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. All forward-looking statements in the press release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by reference to the underlying assumptions.For more information about TPT Global Tech and its subsidiaries, please visit www.tptgloabltech.com For media or Investment inquiries, please contact: Rick@ tptglobaltech.com SOURCE: TPT Global Tech, Inc. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Monday said it plans to sustain and increase aggressive gas development and transportation projects to achieve affordable and clean energy in the country. According to NNPCL, this is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) seven, a strategic energy plan towards finding a balance for the energy trilemma. The NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, disclosed during the Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual International Conference & Exhibition (NAICE) 2023 themed Balancing Energy Accessibility, Affordability, and Sustainability: Strategic Options for Africa, held in Lagos on Monday. Mr Kyari, represented by Adokiye Tombomieye, NNPCLs executive vice president, Upstream, said African countries grapple with strategies of balancing energy availability with meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Number 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (climate actions). To bring the subject matter home, three keywords pertain to Africa and Nigeria in particular. Energy accessibility means ensuring all citizens can access reliable, modern energy, irrespective of their location or socio-economic status. Energy affordability entails ensuring energy and its infrastructure are priced so they can be obtained without financial strain by Africans, while Energy sustainability implies that our energy use does not harm the local environment or exhaust resources, affecting future generations, he said. This, he said, is indeed a trilemma situation and the delicate balance between political will, technological innovation, effective market mechanisms, well-crafted policy interventions, and capacity building. It also demands a multi-stakeholder approach, one that involves government, the private sector, civil society, host community and the public at large. In the past few years, the Nigerian energy industry has witnessed strategic transformation which has given birth to viable industry legislation, the PIA, and a long-term gas-centred energy transition plan, he said. On the policy front, Mr Kyari said the nation has also seen the emergence of the incorporation of the national oil company from NNPC to NNPC Limited. He explained that the PIA also provides for NNPCL to engage in the renewable energy business; just as the Nigerian Climate Act gives room for mainstreaming climate change actions to achieve low emissions, inclusive green growth, and sustainable economic development. He said Nigeria is not transitioning away from hydrocarbons, however, they hope to see an increase in the footprint of alternative cleaner energy sources in the foreseeable future amid fossil fuel dominance. We use what we have to get to our desired destination. This is the reason that NNPC Limited has identified gas as a transition fuel and we are expanding our gas development and gas infrastructure across the country to increase energy accessibility, he said. Natural Gas He said Nigeria has about 209.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves with a potential upside of up to 600 TCF, and this is an enormous resource that would drive a cleaner and affordable energy vision. Other alternative energy sources such as solar and wind are faced with technology limitations. They are still not affordable and cannot meet the high energy demands of our industries, cities and remote environments. NNPC Limited plans to sustain and increase our aggressive gas development and gas transportation projects to achieve affordable and clean energy which is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Goal No. 7, as our strategic energy plan towards finding a balance for the energy dilemma, Mr Kyari said. He also encouraged all industry stakeholders and the professional body (SPE) Nigeria Council to contribute to ensuring the provision of affordable, clean, and efficient energy options to stakeholders comprising over 200 million Nigerians, under a just and equitable transition. This includes not only our efforts in harnessing the existing energy resources but also in innovative research, development, and adoption of new and emerging technologies in the energy sector. Our collective success will be defined by how we deliver an affordable wide range of energy sources sustainably, he said. He said all of these cannot be achieved if we do not have security of our operations. We will continue to further deepen collaboration amongst all the relevant stakeholders; government security agencies, host communities and others to enhance our energy security. This will require provision of adequate and timely investments to build resilient energy systems capable of delivering energy to support socio-economic development in a sustainable manner, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When President Bola Tinubu on Thursday submitted the much-awaited list of his ministerial nominees one of the names many Nigerians had guessed right was Muhammad Pate, a professor and expert in internal medicine and infectious diseases. An announcement by the global vaccine alliance, Gavi, on 26 June of Mr Pates decision to withdraw his acceptance of appointment as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) gave a strong indication of what was coming. Mr Pates reason for his decision was also a clear pointer. Having earlier been scheduled to assume office as GAVIs CEO on 3 August, he informed the global organisation that he has taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria. The decision must have truly been incredible following his tortuous journey to the appointment as Gavi CEO. In a statement on its website in February, Gavi had said 344 applicants for the job were pruned down to the top three contenders, before Mr Pate eventually emerged the choice to lead the global organisation. Though he is not the only healthcare professional on the 28-person list submitted to the National Assembly by the president, thee seems to be a consensus that giving Mr Pate the health portfolio would be putting a round peg in a round hole. But there are others who see the likely appointment of Mr Pate as a hold on Nigerias government by the Bretton Woods institutions, he having also recently served the World Bank in different capacities. READ ALSO: A group of politicians in Bauchi State had also earlier advised the president against Mr Pates nomination as a minister, describing him as a fair-weather party man. However, as a key player in the global health sector, Mr Pate is also not strange to Nigerias health system and its peculiar challenges. He once served in the ministry as the head of an agency and later as minister of state. In this piece, PREMIUM TIMES takes a look at the rich profile of the man who many hope can turn around the fortune of Nigerias health sector. Meet Mr Pate Born on 6 September 1968, Mr Pate hails from Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State in north-east Nigeria, and was raised in that part of the country. The 54-year-old attended the popular Barewa College, Zaria, Kaduna State in north-west Nigeria. In the same city of Zaria, Mr Pate enrolled at the medical college of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), where he studied medicine. Upon graduation from ABU, Mr Pate worked at the institutions teaching hospital from 1990 to 1991, before moving to The Gambia at the British Medical Research Council Laboratories, where he also worked with rural hospitals for a few years. In 1998, Mr Pate moved to the United States of America for a residency training programme in Internal Medicine and a fellowship training which qualified him as a consultant in infectious diseases, at the University of Rochester, New York. He was certified by the American Board as a medical doctor in both internal medicine and infectious diseases, with an MBA (health sector concentration) from Duke University, USA. He also bagged a Masters certificate in Health System Management from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in the United Kingdom (UK). On the global scene, Mr Pate was in 2000 appointed by the World Bank as a young professional to work on contemporary issues of health, including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and malaria across many regions including Africa and East Asia. Homecoming Eight years after joining the World Bank, former President Umar YarAdua appointed Mr Pate to head Nigerias National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) shortly after it was merged with the countrys National Programme on Immunisation. Mr Pate arrived on the scene at a time Nigeria was facing vaccine hesitancy, which had caused a major clog in the countrys wheel of polio eradication initiatives. He quickly engaged traditional rulers, especially in northern Nigeria, for improvement in the use of polio vaccines and other primary healthcare services. This strategy helped in no small measure in laying the foundation for the eventual elimination of polio epidemic in Nigeria. Mr Pate also served on various national and international panels, which include the first WHO health systems research forum in Montreux, Switzerland in 2009; Mckinseys Geneva Health Forum 2009, also in Switzerland, and Ernst Strungman Forum, 2010, in Frankfurt, Germany. His performance in office as the NPHCDA boss must have informed Mr Pates choice as Minister of State for Health by Mr YarAduas successor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2011. As minister, Mr Pate established a global coalition to support health system improvements and also implemented innovative programmes to tackle priorities such as the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He also led a flagship initiative to revive routine vaccinations and primary healthcare, chaired a presidential task force to eradicate polio, and introduced new vaccines into the country. While still in office as a minister, the prestigious Harvard Health Leader award was bestowed on Mr Pate in 2012 for what the organisation described as his immense contribution to healthcare in developing countries. Resignation In a move uncommon among Nigerian political appointees, Mr Pate tendered his resignation letter as a minister in July 2013. In the letter, he said he wanted to take up the position of Professor in Duke Universitys Global Health Institute, in the US. He added that he was also scheduled to pick up a role as Senior Adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Washington DC, and also to participate in a university-wide Africa initiative. But Mr Pate volunteered to continue his work as the chair of presidential task force to eradicate polio on a part-time basis; as well his position as head of the Saving One Million Lives Initiative. Former President Jonathan, who described the appointment of Mr Pate into the new positions as a plus for his administration, accepted both recommendations. Back to global stage At Duke Universitys Global Health Institute, Mr Pate served as a visiting professor and taught its postgraduate students Comparative Health Systems. In 2015, he began a term of three years as Chief Executive Officer of Big Win Philanthropy, an independent foundation investing in children and young people in developing countries, helping them improve their lives and maximise opportunities for long-term economic growth in their particular regions. Earlier in 2014, he also founded the Chigari Foundation, a non-governmental organisation whose goal is to provide world-class leadership in engaging communities to implement actions that will positively transform lives and the society. In 2019, Mr Pate was appointed as global director for health, nutrition and population (HNP) of the World Bank, and director of the global financing facility for women, children and adolescents (GFF). Between 2019 and 2021, Mr Pate led the Banks $18 billion COVID-19 global health response and represented the bank on various boards, including those of Gavi, the Global Fund, CEPI, and UNAIDS. Pates eye on Bauchi governorship Since 2015, Mr Pate has had his eyes on the governorship seat of Bauchi State. As a result, he has crossed from one political party to the other, taking part in primary elections in the state. In 2015, Mr Pate came third in the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, scoring 86 votes to trail Babayo Gamawa whole polled 116, and the eventual winner Mohammed Jatau, who scored 368. Mr Jatau lost the general election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammed Abubakar. In 2019, Mr Pate, who had initially crossed to APC, also contested on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) but the PDP candidate and former Minister of FCT, Bala Muhammed, won the election. Also in 2022, Mr Pate participated in the governorship primary election of the APC which was won by a former Chief of Air Staff, Sadiqque Abubakar. Honours Apart from the prestigious Harvard Health Leader award bestowed on him in 2012, Mr Pate has also been appointed by the Harvard Chan School of Public Health as Julio Frenks Professor of Public Health Leadership in the Department of Global Health and Population. Also on 11 October, 2022, Mr Pate was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Pate is married with four daughters and two sons. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Nigerian man, Peter Udo, who claimed to be gay, lied and presented fake documentation to US authorities to create a false impression that he fled Nigeria to avoid public execution because of his sexual orientation, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report. Mr Udos quest for asylum in the US moved from the American immigration system to a courtroom in 2022 after his application was denied. He had told authorities that he was caught in 2015 having sex with his boyfriend in a hotel in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigerias South-south. Based on his claim, the US Court of Appeals, on 4 May 2022, ordered the countrys Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider Mr Udos request for asylum. The court ruled that he provided convincing evidence that he would be tortured if deported to Nigeria. The Board of Immigration Appeals is now rehearing his asylum request. The case is ongoing. One of the documents Mr Udo filed with the US immigration agency is an ex-communication notice he claimed was written by the Council of Traditional Rulers, Ukana Community in Ukana Ikot Otu Village, which allegedly banished his family from the community because of his gay status. In accordance to our traditional code of conduct, your son Peter Donatus Udo has committed an offence under Section 2, Paragraph C, which states: That any citizen of this community found practising homosexuality, bisexual, transgender or any other related sexual act is subjected to public execution, the fake document state in parts. On 16 April 2015, your son was caught practising this act and apprehended, detained for public execution, and he escaped. The purported ex-communication notice listed Mr Udos mother and five other family members and ordered all of them banished from the community until Mr Udo surrendered himself for public execution. Mr Udo told authorities that a waiter who wanted to serve him breakfast in his hotel room at Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, had opened the door without knocking and caught him having sex with a man, according to court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES. The waiter screamed and called hotel security, which detained the couple and called a local community security group to report the incident. The security group tied Udo and his boyfriend by their hands and legs, threatened to kill them for committing an abomination, and took them away, one of the court documents narrated. For the next six hours, the group beat the couple with sticks and metal rods, spit on them, threw sand in their eyes, and yelled anti-gay slurs. The beating caused Udo to bleed and eventually scar. Udo was taken to a detention centre, from which he escaped. He then travelled to a distant town where he was treated for his injuries at a hospital with the help of a stranger. After recovering, Udo contacted his mother, who told him that the Nigerian police had come looking for him at his home. She also told him that the leaders of his village had asked her to turn in Udo because he had committed an abomination and should be put to death. Udos mother met him at a bus stop the next day, gave him clothes and money, and told him to flee. Udo travelled to the United States. Mr Udo, who predicated his asylum application on the Convention Against Torture, which the US is a signatory to, said his life would be at risk if he is sent back to Nigeria. Fake document for asylum A PREMIUM TIMES team travelled from Abuja to Akwa Ibom State to investigate Mr Udos claims. After days of intense investigation, our team found his narrative and supporting documents to be false. Our checks showed that Ukana Ikot Otu, the village Mr Udo claimed wanted to execute him, is in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. When our reporters got to Ukana Ikot Otu on 22 July, the village head turned out to be Saviour Umoh, and not John Asanga written on the purported ex-communication notice from the Council of Traditional Rulers, Ukana Community filed by Mr Udo with US authorities. No, this is not from us. It is fake, Mr Umoh, the village head, said with a shrug when our reporter showed him a copy of the purported notice from the Council of Traditional Rulers, Ukana Community. Our reporters asked the village head to name his predecessors to enable them to determine that there was no previous village head by the name John Asanga. I was elected village head in 2015 on 4 August 2015, Mr Umoh responded. Weve never had any village head by that name. Mr Umoh then dashed into his living room, emerging shortly afterwards with his certificate of recognition as village head of Ukana Ikot Otu, which he gave our reporters to scrutinise. The certificate was issued to him by the administration of the then Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, who governed the state between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2023. As our reporters interviewed Mr Umoh, his wife sat beside him on a plastic chair on the veranda of their home. A man from the community sat close to the couple. Besides these three were two other men, though not from the village the two had guided our reporters to the village heads residence, about an hours drive from Ikot Ekpene city. Mr Umoh said there was no one bearing the name Peter Donatus Udo in the village and no such family. He said the village had not had such an experience as in the so-called notice from the Council of Traditional Rulers, Ukana Community. In Annang land, traditional rulers dont bear the title of Edidem. It is common among the Efik, and maybe some parts of Ibibio land, Mr Umoh said of Edidem John O. Asanga, who purportedly signed off as village head of Ukana Ikot Otu in the fake document. Another piece of evidence that the document is fake is the address of the secretariat on the letterhead of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Ukana Community, which is stated as 23 Ewet Housing Estate, Ukana. Ewet Housing Estate is in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, and not in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state, our checks showed. Although homosexual relationships are illegal in Nigeria, there is no law or local custom in the country prescribing the death penalty for offenders. Nigerias anti-gay law, enacted in January 2014 by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, stipulates a 14-year prison term for anyone convicted of having sex with members of the same sex. The Nigerian government put the law to the test for the first time in December 2019 when 47 men arrested by the police in a hotel in Lagos the previous year were arraigned in court, accused of publicly displaying affection for members of the same sex. All 47 men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail by the court. A federal judge later struck out the charges against the men because of a lack of diligent prosecution by the police. No, not in our hotel. Mr Udo said he was caught having sex with his gay partner at Sinadee Hotel, not Sheraton Hotel, which he previously mentioned after US authorities told him there was no Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene. Mr Udo said he lied about the location while he was questioned by investigators because he was afraid, according to court documents. Our reporters, on 27 July, visited Sinadee Guest House, Ikot Ekpene, and spoke with the hotel manager, who gave his name simply as Innocent. The manager said such an incident did not happen in the facility. Innocent said he had been the hotel manager since 2019 when Mr Udo claimed the incident happened. Asylum seekers and sexual orientation Many Nigerians are leaving Nigeria for other countries, especially in North America, Europe and Asia, because of economic hardship. But several of them prefer to manufacture stories of persecution because of sexual orientation as their reason for fleeing their country, as shown by a PREMIUM TIMES investigation. Evidence shows the United States and Canada are often sympathetic to applicants claiming to be fleeing their home countries due to persecution arising from their sexual orientations. Many of the claims are generally false, but authorities in those countries are, sometimes, unaware of that. In 2022, 20,724 people reportedly fled Nigeria and applied for asylum in other countries, according to UNHCR data. The report said of that number, 2,843 fled to the United States. With 234 positive decisions, 27.34 per cent of all new applications have been accepted (by the US government). Another 622 applications were rejected, and no decisions were made on those remaining in 2022, the report said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print From all indications, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, an accomplished Nigerian lawyer who became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at record time of 10 years at the Bar, will soon become Nigerias 24th Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. The office, the only ministerial position directly created in the Nigerian constitution to perform some specialised duties, is reserved for lawyers; so it makes it easy to guess that the next AGF will come from among the lawyers on the ministerial nominees list just submitted to the Senate for screening. The first batch of President Bola Tinubus ministerial nominees sent to the Senate on Thursday has three lawyers, with Mr Fagbemi the only senior advocate (SAN) among them. This contrasts remarkably with the SAN-studded cabinet of the immediate-past president, Muhammadu Buhari. That had made it hard to tell who the former president would deploy to the Ministry of Justice after he belatedly presented his first ministerial nominees list to the Senate in 2015. This time, even though the president is still expected to add at least 11 more nominees, the guess is much easier, apart from the fact that it is a settled matter based on the humming of those with knowledge of the considerations that brought each nominee to the ministerial nominees list. With a legal career that has flourished with professional achievements for close to four decades, Mr Fagbemi, the longest-serving lawyer and the only SAN on the list of nominees, stands tall as not just one of the most distinguished professionals, but also as the most likely AGF candidate among the others. READ ALSO: Born 16 July 1959, the 64-year-old, who hails from Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, graduated from the University of Jos, Plateau State, with a Second Class Upper degree in Law in 1984. He bagged a masters degree in Law (LLM) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1987. A year after completing his law degree at the University of Jos, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in August 1985, marking the beginning of his 38 years of flourishing legal career. He became a SAN after just 10 years at the Bar, the minimum statutory period of active legal practice a lawyer must reach to qualify for the rank. By the time he was sworn in to the rank the following year, he was 37 and the youngest person, then, to ever hold the rank. Mr Fagbemi cut his legal teeth and honed his skills under the tutelage of a renowned lawyer, Afe Babalola, for 11 years. His law firm, Lateef Fabgemi & Co, also known as Temitope Chambers, which he established later, is now 21 years into practice. The law firm handles cases for clients across the country from its offices in Ibadan in Oyo State, Lagos, and Abuja. With diverse areas of law practice in arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, commercial law, land and border disputes, the ministerial nominee has handled some high-profile political and corruption-related suits. The jurist has deployed his legal arsenal in defence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) both as the major opposition and the ruling party. Being a member of reputable local and international Bar associations, Mr Fagbemi has contributed immensely to the development of Nigerias jurisprudence teaching and delivering lectures across universities in the country. He deploys his mastery of the law in rendering consultancy services for key government institutions and state governments in Nigeria. In an interview in 2017, Mr Fagbemi recalled the influence of his deceased parents, particularly his mother, on his life and the path he has chosen. He said he never wanted to be anything else than a lawyer. The jurist while reflecting on his career once said he was not rich but was satisfied with his job. You must have a dream and pursue it with determination. You have to be very patient without being complacent. You just always ensure that you have mentors to learn from and share ideas with, he advised. Trajectory with the APC Although not known publicly to be an APC member, he has been involved in the legal battles of the party before it came to power in 2015, barely two years after its formation. The party was officially formed in February 2013. Mr Fagbemi, led by Wole Olanipekun and a dozen other senior lawyers, played frontline roles in the defence team of the APC and its then presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, when his academic qualification became a subject of a legal challenge aimed at knocking him out of the race against then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014. Mr Buhari, who would later defeat Mr Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election, won a string of cases through his formidable legal team to escape disqualification from the keenly contested poll. In 2019, Mr Fagbemi led APCs legal team when the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, challenged Mr Buharis reelection at the Presidential Election Petition Court. Mr Buhari emerged victorious with his reelection affirmed by both the presidential election court and the Supreme Court. In the build-up to the legal fireworks in 2019, Mr Fagbemi gave a speech during a hearing that contributed to persuading then President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, to step down as the presiding justice of the Presidential Election Court. The PDP had gone after Mrs Bulkachuwa, asking her to resign her membership of the panel on the grounds of her family tie to top members of the APC her husband who later became an APC senator in 2019, and his son, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party. The court asked the PDP to file a formal application that would be argued in open court. At the hearing of the application on 22 May 2019, the lawyers to the respondents APC, Mr Buhari, and INEC opposed the application, urging Mrs Bukachuwa to stay on, and urging the five-member panel of the court to dismiss the PDPs application calling for her resignation. Mr Fagbemi, as APCs lawyer, however introduced a poignant twist to his own opposition to the PDPs application. After describing the application as unmeritorious, he went on to make a passionate appeal to Mrs Bulkachuwa to voluntarily withdraw from the panel, not in agreement with the allegation of bias the opposition party levelled against her, but based on the need for her to protect her name. He said: Your name, either the one you acquired before you got married, or the one you acquired after you got married, none is for you alone. You hold them in trust and you have been blessed being the first female President of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria. My lord, your youthful look may confuse one. You are old enough to be my mother. My lord, you standing in as my parent, I will say, Mum, leave the matter. After listening to the lawyers, the panel receded to chambers to put its ruling together. On returning to the courtroom that day, a member of the panel, Olabisi Ige (who recently retired as a Justice of the Court of Appeal), delivered the lead ruling dismissing the application, with the panel unanimously deciding that the PDP failed to establish its allegation of likelihood of bias against Mrs Buikachuwa. But after the ruling, Mrs Bulkachuwa voluntarily resigned from the panel, and weeks later, appointed Mohammed Garba, now a Justice of the Supreme Court, to replace her as the head of the presidential election court. Again in 2023, the APC beckoned on Mr Fagbemi to lead its defence when the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiiku, again decided to challenge the victory of President Tinubu in the 2023 polls. Mr Fagbemi represents the APC in two other lection petitions filed by the Labour Partys presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the All Progressives Movement (APM). At one of the hearings at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, this year, Mr Fagbemi mocked Atikus case, saying, there was no need flogging a dead horse, apparently referring to alleged lack of substance in Atikus suit against Mr Tinubu and the APC. In the aftermath of the governorship election in Osun State last year, Mr Fagbemi provided his legal expertise in aid of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola against the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke. Mr Oyetola won at the tribunal, but lost the suit at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Mr Fagbemi has equally successfully defended the elections of former governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the current governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Namadi. Politically exposed Mr Fagbemi crisscrosses courtrooms in Nigeria not just for civil and political cases. Many high-profile criminal cases involving top politicians charged with corruption also bear his legal imprints. One of such is the case of former Abia State governor, Orji Kalu. In December 2019, the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted and sentenced Mr Kalu, now a second term senator, to 12 years in prison for defrauding the state as governor. But on technical ground, the Supreme Court, in its judgement delivered on May 2020, nullified Mr Kalus conviction and ordered a retrial. Mr Fagbemi applauded the Supreme Courts decision. Although he was not Mr Kalus regular lawyer in the case, Mr Fagbemis services would later be required when the former governor needed to file an application to enforce the Supreme Court judgement which was obtained by his co-defendant, and ensure his release from prison. After his release from prison, instead of submitting himself for the retrial ordered by the Supreme Court, Mr Kalu lodged another suit before Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the retrial. Mr Ekwo has since barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from retrying Mr Kalu. The EFCC has gone on appeal to bring Mr Kalu back to trial. Mr Fagbemi also successfully defended former Oyo State governor, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, in his trial on N11.5 billion fraud charges. Similarly, Mr Fagbemi frantically sought to stop the investigation of erstwhile governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Mr Wike, who is incidentally a lawyer and a co-ministerial nominee with Mr Fagbemi, had set up a commission of inquiry to probe Mr Amaechi over the latters tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015. The probe was for Mr Amaechi to give an account of how N96 billion was allegedly withdrawn from the treasury of the state government and how it was spent during his tenure. However, Mr Fagbemi contended that the probe was aimed at witch-hunting, embarrassing, humiliating and disgracing Mr Amaechi in view of his political differences with his successor, Mr Wike. In May 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed Mr Fagbemis appeal. It ordered Mr Amaechi to pay the respondents N1 million. The jurist equally defended a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, who was involved in a N19.4 billion arms funds from the ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. In the suit, the EFCC charged Messrs Dasuki and Bafarawa alongside Bashir Yuguda as well as Mr Bafarawas son, Sagir and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited. The EFCC charged them with 25 counts of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N19.4 billion. The suit is before Hussein Baba-Yusuf, the current Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. As senators continue the screening of the ministerial nominees Tuesday, Mr Fagbemis nomination as possible justice minister and attorney-general would catch public attention owing to the enormous powers that the holder of the office wields across ministries, agencies and departments. If confirmed by the parliament and eventually deployed to the position, Mr Fagbemi will inherit an inefficient justice system, in which he has operated in the last 38 years, and confused anti-corruption efforts severely undermined by the past administration of President Buhari through abuse of pardon granted to convicted politicians and a series of controversial withdrawal of corruption cases. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said the state would not afford to obey the controversial two-week sit-at-home order declared by a faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Mr Otti stated this on Monday in Abuja shortly after a security meeting convened by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to address insecurity in the South-east, according to a statement by the governors spokesperson, Kazie Uko, on Monday. Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafran agitator and leader of Autopilot, a faction of the IPOB, had declared two weeks sit-at-home in the region which would hold from 31 July to 11 August and then on Monday 14 August. Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the IPOB, via a letter in July, through Aloy Ejimakor, his special counsel, had ordered Mr Ekpa, to stop issuing sit-at-home orders in the region. But Mr Ekpa described the letter as fake, and claimed SSS authorities wrote it and not the IPOB leader. The pro-Biafran agitator maintained that the sit-at-home order would go on until Mr Kanu speaks to him directly in Finland, a North European country, where he (Ekpa) resides. Otti reacts Mr Otti said his administration would not sit and watch the enforcers of the sit-at-home order succeed, pointing out that only a handful of people were benefitting from the civil action. The governor said enforcers of the sit-at-home order were using instruments of fear to intimidate the people. Governments all over the world cannot be threatened and we need to sound that note of warning, he said. READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu accuses Nigerian govt of sponsoring Simon Ekpa You cannot afford to sit-at-home when you have work to do. A lot of people live on a daily basis: the taxi drivers, the Keke riders, the woman that is selling pepper in the market; if she sits at home for two weeks, she will die of hunger. So, it (the order) is null and void, Mr Otti stated. IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print After the final showdown in the legal battle between Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu over the 25 February presidential election, the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja on Tuesday reserved its judgement. A five-member panel of the court headed by Haruna Tsammani said a date for judgement would be communicated to parties in the suit. The verdict is expected to be delivered before the end of September. Labour Partys presidential candidate, Mr Obi, urged the court in his petition he filed at the court in May to nullify President Tinubus victory at the 25 February presidential election. Mr Obi alleged, among other issues, that Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, failed to substantially comply with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act in its conduct of the polls. Obi failed to prove his case At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, INEC lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, urged the court to dismiss Mr Obis petition for lacking in merit. Mr Mahmoud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that Mr Obi misconstrued the introduction of technology in the conduct of the election. He said the Amazon Web Services (AWS) which hosts INEC IReV portal remains the best in the world in terms of providing services for cloud data storage. The inability of the electoral commission to upload polling units results of the presidential election in real-time to INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal was one of the major grounds of disputing the February election. INEC attributed the challenge to a glitch on its portal on the day of election. The evidence before the court shows clearly that INEC went to great extent to ensure that the technology worked efficiently, Mr Mahmoud told the court in his final argument on behalf INEC on Tuesday. He said Mr Obi has not presented any evidence to suggest that there was human interference on the IReV portal during the presidential election. He further argued that Mr Obi has not shown that there was any electronic collation of results during the National Assembly election held on the same day with the presidential poll. On the issue of failure to upload results in real-time, Mr Mahmoud said the glitch did not impact the outcome of the election. There was no problem with the AWS cloud infrastructure. The problem was with the application of the deployment of the AWS. It has not been proven that the glitch was as a result of human interference. The lawyer said there was only manual collation of results during the polls. Responding to Mr Obis contention over blurred 18,000 results sheets of the presidential election, the INEC lawyer clarified that the blurred electoral documents did not affect the collation of results. The argument about blurred results goes to no issue. He said all witnesses in the suit testified that the election was impeccable. On the issue of scoring 25 per cent votes in Abuja, Mr Mahmoud said nullifying the election on that ground would confer a superior status on voters in Abuja over other parts of the country. The FCT is being ascribed a superior status than others in the country. I urge the court that this petition be dismissed, Mr Mahmoud submitted. Obi abandoned his petition Closing his arguments in the case, Mr Tinubus lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun, a SAN, said Mr Obi and the Labour Party abandoned their joint petition. The petitioners have abandoned their petition and they should say so in clear terms. Aligning with INEC, Mr Olanipekun said uploading of results to IReV was not part of the collation process, saying collation is done physically where all resuits are entered in the appropriate INEC forms. Mr Olanipekun cited a recent judgement of the Court of Appeal in Lagos which gave INEC the discretion to choose whichever mode to collate election results. He said the subsisting appellate court decision was given against the Labour Party in favour of INEC. Labour Party went forum-shopping in another court in Lagos and the Court of Appeal in Lagos settled the matter on 19 July 2023. Judgement was given against the Labour Party over INECs mode of transmission of results. On the issue of alleged criminal forfeiture of $460,000 in narcotics trafficking by President Tinubu in the U.S., Mr Olanipekun told the court that the U.S. embassy in Nigeria cleared Mr Tinubu of any crime or indictment. Arguing on Mr Obis prayer for a rerun should the court decline to declare him President, Mr Olanipekun said the Labour Party flagbearer would not be allowed to participate in the process because he came third in the race. The senior lawyer said the law only provides for Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who came second in the contest to participate in a rerun should the court decide so. Assuming without conceding, even if there is going to be a rerun, Mr Obi, the lawyer said, will not be qualified to run. May I urge my Lordships to dismiss this petition. It is an expedition, Mr Olanipekun said. On his part, APCs lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, adopted the closing arguments of Messrs Mahmoud and Olanipekun in the suit. Mr Fagbemi said Mr Obi failed to prove polling unit by polling unit INECs failure to transmit polling units results electronically. This is abysmally lacking in the suit, arguing that Mr Obi ought to have proved non-compliance with the electoral law in all polling stations across the country. The issue of rerun is a two-horse race between the two leading contenders, referring to Mr Tinubu and Atiku, urging the court to dismiss the petition. Tinubu has laboured in vain Mr Obis lead lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu, told the court that Mr Tinubu laboured in vain to defend his case. Contrary to Mr Olanipekuns argument over the use of IReV during the election, Mr Uzoukwu referenced the Supreme Court decision on former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, against Ademola Adeleke, saying the apex court held that IREV is part of the electoral process. Mr Uzoukwu, a SAN, contended that an election in which over 8000 blurred elections results were uploaded on IREv is a flawed election. INEC issued certified true copies of polling units results to Mr Obi, out of that over 8000 were blurred and blank copies of A4 papers. How can they say they conducted an election so properly called? He further told the court that Mr Tinubu was declared winner of the election on the basis of a flawed process. It is not in doubt that the 2nd Respondent (Mr Tinubu) forfeited $460,000 being profits of narcotic trafficking in the U.S. They dont want to hear that, Mr Uzoukwu stated. He said Mr Obis petition was not abandoned, as he insisted that his team had led credible evidence in aid of their clients case. I submit that the petitioners have proved their petition and particularly the issue of non-compliance. Infact, the respondents provided no defence, the senior lawyer said. Mr Uzoukwu urged the court to grant Mr Obis prayers and dismiss the respondents defence. After taking the arguments of lawyers to parties in the suit, the court reserved judgement. Legal tussle It has been three months of intense legal battle. The close of arguments on Tuesday marks the end of the hearing until judgement is delivered. The court has until 16 September to hand down its verdict, going by statutory provision that election petitions must be heard and determined within 180 days from the day of filing. Mr Obi had filed his petition on 20 March about three weeks after Mr Tinubu was declared winner of the poll. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Press Release August 1, 2023 SENATE CONDEMNS CONTINUED HARASSMENT OF PINOY FISHERMEN, ILLEGAL CHINESE INCURSION IN WPS The Senate adopted a resolution strongly condemning the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels and the persistent incursions of China into Philippine territory. Philippine Senate Resolution No. 718, which is principally authored by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, also urged the Philippine government to take appropriate action in "asserting and securing the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf." The resolution, Zubiri said, embodies the sentiment of senators who were in consultations yesterday with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). "We came out with strong consensus yesterday after the discussions with the West Philippine Sea Task Force, together with the AFP Chief-of-Staff General (Romeo) Brawner and DFA Secretary (Enrique) Manalo. And actually, we never watered down the resolution that we filed, we actually strengthened the first resolution that we initially filed with Sen. Risa," said Zubiri. Last week, Resolution No. 659 was filed, authored by Hontiveros and sponsored on the floor by Zubiri, urging the DFA to sponsor a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling on China to stop its harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS. "I think what happened here is we strengthened the position of the government ... And the beauty of this is, with proper consensus and of course consultations among our colleagues, we have come out unanimous," the Senate leader stressed. "Also, the resolution articulates the sentiment of the Filipino people, and incorporates the views of responsible executive agencies. Their inputs shaped the final language of the resolution," Zubiri added. "Although authorship is ours alone, we can say that the text was influenced by Senate-Executive consultation." The adopted Resolution No. 718 enumerates the reasons China's continued incursions in the WPS remain illegal, starting with its violation of the 2016 landmark ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which held that there was "no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line" and that China's claims ran contrary to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. "Rather than comply with the decision, the Chinese government has instead chosen to ramp up its harassment of Philippine vessels, including those of the country's fisherfolk, navy, and coast guard, thus undermining peace and stability in the region," the resolution read. "In clear violation of the Arbitral Award, China has built artificial islands in various parts of the WPS - fortified with airstrips, military installations, hardware and equipment-and has militarized at least three of those artificial islands, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment and fighter jets," it added. The resolution also noted that in June and July of this year, the Philippine Coast Guard and military observed the "increased presence of Chinese vessels and maritime militia swarming the Recto Bank and Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc." "If we have not manifested our position, then it is as if China had succeeded in muzzling the Philippine Senate, " he pointed out. The resolution then enumerated the options the Philippine government can take in addressing China's incursions in the WPS aside from holding dialogues with the Chinese government: 1. Bringing international attention to China's harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine EEZ and its continued violation of the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS; 2. Utilizing international fora to rally multilateral support for the enforcement of the Hague Ruling and raise awareness on the real situation in the West Philippine Sea; 3. Engaging like-minded countries in various international organizations, meetings, and other fora to call on China to respect the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS; and subject to necessity and prudence, 4. Filing a Resolution before the United Nations General Assembly, to call for the cessation of all activities that harass Philippine vessels and violate the Philippines' established rights in the West Philippine Sea; and 5. Pursuing such other diplomatic modes as the Department of Foreign Affairs may deem appropriate and necessary. "So we thank our dear colleagues that with these options, we stand by each other and by our country. Regardless of political color, regardless of where we come from politically, we are together when it comes to the sovereignty of our country. And I am very proud of this Senate for doing so," Zubiri said of the resolution. In southern Ukraine, intense fighting continues to be focused in two sectors: south of the town of Orikhiv, Pohovsky district, Zaporizhia region, and the village of Velyka Novosilka, Volnovakha district, Donetsk region, according to a report posted on Twitter by the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning. "South of Orikhiv, the focus of Ukrainian assaults has been against Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army. 58 CAA is highly likely struggling with battle fatigue and attrition in forward deployed regiments which have been in intense combat for over eight weeks," the British intelligence said in the statement. "South of Velikaya Novosilka, the defending Russian forces is drawn from both the Eastern and Southern military districts, likely creating problems of coordination. Elements of the 5th Combined Army are likely to be under particular pressure, and probably also feel that they are long overdue for a rotation out of the front-line," the British intelligence said. According to the report, cross the south, common problems for Russian occupiers are highly likely to include shortage of artillery ammunition, a lack of reserves and problems securing the flanks of units in defence. The French government Tuesday announced the commencement of the evacuation of its nationals and other European nationals from Niger. Given the situation in Niamey, the violence that took place against our embassy the day before yesterday and the closure of airspace which leaves our compatriots without the possibility of leaving the country by their own means, France is preparing the evacuation of its nationals and European nationals wishing to leave the country, a statement from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said. READ ALSO: The ministry said the evacuation will begin today, Tuesday. France had also suspended, with immediate effect, all its development aid and budget support to Niger while calling for an immediate return to constitutional order under President Bazoum, elected by the people of Niger. The statement did not, however, clearly state if the 1,500 French soldiers stationed in Niger will also leave. Dozens of coup apologists and protesters in Niger on Sunday attacked the French embassy while denouncing France and waving Russias flag. The protesters set a door at the embassy ablaze before they were dispersed by the army. Some citizens of Francophone Africa have in recent years expressed resentment for the former colonial power (France) with some of the countries cutting ties with France and expelling French diplomats from their soil. In Niger, some citizens who support the coup hit the streets chanting Down with France as they waved Russias flag. It remains unclear if Russia is involved in Niger as the waving of the former Soviet Unions flag at the dawn of coups, which are now increasing in West Africa especially, has become a pattern. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigeria is one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world. However, over the past few decades, this plethora of biodiversity has come under significant threat amid a rapidly growing population. Within a decade, Nigerias population rose from 161 million in 2010 to 208.3 million in 2020. This has further mounted substantial pressure on the rich diversity of flora and fauna species in the countrys tropical forests, savannas and mangrove ecosystems due to the continuous shrinkage of wildlife habitat resulting from anthropogenic activities of the countrys rising population. In this interview, our reporter, Abdulkareem Mojeed, who is currently a Y. Eva Tan Conservation Reporting Fellow with the global conservation news outlet Mongabay, spoke with Andrew Dunn, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Nigeria country director, about his voyage into conservation and how WCS, alongside other partners, is helping to protect and preserve endangered species of gorillas and other wildlife in Nigerias forests. Mr Dunn noted that one of the biggest conservation issues in Nigeria today is insecurity and that three of Nigerias seven valuable national parks Kainji Lake National Park, Kamuku National Park and Chad Basin National Park have been taken over by bandits and insurgents. As a result of this, he said, wildlife rangers are unable to patrol under such conditions, resulting in the parks being declared no-go areas, which he said is having serious repercussions for conservation and regional security. The conservationist called for more support for the National Park Service, particularly the provision of better firearms and ranger training, which he said is urgently required, together with stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Army. Recently, Nigeria emerged as a major international illegal wildlife trade source, destination and transit country for illegal wildlife trade globally after it was established that the countrys population of more than 200 million is a major player in the value chains of rosewood, elephant ivory and pangolin scales, among other illegal wildlife commodities being trafficked globally. Aside from the countrys rapid population growth, some of the major factors identified as drivers of Nigerias biological resources losses are increasing rates of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, porous borders, corruption, limited political will, enforcement difficulties, regional instability, growing economic development, weak governance and institutions, population growth and associated pressures and poverty. Other factors such as habitat change, overexploitation, pollution, invasive alien species, climate change and trafficking of wildlife and forest products are also mounting both direct and indirect pressures on the countrys biodiversity. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Nigeria has a total of 23 critically endangered, 42 endangered and 104 vulnerable animal species. Those classified as critically endangered in Nigeria include the Niger Delta red colobus (Piliocolobus epieni), Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli), Gambless relic (Pentaphlebia gamblesi), Gambless flatwing (Neurolestes nigeriensis) and Perrets toad (Sclerophrys perreti). Mr Dunn said he is especially proud of bringing Cross River gorillas from the edge of extinction to a population now estimated at 100 in Nigeria and 200 in Cameroon. The following Q&A has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Q: Kindly tell us more about yourself and your background. Andrew Dunn: My name is Andrew Dunn, and Im the country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Nigeria. After graduating from university in the UK, I worked as a volunteer research assistant on various projects in the UK, helping to study the ecology of Soay sheep, red deer, grey seals and fallow deer. I worked on a marine biology station on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, and I worked as a botanist in the idyllic Hampshire countryside [in southeastern England]. But it was always my dream to work in Africa, and I feel blessed to be living and working here today. I feel at home in Africa, but I fell in love with Nigeria. Q: What led you to embrace conservation work? Andrew Dunn: I always had various pets as a child, enjoyed visiting zoos and camping in the hills in northern England. As an undergraduate studying biology at London University in the 1980s, where, in addition to traditional courses on anatomy and taxonomy, we were also taught about nature and the environment, and I was heavily influenced by books such as Rachel Carsons Silent Spring. At the time, conservation was a very new and exciting idea to me and I desperately wanted to get involved. There was nothing else I wanted to do, so the choice for me was easy. Of course, I later came to realize that conservation work requires determination and commitment; it is a way of life rather than a job. Q: Correct me if Im wrong, but you have been working on conservation issues for a very long time what are some of the biggest things you have learned over this period? Andrew Dunn: Ive been working in conservation since 1986 and in Africa since 1989. That might sound like a long time, but I like to think that Im still a young man. Living in Africa, I have obviously learned so much, and Im still learning new things every day. Over the years I have been lucky to have had some great mentors and to have worked with some wonderful people. When I worked at Gashaka Gumti National Park [Nigerias largest national park] during the 1990s, I was fortunate enough to be guided by Salamu Waziri, a retired buffalo hunter. He didnt speak much English and I didnt speak much Hausa, but it was enough, and somehow we connected. We trekked the length and breadth of the newly established national park together; he was a patient teacher and showed me numerous animal tracks and signs that would otherwise have remained unseen by my untrained eye. Whilst I scribbled away in my notebook, he carefully collected bark and roots for use as ingredients in traditional medicine. Every day I saw something new, and one day we tracked a group of elephants, which had crossed the border from Cameroon. He was always collecting wild honey and we were frequently chased by swarms of angry bees. Over my career, the biggest things I have learned are: 1. The importance of national parks and protected areas for conservation, particularly in a country such as Nigeria, where the threats are so high it is unlikely that much wildlife will survive outside protected areas. Without national parks, Nigeria would have very little wildlife left, so we need to protect them. 2. The importance of working with local communities surrounding protected areas so they derive some benefit from conservation. Without the support of local communities, protected areas wont survive in the long term. Local communities can help save protected areas. And 3. The importance of building a good team around you and developing young talent. Conservation requires strong interdisciplinary teams: In addition to biologists and rangers, we also need educators, engineers, agronomists and communication specialists. Developing young talent is essential for the future; fortunately there is so much young talent in Nigeria, and as I have gotten older, it is working with young people that has helped keep me young too. Q: Why Africa? Why Nigeria? And for how long have you been in your current role? Andrew Dunn: To me, Africa represents the pinnacle of conservation work; it cannot be compared with anywhere else. The presence of iconic, charismatic species such as elephants, gorillas and lions is so exciting, and we need to protect them. My first job in Africa was in Liberia, surveying large mammals across the country, but I was evacuated from the country during the civil war. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to be sent to Nigeria in 1992 by WWF-UK, conducting the first surveys of the newly created Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba and Adamawa states. Nigerians are warm, generous people and I quickly felt at home. There is no place like Nigeria; I think Nigeria found me. I have worked for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Nigeria since 2004. WCS has grown rapidly since then. Q: The world has undergone so many environmental changes since you commenced your conservation work in Africa. What do you see in the future? Andrew Dunn: As the human population in Africa continues to grow, wildlife will be increasingly confined to small refuges such as our national parks. In the future, such areas will only survive if they provide real benefits to surrounding communities. So, in the future, I see stronger partnerships between protected areas and surrounding communities. A wonderful example of this is in the Mbe Mountains in Cross River state [in the southeastern corner of the country], where the surrounding nine communities came together to form a conservation association to protect Cross River gorillas and other endangered wildlife. But undoubtedly the threats will continue to grow, and this will require greater levels of political commitment from government, donor funding and expanded partnerships with local communities. Q: What are your perceptions about Nigerias biodiversity? Andrew Dunn: Nigeria still contains a wealth of biodiversity, but its importance is neglected and not widely recognized. Nigeria has very high levels of species richness and endemism, particularly for primates, birds and amphibians. Although some species have gone extinct [locally], such as the giraffe and cheetah, Nigeria has the rarest gorilla in Africa, known as the Cross River gorilla, as well as the rarest type of chimpanzee the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee [Pan troglodytes ellioti]. Habitats in Nigeria range from mangroves, rainforest, savanna, mountains and deserts so the country is extremely rich in biodiversity such as birds and butterflies. Q: What are the most important projects/works of WCS Nigeria today? Andrew Dunn: WCS Nigeria focuses on protecting Cross River gorillas, forest elephants and Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees at three sites in Cross River state: Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mbe Mountains. WCS also has an important project to help protect savanna elephants and lions in Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state. WCS does this by working with partners such as the National Park Service, the Cross River Forestry Commission, Bauchi state government, and the Conservation Association of the Mbe Mountains. Without the intervention of WCS over the last 20 years, it is likely that Cross River gorillas would now be extinct, and I am very proud that we have been able to save Cross River gorillas from extinction. Without the intervention of WCS, it is unlikely that there would be any elephants left in Yankari today. We are working with local communities to protect forested watersheds, important for sustainable water supplies across the country. WCS is working to improve the sustainability of cocoa production in Cross River state and to reduce rates of forest loss. WCS is working with pastoralists around Yankari Game Reserve to vaccinate their livestock and develop sustainable grazing outside the reserve. Q: What do you think are the biggest conservation issues in Nigeria today? Andrew Dunn: Much is talked about illegal logging, but habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion by smallholder farmers is a much more serious threat to the remaining forests in Cross River state. Hunting to supply the bushmeat trade is obviously a major conservation issue, and today there is little wildlife left outside of protected areas. A major threat to protected areas across northern Nigeria is illegal livestock grazing, and as grazing reserves and stock routes are lost and converted to agriculture, pastoralists often have little option but to graze their livestock inside national parks. The greatest threat to elephants in the county is human-elephant conflict caused when elephants leave protected areas and raid local farms. But the biggest conservation issue in Nigeria today is insecurity. Three valuable national parks (Kainji Lake National Park, Kamuku National Park and Chad Basin National Park) have been taken over by bandits and insurgents. Rangers are unable to patrol under such conditions, and the parks have become no-go areas with serious repercussions for conservation as well as regional security. More support for the National Park Service, particularly the provision of better firearms and ranger training, is urgently required, together with stronger collaboration with the army. Q: We understand that in 2018, Nigeria joined the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), a group of 20 African countries working to close down the ivory trade and ivory markets and push member countries to develop National Elephant Action Plans. What impact would you say this has had on the conservation efforts of this endangered species in Nigeria? Andrew Dunn: WCS and EPI have worked together to produce a National Elephant Action Plan for Nigeria, which will be launched later this year. We hope the plan will help focus attention on neglected elephant populations in Nigeria so their decline is arrested and that the species starts to recover. The plan identifies human-elephant conflict (HEC) as the main threat to elephants in Nigeria and proposes a number of actions to mitigate levels of HEC, such as the use of elephant guardians, watchtowers, beehive fences and the planting of less palatable crops such as chili pepper in affected areas. Q: In July 2020, with the help of camera traps, your team was able to discover and capture the first-ever photographs of a Cross River gorilla troop, including shots of several baby and adolescent gorillas. How has the introduction and usage of camera traps affected your conservation efforts in Nigeria? Andrew Dunn: Recent camera trap photos have recorded the presence of several infant gorillas a major conservation success story. Camera traps help us monitor the status of rare, shy species such as the Cross River gorilla, which are hard to see. Camera trap photos of infant gorillas and elephants with young calves help confirm that our conservation strategies are working and that endangered species are slowly recovering. Q: Do you also pay attention to lesser-known species within the forests? Andrew Dunn: Yes, all species are important not just great apes. But the Cross River gorilla is our flagship species in Nigeria. After decades of decline, the population has established and there have been no records of gorilla poaching for many years. Q: How do you feel about these other species aside from the gorillas, chimpanzees and other apes? Andrew Dunn: Besides great apes, lions and elephants, Nigeria has so many other wonderful species of which we should be proud. My favorite species in Nigeria are leopard [Panthera pardus], giant pangolin [Smutsia gigantea], red river hog [Potamochoerus porcus], giant forest hog [Hylochoerus meinertzhageni], golden cat [Caracal aurata], manatee [Trichechus senegalensis], aardvark [Orycteropus afer], crested porcupine [Hystrix cristata], roan antelope [Hippotragus equinus], hippopotamus [Hippopotamus amphibius], crocodile [Crocodylus suchus], honey badger [Mellivora capensis], flying squirrel [Anomalurus beecrofti] and otters [Aonyx capensis and Lutra maculicollis]. Q: How do those less recognized species take part in WCS overall work? Andrew Dunn: Protecting habitat for iconic species such as gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants also protects habitat for less recognized species. Reducing levels of hunting benefits all species, not only gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants. Q: There can be a lot of gloom and doom in environmental conversations today, with so many simultaneous crises (climate, biodiversity, etc.). Where do you find hope? Andrew Dunn: I find hope in Nigerias young people; only they will bring about the change we need. I find hope in the young Nigerian biologists I work with every day at the Wildlife Conservation Society; they are so talented and dedicated, and they keep me young. Despite all the threats, I find hope that species such as the Cross River gorilla are thriving in the Mbe Mountains and Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Q: What are your hopes and goals? Andrew Dunn: My hope is that one day we will be able to reintroduce some of Nigerias extinct species such as giraffe, cheetah, wild dog or even rhinoceros. My goal is to continue to build the Wildlife Conservation Society in Nigeria into a stronger, more effective organization; to expand our scope to new sites. In the past, conservation has been dominated by men, but WCS is actively seeking to address that imbalance and to recruit more women in conservation. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Andrew Dunn: Well, Im 59, so in 10 years I would be happy to find myself still above ground. Q: How do you picture Nigeria and its environment in 10 years? Andrew Dunn: In 10 years, I picture a Nigeria where corruption has been reduced and young people are more involved in governing the country so that Nigeria can start to fulfil its potential. I picture a Nigeria where young voices are heard and respected and their influence helps control environmental policy in the country. This story was originally published by Mongabay and reported by Abdulkareem Mojeed, a Mongabay Y. Eva Tan Conservation Reporting Fellow Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some youths from the five South-east states took to the streets of Enugu metropolis on Monday, supporting efforts to end the illegal sit-at-home order, crippling the regions economy. Speaking to reporters after the march, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Worldwide, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said the youths were demonstrating the desire, resolve and endorsement of an end to the sit-at-home order in the South-east. According to Mr Okpalaezeukwu, Igbo youths and other concerned citizens came from the five states of the South-east to declare an end to the sit-at-home. We acknowledge the fact that the sit-at-home order commenced because of Mazi Nnamdi Kanus detention. It gained so much support in solidarity with Kanu in the beginning. But as it is now, it is affecting us. Our economy is shrinking, and its adverse effects are just too much. Miscreants and criminals are causing so much mayhem in our society under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home order, and we say no to all forms of criminalities in the South-east. We are therefore convinced that it is now time to end it, just as Kanu himself has said, he added. Lets stand together to end it Chidi Nzekwe, the South-east coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said that educational institutions in the South-east do not operate on Mondays. Now we are talking about another 14 days of sitting at home. We want to encourage our youths and students to come out. Let us stand together to end this sit-at-home order, Mr Nzekwe said. On his part, Nnamdi Odo, the youth leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Enugu State Chapter, stressed, We are from all five South-east states, and we are here to speak with one voice against the unprogressive, anti-people and illegal sit-at-home order. He said, Today, we are out to show solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanus stand and the South-east governments trying to end the sit-at-home order. We are concerned that our economy is being crippled, and the youths are taking this message very seriously because if we dont kill sit-at-home, sit-at-home will kill us. God forbid. Businesses picking up in Enugu Meanwhile, residents of Enugu metropolis, on Monday, were seen moving about freely. At the same time, malls, markets and banks were open for businesses, signalling their resistance to a call for a two-week sit-at-home by the Simon Ekpa-led faction of IPOB. A shopper and owner of a plumbing firm, Kingsley Onah, said he was doubtful the two-week sit-at-home order would work, as people are already tired and hungry. Besides, there is so much security out there. From my house to this place, I saw so many security men. Its just that people are just afraid based on the things that happened before. But now, if you want to come out, you can come out and do what you want to do in town. The state is secure now. I do not think the two-week sit-at-home order will work, Mr Onah said. Also, at SPAR shopping mall, a resident, Uchechukwu Orji, expressed satisfaction with the states security level and encouraged other residents to come out. Enugu is safe. Im very impressed. I see people go about their normal businesses. People should not be scared by all this propaganda. Security agencies are everywhere to secure you and your businesses. For now, I am impressed. The town is peaceful, Mr Orji, an entertainer, said. At Abakpa Market, a driver, Emmanuel Okpara, said businesses are picking up on Mondays as the confidence of the people to pursue their daily activities is getting higher. Before, we were afraid that something bad would happen to us if we came out. But now there is security everywhere, and I will advise people to come out, Mr Okpara said. A resident in New Haven, Innocent Agu, expressed happiness that business was beginning to pick up, adding that peoples perishable goods used to get spoiled before the ban on the sit-at-home order by Governor Peter Mbahs administration. I can tell our people that now there is nothing to fear. People should have the courage to come out. Police and army are everywhere securing our people, he said. A hairdresser at Mkpokiti, New Layout, Amaka Samuel, noted that hairdressers suffered before the governors ban on the order, adding: Hunger wanted to kill us; no customers. But now, it is a bit different. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has announced that it will launch a probe into the sales of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria. The Chairman of the Committee, Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos), in a statement on Monday, said it would probe the sale of two Bell 206L-3 helicopters which were public assets acquired for training pilots by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, for N1.2 billion. He explained that the government decided to sell the helicopters despite the Nigerian Navy needing similar aircraft for operations. READ ALSO: The sale of the Helicopters under the pretext of underutilisation by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping in all sectors of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration, he said. This is despite the offer of Nigerian Navy to acquire the same and possibly use it to address the security challenges facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft. The committee equally feels the assets could have been converted to the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country. The urgency in the sales and concession of public assets at the twilight of the last administration calls for suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration, and it is only right that the new regime is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there are no hidden agendas. Therefore, the House Committee on Public Assets as constituted will investigate the sale of these important training national assets to ensure that due process is followed and that the country is not shortchanged in this deal, the statement reads. Mr Kuyes committee and 133 others were constituted by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas last Thursday before the House embarked on its annual recess. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Troops of the Nigerian army have arrested five suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network in Anambra and Imo States, Nigerias south-east. The army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said the troops also destroyed some hideouts and training camps of the separatist group. Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said the hideouts and camps, located in Orsomoghu Forest which extends into the two states, were raided as part of ongoing operations to deter enforcement of an illegal two weeks sit-at-home order declared by a faction of the IPOB. The army spokesperson said the operation was carried out on Monday by troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. He said the operation followed a tip-off about some violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home-order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu State. During the operations, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Eke-Ututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents, he said. Eke-Ututu is a community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State which shares boundary with Orsomoghu and Lilu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Mr Nwachukwu said the troops came in contact with armed IPOB fighters who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) locally referred to as Ogbunigwe and also fired at the troops using locally fabricated mortar tubes. The valiant troops, however, overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes. Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group, the army spokesperson said. Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals. One IPOB flag, one CCTV camera, two detonated IEDs and a fabricated mortar tube were among the items recovered from the separatists, according to the army. The army urged residents of the South-east to continue to support the military with information about IPOB activities and also disregard the groups unlawful two weeks sit-at-home order. It vowed to continue collaborating with other security agencies to protect lives and property in the South-east within the ambit of the law and in line with the rules of engagement. IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A 23-year-old student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo in Ondo State, Regina Olayemi, has narrated her ordeal in the hands of kidnappers who held her captive for seven days in the Ago-Oyinbo forest in Akure North Local Government Area of the state. Miss Olayemi on Monday said she was working in her familys farm at Ago-Oyinbo village last week when she was kidnapped. She was released after seven days after her family paid N350,000 as ransom. In spite of the payment, she said it took the efforts of operatives of the states Security Network, the Amotekun Corps, to force her release. My mum and dad were in the town, but I went to the village to help my sisters in the farm before our resumption, in order to get some money to take to school, when the incident happened, she told journalists on Monday at the corps headquarters in Akure. We were at the farm and suddenly we saw these three kidnappers coming towards where we were, I told my sisters that these Fulani people are coming to our side that I was going to run, but they said that I should not go anywhere that they were not going to do anything to us. When they got to us, they asked us to kneel down and we knelt down. At that moment we started begging them. Two of them were with guns while the third person was with cutlass. They later asked me to stand up and told me that I should be following them. They took a cassava stick and started beating me as we were going. I spent seven days with them. They asked for my dads number but I told them that I did not know it off-hand. I later told them I did not have parents again, that they had died, that I just came to the village to help my sisters so that I would get money to take care of myself when I get back to school. But they said it was a lie, that they knew everything about my family. I later gave them my number because I was not with my phone on that day. The kidnappers according her, got through to one of her sisters through her phone and informed her of her kidnap. Her sister reported the matter to Amotekun, whose operatives immediately started a search for her in the forest. Miss Olayemi said she was beaten many times and denied food. She, however, said the kidnappers did not rape her. The Amotekun Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, spoke on the incident and the fight against crime in the state. He said the Corps arrested about 29 suspected criminals in the state in recent times. We were about to pick up the suspected criminals, especially the kidnappers and we are also about to bring the victims who have gone through terrible times in their hands, he said. The resurgence of kidnapping within the state made us to go deep into forests to fish out these kidnappers. READ ALSO: Police alert Nigerians on new trick used by kidnappers We have a total number of 29 criminals, and about 20 of them are suspected kidnappers. We also invited all those that came to complain that they were kidnapped in the last three to four months in the state and they were able to identify majority of them. As a matter of fact, we have to cross the river to arrest them, and we were equally attacked by majority of them. We also found out that these criminals live in our forests along Ala-Dada, Jugbere, up to Ijagba and we were able to comb the forests. This is to send a strong signal that even crossing the water will not deter Amotekun from flushing these criminals out of Ondo State. The only solution is for all these criminals and kidnappers to pack and leave Ondo State, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is set to roll out palliatives to mitigate the harsh economic effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidy on residents of the state. He said the state government has felt the pains the people were passing through. The governor disclosed this on Monday in Enugu while inaugurating a committee for the procurement, storage and distribution of the relief items to the public. He charged members of the committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, to handle the palliatives with transparency, while ensuring the speedy distribution of the items to those in dire need of them. Members of the committee include the chairperson of Nkanu East Council Area, Okechukwu Edeh, who is the chairperson, Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State; the chairperson of Uzo Uwani Council Area, Chukwudi Nnadozie, who is ALGON deputy chairperson in Enugu; chairperson of Awgu Council Area, Pedro Nwankwo, and his Enugu East counterpart, Livinus Anike. Others are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Mike Ogbuekwe; Programme Manager of Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme, Ogbonna Onyeisi and the head of the State Emergency Management Agency, Chinasa Mbah. Governor Mbah, who acknowledged the harsh impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the people, said Nigerians would, however, benefit from it in the long run. He expressed the hope that the palliatives would help alleviate the economic hardships in the state. He urged the committee to ensure that the palliatives were sent to homes of those that need them the most in the state. The question for us now as leaders is, how do we mitigate those shared pains that our people are going to be exposed to? It is part of what we are doing to see how we can begin to cushion the effects of some of these pains. So, what we are doing now is to see how to fix the pains people are going through and there are also plans for short and medium term solutions, and that we are going to do in due course, Mr Mbah said. Responding on behalf of the committee members, the deputy governor, Mr Ossai, expressed the committees readiness to work transparently and deliver on the assignment. He thanked the governor for his efforts to meet the yearnings of the people, and assured that the committee would not disappoint in the discharge of its responsibilities. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, has provided free transportation for its staff members to ease the hardship caused by the increase in fuel price in Nigeria. The school disclosed this in a statement from its Registrar, Val Okafor, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abakaliki. Mr Okafor, in the statement, noted that the free bus service would serve as a palliative to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government. The institutions management, after its 414th regular meeting on 25 July, considered the adverse effects of the fuel hike on staff. The free bus service will last for one and half months and took effect from 27th July, the statement read. The registrar said the institutions two luxury buses would be used for that purpose. The buses will operate one trip from Afikpo to Unwana and vice versa on weekdays. They will depart Amuro town hall bus stop, Afikpo, by 7.30 a.m. to the institution and depart from the old administration block car park by 4 p.m. for the return trip, the statement read. Mr Okafor enjoined staff to note the bus schedule and conduct themselves orderly during trips. The drivers must, however, ensure that the buses are not unduly overloaded, the statement added. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the Nigerian government of sponsoring Simon Ekpa to cause unrest in Nigerias south-east Mr Ekpa is a Nigerian-Finnish citizen who has been linked to the growing insecurity in the region. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to the IPOB leader, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, which was sent to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Ejiofor said Mr Kanu made the remark when the IPOB leaders legal team visited him at the facility of the State Security Service (SSS), Abuja, on Monday, where he is being held. Mr Kanus allegation came days after the IPOB leader, through Aloy Ejimakor, his special counsel, ordered Mr Ekpa to stop issuing sit-at-home orders in the region. Todays (Monday) visit was to brief Onyendu (Kanu) on pertinent developments with respect to his specific written order calling off senseless sit-at-home, hitherto being enforced by enemies of our people, Mr Ejiofor said in the statement. The lawyer said Mr Kanu has asked residents of the South-east to note that whoever continues to observe the cancelled sit-at-home order was working for the Nigerian government to destroy the region. Onyendu was very emphatic that Simon Ekpa is procured and fully bankrolled by the Nigerian government for the purpose of causing unrest in our region, he said. The IPOB leader, Mr Ejiofor said, stressed that no freedom fighter anywhere in the world would impose economic hardship and unimaginable terror on his people as a style of liberating them. Mr Kanu added that the evil activities of those who claim to be freedom fighters also extend to perpetration of all forms of violent crimes in our region, which include but are not limited to kidnapping and killings. Background IPOB, in August 2021, introduced a sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-east to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Mr Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged terrorism at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The separatist group later suspended the order, in preference for it to be implemented only on days Mr Kanu appears in court. But despite its suspension, residents of the five South-east states Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra have been observing the Monday sit-at-home order, primarily out of fear. Aside from millions of naira reportedly lost because of the sit-at-home in the South-east, hundreds of people have been killed and others injured by gunmen who often enforce the order in the region. IPOB had repeatedly disowned the Monday sit-at-home across the region, saying those who still enforce it were criminals attempting to blackmail the separatist group. A leader of Autopilot, a faction of the IPOB, Mr Ekpa, has continued to declare the sit-at-home in the region, despite being suspended by the IPOB faction led by Mr Kanu. Several Igbo leaders, including governors from the South-east, have repeatedly called for an end to the civil order in the region. After Mr Ejimakor made a letter from Mr Kanu public which contained the order to stop the civil action, Mr Ekpa described it as fake, claiming the SSS authorities wrote it and not the IPOB leader. He said attributing the letter to Mr Kanu was a joke and an insult and maintained that the sit-at-home would go on until Mr Kanu speaks to him directly in Finland, a North European country, where he (Ekpa) resides. IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In a dangerous turn of events, military-ruled Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea have declared their support for the coup in Niger. Burkina Faso and Mali in a joint statement on Monday warned that any military intervention against Niamey would be considered a declaration of war against their nations. Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, they warned, adding that such a move could result in disastrous consequences that could destabilise the entire region. The warning was read out on their national broadcasters a day after ECOWAS threatened to use force to reinstate Nigers deposed President Mohamed Bazoum should the coup plotters not comply after seven days. READ ALSO: The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali express their fraternal solidarity to the people of Niger, who have decided with full responsibility to take their destiny in hand and assume the fullness of their sovereignty before history, Aljazeera quoted the two countries as saying. They described sanctions imposed on Niger as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane against the people and authorities of Niger hence will not apply them. In Guinea, a post made on the social networking platform X said the National Committee of the Rally for Development (CNRD) firmly expressed its support for the people of this friendly country (Niger), emphasising the importance of the values of Pan-Africanism dear to the Head of State, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya. It dissociated itself from the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. Nigers coup leaders named General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former presidential guard chief, as head of state, saying they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum due to poor governance and discontent with the way he handled security threats from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL). While countries declare support for the coup plotters, Nigers military are arresting top officials of the toppled government. The mines minister, oil minister and head of the ruling party were among those arrested on Monday, according to the PNDS party. The party also noted that the interior minister, transport minister and a former defence minister, have also been arrested. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ukraine has received the first two Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery units, the production of which is jointly financed by Denmark, Norway and Germany, Slovak Prime Minister Ludovit Odor has said. According to the Slovak news website Dennik N, Odor said this at the ceremony of the transfer of weapons in the Slovak city of Dubnica nad Vahom. The transfer of howitzers in Dubnica was attended by Ambassador of Ukraine Myroslav Kastran. It is reported that a total of 16 howitzers are planned to be transferred, the total cost of the project exceeds EUR 90 million. In the coming months, KONSTRUKTA-Defence, will hand over another 14 howitzers, the last of which is due to arrive in Ukraine next year. "The project worth more than EUR 90 million is funded by Norway, Denmark and Germany," Dennik N said. "This is proof that the situation is changing, and Russia is not succeeding in its ambitions to tire us, intimidate and blackmail us, for example, with nuclear threats. Thanks to the Governments of Slovakia, Norway, Denmark and Germany. This project is an example of successful cooperation and the basis for new cooperation in the military-technical sphere between Slovakia and Ukraine," Kastran said, stressing that the speed of delivery of weapons systems is very important at present. According to Odor, the quality of the Zuzana 2 howitzer is also proof that Slovakia can produce modern equipment that meets the most stringent international requirements. KONSTRUKTA-Defence is already negotiating with a Ukrainian arms company on further cooperation, the result of which should be a prototype of a new howitzer. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has arrived at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja for Tuesdays hearing of his suit challenging President Bola Tinubus victory. Atiku, accompanied by PDPs acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, and other party stalwarts, arrived at the courtroom at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Tuesdays hearing is for the adoption of final written addresses by parties in the petition. The proceedings will end the three-month legal fireworks by Atiku, Mr Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nigerias electoral commission, INEC. READ ALSO: The next hearing after the adoption of addresses will be for judgement. Atiku, through his petition, urged the five-member panel chaired by Haruna Tsammani to overturn Mr Tinubus victory on account of alleged electoral malpractices during the 25 February presidential election. He also accused Mr Tinubu of falsifying his academic records from the Chicago State University and forfeiture of $46,000 in an alleged drug trafficking matter in the US. However, Mr Tinubu, in his defence, argued that he was never convicted of any crime in the US. The president tendered a letter from the US embassy in Nigeria clearing him of any indictment or conviction in the US. He also presented his academic records from the Chicago State University to aid his case. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A youth organisation and a group of professionals in Benue State, North-central Nigeria, are currently bickering over the nomination of Joseph Utsev as the ministerial nominee from the state by President Bola Tinubu. Mr Tinubu recently nominated Mr Utsev, a professor of civil engineering, alongside 27 others to be screened and confirmed by the Senate as ministers. While submitting the list last week to the Senate, the presidents Chief Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, hinted that more names would be submitted to make up for the states yet to have at least a nominee as a minister in accordance with relevant provisions of the Constitution. The Senate on Monday screened Mr Utsev, despite his inability to defend some discrepancies in his biodata as contained in the resume he submitted to the lawmakers. Tokunbo Abiru, the senator representing Lagos East(APC), first noted the discrepancies and then asked the nominee to defend the gaps during the question and answer time. All three senators from the nominees state spoke in his defence. They appealed to their senator colleagues to screen and confirm him. The confirmation will be done at the end of the whole screening exercise. How his nomination is generating tribal bickering The nomination of Mr Utsev by President Tinubu has, however, generated some intense bickering between two groups having tribal inclinations in the state. While a group known as the Tiv Youth Council Worldwide is in support of the nomination, another group, identified as the Coalition of Idoma Professionals, is apparently against the choice. Mr Utsev is of Tiv extraction, which is the largest ethnic group in the state, while Idoma, which is the predominant tribe in Benue South Senatorial District, is considered a minority tribe. A recent press publication by the Coalition of Idoma Professionals signed by one Inalegwu Adaje said it was an act of injustice against the Idomas for the ministerial nominee representing the state of being of Tiv extraction. The statement, which appeared in some national dailies on Sunday, said the ministerial nominee should come from Idoma land since the governor, Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), George Akume, are both of Tiv ethnic group, to allow for inclusion and tribal cohesion in the state. The recent ministerial nomination is a serious violation of Section 14 Subsection 3 of the 1999 Constitution, a part of the statement noted. Mr Adaje, the convener of the coalition, noted that What we have in Benue today is one tribe dominating everything as if we dont have equal rights in Nigeria. The governor is a Tiv man; Speaker of the House of Assembly is a Tiv man; the Chief Judge is Tiv; Chief of Staff to the Gov is Tiv; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is a Tiv man; member Board North East Development; federal level appointments all Tiv. We reject this in totality and call for inclusiveness. The statement called on President Tinubu to sack Mr Akume, a former governor of the state, between 1999 and 2007. In a statement on Monday, however, the Tiv Youth Council Worldwide countered the position of the Idoma Professionals, saying they should not expect to reap where they did not sow. The statement entitled Reaping where you did not sow calls for patience and circumspection: Tiv Youth Council Worldwide warns Idoma professionals and signed by one Mike Msuaan, said the Idoma Professionals press statement rejecting the nomination of Mr Utsev was most regrettable, pitiable and a display of ignorance of the workings of democracy. The statement noted that the Idoma Coalition lacks the moral right to cry injustice as they have not just represented the same but also marshalled, promoted and benefited from injustice against the Tiv people even more. A precedent established? The Tiv youth group reminded the Idoma Professionals that a precedent was set in 2011 when David Mark, as Senate President, reportedly facilitated the nomination of Abba Moro as a minister in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Messrs Mark and Moro are of Idoma extraction. While the former is no longer visibly politically active, the latter is a two-term serving senator. Mr Moro, while speaking in support of Mr Utsevs nomination during the screening on Monday, also appealed to President Tinubu to consider his senatorial district for federal appointments to promote inclusion. Democracy is a game of numbers and majority rule, meaning that the majority will always have their way in a democratic system, such as practised in the country. The Tiv people are majority in the state and have proven so with their numerical voting strength. Hon. Adaje should know that, in 2027, the Tiv people can decide to field a Tiv/ Tiv ticket and win the Guber elections with such voting strength. We are the fourth largest ethnic group in the country and will continue to determine who governs the state with our majority votes, the statement noted. The statement also alleged that in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, the Idoma nation boldly rejected the APC and mobilised their people to vote against the candidature of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen Kashim Shettima Presidential ticket tagging it a Muslim/ Muslim ticket. The statement challenged some leaders, believed to be Idoma, who are chieftains of the APC, to produce a clip of any event where they campaigned for Mr Tinubu in the events leading to the recently conducted presidential election. They should produce the results from their polling units or ward. These are politically irrelevant people who cannot deliver their polling units, Mr Msuaan said. According to Mr Msuaan, the Idoma Professional Coalition and their sponsors must know that the APC lost the presidential election woefully in their area and should not expect to be patronised by the APC government. The Idoma people formed G-9, a group birthed to work against the election of President Tinubu. The group also berated the Idoma Coalition for calling for the sack of Mr Akume, saying the SGF has always been assisting prominent sons and daughters of the Idoma tribe. The Tiv Youth president stated that it was funny that Mr Adaje questioned the credentials of Mr Utsev, someone who has risen to the position of professor in a field like Engineering and held several positions of responsibility. Mr Msuaan maintained that the press release by the Coalition of Idoma Professionals was an attention-seeking expedition, a cheap display of bravado built on hatred and envy, calling on Mr Tinubu to discountenance it. The Senate, which screened 14 of the 28 nominees on Monday, is expected to conclude the screening exercise within the week while awaiting the list of more nominees from President Tinubu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja discharging a former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, from trial on money laundering charges involving over N1 billion. The commission, on Tuesday, disclosed in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, that it had filed its appeal against the Court of Appeals ruling. Mr Uwujaren said the commission filed a notice of appeal against the 25 July decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court on Monday. The Court of Appeals decision ending the eight-year-old trial was based on technical ground of lack of territorial jurisdiction, and not on the merit of the charges. The EFCC, in 2015, charged Mr Lamido, his two sons and their companies before the Federal High Court in Abuna with 37 counts of money laundering involving about N1.35 billion allegedly siphoned from the state in a money laundering scheme. The commission accused Mr Lamido of abusing his position as governor between 2007 and 2015, allegedly laundering sums of money received as kickbacks from companies that were awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government under his leadership. The other defendants charged alongside the former governor included his two sons Aminu and Mustapha. The others are Aminu Wada Abubakar, and their companies Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd. The EFCC had called over 16 witnesses before closing its case last year. Afterwards, the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant them entering defence. But the trial judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendants to open their defence on 8 to 11 November 2022. Dissatisfied, Mr Lamido went on an appeal, which the Court of Appeal affirmed to upend the eight-year-old trial on 25 July. The unanimous decision of a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal had held that the Federal High Court in Abuja where Mr Lamido and other co-defendants were being prosecuted, lacked territorial jurisdiction to entertain the trial. The judgement upheld the no-case submission which the defendants had filed at the trial court to challenge the validity of the charges, holding that the case could only have been validly prosecuted at the appropriate court in Jigawa State where the offences were allegedly committed. EFCC faults appeal courts decision But the commission faulted the decision in its notice of appeal dated on 31 July, contending that the Court of Appeal erred in law when it held that case was wrongly commenced in Abuja Division of the Federal High Court instead of Kano and proceeded to strike out the charge and discharge the appellants. Contrary to the decision of the appellate court, the appellant contends that Section 98(1) of the ACJA, 2015 confers on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court the power to transfer a case from one court to another where the transfer of the case will promote the ends of justice or will be in the interest of the public peace The commissions notice of appeal stated: The record of the appeal or evidence before the court below showed that the instant case was commenced in Kano Judicial Division of the Federal High Court but was transferred to Abuja for security reasons. The power of transfer conferred on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court by Section 98(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 is not limited to transfer of a case from one court to another within a Judicial Division but extends to power to transfer a case from one Judicial Division to another where such transfer will promote the ends of justice or will be in the interest of public peace. In addition to the Chief Judges power to assign cases to any division as deemed appropriate, the notice of appeal also said: There was also evidence and or proof of evidence before the court that some of the elements of the offences for which the respondents and others were charged occurred in Abuja. The appellant further argued proper order to make pursuant to Section 15 and 23 of the Court of Appeal Act Cap. C36 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 22 of the Federal High Court Act Cap. F12 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 was to have transferred the case to the Kano Judicial Division of the Federal High Court instead of striking out the charge and discharging the appellants. The EFCC also maintained that the appellate court overlooked the failure by the respondents to insert the names of other parties in their Notice of Appeal. This, it said, was grievous error, as Order 7 Rule 2(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules 2021 states that all appeals shall be by way of rehearing and shall be brought by Notice of Appeal which shall set forth the grounds of appeal, the exact nature of the relief sought and the names and addresses of all parties affected by the appeal. The said unilateral and arbitrary exclusion of some of the parties in the Notice of Appeal by the respondents without the leave of the court is not a mere irregularity but a fundamental vice which rendered the Notice of Appeal incompetent and invalid, the commissions notice of appeal added. The commission, therefore, urged the court to set aside the whole decision of the Court of Appeal and order a return of the case to the trial court to continue and conclude same. The defendants are expected to file their objection to the appeal after receiving the appellant files and serves its brief of argument. Highlights of charges One of the charges against Sule Lamido and his co-defendants reads: That you, Alhaji Sule Lamido (while being the Governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria), on or about March 2nd, 2012, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court in your account in the name Bamaina Holdings (also referred to as Bamaina Holding Limited) domiciled at Unity Bank Plc. Kano, converted the aggregate sum of N61,919,000.00 being the value of four Sterling Bank Plc Cheques nos. 04981304, 04981305, 04981307, 04981308, three Diamond Bank Plc Cheque nos. 32909551,32909548, 32909550 and four Bank PHB Plc Cheques nos. 24444376, 24444374, 24444375 and 24444372 paid by Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited which represented the proceeds of bribery and corruption to wit: using your position as a public officer for gratification by purportedly obtaining contracts for companies in which you have interest from Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited which was awarded contracts by Jigawa State Government with the aim of concealing their illicit origin and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under section 15(1) of the same Act READ ALSO: Sule Lamido attacks Obasanjo for endorsing Peter Obi Another count reads: That you, Alhaji Sule Lamido (while being the Governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria), Aminu Sule Lamido, Mustapha Sule Lamido, and Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited on or about 3rd of April 2012 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court retained in the account of Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited domiciled with Skye Bank Plc Kano the sum of N57,000,000.00 transferred from the account of Bamaina Holdings (also known and referred to as Bamaina Holdings Limited) at Unity Bank Plc Kano which fund you knew represented the proceeds of illegal act of Alhaji Sule Lamido who used his position as a public officer for gratification by obtaining purported contracts for Speeds International Limited, Gada Construction Company, and Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited from Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited, a company which was awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 17 of the same Act Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja has reserved judgement in Atiku Abubakars petition challenging President Bola Tinubus victory. Haruna Tsammani who led the five-member panel of the court said on Tuesday that a date for judgement in the suit would be communicated to parties. The electoral commission, INEC, had on 1 March declared Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 25 February presidential election. But Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the court in his petition to nullify Mr Tinubus victory on grounds of non-compliance with the Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act. Earlier at Tuesdays proceedings, INECs lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, urged the court to dismiss Atikus suit for lacking in merit. In INECs final argument, Mr Mahmoud told the court that Atiku failed to discharge the burden placed on him by law in proving his allegations against the conduct of the election. He contended that Atikus case centred on alleged non-compliance with the electoral act and INEC guidelines and regulations which the petitioner did not substantiate. The electoral umpires lawyer said the deployment of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System machines and INEC Results Viewing (IReV) for the presidential election was successful. The evidence (before the court) showed that these innovations around accreditation and authentication were successful. The information generated by BVAS were stored on the Amazon Web Services (AWS). The evidence before court showed that AWS is the secure and reliable Amazon services across the world, Mr Mahmoud argued against Atikus claim that the IReV portal was compromised by INEC in favour of Mr Tinubu. Asked by the court to clarify issues around electronic transmission of results and uploading of results on IReV, Mr Mahmoud explained that Atiku and the PDP contrived in their mind an electronic collation system. The evidence does not support that. There is no such thing. He further said thatthe glitch which disrupted the real-time upload (of presidential election results from the polling units) only lasted for 4 hours 50 minutes on election day. Second point of disagreement is that this glitch was contrived as a result of human interference. But Atiku failed woefully to establish that there was human interference. The evidence before the court showed clearly that the election went well smoothly at the polling units and results were well collated, Mr Mahmoud told the court. On the issue of statutory requirement of 25 per cent votes in Abuja, Mr Mahmoud said the argument is illogical as it goes against the express provisions of the Constitution. The FCT must be treated as if it were a State. We submit that the case for noncompliance has not been made, the FCT argument has to fall on its face, the lawyer argued, praying the court to dismiss this petition. Manual results collation didnt detract electoral credibility In Mr Tinubus closing argument on Tuesday, his lead lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, said manual collation of the presidential election results did not diminish the credibility of the electoral process Uploading results to IReV whether manually or electronically plays no role in collation of results; it does not add or decrease the number of votes. Collation is physical and manual, Mr Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said. He contended that Atiku had abandoned his petition,owing to his inability to prove his case. Mr Olanipekun told the court that Atiku resorted to attacking Mr Tinubus person instead of proving his allegations. The court cannot give to the petitioners what they have not asked in their final written address. It is my submission that Atiku is a meddlesome interloper. He told the court that Atiku won a paltry one quarter of the two-thirds of votes in Abuja as stipulated in the constitution. Drawing the courts attention to the issue of mode of transmission of results, Mr Olanipekun said a recent judgement of the Court of Appeal in Lagos affirmed the discretion of INEC to apply any methodology in transmission of results. We urge your Lordships to dismiss this petition, Mr Olanipekun argued, adding Atiku merely dumped electoral documents on the court without proving his suit against Mr Tinubu. The APC on its part, urged the court to dismiss Atikus petition for lacking in substance. APC lawyer and ministerial nominee, Lateef Fagbemi, said Atikus witnesses did not dispute the figures (results) reeled out by INEC. No one presented an alternative figure of results to counter INECs declaration. Mr Fagbemi, a SAN, argued that the issue of 25 per cent votes in FCT will give overbearing privilege to FCT voters over and above a majority of Nigerians. He prayed the court to affirm Mr Tinubus victory and dismiss Atikus petition for lacking in merit. IReV shutdown created room for votes manipulation In his final argument, Atikus lead counsel, Chris Uche, prayed the court to grant his clients reliefs. Mr Uche, a SAN, urged the court to overturn Mr Tinubus victory and declare Atiku Nigerias president. He reiterated that the deployment of technology during the election by the electoral umpire was to enhance transparency of results collation, where fraud often takes place. The electoral commission deployed the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System machines for Accreditation of voters and uploading of photographic images of results sheets on INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal in the last national elections. INEC argued during the court hearing that it could not upload results of the presidential election from the polling units due to a glitch that occurred on the IReV portal. However, Mr Uche contended that during the 25 February presidential election, there was a deliberate bypass of the technology to create room for manipulation of results. He told the court that INEC deployed technology in the conduct of the election. Therefore, the burden is on INEC to explain how what transpired during the polls. The shutdown (of the IReV) was nationwide and created room for the manipulation of votes in favour of Tinubu by INEC, Mr Uche argued. Praying the court to ignore Mr Tinubu and other respondents defence, Mr Uche said, We urge your Lordships to do substantial justice and grant all the reliefs of the petitioners which we have clearly proved with evidence, while the respondents have refused to call witnesses in aid of their case. With the close of arguments in the case on Tuesday, judgement has to be delivered before 16 September when the suit will lapse. The petition was filed on 21 March but hearing in the substantive matter began in May, lasting for three months. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Sierra Leone police on Monday said they arrested several persons including senior military officers. The arrested persons, according to the police, were working to undermine the peace and tranquillity of the state and unleash violence on peaceful citizens of Sierra Leone. The police noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested individuals planned to use the purported peaceful protests between 7th and 10th August as a guise to unleash violent attacks against state institutions and peaceful citizens. It noted that suspects are assisting the police with the investigations. It expressed disappointment noting that despite continued efforts to consolidate Sierra Leones hard won peace and democratic gains, some individuals at home and abroad continue to undertake actions meant to derail the peace and tranquillity of the country. The police assured the public that the country remains peaceful and the situation is fully under control, encouraging them to go about their normal business. However, it encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. Since its election last month, the West African country has faced internal turbulence regarding the re-election of President Julius Bio. Supporters of the opposition party, APC, have alleged that the election was rigged and demanded the public release of disaggregated polling station results. Mr Bio did not attend the emergency ECOWAS heads of state meeting convened on Sunday in Abuja to address the coup in Niger. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide is requesting for talks with Simon Ekpa, the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The Ohaneze urged residents of South-east to go about their lawful businesses, and disregard the two weeks sit-at-home order by Mr Ekpa. The groups position is contained in a statement on Monday from its President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in Enugu. Mr Iwuanyanwu, while condemning Mr Ekpas incessant call for sit-at-home in the South-east, estimated that more than 250 people in the region had lost their lives through the enforcement of the order. He said it was disheartening that the South-east residents were being subjected to mayhem and hardships by non-state actors who try to enforce Mr Ekpas illegal order. Several people have been killed, maimed and properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed, Mr Iwuanyanwu said. The order has been instilling fears and trepidation in the good people of the zone, making it difficult for people to come out to transact their lawful businesses on the sit-at-home days. The president-general of the Igbo group said the region was noted for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication and agro-allied industries. Several authorities, according to him, have put the losses suffered by the people in the region at trillions of naira each day the sit-at- home is enforced. The South-east has witnessed a loss of clients and customers who find alternatives because of the unstable business environment in the zone Food transporters to the South-east charge more for a trip to Igboland because of these sit-at-home orders, Mr Iwuanyanwu said. He said it was unacceptable for Mr Ekpa to announce another two-week sit-at-home in the region. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to succeed in Igboland, Mr Iwuanyanwu said. Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the IPOB, via a letter in July, through Aloy Ejimakor, his special counsel, had ordered Mr Ekpa, to stop issuing sit-at-home orders in the region. Mr Iwuanyanwu, in the Ohanezes statement, referenced the directive from Mr Kanu to Mr Ekpa, who is based in Finland. Mr Iwuanyanwu requested talks with the IPOBs factional leader. As a father, I hereby request Mr Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion and an opportunity to air their grievances, he said. I urge the security operatives to exercise the highest degree of prudence in the discharge of their official duties to avoid further loss of innocent lives in Igboland. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The recent coup in Niger against the democratically elected government of Mohammed Bazoum has again thrown into the front burner the fate of liberal democracy in Africa, in particular the West African sub region. Since the Third Wave of democracy started in the continent in the 1990s, there has been a certain belief that liberal democracy, despite its twists and tumbles, is gradually entrenching itself in the continent. A democratic space is quite elastic and can contract or expand without this elasticity necessarily being a threat to the survival of democracy. In recent years however the number of constitutional coups (change of constitution by African leaders to extend their term limits) and military coups have raised questions of whether we are indeed witnessing democratic reversals in the continent. For instance, since 2010, there have been over 40 coups and attempted coups in Africa, with about 20 of these occurring in West Africa and the Sahel (including Chad). Niger itself has had about four military regimes since independence in 1960 but has managed to organize three democratic elections since 2011 which saw its former President Mahamadou Issoufou respect the constitutions term limits and passed the baton to the 64-year old Mohammed Bazoum. That was regarded as a no mean accomplishment for a country surrounded by neighbours that are facing insurgencies, extremism and armed coups. The recent coup in Niger, a country of 25 million people which is often ranked the poorest country in the world, follows others since 2020 in Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), Chads dynastic coup (2021), and Mali (2020 and 2021). The coup plotters have, as they are wont to do, suspended the countrys constitution and installed Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani as Head of State. There are several lessons from the coup: One, liberal democracy is still struggling to entrench itself in Africa between forces who believe that its worst form is better than any other alternative and other forces who feel so disenchanted with its practice that they want to try something else, including delinking from the state into primordial contrivances. This explains why the coup had both supporters and others opposed to it, almost on equal measure. Supporters of the coup took to the streets and burnt the headquarters of the ruling party, accusing the party of corruption and not doing enough to improve the security situation in the country or ending the long-running jihadist insurgency. Some also say that the coup was spurred by attempts to remove Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani as commander of the presidential guard, which eventually carried out the coup. Essentially the support and opposition to the coup reflects the tension between democratic and anti-democratic forces in many African countries. Two, Africa has continued to be a theatre for a proxy confrontation between the big powers. Since 1999 when Putin came to power in Russia and began aggressive efforts to reclaim the lost glory of the defunct Soviet Union (which it largely inherited), it has sought to project power on the global stage and has sought to win new friends and revive old friendships in the continent. The Western powers, in particular the USA, have sought to contain this expansionism in what could be termed a revival of the Truman Doctrine a doctrine enunciated by President Truman in 1947 to contain Soviet expansionism anywhere, and often used by historians to date the beginning of the Cold war. For instance, though both the USA and France have military bases in Niger, anti-Western sentiments have been strong in the country. In fact, some of the demonstrators in favour of the coup had Russian flags. Mohamed Bazoum himself was pro-West and was seen by the West as their ally in the fight against jihadism in the Sahel and in the efforts to stop illegal migration to the West through the Mediterranean Sea. Expectedly therefore Western countries have strongly condemned the coup formally because they support democratic rule but probably more because they see in Bazoum an ally that will help stop growing Russian influence in French West Africa. In fact, Bazoum was reported to have accused the Russian military contractor, Wagner, (which is very active in Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Central African Republic, and Sudan among other African counties) of spreading misinformation against his government. There is no doubt that both Wagner and Russia will like to get a foothold in Niger, which accounts for 7% of the worlds supply of uranium. The West believes that the new military junta, if they are allowed to succeed, will be pro-Russia. Three, the crisis of governance in Africa is breeding a general disaffection with the practice of democracy at a time no visible alternative seems to be in sight. The free speech guarantee in liberal democracy has enabled citizens to expose many acts of bad governance including corruption and nepotism, which in turn creates an impression that liberal democracy is responsible for such malfeasances further alienating some people. At the same time many African leaders have failed to uphold the basic tenets of democracy like rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, conduct of free and fair elections and guaranteeing security of lives and property. Periodic elections, which could have afforded the citizens the opportunity to change their leaders, have generally proven to be a farce, further alienating the citizens both from the state system and from the electoral process. In situations of anomie such as this, the military is given the ammunition to strike. Four, supranational institutions like the Economic Community of West African States (which recently gave the Nigerien military junta seven days to restore constitutional order in the country) have in recent times been unable to force its will on coup makers and sit tight leaders as it did in years past. For instance, the sub regional organization compelled President Laurent Gbagbo to vacate office after he was defeated by Alassane Ouattara in the 2010 Presidential Election in Cote dIvoire. It also restored the presidential mandate of Adama Barrow of Gambia in 2016 afterYahya Jammeh refused to vacate office after losing in the presidential polls. In recent years however ECOWAS has been unable to restore constitutional order following the coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Guinea (2021) and Burkina Faso (2022). A major reason for this is that most presidents of ECOWAS nations have defaulted on the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance through electoral malpractice and tenure elongation. For instance, President Alpha Condes decision to seek a third term has always been cited as the major reason for the coup in Guinea. In Cote dIvoire, 81-year-old Alasane Quattara whose mandate was restored through the intervention of ECOWAS in 2010 after President Gbagbo refused to accept defeat had no qualms amending the countrys constitution to give himself a third term. In Senegal, the President has just given up his third term bid after massive mobilisation against him. Essentially when the political class makes mockery of democracy, they not only invite disenchanted citizens to de-link from the state they also unwittingly invite the military, as the only institution with the legal monopoly of force, to intervene. Additionally, supranational institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union not only kowtow to powers like the USA and Europe because of their dominance in the global system but also because of their power of the purse. Essentially therefore the ability of African leaders to force coup makers in the continent to restore constitutional order is increasingly limited. Quite often they are forced to work with extra African powers as junior partners. Jideofor Adibe is a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Extraordinary Professor of Government Studies at North Western University, Mafikeng South Africa. He is also the founder of Adonis & Abbey Publishers and can be reached at 0705 807 8841 (Text or WhatsApp only). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Niger Delta Exploration & Production Plc (NDEP), a fully integrated energy group with interests in multiple oil and gas assets, has announced plans to unveil a new brand identity in a grand launch event scheduled for Friday, 4th August 2023. Incorporated on 25 March, 1992, originally as the Midas Drilling Fund before assuming the name Niger Delta Exploration & Production Plc (NDEP) in November 1996, NDEP retains a strong legacy as Nigerias first integrated oil and gas investment company. Established with the vision to create a company using local capital and a local workforce to benefit the oil and gas sector, NDEP has grown its business operations tremendously to span the upstream, midstream, and downstream value chains of the industry. As a parent company, NDEP consists of several subsidiaries including Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR), ND Gas Development Company Limited, and NDEP Investments Limited which are all wholly owned. Another subsidiary is ND Refineries Limited an independent midstream entity, in which NDEP holds 95% equity. In addition, NDEP is a significant equity holder in ND Western a consortium of four companies that jointly acquired SPDCs 45% Participating Interest in OML 34 in 2012. Through its new brand identity, NDEP aims to better reflect its current and future portfolio, and its long-term strategy to become the leading African company delivering sustainable energy solutions that support economic growth. It will also be reflective of its rich history, legacy, and future portfolio aspirations. In its new era, NDEP will remain committed to its mission to address Nigerias energy deficit by improving access to affordable and sustainable energy. NDEP takes a long-term view of energy provision and the global energy transition, focusing on the production and distribution of gas the transition fuel that provides a pathway to net zero. With a solid footing in the delivery of gas, NDEP will continue to seek avenues to introduce technology that harnesses the abundant and diverse sources of energy in Nigeria and West Africa into an energy bouquet that is affordable and sustainable in reaching net zero and promotes universal energy access. NDEP invites the public to join its grand unveiling and public launch via livestreamngdelta.rsvpify.com. The momentous occasion is scheduled to hold at 10 am on Friday, 04 August 2023. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Niger State Police Command has nabbed at least nine suspects who allegedly specialise in attacking and robbing trucks along the highways in Tafa Local Government of the state. The spokesperson of the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun, said their arrest was made through intelligence gathered by police in the area. He said the suspects were arrested on 20 July, 2023 in a Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with Reg. No. LKJ 739 BJ along Kaduna-Abuja highway at Sabon-Wuse Tafa Local Government. The vehicles body was found to have been riddled with some bullet impacts and occupied by nine men suspected to be criminal-minded persons, he said. The suspects are Mohammed Sani, Hakimi Abdullahi, Aminu Bello, Buhari Abdullahi, Tasiu Abdullahi, Bello Auwal, Kabiru Abubakar, Abdullahi Dabo and Babangida Ibrahim. The police spokesperson claimed preliminary investigation showed that the syndicate specialised in attacking and breaking trucks/containers and looting items/property contained therein along major roads. He further revealed that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime and claimed that they have a warehouse at Akwanga in Nasarawa, where they keep their loot, while they sell the items in Kano State. READ ALSO: How I killed officer at police checkpoint Businessman They later attempted to bribe the DPO to terminate the case with an offer of five hundred thousand naira, he said. All suspects have been transferred to Special Crime Investigation Department (SCID), Minna for further investigation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, on Monday, prayed to the Kaduna Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Isa Ashiru. The PDP and its candidate are challenging the victory of Mr Sani in the 18 March governorship election. Mr Ubas legal team, led by Bayo Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in an application filed on 23 July, moved the motion to end proceedings in the petition based on the latest pronouncement of the Court of Appeal. Mr Ojo referred to the 18 July 2023 judgment of the Court of Appeal, in the case of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against Peter Mbah of Enugu State. He said the petition was knocked off at the preliminary stage due to a fatal error by the petitioners in applying for the crucial pre-hearing notice. The governors counsel urged the tribunal to revisit his earlier motion during the pre-hearing stage that Mr Isa and PDP had abandoned their petition and same be dismissed. Another pre-hearing motion from the governor also called for the dismissal of the petition for being filed out of time. He cited several legal authorities especially decided cases of the Court of Appeal, to show the petition has procedural default. Your Lordship doesnt have to wait till the end of the tribunal, Lordships are bound to follow appeal court; there is no petition before your Lordship again. Sitting here, listening to witnesses is a waste of time. Your lordship should take cognisance of all judgement and follow what the court of appeal has said, he said. While responding, counsel to the petitioners, Oluwole Iyamu, a senior advocate, urged the tribunal to dismiss the respondents application. He stated that the law expounded by the Supreme Court is that the ruling on the application should be deferred till the end of the tribunals term. We submit that even in the light court of the appellate courts decision, a Supreme Court has also been discovered, he said. Mr Iyamu moved a motion that the petitioners be allowed to present additional 15 witnesses apart from the 25 stated during the pre-hearing. The respondents objected to the motion, saying it was an abuse of proceedings as the petitioners ought to list the total number of witnesses they intended to present in their earlier application. Victor Oviawe, one of the judges of the tribunal said that the ruling of the respondents application to dismiss the petition would be delivered on a day to be communicated to all parties in the petition. He added that the ruling of the objection raised by the respondents on the petitioners application to present additional witnesses had been deferred. If the details given by the witnesses are found to be invalid, it will be expunged from the records, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine due to statements made by Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of Poland, Head of the International Policy Bureau Marcin Przydacz. According to a commentary by Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko published on the ministry's website on Tuesday, during the meeting, it was emphasized that the statements about the alleged ingratitude of the Ukrainians for the assistance of the Republic of Poland do not reflect reality and as such are unacceptable. "We are convinced that the friendship between Ukraine and Poland is far deeper than political pragmatism. Politics should not question the mutual understanding and strength of relations between our peoples. No statements will prevent us from jointly fighting for peace and building a common European future," Nikolenko said. As reported, Przydacz said on air of the Polish television channel TVP that Ukraine has received a really big support from Poland and it should start to appreciate the role Poland has played for Ukraine over the past months and years. Three people were killed and 13 others abducted after terrorists attacked Mayanci, a community in the Maru area, Zamfara State, on Monday. Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that several people were wounded during the attack that lasted over two hours. The injured are being treated at a Hospital in Maru. A former chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Mayanci ward, Dahiru Maizabura, was among those killed. Others who were killed during the attack were Isuhu Nana and Umar Gurmu, a resident of the area, Badaru Mayanci, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone on Tuesday. The bandits came into the community moment before midnight and began shooting sporadically. They parked their motorcycles away from the community and walked to the centre of the village where they launched the attack, Mr Mayanci said. Mr Mayanci said some residents who were at a tea stall around the Fakon Idi area of the town were caught unawares. They thought the gunshots were from members of a vigilante group in the community. Another source, who simply gave his name as Usman, said the terrorists invaded the community and continued shooting. The former party chairman, Dahiru Maizabura, was killed in his shop. His provision store was in a different area from his home, so when the shooting began, he wanted to run home, but they got him before he could escape, he said. He said the other two were also killed outside their homes while running out to escape the attack. Mr Usman said most of those wounded were shot while running to safety. During bandits attacks, fear build up among residents. Sometimes, people run out of their houses to go to safer places in the community. Some of the people we took to the hospital in the morning were shot, while others were injured during the stampede, he said. Vigilante among those abducted Mr Mayanci said some members of a local vigilante group in the area were among those abducted. He said the terrorists also abducted three sons of a popular broadcast journalist in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Dan-Jarida. He said all those taken into the forest were male. He said the terrorists asked a pregnant abducted woman to return home. She was the only woman taken among the abducted residents, but immediately they went out of the community, they (terrorists) asked her to return home since she is pregnant and couldnt walk the distance to their camp, Mr Mayanci said. The police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, didnt respond to an SMS sent to him. Calls made to his mobile number did not connect. For over a decade, residents of Zamfara and other North-west States have been witnessing a series of terrorist activities leading to the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, has resolved the dispute with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, over the speakers appointment of his chief press secretary. The NUJ, led by Amos Etuk, had directed journalists in Akwa Ibom to boycott the activities of the Assembly to protest against Mr Otongs appointment of a non-journalist, Nkereuwem Udom as his spokesperson. Mr Udom is a politician and former local lawmaker at the Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, where he was the leader of the house. He had claimed the position of the speakers spokesperson in his Facebook profile and was issuing public statements on behalf of the speaker, even when he was yet to get a formal appointment. The press secretary to the speaker is the head of the Assemblys press corps, which consists of reporters from various media houses in the state. The position is traditionally reserved for a practicing journalist. I am conversant with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other laws, I have not seen, I have not read where the speaker should seek approval of anybody before appointing personal aides, Mr Udom told PREMIUM TIMES in June, at the beginning of the dispute. The appointment of personal aides is at the discretion of the holder of the office, except and otherwise stated by the Constitution of Nigeria, he added. The speaker, Mr Otong, on Tuesday, issued a statement where he announced Mr Udom as his personal secretary. He also announced Emmanuel Ebong, a former editor of The Pioneer newspapers agriculture desk, as his spokesperson, thereby bringing to an end the dispute between him and journalists in Akwa Ibom. READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom to enact law compelling council chairpersons to live in their domains Other appointments made by the speaker include Emmanuel Idio, chief of staff; Nnamso Inyang, special assistant, General Duties; Umo Robinson, special assistant, Public Affairs; Samuel Edet, director of protocol; and Monday Isaac, personal assistant. Strengthened lines The NUJ, on 19 July, before the speaker constituted his team of personal aides, had directed journalists to resume their coverage of the Assemblys activities, after a meeting between the leadership of the union and the speaker and other principal members of the Assembly. The lines were strengthened to the satisfaction of both institutions, the NUJ said of their meeting with the Assembly leadership, in a 19 July statement signed by the NUJ chairperson, Amos Etuk, and the secretary, Dominic Akpan. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A 47-year-old businessman, Godson James, has explained how he knocked down a police officer at a checkpoint at Sobe, Ondo State, along the Akure-Benin expressway last Saturday. The police said Mr James was evading arrest after allegedly defrauding a POS operator of N4.6 million. The police spokesperson in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, told journalists in Akure on Monday that Mr James knocked down the Assistant Superintendent of Police, who was trying to stop his vehicle, and the officer died instantly. She said Mr James tried to escape but was chased down to an Army checkpoint in Edo State, where he was arrested with the sum of N1.5 million in his possession. But at the state police headquarters in Akure on Monday, Mr James denied defrauding the POS operator, saying the sum was the balance he owed the operator from a business deal between them. He said he was running away because the operator and her brother threatened his life over the debt. READ ALSO: He said he refused to stop at the police checkpoint because he did not realise that the men at the checkpoint were police officers as they had blocked the road with logs. As I drove closer I saw wood blocking the road and people bending down, I thought they were criminals, and I was on high speed to escape when it happened. I did not even know what happened; I was concerned about my life because they shot at me, he explained. Mr James denied that he was trying to escape from the police. He said he was scared after being branded a kidnapper after his quarrel with the POS operator and was trying to get away from the area. He also denied involvement in any criminal activity. Mr James said he is a contractor looking for money to pay his on-site workers. The suspect had complained that he was not feeling well, after which the police allowed him to see a doctor shortly before his parade. Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya said the suspect would be charged in court after police investigations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print German energy corporation LEAG and Rock Tech signed Letter of Intent LEAG could deliver Rock Tech's Guben Converter with carbon-neutral power and heat Converter could get hydrogen from LEAG's "Gigawatt Factory" with developing an electrolyser extended collaboration in attracting qualified talented and waste management options GUBEN, Germany, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) (OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) (WKN: A1XF0V) (the "Company" or "Rock Tech") through its subsidiary Rock Tech Guben GmbH and the German energy corporation LEAG have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate. LEAG could deliver carbon-neutral power supplied by wind and photovoltaics, which could be available around the clock thanks to a smart combination of storage facilities and LEAG's "Gigawatt Factory" hydrogen production plant. This would enable Rock Tech to pass another step toward its goal of achieving climate neutrality in production. Rock Tech Lithium Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Rock Tech Lithium Inc.) Green, renewable energies are a driving force in the structural transformation of Brandenburg and give organizations operating in the region a clear competitive advantage. Rock Tech also hopes to make a substantial contribution to the battery and EV industries by 2026 by refining lithium hydroxide in the Company's planned Guben Converter. Both Rock Tech and LEAG want their planned collaboration to be the beginning of a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between the two organizations. Aside from green electricity and heat supply, the LoI extends to collaboration in attracting qualified talent, waste management options and the potential for hydrogen supply. "When companies choose a location today, it is contingent on three main factors," says LEAG CEO Thorsten Kramer, "industrial sites with adequate infrastructure, skilled staff potential, and, of course, reliable and cost-effective renewable power supply. With a focus on a 'decarbonising transformation,' we believe the Lusatia Region economically is on the right track. We are very glad to have found a partner in Rock Tech, whose product will contribute to the decarbonisation of the automotive sector. Using localized, climate-neutral energy supplies for production is a strong commitment towards sustainability." "Our goal is to produce climate-neutral lithium with zero waste in Europe as part of a new industrial circular economy centred on batteries. We need strong partners like LEAG for this. We could push the region's structural transformation starting in Guben and establish an ideal setting for our long-term investments. LEAG and Rock Tech both stand for change, which is why I am sure that we will jointly implement outstanding ideas," says Dirk Harbecke, Chairman and CEO of Rock Tech. A first step will be to explore the installation of photovoltaic systems for green power supply onto Rock Tech's converter roof in Guben. In the long run, the lithium refinery may get hydrogen for its production from LEAG's "Gigawatt Factory". A second phase could be the development of an electrolyser at the Guben site. The two parties also aim to work together to recruit appropriately qualified people in a variety of fields, including lab technicians, chemical workers, welding specialists, and IT technicians. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Dirk Harbecke Chairman & CEO ABOUT ROCK TECH Rock Tech is a cleantech company with operations in Canada and Germany on a mission to produce lithium hydroxide for electric vehicle batteries. The Company plans to build lithium converters at the door-step of its customers, to guarantee supply-chain transparency and just-in-time delivery, beginning with the Company's proposed lithium hydroxide merchant converter and refinery facility in Guben, Germany. To close the most pressing gap in the clean mobility story, Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest teams in the industry. The Company has adopted strict environmental, social and governance standards and is developing a proprietary refining process aimed at further increasing efficiency and sustainability. Rock Tech plans to source raw material from its wholly-owned Georgia Lake spodumene project located in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario, Canada, as well as procuring it from other responsibly producing mines. In the years to come, the Company expects to also source raw material from discarded batteries. Rock Tech's goal: to create a closed-loop lithium production system. www.rocktechlithium.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws and are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "predicts", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "projects", "forecasts", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking statements contained in this news release include: estimations or predictions about the outcome of the upcoming negotiations with LEAG; the further potential of collaboration; and the Company's future plans and expectations as described in the section "About Rock Tech". Forward-looking statements by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The material factors or assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements include: the outcome and possible commercial terms of tenders and offers; the Company's ability to procure equipment necessary for its business; that all required regulatory approvals and permits can be obtained on the necessary terms in a timely manner; and that financing will be available to the Company on commercial terms. There may also be other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis and annual information form filed with the applicable securities regulators. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, and the Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc. Age of Union donates $100,000 to Stand.earth, catalyzes ambitious fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 in additional investments for old growth forest protection in British Columbia Age of Union donation will help drive the development of first-of-its-kind satellite tool "Forest Eye" that will give the public a direct line of sight into logging VANCOUVER, BC, slilwta (Tsleil-Waututh), xmkwym (Musqueam), and Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) Territories, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - In a call for the government to stop the logging of rare, at-risk old growth forests in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada once and for all, Age of Union and Stand.earth have partnered to scale a major campaign to shed light on the continuing destruction of the last remaining old growth forests using cutting-edge research and technology. Old-Growth Forest in British Columbia, Canada (CREDIT: Stand.earth) (CNW Group/Age of Union Alliance) Age of Union, led by Vancouver-born tech entrepreneur and environmentalist Dax Dasilva, announced a $100,000 donation to Stand.earth who has also launched a fundraising goal of $500,000 in additional investments. This initial funding supports the July 20th launch and ongoing development of "Forest Eye," an innovative satellite tool that will provide the public with a direct line of sight into the current state of old growth logging in B.C. "Forest Eye is designed to be disruptive, transparent, and support public mobilization and local community organizing around stopping old growth logging, and holding the B.C. government to account," says Angeline Robertson, Senior Investigative Researcher with Stand.earth Research Group (SRG) and lead on the project. How Forest Eye Works Forest Eye is a groundbreaking detection system that uses remote sensing, satellite imagery and GIS mapping to identify when and where road-building, logging, or other forest cover loss has occurred in at-risk old growth areas. It will be the first of its kind for B.C. which is significant considering the environmental importance and sheer immensity of these old growth forests, and how rare they have become due to logging. Forest Eye's alerts are based on the detection of unseasonal vegetation drops using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in a system designed by Upstream Tech called LENS. LENS allows SRG to identify possible areas of logging in old growth forests that have been mapped by the provincial Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). in a system designed by Upstream Tech called LENS. LENS allows SRG to identify possible areas of logging in old growth forests that have been mapped by the provincial Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). Alerts are screened by SRG staff to confirm if logging has occurred, and timing of roads and clearcuts. Staff employs satellite imagery accessed via Planet Explorer to conduct the screening, as well as their own spatial analysis in ArcGIS. Confirmed alerts are added to a database built by SRG, using bespoke coding to transform and parse data for further analysis. Stand campaign staff use the database to post alerts to social media platforms and share them directly to subscribers. to confirm if logging has occurred, and timing of roads and clearcuts. Staff employs satellite imagery accessed via Planet Explorer to conduct the screening, as well as their own spatial analysis in ArcGIS. Confirmed alerts are added to a database built by SRG, using bespoke coding to transform and parse data for further analysis. Stand campaign staff use the database to post alerts to social media platforms and share them directly to subscribers. The public can also track old growth logging by the forest industry on Stand's website , where they can subscribe to receive alerts via email or text. This resource includes a map of the alerts, a searchable archive of the alerts, and satellite imagery of the forest destruction. $500,000 Fundraising Campaign Stand.earth and Age of Union will collaborate on an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise $500,000, growing the campaign to the scale needed to effectively defend old growth forests. Contributions to the campaign will support: Continued subscription to the best satellite imagery to support Forest Eye's analysis to the best satellite imagery to support Forest Eye's analysis Expanding the scope of Forest Eye , including supporting monitoring of ecologically important areas that are not classified as old growth (like mature stands or younger natural forests) , including supporting monitoring of ecologically important areas that are not classified as old growth (like mature stands or younger natural forests) Increasing Forest Eye's team of researchers to be able to bring alerts to the public even faster of researchers to be able to bring alerts to the public even faster Further development of the Forest Eye software so that alerts are shared and amplified across multiple accessible online platforms, and can ensure community members get the information they need when they need it so that alerts are shared and amplified across multiple accessible online platforms, and can ensure community members get the information they need when they need it Using Forest Eye's data to tell powerful stories about where, when and how old growth logging is happening across B.C., and which specific logging companies are responsible for the destruction about where, when and how old growth logging is happening across B.C., and which specific logging companies are responsible for the destruction Executing on a robust digital ads campaign to engage hundreds of thousands of people across B.C. in both mass mobilization and actions targeted at elected officials and other decision-makers to keep this issue at the top of the political agenda to engage hundreds of thousands of people across B.C. in both mass mobilization and actions targeted at elected officials and other decision-makers to keep this issue at the top of the political agenda Enhanced tool functionality and direct support for communities, First Nations, land defenders and grassroots activists who want to use the satellite tool to investigate what's happening on the land in specific areas "In a time when British Columbia is experiencing its worst ever wildfire season in the 21st century, the science is clear we need these rare, old growth forests to stay standing to protect us from some of the worst climate impacts," said Tzeporah Berman, International Program Director, Stand.earth. "We need all hands on deck to protect these increasingly rare ecosystems and we are proud to partner with Age of Union in our shared mission." "Stand.earth has demonstrated that it's well ahead of the curve when it comes to tracking progress and keeping the B.C. government accountable to its commitments," said Dax Dasilva, Founder, Age of Union. "My first experience working in environmentalism was when as a teenager I participated in the blockades to protect Clayoquot Sound, led by Tzeporah. I vowed then and there that I would continue fighting for our forests, and it's an honour to stand by her side again in the same fight three decades later. Now is the time to put an end to harmful logging and we believe that this partnership will empower people and policymakers alike to do the right thing." In 2020, the B.C. NDP government promised to implement all 14 recommendations from its own Old Growth Strategic Review , including immediately stopping (or deferring) logging in the most at-risk old growth forests. The recommendations had specific implementation timelines, ranging from six months for deferrals to three years for establishing a robust monitoring system but to this day not a single recommendation has been fulfilled, despite being just a few months shy of the province's three-year deadline. The majority of the most at-risk forests identified in this review have not yet been deferred, and are still being destroyed. Last year, Stand.earth released an investigative report that reveals the extent of the B.C. government's inaction on old growth, which has allowed the ongoing destruction of some of the most ancient, rare old growth forests across the province. This investigation uncovered ground-breaking satellite imaging to expose where logging is still happening in places the government committed to protect. Donations to the Stand.earth and Age of Union old growth fundraising campaign can be made online at: https://stand.earth/AgeOfUnionPartnership . For questions about making an impactful gift to the campaign, contact [email protected] or +1 415.532.3710. About Age of Union Alliance Age of Union is a non-profit environmental alliance that supports and makes visible a global community of changemakers working on the ground to protect the planet's threatened species and ecosystems. Launched in October 2021 by tech leader and environmental activist Dax Dasilva in Montreal, Canada with an initial $40 million pledge, Age of Union seeks to ignite a flame within every person through conservation efforts that solve critical environmental challenges around the world and inspire high-impact change by showing the positive impact that every individual can make. For more information, please visit: AgeofUnion.com On social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter About Stand.earth Stand.earth is an international nonprofit environmental organization with offices in Canada and the United States that is known for its groundbreaking research and successful corporate and citizen engagement campaigns to create new policies and industry standards in protecting forests, advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and protecting the climate. For more information, please visit: www.stand.earth SOURCE Age of Union Alliance CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Agriculture Robots Market is estimated at USD 13.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 40.1 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 24.3% from 2023 to 2028 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets. The agriculture robots market is experiencing robust growth and is poised to revolutionize the farming industry worldwide. With a growing need to address challenges like labor shortages, increasing demand for food, and the necessity for sustainable agricultural practices, the adoption of agriculture robots has gained significant momentum. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=173601759 Browse in-depth TOC on "Agriculture Robots Market" 150 Tables 200 Figures 300 Pages The market scenario for agriculture robots is witnessing a steady increase in investments from both established companies and startups. Major players in the robotics industry are actively developing advanced robotic solutions tailored for various agricultural tasks. Additionally, governments and agricultural organizations are also encouraging the adoption of these technologies by providing subsidies and incentives to farmers. The market growth can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the increasing trend of precision agriculture, driven by data-driven farming practices, is fueling the demand for robots equipped with advanced sensors and AI capabilities. These robots enable farmers to optimize resource usage, leading to improved productivity and reduced costs. Secondly, the rising awareness of sustainability and environmental concerns is driving the need for more efficient and eco-friendly farming methods. Agriculture robots offer precise application of inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, minimizing wastage and environmental impact. As the industry matures and technology becomes more accessible, the cost of agriculture robots is likely to decrease, further encouraging adoption among farmers of all scales. The agriculture robots market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, transforming the global farming landscape and contributing to a more sustainable and productive future for agriculture. The type segment, by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, is expected to account for the largest share in 2023. Agriculture drones are revolutionizing the farming industry and promoting the transition toward digital agriculture. These unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with various sensors and imaging technologies have the potential to significantly change agriculture in several ways. Firstly, they enable precision farming practices by providing high-resolution imagery of crops and fields, helping farmers identify variations in soil health, moisture levels, and crop health. This allows for precise application of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides, optimizing their usage and minimizing waste. Additionally, drones equipped with thermal and multispectral cameras can monitor crops throughout their growth cycles, detecting pest infestations, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies early on, enabling farmers to take timely corrective actions and increasing overall crop productivity. The efficiency in data collection and analysis saves time and effort, allowing farmers to focus on strategic decision-making and better farm management practices, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Moreover, the data-driven insights gathered by agriculture drones can be integrated with other digital technologies like farm management software and AI algorithms, helping farmers make data-driven decisions, predict crop yields, and optimize overall farm performance. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=173601759 The application segment, by Field Farming, is expected to dominate the market with the largest share in 2023. Agriculture robots offer significant benefits in field farming by automating various tasks and providing valuable insights to farmers. These robots can perform tasks such as planting, seeding, weeding, spraying pesticides, and harvesting, reducing the reliance on manual labor and increasing efficiency. The precision and accuracy of agriculture robots lead to optimized resource usage, including water, fertilizers, and pesticides, resulting in reduced costs and minimal environmental impact. Additionally, the data collected by these robots through advanced sensors and cameras allow farmers to monitor crop health, detect diseases, and assess soil conditions in real-time. This data-driven approach enables farmers to make informed decisions, implement targeted interventions, and maximize crop yields. By automating labor-intensive tasks and streamlining operations, agriculture robots help farmers overcome labor shortages, increase productivity, and improve overall farm management. As a result, farmers can achieve higher yields, reduce production costs, and adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, ensuring a prosperous and resilient agricultural future. North America is expected to account for the largest market share in 2023. The agriculture robots market in North America is witnessing rapid growth, driven by various factors that are shaping the industry and encouraging the widespread adoption of robotic technologies in farming practices. North America is experiencing a decline in the availability of agricultural labor due to factors like urbanization and changing demographics. As labor costs rise, farmers are turning to agriculture robots to automate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, reducing their dependency on human workers and mitigating the impact of labor shortages. The region is at the forefront of technological innovation, and the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT (Internet of Things) has significantly enhanced the capabilities of agriculture robots. These cutting-edge technologies enable robots to make data-driven decisions, perform precise operations, and optimize farming practices, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. The presence of leading research institutions and companies dedicated to robotics and agriculture in North America has contributed to the accelerated growth of the agriculture robots market. Ongoing research and development efforts continue to push the boundaries of what agriculture robots can achieve, opening up new possibilities and applications. The European agricultural machinery industry is one of the most developed in the world and is supported by the presence of global players, such as John Deere (US), Small Robot Company (UK), Earth Rover (UK), Saga Robotics (Norway), CNH Industrial (The Netherlands), and AGCO Corporation (US). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=173601759 Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting Browse Other Agriculture Domain Reports: Post-Harvest Treatment Market by Type (Coatings, Ethylene Blockers, Cleaners, Fungicides, Sprout Inhibitors, Sanitizers), Crop Type (Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers & Ornamentals), Origin (Natural and Synthetic) and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Plant Growth Regulators Market by Type (Auxins, Cytokinins, Gibberellins, Ethylene), Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Fruits & Vegetables, Oilseeds & Pulses, Turf & Ornamentals), Formulation, Function and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/agricultural-robot-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/agricultural-robot.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets AFU attacks near Bakhmut on Monday, along border of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions, west of Zaporizhia region ISW Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on July 31, the analytical review of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says. Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces continued attacking northwest and southwest of Bakhmut, in the western Donetskeastern Zaporizhia region border area, and in western Zaporizhia region. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported that over the past week, Ukrainian forces liberated an additional two square kilometers of territory in the Bakhmut area and 12.6 square kilometers in Berdiansk (western Donetskeastern Zaporizhia region border area) and Melitopol (western Zaporizhia region) directions. It is reported that the Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Svatove-Kreminna and Avdiyivka-Donetsk City lines and made claimed gains in Luhansk region. Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in western Donetsk and western Zaporizhia regions. Russian forces conducted limited counterattacks in western Donetsk and western Zaporizhia regions, the analysts report, the analysts report. According to ISW, Iran and Belarus are deepening bilateral cooperation over the backdrop of their mutual support for Russias war in Ukraine. Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin arrived in Iran on July 31 and met with his counterpart, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and a bilateral military cooperation plan for 2023. Ashtiani is primarily responsible for negotiating military acquisitions and sales in his role as Iranian Defense Minister, so Khrenin and Ashtiani likely discussed arms deals during their meeting. Belarus may have also been seeking to secure an agreement on Iranian production of Shahed drones on the territory of Belarus following initial reports that Iran was seeking to convert a plant in Belarus Gomel Oblast into a Shahed production plant, the message reads. The Wagner Group may be supplanting the Russian military as the Belarusian militarys key training partner. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) likely succeeded in recruiting an unknown number of Wagner personnel following Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhins failed rebellion Prigozhin stated that the Wagner Group stopped recruiting in Russia and claimed that the Wagner Group does not need to recruit more personnel and has sufficient reserves, the ISW informs. ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury and Air France CEO Anne Rigail will be keynote speakers at Flight Safety Foundation's 76th annual International Aviation Safety Summit (IASS), scheduled for Nov. 68, 2023, in Paris. The theme for this year's event is "harnessing innovation and collaboration for global aviation safety." Faury, who was appointed Airbus CEO in 2019 and was re-appointed last year, will open the conference on Monday, Nov. 6. Faury, who leads the Airbus Executive Committee, is also the president of GIFAS, the French aerospace industries association. Rigail, who will speak on Tuesday, Nov. 7, was appointed Air France CEO in December 2018. She began her aviation career in 1991 with Air Inter and has held a series of senior executive roles at Air France, including executive vice president of customer experience and executive vice president of in-flight services. "We are excited to have two such accomplished organizational and industry leaders joining us at IASS 2023," said Foundation President and CEO Dr. Hassan Shahidi. "Both Anne and Guillaume have led large, complex, international organizations through one of the most challenging periods in aviation history and know first-hand the importance of innovation and collaboration. I'm sure they will have keen insights to share with our audience. " More information on the summit can be found on the IASS 2023 page on the Foundation's website. About Flight Safety Foundation Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, international organization engaged in research, education, advocacy and communications to improve aviation safety. The Foundation's mission is to connect, influence and lead global aviation safety. Media Contact: Frank Jackman Director, Communications and Research +1 703.739.6700, ext. 116 [email protected] SOURCE Flight Safety Foundation DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mullings Group, a leading talent acquisition firm headquartered in the U.S. that specializes in medical & health technology, life sciences, and emerging high-tech industries, announces the joining of Ajay Nair to the team as President of The Mullings Group (TMG) Search APAC. Ajay will lead the expansion of TMG's executive search into APAC, developing and cultivating new and existing relationships within the region. TMG has over three decades building companies and careers and is the industry's largest and most successful search firm in the MedTech/HealthTech market, with offices in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and APAC. The search firm is responsible for more than 8,000 successful searches with over 800+ clients ranging from multi-billion-dollar companies to emerging tech startups worldwide. The trends of high levels of growth and companies expanding their footprint in the APAC region are increasing the demand for business leadership and engineering talent in key markets in Asia-Pacific. Ajay brings over two decades of deep industry expertise in MedTech and a proven track record of building high-performing teams across the U.S., Middle East, and Asia Pacific to The Mullings Group. Using his experience from roles across APAC, including key markets like China, Japan, Korea, India, and SEA, Ajay has successfully built his sales, marketing, and commercial leadership career with some of the top med device companies in the world. After spending the last three years working in V.C., startups, and consulting, Ajay continues to expand his extensive people-oriented network that covers the U.S., the Middle East, and APAC. "I am absolutely thrilled and honored to join the TMG Search team. I have been connected to them since 2005 and have been an ardent follower of their podcasts, updates, and interviews for many years. The culture and values that Joe has infused in his team really resonate with me, and I can't think of a better region to represent TMG than the hypergrowth environment of Asia Pacific." says Ajay Nair - President, TMG Search APAC "Ajay Nair leading the APAC initiatives of The Mullings Group is incredibly exciting. The rate of growth in the APAC region is poised to be greater than any other region in the world. Ajay has lived in many of the countries that are included in the APAC region, and his medical device experience, leadership, and understanding the nuances in the respective countries are critical for the individuals and companies that we work with." says Joe Mullings - Chairman & CEO, The Mullings Group Companies Hear more from Joe & Ajay in a full interview, recorded in our studio, here: https://youtu.be/fUNFERg84M0. More About The Mullings Group In 1992, The Mullings Group decided to go "all in" on technology and medical devices because people were not only living longer but wanting to live healthier, and we know tech would always seek a higher ground. Since then, we have successfully completed more than 8,000 searches in the medtech / healthtech / life sciences industry with over 800 companies globally. Our search team has a combined tenure of over 100+ years with TMG a rare indicator of success, commitment, and consistency. As the only search firm in the world with a full media and marketing arm in our organization, we understand how critical it is to tell our clients' stories at scale to support Attention & Awareness, M&A, Recruiting & Talent Access for emerging technology companies. Our 7x Telly Award-Winning media and production company, Dragonfly Stories, has created content for some of the most successful medtech organizations in the world. Who brings your message to market matters, and so does their reach. We have established ourselves as the "voice of the industry" in developing companies and careers. With over 150,000+ sets of eyes on us every day on career platforms like LinkedIn, where careers are built, we are the trusted partner in the industry. TMG is headquartered in Delray Beach, FL, with offices in the US, Canada, the U.K., and APAC. As we continue to expand our search practices nationally and internationally, we continue to grow in medtech / life sciences and emerging high-tech industries. More: https://mullingsgroup.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165009/TMG_Search_APAC_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Mullings Group The report highlights the powerful conversations, meaningful collaborations, and momentous accords reached among Native American tribal leaders and officials from the federal government including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Department of the Interior about the critical considerations needed to support a just transition to a clean energy future. WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy , an Indigenous-led nonprofit that supports the self-determined efforts of Native American tribes to transition to a clean energy future, today released the 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit Proceedings Summary Report . The report highlights the powerful conversations, meaningful collaborations, and momentous accords reached at the 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit among Native American tribal leaders and officials from the federal government including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Department of the Interior about critical energy considerations such as siting, transmission, interconnection, and the many resources currently available to tribes to support a just transition to a clean energy future. "For four days in May 2023, the Tribal Energy Equity Summit convened for the first time in history Native American tribal leaders with officials from the federal government for the purposes of establishing relationships and catalyzing more meaningful and effective dialogue about energy," said Cheri A. Smith (Mi'kmaq Descendant), Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy Founder, President, and CEO. "The most significant takeaway from the Summit proceedings report is that it reveals the somber truth that virtually every major energy development in our country's history has happened at the expense of Native American people," Smith said. "We are hopeful that the reverent conversation and demonstrable meeting of the minds that occurred at the Summit will spark the consequential changes to energy policy and regulation needed to ensure a just transition to clean energy for tribes." Throughout the Summit, tribal participants discussed how tribes desire to "show up as leaders" in the transition to a clean energy future, exercising sovereignty and jurisdiction over their power and the significance of working collaboratively with U.S. federal agencies. To that end, they developed and issued a Tribal Statement of Intent, to guide future engagement and dialogue between Tribal and federal governments: "We demand to be met where we are in energy development and regulation and to be included at the leadership tables that inform, educate, and share policy and regulations to remediate past harms, to promote and protect sovereignty and inclusivity, and to ensure generational benefits and equity for all Native Americans." 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit Proceedings Summary Report Highlights The 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit Proceedings Summary Report contains the results of consensus and caucus work conducted by participants and documented by facilitators Lesley Kabotie (Crow) and Paul Kabotie (Hopi) and their team of professionals at Indigenous Collaboration, a Native-woman-owned public benefit corporation. History of energy regulation and development and its impact on tribes: Summit facilitators guided tribal leaders in sharing their personal experiences with the trauma caused by energy development and regulation in Indian Country and weaving it together with the documented historical timeline. The report chronicles this highly sensitive and interactive session. Strategic approaches to ensuring this transition is equitable and just: Tribal leaders discussed how tribes desire to "show up as leaders" in the transition to a clean energy future, exercising sovereignty and jurisdiction over their energy sources and systems, and the significance of working collaboratively with federal representatives at the Tribal Energy Equity Summit and beyond. Organized and hosted by the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, with financial support from the MacArthur, McKnight, and Energy Foundations, the 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit was a pivotal convening of over 200 attendees, including 50 Tribal leaders from 42 Native American Tribes and Alaska Nations, 50 tribe-supporting organizations, 12 officials from the Departments of Energy and Interior, 17 officials from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including keynote speaker, FERC Chairman Willie Phillips. The 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit Proceedings Summary Report is the first in a series of Summit follow-up activities promised for participants, as well as those who could not be in attendance, to continue the dialogue and momentum that was kindled at the Summit. To download the 2023 Tribal Energy Equity Summit Proceedings Summary Report, click here . About Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy is an Indigenous-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the self-determined efforts of Native American tribes to transition to a clean and regenerative energy future. The Alliance's no-cost offerings include the critical technical and financial assistance and wrap-around services necessary to build tribal capacity to access and manage the unprecedented amounts of federal funding currently available for developing clean energy infrastructure. The Alliance provides assistance to tribes through a curated network of preferred energy service providers and developers who are carefully vetted by a Native-led committee of energy experts to minimize the chances for exploitation. The Alliance is funded by philanthropy, including the MacArthur Foundation, Energy Foundation, and Invest in Our Future fund. For information on joining the Alliance as a tribal partner or preferred provider, visit www.tribalcleanenergy.org Media Contact: Kathleen Van Gorden | KVG Communications [email protected] | 401-480-1840 SOURCE Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy YPSILANTI, Mich. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Block Harbor joins American Center Mobility as their Executive-in-Residence for mobility cybersecurity. In March 2023, ACM released a new strategic plan to broaden their focus to advancing safe, sustainable, and secure mobility technologies. Through this partnership, ACM and Block Harbor will collaborate to develop cybersecurity offerings and promote the cybersecurity ecosystem at ACM's global development center to help the industry meet regulations and alignment with standards for the cybersecurity of vehicles. With the release of UNECE Cybersecurity (UN R155 and R156), a regulation that aims to enhance the cybersecurity of connected and automated vehicles and provide a common cybersecurity framework for the automotive industry worldwide, there is a growing need for tools, labs, and expertise to ensure compliance to standards. "Cybersecurity has always been in our line of sight with the work we do in connectivity and automation," says Reuben Sarkar ACM CEO "Block Harbor will help us bring together the right capabilities and assets to expand our offerings and build our ecosystem in this rapidly growing area." Block Harbor is a Detroit-based vehicle cybersecurity software company focused on launching the Vehicle Security Engineering Cloud (VSEC) to vehicle cybersecurity auditors, automakers, and suppliers. With nearly a decade of experience securing vehicles, Block Harbor is at the forefront of the industry, developing solutions that address the pain points in vehicle cybersecurity engineering. "The future of mobility highly connected, automated, electric all depends on passenger trust and faith in the vehicle", says Block Harbor CEO, Brandon Barry, "ACM understands the importance of cybersecurity in that future. Block Harbor is honored to support the ACM's cybersecurity in their advanced mobility proving ground." About American Center for Mobility ACM offers a one-of-a-kind global development center to transform the way industries advance safe, sustainable, and secure mobility technologies. Located in Southeast Michigan on over 500-acres at the historic Willow Run site in Ypsilanti. ACM offers: an Advanced Mobility Proving Ground with test environments featuring specialized infrastructure, equipment, facilities and resources; An innovation and technology campus with an industrial tech park for the co-location of mobility companies; Event and demonstration areas for showcasing mobility technologies and convening industry activities. ACM is open to private industry, start-ups, government, standards bodies, and academia. For more information about ACM, visit acmwillowrun.org Block Harbor (BH) was established in 2014 to build great solutions in automotive cybersecurity to keep mobility safe. Block Harbor built the industry-leading platform for vehicle cybersecurity engineering: The Vehicle Security Engineering Cloud (VSEC). Further, Block Harbor operates a Vehicle Security Operations (VSO) team focused on providing cybersecurity design and cybersecurity operations services such as Threat Analysis & Risk Assessment (TARA) and Vehicle Security Operation Centers (VSOC). Block Harbor's Vehicle Cybersecurity Labs (VCL) team performs our testing services including Penetration Testing, Fuzz Testing, and Verification-as-a-service out of our vehicle cybersecurity labs around the world. For more information about Block Harbor, visit https://blockharbor.io/ Media Contact: Scott Susalla, [email protected] SOURCE American Center for Mobility LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AMH (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company"), a leading owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes, today announced that the Board of Trustees declared a dividend of $0.22 per share on the Company's common shares for the third quarter of 2023. The distribution will be payable in cash on September 29, 2023 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2023. The Board of Trustees also declared a per share quarterly distribution on the Company's cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred shares of $0.36719 per share on the 5.875% Series G shares and $0.39063 per share on the 6.250% Series H shares payable in cash on September 29, 2023 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2023. About AMH AMH (NYSE: AMH) is a leading owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties. Our goal is to simplify the experience of leasing a home and deliver peace of mind to households across the country. In recent years, we've been named one of Fortune's 2022 Best Workplaces in Real Estate, a 2023 Great Place to Work, a 2023 Top U.S. Homebuilder by Builder100, one of America's Most Responsible Companies 2023 and America's Most Trustworthy Companies 2023 by Newsweek and Statista Inc., and a Top ESG Regional Performer by Sustainalytics. As of June 30, 2023, we owned nearly 59,000 single-family properties in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Mountain West regions of the United States. Additional information about AMH is available on our website at www.amh.com. AMH refers to one or more of American Homes 4 Rent, American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. and their subsidiaries and joint ventures. In certain states, we operate under AMH Living or American Homes 4 Rent. Please see www.amh.com/dba to learn more. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "believe," "expect," "will," "intend," "anticipate" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements include the payment and anticipated timing of the payment of distributions of the Company's common and preferred shares. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control and could adversely affect our cash flows and ability to pay distributions. Additional information about these and other important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform to actual results or changes in expectations, except as required by applicable law. AMH Contacts Investor Relations Nicholas Fromm Phone: (855) 794-2447 Email: [email protected] Media Relations Phone: (855) 774-4663 Email: [email protected] SOURCE AMH SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AnChain.AI, the leader in Web3 digital asset security, investigations, and AML compliance today announced its strategic collaboration with the Provenance Blockchain Foundation. Part of the collaboration is an integration with Provenance Blockchain, which aims to enhance the security and risk management capabilities, supporting developers, enterprises, and financial institutions building a more secure and robust environment for digital financial asset use cases. As financial institutions around the world enter the Web3 space, the demand for bank-grade security has never been more urgent. By integrating with Provenance Blockchain, AnChain.AI aims to deliver advanced AI-powered Web3 risk management, security, and anti-money laundering (AML)/compliance solutions, providing the ecosystem with the latest technologies to fight financial crime, and ensuring a heightened level of trust and protection for all participants in the Provenance Blockchain community. Leading Web3 security firm AnChain.AI today announced its strategic collaboration with Provenance Blockchain Foundation. Tweet this "Web3 digital assets are the future of finance, but security and compliance are critical to wider adoption," said Victor Fang, CEO & Co-founder of AnChain.AI. "Our partnership with the Provenance Blockchain Foundation aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the industry's leading Web3 security solutions. Together, we will enable a safer and more resilient Web3 financial ecosystem." AnChain.AI's groundbreaking Blockchain Ecosystem Intelligence (BEI) and Compliance, Investigation, Security Operations (CISO) tools, will empower developers building on the Provenance Blockchain to prioritize security and customer safety from the earliest stages of development. This integration will bolster the security posture of institutions and enterprises using the Provenance Blockchain for their core financial services products and experiences. "We're excited to welcome AnChain.AI to the Provenance Blockchain ecosystem. Compliance and monitoring of digital and blockchain activity is a fundamental component of managing a digital-native financial asset," said Joshua Maddox, Head of Developer Ecosystem for the Provenance Blockchain Foundation. "A recognized and leading solution, AnChain.AI offers bank-grade advanced risk management, security and compliance tools important to regulated financial institutions operating on blockchain, and now those tools are available to financial institutions and fintechs operating and managing assets on Provenance Blockchain." Provenance Blockchain is a leading blockchain, purpose-built to support financial service use cases. Built in the Cosmos ecosystem, the open-source blockchain has over $8 billion in real-world asset locked value on-chain, has supported over $12 billion in transactions, and is leveraged by more than 60 leading financial institutions across banking and payments, private equity, capital markets, lending, and asset management. AnChain.AI's proven expertise in AI-powered digital asset risk assessment and early detection of suspicious activity has won the trust of leading government agencies, financial institutions, and enterprises worldwide, including the world's most influential regulators. This integration with the Provenance Blockchain marks another milestone in AnChain.AI's mission to create a more secure and sustainable Web3 ecosystem. The strategic collaboration between AnChain.AI and the Provenance Blockchain Foundation represents a significant step in driving community awareness about the importance of robust security measures in the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape. As regulatory scrutiny in the digital asset space intensifies, this collaboration will set a new standard for secure development within the Provenance Blockchain community, fostering innovation and trust in the financial asset use cases enabled by the blockchain. About AnChain.AI : AnChain.AI (HQ in San Francisco) is an award-winning AI-powered cybersecurity company enhancing Web3 security, risk, and compliance strategies. AnChain.AI was founded in 2018 by cybersecurity and enterprise cloud veterans. Backed by both Silicon Valley and Wall Street VCs, and selected in the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator, we are trusted by 100+ customers from over 10+ countries in sectors: VASPs, financial institutions, and government, including the U.S. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). AnChain.AI Web3 Security Suite protects over $50 billion Web3 crypto assets. RSA Innovation Sandbox Finalist 2023. CNBC Top Startups Award 2022. About Provenance Blockchain : Founded in 2018, Provenance Blockchain is a leading decentralized blockchain with over $8B in real-world financial asset locked value (TVL). Purpose-built for financial services, Provenance Blockchain enables regulated financial service firms of all sizes to seamlessly and securely deploy and manage the full lifecycle of digitally-native financial assets at scale on blockchain technology, delivering material business and customer value. The native utility token, HASH, is used to pay transaction fees and enable governance. Please visit Provenance Blockchain at Provenance.io and follow us on Twitter @provenancefdn and on LinkedIn . SOURCE AnChain.AI A greener brew: ansa's hi tech micro-roaster to sweep the North American coffee landscape TEL AVIV, Israel and NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CoffeeTech startup ansa Roasting Inc. announces it has secured a total of USD 9M funding. Leading this fruitful round is Jibe Ventures, a Tel Aviv based early-stage fund. Additional participants include Closed Loop Ventures, New Climate Ventures, Millennium Food-tech, and Sweetwood. The new capital fast-tracks full commercial roll-out of ansa's hi-tech coffee micro-roaster across North America designed specifically for the away-from-home coffee segment. ansa coffee Secures $9M in funding to Boost Market Penetration The visionary coffeeTech entity is leading a new era in the USD 300M coffee industry through elevating the pleasure of savouring fresh coffee while nurturing a kinder, more harmonious relationship with the planet. ansa has created a fully autonomous mini roaster that serves as a sustainable alternative to the huge, noisy, smoking industrial roasters. It comfortably sits onto any countertop making it the perfect addition to any commercial space such as a hotel lobby, restaurant, cafe or shared work environment. The compact, sleek appliance is quiet, smoke-free, and cool to the touch. The start-up's sleek countertop device introduces the on-demand roasting of bespoke raw green coffee beans, facilitating their transformation into a delightful brew right before consumption. It can roast a single serving of coffee in a few minutes or be programmed to roast any desired amount by a set time using the ansa Roasting app. Subscribers enjoy a supply of specialty grade, 100% arabica beans delivered straight from the coffee field in bulk recyclable boxes. The result: a host of environmental benefits that slash carbon emissions and simultaneously endow a transcendent coffee-drinking experience. Moreover, coffee farmers can finally reap their rightful share of the rewards. ansa's novel approach to sourcing and supplying coffee beans dramatically cuts the distances coffee beans need to travel by minimizing their transport between farms, roasting facilities, and customers while eliminating the reliance on single-use capsules and other environmentally polluting packaging. "We are excited to invest in ansa, a CoffeeTech startup that embodies our business philosophy hand-in-glove," commends Danny Hadar, Co-founder and Partner at Jibe. "Coffee is a global favorite beverage with an immense market. ansa not only offers a strong eco-friendly angle but is breaking new ground in the way we enjoy coffee, paving an exciting and greener future for the industry. Our investment strategy places great emphasis on supporting companies that promote sustainability and that have the capacity to make a profound impact." The fresh injection of funds will be channeled to fuel commercial rollout of the micro roaster in workspaces across the United States and beyond. "Our micro-roaster is ready-to-market. During 2023 we secured commercial contracts nationwide with a lineup of top-tier distributors eagerly anticipating launching the service in prominent locations such as Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Seattle, and more!" states Yuval Weisglass, co-founder, and CEO of ansa. "We are committed to broadening our coffee services geographically to meet the growing demand for sustainable coffee solutions, and to bring our unique coffee concept to a wider audience." The e23 micro roaster developed by ansa revolutionizes the concept of roasting, going beyond simply downsizing the industrial roaster. Breaking away from traditional roasting methods which have for decades relied on gas operated convection heat at temperatures surpassing 200C, ansa brings an entirely fresh approach to the art of coffee roasting. Their patent pending countertop appliance energizes the beans from their core to the shell, without emitting any noise, heat, and unwanted by-products. This fully automatic appliance is equipped with a myriad of sensors and computer vision AI algorithms to ensure a consistently even roast for preparing the perfect freshly brewed cup of coffee. "ansa is rewriting the coffee narrative by bringing aromatic fresh coffee 'from shrub to cup' sustainably," enthuses Matan Scharf, ansa's co-founder, and CMO. "The coffee landscape has long yearned for a rejuvenation. Our mission is to provide consumers with an extraordinary coffee experience, allowing them to engage with green coffee beans while indulging in superior quality coffee at its freshest. And all in the knowledge that they are protecting our planet and the livelihoods of coffee farmers." About ansa CoffeeTech start-up ansa was established in 2020 by Yuval Weisglass, Matan Scharf, and Jonathan Scharf. Their mission was to spearhead the new future of coffee, through on-demand coffee roasting. A specialty coffee company, ansa pioneered on-demand roasting with its ground-breaking variety e23 Micro-roaster. This sleek cutting-edge device enables fully autonomous, rapid, and clean on-demand roasting of raw green coffee beans, for preparing the perfect cup of fresh coffee. ansa is a proud member of the Special Coffee Association (SCA) demonstrating the company's dedication to both exceptional coffee and environmental welfare serving the conscious consumers that value their coffee experience as much as they value the planet. Company Contact: ansa Roasting Inc. Ayelet Dar Wohl Director of Marketing E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ansacoffee.com Press Contact: NutriPR Liat Simha Tel: +972-9-9742893 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nutripr.com Twitter: @LiatSimha Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166763/ansa_coffee_Secures_funding.jpg SOURCE ansa The company will bring DevSecOps expertise to support pipeline security and automation within the federal platform as a service MILLSBORO, Del., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquia Inc., a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in cloud and cybersecurity professional services, today announced it has been awarded a subcontract from Omni Federal to support its 3-year contract with the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to augment Platform One Party Bus, a fully managed platform as a service (PaaS). The work will enable the DoD and other industry partners to efficiently and effectively develop and deploy software into a secure production environment with a continuous authority to operate (cATO). As a subcontractor, Aquia will work with Omni Federal to provide mission applications' development teams an expedited path to a continuous authority to operate (cATO)-accredited PaaS. Party Bus grants mission application teams the advantage of utilizing fully managed build and deploy pipelines, facilitating seamless continuous integration and continuous deployment of secure cloud-native software. "As a United States Air Force (USAF) Veteran, I am honored to be part of the team supporting the DoD's Platform One," said Mario Lunato, senior security engineer at Aquia. "It is a privilege to be of service to my country in this capacity and to do my part to help enable efficient and effective missions for the DoD, industry partners, and warfighters." Aquia brings significant experience working in agile government and multi-contractor team environments with federal platforms as a service, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' batCAVE and Platform One's Big Bang both of which require deep Kubernetes knowledge and DevSecOps expertise. Platform One is an enterprise service encompassing the entire DoD dedicated to expediting the deployment of DevSecOps applications through its Platform One pipeline security tools. Platform One's Party Bus is a PaaS focused on helping users launch software faster in a DevSecOps environment using Platform One pipeline security tools. About Aquia Inc. Securing The Digital Transformation Aquia Inc. is a developer-centric company passionate about the intersection of security and velocity. We maintain a strong bias towards transformational work that disrupts the status quo delivering elegant, modern solutions to cutting-edge cybersecurity problems. Founded by military veterans in 2021, we are a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Our team has decades of experience driving transformational change across the public sector, enterprise businesses, and top-tier technology companies. We value trust, accountability, transparency, diversity, and continuous learning; and we've built these tenants into the DNA of our company. For more information, visit www.aquia.us. Contact: Ashling Knight ***@aquia.us Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12976666 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Aquia Inc. Smith brings a proven track record and more than 30 years of energy expertise to continue Arevon's growth NEW YORK and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading clean energy company in the U.S., is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin B. Smith as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 11, 2023. Smith will take over leadership of the company from John Breckenridge, who served as Arevon's CEO since its inception. Breckenridge will continue in a senior advisor role for Arevon as he moves into retirement. "Kevin Smith's knowledge, experience, and track record make him an exciting addition to our talented management team." Tweet this Arevon Appoints Kevin Smith as Chief Executive Officer Smith joins Arevon with more than 30 years of experience in both conventional and renewable energy. Most recently, he was CEO Americas for London-based Lightsource bp, where he drove the company's expansion in the U.S. market, with more than $4 billion in assets entering operation or construction over the last four years, while building the development team and compiling a 20,000 MW development pipeline. Prior to leading Lightsource bp's expansion in the U.S., Smith was CEO for SolarReserve, Senior Vice President at Invenergy, LLC, President of Insight Energy, and Chief Operating Officer of London-based Rolls-Royce Power Ventures. Over his career, Smith has actively led the development, financing, and construction of privately-owned energy projects in 25 states in the U.S. and more than a dozen countries across five continents, focusing on solar generation over the last 15 years. He earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and his Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University. In a statement, the Arevon Board of Directors said, "We are delighted to welcome Kevin Smith to Arevon. Kevin's knowledge, experience, and track record of success make him an exciting addition to our talented management team, which is leading Arevon's development of renewable energy across the U.S. Arevon is committed to growing its sizable operating portfolio of more than 2,600 MW of solar and 600 MWh of storage as well as its robust development pipeline. We want to thank John Breckenridge for his strong leadership in building the company and look forward to having him in an advisory role moving forward. We wish him well as he transitions into his retirement." Kevin Smith added, "I'm excited to join Arevon and continue the company's growth in the U.S. renewable energy market. This is a critical time in the world as we face dramatic challenges related to our climate and energy supply. I look forward to working with the Arevon team to continue to bring solutions for creating a sustainable energy future for the U.S." "When we started Arevon in 2021, I was committed to forming the company and positioning it for long-term growth as the last stage of my full-time career. I will deeply miss working day-to-day with the amazing team I have had the privilege to be part of at Arevon," John Breckenridge reflected. "I have known Kevin Smith for many years and cannot think of a better person to lead Arevon through the next phase of its growth. I look forward to helping him however I can during the transition," he added. Arevon recently announced the completion of construction on its 300 MW Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar Plant located on the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada, and completed a $386 million refinancing of debt related to a portfolio of operating solar projects in Arizona, California, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Arevon is actively constructing the Eland 1 solar-plus-storage plant in Kern County, California, and the Vikings Energy Farm in Imperial County, California. About Arevon Arevon Energy, Inc. is a leading renewable energy company, supplying clean energy to utilities and corporations across North America. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., and New York City, Arevon uses innovative approaches and leading-edge technology to finance and manage projects from development through construction to long-term commercial operation. Its financial prowess and industry expertise come together to improve the structure and performance of its platform of wind, solar, and energy storage power plants. Arevon was named one of Arizona's Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023. For more information, please visit: www.arevonenergy.com SOURCE Arevon Former Tesco Chairman John Allan, CBE, and Former Commissioner of London Metropolitan Police, Lord John Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, to lend their expertise and experience as Argenbright expands its business LONDON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Argenbright Group is announcing two key appointments to support the company's UK and European growth. Former Tesco Chairman John Allan, CBE, and former Commissioner of Metropolitan Police in London, Lord John Stevens, are now senior advisors for the company. They will help guide Argenbright as it continues to cement itself as a global leader of tech-enabled solutions in the aviation services, facilities management, and security services markets. John Allan brings 37 years of leadership and business acumen from the public and private sectors. He spent 11 years as CEO of Exel and, subsequently, as CFO of Deutsche Post DHL. In addition, Allan served as President of the Confederation of British Industry and the Freight Transport Association. He has been the chairman of Tesco, Dixons, Worldpay, Barrat Developments, and Samsonite, and a non-executive director at National Grid, Royal Mail PHS Group, and Hamleys. Lord John Stevens had a 40+ year stellar career in policing, culminating as Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police. During his tenure as the Commissioner, Lord Stevens was entrusted with several high-profile cases that had national importance. Since leaving the force, Lord Stevens has worked predominantly in the security space and was appointed in 2007 as a national security advisor by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and, in 2010, by Prime Minister David Cameron as Chair of the Borders Policing Committee. Lord Stevens has been a Non-Executive Director of the British Airport Authority, Travelex, and LGC, and a Chairman of Quest Global, Axiom International, The Protector Group, and TAG Group. He also served as the Chancellor of Northumbria University for 10 years. Frank Argenbright, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Argenbright Group: "I am delighted that both John Allan and Lord John Stevens are joining us as advisors to our executive teams in the UK across our security and aviation businesses. Their extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we develop transformational and innovative solutions for our customers, grow our operations in the UK, and expand to Europe." Argenbright Group is a privately held family of companies based in Atlanta. The company's investments in the UK security and aviation sectors have rapidly grown in the last two years, with the acquisitions of Amberstone Security in 2022, quickly followed by the acquisition of The Protector Group that same year. Most recently, in July 2023, Argenbright's Unifi Aviation, the largest provider of aviation services in the United States, acquired Up & Away, a leading UK-based aviation services and private jet detailing company with a presence across 14 UK airports. Ernie Patterson, Chairman, International Business for Argenbright Group: "As we expand our operations in the UK, we are delighted to welcome John Allan and Lord John Stevens as advisors to the Argenbright Group businesses in the UK. Earlier this year, Argenbright announced an ambitious investment and growth plan in the UK region, and both of them are uniquely positioned to advise our businesses during this period of growth." About Argenbright Group: The Argenbright Group is a privately held family of companies that provides tech-enabled solutions to various industries, including aviation services, facilities management, and commercial and government security. Argenbright Group was founded in 1979 by Atlanta-based entrepreneur Frank A. Argenbright, Jr., and has grown to a $1.6 billion run rate revenue global operation with presence across the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Europe. The Argenbright portfolio includes Velociti Services , Unifi Aviation (Unifi, ERMC, Scrub and Up & Away UK), and Argenbright Security Europe Limited (ASEL) among others. Media Contact: mediarelations@unifiservice.com SOURCE Argenbright Group More than 750 medical institutions fully or partially restored in Ukraine Shmyhal Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says that more than 750 medical institutions have already been fully or partially restored in Ukraine. "More than 750 medical institutions in different parts of Ukraine have been fully or partially restored," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Tuesday. According to him, most of all in Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions. "The enemy is destroying Ukrainian hospitals, but we will restore them. The goal is not just to return what was, but to make a qualitative step forward in medicine after our victory," the prime minister said. NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws. Class Period: May 25, 2022 to February 8, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 11, 2023 No obligation or cost to you. Learn more about your recoverable losses in BAX: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/baxter-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42772&from=4 Baxter International Inc. NEWS - BAX NEWS CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Baxter International Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company concealed the true extent of the supply chain problems it was experiencing while simultaneously exaggerating its ability to maintain a healthy supply chain in the face of global pressures; (ii) as a result, the Company's projected earnings were materially misleading during the Class Period; (iii) the foregoing, once revealed, was reasonably likely to have a material negative impact on the Company's financial condition; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. Over the course of the Class Period, Baxter's stock price declined by nearly 50%, eliminating billions of dollars in market capitalization. WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Baxter you have until September 11, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Baxter securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the BAX lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/baxter-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42772&from=4. ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm TORONTO, Aug 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The BFUTR Global Tech Summit, BPTN's annual premier event, will take place over two days, October 26-27, 2023, at the Beanfield Centre in Toronto, Canada. The 2-day job marketplace, already known for innovative Obsidi Tech Talks, executive networking opportunities, career development, and epic after-parties include some of the music industry's most talented artists; will now focus more on connecting attendees with the best job and career opportunities. Black Tech Professional asking a question at a panel. (CNW Group/Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN)) Black tech professional shaking hands (CNW Group/Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN)) It's not all work and no play. This year's VIP after-party concert performer is 3x Grammy winning muscian and serial entrepreneur Ludacris. The multi-platinum artist will close out BFUTR with his signature brand of energy, lyrical talent, and selection of hit songs. BFUTR 2023 Presented by TD, welcomes back it's title sponsor TD for another year. TD continues to be a affirm their commitment in strengthening the tech industry by closing the diversity gap. During a time of uncertainty across the economy and tech industry, a climate has developed in which Black professionals have frequently been faced with more lay-offs, hiring freezes, smaller raises while also experiencing greater unemployment rates and unemployment periods than their counterparts ( Forbes ). DE&I is important. However, the research is clear: greater diversity among staff leads to increased innovation, resilience, and profitability. Quite frankly, it's good business. A McKinsey & Company report shows that companies in the top 25% for racial and gender diversity are more likely to experience more substantial financial returns. Additionally, considering employee retention, company culture research indicates that individuals in diverse and inclusive companies are 5.4 times more likely to stay for a longer tenure. What Can BFUTR Attendees Expect? With an expected 20,000+ attendees composed of Black professionals and allies, as well as 80+ influential corporate partner, this summit offers opportunities over 2-days to engage directly with hiring managers excited to hire US and Canadian Black tech talent. General Pass ($0) and VIP Pass ($50) holders, also enjoy summit perks and programming elements like: Access to over 45 Partner curated sessions held across our 6 partner lounges: Lounge Sponsors host various sessions, Tech Talks, and networking events throughout during the summit around topics like: Streaming access to the BFUTR Main Stage, via BPTN's Obsidi app Keynote speakers and industry leader will share knowledge and experiences on subjects that directly impact Black tech professionals The newly introduced Black Entreprenuers Square Access to a variety of partner sponsored experiences Collisions with industry colleagues and brands across North America And most importantly, a series of dedicated hiring and learning sessions with Black tech professionals and allies in attendance. In addition, VIP Pass ($50) holders, also get: In-person access to the BFUTR Main Stage Experience Opportunities for life-changing executive collisions Access to our epic BFUTR VIP after party concert, featuring Ludacris VIP after party concert is only available to VIP pass holders "The BFUTR Global Tech Summit is where the global Black tech community and its allies come together to create a physical place where Black tech talent thrives. We build employment pipelines for our partners, connect our members with employers of choice, discover new industry innovations, faciliate executive collisions and networking opportunities, and most importantly, help to close the diversity gap in tech across North America. It's what BFUTR has provided its attendees and partners year after year." - Lekan Olawoye, CEO & Founder, BPTN. To learn more about the 2023 BFUTR Global Tech summit and review the agenda, please visit www.bfutr.com . About Black Professionals in Tech Network Inc. Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) is the largest Black community of tech professionals in North America. Founded in 2018, BPTN bridges the network gap in the tech industry by providing Black technical and business professionals with access to senior executive sponsorship, skills building and a strong peer network to level up their careers. BPTN partners with companies to attract, hire and retain Black talent. With more than 70,000 members and over 80 corporate partners, BPTN has launched Obsidi , a multi-sided job finder platform for Black tech professionals and allies looking for find their next job and level up their career. SOURCE Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Beer Company, (NYSE: SAM), maker of iconic, high-quality brands such as Samuel Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Dogfish Head and Angry Orchard, today released its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. Coming Into Focus "This year was one of increasing momentum for The Boston Beer Company," said Jill Westra, senior manager of sustainability, The Boston Beer Company. "We made important progress towards formalizing our corporate sustainability strategy and priorities, including leveraging the results of our materiality assessment and the expertise of our newly formed Executive Sustainability Committee to establish new Cornerstones of Priority. This work will guide our ESG efforts on topics most important to our business and stakeholders in the years to come as we build upon the progress made in 2022 towards improving our company, protecting our planet, investing in our coworkers and contributing to our communities." Some of the key highlights of Boston Beer's 2022 ESG Report are as follows: Our Company and Governance Created an Executive Sustainability Committee composed of executive and senior leaders from across Boston Beer. Established ESG "Cornerstones of Priority" to help shape how we direct our resources and energy on our sustainability journey in the years to come. Developed a supplier code of conduct that formalizes our expectations of business partners. Expanded our disclosures to report in accordance with GRI and SASB and began aligning our report with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Our Communities Spent more than $3 million on social impact programs across our brands. on social impact programs across our brands. More than 700 coworkers volunteered across 36 community service days. Hosted events to connect our drinkers with local businesses, including our first Brewing the American Dream Beer Bash in New York City . Our Planet Calculated our Scope 1 and 2 emissions for the first time. Revised product palletizing and warehouse standards to help reduce product damage rate by 30% compared to 2021 and minimize returns and waste. Saved 212,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy at our Pennsylvania brewery by replacing approximately 3,500 fluorescent light fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs. brewery by replacing approximately 3,500 fluorescent light fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs. Celebrated Earth Month with coworker volunteer opportunities and our first-ever innovation tournament and sustainability film fest. Our People Achieved 21% increase in hiring racially/ethnically diverse candidates compared to 2021. Logged 71,900 hours of coworker training and involved a record-high number of coworkers. Created the Value Four Council, a leadership council aimed at developing and amplifying DE&I initiatives. Implemented a digital safety observation system and new health and safety policies and procedures that helped reduce our recorded work-related injury rate from 1.59% to 1.21% year over year. About The Boston Beer Company The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head Brewery, Hard Mountain Dew and other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites. SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc. New Reports Uncover Candidates' Preferences About Total Rewards and Workplace Expectations CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In, a recruiting platform for technology professionals, launched research today about what tech candidates truly want from employers. The two new reports cover candidate preferences on a variety of employer offerings, including perks and benefits, compensation and other workplace preferences. The data was compiled by analyzing survey responses from more than 1,000 employed tech professionals across the country in March 2023. Built In's 2023 Candidate Insight Report: Navigating Total Rewards Packages report shares findings from tech professionals as a whole. The second report, 2023 Candidate Insights: Next Generation of Tech focuses on generational differences so companies can prepare their organizations to meet expectations for younger tech employees. New Reports Uncover Candidates' Preferences About Total Rewards and Workplace Expectations Tweet this "Employers who continuously listen to and act upon ever-changing workplace expectations are the best poised to successfully recruit and retain top technical talent," says Maria Christopoulos Katris, CEO at Built In. "Our latest research offers employers the insights they need to strategically future-proof and evolve their organizations today." While the perks and benefits expectations of employers don't change drastically by generation, the order in which they are prioritized do. While baby boomers are looking for more support in flexible work and retirement contributions, the next generation of tech desires a bigger focus on wellness and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI.) Early career professionals also put a bigger emphasis on the importance of perks and benefits. For example, if a company has poor benefit offerings, 60 percent of early-career professionals would look for a new job immediately while only 56 percent of mid- to later-career professionals feel this way. With 70 percent of survey participants saying that salary is very or extremely important when considering a job offer, it's clear that competitive compensation is also an essential part of any business's total rewards package. In fact, we found that 16 percent would turn down a lucrative offer if they received a better counteroffer from their current employer. Unfortunately, newer tech employees don't feel good about their current compensation: only 53 percent of early-career professionals feel they're fairly compensated, while almost 70 percent of later-career professionals believe they're fairly compensated at their current position. Today's workforce continues to value remote, hybrid and flexible work options. In fact, 28 percent of survey respondents said that requirements to work in-office would cause them to immediately start looking for a new job. Similarly, Built In's survey showed over 50 percent of respondents wouldn't accept a job offer that lacked hybrid or flexible work options. To get additional insights, read Built In's 2023 Candidate Insights: Next Generation of Tech report here and the 2023 Candidate Insight Report: Navigating Total Rewards Packages report here . METHODOLOGY The primary data in this report came via the Built In Tech Worker Survey, conducted in partnership with Brandata, of 1,089 employed tech professionals across the country in March 2023. Respondents came from a wide range of backgrounds including engineering, sales, project management, operations, data and analytics, marketing, human resources and many others. ABOUT BUILT IN Built In is creating the largest recruiting platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industry's most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves thousands of innovative companies from startups to the Fortune 500. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them reach otherwise hard-to-hire tech professionals. www.builtin.com PRESS INQUIRIES Haley Russo, Built In [email protected] SOURCE Built In FRISCO, Texas , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Careington International Corporation is proud to partner with Wellpoint Federal and Quality, Timeliness, & Customer Service Medical Group to support the Defense Health Agency's Reserve Health Readiness Program. Through this new partnership, the program now utilizes Careington's Care PPO network to provide U.S. reservist service men and women national access to in-clinic dental treatment in preparation for deployment. Since 2021, QTC Medical Group, the largest provider of disability and occupational service solutions, has been the contractor of the Reserve Health Readiness Program. The RHRP provides Individual Medical Readiness, Dental Readiness and deployment services to active duty and reserve service members without direct access to military treatment facilities. Wellpoint Federal, the subcontractor of the RHRP plan that contributes in-clinic dental and vision services, provides health care solutions to the nation's veterans, active military personnel and their families. Together, QTC Medical Group and Wellpoint Federal are committed to providing medical and dental readiness support for those preparing to defend the nation. Wellpoint Federal has selected the Careington Care PPO network to grant reservists access to in-clinic dental care through the RHRP. Careington is a national leader in the health and wellness benefits space and has built extensive networks that serve more than 30 million members across all industry-best companies, brands, products and services. With more than four decades of experience as a pioneer in the dental space, Careington strives to provide superior network access for all clients and members. Careington owns and operates some of the largest discount and PPO dental networks throughout the U.S., offering significant savings on dental care through quality, fully credentialed dentists and specialists. "We are honored to partner with Wellpoint Federal and QTC Medical Group to help provide access to dental care for U.S. military reservists," Careington CEO Stewart Sweda said. "At Careington, we recognize the bravery of men and women who defend our nation, and it is a privilege be a part of the programs providing them with support in preparation for their service." Careington is always looking to expand our national dental networks, and we are currently seeking providers to be a part of the Careington Care PPO dental network to help support the RHRP program that provides valuable deployment services to reservists. For more information, please submit an email to [email protected]. About Careington International Corporation Careington International Corporation is an established leader in the health and wellness benefits space. Founded in 1979, Careington is a nationally recognized product aggregator and full-service administrator and one of the largest privately held discount health care companies in the nation. Today, Careington serves more than 30 million members across all industry-best companies, brands, products and services and has several affiliate companies, including Careington Benefit Solutions, DialCare and Munroe Sutton. Dedicated to improving individual health and well-being by providing affordable access to care, Careington's national PPO and dental discount networks, flagship dental savings plans and growing portfolio of more than 150 health, wellness and lifestyle products and services are designed to deliver cost savings and service excellence across a spectrum of life needs. For information on Careington's products, services, administration and marketing solutions, visit careington.com. Contact: Jamie Saunders Vice President of Marketing and Communications Careington International Corporation Email: [email protected] Phone: (800) 441-0380 ext. 2902 SOURCE Careington International Corporation WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carollo Engineers , the leading water engineering and consulting firm in North America, is proud to announce its receipt of three distinguished accolades from National Safety Council (NSC): the Perfect Record Award, the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award, and the Industry Leader Award. These awards recognize Carollo's unwavering commitment to maintaining a culture of safety and implementing robust safety protocols across the workplace. The NSC's Perfect Record Award is presented to companies, units, and/or facilities that successfully complete a minimum of 12 consecutive months without any occupational injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work or tragic fatalities. Additionally, Carollo has been honored with the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award, which is reserved for organizations that demonstrate injury and illness records surpassing or equaling 50% of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' ratings for their respective NAICS codes. Finally, Carollo was one of 34 organizations that received the Industry Leader Award, which is presented to the top 5 percent of NSC member companies that have qualified for the 2023 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award. "The well-being of our employees is paramount, and we are honored to be one of the organizations who have received these acknowledgments from the National Safety Council," said Greg Parana, Carollo's Safety Manager. "Each award is a testament to our team's focus and vigilance, and we remain committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for every employee." Carollo's commitment to employee safety is further exemplified by its Injury and Illness Prevention Program among other key initiatives. These recent awards and Carollo's exemplary safety record affirm Carollo's position as a water engineering industry leader. About Carollo Engineers For 90 years, Carollo Engineers has provided a full range of innovative planning, design, and construction management services to meet the water and wastewater needs of municipalities, public agencies, private developers, and industrial clients. Carollo develops robust water management strategies that leverage collaboration, provide multi-benefit solutions, and achieve sustainability and resilience. Carollo has nearly 1,400 employees located across North America. To learn more about how Carollo is "Working Wonders With Water" call (800) 523-5826 or visit www.carollo.com. Media Contact: Diana Leonard Manager, Corporate Communications [email protected] SOURCE Carollo Engineers 100% financing program helps rural low- and moderate-income families achieve homeownership CEDAR CITY, Utah, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CBC Mortgage Agency (CBCMA), a Native American wholly owned and federally chartered housing finance agency, has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide 30-year mortgage loans for borrowers outside of urban and suburban areas. Because the USDA loan program offers 100% financing, CBCMA enables correspondent lenders to help low- to moderate-income families in rural areas achieve homeownership. "Our lending partners can now help eligible borrowers buy a home with no money down instead of having to scrape together their own funds or take out a second mortgage for down payment assistance," CBC Mortgage Agency President Miki Adams said. "We are thrilled to receive USDA approval and expand our mission of helping underserved families achieve the American dream and build wealth through home equity." USDA loans provide low- and moderate-income borrowers with "the opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings as their primary residence in eligible rural areas," according to the agency. Up to 90% of the original principal amount of USDA-based 30-year notes are guaranteed by the agency. CBCMA correspondents can review USDA's rural housing program guidelines at https://chenoafund.org/lender/program-guidelines/. "This is an exciting new chapter in CBCMA's growth," Adams said. "We look forward to working with correspondent lenders to provide housing help for those who need it most." Correspondent lenders who would like to be approved to originate CBCMA products, including down payment assistance and USDA program, can learn more at ChenoaFund.org. About CBC Mortgage Agency Founded in 2013, CBC Mortgage Agency (CBCMA) is a nationally chartered housing finance agency. As a leading source of down payment assistance and 100% rural financing, the company helps low-to-moderate income consumers, often in minority neighborhoods, achieve the dream of homeownership. Recognized as one of the Top 25 Companies in Mortgage & Servicing by MReport, CBCMA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cedar Band Corp., a federally chartered tribal corporation founded by the Cedar Band of Paiute Indians. More information can be found at www.ChenoaFund.org. Press Contact Sam Garcia, Publicist Strategic Vantage Marketing and Public Relations 214.762.4457 | [email protected] SOURCE CBC Mortgage Agency A lab study of 53 hemp delta-9 THC products finds that 26% use THC sourced from federally-illegal marijuana plants using a proprietary analytical method. TUSTIN, Calif. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Three-quarters of hemp delta-9 THC products cannot be legally sold as hemp in states such as Colorado and Massachusetts, according to a new study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research , commissioned by cannabis consumer research company CBD Oracle. The research shows that 49% of products included delta-9 THC produced by chemically modifying CBD and another 26% used delta-9 sourced from federally-illegal marijuana. The 2018 Farm Bill due to be updated this year unintentionally created a plethora of intoxicating-but-legal products through its loose definition of hemp. The main requirement is that hemp contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. This means a 10 g gummy can have roughly 30 mg of THC and still be sold legally across the country as "hemp delta-9." Manufacturers also used the bill to justify converting CBD into delta-8 THC (an isomer of delta-9), which is then also sold as "hemp." The study, conducted by CBD Oracle and InfiniteCAL Labs, analyzed 53 of the most popular hemp delta-9 THC products on the market. The results showed that while only 2 products exceeded the 0.3% legal limit for delta-9, 66% differed from their stated dosage by more than 10%, and 75% were not tested for impurities by their manufacturer. Through a new analytical strategy proposed by the paper, they conclude that three-quarters of hemp delta-9 products did not use THC naturally produced by the hemp plant. The lab analysis showed that 49% of products used the same type of reaction banned in states such as Colorado , Hawaii , Massachusetts and North Dakota to produce their delta-9 THC, and another 26% illegally sourced it from marijuana plants. This means, in some states, over 75% of hemp delta-9 products are actually illegal. InfiniteCAL's lab manager Dr. Erik Paulson explained that, "A vast majority of 'hemp-sourced' or 'hemp-derived' delta-9 THC is either cannabis-derived delta-9 or, even more commonly, delta-9 converted from CBD isolate. Although this route starts with hemp, it involves a chemical reaction to create this form of delta-9 THC and thus is not naturally occurring from hemp and is potentially dangerous." The paper calls on governments to establish maximum THC doses per serving for hemp, establish age limits and mandate lab testing to ensure the safety of consumer hemp products. View the full study: https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-023-00197-6 For a summary of key findings, visit: https://cbdoracle.com/news/hemp-delta-9-thc-products-potency-and-safety-analysis/ About CBD Oracle CBD Oracle is a consumer research company working to improve the safety and transparency of cannabis products, producing in-depth research pieces on cannabis and cannabinoids, along with analysis of social and legal issues. About InfiniteCAL InfiniteCAL provides analytical services prioritizing public safety, enabling brands to ensure their premium products meet the highest standards. SOURCE CBD Oracle LONDON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CereCore International today announced the company is a certified hardware integrator for MEDITECH in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is providing end-to-end healthcare IT services to hospitals as they implement MEDITECH Expanse. "We have a 30-year history working as partners with MEDITECH to implement and support their software in U.S. hospitals. Our relationship continues to broaden as we provide technical and integration support that will enable healthcare digitisation in the U.K. and abroad," said Curtis Watkins, president and CEO of CereCore. "As a MEDITECH-certified hardware integrator, we can help hospital IT leaders and teams plan and budget for their hardware and technical infrastructure needs," said Darren Robinson, director of technology and cloud at CereCore International. "We help hospitals identify where they need to invest and ensure their long-term strategy is scalable, secure, and cost-effective. Decisions about infrastructure can be costly, so experts should be consulted." Backed by decades of MEDITECH platform experience as hospital operators and powered by hundreds of team members in the U.S. and the U.K., CereCore International works in tandem with hospital teams through the phases of electronic patient records (EPR) implementation and ongoing application support and maintenance. The company's professional and technical MEDITECH EPR services include: Assessing and planning project needs from staffing to budgeting. Determining the appropriate infrastructure model, whether cloud or hosted on-premises. Providing hardware guidance, configuring and managing infrastructure based on MEDITECH recommendations. Building out EPR workflows, data dictionaries and integrations through close collaboration with hospital clinical leaders and teams. Training clinical staff and care providers. Testing the EPR with patient safety and hospital operations in mind. Providing go-live support, including floor walkers and a remote command centre. Setting up reports and dashboards for optimal clinical workflows. Optimising the EPR after go-live to maximise the EPR investment and clinical satisfaction. Maintaining the EPR with ongoing MEDITECH application and infrastructure support services such as application patching and code updates. "Our vision at MEDITECH is to provide integrated health systems that help improve healthcare delivery in the U.K. and around the world. We are proud to work with partners like CereCore International who have the expertise to help us achieve that," said MEDITECH International CEO Charlotte Jackson. "Infrastructure is like the heartbeat of your EPR. Our background in hospital operations means we understand EPRs are a huge investment, and reliable infrastructure will help your EPR remain accessible to care teams. On the other side of that technology is a patient, and we take our role in connecting technology and patient care seriously," said Watkins. Learn more about CereCore International. https://cerecoreinternational.net/ About CereCore International CereCore International provides IT services that make it easier for you to focus on supporting hospital operations and transforming healthcare through technology. With a heritage rooted in top-performing hospitals, we serve as leaders and experts in technology, operations, data security, and clinical applications. We partner with clients to become an extension of the team through comprehensive IT and application support, technical professional and managed services, IT advisory services, and EPR consulting, because we know first-hand the power that integrated technology has on patient care and communities. CereCore Media Contact: Laura Liles Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE CereCore Fellows are in Northern Ireland for the final leg of their four-week, three-continent comparative study of social justice leadership BELFAST, Northern Ireland, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 cohort of Frederick Douglass Global Fellows were honored guests at the unveiling this week of the Frederick Douglass statue commissioned by the Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities and created by sculptors Alan Beattie Herriot and Hector Guest. Located in Belfast city center, the statue is the first in all of Europe to honor the American abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass. The 2023 CIEE Frederick Douglass Global Fellows at the unveiling of the Frederick Douglass statue in Belfast on July 31, 2023. The twelve 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are students of color from colleges and universities across the United States who were selected for this competitive award based on their demonstrated leadership and communication skills, their commitment to agitating for positive change using techniques of non-violence, and their history of meaningful service to others. The Fellows are currently in Northern Ireland as part of the final leg of their four-week, three-continent comparative study of social justice leadership that began in Washington D.C., took them to Cape Town, and is culminating with stops in Dublin, Derry, and Belfast. In an interview with the BBC, Florence Onyiuke, a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow from University of Pennsylvania, described Frederick Douglass as a "story of hope," saying his legacy represents "this idea that you can take whatever circumstance that you are born into and make it better, not only for yourself but for the next person after you." Zoriana Martinez, a Fellow from Wayne State University, told the Independent that to her Douglass represents international camaraderie. "At the end of the day we all kind of want the same things. We all want to be taken seriously, we want to be treated like decent human beings, we all want to have access to equal opportunity, and that's something that is still true today centuries later," she said. Two Frederick Douglass Global Fellows, Akil Cole from Georgetown University and Florence Onyiuke from University of Pennsylvania, spoke at a panel discussion hosted by the Belfast City Council that took place after the unveiling ceremony. The Government of Ireland is cosponsoring the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows in honor of the meeting in Dublin in 1845 between 27-year-old abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great Irish reformer Daniel O'Connell who is credited with influencing Douglass' worldview and expanding his life's work to agitate against all forms of social injustice. In commemoration of the unveiling of this historic monument to Frederick Douglass, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) is honored to co-publish with Don Mullan's a little book company a special edition of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. Written by Himself. Ireland was an important place for Frederick Douglass. Not only was Ireland the first nation outside of the United States to publish the original narrative in 1845, but it was also a place of refuge for Douglass, a place where he and his abolitionist message were warmly received. During his visit, Douglass spoke before audiences at First Presbyterian Church in Rosemary Street and at the Assembly Rooms, famously saying: "Wherever else I feel myself to be a stranger, I will remember I have a home in Belfast." At the unveiling, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy said he was honored to be involved in recognizing Frederick Douglass' impact on Belfast. "This will help people's understanding of the positive, progressive role he played in the city's early development," he said. While in Ireland and Northern Ireland, the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are being led by Don Mullan, author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday, and Dr. Christine Kinealy, a historian and Frederick Douglass scholar, both of whom have worked to draw attention to the deep significance of Douglass's visit to Ireland. "Remembering Douglass and the struggles that he endured to bring about positive change continues to provide a North Star for our troubled times," said Dr. Christine Kinealy. "Douglass' campaign against social injustice has ongoing relevance to contemporary society," said Don Mullan. "Events in the last 15 years have proved that the struggle for equality, inclusion, and social justice is far from over." "The Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are tomorrow's leaders and I'm glad they were here to celebrate the global impact of this historic leader in the campaign for social justice," said James P. Pellow, President and CEO of CIEE. "This monument honoring Douglass serves as a reminder of how great leaders influence the leaders of future generations through their words and deeds." To learn more about the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, visit ciee.org/FDGF. About CIEE CIEE builds bridges between different people, different countries, and different cultures. For 75 years, we have helped young people participate in high-quality international exchange and study abroad programs that bring the world together. We change lives, our alumni change the world. Learn more at ciee.org. Press contact: Leslie Taylor, [email protected], (207)553-4274 SOURCE Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and Kyiv signed a memorandum of cooperation, said mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko. "Today we have signed a Memorandum of cooperation between the capital and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. First of all, it provides for cooperation in the rehabilitation of military and civilian victims of a full-scale war, from which Russia broke in," Klitschko said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. According to the mayor of the capital, it is in particular about the purchase of modern rehabilitation equipment for a large rehabilitation center that Kyiv is creating and which is already operating, despite the fact that some of its premises are being renovated. Klitschko said that the memorandum also provides for the training of specialists who will provide psychological and rehabilitation assistance to the military and civilians affected by the war. He noted that the Memorandum also provides for activities that contribute to the socialization of veterans. "At the first stage of the Memorandum's implementation, cooperation will be carried out with the involvement of international donors," Klitschko said. BEIJING, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CKGSB Professor of Finance Dr. Erica Xuenan Li and her coauthors have won the CICF Best Paper Award by the China International Conference in Finance in 2023. The paper "Balance Sheet Financial Flexibility", co-authored by Professor Li, Professor of Finance Sudipto Dasgupta at CUHK and PhD student Siyuan Wu at CUHK, is one of the three award-winning papers out of 2,000 papers submitted worldwide. Financial flexibility is a key factor affecting business investment decisions and is said to be the primary goal when building corporate capital structures. Existing research, such as the Kaplan-Zingales (KZ) index, Whited-Wu (WW) index, and Hadlock-Pierce (HP) index, often uses financial constraint (FC) to measure financial flexibility, which in fact has little out-of-sample explanatory power and hence limited value of reference for corporate financial decision-making. In contrast, Professor Li's research proposed a novel method to measure financial flexibility based on firms' investment behavior rather than financial statement disclosures. In this paper, Professor Li and co-authors developed a financial flexibility index (FF Index) by analyzing balance sheet variables that distinguish firms with investment spikes from those that do not during industry-level investment surge. The FF index outperforms the five popular measures of FC indices in explaining and predicting investment spikes in both in-sample and out-of-sample tests, providing a tool for predicting corporate investment decisions. "We are glad that our research is recognized by CICF. We hope that with this paper and its findings, we can offer a more effective, comprehensive and concise index to investors and policymakers to measure corporate financial flexibility, so as to grasp companies' financial position and investment capacity with more accuracy." said Professor Li. Since 2002, the China International Conference in Finance (CICF) has been providing an open platform that brings worldwide scholars together to present current research and stimulate new development in finance, becoming one of the four major global financial academic conferences. Established in Beijing in November 2002, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is China's first privately-funded and research-driven business school. The school aims to cultivate transformative business leaders with a global vision, sense of social responsibility, innovative mindset, and ability to lead with empathy and compassion. Dr Erica X.N. Li is a Professor of Finance and Director of China Industrial Policy Research Center at CKGSB. SOURCE Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --The report "CNG, RNG, and Hydrogen Tanks Market by Gas Type (CNG, RNG, Hydrogen), Material Type (Metal, Carbon Fiber, Glass Fiber), Tank Type (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4), Application (Fuel, Transportation), and Region - Global Forecasts to 2030", is estimated at USD 2.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 5.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030. The market is expected to be driven by government initiatives emphasizing clean fuel adoption and an increase in the number of natural and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Browse in-depth TOC on "CNG, RNG, and Hydrogen Tanks Market" 280 Tables 55 Figures 256 Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=222605141 CNG tanks is expected to account for the largest market share in 2030, in terms of both value and volume. CNG tanks are widely used in light-duty vehicles by various automotive manufacturers around the world because they are more cost-effective in the long run and emit fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline or diesel. In addition, many countries have well-developed CNG infrastructure for refueling vehicles. These factors, together with government initiatives to encourage the use of alternative fuels, are propelling the CNG tanks market. Metal-based tanks accounted for the largest market share in the global CNG, RNG, and hydrogen tanks market in 2022, in terms of value and volume. Metal-based tanks have been in use for a long time due to their ease of manufacture and low cost. CNG tanks made of metal are widely used in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. They are in high demand in China, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Iran, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.Type 1 tanks are constructed entirely from metals. Generally high-strength steel is used in manufacturing of type 1 CNG tanks. Although, CNG tanks industry is evolving and shifting to composite tanks as they provide weight reduction, better safety and corrosion resistance. Hence, The market for carbon fiber is growing with the maximum CAGR in the forecasted period. Type 1 dominates the global CNG, RNG, and hydrogen tanks market in 2022, in terms of value and volume The most popular and frequently used tank type worldwide is Type 1 metal-based tanks. These tanks are often used in light-duty vehicles. They are the most expensive option, but they are also the heaviest tank type due to their complete metal design. Everest Kanto Cylinders Ltd. (India), Praxair Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Faber Industries S.P.A. (Italy), and Worthington Industries (U.S.) are important market participants. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=222605141 Fuel tank application dominates the CNG, RNG, and hydrogen tanks market between 2023 to 2030, in terms of value and volume. The fuel tank application dominated the overall market of CNG, RNG, and hydrogen tanks. The automotive industry's growth in these tanks is fuelled by the rising demand for low maintenance and environmentally friendly fuel options. During the forecast period, the fuel tank application is expected to experience significant growth, primarily due to the increasing global adoption of CNG, RNG, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Asia Pacific account for the largest market share in the CNG, RNG, and hydrogen tanks market. Due to their well-established CNG infrastructure and the rising popularity of CNG cars, nations like China, India, Pakistan, and Thailand are seeing an increase in demand for CNG tanks. On the other hand, developing a market for hydrogen-powered vehicles is a top priority for nations like Japan and South Korea. The adoption of a roadmap by these countries to position themselves as hydrogen economies is anticipated to increase the market's demand for hydrogen storage tanks. Prominent companies in the CNG, RNG, and hydrogen tanks market include Worthington Industries, Inc. (US), Luxfer Group (UK), Hexagon Composites ASA (Norway), Quantum Fuel Systems LLC. (US), Everest Kanto Cylinders Ltd. (India), Praxair Technologies Inc. (US), Avanco Group (Germany), Xinyi Beijing Tianhai Industry Co. Ltd. (China), Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd. (China), and Faber Industrie SpA (Italy). These players have taken different organic and inorganic developmental strategies over the past five years. Browse Adjacent Market: Fibers and Composites Market Research & Consulting Related Reports: Composites Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Carbon Fiber Market - Global Forecast to 2032 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/cng-rng-hydrogen-tanks-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/cng-rng-hydrogen-tanks.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Compass UOL a global digital transformation services company welcomes Kimberley Hagerty to its executive leadership team SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital services company Compass UOL Supply Chain and Logistics division is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest industry competency, revolutionizing the way businesses can use technology to manage their supply chains. This new competency will enable companies to achieve unparalleled efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness in their supply chain and logistics operations, setting a new standard for the industry. With a focus on developing Supply Chain solutions and accelerators, Compass UOL will help its customers navigate the complexity of the four growing industry trends that span horizontally across all industries: The need for intelligent and automated data-driven supply chain simulation solutions, connecting horizontal and vertical value networks. Bringing together physical and digital products, stress-tested supply chain resiliency, smart warehousing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create one view of the truth (physical & digital) across a complex landscape of products and solutions. Improved visibility and insight with the use of intelligent control towers, track-and-trace capability for transportation visibility, and sustainability solutions. Supply chain reinvention, generating new digital business models driven by automation, digitalization, and a comprehensive enterprise data strategy. "Our goal is to create a competitive advantage for every company that runs or participates in a supply chain," said Compass UOL CEO Alexis Rockenbach. "Addressing supply chains in the current environment where everyone is seeking the highest possible efficiency is of critical importance for our clients." Compass UOL will deliver its customer centric supply chain solutions by leveraging and expanding its existing 16 innovation studios and 20 growth pod capabilities, powered by its AI-driven accelerators which allow companies to quickly optimize and accelerate their digital transformation journeys. Global operations executive Kimberley Hagerty has joined Compass UOL to lead the Supply Chain Solutions vertical. She brings with her more than 30 years of experience leading digital business transformation strategies for manufacturing, supply chain, transportation, and logistics, including most recently the last three years at AWS, where she was Head of the Americas for Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics. Compass UOL is quickly becoming an industry thought leader and strategic partner for both line of business and technology executives by combining a comprehensive knowledge across all supply chain business functions, the ability to develop global digital transformation strategies, and a track record of delivering cloud-based solutions. This enables Compass UOL not only to deliver solutions, but also to help customers through their entire digital transformation journeys. "Technology has never advanced as fast as it is advancing today, and the ability to develop digital strategies and business models across the line of business is the only way to harness the true potential of that technology. I cannot wait to start showing customers what amazing things we can do together " said Hagerty. About Compass UOL Compass UOL is a global digital transformation services company. We design and build digital native platforms using cutting-edge technologies to help companies innovate, transform their businesses, and thrive in their industries. We cultivate the best talent, creating opportunities to improve people's lives and focusing on how disruptive technologies can positively impact society. SOURCE Compass UOL MARLTON, N.J., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 798,000 consumers are being notified that their Social Security numbers and other confidential information were compromised when Pension Benefit Information, LLC, a vendor used by VALIC Retirement Services Company, experienced a data breach related to the MOVEit vulnerability. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are investigating claims on behalf of anyone affected by the VALIC Retirement Services Company breach, hoping to fully inform them of the risks they face in the wake of the breach as well as their legal rights. The sensitive personal data of 798,000 consumers has been compromised. Now, members' full names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, policy or account numbers and addresses may be in the hands of criminals, putting victims at a greater risk of identity theft and other frauds. On July 27, 2023, VALIC Retirement Services Company filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine describing a third-party data breach affecting consumers nationwide. However, the attached data breach letter was written by PBI and explained that the PBI's MOVEit servers were accessed by an unauthorized party after they were able to exploit a vulnerability within the software. The data breach affected an estimated 798,000 VALIC Retirement Services Company customers. The list of sensitive information that was exposed includes: Names, Social Security numbers, Policy or account numbers, Dates of birth, and Addresses. If you receive a data breach notice from Pension Benefit Information, you could now be at risk of identity theftand the devastating financial and legal consequences that go along with it. What Should You Do if You Receive a Letter from Pension Benefit Information Discussing the Breach of VALIC Retirement Services Company Customer Info? Individuals who receive a data breach letter from PBI should take steps to protect themselves. (See our Guide for Victims of Data Breach for more details at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/if-your-information-has-been-compromised-in-a-data-breach/ ) Additionally, victims should consider contacting a data breach attorney immediately, as anyone who receives a data breach letter from PBI or VALIC Retirement Services Company may be entitled to financial compensation. If you wish to discuss this data security incident, or if you have any questions regarding your rights following the VALIC Retirement Services Company data breach, please contact Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500. Interested parties and potential plaintiffs can also learn more about this data breach and potential lawsuit at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/valic-retirement-services-company-data-breach-investigation/ . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contact: Console & Associates, P.C. 866-778-5500 [email protected] SOURCE Console & Associates, P.C. NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Edge, the leading provider of global transaction revenue signals, is proud to announce the launch of its newly rebranded corporate website. This significant milestone highlights Consumer Edge's remarkable growth and reinforces its position as a global leader in consumer market intelligence. The rebranding effort encapsulates the company's achievements and paves the way for future success. Consumer Edge's unparalleled commitment to innovation and excellence is now visually represented in a design that blends the organization's strong roots with a modern and captivating look and feel. Consumer Edge, the leading provider of global transaction revenue signals, announces a global rebrand. Tweet this "This website rebrand marks a pivotal moment in Consumer Edge's journey," said Bill Pecoriello, CEO of Consumer Edge. "We have achieved incredible growth and accomplished major milestones that have positioned us as the go-to resource for global transaction data insights. The new website showcases our successes and provides an enhanced user experience that reflects our commitment to delivering top-notch consumer data solutions and market intelligence." In addition to the website rebrand, Consumer Edge recently introduced the Consumer Edge Insights Center (CEIC), solidifying its position as the premier knowledge hub for insightful and powerful consumer insight content. The CEIC is home to a team of Consumer Edge experts, boasting decades of industry experience, who are dedicated to leveraging Consumer Edge's vast data resources to inform critical decisions about global consumer market intelligence. Live content from the CEIC can also be found on the Consumer Edge YouTube channel. By integrating the CEIC into the newly launched website, Consumer Edge aims to create a seamless user experience, allowing visitors to access a wealth of valuable resources and industry expertise. From comprehensive market reports to in-depth analysis, the CEIC is a one-stop destination for businesses seeking unparalleled insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and growth opportunities. The newly rebranded Consumer Edge corporate website and the Consumer Edge Insights Center (CEIC) are now live and accessible to users worldwide. Visit the website at www.consumer-edge.com to explore the comprehensive suite of resources and unlock the power of global consumer market intelligence. About Consumer Edge: Consumer Edge is the leading provider of global transaction revenue signals, enabling businesses to harness the power of consumer market intelligence. With a robust data-driven approach and a team of seasoned experts, Consumer Edge empowers organizations worldwide to make informed decisions, drive growth, and stay ahead in today's competitive marketplace. LinkedIn Twitter YouTube For media inquiries, please contact: Monica Garrido Vice President, Head of Marketing Consumer Edge [email protected] SOURCE Consumer Edge NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that it is investigating allegations that Discover Financial Services ("Discover") (NYSE: DFS) violated federal securities laws. CURRENT INVESTIGATION DETAILS:On July 20, 2023, pre-market, Discover revealed it was in discussions with regulators about how it misclassified certain credit card products for about 15 years. The company incorrectly classified certain credit card accounts into its highest merchant and merchant acquirer pricing tier, beginning around mid-2007. Following this news, Discover stock was trading down over 13% in pre-market trading on July 20, 2023. Discover stock price fell sharply from $121.85 per share on July 19, 2023 to $102.44 on July 20, 2023. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the potential claims on behalf of DFS investors, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/discover-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42790&from=4. ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws. Class Period: April 21, 2022 to April 24, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 15, 2023 No obligation or cost to you. Learn more about your recoverable losses in DHR: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/danaher-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42786&from=4 Danaher Corporation NEWS - DHR NEWS CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Danaher Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) as the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, revenue growth associated with Danaher's COVID-19-related businesses was declining; (ii) contrary to the Company's prior representations to investors, revenues associated with Danaher's non-COVID-19-related businesses were insufficient to compensate for the foregoing negative trend; (iii) accordingly, Danaher overstated the Company's ability to sustain the growth it had experienced in 2020 and 2021; (iv) as a result, it was unlikely that Danaher would be able to meet its 2023 revenue forecasts; and (v) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Danaher you have until September 15, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Danaher securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the DHR lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/danaher-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42786&from=4. ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm In a new industry resource, the firm explains that to achieve effective implementation of digital solutions within the utilities sector, it is crucial for IT and the field workforce to collaborate and create effective solutions. TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Field operation plays a critical role in digital transformation for utilities. For IT teams to support the next frontier of the utilities industry, digitalization will require a comprehensive understanding of field operation culture and field workers' challenges before introducing digital solutions. Leaders often find it difficult to assess the effectiveness of these solutions beyond the anecdotes from end users and may struggle to establish joint ownership of the solution in a way that empowers field workers for continuous improvements. To tackle these issues, Info-Tech Research Group has published the Improve Your Field Digital Solution Performance blueprint. This research is intended to assist utilities leaders in overcoming these hurdles and fostering meaningful engagement within their field workforce. Info-Tech Research Group's blueprint "Improve Your Field Digital Solution Performance" outlines the role of digitalization in shaping future field workforce interactions with customers, machines, assets, robots, and artificial intelligence. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group) Digitally transforming the utility field operation is a complex undertaking, explains Info-Tech in the new resource. The utilities industry faces significant obstacles, including resistance from frontline workers and managers, inadequate funding and resource support, and a limited understanding of digital solution development. To overcome these challenges, utilities must gain a deeper understanding of their workforce and cultivate a culture that embraces openness to change. The firm's research highlights the potential for utilities to improve the efficiency of their field digital transformation through the following initiatives: Establishing metrics to assess the performance of field digital solutions and identifying areas for improvement. Developing a comprehensive framework to increase the success rate of field deployment. Identifying key opportunities for digitalization in field operations. "Don't neglect field operations and solve the problem piecemeal. Without a holistic approach, managing the many siloed and disjointed solutions may become impossible," says Jing Wu, principal research director at Info-Tech. "To ensure successful deployment of digital solutions in the utilities sector, both IT and field workforce must collaborate and develop solutions that truly work." A fresh perspective on the role of the field workforce is crucial to meet the evolving demands of the utilities industry. The advent of digitalization is revolutionizing the way field workforces engage with customers, machines, assets, robots, data, and artificial intelligence. Info-Tech recommends that utilities leaders consider the productivity and effectiveness enhancements that digitalization can bring to their field workforce: Digitally native Immersed in digital technologies Proficient in physical, digital, and virtual workspace Adept in data-driven decision making Augmented human-machine interactions Two-way interactions with smart assets Cooperation with AI-powered robots Assistance from virtual intelligent agents Connected anywhere securely Connected field workers with centralized operators Situational awareness of the entire ecosystem Remote assistance to autonomous operations Engaged community Socially responsible workforce Trusted partner the community can count on Promote information transparency via omnichannel The blueprint also emphasizes the significance of considering the field worker/end-user experience, which is often overlooked by utilities leaders. The firm recommends adopting an outside-in and inside-out approach to measure the experiences of all stakeholders when implementing field digital solutions or evaluating their effectiveness. "It is vital that utilities identify leading field digital opportunities that drive value for their organizations. By defining what success looks like and incorporating best practices, utilities can improve the overall performance of their field digital solutions," explains Wu. To learn more about digitalization in the utilities industry, download the complete Improve Your Field Digital Solution Performance blueprint. For media inquiries on the topic or to get exclusive, timely commentary from Jing Wu, an expert on the utilities industry, please contact [email protected] For more information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group PATCHOGUE, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Babylon Dental Care is excited to announce that Dr. Azin Tarifard is taking on an expanded role in her capacity as the practice's pediatric dentist. Dr. Azin, as she's known to her patients, first joined the practice in early June and has provided exceptional care for BDC's youngest patients, especially those with disabilities or on the autism spectrum. Dr. Azin Tarifard "We love what Dr. Azin brings to the team, and we're thrilled that she's joining us in Gateway Plaza as well," said Jenn Brown, the director of operations for Babylon Dental Care. "We had every reason to expect big things from her, given her exceptional background and reputation, but she's still managed to impress us with her dedication to her patients. I can confidently say she aligns perfectly with our goal of providing excellent care for the families of our community." Dr. Azin graduated with a DDS degree from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco in 2006 before working for four years as a general dentist. That experience made her realize that she wanted to go into pediatric care, a calling she inherited from her mother, who told her how rewarding and enjoyable it was to treat children. To that end, she completed a three-year course in pediatric dentistry at Tufts School of Dental Medicine in Boston, where she learned how to treat children from infants to teenagers. While there, she also received a Master of Science in Dentistry. "Being part of the BDC team for the past two months has been a great experience for me as a pediatric dental care provider. I have seen the outstanding teamwork that leads to comprehensive care with compassion toward our patients. That has led me to the decision to be part of this wonderful group at GWP as well to better cater to the dental needs of children, especially children with autism and behavioral management, who would require specialized expertise. This will be highly rewarding for me as well to be able to provide dental care to all children in need in both locations." Parents can schedule an appointment for their children with Dr. Azin at either of Babylon Dental Care's offices, conveniently located at Gateway Plaza Shopping Center in Patchogue and Great South Bay Shopping Center in West Babylon. About Babylon Dental Care Since 1983, Babylon Dental Care has been proud to serve the Long Island community by providing them with high-quality dental care. We have two locations on the south coast of Suffolk County: Gateway Plaza Shopping Center in Patchogue (499 N Service Rd # 13B, Patchogue, NY 11772) and Great South Bay Shopping Center in West Babylon (785 W Montauk Highway, West Babylon, NY 11704). Visit us online at www.babylondentalcare.com. Contact: Jenn Brown 516-680-1133 jennbrown@babylondentalcare.com SOURCE Babylon Dental Care NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Drexel Hamilton, the sole investment bank that is 100% veteran-owned and operated, is excited to announce the appointment of the Honorable Patrick J. Murphy, Army veteran and former undersecretary and acting secretary of the Army, as Chairman of its Board of Advisors. "Patrick Murphy is one of the leading voices of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans, with an expertise in cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and perhaps most importantly, getting veterans hired and that is what we're all about," said Anthony Felice, Drexel Hamilton's Managing Partner. Drexel Hamilton is 100% veteran owned, made up of 65% veteran employees with over 55 deployments. They're the real deal. Tweet this The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy. "I look forward to working with the team at Drexel Hamilton to support their social mission of hiring, training and mentoring veterans for careers in finance," said Murphy. "In a word, it's about authenticity. On top of their finance experience and expertise, Drexel Hamilton is 100% veteran owned and operated, made up of 65% veterans with over 55 deployments, 26 deployment awards and 5 purple hearts among them. Drexel Hamilton is the real deal." Innovating and Advocating on Behalf of Service Members After his service as a paratrooper and a Judge Advocate Counsel (JAG), Patrick was elected in 2006 to represent Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district in the House of Representatives, as America's first Iraq Veteran to serve. Patrick served as the 32nd Under Secretary and later Acting Secretary of the Army. At the Pentagon, Patrick implemented the world's largest intranet platformArmy Knowledge Online 2.0allowing soldiers to seamlessly access their medical, training, and education records. After leaving the Pentagon, Patrick continued to leverage talents and resources from across our society to strengthen America's military and support its service members, including acting as the Distinguished Chair for Innovation and Strategic Engagement at the United States Military Academy at West Point, advising both Fortune 500 Companies & nonprofits, as well as being a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. About Drexel Hamilton Drexel Hamilton takes immense pride in being the only securities broker-dealer that is 100% veteran-owned and operated. With a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise status and over 65% of our employees being military veterans, we possess an exceptional track record in underwriting and executing securities transactions for corporations, municipalities, and financial institutions, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to the veteran community. Contact Us: https://drexelhamilton.com/contact-us/ SOURCE Drexel Hamilton, LLC Representative of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Yusov said that the destruction of illegal structures such as the Crimean Bridge will continue until the entire territory of Ukraine is de-occupied. "We have heard more than once that this illegal construction [Crimean Bridge] is protected and is guarded by all forces and means. Nevertheless, incidents, excesses, bavovna, the punishment of God have already occurred twice, which caused the destruction of this illegal structure," Yusov said on the air of the national telethon on Tuesday. He noted that these destructions caused complications in logistics and the movement of military equipment of the Russian occupiers. "This means that such excesses will quite logically continue in the future - until the period when the Ukrainian territory is deoccupied, and illegal structures, inclusive of this, which they [the occupiers] call the Crimean Bridge, will not be dismantled," the representative of the Ukrainian intelligence service stressed. Speaking also about the repeated drone attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation, he said that this happened because "Putin's Russia attacked Ukraine and unleashed a genocidal war against Ukrainians." "This is the reason for all the other troubles that Putin's economy, infrastructure, ruscist territory and everything on it has been facing lately, is connected with the war against Ukraine. And this will continue until the ruscists leave the territory of Ukraine and restore Ukrainian sovereignty as of 1991," Yusov stressed. Reed Jobs will lead new firm focusing on introducing outside capital to create a major hub for oncology investment. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Yosemite announced it has launched as a new standalone entity, spinning off from Emerson Collective to form an independent investment firm focused on opportunities across the oncology ecosystemthe new fund launches with an oversubscribed first close of $200M+. Yosemite will deploy a differentiated strategy that employs both grantmaking and venture investing as a catalyst for scientific breakthroughs to become viable cancer patient solutions. Since 2015, Emerson Collective Health has been breaking down silos to reach its goal of making cancer non-lethal in our lifetime. In spinning off as an independent fund, Yosemite offers a tailored focus on its proven model of creative collaboration. Yosemite partners with leading researchers and entrepreneurs working to make cancer non-lethal within our lifetime. Tweet this Composed of the Emerson Health team, Yosemite continues its investment strategy of providing grants to emerging research along with flexible funding for incubation and early-translation investments in therapeutics, diagnostics, and digital health. "We're on a mission to lead the next chapter in the fight against cancer and forming our own standalone entity provides us the flexibility to best propel great ideas until they're at scale," said Reed Jobs of Yosemite. "We believe this first close demonstrates investor confidence in Yosemite's strategy of building new companies, trust in our extensive grantee and institutional network, and value in our combined experience in shepherding new transformational cancer treatments." Yosemite brings an impressive track record of identifying emerging scientists and budding entrepreneurs on the cusp of scientific breakthrough. Yosemite leaders have supported hundreds of researchers and invested in dozens of therapeutic and diagnostic companies across the U.S., Europe, and Israel. "Yosemite is uniquely positioned to meet cutting edge academic science where it is to accelerate translation to biotech innovation," said David Hallal, Founder of ElevateBio, an Emerson Health portfolio company. "ElevateBio has been a direct beneficiary of Yosemite's dual-strategy, having partnered with two Yosemite grantees from leading academic centers, as well as having the team involved through their direct venture investment in our most recent few rounds of financing. Yosemite has rightfully earned a reputation for advancing the discoveries of many of the world's great scientists with the goal of discovering and developing innovative therapies for patients and families suffering with devastating diseases." Yosemite's global network is designed to identify and fuel the most promising advances in treatment, technology, and standards of care. Strong relationships formed through grantmaking have often led academic researchers to return to the team with investment and company creation opportunities. "This model the team started while at Emerson Health helped form Tune Therapeutics, turning a concept for an unmet need into a leading epigenetic editing company," said Matt Kane, CEO of Tune Therapeutics, an Emerson Health portfolio company. "They have cultivated a unique network that facilitates progress. I have no doubt that many future grantees will benefit from the company-building support and insight that the Yosemite team provides." Yosemite's Limited Partners include leading endowments, hospital systems and global family offices such as The Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and John Doerr. Emerson Collective will be a Limited Partner in Yosemite Fund I. Going forward, Yosemite will manage the Emerson Health legacy portfolio (ECI Health Funds) as an investment advisor. About Yosemite Yosemite partners with leading researchers and innovative entrepreneurs working to make cancer non-lethal within our lifetime. The firm deploys capital from early non-profit grantees through late-stage companies to fund advancements across the oncology ecosystem. We leverage our differentiated scientific network to create and finance companies that drive the translation of new therapies in patients and optimize the patient experience. Yosemite aims to meaningfully accelerate the technology, treatments, and standard of care that have the power to improve the health and lives of cancer patients. For more information, please visit: https://yosemite.co . The portfolio companies identified and described herein do not represent all of the portfolio companies purchased, sold, or recommended for clients by Yosemite. The reader should not assume that an investment in the portfolio companies identified was or will be profitable. No compensation was provided to the portfolio company executives for their feedback although they may have an incentive to make a positive statement due to the executive's ongoing relationship with the firm. Past performance is not indicative of future results. A full list of all of our portfolio companies is available upon request. This material is not a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities and may not be relied upon in connection with the purchase or sale of any security. Press contact: [email protected] SOURCE Yosemite Company's award-winning working capital solutions have provided fast, flexible and equitable access to capital to hundreds of thousands of companies over 15 years KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- C2FO , the world's on-demand working capital platform, today announced that on July 21, it passed the $300 billion mark in total funding to its customers. This record funding amount reflects invoices paid an average of 31 days early via C2FO's working capital platform. C2FO gets vital, low-cost capital into customers' hands quickly so they can take advantage of growth opportunities and plan for today's changing and often challenging times. C2FO has accelerated $300 billion in funding to businesses since its founding. The company's mission of ensuring every company around the world has the capital needed to thrive is the cornerstone of its business. C2FO reached $300 billion in accelerated funding less than 1.5 years after surpassing $200 billion in funding in March 2022. This recent milestone demonstrates the continued strong demand for more efficient and affordable sources of working capital for businesses. Recent surveys from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank confirm that banks are tightening their lending standards. While predictions of a 2023 recession have lessened, businesses are still facing increased challenges when it comes to securing loans and lines of credit. With limited support from the traditional financial system, businesses face reduced access to funding and an increased cost for that funding. C2FO eliminates risk-based underwriting and allows businesses to access low-cost, convenient capital on their terms. Instead of waiting 60 to 120 days to pay their suppliers, buyers on the C2FO platform pay their suppliers in less than two days on average, allowing every supplier to receive needed funds in exchange for a small discount incentive. C2FO's unique win-win model enables its buyers to improve their margins and provide fast, impactful help to their supply chains. In the first half of 2023, the average C2FO enterprise buyer customer enjoyed more than $1 million in improved EBITDA. During this same time, the platform delivered over $35 billion in funding to supplier customers capital that helped them grow and become stronger participants in the global supply chain. "When we celebrated our first accelerated invoice in 2010, we knew we had created something that might have a shot at redefining working capital finance for the better. This $300 billion is money businesses didn't have to borrow, personally guarantee or pay interest on. Instead, they can focus on what matters most: adding jobs, creating new products and building for the future. It really is just two clicks to cash, so why borrow working capital when it can be accelerated instead?" said C2FO's founder and CEO Alexander "Sandy" Kemper. Learn more about C2FO's suite of working capital solutions for businesses, its global network and worldwide impact by visiting c2fo.com . About C2FO C2FO is the world's on-demand working capital platform, providing fast, flexible and equitable access to low-cost capital to nearly 2 million businesses worldwide. Using patented Name Your Rate technology and a suite of working capital solutions, companies can get paid sooner by the world's largest enterprises unlocking billions in risk-free capital. With a mission of ensuring that every business has the capital needed to thrive, C2FO has delivered more than $300 billion in funding to businesses around the world. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Kansas City, USA, with offices around the globe, C2FO is working to build a better, more inclusive financial system every day. To learn more, visit c2fo.com . Media Contact Sara Makara pr@c2fo.com SOURCE C2FO Increases full-year guidance BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 1, 2023 /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, 2023. Summary results Growth Q2 2023 Q2 2022 Dollars Percent (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenue $ 1,187.1 $ 1,062.5 $ 124.6 11.7 % Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health per diluted share 0.91 0.38 0.53 139.5 % Adjusted earnings per share 0.95 0.63 0.32 50.8 % Cash flows provided by operating activities 206.7 244.6 (37.9) (15.5) % Adjusted EBITDA 249.6 196.4 53.2 27.1 % Adjusted free cash flow 124.2 144.3 (20.1) (13.9) % (Actual Amounts) Discharges 57,011 51,902 9.8 % Same-store discharge growth 6.2 % Net patient revenue per discharge $ 20,387 $ 19,995 2.0 % See attached supplemental information for calculations of non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measure. "We are very pleased with our second quarter performance," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Encompass Health Mark Tarr. "Strong discharge growth of 9.8% combined with year-over-year improvement in labor costs to drive Adjusted EBITDA growth of 27.1%. Our value proposition and operating strategy continue to be validated and we remain highly optimistic about the long-term prospects of our business. We are increasing our 2023 guidance to reflect our strong first half results and updated expectations for the balance of the year." Revenue growth of 11.7% resulted primarily from increased volumes. Total discharge growth for the second quarter of 2023 was 9.8% including same-store growth of 6.2%. Net revenue per discharge grew 2.0%, inclusive of a 30 basis point decline in revenue reserves related to bad debt as a percent of revenue. Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased 15.5% over the prior year to $206.7 million , due primarily to an increase in cash tax payments. , due primarily to an increase in cash tax payments. The 27.1% increase in Adjusted EBITDA primarily resulted from increased revenue and a decrease in contract labor expense and sign-on and shift bonuses. 2023 Guidance The Company increased its full-year guidance as follows: Full-Year 2023 Guidance Previous Guidance Updated Guidance (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenue $4,700 to $4,770 $4,750 to $4,810 Adjusted EBITDA $870 to $910 $920 to $950 Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $2.94 to $3.23 $3.31 to $3.53 For considerations regarding the Company's 2023 guidance, 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 Wednesday, August 2, 2023 to discuss its results for the second quarter of 2023. 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 800 267-6316 and giving the conference ID EHCQ223. International callers should dial 203 518-9765 and give the same conference ID. 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 158 hospitals in 37 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, 2023 (the "June 2023 Form 10-Q"), when filed, as well as the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2023 (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, 2023 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 2023 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 $145 million to $155 million to Amortization of debt-related items - approximately $10 million The Q2 Earnings Form 8-K and, when filed, the June 2023 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, 2023 2022 2023 2022 (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenues $ 1,187.1 $ 1,062.5 $ 2,347.5 $ 2,121.8 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 636.2 585.9 1,265.2 1,173.3 Other operating expenses 172.7 169.3 350.6 328.3 Occupancy costs 14.3 13.8 28.1 29.2 Supplies 52.0 47.3 105.8 97.1 General and administrative expenses 55.4 36.2 98.8 73.6 Depreciation and amortization 72.6 60.5 136.5 118.2 Total operating expenses 1,003.2 913.0 1,985.0 1,819.7 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 1.1 1.4 Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 36.3 60.4 72.7 100.0 Other (income) expense (2.7) 6.4 (6.3) 10.0 Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates (0.9) (1.0) (1.3) (1.9) Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 151.2 82.6 297.4 192.6 Provision for income tax expense 32.8 22.8 64.7 46.4 Income from continuing operations 118.4 59.8 232.7 146.2 (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (1.2) 11.5 (2.2) 35.2 Net and comprehensive income 117.2 71.3 230.5 181.4 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations (25.8) (21.9) (51.4) (43.9) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in discontinued operations (0.7) (1.3) Less: Net and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (25.8) (22.6) (51.4) (45.2) Net and comprehensive income attributable to Encompass Health $ 91.4 $ 48.7 $ 179.1 $ 136.2 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 99.5 99.2 99.5 99.2 Diluted 101.1 100.3 101.0 100.2 Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per share attributable to Encompass Health common shareholders: Continuing operations $ 0.92 $ 0.38 $ 1.81 $ 1.03 Discontinued operations (0.01) 0.11 (0.02) 0.34 Net income $ 0.91 $ 0.49 $ 1.79 $ 1.37 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Encompass Health common shareholders: Continuing operations $ 0.91 $ 0.38 $ 1.79 $ 1.02 Discontinued operations (0.01) 0.11 (0.02) 0.34 Net income $ 0.90 $ 0.49 $ 1.77 $ 1.36 Amounts attributable to Encompass Health common shareholders: Income from continuing operations $ 92.6 $ 37.9 $ 181.3 $ 102.3 (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (1.2) 10.8 (2.2) 33.9 Net income attributable to Encompass Health $ 91.4 $ 48.7 $ 179.1 $ 136.2 Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 (In Millions) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 117.5 $ 21.8 Restricted cash 36.5 31.6 Accounts receivable 532.3 536.8 Other current assets 137.7 127.0 Total current assets 824.0 717.2 Property and equipment, net 3,062.2 2,939.2 Operating lease right-of-use assets 206.2 212.5 Goodwill 1,270.7 1,263.2 Intangible assets, net 278.1 282.3 Other long-term assets 219.7 222.1 Total assets $ 5,860.9 $ 5,636.5 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 22.8 $ 25.2 Current operating lease liabilities 26.1 25.6 Accounts payable 155.8 132.9 Accrued medical insurance 34.1 25.0 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 416.2 367.2 Total current liabilities 655.0 575.9 Long-term debt, net of current portion 2,697.6 2,741.8 Long-term operating lease liabilities 192.3 199.7 Deferred income tax liabilities 83.2 83.0 Other long-term liabilities 175.8 174.2 3,803.9 3,774.6 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests 39.3 35.6 Shareholders' equity: Encompass Health shareholders' equity 1,475.3 1,310.3 Noncontrolling interests 542.4 516.0 Total shareholders' equity 2,017.7 1,826.3 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 5,860.9 $ 5,636.5 Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 (In Millions) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 230.5 $ 181.4 Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax 2.2 (35.2) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 136.5 118.2 Stock-based compensation 23.5 13.8 Deferred tax expense (benefit) 0.3 (6.5) Other, net 3.1 22.5 Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions Accounts receivable 11.5 16.4 Other assets (8.4) 4.9 Accounts payable 4.0 4.7 Other liabilities 34.3 67.4 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued operations (2.9) 75.9 Total adjustments 201.9 317.3 Net cash provided by operating activities 434.6 463.5 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (213.8) (225.6) Other, net (18.7) (17.2) Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations (3.5) Net cash used in investing activities (232.5) (246.3) Cash flows from financing activities: Principal borrowings on notes 20.0 Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments (5.7) (344.8) Borrowings on revolving credit facility 60.0 130.0 Payments on revolving credit facility (115.0) (330.0) Principal payments under finance lease obligations (9.5) (9.4) Debt amendment costs (0.1) (21.6) Taxes paid on behalf of employees for shares withheld (7.7) (7.2) Contributions from noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates 46.3 35.3 Dividends paid on common stock (30.5) (56.3) Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates (59.4) (45.9) Other, net 0.1 (0.1) Net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations 569.8 Net cash used in financing activities (101.5) (80.2) Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 100.6 137.0 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 53.4 120.3 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 154.0 $ 257.3 Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 (In Millions) Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period $ 21.8 $ 49.4 Restricted cash at beginning of period 31.6 62.5 Restricted cash included in other long-term assets at beginning of period 0.4 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in discontinued operations at beginning of period 8.0 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period $ 53.4 $ 120.3 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 117.5 $ 136.3 Restricted cash at end of period 36.5 67.4 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in discontinued operations at end of period 53.6 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 154.0 $ 257.3 Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Supplemental Information Earnings Per Share Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Adjusted EBITDA $ 249.6 $ 196.4 $ 478.6 $ 391.3 Depreciation and amortization (72.6) (60.5) (136.5) (118.2) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (36.3) (60.4) (72.7) (100.0) Stock-based compensation (15.6) (7.7) (23.5) (13.8) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (0.8) (2.8) (1.5) (3.5) 124.3 65.0 244.4 155.8 Items not indicative of ongoing operating performance: Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.1) (1.4) State regulatory change impact on noncontrolling interests 2.2 2.2 Change in fair market value of equity securities (1.1) (3.2) (0.6) (5.7) Pre-tax income 125.4 60.7 246.0 148.7 Income tax expense (32.8) (22.8) (64.7) (46.4) Income from continuing operations (1) $ 92.6 $ 37.9 $ 181.3 $ 102.3 Basic shares 99.5 99.2 99.5 99.2 Diluted shares 101.1 100.3 101.0 100.2 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.92 $ 0.38 $ 1.81 $ 1.03 Diluted earnings per share (1) $ 0.91 $ 0.38 $ 1.79 $ 1.02 (1) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Supplemental Information Adjusted Earnings Per Share Q2 6 Months 2023 2022 2023 2022 Earnings per share, as reported $ 0.91 $ 0.38 $ 1.79 $ 1.02 Adjustments, net of tax: Bondholder consent fees associated with Enhabit distribution 0.15 0.15 Income tax adjustments 0.07 0.07 State regulatory change impact 0.03 0.03 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 0.01 0.01 Change in fair market value of equity securities 0.01 0.02 0.04 Adjusted earnings per share* $ 0.95 $ 0.63 $ 1.83 $ 1.30 * Adjusted EPS may not sum due to rounding. 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, 2023 2022 2023 2022 (In Millions) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 206.7 $ 244.6 $ 434.6 $ 463.5 Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 36.3 60.4 72.7 100.0 Gain (loss) on sale of investments, excluding impairments 0.1 (7.3) 1.8 (11.9) Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.9 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in continuing operations (25.8) (21.9) (51.4) (43.9) Amortization of debt-related items (2.4) (2.5) (4.7) (4.8) Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates (0.1) (1.9) (0.2) (2.9) Current portion of income tax expense 36.5 31.6 64.4 52.9 Change in assets and liabilities (3.5) (71.4) (41.4) (93.4) Cash used in (provided by) operating activities of discontinued operations 1.6 (39.5) 2.9 (75.9) State regulatory change impact on noncontrolling interests (2.2) (2.2) Change in fair market value of equity securities 1.1 3.2 0.6 5.7 Other 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 Adjusted EBITDA $ 249.6 $ 196.4 $ 478.6 $ 391.3 Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Supplemental Information Reconciliation of Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Encompass Health per Diluted Share to Adjusted Earnings Per Share For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 Adjustments As Reported State Regulatory Change Impact Income Tax Adjustments Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities As Adjusted (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 249.6 $ $ $ $ 249.6 Depreciation and amortization (72.6) 6.1 (66.5) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (36.3) (36.3) Stock-based compensation (15.6) (15.6) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (0.8) (0.8) State regulatory change impact on noncontrolling interests 2.2 (2.2) Change in fair market value of equity securities (1.1) 1.1 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 125.4 3.9 1.1 130.4 Provision for income tax expense (32.8) (1.0) 0.1 (0.3) (34.0) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 92.6 $ 2.9 $ 0.1 $ 0.8 $ 96.4 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 0.91 $ 0.03 $ $ 0.01 $ 0.95 Diluted shares used in calculation 101.1 * 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 Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Encompass Health per Diluted Share to Adjusted Earnings Per Share For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 Adjustments As Reported Loss on Early Exting. of Debt Income Tax Adjustments Bondholder Consent Fees Associated with Enhabit Distribution Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities As Adjusted (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 196.4 $ $ $ $ $ 196.4 Depreciation and amortization (60.5) (60.5) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (60.4) 20.5 (39.9) Stock-based compensation (7.7) (7.7) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.8) (2.8) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.1) 1.1 Change in fair market value of equity securities (3.2) 3.2 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 60.7 1.1 20.5 3.2 85.5 Provision for income tax expense (22.8) (0.3) 7.0 (5.3) (0.9) (22.3) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 37.9 $ 0.8 $ 7.0 $ 15.2 $ 2.3 $ 63.2 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 0.38 $ 0.01 $ 0.07 $ 0.15 $ 0.02 $ 0.63 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 Reconciliation of Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Encompass Health per Diluted Share to Adjusted Earnings Per Share For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 Adjustments As Reported State Regulatory Change Impact Income Tax Adjustments Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities As Adjusted (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 478.6 $ $ $ $ 478.6 Depreciation and amortization (136.5) 6.1 (130.4) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (72.7) (72.7) Stock-based compensation (23.5) (23.5) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (1.5) (1.5) State regulatory change impact on noncontrolling interests 2.2 (2.2) Change in fair market value of equity securities (0.6) 0.6 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 246.0 3.9 0.6 250.5 Provision for income tax expense (64.7) (1.0) 0.4 (0.2) (65.5) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 181.3 $ 2.9 $ 0.4 $ 0.4 $ 185.0 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 1.79 $ 0.03 $ $ $ 1.83 Diluted shares used in calculation 101.0 * 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 Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Encompass Health per Diluted Share to Adjusted Earnings Per Share For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Adjustments As Reported Loss on Early Exting. of Debt Income Tax Adjustments Bondholder Consent Fees Associated with Enhabit Distribution Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities As Adjusted (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 391.3 $ $ $ $ $ 391.3 Depreciation and amortization (118.2) (118.2) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (100.0) 20.5 (79.5) Stock-based compensation (13.8) (13.8) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (3.5) (3.5) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.4) 1.4 Change in fair market value of equity securities (5.7) 5.7 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 148.7 1.4 20.5 5.7 176.3 Provision for income tax expense (46.4) (0.4) 7.2 (5.3) (1.5) (46.4) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 102.3 $ 1.0 $ 7.2 $ 15.2 $ 4.2 $ 129.9 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 1.02 $ 0.01 $ 0.07 $ 0.15 $ 0.04 $ 1.30 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, 2023 2022 2023 2022 (In Millions) Net income $ 117.2 $ 71.3 $ 230.5 $ 181.4 Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Encompass Health 1.2 (11.5) 2.2 (35.2) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations (25.8) (21.9) (51.4) (43.9) Provision for income tax expense 32.8 22.8 64.7 46.4 Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 36.3 60.4 72.7 100.0 Depreciation and amortization 72.6 60.5 136.5 118.2 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 1.1 1.4 Loss on disposal or impairment of assets 0.8 2.8 1.5 3.5 Stock-based compensation 15.6 7.7 23.5 13.8 State regulatory change impact on noncontrolling interests (2.2) (2.2) Change in fair market value of equity securities 1.1 3.2 0.6 5.7 Adjusted EBITDA $ 249.6 $ 196.4 $ 478.6 $ 391.3 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, 2023 2022 2023 2022 (In Millions) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 206.7 $ 244.6 $ 434.6 $ 463.5 Impact of discontinued operations 1.6 (39.5) 2.9 (75.9) Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations 208.3 205.1 437.5 387.6 Capital expenditures for maintenance (56.7) (39.2) (94.5) (71.4) Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates (27.6) (25.1) (59.4) (45.9) Items not indicative of ongoing operating performance: Transaction costs and related liabilities 0.2 3.5 (0.7) (2.8) Adjusted free cash flow $ 124.2 $ 144.3 $ 282.9 $ 267.5 For the three months ended June 30, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $128.5 million and resulted primarily from capital expenditures. Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $43.5 million and resulted primarily from net debt payments, distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates, and cash dividends paid on common stock partially offset by contributions from noncontrolling interest of consolidated affiliates. For the three months ended June 30, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $123.2 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures. Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $19.3 million and primarily resulted from net debt payments and issuance costs, cash dividends paid on common stock and distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates partially offset by net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations and contributions from noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $232.5 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures. Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $101.5 million and primarily resulted from net debt payments, distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates, and cash dividends paid on common stock partially offset by contributions from noncontrolling interest 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 net debt payments and issuance costs, cash dividends paid on common stock and distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates partially offset by net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations and contributions from 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 business model, strategy, outlook and guidance, dividend strategies, effective income tax rates, labor cost trends, legislative and regulatory developments or their impacts, financial guidance, ability to return value to shareholders, projected capital expenditures, acquisition opportunities, development projects, other 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 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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, an infectious disease outbreak, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of its spread, which could decrease our patient volumes and revenues and lead to staffing and supply shortages and associated cost increases; 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; 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' or partners' 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; Encompass Health's ability to realize construction cost savings from prefabrication of hospitals; 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, including in connection with the CMS inpatient rehabilitation review choice demonstration project; 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 infectious disease outbreaks, 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 cost of, or the decrease in the availability of, necessary supplies, such as personal protective equipment; the increase in the costs of defending and insuring against alleged professional liability claims, 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, 2022 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2023, 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. MONTREAL and PARIS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Enerkem Inc. and Technip Energies have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a Collaboration Agreement aimed at accelerating the deployment of Enerkem's technology platform for biofuels and circular chemical products from non-recyclable waste materials. Enerkems Edmonton commercial-scale demonstration plant which will inspire future projects developed with Technip Energies Enerkem and Technip Energies Logo Enerkem specializes in the development and commercialization of its groundbreaking gasification technology transforming non-recyclable waste into biofuels, low-carbon fuels and circular chemicals, catering to hard-to-abate sectors such as sustainable aviation and marine fuels. Since 2016, Enerkem has been operating a commercial demonstration scale facility in Alberta, Canada. Additionally, the company is currently involved in the development and construction of new commercial-scale waste-to-methanol facilities in Canada and Europe. Technip Energies, having successfully executed bio and low-carbon fuels projects worldwide, will contribute its expertise in engineering, technology integration and project delivery to support projects developed by Enerkem. This partnership will enhance Enerkem's project delivery capacity and speed. Furthermore, the collaboration will focus on strategic efforts to optimize design elements and industrialize the approach through the replication of Enerkem's designs for future projects. To expedite the deployment of its technology, Enerkem intends to establish a Development Company (DevCo). The purpose of DevCo is to acquire sites and secure relevant permits for the replicable methanol biorefinery design, supporting the production of bio and low-carbon fuels, as well as circular chemicals. Dominique Boies, CEO of Enerkem, stated: "We are excited to partner with Technip Energies to accelerate the deployment of Enerkem's technology in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Technip Energies' extensive expertise will enable Enerkem's clients to benefit from projects speed to market and cost efficiencies, supporting their decarbonization efforts and sustainability goals." Bhaskar Patel, SVP Sustainable Fuels, Chemicals and Circularity of Technip Energies, said: "We are pleased to join forces with Enerkem on the deployment of its technology platform to convert waste into sustainable and valuable end products such as biofuels. By leveraging our expertise in engineering, sustainable chemistry and biofuels projects, we will support project execution and Enerkem's technology deployment." About Enerkem Founded in 2000, Enerkem develops and commercializes its groundbreaking gasification technology transforming non-recyclable waste into biofuels, low-carbon fuels and circular chemicals for hard-to-abate sectors, including sustainable aviation and marine fuels. Its solution tackles both challenges of waste management and dependency on fossil fuel products while contributing to the development of a circular economy for a sustainable, net-zero-carbon future. Headquartered in Montreal, Enerkem employs close to 300 people in Canada, the United States, Europe and the UK, and has various projects worldwide, including the world's first commercial scale biorefinery producing advanced bio-methanol and circular methanol from non-recyclable waste in Alberta, Canada. In partnership with key strategic partners, a large-scale facility based on Enerkem's waste-to-methanol platform is under construction in Quebec, Canada, and is scheduled to start operations in 2025. In Tarragona, Spain, Enerkem's technology is at the heart of the Ecoplanta project which will produce biomethanol and circular methanol from non-recyclable waste. For more information, please visit www.enerkem.com About Technip Energies Technip Energies is a leading Engineering & Technology company for the energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry, and CO2 management. The company benefits from its robust project delivery model supported by extensive technology, products and services offering. Operating in 35 countries, our 15,000 people are fully committed to bringing our client's innovative projects to life, breaking boundaries to accelerate the energy transition for a better tomorrow. Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Paris with American depositary receipts ("ADRs") trading over-the-counter in the United States. For further information: www.technipenergies.com. Media Contacts: Enerkem, Amelie Desrosiers, Director, Corporate Communications, +1 514 475-7431, [email protected]; Technip Energies, Jason Hyonne, Manager, Press Relations & Social Media, +33 1 47 78 22 89, jason.hyonne@technipenergies.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166543/Enerkem_Inc__Enerkem_and_Technip_Energies_Join_Forces_on_Waste_t.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166552/Enerkem_Inc__Enerkem_and_Technip_Energies_Join_Forces_on_Waste_t.jpg SOURCE Enerkem Inc. TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) (TSX: EQB.PR.C) and its wholly owned subsidiary Equitable Bank (together, "Equitable") announced that Chief Risk Officer Ron Tratch will be leaving Equitable as of August 31, 2023. "Ron has been a valued member of Equitable's senior management team since he joined as Vice-President, Commercial Credit in 2011. He became Chief Risk Officer in January of 2015 and since that time has led the risk function on many successful initiatives that have contributed to our growth and success, including the ongoing advancement of the Bank's AIRB project for capital and risk management. We are grateful for his guidance and leadership and wish him well in the next chapter of his professional career," said Andrew Moor, President and Chief Executive Officer. Moor continued, "we're fortunate to have a strong Risk team at Equitable which will oversee all of our risks as we always have prudently and effectively." Equitable will be announcing the appointment of a new Chief Risk Officer in due course. About EQB Inc. Equitable BankCanada's Challenger Bankis a wholly owned subsidiary of EQB Inc., which trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: EQB) (TSX: EQB.PR.C) and serves more than 543,000 customers. Equitable Bank's wholly owned subsidiary Concentra Bank supports Canadian credit unions and their more than 6 million members. With over $108 billion in combined assets under management and administration, Equitable Bank has a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Founded more than 50 years ago, Canada's Challenger Bank provides diversified personal and commercial banking, and through its digital EQ Bank platform (eqbank.ca) has been named the top Schedule I Bank in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks 2021, 2022 and 2023 lists. Please visit eqbank.investorroom.com for more details. Investor contact: David Lee Investor Relations [email protected] Media contact: Deborah Chatterton Director, Communications [email protected] SOURCE Equitable Bank Savage to Launch New Eight-Part Video Series Highlighting Marvels and Construction of Groundbreaking Sun Princess on His Popular 'Tested' YouTube Channel SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A playground at sea for curious minds awaits on a specially themed cruise hosted by Adam Savage, original co-host of Discovery Channel's series MythBusters and godparent to Discovery Princess. The cruise sets sail onboard Discovery Princess, November 25-29, 2023, from the Port of Los Angeles for a four-day West Coast Getaway to San Diego and Ensenada. Adam Savage, original co-host of Discovery Channels series MythBusters and godparent to Discovery Princess On sale now, guests will have the exciting opportunity to meet Savage, learn about his career through several hosted activities and even get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Discovery Princess with Savage as guide. More details about this themed cruise can be found at www.princess.com/cruise-with-adam-savage. In addition, Savage is launching an exclusive video series that takes viewers on a fascinating up-close-and-personal journey of the astonishing wonders of Sun Princess, the cruise line's latest marvel that is currently under construction and set to debut in early 2024. Shot aboard Sun Princess at the Fincantieri shipyard, the first video is the series is available now and reveals never-before-seen glimpses of the groundbreaking Dome and Sphere features, as the series reveals the ship's birth from the ground up. Airing on his popular "Tested" channel on YouTube, with more than 6.3 million subscribers, the engaging series can be viewed at www.youtube.com/tested. "When I was asked what part of the ship I wanted to see during the christening of Discovery Princess in 2022, I chose the engine room and spent five hours learning about how the many complex systems onboard are able to efficiently -- and almost invisibly -- service thousands of customers' needs. The scale of it is staggering," said Savage. "The engineering of these ships, including Sun Princess, is riveting to me. Fresh off an Alaska cruise on Discovery Princess myself, I can't wait to meet fellow passengers and share all the exciting below-deck technology I've learned about in science and engineering in general and cruise ships in particular. Also, I absolutely LOVE trivia it's going to be a fun time." Adam Savage theme cruise activities include: Introduction at Sailaway Party Q&A presentation in the Princess Theater Meet & Greets with guests for photo opportunities Exclusive glimpse into the heart of the ship as Savage personally guides guests through the theater, laundry, galley, and more on a Guided Ship Tour (reservations onboard; fee applies). Specialty dinners, hosted by Savage (may be reserved onboard; fee applies) Hosted Trivia Game Experience Camp Discovery activity tailored exclusively for younger cruisers Savage is a special effects designer and fabricator, television personality and producer. As one of the original co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series MythBusters, he has dedicated his life to acquiring a diverse range of skills that enable him to transform his imaginative ideas into tangible creations. Throughout his career, Savage has crafted an impressive array of projects, spanning from colossal Buddha statues and futuristic weaponry to exquisite fine-art sculptures and spacesuits. His professional journey encompasses roles such as projectionist, animator, graphic designer, carpenter, interior and stage designer, toy designer, welder, and scenic painter. In 1993, Savage concentrated his career in the special effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars Episodes I and II, Galaxy Quest and the Matrix sequels. In 2003, he was chosen to produce and co-host the eight-time Emmy-nominated MythBusters. Fourteen years, 279 episodes, 1,015 myths, 2,950 experiments, and 83 miles of duct tape later, that version of the series ended in March 2016. Since then, Savage has hosted MythBusters Jr. and Savage Builds, and today, he is the editor-in-chief and lead content creator at Tested.com. In April 2022, Savage along with other Warner Bros. Discovery personalities including renowned fashion designer Randy Fenoli, esteemed chef Alex Guarnaschelli, and real estate virtuoso Page Turner officially named Discovery Princess, serving as the ship's godparents in a traditional maritime ceremony at the Port of Los Angeles. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com. About Princess Cruises Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK). SOURCE Princess Cruises WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) today reported its second quarter 2023 financial results and filed its Second Quarter 2023 Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing provides condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The following documents are now available on Fannie Mae's website at www.fanniemae.com . Fannie Mae has scheduled a conference call to discuss the company's results today at 8:00 a.m., ET. Participants may join the conference call in listen-only mode via the webcast link below. Listen-only webcast: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1625003&tp_key=9c402c8e18 Click on the link above to attend the presentation from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Audio will stream through your selected device. If you have difficulty accessing the webcast, please click the "Listen by Phone" button on the webcast player and dial the number provided. About Fannie Mae Fannie Mae advances equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and quality, affordable rental housing for millions of people across America. We enable the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and drive responsible innovation to make homebuying and renting easier, fairer, and more accessible. To learn more, visit: fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog Fannie Mae Newsroom https://www.fanniemae.com/news Photo of Fannie Mae https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif Fannie Mae Resource Center 1-800-2FANNIE SOURCE Fannie Mae INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Farm Aid announced today that its sold out music, food and farm festival will be broadcast on Circle Network, SiriusXM and FarmAid.org. The program will include music from the day and videos that tell the stories of Indiana farmers. Farm Aid 2023 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. "We're extremely fortunate to continue our collaborations with Circle and SiriusXM to bring the Farm Aid festival to those not able to join us in Indiana," said Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid. Farm Aid 2023 will take place in Noblesville, Indiana on September 23 This marks the third consecutive year that award-winning country lifestyle network Circle Network will bring the annual Farm Aid festival to a television audience, and the 14th year that SiriusXM has carried the show on satellite radio. "It's been an honor to bring Farm Aid into people's homes through our network for the past three years," said Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network's general manager. "Each year, the Farm Aid festival raises money for a great cause to support our nation's farmers, and we're thrilled to broadcast it on Circle Network once again and for the first time ever livestream the festival on our new app, Circle Now." Farm Aid 2023 will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), and Margo Price, as well as Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson, Allison Russell, The String Cheese Incident, and Particle Kid. Circle Network will broadcast the festival on television, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, with live and prerecorded segments from Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. Circle also will stream Farm Aid 2023 on its app, Circle Now, available free in app stores, throughout the day, beginning with the press event at 11:30 a.m. Fans can find Circle Network on DISH Network, over the air with an antenna and on many cable TV channel lineups across the country. Visit www.FindCircleNetwork.com to learn more about how to watch Circle Network. The show also will be available on Circle Country via streaming platforms, including Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Peacock, VIZIO SmartCast, Xumo, Tubi, Redbox and more. Beginning at 12 p.m. ET, SiriusXM subscribers will be able to listen to the full Farm Aid 2023 festival on SiriusXM's Willie's Roadhouse (channel 61), Dave Matthews Band Radio (channel 30) and Grateful Dead Channel (channel 23) via SiriusXM radio and on the SXM App. The live coverage also will include backstage interviews with artists and family farmers, hosted by SiriusXM's Dallas Wayne and Ari Fink. All coverage will feature a behind-the-scenes look at Farm Aid 2023 and the organization's year-round work to strengthen family farm agriculture. Farm Aid will livestream the full festival from the stage beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET with the Farm Aid press event at FarmAid.org and on Farm Aid's YouTube channel. The press event, featuring Farm Aid artists and farmers from across the region, offers fans at home a special opportunity to experience a dynamic conversation between farmers and artists. Farm Aid is partnering with digital fundraising platform Fandiem to inspire fans to give back for a chance to win a "Front & Center VIP Experience." Fans can donate to win online at Fandiem.com/farmaid for a chance at an all-expenses-paid trip to Farm Aid 2023, including two VIP Experience tickets with access to the VIP Experience club and more. For event updates, follow Farm Aid on Twitter (@FarmAid), Facebook (facebook.com/farmaid) and Instagram (instagram.com/farmaid), and visit farmaid.org/festival. Festivalgoers are encouraged to use the hashtags #FarmAid2023 and #Road2FarmAid to join the conversation on social media around this year's festival. Farm Aid welcomes the participation of the business community and offers corporate sponsorship and VIP hospitality opportunities. For more information, contact Glenda Yoder at [email protected]. Farm Aid 2023 sponsors include Patagonia Workwear and Hard Truth Distilling Co. Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 35 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $70 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms. SOURCE Farm Aid SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: Today, the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration provided an update on the ongoing actions being taken to resolve the shortages of prescription stimulant medications. On Monday, the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) announced that, beginning October 1, 2023 , the Total Product Life Cycle Advisory Program (TAP) Pilot will expand to include the Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices (OHT5). The TAP Pilot, launched in January 2023 , is intended to help ensure that U.S. patients have access to high-quality, safe, effective, and innovative medical devices first in the world for years to come by promoting early, frequent, and strategic communications between the FDA and medical device sponsors. The TAP Pilot is one of the commitments agreed to between the FDA and industry as part of the MDUFA reauthorization. , the Total Product Life Cycle Advisory Program (TAP) Pilot will expand to include the Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices (OHT5). The TAP Pilot, launched in , is intended to help ensure that U.S. patients have access to high-quality, safe, effective, and innovative medical devices first in the world for years to come by promoting early, frequent, and strategic communications between the FDA and medical device sponsors. The TAP Pilot is one of the commitments agreed to between the FDA and industry as part of the MDUFA reauthorization. On Monday, the FDA approved dostarlimab-gxly (Jemperli, GlaxoSmithKline) with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by single-agent dostarlimab-gxly, for primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient, as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high. Immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred with dostarlimab-gxly, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies such as hypothyroidism, nephritis with renal dysfunction and skin adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 20%) with dostarlimab-gxly in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel were rash, diarrhea, hypothyroidism, and hypertension. View the full prescribing information for Jemperli. On Thursday, July 27 , the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California entered a consent decree in United States v. Organic Pastures Dairy Co., LLC, et al. , Case No. 08-cv-1786 (E.D. Cal.). RAW FARM, LLC f/k/a Organic Pastures Dairy Co., LLC ("Organic Pastures") is a California -based company that manufactures and sells raw milk, raw cheese, and raw milk products and that is subject to a 2010 injunction. The FDA moved for contempt in March 2023 , alleging that the company: (1) distributed an unapproved new drug in interstate commerce namely, its raw cheddar cheese for the prevention of diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and viral infections and (2) failed to affix required statements on its invoices, packaging slips and websites. In May 2023 , the Court issued an order finding that Organic Pastures, its founder, and its president had violated the 2010 injunction and scheduled an evidentiary hearing regarding whether their noncompliance was justified. Prior to the hearing, the parties negotiated the consent decree, which, among other things, provides the FDA with additional oversight, enforcement, and inspection authority and imposes regular auditing requirements on the company. , the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of entered a consent decree in , Case No. 08-cv-1786 (E.D. Cal.). RAW FARM, LLC f/k/a Organic Pastures Dairy Co., LLC ("Organic Pastures") is a -based company that manufactures and sells raw milk, raw cheese, and raw milk products and that is subject to a 2010 injunction. The FDA moved for contempt in , alleging that the company: (1) distributed an unapproved new drug in interstate commerce namely, its raw cheddar cheese for the prevention of diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and viral infections and (2) failed to affix required statements on its invoices, packaging slips and websites. In , the Court issued an order finding that Organic Pastures, its founder, and its president had violated the 2010 injunction and scheduled an evidentiary hearing regarding whether their noncompliance was justified. Prior to the hearing, the parties negotiated the consent decree, which, among other things, provides the FDA with additional oversight, enforcement, and inspection authority and imposes regular auditing requirements on the company. On Tuesday, July 25 , the FDA cleared for marketing the DEKA ACE Pump System, an Alternate Controller Enabled (ACE) insulin pump that delivers insulin under the skin for people 13 years of age and older with diabetes mellitus. The DEKA ACE Pump System is a prescription-only device for single patient use. It can be used as a stand-alone insulin pump, or along with other diabetes devices that are also designed to be integrated into a customizable diabetes management system for automated insulin delivery. This FDA authorization paves the way for greater flexibility and patient choice for ACE pumps that can be used with an interoperable Automated Glycemic Controller (iAGC) to form an automated insulin dosing (AID) system. AID systems typically consist of a pump, CGM and software to control the system of compatible devices. This is the latest example of the FDA's ongoing commitment to ensure the development and expansion of products that can improve advanced treatment and successful management of type 1 diabetes. Additional Resources: Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products. SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintainium, Inc. ("Fintainium"), a pioneer in the financial technology landscape with its embedded payments platform streamlining AR and AP, today takes a significant leap forward in its leadership trajectory. The company is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chris Tonniges, a proven executive in the payments industry, as its new CEO. Mr. Tonniges' appointment as CEO was unanimously approved by the company's board of directors effective July 26. Chris has been an integral part of Fintainium's growth journey, contributing invaluable insights and expertise as a Board member. The management transition sees the company's founder, Rich Jackman, handing over the executive reins while maintaining an active role on the Board. Rich will continue to partner closely with Chris to chart Fintainium's long-term growth strategy and spearhead strategic initiatives. On his appointment, Tonniges said, "Joining Fintainium as CEO is an honor. Fintainium's rise as a leader in innovative AR, AP, and payment solutions is testimony to the company's relentless commitment to its clients. My partnership with Rich will allow us to continue to expand our solutions portfolio, intensifying our ability to alleviate complex payments challenges for SMEs and Enterprises." Jackman expressed his excitement about the partnership: "Teaming up with Chris is a strategic move for Fintainium's next growth phase. Chris's extensive industry experience and leadership acumen are unparalleled. We have a long history of collaboration, and his entry in this pivotal role marks a new chapter for Fintainium. Under his stewardship, knowing that Chris has the full support of our management team, I am confident that Fintainium will reach new heights and realize its full potential. " About Chris Tonniges Chris is an experienced fintech and payments professional and has served as a Fintainium Board Member since June 2022. Prior to that, Chris held executive leadership positions in the treasury and payments divisions of CIT and First National Bank of Omaha. A native of Nebraska, Chris spends a significant amount of time on philanthropic endeavors, including as CEO of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and as a member of The ALS Association National Board of Trustees. About Fintainium Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Fintainium strengthens the relationship between financial institutions, businesses, and other technology companies. Fintainium combines world-class money movement products with workflow, accounting, and reconciliation automation. Fintainium enhances back-office operations and streamlines accounting processes for end-users. Fintainium's single unified platform delivers end-to-end AR and AP automation with embedded payments and trade finance. The "Power Console," Fintainium's integrated CFO toolkit with business intelligence, solves the complexities of B2B payables and receivables with a simple, easy-to-navigate user interface. Fintainium's modular platform works seamlessly with core banking and ERP systems. Media Contact Fintainium, Inc. (www.fintainium.com) [email protected] SOURCE Fintainium, Inc. On Tuesday, August 1, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with the ambassadors of the G7 countries and the European Union on key topics and reforms aimed at strengthening Ukraine. "Recovery. We look forward to further assistance in implementing the priorities of fast recovery: the restoration of housing, energy, critical and social infrastructure, humanitarian demining and business support. Confiscation of frozen Russian assets. We have UAH 62 billion in the Ukrainian liquidation fund, half of them are seized Russian funds. We urge our partners to also take the necessary decisions that will direct Russia's assets frozen in the G7 countries to the restoration of Ukraine," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel following the meeting. The issue of preparation for the heating season was also discussed. Shmyhal pointed out that Ukraine continues to restore and strengthen the protection of energy facilities and thanked partners for significant assistance last winter. In addition, the further fate of the grain initiative and the situation around the ZNPP were discussed. "Grain Initiative. By withdrawing from the agreements, Russia has put millions of people in the world at risk of starvation. We count on the solidarity of our partners in the issue of exporting Ukrainian grain across the western border," Shmyhal stressed. As for the ZNPP, the situation remains tense, the Prime Minister pointed out, and called on partners to continue pressure on the Russian Federation. "ZNPP. The situation around the station remains tense. We must continue to put pressure on Russia to leave the facility. We call for sanctions against the nuclear industry of the Russian Federation," he stressed. The Prime Minister also thanked the partners for supporting the Peace Formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and for their willingness to continue helping Ukraine until victory over the aggressor. Send App Now Empowers Diaspora Africans in U.S. and Canada to send funds to Africa quickly, efficiently SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutterwave , Africa's leading payments technology company, today announced the launch of its Send App in the United States and Canada. The Send App enables people in the African diaspora to make faster, easier, and more affordable money transfers to families, friends, and loved ones in Africa. Flutterwave Rolls Out Send App, Innovative Remittances Solution in the United States and Canada The launch of Send App in the U.S. and Canada comes at a time when remittances to the African continent have doubled over the last decade, reaching an estimated $100 billion in 2022, according to the United Nations, and supporting the medical bills, education costs, and living expenses of an estimated 200 million African family members. "No matter where we find ourselves as Africans, we remain tied to our homes and always seek measures to support, appreciate and stay connected with our loved ones," said Olugbenga GB Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave. "The Send App is a user-friendly remittance solution built on our cross-border experience and global payment infrastructure reach that empowers diaspora Africans to make money transfers to the African continent quickly and easily. Flutterwave is on a mission to provide powerful payments tools that transform the industry, and the Send App is one example of the innovative solutions we are offering." With Flutterwave's Send App now supporting money transfers from the U.S. and Canada, the app can be used to send funds to and from over 34 countries across the world. Flutterwave also recently added Egypt and Senegal as recipient countries in its network for the Send App. The app is currently available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store . Other key features of the Send App include real-time support and exchange rate updates, an activity section that tracks transactions in real-time, and a new voucher code section that allows users to get discounts on transactions. For more information on how to use the Send App, visit https://send.flutterwave.com/ About Flutterwave Flutterwave is the leading payments technology company that enables businesses across the world to expand their operations in Africa and other emerging markets through a platform that enables local and cross-border transactions via one Application Programming Interface (API). Flutterwave has processed over 400M transactions in excess of USD $25B and serves more than one million businesses, including customers like Uber, Airpeace, Bamboo, Piggyvest, and others. The company's key advantage is connecting businesses to various local and international payment types to enable them to expand globally. It also enables cross-border transactions from the diaspora to African countries via its Send App product. Flutterwave processes payments via multiple payment modes, including local and international cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and Google Pay. The company has an infrastructure reach in 34 African countries. For more information on Flutterwave's journey; please visit: www.flutterwave.com. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166749/Flutterwave_Send_App.jpg SOURCE Flutterwave SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost Bank, the subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) announced today that Pat Frost plans to retire at the end of this year. Frost, whose tenure started in 1984, serves as group executive vice president of Cullen/Frost Bankers and president of Frost Bank and Frost Insurance. "On behalf of all of us at the bank, I'd like to congratulate Pat on his upcoming retirement, acknowledge his longtime service to our company, and thank him for everything he's done," said Phil Green, Cullen/Frost Chairman and CEO. "Pat's legacy both inside Frost and around San Antonio particularly though his philanthropy and community involvement speaks for itself. Over the years he has played crucial roles in our company's success, and we're grateful for all of his contributions to that success." After his retirement, Pat Frost will continue in a consulting role with the bank. In the interim period, he welcomes longtime San Antonio banker Kenny Wilson, who has joined Frost Bank as Chief Wealth Officer and Group Executive Vice President leading the overall strategy, execution, and growth for the Wealth Management teams. Wilson will work with Pat Frost until the end of this year. Wilson served for many years as Bank of America's top executive in San Antonio before he left the private sector to head up the Haven for Hope nonprofit. "As I look forward to more community and civic involvement in the next chapter of my life, we are fortunate to have Kenny Wilson joining the company," Pat Frost said. "There has been a mutual respect between us at Frost and him that goes back many years. He brings a lifetime of banking experience and knowledge of the San Antonio community, and he'll help our company make people's lives better. "I've always felt banking was a calling, because it provides the opportunity to help customers and businesses grow while serving in the community," Frost said. "I look forward to exciting opportunities ahead to help shape our city and make a lasting impact." About Frost: Frost is the banking, investments and insurance subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR), a financial holding company with $48.6 billion in assets at June 30, 2023. One of the 50 largest U.S. banks by asset size, Frost provides a full range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped Texans with their financial needs during three centuries. For more information, visit www.frostbank.com. AB Mendez Investor Relations 210-220-5234 or Bill Day Media Relations 210-220-5427 SOURCE Frost Bank SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore-based premier investment advisory firm for high-end watches, FutureGrail, is pleased to announce its inaugural online auction of collectible timepieces, going live on 8th September and running until 21st September 2023. The FutureGrail auction offers one of the lowest premiums available for high-end and collectible timepieces, ensuring an unparalleled opportunity for both buyers and sellers. With a buyer's premium of only 5% charged on top of the hammer price, FutureGrail strives to create equality and foster mutually beneficial outcomes. Patek Philippe, Lot Ref. 3448 G, self-winding, perpetual calendar, moon phases, white gold (18-carat), integrated bracelet, unique gray color dial, circa 1975. Estimate: US$600,000-900,000 (Left to Right) F.P. Journe (Ferrari dial), Audemars Piguet for "E. Gubelin, Lucerne Pocket Watch and Patek Philippe 1518J First Series FutureGrail Inaugural Auction 8th - 21st September 2023 Ali Nael, CEO and Founder of FutureGrail, expressed: "Creating equality in the market and a win-win situation for buyers and sellers is key goal that FutureGrail endeavors to achieve." "As one of our core values to foster customer success and long-term relationships, the 5% seller's premium will be waived for returning watches purchased by customers on our platform within one year of purchase date. We stand behind the watches offered for sale backed by our grading of the pieces and end-to-end, in-house expertise, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients," says Nael. "The condition reports and descriptions of the watches by Mr. Tellier depicts the most accurate representation of each timepiece," explained Mohsin Rizvi, COO, and Co-founder of FutureGrail. "We strive to offer buyers complete transparency and peace of mind regarding their purchased assets." Arnaud Tellier, Head of Curation at FutureGrail, emphasizes the crucial role of experts in ensuring the integrity of auctioned items. Tellier explains that his role is to use his expertise to "assess items accurately, identifying their origin, authenticity, state of preservation and market value." Tellier was previously the head of the Patek Philippe Museum for 11 years and is also the former Director of one of the world's oldest horology auction houses. "Our objective is to offer auction-quality items in all price ranges, selected for their attractiveness, technical, aesthetic, or historical interest, provenance, rarity, and state of conservation" he explains. Tellier also has some tips for collectors entering their first auction: "It is important to note that taking part in an auction requires adequate preparation, particularly in terms of researching the items, setting a budget, understanding the rules of the sale, and assessing all presented details, we aim to facilitate this process by being client driven." AN EXQUISITE CATALOG The FutureGrail curated auction consists of approximately 180 lots featuring some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, F.P. Journe, A. Lange & Sohne, Cartier, Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta, MB&F, Richard Mille, Romain Gauthier, Roger Dubuis, and Urwerk. The watches are split into four categories, Modern, Independents, Vintage and Classic Wristwatches and Pocket Watches. According to Tellier, a Patek Philippe, Ref. 3448, a self-winding, perpetual calendar watch with moon phases in 18-carat white gold integrated bracelet and a unique gray color dial from 1975, is an exceptional piece. It is estimated at US$600,000 to US$900,000. The F.P. Journe, 2001 "Tourbillon Souverain Remontoir d'Egalite 38 mm watch from the "Brass Collection" in 18-carat pink gold is also an exquisite piece and is estimated between US$500,000 and US$900,000 is another fine piece, says Tellier. According to Nael, the F.P. Journe, manual-winding, 100th of a second chronograph "Centigraphe Souverain", often called the Ferrari dial, from the "Boutique Collection" in 18 karat gold with a red Chrome dial, and an integrated platinum bracelet is also exceptional. It is estimated at US$300,000 to US$500,000. The Vintage Wristwatches (circa 1920-1970) category highlights a Patek Philippe 1518, with the long signature of Patek Philippe & Co and with a Mile dial (American market) from 1946, estimated at US$500,000 to US$700,000. The Pocket Watches category includes Patek Philippe, Ref. 605 J HU (Heures Universelles), pocket watch with World Time in 18-carat yellow gold from 1948, estimated US$60,000 to US$100,000; and an Audemars Piguet, made by Audemars Piguet for "E. Gubelin, Lucerne" - a rare and complicated minute repeater split-seconds Art Deco Enamel pocket watch in 18-carat yellow gold from 1920, estimated US$100,000 to US$200,000. HOW TO REGISTER The auction is online and will be conducted in US dollars. Some of the watches will be for sale with no reserve price. The auction lots will be held at FutureGrail's Singapore headquarters which includes a tax-free storage facility and vaults. The buyers can choose to deposit the watches in their own deposit boxes with dual keys controlled by themselves and Malca Amit, or to ship watches to their country via secured shipping or collect them tax free at the airport. The FutureGrail team is there to help their clients with the logistics of finding the fastest way to store and obtain delivery of their prized timepieces. To participate, bidders need to register online, and the timepieces will be on display at FutureGrail for pre-auction viewing where collectors and bidders will have a chance to inspect the watches in person and get acquainted with the FutureGrail leadership team. The preview will run from 1st September until the end of the auction on 21st September, 2023. TO REGISTER Go to https://www.futuregrail.com/auctions PREVIEW 1st September 21st September 2023 AUCTION 8th September 21st September 2023 FutureGrail Pte Ltd 100E Pasir Panjang Road, B&D Building, 03-01/03-02, Singapore 118521 ABOUT FUTUREGRAIL FutureGrail is a premier investment advisory firm for high-end watches located in Singapore that offers international auctions - soon to include Fractionalised Auctions - alongside expert advice and guidance to watch collectors and investors. FutureGrail was founded by renowned watch collector Ali Nael and business partner Mohsin Rizvi. The company works with renowned horology historian Arnaud Tellier, as Head of Curation and Auctions. Tellier was head of the Patek Philippe Museum for 11 years and is the former Director of one of the world's oldest horology auction houses. (See Appendix for details on the team) FutureGrail hosts a Watch Museum, featuring one of the world's rarest collections of watches and artifacts, with over 200 rare and historically significant timepieces dating back to the early 1800s. The headquarters has a tax-free storage facility, designed to safeguard the world's rarest collections with value-added services cater to the needs of collectors and investors from acquisition to exit. The facility has unparalleled security measures supported by global security experts Malca-Amit featuring round-the-clock surveillance, advanced access controls, and full insurance coverage. Website: www.futuregrail.com Socials: Facebook Instagram Youtube Tiktok Download Images here APPENDIX THE FUTUREGRAIL TEAM SOURCE FutureGrail As the behavioral health pharmacy demand grows, Altruix focuses on increased access to life-changing medications LANCASTER, Pa., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ganse Apothecary, located in Lancaster, PA, today announced that it is changing its name to Altruix. Altruix consists of the combined operations of Terrapin Pharmacy, Bank's Apothecary, and the former Ganse Apothecary, serving over 23,000 individuals across 23 states. By joining three local, independent pharmacy organizations, Altruix can offer access to expanded personalized pharmacy services and more behavioral health, substance use disorder (SUD), and intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) medications. Altruix in Lancaster has been locally owned and operated since 1970. While the name is new, the team's friendly customer service, pharmacy expertise, innovative technology, and convenient location remain the same. Altruix will carry on the Ganse Apothecary mission of empowering individuals with behavioral health conditions, SUD, or IDD to help them achieve their health goals. "Individuals who require complex treatment for behavioral health conditions, substance use disorder, and intellectual and developmental disability struggle to access and afford the drugs they need. Our new name, which comes from the word altruism, reflects our dedication to the wellbeing of these individuals," said Altruix CEO Eric Elliott. The Lancaster Altruix location serves Lancaster County and surrounding communities in eastern, central, and western Pennsylvania, providing not only long-term care, specialty, and retail pharmacy services but also a variety of consumer support services. "As demand for behavioral health, SUD, and IDD treatment increases, providers need a local, independent pharmacy partner who can support the whole individual," said Dan Kohler, PharmD, Altruix General Manager in Lancaster. "Our services help by improving adherence, reducing hospital admissions, and improving outcomes. Ganse Apothecary became part of this broader partnership in June 2022. We needed to become part of a single brand to optimize how we provide care and expand the services we offer to individuals. Our Lancaster team is excited to represent Altruix in our local community." As Altruix in Lancaster grows, it will add jobs for the local community, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and delivery drivers. For more information about open roles in Lancaster, visit the Altruix job board. About Altruix Altruix is a high-touch pharmacy dedicated to behavioral health and intellectual & developmental disability populations. The company's pharmacy expertise, Medherent technology, and special packaging promote medication adherence. Altruix provides value-added services that help clients take their medications as prescribed without juggling pill bottles. At the same time, physicians and staff spend less time managing medications, getting essential information, and dealing with errors. Altruix customers achieve improved outcomes such as 90% adherence and 40% fewer dollars spent on ER and hospital visits. For more information, visit Altruix.com. SOURCE Altruix ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today an acquisition for its European Automotive business. Effective July 31, 2023, Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), the company's wholly-owned automotive distribution company based in London, U.K., acquired Recambios y Accesorios Gaudi, S.L. (Gaudi). Gaudi, founded in 1989, is one of the leading independent players in Spain with 22 stores operating mainly in the Catalonia and Madrid regions. Thanks to a combination of organic growth and numerous store openings, the business has expanded significantly over the past years, achieving annual revenues of approximately 100 million ($110 million USD). These results reflect the expertise of the Gaudi team and its 350 employees across all vehicle segments in the automotive sector. "We are pleased to expand our European Automotive footprint with the addition of Gaudi," said Paul Donahue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GPC. "With this acquisition, we are broadening our leadership position in Spain, Europe's fifth largest automotive market, while extending the opportunities for rollout of the NAPA brand and enhancing the profitability of our European business. "The synergies provided by this transaction will enable us to grow more effectively and allow us to provide even greater customer service throughout the country. We welcome the Gaudi team to the GPC and AAG family and are excited to work together to maximize the growth opportunities in our European business," continued Donahue. The addition of Gaudi further builds on AAG Iberia's strategic foothold in the automotive aftermarket, previously represented by Lausan in Spain and Soulima in Portugal. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as "opportunities" and "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the acquisition of Gaudi by GPC's subsidiary, AAG, including those relating to extending the rollout of the NAPA brand in Europe, enhancing the profitability of GPC's European business, and growing more effectively in Spain through synergies. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to GPC and involve estimates, expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that all such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. With respect to the proposed acquisition, these risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that Gaudi will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings, synergies and growth from the acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; and the risk that costs associated with the integration of the business are higher than anticipated. Additional information regarding other risks and uncertainties that may impact GPC and its operations are also contained in GPC's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond GPC's ability to control or predict. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, actual results may vary materially, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the information currently available to the parties on the date they are made, and GPC does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of such communication, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC. About Genuine Parts Company Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com. About Alliance Automotive Group Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), is a leading distributor of light and commercial vehicle parts to the independent aftermarket in France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. AAG is doing business under the Groupauto France, Precisium Group and Pieces Auto in France, Groupauto UK and UAN in the UK, Groupauto Ireland in Ireland, Alliance Automotive Group Germany in Germany, Groupauto Poland in Poland and Partspoint, Precisium and Winparts in the Netherlands and Belgium, Groupauto Iberica in Spain and in Portugal. AAG serves approximately 100,000 garages with over 100,000 different parts for repair and maintenance from a network of more than 700 company-owned stores and more than 1,700 affiliated outlets. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, the largest worldwide automotive parts distributor with activities in North America, Europe, and Australasia. Further information is available at www.allianceautomotivegroup.eu. SOURCE Genuine Parts Company /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ CALGARY, AB, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Gibson Energy Inc. ("Gibson" or the "Company") (TSX: GEI) is pleased to announce the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") with respect to the Company's proposed acquisition of 100% of the membership interests of South Texas Gateway Terminal LLC (the "Transaction"). The expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of key conditions to the closing of the Transaction and Gibson expects that the parties will be in position to close the Transaction in the very near term and without the need of any other third-party action or approval. View PDF Gibson Energy Provides Update on Acquisition of South Texas Gateway Terminal (CNW Group/Gibson Energy Inc.) About Gibson Gibson is a leading liquids infrastructure company with its principal businesses consisting of the storage, optimization, processing, and gathering of liquids and refined products. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the Company's operations are located across North America, with core terminal assets in Hardisty and Edmonton, Alberta, and including a facility in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and an infrastructure position in the U.S. Gibson shares trade under the symbol GEI and are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.gibsonenergy.com. For further information, please contact: Beth Pollock Vice President, Capital Markets & Risk Phone: (403) 992-6478 [email protected] Media Relations Phone: (403) 476-6374 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "aim", "target", "contemplate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "propose", "might", "may", "will", "shall", "project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "predict", "forecast", "pursue", "potential", "possible", "capable" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the closing of the Transaction and the timing thereof. The forward-looking statements reflect Gibson's beliefs and assumptions with respect to, among other things; the satisfaction of all conditions to closing the Transaction and the timing thereof; the successful completion of the Transaction; and general economic and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although Gibson believes these statements to be reasonable, no assurance can be given that the results or events anticipated in these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results or events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of, among other things, failure to complete the Transaction in all material respects in accordance with the agreement governing the Transaction. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Gibson's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Gibson disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable laws. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive. For additional information on the Company's assumptions, and the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results of our material risk factors, described in "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" included in Gibson's Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis dated each dated February 21, 2023 and the prospectus supplement dated June 16, 2023, copies of which are available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE Gibson Energy Inc. DUBLIN, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Potato Protein Market by Type (Isolates and Concentrates), Nature (Organic and Conventional), Application (Food & Beverages and Feed), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World) - Global Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global the potato protein market is projected to reach USD 144 million by 2028 from USD 105 million by 2022, at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period in terms of value. Protein has acknowledged superiority due to awareness and demand for healthy food. Potato protein is extracted from potato juice and industrial potato waste, and the nutritional and functional values of potato protein have been found to be more significant than other vegetables and cereal proteins. Hence, manufacturers are adopting potato protein to create protein-rich commodities in the food & beverage industry. By type, Potato protein Isolate is widely used in food industry. Potato protein isolates largely finds application in the food industry when compared to the feed industry. Processed potato protein isolates are therefore used commercially for adding to food products to boost their protein level. Potato protein isolates using mild separation techniques do not lead to a significant change in the nutritional value, metabolism or contaminants. Potato protein isolates have high digestibility and blending abilities; hence, a new class of designed foods is developed using it. It has increased protein concentration & advantages in color, flavor and functional qualities, thus giving other varieties of potato protein a competitive edge. By application, Bakery & Confectionery is projected in high demand during the forecast period. Potato protein is used for the protein enrichment of bread products that are usually quite low in protein in bakery application. Further, bakery products with potato protein can be used as a replacement for wheat protein products as it is gluten-free; this provides this market with an opportunity as there is a growing demand for gluten-free bakery goods such as bread and cakes. In confectionery and baking, potato protein is frequently used as an ingredient to enhance the consistency, flavor, and structure of baked goods. Protein from potatoes is high in amino acids but low in fat and carbs. Potato protein improves the texture of baked goods and has a high water-binding capacity which helps keep baked goods moist and prevent them from drying out. Potato protein is also a good choice for those with gluten intolerances or allergies due to its lack of gluten. The production of gluten-free baked goods is possible by substituting potato protein for wheat flour. Continuous innovation and new products are formed in the market to meet the demand for this application. KMC ingredients (Denmark) offers Protafy 130 potato protein products which are ideal for protein fortification of products based on dough systems, such as bakery, pasta or extruded snacks and pellets. By Region, Germany in Europe is driving the market in potato protein market due to increase in customer awareness and growing demand for plant-based products. The demand for plant-based proteins is increasing globally, and Germany is no exception. It is driven by several factors, including health concerns, environmental awareness, and animal welfare issues. Potato protein being a high-quality protein source that is low in fat and is cholesterol-free, makes it popular ingredient in health and wellness. Moreover, potato protein has a smaller environmental footprint compared to animal-based protein sources such as meat and dairy. Additionally, potato protein is a high-quality protein source that contains all essential amino acids, making it an attractive option for health-conscious consumers. In addition, potato protein is gluten-free, non-GMO, and allergen-free, which adds to its appeal. The German government has been supporting the growth of the potato protein industry through various regulations and initiatives. Premium Insights Demand for Fast Food and Plant-Based Food for Potato Protein Market US Was Largest Market Globally in 2022 Germany and Feed Were Largest Potato Protein Market Segments in Europe in 2022 and Feed Were Largest Potato Protein Market Segments in in 2022 Potato Protein Concentrates Projected to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Conventional Potato Protein to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Feed Application to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Europe to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Market Dynamics Drivers Increase in Vegan Population Consumer Concerns Regarding Food Allergens in Products Nutritional Benefits of Potato Protein Increased Demand for Fast-Food Chains Restraints High Production Cost of Potato Protein Potential Fear of Replacement of Potato Protein in Food and Feed Industries Opportunities Growth in Investments in New Production Facilities Adoption of New Technologies in Potato Protein Industry Challenges Low Global Production and Distribution of Potato Protein Case Studies Kmc Ingredients: Development of Potato Protein for Incorporation in Nutritious Snacks and Beverages Kerry Group plc: Development of Potato Protein for Cheese-Flavored Snacks Companies Mentioned Avebe ( Netherlands ) ) Tereos ( France ) ) Kerry Group PLC ( Ireland ) ) Sudzucker AG (US) Roquette Freres ( France ) ) Emsland Group ( Germany ) ) KMC Ingredients ( Denmark ) ) Pepees Group ( Poland ) ) AKV Langholt ( Denmark ) ) PPZ Niechlow ( Poland ) ) The Scoular Company (US) Finnamyl ( Finland ) ) Kemin Industries ( USA ) ) Bioriginal ( Canada ) ) Duynie ( Netherlands ) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d8f1zu About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Quantum Computing Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global quantum computing market was valued at US$592.99 million in 2021 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 49.34% to reach US$9.82 billion by 2028. Quantum computing has a major impact on various industries, including security, banking, military intelligence, drug discovery, aircraft design, utilities (nuclear fusion), polymer design, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), big data search, and digital manufacturing. They can be utilized to improve secure information exchange or to increase radars' ability to identify missiles and airplanes. Increasing federal initiatives and innovative collaborations to support digitization Governments are spending heavily on quantum computing technology, which reflects the growing demand for the technology. For instance, the German government announced in November 2021 that, within the next four years, quantum computer prototypes based on several architectures would be created as part of DLR's (German Aerospace Centre) Quantum Computing Initiative. Through this procedure, DLR is asking businesses, start-ups, and other research organizations to work together to further the creation of quantum computer hardware, software, and applications. The growth of strategic collaborations may also encourage the creation of higher-caliber computing solutions. For instance, a high-level Finnish team visited the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, in December 2022 to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation on quantum technologies, HPC-quantum integration, and related applications. C-DAC has invented its motherboard, server, and connection in HPC. Stability and maintenance difficulties Quantum computers employ practical quantum bits that are prone to mistakes. Additionally, it is a difficult challenge to commercialize quantum computers. Since qubits are sensitive and quickly perturbed by fluctuations in the temperature, sound, and wavelength of their surroundings, retaining their quantum mechanical state for an extended length of time is challenging. Additionally, several blockchain-based solutions use the ECDSA, a digital signature method that is not yet quantum-safe. North American market is anticipated to hold a sizeable market share The main factor driving the expansion of the North American market is the presence of major technology companies like Google, Intel, and IBM Corporation, among others. In addition, the industry is primarily driven by established technological development centers spread in the region. The European quantum computing industry is anticipated to grow steadily in the forecast period. The large investments made by market participants are the main factor promoting the regional market's expansion. Additionally, it is anticipated that an increasing amount of projects and financing from governments across a range of European countries would impact the development of the local market. Further, the quantum computing industry is anticipated to expand the most in the Asia Pacific region. Numerous sectors, including medicine, transportation, finance, and chemicals, are growing, and countries like India, Japan, and South Korea have a thriving IT industry, supporting the market expansion. Market Segmentation: By Application Hardware Software and Service By Deployment On-Premises Cloud-Based By Industry Vertical BFSI Automotive Manufacturing Healthcare IT & Telecom Energy & Power By Applications Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Computational Chemistry Drug Design & Development Cybersecurity & Cryptography Financial Modelling Logistics Optimisation Company Profiles IBM Microsoft Quantum Computing Inc. Intel Corporation D-Wave Quantum Inc. Quix Quantum BV Alpine Quantum Technologies GmbH ORCA Computing Rigetti & Co, LLC. Google LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/b85bmo About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Yarn Suppliers - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Yarn Suppliers Report offers a detailed analysis of the global yarn suppliers market, covering top players and financial trends. With comprehensive individual assessments of the top 490 companies, including Abraham Moon & Sons Limited, Amarjothi Spinning Mills Limited, and Asia Fiber Pcl, this report provides valuable insights into the yarn, thread, and textiles industry. Key Highlights: Market Overview: The report provides a comprehensive overview of the global yarn suppliers market, focusing on areas such as yarn, suppliers, thread, textiles, and wool. It includes a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years, offering a detailed view of the industry. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the global yarn suppliers market, focusing on areas such as yarn, suppliers, thread, textiles, and wool. It includes a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years, offering a detailed view of the industry. Company Analysis: Using the publisher's exclusive methodology, the report assesses the financial performance of the top 490 companies. It highlights 182 companies with a declining financial rating and 42 companies that have shown good sales growth. Using the publisher's exclusive methodology, the report assesses the financial performance of the top 490 companies. It highlights 182 companies with a declining financial rating and 42 companies that have shown good sales growth. Market Analysis : The report offers a thorough 100-page market analysis, highlighting the latest changes and trends in the global yarn suppliers market. It covers best trading partners, sales growth analysis, profit analysis, market size, and rankings. : The report offers a thorough 100-page market analysis, highlighting the latest changes and trends in the global yarn suppliers market. It covers best trading partners, sales growth analysis, profit analysis, market size, and rankings. Tools for Busy Managers: The report provides busy managers with tools to monitor the financial welfare of their companies, rivals, or potential acquisitions. The reports are used to assess the attractiveness of potential acquisitions, gain a better understanding of the market, and identify sound companies for trading partnerships. The report is divided into two sections: an overall market analysis and a detailed company analysis. The market analysis includes best trading partners, sales growth analysis, profit analysis, market size, and rankings. The company analysis provides an in-depth assessment of the largest companies in the yarn suppliers industry, using the publisher's unique model and The Publisher's Chart to analyze financial performance. With the most up-to-date financial data, this report offers accurate insights into the yarn suppliers market. It serves as a valuable resource for industry professionals seeking to understand market trends, identify potential acquisitions, and benchmark their own financial performance. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vgflic About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Greenwoods is marking the occasion by re-inventing the quintessential Dutch breakfast dish the Uitsmijter and adding it to its all-day brunch menu! AMSTERDAM, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenwoods Singel , Amsterdam's original brunch venue, is proud to announce its 35th anniversary. Famed for being the restaurant that brought eggs benedict and other delicious brunch dishes to Amsterdam for the first time, Greenwoods offers a unique fusion of Dutch hospitality and British charm where locals and tourists can come together and enjoy a fantastic dining experience. Greenwoods' storied history and continuing evolution have made it one of the most popular and recognisable restaurants in the city. More than two million visitors have come through the doors over the last 35 years, and the team serves around 250,000 fresh eggs every year! As part of the anniversary celebrations, Greenwoods Singel has launched its new take on a Dutch classic. The Uitsmijter is a typical Dutch farmer's breakfast made up of fried eggs on toast with cheese and side salad. The Greenwoods team have re-invented the dish and taken it to a higher level - and it will be available to diners from 1st September. Greenwoods is situated on the Singel canal in a traditional Amsterdam neighbourhood close to the Anne Frank House and Dam Square. Healthy ingredients and sustainability are central to the menu - with diners also able to enjoy a range of fantastic breakfast and lunch dishes, vegan and vegetarian options - even a traditional English cream tea with freshly-made scones! An Amsterdam institution, 35 years in the making Greenwoods was founded in 1988 by an Australian and a Brit. It was a relaxed, no-frills, greasy-spoon type place that provided tasty, simple fare, but it gradually built up a loyal local following. Then, in 2010, Dutchman Daniel Post fulfilled his dream of owning a brunch venue. At that time, Greenwoods was a bit run-down, with a tired decor and a mouse population that had to be evicted! But Daniel worked hard, re-invested and brought the venue back to life. He raised the bar on the food offering, hiring professional chefs and ensuring all the items on the menu were made fresh daily on the premises. He brought in a range of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options to ensure everyone felt welcome. Two new Greenwoods venues have expanded the brand: a sister restaurant on Keizersgracht, Amsterdam, and a UK branch in Edinburgh "We pride ourselves on providing an authentic brunch experience," says Daniel,. "That means no cheap beans and proper bacon and sausages! Now, with our new Uitsmijter option, you can truly go Dutch too!" https://greenwoods.eu/restaurant/singel/ SOURCE Greenwoods BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. The arrest of Vagif Khachatryan, one of the internationally wanted persons in connection with the massacre in the village of Meshali, complies with all legal norms, a veteran of the security agencies of Azerbaijan, Colonel Azer Garayev, said, Trend reports. According to him, the investigation of the events of the massacre committed in the village of Meshali has revealed that Khachatryan was among the armed Armenians who attacked the village of Meshali in 1991, killing 25 and wounding 14 Azerbaijanis, as a result of which 358 Azerbaijanis were expelled from their places of residence. "For the crimes committed, Vagif Khachatryan was put on the international wanted list. He was detained by the servicemen of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan at the Lachin border checkpoint while trying to leave for Armenia under the guise of treatment through the International Committee of the Red Cross. Since Khachatryan is a citizen of Azerbaijan and there are serious grounds for suspicion of committing bloody crimes, his detention was carried out in accordance with Azerbaijani law," he said. Garayev added that Azerbaijan is a state of law, and representatives of all peoples living in the country are equal before the law. "Khachatryan Vagif Cherkezovich must answer before the law for the grave crimes he committed. During the 44-day Patriotic War, we took revenge on the enemy on the battlefield. The struggle continues to this day in the diplomatic arena, in the political arena, and in the information space," he said. Garayev stressed that not only Khachatryan but also other war criminals, including the executioners involved in the Khojaly genocide, must answer before the law of Azerbaijan. "The arrest and involvement in the investigation of the war criminal Khachatryan, who was on the international wanted list, gives grounds to say that other war criminals will also appear before Azerbaijani justice," he said. It should be noted that the investigation of the criminal case initiated by the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code on the facts of genocide, deportation of Azerbaijanis, and destruction by illegal Armenian armed groups on December 22, 1991, in the village of Meshali, Khojaly region, of numerous properties belonging to villagers and the state, continues. The investigation established that on the indicated day, a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Vagif Cherkezovich Khachatryan (born in 1955), who was born and lived in the village of Badara, Askeran region, worked as a driver at the automobile transport enterprise of the city of Khankendi, and other persons of Armenian nationality with the aim of killing Azerbaijanis on ethnic grounds, living in the village of Meshali, using various types of weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, had made an armed attack on this village, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their places of legal residence. In addition, Vagif Cherkezovich Khachatryan and other persons, in a preliminary conspiracy, destroyed and damaged property belonging to the state and villagers, causing material damage in the total amount of 5,496,900 manats. In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounds for bringing charges, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as a defendant under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Due to the fact that his whereabouts were not known to the investigation, he was put on the international wanted list, and on November 12, 2013, by a court decision, a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen against him. As a result of the search activities carried out, Vagif Khachatryan was detained by the servicemen of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Lachin border checkpoint on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on July 29, 2023, while trying to leave for the Republic of Armenia for medical treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. LAKEWOOD, Wash. and SEATTLE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harborstone Credit Union announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Seattle, Washington-based First Sound Bank (OTCPK: FSWA). The transaction is structured as a purchase agreement with Harborstone Credit Union purchasing substantially all assets and assuming substantially all liabilities of First Sound Bank. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. Following the completion of the transaction, First Sound Bank will liquidate and dissolve and distribute its remaining assets to its stockholders. When finalized, the combined institution will have approximately $2.1 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in loans, $1.8 billion in shares and deposits and will have sixteen branches throughout King, Pierce, and Thurston Counties. In connection with the transaction, the shareholders of First Sound Bank will receive approximately $6.90-$7.10 in cash for each share of First Sound Bank common stock, subject to adjustment based on the equity value at closing. The acquisition helps Harborstone Credit Union grow its presence in the Seattle market, diversify its assets, and add superior talent and expertise. First Sound Bank customers will become members of Harborstone Credit Union with full access to all Harborstone Credit Union's expansive product and service offerings. The transaction serves as a historic milestone, as First Sound Bank is the first bank Harborstone Credit Union will acquire. Geoff Bullock, President and CEO of Harborstone Credit Union, commented, "We're excited to grow Harborstone Credit Union and owe this opportunity to the decades of smart and strategic decisions that have created a solid foundation for our expansion. This acquisition is a win for everyone involved as it provides extended services and products to First Sound's clients, and adds new expertise and services to Harborstone Credit Union's members. From all of us at Harborstone Credit Union, we extend a warm welcome to First Sound, its employees, and its customers." Marty Steele, President and CEO of First Sound Bank added, "We are extremely excited about partnering with Harborstone Credit Union and feel that this strategic transaction provides many benefits for our customers, employees, community and shareholders. As a community bank we are deeply focused on providing resources and services for our customers to succeed, and feel that the additional services, products and locations Harborstone Credit Union provides will help us continue to meet the needs of our customers in this competitive environment. In addition, this transaction provides excellent value to our shareholders who have supported us over the years." The transaction is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2024 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals, approval by the shareholders of First Sound Bank and other customary closing conditions. Harborstone Credit Union was advised in the transaction by McQueen Financial Advisors as exclusive financial advisor and Luse Gorman, PC as legal counsel. First Sound Bank was advised by D.A. Davidson & Co. as exclusive financial advisor and Keller Rohrback, L.L.P. as legal counsel. About Harborstone Credit Union Harborstone Credit Union is a Washington-chartered and federally insured credit union headquartered in Lakewood, Washington. Founded in 1955 as McChord Federal Credit Union, serving airmen on McChord Air Force Base (now Joint Base Lewis McChord), Harborstone Credit Union has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in Washington State with over 87,000 members and approximately $1.9 billion in total assets. Harborstone Credit Union has fifteen branches located throughout King, Pierce, and Thurston counties and offers members a full range of products and services with the aim to assist members in achieving financial well-being through innovative financial solutions that foster thriving communities and economic vitality. For more information, please visit www.harborstone.com. About First Sound Bank First Sound Bank is a locally owned, independent community bank with approximately $175 million in assets. The company provides commercial and private banking services for small to medium sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and professional service firms throughout the Puget Sound market. First Sound Bank operates through a single branch location in downtown Seattle. For more information, please visit www.firstsoundbank.com. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as the businesses of Harborstone Credit Union and First Sound Bank may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected, the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes, disruption from the merger may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, associates, or suppliers, the required governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained on the proposed terms and schedule, or First Sound Bank shareholders may not approve the merger, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the companies or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the companies will be achieved. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the companies or any person acting on their behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements above. None of Harborstone Credit Union or First Sound Bank undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. SOURCE First Sound Bank TOMBALL, Texas, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NewHealthMD is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new medical clinic in the heart of Tomball, Texas. As a prominent addition to the local healthcare landscape, NewHealthMD is dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare services to the community, with a commitment to personalized care, compassion, and innovation under the leadership of their Medical Director, Pablo Amador, MD. NewHealthMD brings high-quality medical care closer to home, ensuring that residents of Tomball and surrounding areas have convenient access to top-notch healthcare services. The July 21 opening marked a new chapter in the community's healthcare journey, promising comprehensive medical solutions for all ages. "After 21 years of serving this incredible community, I'm beyond excited to introduce you to this state-of-the-art facility," said George Valdez, MD, MBA, original founder of Family Health Practice in Tomball. "We're excited to be part of the Tomball community and look forward to serving its residents with the highest standards of medical care," said Antonio Feijoo, NewHealthMD Co-Founder. "Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our patients through cutting-edge medical practices and a patient-centric approach." In addition to the presence in Texas, NewHealthMD has experienced remarkable growth in Florida, where multiple clinics have successfully opened. The expansion in both states reflects the organization's commitment to improving healthcare access and enhancing the well-being of communities beyond regional boundaries. NewHealthMD has ambitious plans to further their reach and impact, with plans to open more clinics in Texas, Florida, and Georgia by the end of the year. NewHealthMD invites the Tomball community to experience healthcare excellence at their new clinic. Patients can expect top-tier medical services that encompass preventive care, routine check-ups, chronic disease management, and specialized treatments. For more information about NewHealthMD and its services, visit their website at www.newhealthmd.com or visit the new clinic located at 888 Graham Dr., Suite 100, Tomball, TX 77375. About NewHealthMD: NewHealthMD is a leading medical clinic that prioritizes exceptional patient care, cutting-edge medical practices, and community well-being. With clinics in Texas and Florida, NewHealthMD continues to expand its reach to offer world-class healthcare services to a broader population. Media Contact: Megan Whitehead Phone: 786-693-1324 Email: [email protected] Website: www.newhealthmd.com SOURCE New Health Partners TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthmap Solutions, Inc. ("Healthmap"), a national population health management company focused on kidney disease, announced today that it has raised $100mm to support the ongoing expansion of its business. Healthmap has grown rapidly with its health plan customers and is currently contracted to serve over 160,000 individuals living with kidney disease. The funding will provide the company with the resources required for newly awarded business and the balance sheet strength to support the growing portion of Healthmap's covered lives that are contracted under capitated arrangements. Today, Healthmap is contracted to manage over $3 billion in healthcare spend through risk-based arrangements with a number of the country's leading health plans and at-risk providers. Healthmap's growth is a result of its proven ability to improve care and lower costs for polychronic patients through the use of advanced technology, predictive analytics, machine learning, clinical expertise, and face-to-face interactions with providers and members. Additionally, the company's approach has been effective across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial populations living in disparate geographies. Healthmap's highly scalable business model has allowed the company to make a positive impact on broad populations and has also demonstrated its financial durability and predictability. After ongoing investments in rapid growth, Healthmap expects to begin generating earnings in 2023. Funds managed by Healthmap's largest investor, WindRose Health Investors, led the financing along with participation from existing investors. Eric Reimer, Healthmap's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are grateful for the ongoing support of our investor group and excited to have ample resources to maintain our rapid growth. We believe that Healthmap has built a differentiated approach to managing chronic kidney disease. It is rewarding to see the market's enthusiasm for our program and the positive impact we are having on patients' lives." About Healthmap Solutions Healthmap Solutions is an NCQA-accredited kidney population health management company serving health plans, health systems, accountable care organizations, and provider groups seeking a value-based solution to improve the lives of Americans living with chronic kidney disease. Using its advanced predictive analytics technology and clinical expertise, Healthmap provides early kidney disease identification and recommends clinically proven interventions to delay or slow disease progression. Healthmap Care Navigation teams work with patients and the full spectrum of a health plan's providers to maintain access, minimize disruption and deliver personalized whole-person care from trusted providers. Healthmap's approach is to proactively plan care transitions and optimize renal replacement therapy, with a focus on in-home dialysis treatment and transplant. This approach improves care, outcomes, and patient experience while lowering total medical costs for health plans and provider groups. Contact: Tom Gaffney Chief Growth Officer Healthmap Solutions (813) 280-4846 tom.gaffney@healthmapsolutions.com SOURCE Healthmap Solutions, Inc. Windsor Vineyards "Ashes To Art" Auction to Offer Exclusive Wine Magnums featuring Celebrity-Designed Labels starting at $250 HEALDSBURG, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the 2023 wildfire season underway, a total of 2,251 fires have burned, affecting 7,061 acres and over 10,000 California residents and businesses. In response, celebrities are showing support and solidarity by partnering with Windsor Vineyards and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) to auction exclusive wines, with 100% of proceeds benefiting wildfire victims throughout the great state of California. Windsor Vineyards Ashes To Art Auction to Offer Exclusive Wine Magnums featuring Celebrity-Designed Labels starting at $250 Windsor Vineyards and CDP have enlisted stars including Jack Black, Jeff Bridges, Alan Cumming, Jean Smart, Fran Drescher, Melissa Joan Hart, Kevin O'Leary, Denise Richards, Camille Grammar and Kate Linder to design one-of-a-kind wine labels adorned with hand-drawn charcoal sketches evoking the theme of "second life" - beauty and hope rising from the ashes - to adorn magnums of Windsor Vineyards award-winning wines. "The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has supported Californians in their recovery from wildfires since 2017," said Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of CDP. "We are honored to partner with Windsor Vineyards in this inspirational initiative to elevate kindness." "As a California native, my family and close friends have been affected by several wildfires over the years. Now, being able to help raise money for this amazing foundation, in a medium that's so personal for me, is a privilege," said Rileigh Tyrell, the Artist behind some of these celebrity-inspired labels. Brand Manager for Windsor Vineyards, Tori Akers, elaborates, "To bring Windsor Vineyards' longstanding custom label program to a cause that has deeply affected our community, and working alongside these celebrities to increase awareness and inspire support, is something we're incredibly proud of." The limited-edition, celebrity-designed wine label magnums will be auctioned on eBay from August 1st through August 8th, 2023 with 100% of proceeds benefiting the CDP California Wildfires Recovery Fund. Donations to the fund will support communities across the state as they prepare, rebuild, and recover from wildfires. About the Center for Disaster Philanthropy The Center for Disaster Philanthropy mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities' ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and resources while managing domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations, and individuals through targeted, holistic, and localized grantmaking. For more information, visit: http://disasterphilanthropy.org or tweet @funds4disaster. About Windsor Vineyards: Windsor Vineyards, an award-winning winery, was founded by legendary winemaker Rodney Strong in 1959 to support customer requests for custom wine labels for his wines. Windsor Vineyards continues to be dedicated to producing great wine, personalized wine labels and custom-etched bottles for private and corporate customers and gift recipients across the country. For more information visit https://www.windsorvineyards.com/ashes-to-art-auction SOURCE Windsor Vineyards; Vintage Wine Estates MIPO (Menopause Information Pack for Organizations) looks to employees and HR leaders in the U.S. to help combat the mass resignation that no one is talking about. NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today MIPO (Menopause Information Pack for Organizations), the internationally recognized organization dedicated to sharing free resources to help workplaces support menopausal transition, has launched " The Hot Resignation ," a campaign created in partnership with TBWA\Chiat\Day New York's Health Collective to help companies in the U.S. create supportive work environments and inclusive policies. MIPO (Menopause Information Pack for Organizations) Menopause is a hot topicjust not at work. While the UK and Australia are already leading the way with awareness, the U.S. is far behind. In a new study from Mayo Clinic, it is estimated that $1.8 billion USD are lost in work time each year as a result of menopausal women leaving their jobs due to lack of supportive policies. Through the collective strength of the #HotResignation movement, MIPO aims to address these significant losses by encouraging employees to speak up, share their experiences and create change. "Making small changes to the workplace can have a massive impact," said Kathleen Riach, co-founder of MIPO and Professor of Management at Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow (UK). "Unfortunately, menopause is still a taboo topic in most of the U.S., but if we don't talk about menopause in the workplace, then how can we ensure the workplace works for those women? Our goal through the #HotResignation is to break that stigma, change the narrative, and spark larger conversations about making the workplace more menopause-friendly. With over 1 million women in the U.S. going through menopause each year, now is the time to make the change." "Menopause is an issue so many women in the workforce deal with, but companies lack the policies to address its most disruptive symptoms," said Amie Miller, Worldwide Chief Talent Officer, TBWA Worldwide. "Putting menopause on the workplace agenda is simply good business, especially as it relates to attracting a valuable talent pool and helping women feel supported in being their best selves at work." To raise awareness and defeat the stigma of menopause symptoms, employees and business leaders can visit https://hotresignation.com/ where they can download #HotResignation symptom gifs for their LinkedIn channels. Additionally, a free toolkit is available for download and provides facts about menopause, its symptoms, its impact on the economy and organizations, and crucial tools employers need to become more menopause-friendly. ABOUT MIPO: MIPO (Menopause Information Pack for Organizations) is a free, open-access suite of resources to help workplaces support menopausal transition informed by internationally recognized research. Committed to "changing minds about changing bodies," it was created in 2019 following six years of research, generating evidence-based best practices and listening to women in Australia about their experiences of menopausal transition at work. The driving aim behind MIPO is to support all organizations in their journey to making their workplaces supportive and enabling environments for women experiencing menopausal transition. ABOUT TBWA\CHIAT\DAY NY: Known as the Disruption Company, TBWA\Chiat\Day NY is the New York office of the TBWA global collective. Named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and Adweek's 2021 Global Agency of the Year, we are a disruptive brand experience company that helps brands find strategic and creative white space through the power of Disruption. CONTACT: Carly Wengrover [email protected] Claire Louise Smith [email protected] SOURCE TBWA\Chiat\Day New York H-Guard will be evaluated for its safety and efficacy to address serious complement driven complications of haemodialysis GLASGOW, Scotland, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Invizius Limited ("Invizius"), a biotechnology company developing second generation therapies for a range of complement-driven autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to commence its First-in-Human clinical study of lead product, H-Guard. The study will be conducted at the Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and will be led by Professor Sandip Mitra and Co-investigators Dr Leonard Ebah and Dr Duha Ilyas. The study will investigate the safety and tolerability of H-Guard as a potential solution to address serious complement-driven inflammatory complications of haemodialysis (HD). Patients from the ongoing 'Angry Blood' stratification study who have been identified with elevated complement responses during HD will be contacted and invited to participate in the trial. According to independent research from the University Medical Centre Groningen (Netherlands) patients with elevated complement responses during dialysis are at greater risk of serious cardiovascular complications which is the major cause of mortality in HD patients[1]. Richard Boyd, Chief Executive Officer of Invizius, said: "The MHRA approval marks a significant milestone for Invizius as we progress into clinical development with our lead product H-Guard. We aim to improve quality of life for the millions of patients worldwide receiving haemodialysis and provide a life-changing solution to address complement-driven complications which results in a poor patient prognosis. We look forward to sharing results in due course." Dr Andy Herbert, Chief Technology Officer, added: "It is exciting that scientific research that my colleagues and I have made over a decade ago has translated into a potentially life-changing treatment which is now moving into the clinic. This is the culmination of years of hard work by our dedicated team." H-Guard is a highly potent anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant second generation complement regulator which coats the dialysis filter and tubing during the priming process. This is designed to suppress complement activation on the extracorporeal circuit's surfaces by recruiting and enhancing the patient's own, natural complement modulator, Factor H, whilst still allowing effective infection control. Results from the First-in-Human study will enable future clinical development of H-Guard in patients with chronic and acute kidney failure, and in other extra-corporeal treatments, such as ECMO and cardiopulmonary bypass. About Invizius Invizius is developing a portfolio of second generation complement therapies to address a range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Invizius' proprietary approach was born out of over ten years of research by Dr Andy Herbert into how pathogenic microbes evade the human complement system. The novel mechanism of action enhances the activity of the body's own complement regulators to effectively downregulate autoimmune responses while maintaining antimicrobial protection. The approach of regulating, rather than inhibiting, complement should confer higher patient safety and effectiveness compared to first generation complement therapies. The lead product, H-Guard, addresses serious complement-driven complications of haemodialysis, and enables additional indications in other extra-corporeal treatments (ECMO, cardiopulmonary bypass). A second development targets fibrotic complications of peritoneal dialysis, and the company intends to expand development to treat other complement-driven diseases and disorders. The company is working with Key Opinion Leaders from University of Manchester NHS Trust, Karolinska Institutet, University of Heidelberg, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Oxford, and University of Strathclyde. It is backed by Mercia, Downing, Calculus, and Solvay, a corporate VC. Other investors include Edinburgh University's Old College Capital fund, Scottish Enterprise, and well-known life science investor, Dr Jonathan Milner. For more information on Invizius, please visit: www.invizius.com [1] Poppelaars F, et al. Intradialytic Complement Activation Precedes the Development of Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients. Front Immunol. 2018 Sep 13;9:2070 SOURCE Invizius BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jason Davis has been named vice president of Alabama Power's Southeast Division, while Jean Lynch has been named the electric utility company's vice president of Human Resources. Both appointments are effective immediately. Davis previously worked as Alabama Power's director of Legislative Affairs and Policy, while Lynch served as APC's Human Resources director. Jason Davis Named Vice President of Southeast Division Jean Lynch Named Vice President of Human Resources Davis brings 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry to his new role, previously holding managerial positions in marketing with responsibilities including electric end-use sales, rate analysis and customer service. Davis also spent time working with both the state Legislature and executive branch, serving as Alabama Power's liaison to agriculture and military initiatives. Davis received a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and his wife Jennifer are the proud parents of two children. Lynch brings more than 25 years of human resources experience at Alabama Power and Southern Company to her new role as vice president of Human Resources. Lynch began her career with Southern Company in 1997, starting as an HR analyst and working her way up to become Human Resources manager for Alabama Power. In 2018, Lynch was named Alabama Power's Human Resources director, with her team assisting the more than 6,000 employees of the company. Under Lynch's leadership, the organization delivers HR products and services statewide. Lynch earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Jacksonville State University. She and her family currently reside in Birmingham. About Alabama Power Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to 1.5 million customers across the state. Learn more at www.alabamapower.com . SOURCE Alabama Power Company SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's largest general contractors celebrates one year in its newest office. JE Dunn Construction opened its 26th office, located at 3945 Freedom Circle Suite 110 in Santa Clara, in June 2022. The company has maintained a steady presence in Northern California for the past decade but recently established a physical presence and dedicated local personnel to support its growth in a thriving market. JE Dunn's Santa Clara, CA office space. Northern California offers extensive opportunities in several of JE Dunn's key markets, including Advanced Industries and Mission Critical. Over the last decade, the company's west region accounts for over half of the revenue in these two key markets, with California being a major contributor. By creating a fixed presence in Silicon Valley, JE Dunn can forge stronger relationships with clients and trade partners through local staff to maximize opportunities. In addition, JE Dunn is leveraging its national experience to pursue work in higher education, federal, healthcare, biotech, and aviation in the area. JE Dunn's Northern California office began its venture with 5 employees and has since expanded to a team of 30, led by Vice President, Eddie Parenti. With over two decades of experience in the construction industry in the Bay Area, Parenti provides market expertise and established relationships. "Having a physical presence in the Northern California market provides us with a local connection to our industry partners and demonstrates that JE Dunn is here for the long term," said Parenti. "Our success is built on long term relationships and establishing physical presence will instill confidence in our clients that JE Dunn is a trusted partner in this market." The office benefits from a blend of JE Dunn personnel from offices across the country, local experienced talent, and professionals new to the company. Most recently, JE Dunn welcomed Client Solutions Manager and Central Valley native, Tara Kelly, to the Northern California office to aid in the entrance of new markets with enhanced client experience. Mike Tilbury, Vice President based in JE Dunn's Denver office, who served as a key leader in the emergence of the Northern California office states, "Our blended staffing approach is a strategy that has proven successful for JE Dunn historically. The Northern California office is already reaping its benefits and experiencing rapid growth. We are extremely excited to have Tara join our Northern California office and fill a key part of our leadership team." Looking onto its centennial milestone in 2024, JE Dunn has the national resources to funnel success into its local communities. The company is excited to build upon the strength of its larger brand in addition to its previous experience on the west coast with an established presence and local faces to deliver transformational buildings to Northern California. JE Dunn Construction, founded in 1924, is a domestic general building contractor in the United States with offices in 26 locations. Our vision is to be an indispensable business partner for our clients by first understanding their purpose, goals, and customers and then delivering transformational solutions with certainty of results. We maintain a commitment to our clients and their building goals while being true to our guiding principles the philosophy of our business operation which is both family and employee-owned. JE Dunn's purpose is to enrich lives through inspired people and places. www.jedunn.com CONTACT: Michelle Ott JE Dunn Construction 303-909-3991 SOURCE JE Dunn Construction Company STOCKHOLM, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johan Wilsby has been appointed new CFO for Loomis. He will become member of Group Management and will enter the position on October 1, 2023. Johan comes from a position as Chief Financial Officer at Kindred Group where he has been since 2020. Johan's former experience includes CFO positions at Tobii AB, Fingerprint Cards AB, and Transmode AB. During his career he has also held positions within Finance at Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. Johan holds a Master of Science from Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden. President and CEO Aritz Larrea, says: "I'm very pleased welcoming Johan onboard as our new Chief Financial Officer and member of Group Management. Johan will with his senior financial experience, international background and transformative approach be able to lead our global Finance organization towards our wanted position at the centre of the payment ecosystem." This press release is also available on the company's website, www.loomis.com CONTACT: Aritz Larrea President and CEO Mobile: +34 650 10 20 23 Email: [email protected] Jenny Bostrom Head of Sustainability and IR Mobile: +46 79 006 45 92 Email: [email protected] The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/51/3812020/2211117.pdf Johan Wilsby appointed new Chief Financial Officer for Loomis SOURCE Loomis AB LAFAYETTE, La., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Walker LLP is pleased to welcome Edward Barousse as special counsel in the firm's Litigation Practice Group. Based in the firm's Lafayette office, Edward will be a member of the Healthcare Industry Team. "We are pleased to welcome Edward to the firm. As we are committed to expanding our Healthcare Industry Team, his healthcare litigation experience and deep knowledge of the medical industry will be valued by clients attempting to navigate this often-complicated sector," said Bill Hines, managing partner of Jones Walker. Jones Walker Welcomes Healthcare Litigator Edward Barousse Edward is a healthcare litigator who has managed cases covering a wide range of issues, including medical malpractice as well as business and regulatory disputes. He represents clients in matters involving public and private hospitals, health systems, and individual physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers in professional liability, licensure, and related matters. Contemplating his legal journey to Jones Walker, Edward said, "I began my Louisiana legal career 20 years ago in New Orleans and immediately became aware of Jones Walker's preeminent standing in the legal landscape. Over the years, I have admired the work of the firm's attorneys, and my friends who are members of the firm are happy to be part of the team. I am delighted and grateful to have the opportunity to join the firm." Edward also has experience interpreting statutes and helped advise a major insurance company regarding the quickly changing statutory regime of Louisiana's bad faith statutes after natural disasters, most prominently Hurricane Katrina. About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 135 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad. Contact : Savannah Kirk 225.248.3435 [email protected] SOURCE Jones Walker LLP BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. Today Azerbaijan and Israel are at the peak of bilateral relationship, with a strong will to deepen and expand this friendship and cooperation, Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments, told JNS in an interview, Trend reports. It is one of the rare cases in which we dont see any clouds. What you see is the tip of the iceberg. Its multi-fold, vibrant and constantly expanding. We have certain red lines we will never cross: We will remain allies and friends with those we want, Amirbayov said. He pointed out that the Jewish population has always been part of Azerbaijani population, a vibrant community integrated in the society. They are part of us. The Jewish population are living bridges which unite our countries and solidify this relationship. There has never been a case of antisemitism, which is a rare thing not only for a Muslim country but for other countries as well, he said, adding that Israel is a friend not only in words but in actions to a country that is so vital to its national security. We want Israeli businesses to be more present in Azerbaijan, Amirbayov added. PHOENIX, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will present the Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an Article III federal judge in the United States of America, to the Honorable Jose A. Cabranes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on September 26, 2023, at the Supreme Court of the United States, the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation announced today. "Judge Jose Cabranes is a legend in the law," Justice Kavanaugh said. "He has devoted his career to defending the rule of law, ensuring equal justice, and enhancing American education. He has worked hard to mentor young lawyers and serve others in need. He is a superb judge and extraordinary scholar. As a federal judge for the past 44 years, he has preserved the Constitution and protected individual liberty. He is well known for his brilliance, judgment, and wit." Justice Kavanaugh added, "With my fellow selection committee members Judge Britt Grant and Judge Christopher Cooper, I am honored to recognize and thank one of America's greatest judges, Jose Cabranes." Nominated by the Honorable Debra A. Livingston, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, she said, "Judge Cabranes has been the epitome of what a federal judge ought to be -- a brilliant scholar, a wise jurist, and a generous colleague. He has made extraordinary contributions across multiple fields, each of which has strengthened the federal judiciary immeasurably." "The breadth and depth of Judge Cabranes' impact on the courts specifically, and our nation generally, is hard to capture," reiterated Julie Opperman, Chairman of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation. But his contributions on several fronts bear particular emphasis. First, central to Judge Cabranes' career has been his work to broaden the representation of Puerto Ricans, and more generally of the Hispanic community, both on the bench and the bar. Second, Judge Cabranes has had a profound impact on higher education through his long-standing role in university governance and his unwavering commitment to academic freedom and free speech on campus. Judge Cabranes has made extraordinary contributions in the areas of national security and international law. His interest in these areas spans decades, dating back to his days earning a Master's in International Law at the University of Cambridge, and his publication of "Citizenship and the American Empire." Further, Judge Cabranes has had an enduring impact on criminal sentencing which has caused practitioners of both the defense and prosecution sides to describe him as the fairest sentencing judge they had ever appeared before. Judge Cabranes' impact on the courts and the law will be felt for decades to come through the many lawyers and judges whom he has mentored. With typical humility, he said, "I am deeply grateful to Justice Kavanaugh and his colleagues on the Devitt Award committee, Circuit Judge Britt Grant and District Judge Christopher Cooper. It is an honor to receive this Award, established by the late Dwight D. Opperman." Dwight D. Opperman, "The most iconic figure in the American judiciary for half a century," as noted by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, established the Devitt Award 39 years ago to "Honor the unsung heroes of the American judiciary," as he repeatedly stated. Each year, the Chief Justice welcomes the Devitt Award honoree and 100 invited guests to the Supreme Court of the United States to thank and to celebrate a giant in our nation's judiciary. Judge Cabranes stated, "The colleagues with whom I have been privileged to serve for more than four decades are models of the judicial craft. In their name, as well as my own, I express gratitude and reaffirm our commitment to the principle that animates our work -- equal justice under law." Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Dwight D. Opperman Foundation KANAZAWA, Japan, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Nature Communications how calcium ions can block sodium ion channels located in cell membranes. Structural analysis and computer simulations made it possible to identify where and why calcium ions get stuck. Ion channels are structures within cell membranes that enable specific ions to travel to and from the cell. Such transfer is essential for a variety of physiological processes like muscle cell contraction and nerve excitation. In so-called tetrameric cation channels, the ion selectivity results from the unique structural and chemical environment of the part referred to as the selectivity filter, which is located between two intertwined helical structures. Tetrameric ion channels are prone to 'divalent cation block', the blocking of the channel by ions like calcium (Ca2+). Such blocking disrupts the channel's functioning, which in turn can cause cellular malfunction. How exactly divalent cation block happens is still unclear at the moment particularly, a direct observation of the cation actually blocking the ion pathway has not been reported yet. Now, Takashi Sumikama from Kanazawa University in collaboration with Katsumasa Irie from Wakayama Medical University and colleagues has discovered the mechanism behind divalent cation block in NavAb, a well-known tetrameric sodium (Na) channel. Through structural analysis and computer simulations, the researchers were able to reveal the relevant structural features and molecular processes at play. NavAb is a sodium channel cloned from a bacterium (Arcobacter butzleri) and has a well-known structure. Sumikama and Irie's colleagues performed experiments with NavAb and three mutants. The structures of the mutants were determined for environments with and without calcium. The scientists focused on the differences in electron densities for the different structures, as these provide insights into the locations of the calcium ions. They found that for the mutants displaying calcium blocking, one or two calcium ions are located at the bottom of the selectivity filter. They also discovered that magnesium (Mg2+) and strontium (Sr2+) ions, two other divalent cations, blocked the calcium-blocking mutant sodium channels. The researchers then performed computer simulations to obtain a detailed understanding of the interaction between the calcium ions and the mutated NavAb channels. The simulations reproduce the dynamics of ions passing or not passing the channel. In the absence of calcium ions, sodium ions were observed to penetrate the channel. In the presence of calcium ions, penetration significantly decreased in the calcium-blocking mutants. The simulations also confirmed that the blocking calcium ions are 'stuck' at the bottom of the selectivity filter, and revealed that this 'sticking' is related to the increased hydrophilicity (affinity to water) of relevant structural parts of the mutated channels. The results of Sumikama and Irie's colleagues provide an important step forward towards a full understanding of the mechanism of divalent cation block in NavAb, an important and representative sodium ion channel. Quoting the scientists: " our results and methods of structural analysis and molecular dynamics simulations are expected to play an active and meaningful role in the advanced analysis of divalent cation-blocking mechanism." Background Ion channels are proteins embedded in cellular membranes enabling particular ions to pass through the membrane. They are present in the membranes of all types of cells. The regulation of ion transfer across cellular membranes in particular, the flow of calcium, potassium and sodium ions is essential for many physiological processes, including insulin release, heart muscle contraction and nerve signaling. Ion channels enable passive ion flow towards equilibrium, which is driven by ion concentration differences across the membrane and the membrane potential (the difference electric potential between the cell interior and exterior). Tetrameric cation channels are the largest and best characterized group of ion channels. For this type of ion channel, the ion pathway lies in a pore domain consisting of two transmembrane helices surrounding the so-called selectivity filter a unique structural and chemical environment that lets only one species of ion pass. In tetrameric cation channels, a phenomenon known as divalent cation block is known to occur: the blocking of ion transport due to the presence of divalent cations such as calcium (Ca2+) or magnesium (Mg2+). The mechanism underlying cation block is not well understood. But now, by combining structural studies and computer simulations of a bacterium-based tetrameric sodium channel and mutated variants, Takashi Sumikama from Kanazawa University, Katsumasa Irie from Wakayama Medical University and colleagues provide valuable mechanistic insights into the origins of divalent cation block. Reference Katsumasa Irie, Yoshinori Oda, Takashi Sumikama, Atsunori Oshima, and Yoshinori Fujiyoshi. The structural basis of divalent cation block in a tetrameric prokaryotic sodium channel, Nature Communications 14, 4236 (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39987-0 URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39987-0 Related finger https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Figure1-2.png 2023 Irie, et al CC BY 4.0 Caption Schematical illustration of the pore domain of a tetrameric cation channel, with the selectivity filter (SF) located between two transmembrane helices (Outer and Inner helix). Contact Hiroe Yoneda Senior Specialist in Project Planning and Outreach NanoLSI Administrative Office WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) Kanazawa UniversityWPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) Kanazawa University Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan Email: [email protected] Tel: +81 (76) 234-4550 About Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/ Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa University is a research center established in 2017 as part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The objective of this initiative is to form world-tier research centers. NanoLSI combines the foremost knowledge of bio-scanning probe microscopy to establish 'nano-endoscopic techniques' to directly image, analyze, and manipulate biomolecules for insights into mechanisms governing life phenomena such as diseases. About Kanazawa University http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/ As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities. The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas. SOURCE Kanazawa University CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: KFS) Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("Kingsway" or the "Company") today announced that it will report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, after the close of trading on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Management will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 8, 2023, to discuss the results and to field questions. Conference Call Information Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Time Toll Free: 877-545-0320; Code: 973443 International: 973-528-0002; Code: 973443 Live Webcast Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2928/48793 Conference Call Replay Information Toll Free: 877-481-4010 International: 919-882-2331 Replay Passcode: 48793 Replay Webcast Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2928/48793 About the Company Kingsway is a holding company that owns or controls subsidiaries primarily in the extended warranty and business services industries. The common shares of Kingsway are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "KFS." The Company serves the extended warranty industry through its operating subsidiaries IWS ( iwsgroup.com ), Penn Warranty ( pennwarranty.com ), Preferred Warranties ( preferredwarranties.com ) and Trinity Warranty Solutions ( trinitywarranty.com ). The Company serves the business services industry through its operating subsidiaries CSuite ( csuitefinancialpartners.com ), Ravix ( ravixgroup.com ) and Secure Nursing Service ( securenursing.com ). For Further Information: Hayden IR James Carbonara (646) 755-7412 [email protected] OR Kingsway Financial Services, Inc. Kent Hansen , CFO (312) 766-2163 [email protected] SOURCE Kingsway Financial Services Inc. WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement by National Press Club President Eileen O'Reilly on the 2023 recipients of the President's Award to be presented at the National Press Club Awards Dinner Aug. 30. "This year the President's Award at the National Press Club will help call attention to the outstanding career of Las Vegas journalist Jeff German who was murdered outside his home in 2022. A local official, who was the subject of one of German's investigations for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is charged in the crime and the trial is scheduled for November. "German's career covering crime in Las Vegas spanned four decades and he was well known for his outstanding investigative work. His loss was felt across the profession, across the region and in many a newsroom. Violence against journalists is on the rise: online, on the phone and in person. Murder, however, is still relatively rare. Yet, we have seen it now in Annapolis, Las Vegas and Orlando. The prosecution of these crimes is important as it helps establish in the minds of the public the true risk journalists face and the need for greater protection -- which begins with improved public rhetoric, respect and security. We hope in recognizing Jeff and highlighting his story we are helping to find ways forward for the profession and the community it serves. We are so pleased that Las Vegas Review-Journal Executive Editor Glenn Cook will attend the dinner and receive the award for Jeff. "While Jeff story is darkly tragic, there was an inspiring and surprising ray of hope that surfaced soon after. That can be found in the work of Lizzie Johnson of the Washington Post who will also be honored with a President's Award. Soon after Jeff's death, The Post was talking to the Review Journal team about what they could do to help and hit on the idea of following through one of the investigations Jeff was working on when murdered. The job on the Post side fell to Johnson who helped wrap up and write up German's investigation into a Ponzi scheme that targeted Mormon communities. The idea that Jeff's journalism would endure beyond his death is profoundly moving and hopefully a kind of deterrent to bad actors who think that a journalist's work can be silenced by their murder. Lizzie's work and the spirit behind it is a strong and positive message for all in journalism. We just loved this project as a tribute to Jeff and the colleagues who supported him at the Review-Journal. We think what it says about the greater community of journalism is inspiring. We look forward to honoring Lizzie and Jeff on Aug. 30." About The National Press Club Awards Dinner The awards dinner will be held at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The event will start at 6 p.m. on with a reception in the Holeman Lounge, followed at 7 p.m. with dinner and program in the ballroom. Tickets to the awards dinner are $75 for the general public, $65 for members of the National Press Club and can be purchased online. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kate Helster at [email protected] . About The National Press Club Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom worldwide. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club K2 to sell Liberty's next generation threat detection HEXWAVE system to the US aviation market WILMINGTON, Mass., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2A), a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, is pleased to announce it has entered into a strategic non-exclusive distribution agreement with Bethesda, Maryland-based K2 Security Screening Group, to introduce HEXWAVE to US airports. K2 is a national leader in the planning, management, installation, and integration of airport passenger and checked baggage security screening systems. It has successfully completed projects at 92% of TSA-regulated airports in the US, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), LaGuardia (LGA), and Los Angeles International (LAX). As part of the distribution agreement, K2 Security Screening Group will add the HEXWAVE walkthrough people screening system, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to seamlessly detect weapons and other threats in real-time, to its security services portfolio. "We are excited to partner with Liberty Defense to bring HEXWAVE to the airport employee screening market," said Kathy Yurkunas, President of K2 Security Screening Group. "The HEXWAVE system is a perfect complement to our best-in-class security services, and we believe that they are an exceptional option for our airport customers to counter against insider threats." "We are thrilled to partner with K2 Security Screening Group, a recognized leader in the US aviation security industry. We share a similar vision of deploying next generation capability with a focus on detection while providing a better experience for security," said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. "We are extremely pleased that K2 chose HEXWAVE to enhance their aviation worker security offering with detection of the latest threats like non-metallic explosives and 3D printed ghost guns. K2 has a significant existing aviation security portfolio, and we look forward to working with them to expand our reach to the market and the resulting revenue growth potential that this partnership brings." For updates and news, please visit the Company website to subscribe to email alerts or follow Liberty Defense on social channels. On Behalf of Liberty Defense Bill Frain CEO & Director About Liberty Defense Liberty Defense ( TSXV: SCAN , OTCQB: LDDFF , FRANKFURT: LD2A ) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE system uses millimeter wave, advanced 3D imaging, and AI technologies that have been secured under exclusive license and developed proprietarily to automatically detect all types of concealed metallic and non-metallic weapons and other prohibited items. Liberty is also developing the next generation of aviation passenger screening with the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com About K2 Security Screening Group Bethesda, Maryland-based k2consulting.com is a national leader in the planning, management, installation, and integration of airport passenger and checked baggage security screening systems. K2 has provided services at 92% of all TSA-regulated airports in the United States, and team with partners across the aviation industry. Those partners include general contractors and construction companies, original equipment manufacturers, logistics experts, and transportation specialists. The Security Screening Group is a TSA-approved systems integrator (SI) and is the only SI that specializes in non-TSA directed work, emerging technologies, and difficult equipment deployments. Follow K2 on LinkedIn for company news and announcements. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. Name honors educational innovator, while new specializations and STEM designations meet the evolving needs of students and industry employers NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LIM College, which is exclusively focused on the business of fashion and lifestyle, is expanding its master's degree program curricula and lending its founder's name to all graduate studies at the College. The Marcuse School of Graduate Studies is the new name under which master's degree programs at LIM College will be offered. Multiple existing programs are being enhanced for Fall 2024 to provide students with additional STEM-designated business degree options, along with opportunities to earn degrees with specializations. LIM College Announces Marcuse School of Graduate Studies and Expansion of Master's Degree Programs Tweet this Said LIM College President Elizabeth S. Marcuse, "My grandfather, Maxwell F. Marcuse, was an innovator when he founded LIM College 84 years ago. The groundbreaking, experience-based approach to learning the business of fashion and lifestyle that Maxwell created remains the foundation of LIM College to this day." "Officially naming graduate studies in his honor, while simultaneously deepening our commitment to master's degree programs is fitting. Students and employers around the globe value the LIM brand of industry-immersive education, our New York City location, and incredible network of employer connections. These curricular changes will better position graduates to meet employer demands in the rapidly evolving fashion and lifestyle industries," President Marcuse added. Changes to the master's degree programs, which have been approved by the New York State Education Department to take effect in Fall 2024, have been led by Eda Sanchez-Persampieri, who became LIM College's Dean of Graduate Studies at the beginning of this year. She teamed with faculty to redesign selected program curricula, aiming to reflect trends and talent needs through more emphasis on course content in technology and analytics, as well as adding options for earning degrees with specializations in expanding areas such as sustainability and digital media marketing. Enrolling in a STEM-designated program is of particular significance to international students. By completing degree programs with STEM designations, international students may be eligible to apply for up to 24 additional months on a U.S. work visa, known as the 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. Additionally, all international students who enroll in LIM's master's degree programs may now apply to begin Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through enrollment in an internship course in their first semester, rather than having to wait until the final semester of their program. This "Day 1 CPT" includes the ability to work up to 20 hours per week in an approved internship position directly related to the student's program of study. Since 1939, LIM College has launched thousands of graduates into successful careers with leading companies in the business of fashion through a "learning-by-doing" approach. With first-semester CPT, F-1 students can now gain invaluable practical experience and make even more career connections as soon as they start their master's program. For Fall 2024, LIM will offer the following graduate programs, all of which can be completed in one year. Depending on the program, courses are offered fully online, in-person, or in hybrid learning formats: Master of Science (MS) in Global Fashion Supply Chain Management (STEM-DESIGNATED Business Program) New STEM-focused business courses have been added to the existing MPS curriculum. Students who earn this degree may pursue positions such as supply chain specialist, logistics coordinator, inventory control specialist, materials manager, and more. LIM is the only school in the U.S. to offer a fashion-focused supply chain program. New STEM-focused business courses have been added to the existing MPS curriculum. Students who earn this degree may pursue positions such as supply chain specialist, logistics coordinator, inventory control specialist, materials manager, and more. LIM is the only school in the U.S. to offer a fashion-focused supply chain program. Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Fashion Marketing (STEM-DESIGNATED Business Program) For Fall 2024, LIM has increased the number of technology and analytics- focused courses in this program, reflecting the digital transformation in both marketing practice and consumers' lives. Coursework has also been grouped into two specializationsone in Strategic and Digital Marketing and one in Digital Media Marketing . Graduates will be prepared for roles in areas such as digital marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, and more. For Fall 2024, LIM has increased the number of technology and analytics- focused courses in this program, reflecting the digital transformation in both marketing practice and consumers' lives. Coursework has also been grouped into two specializationsone in and one in . Graduates will be prepared for roles in areas such as digital marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, and more. Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management For Fall 2024 four specializations will be available: Product Development and Sourcing, Buying and Operations Management, Sustainability in Fashion , and Fashion and Lifestyle . Graduates will be prepared to assume roles in areas such as vendor management, trend analysis, product selection, inventory management, store management, pricing, sustainability, licensing, and more. For Fall 2024 four specializations will be available: , and . Graduates will be prepared to assume roles in areas such as vendor management, trend analysis, product selection, inventory management, store management, pricing, sustainability, licensing, and more. The College will also continue to offer its STEM-designated MS in Consumer Analytics, an MPS in The Business of Fashion, and an MPS in The Business of Cannabis in their current iterations. "LIM master's degree programs are designed to help move careers forward," said Sanchez-Persampieri. "Students are immersed in the business and fashion capital of the world, learning directly from, and making key connections with, the professionals who make fashion and lifestyle happen." "Our new business STEM coursework and specialized program tracks will continue to give students knowledge and experience in the most relevant topics in the business of fashion and lifestyle, making them eminently employable in a wide range of roles and positioning them to lead our industry into the future," concluded Sanchez-Persampieri. About LIM College Founded in 1939 and located in midtown Manhattan, LIM College is a female-led and owned institution focused on the global business of fashion and lifestyle. Offering master's, bachelor's and associate degree programs, LIM prepares students for career success via an immersive approach grounded in real-world experience and learning by doing through required internships. LIM College's commitment to excellence in business education ensures graduates are sought after by a wide range of employers, as evidenced by a Career Outcomes Rate of 96% for the Class of 2022. Alumni excel throughout all areas of fashion and lifestyle and have gone on to work for companies such as Chanel, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Ross Stores, the Financial Times, Ulta Beauty, Google, Saks Fifth Avenue, Edie Parker, Walmart, and Macy's. Contact: Anne Roman [email protected] 419.708.5171 Meredith Finnin [email protected] 646.218.2156 SOURCE LIM College NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LingroLearning, a leader in all digital language learning materials, welcomed Julie Sykes, PhD, as Chief Innovation Officer, who brings vast experience in pragmatics, digital language learning, gaming and academic-business partnerships on July 1, 2023. Steve Debow, Cofounder and CEO of LingroLearning said, "We cannot imagine a better, more qualified person to help move LingroLearning into our growth-oriented future. Julie's combination of academic success and her extraordinary leadership at the Center for Applied Second Language Studies based at the University of Oregon in Eugene make her the ideal person to lead our innovation efforts." Julie will apply her keen skills to LingroLearning's higher ed products and lead our efforts in new business models and development. "I am thrilled to be joining a company that truly values providing an elevated language learning experience based on sound research and advances in the field," added Julie. "I look forward to working with the LingroLearning team and fully realizing the potential of academic and commercial partnerships to create successful, meaningful, and relevant language learning experiences." Julie will continue as full professor at the University of Oregon as she leads LingroLearning's innovative team. SOURCE LingroLearning The acquisition of Alphaa popular plant-based brand with a large U.S. footprintwill anchor LIVEKINDLY Collective's position as category consolidator. NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LIVEKINDLY Collective (LKC), a collection of food brands on track to become one of the plant-based industry's leading food companies, today announces the acquisition of California-based Alpha Foods (Alpha). It is LKC's sixth food brand acquisition to date since its founding in 2020 and the first in the U.S. Alpha enjoys a strong brand presence and its extensive variety of products can be found in the frozen food section at major retailers including Costco, Kroger, Whole Foods, Safeway, H-E-B, Albertson's, Sprouts, and other national and regional stores, from the eastern seaboard to the west coast. "LIVEKINDLY Collective is the plant-based food industry's leading consolidator. We have a portfolio of strong plant-based food brandsincluding Fry's, Oumph!, LikeMeat, No Meat, and Dutch Weed Burgerour focus is on building companies that share our vision and business ethos and have the potential to become global successes. We grow brands responsibly," states LKC CEO David Knopf. "In the U.S., Alpha is one of the fastest growing brands in the plant-based frozen food category. The strategic acquisition of Alpha's assets will allow us to significantly increase our U.S. presence and bring innovative, delicious products to consumers in the U.S. under the Alpha brand. We are confident in the long-term prospect for this dynamic market." LIVEKINDLY Collective, one of the plant-based industry's leading food brands, announces the acquisition of Alpha Foods Tweet this Alpha Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Loren Wallis, says, "Joining LKC will enable Alpha to grow sustainably while propelling innovation in a category that is often accused of creating a plethora of plant-based versions of ubiquitous products like patties and nuggets." Cole Orobetz, CEO and Co-founder of Alpha Foods, explains, "We are thrilled to be joining the Collective of strong plant-based brands with products in global markets, which will no doubt have a positive impact on our U.S. business. This acquisition furthers Alpha's mission to provide extraordinarily delicious products to the broadest possible audience." STRATEGIC GROWTH & A WIN-WIN With Alpha joining the Collective, LKC enters the ready-to-eat breakfast and burrito snacking category and expands its distribution in the U.S. With more than 200,000+ distribution points across 40+ countries, strengthening its reach in the U.S. will significantly boost LKC's positioning in the market and allow it to be the first major global plant-based entity to continue consolidating within the category. LIVEKINDLY Collective U.S. General Manager, Shaun Richardson, adds, "Our global infrastructure, allowing for better distribution, R&D pliancy and innovation, will open up opportunities in the market and beyond." Shaun is also a founding member of Fry Family Foods, an established South African plant-based brand with 30+ years in business, which joined the Collective in 2020 and has grown internationally since. Shaun shares his views on today's acquisition, "From a business point of view, this asset acquisition will help Alpha become a sustainable operation and propel growth. Consumers can expect more delicious products, stocked shelves and, ultimately, competitive pricing." Alpha products are available nationwide in the U.S. with a presence at 11,000 retail doors. They are also distributed through various foodservice channels including the military, colleges, and universities. To find Alpha at a store near you, visit eatalphafoods.com/store-locator. Interested retailers, please contact us at alphafoods.com/contact. ABOUT LIVEKINDLY COLLECTIVE LIVEKINDLY Collective was founded on the belief that plant-based alternatives are key to a sustainable global food system. As a collective of established brands from across the globe, supported by our own production facilities enabling us to deliver private label and export products as well as ingredients to other plant-based companies, LKC is uniquely positioned to maximize impact. We provide consumers around the world delicious food through our portfolio of plant-based brands LikeMeat, Fry's, Oumph!, No Meat, and Dutch Weed Burger. With our innovative products sold in more than 40 countries, LKC is on a mission to make plant-based eating the new norm. To learn more, visit www.thelivekindlyco.com. ABOUT ALPHA FOODS Founded in 2015, Alpha makes delicious plant-based versions of familiar favorites that are good for you, the health of the planet, and the animals with whom we share this earth. Protein packed, 100% plant-based, Non-GMO Project Verified, and palm oil free, Alpha's convenient comfort food delivers a delicious meatless meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and everything in between. For more information, visit eatalphafoods.com | @alphafoods. PRESS KIT Contact: Jim Amos, Scout 22 T: (818) 216-9122 E: [email protected] SOURCE LIVEKINDLY Collective Train Festival 2023 is Full Steam Ahead for Sept. 9 & 10, 2023 Link to Hi-Res Images HERE LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Union Station , with presenting partners Metro, Amtrak and Metrolink, will welcome train enthusiasts, history aficionados, industry professionals and commuters of all ages to learn, experience and celebrate all things rail at the much-anticipated Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2023: A Celebration of Past, Present & Future. Train Festival 2023, set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, will treat visitors to railroad equipment tours and displays, model train displays, architecture, arts and culture tours, information booths, music, giveaways, eateries, amenities, ShopLAUS and more. "Los Angeles Union Station is thrilled to welcome new interactive and engaging activations to Train Festival 2023. We're excited to provide train fans, rail experts and the local community with an experience that truly encapsulates the timeless wonders and legacy of train travel," said George Meyer, VP and General Manager at Los Angeles Union Station. Guests will have the opportunity to take exclusive tours and view displays of railroad equipment on tracks 13, 14, and 15. From the world-renowned Steam Locomotive Santa Fe 3751 of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society (SBRHS), which pulled the first named passenger train into Los Angeles Union Station in 1939, to modern day passenger and freight equipment, attendees will be able to walk through rail history and witness the technological advances spanning more than 100 years. Featured displays will include Amtrak passenger equipment, a BNSF Railway freight locomotive and the Southern California Railway Museum's Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (ATSF) 5704 diesel, which was one of five locomotives painted in a patriotic red, white, and blue scheme to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the United States. Attendees can also admire an LARail.com vintage private car, the Tioga Pass, which was built in 1959 by the Canadian National Shops designed for railroad executives and the Pacific Railroad Society's National Forum, a 1956 Pullman sleeping car. Metrolink's F125 Locomotive will also be on display while the company's Talgo-Rehabilitated Bombardier Train Car and Rotem Cars will be available for attendees to tour inside. In Union Station's Ticket Concourse, guests can immerse themselves in five masterfully constructed and uniquely designed model train displays created by some of the premiere model train clubs in Southern California. Join Group 160 NTRAK Club, Orange County Module Railroaders, Inc., Southern California Traction Club, Southern California Z Scale Model Railroading Group, as well as The Toy Train Operating Society's Southern Pacific Division and The Train Collectors Association's Western Division to celebrate this dynamic and family-friendly hobby. Group 160 NTRAK Club's NTRAK Modular Model Train Layout showcases a 16' by 28' three-track mainline layout with a working tornado module, scenery reflective of the US Pacific Northwest along with industry and rural scenes, 40+ car long trains, and an opportunity for visitors to operate a train around the layout while Orange County Module Railroaders, Inc.'s HO Scale Model Railroad features two main lines and various other trackage across scenery of building, foliage, vehicles and pedestrians highlighting various steam and diesel-era trains and locomotives including Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner. Attendees won't want to miss Southern California Traction Club's incredible Downtown Streetcar Display featuring a highly detailed HO scale downtown scene with tall buildings, complete with operating streetcars and subway trains. Additional model train displays include Southern California Z Scale Model Railroading Group's ZoCal Modular Railroad Group showcasing an assortment of train lines with various types of freight and passenger controlled by Digital Command Control (DCC) allowing control over each individual train engine separately, as well as The Toy Train Operating Society's Southern Pacific Division and The Train Collectors Association's Western Division, which will display The Toy Train Operating Society's Tinplate Pacific Railroad featuring toy trains in Standard Gauge, O-Gauge and S-Gauge from Lionel, Marx, American Flyer and other manufacturers. Train Festival 2023 attendees will also be invited to celebrate architecture, arts and culture through group and self-guided tours of the station facilitated by partners from California Preservation Foundation (CPF), Los Angeles Conservancy (LAC) and Metro Art. Angelenos and tourists alike can make their way through Union Station to learn about its impact as an architectural marvel, historic landmark, Hollywood film location favorite and buzzy hub for those traveling around, to or from Los Angeles. For a unique guided experience, join California Preservation Foundation for the statewide program, Doors Open California, by participating in one of four Los Angeles Union Station Hidden Gems Tours a guided walking tour held at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily, conducted by the director of construction and restoration. Registration is required and space is limited specifically for the California Preservation Foundation tours. Gain valuable knowledge of transportation services offered at the Metro, Amtrak and Metrolink information booths. Guests can also learn and celebrate the history of railroading throughout Los Angeles and Southern California with the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation (LARHF) whose booth will feature a special membership drive that includes a free copy of LARHF's newest published book, Hollywood's Trains & Trolleys for every new member. For more insight into the the past, present and future of rail, guests can learn the magic of scale model railroading with the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), the advocacy for expansion and extension of safe, reliable passenger rail service with RailPAC and the fast, efficient future of train travel at the California High-Speed Rail activation station. A key highlight of the two-day event will include Train Festival 2023 commemorative TAP Cards with a day's worth of free Metro fare loaded onto each card given as a surprise and delight to attendees at designated times each day. Subject to availability. Los Angeles Union Station, along with its presenting and exhibit partners, is excited to celebrate the extensive legacy and promising future of rail in Southern California and welcomes all to join in these one-of-a-kind festivities. To learn more about Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2023: A Celebration of Past, Present & Future, visit unionstationla.com . About Los Angeles Union Station Since its opening in 1939, Los Angeles Union Station has long been considered one of LA's architectural gems and a vital portal to the promise of the California Dream. The Station was designed with an innovative blend of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Art Deco architecture now commonly referred to as Mission Moderne. The bustling 52-acre transportation hub sits in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles offering essential connections to destinations throughout Southern California. An iconic landmark, the Station serves as a vibrant symbol of Downtown's renaissance connecting the historic fabric of the past to the present through arts, culture, transit and community. Conceived on a grand scale, Los Angeles Union Station is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States and is often regarded as "the last of the great train stations." For more information, visit unionstationla.com or follow @unionstationla on social media. About Metro The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 900,000 boardings daily on a fleet of 2,200 low-emission buses and six rail lines. Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net , facebook.com/losangelesmetro , twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles . About Amtrak For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn . About Metrolink Metrolink regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout Southern California. The Agency's 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and San Diego counties connect people, communities, and businesses and is an essential link in the region's mobility network. Metrolink's Arrow service, which launched in October 2022 with nine miles of track and four new stations between San Bernardino and Redlands, provides greater local and regional rail connectivity. To learn more about Metrolink, please visit metrolinktrains.com or follow @metrolink on social media. SOURCE Los Angeles Union Station DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Saudi Aramco base oil company Luberef is to start publishing base oil indexes derived from spot price assessments produced by global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus. The prices will appear on Luberef's website to help provide transparency to base oil market dynamics for its investors. Luberef was recently listed on Saudi Arabian stock exchange Tadawul and is a leading supplier of high-quality base oils, with production capacity of 1.3mn t/yr. Luberef is also a member of the Saudi Aramco base oil alliance, along with Saudi Aramco affiliates Motiva and S-Oil. The alliance has a collective global capacity of more than 4.6mn t/yr of Group I, Group II and Group III base oils, making the parent company one of the largest producers of base oils in the world. Argus base oil prices are widely used around the world in contracts to price physical base oils. Luberef's website will carry two base oil indexes representing the company's typical production split. The Group I index will reflect a monthly average of Argus SN150, SN500 and bright stock fob northwest Europe export weekly spot prices. The Group II index will be based on the monthly average of Argus N150, N500 fob Asia and N70 cfr India weekly spot prices. Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "We are pleased that Luberef has chosen to rely on Argus prices as indicators of market dynamics. We have worked with the industry to develop accurate, representative and reliable indexes that market participants increasingly trust and depend upon." Luberef president and chief executive Tareq Alnuaim said: "We are excited to partner with Argus to provide our investors with transparent and reliable base oil market data. By publishing base oil price indexes derived from spot price assessments made by Argus, we are providing our investors with the information they need to make informed investment decisions." Argus contact information London: Seana Lanigan +44 20 7780 4200 Email Seana Houston: Matt Oatway +1 713 968 0000 Email Matt Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto +65 6496 9960 Email Tomoko About Argus Media Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. We offer essential price assessments, news, analytics, consulting services, data science tools and industry conferences to illuminate complex and opaque commodity markets. Headquartered in London with 1,300 staff, Argus is an independent media organisation with 29 offices in the world's principal commodity trading hubs. Companies, trading firms and governments in 160 countries around the world trust Argus data to make decisions, analyse situations, manage risk, facilitate trading and long-term planning. Argus prices are used as trusted benchmarks around the world for pricing transportation, commodities and energy. Founded in 1970, Argus remains a privately held UK-registered company owned by employee shareholders, global growth equity firm General Atlantic and Hg, the specialist software and technology services investor. SOURCE Argus Media On the morning of July 31st, the cruise ship 'Astoria Grande' once again arrived in Batumi port, bringing Russian tourists to Georgia. However, the ship's arrival was met with active demonstrations and vocal protests from the citizens who demanded the removal of Batumi from the cruise ship's destination list.Throughout the protests, law enforcement officers were present, and the port area was fortified with iron barricades. The situation escalated to a physical altercation, resulting in the arrest of 23 individuals by the police. As a result of the intense protests, the cruise ship departed from the port of Batumi ahead of its scheduled departure time.It is noteworthy that a few days prior to this incident, the same cruise liner had already left Batumi port amidst the ongoing protest. Furthermore, there were reports suggesting that the 'Astoria Grande' website had removed Batumi port from its list of cruise ship destinations during this period of unrest.As per the information from the public defender, there are allegations of physical assault against one of the detainees during the protest rally in Batumi.The statement released by the Public Defender mentions that they have referred the incident to the Special Investigation Service.During a meeting with three citizens who were arrested at the protest, one of them, identified as R. M., reported experiencing verbal and physical abuse by police officers. The Office of the Public Defender immediately informed the Special Investigation Service about the alleged mistreatment of R. M. and expects a prompt and effective response.The Public Defender of Georgia will continue investigating the alleged rights violations of those arrested at the rally and will keep the public informed about the situation, according to the statement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. Senior Advisor of the US State Department for Negotiations in the Caucasus Louis Bono will travel to the South Caucasus this week, Trend learned from the US embassy in Baku. Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono is traveling to the region this week to discuss US support for the peace process and how best to reach a durable and dignified peace, said the embassy. US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing on July 31 that US continues to talk about peace agreement with Azerbaijan and Armenia. "We continue to believe that a peace agreement is within reach," he said. Miller pointed out that the Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been remained engaged in talking to leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to help reach an agreement. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia. They met with US Secretary Anthony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington. The ministers and their teams continued progress on the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and achieved mutual understanding on the draft agreement, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues require further work. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn GREENSBORO, N.C., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mack Trucks today announced its collaboration with Australian clothing brand Cotton:On, which will offer an exclusive line of Mack-branded menswear. The new collection utilizes road-worn designs inspired by Mack's 123-year heritage and continued influence on popular culture around the world. The upcoming Mack Trucks collection includes clothing rooted in the classic fashion aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s. Tweet this Mack Trucks today announced its collaboration with Australian clothing brand Cotton:On, which will offer an exclusive line of Mack branded menswear. The new collection utilizes road-worn designs inspired by Macks 123-year heritage and continued influence on popular culture around the world. Mack Trucks today announced its collaboration with Australian clothing brand Cotton:On, which will offer an exclusive line of Mack branded menswear. The new collection utilizes road-worn designs inspired by Macks 123-year heritage and continued influence on popular culture around the world. The upcoming Mack Trucks collection includes clothing rooted in the classic fashion aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s. Different elements of Mack's iconic branding and artwork are used throughout a selection of workwear-inspired pieces, including trucker caps, shirts and more. Past Mack logos and typefaces dating back to the company's first truck arriving in Australia, in 1919, are featured throughout. "We're very fortunate to have the storied history that we do," said David Galbraith, Mack Trucks' vice president of global brand and marketing. "Our heritage and place in American culture affords us many opportunities to work with other brands. Cotton:On is one of Australia's defining clothing brands, so we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate and celebrate Mack's international presence." Products from Cotton:On's Mack Trucks collection became available online in the U.S. on Saturday, July 22. United States Cotton:On-branded stores began carrying the collection on July 31. As an Australian brand, Cotton:On's appreciation for Mack Trucks speaks to the brand's global impact and recognition. The consistent durability and reliability of Mack's products has given the bulldog a reputation that knows no geographical bounds. By collaborating with Cotton:On, Mack Trucks is proud to acknowledge and promote the brand's cultural importance outside of the U.S. "When we were workshopping the idea of a brand partnership to go with our Americana/workwear range, there was one brand that stood above all others," said Guy Cortis, category buyer at Cotton:On Group. "Mack Trucks! Mack is a massive part of American popular culture and globally recognized well outside the borders of the U.S. With such a rich and interesting heritage, it just made sense. And to put the icing on the cake, the logo is the world-famous Bulldog!" Mack Trucks first opened its Queensland, Australia factory in 1963 only about 50 miles from where Cotton:On would find its beginning 25 years later. Mack has since remained one of the country's largest heavy-duty truck manufacturers, while its trucks and bulldog have become two of the world's most recognizable cultural icons. Mack Trucks branded Cotton:On pieces will be offered in all regions, both in-store and online at www.cottonon.com. About Mack Trucks Dedicated to durability, reliability and meeting the needs of customers, Mack Trucks has provided purpose-built transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America's largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack trucks, diesel engines and transmissions sold in North America are assembled in the United States. Mack manufacturing locations are certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems and ISO 45001 standard for health and safety management systems. Mack is also a proud sponsor of Share the Road, an American Trucking Associations public information campaign aimed at enhancing the safety of our nation's roadways. Mack Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, which is driving prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase customer uptime and productivity. Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. The Volvo Group is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, employs around 100,000 people and serves customers in more than 190 markets. In 2022, net sales amounted to about $47 billion. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT KIMBERLY PUPILLO DIRECTOR PUBLIC RELATIONS MACK TRUCKS, INC. 336-662-1787 [email protected] SOURCE Mack Trucks TOLLAND, Conn., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik announced today the acquisition of Canadian company, Postability, which will be part of Mastercam, the world's #1 CAM Software. Postability is a bespoke software development firm developing NC post processors for Mastercam. "The addition of Postability's post processing technology makes industry-preferred solutions more accessible to Mastercam users around the world," says Mastercam President and CEO, Meghan West. "This acquisition enables Mastercam to further support our customers by integrating best-in-class post processing technology along with improved responsiveness and technical support." Postabilitys post processing technology makes industry-preferred solutions more accessible to Mastercam users. Tweet this The acquisition of Postability adds talent, technology, and diversity to Mastercam's ecosystem of solutions. Postability's solutions and support are recognized as best-in-class and will now be accessible globally through Mastercam's robust Reseller channel. With the addition of Postability, Mastercam users will have the opportunity to acquire a broader range of post processing technology with excellent support and responsiveness. Jodi Spall, owner of Postability, states, "We are very excited to sign this agreement of acquisition with Mastercam and Sandvik. Joining the Mastercam team will enable us to bring our technology to more Mastercam users around the world." Mastercam has no plans to change relationships with any external vendors, customers, or support solutions as a result of this acquisition. Mastercam continues to Shape the Future of Manufacturing. Mastercam is committed to expanding the tools available in the Mastercam ecosystem through organic growth and acquisitions. About Mastercam Founded in 1983, Mastercam is headquartered in Tolland, Connecticut, with corporate offices in China. Mastercam is a suite of CAD/CAM software created to reduce production time and expense with efficient machining strategies and advanced toolpath technologies like Accelerated Finishing and Dynamic Motion. Mastercam is the world's #1 CAM software, with more than 300,000 installations in industries such as moldmaking, automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer products, education, and prototyping. It is distributed through an international channel of authorized Mastercam Resellers in 75 countries, providing localized sales, training, and support for 2- through 5-axis routing, milling, and turning; 2- and 4-axis wire EDM; 2D and 3D design; surface and solid modeling; artistic relief cutting; and Swiss machining. For more information, visit www.mastercam.com . Contact: Michelle Nemeth Phone: (860) 875-5006 Fax: (860) 872-1565 [email protected] SOURCE Mastercam Jefferson County Commissioners Have So Far Resisted Calls to Slow Development of Warehouses that Equal the Size of Jeffco's Famed County Building Nicknamed "The Taj" ARVADA, Colo., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McIntyre Neighbors United are calling on Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennett to pump the brakes on a giant warehouse project planned for an area just outside of Arvada City lines in unincorporated Jefferson County. A similar, but vastly smaller, warehouse development approximately one mile from the new development's site was earlier rejected by the Arvada City Council. "Due to their committee appointments, both of our United States Senators from Colorado have the ability to join with our neighborhood group to pump the brakes on this poorly thought-out warehouse development," said Anne Laffoon, a spokeswoman for McIntyre Neighbors United, a group that has the support of eighteen homeowners' associations and many businesses in the impacted area. "Senators Hickenlooper and Bennett have been responsive to our concerns, and we very much appreciate the dialogue we have begun with them." Laffoon and her neighbors continue to fight the proposed 500,000 square foot warehouse project at 60th and McIntyre. Laffoon says the size and design of the project does not conform to the current I-3 light industrial Jeffco zoning regulations. "It is simply not compatible with the surrounding residential areas," she said. The formal site development application was submitted earlier in July by Constellation Real Estate Partners, a firm based in Texas. The application is under review by county planning and zoning staff. "We continue to oppose this development because is detrimental to our health and the quality of life of our neighborhoods. The site development application shows three, forty-four-foot-high warehouses with more than 140 truck bays that will mean traffic, noise and air pollution from thousands of trucks going in and out every day. What county would consider a project like this, with its impacts, to be allowed under light industrial zoning?" Laffoon questioned. More than 4000 residents of Jefferson County requested a moratorium by signing a petition in support of the action to pause new site development applications on land zoned I-3 (light industrial) and located within 500 feet of homes until the county's land use regulations could be revised. The Jefferson County commissioners decided to deny the request on July 1lth, though they acknowledged that the industrial zoning regulations are outdated and are scheduled to be revised in the next 18-24 months. The proposed project is to be constructed on roughly 40 acres of previously contaminated land that has been largely vacant for decades adjacent to Hyatt Lake in an environmentally sensitive habitat area. Preparing the site for construction of the warehouses will mean disturbing soils that have been in various clean-up programs for decades. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is considering whether the Farmers Highline Canal and Hyatt Lake waters may be contaminated during the construction and later with water runoff from the warehouse project. The coalition has asked that an Environmental Assessment be done since there is such a long history of contamination from uranium and other contaminants on the site. The site development application can be viewed on the Jefferson County website under planning and zoning "active cases" under the 5950 McIntyre address. McIntyre Neighbors United has information on its website, www.mcintyreneighborsunited.org. About McIntyre Neighbors United McIntyre Neighbors United includes 18 homeowner associations (HOAs) that have communicated on behalf of the community with the Jefferson County Commissioners, City Council of Arvada, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and several open space/conservation groups about the community-led effort to examine the impacts of the proposed warehouse site adjacent to Hyatt Lake. The coalition is not anti-development; it simply wants a planning and approval process that supports sustainable and compatible development. Contact: Erich Kirshner, Lasso Digital [email protected] 303.921.6733 SOURCE McIntyre Neighbors United NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medical Gas Cylinder Market is estimated to grow by USD 2,846.98 million from 2022 to 2027. The market will be growing at a CAGR of 10.62% during the forecast period. North America accounts to contribute 33% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The market's growth in the region can be attributed to the increasing use of medical gases and equipment in the management of respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma. The increasing incidence of COPD, asthma, and other medical conditions is expected to fuel the demand for medical gas cylinders in the US. Hence, such factors are expected to fuel the growth of the market in the region during the forecast period. For Comprehensive details on the market size of the historic period (2017 to 2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) - View Sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Medical Gas Cylinder Market 2023-2027 Medical gas cylinder market - Vendor Landscape The medical gas cylinder market is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products -The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now Medical gas cylinder market - Market Dynamics Major Drivers & Challenges- The growing demand for medical gases for therapeutic and diagnostic applications drives the growth of the medical gas cylinder market. Medical gases are used to treat various diseases as well as for respiratory and anesthesia applications to study the functioning of the cardiovascular system and the lungs. Medicinal oxygen and medical helium and oxygen mixtures are used for critically ill patients in ICUs. Therefore, the growing demand for medical gases for therapeutic and diagnostic applications will drive the growth of the global medical gas cylinder market during the forecast period. Stringent regulations challenge the growth of the medical gas cylinder market. Medical gas cylinders provide oxygen and heliox therapy as well as life support in ICUs and for emergencies and thus, stringent regulations are enforced related to the design and manufacturing of these cylinders. In Europe, medical gas cylinders must meet the requirements of the Medical Device Directive (MDD), Directive 2007/47/EC of the European Parliament, and Council Directive 93/42/EEC for Medical Devices of the European Council. Thus, stringent regulations related to the design and manufacturing of medical gas cylinders may affect the growth of the global medical gas cylinder market during the forecast period. Key Trends- The rise in the number of hospitals and surgical centers is an emerging medical gas cylinder market trend. The number of hospitals and surgical centers is increasing across the world, which leads to the demand for medical gas cylinders to be high. Furthermore, the healthcare infrastructure of developing countries such as India and China has improved significantly over the previous decade. Hence, such trends fuel the growth of the medical gas cylinder market during the forecast period. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. - View Sample Report Company Profiles The medical gas cylinder market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Advanced Material Systems Co., Air Liquide SA, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Atlas Copco AB, B.N.O.S. Meditech Ltd., CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd., DCC Plc, Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd., Faber Industrie SPA, HERSILL SL, Invacare Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd., Linde Plc, Luxfer Holdings Plc, Messer SE and Co. KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp., Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd., Sinoma Science and Technology Co. Ltd., and Worthington Industries Inc. Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Medical gas cylinder market - Market Segmentation This medical gas cylinder market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (HHH, PBI, and RI), product (fixed and portable), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). The HHH segment will be significant for market growth during the forecast period. Several gas cylinders are used in hospitals and home healthcare and medical gas is used extensively in ICUs, PICUs, and NICUs. Furthermore, improvements in the infrastructure of hospitals and clinics and the rise in affordability of patients in developed countries such as the US and the UK are expected to drive the growth of this segment during the forecast period. Hence, such factors drive the segment growth in the market during the forecast period. Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The medical plastics market size is expected to increase to USD 9.37 billion from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 6.07%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers the medical plastics market segmentation by automated production system (medical components, mobility aids, medical device packaging, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of World (ROW)). The growth in the geriatric population is notably driving the medical plastics market growth. The Global Medical Device Manufacturing Outsourcing Market size is estimated to grow by USD 46,241.15 million between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 10.85%. This medical device manufacturing outsourcing market research report extensively covers market segmentation by product (EMS, raw materials, and finished goods), medical device regulatory classification (class ii, class iii, and class i), and geography (North America, Asia, Europe, and Rest of World (ROW)). One of the key factors driving the medical device manufacturing outsourcing market growth is the growing focus of OEMs on reducing medical device manufacturing costs. Medical Gas Cylinder Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.62% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,846.98 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 9.78 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 33% Key countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Advanced Material Systems Co., Air Liquide SA, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Atlas Copco AB, B.N.O.S. Meditech Ltd., CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd., DCC Plc, Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd., Faber Industrie SPA, HERSILL SL, Invacare Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd., Linde Plc, Luxfer Holdings Plc, Messer SE and Co. KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp., Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd., Sinoma Science and Technology Co. Ltd., and Worthington Industries Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global medical gas cylinder market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on global medical gas cylinder market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 6.3 HHH - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on HHH - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on HHH - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on HHH - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on HHH - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 PBI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on PBI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on PBI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on PBI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on PBI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 RI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on RI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on RI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on RI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on RI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Product 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 48: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 50: Chart on Comparison by Product Exhibit 51: Data Table on Comparison by Product 7.3 Fixed - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Fixed - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Fixed - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Fixed - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Fixed - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Portable - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Portable - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Portable - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Portable - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Portable - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 60: Market opportunity by Product ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 62: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 63: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 65: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 66: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 103: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 105: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 106: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 107: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 108: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 109: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 110: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Air Liquide SA Exhibit 111: Air Liquide SA - Overview Exhibit 112: Air Liquide SA - Business segments Exhibit 113: Air Liquide SA - Key offerings Exhibit 114: Air Liquide SA - Segment focus 12.4 Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Exhibit 115: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. - Overview Exhibit 116: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 117: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. - Key news Exhibit 118: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 119: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. - Segment focus 12.5 Atlas Copco AB Exhibit 120: Atlas Copco AB - Overview Exhibit 121: Atlas Copco AB - Business segments Exhibit 122: Atlas Copco AB - Key news Exhibit 123: Atlas Copco AB - Key offerings Exhibit 124: Atlas Copco AB - Segment focus 12.6 CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd. Exhibit 125: CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 126: CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 127: CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 128: CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 129: CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus 12.7 DCC Plc Exhibit 130: DCC Plc - Overview Exhibit 131: DCC Plc - Business segments Exhibit 132: DCC Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 133: DCC Plc - Segment focus 12.8 Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd. Exhibit 134: Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 135: Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 136: Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 137: Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd. - Segment focus 12.9 Faber Industrie SPA Exhibit 138: Faber Industrie SPA - Overview Exhibit 139: Faber Industrie SPA - Product / Service Exhibit 140: Faber Industrie SPA - Key offerings 12.10 Invacare Corp. Exhibit 141: Invacare Corp. - Overview Exhibit 142: Invacare Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 143: Invacare Corp. - Key news Exhibit 144: Invacare Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 145: Invacare Corp. - Segment focus 12.11 Koninklijke Philips NV Exhibit 146: Koninklijke Philips NV - Overview Exhibit 147: Koninklijke Philips NV - Business segments Exhibit 148: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key news Exhibit 149: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key offerings Exhibit 150: Koninklijke Philips NV - Segment focus 12.12 Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd. Exhibit 151: Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 152: Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 153: Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composites Group Co. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.13 Linde Plc Exhibit 154: Linde Plc - Overview Exhibit 155: Linde Plc - Business segments Exhibit 156: Linde Plc - Key news Exhibit 157: Linde Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 158: Linde Plc - Segment focus 12.14 Luxfer Holdings Plc Exhibit 159: Luxfer Holdings Plc - Overview Exhibit 160: Luxfer Holdings Plc - Business segments Exhibit 161: Luxfer Holdings Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 162: Luxfer Holdings Plc - Segment focus 12.15 Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 163: Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 164: Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 165: Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.16 Sinoma Science and Technology Co. Ltd. Exhibit 166: Sinoma Science and Technology Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 167: Sinoma Science and Technology Co. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 168: Sinoma Science and Technology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.17 Worthington Industries Inc. Exhibit 169: Worthington Industries Inc. - Overview Exhibit 170: Worthington Industries Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 171: Worthington Industries Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 172: Worthington Industries Inc. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 173: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 174: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 175: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 176: Research methodology Exhibit 177: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 178: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 179: 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 MediPharm announces first delivery of pharmaceutical cannabis product for NIH funded clinical trial, following import permit from the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Health Canada export permit. MediPharm has provided a full response to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in relation to the initial pre-approval site inspection of its Barrie facility regarding a new Drug Master File (DMF) being referenced in a recent Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). facility regarding a new Drug Master File (DMF) being referenced in a recent Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). This is the first US FDA Audit of a purpose-built commercial cannabis facility in Canada . . The US delivery and FDA inspection represent major milestones in MediPharm Labs being a pharmaceutical cannabis supplier of choice to the global pharmaceutical industry. TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) ("MediPharm", "MediPharm Labs" or the "Company") a pharmaceutical company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids, is pleased to announce it has made its first delivery to the United States, and has completed the US FDA drug API manufacturer inspection at the Company's Barrie, Ontario facility. First Delivery of Pharmaceutical Cannabis Product to the US On July 28, 2023, MediPharm completed a commercial shipment of cannabis clinical trial materials to the US, for use in an NIH funded clinical trial. This clinical trial material is finished good cannabis oil that contains both CBD and THC. To the Company's knowledge, this is the first Phase 2 clinical trial of its kind sourced from a Canadian Licenced Producer. The complex process relied on MediPharm's GMP Drug Establishment License, product stability data, US FDA Innovative New Drug Approval, and US DEA narcotic import approval. Steps to meet these requirements were initiated five years ago and involved large capital investments, demonstrating a unique pharmaceutical capability and approach that distinguishes MediPharm from other cannabis companies. This development is significant as the majority of cannabis operators in the US are operating under State specific regulations that prohibits them from manufacturing for FDA sanctioned research activities and DEA approved shipments under federal narcotic laws. US FDA Status Update MediPharm completed a US FDA five day in-person inspection from November 21 to 25, 2022. This was initiated in relation to MediPharm's Cannabidiol Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Drug Master File (DMF) being referenced in an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) submitted to the FDA in September 2023 by a global pharmaceutical company. Following the inspection, MediPharm was presented with inspection observations. MediPharm has responded in writing to all observations via a corrective action plan. These actions have now been implemented and any additional FDA feedback is expected by way of comments on the Company's DMF and partner's ANDA filings. As this process is completed, MediPharm continues to be a registered foreign drug manufacturing site with the US FDA. The company believes it is the only Canadian Pharmaceutical company or LP with this registration. This US FDA inspection was the first of its kind for a purpose-built cannabis facility in Canada and rare for a global GMP facility that also manufactures botanical THC. This further solidifies MediPharm's position as a global leader in the pharmaceutical development and production of pharmaceutical cannabinoids. This distinction will enable the company to be a leader in future emerging markets, including drugs containing cannabinoids, international medical cannabis programs, and over the counter CBD as a non-prescription natural health product. The full acceptance of MediPharm's API DMF, of which the FDA inspection is a major step, allows for a number of commercial opportunities for the Company. This will allow MediPharm to further market cannabidiol API to pharmaceutical companies for new novel drugs, generic drugs, modified generics drugs (FDA 505(b)(2)), and clinical trial materials. About MediPharm Labs Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. MediPharm Labs develops, formulates, processes, packages and distributes cannabis and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international medical markets. In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a commercial scale domestic Good Manufacturing License for the extraction of multiple natural cannabinoids. The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates. In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc. which expanded MediPharm's reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical PTY and Beacon Medical GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, opportunities for future clinical research opportunities and the future supply to the global pharmaceutical industry, future marketable pharmaceutical products, opportunities to be a leader in future emerging markets, and future Canadian and international commercial products that leverage MPL's unique Pharma expertise. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs' filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change. SOURCE MediPharm Labs Corp. TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Today marks a significant milestone as MedWorks, the company renowned for revolutionizing healthcare in Canada, officially unveils its innovative health and wellness service app in the US, beginning with the state of Florida. Building on its success in Canada, MedWorks, a pioneer in on-demand healthcare, brings a holistic approach to wellness, emphasizing convenience and accessibility. The company now offers Floridians the same level of care that has greatly benefitted its Canadian users. MedWorks brings a plethora of health services within the reach of every user, empowering them to order and schedule appointments from the comfort of their home. From Brain and Mental Health, Diabetes Support, Spa Treatments, Weight Loss, Telemedicine and more! All will be accessible via this game-changing app. "Our entry into the US healthcare market is a bold move towards a future where everyone, regardless of location, can access top-notch healthcare and wellness services," states George Barakat, Founder and CEO of MedWorks. "We believe in the transformative power of proactive and preventative wellness. The MedWorks app simplifies the healthcare process, allowing you to prioritize your health, your way, every day." Dr. Lorraine Thorpe, US Licensee for MedWorks, expresses her excitement about the launch, "This launch is not just about introducing an innovative healthcare app to the US, but it's about reshaping the way Americans think about and engage with their health and wellness. MedWorks offers an incredible opportunity to empower users to take control of their wellbeing. As the licensee for this market, I am thrilled to be part of this transformation." The MedWorks app offers various features like easy access to a wide range of providers, coordinated care, unparalleled convenience, and a personalized coordinator named Maddy. It also rewards loyal customers with redeemable points for future services and healthcare-related products. The MedWorks app is now available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play (MedWorks Inc.) or via www.medworks.com. Ready to experience the future of healthcare? Here are 3 easy steps: Visit www.medworks.com or download the MedWorks app. Create your personal health profile. Choose your services and schedule your first appointment. As part of its ongoing growth strategy, MedWorks is keen to expand its licensee network and healthcare providers across diverse specialties. Interested parties can visit https://www.info.medworks.com/partnerships for partnership opportunities. About MedWorks Founded by George Barakat in 2021, MedWorks is a Canadian company committed to making health and wellness services more accessible. Its patent-pending app consolidates various services in one convenient location, empowering users to bring healthcare and wellness right to their doorstep or device. MedWorks collaborates with multiple global partners and care providers, making a tangible difference in the healthcare landscape. For more information, visit: www.medworks.com For MedWorks inquiries: Jennifer Usher, CMO, [email protected], 647-236-2027 SOURCE MedWorks MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MIEC (Medical Insurance Exchange of California), a leading Reciprocal Insurance Exchange for the U.S. Medical Profession serving health professionals in the U.S. Western states, is pleased to announce the successful implementation of OneShield's cutting-edge insurance software platform. The software solution, tailored specifically for medical professional liability insurers, marks a significant milestone in MIEC's commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and delivering exceptional service to its valued policyholders. The implementation of OneShield Market Solutions (OMS) empowers MIEC to streamline its insurance operations. Tweet this "By partnering with OneShield, we have equipped ourselves with a robust platform that will enhance our current operations but also provides the scalability required to meet the evolving demands of the insurance industry. We are excited about the potential for continued success and innovation this collaboration brings" said Lakshmi Lakshminarasimhan MIEC's Director, IS/IT & Innovation. The implementation of OneShield Market Solutions (OMS) empowers MIEC to streamline its insurance operations, enabling faster policy issuance, comprehensive underwriting capabilities, and improved claims management. By leveraging the advanced features of OneShield's SaaS platform, MIEC offers separate portals for insureds and underwriters, integrates with various critical third-party systems, and has transformed its systems for payments and dividends. The collaboration between MIEC and OneShield has resulted in an essential transition from legacy systems to a modern, integrated software solution. MIEC's decision to partner with OneShield was driven by the software provider's extensive experience in the insurance industry and its reputation for delivering innovative solutions that align with each client's unique requirements. "MIEC has always been committed to delivering the highest quality of service to our policyholders, and the implementation of OMS marks a significant milestone in our growth journey," said Lakshmi Lakshminarasimhan MIEC's Director, IS/IT & Innovation. "By partnering with OneShield, we have equipped ourselves with a robust platform that will enhance our current operations but also provides the scalability required to meet the evolving demands of the insurance industry. We are excited about the potential for continued success and innovation this collaboration brings." MIEC's President Andy Firth adds, "No system transition is ever painless. Our experience with OMS throughout this process has been one of real partnership and collaboration. We look forward to a long-term relationship of mutual benefit as additional capabilities come online and help MIEC improve its service levels while reducing operating overhead expense." OneShield provides MIEC with a comprehensive Medical Professional Liability solution comprised of features and functionalities specifically designed for the medical malpractice insurance sector. The platform's intuitive user interface allows MIEC's underwriters and claims professionals to navigate policy administration, billing, claims management, and reporting processes, facilitating faster decision-making and increased collaboration across teams. "We are thrilled to have played a pivotal role in supporting MIEC throughout this transformative project and eagerly anticipate their continued expansion on our platform," expressed Rex Blazevich, President of OneShield Market Solutions. "The successful implementation of OMS for MIEC's medical malpractice insurance operations showcases our commitment to delivering tailored, industry-specific software solutions that empower our clients to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace." For more information or to schedule a media interview, please contact: Janice Merkley - VP of Marketing, OneShield T: 774.348.1000 | E: [email protected] About OneShield OneShield provides business solutions for P&C insurers and MGAs of all sizes. OneShield's cloud-based and SaaS platforms include enterprise-level policy management, billing, claims, rating, relationship management, product configuration, business intelligence, and smart analytics. Designed specifically for personal, commercial, and specialty insurance, our solutions support over 90 lines of business. OneShield's clients, some of the world's leading insurers, benefit from optimized workflows, pre-built content, seamless upgrades, collaborative implementations, and pricing models designed to lower the total cost of ownership. Our global footprint includes corporate headquarters in Marlborough, MA, with additional offices throughout India. For more information, visit www.OneShield.com About MIEC MIEC provides medical professional liability insurance to physicians, medical groups, acupuncturists, and other healthcare professionals in the U.S. West, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Idaho. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Oakland, CA, MIEC is owned and operated for the benefit of over 7,400 members. MIEC seeks to provide innovative and cost-effective medical professional liability protection and patient safety services for physicians and other healthcare professionals. MIEC was created by physicians and operates its business for the benefit of its membership as demonstrated by a virtually unrivaled program of policyholder dividends that has substantially reduced the costs of MPL insurance to its membership. For more information, visit: www.MIEC.com SOURCE OneShield Software More Than 700 Teamsters Covered by New Agreements with Minnesota Board of Public Defense MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota assistant public defenders and support staff represented by Teamsters Local 320 have ratified historic collective bargaining agreements with the Minnesota Board of Public Defense. The assistant public defenders ratified their agreement by 96 percent and public defense support staff ratified their agreement by 98 percent. "The agreements for attorneys and support staff are truly historic with life-changing salary increases that will provide stability for an agency that suffered chronic underfunding by the State Legislature," said Brian Aldes, Teamsters Local 320 Secretary-Treasurer and chief negotiator. "These agreements are the culmination of a hard-fought strategic campaign to bring public awareness to the beleaguered public defense system and to build pressure on the state legislature to adequately fund the agency." Earlier this year, the Minnesota State Legislature increased the Minnesota Board of Public Defense budget by nearly 50 percent to provide salary parity with state and local prosecutors and to allow the agency to hire necessary personnel to meet the long-established American Bar Association standards. "Public defense is a constitutional service provided to vulnerable citizens under the Sixth Amendment," said Grant Sanders, assistant public defender in the Third Judicial District. "It's long past due for these vital investments from the State of Minnesota." "Being a union member is a full contact sport," said Kyle MacArthur, an investigator in the Fifth Judicial District. "Our union organized at the bargaining table and at the state legislature, and we must keep our feet on the gas into the future." Teamsters Local 320 represents a wide variety of public sector workers throughout Minnesota. For more information go to teamsterslocal320.org/ Media Contact Brian Aldes, (612) 378-8728 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 320 Visitors reassured ahead of holidays on South Aegean island as emergency measures lifted after wildfires RHODES, Greece, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the island of Rhodes becoming fully operational once again for visitors, Greek government and tourism officials have reassured travellers who have booked - or are thinking about booking - that the South Aegean island is ready to welcome them. Wildfires prompted the evacuation of more than 20,000 visitors and caused disruption to many on holiday on the island. But the Greek government have announced that the remaining villages that had been evacuated as a precaution are safe for residents and visitors to return to. Tourism officials have stressed that Rhodes remains "more welcoming than ever", and that only a very limited number of the hotels in the fire-affected south of the island remain closed. A statement by the Hotels Association of Rhodes said: "Today, the island of Rhodes is fully operational, welcoming thousands of visitors daily and soon 100% of the island's accommodations will be fully available." It also announced an initiative to return the personal effects of evacuated guests who returned home without their luggage, free of charge, if the hotel they were staying at is a member of the association. Love and hospitality Rhodes is back! We are pleased to announce that the operational state of emergency has expired on the island of Rhodes. Life is now returning to normal for the entire island of Rhodes, including the few areas that were affected the Greek Tourism Ministry said. The statement added: "The residents of Rhodes, who have been heroic and selfless throughout these difficult days, together with the Greek state, are looking forward to continuing to offer their care and unique hospitality to foreign visitors." Meanwhile, the Regional Governor of the South Aegean, George Hatzimarkos said: "Rhodes is coming back stronger. Immediate restoration projects are currently underway in the limited number of affected areas and tourism activity has swiftly returned to 'business as usual'. We fully reassure our visitors that they can reliably enjoy the exceptional travel experiences and the authentic hospitality that beautiful Rhodes offers as a top-knotch global tourism destination." Thanks to "heroic" locals Around 2.6 million people visited Rhodes last year. And with so many tourists already on the island, the evacuation process was widely reported in the international media and highlighted in social media posts of those affected. The hospitality and generosity of locals during the evacuation process was widely praised. Some spoke of residents opening their homes to visitors, while others spoke of local heroes. One family said the experience had "restored their faith in human kindness". Others described how schools had been stocked with provisions and sleeping facilities to accommodate evacuated tourists. Also, tourists shared their experience on television. Marketing Greece Our goal is to strengthen Greek tourism and enhance the image and reputation of Greece internationally through the repositioning and promotion of all aspects of its tourism product. We were established as a non-profit initiative in 2013 by the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels. SOURCE Marketing Greece The dynamics of the mucopolysaccharidosis market are anticipated to change in the coming years owing to improvement in the diagnosis methodologies, rising awareness of the disease, incremental healthcare spending worldwide, and the expected launch of emerging therapies. LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, mucopolysaccharidosis emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Key Takeaways from the Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Report As per DelveInsight analysis, the mucopolysaccharidosis market is expected to grow positively at a significant CAGR during the study period (20192032). The prevalence of mucopolysaccharidosis in all types is estimated to be one in every 25,000 births. However, because mucopolysaccharidoses, particularly the milder forms of the diseases, are frequently misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, it is difficult to assess their true prevalence in the general population. births. However, because mucopolysaccharidoses, particularly the milder forms of the diseases, are frequently misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, it is difficult to assess their true prevalence in the general population. Leading mucopolysaccharidosis companies such as JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Immusoft of CA, Inc., REGENXBIO Inc., Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc, Abeona Therapeutics, Inc, Homology Medicines, Inc, Denali Therapeutics Inc., LYSOGENE, Allievex Corporation, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Takeda, and others are developing novel mucopolysaccharidosis drugs that can be available in the mucopolysaccharidosis market in the coming years. and others are developing novel mucopolysaccharidosis drugs that can be available in the mucopolysaccharidosis market in the coming years. Some key therapies for mucopolysaccharidosis treatment include JR-141, Autologous Plasmablasts, RGX-121, Adjuvant Immunosuppression (IS) Therapy, RGX-111, HMI-203, DNL310, LYS-SAF302, AX 250, BPX-501 and Rimiducid, Idursulfase-IT and Elaprase, and others. Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major mucopolysaccharidosis market share @ Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Report Mucopolysaccharidosis Overview Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) refers to a group of inherited metabolic disorders characterized by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within cells throughout the body. These complex sugars play crucial roles in maintaining healthy tissues and organs. However, in individuals with MPS, the body lacks specific enzymes necessary to break down GAGs, leading to their accumulation and subsequent damage to various tissues and organs. The causes of mucopolysaccharidosis are genetic in nature. Mutations in specific genes responsible for producing the enzymes required to break down GAGs result in their deficiency or malfunction. Symptoms of mucopolysaccharidosis can vary widely depending on the specific type and severity of the condition. However, common mucopolysaccharidosis symptoms include skeletal abnormalities, such as short stature and joint stiffness, as well as progressive damage to organs such as the heart, liver, and spleen. The mucopolysaccharidosis diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, physical examinations, and specialized laboratory tests. Medical professionals may assess the individual's symptoms, family history, and conduct various imaging studies to evaluate organ damage and skeletal abnormalities. Mucopolysaccharidosis Epidemiology Segmentation The mucopolysaccharidosis epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current mucopolysaccharidosis patient pool and forecasted trends for individual seven major countries. It helps to recognize the causes of current and forecasted trends by exploring numerous studies and views of key opinion leaders. The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted Mucopolysaccharidosis epidemiology scenarios in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, Spain, Italy, France), the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2019 to 2032. Mucopolysaccharidosis Treatment Market Currently, there is no cure for mucopolysaccharidosis. The mucopolysaccharidosis treatment strategies aim to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. The mucopolysaccharidosis treatment approach often involves a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including geneticists, pediatricians, neurologists, and rehabilitation therapists. Therapeutic interventions for mucopolysaccharidosis typically include enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), which involves the regular infusion of synthetic enzymes to replace the missing or defective ones. ERT can help reduce the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides and alleviate some symptoms, such as organ dysfunction and skeletal abnormalities. Additionally, supportive care measures, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, are essential for addressing the various impairments associated with mucopolysaccharidosis. In some cases, stem cell transplantation or gene therapy may be considered as potential mucopolysaccharidosis treatment options. Stem cell transplantation involves replacing the affected individual's bone marrow with healthy donor cells that can produce the missing enzymes. Gene therapy, on the other hand, aims to introduce functional copies of the defective gene into the patient's cells to enable proper enzyme production. Research and advancements in treatment options for mucopolysaccharidosis are ongoing, with the ultimate goal of developing more targeted therapies that can address the underlying genetic abnormalities. The management of mucopolysaccharidosis requires a comprehensive and personalized approach to address the diverse range of symptoms and complications associated with the condition, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals and their families. To know more about mucopolysaccharidosis treatment, visit @ Mucopolysaccharidosis Treatment Drugs Key Mucopolysaccharidosis Therapies and Companies JR-141: JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Autologous Plasmablasts: Immusoft of CA, Inc. RGX-121: REGENXBIO Inc. Adjuvant Immunosuppression (IS) Therapy: Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc/Abeona Therapeutics, Inc RGX-111: REGENXBIO Inc. HMI-203: Homology Medicines, Inc DNL310: Denali Therapeutics Inc. LYS-SAF302: LYSOGENE AX 250: Allievex Corporation BPX-501 and Rimiducid: Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Idursulfase-IT and Elaprase: Shire/Takeda Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for mucopolysaccharidosis @ Drugs for Mucopolysaccharidosis Treatment Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Dynamics The mucopolysaccharidosis market dynamics have witnessed a significant evolution in recent years. Mucopolysaccharidosis refers to a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by the deficiency or malfunctioning of enzymes responsible for breaking down glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), leading to their accumulation in various tissues and organs. These disorders present unique challenges due to their complex nature and the diversity of symptoms across different subtypes. One of the key drivers impacting the mucopolysaccharidosis market dynamics is the increasing awareness and diagnosis of these disorders. Improved understanding of the disease, advancements in diagnostic technologies, and growing screening programs have contributed to the early identification of mucopolysaccharidosis patients. This has resulted in a rise in the demand for effective treatments and therapies, leading to increased research and development activities in the field. Another significant factor shaping the mucopolysaccharidosis market is the emergence of innovative therapeutic approaches. Traditional treatment options have primarily focused on symptom management, but recent advancements have introduced novel therapies targeting underlying genetic abnormalities. Gene therapy and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) are among the most promising treatment modalities, with ongoing clinical trials and regulatory approvals enhancing the therapeutic landscape for mucopolysaccharidosis patients. However, the mucopolysaccharidosis market also faces certain challenges. Limited awareness among healthcare professionals, delayed or misdiagnosis, and high treatment costs pose obstacles to optimal patient care. Additionally, the rarity of these disorders and the associated small patient populations create unique market dynamics, often requiring specialized infrastructure and dedicated efforts to ensure effective treatment delivery. Report Metrics Details Study Period 20192032 Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key Mucopolysaccharidosis Companies JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Immusoft of CA, Inc., REGENXBIO Inc., Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc, Abeona Therapeutics, Inc, Homology Medicines, Inc, Denali Therapeutics Inc., LYSOGENE, Allievex Corporation, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Takeda, and others Key Mucopolysaccharidosis Therapies JR-141, Autologous Plasmablasts, RGX-121, Adjuvant Immunosuppression (IS) Therapy, RGX-111, HMI-203, DNL310, LYS-SAF302, AX 250, BPX-501 and Rimiducid, Idursulfase-IT and Elaprase, and others Scope of the Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Report Therapeutic Assessment: Mucopolysaccharidosis current marketed and emerging therapies Mucopolysaccharidosis current marketed and emerging therapies Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Mucopolysaccharidosis Drugs Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Mucopolysaccharidosis Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Access and Reimbursement Discover more about mucopolysaccharidosis drugs in development @ Mucopolysaccharidosis Clinical Trials Table of Contents 1. Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Key Insights 2. Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Report Introduction 3. Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Overview at a Glance 4. Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Mucopolysaccharidosis Treatment and Management 7. Mucopolysaccharidosis Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Mucopolysaccharidosis Marketed Drugs 10. Mucopolysaccharidosis Emerging Drugs 11. Seven Major Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Analysis 12. Mucopolysaccharidosis Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Unmet Needs 16. SWOT Analysis 17. Appendix 18. DelveInsight Capabilities 19. Disclaimer 20. About DelveInsight Related Reports Mucopolysaccharidosis Pipeline Mucopolysaccharidosis Pipeline Insight 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key mucopolysaccharidosis companies, including Eli Lilly and Company, CuraSen Therapeutics, Inc., Athira Pharma, Aptinyx Inc., among others. Mucopolysaccharidosis I Market Mucopolysaccharidosis I Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key mucopolysaccharidosis I companies, including BioStrategies LC, Denali Therapeutics Inc, Esteve Pharmaceuticals SA, GC Biopharma Corp, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd, Jupiter Neurosciences Inc, Lacerta Therapeutics Inc, M6P Therapeutics, among others. Mucopolysaccharidosis II Market Mucopolysaccharidosis II Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key mucopolysaccharidosis II companies including JCR Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd, Jupiter Neurosciences Inc, Lacerta Therapeutics Inc, M6P Therapeutics, Neurogt Inc, Orchard Therapeutics Plc, Phoenix Nest Inc, Seelos Therapeutics, Inc., Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, among others. Mucopolysaccharidosis III Market Mucopolysaccharidosis III Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key mucopolysaccharidosis III companies, including Allievex Corp, Amicus Therapeutics Inc, ArmaGen Inc, BioStrategies LC, Denali Therapeutics Inc, Esteve Pharmaceuticals SA, GC Biopharma Corp, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +1(919)321-6187 www.delveinsight.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP Details added (first version published at 13:52) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. Senior Advisor of the US State Department for Negotiations in the Caucasus Louis Bono will travel to the South Caucasus this week, Trend learned from the US embassy in Baku. Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono is traveling to the region this week to discuss US support for the peace process and how best to reach a durable and dignified peace, said the embassy. US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing on July 31 that US continues to talk about peace agreement with Azerbaijan and Armenia. "We continue to believe that a peace agreement is within reach," he said. Miller pointed out that the Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been remained engaged in talking to leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to help reach an agreement. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia. They met with US Secretary Anthony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington. The ministers and their teams continued progress on the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and achieved mutual understanding on the draft agreement, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues require further work. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn DENVER, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Morris Animal Foundation celebrates dogs everywhere this month with its annual National Dog Day campaign, aimed at raising funds for vital canine health studies. In addition, gifts will be matched up to $75,000 thanks to a generous donation from the Golden Retriever Foundation. August is for the dogs: Morris Animal Foundation's National Dog Day campaign is back. "National Dog Day is an occasion I look forward to each year," said Ryan Welch, Morris Animal Foundation Chief Development Officer. "It serves as a reminder of the immeasurable joy dogs bring to our lives. I am thrilled about the incredible research we can support and the potential breakthroughs in canine health we can achieve with the unwavering generosity and support of our donors." To further raise awareness and funds for canine health research, a virtual walk will take place on National Dog Day, Aug. 26. Morris Animal Foundation has been actively funding canine health studies since its establishment in 1948. Ongoing studies include: About Morris Animal Foundation Morris Animal Foundation's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding nearly $160 million in more than 3,000 critical studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org . SOURCE Morris Animal Foundation The global natural refrigerant market is experiencing growth due to growing demand for frozen food and dairy products and the properties of natural refrigerants such as being non-toxic, high efficiency, environment friendly, and compatibility with a wide range of equipment. PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Natural Refrigerant Market by Gas (Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, Hydrocarbons, and Others) by Application (Refrigerators, Air Conditioning Systems, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global natural refrigerant market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2032. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/61953 Prime determinants of growth The global natural refrigerant market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as growing demand for frozen food and dairy products and the properties of natural refrigerants such as being non-toxic, high efficiency, environment friendly, and compatibility with a wide range of equipment. However, the presence and wide acceptance of synthetic refrigerants hinder market growth to some extent. Moreover, technological developments in green cooling offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the natural refrigerant market. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $1.5 billion Market Size in 2032 $2.7 billion CAGR 6.2 % No. of Pages in Report 516 Segments Covered Gas, Application, and Region. Drivers Increased Awareness Regarding Environment-Friendly Refrigerants Rise in Demand For Frozen Food and Dairy Products Opportunity Technological Developments in Green Cooling Restraint Presence and Wide Acceptance of Synthetic Refrigerants Impact of Russia-Ukraine War on the Natural Refrigerant Market The conflict between Russia and Ukraine could disrupt the supply chain of natural refrigerants, as both countries are major producers and suppliers of refrigerants such as ammonia (NH3). Any disruptions in production or transportation routes could lead to supply shortages or increased prices. and could disrupt the supply chain of natural refrigerants, as both countries are major producers and suppliers of refrigerants such as ammonia (NH3). Any disruptions in production or transportation routes could lead to supply shortages or increased prices. The conflict disrupted regional trade dynamics, causing shifts in demand and supply patterns for natural refrigerants. Industries in the affected regions sought alternative suppliers or adjusted their sourcing strategies to mitigate risks. This led to a reconfiguration of supply chains and changes in market dynamics. Overall, the Russia - Ukraine conflict caused disruption and uncertainty in the natural refrigerant market. Businesses in this sector had to closely monitor the situation, diversify their supply chains where possible, and adapt their strategies to mitigate risks. The carbon dioxide segment is expected to lead the trail by 2032 Based on gas, the carbon dioxide segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global natural refrigerant market revenue and is estimated to dominate during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that carbon dioxide is nontoxic, which enhances its safety profile for both operators and consumers. This characteristic makes it suitable for various applications, including commercial and industrial refrigeration. Carbon dioxide refrigeration systems are commonly used in commercial applications, particularly in supermarkets. However, the ammonia segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2032. The growth is attributed to the fact that Ammonia exhibits excellent thermodynamic properties, making it an efficient refrigerant. It has high heat transfer capabilities and offers high energy efficiency in cooling systems. It is also known for its high energy efficiency, which contributes to reduced energy consumption in refrigeration applications. Procure Complete Report (516 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3DEFZbI The refrigerators segment is expected to lead the trial by 2032 Based on the application, the refrigerators segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global natural refrigerant market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The same segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2032. This can be attributed to the fact refrigerants have the ability to absorb heat from the interior of the refrigerator, which includes both the air and the items stored inside. As the refrigerant evaporates, it takes in heat energy, causing the temperature within the refrigerator to decrease. Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032 Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global natural refrigerant market revenue and is expected to rule the roost in terms of revenue throughout the forecast timeframe. In Europe, regulations and policies promoting environmentally friendly solutions, such as the F-Gas Regulation, phase-out of high global warming potential refrigerants, energy efficiency goals, and increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants are driving the demand for the natural refrigerant market in Europe. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2032 Leading Market Players:- DANFOSS AS LINDE PLC A-GAS INTERNATIONAL LTD EVONIK INDUSTRIES AG AGC INC. AIR LIQUIDE HYCHILL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD PTY LTD JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL PLC PUYANG ZHONGWEI FINE CHEMICAL CO., LTD DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global natural refrigerant market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/natural-refrigerant-market/purchase-options Similar Reports: Refrigerants Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Natural Fiber Composites Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Carbon Dioxide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Green Ammonia Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Green Carbon Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2031 Activated Carbon Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/ Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/3950895/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lirunex's recent crowning as the Best Asia Forex Broker at the Forex Traders Summit Dubai 2023 in May underscores the commodities and trading brokerage's commitment to excellence and its contribution to empowering traders in the dynamic Southeast Asian (SEA) market. As the region's leading brokerage, Lirunex shares insights into SEA's flourishing landscape, bolstered by the region's growing economies, and its continued focus in the region. Navigating Southeast Asia's Developing Trading Markets with Asia's Best Forex Broker, Lirunex The Asian region has proven to be a formidable force despite the uncertainties in the previous years. In 2021, a crucial year for many sectors to determine, trade in Asia saw an impressive 29.6% growth in the first three quarters. By the end of 2023, forecasts predict a 3.8% growth across Asia-Pacific (APAC), excluding China, surpassing the projected 2.7% global economic growth. Opportunities Abound in SEA's Trading Markets SEA's significant economic growth and vibrant landscape has led to increased disposable income for individuals and businesses. As a result, interest in financial markets has surged, particularly forex and commodities trading. Aspiring traders and seasoned investors are capitalising this growing segment and exploring potential profit-making opportunities. However, some nations and communities within the region face relatively low financial literacy levels. Service providers have recognised the need of empowering traders to ensure communities across the region are well-equipped with essential market insights and skills through the introduction of training modules and webinars such as Lirunex's LX Academy. These efforts also work to overcome currency and liquidity risks, and language and cultural barriers, with localised support to cater to the specific market needs of traders in SEA. The region's abundance of natural resources and commodities as well as the various currencies utilised within the region provides an ultra-diversified range of assets for traders. Platform-based approaches further facilitates diversification and hedging strategies. Technological advancements have complimented traders' strategies as SEA embraces the integration of cutting-edge tools and infrastructure. Advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and algorithmic trading capabilities equip traders with sophisticated tools to make informed decisions. In addition to this, platforms are reinforced with stringent cybersecurity protocols to safeguard user data from potential threat and comply with international regulations. The regulatory framework for forex and commodities trading in SEA can be fragmented and complex but are evolving. Governing bodies in the region are implementing policies to regulate investments and foster a resilient economy, further encouraging opportunities for traders and investors. Brokers and trading platforms such as Lirunex remain committed to navigating these challenges and ensuring compliance through regulations by one of the world's leading financial jurisdictions. "Lirunex actively supports regulatory efforts in SEA. Some countries are now developing more investor-friendly regulatory frameworks for online trading platforms. Clarity and confidence in regulations attract more traders to these markets, promoting healthy growth and stability," said Jack Foong, CEO of Lirunex. As Asia's Best Forex Broker 2023, Lirunex encourages traders to seize the flourishing opportunities in SEA's trading markets while being equipped with the necessary tools and support to navigate potential challenges. With its commitment to excellence and an unyielding dedication to trader success, Lirunex remains the preferred choice for traders seeking an exceptional trading experience in Southeast Asia. About Lirunex Lirunex is a leading forex broker known for its dedication to empowering traders with advanced tools, comprehensive education, and unwavering support. As the Best Asia Forex Broker 2023, Lirunex continues to set new standards in the industry and fosters a thriving trading ecosystem across Southeast Asia. SOURCE Lirunex KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lirunex's recent crowning as the Best Asia Forex Broker at the Forex Traders Summit Dubai 2023 in May underscores the commodities and trading brokerage's commitment to excellence and its contribution to empowering traders in the dynamic Southeast Asian (SEA) market. As the region's leading brokerage, Lirunex shares insights into SEA's flourishing landscape, bolstered by the region's growing economies, and its continued focus in the region. Navigating Southeast Asia's Developing Trading Markets with Asia's Best Forex Broker, Lirunex The Asian region has proven to be a formidable force despite the uncertainties in the previous years. In 2021, a crucial year for many sectors to determine, trade in Asia saw an impressive 29.6% growth in the first three quarters. By the end of 2023, forecasts predict a 3.8% growth across Asia-Pacific (APAC), excluding China, surpassing the projected 2.7% global economic growth. Opportunities Abound in SEA's Trading Markets SEA's significant economic growth and vibrant landscape has led to increased disposable income for individuals and businesses. As a result, interest in financial markets has surged, particularly forex and commodities trading. Aspiring traders and seasoned investors are capitalising this growing segment and exploring potential profit-making opportunities. However, some nations and communities within the region face relatively low financial literacy levels. Service providers have recognised the need of empowering traders to ensure communities across the region are well-equipped with essential market insights and skills through the introduction of training modules and webinars such as Lirunex's LX Academy. These efforts also work to overcome currency and liquidity risks, and language and cultural barriers, with localised support to cater to the specific market needs of traders in SEA. The region's abundance of natural resources and commodities as well as the various currencies utilised within the region provides an ultra-diversified range of assets for traders. Platform-based approaches further facilitates diversification and hedging strategies. Technological advancements have complimented traders' strategies as SEA embraces the integration of cutting-edge tools and infrastructure. Advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and algorithmic trading capabilities equip traders with sophisticated tools to make informed decisions. In addition to this, platforms are reinforced with stringent cybersecurity protocols to safeguard user data from potential threat and comply with international regulations. The regulatory framework for forex and commodities trading in SEA can be fragmented and complex but are evolving. Governing bodies in the region are implementing policies to regulate investments and foster a resilient economy, further encouraging opportunities for traders and investors. Brokers and trading platforms such as Lirunex remain committed to navigating these challenges and ensuring compliance through regulations by one of the world's leading financial jurisdictions. "Lirunex actively supports regulatory efforts in SEA. Some countries are now developing more investor-friendly regulatory frameworks for online trading platforms. Clarity and confidence in regulations attract more traders to these markets, promoting healthy growth and stability," said Jack Foong, CEO of Lirunex. As Asia's Best Forex Broker 2023, Lirunex encourages traders to seize the flourishing opportunities in SEA's trading markets while being equipped with the necessary tools and support to navigate potential challenges. With its commitment to excellence and an unyielding dedication to trader success, Lirunex remains the preferred choice for traders seeking an exceptional trading experience in Southeast Asia. About Lirunex Lirunex is a leading forex broker known for its dedication to empowering traders with advanced tools, comprehensive education, and unwavering support. As the Best Asia Forex Broker 2023, Lirunex continues to set new standards in the industry and fosters a thriving trading ecosystem across Southeast Asia. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2162170/PR007_Article__1.jpg SOURCE Lirunex NeoSnug Features a Unique, Pre-cut Shape to Secure Tubes Close to the Nares VALENCIA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neotech Products is pleased to announce the release of the NeoSnug Tubing Holder. NeoSnug helps prevent tubing from shifting or slipping. The NeoSnug's unique, pre-cut shape goes under the nose and allows clinicians to secure the tubing close to the nares. NEW NASOGASTRIC TUBE HOLDER Tweet this The unique shapes allows NeoSnug to secure under the nose, close to the nares. Like several Neotech products, NeoSnug features a NeoBond Hydrocolloid base, which is less likely to irritate sensitive skin. The flap is engineered to hold securely and permanently. "Current common practice is to use multiple products to secure the NG tube; applying DuoDERM to the skin, then placing the tube, then laying Tegaderm or Hypafix over that," Inventor Carol Herndon, BSN, RNC-NIC, said. "And nurses often hand-cut them to get the shape they need. I wanted a single use, all-in-one solution that was skin friendly, pre-cut, and extremely secure. The design also helps guard against the infant accidentally pulling out the tube." The NeoSnug features: Skin friendly Hydrocolloid adhesive base Unique shape ideal for securing tubes close to the nares Fold over flap engineered to relieve stress on tubes and keep them securely in place Non-woven fabric contours to face or body Single patient use Made in the USA ! About Neotech Products: Neotech Products has been Making a Difference by developing innovative medical products for 35 years. Their unique line of skin friendly products are designed to benefit mothers, babies, children, and clinicians. Neotech Products is a proven leader in the development of neonatal, pediatric, and respiratory products. Ernie Cavazos Neotech Products LLC 661-775-7466 [email protected] SOURCE Neotech Products CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Liu, co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark Global Select Fund and a senior investment analyst at Harris Associates L.P., adviser to the Oakmark Funds and an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, has been appointed co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark International Fund. Mr. Liu will join current portfolio managers David Herro and Mike Manelli on the management team effective August 1, 2023. Mr. Herro has managed the Fund since its inception in 1992 and Mr. Manelli has managed the Fund since 2016. "Given Eric's talent and experience, we welcome him on the Oakmark International management team," said Mr. Herro. "Moreover, Eric's competitive drive and investment prowess are good examples of our international team's depth." Mr. Liu joined Harris Associates in 2009 after serving as a research associate at Dodge & Cox and an investment banking analyst at Jefferies & Company. He is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles and the University of Chicago and is a CFA charterholder.1 The Oakmark International Fund is a diversified fund that seeks capital appreciation by investing in mid- and large-capitalization companies located outside the U.S. The Fund's assets were $21.2 billion as of June 30, 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 $54 billion as of June 30, 2023. 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, 2023. More information about Harris Associates is available at harrisassoc.com. The Oakmark Funds are distributed by Harris Associates Securities L.P. Member FINRA. 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 15 active managers. Ranked among the world's largest asset managers2 with more than $1.2 trillion assets under management3 (1.1 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; DNCA Investments;4 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; 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. 1CFA and Chartered Financial Analyst are registered trademarks owned by the CFA Institute. 2Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2022 ranked Natixis Investment Managers as the 18th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management as of December 31, 2021. 3 Assets under management ("AUM") of current affiliated entities measured as of March 31, 2023 are $1,208.2 billion (1,111.9 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. 4 A brand of DNCA Finance. SOURCE Harris Associates L.P. Morphus Survey Offers Data from More Than 3,000 Women Worldwide 72% of respondents say fatigue, lack of energy and exhaustion is a consistent factor in their menopause journeythe top symptom. of respondents say fatigue, lack of energy and exhaustion is a consistent factor in their menopause journeythe top symptom. 20% of women are unsure of the menopause stage they are in. of women are unsure of the menopause stage they are in. 53% of women have not found the answers they are looking for regarding their symptoms, whether that be from traditional healthcare routes or elsewhere. CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Morphus' Perimenopause and Menopause Signs & Symptoms Surveycompleted by more than 3,000 women around the worldhas today highlighted 103 treatable signs and symptoms as well as how women look for help to deal with them. The data in this groundbreaking study shows that, overall, the top-reported symptoms are fatigue, brain fog, sleep issues and memory lapsebut there are another 99 physical and emotional effects. The days of characterizing menopause as just "hot flashes" are long behind usout of the top ten symptoms, five are related to cognitive health. Top 10 Symptoms Experienced by Women in Perimenopause and Menopause Morphus Logo Just as importantly, 20 percent of the women who participated in the Morphus survey were experiencing symptoms but were unsure of whether they were in the perimenopause or menopause stage. What this tells us is that there is a huge community of women trying to understand what their symptoms mean; they are looking for answers, help and support to manage their symptoms and overall health during this phase of their lives. According to the research, while women in menopause are more prone than the other groups to look for doctors' help, women in perimenopause are more likely to seek guidance from social media or friends and family members. It is clear from this study that many steps need to be taken to normalize the conversation around menopause and empower women to take charge of their health and changing bodies. Morphus' range of symptom-specific supplements are proven to elevate women's menopause wellness journeysbut just as important to Morphus is the recognition through their groundbreaking data collection that everyone's journey is different and that we can transform ourselves through knowledge and education. Morphus cofounder Andrea Donsky commented: "As a nutritionist, menopause educator and menopause researcher, I spent several years personally tracking the signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and we can now confirm there are 103 of themand counting! It's vitally important that women feel that their symptoms are acknowledged rather than dismissed. Everyone experiences menopause differently, and no one should have to suffer alone. At Morphus, we guide women toward the resources, help and advice they need to take control of their unique menopause journey. Morphus' goals are to help women navigate this time in their lives, empower them to take charge of their health and symptoms and arm women with resources and education so they can make the right decisions for their changing bodies. As part of this drive, which includes a website filled with education, courses, further research and a podcast, Morphus has also developed a range of supplements with science-backed ingredients to help with many of the symptoms women are experiencing. NOTES TO EDITORS: About the Morphus Perimenopause and Menopause Signs & Symptoms Survey Methodology: Currently, more than 3,100 women have taken part in the Signs & Symptoms survey through the research page on the Morphus website, which is also linked via social media and in Morphus' newsletter. This survey is ongoing and has regular points where data cuts are made for analysis (the last being in June 2023). There are also concurrent surveys into sleep, stress and anxiety, phantom smells and women in the workplace, which feed into the overall research and reports. You can see the full findings of Morphus' survey in our new white paper . About Morphus Morphus was cofounded by Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer, wellness educators and health experts with more than 23 years of experience. As women who had noticed changes in their bodies but hadn't necessarily made the correlation between those symptoms and perimenopause, it took their own research to truly understand and navigate their way through this time in their lives (since the outside sources they had turned to had not given them the answers they required). And that's why they created Morphusto spark and change the conversation around menopause, to bring together women who are looking for support and information and to create a venue for women to support each otherand to do so with the latest evidence-based scientific research and information on perimenopause and menopause. Find out more about Morphus and our pioneering approach to perimenopause and menopause at https://wearemorphus.com/ or follow us on Tiktok, Facebook or Instagram. To contact us directly, email [email protected]. Media Contact: Andrea Donsky 8006917168 363076@email4pr.com SOURCE Morphus NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sciatica expert and local chiropractor Dr Mike Digrado has formulated a treatment plan comprised of state-of-the-art decompression therapy combined with deep tissue laser therapy to address patients with severe lower back pain, herniated discs, and sciatica. In most cases, his treatment has shown significant improvement in patient pain, helping those afflicted with severe pain and mobility restrictions. Dr Mike Digrado offers a unique and highly-effective approach to sciatica and low back pain relief through spinal decompression therapy and deep tissue laser therapy. His office is located in Newport Beach where he has been helping patients of all ages eliminate pain for over 20 years now. Rosemary C., a 78 year old senior living with severe low back pain and sciatica pain for years would often go see her physician and get injected with numbing cortisone shots to reduce her pain. While the injections worked to lessen the pain, over time, the medication would wear off forcing Rosemary to head back to her doctor for another injection. Finally, after several rounds of shots, her doctor recommended surgery, as MRI's showed 5 slipped discs as the culprit for her pain. Rosemary found Dr Mike Digrado's ad while doing a search online, and was excited to see what Newport Center Family Chiropractic had to offer. According to her, she never even knew what decompression therapy was, so was curious if this type of therapy would help. Much to her delight, she experienced results right away. "After my very 1st treatment on the decompression table, followed by laser therapy administered by Sonja, I had noticeably less pressure and pain in my lumbar area. Pain relief was immediate after my very first treatment," said Rosemary in her online review, adding "My sciatica hasn't flared up since being 'decompressed' that makes me very happy." "We are so proud and privileged to help patients such as Rosemary get out of severe pain all without any type of intrusive procedures or medication," explains Dr Mike Digrado, clinic director and owner of Newport Center Family Chiropractic near Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA. "Our brand of decompression therapy combined with deep tissue laser therapy is literally a life-changer, and is often much more effective than conventional therapies." Dr Mike Digrado has been in practice for two decades now, and is a highly respected and knowledgeable chiropractor specializing in severe pain relief through the aforementioned techniques that has proven successful for hundreds of Newport Beach residents. For more information: Dr Mike Digrado [email protected] 949-408-0393 SOURCE Dr Mike Digrado / Newport Center Family Chiropractic The highly sought-after Berks County, PA plastic surgeon was recognized as one of the top liposuction surgeons in the country WYOMISSING, Pa., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Brian K. Reedy of Berks Plastic Surgery has been recognized as one of the nation's top plastic surgeons by Newsweek magazine for the third consecutive year. In addition to liposuction, Dr. Reedy has also been awarded for breast augmentation in previous years. The "America's Best Plastic Surgeon 2023" rankings were determined by evaluations from fellow plastic surgeons and other medical experts in the field and awarded based on the number of recommendations, additional quality assessments, and proof of relevant certifications. Dr. Brian K. Reedy is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Berks Plastic Surgery in Wyomissing, PA. Berks Plastic Surgery has served Reading and Wyomissing-area locals since 1992 and regularly welcomes out-of-town patients from Lancaster, New York, and beyond. Newsweek has named Dr. Brian K. Reedy one of America's best liposuction surgeons for 2023. The rankings were determined by evaluations from fellow plastic surgeons and other medical experts in the field. "It's an honor to have my skills recognized by my peers and Newsweek," said Dr. Reedy. "This designation also reflects my team's commitment to excellent patient care; together, we support each patient's journey while safely providing naturally beautiful results." Berks Plastic Surgery's track record for excellence continues as the practice was also named a Top 10 Allergan Practice in Pennsylvania and among the Top 250 nationwideone of the highest honors an aesthetic medical practice can achieve. Allergan, the company behind premier aesthetic treatments including Botox, Juvederm fillers, and CoolSculpting, handpicks the "Top 250" Aesthetic Practices in the USA annually, placing Berks Plastic Surgery within the top 1% of over 35,000 providers across the country. "We are thrilled to have received significant national awards for both our surgical and non-surgical offerings," added Dr. Reedy. "We are so grateful for the trust our patients put in us to help them look and feel their very best, whether they want medical spa treatments such as Botox, seek advanced plastic surgery procedures like SmartLipo, or prefer a combined approach." Berks Plastic Surgery has proudly served Reading and Wyomissing-area locals since 1992 and regularly welcomes out-of-town patients from Lancaster, New York, and beyond who want to experience the finest care and results. Dr. Reedy and his fellow expert plastic surgeon Dr. Scott C. Lindsay offer a full range of surgical procedures for the face, breast, and body and professional aesthetic skin care services, such as laser treatments, chemical peels, injectables, and Hydrafacials provided by certified dermatologists, experienced nurse injectors, and licensed aestheticians in their dermatology clinic. About Berks Plastic Surgery: Berks Plastic Surgery serves the Allentown, Reading, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia areas of Pennsylvania, providing plastic surgery and dermatology services. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Brian K. Reedy and Dr. Scott C. Lindsay perform a variety of aesthetic surgeries and cosmetic treatments. Berks Plastic Surgery is located at 50 Commerce Dr., Wyomissing, PA, 19610. Berks Plastic Surgery can be reached at (610) 320-0200 or berksplasticsurgery.com . Media contact: Dr. Brian K. Reedy, Berks Plastic Surgery, (610) 320-0200, berksplasticsurgery.com . SOURCE Berks Plastic Surgery All Credit Union Branches Accepting Book Donations for San Diego Elementary School Students SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /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. In the second year of the partnership, the book drive is being conducted with the Scripps Howard Fund and ABC 10News as part of its "If You Give a Child a Book . . ." childhood literacy campaign. Through August 31st, 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're excited to partner with ABC 10News and Scripps Howard Fund to support this important campaign to get books directly into the hands of children in our underserved communities. We hope everyone will join us in helping ensure every child can experience the joy of reading. Every book donation makes a difference, and together we can support reading outside the classroom for all our children," said North Island Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. Branch 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 More information about the book drive for literacy is available here. Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase books for students in need here. The "If You Give a Child a Book . . ." book drive has now expanded to "Story Time," a year-long partnership between North Island Credit Union and ABC 10News continuing to promote child literacy. Kicking off in August 2023, with the help of the San Diego Council on Literacy, monthly "mini" book fairs will be held in Title 1 schools across San Diego, providing free books to students in underserved communities to encourage reading outside the classroom. The annual "If You Give a Child a Book " childhood literacy campaign is a partnership of the Scripps Howard Fund, members of the Scripps family, employees of The E.W. Scripps Company, and the communities it serves. The campaign has distributed more than 1,000,000 books since its launch in 2016. 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 with assets over $4.5 billion, more than 170,000 members, and 24 retail branches. The credit union serves community members and businesses in the California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura as well as school employees throughout the state. The credit union operates in San Diego and Riverside Counties as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. The 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. Visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @northislandcu. About the Scripps Howard Fund The Scripps Howard Fund is a public charity that supports philanthropic causes important to The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) and the communities it serves, with a special emphasis on journalism education, excellence in journalism and childhood literacy. At the crossroads of the classroom and the newsroom, the Fund is a leader in supporting journalism through scholarships, internships, minority recruitment and development and First Amendment causes. The Scripps Howard Awards stand as one of the industry's top honors for outstanding journalism, and the Fund's annual "If You Give a Child a Book " childhood literacy campaign has distributed thousands of new books to children in need across the nation. In support of its mission to create a better-informed world, the Fund also partners with Scripps brands to create awareness of local issues and support organizations that help build thriving communities. The Scripps Howard Foundation, an affiliated organization with the Scripps Howard Fund, supports Scripps' charitable efforts through its endowment, key assets and major donations. SOURCE North Island Credit Union BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Changes have been made to the composition of the Intergovernmental State Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree. According to the decree, the Board Chairman of the State Reserves Agency of Azerbaijan Sabuhi Sadigov has been included in the state commission. On July 7 this year, the 21st meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in Moscow. The meeting parties reviewed the annual results of bilateral cooperation in trade and the economy, industry, energy, transport, agriculture, finance, healthcare, culture, science, inter-regional cooperation, education and tourism. The two countries have strengthened inter-regional cooperation. More than 70 regions of Russia maintain trade and economic ties with Azerbaijan. Besides, 12 Russian regions have signed agreements on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation with the Government of Azerbaijan. VANCOUVER, BC, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. (TSXV: ROOF) (OTCQB: ROOOF) ("Northstar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Empower Environmental Solutions Calgary Ltd., and Emissions Reduction Alberta ("ERA") have signed a contribution agreement (the "Contribution Agreement") dated July 31, 2023 whereby ERA will fund up to C$7,088,856 (the "ERA Contribution") for the development and construction of the Company's planned asphalt shingle reprocessing facility in Calgary, Alberta (the "Empower Calgary Facility"), subject to certain customary conditions. The combination of the ERA Contribution1, the loan from Business Development Bank of Canada ("BDC")2 and the strategic equity investment from Allmine Paving LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of TAMKO Building Products LLC ("TAMKO")3, is expected to fully fund the construction of the Empower Calgary Facility, which will proceed into detailed design immediately. Mr. Aidan Mills, President & CEO and Director of Northstar, stated, "The final funding from ERA is a critical component of progressing the construction of our Empower Calgary Facility. We are excited to work with ERA on the first commercial implementation of our technology and believe we can help meaningfully to divert waste away from landfills for many years to come. Not only are we bringing on an industry leader with TAMKO, but we are also satisfying the funding requirements of both the government grant from ERA and the project debt financing from BDC. With both those requirements now met, we are elated to announce that the Calgary Empower Facility is fully funded." Northstar will be holding a webinar to provide an investor update tomorrow, Tuesday, August 1st, 2023. Title: Northstar Clean Technologies Investor Update Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Time: 6:00 am PDT Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6216908207062/WN_LZ2_BgxqSIaj123mrooX0Q About Northstar Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. is a Canadian-based clean technology company focused on the sustainable recovery and reprocessing of asphalt shingles. Northstar has developed a proprietary design process for taking discarded asphalt shingles, otherwise destined for already over-crowded landfills, and extracting the liquid asphalt for use in new hot mix asphalt, shingle manufacturing and asphalt flat roof systems, and aggregate and fiber for use in construction products and other industrial applications. Focused on the circular economy, Northstar plans to reprocess used or defective asphalt shingle waste back into its three primary components for reuse/resale at its first commercial scale up facility in Calgary, Alberta. As an emerging innovator in sustainable processing, Northstar's mission is to be the leader in the recovery and reprocessing of asphalt shingles in North America, extracting the recovered components from asphalt shingles that would otherwise be sent to landfill. For further information about Northstar, please visit www.northstarcleantech.com . On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Aidan Mills President & CEO, Director Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which forwardlooking information reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: (i) the ability of the combined grant from ERA, loan from BDC, and strategic equity investment from TAMKO to fully fund the construction of the Empower Calgary Facility; (ii) the anticipated timing for design and construction of the Empower Calgary Facility; (ii) the anticipated development and building of the Empower Calgary Facility, including the costs thereof; (iii) the receipt of all necessary third party approvals for the building and construction of the Empower Calgary Facility; and (iv) Northstar's ability to become a leader in the recovery and reprocessing of asphalt shingles in North America. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company as well as those risks and uncertainties which are more fully described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the final prospectus of the Company dated June 18, 2021 and in the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis and other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's profile on SEDAR. Further, the ongoing labour shortages, high energy costs, inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, the global financial climate and the conflict in Ukraine and surrounding regions are some additional factors that are affecting current economic conditions and increasing economic uncertainty, which may impact the Company's operating performance, financial position, and future prospects. Collectively, the potential impacts of this economic environment pose risks that are currently indescribable and immeasurable. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. SOURCE Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. Businesses urged to defeat the "silent killer of profit" in online retail LONDON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Refunds run the risk of becoming the "silent killer of profits" in online retail, warns nShift, the global leader in delivery management software. But running a digital returns process can help convert 30% of returns to exchanges. Research reveals that returns can cost an ecommerce business some 66% of the original item's price, even when it is sent back in good condition.[1] However, when businesses operate an easy-to-use, digital returns process they can build trust with shoppers and grow revenue. nShift has released a list of four strategies that retailers can use to grow their business with returns: Converting returns to exchanges a consumer-friendly returns interface makes it easier for the customer to exchange the item they are sending back for something else from the brand or retailer. With the right returns software, ecom companies can automate the process of offering an exchange. nShift Returns customers typically convert 30% of returns to exchanges, helping retailers retain revenue Gaining crucial returns data manual returns processes make it difficult to gather information about items being sent back. But when the process operates digitally, it creates a wealth of data for businesses to analyze. This makes it easier to spot trends and patterns. Teams can identify and rectify common problems that are causing items to be sent back. This can reduce returns volumes over the long term Creating remarketing opportunities emails about returns have significantly higher open rates than other retail communications. By weaving marketing messages into these emails, ecom companies can create additional sales opportunities Driving customers in-store a digital returns process makes it easier to give customers the opportunity to take their items back into store. Here they will speak with a member of staff who can encourage them to exchange the item. The customer will also encounter additional products and marketing messages in-store Philipp Goldberg, Returns Product Director at nShift said: "In today's ecommerce environment, providing a clear returns policy is essential. If they can't see how they can send back a product, many shoppers simply won't complete the purchase. But returns also serve as an opportunity to build the business. When retailers get this right, they will convert more returns to exchanges, create new marketing opportunities and reduce returns volumes over the long term. "To make the most of returns, online retailers and webshops should deploy a returns software solution that creates a cutting-edge consumer experience and captures useful data on sent-back items." nShift has recently launched an Essential tier of its Returns solution. It enables growing retailers to track each return centrally. This helps ensure resalable items return to shelves without delay, while also helping to pinpoint root causes, such as incomplete product descriptions. Meanwhile, customers benefit from a simple experience online and a choice of return shipping options all offered within the retailer's website or app. The new solution provides a straightforward upgrade path for retailers looking to further enhance their returns experience. The full nShift Returns solution offers a highly automated platform which enables easy exchanges at the point of return, and automatic refunds. nShift Returns helps protect retailer revenues by converting up to 30% of returns into exchanges. https://nshift.com/solutions/returns About nShift nShift is the global leading provider of cloud delivery management solutions enabling frictionless shipment and return of almost one billion shipments across 190 countries annually. nShift's software is used globally by e-commerce, retail, manufacturing and 3PL shippers. The company is headquartered in London and Oslo. It has over 500 employees across offices in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Romania. [1] https://www.letsbloom.com/blog/true-cost-of-ecommerce-returns/#:~:text=Returns%20cost%20businesses%20about%2066,usually%20shoulders%20the%20return%20cost Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1782566/nShift_Logo.jpg SOURCE nShift AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NXSTEP Opportunity Partners (NXSTEP), a real estate-focused private equity fund, today announced it has exceeded its initial fundraising target and closed its inaugural fund with over $100 million of limited partner commitments. "We know it is a tough macro environment, so we are extremely grateful to our investors for placing their trust in our team. We feel this is a great time to be investing, and we are already identifying exceptional opportunities to put their capital to work," said RW McDonald, Co-Founder and Managing Director at NXSTEP. NXSTEP Opportunity Partners exceeded its fundraising target, closing its inaugural fund with over $100 million. Tweet this With decades of real estate and private equity expertise, the NXSTEP team will utilize this first committed fund to continue its track record of capitalizing on unique investment opportunities that span self-development, third party development, interim and pursuit capital, and real estate linked businesses with a particular focus on Central Texas. Cole Arledge, Co-Founder and Managing Director at NXSTEP, added, "We plan to continue doing what we have been doing for the past decade: invest in the path of growth, particularly here in Central Texas and in our surrounding areas. After years of working with RW, we felt the current macro environment presented a unique opportunity to formalize our partnership and come together to raise a committed fund. We will continue to apply our local knowledge, deep network, and creativity to uncover compelling investment opportunities." Winston Strawn, LLP provided legal counsel to NXSTEP and Cobalt Fund Services, LLC provided fund administration services. About NXSTEP Founded in 2023, NXSTEP Opportunity Partners is a private equity firm specializing in real estate and related operating business. Located and investing primarily in Central Texas, we utilize an opportunistic and creative approach to invest across a range of real estate themes, structures, and asset types. To learn more, visit our website at nxstep.com. SOURCE NXSTEP Opportunity Partners The Oregon College Savings Plan celebrates the success of statewide community outreach programs Baby Grad and Kinder Grad SALEM, Ore., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oregon College Savings Plan (OCSP), a program of the Oregon State Treasury, is celebrating the success of its community outreach programs, Baby Grad and Kinder Grad. Launched in 2018 and 2019, respectively, these initiatives have been instrumental in encouraging Oregon families to begin saving for their children's educational futures by incentivizing them to open an OCSP account. Today, OCSP announced that these programs have collectively led to the opening of more than 17,000 accounts for Oregon children, with $146 million saved for higher education expenses. Baby Grad and Kinder Grad offer Oregon families a $25 incentive to sign up for an OCSP account before their child's first birthday or when their Kindergartner is 5 or 6 years old. By providing this financial encouragement, the programs aim to foster a culture of saving for higher education and empower families to plan ahead for their children's future success. The average account balance now stands at $8,548, highlighting the substantial progress families have made in building a strong financial foundation for their children's higher education aspirations. Baby Grad and Kinder Grad are unleashing all kinds of Oregon talent, and that's a good investment for everyone. Tweet this Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read lauded the success of the programs, saying, "I am always thrilled when we can support more Oregon kids getting started on the way to achieving their educational aims. Baby Grad and Kinder Grad are unleashing all kinds of Oregon talent, and that's a good investment for everyone." According to research by Washington University in St. Louis, students with a college savings account are 2.5 times more likely to go to college than those with nothing set aside, no matter the balance. Baby Grad and Kinder Grad were designed with these findings in mind and to encourage families to start saving early, giving their child's account more time to grow, tax-free. When a new OCSP account is opened for an Oregon Kindergartener, or an Oregon baby prior to their first birthday, $25 is automatically contributed to their account. Anyone can open the account, but only the first account to list the child as the beneficiary will receive the contribution. "We believe in the power of small incentives to ignite big ambitions," said Ryan Mann, Executive Director for the Oregon Treasury Savings Network. "By offering a modest $25 incentive, we can nudge families towards the path of saving for education and training. But it's not about the money; it's about planting the seeds of possibility and empowering Oregon's kids to pursue their dreams." The success of Baby Grad and Kinder Grad follows a year of strong performance for OCSP, which brought in more than $261 million in contributions to nearly 135,000 accounts from across the state, ending 2022 with $2.58 billion in assets under management. The Oregon College Savings Plan is a state-sponsored higher education savings program that comes with special tax advantages and can be opened by just about anyone. Contact: Kasey Krifka [email protected] 503-431-7976 SOURCE Oregon College Savings Plan LONDON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The world has a global shortage of 69 million teachers. Without them, it is nearly impossible to meet the basic educational needs of the population worldwide. Moreover, despite the numerous online courses available nowadays, it has been hard for schools to offer support that matches the individual needs of their students, as there are far more learners than real-life teachers. Hiring private tutors is not an option for most families worldwide, as a one-to-one lesson can cost between $25 and $80 per hour and an AI teacher can be available at a fraction of that cost. Meet Beatrice, the worlds first digital human AI Teacher made by Otermans Institute. To solve these problems, Dev Aditya and Dr Pauldy Otermans created OIAI, an innovative educational platform that uses digital human teachers powered by Artificial Intelligence who possess humanlike qualities. These AI teachers can not only teach learners remotely at any time they wish to learn but also understand their learning requirements and tailoring their lessons to them. Their very first digital human teacher is named Beatrice, and she can teach the essential soft skills that modern-day employers seek, such as effective communication, leadership, and critical thinking. Her first free webinar on CV writing received an astounding 37,000 visits in less than 72 hours. Dev Aditya and Dr Pauldy Otermans' project began over two years ago when their first version of Beatrice trained refugees in BCF UNHCR camps in Northern Iraq. OIAI's digital teachers are the solution to the lack of human teachers worldwide. They can automate learning, teach students who cannot access quality education, and support human teachers in tracking their students' progress simultaneously and 24/7. Through its AI-powered teachers, OIAI promises to democratically guide, skill, and train global learners of tomorrow, giving everyone a personalised teacher in their pocket. As Dev and Dr Pauldy say: "Beatrice is your personal teacher, trainer, and friend who is with you anytime and everywhere to ensure that no one is ever left behind". Technologies such as OIAI are developed having humans in mind and meant to empower them in an inclusive and sustainable manner. OIAI aims to address the current technological and educational divide between countries and between people. By harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence, OIAI aims to revolutionise the education landscape, making learning accessible and engaging for all. So, get ready to meet the teachers from the future. To learn more, visit OIAI's website by clicking here. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166182/OIAI_Logo.jpg Video - https://youtu.be/j7Gxuno81tE SOURCE OIAI Jon Darby brings his extensive expertise in national security, intelligence operations, and cybersecurity to usher the company in a new direction. VIENNA, Va., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PFP Cybersecurity, the inventor of SigLytics, is thrilled to welcome Jon Darby as an advisor, bringing decades of intelligence and cybersecurity expertise. With nearly 39 years of distinguished experience in the U.S. Intelligence Community, Mr. Darby's extensive knowledge will guide the company in a new direction. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Darby held several senior leadership roles within the National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS), including over four years as the NSA/CSS Director of Operations (DO). In this capacity, he oversaw all aspects of NSA's signals intelligence (SIGINT) operations, including collection, code-breaking, analysis, and production. Before that, Jon Darby led critical missions in Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity Operations, and global SIGINT analysis at the NSA. Aside from advising at PFP Cybersecurity, Jon Darby also serves on the boards of ManTech and Intelligent Artifacts and is a Strategic Advisor for Blu Venture Investors Cyber Advisory Board. Additionally, he holds senior positions at Donovan Capital Group and Beacon Global Strategies, showcasing exceptional leadership in managing large budgets and driving advanced technology development, as well as overseeing global personnel supporting various operations in military, diplomatic, cybersecurity, and law enforcement domains. In his new role, Jon Darby will also be accompanied by additional, new advisory board members: LtGen Robert M. Walsh, a retired Marine Corps officer with expertise in cybersecurity and consulting, Rear Admiral David Simpson, CEO at Pelorus Consulting and influential figure in National Defense and Homeland Security policy, Henry (Hank) Kenchington, with 25+ years of experience leading strategic technology management and innovation at DoE, and Rick Gordon, an expert in security technology, business strategy, and early-stage ventures. Together, they will provide invaluable expertise, complementing the existing advisory team of PFP Cybersecurity. Exciting news accompanies this announcement, with the launch of SigLytics analytics platform by PFP Cybersecurity. SigLytics ensures the integrity and security of all electronics, providing advanced capabilities for supply chain management, continuous monitoring, prevention, and resilience. About PFP Cybersecurity PFP Cybersecurity is a leading company dedicated to protecting organizations' critical assets in an interconnected world, offering comprehensive services and technology solutions to mitigate risks and strengthen device resilience. For more information, please email [email protected]. SOURCE PFP Cybersecurity Amid Anniversary Year, Award-Winning Multi-Unit Franchisee Group Accelerates Mission and Development Plans CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PRIMO Partners, the only Black-owned/Black-led multi-unit franchise group of Ben & Jerry's, along with other enterprises, celebrates their 15-year anniversary with accelerated growth and milestone accomplishments year-to-date. From three openings, six awards between all team members and a historic deal with Starbucks, the multi-unit franchisee group has a record year on their hands. Looking toward the remainder of the year, PRIMO plans to build upon the impact they make in each of the communities they serve. (From Left to Right): Eric Taylor, CFO of PRIMO Partners; Antonio McBroom, CEO and Visionary of PRIMO Partners; and Phillip Scotton, COO and Integrator of PRIMO Partners Kicking off the year on a momentous stride, the PRIMO team opened their first Starbucks location in Columbia, SC on the University of South Carolina campus. PRIMO Partners is one of a few licensed partners with Starbucks, as more than 90 percent of its cafes are company-operated. Partnering with Starbucks was a natural next step for PRIMO and they intend to further grow with the global brand. "It has been a major season of milestones as we've celebrated our 15th anniversary this year," said Antonio McBroom, CEO and Visionary of PRIMO Partners. "We are on such a positive trajectory and have not only grown our footprint, but grown our team as well. Together, we will continue to raise the bar for what world-class hospitality should look like. Yes, we're 15 years in, but we're just getting started." Shortly to follow the Starbucks opening was the grand re-opening of PRIMO's location in St. Louis. This store is owned and operated by Steve Snipes, the son of an exonerated felon and rehabilitated citizen himself, who had trouble finding a job after being incarcerated. He started working at a Ben & Jerry's shop that PRIMO owns, working his way up to a manager. Seeing his potential, the group offered Snipes a chance to move to St. Louis to own and operate the only ice cream shop in the area. Growing their overall unit count, the PRIMO team acquired a shop in Raleigh, NC in May from the same owner they purchased their very first Ben & Jerry's shop from. The location is open and operating, and the team looks forward to adding the PRIMO touch to this business as it evolves over the years. Next up for PRIMO is a new shop in Atlanta, GA that is slated to open by years-end and one in a brand-new development in Greenville, SC which is expected to open in 2025. Year-to-date, PRIMO has been recognized with six awards. COO and Integrator, Phillip Scotton, was awarded with 'Mentor of the Year' at Ben & Jerry's annual franchise conference in January. Other awards the team received at the conference include: Josiah Fisher, VP of Operations, with "Helluva Year," Elva Zelaya and Mikayla Mykytyn with "Manager of the Year" for their respective locations, and "Global Social Impact" was given to PRIMO Partners. Most recently, McBroom was recognized with the 2023 MVP Award from Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to the promotion of providing equal opportunities for marginalized communities. "When I joined the PRIMO team in 2016, I knew I was joining a brand that was going places and here we are," added Scotton. "It's been an honor to watch our company reach new heights while truly making an impact on so many along the way. I can't wait to see where the next 15 years takes us, and beyond." The team's impact expands far outside the doors of their shops, as they are committed to various non-profit organizations and overall community giveback. PRIMO made contributions to we are, a non-profit based in North Carolina whose mission is to extend anti-racist education. Additional impacts included a social mission named The Big Payback Tour, sponsoring education programs, leadership development programs, and a missionary trip to Dominican Republic. As a 100 percent black-owned business, PRIMO Partners is on a mission to break down barriers for Black entrepreneurship and business ownership challenges faced in marginalized communities. Using their business as a vessel to help bridge the generational wealth gap for minorities, they donate a percentage of their revenues every year to support communities and organizations, providing access to education, consulting, mentorship, resources and more to aspiring Black entrepreneurs and business owners. They also use two percent of revenue each year for staff development to build future leaders and business owners. For more information about PRIMO Partners, visit www.primopartners.com or email [email protected]. ABOUT PRIMO PARTNERS: The mission of PRIMO Partners, LLC, is to close the financial achievement gap by providing growth opportunities to people from all backgrounds. Primo Partners is a Black-owned and operated company that develops diverse business, diverse communities, and leaders. For more information, visit https://www.primopartners.com/. Media Contact: Marisa Beaumont, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], 847.945.1300 SOURCE PRIMO Partners LLC Infor CloudSuite Automotive to underpin Croatian start-up, which has recently secured 179.5m EU funding for new project to build autonomous EVs LONDON , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infor, the industry cloud company, today announced it has completed the first two stages of a multi-tenant cloud ERP deployment at Croatian mobility company Project 3 Mobility (P3). The project has been launched to produce urban autonomous mobility services for the European market. P3 is a start-up organisation connected to Croatia's Rimac Group, dedicated to urban mobility services based on fully autonomous electric vehicles. P3 is in a unique position to prioritise the user experience and personalisation as part of its proposition. Infor was selected by P3 from a shortlist including SAP and IFS. The decision was based on Infor's credentials, the commitment of its people, industry expertise and out-of-the-box functionality. Following a successful go-live for human resources capabilities earlier this year, P3 has also gone live with finance and procurement in Croatia and the UK, following a migration of balances, open invoices, and budgets from its legacy technology environment. Once the factory is built, P3 will deploy Infor CloudSuite Automotive's manufacturing capabilities. "Infor stood out based on its dedication, commitment and ethos, and we were impressed with the breadth of expertise, and the professionalism of the consultants involved," comments Lee Clayton, head of IT at Project 3 Mobility. "Its partnership approach, flexibility and experience of our industry and our project goals, and the necessary flexibility that comes with working with both start-ups and scale-ups was invaluable, and the expertise the team has brought to the project so far has been impressive." "P3 is one of the most exciting developments in our modern way of living in an increasingly digital age. Boldly, P3 will revolutionise mobility services in the European Union, and we are proud to support such a sustainable venture," comments Andrew Kinder, Infor SVP of industry strategy. "We have an incredibly tight relationship with the P3 team, which has been intrinsic to the project's success. We look forward to seeing the vehicles on our roads in the future as the facility goes live." P3 CEO Marko Pejkovic said: "We are developing a whole new ecosystem for urban autonomous mobility that consists of three key elements: the urban autonomous vehicle, specialized infrastructure, and a complete service platform. The realization of our project will increase efficiency and safety in traffic and will achieve a positive impact on the environment and city infrastructure. We are convinced that this project will create significant benefits for Zagreb, where we will launch our first service, and numerous other European cities that are following." Learn more about Infor CloudSuite Automotive: https://www.infor.com/products/cloudsuite-automotive About Project 3 Mobility Project 3 Mobility is a Croatia-based company developing a new ecosystem for urban autonomous mobility. The ground-breaking ecosystem consists of three key elements that P3 is creating: the urban autonomous vehicle, specialized infrastructure, and a complete service platform. This will significantly improve transportation in urban areas and revolutionize the way we move in our cities. Given the innovative solution, the project has attracted multiple experts from all around the world. Currently, Project 3 Mobility has a team of 200 people and plans to increase that number and open new positions in both of its offices in Croatia and the UK. Visit p3m.com. About Infor Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. We develop complete solutions for our focus industries. Infor's mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. Over 60,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infor's 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure, and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit Infor.com. Media contact Richard Moore Senior PR Director, EMEA [email protected] +447976111243 Copyright 2023 Infor. All rights reserved. The word and design marks set forth herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Infor and/or related affiliates and subsidiaries. All other trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners. www.infor.com SOURCE Infor New Contract Streamlines Qtrac Purchasing for Government Entities VALENCIA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Qtrac , a world-leading provider of virtual queue management and appointment scheduling systems , today announced that parent company Lavi Industries has been awarded a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The contract includes Qtrac's virtual queuing technology and makes it significantly easier for federal, state and local government entities to purchase Qtrac by working directly with the company rather than through a third party. "This GSA contract is a big win for both Qtrac and our government partners," said Qtrac Vice President of Sales Steve Covate. "It really streamlines the purchasing process and allows government entities to purchase our solutions and engage with us as a supplier in a seamless way." "This GSA contract is a big win for both Qtrac and our government partners." Tweet this MAS contracts are long-term, government-wide contracts that provide federal, state and local government buyers access to commercial products, services and solutions at pre-negotiated pricing. This supports the GSA's Federal Marketplace Strategy , which has a goal of simplifying the buying and selling experience for customers and vendors alike. Qtrac has provided virtual queuing and appointment scheduling solutions to government partners ranging from employment and tax collection offices to departments of motor vehicles and public works. The technology allows these organizations to increase engagement with residents, improve the customer experience, and reduce the frustration of long wait times. Qtrac's public sector client roster includes badging offices, state health departments, universities, local government offices, and military bases. To learn more about what Qtrac has to offer clients in the public sector, visit https://qtrac.com/public-sector/ . ABOUT QTRAC Qtrac provides virtual queue management systems to companies of all sizes and across many different industries around the world. Its virtual queuing technology enhances the customer experience by focusing on the way people interact with businesses in order to eliminate lines, increase sales and improve service. Qtrac was founded by Lavi Industries, the premier provider of public guidance and crowd control solutions. Building on Lavi's 40+ years of experience and success in helping the world's leading companies effectively guide people in, through and out of their facilities, Qtrac helps organizations improve their operations by improving the customer journey. More information is available at lavi.com and qtrac.com . SOURCE Qtrac NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Railcar Leasing Market is estimated to grow by USD 18,365.83 million from 2022 to 2027. The market will be growing at a CAGR of 7.12% during the forecast period. APAC will contribute to 31% of the global growth during the forecast period. Another region offering significant growth to market vendors is North America. The growth in the region is attributed to factors such as the rising demand for rail freight logistics from various industry shippers. In the US, more than 70% of the coal and about 58% of the raw metal ores used in various industrial segments are transported using railways. The presence of well-developed infrastructure and technologically advanced systems that are integrated into rail freight operations in North America. Hence, due to such factors, the market is estimated to grow during the forecast period. For Comprehensive details on the market size of the historic period (2017 to 2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) - View Sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Railcar Leasing Market 2023-2027 Railcar leasing market - Vendor Landscape The railcar leasing market is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products -The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now Railcar leasing market - Market Dynamics Major Drivers & Challenges- Rising global crude oil and energy consumption drive the growth of the railcar leasing market. Major end-users of rail logistics include the global oil and gas refining industry. Oil and gas and petrochemical industries are growing at a rapid pace owing to the growing automotive and energy industries. Also, due to the addition of new refineries and the expansion of existing refinery complexes, the increasing demand for fuel oil and gas has led to a simultaneous rise in the global refinery capacity. Hence, the increasing requirement for petroleum refining and consistently growing oil refining capacity is projected to drive the demand for efficient railcars for transportation during the forecast period. Stringent regulations for railcars challenge the growth of the railcar leasing market. There are various types of regulations associated with them based on the type of railcars. There are strict federal regulations and standards that must be followed for using any tank cars for the transportation of crude oil. Also, there is a significant negative impact on railcar leasing, as most of the leasing companies have old railcars. Hence, such challenges impede market growth during the forecast period. Key Trends- The increasing popularity of mobile power plants is an emerging market trend in the railcar leasing market. Owing to high efficiency and durability and the rising demand for power, there is an increasing demand for mobile power plants during the forecast period. Furthermore, the rise in investments in the end-user industries, including manufacturing, automotive, transportation, and logistics, is also encouraging the growth of mobile power plants. Hence, such trends boost the growth of the market during the forecast period. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. - View Sample Report Railcar leasing market - Company Profiles The railcar leasing market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Akiem Group SAS, Beacon Rail Leasing Ltd., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., C.K. Industries Inc., ERMEWA INTERSERVICES, First Citizens Bancshares Inc., GATX Corp., ITE Management L P, Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Procor Ltd., RAILPOOL GmbH, Sasser Family Companies, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., The David J. Joseph Co., The Greenbrier Companies Inc., Touax SCA, Trinity Industries Inc., VTG GmbH, Wells Fargo and Co., and GLNX Corp. Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Railcar leasing market - Market Segmentation This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (petroleum and chemical, coal, agricultural products, and others), type (freight cars, tank cars, and locomotives), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market share growth by the petroleum and chemical segment will be significant during the forecast period. Various companies in the petroleum and chemical industries rely on railcar leasing companies as rail transportation is a cost-effective and efficient way to transport large quantities of petroleum products and chemicals over long distances. Since there is an increasing demand for petroleum products and chemicals around the world, companies in these industries look for reliable and cost-effective transportation solutions. Hence, such factors boost the growth of the market during the forecast period. Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The Rail Wheel Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.27% between 2022 and 2027 and the size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 1,203.58 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (freight trains, long-distance trains, suburban trains, and metro and monorails), application (OEM and aftermarket), and geography( APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). Growing rail passenger traffic is a major driving factor for the growth of the rail wheel market during the forecast period. The rail freight transportation market size in Europe is expected to increase by USD 5.29 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 1.36%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers rail freight transportation market in Europe segmentations by area (international and domestic) and geography (Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Rest of Europe). The increasing investments in the market is notably driving the rail freight transportation market growth in Europe. Railcar leasing market scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.12% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 18,365.83 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.71 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 31% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Akiem Group SAS, Beacon Rail Leasing Ltd., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., C.K. Industries Inc., ERMEWA INTERSERVICES, First Citizens Bancshares Inc., GATX Corp., ITE Management L P, Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Procor Ltd., RAILPOOL GmbH, Sasser Family Companies, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., The David J. Joseph Co., The Greenbrier Companies Inc., Touax SCA, Trinity Industries Inc., VTG GmbH, Wells Fargo and Co., and GLNX 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 Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global railcar leasing market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data table on global railcar leasing market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size End-User Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 6.3 Petroleum and chemical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Petroleum and chemical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Petroleum and chemical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Petroleum and chemical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Petroleum and chemical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Coal - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Coal - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Coal - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Coal - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Coal - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Agricultural products - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Agricultural products - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Agricultural products - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on Agricultural products - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Agricultural products - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.7 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 52: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 54: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 55: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 Freight cars - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Freight cars - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Freight cars - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Freight cars - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Freight cars - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Tank cars - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 60: Chart on Tank cars - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Tank cars - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Chart on Tank cars - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Tank cars - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Locomotives - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 64: Chart on Locomotives - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Locomotives - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Chart on Locomotives - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Locomotives - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 109: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 110: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 111: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 112: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 113: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 114: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 115: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 116: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 117: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 118: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 119: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 120: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 121: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 122: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Akiem Group SAS Exhibit 123: Akiem Group SAS - Overview Exhibit 124: Akiem Group SAS - Product / Service Exhibit 125: Akiem Group SAS - Key offerings 12.4 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Exhibit 126: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Overview Exhibit 127: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 128: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Key news Exhibit 129: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 130: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Segment focus 12.5 ERMEWA INTERSERVICES Exhibit 131: ERMEWA INTERSERVICES - Overview Exhibit 132: ERMEWA INTERSERVICES - Product / Service Exhibit 133: ERMEWA INTERSERVICES - Key offerings 12.6 First Citizens Bancshares Inc. Exhibit 134: First Citizens Bancshares Inc. - Overview Exhibit 135: First Citizens Bancshares Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 136: First Citizens Bancshares Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 137: First Citizens Bancshares Inc. - Segment focus 12.7 GATX Corp. Exhibit 138: GATX Corp. - Overview Exhibit 139: GATX Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 140: GATX Corp. - Key news Exhibit 141: GATX Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 142: GATX Corp. - Segment focus 12.8 ITE Management L P Exhibit 143: ITE Management L P - Overview Exhibit 144: ITE Management L P - Product / Service Exhibit 145: ITE Management L P - Key offerings 12.9 Mitsui and Co. Ltd. Exhibit 146: Mitsui and Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 147: Mitsui and Co. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 148: Mitsui and Co. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 149: Mitsui and Co. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.10 Sasser Family Companies Exhibit 150: Sasser Family Companies - Overview Exhibit 151: Sasser Family Companies - Product / Service Exhibit 152: Sasser Family Companies - Key offerings 12.11 Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Exhibit 153: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 154: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 155: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 156: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.12 The David J. Joseph Co. Exhibit 157: The David J. Joseph Co. - Overview Exhibit 158: The David J. Joseph Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 159: The David J. Joseph Co. - Key offerings 12.13 The Greenbrier Companies Inc. Exhibit 160: The Greenbrier Companies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 161: The Greenbrier Companies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 162: The Greenbrier Companies Inc. - Key news Exhibit 163: The Greenbrier Companies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 164: The Greenbrier Companies Inc. - Segment focus 12.14 Touax SCA Exhibit 165: Touax SCA - Overview Exhibit 166: Touax SCA - Business segments Exhibit 167: Touax SCA - Key offerings Exhibit 168: Touax SCA - Segment focus 12.15 Trinity Industries Inc. Exhibit 169: Trinity Industries Inc. - Overview Exhibit 170: Trinity Industries Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 171: Trinity Industries Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 172: Trinity Industries Inc. - Segment focus 12.16 VTG GmbH Exhibit 173: VTG GmbH - Overview Exhibit 174: VTG GmbH - Product / Service Exhibit 175: VTG GmbH - Key news Exhibit 176: VTG GmbH - Key offerings 12.17 Wells Fargo and Co. Exhibit 177: Wells Fargo and Co. - Overview Exhibit 178: Wells Fargo and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 179: Wells Fargo and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 180: Wells Fargo and Co. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 181: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 182: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 183: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 184: Research methodology Exhibit 185: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 186: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 187: 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Changes have been made to the members of the joint Azerbaijani-Israeli commission, Trend reports. President Ilham Aliyev signed an order amending the order of the President of Azerbaijan No. 2999 "On approval of the composition of the joint commission between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Israel from the Azerbaijani side" dated June 16, 2017. According to the order, the chairman of the Management Board of the State Reserves Agency is included in the commission from the Azerbaijani side. Over the past three decades, Azerbaijan and Israel have developed a strong and amicable interstate relationship, which has grown into a strategic alliance. In addition to defense, the two countries have expanded their partnership to encompass sectors such as energy, creating a resilient and diverse collaboration. Economic indicators demonstrate a remarkable increase in trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel, with the turnover reaching an impressive $1.7 billion. It is also important to note that Azerbaijan has consistently been a reliable supplier of crude oil to Israel, accounting for 40 percent of Israel's total oil imports. NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that it is investigating allegations that RTX Corporation ("RTX") (NYSE: RTX) violated federal securities laws. CURRENT INVESTIGATION DETAILS: On July 25, 2023, the Company reported its Q2 earnings which disclosed a "condition" in its Pratt & Whitney jet engine unit. The Company stated, "Pratt & Whitney has determined that a rare condition in powdered metal used to manufacture certain engine parts will require accelerated fleet inspection." The Company expects a significant portion of the PW1100G-JM engine fleet will require accelerated removals and inspection within the next nine to twelve months. On this news, RTX stock price fell sharply from $97.01 per share on July 24, 2023 to $86.87 on July 25, 2023. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the potential claims on behalf of RTX investors, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rtx-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42794&from=4. ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: J. Klein, Esq. 535 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 [email protected] Telephone: (212) 616-4899 www.kleinstocklaw.com SOURCE The Klein Law Firm CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the ninth year in a row, the orthopedic program at RUSH University Medical Center continues its tradition of excellence by earning a #1 ranking in the state of Illinois, according to just-released data by U.S. News & World Report. It also earned another top ten ranking among orthopedic programs nationwide for 2023. The hospital's orthopedic program is staffed by physicians from Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH (MOR) who are team doctors for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago Red Stars, among many other teams. "It is an honor to be recognized," says Brian J. Cole, MD, MBA, MOR Managing Partner. "Our close relationship with RUSHUniversity Medical Center, recognized as being among the nation's best in U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals Honor Roll, provides an unprecedented opportunity to provide the safest and most effective patient care. We appreciate the acknowledgment for our dedication to achieving the best outcomes for our patients from the Midwest, nation and world. Our commitment to excellent patient care, education and orthopedic and spine research has an immediate impact on the quality of the care we provide today. Thank you to the entire Midwest Orthopaedics team who achieved this ranking." U.S. News evaluated 1,681 hospitals and ranked the top 50 that see challenging orthopedic patients for spinal surgeries and fusions, limb, joint and other musculoskeletal and connective tissue and orthopedic care. ABOUT MIDWEST ORTHOPAEDICS AT RUSH MOR is an international leader in musculoskeletal health ranked as the #1 orthopedic program in Illinois and among the top ten in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. MOR is comprised of renowned orthopedic and spine surgeons pioneering the latest advances in surgical techniques and non-surgical care. MOR physicians are the designated team care providers for several organizations including the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Red Stars, and Joffrey Ballet. MOR has seven full-service locations in Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oak Park, Westchester, and Munster, IN. The group also has nine stand-alone physical therapy clinics in in Bensenville, Chicago's South Loop, Geneva, Lincoln Park, Lockport, Orland Park, River Grove, Park Ridge, and Munster, IN. Visit www.rushortho.com for more information. SOURCE Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH DUBLIN, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Saudi Arabia Bulk Chemicals Market By Type (Organic v/s Inorganic), By End User Industry (Healthcare, Food & Beverage, Automotive, Construction, Agriculture, and Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Saudi Arabia Bulk Chemicals Market is anticipated to increase at an impressive rate during the forecast period 2024-2028 This can be ascribed to the growing demand from various industries such as healthcare, food & beverage, automotive, construction, agriculture, and almost every sector where the chemical is required at a mass level. As the commodities market have diverse and enormous application, the market is led by prominent players with expanded portfolios having refined and modern management approach. Saudi Arabia leads the world in the manufacturing of several essential chemicals, such as ethylene, glycol, polyethylene, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MYBE). Additionally, Saudi Arabia is among the most economically efficient countries in the world at producing ethylene, which has allowed Saudi Arabia to capture 10% of the total global trade of bulk chemicals. Increasing industrial development, rising GDP, and rising demand for end-user industries product is expected to fuel the demand for the bulk chemical market in the region. Apart from these government initiatives to increase investment and fulfill the manufacturing and import demand, one of the prominent chemical manufacturers, INEOS Europe, and Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu have agreed to invest USD 1.9 billion in two plants to be built in Jubail Industrial City. Therefore, all these factors are expected to support the growth of the bulk chemicals market in Saudi Arabia in the coming years. Rising Demand from Various End-User Industries As the Middle East's construction sector recovers, Saudi Arabia is viewed as the best-performing market in the region. Growing demand for various types of bulk chemicals in the construction industry in the region is expected to be a significant driver for the bulk chemicals market. Government projects like King Salman Park, Neom City, Qiddiya, Red Sea Project, Jabal Omar, Amaala, and other infrastructure projects are raising the demand for products made from petrochemical or Bulk chemicals such as tiles, adhesive, and others, thereby supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia bulk chemical market. Apart from these, the growing healthcare sector in the region is expected to raise the demand for bulk chemicals to produce raw materials used in the manufacturing of products utilized by the medical industry. The presence of 400 public and 200 private hospitals in the region and government policies like the National Health Care System are propelling the demand in the market. Furthermore, the rising demand for bulk chemicals in food processing, chemicals, fertilizer, construction, and automobile industries is also expected to propel the demand for the bulk chemical market in the region. Favorable Government Policies Industrial growth is fueled by government policies that entice capital to the nation from various industries. With government programs like the PIF and regulations like the National Investment Strategy pumping cash into sectors, the region will see significant investments over the long term, which will spur further growth. Government policies such as Vision 2030, low domestic energy costs, industrial divergence through foreign investment, and a ready supply of raw materials create favorable conditions for investment and are expected to propel the demand for bulk chemicals in the region. Furthermore, the Saudi Government promotes industrial partnerships or technology licensing to replace imports and make this industry competitive for export through a range of financial incentives and a supportive national policy. The volume of Saudi Arabia's chemical exports is expected to be nearly 60% of the nation's non-oil exports, expected to grow significantly as part of the Saudi export initiative. Thus, this initiative is expected to there will rise in demand for bulk chemicals in the projected period of 2028. Rising Infrastructural Development Projects Opportunities for market expansion are provided by a spike in private sector efforts along with substantial levels of government spending and investment plans. Rising development projects like new mines, infrastructure projects, growing population are expected to propel the market growth. For instance, Saudi Arabia is the second largest producer of crude oil in the world, which a capacity production of 12,402,761 barrels per day, and expected to rise. To extract oil and natural gases, the demand for bulk chemicals is expected to rise. Apart from these, rising research and innovation is expected to propel the demand for bulk chemical in the projected period. Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Saudi Arabia bulk chemicals market. BASF Saudi Arabia Limited Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) National Industrialization Company BCI Group Saudi Chemical Holding Company Report Scope: Saudi Arabia Bulk Chemicals Market, By Type: Organic Inorganic Saudi Arabia Bulk Chemicals Market, By End User Industries: Healthcare Food & Beverage Automotive Construction Agriculture Others Saudi Arabia Bulk Chemicals Market, by region Western Northern & Central Eastern Southern For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r56rpe About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Two-Wheeler, Micro Mobility), By Service Type, By Booking Type, By Business Model, By Vehicle Propulsion, By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2018- 2030F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In Saudi Arabia, people prefer to take shared mobility as an alternate option for traveling short distances, as it is more cost-effective for them. In Saudi Arabia's cities, the shared economy, in general, and vehicle sharing, in particular, are expanding quickly. The government of Saudi Arabia is aggressively promoting it by creating the idea of a 'smart city' and expanding the essential infrastructure, like parking places for car-sharing. Saudi Arabia busiest cities, like Riyadh, Maca, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, etc., are micro-mobility centers, and a higher number of people are using shared mobility in these cities. This also implies that many micro-mobility projects receive additional forms of government funding or partial funding from local governments. Many shared mobility companies have seen an opportunity for them as the number of shared mobility users has increased with time in the country. Thus, the market for shared mobility is expanding and showing significant investment acceleration. Shared mobility firms have already garnered good funding investment amounts, placing the industry second behind e-hailing players, despite the entry of shared two-wheeler in the market. This reflects the faster adoption of shared mobility trips for different cities in the country. The sales of Saudi Arabia's total number of passenger cars in 2021 was around 4,75,837, making the passenger car segment own the highest market share in the shared mobility market. The sales of commercial vehicles in 2021 were around 80,722, making commercial vehicles have a good presence in the shared mobility market. The number of users in the shared mobility from the corporate sector is more than 50% in the market, and the online segment has more than 80% market share compared to the offline user in the Shared Mobility Market. Cost Effectiveness of Shared Mobility Taking a vehicle as shared mobility can have several benefits over outright owning one because it can reduce the enormous upfront expense of purchasing one. Many working employees in the corporate sector have offices in the main city where the living cost is high, and most of the people don't have their own private vehicles. They prefer to take shared mobility for traveling on a daily basis. People in Saudi Arabia find difficulties in parking their vehicles at the office location. To the benefit, shared mobility helps reduce parking needs, creating opportunities for infill development to nonvehicular modes. The Increasing Demand for Online Shared Vehicles Currently, online booking can be used for cashless transactions, e-signing contracts, checking the validity of the renter's identification, and providing the renter with vehicle information. Over the past few years, people's preferred method of choosing their shared vehicles has increased with the development of technology. Additionally, it offers extra tools for real-time monitoring of a shared vehicle's performance and maintenance. These features are great advantages for fleet managers and drivers because they help them effectively spot issues and execute changes to their shared vehicle services at the right moment. Addition Of The New Market Players in the Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market Saudi Arabia is a tourist destination place where every year, more than 20 million people come to visit the country. Such an increasing number of tourists every year is leading to an increase in the number of shared mobility. The shared mobility market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow at a healthy rate, owing to the increase in business and leisure tourism. By seeing this opportunity, the shared mobility market players are focusing on keeping ahead on the basis of value-added services provided to prospective users. The shared mobility companies are now reducing the service cost and are adding premium and well-maintained vehicle models, and they are increasing the fleet of vehicles to capture more market share in Saudi Arabia. Market Dynamics Market Drivers Expansion Strategy by Existing Players The Increasing Demand for Online Car Rental Services Market Trends & Developments Increasing Fleet Size of Vehicles in the Share Mobility Growing Internet User In the Market Growing Market Penetration Due to Addition of Market Players Market Challenges Increasing Ride Cancellation Passengers Safety Issue in the Shared Mobility Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Saudi Arabia Automotive Battery Market Careem Inc. Swvl Holdings Corp ekar KOI Ride Udriver FENIX Saudi Transport & Investment Co. (Mubarrad) Telgani Uber Technologies, Inc KDDAD TAXI SERVICE Report Scope: Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market, By Vehicle Type: Passenger Car Tow-Wheeler Micro Mobility Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market, By Service Type: Ride Sharing Ride Sourcing Private Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market, By Booking Type: Online Offline Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market, By Business Model: P2P B2B B2C Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market, By Vehicle Propulsion: IC Engine Vehicle Electric Vehicle Saudi Arabia Shared Mobility Market, By Region: Central Region Western Region Eastern Region Southern Region Northern Region For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hl4gc8 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets SHANGHAI, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) Chairwoman of the Board, Ms. Leng Weiqing recently visited Germany to hold talks with Christian Bruch, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Sustainability Officer of Siemens Energy AG from July 25 to 27 to further deepen industrial cooperation and collaborative innovation and promote the transformation and development of low-carbon and high-quality energy. The meeting happened four months after Christian Bruch, the President, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of Siemens Energy visited Shanghai Electric's headquarters. Ms. Leng Weiqing, Chairwoman of Shanghai Electric, recently visited Siemens in Germany to Further Forge New Green, Low-Carbon Cooperation. During the meeting, the development strategy and layout of Siemens Energy were succinctly presented by Mr. Bruch. Acknowledging Siemens Energy's position as a world-leading energy technology company and renowned equipment supplier, Mr. Bruch highlighted their cutting-edge core technologies, encompassing water electrolysis for hydrogen production, smart grids, and offshore booster stations. Siemens's broad business scope encompasses gas-fired power generation, power transmission, wind power, and low-carbon industries. Under the global trend of low-carbonization, the energy sector holds significant potential. Siemens expressed great optimism and emphasized the importance of China's dual-carbon market. As strategic partners, Shanghai Electric and Siemens aspire to seize opportunities for collaboration and transformation, seeking new avenues for practical cooperation across multiple domains. The aim is to expedite the promotion of green and low-carbon energy transformation, demonstrating their dedication to a sustainable future. Ms. Leng Weiqing expressed her sincere gratitude to Siemens Energy, stating, "Shanghai Electric regards green and low-carbon as the focus of future development, and according to new track strategy, we are focusing on the layout of the four major new energy fields of wind, light, energy storage,, and hydrogen, while comprehensively promoting the development of green energy and low-carbon transformation. In the field of green technology, Shanghai Electric is accelerating the formation of core competitiveness through open cooperation and synergy. As a strategic partner who has cooperated sincerely for nearly 30 years, we hope to further deepen technical cooperation and talent exchanges with Siemens Energy, innovate cooperation models, and join hands with future-oriented development concepts, technological innovations, product portfolios, and solutions. Together we aspire to collaborate to build a new energy future, while fully committing to the realization of a fully decarbonized sustainable future for all." During the visit in Germany, Ms. Leng Weiqing and her delegation toured the Siemens Energy Transformers Factory, PEM Hydrogen Production Factory, Gas Turbine Factory, and Innovation Center. They engaged in further friendly discussions with Karim Amin, Executive Vice President and member of Siemens Energy Executive Committee, and gained valuable insights into Siemens' energy industry development, R&D capabilities, as well as their efficient production organization and management models. About Shanghai Electric Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727), a leading global supplier of industrial-grade eco-friendly smart system solutions with a presence around the world, is dedicated to smart energy, intelligent manufacturing, and the integration of digital intelligence. With the focus on low-carbon development and digital transformation by opening up new arenas and promoting new growth drivers, Shanghai Electric will strive to be a leader in the pursuit of peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, new energy equipment production, and high-end equipment localization, utilizing the boundless opportunities in an innovative industrial ecosystem along with global partners. For more information, please visit https://www.shanghai-electric.com/group_en/ SOURCE Shanghai Electric MILWAUKEE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating New Relic (NYSE: NEWR) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with Francisco Partners and TPG Capital. Click here to learn how to join the action https://www.ademilaw.com/case/new-relic-inc or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you. In the transaction, New Relic stockholders are expected to receive only $87.00. However, approximately 20% of the shares of New Relic held by institutions and former management will be rolled over. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing transactions for New Relic by imposing a significant penalty if New Relic accepts a competing bid. New Relic insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements. We are investigating the conduct of New Relic's board of directors, and whether they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders. If you own New Relic 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/new-relic-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 SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys for Northern California residents impacted by the Dixie Fire and Fly Fire filed a class action lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court. The suit alleged that Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) caused the fire that produced airborne pollutants which will have long-lasting impacts to the residents' health and well-being. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of people living in Plumas, Butte, Lassen, Tehama, Shasta, Sierra, Nevada, Yuba, Placer, and El Dorado Counties at the time of the fires. The Dixie Fire, ignited on July 13, 2021, and the Fly Fire, which began on July 22, 2021, merged and destroyed more than 960,000 acres and over 1,300 structures. This mega blaze is ranked as the second largest wildfire in the history of California. According to the complaint, wildfire smoke from the fire reached over 40,000 feet in the air, covering those communities with thick, heavy smoke for three months. The lawsuit targets the substances found inside the wildfire smoke, which was a mixture of air pollutants, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other volatile compounds. As residents inhaled the toxic smoke, they were exposed to pollutants known to cause heart disease, lung disease, and increased respiratory morbidity, including respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even cancer. At one point, the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) scale reached a level of 834 in Plumas County. Readings below 100 are considered "healthy" AQI levels, and the 800+ score in Plumas was literally off the charts. In early 2022, it was discovered the PG&E equipment was to blame for starting the Dixie Fire, and the lawsuit seeks to hold the utility giant accountable for the resulting damage done to the health of residents. "The levels of particulate matter and other pollutants in the air these people were breathing is unimaginable," said lead attorney Paul Starita, of Singleton Schreiber. "The substances they were inhaling breath after breath will continue to have long-term health impacts that will take years to fully realize. These people will show the aftereffects of PG&E's failure to maintain their equipment over the next several decades, and we are seeking to hold the utility accountable for what they've done here." The case is Lara Wheeler and Julie Peterson, et al. v. PG&E Corporation, San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CGC-23-607657. To read the complaint, click here. About Singleton Schreiber With over 200 employees and offices throughout the western United States, Singleton Schreiber has represented more than 12,000 victims of utility fires and has recovered approximately $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for its clients. The firm currently represents thousands of victims of the numerous fires in California, New Mexico, and Oregon. The firm's dedication to obtaining justice for those impacted by toxic conditions and environmental hazards sets it apart from other firms. The firm is also a premier personal injury firm, obtaining top results for clients, including more than $100 million in verdicts in 2022. SOURCE Singleton Schreiber The personalized skincare brand's Back-to-School: Unfiltered report uncovers insights that tie students' in-person nerves to pressures from social media filters, especially when acne is involved SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Curology , the dermatologist-founded personalized prescription skincare company, released its first ever Back to School: Unfiltered report1 today, revealing insights into the anxieties Gen Z high school and college students have about starting school this fall, especially in regards to social-media filters and their skin. Social Media Filters are Blurring Reality: New Curology Report Reveals Students Skincare Anxieties before Heading Back to School To truly understand students' mindset when it comes to social media, mental health and acne, the skincare company conducted a recent survey of 2,000 American teens and young adults, and the results were illuminating. When thinking of going back to school, nearly 3 in 4 students (72%) report feeling the pressure to look "perfect" by higher beauty standards they believe have been set by social media. And a quarter (25%) go so far as to say they're not comfortable sharing their bare face on social media without makeup or facial filters. In fact, those who use filters to alter their appearance were 22% more likely to report having back-to-school anxiety than students who don't alter their photosindicating young people could be using facial filters as a "social crutch," which when taken away, creates anxiety. As the leading provider of personalized prescription skincare, Curology wants students to treat their skincare goals as a journey, and be proud to show up in-real-life (IRL) and on social media as they are. "With the rise of social media filters, students today are under more pressure to look 'perfect' than ever before," says Curology CEO Heather Wallace. "Struggling with acne and other skin issues can be a deeply emotional experience. Our goal at Curology is to encourage students to feel comfortable and confident in their skin. With access to our licensed dermatology providers and effective treatments, we aim to provide students with skincare that actually works." The findings of Back to School: Unfiltered uncovered a generation who feels pressured by ideas of beauty that are unachievable without the aid of social filtersand their mental health is paying the price. Fears about removing the "digital shield" afforded by social media facial filters are especially pronounced for those with acne. Being exposed to overly unrealistic social media facial filters and digital enhancements, teens and young adults can have anxieties about interacting with peers in-real-life, without digital barriers. Noteable Back-to-School: Unfiltered findings include: Acne is the #1 reason students edit their appearance with social filters students edit their appearance with social filters 75% of respondents said they believe beauty standards are much higher due to the use of filters on social media of respondents said they believe beauty standards are much higher due to the use of filters on social media Those with severe acne were almost twice as likely as those with almost clear skin to be concerned about "living up to" the image they've created for themselves online ( 20% vs 11% ) ) Over half of students with acne (59%) report being nervous about both making new friends and socializing in person when they go back to school of students with acne (59%) report being nervous about both making new friends and socializing in person when they go back to school Nearly 4 in 5 respondents (77%) agreed that having clear skin makes them feel confident and empowered respondents (77%) agreed that having clear skin makes them feel confident and empowered More than one in three respondents (37%) wish they could "walk around with a facial filter on in-real-life" respondents (37%) wish they could "walk around with a facial filter on in-real-life" 77% of students said they were interested in improving their skin as part of their overall wellness Supporting students' skincare journeys is part of Curology's mission to make effective skincare accessible for all. This includes Curology's Access Program, a monthly program through which Curology provides a credit of up to $485 to 200 teenagers from families that qualify for the National School Lunch Program or young adults who provide documentation of financial need. To date, over 6,000 people have benefitted from the program, marking an almost $3 million investment from the brand. To learn more about the Back-to-School: Unfiltered report, please visit this link or follow @curology on social media. 1 Research Methodology: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Curology. Total sample size was 2,000 US teens and young adults, ages 14-22. Fieldwork was undertaken in June 2023. The survey was carried out online. About Curology Curology was founded in 2014 with the mission of making effective skincare more accessible. Since then, Curology has grown its team of in-house licensed dermatology providers who have provided personalized prescription skincare to more than 4 million patients. Each patient is prescribed a personalized formula designed to help them reach their specific skin goals, whether they're dealing with acne, dark spots, rosacea, or early signs of aging such as fine lines. For more information about Curology, visit www.curology.com or follow on social media at @curology. Media Contact Bridget Johnson for Curology 952-905-0309 bjohnson@webershandwick.com SOURCE Curology Sonesta's Brands Add 1,000+ Rooms to Global Portfolio NEWTON, Mass., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonesta, the 8th largest hotel company in the US, today announced that it added 13 hotels to the company's global portfolio during the first six months of 2023. The new hotels, with a total of more than 1,000 rooms, include (in order of opening): Sonesta Nouba Aswan Egypt Americas Best Value Inn Laurel Laurel, MD Grand Z Hotel Casino by Red Lion Hotels Central City, CO by Red Lion Hotels Signature Inn Houston Galleria Houston, TX Americas Best Value Inn Carlisle Carlisle, PA Red Lion Inn & Suites Liberty Liberty, MO Red Lion Inn & Suites Gretna Gretna, NE Hotel 11, MOD a Sonesta Collection Calgary , Ontario , Z Ocean Hotel, Classico a Sonesta Collection Miami, FL Americas Best Value Inn Lafayette Lafayette, LA Red Lion Inn & Suites Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach Miami, FL Sonesta Essential Vacaville Vacaville, CA "Sonesta's progress in the first half of 2023 illustrates our success growing multiple brands across our platform and was driven by strong owner relationships and our ability to meet consumer needs," said Keith Pierce, Sonesta's Executive Vice President, and the President of Franchise & Development at Sonesta. "With additional growth opportunities through two new soft brands, a rapid and seamless conversion and signings process and effective communication with our owner community, we look forward to continued success in the latter half of 2023." Late in 2021, Sonesta Franchising debuted in the U.S. with a complete platform of franchise services, hotel operations and franchise support. Since then, the company has seen significant growth with the recent launch of five brands including The James, Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Essential and two soft brands, Classico and MOD. "Our extensive hospitality experience gives us unique insight into owner and consumer demands and the ability to respond to emerging industry trends," said Brian Quinn, Sonesta's Chief Development Officer. "As owners and operators ourselves, Sonesta has the expertise to open and run managed hotels such as The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach and to create a brand portfolio that is attractive to franchisees. We will continue to build on our commitment to be fast, friendly and flexible." Sonesta's portfolio of 17 brands offers owners and developers a diverse selection spanning the upper upscale, lifestyle, upscale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. Sonesta's continued growth, owner-centric approach, market availability and executive accessibility make it a compelling choice for developers. About Sonesta Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,200 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 17 brands in eight countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta; The James; Classico A Sonesta Collection; Sonesta Hotels & Resorts; MOD A Sonesta Collection; Sonesta Select; Sonesta Essential; Sonesta ES (Extended Stay) Suites; Sonesta Simply Suites and Sonesta Cruise Collection operating in Egypt, also; Sonesta Posadas del Inca; Red Lion Hotels & Suites; Signature Inn; GuestHouse Extended Stay; Knight's Inn; Americas Best Value Inn and Canadas Best Value Inn. For more information about Sonesta and its locations, visit franchise.sonesta.com or email [email protected]. Media Contact: Lorie Juliano | Sonesta International Hotels | Head of Communication | [email protected] SOURCE Sonesta International Hotels Corporation HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, after the close of the stock market. Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM, Central Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary. Conference Call Details Via Phone: Dial 888-506-0062 (domestic). Use passcode 810825. Starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Thursday, August 24, 2023 by dialing 877-481-4010 and entering passcode 48865. Via Live Webcast: Connect via the Public Company (SCIC) section of our website at www.stelluscapital.com, under the Events tab. A replay of the conference will be available on our website for approximately 90 days. About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management, LLC. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Contacts Stellus Capital Investment Corporation W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414 Chief Financial Officer thuskinson@stelluscapital.com SOURCE Stellus Capital Investment Corporation BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has lodged a complaint with the Economic Cooperation and Development Organization and the Council of Europe regarding the environmental crimes committed by Armenia, Trend reports via the General's Office. The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan is currently looking into the extensive contamination of the Araz and Okhchu rivers in the area bordering Armenia. The construction of a sizable metallurgical plant in the village of Yeraskh (Arazdayan) without consulting the Azerbaijani side, the intensive pollution caused by the large mining enterprises of Armenia, such as the Qajaran copper-molybdenum and Qafan ore processing plants of the transboundary river Okhchuchay, and the violation, at the same time, of environmental protection norms call for the implementation of additional measures. In light of this, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan has addressed the letter to the Economic Cooperation and Development Organization and the Council of Europe. The complaint emphasizes the significance of adhering to the Espoo (Environmental Impact Assessment) Convention, the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, environmental protection requirements, rules for the proper organization of the operation of mining facilities, and the significance of working with the official authorities of our country to assess the environmental harm caused. Ecologists from Azerbaijan previously addressed Nikol Pashinyan, the prime minister of Armenia, an open letter listing the environmental pollution committed by Armenian businesses. In the letter, Armenia is urged to immediately stop its economic activities because the devastation of the ecosystem brought on by continuous mining operations threatens not only the environment in Armenia but also that of its neighbors. As the Largest Corporate Partner of AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its Retailers to Help More Than 470,000 Students Across the Country CAMDEN, N.J., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today announced that for the third year in a row, the automaker and its retailers will provide funding to teachers across the country to purchase the school supplies and resources needed to help their students succeed. Subaru believes that all students deserve an equal and fair opportunity at a quality education, and by continuing its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org , as part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, students will have the supplies and learning materials they need to excel in the classroom. Subaru of America and its retailers will provide funding to teachers across the country to purchase the school supplies and resources needed to help their students succeed. In partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, the Subaru Loves Learning initiative has supported over 470,000 students. In partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru of America and its nationwide network of retailers have supported over 470,000 students. Subaru of America kicked off the 2023 Subaru Loves Learning initiative by adopting all of the 55 classrooms at the four-school Camden High Campus (grades 9-12) in the automaker's hometown of Camden, New Jersey. To kick off the 2023 program, SOA will continue to support students in the Camden City School District (CCSD) by adopting all of the 55 classrooms at the four-school Camden High Campus (grades 9-12) near the automaker's headquarters in Camden, NJ. Furthermore, SOA will fund career and technical education (CTE) programs at Camden's Eastside High School, which was also adopted in 2022. "We are proud to work with AdoptAClassroom.org again this year to help students across America succeed in the classroom with the resources they need," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. "Subaru and our retailers want to support students in the community by providing teachers with the funding they need to purchase essential school supplies for a thriving learning environment." According to AdoptAClassroom.org, more than 92 percent of classrooms have students whose families cannot afford to purchase any school supplies for their children, often requiring teachers to purchase resources using their own money. Throughout August, Subaru and more than 630 participating retailers will once again work with AdoptAClassroom.org to adopt classrooms at high-needs* schools in their communities by providing teachers with funding for critical learning supplies. Many participating retailers will also be donating school supply kits that contain highly requested learning materials, and nearly 10 percent of retailers will be adopting an entire school (20 or more classrooms). "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership with Subaru for the third year to provide even more schools and students across the country with the resources they need," said Ann Pifer, Executive Director of AdoptAClassroom.org. "The enthusiastic and generous involvement of Subaru and its retailers means that more teachers will be supported and empowered to make an even bigger difference for their students' lives this school year." As the largest corporate partner of AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its retailers have supported more than 470,000 students nationwide through the Subaru Loves Learning initiative since 2021. The automaker and nonprofit were recently awarded the 2023 Gold Halo Award for Best Education initiative for their commitment to supporting education, on behalf of the impact of the 2022 Subaru Loves Learning initiative. Last year, Subaru and 621 of its retailers helped support teachers by supporting 652 schools and 5,699 teachers across the U.S., allowing teachers to choose the supplies that would most benefit their students. Retailers also visited their local schools and hand-delivered classroom supply kits to the adopted classrooms. To highlight Subaru Loves Learning and the support it provides to students and teachers nationwide, the automaker developed advertising assets including a 15-second clip, 30-second TV spot, and a feature video centered around the emotional impact that these initiatives can have on a personal level for both educators and children. The commercial will run on national television, digital video, and social media platforms throughout August. For information about Subaru Loves Learning and to find out more about the partners that Subaru supports, visit subaru.com/learning , and follow #SubaruLovesLearning on social media. To learn more about AdoptAClassroom.org, visit adoptaclassroom.org . *High-need is defined as a school that has a Title I Schoolwide Program and/or a school where 40% or more of the student population qualifies for the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program. About AdoptAClassroom.org AdoptAClassroom.org believes every child deserves the tools and materials they need to learn and thrive in school. To achieve this, teachers are spending an average of $860 of their own money each year on their classrooms. AdoptAClassroom.org is a national nonprofit that funds PreK-12 teachers and schools across the U.S. to help equip more classrooms and students for success, and offset the financial burden on teachers. Since 1998, AdoptAClassroom.org has raised $65 million and equipped more than 6.4 million students across the U.S. 90% of all funded classrooms are considered high needs. The 501(c)(3) holds the highest 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the highest transparency rating offered by Candid/GuideStar. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org . About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise , which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com . Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . Diane Anton Subaru of America, Inc. 856-488-5093 [email protected] Adam Leiter Subaru of America, Inc. (856) 488-8668 [email protected] SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. OakGate R350-G5-PowerPlus SSD Validation Solution tests ALL required PCI Express 5.0 Power and Sideband capabilities without costly 3rd-party power interposers LOOMIS, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teledyne LeCroy, the worldwide leader in protocol test and measurement solutions, is pleased to announce availability of the OakGate R350-G5-PowerPlus 3U Rackmount Appliance for PCI Express 5.0, with solid state drive (SSD) power and sideband test capabilities. OakGate R350-G5-PowerPlus PCIe 5.0 SSD Validation Solution Data centers and Hyperscaler's are measured on their power sustainability and power usage goals and require SSD vendors to test SSD performance during normal system shutdown, abnormal system shutdown, power surges, low and/or idle power states, and voltage fluctuations. SSD vendors would ideally like these test results to highlight competitive product differentiators, often citing lower active power consumption, better power efficiencies and/or reduced cooling efficiencies. SSD design and validation test engineers can now use the OakGate R350-G5-PowerPlus Rackmount Appliance to analyze voltage and current over time and under stress to determine SSD power utilization, efficiency, and consumption, and possibly find opportunities to improve SSD power consumption. Moreover, the R350-G5-PowerPlus operates without the use of 3rd-party power interposers, reducing cost and simplifying test setup. Teledyne LeCroy's OakGate R350-G5-PowerPlus supports one 8-Bay Module capable of holding U.2, M.2, U.3, CEM, EDSFF E1.S or EDSFF E3.S/L SSD form factors which can be easily changed by the customer. The OakGate R350-G5-PowerPlus comes standard with the industry's most widely used test software, SVF/Enduro, supporting: deep protocol inspection and analysis, high-performance traffic generation, full-performance characterization, complex error injection, and advanced test automation. The open application programming interface (API) allows easy integration into existing test infrastructure. Additionally, the customized, proprietary driver works directly with the SSD hardware, providing the highest level of performance with low latency and consistent, repeatable test performance. Availability OakGate R350 PowerPlus PCIe 5.0 Validation Appliances can be ordered now. For additional information, contact Teledyne LeCroy at 1-800-5LeCroy (1-800-553-2769) or visit Teledyne LeCroy's SSD Validation and Test Appliance landing page at OakGate SSD Validation Solutions. You can also visit Teledyne LeCroy at the Flash Memory Summit 2023 in booth #919 from Aug 8-10 in Santa Clara, California to experience our line of OakGate PCIe Gen5 SSD Test Solutions! About Teledyne LeCroy Teledyne LeCroy is a leading manufacturer of advanced oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and other test instruments that verify performance, validate compliance, and debug complex electronic systems quickly and thoroughly. Since its founding in 1964, the Company has focused on incorporating powerful tools into innovative products that enhance "Time-to-Insight". Faster time to insight enables users to rapidly find and fix defects in complex electronic systems, dramatically improving time-to-market for a wide variety of applications and end markets. Teledyne LeCroy is based in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. For more information, visit Teledyne LeCroy's website at teledynelecroy.com. 2023 by Teledyne LeCroy. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. PCIE and PCI Express are registered trademarks and/or service marks of PCI-SIG. Technical contact: Rob Dobson, Director of Product Marketing, Test Appliances 916-618-2372 Customer contact: Teledyne LeCroy OakGate Customer Care Center 800-553-2769 Website: OakGate SSD Validation Solutions SOURCE Teledyne LeCroy NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Templeton Distillery introduced Tequila Cask Finish to trade and spirits industry professionals at Tales of the Cocktail this week. Templeton Rye Tequila Cask Finish will be on shelves this September and is hugely anticipated. Originally matured in new American oak flame-charred barrels for a minimum of 6 years and then meticulously finished in Tequila Corralejo 99,000 horas Extra Anejo barrels for a period of 3-6 months. TEMPLETON DISTILLERY DEBUTS TEQUILA CASK FINISH AT TALES OF THE COCKTAIL Tweet this An outlet for innovation, our limited-release cask finish series offers an annual unique twist on what rye can be. The Tequila Cask Finish is release No. 5 in our cask finish series, a Limited Edition sold on allocation and not to be missed. Only 4,200 cases will be produced globally. Templeton Distillery's Tequila Cask Finish 750ml is 92 proof (46% ABV). Templeton Distillery and Tequila Corralejo have a rich history in their communities. Templeton Rye Tequila Cask Finish was inspired by the synergies and shared experiences of tradition in each small town; Templeton, IA and Guanajuato, MX. "This collaboration is a testament to our drive to push the boundaries of innovation with our cask finish series," said Shane Fitzharris SVP Commercial, Infinium Spirits. "With these fantastic Tequila Corralejo barrels and a 36-month secondary maturation finish, we have created a special release that delivers great complexity and a flavor profile that spectacularly balances Rye spice with Agave sweetness." About Templeton Templeton Distillery has earned a reputation as a leader in high-quality rye whiskey. This is something that they like to think would make the residents of Templeton, Iowa during Prohibition themselves making whiskey and hiding it in basements quite proud. Today, their rye is made a little differently (100 years and legal production capabilities will change how you do things). With a 95% rye / 5% malted barley mash bill, Templeton Rye is aged in new American oak barrels. Their state-of-the-art distillery opened in 2018 with plans to bring all aspects of distillation and aging in-house. This innovative production facility not only creates the opportunity for more jobs and local agriculture but for enhanced quality control across all their whiskeys, whether it's the flagship portfolio or innovative products such as the Cask Finish Series. All Templeton Rye products currently available for sale have been distilled and aged in Indiana, with maturation and bottling taking place at the Templeton Distillery and plans to release their own distillate from the Templeton Distillery stable in the next 18-24 months. Templeton Rye has three core expressions: 4 Year and 6 Year, which have received a Gold and a Double Gold medal, respectively, at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with the new 10-Year Single Barrel, which also received the Double Gold. Learn more about Templeton Distillery by visiting www.templetondistillery.com or follow on Facebook at @TempletonDistillery, Twitter at @TempletonDist, and Instagram at @TempletonDistillery . About Tequila Corralejo With a 250-year history in a community rich with tequila tradition, Corralejo celebrates the flavor of Mexico. Standing head and shoulders above the rest, we craft tequila that you can enjoy with confidence. For more information, please visit https://corralejotequila.com/. About Infinium Spirits Established in 2005 and based out of San Diego, California, Infinium Spirits is a family-owned global premium spirits supplier. Infinium specializes in building a diverse and distinctive portfolio of award-winning spirit brands including Templeton Rye; Seagram's Vodka; Corralejo Tequila; Crystal Head Vodka; Zaya Rum; Highway Vodka; Torres Brandy; Tears of Llorona Tequila; Los Arango Tequila; Magdala Orange Liqueur; Rives Gin; Perro San Juan Mezcal and El Gobernador Pisco. For more information, visit www.infiniumspirits.com . SOURCE Infinium Spirits NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brady Hunter Foundation, a nonprofit organization operated by a group of philanthropists and animal lovers committed to ending animal cruelty, protecting wildlife, and making a positive impact in the lives of children, is proud to announce a significant grant to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The funds will support critical initiatives aimed at protecting endangered gorillas and their habitats in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thanks to the generous grant from The Brady Hunter Foundation, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund will be able to expand its efforts by hiring two new patrol teams. These teams will receive the necessary supplies and equipment for safe and effective forest patrols, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the gorillas' natural habitat and ensuring their long-term survival, as well as the protection of the entire ecosystem. "We are honored to support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in their crucial work," said Josh Fox, founder of The Brady Hunter Foundation. "This grant will empower the dedicated teams on the ground, ensuring their ability to protect and preserve the gorillas and their fragile habitats. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these magnificent creatures." In addition to bolstering the patrol teams, the grant will provide essential support to the existing 25 community eco-guards who tirelessly search for and dismantle snares, of which more than 2,600 were removed in the past year. The funds will cover the cost of food and supplies necessary to sustain their year-long commitment to protecting the gorillas from these deadly traps. Furthermore, the grant will facilitate the purchase of a new vehicle, significantly enhancing the logistics required to support the field teams. With this new addition, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund can ensure efficient and timely transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment, enabling them to cover larger areas and maximize their impact. "The Brady Hunter Foundation's collaboration with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a testament to our shared commitment to wildlife conservation and the preservation of our planet's most vulnerable species," added Tara Stoinski, Ph.D., President and CEO/Chief Scientific Officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. "This partnership aims to address the urgent challenges and threats faced by gorillas in Rwanda and contributes to the broader global efforts towards biodiversity protection." The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is renowned for its relentless dedication to gorilla conservation and its holistic approach, encompassing community engagement, scientific research, and education. With this transformative grant from The Brady Hunter Foundation, the organization can amplify its impact on the ground and foster sustainable solutions that benefit both wildlife and local communities. The Brady Hunter Foundation is also sponsoring Out of the Mist on October 20, an exclusive event at The Explorers Clubs in New York City featuring Sigourney Weaver and Dr. Tara Stoinski discussing the 45th anniversary of Dian Fossey's groundbreaking book and 35th anniversary of the blockbuster film, Gorillas in the Mist. About The Brady Hunter Foundation The Brady Hunter Foundation is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated by a group of philanthropists, humanitarians and animal lovers committed to ending animal cruelty, protecting wildlife, and making a positive impact in the lives of children. The Brady Hunter Charitable Fund was established in 2022, with The Brady Hunter Foundation formally launched shortly thereafter in early 2023. BHF is dedicated to creating sanctuaries all over the world to save animals from endangerment, abuse and neglect, while also recognizing the importance of uplifting children and providing them with opportunities for a better future. For more information about The Brady Hunter Foundation, please visit https://bradyhunter.org/. About the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a renowned 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of endangered gorillas in Africa. Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Dian Fossey, the organization has been at the forefront of gorilla conservation for over five decades. Operating in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund conducts vital scientific research, implements comprehensive conservation programs, and fosters community engagement to ensure the long-term survival of gorillas and their habitats. Through a holistic approach that combines research, education, advocacy, and partnerships, the organization strives to create a sustainable future where gorillas thrive and communities coexist harmoniously with these magnificent creatures. For more information about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and its conservation efforts, please visit www.gorillafund.org. Media Contact For The Brady Hunter Foundation Andrew Jennings [email protected] SOURCE The Brady Hunter Foundation NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The cancer diagnostics market is expected to grow by USD 12,626.21 million from 2022 to 2027, progressing at a CAGR of 11.3% as per the latest Technavio market research report. North America is estimated to contribute 43% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. This growth is due to factors such as the presence of many established medical facilities such as the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York University, Langone Hospital in New York, NY, Mayo Clinic Rochester NY, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Furthermore, these medical facilities offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced treatment solutions in the region. As regional medical institutions focus on cancer diagnostics to treat different types of cancer, there is a demand for the development of personalized medicine and related cancer diagnostics. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the region during the forecast period. For more insights on the market share of various regions- Download a sample report in MINUTES Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cancer Diagnostics Market Why Buy? Add credibility to the strategy Analyzes competitor's offerings Get a holistic view of the market Grow your profit margin with Technavio- Buy the Report Cancer Diagnostics Market: Market Dynamics Key Drivers The high prevalence of cancer is a key driver shaping the market growth. Cancers that can cause lung, stomach, kidney, head, throat, and larynx cancers are on the rise due to factors such as unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption. One of the most common methods for detecting cancer is molecular and companion diagnostics. Hence, the availability of several treatments is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Major Trends The increase in R&D and advances in technology is a major trend in the market. Several vendors are investing heavily in research and development to develop new diagnostic equipment for cancer diagnosis and treatment. For instance, the development of nanoparticle-based cancer therapies using gold nanoparticles is one of the approaches. Moreover, this approach will help to effectively monitor target tumors, allowing us to better understand the impact of anticancer drugs on tumors. Hence, the rising R&D investments and technologies are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Significant Challenges The high cost of developing companion diagnostics is one of the significant challenges restricting market growth. Biomarkers are biomolecules in the human body that are one of the key building blocks that help identify various biologically measurable medical conditions and are increasingly used as diagnostic tools. The development of novel and useful biomarkers is an expensive, lengthy, and time-consuming process. In addition, the initial cost of biomarker development is particularly high which is creating a negative impact in the market. as Hence, these factors are expected to restrict the market growth during the forecast period. To know about more drivers, trends along with challenges - Download a sample now! Some of the key Cancer Diagnostics Market Players: The cancer diagnostics market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. Abbott Laboratories, Agilent Technologies Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Becton Dickinson, and Co., bioMerieux SA, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., General Electric Co., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Hologic Inc., Illumina Inc., Merck KGaA, Myriad Genetics Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., QIAGEN NV, Quest Diagnostics Inc., Siemens AG, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Cancer Diagnostics Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the cancer diagnostics market by end-user (hospitals and clinics and diagnostic laboratories), type (IVD, imaging, and LDT), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). The market share growth by the hospitals and clinics segment will be significant during the forecast period. Improved patient care and satisfaction, improved point-of-care (POC) operations, and increased profitability to drive cost savings are the key benefits that cancer diagnostics bring to hospitals and clinics. In addition, the increasing incidence of chronic cancers and the presence of skilled professionals contribute significantly to the revenues of the hospital sector. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. For additional information on the market contribution of each segment - Grab an Exclusive Sample Report Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The oncology molecular diagnostics market is estimated to grow by USD 2,980.87 million at a CAGR of 11.82% between 2022 and 2027. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by product (reagents, kits, and instruments), type (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). Integration of next-generation sequencing in oncology molecular diagnostics is a major trend in the market. The women's health diagnostics market is estimated to grow by USD 13,350.14 million at a CAGR of 7.93% between 2022 and 2027. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by application (breast cancer testing, infectious disease testing, std testing, cervical cancer testing, and others), end-user (hospitals and clinics, diagnostic and imaging centers, and home care settings), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). The global adoption of advanced diagnostic solutions is a major trend in the market. Cancer Diagnostics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.3% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 12,626.21 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 11.18 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, and the Rest of the World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 43% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, Agilent Technologies Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Becton Dickinson, and Co., bioMerieux SA, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., General Electric Co., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Hologic Inc., Illumina Inc., Merck KGaA, Myriad Genetics Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., QIAGEN NV, Quest Diagnostics Inc., Siemens AG, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market Overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global cancer diagnostics market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on global cancer diagnostics market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 6.3 Hospitals and clinics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Hospitals and clinics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Hospitals and clinics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Hospitals and clinics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Hospitals and clinics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Diagnostic laboratories - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Diagnostic laboratories - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Diagnostic laboratories - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Diagnostic laboratories - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Diagnostic laboratories - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 IVD - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on IVD - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Data Table on IVD - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 50: Chart on IVD - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on IVD - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Imaging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Imaging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Imaging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Imaging - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Imaging - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 LDT - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on LDT - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on LDT - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on LDT - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on LDT - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 60: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 62: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 63: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 65: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 66: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 103: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 105: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 106: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 107: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 108: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 109: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 110: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Abbott Laboratories Exhibit 111: Abbott Laboratories - Overview Exhibit 112: Abbott Laboratories - Business segments Exhibit 113: Abbott Laboratories - Key news Exhibit 114: Abbott Laboratories - Key offerings Exhibit 115: Abbott Laboratories - Segment focus 12.4 Agilent Technologies Inc. Exhibit 116: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 117: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 118: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 119: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Segment focus 12.5 Becton Dickinson and Co. and Co. Exhibit 120: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Overview and Co. - Overview Exhibit 121: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Business segments and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 122: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Key news and Co. - Key news Exhibit 123: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Key offerings and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 124: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Segment focus 12.6 Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Exhibit 125: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. - Overview Exhibit 126: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 127: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. - Key news Exhibit 128: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. - Key offerings 12.7 Eli Lilly and Co. Exhibit 129: Eli Lilly and Co. - Overview Exhibit 130: Eli Lilly and Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 131: Eli Lilly and Co. - Key news Exhibit 132: Eli Lilly and Co. - Key offerings 12.8 F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. Exhibit 133: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 134: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 135: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 136: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 137: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Segment focus 12.9 General Electric Co. Exhibit 138: General Electric Co. - Overview Exhibit 139: General Electric Co. - Business segments Exhibit 140: General Electric Co. - Key news Exhibit 141: General Electric Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 142: General Electric Co. - Segment focus 12.10 GlaxoSmithKline Plc Exhibit 143: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Overview Exhibit 144: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Business segments Exhibit 145: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Key news Exhibit 146: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 147: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Segment focus 12.11 Hologic Inc. Exhibit 148: Hologic Inc. - Overview Exhibit 149: Hologic Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 150: Hologic Inc. - Key news Exhibit 151: Hologic Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 152: Hologic Inc. - Segment focus 12.12 Illumina Inc. Exhibit 153: Illumina Inc. - Overview Exhibit 154: Illumina Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 155: Illumina Inc. - Key news Exhibit 156: Illumina Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 157: Illumina Inc. - Segment focus 12.13 Merck KGaA Exhibit 158: Merck KGaA - Overview Exhibit 159: Merck KGaA - Business segments Exhibit 160: Merck KGaA - Key news Exhibit 161: Merck KGaA - Key offerings Exhibit 162: Merck KGaA - Segment focus 12.14 Novartis AG Exhibit 163: Novartis AG - Overview Exhibit 164: Novartis AG - Business segments Exhibit 165: Novartis AG - Key offerings Exhibit 166: Novartis AG - Segment focus 12.15 QIAGEN NV Exhibit 167: QIAGEN NV - Overview Exhibit 168: QIAGEN NV - Product / Service Exhibit 169: QIAGEN NV - Key news Exhibit 170: QIAGEN NV - Key offerings 12.16 Quest Diagnostics Inc. Exhibit 171: Quest Diagnostics Inc. - Overview Exhibit 172: Quest Diagnostics Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 173: Quest Diagnostics Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 174: Quest Diagnostics Inc. - Segment focus 12.17 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Exhibit 175: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Overview Exhibit 176: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 177: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key news Exhibit 178: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 179: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 180: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 181: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 182: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 183: Research methodology Exhibit 184: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 185: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 186: List of abbreviations About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio NANJING, China, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 11th episode of the "Jiangsu Culture" series micro-documentary, titled "The Magic of Orient Mud", and jointly produced by the Information Office of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, has been released. When mud is infused with "magic" and blends with human wisdom, aesthetics, and emotions, it becomes the carrier of a culture passed down for thousands of years. This episode adopts a multi-threaded narrative structure, connecting the overall context by documenting the daily stories of several skilled Yixing purple clay craftsmen. It provides a complete showcase of the craftsmanship behind making purple clay teapots, which involves several processes such as clay preparation, kneading, sculpting, and firing, revealing the humanistic power behind the "magic". The Magic of Orient Mud, the 11th episode of the "Jiangsu Culture" In Yixing, a craft has been passed down from generation to generation. It injects wisdom, ingenuity, and oriental aesthetics into the earth, magically creating an amazing vessel, Zisha teapot (the purple clay teapot). The making of Zisha teapot takes several steps: knock, clap, stick, close. The biggest secret of the purple clay teapot is in the mineral materials that are ground into fine powder. Huanglong Mountain, Dingshu Town, the hill boasts the raw materials of the Zisha teapot. The iron content in the minerals determines the final color and texture of the purple clay. After selection, qualified mineral materials have to go through three processes of grinding, sieving, and drying before being turned into purple clay for teapots. The to-be-finished Zisha teapot requires the last process-fire. The ancient kiln was built bottom-up on the hill, like a crouching loong in sleep. Hence, the name of the Loong kiln. However, the modernization advances the technology of kiln firing. Electric kilns and gas kilns, more efficient and precise, have gradually replaced traditional Loong kilns. Zisha teapots sit in the fire at a temperature of 1,200 degrees Celsius. Zisha teapot is born for tea and thrives on teapot. They both come out of the earth and then bond intimately. The earth under our feet, through the wisdom of craftsmen, is turned into art works, which are passed down through generation. Image Attachments Links: Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441705 Caption: The Magic of Orient Mud, the 11th episode of the "Jiangsu Culture" SOURCE The Information Office of Jiangsu Provicial People's Government America's No.1 refrigerated guacamole and avocado brand also taps beloved Olympian, Shawn Johnson East, to spotlight versatility and convenience of WHOLLY AVOCADO products ORANGE, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Avocado Day, the makers of WHOLLY AVOCADO are celebrating by giving 10 lucky fans a year's supply of WHOLLY AVOCADO products made with real ingredients and hand-scooped Hass avocados and a $350 gift card. "National Avocado Day is one of our fans' favorite times of the year, and we wanted to make it extra fun for people everywhere with this incredible giveaway that will have them celebrating all year long," said Chris Monahan, brand manager of WHOLLY products. "Our refrigerated avocado products are always ripe and always ready, and they make everyday snacking simpler and more convenient for our valued fans." To amp up the fun, the makers of WHOLLY AVOCADO are partnering with Olympic gold medalist and mother of two Shawn Johnson East to spotlight the versatility and convenience of WHOLLY AVOCADO products. Johnson East will be helping current and new brand aficionados get involved in the sweepstakes via content on her Instagram page. Fans may register for one of 10 chances to win a year's supply of free WHOLLY products and a $350 gift card by following the brand on Instagram (@eatWHOLLY), liking Shawn Johnson East's WHOLLY AVOCADO reel, and tagging @eatwholly and @shawnjohnson in your own "not my hands" challenge attempts using WHOLLY AVOCADO products. Contest rules and information here. Finally, fans can indulge in a number of easy and tasty recipes while they're celebrating National Avocado Day. For example: Avocado Sushi Roll: The perfect recipe for an at-home sushi night. This recipe is super easy, kid-friendly and a total crowd-pleaser. Burrata Avocado Pizza: Who doesn't love an easy pizza recipe? This vegetarian pizza has avocado, burrata and tomatoes. Vegetarian lunch or dinner in just 20 minutes. Avocado-Chickpea Mediterranean Salad: Fast, delicious and filled with robust flavor, this chickpea salad will have you buying the same ingredients every week. Chicken-Avocado Rollups: These easy chicken-avocado rollups are fantastic for lunch, a midday snack or an appetizer for groups. With creamy avocado and a little bit of Greek yogurt and lime juice, they have the perfect balance of satisfying ingredients and zesty flavor. Avocado Pudding: With less than five ingredients and in just five minutes, you can whip up this thick and creamy avocado pudding, a fun and delicious dessert you can even serve as an after-school snack. Too busy to prep a dish? The WHOLLY brand line features ready-to-serve avocado in three varieties: diced, smashed and chunky. All products are gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, keto-friendly and contain no added preservatives. Available in 4-ounce trays, as well as convenient 2-ounce single-serve minis, WHOLLY AVOCADO can be used as a salad topper, in poke bowls, on avocado toast, as a sandwich spread or as a dip. WHOLLY products are available at retailers throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.eatwholly.com. ABOUT THE WHOLLY BRAND The WHOLLY brand, leader in ready-to-eat avocado innovation, is best known for WHOLLY GUACAMOLE, America's No. 1 refrigerated guacamole, and WHOLLY AVOCADO. Known for food safety and quality, all WHOLLY products are made with hand-scooped Hass avocados and are gluten free with no preservatives added. High-pressure technology (HPT) is used to help extend the shelf life of the products and maintain the avocado's delicious flavors and nutrients, while eliminating potentially harmful bacteria. The WHOLLY brand is part of MegaMex Foods, one of the fastest growing Mexican food companies in the U.S. focused on re-imagining Mexican flavor. For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.eatwholly.com, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. ABOUT MEGAMEX FOODS, LLC. MegaMex Foods, one of the fastest growing Mexican food companies in the U.S., is focused on re-imagining Mexican flavor in restaurants and home kitchens across the country. MegaMex Foods is proudly committed to authentic ingredients and providing a real solution for achieving true Mexican flavors with trusted products, including WHOLLY, LA VICTORIA, HERDEZ, EMBASA , DONA MARIA, BUFALO and DON MIGUEL brands. Founded by Herdez del Fuerte and Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL), MegaMex Foods is headquartered in Orange, California, with facilities in Texas and Mexico. MegaMex Foods has two operating plants, numerous manufacturing partners and over 4,000 employees. For more information, visit www.megamexfoods.com and www.mmxfoodservice.com. SOURCE The WHOLLY Brand NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The molecular diagnostics market is forecast to increase by USD 7,722.71 million from 2022 to 2027, at a CAGR of 5.96%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. The growth of the market will be driven by the Increased prevalence of age-related diseases, Global adoption of advanced treatment solutions, and High demand from developing countries. Charts & data tables about market and segment sizes for a historic period of five (2017-2021) years have been covered in this report. Download The Sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Molecular Diagnostics Market Molecular Diagnostics Market 2023-2027 Vendor Scope Technavio has extensively analyzed 15 major vendors, including Abbott Laboratories, Agilent Technologies Inc., Becton Dickinson and Co., Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., Biocartis Group NV, bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corp., ELITechGroup SAS, F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Genome Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., Hologic Inc., Illumina Inc., QIAGEN NV, Siemens Healthineers AG, SOLONE LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PVT LTD., Spectrum Diagnostics and Health Care, Sysmex Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., U GEN BIOTECHNOLOGY INC, and Xiamen Zeesan Biotech Co. Ltd. Key Benefits for Industry Players & Stakeholders The report offers information on the criticality of vendor inputs, including R&D, CAPEX, and technology. It also provides detailed analyses of the market's competitive landscape and vendors' product offerings. The report also provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. Expand operations in the future - To get requisite details, ask for a custom report. Molecular Diagnostics Market - Segmentation Assessment The market is segmented by product (instruments, reagents, and kits), application (infectious disease, oncology, blood screening, microbiology, and others), and geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and Rest of World (ROW)) The market share growth by the instruments segment will be significant during the forecast period. The demand for molecular diagnostic instruments is driven by ongoing research and development efforts. Advances include the development of faster and more accurate nucleic acid amplification techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal amplification. Additionally, the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms has changed genomic analysis. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. will be significant during the forecast period. The demand for molecular diagnostic instruments is driven by ongoing research and development efforts. Advances include the development of faster and more accurate nucleic acid amplification techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal amplification. Additionally, the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms has changed genomic analysis. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. Asia is estimated to contribute 34% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The rising middle-class population in Asia and the increasing healthcare expenditures have led to a higher demand for advanced medical services, including molecular diagnostics. Furthermore, Asia has emerged as a favored destination for medical tourism, attracting individuals seeking advanced healthcare services, which also include molecular diagnostic testing. China , India , and Japan have faced outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID-19, dengue, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, leading to a surge in the demand for molecular diagnostic tests to detect and monitor these diseases. To get detailed insights about inclusions and exclusions, buy the report Molecular Diagnostics Market Market Dynamics Key Driver Increasing early detection of age-related diseases is a key factor driving the growth of the market. Studies show that rising geriatric population has an impact on the demand for molecular diagnostics. This is because age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and chronic conditions like diabetes, are seen as more susceptible in the individual's age. Molecular diagnostics play an important role in the timely detection, diagnosis, and surveillance of such diseases. These provide personalized information about an individual's genetic predisposition, disease symptoms, disease progression, response to treatment, and more. Molecular diagnostics enable targeted screening and preventative measures by identifying genetic risk factors for specific diseases. Therefore, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Major Trends Integration of next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a major trend in the market. Next-generation sequencing technologies have brought about a revolution in molecular diagnostics by enabling in-depth analysis of genetic data. Furthermore, NGS enables comprehensive analysis across multiple genes or the entire genome, leading to comprehensive genetic profiling for disease diagnosis, symptom understanding, and treatment selection. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Significant Challenges Inadequate medical reimbursements are a significant challenge restricting market growth. The importance of medical reimbursement arises from the high cost of modern diagnostic products. For example, in the US, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offer reimbursements for certain diagnostic test kit products. Factors such as rising healthcare costs and growing demand for therapeutic services are impacting reimbursement structures in the US and European countries. Hence, Inadequate medical reimbursements are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period. Drivers, Trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report! What are the key data covered in this Molecular Diagnostics Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the molecular diagnostics market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the molecular diagnostics market and its contribution to the market with a focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the molecular diagnostics market across Asia , Europe , North America , and the Rest of the World (ROW) , , , and the Rest of the World (ROW) A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of molecular diagnostics market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports The direct-to-consumer (DTC) laboratory testing market is estimated to grow by USD 9,703.47 million at a CAGR of 31.59% between 2022 and 2027. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by type (blood, urine, saliva, and others), Application (routine clinical testing, diabetes testing, genetic testing, thyroid-stimulating hormone testing, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). Increased Internet penetration is a major trend in the market. The oncology molecular diagnostics market is estimated to grow by USD 2,980.87 million at a CAGR of 11.82% between 2022 and 2027. The product (reagents, kits, and instruments), type (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). Integration of next-generation sequencing in oncology molecular diagnostics is a major trend in the market. Molecular Diagnostics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.96% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 7,722.71 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.98 Regional analysis Asia, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World (ROW) Performing market contribution Asia at 34% Key countries US, Germany, France, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, Agilent Technologies Inc., Becton Dickinson and Co., Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., Biocartis Group NV, bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corp., ELITechGroup SAS, F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Genome Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., Hologic Inc., Illumina Inc., QIAGEN NV, Siemens Healthineers AG, SOLONE LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PVT LTD., Spectrum Diagnostics and Health Care, Sysmex Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., U GEN BIOTECHNOLOGY INC, and Xiamen Zeesan Biotech Co. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market Overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Application Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global molecular diagnostics market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on global molecular diagnostics market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Product 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product 6.3 Instruments - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Instruments - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Instruments - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Instruments - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Instruments - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Reagents and kits - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Reagents and kits - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Reagents and kits - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Reagents and kits - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Reagents and kits - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Product ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Application 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Application 7.3 Infectious disease - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on Infectious disease - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Infectious disease - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 50: Chart on Infectious disease - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Infectious disease - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Oncology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Oncology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Oncology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Oncology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Oncology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Blood screening - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Blood screening - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Blood screening - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Blood screening - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Blood screening - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Microbiology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 60: Chart on Microbiology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Microbiology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Chart on Microbiology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Microbiology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 64: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.8 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Application ($ million) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by Application ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 109: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 110: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 111: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 112: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 113: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 114: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 115: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 116: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 117: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 118: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Abbott Laboratories Exhibit 119: Abbott Laboratories - Overview Exhibit 120: Abbott Laboratories - Business segments Exhibit 121: Abbott Laboratories - Key news Exhibit 122: Abbott Laboratories - Key offerings Exhibit 123: Abbott Laboratories - Segment focus 12.4 Agilent Technologies Inc. Exhibit 124: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 125: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 126: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 127: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Segment focus 12.5 Becton Dickinson and Co. and Co. Exhibit 128: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Overview and Co. - Overview Exhibit 129: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Business segments and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 130: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Key news and Co. - Key news Exhibit 131: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Key offerings and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 132: Becton Dickinson and Co. - Segment focus 12.6 Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. Exhibit 133: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Overview Exhibit 134: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 135: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Key news Exhibit 136: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 137: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Segment focus 12.7 bioMerieux SA Exhibit 138: bioMerieux SA - Overview Exhibit 139: bioMerieux SA - Product / Service Exhibit 140: bioMerieux SA - Key offerings 12.8 Danaher Corp. Exhibit 141: Danaher Corp. - Overview Exhibit 142: Danaher Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 143: Danaher Corp. - Key news Exhibit 144: Danaher Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 145: Danaher Corp. - Segment focus 12.9 F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. Exhibit 146: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 147: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 148: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 149: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 150: F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. - Segment focus 12.10 Hologic Inc. Exhibit 151: Hologic Inc. - Overview Exhibit 152: Hologic Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 153: Hologic Inc. - Key news Exhibit 154: Hologic Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 155: Hologic Inc. - Segment focus 12.11 Illumina Inc. Exhibit 156: Illumina Inc. - Overview Exhibit 157: Illumina Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 158: Illumina Inc. - Key news Exhibit 159: Illumina Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 160: Illumina Inc. - Segment focus 12.12 QIAGEN NV Exhibit 161: QIAGEN NV - Overview Exhibit 162: QIAGEN NV - Product / Service Exhibit 163: QIAGEN NV - Key news Exhibit 164: QIAGEN NV - Key offerings 12.13 Siemens Healthineers AG Exhibit 165: Siemens Healthineers AG - Overview Exhibit 166: Siemens Healthineers AG - Business segments Exhibit 167: Siemens Healthineers AG - Key news Exhibit 168: Siemens Healthineers AG - Key offerings Exhibit 169: Siemens Healthineers AG - Segment focus 12.14 SOLONE LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PVT LTD. LIFE SCIENCES PVT LTD. Exhibit 170: SOLONE LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PVT LTD. - Overview LIFE SCIENCES PVT LTD. - Overview Exhibit 171: SOLONE LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PVT LTD. - Product / Service LIFE SCIENCES PVT LTD. - Product / Service Exhibit 172: SOLONE LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PVT LTD. - Key offerings 12.15 Spectrum Diagnostics and Health Care Exhibit 173: Spectrum Diagnostics and Health Care - Overview Exhibit 174: Spectrum Diagnostics and Health Care - Product / Service Exhibit 175: Spectrum Diagnostics and Health Care - Key offerings 12.16 Sysmex Corp. Exhibit 176: Sysmex Corp. - Overview Exhibit 177: Sysmex Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 178: Sysmex Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 179: Sysmex Corp. - Segment focus 12.17 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Exhibit 180: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Overview Exhibit 181: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 182: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key news Exhibit 183: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 184: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 185: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 186: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 187: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 188: Research methodology Exhibit 189: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 190: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 191: 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 VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Thinkific Labs Inc. ("Thinkific" or the "Company") (TSX: THNC), a leading platform for creating, marketing, and selling online learning products, announced today the launch of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) functionality, via providers Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay, as part of its growing suite of integrated business management and payments solutions which includes Thinkific Payments. Powered by global financial infrastructure platform Stripe, the latest functionality enables Thinkific Creators to offer credit at checkout options thereby increasing accessibility of their products to wider audiences and driving increased sales. "Our goal at Thinkific has always been to empower our Creators to build and scale their own remarkable and successful online businesses," said Greg Smith, CEO of Thinkific. "The addition of Buy Now, Pay Later options to Thinkific Payments provides another compelling tool for our Creators, allowing them to attract more students, increase sales, and provide flexible payment solutions that align with their audience's needs." With Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay, students have the flexibility to pay for education over time, while Creators receive immediate payment. This allows Creators to reinvest their sales revenues into marketing efforts, fueling their growth and expanding their reach. During extensive beta testing, by offering a convenient form of credit that lowers the purchase barriers for students, Thinkific Creators saw strong and consistent increases to sales conversions and revenue. According to Stripe data, businesses that accept BNPL services on their platform have seen an average 25% incremental uplift in sales volume. Thinkific's integration of BNPL functionality was also shown to increase average order values, contributing to Creator's overall revenue growth. As part of its ongoing beta testing of BNPL, the Company continues to find that the average transaction size is larger with the use of BNPL features than without, meaning Thinkific Creators see larger purchases from students when the flexible payment option is enabled. "Stripe's work with Thinkific to offer a BNPL feature means Thinkific Creators can unlock new opportunities for growth and expand accessibility to their educational products," said Sophie Sakellariadis, Product Lead for Payment Methods at Stripe. "We believe our collaboration will help Creators scale their audiences even more and supercharge sales, ultimately driving success throughout the online learning industry." For more information on Thinkific Payments and how to add Buy Now, Pay Later, please visit https://thinkific.com/features/sell-courses/thinkific-payments . About Thinkific Thinkific (TSX:THNC) makes it simple for Creator Educators and established businesses of any size to scale and generate revenue by teaching what they know. Our Platform gives businesses everything they need to build, market, and sell digital learning products - from courses to communities - and to run their business seamlessly under their own brand, on their own site. Thinkific's 50,000+ active creators earn hundreds of millions of dollars in direct course, membership and community sales while teaching tens of millions of students. Thinkific is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with a distributed team. For more information, please visit www.thinkific.com . This news release includes forward-looking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Often, but not always, forwardlooking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company's BNPL functionality, the expected benefits including revenue generation potential for Creators and for Thinkific, Thinkific's continued commitment and plans to protect personal data; and the expected benefits that this may have in support of Thinkific's continued growth. Such statements and information are based on the current expectations of Thinkific's management, and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Thinkific's management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forwardlooking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Thinkific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Thinkific Labs Inc. LEAWOOD, Kan., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Torch.AI, the Data Infrastructure AI Pioneers, announced today the launch of a new laboratory for AI & data innovation and research, the Torch.AI All-Source Fusion Lab. The lab is a facility designed for data engineers, data scientists, software developers and intelligence and operations analysts to research, test, design, and develop prototypes that apply machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies making machines and humans more productive by transforming complex data into actionable, real-time information. Torch.AI's new All-Source Fusion Lab is expected to become a catalyst for AI innovation and research in the region. Tweet this Torch.AI's All-Source Fusion Lab includes: (1) dual-purpose conference room, demonstration lab, and prototyping center, equipped with state-of-the-art video-teleconferencing (VTC); (2) all-source data fusion & data quality research center. Torch.AI's lab, located at the company's Kansas City headquarters, is expected to become a catalyst for AI innovation and research in the region. Its initial focus will support the development, demonstration, and advancement of capabilities that can rapidly analyze data across a wide variety of data sources, as well as information mined from publicly available information (PAI). "We are excited to use the new facility to bring together national and regional expertise to study some of the most difficult problems of our time: human trafficking, school safety, political unrest, and nation state threat," said Brian Weaver, Torch.AI CEO. "And we are really excited to invite the public to join some of these sessions. We think it is the start of something much much bigger in the KC region." Torch.AI practitioners have already used the lab to develop new patents and technologies, such as Torch.AI's Generative Graph Auto-Oriented Transformer (GOAT), in-flight AI-based data processing, graph-based network detection, entity resolution and tracking, all-source data fusion, and data quality analysis. "The lab presents an exciting evolution in Torch.AI's business. It creates an exciting opportunity and impact for our clients and brings even more excitement to the Kansas City area," said Jason Eidam, Torch.AI's Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy. "The space serves as a hands-on, experiential center for clients and Torch.AI employees. It will bring in an entirely new wave of collaboration." Torch.AI has plans to incorporate additional solutions for Personnel and Industrial Security, Underwriting, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know-Your-Customer (KYC), Fraud, and several other mission-critical use cases. Clients, partners, and other industry affiliations and institutions will have the opportunity to collaborate with Torch.AI on the development and application of new solutions. The space consists of two primary rooms for meetings, demonstrations, all-source data fusion and quality development activities, and software system prototyping at unclassified levels. The lab will eventually include secure areas in which employees and visitors can work within classified environments. About Torch.AI Torch.AI, the Data Infrastructure AI Pioneers, are headquartered in Kansas City with offices in Washington, DC. The company builds AI that makes data easier to use by processing data in-flight and radically evolving analytic and operational capabilities in any IT environment. The Torch Platform instantly unlocks value from data and provides information needed for humans and machines to be more productive. Partnering with U.S. military forces, the company's solutions and people support a growing array of national defense capabilities with advanced technology. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Torch.AI BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Events in Azerbaijan's Meshali village (Khojaly district) are among the numerous massacres committed by Armenian armed formations against the Azerbaijani people from 1989 to 1992, Senior Assistant to the Military Prosecutor of Azerbaijan Ismayil Aliyev said, Trend reports. According to him, a criminal case has been initiated and preliminary investigative actions have been carried out in connection with the massacre in Meshali, but due to the combat conditions at that time, it wasn't possible to conclude the investigation. Subsequently, the investigation was successfully resumed and established that Vagif Khachatryan, along with other members of an illegal Armenian armed formation, committed an armed attack on the village, killing 25 people and inflicting bodily harm of varying degrees on its 14 residents. They also forcibly displaced 338 people from their lawful place of residence. "The commitment of this crime by Khachatryan is fully proven based on the testimonies of witnesses and victims," the official said. He noted that in 2013, Khachatryan was charged under Articles 103 and 107 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the massacre in Meshali and was declared internationally wanted, and an arrest warrant was issued against him. Since then, negotiations were conducted with international organizations regarding Khachatryan's search. As a result of the conducted search measures, on July 29, 2023, Khachatryan was detained by the military personnel of the State Border Service at the Lachin border crossing point of the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border while trying to go to the Republic of Armenia for treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Investigation of criminal case initiated by the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor's Office on relevant articles of the Criminal Code on massacre and deportation of persons of Azerbaijani nationality, destruction and harm of public and private properties resulting large-scale damage caused by members of illegal Armenian armed groups on December 22, 1991 in Meshali village of Khojaly district is ongoing. The investigation established that a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan Khachatryan, who was born in 1955 in Badara village of Khojaly (former Asgaran) district and worked as a driver in Khankendi city automobile transport company, together with other people of Armenian nationality, used various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, to kill all Azerbaijani residents of Meshali village (Khojaly district) as a single national group. In addition, Khachatryan continued his criminal actions together with his accomplices, destroying and damaging property belonging to the state and villagers, causing a total of over 5.96 million manat ($3.5 million) of material damage. DUBLIN, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet Group, Inc. (NYSE: TNET) (" TriNet " or the " Company ") announced today that it has commenced a fixed price tender offer (the " Tender Offer ") to repurchase for cash up to 5,981,308 shares (representing approximately $640 million in value of shares) at a price of $107.00 per share (the " Purchase Price "), less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. The Tender Offer is expected to be funded with a combination of cash on hand, the net proceeds from a proposed private offering by the Company of senior notes that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Notes Offering "), and a drawdown of funds under the Company's revolving credit facility, which is expected to be upsized pursuant to an amendment to be entered into on or around the closing date of the Notes Offering. On July 31, 2023, the closing price of the shares was $105.23 per share. The Tender Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on August 28, 2023 (the " Expiration Date "), unless extended or terminated. On July 30, 2023, the Company entered into a repurchase agreement (the " Repurchase Agreement ") with AGI-T, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and A-A SMA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (both affiliates of the Company's largest stockholder, Atairos Group, Inc., and collectively, " Atairos "), which beneficially owned 21,450,259 shares of the Company's common stock (representing approximately 36% of the Company's outstanding shares) as of July 27, 2023. Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, the Company agreed to purchase for cash 3,364,486 shares (representing approximately $360 million in value of shares), as such number may be increased pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, from Atairos at the Purchase Price (the " Share Repurchase "). If the Tender Offer is not fully subscribed, but at least 3,644,859 shares (representing approximately $390 million in value of shares) are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer, the 3,364,486 shares to be repurchased from Atairos pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement will be increased such that the Company repurchases from Atairos an additional number of shares equal to the difference between (i) 5,981,308 shares, which is the maximum number of shares the Company is offering to repurchase in the Tender Offer, and (ii) the number of shares the Company repurchases pursuant to the Tender Offer; provided that such increase does not cause Atairos to beneficially own less than 33% of the Company's outstanding shares immediately following the closing of the Share Repurchase (taking into account the shares purchased in the Tender Offer), which percentage may be further reduced to 30% at Atairos' sole discretion. If the Company decides to exercise its right to accept for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer up to an additional 2% of its outstanding shares without extending the Expiration Date (the " Two Percent Upsize Option "), Atairos has agreed to proportionally increase the number of shares it sells pursuant to the Share Repurchase, up to an additional 429,005 shares, so as to continue to beneficially own approximately 36% of the Company's outstanding shares immediately following the closing of the Share Repurchase (taking into account the shares purchased in the Tender Offer). If the tender offer is not fully subscribed and fewer than 3,644,859 shares are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the tender offer, the Company will repurchase that number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the tender offer and the Company will repurchase only 3,364,486 shares from Atairos under the Repurchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, Atairos has agreed that it will not, directly or indirectly, purchase or sell shares from the date of the Repurchase Agreement until the 11th business day after the Expiration Date. The Share Repurchase is scheduled to close on the 11th business day following the Expiration Date, or September 13, 2023. The Share Repurchase is conditioned upon, among other matters, the completion of the Tender Offer, which, in turn, is subject to certain conditions, including the Financing Condition, which is disclosed in the Offer to Purchase. Assuming that the conditions to the Tender Offer are satisfied or waived and the Tender Offer is fully subscribed, the Company would purchase 5,981,308 shares pursuant to the Tender Offer and 3,364,486 shares pursuant to the Share Repurchase for an aggregate of 9,345,794 shares (representing approximately $1.0 billion in value of shares), representing approximately 16% of the Company's outstanding shares as of July 27, 2023. If more than 5,981,308 shares are properly tendered in the Tender Offer and not properly withdrawn, the Company reserves the right to exercise the Two Percent Upsize Option. Unless indicated otherwise, the Offer to Purchase assumes the Company will not exercise the Two Percent Upsize Option. The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to purchase additional shares of its common stock or to change the Purchase Price subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Any shares tendered may be withdrawn prior to expiration of the Tender Offer. Stockholders that do not wish to participate in the Tender Offer do not need to take any action. To tender shares, stockholders must follow the instructions described in the "Offer to Purchase" and the "Letter of Transmittal" that the Company is filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "). These documents contain important information about the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of shares being tendered. The Tender Offer will, however, be subject to other conditions, including the Financing Condition. The Company's Board of Directors, the Finance and Audit Committee of the Company's Board (the " Finance and Audit Committee ") and the members of the Company's Board of Directors who are independent of Atairos (the " Disinterested Directors "), believe the fixed price tender offer is a mechanism that affords all stockholders with the opportunity to obtain liquidity with respect to all or a portion of their shares, without potential disruption to the share price and the usual transaction costs inherent in open market purchases and sales, and also affords stockholders the option not to participate and, thereby, to increase their relative percentage interest in the Company. While the Board of Directors, the Finance and Audit Committee and the Disinterested Directors have each authorized the Tender Offer and the Share Repurchase, neither the Company nor any member of the Board of Directors has made, or is making, any recommendation to stockholders as to whether they should tender or refrain from tendering their shares. In addition, none of the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent, the Depositary or any of the Company's or their respective affiliates made, or is making, any recommendation to stockholders as to whether stockholders should tender or refrain from tendering their shares. No person is authorized to make any such recommendation. Stockholders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their shares and, if so, how many shares to tender. In doing so, stockholders should carefully read all of the information in, or incorporated by reference in, the Offer to Purchase, in the related Letter of Transmittal and in the other Tender Offer materials, including the purposes and effects of the Tender Offer. Stockholders are urged to discuss their decisions with their own tax advisors, financial advisors and/or brokers. The Company's directors, executive officers and affiliates are entitled to participate in the Tender Offer on the same basis as all other stockholders. Certain of the Company's directors and executive officers, including the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, have each advised the Company that they currently intend to participate in the Tender Offer, but none of the Company's affiliates currently intend to participate in the Tender Offer. Each of them may change their intentions at any time and no assurance can be given that any of them will or will not participate in the Tender Offer. The equity ownership of the Company's directors, executive officers and affiliates who do not tender their shares in the Tender Offer, and the equity ownership of other stockholders who do not tender their shares pursuant to the Tender Offer, will proportionately increase as a percentage of the Company's issued and outstanding shares following the consummation of the Tender Offer. However, pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement the Company entered into with Atairos (which is an affiliate of the Company and its director Michael J. Angelakis), assuming the Tender Offer is fully subscribed, the Company will purchase 3,364,486 shares from Atairos on the 11th business day following the Expiration Date such that Atairos would continue to beneficially own approximately 36% of its issued and outstanding shares immediately following the closing of the Share Repurchase (taking into account the shares purchased in the Tender Offer). Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, Atairos has agreed that it will not, directly or indirectly, purchase or sell shares from the date of the Repurchase Agreement until the 11th business day following the Expiration Date. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Truist Securities, Inc. are acting as dealer managers for the Tender Offer. The information agent for the Tender Offer is D.F. King & Co., Inc., and the depositary is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and related documents will be mailed to registered holders. Beneficial holders will receive the Offer to Purchase and a communication from their bank, broker or custodian. For questions and information, please call the information agent toll-free at (800) 431-9643. Certain Information Regarding the Tender Offer The information in this press release describing the Tender Offer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares in the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related materials that the Company is filing with the SEC, and will distribute to its stockholders, as they may be amended or supplemented. Stockholders should read the Offer to Purchase and related materials carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. Stockholders of the Company may obtain a free copy of the Tender Offer statement on Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and other documents that the Company is filing with the SEC from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Stockholders also will be able to obtain a copy of these documents, without charge, from D.F. King & Co., Inc., toll free at (800) 431-9643, or Morgan Securities Stanley & Co. LLC toll free at (855) 483-0952, BofA Securities, Inc. toll free at (888) 803-9655 and Truist Securities, Inc. toll free at (855) 382-6151. Stockholders are urged to carefully read all of these materials prior to making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer. Stockholders and investors who have questions or need assistance may call D.F. King & Co., Inc. About TriNet TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium-size businesses (" SMBs ") with full-service industry-specific HR solutions, providing both professional employer organization and human resources information system services. TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation, compliance, payroll, and R&D tax credit services, all enabled by industry-leading technology. TriNet's suite of products also includes services and software-based solutions to help streamline workflows by connecting HR, benefits, employee engagement, payroll and time & attendance. Rooted in more than 30 years of supporting entrepreneurs and adapting to the ever-changing modern workplace, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters mostgrowing their business and enabling their people. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains statements that are not historical in nature, are predictive in nature, or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or otherwise contain forward-looking statements, including statements concerning such things as TriNet's ability to complete the Tender Offer on the terms and timing described herein, or at all. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, "ability," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "design," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "hope," "impact," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "value," "will," "would" and similar expressions or variations intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date hereof and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from our current expectations and any past results, performance or achievements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Further information on risks that could affect our results is included in our filings with the SEC, including under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on our investor relations website at http://investor.trinet.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . Copies of these filings are also available by contacting TriNet's Investor Relations Department at (510) 875-7201. Except as required by law, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements in this press release, and any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, we do not assume any obligation, and do not intend, to update any of our forward-looking statements, except as required by law. SOURCE TriNet Group, Inc. HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- True Work Logistics, a pioneering force in workforce solutions, proudly unveils VAGo!, an innovative online virtual assistant training platform. This groundbreaking platform equips individuals with the essential skills required to excel as virtual assistants and thrive in diverse industries while working remotely. View PDF Learn how can VAGo! and TWL can help your organization right now VAGo! encompasses a comprehensive program that covers every facet of the virtual assistant role, ranging from effective communication skills to proficient project and time management techniques. With its flexible structure, the program empowers students to learn at their own pace and achieve various industry-recognized certifications, ensuring their readiness to take on the dynamic challenges of the virtual work landscape. "We are thrilled to introduce our new online Virtual Assistant training platform," exclaimed Joni Wolfswinkel, Owner of True Work Logistics. "As the demand for our Virtual Assistants continues to surge, we are committed to equipping individuals with the cutting-edge skills and certifications they need to succeed in this rapidly evolving field." By leveraging VAGo!'s comprehensive curriculum, aspiring virtual assistants gain a competitive edge in the job market. The platform not only imparts invaluable knowledge but also offers practical insights and real-world scenarios, enabling students to develop the confidence and competence required for seamless virtual collaboration. The VAGo! online virtual assistant training platform is available to clients of True Work Logistics and their Remote Team Members (Virtual Assistants). The program is easy to use and features interactive modules, quizzes, and assessments to ensure that students are mastering the material. Key Features of VAGo! Include: Holistic Curriculum: An all-encompassing program that covers essential virtual assistant skills, including advanced communication strategies, efficient project management techniques, and effective time management practices. Flexibility and Convenience: VAGo! empowers students to tailor their learning experience, allowing them to study at their own pace and adapt to their unique schedules. Industry-Recognized Certifications: The platform offers a diverse range of certifications, ensuring graduates possess the credentials to stand out in the competitive virtual assistant job market. True Work Logistics, renowned for its commitment to excellence, is dedicated to empowering individuals with the expertise and resources necessary to thrive in the virtual work environment. With VAGo!, the company takes a significant step forward in revolutionizing virtual assistant training, catering to the growing demand for remote work solutions. For more information about VAGo! and True Work Logistics, please visit www.trueworklogistics.com. About True Work Logistics - TWL provides the easiest and most effective way for business owners and hiring managers to connect with exceptional remote talent worldwide. Clients save time and money every week thanks to the help of dedicated and qualified professional virtual assistants. About Tortal - Tortal Training is a leading Training and Development firm specializing in E-Learning platforms and Interactive Online Training Solutions for clients in a multitude of business verticals. Media Contact: Brett Moses Communications Director [email protected] SOURCE True Work Logistics Move to Oracle Argus Cloud Service paves a path forward for future safety technology AUSTIN, Texas and BLUE BELL, Pa., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United BioSource, LLC (UBC), the leading provider of evidence-based research for the biopharma industry, has migrated its safety functions from on-premises to Oracle Argus Cloud Service, a trusted safety case management solution. UBC specializes in generating real-world evidence of product effectiveness, safety, and value that enable emerging and leading pharmaceutical companies to make medicine and specialty therapies safer and more accessible. "UBC is committed to helping our clients make informed decisions and optimize the care given to patients using their therapies," said Nathan Thompson, chief information officer, UBC. "Oracle Argus Cloud Service provides a powerful innovative, agile, and secure technology that can enable us to better manage all safety aspects of even our most complex trials. Using a cloud-based safety solution reduces operational complexities and helps refocus our valuable resources on other parts of the business. We value our ongoing collaboration with Oracle for the development of its next-generation safety technology." According to research from Ernst & Young1, large pharmaceutical companies contend with an average of 700,000 adverse event (AE) cases each year. With caseloads and regulations continuously changing, efficient case management and compliance are mission-critical for any organization. Running on the security and performance of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Oracle Argus Cloud Service will provide UBC with state-of-the-art safety case processing for its clinical trials as well as post-marketing programs. With it, UBC can optimize its workflow by automating routine steps, reducing manual work, and cutting processing times. It also enables UBC to address its global compliance goals with aggregated and expedited reporting. "We are committed to delivering next-generation safety solutions that address the very complex challenges around drug safety and post-market surveillance," said Seema Verma, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Life Sciences. "Using Oracle Argus Cloud Service can help position UBC to market its unique capabilities and attract additional business. Because we handle the maintenance in the cloud, we remove some of the risk, time, and challenges that maintaining software on premises can pose so UBC can remain focused on what matters most working to make medicine and specialty therapies safer and more accessible." Oracle Argus Cloud Service is the central location for documenting all data about adverse events including source documents, assessments, and regulatory reports, and it's the single source of truth for downstream aggregate analytics and signal detection. Oracle Argus Cloud Service can provide UBC with safety case management features and benefits including: Capabilities to help address compliance with global regulations and standards Lower cost and complexity through SaaS deployment Efficient case processing via automation and ease-of-use Powerful, extensible, and user-friendly analytics and reports Lower total cost of ownership The Safety Innovation Summit Europe 2023 on Oct. 2-3 in Utrecht, Netherlands will outline Oracle's continuing journey of advancing pharmacovigilance through innovation. For more information about The Safety Innovation Summit Europe 2023, which is open to all safety professionals involved in pharmacovigilance, visit: https://eventreg.oracle.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x831289abcd&source=CORP230519P00105:OW:ES:LV For more information about Oracle Argus Cloud Service visit: https://www.oracle.com/industries/life-sciences/pharmacovigilance/argus-safety-case-management/ For more information about Oracle Cloud Infrastructure visit: https://www.oracle.com/cloud/ About UBC United BioSource, LLC (UBC) is the leading provider of evidence development solutions with expertise in uniting evidence and access. UBC helps biopharma mitigate risk, address product hurdles, and demonstration safety, efficacy, and value under real-world conditions. Underpinned by our scientific expertise, data and analytics, and innovative technologies, we offer our customers flexible solutions generating the relevant real-world data necessary to make more informed decisions earlier, meet stakeholder requirements, and, ultimately, drive better patient outcomes. For additional information, visit www.ubc.com. About Oracle Life Sciences Oracle Life Sciences is a leader in cloud technology, pharmaceutical research, and consulting, trusted globally by professionals in both large and emerging companies engaged in clinical research and pharmacovigilance, throughout the therapeutic development lifecycle, including pre- and post-drug launch activities. With more than 20 years' experience, Oracle Life Sciences is committed to supporting clinical development and leveraging real-world evidence to deliver innovation and accelerate advancements empowering the Life Sciences industry to help improve patient outcomes. Learn more at oracle.com/lifesciences About Oracle Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. Trademarks Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company--ushering in the new era of cloud computing. 1 Ernst & Young, "How robotics is reshaping the biopharma value chain" - https://engineering.report/Resources/Whitepapers/30bb73a4-1332-4331-a84d-a2326a9469d9_Robotics-reshaping-biopharma.pdf SOURCE Oracle Five new programs started their first cohorts of students at four campuses in July, with nine more programs planned across five additional campuses launching over the next 60 days. PHOENIX, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the "Company"), a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades, energy, and healthcare education programs, launched the Airframe and Powerplant, HVACR, Wind Power, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding programs at four of its UTI division campuses in July, and is admitting new students in nine more programs at five additional campuses. The remaining programs are planned to begin classes in August and September and include Robotics & Automation. These program expansions are another important step in the execution of the Company's growth and diversification strategy, first announced in early 2021. Approximately 70 students started in the five programs launched in July. Once fully operational, these programs will be able to support more than 1,000 students annually who are seeking careers in the skilled trades and energy sectors. "The acquisition of MIAT College of Technology and the continued success of our welding programs have allowed us the opportunity to expand our UTI division program offerings across our national campus footprint," commented Jerome Grant, chief executive officer. "The program expansions, along with the two new UTI campuses launched in 2022, and the acquisition of Concorde Career Colleges this fiscal year, are a key element of our growth and diversification strategy." With the current program expansion effort, the Company is optimizing its existing UTI division campus footprint to include Airframe and Powerplant, HVACR, Industrial Maintenance, Robotics and Automation, and Wind Power in addition to the current automotive, diesel, welding, motorcycle, and marine mechanic programs. Including the July launches, new programs are currently planned across nine campuses in seven states. Potential future expansions may also be considered. The Airframe and Powerplant1 program at UTI-Avondale has received Federal Aviation Administration approval. Two additional campuses, UTI-Long Beach and UTI-Miramar are pending FAA approval. The Company will hold its Fiscal Third Quarter 2023 Conference Call on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. (ET). The Company's most recent investor presentation can be found here. About Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the "Company") was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades and healthcare education programs, whose mission is to serve students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers across a number of highly skilled fields. The Company is comprised of two divisions: Universal Technical Institute ("UTI") and Concorde Career Colleges ("Concorde"). UTI operates 16 campuses located in 9 states and offers a wide range of transportation and skilled trades technical training programs under brands such as UTI, MIAT College of Technology, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in 8 states, offering programs in the Allied Health, Dental, Nursing, Patient Care and Diagnostic fields. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu, or visit us on LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges or on Twitter @news_UTI or @ConcordeCareer. 1 The Airframe & Powerplant and Aviation Maintenance Technology programs prepare graduates to pursue entry-level careers in the aviation industry or related fields. Graduates are eligible to apply and test for an FAA-issued mechanic certificate. Career options may be limited without an FAA-issued mechanic certificate, and salaries may be lower. UTI and MIAT are educational institutions and cannot guarantee employment, salary, or FAA certification. Media Contact Alanna Vitucci [email protected] 480-710-6843 SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc. BALTIMORE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urology Care Foundation, the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and official foundation of the American Urological Association, is pleased to announce the 2023 Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant recipients. This year marks the most diverse recipients to date, with a majority of the seven grants being led by urologists from underrepresented in medicine backgrounds. As one of the world's largest urology-specific humanitarian-focused grant programs, the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grants aids the efforts of urologists and projects providing patient care and education in underserved areas, either within the United States or worldwide. Congratulations to this year's grant recipients: Lee Richter, MD Dr. Richter is associate professor of urology, obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She also is a member of the International Organization for Women and Development Board where she travels each year to Rwanda for a 2-week medical mission evaluating and operating to repair fistula. Suzette Sutherland, MD Dr. Sutherland is an associate professor of urology at the University of Washington and travels regularly to Dakar, Senegal, where she provides education and training in women's pelvic and genitourinary health. Her Fall 2023 trip with IVUmed will be dedicated to the evaluation of stress urinary incontinence with an emphasis on minimally invasive and low-risk surgical treatment options. Rajiv K. Singal, MD, FRCSC Dr. Singal is the surgeon-in-chief at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto, associate professor in the department of surgery at the University of Toronto and leads trips to the Zomba Central Hospital in Malawi. Thanks to his help with the Malawi Medical Council and the College of Surgeons of Eastern Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), a Malawian urologist has been trained to help provide a long-term sustainable solution to the lack of urologic care in the country. Dana Weiss, MD Dr. Weiss is a pediatric urology specialist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and travels each year to the Civil Hospital Amdavad in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Her work and the project that is going into its 16th year, have provided direct care to one of the largest groups of patients in the world affected by bladder exstrophy. Samit Sunny Roy, MD, MSPH Dr. Roy is a resident at the University of Tennessee under the mentorship of Dr. Amar Singh. Dr. Roy will visit the Sadbhavna Trust Hospital Trust Hospital, Kalsar, Bhavnagar, in Mahua, Gujarat, India, providing training in routine and complex urologic surgery and post operative care. Kymora Scotland, MD Dr. Scotland is an assistant professor of urology, director of endourology research and associate director of the Endourology Fellowship Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Scotland will partner with Gold Standard Urology to provide urologic screening events that bring the medical community directly to patients in south Los Angeles, with a focus on prostate cancer, incontinence, nephrolithiasis and erectile dysfunction. Matthew T. Smith, Jr., MD Dr. Smith is an assistant professor and director of resident education at SUNY Downstate University and is committed to increasing health literacy among African American men through accessible, relevant and digestible information delivered in the centers of the Black community in New York City. His project involves giving health education lectures to Black men in public community centers. "We continue to be extraordinarily pleased by all the outstanding applicants we received for these grants. The continued and growing interest demonstrates the importance of humanitarian work to our members," said Harris M. Nagler, MD, president of the Urology Care Foundation. "The projects proposed will not only make a difference to the populations aided but will hopefully inspire others to continue these efforts." Grants were made possible through funds from the American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment, the Amerson Family Humanitarian Endowment, the Richard J. Fox Foundation Humanitarian Endowment, the Nathirmal N. Lalchandani Humanitarian Endowment, the Endourological Society Raju and Ginny Thomas Humanitarian Endowment, the Indian American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment and from an Exelixis grant, and other contributors. Learn more about the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant Program and the work of the 2023 grant recipients: https://www.urologyhealth.org/humanitarianism/humanitarian-recognition-award-and-grant-program About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Collaborating with physicians, researchers, patients and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org. About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 23,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health care policy. Contact: Corey Del Bianco, Corporate Communications & Media Relations Manager 410-689-4033 [email protected] SOURCE American Urological Association and Urology Care Foundation Latest edition brings an increased focus on outpatient data. WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings. Now in its 34th year, Best Hospitals evaluates hospitals in more than 30 medical and surgical services, with the objective of providing patients with data-driven decision tools. To keep pace with consumers' needs and the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, several refinements are reflected in the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings and ratings. These include the introduction of outpatient outcomes in key specialty rankings and surgical ratings, the expanded inclusion of other outpatient data, an increased weight on objective quality measures, a reduced weight on expert opinion and more. Hospital profiles on USNews.com feature refined health equity measures, including a new measure of racial disparities in outcomes. The 2023-2024 rankings highlight 484 Best Regional Hospitals that deliver high-quality treatment across many areas of care. Of those, 22 hospitals are named to our national Honor Roll for demonstrating exceptional breadth of excellence across clinical specialties. "A recent survey of U.S. News users revealed more than four in five (84%) consider a hospital's quality metrics to be important factors when deciding where to seek treatment for a serious medical issue," said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. "Consumers want useful resources to help them assess which hospital can best meet their specific care needs. The 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings offer patients and the physicians with whom they consult a data-driven source for comparing performance in outcomes, patient satisfaction and other metrics that matter to them." "Helping consumers make decisions that are based on facts and driven by data is the cornerstone of our mission," Executive Chairman and CEO Eric Gertler added. "Our Health team, consisting of dedicated journalists and data analysts, has decades of experience supporting patients on their healthcare journey through the 'Best Hospitals' rankings and the deep reporting they do for the many stories that accompany these rankings. With unwavering commitment, we strive to help patients, caregivers and their communities." Top Five Hospitals in Selected Specialties Cancer University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles Dana- Farber /Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery Cleveland Clinic Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mount Sinai Hospital, New York NYU Langone Hospitals, New York Neurology & Neurosurgery NYU Langone Hospitals, New York UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif. New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Orthopedics Hospital for Special Surgery, New York Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell 2023-2024 Best Hospitals Honor Roll, State Highlights What follows are the hospitals on the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals Honor Roll, appearing by state in alphabetical order; each of these hospitals either ranked No. 1 or tied for No. 1 in their state. California Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital, Stanford, Calif. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles UC San Diego Health-La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals, San Diego UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif. Illinois Northwestern Medicine-Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Maryland Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore Massachusetts Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Michigan University of Michigan Health-Ann Arbor Minnesota Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Missouri Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis New York Mount Sinai Hospital, New York New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell North Shore University Hospital at Northwell Health, Manhasset, N.Y. NYU Langone Hospitals, New York Ohio Cleveland Clinic Pennsylvania Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, Philadelphia Tennessee Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. Texas Houston Methodist Hospital UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas The top-ranked hospitals in each state and major metropolitan area are listed at https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area . The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology factor objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, patient experience, level of nursing care and how successfully each hospital helps patients get back home. To calculate the Best Hospitals rankings for overall performance, specialties, states and metro areas, U.S. News evaluated each hospital's performance using a variety of measures from data provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, American Hospital Association, professional organizations and medical specialists. The Procedures & Conditions ratings are based entirely on objective quality measures. This year's rankings will be published in the U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals 2024" guidebook (ISBN 979-8-9864591-1-0), available to order from the U.S. News Online Store . For more information, visit Best Hospitals and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter . About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C. SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Valley Quality Homes extends award-winning results through three decades YAKIMA, Wash., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Valley Quality Homes, a leader in the manufactured home industry, has been honored once again with the prestigious title of #1 Dealer in the state of Washington by Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI). This marks the 30th consecutive year that Valley Quality Homes has achieved this remarkable feat, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the market. The annual recognition by SSI holds significant value, as the organization has been providing comprehensive market share data to various industries, including the manufactured housing sector, for many decades. SSI is renowned for its accurate and up-to-date retail market share data, which serves as a reliable benchmark for businesses and stakeholders. The award-winning formula for Valley Quality Homes centers around their commitment to delivering exceptional quality homes and unparalleled customer service. With 40 years of experience under their belt, the family-owned business has become synonymous with excellence in the industry. Art Berger, the proud owner of Valley Quality Homes, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "Valley Quality Homes builds high-quality homes, at high standards, and takes care of delivery, set up, and service. I started in the manufactured housing business in 1976 and am proud to be a leader in the space." Valley Quality Homes' success can be attributed to their focus on meeting customer needs. With four strategically located sales offices across Washington, the company has been able to effectively cater to clients in Eastern Oregon and Idaho as well. Their homes are crafted with precision and care in their own factory, ensuring top-notch quality control throughout the production process. Chris Harvey, Vice President of SSI, expressed his admiration for Valley Quality Homes' consistent performance, stating, "We congratulate Valley Quality Homes on their remarkable achievement of being the #1 Dealer in Washington for 30 consecutive years. Their commitment to excellence, customer-centric approach, and dedication to delivering high-quality homes have set them apart as an industry leader." Having sold more multi-wide homes than any other dealer in the state of Washington for an impressive 27 years, Valley Quality Homes has continually proven its ability to meet the demands of a dynamic market. Valley Quality Homes remains committed to its mission of providing dream homes to families in the region and looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence in the manufactured home industry. About: Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI) is a leading provider of retail market share data for businesses in the marine, recreational vehicle, powersports, trailer, and manufactured housing industries. With decades of experience, SSI offers comprehensive and reliable market data through web-based reporting software and pre-formatted data snapshots, helping businesses make informed decisions and gain a competitive edge in their respective markets. For more information about SSI, visit www.statisticalsurveys.com . Valley Quality Homes is a family-owned and operated business, serving customers throughout Washington, Eastern Oregon, and Idaho for over four decades. They take pride in building high-quality homes, offering outstanding customer service, and holding the top position in the industry for 30 consecutive years. With four convenient locations in Central Washington, Valley Quality Homes continues to be a trusted name in the manufactured home market. For more information about Valley Quality Homes, their products, and services, please visit their website at www.valleyqualityhomes.com . SOURCE Trader Interactive The online experience centers the voices and insights of the community curators behind Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vilcek Foundation has launched Pueblo Pottery: Stories in Clay , a digital experience to complement the exhibition of Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery . The multimedia project is community driven, and incorporates audio, essays, videos, and interactive tools developed with the curators of the Pueblo Pottery Collective. Pueblo Pottery: Stories in Clay View PDF Press Release: Vilcek Foundation launches digital experience, "Pueblo Pottery: Stories in Clay" Pueblo Pottery: Stories in Clay is accessible on the Vilcek Foundation website, designed by Pentagram. Users can explore three-dimensional views of selected works, accompanied by descriptions of form, design, and meaning. The three-dimensional views were captured using photogammetry with the support of Cortina Productions and Forum One. The exhibition Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery opens in New York this July, with presentations at the Vilcek Foundation and The Metropolitan Museum of Art that will be on view through June 2024. Pueblo Pottery: Voices in Clay is an interactive educational tool that creates new pathways for people to explore the insight of the curators and artists whose work makes Grounded in Clay such a powerful exhibition. "Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery is rooted in the living traditions of Pueblo nations, community members, and potters," says Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel. "For this experience we use every technical and creative resource available to us to amplify the voices of the Pueblo Pottery Collective, and to support and extend the impact of this exhibition. Pueblo Pottery: Stories in Clay expands on the community curatorial aspects that make Grounded in Clay so powerful." To help develop the digital experience, the Vilcek Foundation engaged Brian D. Vallo as a leading consultant. A member of the Pueblo of Acoma tribe in New Mexico, he served as governor in 201921, and has more than 30 years of experience working in areas of museum development, cultural resources management, repatriation of ancestors and cultural patrimony, historic architecture preservation, the arts, and tourism. Vallo curated the selection of works and wrote content for the digital experience, and identified selections from the community curators to incorporate into the project. "The Pueblo people of the American Southwest represent some of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in North America," writes Vallo. "Two significant ancestral Pueblo settlements on this vast landscape include what are known today as Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon. Pottery created at these places over a thousand years ago represents a form of material culture that is enduring and that has evolved over time." "The pottery-making tradition is rooted in the enduring cultural heritage of the Pueblo people," he continues. "Pottery-making is handed down from one generation to the next. In most Pueblos the tradition is carried on through observation and a hands-on process of working with the clay and other materials." Says Vilcek Foundation Director of Digital Brian Cavanaugh, "By leveraging technology we amplify Native American voices and offer a window into the profound stories and traditions embedded within each vessel. The Vilcek Foundation embraces technology as a tool for empowerment, enabling the world to hear diverse narratives that have been woven through generations. This forges a path where Native voices are celebrated." "The exhibition of Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery is groundbreaking in many ways, as it is a community-curated exhibition of work originating in Native American communities that centers the lived experience and voices of Native American curators," says Vilcek Foundation Curator Emily Schuchardt Navratil. "We wanted to bring Grounded in Clay to life in the digital realm, to honor these pottery pieces and traditions, and to amplify the voices of the Pueblo Pottery Collective beyond the physical exhibition." Pueblo Pottery: Stories in Clay can be accessed at https://pueblopottery.vilcek.org . The Vilcek Foundation encourages individuals to explore the digital experience and to reach out to learn more about the exhibition, Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery. The Vilcek Foundation The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $6 million in grants. The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org . Contact Elizabeth Boylan The Vilcek Foundation 212-472-2500 [email protected] SOURCE The Vilcek Foundation $280,000 scholarship will award two students entering veterinary school in Fall 2024 up to $140,000 each for tuition and fees DAVIS, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The VIN Foundation is excited to announce the Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship Created by Becky Godchaux. Two students who are accepted to the first year of veterinary school for Fall of 2024, will receive up to $35,000 each per year, for a total of up to $140,000 each for the duration of the awardees' attendance at veterinary school, for up to four years. VIN Foundation $280,000 Veterinary Student Scholarship Animal lover Becky Godchaux created this scholarship in recognition of her veterinarian Mike Dunn, DVM. Becky's goal with this scholarship is to nurture the creation of more veterinarians like Mike. As Becky says, "the happiness of my dogs is only as good as their health, and that is dependent on good veterinary care." Becky chose the VIN Foundation because she appreciates the approach of supporting veterinarians at every stage in their career. "While I am supporting the students by providing the scholarship for the school tuition, it feels good to know the VIN Foundation is providing the support of helpful programs and tools to guide them through their careers and set them up for success." The scholarship opens for submissions on August 15, 2023 at 9am PT . The application process includes completing an application form along with a personal statement and letter of recommendation. Finalists will participate in a video interview and must show proof of accepting an offer of admittance for the Fall of 2024 to a qualifying veterinary school. This scholarship is restricted to veterinary students who are committed to practicing companion animal veterinary medicine. Awardees will also receive mentorship and support using the VIN Foundation programs through school and beyond, including mental wellness support, student debt support, and everything in between. Learn more about the scholarship on the VIN Foundation website . About VIN Foundation The VIN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides helpful programs to veterinarians throughout their careers so they can help our animals and those who care for them. The VIN Foundation was created by members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with over 100,000 members worldwide. Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its resources at https://VINFoundation.org . The VIN Foundation is made possible through generous gifts by individual donors and grants; all gifts made to the VIN Foundation are tax deductible. Jordan benShea VIN Foundation (888) 616-6506 [email protected] SOURCE VIN Foundation VERO BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Watercrest Spanish Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care proudly announces their recognition as a winner in the 2023 Top 25 Florida Assisted Living Communities by the Innovators of Senior Living Awards. This is the second award of distinction this year by Watercrest Spanish Springs, as they were prestigiously recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2023-24 Best Memory Care Community in the Best Senior Living Communities Report. Watercrest Spanish Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care celebrates their distinction as a Top 25 Assisted Living Community in Florida. "We kicked off 2023 achieving 100% occupancy at our Watercrest Spanish Springs community and it is such an honor to be recognized repeatedly as one of the best senior living communities in our industry," says Kathy Wiederhold, Executive Director of Watercrest Spanish Springs. Watercrest Spanish Springs is an upscale senior living community offering outstanding caregivers and exceptional care, all tailored to individual resident preferences. Seniors enjoy Watercrest's signature Live Exhilarated programming, diverse culinary options and advanced industry training. Watercrest Spanish Springs is located in The Villages at 930 Alverez Avenue in Lady Lake, Fla. For information, contact the community at 352-604-5140. Innovators of Senior Living (IOSL) is a resource dedicated to helping people find the best senior living communities for themselves and their loved ones. It is created by ExaCare, a media platform committed to becoming a thought leader and convener of discourse in the assisted living industry. The magazine features intentional and curated content to improve the well-being of assisted living residents and staff across the US. The 2023 Top 25 Florida Assisted Living Communities also includes another Watercrest Senior Living Community: Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach Assisted Living and Memory Care in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A six-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. Civil society organizations have issued a statement on the blocking of reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh region of Azerbaijan by Armenia, Trend reports. "We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are issuing this statement to draw the attention of the international community to the artificial barriers exerted by the Armenian government and remnants of illegal regime in pursuit of their political objectives. As a multinational country, Azerbaijan promotes a setting where Armenians and other ethnic minorities can live and work in peace and with equal rights. All Azerbaijani people are accorded equal human rights, according to the country's constitution, regardless of their background in religion or ethnicity. In accordance with its Constitution and laws, Azerbaijan will protect the rights and safety of Armenian citizens in the Karabakh territory. A number of officials in Armenia is engaged in political manipulation and speculation on Lachin road issue which is functional for medical evacuation. This claim is refuted as entirely inaccurate. First of all, the Lachin road is situated within the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. As an exercise of its sovereign right, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint in Lachin on the state border, which is used by Armenian residents in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Russian peacekeepers temporarily deployed in Azerbaijan. International Court of Justice, while rejecting Armenias request in its Order of July 6, once again has confirmed that Azerbaijans measure to establish a checkpoint on the border is a sovereign and legitimate decision. The proposal by the Azerbaijani side to use Aghdam-Khankandi road to meet the needs of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was highly appreciated by the international actors. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council recently supported the usage of Aghdam-Khankandi road. International Committee of Red Cross is ready to use the road which is very accessible and convenient for humanitarian assistance. Aghdam-Khankandi road is fully operational for delivering all kinds of goods. But remnants of illegal regime take ordinary Armenians in Karabakh as hostage and refuse to use this road. The humanitarian crisis claims, and actions of Armenia and remnants of illegal regime are merely a political display. The Armenia hinders the reintegration process by preventing Armenians in Karabakh from obtaining their daily needs through Azerbaijan government. It is essential for the international community to recognize that Azerbaijan is not imposing a blockade; on the contrary, it is offering assistance. However, provocations of remnants of illegal regime means the denial of humanitarian aid. It is Armenia who has imposed a blockade on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan for over 30 years. This blockade prevents Nakhchivan from having a land connection with the rest of Azerbaijan, blocks the movement of people and goods. The ongoing blockade has significant repercussions for the population of Nakhchivan, affecting their economic activities, access to essential services, and freedom of movement within their own country. The Armenian leadership and remnants of illegal regime exert pressure on the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region, exploiting local inhabitants as hostage to further their political objectives and prevent reintegration deliberately. For the purpose of reintegration, Azerbaijan actively engages in contacts with local Armenians. The special representative from Azerbaijan has been appointed to this end. However, the Armenian side has blocked the progress and refused to come to Baku to continue the contacts by putting irrelevant preconditions after the first meeting. Azerbaijan has implemented successful projects involving qualified companies to address problems with water supply, transportation, and power supply in Karabakh. Following the War in 2020, Azerbaijan constructed a new, modern Lachin road used by local Armenians as well. The reintegration of Armenians living in Karabakh into Azerbaijan would further enhance their living standards. It should be noted that Azerbaijanis were expelled from the territories of Azerbaijan where Russian peacekeepers are temporary deployed, such as Khojali, Khankandi, villages of Shusha, etc, thirty years ago. The return of Azerbaijani former internally displaced persons to Karabakh is clearly stipulated in Article 7 of the trilateral statement of 10 November 2020, which is frequently cited by Armenians. Azerbaijan will ensure the peaceful, dignified, and safe return of its former IDPs to their homeland and residence places. We urge the Armenian government to cease their provocations, as they obstruct the reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh into Azerbaijan and pose a significant barrier to achieving peace and security in the region. We appeal to international organizations to observe the realities on the ground, respond appropriately, and advocate for the process of reintegration of Armenians of Karabakh into Azerbaijan," reads the statement. Signatures: Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Professional Organiza Coalition, Indonesia Ridhiwani Sadiki, Citizen Network for Rural Development, Kenya Parvana Valiyeva, focal point of Regional Expert group on Migration and Health Violet Wasonga, Nyando Social Justice, Kenya Patsi Stillo, Partners in Health, USA Charles Quist, Carepal Foundation, Ghana Peter Owiti, Wote Youth Development Projects CBO, Kenya Dr. Mohmad Husain, INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HQ, India Eliud Emeri, Turkana Bio Aloe Organization (TUBAE), Kenya Zeeshan Ahmed, social activist, Pakistan Hasim Abdul Halim, Department Health and Family welfare, ministry of Health, India Peter Musyoka, Twene Mbee Networking and Development group, Kenya Maryam Danesh, social activist, USA Eliud Idoket, Consortium of Grassroots Organizations in Kenya (CGOK) Fred Wanyonyi, REDO NGO Kenya ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- White Cap L.P. ("White Cap"), a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RENO Hardware and Supply, Inc., a distributor of construction supplies serving commercial, multi-family and residential contractors throughout Southern California. Upon the completion of the transaction, RENO Hardware and Supply's three locations in Riverside, Burbank, and Signal Hill, California will become part of the White Cap suite of brands in its Southwest region. "We look forward to adding more talented associates to our team in Southern California, where White Cap got its start nearly five decades ago," said John Stegeman, CEO of White Cap. "The RENO Hardware and Supply team's expertise and wide selection of products will allow us to serve our customers with even more exceptional service in both the residential and non-residential markets." "We are proud to join the White Cap family and their suite of brands," said Michael Wootten, owner of RENO Hardware and Supply. "Together we will create synergies that benefit all of our customers, our team members and the Southern California construction industry." For more than 50 years, RENO Hardware and Supply has carried a vast, high-quality inventory of tools, hardware and supplies for projects ranging from the smallest remodel to multi-story buildings to large commercial developments, serving customers across all of Southern California. About White Cap White Cap and its affiliates serve as a one-stop shop providing concrete accessories and chemicals, tools and equipment, building materials and fasteners, erosion and waterproofing products, and safety products to professional contractors by meeting their distinct and customized supply needs in non-residential, infrastructure, and residential end markets. White Cap is comprised of multiple brands in the U.S. and the Brafasco, Brock White, and NCA brands in Canada. White Cap operates approximately 470 branches across North America with more than 9,500 employees supporting approximately 200,000 customers. For more information, visit about.whitecap.com. SOURCE White Cap Supply Holdings LLC DUBLIN, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Smart Cities Decoded: Analysis of Technology Providers, Risks, and Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The "Smart Cities Decoded: Analysis of Technology Providers, Risks, and Opportunities" report serves as policymakers' and investors' indispensable guide to the future of cities. Data-driven "Smart Cities," equipped with new sensors and systems, promise to deliver a more livable, efficient, and sustainable urban experience. But who are the key players architecting the components of this transformation? Will city councils and citizens focus on the risks or rewards, and how will cities that proceed on faster timelines strike the necessary balance? With an in-depth look at the leading technology providers, this report recognizes and explores the intricacies of this burgeoning market, delivering a robust evaluation of Smart City solutions. Every section of this comprehensive report is designed to provide relevant information, objective analysis, and concise takeaways, empowering high-quality decision-making. Whether you're a city planner, a policymaker, an investor, or an innovator, this report offers a lucid understanding of Smart City market dynamics and growth trajectories. The case studies of various Smart City technology providers and their business strategies can be used to inform city planners and governmental bodies about the merits of different technology providers and segments, and the various implementation risks attached to Smart City contracts. Smart Cities Decoded: Analysis of Technology Providers, Risks, and Opportunities Report Highlights: The report investigates over 8 Smart City vendors that could be primed for growth, in order to expand the body of knowledge and mobilize capital plus policymaking in positive directions. Policymakers can use this report to anticipate long-term impacts on urban development and citizens' privacy and security, then respond effectively through regulations and guidelines. Investors can look to this report as a means of sourcing or vetting potential investment opportunities or guiding Smart City portfolio companies. Smart City technology founders and executives can use the report to better understand the competitive environment and the policy considerations of municipal decision-makers. This report will provide comprehensive answers to the following questions: How are leading innovators positioning their Smart City technology offerings? What is the transformative potential of Smart City technology segments? What are the inherent risks and challenges when adopting Smart City technologies? How could dependence on a technology provider undermine fundamental goals? What is the potential environmental impact of Smart City technologies? What are the key drivers propelling market growth? Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction to Smart Cities 1.1 Key Benefits of This Report 1.2 Target Audience 1.3 Companies Mentioned in This Report 1.4 Methodology 1.5 Executive Summary 2. Analysis of Smart City Technology Providers 2.1 Cisco 2.2 IBM 2.3 Siemens 2.4 Rubicon Technologies 2.5 Nordsense 2.6 Glowee 2.7 Humanising Autonomy 2.8 VivaCity 2.9 Analysis of Opportunities and Benchmarking 3. Risks and Challenges 3.1 Data Privacy and Security 3.2 Surveillance and Civil Liberties 3.3 Dependence on Technology Providers 3.4 Interoperability 3.5 System Failures 3.6 Environmental Impact 3.7 Digital Divide 3.8 Key Takeaways 4. Smart City Tech Growth Potential 4.1 Market Dynamics 4.2 Growth Drivers For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mr92i9 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets BEIJING, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xiaomi, one of the world's leading consumer electronics and smart manufacturing companies, officially started its 2023 Xiaomi International Theme Competition on Friday. This is the second time that Xiaomi's International Internet Business Department (IIB) has held the annual event. With the slogan "Global Expressions, Local Inspirations", the competition aims to attract more designers from the markets where Xiaomi operates and generate more themes incorporating local designs and motifs for Xiaomi users worldwide. "Localization has always been one of our core principles throughout our global expansion. At IIB, we believe that the best approach to providing top-quality internet services to our users is to get close to them, understand them, and truly connect with them. The International Theme Competition is a key branding campaign for Xiaomi's international internet business, which conveys our commitment to building a customized, enjoyable MIUI for everyone." said Chan Liu, General Manager, International Internet Business Dept., Xiaomi. "We see designers as the most valuable partners regarding theme content creation. It is their contribution that makes our Themes app one of the most popular MIUI apps for millions of users. We encourage more designers and Xiaomi Fans to participate in this competition. The team has made the design process easier than ever before by introducing new and easy-to-use design tools. No matter where you come from, what language you speak, what job you do, or if you have professional design experience, with passion and creativity, you have a chance to be a star in theme design." said Charlie Cheng, Head of Core Applications, International Internet Business Dept., Xiaomi. Along with the announcement of the competition, Xiaomi's IIB also released a series of videos to highlight the talents of the designers behind its popular Themes feature. These videos are stories about the collaborative spirit that is central to the Xiaomi Community. Each of the four short videos tells the story of a Xiaomi Themes designer. Manolo, from Italy, is a freelancer who created a single black-and-white theme that was downloaded more than 20 million times. Matiba, a Colombian artist, embraced her traditional culture by painting colorful smartphone wallpapers for Barranquilla's Carnival in collaboration with Xiaomi. Piyush started off as a regular Xiaomi Fan making amazing themes in his free time and has now turned his passion into a career in Xiaomi's India office. Lu Zhiru, from one of Xiaomi's corporate partners, shared her experience of working with the Xiaomi Themes team over the past decade. Xiaomi is well known for both its outstanding smartphones and its ability to empower users to customize their devices. Here, MIUI Theme plays a central role thousands of new themes are designed and uploaded daily by both professional creatives and passionate Xiaomi Fans. With a single tap, MIUI users can express themselves and personalize their Xiaomi smartphones with beautiful wallpapers, Lock screen images, customized icons, and more. From July 28th to November 1st, anyone who is interested in participating in the 2023 International Theme Competition can submit their work here: https://zhuti.designer.intl.xiaomi.com/theme-competition-2023-outer/home Expert review and votes will start from November 1st to December 28th, then winning designs will be announced and prizes will be given out. All the themes of the competition can be downloaded by users. The first prize winner of the competition will be awarded a prize of USD 13,000. For more information, please visit Xiaomi Community https://c.mi.com/global/ Watch the designer videos here: Manolo's story: https://youtu.be/8zYIuQQDwac Matiba's story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh7C5peHVKk&t=3s Piyush's story: https://youtu.be/AHSg6RqMSpQ Lu Zhiru's story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaR5IYYNQ8 About Xiaomi Corporation Xiaomi Corporation was founded in April 2010 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on July 9, 2018 (1810.HK). Xiaomi is a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an IoT platform at its core. Embracing our vision of "Make friends with users and be the coolest company in the users' hearts", Xiaomi continuously pursues innovations, high-quality user experience, and operational efficiency. The company relentlessly builds amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology. Xiaomi is one of the world's leading smartphone companies. According to Canalys, the company's market share in terms of smartphone shipments ranked No. 3 globally in the first quarter of 2023. In March 2023, the MAU of MIUI reached approximately 595 million globally. The company has also established the world's leading consumer AIoT (AI+IoT) platform, with 618 million smart devices connected to its platform as of March 31, 2023, excluding smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Xiaomi products are present in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. In August 2022, the company made the Fortune Global 500 list for the fourth time, ranking #266, up 72 places compared to 2021. Xiaomi is a constituent of the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, Hang Seng TECH Index and Hang Seng China 50 Index. For more information about Xiaomi as a company, please visit https://www.mi.com/global/discover/newsroom SOURCE Xiaomi Corporation Prague, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zentiva is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality and affordable medicines to more than 100 million people in Europe and beyond. With sustainability embedded into its business strategy, the company fulfilled its 2022 sustainability goals and implemented actions in 3 pillars: People, Partners and Planet. Zentiva publishes 2022 Sustainability Report Steffen Saltofte, CEO Zentiva: "Zentiva continues to make a significant contribution to public health in Europe. We are aware of our responsibility towards people, our partners and our planet. ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is helping us to navigate and fulfill our ambitions. Encouraging progress has been made in 2022 thanks to the engagement of our people and the cooperation and constructive dialogue with our partners and stakeholders." PEOPLE: We continued to strengthen the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion approach and signed the Diversity Charter in the Czech Republic joining Romania and Slovakia as members in their country as well. At the end of 2022, Zentiva is role modeling Diversity with a healthy gender balance across the organization, same time going beyond the gender topic to fuel our creativity and innovation by bringing teams together with different cultural, national and educational background, different life experience or abilities. With our #WeHelpOthers program our team engaged in 100 volunteering activities and community support projects. PARTNERS: Zentiva joined the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment & anti-corruption. On its way forward, the 10 principles and the 17 Sustainability Development Goals were embedded. It was a year of strengthening our governance, starting from an updated Risk & Materiality Analysis, better best practice sharing and collaboration between different teams. This helped to further move on with the responsible sourcing programme, where we reviewed Top 80% of suppliers and actively discussing our common activities towards a sustainable future. PLANET: We translated our climate strategy into actions and delivered significant improvements in carbon reduction, energy and water efficiency and more efficient waste management. We continued as well our reforestation programme by planting another 100.000 trees. Zentiva's European Manufacturing Sites are sourced by 100 % renewable energy and we further invest to maximize the usage of solar panels in all our sites. We continue our carbon neutral roadmap that is targeting neutrality for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030. Ines Windisch, Head of HR, Communication & Sustainability: "It is for a reason that the "e" in Zentiva is green. We are looking back at a history of more than 500 years where Zentiva served people and communities with better healthcare. We want to ensure that for future generations, so that they can enjoy life as much as we do. And we know we have to act already today for a sustainable tomorrow." Zentiva's 2022 Sustainability Report discloses the non-financial topics referencing GRI standards and presents first time a verified carbon footprint analysis as well for Scope 3 emissions. The company presents an ambitious outlook for 2023, showing full commitment to further progress in all areas of ESG. Discover Zentiva's Sustainability Strategy and Goals and the actions implemented here. About Zentiva Zentiva is a producer of high-quality affordable medicines serving people in Europe and beyond. With a dedicated team of more than 4,800 people and a network of production sites - including flagship sites in Prague, Bucharest, and Ankleshwar - Zentiva strives to be the champion of branded and generic medicines in Europe to better support people's daily healthcare needs. More than ever, people need better access to high-quality affordable medicines and healthcare. We work in partnership with physicians, pharmacists, wholesalers, regulators, and governments to provide the everyday solutions that we all depend on. Follow us on LinkedIn. www.zentiva.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166866/Zentiva.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757203/4190739/ZENTIVA_Logo.jpg SOURCE Zentiva BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Armenia's powerlessness has shifted to the legal sphere, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, Plenipotentiary Representative to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Chingiz Asgarov said, Trend reports. Asgarov made the remark commenting on a letter addressed to him by the ECHR, requesting the Azerbaijani government to provide information about the detention conditions and the health status of Vagif Khachatryan accused of perpetrating a massacre in Azerbaijan's Meshali village on December 22, 1991. He emphasized that Azerbaijan, adhering to its commitments under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, will provide the information requested. At the same time, it's at least surprising that the Armenian government, to obtain information readily available in the public domain and media, appealed to the European Court and presented such a request as an 'interim measure', Asgarov said. Investigation of criminal case initiated by the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor's Office on relevant articles of the Criminal Code on massacre and deportation of persons of Azerbaijani nationality, destruction and harm of public and private properties resulting large-scale damage caused by members of illegal Armenian armed groups on December 22, 1991 in Meshali village of Khojaly district is ongoing. The investigation established that a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan Khachatryan, who was born in 1955 in Badara village of Khojaly (former Asgaran) district and worked as a driver in Khankendi city transport company, together with other people of Armenian nationality, used various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, to kill all Azerbaijani residents of Meshali village (Khojaly district). The assailants attacked the village, killed 25 and injured 14 people of Azerbaijani nationality, and, contrary to national and international law norms, expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their domicile. In addition, Khachatryan continued his criminal actions together with his accomplices, destroying and damaging property belonging to the state and villagers, causing a total of over 5.96 million manat ($3.5 million) of material damage. Due to the fact that sufficient reasonable suspicions arose regarding the criminal case, it was decided to involve Khachatryan as an accused person under articles 103 (massacre) and 107 (deportation or forced movement of the population) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. However, due to the fact that his whereabouts were unknown to the investigation, on November 12, 2013, an international arrest warrant was issued by an Azerbaijani court's decision. As a result of the conducted search measures, on July 29, 2023, Vagif Khachatryan was detained by the military personnel of the State Border Service at the Lachin border crossing point of the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border while trying to go to the Republic of Armenia for treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Euronews TV channel has released a video covering restoration and construction efforts in Azerbaijan's Lachin, as well as the return of former displaced persons there, Trend reports. The video highlighted the extensive reconstruction and building activities taking place in Lachin city, located in western Azerbaijan, during the post-conflict period after the 2020 second Karabakh war. The channel's reporter Anelise Borges talked to the former displaced persons who have returned to Lachin. Lachin city was liberated from Armenian occupation following the second Karabakh war in 2020. Following the liberation, a big restoration and reconstruction work has been launched in the city. The return of former IDPs to Lachin city has started since May 2023 this year. To date, 180 families (700 people) have been provided with permanent residence in the city. Gurugram, Aug 1 : Two home guards and 10 police officers, including one Deputy Superintendent of Police rank and three inspectors, were injured in a communal incident in Haryana's Nuh district when they were going to Nuh from Gurugram to maintain the law and order situation, police said. "The police teams of Gurugram were going from Gurugram to Nuh, the mob on the way threw stones at the police vehicles in which Hodal DSP Sajjan Singh, Inspectors -- Ajay and Devender -- of IMT Manesar police station, Inspector Anil of Gurugram Crime Branch In-Charge Sector-40, Sub-Inspector Arun of Kherki Daula police station, Sub-Inspector Deepak of IMT Manesar police station, Sub-Inspector Devender of Kherki Daula police station, ASI Rajesh Reader of DCP Manesar, Head Constable Sher Singh of Kherki Daula police station and Constable Pawan of Kherki Daula police station were seriously injured while home guards, Neeraj and Gursevak, of Kherki Daula police station died," the police said in a statement. The police added that all the injured police personnel are undergoing treatment at the Medanta hospital in Gurugram. According to official information, home guards Neeraj and Gursevak lost their life to a bullet injury. Hodal DSP Sajjan Singh sustained a severe bullet wound on his head, while Inspector Anil Kumar, In- Charge of the Crime Unit in Sector-40, Gurugram, suffered a gunshot wound on his stomach in the incident. In the communal clashes, a mob torched more than 80 vehicles, and a police station and virtually took around 3,000 to 4,000 people "hostage" in a temple. As per reports, all the people held hostage have been rescued. The state government has imposed Section 144 in the Nuh district and sealed its borders and suspended internet services till August 2. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said 15 units of central forces will be deployed in Nuh amid the violence. "Additional 15 central forces have been sent to Nuh for security purposes. Internet services are suspended and we are trying to restore peace and law and order," Vij told the media. Meanwhile, all educational institutions will remain closed in the Gurugram district on Tuesday. Gurugram District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav issued orders late Monday night. "Due to communal tension in the neighbouring district of Nuh, roads have been blocked by anti-social elements to disturb the peace and tranquility of society and public order in Gurugram. To avoid any untoward incident it's necessary to close government and private educational institutions in the district in view of prevailing circumstances. Keeping in view of the above, it is hereby ordered that all government and private educational institutions will remain closed on August 1 in Gurugram," the orders said. Apart from this, the Gurugram district administration intensified security and deployed huge police personnel after a mob of around 500 people pelted stones and torched four shops and a cab near Ambedkar Chowk in the Sohna road area. Following the incident, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner and the Additional Deputy Commissioner reached the spot and pacified the protesters. No loss of life was reported and Section 144 has already been imposed in Gurugram. Baghdad, Aug 1 : Iraq discussed with the visiting Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. During a meeting with the GCC Chief Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rasheed expressed Iraq's desire to establish strong political, social, administrative and diplomatic ties with other countries, according to a statement by the Iraqi Presidency on Monday. For his part, Albudaiwi expressed his full confidence that relations between Iraq and the Arab Gulf states will witness positive developments in terms of electricity interconnections, trade exchange, and other areas, according to the statement. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani also met with Albudaiwi on bilateral ties in various fields, especially in security coordination and drug control, al-Sudani's media office said in a statement. At a joint press conference after meeting with Albudaiwi, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed his country's strong ties with the GCC states, saying Iraqi foreign policy is "based on developing relations". Meanwhile, Albudaiwi asserted the GCC countries' keenness to ensure Iraq's security and prosperity and hailed Iraq's major role in dealing with regional and international issues, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Monday, Albudaiwi heading a delegation arrived in Iraq's capital Baghdad on a visit aimed at improving relations between the Gulf states and Iraq. His visit came a day after Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders in an attempt to end border demarcation and joint oil field disputes. After 2003, Iraq witnessed a remarkable development in relations with relations with Gulf states, which reopened their embassies that had been closed following Iraq's invasion under its former leader Saddam Hussein of Kuwait in 1990. Tehran, Aug 1 : Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, has announced that Iran and Syria have eliminated bilateral trade tariffs, media reported. Bazrpash made the announcement on Monday at a meeting of the heads of the Iran-Syria Joint Economic Commission co-chaired by visiting Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil in Iran's capital Tehran, Xinhua news agency reported. Besides, Iran and Syria agreed to use their national currencies, the Iranian rial and the Syrian pound, in bilateral trade if possible, according to the Minister. Many of the cooperation documents signed during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Syria in early May have produced favourable results, he noted. The two countries have established a joint insurance company that provides services for Iranian and Syrian companies, passengers and tourists, said Bazrpash, adding Syria is expected to provide Iran with appropriate and high-capacity wharfs and backshores. The Syrian Economy and Foreign Trade Minister arrived in Tehran on Monday, along with the country's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and Communications and Technology Minister Iyad Mohammad al-Khatib, for talks with high-ranking Iranian officials and following up on the implementation of previously-signed bilateral agreements. Canberra, Aug 1 : Australian cattle are being tested for the lumpy skin disease (LSD) after Indonesia paused imports from four facilities over outbreak fears. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt on Monday said Australia remains free of the infectious virus, Xinhua news agency reported. Indonesia has paused cattle imports from four Australian facilities after individuals tested positive for LSD, characterised by nodules on the skin and could be devastating for farmers. Watt added that immediately after being notified of the issue on Friday afternoon (July 28), the government enacted an emergency response, which included rapid diagnostic testing of cattle across northern Australia. "Australian officials are working with Indonesian authorities to reassure them that all animals exported from Australia comply with all Indonesian requirements, including being free of LSD," he said in a statement on Monday. "Indonesia has paused exports from four Australian facilities pending further testing of animals, but live cattle exports to Indonesia are continuing, and 28 registered establishments are available for use by exporters wishing to trade." The spread of LSD could devastate the industry, heavily restricting cattle exports and causing reduced milk production, poor growth and infertility. Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Mark Schipp said LSD is a highly infectious viral disease of cattle and buffalo transmitted by biting insects. It is not a disease that poses a risk to humans. "Australia has robust biosecurity systems in place for the ongoing monitoring of Australia's animal disease status, including for LSD," he added. Thane, Aug 1 : At least 14 workers were killed and three others injured when a crane crashed on a girder in Shahpur where work on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway (Samruddhi Mahamarg) was underway in Thane, the home district of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, authorities said. According to the Regional Disaster Management Unit, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Tuesday when the massive gamtrycrane collapsed on the girder, trapping the workers. The location is between Sargaon and Sarambegain where work is proceeding on the third and final phase of the 701-km-long Samruddhi Mahamarg between Nashik-Mumbai. A massive rescue operation has been mounted by the Thane Police, Fire Brigade and disaster agencies amid apprehension of the death toll increasing. United Nations, Aug 1 : UN humanitarians have said that despite the fighting in Sudan, more than 780 trucks have delivered about 35,000 ton of aid across the country since two months and 10 days. Between July 22 and 27, more than 40 trucks carrying 1,600 ton of food reached Kassala, Gedaref and White Nile states, and another five trucks carrying some 300 ton of relief reached West Kordofan state, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported providing food and nutrition assistance to more than 450,000 people in Central, East, North and South Darfur states since the hostilities began on April 15. With the Sudanese Red Crescent, WFP supplies are reaching people internally displaced by conflict in the Al Firdous locality in East Darfur, Xinhua news agency reported. The vast, western Darfur region of Sudan was particularly hard-hit by the conflict. Beirut, Aug 1 : Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has said that the armed clashes in a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon are unacceptable as they violate the country's sovereignty. Armed clashes between members of the Palestinian Fatah Movement and Islamist militants in the Ain Al-Helweh camp intensified on Monday, with the death toll increasing to 11 and injuries to 37, Xinhua news agency reported. A statement released by the cabinet quoted Mikati on Monday as saying, "What is happening is unacceptable as it places the camp outside the control of the state; every resident of the Lebanese territory must respect the country's sovereignty." Mikati added that despite the ceasefire agreed upon among Palestinian factions, some parties are constantly violating it. Clashes between rival Palestinian groups often occur in the Ain Al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 1 : Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday morning went to Azadpur Mandi, one of Asia's biggest vegetable wholesale markets, in the wake of soaring prices of vegetables. He arrived at the Azadpur Mandi in north Delhi around 4 a.m. and interacted with the vegetable sellers in the market, sources said. His visit to Azadpur Mandi comes amid soaring prices of vegetables. Several vegetable varieties are being sold at over Rs 100 per kilogram. Even tomatoes are being sold at over Rs 200 per kg in several areas of the national capital. He visited the vegetable market, two days after returning from Kerala where he got treatment for his childhood knee injury. Last month he visited the farm fields in Haryana's Sonepat and sowed the paddy samplings and invited the women farmers at his residence over lunch. He took a truck ride from Haryana's Murthal to Ambala in May to understand the problems faced by the truck drivers. Rahul met the gig workers in Karnataka's Bengaluru and also drove on a scooty with a delivery partner. He visited the Delhi University's PG Men's hostel for lunch with students. Later visited Mukherjee Nagar area of Delhi to interact with the UPSC aspirants and also travelled to Jama Masjid and Bengali Market area in April this year. --IANSaks/dpb Moscow, Aug 1 : Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Tuesday said a drone has struck a building in the Russian capital which was hit three days ago. "Several drones that were trying to fly into Moscow were shot down by (our) air defence. One flew into the same tower in (Moscow) City as last time (Sunday). The facade at the 17th floor was damaged," CNN quoted the Mayor as saying. The fresh drone strike comes two days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that the war is "gradually returning" to Russia after the Kremlin accused Kiev of targeting Moscow with drones. The Russian Defence Ministry said three drones were intercepted Sunday, but a business and shopping development in the west of the capital was hit. The fifth and sixth floors of a 50-storey building were damaged, and no casualties were reported, according to state media. Meanwhile, Russia has also intensified attacks in response to the drone strikes, CNN reported. On Monday, at least six people were killed, including a child, following Russian missile strikes on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Zelensky. Attacks were also reported early Tuesday by Ukrainian officials on the northeast city of Kharkiv. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. The US continues to engage with Azerbaijan and Armenia at different levels, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing on Aug.1, Trend reports. "We do believe that a peace agreement is it within reach. That's why we continue to engage both at the senior levels of this department, and at subcabinet levels with leaders in Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach a full peace agreement,"he said. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia. They met with US Secretary Anthony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington. The ministers and their teams continued progress on the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and achieved mutual understanding on the draft agreement, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues require further work. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn I-T raids were aimed at damaging my image, says BRS MLA. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, Aug 1 : Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and counter intelligence Kashmir (CIK) of J&K Police raided multiple locations separately on Tuesday in the Valley. The CIK raids are being conducted at 11 locations in districts of Bandipora, Srinagar, Shopian, Anantnag, Awantipora and Pulwama. "These raids are part of the investigation of a terror recruitment case (FIR No. 06/2023 registered recently in Police Station CIK (Jaish-e-Mohammad -- JeM -- Module being handled from across the border) being investigated by CID CIK. "CIK sleuths carried out searches simultaneously at these locations to maintain surprise. "More locations are being searched. It is expected that incriminating material in hard and soft form will be recovered besides arrests," sources said. Meanwhile, NIA raided places in Pulwama district, including Rohmoo, Rajpora, Kakapora and Karimabad and the residence of advocate Parvaiz Ahmad Shah in Kralpora area of Budgam district. Similar raids by NIA are reported to be going on at some other locations in the Valley. Chennai, Aug 1 : Two history-sheeters were gunned down during an encounter with a police team on Tuesday near Guduvanchery, a suburb in the state capital, said the Chennai Police officials. The deceased have been identified as Ganesh (32) and Vinod (36). Police said that Vinod has at least 50 criminal cases, including 10 murder cases against him. His accomplice, Ramesh had 20 criminal cases and seven murder charges against him. Sources in Guduvanchery police in Chennai told IANS that a police team, which was on a patrol, intercepted a car at early morning hours at Guduvanchery. Police said that there were four people in the car and during checking, they opened fire against the police. Police team retorted, killing Ganesh and Vinod instantly. It may be noted that after the DMK government came to power, there were several instances of police excesses. These include lockup deaths and custodial torture leading to deaths. There were also a few encounter killings at Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Madurai districts. Recently in a high-level meeting of police officials and bureaucrats, the Chief Minister had stated that there should not be any highhandedness on the part of the police till the 2024 general elections, sources said. Chennai, Aug 1 : A family of four Sri Lankan refugees reached Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu early on Tuesday. Sources told IANS that fishermen had informed the Tamil Nadu coastal police about the presence of refugees near the shores of Dhanushkodi. Police arrived and said the couple, along with their two children, had reached the Indian coast to escape from the crisis in Lanka. After the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the number of refugees who have reached Tamil Nadu has touched 270. The family was taken to the refugee camp near Dhanushkodi. It is to be noted that Sri Lanka is reeling under an economic crisis and the present government led by Ranil Wickramasinghe has been taking measures, including availing of loans from IMF to overcome the crisis. Washington, Aug 1 : Former US President Donald Trump's attempt to derail an investigation into his alleged meddling in the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia has been rejected by a judge, the media reported. On Monday,Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney rejected efforts by Trump's legal team to keep a Georgia district attorney from prosecuting him and from using certain evidence gathered in her investigation into the case, reports Xinhua news agency. In his ruling, McBurney said there are no grounds to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from pursuing her investigation. Willis has suggested that she may seek charges in the case in the coming weeks. Trump's legal team in Georgia had previously asked the court to throw out all the evidence from the special purpose grand jury investigation and disqualify Willis, citing concerns about the constitutionality of special grand juries in the state and about "a prosecutor's office that was found to have an actual conflict, yet continued to pursue the investigation". The special grand jury did not have the power to indict. But it did issue subpoenas and hear from witnesses and issue a final report with recommendations for Willis. But despite Trump's mounting legal troubles, his status as the clear frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination continues unabated. The former President has been indicted twice in the past four months -- once in New York for alleged financial crimes and once in a federal court on charges that he mishandled sensitive government documents and obstructed an investigation. He may be on the verge of a third indictment, for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. An average of opinion polls from Monday showed he has a commanding lead of 37 points over his nearest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the BBC reported. No-one else in the crowded field of 14 candidates scores over 6 per cent, and more than half of them are not even at 1 per cent. Meanwhile, the primary fundraising and political spending group supporting Trump has spent more than $40 million on legal fees so far this year. That money, due to be confirmed in a financial filing on Monday, has been used to defend the former President and his allies across multiple cases, reports the BBC. It is a more than two-fold increase in Save America's spending on legal costs across 2021 and 2022 combined. Save America is a political action committee founded and controlled by Trump. Dance teacher among three arrested for gang-raping college student in Bluru. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Three persons, including a dance teacher, were arrested on charges of gang-raping a college student in Kodigehalli police station limits in Bengaluru, police said on Tuesday. The arrested persons were identified as Andy George, a dance teacher in a private school, Santhosh and Shashi. According to police, Andy befriended the victim, a college student through social media. He recorded their private moments and started threatening her. Growing suspicious and fearful about the accused, the girl distanced herself from him. Later, he blackmailed her that he would share their private pictures and raped the victim again. He had recorded the act and using this footage he continued blackmailing her and raped her repeatedly. The victim told the police that the accused had invited his friends to his home and all raped her. The accused had posted her pictures and videos on social media. The victim somehow gathered courage and lodged a complaint with police. The police immediately swung into action and arrested the accused persons. The police have seized the mobile phone and a pen drive. The police are suspecting the involvement of the accused persons, especially the prime accused Andy, in many similar cases and launched an investigation. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, popularly known as Lokmanya Tilak, on his death anniversary. Taking to twitter, the Prime Minister wrote, "I pay homage to Lokmanya Tilak on his Punya Tithi. I will be in Pune today, where I will accept the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. I am indeed humbled that I have been conferred this award which is closely associated with the work of such a great personality of our history." Modi also informed that during his visit, he will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of key development projects . Union Ministers also took to the micro-blogging site and paid homage to the freedom fighter . Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju in a tweet wrote, "Remembering Lokmanya Tilak, a true champion of Swaraj, on his death anniversary. " "His courage, wisdom, and love for India continue to inspire generations. Saluting the spirit of freedom he ignited in every Indian heart," Rijiju said. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri in a tweet said, "A visionary leader, Bal Gangadhar Tilak Ji will be remembered by generations of Indians for his immense contribution to the cause of Indiaas independence." "I pay homage to the stalwart of our freedom movement on his death anniversary," he said. Paying his rich tributes, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy in a tweet wrote, "Tributes to freedom fighter, social thinker, philosopher and teacher Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Ji on his Punya Tithi." "Lokmanya Ji championed the cause of 'Purna Swaraj' and laid foundation for India's quest for freedom," he added. Washington, Aug 1 : Police in the US city of Memphis shot an armed man for firing a gun outside a Jewish school and also attempting to enter the premises, officials said. According to the police, the man is currently in hospital and is said to be in critical condition, reports CBS News. On Monday afternoon, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) received a call about an unidentified White man who reportedly fired his handgun outside the Margolin Hebrew Academy -- a co-ed school for children in first through eighth grades, the police said in a statement. No one was injured in the incident, it added. "Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure and process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene," CBS News quoted Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe as saying. Crow added that it was too early to determine if the incident was a hate crime but that the suspect appeared determined to harm people. The suspect fled the scene in a pickup truck before police arrived. The police later tracked the vehicle to Bartlett, Tennessee. "Officers conducted a traffic stop, at which time the driver exited the vehicle armed with a handgun," a police statement said. An MPD officer fired his weapon and struck the suspect, leaving him in critical condition, it added. Islamabad, Aug 1 : The terror group, Islamic State in Khorasan Province (IS-K) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at a Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers' convention in Pakistan which led to the deaths of 54 people, including more than 20 minors. A statement released late Monday by Amaq, the propaganda arm of IS-K, said that a suicide bomber conducted the attack on Sunday in Khar area of Bajaur district, reports Xinhua news agency. Additional Inspector General of Police Shaukat Abbas told the media on Monday that at least 83 people were also injured in the attack "At least 12 of the deceased are below 12 years of age. The medics fear that the death toll might further rise," he added. JUI-Fas Khar emir Ziaullah, his information secretary Mujahid Khan and his 22-year old son were among the victims. Abbas said that the convention began at 2 p.m. on Sunday and the explosion occurred two hours later, reports Dawn news. Meanwhile, District Police Officer (DPO) Nazeer Khan said that preliminary probe had revealed that up to 12 kg of explosives was used in the blast. Khyber PakhtuAnkhwa caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan and Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat Khan visited Bajaur on Monday. Last year, the IS-K said it was behind attacks against religious scholars affiliated with JUI-F, which has a network of mosques and schools. In June, it said they were behind the assassination of a party official in the village of Inayat Killi. Mumbai, Aug 1 : The upcoming Akshay Kumar-starrer 'OMG 2', which has been at the centre of another controversy of late, has finally received its censor certificate, with the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) asking the makers for certain modifications in the film. The CBFC has granted an 'A' certificate to the film making it Akshay's first film in 12 years to get an 'A' certificate. His last film to get an 'A' certificate was 'Desi Boyz' in which he starred alongside John Abraham, Deepika Padukone and Chitrangada Singh. After watching the film, the Examining Committee (EC) of the board, referred the film to the Revising Committee (RC) since the film had a religious angle and the former didn't want to take any chances. Recently, the clearance of films such as 'Adipurush' and 'Oppenheimer', having the religious angles, has irked certain sections of the audience and has put the CBFC at the centre of criticism from those sections. The revising committee had recommended a few cuts and modifications in the film to issue a 'U/A' certificate to the film. According to sources, after much deliberation with the makers, the film has now been passed without any deletions. "There are no cuts in the film; only a few modifications, which the makers discussed with the censor board members." However, the film has now been granted an 'A' certificate allowing only the adults to watch the film. "For a UA certificate, the committee was asking for a lot of cuts. The makers didn't want to compromise with the sanctity of the film. So they chose to go with an Adults certification but keeping the integrity of the film intact and also adhering to and respecting the norms of the censor board", the source added. Now that the censor certificate is in hand, the film's makers are set to start the marketing campaign for the film. 'OMG 2' will be released on August 11 in theatres where it will clash with the Sunny Deol-starrer 'Gadar 2'. All eyes are now set on August 11 for the big clash as both are legacy films and command a huge fan following. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kolkata, Aug 1 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now received a complaint against actress-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Nusrat Jahan of being associated with a shady financial entity. State BJP leader Shankudeb Panda personally lodged this complaint against Jahan at ED's Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Monday evening. Sources said that while Panda filed this complaint he was accompanied by some individuals who were allegedly duped by the financial entity where the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Basirhat constituency in North 24 Parganas district was an erstwhile director. In his complaint to the central agency, Panda alleged that the said entity christened Seven Sense Infrastructure Private Limited received an amount of nearly Rs 6,00,000 from the duped investors promising them residential flats at reasonable rates within four years. Though they had not received those residential flats as yet, complained Panda and his accompanying duped investors, the directors of the said entity, including Jahan used that money to construct their own flats. "This is a clear case of financial scam. A case was filed earlier in the court in the matter. The court even asked the Trinamool Congress MP to be present at the court, which she defied. So we are compelled to approach the ED in the matter," Panda said. Jahan was in the midst of controversy after the infamous Park Street gang-rape of an Anglo-Indian woman in February 2012. There were allegations against Jahan of giving shelter to the prime accused in the case, Kader Khan. The victim, who died in March 2015, became a lead face of anti-rape campaign before her death. Khan is still absconding. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she was fielded from Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency in North 24 Parganas district which she successfully contested. E A S Sarma Former Secretary to the Government of India To Dr A K Mohanty Chairman Dept of Atomic Energy (DAE) Govt of India Dear Dr Mohanty, I refer to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL)s proposed (6 X 1100 MWe) LWR nuclear power project at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh (AP). The US company, Westinghouse is expected to manufacture and supply its VVER units for the project. In this connection, I invite your attention to a news report (https://www.ft.com/content/5d8e0c6c-59c9-4b40-806f-604889dd5fb6) which indicates that Westinghouses 1,100-megawatt Vogtle unit 3, which was initially supposed to be commissioned in 2016, has since come into operation now, after a delay of seven years. "Its start of operations was delayed once more in June after the company discovered a degraded seal in its main generator.....Along the way the company kept ratcheting up the cost estimates, pushing back the deadlines a bit at a time. Every time it was raised just enough where it was still within the bounds of justification that it made sense to proceed. But they were wildly off in their estimates every single time...The $14bn original cost of Vogtle units 3 and 4 has now ballooned to more than $30bn" According to the above report, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis observed, "The only reason theres a nuclear renaissance is because the federal government is throwing tens of billions of dollars at nuclear.....Investors arent interested. This report raises serious concerns about the prudence on the part of DAE in going ahead with the import of Westinghouses six 1,100 MWe reactors of a similar design for the proposed Kovvada power project. Apparently, there were significant technical issues encountered in the case of the Vogtle units. In addition, the cost of the Vogtle units escalated to twice the original estimated cost. Importing reactors from Westinghouse, without following a transparent competitive bidding procedure as is the case with Kovvada, can result in highly inflated costs, more so in rupee terms. It will be further compounded by huge cost escalations and implementation delays, as evident in the case of the Vogtle units in the USA. The bilateral agreement signed by India with the USA envisages even Uranium fuel for the project to be supplied by Westinghouse. A 100% dependence on imported Uranium fuel will subject the fuel price to dollar-rupee exchange variation, which in turn will adversely impact the recurring costs of electricity generation from Kovvada. In addition, uranium prices in the global markets are also likely to escalate as a result of monopolistic manipulation by fuel suppliers. In effect, as and when the Kovvada project gets complete, maybe decades later, its costs are going to be astronomically high, which the consumers will not be able to absorb. If such expensive electricity from Kovvada is to be subsidised, the burden on the taxpayers is going to be heavy. The Kovvada nuclear power project will have 6X1100 MWe reactors in one place, enhancing accident risks in a compounded manner. Post-Fukushima, the DAE introduced a Bill to create an independent nuclear regulatory authority to replace the existing Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) which functions under DAEs administrative control. The concerned Parliamentary Committee examined the Bill in 2012 and made several far-reaching recommendations to improve upon it. More than a decade has elapsed since then and the DAE is yet to reformulate the Bill for Parliaments approval. Such an inordinate delay raises concerns about the DAEs seriousness about having a truly independent regulation of nuclear power projects in the country. The disastrous Fukushima accident has revealed to the world how heavy such accident liabilities could be and how expensive it could be to decommission accident-stricken reactors and clean up the site. The existing legislation on civil nuclear liability in India exempts the reactor supplier from assuming responsibility for accident liabilities to a very large extent, which in turn implies a huge cost burden to be borne by the taxpayers. Against this background, would it be prudent on the part of DAE to continue with the idea of setting up such a large nuclear power project complex in Kovvada? While NPCIL may take decades to operationalise the Westinghouse reactors in Kovvada, it is ironic that NPCIL has already appropriated a large tract of lush green agricultural land for the project, uprooting hundreds of families, without any tangible benefits in return. On the other hand, the Kovvada project seems to be providing much-needed life support to a financially threatened US company, creating employment opportunities in the USA! An independent evaluation of NPCILs Kovvada project may be urgently called for to assess the projects costs and benefits. Regards, Yours sincerely, E A S Sarma Visakhapatnam 1-8-2023 BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. A criminal case in connection with the events in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijan's Khojaly district was initiated on January 11, 1992, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, Ilgar Safarov, told Trend. "A criminal case on the facts of genocide, deportation of Azerbaijanis, destruction, damage to rural and state property, and causing material damage on a large scale in the village of Meshali was initiated on January 11, 1992," he said. Employees of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan inspected the scene of the incident in the village of Meshali on January 11, 1992. As a result of a long investigation, the identity of one of the criminals, Vagif Cherkezovich Khachatryan, was established. The senior assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments reported that since 2013, Vagif Khachatryan had been on the international wanted list. Additionally, the investigation into the criminal case brought by the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the pertinent sections of the Criminal Code regarding the facts of genocide, deportation of Azerbaijanis, and destruction of numerous properties belonging to rural residents and the nation on December 22, 1991, in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijan's Khojaly district by illegal Armenian armed formations is still ongoing. The investigation established that Vagif Cherkezovich Khachatryan, born in 1955, a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan, born in Badara village of Askaran district and working as a driver in Khankendi city automobile transport company, residing in Meshali village, together with other people of Armenian nationality, used various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, to completely destroy the village. Using various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, they raided the village and killed 25 people of Azerbaijani nationality, injured 14 people, and, contrary to national and international law norms, expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their domicile. In addition, Vagif Cherkezovich Khachatryan continued his criminal actions together with his accomplices, destroying and damaging property belonging to the state and villagers, causing a total of 5.5 million manat ($3.2 million) of material damage. Due to the fact that sufficient reasonable suspicions arose regarding the criminal case, it was decided to involve Vagif Cherkezovich Khachatryan as an accused person under articles 103 (massacre) and 107 (deportation or forced movement of the population) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. However, due to the fact that his whereabouts were unknown to the investigation, on November 12, 2013, an international arrest warrant was issued by the court's decision. In general, as a result of the search activities carried out, Vagif Khachatryan was detained by the servicemen of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Lachin border checkpoint on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on July 29, 2023, while trying to leave for the Republic of Armenia for medical treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Khartoum, Aug 1 : Amid the ongoing violent conflict in Sudan, more than 780 trucks have delivered about 35,000 tonnes of aid across the country since May 22, according to the UN humanitarians. Between July 22 and 27, more than 40 trucks carrying 1,600 tonnes of food reached Kassala, Gedaref and White Nile states, and another five trucks carrying some 300 tonnes of relief reached West Kordofan state, Xinhua news agency quoted the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as saying. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported providing food and nutrition assistance to more than 450,000 people in Central, East, North and South Darfur states since the conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15. With the Sudanese Red Crescent, WFP supplies are reaching people internally displaced by conflict in the Al Firdous locality in East Darfur. The vast, western Darfur region of Sudan was particularly hard-hit by the conflict. More than 3,000 people have died and over 6,000 others injured in the bloody conlict, which the two warring sides have blamed each other of escalating it. According to the Unicef, at least 435 children have been reported killed in the conflict and some 2,025 others injured. The UN agency has also claimed to have received reports of a staggering 2,500 severe violations of childrenas rights, representing an average of at least one an hour since April 15. To date, over 3.5 million people have been displaced inside and outside the country. Nearly 2.7 million have been displaced internally as of 25 July, according to the International Organization for Migration. People have been displaced across all 18 states, the majority of whom are in River Nile, followed by Northern, White Nile, and Sennar states. About 73 per cent of the people displaced are originally from Khartoum. In addition, over 823,000 refugees, asylum seekers and returnees have crossed the border into neighbouring countries, including Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN Refugee Agency. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that attacks on health care continue to be reported across the country. Since the violence began, the WHO has verified 53 such attacks resulting in 11 deaths and 38 injuries. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Pakistani actor Humayun Saeed is excited for the release of the romantic drama 'Mere Paas Tum Ho' in India, and has appreciated everyone's efforts, who are trying to maintain cordial relations between the two countries. The show aMere Paas Tum Ho, starring Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan, and Adnan Siddiqui, revolves around the unique and not-so-usual plot of how a married woman aMehwisha (Ayeza) gets attracted and carried away by a manipulative rich businessman aShehwaar Ahmeda (Adnan), and eventually goes on developing an extramarital affair with him, leaving her naive husband aDanish Akhtara (Humayun) and son shredded with tears. Will Danish forgive Mehwish and what is the conclusion to this love triangle?. It is now set to release on Indian television screens for the first time. The serial had gained humongous popularity when it first premiered in August 2019, wherein it surpassed all the viewer statistics ie over 599 million for that year. If he is feeling the jitters about the response in India, Humayun told IANS: "The show was successful in Pakistan. The Indians had also watched it on the YouTube. I had then received calls from India. People were showering love through comments and messages. And, I felt that through this drama, I was introduced in India." "When Zee started their channel Zindagi, then I visited India, and I loved that people were recognising me. But, the level this drama is going to release in India now, I am very happy. I am also very glad that something like this is going to happen. I appreciate everyone's efforts. Whatever the circumstances are, some people are in the effort to maintain cordial relations, and peace between the two nations. Whoever is doing this effort, we should support it," he said. He further said that Pakistani shows and movies must release in India, and Indian dramas should air in Pakistan, because our culture and tongue are the same. On what makes this show relatable that it will have a recall value in the Indian audiences as well, the 51-year-old actor said, "this kind of play which talks about the extra marital affair--this is something which anyone can relate to. When you show the story of extra marital with a nice script, good direction and dialogues, and best acting, then people enjoy watching such shows." He also revealed that when the show was originially made, some people thought that it might be a risky story. "But now it has become so popular in Pakistan, and I feel India has such a wider population that they can definitely relate to it. And I have seen whatever is hit in Pakistan that is also hit in India, and whatever is liked by India, Pakistanis also like it," he shared. Humayun concluded saying that the story is so interesting that both male and female audiences watch it with same interest. Ayeza shared that she is thrilled with the incredible reach of 'Mere Paas Tum Ho', as it transcends borders and captivates the hearts of the Indian audience. "Now, the prospect of a global viewership relishing the show brings a deep sense of fulfillment. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of great content to connect people across cultures and boundaries. The immense love and support we have received from viewers, both in Pakistan and India, is truly humbling. It reaffirms the universality of human emotions and the resonance of the showas narrative," she added. Written by the much-appreciated Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, aMere Paas Tum Hoa, the show will air on Zee's Zindagi DTH service from Wednesday (August 2) . --IANS sp/svn New Delhi, Aug 1 : Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. amid protests by the Congress-led opposition members, who stood in the Well of the House, shouting slogans and displaying placards, seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the House and his response to the Manipur situation. Speaker Om Birla allowed Question Hour proceedings as the House convened for the day. However, after around a little over 15 minutes into the Question Hour, Birla adjourned the House till 2 p.m. amid intense sloganeering and protests by the opposition. Interestingly JD(U) MP Sunil Kumar Pintu, whose party is part of the opposition's INDIA alliance and has been protesting in both the Houses over the Manipur situation, also asked a question during the Question Hour, even as other opposition members were protesting in the Well of the House. Meanwhile, intense protests are likely to be witnessed later in the day, as the government will introduce the controversial Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha. It seeks to give greater powers to Delhi lieutenant governor in transfer and postings of Delhi government officials. AAP-led Delhi government has vehemently opposed the Bill and has been seeking support of various opposition parties against it in both Houses of Parliament. Since the Bill is replacing an ordinance, it will entail voting. As the government has absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, it has brought the Bill in the Lower House. Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce the Bill in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. --IANSans/dpb Hyderabad, Aug 1 : A six-fold jump in Metro Rail network in Greater Hyderabad is on cards as the Telangana Cabinet has given its nod for large-scale expansion at a cost of Rs 69,000 crore over next 3-4 years. Currently, Hyderabad Metro is operational on three corridors to a total length of 69 kilometers. The government last month decided to launch work to expand the Metro in the Old City by starting work on the remaining 5.5 km stretch. Tender process is in the final stage for 31-km long Airport Metro from Raidurgam near Hitec City to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. The Cabinet on Monday approved a Metro line from BHEL to Lakdikapul with connectivity to Miyapur (26 km) and expansion from Nagole to LB Nagar (5 km) with a revised cost estimate of Rs 9,100 crore. The works will be taken as a joint venture partnership project of the government of Telangana and the Centre. Once completed, these works will increase the Metro network to 136.5 km. In addition to these, the Cabinet approved 12 Metro corridors totaling to 278 km at a cost of about Rs 60,000 crore. This will take the overall Metro connectivity in and around the city to 414.5 km. There will be eight Metro extension corridors while there will be four Outer Ring Road (ORR) Metro corridors. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao directed MA&UD department and Metro Rail authorities to get PPRs (Preliminary Project Reports)/ DPRs prepared for all these corridors. "Hyderabad is a global city and torchbearer. The infrastructure needs to be improved. Public transport will be expanded to meet the growing demand," state minister for municipal administration and urban development K. T. Rama Rao said after the Cabinet meeting. The proposed eight Metro extension corridors will be of total length of 142 km, proposed to be developed at a cost of Rs 39,190 crore. These include two double elevated corridors (JBS to Tumkunta and Paradise Metro Rail Station to Kandlakoya). While the first level of the flyover is proposed for motor vehicles, the second level will be for Metro trains. Six Metro extension corridors will all be elevated. They are BHEL-Patancheruvu-ORR-Isnapur (13 km), LB Nagar-Hayathnagar-Pedda Amberpet (13 km), Shamshabad Junction Metro Station-Kothur-Shadnagar (28 km), Uppal-ORR-Ghatkesar-Bibinagar (25 km), Shamshabad Airport-Tukkuguda ORR-Maheswaram X Road-Kandukur (26 km) and Tarnaka-ECIL (8 km). Four ORR Metro corridors will be developed to a length of 136 km at a cost of Rs.20,810 crore. The corridors will be elevated/atgrade. The proposed corridors include ORR Shamshabad Junction (NH44)-Tukkuguda Jn-Bongulur Jn-Pedda Amberpet Jn (NH65), which will be 40 km long. ORR Pedda Amberpet Jn (NH65)-Ghatkesar Jn-Shamirpet Jn-Medchal Jn (NH44) will be developed to a length of 45 km. ORR Medchal Jn (NH44)-Dundigal Jn-Patancheru Jn (NH65) corridor will be 29 km long. ORR Patancheruvu Jn (NH65)-Kokapet Jn-Narsingi Jn will span 22 km. The state government hopes that the Centre will come forward to help in Metro expansion. The state government will pursue the Centre. Minister KTR said that if there is no support from the Centre, the state will go alone. He also remarked that if the present government does not extend the help, there will be a coalition government in 2024 and BRS will play a key role and seek the Centre's help. Chandigarh, Aug 1 : A day after violence in the Muslim-dominated Nuh district, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday suspected conspiracy behind the communal clashes that claimed three lives. "Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this," the minister told the media. "We will conduct a detailed investigation and take strict actions against the masterminds," he added. However, he said the situation is under control and a curfew has been imposed in the violence-hit district. He said Internet services have been suspended, and security forces deployed to maintain law and order. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said "strictest action" will be taken against those responsible for the incident. Nuh Deputy Commissioner Prashant Panwar said no untoward incident was reported so far. Flag marches are being carried out. He said the administration will hold a meeting to assess the ground situation and take a call on the duration of the curfew. The police took out a flag march in Jhajjar town in the wake of violence in neighbouring Nuh. It is reported that the situation is also tense near Sohna Road in Gurugram where reportedly vehicles have been set afire. The Union government has deployed 20 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to bring the law and order situation under control. Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) had written to the Centre for the deployment of paramilitary forces. Accordingly, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs deployed 20 companies of CAPF in Nuh till August 6. The contingent includes four companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two of the Border Security Force (BSF), two of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). As a precautionary step, the government has imposed Section 114 in Faridabad, Palwal, besides Gurugram. At least three home guard men were killed and nine police officers, including one Deputy Superintendent of Police rank and three inspectors, were injured in the communal violence that broke out during a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally on Monday. Police have registered about 20 FIRs and detained some people in connection with the violence. New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the CBI to abstain from recording statements of the survivors who were paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur, as the top court is slated to hear the matter today at 2 p.m. The direction was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud after advocate Nizam Pasha made an urgent mentioning and told the court that the CBI is going to record statements of witnesses this noon. "Let CBI await hearing at 2 p.m.," Pasha said. The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to communicate its oral directions to the concerned officials to not proceed with recording of statements in relation to FIRs registered by the CBI. "I will, Milords. I am not in touch with the CBI officials. It must have been in good faith," submitted S.G. Mehta, adding that the other side will allege "inaction" if the central probe agency does not proceed to record statements in the case. A bench comprising CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra will continue to hear Tuesday at 2 p.m. the petition filed by the two tribal women in relation to the disturbing incident along with the clutch of pleas related to inter-ethnic clashes in the north-eastern state. On Monday, the Supreme Court indicated that it may constitute a committee comprising retired judges and subject experts to record statements of victims in the violence-hit state. It has sought bifurcation of around 6,000 FIRs which were registered in the violence-hit state. It had called for details like zero FIRs, action taken, position of legal aid, status of recording of statements of victims and witnesses, etc., from the Centre and the state. The CJI-led bench has expressed surprise for the delay of over 18 days in registration of FIR. "What stood in the way of police registering the FIR immediately on the 4th of May?," asked S.G. Mehta. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for survivors of the crime, who were paraded naked, has opposed the transfer of the probe to CBI and demanded for the formation of an SIT (Special Investigation Team) to probe gender violence cases. "The extent of our intervention would also depend on what the government has done so far. If we are satisfied with what the government has done, we may not even intervene," the court has clarified. Attorney General R. Venkataramani has opposed the formation of an SIT, saying that the state government having no role in the investigation would be an "extreme view". The Central government had earlier informed the top court that investigation in the incident has been transferred to CBI and requested it to order transfer of the entire case, including trial to any state outside the state of Manipur. On July 20, the Supreme Court had taken suo moto cognizance of the disturbing viral videos and directed the Centre and the state government to take immediate action and apprise it about the steps taken. Canberra, Aug 1 : The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed the draft decision from the Unesco not to list the Great Barrier Reef "in danger". Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said the draft decision cited "significant progress" being made on climate change, water quality, and sustainable fishing -- all putting the reef on a stronger and more sustainable path, reports Xinhua news agency. However, Unesco said in the report that the world's largest coral reef remains under "serious threat" and urgent and sustained action to implement the priority recommendations of the mission is essential in order to improve the long-term resilience of the property, with the reef's status to be reassessed in 2024. "Our government will always support Australia's precious places, and the plants and animals that call them home," Plibersek said. The report's findings and recommendations will be considered by a meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia in September. It praised Australia's commitment to reduce the number of nutrients and fertilizers running off into the reef but called for a "drastic shift" to reach water quality targets. "Based on the progress achieved since the mission and commitments, the World Heritage Center and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) consider that it would be appropriate to re-evaluate whether the property meets the criteria for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee," said the report. Nita Green, the special envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, said although this was a draft decision, it recognised the work of the partners, agencies, and stakeholders who had worked together over the past year supported by the government committed to protecting the reef. Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Karnataka Congress government's decision to build a bronze statue of late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a cost of Rs 1.05 crore here, has stirred a debate in the party. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DyCM and state party President D.K. Shivakumar has publicly stated that there is a severe crunch of funds to implement five guarantee schemes in the state. The MLAs have been repeatedly asked not to seek funds for developmental activities in their constituencies. Instead, they have been told to go to the people and ensure proper implementation of five free schemes. Sources in the Congress say that it is crucial to implement all five guarantee schemes ahead of Lok Sabha elections as it is planned to win most of the MP seats in the state and give a message to the country about the commitment of the party. Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had given advertisements in the newspapers on July 28 for tenders towards construction of a bronze statue of late PM Rajiv Gandhi. There is already a statue of Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress government wants to replace it with a bronze statue. The BJP had charged that the Congress government had stopped the work of a statue of Bhuvaneshwari Devi considered as the deity of the land and called tender for a bronze statue of Rajiv Gandhi. As per the sources, the tussle for power in the Congress government is increasing by the day and the leadership is involved in impressing the high command. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar want to keep the high command happy at any cost, sources in Congress reveal. The simmering differences within the party are coming out after two months of rule in the state. Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad and Minister for Home Dr. G. Parameshwaraas challenging statements of CM Siddaramaiahas leadership have given indication on this. The alleged letter by more than 10 MLAs about not supporting them and treating them with respect is also becoming a headache for the party. Bengaluru, Aug 1 : On the World Lung Cancer Day health experts have expressed concern over the rising trend of lung cancer among women and non-smokers in the IT capital of the country, Bengaluru. Dr. Vivek Anand Padegal, Director - Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru stated that lung cancer is experiencing a surge among women in the state capital. Based on a recent study conducted by the Indian Cancer Society, the incidence of lung cancer in female residents of Bengaluru has escalated by 20 per cent over the past five years. This concerning pattern is particularly alarming because lung cancer stands as one of the primary causes of cancer-related fatalities among women in India. Various factors seem to contribute to this growing issue. One significant factor is the increasing number of women who have taken up smoking. Since smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, the rise in the number of female smokers in Bengaluru in recent years has likely contributed to the surge in cases. Passive smoking in no-smokers could be contributing as well, said Dr Vivek Anand Padegal. Another potential contributor is the escalating pollution levels in the city. Bengaluru's air quality, which is among the poorest in India, presents a known risk factor for lung cancer, potentially worsening the situation for women in the city, he says. Dr Padegal further explained that the increasing incidence of lung cancer among the women in Bengaluru necessitates serious attention from a public health standpoint. "It is crucial for women to be informed about the risk factors associated with lung cancer and to take proactive measures to mitigate their risk. These actions encompass refraining from smoking, avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, and minimizing contact with air pollution. By adopting such preventive measures, women can take steps towards safeguarding their health and well-being," he said. Dr Niti Krishna Raizada, Senior Director Medical, Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru explained that lung cancer happens to be the most common cancer among men in India. However, there is a noticeable rise in the number of cases in women, and this increase is often unrelated to smoking, although second-hand smoking can still be a contributing factor. "Another significant factor includes exposure to indoor smoke and outdoor pollution, both of which are on the rise in Bangalore. The number of lung cancer cases observed in our regular practice is definitely increasing. Additionally, we are seeing younger patients, particularly women. Among women, almost 50 per cent have a target or actionable mutation, leading us to administer newer types of therapies to them. For those not included in this subset, we explore the potential role of immunotherapy in their treatment," said Dr Raizada. Dr. Lohith Reddy, Consultant, Radiation Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru said, "Bengaluru witnesses a rising trend of lung cancer cases among women and non-smokers. The city's pollution, occupational exposures, and lifestyle factors contribute to this concerning scenario. Based on the Karnataka population-based cancer registry (PBCR), the incidence of lung cancer is 10 per cent in males among the annually diagnosed cancer patients and 2.3 per cent in females among the annually diagnosed cancer incidences, and the trend seems to be increasing, Dr. Reddy stated. aIt is vital to emphasize that lung cancer can affect anyone, irrespective of smoking history, and early detection is crucial in improving survival rates. In Bangalore, we urge the community to be vigilant about common symptoms, such as persistent cough, difficulty breathing, unexplained weight loss, blood in sputum and seek medical attention promptly. At HCG, we are committed to promoting lung cancer awareness, advocating for regular screenings and providing compassionate care to all patients and their families. Through increased collaboration, research, and access to cutting-edge treatments, we aim to bring hope to those battling lung cancer in the city of Bangalore," he states. Dr. Deepak Koppaka, Consultant - Medical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, HITEC City, Hyderabad said that lung cancer is a significant health concern among women in India, ranking as the third most common cancer after breast and cervical cancer. In 2020 alone, there were an estimated 16,547 new cases of lung cancer in Indian women, leading to 10,606 tragic deaths. The statistics reveal the urgent need to address this growing issue in the country. "Tobacco smoking remains the primary risk factor for lung cancer, exerting a significant impact on the increasing incidence among women. Additionally, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, and air pollution also contribute to the rising cases. It is crucial to raise awareness about these risk factors and promote preventive measures to curb the disease's progression," he said. "One alarming trend is the surge in adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer more prevalent in women than men. This rise is attributed to the growing popularity of filtered cigarettes, which are believed to be linked to an increased incidence of adenocarcinomas. This underscores the importance of addressing tobacco consumption, especially among women," stated Dr. Koppaka. Examining the statistics further, the age-standardized incidence rate of lung cancer in Indian women is 2.7 per 1,00,000, while the age-standardized mortality rate is 1.7 per 1,00,000. Unfortunately, the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer in India stands at a mere 13 per cent, indicating the urgency of early detection and timely intervention, he stated. Quitting smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, and minimizing exposure to air pollution are crucial steps in reducing the risk of lung cancer, said Dr.Koppaka. "Lung cancer poses a substantial threat to women in India, necessitating immediate action to reverse the increasing trend. Through comprehensive awareness campaigns, robust policies, and personal lifestyle changes, we can collectively strive to reduce the burden of lung cancer and improve the overall well-being of women in the country," he said. New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to urgently list the plea filed by Uddhav Thackeray against the order of the Election Commission allotting party name 'Shiv Sena' and its symbol 'Bow and Arrow' to the Eknath Shinde faction. aWait for the Constitution bench on Jammu and Kashmir to get over and we will give a date", told a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra to Uddhavas counsel, advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, who mentioned the matters for urgent listing. The bench also declined to urgently hear the plea filed by Uddhav Thackeray faction against delay by the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker in deciding the disqualification proceedings filed against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his camp. In this matter, the Court had sought responses of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and CM Eknath Shinde by July 28. Earlier on July 10, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear on July 31 the plea against the order of the Election Commission allotting party name and its symbol to the Shinde faction. However, the plea could not be listed before the court for hearing. On February 22, the Supreme Court had called Shinde and EC to file their reply on Thackerayas plea within two weeks and directed the matter to be listed after three weeks. The top court had refused to stay the Election Commissionas decision recognising the Eknath Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and granting them the party name and symbol but agreed to issue notice on the petition filed by Uddhav Thackeray challenging it. Thackeray, in his plea filed before the apex court, has contended that the EC has failed to appreciate that the petitioner enjoys overwhelming support in the rank and file of the party. Further, the plea contended that the EC has failed to discharge its duties as a neutral arbiter of disputes under para 15 of the Symbols Order and has acted in a manner undermining its constitutional status. In response, the poll body in its counter-affidavit has told the top court that it has passed a "well-reasoned" order, in a quasi-judicial capacity, allotting the name and party symbol of the Shiv Sena to Shinde faction. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Advance booking of parking spaces in Azerbaijan will not be possible, Board Chairman of Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport Anar Rzayev told Trend. "Pre-booking of parking spaces will be impossible and is not provided for by law," he said during the presentation of a mobile application for parking management. Parking fees in Azerbaijan will be paid in cashless form to avoid unauthorized street parking charges, to assure digitization, and to facilitate use. Drivers will initially receive instruction on how to use the new system from the appropriate staff members and volunteers. Parking fees will generate income that will go toward system upkeep and national transportation infrastructure development. In addition, the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On the amount of parking fees for vehicles" regulates the payment procedure for parking spaces organized in state car parking spots. New Delhi, Aug 1 : In trouble for Hero Motocorp Executive Chairman Pawan Munjal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at his residence and several other locations. According to ED sources, the agency sleuths carried out the searches at premises of Munjal and 10 others. The source said that the financial probe agency's action was based on the complaint by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) case against Munjal. The DRI team had found foreign currency from Munjal's premises, the source claimed. However, the officials of the ED remained tight-lipped on the case and searches against Hero Moto Corp chairman. Further details were awaited. Mysuru: Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah after casting his vote for Karnataka Assembly elections, at a polling station, at Varuna in Mysuru district, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Photo:IANS/Twitter). Image Source: IANS News Dakshina Kannada, : Aug 1 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is visiting communally sensitive coastal Karnataka region for the first time after coming to power, on Tuesday warned of strict action against those involved in moral policing. He was interacting with reporters after arriving in Mangaluru city in Dakshina Kannada district. To a question on repeated incidents of moral policing in the region despite the government's warnings, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that action will be initiated against all persons who indulge in moral policing. The police department had been given all directions in this direction. No matter what, there is no scope for any person to take law into his hands. There will be starting trouble for everything and it is going to be fine. "I have told the police to initiate action in this regard," he added. Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Family Welfare and District In-charge minister for Dakshina Kannada district Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the domination, assaults and fearful atmosphere in the district can not be tolerated. The communal forces are indulging in moral policing to bring disrepute to the government. The students are claiming that they are afraid to go to the colleges and he had assured them of safety and asked them to attend the classes. The BJP is supporting criminals, he charged. Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara stated that the government had initiated strict action against the incidents of moral policing. The separate wing had been created to tackle the menace. The police are being given instructions to initiate steps to ensure that these incidents do not repeat. The gangs involved in moral policing had targetted and attacked a police man who had gone to a restaurant with family. Another gang had attacked a journo who had gone with his female friend in the region. Though the police department had initiated action and arrested the accused persons, the incidents had raised a concern in the state. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Hero Motocorp share price slumped more than 4 per cent after the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at the residence of company Chairman Pawan Munjal. Hero Motocorp share was trading at Rs 3,066, down 4.3 per cent on BSE. In troubles for Hero Motocorp chairman Pawan Munjal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at his residence and several other locations. According to ED sources, the agency sleuths carried out searches at the premises of Munjal and 10 others. The source said that the financial probe agency action was based on the complaint by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) case against Munjal. The DRI team had found foreign currency from Munjal's premises, the source claimed. However, the officials of the ED remained tight-lipped on the case and searches against Hero Moto Corp chairman. Dakshina Kannada, Aug 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday stirred a controversy by defending state Home Minister G. Parameshwara's "child's play" comment regarding the issue of alleged filming of Hindu girl students while using washroom in a college in Udupi. Talking to reporters at the Mangaluru International Airport, Siddaramaiah, while answering a question on "child's play" comment by the Home Minister, said the latter had not made that statement. "He might have stated that the college students have done it for prank," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated. "If Parmeshwara had termed the incident as a child's play, had they registered an FIR regarding the incident? The police have registered a suo motu FIR in the case. An officer of the rank of DySP is investigating the case. The police investigation is taken up and it should progress, he said. A member of the National Commission for Women (NCW) has come here and it has been stated that there was no camera placed in the college restroom. Let them give a report after investigation, the action will be taken, the Chief Minister stated. The BJP had staged a statewide agitation last week demanding legal action against three girls from minority community for filming other community's girls in the college washroom. The leaders of BJP attacked the Congress government of trying to hush up the case for its political interests. --IANS mka/svn Bhopal, Aug 1 : The Congress has apparently played a masterstroke by appointing senior most tribal leader and former union minister Kantilal Bhuria as chairman of 20-member election campaign committee in the poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The party has also included young tribal leader Omkar Singh Markam (MLA- Dindori) and a Muslim leader Arif Masood (MLA- Bhopal central) in the campaign committee. Madhya Pradesh has around 22 per cent tribal voters, while out of total 230 Assembly seats, 47 are reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. By appointing a tribal leader Kantilal Bhuria head of the election campaign committee, the Congress has tried create an impression that the a large chunk of population will be led by a tribal leader. Hailing from tribal dominated area Jhabua district, five-time ex-MP Kantilal Bhuria, will be leading a 20-member election campaign committee comprising of both senior and young party leaders such as ex-CM Kamal Nath, two-time ex-Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, former minster Jitu Patwari and Bala Bachhan and others. State Congress head Kamal Nath's bastion Chhindwara is also a tribal dominated area and he has been presenting his home district as 'model' of development for tribals. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and ex-president Rahul Gandhi would also addressing poll rallies in tribal and the Scheduled Tribe and the Schedule Castes (ST\SC) dominated regions in coming weeks . "Appointing a tribal leader as a head of the election campaign committee will create a positive impression in the tribal areas. It is the Congress only which had appointed a tribal leader Kantilal Bhuria as state president also in 2013, whereas, the BJP talks about tribal centric schemes to woo the voters, but never allowed gave such representation to the leaders. I am happy that the party has assigned me a big role and my job would be to take the party's messages at the ground among the tribals," tribal MLA Omkar Singh Markam told IANS. In 2018, the Congress had won 36 tribal seats while the ruling BJP was reduced to 16 seats out of total 47 reserved for the tribal. This was a complete reversal of 2013, when the BJP had won 31 ST seats to the Congress's 15. Notably, Madhya Pradesh has one of the largest tribal populations in the country, with 46 groups recognised as STs, of which three are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Of MP's 52 districts, six are "fully tribal", while another 15 are classified as "partially tribal". The Bhil community accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the state's ST population, followed by the Gonds at 34 per cent. While the ruling BJP apparently facing resentment from tribal community following the pee-gate incident in Sidhi last month. "Some more committees are also likely to be announced soon and different leaders from the different communities would be given prominent roles to play in the elections. The party has prepared its election strategy much before the ruling BJP. The Congress has always considered tribal and other backward communities as its part. Appointment of Kantilal Bhuria as head of the committee is example of it," party spokesperson Abbas Hafeez said. Kolkata, Aug 1 : The BJP will provide legal support to individuals who were allegedly duped by a corporate entity where actress-turned-politician Nusrat Jahan, the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Basirhat constituency was an erstwhile director, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday. "Majority of the individuals who were duped by the said entity were senior citizens. We have already approached the Enforcement Directorate with a plea so that the central agency takes up the matter. If they do, it will be good. Otherwise, we will be providing legal support to these duped senior citizens," the leader of the opposition said. Adhikari also alleged that these senior citizens paid hefty sums of money against promises of provision of residential flats. "These senior citizens were duped and have not been provided with flats till date. Instead, the money they paid was used by the directors of the corporate entity, including the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, to purchase their own flats," said the leader of the opposition. On Monday evening only, BJP leader Shankudeb Panda along with some of the duped investors filed a complaint at ED's Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata againstSeven Sense Infrastructure Private Limitedreceiving around Rs 6,00,000 from each of the duped investorspromising them residential flats at reasonable rates within four years. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Microsoft on Tuesday announced that former senior AWS executive Puneet Chandok will be appointed as the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft India and South Asia. Effective from September 1, he will assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari. Supported by a strong leadership team, Chandok will oversee the integration of Microsoft's businesses across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, further boosting the company's presence in the region. Ahmed Mazhari, President, Microsoft Asia, said that Chandok has a strong track record of building and growing technology businesses and leveraging technology to deliver impact and change. "As we embrace an AI-led future, Puneet's leadership will play a vital role in ensuring Microsoft's ongoing success in South Asia, and I extend my thanks to Anant Maheshwari for setting us on a growth path," Mazhari added. Chandok joins Microsoft from AWS, where he led the company's India and South Asia business, working closely with enterprises, digital businesses, startups, and SMBs to help them reduce technical debt, bring in agility, and innovate. "As India expands its own digital public infrastructure, I believe that this mission is more relevant here than ever before, and I am thrilled to be joining the One Microsoft team to make this mission a reality," said Chandok. Maheshwari said that Microsoft India team has created a strong foundation of trust and entrepreneurial business models. --IANS na/ksk Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday claimed that the supply of Nandini ghee from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was stopped during BJP's regime. His comments come close on the heels of the BJP dubbing the stopping of Nandini ghee's supply to TTD as the "anti-Hindu" policy of the Congress government in the state. Taking to the social media, Siddaramaiah maintained that the stopping of supply of Nandini ghee to Tirupati (Hindu pilgrimage center in Andhra Pradesh) is not a matter which has taken place today or yesterday. The supply of ghee has been stopped during the tenure of the previous BJP government. BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel had said: "The Congress government always turns a blind eye towards faiths of Hindus. The tradition of 50 years has been broken and it showed the negligent attitude of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah towards Hindus." Responding to the charge, Siddaramaiah stated, "Mr Kateel, now you tell us whether the previous BJP government was against the faith of Hindus, or whether then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai alone was anti-Hindu? "The lives of people who are in dairy farming are also important for us. In the interest of the farmers of the land, if Tirupati temple management is ready to provide the price quoted by us, there is no problem in supplying ghee," he stated. Appealing to people that the matter should not be politicised, KMF President and Congress MLA Bheema Naik alleged the BJP is not able to tolerate the success of the Congress government by implementing the free schemes. "The BJP is upset with the Congress launching pro-people, revolutionary programmes in the state," Naik said. "The KMF had supplied Nandini ghee from 2005 to 2020 to Tirupati. TTD invites tender for supply of 1,700 to 2,000 metric tonnes of ghee for every six months. "We will supply 45 per cent of the demand. Nandini ghee has credibility and it is equivalent to the one prepared at home. From 2020 onwards, we are L3 suppliers. We were required to supply after L1 and L2 bidders. In 2021-22 they had written a letter for supply. KMF had supplied 345 metric tonnes of Nandini ghee, Naik said. "Earlier, 94 metric tonnes was produced and now 84 metric tonnes of ghee is produced. If a suitable price is given for the ghee, it will surely be supplied. The Nandini ghee has great demand. The BJP leaders are creating an issue as they don't have any work. The farmer is in trouble, raw material cost has gone up. The government had hiked the price of the milk by Rs 3 and ensured that it reached them," Naik stated. He also stated that Nandini milk has not lost market in Kerala as alleged by former BJP MLA C.T. Ravi. "There is demand and discussion is on," he added. --IANS mka/svn Patna, Aug 1 : The caste-based survey will continue in Bihar after the Patna High Court lifted the temporary ban on Tuesday and dismissed pleas challenging the Nitish Kumar government's decision. The Patna High Court had temporarily banned the survey on May 4 after several petitions were filed by individuals. The Nitish Kumar government had started the survey on January 7 this year and it was scheduled to complete on May 15. However, several petitioners went to the high court and pointed out that the survey could only be done by the Centre and the Bihar government was doing it to take "advantage" in elections. The court had fixed the hearing on July 3 after summer vacation. After the vacation, the court opened on July 3, and the hearing of the case was held for five days in the court of Chief Justice K.V. Chandran following which the court reserved its verdict for August 1. In the 100-page judgement, the Patna High Court has rejected all the pleas which said that caste-based survey comes under the central government's jurisdiction. The Solicitor General of Bihar. P.K. Shahi said that it was not a caste-based census but was a caste-based survey where the state government had spent Rs 500 crore. He also pointed out that 80 per cent of the survey has already been completed. The Patna high court has lifted the temporary ban, and the state government will complete the remaining 20 per cent work soon. Phnom Penh, Aug 1 : Official results of the July 23 general election iin Cambodia with the allocation of seats in the National Assembly will be announced on Friday, the country's National Election Committee (NEC) announced on Tuesday. According to the NEC's temporary results, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by outgoing Prime Minister Hun Sen has won an overwhelming victory, reports Xinhua news agency. A total of 18 political parties contested the election, which was held once every five years to elect the members of parliament for the 125-seat National Assembly. The temporary results showed that the CPP won 6,398,311 votes out of a total of 7,774,276 valid votes, and the Funcinpec Party of Prince Norodom Chakravuth received 716,490 votes. Based on the NEC's temporary results, the CPP had calculated that it had won 120 parliamentary seats, while the Funcinpec Party gained the remaining five seats. Hun Sen, who has served as the prime minister of Cambodia for more than 38 years, announced last week that he would step down on August 22 and transfer the reins of power to his eldest son Hun Manet. The 70-year-old leader said the newly-elected National Assembly will hold its first session on August 21, and a frest cabinet led by Hun Manet will be sworn in the next day. Hun Manet, 45, is currently a member of the CPP's Standing Committee and a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The heads of all five main departments of the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription of Azerbaijan have been relieved of their positions, Head of the Public Relations and International Relations Department of the Civil Service, Parviz Sadraddinov told Trend. The following persons have been relieved of their positions: Head of the Main Conscription Department, Major General Chingiz Kichikbekov Head of the Main Personnel Department, Major General Azad Aliyev Head of the Main Department of Organizational Control, Colonel Famil Aslanov Head of the Main Logistics Department, Colonel Anar Aliyev Head of the Main Department for Mobilization, Colonel Vali Rzayev - Myanmar's deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been charged with corruption by the junta (Photo:Christophe Gateau/dpa/IANS). Image Source: IANS News Yangon, Aug 1 : Myanmar's State Administration Council on Tuesday reduced the sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi and former president U Win Myint, while also granting pardons to over 7,000 prisoners. According to the Council, six years of sentences for Suu Kyi and four years for U Win Myint were reduced, Xinhua news agency. The Nobel Laureate and the former President were arrested shortly after the military coup on February 1, 2021. The pardon, part of a seasonal amnesty, will reduce Suu Kyi's 33-year jail sentence by six years. Periodic amnesties have been announced before, but this is the first time they have included the ousted leader and Myint. Meanwhile, the council also remitted sentences for 7,749 domestic prisoners and 125 foreign inmates, while commuting death sentences for some to life imprisonment, according to the orders. In addition, the council remitted the sentences for 22 members of the ethnic armed groups and also dismissed the cases related to 72 individuals who were in connection with ethnic armed groups, it said. Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest following the coup, was moved to solitary confinement last year in a prison in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. Almost no news of her has emerged in the last two years and she was also rumoured to have been ill, but the the military denied the reports, the BBC reported. Since the coup, Myanmar has spiralled into a civil war, which has so far killed tens of thousands of people. The military junta on Monday postponed an election promised to be held by August this year. Mumbai, Aug 1 : 'Bigg Boss OTT 2' contestant Jiya Shankar's mother Surekha Gavli spoke about her childhood, sharing many heartfelt details regarding her life, the troubles she's had to face while growing up. During Jiya's bonding moment with Abhishek Malhan, Jiya's mom shared a heartfelt story of her separation from Jiya's father. Narrating her life story to Abhishek, her mother said that Jiya has not opened up emotionally in the 'Bigg Boss' house, as she is very sensitive and emotional, and as such a bit distant in that regard. Surekha revealed that Jiya had a very tough childhood, having experienced her parents' separation when she was only 13 years old. Since then, Jiya has worked very hard, climbing up the ladder in a world of turmoil, and all that she has accomplished currently has been of her own making. "She has had it a lot harder than most, but with her resilience and mental strength she has managed to carve a strong place for herself in the industry without any Godfather's support." As such, Surekha's heartfelt revelation sheds light on Jiya's determination to overcome obstacles and establish herself in the industry on her own merit. This displays Jiyaas actual strength where she has been determined throughout her life to prove her capabilities to others, on the basis of her own talent and without relying on external support. Jiya's journey serves as an inspiration to many, as she demonstrates the power of self-belief and hard work. 'Bigg Boss OTT 2' airs on Jio Cinema. Latest updates on Bigg Boss OTT 2 London, Aug 1 : A 79-year-old Sikh man has pleaded guilty to murdering his wife with a wooden rounders bat at their Hornchurch home in east London in May this year. Tarsame Singh appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, where he admitted to killing his 77-year-old wife Maya Devi and will be sentenced at the same court on September 29. On May 2, Singh walked into the Romford police station and told the front desk that he had just killed his wife, following which officers immediately attended the house on Cowdray Way in Elm Park and found Maya unresponsive on the living room floor. The wooden rounders bat was found nearby, and police also found significant amounts of blood staining on the carpet and nearby walls. Maya was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be blunt force head injuries. Singh was charged the next day and remanded into custody. "Singh has never admitted what caused him to act in such a violent way that evening but we are pleased he has pleaded guilty and will now face a significant custodial sentence," Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers of Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation, said. Singh ran a post office along with his wife in Rainham, an east London suburb close to his home, for many years before recently retiring. Both Singh and Maya, parents of a son and two daughters, are originally from India but had been living in Britain for more than 50 years. "This is a tragic case and one which has left the couple's three children utterly distraught. No-one should ever lose their mother in this way and we will continue to think of, and support them, at this difficult time," Detective Chief Inspector Rogers said. --IANS mi/ksk Islamabad, Aug 1 : A new report published by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that the country has witnessed 18 suicide attacks so far this year, resulting in at least 200 deaths with over 450 injuries. The latest surge in suicide attacks has already surpassed the total number of suicide attacks during 2022. Last year, Pakistan reported 15 suicide attacks. "The most severely affected region has been the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, accounting to half of the suicide attacks in 2023," the PICSS report said. "The nine attacks in the area claimed around 60 lives, while over 150 sustained injuries." The latest suicide attack on Sunday at a Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers' convention in KP's Bajaur district killed 54 people, including more than 20 minors. "Mainland KP faced is own share of devastation, with four suicide attacks causing death of more than 110 people leaving 245 injured. Among then, Peshawar Police Line attack stood out as the deadliest in the country, claiming lives of over 100 individuals," the report stated. Balochistan is the second worst-hit province with at least four suicide attacks which claimed the lives of 14 people, while 27 others were injured. Sindh reported one suicide attack that killed five people and injured 18 others. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror outfit, which is fast regrouping and targeting civil and military installations in the country, has claimed responsibility for majority of these attacks. However, Sunday's attack in Bajaur was claimed by the by Islamic State Khorasan Province terrorist outfir and has been condemned by the TTP. New York, Aug 1 : A daily shot of kombucha -- a fermented tea drink -- may help people with Type 2 diabetes who find it hard to lower their high blood sugar levels, according to results from a small clinical trial. The study, reported in Frontiers in Nutrition, included 12 people and showed that diabetics who drank the fermented tea drink kombucha for four weeks had lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to when they consumed a similar-tasting placebo beverage. Kombucha is a tea fermented with bacteria and yeasts and was consumed as early as 200 BC in China. Its popularity has been bolstered by anecdotal claims of improved immunity and energy and reductions in food cravings and inflammation, but proof of these benefits has been limited. "Some laboratory and rodent studies of kombucha have shown promise and one small study in people without diabetes showed kombucha lowered blood sugar, but to our knowledge this is the first clinical trial examining effects of kombucha in people with diabetes," said Dan Merenstein, Professor of Human Sciences in Georgetown's School of Health and professor of family medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine. "A lot more research needs to be done but this is very promising," Merenstein said. The study had one group of people drinking about eight ounces of kombucha or placebo beverage daily for four weeks and then after a two-month period to "wash out" the biological effects of the beverages, the kombucha and placebo were swapped between groups with another four weeks of drinking the beverages. Neither group was told which drink they were receiving at the time. Kombucha appeared to lower average fasting blood glucose levels after four weeks from 164 to 116 milligrams per deciliter while the difference after four weeks with the placebo was not statistically significant. The researchers also looked at the makeup of fermenting microorganisms in kombucha to determine which ingredients might be the most active. They found that the beverage consisted mainly of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and a form of yeast called Dekkera, with each microbe present in about equal measure; the finding was confirmed with RNA gene sequencing. "We were able to provide preliminary evidence that a common drink could have an effect on diabetes. We hope that a much larger trial, using the lessons we learned in this trial, could be undertaken to give a more definitive answer to the effectiveness of kombucha in reducing blood glucose levels, and hence prevent or help treat Type 2 diabetes," said lead author Chagai Mendelson, at Georgetown. Los Angeles, Aug 1 : Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey is still undecided whether he wants to swap Hollywood for a career in politics. McConaughey, 53, has been getting more involved with politics in recent years and has discussed gun reform policies with US President Joe Biden after a shooting at a school in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas in 2002. However, McConaughey isn't sure if his future lies in office, Aceshowbiz reported. During an appearance on US TV's 'This Week', McConaughey was asked if he could see himself running for office and he replied, "There's a great question that I'm still answering." The 'Dallas Buyers Club' actor elaborated on his Greenlights Grant Initiative which he launched with his wife Camila Alves in July to help communities access government grants to prevent school violence and support the mental health of young people. "As of right now, to be a private citizen with my wife and to come up with an idea like the Greenlights Grant Initiative. To work with the government publicly to help them, not doing the job for them, helping them pull off what they set out to do in the first place. There is an argument that that's more useful, what I'm doing right now, in a small way," he said. McConaughey previously floated a run for Texas governor in 2021 after polls showed him with a lead against the incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott. He ultimately decided against it, however, noting at the time that it wasn't the right moment for him. In a video posted on X, he explained, "It's a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It is also a path that I'm choosing not to take at this moment." The actor said in an interview with the Austin Statesman: "I am considering, as I said I'd be a fool not to, to consider the honour to go into the position of politics, as the governor of Texas. But I honestly have to ask myself, 'How can I be most useful?' And maybe that's as a free agent. I would say, as far as running, I'm not until I am. So my decision hasn't changed because I'm still not." Nadda expresses grief over loss of lives in Maharashtra's Shahapur. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Aug 1 : BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives due to tragic incident in Maharashtra's Shahapur. He also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. "Saddened by the tragic accident in Maharashtra's Shahapur. The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and local administration are carrying out rescue operations and providing assistance to the affected people," Nadda wrote in a tweet. He said, "I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured." Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed sadness over the tragic mishap. "I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. I wish the injured a speedy recovery," Shah wrote in a tweet. At least 15 workers were killed and three others injured when a crane crashed on a girder in Shahapur under Thane district where work on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway (Samruddhi Mahamarg) was underway in the wee hours of Tuesday. Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 : Odisha Police have arrested a man for duping over 100 youths of over Rs 1 crore by assuring them jobs at the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Niteigaura Barik (30)was arrested in connection to a case registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Duleswar Sahu (23) of Bargarh district. Barik, who hails from Balangir district, had collected the whopping amount of money from youths belonging to Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir and Kalahandi districts and handed them fake appointment letters of BSNL without conducting any examination, said Tapan Mohanty, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bargarh. The accused had opened two fake Facebook accounts (one in the name of S. Pradhan posing as an AGM and another one in the name of Gyanendra Barik posing him as DGM) and was chatting with different persons and inducing them to join in BSNL without any test, he said. When the victims came to know that the appointment letters were fake, they demanded the accused to return their money. But, instead of returning their money, Barik handed over blank signed cheques to them. The cheques bounced due to lack of funds, the ASP said. Mohanty said the accused had been involved in the fraud for the last around seven years and was on the run since 2017. After getting the complaint, three special teams were formed and due to swift and effective action of Bargarh police, Barik was apprehended with some fictitious documents pertaining to this case. The police recovered cash worth Rs13,550, two fake IDs, cheque books, fake appointment letters, a diary containing names of the victims from his possession. Over 6 months' jail sought for man who kicked Indian woman in Singapore. Image Source: IANS News Singapore, Aug 1 : Prosecutors in Singapore have sought six to nine months of jail-term for a man for racially abusing and kicking an Indian-origin woman who had her mask down during the Covid-19 pandemic. Wong Xing Fong, 32, was convicted in June for racially targeting private tutor Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, 57, while she was walking to work near the Northvale condominium in Choa Chu Kang in May 2021. Deputy Public Prosecutor Marcus Foo argued before the court on Monday that the incident should not be viewed as a simple assault case. Foo said Wong had taken into account Nitaas race in delivering a "very targeted vulgarity" before physically assaulting her, the Today website reported. Wong, who was charged in 2021 with one count each of racially hurting Nita and committing a racially aggravated attack. Nita had told the court in June this year that she was walking with her mask down when she heard Wong and his fiancee shouting at her to "mask up". A mother of two adult children, she told the couple that she had lowered her mask below her nose to prevent breathlessness as she was walking fast. Wong instead scolded Nita and verbally insulted her. To de-escalate the matter, the victim responded,"God bless you" but he kicked her in the chest. Nita had testified before the court that an eyewitness helped her to her feet and applied a plaster to a wound on her left forearm following which she filed a police complaint. Wong had claimed via his lawyer that Nita was sarcastic and aggressive, and hurled vulgarities at him instead. He also claimed that she spat at him and his fiancee, and he reacted by pushing the victim. While Wong had accepted that he had used vulgarities, he denied they were racial insults. However, District Judge Shaifuddin Saruwan convicted him of both charges in June, finding Nita's evidence reliable and corroborated by a passer-by, the Today reported. Seeking a significantly lower sentence of two weeksa jail, Wong's lawyer said that based on several character letters, he is seen as a devoted friend and a trusted mentor by those around him. After listening to both parties, Judge Shaiffudin has adjourned the sentencing to August 7. According to Singapore law, anyone found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt can be jailed for up to three years or fined up to S$5,000, or both. For those found guilty of deliberately intending to wound the religious or racial feelings of any person, they can be jailed for up to three years or fined, or both. --IANS mi/ksk Bhopal, Aug 1 : At least 40 people were taken ill after consuming 'bhang' (cannabis)-mixed 'prasad' in Madhya Pradesh's Agar district. As per the police, on the occasion of 'Shravan' month, a large number of devotees thronged a temple in a village to offer their prayers on Monday. During the evening hours, a procession (Mahadevas Savari) was also taken out in the locality, in which more than 200 devotees participated and were given 'prasad'. After consuming the prasad, which was mixed with cannabis, people complained of vomiting, stomach pain and drowsiness and were rushed to nearby hospital. Meanwhile, a team of the local health department also reached the spot, having received information regarding the matter. After primary treatment, some of them were rushed to a district government hospital. As per the report, at least 15 people were admitted in Nalkheda Civil Hospital. However, the condition of all the affected individuals is currently stable. The district administration has directed for an inquiry into the matter. . --IANS pd/svn BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The criminal prosecution of Vagif Khachatryan, who was detained in connection with the events in the village of Meshali in the Khojaly district, complies with the norms of international and national law, Head of the Department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan Mahir Abbasov said, Trend reports. "Persons who committed crimes against peace and humanity, as well as war crimes against our citizens, have been brought to criminal responsibility, and in accordance with the criminal legislation of Azerbaijan, court sentences have been announced against them, which have entered into legal force," he said. Vagif Khachatryan's criminal prosecution, according to Abbasov, accords with both international and domestic legal standards. He further emphasized that under present criminal law, crimes against peace and humanity, as well as war crimes, are exempt from the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. The investigation into the criminal case brought by the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the pertinent articles of the Criminal Code regarding the facts of genocide, deportation of Azerbaijanis, and destruction of numerous properties belonging to rural residents and the state on December 22, 1991, in the village of Meshali (Khojaly district), is still ongoing. Khachatryan was detained while trying to go to Armenia for treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The investigation established that Khachatryan, born in 1955, a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan, born in Badara village of Khojaly district and worked as a driver in Khankendi city automobile transport company, together with other people of Armenian nationality, used various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, to kill all Azerbaijani residents of Meshali village (Khojaly district) as a single national group. Using various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, they attacked the village, killed 25 and injured 14 people of Azerbaijani nationality, and, contrary to national and international law norms, expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their domicile. In addition, Khachatryan continued his criminal actions together with his accomplices, destroying and damaging property belonging to the state and villagers, causing a total of over 5.96 million manat ($3.5 million) of material damage. It was determined to include Khachatryan as an accused person under Articles 103 (massacre) and 107 (deportation or forcible relocation of the population) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan due to the existence of adequate reasonable suspicions surrounding the criminal case. But on November 12, 2013, the court's ruling resulted in the issuance of an international arrest order because the investigation was unaware of his whereabouts. New Delhi, Aug 1 : A Delhi court has granted visitation rights to a man who had been accused by his wife of sexually assaulting their minor daughter. The court observed that the Delhi Police had not found any credible evidence to support the allegations against him. The Delhi Police filed the closure report filed after an investigation into the FIR, which was registered last year under section 10 of the POCSO Act and section 354 of the Indian Penal Code. Family Court judge Harish Kumar of Patiala House Court ruled that the minor child should be allowed to be with her father for two hours every day from 5 to 7 p.m. in a nearby park, as both parties reside within a distance of 100 meters. The court also advised the mother to be present around the child during the visits but stay 50 meters away to ensure the child's unhindered access to her father. The court said that the parties should not raise complaints if the visitation schedule varies by 10-15 minutes. The father had moved the family court seeking permanent custody of the minor child through a guardianship petition. He filed an urgent application seeking interim custody until the case is over, seeking six hours of unsupervised access to his daughter at his residence daily. The couple married in October 2019, and their child was born on January 23, 2021. The father claimed that the mother had falsely registered the FIR against him to deprive the child of his love and care. In contrast, the mother alleged that the father was a "man with a perverted mind" and there is a danger to the child, accusing him of sexually assaulting her. The court granted relief to the father, stating that the mother was "excessively over imagining" his actions towards their daughter. It observed that there was no credible evidence to substantiate the mother's allegations and that her charges appeared to be motivated. The court stressed that no parent should deny a child's right to love, affection, and care from the other parent due to personal grievances or misunderstandings. After reviewing the charge sheet filed by the police, the court noted that the investigating officer (IO) had found no mention of child abuse in the mother's previous written communications. While acknowledging that the mother could better understand her child's touch, the court cautioned against accepting all of her claims without scrutiny. It recognised the responsible approach taken by the IO and legal authorities during the investigation. As of now, the father stands on better footing regarding his desire to meet his minor daughter, as no direct or circumstantial evidence has been found to prosecute him except for the mother's statement. The court directed the mother to cooperate and not interfere in the child's meetings with the father. New Delhi, Aug 1 : A woman sustained a bullet injury after unidentified persons opened fire at the main gate of her residence in Delhi's Kanjhawala area, police said on Tuesday. According to a senior police official, a call was received at Kanjhawala police station from the police control room around 12:32 a.m., informing them about the incident. In response, a police team rushed to the spot in JJ colony, Sawda. Upon reaching the location, it was discovered that unknown persons had fired at the main gate of the complainant's house. "One of the female family members of the complainant had been injured and was already taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital," said the official. The police reached the hospital to gather her Medico-Legal Case (MLC) report. "A case has been registered under sections 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 25 of the Arms Act. Police teams are making efforts to apprehend the offenders," the official added. Hyderabad, Aug 1 : Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Tuesday exhorted the party leaders and activists to widely spread the progressive decisions taken by the Telangana government. These decisions include regularisation of Village Revenue Assistants (VRA), recognising Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees as government employees and expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail. During a teleconference with the party MPs, MLAs, general secretaries, district party presidents, KTR said that the state government took pioneering decisions in the best interest of employees, which no other government did. He said that the onus of taking these decisions to the attention of people concerned lies on the party leaders. The BRS Working President remarked that the compassionate gesture of the state government was evident in recognising 21,000 VRAs as government employees and incorporating TSRTC employees into the government system. KTR asked the party leaders to organise celebrations with RTC employees at Bus Depots across the State. He suggested the party MLAs, Constituency in-charges hold 'Meet and Greet programmes with VRAsa families, RTC employees at their convenience in the coming two or three days. The BRS working president stated that the state administration's decision to implement a policy for orphan children and assume their responsibility serves as evidence of the compassionate approach of the state government. KTR proposed that the BRS party should extensively promote the decision to expand the Hyderabad Metro Rail from its current 70-kms length to an extensive 415-kms. The party activists have to hold celebrations in constituencies through which the expanded metro lines will pass. People have to be informed that this decision of the state government will strengthen public transportation and that it is in tune with expansion of the city. He emphasised the importance of instilling confidence in people that the expansion of metro lines will aid in rapid development of distant areas around Hyderabad. Also, they have to be informed that the immediate relief of Rs 500 crore for those affected by heavy rains across the state will prove beneficial to the affected people. KTR emphasised the importance of conducting press conferences at district headquarters to communicate the state government's decisions, ensuring that the public is well-informed about the state government's initiatives. Singapore, Aug 1 : A 64-year-old Indian woman has gone missing from a cruise ship that was on its way back to Singapore from Penang, an island off the Malay Peninsula in the Strait of Malacca. Reeta Sahani who was onboard the Spectrum of the Seas was found missing by her husband Jakesh Sahani, 70, sometime in the middle of the night, The Strait Times reported. On the last day of the four-day cruise on Monday, a worried Jakesh informed the ship's crew that he is unable to locate his wife. The crew told him later that the ship's overboard detection systems had been alerted that something had fallen from the vessel into the Singapore Strait -- a 113 km-long channel between the Strait of Malacca in the west and the South China Sea in the east. The couple's son, Apoorv Sahani who was not on the cruise, told The Straits Times that the family is still in the dark about his mother's current status. He said his mother could not swim, and that his father was made to go through an interview with the police that lasted a few hours. "We've asked to see the CCTV footage, but so far we've not received anything yet for us to confirm that it was her. All we know is that the ship's crew thinks she jumped," Apoorv told the newspaper. "Eventually my father was told to get down from the ship because there was another cruise that was going to take place, but we think she may still be on the ship, stuck somewhere," he said. In a statement issued on Monday night, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore was notified about the incident at about 7:50 am. "MRCC Singapore is coordinating the search and immediately issued navigational safety broadcast to vessels in the Singapore Strait and vessels in port to keep a lookout for the missing person and report any sightings to MRCC Singapore," the statement read. It added that the vessel was berthed earlier in Singapore to support the investigations and had departed at around 4:30 pm. A spokesman for Royal Caribbean, which operates the vessel, told The Times that the incident was reported to local authorities immediately. The company didn't comment further, citing the privacy of the guest and their family, but said its team is offering support and assistance to them. Pune, Aug 1 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious 41st 'Lokmanya Tilak National Award' of the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust, instituted in the memory of the legendary freedom fighter and journalist, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, here, on Tuesday. After receiving the award, instituted in 1983, PM Modi dedicated it to the 140-crore people of India and donated the prize money of Rs1 Lakh to the 'Namami Gange Project'. Earlier, PM Modi paid floral tributes to the Lokmanya Tilak (1856-1920) on his 103rd birth anniversary and recalled his glorious services to the Indian Independence movement. "The contributions of Lokmanya Tilak cannot be limited to a few words or events as he influenced all the leaders and incidents during the Freedom struggle. Even the Britishers had to call him 'Father of the Indian Unrest'. Tilak changed the direction of the Independence movement with his call for 'Swarajya is my Birthright'," said Modi. Paying tributes to the institution-building to nation-building capabilities of Lokmanya Tilak, the PM said that Mahatma Gandhi had called him as the architect of modern India, and how he had collaborated with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal to form the formidable triumvirate of 'Lal, Bal and Pal', his journalism through the newspaper 'Kesari' which is still read in Maharashtra. PM Modi highlighted Lokmanya's traditions while launching the community celebrations of the 10-day long annual Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Jayanti, "which were both a campaign of stitching India into a cultural thread and a complete conception of 'Poorna Swaraj' with the big goals of social reforms and Independence". Referring to Lokmanya Tilakas faith in the youth, the PM recalled how he inspired Vinayak D. Savarkar a" later Swatantryaveer Savarkar, setting up the prestigious New English School the Fergusson College and the Deccan Education Society. Recalling Lokmanya Tilakas Gujarat-connect, Modi said he had spent around 6 weeks in Sabarmati Jail in Ahmedabad and he was welcomed by over 40,000 people in 1916 who came to listen to him and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Later, when Sardar Patel headed the Ahmedabad Municipality, he installed a statue of Lokmanya Tilak in a resting, contemplative posture, in Ahmedabad in which "one can find the iron fist identity of Lokmanya Tilak in Sardar Patel", and the statue was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1929 despite British resistance. During his jail sojourn in Mandalay, Lokmanya Tilak read and studied the Bhagavad Gita, and later penned the 'Gita Rahasya' -- how during the Independence movement, he broke the myth of inferiority complex among Indians and showed them their responsibilities. Present on the occasion were Chief Guest Sharad Pawar, Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, the Trust President Deepak Tilak, Vice-President Rohit Tilak, Trustee Sushilkumar Shinde, and other dignitaries. The past recipients of the award were -- former Presidents, Shankar Dayal Sharma and Pranab Mukherjee; former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Indira Gandhi. The other eminent personalities who bagged the award were Sharad Pawar, S.M. Joshi, N.R. Narayana Murthy, G. Madhavan, K. Harinarayan, Rahul Bajaj, Cyrus Poonawala, E. Sreedharan, and more from different fields. Chandigarh, Aug 1 : Terming the Nuh violence as looking "like part of a bigger conspiracy," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday said five people were killed there so far. He held a high-level meeting with state Home Minister Anil Vij and senior officials here to review the situation. The Muslim-dominated Nuh district witnessed violent clashes between two groups on Monday. As per the police, the clash started after Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was stopped by a group of young men near Khedla Mod in Nuh, and stones were pelted at the procession. Some police vehicles were also damaged. The Chief Minister said the violence was "well-planned" and "looks like part of a bigger conspiracy". A total of five deaths -- 2 policemen and three civilians -- have been reported so far. People from outside Nuh, who were involved in the incident, are being identified, he said. "Whatever incident happened in Nuh is unfortunate, senior police officers and administration were immediately sent as soon as the incident came to light. A social yatra that comes out every year which was attacked by some people, the police were also targeted," said the Chief Minister in a video byte. "Vehicles were torched and incidents of arson were reported at some places. At present, the situation is normal everywhere, including Nuh," he said, adding several FIRs have been registered. A total of 70 people have been detained so far. As tension gripped the state, prohibitory orders banning the assembly of people were clamped in Nuh and Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal, and Rewari districts. Along with this, mobile internet services have also been suspended in Nuh and Faridabad till Wednesday. The officials also suspended internet in Sohna, Pataudi, and Manesar until further orders. Earlier, Vij had also nsuspected conspiracy behind the communal clashes. "Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this," the minister told the media. "We will conduct a detailed investigation and take strict actions against the masterminds," he added. However, he said the situation is under control and a curfew has been imposed in the violence-hit district. Nuh Deputy Commissioner Prashant Panwar said no untoward incident was reported so far. Flag marches are being carried out. The police took out a flag march in Jhajjar town in the wake of violence in neighbouring Nuh. It is reported that the situation is also tense near Sohna Road in Gurugram where reportedly vehicles have been set afire. The Union government has deployed 20 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to bring the law and order situation under control. Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) had written to the Centre for the deployment of paramilitary forces. Accordingly, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs deployed 20 companies of CAPF in Nuh till August 6. The contingent includes four companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two of the Border Security Force (BSF), two of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). --IANS vg/vd Kullu, Aug 1 : Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday announced Rs 400 crore for the repair and restoration of roads and other connectivity infrastructure of Himachal Pradesh that were battered by torrential rains that triggered massive landslides and flash floods. Accompanying state Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and BJP leader Jairam Thakur, Gadkari assessed the aftermath of the disaster that ravaged Kullu district. The leaders visited flood-hit areas including Bada Bhuiyan, Deodhar, Shirad, Klath, and Aloo Ground Manali and interacted with people affected by the calamity, besides seeking insights into their concerns during the challenging time. Later, the Chief Minister told the media here that it was for the first time in the history of Himachal that a disaster of such high magnitude struck the state. "As the resources of the state are limited, the Union government must extend help to Himachal generously at the earliest to aid relief and restoration efforts," the chief minister said. Sukhu said the torrential rains from July 7 to 11 caused extensive damage to roads and bridges at numerous places in the state, besides public and individual property. "Union Minister Nitin Gadkari quickly accepted my invitation to visit Himachal Pradesh for which I am grateful to him," said Sukhu. The Chief Minister also appealed to Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, who was accompanying them during the visit, to extend his wholehearted support in the hour of crisis and stand jointly to address the needs of the people. Talking to the media, Gadkari assured that the Central government would extend all possible help to the affected people. He said people have suffered immensely and the situation was even worse than they would have imagined otherwise. "There has been unprecedented damage to the roads, bridges and private property due to flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts triggered by heavy rains." He said Rs 400 crore would be released by the Union government under Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) so that the repair and restoration works can be undertaken on a war footing. "The NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) will also bear the cost of repairing link roads up to one km along the national highways in apple belts," he added. The Union minister said the huge portions of national highways and other roads have been swept by the furious flow of the river and a technical team has been constituted to study probable causes and take measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The team will visit flood-hit areas in three to four days to assess and take stock of the situation. He said due to the accumulation of muck in the river bed, the river changed its course.Adaptive measures will be taken to construct a concrete wall or channelize river beds wherever required. Gadkari also sought cooperation of the state government in this direction. He said the Union ministry will bear whatever money is to be incurred on the repair and restoration of roads under the NHAI. He also stated that falling stones and boulders from the mountains was rather common in hilly regions, always posing threat to the commuters and to address the issue a comprehensive study would be conducted and thereafter recommendations would be shared with the state government. Gadkari said 68 tunnels are being constructed in Himachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs 12,500 crore. The repair work of the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane will also be completed in the coming two to three months and will be inaugurated soon. A sum of Rs 250 crore has been sanctioned for Bijli Mahadev Ropeway, the construction of which will commence soon, he said. He said approval has been given to Shahpur-Sihunta road to be built with an outlay of Rs 52 crore under CRIF and Rangas-Mehre via Bagchal road would also be constructed incurring an expenditure Rs 49 crore. --IANS vg/svn Chennai, Aug 1 : Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (TN SHRC) on Tuesday sought report from the District Collector and Police Superintendent on the recent explosion in a firecracker godown in Krishnagiri. On July 29, in an explosion at firecracker godown in Krishnagiri nine people lost their lives while eleven sustained grievous injures. TN SHRC called for a detailed report from the District Collector and District Superintendent of Police within six weeks. The explosion according to authorities took place following a gas cylinder blast in an eatery which was adjacent to the firecracker godown. The owner of the godown Ravi, his wife and two of their children were among those dead in the explosion. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin had announced a relief amount of Rs 3 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the accident which was released from the Chief Ministeras Public Relief Fund. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also announced a relief amount of Rs 2 lakh to the family of the deceased and an amount of Rs 50,000 to those injured in the blast from the National Relief Fund. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Assistant director Prem, who is all geared up for his acting debut with the action-thriller 'Commando', has heaped praises on the filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah, calling it a 'dream come true' launch for himself. Prem said he is grateful for this opportunity. "I cannot explain what I feel inside, even now, when I think back, that my debut happened with someone like Vipul sir, who is one of the finest filmmakers and producers of this country." "Whether it was our first meeting, first reading, or shooting, Vipul sir made me feel like a star, made me feel like I belonged. And that goes on to show how much clarity he has in his own vision. He knows exactly what he wants," he shared. "I consider myself exceptionally blessed, that I am an absolute nobody from a middle class Odia household, and being launched by him is definitely a dream come true for anyone who wants to make it big in this industry," added Prem. Torn between a nefarious plan and a bio-war, Commando Prem devises an extraction mission to protect his nation and his brother Commando. Will he be able to succeed? The action-thriller will also see Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Sial, Mukesh Chhabra and Ishteyak Khan in pivotal roles. Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Sunshine Pictures Pvt Ltd and directed and created by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the series is set to release on August 11, on Disney+ Hotstar. Nuh violence : Internet services suspended in four areas of Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Image Source: IANS News Jaipur, Aug 1 : Internet services have been suspended in four areas of Rajasthan's Bharatpur district on Tuesday following violence in neighbouring Nuh district in Haryana. Divisional Commissioner Sanwarmal Verma has ordered suspension of internet in Pahadi, Kaman, Nagar, Sikri from 6 a.m. this morning till next 24 hours. The Divisional Commissioner, in the order, said that anti-social elements may try to disturb law and order in Bharatpur. "In such situation, the possibility of spreading communal tension cannot be ruled out. It is necessary to suspend internet services to maintain peace and law and order. Hence internet is barred except for broadband and leased line services," Divisional Commissioner said. SP Mridul Kachhawa said that Bharatpur police has been alerted to ensure that the saffron yatra to be taken out in Nuh does not affect Bharatpur. Monitoring has been increased by deploying police force along the Haryana border. A flag march was conducted here in the morning. A team of Gopalgarh police station is in Haryana to nab the accused in the Nasir-Junaid murder case. Three accused in the case have been arrested so far. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. A petition to replace the preventive measure with house arrest against the Chairman of the Party of Democracy and Prosperity of Azerbaijan, Gubad Ibadoglu, has been considered, Trend reports. Ibadoglu's lawyer, Zibeida Sadigova, filed a motion to replace the preventive measure with house arrest against her client at a meeting in the Narimanov district court of Baku. Meanwhile, the court rejected this petition, noting that there are no grounds for changing the chosen preventive measure. Recently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, on the basis of information received from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkiye, has carried out operational measures against persons associated with FETO in Azerbaijan. One of the five detainees declared his connection with Ibadoglu. Based on this statement, Ibadoglu's office was searched, and documents of importance to the case were found, as a result of which Ibadoglu was detained on July 23. He was charged under Article 204.3.1 (manufacture, purchase, or sale of counterfeit money or securities committed by an organized group) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. A preventive measure in the form of arrest for a period of three months and 26 days has been chosen against him by the decision of the Narimanov district court. Hong Kong, Aug 1 : Chinese billionaire and Alibaba founder Jack Ma has invested in a fishery and agriculture startup in China, the media reported on Tuesday. The startup, called "1.8 Meters Marine Technology (Zhejiang) Co" has been incorporated in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, with a registered capital of 110 million yuan ($15 million), reports South China Morning Post, citing corporate registry data provider Tianyancha. The startup caters to processing, wholesale and retail sales of agriculture products as well as development of offshore wind power systems. Simon Hu, former chief executive of Ant Group, also owns a 5.5 per cent stake in the startup, according to the report. The startup's controlling shareholder is Hong Kong-based 1.8 Meters Technology Holding Ltd, which holds 80 per cent stake. The new venture, which also covers processing, wholesale and retail sales of agriculture products as well as development of offshore wind power systems, fits Ma's keen interest in the agriculture and food sector following his retirement from Alibaba, which owns the South China Morning Post. Ma recently made several international trips to learn about sustainable food production. In Japan, he spent time studying fisheries and tuna farming and in Thailand, the billionaire visited a sea shrimp farming factory. Alibaba has also invested in agriculture-related technology. In May, the University of Tokyo announced that Ma will teach as a visiting professor, giving lectures on management and sustainable agriculture. Ma accepted an invitation from Tokyo College, a new institution run by the University of Tokyo. His tenure will continue till October 31, and his contract may be renewed annually. His research area will be sustainable agriculture and food production. The 58-year-old has kept a low profile since criticising China's financial regulators in 2020. --IANS na/vd Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1 : Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V.Muraleedharan on Tuesday said that it is surprising to know that the Kerala Police had no clue about the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) training centre functioning in the state. "It is a huge surprise that such a unit was functioning in Kerala and neither the police nor the authorities appeared to have any clue about it," the Union Minister said. On Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached one of the oldest and largest arms and physical training centre of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala. "This is a serious lapse on the part of the state government," the Union Minister said. Kerala BJP President K. Surendran has applauded NIA action calling it a 'slap on face' of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who did nothing to take appropriate action against the banned outfit. "Other states did take action against the banned outfit but the Kerala government did nothing and that was done only to gain few votes," said Surendran. NIA had said that the training PFI training centre was spread over 10 hectares of land at Manjeri in Malappuram and was known as 'Green Valley Academy'. "The PFI had been using the property for imparting arms training, physical training, and training on use and testing of explosives to its cadres, identified as part of their 'Service Wing'. The facility was also used to harbour several PFI Service Wing members after they committed crimes, including murders," NIA said. So far, the NIA has attached 18 PFI-owned properties in Kerala under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) provisions. Hyderabad, Aug 1 : In continuing war of words, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan denied the allegation by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government that she acted in a biased manner by returning certain bills by the State Legislative Assembly. A day after the state cabinet alleged that the Centre misused the Governor system to send back the bills, the Governor claimed that she did not send back any bill without a valid reason. "I am not against anybody. I have clearly given my explanation about each and every bill. The explanation is sent to the Speaker for tabling in the Assembly so that it knows why I returned the bills. I have not returned any bill without a reason," she told reporters on Tuesday. "I can't be blamed that I am acting in a biased manner. I am well aware of the situation in Telangana. I have clearly mentioned about clarification and objections why I returned those bills," the Governor added. Her reaction came a day after the cabinet meeting discussed the three bills sent back by the Governor. The cabinet found fault with the Governor rejecting the bills passed by Legislature in a democratic manner. It termed this mockery of public mandate. "The Centre is doing politics by misusing the office of Governor," state minister K. T. Rama Rao had told media persons after the Cabinet meeting on Monday. The cabinet decided to once again pass the three bills in the Assembly session, beginning on August 3. The three bills are related to Municipal Administration, Panchayat and Education. "Once the Assembly passes these bills for a second time, the Governor will have to approve them no matter what is the opinion or the Governor," minister KTR said adding that the government elected by the people is supreme. The three bills which will be passed again by the Assembly are Telangana State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment Bill, the Telangana Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill and the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill. The Governor and KCR government have been at loggerheads over the issue of Bills passed by the Legislature. In April, the state government had moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Governor to take a decision on the bills pending with her. The government had told the Supreme Court that 10 bills are pending with Raj Bhavan. While seven bills were pending since September 2022, three bills were sent to the Governor in February for her approval. During the hearing, the Supreme Court was informed that the Governor had given her assent to three bills. They are the Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, Telangana Municipalities (Amendment Bill), and the Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill. The Governor sent the University of Forestry Telangana Bill and the Telangana Universities Common Recruitment Board Bill to the President of India for her consideration and assent. Last month, the office of Telangana Governor clarified that no bill is pending with her. "Among bills, three bills cleared, two bills referred to Hon'ble President's office. Rest of the bills have been returned to Government with adequate explanation and message. This is issued for the information of public," reads a statement issued by the Press Secretary. Jaipur, Aug 1 : Mohit Yadav alias Monu Manesar, the leader of a cow vigilante group in Mewat, who was supposed to attend the Brij Mandal Yatra in Haryana, is in the wanted list of Rajasthan's Bharatpur police in connection with the murders of alleged cow smugglers Nasir and Junaid. Monu Manesar, who had released a video on social media calling for participation in the Brijmandal Shobha Yatra in Nuh, is accused of burning alive two youths named Nasir and Junaid. He had released a video on social media claiming to have reached the Brij Shobha Yatra, organised by Matri Shakti Durgawahini on Monday in Nuh, Haryana, on behalf of Vishva Hindu Parishad. A certain group of people was opposing Monu's supposed participation in the Shobha Yatra which led to a dispute during which the two sides started pelting stones at each other and set several vehicles on fire. Some people sustained injuries in the incident. Nuh violence has claimed lives of five people. The Shobha Yatra had left from Nalhad Shiv Temple in Nuh towards Ferozepur-Jhirka and as the yatra reached near Tiranga Park, stone pelting and arson started between both sides. In the area around Hodal Bypass in Nuh, assailants set several vehicles on fire. Although there is no information about Monu Manesar's arrival in the procession, but since his call, the atmosphere in Nuh was tense. Internet services have been suspended and Section 144 CrPC has been imposed by sealing the boundaries of Nuh district. Additional forces have been called to control the situation. Bharatpur police is on alert and special police on the borders of Mewat area is keeping a strict vigil, said Mridul Kachhawa, SP, Bharatpur. New Delhi, Aug 1 : A delegation of the Opposition party leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), who visited violence hit Manipur, will be meeting President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh in a tweet said: "The 21 INDIA party MPs who visited Manipur on July 29 and 30 will be meeting with the President of India on August 2 at 1130 a.m. They will be accompanied by the floor leaders of INDIA parties." The 21 MPs of the INDIA bloc had visited Manipur on Saturday and Sunday and also met the victims and the affected families in the relief camps. The delegation had also met Governor Anusuiya Uikey and appealed for peace in the north eastern state. The INDIA MPs have been demanding for a detailed statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Houses of Parliament and a discussion on violence in Manipur. The Monsoon Session of Parliament has been stormy over the demands of the INDIA MPs over their demands for a detailed discussion mon Manipur and has faced several adjournments. Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 and since then hundreds of people have died and thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps. The opposition parties have demanded for imposition of the President's Rule in the state and also demanded for immediate removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh for failing miserably to control the law and order situation in the northeastern state. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday condemned the violence in Haryana's Nuh and RPF constable killing four people including his superior in Jaipur Express saying this is a blow to the foundation of Indian civilisation and it is result of spreading hatred in the greed of the power. In a tweet, Kharge said, "The violence being spread in the name of religion in 21st century India is a blow to the foundation of our civilization - equality of all religions. This cannot be tolerated under any circumstances." "What is going on in some parts of Haryana or what the RPF constable did is like giving deep wounds to the heart of Mother India. These days, the trend of disintegration of the social fabric which is being seen in the society is the result of spreading hatred in the greed of power. Mixing poison of malice in the public and making them fight with each other is like making fun of our Constitution," the Leader of Opposotion in Rajya Sabha said. He said: "Such incidents raise serious questions on the weak law and order situation and our weak constitutional institutions. If we do not unite and raise our voice against these divisive elements today, then the coming generations will have to bear its consequences. The Congress party appeals to all to maintain peace and demands strictest punishment for the culprits. Leave hatred and unite India." His remarks came after violence erupted in Haryana's Nuh in which five people died. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar dubbed the Nuh violence as looking "like part of a bigger conspiracy." The Muslim-dominated Nuh district witnessed violent clashes between two groups on Monday. As per the police, the clash started after Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was stopped by a group of young men near Khedla Mod in Nuh, and stones were pelted at the procession. Some police vehicles were also damaged. Meanwhile, on Monday morning a RPF constable allegedly shot dead his immediate in-charge and three other passengers onboard a running train, Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express (No. 12956). The incident occurred as the train was speeding between Virar (Palghar) and Mira Road (Thane) where the two on-duty cops Constable Chetankumar Singh and his in-charge, Assistant Sub-Inspector Tikaram Meena were on escort duty. Chandigarh, Aug 1 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday termed the communal violence in Nuh district as unfortunate and a preplanned and conspired incident. Chairing a high-level meeting with Home Minister Anil Vij and top administrative and police officers here, the Chief Minister expressed concerns about the incident that occurred in Nuh on July 31. He said the incident "appears to be part of a larger conspiracy as the Samajik Yatra has been taking place annually for several years". "The authorities are investigating the incident further to comprehend the underlying causes and potential motives behind it." Later divulging details regarding the legal action taken against the culprits, the Chief Minister said efforts are underway to identify individuals involved in the incident that are not from the Nuh area. "As part of the investigation, 44 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered, and 70 people have been named and taken into custody." He said the incident has resulted in the loss of five lives, including two policemen. The Chief Minister expressed his condolences and assured that compensation will be provided to those who have suffered losses of life and property during the incident. Khattar assured that appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty once the investigation is complete. He made it clear that no troublemaker will be spared, indicating a firm stance against those responsible for the unrest. The Chief Minister said the government acted with restraint as soon as they received information about the incident on the afternoon of July 31. "Immediately, orders were given to the Director General of Police, the Additional Director General of Police, the CID, and the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to maintain the law and order situation in the district. "To bolster security measures, the Central government was requested to deploy Central police force companies. As a result, 16 companies of the Central police force have been stationed in Nuh and the surrounding areas. In addition, 30 companies of Haryana Police are also present at the location. "Furthermore, additional police forces have been called from neighbouring districts to ensure adequate law enforcement and maintain peace in the region," said the Chief Minister. He said besides the incident in Nuh, there were also isolated incidents in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Palwal districts. However, the government took prompt action to bring those situations under control. As a result, peace has been restored in all districts. "To prevent any further escalation, curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure, and in some districts, Section 144 has been imposed. These measures are aimed at maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of the residents," said Khattar. He also emphasised the government is closely monitoring the entire situation to promptly respond to any developments and ensure the safety and security of the people throughout the state. In an appeal to the citizens, the Chief Minister urged everyone to come forward and play their part in restoring peace in areas where such incidents have occurred. He emphasised the importance of cooperation from all members of society to ensure that peace is maintained and the situation does not escalate any further. "As part of their efforts to promote peace and harmony, the administration has conducted a peace committee meeting involving representatives from various sections of the community and aims to foster a positive dialogue and understanding among different groups," he said. Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, D.S Dhesi, and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Amit Agrawal, participated in the meeting. Besides, Director General of Police P.K Agrawal and Additional Director General of Police (CID) Alok Mittal attended the meeting virtually. Mumbai, Aug 1 : The writer, creator and director of 'Made In Heaven', Zoya Akhtar, has said that she was trolled on social media to release the second season of the hit drama series. Zoya, along with co-writer, creator and director Reema Kagti, was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of 'Made In Heaven' Season 2 in Mumbai. When asked about her journey through the first season and now with the upcoming second, Zoya said: "We really didn't expect it. We set out to do a show and it was one of the first happening out of India. "We collaborated with Aparna Purohit, she was onboard with everything we wanted to do, and nobody knew how any of it was going to land. We were extremely nervous when it came out and got picked up." Zoya went on point out that the series has "a very loyal fandom". She said: "No matter what I post, I am asked about 'Made in Heaven', and now because it's been so long, I am being trolled, so I just wanted this show to drop fast, because my fans were getting irritated, the show's fans. It has gone very well, I am thankful to my fans, they have held on to it and haven't forgotten it." Helmed by Alankrita Shrivastava, Neeraj Ghaywan, Nitya Mehra, Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, the series stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora, Shivani Raghuvanshi and Vijay Raaz, who will be seen reprising their roles with new faces such as Mona Singh, Ishwak Singh and Trinetra Haldar. It is slated to be released on August 10 on Amazon Prime India. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday condemned the violence in Haryana's Nuh saying only love can douse the fire of hatred in the country. In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, "The BJP, the media and the forces standing with them have spread the kerosene of hatred across the country. Only love can douse this fire in the country." His remarks came after violence erupted in Haryana's Nuh in which five people died. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar dubbed the Nuh violence as looking "like part of a bigger conspiracy." The Muslim-dominated Nuh district witnessed violent clashes between two groups on Monday. As per the police, the clash started after Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was stopped by a group of young men near Khedla Mod in Nuh, and stones were pelted at the procession. Some police vehicles were also damaged. Meanwhile, on Monday morning a RPF constable allegedly shot dead his immediate in-charge and three other passengers onboard a running train, Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express (No. 12956). The incident occurred as the train was speeding between Virar (Palghar) and Mira Road (Thane) where the two on-duty cops Constable Chetankumar Singh and his in-charge, Assistant Sub-Inspector Tikaram Meena were on escort duty. Nuh: Damaged vehicles after clashes broke out between two communities. Image Source: IANS News Gurugram, Aug 1 : Intense clashes between two communities have ravaged Nuh and Gurugram districts of Haryana following an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession. The violence and tension started in Nuh district a" where the VHP rally was held a" before spreading to Gurugram, where a mosque was burnt down overnight. Shops were also set ablaze in the Badshahpur area in Gurugram on Tuesday. According to traders in Nuh, a mob also attacked Shiv temple, Nalhad medical college, bus stand, a Cyber crime police station, and traders' shops during the clashes on Monday. The traders at the Nuh grain market alleged that the state government has failed to maintain the law and order situation in the district. They alleged that the government even failed to deploy security forces on time. Eyewitnesses told IANS that they could not recall any situation in their life where policemen were forced to run to save their lives. "Around 3.20 p.m. on Monday, the mob attacked the cyber crime police station just behind my shop in Nuh grain market. Thousands of people from a single community with sticks, bricks, and pistols attacked the police station and damaged and set dozens of cars parked outside the police station on fire. The attacker also used a bus to attack the police station and damaged it as well. Several cops received serious injuries during the clash," Lala Ved Prakash Garg, former vice president of Market Committee, told IANS. He claimed that the attackers even pelted stones at the Nuh bus stand, Nuh market, and Nuh grain market during the clashes. "At the time of the attack, I was inside my shop alone and somehow managed to down the shop's shutter to save my life. They robbed some cash amount of Rs 5 lakh along with my two-wheeler. The cash remained inside the two-wheeler. They damaged the car and two-wheelers parked outside the shop," he said. Yogesh Gupta, an advocate, who was also present in his shop at the grain market, said, it was a planned attack. "The Brij Mandal Yatra was in knowledge of local administration. They even know the seriousness of the religious event in Nuh district but the administration failed to make proper arrangements to deal with any unwanted situation," he said. He alleged that the incident took around during the morning hours but the security forces reached the district late evening hours on Monday. "Even the police personnel could not save themselves," he said. Meanwhile, a policeman posted at the cyber crime police station in Nuh requesting anonymity told IANS that the attackers were pelting stones all across the police station. "Around thousand of people of a particular community, raising some slogans, attacked the police station. At that time, 7 to 8 policemen were inside the police station. They even set my motorcycle parked inside the police station premises on fire. But somehow we retaliated with our weapons and saved us from the attackers. They damaged the police station tin shade, and a car parked inside the police station," he said. Besides, the mob also attacked Nalhad medical college in Nuh and damaged the college property. Due to the incident, the patients were shifted to another hospital. The traders also alleged that to hide their identity the attackers damaged CCTV cameras installed outside their shop and in the market area. However, no fresh violence was reported in Nuh and Gurugram districts on Tuesday. A flag march has also been taken out by the police in the districts in the morning. An official said that adherence to Section-144 is being ensured. ADGP law and order of Haryana Police, Mamta Singh and ADGP M. Ravi Kiran, South Range, Rewari visited several places in Nuh district to review the situation. They talked to the victims and assured them of all possible help. However, both the senior police officers refused to talk to the media. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic unemployment insurance fund will introduce a number of benefits for hiring unemployed citizens, the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Jeyhun Jalilov said, Trend reports. At an extraordinary session of the Supreme Majlis (Assembly) of the Nakhchivan, answering questions from deputies during the discussion of amendments to the law "On the budget of the unemployment insurance fund for 2023", Jalilov noted that when hiring unemployed citizens for one year, 50 percent of their wages will be paid from the fund. "It will also help entrepreneurs to hire more people. In this regard, educational meetings will be held with the participation of employers," Jalilov said. Amendments were recently made to some laws of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic at the special session of the parliament. A bill on amendments to the law "On the Budget of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023" was discussed and adopted at the session. A bill on amendments to the law of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic "On the Budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2023" was also discussed and adopted at the special session. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday hit back at the BJP-led central government accusing it of trying to threaten and intimidate the opposition parties, saying INDIA will keep on fighting to save democracy and the Constitution. Addressing the media outside at Vijay Chowk (near Parliament House), Kharge alleged that he was being insulted in Parliament, as he was not allowed to speak, despite being the LoP in Rajya Sabha. The Congress president said, "INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) will not be intimidated and it was not constituted to run away." Hitting out at the BJP government, Kharge said, "The government was resorting to dictatorship, but no matter how much injustice the government does with them (the opposition), we will keep on fighting against them, and we will defeat them in 2024." "We will continue to work for the public interest and lay down whatever sacrifices are required of us to save the democracy and the constitution", he said, adding that he was being insulted as he was not allowed to speak in the Rajya Sabha. He pointed out that a record number of 65 members of the Rajya Sabha had sought discussion under rule 267. He said that this was for the first time that so many members had sought suspension of business, to discuss Manipur violence, since it was not an ordinary incident. He also highlighted that about hundreds of people had died, while 5,000 others were injured and 60,000 families had to leave their homes. Referring to the viral of two Manipur women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur, Kharge said that women are being paraded naked and people are being killed and despite that the government is not ready for discussion. "The Prime Minister is running away from debate," the Congress leader said. Slamming the Prime Minister, Kharge said that Modi had all the time to campaign in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. "Even today, the Prime Minister is in Pune. What was the urgency? Wherever he (Modi) goes he maligns the opposition leaders," he said. Kharge appealed the Prime Minister to say whatever he wants to say, but he needs to speak in the Parliament. "Let him come to the parliament and make the statement, and we will listen to it and answer all your questions," Kharge told the Prime Minister. He also asserted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah cannot substitute for the Prime Minister. "HM has certain limitations while the PM has access to all sorts of information and feedback, which the Home Minister does not have," he said. He said that the only the PM was in a better position to make a statement on such an issue like Manipur. He also cited several past precedents when the question hour was suspended and important issues discussed and even the Prime Minister spoke. He said that in August 2012, question hour was suspended after the then BJP member M. Venkaiah Naidu raised the matter of attacks on migrants from the North-East in different parts of the country. He said the matter was discussed and the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made a statement in the parliament on the issue. Taking a dig at the government's claims that it treated everyone at par, he pointed out, he was not even allowed to speak and whenever he rose to speak, the mike was switched off within ten seconds. He said it was an insult to him. "Is this the democracy?" he asked, while remarking, "this is dictatorship and this is Hitler-Shahi". The Congress President also said that a senior Rajya Sabha MP Rajani Patil was suspended in the last session and her suspension was still not revoked although another session had started. Similarly when another RS member Sanjay Singh wanted to raise the matter under rules, he was also suspended for one full session, Kharge added. Kohima, Aug 1 : The Nagaland government on Tuesday asked the government doctors drawing non practising allowance (NPA) to stop private practice within a month otherwise action would be taken. Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Y Kikheto Sema said that in-service government doctors who are availing NPA and involved in private practice in private hospitals, clinics have been directed to either stop private practice or to forgo their NPA within one month. He told media persons that the in-service government doctors not availing NPA may be allowed to give private consultations and services with prior approval of the competent authority to the needy patients strictly during non-working hours. Sema said that instances have also come to the notice of the government that some in-service government doctors, health workers are irregular in their place of posting, which hampers the health care delivery system in their respective health units. He said that in the event of a report of absence from the place of posting without proper leave permissions from the competent authority, action would be initiated as per the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967. It has been observed that, in many instances, laid-down instructions of the government are not being complied with in letter and spirit. The issue has also been adversely viewed by Nagaland Lokayukta, the official said. He said that the government also asked all private hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes not to engage any in-service government doctors, nurses, technicians, and health workers in their establishments. Failure to comply would result in the cancellation of their license, Sema stated. A modern example of India's shared heritage with Iran, her career was itself nothing short of a film story. Enamoured of the silver screen when young, she began with child roles. but on coming of age, found no major actor ready to share screen space with her apart from a reel -- and real life -- strongman, until the foremost thespian of the time gave her a rare chance. After Dilip Kumar agreed to Mumtaz as one of the romantic partners for one of the twins in "Ram Aur Shyam" (1967), there was no looking back for her. Male actors, who had once spurned her as a 'B-grade' actress were now more than ready to accept her. She was so much sought after that a superstar of the time, with whom she had a string of successes, reportedly went into a sulk if she acted with other heroes. But Mumtaz, who, with her large expressive eyes that could reflect everything from saucy innocence to sparkling sensuality to hurt anguish, a voluptuous yet lithe figure, emoting capacity, dancing skills, and a readiness to experiment, did not presume much on her fortune. After barely a decade as one of Bollywood's most popular actresses and a sex symbol of the age, she married a rich NRI businessman and soon bid adieu to the film world at the peak of her career. Her marital life was not always smooth and she battled long with cancer, but finally was able to celebrate her 75th birthday on Monday. Born in the then Bombay on July 31, 1947, Mumtaz Askari's father was an Indian and her mother Iranian. She gained her first glimpse of the celluloid world when she accompanied her sibling, who had got into acting, to a set, and soon became a child artiste herself when 11. As she grew older and sought starring roles, she only got bit roles in films like O.P. Ralhan's "Gehra Daag" and Sunil Dutt's stark "Mujhe Jeene Do" (both 1963). One bigger role was as the second heroine in the Persian epic "Rustam Sohrab" (1963), where she plays Sohrab's (Prem Nath) love interest. It was only Dara Singh, seeking to step into the celluloid world himself, who accepted her as a co-star in a string of action thrillers, such as "Veer Bhimsen", "Samson", "Hercules", "Baaghi" (all 1964), "Tarzan Comes to Delhi", "Tarzan and King Kong", "Son of Hatimtai", "Sikandar-e-Azam", "Rustom-e-Hind", "Raaka", "Jadui Angoothi" (all 1965), "Daku Mangal Singh" (1966), and so on. Mumtaz and Dara Singh would turn into relatives when her sister married his younger brother Randhawa. While she was making a decent amount of money, Mumtaz could have been trapped in this rut. It was a small role of a village belle, opposite comedian Mehmood, playing a wannabe director, in the laugh riot "Pyar Kiye Jaa" (1966) that proved to be a watershed. According to accounts, Mehmood was impressed with her acting and recommended her to Dilip Kumar as casting for "Ram Aur Shyam" was underway. Dilip Kumar, the helpful man he was, assented and she was chosen to play the boisterous Shyam's friend Shanta, who falls in love with the cowed-down Ram when fate leads to the twins exchanging places. All avenues opened up to her following the success of "Ram Aur Shyam". a strong showing in the romantic potboiler "Patthar Ke Sanam" (1967), where as the second lead heroine, her elfin charm stood up to Waheeda Rehman's grace in a song like "Tauba yeh matwaali chaal", and then in Shammi Kapoor's "Brahmachari" (1968), in which Mumtaz played a vamp out to dupe a promiscuous villain. "Do Raaste" (1969), and then "Khilona" (1970) , in which Mumtaz bravely took up the role of a prostitute -- which was turned down by many others, and went on to get her first and only Filmfare Award -- further cemented her position. She even held her own against Zeenat Aman as the hero's love interest in "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" (1971) Mumtaz struck up a good chemistry with Rajesh Khanna -- and all their 10-odd films, from "Do Raaste" (1969) to "Prem Kahanai" (1975), including notables like "Aap Ki Kasam", "Roti", and "Apna Desh", were known for their peppy songs. She did films with Feroz Khan, Jeetendra, Dharmendra and Shashi Kapoor, some of whom had spurned her earlier as a "mere stunt actress", before calling it a day at the height of her fame. She did attempt one comeback in 1990, but it wasn't successful and she did not repeat the venture again. What marked Mumtaz's brief but stellar film foray were her kinetic performances in songs of her films and that is how she will be remembered for long. Let us take a look at a few of them. She left an impact in songs where she was serenaded or remembered -- "Phir tumhari yaad aayi hai sanam" ("Rustam Sohrab"), "Tauba yeh matwali chaal" ("Patthar Ke Sanam") and "Aaj mausam bada beimaan hai" ("Loafer"). But she also created a sensation with her energetic jiving in "O meri maina, tu maan le mera kehna" ("Pyaar Kiye Jaa"). In "Brahmachari", she proved a sari is no bar to shaking a leg with full-on energy as she matched Shammi Kapoor in "Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche", and then went on to show she could exhibit grace too with "Bindiya chamkegi" ("Do Raaste"). But some of her most memorable songs were from her hits with Rajesh Khanna -- the gay abandon of "Jai Jai Shiv Shankar" ("Aap Ki Kasam", 1974), the intrinsic playfulness of "Gore rang pe na ghuman kar", and the gentle silliness of "Chal dariya mein kud jaaye" ("Prem Kahani", 1975). And finally, the brazen effrontery of "Le jayenge, le jayenge dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge" ("Chor Machaye Shor", 1974), where she is an effective foil to the irrepressible Shashi Kapoor. (Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in) New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on Centre and the Manipur governments, saying that the state police is "incapable of investigation" and "there is no law and order left" in the northeastern state. "The investigation is so lethargic. There has been a breakdown of constitutional machinery to the extent that FIR could not be registered. Maybe it is correct that the police could not arrest as it could not enter the locality. There was a complete breakdown of law and order machinery of the state," remarked a bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud questioning the delay in registration of FIRs and recording of statements of victims by the Manipur Police. The top court summoned Manipuras Director General of Police on August 7, the next date of hearing. The Supreme Court raised questions over non-interrogation of the police officials who allegedly handed over the victims in the viral video to the mob, as per their statements recorded under section 161 CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code). "If law and order machinery cannot protect them then what happens to the people?" it asked. In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that normalcy is returning and the CBI has commenced investigation in the FIRs registered by it. He said that other cases can also be transferred to the CBI. At this, the CBI said: "Can the CBI investigate over 6,000 FIRs? From May 4 to July 27, police was not in charge. Either they were incapable or unwilling to act. Some mechanism has to be put in place by us to sort out the 6,500 FIRs. We cannot dump all these FIRs on the CBI." The status report filed by the Manipur government indicated that only 252 arrests have been made in the 6,253 FIRs registered so far. The apex court directed the state police to identify the FIRs involving serious offences like murder, rape, arson, looting, outraging modesty of women, destruction of places of religious worship and grievous hurt. Also, it asked case-wise details of the date of occurrence of incident, date of registration of Zero FIR, date of registration of regular FIR, date on which witness statements were recorded, date on which statements under section 164 CrPC were recorded and date on which arrests were made. It also asked the Union government to provide information relating to the compensation to be provided for rehabilitation purposes. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court asked the CBI to abstain from recording statements of the survivors who were paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur when the top court was scheduled to hear the batch of matter today at 2 p.m.. However, at the end of the hearing, it permitted the CBI to continue recording statements of the victim. A bench comprising of CJI Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra was hearing the petition filed by the two tribal women in relation to the disturbing incident along with the clutch of pleas related to inter-ethnic clashes in the north-eastern state. On Monday, the Supreme Court has indicated that it may constitute a committee comprising of retired judges and subject experts to record statements of victims in the violence-hit state. It has sought bifurcation of around 6000 FIRs which were registered in the violence-hit state. It had called for details like zero FIRs, action taken, position of legal aid, status of recording of statements of victims and witnesses, etc. from the Centre and the state. The CJI-led bench has expressed surprise for the delay of over 18 days in registration of FIR. "What stood in the way of police registering the FIR immediately on the 4th of May?" it had asked SG Mehta. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for survivors of the crime who were paraded naked, has opposed the transfer of the probe to CBI and demanded for the formation of a SIT (Special Investigation Team) to probe gender violence cases. "The extent of our intervention would also depend on what the government has done so far. If we are satisfied with what the government has done, we may not even intervene," the court has clarified. Attorney General R Venkataramani has opposed formation of an SIT, saying that the state government having no role in the investigation would be an "extreme view". Chennai, Aug 1 : Private non-life insurer Shriram General Insurance Company Ltd will meet the 30 per cent cap on management expenses in three years time, said a top company official. Managing Director & CEO Anil Kumar Aggarwal also said the company will be hiring about 700 people this year, expand its branch network by 35 to 278, and reduce the focus on motor insurance by looking at other lines of business like cyber insurance. Referring to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of Indiaas (IRDAI) new norms of a single 30 per cent cap on expenses of management, he said the company would be able to meet that limit in three years' time. Last year, the companyas expenses of management stood at 40 per cent and this has come down to 35 per cent during the first quarter and by the end of this fiscal, it will be about 33 per cent. "The management expenses will be brought down from operational efficiencies, reducing the cost of acquisition of new business from digital sales and other modes than the traditional mode," Chief Underwriting Officer Shashi Kant Dahuja told IANS. Under the earlier norm, there were sub-limits as well as overall limits for management expenses of a non-life insurer. About the business, Aggarwal said the company closed the first quarter of FY24 with a gross premium of Rs 560 crore, logging a growth of 39 per cent. The company grew its net profit by 37 per cent to Rs 98 crore. Bulk of the premium income was from motor insurance a" Rs 496.72 crore - and the balance contributed by personal accident a" Rs 28.09 crore, fire Rs 23.84 crore and engineering a" Rs.4.35 crore. Aggarwal said the company plans to increase the premium from underwriting electric vehicles to about Rs 200 crore this fiscal up from Rs 82 crore earned last year. He said the underwriting loss, or simply put, premium minus claims went down to Rs 53 crore during the first quarter of FY24 from Rs 75 crore for previous year first quarter. Shriram General Insurance earned an investment income of Rs 185 crore during the first quarter, up by 6 per cent over the previous year corresponding period. Aggarwal said the company was able to control its motor third party claims through a proactive negotiated settlement than waiting for the court to give the award. The average outgo under the third party claims head for the company is about Rs 8 lakh far less than what the court would award but after years of litigation. Agreeing that the solvency margin of 4.83 in a way means the company has excess capital, Aggarwal said the growth in business will bring down the solvency margin. The statutory solvency requirement is 1.5. --IANS vj/vd Gurugram, Aug 1 : Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said on Tuesday that the situation in Sohna area has normalised and on the demand of the 'Peace Committee', the district administration has permitted the opening of market in the area. He made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the Peace Committee, constituted by the district administration. The committee comprises 20 members each from both Hindu and Muslim communities. Sohna MLA Sanjay Singh and former MLA Tejpal Tanwar along with several prominent figures from both the communities participated in the meeting. In the meeting, both sides assured to maintain peace and harmony in the region. The committee will help in enforcing peace and harmony. The Deputy Commissioner insisted on establishing a dialogue with the people of both communities to keep the law and order peaceful in the area in view of the Nuh episode. Yadav said that the only way to prevent the spread of communal frenzy in the area is to ignore rumours. The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the citizens to ignore the rumours and help the administration in maintaining law and order. "The situation is now normal in the Sohna area. So we gave consent to open the market on the demand of the committee members amid normalcy in Sohna," he said. In the meeting, the members of the committee also demanded compensation for the people affected by the arson and vandalism that happened on Monday evening. "The assessment report of the persons and institutions affected by the incident is being prepared by the district administration. Soon it will be sent to the government," the Deputy Commissioner said. He further said that if any objectionable post is posted by any person or organisation, legal action will be taken as per the rules. "If anyone spreads rumours on social media or makes any wrong comment about anyone's religion or caste, then the police will take strict action on that." DCP, Headquarters, Deepak Gehlawat appealed both communities to share any information related to the incident that happened in Sohna following the Nuh clashes. "If you have any information regarding the incident, immediately inform the police so that legal action can be taken against the guilty person." Further, he urged people that if they see any anti-social element, suspicious person or vehicle around them or in case of any emergency, immediately report it to the concerned police station or Dial 112. The name of the informer will be kept secret. Besides this, a heavy police force have been deployed at key locations in Sohna to maintain law and order in the area. Also, a flag march was taken out by the police in the city, Gehlawat told IANS. According to police, five vehicles, one auto, one shop and four roadside shops were set on fire by a crowd of around 200-250 protesters at Ambedkar Chowk Sohna at around 6 p.m. on Monday. New Delhi, Aug 1 : A 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is slated to hear on Wednesday (August 2) the batch of petitions challenging the 2019 Presidential Order taking away the special status accorded to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two Union Territories. The Constitution Bench, also comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, and Surya Kant, would hear the matter consecutively starting from August 2, except for Mondays and Fridays. CJI Chandrachud and Justice Khanna are the new members of the latest 5-judge bench as CJI N.V. Ramana and Justice Subhash Reddy, who were part of the earlier bench, had retired. The clutch of petitions was recently heard on July 11 to complete the necessary pre-hearing formalities since March 2, 2020, when another Constitution Bench ruled against the necessity of referring the matter to a seven-judge bench. In a fresh affidavit before the top court, the Central government has defended the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that its decision to dilute Article 370 has brought unprecedented development, progress, security, and stability in the region. It highlighted that in the past three years, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and other public institutions have been functioning without strikes or disturbances. The Union Home Ministry said that the street violence, engineered and orchestrated by terrorists and secessionist networks has now become a thing of the past and and the "organised stone pelting incidences connected with terrorism-separatist agenda, which were as high as 1,767 in 2018 has come down to zero in 2023 till date". The Centre stressed that it has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and after constitutional changes, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved significantly. The reply document said that since 2019, the entire region has witnessed an unprecedented era of peace, progress and prosperity and "life has returned to normalcy in the region after over three decades of turmoil". In the pending matter, intervention applications have also been filed by Kashmiri Pandits supporting Centre's move stripping special status accorded to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Asit Kumarr Modi has been reportedly charged with harassment by actresses Jennifer Mistry, and Monika Bhadoriya; while actor Shailesh Lodha sued him for his pending dues. The producer of sitcom 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' (TMKOC) now says he has never wronged anyone. Jennifer, who is popularly known as Roshan Sodhi in the show had accused Asit of sexual harassment. According to a media report, Jennifer has filed a complaint against Modi, Project Head Sohail Ramani, and executive producer Jatin Bajaj of sexual misconduct at the workplace. In June, Monika had said it was a torture for her to be on the set. Shailesh, who essayed Mehta ji in the show, had filed a case against him for non-payment of dues. Doesn't it bother you that actors who became household names because of your show are accusing you? Modi told IANS: "Emotionally I feel sad. As I consider everyone like my family. And, again I am saying I have never done anything wrong to anyone. I have tried to keep everyone happy, because I am giving happiness everyday through my show. Hence, I try to keep my team also very happy, and in a nice and positive atmosphere." 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' is based on the weekly column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma by Tarak Mehta in Chitralekha magazine. It first premiered on July 28, 2008. The show revolves around characters Jethalal Gada, his wife Daya ben, Champak Lal Gada, Tappu, Tarak Mehta, Anjali Mehta and others residing in the society of Gokuldham. Despite so many hurdles, the show has successfully marked 15 years recently. On what kept everything going, Modi said: "Hurdles come in every successful work. And those who pass the hurdles, they only succeed in life. So, we are accepting hurdles and challenges, and whatever is happening in and around us, we are fighting it with a positive mindset." The 56-year-old producer further said: "We have never done anything wrong to anyone. We have always kept everyone happy. So, we don't bother, we are clean and pure by heart." "This is the reason why we are able to create comedy. Otherwise, creating comic shows is very difficult. A negative person cannot create a comedy show like this. The show has innocence and is watched by families. We are very positive and fortunate, as we have the audience's love, my team's support, and the blessings of god," he said. On the show's journey, Asit said that he will never forget this experience because of the love they have received from the audiences. "Running the show for 15 years, doing comedy daily, it has never happened in the world. I cannot express this feeling in words. It's been a continuous hard work since 2008, bringing new stories each day. I also thank my team for bringing freshness in every episode. Doing this journey without any leap, it's all God's grace, our hard work and team work," he added. --IANS sp/dan Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony for the inauguration of various developmental projects. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, Aug 1 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his day-long visit here on Tuesday, lavished several mega-projects on Pune in different sectors worth around Rs 15,000 crore as the election season approaches. They include the new Pune Metro lines and trains, homes built under various schemes, foundation stones for other housing projects, and a waste-to-energy plant for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The PM flagged off trains marking the inauguration of services on the completed sections of two corridors of Pune Metro Phase I - Phugewadi to Civil Court stations and Garware College to Ruby Hall Clinic stations. The foundation stone for this project was laid by him in 2016. Moving close towards the mission of Housing For All, the PM handed over more than 1,280 houses constructed under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and 2,650 PMAY houses built by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Modi also laid the foundation stones for around 1,190 PMAY houses to be constructed by PCMC and another 6,400 houses which shall be built by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) The PM inaugurated a Rs 300-crore aWaste to Energy Planta in PCMC which will use up to about 2.5 lakh MT of waste annually to produce electricity. Incidentally, the new Pune Metro lines will link up major places in Pune like Shivaji Nagar, Civil Court, PMC Office, RTO and the railway station, affording people with modern, environment-friendly mass rapid urban transport systems all over India. The designs of some of the Pune Metro stations are inspired from the legendary Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. For instance, the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan and Deccan Gymkhana stations have a unique design of the aMavala Pagdia -- a headgear worn by the soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while the Shivaji Nagar underground station has a distinctive design of forts constructed by the great ruler. The Civil Court metro stationas unique feature is that it is among the deepest metro stations in the country, with a deepest point of 33.1 meres, but the station roof is designed such that direct sunlight falls on the platform. Speaking on the occasion, Modi lauded Pune as a vibrant city with a glorious history that gives momentum to the countryas economy, and how it has contributed hugely to the Indian Independence movement by giving many freedom heroes including Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who continues to inspire even today. Assuring quality infrastructure for Pune and other parts of India, the PM said that before 2014, the country had only 250 kms of Metro networks which has now crossed 800 kms and work is on to achieve 1000-kms soon. Earlier, only five cities in India had metro lines, while today they are functioning in 20 cities including Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur, and described it as a alifeline for cities of modern Indiaa. He cited examples of the development of new expressways, railways and airports in Maharashtra, and the rail network has seen a 12-fold hike in expenditure as compared with the pre-2014 period. Present on the occasion were Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, other senior officials and invitees. London, Aug 1 : The suicide bomb blast in Pakistan, coinciding with the much-hyped official visit of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to celebrate 10 years of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has put the spotlight on the Shehbaz Sharif government. While Islamabad had declared a two-day holiday to provide foolproof security to the senior Chinese official, the bomb blast killing more than 50 people has once again dampened the spirit of the CPEC celebrations even as both sides have attempted to downplay the incident. The ISIL has claimed responsibility for the blast that took place at a gathering of the conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP). More than 200 people have been injured. "Though the Sunday blast was not targeted at the Chinese or any Chinese projects, the ghastly episode is a reminder that Pakistan continues to be in a grim state and security remains a major issue," an analyst who deals with Afghanistan-Pakistan region told India Narrative. China has repeatedly expressed its concerns over security issues after several attacks on its citizens. The situation has become so precarious that Beijing issued a statement expressing concerns about the repeated violence, after which Pakistan proactively employed security for all foreign dignitaries, local newspaper the Nation said. In the wake of the attacks and instances of security breach, Beijing has asked its citizens living in Pakistan to exercise caution and limit their movements. "The Chinese continue to live in fear in the country. They are scared to associate openly with people of other communities," a Pakistani citizen who lives outside the country said. A Baloch insurgent group, last year, released a video message on social media warning China. "The Baloch Liberation Army guarantees you that CPEC will fail miserably on Baloch land you still have time to quit Balochistan, or you will witness a retaliation from Baloch sons and daughters that you will never forget," it said. Earlier this month, Sharif visited Balochistan urging the locals to protect foreign investments and projects in the region. In March, Pakistan authorities were forced to shut down a few businesses that were frequented by the Chinese "to prevent terrorist attacks that could compromise one of Islamabad's most important international relationships," Nikkei Asia noted. That apart, in February, China announced shutting down its consular section citing "technical reasons." Though it offered no reason for the closure, the growing security unrest in the country has been a key factor. "They [Chinese] believe this security issue is becoming an impediment in taking CPEC forward," Senator Mushahid Hussain, the chairman of the defense committee of the upper house of the Pakistani parliament, told Voice of America in an interview. "Recurring expressions of concern about the safety and security of Chinese citizens and investors in Pakistan by top Chinese leaders indicate that Pakistan's promises of 'foolproof security' for Chinese working in Pakistan have yet to be fulfilled," said Hussain added. Even as the Sunday blast was more political in nature and not targeted at the CPEC projects, Pakistan, which is battling an economic crisis, will have to take more concrete steps to ensure such terror acts do not occur. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1.The "UZAZ-2023 computer-assisted tactical command staff, held at the Chirchik training range in the Tashkent region with the participation of Azerbaijani and Uzbek military personnel, has ended, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, at the final stage of the joint exercises, the tasks of conducting special warfare were carried out on a computer and on a map. The speakers at the event commemorating the end of the exercises also praised the military personnel's professionalism and the accomplishment of their objectives. It was emphasized that all of the duties for the exercises needed to be done successfully. At the conclusion of the celebration, a ceremony of reciprocal gift presentation took place. "UZAZ-2023" computer-assisted tactical command-staff exercises were conducted in accordance with the Plan of bilateral cooperation for 2023 concluded between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan. New Delhi, Aug 1 : In a book packed with riveting accounts of how important decisions have been taken by India's prime ministers -- from Rajiv Gandhi's waffling over Shah Bano, which was a serious body blow to India's secular identity, to Manmohan Singh's triumph on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal -- a tragi-comical story recounted by the author, veteran political journalist and television commentator Neerja Chowdhury, is about Suresh Ram, wayward son of Jagjivan Ram, one of India's longest-serving Union ministers and Dalit leader. Chowdhury, in her book, 'How Prime Ministers Decide' (Aleph Book Company), outlines how a strange coalition of people acted in unison to expose Suresh Ram, who was having an affair with a college student from the Jat community and kept pictures of their bedroom escapades shot on a Polaroid camera in the glove compartment of his car. The dramatis personae included the late liquor baron Kapil Mohan (who was close to both Indira Gandhi and her bete noire, the then Health Minister Raj Narain); Indira Gandhi, who could not forgive Jagjivan Ram for turning against her after the Emergency was lifted, and teaming up with the opposition; Morarji Desai, the then prime minister, who was getting insecure about Jagjivan Ram, his defence minister; Charan Singh, who was conspiring against Desai to become prime minister; Krishan Kant, a former Congressman who was Jagjivan Ram's confidant (he later became India's Vice-President); Raj Narain, whose henchman got the photographs that nailed Suresh Ram; and of course, Sanjay Gandhi, whose wife Maneka ran the pictures and shamed Jagjivan Ram in her 'Surya' magazine, darkly suggesting that it was a Chinese operation to get to India's defence secrets. The scandal shattered Jagjivan Ram, but it did not help Charan Singh or his 'Hanuman' Raj Narain (who, incidentally, had moved the Allahabad High Court against alleged electoral malpractices by Indira Gandhi and got her unseated). It was Indira Gandhi who not only effectively terminated the political ambitions of Jagjivan Ram, but also set in motion the demise of the Desai government and her dramatic comeback in 1980. Excerpts from Neerja Chowdhury's book, 'How Prime Ministers Decide': Luck favoured Indira Gandhi in the second half of 1978. The first windfall was a sex scam involving Suresh Ram, Jagjivan Ram's son. On 21 August 1978, there was a car accident in front of the gates of the Mohan Meakin plant in Mohan Nagar on the outskirts of Delhi. The car, a Mercedes, hit a man who died on the spot. Inside the car were a man and a young woman. Fearful that they would be attacked by witnesses, they rushed towards the gates of the plant. The watchman, who had seen the accident, called up the office on the intercom. Anil Bali, then the manager, came out. He recognised Suresh Ram, son of Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram, and took him inside. Suresh Ram told Bali that he was being followed and was trying to shake off his pursuers when the accident took place. His car had been tailed by two Janata Party workers, K.C. Tyagi and Om Pal Singh, proteges of Raj Narain, and they had been keeping Ram under surveillance for several days. "Babuji dekh laenge garhi ko (My father will take care of the car)," Suresh Ram told Bali about the damaged car. Bali sent the couple home in one of the companyas cars. The FIR Suresh Ram filed that day in the Kashmere Gate police station told a somewhat different story from the one he had narrated to Bali. He alleged that he had been kidnapped the night before (20 August 1978) by a dozen hefty men. Apparently, his Mercedes Benz had been followed by two taxis in New Delhi. When they reached a lonely spot near Nigambodh Ghat, his pursuers overtook him, forced him to stop the car, jumped out and whipped out their revolvers. They opened the door of the car, and made the young woman sit at the back. They forced Ram to drive to Modinagar; and he and the woman were taken to a room inside a school. They asked Ram to sign blank papers. When he refused, they beat him up until he lost consciousness. They were told they had both been photographed in compromising positions. Raj Narain's associate Om Pal Singh said that they had been tailing Suresh Ram because he was involved in all kinds of "nefarious activities". They knew he used to take photographs with a Polaroid camera to keep his girlfriend, Sushma Chaudhary, a student at a Delhi college, who was from the Jat community, in check and get vicarious pleasure from the exercise. They wanted to lay their hands on the photos and found them in the glove compartment of the car Suresh Ram was driving. As soon as Narain's boys managed to lay their hands on photographs of Suresh Ram and his girlfriend, they rushed the pictures to their boss. That night, Jagjivan Ram met Narain. The meeting was arranged by Kapil Mohan at his house. Though Kapil was close to Indira Gandhi, he had equally good relations with Ram, and others across the political spectrum. Suresh Ram would visit him, as would Kanti Desai, Morarji Desaias son. That night, "Babuji Raj Narain ko manane aaye thae (Jagjivan Ram arrived to try and bring Raj Narain around)," Bali recalled. Jagjivan Ram obviously "wanted to strike a bargain" with Narain. ... Jagjivan Ram and Narain were inside for "about twenty minutes". When Ram emerged from the meeting, Kapil saw him off to his car. This must have been around "11.45 p.m.". When Kapil Mohan came back into the house, Narain quipped gleefully, "Aaj yeh kaboo maen ayae (Today he has been caught out)." He said: "Babu Jagjivan Ram offered me anything I want -- money, CMship of a state, anything at all in return for the photographs." Apparently Jagjivan Ram also told him, "Main PM banane wala hoon, kisi ko mantri banana ho toh batana (I am going to become PM soon, let me know if you want anyone made minister)." Despite all the blandishments offered by Ram, no deal was struck between him and Narain. Then Raj Narain handed over some of the photographs to Kapil Mohan, "around fifteen of them", and kept the rest. "There must have been forty to fifty of them," recalled Bali. As soon as Narain left, Kapil Mohan turned to Bali with an urgency, "Take these photographs to Sanjay. Now. Immediately." A surprised Bali drove to Indira Gandhi's house in the dead of night. "I must have reached there around 1 a.m. I asked to see Sanjay Gandhi and said it was most urgent." Sanjay was woken up. "Yeh koi aane ka waqt hai (Is this a time to come)?" he fumed. "I told him about the accident and handed him the photographs." He looked at them. "Tu kya mujhe pornography dikhane aaya hai (Have you come to show me pornography)?" "Yeh pornography nahin hai, yeh Suresh Ram hai (This is not pornography; this is Suresh Ram)." Without saying anything more, Sanjay went inside the house. "He woke up Madam." Indira Gandhi came out. "She was wearing a cap on her head." She asked, "Who else knows about this?" Bali told them about K.C. Tyagi and Om Pal Singh. You keep them both safe somewhere," Sanjay told Anil Bali. (Jagjivan Ram was after all the defence minister and could have got Indira Gandhi's house raided to seize the photographs.) "And you tell Kapil Mohan to keep Raj Narain under control," Indira instructed Bali. The next morning (on 22 August) the phone rang at 2, Telegraph Lane, the home of Krishan Kant, who was then a Janata Party MP. It was 9 a.m. The family was sitting at the dining table having breakfast. The phone was in Kant's bedroom and he went there to answer it. The call was from the defence minister's residence. When he returned to the dining room he remarked, "Ek aur bete nae apne baap ko duba diya (One more son is the undoing of his father)." Those cryptic words were the only ones he uttered that morning to his family. Ten minutes later, an official car came from the defence ministeras residence to pick him up. When he arrived at 6, Krishna Menon Marg, where Jagjivan Ram lived, he asked all those seated with him to leave the room. When they were alone, Ram stood up, took off his Gandhi cap and placed it at Kantas feet. "Ab meri izzat apke haathon mein hai (My self-respect now is in your hands)," he said to Kant. He told Kant that his son, Suresh Ram, had got into trouble. Although he was widely seen as a spoilt brat in Delhi circles, and had got into several scrapes, this time it was serious. He had been using a room at Western Court, a building meant for MPs not far from the Parliament House, to meet his girlfriend. Two nights earlier (20 August), he was going to drop her back home when he was tailed by the two henchmen of Raj Narain, K.C. Tyagi and Om Pal Singh. ... Babuji requested his old friend Kant to manage things. He did not want adverse publicity. Krishan Kant helped Jagjivan Ram deal with the media. Jagjivan Ram was worried because Suresh Ram's photographs had made their way to newspaper offices. A front-page item appeared in the 'Indian Express'. It was written by Saeed Naqvi -- and it was a piece not unsympathetic to Suresh Ram. "RNG ('Indian Express' proprietor Ram Nath Goenka) called me," Naqvi was to recall years later, "and asked me to accompany him in the car. We sat in his Studebaker. When he used to go to meet important people, he would travel in his Studebaker. On the way, using four- letter words against Raj Narain, he said, 'We have to help Babuji'." When they arrived at Jagjivan Ramas house and went inside, "Ram was crying copiously". He told them what had happened to Suresh. Naqvi wrote his piece. "It was a command performance (by me)," he admitted ruefully. Otherwise, the mainstream media remained silent on the sordid affair. Later, though, the matter rocked Lutyens' Delhi -- and the country. 'Surya' magazine, edited by Sanjay's wife Maneka, published a two-page spread of photographs showing forty-six-year-old Suresh Ram and Sushma Chaudhary "indulging in sexual acrobaticsa". The article was headlined, 'The Real Story'. Though the evidence uncovered by its 'investigative team' would hardly stand up in a court of law, 'Surya' ran headlines like 'Sushma pawn in international spy ring' and 'Defence secrets leaked to Chinese Embassy'. The magazine's sales, which had slumped after the Emergency, soared. And Jagjivan Ram's reputation nose-dived. Whatever the truth of the matter, it was clear that the photos were part of a plan by "Charan Singh and his henchman (Raj Narain)" to entrap Jagjivan Ram's only son, Suresh Ram, in a "sordid sex scandal". The idea was to damage Jagjivan Ram. Both Charan Singh and Indira Gandhi knew he was the only other serious contender for the top job -- and would need to be marginalised if their plan were to succeed. ... [Back in 1977, when the Janata Party was swept into power, two] things went against Jagjivan Ram for PM -- he had been with Indira Gandhi till recently and he had moved the resolution on the Emergency in Parliament in 1975. But he didn't see it that way. He told his supporters bitterly, "A Chamar can never be the prime minister of this country." It was JP who persuaded an irate Ram to join the government as defence minister. Again in 1978, a year into the Janata government, Jagjivan Ram began to see a glimmer of hope, as Morarji Desai began to lose ground, and many MPs started to view Ram as a possible alternative. But the sexcapade of his son proved to be a setback to his ambition once again. Desai was not unhappy to see his rival cut to size. Charan Singh was elated. For Indira Gandhi it came as a windfall. "Kissi bhi keemat par Jagjivan Ram pradhan mantri nahin banane chahiye," she would tell her confidants. "Hatenge nahin zindagi bhar (Jagjivan Ram should not become prime minister at any cost. He will never leave the office.)" --Extracted from Neerja Chowdhury, 'How Prime Minister's Decide', with permission from the publishers, Aleph Book Company, an independent publishing firm promoted by Rupa Publications India. Bhopal, Aug 1 : The installation of a life-size statue of former Union Minister late Madhavrao Scindia in the premises of historic building of Circuit House in Madhya Pradesh's Orchha town has triggered a fresh row after the Kshatriya Mahasabha along with the Karni Sena sought removal of the statue, citing the sentiment of people of the Bundelkhand region. "Why the statue of erstwhile Scindia family member of Gwalior should be installed at Orchha (Niwari district), when they have no contribution in the region?," they said. The controversy first erupted in March when the statue was installed all of sudden, and now the row has escalated as the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is likely to visit Orchha on August 5 "to unveil" the statue. Though the Chief Minister's office has not issued any official statement regarding Chouhan's visit to Orchha, the Niwari administration and the local police have reportedly started the preparation for the programme. Police personnel have also been deployed at the site of the statue, which is yet to be unveiled. Also, some contruction works have been carried out recently in the area surrounding the statue. A delegation of Kshatriya Mahasabha and Karni Sena handed over a memorandum to the district administration, saying if the said statue would not be removed, they will stage a massive protest on the day of Chouhan's visit to the district. "There have been many great men in Tikamgarh's (Orccha was formerly in Tikamgarh district) history, and only they deserve a place at this historical building. People are demanding to install a life-size statue of Maharaja Chhatrasal, who founded this city. It is an attempt to destroy our great history of Tikamgarh. Madhavrao Scindia had no role in the development of the city. So the citizens here demand that statues of local heroes should be installed," said Kshatriya Mahasabha cheif Pushpendra Singh. People aware of this political episode told IANS that the contention is not about Madhavrao Scindia's statue, but more about the centuries-old rivalry between the Kshatriyas of Bundelkhand and the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior. It is also about Rani Laxmibai (Queen of Jhansi) versus the Scindia dynasty, they said. The esrtwhile kingdom of Orchha, which was founded in the 16th century by Bundela ruler Rudra Pratap Singh. Like the Scindia dynasty in Gwalior, Orchha, which was part of Vindhya Pradesh till 1956, also has a rich legacy. Both princely states of Gwalior and Orchha were merged into Madhya Pradesh in 1956. New Delhi, Aug 1 : National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out searches at 31 locations in Punjab and Haryana and bring to book the various attackers and assailants. An anti-terror probe agency spokesperson here said that the NIA raided 31 locations across Punjab and Haryana to unravel and unearth the full contours of the conspiracy behind the March 19 attack on the High Commission of India in London, and bring to book the various attackers and assailants. The NIA team carried out searches in Punjab's Moga, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar, Mukhtsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Mohali and in Haryana's Sirsa. The official said that the agency is leaving no stone unturned to pinpoint culpability in the London attack and arrest the perpetrators, their associates and their supporters, based in India and abroad. It has been carrying out extensive investigations into the incident with a view to ensuring there is no repeat of such breach of security, disrespect to the Indian national flag or any threat to Indian interests abroad. The official said that massive raids were conducted today across the two north-Indian states, as part of NIAas efforts to unravel the abigger conspiracya behind the London attack. The official said that the searches led to the seizure of digital data containing information related to the accused persons involved in the attack on the High Commission and other incriminating documents and evidence. The High Commission of India in London was attacked in March by a group of about 50 persons, who committed criminal trespass, disrespect to the Indian national flag, damage to public property and injuries to officials of the High Commission of India. The attack was organised by Gurcharan Singh, Dal Khalsa, UK; Avtar Singh Khanda of KLF, Jasvir Singh and many of their associates, both Indian and foreign nationals, who have been identified during the ongoing NIA investigations. A team of the NIA had visited the United Kingdom in May this year to probe the attack case. The official said that a crowdsourcing of information was also carried out to identify and collect information about UK-based entities and individuals involved in the incident, based on which the agency identified many of the attackers. Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Tuesday that he would consider whether there is any provision to make an appeal for re-investigation of the case relating to rape and murder of 17-year-old girl Sowjanya in 2012. Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said that the Sowjanya case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The parents have appealed for re-investigation. "We will take a decision on what should be the future course of action as per legal terms," he said. "As an advocate, in my opinion, an appeal should be filed before the High Court in this regard. I have not seen the CBI court judgment of the case. The parents of Sowjanya have given the copy of judgment. I will study the judgment and see whether there is any provision to make an appeal for re-investigation of the case," CM Siddaramaiah maintained. Meanwhile, Duniya Vijay, popular Kannada actor, stated on social media on Tuesday that every year he would visit Hindu pilgrimage center in the state Dharmasthala and take the darshan of the deity. "But, after following the developments in the Sowjanya case, I feel that until justice is given to Sowjanya's parents I wouldn't want to take darshan of lord Manjunatha (deity of Dharmasthala)," Vijay stated. He further quoted lord Buddha that truth is like the ray of the Sun. No one can hide it for a long time. The post has gone viral on social media and stirred a huge controversy in the state. Duniya Vijay had also started the hashtag 'Justice for Sowjanya'. Commenting on the inclination of the CM Siddaramaiah for re-investigation of Sowjanya rape and murder case, Stanley, who had taken up a movement in connection with the case reacted that there is no meaning in making an appeal petition to the court. The re-investigation should be conducted under the guidance of a senior judge. "The Hon'ble CM should take a fearless, legally bound and humane step with regard to this matter. This appeal is made on behalf of all citizens of the state," Stanley stated. Sowjanya was kidnapped on October 9, 2012 on way to her home in Ujire near Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district. She was studying in Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College. The next day her body was found near Nethravathi River, close to her house in the forests. The body was found half naked. One of her hands was tied with her dupatta to a tree. The police found that her genitals were soiled. The news spread like wildfire and thousands of people gathered to demand justice. The fingers were pointed towards family members of the powerful religious leader of the region. Amid the furore, the police arrested one Santhosh Rao on October 11 and claimed that he had raped and killed Sowjanya. It is alleged that police coming under political pressure had not bothered to videograph the spot or the body. No experts were brought to comb the area and no samples were collected from the dead body. The protestors and family members of Sowjanya raised suspicions against Malik Jain, an accountant with the Dharmasthala Trust, Dheeraj, son of a senior manager in the Annapoorna Trust and Nischal Jain, the nephew of Rajyasabha member D. Veerendra Heggade. However, Veerendra Heggde claimed that Nischal Jain was in New York when the incident took place. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took the three men into custody and and released them after interrogation. Though the family of Sowjanya approached courts challenging the release of the three men along with the accused, the higher courts did not allow the petition. The case was later handed over to the CBI for further investigation. On June 16, the CBI Special Court acquitted the arrested accused Santhosh Rao of all the charges and the court also ordered a probe against those who investigated the case for turning blind eye towards collecting crucial evidence in the due course of time. The judgment raised concern among public and raised serious questions on the real culprits in the rape and murder case of Sowjanya. The suspicion was raised as an eyewitness Ravi Poojari, a security guard, who saw Sowjanya alighting from the bus and walking towards home, had died suspiciously. Though it was concluded as a case of suicide, it is alleged that he was killed. The CBI charge sheet mentioned Santhosh Rao as the lone accused. The issue has now come to the forefront again in Karnataka. Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Heggade reacting to allegations of hushing up the case had stated that attempts are made to bring disrepute and defame the Hindu pilgrimage centre Dharmasthala. New Delhi, Aug 1 : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday told the Parliament that there is no nation-wide shortage of HIV drug Dolutegravir. His assurence came in response to a question in Rajya Sabha on whether there is a nation-wide shortage of the valuable HIV drug. Dolutegravir (DTG) was introduced under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in a phased manner in 2020, he said, adding that various proactive steps have been undertaken to ensure uninterrupted supply of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines including Dolutegravir. In response to another question, Mandaviya said: "The MoHFW has developed a telemedicine application eSanjeevani, which provides doctor to doctor and patient to doctor consultations. "This application works on a hub and spoke model wherein doctors including specialists provide services to patients in Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) in rural areas. Further people in remote and rural areas can also avail services through OPD module of eSanjeevani." As on July 26 July, a total of 14,17,81,384 teleconsultations have been completed, Mandaviya added. Patna, Aug 1 : After keeping away for 27 days, Bihar Education Minister Prof Chandra Shekhar reached his office on Tuesday evening. At logger heads with the Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pathak, he was not coming to the office on July 4 and working from his residence and during the period of absence. On Tuesday, the minister, along with his private secretary Krishnanand Yadav, reached his office located in Vikas Bhawan and straight away went to his chamber located adjoining the chamber of Pathak. Yadav, on behalf of the minister, had written a letter to Pathak on July 4 asking him to take consent of the Education Minister before taking decision. This had led to a controversy and the Department restricted the entry of Yadav. Following that incident, Prof Chandra Shekhar refused to come to the office. He was thinking that his RJD;s chief Lalu Prasad Yadav or Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav may intervene but none of them took notice of the issue. Eventually, he returned his office on his own. Patna, August 1 : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is falsely claiming to represent the OBC community in the country. "Regardless of data obtained from the caste based surveys, our government will give maximum benefits to the poor who belong to OBC and EBC. The Prime Minister falsely claims to represent the OBC community in the country. Why has he not conducted surveys in the country to benefit OBC and EBC," Tejashwi Yadav said. On Tuesday, the Patna High Court paved the way to conduct the caste based census in Bihar which was welcomed by the opposition BJP in the state as well. Mining and Geography Minister Ramanand Yadav said that the Patna High Court understands that caste based census is required in Bihar. "It will help people who are sitting in the last line. They will benefit from government policies. It will find out actual numbers of particular castes and their financial status," he said. Bihar Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said that the verdict of the Patna High Court is a welcome step and that the decision is in the interest of common poor people of the state. "Today's decision also indicates that the Mahagathbandhan government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar strongly put its points and the respectable court has acknowledged it and removed the temporary ban from the caste based census," he said. He said that BJP leaders put the question mark over state government intentions but everyone knows who is against the caste based census. New Delhi, Aug 1 : A Parliamentary panel has noted that in the absence of well-defined rights and obligations of individuals and entities responsible for data processing, the interests of stakeholders are not adequately safeguarded. In this light, it has emphasised on the need for enactment of an appropriate law to ensure comprehensive and robust safeguards for citizens' data security and privacy. The Lok Sabha's Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology in its report on "Citizens' Data Security And Privacy", which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, said that there is an urgent need to introduce a data protection law, that effectively combats the growing menace of cybercrime, ensures public order and also strengthens India's defence capabilities. It also cautioned the Electronics and IT Ministry to judiciously use the rule-making powers defined within the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, which was passed by the Union Cabinet last month, and is to be brought during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. It cautioned the ministry about the judicious use of rule-making powers and emphasised on the importance of employing them responsibly and with utmost care. The committee noted that no legislation can be perfect from the outset and it evolves over time and is fine-tuned in response to changing circumstances. "The committee, therefore, urged the government that the provisions that cannot be fully defined within the scope of the bill can be addressed through rules prescribed under it, which are subsequently presented to Parliament," the panel noted in its recommendations. The Committee also found the IT Ministry's submission "encouraging" that the proposed legislation aligns with the data protection laws of other jurisdictions, featuring financial penalties instead of criminalisation, imposing additional obligations on specific data fiduciaries (known as significant data fiduciaries in the bill), resembling the approach of the European Union and Singapore. The bill, as was briefed to the panel by the ministry, also establishes supplementary obligations and safeguards for the processing of personal data of children, following the model of the Singaporean data protection law. Further, provisions for cross-border data transfer, similar to those found in the European Union and Singapore, are also incorporated into the bill, the panel was informed. The committee appreciated the fact that by using the word "she" instead of "he", for the first time, women have been acknowledged in any Central Act or Bill. "The committee are hopeful that the bill, while absorbing international practices, would exemplify the best of the know-how to India and become a model legislation for the other countries to follow," it noted in the report. Chennai, Aug 1 : With the price of tomato continuing to remain at Rs 200/kg in Chennai, with some supermarkets even charging Rs 210, creating a difficult situation for families, the state government is intervening to help the common people. Tamil Nadu Cooperation Minister K.R. Periyakaruppan said that the state government would sell tomato at Rs 60/kg through 500 PDS shops across the state. Addressing media persons here, he said that the government was intervening in the market to reduce the woes faced by the families as the price of the staple vegetable was going up. "The price of tomatoes went up in June and we expected it to come down within a week or maximum in two weeks. However there was no respite and instead, the price started increasing and is continuing for the past one month," he said. The minister also said that the vegetable price is on the rise due to low arrival of the vegetable in the market due to shortage in the production of tomatoes in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh due to heavy rains. Vendors told IANS that in Karnataka, the price of tomato is at present at Rs 1,900 for a box of 15 kg. This, according to the vendors, is due to the shortage of the product. Mustafa, a trader in Koyambedu market told IANS that the price is expected to come down by the middle of August or by September first week as it would be time for the next harvest by then. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier sold tomatoes through the PDS shops but the reduced arrival of stocks is leading to higher pricing of the vegetable. --IANS aal/vd Kochi, Aug 1 : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea against the order of the Lok Ayukta referring the case against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for alleged misuse of Chief Minister Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF), to a full bench comprising the Lok Ayukta and both the Upa-Lok Ayuktas. The court observed that considering a difference of opinion had arisen between the Lok Ayukta and Upa Lok Ayuktas, the only way is to refer the matter in order to decide the same by the full bench of three members, whereby the decision of the majority would prevail. "In view of the above, we do not find any reason to interfere in this matter. The application is dismissed," it said. Petitioner R.S. Sasikumar had cited a few instances of the state government allegedly misusing the provision of providing financial assistance which included giving aid to the family of late Uzhavoor Vijayan, a political leader of a party which is an ally of the Vijayan government including sanctioning a total amount of Rs 25 lakh from the CMDRF towards his medical expenses, and the educational expenses of his two children. Another case where assistance was given from the CMDRF was for clearing the arrears of loans taken by late K.K.Ramachandran Nair, a CPI-M MLA, from government recognised institutions and providing a government job to his son and payment of Rs.20 lakhs from the CMDRF to the legal heirs of late police officer P. Praveen, who died in a motor accident while performing escort duty for the former Home Minister and CPI-M's state Secretary, late Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the petitioner said, claiming that these were actuated by corruption, favoritism, and nepotism. The Lok Ayukta had delivered its order on March 31, referring the matter to be considered by a full bench after there was a difference of opinion between the Lok Ayuktha and Upa Loka Ayukta and Sasikumar approached the High Court seeking a stay on the said order. --IANS sg/vd BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The residents of Azerbaijan's Meshali village have addressed an open letter to the international community, Trend reports. "We, the residents of Meshali village in the Khojaly district, where Azerbaijani civilians fell victim to genocide committed by Armenian armed formations in December 1991, are well aware of the war criminal Vagif Khachatryan, who was recently detained at the Lachin checkpoint. His hands are stained with the blood of innocent people - women, infants, and elders," the letter said. "For 32 years, no international organization has shown interest in the genocide committed against the residents of Meshali village. No human rights organization has raised a voice of protest against Armenia, as if nothing had happened. They did not see or hear about this tragedy, but we know very well that they did not want to see or hear about it," the letter noted. "As soon as the war criminal Vagif Khachatryan was arrested, various organizations emerged one after another, calling for his release," the letter pointed out. "Today, hundreds of families from Meshali live compactly in a settlement for displaced persons in Goranboy. Every resident of Meshali demands to bring Vagif Khachatryan and other similar war criminals to justice in Azerbaijan. Those who call for the release of Khachatryan should be ashamed before the people of Meshali, Khojaly, and the Azerbaijani nation," the letter also said. "When will you defend our rights? If the international community had responded timely to the Meshali massacre and taken the necessary measures, such atrocities would not have been repeated in Garadaghly, Khojaly, Aghdaban, Balligaya, and Bashlibel." "We regret that despite Azerbaijan's goodwill, the Armenians abuse the medical evacuation service of the International Committee of the Red Cross, attempting to exploit it for smuggling and the escape of criminals like Khachatryan," the letter further noted. "The measures taken to hold Khachatryan accountable have no relation to the Armenian civilian residents of Karabakh. We look forward to the day when we return to Khojaly, to our homes." "We have never held animosity towards peaceful people, unlike persons like Khachatryan. We, the residents of Meshali, who have experienced such a heavy tragedy, continue to show wisdom and declare that we want to live in peace, and we have no problem for living side by side with Armenians. However, the lawful punishment of war criminals is a crucial condition for ethnic reconciliation. Unfortunately, even after the 2020 second Karabakh war, Armenia has taken no steps to hold these war criminals accountable," the letter authors emphasized. Investigation of criminal case initiated by the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor's Office on relevant articles of the Criminal Code on massacre and deportation of persons of Azerbaijani nationality, destruction and harm of public and private properties resulting large-scale damage caused by members of illegal Armenian armed groups on December 22, 1991 in Meshali village of Khojaly district is ongoing. The investigation established that a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan Khachatryan, who was born in 1955 in Badara village of Khojaly (former Asgaran) district and worked as a driver in Khankendi city transport company, together with other people of Armenian nationality, used various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, to kill all Azerbaijani residents of Meshali village (Khojaly district). The assailants attacked the village, killed 25 and injured 14 people of Azerbaijani nationality, and, contrary to national and international law norms, expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their domicile. In addition, Khachatryan continued his criminal actions together with his accomplices, destroying and damaging property belonging to the state and villagers, causing a total of over 5.96 million manat ($3.5 million) of material damage. Due to the fact that sufficient reasonable suspicions arose regarding the criminal case, it was decided to involve Khachatryan as an accused person under articles 103 (massacre) and 107 (deportation or forced movement of the population) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. However, due to the fact that his whereabouts were unknown to the investigation, on November 12, 2013, an international arrest warrant was issued by an Azerbaijani court's decision. As a result of the conducted search measures, on July 29, 2023, Khachatryan was detained by the military personnel of the State Border Service at the Lachin border crossing point of the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border while trying to go to the Republic of Armenia for treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Ahmedabad, Aug 1 : The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested three residents of West Bengal working as artisans in Rajkot for their alleged links with terror outfit Al-Qaeda, officials said on Tuesday. The ATS, following a tip-off, was closely monitoring the suspects for several days. According to a statement by the ATS, the artisans associated with the city's jewellery-making industry were allegedly in contact with an Al-Qaeda handler based in Bangladesh, who directed them to radicalise others and make them join their "cause" and also execute various tasks. They were picked on Monday night and subsequently, the ATS team seized a country-made semi-automatic pistol, cartridges, radical literature, videos, and other materials from the accused. The ATS is also scanning their financial records to ascertain if they received any financial assistance from their handler. The accused have been identified as Shukra Ali, Shaif Nawaz, and Aman Malik. The ATS claimed that Nawaz has been in Rajkot for the last two years, while the other two have been in the city for the last seven to eight months. Ali and Nawaz hail from Bardhaman district while Malik is a resident of Hooghly. According to officials, during interrogation it was revealed that Malik has been using the Telegram app for the last one year to keep in touch with his handler, who is also the head of Al-Qaeda in Bangladesh, and he was entrusted with the task of inspiring others to join the terrorist outfit. The accused used two messaging apps to receive radical literature, videos, and training on how to use automatic weapons, officials added. The ATS also claimed that Bangladeshi handler inspired Malik for the cause of 'jihad' and 'hijrat'; and asked him to inspire others to join their ideology. Officials said that the country-made pistol was recovered from Malik's possession and it was not immediately clear as to how he intended to use it. Malik got in touch with Ali and Nawaz, who shared the same fundamentalist mindset and agreed to work for the outfit, officials said. The ATS is also probing ascertain who else had joined the accused and how the weapon had been procured. "A country-made semi-automatic pistol, ten rounds of cartridges, five mobile phones with radical materials, encrypted messaging app, and other free messaging app and materials on how to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons were all recovered from the accused and the materials have been sent for forensic examination," officials added. The trio has been arrested under section 121 A (conspiring to overawe, by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force, the central government or state government) of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Arms Act. Thane, Aug 1 : The toll in the crane crash disaster in Maharashtra's Thane shot up to 20 with three more victims succumbing, and another 3 still critical in a hospital, officials said on Tuesday. The girder launcher crane, weighing around 700 tonnes crashed from around 100-feet height on over two dozen workers toiling to construct a bridge on the third and final phase of the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. The accident took place between Sargaon and Sarambegaon in Shahapur region in Thane, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's home district. Shinde, who was away in Pune to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's events, returned late on Tuesday night and visited the accident site. Among the victims are 2 engineers, five staffersm and 13 construction workers working at the construction site. Soon after the incident was reported by the Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority and local bodies, teams of NDRF SDRF, Fire Brigade, civic workers and Thane police rushed to launch a massive rescue operation. By afternoon they had retrieved many of the crushed and mangled bodies of the victims, some beyond recognition, even as local MLA Daulat Daroda supervised the rescue efforts. President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi, and other mourned the loss of lives while Shinde ordered a high-level probe into the accident. Modi announced a compensation of Rs 2-Lakhs to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Shinde announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the dead and full free treatment of the injured. Modi had inaugurated the Phase I of the 701-km-long expressway in December 2022, while Shinde threw open the second phase in May, while the third phase (101-km) between Nashik-Mumbai is being constructed. New Delhi, Aug 2 : The two-day G20 policy workshop on the Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for the Global Economy, held in New Delhi, marked a pivotal moment in environmental progress. It was organised by NITI Aayog, in collaboration with IDRC and GDN, the workshop brought together over 40 global experts from diverse fields. It served as a side event of the G20 and delved into crucial themes of green growth, energy, climate, technology, and policy, among others. The gathering generated valuable recommendations for green and sustainable growth, emphasizing a resolute commitment to a greener future. Concurrently, the 4th and last ECSWG and Ministers meeting was held in Chennai that highlighted significant achievements while acknowledging the urgent challenges that demand global attention. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, alongside India's leadership and initiatives, exemplified dedication to environmental conservation and prosperity. As the G20 reaffirmed its commitment to climate action and the Paris Agreement, some areas remained unresolved, necessitating focused efforts at the upcoming COP28 talks to drive tangible progress. A two-day G20 policy workshop on the Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for the Global Economy was held on July 28-29 in New Delhi. It was organised by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, and the Global Development Network (GDN), New Delhi, to discuss the prospects and challenges of green and sustainable growth on a global scale. The workshop was a side event of G20 that covered various themes related to green growth, energy, climate, technology, policy, employment, multilateralism as well as adjustment, resilience and inclusion in an uncertain world, etc. The two-day policy workshop was attended by more than 40 global experts from diverse fields. NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery emphatically asserted that the goal of achieving a green transition aligns with the larger objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The discussions during this policy workshop have generated several important suggestions and recommendations for green and sustainable growth. Bery observed that NITI Aayog will pursue some of these through various fora. With unwavering dedication, they endeavour to propel the global economy towards a future defined by environmental resilience and prosperity. The G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant observed that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action needs an investment of about five to six trillion dollars. This in turn is likely to throw up business opportunities of about 90 trillion dollars. Referring to the Indian Prime Minister Modias vision of achieving the Net Zero target by 2070, Kant observed that India will play a key role in green growth and sustainable development. B.V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, underlined the institutionas commitment to a fundamental role in creating ecosystems that facilitate the adoption of frontier technologies. At about the same time, the 4th and conclusive Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting, took place in Chennai. The meet saw the consensual adoption of an Outcome document, the Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy. It will be submitted to the Leaders for their consideration to be appended to the G20 New Delhi Leaderas Declaration 2023. This milestone underscores a steadfast commitment to nurturing a sustainable and resilient blue economy, resonating profoundly with environmentalists worldwide. Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change presided over the Ministerial meeting and commanded the attendance of 41 Ministers or their deputies from the various nations. They highlighted significant achievements and key takeaways centered around the priority areas under the Environment and Climate track: Land and Biodiversity, Blue Economy, the judicious management of Water Resources, and the transformative potential of the Circular Economy. The meeting was animated by proactive engagement from over 225 delegates representing G20 member countries, invitee countries and heads and representatives of 23 International organizations including UNEP, UNFCC, COP28 and UNCCD. Their interventions revolved around critical challenges pertaining to concerns about climate and environment which call for urgent global attention. In his video message to the delegates and ministers participating in the meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed his confidence in the G20 countries joining hands to tackle the climate and environmental challenges in a holistic way. Commending the achievements of the priority areas under the ECSWG, he lauded the efforts in restoring priority landscapes impacted by forest fires and mining through the Gandhinagar Information Platform and Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap. He also commended the dedication to wildlife conservation manifest in the recent launch of the International Big Cat Alliance. Highlighting Indiaas initiatives being powered by peopleas participation, Modi cited the example of Mission Amrit Sarovar, a unique water conservation initiative under which more than sixty-three thousand water bodies have been created. The leaders acknowledged Indiaas Presidency for efforts in developing the compendiums of best practices in water management, mining-affected areas, and forest fire-impacted areas, and for conducting a technical study on aAccelerating the transition to a sustainable and resilient blue economya, and preparing technical documents on significant topics such as Knowledge Exchange on Circular Economy in Steel Sector, Extended Producer Responsibility and Circular Bioeconomy. India has also prepared the Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap and Gandhinagar Implementation Framework for voluntary adoption by G20 members. Addressing a Press Conference following the Ministerial meeting Bhupender Yadav noted with satisfaction that the Environment Climate and Sustainability Working Group had arrived at a high degree of consensus towards addressing the critical pillars of environment and sustainability. The ECSWGas journey under Indiaas Presidency concluded with the adoption of the Chairas Summary and Outcome Documents. Yadav also highlighted the successful Mega Beach Clean Up Event at Juhu in Mumbai, with participation from 20 countries and 37 Indian beaches spanning coastal states and Union Territories. The event aimed to raise awareness and sensitize people in line with the Indian Ministers' message of 'Swachhta' (cleanliness) and 'Jan Bhagidari' (Community participation). He further emphasized the unique concept of 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE) and the crucial role of individual actions in combatting marine pollution. The launch of an industry-led Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) was another significant intervention under Indiaas G20 Presidency. The coalition was launched by minister Yadav in the presence of the Commissioner from EU and Ministers from France, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Mauritius and the UAE. The G20 Ministers also called for the G20 Resource Efficiency dialogue to engage with RECEIC and leverage synergies. India's G20 Presidency released one outcome document and two Presidency Documents under the theme of Blue Economy. Four Presidency Documents and Compendiums of Best Practices under the theme of Land and Biodiversity and Water resources management were released. There are four more Presidency Documents under the theme of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy. G20 countries reaffirmed their resolve to tackle climate change and ambitious action across all pillars of the Paris Agreement. Themes like ecological restoration, marine spatial planning, and circular economy were addressed for the first time in the G20 discussions in detail. However, the Chennai meet saw some challenges in reaching a consensus on various environmental goals, such as renewable energy, fossil fuel reduction, energy efficiency improvement, and GHG emissions peaking by 2025. Despite the presence of climate and energy ministers from all G20 nations, along with US special climate envoy John Kerry and COP28 president-designate Sultan Al-Jaber, significant progress on these issues remained elusive. Now, the focus shifts to the upcoming COP28 talks this winter, where tangible strides towards addressing these concerns can be achieved. Conclusion The two-day G20 policy workshop on the Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for the Global Economy held in New Delhi, in conjunction with the 4th and final ECSWG meeting with Environment and Climate Ministers in Chennai, epitomised a remarkable milestone in the pursuit of environmental prosperity. The workshop's gathering of brilliant minds and experts from diverse fields underscored the resolute commitment to fostering a green transition and sustainable growth on a global scale. From crucial discussions on green growth, energy, and climate to vital interventions on circular economy and environmental stewardship, the participants illuminated a path towards a resilient and prosperous future. Acknowledging India's leadership and initiatives, environmentalists were inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The adoption of the Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy exemplified a collective determination to nurture a sustainable ocean-centric future. However, as the G20 reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, challenges still persist, necessitating unwavering attention and action at the forthcoming COP28 talks. As the G20 continues its pursuit of ambitious climate goals and sustainability, the shared responsibility to safeguard our planet remains paramount, resonating profoundly with environmentalists worldwide. Dr Maheep is a Leading Expert of Indiaas Foreign Affairs. He is the Principal Investigator of a National Project on Indiaas Soft Power Diplomacy Jaipur, Aug 2 : The BJP on Tuesday organised a huge demonstration here against the state government, which turned violent as protesters clashed with the police, leaving over a dozen workers injured. After a meeting at the state BJP office, party leaders and workers sought to march to lay siege to the Secretariat. Police chased away the protesters at the Statue Circle using water cannons and some leaders clashed with the police. Over a dozen workers were injured in the protest and were taken to different hospitals for treatment. State President C.P. Joshi, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Deputy Leader of Opposition Satish Poonia, MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, MP Sumedhanand and many big BJP leaders courted arrest in the demonstration. However, former CM Vasundhara Raje was not present in the protest which left many eyebrows raised as BJP national President J.P. Nadda, during his recent visit, had asked all workers to stay united during protests. Before the secretariat gherao, a meeting was organised outside the state BJP office, where several of the top leaders addressed the workers. BJP claimed that lakhs of people from all over the state came to Jaipur to participate in this gherao programme and PM Narendra Modi also supported it. Questioning the silence of Chief Minister Gehlot on the "red diary" matter, Joshi sought to know what was in it that "as soon as its name comes, you remove that minister from the post". He said that public is demanding an answer. Addressing the gathering, state in-charge and BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said that people reached Jaipur today to lay siege to the secretariat with a resolve to overthrow the "anti-people" Gehlot government and termed the agitation "historic". Kolkata, Aug 2 : Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee regained full senses on Tuesday evening and even insisted on withdrawal of ByPap support on which he has been kept under a hospital in south Kolkata. After being shifted from invasive ventilator to non-invasive one on Monday, he was kept under ByPap. But hospital sources said that since Tuesday, after coming back to senses, the former Chief Minister had constantly been insisting on withdrawal of the ByPap support system. On his insistence, the medical team in charge of his treatment, has decided to put him under periodic ByPap at an interval of every four to five hours. Hospital sources said that he is under minimum oxygen support right at this moment and other health parameters are more or less stable. The oxygen saturation level is above 90. Sources further said that he will be continued with antibiotic support till Thursday, following which his medical board will decide on next line of treatment depending on the health parameters prevailing then. In the official evening medical bulletin on Tuesday the hospital authorities have claimed that the overall medical clinical status remains hemodynamically stable, which means that the blood flow through his vessels is normal. The former Chief Minister was admitted to the hospital on Saturday afternoon with lower respiratory tract infection and Type-II respiratory failure. Guwahati, Aug 2 : Assam's Darrang Police on Tuesday arrested two persons for organising a weapons training camp at a school in Mangaldai town. The camp was allegedly organised by the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal at the Maharishi Vidyamandir School. Those arrested included school principal Hemant Payeng and employee Ratan Das. The action by the police came following the instructions of state police chief G.P. Singh. According to sources, a few more persons linked with the case could be nabbed soon. Sharing the school administration's stand on the issue, Maharshi Vidyamandir's proprietor, former state minister Jayanath Sharma said that a person named Abhijit Ghosh on behalf of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal had sent a letter to the school saying that they want to organise a yoga training camp. Ghosh in his letter also mentioned that awareness lessons on de-addiction will be given in the camp, Sharma claimed. "Naturally, there should be no objection to yoga training camps. Besides, education about drug de-addiction is good. So the school authorities agreed to their request. But after knowing the real facts, a letter was sent to the police superintendent of Darrang," said Sharma, a four-time MLA of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). "The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal has misled the school authorities and given weapons training. We have also filed a complaint against Abhijit Ghosh," he added. The incident triggered a row between the Opposition and the ruling BJP. Besides, there is a difference of opinion within the BJP over the incident. According to state Irrigation Minister Jayant Malla Baruah, arms training "can be given to protect one's own religion". "Many temples in this country have suffered due to lack of protection. Mughals, British, and Pathans attacked various times...," he said. The minister feels that it is "not a crime if Hindus are trained to use weapons for their own protection". However, his colleague in the Cabinet, Pijush Hazarika said: "What has happened is not good. The law will take its own course." The state BJP chief Bhavesh Kalita said: "Pravin Togadiyaas outfit has no relation with the Bajrang Dal of Vishwa Hindu Parishad." Meanwhile, state Congress President Bhupen Bara condemned the incident and said: "A minister is supporting weapons training in the school premises. It seems that the government has failed to protect the temple. That is why guns are being handed over to the youth." New Delhi, Aug 1 : Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar on Tuesday said that the government has prohibited the manufacture for sale, sale or distribution for human use of 14 fixed dose combinations (FDCs) including various cough syrup formulations on basis of recommendation of expert committee. The Minister said this in response to a query in Rajya Sabha on whether it is a fact that government has banned 14 cough syrups citing risk to humans. "The WHO (World Health Organisation) has issued alerts and asked various information in four cases of syrup products exported from India. Subsequent to the reports Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in coordination with State Drug Controllers carried out joint investigations," she said in response to a another question whether these cough syrups were of substandard quality due to which nearly 300 people died worldwide as stated by WHO in its investigation. In case of Cameroon, the Minister said that a joint inspection was conducted by CDSCO, Sub-Zone Indore with SLA, Madhya Pradesh at M/s Riemann Labs., Indore and based on the findings the State Drugs Controller MP has directed the firm to stop the manufacturing activities. She said that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry had issued a notification dated May 22 for amendment in export policy of cough syrups, making it compulsory for cough syrup manufacturers to get certificate of analysis from a government-approved laboratory before exporting their products with effect from June 1. She said that in the case of Gambia, joint investigation was undertaken by CDSCO and State Drug Controller, Haryana. She said that based on investigations conducted, which revealed violation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), State Drugs Controller, Haryana issued show cause notice to M/s Maiden Pharma under Rule 85(2) of the Drugs Rules, 1945 and order has been issued for stopping all the manufacturing activities at Sonipat with immediate effect for violation of GMP. She said that in case of Uzbekistan, CDSCO in coordination with State Drugs Controller, Uttar Pradesh conducted a joint investigation at M/s Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh. She said that the drug samples were drawn from the manufacturing premises under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for test and analysis. Further, manufacturing license of the firm has been suspended by State Licensing Authority. --IANS std/dan Bengaluru, Aug 2 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for the first time after assuming power in the state, according to an official statement. Siddaramaiah will also meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. As per sources, the Karnataka Chief Minister is likely to request the PM for supply of rice by central government agencies for the Anna Bhagya, the party's flagship free rice scheme under which his government is planning to provide 10 kg of rice for all members of BPL families. He will also seek an increase of funds from the central government and additional funds for the irrigation projects, the Jal Jeevan Mission, MNREGS. The Chief Minister is also expected to seek Rs 5,495 crores interim relief for the state as per the recommendation of 15th Financial Commission and also discuss about the state not getting its judicious share in the GST. He will also discuss the major road projects in the state and demand for additional grants during his meeting, sources stated. Siddaramaiah will also be attending the key meeting called by the Congress high command on Wednesday in New Delhi. DyCM and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar and 50 representatives from the state Congress including cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior leaders are invited. Shivakumar maintained that the meeting is called for making strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and fixing the responsibilities for various leaders. The high command will also review implementation of guarantee schemes in the state. However, sources say that the party high command is worried about simmering differences cropping up within the party, barely two months after taking over the power, and the is going to give a strong message to the factions within Congress not to indulge in infighting. Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while addressing the media in Mangaluru has said that strict action will be taken against those who unnecessarily spread fake news against the state government or any individual on the social media. Responding to a reporter's query that the Karnataka government is taking action for criticising it, he added: "We will not take action against criticism, but if fake news is spread then action will be taken." The Chief Minister said that spreading fake news about family members is different from doing personal harm. Responding to a query on the SIT not issuing a notice to any individual regarding the Bitcoin scandal during the previous BJP government, Siddaramaiah said that SIT will take appropriate action. "The facilities given to the coastal region have been mentioned in the budget." In the month of July, Udupi, Mangalore and the coastal region received rains, the Chief Minister added, and said that he would be visiting some areas which are damaged due to rains. He informed that he will hold a review meeting soon. The Chief Minister said that he has given instructions to the police to take strict action against those who indulge in moral policing, adding that, no one can take the law into their own hands. An FIR has been registered by the police regarding the Udupi college video recording case, Siddaramaiah added. The Chief Minister said that the investigation is being done by a Deputy Superintendent Police rank officer and there is no question of handing over the Udupi college video case to the SIT. "The case is registered and an FIR has also been filed and submitted to the court." He added that there is no question of handing over the case to the SIT as a Deputy Superintendent of Police-level officer is conducting the investigation. Saying that the Central government has to take a decision on the Kasturi Rangan report regarding protection of the Western Ghats, the Chief Minister said that the government will not lag behind in the matter of environmental protection. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. "Negotiations are underway to attract investors to the Alat Free Economic Zone (FEZ)", Chairman of the Board of the Alat FEZ Valeh Aleskerov told Trend. According to him, four foreign investors have already received the status of residents. "They have already begun the process of building their business. One of the residents is anticipated to finish the design work within the following two to three months. In parallel, talks to bring other businesses to our economic zone are in progress, he added. Aleskerov emphasized that the first stage of building on a 60-hectare plot of land had already been finished in accordance with the FEZ's overall plan. "We're discussing building the infrastructure required for communications, as well as the water, roads, sewage, energy, and other necessities for conducting business. Both State Customs Committee entities and FEZ staff have offices now", he stated. Also, according to Aleskerov, work continues on optimizing the legal framework, which will be the most attractive for investors and businessmen, both local and international. Residents of the Alat FEZ must export at least 75 percent of their products to foreign markets, and thus the creation of small companies in the FEZ, as well as companies with low-quality products, will be prevented. "In order to achieve the highest indicators in both production and export, we have created the best conditions for residents; in particular, this concerns payments from which entrepreneurs will be exempt. This includes taxes, VAT, payroll tax, duties, and customs duties," Aleskerov added. "Thus, by exempting entrepreneurs from such payments, we will reduce the cost of production, which will allow us to enter more markets with this product and make greater competition, as well as increase Azerbaijan's foreign trade turnover. From this point of view, it is beneficial for local and international producers to conduct business in the FEZ," he said. The opening ceremony of the first stage of the Alat Free Economic Zone was held on July 9. The total area of the Alat FEZ is 850 hectares. On the territory of 60 hectares, where work is being carried out within the first stage, construction has already begun and a number of works have been completed. The land plots that will be leased to investors are already ready for construction work. Inside the land plots with a total area of 297,000 square meters, there are connection points to water, sewer, electric, gas, and communication networks. There is also a ready-to-use internal and external engineering and communication infrastructure. Customs checkpoints and premises for customs inspection have been built at the main entrance to the territory. Beirut, Aug 2 : Syria has expressed its willingness to receive 180,000 displaced refugees from Lebanon at the first stage, said Lebanese Minister of the Displaced Issam Charafeddine. "We have reached an understanding with the Syrian government to resolve the crisis of the displaced safely," Charafeddine was quoted as saying by the Elnashra news website on Tuesday. "There is mutual trust with the Syrian side and a commitment to the understanding reached last year regarding the safe return of the displaced," he said, adding that shelter centres have been ready to receive the displaced and provide them with facilities, healthcare and education. The Minister said he had proposed forming a tripartite committee with the UNHCR and Syria but was rejected on the ground of instability in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported. The UNHCR reported that Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita and per square km in the world. According to statistics released by the Lebanese government, around two million Syrian refugees are living in Lebanon, a country with a population of more than 5.5 million. The Lebanese government insists on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country is facing its worst socio-economic crisis in decades and can no longer meet the growing needs of refugees. Aden : , Aug 2 (IANS) At least six soldiers of Yemen's government forces were killed in an attack carried out by al-Qaeda militants in the turbulent southern province of Abyan, a military official told media. "At dawn, units of the government forces, stationed in Wadi Omran and Mudiyah districts of Abyan province, were hit by a large-scale attack by al-Qaeda gunmen approaching from multiple directions," said the official requesting anonymity on Tuesday. The assault continued for several hours, killing six soldiers and injuring five others, he said, adding that a number of al-Qaeda militants were also reportedly killed during the confrontation. He noted that the attack took place amid a surge in al-Qaeda actions across key regions in Abyan over the past several weeks, Xinhua news agency reported. Local residents reported the arrival of militants from neighbouring provinces of Shabwa and Al-Bayda, where the terrorist group maintains strongholds. The military escalation highlights the persistent security threats posed by al-Qaeda's Yemeni faction, referred to as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). With peace talks stalled, the conflict between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition shows no signs of abating. The civil war and power vacuum in Yemen have allowed AQAP and other extremist groups to flourish, posing a severe security threat within Yemen's borders and beyond. Phnom Penh, Aug 2 : Lightning strikes, fires and storms had claimed 90 lives in Cambodia in the first seven months of 2023, the spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) said. "From January to July this year, 59 people were killed by lightning strikes, 23 by blazes and eight by storms," NCDM spokesperson Soth Kim Kolmony told Xinhua news agency on Tuesday. Besides the fatalities, thunderbolts, fires and storms also injured 217 other people, he said, adding that lightning strikes also killed 87 cattle, Xinhua news agency reported. "To avoid the dangers of lightning strikes, people, particularly those living in rural areas, should stay in houses or shelters when there is storm or rain," he said. According to the official, lightning strikes and storms often happen during the rainy season from May to October in the Southeast Asian country. Beirut, Aug 2 : Fresh clashes erupted again in southern Lebanon's Ain Al-Helweh refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a ceasefire reached between rival factions two days ago. Some sniper bullets and shells crossed the outskirts of the camp into the nearby neighbourhoods in Sidon city, and a "B7" shell exploded near a point where several photographers and media staff were stationed. No injuries were recorded. Many Lebanese soldiers were deployed in the area, Xinhua news agency reported. Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi on Tuesday stressed that "the Army is carrying out all its duties in this region, as in others, despite all the difficult circumstances". The armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in the refugee camp broke out on Saturday night, which had resulted in 11 deaths and more than 40 injuries as of Monday. Clashes between rival Palestinian groups often occur in the Ain Al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Gaza/Ramallah, Aug 2 : Palestinian factions have said the shooting attack that wounded six Israelis near Jerusalem is a "natural response" to the continued Israeli violations against the Palestinians. Earlier on Tuesday, a Palestinian gunman was killed after he opened fire at a group of Israelis in the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem. At least five Israelis were injured, according to Israeli medics. Local media reported that another man was also lightly hurt, citing hospital sources. The Israeli police said in a statement that an off-duty border guard officer returned fire and killed the Palestinian gunman in the settlement, Xinhua news agency reported. Abdulatif Al-Qanou'a, spokesman of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza, said Hamas "blesses the shooting attack carried out on Tuesday afternoon near the Israeli settlement of Ma'ale Adumim near Jerusalem". "The operation was carried out in defence of Al-Aqsa Mosque and in response to the settlers' incursions and the performance of Talmudic rituals in its courtyards," he added. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a statement that the attack in Ma'ale Adumim "comes in response to the crimes of the occupation, and a blow to all Zionist security measures and barriers". The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement said in a statement that the group "commends the heroic commando operation" that was carried out by "a heroic Palestinian resistance fighter". Since January, 24 people, most of them Israelis, have been killed in a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians, and about 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers, according to official figures. 5StarWines the Book 2024 5StarWines the Book represents another tool for Vinitaly to highlight the commitment of wineries that invest in quality, increasing their visibility on the international market. The seventh edition of 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls took place from 28-30 March, in the days preceding Vinitaly 2023, the prominent wine trade fair in Verona, Italy. Following three days of blind tastings, the producers whose wines obtained an evaluation of at least 90/100 were included in 5StarWines the Book 2024, now available online. To evaluate the 2,269 samples offered by more than 600 wineries, a panel of over 70 judges, including Master of Wine, Master Sommeliers, sommeliers, bloggers and sector journalists, was selected from all over the world. Out of the participating wines, only 733 labels - 32% of those registered - achieved a score of more than 90 out of 100. Among these, were 168 wines from the Wine Without Walls, the section dedicated to certified organic and/or biodynamic wines. The wines that achieved a score between 85 and 89 received an official certificate of participation in digital format. The digital format of the guide is available online on the official website of the event: https://www.5starwines.it/la-guida/?lang=en. A paperback copy of the guidebook will also be sent by the end of August to all the selected producers, along with the diploma, for wineries not exhibiting at Vinitaly, providing producers with all the resources they need to self-promote at the main trade events. The Guide aims to put the selected companies directly in contact with professionals across the wine industry, an important opportunity for smaller wineries that struggle to approach international markets. Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere, commented on the value of the Guide: 5StarWines the Book represents another tool for Vinitaly to highlight the commitment of wineries that invest in quality, increasing their visibility on the international market. That mission, being an instrument for the promotion and development of the Italian and international wine sector, is part of Vinitalys DNA. The inclusion of wines in the Guide is only one of several promotional activities reserved for the selected wineries and their products. The selected wineries receive frequent updates on the initiatives taking place throughout the year, such as B2B events, roadshows, the Vinitaly International Academy courses in Italy and abroad, and the wine2wine Business Forum. Producers of the selected wines are able to take the opportunity to promote their wines during events in a variety of important ways. Another one of these promotional activities is the publication of the dedicated tasting notes on various social media channels (@5StarWines is present on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn). Bernard Burtschy, Columnist at Le Figaro and esteemed member of the General Chairs jury, explained the value of the tasting notes: These wines are all the more fascinating also because a score for a wine means nothing if it is not accompanied by a sound commentary and if it is not compared with other opinions. It is these comments, written by unrivalled wine tasters from all over the world, that make this guide so rich, full of data. The Selection also included the awarding of 18 special Trophies to wines and companies that achieved a particularly distinguished score in their category. Another promotional activity, in collaboration with the Italian Wine Podcast, is the publication of interviews dedicated to the Trophy winners. During the interviews, producers have a further opportunity to talk about their products and current and future projects. To find additional information regarding the promotion of the selected wines, consult the 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls website: https://www.5starwines.it/strumento-di-marketing/?lang=en. ----------- About: 5StarWines the Book is the annual wine selection organized by Veronafiere, held in the lead-up to the biggest Italian wine fair in the world. The event is now in its seventh edition. 5StarWines the Book is a blind tasting aimed at shedding light on wineries investing in the improvement of their products. During the event, a highly qualified panel of wine professionals will taste and score using a 100-point scale participating wines. In the 2023 edition, over 2,200 wines took part in the competition and 733 were selected for inclusion in 5StarWines the Book. The Guide is a useful tool both on the promotional and commercial side. It introduces international buyers and wine lovers to new wine products of great value. It guarantees wine quality and it maintains and certifies their value at an international level. This initiative is an investment in the frontline wisdom of Alaska teachers, and its a boost for educators as we head into the Back-to-School season. Acting Commissioner of Education Heidi Teshner today announced that the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (Alaska DEED) is allocating $2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to help pre-K to 12th grade public school educators obtain classroom resources. The collaboration between Alaska DEED and DonorsChoose, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, will empower educators to support student academic success through classroom supplies. Each Alaska public school teacher can receive up to $1,000 in project funding from Alaska DEED, as long as funding lasts. This initiative is an investment in the frontline wisdom of Alaska teachers, and its a boost for educators as we head into the Back-to-School season, said Alix Guerrier, CEO Of DonorsChoose. Were so grateful that Alaska Department of Education & Early Development is partnering with DonorsChoose, and that the department is using this innovative way to help students start the school year strong. Since DonorsChoose was founded in 2000, more than 2,000 Alaska teachers representing school districts across the state have raised $5.1 million for projects that help them go above and beyond in the classroom. The Anchorage School District and Northwest Arctic Borough School District are currently part of the DonorsChoose District Partnership Program. The new collaboration between Alaska DEED and DonorsChoose will further the support for educators across the entire state. ### About Alaska Department of Education & Early Development The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides information, resources, and leadership to support over 130,000 students in 505 public schools across the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to ensure an Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day. About DonorsChoose DonorsChoose is the leading way to give to public schools. Since 2000, 5.7 million people and partners have contributed $1.4 billion to support over 2 million teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences. As the most trusted crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and district administrators alike, DonorsChoose vets each request, ships the funded resources directly to the classroom, and provides thank yous and reporting to donors and school leaders. Charity Navigator and GuideStar have awarded DonorsChoose, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, their highest ratings for transparency and accountability. For more information, visit http://www.donorschoose.org. Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic Partners with HURT! Mobile App for On-Demand, Virtual Access to Specialists in District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia We are committed to evolving our practice to meet the needs of patients in our region - this includes improving access to our team through the HURT! platform that makes care coordination seamless. Today, Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic, a leader in comprehensive orthopedic services and an M2 Orthopedics (M2O)-backed practice, is announcing a new collaboration with HURT!, the mobile app that delivers free virtual access to orthopedic specialists for the treatment of sudden, acute injuries. As the exclusive partner for patients in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, Anderson offers patients on-demand access to a team of specialists outside of regular office hours. Through the HURT! app, patients can bypass unnecessary visits to the emergency room and receive the immediate attention they need from orthopedic experts, who can quickly review the injury virtually, assess what level of care is needed, and determine the most appropriate next steps. We are committed to evolving our practice to meet the needs of patients in our region - this includes improving access to our team through the HURT! platform that makes care coordination seamless, said Ryan T. Hubbard, M.D., Physician Co-Chair of Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic Urgent Care. We know that in most cases, injuries dont happen during business hours, nor do they always require immediate care. With this collaboration, we can more easily assess needs and provide high-quality advice and care from our award-winning team to ensure injuries are addressed quickly. The news comes on the heels of the opening of Andersons Urgent Care Clinic, which provides patients with acute injuries access to Andersons team of specialists. The weekend clinic was developed to treat acute musculoskeletal injuries and to provide quality orthopedic care from the start to provide more patients with access to board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians and physician assistants for same-day service and state-of-the-art technology and treatments. We seek to partner with the best and brightest in the industry. As the undisputed orthopedic leader in the DMV, we know Anderson will help HURT! users get the best care, said Dr. Brett Miller, founder of HURT! Our team developed the first-of-its-kind app to connect patients to nearby orthopedic specialists so their injuries could be managed quickly - that includes evaluating needs before they rush to an ER to ensure they have a fast, free way to get the best care immediately. The HURT! smartphone app is free to download and is available on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit https://www.hurtapp.com/. About HURT! The HURT! mobile app provides painless access to urgent orthopedic care. Easily connect with a network of orthopaedic specialists from your phone to get the treatment you need, when and where you need it. For more information, visit https://www.hurtapp.com/ About Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic is widely recognized as a national leader in comprehensive orthopaedic services. The board-certified physicians of The Anderson Clinic have received specialized training in orthopaedic surgery and in subspecialty areas within the field of orthopaedic medicine and can diagnose and treat the most complicated orthopaedic conditions. For more information, visit https://andersonclinic.com About M2 Orthopedics M2 Orthopedics is modernizing practice management for the nations best orthopedic practices and surgeons so they can focus on patient care. By combining expertise in orthopedics with a unique focus on long-term physician partnerships, M2O supports private practices through enhanced management capabilities and access to capital - empowering practices to sustain their independence and growth. M2O enables physicians to prioritize exceptional care and experiences so everyone has better outcomes - patients win, practices succeed, and ultimately, the broader orthopedic field thrives. For more information, visit http://www.m2orthopartners.com Pictured Above (left to right): Aleksey Etin, UAB VEIKA CEO and Kohei Tanabe, Roland DG President, Representative Director. Roland DG Corporation (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan; President, Representative Director: Kohei Tanabe), a global manufacturer and distributor of wide-format inkjet printers for advertising and signage and 3D tools for manufacturing, today announced the acquisition of shares for UAB Dimense print, a subsidiary of UAB VEIKA, a manufacturer and vendor for wallpaper-related products headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania. Share Acquisition Background and Objective Roland DG has set the goal of pioneering the future through Digital and Co-creation in the midterm business plan (FY2021-23) which focuses on transforming into a lean and nimble organization and transitioning the business portfolio. This includes examination of growth investments through M&A to establish new core businesses. Roland DG has decided to acquire 50.1% stake in UAB Dimense print, a subsidiary of UAB VEIKA, which excels in chemical technology and offers a unique digital printing embossing solution for wallpaper industries. The digitalization of wallpaper printing has not yet fully penetrated the market, but growing demand for personalization and upcoming market expansion present the perfect opportunity for Roland DG to make its official entry into the market. Furthermore, this embossing technology has great potential as it can bring texture and dimension to various printed applications, such as gypsum molds. Roland DG aims to strengthen the presence in the wallpaper market through the continued development, sales, and support of DIMENSE and Ecodeco, both proprietary technologies of UAB Dimense print. Leveraging UAB VEIKAs excellent technical capabilities and combining them with Roland DGs manufacturing expertise and global-scale sales network, Roland DG will drive the development and sales of unique and high-value-added new digital printing solutions, with the goal to further expand the market by capitalizing on these strengths. About UAB VEIKA and UAB Dimense print VEIKA is a family business founded in 1991 in Vilnius, Lithuania by Jakov Etin and it is well known as a producer of a wide range of materials for the wallpaper industry. VEIKA has earned its reputation as a reliable and trusted supplier to partners, with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of wallpaper production. After the second generation - Dr. Aleksey Etin, has joined the company in 2007, while recognizing the pivotal role that continuous research and development play in the achieving lasting success, VEIKA has established an impressive range of laboratories dedicated to innovation in inks, polymers and coatings. Since 2012, their focus has shifted to digital printing, and production began on solvent inkjet printers and PVC wallpaper. Now, with an eye on protecting the environment, the company has gone PVC free, inventing and patenting Ecodeco, a plasticizer-free base for traditional hot embossed wallpaper production. Their digital solutions also include the DIMENSE, a cutting-edge wide-format inkjet printer, which has gained high recognition for its unique structure printing capability, environmentally-friendly inks & substrate, and facilitation of original expressive designs in wallpaper printing. Through acquisition of UAB Dimense print shares, Roland DG will gain access to the combined ink and wallpaper related technological capabilities of the company and its parent company, UAB VEIKA. Message from the President Kohei Tanabe, Roland DG Corporation President and Representative Director stated: I still vividly remember the day I first saw DIMENSEs wallpaper solution in 2019. Todays announcement marks a momentous fusion of our mission, 'Bringing new opportunities to society through digital technology,' and our purpose, 'To Empower Creativity and Excitement Worldwide,' with DIMENSEs unique and innovative digital embossing printing solution. Throughout the negotiations, I have felt the desire to join forces with them and inspire excitement worldwide. Roland DG has consistently grown through digitalization and market creation. Now, I am honored to move forward together, fostering the market for embossing, including wallpapers, through the acquisition of UAB Dimense print shares. Aleksey Etin, UAB VEIKA CEO stated: VEIKA and Roland DG have been business partners since 2015. I believe that this joint adventure with Roland DG will be a great opportunity to benefit from the best that the two companies have: Roland DGs expertise in printer development and distribution capabilities around the world and VEIKAs know-how in inks and media development. This partnership will allow us to speed up the progress of DIMENSE and Ecodeco technologies, as well as take them to a new level. It is great honor to be trusted by such an outstanding partner like Roland DG and I am very happy that we have reached this agreement. I believe it will be highly beneficial for everyone, including our valued partners, customers and suppliers. Overview of the company acquiring the shares: Company Name: UAB Dimense print Headquarters: Baltosios Vokes g.37, Vilnius, Lithuania LT-02243 Representative: Aleksey Etin Capital: 2,000 Total assets: 6,748,812 Capital Ratio: Roland DG 50.1, VEIKA and management team 49.9 Business overview of UAB Dimense print Products, Services: Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of Ecodeco base material, DIMENSE printers, inks, and substrates Target Region: Global: Both companies plan to utilize existing sales channels Launch Date: End of September Future Plans The current business structure will continue for the foreseeable future as both companies work on integration. No changes are planned for our valued clients and suppliers. Details on the timing and method for new product launches will be provided as they are determined. Impact on Financial Performance We forecast this acquisition and its related activities having minimal impact on consolidated performance for the current fiscal year. Roland DG has a long history of combining analog and digital technologies to create new value. Now, the company strives to enter niche markets and draw out the wonderous possibilities hidden within, and by doing so, integrate imagination and creativity with cutting edge technology to deliver revolutionary solutions that meet customer needs. About Roland DG Corporation Roland DG Corporation is the worlds leading provider of digital printing solutions. The companys inkjet printers, printer/cutters and cutting machines are widely used to create a broad range of promotional items including banners, signs, vehicle graphics, stickers, and labels, and to provide customization services for apparel and personal items like smartphone cases. Recently, Roland DG has embarked on a promising new digital transformation frontier with the launch of its cloud-based service called Roland DG Connect which improves customer satisfaction and success by providing a more comfortable and stable operating environment, improved workflow efficiency, increased business development and profitability. The company has also developed proprietary design and print management software which offers an unforgettable creative experience by enabling customers to design their own gifts, apparel, and treasured mementos. For more information, contact: Roland DG Corporation Corporate Division +81 (0)53-484-1200 E-Mailrdg-pr@rolanddg.co.jp Clinical Studies of Rare Diseases Without true international collaboration, there will continue to be gaps in global patient registries and incomplete data due to a lack of multicultural sampling of patients, which decelerates the development of orphan pharmaceuticals and treatments There are globally inconsistent definitions of what constitutes a rare disease. According to the Orphan Drug Act enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1983, a rare disease is a medical condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people.(1) A comprehensive 2022 study conducted by RARE-X concluded that there are 10,867 orphan, aka rare diseases, including genetic and non-genetic diseases, rare cancers, and diseases that are either poorly defined or not currently recognized in the major databases.(2) There are 459,912 clinical trial studies currently being conducted in the U.S. and 221 countries worldwide.(3) Yet, there continues to be underrepresentation in critical diversity categories, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and geography. International orphan drug clinical trials scarcely involve rare disease patients in Asia and India. According to the most recent estimate in 2020, about 258 million people in the Asia Pacific region were estimated to be impacted by rare diseases, with nearly half being children.(4) India comprises one-third of all rare disease cases worldwide.(5) Dr. Harsha Rajasimha is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Indo-US Organization for Rare Diseases (IndoUSrare), a not-for-profit organization that seeks to bridge the gap that exists in the world when it comes to rare diseases. Dr. Rajasimha notes, Massive disparities exist between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres regarding access to diagnostics, clinical trials, drugs, medical devices, therapies, and cures. There is a disproportionate prevalence of certain rare diseases across different countries in the world. Without true international collaboration, there will continue to be gaps in global patient registries and incomplete data due to a lack of multicultural sampling of patients, which decelerates the development of orphan pharmaceuticals and treatments. The Public Library of Science (PLOS) Global Public Health published a research study to assess the involvement of rare disease patients in India in international clinical trials.(6) Researchers investigated Indian patients participation in international trials for orphan drugs and discovered that only 9 out of 202 trials registered in the U.S. took place in India. Taking the Indian diaspora into consideration, of the remaining 193 trials, approximately 1% recruited patients of Indian origin. It has been clinically proven that different ethnic and racial groups respond differently to specific drug treatments. India consists of a large ethnically diverse population, and their exclusion significantly limits the implications of diversity on trial outcomes. A study published in Nature Genetics(7) reveals potential medical predispositions among various South Asian subpopulations due to genetic isolation caused by endogamy (the tradition of exclusively marrying within the confines of a local community, clan, or tribe) and cultural practices. For example, in specific states of Southern India, anesthesiologists inquire about Vysya heritage before surgery due to some fatal responses to muscle relaxants observed among individuals with Vysya ancestry. The Nature Genetics study reveals that the South Asian population, consisting of over 1.5 billion people, is not a homogeneous entity but rather comprises thousands of distinct groups, including various castes and subcastes. These groups have been reinforced by cultural customs that encourage marrying within their own communities. Although there have been some recent shifts towards inter-caste and inter-subcaste marriages, especially in urban areas, gene flow between these populations has remained limited for thousands of years. Over a span of more than 15 years, researchers have gathered DNA samples from over 2,800 individuals representing 260 South Asian groups. The study identified certain groups with strong founder effects, a reduction in genetic diversity that takes place when a small group from a larger population establishes a new population, leading to a reduction in genomic variability. This condition increases the risk of recessive diseases within these groups. Studying these distinct South Asian groups offers valuable insights into both rare and common diseases, presenting significant opportunities for genetic research. The study also highlights the vulnerability to rare genetic diseases among residents of India and other South Asian nations; using genomic analysis, this research holds the promise of pinpointing and proactively preventing disorders that are specific to particular populations. While some South Asian-specific diseases have been previously identified, the root genetic causes of most of these conditions have remained largely unknown. The occurrence of population-specific, recessive diseases in the region has been amplified by the founder effect phenomenon, which arises when a small group of ancestors gives rise to a large number of descendants. Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are neurological disorders that result in abnormalities in gait and movement. This rare genetic condition has an estimated prevalence of around 2 cases per 100,000 people. SCA type 3, also called Machado Joseph Disease (MJD), is common worldwide but rare in India. However, in the district of Buldhana, India, several families from a close-knit community were affected. Genetic analysis confirmed SCA3 in these families, revealing a significant burden of the disease. The impact in this single village surpassed the total cases seen at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the last two decades.(8) Among rare diseases reported in India are hemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and primary immunodeficiency in children. Additionally, there are autoimmune diseases, lysosomal storage disorders such as Pompe disease, Hirschsprung disease, Gauchers disease, cystic fibrosis, hemangiomas, and certain forms of muscular dystrophy. The prevalence of rare diseases such as sickle cell anemia, ALS, muscular dystrophies, cystic fibrosis, and others are not homogeneous across the world or among all races and ethnicities. Sickle cell anemia, for example, is rare in the US but common in Africa, the Middle East, India, and other countries. Recently, the Prime Minister of India launched the mission to eradicate sickle cell anemia, inviting all stakeholders to unite in the battle against this deadly disease that predominantly affects tribal communities in India. Earlier this year, Gautam Dongre from the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Organizations (NASCO) joined 40 other patient foundation members of the IndoUSrare patient alliance to maximize access to numerous investigational medicines under development by the US biopharmaceutical industry. Cystic Fibrosis and ALS are more common among rare genetic diseases in the US but rarer in India and elsewhere. This makes the distinct call for global collaborations critical in the research and development of diagnostics and therapies for all rare diseases. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfares data,(9) India has documented approximately 450 rare disease types to date (contrast this with the 10,857 rare diseases acknowledged in the Western world). Based on estimates, half of the new cases occur in children, resulting in 35% of deaths before one year of age, 10% between the ages of one and five years, and 12% between five and 15 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines these diseases as debilitating, lifelong conditions with a prevalence of less than one per 1,000 individuals. They encompass autoimmune disorders, congenital malformations, inherited cancers, and certain endemic infectious diseases with extremely low prevalence rates. Managing rare diseases in the Asia Pacific region poses unique challenges due to socioeconomic disparities, limited research, expertise, and health policies specific to rare disease patients. The region also faces low medical awareness and a lack of momentum in recognizing and addressing the unmet needs of these patients. Additionally, the paternalistic health systems in the region further exacerbate these issues, often neglecting the voices and concerns of rare disease patients.(10) Participating in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) also burdens patients with psychological, physical, and financial challenges. Factors like poor trial information and disorganized follow-ups exacerbate the ordeal.(11) Indias Ministry of Health and Family Welfare established the National Policy of Rare Diseases (NPRD) to increase indigenous research and local medicine production, lower the cost of treatment, promote early detection screening and prevention, and provide financial support for those suffering from rare diseases; however, the NPRD program has been plagued by ongoing funding and implementation challenges.(12) IndoUSrare facilitates global collaboration among all stakeholders to accelerate research for rare diseases and enhance the development of efficient treatments. Their focus is on promoting equal opportunities, inclusiveness, and the availability of life-saving therapies to patients worldwide, regardless of age. The successful regulatory approval of treatments hinges on the essential partnership between patient groups, academic researchers, and industry partners. The IndoUSrare Corporate Alliance is a coalition of biopharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical device, and other companies in the life science industry devoted to advancing orphan product development. Their shared goal is to educate, empower, and advocate for patients with rare diseases in the United States, India, and around the world, foster collaboration, and fill critical gaps to hasten diagnostics and therapies. IndoUSrare is working to create partnerships among different stakeholders, pooling resources across borders for affordable research and development. Dr. Rajasimha explains, Yes, there are umbrella organizations around the globe focused on rare diseases within their respective countries, but the key here is within their own countries. The news publicizes their individual efforts, but very little focus is directed to true international collaborations those that go beyond lip service and national borders and create a bridge between people, cultures, and medical science to find therapies and cures. This is the scenario in which IndoUSrare defined its mission and sprang into action to make a difference in the world. To join the global crusade, Register Now for the Indo US Bridging RARE Summit 2023. Connecting the Global Rare Disease Community October 2930, 2023 George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA About IndoUSrare IndoUSrare is a humanitarian nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity organization based in the United States. Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, who lost a child to a rare disease in 2012, has been a rare disease advocate for more than 10 years. To address the unmet needs of diverse patients with rare diseases globally, the leadership team comprised of experienced professionals from research, advocacy, regulatory, and drug development seeks to build cross-border collaborations connecting stakeholders of rare diseases in low- and middle-income regions such as India, with their counterparts and clinical researchers in the United States to improve the diversity of clinical trial participants, accelerate research and development, and improve equitable access to life-saving therapies to diverse populations of rare disease patients. Visit https://indousrare.org. References: 1. Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). Rare diseases at FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. fda.gov/patients/rare-diseases-fda. 2. Rare-X releases new report that uncovers large number of previously uncounted rare diseases. RARE. (2022, June 7). rare-x.org/blog/2022/06/07/rare-x-releases-new-report-that-uncovers-large-number-of-previously-uncounted-rare-diseases/. 3. Trends, charts, and maps. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/resources/trends. 4. Carter, J. (2023, February 14). Rare disease care across asia pacific. Sandpiper. sandpipercomms.com/health/rare-disease-care-across-asia-pacific/. 5. Patel, M. and S. (2022, July 18). Rare diseases in India: orphan no more? ORF. orfonline.org/research/rare-diseases-in-india-orphan-no-more/. 6. Chakraborty, M., Choudhury, M. C., Chakraborty, I., Saberwal, G. (n.d.). Rare disease patients in India are rarely involved in International Orphan Drug Trials. PLOS Global Public Health. journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pgph.0000890. 7. Nature Publishing Group. (2017, September 1). Ancestry-inspired Genomic Health. Nature News. nature.com/articles/ng.3953. 8. Uncovering the hidden burden of rare genetic diseases in India. Genomics and other omics tools for enabling Medical Decisions (GOMED). (n.d.). gomed.igib.in/impact-stories/uncoveringthehiddenburdenofraregeneticdiseasesinindia. 9. Rare diseases need not be neglected anymore. BioSpectrum India. (n.d.). biospectrumindia.com/features/73/22713/rare-diseases-need-not-be-neglected-anymore-.html. 10. Jain, R. (2020, July 20). Rare diseases in Asia and the Pacific must be tackled too. Asia Pathways. asiapathways-adbi.org/2020/07/rare-diseases-asia-pacific-must-be-tackled-too/. 11. Naidoo, N., Nguyen, V. T., Ravaud, P., Young, B., Amiel, P., Schant; eacute;, D., Clarke, M., Boutron, I. (2020, January 20). The research burden of randomized controlled trial participation: A systematic thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence - BMC medicine. BioMed Central. bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-019-1476-5. 12. Rare disease policy: Need of the hour. Times of India Blog. (2023, April 24). timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/rare-disease-policy-need-of-the-hour/. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) will set the amount of borrowed funds for the implementation of currency exchange activities, Trend reports. This issue has been reflected in the amendment to the law "On currency regulation", made by the decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. According to the decree, the CBA is recommended to approve the following normative acts within a six-month period: - the upper limit for currency exchange transactions carried out by entities licensed for currency exchange activities; - data format; - borrowing limits for currency exchange activities; - minimum size of the authorized (joint) capital for entities seeking a license for exchange activities, as well as the size of the part of authorized (joint) capital subject to increase for each second and subsequent location where the entity, licensed for exchange activities, conducts such activities, and inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan about these decisions. Bronxville Family Dental in Bronxville, NY We are dedicated to providing the highest level of dental care to patients throughout Bronxville and the surrounding areas. Bronxville Family Dental, a leading dental practice in Bronxville, New York, has announced the launch of a new website and the renovation of its office. The new website, located at https://www.bronxvillefamilydental.com, is designed to be user-friendly and offers a wide range of information to help patients understand more about dentistry, the procedures offered, and the practice. It also includes articles on general dental topics, such as wisdom teeth removal and fillings, as well as on cosmetic procedures, such as veneers and teeth whitening. The newly redesigned website provides information about the practice's location and hours, as well as its dental team. The site's goal is to provide patients with all the information they need in order to make an informed decision about their dental care. Equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment and technology, Bronxville Family Dental offers high-quality dental care in a comfortable and relaxing space. The clinic has also renovated its location by expanding the office and operatory space and adding upgraded equipment, including Itero Scanners, CBCT, and 3 Shape Intraoral Scanners. The practice, located at 1 Pondfield Road, Suite 103 in Bronxville, NY, is led by Dr. Jessica Bonifate, a general dentist who is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She is joined by Dr. Emily R. Krolian, Dr. Rebecca Goldman, and Dr. Emma Kirschenbaum, along with a compassionate team of dental assistants and hygienists. "We are dedicated to providing the highest level of dental care to patients throughout Bronxville and the surrounding areas, said Dr. Bonifate. Our new and improved website is designed to make dental care more convenient for our patients by offering a convenient way to request an appointment and learn more about the services provided at Bronxville Family Dental. Bronxville Family Dental offers a range of services to meet the needs of patients, offering comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, including children and teens. Services include preventive care, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and more. In addition to general dental services such as X-rays, fillings, cleaning, and oral cancer screenings, Bronxville Family Dental also offers a range of specialty procedures such as Botox and Invisalign treatment for adults and children who are looking for alternative orthodontic options beyond braces or traditional metal wires. The practice provides many dental services for the whole family, including: General dental care: Dental cleanings, X-rays, dental sealants, and other preventative dental treatments. Restorative dentistry: Mercury-free dental fillings, root canals, porcelain crowns, bridges, tooth extractions, and dentures Pediatric dentistry: child dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and X-rays Cosmetic dentistry: Dental bonding, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, Invisalign, and more. Sedation dentistry: For those who struggle with anxiety during dental procedures, the practice offers sedation dentistry options to help you relax during your visit. About Bronxville Family Dental Bronxville Family Dental is a premier dental practice located at 1 Pondfield Road, Suite 103, Bronxville, NY 10708. To schedule an appointment, contact us today at 914-337-8430 or request an appointment online at https://www.bronxvillefamilydental.com. MightyMac HXSS is designed to be virtually impenetrable. The hexagonal HXSS luminaire's stainless steel housing bolts directly to the ceiling with tamper-proof hardware, preventing contraband concealment and reducing or eliminating the need for cells to be emptied for routine maintenance. Kenall Manufacturing is expanding its offering of virtually impenetrable correctional lighting with the new Mighty Mac HXSS. Along with the Mighty Mac SSAS, CCS and WCBHS, the HXSS is part of a family of unique, completely doorless luminaires designed to prevent inmate access into the lighting, deterring weaponization of components and promoting the safety and security of staff and inmates. The hexagonal HXSS luminaire's stainless steel housing bolts directly to the ceiling with tamper-proof hardware, preventing contraband concealment and reducing or eliminating the need for cells to be emptied for routine maintenance. The HXSS delivers appropriate footcandle levels using just one fixture per cell, and it is appropriate for use in behavioral health settings, as the flat lens is specifically designed to be ligature resistant. The new Mighty Mac HXSS and other doorless luminaires have been embraced by the correctional community, and reflect the commitment Kenall Manufacturing has to protect those who live and work in the detention, security and behavioral health space, stated Bill Blackley, Senior Director of Marketing. About Kenall Kenall Manufacturing, an independent sector of Legrand, was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1963 and has built a reputation for durable lighting solutions of superior quality and exceptional value. Today, the company creates unique solutions for the transportation, healthcare, cleanroom/containment, food processing, high abuse, and correctional lighting markets. Kenall luminaires are designed in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and comply with the Buy American Act (manufactured in the United States with more than 50% of the component cost of US origin). For additional information, visit http://www.kenall.com. ### Educational Services & Consulting This collaboration allows us to enhance our offerings and provide our students with a truly exceptional post-license training experience. We are confident that this joint venture will help shape the future of ACA education in our industry. Educational Services & Consulting (ESC), a leading provider of educational services in the accredited claims adjuster training sector, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy, a long-time leader in claims adjustment training and development. This strategic alliance aims to deliver comprehensive and cutting-edge claims adjustment training from pre-licensing to understanding the claims process, how to inspect and photo document interior and exterior damage, how to write a comprehensive estimate, how to process a supplement, and how to create reports and submit claims for review. Through the variety of online courses offered at Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy, claims adjusters will be empowered with the skills and knowledge required for success in their careers. ESC has consistently been at the forefront of accredited claims adjuster (ACA) education, providing exceptional learning solutions to aspiring professionals and seasoned experts alike. The partnership with Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy further solidifies ESC's commitment to excellence, ensuring their students continue to receive the highest quality training available, Co-Owner and Chief Strategy Officer, Natalie Zimmerman said. Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy, known for its expertise in assisting claims adjusters with gaining a clear and concise understanding of the claims handling process from inception and receiving an insurance claim to submitting a complete estimate and report to the insurance carrier for payment. By joining forces, ESC and Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy are poised to elevate the level of ACA training available to Floridas newest and most seasoned ACA professionals, setting new industry standards. Candidates seeking their ACA designation through ESC can continue their training through Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy once they receive their designation and state license. Benefits of the Partnership: 1. Comprehensive Curriculum: The partnership will introduce an all-encompassing curriculum from pre-licensing through complete understanding of the insurance claims process including how to perform the responsibilities and duties as an independent insurance adjuster. Adjusters will have the opportunity to understand essential topics and advanced techniques to excel in the accredited claims adjuster field. 2. Expert Instructors: Students will have the opportunity to learn from some of the industry's most experienced and knowledgeable instructors, ensuring they receive practical insights and valuable real-world perspectives. 3. Success with Support: Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy's training courses will complement ESC's educational expertise, providing students with a supportive environment for learning and skill development. 4. Extensive Resources: Students will gain access to an array of educational resources, including state-specific materials, case studies, and hands-on training exercises, preparing them for the challenges of their profession. "We are incredibly excited about this partnership with Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy," Zimmerman said. "This collaboration allows us to enhance our offerings and provide our students with a truly exceptional post-license training experience. We are confident that this joint venture will help shape the future of ACA education in our industry." To learn more about Educational Services & Consulting and their extensive network of partners, please visit https://escconnected.com/current-partners/. For additional information about Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy and their range of ACA training programs, visit https://severerpmsadjusters.com/. About Educational Services & Consulting (ESC): Educational Services & Consulting is a leading provider of online training courses for candidates interested in pursuing their 6-20 Accredited Claims Adjuster designation as well as for those interested in pursuing their 4-40 Registered Customer Service Representative designation. Both of these courses are a self-paced, 40-hour online commitment. Once candidates pass the ACA final exam they will not be required to pass the Florida state exam. Successful completion of ESCs final exam allows candidates to immediately apply to the state of Florida for their General Lines Adjuster license. With a commitment to excellence, ESC offers comprehensive training solutions to aspiring professionals, empowering them to thrive in their careers. Most recently Zimmerman and her business partner, Co-Owner and Chief Operations Officer, Angela Milligan, visited with Nikolette Sirawsky, host of the Women's Leadership Today podcast where Natalie and Angela shared their journey of success, passion for education, and dedication to empowering future leaders. To hear the full podcast, visit: For more information on Educational Services & Consulting or to register for either their 6-20 ACA designation course or their 4-40 RCSR designation course, call 1-800-309-2549 or visit online at: https://escconnected.com/courses/ About Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy: Severe RPMS Adjuster Academy is a reputable name in ACA education, known for delivering top-notch training programs for licensed insurance adjusters across the globe. To learn more, visit https://severerpmsadjusters.com/. Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland "Our doctors, nurses, and support staff...deserve enormous credit for their efforts in earning this ranking, as Mercy delivers excellent care in a compassionate setting." -- David N. Maine, M.D., President and CEO, Mercy Health Services, Mercy Medical Center Mercy Medical Center has been recognized by U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospitals rankings for 2023-2024. Among Adult Specialties, National Rankings, Mercy was rated as High Performing in Orthopedics. In Common Adult Procedures and Condition Ratings, Mercy earned High Performing status in Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement, as well as Colon Cancer Surgery. U.S. News Best Hospitals evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 21 procedures and conditions. Fewer than a third of all hospitals received any high-performing rating. An overall rating of high performing indicates a hospital was significantly better than the national average in a given procedure or condition. We are pleased to once again to be included in in U.S. News annual Best Hospitals edition. Our doctors, nurses, and support staff in Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, The Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease, and all those clinical divisions deserve enormous credit for their efforts in earning this ranking, as Mercy delivers excellent care in a compassionate setting, said Dr. David Maine, President and CEO of Mercy Health Services, Mercy Medical Center. Dr. Maine noted that this recognition by U.S. News follows a number of recent accolades for the 149-year-old Catholic hospital, including being named one of Americas 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care according to research released by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. Mercy was also named one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women in 2023 by Newsweek. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings and Procedures & Conditions methodologies factor objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, patient experience, level of nursing care and how successfully each hospital helps patients get back home. For 34 years, U.S. News has provided data-informed rankings to help patients and their doctors find the best hospital to treat their illness or condition, said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. Fewer than half of evaluated hospitals earned any High Performing rating. Hospitals that are High Performing have excelled in providing high quality care in specific procedures and/or conditions. A university-affiliated teaching hospital, Mercy Medical Center is nationally recognized with Magnet status for nursing excellence and named by Healthgrades as one of Americas 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery. Founded in 1874 by The Sisters of Mercy, Mercy is home to the acclaimed Weinberg Center for Womens Health & Medicine and the $400+ million, 20-story Mary Catherine Bunting Center. For more information about Mercy, visit http://www.mdmercy.com, MDMercyMedia on FACEBOOK and TWITTER, or call 1-800-M.D.-Mercy. MIAMI Chairman of the Board Ines Hegedus-Garcia "Receiving this esteemed recognition as one of HousingWire's 2023 Women of Influence is a testament to the dedication and impact of women in the real estate industry" MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) Chairman of the Board Ines Hegedus-Garcia has earned one of housings highest awards as she was selected among HousingWires 2023 Women of Influence, a prestigious list of national leaders who are propelling the housing economy forward with their impressive list of achievements. Receiving this esteemed recognition as one of HousingWire's 2023 Women of Influence is a testament to the dedication and impact of women in the real estate industry, Hegedus-Garcia said. I am honored to be among such inspiring leaders who are driving positive change and advancing the housing economy. I share this award with all the dedicated professionals at MIAMI Association of Realtors who work tirelessly to propel the housing economy forward and create positive impacts in our community." HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. It reaches more than 125,000 newsletter subscribers daily, one million unique visitors each month and has more than 6,000 members and event attendees. 2023 marks the 14th year of this award being recognized, with nominations growing and becoming more competitive every year. Only 100 winners were selected. The Women of Influence are selected by HousingWires Selection Committee based on their professional achievements within their organizations, but contributions to the overall industry, community outreach, client impact and personal success also factor into the decision. Hegedus-Garcia is featured in the August/September issue of HousingWire Magazine and on its website: http://www.housingwire.com HousingWire's Women of Influence award is one of the housing industrys most prestigious honors, recognizing the most powerful and transformative leaders in the housing economy, said Clayton Collins, CEO of HW Media. HousingWire is proud to recognize such a distinguished group of female executives whose commitment to excellence and leadership is helping redefine what success looks like in housing. Hegedus-Garcia: Trailblazer, Leader, and Global Speaker on Realtor Tech Adoption Hegedus-Garcia is at the forefront of the property technology industry due to her nearly two decades of industry leadership and hands-on approach to technology adoption. She was one of the first Realtors to adopt social media and still writes her award-winning real estate blog, Miamism.com, which she began in 2006. Through her many speaking engagements all over the world and her 2023 MIAMI and national leadership roles, she has influenced thousands of Realtors in her industry to use new media and data to further their business. Hegedus-Garcia is the Executive VP for Avanti Way Realty, an award-winning brokerage business that has expanded from 300 to 1,500 agents in the last year and recently opened its 13th office. In April 2023, she was influential in Avanti Way launching a commercial brokerage. Avanti Way Commercial aims to offer commercial real estate services throughout Florida. She is the 2023 Chair of National Association of Realtors (NAR) Federal Technology Committee, whose role is to investigate, analyze, develop, and recommend NAR policy on new and emerging federal technology and telecommunications issues and trends affecting real estate at a national level. Hegedus-Garcia also sits on the board of directors of Second Century Ventures, NARs Capital Venture Arm who also oversees NAR REACHs technology incubator program as well as new artificial intelligence and virtual reality initiatives in real estate and more. She is also the 2023 Vice-Chair of the Board Leadership Forum for Florida REALTORS. She is the 2023 chairman of the MIAMI Association of Realtors, the largest local Realtor group in the U.S. and the second largest in the world with 60,000 total members. Hegedus-Garcia leads a group of 110 leaders in the highest leadership roles covering six leadership boards. About the MIAMI Association of Realtors The MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 103 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations: MIAMI RESIDENTIAL, MIAMI COMMERCIAL; BROWARD-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI Realtors; JTHS-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI Realtors in the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound area; MIAMI YPN, our Young Professionals Network Council; and the award-winning MIAMI Global Council. MIAMI REALTORS represents nearly 60,000 total real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 255 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.MiamiRealtors.com ### We are always listening to our customers' feedback, and this release reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and customer-centric development. Patriot Software, a leader in developing affordable and robust accounting software and payroll software for American businesses, today announced the launch of its highly anticipated Summer Product Release Roundup, available for viewing on its website. The comprehensive product feature lists represent Patriot Software's commitment to constantly enhancing its software, ensuring it remains the best choice for American businesses needing efficient, cost-effective solutions. The release includes brand-new features and improvements based on user feedback. "Following a successful start to the year, we are excited to reveal our Summer Product Release Roundup. We have worked tirelessly to ensure every feature or enhancement meets the current market demands and exceeds customer expectations," said Kyle Dreger, Chief Product Officer of Patriot Software. "We are always listening to our customers' feedback, and this release reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and customer-centric development." The Summer Product Release Roundup incorporates a broad range of updates, each specifically designed to streamline processes, improve user experiences, and relieve business owners of the burden of time-consuming accounting and payroll processes. Patriot Software also offers free ways to see the software in action, including a self-guided demo where visitors can explore new and updated features in a fully loaded sample system for a hands-on experience. Visitors can also schedule a personal demo or view video demos. "Every update, every new feature we add, aims to make life easier for American business owners, HR professionals, or accountants providing payroll services for their clients," said Mike Kappel, CEO of Patriot Software. "We are excited for our customers to experience these features and enhancements and look forward to their valuable feedback." About Patriot Software Patriot Software offers cloud-based accounting, payroll, HR, and time and attendance solutions designed to help American businesses with up to 500 employees simplify their administrative tasks. Patriot Software is disrupting the accounting and payroll industry by eliminating complex processes and steep learning curves with its intuitive software. Patriot Software is dedicated to providing USA-based customer service and development, serving tens of thousands of businesses nationwide since 2002. For more information, please contact: Patriot Software, LLC Rachel Blakely-Gray marketing@patriotsoftware.com https://www.patriotsoftware.com/ Rick Waters, Eurasia Group managing director, China "Rick brings a unique combination of real-world familiarity, insight, and leadership that will have an immediate impact in helping our clients understand a world in which politics drives disruption" - Jon Lieber, head of research New York, 1 August 2023 Eurasia Group, the world's leading global political risk research and consulting firm, is proud to welcome Rick Waters as managing director, China. Based in Washington, DC, Waters joins Eurasia Group after a 27-year career at the US State Department where he most recently served as a top China policy official. Tensions over trade, tech, and Taiwan are causing our clients to ask questions like, how risk tolerant is President Xi Jinping in asserting dominance in the South China Sea? Do policymakers give him the true picture of Chinas economic fragilities? How will they react to a more aggressive US trade policy? said Maziar Minovi, CEO of Eurasia Group. Thats where Rick comes in and brings something new and inimitable to the table. His deep analytical understanding of the issues and hands-on experience negotiating with Chinese authorities will help our clients grasp the complexities of Chinas relationship with the world. As first China coordinator at the State Department, Waterss insights and diplomacy were critical in advancing US policy on China. He oversaw the creation of the Office of China Coordination, informally known as China House, and served concurrently as deputy assistant secretary of state of China and Taiwan. Waters served in the US Embassy in Beijing during particularly challenging times, including in a key role in the Hainan Island incident in 2001. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish and proficient in Arabic, Waters has over a decade of experience working on key Middle East issues, including in his role as director for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Palestinian Affairs at the National Security Council. Rick brings a unique combination of real-world familiarity, insight, and leadership that will have an immediate impact in helping our clients understand a world in which politics drives disruption, said Jon Lieber, head of research at Eurasia Group. Hes joining the firm at an exciting time as we continue to invest in our abilities to stay on top of an increasingly complex and challenging geopolitical environment. Rick will be integral to our growth and analysis of the investing environment in China and beyond. Waterss appointment is effective 1 August. Find his full bio here. Please direct media inquiries to media@eurasiagroup.net. About Eurasia Group: Eurasia Group is the world's leading global political risk research and consulting firm. By providing information and insight on how political developments move markets, we help clients anticipate and respond to instability and opportunities everywhere they invest or do business. Our expertise includes developed and developing countries in every region of the world, specific economic sectors, and the business and investment playing fields of the future. With our best-in-class advisory and consulting offerings and GZERO Media, the Eurasia Group umbrella provides the marketplace with a complete political risk solution. Headquartered in New York, we have offices in Washington DC, London, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Singapore, and Tokyo, as well as on-the-ground experts and resources in more than a hundred countries. "Politics first grounds our work: Politics is the lens through which we view the world, and we are committed to analysis that is free of political bias and the influence of private interests. Visit us here. About GZERO Media: GZERO Media is the go-to source of first insight into geopolitics. The media companydedicated to providing intelligent and engaging coverage of global affairswas founded in 2017 as a subsidiary of Eurasia Group, the world's leading political risk analysis firm. GZERO Media produces the national public television program GZERO World with Ian Bremmer, along with its companion weekly newsletter and podcast. It also publishes regular daily newsletters including GZERO Daily and GZERO North with video stories posted across social media channels. Evan Solomon is the publisher of GZERO Media. Visit us at gzeromedia.com and subscribe here. +++ Diversified Communications, organizer of Seafood Expo Asia, announced that the 11th edition of the event, is set to be the largest edition in the event history. Seafood Expo Asia will take place for its second year in Singapore on 11-13 September at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. As of date, the event, which has seen a strong participation from new and returning exhibitors as well as regional and country pavilions, is almost fully booked with an exhibit floor already 84 percent larger than last year. This is very exciting to see such an exponential growth for the events second installment in Singapore, said Ms. Iris Kwan, Event Director, Diversified Communications. There is a strong interest from European suppliers looking to tap into and expand their business in the Asian market. The increased presence of companies from China is also contributing to this years growth as well as a noticeable increase of exhibit space from returning exhibitors and pavilions. The 2023 event will not only be larger than last years but will also be the largest edition ever. This is an indication that Singapore is a strategic location that provides our exhibitors with the opportunity to explore business potential in various Asian markets, added Ms. Kwan. To date, more than 283 exhibiting companies from 37 countries will be represented at Seafood Expo Asia, including Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vietnam and Yemen; and new representations from Georgia, Mauritania, Nicaragua and United Kingdom. The Expo will welcome more than 27 regional and country pavilions this is 9 pavilions more than in 2022 with new pavilions from Australia, China, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Republic of Korea. Exhibiting companies like Salma (Norway), Blumar Seafoods (Chile), Parcs Saint Kerber (France), Zoneco Group (China), AquaChile (Chile) and Hofseth Asia (Singapore) participate in the exposition to showcase their latest seafood products live, fresh, frozen, canned, value-added, processed and packaged to buyers from across Asia and worldwide, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, caterers, importers, seafood markets and other retail and foodservice companies. Seafood Expo Asia provides a platform for seafood suppliers and buyers to connect and conduct business through its unique Key Buyer program, an exclusive program that specifically targets top-level buyers with volume seafood purchasing responsibility in multi-unit retail, hospitality, government and foodservice establishments. Suppliers will be able to take advantage of the unique business opportunity provided by the Expos business matchmaking program, which matches and facilitates meetings between suppliers and buyers based on their offerings and buying needs. In addition to an expanded exhibit floor, Seafood Expo Asia will present a comprehensive conference program with sessions, workshops and discussions led by industry experts and covering the most relevant industry topics in the Asian market, such as innovative seafood trends, AI and seafood processing, seafood sustainability, aquaculture and seafood consumption trends. Buyers and seafood professionals will be able to take part in engaging events designed to enhance their experience during the three-day event and give them the opportunity to expand their knowledge of seafood products from around the world. Some of the special events that will be featured at this years Seafood Expo Asia includes product briefings and culinary demonstrations to learn more about specific products and species, a product showcase and Tasty Kitchen to discover and taste some of the latest seafood products, the launch of the Seafood Excellence Asia awards recognizing the best innovative products present at this years event, and a Seafood Party, a fun networking opportunity for suppliers and high-volume buyers. Seafood industry professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo Asia and register to attend for free by visiting http://www.seafoodexpo.com/asia. About Seafood Expo Asia Seafood Expo Asia is a trade event where buyers and suppliers of seafood from around the world come together to network and conduct business in the lucrative Asian market. The event is produced by Diversified Communications and takes place annually in Asia. SeafoodSource is the expositions official media covering industry news year-round. http://www.seafoodexpo.com/asia. About Diversified Communications Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The companys global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com. # # # Note: Members of the press can register for free here. Media Contacts: Iris Kwan, Event Director Diversified Communications Tel: +852 39580590 Email: ikwan@divcom.com Christine Wright, Marketing Director Diversified Communications Email: cwright@divcom.com SignatureCare Emergency Center bike riding team at the 39th Annual Tour De Paris Bike Rally in Paris, TX. To complete the 80-mile rally in triple-digit temperatures is an amazing feat and you have to be physically fit to participate in that rally. Riders with SignatureCare Emergency Center recently braced sweltering triple-digit temperatures to complete the 80-mile 39th Annual Tour De Paris Bike Rally in Paris, TX. Led by Dr. Steve Elsbecker, Medical Director for Greater Texas and Angel Cruz, SignatureCare ER Director of Nursing, the team from SignatureCare ER completed the bike rally in style. Other riders wearing SignatureCare Emergency Center colors include Nick Starovic, Director of Radiology, Terra Brewton, Director of Patient Access, Felix Vega Corporate Marketing, Nicholas Harrilal Copperfield ER Marketing, Micheal Little Paris ER RadTech, and Ameila Long Paris ER Tech. Dr. Elsbecker completed the eye-watering 80 miles in just 3.5 hours. Congratulating the riders, Dr. Chris Langan, MD, SignatureCare Emergency Center Chief Operating Officer (COO) said completing the grueling rally was testament to their physical fitness. To complete the 80-mile rally in triple-digit temperatures is an amazing feat and you have to be physically fit to participate in that rally. Congratulations to everyone who participated in rally, he said. Speaking about the tough conditions encountered by the riders, Angel Cruz said the goal of the team was not just to participate but complete the rally. Calling it a victorious day for all participants, he congratulated all the riders who signed up and set a goal to complete the rally. Congratulations to all the riders who signed up and set a goal. While we were mostly Team Well Get There When We Get There, Dr. Elsbecker did cover an eye-watering 80 miles in just 3.5 hours. It was a victorious day for all, Cruz said. A special thank you to Rebecca Scott and Kristal Conley (SignatureCare ER -Paris) for making this event possible for us. A big thank you to all our employee volunteers from different sites and from the corporate office for hosting Rest Stop #1 and hydrating the events 1500+ cyclists, he added. SignatureCare Emergency Center employees were tasked with providing refreshments for the riders at rest stop #1 and Rebecca Scott, Paris ER Facility Manager, Kristal Conley Paris ER Marketing, Kiara Ladell Paris ER Registration, Claysel Cotham Paris ER Radiology, Nicole Jackson Director of Nursing for Central Texas, Cecilia Cauley Corporate Executive Assistant, RTMC, and Kayla Waterman Corporate Accounting, were up to the task. Cruz said he and other SignatureCare riders are looking forward to participating in the Paris Bike Rally again next year. About SignatureCare Emergency Center Houston, TX-based SignatureCare Emergency Center own 24-hour emergency centers throughout Texas, including nine ER locations in the Houston area (Montrose, Houston Heights, Cypress/FM 1960, Copperfield, Memorial City, Westchase, Bellaire, Mission Bend/Sugar Land, and Stafford), Atascocita/Humble, Killeen, Austin, College Station/Bryan, Paris, Midland, Odessa, Pflugerville, Texarkana, Spring, and Lewisville, TX. Company logo I am excited to work alongside the greater Business Development team to showcase Smiths agile supply chain solutions and essential value-add services to our strategic global customer base. Smith, a leading global distributor of semiconductors and electronic components, today announces the appointment of Renato Souza to the position of Vice President of Global Business Development. In this role, Renato will work closely with the companys global Trading department to manage strategic opportunities and challenges and facilitate customer-account collaboration. The connections we create within the semiconductor supply chain are a critical component of our business success and underpin the deep market knowledge that informs our corporate strategy, said Renato. I am excited to work alongside the greater Business Development team to showcase Smiths agile supply chain solutions and essential value-add services to our strategic global customer base. Renato originally joined Smith in 2001 as an Account Manager and was then promoted to Assistant General Manager. After stepping away for a few years to work in a business-development role for a major contract manufacturer, he rejoined Smith in 2017 as Vice President, Latin America, driving significant growth in our Guadalajara office. In 2020, Renato was named to his most recent position of Vice President of Business Development. His previous experience growing major global accounts and facilitating cross-cultural business relationships will be instrumental in his role. Renatos dedication to building trust and communication across our worldwide Trading team is a critical asset that will support our efforts to capture new business opportunities, said Todd Burke, President of Global Business Development at Smith. I look forward to seeing him continue to drive internal collaboration and global-customer team structures to facilitate Smiths long-term growth. About Smith Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and automobiles. In 19 cities around the world, Smiths legion of employees communicates in 50 languages and dialects and buys and sells components 24 hours per day, generating global annual sales in excess of $4.7 billion in 2022. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. The support of Smiths flexible Intelligent Distribution model optimizes customers supply chains from beginning to end, including offering customized options for IT asset disposition that deliver maximum ROI, sustainability, and security. Smiths testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Singapore cover critical areas like quality management, counterfeit prevention, and environmental safety. Smiths operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the companys global IT infrastructure, offering real-time, global inventory and logistics visibility. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number six among all global distributors. For more information, please visit http://www.smithweb.com or reach out to a Smith representative any time of day at +1 713.430.3000. ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 2. Iran's non-oil exports to Austria decreased by 43.4 percent in value and 5.8 percent in volume, during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through June 21, 2023), compared to the same period in the last year, Trend reports. According to the statistics of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), Iran exported a total of 549 tons of non-oil products worth approximately $646,000 to Austria in 3 months. Meanwhile, in the same period last year, Iran's non-oil exports to Austria stood at 583 tons worth $1.14 million. Iran mainly exported various agricultural and food products, copper, furniture, etc. to Austria within 3 months. During the 3rd month of the current Iranian year alone (May 22 through June 21, 2023), Iran exported 79.9 tons of non-oil products to Austria worth approximately $103,000. Overall, Iran exported 35.5 million tons of non-oil products worth $12.5 billion within the first three months of the current Iranian year. This is a decrease of 8.84 percent in value, while an increase of 24.4 percent in volume compared to the same period last year. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur Company logo We are excited to expand our presence in the Japanese market and showcase our unique product and service offerings to our new and existing customers here. Smith, a leading global distributor of electronic components and semiconductors, today announces the opening of its new sales office in Tokyo, Japan. Located in the heart of the city, the companys new office will provide localized support to Japans growing technology sector and expand Smiths Asian footprint. The Tokyo location is the companys ninth office in the region. Japan has been a longtime leader and innovator in the electronics industry, said Choon Byun, Chairman, APAC at Smith. We are excited to expand our presence in the Japanese market and showcase our unique product and service offerings to our new and existing customers here. Tokyo is home to some of the largest consumer-electronics, automotive, and telecommunications companies and is a key player in the semiconductor supply chain. In light of the widespread chip shortages over the last two years, the Japanese government is investing heavily in its supply chain infrastructure and research and development efforts. The new office is located at: Level 8, Units 807-808 and 856, Tri-Seven Roppongi 7-7-7 Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo, JP 106-0032 About Smith Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and automobiles. In 20 cities around the world, Smiths legion of employees communicates in 50 languages and dialects and buys and sells components 24 hours per day, generating global annual sales in excess of $4.7 billion in 2022. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. The support of Smiths flexible Intelligent Distribution model optimizes customers supply chains from beginning to end, including offering customized options for IT asset disposition that deliver maximum ROI, sustainability, and security. Smiths testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Singapore cover critical areas like quality management, counterfeit prevention, and environmental safety. Smiths operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the companys global IT infrastructure, offering real-time, global inventory and logistics visibility. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number six among all global distributors. For more information, please visit http://www.smithweb.com or reach out to a Smith representative any time of day at +1 713.430.3000. ### The Hispanic Wealth Project and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals launched NAHREP REACH Labs, a program to help the 40,000 NAHREP members and others in the real estate and mortgage industry engage with the startup community. The Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP) and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) today announced the launch of NAHREP REACH Labs, a program to help the 40,000 NAHREP members and others in the real estate and mortgage industry engage with the startup community and source innovation faster, more efficiently and more effectively. The NAHREP REACH Labs Innovation Showcases offer opportunities for our 40,000 members to be at the forefront of PropTech trends, thereby giving them a significant advantage as new technologies continue to be integrated into more traditional ways of doing business, said Nuria Rivera, 2023 NAHREP President. As part of the REACH Labs program, HWP and NAHREP will host a series of Innovation Showcases, which will provide startups the opportunity to present their products to NAHREP members and others in the industry, and in turn will help attendees adopt new technologies to help them better serve their own clients. REACH Labs was created in 2021 to help REALTOR-focused organizations connect more deeply with the startup ecosystem and get useful technology into the hands of members faster. We are extremely excited to be working with NAHREP on the first REACH lab to be run by a national organization, focusing on Hispanic-led startups, said Dave T. Garland, Managing Partner, Second Century Ventures & REACH. The first Innovation Showcase will be held virtually during NAHREP TechCon 2023 on August 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. PST. At this event, a number of Latino PropTech startup founders will share their groundbreaking solutions aimed at revolutionizing the industry. The following Latino PropTech startups will present: Arx City: AI powered recommendation engine to source and evaluate real estate projects in minutes. FairClose: The first online marketplace for off-market residential real estate with verified sellers, validated properties, and certified buyers. Imagine-X: Digital twins to help with the sales process for existing and unbuilt real estate. Offer: A mobile-first real estate transaction platform to originate, manage, and execute the home buying process for realtors. Individuals interested in seeing the first Innovation Showcase can register for NAHREP TechCon 2023, which includes four days of virtual programming from August 15-18 focused on the latest real estate technology innovations. The second Innovation Showcase will take place in-person on September 28, 2023 at the NAHREP at LATTITUDE conference in Miami. We are excited to partner with Second Century Ventures to offer a NAHREP REACH Labs program, and regularly host associated Innovation Showcases, said Sara Rodriguez, Hispanic Wealth Project Chairperson, This program and these events will provide tremendous value to attendees, allowing them to adopt technology that will benefit and scale their businesses. Startup founders who are interested in presenting at future Innovation Showcases and investors who would like to introduce their portfolio companies to NAHREP REACH Labs can reach out to HWP Program Manager Melissa Cossio at mailto:m.cossio@hwpfoundation.org [m.cossio@hwpfoundation.org __title__ Melissa Cossio Email]. About The Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP) The Hispanic Wealth Project is a non-profit 501c3 whose mission is to empower the Hispanic community in America through education and programmatic efforts around diversified wealth building, small business sustainability, and wealth creation through real estate. About NAHREP The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), a nonprofit 501(c)6 trade association, is dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership for the Hispanic community in America. NAHREP has a network of over 40,000 real estate professionals and 100 local chapters nationwide, hosting several national events per year and publishing multiple industry cornerstone reports annually and multimedia content. Join us in advocating for policies that grow sustainable Latino homeownership, read our 2023 policy priorities here. About NAR REACH Labs The NAR REACH Labs program helps Realtor Associations engage with the startup community and source innovation for members more quickly, efficiently and effectively. REACH Labs are staffed and operated by local associations with support from the REACH scale-up program. Each association can leverage well-established REACH techniques and processes to build relationships with local technology investors, incubators, university programs and entrepreneurs, who all play a vital role in the tech startup ecosystem. Associations present selected startups to their members through quarterly Innovation Showcases, which empower attendees to learn about and provide feedback on these new tech solutions. Learn more at http://www.nar-reach.com/labs. Press Contact: press.inquiries@hwpfoundation.org Book Cover I wanted my book to be a starting point for anyone to engage Christianity and a resource that will equip believers to live out their faith authentically. There may be many individuals who are searching for answers and seeking a genuine connection with their spiritual beliefs. Whether a seeker, a new believer, or someone looking to renew their faith journey, author Command Sgt. Maj. Demetris Prewitt provides a starting point with his new book, Square 1: Bible Study for Christian Foundations. In it, Prewitt describes what the Bible teaches, why Christians believe it, and how to follow Jesus. The book brings foundational biblical doctrine to life, through plain language, imagery, and challenging application questions for group discussion. I wrote the book to bridge the discipleship gap between foundational Christian doctrine and practical life in modern society, Prewitt said. The kingdom of God needed a book for the modern reader; one clearly explaining what the Bible teaches in plain language and organized, thematically, in a way todays readers take in information. In addition, Prewitt touches on contemporary challenges such as God and science, human rights, and personal identity, while addressing critical questions. To achieve an engaging environment in his book, he aims to educate his readers, through a visually appealing layout as a discipleship tool to learn about Christianity. Many discipleship guides are too long and uninteresting, too shallow to explain the faith, or not relevant because they fail to address the deep concerns for the normal person, Prewitt said. I wanted my book to be a starting point for anyone to engage Christianity and a resource that will equip believers to live out their faith authentically. Square 1: Bible Study for Christian Foundations. By Demetris Prewitt ISBN: 9781664260610 (softcover); 9781664260610 (electronic) Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author A Christian leader, apologist, and author currently serving in the Active Duty Army as a Command Sergeant Major, Demetris Prewitt was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and joined the U.S. Army in 2003 as an Intelligence Analyst. He came to Christ in 2012 and planted several bible studies in various locations while deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Turkey, and several military installations. Today, he is the CEO of Square 1: Christian Ministries, a leadership training and organizational strategy ministry aimed at empowering Christian leaders, mobilizing small groups, and establishing churches in the patterns offered by the New Testament. He is married to his wife Kiameshea and is a father to his two children. To learn more, please visit https://square1biblestudy.online/. General Inquiries: LAVIDGE Phoenix Taylor Moralez Tmoralez@lavidge.com As more and more species fall under the threat of extinction, humans are not only taking action to protect critical habitats but are also engaging more directly with species to help mitigate their decline. Through innovative infrastructure design and by changing how we live, humans are becoming more attuned to nonhuman animals and are making efforts to live alongside them. Examining sites of loss, temporal orientations, and infrastructural mitigations, Nestwork blends rhetorical and posthuman sensibilities in service of ecological care. In this innovative ethnographic study, rhetorician Jennifer Clary-Lemon examines human-nonhuman animal interactions, identifying forms of communication between species and within their material world. Looking in particular at nonhuman species that depend on human development for their habitat, Clary-Lemon examines the cases of the barn swallow, chimney swift, and bobolink. She studies their habitats along with the unique mitigation efforts taken by humans to maintain those habitats, including building barn swallow gazebos and artificial chimneys and altering farming practices to allow for nesting and breeding. What she reveals are fascinating forms of rhetoric not expressed through language but circulating between species and materials objects. Nestwork explores what are in essence nonlinguistic and decidedly nonhuman arguments within these local environments. Drawing on new materialist and Indigenous ontologies, the book helps attune our senses to the tragedy of species decline and to a new understanding of home and homemaking. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 2. Iran's export of fish and related products increased by 64 percent in value and 59 percent in volume, during the first 3 months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through June 21, 2023), compared to the same period in the last year, Chairman of Iran's Aquatic Production and Trade Union Ali Akbar Khodaei said, Trend reports. According to Khodaei, in total, Iran exported 51,000 tons of fishery products worth about $92million in 3 months. Whereas, the figure stood at 32,000 tons worth $56 million in the corresponding period of last year. The chairman added that 19,000 tons of fishery products that are not consumed in Iran due to religious beliefs, 7,500 tons of shrimp, 7,500 tons of tropical fish, 2,400 tons of trout, 14,000 tons of fish feed, 600 tons of ornamental fish, canned fish and so on were exported from the country over 3 months. "By March 20, 2026, the value of Iran's annual fishery exports is planned to be reached $800 million," he noted. Overall, Iran exported 181,000 tons of fish and related products worth more than $605 million in the last Iranian year, over the last Iranian year (March 21, 2022 through March 20, 2023), This is an increase of 8.8 percent in value and 9 percent in volume compared to the preceding year (March 21, 2021 through March 20, 2022). --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur Lerner Publishing Group has four promotions. Rachel Zugschwert has been promoted to executive v-p, marketing and associate publisher, from executive v-p, marketing. Jon Fishman has been promoted to editorial director, Lerner Publications, from associate editorial director. Amber Ross has been promoted to director, school/library product planning and development, from associate product director. Megan Ciskowski has been promoted to publicist, from associate publicist. Random House Children's Books has two retirements. Production supervisor Nathan Kinney will be retiring on September 1. Executive copy editor Artie Bennett will be retiring on November 10. Candlewick Press has two new hires and a promotion. Natalie Padberg Bartoo is joining as book designer; she was formerly a book designer at Abrams. Nina Ellery will be joining as promotions designer. Vera Villanueva has been promoted to book designer, from design assistant. HarperCollins Children's Books has two promotions. Alison Donalty has been promoted to associate creative director, from executive director, art. Rick Farley has been promoted to associate creative director, from senior director, art. David Sweeney is joining Little Bee Books as senior manager, special markets; most recently he was v-p, special markets at HarperCollins. Nancy Bruckman has been promoted to senior manager of sub rights and royalties at Candlewick Press, from manager. Scholastic has two new hires. Cianna Sanford has joined as an editorial assistant. Madeline Muschalik has joined as marketing and publicity assistant, global brands. Gerard Mancini, v-p and executive director, managing editorial and production editorial at Penguin Young Readers, will retire in December. He joined Viking Children's Books in 1985. Deborah Kaplan, v-p and executive director, art and design at Penguin Young Readers, will retire in September. She has been with the company for 31 years. Nadine Britt, senior v-p and executive director of production at Penguin Young Readers, will be leaving the company on December 15. At HarperCollins, v-p of children's sales Kathy Faber is taking on the role of divisional sales lead. Jen Wygand has been promoted to associate director of national accounts for the children's division. Jess Abel has been promoted to associate director, online sales, and will lead efforts for the children's team. Alexis Lassiter is joining Little Bee Books as sales manager; previously she was sales manager for James Patterson Books. Nicole Gureli has been promoted to designer at Holiday House, from assistant designer. Jessie Bowman has joined Atheneum Books for Young Readers as production editor; she was most recently an assistant production editor at Scholastic. Candlewick has two new hires. Lauren Bittrich has joined as sales assistant; she was previously operations coordinator for the Boston Book Festival. Margaret Rosewitz has joined as reprints production controller; she was previously senior associate, content management at Harper Collins. Edite Kroll will close her agency, Edite Kroll Literary Agency, on January 1, 2024, after transferring her estate clients (Shel Silverstein, M.B. Goffstein, Geoffrey Hayes, Charlotte Zolotow, Fatema Mernissi, and Charlotte Kasl) to Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary. She had previously transferred her active clients to Wells Arms in 2019. At Random House Children's Books, Jenna Lettice has been promoted to senior editor, Random House Brands & Graphic, from editor. Miriam Newman has been promoted to senior editor at Candlewick Press, from editor. Nicole Wills has been promoted to senior associate at HarperCollins Children's Books and is joining middle grade marketing; she was previously a coordinator on the early readers marketing team. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A partnership with Purdue Global will offer first-rate educational opportunities with tuition incentives to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (Red Oak, Iowa) staff and their family members. Purdue Global is committed to helping our health care partners like Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics encourage educational and professional growth in their staff, said Melissa Burdi, Purdue Global vice president and dean of the School of Nursing. We know the importance of online college programs for staff and family members, and we are committed to offering excellent academic education to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics an excellent health care setting for southwestern Iowa. Additional Information The Purdue Global School of Nursing offers an associate degree program, RN-BSN, six Master of Science in Nursing specialties, and Doctor of Nursing programs. Additional Purdue Global offerings include business, criminal justice, human services and psychology, among others. The partnership does not include Concord Law School, aviation or ExcelTrack programs. Purdue Global is Purdues online university for working adults. Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics staff and immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings and parents) will receive 20% tuition incentive for undergraduate programs, 14% tuition incentive for graduate programs and 10% tuition incentive for doctoral programs. Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics is very pleased to begin the partnership with Purdue Global, said Ruth Aughe, the hospitals clinical education manager. We are working to improve upon our educational opportunities for all departments within the facility, and this will definitely assist us on that endeavor. About Purdue Global Purdue Global is Purdues online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/. About Montgomery County Memorial Hospital MCMH + Clinics is a county-owned full-service medical campus located in Red Oak, Iowa, with Rural Health Clinics in Malvern, Iowa & Villisca, Iowa. The Red Oak location consists of a 25-bed critical access hospital with inpatient and emergency services, several Rural Health Clinics and an Outpatient Specialty Clinic. MCMH + Clinics offers cutting-edge medical technology and an excellent primary care staff supported by over 150 providers across 30 different medical specialties. For over one hundred years MCMH + Clinics has been committed to caring for families in our county and the surrounding Southwest Iowa area. With providers ready to treat patients of all ages, inpatient and outpatient services, and many preventative health programs, we are dedicated to keeping you healthy and keeping you close to home. Writer/Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-496-6160, oatesw@purdue.edu; @mo_oates Montgomery County Memorial Hospital media contact: Jamie Werges, jamwer@mcmh.org Sources: Melissa Burdi, Ruth Aughe For the first time, research funding received by Purdue exceeded $600M in FY23, reaching $613M. Simultaneously for the first time, philanthropic gifts raised exceeded $600M, reaching $610M. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue University has announced it reached new milestones in both research awards and gift funding for fiscal year 2022-23, shattering previous records for both research funding and donor giving to the university. Purdue received $613 million in research awards during the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Concurrently, Purdue received a record $610 million in private contributions. These two new records mark the first time in university history that either category surpassed $600 million in a year. Excellence at scale is both reflected in and further supported by these two new watermarks, simultaneously achieved at Purdue this past year, Purdue President Mung Chiang said. Annual percentage increases around 10% for research funding and for philanthropic gifts continue the compounding rise and are based on the persistent pursuit in excellence by our faculty, staff and students and the incredible generosity of Boilermaker family and friends. Research Funding The universitys total research awards have steadily climbed each year since 2013. The total amount represents a 9% increase in awards from fiscal year 2022 and a 92% hike over the last 11 years (FY 2013 to FY 2023), with this years funding supporting approximately 3,500 research projects. This year's funding is benchmarked as high for a university without either a medical school or a major Department of Defense establishment. As part of this record funding, Purdue has seen a significant uptick in larger awards from federal agencies through highly competitive processes, which account for 70% of the research funding at Purdue, with the U.S. Department of Defense topping the list for the first time at $98 million. In FY23, DoD authorized $20 million to advance SCALE, the preeminent U.S. program for semiconductor workforce development in the defense sector. Other top sponsors include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institute of Health ($95 million), National Science Foundation ($81 million), U.S. Department of Agriculture ($62 million), U.S. Department of Energy ($41 million) and state and local government ($43 million). Private industry also contributed nearly $90 million to support Purdue research, and the university signed 11 master research agreements, including a new commitment of $50 million from Eli Lilly and Company toward a five-year strategic research collaboration. This new record for research awards funding demonstrates the strength of Purdue research and, perhaps even more importantly, the impact of our work by our faculty, staff and students, said Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research. Through concentrated effort, Purdue has successfully increased the diversity of our funding sources, providing more opportunities for our researchers across all areas of study and training the next generation of scientific leaders. Highlights include: $7.8 million in funding from the Semiconductor Research Corp., DARPA and Georgia Institute of Technology for research in two JUMP 2.0 research centers the Center for the Co-Design of Cognitive Systems (CoCoSys) and the Center on Cognitive Multispectral Sensors (CogniSense) to accelerate U.S. advances in information and communications technologies. A $10 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fuel economic resilience and sustainability in Eastern U.S. forests. A $6.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health in support of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, which works to increase collaboration among the brightest minds in Indiana to solve the states most pressing health care challenges. A $3.9 million award from the National Institutes of Health to demystify the link between obesity and breast cancer. Philanthropic Gifts In addition to research awards, Purdue hit an all-time high of more than $610 million from 83,836 donors. These gifts come from generous donations from alumni, students, families, partners and foundations, and are often specified for each gifts intended purpose. FY23 is also the 11th consecutive year that the total raised for student support has increased. Purdue raised $183 million for student support a 22% increase over last year. Purdue has had another monumental year in private giving, thanks to the generosity of our alumni, friends and fans, said Matt Folk, president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation and vice president of university advancement and alumni engagement for Purdue University. Together, through small steps and giant leaps, we are strengthening Purdues reputation in teaching and research while remaining affordable and accessible to brilliant young minds. Records that Purdue donors set this year include: Total dollars raised: $610.3 million, an increase of 12.6% from last years total and the previous record of $542.1 million. Dollars raised for student support: $183 million, up from last years record of $150 million. The university has seen a giant leap in private support for scholarships, fellowships and student programming each year since 2012-13, when Purdue raised $32 million for student support. Largest single-day fundraising campaign in higher education: $110.8 million from Purdue Day of Giving, shattering last years record of $68.2 million and bringing Purdue Day of Givings cumulative total since it launched in 2014 to $420.5 million. About Purdue University Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities (Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal and QS), with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States (U.S. News & World Report), Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Innovates, at https://stories.purdue.edu. Writer/Media contact: Wes Mills, wemills@purdue.edu What better option than having Boba Tea to Beat the Summer Heat with? Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, originated in Taiwan and has become a global phenomenon, captivating millions with its diverse flavors and chewy pearls. Qatar has embraced this trend, with several boba tea shops offering a wide variety of options. People not only fall in love with its taste but also with its aesthetically pleasing presentation. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Qatar's boba tea scene promises a wide spread of options for flavors and experiences. Take a look at where you can get your favorite Boba Tea in Qatar. Go-Ssip After a tiring walk around the renowned mall, Go-S'sip is the perfect place to quench your thirst with delicious bubble tea after a movie or long day of shopping. With four other convenient locations, you can enjoy their boba tea wherever you are. The bubbles are made from natural ingredients, fried at different temperatures to achieve their mouthwatering bounce and brown sugar gloss. Go-S'sip offers a wide range of flavors that will leave you craving for more even after you've finished your drink. Location: Ground Floor, City Center Shopping Mall, Doha, Qatar @Go-Ssip Bubble Milk Tea Bubble Bee Cafe Qatar Bubble Bee Qatar, situated in Mirqab Mall, presents a wide selection of bubble milk tea flavors to fulfill your cravings. Apart from their current store, which also offers pastries and desserts, Bubble Bee Qatar provides catering services for added convenience. Location: Mirqab Mall, Al Mirqab Al Jadeed St, Doha, Qatar @bubblebee.qa Xuan Tea Bubble Bliss Qatar introduces the first authentic Taiwanese bubble tea in Qatar, promising a delightful treat for your taste buds. This perfect summer beverage offers a velvety exterior and chewy center, crafted from ethically sourced, premium ingredients. The cozy and inviting location is filled with flavor-packed bubbles. They offer Small, Large, and Jumbo-sized Boba drinks, with Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea, Da Jia, and The Duke being among their signature creations. Don't miss the chance to savor their renowned golden sweet potato balls, a must-try addition to their menu. Location: Ibn Mahmoud St, Doha, Qatar Read More: Ice Cream Options to Try Now in Qatar Bubblelicious Bubblelicious offers people with an incredible experience, combining an aesthetically pleasing store ambiance with delicious bubble milk tea. They also provide set menus for those who want to pair their bubble milk tea with some munchables. Location: Retaj Build,Al Jazeera str, Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Doha, Qatar Other Locations: Al Khor Mall Lulu Barwa City @bubblelicious_qa Tabiboba Onezo Tabiboba was brought to Qatar in 2020 together with a renowned handmade boba tea brand, OneZo from Taiwan, a popular darts machine Dartslive from Japan, and a popular gourmet snack, The Golden Duck from Singapore. This unique combination of brands has created one of the most in-demand bubble milk tea shops in Qatar, offering an impressive selection of over 15 flavors of boba to choose from. Location: Area 23, Bin Mahmoud Street No.231 Building 48, Unit 4, Doha, Qatar @tabiboba.onezo Recently, the U.S. Air Force announced that it is experiencing a shortfall in Fiscal Year 23 military personnel appropriation funding driven by higher-than-projected personnel costs. To address this insolvency, the Department of the Air Force directed actions to avoid exhausting funds. These actions included pausing permanent change of station (PCS) moves, delaying issuance of retirement and separation orders, and temporarily pausing new contracts for some bonus and pay programs to include the selective retention bonus for reenlisting Airmen, the aviation bonus program, assignment incentive pay contracts, and new issuing of foreign language proficiency pay. While Congress approved the Pentagon's request to reprogram personnel funds just over a week after the Air Force announced this shortfall and resulting actions, pauses in PCS and bonus issuance will take the Air Force time to resolve. Outcomes from this insolvency emergency have directly impacted Airmen and their families during a period of strained military recruitment, uncertain ( PDF ) post-Afghanistan retention dynamics, and increasing personnel costs. Taken together, these dynamics undermine the Department of the Air Force's ability to field a ready workforce prepared to conduct multi-domain operations against near-peer and peer competitors. While the Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress have taken action to shore up Air Force funding in the short term, the more critical task is to rebalance long-term military personnel funding for sustainable workforce development and utilization. Otherwise, the nation could fail to keep the faith with our military's most precious asset: our people and families. Budget challenges directly impacting military personnel are not new. For example, sequestration implementation in 2013 ( PDF ) saw government civilians furloughed for up to six days in the DoD, with military personnel covering the job duties of their absent colleagues during that uncertain time. But in this case, impacts of avoidable funding shortfalls have fallen squarely on the shoulders of service members and their families, with dire implications for personnel stability in the short term and retention in the long term. Impacts of avoidable funding shortfalls have fallen squarely on the shoulders of service members and their families. Share on Twitter The ongoing impacts of the Air Force's directed actions mean that service members and their families face severe disruptions to preestablished logistics associated with moving to a new duty station, separating, or retiring. Plans to sell or buy a house or car, enroll children in schools and day cares, transition jobs for spouses and partners, or deliver babies in known or planned locations evaporated under the PCS pause. Additionally, Air Force implementation instructions on pausing PCS moves offered no guidance for dual-military couples, creating situations in which one military member may be approved to move while their spouse is delayed in receiving orders. While the exact number of affected households is unknown, this dynamic impacts not only dualAir Force couples but also any Air Force member married to a fellow service member from a different branch. Given that a higher percentage of active-duty female service members are in dual-military marriages compared to active-duty male service members, the disruptions from this order render a disproportionate impact on a minority military population (women made up only 17.3 percent of the active-duty force in 2021) already facing distinct barriers to retention and limited access to services like reproductive health care. Risks to retention caused by these disruptions derive not only from service member decisions but from household dynamics, as well. In his recent confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the nominee for the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles C.Q. Brown warned that the spouse network is alive and well, and the spouses will compare notes on their experiences with military moves and risks of delay and disruption. And with compensation efforts like special incentive pay and bonuses tied explicitly to military recruitment and retention policies, not to mention their significant impact on everyday household financial planning, pauses and delays in these programs risk negative impacts on retention of personnel with critical skillsets across aviation and foreign language proficiency. Given these challenges, what actions should decisionmakers undertake? First, Air Force senior leaders could increase communication and direction to the force to provide comprehensive messaging on the various impacts and outcomes of the current insolvency challenges, even as a path to resolution emerges. Populations facing structural barriers to family or financial stability, such as dual-military families or members experiencing increased financial hardship without access to anticipated bonuses or incentives, should receive institutional support rather than direction to file exception to policy claims (as is current guidance to dual-military households). Air Force senior leaders and commanders can empower personnel by demonstrating acute understanding of how individuals engage and navigate institutions, working to open robust lanes of support to impacted service members and their families rather than leaving them with the burden of adjustment in complex circumstances. Leadership is key, and the Air Force could leverage this challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate its dedication to caring for Airmen and their families despite structural limitations like budget shortfalls. Second, Air Force leadership must engage in an enterprise-wide evaluation of military personnel (MILPERS) budget practices to identify and implement new policies in response to rising personnel costs. Recent research from RAND Project AIR FORCE, with support from the Air Force's senior human resources leader, employs a workforce futures policy game to identify options for limiting MILPERS costs without introducing unacceptable risks. Partnering with Air Force senior leaders and more than 50 Air Force participants, the research team modeled monetary and nonmonetary effects of workforce and personnel policy changes. These options involved reducing manpower requirements by consolidating or eliminating organizations or functional communities, shifting to a more junior-grade mix, and converting officer positions to the enlisted force. Ultimately, the team proposed a range of cost-saving options yielding projected annual savings of $500 million to $2 billion. After the current fiscal crisis has passed, Air Force leadership must continue engaging in the taxing yet productive work of examining current organizational design and personnel practices in order to posture the force for future conflict. Ultimately, the burden of service sustainment must not depend upon programmatic cuts levied against Air Force personnel and their families. The burden of service sustainment must not depend upon programmatic cuts levied against Air Force personnel and their families. Share on Twitter Finally, the current crisis is not the Air Force's alone to solve. The DoD and Congress have taken action to shore up Air Force funding, which is an important first step. Long term, the DoD and Congress must account for rapidly rising costs and declining purchasing power of MILPERS funding. According to RAND research, since 2000, spending on military personnel has grown at an average annual rate of 3.3 percent to approximately $36 billion in 2021. This outpaced growth in prices in the overall economy, which averaged 1.9 percent per year for the same period. Given current challenges in DoD financial accountability, ongoing funding support to Ukraine, and posturing requirements for the threat of peer competition in the Pacific, DoD funding challenges are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. The DoD and Congress must take the critical steps now to ensure that service members and their families are not forced to pay for the financial constraints of predictable future scenarios. Considering the ongoing recruiting crisis facing the all-volunteer force in which veterans themselves are steering their children away from military service, senior leaders ignore the personnel impacts of financial policy decisions at their peril. Kelly Atkinson is a political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. The FBIs references to the Post story are contained in the April and June 2017 FISA applications. These applications were so tainted by bad information, politics, and glaring exculpatory omissions that after an inspector generals probe, the Justice Department years later had to secretly concede to a federal surveillance court that they were insufficient to establish probable cause to spy on Page and therefore were not valid. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently told Congress he has instituted a number of reforms in response to the FISA surveillance abuses, yet at the same time, he appears to have tried to hide the full extent of those abuses under redactions. The embarrassing revelation hasnt been previously reported thanks to redactions blacking out references to the Washington Post article in the still-partially classified applications. The officials confirmed to RCI that the censored section covers up the FBIs reliance on the bogus Post story, published in March 2017, as purported evidence supporting probable cause to continue spying on Trumps former aide. In the sections of the FISA renewal applications blacking out references to the Post, the officials said, the FBI claimed the underlying text was sensitive information. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss still-classified sections of the FISA warrant affidavits. For example, the FBI tried to justify continuing to spy on Page in early 2017 by indicating to the secret FISA court that it had verified a rumor about Page receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton from the Russian government and facilitating a well-developed conspiracy of cooperation with the Kremlin to swing the 2016 election in Trumps favor. But the bureau had corroborated no such thing. Its source was a front-page report in the Washington Post one the newspaper later retracted after determining it was false, according to two former U.S. officials who have seen the original, unredacted FISA applications and described the passages to RCI. Instead, it covers up additional improper behavior by the FBI brass, which initiated and signed off on all four of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act applications to spy on former Trump adviser Carter Page and his contacts within the Trump campaign and presidency in 2016 and 2017. The embattled bureau tried to hide its misconduct by redacting information about its actions under the guise that it involved sensitive intelligence information. RCI has learned that at least some of the redacted material, included in a Classified Appendix to Special Counsel John Durhams final report, has nothing to do with protecting sources and methods and other sensitive investigative techniques. The officials who spoke to RCI said the inclusion of the since-retracted Post story may be even more egregious because it was unsourced, which should have sent red flags flying at the FBI. Post reporters said a key source of the dossiers allegations was a Belarusian-American businessman named Sergei Millian. The Post, however, provided no source for this blockbuster claim, which Millian vociferously denied. That Yahoo article by Michael Isikoff said the allegations had been confirmed by a well-placed Western intelligence source. Isikoff later revealed that the source, former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, had concocted the false allegation about Page in a series of now-debunked memos financed by Hillary Clintons campaign. Hence, Steele was corroborating his own shoddy work. Instead of following the law and verifying this material before including it in the FISA application, the FBI simply repeated it as fact. In 2018, Isikoff said it was a bit beyond me why the bureau referenced his article. This is not the only instance in which the FBI misrepresented unconfirmed news reports to secure authorization to spy on the Trump campaign. The bureaus FISA applications also referenced a September 2016 Yahoo News account to substantiate the false claim that Page had met with Kremlin officials in Moscow during the presidential campaign. The FBIs reliance on the false Post story was an act of desperation, noted one of the officials. In late March 2017, he said the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane team investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia faced a dilemma. A court deadline to reapply for a warrant to spy on Page was fast approaching, and it still hadnt verified the sourcing for the key conspiracy charge against him and the Trump campaign. Moreover, agents had reason to be skeptical about the information, which formed the cornerstone of their case. Over the previous two months, the FBI had conducted a series of interviews with Igor Danchenko, a Russia-born Washington-based researcher who helped compile Steeles dossier of derogatory information about Trumps alleged ties to Russia, including the core conspiracy assertion. During the debriefings, Danchenko confessed he couldnt be sure his alleged source, Millian, actually told him what he attributed to him about Page in the dossier. Igor Danchenko, Steele dossier fabulist: The FBI knew that even he didn't believe the dossier's allegation about Millian. But just in time, the Washington Post published its story. The FBI needed the explosive allegation to be true because it was the heart of the factual information supporting probable cause to electronically monitor Page as a supposed Russian collaborator under the authority of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The FISA law, initially enacted in 1978 and broadened in the aftermath of 9/11, is now under intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill in light of previously exposed FBI abuses of the congressionally granted surveillance power. The bureau included the information in earlier requests for wiretaps, but they were set to expire in early April 2017. To justify renewing them another 90 days, the FBI was under pressure to show FISA judges additional evidence to support its suspicions about Page. Validating Millian as the main source of the dossier was critical, but the agents had come up empty, developing no evidence that corroborated the allegations. Just in time, the Washington Post published a story online on March 29, 2017, that supposedly confirmed Millian was the source of the allegations against Page and the core claim of a Trump-Kremlin conspiracy. The strangely unsourced article carried the headline, Who is Source D? The man said to be behind the Trump-Russia dossiers most salacious claim: The story of Sergei Millian. The next day, the Post ran the same story on Page One of the paper, but under the headline: Insider or opportunist? A wild card in Russia story: Businessman said to be source of spy dossiers salacious claim about Trump. The above-the-fold article appeared just eight days prior to the April 7 deadline the FBI faced to resubmit an application to the FISA court for a fresh warrant to secretly monitor Page. In its April 7 affidavit requesting a renewal of the warrant, FBI headquarters advised the FISA court that the Post had confirmed that Millian was the source for the dossiers allegation that the Kremlin was feeding the Trump campaign very helpful dirt on Clinton through Page. It also cited the article to buttress the dossiers linchpin allegation of a conspiracy of cooperation between the Trump campaign and the Russian leadership, according to the two officials who have seen what is behind the blacked-out section of the sworn affidavit, which runs more than 100 pages. The references to the Post appear on page 22 of the FISA document. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is now under intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill in light of previously exposed FBI abuses of congressionally granted surveillance power. As a result, the FISA court renewed the wiretaps. It approved them again on June 29, 2017, based in part on the same supposedly corroborative Washington Post article, according to the two officials, who have also seen the original, unredacted June application. On the strength of essentially fake news, surveillance court judges permitted the FBI to continue to vacuum up all of Pages communications through Sept. 22, 2017. The Post was forced to retract its story in November 2021 when Durham proved in a court filing that Danchenko had never actually spoken to Millian and simply invented him as his source -- and therefore made up the conspiracy allegation and everything else he attributed to Millian. A week after Durham debunked the Millian hoax, Washington Post Executive Editor Sally Buzbee said the Post could no longer stand behind the accuracy of the story and ordered the newspaper to print a retraction. But in 2017, the story served the FBIs purposes, even as agents came to doubt the Millian sourcing because of Danchenkos dissembling (yet, agents nonetheless swore to the FISA court that Danchenko had been truthful and cooperative). Headquarters had to hang on to the slim chance it could be true because the Millian-sourced allegations were central to their case for spying on the Trump campaign. Without them, the case would have collapsed. Former FBI officials say its highly unlikely the bureau would have been able to convince the spy court to continue to grant permission to monitor Page. The FBI also relied on other allegations sourced to Millian as both Source E and Source D in the Steele dossier, including the made-up story that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a compromising sex tape of Trump cavorting with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel. The entire dossier turned out to be a series of invented rumors or outright fabrications that the FBI knew at the time were underwritten by the Hillary Clinton campaign as political opposition research. James Comey, former FBI chief: An ex-G-man says Comey's arrogant, "hand-picked bunch at headquarters" relied on "erroneous and tainted information from Washington reporters rather than a traditional, responsible investigation gathering the facts. FBI veterans who have sworn out affidavits for FISA wiretaps told RCI they have never known the bureau to cite media stories as evidence to corroborate leads or support probable cause to obtain such all-invasive warrants from the spy court. Absolutely not, said former assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker. I signed scores of FISA orders as they moved up the chain of command from the field office up to headquarters for final approval. None of them included that type of information, which is absolutely malpractice and incompetence, or worse. Never, ever, ever, added 27-year FBI veteran special agent Michael Biasello. The FISA verification process known as the Woods Procedures was created to eliminate this problem, but [then-FBI Director James] Comeys hand-picked bunch at headquarters did not follow them. They were a bunch of arrogant investigators relying on erroneous and tainted information from Washington reporters rather than a traditional, responsible investigation gathering the facts. Biasello said resorting to using such a murky newspaper story to backstop the main thrust of the FBIs surveillance case suggests its case was more of a political fishing expedition than a legitimate national security matter. He added that the FBI and DOJ are now trying to cover up the full breadth of their FISA scandal through unjustified redactions and classifications. The FBI and DOJ refuse to fully declassify the documents, which Senate Republicans managed to release to the public in 2020, albeit with large sections blacked out. Whole pages of the renewal applications remain secret, even though the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court invalidated the warrants in the wake of a scathing 2019 inspectors general report. The IG found the spy warrants were based on allegations fabricated by Clinton-funded researchers and had omitted exculpatory information proving the innocence of Page, a former U.S. Navy lieutenant, whom the FBI knew was working for U.S., not Russian, intelligence. Special Counsel Durham did not uncover whats lurking beneath the FISA redactions in a recently released report of his four-year criminal investigation of FBI misconduct in the Russiagate probe. He explained that because of the sensitive and classified nature of certain portions of the FISA applications, he was compelled to discuss them only in a Classified Appendix to the report. He said the classification effort was coordinated with the FBI. In other words, much of the FBIs wrongdoing remains shielded from public view. Unusual Handling by Washington Post The way the Post corrected its story was highly unusual. Tom Hamburger, Washington Post: Shared 2018 Pulitzer. Instead of appending a correction, the paper, which won a Pulitzer Prize for its Trump-Russia reporting, removed all references to Millian as the dossiers source in online and archived versions of the original article, including all citations cataloged in the Lexis-Nexis database of news articles. It also took down a video that accompanied the story. The paper then reposted a new article with a different headline Sergei Millian: High-level access to Trump or unwitting bystander? but under the same bylines of Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman, who shared the controversial 2018 Pulitzer (although the Millian article was not part of its entry). The new version of the story contains an Editors Note noting the date when the original was published, but oddly, it does not link to it. In a story the Post ran reporting on its unusual step of correcting and removing large portions of the article, it also failed to link to the original version of the article and only linked to the retooled one. The original version has been scrubbed from Google and Twitter. Rosalind Helderman: Also shared 2018 Pulitzer. With her from left on Pulitzer Day, Washington Post Publisher Fred Ryan, Executive Editor Marty Baron, National Security Editor Peter Finn. Journalism historians say they are not aware of another major newspaper making wholesale changes to a story four years afterward and republishing an edited version of the story. In a statement to RCI, a spokeswoman for the Post shrugged off criticism. The Post handled this correction with complete transparency, said Kathy Baird, the papers chief communications officer. "As you can see in the Editors Note, portions of the story and an accompanying video were removed and the headline was changed, she added. "This is consistent with the principles and practices we follow when issuing corrections for our readers so that all published information is up-to-date and accurate." Another curious aspect of the story is how it got through Post editors without any sourcing or attribution. Normally such a sensitive story, which potentially libeled Millian, would require intense scrutiny, if not a legal review. Christopher Steele, Hillary Clinton-paid agent and dossier compiler: The liberal press never printed my statements, Sergei Millian said. They all just went along with Steeles lies. Millian shared emails with RCI showing he tried to steer the Post reporters off the story, insisting it was a vicious lie and a smear campaign against him and the incoming Republican president. But the newspaper nonetheless reported he was the source for the most explosive parts of the dossier and never printed his rebuttals at length after reaching out to him by email. The Post did note that Millian denied in a Russian TV interview having any compromising information about Trump, and that Trump aides vehemently rejected claims Millian had close ties to Trump. (The Posts description vehemently appears in the FBIs application, the two officials told RCI, but the word is hidden under a redaction, the only word blacked out in the sentence. There is no explanation provided for censoring vehemently in the document, but the officials posit the FBI was worried it would too easily connect to the Post story if left unredacted.) The liberal press never printed my statements, Millian said. They all just went along with Steeles lies. After the Post story ran, Millian said he demanded retractions from the paper, arguing its article was reckless and defamatory, but the Post refused to retract it or run a correction or clarification until November 2021, when Durham exposed the lies in an indictment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Azerbaijan is a major exporter of gas and oil to the European and global markets, and now it can become a major electricity exporter, provided the investment comes from a combination of private and state sources, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and others, possibly, the World Bank, to build the generation capacity for Azerbaijan itself, for the region, and for Europe, Ariel Cohen, PhD, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Eurasia Center and the Managing Director of Energy, Growth and Security Program at the International Tax and Investment Center, told Trend. He pointed out that this electricity from alternative energy sources such as solar and wind would allow more natural gas to be exported to global markets. "Azerbaijan has signed 10-gigawatt worth of Memoranda of Understanding deals, and even if 1/3 or one half of those is materialized, this will be a major source of energy for Europe. The idea is to export such electricity by cable to the Georgian coast and then across the Black Sea to Romania. Some of it will go to Turkiye via a grid. This would boost the amount of gas available for exports and would make Azerbaijan a major electricity exporter. The question of course is how economic and efficient such a proposition is. A lot of numbers need to be crunched in terms of investment, in terms of the costs, and in terms of taxation in that respect. It may take time, but I am pretty sure that at least some amount of alternative green energy can be generated in Azerbaijan, consumed in Azerbaijan, in the Caucasus and also exported to Europe," added Cohen. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania signed an agreement in Bucharest on December 17, 2022 to build an underwater electric cable under the Black Sea. The project could become a new power source for the European Union. The 1,100-kilometer cable from Azerbaijan to Romania will provide Azerbaijani energy for the rest of the continent. The project could be completed within three to four years. The results of the preliminary study on the project will be known in September. Property details: Former restaurant property in Sandoval, IL. Just an hour from St. Lous Metropolitan. This is an interesting commercial opportunity to own retail building at the intersection of two highways. Being located between highways 50 and 51 and front line of Mine Street, it offers good visibility and accessibility. The proximity to Carlyle Reservation and various medium and big cities can also be advantageous for potential businesses.Considering the county's assessed market value of $142,620, the seller ... Price: $ 28,800 Availability: For Sale Seller State of Residence: Illinois Type: Retail Property Address: 211 S Mine Street Lot Size (acres): 13000 State/Province: Illinois Year Built: 1970 Location: 628**, Sandoval, Illinois You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 1970 Property details: .BUY LAND NOWOWN A PIECE OF THE WORLD! OWN YOUR LAND!This land is perfect for Land Banking! Buy and hold for future investment. Many companies and investors purchase land at a substantial discount for their investment portfolios. Then later, use this as collateral for their business. Low Low Prices!Great Investment for new investor. Start your own land business now!DescriptionAgriculture land in Modena , Utah. Thats .48 Acres for $55 a month Off grid. Rent out or build a dream home. Many poss... Price: $ 50 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Recreational, Acreage Property Address: off N 7200 W, Modena , Utah 84753 Zip/Postal Code: 84753 Zoning: Mixed City: Modena State/Province: Utah Location: 847**, Modena, Utah You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Utah Property details: $29,000 cash no land contracts or rent Very nice summer park all lot rent is paid for the year lot rent is $3,000 a year due in May... Price: $ 29,000 Location: 493**, Middleville, Michigan You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Porterville, CA (93257) Today Mostly sunny skies. High 94F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. The interest charged on an inter-state loan given to a credit card holder without the use of a plastic card would not be subject to the integrated goods and services tax (IGST), a two-judge bench of the Calcutta high court has ruled. In this connection, it recently set aside a ruling by a single judge of the high court. The issue was a loan of Rs 650,000 granted by Citi Bank with an EMI of Rs 58,056 for 12 months and inclusive of integrated GST (IGST) on each installment of interest. This kind of loan was not offered by the bank to anyone who is not its credit card holder. IGST was charged because the loan was granted by the Tamil Nadu branch of CitiBank to a resident of Kolkata, making it an inter-state transaction. Challenging the IGST levy, the loanee argued that even though possession of the credit card entitled him to the loan but advancement of loan had nothing to do with the credit card. He contended that it was an independent agreement where the bank offered the loan, interest charged on the loan was not for use of the credit card, and installment amount was reflected in the credit card statement only for the purpose of payment of EMI. A single-judge bench of the high court had ruled that the interest component of EMI is not exempt from IGST. The court had held that the services rendered by the bank by way of extending the loan amounted to credit card services. According to a notification issued by the government in 2017, interest on loans is exempt from IGST but that exemption is not available to credit card services. The loanee argued that the bank cannot treat the interest on loan as credit card service charge on which IGST can be imposed. The bank argued that after accepting the condition of paying IGST at the time of taking the loan, the loanee cannot retreat. However, the two-judge bench said accepting a condition prohibited by law does not make it legally enforceable. The court said the government notification in 2017 does not include loans given to a credit card holder as credit card service. The court said any exceptions made with regard to the category of loan, namely credit card holder or other borrowers, will go against the letter and spirit for which loan schemes are made. It will also violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. A banking institution has a discretion whether to give loan to a credit card holder but once it chooses to grant loan to him it has to treat the loan similar to other types of loan. It cannot treat the same as credit card facility and charge GST on it. The court observed that if the loan was advanced to the appellant through use of the card, then one could have understood that the service was related to the card. The court directed the GST authorities to immediately refund the IGST to the bank, which in turn will refund the amount to the loanee within three months. Sandeep Sehgal, partner-tax at AKM Global, said the interpretation taken by the tax authorities would have potentially created a substantial burden on such small ticket loans and could have also affected various fintech companies operating in similar areas. Hyperlocal delivery platform magicpin experienced an overwhelming surge in demand at 9 am on Monday, causing its app to crash, leaving users temporarily unable to access the platform. Image used for representative purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo The increased traffic came after the firm announced its tomatoes @ Rs70 initiative last week in partnership with National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India (NCCF) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This led to magicpins tomato stocks depleting within the first 10 minutes, leaving many buyers struggling to order. The unexpected volume of traffic momentarily overwhelmed our systems, leading to the temporary crash of our app, Anshoo Sharma, CEO and co-founder of magicpin, told Business Standard. We resolved the issue swiftly. We, however, sold out the entire inventory of limited tomato stocks with us within 10 minutes. "There has been an overwhelming response from our users to the 'tomatoes@70 initiative' and we are working earnestly to meet the demand, he said. The companys technology team has since addressed the issue and the platform is now operational again. This comes at a time when tomato prices have been skyrocketing. The fruit has recently seen its price cross the Rs 100 mark in retail markets across India. Tomato prices in Delhis Azadpur wholesale market have increased 1315 per cent between June 2 and July 3, from Rs 451 a quintal to Rs 6,381 per quintal. Arrivals have dropped by almost 40 per cent during the same period in Azadpur, Business Standard reported earlier. Out of 10,000 kilograms (kgs) of tomatoes sold by NCCF, nearly 5,000 kg has been delivered by magicpin, and the company said it has also facilitated the initiative for other buyer apps on ONDC. Under the initiative, there is a maximum purchase limit of 2 kg of tomatoes at Rs 140 per user per week to be delivered at home. Magicpin said it witnessed overwhelming response and delivered over 2400 orders across more than 90 pin codes in Delhi-NCR in a weeks time. Happy birthday, Taapsee! Apart from delivering knock-out performances in her films, Taapsee Pannu is a globetrotter who loves to explore new places every now and then. As the actress celebrates her 36th birthday on August 1, we take a closer look at some of her FABULOUS travel pictures from her Instagram feed! Enjoying her coffee and pastry on a Sunny morning in Denmark, home of her beau badminton ace Mathias Boe. Exploring Cannes in the best way possible -- on a yacht! 'You dont have to see the whole staircase sometimes...just keep taking that one step at a time,' says Taapsee while holidaying in Gozo Island, Malta. Celebrating 10 years of friendship in style with her pals Mani Bhatia and Jasmine Kaur in Udaipur. Our birthday girl gets ready to hit the race track in Abu Dhabi. Nailing her casual chic look to perfection while in St Petersburg, Russia. When in Maldives, it's mandatory to enjoy the floating breakfast! Just casually doing touristy things on a beach in Mauritius with her favourite crew! Taapsee and sis Shagun Pannu pose with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Soaking in the beauty of Miami from her window before heading back home after a month-long trip to the US. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. 'Hygiene is very bad, there is no medicine and there is no electricity.' 'I fear that there will be a breakout of some disease.' IMAGE: MPs from the INDIA alliance listen to a survivor of the Manipur violence at the Ideal College relief camp in Imphal East, July 29, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo 21 MPs from 16 Opposition parties went on a fact-finding mission over the weekend to Manipur, which has seen continuing violence for almost four months, since May 3, 2023. A A Rahim, the CPI-M's Rajya Sabha member from Kerala, tells A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com what the MPs discovered on their visit. I went there along with 21 fellow MPs from 16 Opposition parties. This is because the central government is not giving us any data on what is happening there. Only after a horrendous video came out on the Internet more than three months after it happened did the realities there come to light. IMAGE: MPs from INDIA parties interact with victims of the Manipur violence at the Don Bosco school relief camp in Churachandpur, July 29, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo We landed in Imphal and from there took a helicopter to Churachandpur and there we visited two Kuki camps and two Meitei camps. The situation is very bad there. First of all, the state government was not running these camps. These camps are being run by civil society to the best of their ability. Both the central and state governments have not given a single rupee to these camps. We first visited a Kuki camp where there were about 900 people. There was no hygiene in the camp as there were no proper toilets. I fear that there will be a breakout of some disease; a pandemic is imminent. The camps are safe as no attacks have happened there. The civil society members are making sure of that. Most of the inmates are women and children. The students in the camp are very stressed as they cannot attend school. The institutions are open, but the path to the school and back is not safe. There is not much food, but civil society is trying hard to help in the absence of state help. The two rape victims were met by three women MPs, as we felt they would be more comfortable talking to women. IMAGE: The delegation of INDIA MPs after submitting a memorandum to Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey in Imphal, July 30, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The Meitei camp was as bad as the Kuki camp. This too was being maintained by civil society. But here the district administration has provided some help. Hygiene is very bad, the atmosphere is very poor, there is no medicine and there is no electricity. Here too, most of the inmates are women and children. The state government and central government are paralysed. The administration is paralysed. As of now, there is no effective interest in settling the problem. The government has done nothing. They have taken no steps to restore peace. They have not taken any steps to start mediation between the warring tribes. They have not initiated a single dialogue. The peace committee formed by the governor is biased against Kukis. IMAGE: A A Rahim at a relief camp in Churachandpur, Manipur. Photograph: Kind courtesy A A Rahim The government has to apply their mind properly, take proper action as it is a complex situation. A political solution must be found. This is the aftermath of the BJP's divisive politics. They have to stop their divisive ways. They have to provide a healing touch. There has to be a proper intervention by the state and central governments supported by all parties. We cannot ignore the problem any longer as the prime minister is doing. We will inform Parliament about what we saw and heard there. Parliament has to debate, discuss and come up with a solution. We met the Manipur governor and informed her of our findings. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com 'The situation is so bad that it is not possible for me to explain in words how bad the conditions are for the common man of Manipur.' IMAGE: MPs from INDIA parties at the Ideal College Relief camp in Imphal East, July 29, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo On Friday, August 4, 2023, the violence in Manipur will enter its fourth month. On Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30, 2023, 21 MPs from the INDIA alliance traveled to Manipur to assess the situation. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to P P Mohammed Faizal, a member of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party, Sharad Pawar faction, who visited the troubled state. We reached Manipur on Saturday afternoon and soon went to visit the refugee camps of Meiteis and Kukis. It was sad to see that the violence that broke out in Manipur in early May has not subsided and people are still living in refugee camps with no signs of normalcy that was visible to us. The situation is so bad that it is not possible for me to explain in words how bad the conditions are for the common man of Manipur. The official figure that was given to us was that there are 3,000 to 4,000 people living in different refugee camps and who are not able to go back to their homes, and this three months since the violence broke out. There are only sad stories to hear on both sides in Manipur and the trust deficit between the Meiteis and Kukis is at its peak. Even during our visit we could hear gunshots as both sides were firing at each other. The only ray of hope was that we met some Kuki and Meitei students who had saved each other's lives during the violence, but now both communities live separately in their own areas. We told the governor of Manipur (Anusuiya Uikey) that she must take the lead and call for an all-party delegation and solve this problem on an urgent basis. IMAGE: MPs from INDIA parties at a relief camp in Churachandpur, July 29, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The worst affected in Manipur are the school children. For the last three months almost all schools are shut in Manipur. Parents are hoping that normalcy will return soon and only then they will send their children back to school. Unfortunately, there are no visible signs of normalcy. We feel the first thing that needs to be done is to remove fear and anxiety from the people's minds in Manipur. The government must take the lead in it. Had the Manipur state government acted earlier, we would not have seen such a sorry state of affairs. I feel right now peace should be the top-most priority for everyone and there should be no discussion of a separate territory or a separate legislature as is being demanded by some groups. Today, no Kuki enters Meitei areas and no Meitei enters Kuki areas. The Meitei community feels that the Assam Rifles deployed in the state to restore peace is not helping their community. Therefore, nothing constructive is happening on the ground. The government machinery has completely failed and they are not taking any concrete steps that is visible that can lead to normalcy soon. Each community has its own narrative of grievances, so how will the breakthrough happen? And it is only the government of the day that has to set the narrative of peace. We in the Opposition parties are being blamed that we have gone to add fuel to the fire in Manipur, but that is not true. The Bharatiya Janata Party is only making political statements on our visit, but the fact is that we want Manipur to return to normalcy. 'They are fighting it out, but they have deeply traumatised; they are alive and they are carrying on in life.' IMAGE: MPs from INDIA parties at Delhi airport before leaving for Imphal on July 29 morning; Sushmita Dev (in blue) is standing fifth from right. Photograph: @INCIndia/Twitter Sushmita Dev, the Trinamool Congress's Rajya Sabha MP, was among the 21 MPs who visited Manipur on July 29 and 30 to meet the people in the strife-torn state and express the nation's solidarity with the two Kuki women who were paraded naked on May 4 after forcibly taking them from a police station and then allegedly raped. Dev tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com what the two women told her, the DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and the Congress' Phulo Devi Netam. What crucial did you observe when you were in Manipur on the 29th and the 30th of July? There's no improvement in the situation (in Manipur). Women and children and people in the relief camps are only increasing. The weapons that were (looted and are now) in the public domain have not been recovered. And people of neither factions have any faith in the state administration or have any faith in the chief minister of Manipur (N Biren Singh) or the public administration. You met the women who were allegedly gang raped. What did they tell you? Kanimozhi (Karunanidhi, the DMK's Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu), Phulo Devi (Netam, the Congress's Rajya Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh) and I briefly met them. We just heard them out. They were deeply disappointed with the role of the police in the entire incident. They also feel that the government has taken no action against those (police) officers (who allowed the mobs to take away these women from their custody on May 4 and then paraded them naked and allegedly gang raped them) till today. They are fighting it out, but they have deeply traumatised; they are alive and they are carrying on in life. That shows how bold they are. Frankly, they were crying like anything (when we met them). Did they have any message for Prime Minister Modi who is yet to make any statement on Manipur in Parliament? They are saying that a prime minister and a home minister of India must have intelligence report about what is happening (in Manipur even) before the video (of the May 4 parading was leaked); that they should have known what's happening in Manipur. They don't believe for a second that the prime minister and the home minister didn't know what happened (on May 4, when the two Kuki women were publicly paraded naked and allegedly gang raped). Today, you and I can say we don't know what was happening (in Manipur since May 3 when the violence first broke out) because we don't have access to that kind of information (but the prime minister and home minister would have that kind of information). These were their words. They (the women) are very intelligent. They understand what's happening. Do you expect the prime minister to make a statement in Parliament? The government seems to have hardened its stance over the issue... We are not interested in what Shri Piyush Goyal (minister of commerce and industry, consumer affairs, and food and public distribution and textiles; also Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha) has to say. We are not interested in what the MPs of the BJP have to say. We need to hear the prime minister on this issue. This is not business as usual. We've invoked an emergency provision (Rule 267 that calls for suspension of all other Parliamentary business). Let me tell you, since 1952, Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru (the first prime minister of independent India) has spoken in Raja Sabha under this provision (Rule 267). (Then prime minister) Rajiv Gandhi has spoken on a very controversial issue like the Bofors (scandal) under this provision. (Then prime minister) Dr Manmohan Singh has spoken on Nirbhaya (gang rape issue) under this provision. Even (Then prime minister) Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee has spoken under this provision. Mr Modi should not act like a demigod. In a Parliamentary democracy if the Opposition is demanding that he come and speak, (then) I think he should bow to the supremacy of Parliament. But the government seems to have hardened its stance over the Opposition's demand that the prime minister speak in Parliament and a discussion on Manipur be carried out under Rule 267? Please understand the ministers of the government, they only protect him (Modi), not the country. Wouldn't it have been better if all the women MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha together have visited the two women and expressed their solidarity with them cutting across party lines? Just because women are raped doesn't mean all women have to go. We need very much our male counterparts to come with us. What would have been ideal is an all-party delegation that the government should have sent which would have BJP, NDA, INDIA alliance (MPs). We made that demand more than one month before Parliament started. But that demand was also struck down by the government of India. So we (just the MPs belonging to the INDIA alliance) went. An army man was arrested for allegedly killing his wife and daughter while they were asleep and trying to pass it off as an accident, the police said on Tuesday. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo Ram Prasad, the accused, allegedly carried out the act early on Sunday morning, they said, adding the arrest was made after the post-mortem report found death by strangulation and burns. DCP (East) Amrita Duhan said that the postmortem was conducted on Tuesday after the family members arrived. "The report stated that both mother and daughter were first strangulated and then burnt using petrol," Duhan said. On the basis of the report, police arrested Ram Prasad and interrogated him, who admitted that he killed his wife Rukmeena (25) and daughter Ridhima (2), the officer said. Sikkim native Ram Prasad had married Rukmeena, who hails from Nepal, in January 2020. He has been posted in Jodhpur since August 2020. Duhan said that the two would often have quarrels. "So he wanted to get rid of his wife and hatched the plan to kill her. He also decided to kill his infant daughter in order to get rid of her responsibility," Duhan said. He allegedly first strangled his wife and then his daughter when they were sleeping in their bed at around 4 am and then poured petrol and burnt them to eliminate the evidence, the officer said. After that, he ran out of the house claiming his wife and child were burnt in a fire caused by a short circuit in the cooler and that he tried to save them, Duhan said. The police also said that Ram Prasad had been promoted to the post of 'Clerk' from 'Naik' and was about to set off for Bengaluru for training on Monday. The police and some army officials had suspected Ram Prasad since the beginning based on circumstantial evidence. The police had already filed a case under Section 302 of IPC against Ram Prasad on the complaint by the subedar of his unit. The Biju Janata Dal will support the bill replacing the Delhi services ordinance and oppose the no-confidence motion proposed by various opposition parties against the government, the party's Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra said on Tuesday. IMAGE: BJD chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Photograph: PTI Photo The decision of Odisha's ruling party will help the Modi government at the Centre move closer to the halfway mark in Rajya Sabha, where the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance does not have full majority on its own. The BJD has nine MPs in Rajya Sabha. Patra told PTI that his party has decided to support the bill on the Delhi services issue and it will also oppose the no-confidence motion. Around 109 MPs comprising those from the 26-member opposition bloc INDIA and some Independents such as Kapil Sibal are expected to vote against the bill, a senior leader said. However, this will still be short of the halfway mark of 120 if all 238 existing members vote that day. The full strength of the House is 243 but there are some vacancies. Of the 26 parties from the opposition grouping, at least 18 have a presence in Rajya Sabha and have 101 MPs collectively. Besides this bloc, the BRS (seven MPs) is also likely to vote against the bill while the YSR Congress (nine MPs) may back it. The ruling NDA has 100 MPs in the Upper House while it will bank on nominated members and Independents, as well as other non-aligned parties that have voted with them in the past on various issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared stage with Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award ceremony in Pune. IMAGE: Left to right, Maharashtra deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, governor Ramesh Bais, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde at the Lokmanya Tilak Award function in Pune. Photograph: ANI Pawar attended the event held to confer Modi with the Lokmanya Tilak Award in recognition of his supreme leadership and for awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens. Pawar did not entertain requests from members of the opposition INDIA alliance to not share stage with Modi. The INDIA alliance members felt this won't be good optics for the opposition at a time when a united front is being put up against the BJP. Pawar did not meet some MPs who wanted to dissuade him from gracing the occasion. The award was constituted in 1983 to honour the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak and is presented every year on August 1, Tilak's death anniversary. Some social organisations and members of various political parties staged a joint protest against Modi during the visit. Prominent social activist Baba Adhav led the protest where the participants waved black flags. The alliance members held the protest at Mandai, around 300 metres from the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh temple where Modi performed pooja soon after reaching Pune. Leaders of Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and members of various social outfits took part in the protest. The Shiv Sena-UBT said NCP chief Sharad Pawar could have turned his back on the event to clear doubts about him among those who have taken a dim view of it. An editorial in the Shiv Sena-UBT mouthpiece 'Saamana' claimed PM Modi accused the Nationalist Congress Party of corruption and then engineered a split in the party and muddied the politics in Maharashtra. Still Sharad Pawar will welcome Modi and this has not gone down well with some people. This was a good opportunity for Pawar to turn his back on the programme and clear the doubts about him among people, the Marathi daily said. Notably, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar last month led a split in the NCP and joined the Shinde government along with eight other party MLAs. The editorial said if Sharad Pawar would have stayed away from the event to protest against the engineering of a split in the NCP, then his leadership and courage would have been appreciated. It said the country is fighting against dictatorship and the INDIA alliance comprising 26 opposition parties has been formed for the purpose. Sharad Pawar is the "leading general" of the alliance, it claimed. There are different expectations of people from a senior leader like Sharad Pawar, the Marathi publication said. PM Modi is not ready to speak on the violence in Manipur. It is not in national interest for the country's leader to not speak on the issue, it said. There are protests against the prime minister in Pune and NCP activists are taking part in it, the editorial said. It is a weird situation because leaders are with Modi sharing the stage and party workers are protesting against him with black flags, it added. A judge of the Delhi high court on Tuesday recused himself from hearing a batch of petitions challenging suspension and deletion of accounts by social media platforms. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Courtesy, Gerd Altmann/Pixabay Justice Subramonium Prasad said petitioner lawyer Sanjay Hegde is a "good friend" of his and that the pleas be listed before some other bench. The court fixed the matter for further hearing before another judge on August 7. The high court is seized of seven petitions by several account holders challenging the suspension and deletion of their accounts by social media platforms, including Twitter, which rebranded itself and replaced its blue bird logo with X'. Twitter account holder Wokeflix, whose account was first suspended and then deleted on the allegation of promoting hate speech, has told the high court that the micro-blogging platform is following blatant double standards where Hindu sentiments are allowed to be ridden roughshod over and sentiments of other communities are treated with kid gloves. In its written submissions, Wokeflix has alleged the micro-blogging site was "aiding and abetting in the normalisation of genocidal tyrants like Aurangzeb". Another petitioner and senior advocate Sanjay Hegde approached the high court in 2019 seeking directions to the Centre to lay down guidelines under the Information Technology Act to ensure that censorship on social media is carried out in accordance with the Constitution. He had filed the plea after his account on Twitter was permanently suspended on November 5, 2019 allegedly in connection with two re-tweets by him, and sought restoration of his account. In the written submissions, he has said Twitter discharges a public function of "high public interest" which makes it amenable to the jurisdiction of the high court, and added that a purely private contract can be enforced by a mandamus (judicial writ) if it is found that the body discharges public function. The submission was made in response to Twitter's stand that it does not impart public function and serving the ends of freedom of speech and expression was only incidental to its contractual relationship with the users. In a note submitted to the high court in 2021 in connection with the suspension of the senior advocate's account, the microblogging site had said, Services on the Twitter platform is a contractual relationship and in its commercial venture, that it incidentally also serves the ends of freedom of speech and expression would not convert the nature of the activity. Twitter has claimed Hegde's petition was not maintainable. The US-based firm stated that its services are covered by the Information Technology Act which has a grievance redressal mechanism and that Hegde's recourse was to file a complaint on the portal under the Act. According to Hegde's petition, the first of the two posts pertained to a tweet by Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) and member of the politburo of the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist, who had posted Gorakh Pandey's poem Unko phaansi de do on her Twitter profile. Hegde had re-tweeted and shared Krishnan's post with the caption 'Hang Him', an English translation of the poem's title, the petition said. The second post was a picture of August Landmesser, a German shipyard worker who refused to join a crowd in the Nazi salute, which Hegde was using as his profile header/cover photo for over a year, it said. It said, "The photograph in question was taken on June 13, 1936, and shows a large gathering of workers at the Blohm Voss shipyard in Hamburg. Almost everyone in the image has raised his arm in the Nazi salute. The only exception is Landmesser, who stands toward the back of the crowd, with his arms crossed over his chest." The accused in the sensational rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Kerala last week has a criminal history and was arrested in a POCSO case five years ago, state police said on Tuesday. Ashfaq Alam had been in jail for one month in connection with the crime committed in New Delhi and later came out on bail, Aluva Rural Superintendent of Police Vivek Kumar told reporters in Kochi. "He was arrested by Ghazipur police (east Delhi) in 2018 for attempting to sexually molest a 10-year-old girl there," the SP said. The state police came across his criminal history while conducting his background check, he said. The police sources said they were trying to find out whether Alam, a Bihar native, had been involved in any other crimes before reaching Kerala as a migrant worker. Meanwhile, a local court in Kochi on Tuesday sent the accused to police custody. Accepting the plea moved by the police, the accused has been sent to 10 days' police custody, the police sources said. In a related development, police issued a strict warning against circulating the minor victim's name, photo, or other whereabout details through any media and said it is a punishable offence. Earlier in the day, the test identification parade of the accused was held at the sub-jail in nearby Aluva. Alam, who was arrested soon after the crime on Friday, was brought to the sub-jail on Sunday. At least three witnesses reportedly attended the identification parade. The police, however, didn't divulge more details. Thajudeen, a local labourer who had seen Alam going inside the market along with the girl before committing the crime, told reporters outside that he would give his statement against the accused anywhere to ensure maximum punishment. He also confirmed that he identified the accused during the parade. "He should get maximum punishment... I saw him that day... I will say this anywhere," he said. On July 28, the five-year-old girl was abducted, raped and killed allegedly by Alam who lived in the same building as the victim. The child's family too hails from the same state. Her body was found dumped in a sack in a marshy area behind a local market in the nearby Aluva area near Kochi the following day. The accused was arrested on Friday itself, but could not be interrogated as he was in an inebriated state, police had said. Members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc parties on Tuesday walked out of the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour over their demand for a discussion on the Manipur issue and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House. IMAGE: Opposition MPs protest over Manipur issue in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo When the House reconvened at noon after a brief adjournment for about 35 minutes, opposition parties continued with the sloganeering but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar continued with the Question Hour despite the din. The INDIA bloc parties staged a walkout at 12.30 pm. The Rajya Sabha members were on their feet from the beginning of the Question Hour, shouting 'Manipur, Manipur'. The Congress' chief whip Jairam Ramesh, said, 'Today, too, the INDIA parties demanded the prime minister's presence in the Rajya Sabha to make a statement on Manipur, to be followed by a discussion.' He also alleged Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak. 'All INDIA (alliance) parties walked out around 12.30 pm,' Ramesh said in a tweet later. The Rajya Sabha was earlier adjourned till noon amid protest by the opposition members demanding a discussion on the Manipur issue in the House. Before the adjourning House proceedings around 11.25 am, Dhankhar expressed concern over repeated disruptions over demand for a discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha. "We are becoming a subject of ridicule by the public at large," Dhankhar observed as opposition members, on their heels, kept raising slogans demanding a statement from the prime minister on the issue. Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook allows for the suspension of the day's business to debate on any issue suggested by a member. The chairman had also 'declined' 60 notices under Rule 267 stating they did not conform to the norms. About the demand for the prime minister's statement in the House, he recalled that in 2014 too a similar demand was made, but the chair then had observed that such a demand was constitutionally 'ill-premised'. "I urge members to seriously introspect and not surrender the space of dialogue, discussion and deliberation, as the same will not serve the essence of the oath the members of this august have taken," Dhankhar said. He said, "By our actions, we have plunged this institution... into virtual irrelevance. It does not gel with logic and rationale approach that for over last eight days the House is being disrupted over the same issue." Dhankhar told the Rajya Sabha members that the proceedings were being disrupted despite his ruling on July 20 for a short-duration discussion on Manipur under Rule 176. He said a discussion was initiated the previous day but it remained 'inconclusive' due to continued disruption in the House. The chairman also said he had discussions with the floor leaders of various parties on Monday and suggested that more time could be allocated for the discussion so that everyone gets a chance to express their views. "In spite of that, discussion could not take place. We have created a situation whereby we are throwing out the baby with the bath water," Dhankhar said. Earlier in the day, Communist Party of India-Marxist MP John Brittas raised a point of order when a standing committee report on 'Citizens' Data Security and Privacy' of the Ministry of Electronics and IT was tabled in the House. He pointed out that the report pertains to the digital data protection bill, which has been approved by the Cabinet but has not been introduced in the House nor referred to the standing committee. "The standing committee has overstepped and it is beyond their jurisdiction and it is breaching your (Chair) authority and the authority of this House," he said. The chairman, however, overruled the point of order and said it was right to place the report of a committee in the House and the 'rest will follow in accordance with the rules'. "But to take a stand that this august House must not have such kind of input, your point of order is devoid of any merit," Dhankhar said. Someone who wanted to disturb the peace in Haryana engineered the violence in Nuh, state Home Minister Anil Vij said on Tuesday as authorities imposed a curfew in the district after the previous day's violence. Four people were killed and several others injured in Nuh following violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession on Monday. A mosque was attacked in the Sector 57 area of Gurugram, leading to the death of a man and taking the toll in the violence to five, police said on Tuesday. Vij said a curfew has been clamped on Nuh district. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will hold a meeting with Vij and officials, including the chief secretary and senior police officers, to take stock of the situation in Nuh, official sources said. The situation in Nuh continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Security has been strengthened in Nuh and other areas, officials said. Speaking to reporters in Ambala, Vij said the incident in Nuh does not appear to have happened all of a sudden. "The level of violence that took place and also occurred at different points, the way stones were collected, the way weapons were brandished, the way shots were fired, it does not appear to have happened all of a sudden," said Vij. Both the communities live peacefully there, he said. Somebody who wanted to disturb peace in the state and the country engineered or masterminded this incident, claimed Vij. However, he added, "I don't want to immediately reach any conclusion. Our primary objective is to bring the situation under control and maintain peace." Vij said he has asked the officials concerned to investigate the incident thoroughly. "After investigation, whatever comes up, nobody will be spared," he said. The Haryana minister added that forces from neighbouring Palwal, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Jhajjar and Rewari districts were sent after violence erupted in Nuh. "Today forces from other parts of Haryana are being sent," he said. Vij further said he has spoken to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and the state has been allotted 20 companies of central forces. If need arises to airlift forces from any far-off place, the Indian Air Force has been asked to be on standby. Some companies of central forces have already reached Nuh, he further said and added that an alert has been sounded in other districts as well. To a question on the dead, Vij said two home guards were killed and many police personnel suffered injuries. He said 15 people were brought to the medical college in Nalhar while one was brought dead. He is yet to be identified. Three police personnel who suffered gunshot wounds are on ventilator support. Vij added that several people were taken hostage in a temple. A team led by Additional Director General of Police Mamta Singh evacuated them. Opposition leaders have hit out at the BJP-led Haryana government in wake of "intense communal tension" in Nuh. Khattar on Monday said the "strictest action" will be taken against those responsible for the incident. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Azerconnect supported the "Cyber Summer School - 2023" (CSS) international summer school organized by the Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan for schoolchildren and teenagers between 12-16 years. During the summer school, which has been held for three years in a row, local and foreign experts conducted cybersecurity training sessions, technology tours, as well as a knowledge competition on cybersecurity topic. 125 participants from Azerbaijan, Israel and Turkey, as well as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, which are members of the Organization of Turkic States, took part in the "Cyber Summer School - 2023", held from July 24 to 29 of this year. The winning teams of the knowledge competition were awarded by Azerconnect and other organizations at the summer school closing ceremony. The participants were also given certificates. The main goal of the annual project, which has been conducted since 2021 is to foster friendly relations among summer school participants from partner countries, define and unite teenagers with knowledge, skills, and special hobbies in the field of cybersecurity, both in our country and abroad, while also supporting the growth of cybersecurity specialists in this field. Azerconnect is part of NEQSOL Holding international group of companies. Asserting that his government's decision to ban instant triple talaq has boosted the overall sense of security for Muslim women, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to reach out to them during the upcoming festival of Raksha Bandhan. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: ANI Photo Sources said Modi made the remarks at a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance MPs from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand on Monday night in which he and other senior BJP leaders highlighted various development initiatives of the central government for different sections of society as the alliance gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Some MPs present in the meeting said Modi emphasised the need to connect with every section of society and then noted his government's decision to ban the practice of instant divorce among Muslim men. The government has criminalised the practice. He said this decision has been a big boost for Muslim women, some MPs present in the meeting said, adding that the prime minister asked them to organise programmes during Raksha Bandhan to reach out to women from the minority community. Rakshan Bandhan festival -- a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters -- will fall on August 30 this year. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill was passed by Parliament in 2019, declaring the practice of instant triple talaq illegal and a crime that could attract a jail term for the husband. Modi has often highlighted his government's reform measures for Muslim women. In his recent 'Mann ki Baat' address, he noted that over 4,000 Muslim women performing Haj this year without 'mehram' was a "huge transformation" and asserted that more and more people were getting the chance to go for the annual pilgrimage with the changes made by his government in the Haj policy over the past few years. In his speech to the MPs, he noted that opposition parties are making efforts to join their forces under a new name INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) as their earlier moniker UPA was tainted with a slew of scams. People will never accept it, he said. The BJP has divided NDA MPs region-wise into clusters of nearly 40 members and Modi is expected to speak to them separately during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. The first two meetings were held on Monday. He had also addressed a meeting of about 45 NDA MPs from the western part of Uttar Pradesh up to the Kanpur-Bundelkhand region. Addressing the meeting of Uttar Pradesh MPs, he said the ruling alliance has been serving society and the country and receiving people's blessings. Modi asked MPs to go to the masses with a positive message about the government's work and advised them to spend maximum time reaching out to people. The opposition alliance might have changed its name from UPA to INDIA but it will not be able to wash off its "sins of corruption and misgovernance," he had said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation not to proceed with recording the statements of women seen in a video being paraded naked in Manipur as it is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions on the issue at 2 pm. IMAGE: Women's Commission, Archdiocese of Bangalore and CCBI Commission for Women members protest against the atrocities on women and violence in Manipur, at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral in Bengaluru. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of submissions by lawyer Nizam Pasha, appearing for the women, that the CBI has asked them to depose on Tuesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Manipur government, said he was not aware of it. "Just ask them (CBI officials) to wait. We are going to take it at 2 pm today," said the bench which also comprised Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra. "I will convey this... If we had not done anything Mr (Kapil) Sibal (the counsel for the women) would accuse us of inaction," the law officer said. Mehta said he will ask the CBI officials to refrain from recording the statements and it might have been done in "good faith". The top court is scheduled to hear at 2 pm a batch of pleas related to ethnic violence in Manipur and may pass an order setting up a committee of retired judges or an SIT to oversee the probe. On Monday, it described as "horrendous" the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur amid reports that the police handed them over to the rioting mob. It asked searching questions about the delayed registration of the FIR and mooted the idea of setting up a committee of retired judges or an SIT to oversee the probe. Describing the violence perpetrated against women in strife-torn Manipur as one of "unprecedented magnitude", the top court refused to consider submissions of lawyer and BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj that similar alleged incidents in opposition-ruled states like West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Kerala be also taken note of. Seeking a report about the action taken by the state in around 6,000 cases related to the ethnic conflict, the bench said Manipur police cannot be allowed to continue with its probe in view of the news reports that it were police personnel who handed over the women to the mob. The bench sought to know why the state police took 14 days to register an FIR. On July 27, the Centre informed the top court that it has transferred to the CBI the probe in the case related to the two women who were paraded naked, asserting the government has "zero tolerance towards any crimes against women". The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in an affidavit filed through its Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, also urged the top court to transfer the trial outside Manipur for the conclusion of the trial in a time-bound manner. Seven people have been arrested in the case so far. The affidavit said the central government believed that the investigation should be completed at the earliest and the trial be also conducted in a time-bound manner "which must take place outside Manipur". Scores of people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The mortal remains of Railway Protection Force assistant sub-inspector Tikaram Meena, gunned down allegedly by a junior colleague, were wrapped in the tricolour and dispatched to his native place in Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan for last rites by a train after tributes were paid to him by senior RPF officials on Tuesday. IMAGE: Slain RPF officer Tikaram Meena's daughter and son-in-law (left), at Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali West in Mumbai, July 31, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A senior officer told PTI that RPF jawans brought Meena's body wrapped in the tricolour in a coffin from state-run JJ Hospital and took it to Mumbai Central where a wreath laying ceremony was held in presence of top officials of the Railway force. Tributes were paid to the slain ASI at the ceremony. Four persons -- Meena (58) and three train passengers -- were shot dead allegedly by RPF constable Chetan Singh, who joined the force on compensatory grounds in 2009, on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express in the wee hours of Monday near Palghar station. A Western Railway spokesperson said the body of ASI Meena, who was due to retire in two years, was sent to Rajasthan, his native state, on Tuesday morning by (Bandra Terminus-Amritsar) Paschim Express as desired by his family members. The RPF officer said a team of personnel of the force was accompanying the mortal remains to Sawai Madhopur and they will carry them to his native place from the railway station for the last rites. Sumit Thakur, WR chief spokesperson, said authorities have identified the third deceased train passenger whose personal details were not available on Monday. They gave his name as Sayyad Saifuddin, originally a resident of Bidar in Karnataka who had settled in Hyderabad, where he had a shop, he said. Thakur said family members of Saifuddin have been contacted and they were on their way to Mumbai to claim his body. The victim had gone to Ajmer and was returning to Mumbai when he was shot dead in the train. The fourth victim of the #JaipurExpressTerrorAttack has been identified as Syed Saifullah. He was a resident of Bazaarghat, Nampally (Hyderabad). He is survived by 3 daughters, the youngest is just 6 months old. AIMIM Nampally MLA @Jaffarhusainmla is with the family for the past few hours & coordinating with officials to bring the deceased's body to Hyderabad. Request @TelanganaCMO @KTRBRS to support the bereaved family in these tough times, tweeted Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM president, on Tuesday evening. Thakur said they have already transferred ex gratia amount in the bank accounts of family members of the two victims, who were identified on Monday itself, and the same will be done with the third passenger on completion of necessary formalities. "An ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for the passengers who died in this unfortunate incident. The family of ASI Tikaram will receive dues as per service rules, a statement from the Western Railway said earlier. The other two deceased were identified by the Railway police as Abdul Kadarbhai Mohammed Hussain Bhanpurwala (58), a resident of Nalasopara in Palghar district, and Asgar Abbas Sheikh (48), a resident of Madhubani district in Bihar. On Monday, the grieving relatives of Asgar Sheikh staged a protest and refused to take possession of his body unless the Railways assured to provide a job to his legal heir and made arrangements for taking the mortal remains to their native place in Madhubani district. They staged the protest first outside civic-run Shatabdi Hospital in suburban Kandivali on Monday and continued it at JJ Hospital in central Mumbai, where the body was later taken for post-mortem examination, on Tuesday. In the evening, they called off the protest and agreed to claim the body. Another day has passed, but there was no response from Railway authorities about our demands. No Railway official came to see or contacted us, Mohammad Amanullah Sheikh, younger brother of Asgar Sheikh, told PTI and added they are in the process of taking possession of the body. He said with the help of some organisations they will now carry the body to Bihar by a plane on Wednesday morning. Chief Minister M K Stalin has written to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh, requesting the latter government's concurrence for Tamil Nadu's proposed humanitarian aid for those living in relief camps in the violence-hit northeastern state. IMAGE: Women of Kwairamband Ima Keithel stage a protest demanding an immediate call for an assembly session in Manipur within a week regarding the Manipur issue, outside Raj Bhavan, in Imphal West on July 28, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Stalin told the Manipur chief minister in a letter dated July 31 that he has been informed that more than 50,000 people were staying in relief camps due to the 'prevailing situation' in the northeastern state, apparently referring to the violence there. '...there is an increasing need for some essential items for the affected people. At this crucial time, the Government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend support to your State by providing necessary relief materials like tarpaulin sheets, bed-sheets, mosquito nets, essential medicines, sanitary napkins, and milk powder worth around Rs 10 crore,' Stalin said. This assistance will be very useful to the people staying in camps and 'they can also be airlifted, if required', he said. 'I would request you to kindly give your government's concurrence for this humanitarian aid. Also, kindly inform us about the further action to be taken in this regard, so that my officers can coordinate with your officers and send the relief materials at the earliest,' the chief minister added. Stalin had earlier offered to provide training facilities for Manipur sportspersons in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of ethnic violence there. More than 160 people have lost their lives and several hundreds injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. . IMAGE: K Chandrasekhar Rao who heads the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. Photograph: ANI Photo The Congress and 25 other Opposition parties last month unveiled the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, which now has 39 parties. Around 65 parties are in one or the other alliance. But some are not. And it's for a reason. The Janata Dal-Secular, or JD-S, which is almost entirely Karnataka-based and is in the Opposition against a Congress government in the state, said it was ready to throw in its lot with the BJP. However, this 'offer' elicited no reaction from the BJP's top leadership. It is only the state-based BJP that has indicated the proposal could work. Former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj S Bommai told reporters in Hubbali that JD-S leader H D Kumaraswamy had made 'certain feelings' public. 'That is for a discussion between our leadership and JD-S President H D Deve Gowda,' Bommai added. In the elections to the 224-member assembly held in May, the Congress bagged 135 seats, while the BJP secured 66 and the JD-S 19. But in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, the JD-S, which contested as part of the Opposition United Progressive Alliance, fought in nine seats and got nearly 38 per cent of the vote share in the seats it contested though it won only one (the state has 28 Lok Sabha seats). The BJP won 25 seats and a whopping 51 per cent of the vote share. The party has been improving its Lok Sabha vote share steadily in Karnataka: Little wonder then that it is reluctant to share this with anyone else, believing it has more to lose than gain from such an arrangement. The parties that are part of neither the NDA nor INDIA are: The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), JD-S, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, and SAD-Mann. IMAGE: Biju Janata Dal President Naveen Patnaik during an election campaign. Photograph: ANI Photo Of these, the YSRCP (based largely in Andhra Pradesh), the Telangana-based BRS, and the BJD pose a big threat to both alliances, judging by past performance. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha together send 63 members to the Lok Sabha. So are the parties in the middle, destined forever to stay in the middle until they are obliterated? Sandeep Shastri, vice-chancellor of Jagran Lakecity University and a respected scholar, said: "It is about competitive politics. Whether it is the BRS or BJD, both are in competition with the two alliances. In the case of the YSR Congress, it is also the deviation from its (BJP's) core agenda that is keeping them out of the NDA. The BJP has been gaining ground in all but Andhra Pradesh. What is common to all is the paradox: The BJP has seen a dramatic improvement of its vote share in the Lok Sabha poll but only incremental improvement in the assembly elections in these states. IMAGE: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati addresses a press conference on the Uniform Civil Code in Lucknow, July 02, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo This is not the only contradiction. Parties like the AIMIM and AIUDF that draw their base largely from minority communities are opposed to the NDA but ambiguous about their support to INDIA. The AIUDF, headed by perfume king Badruddin Ajmal and limited to Assam, for instance, got nearly 8 per cent of the vote polled in Assam in 2019, contested only three seats, and won one -- but has a bitter relationship with the Congress unit in the state. The AIMIM is trying to expand its footprint -- it won only one seat in Telangana in 2019, getting 2.8 per cent of the vote. Since then, it has tested its fortunes outside Telangana. But INDIA partners, especially the Samajwadi Party, view it warily -- its growth efforts in UP, the election data clearly shows, are at the cost of the SP. IMAGE: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy calls on Prime Minister Narendra D Modi in New Delhi, July 5, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The SAD's compulsions are equally complex. One of the BJP's oldest alliance partners, it is now seen by that party as a drag on its growth ambitions in Punjab. So are the parties in the middle destined forever to stay in the middle until they are obliterated? Rahul Verma, fellow at the Centre for Policy Research and well-known researcher of domestic politics in India, said: "One can broadly divide these non-aligned parties into three categories. First, there are parties like the BJD, BRS, and YSRCP which are confident of retaining power in their states in the next election. "They have no incentive to be part of either the NDA or INDIA at this stage, but they may hedge their bets towards the winning coalition in the post-poll setting. "The second type of parties is like the SAD and the TDP, which are still significant players in the state but cannot win without an ally at this stage. "These parties are showing an inclination to be part of the BJP-led alliance, but the BJP is not making commitments because it may want a greater share of seats to contest in the Lok Sabha -- basically changing the equation of the past. "In the same category, you could put parties like the AIUDF and AIMIM, which cannot go with the NDA for obvious reasons, and INDIA is not sending them an invitation because it fears that such parties on its side may help the BJP to polarise the Hindu-Muslim axis. "The third type of parties is the BSP and JD(S). These parties are in terminal decline. They can go either side, and it seems that both alliances want to squeeze them further." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A few passing clouds. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A few passing clouds. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 1. Kyrgyzstan aims to use Turkiye's experience in the field of green energy to foster the development of its own green sector, Trend reports. The issue was discussed at the meeting of the Ambassador of the Kyrgyzstan to Turkiye, Ruslan Kazakbaev, with the Turkish Minister of Environment, Mehmet Ozhaseki. During the meeting, Ambassador Kazakbaev said that the Kyrgyz side is interested in implementing green projects in Kyrgyzstan with Turkish assistance, particularly in the energy sector. Additionally, Kazakbaev proposed to Turkiye cooperation and exchange of expertise in the field of urban development. In response, Minister Ozhaseki confirmed Turkiyes readiness for collaboration in all mutually beneficial areas. The Turkish side suggested establishing a working group between the relevant ministries and agencies of both countries to implement the discussed initiatives. During the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on July 4, 2023, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said that the country is open to collaboration on projects connected to climate change and mitigating its consequences, as well as in the area of renewable energy sources. Japarov also emphasized the importance of hydropower plants constriction. According to the State Statistical Committee of the country, a total of 6.486 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were generated in Kyrgyzstan from January through May 2023, which is 7.3 percent more than 5.528 billion kWh generated in the same period of 2022. BRATTLEBORO A new program is set to prepare new members of all types of boards to lead their communities and know what roles are right for them. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Vermont Voices is an ongoing column about the people of Southern Vermont (or passing through) in their own voices. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 1. Kyrgyzstan has the opportunity to meet specific needs of the German market with environmentally friendly agricultural products and food items, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, said during a meeting with a delegation from Germany, led by Roland Weigert, State Secretary at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Trend reports. Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan is committed to developing the production of ecologically clean agricultural products. In turn, Weigert highlighted the leading positions of Bavarian companies in various industries, including information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, biotechnology, environmental technologies, chemistry, aviation, automobile manufacturing, and robotics. He outlined the prospects for bilateral cooperation in some of these fields with Kyrgyzstan, expressing readiness to establish partnerships between specialized educational institutions of the two countries. At the end of the meeting, Japarov said, "Increasing German-Kyrgyz relations go beyond mere formal meetings; the significance lies in practical cooperation and projects. Our government is focused on implementing joint initiatives promptly." Meanwhile, the total trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Germany reached $150.938 million from January through May 2023, which is 4.3 times more than n the same period of 2022. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday (August 1) busted a terror network of Al Quaeda, a militant organisation, and apprehended three suspects from Rajkot. It comes amid the ongoing probe of Gujarat ATS into illegal immigrants entering India from Bangladesh. The three accused, identified as Aman, Abdul Shukur and Saif Nawaz, were allegedly running the Al Qaeda terror network in Gujarat. There are allegations that the three accused were involved in the radicalisation of youth and recruiting people through the Internet to join their terror network in Gujarat, sources claimed. Currently, the three suspects are being interrogated by the Gujarat ATS. They will be brought back to Ahmedabad by tonight, after which the ATS will seek their remand from the court, according to officials. The arrest came amid the ongoing probe by ATS in connection with four Bangladesh nationals who illegally entered the country. It was alleged that the four accused were trying to radicalise local youth in Ahmedabad and collecting money, according to a statement by Gujarats anti-terrorist squad (ATS). A 78-year-old Indian-American engineer was fired from his long-time job with a missile defence contractor in the US state of Alabama for speaking in Hindi with his dying relative in India over a video call, a media report quoted a lawsuit filed by him. Anil Varshney, a Senior Systems Engineer with Huntsville missile defence contractor Parsons Corporation, recently filed a federal lawsuit alleging systemic discriminatory actions that left him jobless in October last year. A white co-worker heard Varshney speaking in Hindi on a telephone call with his dying brother-in-law in India, AL.COM reported on Monday. Varshney on September 26, 2022 received a video call from his elderly brother-in-law K.C. Gupta, [who] was on his deathbed in India and called to say goodbye to Varshney". Knowing the dire situation and that he may never have the opportunity to speak to (Gupta) again, Varshney stepped into an empty cubicle and accepted the call, the suit said. Before doing so, he made sure there were no classified materials or anything else pertaining to MDAs (Missile Defence Agency) or Parsons work anywhere near him, said the lawsuit, which also names Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin as legal representative for the MDA. The two spoke for approximately two minutes in Hindi when another worker interrupted Varshney and asked whether he was on a video call, which he confirmed, according to the suit that was filed in June in the northern district of Alabama. (The other worker) told Varshney that the call was not allowed and Varshney immediately hung up. The call was the last time they spoke before Gupta passed away. The suit claims the other worker was intimidated by Varshney speaking in a language he did not understand and falsely and intentionally reported that the Indian-American committed a security violation by revealing confidential information and/or accepting this call during a confidential meeting or with confidential information in the background". "Varshney accepted the call from his brother-in-law in an empty cubicle and spoke to him for approximately two minutes, reads the lawsuit. Despite there being no policy prohibiting the call, and without any investigation, the defendants claimed Varshney committed a serious security violation and fired him. Worse, they blackballed him from future [Missile Defence Agency] work, effectively ending his career and life of service to MDA and the US government, the lawsuit said. The suit added that Parsons in a call informed Varshney that his privileges at MDA [had] been revoked and told him to meet the supervisor at the office. When Varshney arrived, (the supervisor) and MDA security personnel met him in the lobby, escorted him to his cubicle, and instructed him to pack up his personal belongings, the suit said. MDA security personnel opened and searched through every file in his cubicle and through his personal belongings. Varshney was humiliated and defendants were essentially accusing him of being a spy simply for speaking in a foreign language to a dying family member." Parsons in a response filed with the court on July 24 said it denies it engaged in any of the wrongdoing alleged by plaintiff or that plaintiff is entitled to any relief whatsoever. Parsons also asked for the suits dismissal with prejudice and demanded Varshney pay its attorneys fees and costs, the report says. Parsons representative Birmingham attorney Sharon L. Miller has not yet responded to a request for further comment from AL.COM. Varshney immigrated to the US in 1968 and settled in Huntsville where they became American citizens. His wife Sashi has worked at NASA since 1989. Varshney was once lauded as Contractor of the Year in systems engineering and received a letter of MDA recommendation for saving USD 5 million on the ground-based missile defense programme. The lawsuit said he provided engineering support for the development of integrated and layered missile defence systems which defend the United States and allied partner forces against ballistic missile threats". The suit says Varshney seeks reinstatement to a position comparable to his former position, the reinstatement of privileges, and the revocation (or removal) of any disciplinary records in his file. If he is not reinstated to his job level, Varshney seeks front pay including benefits. He also seeks compensatory damages for mental anguish and emotional distress, along with punitive and liquidated damages and attorneys fees, according to the report. Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), is currently on a three-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman. As per the Ministry of Defence, the visit aims to consolidate existing bilateral defence relations and engage in high-level discussions with the senior military leadership of Oman. Meeting with Gen Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Nuamani Admiral R Hari Kumar commenced his visit by calling on General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Nuamani, Minister of the Royal Office. During the meeting, they discussed information sharing, including white shipping data, and explored avenues for strengthening cooperation between the two nations. Bilateral discussions with the Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman Subsequently, Admiral Kumar held bilateral discussions with the Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser bin Mohsen Al-Rahbi. The discussions primarily focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and underscored the importance of the strategic partnership between India and Oman. INS Visakhapatnam's port call Coinciding with Adm R Hari Kumar's visit, the indigenously designed and constructed Guided Missile Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, for a three-day port call. This provided an excellent opportunity for various naval cooperation events between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman, including joint exercises and engagements, further strengthening naval ties. (Photo Credit: Indian navy) According to MoD sources, both navies have actively engaged under the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), aligning with the shared vision of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) advocated by the Government of India. This platform fosters cooperation and security among regional maritime forces. (Photo Credit: Indian navy) Visit to the Military metaverse lab and tour of the Maritime Security Centre One of the highlights of the visit was Admiral Kumar's tour of the Military Technical College. He received an overview of the courses and programs offered at the college, and the visit included a glimpse of the state-of-the-art Metaverse lab. This cutting-edge facility utilises Virtual Reality (VR) modules to enhance learning on various subjects, reflecting the commitment of both India and Oman to leverage technology in military education and training. (Photo Credit: Indian navy) Admiral Kumar also visited the Maritime Security Centre, where he received a detailed briefing on its functioning. The visit provided valuable insights into Oman's efforts in maintaining maritime security and addressing regional challenges, further solidifying cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman in countering shared threats and ensuring stability in the region. Long history of cooperation and joint exercise As per the MoD, both the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have a long history of cooperation under numerous Foreign Cooperation avenues. These include joint operations, training programs, and the exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields. Notably, the 13th edition of the bilateral naval exercise, Naseem Al Bahr, conducted off Oman in 2022, was a testament to their shared commitment to enhancing maritime security. The next edition of the exercise is scheduled for 2024. Home to a long-standing conflict, Kashmir has faced a constant challenge in maintaining peace and security. The recent surge in cross-border infiltration of terrorists and drug smuggling has prompted the Indian government to take decisive action. With an aim to prevent terror activities and ensure the safety of the local population, Indian security forces have been actively engaged in carrying out counterinsurgency operations. Strengthening border control and intelligence networks, they are determined to disrupt the networks responsible for the infiltration of terrorists and narcotics. One of the major concerns is the infiltration of terrorists who seek to disrupt peace and stability in the region. According to intelligence reports, Pakistan-based terrorist groups have been attempting to smuggle well-trained terrorists into Kashmir to create unrest and incite violence. The authorities have uncovered several foiled infiltration attempts by killing dozens of Foreigner terrorists demonstrating their proactive stance in safeguarding the region from potential terrorist attacks. "Pakistan is continuously trying to push terrorists this side from PoK with arms, ammunition, and narcotics but our security forces are on alert and we have killed many well-trained terrorists and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition in different operations along LoC across Jammu and Kashmir", said Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh today at Srinagar. Indian security forces have intensified their vigilance along the border to counter these illicit activities. Increased surveillance and intelligence sharing have enabled them to intercept and neutralize various attempts to infiltrate the region with terrorists and weapons. Additionally, coordination between different security agencies has been strengthened to respond effectively to emerging threats. The issue of drug trafficking has also been a growing concern. Indian authorities have discovered smuggling networks engaged in the transportation of illegal drugs from Pakistan into Kashmir. These drugs pose a severe risk to the health and well-being of the local population, particularly the youth, and also serve as a source of funding for nefarious activities. Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested and seized the properties of many individuals who were involved in narco-terror smuggling in different districts across Jammu and Kashmir. To combat this drug trafficking, law enforcement agencies have launched special operations and implemented stringent measures at border crossings and checkpoints. Intelligence-driven investigations have led to significant drug seizures, apprehending traffickers involved in the illegal trade. The persistence of Pakistan's support for terrorist activities and drug trafficking has drawn international attention and condemnation. Leaders and governments from various nations have expressed solidarity with India in its efforts to counter terrorism and curb drug smuggling. The government has repeatedly called on Pakistan to take concrete action against the terrorist groups operating within its borders and to put an end to the illicit drug trade. Diplomatic channels have been employed to address the issue, emphasising the importance of regional stability and cooperation in combating these threats. The people of Kashmir have shown resilience in the face of these challenges, supporting the efforts of Indian authorities to maintain peace and security in the region. Civil society groups and local communities have come together to raise awareness and promote a united front against terrorism and drug abuse. As the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking continues, Indian authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the nation and protecting the people of Kashmir. The collaboration between security forces, intelligence agencies, and the public is crucial in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for the region. France on Tuesday announced a planned evacuation from Niger after a military coup there won backing from two other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers. The French Foreign Ministry in Paris said the evacuation will happen rapidly. It gave no other immediate details. The French decision to evacuate comes amid a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Nigers democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it would use force if the coup leaders dont reinstate Bazoum within one week. Bazoum's government was one of the Wests last democratic partners against West African extremists. In a joint statement from Mali and Burkina Faso, their military governments wrote that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali's state minister for territorial administration and decentralization, read the statement on Malian state TV Monday evening. The two countries also denounced ECOWAS economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Also on Sunday, Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses." The sanctions measures advocated by ECOWAS, including military intervention, are an option that would not be a solution to the current problem, but would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could extend beyond Nigers borders, said Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, general of the brigade, in a statement from the ruling party. He added the Guinea would not apply the sanctions. In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the Russian symbols, but the country seems to symbolize anti-Western feelings for the demonstrators. Protesters also burned down a door and smashed windows at the French Embassy before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, say analysts, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their respective coups. After the second coup in Burkina Faso in September, protesters also attacked the French Embassy in the capital, Ouagadougou, and damaged and ransacked the Institut Francais, France's international cultural promotion organization. If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. While unlikely, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic, said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank. Lyammouri does not see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger, he said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to defend constitutional order in Niger after the sanctions announcement, and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family. Also Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he describe as harmful to state security. He also claimed without evidence that Bazoums government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chads President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. After neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military and began working with Wagner mercenaries, Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce $150 million in direct assistance, calling the country a model of democracy. The U.S. will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. US assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday. When people say theres an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, its extremely difficult for people ... Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community, he said. In the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they cant pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Since the 1990s, the 15-nation ECOWAS has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in Gambia to prevent the new presidents predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission. China has invested $25.4 billion in Pakistan over the past decade for projects ranging from roads to power plants, China's vice premier said Monday, as the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the so-called Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative, also called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor program, is China's global endeavor to reconstitute the ancient Silk Road trade routes and link China to all corners of Asia. In Pakistan, the CPEC has been billed as an opportunity to bring new prosperity to the South Asian nation. Since 2013, thousands of Chinese construction workers and engineers have been working in this impoverished Islamic nation as part of Chinese President Xi Jinpings initiative. However, work on some projects has since slowed down or been briefly suspended for multiple reasons, including a 2021 militant attack in which 13 Chinese workers were killed by a suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying them in the northwest. In his televised remarks, Chinese Vice Premier He Lefing said Pakistans southwestern town of Gwadar was once just a fishing town but because of the construction of a deep-water port there by China it has become a city and hub for regional connections. He said because of the completion of several CPEC-related projects, Pakistanis were now facing fewer power outages and hoped that Pakistanis will create a better future with their own hands in the years to come. His comments came days after China rolled over a $2.4 billion loan for Pakistan in a move aimed at helping the country overcome a serious economic crisis. China recently played a key role in helping Pakistan avoid a default on a debt payment. Loans from Beijing to Pakistan have continued pouring in since December, when the International Monetary Fund delayed the revival of a bailout for Islamabad until June, when a breakthrough came following talks between the International Monetary Fund andPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The IMF deposited the first installment of $1.2 billion in Pakistans central bank earlier this month. On Monday, Sharif, in the presence of the Chinese vice premier at a gathering, said he wouldn't forget the recent Chinese financial help, which came at a very crucial time. Since coming to power in April 2022, Sharif has blamed alleged corruption under former Prime Minister Imran Khan for Pakistans economic downturn. He said Pakistan will emulate the Chinese model of hard work to overcome one of the worst economic crises his country has faced in recent months. Sharif also said he wanted to see an end to relying on foreign loans. We have to move away from these borrowed loans and handouts, and have to stand on our feet to show to the world that our people are great, energetic, and capable of facing difficult challenges, he said. A 32-year-old man who racially abused an Indian-origin woman in Singapore and kicked her in the chest in 2021 should be jailed between six and nine months, the prosecution has pleaded before a court here. Wong Xing Fong in May 2021 attacked Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, a complete stranger to him, in Choa Chu Kang amid the Covid-19 pandemic, The Straits Times newspaper reported on Tuesday. Nita, 57, had earlier testified that on May 7, 2021, she was brisk walking with her mask down to Choa Chu Kang Stadium when she heard someone shouting. Wong and his fiancee Chua Yun Han, whom she did not know, told her to mask up. At the time, people were allowed to remove their masks when engaging in strenuous exercise but had to put them back on once they were done. In their submissions, Deputy Public Prosecutor Marcus Foo said Nita explained to the couple that she was brisk-walking, and gestured to show she was exercising and sweating. The prosecution said: The accused instead scolded the complainant (and verbally insulted her). To de-escalate the matter, the complainant responded, God bless you. The accused, however, kicked the complainant in her chest area. He and (his fiancee) then jogged off. Nita testified that an eyewitness helped her to her feet and applied plaster to a wound on her left forearm. However, Wong had earlier claimed that she was sarcastic and aggressive, and had hurled vulgarities at him. He also claimed she spat at him and Chua, and he reacted by pushing her. While he accepted that he had used vulgarities, he denied they were racial insults. Describing Nita as a truthful witness, the Deputy Public Prosecutor told the judge: It is absurd to suggest that the complainant framed the accused, a stranger, out of the blue. Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan in June this year convicted Wong of one count each of assault and wounding the victims racial feelings. Deputy Public Prosecutor Foo urged the judge to give Wong a jail term on the higher end of the range. Stressing the importance of community and racial harmony, Foo said Wong had committed serious offences and strong deterrence was needed. The prosecutor added the case had caused significant public disquiet. Defence lawyer Sim Bing Wen, however, pleaded for his client to be given two weeks jail and told the judge that Wong was a kind, caring and devoted man who had acted out of character. Wong is expected to be sentenced on August 7. For assaulting another person in a racially aggravated attack, an offender can be jailed for up to four years and six months, and fined up to USD 7,500. In the meeting between the US and the Taliban officials in Doha, Dubai, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, appointed by the Taliban, Amir Khan Muttaqi stressed the need for the removal of sanctions. The statement was shared by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid after the meeting, reported Afghanistan-based TOLO news. Muttaqi also urged the US not to create obstacles for Afghanistans economic development. A group of senior American diplomats met representatives from the Taliban and technocratic professionals. During the meeting, they talked about the significant issues concerning Afghanistan's well-being and humanitarian crisis, said the US State Department, reported AP. The talks have taken place in Doha on July 30 and July 31. US expresses concern over humanitarian crisis The US envoy has centred the discussion over the crucial matters related to the welfare and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as per a media release. The US delegation highlighted the significance of establishing mutual trust and confidence to aid the Afghan people. Some concerns were also raised regarding the current state of humanitarian affairs. However, a promise to uphold ethical principles and provide assistance to aid organizations and the United Nations was reiterated by the Taliban counterpart. US officials highlighted the worsening human rights situation in the country, particularly with regard to women, girls, and vulnerable communities. They requested the Taliban to reverse their policies of detaining people, restricting the media, and imposing religious practices, with a strong emphasis on respecting human rights. "The United States firmly stood by the Afghan people's demands for their rights to be respected and their voices to be heard in shaping the future of their nation," said the State Department on Monday, reported AP. Taliban call for removal of sanctions On US sanctions, the Taliban spokesperson said, "The sanctions on the banks should be removed and the Afghans should be allowed to take actions that improve the country." The Taliban representative shared that discussions took place with the Qatari side as well. According to the Afghanistan news outlet, the Taliban-appointed acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan left for Qatar on July 29, Saturday, to meet with the US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West and the US special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights Rina Amiri. Taking to Twitter, Taliban-appointed spokesman for Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qahar Balkhi wrote, "IEA delegation led by FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi including representatives from the MoF, DAB & officials from the Afghan Embassy & Political Office in Qatar, met with the US SR for Afghanistan Tom West & accompanying senior fifteen-member delegation from various departments." In a long tweet thread, Balkhi informed that both the envoys have discussed "humanitarian aid, freedom of travel, & Afghans' access to consular services around the world were among importance issues of discussion." The release of Afghan assets, the continuance of the economic stability of Afghanistan, and counter-narcotics were also a part of the discussion. Moscow aims to approve the establishment of fresh paramilitary firms after Russia's private military company, Wagner, announced its intention to reduce activities following an unsuccessful mutiny, reported news reports. This move appears to be an effort to safeguard Russian President Vladimir Putin's government against any future uprisings. According to the New York Times, a recording allegedly featuring Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was shared on Telegram on Monday. The recording suggested that the mercenary group would temporarily halt recruitment efforts and concentrate on their activities in Africa and Belarus. As long as we dont experience a shortage in personnel, we dont plan to carry out a new recruitment campaign, the recording said. As soon as the motherland would need to create a new additional group that would be able to defend the interests of our country, we would begin recruiting. After the unsuccessful mutiny, Prigozhin managed to resolve the situation by negotiating with the Russian ally Belarus. He struck a deal to put an end to the rebellion in exchange for immunity for his forces. Additionally, despite an offer from Putin to allow his group to continue fighting in Ukraine under new leadership, Prigozhin turned down the proposal, reports claim. Putin paving the way for new paramilitary companies to emerge: Report According to the Daily Beast, Russia's new proposal to raise the draft age includes cryptic amendments that would enable the formation of armed groups or "special enterprises" comprising men up to the age of 30. These groups would have the mandate to protect Russia's borders, ensure public order, and suppress uprisings. The proposal outlines that these companies would function under the orders of President Putin, while being managed by regional governors and financially supported by the Ministry of Defense. As per the new measure, which is anticipated to be approved by lawmakers, the special military groups will not be authorized to use force against crowds, except in cases of "group resistance," as reported by the outlet. Under the new measure, the special military groups would be permitted to engage in combat against unmanned drones and airstrikes. This suggests that these groups could be deployed to defend against potential Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Under the proposed new rules, President Putin would have the authority to dissolve any special military groups that become excessively influential at a moment's notice. The United States is seeking to enhance the supply of the crucial 155mm ammunition to Ukraine to bolter the ongoing counteroffensive against the Russian positions. The Biden administration has signed joint agreements with Bulgaria and South Korea to replenish the depleting shells for Ukraine's military and is also negotiating with Japan, according to reports. The US will deliver more 155mm calibre shells which are used by Ukraine's forces in the howitzers that are deployed on the frontlines. US to ramp up production of 'crucial munitions' The US plans to ramp up the production of the crucial munitions for Ukraine in the next two years, officials familiar with the development told the paper FT. Biden administration has been aware of Ukraine's depleting ammunition stockpile as its forces continue to ward off the Russian assaults and reclaim the occupied territories. I personally sit in my office every morning and spend 30 minutes on 155[mm] ammunition, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan was quoted as saying at the Aspen Security Forum, last month. We are actively working as rapidly as possible to build out the production lines for 155. We do not want to lose a day and there is not a tool, authority or dollar that were going to set on the sidelines to not being able to do that," US national security adviser Jake Sullivan added. The Biden administration, for months, has acknowledged the shortage of shells for the Ukrainian troops on the front line due to the high burn rate of munitions as the war entered the crucial counteroffensive phase. Last week, Ukrainian artillery crews operating the Soviet-era Grad multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) near the battered town of Bakhmut began firing rockets made in North Korea against Russian defensive positions. Most of these Soviet-designed ammunitions, that were seized by a "friendly" country before being delivered to Ukraine, are from the 1980s and 1990s. Ukraines defence ministry clarified that the North Korean rockets were seized from the Russian forces. We capture their tanks, we capture their equipment and it is very possible that this is also the result of the Ukrainian army successfully conducting a military operation, said Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defence minister. Meanwhile, Ukraine has also started negotiations with the US this week to reach a bilateral agreement for security guarantees that will be valid until Ukraine is officially incorporated into the Western military bloc NATO, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office announced in a statement. US President Joe Biden appeared to ditch his shirt and the perils that surround his son for another weekend at the beach as he took off for Delaware to soak up some Vitamin D at Rehoboth Beach. The 80-year-old arrived for his beachy jaunt with First Lady Jill Biden and a retinue of agents from the Secret Service. Biden, who hails from the 'First State', made an appearance in his classic beach attire- trunks, ball cap, t-shirt, and a pair of sunglasses. But the sunshine seemed perfect for sunbathing, so he took off his shirt and relaxed on a chair. The president and the first lady then enjoyed the day reading as waves crashed against the shore. According to the Republican National Committee, Biden's sandy Sunday marks the 360th day of vacationing since he became president. "Since taking office, Biden has spent 360 days 39% of his presidency on vacation," RNC Research said in a tweet on Monday. Reacting to it, one user wrote, "Actually, he's spent every single day of his tenure on vacation." Another user added, 'Mentally, hes been off the job much longer!" Joe Biden and Jill, Ed.D., are having a relaxing day at the beach, where Biden will remain for another week. Since taking office, Biden has spent 360 days 39% of his presidency on vacation. pic.twitter.com/3lUx8zzuwV RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 30, 2023 been waiting years for my 'biden shirtless' google alert to trigger pic.twitter.com/qV09eg7tTC William McNulty (@WilliamMcNulty) July 31, 2023 Biden enjoys back-to-back beach days Biden's weekend getaway comes just weeks after he was spotted at another beach near his Delaware residence. Earlier on July 9, he was seen laying on a deckchair and enjoying the ocean view with Jill Biden as the White House was embroiled in a string of controversies, such as the discovery of cocaine on its premises and the government's contentious decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine. This time around, the couple's disgraced son Hunter is facing intense scrutiny over his alleged business dealings overseas, tax offences, and gun charges. A testimony given by his former business partner Devon Archer said that the president was also involved in calls with foreign businessmen. But as legal perils mount for the 53-year-old, Joe Biden remains mum, occasionally touring beachy locations and 'seasing' the day. In Brief A major Taiwanese daily reported in July that U.S. and Taiwanese officials met in the South China Sea in 2022 to discuss creating a bioweapon lab, citing an alleged internal document by Taiwan. Despite denials from U.S. and Taiwanese authorities, this led to widespread reporting on the claim in Chinese media and social platforms. However, Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found the claim is misleading and lacks evidence. UDN published four images of a purported record that took place in the South China Sea in its July 12 paper edition. The headline reads, South China meeting touched on bioweapons. (Reproduced from UDN) In Depth United Daily News (UDN), one of Taiwans three largest newspapers with a pro-conservative stance of the opposition Kuomintang party, reported on July 9 that it had obtained Taiwan's internal document of a meeting in the South China Sea between U.S. officials and representatives of Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). During the meeting, the U.S. government asked Taiwans National Defense Medical Center to fund the construction of a biosafety level 4 (P4) lab for bioweapons research and development, UDN claimed. The paper later published a follow-up report on July 12, claiming to include photographs of the document from June 23, 2022. Following UDNs initial report, numerous official Chinese media outlets published misleading stories about the alleged document. Concurrently, many outlandish claims made by pro-China political commentators in Taiwan were swiftly adopted by mainland Chinese media. These claims, including one that the purported research is targeting Chinese DNA, were then manipulated into short videos, which rapidly spread across various platforms. Amid a flurry of media attention, both Taiwanese and U.S. authorities dismissed the claim. Taiwans Office of the President, Executive Branch, Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs separately issued statements denying that the alleged meeting took place, while an anonymous U.S. State Department official also said there was no truth in the initial UDN report. AFCL found the document lacks credibility and it alone cannot support the claim regarding the bioweapon development request. AFCL also discovered misleading and false information in the subsequent media coverage. Content: Is the entire document original? Although the majority of media coverage centered on the construction of the bioweapon facility, this topic comprises only a small portion of the alleged internal document. The document discusses several other issues pertaining to Taiwans domestic security and politics, such as the impact of wind turbines on the radar of missiles used by the Taiwanese armed forces, the importation of defective COVID antigen test kits into the country, and a ban on the export of Taiwanese grouper fish by mainland China. And AFCL found that the part discussing the impact of offshore wind turbines on radar matches an old UDN report on the same subject published in June 2022, which indicates that not the entire document is original. The rotation of the wind turbines giant blades will interfere with the Patriot and Sky Bow III air-defense array radars reflected waves from illuminated targets, affecting our militarys anti-missile and anti-aircraft assignments, the 2022 report reads in part. The alleged document published identical sentences with the phrase our military replaced with a comma and and changed throughout with a synonym. A portion of text describing the effect of wind turbines on radar (left) in the alleged meeting record nearly matches part of an old UDN report (right). (Photos reproduced from UDN) Wording: Is the language used in the document clearly Taiwanese? No. While both China and Taiwan predominantly use Mandarin Chinese as their official language, Mandarin as spoken in Taiwan and China differ in terms of vocabulary, pronunciation, and some grammatical aspects, reflecting influences from their respective regional cultures, dialects, and foreign languages. This was pointed out by Taiwanese authorities, who stated that a number of terms found in the alleged document such as our party would not be used in official Taiwanese government documents, but rather in mainland China. Format: Does the document adhere to Taiwanese official format standards? No. The Taiwanese government regulates standard formatting conventions and templates for all Taiwanese official documents. They can be seen here. A review of the purported internal document reveals deviations from several rules outlined in the manual. Apart from that, lists in all Taiwanese official documents must adhere to a standard numerical hierarchy, when arranging the text into items and bullet points. However, the purported document does not follow such an order. The purported records of the meeting published by UDN (left) only record the meeting name, date and chairman (highlighted in upper left). The layout of numeral systems used to list points (highlighted in lower left) also differ considerably from the standard format regulated by Taiwans Executive Yuan. (Photos reproduced from UDN and the Executive Yuan official website) In addition, all official Taiwanese government meeting records checked by AFCL included details such as meetings name, time, location, chairman, members, observers, and recorder at the outset of the text. In contrast, the alleged document omits such details by only including the meetings name, date, and chairman. How have Chinese media outlets covered the issue? Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times ran an article titled, Taiwanese media: The DPP has completely killed its conscience in order to blindly follow the US. The headline misleadingly implies that the majority of Taiwanese media blamed the DPP over the issue, but in fact, the newspaper was referring to only a single publication. Separately, the news site China Military reported incorrectly on July 15 that the respiratory disease SARS infected a Taiwanese researcher in 2003 and then spread across the island after being leaked from the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Taipei, the location of Taiwans then-sole P4 facility. In reality, this person was the last reported case of SARS in Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese government in 2004. A news article published in 2003 also noted that the researcher was infected while conducting research on the disease due to insufficient protection. Mainland Chinese media outlets also picked up misinformation spread by pro-China political commentators in Taiwan. One example is a claim made by a former Taiwanese legislator Joanna Lei who said during a CTi news program that the U.S. aims to develop bioweapons targeting Chinese peoples DNA. She claimed that the research would take place in Taiwan since Taiwanese people share DNAs with Chinese people from the mainland. AFCL previously debunked similar claims. Former Taiwanese legislator Joanna Lei claimed that the U.S. aims to develop bioweapons targeting Chinese peoples DNA on a Taiwanese television program. Her comments were later edited and uploaded to video platforms in mainland China. (Screenshot taken from Bilibili) Another example is a claim made by a Taiwanese current affairs commentator, Tung Chih-Sen, that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens rare inspection of the Institute of Preventive Medicine's biolab was actually a signal to start producing bioweapons. He also claimed that Taiwans past presidents had never visited the institute. However, AFCL found that Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou, both former presidents of Taiwan, visited the institute in 2003 and 2013, respectively. A photo of then-President Ma Ying-jeou inspecting Taiwans Institute of Preventive Medicine in 2013, posted by a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense. The lab located there is the same one President Tsai Ing-wen recently visited. (Screenshot from the Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defenses Facebook page) In Conclusion The alleged internal document published by UDN is insufficient evidence to establish that the U.S. instructed Taiwan to develop bioweapons at a South China Sea conference. The document contains non-Taiwanese phrases, obvious violations of government-mandated formatting conventions, and near-verbatim duplication from an older UDN article. Information available to the public is sufficient to cast doubt on the document's authenticity. The subsequent coverage by Chinese media and Taiwanese commentators included misleading and false information. Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mat Pennington. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) is a new branch of RFA established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. Our journalists publish both daily and special reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of public issues. The city's cops are still regarded with anger and suspicion, four years after the 2019 protest movement. A Hong Kong police recruitment campaign aimed at persuading 'brave and loyal' candidates studying in mainland China to join up has netted just over 100 suitable candidates, with thousands of vacancies remaining empty, as young people say public regard for the force is at a low ebb in the wake of the 2019 protest movement. Police launched a major recruitment drive among Hong Kong students in mainland Chinese universities in November last year, receiving 447 applications, 128 of which have been successful so far, the city's security secretary said in a July 26 letter to the Legislative Council. The remainder are still being processed. The drive came after deputy police commissioner Joe Chow told news site HK01.com in October 2022 that the force had a total of 5,000 unfilled vacancies, citing "political, economic and labor challenges" to recruitment. "Those who already have work experience must have not just the skills, but also similar values [to the rest of the force], Chow said in the interview, adding that the force will be looking for "braveness" and "loyalty" in potential recruits. Despite being allocated huge amounts of fresh funding in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, the force has been struggling to fill its additional vacancies, thousands of which have been filled by allowing officers to work past the usual retirement age of 55. Hong Kong police fire tear gas at protesters in Sai Wan, Hong Kong , July 28, 2019. Credit: Associated Press In total, 3,439 serving officers have been approved or approved in principle to extend their service to the age of 60, the security bureau letter told lawmakers. For many young people in Hong Kong, one major factor prevents them from considering a career as a cop -- the 2019 protest movement. "When I wrote about my future career in primary school, I wrote that I wanted to be a Hong Kong police officer," 19-year-old Jijai told Radio Free Asia. "When I was a kid, the cops in Hong Kong were very friendly, and I thought that was a way to help people." "Now I have completely changed my view, because ... I realized that they are just puppets for the communist government of Hong Kong," he said. "You're not doing good if you do stuff to hurt your own people." "If I had no other option and I really decided on a government job, I'd apply to be a firefighter, because they have a much better image than the police," he said. Public anger against the police treatment of protesters began with the intense tear-gassing of unarmed crowds who had no escape route at the start of the anti-extradition protests. It gained momentum when officers took 39 minutes to respond to hundreds of emergency calls when unidentified mobsters in white T-shirts attacked passengers and passers-by at Yuen Long MTR on July 21, 2019. And it took on a much darker turn following the bloody attacks on train passengers by riot police at Prince Edward MTR on Aug. 31, 2019, after which the MTR refused to release video footage from trains and platforms despite persistent rumors that at least one person died in the attacks. 'Like a police state' By November, police were surrounding major university campuses only to be met with a barrage of makeshift weapons including bricks, bows and arrows and Molotov cocktails as besieged frontline protesters sought to prevent them from coming inside. They were also criticized for their treatment of journalists throughout the protests, and their handcuffing of medics and first-aid volunteers during the siege of the Polytechnic University. Wong Tzi-kin, a Hong Konger in graduate school in democratic Taiwan, said he would never consider a career in the police force, citing the Yuen Long attacks. "I can just imagine the sort of work the government would ask me to do, especially now that Hong Kong has become like a police state," Wong said. "The police aren't maintaining law and order or serving the people any more; they're a political tool to maintain stability." He said wages are relatively high, however. "The high wages may be very tempting, but nobody with a conscience is going to do that just for the money," he said. Eggs thrown by protestors are splattered on a police badge at the police headquarters in Hong Kong, June 22, 2019. Credit: Associated Press Exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui said the police are no longer an asset to the government. "Since 2019, the image of the Hong Kong police force has been a negative asset for the Hong Kong government," Hui said. "It doesn't matter how much you try to tout it on [social media platform] Xiaohongshu, or how hard you try to clean up the narrative around Hong Kong, there is no way to make the police force look good," he said. "Even Hong Kong students studying in mainland China who are more able to accept the way things are there care more about their own dignity than about the monthly salary of H.K.$20,000-30,000," Hui said. "It shows the depths to which the public image of the Hong Kong police has sunk." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. The city has fallen out of favor amid an ongoing crackdown on critics of the government. A vendor selling handbags along with a few "I heart HK" tote bags, sits in her booth at Temple Street Night Market in Hong Kong. Credit: Associated Press Hong Kong has dropped out of the top five tourism destinations for residents of democratic Taiwan, who are forsaking the city they once loved to shop and eat in for Japan. Nearly one-third of the three million Taiwanese nationals who traveled abroad between January and April this year were headed for Japan, followed by China, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Hong Kong, once a favored destination for short shopping-and-eating trips, fell to sixth place, partly due to the ongoing political restrictions there, and partly for financial reasons. "I used to feel quite relaxed going there -- it was all about shopping and eating, wasn't it?" a Taiwanese national who gave only the surname Ou, who has been to the city more than 10 times in recent years, said. A Taiwanese woman surnamed Chen said she used to relish going to Hong Kong at least twice a year for the on-trend fashions and the Cantonese food. "Now I feel it's more convenient to go to Japan, and it seems a bit cheaper there," she said. A tour guide who gave only the surname Li said the weak yen is attracting more tourists to Japan, many of whom want to invest in Japanese make-up and skincare products they've seen on TV. "You can't get anything like Japan's make-up and skincare products anywhere else," Li said. "We rarely see cosmetics and skincare products from Hong Kong advertised on Taiwanese TV, which is fanning the flames [of travel to Japan]." Arbitrary arrest, refusal of entry and interrogation And the fear of arbitrary arrest, refusal of entry and interrogation is also a growing factor for residents of democratic Taiwan who may have been prominent critics of the Chinese government on social media in recent years. The island's Mainland Affairs Council recently updated its travel advice for Hong Kong, warning Taiwanese in Hong Kong to avoid carrying electronic tealights, wearing T-shirts referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre or possessing news materials relating to the city's 2019 mass protest movement. "I couldn't help but criticize China online during the 2019 protest movement," a Taiwanese who gave only the surname Ou told Radio Free Asia. "Now I'm a little bit scared because I don't know to what extent they are going after people," he said. Mainland tourists and other people walk along the promenade next to Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Credit: AFP The national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020 ushered in a citywide crackdown on public dissent and criticism of the authorities that has seen senior journalists, pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai and 47 former lawmakers and democracy activists charged with offenses from "collusion with a foreign power" to "subversion." It applies to speech and acts committed anywhere in the world, and has been used to issue the leaders of a London-based rights group with a takedown order for its website. The Council issued a news release on July 27 warning the democratic island's 23 million residents to take care when considering travel to China, which includes Hong Kong, and calling for an end to the "unreasonable detention" of Taiwanese people. Think twice about Hong Kong travel Earlier this month, a Taiwanese lecturer who gave only the pseudonym R said he was refused entry to Hong Kong after being interrogated in a room at the airport about the purpose of his trip. Ho Ming-hsiu, sociology professor at National Taiwan University, said Taiwanese academics should definitely think twice about traveling to Hong Kong. "Hong Kong has its own list [of people likely to be detained or interrogated], and everyone thinks that the criteria used for this list are stricter than those of China," Ho said. "Under the National Security Law, the Hong Kong government doesn't have to let you leave, so everyone worries that they might not be allowed to leave if they do go there," he said. Even for people unlikely to be targeted for political reasons, the increased security means longer waits in line at border checkpoints which used to keep the lines moving fast and waiting to a minimum for incoming tourists, according to travel agency boss Chen Ting-yun. "There has been a lingering shadow ever since the 2019 protest movement, with Taiwanese consumers fearing they could get into some kind of trouble if they go to Hong Kong," Chen told RFA. "Also, the shops aren't quite as prosperous as they used to be, while the big-name brands aren't offering the same kind of discounts that they once did," he said. "A lot of the famous brands have shut down their stores," Chen said. Lee Chi-yueh, an assistant professor of tourism at the Taipei City University of Science and Technology, said Hong Kong could do with adapting its role as a regional destination. "They haven't really added any attractions since the 2019 protest movement," he said. "Hong Kong's main role used to be as a transit destination, but that role has been taken over by Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore." "So Hong Kong will need to offer more than the old formula of shopping and eating if it wants to compete," he said. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. An invitation accepted by ousted Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang extends to his successor, U.S. official says. Amid a slow-building thaw in relations, U.S. and Chinese diplomats appear to be laying the groundwork for a visit to the United States by Chinas recently reappointed Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Beijings top North America diplomat visiting Washington on Monday. Yang Tao, the director general of the North American and Oceanian Affairs Department in Chinas Foreign Ministry, met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink and Sarah Beran, senior director for China and Taiwan Affairs on the White Houses National Security Council, according to a readout from the U.S. State Department. The two sides held a candid, substantive, and productive discussion as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the bilateral relationship, a readout from the State Department said, noting the meeting followed Blinken and Wangs meeting in Jakarta on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit. Yang Tao, center, Director General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, left, as they arrive in Beijing. (Associated Press) Yangs trip mirrored one taken by Kritenbrink and Beran to Beijing a week before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Beijing was announced in June. But that meeting also included Ma Zhaoxu, Chinas executive vice foreign minister, who did not join this time. Wang not Qin The visit by Yang also follows speculation about return visits to Washington by senior Chinese officials after Blinken and a number of other Biden administration cabinet officials made trips to Beijing. Besides Blinken, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry have also visited counterparts in Chinas capital, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said she plans to make the trip sometime this summer, with a late August trip rumored. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, left, and Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi shake hands before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Associated Press) But last weeks ouster of Qin Gang a former ambassador to the United States and Chinas foreign minister from December until last Tuesday, when he was suddenly dumped amid rumors of an affair had cast some doubts on the prospects for a visit to Washington. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, though, has downplayed any impact on the thaw between Washington and Beijing from Qins ouster, calling it an internal matter for China. On Tuesday, he said an invitation to visit Washington accepted by Qin during Blinkens trip to Beijing was transferable to Wang, who has resumed the role he previously served in from 2013 to 2022 while continuing in his new job as head of Chinas Central Foreign Affairs Commission. In the meeting yesterday, we extended the invitation that had previously been made to the former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and made clear that that invitation did transfer over to Wang, Miller said at a press briefing, referring to Yangs meeting in Washington. But the spokesperson said there were no firm plans made. Ill let the Chinese Government speak to their side of it, he said. We certainly expect that it is something that they would accept, and its a trip that we expect to happen, but we have not yet scheduled a date. Working groups The cooling in U.S.-China ties follows nearly a year of rising tensions that began last August with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis trip to Taiwan and peaked during Februarys spy balloon incident, which led Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing hours before he was set to leave. During that time, meetings between senior U.S. and Chinese officials dried up most prominently including those between military leaders leading lower-level officials also to avoid working meetings. People in Taipei walk past a billboard welcoming U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in anticipation of her controversial visit to Taiwan in August 2022. (Associated Press) U.S. officials like Blinken, Kerry and Yellen have since said their goal with trips to Beijing is just to reopen those channels of communication after a year of increasing silence, with deliverables to come later. Bonnie Glaser, a China expert and director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said it was possible Yangs trip was to smooth the way for Wang to visit to Washington, but said it could also be an effort to move on now to the deliverables. The U.S. is using cabinet-level meetings to try and open the door to working-level discussions, while at the same time having high-level meetings, like between Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan, Glaser told Radio Free Asia, referring to the U.S. national security adviser. She noted that Raimondo, the U.S. commerce secretary, and Yellen, the treasury secretary, both expressed hope their visits to Beijing would open the door to a return to working-level meetings of junior officials. Maybe the State Department is doing something similar, with Blinken meeting with his counterpart, who is now Wang Yi, and then having some of his staff try to have working-level meetings, she said. It may be more that its going from the top, down to the bottom, rather than the bottom preparing for higher levels, if you see what I mean. Construction on the Chinese-funded project in Xayaburi province stalled during the pandemic. An artists representation of the elephant breeding and conservation center planned for Xayaburi province, Laos. A Chinese company that promised to build an elephant conservation and breeding center in remote Xayaburi province still hasnt completed the project, six years after receiving a 130-hectare land concession from the Lao government. A severe flood from last year and the COVID-19 pandemic are the main reasons for the delay in opening the center, a Xayaburi province planning and investment official told RFA under condition of anonymity. But the center could open next month at the pilot stage, the official said. The $40 million project near the Houng River in northwestern Laos was announced in September 2017 by the Chinese state-owned Sino-Lao Tourism Investment and Development Company. Construction began again recently but has slowly moved forward, one villager told RFA. The center was affected by the flood and the company has to do restoration, he said. During the flood last year, I saw that the center was severely damaged. The site is already home to 10 elephants. Villagers told RFA that tourists sometimes come to the site, but there hasnt been any training and the center doesnt put on a show for the visitors. Everything stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the provincial planning and investment official said. The Chinese company hired Lao workers to take care of the elephants. The government doesnt intend to revoke the 50-year land concession, and Xayaburi provincial officials are still hoping to develop the province as a place known for its elephant breeding and training, the official said. There are two other elephant conservation centers in the province. The internationally funded Save Elephant Foundation Laos, which takes care of injured and ill elephants and is currently home to seven elephants. The second one is the Elephant Conservation Center, a Lao-French joint venture company that has 30 elephants under its administration. Laos has about 800 elephants, and half of those live in the wild, according to a 2020 report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Matt Reed. The move was part of a broader amnesty which saw nearly 8,000 prisoners released. Myanmars military has cut the prison term of the jailed head of the deposed National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, by six years, the junta announced Tuesday. It also cut four years from the sentences against the countrys ousted president Win Myint. The move was part of a broader amnesty to mark the full moon day of Waso, in which 7,749 inmates were set to be released Tuesday from prisons across the country. Waso, also known as Dhammasetkya Day, commemorates the first sermon Buddha ever delivered. The junta often announces amnesties on Buddhist religious days. According to the militarys Tuesday announcement, six years were cut from five cases against Suu Kyi. They relate to the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Communication Law and one case under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code, which deals with defaming the countrys military and undermining state order. Suu Kyi still has to serve 27 years in prison, according to the sentences already handed down against her. Last month, the 78-year old was moved from a prison in the capital Naypyidaw to a more comfortable state-owned residence, a party official and a source with ties to the prison told RFA last Friday. The National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in national elections in 2020 but was ousted in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup. Suu Kyi was arrested in Naypyidaw shortly after the coup along with then-president Win Myint. The junta said Tuesday that Win Myints 12 years of combined prison sentences have been reduced by four years, taken from a charge under Section 505 (b) and one under the Natural Disaster Management Law. Win Myint is reportedly in poor health. In June, the 72-year-old was treated for an unspecified disease at Bago regions Taungoo Prison, sources close to him told RFA at the time. While the families of prisoners waited outside prisons across Myanmar Tuesday, the wife of ousted Social Affairs Minister Naing Ngan Lin told RFA she had heard nothing about the fate of her jailed husband. I did not expect much for him, since he is in their hands, Khin Sandar Win said. They can release him at any time and they dont release him if they dont want to. Thats why I did not expect him [to be released] because he was sentenced to 15 years. I thought the worst and I will be glad if it becomes the best. Khin Sandar Win said she thought the decision to reduce Aung San Suu Kyis sentence was ambiguous, as the former state counselor still faces a long prison term. David Mathieson, an independent analyst on Myanmar, told the AFP news agency the partial pardon was a "cynical ploy to tell the world that there might be some kind of political resolution coming [w]hen we know that there is not". "I think they are just playing cruel games with a political prisoner," he said. "All the charges against her are absurd and shaving six years off 33 isn't mercy." On Monday, the junta extended its State of Emergency for a fourth time, delaying elections it had vowed to hold by the end of the year. The U.S. State Department said it was deeply concerned by the move. The regimes widespread brutality and disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma continue to prolong the crisis, said spokesperson Matthew Miller, adding that the U.S. would continue to work with its allies to put political and economic pressure on the regime. We continue to call for it to end its violence and atrocities, release those unjustly detained, allow unhindered humanitarian access, seek justice for survivors, and engage with all stakeholders to pursue a peaceful, just, and democratic future for Burma. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. Critics slam the statue as a waste of budget that can never salvage Min Aung Hlaings legacy. Journalists take photos of the sitting Maravijaya Buddha marble statue during a media tour, Friday, July 21, 2023, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. The Maravijaya Buddha statue is said to be the worlds highest sitting marble Buddha image according to local media. UPDATED at 10:56 a.m. EST on 08-2-2023 Myanmars junta inaugurated a 1,700-ton Buddha statue at a grand ceremony in the capital Tuesday that was secretly mocked by citizens used to the military's efforts to win respectability through religion. The unveiling of the Maravijaya Buddha to mark the full moon day of Waso is the latest attempt by a military regime in Myanmar to present itself as being aligned with religion in the Buddhist-majority country, despite resorting to violence to enforce their grip on power. Civil servants had no other choice but to go to the ceremony, despite Waso being a holiday, said a resident of Naypyidaw who, like several others RFA Burmese contacted for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. What I am sure of is that no civilians who arent government employees joined the ceremony, he said. Only [junta] employees who were forced to join went there. The military even arranged transportation for them. Waso, also known as Dhammasetkya Day, commemorates the first sermon Buddha ever delivered, and Myanmars latest junta pulled out all the stops. The ordination ceremony in the capital Naypyidaw for the 63-foot-tall Buddha, which sits atop an 18-foot-tall throne, was the most extensive official religious event in the country since the military under Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing seized power two-and-a-half years ago. Pro-junta media have dubbed the 58 billion-kyat (US$27.6 million) carving the worlds largest marble sitting Buddha statue, ordered built by the junta chief to show the international community that Buddhism is flourishing in Myanmar and to bring peace to the country and the world. But residents of the capital were quick to point out the hypocrisy of the regimes message of harmony when its security forces are responsible for the deaths of 3,861 civilians since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup detat. What we see is that the junta is using a lot of money and manpower in building the statue to make it more famous than previous pagodas, said another resident. I have no plans to visit, as it was built by the blood-stained hands of the military dictator. Other critics of the project have slammed the statue as a vanity project for Min Aung Hlaing, who they say hopes to paint himself as a protector of Buddhism in Myanmar. Rights activist Zaw Yan pointed out that the money used to build the statue was part of Myanmars national budget. He questioned why it wasnt used to feed people who are starving because of the juntas economic mismanagement or provide aid to the 2 million the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says have been displaced by conflict in the country since the takeover. This is just the juntas attempt to appear as if [Min Aung Hlaing] is a holy king in hope of gaining peoples support as a political exit, he said. Remembered as murderers Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a political analyst, told RFA that Min Aung Hlaing likely built the Maravijaya Buddha statue in a bid to whitewash his legacy, ward off danger and prolong his rule. That's what [junta chiefs] usually do, he said. There have been similar examples of this in the past. The statues ordination was reminiscent of one in February 2002, when the countrys former junta under Senior Gen. Than Shwe held a ceremony to consecrate a 560-ton, 37-foot-tall marble Buddha statue known as the Loka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni in Yangon. Than Shwe moved Myanmars capital from the city to Naypyidaw in 2006 and three years later built the Uppatasanti Pagoda there its name invoking a Buddhist mantra believed to protect against foreign invasion. In 1986, former junta leader General Ne Win completed the Maha Wizaya Pagoda, whose name means extraordinary success, south of the revered Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. However, few people visit the pagoda these days because of its association with the dictator, whose regime was responsible for killing unarmed students, monks and other civilians in a bloody 1988 coup. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, center, head of the military council, puts jewelry at point of victory, auspicious ground, during consecration ceremony at the sitting Maravijaya Buddha statue made with marble rock, Sunday, July 23, 2023, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP In addition to the statues unveiling on Tuesday, the junta also announced an amnesty that reduced the prison term of the jailed head of the deposed National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, by six years and that of the countrys ousted president, Win Myint, by four. It also ordered the release of thousands of inmates from prisons around the country. The junta often announces amnesties on Buddhist religious days. Of course they want to be rulers who are seen to revere Buddhism but they are remembered as murderers, not as devout religious leaders, said Kyee Myint, a human rights lawyer. [Try as they may] their wrongdoings will remain recorded in history." Waryama, a leader of the Spring Revolution Sangha Network of anti-junta Buddhist monks, likened such acts to hiding a dead elephant with the skin of a goat, or attempts of deception. Generations of tyrants and dictators in our country build these temples and pagodas to cover up their atrocities and killing of the people., he said. [The junta] is using the Buddhas image to try to continue its rule of the country so that it can inflict more cruelty In fact, worshiping Buddha statues is just a superficial custom of Buddhism. Buddhist in name only The statue unveiled on Tuesday, whose name Maravijaya means the Buddha who overcomes the devil's interference, is imbued with Buddhist symbolism. According to the Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP-Myanmar), an independent research group, worship of the Maravijaya statue involves the number nine, seen as auspicious by Myanmars superstitious military leaders. The combined weight of the statue (1,782 tons) and throne (3,510 tons) is 5,292 tons. When 5,292 is added together until one digit remains (5+2+9+2=18, 1+8=9), the result is nine. The same is true for the combined height of the Buddha and its throne, as well as the number of adjoining stone stupas (720), the number of days required to complete the statue (1,143), the number of monks in attendance at the ceremony (900), and the date of the ordination (8/1). Workers prepare the area around the marble Maravijaya Buddha statue in Naypyidaw on July 21, 2023, ahead of its opening on August 2. Credit: AFP But Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese political analyst living in China, said that Myanmars military leaders dont actually believe in religion. They intend to mislead the people by building Buddha statues, he said, or try to set their guilty minds at peace with such religious deeds. Myauk Ya Marr, a monk from Sagaing regions Yinmarbin township, where junta troops committed some of the worst atrocities since the coup amid an offensive against fierce anti-junta resistance, said Min Aung Hlaing could never build enough statues to atone for the killings under his leadership. The sins of the many murders he has committed cannot be cleared by any means, he said. He will definitely suffer in hell regardless of how many meritorious deeds he does. His frustrations were echoed by Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for the NGO Human Rights Watch, who said Min Aung Hlaing must be held accountable for his "record of crimes against humanity and war crimes." "This is a man who is one of the worst war criminals in Asia, if not the entire planet, and he foolishly thinks building yet another Buddhist temple is going to save him," Robertson said. "The Burmese people are not fooled by this silly waste of resources, and the international community should not be fooled either. There will be no peace in Myanmar until Min Aung Hlaing and the [junta] coup makers face real accountability for their crimes." Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Matthew Reed. This story has been updated to include comments from Human Rights Watch's Phil Robertson. A Solomon Islands news company was granted more than U.S.$130,000 by the Chinese government in exchange for agreeing to promote the truth about Chinas generosity and its true intention to help develop the Pacific island country, a funding document and email reviewed by RFA-affiliated news organization BenarNews shows. The Solomon Islands has become a hotspot in Chinese-U.S. rivalry in the Pacific after the government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare switched the island countrys diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019. The Solomons signed a security pact with China last year, alarming the United States and allies such as Australia, who fear it could pave the way for a Chinese military presence in the region. The July 2022 funding proposal from the owners of the Solomon Star newspaper and its Paoa FM radio station to the Chinese embassy says a partnership will benefit Beijing by promoting China as the most generous and trusted development partner in Solomon Islands. The pay-for-play arrangement was first reported Sunday by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, which is funded by nonprofit foundations and government agencies. It says its Pacific reporting is funded by a no-strings attached U.S. government grant. The documents reviewed by BenarNews provide specific details of what was an open secret in some circles in the Solomon Islands about largesse from Chinas embassy directed at the countrys media. The Solomon Star is one of two main newspapers in the Solomon Islands. A July 17 email to several Solomon Star reporters from the papers senior journalist, Alfred Sasako, reprimanded the reporters for critical coverage of Sogavares official visit that month to Beijing. I write to place on record my profound disappointment about our front page article, titled China Trip Exposed, Sasako said in the email reviewed by BenarNews. My further disappointment is the fact that such publicity makes it very difficult for me to deal with the Chinese Embassy on matters pertaining to Chinese Government support for [the] Solomon Star, he said in the email that also extolled the benefits of Chinas assistance to the Solomon Islands. Sasako didnt answer calls to his mobile phone. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, right, and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, July 10, 2023. Credit: AP/Pool An editorial in the Solomon Stars Tuesday edition defended its Chinese government funding and denied the Chinese embassy had reproached the newspaper for negative coverage or attempted to censor any reports. Yes, Solomon Star has nothing to hide, said the article. We have received funding support from China. It claimed that other media organizations and journalists in the Solomon Islands were also receiving or seeking Chinese government funding. The funding document said the Lamani family-owned Solomon Star approached the Chinese embassy in 2021 about financial assistance and the embassy agreed to provide about U.S.$41,000. The agreed funding was increased in June 2022 to about U.S.$133,000 based on a new Project format provided by the embassy, it said. The media outlets finances were battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing it to sack half of its 100 staff, and an aging printing press meant it was sometimes unable to print its editions on time, according to the document. It expressed concern about delays in getting the funds for new printing equipment, which meant the intent of our mutual partnership to inform, educate and entertain the people of Solomon Islands about China and its development marvels has suffered as well. The paper prints 6,000 copies daily and estimated readership to be double that. China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and build its own set of global institutions. The Solomon Islands has been Chinas highest profile success in building influence among Pacific island countries in recent years. Under Sogavare, the Solomon Islands has sought to benefit from the rivalry between China and the U.S. by securing more development assistance. The country, an archipelago about 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles) northeast of Brisbane, Australia, struggles with crumbling roads, limited telecommunications and lack of basic healthcare. Sogavare was feted by Chinas leaders during his week-long visit to the country last month. He, in turn, heaped praise on his hosts including the visionary leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. The resolution urges the government to raise the issue at the United Nations General Assembly. Philippine Sen. Risa Hontiveros is seen on the Senate floor, Aug 1, 2023. The Philippine Senate voted unanimously Tuesday on a resolution condemning China for its continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and incursions into Manilas waters in the contested South China Sea. The resolution also urged the government to raise the issue of Beijings actions in the strategic waterway before the United Nations General Assembly. These allegedly violate a 2016 international arbitration ruling that nullified Beijings expansive claims to the potentially mineral-rich sea. It is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines to strongly condemn the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the incursions in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese coast guard and militia vessels, the resolution said, according to a copy obtained by reporters. The West Philippine Sea is the name that Filipinos use for waters claimed by Manila in the South China Sea. The resolution urged the Philippine government to take appropriate action in asserting and securing the countrys sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, in the South China Sea. The final resolution consolidated two authored separately by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. This bipartisan effort tells the Filipino people that when it comes to matters of national sovereignty, we will never be bullied into submission, Hontiveros said in a statement. The fight against Chinas reckless behavior in the West Philippine Sea does not end here, she said. Hontiveros said she hoped that with the resolution, Manila would take the necessary steps to consolidate global support for the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, to name a few, have hailed the ruling, but Beijing has continued to ignore it. Members of nationalist groups stage a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in remembrance of the Philippines victory in the South China Sea dispute at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, in Manila, July 12, 2023. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] On Monday, Ursula von der Leyen, the visiting president of the European Commission, said the European Union backed the legally binding ruling. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have territorial claims in the South China Sea. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to these disputes, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone. The Senate resolution also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring international attention to continued violations of The Hague ruling. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., though, appears disinterested in involving the U.N. Generally speaking, foreign policy is not set by the legislature. Generally speaking, foreign policy is left up to the executive, he told reporters last week. The United Nations entertains governments, not parts of government. They deal with governments. Jojo Rinoza and Gerard Carreon in Manila contributed to this report. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 2. The trade turnover between Turkiye and Turkmenistan from January through May 2023 amounted to $1.09 billion, Trend reports. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, these figures in the reporting period are 50.4 percent more than in the first five months of last year ($724.3 million). Turkmen exports to Turkiye amounted to $688.51 million from January through May this year, which is 2.1 times more than in the same period in 2022 ($326.1 million). Turkmenistan in the first five months of this year increased imports from Turkiye by 1.7 percent compared to the same period in 2022 ($398.19 million) - up to $405.32 million. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Turkiye and Turkmenistan in 2022 amounted to $2.06 billion, which is 21.8 percent more than in 2021 ($1.69 billion). When the Taliban seized power in 2021, Afghanistan's Shi'ite Hazara minority feared that the historically persecuted community would once again become the main target of Taliban atrocities. During its first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban terrorized the group, wresting control of Hazara regions in Afghanistan through a campaign of targeted killings. After regaining power, the Sunni militant group tried to assuage Hazaras' fears of discrimination and persecution. The Taliban visited Shi'a mosques in the Afghan capital and deployed its fighters to protect ceremonies marking the Shi'ite month of Muharram. But members of the community have accused the Taliban of since backtracking on its promises to protect Shi'a and grant them the right to freely observe their faith. Last week, the Taliban prevented Shi'a from celebrating an important religious festival. The militants have also restricted the teaching of Shi'a jurisprudence in universities in Afghanistan. In February, the Taliban reportedly banned marriages between Shi'a and Sunnis in northeastern Badakhshan Province. The Shi'ite community has accused the Taliban of failing to prevent deadly attacks on Hazaras by the rival Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group. Meanwhile, rights groups have documented the forced evictions of Hazaras by the Taliban, a predominately Pashtun group, in several provinces. "The Taliban are becoming increasingly intolerant of public expressions and displays of the Shi'ite religious faith," said Niamatullah Ibrahimi, senior lecturer at Australia's La Trobe University. "If it becomes a pattern, it will clearly limit the religious freedom of Shi'a, especially ceremonies that are often public in nature." Taliban fighters prevented Shi'ite residents in Kabul from publicly celebrating Eid al-Ghadir on July 7. The festival celebrates what Shi'a believe is the day that Prophet Muhammad declared Ali, a cousin and son-in-law, his successor. But the festival clashes with the Sunni belief that Abu Bakr, the first Muslim caliph, was the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad. These conflicting beliefs are among the most important differences between the two main Muslim sects. 'They Want To Eliminate Minorities' In May, the Taliban banned the teaching of the Shi'a Jafari school of jurisprudence at Bamiyan University. It is not clear if the ban has been extended to all universities in Afghanistan. Most residents in the province of Bamiyan, in central Afghanistan, are Shi'a. Nematullah, an Islamic studies student at Bamiyan University, said they have been forced to study the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence that is followed by the Taliban. "We were told that if we raise our voice, we will be taken away and tortured," the 20-year-old told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, adding that the Taliban ban was forcing Shi'a to give up their education or leave their homeland. Mohammad Hassani, another student at the university, accused the Taliban of trying to "eliminate minorities and their religions by force." Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Rizwani, a prominent scholar at the Shi'a Ulema Council of Afghanistan, told Radio Azadi that the Taliban's ban on teaching Jafari jurisprudence contradicts "the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and national unity." Although a census has never been conducted, Shi'a are believed to make up around 15 percent of Afghanistan's 40 million people, which is largely Sunni. Hazaras account for the overwhelming majority of Shi'a in the country. During the 19th century, Afghan monarchs attempted to forcibly convert the Hazara, seize their lands, and bring Hazara regions in the country's central highlands under the control of the central government, campaigns that killed thousands and forced even more to flee their homes, including many to British India. Hazaras who resettled in Kabul and other cities suffered discrimination and were often employed only in low-paying jobs. In a significant step to address the historical grievances of the Hazaras, Afghanistan's 2004 constitution permitted Shi'a to use Jafari jurisprudence in court cases involving personal matters. The community also gained an unprecedented share in power during the Western-backed political order that emerged after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Only The Beginning? Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has mostly maintained the state's administrative structure. But it has scrapped the 2004 constitution and laws that guaranteed freedoms and rights to Afghans, particularly to religious minorities and women. The Taliban's theocratic government is made up almost entirely of senior Taliban members, with no women and just a few non-Pashtuns. "There are deep fears within the community that this could be only the beginning of systematic discrimination against the Shi'a and the representation of their understanding of Islam in the country's laws, society, and politics," said Ibrahimi of La Trobe University. Niala Mohammad, the director of policy and strategy at the nonprofit Muslim Public Affairs Council in Washington, said the Taliban has failed to protect Afghanistan's Shi'ite minority from the IS-K, which has killed scores of Hazaras in attacks on schools and mosques since the Taliban takeover. "[The Taliban] continue to harass and target those that do not adhere to their distorted view of Islam," said Mohammad, who was previously the South Asia analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. "Particularly Shi'a Hazaras, whom they view as heretics." She said the Taliban's mounting restrictions on the Shi'ite minority "emboldens Shi'a persecution by other religious extremists across the region and deepens the sectarian divide." The Polish Defense Ministry says two Belarusian military helicopters that were conducting training exercises near the border violated Polands airspace on August 1. The ministry said in a statement that the charge d'affaires of Belarus would be summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry to explain the circumstances of the incident. The statement clarified that the helicopters crossed into Polish airspace at a very low altitude, making them difficult to detect. It said that is why an earlier statement from the Polish military said that the helicopters had not violated the NATO member's airspace. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak convened a meeting of the Committee for National Security and Defense Affairs to discuss the matter and then ordered an increase in the number of soldiers on the border. He also allocated additional resources, including combat helicopters. The statement added that NATO had been notified about the incident. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the accusations of airspace violations by two Belarusian military helicopters were fabricated. The ministry said on Telegram they were made up by the Polish military-political leadership "to justify another increase in forces and resources near the Belarusian border." Poland, Lithuania, and other countries on NATO's eastern flank have voiced concerns about a potential threat from Belarus, which now hosts thousands of troops belonging to the Wagner mercenary group. The Russian-linked mercenaries arrived in Belarus after the group's short-lived rebellion in Russia at the end of June. Wagner troops, who played a key role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, last week began training mechanized units of the Belarusian military, the Defense Ministry said on July 30. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on July 29 that a group of "100 Wagner mercenaries" in Belarus had moved closer to the Polish border, calling it "a step toward further hybrid attack on the Polish territory." With reporting by AFP YEREVAN -- The ethnic Armenian leader of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutiunian, has issued an urgent appeal to the international community, asking for immediate action to lift a de facto blockade imposed by Azerbaijan and prevent what he called "the genocide of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh." Both Armenia and separatist authorities in the enclave have said that Azerbaijan has blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh since December, resulting in shortages of food, medicine, and energy. Yerevan and international aid groups have warned that a dire humanitarian situation has been unfolding in the breakaway Azerbaijani region with convoys of food and medicine blocked. "With this urgent address I am signaling that right now the people of the Republic of Artsakh" -- ethnic Armenians' name for Nagorno-Karabakh -- "are being subjected to genocide and face a real threat of destruction and deprivation of their homeland," Harutiunian said in a video address published late on August 8. WATCH: Armenian police detained more than a dozen protesters outside a government building in Yerevan on August 8 after they demanded authorities take steps to unblock the Lachin Corridor. He said a humanitarian crisis had been created by what he described as a 240-day blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, charging that "in a situation like this manifestation of inaction or indifference is nothing but acquiescence in the crime of genocide." Tensions escalated after Azerbaijan last month completely suspended traffic through the checkpoint pending an investigation after it said "various types of contraband" had been discovered in the Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia. Access was previously blocked amid a series of protests and accusations emerging from Baku. Azerbaijan says it can only allow supplies to reach Nagorno-Karabakh over a road from Agdam, a town controlled by Azerbaijan in the east of the region. Ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh reject that offer, saying Azerbaijan's blockade is a violation of the Moscow-brokered 2020 cease-fire agreement that placed the 5-kilometer-wide strip of land under the control of Russian peacekeepers. A delegation led by staff members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on August 8 visited the site in Armenia's southern Syunik Province where a 19-truck convoy of humanitarian aid has been stranded for two weeks. "The international community must take effective personal and collective steps in order not to allow Azerbaijan to fill the history of mankind with another page of mass famine and genocide," said Harutiunian, the heavily ethnic Armenian region's de facto president. He said Stepanakert called on Armenia to "immediately submit to the UN Security Council for discussion the humanitarian disaster that has emerged as a result of Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the illegal blockade" of Nagorno-Karabakh, and he urged Yerevan to be careful in its public statements and assessments of the situation. He urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "to show moral and political responsibility and leadership, involving the entire UN system" on the issue. Baku routinely brushes aside accusations of ethnic cleansing against Karabakh Armenians. In 2020, Azerbaijan regained control of territories held by ethnic Armenian forces outside the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as a chunk of the former autonomous oblast itself. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly warned the local population to integrate into Azerbaijan or leave. The United States and the European Union have urged Azerbaijan to allow humanitarian supplies to reach Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin Corridor. A group of UN experts issued a statement on August 7, expressing alarm over the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, which they said had led to a dire humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. "By lifting the blockade, the [Azerbaijani] authorities can alleviate the suffering of thousands of people in Nagorno-Karabakh and allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population," the experts said. "It is essential to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals during this critical time." They also called on Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in the region to protect the corridor under the terms of the cease-fire agreement. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry criticized the UN experts for what it described as their biased statement that it claimed had been influenced by "Armenia's manipulations." KYUSTENDIL, Bulgaria -- To beat the heat, Arso Ganev recently took his family to a local pool in their hometown of Kyustendil on the western fringes of Bulgaria. Arriving late in the afternoon at a hotel with a pool open to guests and the public, Ganev and his daughter approached a young woman working there, enquiring what time it closed, hoping for a quick dip in the cool waters. "She told me it was open until eight [o'clock], which sounded as if we had enough time to use the pool. But then an older lady jumped in and said there were over 50 guests currently at the hotel and said they couldn't let us in," Ganev said. As they stood there, others whisked by and entered the pool complex unimpeded. Figuring it could be a scheduling snafu, Ganev asked if they could come back another day but soon concluded it was futile. He was sure that he and his family would be denied regardless of the day. It all had to do, Ganev suspected, with them being Roma. "The [Romany] community is resigned to [discrimination]. They say that these are private businesses and that it is up to the owner whether or not to let them in. I don't agree. I think that once an establishment opens for business, it would be open to all ethnic groups," said Ganev, an educational adviser, in remarks to RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. Like elsewhere in Europe, Roma in Bulgaria face widespread discrimination. Numbering at least 700,000 -- although an exact figure is elusive as many fear openly declaring their ethnicity -- the majority of Bulgaria's Roma live on the fringes of society, often facing widespread prejudice and hostility in public life. And now as much of Europe broils in some of the hottest weather on record, cases of discrimination against Roma at public pools in Bulgaria appear to be on the rise, with incidents reported in several towns and cities across the country. Last week, a frustrated Ganev took to social media to share his indignation and experience with discrimination in Kyustendil. That reverberated with other Roma, who also shared similar experiences with Ganev but had refrained from speaking out, he said, amid fear of repercussions. Ognyan Isaev, an activist with Trust for Social Alternatives, an NGO funding projects to bring vulnerable groups, including the Roma, out of poverty, says there was a similar case of discrimination against Romany people at a local pool in Bankya, a suburb of the capital, Sofia. In a Facebook post, Isaev said a couple had been denied entry at the Aquabankya complex, while others were given access, prompting Isaev to conclude it was only a "pool for whites." RFE/RL requested but did not receive comment from Aquabankya, although, according to social-media posts shared by Isaev, it appears the couple did eventually meet with the Aquabankya owner, who offered an apology. Discrimination Complaints After the outcry over the incident in Bankya, Bulgaria's Commission for Protection Against Discrimination (KZD) said it was investigating. In comments to RFE/RL, the commission said it was also looking into a similar incident at a public pool in Sliven, a city of 120,000 people around 300 kilometers east of Sofia. In 2023 alone, the KZD has investigated and confirmed several cases of such discrimination involving Roma at public pools in Velingrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Burgas, Pazardzhik, and Sofia. In Velingrad, a town of some 22,000 in southern Bulgaria, the swimming complex first appealed the decision, arguing its decision to deny entry to Roma had nothing to do with racism but capacity limits. It later withdrew the appeal. In 2021, a report by Bulgaria's independent Nova TV exposed discrimination against Roma at a public swimming complex in Veliko Tarnovo, a historical city of some 71,000 in central Bulgaria. Earlier this year, the KZD concluded the facility had engaged in discrimination and imposed a fine on its owner. The same report cited three other similar cases that year at other pools elsewhere in Bulgaria. Like Ganev, Danail Filipov, a Romany man living in Kyusendil, has also faced discrimination at one of its public pools. Filipov says he, his family, and friends were turned away in 2018, when management claimed the facility was holding a private party. "I asked them that if the party was private, how come they let people behind us and in front of us in?" he told RFE/RL. Tensions quickly boiled over and Filipov and his friends say they soon found themselves squaring off with the owner of the pool and staff members. When police were called in to intervene, only the Roma were charged. The altercation had consequences, Filipov says. "My child was traumatized," he said, adding that he had no run-ins with similar racism when traveling in Europe. "We've come across different people, a different attitude abroad. Here, we are confronted by some kind of primitiveness from our fellow Bulgarians in Kyustendil," he said. This all sounds sadly familiar to Ganev, who says he's been run out of nightclubs and restaurants in Kyustendil. "Because of things like that, I tried for years not to go anywhere outside of my neighborhood, and when I did go to a restaurant or bar, it was always one nearby," Ganev said. Roma Hesitant To Come Forward Daniela Mihailova, a lawyer who's worked on cases of Roma discrimination, says many establishments in Bulgaria have concocted a way to shield themselves from charges of racism when denying entry to Roma. "Many businesses have come up with internal rules to protect themselves. For example, they offer cards for regular users, reserve a certain percentage of seats.... These are usually just excuses and such procedures are rarely enforced," Mihailova told RFE/RL. For both Filipov and Ganev, people's treatment at public pools is often based on the color of their skin. "When a group of Roma -- among them ones with darker skin -- tries to enter, no one is allowed in. When they return later, only the whiter, lighter ones are allowed in," he said. Fighting such institutional racism in Bulgaria is made all the tougher by the unwillingness of many Roma to step forward and speak out. "People don't want to talk, they're afraid. They're afraid to file complaints and reports," said Dora Petkova, a sociologist focusing on integration issues. That fear, coupled with what Petkova described as sluggish action by Bulgarian institutions, has just exacerbated racism toward the Romany community. "I think there are tensions all across society -- in the language of hatred and in the acts of hatred. As we can see, there are also anti-Semitic and homophobic acts. All done quite publicly and without absolutely no punishment," Petkova said. She did say, however, that the overall situation has improved somewhat since Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007. A recent report by the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance concluded that Bulgaria had "achieved tangible progress since 2014 in fighting intolerance, introducing inclusive education, combating anti-Semitism, promoting integration of Roma, and supporting refugees." However, the report also noted "hate and prejudice against [the] LGBTI [community] and Roma persist and should be addressed." Lawyer Mihailova says the Romany community has found some redress for racism in Bulgarian courts and now has the option of taking cases to the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which some have already done. In October 2022, the ECHR ordered Bulgaria to pay compensation to 56 Roma who were evicted in 2019 from a village near Plovdiv due to racism. Ultimately, Ganev says, Roma must rely on themselves by learning their rights and what measures they can use to defend themselves. "What I'm trying to do is create a reflex inside the Romany community," Ganev said. "Because if we don't protect our rights, we can't survive." Authorities in Iran are expanding their reach in their efforts to enforce compliance with the country's strict hijab law by pushing popular start-up companies to police their younger, tech-savvy employees. In recent weeks, the operations of at least three web-based companies -- the DigiKala online retailer, the Azki.com insurance company, and the Taaghche book app -- have been shut down. In each case, the closures came after the emergence of photographs showing female employees without the mandatory head scarf. The images had reportedly been posted on employees' personal social-media accounts, not by the companies themselves. But that did not prevent the authorities from going after the start-ups that until recently had been touted for their successful, cutting-edge business models. The pressure on such firms comes after Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili said on July 27 that action would be taken against start-up companies if their employees failed to comply with the Chastity and Hijab Law. But observers say Tehran is playing a dangerous game that threatens to further alienate the younger generation and potentially make entrepreneurs and foreign investors think twice about bringing modern businesses to the Islamic republic. The start-ups that have come under scrutiny vary in their organization, with some being private, some semi-private, and some having strong ties to the government either directly or indirectly, Amir Rashidi, the New-York-based director of Internet security and digital rights at the Miaan Group, told RFE/RL. But they all share common traits and differ from the old way of doing business in Iran, in that they employ young, educated people to deliver services to younger customers using modern technology. "The kind of culture that exists [at the companies] is usually not the kind of culture that could represent the culture of the Iranian government," Rashidi said. "Because this is the new generation. These are the techie people. These are the most connected population of Iranians, who are connected to the outside world because of the Internet, because of the job that they do, who have more opportunity to be in touch with [people] outside the country." In the wake of months of street protests that broke out last year against the Islamic dress code and the clerical establishment, hard-liners have sought to strengthen the Chastity and Hijab Law. According to new draft legislation presented by parliament late last month, fines of up to $720 can be levied against women who defy the law, along with prison sentences of up to three years. The revision of the law was prompted by the protests that began following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested for an alleged hijab violation, and has been described by prominent members of the clerical establishment as necessary to preserve the Islamic republic's fundamental values. Amid a crackdown on the antiestablishment protests that resulted in at least 500 deaths since September, the authorities have disrupted Internet access multiple times and have gone after individuals who used social media to show support for the demonstrations by posting pictures of themselves without head scarves. Prominent female celebrities and athletes have been among those targeted, including three film and television actresses who were sentenced last month and diagnosed as having personality disorders after they were photographed without their hijabs. On July 23, the pressure on start-ups began with the suspension of DigiKala's business. And just a day before parliament published the text of the new Chastity and Hijab bill, and hours after Esmailis warning to start-ups, a legal case was filed on July 27 against the book retailer Taaghche, along with similar actions against Azki.com. The shutdown of the companies had an immediate effect, with customers expressing dismay at being cut off from purchasing books, products, and services online, and business associations warning that the action would harm efforts to develop the business sector. Since then, Azki.com and Taaghche have been allowed to resume operations after releasing public commitments that they and their employees would adhere to the Chastity and Hijab Law. The situation at DigiKala, often described as Iran's Amazon online retailer, remains unclear. On August 2, a post on the company's website said that the "violation" depicted in a photograph posted on the personal site of one of its employees "was not approved by the company's management." DigiKala, the statement continued, "always considers itself obligated to comply with all national laws" and the company hoped that by being allowed to resume operations it "can play a more substantial role in better serving the people and economy of the Islamic republic." Then, within hours, the statement was inexplicably removed, and the company's offices remain sealed and its business suspended. In its effort to exert control over the start-ups, which have been lauded as examples of Iran's ability to successfully launch modern companies on its own despite the hurdle of international sanctions, Tehran is essentially forcing them to police their own employees. But the approach has been met with warnings by the Association of Emerging Businesses of Iran, which following Azki.com's closure said that such suspensions presented a "big and crisis-causing obstacle" to the development of the private sector. Rashidi expressed skepticism that "using people against people" would work, both at the societal and business level. He says that in the absence of digital rights and the recent emphasis on compliance with the Chastity and Hijab Law, the government will be able to catch offenders more easily and to fine and even arrest them. But in the end, he said, "it's going to create more tension and challenges." And outside investors and partners of Iranian companies are likely to take note as well, Rashidi said. "Some of these companies have investors from outside Iran," he said. "And this definitely will affect those companies, because they don't want to be seen internationally as a supporter of censorship." The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Survivors recall a suicide bombing that killed at least 54 people and wounded 100 at a political rally in northwest Pakistan held by a religious group allied with the government. The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group claimed responsibility in a statement on its Telegram channel on July 31. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed "deep concern" over Russia's issuance of arrest warrants for several court officials, including one of its judges. The Russian Interior Ministry said on July 27 that ICC Judge Tomoko Akane was placed on the government's wanted list. Akane was one of the judges in March to issue arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, for being responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia -- a war crime under international legislation. "The Presidency of the Assembly (of States Parties to the ICC) regrets this new attempt to undermine the international mandate of the International Criminal Court and reiterates that it stands firmly by the court, its elected officials, and its personnel. We once again underscore our full confidence in the ICC as an independent and impartial court of law," the court said in a statement on August 1. With the warrant, Putin became the third serving head of state to be targeted in an arrest warrant from the ICC, the world's permanent war crimes tribunal, along with Sudan's Omar al-Bashir and Libya's Muammar Qaddafi. Russia had already retaliated by opening criminal cases against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan and the judges who ordered Putin's arrest, including Akane and Italy's Rosario Salvatore Aitala. Moscow had also already placed Khan and Aitala on its wanted list over the past two months. Akane's arrest warrant reportedly states that she violated Russia's Criminal Code, though the specific charge is not given. "The International Criminal Court represents the commitment of its States Parties to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. We urge all States to respect its judicial independence and stand united against impunity," the ICC statement added. The ICC is comprised of 123 member states, but not Russia, China, or the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy received a report from his intelligence director on August 1, a day marked by air-raid alerts across the country and drone attacks on the Crimean Peninsula and Moscow. "The occupiers will definitely feel the consequences of our work. They will seriously feel it," Zelenskiy said in a video on Facebook after a closed-door meeting with Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry. Zelenskiy did not provide further details about what was discussed with Budanov during the morning meeting that also included the heads of law enforcement and military agencies. A Russian missile attack during the day hit a hospital in Kherson, killing a doctor and injuring several medical workers, regional officials said. Military administration head Roman Mrochko said the doctor had worked in his position for only a few days. Several other medical workers were injured in the attack, including a nurse who suffered serious injuries. The reports could not be immediately verified. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had been working at the hospital supplying medical equipment and providing services to people displaced by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in early June. "We unequivocally condemn this disgraceful attack on a medical facility and extend our condolences to the family of the doctor who died," MSF said on social media. Russian troops shell Kherson and the liberated part of the region almost every day. Despite the evidence and testimony to the contrary, Moscow has denied targeting civilians since the beginning of the full-scale invasion more than 17 months ago. In a separate incident in a northeastern village, an elderly woman was killed and a man was wounded in Russian shelling on August 1, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. The second air-raid alert declared for Kyiv and most of Ukraine came just hours after a first alert that followed a Russian drone strike that destroyed a college dormitory in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv. Authorities said the alert was prompted by the heightened likelihood of Russian drone and missile strikes after Ukraine's General Staff said early on August 1 that Russian forces carried out nine missile and 57 air strikes on Ukraine over the previous 24 hours. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. At least one person was wounded in the attack on Kharkiv, which Mayor Ihor Terekhov said targeted the city's densely populated suburbs and involved at least three drones. "One of the drones destroyed two floors of one of the dormitories," Terekhov said. Deputy regional Governor Yevhen Ivanov said the most recent attacks were the first time that Kharkiv, which is close to the border with Russia, was struck by drones. In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the Russian capital repelled a Ukrainian drone attack early on August 1 but one office tower was damaged, while one of the city's main airports was briefly closed. "Several drones were downed by air-defense systems while attempting to reach Moscow. One hit the same tower in the city as last time," Sobyanin wrote on Telegram, referring to the building that was struck in a previous drone attack over the weekend. Sobyanin said the drone attack didn't cause any casualties. Russian authorities accused Kyiv of staging the attack. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said that Moscow "is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war,'" without confirming or denying Kyivs involvement. The office building complex, located about 7 kilometers from the Kremlin, is the headquarters of a number of government agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It wasn't clear why the same building was hit twice in a row. In both incidents, the Russian military said the drones that hit the skyscraper were jammed before crashing. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said Ukraine had the right to use weapons manufactured domestically wherever the country's military considers it necessary. It is not worth thinking that "combat actions will take place only on our land," he said on Ukrainian television. "Everything related to Moscow, the city where the decision to kill our citizens is made, should simply cease to exist." Explosions were heard later on August 1 in the port city of Sevastopol in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea. Explosions are heard almost daily in the region, which Russia illegally seized in 2014. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed administrator of Sevastopol, said a drone was shot down, causing an explosion on the ground and some bushes to catch fire. In the eastern region of Donetsk, two civilians were killed by Russian shelling over the past 24 hours, regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram on August 1. On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have been engaged in heavy fighting along the entire front line, fighting more than 40 close-combat battles over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine's military said in its daily report on August 1. The British Ministry of Defense, in its daily intelligence bulletin, reported "intense fighting" in southern Ukraine. Russia's Defense Ministry said on August 1 that Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of Russia's armed forces, had visited Russian troops in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhya. The previous day, Deputy Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Malyar reported advances in the counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhya. "We are gradually but surely moving [ahead] in the Berdyansk and Melitopol directions," Malyar said on Telegram, adding, "Fighting continues in all directions of the counteroffensive." Separately, Russia on August 1 said it had repelled an overnight attack by Ukrainian naval drones that targeted its patrol boats in the Black Sea. "During the night, Ukrainian armed forces tried without success to attack with three drones the Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov, patrol boats of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea," the Defense Ministry said in a statement, adding that the drones were destroyed some 340 kilometers southwest of Sevastopol, the port that houses Russia's Black Sea Fleet on the occupied Crimea Peninsula. The claim could not be independently verified. Tensions in the Black Sea have been on the rise since Russia refused to extend a Turkey- and UN-sponsored deal that had made possible the safe export of Ukrainian grain by sea. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Watch exports to China have surged by an astonishing 30% in just the first five months of this year, starting to make up for the time lost to Covid. With travel restrictions now lifted, Chinese consumers are reclaiming their former place in the heart of the luxury market According to the Chinese zodiac, the year that began on 22 January 2023 falls under the sign of the rabbit. This symbol of good fortune aligns perfectly with the hopes pinned on the country not only to fuel the growth of the luxury industry, which has been riding a wave of euphoria for over a year now, but to drive growth globally. While the countrys structural challenges are well known particularly a high burden of national debt and a shaky real estate sector the outlook for the current year remains promising. Having recorded an unexpected 4.5% increase in GDP in the first quarter, China clearly intends to sustain this pace throughout the year. Although were a long way from the growth rates of the 1990s, in the current context this performance is remarkable, even if the government has played a significant role. Robust growth With the year off to such a promising start, Swiss watchmakers have every reason to be optimistic. According to customs statistics from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, watch exports to China leapt by 108% in April and a staggering 158% in May, which equates to average growth of 30% over the first five months of the year. Although watchmakers have not yet completely made up for the downturn of the three Covid years (in China, and specifically in Shanghai, the lockdown extended to the end of 2022), recovery is in full swing. The same holds true for Hong Kong, a critical conduit in the watch trade with Asia, where imports of Swiss watch products have risen by 26% over the same period. The only missing ingredient, as far as the luxury industrys leading players are concerned, is the return of Chinese tourists. As consulting firm Bain & Co points out, before the pandemic Chinese customers accounted for one-third of luxury purchases worldwide, with two-thirds of these transactions taking place outside China. Since the travel ban was lifted earlier this year, Chinese nationals are gradually picking up their old habits, although the movement is still in its early stages. One of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists is Lucerne. Uwe Conrad A key market For now, then, luxury houses are focusing their efforts on domestic consumption. This includes watchmaking institutions, which are increasingly organising events and shows locally. For several years now, the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve has organised a world tour of the competing watches. This year, it will be stopping off in Macao (25-26 September) and Hong Kong (28 September-1 October) under the aegis of the Tatler Asia media group, which is organising meetings, conferences, seminars and other receptions in conjunction with the exhibition for collectors and the general public who, year after year, show their keen interest in these exceptional timepieces. On the agenda are expert-led exhibitions, meetings with watchmaking specialists, thematic seminars, exclusive receptions for collectors and public panel discussions. Timeless is already set to become a landmark event on the Asian watchmaking calendar. Meanwhile, Watches and Wonders Shanghai is preparing for its third edition this September at the West Bund Art Center. The event will feature 14 exhibitors and, for the first time, it will be open to the general public. Although the citys lockdown last year meant the event had to be rescheduled, it was certainly not cancelled. From December 2022, Watches and Wonders took a three-month residency on Hainan Island, at both the CDF Mall in Sanya and the new CDF Mall in Haikou. In line with the Chinese governments plans, Hainan is rapidly becoming a vast duty-free shopping hub, primarily targeting Chinese customers, who spent a staggering $5 billion on the island last year. As Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue often emphasises, China is a key market, and there is little doubt that it will reclaim its top spot in Swiss watch exports. While Russians continue to sling mud at the West for "wrong" values and pat themselves on the head for promoting the "cult of the family," their leader Vladimir Putin is the main perpetrator of this ideology. The Russian president does not recognize his own children, and the Kremlin denies any information about the dictator's heirs. Thus, in addition to two daughters from his first marriage and one daughter out of wedlock, the leader of the terrorist country, according to foreign and Russian journalists, has sons from gymnast Alina Kabaeva, who is called his mistress. ADVERTISIMENT Some sources say the Olympic champion gave the Kremlin chief their first child together in 2015 and then another in 2019. Others claim that not one boy was born in 2019, but two at once - twins. OBOZREVATEL collected in the material all the information known about them. For the first time news about the probable romantic relationship between Putin and Kabaeva appeared in the newspaper "Moscow correspondent" in 2008, after which the edition was very quickly closed. The Kremlin continues to deny any connection between the president and the gymnast. Meanwhile, the former champion is quickly and confidently gaining managerial positions in major Russian corporations. ADVERTISIMENT As for Putin's children by Kabaeva, the dictator's "mistress" gave birth to her first son in one of the most expensive clinics in the world, located in the Swiss city of Lugano. Just before the birth, in September 2014, the athlete finished her deputy activity in the State Duma of the Russian Federation and took the post of chairman of the board of directors of the holding company National Media Group. For some time after that, she did not appear in public. By the way, it was in 2014 that Putin divorced his wife Lyudmila Shkrebneva after 30 years of marriage. Kabaeva gave birth for the second time in Moscow. The media write that the place of birth of the child was "the decision of the President". The boy was born in 2019, however, as we wrote above, some insiders claim that it was twins. Putin was not present at the birth. ADVERTISIMENT "Alina has a relationship with Putin. Their children - two sons - are Putin's children. Alina has no other relationship. It would be too dangerous for her," the Daily Mail quoted an anonymous insider as saying. Meanwhile, pictures of Kabaeva with two little boys at Alexei Nemov's ice show at the Megasport Palace in Moscow have appeared online. There is no irrefutable evidence that the children who came with her are her sons. ADVERTISIMENT Kabaeva also regularly appears in public with a ring on her ring finger. We will add, recently in the network there was information that the athlete once again got pregnant by the Russian president. Moreover, according to insiders, the Olympic champion is carrying a girl, which did not like the dictator very much. We shall remind you that the dictator has two daughters by his first wife Lyudmila Shkrebneva - Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova. Maria was born into the Putin family on April 28, 1985 in Leningrad. Katerina was born a year later on August 31 in Dresden. The girls studied at the elite private gymnasium "Petershule" with advanced study of the German language. The first now works as a medical endocrinologist and is co-owner of the medical company "Nomeko", and the second is the head of the fund "National Intellectual Development" and the company "Innopraktika". ADVERTISIMENT In addition, in 2021, investigative journalists found out that the Russian dictator has another daughter - Elizaveta Rozova. The girl's mother is one Svetlana Krivonogikh. In the 90s, she was a simple cleaner, and after meeting Putin, she suddenly became a multimillionaire and one of the richest women in Russia. Read more about Putin's three daughters here. Earlier OBOZREVATEL wrote that Putin's ex-spouse found a husband 20 years younger and acquired villas in Europe. How the couple looks now - learn in our material. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Michelle Yeoh, the 60-year-old star of the film Everywhere All at Once, a Malaysian actress of Chinese descent who won an Oscar this year, married the former president of the International Automobile Federation, 77-year-old Jean Todt. They have been engaged since 2004. ADVERTISIMENT The wedding took place in Geneva, Switzerland. The ceremony was attended only by the couple's closest friends and family. The photo was posted by Brazilian race car driver Felipe Massa on Instagram (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photo). He posted a touching card with a love story of his friends. It said that the lovers met in Shanghai on 4 June 2004, and on 26 July they celebrated their engagement. On 27 July 2023, exactly 19 years later, they got married. Judging by the photos, the Oscar also played a role. In many shots, guests and newlyweds hold it in their hands. ADVERTISIMENT This is the bride's second marriage, and Jean has a son from a previous relationship. Yeoh chose a non-standard cream-coloured dress. Later, the star changed into a more comfortable outfit. The groom spent the day in a classic two-piece suit with a blue tie. The photos were taken spontaneously or unprofessionally, so we can assume that the lovers refused to use a photographer. Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about the second husband of Lyudmila Putina, the former chosen one of the Russian dictator. To find out what he looks like, follow the link. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Punjab Education Department Formal Orders issued to all District Education Officers CHANDIGARH: In recognition of their significant contributions to promoting the Punjabi language, the Education Department of Punjab has extended a special privilege to the writers employed in the department. The Secretary Education Department, Punjab, has announced the provision of one day on-duty leave per month for these dedicated educators, acknowledging their efforts in advancing literature through their writings for various magazines and newspapers. The Education department issued formal orders to all District Education Officers, outlining the criteria for availing this new facility. Teachers working in the department who have actively contributed to the promotion of Punjabi language and literature and received accolades from esteemed organizations like Sahitya Akademi, Language Department Punjab, and Sahitya Sabhas for their exceptional literary works, are eligible for this special leave benefit. Advertisement According to the issued orders, these esteemed writers and teachers are required to present their literary works in registered means of communication media, universities, colleges, literature academies, language department of Punjab, as well as government and semi-government institutions. Upon doing so, they will be considered as on-duty for one day in the department while attending these events, presenting papers, or participating in literary activities. To avail themselves of the on-duty leave, the teachers must duly inform their respective school principals about their participation in the aforementioned literary events or activities. This new facility aims to recognize and encourage the invaluable contributions of educators who have been instrumental in promoting Punjabi language and culture through their writing endeavors. For Representative Purpose Only Investigation Underway: Chandigarh Police Probing Taxi Driver's Murder as Community Mourns CHANDIGARH: In a shocking incident, a taxi driver was found dead near Mullanpur Medicity in Chandigarh. The victim, identified as Dharampal, a 15-year veteran taxi driver in the city, was originally from Jhunjhanu, Rajasthan, and had been residing in Zirakpur with his sister. The gruesome discovery was made when the deceased's lifeless body was found near Mullanpur Medicity. The police, suspecting foul play, are treating the case as a homicide. The taxi driver had reportedly picked up a ride from the bus stand in Sector-43 before the tragic incident occurred. Advertisement As the investigation unfolds, the police have ruled out robbery as a motive, as the taxi driver's vehicle was found abandoned near his body. The police are currently on the hunt for an unidentified assailant who remains at large. Upon discovering the crime scene, the police swiftly took possession of the body and transferred it to the mortuary at PGI Chandigarh for further examination. A case has been registered against the unknown assailant to initiate the legal process. Satinder Singh, the in-charge of Mullanpur police station, has indicated that this tragic event could potentially be the result of a dispute between the taxi driver and the passengers he had picked up. However, the exact circumstances leading to the driver's death are yet to be revealed as the police continue their investigation. The President's Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) has recommended that Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) should be reauthorized upon its expiry by the end of this year. Section 702, which is one of the United States' most critical intelligence tools used against national security threats, is set to expire on December 31 unless Congress takes action to reauthorize it. It authorizes the National Security Council, the Department of Homeland Security, and security/intelligence agencies like FBI and CIA, to collect foreign intelligence information from non-U.S. persons located abroad. It provides intelligence on activities of terrorist organizations, weapons proliferators, spies, malicious cyber actors, and other foreign adversaries. On the basis of intelligence obtained under this authority, the U.S. government has been able to understand and respond to threats posed by China, rally the world against Russian atrocities in Ukraine, locate and eliminate terrorists that posed threat to the U.S. mainland and its interests abroad, enable the disruption of fentanyl trafficking, and mitigate the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, among others. Section 702 has been critical to monitoring the activities of potential suicide bombers who threaten U.S. forces in Afghanistan. At the same time, civil liberties groups such as ACLU allege that the U.S. government is engaging in mass, warrantless surveillance of Americans' and foreigners' phone calls, text messages, emails, and other electronic communications and abusing its surveillance authorities. ACLU called on Congress to significantly reform the law, a key provision of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. President Joe Biden had asked his Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) to conduct a review of the effectiveness of Section 702 collection and oversight and to provide recommendations regarding potential reforms. In order to inform ongoing discussions about Section 702's reauthorization, the Biden administration released the PIAB's report. The unanimous conclusion reached by the group of independent, experienced experts says that failure to reauthorize Section 702 could be "one of the worst intelligence failures of our time." "We agree with the Board's recommendation that Section 702 should be reauthorized without new and operationally damaging restrictions on reviewing intelligence lawfully collected by the government and with measures that build on proven reforms to enhance compliance and oversight, among other improvements," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said in a joint statement. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Canadian market ended lower on Tuesday as healthcare, materials and utilities shares fell on selling pressure. Energy and stocks started off on a weak note, but regained most of the lost ground as the session progressed. The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index, which fell to 20,468.68 intraday, ended the session with a loss of 93.71 points or 0.45% at 20,532.93. Data showing a slowdown in manufacturing activity in the U.S., Europe, the U.K., and China rendered the mood cautious. A report from Markit Economic said the S&P Global Canada Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.6 in July of 2023 from 48.8 in June, beating market expectations of 48.9, but marking a third consecutive month of contraction in the Canadian manufacturing sector. In the healthcare sector, Tilray Inc (TLRY.TO) ended 4.8% down, and Bausch Health Companies (BHC.TO) ended lower by 1.7%. Among materials shares, Silvercrest Metals (SIL.TO) tanked 21.5% after two brokerages cut the price target of the stock. Centerra Gold (CG.TO) ended 6.6% down, while Equinox Gold Corp (EQX.TO), Endeavour Silver Corp (EDR.TO), Osisko Mining Corp (OSK.TO) and MAG Silver Corp (MAG.TO) lost 4.4 to 5%. In the utilities section, Boralex Inc (BLX.TO), Brookfield Renewable (BEP.UN.TO), Algonquin Power (AQN.TO), Innergex Renewables (INE.TO), Canadian Utilities (CU.TO), Emera Inc (EMA.TO) and Fortis Inc (FTS.TO) ended lower by 1 to 2.5%. Molson Coors Canada Inc (TPX.B.TO), Stelco Holdings (STLC.TO), Nuvei Corporation (NVEI.TO), Sprott Inc (SII.TO) and Nutrien (NTR.TO) were among the other major losers. Wajax Corporation (WJX.TO), TFI International (TFII.TO), Docebo Inc (DCBO.TO), Linamar Corporation (LNR.TO), Waste Connections (WCN.TO), Ag Growth International (AFN.TO), Bombardier Inc (BBD.B.TO), FirstService Corporation (FSV.TO), Toromont Industries (TIH.TO) and Fairfax Financial Holdings (FFH.TO) gained 1 to 4%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Hyundai reported a YoY and MoM growth in sales in July 2023 to 66,701 units with export seeing significant improvement Hyundai Motor India with a current lineup of multiple cars among which are the Grand i10 Nios, i20, i20 N-Line, Aura, Exter, Venue, Venue N-Line, Verna, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson, Kona Electric, and IONIQ 5 has seen increased sales in July 2023. The company has seen timely deliveries of semiconductor supplies and now gears up for the upcoming festive season which starts off with Onam festival in Kerala from 20th August 2023. Hyundai Domestic sales and Exports Improve in July 2023 Hyundais sales figures for July 2023 show an increase both in terms of domestic sales and exports. Domestic sales stood at 50,701 units in the past month, relating to a 0.40 percent YoY growth from 50,500 units sold in July 2022. MoM sales also grew by 1.40 percent from 50,001 units sold in June 2023. It was exports that saw even greater growth. The company exported 16,000 units in July 2023 which was a 19.84 percent YoY growth from 13,351 units shipped in June 2022 relating to an improvement in volumes by 2,649 units. This took total sales (domestic + exports) to 66,701 units in July 2023, up 4.46 percent from 63,851 units sold in July 2022 with a 2,850 unit growth in volumes. Even as the Hyundai Creta continues to lead in terms of sales, the new Exter, Venue and Verna have also added significantly to sales figures in the past month. The company has just trademarked the new adventure editions of Creta and Alcazar and these two models are expected to be available from end of August or early September. They will probably be launched in limited numbers and boast of Ranger Khaki exteriors and other off-road centric features. Hyundai Exter SUV to Spur Sales In July 2023, Hyundai launched the new Exter 5 seater SUV. The Exter is available in five broad variants of EX, S, SX, SX (O) and SX (O) Connect and is being offered at introductory prices which range from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Exter boasts of outstanding features and several first in segment offerings among which are voice-enabled Smart Electric Sunroof and a Dashcam sporting Dual Camera functionality. Safety is enhanced via a total of 26 standard safety features and with 40 advanced safety features. The Hyundai Exter draws its power via powertrain options among which are a 1.2 liter Kappa petrol engine mated to a 5 speed MT or Smart Auto AMT. It also gets a 1.2 liter bi-fuel Kappa petrol engine with CNG option mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. The High Anti-Corruption Court has delivered a verdict in the case of former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mykola Zlochevsky, who was convicted of giving a record-breaking bribe, after 2.5 years of trial. The defendant was sentenced to a fine of four thousand tax-free minimum incomes, equivalent to UAH 68,000. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the press service of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Importantly, Zlochevsky himself signed a plea agreement with the SAPO prosecutors. In addition, throughout the trial and since the start of the full-scale war, the disgraced ex-minister has made contributions to help Ukrainian defenders at the front totalling UAH 850 million. These funds were distributed as follows: UAH 174.1 million - for the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; UAH 600 million for the Army of Drones project by UNITED 24; UAH 31.4 million to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the NBU account. ADVERTISIMENT "When deciding on the conclusion of this plea agreement in accordance with the requirements of Art. 470 of the CPC of Ukraine, the prosecutor took into account the unconditional recognition by the said person of his guilt in the criminal offence charged, the absence of material damage caused as a result of the commission of the criminal offence charged, as well as the existence of a public interest in ensuring a speedy trial that will ensure full and timely punishment," the court said in its decision. Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that in 2020, NABU detectives detained several people during the transfer of a record bribe of $6 million. It was given for closing a criminal case against Burisma, which was owned by Mykola Zlochevsky. After the investigation, law enforcement officials said that the materials were ready to be submitted to the court, and the three suspects were given the opportunity to read them. They are: ADVERTISIMENT first Deputy Head of the Main Department of the State Fiscal Service in Kyiv (Mykola Ilyashenko); one of the heads of a group of companies affiliated with the former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources (ex-manager of Burisma Group Andriy Kicha); former head of one of the departments of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, trustee of the former Minister of Ecology (Olena Mazurova). Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! On 21 July 2023, Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, a historical drama that tells the story of Robert Oppenheimer, the "father" of the most terrible weapon ever created by mankind - the atomic bomb. Immediately after the premiere, humorous texts about how to make a nuclear bomb began to appear online. ADVERTISIMENT OBOZREVATEL will tell you how an atomic bomb works and what it takes to make one. Just don't forget the main rule of dangerous experiments - don't try to repeat it at home. A little bit of physics Despite the fact that the process of nuclear weapons is quite simple, it can seem like a cacophony without knowledge of the terminology. So here's what you need to know: atom - the building block of matter; consists of a small dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged particles - electrons; - the building block of matter; consists of a small dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged particles - electrons; the nucleus is the centre of the atom, consisting of a number of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons that do not contain a charge; is the centre of the atom, consisting of a number of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons that do not contain a charge; protons and neutrons - atoms are classified according to the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. The number of protons determines what chemical element the atom is (e.g., uranium), and the number of neutrons determines what isotope of that element the atom is (e.g., uranium-235); ADVERTISIMENT isotope - the isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in their nuclei but different numbers of neutrons; - the isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in their nuclei but different numbers of neutrons; fission - a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller particles, releasing neutrons and a large amount of energy. And, yes, an atom and a nuclear bomb are the same thing. How to make a nuclear weapon Of course, it's not a good idea to try to look for such things on the Internet. At least, not unless you want to meet representatives of the FBI, the SBU or the secret service of the country where you live. But to be honest, the scientific component of a nuclear bomb is not as complicated as it might seem. It's all about the components that will never be in the hands of ordinary people. Let's face it. The main thing in making a nuclear bomb is to find the required mass of radioactive material. Everything else will happen by itself. This is called a nuclear reaction. Fortunately, it is not so easy to get radioactive material. Otherwise, every madman would have a nuclear bomb, not just the main one sitting behind the bloody walls of the Kremlin. ADVERTISIMENT A nuclear device requires fissile material. Ideally, it is plutonium or uranium. In 1945, Oppenheimer and other participants in the Manhattan Project created separate bombs based on uranium 235 (U-235) and plutonium 239. Their effect is the same, so we will explain everything using uranium as an example. Uranium is a naturally occurring heavy, slightly radioactive metal. The most common isotopes of this metal are uranium 238 (U-238) (99.27% in natural uranium) or U-235 (0.72%). Both of these isotopes are radioactive and can decay into other elements over time. However, it is U-235 that can be forcibly split by neutrons. This is what makes a nuclear bomb "work". Uranium enrichment But getting U-235 is very difficult. Out of every 25,000 tonnes of uranium ore, only 50 tonnes of metal can be produced. Less than 1% of this is U-235. But you cannot deliberately extract only the isotope you need. ADVERTISIMENT Therefore, you have to resort to a process of separating U-235 from U-238, which is called enrichment. One of the most common methods involves heating uranium to a gaseous form through interaction with fluorine. This gaseous form is then spun in a centrifuge at high speed. In the process of spinning, it is conditionally "filtered" through several thousand fine-pore barriers. This makes it possible to separate uranium into two types. The result is enriched U-235, as well as so-called depleted uranium U-238, which is used to produce conventional weapons. Uranium fission When a U-235 atom absorbs a neutron and splits into two new atoms, it releases three new neutrons and some binding energy. Two neutrons are absorbed by the U-238 atom and do not continue the reaction. However, one neutron collides with the U-235 atom, which fuses, releasing two neutrons and some binding energy. This time, both neutrons collide with U-235 atoms, each of which fission and release one to three neutrons, which start their work again. When enough atoms have been split, a nuclear chain reaction occurs. ADVERTISIMENT Nuclear bomb Uranium is known to be used not only for weapons but also in the energy sector. To build a nuclear reactor, uranium must be enriched so that 20% of its composition is U-235. For nuclear bombs, this figure should be closer to 80-90%. According to various sources, the critical mass of enriched uranium required to make a nuclear bomb is 40 to 50 kg. If you don't have enough uranium, the chain reaction will not lead to an explosion. Be careful, it's a bomb! Of course, if you don't want the bomb to explode in your hands, you need to separate the enriched uranium from the catalyst that will start the chain reaction and trigger the nuclear explosion. That's why a nuclear bomb is divided into several separate parts, which then interact with each other using conventional explosives. Based on the materials of The Guardian and The Atomic Heritage Foundation. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZREVATEL also told a little-known story of a Ukrainian who helped Oppenheimer create an atomic bomb. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! For the first time in north-western Saudi Arabias Neom nature reserve, five oryx have been born. This remarks a huge achievement as they are the first oryx to be delivered in this area of the kingdom in the past 100 years. According to the Neoms nature reserve head, Dr. Paul Marshall, said that Neom is a place where they are rebuilding the native ecosystem on a massive scale that was never seen before. In the last couple of months, Neom natives have monitored the growing baby boom in the reserve, a successful beginning to a rewilding programme that is still in its first breeding season. The reserve has also witnessed the births of 25 Arabian sand gazelle fawns and eight Nubian ibex offspring. Ultimately, nature conservation will be a principal objective in the management of approximately 25,000 square kilometers of Neom, added Dr Marshall. This innovative conservation mission includes regreening and reintroducing the area with native flora and fauna. Neom is continuously exerting efforts to preserve 95 percent of its land for nature. By implementing these initiatives, Neom reserves are constantly rising in biodiversity, which is significant to a well-functioning ecosystem. Over the past 24 hours, nine military enlistment offices in Russia were attempted to be set on fire. Incidents occurred in Rossosh, Mozhaisk, Kazan, Omsk, St. Petersburg, Podolsk, Kaluga, Verkhneuralsk and Kopeysk. Almost all of the arsonists said that they had received calls from "scammers". ADVERTISIMENT This is reported by the Russian Telegram channel Baza. According to him, in Rossoshi, Voronezh region of the Russian Federation, a 24-year-old history teacher was detained for attempted arson. In the evening of July 31, Olga came to the building of the military enlistment office, threw a Molotov cocktail at it and was detained on the spot by the police. She told the law enforcers that on July 26 she allegedly received a phone call from an unknown person who introduced himself as an employee of the central bank. The man said that her accounts had fallen into the hands of fraudsters. Later she received a call from the "law enforcement agencies" and was told that the fraudster was allegedly sitting in the military enlistment office and that in order to apprehend him, an incendiary mixture should be thrown into the building. Olga decided to help the police and went to the case. ADVERTISIMENT In the end, she herself was detained, and the question of opening a criminal case is being addressed. And in Kopeysk in the Chelyabinsk region of the RF on the night of August 1, Irina, a 54-year-old employee of a metal construction plant, was detained for throwing a Molotov cocktail into the medical room of the military enlistment office building. In Verkhneuralsk in the same Chelyabinsk region, Daria, a 34-year-old local resident, was detained for attempted arson of a military enlistment office. In Kaluga, a 78-year-old pensioner was detained. In Mozhaisk, Moscow region, a 45-year-old woman received a phone call from unknown persons and was persuaded to set fire to the local military enlistment office because criminals were allegedly hiding there. She was told that the fraudsters were planning to take out a loan on her. ADVERTISIMENT Only the window frame in the building caught fire, the fire was extinguished, and the arsonist was detained on the spot. As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - The previous night in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, a man rammed the gate to the courtyard of the military recruitment center with a car and tried to burn it down. The incident took place on Tchaikovsky Street. - In occupied Feodosia detained a 51-year-old teacher suspected of attempting to set fire to the military enlistment office. In her phone found correspondence with the curator, to whom she allegedly asked for help. - British intelligence noted that the Russian population is increasingly affected by the war with Ukraine. The drone attacks on Moscow and the acceleration of mobilization were the turning point. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! It's an elegant solution: Remove the habitat of a parasite-carrying aquatic snail and reduce the level of infection in the local community; all while generating more feed and compost for local farmers. A collaboration of scientists from the United States and Senegal focused on doing just that by removing overgrown aquatic vegetation from areas upstream of the Diama Dam in northeastern Senegal. In doing so, they generated positive impacts to the local communities' health and economies. "It is rare and gratifying when we can find a potential win-win solution to both human health and livelihoods," said UC Santa Barbara geography professor David Lopez-Carr, a co-author of a paper that appears in the journal Nature. In it, the researchers provide proof for a hypothesis that agricultural activities, including the use of fertilizers, contribute to parasitic infections by fueling the growth of aquatic vegetation. "The results suggest a simple solution to positively impact society at the intersections of health, society and economy of northern Senegal, with implications for the over 700 million people globally in schistosomiasis endemic areas." Since the construction of the Diama Dam in 1986, local farmers have had better access to fresh water to irrigate their fields. However, the presence of the new infrastructure also has increased the prevalence of the schistosoma parasite, a tiny freshwater flatworm commonly found in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Nearly 250 million people around the world are estimated to be infected with this parasite. As far as tropical diseases go, schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or snail fever) isn't immediately fatal or even transmissible between people. But in the long term, the condition is debilitating. "The disease is most prevalent in poor communities lacking potable water and adequate sanitation," said Lopez-Carr, an anthropogeographer who specializes in human-environment dynamics in the developing world. Adult worms take up residence in blood vessels and lay eggs in tissue, causing reactions and generally wreaking havoc on organs. Long-term effects include increased risk for cancer and infertility, and those infected are less able to work and go to school, keeping them in the cycle of poverty. "Poor farmers can lose up to half of their yields due to infection," he said. Health agencies and organizations have been fighting these infections with drugs that work well, however, the medicine does not prevent reinfection, which can happen as soon as the individual encounters contaminated water. Previous research has also focused on using the snails' natural predators -- prawns -- which were cut off by the dam. advertisement In their effort to get ahead of the disease, the collaboration took a close look at the habitat that supports the worms' intermediate host, a small snail that lives in the Senegal River and its tributaries. They found that a common aquatic plant called Ceratophyllum demersum -- also known as hornwort -- can hold up to 99% of these snails, with which they have a mutualistic relationship. Exacerbated by fertilizer runoff from agricultural operations farther upstream, c. demersum and other aquatic plants tend to proliferate in local waterways, which impedes access for daily activities such as cooking, irrigation and washing clothes. For their experiment, the researchers conducted a three-year randomized control trial in 16 communities, to see if and how much nuisance vegetation removal in about half of the communities would affect the presence of the snails. They measured baseline infection rates, administered antiparasitic drugs, removed the vegetation and then measured reinfection rates in more than 1,400 schoolchildren. In total, the research teams took out an estimated 430 metric tons (wet) of aquatic vegetation from water access points. "In our randomized controlled trial, control sites -- places where we didn't remove submerged vegetation from water access points -- had 124% higher intestinal schistosoma reinfection rates," Lopez-Carr said. In addition to lowered infection rates where they removed the vegetation, the researchers found that the removed material could be used to feed livestock, or turned into compost for growing crops, lowering costs dramatically and increasing yields for local farmers. In this way, according to Lopez-Carr "the approach yielded an economic incentive to remove nuisance vegetation from waterways and return nutrients from aquatic plants back to the soil and for livestock feed with the promise of severing poverty-disease traps while lowering infectious burden at the same time." "A broader benefit is the hope that this example can set for enhancing win-win planetary health research and solutions that improve livelihoods while also reducing infectious morbidity and mortality," he added. Having conducted these trials, the researchers hope that this study is implemented elsewhere in other similar regions to replicate the same kind of health and economic outcomes. And, it might not be just a solution for developing countries. "Perhaps vegetation growth resulting from excess nutrients could also be used as livestock feed in more developed countries as well," Lopez-Carr said. Rather than being solely detrimental, cracks in the positive electrode of lithium-ion batteries reduce battery charge time, research done at the University of Michigan shows. This runs counter to the view of many electric vehicle manufacturers, who try to minimize cracking because it decreases battery longevity. "Many companies are interested in making 'million-mile' batteries using particles that do not crack. Unfortunately, if the cracks are removed, the battery particles won't be able to charge quickly without the extra surface area from those cracks," said Yiyang Li, assistant professor of materials science and engineering and corresponding author of the study published in Energy and Environmental Sciences. "On a road trip, we don't want to wait five hours for a car to charge. We want to charge within 15 or 30 minutes." The team believes the findings apply to more than half of all electric vehicle batteries, in which the positive electrode -- or cathode -- is composed of trillions of microscopic particles made of either lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide. Theoretically, the speed at which the cathode charges comes down to the particles' surface-to-volume ratio. Smaller particles should charge faster than larger particles because they have a higher surface area relative to volume, so the lithium ions have shorter distances to diffuse through them. However, conventional methods couldn't directly measure the charging properties of individual cathode particles, only the average for all the particles that make up the battery's cathode. That limitation means the widely accepted relationship between charging speed and cathode particle size was merely an assumption. "We find that the cathode particles are cracked and have more active surfaces to take in lithium ions -- not just on their outer surface, but inside the particle cracks," said Jinhong Min, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering working in Li's lab. "Battery scientists know that the cracking occurs but have not measured how such cracking affects the charging speed." Measuring the charging speed of individual cathode particles was key to discovering the upside to cracking cathodes, which Li and Min accomplished by inserting the particles into a device that is typically used by neuroscientists to study how individual brain cells transmit electrical signals. advertisement "Back when I was in graduate school, a colleague studying neuroscience showed me these arrays that they used to study individual neurons. I wondered if we can also use them to study battery particles, which are similar in size to neurons," Li said. Each array is a custom-designed, 2-by-2 centimeter chip with up to 100 microelectrodes. After scattering some cathode particles in the center of the chip, Min moved single particles onto their own electrodes on the array using a needle around 70 times thinner than a human hair. Once the particles were in place, Min could simultaneously charge and discharge up to four individual particles at a time on the array and measured 21 particles in this particular study. The experiment revealed that the cathode particles' charging speeds did not depend on their size. Li and Min think that the most likely explanation for this unexpected behavior is that larger particles actually behave like a collection of smaller particles when they crack. Another possibility is that the lithium ions move very quickly in the grain boundaries -- the tiny spaces between the nanoscale crystals comprising the cathode particle. Li thinks this is unlikely unless the battery's electrolyte -- the liquid medium in which the lithium ions move -- penetrates these boundaries, forming cracks. The benefits of cracked materials are important to consider when designing long-lived batteries with single-crystal particles that don't crack. To charge quickly, these particles may need to be smaller than today's cracking cathode particles. The alternative is to make single-crystal cathodes with different materials that can move lithium faster, but those materials could be limited by the supply of necessary metals or have lower energy densities, Li said. The device was built in the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility and studied at the Michigan Center for Materials Characterization. The research was funded by LG Energy Solution, Battery Innovation Contest and the University of Michigan College of Engineering. Around the world, political violence increased by 27 percent last year, affecting 1.7 billion people. The numbers come from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), which collects real-time data on conflict events worldwide. Some armed conflicts occur between states, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There are, however, many more that take place within the borders of a single state. In Nigeria, violence, particularly from Boko Haram, has escalated in the past few years. In Somalia, populations remain at risk amidst conflict and attacks perpetrated by armed groups, particularly Al-Shabaab. To address the challenge of understanding how violent events spread, a team at the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) created a mathematical method that transforms raw data on armed conflicts into meaningful clusters by detecting causal links. "Our main question was: what is a conflict? How can we define it?," says CSH scientist Niraj Kushwaha, one of the coauthors of the study published in the latest issue of PNAS Nexus. "It was important for us to find a quantitative and bias-free way to see if there were any correlations between different violent events, just by looking at the data." Inspiration "We often tell multiple narratives about a single conflict, which depend on whether we zoom in on it as an example of local tension or zoom out from it and consider it as part of a geopolitical plot; these are not necessarily incompatible," explains coauthor Eddie Lee, a postdoctoral fellow at CSH. "Our technique allows us to titrate between them and fill out a multiscale portrait of conflict." In order to investigate the many scales of political violence, the researchers turned to physics and biophysics for inspiration. The approach they developed is inspired by studies of stress propagation in collapsing materials and of neural cascades in the brain. advertisement Kushwaha and Lee used data on violent battles in Africa between 1997 and 2019 from ACLED. In their analysis, they divided the geographic area into a grid of cells and time into sequential slices. The authors predicted when and where new battles would emerge by analyzing the presence or absence of battles in each cell over time. "If there's a link between two cells, it means a conflict at one location can predict a conflict at another location," explains Kushwaha. "By using this causal network, we can cluster different conflict events." Snow and sandpile avalanches Observing the dynamics of the clusters, the scientists found that armed clashes spread like avalanches. "In a way evocative of snow or sandpile avalanches, a conflict originates in one place and cascades from there. There is a similar cascading effect in armed conflicts," explains Kushwaha. The team also identified a "mesoscale" for political violence -- a time scale of a few days to months and a spatial scale of tens to hundreds of kilometers. Violence seems to propagate on these scales, according to Kushwaha and Lee. Additionally, they found that their conflict statistics matched those from field studies such as in Eastern Nigeria, Somalia, and Sierra Leone. "We connected Fulani militia violence with Boko Haram battles in Nigeria, suggesting that these conflicts are related to one another," details Kushwaha. The Fulani are an ethnic group living mainly in the Sahel and West Africa. Forecasting Policymakers and international agencies could benefit from the approach, according to the authors. The model could help uncover unseen causal links in violent conflicts. Additionally, it could one day help forecast the development of a war at an early stage. "By using this approach, policy decisions could be made more effectively, such as where resources should be allocated," notes Kushwaha. The study "Discovering the mesoscale for chains of conflict" by Niraj Kushwaha and Eddie Lee appeared in PNAS Nexus. A patch of ocean in the North Atlantic is stubbornly cooling while much of the planet warms. This anomaly -- dubbed the "cold blob" -- has been linked to changes in ocean circulation, but a new study found changes in large-scale atmospheric patterns may play an equally important role, according to an international research team led by Penn State. "People often think the atmosphere has a very short memory, but here we provide evidence that atmospheric circulation change is significant enough to induce some long-term impact on the climate system," said corresponding author Laifang Li, assistant professor of meteorology and atmospheric science at Penn State. Sea surface temperatures in the subpolar North Atlantic have decreased by about .7 degrees Fahrenheit over the last century, and a trend toward a more frequent positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) may have contributed significantly, the scientists reported in the journal Climate Dynamics. The NAO represents atmospheric circulation patterns involving a low-pressure system near Iceland and a high-pressure system near the Azores Islands, and it influences how westerly winds blow across the ocean. In the positive phase, both pressure systems are stronger than average, resulting in a stronger jet stream and a northward shift of the westerly winds, the scientists said. "As the NAO becomes more positive, it intensifies the surface wind over the subpolar North Atlantic," said Li, who is also an associate of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and a co-hire of the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences at Penn State. "When we would like to cool a cup of hot coffee, we stir the surface, and it promotes heat loss. That's exactly what wind intensification is going to do to the ocean surface -- it provides a direct cooling effect." The team analyzed weather data and found the positive NAO has become more dominant during the past century, consistent with previous research. This shift could be due to warming of the tropical Indo-Pacific and sea ice loss in the Labrador Sea, according to the researchers, but its exact causes remain an open question. Using an idealized model, the researchers isolated the role that this increased wind may play in reducing sea surface temperatures via air-sea heat flux. advertisement "We know the atmosphere can not only force surface temperature change but also can passively respond to the surface temperature change itself -- we call this forcing and damping," said Yifei Fan, a doctoral candidate at Penn State and lead author on the study. "Our model separates these two processes and can quantify the impact of wind on the surface turbulent heat flux and thus the resultant sea surface temperature changes." The NAO alone could explain 67% of the sea surface temperature cooling trend, the scientists said. But other atmospheric patterns that have a warming effect may partially offset this, decreasing the overall impact of atmospheric circulation changes to 44%. Those findings are consistent with previous estimations from the group. The findings suggest, the researchers said, that the NAO may have an equally important role in the cold blob as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation -- or AMOC -- ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics north to the North Atlantic like a conveyor belt. Other studies have suggested the sea surface cooling is a sign the conveyor belt is weakening. "Previous studies have focused mostly on the role of ocean circulation in transporting heat to this region," Fan said. "Our study, based on observations, quantifies the role of atmospheric circulation change to the cold blob. And that's important because few existing studies have focused on atmospheric circulation contributing to this long-term change in sea surface temperature." The results, however, should not be interpreted as a line of evidence against the role of oceanic processes, which also likely play a large role in the cooling, according to the scientists. But atmospheric circulation change should also be considered moving forward. "Here we do provide evidence that there is no one-to-one relationship between sea surface temperature change and overturning circulation change," Li said. "So we should be very careful when extrapolating this overturning circulation change or great conveyor belt change from sea surface temperature alone." The scientists said a better understanding of the unique cold blob region is important because of its potential climate impacts. advertisement "Once you have temperature cooling set up over the subpolar North Atlantic, it increases the instability in the atmosphere and favors the passage of storms that can come across the ocean basin and bring extreme weather events to North America and Europe," Li said. "This might add another layer of complexity to projections of future high-impact weather events and uncertainties to climate projections for heavily populated areas." Wei Liu, associate professor at the University of California, Riverside; Ru Chen, professor at Tianjin University, China; and Pengfei Zhang, assistant research professor at Penn State, also contributed to this work. A seed grant from the Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences supported this work. Researchers on the project received support from the National Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The strange orbits of dwarf planets beyond Neptune are the strongest evidence yet that there is a so-called Planet X deep in our solar system that no one has ever seen. Judging by its gravitational pull, it must be a giant planet. ADVERTISIMENT Sarah Webb, a researcher at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology (Australia), told The Conversation in an article. The main problem with finding this mysterious planet is its location. As Webb explains, there are millions of objects moving in our solar system - from planets to moons, comets and asteroids. By 1846, astronomers had found all eight major planets in our system, but the search did not stop. Over the past 100 years, other celestial bodies have been discovered, including Pluto, which was originally considered a planet but was later downgraded to a dwarf planet. It was the discovery of these distant dwarfs that suggested to scientists that something unknown to mankind could be hiding on the outskirts of the solar system and that it must be gigantic. ADVERTISIMENT The solar system exists in a balance provided by the gravitational attraction between the planets, and if Planet X does not exist, then we probably do not know anything about gravity. "When we look at very distant objects, such as dwarf planets beyond Pluto, we see that their orbits are somewhat unexpected. They move in very large elliptical (oval) orbits, cluster together, and exist at an inclination compared to the rest of the solar system," Webb said. Computer simulations show that dwarf planets can indeed behave in this way, but only if there is another planet somewhere nearby that is at least ten times the mass of the Earth. But, as the scientist notes, when it comes to finding this huge planet, it is easier said than done. Scientists have been hunting for Planet X, which may be the same mythological Nibiru, for many years, but they can still only guess where it is and whether it actually exists. ADVERTISIMENT According to computer models, Planet X is located at least 20 times further from the Sun than Neptune. This means that it reflects almost no light. This means that we need to look for a giant dark object in endless dark space. This is quite a task. "It will be difficult to spot even with the best telescopes on Earth. In addition, we cannot look for it at any time of year," the scientist said. Webb says that there are only small time windows when we can hope to find the planet. "The conditions have to be perfect. In particular, we have to wait for a moonless night when the place we are observing from is facing the right part of the sky," Webb said. She noted that the situation with the search for the planet could be changed by new telescopes to be built in the "next decade". Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told about the idea of astronomers who proposed to find Planet X thanks to NASA's Uranus exploration mission. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL's Telegram, Viber and Threads channels to keep up with the latest developments. A study conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and 11 other hospitals and practices across the United States shows that use of low-dose atropine eyedrops, commonly used in a higher dose to treat lazy eye, was no better than a placebo at slowing myopia (nearsightedness) progression and elongation of the eye among children treated for two years. The first randomized controlled trial of its kind aimed at identifying an effective way to manage myopia was published last week in JAMA Ophthalmology. It was conducted by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group and funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI). "We found, interestingly, and honestly shockingly, that there was no difference in the use of 0.01% atropine and placebo in treating these children who ranged in age from 5 to 12," said Lori Ann Kehler, OD, associate professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, chief of the Optometry Service and the Vanderbilt site principal investigator for the study. Of the 187 trial participants, 21 were from VUMC, she said. The onset of myopia usually occurs between the ages of 7 and 16 when developing eyes can start growing too long axially (from front to back). Instead of focusing images on the retina -- the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye -- images of distant objects are focused at a point in front of the retina which causes people to have poor distance vision while their near vision remains unchanged. The condition results in the need for eyeglasses to improve distance vision, and it can also result in medical complications and serious uncorrectable vision loss later in life, like retinal detachments or myopic macular degeneration. The study contradicts earlier studies from East Asia that showed the small dose of atropine is effective in slowing progression of myopia. In 2017 the Academy of Ophthalmology endorsed the findings from East Asia saying that although the FDA had not approved atropine for this use, there was sufficient evidence for prescribing the low dose for myopia. Ophthalmologists across the country, including at VUMC, began to offer the prescription to young patients with myopia. advertisement "That was a really exciting finding at the time because we had had no treatment options for many years," Kehler said. The prescription of atropine for treating myopia is not covered by most insurance plans. "The incidence of myopia is increasing worldwide," Kehler said. "By 2030 it's predicted that 39 million people in the U.S. will have myopia. By 2050 that number is expected to increase to more than 44 million people in the U.S. and to 50% of the global population. Once it's detected in children, it tends to get worse every year," she said. "Investigators all over the world have tried strategies to intervene, to either stop or slow the worsening of myopia." Kehler said it is not known why the incidence of myopia is increasing. "There are several theories. Some believe it's the increase in the use of screens and screen time, but myopia was increasing even before screens were part of children's lives. Others think it has to do with industrialization. We were an agricultural society. We were outside more. We weren't reading. We weren't looking up close all day. Really, the prevailing thought is whether we're at a screen or looking at a math book or reading most of the day, we think the lack of sunlight and sustained near effort is what's causing the increase of myopia." Kehler said the percentage of children with myopia using the atropine drop at VUMC is low and estimates fewer than 5% of children with myopia are using the drops nationally. Going forward, eye specialists should have a frank discussion with parents of children with myopia about the conflicting data between the Asian studies and the new U.S. study. "The absence of a treatment benefit in our U.S.-based study, compared to East Asian studies, may reflect racial differences in atropine response. The study enrolled fewer Asian children, whose myopia progresses more quickly, and included Black children, whose myopia progresses less quickly compared with other races," noted the study's lead co-author, Michael X. Repka, MD, professor of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University, in a news release from the NEI. advertisement "All the studies have shown the drops are safe, so we aren't putting children at risk if we continue to prescribe the 0.01%," Kehler said. "But we are telling them there is a difference in these studies and it might have to do with your genetics; it might be that it's more effective in children from Asia than in the U.S. population," she said. Further study is needed, Kehler said. The next step is likely to study a higher dose of atropine to see if children in the U.S. experience a benefit. A study out of Hong Kong -- the LAMP study -- found that 0.05% might be more effective. Kehler said other groups are studying the use of red-light therapy to slow the progression of myopia, and there are also new eyeglass lenses that have been developed to slow the progression of myopia, but they are not yet available in the U.S. "It's much harder to get drops in very young children," Kehler said. "But if we had a spectacle option, that would open the door to treating our younger patients." Myopia usually stabilizes in about half of children around 16 years of age and among an increasingly larger percentage as they get older. By their early 20s, about 10% of individuals with myopia will continue to grow more nearsighted, and by age 24 that percentage is 4%. Immediately three civilian cargo ships - from Israel, Greece and Turkish-Georgian registration - overcame the Russian blockade in the Black Sea and arrived at one of the Ukrainian grain ports in the Danube Delta. This happened on July 30. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the material Forbes. After the withdrawal from the grain agreement, the terrorist country Russia said that it would consider all ships traveling to Ukrainian ports as potential carriers of military cargo. At least 4 NATO warplanes were patrolling over the ships: a U.S. Navy P-8 patrol plane, an Army Challenger with surface scanning radar, a U.S. Air Force RQ-4 drone and NATO's E-3 early warning aircraft. None of the planes are normally armed, but NATO fighters, including Italian Eurofighter fighters and Romanian F-16s, were in Romania. "Reports of three civilian ships entering Ukraine unimpeded may indicate that Russia is either unwilling or unable to conduct inspections," the Institute for the Study of War said. All three ships turned on their radio transponders, making their location and course visible to anyone with access to the internet and websites to track the ships. The ships made no secret of their intention to arrive at the Ukrainian port. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Russia's massive missile strikes on Ukrainian port cities in just nine days led to the destruction of 180,000 tons of grain. Thus, the aggressor country continues to blackmail the whole world with hunger. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel , Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Citizens of Russia, which is waging a war against Ukraine, do not stop demanding from the authorities the complete "destruction of Ukrainians". After every "UAV attack" on their territory, which the Kremlin always attributes to Kyiv and air defense "successfully repels," Russians call for the destruction of some "decision-making points." ADVERTISIMENT Another reason for their hysteria was new explosions in the Russian capital, in particular the fall of a drone among the Moscow City towers on August 1. In response, residents of the aggressor country threw cynical words like "we should bomb Bankova" in local chat rooms (to view the photo, scroll to the end of the news). According to Russian propagandists, a new attack by "Ukrainian UAVs" took place on Tuesday night and affected a business center in Moscow that had experienced a "bauvna" just two days earlier. Traditionally, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, the drones were "suppressed by electronic warfare equipment." At the same time, one of them fell on the territory of "Moscow City", damaging the facade of the 21st floor of a non-residential building and disturbing the glazing on the area of 150 square meters. ADVERTISIMENT "Also, two drones were destroyed in the Odintsovsky and Naro-Fominsky districts," the morning reports said, citing the defense establishment. And as always: "there were no casualties," the emergency services cordoned off the area and eliminated the consequences of the incident, and the found debris was "sent for explosive-technical examination." It would seem that the Russians have no reason to panic, but they got hysterical anyway, because, you see, Russia can pelt Ukraine with missiles and drones, but unknown UAVs cannot fly over Moscow, which is "protected" by air defense systems. So, in their usual rhetoric, they simply started blaming Ukrainians for their troubles and demanding that the Kremlin destroy them. ADVERTISIMENT "We should have bombed Bankova a long time ago. If I were Putin, I would have demolished a ho*lyat city for one drone in Russia (not only in Moscow). 24 hours of warning to civilians and go ahead, so that they would understand", "Glasses are being broken again, ho*ls... Well, it's not serious. I already look at you like lepers, I feel sorry for you", "Start bombing cities, you will sing differently afterwards", "There will be no response on Kiev again, how many times can we pity the enemy?", "It seems that they are begging for a serious response. I think it's time to hit the Rada", "When will we smash Bankova????" - were yelled by the Russian terrorist henchmen. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL reported, on the night of July 30, Moscow was allegedly attacked by three "Ukrainian drones," one of which was "destroyed" by Russian air defense. The other two were "suppressed" and they "crashed" on the grounds of the Moscow City business center, where a fire broke out and a number of floors were damaged. After the drone attack on the Russian capital, Russians threw a tantrum online and called for bombing "from Kyiv to Lviv" and "destroying all Ukrainians". Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! THEMATIC ISSUES Conflict and Food Insecurity Expected Council Action In August, the Security Council is expected to hold a high-level open debate on famine and conflict-induced global food insecurity. This is a signature event of the US Council presidency that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will chair. The Expected briefers are UN Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator Reena Ghelani; Navyn Salem, the founder and CEO of Edesiaa non-profit that combats malnutrition; and President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband. Key Recent Developments This years annual report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians, dated 12 May, included a focus on the impact of conflict on food and water availability. According to the report, more than a quarter of a billion people faced acute hunger in 58 countries and territories in 2022. Conflict and violence were the most significant drivers of high levels of acute food insecurity for approximately 117 million people in 19 countries and territories, including the Central African Republic, the Central Sahel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Causes of conflict-induced food insecurity in these and other conflict situations included direct harm to food and water sources and impediments to food and water production, delivery, and access. The report also cited key factors that have compounded hunger in the past year. These include Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has exacerbated food insecurity worldwide. Ukraine and Russia are among the leading global suppliers of foodstuffs, with Russia also being a top exporter of fertilisers; many countries that depended on these supplies were adversely affected in the past year, including Burkina Faso, the DRC, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen. Trade disruptions due to the war in Ukraine contributed to historically high food and fertiliser prices, aggravating food insecurity across the globe. Climate changewhich was manifested in droughts, heavy rainfall, and floodsalso exacerbated hunger in several conflicts, according to the report. On 8 June, OCHA sent Council members a white note on food security risks in Burkina Faso, the DRC and Haiti. OCHA submitted the note in accordance with resolution 2417 of May 2018, which requested the Secretary-General to report swiftly when the risk of conflict-induced famine and wide-spread food insecurity occurs. The white note highlighted that armed conflict and violence are the primary drivers of acute hunger in these three countries, affecting 32.9 million people, including 5.5 million people facing emergency conditions. The note observed that although similar factors exist elsewhere, conflict and violence are causing rapid deterioration in these three countries. Council members held an informal interactive dialogue (IID) on the white note on 28 July, receiving briefings by OCHA Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience Rein Paulsen, and World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau. Representatives of Burkina Faso and Haiti also participated. On 17 July, Russia announced that it would suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea since August 2022 and has been considered key to keeping global food prices stable. The agreement was set to expire at midnight that day after a two-month extension on 17 May. In announcing the decision, Russia cited a lack of progress in resolving five barriers that it says obstruct the export of Russian agricultural products to international markets. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 16 July.) In other developments, Spain, the US, the EU, the AU, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, and Nigeria co-hosted the Global Food Security Summit on 20 September 2022 in New York. A summit declaration underscored the need to respond to immediate humanitarian needs and to build more resilient agricultural and food systems along seven specific lines of action, including providing additional donor support for humanitarian organisations and strengthening agricultural productivity, particularly in the most affected countries, to build resilience and support domestic production. On 29 November 2022, the Secretary-General appointed Ghelani as the UN Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator. The newly created position, according to the UN, will be based in Nairobi and will lead and organise a cohesive system-wide response to rising food insecurity, drought and famine. Key Issues and Options The open debate will spotlight the scale of current levels of conflict-driven food insecurity. A key issue, according to the concept note that the US has circulated for the debate, is to identify opportunities to strengthen, coordinate and elevate efforts by the UN and its implementing partners, member states, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen global food systems and prevent future famines to reduce conflict. In this regard, the concept note sets out the following series of guiding questions that participants may address: how can the international community better align anticipatory actions to prevent severe hunger driven by conflict and climate change; what kind of investments can best tackle the root causes of conflict-induced food security that may result in famine; how can member states enhance collaboration and accountability to increase access to civilians requiring assistance during conflict, particularly children under five and women and girls; how has the Council succeeded in catalysing global efforts to prevent severe hunger and malnutrition in conflict, and what are best practices that can be scaled and replicated moving forward; and what more can the Council do to minimise the effects of conflict and climate in worsening global food insecurity and famines? While not mentioned in the concept note, the recent failure to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the impact of the Ukraine war on global food insecurity are likely to be prominent issues. A recurring issue is the question of the adequacy of UN reporting to the Council on conflict-induced food insecurity, considering its current scale. This years protection of civilians report contained, for the first time, a more detailed focus on the impact of armed conflict on hunger, while OCHA has submitted six white notes to the Council on various conflict-driven food crises since resolution 2417 was adopted in 2018. The Council may adopt a presidential statement, which the US has proposed in connection with the open debate. Such a statement could highlight the importance of cooperation with regional and sub-regional organisations in preventing famine and conflict-induced hunger, and request that the Secretary-General include recommendations for preventing famine in conflict situations in his regular country and regional reporting to the Council. UN member states may also sign on to a communique that the US is proposing on the open debate. Council Dynamics The impact of conflict on food insecurity has been a high-priority issue for the US. During its Council presidencies in March 2021 and May 2022, the US also convened ministerial-level open debates on conflict and food security. The US has frequently raised concerns that the UN is not keeping the Council sufficiently informed about conflict-driven food insecurity. At the Council debate on 23 May on the protection of civilians, US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield repeated this view: We are not getting all the information we need. The white notes the Council receives are irregular. Too often they are delayed. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we receive the white notes of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs twice a year That could depoliticize the issue and ensure that we have timely information to act on. In 2021, the US proposed a presidential statement that would have requested two Secretary-Generals reports a year on hunger and conflict, but the Council failed to adopt the statement, largely over some members views that current reporting structures were adequate. Russia has repeatedly argued that the Council is not the appropriate body to consider food insecurity as a thematic issue since other UN organs are mandated to address hunger, which can have multiple causes. The Councils African members often worry that the issue creates a pretext to bring to the Councils attention countries that are not on its formal agenda. For instance, African members objected in 2021 to holding a Council meeting on a white note about the situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia; eventually an IID was held. More recently, African Council members raised concerns about having a Council meeting on the 8 June white note because of the focus on the situation in Burkina Faso, which is not a formal Council agenda item: this, too, led to the discussion taking the form of an IID. Brazil and Switzerland are the Council focal points on conflict and food security. Since the creation of this role in 2019, the focal points have organised Council discussions on the white notes and informal meetings of Council members to consider the FAO/WFP biannual updates on monitoring food security in countries with conflict situations. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON CONFLICT AND FOOD SECURITY ASIA DPRK (North Korea) Expected Council Action In August, the Chair of the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl (Switzerland), is scheduled to brief Council members in closed consultations on the 90-day report on the Committees work. Key Recent Developments Tensions on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region have continued to escalate in recent months. On 12 July, the DPRK tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which, according to Japanese officials, flew for 74 minutes to an altitude of about 6,000 kilometres and a range of around 1,000 kilometres before landing approximately 250 kilometres to the west of Japans Okushiri Island in the Sea of Japan. DPRK state media subsequently reported that the country had tested a Hwasong-18, the first ICBM developed by the DPRK that utilises solid-fuel technology. (Solid-fuel ICBMs take less time to launch and are harder for missile defence systems to detect.) The launch prompted Albania, France, Japan, Malta, the UK, and the US to request an open briefing on the DPRK, which took place on 13 July. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed, and both the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. The meeting marked the first time the DPRK has participated in a Council meeting on the DPRK since 2017. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 13 July.) During a media stakeout following the meeting, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis (US) delivered a joint statement on the DPRK on behalf of Albania, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, the ROK, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, and the US. The 12 July test took place approximately six weeks after the DPRKs failed attempt to launch a military satellite into orbit. On 31 May, DPRK state media reported that a Chollima-1 rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite had been fired from a launching station in the northwestern part of the country and that it had crashed after losing thrust following the first and second stages of separation. This was the first time that the DPRK has acknowledged attempting to launch a satellite into space for military purposes. Several analysts have noted that the Chollima-1 appeared to use engines developed by the DPRK for ICBMs. The failed satellite launch led the Council to convene for an open briefing on the DPRK on 2 June following a request from Albania, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, the UK, and the US. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed, and the ROK took part in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 2 June.) The DPRK has also tested other types of weapons in recent months. On 15 June and 19 and 24 July, Pyongyang launched short-range ballistic missiles that flew eastwards before landing in the Sea of Japan. On 22 July, ROK authorities announced that the DPRK had fired several cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea to the west of the Korean Peninsula. The DPRKs latest round of weapons tests have taken place as Japan, the ROK, and the US deepen ties and amid ongoing military exercises between the ROK and the US in the region, including air and sea drills involving a US aircraft carrier and B-1B and B-52 bombers. On 21 May, Japanese President Fumio Kishida, ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol, and US President Joe Biden met on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Japan. In a statement issued after the meeting, the White House said that the three leaders discussed how to take their trilateral cooperation to new heights, including with new coordination in the face of the DPRKs illicit nuclear and missile threats, on economic security, and on their respective Indo-Pacific strategies. On 11 July, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, the top-ranking US military official, met with his Japanese and ROK counterparts in Hawaii. According to Milleys spokesman, the DPRKs 12 July ICBM test took place following the conclusion of this meeting. Kishida and Yoon also held a previously scheduled meeting on the sidelines of NATOs Vilnius summit shortly after the ICBM test. On 18 July, ROK and US officials convened for the first meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), a bilateral mechanism announced in the 26 April Washington Declaration intended to strengthen extended deterrence, discuss nuclear and strategic planning and manage the threat to the non-proliferation regime posed by the DPRK. In a joint statement issued following the meeting, the ROK and the US said that they had established a range of workstreams to bolster nuclear deterrence and response capabilities and had discussed joint planning and execution of ROK conventional support to US nuclear operations as well as how to enhance visibility of US strategic asset deployments around the Korean Peninsula. On the same day, a US nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine docked in the ROK for the first time since the 1980s. The DPRK tested two short-range ballistic missiles shortly thereafter. Ballistic missile tests were also conducted by the DPRK on 24 July after a nuclear-powered US submarine arrived in the ROK on the same day. The DPRK also appears to be seeking closer ties with Russia. In a statement reported by DPRK state media on 12 June, the countrys leader, Kim Jong-un, called for closer strategic cooperation with Moscow and vowed to hold hands firmly with the Russian president. According to data provided to the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee, Russia resumed exporting oil to the DPRK in December 2022 after ceasing such exports in September 2020. In a 12 June statement, a spokesperson for the US Department of State said that the US had confirmed that the DPRK had completed an arms delivery to Russia in November 2022 and noted that the US is concerned that the DPRK is planning to deliver more military equipment to Russia. On 25 July, a Russian defence delegation led by Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu arrived in the DPRK to take part in celebrations organised to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. According to media reports, Shoigu attended a defence exhibition that included the DPRKs ballistic missiles. A Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, also attended the celebrations. On 21 July, G7 members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, together with Australia, the EU, New Zealand, and the UK, sent a letter to Ambassador Zhang Jun (China) expressing concern over oil tankers using Chinese waters to facilitate [the] trade of sanctioned petroleum products to the DPRK. The letter also called on the Chinese government to do more to identify and prevent these vessels from anchoring or loitering in Chinese territorial waters, among other matters. In a 24 July tweet, Chinas UN spokesperson said that China has always been strictly implementing [Council] resolutions and seriously fulfilling international obligations. On 2 June, the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee approved updates to its seventh implementation assistance notice (IAN), titled Guidelines for Obtaining Exemptions to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to the DPRK. The updated IAN incorporates relevant elements of resolution 2664 of 9 December 2022, which established a humanitarian carve-out to the asset freeze measures imposed by UN sanctions regimes. The IAN was first adopted on 6 August 2018 and last updated on 30 November 2020. Key Issues and Options The DPRKs increasingly frequent weapons tests, which violate Council resolutions, are a major issue for the Council. Sanctions evasion is another important issue, 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 and has shown little inclination to scale back its weapons programmes. The DPRKs ongoing refusal to engage in denuclearisation dialogue and the human rights and humanitarian situations in the country are also problems facing the Council. In light of these issues, the Council could issue a product that condemns the recent missile tests, urges member states to comply with existing Council resolutions, and calls on the DPRK to return to the negotiating table. The Council could also consider updating and strengthening the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime to exert further pressure on the DPRK. Council members may wish to consider convening an informal briefing by cybersecurity experts on the DPRKs cyber activities. Such a meeting could provide an opportunity to better understand the DPRKs cyber programmes and how they contribute to the countrys sanctions evasion efforts, while discussing whether there is anything the Council can do to address the problem. The Council could also hold an informal interactive dialogue with humanitarian organisations focusing on the DPRK with a view to better understanding the impact that sanctions are having on the humanitarian situation in the country. Similarly, the Council could request an open briefing from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk regarding the human rights situation in the DPRK. Every December from 2014 to 2017, the Council held an open briefing with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on this topic; these briefings, however, have not been held since then because of insufficient support among Council members. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 16 March.) Council Dynamics The Council remains sharply divided regarding the DPRK. The P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded countries regularly condemn its ballistic missile tests and argue that they destabilise the Korean Peninsula and increase tensions throughout the region. These members generally support using sanctions to manage the threat posed by the DPRK and call on member states to comply with existing Council resolutions. They often urge the country to engage in dialogue and abandon its weapons programmes, while emphasising that it is responsible for escalating tensions. Some of these members also call for the Council to show unity and respond to the DPRKs weapons tests and argue that China and Russia have emboldened it by blocking Council action on the file. China and Russia, on the other hand, blame the US for heightening tensions and accuse it of not doing enough to incentivise the DPRK to participate in denuclearisation talks. The two members have also contended that sanctions should be eased because of their impact on the humanitarian situation and continue to express their support for a draft resolution circulated by China in October 2021 that would provide sanctions relief to the DPRK if adopted. China and Russia have also repeatedly blocked attempts to issue a Council product responding to missile launches conducted by the DPRK throughout 2022 and 2023. Other Council members, including Brazil and Gabon, have previously expressed apparent concerns about the overall efficacy of the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime. During the 13 July open briefing, Brazil said that every new launch makes it clearer that a new approach is needed and noted that Chapter VI of the UN Charter gives the Council a wide toolbox that remains underexplored in this file. The US is the penholder on the DPRK. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE DPRK In Hindsight: The Demise of the Syria Cross-border Aid Mechanism In July, the Council failed to adopt a resolution reauthorising the Syria cross-border aid mechanism. As a result, a nine-year old mechanism, which had allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance into non-government-controlled parts of Syria without requiring the consent of the Syrian government, was shut down. The draft put forward by the co-penholders (Switzerland and Brazil), with a nine-month extension of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, was vetoed by Russia. Russias alternative draft, which would have reauthorised the same border crossing for six months, drew only two affirmative votes, well short of the nine favourable votes needed for a resolution to be adopted. The failure to reauthorise this long-standing mechanism has given rise to several pertinent questions regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria and the future engagement of the Security Council and other international actors in the country. Without a resolution reauthorising the cross-border mechanism, can aid continue to flow predictably and unimpeded across the border into northwest Syria? Will the Security Council remain engaged on humanitarian issues in Syria? How will donors to Syrias early recovery efforts respond to the failure to reauthorise the mechanism? Background to the Vote Since 2017, members have struggled to continue the cross-border mechanism authorised in July 2014 under resolution 2165. By 2020, only one of the original four crossings remained in the resolution. China and Russia have long argued that cross-border aid deliveries without the governments consent were extraordinary measures that undermined Syrias sovereignty and should be supplanted as soon as possible by cross-line assistancesupplies delivered via Syrian government-held areas. Abstentions were common from 2017, and since 2019 all but two adoptions[1] have come only after competing draft resolutions, vetoes and resolutions that failed due to insufficient votes. Each agreement required diplomatic compromises and, at times, constructively ambiguous text. Still, it seemed that it suited both Russia and Syria to allow the Bab al-Hawa border crossing from Turkiye into northwest Syria to stay open. (For more, see our In Hindsight from the August 2020 Forecast, titled: Six Days, Five Resolutions, One Border Crossing.) Initially, this years negotiations appeared to be unfolding according to the same pattern. Members were divided over the duration of the cross-border aid mechanism, language on cross-line assistance, the proposed expansion of humanitarian activities in Syria, reference to unilateral coercive measures and the prospect of authorising two additional border crossings (Bab al-Salam and Al Raee) along with Bab al-Hawa. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 11 July.) The backdrop of geopolitical events that heightened tensions around this years negotiations included the protracted war in Ukraine, a mutiny in Russia, the faltering grain deal between the UN and Russia, and the move towards NATO membership by Finland and Sweden. And in February, Syrias humanitarian challenges intensified with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the countrys north, as well as southeast Turkiye. Syria opened two additional border crossings from Turkiye into northwest Syria, Bab al-Salam and Al Raee, for the delivery of humanitarian aid for three months beginning on 13 February, extended for three more months These two crossings were cited as possible models for aid delivery if the UN cross-border mechanism were to be shut down. Negotiations Down to the Wire With the 10 July deadline fast approaching, the penholders circulated an initial draft on 29 June, proposing a 12-month renewal of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. From the start, members were divided over this duration and the number of crossings. The UK and the US, among others, wanted to include authorisation for the Bab al-Salam and Al Raee crossings. Russia, openly opposed to a 12-month extension, proposed six months, while China maintained that a 12-month extension required strengthening the resolutions language on cross-line deliveries and early recovery efforts; neither supported authorising additional crossings. The draft the penholders placed under silence procedure on 6 July included a 12-month authorisation of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, while introducing new language on cross-line deliveries, expanding humanitarian activities to include humanitarian mine action, and acknowledging the scale of the displacement crisis in Syria. Russia broke silence the next day, placing under silence its own draft text, which included a six-month reauthorisation of the Bab al-Hawa crossing and requested the Secretary-General to provide a special report on the impact of unilateral sanctions on the humanitarian situation and needs in Syria by 10 December 2023. The penholders made further revisions in an attempt to bridge the differences and put a fresh draft into blue on 7 July, retaining the 12-month mandate; Russia placed its draft into blue soon afterwards. The vote, planned for that day, was postponed. Over the weekend (8-9 July), the penholders continued to engage with Council members, as well as with Syria, to find common ground. On Monday morning (10 July), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sought a postponement of the vote to allow for further deliberations on the draft text. The E-10 members also held a meeting that morning and supported a compromise nine-month reauthorisation for the Bab al-Hawa border crossing proposed by the A3 members and the UAE. Later that day, in an attempt to strike a compromise, the UAE conveyed a number of textual edits from Russia and Syria to the penholders. These included a six-month reauthorisation of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with a provision for a three-month extension with the written consent of the Syrian government. Ultimately these were not incorporated, as the penholders believed that most Council members would not find them acceptable. With the expiry of the existing cross-border authorisation hours away, the penholders circulated a revised version of their previous draft in blue, authorising the Bab al-Hawa crossing for nine months. The penholders text and the Russian text were scheduled for a vote the next day (11 July). There was no expectation that either draft would be adopted, and neither was: the penholders draft (S/2023/506) received 13 votes in favour and one abstention (China) and was vetoed by Russia, while the draft initiated by Russia (S/2023/507) received two votes in favour (China and Russia) and three against (France, the UK, and the US), while the ten elected members abstained. In the past, a Russian veto on this issuethis was their fifth Syria cross-border-related veto since 2019did not signal the end of the road for reauthorisation. Rather, it appeared to have become part of the negotiation process, leading to new drafts from the penholders and Russia and, ultimately, an acceptable text. This time Russia did not appear willing to continue negotiating even though the penholders still sought to engage with other Council members to find compromises and revive the mechanism. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya (Russia) said, before the 11 July vote on the Russian draft, if our draft resolution does not pass, the mechanism can as well shut down. Council Dynamics Reauthorisation had wide support. During the 29 June Council briefing on political and humanitarian developments in Syria, a majority of Council members advocated reauthorisation of the mandate, including European members (Albania, France, Malta, Switzerland and the UK); the three African members, the A3 (Gabon, Ghana, and Mozambique), Brazil, Ecuador, Japan, the UAE, and the US. The Syria humanitarian track has a history of strong elected member engagement. Since its creation by Australia and Luxembourg in 2014, elected members have continued to play a crucial role on this track, as penholders and as a group. The E10 members have usually been cohesive on this issue, and in the last two years, delivered joint statements in support of the cross-border mechanism before the votes. This year, the two penholders were strongly supported by the other elected members in their attempts to obtain agreement on their draft resolution, and, for the first time, the A3 also delivered a joint statement expressing support for the nine-month mandate and the E10 position, stating that they would vote for the penholders draft. The penholders on this issue have often had to tread a fine line between the demands of the P3 and Russia and China. This balancing act has become more difficult as relations between the P3 and Russia deteriorated following Russias invasion of Ukraine. And as more countries re-establish diplomatic ties with the Syrian government, . The Aftermath On 13 July, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh (Syria) informed the President of the Security Council of the Syrian governments decision to grant the UN and its specialised agencies permission to use the Bab al-Hawa crossing to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in need in northwest Syria, in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government, for a period of six months, starting that day. On 14 July, OCHA circulated a note to Council members stating that the Syrian Governments permission can be a basis for the [UN] to lawfully conduct cross-border humanitarian operations via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing for the specified duration, but raising concerns about the conditions set out in the Syrian governments letter: that the UN not communicate with entities designated as terrorist, and that the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) supervise and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid in northwest Syria. The UN and its implementing partners must continue to engage with relevant state and non-state parties as operationally necessary to carry out safe and unimpeded humanitarian operations, OCHA said, in line with the mandate of the Emergency Relief Coordinator under General Assembly resolution 46/182. The Syrian governments demand that the ICRC and the SARC supervise and facilitate aid was neither consistent with the independence of the UN, nor practical, OCHA noted, as the ICRC and SARC are not present in northwest Syria. Some Council members, including China, Russia, and the UAE, welcomed the Syrian governments decision, and now view the delivery of aid into northwest Syria as a bilateral matter between the UN and the Syrian government. They have encouraged the international community to support such cooperation. The P3 and like-minded member states, meanwhile, would like the Council to reauthorise the cross-border mechanism, including the UN Monitoring Mechanism (UNMM). (The UNMM, established by resolution 2165 of July 2014 and most recently renewed by resolution 2672, monitored the UN and implementing partners cross-border consignments flowing through Council-authorised border crossings. The mandate for the UNMM at the Bab al-Hawa border crossing expired along with resolution 2672). They believe that this would promote the predictable and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into northwest Syria. There are also concerns among donor countries that in the absence of a robust monitoring mechanism, aid could be diverted, looted or prevented from reaching certain communities. The Implications With the difficult negotiations in recent years, many Council members and UN officials understood that the cross-border mechanism would eventually come to an end. Still, the abrupt end to the mechanism in July took many by surprise. The Councils failure to adopt a new resolution has implications beyond shutting down the mechanism. Some Council members have used the Syrian governments decision to open the Bab al-Hawa border crossing to strengthen their call for permanently shutting down the Council-authorised mechanism. Other members object, asserting that the Council needs to maintain a leading oversight role. At the time of writing, OCHA had been engaging with the Syrian government in a bid to clarify the potential modalities for continuing aid delivery via Bab al-Hawa. More broadly, the Councils future engagement on Syrian humanitarian issues is under scrutiny. Russia believes that the absence of a resolution reauthorising the cross-border mechanism now negates Council engagement on Syria humanitarian issues and nullifies the effect of all provisions contained in the previous resolutions, including the reporting requirements. Some others take the view that the provision reauthorising the cross-border mechanism, and the remainder of resolution 2672, are mutually exclusivethat all the provisions except the cross-border mechanism are open-ended, and thus still applicable. have long been robust, covering on access to besieged and hard-to-reach areas (resolution 2139 of February 2014) the implementation of resolution 2165 of July 2014, and subsequent resolutions reauthorising the cross-border aid mechanism. Over time, trends in UN cross-line operations and early recovery projects were also incorporated into the reporting, among other issues. The framework included a monthly briefing from the Secretary-General to keep the Council abreast of humanitarian developments. Some members question whether these reporting requirements remain in effect. Some Council members, particularly donor countries, appear to believe that the lack of a new resolution authorising the cross-border mechanism may complicate their ability to continue funding early recovery projects in northwest Syria. In remarks during the 24 July Council briefing, Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere (France) said that by censoring cross-border access a few days ago, Russia at the same time put an end to the mandate given to the [UN] to engage in early recovery activities. The cross-border mechanism was born out of a lack of trust in the Syrian governments willingness to distribute aid fairly into opposition-led areas. With the Syrian government keen to prove its legitimacy and to normalise ties with the international community, members will be watching carefully to see whether aid delivery is in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. Should it fall short, members may once again seek ways of ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the delivery of humanitarian aid into Syria. [1] S/RES/2585 (9 July 2021) and S/RES/2672 (9 January 2023) Western Azerbaijan Community calls on the President of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) of the Council of Europe not to be a tool of Armenia's crafty games and protect its independence, Azernews reports. The statement reads: The Western Azerbaijan Community condemns the lop-sided statement of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Tiny Kox, dated July 31, 2023, and calls on PACE not to be a tool of Armenia's crafty games and protect its independence, the Community said in a statement. The statement also says: We would like to emphasize again that the issue of supplies to Armenians living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is a mere provocation created by Armenia to mislead the international opinion. In particular, on the instructions of Armenia, a group of separatist criminals has sealed off the roads from other regions of Azerbaijan to the areas where Armenians live in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, demanding an exclusive route for supplies from Armenia in an uncontrolled manner. On Armenias instigation, such elements closed the Aghdam-Khankendi road with concrete blocks. These forces did it defiantly, released video footage of the road closure, and declared that they would not allow the road to be used for supplies by ordinary people. In this regard, the fact-finding mission mentioned by Tiny Kox should not be sent to Azerbaijan, which is determined to reintegrate the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region, but to Armenia, which has expelled Western Azerbaijanis from Armenia and denied us our right to return. We remind Tiny Kox that co-rapporteurs of PACE on Armenia have not yet responded to the letter addressed to them by the Western Azerbaijan Community on March 1 this year. The Western Azerbaijan Community, which promotes the ideas of peaceful coexistence, urges Tiny Kox not to approach the issue of human rights from the prism of double standards, to give public support for our proposal for dialogue with Armenia and the return to our ancestral lands in Armenia. The United States has yet to approve the final plan for training Ukrainian pilots in Western F-16 fighter jets, which is due to begin this month. This situation arose because the European members of the "fighter jet coalition" have not yet agreed on all the details of this plan. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by CNN, citing its own sources. The publication notes that two months after President Joe Biden announced US support for the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, a number of important details remain unresolved. For example, the approval of the plan includes permission to transfer special equipment for the F-16, such as flight simulators and training manuals, as the training will take place only in Europe. However, officials told CNN that the Biden administration has not yet received a final training plan from the Europeans, meaning that the US has nothing to sign. It is also still unclear which countries will provide their F-16s for training. The transfer of the aircraft to Ukraine will require a separate US authorisation. Pentagon sources said that the US is still deciding whether to send US pilots to help train Ukrainians, but no decisions will be made until the final training plan is approved. ADVERTISIMENT The concept of the training plan provided by the Danish Ministry of Defence to CNN states that the course will be aimed at training pilots and ground crew for six months and will take place in several locations, including a Danish air base. At the same time, the publication notes that an internal US Air Force memorandum detailing the assessment states that the skills of the Ukrainians suggest that the training could be completed in four to five months. The schedule is faster than the standard F-16 training programme for US Air Force pilots, but it excludes missions and tasks that are not required for Ukrainian pilots, such as mid-air refuelling and instrument landings. Earlier this year, the US announced that in a few weeks it would start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. It will take place in Europe and last for several months. At the same time, no country has yet committed to sending F-16s to Kyiv. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that training of Ukrainian pilots is likely to start in August, and the first F-16s could appear in Ukrainian skies by the end of the first quarter of 2024. However, the timetable could be slipped due to a large number of nuances. Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, said that Ukrainian pilots have been "sitting on their suitcases" for almost two months. According to him, the decision to transfer the F-16 and train them is a difficult one. In addition to pilots, other specialists need to be trained. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! AFRICA Libya Expected Council Action In August, the Security Council will hold its bimonthly briefing on the situation in Libya. Special Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Abdoulaye Bathily will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and the Secretary-Generals latest report on UNSMIL. The chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane (Japan), will also brief on the committees activities. Key Recent Developments The political impasse between the rival Libyan governments continues. In February 2022after the indefinite postponement of elections scheduled for December 2021 under the leadership of Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, prime minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU)the House of Representatives (HoR) elected former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha as prime minister of a competing faction that became known as the Government of National Stability (GNS). The GNS is based in Sirte and aligned with the self-styled Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Haftar. In May, the HoR voted to suspend Bashagha as prime minister of the GNS and replace him with Finance Minister Osama Hamada move that some analysts believe was set in motion by Bashaghas failed attempts to enter Tripoli last year. The protracted stalemate between the GNU and the GNS and the internal divisions within the two bodies contribute to Libyas political, economic, and security instability. Against this backdrop, both the UN and national actors have concentrated recent efforts on facilitating agreement on a new roadmap for national elections to unify the countrys divided government. In March, the HoR and the GNU-aligned High State Council (HSC) established a joint 6+6 committeecomprising six representatives from each bodyto draft electoral laws that would allow elections to take place by the end of the year. On 7 June, after a two-week meeting in Bouznika, Morocco, the joint committee announced that it had reached agreement on draft legislation, which calls for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections and the formation of a unified interim government that will be responsible for conducting the elections, among other provisions. The draft legislation has not yet been adopted, however. A planned signing ceremony in June with HoR speaker Aguila Saleh and HSC head Khalid al-Mishri was reportedly cancelled, prompting speculation that the two leaders objected to the draft that their joint committee had negotiated. In his 19 June briefing to the Council, Bathily acknowledged the effort of the 6+6 committee as an important step forward but said that the flurry of mixed reactions from Libyan stakeholders to the draft legislation indicates that key issues remain strongly contested .He highlighted four specific provisions in the draft legislation that have proven controversial: the eligibility criteria for candidates for the presidential election; the provision for a mandatory second round of the presidential election to take place between the two highest polling candidates, even if one of them had secured more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round; provisions stipulating that if the first round of the presidential election cannot be held for whatever reason, parliamentary elections will not take place either; and a provision requiring the establishment of a new interim government before elections can be held. Bathily described these issues as highly contentious and said that a political agreement among major stakeholders will be necessary to make the draft electoral legislation implementable and avoid a new political crisis. In this context, he called on the Council to increase its pressure on the relevant actors and use its collective and individual leverage to ensure that Libyan actors honour their stated commitment to holding elections. He also informed the Council of his own intention to intensify negotiations and convene major stakeholdersto reach a final settlement on the draft legislation. In a 10 July statement, Bathily reaffirmed this intention and urged Libyan stakeholders to refrain from any actions, including unilateral or non-inclusive decisions, that could precipitate a crisis and divert attention from elections. On 25 July, the full HoR approved the draft legislation, including the provision to form a new interim government to oversee elections. The following day, UNSMIL released a statement that takes note of the approval and reiterates warnings against [u]nilateral actions, which like similar attempts seen in the past, could inflict serious negative consequences for Libya and trigger further instability and violence. On 27 July, the French, German, Italian, UK, and US embassies to Libya released a joint statement endorsing the UNs efforts to address all contested elements of the electoral framework in order to make it implementable. On the security track, Bathily said in his June briefing to the Council that Tripoli remained relatively calm. However, he expressed concern about military operations that the GNU launched in May against alleged smuggling networks in the western city of Zawiya, noting that the operations had prompted allegations of political motives and could therefore risk undermining the relative stability in the region. He also noted the risk of destabilising cross-border effects from the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In addition, Libyas oil resources have recently been the subject of renewed tensions. In early July, General Haftar called for a more equitable distribution of oil revenuewhich is under the control of the Tripoli-based Central Bank of Libyaand suggested he might take military action if an agreement is not reached by August. Subsequently, the GNU announced the establishment of a joint financial oversight committee, comprising representatives of rival government entities and relevant technical bodies, to enhance transparency and equitability in public spendinga move that UNSMIL welcomed in an 8 July statement. Additionally, on 12 July, former Finance Minister Faraj Boumtari was arrested by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) and detained at an unknown location, allegedly because of his bid to replace the currentand GNU-alignedgovernor of the Central Bank of Libya. In protest, the southern al-Zawi tribe, from which Boumtari hails, shut down three oil fields under its control. On 15 July, the ISA released Boumtari, and production resumed at two of the three oil fields. At the time of writing, the third oil field (known as the 108 field) was still closed. The countrys human rights and humanitarian situations remain alarming. In his June briefing, Bathily expressed concern about an increase of excessive controls by security agencies thatrestrict fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly and freedom of movement. Specifically, Bathily criticised recently adopted decisions by the GNU to require unaccompanied women traveling abroad to complete a form explaining their reason for travelling without a male companiona move that was also denounced by UN human rights experts in a 19 July statementand to regulate civil society organisations based on a restrictive law from the era of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Additionally, another group of UN human rights experts, in a 21 July statement, expressed serious concern about reports that human traffickers in Libya have detained, tortured, and held migrants and refugees for ransom, subjecting them to human rights violations that may constitute enforced disappearance. On 2 June, the Council adopted resolution 2684, renewing for one year the authorisation for member states, acting nationally or through regional organisations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya that they have reasonable grounds to believe are violating the arms embargo imposed on the country in resolution 1970 of 26 February 2011. Key Issues and Options The key issue for the Security Council remains supporting the political momentum towards holding national elections later this year. The provisional agreement of the 6+6 committee on draft electoral legislation is a potentially positive development in this regard, but the outstanding issues that the legislation leaves unresolved and the delay in its implementation remain a concern. At the August briefing, Council members are likely to reiterate their expectation that all parties display the political will to meet their stated commitments through concrete action, noting that both the UN and the legislatures had set June as the deadline to finalise electoral legislation to hold elections by the end of the year. In this regard, members may also reiterate support for Bathilys intensified efforts to facilitate agreement on a final settlement. Council Dynamics Council members remain united on the need for a Libyan-led inclusive process to lead to elections foreseen as restoring political, security, and economic stability. At the June briefing, most members acknowledged the 6+6 committees draft electoral legislation as a positive step and welcomed Bathilys mediation efforts to resolve the laws outstanding issues. Broader geopolitical tensions still influence Council dynamics in respect of Libya, however. In his June statement, the Russian representative criticised the alleged double agenda of Western members, whom he accused of seeking to provide resources for their own economic needs at the expense of Libyas hydrocarbon resources rather than supporting a long-term solution to the countrys problems. Russia also abstained from the vote adopting resolution 2684, claiming that the authorisation for maritime inspectionscarried out by the EUhas not led to practical results in terms of stabilisation on the ground. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON LIBYA AFRICA Mali Expected Council Action In August, the Security Council is expected to have a briefing and consultations on Mali to consider the Secretary-Generals plan for the transfer of MINUSMAs tasks. According to resolution 2690, which mandated the drawdown and withdrawal of MINUSMA, the Council should receive the plan by 15 August. In addition, the Security Council may renew during August the assets freeze and travel ban measures of the Mali sanctions regime, which expire on 31 August, and the mandate of the Mali Panel of Experts, which expires on 30 September. Key Recent Developments On 16 June, Malian Transitional Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdoulaye Diop called for the withdrawal without delay of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) during a Security Council briefing on Mali. Diop claimed that MINUSMAwhich has been in Mali since 2013had become part of the problem, fuelling inter-community tensions exacerbated by extremely serious allegations that are highly detrimental to peace, reconciliation and national cohesion. He added that [t]he situation is creating a feeling of mistrust among the Malian population towards MINUSMA and causing a crisis of confidence between the Malian authorities and MINUSMA. Diops call to end the mission surprised most Council members, who had already begun negotiations to renew MINUSMAs mandate. It followed Malian authorities increasingly hostile stance towards MINUSMA, however, which since last year has included restrictions on the missions freedom of movement. The authorities expelled MINUSMAs spokesperson in July 2022 and the head of its human rights division in February. In May, they announced the opening of an inquiry into the UN staff that had drafted a recent OHCHR fact-finding report which said that Malian security forces and foreign personnel were likely responsible for killing at least 500 people during a counter-terrorism operation in the town of Moura in April 2022. (Foreign personnel was an apparent reference to the Wagner Group, the Russian private security company, which has partnered with Malian forces since late 2021.) Special Representative and head of MINUSMA El-Ghassim Wane, speaking to the press after the 16 June Council session, suggested that it would be nearly impossible for MINUSMA to remain in Mali without the host countrys consent, which is a principle of UN peacekeeping. In the days following Diops call, there were reports that authorities were blocking imports for MINUSMA. On 30 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2690, which ended the mandate of MINUSMA and requested the mission immediately to start the transfer of its tasks and the drawdown and withdrawal of its personnel, with the objective of completing the process by 31 December. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to engage with Malis transitional government to articulate a plan for the transfer of MINUSMAs tasks. The plan, which the Council expects to receive by 15 August, should consider the possible contributions of the UN Country Team, the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and other stakeholders, including support for the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. Resolution 2690 sets out a new limited mandate for MINUSMA. This includes for MINUSMA to respond to imminent threats of violence to civilians in consultation with Malian authorities, and to contribute to the safe, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance until 30 September. The resolution requested the Transition Government of Mali to fully respect all provisions of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) until the departure of the final element of MINUSMA from Mali. In addition to presenting the transfer plan by 15 August, resolution 2690 requested the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed about the withdrawal process. Negotiations on MINUSMAs budget in the General Assemblys Fifth Committee resulted in an agreement on 29 June to allocate $590 million for six months. On 30 June, the Secretary-General issued a statement on the Councils decision to end MINUSMA, which expressed concern over the budget appropriation that, he said, increases the complexities and risks of the drawdown operation. He had requested at least $750 million for nine months, also covering the missions liquidation. At a 9 July summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the regional bloc established a presidential commission composed of Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria to propose, within 90 days, a comprehensive response mechanism to the dual developments of the MINUSMA withdrawal and the presence of foreign private armies in the region, according to the summit communique. On 18 July, the presidents of these three countries and Niger met in Abuja. This Troika + 1 decided that President Patrice Talon of Benin would re-engage with Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso to ensure adherence with their commitments to restore constitutional order. According to a communique, they also reviewed regional security initiatives. In other developments, Malian voters approved a new constitution in a referendum held on 18 June, with 97 percent of votes in favour. Voter turnout was 39.4 percent of registered voters, according to Malis electoral commission, which announced the outcome on 23 June. The new constitution strengthens presidential powers and grants amnesty for the perpetrators of previous coups detat. The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD), a coalition of armed groups in northern Mali, did not allow the vote to be held in the Kidal region. Regarding the Malian governments call for MINUSMAs withdrawal, the CSP-PSD said in a 22 June statement that the missions exit would be a fatal blow to the 2015 peace agreement. Women, Peace and Security The Secretary-Generals annual report on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), which was issued on 22 June, said that in 2022 MINUSMA verified 98 cases of CRSV, affecting 85 women and 13 girls. Significantly higher numbers were registered by humanitarian service providers, with 392 cases of sexual violence against women and 294 against girls. Where perpetrators could be identified, the report says that they were members of armed groups, as well as militia and self-defence groups. Members of the Malian Defence and Security Forces were also allegedly implicated, with the UN further documenting cases in which foreign security personnel appear to have been allegedly implicated. The report notes that survivors who publicly testified before Malis Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission experienced further stigmatization. Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Council is to monitor and ensure the safe and orderly withdrawal of MINUSMA, including Malis full cooperation and respect for its commitments regarding the withdrawal. Completing the withdrawal within six months, by 31 December, will be a challenge, given MINUSMAs size and complexity and the dangerous operating environment. Another key issue is the potential gap resulting from MINUSMAs departure. There is serious concern that the withdrawal of the approximate 14,000-strong force will create a security vacuum and significantly increase the threat against civilians. Despite its operational challenges, MINUSMAs presence has had a deterrent and stabilising impact, especially in preventing the spread of conflict to urban centres. Likewise, the withdrawal of the mission and the loss of its good offices creates new challenges for maintaining the peace agreement and for implementing Malis political transition to restore constitutional order. An additional potential repercussion is the economic impact of MINUSMAs departure, as the mission has been a significant provider of jobs and contributor to local economies. In addition to discussing the Secretary-Generals plan for the transfer of MINUSMAs tasks, Council members could reiterate, as stipulated in resolution 2690, that the Secretary-General keep the Council updated on the withdrawal process, especially when difficulties arise. Renewing the sanctions regime is a key issue for the Council in August. The Council established sanctions in 2017 to increase pressure on the peace agreements signatory parties to implement the accord. Since December 2022, northern armed groups have not participated in the agreements monitoring mechanisms, accusing the government of not being committed to its implementation, which has been followed by a fresh cycle of tensions. To date, sanctions have been imposed on eight individuals from northern Mali. A related issue is the inability of the Panel of Experts to visit Mali after the government revoked its visas in June 2022; its last visit was in April 2022. The 2374 Mali Sanctions Committee discussed the Panels final report on 25 July. An option for the Council is to extend the sanctions regime through a technical rollover. Council Dynamics Council members recognise the serious risks that MINUSMAs departure poses to the security and humanitarian situations in Mali and to the broader West Africa and Sahel region. Until Mali called for the missions withdrawal, members appeared ready to renew MINUSMA with a reconfigured mandate for another year, despite their frustration over the obstacles that authorities were placing on its operations and the missions other shortcomings, because of concerns about the potential security implications of its withdrawal. However, negotiations on resolution 2690 demonstrated that Council members agree that MINUSMA cannot stay in Mali without the host countrys consent. Switzerland and the UK indicated in their explanation of votes during the adoption of resolution 2690 that they did not consider six months sufficient time for a mission as large and complex as MINUSMA to leave the country. The six-month period was considered the most politically feasible, however, given Malis request for MINUSMAs immediate withdrawal and the tense relations between the Malian authorities and the UN. (At one point during the negotiations, Mali had called for a three-month timeline.) Many Council members highlighted in their explanations of vote resolution 2690s request that Mali respect the SOFA until the final element of MINUSMA departs. Several members, including the three African members (A3)Gabon, Ghana, and Mozambiqueand Japan, noted that the Council will still need to continue its engagement with Mali and regional actors to promote the implementation of the peace agreement and political transition. The US warned that MINUSMA should take precautions to avoid its assets falling into the hands of terrorist groups or the Wagner Group during the withdrawal. Russia has close relations with Malis transitional authorities. In the Fifth Committee negotiations, Russia proposed a reduced budget ($191 million) and shorter time period than that requested by the Secretary-General, which appeared to align with Malis call for a shorter withdrawal period. France is the penholder on Mali. Ambassador Pedro Comissario Afonso (Mozambique) chairs the 2374 Sanctions Committee. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON MALI Overview In August, the US will hold the presidency of the Security Council. As the signature event of its presidency, the US plans to convene a ministerial-level open debate early in the month on conflict and food insecurity. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will chair. Expected briefers include UN Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator Reena Ghelani; Navyn Salem, the founder and CEO of Edesiaa non-profit that combats malnutrition; and President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Rescue Committee David Miliband. Also anticipated in August is a briefing on the Secretary-Generals bi-annual strategic-level report on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) to international peace and security. Middle Eastern issues on the programme of work in August are: African issues on the programme of work are: Libya , meeting on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the 1970 Libya sanctions regime; and Mali , meeting on developments and vote to renew the 2374 Mali sanctions regime and the mandate of its Panel of Experts. Asian issues on the programme of work are: Central Asia , meeting on the work of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA); and Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) , briefing on the work of the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee. The Council is also expected to hold a briefing on Ukraine in August. The Council may also hold additional meetings on Ukraine during the month. Other issues could be raised in August depending on developments. Status Update since our July Forecast Children and Armed Conflict On 5 July, the Security Council held its annual open debate on children and armed conflict (S/PV.9366). Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba presented the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2023/363). UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for programmes Omar Abdi and a child civil society representative from Colombia also briefed. The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict conducted a field visit to Nigeria between 10 and 13 July. The chair of the working group, Ambassador Vanessa Frazier (Malta), briefed Council members on the visit on 28 July during any other business. Haiti On 6 July, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.9368), followed by closed consultations, on Haiti. Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Maria Isabel Salvador briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-Generals latest report on BINUH, dated 3 July (S/2023/492). The chair of the 2653 Haiti Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Michel Xavier Biang (Gabon), and civil society representative Marie-Yolene Gilles also briefed. Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. On 14 July, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2692, which renewed BINUHs mandate until 15 July 2024. Iran On 6 July, the Security Council held its biannual open briefing (S/PV.9367) on the implementation of resolution 2231 of 20 July 2015, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Irans nuclear programme (JCPOA). Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest report on the implementation of resolution 2231, dated 23 June (S/2023/473). The Security Councils facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231, Ambassador Vanessa Frazier (Malta), reported on the Councils work regarding resolution 2231. The head of the EU delegation to the UN, Ambassador Olof Skoog, briefed on the work of the JCPOAs Joint Commission. The commission comprises the current parties to the JCPOAChina, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, and the UKand the EU serves as its coordinator. Germany, Iran, and Ukraine participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. At the beginning of the meeting, Russia requested a procedural vote on Ukraines request to participate, which it claimed was far from being routine since Ukraine was neither a Council member nor a party to the JCPOA. The US argued for Ukraines participation, alleging that [b]oth Iran and Russia have violated their obligations under resolution 2231 by participating in the transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without obtaining advance approval from the Security Council with direct implications for Ukraine. The procedural vote passed with 12 votes in favour, two against (China and Russia), and one abstention (Mozambique). The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question On 7 July, Security Council members convened for closed consultations on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The meeting was requested by Brazil, France and the United Arab Emirates following the 3-5 July large-scale military operation by the Israel Defense Forces in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings briefed. On 27 July, the Security Council held its quarterly open debate on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (S/PV.9387). Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed. Cyprus On 12 July, the Council members held closed consultations on the situation in Cyprus. Special Representative and head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Colin Stewart briefed the Council, presenting the Secretary-Generals report on his good offices in Cyprus (S/2023/497) and on UNFICYP (S/2023/498). Council members released a press statement on the same day that expressed full support for UNFICYP and stressed the importance of full respect for its mandate and implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions. Colombia On 12 July, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.9374), followed by closed consultations, on Colombia. 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/2023/477). The Council was also briefed by Diana Maria Salcedo Lopez, the Spokesperson for the Special Womens Instance for the follow-up of the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement in Colombia and Director of the Colombian section of the non-governmental organisation the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom. On 20 July, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/15361). In it, they stressed the importance of ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace signed in 2016 between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group FARC-EP. Among other issues, they expressed concern at continued conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls and stressed the need to further implement the gender provisions of the 2016 agreement. Members also emphasised the need to increase the integrated presence of the state in conflict-affected areas and urged the government to take all necessary steps to ensure fair and safe political participation at the departmental and municipal elections that will take place in October. Arria-formula Meeting on Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers On 13 July, Russia convened a Security Council Arria-formula meeting titled Migrants, Refugees and Asylum seekers crossing borders on Land and at Sea: New Wave of Crisis. The briefers were: Elizabeth Tan, the Director of the International Protection Division of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); Federico Soda, the Director of the Operations and Emergencies Department of the International Organization for Migration (IOM); Angelina Nyachola, a financial consultant; and Daniel Kovalik, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a labour and human rights lawyer. Sudan On 13 July, the Council held its semi-annual briefing (S/PV.9375) on the International Criminal Court (ICC)s Darfur-related activities. ICC Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan briefed. Sudan participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. Women, Peace and Security On 14 July, the Security Council convened for its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), which this year was titled Promoting Implementation of Security Council Resolutions on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (S/PV.9378). The meeting was chaired by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the UN, and Special Representative of the UK Prime Minister for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. The briefers were: the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten; a member of the advisory board of the Womens League of Burma, Naw Hser Hser; and a survivor champion named only as Nadine. Artificial Intelligence On 18 July, the Security Council convened a high-level briefing on Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks for International Peace and Security (S/PV.9381). The meeting, which was one of the signature events of the July Council Presidency of the UK, was chaired by James Cleverly, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. The briefers were: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; Co-founder of Anthropic Jack Clark; and Yi Zeng, Professor at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Council members presented contrasting perspectives on AI. Some highlighted its transformative potential in tackling global challenges, such as accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while others emphasised the risks, including the potential to intensify conflicts through malicious cyber operations and the spread of mis- and dis-information. Several members stressed the crucial role of human decision-making in autonomous weapons systems and advocated for the establishment of an ethical framework for global AI governance. Arria-formula Meeting on the Contribution of the ICC to the Maintenance of International Peace and Security On 18 July, an Arria-formula meeting on The 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute: the contribution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the maintenance of international peace and security took place. The meeting was organised by Japan and Switzerland and co-sponsored by Security Council members Albania, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Ghana, Malta, and the UK and incoming Council members Guyana, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Sierra Leone, and Slovenia. The briefers were: Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, President, Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute; Deborah Ruiz Verduzco, Executive Director, Trust Fund for Victims; Dapo Akande, Professor of Public International Law, University of Oxford; and Melinda Reed, Acting Convenor, Coalition for the ICC. West Africa and the Sahel On 25 July, the Council held a briefing on West Africa and the Sahel (S/PV.9384), followed by closed consultations, to consider the Secretary-Generals latest report on the region, dated 30 June(S/2023/490). Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simao briefed, making his first address to the Council since starting his position in May. The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, also briefed, elaborating on ECOWAS efforts to integrate the various initiatives aimed at addressing security and political challenges in the region. The impact on the region of the pending withdrawal of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was a key theme of the discussion. During July, Council members also resumed negotiations on a draft presidential statement on West Africa and the Sahel, which members have been unable to agree on for over a year and a half. Central African Republic On 27 July, the Security Council adopted resolution 2693 extending the sanctions measures on the Central African Republic (CAR) until 31 July 2024 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee until 31 August 2024 with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions (China and Russia). The Council also lifted the arms embargo imposed on the CAR government, while maintaining all other sanctions measures, including the obligation for bilateral and multilateral partners to notify the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee, except for deliveries to the CAR government. Peacekeeping On 28 July, the Security Council received the annual briefing of Heads of Military Components of UN peacekeeping missions (S/PV.9389). The briefers were Under-Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the heads of military components of three UN peacekeeping operations: Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, the Force Commander of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); Lieutenant General Otavio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho, the Force Commander of the UN Organization Stabilization Operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); and Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, the Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This year, the briefing was focused on the protection of civilians and the role of the military components in the prevention and response to threats of physical violence. MIDDLE EAST Syria Expected Council Action In August, the Security Council is expected to hold meetings on the political process, the humanitarian situation, and the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Key Recent Developments On 11 July, the Security Council failed to reauthorise the Syria cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism, which expired on 10 July and had allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance from Turkiye to Syria without requiring the consent of the Syrian government. A draft resolution (S/2023/506) proposed by the penholders on the Syria humanitarian file (Brazil and Switzerland), which would have reauthorised the delivery of aid through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing for nine months, received 13 votes in favour and one abstention (China) but was vetoed by Russia. Another draft initiated by Russia (S/2023/507), which would have reauthorised the same crossing for six months, failed to be adopted because it did not receive the requisite votes. Two members voted in favour (China and Russia), three against (France, the UK, and the US) and the remaining ten members abstained. (For more, see Whats in Blue story of 11 July.) In the ensuing days, the penholders continued to engage with other Council members in a bid to find a compromise on the divisive issues which could lead to a Council resolution reauthorising the Syria cross-border aid mechanism. Prior to the 6 February earthquake that struck southeast Turkiye and north Syria, humanitarian aid was being delivered to northwest Syria from Turkiye through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. From 13 February, the Syrian government opened two additional crossing pointsBab al-Salam and Al Raeefrom Turkiye to northwest Syria for an initial period of three months for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Syrian governments authorisation for the additional border crossings expires on 13 August. At the time of writing, the humanitarian operations through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing remain suspended. Since the expiry of the cross-border mechanism on 10 July, 21 trucks have crossed into northwest Syria from Turkiye through the Bab al-Salam border crossings. In contrast, on 10 July, 99 trucks crossed into northwest Syria from Turkiye: Bab al-Hawa (79 trucks) and Bab al-Salam (20 trucks). The Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said on 11 July that, approximately 85 percent of the aid that reached northwest Syria from Turkiye by trucks, before the expiry of cross-border mechanism on 10 July, went through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. Following Russias veto, the General Assembly discussed the situation of Syria in a plenary session on 19 July. This was in accordance with General Assembly resolution A/RES/76/262, 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 Councila debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast. During the session, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy said that Russia has never hesitated and will never hesitate to use the veto right not only to protect our interests and those of our allies but also in the interests of the UN partners. In her remarks, Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl (Switzerland) stated that the penholders engaged inclusively, constructively, and in good faith, and further spared no effort to accommodate the different concerns in order to reach consensus on the draft resolution. The Russian veto enabled a single member of the Security Council to call into question the extension of the cross-border aid mechanism, the objective of which is purely humanitarian, she added. On 13 July, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh (Syria) sent a note verbale to the President of the Security Council transmitting a letter announcing the Syrian governments decision to grant the UN and its specialised agencies permission to use the Bab al-Hawa crossing to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in need in northwest Syria in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government for six months, starting that day. The letter stressed that the UN, its representatives, and staff should not communicate with terrorist organizations along with groups and their affiliated illegal administrative entities in northwestern Syria. It reiterated the Syrian governments demand that the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) be allowed to supervise and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid in areas controlled by terrorist organizations in northwest Syria. On 14 July, OCHA circulated a note to Council members that responded to the Syrian governments 13 July letter. The note stated that the Syrian Governments permission can be a basis for the [UN] to lawfully conduct cross-border humanitarian operations via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing for the specified duration. However, it also said that the Syrian governments letter contained two unacceptable conditions: that the UN should not communicate with entities designated as terrorist, and that the ICRC and the SARC should supervise and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid in northwest Syria. In this regard, the OCHA note said that the UN and its implementing partners must continue to engage with relevant state and non-state parties as operationally necessary to carry out safe and unimpeded humanitarian operations in line with the mandate of the Emergency Relief Coordinator under the General Assembly resolution 46/182. It added that the demand that the ICRC and the SARC supervise and facilitate aid is neither consistent with the independence of the UN nor practical, as the ICRC and SARC are not present in northwest Syria. On 17 July, the Security Council held a private meeting, followed by closed consultations, to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths briefed the Council. He reiterated the concerns shared by OCHA in its 14 July note circulated to Council members. Apparently, he also said that he will further engage with the Syrian authorities in a bid to clarify the provisions of the letter. It seems that during the meeting, some Council members emphasised the need for Council authorisation of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, while other members welcomed the Syrian governments 13 July decision. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 16 July.) On 24 July, the Council met on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. OCHA Director of the Coordination Division Ramesh Rajasingham and the UNs Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen briefed on the humanitarian and political situations, respectively. Rajasingham took note of the 13 July letter from the Syrian government and said that OCHA would continue to engage in regard to the terms outlined in the letter and the modalities fundamental to the humanitarian operations. Along with the other border crossingsBab al-Salam and Al Raeemost of the UN Agencies are currently using the humanitarian aid items that had been strategically prepositioned inside north-west Syria prior to 10 July to ensure continuity of the humanitarian assistance, he noted. On the political front, Pedersen said that months of potentially significant diplomacy have not translated into concrete outcomes for Syrians on the ground. He emphasised the need for sustainable calm in the country, which could lead to a nationwide ceasefire. He added that the threat posed by listed terrorist groups remains and must be addressed in a cooperative manner. On 11 July, the Council convened a briefing, followed by consultations, on the Syria chemical weapons track. At the meeting, Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Adedeji Ebo updated the Council on the findings of the report of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), dated 28 June, regarding the alleged use of chemical weapons in Kharbit Massasneh on 7 July and 4 August 2017. The report concluded that the information obtained and analysed in line with the FFMs mandate did not provide reasonable grounds for the FFM to determine that toxic chemicals were used as a weapon in the reported incidents. Human Rights-Related Developments In a 21 July statement following her six-day visit to Syria, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, appealed to member states whose nationals are detained in northeast Syria to repatriate their nationals in line with their human rights obligations. She stated that the dire conditions of detention for all categories men, women and especially childrenmake such returns absolutely imperative. She added that the humanitarian conditions at the al-Hol refugee camp remain deplorable, particularly for women. In addition, she noted that meaningful access to places of detention, including high-security sites, is essential to ensure that serious human rights violations are identified, reported, and prevented. On 11 July, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, cancelled his visit to Syria, citing a lack of cooperation from the Syrian government. In a statement issued on the same day, he stated that the preparations for the visit had been made in full consideration of the sensitivities and realities on the ground, and in line with current practice for UN field missions in the country. He expressed regret that the Syrian authorities had failed to provide information and make steps necessary to allow the visit to take place. On 10 July, the Human Rights Council (HRC), during its 53rd session, adopted a resolution on the situation of human rights in Syria. Among other matters, the resolution demands that the Syrian government meet its responsibility to protect its population and to respect and protect the human rights of all persons within its jurisdiction, including persons in detention and their families; calls on the Syrian government to protect returning refugees and internally displaced persons, in particular women and children, from human rights violations and abuses and to help create the conditions necessary for the return of refugees; condemns all acts of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse in Syria; and reaffirms the need to end impunity through the prosecution of perpetrators of crimes under national and international law. Women, Peace and Security On 12 June, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic published a policy paper entitled Gendered Impact of the Conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic on Women and Girls. In a context where pre-existing patterns of discrimination have worsened as a consequence of the conflict, the paper highlights the concerning situation of tens of thousands of women across Syria whose family members are missing or have been subjected to forcible disappearance. The paper says that [t]he wives and family members left behind remain in a legal limbo facing challenges in, for instance, accessing housing and property. It also notes that children in women-headed households in Syria face an exacerbated risk of statelessness and that early and forced marriages have reportedly increased in the country, primarily affecting girls. Among other recommendations, the Commission of Inquiry called on the Syrian government to [c]ease all forms of incommunicado detention and enforced disappearances and recommended that UN member states establish an independent institution to coordinate and consolidate claims regarding missing persons, including persons subjected to enforced disappearance, and provide appropriate support for the families of the missing and disappeared. On 29 June, the General Assembly adopted a resolution creating the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic which is mandated to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria and to provide adequate support to victims, survivors and the families of those missing. Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Council is to ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid to those in need in northwest Syria. The Council could consider holding a private meeting with Griffiths and a Syrian government representative for an update on their bilateral discussions regarding the potential modalities for continuing the delivery of aid through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. (A private meeting is a closed, formal meeting format; unlike closed consultations, non-Council member states are allowed to participate in this format.) A related and broader issue is how to alleviate the growing humanitarian needs in Syria. Periodic briefings from OCHA have helped keep the Council informed of the humanitarian situation on the ground. Council members could also consider inviting representatives of Syrian humanitarian aid organisations to engage with them to explore avenues for improving and expanding aid delivery mechanisms, including early recovery projects, in Syria. Another key long-standing issue is finding a way to break the political impasse in Syria and to provide political support for the Special Envoys efforts in this regard. One option would be for the Council to hold a private meeting with Pedersen and other member states with influence over the parties in Syria to discuss recent developments in his step-for-step initiative. Through this initiative, Pedersen is asking the Syrian government, the opposition, regional states, and other stakeholders what concessions they are willing to make in exchange for reciprocal actions on matters such as abductees, detainees, and missing persons; humanitarian assistance and early recovery projects; and conditions for dignified, safe, and voluntary refugee returns. Council Dynamics Over the years, Syria has been one of the most divisive files on the Councils agenda. China and Russia are supportive of the Syrian government, emphasising the need to respect the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity and drawing connections between unilateral coercive measures on Syria and the challenging humanitarian situation in the country. In contrast, the P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded members criticise the government for violating international humanitarian law and human rights law, arbitrarily detaining people, and not engaging meaningfully in political dialogue. Council members hold divergent views in regard to the future course of action in the aftermath of the Syrian governments decision to open the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with certain conditions. In a 13 July statement, Ambassador Barbara Woodward (UK) noted that under the UN mandate, Bab al-Hawa had gold standard aid monitoring, to ensure aid was not misused. She pointed out that without UN monitoring, control of the cross-border mechanism remains in the hands of the Syrian government. The priority, she said, needed to be getting aid flowing again, fast, to the people who need itand then getting certainty over its future, adding that the UK will not hesitate to bring this matter back to the Security Council. In a Twitter post the same day, Polyanskiy said that, following the Syrian governments permission for the UN to use the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, there was no need for a Council resolution. He noted that efforts to put another draft to vote will constitute nothing but political games. In addition, he said that the cross-border mechanism which violated sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria is officially dead. Council members also hold divergent views about normalising ties with the Syrian government. In the 27 April Council briefing, the US noted that it will not normalise relations with Syria and has discouraged other member states from doing so. It added that the US will not lift sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or support reconstruction in the absence of genuine, comprehensive and enduring reforms and progress on the political process. The European members of the Council hold a similar view. On the other hand, some Council members, including Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, support the normalisation of ties with the Syrian government. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA EUROPE Ukraine Expected Council Action In August, the Security Council plans to hold a briefing on the situation in Ukraine. The Council may hold additional meetings on Ukraine during the month. Key Recent Developments In July, Ukrainian forces continued their counteroffensive across several frontline sectors, with Ukrainian authorities reporting some gains in the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia regions. Meanwhile, Russian forces initiated offensive operations near the city of Kupyansk, between the eastern Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. Tensions escalated along the border between Belarus and Poland. On 20 July, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced that units of the Russian private security company the Wagner Group had started training Belarusian soldiers along the countrys border with Poland. The Wagner units were relocated to Belarus following their attempted mutiny in Russia in late June. Warsaw responded on 21 July by deciding to position its own military units on the countrys eastern border with Belarus. At a meeting of Russias national security council on 21 July, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Poland of nurturing revanchist ambitions and vowed to use all the resources at its disposal to defend Belarus. In a 17 July statement, Moscow announced that it would not renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), allowing it to expire the following day. The statement criticised the initiative as a purely commercial enterprise aimed at serving Kiev and its Western curators self-serving interests. It also argued that none of the five systemic tasks envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] have been fulfilled, adding that the Secretary-Generals last-minute proposal to provide SWIFT payment system access to a subsidiary of Russias agricultural bank was practically unrealizable and unviable. (The MoU, signed by Russia and the UN in July 2022, outlined the UNs scope of engagement to facilitate unimpeded exports of Russian food products and fertilisers to global markets.) Following its decision to terminate the BSGI, Russia declared that all vessels sailing in the Black Sea would be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo. On 21 July, Russias navy reportedly conducted live-fire exercises in the Black Sea. Russian forces also launched a series of missile and drone attacks for several days following the BSGIs termination, destroying critical port infrastructure, facilities, and grain supplies in the Black Sea port cities of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Mykolaiv. In a 20 July statement, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Russian attacks, while recalling that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. Guterres stressed that the attacks contradict Moscows commitments under the MoU to facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea ports. Russias termination of the BSGI was met with broad disapproval. In a 17 July statement, Guterres expressed regret over Russias decision, noting that the global price of wheat had already started to rise. Quoting the letter that he had sent to Moscow before the BSGI expired, Guterres refuted several of Moscows justifications for terminating the agreement, emphasising that he felt deeply disappointed that [his] proposals went unheeded. During the Security Councils 17 July briefing on Ukraine and the General Assemblys 18 July debate on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, several member statesnotably many non-Western membersexpressed regret at Russias decision to withdraw from the BSGI. Briefing the Security Council during a 21 July meeting on Ukraine requested by Ecuador and France, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo described Russias decision as a further blow to global food security. She also underlined that threats to civilian vessels navigating in the Black Sea are unacceptable, adding that any risk of conflict spillover as a result of a military incident in the Black Seawhether intentional or by accidentmust be avoided at all costs. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 16 July.) In addition to the two briefings focused on the BSGI, the Security Council convened four meetings on other issues related to Ukraine in July. In an 11 July briefing requested by Russia, the Security Council discussed developments regarding the 26 September 2022 explosions that caused physical damage to the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea that carry natural gas from Russia to Germany. On 26 July, the Council held two briefings on Ukraine: the first was a briefing requested by Russia focused on the alleged persecution of the followers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the second was a briefing requested by Ukraine on Russian attacks on Odesa. At the time of writing, Russia had requested another briefing on Ukraine, scheduled for 31 July, to discuss the systematic use of terrorist methods by the Kyiv regime as a factor exacerbating the crisis around Ukraine and postponing its political settlement. In July, Ukraines NATO allies strengthened their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia. Furthermore, several of Ukraines closest allies offered to establish a framework for security guarantees to deter future aggression. During the NATO summit, held on 11 and 12 July in Lithuania, NATO members agreed on a three-element package aimed at bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. This includes a commitment to a multi-year programme of assistance designed to bolster Ukraines security and defence sectors while bringing Ukraines armed forces and military equipment up to NATO standards; the establishment of a NATO-Ukraine Council, a decision-making forum with Ukraines participation; and agreement to expedite Ukraines eventual NATO membership by removing the requirement for a membership action plan. Following the summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that NATO will issue an invitation for Ukrainewhen allies agree, and conditions are met. In a 12 July press release, Russia criticised the move, framing it as a continuation of NATOs provocative expansion policy and an effort to prolong the hybrid war NATO has launched against Russia. On 12 July, the Group of Seven (G7)Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the UStogether with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission issued a statement announcing that each G7 member will develop specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements with Ukraine to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine and deterring future Russian aggression. The security commitments include the provision of modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, intelligence-sharing, cybersecurity support, economic assistance, and efforts to impose economic and other costs on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the announcement as the first legal document symbolising that Ukraine has an umbrella of security guarantees on its path to NATO membership. Human Rights-Related Developments On 12 July, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk briefed the Human Rights Council (HRC) during its 53rd session. Presenting the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on detention of civilians in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation against Ukraine (A/HRC/53/CRP.3), Turk noted that his office had documented the detention of more than 900 civilians, including eight children, between 24 February 2022 and 23 May. Of the documented cases in the report, 864 were perpetrated by Russia. Turk underscored that many of the cases were tantamount to enforced disappearances and urged the Russian leadership to instruct and ensure their personnel comply with international human rights and humanitarian law. During his briefing, Turk also presented the Secretary-Generals report (A/HRC/53/64) on human rights violations in Crimea, Sevastopol, and Russian-occupied areas in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Noting arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture, the High Commissioner re-emphasised his concern that accountability continues to be conspicuous by its absence and mentioned that to the best of his knowledge, no investigations were being undertaken by Russia regarding violations and abuses committed by its forces in Ukraine against civilians. At the conclusion of its 53rd session on 14 July, the HRC adopted a resolution (A/HRC/53/L.1) on cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights. The resolution requests the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue presenting an oral report on the findings of the OHCHR on the situation of human rights in Ukraine to the HRC at every future session until its 59th session. The resolution was adopted with 28 votes in favour, three against, and 16 abstentions. Security Council members France, the UK, and the US voted in favour, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) abstained, and China voted against the resolution. Key Issues and Options The overarching priority for the Council is to promote a solution to the conflict in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and to facilitate dialogue among the parties to that end. The direct involvement of a permanent member in the conflict, however, continues to limit the Councils options. A key issue for the Council is how to revive the BSGI. Russia has indicated its willingness to return to the agreement should its demands be met. However, Ukraine and its Western allies have been reluctant to renegotiate the terms of the agreement, viewing Russias actions as an effort to extract concessions, including broader sanctions relief. On 3 August, the US is organising a ministerial-level open debate on famine and conflict-induced global food insecurity as a signature event of its August Council presidency. Council members have begun negotiating a draft presidential statement in connection with the upcoming debate. Members may wish to propose language encouraging the Secretary-General to reinvigorate his good offices efforts to help the parties break the current impasse and renew the agreement. Council and Wider Dynamics The Security Council remains starkly divided on the conflict in Ukraine and the appropriate framework for achieving a peaceful resolution. Ukraine and its allies have advocated for a just peace, conditioned on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraines internationally recognised borders. Other member states have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities without any preconditions, which could freeze the front lines of the conflict, leaving Russia in control of a significant amount of territory in eastern and southern Ukraine. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON UKRAINE ASIA UNRCCA (Central Asia) Expected Council Action In August, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze is expected to brief Security Council members on UNRCCAs work in closed consultations. This will be the first time Imnadze has briefed the Council since his appointment in mid-June. Key Recent Developments The previous Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNRCCA, Natalia Gherman, briefed Council members in closed consultations on 30 January. Among other matters, she provided an update on UNRCCAs activities pertaining to counter-terrorism, transboundary water management, border demarcation, and the women, peace and security, and youth, peace and security agendas. Gherman also discussed with Council members the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on Central Asia and the September 2022 border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Gherman finished her term at UNRCCA on 28 February and is now serving as the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED). On 14 June, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Imnadzes appointment as his Special Representative and Head of UNRCCA. Prior to his appointment, Imnadze served as Georgias Ambassador to Canada and its Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He also served as Georgias Permanent Representative to the UN from 2013 to 2022. Since Ghermans last briefing, tensions between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have continued to ease, with officials from both sides reportedly participating in several rounds of talks regarding the demarcation of the disputed parts of the border between the two countries. The talks followed four days of fighting between Kyrgyz and Tajik border forces in September 2022, during which at least 100 people were reportedly killed and more than 130 others were wounded. According to Kyrgyz authorities, a further 136,000 people were displaced by the violence. In a 2 May report, Human Rights Watch concluded that several of the attacks carried out by each side may amount to war crimes. The war in Ukraine has continued to have a ripple effect in Central Asia, with several analysts speculating that the conflict may have contributed to diminished Russian influence in the region. Beginning on 18 May, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a two-day summit with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Xian, China. During the conference, Xi reportedly promised that China would provide Central Asian countries with 26 billion yuan ($3.8 billion) in financing support and grants over the coming years. The leaders also adopted the Xian Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit after the conference which, among other matters, noted that the states of Central Asia are ready to actively cooperate within the framework of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative put forward by China. The summit came approximately three months after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for a series of meetings with representatives of the Central Asian countries, including meetings with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a C5+1 meeting with the foreign ministers of each Central Asian state. Blinken also announced that the US will provide an additional $25 million in funding to the region to support economic growth. The Biden administration had previously committed to providing $25 million to the region for the same purpose. On 27 January, Mirziyoyev travelled to Bishkek to meet with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. During the meeting, the two leaders jointly announced that the process of demarcating the contested border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, which includes an agreement to manage the Kempir-Abad reservoir together, had been completed. The agreement regarding the management of the reservoir has proved controversial in Kyrgyzstan; a group of activists, politicians, and journalists who opposed the agreement were arrested by Kyrgyz authorities in October 2022. On 22 June, the trial of 27 of those arrested began. If convicted, they could face more than ten years in jail. The situation in Afghanistan continues to create a range of challenges for Central Asian states. On 15 February, Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Chief of the Joint Staff Anatoly Sidorov claimed that 4,000 fighters from Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Khorasan Province (ISIL-K) were stationed near the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. In a statement during the Councils 21 June open briefing on Afghanistan, the representative of Tajikistan said that Tajik law enforcement agencies seized 4.2 tons of narcotics at the border with Afghanistan in 2022, up from 2.4 tons in 2020. On 23 June, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) published a report on The impact of the Afghan crisis on the environment, water and energy in Central Asian regions bordering Afghanistan: recommendations for the OSCE. Among other matters, the report concluded that climate change risk factors in the region are compounded by the risks arising from the instability in Afghanistan and the difficulty of sharing water, weather, and climate data and disaster warnings in the Amu Darya River basin. From 13 to 17 March, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the invitation of each country. In press conferences delivered during his visit, Turk called for after action reviews of the July 2022 protests in the autonomous Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan and the January 2022 unrest in Kazakhstan, as well as calling for the criminalisation of domestic violence and greater action on the protection of journalists and freedom of expression. Several elections have taken place in Central Asian countries during the last six months. On 19 March, Kazakhstan held snap parliamentary elections. A presidential election took place in Uzbekistan on 9 July, while Turkmenistans parliamentary elections were held on 26 March. Key Issues and Options One of the main issues for the Council is how to make the best use of the UNRCCAs expertise and whether there is anything else the Council could do to support the UNRCCAs efforts to facilitate preventive diplomacy and regional cooperation. The situation in Afghanistan and its impact on Central Asia is another issue for the Council. The Council could consider inviting a representative of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to participate in the consultations and provide information regarding developments in the country that may affect the wider region. Another option would be for Council members to convene an informal interactive dialogue with representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to discuss their border dispute and possible ways the international community could support their efforts to resolve it. Council Dynamics Council members are generally supportive of UNRCCA and view it as an important tool in promoting cooperation in Central Asia. Until 2015, Council members issued a press statement following the consultations, encouraging increased cooperation and coordination among the Central Asian countries, UNRCCA, and relevant regional organisations. In September 2015, however, Russia, the penholder on UNRCCA, sought to add specific references in the statement to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the CSTO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as well as the OSCE and the EU. The P3 (France, the UK, and the US) opposed these additions, seeing the CIS, the CSTO and the SCO as vehicles for enhancing Russian influence in the region. A press statement could not be agreed upon for more than two years owing to disagreements regarding this issue. Kazakhstan was able to overcome these difficulties during its 2017-2018 term as an elected member by proposing compromise language. Press elements were issued in February 2017, and a press statement was agreed upon in January 2018. Since then, however, Council members have again been unable to reach agreement on a UNRCCA press statement because of disagreements about referring to regional organisations. Press elements commending Gherman for her efforts and expressing support for UNRCCAs work were read out following the previous UNRCCA consultations in January. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON UNRCCA MIDDLE EAST Yemen Expected Council Action In August, the Security Council will hold its monthly briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and a representative of OCHA will brief. The head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, is expected to brief during the consultations. Key Recent Developments There has yet to be a breakthrough in the Omani-facilitated talks that have continued since October 2022 between the Houthi rebel group and Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition in support of the internationally recognised government of Yemen. During his 10 July Council briefing, Grundberg appeared to express greater concern over the lack of progress and recent hostilities. He called on the parties to stop military provocations and to agree to a sustainable nationwide ceasefire. He further stressed the need to reverse antagonistic economic policies. Grundberg added that the parties must make progress on restarting an intra-Yemeni political process under UN auspices, which he described as urgent in order to consolidate gains and prevent fragmentation. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, who also briefed at the session, similarly underscored concerns about the impact of economic conditions and policies that she said were a key driver of Yemens humanitarian crisis. She stressed the need for oil exports from Yemeni government-held areas to resume after they were forced to stop last year following a series of Houthi drone attacks on oil terminals in October and November 2022. This has created significant revenue shortages for the government, hurting its ability to provide basic services and pay public sector salaries. The obstruction to the transport of commercial goods from government- to Houthi-controlled areas must also be addressed, according to Msuya. This appeared to be a reference to the Houthi ban since late May on cooking gas produced in government-held areasanother significant source of revenueand a requirement that cooking gas be imported through the Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeidah. On 21 July, the head of the World Food Programmes (WFP) office in Taiz, Moayad Hameidi, a Jordanian national, was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Turbah, Taiz governorate, according to a WFP statement. Progress continues in conducting the salvage operation of the FSO Safer oil tanker, the decrepit vessel moored off Hodeidah governorate that the UN has warned for years risks creating an environmental disaster in the event of an oil spill or explosion on the ship. On 25 July, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that the critical step of pumping the oil from the FSO Safer to a replacement ship had begun that morning. The ship-to-ship transfer of the oil is expected to take 19 days to complete. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen David Gressly, who has led UN efforts to organise the salvage operation for the past two years, briefed at the Councils 10 July session, noting that a crisis management team was deployed in Hodeidah to respond to any incidents that could occur during the oil transfer. Gressly drew attention to the continued need for funds for the operations estimated $143 million budget; a gap of $25 remains, as Gressly noted, including for the repayment of the $20 million that the UNs Central Emergency Relief Fund loaned to get the operation started. On 10 July, the Security Council adopted resolution 2691, which renewed the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement for an additional year until 14 July 2024. Council members characterised the resolution, which was a short, one-page text, as a technical rollover of the mandate. Human Rights- Related Developments On 19 June, a group of UN experts issued a statement calling for the immediate release of 16 followers of the Bahai faith who were abducted by the Houthis on 25 May. The experts reiterated their concern for the fate of the members of the group, whose whereabouts remain unknown, and emphasised that the abduction and concealment of their fate and whereabouts are acts tantamount to enforced disappearance. The experts noted that they had expressed concern for several years regarding the targeted persecution of religious minorities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The statement observes that religious minorities in Yemen have been subjected to detention, torture, and ill-treatment by the Houthis in the past. The experts underscored their fear that the disappeared group is facing the risk of torture and other human rights violations and given the record, may even face death sentences in connection with the legitimate exercise of their rights. Sanctions-Related Developments On 10 July, the Secretary-General informed the Council that he had appointed Jasser Al Shahed of Egypt to be the regional affairs expert of the Yemen Panel of Experts. The panel has not had an expert for regional affairs in over a year and a half. On 20 July, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee met with the Panel of Experts to discuss the panels mid-term update, which is an unpublished report on the implementation of the sanctions regime. Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Council is how to support ongoing peace talks and efforts to establish a formal ceasefire and political process. Houthi-Saudi talks have stalled since April, apparently over differences about the use of Yemens resources and associated revenues to pay the salaries of public employees. A related issue is the fragile relations between the various factions that make up the anti-Houthi forces and that form the Yemeni governments Presidential Leadership Council. Council members could reiterate the importance of an inclusive Yemeni political process under UN mediation for a sustainable resolution of the conflict. Despite some positive signs in the peace process, Yemen continues to face massive humanitarian needs. An estimated 21.6 million people require aid or protection. Access constraints and interference in relief operations include the Houthis enforcement of mahram, requiring women to be accompanied by male guardians, which has negatively affected aid delivery. Economic conditions risk undermining political efforts in addition to exacerbating the humanitarian situation. Landmines and explosive remnants of war have become an issue of greater concern since the reduction in fighting following last years now-expired April 2022 truce agreement. Council members may highlight concerns over policies that are fuelling socioeconomic challenges and tensions. Members may further reiterate calls on all parties to facilitate the safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to all civilians in need and to protect humanitarian personnel and assets in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. In addition, they may urge donors to support the Yemen 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which calls for $4.3 billion but was only 30.1 percent funded as at 21 July. Council members are also likely to continue closely monitoring progress in the FSO Safer salvage operation. Council Dynamics Council members are united in their support for the UN Special Envoys mediation efforts. Members have further welcomed the potential for the Houthi-Saudi talks to yield meaningful results. At the same time, they stress the ultimate importance of an inclusive Yemeni political process under UN auspices to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict. Council members approach to mandate renewals this yearthe February renewal of the Yemen sanctions regime and the renewal of UNMHAhas so far been to avoid significant changes that could disrupt ongoing diplomatic processes. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a leading member of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and is active in pushing for its views, coordinated with the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia, to be reflected in Council products. Russia has traditionally objected to language in Council products that it perceives as too critical of the Houthis or not balanced. This dynamic played out during negotiations on resolution 2691, in which Russia raised objections about mentioning Houthi hindrances to UNMHAs freedom of movement while the UAE felt it was important that the mandate renewal address this issue, which the Secretary-Generals annual review of UNMHA documents as a key ongoing challenge. The opposing positions resulted in a small revision to the text of the resolution, which recalled the Houthi restrictions on the missions movement. The UK is the penholder on Yemen. Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania) chairs the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON YEMEN Russia said that on the night of August 1, the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly attacked ships of the Black Sea Fleet. In particular, the patrol vessels Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov were allegedly attacked by three uncrewed sea boats. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Russian propaganda publication RIA Novosti. It is noted that the Russian ships were at the time carrying out tasks to control navigation 340 km southwest of Sevastopol. Propagandists assured that all three uncrewed boats were destroyed by fire from the regular armament of Russian ships. In addition, Russians again complained about explosions in Moscow, which went off there on the night of August 1. Several drones allegedly attacked the Russian capital, and one of them again flew into the Moscow City business center. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has confirmed the bombings in the Russian capital. A representative of the occupants said that "several drones were shot down by air defense means while attempting to fly over to Moscow." He admitted that one UAV flew to the same tower in Moscow City as last time. There, the facade at the level of the 21st floor was damaged. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - Russians at the same time do not stop demanding from the authorities the complete "destruction of Ukrainians". After every "UAV attack" on their territory, which the Kremlin always attributes to Kiev, and the air defense "successfully repels", the Russians call for the destruction of some "decision points"; - the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence said that the main culprit behind the explosions in Russia and, in particular, its capital in Moscow, is the current regime in the Russian Federation and directly the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin. They are convinced that when a country declares an unjust and genocidal war against another country, it should be prepared that hostilities will be waged on the territory of the invading country. Only verified information from our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Law enforcers in Kryvyi Rih have identified the person who filmed the arrival of a Russian missile at the city on July 31. Materials on him will be transferred to the Security Service of Ukraine, which will make further decisions. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported in Telegram by the Minister of internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko. He emphasized that the footage of the incoming missile immediately appeared in one of the local blogs, from where it was spread by Russian Telegram channels in a matter of minutes. Recall: on the morning of July 31, the city of Kryvyi Rih was struck by loud explosions. The aggressor country Russia once again launched missile strikes on the city, attacking two high-rise buildings. ADVERTISIMENT The moment of one of the explosions was caught on video. As a result of a powerful shock wave in the neighboring houses blew out the windows. A local resident was filming the moment of the explosion at the window in her apartment, which, incidentally, is not advised to do during an air raid. At one moment an explosion was heard and a column of fire rose several hundred meters from the scene. On the morning of August 1, it became known that the number of people injured as a result of the Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih exceeded 80, including seven children. Nineteen people remain in hospitals, all in a state of moderate severity. ADVERTISIMENT Six civilians were killed, in particular a ten-year-old girl; Kryvyi Rih has declared mourning for the victims of Russian aggression. As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - President Volodymyr Zelensky said that on the morning of July 31, Russian troops launched missiles at Kryvyi Rih from the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea. Preliminarily, it was the area of the city of Dzhankoi in the south of the peninsula; - in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, search and rescue operations were completed at the sites of Russian missile strikes on a residential house and an educational institution the previous morning. August 1 was declared a Day of Mourning in the city. Residents bring fresh flowers to the destroyed apartment building to honor the memory of their fallen compatriots. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! London stocks were set for a flat open on Tuesday as investors eyed the latest reading on the UK manufacturing sector. The FTSE 100 was called to open just three points higher at 7,702. The S&P Global/CIPS manufacturing PMI for July is at 0930 BST. CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: "Todays economic agenda shifts the focus back to the weakness of the manufacturing sector, as well as the resilience of the US labour market, as we look to a flat open. "In Germany especially, the performance of the manufacturing sector has been dire with July manufacturing PMI expected to be confirmed at 38.8, the lowest level since the manufacturing sector was shut down due to Covid. In France, manufacturing PMI is expected to slow to 44.5, while only modest improvements are expected in Spain and Italy of 48.3 and 44.3. "The UK manufacturing numbers are expected to slow to 45, from 46.5." In corporate news, BP reported a sharp 78% drop in its second quarter attributable profits to $1.79bn. Capital expenditures also declined, by $4.3bn after a $3.3bn decline over the previous three months. On a replacement cost basis, the oil major's profit fell 73% to $2.34bn. Earnings per share on that same basis meanwhile reduced from $27.74 to $14.77. Its net debt on the other hand rose by 11.4% to $23.66bn. Fresnillo reported a 6.1% increase in adjusted first half revenues to $1.43bn on the back of higher gold and silver volumes and prices. Also on an adjusted basis however, production costs jumped by 17.4% to $773.9m in comparison to a year earlier, as a result of the appreciation in the Mexican peso. Hence, its profit before tax dropped 69.2% to $47.9m and basic diluted earnings per share from continuing operations by 44.7% to 8.8 US cents. Free cash flow reduced sharply, falling from $93.5m in the year earlier period to $18.7m. The miner declared an interim dividend of 1.40 US cents. Diageo reported a sharp rise in full-year profits amid strong growth in most regions. Company boss, Debra Crew, highlighted 6% growth in the company's organic net sales and 7% for operating profits, saying that both had fallen within Diageo's medium-term guidance. "These results demonstrate Diageo's ability to consistently deliver resilient performance, even in challenging macro environments," she also said. For the year ending on 30 June, the spirits maker posted an 11% jump in reported revenues to reach 17.11bn. That drove a 10% rise in operating profits before exceptional items of 622m to hit 5.25bn. Basic earnings per share before exceptionals increased 8% to 163.5p. Crew also called attention to the "strong" growth seen in four of the company's five regions, including double-digit increases in Europe and Asia Pacific. North America on the other hand was described as "stable" as the US spirits industry continued its post-pandemic normalisation. The company's free cash flow however reduced by 1.0bn to 1.8bn as a result of higher working capital outflows, tax and interest payments and capex. The full-year dividend meanwhile was increased 5% to 80.0p. As of 0903 BST, shares of Diageo were 2.33% higher to 3,476.50p. The company said that it would pay 21m in cash on a debt free basis, with a potential earn out of as much as 23m over the next four years. "The acquisition of Silvertel continues our strategy of building a differentiated, international, growth focused electronics group with strong operating margins," said DiscoverIE's chief executive officer, Nick Jefferies. "The transaction brings another high quality business with strong alignment to our target markets into DiscoverIE, which is accretive to both underlying earnings and margins." However, transaction close would require authorities' approval under the UK National Security & Investment Act which was expected to be received later in the third quarter. As of 1228 BST, shares of DiscoverIE were trading 1.87% higher at 816.0p. A seasoned pharmaceutical industry professional, Dr. MSN Reddy has completed his M.Sc (Organic Chemistry) and Post-Doctoral Research in Organic Chemistry from Osmania University. He is also a Member of the American Chemical Society, and has 170 Patent Publications globally and 53 research publications in reputed Indian as well as International journals. In a recent interaction with Siliconindia, Dr. MSN Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, MSN Group of Companies shared his insights on the current pharma manufacturing scenario in India and the impact it can have on the country's move towards promoting indigenous manufacturing. Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interview Share your thoughts on the pharmaceutical industry in India post covid. The covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people think and made us strongly focus on innovation, quality and cost-effectiveness. India is always known as the place of healing, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is experiencing significant growth in recent times. Thus, the industry continues to attract investments & collaborations, and is today the largest producer of generic drugs globally. Various initiatives taken by the government to promote healthcare accessibility and affordability are further contributing to the flourishing landscape of the pharma industry in India. As a result, we are now the fourth largest exporter of pharmaceutical products, and this brings with it a heightened sense of responsibility towards the health and well-being of people across the globe. How are modern day technologies impacting the pharma manufacturing sector in India? Several cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, continuous manufacturing, automation, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the pharma manufacturing space in India. A significant trend in the industry is the move towards flexible manufacturing plants that are capable of producing various products in smaller batches, departing from the traditional approach of building plants for a single blockbuster drug. The packaging processes are also undergoing technological transformations and driving substantial growth in the pharma industry by ensuring improved product protection and compliance with regulatory standards. To strengthen Indias position in the global pharma market, the industry must embrace digitization and automation, replacing manual data updation processes with digital solutions to enhance productivity and streamline operations. It is essential for pharmaceutical companies to adapt to these technological advances to remain competitive in the dynamic industry landscape. Additionally, Indian regulators are demonstrating openness to accepting newer technologies during their inspections, fostering a more innovative, collaborative and sustainable ecosystem within the industry. What impact does indigenous manufacturing of pharmaceuticals have on our countrys holistic growth? Local manufacturing reduces the reliance on imported pharmaceutical products, making essential medicines more accessible and affordable to the people. Relying on external sources for critical medicines can pose risks during emergencies or global disruptions in supply chains. Indigenous manufacturing enhances a nations self-sufficiency, strengthens its ability to meet domestic healthcare needs independently and ensures the continuity of essential medical supplies. Our Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) was imported from China, creating a dependency on external sources. However, MSN Labs has taken significant strides to reduce this reliance by implementing strategic measures. Now, many pharma industry leaders are following a similar path of reducing external dependencies and promoting indigenous API production. Also, having a local pharmaceutical ecosystem will result in enhanced control, safety and customization. A robust pharmaceutical manufacturing sector encourages supporting infrastructure development such as research and development centers, testing laboratories, and logistics networks. This, in turn, enhances the overall healthcare ecosystem of the country. Lastly, with the growing population, India needs more employment opportunities. Building robust indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D centers generates more employment from skilled researchers and scientists to manufacturing workers and supporting staff. India is a place of diversity, each state has different food types and lifestyles. Local health challenges can only be addressed by tailoring pharmaceutical products to meet specific healthcare challenges prevalent in the country. This includes addressing diseases that are region-specific and developing drugs suitable for the genetic diversity of the population. What role does the government play in taking the pharma manufacturing sector to the next level? With the Athmanirbar Bharat initiative, the Govt. of India launched many schemes to empower the pharmaceutical sector. With the growing population, the responsibility towards refining the healthcare ecosystem healthcare has become a top priority for the Indian Government. To make healthcare more accessible and affordable, the government has introduced new policies and programs. These efforts aim to improve local access to high-quality healthcare services. Recently, the government of India has launched a series of schemes focusing mainly on strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the pharmaceutical sector, one of which is mainly focusing on providing a capital subsidy of 10 percent on loans for upgrading the technology on pharmaceutical units. The government provides 70 percent or 2 crores as assistance to pharma companies under its Common Facilities Scheme. Also, the government can simplify regulatory processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to setup and operate their manufacturing units. Streamlining approval procedures and licensing requirements can attract more investments. Furthermore, there is a huge need to bridge the skill gap and enhance the workforce capabilities by collaborating with academia and industry to develop skilled human resources in pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, and quality control. How do you expect the Indian pharma manufacturing sector to evolve in the days to come? India has already established itself as a global leader in the production of generic drugs. The future is likely to see India retain its dominant position and expand its market share, as demand for affordable medicines continues to rise worldwide. With investments in R&D, Indian pharmaceutical companies are likely to create a new era that can lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of various diseases and further establish a hub for pharmaceutical innovation. The future lies in providing precision and preventive medicines, and India may witness a greater adoption of personalized medicine and precision healthcare technologies which will result in more tailored treatment options and improved patient outcomes. Microsoft announced that former senior AWS executive Puneet Chandok will be appointed as the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft India and South Asia. Effective from September 1, he will assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari. Supported by a strong leadership team, Chandok will oversee the integration of Microsoft's businesses across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, further boosting the company's presence in the region. Ahmed Mazhari, President of Microsoft Asia, said that Chandok has a strong track record of building and growing technology businesses and leveraging technology to deliver impact and change. As we embrace an AI-led future, Puneet's leadership will play a vital role in ensuring Microsofts ongoing success in South Asia, and I extend my thanks to Anant Maheshwari for setting us on a growth path, Mazhari added. Chandok joins Microsoft from AWS, where he led the company's India and South Asia businesses, working closely with enterprises, digital businesses, startups, and SMBs to help them reduce technical debt, bring in agility, and innovate. As India expands its own digital public infrastructure, I believe that this mission is more relevant here than ever before, and I am thrilled to be joining the One Microsoft team to make this mission a reality, said Chandok. Maheshwari said that the Microsoft India team has created a strong foundation of trust and entrepreneurial business models. Karnataka Large and Medium Industries said the Karnataka government had a 'fruitful' meeting with the iPhone maker Foxconn about the projects for which the company is keen to invest in the state. Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B Patil, IT/BT Minister Priyanka Kharge and Foxconn Chairman Young Liu were present during the discussion, which took place at a private hotel in Chennai. MB Patil said that the industrial and investment policies of the state government are conducive to nurturing an ecosystem favoring the growth of industries. The Minister said that the talks held with the company chairman were fruitful. Dr. EV Ramana Reddy, ACS, Department of Electronics and IT/BT, and Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner, Department of Industries and Commerce, were present in the meeting. On Tuesday, 1 August, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced a "failed" attempt to attack three maritime unmanned aerial vehicles on Black Sea Fleet patrol vessels. However, evidence has emerged online that the attack was indeed carried out, resulting in the injury of Russian sailors. ADVERTISIMENT This is proved by the interception of requests for evacuation from the staff of one of the attacked ships. The audio of the conversation was published by Babel (to watch the video, scroll down to the end of the news story). According to information disseminated by Russian "military commanders", among the attacked ships was a container ship named Sparta-IV, which, according to Naval News and observers, was transporting weapons from Syria. In June, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) notified the captain of a Russian civilian vessel that was bringing weapons for Russian citizens from Syria of suspicion. Currently, Russian sailors from one of the attacked ships are asking for help in evacuating the victims. This contradicts statements about the "successful repulsion" of the drone attack made earlier by the Russian Ministry of Defence. ADVERTISIMENT The evacuation involved Ka-29 helicopters, which were ordered to deliver the bodies of the dead and wounded to the Black Sea Higher Naval School in Sevastopol. The intercepted conversation indicates that there are casualties as a result of the attack - at least one dead and five wounded who need urgent evacuation. The caller also discusses the need for an ambulance and a border guard to be present during the evacuation. It is not known which ship suffered from the attack. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Russia said that on the night of 1 August, the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly attacked ships of the Black Sea Fleet. In particular, the patrol vessels Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov were allegedly attacked by three unmanned naval boats. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! WIKA India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WIKA Global (WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, Germany), has recently inaugurated its Force Measurement Production Unit in Pune. With this, the company has taken another major leap towards its successful future growth in the country. The Force Measurement Production Unit will play a pivotal role in the future technological advancements in WIKAs products. It is one of the major investments made by WIKA India in recent years to strengthen its position in the market and align itself with its aim to double the companys turnover by 2025. WIKAs Force Measurement Production Unit brings together the companys expertise to create customized force measurement solutions for the industry. The unit is a major step in the companys mission to bring high-quality products to the market in the shortest possible time. Our key strength lies in our global presence. We continuously aim to strengthen our global operations to provide optimum local services to our customers and are proud to have the strength of a big company with the flexibility of a local business. Our product range caters to every industry need and India is an important center for our global operations and growth. Pune is where our India story began and it is a proud moment to see the successful expansion of the operations here, said Mr. Alexander Wiegand, Chairman and CEO, WIKA Group. WIKA Group's growth strategy places India at its core, driving our vision and expansion plans. In line with our unwavering commitment to advancing our operations and fostering excellence, we proudly unveil the advanced Force Measurement Production Unit in Pune, a symbol of our commitment to innovation, quality, and technology. With firm dedication, we empower growth and propel towards unparalleled achievements. Together, we look forward to embarking on an exciting journey of progress, innovation, and mutual prosperity., said Mr. Andreas Keiger, Executive Vice President - EMEA/India, WIKA Group. Force measurement devices find critical applications in various industries including automotive, oil and gas and medical equipment, among others. WIKA India has a wide range of force measurement devices, which includes tension and compression force transducers, shear and bending beams, shackle load cells, ring force transducers, load pins, tension links, wire rope force transducers and strain transducers. Establishing a Force Measurement production unit has always been an integral part of our vision for the growth of WIKA in India. Round-the-clock dedication by the team towards the project has made it such a success. The Unit will play a vital role in catering to the robust demand for test and measurement equipment arising in India. The unit makes WIKA future-ready to meet the requirements of the market, said Gaurav Bawa, Senior Vice President, WIKA India, who was recently awarded the Most Dynamic CEOs to Watch in 2023 by CEO Review Magazine in recognition of his outstanding professional Achievement and Inspiring Social Contributions. WIKA India has manufacturing plants in four states Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The inception of WIKA India began in Pune in 1997 with the establishment of WIKA Instrument. Along with its first calibration facility, the Pune operation is also home to the companys unit for level, calibration and SF6 gas. The addition of the Force Measurement Production Unit is a value addition to the entire operation. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Skippys frankfurter truck sizzled with good news this week. Operator Dawn LaVigne hosted a wedding proposal over the weekend. That happened on the same day a food editor from the New York Times hit up Staten Island for some hot dogs. Spoiler alert: she said yes. Plus, the Gray Lady gave great ink to the Dongan Hills native. The ring (Courtesy of the Fiorito family) But first, a highly anticipated proposal played out between NYU Emergency Room nurse Michael Fiorito and New York City public school teacher Crystal Velez. Velez said, Weve have been going together to the truck for years and it has been a staple date for us. Dawns the one who got me into chili dogs. Fiorito added, Ive been going to the truck from before I could walk. My family used to eat at the wooden picnic table. Michael Fiorito and Crystal Velez share a hug after the proposal. (Courtesy of the Fiorito family) SKIPPYS STORY Theres a back-story to the back-story on how Fiorito arranged to pop the question. After a three-year Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) flood relief project at her prior site, LaVigne found she was not welcome back to her decades-old spot. Instead, DEPs elaborate efforts to keep her off a new swath of pavers forced LaVigne to move into a nearby bus lane. Now, she vends in its off-hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family of Michael Fiorito and Crystal Velez, all long-time patrons of Skippy's. (Courtesy of the Fiorito family) But the experience with DEP proved disheartening and LaVigne recently put the truck up for sale. Knowing of all this, Fiorito said, I told Crystal it was going to be Dawns last day. After saying goodbye we were supposed to go to a birthday party. So Crystal came all dressed up to come to the truck. LaVigne brought Velez onto the truck. The groom-to-be said, I pretend Im taking Crystals order. She said, What do you want? I said, Id like you marry me. Dawn LaVigne is joyous over Velez and Fiorito's engagement at her truck. (Courtesy of Cristian Pineda) LaVigne gushed, He got down on his knee! Tears of joy flowed from family, LaVigne included. The hot dog maven added, Ive had such a bad year...this has made my whole year it really did. This is what its about community. Its about being part of peoples family, watching them grow up, get a job, have their own family. Inside the truck on a busy day. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri) THE ELUSIVE FOOD TRUCK While LaVigne said she was walking on Cloud Nine following Velez and Fioritos special moment, her phone started to blow up. The commotion came from a fine review from Times food editor Nikita Richardson. The NYT cooking and food editor detailed her journey to Staten Island in the Where to Eat: NYC Newsletter and in the Wednesday food section. In her first shot at Skippys, she could not find the truck. Extreme heat had kept LaVigne away that particular day. When Richardson returned, she was pleased. She shared, The hot dogs are floppy Sabretts pulled from hot water, standard for trucks. But its the toppings that have always been the draw: homemade chili and onions, recipes created by LaVignes grandmother. Richardson wrote, The cherry on top was watching the locals, many of whom have been coming to the truck since they were children, talk with Ms. LaVigne about their families...while ribbing her over whether she takes (credit) cards. (She categorically does not.) By Wednesday afternoon, LaVigne said she sold out quickly. She said, Money is not the answer to everything this is being rich in other ways. The original food truck before Hurricane Sandy washed it out to sea. (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staten Island Advance Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com. The Justin Verlander sweepstakes came to an end Tuesday after the Mets traded the ace to the Astros, according to multiple reports. The move comes days after New York general manager Billy Eppler told reporters that despite trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, a fire sale nor a rebuild were happening. Verlander questioned the direction of the Mets and whether he was next after Scherzer was moved. MLB.coms Mark Feinsand reported that the Mets will receive Drew Gilbert the Astros No. 1 prospect. ESPNs Jeff Passan reported Ryan Clifford is also involved in the trade. Rumors of a reunion between Houston and Verlander surfaced over the last few days, but the Astros focus was said to not have been on starting pitching. Things can change, though, and now the three-time Cy Young Award winner returns to the team he won two World Series with (2017, 2022). The Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers were also tabbed as teams to watch for the 40-year-old. The right-hander has pitched at least five innings in all but one of his 16 starts for the Mets who spent nearly $500 million this offseason this season. You can follow along with all the latest news, rumors and updates from Tuesday with our MLB live tracker here. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The United States may not be fulfilling its immense potential to develop offshore wind in the coming decades, falling behind other nations that have embraced the clean energy source and moved rapidly to harness its power, a new study found. Accelerating efforts to more closely approach the untapped potential off the countrys nearly 100,000 miles of coastline could greatly reduce emissions without drastically altering electricity costs, according to the 2035 and Beyond report, conducted by UC Berkeley, Energy Innovation and GridLab. The research, released Tuesday, shows the U.S. has the potential to multiply its offshore wind generation by more than 11-fold by 2050 under a high-ambition scenario compared to a business-as-usual approach, allowing for one-fourth of the countrys energy portfolio to be produced by ocean-based turbines. What we assess is offshore wind could cost effectively and reliably inject up to 25% of increased electricity demand by 2050, translating to about $1.8 trillion of new investments, and nearly 300,000 to 400,000 new jobs spread across the U.S., said Nikit Abhyankar, a senior scientist at UC Berkley and a lead author of the report, during a briefing with reporters. This will be a critical resource to diversify our clean energy supply in order to meet our net zero energy target by 2050, said Abhyankar. TO HIT POTENTIAL, AMBITION NEEDED Using state-of-the-art modeling systems, the study laid out four scenarios for offshore wind development in the U.S. a baseline, low ambition, medium ambition and high ambition plan. The latter three hypothetical pathways show a potential future significantly higher than the business-as-usual approach, which would only enable offshore wind to make up about 2% of overall energy in the U.S. by 2050. That level of energy would fall short of goals established by President Joe Bidens administration, which set targets of generating 30 gigawatts and 110 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and 2050, respectively. Assuming appropriate policy, supply chain and infrastructure is put in place to ensure each scenario can be fulfilled (with an increasingly-higher number of factories needed for wind turbine components under more ambitious scenarios), Abhyankar said the low ambition route would provide 250 gigawatts of energy by 2050, the medium ambition route 500 gigawatts by 2050 and the high ambition route 750 gigawatts by 2050. In all three scenarios, 100 gigawatts would be created by 2035. Comparatively, the baseline scenario would only generate 40 gigawatts of energy by 2035 and 67 gigawatts by 2050. The U.S. currently only has about 0.042 gigawatts of offshore wind but has the active capacity of 40 gigawatts based on its current projects. Both the European Union and China are planning to build nearly 200 gigawatts of offshore capacity by 2035, and the European countries are planning to increase it to nearly 500 gigawatts by 2050, said Abhyankar. Compare that with our goal of 30 gigawatts by 2030 and 110 gigawatts of aspirational goal by 2050, which is significantly behind the European and Chinese ambition. NY, STATEN ISLAND CAN BE A KEY TO AMBITIOUS GROWTH In the U.S., adequate space to place turbines is not a problem. The report found there is the potential for an enormous 4,000 gigawatts of offshore wind energy generation. New York, which has multiple ocean lease areas waiting for development, has quickly become a leader in the countrys push to green energy, aiming to reach nine gigawatts of offshore wind power itself by 2035. Part of that transition is bolstered by the states significant investment in the burgeoning industrys supply chain. Proposed manufacturing and assembly sites on Staten Island have been included in multiple proposals for the states third offshore wind solicitation, serving as potential next steps to position the borough as a pivotal part of the creation of expansive wind farms. The Arthur Kill Terminal, a proposed staging and assembly facility that received a shout-out from President Joe Biden earlier this year, is poised to begin construction later this year before becoming operational in 2025. The site received $48 million in federal funding in the fall of 2022. NorthPoint Development, a Kansas City-based company, has ambitious plans for two separate sites on Staten Islands West Shore a Rossville property that contains the behemoth LNG tanks visible from the West Shore Expressway and the Staten Island Marine Terminal in Charleston. Still, some hurdles remain for each project. A CHALLENGE: KEEPING ELECTRICITY COSTS DOWN A proliferation of offshore wind would have cascading impacts to the countrys economy. Under the highest ambition scenario, where offshore wind provides nearly 25% of total energy generation by 2050, wholesale electricity costs would be 2.2% higher relative to baseline in 2035 and 0.25% higher than baseline in 2050. A coordinated approach to connecting power produced by offshore wind farms to the grid could reduce the costs, according to the study. For the scenarios that we discussed, offshore wind is slightly more expensive than onshore renewable resources, said Abhyankar. So, thats why there we see some small increase in the wholesale electricity costs as our offshore wind ambition increases. NEED FOR SPEED The need for the U.S. to rapidly grow its collection of offshore wind farms is colossal. To meet international goals that reduce human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, a stark shift away from burning fossil fuels will have to occur exceptionally quickly, slowing the planets warming and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Michelle Solomon, a senior policy analyst in the Electricity Program at Energy Innovation, was part of the team that put together a series of policy recommendations to support the countrys transition to greater procurement of offshore wind energy. One of the main points of the series of policy recommendations made by the group, which accompanied the main 2035 and Beyond report, highlighted the importance of setting progressive goals at both the state and federal levels. Theyre really very important in order to create certainty for the industry because offshore wind isnt just putting the turbines in the water, said Solomon. Its also building specialized ports and specialized vessels, as well as a whole offshore transmission network. And, ensuring that certainty is paramount, said David Wooley, director of the Environmental Center at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. If you dont have ports, you cant install this this industry, said Wooley. While there remain significant hurdles, both in terms of funding and planning to build out those vital ports, more than two dozen are either in construction or development, with activity moving forward on the East and West Coast, the Gulf Coast and the Great Lakes, he said. So, were were confident that we can build out this this resource, said Wooley. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York Animal Care Center (NYACC) said it is not currently accepting cats as the organizations facilities lack space for new intakes. The organization has four adoption centers, including a new state-of-the-art facility on Staten Islands South Shore. There are around 375 cats across the NYACC locations, said Katy Hansen, a spokeswoman for the organization. To help encourage adoptions, the NYACC said it is lowering adoption costs of large dogs and adult cats. This summer, were offering a special adoption campaign to encourage more adoptions - you can adopt a large dog (40lbs +) or an adult cat (5 years and older) for just $5!, the NYACC wrote on Instagram. Hansen said the organization has continued to accept nearly 100 cats and kittens, even after it said it was overburdened. The NYACC remains open to help animals that require emergency medical care, those that pose a public risk and animals dropped off by government agency. She said they hope to fully resume normal operations in the coming days. To adopt a new pet, visit the NYACC site here. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York City and the union representing Staten Island Ferry workers have hit another snag in their longstanding contract negotiations, this time over how much crew members should be paid for working overtime. The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA), the union representing approximately 150 captains, assistant captains, mates, engineers and chief engineers on the Staten Island Ferry, has been unable to reach a new contract agreement with the city since 2010, resulting in over a decade in which union members have not received a single raise. Negotiations had been progressing in recent weeks with the help of a third-party mediator, but union officials say the latest offer from the city would reduce workers overtime rates. Currently, ferry workers make time-and-a-half when working overtime, meaning they earn 1.5 times their typical hourly rate. Under the citys latest offer, workers would make time-an-a-third when working overtime, meaning they would earn 1.33 times their typical hourly rate. Roland Rexha, secretary treasurer for MEBA and former shop steward at the Staten Island Ferry, took to Twitter on Friday, blasting the citys latest offer and demanding that time-and-a-half overtime rates be included in any new contract. NYC is poised to further destabilize the SI Ferry by refusing to settle a contract which pays workers OT at time and a half, in compliance with NYS Law. We thought NYC was a union town? @MEBAUNION will not sign a contract that pays OT at less then time and a half. Fair is fair, Rexha tweeted. 13 years and counting w/o a contract and now NYC is trying to ram time and a third for OT down the throats of SI Ferry workers. Stop pissing on Ferry workers. Time and a Half for all Overtime assigned! State law says so! he said in a follow-up tweet. City officials denied that the current offer violates state law and noted that workers stand to receive significant raises and retroactive pay under the latest proposal. Without question, every offer we have made to MEBA has been compliant with state law and would provide increases in overtime pay from their current contract, said Fabien Levy, press secretary for Mayor Eric Adams. The citys proposal would mean significant back pay for employees who have worked all the way back to when the last contract expired; some would receive over $100,000 and others would see over $1 million each depending on their title. There would also be substantial wage increases for all employees, more than doubling annual salaries since the last contract that expired in 2010. He went on to mention that the city has successfully negotiated new contracts with various other unions, urging MEBA leadership to call the current offer to a vote among union members. So far this year, New York City has reached agreements with District Council 37, which covers nearly 90,000 municipal workers; the United Federation of Teachers, representing roughly 120,000 educators; and the Uniformed Officers Coalition, covering more than 32,000 cops, firefighters, sanitation workers and corrections officers. Further, we would note that since then, we have settled contracts with virtually every other union in each successive round of bargaining, and more than 77% of the citys unionized workforce in the current round. Instead of sending inaccurate and unproductive tweets, we encourage the union leadership to bring the citys complete economic proposal to their membership for a vote, Levy added. The union has since acknowledged that exemptions outlined in state and federal labor laws allow the city to offer overtime rates below the standard time-and-a-half, but that the issue remains a dealbreaker despite being legally sound. While the city continues to sink to the bottom with the excuses of overtime exemptions, we know nothing will float with our union other than what our members fully deserve after 13 long years without a contract, including three grueling years of working every day during the COVID pandemic. Our anchors down until the same hourly overtime rate of 1.5x that every other municipal union gets is guaranteed, Rexha said. Resolving the longstanding contract dispute could be the first step in addressing the ongoing service issues that have plagued the Staten Island Ferry in recent years, as the existing low wages have made it difficult for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to recruit and retain crew members, which has led to short staffing that has limited the citys ability to provide full service, resulting in thousands of canceled trips. Last month, Rexha told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com that although the sides were still a ways apart, he was cautiously optimistic that a deal would get done, though concessions will undoubtedly be made by both sides. With this administration weve seen more progress than we did with previous administrations so Im cautiously optimistic, but theres still some work to do in terms of getting the numbers where they need to be, Rexha said at the time. They always say that with a good deal, both parties walk away a little upset. Were not there yet. Right now, one party is a little more upset than the other in terms of where were at in the negotiations, he concluded. MORE ON STATEN ISLAND FERRY SERVICE ISSUES Staten Island Ferry riders deserve better. How did it come to this? Will Staten Island Ferry ridership ever return to pre-pandemic levels? Staten Island Ferry service reductions resulted in over 2,000 canceled trips last year, data shows Whats the hold up with long-awaited Staten Island Ferry union contract? Have you been impacted by Staten Island Ferry service reductions? We want to hear from you. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Rosebank Boys, a social group that originated back in 1946 in Rosebank, still meet at their headquarters located at 513 Tompkins Ave. in what used to be an old barber shop in the North Shore town. During the same year, parishioners of St. Josephs R.C. Church in the same community, erected a monument called Rosebank Honor Roll Veterans of World War II, as a way to pay tribute to the men and women of Rosebank who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. The monument contained 737 names. Twenty-nine were killed in action. Rev. Carlos Limongi blesses the retored Rosebank Honor Roll, Veterans of World II. (Courtesy/Rosebank Boys)Staten Island Advance The monument stands on Tompkins Avenue, across from whats now known as St. Joseph/St. Mary Immaculate R.C. Church. Over the years the monument to local heroes became weathered, fell into disrepair and was in need of restoration. Rev. Carlos Limongi, pastor of the church, made a special plea to Peter Cangro, president of the Rosebank Boys, and John Pecoraro, one of the officers of the club, asking for their assistance in restoring the memorial. All 737 names had to be replaced, in addition to new backing, new glass, and cleaning and power washing the memorial shrine. It took a few months, but the monument was restored to its original splendor at a cost of more than $10,000. A ceremony was conducted to unveil the new monument. Rev. Limongi addressed the crowd, blessed the monument, and a brief history of the origins of the monument was outlined. Members of the Marine Corps League Honor Guard presented the colors. Joanne Nolemi, president of the Island of Heroes Project, delivered the National Anthem and God Bless America, and members of the Marine Corps Honor Guard played Taps. Albany Township, Berks County - On July 31, 2023, around 3:30pm, the Pennsylvania State Police - Hamburg Barracks responded to a residence on 48 Lovers Lane after receiving a distress call reporting an attempted burglary. Thanks to the quick actions of the victim and her Ring Security System, the suspect was deterred from carrying out the burglary. Please reach out to the patrol section at the Hamburg Barracks via phone at 610-562-6885. Alternatively, valuable tips can be submitted anonymously to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 800-472-8477. Informants may be eligible for a cash reward, encouraging the public to cooperate in bringing the suspect to justice. According to the victim's account, she noticed a suspicious activity on her Ring Security System at 2:35 PM, as a white non-Hispanic male was seen attempting to break into a detached, locked shed on the property. The suspect was determined to gain unauthorized access by prying the shed open, leaving fresh pry marks as evidence.The homeowner began to communicate with the suspect through the Ring Security System, raising an alarm that likely startled the intruder. In response, the unidentified male fled the scene on foot, heading northbound along Lovers Lane.The Pennsylvania State Police urges anyone with information that could aid in the investigation to come forward. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! In July 2023, the Defence Forces inflicted devastating losses on the enemy army. In just a month, the ranks of the Russian invaders were thinned by almost 18,000 people. The enemy's arsenal of equipment also suffered enormous damage. ADVERTISIMENT This is evidenced by the data collected by the General Staff. Most of these armoured vehicles are beyond repair, and this is a significant blow to Russia's defence industry. Below is a record-breaking list of occupiers' losses for the month. In brackets are the figures that the invaders lose on average over the period: tanks: 174 (234); armoured fighting vehicles: 337 (456); artillery systems: 677 (269); multiple launch rocket systems: 67 (39); air defence systems: 73(26); aircraft: 0 (18); helicopters: 3 (17); UAVS: 482(224); missiles: 86 (75); vehicles: 530 (407); special equipment: 138(40). As OBOZREVATEL reported, according to British intelligence, since the day of the full-scale invasion of our land, the Russian army has already been reduced by 200,000 troops. This includes not only the eliminated invaders, but also the wounded. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Margot Robbies Barbie is appalled to find that the real world, unlike Barbie Land, isnt perfect. On the contrary, men jeer at her, teenagers dont take her seriously, and theres a constant undercurrent of sexual violence. But theres also beauty in the imperfections: in the wisdom of old age, in mortality: the resonance of a life thats necessarily fleeting. Although the real world has made her self-conscious and insecure, Barbie nonetheless chooses to stay there, trading a plastic fantastic life for a complicated, cellulite-riven human one. Its touching that Barbie might leave her pink toy box for a more emotionally rich reality. Whats less convincing, however, is the treatment of her real-world insecurities. To explain what Barbies going through, America Ferrera delivers a cumbersome monologue about how hard it is to be a woman in a society that constantly demands perfection. And just in case youre not relating, there is a voiceover that quips: Margot Robbie is not the best person to cast if you want to make this point. But the issue is not only that Robbie succeeds according to even the most unrealistic beauty standards (she looks like an AI-generated hot person). The issue is that shes portraying Barbie the doll that established those standards in the first place and then buried them in the psyches of millions of little girls. In addition to being a doctor, or an astronaut, or a president Barbie has always been and still is ridiculously good-looking, thus restating in every iteration that women can be anything as long as theyre hot. Loading If Barbie dolls were merely beautiful objects (sparkly and symmetrical like a Furby or a Bratz doll) there wouldnt be a feminist issue. The problem is, theyre beautiful, sexualised objects. Yes, Barbie doesnt have genitals (as the film is at pains to remind us) but, with her pert breasts and her clean curves, shes explicitly sexual, right from her very conception. (Barbies proportions were originally modelled off a lewd German doll, marketed to men and sold in tobacconists as a joke.) Whatever she wants or does, Barbies success is inseparable from her status as a passive, desirable object. Gerwig acknowledges that Barbie dolls contribute to the pressures on women to satiate the male gaze. A woke teenager tells Barbie that she makes women hate themselves and at the end of the movie one character suggests Mattel release an ordinary Barbie. But these instances are just lip service. Overwhelmingly, the film casts the dolls as tools for empowerment. When Robbies Barbie gets insecure, she never worries about her own role in perpetuating the very impossible standards shes now so upset about. Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie, is depicted as a benevolent Creator. She gives Barbie her blessing to return to the real world and explains, very wholesomely, I named you after my daughter. She doesnt add: And then I modelled your body off a kinky German doll. Barbie isnt interested in engaging deeply with, let alone rejecting, beauty standards. And why would it? Its a film funded by Mattel. Beauty is their brand. All their Barbies are relentlessly good-looking. (Mattel has unveiled seven tie-in dolls to coincide with the films release; Ordinary Barbie is not among them). Gerwigs film aims no higher than cognitive dissonance. It nods at the impossible beauty standards that make women hate themselves but still wants to profit from them. Ryan Gosling as Ken. However, Gerwig seems to believe that cognitive dissonance is enough. In the film, all it takes to free the Barbies from Kens patriarchy is Ferrera explaining the double standards. In Barbie Land, articulating the problems with patriarchy equates to acting against it. Unfortunately, Gerwigs film was released in the real world, where pointing out the problems with a franchise such as Barbie doesnt actually resolve any of them. But perhaps this ironic, gestural activism (articulating double standards even while you reinforce them) is the feminism of our age. An age in which social media has the ability to make us more aware of social justice yet also makes us more conscious of our appearance than ever. An age in which the biggest blockbuster of the year uses the word patriarchy more times than a first year gender studies essay, and, at the same time, women are lining up at plastic surgeons to achieve Instagram Face. Robbie meets fans at the Barbie premiere in London. Credit: Getty Images When asked to describe her approach to Barbie, Gerwig said: Im doing the thing and subverting the thing. That might also be an apt description of the very online Modern Feminist. Were all aware of the societal standards that oppress us, yet we embrace them. But ironically! Were having fun with feminism, accessorising with it. The question for Gerwig, and for feminists, is: how can you make a coherent statement if youre always simultaneously subverting it? If Barbie the movie is anything to go by, the answer is: you cant. You cant browse a supermarket or pharmacy without being subject to labels that promote health benefits. In the beverage aisle you might find prebiotic sodas that supposedly support gut health. In the beauty department, youll see medical-grade serums, probiotic facial creams and skin detoxing treatments. Go to the supplements section for promises of immunity support, hormone balance and energy enhancement. Shoppers should be wary of vague terms promising positive health outcomes when buying wellness products. Credit: iStock Marketers have been using scientific-sounding buzzwords to sell products for centuries. But its becoming more common, says Timothy Caulfield, a research chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta. Caulfield coined the term scienceploitation to describe how brands borrow language from emerging areas of science to market unproven products. Scienceploitation crops up in far more places today than ever before, including in search results, on social media platforms and from influencers, Caulfield says. Consumers are often inundated with confusing options as more companies position themselves as healthy. Buyers are prioritising scientific evidence, says Sienna Piccioni, an analyst and head of beauty at WSGN, a trend forecasting company. But they cant always separate fact from fiction: a 2021 study suggested that people who trust science were more likely to share false claims that contained scientific references than claims that didnt. There was a time in my life when the only badly behaved people I knew were all adults. They were utterly entitled and completely uncivilised. I can give you chapter and verse of shouting, harassment of all kinds, extreme bullying; and all done with a smile and shell be right, mate. These people saw themselves as the centre of the universe. Then nearly six years ago, two academics Sander Thomaes and Eddie Brummelman foretold the future. When we think of narcissists, we typically think of adults, whose personalities are rather crystallised perhaps a charming but manipulative ex-partner, or a self-absorbed and authoritarian boss. We do not typically think of children, whose personalities are still in flux. We all want to stick up for our kids, but they are not always right. Credit: iStock Heres the killer from these two: Narcissists do not just begin to love themselves at their 18th birthday; they typically develop narcissistic traits from childhood onward. Now the kids are behaving badly. They monster their primary teachers, they badger their high school teachers and, by the time they get to university, they argue the toss about every single grade, they whine about group work and they want extensions because they dont wish to be inconvenienced (although, let me say, there are also those who get extensions for real reasons). Suspended rugby union star Kurtley Beale has had his bail conditions significantly altered so that he can travel overseas if he signs a contract with a French club while awaiting trial accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Bondi pub. The 34-year-old has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of sexually touching another person without consent after the alleged incident at Bondis Beach Road Hotel on December 17 last year. Kurtley Beale arrives at Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday for his bail variation hearing. Credit: Bianca DeMarchi/AAP Beale has been committed to stand trial in Sydney in January. However, he faced Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday with barrister Margaret Cunneen, SC, solicitor Lauren MacDougall and supported by his mother-in-law for a bail variation application, which was opposed by the Crown. Prosecutor Darren Robinson said the issue was whether the court would allow Beale to leave the jurisdiction to take up a professional rugby union contract pending his trial. Weve relaunched the Brisbane Times. Take a look at our best stories. The news The introduction of hefty fines for seatbelt and mobile phone offences, captured using high-tech cameras, has led to thousands of motorists being referred to government debt collectors for failing to pay. Newly released data reveals the tougher approach including fines of more than $1000 for using a mobile phone while driving has significantly increased the work of the State Penalties Enforcement Register. In Queensland, high-tech cameras are used to capture motorists committing seatbelt and mobile phone offences. The fines for camera-detected offences were introduced in November 2021. Over the following 14 months, 120,264 of the fines amounting to almost $159 million were not paid on time and subsequently referred to SPER. The administration of US President Joe Biden plans to increase the supply of critical ammunition for Ukraine. To this end, the United States has signed an agreement with Bulgaria and South Korea to supply 155 mm ammunition to Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Negotiations are also underway with Japan on the supply of ammunition. This is reported by the Financial Times. The U.S. is reportedly actively working to increase the supply of critical 155mm ammunition to support Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces along the entire front line. The effort includes deliveries from international partners in the near term, with plans to increase U.S. production over the next two years. Officials said the U.S. has already reached agreements with Bulgaria and South Korea to supply shells to Ukraine. According to U.S. officials, Ukraine now produces up to 8,000 artillery rounds per day, which exceeds U.S. production. According to the publication's report, the Biden administration knew months ago that Ukraine could face supply problems due to the high rate of ammunition use and has increased efforts to transport shells to the front line since the counteroffensive began. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the U.S. Army is building additional production lines, including converting facilities in Ontario, Canada and building new assembly lines in Texas. Army officials report the possibility of new facilities for loading, assembling, and packaging 155-mm projectiles in Arkansas, Iowa, and Kansas. Earlier it was reported that Germany updated the list of military aid that was transferred to Ukraine. In particular, the Armed forces of Ukraine among other weapons received dozens of reconnaissance drones and self-propelled anti-aircraft systems Gepard. We shall remind you that according to the survey, it is important for the United States of America that Ukraine emerge victorious from the war started by Russia. This opinion was expressed by three quarters of Americans surveyed, it is shared by both Democrats (86%) and Republicans (71%). ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information from us in Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! They have tasted senior football, making impressions in their own right. Here we break down the next crop of Queensland teenagers to take on the NRL. August 4, 2023 by Nick Wright Weve relaunched the Brisbane Times. Take a look at our best stories. Tourism operators say the city is still turning its back on the Brisbane River and ignoring the economic potential of a possible 360,000 visitors each year. Brisbane has a new $177 million cruise ship terminal at the mouth of the river, and cruise companies are keen to showcase the citys best natural asset. The Pacific Explorer arrives at Brisbanes International Cruise Ship Terminal. However, unlike the previous terminal at Portside, the new Luggage Point terminal is not connected to the CBD by the river only a dirt road through an industrial zone. Seven months after two cruise companies called for a river link between the terminal and other sites, nothing has eventuated. A months-long investigation into the failures of Home Affairs, exposing deep flaws in the operation of Australias gatekeepers. An Australian Federal Police panel that authorises its most politically sensitive investigations approved last year a secret probe into Queensland-based company Canstruct over allegations of corporate wrongdoing, bribery or the misuse of Commonwealth funds on the $1.82 billion Nauru offshore processing contract. Canstruct managed the taxpayer-funded offshore processing regime on the Pacific island between 2017 and late 2022. Labor has attacked the company in parliament for alleged price gouging and its donations to the Liberal National Party. The AFPs Sensitive Investigation Oversight Board approved Operation Bernie, an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding Canstructs subcontracting of Nauruan companies. Confidential sources, who cannot be identified because they are not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed to this masthead last week that the investigation had been approved about March 2022. Belle Harris, 5, went to school on Tuesday with hair rollers, red lipstick and decked out in a flowery frock paired with a cardigan. Cranbourne Primary in Melbournes south-east hasnt ditched uniforms rather Belle was taking part in 100 Days of School celebrations. Belle Harris (centre) at Cranbourne Primary School celebrating 100 Days of School. Credit: Joe Armao Belles been counting down the days for a good month or two now, said Jessica Harris, who spent Tuesday morning frantically preparing her daughter for the event. Its a massive deal. Still relatively new to Australian schools, the tradition comes from the US, where it has been celebrated for decades. To mark the first 100 days of their first year of learning, children dress as an elderly person who they imagine themselves to be in a century from now. Residents complaints about raging parties, noise at all hours and overflowing bins have prompted Port Phillip Council to consider tighter controls on Airbnb and short-stay accommodation. A levy and registration requirements are among steps being considered to regulate and manage the short-stay industry at a City of Port Phillip meeting on Wednesday night. The area includes the Airbnb hotspots of St Kilda, Elwood and Port Melbourne. Residents are pushing for changes to short-stay accommodation. Credit: Simon Schluter A report prepared by the council highlights the impact of short-stay accommodation on the rental crisis and reveals it has received 153 complaints from residents in the past seven years, with a surge in grievances in June. Residents complained of noise all hours, partying all night, drinking and using offensive language, shouting, clanging bottles and fire alarms going off and Airbnb guests ... walking down the street in their underwear with their trousers down. The federal government should have the power to fine and ban social media platforms that fail to meet transparency standards and should consider banning the Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat from government devices as it did for TikTok, a bipartisan Senate inquiry has found. In a report that damns TikTok for failing to answer basic questions about its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party, the inquiry calls for Australia to consider forcing the popular video sharing app to be sold to a non-Chinese company if the US government makes such a move. The Senate inquiry into foreign interference through social media also called for all social media companies to be required to maintain a physical presence in Australia and to label all content by state-affiliated media entities. Despite considering calls for blanket bans on Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok and WeChat, the committee ultimately decided that greater transparency requirements were the best way to combat foreign interference. There are three good reasons why Australia has been singled out by UNESCO with its threat to list the Great Barrier Reef as in danger of losing its World Heritage site status. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said on Tuesday that it had given Australia a one-year reprieve from an in-danger rating for the reef, but will force Australia to come back next year and demonstrate what else it is doing to protect the reef. The Paris Agreement states that developed nations such as Australia must take the lead on climate action. Credit: Justin Maire and Ashley Dungan / Supplied UNESCO has not made the same threat against any of the other 29 World Heritage-listed coral reefs, which are all suffering damage from coral bleaching due to the effects of climate change. But of the 30 reefs listed as World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced the worst damage from repeated coral bleaching, driven by climate change. Other threats to its health include pollution and sediment runoff from agricultural, urban areas and mining within its catchment; commercial fishing; shipping; and increased cyclone activity. Another day, another brazen shooting in Cocaine City. Sounds like the start of a juicy crime noir novel. But this is not fiction, this is Sydney right now last week and the previous few months. Eleven dead that we know of. In response, a decades-old government approach the war on drugs continues to fail. Our communities are vulnerable, our streets unsafe, because this policy empowers drug gangs rather than stopping them. Surely, its beyond time to consider new approaches, including one that can, and will, drive organised drug gangs out of business overnight: legalisation. Mounting evidence suggests the current war on drugs isnt working. Credit: NSW Police Two police insider comments last week reveal why. Senior police admitted that their operations could be partly to blame for recent gang-related violence, telling the media that drug busts that do not result in arrests can lead to criminals seeking retribution. Then, an unnamed police source told this newspaper late last week: These gangsters will be on Centrelink in six months if you legalised drugs. In stark contrast, senior police bureaucrats, media and politicians have instead all been saying the same thing: that Sydney has a drug problem and getting tougher is the answer, despite the evidence it doesnt work. A bid by NSW Premier Chris Minns to tackle the states housing crisis has been dealt a blow, with the new government on the cusp of rewriting a key reform after industry figures branded it impractical and unfeasible. Six weeks after the policy was announced by the NSW government, the Department of Planning and Environment had been forced back into consultation after peak bodies declared the suite of incentives would fail to deliver on their original intent. NSW Premier Chris Minns efforts to resolve the states housing crisis have been dealt a blow after a key pillar of his reform measures faced criticism from industry. Credit: AAP Minns and Planning Minister Paul Scully announced plans in mid-June to let developers build higher and denser, but only if 15 per cent was set aside for affordable and social accommodation. Developments worth more than $75 million that clear the 15 per cent hurdle would be fast-tracked through the state significant development pathway, which bypasses local councils and planning panels, and get access to a 30 per cent floor space and height bonus. Transport Minister Jo Haylen met with a former Labor staffer who she later hired as the states top transport official just days after the ALP won the election, raising questions about the hiring process for the job. Ministerial diary disclosures reveal Haylen met with Josh Murray, a former Laing ORourke executive and chief of staff to Labor premier Morris Iemma, eight days after she was sworn in as minister in March. A meeting between NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen and her new top bureaucrat has raised questions about his hiring. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer The April 4 meeting described as a transport portfolio discussion in the disclosures took place a week before the previous transport secretary Rob Sharp was sacked as part of a dramatic shake-up of the public service. Murray was appointed as transport secretary in June after what the government said was a market testing and recruitment process led by the acting secretary of the Premiers Department, Peter Duncan, in consultation with Haylen. Iceland was the first European country to close its embassy in Moscow. At the same time, the country's authorities have decided to increase their presence in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland. "As of today, the activities of the Icelandic Embassy in Moscow have been suspended. The decision is not a break in diplomatic relations with Russia," the statement said. The Icelandic Embassy in Moscow was also responsible for working with citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The embassy was located in the centre of Moscow. At the same time, the Icelandic authorities noted that the closure of the embassy was not a break in diplomatic relations. At the same time, the Icelandic Foreign Ministry announced plans to expand its presence in Ukraine. It is noted that the ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will provide Icelandic diplomats and representatives with access to the capabilities of the Baltic country's embassy in Kyiv. ADVERTISIMENT "Iceland plans to increase its presence in solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression," the country's Foreign Ministry said. Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, along with other Scandinavian colleagues, called for "maximising transatlantic efforts to accelerate Ukraine's victory". As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on 23 March, the Icelandic Parliament recognised the artificially organised Holodomor of 1932-33 as genocide, which resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians from starvation. The Althingi deputies also clearly identified the perpetrators of this terrible crime: "the totalitarian government in Moscow". Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! A hitherto little-heard-of farm stay in Tasmania has just been shortlisted for an important international architecture award. Iron Creek Bay finalists in the World Architecture Festival Credit: Peter Whyte Iron Creek Bay Farm Stay at Sorell, 25 kilometres north-east of Hobart, is a finalist in the World Architecture Festival Awards in the Hotel and Leisure category. The Delatite Cellar Door at Delatite Winery in the Victorian Alps also made the shortlist, as did the Jubilee or Jube Hotel in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. The architects will present the projects to a judging panel in Singapore later this year. For Iron Creek Bay Farm Stays architect, Misho Vasiljevich of Misho + Associates, the project is an expression of his love of nature. For visitors to Tasmania, its a much-needed place to stay in an under-served part of the state, and, being on the route between Hobart and Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula, it offers a great base from which to explore the south-east. President Mohamed Bazoum at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, in March. Credit: AP The US, United Nations, European Union and France have all refused to recognise the power grab, with some ending significant financial aid. Why does the coup matter for Africas security? Bazoum was elected in 2021. His ascendancy was Nigers first democratic power transition since its independence from France in 1960 and four military coups that followed. Niger was one of the last countries to co-operate with the West in Africas Sahel, a region long plagued by instability amid rising Islamic extremist movements, insurgencies and coups. Niger is the latest domino to fall in a series of coups across the southern Saharan region, Matthew Sussex, adjunct associate professor at Griffith Universitys Griffith Asia Institute, told this masthead. Russias Wagner group already has a strong presence in Africa, and has been implicated in supporting the overthrow of Western-friendly governments. A photo of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin purportedly appearing on the sidelines of Putins Russia-Africa summit last week. Credit: Twitter This latest coup is a blow to US influence in the region Niger had hosted US special forces and drones as well as other players, like France. In a corridor spanning 5600 kilometres, from Sudan on the east coast to Guinea on the west, there are now six countries in Africa under military rule, exposing a vacuum Russia has shown eagerness to fill. The leader of the Russian mercenary group that supplies fighting forces to Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was quick to throw his support behind the coup, hailing it as an uprising of African people against former colonisers ... filling these countries with terrorists and various bandit formations. Is Wagner involved? Whether Wagner will insert itself, as it has in other coups throughout the Sahel, remains to be seen. However, more than a month after he led a rebellion to march on Moscow, Prigozhin has indicated he was ready to increase Wagners presence in Africa, claiming his troops could restore order and destroy terrorist groups. La Trobe University PhD candidate Isabella Currie said that there was no evidence to suggest that the [Niger] coup is linked to Russias expanding interests in Africa. What we have seen are images of protesters waving Russian flags at the front of the French embassy in Niger, which is something we have previously seen in coup activity in both Mali and Burkina Faso. Thousands of coup supporters marched through the streets of Nigers capital at the weekend denouncing France, the countrys former colonial power. Supporters of mutinous soldiers hold a Russian flag in Niamey, Niger, last week. Credit: AP Following a Russia-Africa Summit held in St Petersburg, concerns about Russias increasing influence in Africa are justified, but shouldnt be overstated, Currie said. The event was seen as Putin reinforcing Russias ties with the region. While Russia released a statement calling for the release of Bazoum, images of Russian flags in the hands of pro-coup demonstrators have been seen as evidence of the Kremlins growing status across swaths of Africa. Instability in Niger paves the way for even greater Russian influence in the Sahel, where 1000 Wagner mercenaries replaced 5000 French troops who left neighbouring Mali last year. Wagner also commands a powerful presence in the Central African Republic. Nigeriens participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger. The sign reads: Down with France, long live Putin. Credit: AP Whats in it for Wagner and Russia? Wagner, for example, is suspected of having diverted gold from a mine it controls in Sudan, to Moscow in 2022, the year the Kremlin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Western analysts fear that Wagner can provide funding that evades sanctions, even as it expands Putins footprint in a volatile, and, until recently, overlooked region in the world. The natural resource and mining programs that are connected to private actors closely associated with the Putin-regime are shrouded in secrecy, Currie said, so its too tenuous at this stage to directly link resource extraction to the funding of the war effort in Ukraine. Yet, figures from Russia suggest a steady flow of the precious metal. Loading Despite significant sanctions put on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian gold reserves have increased substantially, Currie said. Niger is the worlds seventh-biggest producer of uranium. Snatching a cut of mineral wealth that can be funnelled back to the war effort in Ukraine is also a likely Russian objective. Singapore: The Myanmar junta has pardoned some of democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyis convictions which imprisoned her for more than three decades. The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been detained since the South-East Asian nations armed forces reclaimed power in a coup in February 2021 and embarked on a bloody campaign to suppress resistance. A demonstrator holds up a placard outside the Central Bank of Myanmar to protest against the military coup and to demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Yangon. Credit: Reuters She was convicted in a junta court on a range of charges, from incitement and corruption to importing walkie-talkies, that have been dismissed as trumped-up by rights groups and which she denies and is appealing. In all, Suu Kyi was sentenced to a total of 33 years in jail. On Friday, she was released to house arrest in the capital, Naypyidaw. Singapore/Jakarta: Indonesian officials have revealed Australian cattle with lumpy-skin disease (LSD) showed symptoms before being unloaded from ships in Jakarta, heightening their suspicion over where they were infected. Indonesia has suspended shipments from live cattle imports from four Australian facilities as a result of the presence of the highly contagious disease in 13 animals between May and July. A photograph of one of the 13 Australian cattle which tested positive to lumpy skin disease. The Australian government has been adamant that the cattle could not have been infected in Australia and that the country remains free of LSD, an outbreak of which has been forecast to come at a $7.39 billion cost to the economy. Australian authorities have suggested the cattle spent several days in yards in Indonesia, where LSD has been detected since February 2022 and has since spread to 15 provinces, and they believe it is likely that they contracted the disease in the time they spent there. Washington: Canada has enlisted Australias help to create a registry of foreign agents as the Trudeau government attempts to thwart China and other countries meddling in the nations affairs. Almost five years after Australia set up its Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme designed to provide the public with details about the nature and extent of foreign influence on government and politics the Albanese government is now advising Canada on setting up its own. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced criticism following a series of reports based on leaked intelligence. Credit: Bloomberg The reform comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced a backlash earlier this year over revelations that Chinese diplomats and proxies in Canada allegedly tried to sway the last two federal elections in favour of the Liberal Party, which Trudeau leads. The efforts are not believed to have altered the outcomes of either election, which took place in 2019 and 2021, but have placed the government under pressure to launch a national inquiry into the allegations and further strained already simmering diplomatic tensions between the two countries. ~Victim evacuated to Guadeloupe, while suspect in Garde a Vue~ MARIGOT:--- The Gendarmerie has reported that on Monday night just before midnight there was a stabbing involving two men. The incident took place at the Cadisco Gas Station in the vicinity of Howell Center in Marigot. According to the Gendarmerie, the two men were arguing when one of them ended up striking the other several times with a knife in the area of the abdomen. The Gendarmerie said while the officers were on the spot, they received valuable information on the suspect and where he could be found. The motive of the argument and subsequent stabbing have not yet been established, however, the victim was seriously injured but was conscious, he was transported to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital for emergency treatment then on Tuesday morning the victim was evacuated to Guadeloupe for appropriate treatment. Meanwhile, the suspect was arrested and remains in custody while in the investigations continue. District Receives Approval of SAgtjArn Mineral License Applications in Central Sweden District Metals Corp. (TSX-V: DMX) (FRA: DFPP); (aDistricta or the aCompanya) is pleased to report that Bergslagen Metals AB (a 100% owned Swedish subsidiary of District) has received approval from the Bergsstaten (Mining Inspectorate) for the SAgtjArn nr 101 and 102 mineral license applications to explore for copper, zinc, lead silver, gold, molybdenum and cobalt over a 4,068 hectare (ha) area located in the JAmtland and VAsternorrland Counties in central Sweden (Figure 1). The SAgtjArn mineral licenses are in good standing for a three-year term that ends on May 10, 2026. Renewal for an additional three years will require payment of mineral license fees to the Swedish Mining Inspectorate, and the completion of at least some geological, geochemical, or geophysical work on the mineral license before May 10, 2026. SAgtjArn Property Highlights: a Mineral license SAgtjArn nr 101 contains the SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit. A Technical Report prepared for Continental Precious Minerals Inc. by Telluride & Associates dated September 20, 2005 on the SAgtjArn Deposit calculated an historical mineral resource estimate for U3O8 of: o Historical Inferred Mineral Estimate: 756,000 tonnes at a grade of 0.068% U3O8 containing 1,137,585 lbs of U3O8 using a 200 ppm uranium cut off1. The above mineral resource estimate is considered to be an ahistorical estimatea under National Instrument 43-101 a Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (aNI 43-101a). A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource, and the Company is not treating this historical estimates as a current Mineral Resource. The Company would need to conduct an exploration program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify the SAgtjArn Deposit historical estimate as a current mineral resource. a The SAgtjArn Deposit remains open in all directions, and contains the following drill result highlights: o Hole SGT-77-007 intersected 8.7 m at 0.13% U3O8 from 60.3 to 69.0 m. o Hole SGT-77-011 intersected 7.0 m at 0.18% U3O8 from 86.0 to 93.0 m. o Hole SGT-79-011 intersected 5.2 m at 0.13% U3O8 from 132.6 to 137.8 m. o Hole SGT-80-001 intersected 4.6 m at 0.13% U3O8 from 146.5 to 151.1 m. a Mineral license SAgtjArn nr 102 contains the Staverberget Mineral Occurrence, which is highlighted by: o Historical boulders that returned assays from background levels up to 1.3% Cu, 1.8% Mo and 1.3 g/t Au. o Limited historical drilling intersected 0.8 m at 1.46% U3O8, 1.26% Mo, 0.25% Pb, 0.2% Zn, 0.2% Cu, and 10 g/t Ag. a A moratorium on uranium mining and exploration in Sweden was imposed in 2018. The current Swedish Government has expressed a positive stance on re-evaluating the moratorium. Garrett Ainsworth, CEO of District, commented: aThrough our generative review of energy metals properties in Sweden we continue to add historical mineral resources to Districta?s portfolio of properties through the mineral license application process. The SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit contains a significant historical estimate of uranium that remains open in all directions. Uranium was the only metal analyzed at the SAgtjArn Deposit, but it is apparent from review of the historical data and drill core that there is potential for other metals of interest to be present. Although the moratorium on uranium mining and exploration imposed by the Swedish Government in 2018 remains, the Company continues to be encouraged by some positive media reports regarding the Swedish Governmenta?s stance to lift the uranium moratorium. The Company and its consultants continue to monitor next steps by the Government, and will update shareholders as developments arise.a Background The mineral occurrences on the SAgtjArn Property were discovered during follow-up work of geochemical soil anomalies in 1974 by the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU). Detailed outcrop mapping, boulder hunting and sampling started in 1975 followed by ground geophysical surveys and systematic geochemical sampling. Drilling commenced in 1977 and was completed in early Spring 1980. Forty-three diamond drill and four percussion holes were drilled during this period giving a total of 6,655 m at the SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit. A preliminary historical mineral resource estimate of 757,145 tonnes at a grade of 0.087% U3O8 containing 1,464,883 lbs of U3O8. This preliminary historical estimate was based on the profile calculation method using a minimum 2 m width and a 300 ppm uranium cut-off based on XRF analysis2. This historical mineral resource estimate is based on a 1981 Report by L-O Forsberg and F. Kullman, Swedish Geological Survey. It is considered to be ahistorical estimatesa under National Instrument 43-101 a Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (aNI 43-101a). A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource, and the Company is not treating this historical estimateA as current Mineral Resource. This preliminary historical mineral resource estimate was revised by Telluride & Associatesa? technical report dated September 20, 20051. The SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit remains open in all directions, especially towards the northwest where hole SGT-80-001 intersected 4.6 m at 0.13% U3O8 from 146.5 to 151.1 m. The historical drill cores have not been analyzed for other potentially economic elements of interest. The SAgtjArn area is dominated by Proterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks which have suffered up to upper amphibolite metamorphic grades. Three main rock units are observed, being a biotite-sillimanite-cordierite gneiss of probably argillitic origin (shale), a quartz-feldspar-sillimanite gneiss of probably arenitic origin (arkose a greywacke) separated by a boudinaged and foldedA garnet-amphibole (iron) skarn unit. There are two types of pegmatoids associated with the skarn unit, which are irregular, sheet like zones within the gneissic units. The pegmatoids vary in thickness from cm to meter scale and comprises approximately 20% of the rock volume at the SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit. The coarse grained greyish-white, biotite dominant pegmatoids host accessory uraninite, monazite, molybdenite and chalcopyrite, whereas the biotite-poor pegmatoid type is unmineralized. These pegmatoids have never been analyzed for lithium or rare-earth-elements. Multiple companies have been exploring the area for base- and precious metals. This includes the Staverberget area with copper, molybdenum, and gold enriched boulders that assayed from background levels to 1.3% Cu, 1.8% Mo and 1.3 g/t Au hosted by metamorphosed, fine-grained mica-rich sediment-gneiss. Follow-up drilling in 1982 (987 m in 7 drill holes) intersected a 0.8 m mineralized interval with 1.46% U3O8, 1.26% Mo, 0.25% Pb, 0.2% Zn, 0.2% Cu, 10g/t Ag3. The last company who held mineral licenses covering the SAgtjArn Property was Continental Precious Minerals from 2005 to 2014 where they drilled one hole (SGT-07-001) in the center of the SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit that returned confirmatory assay results. No modern exploration techniques including geophysics have been applied on the SAgtjArn Property. References 1 Phillips, Andrew H., 2005: Revised Introductory Technical Report on Eight Uranium Properties in Northern Sweden. Report Prepared for Continental Precious Minerals Inc. by Telluride & Associates. 2 Forsberg, L-O. and Kullman, F., 1981: SAgtjArnen, Detailed Prospecting and Ore Estimation. Uranrapport 1981-3, Sveriges Geologiska UndersAkning, BRAP 81033, p. 73. 3 Persson, G., 1983: Molybdenminerliseringen Steverbergt. Prospekteringsrapport, Sveriges Geologiska UndersAkning, BRAP 82601, p. 45. Technical Information All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by, or approved by Garrett Ainsworth, PGeo, President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Ainsworth is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The data disclosed in this news release is related to mineral resource estimates that are considered to be ahistorical estimatesa under National Instrument 43-101 a Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (aNI 43-101a). A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource, and the Company is not treating this historical estimate as current Mineral Resource. The Company would need to conduct an exploration program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify the SAgtjArn Uranium Deposit historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The data disclosed in this news release is related to historical drilling results. District has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. District considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company is using this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company\-s current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling. Mr. Ainsworth has not verified any of the information regarding any of the properties or projects referred to herein other than the SAgtjArn Mineral Licenses. Mineralization on any other properties referred to herein is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the SAgtjArn Mineral Licenses. About District Metals Corp. District Metals Corp. is led by industry professionals with a track record of success in the mining industry. The Companya?s mandate is to seek out, explore, and develop prospective mineral properties through a disciplined science-based approach to create shareholder value and benefit other stakeholders. District is a polymetallic exploration and development company focused on the Viken and Tomtebo Properties in Sweden. The Viken Property covers 68% of the uranium-vanadium Viken Deposit, which is an asset with substantial exploration and development expenditures that resulted in the definition of large historic polymetallic resource estimates and positive economic studies in 2010 and 2014. The Viken Deposit is amongst the largest deposits by total historic mineral resources of uranium and vanadium in the world. The advanced exploration stage Tomtebo Property is located in the Bergslagen Mining District of south-central Sweden and is situated between the historic Falun Mine and Bolidena?s Garpenberg Mine that are located 25 km to the northwest and southeast, respectively. Two historic polymetallic mines and numerous polymetallic showings are located on the Tomtebo Property along an approximate 17 km trend that exhibits similar geology, structure, alteration and VMS/SedEx style mineralization as other significant mines within the district. For further information on the Tomtebo Property, please see the technical report entitled aNI 43-101 Update Technical Report on the Tomtebo Project, Bergslagen Region of Swedena dated effective October 15, 2020 and amended and restated on February 26, 2021, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding aForward-Lookinga Information. This news release contains certain statements that may be considered aforward-looking informationa with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as aplansa, atargetsa, aexpectsa or adoes not expecta, ais expecteda, aan opportunity existsa, ais positioneda, aestimatesa, aintendsa, aassumesa, aanticipatesa or adoes not anticipatea or abelievesa, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta, awilla or awill be takena, aoccura or abe achieveda and any similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, predictions, indications, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent managementa?s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking statements in this news release relating to the Company include, among other things, statements relating to the Companya?s SAgtjArn Property to explore for copper, zinc, lead silver, gold, molybdenum and cobalt located in JAmtland and VAsternorrland Counties, north-central Sweden; the Companya?s planned exploration activities, including its drill target strategy and next steps for the SAgtjArn Property; and the Companya?s interpretations and expectations about the results on the SAgtjArn Property. These statements and other forward-looking information are based on opinions, assumptions and estimates made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release, including, without limitation, assumptions about the reliability of historical data and the accuracy of publicly reported information regarding past and historic mines in the Bergslagen district; the Companya?s ability to raise sufficient capital to fund planned exploration activities, maintain corporate capacity; and stability in financial and capital markets. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks associated with the following: the reliability of historic data on Districta?s Properties; the Companya?s ability to raise sufficient capital to finance planned exploration (including incurring prescribed exploration expenditures required by the Tomtebo Purchase Agreement, failing which the Tomtebo Property will be forfeited without any repayment of the purchase price); the Companya?s limited operating history; the Companya?s negative operating cash flow and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; the uncertainties associated with early stage exploration activities including general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process, failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals, technical issues, potential delays, unexpected events and managementa?s capacity to execute and implement its future plans; the Companya?s ability to identify any mineral resources and mineral reserves; the substantial expenditures required to establish mineral reserves through drilling and the estimation of mineral reserves or mineral resources; the Companya?s dependence on one material project, the Tomtebo Property; the uncertainty of estimates used to calculated mineralization figures; changes in governmental regulations; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; competition for future resource acquisitions and skilled industry personnel; reliance on key personnel; title matters; conflicts of interest; environmental laws and regulations and associated risks, including climate change legislation; land reclamation requirements; changes in government policies; volatility of the Companya?s share price; the unlikelihood that shareholders will receive dividends from the Company; potential future acquisitions and joint ventures; infrastructure risks; fluctuations in demand for, and prices of gold, silver and copper; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; legal proceedings and the enforceability of judgments; going concern risk; risks related to the Companya?s information technology systems and cyber-security risks; and risk related to the outbreak of epidemics or pandemics or other health crises, including the recent outbreak of COVID-19. For additional information regarding these risks, please see the Companya?s Annual Information Form, under the heading aRisk Factorsa, which is available at www.sedar.com. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company. These factors and assumptions, however, should be considered carefully. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of such factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. All scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared by or reviewed and approved by Garrett Ainsworth, PGeo, President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Ainsworth is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Gold Royalty announces Acquisition of Royalty over Capstonea?s Producing Copper-Silver Cozamin Mine Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSE American: GROY) (\Gold Royalty\ or the \Company\ https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-royalty-corp/ ) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the \Agreement\) to acquire an existing 1.0% net smelter return (aNSRa) royalty (the aRoyaltya) from Endeavour Silver Corp. (aEndeavoura) on portions of the Cozamin Copper-Silver Mine, located in Zacatecas, Mexico, (aCozamina) for total cash consideration of US$7.5 million. Cozamin is owned and operated by Capstone Copper Corp. (\Capstone\). The Company also announces that it expects that, with the completion of the proposed acquisition, its board of directors will suspend dividends under its previously announced dividend program to focus capital on executing its strategic priority of growing cash flow and net asset value per share through accretive acquisitions. David Garofalo, Chairman and CEO of Gold Royalty commented, aThe acquisition of the Cozamin royalty brings immediate cash flow, complementing our peer-leading revenue growth rate from our portfolio of high-quality, long-life North American assets. Capstone is an experienced and proven operator and we are excited to see them continue to deliver strong operating and exploration results at Cozamin for years to come. We currently expect to be generating positive free cash flow in 2024 with, among other things, the addition of Cozamin, the CAtA Gold Project on track to enter production early next year, and corporate overhead costs continuing to decrease.a Acquisition Highlights: Cozamin is an established, low-cost operating copper-silver mine which has been in production since 2006 and has a history of exploration success and mine life extensions; The Royalty generated revenue of over US$1.0 million over the last year and is expected to add meaningful cash flow to Gold Royalty going forward, along with leverage to increasing copper and silver prices during the life of mine; Capstone published an updated National Instrument I 43-101 (\NI 43-101\) technical report for Cozamin in May 2023 which outlined a life of mine plan extending to 2030 based only on mineral reserves[1]; The Royalty covers two concessions over the Calicanto vein at Cozamin. As part of the transaction, Gold Royalty has been granted the option to acquire additional royalties on five contiguous concessions to the south of the Royalty for consideration of up to US$500,000. The Company intends to fund the transaction through its existing cash and cash equivalents. The Cozamin Royalty Cozamin is a copper-silver underground mine with a surface milling facility, located 3.6 km north-northwest of Zacatecas City in the mineral-rich state of Zacatecas, Mexico. Since the first full year of operation, Cozamin has generated free cash flow at all points of the copper price cycle. Cozamin has been continuously operated by Capstone since late 2006, when it commenced commercial production at a rate of 1,000 tonnes per day. At the time, it had a three-year mine life based upon then existing mineral reserves. Since then, successful exploration has extended the expected life of the mine to 2030 based on existing mineral reserves1. From 2023 to 2030, average annual production is currently forecasted by Capstone at 20,000 tonnes of copper and 1.3 million ounces of silver at average C1 costs of US$1.51 per payable pound of copper. Between 2023 to 2027, average projected annual production is expected by Capstone to be higher at 24,000 tonnes of copper and 1.7 million ounces of silver, at lower average projected C1 costs of US$1.46 per payable pound of copper1. Capstone announced on February 1, 2023 that it plans to update its mine plan in 2024 to introduce cut-and-fill mining, which it expects will allow it to convert additional resources to reserves and provide a pathway to increase production at the mine to better utilize the installed mill capacity of 4,400 tonnes per day. The Royalty was created under a 2017 concession division agreement between Endeavour and Capstone, under which, among other things, if Capstone outlined a primarily base metals mineral resource estimate (defined as >60% of NSR value) on certain concessions owned by Endeavour, it would grant Endeavour a 1% NSR royalty on such concessions. The Royalty applies to two concessions (Calicanto and Vicochea) where the base metals threshold was met. Gold Royalty has also been granted an option by Endeavour to acquire a 1% NSR royalty on five additional concessions if such royalties are granted in the future. Pursuant to the option, Gold Royalty would acquire such royalties, subject to existing rights of first refusal held by Capstone, in exchange for US$300,000, in the case of the Mise concession and US$50,000 in the case of each other concession, which amount may, at the option of Gold Royalty, be satisfied by issuing Gold Royalty common shares. The acquisition of the Royalty is subject to customary closing conditions and is currently expected to be completed in August 2023. [1] Based on the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled aNI 43-101 Technical Report on the Cozamin Mine, Zacatecas, Mexicoa prepared for Capstone Copper Corp. with an effective date of January 1, 2023, a copy of which is available under Capstonea?s profile at www.sedar.com (the \Cozamin Report\) . C1 cash costs per payable pound of copper produced is a measure reflective of operating costs per unit. Capstone calculates C1 cash costs as cash production costs of metal produced net of by-product credits. About Gold Royalty Corp. Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to invest in high-quality, sustainable, and responsible mining operations to build a diversified portfolio of precious metals royalty and streaming interests that generate superior long-term returns for our shareholders. Gold Royalty\-s diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas. Qualified Person Alastair Still, P.Geo., Director of Technical Services of the Company, is a qualified person as such term is defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release. Notice to Investors Except where otherwise stated, the disclosure in this news release relating to Cozamin has been derived from the Cozamin Report and other public information disclosed by the operator and has not been independently verified by the Company. Specifically, the Company has limited, if any, access to the property subject to the Royalty. Although the Company does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third-party information is complete or accurate. The Royalty does not cover the entire project area of Cozamin, or the entirety of the areas covered by existing mineral reserve and resource and estimates. Please refer to the Cozamin Report for further information regarding the mineral reserve. Unless otherwise indicated, the technical and scientific disclosure contained or referenced in this news release, including any references to mineral resources or mineral reserves, was prepared by the project operator in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the \SEC\) applicable to domestic issuers. Accordingly, the scientific and technical information contained or referenced in this news release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes \-forward-looking information\- and aforward-looking statementsa? within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (\forward-looking statements\) which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company\-s actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements respecting future dividends, the Company\-s strategy and business plans, the expected completion of the acquisition of the Royalty, expectations regarding operations at Cozamin and expectations regarding the Company\-s cash flows from Cozamin and its other interests. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and other important factors, including assumptions relating to commodities prices, the projects underlying the Company\-s royalty interests, expected operations at Cozamin and other projects underlying the Company\-s interests and the business of the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including, among others, risks related to the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction and satisfy the conditions thereof, any inability of the operators of the properties underlying the Companya?s royalty interests to execute proposed plans for such properties or to achieved planned development and production estimates and goals, risks related to the operators of the projects in which the Company holds interests, including the successful continuation of operations at such projects by those operators, risks related to exploration, development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any such projects, the influence of macroeconomic developments,A the ability of the Company to carry out its growth plans and other factors set forth in the Company\-s Annual Report on Form 20-F and its other publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Victoria Gold: Operational Update Victoria Gold Corp. (TSX-VGCX) (aVictoriaa or the aCompanya) https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/victoria-gold-corp/ announces that as a result of wildfire activity in the area of the Eagle Gold mine, the operation has been partially evacuated. Mr. John McConnell, President and CEO commented, aThe safety of our employees is our highest priority. As a result of wildfire activity proximal to Eagle and in consultation with the Yukon Wildland Fire Management team, we made the precautionary decision to evacuate non-essential employees. A volunteer contingent of employees remains staged nearby the mine site to operate and maintain critical operational assets. We would like to thank the Yukon Wildland Fire Management for their assistance during this time and their continued efforts to manage and respond to wildfire activity in the territory.a On the evening of July 29, a partial evacuation of the Eagle Gold mine commenced and was successfully and safely completed on July 30. Employees who have voluntarily remained on location will continue to run heap leach pumping activities. Mining and stacking operations have been suspended. The East McQuesten fire is currently approximately 4 kilometers from the Eagle Gold mine and is being actively managed by the Yukon Wildland Fire Management response team. Victoria has provided certain heavy equipment to assist the fire response effort. In accordance with the Companya?s Emergency Response Plan, measures have been taken to protect infrastructure at Eagle. The Company will provide additional updates in due course. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., as the aQualified Persona as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Dublin Gulch Property Victoria Gold\-s 100%-owned Dublin Gulch gold property (the aPropertya) is situated in central Yukon Territory, Canada, approximately 375 kilometers north of the capital city of Whitehorse, and approximately 85 kilometers from the town of Mayo. The Property is accessible by road year round, and is located within Yukon Energy\-s electrical grid. The Property covers an area of approximately 555 square kilometers, and is the site of the Company\-s Eagle and Olive Gold Deposits. The Eagle Gold Mine is Yukon\-s newest operating gold mine. The Eagle and Olive deposits include Proven and Probable Reserves of 3.3 million ounces of gold from 155 million tonnes of ore with a grade of 0.65 grams of gold per tonne, as outlined in a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine dated December 3, 2019. The Mineral Resource under National Instrument 43-101 a Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (aNI 43-101a) for the Eagle and Olive deposits has been estimated to host 227 million tonnes averaging 0.67 grams of gold per tonne, containing 4.7 million ounces of gold in the \Measured and Indicated\ category, inclusive of Proven and Probable Reserves, and a further 28 million tonnes averaging 0.65 grams of gold per tonne, containing 0.6 million ounces of gold in the \Inferred\ category. Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed \forward-looking statements\. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Victoria, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information, including any information related to Victoria\-s strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as aplana, aexpecta, abudgeta, atargeta, aprojecta, aintenda, abelievea, aanticipatea, aestimatea and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions amaya, awilla, acoulda or ashoulda occur, and includes any guidance and forecasts set out herein (including, but not limited to, production and operational guidance of the Corporation). In order to give such forward-looking information, the Corporation has made certain assumptions about the its business, operations, the economy and the mineral exploration industry in general, in particular in light of the impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease (aCOVID-19a) on each of the foregoing. In this respect, the Corporation has assumed that production levels will remain consistent with managementa?s expectations, contracted parties provide goods and services on agreed timeframes, equipment works as anticipated, required regulatory approvals are received, no unusual geological or technical problems occur, no material adverse change in the price of gold occurs and no significant events occur outside of the Corporation\-s normal course of business. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information. These factors include the impact of general business and economic conditions, risks related to COVID-19 on the Company, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, anticipated metal production, fluctuating metal prices, currency exchange rates, estimated ore grades, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in Victoria\-s corporate resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in development and production time frames, the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainty of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, higher prices for fuel, steel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, final pricing for metal sales, unanticipated results of future studies, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, requirements for additional capital, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and timing and possible outcomes of pending litigation and labour disputes, risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations. Although Victoria has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding Victoria\-s expected financial and operational performance and Victoria\-s plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof, as the case may be, and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management of the Corporation as at the date hereof. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information contained herein and the documents incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Coup-hit Niger's neighbours have not ruled out military intervention, Nigeria's president said, ahead of a West African coalition's crisis summit in Abuja on Thursday. Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran has resumed operations, state media in Iran reported Wednesday, following a thaw in ties seven years after the mission was closed. Roughly 80% of the mass of the universe is made up of dark matter but what is it? Dark matter makes up over 80% of all matter in the universe, but scientists have never seen it. We only assume it exists because, without it, the behavior of stars, planets and galaxies simply wouldn't make sense. Here is what we know about it, or rather, what we think we know. Related: If dark matter is 'invisible,' how do we know it exists? What is dark matter and why is it invisible? Dark matter is completely invisible. It emits no light or energy and thus cannot be detected by conventional sensors and detectors. The key to its elusive nature must lie in its composition, scientists think. Visible matter, also called baryonic matter, consists of baryons an overarching name for subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons and electrons. Scientists only speculate what dark matter is made of. It could be composed of baryons but it could also be non-baryonic, that means consisting of different types of particles. Most scientists think that dark matter is composed of non-baryonic matter. The lead candidate, WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles), are believed to have ten to a hundred times the mass of a proton, but their weak interactions with "normal" matter make them difficult to detect. Neutralinos, massive hypothetical particles heavier and slower than neutrinos, are the foremost candidate, though they have yet to be spotted. Sterile neutrinos are another candidate. Neutrinos are particles that don't make up regular matter. A river of neutrinos streams from the sun , but because they rarely interact with normal matter, they pass through Earth and its inhabitants. There are three known types of neutrinos; a fourth, the sterile neutrino, is proposed as a dark matter candidate. The sterile neutrino would only interact with regular matter through gravity . "One of the outstanding questions is whether there is a pattern to the fractions that go into each neutrino species," Tyce DeYoung, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Michigan State University and a collaborator on the IceCube neutrino observatory in Antarctica, told Space.com. The smaller neutral axion and the uncharged photinos both theoretical particles are also potential placeholders for dark matter. There is also such a thing as antimatter , which is not the same as dark matter. Antimatter consists of particles that are essentially the same as visible matter particles but with opposite electrical charges. These particles are called antiprotons and positrons (or antielectrons). When antiparticles meet particles, an explosion ensues that leads to the two types of matter canceling each other out. Because we live in a universe made of matter, it is obvious that there is not that much antimatter around, otherwise, there would be nothing left. Unlike dark matter, physicists can actually manufacture anti-matter in their laboratories. Related: Image Gallery: Dark matter across the universe Dark matter Q&A with an expert We asked Glenn Starkman, a Distinguished University Professor and co-Chair of Physics and Professor of Astronomy at Case Western Reserve University, a few frequently asked questions about gravity. Glenn Starkman Social Links Navigation Distinguished University Professor and co-Chair of Physics and Professor of Astronomy Distinguished University Professor and co-Chair of Physics and Professor of Astronomy at Case Western Reserve University, Director of the Institute for the Science of Origins, Director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics. Does dark matter exist? I wish I knew! What we do know is that if we look at a typical galaxy, take account of all the matter that we see (stars, gas, dust) and use Newton's Laws of Gravity and motion (or, more correctly, Einstein's General Relativity), to try to describe the motions of that material, then we get the wrong answer. The objects in galaxies (nearly all of them) are moving too fast. There should not be enough gravity to keep them from flying out of the galaxy that their in. The same thing is true about galaxies moving around in clusters. There are two possible explanations: 1. There is more stuff (matter) that we don't see with our telescopes. We call this dark matter. 2. Newton's laws and even GR are wrong on the scale of galaxies and everything bigger. This idea is usually called modified gravity (because we need to modify GR) or Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). Mostly, cosmologists believe that the answer is that the behavior of galaxies is explained by dark matter. Why? Partly. because it has been very hard to write down a successful theory of MOND or modified gravity. And partly because it turned out that when we turned our microwave telescopes to look at cosmic background radiation (CMB), the light from the early universe, it turned out that, according to GR, the same amount and type of dark matter was also required to explain the behavior of the sound waves that traveled in the universe when it was less than 500,000 years old, and whose imprints we are able to see. Modified gravity struggles to provide a unified explanation across all these systems galaxies, clusters of galaxies, the universe. But we don't yet know what the dark matter is made of. Does dark matter have mass? If dark matter exists, it must have mass. Massless dark matter would not behave in ways that solve the problems that dark matter addresses. What does dark matter do? The two things we know for sure about dark matter (assuming it exists), is that it exerts gravity (has mass) and that it moves slowly (compared to the speed of light). How do you look for dark matter? Since we don't know what dark matter is, the answer is: for every possible candidate for the dark matter there is a different strategy to search for it. People build giant detectors deep underground (to get away from all the other particles streaming through the environment around us) and look for signals of the dark matter hitting their detector after passing through the Earth overhead. I happen to be looking for a form of dark matter that is quite massive between about 100g and many tonnes and would have more easily visible effects. But because it is massive, it is very rare. (We know how much total mass of dark matter there should be, so if the individual dark matter particles are heavy, there are fewer of them.) For example, if it hit a rock, it would melt the rock along its path as it zoomed through the rock. We can look for the scars of those passages, for example, in granite counter tops. Why do we think dark matter exists? But if we cannot see dark matter, how do we know it exists? The answer is gravity, the force exerted by objects made of matter that is proportional to their mass. Since the 1920s, astronomers have hypothesized that the universe must contain more matter than we can see because the gravitational forces that seem to be at play in the universe simply appear stronger than the visible matter alone would account for. "Motions of the stars tell you how much matter there is," Pieter van Dokkum, a researcher at Yale University, said in a statement . "They don't care what form the matter is, they just tell you that it's there." Astronomers examining spiral galaxies in the 1970s expected to see material in the center moving faster than at the outer edges. Instead, they found the stars in both locations traveled at the same velocity, indicating the galaxies contained more mass than could be seen. Studies of gas within elliptical galaxies also indicated a need for more mass than found in visible objects. Clusters of galaxies would fly apart if the only mass they contained was the mass visible to conventional astronomical measurements. Different galaxies seem to contain different amounts of dark matter. In 2016, a team led by Van Dokkum found a galaxy called Dragonfly 44 , which seems to be composed almost entirely of dark matter. On the other hand, since 2018 astronomers have found several galaxies that seem to lack dark matter altogether. The force of gravity doesn't only affect the orbits of stars in galaxies but also the trajectory of light. Famous physicist Albert Einstein showed in the early 20th century that massive objects in the universe bend and distort light due to the force of their gravity. The phenomenon is called gravitational lensing . By studying how light is distorted by galaxy clusters, astronomers have been able to create a map of dark matter in the universe. A vast majority of the astronomical community today accepts that dark matter exists. "Several astronomical measurements have corroborated the existence of dark matter, leading to a world-wide effort to observe directly dark matter particle interactions with ordinary matter in extremely sensitive detectors, which would confirm its existence and shed light on its properties," the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy (LNGS) said in a statement . "However, these interactions are so feeble that they have escaped direct detection up to this point, forcing scientists to build detectors that are more and more sensitive." Despite all the evidence pointing towards the existence of dark matter, there is also the possibility that no such thing exists after all and that the laws of gravity describing the motion of objects within the solar system require revision. Dark matter appears to be spread across the cosmos in a network-like pattern, with galaxy clusters forming at the nodes where fibers intersect. (Image credit: WGBH) Where does dark matter come from? Dark matter appears to be spread across the cosmos in a net-like pattern, with galaxy clusters forming at the nodes where fibers intersect. By verifying that gravity acts the same both inside and outside our solar system, researchers provide additional evidence for the existence of dark matter. (Things are even more complicated as in addition to dark matter there also appears to be dark energy , an invisible force responsible for the expansion of the universe that acts against gravity.) But where does dark matter come from? The obvious answer is that we don't know. But there are a few theories. A study published in December 2021 in The Astrophysical Journal argues that dark matter might be concentrated in black holes , the powerful gates to nothing that due to the extreme force of their gravity devour everything in their vicinity. As such, dark matter would have been created in the Big Bang together with all other constituting elements of the universe as we see it today. Stellar remnants such as white dwarfs and neutron stars are also thought to contain high amounts of dark matter, and so are the so-called b r own dwarfs , failed stars that didn't accumulate enough material to kick-start nuclear fusion in their cores. A mysterious glow coming from the center of the Milky Way might be caused by annihilating dark matter. (Image credit: Mattia Di Mauro (ESO/Fermi-Lat)) How do scientists study dark matter? Since we can't see dark matter, can we actually study it? There are two approaches to learning more about this mysterious stuff. Astronomers study the distribution of dark matter in the universe by looking at the clustering of material and the motion of objects in the universe. Particle physicists, on the other hand, are on a quest to detect the fundamental particles making up dark matter. An experiment mounted on the International Space Station called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) detects antimatter in cosmic rays. Since 2011, it has been hit by more than 100 billion cosmic rays, providing fascinating insights into the composition of particles traversing the universe. "We have measured an excess of positrons [the antimatter counterpart to an electron], and this excess can come from dark matter," Samuel Ting, AMS lead scientist and a Nobel laureate with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told Space.com. "But at this moment, we still need more data to make sure it is from dark matter and not from some strange astrophysics sources. That will require us to run a few more years." Back on Earth, beneath a mountain in Italy, the LNGS's XENON1T is hunting for signs of interactions after WIMPs collide with xenon atoms. "A new phase in the race to detect dark matter with ultra-low background massive detectors on Earth has just begun with XENON1T," project spokesperson Elena Aprile, a professor at Columbia University, said in a statement . "We are proud to be at the forefront of the race with this amazing detector, the first of its kind." The Large Underground Xenon dark-matter experiment (LUX), seated in a gold mine in South Dakota, has also been hunting for signs of WIMP and xenon interactions. But so far, the instrument hasn't revealed the mysterious matter. "Though a positive signal would have been welcome, nature was not so kind!" Cham Ghag, a physicist at University College London and collaborator on LUX, said in a statement. "Nonetheless, a null result is significant as it changes the landscape of the field by constraining models for what dark matter could be beyond anything that existed previously." The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, an experiment buried under the frozen surface of Antarctica, is hunting for the hypothetical sterile neutrinos. Sterile neutrinos only interact with regular matter through gravity, making it a strong candidate for dark matter. Experiments aiming to detect elusive dark matter particles are also conducted in the powerful particle colliders at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland. Several telescopes orbiting Earth are hunting for the effects of dark matter. The European Space Agency's Planck spacecraft , retired in 2013, spent four years in the Lagrangian Point 2 (a point in the orbit around the sun, where a spacecraft maintains a stable position with respect to Earth), mapping the distribution of the cosmic microwave background, a relic from the Big Bang, in the universe. Irregularities in the distribution of this microwave background revealed clues about the distribution of dark matter . In 2014, NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope made maps of the heart of our galaxy, the Milky Way , in gamma-ray light, revealing an excess of gamma-ray emissions extending from its core. "The signal we found cannot be explained by currently proposed alternatives and is in close agreement with the predictions of very simple dark matter models," lead author Dan Hooper, an astrophysicist at Fermilab in Illinois, told Space.com. The excess can be explained by annihilations of dark matter particles with a mass between 31 and 40 billion electron volts, researchers said. The result by itself isn't enough to be considered a smoking gun for dark matter. Additional data from other observing projects or direct-detection experiments would be required to validate the interpretation. The James Webb Space Telescope , launched after 30 years of development on Dec. 25, 2021, is also expected to contribute to the hunt for the elusive substance. With its infrared eyes able to see to the beginning of time, the telescope of the century won't be able to see dark matter directly, but through observing the evolution of galaxies since the earliest stages of the universe, it is expected to provide insights that have not been possible before. ESA's Euclid mission launched on July 1, 2023, and is currently on the hunt for dark matter and dark energy. The mission aims to map the geometry of matter in the universe, specifically the distribution of galaxies to learn more about the elusive dark matter. Additional resources You can read more about dark matter on the website of the U.S. Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), which runs high-energy experiments in cutting edge particle colliders with the goal of discovering particles that would fill the gaps in our understanding of the universe. The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN ), the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, is also on a quest to find missing dark matter particles. NASA discusses the difference between dark matter and dark energy in this article . Bibliography NASA, Dark Energy, Dark Matter https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-is-dark-energy Clegg, B. Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The Hidden 95% of the Universe, Icon Books, August, 2019 CERN, Dark Matter https://home.cern/science/physics/dark-matter This article was update on Jan 28, 2022 by Space.com Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova. The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak this weekend. I rish premier Leo Varadkar has described the loss of almost 900 Irish jobs at Accenture as devastating and said the Government would work with staff to help them find employment. A junior minister has called on the consultancy firm to offer voluntary redundancy as part of its plan to cut 890 jobs from its Dublin headquarters. The multinational company announced the major workforce reduction on Monday as part of ongoing streamlining of its global operations. The firm had already cut 400 jobs from its 6,000-plus team in Ireland earlier this year. Speaking to Newstalk, Mr Varadkar said: Even at a time of full employment, 900 job losses is a lot and will have an impact, not just on the people affected but, of course, on their families and the wider community. He said it was important for Accenture, which he characterised as a successful company generally doing quite well, to put in place a decent redundancy package for staff losing their jobs. Mr Varadkar said Government would help staff find alternative employment, training and social welfare entitlements. He said the tech sector, which is linked to Accentures consultancy, had a period of rapid expansion but is now undergoing headcount retrenchment by about 5-15%. However, he said there would still be more people working at Accenture than compared to five years ago. Minister of state Sean Fleming urged Accenture to maximise the potential for voluntary redundancies to achieve the latest headcount reduction. He said Mondays announcement was one of the biggest single redundancy moves in Ireland in many years. We remain firmly committed to our business in Ireland and will continue managing for the long term Mr Fleming said the official notification to the Government from Accenture came as a big shock. Its a big blow, especially to the people concerned and their families, and our thoughts are with them because many of them are wondering Am I one of the 890 people thats going to get the bad news over the next day or so out of the 6,000 people that work there?, he told RTE Radio One. Everybody in the business will be on tenterhooks until there is some clarity, and thats why its most important that the company arrange the collective employee process straightaway so that there can be good information back to people. And they would raise the possibility that there might have been in the normal course of events, because of a lot of movement in the management consultancy sector, if people were contemplating moving to other positions or they were contemplating leaving the company, that people who want to volunteer to leave should be first, rather than everybody in that particular section being forced out, even if there is movement within the overall group. Mr Fleming expressed confidence that those who lose their jobs will find re-employment quickly. The IDA (Irelands investment and development agency) has created 6,000 new jobs already this year, he said. We are at full employment in Ireland, with less than 4% unemployment, weve never experienced that in our lifetime. So, definitely the economy is strong, and the most important thing that the Government can do now, and the IDA will already be working on it, is the skills profile (of the departing workforce) because there will be other IDA clients in Ireland looking to employ people in the weeks and months ahead. The IDA have a particularly big role here to match the skills of those who are being made redundant with the requirements of other companies out there who are currently looking for new staff. Sinn Feins Louise OReilly said the job losses represented a 20% cut to the companys Irish workforce, including the 400 from March, which compares to a 7% cut globally. She said that Government representatives needed to ask the company why this is the case. We need to be asking why we are outliers, why we are being disproportionately impacted by this. I think there is a lot that can be done for these workers in the first instance. There needs to be direct engagement with the financial services union because thats their representative group, in order to determine criteria for selection for redundancy. Secondly, I think we need to see a real concerted effort to save every single job that can be saved, and I do think then that Minister (for Enterprise Simon) Coveney has a job of work to do to talk to this company now to find out exactly why were being disproportionately impacted, is it because of the services that are here, is it the type of services that are offered. She added: I think it has to do with the profile of the workforce that is here. But again, until the company come out and say that, and they may not say that until their directly asked by the Minister, we may not know. I also think the minister needs to get out ahead of this, he appears to be very shocked by this announcement. Mr Coveney said in a statement that the job losses represented a significant blow to workers and their families, and said the highly skilled workers are likely to be sought after by other parts of the economy. Accenture, which has its headquarters in Dublin, has insisted it remains firmly committed to its Irish operations. We continue to focus on ensuring we have the right talent to serve our clients and run our business today and tomorrow, the company said in a statement on Monday. B ritain is to retain the EUs product safety CE mark indefinitely, rather than make its own post-Brexit alternative compulsory, in a move welcomed by manufacturers. The CE (Conformite Europeenne) mark is used by the bloc to certify that a wide range of items from electrical goods and construction materials to medical devices and toys meet safety standards. It was to have been replaced by the new UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark for goods sold in Great Britain from December 2024. Businesses had called on the Government to extend the use of the CE mark, saying that forcing them to adopt new rules would add significant costs when they are trying to cope with the cost-of-living crisis. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said the indefinite extension to the use of CE marking would ensure businesses no longer faced uncertainty over the regulations and could cut back on unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth. Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: The Government is tackling red tape, cutting burdens for business, and creating certainty for firms, we have listened to industry, and we are taking action to deliver. By extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy. Tina McKenzie, policy chairwoman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: Its welcome to see the continued recognition of CE marked products. This will allow time for small firms to adjust to the UKCA marking system and focus on growing their business both at home and overseas. Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, the manufacturers organisation, said: This is a pragmatic and common sense decision that manufacturers will very much welcome and support. This announcement will help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment. It should bring more confidence about doing business in the UK and recognises the need to work with the reality of doing business. Make UK has worked extensively with UK Government pushing hard for this decision and we are pleased the ongoing engagement has delivered this positive outcome. R oger White is to retire as the boss of Irn-Bru manufacturer AG Barr after 21 years. The Scottish company, which also runs the Rubicon and Funkin brands, said Mr White will step down as chief executive within the next 12 months. AG Barr said it has launched a formal process as it looks for his replacement in the role. Mr White said: It has been a privilege and pleasure to lead the business for over two decades and now the time is right to plan for my succession and to ensure the continued success of the business. I would like to pay tribute to everyone across the whole organisation who make AG Barr a very special place with amazing brands. Mark Allen, chairman of the drinks business, said: Roger has served the shareholders, board, wider business and industry for over 21 years this makes him one of the longest-serving CEOs in the UK public market. He has supported the transformation of the business from a regional soft drinks business into a highly successful multi beverage, branded company that has delivered significant value to shareholders, stakeholders and employees. It came as the firm said higher pricing for earlier in the year and particularly good weather in June helped to drive strong sales of soft drinks. It said revenues for the half-year to the end of July are set to have risen by around 33% to roughly 210 million. AG Barr said this will include 10% like-for-like growth, with it also benefiting significantly from its acquisition of Boost Drinks last year. The drinks business said it expects full-year profits to be marginally above the top end of analyst expectations as a result. Shares in AG Barr were 2.2% higher on Tuesday afternoon. A new task force has been launched to ensure the UK has the right skills in the nuclear industry as part of Government plans to drastically scale up nuclear capacity. The panel will work to ensure roles are filled in the rapidly expanding defence and civil nuclear sectors, the Ministry of Defence said. It will develop a national skills strategy for jobs across the industry, from technical scientific and engineering roles to logistics, project management, commercial and finance. The creation of this new task force will challenge the whole of the UKs nuclear sector to be ambitious in addressing the nuclear skills gap The task force will be chaired by Sir Simon Bollom, the former chief executive of Defence Equipment and Support, and include Government officials, academics and industry partners. Defence procurement minister James Cartlidge said: By developing nuclear skills, we are not just investing in the UK economy but our national security. The creation of this new task force will challenge the whole of the UKs nuclear sector to be ambitious in addressing the nuclear skills gap, and we are delighted to appoint Sir Simon Bollom to drive this work forward. Sir Simon said: The nuclear sector is vital to our nation, and I am proud to have been given the opportunity to lead such an important task force to ensure that we have the people and skills we need to deliver our programmes. Nuclear minister Andrew Bowie hailed a nuclear revival with the launch of Great British Nuclear, an arms-length body involved in the Government-backed competition to develop smaller-scale nuclear technology projects. The announcement comes after MPs questioned the Governments ambitious nuclear goals, with doubts over whether it has a specific strategy to meet the target of bolstering the UKs nuclear capacity to 24 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by 2050. In a report on Monday, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee backed the decision to look to nuclear power as a way to meet the UKs electricity needs amid the race to net zero. But it warned that the Governments own most recent energy security plan, published in March, offers little clue about how measures will be implemented. Committee chairman Greg Clark noted that the stretching ambitions to achieve 24GW of nuclear power by 2050 would be almost double the highest level of nuclear generation that the UK has ever attained. The only way to achieve this is to translate these very high-level aspirations into a comprehensive, concrete and detailed nuclear strategic plan which is developed jointly with the nuclear industry, which enjoys long-term cross-party political commitment and which therefore offers dependability for private and public investment decisions, he said. T he fall in house prices gathered pace last month but there are still few signs of a full-scale crash being triggered by soaring mortgage rates. The average cost of a home in the UK dipped 0.2% to 260,828 in July, according to latest figures from leading lender Nationwide. That increased the annual rate of decline from 3.5% to 3.8%, the fastest rate since July 2009 when the economy was being ravaged by the fallout from the global financial crisis. But the building society said that a soft landing for the property market was still possible despite a surge in the cost of mortgages over recent months. Average two-year fixed rates are now 6.85% while five year fixes are 6.37%, according to latest Moneyfacts figures. Nationwides chief economist Robert Gardner, said: As a result, housing affordability remains stretched for those looking to buy a home with a mortgage. For example, a prospective buyer, earning the average wage and looking to buy the typical first-time buyer property with a 20% deposit, would see monthly mortgage payments account for 43% of their take-home pay assuming a 6% mortgage rate. This is up from 32% a year ago and well above the long-run average of 29%. Moreover, deposit requirements continue to present a high hurdle with a 10% deposit equivalent to 55% of gross annual average income. He added: Nevertheless, a relatively soft landing is still achievable, providing broader economic conditions evolve in line with our and most other forecasters expectations. In particular, unemployment is expected to remain below 5% and the vast majority of existing borrowers should be able to weather the impact of higher borrowing costs. John Ennis, CEO of agents Chestertons, said: In London, the property market remained stable throughout July with buyer registrations reaching the same level as in previous months. While there were fewer first-time-buyers with support from the Bank of Mum and Dad, we witnessed an increase in cash buyers and higher-valued property sales in excess of 1 million. T he Mayor is right the capital is having a successful summer, despite the majority of schools having only just broken up. Here in the West End, summer began early with the coronation attracting international and domestic visitors to once-in-a-lifetime experiences that only this iconic British district could deliver. Throughout the months to follow, the indicators of footfall and spend have continued to tell a positive story. Footfall is growing year on year and spend is growing, both compared to last year and to 2019. Domestic spend is certainly proving more conservative due to the cost of living crisis, and therefore our recovery is largely being driven by international visitors. It is clear to me that they are key to future growth and remaining on track to deliver our historic 10billion district turnover by the end of 2025. And so we should be doing everything we can to entice them to our shores, to come more often and stay longer. VisitBritain tells us half of all long-haul travellers come to the UK to shop, so ensuring we remain an attractive shopping destination globally is paramount. As word gets out that we no longer offer tax-free shopping our ability to compete with the likes of Paris or Milan is becoming more challenging. Our retailers tell us tourists browse here but divert spend to their European counterparts. Take Americans for example... thanks to a favourable exchange rate, US spend in the West End at the beginning of 2023 was 104 per cent of 2019 levels. But in France tax-free refunds for US shoppers were up by 313 per cent, and 312 per cent in Spain. In 2019, 57 per cent of all West End spend was from international visitors, while in 2023 this stands at 44 per cent. There is an ever-growing gap between the recovery in travel and spend. By this time next year genuine behaviour change could become irreversible, new shopping patterns will soon become a habit and then loyalty shifts forever. If we can shrug off the restraints of the tourist tax we will encourage a stronger recovery and remain a competitive destination on the global stage. So yes, in isolation we can be pleased with our performance but if you compare our summer end of term report with our European classmates, we know that the headmaster would comment at the end could do so much better. Dee Corsi is chief executive of the New West End Company Loading.... London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the capitals tourist economy is roaring back to life after Covid - but is it, and whos paying a fortune for those inflated entry ticket, food and drink prices? Research released by City Hall shows two million more international visitors are forecast to arrive in London in 2023, compared with last year, which is projected to produce an extra 674 million in revenue. It comes after Londons music and film industry enjoyed a bumper July, with more than one million people attending live music shows or boosting cinemas busiest weekend in four years with the release of the Barbie and Oppenheimer films. Some of the biggest events to come this summer include Notting Hill Carnival, All Points East festival in Victoria Park featuring Stormzy and The Strokes, plus London Fashion Week. Meanwhile, a report by tourism body Visit Britain found Londons attractions in 2022 enjoyed a 141 per cent rise in visitor numbers compared with 2021. But what about getting all these extra passengers around the capital? Transport for London is also testing out new, quieter Piccadilly Line trains in Germany, which are planned to replace the existing rolling stock thats been in service since 1975. To discover more, The Leader podcast joined by Noah Vickers, the Standards local democracy reporter covering City Hall Listen above, and find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts. L ondoners may occasionally take it for granted, but for millions of people, a visit to the capital represents the highlight of their year. And the citys tourist economy is roaring back to life, according to the Mayor, as research collated by City Hall finds flight bookings and international arrivals have risen substantially compared with 2019. Two million further visitors are expected to arrive this year compared with 2022, which is forecast to generate an additional 674 million in revenue. The capital was also the top city in the world for overnight stays last year. This being the British summer, there are a few clouds on the horizon, most notably the impact of the so-called tourist tax the end of VAT-free shopping for foreign visitors. While the above figures are certainly worth celebrating, retailers reveal that conversion rates have fallen as tourists browse here but divert spend to their European counterparts according to Dee Corsi, chief executive of New West End Company. Londons grand international reopening is cause for celebration, but we ought to make the most of this influx of visitors. Until we scrap the counter-productive tourist tax, the capital is leaving money on the table. Tech to help heal NHS The NHS needs more cash. But an injection of funds is not the only solution to what ails it. Technology is a key avenue for improvements in efficiency. As we report in todays newspaper, surgeons are losing an entire working month each year as a result of inefficient IT systems. The Standard has previously reported how surgeons at Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust have performed a weeks worth of operations in a single day thanks to the DaVinci surgical robot. We need more of this. Similarly, researchers from Kings College London have found a lack of access to community support is driving people with dementia to A&E, when they would be better treated away from hospital. Clearing the NHS backlog and addressing social care are two enormous challenges, both of which will require extra investment. But we must work smarter too, harnessing technology and bringing a holistic approach which ensures more beds are available for those who have no choice but to visit a hospital. The Truss effect Never let it be said that temp staff cannot make a lasting impact at work. Almost three-quarters of adults in Britain believe that Liz Truss changed the country for the worse during her 49-day premiership a view that depresses support for the Conservative Party to this day. T he Booker Prize longlist for 2023 was announced on Tuesday, featuring 10 authors who have never before been in the running for the award. The list of 13 entries for the 50,000 prize includes four debut novelists and six others who have not previously been listed. They join established literary talents Sebastian Barry, Tan Twan Eng and Paul Murray who have seven previous Booker nominations between them. Barry and Murray are joined by two other writers from Ireland Elaine Feeney and Paul Lynch meaning there are four Irish stars on the longlist for the first time. Many in the literary world will be surprised that fellow Irish writer Megan Nolans widely-lauded Ordinary Human Failings missed out. Including the four on the 2023 longlist, a total of 37 Irish writers have been recognised by the Booker during the prizes history, meaning Ireland has produced the most writers relative to its size. Barry, nominated for Old Gods Time, and Murray, on the list for The Bee Sting, are among the favourites to win the prize, with Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng, nominated for his new novel The House of Doors, also seen as a strong contender. The Booker Prize is open to works of long-form fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland and the longlist is rounded out by Nigerian author Ayobami Adebayo, Canadian Sarah Bernstein, American writers Jonathan Escoffery and Paul Harding, and four British authors Sian Hughes, Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow, Martin MacInnes and Chetna Maroo. The 2023 judging panel is chaired by twice-shortlisted novelist Esi Edugyan. She is joined by Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh and Peep Show actor Robert Webb, as well as critic Mary Jean Chan and Professor James Shapiro. Ms Edugyan said: The list is defined by its freshness by the irreverence of new voices, by the iconoclasm of established ones. All 13 novels cast new light on what it means to exist in our time, and they do so in original and thrilling ways. Their range is vast... they shocked us, made us laugh, filled us with anguish, but above all they stayed with us... this is a list to bring wonder. In 2022, Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka won for his second novel, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatars sovereign wealth fund, has deposit $1 billion into the Central Bank of Egypt, which paves the way for the authority to pump new investments into the Egyptian market, Bloomberg said on Wednesday. According to reports in October, QIA is looking to purchase the states stakes in mobile network operator Vodafone (20 percent), one of the biggest mobile network operators in the country, with total of some $2.5 billion It has also been reported that QIA plans to buy state-held stakes in other companies. During Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis visit to Qatar in September, Egypt and Qatar inked three MoUs, including one signed between the two countries sovereign wealth funds. The visit was the first since the two sides restored relations in 2021 following a regional diplomatic rift. Qatar has said that it is committed to investing $5 billion in Egypt. Moreover, Egypt and Qatar signed an MoU in Doha on financial policy coordination between their finance ministries on the sidelines of the Qatar Economic Forum held in June. Egypt and Qatar have moved to strengthen their newly-restored relations and reach common ground on regional issues since Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) inked the Al-Ula Declaration with Qatar in January 2021. In the wake of the agreement, Egypt and Qatar held rounds of talks to develop relations, eventually forming the Egyptian-Qatari Joint Committee to foster and strengthen these ties. The QIAs assets under management record $445 billion in 2022, according to Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Search Keywords: Short link: A rapist who crept into bed and sexually assaulted his flatmate as she slept has been jailed for 14 years. Andrew White, 33, was found to have choked the woman, in her 30s, after she woke up in the middle of the attack at the address they shared in Lambeth and tried to pull away. Police rushed on June 18, last year after the victim reported the rape and are now looking for any other potential survivors of White to come forward. The victim alleges she had been asleep when she awoke to find White behind her. His genitals were exposed and her trousers had been pulled down. When she moved away from him White then put his hands around her neck in a choke hold. On arrest officers searched White and found him in possession of cannabis. He was taken into custody where he strenuously denied the allegations. Detectives gathered witness testimony, video and forensic evidence that would ultimately prove Whites guilt. DC Mariama Connell said: The victim lived in the same address as White but was not in any sort of relationship with him. She was asleep and White saw this as an opportunity to attack her for his own sexual gratification. I know she continues to live with the impact of what happened to this day. It is my hope that knowing White has received a significant custodial term will provide her some small measure of comfort. In the pre-sentencing report White was assessed as someone who posed a high risk of significant harm to adult women. As a result we believe it may be possible that there are more victims of White who have yet to come forward. I urge any potential victims to make contact with us immediately. We will listen to you, we will act and we will do everything we can to bring you justice. White, of Walworth Road SE1, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Monday. He had been convicted at a hearing in May of one count of rape, one count of non-fatal strangulation and possession of a class B drug at an earlier hearing. T his is the moment a 50-year-old man is arrested after persistently sexually assaulting a woman on the Elizabeth line. Edgar Junior was arrested as he prepared to leave the train at Reading after carrying out a brazen and persistent sex attack on a lone female passenger on March 28. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Reading Crown Court. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years which prevents him subjecting women or girls to unwanted attention and drinking alcohol in a public place. The court heard how Junior boarded an Elizabeth Line train at Paddington and sat in the two seats opposite the victim. He began pointing at the victim and making sexualised comments to her, causing other passengers to challenge him and tell him to leave her alone. Jailed: Edgar Junior / British Transport Police The woman left the carriage and Junior sexually assaulted her before continuing to make further sexualised comments and gestures. A second passenger attempted to speak to the victim and sat with her for reassurance after noticing Juniors disturbing behaviour. The victim left the train and Junior continued to approach other women on the service, making them uncomfortable. It was reported to British Transport Police (BTP) who intercepted the train at Reading, identified him and arrested him at the scene. BTP Detective Inspector Marvin Bruno said: Junior is a disturbing individual who subjected a woman to a brazen and persistent sexual assault as she was travelling on a train alone, and the custodial sentence hes been handed shows just how seriously these offences are taken. I am thankful to the bystanders who recognised his revolting behaviour and stepped in to help, before reporting it to police immediately which allowed our officers to then intercept the train and arrest him. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of saving our text number 61016 in your phone. If you ever witness or experience behaviour like this you can text us discreetly and the message will come through in real time to our control room who can dispatch officers to a location if required. We will always take you seriously. F ive teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death in Edgware. Stefan Valentine Balaban, 19, died after being knifed in the chest in the early hours of Friday. On Tuesday morning five boys - four aged 16, and one 17-year-old - were arrested on suspicion of murder after warrants were executed in north London. A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: Stefans family have been informed of this development. They are being supported by specialist officers. Stefan Valentine Balaban / Met Police Police, paramedics, and an air ambulance were scrambled to Whitchurch Lane in Edgware shortly after 1am on Friday, following reports a man had been stabbed. Despite the efforts of the emergency services, Mr Balaban died at the scene. A post-mortem held on Saturday gave his cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. The Mets Specialist Crime Command is still investigating, said Scotland Yard on Tuesday. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said: My thoughts are with Stefans family as they come to terms with this awful news. We will do everything we can to support them and bring whoever is responsible to justice. These arrests mark significant progress in what is a fast-moving investigation. We believe there are outstanding suspects and our work to trace those people continues. Our work is far from finished and we need the publics help. I remain keen to hear from anyone who has information, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem. I would also like to hear from any drivers who was passing through the area and have dash cam footage to come forward. Information can be provided to the incident room by calling 020 8358 0100. Alternatively, call 101 quoting CAD 334/28Jul. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 P olice are appealing for information after four teenagers suffered stab wounds in a fight in south London. Officers and paramedics were called to reports of a fight with knives in the Brandon Estate, Kennington, at 11.59pm on Saturday and found a boy, believed aged 16, and a man, believed to be 18, with stab wounds. Both were taken to hospital after the incident close to the estates Aberfeldy House off John Ruskin Street, where their injuries were deemed not life-threatening. A short time later, two boys believed to be 15 and 16 self-presented at hospital with stab injuries. Their injuries have also been assessed as not life threatening. Officers earlier said one person was stabbed to the chest, one victim to the head and hand, one to the arm and one to the buttocks. The 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has since been bailed to a date in late October, said a Met spokesperson. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist police is being asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote 8821/29JUL. A pair of con artists who made more than 300,000 by selling fraudulent car insurance to over 900 unsuspecting motorists have avoided jail. Ikram Rafique, 31, from Romford, was found guilty of money laundering and acting as an unlicensed broker following a trial at Inner London Crown Court on Monday. He was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He will also carry out 220 hours of unpaid work. His cousin and former co-worker Mohammad Hamad, 31, from Ilford, was also found guilty of money laundering after he rinsed the funds obtained by Rafique. He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. Ghost broker Rafique sold fraudulent, manipulated motor insurance policies to unsuspecting victims from January 2016 to December 2018. He also used a bank account under the name Qiuhong Chen to receive broker fees. An investigation by the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) found that Rafique manipulated customer details to obtain cheaper quotes and then used the customers own bank card details to pay for the policies, telling the victims that a broker fee was needed to be paid into the account under the name of Qiuhong Chen. The broker fee was usually between 200 to 300 per policy. Rafique then laundered the victims money through a number of bank accounts, as well as transferring funds to a money service bureau and laundering the proceeds out of the UK. Hamad also received money into his own account from the Qiuhong Chen account. During the investigation, a number of victims provided statements saying that they had paid up to 300 to the Qiuhong Chen bank account, and many stated they had spoken to a man called Mr Ikram. The investigation found that 974 transactions of this nature were paid into the account between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2017, totalling 208,200. A further 311 third party payments totalling 73,913.55 were also discovered. Detective Chris Kench, from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department at the City of London Police, said: Rafique had no regard for others when he decided to act as a ghost broker as all he saw was the pound signs in front of his eyes. We know that the rising cost of insurance premiums means people are always looking for a cheap deal, but it is always important to check that you are buying from a legitimate source and that your policy is valid. Whilst the offer of a cheap deal may be enticing, a fraudulent policy will end up costing you more in the long run in the form of a fine, points on your licence, your car being seized and crushed than covering the cost of a valid policy. A businessman accused of supplying party drugs to Londons chemsex scene used rented storage containers off the North Circular to stash more than 500,000-worth of illegal substances, a court has heard. Afshin Alikhani, 42, imported hundreds of litres of GBL into the UK from a Dutch supplier, and used lockers at Big Yellow Self Storage and Safestore at Staples Corner off the A406 near Brent Cross shopping centre to store the bottles. He is now on trial at Harrow crown court, accused of supplying crystal meth and GBL to customers across London in an operation said to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Alikhani, a director of AP Import Export Limited, admits importing GBL and storing it, but says he did not realise it was illegal and believed it was a cleaning product. Opening the case, prosecutor Richard Reynolds said: This is about the drug trade, particularly the trade in drugs known for chemsex which is normally sex parties that go on. The drugs are used to advance the abilities of people to take part in those parties. Jurors heard a French border official discovered a box of GBL bottles destined for one of the storage unit in north London in April 2020. More parcels containing bottles of drugs were stopped at Birmingham Airport by Border Force in October of that year. The court heard 268 litres of GBL was recovered in a police raid on the Big Yellow storage unit, along with more than 30,000 in cash and jelly containing viagra. Bottles of the drug GBL were found in a locker at the Big Yellow storage centre in Staples Corner / ES/Kirk Mr Reynolds said somewhat unfortunately for the defendant a further 90 litres of GBL were delivered to the storage unit the day after the police raid, which were instantly seized. Police were also led to the Safestore locker where another 90 litres of GBL was found, along with a hot plate and induction hob where traces of crystal meth were found. Alikhani was arrested in November 2020, when more bottles of GBL were found in his Honda Civic car along with a package of crystal meth discovered in a tool box in the vehicle. Mr Reynolds said in his police interview Alikhani denied any knowledge that any of the substances were illegal drugs. He said he believed the bag of crystal meth was an antihistamine. He said he thought GBL as a cleaning product. The prosecutor said Alikhani suggested the money - 31,285 in cash came from a Covid Bounce Back loan provided by the government. Jurors have been shown WhatsApp messages from an iPhone said to belong to Alikhani, allegedly displaying the mechanics of the drugs trade. Messages allegedly show drop-offs at Kings Cross station, an Elephant and Castle hotel, and residential addresses in Marylebone, Tooting, Stockwell, and off Oxford Street, together with agreements to pay thousands of pounds. Retired Met Police detective Mark Wright, giving evidence as a drugs expert, said GBL has the nicknames G, Gina, and Water, and he highlighted one of the messages allegedly sent to Alikhani with a request for G water. They are asking for good quality crystal meth and they are asking for G water, he said. It clearly shows that the meeting took place and the handover of drugs was successful. Mr Wright said the messages come from October 2020, when there was a recognised shortage of illegal drugs on Londons streets after a major law enforcement operation infiltrated the Encrochat messaging system and shutdown a large number of organised crime groups. Explaining the drugs to the jury, he said GBL is used in the chemsex scene, normally men having sex with men and at weekend parties. They are looking to stay awake all weekend, with drugs taken. He added: GBL is what I call a horrible drug. If you take it yourself and you are unaware or dont know the doseage, you are likely to put yourself unconscious or into a coma. The reason it is taken within certain groups is it releases any inhibitions, it relaxes them, and as long as it is taken in a controlled and measured way, carefully, there can be no issues. Alikhani, who has an address in Cardiff, denies being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of class A drugs, two charges of possession of class C drugs, possession of class C drugs with intent to supply, three counts of fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of goods, and possession of criminal property. The trial continues. T he father of Damilola Taylor has urged Sir Mark Rowley to tackle the plague of county lines drugs dealers who are using vapes to recruit children as young as 11. Justice campaigner Richard Taylor spoke to Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark after being approached by concerned teachers who have seen pupils repeatedly targeted at school gates in south London. Staff also confiscated hundreds of e-cigarettes with dangerously high levels of nicotine. Others, changing hands for as little as 5, were stored above ceiling panels in toilets - a tactic learned on TikTok - or were hidden in childrens bags. Mr Taylors 10-year-old son was killed by thugs in Peckham, south London, in 2000. Following a visit by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to the Damilola Taylor Centre, Mr Taylor told the Standard: Vapes have taken over our schools like a plague. Its so blatant, the criminals are recruiting young people at the school gates. I told Sir Mark he must clamp down on this vaping epidemic. E-cigarettes are highly addictive and the county lines drug dealers know once hooked, they can get children to sell cocaine, heroin and cannabis from London to smaller towns and cities. Richard Taylor / Evening Standard/Alex Lentati The Mets county lines taskforce has visited classrooms to urge children to reject the advances of drug dealers offering cash, phones, vapes and clothes. Razwan Hussain, principal of St Mary Magdalene Secondary Phase in Greenwich, said the school had held lessons focusing on peer pressure, consequences and socio-economic factors surrounding vaping. Year heads and form tutors also delivered assemblies highlighting the dangers. Parents and carers are informed immediately if students are caught with e-cigarettes. Mr Hussain added: We have seen a large rise in the number of students who are vaping. We are engaging with students through lessons and form group sessions - and were working to help parents to recognise and respond to this issue at home, too. It is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s and MPs have called for restrictions on packaging and marketing. Ndidi Okezie OBE, CEO of national charity UK Youth, said: Amidst the rising challenges of underage vaping and county lines gang recruitment, there lies an untapped solution with the power to protect our youth - local youth work. Youth workers nationwide wield tremendous influence, backed by our research that proves that investing in youth work curtails crime, increases engagement in education and enhances health outcomes. Due to a lack of sustainable investment into youth work and the pressures of an unrelenting cost of living crisis, local youth provision is fighting to survive. Damilola Taylor, 10, was killed in November 2000 To combat these urgent health and social issues, immediate collective action is imperative. We are calling on business, government and community funders to step up and help us guarantee sustained access to quality youth work for all. We cannot continue to ignore these calls for help coming from our youth. We have to address issues of vaping and grooming without delay, proactively providing youth work provision not only to reverse impact, but to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place. We believe the solution lies in more joined-up working across health, education, social and youth work professionals. Only by working together can we tackle the systemic problems letting young people down. A n attempt by the Duke of Northumberland to replace allotments with dozens of new homes on his Syon House London estate is simply an effort to line his already deep pockets, a public inquiry has heard. Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, lost an application in October 2021 to build 80 flats on part of his Grade I listed Syon Park estate in west London after the council received more than 900 objections from locals to the plans. A loss of local open space (LOS) was one reason behind Hounslow Councils planning committee decision to refuse planning permission. Strong opposition to the proposals was aired as an appeal brought by the Northumberland Estates (NE) development company began on Monday. Local residents, councillors and allotment holders plus the Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and former Hounslow councillor Ruth Cadbury were among those who spoke at an appeal hearing about why they feel the scheme should be rejected. Northumberland Estates says its plans would help provide an income stream for conservation works to Syon House, which is privately-owned but still open to the public. Key worker housing for the neighbouring West Middlesex University Hospital has also been promised and there would still be a place for those who use the allotments, the inquiry heard. Isleworth councillor Salman Shaheen, who stressed the value of the Park Road allotments, stated that its stakes for our community, for my constituents and for our environment can not be understated. He described it as an ill-conceived plan designed not to support a treasured historic asset, but to destroy one for private gain. He said: Hounslow has comfortably met its housing targets by allowing development on the ample brownfield sites in the area that we have been able to do so without paving over our green space makes me ask what the imperative would be to change that now except to line the dukes already deep pockets? He added that a man richer than the King has shown no evidence to prove that the only way to fund the repairs to one historic asset is by destroying another historic asset. A round of applause broke out and some people rose to their feet as he finished his statement of objections. The inquiry heard that the Isleworth site has been used as allotments since 1917 when the dukes ancestor leased the land to the council to help in the aftermath of the First World War. Claire Niven, for the Park Road Allotment Association, said that Northumberland Estates was proposing sacrificing 71% of allotments at the heart of a community they have served for over 100 years. It was first used to help the local community in the aftermath of the First World War and and over a century later, the site continues to be a haven for allotment holders, their friends and families as well the wider local community in good as well as difficult times. Ms Niven added: Access to this green open space was crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic and the importance to allotment holders and their families of cultivating their own fruit and vegetables during a cost-of-living crisis is obvious. Importantly the benefits provided by this site extends beyond the allotment holders to the wider community which benefits from nature walks, open days, litter picking, apple and blackberry picking and donations to food banks organised by allotment holders. Ed Grant, for the council, told the inquiry that the Northumberland Estates scheme would provide the same or nearly the same number of the 38 allotments which previously existed. Mr Grant said that is an assertion made possible by only by providing very small allotments, suitable only for beginners, rather than an appropriate range of sizes. Ms Cadbury said she felt she needed to speak at the appeal hearing because of the sheer weight of local public opposition, but also because I feel the planning case for the application is very weak. She said: In my view, given the future uncertainty over the balance of supply and demand for housing sites in the borough, this application does not warrant the loss of allotment land, the loss of an active community asset and the loss of significant ecological benefits. She added: This small site would make relatively little contribution to the overall housing supply. There are other larger sites with outstanding permissions that have not yet been built out. Furthermore, there will almost certainly be new sites coming available in due course as result in the change in demand for commercial premises with the change in post-Covid work patterns. Earlier, Melissa Murphy KC, for Northumberland Estates, said quantitative improvements are proposed and the project would be a well-located, well-designed scheme which delivers 40% affordable housing. She also noted that Syon House is privately-owned but open to the public. Period dramas such as The Madness Of King George, Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Gosford Park have been filmed there. Ms Murphy said: It is much visited, much loved, greatly valued. It is also in need of money to be spent on it. The works proposed repairing the external Bath Stone, restoring the Robert Adam State Rooms, will lead to a magnificent result, a building gloriously restored, to be enjoyed for years to come. The hearing was adjourned to Wednesday at 10am. A 79-year-old man who beat his wife to death with a rounders bat has pleaded guilty to murder. Tarsame Singh appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday where he admitted killing his wife Maya Devi at their home in Hornchurchs Cowdray Way. The court heard how on May 2, Singh walked into Romford police station and told the front desk that he had just killed his wife. Officers immediately attended the family home in Elm Park and found Maya unresponsive on the living room floor. The wooden rounders bat was found nearby and there was significant amounts of blood staining on the carpet and nearby walls. Maya was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be blunt force head injuries. Singh was charged the next day and remanded into custody. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, who led the investigation, said it was a tragic case which has left the couples three children utterly distraught. No-one should ever lose their mother in this way and we will continue to think of, and support them, at this difficult time, he said. Singh has never admitted what caused him to act in such a violent way that evening but we are pleased he has pleaded guilty and will now face a significant custodial sentence. Singh is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, September 29. S urgeons lose an entire working month every year due to inefficient technology, according to a survey. A poll of more than 300 surgeons in the UK, conducted by tech firm Medtronic, reveals that each surgeon loses an average of four hours a week as a result of poor tech the equivalent of two hip replacements. It means that surgeons are losing more than 200 working hours every year, the equivalent of a month. Eight in ten (79 per cent) respondents felt that care would be easier to deliver if technology was improved. Professor Sanjay Purkayastha, a Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon at Imperial College NHS Trust, said that a lack of tech support leaves surgical teams perpetually short on time. This is time that could be used on crucial analysis and training. An upgrade in the technologies available to surgeons is long overdue. The enhanced efficiency and accuracy we gain from a more integrated and intelligent operating room are undeniable. In surgery, the benefits of being proactive, rather than reactive, are critical to maintaining a high quality of care. Digital technologies will be key to sustaining this. Unfortunately, these benefits remain out of reach for far too many in our field. Professor Naeem Soomro, a Royal College of Surgeons Council member, said: These findings validate and mirror our own research highlighting that the future of surgery lies in more forward-facing digital solutions. Robotics, data and artificial intelligence will allow the NHS to respond to current challenges around access, safety and sustainability of healthcare. More than half of the surgeons surveyed (56 per cent) said that time spent on administrative and tasks could be reduced with better technology. The Standard has previously reported how surgeons at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust in London have performed a weeks worth of operations in a single day with the help of the DaVinci surgical robot. It is hoped that the technique could be replicated across the NHS to help reduce the elective backlog. Last month, Health Secretary Steve Barclay promised to protect money for health technology from budget cuts. The reason I care about tech is simple: it improves outcomes and helps you do your jobs, he told the NHS Confederation Expo conference in Manchester. Labour have also pledged to reform the NHS through the rollout of new technology. In a speech last month, Sir Keir Starmer said that artificial intelligence, personalised medicine and new vaccines could help transform healthcare for the better. George Murgatroyd, vice president and general manager of digital surgery at Medtronic, said the studys results demonstrate how outdated technology is holding surgeons back every single day. Digital solutions alone will not solve all the challenges our NHS is facing, but without updating the technologies in our operating theatres, surgeons, their teams, and ultimately patients, will continue to be let down. The study received responses from 300 surgeons across 21 regions, within both the public and private sector. Saudi Arabia has deposited $2 billion into Pakistan's central bank, the government said Tuesday, a much-needed financial boost ahead of a critical meeting of the International Monetary Fund on the new bailout package for the cash-strapped South Asian country. In a video statement, Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the kingdom was making good on its promise to bolster Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves. The infusion is not a loan as such but will shore up the reserves and remain with Pakistan's central bank for at least a year. The development comes on the eve of the meeting of he IMF's executive board which is expected to approve a new and much-needed $3 billion loan to Pakistan to help the country overcome an economic crisis. Dar said that with the Saudi deposit, Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves which dropped to $9.6 billion last week barely enough to pay import bills for a month have gone up to $11.6. We thank the Saudi leadership on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan," he said. He assured the nation that Pakistan would soon return to the path of growth. God willing, now Pakistan's economy will witness an improvement, Dar said. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted his deep gratitude to the leadership and brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and said the deposit reflects the kingdom's growing confidence in Pakistans economic turnaround. We remain committed to making all necessary efforts to improve Pakistans economy, Sharif said. The IMF late in June agreed to provide $3 billion to Pakistan in badly needed relief to bail out the impoverished countrys ailing economy a nine-month agreement that the IMF's executive board is to approve Wednesday at a meeting in the United States. Pakistan also hopes the board will approve the release of a crucial $1.1 billion from the bailout. Pakistans economy has faced several heavy blows recently, such as the devastating floods last summer that killed 1,739 people, caused $30 billion in damage and impacted millions of Pakistanis. The country was also hit by an international commodity price spike in the wake of Russias war in Ukraine. The bailout deal was originally signed between the IMF and Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019 and was to expire on June 30 when the new, breakthrough agreement was announced. Search Keywords: Short link: F ive British children whose mother who was killed in a crash in northern France are being treated for serious injuries in hospitals across the region. Devoted mother-of-ten Miriam Posen, 50, from Stamford Hill in north London, died when a minivan holding six other family members was involved in a three-way crash south of Lens on the A26 motorway around 6pm on Sunday. A second vehicle contained four people, including a 75-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man, who also died. The third vehicle involved was a car with four passengers, including three children, aged between six and 33. The Arras prosecutors office said five British children aged between seven and 19 were being treated for serious injuries in several hospitals, including two of Mrs Posens daughters, the Telegraph reports. Three of her children had injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Mrs Posens husband, Rabbi Shalom Pinchos Posen, 48, was also among the injured. The family is part of the Orthodox Jewish community in north London. Mourners reportedly gathered outside the family home on Tuesday near Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve. Witnesses of the crash will be questioned and the people carrier also extensively analysed to determine the cause of the crash, the prosecutors office told the Telegraph. Mrs Posen was an ultra-Orthodox Jew who only spoke in Yiddish and observed a strict dress code, said the family spokesperson. The accident took place on a section of the motorway where roadworks were taking place, between the towns of Neuville-Saint-Vaast and Thelus. On Monday, Izzy Posen, the couples eldest son, wrote on social media: My mother sadly passed away yesterday in tragic circumstances. She was young and healthy and full of the spirit of life. I loved her so much. A photo of Mr Posen with his mother was posted to his Instagram account in 2017 with the caption: With my beautiful mother. A family spokesman said: Miriam was a devoted mother who was loved so much by her family and friends. She was a very special person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We are still coming to terms with what has happened. It was only on Sunday night. The section of the A26 motorway was closed off until late into the night on Sunday, as six emergency medical teams attended the scene. Around 60 firefighters were also scrambled to the crash site to try to rescue the victims. The incident occurred at the height of the holiday season, when thousands of British drivers make their way across the Channel. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: We are in contact with the local authorities following a road traffic accident in France and have offered our assistance to the family. A Greenwich bar had its licence suspended for a month on Tuesday after police raised fears it was turning a blind eye to gang members armed with guns. The Hayatt Lounge in Charlton was hauled before Greenwich Council last week after police called for its licence to be revoked, citing a string of recent fights at shisha bar. The Met had also claimed that it had very reliable intelligence that some gang members were paying door staff bribes to allow members to bring in guns. The venue disputed this, saying it did all it could to keep members of the public coming to the restaurant and bar safe. On Tuesday, councillors instead suspended Hayatts licence for a month over the fights, and ordered it to beef up its security measures. Among the conditions the venue must now uphold when suspension lifts is to install digital cameras at the entry to obtain facial images of all entering the premises. Those attending will be required to go through metal detector units at reception, and door staff will be given a hand-held metal detection unit to carry out further searches of all entries. Valid photo-ID shall also be a condition of entry. An earlier meeting of councillors on July 26 heard of a string of fights at the shisha lounge, including a large brawl on June 10, in which two groups of men used shisha pipes, plates and bowls as weapons. In a separate incident on June 18, a woman was reportedly hit over the head with a used bottle of Hennessys brandy and then slashed in the face. Days later, a drunken patron allegedly hit another woman outside the venue, pulled off her wig, and also bit her on the breast. The venue described the fights as isolated and rare incidents. Police said it believed staff at the venue had lied over a lack of internal CCTV in relation to the June 18 glassing, after they were told the CCTVs hard drive had overheated in hot weather. Greenwich Councils licensing sub-committee said in their decision that they were concerned about a lack of CCTV over the June 10 and June 18 incidents and that these incidents were not recorded in a log. They said that they believed that police had been misled over the availability of CCTV when officers requested it, although the venue told a hearing it was a misunderstanding. Issuing a decision notice, the committee also said that the designated premises supervisor, Shiraz Kamawal, should be removed from the licence in the wake of the incidents. The police or Hayatt Lounge can appeal the decision to the magistrates court within 21 days. S taff at the British Museum are wondering who their next boss will be following the surprise departure of director Hartwig Fischer. An insider tells us his announcement that he will go in 2024 was very sudden, and that whoever replaces him faces a difficult job because the museum needs work. They told us that there is embarrassment among staff that the building is visibly falling down, with gaffer tape on the carpets and water damage on the walls in galleries. There have been leaks in the wing that houses the Parthenon sculptures also known as the Elgin Marbles while areas such as the reading room where Karl Marx wrote Das Kapital are closed to the public because of their condition. There have been hopes for a 1 billion restoration project, but cash is needed. Professor Mary Beard, a trustee, told us the Museum will be looking for someone to take Fischers work forward. He wasnt keen on the repatriation of artefacts such as the marbles, a thorny issue the next director will have to tackle. Get your applications in now. Do sweat it: spotlight on Prince Andrew Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis / PA He may be heading up to Balmoral with The Firm, but theres no summer respite for Prince Andrew, who is set to be the subject of another expose. Along with the forthcoming Netflix drama about his car crash Newsnight interview with journalist Emily Maitlis (to be played by Gillian Anderson, pictured right alongside the prince), a new documentary series on him has just been announced. Secrets of Prince Andrew will come out this month on the American network A&E. It features interviews with Maitlis and Sam McAlister, the former BBC staffer who organised the 2019 interview in Buckingham Palace. It follows Prince Andrew: Banished, last years series about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Thats not all. Historian Andrew Lownie is soon due to publish a biography of the prince and his ex-wife, the Duchess of York, where he plans to spill more secrets. Kensington chaos Emma Dent Coad / PA An ex-Labour MP who narrowly lost the seat of Kensington in 2019 looks set to run against the party, saying it has lost its Left-wing values. Emma Dent Coad, who was blocked from being the Labour candidate last year, started a crowdfunding site last week saying she would run as an independent if she got 30,000. She has so far raised half. Dent Coad, inset, told us she feels Labour has lost its compassion and is not giving a voice to people struggling with the cost of living. The incumbent Tory, Felicity Buchan, may be glad, as shes likely to split the Labour vote, but Dent Coad says: Under the current Labour leadership, we are just a shadow of the Tory party. I cant subscribe to that. Celebs on holibobs Londoners Diary 1st August 2023 1 / 4 Londoners Diary 1st August 2023 hurleys.jpg Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley; David Furnish and Damian Hurley Elizabeth Hurley Harry Kane and family Harry Kane visits Disney World Harry Kane Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Tess Daly As the British summer rain continues, the stars have gone off on their holidays. Following his triumphant Glastonbury set and retirement from touring, Sir Elton John took some well-earned rest in the sun with friend Elizabeth Hurley in the South of France. His husband David Furnish smiled on the beach with Hurleys son Damian. England captain Harry Kane, who can afford to go anywhere, took his family to Walt Disney World in Florida. He was snapped walking through the Magic Kingdom Park towards the famous castle with his daughters. Elsewhere, Tess Daly shared holiday snaps from a trip to California with her husband, fellow presenter Vernon Kay. R ishi Sunak has confirmed that the barge which the Government hopes to house asylum seekers in is undergoing a series of checks before opening. Police officers were spotted boarding the 222-cabin vessel Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, on Tuesday as safety checks and inspections are understood to be carried out. The Prime Minister told reporters on Tuesday that all migrant accommodation has to go through a series of checks and inspections to make sure it complies with regulation, thats whats happening in this case. It follows reports that the barge could be a floating Grenfell due to fire safety concerns, according to The Times. Around 40 people staying in other Home Office accommodation have received letters informing them they will be moved to the barge. Earlier on Tuesday Transport Minister Richard Holden said he cannot put a timeframe on when asylum seekers will be housed on the Bibby Stockholm, but said the vessel is undergoing final checks. Asked on Sky News when the barge would be available, he said: Its going through its final checks at the moment. Its right that whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well. I cant put a timeframe on it. Asked about there being no timeframe, he said: The checks are going to take as long as theyre going to take. Its important we get these things right. Police officers walk onto Bibby Stockholm on Tuesday / James Manning/PA Wire More than 50 organisations and campaigners have condemned the plan to house asylum seekers on the barge, calling it inhumane and suggesting it would re-traumatise vulnerable people. But Mr Sunak said on Tuesday: Lets take a step back, this is ultimately about fairness. I dont think its fair that British taxpayers are forking out six million quid a day to house illegal migrants in hotels I want to put an end to that. Asked about a GB News report about the Home Office approving the acquisition of an apartment complex in Essex to host asylum seekers, he told the channel: I think whats going on currently is completely wrong. Weve got a situation which is unfair. British taxpayers are forking out six million quid a day to house illegal migrants in hotels and other accommodation. Thats clearly wrong, its clearly unfair and thats why I want to put an end to it. It comes as figures reveal the average number of migrants crossing the Channel per boat last month was the highest on record. Some 3,299 people made the journey in July in 63 boats an average of around 52 migrants per vessel. This is the highest average since records began in 2018, according to PA news agency analysis of Government data. Provisional Home Office figures show 14,732 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year. But no arrivals have been recorded in nearly a week amid poor weather conditions at sea. Meanwhile plans to move 2,000 migrants into the RAF camp have reportedly been delayed until October, after setbacks in conducting surveys on the 14 buildings designated for migrant accommodation. N early three-quarters of adults believe Liz Truss changed the country for the worse during her brief, chaotic time in office, according to a new poll. The Ipsos survey for the Standard found 72 per cent held this critical view about her administration. She resigned after 45 days with the country in economic meltdown following her chancellor Kwasi Kwartengs September 2022 mini budget. Only a tiny five per cent think she improved things, the sole recent premier to fail to get into double figures. For four other Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron and Gordon Brown, more people say they left the country in a worse state on leaving Downing Street than when they walked through the door of No 10, than believe they improved things. Margaret Thatcher scores highest on this question, with 46 per cent saying she changed Britain for the better and 37 per cent for the worse. She is followed by Sir Tony Blair on 42 per cent to 36 per cent respectively, despite the Iraq War. Sir John Major, who was at the helm on Black Wednesday when Britain pulled out of the European exchange rate mechanism in 1992, is also in positive territory, by 26 per cent to 19 per cent. But for Mr Johnson, 62 per cent say he changed things for the worse and 25 per cent for the better. Ms May, who failed to get Brexit through the Commons, also gets a poor rating of 49/21 (worse/better), while Mr Cameron, who held the referendum on Brexit, was on 45/29, and Mr Brown on 33/28. Hopes are not high for Rishi Sunak, with 38 per cent believing he will have left Britain in a worse state than when he become PM last October, and 24 per cent in a better position by the next election. Gideon Skinner, of Ipsos UK, said: Rishi Sunaks two predecessors continue to cast a shadow with most Britons judging them to have changed the country for the worse over their tenure especially Liz Truss, who is the only premier for whom a majority of their own supporters are also critical. But its also notable that none of the Prime Ministers who have been in power since the financial crash, from Gordon Brown onwards, receive a net positive rating. Ipsos interviewed 1,065 adults in Britain by phone between July 19 and 23. Data weighted. L ast month was the UKs sixth wettest July on record, and the wettest ever July in Northern Ireland, Met Office figures suggest. A succession of low pressure systems brought long periods of damp and windy weather to much of the country, making it feel at times more like autumn than summer a sharp contrast to July 2022, which saw heatwaves and temperatures as high as 40C. The UK had an average of 140.1mm rain last month, the sixth highest total for July since records began in 1836, according to provisional data. The year 1988 holds the record for the UKs wettest ever July, with an average of 150.5mm of rain, followed by 2009 (145.5mm), 1939 (143.5mm), 1936 (142.6mm), 1888 (142.2mm) and now 2023. Northern Ireland had an average of 185.4mm of rain last month, just above the previous record of 185.2mm set in July 1936. This figure could be revised once all rainfall data for July is collected and reviewed, the Met Office said. It was provisionally the eighth wettest July on record in Scotland (an average of 155.1mm of rain), the 10th wettest in England (120.4mm) and the 11th wettest in Wales (176.7mm). Some parts of England also set new rainfall records. Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside all saw their wettest July. Lancashire was the wettest county compared to average, with 234.6mm of rain falling in the month. Mike Kendon of the Met Office said: It has been a significantly wet month for much of the UK, particularly for those in Northern Ireland. The jet stream has been shifted to the south of the UK for much of the month, simultaneously allowing extreme heat to build in southern Europe for a time, but also allowing a succession of low pressure systems to influence the UK, with long periods of winds and rain that many more typically associate with autumn weather. July was slightly cooler than usual, with a mean temperature across the month of 14.9C, 0.3C below the average for the period 1991-2020. By contrast, the previous month was the warmest UK June on record, with a mean temperature of 15.8C, 2.5C higher than average. It is fundamentally not the case that Julys wet and windy weather dismisses the influence of climate change, as the UKs variable climate will continue to have some cooler-than-average months, the Met Office said. Although July 2023 is considered to be a cooler-than-average July by current standards, for an early climate baseline of 1961-1990, if would have been considered a warmer-than-average July. This a tangible example of how we see the climate changing in our long-term data, Mr Kendon added. Sam Larsen, director of programmes and planning at the industry body Water UK, said: The recent wet and unsettled weather has helped river, reservoir and groundwater levels recover in much of the country. However, there are still areas in drought or that have experienced prolonged periods of dry weather, and climate change is changing the weather patterns that we all rely on for water. Along with frequent rain, the UK experienced some strong winds in July, with a gust of 79mph recorded on July 15 at the exposed site of Needles on the Isle of Wight. Gusts above 55mph were also recorded in Devon, Gwynedd and Northumberland. The UK saw 81% of its average hours of sunshine for the month, while Wales and Northern Ireland both saw just 70%. W hite rabbits are the words everyone will be saying this morning, to mark the first day of a new month. People across the UK will be making sure to say white rabbits before midday while, for others, the phrase will be the very first thing they said this morning. It has been a tradition for years, and people often take to social media to share the lucky phrase, with white rabbits trending on Twitter. Rugby player George North said: Pinch punch first day of the month no returns white rabbits. Writer and journalist Phillip J Ellis simply said: white rabbits white rabbits white rabbits. The idea is that saying white rabbits on the first of the month will bring you luck, but where did the tradition come from? Why do we say white rabbits on the first of the month? The exact origin of the white rabbits tradition is unclear, but there are some theories circulating online. One theory comes from the 1909 book Notes and Queries, which said that children had a habit of making sure rabbits was the first word they said aloud on the first day of the month, with the hope that it would bring them luck. This is thought to be the earliest reference to white rabbits. Another theory is that, during World War II, the RAF bomber crew would say white rabbits as soon as they woke up in order to protect themselves. But why rabbits? Superstitiously, rabbits, particularly their feet, are considered to be lucky. But again, the origin of the superstition is unclear. Some say rabbits are lucky because of their fertility, and that they represent spring and renewal. What else do people say on the first of the month? As well as white rabbits, you may also hear people say a pinch and a punch, first of the month, often accompanied by a playful pinch and a punch on the arm. One theory about the pinch and a punch phrase suggests it comes from Medieval times, when people believed in witches, and thought that salt made them weak. It is thought that they would pinch salt and then punch the witch to banish her. Another theory says that US president George Washington would meet with local Native American tribes on the first of the month, and would bring them fruit punch with a pinch of salt. However, none of these theories have been proven, and nobody really knows why we say white rabbits or pinch, punch on the first of the month. Y orkshire Day has been marked with events across the county, including a parade of dozens of mayors through the streets of Rotherham. The civic dignitaries were cheered as they made their way from the town hall to Rotherham Minster festooned in their regalia and led by the Yorkshire Society and Helmsley town crier David Hinde. Mr Hinde was accompanied by a band which played not-so-Yorkshire classics, starting with Beyonces Crazy In Love and followed by The White Stripes Seven Nation Army and Wild Cherrys Play That Funky Music. Yorkshire Day means a lot, Mr Hinde said. It means the friendliness of the people here. It means the traditions and the culture that we have. The achievement that Yorkshire people have made. And, just the beauty of the place. He said: Were all shouting Yorkshire as loud as we can today. Yorkshire Day was first celebrated in 1975 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, formed a year earlier to protest against the local government reorganisation of the countys traditional borders. It is always held on August 1, a date that alludes to the Battle of Minden in Germany in 1759, which saw the Army allow soldiers to wear roses in their caps. Among the usual festivities is the reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity in York, in all the languages used in Yorkshire since its earliest known reference in Anglo-Saxon times, including Old English, Latin, Old Norse and modern English. The declaration refers to within these boundaries of 1,148 years standing, which is a reference to Yorks Viking foundation in 875 AD. Towns and cities have taken turns to host the main festivities since 1985 and Rotherham used its tenure to hand over creative control to the boroughs children and young people, highlighting the towns hosting the first ever Childrens Capital of Culture in 2025. All Saints Square, outside the minster, was filled with musical performances, poetry, dance and craft workshops. Egyptian stocks ended in the green territory on Sunday, and the benchmark was the best performer in the market. On the other hand, gold performed negatively, losing an average of EGP 10 per gram. Stock market The leading index EGX30 rose by 1.24 percent to end at 17,554.56 points. The EGX70 index inched higher 0.04 percent to close at 3,517.81 points. EGX100 increased by 0.41 percent to close at 5,192.37 points. Market capitalization increased by nearly EGP 10 billion on Thursday to over EGP 1,189 billion. Top gainer was Universal For Paper and Packaging Materials (Unipack) surged 9.4 percent to close at EGP 0.477 per share. Top loser was Naeem Holding after falling 4.31 percent to close at nearly EGP 0.111 per share. Gold prices The price of 24-carat gold declined by EGP 7 to EGP 2,445.75 per gram. 21-carat gold decreased by EGP 15 to EGP 2,140 per gram. 18-carat gold was down by about EGP 13, standing at EGP 1,834.25 per gram. The gold pound price shrank by EGP 120 to EGP 17,120. *Prices reflect updates recorded as of midday. Currencies The official dollar exchange rate was stable, with a buy rate of EGP 30.83 and a sell rate of EGP 30.96. The euro was bought at EGP 34.33 and sold at EGP 34.47. The Saudi riyal was priced at EGP 8.22 to buy and EGP 8.25 to sell. *Sources: The Central Bank of Egypt's official exchange rates, the Egyptian Exchange, and iSagha. Search Keywords: Short link: A ung San Suu Kyi, the former international peace icon and Myanmars de facto leader, has been given a partial pardon after being previously toppled from power. Myanmars junta has pardoned the former leader on five legal charges, military-controlled TV has announced, but she is still facing a further 20 years behind bars after being sentenced for multiple charges including incitement, electoral fraud and corruption. Aung San Suu Kyi was detained by the military in February 2021, when her democratically elected government was ousted. In a statement published on military TV, it was announced that five cases had been pardoned as part of an amnesty, but 14 cases remain. It means her 33-year jail term will be reduced by six years. Chairman of the state administration council pardons Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced by the relevant courts, the broadcast said. The Nobel laureate, 78, who was once hailed as an outstanding example of the power of the powerless, was arrested as part of a military coup and has only been seen once since the 2021 coup in images taken in a courtroom in Naypyida. She has appealed against all of her sentences. Very little is known about the proceedings in any of her trials, which cannot be accessed by media or observers as it is a closed court. Her lawyer has also been prevented from speaking to journalists. The UN security council has called for her release, while the cases have been widely criticised by rights groups and many Western countries as politically motivated. A lawyer representing Aung San Suu Kyi has previously described the cases as absurd. But who is Ms Suu Kyi? And why has her once shining reputation become mired in controversy? Protesters outside Maynmar's embassy in Bangkok following Myanmars military coup / Getty Images A beacon of human rights Ms Suu Kyi spent nearly 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and 2010 in a battle to bring democracy to then-military-ruled Myanmar (also known as Burma). Her struggles transformed her into an international beacon for human rights and a symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression winning her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Five years after her release, in November 2015, she led her National League for Democracy (NLD) party to a landslide victory in the countrys first openly contested election in half a century. Beloved in her homeland as the Lady, Ms Suu Kyi was forbidden from becoming president under Myanmars constitution because she has children who are foreign nationals. However, she was widely accepted as the countrys de facto leader. Her official title was state counsellor and the president, Win Myint, was a close aide. Jubilation as Suu Kyi is released The Rohingya crisis Her leadership as state counsellor has been defined by the countrys treatment of its mostly muslim Rohingya minority. Following the NLDs 2015 election win, Ms Suu Kyi promised Western allies she would address the plight of the Rohingya who had borne the brunt of violent clashes with the countrys Buddhist majority. But in August 2017, Rohingya militants attacked security forces and the military responded by burning hundreds of villages to the ground and carrying out mass killings and gang rapes. The deadly crackdown forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee the country to neighbouring Bangladesh. The violence was condemned across the world, with the UN accusing the military of conducting its campaign with genocidal intent. Myanmar Coup: In Pictures 1 / 24 Myanmar Coup: In Pictures AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AP AP AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images But Ms Suu Kyi responded by insisting that the military was simply exercising "rule of law", and claimed ignorance over the exodus of refugees. The world leaders who once admired Ms Suu Kyi then decried her failure to acknowledge the atrocities or denounce the militarys actions. Global institutions and former supporters, including the Dalai Lama, publicly denounced Suu Kyi and many of the accolades she had been awarded were rescinded. In 2019, she flew to the Hague to face charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice. She acknowledged the possibility war crimes had been committed but framed the crackdown as a legitimate military operation against terrorists. Aung San Suu Kyi at the Hague to hear Rohingya genocide case Early life and path to politics Ms Suu Kyi is the daughter of Myanmars independence hero General Aung San. He was assassinated in 1947, when she was two years old, just before the country gained independence from British Colonial rule. Ms Suu Kyi spent much of her young life overseas, moving to India with her mother who was appointed Myanmars ambassador in Delhi in 1960, before attending Oxford University to study philosophy, politics and economics. There she met her husband, the British academic Michael Aris, and the couple had two sons: Alexander and Kim. After stints in Japan and Bhutan the family settled in the UK but, in 1998, Ms Suu Kyi returned to her homeland to care for her critically ill mother. Michael Aris, with their two sons Alexander (L) and Kim (R) at Ms Suu Kyis Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in 1991 / Reuters When she arrived back, the countrys largest city Yangon (then Rangoon), was in the midst of a major political upheaval. Ms Suu Kyi became swept up in a student-led revolution against the military junta that had seized power after her fathers death, with thousands taking to the streets to demand democratic reform. She swiftly became the new movements leader, quoting her fathers dream to "build up a free Burma". But the revolution was soon crushed, its leaders killed and jailed, and Ms Suu Kyi was imprisoned in her lakeside family home. Speaking her name in public could earn her supporters a prison sentence, hence the birth of her moniker: "the Lady". When her husband died in 1997 she decided not to run the risk of attending his funeral, fearful she would not be allowed to return. Final steps to freedom During a brief release from house arrest in 1998 she attempted to travel outside Yangon to visit supporters and was blocked by the army. She sat inside her van for several days and nights, despite dehydration in the sweltering heat, and was said to have caught rainwater in an open umbrella. She survived an assassination attempt in 2003 when pro-military men wielding spikes and rods attacked a convoy she was travelling in. Some of her supporters were killed or badly wounded. The army again placed her under house arrest, and from behind the gates she gave weekly addresses to supporters lecturing about human rights and democracy under the watchful eyes of secret police. In 2010, the military began a series of democratic reforms and Ms Suu Kyi was released before thousands of cheering supporters. In the West, she was hailed as an icon. Barack Obama became the first US president to visit Myanmar in 2012, calling her an inspiration to people all around the world, including himself. With the 2015 election win, and her assumption of the role of state counsellor, Ms Suu Kyi pledged to end civil war, boost foreign investment and reduce the armys role in politics. Obama visits to Burma Why has she now been detained? Ms Suu Kyi was detained along with other leaders of her NDL party in early morning raids, as power was handed to military chief Min Aung Hlaing a state of emergency was imposed. The army said it had carried out the detentions in response to "election fraud", with the generals making their move hours before parliament had been due to sit for the first time since the NLD's landslide in Myanmars November 8 election. Phone and internet connections in the capital Naypyitaw were disrupted, and state TV went off air following the action. The coup follows days of escalating tension between the civilian government and the military in the aftermath of the election. Ms Suu Kyi's party won 83 per cent of the vote in only the second election since a military junta agreed to share power in 2011. In a statement posted on a verified NLD Facebook account, Ms Suu Kyi warned that such army actions would put Myanmar "back under a dictatorship". "I urge people not to accept this, to respond and wholeheartedly to protest against the coup by the military," she reportedly said in the message. International response The UK, EU, US, Australia, and Japan are among the nations to condemn the military action. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted on Monday morning: "I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar." "The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released," he added. Meanwhile, the US called for an immediate reversal of the armys assumption of power and detention of democratic leaders. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement: "The United States stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development. The military must reverse these actions immediately." T wo weeks have been spent trying to capture a pig that has caused disruption to a busy motorway in Auckland, New Zealand. The stray pig has halted traffic temporarily on Aucklands Northwestern Motorway. Animal control teams and the police responded: Police are liaising with Animal Control personnel in an attempt to capture the pig. The westbound lanes of SH16 near the Te Atatu Rd off-ramp were blocked due to an animal-control issue for about 15 minutes, before being reopened. An Auckland Council spokesperson said the pig was spotted sunbathing on the side of the motorway. It is thought the pig is an escaped pet that is turning feral. The pig has been caught on camera looking at the trap set up by animal-management staff, but it is yet to go inside. This isnt the first time an animal on the loose has been reported on international media. Here is a list of strange animal escapes and chases across the world. Boar mistaken for lion in Berlin German police search for suspected lion on the loose near Berlin Berlin locals reported a big cat chasing a wild boar in July. A video later emerged of the suspected lioness in a wooded area, sparking a desperate hunt for the animal. German armoured police used drones, helicopters, infrared cameras as well as a 300-horsepower armoured vehicle known as The Survivor, used in anti-terror operations to hunt for the predatory carnivore. However, Michael Grubert, mayor of the Kleinmachnow area, called off the search after experts concluded that it was likely a wild boar and that there never was a lion. The elusive boar was never found, despite the extensive search operation. Emu chase in the US / Mike Blake / Reuters In the US, a pet emu led police on a wild 20-mile chase through a Tennessee town in April, clocking in at speeds of up to 40 mph before escaping his enclosure once more the same week. MeeMoo the emu belonged to Roane County resident Harry McKinney. McKinney told New York Post MeeMoo is one of his familys two emus and he broke loose from their farm after he was spooked by workers logging behind his home. The huge bird then hopped his seven-foot fence and run through the town of Harriman. Elephant dodges shower Reuters A 40-year-old Asian elephant named Baby startled locals in Blackpool, County Cork, Ireland in 2012 when she broke free from her handlers and ran through the area's commercial centre, according to The Daily Mail. The elephant allegedly ran away from the circus to escape taking a shower. Penguin breaks free from Japanese aquarium ZSL London Zoo The same year, a Humboldt penguin ran away from Tokyo Sea Life Park and wandered the city for an incredible three months. The missing one-year-old was apprehended after being repeatedly seen swimming in Tokyo Bay. The penguin returned to the aquarium in good health and appeared to be ready for life in a large city. Bison returned for bread Reuters Nine bison each weighing half-a-tonne fled an Oakland Zoo in 1997. However, the herd did not travel very far, precisely 200 feet from the zoo grounds. With slices of bread, the zookeepers enticed the wandering bison to return. Capone leads escape of 175 monkeys PA Even in credible media, there are contradicting articles on this story, but the essential details are as follows: more than 175 rhesus monkeys managed to escape from a Long Island Zoo for several days in 1935, under the leadership of a rhesus monkey named Capone. The majority of accounts concur that the monkeys caretaker was performing his routine cleaning tasks when they attacked. He started by putting a barrier over the moat that separated the island from the rhesus monkeys. The clever rhesus monkeys, meanwhile, just strolled across the board to freedom. In the end, the zoo offered nearby residents a free season pass (or just cash) if they could bring the missing monkeys back to their habitat. Its unknown if all were returned. F ormer president Donald Trump has been indicted on four charges over his bid to overturn the result of the 2020 US election. It comes as Mr Trump already faces criminal charges in two other cases, as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year. Mr Trump was indicted on Tuesday evening on four charges including conspiracy to defraud the US in a federal probe over an effort to undo his election loss and subvert the transfer of power in the run-up to the January 6 Capitol riot. The indictment alleges Mr Trump conspired with six other unnamed individuals to overturn the results. Prosecutors wrote that Trump knew his claims that the election was fraudulent were false, but repeated them anyway to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger and erode public faith in the administration of the election. The former president has been summoned to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Washington on Thursday. In a statement, the Trump campaign said he has always followed the law and characterised the indictment as a political persecution reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Special Counsel Jack Smith has been investigating allegations that Mr Trump and his allies sought to overturn Democratic rival Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Officials have testified that Mr Trump pressured them based on false claims of widespread voting fraud. His supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a failed bid to stop Congress from certifying Mr Bidens victory. Mr Trump on July 18 said he had received a letter from Mr Smith telling him that he was a target of the January 6 grand jury investigation in Washington. He has characterised the probe, as well as the other cases against him, as part of a politically motivated witch hunt. Mr Smith, who was appointed as special counsel in November by US Attorney Merrick Garland, previously charged Mr Trump with unlawfully retaining classified government documents after leaving office in January 2021 and obstructing justice. In a post on his Truth Social app on Tuesday evening UK time, Mr Trump said he had heard Special Counsel Jack Smith would announce an indictment against him at 5pm (10pm BST). I hear that Deranged Jack Smith, in order to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024, will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your favorite President, Mr Trump wrote on his social media site before the charges were confirmed. Despite his legal woes, Mr Trump is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to public opinion polls. M oscow has been hit by a second drone attack in less than a week, with the same building targeted. Russia downed drones targeting the Russian capital early on Tuesday but one struck the same high-rise tower in the Moskva Citi business district, a few miles from the Kremlin, as was targeted on Sunday. Russias Defence Ministry claimed its forces had thwarted an a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime" and downed two drones. Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia have become more frequent since Putins forces invaded in March 2022. Kyiv has not commented on the latest incident. Yet another (drone) was hit by radio-electronic equipment and, having run out of control, crashed on the territory of the complex of non-residential buildings at Moskva Citi," the ministry said, referring to a business centre in the capital. Earlier, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said: One flew into the same tower at the Moskva City complex hit previously. The facade has been damaged on the 21st floor. Glazing was destroyed over 150 square metres." No injuries were reported. It represents an embarrassment for Vladimir Putin, as the Kremlin has vowed tighter security in the wake of previous drone attacks. Another drone targeted a district police department early Monday in Russias Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, but there were no casualties. It comes as Russian ballistic missiles hit an apartment complex and a university building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Monday, killing five people and wounding 64. Aftermath of Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rig / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP The blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukrainian officials said. One of the two missiles destroyed a section of the apartment building between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Video showed black smoke billowing from corner units and burned out or damaged cars on a tree-lined street. The dead included a 10-year-old girl and her mother, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who comes from Kryvyi Rih. More than 350 people were involved in the rescue operation, he said in a Telegram post. The morning attack also destroyed part of the four-story university building. T he Government was on Tuesday drawing up plans for the possible evacuation of Britons from coup-hit Niger after France said it would get its own citizens out of the former French colony. The Foreign Office urged UK citizens in Niger to register online or on a special phone line, replicating the system used before 2,450 Britons were airlifted out of war-torn Sudan over eight days from late April. Protests can be violent and the atmosphere can change quickly and without warning, the Foreign Office said in updated travel guidance for Niger. We advise British nationals to remain indoors. It is understood that UK diplomats are staying in close contact with France after the Foreign Office appealed to Britons in Niger to register their name, location and contact details. Officials were unable to say how many Britons are currently in Niger. Paris said there were just under 1,200 French nationals in Niger in 2022. It announced the evacuation after rioters in Niamey targeted the French embassy and burned French flags. Protests can be violent and the atmosphere can change quickly and without warning, the Foreign Office said in updated travel guidance for Niger. We advise British nationals to remain indoors. The French evacuation was expected to start Tuesday afternoon. The German foreign ministry urged its citizens in Niger to take up an offer from the French authorities to join their evacuation flights. "We can confirm that our French colleagues have offered, within the limits of available capacity, to take German nationals on board their flights from Niger," the ministry said in a statement, adding that it advised "all German nationals in Niamey to accept this offer." The French foreign ministry said its evacuation would begin very soon, after a junta overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger last Wednesday. The regions seventh military takeover in less than three years has pitted Niger's former Western allies against the likes of Russia and other junta leaders in the countrys neighbours. France has had troops in the region for a decade helping to fight an Islamist insurgency, but faces accusations of meddling in Nigers internal politics. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that Sundays protest in front of the embassy and ensuing accusations that French soldiers shot at the crowd - which Paris denies - "have all the usual ingredients of destabilisation, the Russian-African way". Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. But the Kremlin said on Monday that the situation in Niger was "cause for serious concern" and called for a swift return to constitutional order. Some pro-junta supporters in Niamey have waved flags in praise of Vladimir Putin and denouncing France, telling the international community to stay away. The West African regional body ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday, and said it would use force if the coup leaders do not reinstate Mr Bazoum within a week. But the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso late on Monday issued a joint statement declaring that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against them as well. The two countries also denounced the ECOWAS economic sanctions as "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane", and refused to apply them. R ussian troops battling to stave off a Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south are struggling with a lack of ammunition and reserves, UK military chiefs said on Tuesday. Kyivs counter-offensive is also inflicting battle fatigue and attrition on Russian units south of the city of Orikhiv, the Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update. Elements of the 5th Combined Army are likely to be under particular pressure, and probably also feel that they are long overdue for a rotation out of the frontline, it said. Across the south, common problems for Russian commanders are highly likely to include shortage of artillery ammunition, a lack of reserves and problems securing the flanks of units in the defence. Ukrainian forces have been making painstaking progress as they push to drive the Russian invaders off their territory, but Moscow says its own forces have been hitting back in the south and east. It comes as Ukraines humanitarian needs grow as civilians brace for a second winter of war. The United Nations said that international donors have yet to cough up more than 70 per cent of $3.9 billion (3 billion) that is needed in Ukraine for the coming winter. Some 17 million Ukrainians need aid and the world body is aiming to reach between 11 million and 12 million of them, the UNs humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown said in Kyiv. More residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and thousands of people remain homeless following the collapse of the Kakhovka dam in an incident blamed by Ukraine on a Russian attack. "We know that donors are doing their best, but the needs are enormous," Ms Brown said. "Im hopeful that funding will come." T o dine solo is to be constitutional. Self care, all the rage, need not be only spas and face masks. Taking oneself out for alone time over noodles is a positive force. Not all restaurants befit solo dining and from these one might refrain. It is a matter of environment and need: the romantic throes of Sohos Andrew Edmunds is better set up for date night; the raucous nature of any Wetherspoons pub is probably best avoided when alone. And so here are 10 of Londons best venues for eating out alone. Saddle up and tuck in, lonesome cowboy. Sweetings Sweetings website City workers have frequented Sweetings on Queen Victoria Street since 1889. A resourceful, timeless institution of a seafood restaurant, any Monday to Friday lunch visit early to avoid too long a queue; Sweetings doesnt take reservations is a convivial passage through history. And its all the better alone. Best placed would be a bar and stool combination facing the busy streets outside: observe the world while oysters and affordable (16) fish pie are delivered. 39 Queen Victoria Street, EC4N 4SF, sweetingsrestaurant.com Bar Bruno Gareth Knight via Flickr To describe Bar Bruno as old school would be a disservice because nothing quite so boring ought to be written about the Soho cafe. Here is another institution, a hallowed and generous enclave that bustles with big omelettes and excellent chips; with waitresses who call everyone darling and are immune to the effects of freneticism. A proper Anglo-Italian for anyone looking to alleviate the testing pitfalls of a hangover without having to speak much. 101 Wardour Street, W1F 0UG, instagram.com/barbruno101 Kiln Benjamin McMahon Pull up a stool at the counter at Kiln and find yourself on a noodly precipice. Kiln is arguably the best pick of the bunch when it comes to solo dining, not least because watching chefs at work, flames all around, is so transfixing. In Soho, its an accessible but fine Thai restaurant, somewhere to engulf the senses with a menu that meanders from hot sausage to sour curries bursting with grey mullet. Also, and words to live by here: please do not ignore the salads. 58 Brewer Street, W1F 9TL, kilnsoho.com/ Daffodil Mulligan Matt Writtle To Old Street, still unfinished after all these years, but also home to Daffodil Mulligan, Richard Corrigans relaxed bar and restaurant. Downstairs in Gibneys are two Irish bartenders wholl talk happily to any solitary customer intent on whiling away an afternoon. Upstairs in the restaurant proper and much the same might commence. A 19.50 lunch menu allowing guests a pick of two changing dishes excellent salt chill fried chicken and fire roasted cod often among them would never be a bad idea. 70-74 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ, daffodilmulligan.com Chez Bruce / PA Some might consider fine dining to be an experience better shared. This is the case for the most part, but Chez Bruce is a proposition beyond the realms of normality. On Wandsworth Common, staff are welcoming, the menu, from the esteemed Matt Christmas, ever-changing and always enrapturing, and then there is the cheese. Such an eclectic and luxurious board, wheeled out as an encore, is enough to prevent even the neediest of people from becoming bored. 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, chezbruce.co.uk 081 / Nic Crilly-Hargrave/London Food and Drink Photography 081 is on a growing list of excellent Neapolitan pizzerias in London. Andrea Ascuiti recently opened a permanent restaurant in Peckham, having spent time running his pop-up in the vicinity before it. Pizza is a food that lends itself to solo eating, an easy, comforting dish that warms the soul. At 081, pizza is considered a serious thing. And it is. Toppings are the finest Italian ingredients, the dough is made with the utmost skill, and the result is pleasure. 66 Peckham Rye, SE15 4JR, 081pizzeria.com/ Dim Sum Duck @missjessicamw First, get the prawn wontons. They are served with homemade salad cream the combination is a Hong Kong import and will be better than any youve had before. Then try the cheung fung, in which a paper-thin layer of tofu remains remarkably crisp, despite the seemingly endless moisture, before fitting in as many dumplings as you can endure without dying. Do all this with beer and chat to the manager, Alec, who could well be a little reserved at first but will pucker up. All of this performed alone would make for a brilliant lunchtime. Dim Sum Duck is a must for anyone looking to learn more about Cantonese eating. 124 Kings Cross Road, WC1X 9DS, dimsum-duck.business.site Koya Koya Facebook Back to the countertop, to Koya, of whose any three sites would suit a solitary foray. It is difficult to pinpoint a better dish of a time spent dining as one. And there are countless other places for Japanese udon in London today but none surpass Koya. First, it would be wise to enjoy an egg, which will come swimming almost furtively in a chilled fish dashi. Second, the noodles the star. One option is an English breakfast variety, where egg (lots of eggs are fine, especially when alone), bacon and shiitake mushrooms are present and pleasing. 50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ, koya.co.uk La Chingada La Chingada Facebook There is an abundance of excellent tacos in London but few are as enlivening as those at La Chingada. The venue is a diminutive but lively spot in Rotherhithe, and there really isnt any need to dine there with anyone else. Visit and go wild its highly affordable indeed, why not make a day of it? After tacos filled with nopal with mushrooms and cheese, baja prawns with zesty pico de gallo, and confit beef under coriander and sliced radishes, you will only want to chug a mandarin Jarritos and lie down on the sofa at home anyway. 12 Rotherhithe New Road, SE16 2AA, lachingada.co.uk Chutney Mary Chutney Mary Chutney Mary might be outside the culinary zeitgeist these days. Which is a little curious because its better than most high-end Indian restaurants. Residing in St Jamess, Chutney Mary is as elegant as anywhere in London, with a pan-Indian menu spanning classics and modern iterations thereof. There is a minimum expected spend advertised on the website, but it is only 55, and so book the Pukka Bar for a breezy lunch or a quiet dinner and become charmed by inventiveness. 73 St Jamess St, St. Jamess, SW1A 1PH, chutneymary.com A ngus Cloud, the actor best known for playing drug dealer Fezco "Fez" ONeill in teen drama Euphoria, has died aged 25. His family have confirmed the star died at his family home in Oakland, California, on Monday. No cause of death has been given. His death comes just days after Cloud buried his father, something the family said the actor intensely struggled with. It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today, Clouds family said in a statement. "Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss," the family said. "The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Cloud with the cast of Euphoria / Getty Images for HBO Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." "We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone," his family added. Hollywood greats paid tribute to the star - including model Gigi Hadid. Just saw the news about the loss of Angus. I only got to work with him a couple of times, but I was immediately drawn to his kind, gentle spirit. My deepest condolences to his closest and loved ones. May he rest in peace. Hadid also shared a video of her and Cloud dancing together. Meanwhile, the cast and crew of the hit HBO show - which also stars Zendaya and Sydney Sweeny - paid tribute to the actor. Mason Shea Joyce, the actor who plays a young Fez in Euphoria, said: He was kind and supportive, never too busy for a quick chat or pep talk. It was an honor to play young Fezco. Javon Walton, who plays Ashtray, posted a picture of the two together with the caption: Forever family. Alexa Demie - who plays MAddy Perez - posted a heartbreak emoji on her Instagram story. Kathrine Narducci, who plays Fezcos grandmother Marie ONeill tweeted: Angus Cloud you were a gentle beautiful soul. You exited to soon. Storm Reid, who plays Rues (Zendaya) younger sister Gia said: The tears just wont stop. Meanwhile show creator Sam Levinson told the Hollywood Reporter: There was no one quite like Angus. He was too special, too talented and way too young to leave us so soon. He also struggled, like many of us, with addiction and depression. I hope he knew how many hearts he touched. I loved him. I always will. Canadian rapper Drake, who serves as executive producer on Euphoria, shared a picture of Cloud on his Instagram story, captioning it Good soul, alongside a sad face emoji and a white dove. HBO said in a statement "We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud," HBO said in a statement. "He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and `Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time." On Tuesday, the local fire department confirmed first responders had been to Clouds house on the day hed died. A statement from Oakland Fire Department read: Upon arrival of Fire EMS personnel, the patient was determined to be already deceased. Cloud was unknown before he was cast in Euphoria. He was spotted by casting scout Eleonore Hendricks walking down a street in New York. He didnt initially believe he was being scouted - suspecting a scam - but then he met with casting director Jennifer Venditti and series creator Sam Levinson who cast him in the first two series of the show. Filming for the third season is yet to begin. Many suspected there were huge parallels between Cloud and his character - something the star spoke out about in press interviews "It does bother me when people are like, `It must be so easy! You get to go in and be yourself. he said to Variety. Im like, `Why dont you go and do that? Its not that simple. I brought a lot to the character. You can believe what you want. It aint got nothing to do with me." Clouds breakthrough in Euphoria saw him cast in his first supporting role in his first film, The Line - a college drama starring Alex Wolff and John Malkovich that premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Festival. Cloud was recently cast to co-star in Scream 6 and made several cameos in music videos for Juice WRLD, Becky G and Karol G. T he launch date for the reboot of Neighbours has been finally announced along with a new trailer. The original show which focused on the lives, loves, and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne came to an end last year after running for more than three decades. It was then confirmed that the beloved soap had been saved by Amazon Freevee. Fans wont have much longer to wait as the online streaming has confirmed that it will return on September 18 with new episodes released daily, Monday-Thursday. Jason Herbison, Neighbours Executive Producer, said: All the cast and crew are incredibly excited that Ramsay Street will officially welcome viewers again to the neighbourhood on September 18 in the UK and Australia. A number of familiar faces will be returning such as Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne as Karl and Susan Kennedy. Stefan Dennis and Ryan Maloney will also be back as Paul Robinson and Toadie Rebecchi respectively. It will also see the introduction of new characters including The OC star Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper and the Varga-Murphy family for which it has been teased one member has an ulterior motive for being in Erinsborough... And itll have explosive ramifications for their neighbours. Nile University has announced that it will offer fully-funded scholarships to 70 outstanding Egypt's Thanaweya Amma students high school students during the 2023-2024 academic year, the university President Wael Akl said on Tuesday. 50 of the scholarships are offered to students among the top 500 in Thanaweya Amma. The other 20 scholarships are offered to the best students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) high schools which Egypt has established in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide top-notch education for academically-motivated students. Nile National University is Egypts first non-profit research university, founded in July 2006 by the Egyptian Foundation for the Development of Technology Education with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The university has five colleges: Engineering and Applied Sciences; Business Administration; Information Technology and Computer Science; Management of Technology; and Biotechnology. The scholarships are available to students accepted at Nile University for the 2023-2024 academic year and can be applied for through the following link: https://www.nu.edu.eg/apply-now. Other entities and foundations have recently announced more funded scholarships through the 2023-2024 academic year. Results for Thanaweya Amma were released on Monday by the Ministry of Education, with a success rate of 78.8%. The 2023-2024 academic year at Egyptian universities will start on 30 September. Search Keywords: Short link: N asa has detected a heartbeat signal from its Voyager 2 probe after it lost contact with it billions of miles away from Earth. Mission controllers stopped hearing from Voyager 2 more than a week ago after sending a faulty command. On July 21, the satellite, which has been exploring the universe since 1977, was mistakenly told to tilt its antenna to point two degrees away from our planet, resulting in the probe no longer being able to receive commands or send data back to Earth. Nasa confirmed that the signal means the spacecraft is still broadcasting and is in good health. But, where is the satellite and why was it sent to space? Here is everything we know. Where is Voyager 2? Voyager 2 is over 19.9 billion kilometres (12.3 billion miles) away from our planet. It is continuing its 34,390 miles per hour journey through space and is now nearly 46 years into its mission. Following the wrong command entry on July 21, Nasas Deep Space Network lost contact with the spacecraft. However, now that contact has been re-established, there is hope of finding the probe again. Can Voyager 2 be found again? While Nasa has said that the heartbeat signal means that the probe is still working, it is not yet responding to new commands. On October 15, the device is set to reset its orientation, which will amend the mistake and move its antenna back towards the Earth. In the meantime, the team at Nasa are hoping that the satellite continues to follow its planned trajectory and will keep trying to bombard the area Voyager 2 is in with the correct command just in case it ends up detecting the signal. Nasa revealed the news on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, saying: You might have heard Voyager 2 is taking a break from sending data until October. When and why was Voyager 2 sent to space? Voyager 2 was sent to space in August 1877 to study a rare alignment of outer planets that happens about every 176 years and to explore Jupiter and Saturn. It is the only spacecraft to ever fly by the ice-giant planets of Neptune and Uranus. Syria has expressed its willingness to receive 180,000 displaced refugees from Lebanon at the first stage, said Lebanese Minister of the Displaced Issam Charafeddine on Tuesday. "We have reached an understanding with the Syrian government to resolve the crisis of the displaced safely," Charafeddine was quoted as saying by the Elnashra news website. "There is mutual trust with the Syrian side and a commitment to the understanding reached last year regarding the safe return of the displaced," Charafeddine said, adding that shelter centers have been ready to receive the displaced and provide them with facilities, health care, and education. The minister said he had proposed forming a tripartite committee with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Syria but was rejected on the ground of instability in Syria. The UNHCR reported that Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita and per square km in the world. According to statistics released by the Lebanese government, around 2 million Syrian refugees are living in Lebanon, a country with a population of more than 5.5 million. The Lebanese government insists on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country is facing its worst socio-economic crisis in decades and can no longer meet the growing needs of refugees. Search Keywords: Short link: Almost 210,000 people enter Romania on July 31, including 16,994 Ukrainian citizens As many as 209,888 people, including 16,994 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Monday, July 31, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Tuesday, told Agerpres. According to IGPF, at the border points nationwide on Monday, nearly 414,700 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, were checked both on the way in and on the way out of Romania, as well as more than 105,300 means of transport. Starting February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict time) 5,325,735 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania. The border police detected 72 illegal acts (37 crimes and 35 misdemeanors) in the areas under their jurisdiction - the crossing points and the green border - committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, levying over RON 77,500 in fines in the process. Assets of an estimated value of RON 225,000 were impounded. Eighteen foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided by the law were denied entry. Also on Monday, 23 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave for various legal reasons. People's Movement Party (PMP) Chairman, MEP Eugen Tomac, said on Tuesday that any legal entity in Romania who considers that its activity is affected and its freedom of movement of goods within the EU is restricted can join as a party in the lawsuit it has filed at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against the EU Council in the case of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council's refusal to accept Romania's entry into the Schengen area and can claim damages. "Any Romanian legal entity that considers that its activity is affected and its freedom of movement of goods within the EU area is restricted can join as a party to the lawsuit. Romanian companies can also claim damages in this lawsuit, as they are restricted access to the Single European Market through an abuse of power by Austria," Tomac said at a press conference, Agerpres reports. He also argued his case before the CJEU."At the JHA meeting of 8 December 2022, the political negotiation should have been done in accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission and the European Parliament, which unanimously called for the admission of all three countries to the Schengen area. The Council, however, took two decisions: it accepted Croatia, a country that has met the criteria since 2021, but rejected Romania and Bulgaria, countries that have met the conditions for being accepted into Schengen since 2011! In this case, the unanimity rule was applied in a discriminatory manner, violating several articles of the EU Treaty (TEU), the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) and also fundamental principles of European law.This legal conflict should have been challenged by the Romanian Government, through an action for annulment, on the basis of Article 263 of the TFEU, as fundamental procedural rules were violated and the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the EU was violated through an abuse of power by Austria. The action had to be formulated within two months, according to the provisions of the TFEU. At the same time, we launched the preliminary stage of an action under Article 265 of the TFEU and we formally requested the EU Council to act for the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Romania," detailed Tomac.According to the PMP leader, the response he received from the EU Council was "evasive and unsatisfactory," which is why a new action was filed at the CJEU."Given that within two months the EU Council had to clarify its position on the unlawfulness of the abstention, and the JHA Council had an obligation to put an end to the abstention from action by taking appropriate measures, the reply received from the Council in April 2023 proved evasive and unsatisfactory. And that is because it explicitly maintained its refusal to act, despite the terms of our preliminary referral. This position of the Council constitutes a persistent failure to act, thus giving rise to our right to refer the matter to the CJEU," Tomac pointed out.In this context, he said that he had referred the matter to the European Commission and asked for an investigation to be launched so that the government in Vienna could explain why it was ignoring the sanctions policy against Russia and sabotaging the EU."In this challenging context, with war on Romania's borders, our access to the Schengen area would have strengthened the European Union, which has introduced 11 sanctions packages against Russia. These sanctions are designed to weaken Russia's economic base and reduce its ability to wage war. But not all countries have aligned themselves with this position. According to the official data we obtained from Eurostat, which has recently updated its reports for the year 2022, we can see that while the trend at EU level is to significantly reduce trade with Russia, the situation is totally different for Austria. The value of products imported into Austria from Russia for the last few years looks like this: (...) in 2022 - 7,333,072,139 euros (252% increase compared to 2019 and 98.53% compared to 2021). In these conditions, Austria has practically doubled its trade with goods imported from Russia since the beginning of the war," concluded the PMP leader. Romania has a non-recyclability rate of 89%, which means we have the highest resource mortality rate in Europe, Constantin Damov, president of the Coalition for the Circular Economy and the Green Group, said on Tuesday. "The non-recyclability rate in Romania stands today at 89% - that means we have the highest resource mortality rate in Europe. That's how I see it as a recycler, that's how my colleagues in the industry see it. We have a resource mortality rate, valuable resources, with many of them from the field of critical raw materials, which are coming right from conflict areas today. We are throwing them away casually, because there is minimal resistance in what storage means," Constantin Damov told the Pria Environment conference. He pointed out that "new things have appeared on the market" to which we need to find solutions much faster than for plastic bottles and glass. "We recycle electronics - and here's what you can find in household waste today - and that this year has caused hundreds of fires by self-ignition - and I wouldn't be surprised if in Greece's forests they weren't generated by such small gadgets. This is a toothbrush, I unwrapped it, it came with a charged battery too. It's a lithium-ion battery that can explode at the slightest trampling or if we have a very humid atmosphere around it. There are these headphones, bluetooth, that have a small lithium-ion battery inside. They're all little lighters - and everyone's wondering who set a fire in a landfill, a warehouse or a forest," Damov explained. Thousands of employees of Ministry for Development, Public Works and Administration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) with the Directorate General for Operational Management, the Romanian Gendarmerie, the Romanian Police, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the National Anti-Drug Agency, the Brigade for Combating Organised Crime, as well as local police forces will be present throughout the four days of the Untold Festival to ensure that safety measures are respected by all participants in the event, the organisers announced Tuesday in a press release sent to AGERPRES. Some 800 private security guards will also be involved in maintaining public order and peace in the event area. Two mobile hospitals and three first aid points will also be located in the festival area. From Thursday to Sunday, the city of Cluj-Napoca will host the 8th edition of the Untold Festival, which will bring over 250 top national and international artists and their teams. Tens of thousands of fans from Romania and around the world are expected to attend the concerts. The festival covers 235,000 square metres. The main stage will have over 900 square metres of LED screen, 32 metres high, 110 metres wide and 30 metres deep. The weight of the stage exceeds 500 tons and the roof has a span of 24 meters. More than 1,250 light shows will colour the Cluj Arena stadium all festival days and nights. All the energy used on the main stage comes from renewable sources, the press release said. The Untold 2023 theme is "The Light Phoenix" and will be found in the stadium and mainstage sets. According to organisers, there will be impressive stages and special music spots, over 50 food and drink vendors, a fashion corner called Designers' Nest, and magical characters, entertainers and dancers will parade through the festival. Many other surprises are also in store. Rent, the musical about New York bohemians coping with gentrification and the AIDS crisis, captured the mainstream imagination and earned a Pulitzer Prize for the late composer-lyricist-librettist Jonathan Larson. An off-Broadway, Broadway and touring success that also inspired a 2005 film adaptation and has taken its place as a landmark in American theater, Rent makes its Muny debut Aug. 4-10. The ensemble cast includes Lincoln Clauss as Mark Cohen, Ashley De La Rosa as Mimi Marquez, Tre Frazier as Benjamin Coffin III, Vincent Kempski as Roger Davis, Evan Tyrone Martin as Tom Collins, Anastacia McCleskey as Joanne Jefferson, Lindsay Heather Pearce as Maureen Johnson and Adrian Villegas as Angel Dumott Schunard. Recently, Go! Magazine spoke with director Lili-Anne Brown, who portrayed Joanne in a 2012 Chicago production of Rent, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (The Bands Visit). The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q Rent premiered off-Broadway in 1996 but continues to cast a cultural spell. What is it about the show that engages you as an artist? A Im really excited to be able to start from where you should always start, which is the script the book. Whats the story? I wasnt in New York as a young artist, but I was a young artist in the 90s. And I did lose people; I did have friends who had a beeper that told them when to take their meds. So the story is really close to home. Q To what do you attribute the shows popularity? A Rent has been around since the 90s, but lets remember that [the Puccini opera] La Boheme that its based on has been around a whole lot longer. And I think thats a testament to the fact that this tale is enduring. Its about found family, its about love, its about loss, its about being young and making your way in the world. All of those things are timeless. At its heart, Rent is really all about connection. If I had to break it down to one word, it would be that one. Q Last year, you directed The Color Purple at the Muny. Do you see any similarities between Rent and that show? A Im less looking for similarities and more just trying to get to the heart of every story that I tell. Q What were some of the qualities you considered essential in casting Rent? A I was definitely looking for people who didnt bring in something Id seen before and whod start from scratch with these characters. Just bring a new energy to it. Q What was it like being part of the Rent cast in Chicago? A That production was really grounded, and I think I learned a lot about not being afraid of something iconic. David (Cromer) is now a friend but at the time was just somebody that I really looked up to. And it was a great learning experience for me as a director. So it feels really full circle for me, 11 years later, to have a crack at [directing] it myself. What Rent When 8:15 p.m. Aug. 4-10 Where The Muny, 1 Theatre Drive, Forest Park How much $19-$120, plus the free seats More info muny.org Next at the Muny Sister Act The 1992 comedy film that revolved around Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer who poses as a nun to evade gangsters is the inspiration for this musical. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glen Slater. A Muny premiere. (Aug. 14-20) MONDAY, July 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Hip replacement surgery is safe for HIV patients, a new study shows. Some surgeons are reluctant to perform total hip replacement surgery on patients with HIV or AIDS, because of concerns about complications, including higher risk of infection, need for repeated surgery and longer hospital stay. "Patients living with HIV are at a higher risk for orthopedic-related diseases such as osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis of the hip, due to changes in their bone metabolism and effects from their medication regimen," explained researcher Dr. Senthil Sambandam, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "With improvements in HIV treatment leading to increased life expectancies, we are seeing a rise in the need for [hip replacement] procedures in this patient population," he added in a medical center news release. "Our study demonstrates that HIV-positive patients can safely undergo [hip replacement] and adds to the growing amount of literature that encourages surgeons to deliver appropriate medical care to a marginalized patient population." For the study, researchers compared postoperative complications in 504 HIV patients who had hip replacement surgery with 493 non-HIV patients. They used 2016-2019 data from a nationwide inpatient sample. The data showed that complications after surgery, such as pneumonia, infection near the implant, wound reopening and surgical site infection were not significantly different between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Blood transfusion rates also were lower among HIV patients. "These are important findings because they can help alleviate worries among the medical community about treating a group of patients who are often overlooked," Sambandam said. "Its an important quality-of-life issue for many HIV-positive patients." The findings were published July 26 in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. More information For more on hip replacement, head to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. SOURCE: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, news release, July 26, 2023 Circular economy solutions are offering new ideas to couples who have finished parenting and those looking to have another child. For Mariam Al-Shobokshi, July is the first month of the second year of her already very successful online project Kidzkit, Egypts, and possibly the Arab worlds, first online rental marketplace for childrens equipment. We have done really well, and we now have at least 200 per cent more clients than when we first went online last year, she said. Al-Shobokshi launched her project on Facebook and other social media apps last year with a lot of hope that it would pick up well. This was especially the case given the current economic crunch that is imposing new limitations on spending on a new child and the growing awareness of environmentally friendly circular economy solutions that many are more willing to embrace. However, there were also the apprehensions that some might have had over using materials for their children that had been used by other children before outside of more traditional in-family hand-me-down methods. It was an ambitious project that I had studied and planned for, but we were launching right after the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of before as originally planned, so it was a moment of obvious apprehension over sharing anything no matter how carefully sterilised it was, Al-Shobokshi said. However, a slow start picked up well, and her project is now ready for further expansion. According to Al-Shobokshi, the mother of a four-year-old child, it all started with a pair of breast bumpers that she had bought to improve lactation when her daughter was in her very early months. The trick did not work, and the few thousand pounds that Al-Shobokshi had spent on the plastic instrument was a total waste. I thought it might be a good idea to ask on Facebook if someone else would be interested in buying them for a reduction on the original price, she said. The reaction she got showed that no one would buy them even at half their original price. And with no close family members to pass them onto, and no plans to have a second child, Al-Shobokshi was willing to give them away. Then she realised that there might be an alternative path: to rent and not to sell. Having a degree in graphic design and certifications in customer and user experience, Al-Shobokshi decided to launch an online project to rent out materials for children and parents. Sofia, her daughter, was getting older, and many of the items she had were falling out of use, despite the considerable bills they had come with. The same thing applied to other family and friends who had finished having children. I thought that instead of having to store things that were of no use, at least for a few years, it might be more useful for the owners to rent them instead. Expectant parents would be able to rent them instead of having to buy them for a few months use, and this would save them money, especially as everything has become so very expensive lately, Al-Shobokshi said. We are talking a good few thousand pounds for a stroller or a childs car seat. Deciding on the list of games and toys that she would include in her rental scheme was difficult because it had to exclude anything that had an oral function like a feeding bottle. Also off the Kidzkit list were stuffed toys that infants and children could either bring close to their mouths or damage while playing. We do customised bundles for different kids depending on what the parents require and how much they can spend, but our idea was first of all to provide parents with items that would otherwise be too expensive to buy, she said. We also wanted to help parents who have these items and dont have hand-me-down plans to make some money out of them. Through her own experience as a mother, Al-Shobokshi knew that key things parents would look for would include cradles of different sizes, strollers, and childrens car seats. This goes for parents who are not planning to buy these items or for parents who are coming to Egypt for a holiday and dont want to go through all the hassle of carrying their babys stuff with them for a few weeks, she explained. Al-Shobokshi credits the success of her project, at first operating only in Cairo and now set to expand across the country, on a partnership with a key investor and to the changing mindsets of new parents who neither shy away from putting out items for rent nor actually renting the items they need for their newborn child instead of buying them. She agrees that some sensitivity is still there for some people who do not feel comfortable putting out items to rent or not buying brand-new things. However, she said that this kind of inhibition is receding. We are operating online and we get a lot of reviews. We also deliver rented items to the doorsteps of our clients or even to the airport when they land back home, Al-Shobokshi said. To judge by the reactions shared on the Kidzkit Facebook page, people are not just being open about their rental choices, but are also looking for other offers. We have a good segment of clients who could easily afford to buy, but it makes more sense for them to rent for one reason or another, she said. Al-Shobokshi said that Kidzkit housewares include different brands and different kinds of items, some that serve very basic functions and some that offer a bit more luxury. Today, the Kidzkit team has almost tripled in size, and its range of items has expanded. Al-Shobokshi now plans to reach out to more couples, both those who have items to rent and those who wish to rent various items. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: THURSDAY, July 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Higher blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may protect against hearing difficulty in middle-aged adults, according to a study presented during NUTRITION 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held from July 22 to 25 in Boston. Michael I. McBurney, Ph.D., from the University of Guelph and Tufts University/Fatty Acid Research Institute in Canada, and colleagues examined associations between plasma omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., DHA) and self-reported hearing loss. The analysis included more than 100,000 participants (aged 40 to 69 years) in the U.K. Biobank. The researchers found that 38 percent of respondents reported difficulty hearing, with 26 percent reporting background noise hearing problems. Only 5 percent of respondents reported using hearing aids. In adjusted models, the investigators found that people with the highest DHA levels had a lower risk for hearing loss versus those with the lowest levels, including for hearing difficulty (highest versus lowest quintile: odds ratio, 0.89), difficulty hearing with background noise (odds ratio, 0.92), and hearing aid use (odds ratio, 0.80). "Higher DHA levels have previously been found to be associated with a lower risk of heart disease, cognitive impairment, and death," McBurney said in a statement. "Our study extends these findings to suggest a role for DHA in maintaining auditory function and helping reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss." CHESTERFIELD Cape Girardeau-based SoutheastHEALTH has signed an agreement to join Chesterfield-based Mercy, the health systems announced Tuesday. The move finalizes a deal first announced in January, when the health systems signed a letter of intent. SoutheastHEALTH has one hospital in Cape Girardeau and one in nearby Dexter. It has around 2,600 employees, and draws patients from Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois and Kentucky. Mercy has more than 40 hospitals and 40,000 employees across Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. Ken Bateman, SoutheastHEALTH president and CEO, said Tuesday that the deal will expand health care access in southeast Missouri. "This is an exciting day for the community, for patients and for co-workers," Bateman said in a statement. ST. LOUIS Roger Goldman, a longtime St. Louis University law professor and nationally known advocate for tougher police licensing laws, died Saturday at Evelyns House, a hospice in Creve Coeur, after a long illness. He was 82. Goldman was known for his research on dismissed officers who are later hired by other police departments and his efforts to pass or strengthen state laws aimed at limiting such moves. An early victory was in 1988 when he and others worked to get the Missouri Legislature to allow the state to revoke the certification of officers who have committed crimes or are otherwise deemed unfit to serve. He followed that up with successful efforts in Illinois, Indiana and various other states over the years. Goldman first got interested in the subject in 1980 when he noticed a Post-Dispatch article on a police officer in the now-defunct town of Bridgeton Terrace who shot and killed a man breaking into his car. Three years earlier, Maplewood had fired the officer after allegations that he treated prisoners brutally and lied to a grand jury. Goldman began researching, and in 1987, he and a SLU political science professor wrote a law journal article examining the issue nationally and concluding that revoking certification was one of the few effective means of removing unfit officers from the profession. That spurred his efforts to change laws here and elsewhere. He wasnt satisfied with just writing the seminal law review article, said Michael Wolff, a former SLU law school dean and Missouri Supreme Court chief justice. He pushed the idea forward by getting legislation passed. Goldman also has been an advocate for strengthening a national database of decertified officers maintained by a nonprofit group, a proposal endorsed by a presidential commission several years ago. In a 2021 article on the issue for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, he was quoted as saying: My work is not anti-cop. Its pro-good cop. Goldman, who grew up in Richmond Heights, graduated from John Burroughs School. He earned a bachelors degree in English from Harvard University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a law professor at SLU from 1971 to 2014, when he took emeritus status. Wolff said he taught classes in constitutional law, civil rights and civil procedures. He was named teacher of the year three times and served twice as associate dean and once as interim dean. Goldman, of University City, was president of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri from 1974 to 1976. He also was a founder and the first president of Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, where a funeral service for Goldman was held Tuesday. The burial was private. Among the survivors are his wife, Stephanie Riven; two sons, Josh Goldman of Clayton and Sam Goldman of San Francisco; a brother, Tom Goldman of Mill Valley, California, and two grandchildren. CLAYTON School districts and other taxing entities in St. Louis County would miss out on nearly $11 million a year in revenue if the County Council approves a proposed tax break for the Boeing Co., but economic development boosters say the region needs the deal to compete. If the council approves tax incentives for Boeings nearly $2 billion construction project at its north St. Louis County complex, the company says it would be able to create new aerospace programs that will bring an estimated 500 jobs to the region. In exchange, Boeing would get half off on the projects real and personal property taxes over 10 years an estimated savings of $10.8 million per year, according to the economic development agency that brokered the deal. The county would still collect taxes on the other half of the project. The seven-member County Council is responsible for deciding to either give Boeing the break, or to deny it and risk losing the historic investment that comes as a national competition to build the next generation of U.S. fighter jets ramps up. The economic ripple effect of Boeings plan would easily make up for the tax breaks, said Maggie Kost, who works to attract businesses to the region with the booster organization Greater St. Louis Inc. You cant take these projects for granted, Kost said. We have to come back to the start here, which is that these revenues are not guaranteed. But opponents say local governments need the money more than Boeing, which reported revenues of more than $66 billion in 2022. The $10.8 million it would save per year on the St. Louis project would be hugely beneficial to local schools, road and bridge districts, libraries, and fire departments, among other taxing entities, said Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, a pro-labor research and policy group that promotes accountability in economic development. The companys tax savings would cover the salaries for about 174 average middle school teachers earning $62,000 year, or 168 full-time firefighters earning $64,000. It would pay for about half of the salaries budgeted this year in the St. Louis County Library district. New Boeing hires will add costs for those taxing districts if they come from outside the area, LeRoy said. Schools will have to hire more teachers. More lanes will have to be widened. Police will have to respond to more 911 calls. There will be more trash to be collected, LeRoy said. Nothings free about that, and if Boeing isnt paying its share of induced costs, residents shouldnt get stuck with the bill. But those taxing districts would still get $10.8 million a year in revenue from the half of sales that arent tax-free, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership says. And if the county doesnt approve the deal, Boeing could take its investment elsewhere along with its expected 500 jobs, plus any spinoff jobs created locally such as in restaurants or construction. Boeing has the potential to create many thousands of new jobs in the St. Louis area, said analyst Loren Thompson with the Lexington Institute, a security think-tank, but it has to weigh St. Louis against other places where it might be cheaper to operate. Manufacturing has consistently moved to the southern United States because its cheaper to operate there, Thompson said. Boeing moved production of the commercial 787 Dreamliner from the Seattle area to Charleston, South Carolina, in 2021, for instance. Thompson says the companys request is modest compared with the kind of revenue and jobs they could potentially generate. St. Louis economic officials have calculated the impact using a modeling program, said Kost of Greater St. Louis Inc. The project has the potential to create more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region, Kost said, citing the organizations analysis. And the new programs would support Boeings current 16,000 jobs here. LeRoy of the corporate accountability organization said Boeings existing footprint proves the company might choose St. Louis anyway because it has the business basics. Kost said the region cant afford to assume. In order for facilities to continue to support that employment base, they have to receive investment, and this investment doesnt have to happen in St. Louis, Kost said. There is middle ground between approving and rejecting Boeings proposal, said Timothy Bartik, a senior economist with the nonpartisan W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The county could negotiate with Boeing to train and hire local people for the estimated $90,000-a-year jobs the project would generate, Bartik said. It could set diversity standards or bake in a clause that would claw incentives back if jobs dont stick around for a certain number of years. Really its a matter of not making decisions on the fly, Bartik said. Boeings tax incentives were first considered at last weeks regular County Council meeting. Councilmembers are expected to hold a special meeting next week to discuss the proposal in detail. EAST ST. LOUIS Metro Transit is getting a $27.7 million federal grant to cover much of the damage to MetroLink operations caused by heavy flash flooding last summer, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Monday. Buttigieg made the announcement at the Emerson Park MetroLink station in East St. Louis, held coincidentally on the 30th anniversary of the light rail lines opening day of operation. Happy birthday, MetroLink, Buttigieg said at the beginning of his brief remarks. The flood recovery aid for Metro is part of $102.3 million in transportation disaster relief grants awarded Monday to 17 areas across the country. The St. Louis areas total is among the largest allocations, along with nearly $31 million to repair hurricane and earthquake damage in Puerto Rico and $25 million to make hurricane-related repairs in New York City. Buttigieg said the grants are important to help the affected areas recover. We know how much transit means to people who depend on it, he said. He said the aid and other programs initiated under President Joe Biden were aimed at making transit systems, highways and other infrastructure more resilient in the wake of climate change. The simple reality is disasters like what this community has faced will happen more and more often, he said. Buttigieg also talked up the $196.2 million in federal money announced in May that will help Metro buy as many as 48 MetroLink replacement cars over several years. That money is from the Biden-backed infrastructure funding bill passed in 2021. Earlier, Buttigieg joined local officials in touring MetroLinks train management facility, also in East St. Louis. That followed stops in the Champaign, Illinois, area, including one to highlight a $22.6 million grant to help remove a railroad crossing that causes traffic delays. Taulby Roach, the CEO of the Bi-State Development Agency Metros parent agency said in an interview that insurance is covering the remainder of the $40 million in flood damage to MetroLink, all of which occurred on the Missouri side. Much of the work has been completed, including replacing 5 miles of railroad tracks between the Delmar Loop and Forest Park-DeBaliviere stations and repairing elevators at Forest Park-DeBaliviere. But other repairs are ongoing, such as a new signal house to replace one destroyed by high water. That facility, and a platform to elevate it to a higher level, is expected to be done by late August. Because of the damage, Metro officials said, trains havent been able to run as frequently as they did before the flooding. Among those accompanying Buttigieg here was St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who renewed her push for federal funding for a potential new MetroLink route in the city. Asked by a reporter about that, Buttigieg said he cant prejudge anything thats coming in for application. But what I can tell you is we have the strongest funding for transit that weve ever had, thanks to that infrastructure law, he said. Among others speaking at the Emerson Park event were Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, who worked in Congress last year to allocate money for the transportation disaster relief program. Durbin said he also had supported federal funding for MetroLink when it was first proposed. He recalled Richard Gephardt, the former U.S. House Democrat from St. Louis, approaching him about the plan for a light rail system involving both sides of the Mississippi River when the two were in the House together in the 1980s. Durbin said MetroLink was one of a few things uniting people on the two sides of the river. Its available even when the Cardinals arent playing, Durbin said in a reference to the lines heavy use by people going to games at Busch Stadium. JEFFERSON CITY Gov. Mike Parson rejected a call Tuesday by the top Democrat in the Missouri House to schedule a special session to provide state funding to investigate areas of the state exposed to radioactive waste. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, who recently announced shes running for governor in 2024, said lawmakers could take up the issue when they reconvene in September for their annual veto session. But Parson, as he has with other special session requests, shot down the idea. There are no plans for a special session at this time. Governor Parson is concerned for the impacted communities, but this issue was caused by the federal government and should be fixed by the federal government, Parson spokesman Johnathan Shiflett said. At issue is a law signed by Parson five years ago designed to address the presence of radioactive material left over from the St. Louis regions role in creating the nuclear bomb. The law created the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. But, as first reported by the Post-Dispatch, it has never been funded. The problems related with this waste have festered for nearly 80 years. It is well past time for us to begin the long process of finally resolving them for the sake of all Missourians, Quade, D-Springfield, wrote in a letter to the governor. The sponsor of the 2018 provision, former state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, earlier said the failure to fund the program was willful negligence. The existence of the fund and the call for a special session come as new reporting showed the federal government and companies involved in nuclear bomb production and atomic waste storage sites knew of risks to workers and the public early on. Those reports have triggered a renewed round of promises by politicians to address the contamination, including U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush of St. Louis, Attorney General Andrew Bailey and a host of state lawmakers from the areas affected by the cancer-causing material. Fortunately, this is a problem with a simple solution, Quade wrote, adding that the states revenue surplus means there is ample money in the budget to finance the program. The law called for the state to earmark $150,000 annually to allow environmental regulators to probe sites like the West Lake Landfill in north St. Louis County, where radioactive material was dumped more than 40 years ago. It also would allow for tests and analysis in St. Charles County, which also was a dumping site by companies that were helping develop the nuclear bomb. The law also allows DNR to collect samples from inside residential homes, with the consent of concerned homeowners. The governors signing of the legislation came on the same week that a federal report was issued saying people who lived near or played in Coldwater Creek in north St. Louis County from the 1960s to the 1990s may have been exposed to radioactive contaminants, increasing their risk of developing cancer. Efforts to address the legacy of radioactive waste in the St. Louis region enjoy strong bipartisan support, with a coalition of lawmakers from both parties actively working on this issue for several years, Quade noted. The governor has previously brushed aside calls for special sessions on other subjects, including gun violence, foreign ownership of farmland and school choice. MADISON COUNTY A Granite City man was killed early Tuesday morning when he was hit by a truck while crossing an Illinois highway. George Laughlin, 36, was struck around 1:15 a.m., as he tried to cross Illinois Route 140 near North Stanley Road in East Alton. Laughlin was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma to their chest, abdomen and pelvic area, according to the Madison County Coroner. The driver of the vehicle is cooperating with the investigation, which is ongoing. ST. CHARLES COUNTY The County Council on Monday night delayed its decision on a proposed housing subdivision off Highway DD, which has stirred controversy among neighboring residents. The council tabled the issue after Councilman Mike Elam said a delay would give the developer time to work on possible further changes in the project. As it stands now, Elam said in an interview, the Tall Tree proposal doesnt have enough support on the council to win approval. Theyre going to have to come back with something that more council members can support, said Elam, a Republican from Dardenne Prairie. The developer, KM Investment Group IV, initially proposed building a 556-home project on a 356-acre site. That spurred opposition from residents concerned about the density of houses in the development, traffic congestion and other issues. The developer later revised the proposal to include fewer homes 452 on 298 acres. But that also doesnt have enough support to pass, Elam said. Elam and Joe Brazil, a Republican from the Defiance area, are co-sponsors of the measure because their districts include parts of the affected property. Elam said the two are among the council members who oppose the current version of the plan. The developer has heard your concerns, Elam told opposing residents attending the Monday night meeting, which was at the Family Arena in St. Charles. Brazil thanked opposing residents for sticking up for the rural characteristics of the area by seeking larger lots in the development. Support from a supermajority of the council five of the seven members is needed, in part because the county Planning and Zoning Commission recommended against the project. Brad Goss, an attorney for the developer, declined in an interview to comment on the proposals chances of winning council passage. However, he said the developer is trying to be responsive to issues raised about the proposal during county meetings. Updated at 9:30 p.m. Russian authorities have accused Ukraine in yet another drone attack on Moscow and its surroundings. One of the drones on Tuesday hit the same building in the capital that was damaged by a drone in a similar attack Sunday. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that Moscow was "getting used to a full-fledged war, without confirming or denying Kyivs involvement. Russian officials claim that the intensified attacks on the capital region reflect failures in Ukraines counteroffensive. The repeated drone strikes underscore Moscows vulnerability as Russias war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month. Egypts health initiatives provided 145 million medical services to 90 million citizens across the country, reported Spokesperson of the Presidency Ahmed Fahmy in a statement on Tuesday. The statement came during a meeting of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with relevant government officials to follow up on projects of the countrys Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). The health of Egypts citizens is a top priority to the country, El-Sisi asserted. To this end, the president directed continuous efforts to increase medical services in villages and areas most in need, he added. Such efforts must take place in cooperation with both local and foreign private sectors to achieve sustainability in both financial and operational sustainability for prospective projects while maintaining development for current ones, he continued. New Heart Institute The president followed up on an initiative launched in March to establish the New Heart Institute aimed at enhancing the role of the countrys National Heart Institute. According to the statement, it aims present services to patients with heart problems according to international standards, as well as become one of the largest establishments for treatment of patients with heart problems. Nasser Institute El-Sisi followed up on the development of the Nasser Institute to become an integrated medical city. The project was launched in early 2022 with the goal of becoming the largest center for organ transplants in the Middle East and Africa amongst other services, with a budget of EGP10 billion. The institute will feature new buildings for abdominal medicine, paediatrics, outpatient clinics as well as a genetic disease research centre and laboratory. The oncology building inside the Nasser Institute Research and Treatment Hospital will also be expanded. Dar El-Salam The officials also discussed the development of the Dar El-Salam Oncology Hospital Hermel, cooperation with international partners/institutions, into an advanced global center for diagnosing and treating tumours. In July 2022, the president ordered the establishment of a center for womens health at Dar Al Salam, funded by Tahya Misr. The center will diagnose and treat breast tumours as part of the countrys national initiative to support womens health. This initiative, dating to 2019 as part of the 100 Million Health project, has screened 28 million women for early-stage carcinoma of the breast, provided clinical examinations, and free treatment for a number of procedures. In two years it had screened 21 million women. In July 2022, it dropped late detection from 60 to 30 percent. Finally, El-Sisi urged persistent devotion to developing Egypts health system and making access to health services widespread throughout the country. Search Keywords: Short link: PHOENIX (AP) By the time Aaliyah Ibarra started second grade, her family had moved five times in four years in search of stable housing. As she was about to start a new school, her mother, Bridget Ibarra, saw how much it was affecting her education. At 8 years old, her daughter did not know the alphabet. She was in second grade and couldnt tell me any of the letters. I would point them out and she didnt know," Bridget Ibarra said. "She would sing the song in order, but as soon as I mixed them up, she had no idea. I just didnt know what letters were which, says Aaliyah, now 9. I know them now. The family's struggles coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic that forced Aaliyah to begin her school experience online. Unfamiliar with a computer, Aaliyah was regularly kicked out of the virtual classroom, her mother said. Teachers complained she was not looking at the screen and took too many breaks. Zoom school was especially difficult for Aaliyah because she was homeless and like thousands of students nationally, her school didn't know. Homeless students often fell through the cracks during the tumult of the pandemic, when many schools struggled to keep track of families with unstable housing. Not being identified as homeless meant students lost out on eligibility for crucial support such as transportation, free uniforms, laundry services and other help. Years later, the effects have cascaded. As students nationwide have struggled to make up for missed learning, educators have lost critical time identifying who needs the most help. Schools are offering tutoring and counseling but now have limited time to spend federal pandemic relief money for homeless students, said Barbara Duffield, executive director of SchoolHouse Connection, a national homelessness organization. There is urgency because of the losses that have occurred over the pandemic loss in learning, the gaps in attendance and the health crisis," she said. Many education leaders, Duffield said, don't even know about federal money earmarked for homeless students and the programs expire next year. The number of children identified as homeless by schools nationwide dropped by 21% from the 2018-2019 school year to the 2020-2021 school year, according to federal data. But the decrease, representing more than 288,000 students, likely includes many kids whose homelessness was unknown to schools. Federal counts of homeless people living on the street or in shelters also appeared to decrease in 2021 due to pandemic disruptions, but by 2022, those numbers shot up to the highest in a decade. In Bridget Ibarra's case, she chose not to tell the school her kids were homeless and she says teachers, disconnected from students by a screen, never asked. She was worried if officials knew the family was staying in a shelter, and the school was obliged by law to provide transportation, the family would face pressure to enroll in a different school that was closer. She knew how hard the disruptions were on her kids. I know they didnt enjoy moving as often as we did. They would say things like, Were moving again? We just moved! Ibarra said. When I moved, I missed my friends and my teacher, Aaliyah said. The stigma and fear associated with homelessness also can lead families not to tell anyone they lack secure housing, Duffield said. If we dont identify children proactively, we cant ensure that they have everything they need to be successful in school and even go to school," she said. Before the pandemic, Ibarra and her two children moved in with her brother in Phoenix because she was having trouble making ends meet. Then her brother died unexpectedly. At the time, Ibarra was pregnant with her third child and couldnt afford the rent with what she earned working at a fast-food restaurant. The family spent the next six months at Maggies Place, a shelter in North Phoenix that caters to pregnant women. The four of them, including Aaliyahs infant brother, moved next to Homeward Bound, an apartment-like shelter for families, where they were living when the pandemic hit a few months before Aaliyah started kindergarten. Aaliyah's school, David Crockett Elementary, stuck with online learning her entire kindergarten year. Aaliyah and her older brother, joined by several other children, spent most of their school days on computers in a mixed-grade makeshift classroom at the shelter. It was like she wasnt even in school, Ibarra said. While the shelter helped the family meet their basic needs, Ibarra said she asked the school repeatedly for extra academic help for her daughter. She blamed the struggles partly on online learning, but she also felt the school was giving all their attention to Aaliyahs older brother because he already was designated as a special education student with an individualized education program, or IEP. The principal, Sean Hannafin, said school officials met frequently with the children's mom. He said they offered the support they had available, but it was hard to determine online which students had needs that required intervention. The best thing we could do was take that data and flag them for when we returned in person, because you need a certain amount of time to observe a child in a classroom, he said. The online setting is not the place to observe. A federal law aimed at ensuring homeless students have equal access to education provides rights and services to children without a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Many students aren't identified as homeless when their parents or guardians enroll them. At school, teachers, cafeteria staff, aides or bus drivers often notice other students whose well-being may need looking into. Students may have unwashed clothes, or many late arrivals or absences. But with children learning online, teachers and staff often didn't see those things. Overall, the drop in the student homelessness count began before the pandemic, but it was much steeper in the first full school year after COVID-19 hit. The percentage of enrolled students identified as homeless in the U.S. dropped from 2.7% in 2018-2019 to 2.2% in 2020-2021. Over that timeframe, Arizona had one of the biggest drops in the number of students identified as homeless, from about 21,000 to nearly 14,000. But there were signs many families were in distress. KateLynn Dean, who works at Homeward Bound, said the shelter saw huge numbers of families dealing with homelessness for the first time during the pandemic. Eventually, Bridget Ibarra had to enroll Aaliyah in a different school. After getting kicked out of low-income housing last year when their property owner sold the building, the family lived with Ibarras mother before finding another low-income unit in Chandler, more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Phoenix. Once the family moved, enrolling in school was far from easy. Aaliyah missed the first three weeks of the school year last fall because of delays obtaining transcripts, and Ibarra insisted she not start the year without a plan to address her delays in reading and writing. Aaliyah spent that time playing and sitting around the house. Honestly, Aaliyah said she didnt care how long, because she didnt want to go to that school anyway, her mother said. She said Aaliyah missed her friends and was tired of moving. At Aaliyah's new school, Frye Elementary, Principal Alexis Cruz Freeman saw for herself how hard it was to keep in touch with families when children were not in classrooms. Several students disappeared altogether. But she said families have started re-engaging with school. The state of Arizona reported more than 22,000 students were identified as homeless in the last school year twice as many as the year before. Ibarra said she tried to shield as much discomfort about their living situation from her kids as possible. It worked. Aaliyah doesnt remember much about the places theyve stayed except the people that surrounded her family. Aaliyah has gained ground academically at her new school, Cruz Freeman said. She still has trouble pronouncing and recognizing some words. But by the end of the school year, she was able to read a text and write four sentences based on its meaning. She is also performing at grade level in math. The principal considers her a success story in part because of her mother's support. She was an advocate for her children, which is all that we can ever ask for, Cruz Freeman said. Associated Press data journalist Sharon Lurye contributed to this report from New Orleans. The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Kansas City Star. July 28, 2023. Editorial: Missouri wrongly put him on death row and paid him $14. Even the guilty get more help Everyday life is a struggle for Joe Amrine, supporters of the Missouri exoneree wrote in a GoFundMe campaign set up to bring attention to his immediate financial needs. And the 66-year-old Kansas City man, freed from prison in 2003, could use a little help. Even after 20 years since his exoneration, Joe continues to face financial hardships, organizers from Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty wrote on behalf of Amrines fundraiser. He currently lives without access to water in his house, making everyday life a struggle. Its not as if Amrine has his hand out. But he spent nearly two decades in prison on death row for a murder he did not commit. Lets just say, since his release from a Missouri penitentiary, staying gainfully employed hasnt come easy for him. These days, Amrine cleans restrooms during Royals games at Kauffman Stadium, he told us this week. He earns about $16 per hour. The most money Ive ever made in my life, he said. On Friday, at the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City, Amrine will celebrate a milestone no one should ever have to commemorate: 20 years of freedom after an erroneous murder conviction was overturned. Hell speak at the event about what, only God knows, Amrine said and has plenty to say about a justice system that sends innocent people to prison but offers them little to no help reintegrating back into society. Convicted murderers and other guilty criminals let out of Missouri prisons on parole can collect assistance for food and other social services on the states dime, Amrine said. But for a death row exoneree such as Amrine, and others cleared of wrongdoing, no compensation, job placement or mental health services await. Gov. Mike Parson vetoed bill from Parkville Republican In Missouri, only prisoners exonerated by DNA analysis are eligible for post-conviction relief. Think about that: In our state, unless DNA evidence clears them, the wrongfully convicted are released from prison with not so much as an apology. Need help to get on your feet? Oh well, not our problem, Missouri says. Lost earning potential while behind bars on a bad conviction? Tough luck. Gov. Mike Parson had an opportunity to right this unconscionable wrong. But earlier this month, he vetoed a criminal justice reform bill that would have expanded opportunities for the state to pay restitution to wrongfully convicted prisoners. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Parkville Republican, wasnt perfect, advocates for the wrongfully incarcerated said. If approved, the law would not have applied retroactively to Amrine, anyway. The measure was a start, though. Too bad Parson did not sign off on Senate Bill 189. Taxpayers around the state should not be responsible for an error made at the local level, Parson argued in rejecting the bill. Last we checked, it was local prosecutors job to represent the states interest in criminal matters. Since his release in 2003, financial hardships have come and gone with each lost job opportunity, Amrine said. He is stressed at times, and smokes about two packs of cigarettes per day to help calm himself. Potential employers are sometimes put off by Amrines criminal history. His false murder conviction still shows up on background checks. That stuff is still there, he said. Tell me thats not wrong. Cleared by State Supreme Court after jailhouse informant lied Amrine spent 17 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. False testimony and faulty evidence from jailhouse snitches almost cost Amrine his life. By his count, Amrine was on death row with hundreds of inmates between 1986 and 2003, when he was fully exonerated. More than 60 of them were executed, Amrine told us. Can you imagine the mental and physical struggle of being on death row? No, Joe, we cant. Two decades have passed since he was absolved of any wrongdoing in the 1985 prison murder of fellow inmate Gary Barber. Amrine, already serving a prison sentence for robbery, burglary and forgery, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for killing Barber. Except he didnt fatally stab Barber with an ice pick, as three other inmates alleged. Another prisoner did. Amrine appealed his murder conviction. When the judges of the Missouri Supreme Court found him innocent by clear and convincing evidence, they gave the prosecution 90 days to decide whether to retry him, his attorney Sean OBrien told us. Two days later, lab techs said they found blood evidence and DNA extracted from Amrines clothing was tested, OBrien said. But the results were inconclusive, and as such, precluded Amrine from receiving post-conviction relief from the state. We had to prove his innocence the old fashioned way, OBrien said. Amrine was freed without any compensation. How is that a just system? Exonerees often return home with no means of obtaining an ID or drivers license. They have no credit or work history, and with no experience renting a place to live, finding housing is troublesome, too, advocates said. Many lack transportation. And that conundrum, through no fault of their own, just isnt fair to exonerees like Amrine, a father who has seven grandchildren. As a society, dont we owe a great deal of debt to Amrine and others who are wrongfully convicted? Not helping them rebuild their lives only prolongs the injustice. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 26, 2023. Editorial: Bailey and Ashcroft woo the fringe instead of doing their jobs. They should pay. The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled the only way it was ever going to the only way it could have on Attorney General Andrew Baileys audacious attempt to prevent the states voters from having their say on abortion rights. In a unanimous opinion last week, the court confirmed that Bailey didnt merely overstep his authority by refusing to validate a state audit regarding a proposed abortion-rights referendum, but that he failed to perform a clear and unequivocal duty as required under state law. Though Bailey lost in court, he scored a dark victory by improperly stalling the referendum effort. As the court noted in its blunt opinion, his baseless legal maneuvering cost proponents about three months in their time-sensitive effort to get abortion rights on the ballot. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is still engaged in a similarly cynical stunt, abusing his authority by presenting ballot language for the referendum that is deliberately biased and misleading. Pro-choice activists will likely win again in court, but again only after another round of improper postponement of their efforts. Minutes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, Missouri enacted an abortion ban as strict as any in America, criminalizing the procedure from the moment of conception, even for rape and incest victims. Based on experiences in Kansas and other red states, along with recent polling here, its likely that even Missouris generally conservative voters would, if given a chance, restore some level of abortion rights. Activists seeking such a referendum must gather the prerequisite signatures. But they cant begin doing that until both Bailey and Ashcroft complete their respective official tasks in the process. Baileys job as attorney general is to certify the state audit calculating what the proposed ballot referendum will cost Missouri in the future. Thats it. He has no authority to question those numbers, let alone substitute his own ideologically inspired math for the state auditors calculations. Yet Bailey took it upon himself to reject the conclusion of state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick (a fellow anti-abortion Republican) that the cost to the state of restoring abortion rights would be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Bailey insisted again, with zero legal authority to do so that it would instead be in the tens of billions of dollars, based in part on the lost future tax revenues of unborn Missourians. As Bailey presumably knows, thats not a valid auditing standard, even if he had the authority to demand it. No matter. His goal was to muck up the works and stall the petition-gathering in hopes of keeping abortion rights off next years ballot. And he may yet have succeeded. As the state Supreme Court noted last week: If the Attorney General had complied with his duty to approve the auditors fiscal note summaries in the time prescribed, then organizers would have been able to move ahead with the petition process nearly 100 days ago. Bailey, who was appointed attorney general this year to fill a vacancy, is seeking the GOP nomination to win a full term next year, which helps explain his willingness to so brazenly abuse his office in service to the anti-choice movement. Missouris internal Republican politics today is something of a Hunger Games dynamic in which primary candidates battle to get to one anothers political right. That imperative of out-extreming the other guy also helps explain Ashcrofts abuse of his own authority regarding the pending abortion-rights petitions. As secretary of state, Ashcroft is legally required to create a summary statement outlining the proposed referendum. By law, that statement must be neither intentionally argumentative nor likely to create prejudice either for or against the proposed measure. Does anyone think Ashcrofts proposed ballot language telling voters the referendum would allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions remotely adheres to that standard? Of course not. Like Bailey, Ashcroft will likely lose the suit pending against him over that language. But the point isnt winning in court its winning next years GOP gubernatorial primary, where Ashcroft faces a fight from his right. Not until the vast majority of more moderate Missourians make that kind of extremist pandering politically costly will the Baileys and Ashcrofts of this state start working for the general public instead of the political fringe. END Those who suspect that Justice Samuel Alito views the Supreme Court as some imperial Star Chamber that is unaccountable to Congress, the public or anyone else have recently gained a powerful new ally in that theory: Alito himself. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journals opinion section, Alito lashes out at the growing consensus that Congress should impose mandatory ethics standards on the justices, considering they refuse to do it themselves. No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court, he says. Period. Legal scholars and others have pounced on the assertion as just plain wrong, constitutionally. Its also a distressing confirmation of the anti-democratic instincts of a man who, with his fellow court conservatives, has lately wielded his unelected power in precedent-breaking, culture-transforming ways regarding abortion rights in particular that would never pass muster at the polling place. That comes against a backdrop of ethics concerns that have undermined the courts credibility lately, involving justices from both sides of its deep ideological divide. The details vary: Justices Clarence Thomas has accepted luxury trips and other perks from a prominent Republican donor; Justice Neil Gorsuch made a big real estate sale to a lawyer whose firm has business before the court; Justice Sonia Sotomayors staff has prodded public institutions to buy her memoir. The justices for the most part have responded to the mini-scandals, if at all, by denying wrongdoing and/or saying they will be more careful going forward. Alito had a different approach when ProPublica was preparing to report in June that he had accepted private jet travel to a luxury fishing trip from a politically active billionaire: He preempted the story with a defiant Wall Street Journal op-ed making the tone-deaf argument that he had saved the taxpayers travel-security expenses by accepting the private ride. He also insisted he technically had no legal obligation to disclose the trip, nor to recuse himself from cases before the court in which the billionaire was involved. The latter assertions are true, and thats the problem. Unlike every other judge in America, the courts nine justices arent bound by a mandatory set of ethics standards regarding conflicts of interest and recusal. They have long asserted that they adhere to such standards voluntarily, so there is no need to officially impose them. For an answer to that assertion, re-read the preceding paragraphs. The issue has prompted movement in Congress to impose mandatory new ethics standards on the justices. Which in turn prompted Alitos claim, in the extensive Wall Street Journal interview, that the court is effectively untouchable by anybody. (One of the two writers of the coddling opinion piece, it discloses, is an attorney with a case pending before the court. You cant make this stuff up.) At first half-blush, it might make sense surely the high court must be utterly independent from Congress to function, right? but that ignores the entire concept of constitutional checks and balances between the three branches of government. The whole point of that concept is that no single branch holds unfettered power of the kind Alito appears to claim. As numerous legal scholars and other critics have pointed out in response to Alitos comments, Congress already requires financial disclosure of gifts and stock transactions from the justices. Congress also determines the size of the court, its budget (including the justices pay), the dates of its sessions and other basic structural issues. Congress similarly imposes ethics standards, budgetary control and other power over the executive branch; the president, meanwhile, can veto actions of Congress. Alito hasnt questioned these and other checks and balances between the other two branches of government. Its only his own branch, apparently, that is untouchable. Its not. Congress should be cautious about overstepping its authority regarding the court, but mandatory ethics standards of the kind that govern other judges would be constitutionally defensible and could help restore public confidence in the court. If Alito is concerned that it would threaten a creeping loss of judicial independence, he should champion a move for the court to self-impose those standards. Last weeks remarkable congressional hearing on what the military now calls unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs what used to be called UFOs didnt shed much light on what exactly it is that U.S. pilots have been seeing in the skies lately. But it did provide an impressive example from freshman Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison of what responsible public discourse should look like regarding such explosive issues. That stood in stark contrast to the typically irresponsible conspiracy-mongering that the states senior senator, Josh Hawley, had earlier promoted on the same topic. Both Missouri Republicans have now weighed in on the unlikely claims of retired military intelligence Maj. David Grusch, who says (without evidence, of course) that the U.S. government is hiding recovered alien bodies and spacecraft and that humans have been injured or killed as part of the cover up. Gruschs testimony Wednesday before the House Oversight Committees national security subcommittee was the stuff that science fiction culture is made of. In fact, his claims that the government has engaged in a decades-long project to hide its possession of alien crafts and bodies is almost a cliche of the kind of unsupported allegations that UFO conspiracists regularly make. And which are regularly, and appropriately, dismissed for lack of evidence. The thing that separates Grusch from the cranks (the only thing, really) is his resume as a former intelligence officer whose specific assignments theoretically put him in a position to access the information he claims to have. That factor alone merited at least a respectful congressional review of his allegations. But they inherently merit skepticism as well. Burlison, in his first foray on the national stage after being seated in January to represent the 7th Congressional District in southwestern Missouri, did an admirable job of walking that line. Im pretty skeptical, he told Grusch. Im from Missouri youve got to show me. It was soon clear that Grusch wasnt prepared to actually do that. In response to Burlisons polite but probing questions, Grusch repeatedly offered enticing hints of a deep-state conspiracy that involved captured spacecraft and non-human biologics (read: dead aliens) and strongly implied the U.S. government has murdered people to keep it secret. Yet each time Burlison or others on the subcommittee pressed him for more details on these astonishing allegations, Grusch withdrew behind the shield of classified information. Burlison ultimately invoked Occams razor the principle that the simplest explanation is usually the best one to suggest that perhaps Earth-bound military experiments are more likely responsible for what Grusch claimed to have seen or heard about than the far-fetched specter of alien visitation. Indeed, to the extent that Gruschs claims are anything more than whole-cloth fabrication, that explanation would make more sense. It would have been even better had Burlison, or someone, asked what, exactly, would be the governments motivation for hiding such an extraordinary development (assuming that keeping a secret like that for decades was even possible). As always seems to be the case with conspiracy theories, the presumption of a malevolent government driven by dark and mysterious motives is virtually a given. Which brings us back to Hawley. Back in June, Grusch made his allegations to the conservative media outlet NewsNation. [They] are retrieving non-human origin technical vehicles, call it spacecraft if you will, non-human exotic origin vehicles that have either landed or crashed, Grusch told the outlet, adding: Well, naturally, when you recover something thats either landed or crashed, sometimes you encounter dead pilots and, believe it or not, as fantastical as that sounds, its true. Well, naturally. In that interview, Grusch also claimed there was Vatican involvement in the cover-up. That particular trope alone would seem to nudge his claims from unlikely to bonkers. Yet Hawleys reaction in a subsequent interview was typical of the man who helped foster the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by credulously and officially promoting the toxic falsehood that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The number of these [incidents] is apparently huge, huge, Hawley told NewsNation in June, responding to Gruschs tale. And that is something that the government has, the best I can say about it, downplayed, if not kept from the public, for a long, long time. The cover-up allegations, Hawley said, sound plausible, based on what Ive seen this government do in other instances. Other instances of murder plots by the government to hide recovered alien spaceships for no rational reason beyond being evil? We must have missed that headline the last time it happened. Hawleys deep-state schtick is by now so familiar that his embrace of this nonsense barely registered in the mainstream press. Thats a measure of how un-serious this senator, who once enjoyed presidential buzz, has become in his endless quest to appeal to the worst, most conspiracy-minded elements of the right-wing base. Its true (if inconvenient to Hawleys sinister narrative of malign secrecy) that the military in the past few years has acknowledged increasing numbers of reports from its pilots of aerial sightings that cant be explained, some of which have yielded intriguing if inconclusive video footage. As weve said before on this page, its important to get to the bottom of the issue not because this is likely to turn out to be little green men, but because other, more plausible explanations potentially involve Russia or China or other adversaries. Burlison demonstrated that its possible to explore the issue without making it a partisan cudgel of destructive anti-government conspiracies. His less-serious congressional colleagues should take notes. ST. LOUIS Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday afternoon denied Johnny Johnson's clemency request as his defense attorneys turned to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop his execution. Johnson, 45, was convicted of killing 6-year-old Casey Williamson 21 years ago after luring the child out of her house. The child died in an abandoned glass factory along the Meramec River after she fought back against his attempt to sexually assault her. Williamson's family, who had known Johnson most of his life, had let him sleep on their couch the night before. Johnson is set to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre. Parson said he received numerous letters "seeking justice for Casey." "Johnny Johnson's crime is one of the most horrific murders that has come across my desk," Parson said in a statement. "Casey was an innocent young girl who bravely fought Johnson until he took her life. ... Although this won't bring her back, we hope that carrying out Johnson's sentence according to the court's order may provide some closure for Casey's loved ones." Johnson has been in custody since the day he killed Williamson. A jury in January 2005 took about three hours to find him guilty of first-degree murder, along with armed criminal action, kidnapping and attempted rape. In March of that year, a judge sentenced him to die by lethal injection and told the court it was "perhaps the most heinous crime" he had ever presided over. Johnson's lawyers have argued that his execution would violate the U.S. Constitution because he is incompetent and does not understand why he is being killed. Attorneys say Johnson "suffers from a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, the likes of which affect only one third of one percent of the population in the United States." In their request for a stay Monday, attorneys continued to argue he is incompetent for execution and argued the "numerous dissents" from judges on the Missouri Supreme Court and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals demonstrate that his claims of incompetency have merit. In June, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Johnson failed to prove that his claims of constitutional violations related to his sanity should stop his execution. Johnson then sought relief in federal court but was also denied. But the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week voted 2-1 to halt his execution. The appeal was then reviewed by a panel of 10 of the 11 judges in that same circuit, and on Saturday, seven of those judges filed a judgment denying Johnson's request. On Saturday, U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City and Cori Bush of St. Louis called on Parson to halt Johnson's execution. Parson has denied clemency requests three times this year, approving the deaths of Amber McLaughlin on Jan. 3, Leonard Taylor on Feb. 7 and Michael Tisius on June 6. Johnson's siblings and then girlfriend told the Post-Dispatch in 2002 that Johnson had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and began unraveling after his release from a mental hospital in January 2002. Johnson had stopped taking his medication because it made him "feel like a zombie." Dana Rieck 314-340-8344 @ByDanaRieck on Twitter drieck@post-dispatch.com ST. LOUIS Lt. Col. Michael Sack on Monday sued the city for racial discrimination, alleging the administration did not promote him to chief because he is white. He is at least the fourth white officer to sue the department for racial discrimination. "The city has a history of racial discrimination against department employees, both African American and Caucasian," the suit said. The police leader argued he was qualified to be chief but was not offered the position in either of the city's two searches because he is white and Mayor Tishaura O. Jones wanted to hire a Black police chief. Sack served as the department's interim chief for about six months and was one of four final candidates for the position last year. He was the only internal candidate in the city's second search for a new chief Jones called off the previous search because the only two finalists (Sack and Lt. Col. Lawrence O'Toole) were white men already employed by the department. There were two Black finalists and two white finalists in the second search. The suit said Jones intended to hire one of the two Black candidates but one withdrew his name for consideration and the other, Larry Boone, declined the offer because the city "could not get him the car he wanted, in addition to the compensation package offered." The administration went on to hire Robert Tracy, a white man who was the police chief in Wilmington, Delaware, at the time. The suit argues Sack was not chosen after the two Black candidates declined because it would have "shown that he was always qualified." "(Sack's) selection also would have highlighted the time and money wasted in reopening the search," the suit said. Sack's lawsuit noted that Tracy was hired even though he had been criticized by city council members in Wilmington for racial tensions and a lack of diversity in the department. It also pointed out that Sack would have accepted the city's salary off er of $175,000, instead of the $275,000 Tracy pulls in because the St. Louis Police Foundation is contributing an annual $100,000 to his pay. The city declined to comment on the lawsuit. Sack's attorney, Lynette Petruska, said the conduct is "outrageous" and she looks forward to litigating the matter in court. She noted Sack could not publicly comment on the lawsuit because he is still employed by the department and that would violate the agency's rules. Sack is part of the St. Louis Police Leadership Organization, which represents the interests of employees in the department with the rank of sergeant or higher. "The St. Louis Police Leadership Organization has an expectation that all of our members will receive fair and equitable treatment and consideration when they participate in a promotional process in the St. Louis police department," said Sgt. Mickey Owens, president of the organization. "When they don't, we support a member's decision to seek a remedy from the courts." The lawsuit also pointed out that since becoming mayor, Jones has appointed 12 new people to cabinet-level positions, 10 of whom are Black. Sack had served as the department's interim chief from June 18, 2022, when former Chief John Hayden retired, until January when the Tracy started. O'Toole, the white candidate in Jones' first search for a chief, was the department's assistant police chief. He retired in May 2022 after he sued the city, claiming he was passed over for the position of chief in 2017 because of his race. He received just under $162,000 from the city for damages and back pay, according to the settlement. Dana Rieck 314-340-8344 @ByDanaRieck on Twitter drieck@post-dispatch.com Few nations supported the 2022 Russian Ukraine invasion. While Ukraine received nearly $100 billion in delivered or pledged aid, Russia received very little. Only Iran and North Korea provided some support for Russia. North Korea supplied artillery ammunition and weapons while Iran did the same, only in larger quantities. North Korea wanted food and Russia sent it by rail. Iran wanted military technology, especially some Su-35 fighters and technical details on manufacturing key components of the jet as well as decades of Russian tech support. Russia turned down this deal because they knew Iran wanted to build Su-35s and needed lots of specialized information to do that. Instead, Russia offered Western weapons and munitions that they had access to in Ukraine. If the Iranians wanted to reverse-engineer more Western weapons, Russia could supply them with the needed examples. This was something Iran could work with because since the 1980s, Iran has not been able to buy Western weapons. Iran would pay for intact or largely intact examples of Western weapons. These Iran could reverse-engineer and build locally. Iran has the engineers and production infrastructure to do this as well as decades of experience. Iran often develops improvements for the original weapons. For example, in 2022 Iran revealed a new turret it developed for its elderly BMP-1 IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles). The new turret is a RWS (remote weapons station) that is operated from inside the vehicle. The RWS is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 30mm automatic grenade launcher. The turret also has several cameras and a laser range finder. The RWS operator inside the BMP can see all around the BMP and use the many weapons individually or together. Iran has been under various arms embargoes since the 1980s and has become quite proficient at taking older vehicles and weapons and upgrading them using locally developed weapons and fire control systems. The BMP-1 is a 1960s era design that was innovative when introduced as a 13-ton armored vehicle with a cramped one-man turret armed with a 73mm low-recoil cannon and four ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles). This turned the BMP-1 into the first IFV. Iran has 450 BMP-1 vehicles, which were made locally by reverse engineering the Chinese Type 86 IFV, which is a copy of the Russian BMP-1 apparently obtained from Egypt. The Type 86 appears identical to the Russian BMP-1 but there are some internal changes that improve operation. The BMP-1 turret was always a source of user complaints. The BMP-1 commander often stuck his head and shoulders out of the turret to get a better view, then ducked down inside the turret to operate the 73mm gun, which had a range of 4,500 meters and was pretty accurate, especially when using high-explosive shells. The original BMP-1 turret weighed about a ton and the usual armament, a 73mm gun, weighed 115 kg (253 pounds). The turret rotation used 24-volt electric motors for traversing and raising and lowering the gun barrel. While the cramped and thinly armored BMP vehicle was never very popular, the turret and its 73mm gun were. That 73mm gun was designed as an anti-armor weapon but by the early 1970s the Russians realized that it was more often used for infantry support and provided high-explosive rounds. These were a little heavier (4.5 kg/10 pounds) but much more effective against troops or structures. The 73mm gun had a 40-round magazine below the turret which provided ample ammo for combat. There were other ways to improve the BMP-1 turret. In 2016 a Ukrainian firm modified its Shkval RWS to be used on older BMP-1s. That sort of thing takes these older vehicles that are still in service and makes them useful again. Since the 1990s Ukraine has prospered by providing refurbishment and upgrades for older Russian armored vehicles. One popular upgrade was the Shkval RWS, which was introduced in 2012 for more recent wheeled armored vehicles. Putting it on BMP-1s seemed like a good idea and it was. While Shkval weighs 1.9 tons, it allows the operator to sit below the turret and more easily handle the many weapons packed into Shkval. These include a 30m autocannon (with 225 rounds ready to fire), a coaxial 7.62mm machine-gun (with 2,500 rounds), a 30mm grenade launcher (with 29 rounds), two modern ATGMs and six smoke grenade launchers (using grenades generating a mist that confuses laser-guided missiles). Shkval uses a modern computerized fire control system that includes a weapon stabilizer. The operator has a thermal sight available as well as a laser rangefinder. China eventually designed new turrets for the Type 86 but none of them were RWS models. The Chinese army has over two thousand Type 86 IFVs, most of them the new Type 86A which is more similar to the Russian BMP-2, a major upgrade of the BMP-1. Russia still has about 500 BMP-1s in service with over 5,000 in reserve. Most of these are in bad shape. Most Russian army BMPs are the 3,000 BMP-2s and 600 BMP-3s. Iran now has examples of modern Western anti-tank missiles and other weapons. These will be reverse-engineered. The Iranian versions may also receive some new features and even some improvements as well as a new name. These weapons are offered for export as Iranian developed and manufactured products. The developer credit is questionable but the price is lower than the original and Iran will sell to just about anyone who can pay. Sales are not publicized as some of the Iranian reverse-engineered weapons eventually become known to the original manufacturers who then have lawyers sue the buyers and sellers. That often happens when the original manufacturer receives an example of the reverse-engineered weapon. This is often made possible when an intelligence agency wants to find out how the reverse-engineered version compares to the original. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2023 / Cablevisin Holding S.A. (BCBA:CVH)(LSE:CVH) will host a webcast presentation on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 11:00am Eastern Time (12:00pm Buenos Aires time) to discuss its Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Results. Presentations will be in English, based on the earnings release, which will be distributed on Thursday, August 10, 2023, after the markets close. To access the live stream and slide presentation, visit: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=TmbWiyBA The webcast presentation will also be available at: https://www.cablevisionholding.com/Investors/Presentations About the Company CVH was founded as corporate spin-off from Grupo Clarin S.A. and it is the first Argentine holding company that engages in the development of infrastructure and the provision of convergent telecommunications services, focusing on Argentina and the region. CVH's subsidiaries specialize in the provision of cable TV, broadband and mobile communications services; and their brands are well known in the telecommunications and content distribution industries. Investor Relations Contacts In Buenos Aires: In London In New York Cablevision Holding S.A Jasford IR Fig Corporate Communications Samantha Olivieri, Head of Investor Relations Tel: (+54 11) 4309 3417 Email: [email protected] www.cvh.com.ar Alex Money Tel: +44 20 3289 5300 Email: [email protected] Camilla Ferreira/Marcella Ewerton Tel: +1 917 691 4047 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Cablevision Holding S.A. View source version on accesswire.com: VANCOUVER BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / EMPOWER CLINICS INC. (CSE:EPW)(OTC PINK:EPWCF) ("Empower" or the "Company") announces today, after a strategic review, the Company has determined that it intends to complete a direct spin out of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Subco") and vend in a healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) technology or service company (the "Target"). The transaction is currently anticipated to proceed by way of plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") pursuant to which it is anticipated the Subco will be spun out to as a new issuer on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), and in conjunction the Target will be acquired. The various transactions will be subject to final tax and legal structuring considerations. Empower shareholders will receive Subco shares distributed directly to the shareholders of Empower on a pro-rata basis. Steven McAuley, Chairman & CEO of Empower commented, "As we have progressed through our previously announced strategic reviews, it became evident that unlocking shareholder value in the markets going forward is not only prudent, but an important commitment to our shareholder base." He continues, "By creating a spin out that is focused as a pure play healthcare AI company and platform, we believe it simplifies the message and direction of Empower and Subco, and allows shareholders and investors to know exactly the direction for each company." Further Details on the Target Artificial intelligence ("AI") and machine learning (ML) are making significant impacts to industries around world, and the healthcare sector will be a huge beneficiary of these technology advancements. The Company has been working through due diligence on numerous AI technology platforms and companies that are building and producing interesting, powerful and exciting advancements. Empower through its transition and development into research and clinical trials is positioned to understand elements of this significant sector of healthcare and drug development. Patient recruitment for clinical trials must go through major milestones of pre-screening, screening and compliance review, as outlined in the specific protocols from each trial created by the sponsors and CRO's within the pharmaceutical industry. The application of AI throughout these key steps not only has the potential to significantly impact speed, accuracy, and efficiency of these processes, it also could bring far greater success rates in the recruitment of patients. Advance access to patient rosters and patient data, with AI and machine learning algorithms applied in a secure and compliant manner, has the potential to provide major improvements for the industry at large. The speed with which the industry can identify and recruit eligible patients is one of the most mission critical components of successful new drug development. Further Details of the Arrangement The Arrangement is subject to court and shareholder approval, and standard closing conditions. The Arrangement cannot close until the required shareholder and court approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Arrangement will be completed as proposed, or at all. Further details about the proposed Arrangement will be provided in a disclosure document to be prepared and filed in connection therewith. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the disclosure document to be prepared in connection with the Arrangement, any information released or received with respect to the foregoing matters may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. The current directors of Empower are Steven McAuley (Chairman, and CEO), Andrejs Bunkse (director), Alexis Wukich (director) and to be named (Chief Financial Officer). The current Empower directors are available to be appointed as directors of Subco but no decision or nominations have been established. Empower continues to search for other eligible director candidates for Subco. ABOUT EMPOWER Empower is an integrated healthcare company with multi-disciplinary clinics, a Canadian medical device company and has launched its first clinical research site becoming a Site Management Organization (SMO). Empower is a leader in integrated healthcare and research solutions and is reshaping the model for patient-first wellness. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Steven McAuley Chief Executive Officer CONTACTS: Media: Steven McAuley CEO [email protected] +1 604-789-2146 Investors: Tamara Mason Business Development & Communications [email protected] +1 416-671-5617 DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. Statements about the closing of the Arrangement and Private Placement, expected terms and structure of the Arrangement and Private Placement, the number of securities that may be issued in connection with the Private Placement and the parties' ability to satisfy closing conditions and receive necessary approvals, as well as the prospective nature of the products or services of Empower and Subco and the potential growth of the associated markets on a going forward basis, are all forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the Arrangement or Private Placement will occur or that, if the Arrangement and/or Private Placement does occur, it will be completed on the terms described above. Neither Empower nor Subco assumes any responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. In the event that insiders of Empower receive any Subco Shares in connection with the Transaction, it may be deemed to be a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61- 101"). The Company will provide further details of the applicability of MI 61-101 and any requisite additional details in due course. SOURCE: Empower Clinics Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Kestrel Gold Inc. ("Kestrel" or the "Corporation"),(TSXV:KGC) is pleased to provide an update on corporate and exploration activities. Results for the 2023 QCM prospecting program have been received, compiled, and interpreted. Highlights include work at Area G where sampling of sheared, gougey and carbonate altered argillite cut by a quartz limonite vein returned values of from A representative of a major mining company was toured on the QCM property. Kestrel has had discussions with the major mining company with a view towards facilitating further advancement of the QCM property. The Corporation has finished the permitting process for a three-year exploration permit for the QCM property allowing for reverse circulation ("RC") drilling and excavator trenching from the British Columbia Ministry of Mines, Energy and Low Carbon Innovation ("Ministry"). The permit will become active upon Kestrel supplying an approved RC drilling dust suppression plan to the Ministry. Rob Solinger, President and CEO of Kestrel, states: "We are pleased to continue advancing the QCM project. Diligent prospecting continues to yield discoveries of merit, particularly in the area of 14 Vein where potential for a potentially significant mineralized trend continues to be demonstrated and expanded upon. We are also encouraged to have a representative of a major mining company reach out to us and request a tour of the project. The tour was completed and discussions between the major mining company and Kestrel are ongoing. Finally, the receipt of the exploration permit will allow us to continue systematic exploration of the various mineralized showings and anomalies found across the property, including further drilling at 14 Vein, Main Zone and various other significant showings and anomalies including Area G." QCM Project Highlights: Project is comprised of 6,906 hectares covering an approximate 15-kilometre strike length of the Manson Fault Zone which is thought to be a controlling structure for much of the gold mineralization in the district. Peak values from historical drilling completed during the 2004-2007 period within Main Zone were found within hole QCM04-002 which intersected an interval of 2.86 g/t Au over 110.95 metres, including a high-grade interval of 173 g/t Au over 1.5 metres, true widths unknown. See the following news releases related to Kestrel's 2021 and 2022 drilling at Main Zone: https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/apri-23-2022-r2xzf https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/dec-15-2022-dhfjj Prospecting during 2022 resulted in the discovery of the 14 Vein showing, drilling of which returned 2.33 g/t Au over 44.19 metres. Geology consists of silica and carbonate altered argillite cut by sheeted quartz veins. See the following news release related to our 2022 drilling at 14 Vein: https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/oct-25-2022-e7yzr Numerous historical showings occur throughout the project area, including Farrell where historical values of up to 1,777 g/t Au and 3,560 g/t Ag were returned from grab samples of a 3.0-metre-wide quartz vein and Flagstaff where historical values of up to 5.9 g/t Au and 1,153 g/t Ag were reported for grab samples of quartz veins and stockworks. Recently completed logging and associated road building has significantly improved access throughout the property which is proving of significant value to exploration efforts. Figure 1: showings on reduced to pole airborne magnetics Figure 2: showings on BCGS geology Qualified Person Derek Torgerson P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Kestrel Gold Kestrel Gold Inc. is an exploration company headquartered in western Canada. The Corporation is focused on the Canadian Cordillera, with an emphasis on hardrock targets located in placer gold mining districts. We are also earning a 100% interest in the Fireweed Property, an advanced stage silver rich polymetallic epithermal target. Kestrel is listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol KGC. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Corporation's website "www.kestrelgold.com" for further information. Forward-Looking Statements The information and statements in this news release contain certain forward-looking information. This forward-looking information relates to future events or the Corporation's future performance including exploration activity that could take place on the Corporation's properties or projects. This forward-looking information is subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking information. The Corporation's forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. For further information contact: Rob Solinger, President, and CEO Office: (403) 816-2141 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Kestrel Gold Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: First president of independent Senegal Leopold Sedar Senghor stood out among the African leaders of his generation for his commitment to the arts, as a new exhibition explains, writes David Tresilian First president of the West African country of Senegal after its independence from France in 1960, Leopold Sedar Senghor is perhaps at least as often remembered today for his poetry as for his political career. Though he served as president of Senegal until his retirement from political life in 1980, Senghor was never completely or only a politician, even if his two decades in power outdid the sometimes much shorter political careers of some of the other African leaders of his generation. Senghor also never saw his poetry and other literary writing as a second-best option or form of relaxation from the pressures of political life. Had he not taken up politics, he might easily have found fulfilment as a writer of the type he had been in his early life or during his last two decades after the end of his political career. Such thoughts might well strike visitors to the new Senghor and the Arts exhibition at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris that runs until November. The exhibition largely ignores Senghor the politician and examines instead his attempts to build a thriving cultural sector in Senegal during his presidency. Senghor was a member of the founding generation of post-independence African leaders, men like Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana, Julius Nyerere in Tanzania, Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Cote dIvoire, and Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya. All of them took leading roles in the struggle against European colonial rule in the early and middle decades of the last century before becoming the first presidents of their countries on independence. Senghor could scarcely have emerged as Senegals first president, or kept that position in the face of competition at home and abroad, had he not been at least as skillful a politician as his peers. Yet, perhaps unlike them he made great efforts to mobilise his newly independent countrys resources for the purposes of cultural development, on the way cementing the story of himself as Senegals poet-president. This is the story told in the exhibition, which takes visitors through Senghors efforts to establish world-class cultural institutions in Senegal while at the same time hosting major international cultural events such as the Premier Festival mondial des arts negres, the First World Festival of Black Arts. This was held in the Senegalese capital Dakar in 1966 with representation from African, European, Caribbean, and North and South American countries and presented the work of African and African Diaspora artists, musicians, and writers. During Senghors presidency, particularly in the 1960s, Dakar carved out a space on the international cultural map that it had not had before. Senghor was committed to cultural policies that he thought would make the African arts better understood internationally while at the same time renewing them through contact with the international styles of the time in painting, music, and literature. Visitors to the exhibition thus have the opportunity to share in some of the excitement and sense of cultural renewal that met the cultural events organised in Senegal during Senghors presidency. Photographs and documentary materials have been brought together to report on these, while other materials, gathered from private and public archives, present plans for ever-greater investments in cultural infrastructure. These were all designed to make Senegal under Senghor the centre of a renewal of the African arts that would bring together artists working in traditional and modern materials and using both traditional and contemporary idioms. It would also not be restricted to West Africa and the Francophone African countries, since it would draw upon the talents and ambitions of the African Diasporas and people of African heritage in the Caribbean and North and South America as well as other African countries. While some visitors to the exhibition may leave it thinking that Senghor was not entirely successful in his endeavours some projects seem to have become white elephants even during Senghors own tenure and others were neglected by his successors as political winds blew in new directions the cultural path taken by the new republic of Senegal after its independence in 1960 is striking testimony of the hopes and ambitions of the time. Senghors brand of African socialism, his regimes official underpinning, has long been out of fashion, and probably it was already creaking in the 1970s even before he left power. But like the similar political ideologies promoted in Ghana under Nkrumah, Nyerere in Tanzania, Kenyatta in Kenya, or even Houphouet-Boigny in Cote dIvoire, it was an important example of what was seen at the time as being Africas road to development. This period and its characteristic ideologies are being actively re-evaluated by todays African young people, not born at the time that such ideas were circulating as the countries concerned emerged from decades of European colonial rule. They are curious about the achievements of the founding generations and the now sometimes-traduced political, economic, and cultural ideologies of the time. Senghor was not always appreciated as a politician, especially by those who saw his regime as doing little to break his countrys dependency on France. But few people leaving the Senghor and the Arts exhibition will do so without wanting to find out more about his many cultural contributions. Support for Africas arts: Senghor is often most remembered outside Senegal for his literary works rather than his political achievements and particularly for the poems he wrote earlier in life illustrating his views on negritude the outlook that he thought characterised the Sub-Saharan African peoples. The exhibition gives the background to such ideas by beginning with Senghors student days in Paris before the Second World War when he was influenced by US writers like Alain LeRoy Locke, often seen as the philosophical architect behind the Harlem Renaissance that did so much to bring African-American arts to US and world attention after the First World War, and Carter G. Woodson, the US founder of African Diaspora studies. Senghor was close to other Francophone African writers and writers from the French-speaking Caribbean, many of whom were also studying in Paris. There was Aime Cesaire from the Caribbean island of Martinique, author of Cahier dun retour au pays natal, a sequence of poems exploring ideas of negritude, and later there was fellow Senegalese Alioune Diop, founder of the review and publishing house Presence Africaine, one of the most important outlets for African writing in French after the Second World War. There were also smaller concerns such as LEtudiant noir, La Revue du monde noir, and LHomme de couleur, all circulating in Paris before the Second World War and featuring contributions by Senghor among others. The exhibition contains examples of these publications and summarises Senghors involvement in them. The second section of the exhibition focuses on cultural policy in Senegal and the promotion of African arts. Some of this had already been suggested by events in Paris in the 1950s, with the first Congres des ecrivains et artistes noirs, held in the French capital in 1956 on the initiative of Diop and Presence Africaine, forming a kind of model for the later Festival mondial des arts negres in Dakar. With the greater resources available to Senghor after he became Senegals president, events could be organised on a much larger scale. The exhibition looks at the role of the School of Art built in Dakar in 1958 two years before independence, the Tapestry School at Thies, built in 1964 to promote Senegalese and African weaving, and the National Theatre built in Dakar in 1965, today home of the Senegalese National Theatre Company and the Senegalese National Ballet. There are photographs of the Theatres early productions. Part of Senghors aim in promoting such events and facilities was to stimulate the African arts and bring them into contact with the African Diasporas on the model of the Paris and Dakar congresses. Another part was to promote what might be called Senegals soft power abroad, with later events such as the Art senegalais daujourdhui exhibition held in the Grand Palais in Paris in 1974 and presenting the work of two dozen Senegalese artists being an exercise in cultural diplomacy. However, another important part, perhaps for Senghor even the most important, was what the exhibition calls his desire to reinvent or reimagine universalism. Senghor was not convinced that the path forward for Africas arts lay in the exploration of local African or black identity, as the earlier emphasis on negritude might have been taken as suggesting. Instead, he wanted the African arts to make claims towards universalism to be at the cutting edge of international experimentation in the arts and to avoid the trap of nostalgia in the guise of authenticity or traditionalism. As a result, the new institutions built during Senghors tenure as president of Senegal were as likely to put on shows by the leading international artists of the time as they were to host shows by local or African artists. The exhibition contains flyers for shows in Dakar in the 1960s by the leading French artist Pierre Soulages at the Musee Dynamique, for example. When Senghor was looking for artists to illustrate his poems, he chose Marc Chagall, Hans Hartung, and Zao Wou-ki, replacing negritude, or a focus on African artists, by what he hoped would be a new humanism or universalism that could be achieved by bringing together leading international artists. All this, the exhibition says, was in line with his conviction that the future of the African arts lay in their joining and leading the international mainstream, rather than remaining wedded to preconceived notions of identity. It was a case of giving and receiving, Senghor is quoted as saying in the exhibition catalogue edited by curators Mamadou Diouf, Sarah Frioux-Salgas, and Sarah Ligner. This contains important essays by Senghor drawn from collections such as Nation et voie africaine du socialism and Negritude et civilisation de luniversel, as well as commentary by later African and Africanist writers. The last two sections of the exhibition look at the way Senghors plans were perceived in Senegal and after his withdrawal from the countrys political life in 1980. Young people began to disengage from state-led projects, seeing them as promoting official views, and artists in Senegal chaffed in protest at Senghor and his ideas, now hardened into what they saw as an orthodoxy inimical to genuine creativity. Cultural projects on an increasingly massive scale were still being built, and the exhibition contains the plans of some of these. There was the planned Musee des civilisations negres designed by Swiss architect Jean Gabus that was perhaps fortunately never completed. It was abandoned when Senghor stepped down from power in 1980. There is also a film of the present uses made of the Centre international du commerce exterieur in Dakar, built in 1974 to plans by French architects Jean-Francois Lamoureux and Jean-Louis Marin. This seems to have been taken over by local traders as part of the grassroots reuse of what could easily have turned into just another bureaucratic building. Senghor et les Arts, reinventer luniversel, Musee du Quai Branly, Paris, until 19 November. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: AUSTIN, MN / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, has been named one of America's greatest workplaces by Newsweek. Hormel Foods team of 20,000 are employed throughout the world, with its global headquarters in Austin, Minn., its home for more than 130 years. The company is well known for its commitment to its team members and the communities where they live and work. "Being named one of America's greatest workplaces is a tremendous accomplishment," said Katie Larson, senior vice president of human resources at Hormel Foods. "We've worked hard to create an uncommon culture for our 20,000 inspired team members. Our success stems from these remarkable team members, who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and dedication. This recognition is a testament to these efforts." Hormel Foods has a long-standing reputation as one of the most successful food companies in the world and has received numerous honors and accolades. The company has recently been named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of the world's most admired companies by Fortune, one of America's most responsible companies for a fourth consecutive year by Newsweek, one of the world's top female-friendly companies by Forbes, and one of America's most trustworthy companies by Newsweek for two years in a row. To view the full list of Newsweek's America's greatest workplaces, visit newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-2023. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Hormel Foods Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Hormel Foods Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/hormel-foods-corporation Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Hormel Foods Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI) today announced the appointment of Charlotte Yarkoni to its board of directors. Yarkoni is a proven technology leader with an extensive background in cloud-based applications who has held executive leadership roles at both public and privately held technology firms. Yarkoni joined Microsoft Corporation in 2016 and has served as President of Commerce, Ecosystems, Cloud & AI since 2022. In this role, she is responsible for driving accelerated cloud adoption and end-to-end customer and partner success for startups, enterprises, partners, and students. Prior to joining Microsoft, Yarkoni served as President of Telstra Software Group, a strategic global software business where she led the strategy and development of specific software competencies across the company. Her background also includes senior leadership roles at EMC and VMWare and as CEO of a tech startup. Charlotte brings valuable perspectives and further enhances the collective experiences on the Board to advance our strategic priorities, said Frank Bisignano, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fiserv. Her extensive background in cloud-based applications, AI, and business, and her commitment to enabling customer success, will inform our focus on innovation, talent, and investment. In a world moving faster than ever before, Fiserv helps clients deliver solutions in step with the way people live and work today financial services at the speed of life. Learn more at fiserv.com. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) announced today that Alan Godson has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. In this role, he will be responsible for all ACG asset management worldwide. We are excited to continue to grow our skillset and capabilities with the addition of Alan to our team, said Steven Udvar-Hazy, Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of ACG. We have no doubt he will be a huge asset and make an immediate impact for our company and clients. Godson is a senior aircraft leasing executive with over 20 years of global experience in leading technical functions. Prior to ACG, he was Executive Vice President (Technical) with Aircastle Limited, overseeing technical operations from their offices in APAC and EMEA. Godson graduated from Kingston University with a first-class honors degree in Aircraft Engineering, and earned a masters degree in International Economic Law from Warwick Law School, in the UK. I am delighted to be part of the ACG team and utilize my leadership and expertise with such a dynamic aircraft lessor. I have a steadfast commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and delivering exceptional value to our customers and investors. Through our collective efforts, I aim to propel the organization towards a future where technological innovation meets sustainability, helping create a lasting impact in the aviation industry, said Godson. ACG is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry by investing in fuel-efficient, new technology aircraft that produce lower emissions, use less fuel and create less environmental noise than previous generation aircraft. If youre interested in career opportunities at ACG, please visit: https://www.aviationcapitalgroup.com/careers/. About Aviation Capital Group Aviation Capital Group is one of the worlds premier full-service aircraft asset managers with over 480 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of March 31, 2023, leased to roughly 95 airlines in approximately 45 countries. It was founded in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation. Follow ACG on LinkedIn, and for more information, visit www.aviationcapitalgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801839050/en/ Media Relations: Elizabeth Stevens [email protected] Investor Relations: Matthew Novell [email protected] Source: Aviation Capital Group LLC Mr. Gober brings decades of industry expertise to lead Biocom Californias Los Angeles team SAN DIEGO & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Biocom California, the association representing the California life science industry, today announced the appointment of Dan Gober as the organizations executive director of its Los Angeles office. Mr. Gober will be responsible for developing and executing initiatives that promote the success of programs, benefits and advocacy for the industry in the Los Angeles region. Dan has an outstanding track record in the life science industry that will enable him to lead Biocom Californias Los Angeles team and contribute to a rapidly growing life science sector, said Miguel Motta, vice president of strategic operations for Biocom California. Los Angeles has both tremendous potential for life science growth and unique opportunities that require a leader with robust local and industry knowledge. I am confident that Dan is the right person to foster continued growth of the LA life science industry. Mr. Gober is an industry leader with over 25 years of life science experience. Most recently he served as executive director of sales and business development at Corval, an organization specializing in streamlining the commercialization process for emerging biopharma companies. Previously, Mr. Gober held numerous senior positions leading cross-functional teams in the areas of commercial execution, data management, client services, as well as clinical and regulatory support. In addition, Mr. Gober has direct industry experience serving in senior roles at AstraZeneca as well as a startup pharmaceutical organization. Mr. Gober holds a B.A. in economics from California State University Long Beach. Los Angeles is rapidly gaining attention as a premier life science hub poised for rapid growth, said Mr. Gober. I am honored to take on this role and look forward to collaborating with our members, industry partners and stakeholders to continue advancing and advocating for the industry and improving the lives of patients worldwide. About Biocom California Biocom California is the leader and advocate for Californias life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 1,700 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs and create robust value-driven purchasing programs. Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom California provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. Our goal is simple: to help our members produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. In addition to our San Diego headquarters, Biocom California operates core offices in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, with satellite offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo. Our broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service providers. For more information on Biocom California, please visit our website at www.biocom.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@BIOCOMCA). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801119829/en/ Katherine Smith Evoke Canale (619) 849-5378 [email protected] Source: Biocom California The Nations Largest Bank is growing throughout the Carolinas including in new markets, Columbia, Greensboro and Myrtle Beach CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chase announced today that it is growing in North and South Carolina, hiring more employees, adding new branches and more corporate office space in the region. By 2025, the firm expects to exceed 100 branches throughout both states. In 2018, Chase announced that it was opening 40 branches throughout the Carolinas, including in low- to-moderate-income (LMI) locations. Today the firm has 48 branch locations in North Carolina and South Carolina, including eight in LMI locations, surpassing the firms original commitment. Driven by the demonstrated customer growth and demand, the bank will increase its branch presence in cities like Charlotte (NC), Raleigh/Durham (NC), Charleston (SC) and Greenville (SC), but will also add new cities to its retail branch network including Greensboro (NC), Columbia (SC) and Myrtle Beach (SC). "As our firm has grown in this region, so has our customer and client base. In fact, our growth has exceeded all of our expectations, but we still have more to do," said Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. "In the next few years, we plan to grow our presence throughout the Carolinas through new branch locations and more employees to serve the existing and increasing customer demand. We look forward to helping even more people, businesses and communities in this region build an even stronger, more resilient financial future." JPMorgan Chase has had a presence in Charlotte for nearly 20 years, which has grown by adding new bankers, support functions and teams in the market to serve more clients in the market and across the globe. The Commercial Banking business plans to hire more than 200 new employees in the companys office in Charlotte by the end of 2024, where the firm is adding 24,000 square feet of additional office space to accommodate them at the Rotunda building. Were excited to expand our presence in Charlotte to serve more businesses locally, across the US and globally, said Dan Wilkening, Commercial Banking Chief Administrative Officer at JPMorgan Chase. We will continue to invest in the region, hiring top talent to join our banking technology, lending, client service and onboarding teams to deliver even more value to our clients. Beyond the Queen City, the firm serves business and corporate clients through Commercial Banking offices in Charleston, Greenville, Greensboro and the Triangle. With continued business growth in the region, including across Business Services, Manufacturing and Distribution, Commercial Bankings Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries group has increased its client base in North and South Carolina by 85% over the last two years.1 Carolinas Branch Growth and Riverbend Village Branch Opening Since it began opening branches in the Carolinas, the bank has seen steady growth in its customer base and deposits. In fact, Chase moved from number 53 in the FDICs annual deposit market share rankings in 2020 to number 25 in 2022. Similarly in South Carolina, Chase was ranked number 68 in the FDICs 2020 report, and moved up to number 37 in 2022. Chase is celebrating its most recent branch opening in the region in the Riverbend Village area of Charlotte. Chase branches are designed to be advice centers for customers and clients, combining modern design, open layout, and state-of-the-art banking technology that reflects how customers engage today. In addition to the branch manager, Datwan Green, the team at the new 3,500 square foot branch at Riverbend Village includes three relationship bankers, a Private Client banker, a home lending advisor, a financial advisor and a business banker, as well as three ATMs for transactions. The branch also features Chase Private Client offices, teller services, a night depository, and free Wi-Fi. Additional short-term branch growth commitments in the Carolinas include the following: Charleston: adding two branches in LMI locations in the Low Country by the end of this year. adding two branches in LMI locations in the Low Country by the end of this year. Charlotte: adding four more branches in the region by the end of 2024. adding four more branches in the region by the end of 2024. Columbia : opening the first two branches by the end of this year. : opening the first two branches by the end of this year. Greensboro/the Triad: opening the first branch by the end of this year, with plans to add two more by the end of 2024. opening the first branch by the end of this year, with plans to add two more by the end of 2024. Myrtle Beach: opening the first branches in Myrtle Beach and the surrounding communities in the next two to three years. opening the first branches in Myrtle Beach and the surrounding communities in the next two to three years. Raleigh/Durham: adding six more branches in the Triangle by the end of 2024. In addition to expanding its branch network and real estate in the Carolinas, JPMorgan Chase will continue to work with local and community partners to help drive inclusive economic growth. Since 2018, the firm has invested more than $4.6 million in North Carolina and South Carolina with nonprofit organizations and universities to support jobs and skills training, small business growth, neighborhood revitalization, and financial health. The firm has also invested more than $100 million in minority depository institutions around the country, including in M&F Bank in North Carolina and Optus Bank in South Carolina. About Chase Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading financial services firm based in the United States with assets of $3.9 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly 80 million consumers and nearly 6 million small businesses, with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 4,700 branches in 48 states and the District of Columbia, more than 15,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to chase.com. 1 Client volume increase from May 2021 to May 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801108389/en/ Allison Reed 240.506.7897 Carolina Macias 786.387.4684 Source: JPMorgan Chase & Co. DOVER, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clariti, a provider of community development, permitting, and licensing software for North Americas largest and fastest-growing communities, and SolarAPP+, an online platform that helps communities streamline the process of obtaining permits for rooftop solar installations, have partnered to streamline the review and inspection process for residential solar permits. The partnership makes it easier for residents to obtain solar permits, helping to encourage the adoption of renewable energy throughout the United States. Were dedicated to support governments in their efforts to reach their climate goals, explains Clariti Co-CEO, Cyrus Symoom. Our partnership with SolarAPP+ reinforces this commitment by enabling our customers to make a cost-effective and timely transition to renewable energy. As part of Claritis commitment to helping governments deliver exceptional experiences, customers can now enable applicants to process their solar permits on SolarAPP+ and request inspections via Clariti with a simple configuration. This helps reduce the time and cost of obtaining solar permits and makes homeowners transition to renewable energy more accessible. SolarAPP+ simplifies the requirements for residential solar permits and ensures safety and compliance by detecting real-time code issues, typos, and errors. The app can shorten the permitting process by up to 20 days. The SolarAPP+ team is happy to welcome Clariti as our newest government software partner. This announcement shows that SolarAPP+ can be effectively incorporated into the Clariti system to save local government staff, installers, and homeowners valuable time in the solar adoption process, says Jeff Cook, SolarAPP+ Program Lead for the U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory. About Clariti Clariti is a government software provider that helps North Americas largest and fastest-growing communities deliver exceptional community development, permitting, and licensing experiences online. Its platform is an alternative to code-heavy, non-configurable systems that create technology barriers for governments to meet their communitys evolving needs. About SolarAPP+ SolarAPP+ is a standardized plan review software created in 2021 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in collaboration with code officials, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and the solar industry. This software is designed to run compliance checks and process building permit approvals for eligible rooftop solar systems. This means homeowners can now enjoy a faster, more affordable option for going solar without waiting for weeks. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801120259/en/ Media Contact Jeremy Bosch VP, Marketing, Clariti Software [email protected] Source: Clariti CSAA Insurance Group, IDEO and Aon Award $1M in Prizes WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, today announced the winners for its global Climate Resiliency Challenge, led in partnership with global design firm IDEO and global professional services firm Aon. The Challenge, which launched May 23 and accepted submissions through July 10, invited innovators around the globe to share their world-changing climate solutions for the chance to win a share of $1M in prize money. The Challenge sought solutions to help frontline communities prevent, prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and extreme weather. Frontline communities are those neighborhoods or populations of people that feel the most immediate and worst impacts from climate change, with fewer resources, capacity or political power to respond to those risks. Through the open call for submissions, inventors, entrepreneurs, and scholars were able to propose bold, innovative solutions to build climate resiliency. More than 400 projects were submitted for consideration, and 13 projects across three categories Emerging Innovator, Mid-stage Innovator, and Advanced Solutions were selected and awarded prize money: Emerging Solutions: Early Stage Innovators (up to $50K USD) Mid-Stage Solutions: Growth Stage Innovators (up to $100K USD) Advanced Solutions: Scaling Stage Innovators (up to $200K USD) The winners will be highlighted in a Winners Celebration webinar open to the public on Friday, Aug. 11, noon-1:30 p.m. Pacific. Our team has a passion for helping those who are at risk of climate-related losses, and we're incredibly inspired to be driving innovation in this space, said Debbie Brackeen, executive vice president and chief strategy & innovation officer at CSAA Insurance Group. The response to this initiative was fantastic, and we are grateful and impressed with the strong levels of interest, expertise and enthusiasm that we have seen from those who submitted projects and, of course, from our winners. Submissions were judged against criteria looking for relevant, novel, impactful, equitable, and community-informed projects. The winning projects were those found with the greatest potential to have the highest impact and help the most people. IDEOs platform allows for streamlined collaboration between multiple stakeholders and communities to find these innovative solutions for complex problems, said Bryan Walker, partner at IDEO. Were looking forward to seeing our project winners bring their ideas to scale. As the Challenge was focused on empowering frontline communities to prevent, prepare for, and recover from climate-related disasters, the judges considered all compelling solutions, particularly those that focused on wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events. We believe innovation is at the heart of resiliency, said Liz Henderson, leader of Climate Risk Advisory at Aon. When were designing thoughtfully and purposefully to solve challenges stemming from climate-related disasters, we can better enable communities to protect themselves in the long term. The Challenge is also supported by contributions from Arch Reinsurance, Incite, RenaissanceRe, Guidewire, the Environmental Defense Fund and Network for Good. About CSAA Insurance Group CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members through AAA clubs in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1914, the company has been rated A or better by AM Best for more than 90 years, and is one of the top personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The company has been repeatedly named one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America by Points of Light. More information is available at http://csaa-insurance.aaa.com and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube). About IDEO IDEO is a global design firm known for its human-centered, interdisciplinary approach. As early leaders in the practice of design thinking, the company creates positive impact through design by applying creative mindsets and skills, and by teaching others to do the same. IDEO helps clients and customers around the world build the capacity and outcomes required to navigate todays complexity and lead their markets. Learn more about IDEO here. In a world of widely distributed knowledge, making progress on our most pressing problems requires a collective effort. IDEO's open innovation platform allows people from around the world to submit ideas, receive support, and accelerate innovation. IDEOs open challenges have engaged hundreds of thousands of people in over 200 countries and territories, generating nearly 19,000 ideas for good. About Aon Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business. Follow Aon on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting the Aon Newsroom and sign up for News Alerts here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801125040/en/ [email protected] Source: CSAA Insurance Group LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Philip Mace, an experienced corporate lawyer whose practice is focused on energy and upstream oil and gas transactions, has joined Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP as a partner in London. Maces practice includes mergers and acquisitions (including private share/asset sales), corporate finance, joint ventures and large scale capital projects work. He represents clients in transactional, commercial and project work across the world, including Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and throughout Europe. Philips addition aligns with our commitment to maintaining a leading global energy practice, said Jeff Schroeder, head of Hunton Andrews Kurths energy and infrastructure team. He brings to the firm more than two decades of experience advising on complex transactions and is highly regarded for his quality lawyering and dedication to client service. We are pleased to welcome him to the firm. A selection of Maces notable representations prior to joining the firm include: Advised an international company on a gas project in Nigeria worth in excess of $6 billion. Advised a petroleum company on its acquisition of certain upstream and midstream assets in Nigeria in a deal worth in excess of $200 million. Advised a petroleum company on the sale of its interests in Block BC-10 in the Campos Basin, Brazil for $1.54 billion. Advised a major Middle Eastern investor on its $600 million preferred bid for a package of North Sea assets. In addition to his energy and oil and gas experience, Mace has advised on numerous mining and natural resources projects, including acting as advisor to a major Brazilian mining company on a CFR term prepayment contract for the sale and purchase of Brazilian Iron Ore to a major international trading company for $200 million. Philip is a natural complement to the firms London-based energy and project finance team, said Ferdinand Calice, managing partner of Hunton Andrews Kurths London office. His experience and reputation make him a valuable addition, especially as demand for complex international projects continues to grow in emerging markets and beyond. Mace is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators and is former Chair of the UK Energy Lawyers Group. He was admitted to practice in England and Wales in 1994. He studied law at The University of Law - Guildford. Mace joins the firm from Clyde & Co., where he had been a partner since 2009. Mace is the most recent of several key additions to Hunton Andrews Kurths growing roster of energy industry attorneys. His colleagues include project finance partner Benjamin Cooper; partner Will Freeman and counsel Alex Choinski, who joined the firms tax and project finance practices from a prominent international energy company; mergers and acquisitions partner J.A. Glaccum; project finance counsel Christian Rudloff; and nuclear energy attorney Colleen Grygier. Hunton Andrews Kurths global energy and infrastructure team provides comprehensive finance, development, and infrastructure counsel to DFIs, public private partnership investors, financial institutions, regulated and unregulated power companies, distributors and transportation companies, independent electric transmission companies and others involved in the social infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, oil, gas, LNG, petrochemical and nuclear industries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801297692/en/ Gabriel Hedengren, [email protected] Source: Hunton Andrews Kurth TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) (Cybin or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative psychedelic-based treatment options, is pleased to announce that it has launched an overnight marketed public offering of units of the Company (the Units) at a price per Unit and for aggregate gross proceeds to be determined in the context of the market (the Offering). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole Common Share purchase warrant, a Warrant). The terms of the Warrants will be determined in the context of the market. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is acting as the sole book-running manager for the Offering. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as lead manager for the Offering. The definitive Offering terms will be confirmed at the time of pricing pursuant to the terms of an underwriting agreement to be entered into between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the Offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on or about August 4, 2023, or such other date as the Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and the Company may agree, and completion of the Offering will be subject to market and other customary conditions, including approval of the Neo Exchange Inc., now operating as Cboe Canada (the Exchange). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the progression of the Companys CYB003 and CYB004 programs, and for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Units will be offered in each of the provinces of Canada, excluding Quebec and in the United States, pursuant to a prospectus supplement (the Prospectus Supplement) to the Companys short form base shelf prospectus dated July 5, 2021 (the Base Shelf Prospectus). The Prospectus Supplement will also be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as part of a registration statement on Form F-10, which was declared effective by the SEC on October 8, 2021 in accordance with the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System established between Canada and the United States. Prior to forming an investment decision, prospective investors should read the Base Shelf Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein, including any marketing materials, which are available on the Companys SEDAR profile available at www.sedarplus.ca and the Companys EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the Prospectus Supplement and Base Shelf Prospectus may be obtained by contacting Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 499 Park Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by email at [email protected]. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Suspension of the Companys Purchases under the LPC Agreement In the context of arranging for Offering, on July 31, 2023, the Company provided notice to Lincoln Park Capital Fund (LPC) of the Companys intention to suspend purchases under its purchase agreement (the Purchase Agreement) effective immediately. The Purchase Agreement was entered on May 30, 2023, allowing the Company to issue Common Shares with a value of up to US$30 million from treasury to LPC from time to time at the Companys discretion for a period of up to 36 months. The sale of Common Shares under the Purchase Agreement was qualified under a prospectus supplement dated May 30, 2023 to the Base Shelf Prospectus (the May Supplement). The Company sold a total of US$465,273 under the Purchase Agreement prior to the suspension of sales. No further Common Shares will be sold to LPC pursuant to the May Supplement. Subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, the Company intends to file a new supplement with respect to the Purchase Agreement to be filed under a new base shelf prospectus. About Cybin Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Cybins goal of revolutionizing mental healthcare is supported by a network of world-class partners and internationally recognized scientists aimed at progressing proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, and novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens. The Company is currently developing CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog for the treatment of major depressive disorder and CYB004, a proprietary deuterated DMT molecule for generalized anxiety disorder and has a research pipeline of investigational psychedelic-based compounds. Headquartered in Canada and founded in 2019, Cybin is operational in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland. Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (together, forward-looking statements). All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding Cybins future, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words believe, expect, aim, intend, plan, continue, will, may, would, anticipate, estimate, forecast, predict, project, seek, should or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the anticipated closing of the Offering, the use of Offering proceeds, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Exchange, the Companys ability to relaunch sales under the LPC Agreement, and the Companys ability to address the need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the psychedelics market; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for growth; political, social and environmental uncertainties; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2023, the Companys annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2023, and the Company's listing statement dated November 9, 2020, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com and with the SEC on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Cybin makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about Cybins proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Cybin has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that Cybin verified such in clinical trials or that Cybin will complete such trials. If Cybin cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Cybins performance and operations. Neither the Neo Exchange Inc. nor the NYSE American LLC stock exchange have approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and are not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731210477/en/ Investor & Media: Gabriel Fahel Chief Legal Officer Cybin Inc. 1-866-292-4601 [email protected] or [email protected] Source: Cybin Inc. IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dahua Technology USA, a world-leading, video-centric, provider of smart IoT solutions, has announced it is leading a new technological breakthrough with its game changing AcuPick Search Technology. AcuPick provides crucial search capabilities that will empower customers to put the pieces together quickly and accurately when it comes to finding people, vehicles and information. Utilizing front-end and back-end AI innovations, AcuPick can help reduce the amount of time spent finding a specific person captured on security footage. With a single reference image, even if crucial details cannot be identified, you can find and track a person or vehicle of interest. Time is of essence when it comes to finding and tracking a person of interest. Thanks to Dahuas AcuPick Search Technology, you can find a person across multiple AcuPick-enabled cameras in just seconds, even if you dont have a face. The AcuPick algorithm focuses on the human bodys shape, clothing color, and other differentiators to find where a person appeared on an AcuPick system, said Jennifer Hackenburg, Product Marketing Director at Dahua Technology USA. AcuPick directly locates the video clips of a human or vehicle target by filtering out unnecessary information; saving search time. The Smart Search by Intrusion function allows users to search for targets. By selecting the target type and drawing an intrusion area, AcuPick can help users pinpoint the targets and retrieve video clips of all the locations where the target has been. AcuPick features one-click extraction of targets. It allows searching in Live View and Playback by clicking Pick Up on a frozen and framed target, allowing the system to automatically retrieve historical videos that match the target. It eliminates the need for expensive servers; reducing the total cost of ownership. To realize accurate search results through comprehensive AI analysis, both deep-learning front-end IP cameras (N45F / N85F Series) and back-end intelligence (NVR N8 Series) are required to complete the AcuPick solution. The AcuPick-enabled 4MP (N45F) and 8MP (N85F) Series offers fixed and vari-focal options in eyeball, dome and bullet-style form factors. These cameras include advanced features that further maximize users ROI, such as Starlight+, WDR, built-in microphone, integrated IR, and Analytics+. The N8 Series AcuPick NVRs offer excellent security thanks to a high-power processor and Dahua's cutting-edge analytics, and offer features like AcuPick, Face Detection+, Perimeter Protection, and ePoE (select models). The NVR is compatible with third parties for ease of VMS integration. About Dahua Technology USA Dahua Technology USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Dahua Technology, a global leader of video surveillance equipment manufacturing, according to an IHS 2019 report. Dahua Technology USA brings high-value, total security solutions to the North American market by focusing on integrity and personal relationships to enhance the customer experience. Dahua Technologys surveillance solutions, from award-winning cameras to video management software, deliver unparalleled quality, reliability, and stability, providing sales and support throughout the U.S. and Canada. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731531160/en/ [email protected] Source: Dahua Technology USA Inc. The ten countries of the Sahel region of Africa, with a combined population of over 150 million people, are grappling with the devastating effects of climate change, weak governance, and a lack of political will to provide protection to their citizens. The region is plagued by a proliferation of weapons, and these are increasingly falling into the hands of terrorist groups, ethnic factions, and separatist movements seeking self-rule or independence. Some of the worst conditions are concentrated in countries such as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Sudan. In northern Mali, the situation deteriorated significantly less than a decade ago, with the declaration of a northern state in which calls for separatism among some of the regions Tuareg people were mixed with the participation of terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda. Burkina Faso, located in the southern part of the Sahel, experienced one of the most significant waves of violence in recent years after the fall of president Paulise Compaore in 2014. This led to a period of political instability marked by three coups in a period of no more than seven years. A similar scenario was repeated in Mali. The Sahel is home to some of the most violent extremist groups in the world, including Boko Haram, which is particularly active in northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin that encompasses the Sudanese Darfur region, Chad, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, and northern Cameroon. The unrest in the Sahel is closely linked to the regions struggling economies and peoples inadequate access to basic services. Many Sahel countries rank at the bottom of international development indices, according to UN reports. The Sahel also faces a daunting demographic challenge in the future, as some countries in the region are projected to experience some of the fastest rates of population growth in the world. This casts a shadow over the regions governments, peoples, and long-term prospects. ---------- Coup against France in Niger I Niger could turn to neighbouring countries to support its fight against terrorism after distancing itself from its Western allies in the wake of last weeks coup, writes Haitham Nouri Nigers newly installed military rulers, who orchestrated a coup to overthrow the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, remain the target of threats from the EU, France, the former colonial power in Niger, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if they do not reverse the coup and restore the former president. The military leaders have released statements pledging to safeguard the nation and refusing to abandon the coup. Many countries have denounced the coup spearheaded by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of Nigers Republican Guard, including France, Algeria, and the US, along with the EU. The EU is supporting sanctions put in place by ECOWAS against Niger in the wake of the coup. French President Emmanuel Macron has warned of an immediate and severe response should there be attacks on French citizens or interests in Niger. The warning comes in the wake of a demonstration on Sunday in front of the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital of Niger, in which protesters attempted to storm the building and were eventually dispersed with tear gas. Some of the protesters vandalised the embassy plaque, replacing it with the flags of Russia and Niger, according to the French news agency AFP. Niger, a vast and landlocked country in the African Sahel region, is beset with challenges compounded by high poverty rates, desertification, and a burgeoning population of over 26 million people. According to the UN, Niger ranks among the worlds poorest countries. The situation is further complicated by the countrys high birth rate, with an average of seven children born for every woman in 2021. Around 50 per cent of Nigers school-age children are not enrolled in schools. The countrys agricultural land is also under threat due to a wave of desertification that began with the famine in Africa in 1983. This has caused desert areas, which make up two-thirds of Niger, to encroach upon the countrys increasingly scarce agricultural land, exacerbating food insecurity. Niger is a strategic partner of France and provides it with 20 per cent of Europes uranium. Nigers uranium industry dates back to the early 1960s, and the country has since begun producing oil and gold on a small scale, though agriculture remains its primary source of employment. Niger has a long history of political instability, marked by four successful coups, and five failed coup attempts since gaining independence from France in 1960. The most recent coup, which ousted Bazoum, followed his assumption of power in April 2021 after the end of the two terms in office of his democratically elected predecessor Mohamed Issoufou. Bazoums accession to power was met with opposition from the countrys ruling elite and from tribal factions not supporting his Arab Mahamid affiliation. The Mahamid tribe is a branch of the Rizeigat tribe, which has extensions in Sudan, Libya, and Chad, but is relatively new to Niger, with a population comprising only 1.5 per cent of the total population. The presidents limited support base played a role in two previous attempted coups against him, one before his election and the other the previous year, both of which were thwarted by Tchiani. These tribal dynamics, along with the countrys fragile economic situation, were among the driving factors behind the recent coup. Niameys ongoing fight against terrorist groups affiliated with both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group has further contributed to the countrys instability. Niger is currently fighting on two fronts in its battle against terrorism, with one conflict in the southwest against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) militants who have crossed over from neighbouring Mali since 2015, and the other in the southeast against Boko Haram militants based in northeastern Nigeria. These conflicts have resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, creating a humanitarian crisis and putting significant strain on the countrys economy. The Nigerien army has received training and logistical support from the US and France, both of which have military bases in the country. Niger also became a focal point for French operations against jihadists in the Sahel (the Barkhane Operation) last year, following the withdrawal of French forces from Mali and Burkina Faso after military coups in those countries. Although Western reports have denounced the recent coup in Niger, expressing concerns that it will exacerbate terrorism in the country, the economic situation suggests otherwise. Despite Niger being a longstanding Western ally, France, the EU, and the US have failed to improve its deteriorating economy or effectively combat the wave of terrorism that has been sweeping the African Sahel region. This has generated resentment in many countries in the region towards France and its Western allies, leading to a political shift towards Russia and China, as demonstrated by the recent coup and widespread protests against French influence in Niger. Following the announcement of the coup, a Nigerian diplomatic delegation travelled to Niamey to urge the military leaders to return to their barracks. President of Benin Patrice Talon was also commissioned by ECOWAS to persuade the coup leaders to abandon their takeover, but he was similarly unsuccessful. Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby also visited Niamey on a personal initiative to meet the coup leaders, Issoufou, and Bazoum. Chad is monitoring the situation in its neighbouring countries, as Arab armed groups earlier emerged from Libya to the north of Chad and clashed with the army led by late Chadian President Idriss Deby, the father of the current president, who was subsequently killed. Sudan, particularly its Darfur region, is also experiencing ethnic conflict between Arabs and Africans that could potentially impact the stability of NDjamena. The situation in the Central African Republic, south of Chad, is also unstable, with much of the region siding with Russia against France. Niger now finds itself at the centre of regional tensions. A statement by ECOWAS on Sunday did not rule out the possibility of using force against the coup leaders in Niger. However, the situation is different from that in Gambia, for example, where Senegalese forces were deployed in 2017 to force former president Yahya Jammeh to accept the results of the presidential elections. Niger is a much larger country, is ethnically and linguistically diverse, and is also strategically important due to its uranium reserves. A significant portion of the countrys tribal population, the majority, may not defend a president who belongs to a minority of only 1.5 per cent of the population. ECOWAS does not have its own armed forces that can be deployed to intervene directly in the country. If Niger now distances itself from the Western countries, this may impact its ability to combat terrorism. However, continuing cooperation with neighbouring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso will be crucial. Given the hostility of these countries towards the West and their earlier expulsion of French forces, cooperation with them had been difficult for Niger. Mali and Burkina Faso have made progress in their fight against terrorism, though it is difficult to evaluate the success of their strategies compared to those of Chad and Mauritania, which have been supported by France and the West. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE: DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has released its Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Results and Operating Information package by posting it to the investor relations section of its website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors. As previously announced, Jordan Kaplan, CEO, Peter Seymour, CFO, Kevin Crummy, CIO, and Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations, will host a live conference call to discuss Douglas Emmetts financial results at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (11:00 am Pacific Time) on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Interested parties can listen to the call via the following: INTERNET: Go to www.douglasemmett.com/investors at least fifteen minutes prior to the start time of the call in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. PHONE: 888-349-0488 (U.S.) or 412-542-4156 (International). Please ask to join the Douglas Emmett call. REPLAY: A rebroadcast of the live call will be available for 90 days on our website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors About Douglas Emmett, Inc. Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com for more information about Douglas Emmett. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmetts business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801920454/en/ Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations 310.255.7751 [email protected] Source: Douglas Emmett, Inc. TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- dynaCERT Inc. (TSX: DYA) (OTCQX: DYFSF) (FRA: DMJ) ("dynaCERT" or the "Company") provides an update pursuant to its Press Release dated May 26, 2023 regarding the purchase order of its HydraGEN Technology Units destined for Guyana (the Press Release). (See Press Release dated May 26, 2023) The recipient of these HydraGEN Technology Units is a logistics company located in Guyana (the Purchaser). The Company remains ready to fulfill all purchase orders contemplated in the Press Release. Deliveries of certain HydraGEN Units are delayed pending further notice by either the Purchaser or the broker, acting as a conduit, that all outstanding issues described below have been resolved to everyones satisfaction. Various postponements impacting delivery dates have occurred despite that the Company had received the initial payment in full for exactly the wholesale price of the first ninety-three HydraGEN Units. Since receiving this initial payment, the Company was advised and believed that issues causing delays were all to be resolved in short order but some issues remain outstanding as of this date. The Company had been requested to ship a certain number of HydraGEN Units as stipulated in the Press Release, but the Company has now been obliged to delay the delivery of all but two such HydraGEN Units. To date, the Company has only shipped such HydraGEN Units to Guyana because the Company has been awaiting from the Purchaser, through a representative, certain usual information regarding the specific electric voltage, engine information, On Board Diagnostic port types, and other data pertaining to the vehicles and equipment on which the HydraGEN Units of the Company are to be installed. Such information is necessary for the final packaging and shipping of the HydraGEN Units. The Company is ready to ship such HydraGEN Units pending the above required information from the Purchaser or representatives. The Company has also been advised by representatives that the two HydraGEN Units that were delivered are still awaiting clearing from Guyanese customs by an agent of the Purchaser. Issues regarding the transfer of payments from Guyana for the HydraGEN Units that were ordered are also pending. Jim Payne, President & CEO of dynaCERT, stated, The extraordinary global endorsement of dynaCERT allows the Company to engage with customers in new markets with the assurance that the Company's HydraGEN Technology can make a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. As a Canadian company operating internationally, we have learned to unwearyingly respect the normal business challenges that global climate change sometimes entail. We readily continue to support the climate improvement goals of the nation of Guyana and look forward to welcoming all business professionals involved in our imperative quest for a better sustainable future for everyone, including those of all our existing clients and potential clients in Guyana, with no exceptions. About dynaCERT Inc. dynaCERT Inc. manufactures and distributes Carbon Emission Reduction Technology along with its proprietary HydraLytica Telematics, a means of monitoring fuel consumption and calculating GHG emissions savings designed for the tracking of possible future Carbon Credits for use with internal combustion engines. As part of the growing global hydrogen economy, our patented technology creates hydrogen and oxygen on-demand through a unique electrolysis system and supplies these gases through the air intake to enhance combustion, which has shown to lower carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Our technology is designed for use with many types and sizes of diesel engines used in on-road vehicles, reefer trailers, off-road construction, power generation, mining and forestry equipment. Website: www.dynaCERT.com. READER ADVISORY Except for statements of historical 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. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance of achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to the future delivery of HydraGEN Technology Units under the purchase order, Bristol & Bristol Incorporated, the Purchaser, the broker acting as a conduit and the nation of Guyana. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success for new products and technologies; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of products and services; changes in technology and changes in laws and regulations; the uncertainty of the emerging hydrogen economy; including the hydrogen economy moving at a pace not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements; and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release. On Behalf of the Board Murray James Payne, CEO View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731405084/en/ Jim Payne, CEO & President dynaCERT Inc. #101 501 Alliance Avenue Toronto, Ontario M6N 2J1 +1 (416) 766-9691 x 2 jpayne@dynaCERT.com Investor Relations dynaCERT Inc. Nancy Massicotte +1 (416) 766-9691 x 1 nmassicotte@dynaCERT.com Source: dynaCERT Inc. Palandjians $7.5 million gift advances addiction care and innovative leadership BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eliza Dushku Palandjian and husband Peter Palandjian were honored at Brigham and Womens Hospital, with the renowned Boston-based hospital naming the Eliza Dushku Palandjian and Peter Palandjian Bridge Clinic in their honor. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801965652/en/ Left to right - Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, President, Brigham and Womens Hospital and Executive Vice President, Mass General Brigham; Samata Sharma, MD, Medical Director, Eliza Dushku Palandjian and Peter Palandjian Bridge Clinic; Joji Suzuki, MD, Director, Division of Addiction Psychiatry and Program Director, Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program; Eliza Dushku Palandjian; Peter Palandjian. Photo Credit: Angela Rowlings @angelarowlings The Palandjians made a $7.5 million gift to the Brigham, which is helping advance care, research, and education for substance use disorders as well as supporting innovative leadership at the hospital. To recognize Eliza and Peters generosity, the Brigham named the Eliza Dushku Palandjian and Peter Palandjian Bridge Clinic. The couple were instrumental in the launch and growth of the clinic, which provides compassionate, expert care for patients and families struggling with addiction while fueling cutting-edge research to provide better treatment options. Our gift is about honoring, supporting, and inviting in everyone who might come to the clinic, says Eliza. Were thrilled to support the committed professionals who treat addiction with a multidisciplinary approach using evidence-based sciences together with holistic integration. These principles have benefited me in my own recovery. Eliza is currently deep in her masters degree studies in clinical mental health with a concentration in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. She is also noted for her work as an actress and her husband, Peter Palandjian, is CEO of Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation, headquartered in Boston. Were so thankful to Peter Palandjian and Eliza Dushku Palandjian, whose generous support and partnership will have real, lasting impact on the development, research, and innovation in the often-overlooked area of addiction medicine, said Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, president of Brigham and Womens Hospital and executive vice president at Mass General Brigham. Because of the Palandjians generosity to the Brigham, and the expertise of our outstanding clinical and addiction specialists, we are at the forefront of state-of-the-art treatment for substance use disorders, with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for countless patients. It is humbling to be able to support, thank, honor, and encourage the countless doctors, nurses, administrators, and all Brigham hospital workers who collectively live in service of keeping us healthy, Peter says. For more information on the Dushku-Palandjian Bridge Clinic and this generous gift, please visit give.brighamandwomens.org/stories/palandjian-addiction-care/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801965652/en/ Sean Martin (617) 756-7474 Source: Brigham and Womens Hospital WOKINGHAM, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ferguson plc (NYSE: FERG, LSE: FERG) (the Company) announces today that it purchased a total of 39,722 of its ordinary shares in the period from July 24, 2023, up to and including July 28, 2023, in connection with its $3.0 billion share repurchase program. Aggregated information about the purchases carried out during this period Trading day Aggregate daily volume (in number of shares) Daily weighted average purchase price of the shares Trading venue July 24, 2023 7,714 12,335.0000 XLON July 25, 2023 6,920 12,425.0000 XLON July 26, 2023 12,328 12,350.0000 XLON July 27, 2023 4,221 12,668.1683 XLON July 28, 2023 8,539 12,475.0000 XLON The Company intends to hold these shares in treasury. Following the purchase of these shares (including those purchased but not yet settled), the number of shares held by the Company in treasury will be 27,880,914. Following the purchase of these shares, the remaining number of ordinary shares in issue will be 204,290,268. The figure of 204,290,268 may be used by shareholders (and others with notification obligations) as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation), as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, detailed information about the individual purchases can be found at Ferguson - Investors - Shareholder Center - Share Buy-Back Details - 2023 Share Buy-Back. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801261182/en/ For further information please contact: Brian Lantz, Vice President IR and Communications +1 224 285 2410 Pete Kennedy, Director of Investor Relations +1 757 603 0111 Source: Ferguson plc SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On July 31, Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) unveiled its latest innovative achievement Four-Leaf Clover Central Integrated Electronic and Electrical Architecture (hereinafter referred to as Four-Leaf Clover architecture). The Four-Leaf Clover architecture is a fully self-developed technology that combines a single System-on-Chip (SOC) and a single Microcontroller Unit (MCU) to create a central supercomputing unit. It integrates the cockpit system, intelligent driving system, power domain and body domain, utilizing high computing power, fast communication, and low latency to enable efficient collaboration among the key components of EVs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731404082/en/ Leapmotor's Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Zhu Jiangming, attended the press conference. (Photo: Business Wire) During the press conference, Mr. Zhu Jiangming, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Leapmotor, emphasized that it is through years of comprehensive self-development that Leapmotor has gained the capability to deeply explore core technologies. The launched Four-Leaf Clover architecture efficiently harnesses the full potential of two chips, meeting the diverse requirements of future products and delivering exceptional value for customers. This groundbreaking achievement showcases Leapmotor's commitment to providing cutting-edge, high-performance products at the pinnacle of cost-effectiveness for its esteemed users. The 'Four-Leaf Clover' architecture achieves a generalization rate of over 90% and offers three configuration options: Standard, Mid-range, and High-end, catering to the 100,000 to 300,000 RMB price range vehicles. The Standard configuration combines a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 SOC and a NXP S32G MCU, the Mid-range configuration adopts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 SOC and a NXP S32G MCU, while the High-end configuration features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 SOC and a NXP S32G MCU in addition to the advanced Orin-X chipset. Furthermore, the system supports L2++ level advanced intelligent driving assistance functions. It was reported that the Four-leaf Clover architecture takes the lead in realizing cabin fusion by applying one SOC+ one MCU, which maximizes the performance of the two chips. It systematically integrates the cockpit system, intelligent driving system, power domain, and body domain, concentrating computing power and enabling centralized information decision-making through the central controller. Analogous to the human brain's left and right hemispheres, the SOC is responsible for data processing, while the MCU handles logical calculations, achieving the convergence of the four domains. Furthermore, the architecture applies regional control technology to restructure the allocation of vehicle sensors and actuators, establishing standard interface communication. As a result, the entire length of vehicle wiring harness is shortened to an impressive 1.5 km, reaching a top-tier level in the industry. During this press conference, three representatives from world-class core supply chain partners of Leapmotor were present as honored guests. They included Mr. Xian Lei, Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Qualcomm, Ms. Liu Fang, Global Vice President and General Manager of Greater China Automotive Electronics Division at NXP Semiconductors, and Mr. Chen Xi, Deputy General Manager of NVIDIA China's Automotive Division. Mr. Xian Lei, Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Qualcomm, stated, All Leapmotor C-series vehicles are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset. Soon to be unveiled, Leapmotor's new model will also be among the first to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset. We are looking forward to utilizing the latest solutions from the Snapdragon Digital Chassis to provide users with a top-notch immersive driving experience. If the Qualcomm 8295 chip is compared to the left brain of a central integrated electronic and electrical architecture, the right brain is the NXP S32G chip. Ms. Liu Fang, Global Vice President and General Manager of Greater China Automotive Electronics Division at NXP Semiconductors, expressed, Leapmotor has been an early adopter of NXP's S32K solution, and has grown together with the S32K series MCU. With the use of NXP's S32G series, Leapmotor has independently developed integration of multiple controllers such as VCU, BCM, and GW. We hope that the collaboration between both parties will lead to exploring the next generation of electronic architecture and unlock more potential for intelligent automobiles. The Leapmotor 'Four-Leaf Clover' architecture adopts a central supercomputing platform and enables future vehicle Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, allowing for entire vehicle-level evolution by upgrading just central supercomputing software. As a result, the 'Four-Leaf Clover' architecture becomes the industry's first platform to achieve seamless OTA upgrades for the entire vehicle without causing disruption. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731404082/en/ Tammy Hu [email protected] +86 15068893526 Source: Leapmotor Transaction Represents 68th Acquisition for Leading Distributor of Foodservice Packaging and Janitorial Sanitation Products JERSEY CITY, N.J. & ARDEN HILLS, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of foodservice packaging supplies and janitorial supplies, today announced the acquisition of Apache Group (Apache or the Company). The transaction represents the 68th acquisition for Imperial Dade under the leadership of Robert and Jason Tillis, Chairman and CEO of Imperial Dade, respectively. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. Founded by Joe Adrian, Apache Group is a premier distributor of foodservice packaging products throughout the Midwest. The Company commands an exceptional reputation in the market and operates with the same hyper focus on customer service as it had when founded. By leveraging Imperial Dades market leading platform, Apaches customers across the Midwest can expect the same exceptional customized service coupled with an even greater offering of products and solutions. Apache Group and Imperial Dade share the same family culture and customer and associate centric focus, which makes it a great addition to the Imperial Dade platform, said Robert Tillis. I would like to enthusiastically welcome the Apache family to Imperial Dade. We are excited to bring forth added capabilities and further grow our presence across Minnesota, Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest, said Jason Tillis. The legacy which has been built by the loyal and dedicated employees at Apache will provide a great foundation for continued growth. We are excited to join Imperial Dade as their resources and support will allow us to strengthen customer and supplier relationships. Were incredibly grateful for the decades of dedication and support from the Apache family of employees and thankful for the loyal customers weve served over the years, said Allison Adrian, CEO of Apache. About Imperial Dade Founded in 1935, Imperial Dade serves more than 90,000 customers across North America. Since Chairman Robert Tillis and CEO Jason Tillis assumed their roles in 2007, the company has grown both organically and through acquisitions to become a leader in the foodservice, packaging, and janitorial supplies industry. For additional information, please visit www.imperialdade.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731286596/en/ Imperial Dade Paul Cervino 201.437.7440 x2302 Source: Imperial Dade One overall winner and five honorable mentions recognized for advancing interprofessional education and practice WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On June 29, the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) and the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health (COF) hosted a ceremony at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Learning Center in Washington, DC to celebrate innovation in interprofessional engagement. On behalf of IPEC and COF, it is my pleasure to recognize Dr. Meg Zomorodi and the collaborators at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers as the recipients of the 2023 Excellence in Interprofessional Education (IPE) Collaboration Award," said U.S. Public Health Service Rear Admiral (retired) Randall J.F. Gardner, PE, FSAME. The Rural Interprofessional Initiative (RIPHI) has had far-reaching impacts on improving public health and supporting our future workforce and high-quality education. Were truly humbled by this recognition and honor," said Dr. Zomorodi. Our institutions are committed to serving the needs of rural and underserved areas in North Carolina. RIPHI is a true win-win for our students, partners, and all those we serve. The IPEC Membership Meeting and IPEC/COF Award Ceremony also featured poster presentations by honorable mention finalists. All honorees were recognized for their innovative and transformative solutions to improve the health of their communities. To be eligible, projects had to demonstrate a clear connection between interprofessional practice, outcomes, and impact. It was great to recognize the work of these teams and pioneers, said Alison J. Whelan, MD, IPEC Board Chair and AAMC Chief Education Officer. Its challenging work that is pivotal to the future of health care and education. I congratulate each of the awardees for working tirelessly on our shared mission of advancing IPE and equity. The complete list of the 2023 winners follows: 2023 IPEC COF Award: Overall Winner The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC The Rural Interprofessional Health Initiative (RIPHI) and Carolina Student Services Corps Meg Zomorodi, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, UNC School of Nursing Hugh Tilson, JD, MPH, North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Amir Barzin, DO, MS, Carolina Together Testing Program Amanda Gabbard, MS, UNC Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice 2023 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Health Communications and Health Technology Florida State University (FSU), Tallahassee, FL Using Simulation for Skill Building in Teams: Modified Use of Simulation in Teams for Students in Training (MUST-SIT) Together: An Interprofessional Education (IPE) model Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, RN, FAANP, FSU College of Medicine Niharika Suchak, MBBS, MHS, FACP, AGSF, FSU College of Medicine Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FSU College of Medicine 2023 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Behavioral Health University of Mary, Bismarck, ND Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Student IPE Community Project Michelle Keller, PT, MPT, CEEAA, EdD, University of Mary Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences Jennifer Schroeder, OTD, OTR/L, University of Mary Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences 2023 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Public Health Infrastructure University of Georgia (UGA), Athens, GA Modeling Collaborative Interprofessional Care through a Mass Outbreak Simulation Timothy R. Brown, PharmD, BCACP, FASHP, UGA College of Pharmacy Beth McLear, RN, DNP, FNP-C, ACNP-BC, Augusta University College of Nursing Jose F. Cordero, MD, MPH, FAAP, UGA College of Public Health Kay Brooks, MEd, RPh, UGA College of Pharmacy 2023 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Community Empowerment and Education University of South Dakota (USD), Vermillion, SD Child and Adult Advocacy Studies Interprofessional Simulation Shana Cerny, MS, OTD, USD School of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy Kelly Bass, PhD, DSW, MSW, CSW-PIP, USD School of Health Sciences Department of Social Work Carrie Sanderson, JD, MPA, USD Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment 2023 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: At Risk and Vulnerable Communities University at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo, NY University at Buffalos Lighthouse Clinic: Reducing Barriers to Care and the Impact of Social Determinants of Health Jessica S. Kruger, PhD, MCHES, UB School of Public Health and Health Professions Todd Sage, PhD, MSW, UB School of Social Work William Blymire, Jr., MD, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences This cycle, we received the second highest number of applications only surpassed by the award's inaugural year in 2017. We would like to thank everyone for their engagement and outstanding submissions, noted Lieutenant Commander Kodilichi Echeozo, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCACP. Were also proud to share that we assembled our largest and most interprofessional review team ever to assess these applications. A special thanks to our PHS colleagues for their expertise and assistance with this years award program. We hope that the trend of increasing applications continues, and that more schools and programs share their exemplary work that will be shared with leaders across the health professions, added IPEC Associate Director Shelley McKearney. The 2024 award cycle will open in September 2023. For additional details about the honorees and the submission process, visit IPECs website. About the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) IPECs mission is to ensure that new and current health professionals are proficient in the competencies essential for person-centered, community- and population-oriented, interprofessional, collaborative practice. Eligible institutional members must be associations that represent and serve academic units at institutions of higher education that provide an educational program leading to the award of one or more academic degrees to students in one or more of the health professions that provide direct care to patients. For more information, visit IPECs website. About the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health (COF) COF was founded to build leadership in public health through advocacy, education, research, partnerships and direct support of prevention and public health programs. COF supports career development for officers in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service and supports the growth of the Commissioned Corps as a force for a healthier nation and a healthier world. For more information, visit the COF website. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801743270/en/ Shelley McKearney [email protected] (202) 463-6930 ext. 269 Source: Interprofessional Education Collaborative Deal Creates Standalone Operating Company Focused on Superior Customer Support, Sustainability, and Innovations that Power End-Market Growth in Pharma, Medical Device and High-End Personal Care NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PureTech Scientific LLC today announced the completion of its acquisition of the Glycolic Acid business from The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) for $137 million in cash, making PureTech Scientific a global leader in the organic synthesis of ultra-high purity alpha hydroxy acids for the Life Sciences and Specialty Chemical industries. PureTech Scientific was founded and backed by Iron Path Capital, a private equity firm specializing in lower-middle market investments across the specialty industrial and healthcare sectors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801440711/en/ Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring compound that exists in pineapples, sugar beets, cantaloupe, coffee beans, and many other plants and fruits, serving as a natural preservative and protector. While natural sources are too low in concentration to extract economically, PureTech Scientific produces a nature-identical synthetic glycolic acid that is readily biodegradable, serving as a key component across a variety of industries and applications, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, clean & disinfect, oil & gas, and electronics. The carve-out of Glycolic Acid from The Chemours Company checks all the boxes for us: an exceptional team, a proprietary continuous-production manufacturing process, a superior product, a stellar reputation with its customers, established distribution channels, cutting-edge technology, and a diverse range of end-use applications that are as effective as they are environmentally friendly, said Iron Path Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner Scott Mraz*. PureTech Scientific is well-positioned to drive end-market growth through long-term investments in product innovation, high-touch customer support and a comprehensive organic and transformative growth strategy. Fellow Iron Path Capital Co-founder and Managing Partner Rob Reistetter said: We believe that this acquisition and the creation of a standalone operating company invested in safety, integrity, continuous improvement, collective entrepreneurship, technical support, and strong research and development will bring significant value to PureTech Scientific customers and to the market. James Kanicky, Business Manager of the Glycolic Acid division with more than 20 years of industrial/specialty chemical experience, will serve as CEO/President of PureTech Scientific, along with Reginald Malmberg, CFO; Jeff Horsager, EVP Business Development and Marketing, Ashley Rine, VP of Operations; and Chandler Lee, Global Sales Director. The Leadership team provides a combined experience of over 125 years in the manufacture of Glycolic Acid and high-purity products. Under the PureTech Scientific brand, our customers can expect a continued attention to detail, quality and an uninterrupted supply of our glycolic acid products, Kanicky said. Im especially excited about the new doors of opportunity that will be opened by PureTech Scientifics infusion of technical expertise and resources in support of new customer-centered product applications, formulations and manufacturing capabilities. PureTech Scientific's environmentally friendly and biodegradable portfolio of glycolic acid solutions includes: Glypure a high-purity glycolic acid that is a key ingredient in Personal Care products such as anti-aging and wrinkle removal serums, exfoliation peels, moisturizers and acne treatments for Personal Care products. Glypure GL a proactive form of Glypure that delivers the benefits of AHA to rejuvenate skin more effectively and efficiently with significantly reduced free acid and markedly lower skin irritation. Glypure PGA because Glypure PGA's low parts per million (ppm) impurity level is well-suited for efficient, high molecular weight polyglycolic acid polymer synthesis, it can be used to manufacture PGA for the biodegradable plastics market. Glyclean a technical-grade glycolic acid that is a key ingredient in electronics, surface cleaners, semiconductors and other industrial processing uses. Glyclean D a newly formulated more effective, efficient, environmentally friendlier solution for the Clean and Disinfect market. FORVIS, LLP is acting as Iron Path Capitals financial advisor and McDermott Will & Emery is acting as its legal advisor. About PureTech Scientific LLC Headquartered in Belle, West Virginia, PureTech Scientific is the global leader in organic synthesis of ultra-high purity alpha hydroxy acids for the Life Sciences and Specialty Chemical industries, and the sole manufacturer in the Americas. With over 85 years operating experience and a commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we are dedicated to delivering world-class products, innovations and customer support for a healthier and safer world. For more information, visit puretechscientific.com. About Iron Path Capital Founded in 2021 by seasoned investors and operating executives Rob Reistetter and Scott Mraz, Iron Path Capital is a private equity firm that specializes in building great businesses in the healthcare and specialty industrials sectors. With offices in Nashville, TN, and Charlottesville, VA, Iron Path Capital supports management teams with strategic leadership, operational expertise and flexible capital to achieve visionary growth plans through defined, defensible execution. For more information, visit ironpathcapital.com. *Endorsements of Iron Path and portfolio company executives are provided to demonstrate the benefits of working with the Iron Path team. They are not provided to solicit investors in an Iron Path fund. The portfolio company executive featured in this endorsement is not an investor in an Iron Path fund and no compensation was provided for such testimonial. **The specific investment identified is not representative of all of the investments purchased, sold, or recommended and it should not be assumed that the investment identified was or will be profitable. No guarantee of investment performance is being provided and no inference to the contrary should be made. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Actual holdings will vary for each fund. A list of all investments is available upon request. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801440711/en/ Rob Reistetter [email protected] Source: Iron Path Capital JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nymbus, a premier provider of cloud-based financial technology solutions, is proud to announce that Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) has partnered with Nymbus to deliver Nymbus SMB, a feature-rich, compliant, bank in a box solution designed to enable Credit Unions to serve the rapidly growing Small and Medium Business (SMB) market. Recognizing the dominance of three megabanks that hold 47% of the market and the significantly smaller market share of community banks and credit unions at just 18%, Nymbus has identified a pressing need for its Nymbus SMB initiative to help level the playing field and amplify the competitiveness of credit unions. The collaboration between MSUFCU and Nymbus will pioneer a next-generation approach, enabling credit unions and regional banks to gain an edge in the intensifying SMB banking market. Through this partnership, Nymbus and MSUFCU are stepping up to fill the void left by traditional banking tech providers, which have struggled to evolve and adequately equip credit unions to capitalize on emerging market opportunities such as the rapidly expanding SMB sector. In the wake of its recent $70 million Series D funding roundwhere MSUFCU also participated as an investorNymbus is ramping up its support for credit unions, working diligently to bridge the digital divide. Through its Nymbus SMB solution, Nymbus equips credit unions with essential digital tools to better serve SMBs, consequently expanding their market presence and establishing them as key strategic partners for SMB growth. This solution includes cost-effective services like invoicing, cash management tools, cash flow analytics and a modern digital banking platform operating through a standalone technical infrastructure. Jeffery Kendall, CEO of Nymbus, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration. "This partnership represents a pivotal opportunity for credit unions as we equip them with the modern tools and services they need to effectively meet the needs of the growing SMB market," Kendall said. "Our Nymbus SMB solution is a game changer that delivers value and fills the gap left by legacy credit union technology providers." April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU, also shared her insights. "Aligning with Nymbus on this vital project is a strategic move for MSUFCU, as it allows us to enhance our product offerings and deliver top-tier services to small business owners. Through this collaboration, were showing our dedication to the businesses that are the connectors of our communities, remarked Clobes. The partnership with MSUFCU underscores Nymbus position as a frontrunner in the fintech arena, understanding that credit unions can serve small and medium businesses at a lower cost than the current market offerings and with a level of service that keeps those costs down. Nymbus continues redefining the future of financial services, fostering growth and creating unparalleled value for credit unions and the small business community. About Nymbus: Nymbus has disrupted the financial services market as an alternative to legacy business models. With Nymbus, any size financial institution can quickly launch a full-service digital bank or migrate to our award-winning core. Whichever growth strategy is right for you, Nymbus buys back decades of lost time to engage and support the entire digital customer journey. About MSUFCU: Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For by American Banker for the fifth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 11 consecutive years, a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For winner for six consecutive years, and was named one of the top five Michigan credit unions in Forbes Best-in-State Credit Unions 2021 list. MSUFCU was named a Best Workplace in Financial Services and Insurance by Fortune Magazine two consecutive years and has been certified as a Great Place to Work for nine consecutive years. MSUFCU has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Mich., has 24 branches, nearly 350,000 members, more than $7.5 billion in assets, and nearly 1,100 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org. Note to editors: For more information, news, and perspectives from NYMBUS, please visit the Press Room at www.nymbus.com. For additional information on MSUFCU, visit www.msufcu.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801183477/en/ Media Nymbus: Allison Netzer (855) 210-7874 [email protected] Source: Nymbus NANTES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731253198/en/ OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) today announced that the Company has received 200,000 grant innovation funding from the French Government and Region Pays de la Loire as part of the France 2030 investment plan operated by Bpifrance. Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, comments: We thank the French government, the 'Region Pays de la Loire' and Bpifrance to help OSE in developing next future generation immunotherapies based on the unique advantages that RNA Therapeutics could offer as a novel first-in-class modality. Exciting progress is being made to explore and define new frontiers of science in RNA-based medicines paving the way for RNA therapeutic-based immunotherapies targeting diseases that cannot be treated with other conventional drug groups. OSE is building a first-in-kind research platform at the intersection of Antibody Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) regularly used by the OSE Team and adding now novel RNA Therapeutics and RNA Delivery methods recently patented by OSE to continue to develop next-generation immunotherapy medicines modulating immune cell responses in the field of immuno-inflammation and immuno-oncology. I thank warmly the OSE R&D team moving fast in this new emerging RNA era generating exciting opportunities for future transformative medicines. ABOUT OSE Immunotherapeutics OSE Immunotherapeutics is a biotech company dedicated to developing first-in-class assets in immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation. The Companys current well-balanced first-in-class clinical pipeline includes: Tedopi (immunotherapy activating tumor specific T-cells, off-the-shelf, neoepitope-based): this cancer vaccine is the Companys most advanced product; positive results from the Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other Phase 2 trials, sponsored by clinical oncology groups, of Tedopi in combination are ongoing in solid tumors. (immunotherapy activating tumor specific T-cells, off-the-shelf, neoepitope-based): this cancer vaccine is the Companys most advanced product; positive results from the Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other Phase 2 trials, sponsored by clinical oncology groups, of Tedopi in combination are ongoing in solid tumors. OSE-279 (anti-PD1): ongoing Phase 1/2 in solid tumors or lymphomas (first patient included). OSE-279 is the backbone therapy of the BiCKI platform. (anti-PD1): ongoing Phase 1/2 in solid tumors or lymphomas (first patient included). OSE-279 is the backbone therapy of the BiCKI platform. OSE-127 - lusvertikimab (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor); ongoing Phase 2 in Ulcerative Colitis (sponsor OSE Immunotherapeutics); ongoing preclinical research in leukemia (OSE Immunotherapeutics). - (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor); ongoing Phase 2 in Ulcerative Colitis (sponsor OSE Immunotherapeutics); ongoing preclinical research in leukemia (OSE Immunotherapeutics). FR-104/VEL-101 (anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody): developed in partnership with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation; ongoing Phase 1/2 in renal transplant (sponsor Nantes University Hospital); Phase 1 ongoing in the US (sponsor Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). (anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody): developed in partnership with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation; ongoing Phase 1/2 in renal transplant (sponsor Nantes University Hospital); Phase 1 ongoing in the US (sponsor Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). OSE-172/BI 765063 (anti-SIRP monoclonal antibody on CD47/SIRP pathway) developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim in advanced solid tumors; positive Phase 1 dose escalation results in monotherapy and in combination, in particular with anti-PD-1 antibody ezabenlimab; international Phase 1b ongoing clinical trial in combination with ezabenlimab alone or with other drugs in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OSE Immunotherapeutics expects to generate further significant value from its two proprietary drug discovery platforms, which are central to its ambitious goal to deliver next-generation first-in-class immunotherapeutics: BiCKI platform focused on immuno-oncology (IO) is a bispecific fusion protein platform built on the key backbone component of anti-PD1 combined with a new immunotherapy target to increase anti-tumor efficacy. BiCKI-IL-7 is the most advanced BiCKI candidate targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. focused on immuno-oncology (IO) is a bispecific fusion protein platform built on the key backbone component of anti-PD1 combined with a new immunotherapy target to increase anti-tumor efficacy. BiCKI-IL-7 is the most advanced BiCKI candidate targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. Myeloid platform focused on optimizing the therapeutic potential of myeloid cells in IO and immuno-inflammation (I&I). OSE-230 (ChemR23 agonist mAb) is the most advanced candidate generated by the platform, with the potential to resolve chronic inflammation by driving affected tissues to tissue integrity. Additional information about OSE Immunotherapeutics assets is available on the Companys website: www.ose-immuno.com Click and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Forward-looking statements This press release contains express or implied information and statements that might be deemed forward-looking information and statements in respect of OSE Immunotherapeutics. They do not constitute historical facts. These information and statements include financial projections that are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by OSE Immunotherapeutics management in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements include statements typically using conditional and containing verbs such as expect, anticipate, believe, target, plan, or estimate, their declensions and conjugations and words of similar import. Although the OSE Immunotherapeutics management believes that the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, the OSE Immunotherapeutics shareholders and other investors are cautioned that the completion of such expectations is by nature subject to various risks, known or not, and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of OSE Immunotherapeutics. These risks could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. These risks include those discussed or identified in the public filings made by OSE Immunotherapeutics with the AMF. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This press release includes only summary information and should be read with the OSE Immunotherapeutics Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on May 2, 2023, including the annual financial report for the fiscal year 2022, available on the OSE Immunotherapeutics website. Other than as required by applicable law, OSE Immunotherapeutics issues this press release at the date hereof and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information or statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731253198/en/ OSE Immunotherapeutics Sylvie Detry [email protected] Nicolas Poirier Chief Executive Officer [email protected] French Media: FP2COM Florence Portejoie [email protected] +33 6 07 768 283 Source: OSE Immunotherapeutics SA Saudi Arabia has announced an economic package worth $1.2 billion for Yemen to help the war-ravaged country to cope with its struggling economy, reported SPA. This support is help the Yemeni Government tackle its budget deficit, salaries, wages, and operating expenses and also for guaranteeing Yemen's food security. It is in addition to what the kingdom has previously offered regarding economic and development assistance. The announcement comes following the directives from King Salman and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and is in response to the request from the Government of Yemen for economic aid. It is also in continuation of the agreement reached between the two governments made possible through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), stated the report. It is part of the Saudi government's role to aid the brotherly Yemeni people, alleviate their suffering, and bolster the Yemeni economy to enable the Yemeni government to fulfil its other obligations. This support also comes as an effort exerted by KSA to support Yemen in various fields, as the kingdom provided deposits in the Central Bank of Yemen as part of it support for the Yemeni people. With this, the total amount provided to the Central Bank of Yemen during the period from 2012 to 2022 has now risen to $4 billion. The kingdom has played an important role in stimulating economic growth in Yemen by providing grants of fuel derivatives, which are intended to generate electricity for all Yemeni governorates. These grants from Saudi Arabia are aimed at stimulating Yemen's economy and increasing the efficiency of vital, productive and service sectors, reported SPA. In 2021-2022, the total support for oil derivatives was about 1,260,850 metric tons for operating more than 70 Yemeni stations, with a value of $422 million, distributed in various Yemeni governorates. This generous support comes as a confirmation of the kingdom's keenness to achieve security, stability and development for the Yemeni people and as a contribution to strengthening the budget of the Yemeni government, it added. Al-Ahram Weekly reports on Bidens attempt to revive the grand bargain in his last few months as president. The perceived cure-all for the Middle East is normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel, or so the US administration will have us believe. That alone would bring peace, prosperity, and security to the region. In recent months, senior US officials from the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) visited the Middle East to explore the prospects for a grand bargain to normalise relations between the two countries. Last week US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held talks with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and other senior Saudi officials in Jeddah to explore the possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs in the region. After the meetings, the White House said that Sullivan and the crown prince discussed bilateral and regional matters including initiatives to advance a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East region interconnected with the world. Last June US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia with the objective of promoting normalisation with Israel after declaring it a national security interest of the US. The exact details of that grand bargain remain unclear, but the New York Times reported that exploratory talks involved a US-Saudi security pact and normalising diplomatic relations in exchange for an Israeli pledge to stop settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories and enter negotiations to improve the conditions of Palestinians. Another facet of the grand bargain involves supporting Saudi ambitions to establish a peaceful nuclear programme under the supervision of the Atomic Energy Agency and providing Riyadh with advanced US weapons systems. US President Joe Biden does not have many achievements to brag about before the US presidential elections in 2024, and any diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East will be a great gain for him. But in contrast to the American enthusiasm for the idea of a grand bargain Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Palestinians, and other regional powers, including Iran have given the initiative a cautious, lukewarm welcome. Biden would like to have a major foreign policy success. And in his view having a grand deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia would certainly help going into the elections in 2024. So I think there is a motivation to build on the Abraham Accords and to expand it. However, I think that there is resistance to doing this within the Middle East itself because what we are seeing now is an extremely vicious far-right Israel coalition that is building settlements faster than ever with record levels of settler violence, aided and abetted by the army. And this is not the right moment as far as most Arab states are concerned, Chris Doyle, the director of the London-based Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu), told Al-Ahram Weekly. Any major agreement for the Middle East requires full US involvement and difficult, long, and complex negotiations in which Washington must play all its cards and use its leverage to influence all concerned parties. Doyle believes that such full US involvement may be difficult, noting that since former US president Barack Obama, all US administrations have sought to reduce their involvement in the Middle East. There is of course a desire in Washington to reset the relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia which have been going through a rocky period. Nevertheless, I think the US is just being somewhat unrealistic. I think that even if there was a grand deal, it wont resolve the core of the conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians, he said. Another obstacle facing Bidens effort is how willing Saudi Arabia is to give his administration such a spectacular diplomatic achievement. It is no longer a secret that there is no chemistry between the officials in Riyadh and the current Democratic administration in the White House. Even if that diplomatic breakthrough occurred before the 2024 presidential election, it is not certain that it would have the support of the US Congress, especially giving Riyadh a permanent US security umbrella or a joint defence agreement along the lines of NATO, or supporting a Saudi civil nuclear programme. Without these guarantees, Saudi Arabia has no interest or incentive to normalise relations with Israel. As for Benjamin Netanyahus hard-right Israeli government, it is difficult to see them making promises such as never annexing the West Bank or freezing new settlements. Relations between Biden and Netanyahu are also tense due to US criticism of the changes introduced by the Israeli government in the way the Supreme Court in Israel operates. Seeking more details regarding issues that could affect Israeli security, including possible US support for a Saudi nuclear programme and potential US arms sales to Riyadh, the US news website Axion reported that Mossad Director David Barnea secretly visited Washington two weeks ago for talks with senior White House and CIA officials about the issue. Two US sources told Axion that Barnea met with Sullivan at the White House before the trip Bidens adviser made to Saudi Arabia last week. Barnea also met with Brett McGurk, the White House Middle East czar, and Amos Hochstein, Bidens senior adviser for energy and infrastructure. McGurk and Hochstein, who have been working on improving US-Saudi relations for the last 18 months, joined Sullivan on his recent trip to Jeddah according to Axion. Barnea and CIA Director Bill Burns also discussed the Saudi initiative as well as Iran, one US source said. The CIA refused to comment on the meetings, while a White House National Security Council spokesperson refused to comment specifically on the talks between Sullivan and Barnea, emphasising, We continue to support normalisation with Israel, including with Saudi Arabia, and continue to talk to our regional partners about how more progress can be made. Nonetheless, the noises from Israel are not encouraging. Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi told public broadcaster Kan on Monday that the road to normalising ties with Saudi Arabia is still long, ruling out concessions to Palestinians as part of any deal, adding that Israel is not involved in the US-Saudi discussions. I can say that Israel will not give in to anything that will erode its security, he said. Orit Strock, the minister of Settlements and National Missions in Netanyahus government, also rejected any concessions to the Palestinians as part of a pact. We certainly wont agree to such a thing. We are done with withdrawals. We are done with freezing settlements in Judea and Samaria, Strock said, referring to the occupied West Bank. Talk of a major diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East leading to the normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel has been on the table since 2020 when the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched full diplomatic relations with Israel. At that time, there was an American-Israeli desire to benefit from that momentum by bringing about closer relations with Saudi Arabia. But there has been much water under the bridge since then. On the one hand, there is dissatisfaction in Abu Dhabi with the policies of the Netanyahu government towards the Palestinians. On the other hand, Emirati and Bahraini officials have expressed frustration in high-level contacts with Israel about the commitment to implement all aspects of the 2020 Abraham Accords. For its part, Iran is watching recent US moves with the conviction that they will not yield positive results. Normalising relations with Israel is a Saudi decision in the first place. Iran does not interfere in the sovereign decisions of neighbouring countries, and yet we believe that this is difficult to achieve in light of the policies of the current Israeli government, an Iranian diplomat in London told Al-Ahram Weekly. He added: However if any Saudi-American-Israeli understandings are reached, this will not affect the significant improvement in relations between Tehran and Riyadh, nor the deepening of relations in all fields. This is an assessment that Chris Doyle agrees with, explaining that he does not believe that the recent US efforts will negatively impact the Iranian-Saudi rapprochement: I think there are very good reasons why Iran is happy with the deal with Saudi Arabia, especially after the improvement of the situation in Yemen. I think that probably both Iran and Saudi Arabia see it in their mutual interest to have relations. Theres not a huge trust between Tehran and Riyadh. Its not a perfect relationship. Nobody is suggesting that, but Im not sure that it would necessarily fall apart just because Saudi Arabia and Israel reached a deal. For decades, many US administrations, Democratic and Republican, have tried to achieve a grand bargain that will end all the problems of the Middle East and normalise relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours, to no avail. Biden is trying to do the same in the last few months of his presidency but from a much weaker position compared to previous US presidents, for America has never been more vulnerable in the Middle East than it is today. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PreAct Technologies (PreAct), an Oregon-based developer of near-field flash LiDAR technology, today announced the release of its Mojave LiDAR as a high-performance, low-cost sensor solution to address a variety of applications including smart cities, robotics, cargo monitoring, education & university research, building monitoring, patient monitoring, agricultural, and much more. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801502680/en/ PreActs Mojave LiDAR as a high-performance, low-cost sensor solution to address the needs of a variety of applications including smart cities, robotics, cargo monitoring, education & university research, building monitoring, patient monitoring, agricultural, and much more. (Photo: Business Wire) As more industries are discovering the power of LiDAR sensors to provide high quality data while also maintaining individual privacy, we knew that our technology would be a perfect fit for these applications, said Paul Drysch, CEO of PreAct. We created the sensor to allow companies to monitor volume and movement through high-density point clouds, which gives them the information they need to adjust their services without the creepy factor of watching individuals on camera. In addition, you get much more useful data with a point cloud - such as precise object location and volume. Mojave is the only flash LiDAR on the market designed to meet the needs of non-automotive industry, as well as automotive, applications. With its software-definable capabilities, depth accuracy error of less than 2%, and a single unit retail cost of $350, Mojave will be the first truly mass-market LiDAR. Mojaves performance addresses crucial spatial awareness challenges without paying outrageous amounts for other sensors on the market. Currently, specific use cases include elevator passenger monitoring, retail, patient monitoring in medical facilities, security cameras, robotics, smart cities, education and university research, and entrepreneurship. Retail Mojave addresses key concerns in a retail setting that include customer traffic patterns and behavior, shrinkage protection, product stocking, warehouse logistics, and violence detection. All these areas provide more peace of mind for a better customer experience and profitability. Patient Monitoring & Security Medical and rehabilitation facilities can use the Mojave sensor to monitor patient movements to minimize the risk of falling, lack of movement and other potential dangers such as security breaches from unauthorized visitors. Robotics Mojave meets the stringent automation needs in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries that have come to rely on robotics applications. Outperforming other sensors on the market with its precision, safety, and spatial awareness capabilities, Mojave stands out as a premier sensor choice. Smart Cities As smart cities continue to improve their use of technology, gathering information about travel patterns and public transit passenger behaviors, etc., has become critical to implementing an intelligent transportation system (ITS) that can provide the kind of high performance, accuracy, and speed possible with PreActs Mojave LiDAR. Education and University Research Technology is moving at record speed with universities being a knowledge-rich forum for professors and students to collaborate on the next generation of sensor innovation & application. Worldwide, university labs and centers are dedicated spaces providing testing environments to explore how sensor technology will better our lives. Entrepreneurship and Inventors With creativity abound, most educational institutions teach some form of entrepreneurship. Universities worldwide dedicate entrepreneurship centers for educators to guide student innovators to solve the worlds most pressing problems. PreActs sensor technology awaits the next solution to everyday business and life challenges. The PreAct Mojave LiDAR will be available in September of this year and distributed globally by Digi-Key Electronics and Amazon. Engineering samples will be available August 16 and both products can be pre-ordered now by contacting PreAct. For Mojave LiDAR specs, visit https://www.preact-tech.com/technology/sensors/. About PreAct Technologies PreAct Technologies is the market leader in near-field software-definable flash LiDAR technology and integrated SDK (software development kit). Its patent-pending suite of sensor technologies provides high resolution, affordable LiDAR solutions to a wide range of industries including robotics, healthcare, ITS, logistics, security, industrial, consumer electronics, trucking, and automotive. With unmatched quality and accuracy, PreActs edge processing algorithms drive technology resulting in 3D depth-maps of small objects at sub-centimeter accuracy up to 20 meters. PreActs LiDARs and SDK enable companies and innovators to address the industrys most pressing business and technology needs. The firm is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with offices in Ashburn, Virginia, and Barcelona Spain. For sales inquiries, please contact [email protected]. For more information, visit www.preact-tech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801502680/en/ Angela Simoes PR for PreAct Technologies 415-302-2934 [email protected] Source: PreAct Technologies SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sauce Labs Inc., a leading provider of continuous testing and software quality solutions to deliver digital confidence to enterprises, today announced the appointment of Dave Rhodes as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Rhodes succeeds Aled Miles, who will advise Sauce Labs during a transition period. Enterprises today need to deliver critical software experiences with fewer engineering resources than ever before just to remain competitive with todays digital customer. Sauce Labs is the key for companies like Salesforce, UnitedHealth Group, Disney, and Liberty Mutual, as well as many others, to continuously test and deliver new, revenue-driving features faster, at scale, and with world-class stability and securitysomething completely unique in the software quality market, said Rhodes. Sauce Labs helps enterprises accelerate software development to meet the expectations they face and I look forward to partnering with the Sauce team to capitalize on the exciting growth opportunities ahead. Rhodes brings decades of leadership experience and the unique subject matter expertise of growing and scaling software businesses as mission-critical pieces of infrastructure for enterprises. He joins the company from Unity Software, where he most recently served as the SVP/GM of Unitys Digital Twins Business. During his tenure, Rhodes built Unity into the leading provider of real-time 3D software solutions. He previously served as the companys Chief Revenue Officer, responsible for growing revenue from $130M to $600M. Prior to Unity, he was the EVP Sales, Services and Marketing at Paradigm/Emerson, where he oversaw the development, implementation, and execution of the companys worldwide growth strategies, as well as its services and marketing operations. Additionally, Rhodes spent 11 years at Autodesk, where he last served as Vice President of the Americas. Dave has spent his career building and growing software companies, and were confident that his leadership and expertise will enable Sauce Labs to thrive in its next chapter as enterprises across industries continue to prioritize software development and performance, said Robin Pederson, Chairman of the Board of Directors. On behalf of the board, I also want to recognize Aled for his service and thank him for all he has done to position the company for continued growth and success. Sauce Labs is a trusted provider of continuous testing and software quality solutions that help software teams accelerate development by saving thousands of hours of manual functional, component, and unit testing through automation. The company has been built around a community of open-source maintainers and software quality experts to share knowledge and empowerment in order to develop software that can keep up with an ever-evolving digital world. About Sauce Labs Sauce Labs is the leading provider of continuous test and error reporting solutions that give companies the confidence to develop, deliver and update high quality software at speed. The Sauce Labs Continuous Testing Cloud identifies quality signals in development and identifies the source of errors in production, accelerating the ability to release and update applications that look, function and perform exactly as they should on every browser, operating system and device, every single time. Sauce Labs is a privately held company funded by TPG and Riverwood Capital. For more information, please visit https://saucelabs.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801701601/en/ For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Michael Selvidge Senior Director, Communications Sauce Labs [email protected] Source: Sauce Labs Inc. BROOMFIELD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Simpro, the leading total business management software for commercial and residential trade service businesses, today announced Stephanie Wilkinson will join the team as its new Chief Revenue Officer. This strategic addition comes as part of Simpros commitment to drive growth while scaling and unifying its business operations. Im honored to join Simpro at such a pivotal time in their growth journey, said Wilkinson. This is an exciting time for the company, and I look forward to collaborating with the team to further accelerate Simpros global growth and customer success. With more than 26 years in the software technology industry, Wilkinson brings a unique perspective of technical expertise and strategic acumen to the role. Before joining Simpro, Wilkinson held executive positions at several technology companies including IBM Software Group and Magento. Most recently, she served as the VP of Growth Sales and Customer Success for Adobes Digital Experience business, where she drove an impressive $400 million in ARR across 5,000 customers. Stephanies experience and proven leadership in sales, support and customer success will be a strong addition to our team and I am thrilled to welcome her to Simpro, said Gary Specter, CEO of Simpro. With her leadership, we are confident in our ability to accelerate our growth, expand our market presence and deliver exceptional value to our customers. Wilkinson holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and is currently an advisory board member for the Technology & Services Industry Association. About Simpro Simpro is the total business management software for commercial trade service businesses. From job quoting and scheduling to inventory tracking, invoicing and everything in between, Simpros smart technology solutions and expert long-term support help businesses build, repair and power their future with complete control over operations. Founded in 2002 by an electrical contractor and headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, Simpro supports more than 8,000 businesses and 200,000 users worldwide in the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security and fire protection industries with 700+ employees in six global offices. To learn more about Simpro, visit our website. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801961243/en/ Media: Trish King, VP of Revenue Marketing [email protected] Source: Simpro SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sunnova Energy International, Inc. (Sunnova or the Company) (NYSE: NOVA), Puerto Ricos largest residential solar and battery storage Energy as a Service (EaaS) provider, today announced that it is ready to participate in the Battery Emergency Demand Response program in Puerto Rico. This program revolutionizes the way distributed solar and storage customers contribute to grid stability during periods of high demand and are financially compensated for their contribution. By voluntarily participating in the program through the Sunnova Flex Power Program, Sunnova customers will play an active role in bolstering the grid and supporting a reliable power supply for Puerto Ricans. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731649581/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) During periods of grid instability, typically when existing power plants are unable to meet high demand, Sunnovas fleet of batteries will be called upon to provide energy, dramatically reducing strain on the grid and minimizing blackouts. In return for their battery response and contribution, customers will be compensated for the power supplied by their batteries. This approach not only incentivizes customers to embrace renewable energy solutions but also creates a win-win-win situation whereby the grid is strengthened, customers receive an additional financial benefit from their systems, and heavily polluting peaker plants are relied upon less. Through this groundbreaking initiative, Puerto Ricans can benefit from a steadier power supply while Sunnova customers benefit from the advantages of their energy-conscious decisions. "The unfortunate reality of an unreliable local electrical grid and frequent power outages has plagued Puerto Rico for far too long. Luckily, a new era of energy stability and empowerment is here. By harnessing the energy stored in batteries during times of high demand or emergencies, homeowners can actively contribute to grid stabilization and be rewarded for their valuable contribution, all while benefitting electricity consumers across the Island," said William J. (John) Berger, Chief Executive Officer of Sunnova, emphasizing that Sunnova customers will maintain resiliency and energy independence and that their batteries will never be dispatched immediately ahead of predicted hurricanes or severe weather, ensuring stored power supply will be protected and available for their homes. For more than ten years, Sunnova has been the leading provider of residential solar services in Puerto Rico, spearheading the island's transformation towards distributed solar and storage energy service solutions. Since the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Sunnova has helped to drive energy resiliency and reliability in Puerto Rico. With the largest customer base of distributed solar and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico, Sunnova is uniquely positioned to make a significant impact with its Flex Power Program. With over 55,000 customers in Puerto Rico, Sunnova takes the lead with its approximately 48,000 solar and storage customers, boasting an impressive total installed storage capacity of 727 MWh. This massive aggregation and coordination of solar plus battery storage systems on the island facilitates unparalleled contributions to grid stability and resilience. Sunnova's pivotal role not only solidifies its position as a key player in shaping Puerto Rico's energy landscape but also ensures a more resilient and sustainable future for the island. When the grid is under stress, and as requested by LUMA, participating systems will be instructed to discharge battery storage to the site or to the grid, reducing overall demand on the grid, minimizing blackouts, and keeping the power on. Under the program, Sunnova expects to dispatch a participating customers battery up to a maximum number of 125 dispatch events each year. In each demand response, the customers battery will never be discharged below a capacity level of their choosing. At the end of the year, participating customers would be credited by Sunnova for the energy produced by their batteries during these events. Compensation under the program will be based on how much energy each customers battery provides when called upon. The average residential customer may receive up to $1,000 annually for their participation, depending on their battery size and configuration, and final program details. Depending on whether a system has been financed with a loan or a lease, Sunnova will automatically apply the incentive as a credit towards the account each year or send an ACH payment to the customer, respectively. Sunnovas program is being launched under the aegis of the Puerto Rico Energy Bureaus (PREB) Energy Efficiency and Emergency Demand Response Programs, expected to commence later this year pursuant to the Government of Puerto Ricos public policy on energy efficiency. Specifically, the Puerto Rico Energy Transformation and Relief Act of 2014 (Act 57-2014) requires the PREB to establish energy efficiency programs in order for Puerto Rico to reduce energy consumption from current levelsthereby lowering individual customers energy billsand rebuild a stronger and more cost-effective energy system that is responsive to customers needs and contributes to energy quality by diminishing the need for more expensive fossil fuel generation. Sunnova already has over 20,000 customers participating in grid services programs in six markets stateside, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, Texas, and New York. During a visit to the Island last April to hold the publicly traded Sunnovas quarterly Board of Directors meeting, Berger celebrated the companys contribution to the expansion of the residential solar energy industry in Puerto Rico during the last 10 years and outlined plans for the future. We are enormously proud of, and thankful for, the opportunity weve had in helping provide energy independence to thousands of Puerto Rican homeowners. When we first arrived on the Island in 2013, there were very few Puerto Rican homes with solar. Today, thanks to the hard work of our team and our trusted network of exclusive dealers Sunnova has more than 55,000 customers in Puerto Rico. Thats significant growth by any standard and it has helped solidify Puerto Rico as our third largest market in the entire U.S., said Berger. Frankly, the credit goes to the savvy Puerto Rican consumers who have embraced solar and battery storage technology solutions to satisfy their residential energy needs in a more efficient, resilient and cost-effective manner. Now, with our Flex Power Program they will have the opportunity to put their solar plus storage systems not only to work for them, but for their communities and the entire Puerto Rico energy system, he added. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Puerto Rico, Sunnova has been hard at work investing in its customer service infrastructure on the Island, including the doubling of its Puerto Rican service technicians over the last year, bolstering its supply chain for equipment for its service fleet, and introducing of a new customer service call center in Puerto Rico for Puerto Rican customers. Puerto Rico is our flagship for a whole new level of customer service among all the markets we serve, said Berger. *** Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Sunnovas future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "going to," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern Sunnovas expectations, strategy, priorities, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Sunnovas market growth, and future plans and performance in Puerto Rico. Sunnovas expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including risks regarding our ability to forecast our business due to our limited operating history, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our business and operations, supply chain uncertainties, results of operations and financial position, our competition, changes in regulations applicable to our business, fluctuations in the solar and home-building markets, availability of capital, and our ability to attract and retain dealers and customers and manage our dealer and strategic partner relationships. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Sunnovas filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sunnovas annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to Sunnova as of the date hereof, and Sunnova disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. About Sunnova Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE: NOVA) is a leading Energy as a Service (EaaS) provider with customers across the U.S. and its territories. Sunnova's goal is to be the source of clean, affordable, and reliable energy with a simple mission: to power energy independence so that home and business owners have the freedom to live life uninterrupted. For more information, please visit sunnova.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731649581/en/ Media Jose Luis Cedeno 787.717.2429 Source: Sunnova Energy International, Inc. TerraPower has awarded supplier contracts to four companies to support the NatriumTM1 Reactor Demonstration Project BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TerraPower, a nuclear innovation company leading projects from research to reality, announced today the selection of four suppliers to support its Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. The Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project is being developed in Kemmerer, Wyoming near a retiring coal plant. These award selections help establish key elements of the supply chain that the advanced reactor industry will rely on as new reactors are brought to market. Nuclear power is key to providing the carbon-free, baseload energy that is necessary to meet clean energy targets and maintain grid stability. Throughout the process of bringing the Natrium Reactor and Energy Storage System to market, we have found that working with a diverse supply chain strengthens our ability to deliver a cutting-edge technology, said Tara Neider, Senior Vice President and Project Director for the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. The commercialization of advanced reactors relies on the support of experts from various industries, and we look forward to collaborating with these suppliers to build the Natrium reactor. The Natrium technology features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The storage technology can boost the systems output to 500 MWe for more than five and a half hours when needed. This innovative addition allows a Natrium plant to integrate seamlessly with renewable resources and leads to faster, more cost-effective decarbonization of the electric grid while producing dispatchable carbon-free energy. Supplier awards include: Western Service Corporation (WSC) : Western Service Corporation (WSC), of Fredrick, MD, will provide the software platform and engineering services for the Natrium Engineering Simulator. The complexity of advanced reactor designs requires Simulation Assisted Engineering (SAE), an approach that offers opportunities to integrate system functions and perform virtual commissioning in early stages. Development of an Engineering Simulator, which adopts detailed modeling and sophisticated computation, is a key component of the SAE approach. In support of the Natrium design, TerraPower is developing a Natrium Engineering Simulator that can simulate normal operation and plant protective functions, and WSC will provide services central to its development. : Western Service Corporation (WSC), of Fredrick, MD, will provide the software platform and engineering services for the Natrium Engineering Simulator. The complexity of advanced reactor designs requires Simulation Assisted Engineering (SAE), an approach that offers opportunities to integrate system functions and perform virtual commissioning in early stages. Development of an Engineering Simulator, which adopts detailed modeling and sophisticated computation, is a key component of the SAE approach. In support of the Natrium design, TerraPower is developing a Natrium Engineering Simulator that can simulate normal operation and plant protective functions, and WSC will provide services central to its development. James Fisher Technologies : James Fisher Technologies, based in Loveland, CO, is designing and building an injection casting furnace system that will be implemented in TerraPowers Everett laboratory and will demonstrate the basic functionality of the injection casting process. : James Fisher Technologies, based in Loveland, CO, is designing and building an injection casting furnace system that will be implemented in TerraPowers Everett laboratory and will demonstrate the basic functionality of the injection casting process. BWXT Canada, Ltd. : BWXT Canada, Ltd. will design the Intermediate Heat Exchanger for the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. The Intermediate Heat Exchanger is a critical component which transfers heat from the primary sodium in the primary heat transport system to the intermediate sodium in the intermediate heat transport system. Successful design and fabrication of this component by BWXT Canada Ltd. is key to the planned achievements of the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Projects power generation. : BWXT Canada, Ltd. will design the Intermediate Heat Exchanger for the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. The Intermediate Heat Exchanger is a critical component which transfers heat from the primary sodium in the primary heat transport system to the intermediate sodium in the intermediate heat transport system. Successful design and fabrication of this component by BWXT Canada Ltd. is key to the planned achievements of the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Projects power generation. Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Service, LLC: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Service, LLC (dba Curtiss-Wright Nuclear Division), headquartered in North Carolina, will develop the Reactor Protection System (RPS) for the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. The RPS performs important safety functions in accordance with regulatory requirements. This contract follows a phased approach including provision of a prototype system, planning and engineering support, prior to the detailed design, manufacture, testing and delivery of the RPS. Successful implementation of RadICS system by Curtiss-Wright is key to the successful delivery of the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. Future Request for Proposal (RFP) opportunities for the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project can be found on TerraPowers website: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/suppliers/ The process of awarding contracts for the project is ongoing. TerraPower will continue to provide updates as additional contracts are awarded. About TerraPower TerraPower is a leading nuclear innovation company that strives to improve the world through nuclear energy and science. Since it was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries, TerraPower has emerged as an incubator and developer of ideas and technologies that offer energy independence, environmental sustainability, medical advancement and other cutting-edge opportunities. It accepts and tackles some of the worlds most difficult challenges. Behind each of its innovations and programs, TerraPower actively works to bring together the strengths and experiences of the worlds public and private sectors to answer pressing global needs. Learn more at terrapower.com. _________________ 1 The Natrium project is a TerraPower and GE-Hitachi technology View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801271036/en/ Media Contacts [email protected] Source: TerraPower LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Citing Los Angeles housing crisis, Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, in a July 25, 2023, letter to Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso, has announced support for an immediate $30 an hour minimum wage for hotel and airport workers. The original motion to increase the Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance, supported by six council members, would have reached $30 an hour by 2028. We know that continued stagnation of wages will only lead to more people falling into homelessness and forced to live in their cars and on our streets, states Soto-Martinez in his letter. Soto-Martinez letter follows weeks of strikes by thousands of hotel workers at 43 hotels across Los Angeles and Orange counties. The hotel workers union, UNITE HERE Local 11, has drawn attention to the increased housing insecurity and hardships caused by insufficient wages in the tourism industries, as reported by the Los Angeles Times and others. Members of Local 11 say they will keep fighting until they can afford to live in the same place as they work. I am excited that our city leaders see what we are going through. I cant afford to live where I work without working two jobs. Hotel workers need $30 per hour just to live, says room attendant Graciela Gomez from Four Points LAX. If Soto-Martinez and his colleagues are successful, Los Angeles will have the highest minimum wage in the United States. It is time for the tourism industry the economic engine of Los Angeles to take responsibility for the housing crisis that Angelinos face. I applaud our city officials for following the leadership of Local 11 members to demand a true living wage for the people who are the backbone of this city, said Kurt Petersen, Co-President of UNITE HERE Local 11. UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona that work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731152930/en/ PRESS CONTACT: Maria Hernandez | [email protected] | (623) 340-8047 Source: UNITE HERE Local 11 FILE PHOTO: A view of the Johan Sverdrup oilfield in the North Sea, January 7, 2020. Carina Johansen/NTB Scanpix/via REUTERS /File Photo By Arathy Somasekhar HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices edged lower on a stronger dollar and signs of profit-taking after a rally in July when investors bet on tighter global supplies and demand growth in the second half of 2023. Brent crude futures for October settled at $84.91 a barrel on Tuesday, down 52 cents or 0.6%. Front-month Brent settled on Monday at its highest since April 13. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures closed at $81.37 a barrel, down 43 cents, or 0.5%, from the previous session's settlement, which was its highest since April 14. "Crude is moving in a corrective phase this morning, prompted by a sharply higher U.S. dollar index and satisfying the 'overbought' market situation," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial. The dollar index, a measure of the greenback against six major currencies, rose 0.40%. A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for investors holding other currencies. U.S. crude oil stocks fell by about 15.4 million barrels in the week ended July 28, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Analysts had expected a drop of 1.37 million barrels. Gasoline inventories fell by about 1.7 million barrels, compared with estimates for a 1.3 million-barrel drop. Distillate inventories fell by about 510,000 barrels, compared with analysts estimates for a build of 112,000 barrels. The inventory data helped crude futures tick up in post settlement trade. Brent was up 32 cents or 0.4% at $85.75, while U.S. crude futures jumped 40 cents or 0.5% to $82.22 in thin volumes. To revive China's private sector amid a flagging economic recovery following a protracted period of COVID restrictions, Chinese ministries, regulators and the central bank on Tuesday pledged more financing support to small businesses. Meanwhile, data released on Monday showed manufacturing activity in the euro zone contracted in July at the fastest pace since May 2020, tempering enthusiasm. On the supply side, this Friday's OPEC+ meeting is expected to see Saudi Arabia roll its voluntary cuts through September, further tightening supplies. OPEC oil output fell in July after Saudi Arabia made an additional voluntary cut as part of the OPEC+ producer group's latest agreement to support the market, and an outage curbed Nigerian supply, a Reuters survey found on Monday. At a conference on Monday, BP chief Bernard Looney presaged oil demand growth continuing into next year and OPEC+ being increasingly disciplined. (Reporting by Arathy somasekhar in Houston; Additional reporting by Natalie Grover in London and Emily Chow in Singapore; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Sonali Paul, David Evans, Nick Macfie, Jan Harvey, Alexander Smith, Will Dunham and Deepa Babington) Ares Management Corporation announced today that funds managed by its Credit Group (collectively Ares) closed approximately $4.1 billion in U.S. direct lending commitments across 51 transactions during the second quarter of 2023 and approximately $20.2 billion in direct lending commitments across 181 transactions in the last twelve-month period ended June 30, 2023. Below is a description of selected transactions that Ares closed during the second quarter. Apex Service Partners / Alpine Investors Ares served as a lender for an incremental senior secured credit facility to support Alpine Investors continued growth plans for Apex Service Partners. Apex Service Partners is a market-leading home services business providing critical residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical maintenance and repair services throughout the United States. Certified Power / Brinkmere Capital Partners Ares served as the administrative agent and lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Brinkmere Capitals continued growth plans for Certified Power. Certified Power Inc is a leading value-added distributor of engineered fluid power and motion control solutions for mobile and industrial applications. Convera / The Baupost Group & Goldfinch Partners Ares served as the administrative agent for an incremental senior secured credit facility to support The Baupost Group and Goldfinch Partners continued growth plans for Convera. Convera (fka Western Union Business Solutions) is one of the largest non-bank providers of cross-border business payment and foreign exchange solutions in the world. Mr Greens / Sterling Investment Partners Ares served as the administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Sterling Investment Partners acquisition of Mr Greens. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Mr Greens is a rapidly growing distributor of produce, dairy, and specialty food items to the restaurant and hospitality industries in Florida and Texas, including many of the marquee restaurant groups in its active markets. Northwinds Services Group / TruArc Partners, LP Ares served as the administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support TruArc Partners recapitalization of Northwinds Services Group. Northwinds is a leading HVAC and plumbing services provider focused on serving both residential and commercial customers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. ProService / Silver Lake Partners Ares served as the administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner to support Silver Lakes acquisition of ProService. ProService is a leading specialty provider of comprehensive HR outsourcing services, helping SMB employers manage time-consuming and complex HR tasks such as payroll, benefits, insurance, compliance, administrative, and risk management services. Suave / Yellow Wood Partners Ares served as the administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Yellow Wood Partners acquisition of Suave. Suave is a leading personal care company with products across hair care, skin cleansing, deodorant, and skincare. The SEER Group / Genstar Capital Ares served as the administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Genstar Capitals acquisition of the SEER Group. SEER provides residential and commercial HVAC, electrical and plumbing services in the greater Pacific Northwest region, with a base of 30+ brands and hundreds of technicians. Towne Park / Greenbriar Equity Group Ares served as the administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Greenbriar Equity Groups acquisition of Towne Park. Towne Park is a leading provider of tech-enabled parking management and hospitality services. Vobev Ares served as the administrative agent for a senior secured credit facility to support Vobevs continued growth plans. Vobev is a vertically integrated aluminum beverage can producer and filler in North America. About Ares Management Corporation Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, private equity, real estate and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of June 30, 2023, Ares Management Corporation's global platform had approximately $378 billion of assets under management, with over 2,600 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731305559/en/ Investor Relations: Carl Drake, 888-818-5298 [email protected] or John Stilmar, 888-818-5298 [email protected] Media: Priscila Roney, 212-808-1185 [email protected] Source: Ares Management Corporation Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE: LAC) is pleased to announce that shareholders have voted in favor of the separation of the Company into Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. and a new Lithium Americas Corp. pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement at the Companys annual general and special meeting of shareholders held today. The Separation was approved by 98.85% of the votes cast by shareholders present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, as well as 98.78% of the votes cast excluding those of such shareholders who are required to be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. We are delighted to see our shareholders overwhelming support for the Separation, said Jonathan Evans, Lithium Americas President and CEO. Following the Separation, the Lithium Americas (NewCo) team is committed to advancing the Thacker Pass project toward production to support the critical North American lithium supply chain. Meanwhile, the Lithium Argentina team will advance Cauchari-Olaroz toward full commercial production and pursue development opportunities in its significant growth pipeline in Argentina. The Separation is targeted to become effective in early October 2023. Completion of the Separation remains subject to certain regulatory approvals and closing conditions, including without limitation, having a registration statement to register Lithium Americas (NewCo) common shares under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 become effective, and the receipt of final approvals by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Company received advanced tax rulings from both the Canada Revenue Agency and the Internal Revenue Service in July, and the final court hearing is scheduled to be held on August 4, 2023. In connection with the approval of the Separation, the Companys shareholders also passed the resolution approving a new equity incentive plan for Lithium Americas (NewCo) with 90.17% of the votes cast at the Meeting in favor of the resolution. Additionally, in connection with the second tranche (Tranche 2) of the previously announced US$650 million investment (the Investment) by General Motors Holdings LLC (NYSE: GM) (GM), the Companys shareholders passed two resolutions approving: (a) the ownership by GM and its affiliates of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (or following the Separation, Lithium Americas (NewCo)); and (b) US$27.74 per share (as adjusted for the Separation) as the maximum subscription price at which Tranche 2 would be made. 98.42% of the votes cast by disinterested shareholders were in favor of the resolution in respect of GMs maximum ownership in the Company and, following the Separation, Lithium Americas (NewCo), as applicable, and 98.40% of the votes cast by disinterested shareholders were in favor of the resolution in respect of the maximum pricing limitation for Tranche 2. Following the Separation, Tranche 2 will be conducted by way of a subscription by GM for shares of Lithium Americas (NewCo) having an aggregate subscription price of approximately US$330 million pursuant to the terms of a subscription agreement. Completion of Tranche 2 will be subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of conditional approval from the TSX and authorization from the NYSE. GMs ownership interest in the Company and, following the Separation, Lithium Americas (NewCo) is subject to a maximum of 30% pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreements governing the Investment. At the Meeting, the eight director nominees listed in the Company's management information circular dated June 16, 2023 (the Circular) were also reelected as directors to serve until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders, subject to the completion of the Separation. The detailed results of the vote are set out below: Director Nominees Votes For Votes Withheld George Ireland 62,801,435 (97.71%) 1,469,043 (2.29%) Fabiana Chubbs 60,922,953 (94.79%) 3,347,525 (5.21%) Kelvin Dushnisky 62,502,979 (97.25%) 1,767,499 (2.75%) Jonathan Evans 61,847,254 (96.23%) 2,424,108 (3.77%) Dr. Yuan Gao 56,314,295 (87.62%) 7,955,299 (12.38%) John Kanellitsas 62,609,332 (97.42%) 1,661,146 (2.58%) Jinhee Magie 60,863,141 (94.70%) 3,407,337 (5.30%) Franco Mignacco 63,101,272 (98.18%) 1,169,206 (1.82%) Mr. Xiaoshen Wang did not stand for re-election to the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company thanks Mr. Wang for his valuable contributions and wishes him every success in his future endeavors. On behalf of the board and management, I would like to thank Mr. Xiaoshen Wang for his dedication and commitment for the past six years. Mr. Wang has provided invaluable knowledge and experience and has played an instrumental role in the success of the Company to date, said George Ireland, Chairman of the Board of Directors. In addition to the election of directors, shareholders also set the size of the Board of Directors at eight, re-appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys auditor and approved a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation. Detailed voting results on all matters considered at the Meeting are reported in the Report of Voting Results as filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Please refer to the Circular for more detailed information, available on the Companys website (www.lithiumamericas.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) today announced the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) accepted its Standard Design Approval (SDA) Application for formal review. After beginning the technical review of NuScales application in March 2023, the NRC has docketed the application for NuScales VOYGR-6 plant design featuring an uprated 77 MWe small modular nuclear reactor (SMR), which will support capacity requirements for a wider range of customers. The NRC provided a 24-month review schedule for approval, which will align with the timing needs of NuScales U.S. customers. We are pleased that the NRC has accepted our SDA application, which not only accomplishes one of our key milestones for 2023, but also brings us a step closer to providing clean, carbon-free energy to even more customers around the world, said John Hopkins, NuScale President and Chief Executive Officer. Our team has worked closely with the NRC for many years were familiar with their process and are eager to work alongside them to achieve the successful approval of our uprated design. The NRCs rigorous standards are recognized and respected across the globe, and approval validates the acceptability of the safety of NuScales carbon-free design. NuScale received NRC approval for its 50 MWe design in 2020 and design certification in 2023, making it the first and only SMR to achieve either milestone. The uprated design currently under review includes the same fundamental and unparalleled safety case the NRC approved in 2020 thus setting the stage for an efficient and effective review of NuScales SDA application. This Standard Design Approval will allow our customers to benefit from an increased power output from the small modular reactor design that the NRC previously reviewed and approved, said Carrie Fosaaen, NuScales Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. We will continue to work with the NRC on an expeditious, but thorough review of the SDA application. About NuScale Power NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The companys groundbreaking VOYGR SMR plants are powered by the NuScale Power Module, a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output. As the first and only SMR to have its design certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. Founded in 2007, NuScale is headquartered in Portland, Ore. To learn more, visit NuScale Power's website or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Forward Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as estimate, plan, project, forecast, intend, will, expect, anticipate, believe, seek, target or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical facts. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially as a result of a number of factors. Caution must be exercised in relying on these and other forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, NuScales results may differ materially from its expectations and projections. NuScale specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing NuScales assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230725913480/en/ Media Contact Diane Hughes, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, NuScale Power [email protected] (503) 270-9329 Investor Contact Scott Kozak, Director, Investor Relations, NuScale Power [email protected] (541) 452-7583 Source: NuScale Power If the Saudi government normalises relations with Israel in the absence of a proper solution to the Palestinian issue, this will lead to an unrecognisable and more unstable Middle East. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan flew to Saudi Arabia to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman on 27 July. It was his second visit to the country over the last few months. According to a White House readout last Thursday, the talks covered Saudi-US relations and regional matters including initiatives in other words, the US-Israeli plan for the Middle East to advance a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East region interconnected with the world. The US and Saudi delegations at the talks reviewed the significant progress, as the White House readout put it, to build on the benefits of the truce in Yemen. Sullivan welcomed the efforts by the UN to end the war in that country. Three days after Sullivans trip to Saudi Arabia, the Biden administration sent its Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Dan Shapiro to Israel, where he held a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 30 July. In the wake of the meeting, Cohen reaffirmed the central US role in expanding and deepening Israeli relations with two sets of countries those that have already normalised their relations with Israel and newcomers like Saudi Arabia. The two men also discussed the promotion of the Negev Summit meeting that Morocco is expected to host. The first meeting of this political forum took place in the Negev Desert in Israel and was attended by Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and the host country Israel. Despite its name, participation in this political forum is on the level of foreign ministers. The US diplomatic and political priority in the Middle East centres around bringing Saudi Arabia into the circle of those Arab countries that have joined the club of normalisers with Israel by signing up to the so-called Abraham Accords. The US administration knows that the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in this club would encourage other Muslim countries to follow suit. US and Israeli sources have already mentioned Indonesia and Malaysia in this regard. As far as the Saudi government is concerned, it is doubtful that it will accept to normalise relations with Israel in the absence of significant progress in moving towards a solution to the Palestinian question in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the Saudi-inspired Arab Peace Plan of 2002. This plan has not been recognised by Israel, a fact that should be mentioned in passing. An Israeli defence official was quoted in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on 30 July as saying that King Salman, the Saudi monarch, had insisted in the meeting with Sullivan last week that any normalisation with Israel should be accompanied by clear Israeli steps towards the Palestinian people. It goes without saying that if the Saudi government accepts to join the bandwagon of Arab normalisers without a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian question including the lifting of the illegal Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip that has been in place since 2007, then the Middle East region will be unrecognisable and more unstable and insecure regardless of what the US administration may say to the contrary. If any such move takes place, the chances of the two-state solution being implemented would become almost zero. Earlier in July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told a meeting at the Israeli parliament the Knesset that Palestinian hopes for a sovereign state of their own must be eliminated. The fact of the matter is that the present Israeli government has embarked on a plan to accelerate the building of settlements and the legalisation of outposts built by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on land that is supposed to be the territory of an independent and sovereign Palestine. It rescinded a ruling by the Israeli courts outlawing the construction of one such outpost. One of the undeclared reasons behind the current reform of the judicial system in Israel is precisely the removal of any judicial impediments to the acceleration of the construction of settlements in the West Bank. I very much doubt that the integration of Israel into the Middle East, a top priority for the US, in the absence of fulfilling the national aspirations and political rights of the Palestinian people, will make the Middle East more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable. Maybe this is what US Senator Chris Van Hollen (Democrat Maryland), a Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, meant when he was quoted by journalist Thomas Friedman in the New York Times on 27 July as saying that I can assure you that there will be a strong core of Democratic opposition to any proposal [he was speaking of a possible US-Saudi-Israeli deal] that doesnt include meaningful, clearly defined and enforceable provisions to preserve the option of a two-state solution and to meet President Bidens own demand that Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal measures of freedom and dignity. These elements are essential to any sustainable peace in the Middle East. Let us hope that the Biden administration sees eye to eye with this strong and unambiguous position on the necessary conditions for peace and security in the Middle East and that it comes out publicly in its support with the strong political will to carry it through. That would be quite a deterrent to the present Netanyahu government, which must realise that there would be huge political, diplomatic, and security costs for Israel if it proceeds with the annexation of the West Bank. * The writer is former assistant foreign minister. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM) is up 1.83% in pre-market trading Tuesday morning after releasing its 1Q earnings report. The Japanese auto maker's operating profit in the first quarter almost doubled to JPY 1.1TN, marking a significant 94% year-on-year growth. This impressive performance was attributed to higher sales and productivity, as well as the favorable impact of a weaker yen. "Sales volumes across all regions increased compared to the same period a year earlier due to productivity improvement efforts made together with suppliers," the company said in its earnings announcement. Bank of America reaffirmed its Buy rating and 12-month price target of JPY 2,900 (ADR: $207.79) on the company's stock after the Japanese automaker reconfirmed its full-year FY3/2 guidance with an estimated operating profit of JPY 3TN. Analyst Kei Nihonyanagi wrote in a note, 1Q results suggest OP is on track to easily beat the market consensus of 3.6tn if exchange rates stay at the current level. The company sold approximately 2.53 million Toyota and Lexus luxury brand cars in the quarter, marking an impressive 8.4% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, around 34% of these sales comprised hybrids and other electrified vehicles. Toyotas performance in Japan stood out with operating profit soaring over two-fold from the previous year, reaching JPY 700.7 billion. This robust performance accounted for more than 60% of the overall operating profit, primarily driven by a surge in vehicle sales. The availability of semiconductors significantly contributed to this growth, ensuring improved supply for the market. Chinese business contributed JPY 53.6B to 1Q OP, down 26% YoY mainly due to forex, and JPY 54.3B to equity-method income, down 32% on lower volumes. By Michael Elkins | [email protected] FILE PHOTO: A group of Chevrolet Camaro cars for sale is pictured at a car dealership in Los Angeles, California April 1, 2014. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - General Motors Co said Tuesday it will recall just over 900 older vehicles worldwide with Takata air bag inflators that could rupture after an incident in Brazil. The recall covers some 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, Sonic, Volt, and TRAX (Canada-only), and Buick Verano vehicles, including 767 in the U.S., 101 in Canada and 46 in other countries. The largest U.S. automaker said its Brazil unit in March received an allegation that a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro was in a May 2022 crash and that the front-driver airbag inflator ruptured during deployment. GM said an inspection confirmed the front driver airbag inflator ruptured during deployment. GM said the analysis is still ongoing but said initial findings indicate the rupture is likely related to a manufacturing defect. "GM is taking this field action out of an abundance of caution," the company said, adding it decided to recall on all front-driver airbag modules containing an inflator from the suspect production lot and said it is unaware of any other field reports of similar inflator ruptures. More than 30 deaths worldwide, including 26 U.S. deaths, and hundreds of injuries in various automakers' vehicles since 2009 are linked to Takata air bag inflators that can explode, unleashing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks but none in GM vehicles. In 2020, GM recalled 7 million vehicles from the 2007-2014 model years with Takata inflators. Over the last decade, 67 million Takata inflators have been recalled in the U.S. and more than 100 million worldwide, in the biggest auto safety callback in history. Last month, Chrysler-parent Stellantis warned 29,000 owners of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to immediately stop driving pending repairs after one person was killed when a Takata air-bag inflator exploded. In November, Stellantis urged owners of 276,000 other older U.S. vehicles to immediately stop driving after three other crash deaths tied to faulty Takata air bag inflators were reported in 2022. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Marguerita Choy) CN will build on last years strong performance with operating plan refinements, continued fleet enhancements and new technological innovation MONTREAL, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today published its 2023-2024 Grain Plan, www.cn.ca/grain which builds on the operational improvements introduced this crop year. We at CN know that Canada's agricultural industry has always been the cornerstone of our nation's economy, contributing significantly to its growth and stability. Through the collaborative efforts of CN and our supply chain partners, we aim to optimize the movement of agricultural goods efficiently and sustainably. Together, we can navigate the challenges ahead, capitalize on new opportunities, and ensure the continued success and prosperity of the Canadian agricultural sector. Tracy Robinson, chief executive officer, CN The new Grain Plan contains several new actions and initiatives for 2023-24 as well as details on ongoing initiatives. These include the delivery of 750 new high-efficiency grain hopper cars in 2024, the expansion of CNs locomotive modernization program to upgrade older Alternating Current locomotives to the newer, more powerful and reliable Direct Current technology, and a new Precision Dispatch System to help optimize train movement across the network. CN will also standardize the improved coordination and execution established between network and field operations this year. CNs staff resourcing for 2023-24 will be in line with anticipated customer demand. It will also account for new government regulations related to personal leave days and sick days that are expected to impact labour availability. CNs annual Grain Plan is prepared through extensive consultation with, and input from, key stakeholders, including the CN Agricultural Advisory Council a group of western Canadian farmers and industry leaders. The plan reviews CNs performance during the last crop year and assesses the companys ability to move anticipated levels of grain during the upcoming crop year. It also explains specific steps CN is taking to ensure it has the capacity to move grain safely and efficiently on behalf of farmers, customers, and supply chain partners. About CN CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CNs network connects Canadas Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,600-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Contacts: Utrecht, 1 August 2023 Aalberts N.V. has reached an agreement to divest 100% of the shares of Disptek Group (Disptek), based in Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and North America. Disptek generates an annual revenue of approximately EUR 75 million with 275 employees. Disptek is part of our divestment programme as presented during the Capital Markets Day in December 2021. To realise our strategic objectives, Aalberts focuses on four technology clusters with strong market positions, high margin and growth potential and sustainable impact. We continue to optimise our portfolio and allocate our capital in the most efficient way. Disptek will become part of new strategic ownership, fully active in its core business. We would like to thank all employees of Disptek for their loyalty and ongoing efforts during the many years of Aalberts ownership. The results of Disptek will be deconsolidated as of 1 September 2023 after finalising all necessary formalities. contact +31 (0)30 3079 301 (from 8:00 am CEST) [email protected] Attachment NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP: Do you, or did you, own shares of Baxter International, Inc. (NYSE: BAX)? Did you purchase your shares between May 25, 2022 and February 8, 2023, inclusive? Did you lose money in your investment in Baxter International, Inc.? Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Baxter International, Inc. (Baxter or the Company) (NYSE: BAX) between May 25, 2022 and February 8, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint). If you purchased or acquired Baxter securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Baxter International, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 11, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. According to the Complaint, Baxter is a multi-national healthcare company, primarily focusing on products designed to treat kidney disease and other chronic and acute medical conditions. During the Class Period, Defendants allegedly misrepresented and concealed the true nature and severity of supply chain problems the Company was encountering and the impact they were having on Baxters current and expected earnings. On February 9, 2023, before market hours, Baxter issued a press release to report on its Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2002 earnings results. The press release revealed that despite Baxters assurances during the Class Period, the problems with the Companys supply chain and its effect on its operations were not under control, it did not meet its earnings guidance for the year, and Baxter would lower its earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2023. On this news, Baxters stock price fell $5.54 per share, or over 12%, to close at $40.14 per share on February 9, 2023. If you purchased or acquired Baxter securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Baxter International, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information: Peter Allocco Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 [email protected] CHICAGO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bectran, Inc., an industry leader providing cutting-edge credit, collections and accounts receivable automation software will be exhibiting as a platinum partner at Credit Research Foundations August Forum and Expo from August 7 to 9 in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to exhibiting throughout the conference, Bectran will be cohosting a session titled Journey Toward an Electronic Credit Application with SRS Distribution on Tuesday, August 8 from 3:00-3:45pm. The session will cover how to fully automate your customer onboarding process, fraud prevention techniques and how to adopt an automated online credit application system. CRF supports professionals in the credit, accounts receivable and revenue cycle management industry and hosts three conferences per year. Additional conference breakout group topics include SAP and deductions management best practices, reviews of international credit risk assessments and a cash conversion cycle/cash flow forecasting course. Many networking opportunities will also be provided for attendees. Bectran is looking forward to exhibiting at CRFs premier event of the year. It is always a fantastic event for client engagement and new connections. Ali Kidwai and I are also thrilled and grateful to be on the agenda for our presentation with long-term and esteemed client Chris Arrington, SVP/Chief Credit Officer at SRS Distribution, says Dominic Biegel, Director of Sales. Bectran representatives Dominic Biegel, Ali Kidwai, Sean McCaffrey, Alexis Ortega and Nico Scimeca will be available throughout the conference to discuss how Bectran can transform your credit department with digital task management and process automation. About Bectran, Inc. Since its inception in 2010, Bectran has pioneered cost-effective credit management and accounts receivable automation solutions for all sizes of organizations. Bectrans SaaS solutions credit, collections and accounts receivable provide seamless user experiences across various industries and empower users with robust credit evaluation services, putting you in control of your financial health. Our dedication to improving the efficiency of the order-to-cash cycle has helped companies cut down the time to process and approve credit by over 90% while significantly lowering the risk of default. We are committed to helping businesses make the transition to powerful SaaS technology solutions that save you time and money. For more information, visit our website. Contact: Nikki Sneed (312) 962.2444 [email protected] Miami, FL, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Dot Capitals has announced the launch of a $30 million private debt offering to eligible investors of unsecured non-convertible debt. The net proceeds from the private debt offering are expected to be used for proprietary investment purposes that will leverage algorithmic high-frequency trading in the United States. The private debt offer relies on an exemption from registration under regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933. The proceeds from the proprietary trading will be used to seed funds, NGOs, companies, and projects related to Earth's regeneration, the protection of the natural environment, and the incubation of regenerative economies across key bioregions in the world. According to the 2022 UN Global Land Outlook report, upwards of 40% of the total land area on earth is degraded. Ecologically damaging land use practices are destroying natural life support systems all over the planet, risking food and water security, and causing the 6th mass extinction. Industrial agriculture is the most significant contributor to ecosystem devastation and biodiversity loss. The global environmental, health, and socioeconomic costs associated with todays food and land use system total nearly $12 trillion annually (Food and Land Use Coalition). To address these risks, Blue Dot Capitals LLC is committed to using its proprietary trading capabilities as a capital formation mechanism for funding its technology platforms and seeding other funds, companies, and projects that prioritize soil health and biodiversity while developing communities of land stewards who care for the land, all while offering attractive returns for investors. "We are thrilled to bring an investment product that leverages a unique combination of leverage high-speed data, high-tech trading infrastructure, and a robust trading strategy to support critical initiatives that protect and restore our natural capital. We believe that creating a regenerative economy that depends on healthy ecosystems and biodiversity is the future, and we are committed to helping accelerate this future by creating innovative financial instruments that make nature investable," CEO Eduardo Esparza stated. Blue Dot Capitals is one of the first Companys focused on our planet's regeneration. Future use of the Companys profits will be used to support projects such as Regenerative Community Development (RECODE), which expects to leverage blended finance structures to acquire real estate on which that project can deploy capital to build regenerative economies around the globe. In addition, the Blue Dot Capitals expects to invest in various climate tech startups and early-stage companies developing products and technologies that accelerate the success of regenerative communities. For more information, please visit www.bluedotcapitals.com About Blue Dot Capitals, LLC Blue Dot Capitals is a Delaware limited liability company headquartered in Miami, Florida. The Company uses its proceeds to create capital structures to invest in Earth's regeneration and climate-changing initiatives, emphasizing soil regeneration and community development, driving positive investment impact for the future. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which the offering, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. Statements in this news release related to the Company's planned offering, including the use of proceeds from the planned offering, and all other statements other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions. Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.Blue Dot Capitals urges you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements made in this press release, and the private placement memorandum that accompanies the debt offering (the Disclosure Documents), which provides further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Blue Dots Capital undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this release or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Eduardo Esparza CEO Blue Dot Capitals LLC +1 (678) 458-1486 info-at-bluedotcapitals.com Source: Blue Dot Capitals VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the Company) announces the results of its annual general meeting of common shareholders held on July 28, 2023 in Burnaby. Resolutions passed at the meeting included the appointment of Saturna Group Chartered Accountants LLP as auditors for the ensuing year and the re-election of Rav Mlait, Dr. Raj Attariwala, Bryan Loree, Kal Malhi, and Thomas Clarke as directors. We seek Safe Harbor.On behalf of the Board of Directors Rav Mlait CEOCannabix Technologies Inc. For further information, contact the Company at [email protected] The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: Cannabix Technologies Inc. NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP: Do you, or did you, own shares of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR)? Did you purchase your shares between April 21, 2022 and April 24, 2023, inclusive? Did you lose money in your investment in Danaher Corporation? Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Danaher Corporation (Danaher or the Company) (NYSE: DHR) between April 21, 2022 and April 24, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint). If you purchased or acquired Danaher securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Danaher Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 15, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (i) as the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, revenue growth associated with Danahers COVID-19-related businesses was declining; (ii) contrary to the Companys prior representations to investors, revenues associated with Danahers non-COVID-19-related businesses were insufficient to compensate for the foregoing negative trend; (iii) Danaher overstated its ability to sustain the growth it had experienced in 2020 and 2021; and (iv) as a result, it was unlikely that Danaher would be able to meet its 2023 revenue forecasts. On April 25, 2023, Danaher issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2023. Among other items, Danaher reported that [r]evenues decreased 7.0% year-over-year to $7.2 billion, with a 4.0% non-GAAP core revenue decrease, due to the impact of lower COVID-19 revenue, and 6.0% non-GAAP base business core revenue growth. The Company also projected that [f]or the second quarter and full year 2023, . . . non-GAAP base business core revenue growth will be up mid-single digits year-over-year, down from an earlier projection of high-single-digit growth. Notably, this announcement appeared to be at odds with Danahers prior reassurances that revenues associated with the Companys non-COVID-19-related businesses would compensate for the foregoing negative results. On this news, Danahers stock price fell $22.36 per share, or 8.79%, to close at $231.99 per share on April 25, 2023. If you purchased or acquired Danaher securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Danaher Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information: Peter Allocco Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 [email protected] PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIIs (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a fixed-price incentive, multi-year procurement contract for the construction of six Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers for the U.S. Navy. The contract includes options for additional DDG 51 ships and for engineering, design, and post-delivery efforts. Due to potential competitions for the option ships, the cumulative dollar value of the multi-year contract will not be disclosed at this time. It is a privilege for our shipbuilders to build these ships in service of our Navy, said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson. We look forward to the years of stability that this award provides and the opportunity to continue working with our industry partners on this important class of ships. Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June of this year. In addition, Ingalls Shipbuilding has four Flight IIIs currently under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), which is set to be christened this month. Additionally, Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133) are also under construction at Ingalls. A photo accompanying this release is available at https://hii.com/news/hii-awarded-destroyers-in-u-s-navy-multi-year-contract/ Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers built for the U.S. Navy incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. DDG 125 includes the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that is required to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships and can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Guided missile destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. surface fleet and are capable of fighting multiple air, surface and subsurface threats simultaneously. About HII HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 43,000 strong. For more information, visit: HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/ HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII HII on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII Contact: Kimberly Aguillard [email protected] (228) 355-5663 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6af8ae5a-4666-4fc4-8141-a22cf6e1cd66 The birth of Egypts 1923 constitution occurred under highly complex circumstances. A popular revolution led by the Egyptian bourgeoisie, according to historian Abdel-Azim Ramadan, had taken place in 1919, garnering support from workers, peasants, intellectuals, men, women, Muslims, Copts, young people, and elders alike. As a result of this popular pressure, Britain relinquished part of its control over Egypt through its February 1922 Declaration announcing the end of the British protectorate and the establishment of an independent and sovereign state. However, this independence was incomplete and did not fulfil the rightful struggle for full independence. Despite opposition from the Wafd Party led by Saad Zaghloul, which regarded the declaration as a national catastrophe, some of Egypts political elites regarded it more realistically. According to historian Afaf Lutfi Al-Sayyed-Marsot in her book Egypts Liberal Experiment 1922-1936, they saw it as a potential stepping stone towards a constitutional and parliamentary system in Egypt, even though it involved British support for the monarchy at the expense of the people. The letter sent by politician Abdel-Aziz Fahmi to then Egyptian prime minister Abdel-Khalek Tharwat in April 1922 after the formation of the committee responsible for drawing up the new constitution sheds light on the political landscape of the time. In his letter, Fahmi emphasised national sovereignty as the ultimate source of authority and highlighted the fact that revolutions typically topple thrones and challenge princes. Sovereignty had finally returned to Egypt after intense efforts and resistance against the British occupiers. But some Egyptians still saw fit to hand it over to the monarch. Fahmi argued that the Egyptian people men, women, young people, and even the yet unborn should participate in drafting the new constitution, as it would represent their genuine rights. Saad Zaghlouls statements to the press at the time further illustrate the complexity of the political scene. He expressed concerns about granting significant power to a monarch who might be influenced by foreign interests, especially when foreign dominance prevailed in the country. He believed that the power left with the king under the proposed constitution could be used against the nations interests. The two texts, Fahmis letter and Zaghlouls comments, come out of a political landscape characterised by a clash between two factions: the Wafd Party, which was trying to safeguard the aspirations of citizens and the goals of the 1919 Revolution, and a political elite that viewed the new constitution as a step towards relative political and civil independence, even with the British supporting the granting of privileges to the monarchy. It was in this context that the 1923 Constitution Committee, known as the Triumvirate Committee, was formed, with this excluding Wafd Party members. The committee faced the challenge of practically asserting national independence and laying the political and civil foundations of the state. Discussions of general principles and those that took place in the Constitution Committee, presented in two parts in the published records, reflect the interactions of the political elites at the time, working under the pressure of the Wafd and, behind it, the Egyptian nationalist movement and the British. According to historian Ahmed Al-Sherbinis study of the 1923 constitution and its drafting, the Constitution Committee worked diligently in difficult circumstances before the issuance of the February 1922 Declaration. At that time, the legal system was still used to prosecute Egyptian politicians. Even Saad Zaghloul, the Wafd leader, lived in exile with some of his colleagues for a time, while many party members and numerous political detainees remained imprisoned, despite the massive public support for the Wafd. Despite these challenging circumstances, the committee reached different conclusions from those contained in the initial constitutional draft presented to the king, as these failed to fulfil its aspiration to designate the nation as the source of sovereignty within the constitution. Although the resulting constitution did not fully express this consensus, the discussions that took place in drafting it, were foundational in identifying the elements of a modern political and civil state. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: SANDY, Utah, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mountain America Credit Union is pleased to offer educator grant opportunities to teachers and school leaders for the 2023-2024 school year. Each year, Mountain America awards 10 grants of up to $2,000 each for K-12 classroom learning projects. To be eligible, the receiving schools be located within the credit unions six-state footprint of Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico. Applicants do not have to be members to apply. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below: We are excited to announce the Mountain America Credit Union Educator Grant program and extend a warm invitation to all educators to apply for these grants that could help them fund their creative ideas in this upcoming academic year, said Sharlene Wells, senior vice president of public relations and organizational communications at Mountain America Credit Union. This endeavor exemplifies our commitment to empowering the dedicated educators who shape the future of our communities. Since 2016, Mountain America has awarded more than 60 grants to teachers and school leaders to support classroom learning. Last year, Mountain America Educator Grants funded a variety of projects, from STEM bins with ready-to-use supplies to books, budgeting, and meal-planning. Sabra Gubler from Stansbury Park Elementary School, Stansbury, Utah, needed funds for Math Stackers sets to help students struggling well below the math skills benchmark. The kids will be able to see numbers and increments and how they all work together to help them make sense, Gubler said. These stackers will last for years, which is really exciting. Donovan Lindsay, a teacher from Blackfoot High School, in Blackfoot, Idaho, was awarded funds to start a new drone program. Drones offer a wide range of learning opportunities like photography and videography, hand-eye coordination, and lessons in momentum, lift, thrust, drag, and more. The school is looking to expand its technical programs throughout the high school and community. A drone class will provide the opportunity for students to learn about drone operations and procedures and their use in modern day industry, Lindsay said. Drones will help the students learn, but also provide opportunities to support local businesses as well as the school with drone pictures and video. Mountain America is accepting applications through September 15, 2023. The 2023-2024 grant recipients will be notified by October 15, 2023. For additional details and to apply, visit macu.com/grants. About Mountain America Credit Union With more than 1 million members and $17 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile-banking technology, over 100 branches across six states, and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain Americaguiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com. Source: Mountain America Credit Union VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Leaf Ventures Inc. (CSE: NLV) (OTC: NLVVF) (New Leaf, NLV or the Company), is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dean Medwid as CEO and Director following the resignation of Mr. Michael Stier. Mr. Medwid formerly held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of New Leaf Ventures Inc. Alongside this change, Mr. Christopher Cooper and Mr. Daryn Gordon have also tendered their resignations as members of New Leaf's board of directors. New Leaf has appointed Mr. Ryan Arthur to the board of directors and as Corporate Secretary. These changes reflect the Company's commitment to growth, innovation, and strategic vision. Additionally, Mr. Jason Garnett will continue with his role as Director and CSO for New Leaf and provide the needed continuity to maintain the momentum that the Company has created since his appointment. Mr. Arthur is currently the President of CR7 Investments Inc., which actively identifies prospective ventures for strategic investment, and technical partnerships, fostering their growth and prosperity. With a rich and diverse background encompassing retail, mining, Cannabis, industrial, and technology sectors, he brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Demonstrating his prowess in capital markets, Mr. Arthur has been instrumental in raising capital for numerous public companies. Additionally, his leadership extends to directorial positions at Nova Lithium Corp. and ISM Resources Corp. since 2021. The Company would like to thank Mr. Stier, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Gordon for their invaluable contributions over the past several years, driving our progress and success to date. We commend their vision, expertise, and dedication, and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. About New Leaf Ventures Inc. (CSE: NLV) (OTC: NLVVF) New Leaf Ventures Inc. is developing a cannabis sector-based scalable concept of focused financing and applied management to achieve earnings growth through targeted investment. The Companys flagship enterprise is New Leaf USA and its subsidiaries, which provide licenses, real property, intellectual property and equipment for lease, certain administrative services, and other ancillary services to a Washington-based producer for the processing, packaging, and distribution of cannabis and cannabis related products. Find out more at: https://newleafventuresinc.com/. For consumer interest visit: https://www.damawashington.com/ and https://damalife.com/. For further information, please contact: New Leaf Ventures Inc.Investor RelationsTel: +1 (604) 862-2793Email: [email protected] Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the Companys intention to reduce expenses, improve margin and improve productivity, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations and beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: New Leaf Ventures Inc. CRANBURY, N.J. , Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- dvm360, the number one multimedia platform in the veterinary industry, in partnership with Chewy Health, the dedicated health care arm of Chewy, is thrilled to announce that nominations for the dvm360 2023 Innovator of the Year award program are now open through October 13, 2023. The Innovator of the Year award is a special recognition that celebrates one veterinarian and one paraprofessional (veterinary technicians and assistants, practice managers, and client service representatives, among others) who are bolstering the future of the veterinary industry through innovative measures. A few examples of how someone can embody qualities of an innovator of the year include launching a service that is increasing access to pet health care, creatively educating, and connecting with clients through technology, or implementing a new resource that is supporting the mental health of caregivers. Innovation is at the core of our DNA at Chewy Health, and it is our privilege to celebrate veterinary professionals who share our passion for advancing the pet care industry for the benefit of caregivers, pets and pet parents alike, said Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health. We look forward to hearing the compelling stories of all our Innovator of the Year nominees and supporting their ideas for driving our industry forward. The 2023 dvm360 and Chewy Health Innovator of the Year award recipients will be announced and honored at the dvm360 Fetch Long Beach conference in Long Beach, California, which takes place December 1-3, 2023. Veterinary professionals can nominate a colleague for the dvm360 Innovator of the Year Award by visiting https://mjhlifesciences.tfaforms.net/539. Many veterinary professionals are blazing new trails, and innovating the way we think about animal health. Change and innovation are essential in our industry as they allow us to adapt, grow and thrive in a dynamic world. These innovators are the catalysts for progress and play a fundamental role in shaping a promising future for the veterinary profession. I am excited to see the second year of this program launch with our generous partners at Chewy Health! said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer at dvm360. It is truly an honor to be a part of an incredibly hardworking profession that goes above and beyond the call of duty for animals, the owners and the community in which it serves. Chewy Health is committed to improving the lives of pets and the people who work tirelessly to care for them. To that end, the organization pledges to make a $5,000 donation to a nonprofit that supports the veterinary industry on each winners behalf. The full prize package will include on-stage recognition at Fetch Long Beach, an editorial feature of the dvm360 website, a specially curated Chewy WOW package and spotlights on Chewys social media channels. The winners of the 2022 dvm60 Innovator of the Year award were Katherine Cutter, DVM, DACVO, CEO of BoosterPet (DVM winner); and Peter Carlos, RVT, of Taylor ER Veterinary Emergency Hospital (paraprofessional winner). Cutter and Carlos were honored for creating new solutions that open access to care and creatively educating veterinary professionals across the country through social media. To register for the dvm360 Fetch Long Beach conference in Long Beach, California, please click here. About dvm360The leading media-content provider in the veterinary market, dvm360 has been in operation for more than 50 years. It provides readers with top-of-the-line digital and print content that focuses on every aspect of a veterinary professionals life. In addition, dvm360 hosts continuing education (CE) conferences that provide a 360-degree educational engagement experience for veterinary professionals. These conferences include several Fetch dvm360 conferences and the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference, CE events that have been a staple in the veterinary community for decades. dvm360 is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America. MJH Life Sciences is dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. About Chewy HealthChewy Healths mission is to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for pet parents and partners everywhere. Chewy Health embodies this spirit with our unparalleled commitment to pets and the people who tirelessly care for them. In response to veterinary care challenges and evolving pet parent needs, Chewy Health is pioneering digital solutions for simple, efficient operations. This leads to more time for hands-on pet care for healthier and happier pets. Its all part of the commitment at Chewy Health to improve the health of every pet by helping to make veterinary professionals jobs easier. Media Contact Lauren Garafola908-458-2530[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0eea6e5c-eb00-40d2-a85f-6e027732a61b Nominations are now open for the dvm360 2023 Innovator of the Year award program through October 13, 2023. The 2023 dvm360 and Chewy Health Innovator of the Year award recipients will be announced and honored at the dvm360 Fetch Long Beach conference in Long Beach, California, which takes place December 1-3, 2023. Source: dvm360 ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Effective today, Orlando Health announces its expansion into Hillsborough and Pasco counties by joining forces with Florida Medical Clinic (FMC). FMC is a multi-specialty physician group consisting of 54 locations, more than 350 providers, 40 medical specialties, and a team of 2000+ employees. Florida Medical Clinic has provided its patients with access to distinguished physicians and providers for three decades, said David Strong, president and CEO, Orlando Health. Together we will continue that legacy while also providing the world-class patient care that both health care systems are known for throughout the Tampa Bay region. We are excited to join the Orlando Health family, which has a strong history of providing exceptional care to the communities it serves, said Joe Delatorre, CEO of FMC. The synergy between our two companies will enhance opportunities moving forward. Joining Orlando Health enables us to further advance our ability to provide innovative and quality care with greater capabilities and sustainability than ever before. Founded in 1993, Florida Medical Clinic is a multi-specialty medical group dedicated to improving both the quality and delivery of healthcare to the communities it serves. FMC brings together primary care and medical specialists to provide integrated, coordinated patient care. Specialties include allergy, asthma & immunology, anesthesiology, audiology, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic labs, endocrinology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, interventional & non-interventional pain management, oncology, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, optometry, orthopedics, otolaryngology, palliative care, physical therapy, podiatry, proctology, psychiatry, pulmonology, radiology, rheumatology, general surgery, urology, and vascular surgery. Florida Medical Clinic offers two urgent care centers, as well as two surgery centers accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAHC). As part of the new partnership, Orlando Health and FMC plan to open a new hospital in Wiregrass Ranch, a high-quality, master-planned community of more than 5,000 acres. To be located at the northeast corner of the intersection of State Road 56 and Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard, this new hospital will be easily accessible for residents living in Pasco County and northern Hillsborough County. An opening date will be announced at a later date. About Orlando Health Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $9.2 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for Central Floridas only pediatric and adult Level I Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level II Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nations largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its Graduate Medical Education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows. The 3,888-bed system includes 29 hospitals and emergency departments 24 of which are currently operational with five coming soon. The system also includes nine specialty institutes, more than 100 adult and pediatric primary care practices, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility under the management of Acadia Healthcare, and more than 60 outpatient facilities that include imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with FastMed Urgent Care. More than 4,750 physicians, representing more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs more than 27,000 team members and more than 1,200 physicians. In FY22, Orlando Health served nearly 142,000 inpatients and 3.9 million outpatients. The healthcare system provided more than $782 million in total value to the communities it serves in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more in FY 21, the most recent period for which this information is available. Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @orlandohealth. Media Contact: Kena Lewis, APR, Fellow PRSA[email protected](321) 841-8184 office(407) 403-1661 cell Source: Florida Medical Clinic BALTIMORE, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royal Farms is opening its first location in Richmond, Virginia. The new store will be located at 10301 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235. Always Fresh, Never Frozen World-Famous Chicken, 14 fuel pumps, and operate 24 hours and 365 days a year to service all convenience, food, and fuel needs. Royal Farms will host a ticketed soft opening event where customers can check out the new store and be served one free meal from the soft opening menu. The free tickets will be available to secure on Eventbrite. Be sure to follow Royal Farms on Facebook and Instagram for all updates on store opening and events. There will be additional Royal Farms locations opening in Virginia in Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Abingdon, Norfolk, Bedford, and Rustburg in the future. For Virginians interested in working for Royal Farms, please visit https://www.royalfarms.com/careers/. Royal Farms offers competitive pay, medical and dental insurance, a 401(K)-retirement plan, opportunities for advancement, flexible schedules, vacation time, and our employee store discount. Customers can sign up for RoFo Rewards on the Royal Farms mobile app or on RofoRewards.com. RoFo Rewards Members save money throughout the year, earn fuel discounts, receive rewards for everyday purchases, and redeem other surprise freebie offers. How to Register as a RoFo Rewards Member Download the Royal Farms app here: https://engagement.punchh.com/b/royalfarms and click "Sign Up" to create a RoFo Rewards account. You can also visit https://www.roforewards.com/register/ to create an account. About RoFo Rewards By registering a RoFo Rewards card or downloading our app you gain access to special member offers and can earn rewards points on purchases. Every time you visit Royal Farms and make a purchase, you'll receive 2 points for every dollar you spend, and one point for every gallon of gas you purchase. If you upgrade your card to RoFo Pay, you will also receive a discount on gas when you use your RoFo Rewards card to pay at the pump except for New Jersey Stores. You can keep track of points and offers at www.roforewards.com or by downloading the RoFo Rewards app on your phone. About Royal FarmsRoyal Farms is a renowned operator of fast and friendly neighborhood convenience stores with nearly 300 locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Royal Farms opened its first store in Baltimore, MD in 1959 under the name White Jug. Today, the chain has locations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Royal Farms has been satisfying customers hunger for Real Fresh food served Real Fast. The Royal Farms Kitchen is well known for its Always Fresh, Never Frozen World-Famous Royal Farms Chicken that is lightly hand-breaded and pressure-cooked in Trans Fat Free cooking oil to golden brown perfection. Royal Farms Western Fries are hand-cut from fresh Idaho potatoes, hand-breaded, and cooked right in store. Most locations are open 24 hours, 365 days a year. For more information about Royal Farms, visit: www.royalfarms.com. Contact:Aliyah Atayee[email protected] Source: Royal Farms NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP: Do you, or did you, own shares of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE)? Did you purchase your shares between April 23, 2022 and May 15, 2023, inclusive? Did you lose money in your investment in Sea Limited? Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Sea Limited (Sea or the Company) (NYSE: SE) between April 23, 2022 and May 15, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint). If you purchased or acquired Sea securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Sea Limited Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 17, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (i) Sea overstated its ability to manage the growth of its user base and loan book while enhancing its profitability; (ii) Seas expansion to a broader user base and growing loan book rendered the Company significantly more vulnerable to higher credit losses; (iii) as a result, the Company was likely to book a significant increase in loan loss reserves; and (iv) the foregoing was likely to have a significant negative impact on Seas earnings. On May 16, 2023, Sea issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2023. Among other items, Sea reported first-quarter earnings that fell significantly short of expectations due to a sharp increase in loan loss reserves. The Company advised that [o]ur provision for credit losses increased by 120.5% to US$177.4 million in the first quarter of 2023 from US$80.5 million in the first quarter of 2022, primarily driven by expansion to a broader user base and the growth of our loan book On this news, Seas American Depositary Share (ADS) price fell almost 18%. If you purchased or acquired Sea securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Sea Limited Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information: Peter Allocco Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 [email protected] NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terra Balcanica Resources Corp. (Terra or the Company) (CSE:TERA; FRA:UB1) is pleased to announce closing of the 4th tranche of the non-brokered private placement financing (the Offering) of units (the Units) as it continues drilling the Brezani porphyry target in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fourth Tranche Private Placement Financing ClosedThe Company issued an aggregate of 2,866,229 Units at a price of $0.085 per Unit for gross proceeds of $243,630 pursuant to the Offering announced on April 4th, 2023. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.13 until July 31st, 2026. Finders fees in the amount of $13,484 were paid. Inclusive of the fourth tranche the Company has issued 12,141,497 units at a price of $0.085 for gross proceeds of $1,032,028 to date while continuing to raise funds into August of 2023. Terra intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital and to finance the Phase II drilling across its portfolio of properties in Bosnia and Serbia. Pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws, all securities issued and issuable in connection with the closing of the Private Placement will be subject to a four (4) month hold period ending December 1st, 2023. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. person or any person in the United States, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. United States and U.S. Person are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. About the CompanyTerra Balcanica is a polymetallic exploration company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the Balkans of southeastern Europe. The Company has 90% interest in the Viogor-Zanik Project in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, 100% of the Kaludra and Ceovishte mineral exploration licences in southern Serbia. The Company emphasizes responsible engagement with local communities and stakeholders. It is committed to proactively implementing Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and sustainable health, safety, and environmental management. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terra Balcanica Resources Corp.Aleksandar Miskovic Aleksandar MiskovicPresident and CEO For further information, please contact Alex Miskovic at [email protected], or visit our website at www.terrabresources.com. Cautionary Statement This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively forward-looking statements). The use of any of the words will, intends and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Source: Terra Balcanica Resources Corp. RUNAWAY BAY, Jamaica, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rose Hill (or the Company), the leading cultivator, supplier and exporter of premium psilocybin products and biomass in Jamaica, celebrates the premier of their psychedelic wellness program, ONE Retreats, and the launch of their newest psilocybin product the PATOO gummy. These milestones strengthen Rose Hill's total business and prime the Company for U.S. expansion. As one of the seven countries worldwide where the cultivation and consumption of psychedelic mushrooms are legal, Jamaica is a prominent region for the psilocybin industry. Rose Hill has emerged as the largest legal, natural psilocybin producer in Jamaica and the first legal exporter globally. Since 2015, the Company has been cultivating and breeding multiple varieties of psychedelic mushrooms, while adhering to sustainable and ethical cultivation practices that surpass industry standards. Rose Hill currently operates through three main business channels: Rose Hill, responsible for overseeing the science, research, and development; PATOO, Jamaica's first legal psychedelic CPG line of psilocybin products; and most recently, ONE Retreats, an experiential psilocybin retreat centered around wellness and healing. "We are thrilled to launch the next iteration of our psilocybin product brand, the PATOO gummy. Crafted with the same proprietary formulation as our favored psilocybin-infused Chocolate Bars and Honey, we created PATOO to give those in search of lab-tested, naturally derived wellness product options at accessible price points, said Charles Lazarus, Rose Hills Co-founder/Managing partner, Chief of Cultivation and Production. We hope that a well-respected and recognized brand like PATOO will further lift the stigma associated with psychedelics and create the much-needed legitimacy this industry needs. Since 2018, PATOO has employed a natural harvesting process of indigenous Jamaican psilocybin fungi curated with the utmost quality standards to ensure the medicines integrity, consistency, and efficacy. The Company currently offers a range of legal and lab-tested psilocybin-infused products, including their premium chocolate bar crafted with organic Jamaican cacao, and their handcrafted micro dose honey, which undergoes a meticulous three-month infusion process to deliver a pure, undiluted, and unprocessed final product. This July, PATOO launched their vegan psilocybin gummies, made with extract, and earthed from the same organic psilocybin biomass and ingredients found in their industry-revered products. PATOO products are available through over 30 retailers in Jamaica including dispensaries, hotels/retail stores, and retreats.We are honored to bring forth ONE Retreats, Rose Hill's experiential psilocybin wellness program, with our inaugural launched this past June 2023 in West End Negril. Our first retreat was extremely special as we had the honor to work with a group of veterans seeking an alternative form of medicine, said Kevin Bourke, Rose Hill Co-founder/Managing Partner, Chief Marketing and Branding Officer. Generations have turned to psilocybin and other mushroom variations for their immense potential to heal, and ONE is our commitment to offer access to much-needed medicine. Having supplied various retreats since 2018, Rose Hill has set the highest standards for psychedelic-assisted wellness programs in Jamaica and across the globe. Sessions with ONE Retreats are overseen by trained psilocybin therapists and medical professionals who ensure the safety and confidence of each guest. We are looking forward to the next ONE Retreat scheduled for October 2023. Beyond supplying wholesale and retail outlets, mushrooms supplied from Rose Hill are also part of ongoing research and clinical trials through its export contract with Mydecine Innovations Group, a publicly traded company based in Canada with headquarters in Denver, CO. This groundbreaking partnership marked the first legal international export of psilocybin in March 2021. Furthermore, Rose Hill is currently in the process of applying for a manufacturing and services license in Oregon, leveraging its team's expertise in cannabis operations and retail networks. Rose Hills Co-founders also serve as the inaugural advisors on Jamaicas Psilocybin Mushroom Industry Technical Committee (JPMITC) under The Bureau of Standards where they have been tasked to advise on the formalization of industry guidelines and regulations. From participation on the Committee and the Companys growth trajectory, Rose Hill is poised to revolutionize the legal psilocybin industry by providing safe, high-quality psychedelic products that advance wellness. For more information, visit https://rosehill.life/. About Rose Hill Rose Hill is a premium cultivator and supplier of psilocybin products and biomass to research partners and brands. With commitment to sustainable and ethical cultivation practices, they aim to exceed industry standards and provide customers with safe, high-quality products. To date, Rose Hill is the largest psilocybin producer in Jamaica and the first legal exporter on the planet. Media Contacts:Francesca DeMauro 917.880.9771[email protected] Source: Rose Hill Health Holdings LLC Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid By Carolina Mandl NEW YORK (Reuters) -Global long/short hedge funds, those that bet stocks will fall or rise, were forced to unwind bearish bets that were dragging down performance in July, a Goldman Sachs report showed on Monday. Long/short funds are on track to post the worst monthly so-called alpha performance since May 2022, which considers gains in excess to benchmark indexes. Losses were mainly on the short side of portfolios, but Goldman saw "a meaningful deterioration in long side" too. A graphic showed alpha returns were down roughly 1% for the month. Goldman Sachs, as one of the biggest providers of lending and trading services to investors, is able to see how large hedge funds and asset managers move. "This year has been challenging for anyone running significant short positions, even if the fund is overall net long," said Mark Spiegel, portfolio manager at hedge fund Stanphyl Capital. "There's a huge disconnect between sluggish corporate earnings accompanied by increasingly tight monetary policy versus stock prices." Long/short hedge funds were still up 0.49% in July through Friday, driven by the overall stock market rally, which tends to benefit their long bets, a different Goldman Sachs report showed on Friday. The S&P 500 index rose roughly 2% in the same period. Overall, different hedge fund strategies have been forced to unwind their short positions to avoid further losses at a fast pace in July amid a market rally, the bank said, adding there had been few times in the past 10 years when the de-risking move had been as high. Goldman wrote hedge funds may be close to the finish line of this trend, given the record levels reached. Going into August, funds could re-engage in shorts again, it added. Mario Unali, senior portfolio manager at Kairos Partners, which invests in hedge funds, said hedge funds were unlikely to add long positions. "I don't expect the hedge fund industry to start chasing the market right now, at a time of seasonally low volumes and increased gap risk." (Reporting by Carolina Mandl in New YorkEditing by Alison Williams and Matthew Lewis) Investing.com -- CVS (NYSE: CVS) is planning to cut 5,000 jobs, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, citing a memo sent to staff. The U.S. pharmacy chain later confirmed in an email to Reuters that there will be reductions in some non-customer facing roles in order to slash costs but did not say how many workers would be affected. A spokesperson for the company quoted by Reuters added no impact is expected on "our customer-facing colleagues in our stores, pharmacies, clinics, or customer services centers." At the end of last year, Rhode Island-based CVS employed about 300,000 people in the U.S. On top of the layoffs, the WSJ reported that CVS would also be slashing travel expenses and its use of consultants and vendors. Meanwhile, certain business initiatives will be halted and technology will be used in to boost productivity, the paper said. In a note to clients, analysts at Credit Suisse predicted that the cuts may potentially lead to between $500 million to $750 million in savings for CVS. They added that the additional measures "could yield some level of savings over and above the headcount reduction." Shares in CVS, which will report its latest quarterly results later this week, were slightly higher in early U.S. trading Tuesday. Egypt plans to increase the volume of bilateral trade with Turkey from $10 billion to $15 billion over the next five years, announced Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir on Tuesday. The visit to Turkey is the first for an Egyptian trade minister in 10 years. At the invitation of Samirs Turkish counterpart, Omar Polat, the two ministers will meet from August 1-3, as reported by Egypts Trade Ministry in a statement. As an important development, Samir and Polat probed the possibility of utilizing local currencies in bilateral trade in light of the current global issues. The Turkish trade minister accepted an invitation to visit Egypt in the near future to meet with relevant officials within the high-level trade consultation mechanism framework. The two ministers also committed to holding a joint committee meeting to expand the scope of the current free trade agreement between their respective countries. Samir and Polat agreed that it is necessary to link together business circles from both countries through common organizations, business forums, and exhibitions held in both countries. To this end, both ministers held a meeting with representatives of the Egyptian and Turkish business communities to further cultivate bilateral trade links. Economic Relations Economic relations between Egypt and Turkey have deepened in recent years. Bilateral trade volume hit $7.7 billion in 2022, a 14 percent increase from $6.7 billion the year before. Additionally, Turkish investments in Egypt amount to some $2 billion, while projects implemented by Turkish contractors in the country are valued at $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, Egypt's exports to Turkey grew by 32.3 percent last year, reaching $4 billion in 2022 compared to $3 billion in 2021, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) revealed in March. Search Keywords: Short link: The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs both hold firm opposition to the use of cannabis in treating PTSD. However, when it comes to psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, their stance is more neutral, asserting the need for further research. In a recent update to joint clinical practice guidelines, the departments offered recommendations on various therapies to Read More>> NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the companys newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC About CNW420 CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis. To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor CannabisNewsWire420 Denver, Colorado http://www.CNW420.com 303.498.7722 Office [email protected] CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork. PlantX Life (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTC: PLTXF), the digital face of the plant-based community operating a one-stop shop for plant-based products, is expanding the options available on its ecommerce site. The company announced that Mind Blown(TM) vegan products from the Plant Based Seafood Co. are now available on PlantX.com. An all-female, family-owned company, the Plant Based Seafood Co. is an all-female, family-owned company focuses on creating healthy and delicious seafood experiences that are so close to the real thing they will blow your mind. Its Mind Blown frozen plant-based seafood options offer a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious customers. The brand includes Dusted Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp, Dusted Scallops and Crab Cakes. Its an honor to distribute vegan products from the company that is saving the oceans while feeding humanity, said PlantX CEO Lorne Rapkin in the press release. Not only do Mind Blown products look, smell and taste just like the real thing, but Monica and team also share our values of supporting our oceans and reducing emissions and waste. Im confident that Mind Blown products are going to make a big splash with PlantX customers. To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/AYsV6 About PlantX Life Inc. PlantX is committed to being the digital face of the plant-based community as well as the one-stop shop for plant-based products. With its fast-growing category verticals, the company offers customers across North America more than 5,000 plant-based products. PlantX also has other brands in the PlantX portfolio, including a juice brand, a coffee company, a plant shop and brick-and-mortar grocery stores. PlantX uses its digital platform to build a community of like-minded consumers and, most importantly, to provide education. PlantXs digital presence eliminates entry barriers for anyone interested in living a plant-based lifestyle and thriving in a longer, healthier and happier life. For more information about this company, please visit www.PlantX.com and www.PlantX.ca. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PLTXF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PLTXF About InvestorWire InvestorWire is the wire service that gives you more. From regional releases to global announcements presented in multiple languages, we offer the wire-grade dissemination products youll need to ensure that your next press release grabs the attention of your target audience and doesnt let go. While our competitors look to nickel and dime you with hidden fees and restrictive word limits, InvestorWire keeps things transparent. As part of its service, InvestorWire provides coverage of noteworthy announcements. To further expand visibility of achievements being made throughout a multitude of sectors, InvestorWires syndication partners have extended the digital coverage to include individual broadcasts on financial websites and platforms visited by millions of investors daily. For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://ibn.fm/Disclaimer InvestorWire (IW) 8033 Sunset Blvd Suite 1037-IW Los Angeles, CA 90046 310.299.1717 Office www.InvestorWire.com [email protected] InvestorWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork Colorado Springs, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is reaching new heights in its Student Leadership and Learning opportunities. By expanding event options and realigning existing ones, the organization is ensuring each equips students around the world with valuable skills such as creative thinking, problem solving, leadership, and service. Each opportunity is crafted with the goal of allowing students to explore and develop their God-given gifts and talents. Emily Pigott, ACSI's new Director of Student Leadership and Learning, believes it's imperative to raise up strong student leaders who are both skilled and motivated to positively impact their communities for Jesus. By providing access to immersive events and experiences, students discover their strengths and learn how to use them to bring about cultural change in the world. "It's not just discovering how to be a leader," Pigott shared. "It's discovering how to use the gifts and talents God has given you to impact this world." ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor looks forward to Pigott's leadership in implementing strategic departmental changes. "I'm extremely excited to welcome Emily Pigott as our new Student Leadership and Learning Director," he shared. "We will be moving forward with a strong emphasis on student service and Christ-honoring leadership. I'm looking forward to seeing the fruit that I'm sure will come from these advancements." The Student Leadership and Learning Department plans to add new events to its selection, including a Worship Band Festival, Student Leadership Summits, and a Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge. "This generation is so creative," Pigott remarked. "We want to give them the tools and opportunities they need to channel that creativity and refine their God-given skills. The Venture Startup Innovation Challenge is one way for students to create something from nothing, explain what it is, think through the business model, how to present it, how to market, how to strategize, and see it come to fruition." About 700 schools representing 40,000 students currently participate in ACSI Student Leadership and Learning events. Events include Performing and Fine Arts Festivals, STEM experiences, Speech & Debate competitions, Student Leadership & Apologetics conferences, High School Leadership Conference/Summits, and more. "Our ultimate goal is for students to develop impactful leadership skills as they utilize their gifts and talents to change the landscape of this world for Jesus," Pigott said. "We believe in 5 years, after we have structured all of our events to have a strong emphasis on student leadership development, we will be seeing the true, positive impacts on our culture." Foothills Christian High School, a prior participant at an ACSI High School Leadership Conference, shared how meaningful the time spent together was for their students. "This conference has been life-changing for our students," school leadership shared. "They returned to school ready to share the meanings and purposes they discovered at the conference and more willing to take those hard leadership roles. Many students had breakthroughs in their personal walks thanks to the engaging, inspiring speakers." The 8-person Student Leadership and Learning team continues to serve ACSI member schools across the U.S. and internationally. More information about student events can be found on the website. ACSI Logo Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9439/175661_f4ea6e57644959c1_001full.jpg 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. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education. Follow ACSI on our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram Contact information: Caitlyn Berman ([email protected]) (719)867-0243 ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175661 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Avante Mining Corp. (TSXV: AVA) ("Avante" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has mobilized a diamond drill to the Voisey's West nickel project ("Voisey's West" or the "Project") to begin drilling, targeting zones of 1% plus Nickel. Voisey's West is located in the same intrusive complex as the near-by Voisey's Bay mine, and 70km west of the town of Nain, Labrador, Canada. Highlights 2.5-kilometre trend with high-grade nickel zones Same intrusive complex hosted on Voisey's West claims as near-by Voisey's Bay deposit 1.85% Nickel recently sampled by the Company First drilling since 2008 drilling cut 14 metres @ 1.02% Nickel, 0.51% Copper and 0.03% Cobalt Multiple new targets to be tested from 3D modeling Figure 1: 3D view of conductor plates (red) from VTEM survey over Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) with proposed drill holes. The modeled image is approximately a 650 x 650 metre area including the All-About-It area and its southern extension. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6963/175590_228cf3fe648589b6_001full.jpg Adrian Smith, CEO of the Company comments, "Having recently sampled grades up to 1.85% nickel at Voisey's West we are excited to bring the drill on-site to begin work. We look forward to identifying new zones and are excited to test targets from our 3D modeling, incorporating geology, magnetics, electromagnetics and gravity. With a 2.5-kilometre trend identified, we are aiming to better define the zones where these high-value minerals are concentrated." Figure 2: Mobilizing drilling gear at the Voisey's West project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6963/175590_228cf3fe648589b6_002full.jpg Preliminary targets have been identified from new geophysical modeling (see figure 1) and are planned to test VTEM conductors that have not been tested or exist beneath the historic drilling with 8 planned dill holes, total metres to be determined. Along with potential extensions of the No Baccy zone, the Company has also identified a jog, or bend in the main nickel bearing horizon located south of the All-About-It zone. This structure intersects the horizon that has shown nickel values of greater than 1% Nickel, up to 1.85% Nickel, as verified by the Company (seenews releasedated July 6, 2023). Initial drilling will focus on the areas with correlating VTEM conductors, magnetic and gravity anomalies located at the south of the All-About-It zone (see figure 1 above) and to the north of the No Baccy zone. These areas have not been properly tested and could represent locations where the flow of magma may have slowed during emplacement allowing gravitational settling of nickel and sulphides. The Company looks forward to providing updates on the progress and results of the exploration program and drilling at the Voisey's West project in the coming months. About the Voisey's West Project The Voisey's West project is located 50km from, and within the same intrusive complex and geological setting as the world class Voisey's Bay nickel mine. The Property is in the Churchill Province of Labrador and underlain predominately by quartz-feldspathic and metasedimentary gneisses derived from plutonic and sedimentary rocks. The rocks are intruded by the multi-phase, Nain Plutonic Suite (NPS) composed primarily of anorthosite, troctolite, diorite and granitoids and are known to host nickel-sulphide mineralization. Following the discovery of Voisey's Bay deposit, enhanced regional prospecting led to the discovery of three pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-pyrite-pentlandite showings located on the Voisey's West project, namely, the Long Pond, All-About-It and No Baccy. Initial surface grab samples from the Long Pond and All-About-It showings returned up to 1.36% Nickel and 0.58% Copper, and 1.05% Nickel and 1.53% Copper respectively. Continued work led to the identification of a primary mineralized corridor occurring over approximately 2.5 kilometres and multiple high-grade nickel drill intersections up to 14 metres of 1.02% Nickel, 0.51% Copper and 0.03% Cobalt. Disclosure Some results presented in this release are considered historic in nature. The qualified person for the Company has not verified all of the historic sample analytical data disclosed within this release. While the Company has obtained all historic records, including analytical data from the previous owners of the Voisey's West project and from various government databases, the Company has not independently verified all of the results of the historic sampling. Adrian Smith, P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 for the Voisey's West project. The qualified person is a member in good standing of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and is a registered professional geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed herein. About Avante Mining Corp. Avante Mining Corp. (TSXV: ACP) is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value geographically significant projects including the Voisey's West project. Avante is paving the way by combining quality projects with proven exploration strategies and a dedicated team to achieve exceptional outcomes. The Voisey's West project is located in the same intrusive complex as the world class Voisey's Bay Nickel mine where reported remaining proven and probable reserves include 32.4 million tonnes of 2.13% Nickel, 0.96% Copper, 0.13% Cobalt, and additional measured and indicated 10.3 million tonnes of 0.87% Nickel, 0.65% Copper, 0.04% Cobalt. It represents one of the most competitive nickel operations globally. For more information, visit avantemining.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Avante Mining Corp. undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CONTACT INFORMATION: Adrian Smith, CEO and Director Contact 1-778-331-3816 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175590 Phase 2 Exploration on 11km Prospective Corridor Underway HIGHLIGHTS Beyond Lithium discovers new LCT pegmatite intrusive stock - also known as a fertile pluton - at its Cosgrave Lake project. Named the Allen Graeme (AG) Pluton in recognition of those who contributed to the discovery. Important implications: Anomalous rare earth elements of the AG Pluton have similarities to other plutons in the Georgia Lake District (the Pine Portage pluton, the MNW pluton, and the Barbara Lake pluton). These three fertile plutons all have well established lithium pegmatites belts association 1 . The AG Pluton is over 266 hectares in size which is comparable to the Pine Portage and the MNW plutons located in the Georgia Lake District. Results from channel samples of two beryl pegmatites at the AG Pluton show (i) comparable geochemical values to other known fertile plutons, (ii) have similar Cs, Li, and Be values to those of the Tanco fertile pluton located at Bernie Lake, Manitoba2 and (iii) are elevated compared to the Glacier Lake batholith. The size of the AG Pluton directly implies that it generated large amounts of concentrated fluids and volatiles and is the source of lithium and rare earth minerals in lithium pegmatite formations in the vicinity. Cosgrave Lake project expanded through staking from 7,388 ha to 9,424 ha. Phase 2 exploration program at Cosgrave currently underway. Focused on main NE and SW corridor that spans 11km of prospective ground around the AG Pluton. Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (OTCQB: BYDMF) (the "Company" or "Beyond Lithium") is pleased to announce the discovery of a new LCT pegmatite intrusive stock - also known as a fertile pluton - at its Cosgrave Lake project. The new discovery was named the Allan Graeme ("AG") Pluton in recognition of those individuals who played a significant role in its discovery. The Cosgrave Lake project was one of the earlier projects being prospected as part of Beyond Lithium's Phase 1 program. The discovery of the AG Pluton at the Cosgrave Lake project unlocks tremendous lithium exploration opportunities for Beyond Lithium. Mr. Frame, President and CEO of Beyond Lithium, commented: "This discovery shares similarities with three significant lithium discoveries in the Georgia Lake District, namely the MNW pluton, the Barbara Lake pluton, and the Pine Portage pluton. These well-known fertile plutons in the district are associated with prolific lithium pegmatite belts. The AG Pluton at Cosgrave Lake therefore presents a significant opportunity for Beyond Lithium. The size and geochemical characteristics of the AG Pluton indicate its potential as a source of concentrated fluids, volatiles, lithium, and rare earth minerals, making it an exceptionally promising area for further exploration." The Georgia Lake District illustrated in Figure 1 is the host of several well-known fertile plutons namely the MNW pluton, the Barbara Lake pluton, and the Pine Portage pluton. These well-established fertile plutons in the Georgia Lake district are associated with several prolific lithium pegmatite belts including the Imagine Lithium MNW, as well as the Georgia Lake belts and Rock Tech Lithium lithium belt. Figure 1: Map of AG Pluton and its Associated Pegmatite Zone (#5) in Relation to Other Fertile Plutons and their Associated Pegmatite Groups1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_004full.jpg "Beyond Lithium's technical team relied on field observations, assay results and other data to make this important new discovery," said Lawrence Tsang, Beyond Lithium VP of Exploration. "During a recent site visit with Technical Advisor and Sr. Geologist Graeme Evans, and Sr. Field Geologist Paul Baxter, we recognized that a distinctive beryl pegmatitic zone with an irregular and lobate contact to the Glacier Lake batholith located in the western part of the Cosgrave Lake project was essentially a complex and zoned pegmatitic fertile centre. These very coarse grained complex zoned muscovite and K-feldspar rich pegmatites contain beryl, alluaudite, fluorapatite and other good indicators like cordierite as the feeders for the potential of lithium pegmatites formation from the centre. These minerals demonstrate the exsolution of pegmatites forming melts from the parental pluton." The AG Pluton covers an area of over 266 hectares, which is comparable in size to the MNW pluton (351 ha) and the Pine Portage pluton (311 ha). The analogous size of the AG Pluton to other fertile plutons strongly suggests that the AG Pluton has generated substantial amounts of concentrated fluids and volatiles, serving as the source of lithium and rare earth minerals in lithium pegmatite formations in the vicinity. Figure 2: Beyond Lithium Geological Map of the Cosgrave Lake Project Outlining the 11 km Main NE-SW Trend Conformable to the Sediment Contact To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_005full.jpg During the Phase 1 exploration program completed last month at the property, two beryl bearing pegmatites at the AG Pluton site were found and channel sampled for a total of 14 one-meter-wide samples. "The channel sample results, and the AG Pluton's values are typical of the other fertile pluton located in the Georgia Lake District and are elevated compared to the Glacier Lake batholith," said Lawrence Tsang. He added, "The assay results also show that these channel samples are relatively anomalous even though located within the fertile pluton. Worthy of note is that the results are quite similar to the concentration in the Tanco granite pluton located at Bernie Lake, Manitoba2 (Figure 3)." Table 1:Comparison Values Between AG Pluton and Other Fertile Plutons1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_006full.jpg Figure 3: Chemical Fraction from Source to Pegmatite of the Tanco pegmatite deposit2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_007full.jpg Allan Frame: "Following this important discovery at the Cosgrave Lake project, in order to secure the entire area, we expanded our footprint by 2,036 hectares through additional staking. With this expansion of the Cosgrave Lake project on the west side of the original property, we currently have an area of 9,424 hectares exploration with an 11 km prospective corridor along the NE and SW trend." He added: "Beyond Lithium's Sr. Field Geologist, Paul Baxter, is currently leading our team that is focused on detailed mapping and grid sampling around the AG Pluton." The 11 km prospective corridor trends conformably to the sediments contact in the area mapped out by Paul Baxter (Figure 2). The main objectives of the Phase 2 exploration program at Cosgrave Lake project are: To define the limits of the new AG Pluton; To do step out and cross section traverse to outline the higher density of pegmatite trends; To utilize the LIBS analyzer to provide the field crew with instantaneous field data to locate the "hotter" or higher LIBS's Li, Cs, Ta, lower K/RB values to find the spodumene productive zone. Figure 4:Cosgrave Lake Project Phase 1 Li (ppm) and K/Rb ratio Around the AG Pluton and theChannel Samples Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_008full.jpg Table 2: Cosgrave Lake Channel Samples of 2 Beryl Pegmatites from Phase 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_009full.jpg A total of 74 samples were collected as part of Phase 1 prospecting field program at Cosgrave Lake with the results shown in Table 2. Lawrence Tsang commented: "There is plenty of exploration potential to follow up especially around low K/Rb areas and elevated Li anomalies delineated in the NE part of the project (Figure 4)." Mr. Tsang concluded: "The anomalous values of Li/Cs/Ta published today when combined with the visual observations during our recent site visit allow us to connect the different pieces of data together and correlate the Cosgrave Lake project's geological model with the classic petrogenesis model of LCT pegmatites. This model provides a fundamental trend for the field crew to continue exploring for the spodumene productive zone at the Cosgrave Lake project." Figure 5: Classic Petrogenesis Model of LCT Pegmatites in Relation to the Cosgrave Geological Model3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/175631_82c19fc9b42ed9a8_010full.jpg Videos describing the AG Pluton discovery: Sr. Geologist Graeme Evans describes the new LCT pegmatite intrusive stock discovery VP of Exploration Lawrence Tsang comments on the new LCT pegmatite intrusive stock discovery at Cosgrave Lake Co-Founder and Capital Markets Advisor provides an overview of the new LCT pegmatite intrusive stock discovery at Cosgrave Lake Sources: 1 Tindle, A.G., Breaks, F.W. and Selway, J.B. 2008. Electron microprobe and bulk rock and mineral compositions from S-type, peraluminous granitic rocks and rare-element pegmatites, Georgia Lake pegmatite field, Quetico Subprovince, north-central Superior Province of Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Release-Data 231. 2 London, D., 2016, Rare-Element Granitic Pegmatites, chap. 8 of Verplanck, P.L., & Hitzman, M.W., eds., Rare Earth and Critical Elements in Ore Deposits: Reviews in Economic Geology,18,pp.165-193. 3 P. ern, Rare element granitic pegmatites. Part II: Regional and global environments and petrogenesis. Geosci. Can., 18 (1991), pp. 68-81. Quality Assurance/Quality Control All collected rock samples were put in sturdy plastic bags, tagged, and sealed at site. Sample bags were then put in rice bags and kept securely before being sent by road transport or delivered by the crew supervisor to SGS's preparation facility in Red Lake or Sudbury, Ontario, for sample preparation. Pulps are analyzed at the SGS facility in Burnaby, BC. All samples are analyzed with Four-Acid Digestion/Combined ICP-AES/MS package (49 elements). The QA/QC protocol included the insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials, in this case high concentration and low concentration certified OREAS and CDN lithium standards to validate the accuracy and precision of the assay results. Qualified Person and Third-Party Data The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lawrence Tsang, P.Geo., VP Exploration of the Company. Lawrence Tsang is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Beyond Lithium Inc. Beyond Lithium Inc. is the largest greenfield lithium exploration player in Ontario with 64 high potential greenfield lithium properties totalling over 150,000 hectares. The Company has adopted the project generator business model to maximize funds available for exploration projects, while minimizing shareholder dilution. Beyond Lithium is advancing certain of its projects with its exploration team and will seek to option other properties to joint venture partners. Partnering on various projects will provide a source of non-dilutive working capital, partner-funded exploration, and long-term residual exposure to exploration success. Beyond Lithium currently has 28,259,658 common shares outstanding. Please follow @BeyondLithium on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. For more information, please refer to the Company's website at www.beyondLithium.ca. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In stating the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements of forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the proposed expenditures for exploration work on its properties, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 23, 2022 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release except as otherwise required by law. For further information, please contact: Allan Frame President and CEO Tel: 403-470-8450 Email: [email protected] Jason Frame Manager of Communications Tel: 587-225-2599 Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175631 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Blue Thunder Mining Inc. (TSXV: BLUE) ("Blue Thunder" or the "Company") is pleased to provide further information regarding the critical metals transaction (the "Yukon Critical Metals Transaction") announced on July 7, 2023. The Company determined in the latter half of 2022 to acquire new mineral properties to advance its business and create value for its shareholders. The Company expected that the transaction with Analog Gold announced January 30, 2023, would be such an acquisition, but this transaction was terminated, as announced by the Company in its July 7, 2023, news release. The Company previously considered the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction, but set this possibility aside when it agreed to do the Analog Gold transaction. When the Analog Gold transaction was terminated, the Company revisited this opportunity, which it believes is an accretive acquisition which will facilitate the Company pivoting into the critical metals space. Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, the Company's CEO, said, "We made the strategic decision to focus on critical metals because we saw a path to enhance shareholder value by making accretive acquisitions of projects with significant discovery potential. We believe that the market interest in these critical metals will be long-term and that by adding these projects to our portfolio now, as well as by looking for additional acquisition opportunities of these metals, we will be ensuring the potential for long-term growth and value enhancement for our shareholders. We will be releasing further updates in due course." The Yukon Critical Metals Transaction was considered by the board of directors of the Company (excluding Mr. Williams, who owns the private company which is the counterparty to the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction) and was unanimously approved by the board. Negotiations with Mr. Williams regarding the transaction were initiated by the Company. Mr. Williams was not involved in the negotiation of the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction on the Company side, and he abstained from the board vote to approve the transaction. There are no prior valuations relating to the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction. The transaction is exempt from formal valuation under s. 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("not listed on specified markets"). It is not exempt from the minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 - it will require approval by a majority of the Company's disinterested shareholders at a shareholders' meeting which will be called for this purpose. It is presently anticipated that the definitive agreement respecting the Yukon Critical Metals Transaction will be signed by August 31, 2023, and that closing will happen following a shareholders' meeting prior to October 30, 2023. The Company will issue further news release and will file material change reports on entering into the definitive agreement and on closing the critical minerals transaction. About Blue Thunder Blue Thunder is an exploration company that controls several prospective critical metals (including copper, cobalt, tungsten, gold, and tin) properties in the Yukon and one prospective lithium property in Nevada. The company also owns 100% of a large land position near Chibougamau, Qubec. The Muus Gold project covers approximately 51,000 hectares of prospective ground in the eastern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Muus Project is prospective for gold mineralization, as it is on strike from Iamgold's 5 million ounces Au Nelligan project. Field work completed during 2022 established that the northern portion of the Muus Project is prospective for copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, CEO & Director For more information, please visit our website www.bluethundermining.com, or contact Mr. Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, [email protected] (647) 848-1009. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, anticipated exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, the ability to complete the required permitting, the ability to complete the exploration program and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSX Venture Exchange acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in the Chibougamau District in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits, and the results of any mining thereof, on adjacent or similar properties, are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploitation thereof. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175671 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.(CSE: VEGI) (OTCQB: VGGIF) (FSE: 77I) ("Boosh" or the "Company") announced today that its principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission, has granted a management cease trade order (the "MCTO"). As previously announced on July 17, 2023 (the "Announcement"), the Company applied for the MCTO due to a delay in the filing of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, annual management's discussion and analysis for the same period, and the management certifications of annual filings (collectively, the "Filings"). The MCTO restricts the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from all trading in securities of the Company until such time as the Filings have been filed by the Company and the MCTO has been lifted. The MCTO does not affect the ability of other shareholders of the Company to trade in securities of the Company. The Company confirms that since the date of the Announcement: (i) there has been no material change to the information set out in the Announcement that has not been generally disclosed; (ii) the Company is satisfying and confirms that it intends to continue to satisfy the provisions of the "alternative information guidelines" under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203") and issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as the delay in filing the Filings continues, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release; (iii) there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203; (iv) the Company is not subject to any insolvency proceedings; and (v) there is no material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. The Company also announced today that it has settled a combined total of C$950,000 in debt owed to creditors via the issuance of 19,000,000 Common Shares. The Company is settling the indebtedness through the issuance of Shares to preserve cash and improve the Company's balance sheet. Connie Marples Founder/CEO [email protected] www.Booshfood.com About Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.: Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Boosh Food (www.booshfood.com) offers high quality, non-GMO, gluten free, 100% plant-based nutritional comfort foods for the whole family. Through a separate subsidiary, Beautiful Beanfields, (www.beanfields.com) the Company owns Beanfields, a plant-based chip brand sold in over 7,000 stores throughout North America. Boosh, good for you and good for planet earth. The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations concerning the size of the Financing, its ability to close the Financing in whole or in part or at all and its plan for the proceeds of the Financing. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175653 Reyna Law Firm has announced personal injury services in Corpus Christi and South Texas, responding to high rates of crashes involving 18-wheelers and heavy trucks on local highways. Corpus Christi, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - With its new services, Reyna Law Firm strengthens its capacity to defend those with severe injuries while prosecuting at-fault parties. Its assistance spans the duration of the legal process, from initial case reviews at its Corpus Christi offices to the management of ongoing correspondence with insurers and, if necessary, courtroom appearances. For more information see https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/corpus-christi. Corpus Christi Personal Injury Attorney Service Announced By Reyna Law Firm To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/175229_d9d6aee0148009b2_001full.jpg The Texas-wide law firm has brought its latest services to Corpus Christi in order to meet a pressing local need. Owing to its status as one of the country's largest port cities and the abundance of gas and oil refineries in the area, the location sees frequent commercial truck traffic to and fro. As such, Reyna Law Firm intends for its new services to provide locally-based accident victims with a reliable platform of legal support. The firm has long operated in Texas, giving its lawyers extensive familiarity with many of the deadliest roads near Corpus Christi - including US Highways 77 and 181 alongside Interstate 69 and the I-37. Reyna Law Firm's newest services involve the application of this local-area knowledge in assessments of accidents and their contributing causes. Its team examines possible factors that may have led to crashes, pointing to drunkenness, exhaustion, and driver recklessness as common occurrences. Such factors will determine liability, with Reyna Law Firm advising that its new services can significantly assist in illuminating how and why negligent parties were culpable in accidents. Supporting evidence is a crucial part of its strategies in negotiating fair settlements with guilty drivers and insurance teams - or as part of litigation when needed, says the firm. Reyna Law Firm's attorneys specialize in catastrophic injury cases, now offering the acumen and resources necessary to handle complex claim processes as they pertain to the aftermaths of big rig and 18-wheeler truck crashes. With its new services, the firm's lawyers aim to recover amounts that reflect the value of injury claims - dependent on pain, medical costs, lost wages, and more. Since its inception 20 years ago, Reyna Law Firm stresses its continued efforts pursuing settlements across a range of vehicle and workplace accident cases. Its recent announcement represents the latest of these movements, with the firm hoping to provide truck crash victims with the legal partnerships they need going forward. Interested parties in Corpus Christi and nearby can find further details about Reyna Law Firm's new services for truck accident cases at https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/corpus-christi. Contact Info: Name: James Lewis Email: [email protected] Organization: Reyna Law Firm Corpus Christi Address: 5656 S Staples St Ste 114 , Corpus Christi, TX 78411, United States Website: https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/corpus-christi To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175229 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - IMPACT Silver Corp. (TSXV: IPT) (OTC Pink: ISVLF) (FSE: IKL) ("IMPACT" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update from the recently acquired Plomosas high-grade zinc-silver mine in Chihuahua State, Mexico. "Significant progress has been made at Plomosas as the team nears operational status at the mine. Since closing the acquisition of Plomosas, our experienced team is nearing a major milestone with all rehabilitation efforts in the final stages both on time and within budget. We are excited to bring the mine and plant back online after a near one year hiatus". said IMPACT Silver President & CEO Fred Davidson. The Company expects the Plomosas mine to contribute to the Company's existing silver production located to the south, in Zacualpan, Mexico. By diversifying the Company to include a meaningful zinc component against the backdrop of strong medium and long term fundamentals, management is transforming IMPACT into a diversified and growing production company with significant exploration potential. Rehabilitation Update Plant: All necessary components of the mill have arrived on site or have been refurbished with assembly currently in the final stages. Testing and modification of the plant is expected to start in late summer, with ramp up to design capacity of nearly 200 tpd expected over the coming months. Construction is now approximately 85% complete. Figure 1.Plant Rehabilitation To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/175628_1c3d4910f43498a8_003full.jpg Figure 2.Ball Mill & Flotation Cells To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/175628_1c3d4910f43498a8_004full.jpg Tailings Pond: The Company has applied for the expansion of the current tailings pond which is expected to add at least an additional two years capacity. Meanwhile, an additional tailings pond is in the planning stages to accommodate years of future production and growth. Figure 3. Power Infrastructure Improvements To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/175628_1c3d4910f43498a8_005full.jpg Underground Mine: Refurbishments to ventilation, electrical and lighting systems are ongoing as activity increases underground. Mining has begun and is expected to ramp up as the Company deploys additional equipment to the mine including scoop trams and underground trucks. Underground drilling to better define and expand resources has begun and drill permits for surface brownfield and greenfield exploration targets have been received. Figure 4. Underground Activity To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/175628_1c3d4910f43498a8_006full.jpg Mine Planning: The exploration team has initiated its first phase of the 2023-2024 mine plan. This includes extraction of high-grade material in line with previous grades in excess of 13% Zn. Workforce & Personnel: There are currently 70 Company employees on site and another 25 contract workers. The Company is fortunate to have inherited a strong workforce after the acquisition closed and is adding positions in specific areas centred around engineering, exploration and day-to-day operations. ESG: While generally remote, the Company engages with the nearest communities to ensure ongoing support and coordination. The State of Chihuahua provides the mine with a strong and experienced labour force from which to draw talent. The Company is currently studying proposals to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels with plans to be an industry leader in decarbonization in the mining sector. Figure 5. Mill Feed Management To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/175628_1c3d4910f43498a8_007full.jpg ABOUT IMPACT SILVER IMPACT Silver Corp. (TSXV: IPT) is a successful intermediate mineral producer and explorer with multiple mining projects in Mexico. Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver-Gold District: IMPACT owns 100% of the 211 km2 Zacualpan project where four underground silver mines and one open pit mine feed the central 500 tpd Guadalupe processing plant. To the south, the Capire Project includes a 200 tpd processing pilot plant adjacent to an open pit silver mine with an NI/43-101 inferred mineral resource of over 4.5/million oz silver, 48 million lbs zinc and 21 million lbs lead. (see IMPACT news release dated January 18, 2016, for details and QP statement, and Footnote 2 for report reference). Company engineers are reviewing Capire for a potential restart of operations to leverage improving commodity prices. Over the past 17 years, IMPACT has developed multiple exploration zones into commercial production and has produced over 12 million ounces of silver, generating revenues of more than $241 million. Plomosas Zinc-Lead-Silver District: Plomosas is a high-grade zinc-lead-silver producer with exceptional exploration upside potential. The Company is working to recommence operations in the near term followed by plans for expanding operations. Exploration potential at Plomosas is exceptional with only 600m of the 6 km-long structure having been explored to date. This is in addition to other exploration targets on the 3,019-hectare property including untested copper-gold targets with high-grade surface prospecting sampling1. Regionally, Plomosas lies in the same mineral belt as some of the largest carbonate replacement deposits in the world. Additional information about IMPACT and its operations can be found on the Company website at www.impactsilver.com. Follow us on Twitter @IMPACT_Silver and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactsilver. Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure George Gorzynski, P.Eng., a Director and officer of IMPACT Silver Corp., is a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has approved the technical information contained in this news release. On behalf of IMPACT Silver Corp. "Frederick W. Davidson" President & CEO For more information, please contact: Jerry Huang CFO | Investor Relations (604) 664-7707 or[email protected] (778) 887 6489 Direct Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Footnotes: Reference: Alexandri, A. Gonzalez, H., & Salas, H. (2022). Plomosas Project (CZL), Field Visit Report. IMPACT Silver Corp. private report on field visits and compilation of historic and recent data, 56 pages. Reference: Ristorcelli, S.J. & Gorzynski, G. (2016). Technical Report on Mineral Resources for the Capire Silver-Lead-Zinc Project, Pedro Ascencio Alquisiras Municipality, Guerrero, Mexico. Prepared for IMPACT Silver Corp. by Mine Development Associates, Reno, Nevada. 82 pages. Available on www.sedar.com . Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This IMPACT News Release may contain certain "forward-looking" statements and information relating to IMPACT that is based on the beliefs of IMPACT management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to IMPACT management. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "planned", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends", "believe", "potential", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential for defining and extending the known mineralization at Plomosas and plans for drilling and future operations at the Company's projects. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks and assumptions, including with respect to, without limitations, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events. Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. IMPACT does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. The Company's decision to place a mine into production, expand a mine, make other production related decisions or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations, is largely based on internal non-public Company data and reports based on exploration, development and mining work by the Company's geologists and engineers. The results of this work are evident in the discovery and building of multiple mines for the Company and in the track record of mineral production and financial returns of the Company since 2006. Under NI 43-101 the Company is required to disclose that it has not based its production decisions on NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource or reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments or feasibility studies, and historically such projects have increased uncertainty and risk of failure. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175628 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV: LPS) (OTCQB: LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company"), a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, announces it has closed a non-brokered private placement, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (the "LIFE Exemption"), by issuing 12,685,113 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.18 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,283,320 (the "Offering"). The Company filed a Form 45-106F19 offering document (the "Offering Document") on July 18, 2023 related to the Offering, which may be accessed under Legend Power's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://legendpower.com/investors/. Pursuant to the Offering, each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at $0.25 until July 31, 2025, subject to an accelerated expiry provision, whereby in the event the daily volume weighted average trading price of the Company's Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange, or such other stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume occurs (the "Exchange"), exceeds $0.40 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, at the Company's election, the period within which the Warrants are exercisable, will be reduced and the holders of the Warrants will be entitled to exercise their Warrants for a period of 30 days commencing on the day the Company provides notice, any outstanding Warrants not exercised during the 30 day period will expire. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general working capital purposes, fixed operating expenses, purchase order deposits, development expense and other related expenses, as more specifically detailed in the Offering Document. The Units issued in the Offering are not subject to a hold period, subject to limitations prescribed by the LIFE exemption, securities issued to insiders and consultants of the Company are subject to a hold period expiring December 1, 2023, in accordance with the rules and policies of the Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws. Insiders of the Company participated in the Offering for $300,000. The issuance of Units to insiders is considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(a) and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(a) in respect of such insider participation as the fair market value of the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Legend Power Systems Inc. Legend Power Systems Inc. (https://legendpower.com) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend Power's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. The proprietary and patented system reduces total energy consumption and power costs, while also maximizing the life of electrical equipment. Legend Power's unique solution is also a key contributor to both corporate sustainability efforts and the meeting of utility energy efficiency targets. For further information, please contact: Jonathan Lansky, Director +1 416 417 7664 [email protected] Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations + 1 647 503 1054 [email protected] Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the closing of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, the ability of the Company to obtain regulatory approval for the Offering, the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175691 Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told US officials at a meeting held in Doha that the US sanctions against Afghanistan should be removed, the local Tolonews TV reported. The Afghan media quoted the caretaker government's spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid as saying on Monday evening that Muttaqi also urged the US side not to create obstacles to the economic development of Afghanistan. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Twitter Monday that the Afghan delegation was led by Muttaqi and comprised representatives from the country's central bank Da Afghanistan Bank, the Ministry of Finance, as well as officials from the Afghan embassy in Doha. The Afghan delegation left Kabul on Saturday for Qatar to meet with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West. Following the abrupt withdrawal of US-led forces in August 2021, Washington has imposed sanctions on the impoverished country, seizing Afghan assets and compounding the poverty brought by 20 years of foreign occupation. Search Keywords: Short link: Reports Additional Assay Results from Trenching Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the drill rig for its upcoming exploration program has mobilized to its Los Pavitos project located in the well mineralized Alamos region of southern Sonora State, Mexico. The Company plans to test the main mineralized targets with a first ever drill program planned for approximately 2500 meters. The Company also announced assay results for the last four trenches for its recently completed trenching program (Table 1, also see News Release of July 21, 2023). Two samples from the Santa Cruz area yielded 3.98 and 1.18 g/t Au over 1 and 2.7 meters respectively as shown in the table of results in Table 2. Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO, commented: "Exploration over the last year and a half has identified several robust exploration targets at Los Pavitos. We are looking forward to drilling the particularly prospective Santa Cruz and Las Aurus areas as well as other mineralized zones. The first round of drilling will be comprised of shallow inclined holes of 75-100 m depths to confirm correct dip and widths of the mineralized structures." Table 1. Final four trenches sampled at Los Pavitos Coord start WGS84 Coord end WGS84 Trench Location Length Azim Easting Northing Easting Northing ZOR3 Oromuri 8.10 140 674,358 3,002,675 674,363 3,002,670 ZOR4 Oromuri 33.70 340 674,109 3,002,443 674,099 3,002,473 ZH1 Santa Cruz 24.80 305 677,097 3,002,112 677,081 3,002,124 ZH2 Santa Cruz 23.90 315 677,117 3,002,139 677,101 3,002,153 Table 2. Highlight assays from Los Pavitos trenches Trench Location Length (m) Au_g/t Ag g/t ZA1 Auras 6.4 0.1 - ZA2 Auras 19.0 2.2 22.9 includes 4.0 10.3 104.3 ZSC4 Santa Cruz 18.5 0.2 - ZSC3-1 Santa Cruz 2.1 1.7 - ZSC9 Santa Cruz 8.0 0.5 - ZSC10 Santa Cruz 7.8 2.3 13.0 ZSC12 Santa Cruz 2.5 0.9 69.6 ZSC1 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.95 - 2.30 0.50 - ZSC7 Santa Cruz 17.70 0.13 - includes 8.80 0.16 - and 2.90 0.25 35.2 ZSC13 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.22 - ZE3 Espaola 1.40 0.74 - New Data ZH1 Santa Cruz 1.00 3.98 5.1 ZH2 Santa Cruz 2.80 1.18 15.8 The trenching program across the main mineralized trends on the Los Pavitos property consisted of a cumulative length of 698 meters in 25 trenches. The best assays for individual samples are 20.4 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2 meters at Las Auras and 16.7 g/t Au and 48,2 g/t Ag over 1 meter at Santa Cruz. The main objective of the trenching program was to define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign. Figure 1. Trench locations at Los Pavitos. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7434/175608_figure1.jpg Palos Verdes Drilling Update The Company is in the process of completing a 2,500-meter drill program on the Palos Verdes project. The drill program is designed to test the areas of the Palos Verdes vein system in areas where there previously was no drill access, mainly along the northeastern extension of the vein system and certain areas in the southwestern portion where previous drilling occurred. Ten holes have been completed for a total of about 2,035 meters of HQ core drilled for the current program, with an eleventh hole in progress. Assays for seven holes, PV-23-19 to PV-23-25 have been reported. Three holes remain in the program, after which the drill crew is expected to take a two-week break. Photos of core from holes PV-23-26 and 27 showing intervals with multistage vein mineralization with brecciation and locally abundant sulfide minerals. Assay results pending. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7434/175608_figure2.jpg QA/QC Rock samples taken by Prismo were analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods by ALS Group, an internationally recognized analytical service provider. Gold is analyzed as part of the ICP package using a 25-gram aqua regia digestion. Ag, Pb and Zn over 1% and Au values over 1 g/t are re-analyzed by the by an overrange ICP method. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material were inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals. Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. About Prismo Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia). Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube Prismo Metals Inc. 1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Contact: Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Jason Frame, Manager of Communications [email protected] Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175608 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2023) - SmartBe Investments Inc. ("SmartBe") previously announced, by the way of press release dated May 30, 2023, that the SmartBe Canadian Quantitative Value Index ETF (NEO: SBCV) ("SBCV") and SmartBe U.S. Quantitative Value Index ETF (NEO: SBQV) ("SBQV", and together with SBCV, the "ETFs") would be terminated effective at the close of business today, July 31, 2023 (the "Termination Date"). The ETFs were delisted from the NEO Exchange Inc. on the close of business on July 27, 2023. The ETFs' final net asset value ("NAV") per unit are as follows: ETF Ticker Final NAV per Unit SmartBe Canadian Quantitative Value Index ETF SBCV $ 23.1190 SmartBe U.S. Quantitative Value Index ETF SBQV $ 25.2426 Any remaining unitholders of the ETFs as at the Termination Date will receive the proceeds from the liquidation of the assets, less all liabilities and all expenses incurred in connection with the dissolution of the ETF. These proceeds will be paid to the holders of the remaining outstanding units of the ETFs on a pro-rata basis, at the rate shown above, without further action by those unitholders. About SmartBe SmartBe Investments Inc. is a manager of exchange-traded funds. The company partners with international and academically published index providers to construct and deliver Canadian exchange-traded funds for widespread public distribution. SmartBe is dedicated to bringing new quantitative approaches to Canadian investors interested in affordable alternatives to sophisticated investment strategies. Contact Information Cecilia Chen [email protected] SmartBe Investments Inc 403 930 8689 Suite 680, 330 5th Ave SW, www.smartbeinvestments.com Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0L4 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175582 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2023) - Sun Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSXV: SRES) today released its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. "C$" refers to Canadian dollars. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $1,475,527 an increase of 8.9% compared with the same period in the prior year. Net rental income was $988,878, an increase of 3.5%, and net income and comprehensive income for the three months was $581,815, an increase of 9.8%. Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2,870,880 an increase of 8.6% compared with the same period in the prior year. Net rental income was $1,975,849, an increase of 6.0%, and net income and comprehensive income for the three months was $1,105,873, an increase of 9.9%. At June 30, 2023, Sun had total assets of $75.9 million (December 31, 2022 - $75.6 million), and cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 million (December 31, 2022 - $4.7 million). Working capital at June 30, 2023 was $4.2 million (December 31, 2021 - $4.6 million). Robert C. Wetenhall Jr., Chief Executive Officer, said, "During the quarter, we acquired a distressed apartment building located in Cape Coral, Florida. Mobilization to begin renovating the property, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian, has already begun. We expect the property will be accretive to earnings when stabilized next year and demonstrates our commitment to creating shareholder value by sourcing attractive investment opportunities in the Sun Belt." Additional highlights (at June 30, 2023 or for the three months then ended, unless otherwise noted) NAV (net asset value) per unit - $0.109 (C$0.147) Weighted average occupancy for the quarter - 93%; occupancy at quarter-end - 95% FFO (funds from operations) - $206,792, an increase of 36% from the prior year. AFFO (adjusted funds from operations) - $183,081, an increase of 22% from the prior year. Quarterly distribution paid June 30, 2023 corresponds to 57% of net income available to unitholders, 71% of FFO, and 80% of AFFO. Rent collection for June 2023 - 99% Net operating income margin - 52% Debt to gross book value - 41% A reconciliation to non-IFRS measures is set out below. For further information on the financial results as well as analysis of operational statistics, please refer to Sun's consolidated financial statements and its management's discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2023, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Sun's website at www.sunresreit.com. Conference Call Interested parties are invited to participate in a Zoom video call with management on August 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Please use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83058398761?pwd=Vk9NVEI4YkxjV1BhVEdld2FsVGFhZz09 Quarterly distribution The Board of Trustees has approved a regular quarterly distribution of C$0.00095 (0.095 Canadian cents) per unit. This distribution will be paid September 29, 2023 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2023, and represents an annual rate of C$0.0038 (0.38 Canadian cents) per unit. Non-IFRS Financial Measures Weighted average leased rate, FFO, AFFO, rent collection, net operating income margin, NAV per unit and debt to gross book value are key measures of performance commonly used by real estate investment trusts. They are not measures recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and do not have meanings prescribed by IFRS. Weighted average leased rate, FFO, AFFO, rent collection for March 2023, net operating income margin, NAV per unit and debt to gross book value as calculated by Sun may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please see the table below for reconciliations to IFRS measures. Three months ended Six months ended June 30 June 30 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income attributable to unitholders $ 257,120 $ 201,005 $ 458,449 $ 370,920 Adjustments to arrive at FFO Fair value adjustment to investment properties 46,493 4,352 98,162 10,152 Realty taxes not accounted for under IFRIC 21 (217,800 ) (190,200 ) (435,600 ) (380,400 ) Non-controlling interest 83,940 91,066 165,345 181,422 Deferred income taxes 45,087 51,083 88,990 96,125 Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation (8,048) (5,431 ) (8,358 ) (3,817 ) Funds from operations (FFO) 206,792 151,875 366,988 274,402 Adjustments to arrive at AFFO Capital expenditures (46,493 ) (4,352 ) (98,162 ) (10,152 ) Non-controlling interest 22,782 2,132 48,099 4,974 Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) $ 183,081 $ 149,655 $ 316,925 $ 269,224 Weighted average number of units 203,338,999 203,338,999 203,338,999 203,338,999 FFO per unit $ 0.0010 $ 0.0007 $ 0.0018 $ 0.0013 AFFO per unit $ 0.0009 $ 0.0007 $ 0.0016 $ 0.0013 June 30 December 31 2023 2022 Unitholder equity $ 22,114,236 21,801,627 NAV per unit $ 0.109 $ 0.107 NAV per unit (C$) $ 0.147 $ 0.140 About Sun Residential REIT Sun Residential Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust dated January 22, 2019, as amended and restated on March 22, 2019 and November 4, 2020. The business of Sun is to acquire multi-family residential properties in the Sunbelt region of the United States. For further information, please contact: Robert C. Wetenhall Jr. Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Jeffrey D. Sherman, Chief Financial Officer [email protected] (416) 214-2228 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175713 Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2023) - Zephyr Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ZFR) ("Zephyr" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") through the issuance of 3,210,000 (the "Units") at a price of $0.09 per Unit for gross proceeds of $288,900. Each Unit consists of one (1) common share (each, a "Share") and one (1) transferable Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) additional Share of the Company at a price of $0.13 per Share for a period of twelve (12) months. The expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated by Zephyr at any time if the volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares is greater than or equal to $0.26 for any twenty (20) consecutive trading days. If this occurs, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the warrants by issuing a news release announcing the reduced Warrant term whereupon the Warrants will expire on the 30th calendar day after the date of such news release. Net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for mineral exploration programs in Zimbabwe (see news release July 26, 2023) and for general corporate purposes. The president and CEO of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 200,000 Units for gross proceeds of $18,000 in the Private Placement. Such participation is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the Private Placement by insiders does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the market capitalization of the Company as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. Under the First Tranche closing, the Company paid a cash finder's fee $9,198 and issued 102,200 finder's warrants to PI Financial Corp; and a cash finder's fee of $6,300 and issued 70,000 finder's warrants to Leede Jones Gable Inc. Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at $0.13 per share at any time on or before July 31, 2024. The expiry date of the finder's warrants are also subject to the same acceleration clause as the Unit warrants. The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval and acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued under the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months and a day expiring on December 1, 2023. About Zephyr Minerals Ltd. Zephyr Minerals Ltd. is conducting ongoing evaluations of gold properties for potential acquisition and/or joint venture throughout Zimbabwe. The Company is concentrating on projects with obvious gold potential as demonstrated through active, shallow, small scale mining operations or previous exploration work and favorable geology. In addition, the property should be of sufficient areal extent to host a target potential of at least one million ounces of gold. To this extent, the Company has signed multiple property joint venture agreements and has applied for two Exclusive Prospecting Orders covering 124,000 hectares. The Company is also actively reviewing lithium opportunities generated through in house research and property submittals by third parties. Zimbabwe boasts favorable foreign ownership rules for mineral properties as well as prospective, underexplored Archean greenstone belts. In Colorado Zephyr has been focused on mine permitting activities at its 100% owned Dawson gold property, which is presently in hiatus pending the collection and submission of additional water well data and satisfying certain other environmental related questions. The additional required water wells are still in the planning stage and will be drilled once available funds are in hand. Upon collection of the additional data the Company plans to reapply for a mining permit at Dawson. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Zephyr Minerals Ltd. David Felderhof, Chief Financial Officer [email protected] T: 902 706-0222 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175517 TOMS RIVER, N.J. (PRWEB) August 01, 2023 Inf Grizzy, the rising hip-hop artist from South Toms River, NJ, is preparing to make a significant impact on the music scene with his highly-anticipated upcoming singles. "Take My Time" featuring JTS and the electrifying "Drip Remix" featuring Drea, alongside other talented artists from New Jersey, will be dropping in August 2023. In addition to his remarkable musical endeavors, Inf Grizzy is equally committed to making a positive impact through philanthropy. Consolidating his music and philanthropic efforts, he actively supports the homeless community by providing essential items such as toiletries, food, blankets, and clothing. His upcoming non-profit organization aims to extend this support to families in need, further amplifying his dedication to creating meaningful change. The first track, "Take My Time," takes listeners on a captivating journey through a year in the life. With its catchy hook and infectious beats, this song is sure to resonate deeply with audiences. Inf Grizzy's powerful message shines through as he shares his introspective perspective on life's complexities. The accompanying music video showcases excellent cinematography, enhancing the storytelling experience and captivating viewers with its visual artistry. Listeners will be transported to the club scene with the catchy beats and relatable lyrics of "Drip Remix," while the teachings of "Take My Time" will leave them reflecting on their lives. Inf Grizzy's diverse offerings demonstrate his commitment to pushing boundaries and experimenting with different genres of music. Brace yourself for the groundbreaking release of "Drip Remix" the second track. This trailblazing artist fearlessly ventures into the world of collaborating with other talented artists and showcasing his diverse range of skills. What sets "Drip Remix" apart is the striking contrast between its infectious hook and the thought-provoking verses, offering a truly captivating musical experience. This track is a perfect embodiment of the carefree party lifestyle embraced by today's generation, making it an instant hit on the club scene. Prepare to immerse yourself in the track that will redefine your hip hop playlist.. Inf Grizzy's upcoming singles are not just songs; they embody a powerful blend of captivating music, thought-provoking messages, and exceptional creativity. Hip Hop enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing the emotional depth and artistic brilliance in his music videos. Stay tuned for the release of "Take My Time" featuring JTS August 1, 2023. The "Drip Remix" featuring Drea will be released mid-August 2023. Join us in supporting this rising star as he continues to mesmerize his fans with his distinct sound and meaningful contributions to the hip hop industry community. For more information about Inf Grizzy and to stay updated on his music, philanthropy, and social media links, please visit https://infgrizzy.com/ Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/inf_grizzy_takes_the_music_scene_by_storm_with_highly_anticipated_singles/prweb19470881.htm Smith brings a proven track record and more than 30 years of energy expertise to continue Arevon's growth NEW YORK and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading clean energy company in the U.S. , is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin B. Smith as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 11, 2023 . Smith will take over leadership of the company from John Breckenridge , who served as Arevon's CEO since its inception. Breckenridge will continue in a senior advisor role for Arevon as he moves into retirement. " Kevin Smith's knowledge, experience, and track record make him an exciting addition to our talented management team." Smith joins Arevon with more than 30 years of experience in both conventional and renewable energy. Most recently, he was CEO Americas for London -based Lightsource bp, where he drove the company's expansion in the U.S. market, with more than $4 billion in assets entering operation or construction over the last four years, while building the development team and compiling a 20,000 MW development pipeline. Prior to leading Lightsource bp's expansion in the U.S. , Smith was CEO for SolarReserve, Senior Vice President at Invenergy, LLC, President of Insight Energy, and Chief Operating Officer of London -based Rolls-Royce Power Ventures. Over his career, Smith has actively led the development, financing, and construction of privately-owned energy projects in 25 states in the U.S. and more than a dozen countries across five continents, focusing on solar generation over the last 15 years. He earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and his Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University. In a statement, the Arevon Board of Directors said, "We are delighted to welcome Kevin Smith to Arevon. Kevin's knowledge, experience, and track record of success make him an exciting addition to our talented management team, which is leading Arevon's development of renewable energy across the U.S. Arevon is committed to growing its sizable operating portfolio of more than 2,600 MW of solar and 600 MWh of storage as well as its robust development pipeline. We want to thank John Breckenridge for his strong leadership in building the company and look forward to having him in an advisory role moving forward. We wish him well as he transitions into his retirement." Kevin Smith added, "I'm excited to join Arevon and continue the company's growth in the U.S. renewable energy market. This is a critical time in the world as we face dramatic challenges related to our climate and energy supply. I look forward to working with the Arevon team to continue to bring solutions for creating a sustainable energy future for the U.S. " "When we started Arevon in 2021, I was committed to forming the company and positioning it for long-term growth as the last stage of my full-time career. I will deeply miss working day-to-day with the amazing team I have had the privilege to be part of at Arevon," John Breckenridge reflected. "I have known Kevin Smith for many years and cannot think of a better person to lead Arevon through the next phase of its growth. I look forward to helping him however I can during the transition," he added. Arevon recently announced the completion of construction on its 300 MW Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar Plant located on the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada , and completed a $386 million refinancing of debt related to a portfolio of operating solar projects in Arizona , California , Florida , Tennessee , and Virginia . Arevon is actively constructing the Eland 1 solar-plus-storage plant in Kern County, California , and the Vikings Energy Farm in Imperial County, California . About Arevon Arevon Energy, Inc. is a leading renewable energy company, supplying clean energy to utilities and corporations across North America . Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. , and New York City , Arevon uses innovative approaches and leading-edge technology to finance and manage projects from development through construction to long-term commercial operation. Its financial prowess and industry expertise come together to improve the structure and performance of its platform of wind, solar, and energy storage power plants. Arevon was named one of Arizona's Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023. For more information, please visit: www.arevonenergy.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arevon-announces-leadership-succession-appoints-kevin-smith-as-chief-executive-officer-301890831.html SOURCE Arevon David Schroeder brings nearly 30 years of executive experience to drive new goals CLEVELAND , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Benedictine High School, through Abbot Gary Hoover , O.S.B., its Membership Committee and Board of Trustees, has named former Dell Technologies executive and Benedictine Class of 1990 alum David Schroeder as the school's new president. The announcement follows an exhaustive nationwide search for a leader well positioned to drive the nearly 100-year-old school into the next century of transformative education. Schroeder most recently served as senior vice president for Dell, where he worked for nearly six years. While there, he grew his department by more than 500 percent. Prior to that, Schroeder served as vice president for the Palo Alto, Calif. technology firm, VMware, where he played a key role in the new company's $7-billion growth. "David brings a level of business acumen that is often missed in educational settings," said Benedictine board president, Joseph Sweeney . "This is an unprecedented opportunity to move the school to the next level while preserving our cherished traditions and Benedictine charism." With the recent completion of a $6-million expansion project, which includes a new science wing, entrance and courtyard, the school is set to update its strategic plan. Schroeder said he will use this opportunity to significantly advance educational rigor, admissions and advancement while enhancing the campus experience and providing spiritual focus for our diverse student body. "The best schools in the world today are heavily focused on new and advanced technologies," Schroeder said. "With this fresh start and my background, we have an opportunity to create some very special things here that will position our current and future young men for enormous success." David and his wife, Kathy, live in North Royalton, Ohio . They belong to St. Collette Catholic Church and have two grown daughters. About Benedictine High School Benedictine High School was established in 1927 by the Benedictine Monks of Cleveland . The school's role as a Catholic educational community is to model, educate and challenge each student to become a part of the tradition and spirit of St. Benedict . Benedictine is a community made up of enthusiastic young men who strive academically, spiritually and physically to become "Men of Benedictine." Benedictine High School offers an exciting experience of growth and development for young men from throughout Northeast Ohio . News Media Contact Joe Mosbrook [email protected] 216-375-2141 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/benedictine-high-school-names-former-dell-technologies-executive-as-new-school-president-301890685.html SOURCE Benedictine High School Fellows are in Northern Ireland for the final leg of their four-week, three-continent comparative study of social justice leadership BELFAST, Northern Ireland , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 cohort of Frederick Douglass Global Fellows were honored guests at the unveiling this week of the Frederick Douglass statue commissioned by the Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities and created by sculptors Alan Beattie Herriot and Hector Guest . Located in Belfast city center, the statue is the first in all of Europe to honor the American abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass . The twelve 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are students of color from colleges and universities across the United States who were selected for this competitive award based on their demonstrated leadership and communication skills, their commitment to agitating for positive change using techniques of non-violence, and their history of meaningful service to others. The Fellows are currently in Northern Ireland as part of the final leg of their four-week, three-continent comparative study of social justice leadership that began in Washington D.C. , took them to Cape Town , and is culminating with stops in Dublin , Derry , and Belfast . In an interview with the BBC, Florence Onyiuke , a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow from University of Pennsylvania, described Frederick Douglass as a "story of hope," saying his legacy represents "this idea that you can take whatever circumstance that you are born into and make it better, not only for yourself but for the next person after you." Zoriana Martinez , a Fellow from Wayne State University, told the Independent that to her Douglass represents international camaraderie. "At the end of the day we all kind of want the same things. We all want to be taken seriously, we want to be treated like decent human beings, we all want to have access to equal opportunity, and that's something that is still true today centuries later," she said. Two Frederick Douglass Global Fellows, Akil Cole from Georgetown University and Florence Onyiuke from University of Pennsylvania, spoke at a panel discussion hosted by the Belfast City Council that took place after the unveiling ceremony. The Government of Ireland is cosponsoring the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows in honor of the meeting in Dublin in 1845 between 27-year-old abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great Irish reformer Daniel O'Connell who is credited with influencing Douglass' worldview and expanding his life's work to agitate against all forms of social injustice. In commemoration of the unveiling of this historic monument to Frederick Douglass , the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) is honored to co-publish with Don Mullan's a little book company a special edition of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. Written by Himself. Ireland was an important place for Frederick Douglass . Not only was Ireland the first nation outside of the United States to publish the original narrative in 1845, but it was also a place of refuge for Douglass, a place where he and his abolitionist message were warmly received. During his visit, Douglass spoke before audiences at First Presbyterian Church in Rosemary Street and at the Assembly Rooms, famously saying: "Wherever else I feel myself to be a stranger, I will remember I have a home in Belfast ." At the unveiling, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy said he was honored to be involved in recognizing Frederick Douglass' impact on Belfast . "This will help people's understanding of the positive, progressive role he played in the city's early development," he said. While in Ireland and Northern Ireland , the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are being led by Don Mullan , author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday, and Dr. Christine Kinealy , a historian and Frederick Douglass scholar, both of whom have worked to draw attention to the deep significance of Douglass's visit to Ireland . "Remembering Douglass and the struggles that he endured to bring about positive change continues to provide a North Star for our troubled times," said Dr. Christine Kinealy . "Douglass' campaign against social injustice has ongoing relevance to contemporary society," said Don Mullan . "Events in the last 15 years have proved that the struggle for equality, inclusion, and social justice is far from over." "The Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are tomorrow's leaders and I'm glad they were here to celebrate the global impact of this historic leader in the campaign for social justice," said James P. Pellow, President and CEO of CIEE. "This monument honoring Douglass serves as a reminder of how great leaders influence the leaders of future generations through their words and deeds." To learn more about the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, visit ciee.org/FDGF. About CIEE CIEE builds bridges between different people, different countries, and different cultures. For 75 years, we have helped young people participate in high-quality international exchange and study abroad programs that bring the world together. We change lives, our alumni change the world. Learn more at ciee.org. Press contact: Leslie Taylor, [email protected], (207)553-4274 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ciee-frederick-douglass-global-fellows-attend-unveiling-of-frederick-douglass-statue-in-belfast-301890837.html SOURCE Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) BEIJING , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CKGSB Professor of Finance Dr. Erica Xuenan Li and her coauthors have won the CICF Best Paper Award by the China International Conference in Finance in 2023. The paper "Balance Sheet Financial Flexibility", co-authored by Professor Li , Professor of Finance Sudipto Dasgupta at CUHK and PhD student Siyuan Wu at CUHK, is one of the three award-winning papers out of 2,000 papers submitted worldwide. Financial flexibility is a key factor affecting business investment decisions and is said to be the primary goal when building corporate capital structures. Existing research, such as the Kaplan-Zingales (KZ) index, Whited-Wu (WW) index, and Hadlock-Pierce (HP) index, often uses financial constraint (FC) to measure financial flexibility, which in fact has little out-of-sample explanatory power and hence limited value of reference for corporate financial decision-making. In contrast, Professor Li's research proposed a novel method to measure financial flexibility based on firms' investment behavior rather than financial statement disclosures. In this paper, Professor Li and co-authors developed a financial flexibility index (FF Index) by analyzing balance sheet variables that distinguish firms with investment spikes from those that do not during industry-level investment surge. The FF index outperforms the five popular measures of FC indices in explaining and predicting investment spikes in both in-sample and out-of-sample tests, providing a tool for predicting corporate investment decisions. "We are glad that our research is recognized by CICF. We hope that with this paper and its findings, we can offer a more effective, comprehensive and concise index to investors and policymakers to measure corporate financial flexibility, so as to grasp companies' financial position and investment capacity with more accuracy." said Professor Li . Since 2002, the China International Conference in Finance (CICF) has been providing an open platform that brings worldwide scholars together to present current research and stimulate new development in finance, becoming one of the four major global financial academic conferences. Established in Beijing in November 2002 , Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is China's first privately-funded and research-driven business school. The school aims to cultivate transformative business leaders with a global vision, sense of social responsibility, innovative mindset, and ability to lead with empathy and compassion. Dr Erica X.N. Li is a Professor of Finance and Director of China Industrial Policy Research Center at CKGSB. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ckgsb-professor-wins-cicf-best-paper-award-for-novel-measure-of-financial-flexibility-301889931.html SOURCE Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) RICHMOND, Va. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Do No Harm and Dr. Marilyn Singleton joined Dr. Azadeh Khatibi in a lawsuit challenging California's mandatory implicit bias training for physicians to restore free speech in medical training. Azadeh Khatibi , et al. v. Kristina Lawson , et. al, filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, challenges mandate AB 241 passed by California lawmakers in 2019, which requires all continuing medical education (CME) courses involving direct patient care to include implicit bias training. "Physicians have free will and act in the best interest of their patients," said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb , Do No Harm Chairman . "The idea of unconscious bias states that one acts on those biases, and there's no evidence of this happening in the medical community. Medical professionals take the Hippocratic oath to do no harm, and do not need lawmakers or medical organizations to tell them what they should think when providing medical advice to patients." According to the lawsuit, continuing medical education instructors in California are required to adopt an ideology that is unpersuasive nor unsupported by evidence to presume all healthcare providers are infected with implicit bias and thus treat patients differently. "The implicit bias requirement promotes the inaccurate belief that white individuals are naturally racist," said Dr. Marilyn Singleton , a visiting fellow of the Do No Harm organization and California anesthesiologist who teaches continuing medical education courses in California . "This message can be detrimental to medical professionals and their patients as it creates an atmosphere of suspicion and animosity, which goes against the fundamental principle of doing no harm." All California physicians must log 50 CME hours every two years as a condition of license renewal. This is a growing trend across the country as more states require implicit bias training as a condition for obtaining and retaining medical and nursing licenses. "Physicians should base medical care on each patient's individual situation and condition," said Caleb Trotter , an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. "Implicit bias training does the opposite, telling doctors they should be concerned about a patient's immutable characteristics like race, gender, and sexual orientation, regardless of the characteristics' relevance to the patient's treatment." The case Azadeh Khatibi , et al. v. Kristina Lawson , et. al, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. About Do No Harm Do No Harm is a diverse group of physicians, healthcare professionals, medical students, patients, and policymakers united by a moral mission: Protect healthcare from a radical, divisive, and discriminatory ideology. They believe in making healthcare better for all not undermining it in pursuit of a political agenda. Learn more at www.donoharmmedicine.org View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/do-no-harm-joins-lawsuit-to-challenge-californias-mandatory-implicit-bias-training-in-healthcare-301890822.html SOURCE Do No Harm The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb has called for Islamic-Islamic dialogue between Islamic scholars around the world, of all sects and schools, to establish unity following the frequent Quran-burning incidents in the past two months in Europe. In a recent statement, El-Tayeb reiterated Al-Azhars condemnation of all forms of disrespect for the Quran and Islam, and framed current events as an impetus to pan-Muslim unity. Al-Azhar expresses its hope that this inhumane and uncivilized incident, and others like it, will be the greatest incentive to heal rifts and unite Muslims around the globe to stand up to the challenge of those who assail their security, and mock their sanctities, without the least respect for their religious feelings, said the sheikh. El-Tayeb also confirmed in his statement his determination to move forward in holding an "Islamic-Islamic" dialogue between Islamic scholars of all countries and sects, united against contempt for the faith. The Grand Imam also noted that he had recently received a letter from Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, head of Irans most influential Shia seminary, thanking him for Al-Azhars condemnation of insults against Islams holy book. The prominent position of noble Egypt and its forums of religious knowledge, especially Al-Azhar University, is prestigious, decisive, and inspiring, said Arafi. The Grand Imam replied to the Ayatollah with his sincere appreciation for the gesture. El-Tayeb, who heads the worlds most influential Sunni institution, has been vocal since the beginning of the Quran-burning incidents in Sweden and Denmark in recent weeks. The sheikh has called for a broad boycott of both countries products. Al-Azhar also renewed its call to all Arab and Islamic peoples to continue boycotting all Swedish and Danish products in support of Allah and His Holy Book. Said El-Tayeb in his statement on Tuesday. Search Keywords: Short link: The Buffalo cultivation and manufacturing facility is expected to be completed by CQ3 2024 Upon completion, Etain's total New York canopy footprint will nearly double TORONTO , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - RIV Capital Inc. ("RIV Capital" or the "Company") (CSE: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF), an acquisition and investment firm with a focus on building a leading multistate platform with one of the strongest portfolios of brands in key strategic U.S. markets, acting through its wholly owned indirect subsidiary RIV Capital US Real Estate LLC ("RIV Real Estate", together with the Company, collectively, "RIV Capital"), and Etain, LLC ("Etain") today announced that the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (the "OCM") has reviewed and approved Etain's request for an additional cultivation and manufacturing facility and a second facility for office space, located in Buffalo, New York (the "Buffalo Facility"). Upon completion, Etain will operate the Buffalo Facility, which will significantly expand its manufacturing and cultivation capabilities. The new facility is expected to focus on the production of premium flower, as Etain shares the Company's expectation that high-quality products and diversified form factors will be key differentiators in building brand and customer loyalty in the burgeoning New York market. "This is a landmark moment for the team and an important step in positioning Etain as a leading operator with an emphasis on producing premium flower," said Mike Totzke , COO and interim CEO of RIV Capital. "As the cannabis ecosystem evolves, this facility has been strategically designed to address the anticipated surge in demand for premium products with the progressive expansion of the adult-use market throughout the state. We are thrilled to establish ourselves more strongly for the future with this new facility, which will nearly double Etain's New York canopy footprint when commercial operations commence." As previously announced, RIV Capital's development partner has committed approximately $25.5 million to the development of the facility, and the Company has committed $4.5 million . Any additional capital required to complete the development of the project would be funded by RIV Capital with cash on hand. The Company has entered a 15-year lease with the developer for operation of the Buffalo facility once development is substantially complete and will pay base rent to the developer based on what the Company believes is a favorable cap rate applied to the developer's portion of the project costs. Completion of the construction and commissioning of the Buffalo Facility is expected to occur by CQ3 2024. The Company will require additional OCM approval prior to the commencement of operations at the Buffalo Facility. About RIV Capital RIV Capital is an acquisition and investment firm with a focus on building a leading multistate platform with one of the strongest portfolios of brands in key strategic U.S. markets. Backed by in-house expertise and cannabis domain knowledge, RIV Capital aims to grow its own brands and partner with established U.S. cannabis operators and brands to bring them to new markets and build market share. RIV Capital established the foundational building blocks of its active U.S. strategy with its previously announced acquisition of Etain. Through its strategic relationship with The Hawthorne Collective, Inc. ("The Hawthorne Collective"), a subsidiary of ScottsMiracle-Gro, RIV Capital is The Hawthorne Collective's preferred vehicle for cannabis-related investments not under the purview of other ScottsMiracle-Gro subsidiaries. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of RIV Capital, its portfolio companies, and Etain with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding the timing, availability, and expectations of the regulatory approvals related to the Buffalo Facility; the timing and ability the Company and Etain to commission the Buffalo Facility for operation; RIV Capital's and Etain's expectations regarding the anticipated benefits of the Buffalo Facility, including on Etain's product offerings and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although RIV Capital believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of RIV Capital, its portfolio companies, and/or Etain. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in cannabis industry growth and trends; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws; compliance with extensive government regulation, including RIV Capital's interpretation of such regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; divestiture risks; and the risk factors set out in RIV Capital's annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2023 filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available on RIV Capital's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although RIV Capital has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. RIV Capital does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/etain-receives-regulatory-approval-for-flagship-facility-in-buffalo-new-york-301890916.html SOURCE RIV Capital Inc. ATLANTA , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today an acquisition for its European Automotive business. Effective July 31, 2023 , Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), the company's wholly-owned automotive distribution company based in London, U.K. , acquired Recambios y Accesorios Gaudi, S.L. (Gaudi). Gaudi, founded in 1989, is one of the leading independent players in Spain with 22 stores operating mainly in the Catalonia and Madrid regions. Thanks to a combination of organic growth and numerous store openings, the business has expanded significantly over the past years, achieving annual revenues of approximately 100 million ( $110 million USD ). These results reflect the expertise of the Gaudi team and its 350 employees across all vehicle segments in the automotive sector. "We are pleased to expand our European Automotive footprint with the addition of Gaudi," said Paul Donahue , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GPC. "With this acquisition, we are broadening our leadership position in Spain , Europe's fifth largest automotive market, while extending the opportunities for rollout of the NAPA brand and enhancing the profitability of our European business. "The synergies provided by this transaction will enable us to grow more effectively and allow us to provide even greater customer service throughout the country. We welcome the Gaudi team to the GPC and AAG family and are excited to work together to maximize the growth opportunities in our European business," continued Donahue. The addition of Gaudi further builds on AAG Iberia's strategic foothold in the automotive aftermarket, previously represented by Lausan in Spain and Soulima in Portugal . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as "opportunities" and "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the acquisition of Gaudi by GPC's subsidiary, AAG, including those relating to extending the rollout of the NAPA brand in Europe , enhancing the profitability of GPC's European business, and growing more effectively in Spain through synergies. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to GPC and involve estimates, expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that all such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. With respect to the proposed acquisition, these risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that Gaudi will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings, synergies and growth from the acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; and the risk that costs associated with the integration of the business are higher than anticipated. Additional information regarding other risks and uncertainties that may impact GPC and its operations are also contained in GPC's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond GPC's ability to control or predict. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, actual results may vary materially, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the information currently available to the parties on the date they are made, and GPC does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of such communication, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC. About Genuine Parts Company Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Australasia , France , the U.K. , Ireland , Germany , Poland , the Netherlands , Belgium , Spain and Portugal . The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S. , Canada , Mexico and Australasia . In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com. About Alliance Automotive Group Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), is a leading distributor of light and commercial vehicle parts to the independent aftermarket in France , the U.K. , Ireland , Germany , Poland , the Netherlands , Belgium , Spain and Portugal . AAG is doing business under the Groupauto France, Precisium Group and Pieces Auto in France , Groupauto UK and UAN in the UK , Groupauto Ireland in Ireland , Alliance Automotive Group Germany in Germany , Groupauto Poland in Poland and Partspoint, Precisium and Winparts in the Netherlands and Belgium , Groupauto Iberica in Spain and in Portugal . AAG serves approximately 100,000 garages with over 100,000 different parts for repair and maintenance from a network of more than 700 company-owned stores and more than 1,700 affiliated outlets. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, the largest worldwide automotive parts distributor with activities in North America , Europe , and Australasia . Further information is available at www.allianceautomotivegroup.eu. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genuine-parts-company-announces-automotive-acquisition-in-europe-expanding-leadership-position-in-spain-301890915.html SOURCE Genuine Parts Company LAKEWOOD, Wash. and SEATTLE , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harborstone Credit Union announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Seattle, Washington -based First Sound Bank (OTCPK: FSWA). The transaction is structured as a purchase agreement with Harborstone Credit Union purchasing substantially all assets and assuming substantially all liabilities of First Sound Bank. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. Following the completion of the transaction, First Sound Bank will liquidate and dissolve and distribute its remaining assets to its stockholders. When finalized, the combined institution will have approximately $2.1 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in loans, $1.8 billion in shares and deposits and will have sixteen branches throughout King , Pierce , and Thurston Counties. In connection with the transaction, the shareholders of First Sound Bank will receive approximately $6.90-$7.10 in cash for each share of First Sound Bank common stock, subject to adjustment based on the equity value at closing. The acquisition helps Harborstone Credit Union grow its presence in the Seattle market, diversify its assets, and add superior talent and expertise. First Sound Bank customers will become members of Harborstone Credit Union with full access to all Harborstone Credit Union's expansive product and service offerings. The transaction serves as a historic milestone, as First Sound Bank is the first bank Harborstone Credit Union will acquire. Geoff Bullock , President and CEO of Harborstone Credit Union, commented, "We're excited to grow Harborstone Credit Union and owe this opportunity to the decades of smart and strategic decisions that have created a solid foundation for our expansion. This acquisition is a win for everyone involved as it provides extended services and products to First Sound's clients, and adds new expertise and services to Harborstone Credit Union's members. From all of us at Harborstone Credit Union, we extend a warm welcome to First Sound, its employees, and its customers." Marty Steele , President and CEO of First Sound Bank added, "We are extremely excited about partnering with Harborstone Credit Union and feel that this strategic transaction provides many benefits for our customers, employees, community and shareholders. As a community bank we are deeply focused on providing resources and services for our customers to succeed, and feel that the additional services, products and locations Harborstone Credit Union provides will help us continue to meet the needs of our customers in this competitive environment. In addition, this transaction provides excellent value to our shareholders who have supported us over the years." The transaction is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2024 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals, approval by the shareholders of First Sound Bank and other customary closing conditions. Harborstone Credit Union was advised in the transaction by McQueen Financial Advisors as exclusive financial advisor and Luse Gorman , PC as legal counsel. First Sound Bank was advised by D.A. Davidson & Co. as exclusive financial advisor and Keller Rohrback, L.L.P. as legal counsel. About Harborstone Credit Union Harborstone Credit Union is a Washington -chartered and federally insured credit union headquartered in Lakewood, Washington . Founded in 1955 as McChord Federal Credit Union, serving airmen on McChord Air Force Base (now Joint Base Lewis McChord ), Harborstone Credit Union has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in Washington State with over 87,000 members and approximately $1.9 billion in total assets. Harborstone Credit Union has fifteen branches located throughout King , Pierce , and Thurston counties and offers members a full range of products and services with the aim to assist members in achieving financial well-being through innovative financial solutions that foster thriving communities and economic vitality. For more information, please visit www.harborstone.com. About First Sound Bank First Sound Bank is a locally owned, independent community bank with approximately $175 million in assets. The company provides commercial and private banking services for small to medium sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and professional service firms throughout the Puget Sound market. First Sound Bank operates through a single branch location in downtown Seattle . For more information, please visit www.firstsoundbank.com. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as the businesses of Harborstone Credit Union and First Sound Bank may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected, the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes, disruption from the merger may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, associates, or suppliers, the required governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained on the proposed terms and schedule, or First Sound Bank shareholders may not approve the merger, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the companies or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the companies will be achieved. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the companies or any person acting on their behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements above. None of Harborstone Credit Union or First Sound Bank undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harborstone-credit-union-announces-agreement-to-acquire-first-sound-bank-301890985.html SOURCE First Sound Bank BOSTON , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The John Hancock closed-end funds listed below declared their monthly distributions today as follows: Declaration Date: August 1, 2023 Ex Date: August 10, 2023 Record Date: August 11, 2023 Payment Date: August 31, 2023 Ticker Fund Name Distribution Per Share Change From Previous Distribution Market Price as of 7/31/2023 Annualized Current Distribution Rate at Market HPI Preferred Income Fund $0.1235 - $15.80 9.38 % HPF Preferred Income Fund II $0.1235 - $15.85 9.35 % HPS Preferred Income Fund III $0.1100 - $14.36 9.19 % PDT Premium Dividend Fund $0.0825 - $11.46 8.64 % HTD Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund $0.1380 - $20.91 7.92 % 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 $0.0825 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. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-closed-end-funds-declare-monthly-distributions-301890919.html SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management PHOENIX , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will present the Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an Article III federal judge in the United States of America , to the Honorable Jose A. Cabranes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on September 26, 2023 , at the Supreme Court of the United States, the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation announced today. "Judge Jose Cabranes is a legend in the law," Justice Kavanaugh said. "He has devoted his career to defending the rule of law, ensuring equal justice, and enhancing American education. He has worked hard to mentor young lawyers and serve others in need. He is a superb judge and extraordinary scholar. As a federal judge for the past 44 years, he has preserved the Constitution and protected individual liberty. He is well known for his brilliance, judgment, and wit." Justice Kavanaugh added, "With my fellow selection committee members Judge Britt Grant and Judge Christopher Cooper , I am honored to recognize and thank one of America's greatest judges, Jose Cabranes ." Nominated by the Honorable Debra A. Livingston , Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, she said, " Judge Cabranes has been the epitome of what a federal judge ought to be -- a brilliant scholar, a wise jurist, and a generous colleague. He has made extraordinary contributions across multiple fields, each of which has strengthened the federal judiciary immeasurably." "The breadth and depth of Judge Cabranes' impact on the courts specifically, and our nation generally, is hard to capture," reiterated Julie Opperman , Chairman of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation. But his contributions on several fronts bear particular emphasis. First, central to Judge Cabranes' career has been his work to broaden the representation of Puerto Ricans, and more generally of the Hispanic community, both on the bench and the bar. Second, Judge Cabranes has had a profound impact on higher education through his long-standing role in university governance and his unwavering commitment to academic freedom and free speech on campus. Judge Cabranes has made extraordinary contributions in the areas of national security and international law. His interest in these areas spans decades, dating back to his days earning a Master's in International Law at the University of Cambridge, and his publication of "Citizenship and the American Empire." Further, Judge Cabranes has had an enduring impact on criminal sentencing which has caused practitioners of both the defense and prosecution sides to describe him as the fairest sentencing judge they had ever appeared before. Judge Cabranes' impact on the courts and the law will be felt for decades to come through the many lawyers and judges whom he has mentored. With typical humility, he said, "I am deeply grateful to Justice Kavanaugh and his colleagues on the Devitt Award committee, Circuit Judge Britt Grant and District Judge Christopher Cooper . It is an honor to receive this Award, established by the late Dwight D. Opperman ." Dwight D. Opperman , "The most iconic figure in the American judiciary for half a century," as noted by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy , established the Devitt Award 39 years ago to "Honor the unsung heroes of the American judiciary," as he repeatedly stated. Each year, the Chief Justice welcomes the Devitt Award honoree and 100 invited guests to the Supreme Court of the United States to thank and to celebrate a giant in our nation's judiciary. Judge Cabranes stated, "The colleagues with whom I have been privileged to serve for more than four decades are models of the judicial craft. In their name, as well as my own, I express gratitude and reaffirm our commitment to the principle that animates our work -- equal justice under law." Media Contact: [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/judge-jose-a-cabranes-to-be-presented-with-the-nations-highest-judicial-award-at-the-supreme-court-of-the-united-states-301890800.html SOURCE Dwight D. Opperman Foundation LA CENTA brings on leader in advanced techniques for conditions of the mouth and throat to provide further specialty care to underserved communities in LA LOS ANGELES , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy (LA CENTA) has announced the addition of Dr. Abie Mendelsohn , M.D., F.A.C.S. to their practice. Dr. Mendelsohn is a fellowship trained laryngologist who offers a university level, minimally invasive surgical approach to head and neck surgery. Dr. Mendelsohn has been on the forefront of the advanced techniques for conditions of the mouth and throat, establishing one of the largest surgical volumes of transoral robotic cancer surgery (TORS), sialendoscopy, and hypoglossal nerve stimulator (Inspire) implantation surgery on the west coast. His research on the underlying mechanisms of voice production to preserve its function following endoscopic cancer surgical resections has been nationally and internationally recognized. At LA CENTA Dr. Mendelsohn will be offering his expertise in minimally invasive head and neck surgeries including: Sialendoscopy - A minimally invasive solution for salivary gland disorders Gender Affirming Voice Surgery - A surgical procedure designed to alter the pitch, resonance, and quality of a person's voice to align with their gender identity Scarless Tracheal Shave - Critical gender-affirming surgery procedure that aims to remove the Adam's apple without a scar on the neck. Da Vinci Transoral Robotic Surgery - A technology that allows for precise and accurate movements of surgical instruments for a minimally invasive approach to treat various throat cancers Inspire Sleep Apnea Surgery A groundbreaking surgery that can help cure sleep apnea performed by only a handful of surgeons in the LA area. "We could not be more excited to welcome Dr. Mendelsohn to our practice," said LA CENTA Founder and CEO Dr. Geoff Trenkle , D.O. "His talent and wealth of knowledge will be an incredible asset to our growing team as we work to make specialty care more accessible to the communities of Los Angeles . Improving access to university caliber care has been our mission and Dr. Mendelsohn helps us continue forward and bring critical access to the underserved." Dr. Mendelsohn received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Yeshiva University in New York before attending the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. In medical school his research focused on voice and throat disorders, and he completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at UCLA. Following his surgical residency, Dr. Mendelsohn received fellowship training in Laryngology at the UCLA Voice Center, where he studied the endoscopic surgery for voice and airway disorders. He proceeded to travel abroad to receive fellowship training in Trans-Oral Laser Surgery (TLM) and Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) at the Universite Catholique de Louvain in Yvoir, Belgium . Dr. Mendelsohn has also served as a Staff Surgeon in the Division of Head & Neck Surgery at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center of Greater Los Angeles and Volunteer Staff Surgeon at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. About LA CENTA: The Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy (LA CENTA) provides University caliber, subspecialty care to the communities in which they operate. They were founded on the principle of accessibility and availability, and they are working to improve the quality of community healthcare in Los Angeles and beyond. LA CENTA believes it is important to work synergistically with their community hospitals and healthcare system to provide the most comprehensive care for their patients. They accept a wide variety of insurances and service multiple hospitals to help serve this end. They also offer online booking, virtual appointments, and services in house to streamline their appointment scheduling. LA CENTA has multiple locations in LA including Boyle Heights , Glendale , Hollywood , Montebello , Downtown LA, Huntington Park and their newest Palmdale and South Bay locations. They have plans to open at least two more locations by the end of 2023. Contact: The Co-Op Agency Erica Markle | 310.734.7834 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/los-angeles-center-for-ear-nose-throat-and-allergy-welcomes-laryngologist-dr-abie-mendelsohn-to-practice-301890072.html SOURCE LA CENTA Market Leader Jones Soda's Cannabis Brand Lands Top Industry Honors with 2X Gold Medals and Best Cannabis Soda accolades SEATTLE , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Soda Co . (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA), the original craft soda known for its unconventional flavors and user-submitted photo labels, today announced that its crossover cannabis brand Mary Jones has been named Best Cannabis Soda and twice Gold Medal winner in California's 2023 High Spirits Awards. The beverage competition awarded Mary Jones THC-infused 10mg Berry Lemonade its Best Cannabis Soda and Gold Medal honors, along with a Gold Medal win for Mary Mary Jones 100mg THC-infused Root Beer. The three accolades were top most in the High Spirits Awards Soda category. "In the short time since our 2022 launch, Mary Jones has exploded in popularity across the entire state of California . We're in hundreds of dispensaries with an enormous fan base," said Bohb Blair, President of Emerging Brands at Jones Soda. "To be recognized by California's High Spirits Awards is an incredible honor and testament to the overwhelming success and support we've had for the quality of the product and love of the brand. Thank you to the judges, and California , for choosing us." Mary Jones was the first mainstream non-alcohol consumer brand to crossover into the cannabis market when it was created by craft soda icon Jones Soda. It is the first cannabis product portfolio to leverage 25 years of a mass market-established equity across brand, beverage, flavors and fans. All Mary Jones products are created by the same ingenious flavor scientists who have made Jones famous. With its major success in California , the brand has since announced plans for expansion into cannabis-legal Michigan , Washington and Nevada with additional markets to be announced. Its 2023 High Spirits Awards honors follow recent news of Mary Jones THC-infused Hatch Chile Lime, the first crossover special edition flavor with Jones. " Mary Jones is created from the identical pure cane sugar formulation and world class flavors as our mainline Jones brand, infused with premium THC," added Blair. "Now you can enjoy the best flavors with an extra kick. As we like to say; Same Jones, More Mary." The High Spirits Award is a new beverage competition by L.A. Spirits award, open to all cannabis-derived beverage products sold legally in California , and all hemp-derived (CBD/alternative cannabinoid) beverages from anywhere in the U.S. 2023 marks the first year that Mary Jones has been recognized by the competition. About Jones Soda Co. Jones Soda Co. (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA ) is a leading craft soda manufacturer with a subsidiary dedicated to cannabis products. The company markets and distributes premium craft sodas under the Jon es Soda and Lemoncocco brands, and a variety of cannabis products under the Mary Jones brand. Jones' mainstream soda line is sold across North America in glass bottles, cans and on fountain through traditional beverage outlets, restaurants and alternative accounts. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington . For more information, visit www.jonessoda.com , www.myjones.com , www.drinklemoncocco.com or https://gomaryjones.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mary-jones-named-best-cannabis-soda-by-high-spirit-awards-301890703.html More Than 700 Teamsters Covered by New Agreements with Minnesota Board of Public Defense MINNEAPOLIS , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota assistant public defenders and support staff represented by Teamsters Local 320 have ratified historic collective bargaining agreements with the Minnesota Board of Public Defense. The assistant public defenders ratified their agreement by 96 percent and public defense support staff ratified their agreement by 98 percent. "The agreements for attorneys and support staff are truly historic with life-changing salary increases that will provide stability for an agency that suffered chronic underfunding by the State Legislature," said Brian Aldes, Teamsters Local 320 Secretary-Treasurer and chief negotiator. "These agreements are the culmination of a hard-fought strategic campaign to bring public awareness to the beleaguered public defense system and to build pressure on the state legislature to adequately fund the agency." Earlier this year, the Minnesota State Legislature increased the Minnesota Board of Public Defense budget by nearly 50 percent to provide salary parity with state and local prosecutors and to allow the agency to hire necessary personnel to meet the long-established American Bar Association standards. "Public defense is a constitutional service provided to vulnerable citizens under the Sixth Amendment," said Grant Sanders, assistant public defender in the Third Judicial District. "It's long past due for these vital investments from the State of Minnesota ." "Being a union member is a full contact sport," said Kyle MacArthur , an investigator in the Fifth Judicial District . "Our union organized at the bargaining table and at the state legislature, and we must keep our feet on the gas into the future." Teamsters Local 320 represents a wide variety of public sector workers throughout Minnesota . For more information go to teamsterslocal320.org/ Media Contact Brian Aldes, (612) 378-8728 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minnesota-assistant-public-defenders-support-staff-ratify-historic-agreements-301890705.html SOURCE Teamsters Local 320 NeoSnug Features a Unique, Pre-cut Shape to Secure Tubes Close to the Nares VALENCIA, Calif. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neotech Products is pleased to announce the release of the NeoSnug Tubing Holder. NeoSnug helps prevent tubing from shifting or slipping. NEW NASOGASTRIC TUBE HOLDER The NeoSnug's unique, pre-cut shape goes under the nose and allows clinicians to secure the tubing close to the nares. Like several Neotech products, NeoSnug features a NeoBond Hydrocolloid base, which is less likely to irritate sensitive skin. The flap is engineered to hold securely and permanently. "Current common practice is to use multiple products to secure the NG tube; applying DuoDERM to the skin, then placing the tube, then laying Tegaderm or Hypafix over that," Inventor Carol Herndon , BSN, RNC-NIC, said. "And nurses often hand-cut them to get the shape they need. I wanted a single use, all-in-one solution that was skin friendly, pre-cut, and extremely secure. The design also helps guard against the infant accidentally pulling out the tube." The NeoSnug features: Skin friendly Hydrocolloid adhesive base Unique shape ideal for securing tubes close to the nares Fold over flap engineered to relieve stress on tubes and keep them securely in place Non-woven fabric contours to face or body Single patient use Made in the USA ! About Neotech Products: Neotech Products has been Making a Difference by developing innovative medical products for 35 years. Their unique line of skin friendly products are designed to benefit mothers, babies, children, and clinicians. Neotech Products is a proven leader in the development of neonatal, pediatric, and respiratory products. Ernie Cavazos Neotech Products LLC 661-775-7466 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neotech-releases-new-nasogastric-tube-holder-301890987.html SOURCE Neotech Products TAMPA, Fla. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Private Wealth, a renowned wealth management firm, is delighted to announce the opening of its new office in Tampa, Florida . This strategic expansion reflects Quantum's unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional financial advisory services to clients in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. Jim Perkins , CEO of Quantum Private Wealth, says, " Tampa is a natural fit for our growing company. Its robust economy, pro-business policies, and wonderful weather have already attracted many of our clients to the Sunshine State." He further expressed, "By establishing a local presence, we are better positioned to cater to our clients' needs and aspirations while upholding the high-touch service that has earned us our reputation." The new office in the heart of Tampa within the iconic Rivergate Tower will serve as Quantum's headquarters. Quantum aims to fortify its presence in Florida's dynamic and thriving financial market through this expansion. The decision to establish an office in Tampa was driven by the city's strategic location, flourishing economy, and the escalating demand for personalized wealth management solutions. Jim Perkins asserted, "We are making a real commitment to Florida . While Quantum will continue to maintain a presence in Illinois , our focus is expanding to meet our clients where they are." Quantum Private Wealth has a proven track record of offering unparalleled financial advice and investment strategies to high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. With the addition of the Tampa office, Quantum endeavors to extend its industry-leading services to a broader client base, facilitating individuals and businesses in achieving their financial goals. To celebrate the opening of the Tampa office, Quantum Private Wealth will host a series of grand opening events throughout the year. These events will allow prospective clients, business partners, and community members to gain valuable insights into Quantum's comprehensive financial planning services and meet the team. About Quantum Private Wealth: Quantum Private Wealth is a leading wealth management firm dedicated to providing exceptional financial advisory services. With an impressive track record, Quantum serves high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses, delivering tailored with our strategic e3 investment approach and unparalleled financial guidance. The new office in Tampa, Florida , signifies Quantum's commitment to extending its exceptional financial advisory services to clients in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. Please call 954-880-1400 to connect with our offices. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quantum-private-wealth-expands-presence-with-tampa-office-301890796.html SOURCE Quantum Private Wealth he first of three flights to evacuate French and European citizens from Niger lifted off Tuesday evening, six days after a coup toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel. "There are 262 people on board the plane, an Airbus A330, including a dozen babies," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told AFP. "Nearly all the passengers are compatriots" along with "some European nationals". Colonna said the flight would land at Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport during the night. In the region's third military takeover in as many years, Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by his own guard, sounding alarm bells in France, Niger's former colonial master and traditional ally. After hostile crowds gathered Sunday outside the French embassy and Niger accused France of plotting to intervene militarily, Paris said Tuesday it would withdraw citizens and offered to evacuate other Europeans as well. Paris blamed the "violence that took place against our embassy", and the risk of "closure of the airspace that would leave our compatriots without the possibility to leave". Two Airbus A330s as well as a third plane left southern France during the day heading for Niamey's civilian airport, the French army said. The initiative marks the first time that France has staged a large-scale evacuation in its former colonies in the Sahel, where there have been coups in Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020. However, the army chief of staff announced that a military pullout of France's 1,500 troops from Niger was "not on the agenda". In Berlin, the foreign ministry urged "all German nationals" to take up the French evacuation offer. It said that fewer than 100 German civilians were believed to be in Niger. No Immediate Danger In Washington, the White House said the United States was not joining European allies in evacuating citizens for now, citing a lack of immediate danger. About 1,100 US troops are deployed in Niger. The French foreign ministry said about 600 French nationals were in Niger. Around a hundred of them carrying only light luggage had gathered Tuesday afternoon at Niamey's Diori Hamani international airport, where Nigerien police and about 20 French soldiers were deployed, an AFP correspondent said. The French embassy said the evacuation was being staged "in coordination Nigerien forces". Several French citizens told AFP they did not want to leave Niger for now. "We don't have a problem with the French" or Europeans, said a Nigerien named Hamidou Ali, aged 58. "We have a problem with European governments." But student Mahamadou Issoufou Idi said, "The French should leave, we no longer need them." "It's France that's behind our suffering," said Niamey resident Almoctar Boukari. 'Declaration Of War' The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday slapped sanctions on Niger and warned it may use force as it gave the coup leaders a week to reinstate Bazoum. The following day, the junta accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily", a charge which drew a French denial, while junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso warned any military intervention in Niger would be a "declaration of war" against them. The events are unfolding in one of the world's poorest and most unstable countries, a vast semi-desert nation that had already experienced four coups since independence in 1960. Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. But his tenure was already marked by two attempted coups before last week's dramatic events, in which he was detained by members of the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani has declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally, from ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN to France, the United States and the European Union. The coup has worried Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now overshadows fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. Countless numbers of civilians, troops and police have been killed across the region, many in ruthless massacres, while around 2.2 million people in Burkina Faso alone have fled their homes. The economic damage has been devastating. France had at one point 5,400 troops in its anti-jihadist Barkhane mission across the Sahel, supported by fighter jets, helicopters and drones. In all three Sahel countries, the disgruntled military intervened against elected presidents as the toll mounted from jihadist attacks. The takeovers have been accompanied by nationalist rhetoric and strident anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. Search Keywords: Short link: KANSAS CITY, Mo. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BalancedComp, a leading provider of workforce compensation consulting and software solutions for financial institutions, announced the upcoming launch of its next corporate milestone making waves nationwide in the industry: FinComp 2023 . This first-ever event is the most comprehensive compensation conference in the country, tailored for HR professionals at mid and senior-levels working in banks and credit unions. The three-day experience, to be held on September 17-20, 2023 in Kansas City, MO , will educate, equip, and empower HR practitioners and C-suite financial executives to effectively navigate the ever-evolving landscape of compensation. An industry-first, fast-tracked platform dedicated to advancing compensation practices across the financial industry. FinComp 2023 will be held at the prestigious Hotel Kansas City , conveniently located in the heart of downtown's Power and Light District . It will also feature a diverse variety of speakers, including compensation experts from BalancedComp and other leading organizations, including Crowe LLP, Brown & Brown, and Seyfarth. Topics to be covered will include: Best practices and industry insights on compensation pain points, strategy, planning, implementation, and management to find, motivate, and retain top talent. Engaging and interactive speaker presentations, tailored breakout sessions, executive panels, roundtable discussions, and other networking opportunities on what it means to pay employees (and management) fairly and competitively. Data-driven insights on how to effectively drive organizational success through strategic and actionable solutions - tailored to financial institutions, by financial institutions. How to design, build, and streamline measurable and sustainable corporate processes, templates, and annual plans for banks and credit unions that drive organizational performance. Thought leadership and subject matter expertise surrounding talent acquisition, retention strategies, performance-based pay, incentive structures, executive compensation, regulatory compliance, and emerging legal trends in the financial sector. "It could take years to learn everything that you will learn in these 3 days." The conceptualization of this conference has been thirteen years in the making. "Since BalancedComp was formed in 2010, my vision was for the company to be a thought leader, HR advocate, and catalyst for change as we lead Human Resource professionals to become invaluable business partners for financial institutions," said Christie Summervill , Founder and CEO of BalancedComp. "This year takes on a whole new meaning. We leveled up and created FinComp '23 to be an industry-first, fast-tracked platform dedicated to advancing compensation practices across the financial industry." The conference is open to all financial HR professionals of all experience levels and any stage in their career. Registration is open at fincomp.balancedcomp.com. Be sure to follow on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter for the latest updates and announcements. For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: Christie Summervill CEO BalancedComp Email: [email protected] About BalancedComp BalancedComp is a consultant exclusively for banks and credit unions, specializing in creating compensation and performance management software, comprehensive salary surveys and providing strategic guidance for our partners in financial institutions across the United States . These services help clients develop customized salary and incentive programs that increase equity and help attract, retain and motivate top talent in the industry. Founded in 2010, with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas , BalancedComp serves over 300 financial institutions nationwide. For more information, visit balancedcomp.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/registration-open-for-fincomp-23-an-industry-first-compensation-conference-for-senior-hr-professionals-at-financial-institutions-301890500.html SOURCE BalancedComp NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brady Hunter Foundation, a nonprofit organization operated by a group of philanthropists and animal lovers committed to ending animal cruelty, protecting wildlife, and making a positive impact in the lives of children, is proud to announce a significant grant to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The funds will support critical initiatives aimed at protecting endangered gorillas and their habitats in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Thanks to the generous grant from The Brady Hunter Foundation, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund will be able to expand its efforts by hiring two new patrol teams. These teams will receive the necessary supplies and equipment for safe and effective forest patrols, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the gorillas' natural habitat and ensuring their long-term survival, as well as the protection of the entire ecosystem. "We are honored to support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in their crucial work," said Josh Fox , founder of The Brady Hunter Foundation. "This grant will empower the dedicated teams on the ground, ensuring their ability to protect and preserve the gorillas and their fragile habitats. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these magnificent creatures." In addition to bolstering the patrol teams, the grant will provide essential support to the existing 25 community eco-guards who tirelessly search for and dismantle snares, of which more than 2,600 were removed in the past year. The funds will cover the cost of food and supplies necessary to sustain their year-long commitment to protecting the gorillas from these deadly traps. Furthermore, the grant will facilitate the purchase of a new vehicle, significantly enhancing the logistics required to support the field teams. With this new addition, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund can ensure efficient and timely transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment, enabling them to cover larger areas and maximize their impact. "The Brady Hunter Foundation's collaboration with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a testament to our shared commitment to wildlife conservation and the preservation of our planet's most vulnerable species," added Tara Stoinski , Ph.D., President and CEO/Chief Scientific Officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. "This partnership aims to address the urgent challenges and threats faced by gorillas in Rwanda and contributes to the broader global efforts towards biodiversity protection." The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is renowned for its relentless dedication to gorilla conservation and its holistic approach, encompassing community engagement, scientific research, and education. With this transformative grant from The Brady Hunter Foundation, the organization can amplify its impact on the ground and foster sustainable solutions that benefit both wildlife and local communities. The Brady Hunter Foundation is also sponsoring Out of the Mist on October 20 , an exclusive event at The Explorers Clubs in New York City featuring Sigourney Weaver and Dr. Tara Stoinski discussing the 45th anniversary of Dian Fossey's groundbreaking book and 35th anniversary of the blockbuster film, Gorillas in the Mist. About The Brady Hunter Foundation The Brady Hunter Foundation is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated by a group of philanthropists, humanitarians and animal lovers committed to ending animal cruelty, protecting wildlife, and making a positive impact in the lives of children. The Brady Hunter Charitable Fund was established in 2022, with The Brady Hunter Foundation formally launched shortly thereafter in early 2023. BHF is dedicated to creating sanctuaries all over the world to save animals from endangerment, abuse and neglect, while also recognizing the importance of uplifting children and providing them with opportunities for a better future. For more information about The Brady Hunter Foundation, please visit https://bradyhunter.org/. About the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a renowned 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of endangered gorillas in Africa . Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Dian Fossey, the organization has been at the forefront of gorilla conservation for over five decades. Operating in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund conducts vital scientific research, implements comprehensive conservation programs, and fosters community engagement to ensure the long-term survival of gorillas and their habitats. Through a holistic approach that combines research, education, advocacy, and partnerships, the organization strives to create a sustainable future where gorillas thrive and communities coexist harmoniously with these magnificent creatures. For more information about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and its conservation efforts, please visit www.gorillafund.org. Media Contact For The Brady Hunter Foundation Andrew Jennings [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-brady-hunter-foundation-provides-grant-to-dian-fossey-gorilla-fund-to-enhance-conservation-efforts-in-rwanda-and-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-301890924.html SOURCE The Brady Hunter Foundation BALTIMORE , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urology Care Foundation, the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and official foundation of the American Urological Association, is pleased to announce the 2023 Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant recipients. This year marks the most diverse recipients to date, with a majority of the seven grants being led by urologists from underrepresented in medicine backgrounds. As one of the world's largest urology-specific humanitarian-focused grant programs, the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grants aids the efforts of urologists and projects providing patient care and education in underserved areas, either within the United States or worldwide. Congratulations to this year's grant recipients: Lee Richter , MD Dr. Richter is associate professor of urology, obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She also is a member of the International Organization for Women and Development Board where she travels each year to Rwanda for a 2-week medical mission evaluating and operating to repair fistula. Suzette Sutherland , MD Dr. Sutherland is an associate professor of urology at the University of Washington and travels regularly to Dakar, Senegal , where she provides education and training in women's pelvic and genitourinary health. Her Fall 2023 trip with IVUmed will be dedicated to the evaluation of stress urinary incontinence with an emphasis on minimally invasive and low-risk surgical treatment options. Rajiv K. Singal , MD, FRCSC Dr. Singal is the surgeon-in-chief at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto , associate professor in the department of surgery at the University of Toronto and leads trips to the Zomba Central Hospital in Malawi . Thanks to his help with the Malawi Medical Council and the College of Surgeons of Eastern Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), a Malawian urologist has been trained to help provide a long-term sustainable solution to the lack of urologic care in the country. Dana Weiss , MD Dr. Weiss is a pediatric urology specialist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and travels each year to the Civil Hospital Amdavad in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India . Her work and the project that is going into its 16th year, have provided direct care to one of the largest groups of patients in the world affected by bladder exstrophy. Samit Sunny Roy , MD, MSPH Dr. Roy is a resident at the University of Tennessee under the mentorship of Dr. Amar Singh . Dr. Roy will visit the Sadbhavna Trust Hospital Trust Hospital, Kalsar, Bhavnagar, in Mahua, Gujarat, India , providing training in routine and complex urologic surgery and post operative care. Kymora Scotland, MD Dr. Scotland is an assistant professor of urology, director of endourology research and associate director of the Endourology Fellowship Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Scotland will partner with Gold Standard Urology to provide urologic screening events that bring the medical community directly to patients in south Los Angeles , with a focus on prostate cancer, incontinence, nephrolithiasis and erectile dysfunction. Matthew T. Smith , Jr., MD Dr. Smith is an assistant professor and director of resident education at SUNY Downstate University and is committed to increasing health literacy among African American men through accessible, relevant and digestible information delivered in the centers of the Black community in New York City . His project involves giving health education lectures to Black men in public community centers. "We continue to be extraordinarily pleased by all the outstanding applicants we received for these grants. The continued and growing interest demonstrates the importance of humanitarian work to our members," said Harris M. Nagler , MD, president of the Urology Care Foundation. "The projects proposed will not only make a difference to the populations aided but will hopefully inspire others to continue these efforts." Grants were made possible through funds from the American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment, the Amerson Family Humanitarian Endowment, the Richard J. Fox Foundation Humanitarian Endowment, the Nathirmal N. Lalchandani Humanitarian Endowment, the Endourological Society Raju and Ginny Thomas Humanitarian Endowment, the Indian American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment and from an Exelixis grant, and other contributors. Learn more about the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant Program and the work of the 2023 grant recipients: https://www.urologyhealth.org/humanitarianism/humanitarian-recognition-award-and-grant-program About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Collaborating with physicians, researchers, patients and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org. About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland , the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 23,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health care policy. Contact: Corey Del Bianco , Corporate Communications & Media Relations Manager 410-689-4033 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/urology-care-foundation-announces-2023-humanitarian-grant-recipients-301890578.html SOURCE American Urological Association and Urology Care Foundation NEW YORK and BAAR, Switzerland , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vyera Pharmaceuticals, LLC ("Vyera") and Phoenixus AG ("Phoenixus") today announced that they have entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement related to Daraprim and Vecamyl. The aggregate consideration to be paid for the sale and transfer of the purchased assets and the assignment of the certain contracts, subject to adjustment, shall be $650,000 together with the assumption of post-closing liabilities. The closing of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including without limitation approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware with which Vyera and Phoenixus, together with affiliated parties, have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code and have elected to proceed under Subchapter V thereunder. The bankruptcy cases are jointly administered under Case No. 23-10605 (JKS). As part of the Subchapter V proceedings, Vyera filed a motion seeking authorization of its proposed bidding procedures under which to conduct its 363 sale. Additional information about this process and the proposed asset sale, as well as other documents relating to Vyera's Subchapter V proceedings, is available through Vyera's claims and noticing agent's website: https://dm.epiq11.com/case/vyera/dockets. DLA Piper LLP is serving as the Vyera's legal counsel. SierraConstellation Partners LLC is serving as Chief Restructuring Officer and financial advisor, and Alvarez and Marsal Securities LLC is serving as investment banker. For more information about the sale process, interested parties should contact Alvarez and Marsal Securities LLC. About Daraprim DARAPRIM is a prescription medication that contains pyrimethamine for the treatment of toxoplasmosis when used with a sulfonamide (e.g., sulfadoxine). Toxoplasmosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite, one of the most common parasites in the world. About Vecamyl VECAMYL (mecamylamine HCI) is indicated for the management of moderately severe to severe essential hypertension and in uncomplicated cases of malignant hypertension. About Vyera Vyera is a United States based biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing treatments that address serious and rare diseases with high unmet medical needs. Vyera supports programs that offer financial assistance to patients in need and gives discounts to organizations that provide care to underserved populations. Vyera's research and development efforts focus on novel treatment options for toxoplasmosis and other rare or serious health conditions. https://www.vyera.com/. About Phoenixus AG Phoenixus AG is a Swiss based global biopharmaceutical enterprise using a virtual pharma and centralized services development model to reduce the risk, costs and timing of product development across its portfolio companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Buyer and Vyera and Phoenixus (collectively, the "Companies") intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as "believes," "hopes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates" and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Companies' forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks and uncertainties including: (i) the sufficiency of the Companies' cash position, (ii) the Companies' ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations, (iii) the Companies' ability to meet its debt obligations, if any, (iv) the Companies' ability to enter into partnership or licensing arrangements with third parties, (v) the Companies' ability to identify patients to enroll in its clinical trials in a timely fashion, (vi) the Companies' ability to achieve approval of a marketable product, (vii) the design, implementation and conduct of the Companies' clinical trials, (viii) the results of the Companies' clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results, (ix) the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved, (x) the existence or development of vaccines, drugs, or other treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to the Companies' products, (xi) regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process, (xii) general economic and business conditions, (xiii) changes in foreign, political, and social conditions, and (xiv) various other matters, many of which are beyond the Companies' control. Except as required by law, neither Company undertakes any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release. Media Contact [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vyera-pharmaceuticals-llc-and-phoenixus-ag-sign-asset-purchase-agreement-to-sell-rights-to-daraprim-and-vecamyl-301890830.html SOURCE Vyera Pharmaceuticals VERO BEACH, Fla. , July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Watercrest Spanish Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care proudly announces their recognition as a winner in the 2023 Top 25 Florida Assisted Living Communities by the Innovators of Senior Living Awards. This is the second award of distinction this year by Watercrest Spanish Springs , as they were prestigiously recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2023-24 Best Memory Care Community in the Best Senior Living Communities Report. "We kicked off 2023 achieving 100% occupancy at our Watercrest Spanish Springs community and it is such an honor to be recognized repeatedly as one of the best senior living communities in our industry," says Kathy Wiederhold , Executive Director of Watercrest Spanish Springs . Watercrest Spanish Springs is an upscale senior living community offering outstanding caregivers and exceptional care, all tailored to individual resident preferences. Seniors enjoy Watercrest's signature Live Exhilarated programming, diverse culinary options and advanced industry training. Watercrest Spanish Springs is located in The Villages at 930 Alverez Avenue in Lady Lake, Fla. For information, contact the community at 352-604-5140. Innovators of Senior Living (IOSL) is a resource dedicated to helping people find the best senior living communities for themselves and their loved ones. It is created by ExaCare, a media platform committed to becoming a thought leader and convener of discourse in the assisted living industry. The magazine features intentional and curated content to improve the well-being of assisted living residents and staff across the US. The 2023 Top 25 Florida Assisted Living Communities also includes another Watercrest Senior Living Community: Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach Assisted Living and Memory Care in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida . About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A six-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/watercrest-spanish-springs-awarded-floridas-top-25-best-assisted-living-communities-in-2023-301889856.html SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group ATLANTA , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- White Cap L.P. ("White Cap"), a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RENO Hardware and Supply, Inc., a distributor of construction supplies serving commercial, multi-family and residential contractors throughout Southern California . Upon the completion of the transaction, RENO Hardware and Supply's three locations in Riverside , Burbank , and Signal Hill, California will become part of the White Cap suite of brands in its Southwest region. "We look forward to adding more talented associates to our team in Southern California , where White Cap got its start nearly five decades ago," said John Stegeman , CEO of White Cap. "The RENO Hardware and Supply team's expertise and wide selection of products will allow us to serve our customers with even more exceptional service in both the residential and non-residential markets." "We are proud to join the White Cap family and their suite of brands," said Michael Wootten , owner of RENO Hardware and Supply. "Together we will create synergies that benefit all of our customers, our team members and the Southern California construction industry." For more than 50 years, RENO Hardware and Supply has carried a vast, high-quality inventory of tools, hardware and supplies for projects ranging from the smallest remodel to multi-story buildings to large commercial developments, serving customers across all of Southern California . About White Cap White Cap and its affiliates serve as a one-stop shop providing concrete accessories and chemicals, tools and equipment, building materials and fasteners, erosion and waterproofing products, and safety products to professional contractors by meeting their distinct and customized supply needs in non-residential, infrastructure, and residential end markets. White Cap is comprised of multiple brands in the U.S. and the Brafasco, Brock White , and NCA brands in Canada . White Cap operates approximately 470 branches across North America with more than 9,500 employees supporting approximately 200,000 customers. For more information, visit about.whitecap.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/white-cap-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-reno-hardware-and-supply-301890252.html SOURCE White Cap Supply Holdings LLC FILE PHOTO: U.S President Donald Trump returns to the White House after news media declared Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden to be the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Washington, U.S., November 7, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barri By Tim Reid (Reuters) - Donald Trump's indictment on Tuesday for his alleged role in efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat will likely fuel his march toward the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination, analysts and party strategists say. "This will rally his supporters to his talking points - about how the establishment and the 'deep state' are against him and against them," Stu Rothenberg, a non-partisan political analyst, said before the indictment was handed down. Opinion polls show Republican support for Trump surging since the first of three indictments was issued in March. He is far and away the front-runner, leading second-place Ron DeSantis, Florida's governor, by close to 30 percentage points. Trump, the former president, has made the indictments a central plank of his campaign platform, portraying himself as the target of a biased justice system, the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges. Minutes before the indictment was announced, Trump called it "fake" on his Truth Social media platform. A Trump campaign statement later said: "President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution, with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys." The statement likened his indictments this year to "Nazi Germany in the 1930s." The indictments are piling up - three so far this year. And so are the court dates. His New York state criminal trial involving a hush money payment to a porn star is due to start on March 25, 2024, and his Florida trial in a federal classified documents case is scheduled to begin on May 20. Both would take place just months before the November election. So might a third trial in this latest case centered on his failed bid to overturn his 2020 election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump must appear in court on Thursday in this case. Strategists said that while the indictments could help Trump solidify support within his base and win the Republican nomination, his ability to capitalize on them may be more limited in next year's general election, when he will have to win over more skeptical moderate Republicans and independents. In a July Reuters/Ipsos poll, 37% of independents said the criminal cases against Trump made them less likely to vote for him for president, compared to 8% who said they were more likely to do so. Underscoring the potential closeness of the November 2024 general election, the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Biden leading Trump 37% to 35% in a hypothetical match-up, with the remaining 28% saying they were not sure of their choice or whether they would vote for someone else or no one at all. The strategists said Trump was likely to stick to his campaign playbook for now and use the latest indictment to reinforce his central argument that - despite being a former president - he is an outsider running to protect his supporters from a runaway Justice Department rigged against Republicans. "They're not indicting me, they're indicting you. I just happen to be standing in their way," Trump declared at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 29. Trump's rivals for the nomination have so far largely stayed silent about his first two indictments, although that could change given this latest one alleges he sought to overturn an election in an assault on a bastion of American democracy. "If the past pattern holds, with conservative media and Republicans sort of not going after Trump on it, this isn't going to make a significant difference with the Republican 2024 primary," said Chris Jackson, a public opinion researcher at polling firm Ipsos, which conducts polls for Reuters and other media organizations. Shortly before the hush-money indictment in March, Trump's share of party support stood at 44%, 15 percentage points above his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had 29% support. After he was indicted in the hush money case, his support rose to 49%, while DeSantis slipped to 23%. Since then that dynamic has held. A second batch of criminal charges in June accusing Trump of willful retention and improper sharing of national defense information had little lasting impact on Trump's polling numbers, Jackson said. The relentless media focus on Trump and the indictments also drowns out his rivals as they seek a breakthrough moment in the Republican primary battle, a race Trump has dominated for months, said John Feehery, a Republican strategist. "(DeSantis) is not going to be able to get a word in edgewise," Feehery said. Like Jackson at Ipsos, Rothenberg predicts a close general election in November 2024, no matter who the Republicans nominate to face off against Biden, the likely Democratic opponent. But if it is Trump, Rothenberg said he is in danger of losing enough independents and moderates to lose the election, in part because of the indictments. "There can be a point at which various groups of people along the way say, 'I've just had it. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of this fighting. I'm tired of Donald Trump,'" Rothenberg said. (Reporting by Tim Reid; Editing by Ross Colvin and Howard Goller) FILE PHOTO: Freight trucks are driven on the Fisher freeway in Detroit, Michigan March 27, 2009. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo (Reuters) - Creditors led by Apollo Global Management Inc are nearing a deal to provide Yellow Corp with fresh cash during a coming bankruptcy, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of Yellow were up 78% at $3.14 in afternoon trade. The U.S. asset manager, which owns most of one of Yellow's term loans, is well-positioned to provide backing and is finalizing a deal to lead a debtor-in-possession financing for the cash-trapped trucking company, the report said. Yellow declined to comment, while Apollo did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Yellow, formerly called YRC Worldwide, is the third-biggest U.S. trucking company. It transports goods from multiple shippers in single trailers and focuses on "less-than-truckload" (LTL) shipping, the transportation of goods that don't require a full truckload. It recently averted a threatened strike by 22,000 Teamsters-represented workers. Last week, the Teamsters union said Yellow had ceased operations and was filing for bankruptcy after failing to reorganize and refinance over a billion dollars in debt. The trucking firm, which bought companies such as Roadway in 2003 and USF in 2005 to strengthen its LTL offerings, posted a total debt of $1.54 billion last year, according to Refinitiv data. The company's struggles were compounded by a steep drop in e-commerce shipments from early pandemic highs and an industry-wide decline in freight volumes over the last year. Yellow has $1.3 billion in debt payments due in 2024, including a $567.4 million term loan due in June and a $729.4 million U.S. Treasury loan due in September. (This story has been corrected to remove a reference to $50 million payment in paragraph 6) (Reporting by Priyamvada C in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Devika Syamnath) (Reuters) - International Battery Company (IBC) has signed an investment pact worth 80 billion rupees ($971.89 million) with India's southern state of Karnataka to build a battery manufacturing facility, the state's minister said on Tuesday. The manufacturing facility will be spread across 100 acres in the state, Minister for Commerce & Industries, Infrastructure MB Patil said in a post on messaging platform X. Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday that the company would manufacture lithium-ion cells at the facility. IBC plans to begin production by 2025, Bloomberg News reported, citing Gunjan Krishna, commissioner at Karnataka's Industries and Commerce Department, adding that the private company is aiming to ramp up capacity to 10 gigawatt by 2028. The company, which met state government officials in June, had then expressed an interest in investing on battery production in Karnataka, Patil had said in a post in June. ($1 = 82.3140 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber) NEW YORK (Reuters) -A body found in a New York City creek has been identified as missing John Castic, a Goldman Sachs staffer, the New York City Police Department said. Castic was a member of Goldman's controllers team working closely with its asset and wealth management business, the Wall Street firm said. "The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death," the NYPD said Castic, 27, was last seen on Saturday at about 2:30 a.m. leaving a "Zeds Dead" concert at The Brooklyn Mirage in East Williamsburg, according to a Fox News Digital report. "We are all shocked and saddened to learn of Johns tragic passing," Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with his mother Dawn, his father Jeff, and his entire family at this very difficult time." (Reporting by Manya Saini and Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru and Saeed Azhar in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler and Jacqueline Wong) Security authorities in eastern Libya freed at least 385 Pakistani migrants who were held in trafficking warehouses in an overnight raid, a migrant rights group said Monday. Al-Abreen, a group which helps migrants in Libya, said the Pakistani nationals were released early Monday from smugglers warehouses in the al-Khueir area, roughly 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk. The migrants among them children were later transferred to a nearby police headquarters, it said in a post on its official Facebook page. Esreiwa Salah, an activist with al-Abreen, told The Associated Press the Pakistani migrants arrived in Libya intending to travel to Europe but were detained by smugglers who demanded a ransom for their release. No further details were given. Several pictures posted on al-Abreens Facebook page showed dozens of purportedly freed Pakistani migrants sitting outside of a warehouse. Libya is the dominant transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East trying to make it to Europe. The country plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Oil-rich Libya has been ruled for most of the past decade by rival governments in eastern and western Libya, each backed by an array of militias and foreign governments. Human traffickers have benefited from the decade of instability, smuggling migrants across borders from six nations, including Egypt, Algeria and Sudan. They then pack desperate migrants seeking a better life in Europe into ill-equipped rubber boats and other vessels for risky voyages on the perilous Central Mediterranean Sea route. A vessel that departed from Libya carrying an estimated 700 migrants, including about 350 Pakistanis, sank of the Greek coast in June. Only 104 people, including 12 Pakistanis, were rescued. Pakistan is experiencing an economic crisis that is driving thousands of mostly young men to seek work abroad. Many travel to Libya with the hope of eventually reaching European shores. Search Keywords: Short link: FILE PHOTO: Rob Olan (C), employee of the healthcare investment fund Deerfield Management, departs Federal Court in Manhattan in New York, U.S., May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -A long-running federal insider trading case based on leaks about planned changes to Medicare reimbursement rates will likely end with no convictions, after the remaining defendants agreed to enter deferred prosecution agreements. Theodore Huber and Robert Olan, who were partners at the hedge fund Deerfield Management, and David Blaszczak, who founded political consultancy Precipio Health Strategies, will not be retried if they stay out of trouble for three months, according to Tuesday filings in Manhattan federal court. Prosecutors said Huber and Olan illegally made $7 million trading healthcare stocks from 2012 to 2014 based on tips from Blaszczak about upcoming decisions from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including plans to cut reimbursements for radiation cancer treatment and kidney dialysis. All three were convicted in May 2018 but the federal appeals court in Manhattan tossed their convictions in December, citing a 2020 Supreme Court decision in the "Bridgegate" case that clarified when alleged misuse of property triggered fraud laws. There, the Supreme Court overturned two convictions for closing access lanes in 2013 to the George Washington Bridge, to punish a local Democratic mayor who refused to support New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie's reelection. In the healthcare case, the Manhattan appeals court said the leaked CMS information did not support fraud and theft charges against Huber, Olan and Blaszczak, though prosecutors could retry them on one or two counts each. The court also dismissed entirely the conviction of a fourth defendant, former CMS employee Christopher Worrall. In their deferred prosecution agreements, Huber and Olan acknowledged trading on and Blaszczak acknowledged passing advance information about a proposed CMS rule change. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan approved the agreements on Monday. Blaszczak's lawyer David Patton said: "We're very pleased this long, difficult odyssey is finally coming to an end." Huber's lawyers Barry Berke and Dani James said they were pleased their client's "long and unfortunate ordeal" was ending. Lawyers for Olan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in Manhattan declined to comment. The case is U.S. v. Blaszczak et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 17-cr-00357. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Conor Humphries and David Gregorio) U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith makes a statement to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the special counsel's investigation of efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at Smith's offices in Wa By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Here are five takeaways from Tuesday's indictment accusing former U.S. President Donald Trump with conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. TRUMP DIRECTED THE PLAN TO SUBMIT FAKE ELECTORS The indictment accused Trump of organizing a push to get fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to submit their votes to be counted and certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6. "The Defendant pushed officials in certain states to ignore the popular vote; disenfranchise millions of voters; dismiss legitimate electors," prosecutors wrote. TRUMP WAS AWARE CLAIMS OF VOTING FRAUD WERE FALSE According to prosecutors, Trump was advised by several senior officials and advisors - including then Vice President Mike Pence, White House lawyers, and the Director of National Intelligence - that claims he had made about electoral irregularities were false. TRUMP REPEATEDLY PRESSURED PENCE TO SUPPORT THE PLAN In the weeks leading up to the Jan. 6 vote, Trump falsely told Pence at least three times he had the authority to reject the electoral results, even though Pence pushed back every time. One of the conversations took place after Pence called Trump on Dec. 25 to wish him a merry Christmas, prosecutors said. After Pence pushed back on the plan in a call a week later, Trump told him, "You're too honest," prosecutors said. TRUMP TOOK ADVANTAGE OF JAN. 6 CHAOS TO PUSH PLAN Prosecutors said Trump "exploited" his supporters' attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, where lawmakers were meeting to certify the election results, refusing his advisors' suggestion to send a message directing rioters to leave the Capitol. PROSECUTORS HAVE CAMPAIGN STAFFERS' TEXT MESSAGES The indictment cites text messages Trump's staffers sent each other describing his push to certify fake slates of electors as "crazy" and "illegal." The messages could serve as powerful evidence of Trump's directions to his staff at the time. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Daniel Wallis) FILE PHOTO: The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo NEW YORK (Reuters) - A senior Goldman Sachs executive, who oversaw the firm's office that manages the wealth of its partners and senior executives, is leaving the company after two decades, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. Lisa Opoku, global head of the Goldman Sachs Partner Family Office, oversaw the firm's wealth management offerings for current and retired Goldman Sachs' partners, managing directors and alumni, the memo said. Bloomberg News reported the departure earlier. Opoku adds to a string of recent departures of senior executives at Goldman Sachs. Last week, investment firm Sixth Street announced it had hired Julian Salisbury as a partner and co-chief investment officer. Salisbury was the chief investment officer at Goldman's asset and wealth management arm. A company spokeswoman reiterated Goldman's asset management division has promoted 11 partners and hired nine new managing directors focused on investing this year. Opoku joined Goldman Sachs in 2004, and was named managing director in 2006 and partner in 2012, the memo said. (Reporting by Saeed Azhar; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Marguerita Choy) ASTANA (Reuters) - Kazakhstan has yet to decide whether to hand over a detained Russian cybersecurity expert to Moscow or Washington, the Central Asian nation said on Tuesday, denying Russian claims that the extradition had been agreed. Kazakhstan detained Nikita Kislitsin, an employee of Russian cybersecurity firm F.A.C.C.T., when he was visiting the country on June 22 and Russia responded by quickly filing its own extradition request for him to compete with one from Washington. The case could further strain relations between traditional allies Astana and Moscow which have become tense due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Kazakhstan's refusal to support what Moscow calls its "special military operation" there. On Tuesday, Russia's Kommersant daily cited the Russian consulate in Kazakhstan as saying Astana has decided to hand over Kislitsin to Russia. However, Duisembai Darkhan, a spokesman for the Kazakh Prosecutor General's office, told Reuters no such decision has been made, and a local court has only ruled to place Kislitsin under arrest pending extradition. He said prosecutors would decide on where to extradite Kislitsin after studying the case more closely. (Reporting by Tamara Vaal; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Conor Humphries) By Daina Beth Solomon MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -A labor dispute at Grupo Mexico's San Martin mine in Mexico's Zacatecas state, where the U.S. raised concerns over alleged worker rights abuses, does not meet the criteria for review under a regional trade deal, Mexico said on Tuesday. Mexico's rejection of the U.S. complaint filed in June is one of the few times since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect in 2020 that it has deemed a case ineligible for review under the pact, which has tougher rules than its NAFTA predecessor. The issues flagged by the U.S., following a petition from the AFL-CIO labor organization and a Mexican union known as The Miners, are being addressed in Mexico's court system with a final outcome expected soon, Mexican officials said. The Miners urged the Mexican government to reconsider, saying the rejection favored Grupo Mexico's version of events and that the U.S. scrutiny had helped protect worker rights while legal processes unfolded in Mexican courts. The U.S. Trade Representative's office and Grupo Mexico declined to comment. The U.S. government on June 16 had asked Mexico to review the matter, citing arguments from The Miners that Grupo Mexico's operations at San Martin violate a strike begun in 2007, and that the company bargained with employees who did not have the right to formally represent the workforce. Grupo Mexico countered that its San Martin mine, which contains lead, copper, zinc and silver, legally resumed operations with workers' approval in 2018. Mexican officials said both these events pre-date the USMCA, putting them beyond the scope of the trade deal's "Rapid Response Mechanism," which can be used to sanction companies that fail to swiftly resolve labor complaints. The U.S. has invoked the mechanism 10 other times, including at General Motors and Goodyear, and its use is closely watched by companies operating in Mexico. A Mexican court ruled in favor of The Miners in June, ordering Grupo Mexico to pay back wages and benefits, the Mexican officials noted. "It will be resolved in the Mexican judicial system," Mexico's economy and labor ministries said in a joint statement. The U.S. government has until Aug. 13 to decide whether to contest Mexico's decision and request a dispute settlement panel, a mechanism that has not yet been used for a USMCA labor matter. In response to Mexico's decision, The Miners said Grupo Mexico's operations at the San Martin mine violate its members' rights "moment by moment," and alleged the company had negotiated with an unauthorized group of workers in 2021. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon and Kylie Madry; Editing by Sarah Morland, David Gregorio and Leslie Adler) By Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) -A North Carolina man who ran an SUV into six migrant workers in a Walmart parking lot and then fled the scene has turned himself in to authorities, saying he hit the accelerator by accident before striking people, police said. David Gonzalez, 68, of Hickory, North Carolina, surrendered on Monday at the Lincolnton police station, where he came with several family members, the department said in a statement posted on Facebook. Lincolnton police on Monday said they were searching for the SUV's driver, whom they suspected of intentionally ramming the workers, all of whom were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries including broken bones and concussions. But later on Monday evening, police said Gonzalez, who was booked on felony hit and run and released on $50,000 bond, was cooperating with their investigation. His family members recounted that Gonzalez told them he had been involved in an accident, caused when he unintentionally hit the gas while attempting to park at Walmart, police said. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in Lincolnton, a town of about 11,000 people, some 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Charlotte, the police statement on Facebook said. (Reporting by Sharon BernsteinEditing by Bill Berkrot and Deepa Babington) JERUSALEM (Reuters) -One Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces, Palestinian health officials said, after committing a shooting attack that wounded six Israelis outside a shopping mall in the settlement of Ma' ale Adumim in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. Israeli emergency services said two of the six Israelis were in a serious condition and that one of the victims was 14 years old. "We went into the restaurant where we saw the victim lying fully conscious with gunshot wounds to his upper body," Israeli paramedic Oren Brill said of one of those shot in the attack. "We provided him with life-saving treatment and rapidly evacuated him to hospital in a serious condition. Following an initial assessment in the trauma room, he was transferred to the operating room." Footage circulating on social media, which could not be independently verified by Reuters, showed the shooter motionless on the ground, wearing a bright yellow vest, while blood seeps onto the sidewalk beneath his body. The Hamas militant organisation, which governs the Gaza Strip, said the attack was a response to Israeli officials ascending to Temple Mount in Jerusalem last week. The legal status of the religious site, known to Judaism as Temple Mount and in Islam as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, is a recurring flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Israel's Channel 12 said the attacker was shot by an off-duty officer. Violence in the West Bank, among territories where the Palestinians seek to establish a state, has worsened over the past 15 months amid stepped-up Israeli raids, Palestinian street attacks and assaults by Jewish settlers on Palestinian villages. In a separate incident on Tuesday, a Palestinian teen was shot dead by Israeli security forces in the West Bank, Palestinian health officials confirmed, after what the Israeli military described as an attempted stabbing attack. Palestinian sources did not confirm the circumstances of the incident but said the youth was 15 years old. (Reporting by Emily Rose and Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Ali Sawafta; Editing by Alex Richardson, Hugh Lawson and Bill Berkrot) Police officers respond, after Protest group 'Led by Donkeys' spread paint in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on a road, ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy in London, Britain February 23, 2023. RE LONDON (Reuters) - Russia's embassy in London on Tuesday said Britain had attempted to interfere in its domestic affairs by imposing sanctions on Russian judges and officials involved in the trial of Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza. "We regard the British authorities recent decision to impose restrictive measures against six Russian nationals as an inadmissible attempt to interfere in the domestic affairs of Russia," the Russian Embassy said in a post on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Britain said on Monday it had imposed asset freezes and travel bans on six figures, including three judges, for what it called their part in a "politically motivated targeting" of Kara-Murza after he lost an appeal against his 25-year jail sentence. Kara-Murza, who holds Russian and British citizenship, is prominent opposition figures who stayed in Russia and continued to speak out against President Vladimir Putin . (Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; editing by William James) FILE PHOTO: UK Member of Parliament Margaret Ferrier speaks as British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gives a statement on the situation in Ukraine at the House of Commons, in London, Britain, June 16, 2022. UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via REUTERS/F By Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) -A Scottish lawmaker has been stripped of her seat in Britain's parliament for breaking COVID rules, triggering a by-election that will indicate whether the opposition Labour Party is recovering support from Scotland's dominant pro-independence party. Margaret Ferrier is a former lawmaker for the Scottish National Party (SNP) who represented Rutherglen and Hamilton West. She was one of a wave of SNP politicians who swept Labour from its one-time Scottish stronghold in 2015. The by-election will show whether Labour is now able to win again in Scotland, where it needs to recapture some of its former dominance if it is to return to government in a UK-wide election expected next year. Ferrier tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2020 after speaking in Britain's House of Commons. Instead of isolating as was mandatory at the time, she took a train more than 400 miles back to Scotland. She was was suspended from her party and had since been sitting as an independent. She apologised for what she called "an error in judgment", but resisted calls to resign. In March parliament's standards committee recommended a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons, setting in motion the process of a recall petition. On Tuesday South Lanarkshire said the petition to remove Ferrier had been successful as nearly 15% of the electorate had signed it, although no date for the by-election has been set. "The people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West have demanded change. This area deserves a fresh start, and only Labour can deliver it," Scottish Labour said. Labour lost all but one of its Scottish seats in 2015 to the SNP as it retained support of pro-independence voters in the aftermath of a 2014 referendum where Scots voted to stay part of the United Kingdom by 55% to 45%. The SNP won in Rutherglen and Hamilton West with a 5,230 majority in 2019. But now Labour is projected to win the most seats in Scotland for the first time since 2010, a poll found in June, amid turmoil in the SNP around the resignation of long-time leader Nicola Sturgeon and a police probe into its finances. "Only the SNP are offering real change through independence," the SNP's new candidate for the seat, Katy Loudon, said. Labour's record in recent by-elections is mixed. In three such votes in England last month, it took one seat off the ruling Conservatives but failed to gain a second, while the Liberal Democrats took the third. (Reporting by Alistair Smout and William James; Editing by Kate Holton and Angus MacSwan) By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - Laboratory equipment maker Thermo Fisher Scientific has settled a lawsuit brought by the estate of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells have fueled biomedical research for decades, lawyers for the estate said on Tuesday. The story of Lacks, a young African-American woman who died in Baltimore in 1951, was made famous in Rebecca Skloot's 2010 best-selling book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," which became a feature film in 2017. Lacks' estate sued Thermo Fisher in Baltimore federal court in 2021, asserting her family had "not seen a dime" of money that Thermo Fisher made from cultivating the "HeLa" line of cells that originated from tissue taken without Lacks' consent during a medical procedure in 1951. Terms of the agreement were confidential. Thermo Fisher and the estate's attorneys, Ben Crump and Chris Seeger, said in a statement that they were pleased with the settlement. The tissue sample that became the HeLa cell line was cut from Lacks' cervix at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore without her knowledge during surgery to treat her cervical cancer. Lacks died of the disease at age 31. The HeLa line, the first to survive and reproduce indefinitely in lab conditions, has since been used in a range of medical research worldwide, including to test the polio vaccine, research the effects of radiation on human cells, and develop a treatment for sickle-cell anemia. The lawsuit accused Waltham, Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher of unjust enrichment, arguing it illegally commercialized Lacks' genetic material. "Black suffering has fueled innumerable medical progress and profit, without just compensation or recognition," the lawsuit said. The estate asked the court to disgorge Thermo Fisher's profit from commercializing HeLa cells and to block the company from using them without its permission. Thermo Fisher told the court that the lawsuit was brought too late and that the estate failed to outline a valid unjust enrichment claim. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Bario and Matthew Lewis) Thousands of Marines backed by advanced U.S. fighter jets and warships are slowly building up a presence in the Persian Gulf. Its a sign that while Americas wars in the region may be finished, its conflict with Iran over its advancing nuclear program continues to worsen, with no solutions in sight. The dispatch of the troop-and-aircraft-carrying USS Bataan to the Gulf, alongside stealth F-35 fighters and other warplanes, comes as America wants to focus on China and Russia. But Washington is seeing once again that while its easy to get into the Middle East militarily, its difficult to ever get fully out particularly as Iran now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. There is no sign that diplomacy will revive the deal soon, and Iran in recent weeks has resumed harassing and seizing ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Some 20% of the worlds oil passes through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the wider world. For hard-liners in Tehrans theocracy, the move projects power to surrounding nations as part of a wave of assaults attributed to Iran since 2019. It also serves as a warning to the U.S. and its allies that the Islamic Republic has the means to retaliate, particularly as American sanctions result in the seizure of ships carrying Iranian crude oil. Worries over another seizure likely has left a ship allegedly carrying Iranian oil stranded off Texas as no company has yet to unload it. For the U.S., keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping remains a priority to ensure global energy prices dont spike, particularly as Russias war on Ukraine pressures markets. Gulf Arab nations need the waterway to get their oil to market and worry about Irans intentions in the wider region. Those fears have cemented the longtime American presence in the Persian Gulf. In the two decades that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, there were at times two different American aircraft carriers patrolling the Gulf to provide fighter jets for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and later for the battle against the Islamic State group. But slowly, the Pentagon began to wind down the naval presence, leaving a gap of months that brought gasps from Gulf Arab states and commentators worried about Iran. The USS Nimitz sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz in November 2020 as the last American carrier in the Persian Gulf. The last Marine expeditionary unit an armada carrying Marines, aircraft and vehicles prepared for an amphibious assault came through in November 2021. Washingtons worries have changed since then. Russias war on Ukraine shifted some of the American focus back to Europe. China continues its push to control more of the South China Sea, and the U.S. Navy has responded with increased patrols. In recent months, the U.S. military has again begun dialing up its Mideast presence. It conducted a Strait of Hormuz patrol with the top U.S., British and French naval commanders in the region on board. In late March, A-10 Thunderbolt II warplanes arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The Pentagon ordered F-16 fighters, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, to the region. Stealth F-35A Lightning II fighter jets arrived last week. Now, America will have part of a Marine expeditionary unit in the region for the first time in nearly two years. The deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors consists of both the USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall, a landing ship. Those vessels left Norfolk, Virginia, on July 10 on a mission the Pentagon described as being in response to recent attempts by Iran to threaten the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters. The Bataan passed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea last week on its way to the Mideast. While the U.S. military hasnt discussed precisely what it will be doing with the increased presence in the region, the movements have gotten Irans attention. In recent days, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian called his counterparts in both Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to say that we can have peace, stability and progress in the region without the presence of foreigners. Irans army chief, Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, said the U.S. deployment would bring only insecurity and damage to the region. For years, Americans have been in and out of the region with pipe dreams, but the security of the region will only endure with the participation of the regional nations, Mousavi said, according to Iranian state television. Iran also made a point to again show off its Abu Mahdi cruise missile, first unveiled in 2020, which could be used to targets ships at sea up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) away. The missile is named after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a veteran Iraqi militant who was killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike in Baghdad alongside Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. All that raises the risk of conflict, though previous recent buildups of U.S. forces in the region havent resulted in open warfare. The two sides have been in combat in the past, however. In 1988, America attacked two Iranian oil rigs used for military surveillance and sank or damaged Iranian ships in the largest U.S. naval battle since World War II. With diplomacy stalled and Iran willing to be more aggressive at sea, the U.S. appears again to be relying on military might to convince Tehran to dial back. But that leaves the rest of the issues between them beyond the seas to continue to fester. Search Keywords: Short link: FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on as he holds a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 29, 2023. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had heard that Special Counsel Jack Smith would announce an indictment against him at 5 p.m. (2100 GMT), according to a post on Trump's Truth Social app. Trump already faces criminal charges in two other cases as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year. He is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to public opinion polls, despite his legal woes. "I hear that Deranged Jack Smith, in order to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024, will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your favorite President," he wrote on the social media site. Smith has been investigating allegations that Trump and his allies sought to overturn Democratic rival Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. Officials have testified that Trump pressured them based on false claims of widespread voting fraud. His supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a failed bid to stop Congress from certifying Biden's victory. Trump on July 18 said he had received a letter from Smith telling him that he was a target of the Jan. 6 grand jury investigation in Washington. He has characterized the probe, as well as the other cases against him, as part of a politically motivated witch hunt. Smith, who was appointed as special counsel in November by U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland, previously charged Trump with unlawfully retaining classified government documents after leaving office in January 2021 and obstructing justice. (Reporting by Jasper Ward and Joseph Ax; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Howard Goller) 'X' logo is seen on the top of the headquarters of the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., July 30, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - X Corp, the social media company formerly known as Twitter, and owner Elon Musk have asked a Delaware federal judge to dismiss one of several lawsuits claiming they failed to pay promised severance to laid-off employees. X, in a filing in Wilmington, Delaware federal court on Monday, said six former employees who sued the company in May were not parties to a 2022 merger agreement between Twitter and a Musk-owned holding company, so they cannot sue them for allegedly breaching it. Lawyers for Musk in a separate filing said claims against him should be tossed out because he did not sign a specific provision of the merger agreement involving employee benefits, including severance pay. The plaintiffs, who were based out of New York, California and Texas and had held various senior roles at Twitter, say the company failed to pay them severance totaling more than $1 million after they lost their jobs last year. Twitter laid off more than half its workforce as a cost-cutting measure after Musk acquired the company last October. Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. The lawsuit is not a class action, but two similar pending lawsuits brought on behalf of much larger groups of former Twitter employees claim the company owes more than $500 million in severance pay. X has said all of the workers were paid in full. The company is also facing a series of other lawsuits stemming from the layoffs that began last year, including claims that it targeted women and workers with disabilities. Twitter has denied wrongdoing in the cases in which it has filed responses. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum) false 0001330399 0001330399 2023-07-26 2023-07-26 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Federally Chartered Corporation 000-51395 25-6001324 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 601 Grant Street , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15219 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrants telephone number, including area code: 412 - 288-3400 Not Applicable Former name or former address, if changed since last report Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (the "FHLBank") obtains most of its funds from the sale of debt securities, known as consolidated obligations, in the capital markets. Consolidated obligations, which consist of bonds and discount notes, are by regulation the joint and several obligations of the eleven Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Banks are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the "Finance Agency"), successor to the Federal Housing Finance Board effective on July 30, 2008 (collectively, the "Regulator"), and the regulations issued by the Regulator authorize the Finance Agency to require any Federal Home Loan Bank to repay all or a portion of the principal of or interest on consolidated obligations for which another Federal Home Loan Bank is the primary obligor. Consolidated obligations are sold to the public through the Office of Finance using authorized securities dealers. Consolidated obligations are backed only by the financial resources of the eleven Federal Home Loan Banks and are not guaranteed by the United States government. Schedule A sets forth all consolidated obligation bonds and discount notes committed to be issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks, for which the FHLBank is the primary obligor, on the trade dates indicated, other than discount notes with a maturity of one year or less that are issued in the ordinary course of business. Schedule A also includes any consolidated obligations with a remaining maturity in excess of one year, if any, for which we have assumed the primary repayment obligation from another Federal Home Loan Bank. We may elect to change our method or reporting information on the issuance or assumption of consolidated obligations at any time. In reviewing the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, please note: although consolidated obligations issuance is material to the FHLBank, we have not made a judgment as to the materiality of any particular consolidated obligation or obligations; Schedule A does not address any interest-rate exchange agreements (or other derivative instruments) which we may enter into as a result of our asset and liability management strategies that may be associated, directly or indirectly, with one or more of the reported consolidated obligations; Schedule A will not enable a reader to track changes in the total consolidated obligations outstanding for which we are the primary obligor since Schedule A generally excludes consolidated obligation discount notes with a maturity of one year or less and does not reflect whether the proceeds from the issuance of the reported consolidated obligations will be used to, among other things, satisfy called or maturing consolidated obligations. We will report the total consolidated obligations outstanding for which we are the primary obligor in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the principal amounts reported on Schedule A represent the principal amount of the reported consolidated obligations at par, which may not correspond to the amounts reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles contained in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, because the par amount does not account for, among other things, any discount, premiums or concessions. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. Exhibit 99.1 - Schedule A Exhibit Index Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Schedule A 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh August 1, 2023 By: /s/ Edward V. Weller Name: Edward V. Weller Title: Chief Financial Officer ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS EX-99.1 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: ck0001330399-20230726_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json (Tribune News Service) In a program overseen by the Air Force Research Laboratory, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based company has agreed to deliver up to six electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, sometimes called flying taxis or flying cars. Archer Aviation Inc. officials said Monday the new contracts with the Air Force will have a total value of up to $142 million. The obligation is to deliver up to six of Archer's "Midnight" aircraft to the Air Force, share flight test data, test reports, offer pilot training and develop maintenance and repair operations, according to the company. Archer has worked with the DoD and AFWERX to advance the AFWERX Agility Prime program for the military. Overseen by AFRL, Agility Prime has sought to pave the way for eVTOL aircraft with the military, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration. AFRL is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and local contractors such as Dayton's Infinity Labs have contributed to the effort. The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, a site meant to advance the technology, has been built at Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport. A ribbon cutting for the center is scheduled for Sept. 18. "This historic agreement reflects the steadfast commitment by our Armed Forces to embrace the cutting-edge technology our eVTOL aircraft offer," Archer founder and chief executive Adam Goldstein said. "It's clear that the development and commercialization of eVTOL technology continues to remain a national priority. We look forward to working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force to integrate Midnight into their operational fleet with a focus on transport, logistics and rescue operations." (c)2023 Springfield News-Sun, Ohio Visit springfieldnewssun.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. GLADSTONE, Australia The U.S. Coast Guard has sent 100 members of its high-risk deployable specialized forces to the massive Talisman Sabre exercise underway in Australia. The special teams are training to secure sea lanes and ports during the two-week exercise along Australias eastern coast. Talisman Sabre incorporates 30,000 troops, mostly from the U.S. and Australia, and partner nations in a series of drills ending Friday. The special teams, Down Under for the first time, join the drills after more than a decade of regular reports of Chinese coast guard and maritime militia harassing vessels from neighboring countries in disputed Western Pacific waters. Coast Guard special teams handle high-risk law enforcement, anti-terrorism and naval warfare, among other activities. Sending security personnel to Talisman Sabre is part of the Coast Guards effort to synchronize with other service branches, according to Capt. Matt Michaelis, deputy chief of operations for Coast Guard Pacific Area. Our primary mission is related to homeland security, but our area of operations covers 74 million square miles, including the high [latitudes] and Oceania, and the Western Pacific, he told Stars and Stripes at an army depot near Gladstone on Sunday. Deployable specialized forces can fly into a partner nation and train ahead of a Coast Guard cutter port call, Michaelis said. Most of the Coast Guard personnel taking part in Talisman Sabre are providing security in Bowen for soldiers and sailors moving fuel, water, vehicles and other equipment from ships at sea onto local beaches. A dozen Coast Guard members are in Gladstone, almost 400 miles to the south, providing security alongside Australian soldiers for naval forces from the two nations honing mine-hunting skills offshore. The maritime safety and security team members in Gladstone assist with coastal defense securing key infrastructure and ports and critical shipping, said Michaelis, who is based in Alameda, Calif. The Coast Guard also practiced setting up entry control points in Gladstone and patrolling with the Australian army, Lt. Cmdr. Keifer Wells, a reservist with the San Francisco-based Port Security Unit 312, said at the depot. Coast Guard personnel are patrolling Gladstones harbor in a pair of 29-foot deployable security boats. On Sunday, the boats were moored in a secure area at the end of a floating dock used by private yachts. The vessels can be transported in U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III or C-5 Galaxy aircraft, said Michaelis, who in 2003 deployed to the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq, on the cutter Aquidneck, one of four patrol boats providing security for humanitarian shipments arriving there. As for Chinas growing coast guard fleet, Michaelis noted that coast guards enforce international norms. Flying a racing stripe on a white hull doesnt make you a coast guard, he said. (Tribune News Service) When Sebastien Roure found an old mud-caked ring near his village in France two years ago, he could not have guessed it would lead to a Hawaii family being reunited with a lost family heirloom or that he would forge an international friendship that would bring him and his own family to the islands. In November 2021, Roure found the ring in a forest near Bruyeres, France, and through research was able to determine that it had belonged to Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda, a member of the famed 442nd Infantry Regiment who died fighting Nazi forces in the area and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Roure managed to find and contact the Kuroda family and returned the ring to them in 2022. "His sole purpose was to return it to the family, expecting nothing in return," said Kevin Kuroda, one of Robert Kuroda's nephews. Now, the Kurodas are hosting Roure and his family, who are traveling internationally for the first time, in Hawaii. Roure, who does not speak English, said through an interpreter that he has been struck by how welcoming the Kurodas and the community in Hawaii have been. He has enjoyed learning more about where the ring came from. Robert Kuroda was born in 1922 to Japanese immigrant parents in Aiea and graduated from Farrington High School in 1940. He was the first in his family to graduate, and his golden class ring was a prized memento. After the Japanese navy attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the U.S. government promptly cracked down on Japanese American communities in Hawaii and the mainland. Under orders from President Franklin Roosevelt, the Army rounded up Japanese families on the West Coast and sent them to internment camps. Despite the discrimination, when the Army began looking for fresh troops to fight, thousands of Japanese Americans eagerly volunteered to enlist. The Army raised the 442nd, which was made up mostly of Japanese American volunteers, with a few white and Korean American officers sprinkled in. Despite having ordered the internment, when Roosevelt announced the creation of the unit, he declared "Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry." The 442nd participated in some of the fiercest battles of World War II's Italian campaign and fought its way into France, proving itself as one of the toughest units the Allies had at their disposal. It is still considered one of the most highly decorated units in American military history. On Oct. 20, 1944, Kuroda was leading his men in an advance to destroy snipers and machine gun nests near Bruyeres, when they began taking heavy fire from a wooded slope. Unable to pinpoint the German machine gun, he made his way through heavy enemy fire to the crest of the ridge, where he got within 10 yards of the machine gun nest and used grenades to take out the German machine gun crew. After killing the machine gunners, Kuroda got into a firefight with nearby German troops where, according to his Medal of Honor citation, he fired "clip after clip of rifle ammunition, killing or wounding at least three of the enemy." After firing his last bullet, Kuroda saw an American officer struck by a burst of machine gun fire from another firing position on a nearby hill. He rushed to help the officer only to realize he had been killed. He picked up the officer's submachine gun and made his way through a hail of enemy fire to the second machine gun emplacement and destroyed the position. As he turned to fire on more enemy soldiers, Kuroda fell to a sniper's bullet. Fellow soldiers recovered Kurodas body, and his remains were returned to his family and buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl Crater, but his class ring was lost in the forest in France until Roure came across it 80 years later. Roure, a history enthusiast, regularly went with friends to search the woods around Bruyeres with metal detectors in areas that they knew soldiers used as staging areas during the war, to look for historical artifacts. When he found the ring, he knew it likely belonged to an American soldier. Roure put it with other items he found and thought little of it, but when he cleaned up the ring, he began recognizing the figures of palm trees, and he quickly determined it had belonged to a 442nd soldier from Hawaii. The words "Farrington High School " were emblazoned on the ring. Etched in the inner part of the ring was "R. Kuroda." Specialists in World War II memorabilia told Roure it likely did belong to a member of the 442nd and could be valuable, but he wanted to find the Kuroda family. "It was the feeling that it should be returned to the family," Roure said. Searching online and using Google Translate to sift through articles, Roure eventually concluded that it had belonged to Kuroda. He found the Kurodas' auto shop in Waipio, Hawaii, and sent an email in French saying he believed he had found Robert Kuroda's class ring. At first, the Kurodas were suspicious and wondering whether it was a scam. Roure reached out to a cousin living in Iowa to help bridge the language gap, assuring the family he was serious, and he sent pictures. Roure offered to mail them the ring, but at the time, the pandemic was straining mail services, and the Kurodas worried it could get lost. Kevin Kuroda and his wife, Mary Hammond, flew to France in May 2022 to meet them and receive the ring themselves. Hammond, who learned French in high school but is not fluent, was able to bridge the gap. "That high school French actually paid off," Hammond joked. Roure hosted the couple and took them hiking around the region. Hammond said many of the people in the area, who knew that Japanese soldiers from Hawaii had played a key role in driving the Nazis from their villages, shouted out "442 Hawaii !" when they saw Kevin Kuroda's Japanese features. Roure took them to the spot where he found the ring and to the area he believed Robert Kuroda died fighting. "He showed his kindness," Kevin Kuroda said. "When we left, we just we had this bond, and we said, 'Hey, let's set a goal for you to come visit us in Hawaii,' and we stuck to it." The Roure family arrived in Hawaii on Friday. Roure has now met much of the Kuroda family, including Kevin Kuroda's father, Robert Kuroda's last surviving brother. He also visited the cemetery at Punchbowl to pay respects to Robert Kuroda. The two families saw fireworks at Ala Moana and went boogie boarding at Bellows Beach, and they say they have lots planned for the rest of the week. "I feel like we're part of the family now," Roure said. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article first appeared in Stars and Stripes Sunday Magazine, July 20, 2003. It is republished unedited in its original form. Fire Art Kanagawa spends eight months putting together their products with extreme precision. All that effort culminates with a loud bang and bright lights, as the same folks who put together Fire Arts fireworks light the fuse and wait for the explosion. The payoff: claps and cheers from the thousands to millions of people whove come for the show. Located in Atsugi city in Kanagawa prefecture, near Atsugi Naval Air Facility and the Armys Camp Zama, Fire Art Kanagawa is one of many factories in Japan that produce and display fireworks for some of Japans many summer festivals. Fireworks are a summer staple in Japan. Hundreds of firework festivals are held throughout July and August. Despite the increasing number of imported fireworks, which are cheaper in cost, Fire Art Kanagawa, with just 15 full-time employees, engages in fireworks production from scratch to bang! At the factory, hanabi-shi or the fireworks craftsmen started producing fireworks in October. The process starts by mixing explosive chemicals which are then put into pots and stirred while pouring water in to make them into small balls. If a different chemical is added while the pot is being stirred, it creates explosives that change colors. These round explosives, called hoshi which literally translates to stars are the ones you see when the fireworks explode. Hanabi-shi then lay the explosives in a half sphere paper container. The explosives need to be laid without a gap, so that when the fireworks explode, there is a perfect sphere. After a layer of explosives is lined along the side of the bowl, a tissue-like paper is used as a divider. Gunpowder, used to spatter hoshi when fireworks explode, is packed. The process is repeated depending on the size and design of the fireworks. But this is only half the process. For it to be complete, the two semispherical bowls need to be put together. The key when putting them together is to balance out the explosives at the joint, said Hitoshi Okawauchi, a hanabi-shi. If no explosives overlapped at the joint, the fireworks will not be a sphere but will have a line of empty space, he says. After two parts are joined, paper is glued outside to hold the containers together. After they are glued, they are dried in the sun and then more papers are added until they are firm enough that they would not fall apart in the air but not too firm so it will explode when the gunpowder is lit. Fire Art Kanagawa makes various sizes of fireworks ranging from 2.3 inches in diameter to 26.3 inches. For a 12-inch explosive, it is shot up 1,150 feet in the air in seven seconds and explodes 984 feet in diameter in just 2 seconds. The most common fireworks are spherical, so they look the same from any angle when they explode. Even as a 22-year veteran, Okawauchi said every time fireworks are lit up, he prays for it to successfully explode. It feels so good when I hear cheers from the audience when the fireworks are shot, he said. He says this has kept him in the job although some days can be long and hard. On the day of a major waterside fireworks festival, they leave at 5:30 a.m., get on a boat around 8:30 a.m. and stay out on the water until 9 or 10 p.m. During their busiest seasons, they keep this schedule every weekend or sometimes three times a week. It is exciting to be able to engage in something from scratch to the finish, says Toshikazu Kosuge, a hanabi-shi at Fire Art Kanagawa. I dont consider my work finished until cleaning after the fireworks. BUJA, Nigeria The stance of West Africa's regional bloc known as ECOWAS in the military takeover in Niger is clear: "We will stand with our people in our commitment to the rule of law," its chairman, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said at the body's meeting this week. The 15-nation bloc summoned its defense chiefs to discuss its threat to "take all measures necessary (that) may include the use of force" if ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within one week. ECOWAS is resolved to use military force after economic and travel sanctions used against the coup plotters failed, according to a Western diplomat in Niamey who did not want to be identified for security reasons. How the bloc would carry out its threat remains unclear given its lack of coordination in providing security regionally and formally with the U.S. State Department in Niger, said Aneliese Bernard, director of Strategic Stabilization Advisors. "There's not enough actual trust among ECOWAS members, and that lack of trust is what will break any type of coordinated response," Bernard said. But here's what we can tell so far on how such a military option could play out: HAS ECOWAS INTERVENED MILITARILY IN MEMBER COUNTRIES BEFORE? This is the first time in recent years that ECOWAS has considered the use of force to intervene and restore democracies in countries where the military took over. Amid the resurgence of coups in West and Central Africa, four nations are run by military governments in the region, but the bloc has unsuccessfully tried to return democracies in these places. Its best shot has been economic sanctions that often end up with no effect other than squeezing the citizens already facing a high rate of poverty and hunger. However, ECOWAS has used force in recent history to restore order in member countries, most recently in 2017 in Gambia after longtime President Yahya Jammeh's refusal to step down after he lost the presidential election. But even in that case, the move had involved diplomatic efforts led by then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow. ECOWAS also operated a regional peacekeeping operation known as ECOMOG that was led by Nigeria in the 1990s and early 2000s to help restore order in several countries, from Liberia when forces were first deployed in 1990 during the deadly civil war to Sierra Leone in 1997 when the democratically elected government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was overthrown. CAN A MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGER WORK? The military in landlocked Niger which relies on neighbors like Nigeria for electricity supply and Benin for port operations may not be able to hold out for long against a joint ECOWAS force, said Bacary Sambe, a conflict researcher with the Senegal-based Timbuktu Institut think tank. Analysts have said the success of such a military intervention would also depend on how ECOWAS is able to coordinate among its members and with external bodies like the African Union. There are already signs of a lack of synergy: ECOWAS gave the Niger junta a one-week deadline, shorter than the 15-day ultimatum the African Union handed them to return to their barracks. There are also economic limitations to how logistics and financing for such a force could be implemented, leaving a window open for Western support, said Kabir Adamu, the founder of Beacon Consulting, an Abuja-based security consulting firm. "A military intervention would be a bit difficult, however, there are options in the Western world and France. In the case of the financial challenge, that can be addressed by support from other countries, likewise the technical challenge," Adamu said. The resistance threatened by other countries run by regimes Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea could further complicate ECOWAS' response. The four countries share borders, which could make it easier for them to team up across the Sahel region in the vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert, starting from Guinea on one end to Niger at the other. WHAT COULD BE THE CAPACITY OF AN ECOWAS MILITARY FORCE? In December, the bloc said it was determined to set up a regional force to intervene in occasions like coups but there has been no word since then on establishing such a force or how it would operate. In terms of numbers though, it is believed that should ECOWAS decide to deploy security forces in Niger, their number would be far more than the 7,000 members of the multinational force sent to remove Jammeh from office. Nigeria alone has West Africa's largest armed force with 230,000 personnel, though not all are frontline troops. Nine of the top 20 countries with the best military in Africa are from remaining West African democracies, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. Only Nigeria, ranked fourth, is among the top five, while 21st-placed Mali is the highest-ranked among the four countries that have recently witnessed coups. HOW MUCH EXTERNAL INFLUENCE FROM THE WEST AND RUSSIA COULD WE SEE IN NIGER? An ECOWAS-led military intervention in Niger and the resulting resistance from Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea could keep West Africa and other parts of Africa sandwiched in "the middle of a geopolitical battle between the West and Crimea," said Adamu with the Abuja-based Beacon Consulting. The coup in Niger could extend the reach of Russia's private military group Wagner in West Africa where it has emerged as the preferred security partner, from Mali where they have helped fight jihadi groups to Burkina Faso where the regime has hailed Russia as a "strategic ally" after ousting French troops in February. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin welcomed the military takeover as "the fight of its people (Niger) against the colonizers," referring to France, which along with the U.S. has thousands of troops in Niger, seen as the last remaining Western ally in the Sahel. "The military junta (in Niger) can't look at Russia (but) it depends on how far it wants to go," Adamu said. Sam Mednick in Niamey, Niger, and Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali, contributed. A gunman opened fire Tuesday on a group of Israelis in a settlement in the occupied West Bank, wounding six before being "neutralised" by an off-duty border officer, police said. Magen David Adom emergency medical services said they were treating and evacuating four wounded men to hospitals in Jerusalem. One was seriously wounded, while the others were in moderate condition, it added. Police did not provide immediate details about the suspected gunman. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967. Since early last year, the territory has seen a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. Violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has so far this year killed at least 203 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides. They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the West Bank is home to nearly three million Palestinians, as well as around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law. * This story has been edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: ABOARD USS AMERICA IN THE CORAL SEA Sailors and Marines scanning the sea from the deck of the USS America this week watched half a dozen or more whales breach near the amphibious assault ship and slap the water with fins and tails. Its a daily show, according to the Americas air boss, Cmdr. Joe Adams. On Monday, the MH-60 Seahawk pilot had a birds-eye view of the whales from a perch overlooking the deck where he guides aircraft by radio as they take off and land. The America is part of an armada of vessels from the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea preparing to launch amphibious forces onto Australias eastern coast. The raid against role-players acting as an enemy force will be the grand finale of Talisman Sabre, 14 days of drills involving 30,000 troops, mostly from the U.S. and Australia, that kicked off July 21 and concludes Friday. Dozens of species of whales and dolphins travel through the Coral Sea, according to Australian Marine Parks, a federal organization that manages the countrys 60 marine parks. Species swimming there include humpbacks, Brydes whales and dwarf minkes. For migrating humpback whales, the Coral Sea is also an important meeting location for breeding and calving, the organization states on its website. Its tropical waters act as a comforting blanket for baby whales, which are born without enough protective blubber to keep them warm in their Antarctic feeding grounds. The whales are heading for breeding, Yolanda Aay, a zookeeper at Rockhampton Zoo on Australias east coast, said Tuesday of the mammals that troops are encountering this week. The animal expert, who cares for local wildlife, including kangaroos, crocodiles and koalas, said she recently went whale-watching at Hervey Bay, where much of the shore-based Talisman Sabre training is happening near Rockhampton. They will be traveling till September to have babies, she said. Humpback whales are curious, Aay added. In the boat, they will come up to you, she said. Theyre huge and have such a huge territory and theyre a social species as well. During mating season some species of whales breach more often than usual, according to Australian Marine Parks. This suggests that the males may be breaching to indicate a desire to mate or show off their physical prowess and youthfulness, which may help them land a mating partner, the website states. Marine sniper Sgt. Nathan Beagle, also aboard the America on Monday, said hes spotted about eight whales from the ship, twice as many as he saw during a whale-watching trip he took from Hawaii. Navy Lt. Kristen Azzam, the Americas flight surgeon, wore a Crocodile Hunter patch on her uniform as she waited in line for chow Monday in the officers galley. In addition to the whales shes spotted from the ship, Azzam said she saw crocodiles, kangaroos and koalas while on liberty in Brisbane ahead of the exercise. I went whale-watching from Santa Barbara, [Calif.,], she said. It cost $100, but I didnt see any whales, she said. On Monday alone she saw half a dozen cetaceans near the ship. Sailors are advised to report whale sightings so the America can take evasive action, if necessary, the warships public affairs officer, Navy Lt. Beau Nickerson said the same day. (Tribune News Service) The valley is one of the most controversial of the militarys training grounds in the islands and holds particular significance for Hawaiian cultural practitioners. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joe Estores was practically born to be a soldier. Born on Oahu, he was the son of a military man, and all of his brothers were soldiers except one who became a Marine. As a child he was present for the attack on Pearl Harbor and joined the Army as soon as he could, serving in Korea, Vietnam and around the world throughout the Cold War. In 1964 he was stationed back on Oahu and was tasked with teaching helicopter pilots how to fight as the war in Vietnam was heating up. At the time, American military advisers and the CIA were on the ground backing South Vietnamese forces fighting communist insurgents. Estores developed a training program for helicopter crews to practice their fighting skills shooting targets on the ground. He placed the targets in the Makua Military Reservation. Estores recalled the valley as having a lush canopy of mango trees and native palms. He and his fellows soldiers tore it up, raining bullets and explosives on the land below as they prepared to fight guerrillas who relied on the jungle canopies of Southeast Asia to fight and hide camps and supply routes. That was my job, Estores said. At that time I had no know ledge, no thought about who used to live in this valley, what happened in this valley. ... I was one of those that partook in destroying what was living hereplants, animals, whatever was ther because we shot our rockets, our machine guns, our grenade launchers, everything, up and down this valley. Estores, a Native Hawaiian, said he now feels deep regret. Today hes one of several activists and community members fighting to get the military out of Makua. The valley is one of the most controversial of the militarys training grounds in the islands, and holds particular significance for Hawaiian cultural practitioners. In Hawaiian, makua means parent, and the valley is considered the place where human life was first created, according to oral tradition. A key parcel the military uses in Makua belongs to the state, one of several state-owned parcels used by the Army, whose leases expire in 2029. As the deadline approaches, community leaders and military officials are preparing for what could be contentious negotiations. The military considers the Pacific its most important theater of operations amid tensions with China, and Hawaii is a key hub for those operations. But military leaders are moving forward as the Red Hill water crisis and other environmental issues have brought renewed scrutiny to the militarys footprint in Hawaii and prompted some island residents to reassess their relationship with it. Now some who have been fighting over Makua say they believe that could give them leverage. In 2022 then-U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele introduced the Leandra Wai Act, which would have compelled the Army to return Makua to the state. The legislation was named in honor of the late co-founder of Malama Makua, a Native Hawaiian community group that for decades has fought to protect and restore the valleys unique environmental and cultural resources. The Army hasnt fired a shot in Makua since 2004, when a lawsuit by Earth justice on Malama Makuas behalf brought an end to live-fire training after wildfires burned brush and revealed ancient Native Hawaiian cultural sites within. But the Army and Marine Corps have continued to use it for helicopter crew training. The bill ultimately didnt pass, and Kahele, a one-term congressman who gave up his seat to return to flying for Hawaiian Airlines after an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, was succeeded in January by U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda. But William Aila Jr. a longtime Hawaiian rights advocate and former director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands said the flurry of media attention around Kaheles bill helped spur renewed awareness and discussion about Makua and its future. Were setting the stage for transition, the transition to the civilian control of this valley, Aila said. David Henkin, an Earthjustice attorney who has represented Malama Makua, said, We would hope that Tokuda would kind of take on that mantle as the now-representative for the area, and its certainly an appropriate way forward. Tokuda told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser she didnt want to take a position yet on any specific parcel of land or training areas, but said that when it comes to negotiations between the state and the military, theres always going to need to be concessions made. Tokuda, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, included a provision in Congress annual defense funding bill calling on the military to appoint a person to oversee all the leased lands and the negotiations. Families displaced after Pearl Harbor Makua was once home to several farms and ranches owned by members of a diverse community of Hawaiian, Japanese and Portuguese families. The military began using parts of Makua for live-fire training in the 1920s when the islands were governed as a U.S. territory. But after the Japanese navys surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941, the military imposed martial law in Hawaii and took control of all of Makua for training, which meant kicking out the farmers and ranchers in the valley. Military officials assured them it would be temporary and that they would be able to return when the war was over. But in 1945, World War II ended and the Cold War began. The military asked Hawaiis territorial government for the transfer of 6, 608 acres at Makua for training. In 1964, five years after statehood, the Army paid just $1 for a 65-year lease from the state to continue training on Makua and the other leased lands. We should not and must not assume that 100 % of the areas are required (for the military ), Tokuda said. I think a robust discussion has to be had about what is essential and required, and what potentially could be returned. Weve got some critical timelines coming up between now and 2029 when the renegotiation comes to, but I have told (the military ) that we do need to ask ourselves serious questions about the total footprint : What is required, what is not ? Part of Malama Makuas lawsuit required the Army to allow cultural access to ancient Hawaiian sites in the valley. Malama Makua leads groups a few weekends a month into the valley under the supervision of Army ordnance removal contractors to ensure no one steps on or touches unexploded munitions left behind from the decades of live-fire training. Both military officials and activists alike recall the early cultural access events as tense or outright hostile, with blistering speeches and bitter arguments between activists and officials. But in recent years theyve managed to cool tempers. Malama Makua member Vince Dodge said the fact that many of the activists including his late father are veterans or come from military families themselves may have helped the two sides develop a rapport and find common ground during visits. Maybe we have the easy part now, because things werent so friendly and cordial back in the day, Dodge said. Our Army cultural support team is really a wonderful cultural support team. It was very adversarial in 2004 ; it was a totally different kind of vibe then. An Army spokesman said the military branch spends about $6 million a year on reseeding local plants, preserving and studying archaeological sites, groundwater monitoring and removing unexploded ordnance. After a tour of Army facilities led by military officials in April, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told reporters he was especially impressed at the stewardship in the Makua Valley that the Army has done up there for the last 20 years. Its absolutely incredible. Blangiardi acknowledged that the militarys use of Makua has been controversial but said, Anybody who might possibly think the military would be indifferent to even the smallest of subtleties when it comes to taking care of the place ... I would refute that. But theres still pointed debate over who gets to define those subtleties. Malama Makua and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners have been at odds with federal officials over how best to care for cultural sites in the valley. Army archaeologists manage and study the sites but keep them roped off to make sure no one touches them during cultural access days. Many of the practitioners want to see the sites restored and rebuilt, arguing that the government is treating their culture as a dead one to be studied. Estores said he wants to bring officials, including Gov. Josh Green, to the valley with Hawaiians like him to see it and hear their stories. Greens office did not respond to a request for comment on his position on Makua or the Armys other leased lands. Tensions high over spills, leaks The 2021 Red Hill fuel spill, which contaminated the Navys Oahu drinking water system, deeply strained relations between Hawaii residents and the Pentagon. The military is now preparing to defuel the aging World War II-era facility, which sits just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Honolulu relies on for drinking water. But subsequent spills and leaks of toxic material at Haleakala and other sites in the islands have put military officials in the hot seat as the Army prepares to ask the state to renew leases on training lands it considers critical. With that current political climate, Aila said, it would be in the militarys best interest to look at concessions. He argued that Makua, which the Army already doesnt use for live fire, would be an easy one for military leaders to give up and make a show of returning. Aila said he expects that in the next couple of years, a decision is going to be rendered. However, Tokuda said equally important to looking at Hawaiian land that could be returned is ensuring that the military remediates any land it returns to make it safe for people to live on. The military hasnt always done so. When the Navy returned the island of Kahooalawe to the state in 1994, it was still littered with unexploded bombs, and decades of bombing had cracked the islands water aquifer. Aila said that fully remediating Makua could be costly and take time but that there are people still living in Japan with all the bombs that were dropped, people still living in London with all the bombs that dropped. So its not inconceivable 70 years later that people can, with the right amount of work and expertise, clean this place up to some point where human existence is possible. Estores said local Army leadership ultimately has little say over whether the military will fight to keep the land. The retired Army officer said he wants to take it to the Pentagon and have an audience with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He vowed that he wont stop fighting until the valley is returned. I tell everybody about the story that when I did all of that, I had the American flag on my shoulder, Estores told a group during a cultural access day in June as he recalled when he and fellow soldiers trained in the valley. Ive taken the American flag out (and ) put the Hawaiian flag here. Ive taken the American heart out of this body and put the Hawaiian heart back. And thats me today, trying to make up for what I did. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. MALA TOKMACHKA, Ukraine The young drone squad barged into the base camp near here, boots thumping across the floor where other Ukrainian soldiers slept, as smartphones sounded a 3 a.m. wake-up call. "Good morning, Vietnam!" one shouted, as the recon team, several of them still teenagers, rousted others. They talked and joked as they collected electronic gear and ammo from their makeshift headquarters, a community center in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region. One wore cowboy boots and a bush hat. In the moonlight outside, the soldiers loaded weapons, Mavic drones, and other supplies into a camouflaged pickup truck, then sped off through the ruins of several Ukrainian villages toward the front. For the young drone pilots of 78th Regiment, it was the start of another day in a trench, glued like gamers to the video screens of their drone controllers and staring across a no man's land at heavily fortified Russian positions as artillery thumped and whistled around them. Their job was to hunt enemy targets with drones in a war that, for some of them, has been going on for more than half their lives. They are part of a generation of Ukrainians that has virtually no memory of peacetime. Now, they wrestle daily with split-second decisions that could mean life or death for themselves or the enemy soldiers they target. Vadym, 19, the fast-talking, wisecracking merry warrior of the bunch, is typical. He was 10 when Moscow invaded Crimea and stoked war in eastern Ukraine in 2014. When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a massive invasion in February 2022, Vadym had just turned 18 draft age. "And I'm like, 'What the ?' " said Vadym, a drone operator who started learning English, and a fair amount of F-bombing, while watching "Pulp Fiction." "I don't know how it is to live in a peaceful country." In a country where almost everyone has been mobilized, it is not unusual to see graying men with potbellies working checkpoints. But this war, like so many others, has fallen mostly on the young. Viktor Mykola Havryliyk, 28, who came of age during the pro-European demonstrations on Maidan Square in 2012-13, said he and other veteran fighters often discuss how years of war with Russia has defined the youngest fighters. "They have this youthful power, a burning need to do something," said Mykola, a combat medic from a different unit who goes by the call sign "VK." "They sometimes do irrational things." Mykola said it is not uncommon to see the youngest soldiers, eager to prove themselves, volunteer for combat assignments older soldiers would never take. There were 382,989 18-year-olds in Ukraine as of Jan. 1, 2022, according to Eurostat data. Of those, 196,678 were men, many of whom were sent to fight. Men ages 18 to 60 are forbidden to leave the country. For most of the youngest soldiers, the war with Russia in the eastern Donbas region seemed far away when they were growing up a kind of simmering background music that occasionally touched relatives or friends. Now, however, they are on the front, fighting a powerful enemy that can, and does, strike anywhere. If anything, Vadym and other young soldiers voice regret that they joined the battle late. There is even a song making the rounds called, "Forgive Me, Men, Because I Wasn't in the ATO," an acronym for "anti-terrorist operation," as Kyiv called the armed conflict in the breakaway areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. At times, they seem to relish the irony, or absurdity, of being in a war that feels like a throwback to a World War I with its trenches and artillery duels, yet employs the latest in high-tech warfare and satellite communications. In peacetime, Vadym said, he fooled around with drones as toys. "Now we are using it just like eyes of the war, etc.," Vadym said. Amid discussions of geographical coordinates and targets, the recon team shared war stories of their own, often from the bloody siege of Bakhmut, and some borrowed from Hollywood, particularly Vietnam-era classics such as "Apocalypse Now." They invoke video games or Netflix TV series such as "Witcher" when talking about how to choose call signs or framing their experience. As drone pilots, their mission has a cinematic aspect. They spent hours staring at video screens, using live-streamed footage to direct artillery fire and viewing the results in real time as shells strike enemy targets. Drone footage at times is made into miniature movies that each side posts on Telegram, often with soundtracks, in a form of propaganda. "What music would you play for this war?" Vadym asked. Before the war, he directed music videos. Now, his soundtrack is a "war playlist," as he calls it, that's stored on the digital tablet he also uses to target Russians. The tunes would also be familiar to anyone familiar with the Woodstock era: "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by the Byrds; "Fortunate Son," by Creedence Clearwater; "Are You Experienced" by Jimi Hendrix and other '60s classics. Vadym said he was aware that playing rock and roll in the trench was his way of coping with, and perhaps romanticizing, a hellish experience. "For me, Bob Dylan works the best," Vadym said. "I just became a really big fan of Bob Dylan since the beginning of the war. I mean, a very beautiful song of his is 'Hard Rain is Gonna Fall.' It's just so metaphorically great." Then, as artillery sounded in the background, Vadym cued the song, and Dylan's voice asked: "Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?" "War has changed all of us. It changed our perspective on how we see the world," said Oksana Rubaniak, 20, who grew up in a Carpathian mountain village. Rubaniak was an excellent student who threw herself into Ukrainian history, including Kyivan Rus, the first great Slavic empire, and thought she might become a teacher. When armed conflict broke out in 2014, Rubaniak had only a vague sense of the gravity of the situation, often through little signs, such as the way an uncle said goodbye to her grandmother before going to Donbas. Her uncle was taken captive in Iloviask, during one of the bloodiest battles of the early fighting but no one in the family knew for a month. Rubaniak was 11 at the time. When Russia invaded last year, Rubaniak helped evacuate people from Kyiv, joined a territorial defense unit and eventually became a machine-gunner who first saw combat near Bakhmut. She was recently injured, taking shrapnel to the head, shoulder and neck in fighting near Vuhledar, but plans to rejoin the fight now that she has recovered. For Kyril Kharkovsky, 19, war turned his family into evacuees and has elevated him to a position of responsibility faster than he ever imagined. Kharkovsky commands a platoon, a promotion that came only months after he started fighting. Kharkovsky, a shy, soft-spoken soldier who wears his cap pulled so low it's hard to see his eyes when he talks, grew up in Ivanivka, a village east of the southern city of Kherson. His mother had a vegetable stall in the market, and his older sister worked in seaside restaurants. His father left when he was young. Besides classes in an agricultural school, Kharkovsky's life revolved around fishing, volleyball and walks in the country. The future he expected was also down to earth, focused on family and get-togethers with friends. Until joining the military, he had never fired a gun, and the only warfare he had seen was "Counter-Strike," a popular tactical combat video game in Ukraine. He, too, was a kid when he first saw the Maidan protests on TV, with scenes of riot police opening fire on pro-democracy demonstrators. "All these protests, the fighting, the shooting already at the time I thought, 'How can this be?' " Kharkovsky said. Yet, even with Russia's seizure of Crimea in early 2014 and fighting in Donbas, the idea that war would engulf his family seemed far-fetched. Then Russia invaded and occupied territory, including his hometown. After three months under occupation, his family relocated to Lviv, where he enlisted. By early spring, he was in combat near Bakhmut. "It was scary," Kharkovsky said. He carried a grenade launcher on the front lines. By late June, he was a platoon leader. That, too, was scary. "How is that I'm the youngest," he wondered, "and I have to command everyone older than me?" Vadym, too, has been given heavy responsibilities, first in a mortar crew, then as a drone pilot. As the sun peeped over the horizon, Vadym settled into the trench for another day of drone warfare. U.S.-provided M777 howitzers lobbed shells so high the soldiers counted 15 seconds before they hit. "Compared to Bakhmut, it's like going to vacation, you know?" Vadym said. "No one's trying to, like, kill you every five minutes." One soldier who goes by the call sign Chuck and, at 32, is the elder of the group fiddled with a video game while others prepped drones. Vadym cracked that they should be sitting on ammo boxes like in a scene in "Apocalypse Now." "Every time I open my eyes, it seems like I'm back there in the f---ing jungles," Vadym said, riffing on the monologue by Willard, played by Martin Sheen. They often roamed the trench without helmets, at times without flak jackets, as if impervious to the danger. As drones took flight, live video showed a Russian soldier, stripped to the waist, digging a trench. The resolution was so sharp, they could see sweat glistening on his back as shovels of dirt flew. Should they call in artillery to kill him? "It's a guy with a shovel and potentially a grenade launcher," said a drone pilot whose call sign is Honey, toggling joy sticks for a better look. "Well, yeah," said another. "Aha! So their soldiers are all naked!" said a soldier, call sign Labrador. To the young Ukrainians, it seemed absurd that the Russian was above ground, shirtless, exposed to attack. Eventually, the team decided that a single Russian soldier wasn't worth an artillery round. They rigged a self-detonating drone to kill him. But the drone went missing. Anastacia Galouchka and Kostiantyn Khudov in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Cate Brown in Washington, contributed to this report JERUSALEM Israel is holding over 1,200 detainees nearly all of them Palestinians without charge or trial, the highest number in over three decades, an Israeli human rights group said Tuesday. The detainees, 99% of whom are Palestinians, are held under Israel's policy of "administrative detention," without trial and under allegations that Israeli authorities keep secret. The detentions can range from a few months to years and authorities often extend them for unknown reasons, according to Jessica Montell, the executive director of Hamoked, the rights group that published the figures. Hamoked said this makes it nearly impossible for detainees or their lawyers to mount a proper defense. "The overall figure is outrageous," Montell said. "This is a patently illegal practice. These people should be given a fair trial or released." Israeli authorities can renew administrative detentions indefinitely. While detention orders are usually set for periods of three or six months, Montell said administrative detainees in Israel spend a year in detention on average. Israel says the controversial tactic is necessary to contain dangerous militants and avoid divulging incriminating material for security reasons. But Palestinians and rights groups say the system denies due process and is widely abused. The number of administrative detainees has more than doubled since early last year, when Israel began staging near-nightly arrest raids into Palestinian cities and towns following a series of Palestinian attacks. A quarter of all Palestinians under Israeli custody are now administrative detainees, according to Hamoked. Administrative detention is very rarely used against Jews or Israelis, but that figure has been rising, too 14 Israelis were held in administrative detention as of March, Montell said. Most of them are Palestinian citizens of Israel. But several are Jews suspected of violence against Palestinians during rampages in the West Bank. Neither Israel's Shin Bet security service nor the army immediately commented on the latest administrative detention figures. Israel says its activities in the occupied territories are meant to stamp out militancy and thwart future attacks. The past year and a half has seen some of the worst bloodshed in the area in nearly two decades. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of the dead are militants. But many were stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions or people uninvolved in violence. At least five of them were age 14 or younger. Israel's hard-line National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a West Bank settler himself, has pushed for tough measures against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. On Monday, the Palestinian Prisoners Club and other advocacy groups reported that Ben-Gvir had done away with a policy allowing the early release for Palestinian prisoners held on national security charges. For years, all detainees sentenced to less than four years had been eligible for early release to relieve severe overcrowding in the country's prisons. Israel's prison service confirmed that it was abiding by Ben-Gvir's waiver of early releases as of Tuesday. The West Bank has been under Israeli military rule since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state. The territory's nearly 3 million Palestinian residents are subject to Israel's military justice system, while the nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers living alongside them have Israeli citizenship and are subject to civilian courts. Such disparities have fueled allegations by human rights groups that Israeli policies toward the Palestinians amount to apartheid. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Thousands of Marines backed by advanced U.S. fighter jets and warships are slowly building up a presence in the Persian Gulf. It's a sign that while America's wars in the region may be finished, its conflict with Iran over its advancing nuclear program continues to worsen, with no solutions in sight. The dispatch of the troop-and-aircraft-carrying USS Bataan to the Gulf, alongside stealth F-35 fighters and other warplanes, comes as America wants to focus on China and Russia. But Washington is seeing once again that while it's easy to get into the Middle East militarily, it's difficult to ever get fully out particularly as Iran now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. There is no sign that diplomacy will revive the deal soon, and Iran in recent weeks has resumed harassing and seizing ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Some 20% of the world's oil passes through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the wider world. For hard-liners in Tehran's theocracy, the move projects power to surrounding nations as part of a wave of assaults attributed to Iran since 2019. It also serves as a warning to the U.S. and its allies that the Islamic Republic has the means to retaliate, particularly as American sanctions result in the seizure of ships carrying Iranian crude oil. Worries over another seizure likely has left a ship allegedly carrying Iranian oil stranded off Texas as no company has yet to unload it. For the U.S., keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping remains a priority to ensure global energy prices don't spike, particularly as Russia's war on Ukraine pressures markets. Gulf Arab nations need the waterway to get their oil to market and worry about Iran's intentions in the wider region. Those fears have cemented the longtime American presence in the Persian Gulf. In the two decades that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, there were at times two different American aircraft carriers patrolling the Gulf to provide fighter jets for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and later for the battle against the Islamic State group. But slowly, the Pentagon began to wind down the naval presence, leaving a gap of months that brought gasps from Gulf Arab states and commentators worried about Iran. The USS Nimitz sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz in November 2020 as the last American carrier in the Persian Gulf. The last Marine expeditionary unit an armada carrying Marines, aircraft and vehicles prepared for an amphibious assault came through in November 2021. Washington's worries have changed since then. Russia's war on Ukraine shifted some of the American focus back to Europe. China continues its push to control more of the South China Sea, and the U.S. Navy has responded with increased patrols. In recent months, the U.S. military has again begun dialing up its Mideast presence. It conducted a Strait of Hormuz patrol with the top U.S., British and French naval commanders in the region on board. In late March, A-10 Thunderbolt II warplanes arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The Pentagon ordered F-16 fighters, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, to the region. Stealth F-35A Lightning II fighter jets arrived last week. Now, America will have part of a Marine expeditionary unit in the region for the first time in nearly two years. The deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors consists of both the USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall, a landing ship. Those vessels left Norfolk, Virginia, on July 10 on a mission the Pentagon described as being "in response to recent attempts by Iran to threaten the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters." The Bataan passed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea last week on its way to the Mideast. While the U.S. military hasn't discussed precisely what it will be doing with the increased presence in the region, the movements have gotten Iran's attention. In recent days, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian called his counterparts in both Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to say that "we can have peace, stability and progress in the region without the presence of foreigners." Iran's army chief, Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, said the U.S. deployment would bring only "insecurity and damage" to the region. "For years, Americans have been in and out of the region with pipe dreams, but the security of the region will only endure with the participation of the regional nations," Mousavi said, according to Iranian state television. Iran also made a point to again show off its Abu Mahdi cruise missile, first unveiled in 2020, which could be used to targets ships at sea up to 620 miles away. The missile is named after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a veteran Iraqi militant who was killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike in Baghdad alongside Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. All that raises the risk of conflict, though previous recent buildups of U.S. forces in the region haven't resulted in open warfare. The two sides have been in combat in the past, however. In 1988, America attacked two Iranian oil rigs used for military surveillance and sank or damaged Iranian ships in the largest U.S. naval battle since World War II. With diplomacy stalled and Iran willing to be more aggressive at sea, the U.S. appears again to be relying on military might to convince Tehran to dial back. But that leaves the rest of the issues between them beyond the seas to continue to fester. GuestReady, a leading global hospitality and property technology company with a focus on urban short-term rental management, has announced its official launch in Saudi Arabia with the opening of its Riyadh office. The companys entry into the kingdom means that GuestReady now offers short-term rental property services in over 63 cities globally. The office is the second in the Middle East following Dubai in the UAE, which was launched in 2016. According to GuestReadys GCC Managing Director, Reem Al Khatib, the company chose to expand to the kingdom due to its thriving real estate sector and rapidly growing travel and tourism industry. Domestic tourism has always been strong in Saudi Arabia and now, with international travel set to play a more significant role to the Kingdom thanks to Vision 2030, we see a tremendous opportunity to not just support guests, investors and property owners, but also the sector as a whole, Al Khatib said. With a full team of property managers, including interior designers, onboarding and support staff, GuestReadys Riyadh office is set to help boost Saudi investors and property owners returns through world-class technology and expert, local advice and end-to-end support. GuestReadys launch in the Kingdom is also set to elevate guest-experience for both domestic and international tourists, and short to mid-term renters who choose to stay in GuestReady-managed short-term rental properties, she said. New AI Powered Technology Along with local expertise powered by global best-practice, GuestReady is also introducing its innovative proprietary platform and property management system (PMS), RentalReady to Saudi Arabia. RentalReady offers all-in-one functionality for managing short-term vacation rentals to both property owners and managers, as it also offers guests streamlined and convenient services and information, the company said. In what is believed to be a regional first, GuestReady recently introduced two new Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrations into the platform, that in turn, create personalised itineraries for guests across GuestReadys global network, including Riyadh, as well as new AI-powered guest communications. Leading the new Saudi office is AbdelRahman ElSharkawi, who said GuestReadys market entry, and its unique local approach is set to benefit not only guests and investors, but countless stakeholders across the sector. TradeArabia News Service Sweden's government said Tuesday it intended to "intensify" border controls due to a worsened security situation in the wake of several protests involving desecrations of the Koran. Tensions have flared between Sweden and Muslim countries following several protests involving public desecrations of the Koran -- including setting pages alight. "People with very weak ties to Sweden should not be able to come to Sweden to commit crimes," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference, adding an official decision to step up border controls was expected Thursday. On Monday, two Iraqi men -- Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem -- burned the Muslim holy text at a protest in front of Sweden's parliament. The duo had previously staged similar protests outside Stockholm's main mosque and Iraq's embassy in the Swedish capital, leading to widespread outrage and condemnations. Those protests prompted Iraqi protesters to storm the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice, starting fires within the compound on the second occasion. Last week, Sweden ordered 15 government bodies including the armed forces, several law enforcement agencies and the tax office to strengthen anti-terrorism efforts. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the intensified border checks referred to so-called inner border controls -- meaning border checks for people travelling into Sweden from other Schengen nations. "The inner border controls enable us to identify incoming travellers that can threaten our security," Strommer told reporters. Sweden reintroduced inner border controls in May 2022 citing a worsened security situation, a decision made in line with common EU legislation. Strommer also noted that new Swedish legislation came into force Tuesday, giving police wider powers to conduct controls within Swedish borders, including vehicle and body searches. "The purpose is to strengthen police work and prevent threats to domestic security," Strommer said. On Monday, the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation voiced "disappointment" with Sweden and Denmark for not taking action following the spate of burnings. Sweden's government has condemned the desecrations, while stressing the country's constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and assembly. Kristersson reiterated however Tuesday that the government was evaluating Sweden's legal system to explore a potential change. "It would be about widening the process for handling permits for public gatherings so that one can look at a wider security perspective," the head of government said. Over the weekend, Denmark also announced it would explore legal means of stopping protests involving the burning of holy texts in certain circumstances. Search Keywords: Short link: WASHINGTON More than 1,000 active-duty troops deployed at the U.S.-Mexico border in response to an expected surge in migrant crossings will end their mission by Aug. 8, a defense official said Tuesday. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered 1,500 active-duty troops deploy in May for a 90-day mission at the border. Troops were assigned support roles to federal law enforcers such as data entry and warehouse tasks until Customs and Border Protection officials could address their needs through other contracted workers, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman, said at the time. Roughly 1,100 troops will conclude their 90-day mission next week and the other 400 troops will remain on the border until Aug. 31, according to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The troops were deployed as part of the federal government's preparations for the lifting of a public health policy on May 11 enacted during the coronavirus pandemic. Known as Title 42, the policy allowed U.S. border officials to quickly turn away migrants crossing the border from Mexico for fear that they would spread the virus. In the days leading up to the end of Title 42, border agents were encountering 10,000 migrants a day and, at one point, had 27,000 migrants in custody. In June, the first full month after the new policies took effect, Customs and Border Protection said migrant encounters were down 30% from the month prior and were at the lowest levels since President Joe Bidens first full month in office. Active-duty troops being sent home comes at a time when the immigration policies of the Biden administration face challenges in court. A federal judge last week blocked immigration authorities from denying asylum to migrants who arrive at the southern border without first applying online or seeking protection in a country from which they traveled. In addition, the Justice Department last week announced it has sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to force the state to remove floating buoys in the Rio Grande that the federal government contends are a humanitarian and environmental concern. Abbott said he will not order the floating buoys to be removed. "Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused," Abbott wrote in a letter to Biden. "Texas will see you in court, Mr. President." The removal of active-duty troops from the border does not impact an additional 2,300 National Guard troops under federal orders who remain at the border in similar support roles, said Army Gen. Dan Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. The mission for those troops will not be extended, but other units will be rotated in to replace them when their deployments end. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Michael Connolly (55) was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mark Lawlor in Cloverhill Prison A mentally ill prisoner who scalded his cellmate with hot water before strangling him has been found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility by a jury at the Central Criminal Court this afternoon. At 3.46pm today and after deliberating for four hours and 25 minutes over two days, the jury foreperson told the registrar that a majority verdict had been reached and that Michael Connolly (55) was guilty of the manslaughter of Mark Lawlor in Cloverhill Prison in 2019. The jury had heard that Connolly, who is originally from Louth, believed that Mr Lawlor (37), from Drumcondra, had some kind of exalted identity like a king and was "a kingpin of Dublin" when he killed him in a cell in the prison. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity. The jury had been told that a disagreement on the findings of two psychiatrists was the nub of the case. Yesterday, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford told the jury that they had to choose between the expert psychiatric evidence of Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Sally Linehan in order to decide whether the accused was entitled to the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or a verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. At around 2.45pm today, Ms Justice Lankford told the jury that they did not have to be unanimous in their verdict and that the court would accept a majority verdict not below 10-2 from the seven men and five women. The foreperson told the registrar that the verdict was one of a 10-2 majority. The jury had heard evidence from both Dr Monks and Dr Linehan that Mr Connolly suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Dr Monks also said that his colleague Dr Brenda Wright said Mr Connolly presented as floridly psychotic when she assessed him. However, while Dr Monks said that the accused did not understand the nature and quality of his actions, Dr Linehan said she did not think he was suffering from his mental illness to such an extent as to bring him within the definition of deserving the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. At the start of the trial, counsel for the DPP, Tony McGillicuddy SC said that prisoners in the adjoining cell heard a scuffle and someone calling out Davey or David. The prisoners thought it was Mr Lawlor and he sounded hoarse, so they thought he was choking. A prison officer responded and when he looked into the cell, he saw Mr Connolly on top of Mr Lawlor with his hands around his neck. Garda Inspector Darragh Kenny confirmed to Mr McGillicuddy that a post-mortem revealed that Mr Lawlor had sustained multiple superficial burns with blistering on his face, neck and arms, which were consistent with having been scalded by having boiling or hot water thrown at him. He suffered manual strangulation and straddling of the chest, causing asphyxia leading to death. Mr McGillicuddy said a psychiatrist found that Mr Connolly had delusional beliefs, including that the prisoners were in league with prison officers in a homosexual conspiracy. Counsel said the psychiatrist noted that Mr Connolly had formed the delusional belief that Mr Lawlor had some kind of exalted identity like a king. In her charge to the jury, Ms Justice Lankford said that in order to meet the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the jury had to be satisfied that the accused did not know the nature and quality of the act, did not know that what he was doing was wrong, or was unable to refrain from committing the act. The judge said that both consultant psychiatrists who gave evidence in the case agreed that Mr Connolly was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of these events, and they both agreed with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, but they disagreed on the matter of whether he was entitled to the defence of the special verdict. Ms Justice Lankford said that while Dr Monks said that the accused did not understand the nature and quality of the act, Dr Linehan said that, after reviewing the accuseds interviews with the gardai, she found he understood he had killed another person. This is the most significant issue you must resolve. The nub of the case is which psychiatrists evidence do you prefer, the judge said. Ms Justice Lankford went on to say that Dr Linehan had given evidence that it would be appropriate for the jury to consider a verdict of guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. After beginning their deliberations, the jury returned with a question for Ms Justice Lankford, asking on what dates Dr Linehan had seen and assessed the accused. They were informed that Dr Linehan interviewed Mr Connolly four times between March 2021 and April 2022, while Dr Monks saw him twice in December 2022. Today's News in 90 seconds - August 2nd The investigating garda found Morris, clearly intoxicated, slurring his words and smelling strongly of alcohol. A drunken chef arrested after being found trying to gain entry to Garda Headquarters in the early hours of the morning went on to damage his station cell by spitting in it. Andrew Morris (35) was jailed for a month when he appeared in Dublin District Court. Judge Patricia Cronin said the prison term was to run from the date of conviction after hearing Morris was already in custody in another case. The accused, of Greentrees House, Milltown Road, Dublin 16, pleaded guilty to public intoxication, refusing to give gardai his name and address, and criminal damage. The court heard gardai responded to a call on December 11, 2021, that a man was trying to gain entry to Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park at 3.05am. The investigating garda found Morris, clearly intoxicated, slurring his words and smelling strongly of alcohol. He gave the accused a number of chances to give him his name and address and told him to get a taxi home but Morris refused. The garda demanded his details and when he failed to provide them, he was arrested and brought to Blanchardstown Garda Station. When placed in a cell there, he spat at the hatch a number of times and this cost 56 to clean. He said f**king sh**e and f**k off while punching the cell. The court heard Morris had 45 previous convictions, including 23 for public order offences. However, the most recent was in 2014. Morris apologised for the incident, his solicitor Holly Laher said. He was going through a difficult period at the time. Morris, who had a difficult upbringing, was a chef by trade and had worked in The Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. Ms Laher asked the judge to take into consideration the fact that there was quite a large gap in her clients offending. Judge Cronin said she would give the accused credit for this and for his guilty plea. She said she was also taking account of the accuseds personal circumstances and the plea in mitigation. The judge said, however, she was noting that more than 50pc of Morriss previous convictions were for public order offences, and this case was one of public order that progressed to criminal damage by way of cleaning costs. She sentenced the accused to a month in prison for the criminal damage but said the prison term was to run from the date of conviction. Saudi Arabia has approved a $1.2 billion grant to Yemen's internationally recognised government, two officials told AFP on Tuesday, the latest attempt to prop up the war-scarred country's flagging economy. Yemen's finance minister and central bank governor as well as the Saudi ambassador were expected to disclose details of the grant at a signing ceremony in Riyadh at 5 pm (1400 GMT), said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm the amount. Since 2015, Riyadh has led an international coalition backing the Aden-based government in its war against Huthi rebels, who seized the capital Sanaa in 2014. Fighting has dropped off sharply since a UN-brokered truce took effect in April last year, even though it lapsed in October. However more than two-thirds of Yemenis depend on aid to survive amid a grinding economic crisis marked by a collapsed currency and import bans. The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said in June that "economic warfare" between the opposing parties had compounded the country's problems. At the end of last year, Huthi drone attacks on government-run oil terminals halted hydrocarbon exports, the main source of income for the Saudi-backed government, which is headed by an eight-member Presidential Leadership Council unveiled in Riyadh shortly after the truce began. The government has struggled to finance basic services and pay the salaries of civil servants. The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has touted Riyadh's efforts to ease Yemen's economic woes, including a $1 billion deposit in the central bank earlier this year, a $600 million oil derivatives fund and $400 million for development projects such as housing and hospitals. A surprise rapprochement deal announced in March between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which backs the Huthis, raised hopes for a durable ceasefire in Yemen. The following month, Saudi ambassador Mohammed al-Jaber travelled to Sanaa for talks with Huthi officials. Those meetings ended without a new agreement, though Jaber told AFP in May he believed all parties were "serious" about wanting peace. Search Keywords: Short link: The judge remarked that the accuseds birth date was different on his charge but his defence solicitor said the date on the charge sheet was wrong. A drunken man caught with a bread knife on a city street maintained he had just come from his own 40th birthday party where he had used it to cut the cake. Michael Carlyle, a father of three and out-of-work chef, had drunk too much at his party and still had the knife on him when gardai found him stumbling down the street. Fining him 150, Judge Michele Finan said it was a serious weapon to have on the street while intoxicated to such a state. Carlyle, of Lansdowne Valley Crescent, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a knife. Dublin District Court heard gardai found Carlyle stumbling drunk down Reuben Street in Rialto on January 21, waving a bottle of whiskey. He was stopped and found in possession of a bread knife. Defence solicitor Aoife McNicholl said Carlyle had been cutting his birthday cake and that was why he had the knife. He accepted he drank too much celebrating his birthday and still had the knife on him when gardai stopped him. A garda said the accused was arrested at 6.15am so I dont know what time the party was at. The judge remarked that the accuseds birth date was different on his charge but Ms McNicholl said the date on the charge sheet was wrong. Carlyle had worked as a chef but had stopped working due to an injury, the court heard. The judge warned the accused that he was at an age where this type of behaviour was not acceptable. She gave him a year to pay the fine. Violent spree showed serial killer tendencies, say sources A six-figure sum of cash was found hidden when gardai searched the home of a man who had committed two gruesome murders in the space of two days last year, the Sunday World can reveal. Yesterday at the Central Criminal Court, Yousef Palani (23), of Markievicz Heights in Sligo, pleaded guilty to the murder of Aidan Moffitt at Cartron Heights in Sligo on April 10, 2022. He also pleaded guilty to the murder of Michael Snee at City View, Connaughton Road, Sligo, two days later on April 12, 2022. Palani further pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke at Cleveragh Road in Sligo on April 9, 2022. The large amount of cash seized by gardai during the search of Palanis home is the subject of an ongoing Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) investigation but sources said it is not suspected to have originated from criminality. The origin of that money has not yet been fully determined, a source said last night. Palani, whose murderous spree displayed serial killer tendencies according to sources, was unknown to gardai before April of last year. He had moved to Ireland from a Middle Eastern country with his family around 20 years earlier, when he was aged four or younger. He grew up in Sligo without ever coming into adverse contact with gardai. Gardai have not established any motive for the two murders or the other vicious assault, which led to Mr Burke losing his eye and suffering other facial injuries. Senior sources said detectives are satisfied the killer was not influenced by any individual or organisation in relation to the horrific crimes. For want of a better word, he can be described as a lone wolf and no particular ideology has been discovered to indicate why he did what he did. No one knows exactly why he did it. He was not radicalised or anything like that it was like he literally came out of nowhere, one source said. The late Michael Snee This is an individual who was in third-level education, came from a good family and had never been on the garda radar for anything. It has emerged that Palani met all three of his victims after communicating with them on social media and he had been in separate contact with the three men for only a number of weeks before the attacks that shocked the country last year. There is no evidence that Palani had met them in person before he attacked his victims, with the two murder victims being killed in their own homes and the assault victim being targeted near his home after meeting him. Gardai hold back crowds as Yousef Palani leaves Sligo court It is understood Palani was very composed and calm after being arrested by gardai, even when he was informed of the serious criminal charges facing him that could mean he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He has been detained in Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon since being charged, where he has undergone a number of psychiatric and other assessments. It was from this prison that a bearded Palani was brought yesterday for the brief arraignment hearing wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a green shirt and a dark jacket. Gardai have commended the great support and huge co-operation they have received from the Middle Eastern community in the Sligo area, as well as from other non-national groups in the locality. After Palanis guilty pleas yesterday, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring extended her sympathy to the families of the deceased and in directing that victim-impact statements be prepared, said it was important that they be heard. The case was previously listed for a four-week trial on November 13 nex but the matter has now been adjourned to October 23 for sentencing. At an adjourned inquest into the mens deaths held in Sligo in December, the hearing was told that Mr Snee and Mr Moffitt suffered multiple sharp-force injuries to the neck and head when they were attacked in their homes. In the case of Mr Moffitt, the inquest heard he also sustained sharp-force injuries to his chest that contributed to his death. Mr Moffitt died from multiple sharp-force injuries to his head, neck and chest. The post-mortem report for Mr Snee confirmed he died from multiple sharp-force injuries to his neck and chest. The case had been before the Central Criminal Court on several previous occasions, including earlier this month when Mr Justice Paul McDermott was told Palani had changed his senior counsel ahead of his trial. Maserati-driving Buster was on the wrong end of a hammering after dissidents pulled the plug on a dirty deal to provide him with protection behind bars Alleged Real UFF thug Ryan Buster Johnson needed hospital treatment after a jailhouse beating at the hands of a feared crime gang. Maserati-driving Buster was on the wrong end of a hammering after dissidents pulled the plug on a dirty deal to provide him with protection behind bars. It is understood he was set upon by a number of attackers and left in a bloodied heap. While the exact nature of his injuries is not clear they were severe enough to need hospital care. Prison insiders say he was on tenterhooks after dissident figures in the maximumsecurity prison walked away from a previous commitment to offer protection to him and other alleged Real UFF men. It is the latest blow for the Newtownards drug gang who have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks. Earlier this month the Sunday World revealed the so-called Real UFF offered dissidents intelligence in return for protection. A number of alleged Real UFF members including gang leader Adrian Prices son Buster are behind bars awaiting trial on charges relating to the three-month feud which has ripped through Newtownards, the Ards Peninsula and north Down. A number of gang members have been accepted on to the loyalist wing in Maghaberry but a small group remains on the committal wing among the general prison population. There are concerns that this group is vulnerable to attack, particularly from a feared crime gang who have already targeted Buster while on remand. It is believed the group reached out to New IRA members in a desperate attempt to shield his hide. They were linking up with the New IRA and offering intelligence in exchange for protection in jail, a source told us. While initially agreeing to provide security, prisoners on the dissident wings were ordered to end the deal. Protecting people like Johnson was too high a price to pay, a prison source told us. Cars burned during the feud Buster and one other alleged gang member are currently in the committal wing. Other gang members who have already been moved to the main prison are also susceptible to attack but it is understood that support among loyalist prisoners is split between the Real UFF and North Down UDA. Sources have told us the Real UFF has sold its soul to the devil and is offering dissidents information on police officers. Neighbourhood cops have been in regular contact with Prices mob throughout the feud. They regularly monitor activity in and around the gangs base at Weavers Grange on the West Winds estate in Newtownards. They (cops) are easy pickings, said our source. They are there to keep the peace and there is regular contact on a face-to-face basis. They (the Real UFF) are stabbing these people in the back. Neighbourhood cops are the only buffer between them and North Down UDA. Our source said the Real UFF are guilty of the ultimate betrayal and that they had crossed a line. There is no going back from this, getting into bed with the dissys is a red line. Loyalists attacking cops is one thing but shopping them to the New IRA is like doing a deal with the devil. The source said going into partnership with the New IRA will leave them more isolated than ever. They cant call themselves loyalists, no loyalist would work with dissidents, definitely not the New IRA. It comes in the wake of a graffiti attack on Newtownards Courthouse in which windows were smashed and District Judge Mark Hamill was threatened. Threat to the judge The incident took place as a number of men who are facing charges in relation to the feud were due in court for bail hearings. It is understood Johnson is desperate to get out. He is struggling in jail and has told friends and family he fears he will not come out alive. If and when he does get out he will return to a community that has turned its back on the Real UFF. Members of the self-styled Real UFF have been hawking themselves around Northern Ireland seeking protection. Some have moved as far away as Fermanagh. Adrian Price himself tried to set up base in Seymour Hill outside Dunmurry but was told hes not welcome by veteran South Belfast UDA Brigadier Jackie McDonald. It has now emerged that two members were turfed out of Co Antrim town Dervock, including a convicted drug offender who has made a number of attempts to jump ship was on the wrong end of a beating when it emerged he had approached the Red Hand Commando an affiliate of the UVF for protection but was rejected. He then switched his attention to north Antrim and moved, with a companion, to a house in Dervock. The Sunday World understands the house was picketed w forced to flee under threat from North Antrim UDA ironically a breakaway unit from the mainstream organisation. There is literally nowhere for them to go, said our source. Nobody in loyalism will offer them a home RHC youve made your bed, now lie in it. In a statement the Prison Service said they do not comment on individual cases. Today's News in 90 seconds - August 2nd Patrick MacNamara set alight a piece of fabric and put it through the letterbox of a flat in Edinburgh, in the complex where his brother lived. A 47-year-old Irish man has been jailed in Scotland for a 2021 arson attack where he threw a flaming rag into a letterbox, risking countless lives and causing over half a million pounds worth of damage to his brothers flat complex. Patrick MacNamara was originally charged with attempting to murder residents at the block in Edinburghs Bailie Terrace on July 11 two years ago, a charge which he denied. I could see it was getting worse. There was more smoke. I could see the flames starting on the roof, one resident told Edinburgh High Court this week. Edinburghs Bailie Terrace The Crown Prosecution Service accepted MacNamaras guilty plea to a reduced charge of purposefully starting the fire which endangered human life. The court in Scotland reported that the 47-year-old was also convicted here in Ireland for arson, receiving a three year sentence previously. MacNamara was convicted of setting alight the cloth and putting it through the letterbox of the flat in the early morning, causing a catastrophic blaze. The court heard that the convicted mans brother resided in the block targeted but was on a trip to Wales at the time. When cops searched MacNamaras vehicle, a receipt was found for the petrol. Three flats in the block were destroyed by the flames and smoke damage was caused to much of the building. A resident told the court that he had heard strange noises coming from upstairs which alerted him to the situation. "I was standing out on the street, the resident said, who potentially saved the lives of many people by banging on his neighbours doors to get their attention. Today's News in 90 seconds - August 1st Numerous phone calls were made to the emergency services to report the fire. The court heard that because of the scale of the blaze 11 fire trucks were required on site. The Scottish fire service said the building, which was made up of local authority and private flats, was unsafe and confirmed the fire was set on purpose. The presence of an accelerant was noted and a piece of fabric found in the letterbox of the flat where the fire began. It was reported that MacNamara had previous convictions mostly related to road traffic offences. A psychological report was being requested for the convicted man, who will be sentenced later this year. Diamorphine (heroin) with an estimated street sale value of 13,440 and crack cocaine with an estimated street sale value of 7,140 was seized. Gardai in Dublin seized over 20,000 worth of illicit drugs in a city centre hotel yesterday and arrested a man in his 20s. The seizure was part of Operation Citizen, a programme targeting the sale and supply of drugs in Dublins main thoroughfares. A statement from An Garda Siochana today said: Gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) conducted the search of a hotel room in Dublin city centre. "During the course of this search diamorphine (heroin) with an estimated street sale value of 13,440 and crack cocaine with an estimated street sale value of 7,140 was seized as well as 770 in cash. The drugs seized will be sent to FSI (Forensic Science Ireland) for further analysis. The arrested man was detained in a city centre garda station under provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice act, 1984. He has been charged and will appear before CCJ Court No. 2 this morning, Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Gardai are continuing to investigate. Today's News in 90 seconds - August 1st Robert Chambers strangled an 18-year-old girl under a tree in Central Park in 1986, blaming injuries on his declawed pet cat. An infamous Irish American lag known as the Preppy Killer who featured in the book American Psycho and was convicted for murder before moving to Leitrim, has been released from prison in New York this past week. 56-year-old Robert Chambers strangled teenager, Jennifer Lavin, to death under a tree in the centre of New York city one night in 1986, after a night on the tiles in one of Manhattans rich kid hang outs, Dorrians Irish bar. He blamed the scratches he received from his victim on his pet cat but the animal was subsequently found to be declawed. Chapman's arrest in 1986 (ABC) The so-called Preppy Killer got his nickname because of his affluent playboy lifestyle in and around Manhattan at the time. After being released in 2003, Chambers was sent back to the slammer for dealing drugs out of his apartment and was only freed at the tail end of last month. "Am I a monster? No, if I were a monster I wouldn't care. But I do really care, the killer said in the 90s. After his release for the death of the young woman, Chambers is understood to have moved to the village of Bornacoola in Co Leitrim, where his mother hailed from. Chambers got out on Valentine's Day 2003 and arrived in Leitrim with mother Phyllis, then 67. It is understood they hoped to escape the media attention Stateside, which clearly worked as there was little reporting of his movements here. Chambers was mentioned in famous novel Chambers became a notorious celebrity killer in the 90s after being mentioned in Brett Easton-Elliss classic novel American Psycho, which was also made into a film starring Christian Bale. In the book, the evil protagonist, Patrick Bateman, talks about setting up a fund to help the defence of Robert Chambers and get him freed from prison. This helped turned Chambers into a household name in the States. On his release, Chambers begged forgiveness from Jennifer Levin's family. "I'm not proud of it. I'd rather be back in jail than have to do this. I'm ashamed, he said. Victim Jennifer Levin I'm humiliated. I'm disgusted with not only my actions that night, with so many things I've done in life. Jennifer's mother, Ellen Levin, blasted the decision to release the preppy killer, saying at the time it was crass. The killing captured the imagination of America and his case was made into a TV movie starring Billy Baldwin. Chamber had picked up Jennifer in Irish bar, Dorrians, in Manhattan on August 26, 1986, before taking her to nearby Central Park. The couple had been seen together drinking in the bar at 4.30 am. Levin is estimated to have died at about 5.30am. An Upper East Side doctor out for a jog, saw the couple together and thought they were making love, it was reported. He passed by again about 20 minutes later, and heard someone cry out. Dorrian's NYC The doctor apparently asked if the situation was alright and a voice replied that everything was okay. It would be the middle of the following day before cops arrested Chambers. Deep cuts on the throat and bruises all over Ms Lavins body showed the brutal nature of the assault she suffered. In the days after, more details would emerge about the young victim. Jennifer was the daughter of a successful SoHo property agent, and, like Chambers, had attended expensive private schools in Manhattan. Crime scene in Central Park Chambers was somehow released on bail and that was when a video surfaced showing Chambers laughing with lingerie-clad girls. In the video, Chambers apparently choked himself with his hands whilst making gagging noises before twisting the head off a Barbie doll and said: "My name is Oops! I think I killed it." After the jury could not reach a verdict, Chambers pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. When asked by the judge if he intended to cause harm to Levin that night, Chambers said Looking back on the event, I have to say yes. It breaks my heart to say that." His earliest release date was supposed to be January 25, 2024 but he has obviously managed to get out earlier. Mark Doughty had been accused of driving failing to stop at a stop sign, colliding with another vehicle, in the early hours of June 5. AN IRISH farm-worker has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving following a fatal car crash that claimed the life of Co Derry teenager Max Boggs last summer. Mark Doughty (25) appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court in Victoria State early today where he pleaded guilty to a series of charges including culpable driving causing death. The Warrnambool Standard also reported Doughty admitted negligently causing serious injury, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and drink driving. He did not apply for bail and surrendered into custody, it was added. It previously emerged the farm worker had been out for a farewell drinks party shortly before he was due to fly home from Australia on the night of the tragic crash in Cobdem, about three hours from Melbourne He had been working as an agricultural contractor for three years at a local farm and was due to return to Ireland just hours later. Family of Derry teen Max Boggs killed in Australia crash 'totally broken' Doughty had been accused of driving failing to stop at a stop sign, colliding with another vehicle, in the early hours of June 5. One of the cars passengers, 18-year-old Max Boggs was thrown from the car in the collision and died. Heartfelt tributes appeared on-line last year when news of the tragedy broke. Max's father, Ryan, wrote : "Max, you weren't just my son, you were my right arm, my best friend and my first born. "You made me proud every day. [You were the] best big brother ever. Love you, son. Sleep well." The City of Derry Young Farmers' Club said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death. "Max was a popular young man in our rural community and will be sorely missed by all," they stated at the time. Eglinton Primary School, which Max attended as a boy, expressed "great sadness" after learning of the death of the former pupil. A spokesperson for the school said: "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his entire family, and in particular his siblings and family members in school." The City of Derry Rugby Club also passed on its condolences to Max's grieving parents. The club said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time." Irish men have carefully chosen Lynx Africa as their favourite scent in a new survey. A popular spray deodorant has officially been named Irelands greatest fragrance of all time. Irish men have carefully chosen Lynx Africa as their favourite scent in a new survey. The iconic vanilla and geranium body spray is widely recognised for its striking aroma and has been a staple deodorant among young men, primarily those aged between 16 and 24, since it hits shelves in 1995. In Ireland, a whopping 85pc of men have doused themselves in Lynx Africa at some point, with more than a third of survey respondents revealing that theyve received a compliment while wearing the scent. More than 70pc of participants agreed that Lynx Africa is the country most iconic fragrance, with four in five Dubliners feeling confident that they could identify the product if they caught a whiff of it. In fact, Lynx Africa is so popular that a quarter of Munster lads have been using the spray for more than a decade. TikTok stars Ryan Mar and Daniel Devlin are joining Lynx in celebrating Lynx Africa and are on the hunt for a guy who has never worn the iconic fragrance before. The lucky man will be set up with some Lynx Africa goodies, with more information available on Ryan and Daniels social media accounts. Speaking about Lynx, Ryan said: Lynx Africa is one of those scents everyone knows and loves. It's been a staple in my bathroom since I was a kid, and Im glad its now officially Irelands favourite fragrance. Jennifer King, Marketing Manager at Lynx Ireland, added: The research speaks for itself and has solidified Africa as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) and go-to fragrance for Irish men. The iconic scent has transcended generations and has now left an indelible mark on the country and firmly cemented its G.O.A.T. status. Today's News in 90 seconds - August 1st The driver of the car, a man in his 60s, is also in a critical condition and being treated in hospital in Belfast. Largy College in Clones. Two students were fatally injured in a car accident last evening. Picture: Frank McGrath Road closed near the scene of the accident at Legnakelly Cross near Clones, Co Monaghan. Photo: Philip Fitzpatrick A black ribbon on the gates of Largy College in Clones after two teenagers died in a car accident on the way to a Debs Ball. Photo: Frank McGrath. Two teenage girls are dead and three other people are in hospital two of them in critical condition after a serious road crash as they travelled to a debs ball in Co Monaghan on Monday evening. People in Monaghan and surrounding counties were in shock as news filtered through, and the graduation event planned for students at a local secondary school was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy. The students were attending the Debs Ball for the class of 2023 at Largy College in Clones and the school remained open late on Monday night to welcome students returning from the cancelled celebration. In an update late on Monday night, gardai confirmed that the two girls who died were aged 16 and 17 and were passengers in the single-vehicle collision at Legnakelly on the Clones to Smithborough Road. Another female teenager aged 18 is also in a critical condition in Cavan General Hospital. The driver of the car, a man in his 60s, is also in a critical condition and being treated in hospital in Belfast. An 18-year-old male is also being treated for less serious injuries in Cavan Hospital, gardai said. It is understood those in the vehicle were making their way to a debs ball in Monaghan town for students at Largy College. The event was cancelled as news of the tragedy emerged. In a statement on Tuesday, Largy College and the Cavan Monaghan Education Training Board said students, staff and all in the school community are in deep shock following the tragic accident. Sharon Magennis, Principal of Largy College, said: It is with profound sadness and grief that we have learned about the devastating accident that resulted in the untimely and tragic loss of two cherished members of our school community. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends who have tragically lost loved ones. The other individuals involved in the accident also remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the emergency services and gardai who responded swiftly to the incident. Our priority now is the wellbeing and welfare of the students, parents and staff at this difficult time. The Largy College Critical Incident Team has met to co-ordinate a response and to enact the Critical Incident Plan. We are grateful to the public for their deeply felt expression of support and ask that we be given the time and space to concentrate on supporting those in the school community who are most in need." Local priest Fr Peter Corrigan said he got a call from a student yesterday evening to say there had been a crash. I went out to the scene. It was very tragic. The car was in the ditch and the injured had been taken away, but the two young girls that died were still there, he said. The fire brigade and ambulances and gardai were there. It wasnt on a bend or anything. I think it was a straight enough stretch of road, but there had been intermittent heavy showers earlier. I dont know what happened. There is a sadness in the town. People are heartbroken. A time of celebration and happiness was turned to tragedy. Minister Heather Humphreys said it was an unimaginable tragedy and that the whole community has been numbed. "This is just terrible. It's an unimaginable tragedy. And I have to say my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two young girls who have lost their lives and with those who are very seriously injured in hospital, I can just say the entire community...has just been knocked by this. "You know, this was a Debs night for Largy College. It should have been a night of celebration, and a kind of coming of age for these young people and it just turned into their families worst possible nightmare. "This is just awful for so many families, you know, young people to see their friends cut off at such a young young age. It's just It's heartbreaking. It really is. And it's very, very difficult for them to take. Road closed near the scene of the accident at Legnakelly Cross near Clones, Co Monaghan. Photo: Philip Fitzpatrick They're sitting at home now with their parents and... none of us never know, never know whats around the corner? I know a lot of parents across the country will hear this news today. And I know that they're holding their children extra tight because it really every parent's worst nightmare, Minister Humphreys said. This morning Largy College on the outskirts of Clones remained closed, but it is understood the principal is to hold a critical meeting at the premises this morning and may issue a statement around lunchtime. Two black ribbons could be seen on the gates of the college, whose pupils were holding due to be celebrating their debs night last night. Heather Humphreys speaks outside Largy College in Clones Within hours of the crash, the Youth Centre in Clones town was opened so that support could be offered to young people in the town as they tried to come to terms with the tragedy, and youth workers went out onto the streets also to help anyone who needed it. This is one of our oldest centres. It's also one of our busiest centres across the region and the staff team are deeply, deeply ingrained in the community as well as staff in other projects who come from the community here. "So, we had staff here from projects across Cavan and Monaghan last night who all feel a real connection with Clones, said Caolan Faux, Regional Director of Youthwork Ireland, Cavan/Monaghan. I was out on the street with the staff last night and they knew each of the young people by name, by first name, and they knew their backgrounds. "They knew what supports they were going home into or what supports home might struggle to provide. "And it's that kind of personal connection and that link and that relationship that makes the work we do quite special, and obviously that's the access for young people to make their way in and we had a number of young people in the centre here last night as well, just as a safe place to be, and to talk, and to be with each other and obviously supported by the staff here, he added. Asked what supports the centre will provide in the near future, Mr Faux said the centre is more than just a physical space. Largy College in Clones. Two students were fatally injured in a car accident last evening. Picture: Frank McGrath We use that term space very advisedly. It's a physical space, but it's also a space that young people feel a real ownership of. We'll work with all the interagency groups, and we'll take guidance from some, and well certainly play our part in terms of steering the interagency response in terms of the supports that can be offered to the community, and the building will be available and I would imagine over the next couple of days and weeks we'll have more than Youthwork Ireland based in this building as we roll out the support. I had a fantastic message from a colleague this morning just offering support so we will work with all of our partners to ensure that Clones gets the best of everything. "And the supports aren't going anywhere is the piece that I would really stress. We're here for the long haul and we will be here on this project. We'll be here to support the community and to play its part and continue to play its part, he said, adding that the centre will work closely with the schools which are currently closed for the summer holidays. We work closely with the schools we were speaking to a number of the teachers last night, and obviously they're waiting for guidance from their own response teams within the school. "But we do have an important role to play. The school will step up and play its part I've no doubt, and we will have our part to play and we will work with the school and we'll work with everyone else to make sure that we all do that effectively just to make sure that it's accomplished in the interest of the young people in the community, said Mr Faux. An Garda Siochana remain at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 6.45pm this evening, Monday 31st July 2023, on the N54 in Legnakelly (Clones to Smithborough Road), Co. Monaghan, the force said in a statement on Monday night. One vehicle is currently at the scene. Two female teenagers (aged 16 and 17 years), who were passengers of the car, were fatally injured during the collision. Their bodies have been removed from the scene to Monaghan General Hospital. Post-mortem examinations will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 1st August 2023. A female teenager (aged 18 years) is in a critical condition and currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital. A male teenager (aged 18 years) is currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The male driver of the car (aged 60) is in a critical condition and is currently receiving treatment in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. The N54 remained closed while Garda forensic collision investigators carried out a technical examination of the scene. The road remained closed overnight, with commuters advised to avoid the area. Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan Matt Carthy said his thoughts were with the victims of the tragedy and their families. Horrendous, heart-wrenching news coming from Clones this evening, he said. "God help the families that are affected, it's just a completely gut-wrenching situation. "Unfortunately for these families, tonight will mark the beginning of a lifetime of devastation for them." Deputy Nianh Smyth said the tragedy was a shocking and tragic loss of life. Shocking and tragic loss of life this evening in Clones. My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and school community at Largy College tonight, Ms Smyth said. Parents are numb and shocked so is the local community, Sinn Fein Councillor, Pat Treanor said. "It's an absolute horror thats unfolding - heartbreak from those who live in the area. Mr Treanor, who lives a mile from where the accident happened, was leaving work when he saw the gathering of the students of Largy College. Earlier on when I was leaving work, I would have witnessed all the young people gathered for their Debs, all excited, getting photos, meeting their friends. Then about an hour later, there were helicopters in the air, there were sirens from ambulances and the sad messages started to come through. There is a fearpeople are just waiting to hear who exactly is involved in this tragedy, Mr Treanor said. We can only imagine how traumatised the other students and pupils, teachers and all the parents are this morning. Everybodys parents were really numb and shocked, and waiting on the most tragic news, so is the local community. We can only hope that God gives those families strength to cope with what they are now facing, which we can only imagine how difficult it is for them. Fine Gael councillor and cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council David Maxwell said: "It's an awful tragedy to hit Monaghan. Two people have lost their lives and three people are hospitalised with two critical," he said. "As Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, my thoughts go out to the families of the people who have passed away. Sinn Fein councillor and Leas Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council Pat Treanor expressed his deepest sympathies for the families of those who lost their lives. "The town is numb waiting on this devastating news that's coming, and we're broken hearted for the families that are going to suffer over the next few days and weeks," he said. "We're all feeling for them and any support that we can give over the next while, we will. It is a tight knit community, and they will rally together." The grounds of Largy College remained open late on Monday night to allow buses carrying students to arrive. Clones Youth Centre remained open late on Monday night with youth work teams on the streets of Clones and Monaghan to support young people affected by the tragedy, according to the local Clones Notice Board Facebook page. "Devastating news, may God give them strength in the midst of such grief, one woman wrote on social media. "It's just awful, my heart aches for all the families and friends involved, another said. Gardai in Monaghan are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N54 between Clones and Smithborough this evening, Monday 31st July 2023, between 6.15pm and 7.00pm are asked to make this footage available to gardai, they said. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. Family hits out at treatment by carrier after Belfast woman was unable to fly due to critical illness Cristiane Ferreira in the ICU at the Royal Victoria Hospital A Ryanair passenger has criticised the company after it refused to refund an air fare for his partner who was unable to fly after being admitted to an intensive care unit. Andrea Montagner (48), who lives in Belfast but is from Italy, was due to fly home to visit his parents along with his wife and two of their three children on June 13. However, Cristiane Ferreira (45) contracted Covid and became critically ill within days of making the booking a month earlier. Despite a letter from a doctor confirming she was in hospital fighting for her life, the airline has refused a refund. Cristiane Ferreira Ms Ferreira was released from hospital before the flight but was unable to travel. We booked the flights on May 9 and then my wife got Covid, Mr Montagner explained. Initially the symptoms were like flu, but then she started to have serious problems with her kidneys and her blood pressure. It was really scary. She was admitted to the intensive care ward at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. There were moments when the IT adviser thought she would not survive. The hospital phoned me one morning and told me it was not looking good, he said. I didnt think she was going to make it, but she miraculously came around. He decided to proceed with the flight from Belfast International to Milan (Bergamo) with his 20-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son. Mr Montagner left them with their grandparents in Verona and returned to be with his wife, who had been discharged from hospital but was advised not to fly by medics. Cristiane Ferreira and her family Ryanairs website states tickets are generally non-refundable but does list potential exceptions, including if you or someone on your booking is seriously ill or passes away before your trip. I had been assured we would get a refund for Cristianes unused flight after I filled in the forms online and sent a letter from the hospital, Mr Montagner explained. But after 15 days I had not received it. When I contacted customer service again they said I couldnt get my money back because the letter was not sufficient. The Sunday World has seen the official correspondence from the Belfast Trust signed by a medic. It confirmed Ms Ferreira was in the ICU where she remains critically ill. Mr Montagner said he is very disappointed in how the low fare airline had treated him and his wife just to keep 30. He added: Im sad and genuinely upset by it. This isnt about the money for us, its about their attitude how many other people are they doing this to? I am a frequent flyer and have travelled with Ryanair quite a lot, but this has made me reconsider using them again. Ryanair said the passengers booked a non-refundable promotional air fare. We do not treat cases of Covid (one month earlier in May) as an illness that qualifies for a refund of a non-refundable ticket, the carrier said. This is why we recommend that all passengers take out travel insurance to cover routine medical illness cases such as this. Abdel Fattah El-Gebaly, assistant rapporteur of the Public Debt Committee at the National Dialogue, warned that Egypt's public debt has reached 113 percent of gross domestic product and risks becoming unsustainable. The debt is funded by current financing rather than investments, an issue in need of solutions, El-Gebaly added. Egypt has a resource gap due to low savings and investment rates, he said during the National Dialogue session on public debt on Tuesday. El-Gebaly asked about drafting a law to cap public debt, or possibly rescheduling repayment. Parliamentary Planning and Budget Committee Deputy Yasser Omar said the debt issue requires drastic action, as it weighs heavily on the budget. During the public debt session, Omar stressed the need for drastic action to curb corruption and ensure transparent governance as a means of reducing the debt. He added that closing the budget deficit without borrowing is currently impossible. Omar added the budget deficit must be reduced according to quantitative targets, by cutting expenditures, activating state-owned assets, raising revenues, improving state asset efficiency, and restructuring wages. Legislation on a public debt ceiling and tax evasion should also be revisited, he added. National Dialogue Technical Secretariat Head Mahmoud Fawzy questioned the feasibility of a public debt ceiling law, saying borrowing states do so out of necessity, not luxury. Mohamed Maher, an advisor to the President of the Free Egyptians Party, called for external debt restructuring to allow long-term borrowing and short-term repayment. Senate member Muhammad Farid said the public debt crisis is a symptom, rather than the disease itself. The real issue is the crowding-out effect of state enterprises on the private sector, creating an unbalanced economic structure and a downturn in the non-oil private sector, requiring more unhealthy intervention and debt, argued Farid. Egypt's external debt increased by 4.8 percent to $165.3 billion in Q3 of FY 2022/23, up from $157.8 billion in Q3 of the previous year. The government debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to reach 97 percent at the end of June 2023, according to Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait. The country seeks to tackle the US dollar shortage from which it has been suffering for almost a year and a half to bridge an estimated $17 billion financing gap until 2026. Search Keywords: Short link: He shared some photos and videos of Dee posing in front of a hired Global Express XRS private jet at Dublin Airport shortly before they flew to Nice. Conor McGregor has boasted that he dominates the Irish skies after taking a 8,900-an-hour private jet out for a spin to France. The Notorious took to Instagram on Tuesday afternoon to announce that he had whisked his pregnant fiancee Dee Devlin away for some sun. He shared some photos and videos of Dee posing in front of a hired Global Express XRS private jet at Dublin Airport shortly before they flew to Nice. An Aer Lingus plane can be seen in the background as the UFC star joins his partner for some pre-boarding snaps. Hey baby! Yes... he says in one clip before directing a question at the pilot, saying: Here, excuse me captain, will you take a picture please? Briefly returning his attention to Dee, he says: Baby, you look so gorgeous, yeah, and as the pilot approaches the plane, McGregor once again asks: Captain, can you take a picture? Can you take one? Captioning the post, the father-of-three wrote: Its aer lingus, ryanair, and McGregor Aero that dominate the Irish skies. Taking my baby for some sun, I love you Ma". McGregor often hires private jets to get around with Dee and their three kids Conor Jr, Croia, and Rian. Today's News in 90 seconds - August 1st In a description posted by hire company centraljets.com, it is revealed that the Global Express XRS aircraft flies under the tail number LX-JNC and is operated by EAC Group. Built in 2007 by Bombardier as part of their Global Express XRS series, the plane's interior was refurbished in 2020 while its exterior received a makeover in 2021. The jet is based at Luxembourg Airport and can carry up to 13 passengers. Photos of the interior show cream leather chairs with comfy cushions and plush carpets, while platters of fruit and veggies await passengers. According to Paramount Business Jets, the average hourly rental rate of the Global Express XRS is around 8,900 per hour. It comes after McGregor splashed out on a new 150,000 Range Rover for his wife-to-be Dee last month. The fighter forked out for the top-end motor, which came with personalised number plates that paid tribute to his hometown of Crumlin by bearing the Dublin post code 12. In the video posted by McGregor on his Instagram page, Dee is seen laughing and smiling as Conor points out all the features. Sharing a clip as Dee sits in the driver's seat of the brown seven-seater that comes complete with cream interiors and leather seats, Conor says: I have ya in Rangers years, yeah? Since the start, I got ya into the Rangers, yeah? As he glides an appreciative hand across the steering wheel, Conor exclaims: Look at this. Look at that, he adds, as he pans the video across the front interior of the car. That is an absolute beauty. Wow. He then turns the camera around to show the seats in the back, and adds: All the kids, yup - all the kids into the back of that. Ah yes, get up. A more than 900 per cent spike in police call-outs to just five Rotorua emergency housing motels can finally be revealed after the Ombudsman ruled data requested by Stuff a year-and-a-half ago, which the police admitted paints a very unattractive picture, should be released. Back in January 2022, Stuff asked police to provide data on the number of times they had been called to five motels in 2016 before their use for emergency accommodation and also in 2020 and 2021. Police declined to provide that information, citing privacy reasons and commercial interests. Stuff referred the matter to the Ombudsman and more than 18 months later, it ruled police should hand over the data. The numbers revealed that across five motels, which Stuff agreed not to name, there were just 46 call-outs over the whole of 2016. That figure rocketed in 2020 to 259 call-outs, spiking again the following year to 491 call-outs. From 2016 to 2021, that was a staggering 967 per cent increase in call-outs. After investigating the matter the Ombudsman ruled that New Zealand Police should not have refused the request. The written ruling also revealed police sought to keep the figures private as the data paints a very unattractive picture for the motels involved. This is particularly relevant given that MSD had engaged the services of significantly more motel service providers in the region, says police. Rotorua National MP Todd McClay blasts the initial police decision to keep the data covered up, and suggests political interference played a role. Rotorua National MP Todd McClay said he was horrified at the huge leap in police call-outs, and hinted political interference was behind the decision to keep the data under wraps. Photo: Kelly Hodel/Stuff. It should have been released straight away, however it's clear that police have been instructed to consult with the ministers office on Official Information Act requests, so it would have ultimately been the governments decision to withhold that information, he says. This is the government that claimed it would be the most open and transparent government ever. Rotorua people now know the extent of the effect dumping homeless people in motels has had on our town. He also says he's horrified at the spike in call-outs revealed by the data. Behind each of them is likely to be a crime and a victim, he says. It shows what local people have known for a long time, that crime and law and order exploded when the Government started using Rotorua as a dumping ground for homelessness. Its important to note that many of the people the government was meant to be caring for in the motels, will have also been victims themselves as a result of this crime spike. It shows that the whole system failed and Labour made Rotorua and the lives of these people worse. For Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, the spike in call-outs is not surprising given the significant amount of people who were placed in emergency housing motels over that time. She says work is underway to reduce the amount of people living in emergency accommodation in the holiday hotspot, and that she had no doubt these motels caused this spike. Tapsell declined to comment on whether the police should have shared the data earlier. Rotorua Area Commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika failed to respond to questions about why police opted to try and keep the data secret, but did reveal 70 per cent of the call-outs related to family violence. Rotorua Police Area Commander, Inspector Herby Ngawhika, also declined to address questions about why police opted to try and keep the data under wraps. However, he did note that 70 per cent of the call-outs were family harm related. He also says the situation was greatly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This also brought about additional stresses on people who were already in a vulnerable position, he says. A promised response from the Police Ministers office to questions about whether police were pressured into keeping the data secret failed to arrive. Stuff also approached Rotorua-based Labour List MP Tamati Coffey who declined to comment. -Benn Bathgate/Stuff. The young person who was killed in a train incident in Mount Maunganui is being described as a happy, well-connected, and well-loved member of their school. Mount Maunganui Intermediate principal Melissa Nelson says the student attended the school, and was a delightful young person. The school is devastated after we have lost one of our students. Melissa says the Ministry of Education trauma support team is at the school working to guide and support students and teachers as they navigate the loss. We are wrapping our arms around our students and staff to support them in the grief they are feeling. Our hearts and love are with the whanau of the student who has passed away. Without identifying the student, Melissa says the student was a happy, well-connected, and well-loved member of her class and wider school. When asked if the area should have been made safer for pedestrians, Melissa says it is a discussion for the future and not one to wade into right at the moment. KiwiRail and Tauranga City Council have been approached for comment. Police are currently appealing for any witnesses to the fatal train incident which occurred at around 3pm yesterday on Hewletts Road. A police spokesperson says emergency services responded to the incident on Hewletts Road around 2.55pm. A section of Hewletts Road, near MacDonald Street and Maunganui Road, was closed for several hours to allow the serious crash investigation unit to examine the scene. The road was re-opened around 8.15pm. Police are investigating the incident and say the "death will be referred to the coroner". "Police are appealing for witnesses to yesterdays incident in which a young person died after being struck by a train at a level crossing on Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui," says a police spokesperson. "If you witnessed the incident, or saw a young person riding a bicycle in the area immediately prior to the incident at 2.50pm, please call 105 or make a report online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105. "Please reference file number 230731/0283." Tauranga City Council is supporting the National Partys announcement that it would prioritise the construction of four-lane highways linking Whangarei, Auckland and Hamilton to Tauranga. If elected in October, the party says it would build the road, as four different projects, over the next decade. The highway would link Whangarei and Port Marsden, Warkworth and Wellsford, and further south from Cambridge to Piarere, and on State Highway 29 to Tauriko West. Tauranga commission chair Anne Tolley welcomes the prospect of the Tauriko West SH29 component beginning in the next 4-10 years. While there is a need for more detail about the timeframes and costs of the proposal, it is a good fit with the councils desire to remove the SH29 chokepoints affecting freight and traffic movement to the city and Port of Tauranga from Tauriko and the central North Island, she says in a statement. The SmartGrowth councils and partners recently endorsed a Waka Kotahi business case to redevelop SH29 which would have a profound positive effect on the regions economy. Tauranga commission chair Anne Tolley said the SH29 development is crucial for the city. Photo: John Borren/SunLive. In June, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council endorsed the Tauriko SH29 Network Connections Detailed Business Case. The business case will go to the Waka Kotahi board this month for endorsement and the Government will make the final decision about whether to include it in the National Land Transport Programme. The potential $2.8 billion upgrade to State Highway 29/29a could unlock land for 30,000 more homes and 11,500 jobs. Waka Kotahi is proposing the upgrades be rolled out in four stages with a potential completion date of 2050. But the councils want it completed within the decade because the region is already constrained by a lack of infrastructure. The upgrades in the business case include six-laning SH29a between Barkes Corner and Takitimu Drive including two dedicated bus lanes. Replacing the Omanawa Bridge on SH29, Waka Kotahi have suggested a two-lane bridge but the councils have stated their preference for four lanes. Also widening of SH36 between Lakes Boulevard and SH29A including bus lanes and a new SH29 corridor for inter-regional traffic and freight between Redwood Lane and Takitimu Drive. The existing highway between Redwood Lane and Takitimu Drive would then become a local road. Nationals Transport for the Future plan stated it would upgrade State Highway 29 in the western corridor of Tauranga, with four lanes at specific growth trigger points and side road access limited to improve through-put, with rationalised and grade separated intersections. The plan says it would fund the $1.9 billion project using value capture and cost recovery tools in partnership with Tauranga City Council. Nationals transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says the Waka Kotahi business case includes further work to SH29 than their announcement yesterday. The party had used Option B from the business case. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone. The higher cost of this business case reflects that additional work, including public transport upgrades to SH29A and SH36, says Brown. Nationals Transport for the Future plan is our plan for the next ten years and sets aside funding to upgrade just SH29 at this stage. Our figure of $1.9 billion, came from the Government, and we have used the most conservative publicly available costings. Brown referenced a written parliamentary question from October 25, 2022, What is the estimated cost of Option B - offline of the Tauriko Network Plan? Former Transport Minister Michael Wood responded: I am advised that the estimated cost of Option B of the Tauriko Network Plan is approximately $1.9 billion. Asked if cost recovery meant tolling the road, Brown replied: Tolls will be one tool, alongside value capture tools as well, to ensure where major roading upgrades unlock housing that the cost of that infrastructure is contributed to by those who benefit from it such as landowners who will then be able to develop the land. Tauranga has two of the countrys three toll roads the Tauranga Eastern Link in Papamoa and Takitimu Drive in Tauranga. This project would link directly to the four-lane highway system proposed by National and apart from delivering significant transport network improvements, would also unlock 20,000-plus new homes and facilitate at least 6500 extra jobs, says Tolley. That SH29 development is crucial for the city and it needs to be delivered significantly faster than the 2050 timeframe set out in the current business case. An investment programme which would link the North Islands economic powerhouses with an efficient highway system makes sense, and in this case, it would also facilitate homes, jobs and development, as well as improved safety and resilience, she says. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air A power outage is being reported in the Lower Kaimai area this morning. Powerco is reporting that there is an unplanned outage affecting 77 properties. A site investigation is underway into the cause of the outage. Powerco estimates to have the supply back on around 10.45am. UPDATE 10.36am: The power outage reported in Papamoa this morning has been resolved. A SunLive reader says the power came back on at around 10.20am. The PowerCo map also shows the outage has been resolved. EARLIER 9.24am: A large scale power outage is being reported in Papamoa. A caller to SunLive says power went off this morning. Powerco reports that 4100 properties are affected by the outage. A site investigation is underway into the cause. Powerco estimates the restoration time to be around 1.30pm. SunLive will provide an update when we can. A map showing the scale of the outage. Image: Powerco. Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram The construction of a desalination plant has become the great hope for the drought-stricken Axarquia. However, it is unlikely to be ready for at least five years, which means that the area could be looking at medium to long-terms consequences without resources, if it does not rain significantly in the coming months. Since last year, the Junta de Andalucia has been looking to award a contract to build a plant with a maximum capacity of 37.5 cubic hectometres. However, despite president Juanma Moreno's promise that it would be awarded before the end of June this year and the fact that there are three companies interested in the project, it still hasnt been awarded. Questioned about whether the Axarquia desalination plant project continues to move forward or has been shelved during a recent visit to Nerja, the Junta's delegate in Malaga, Patricia Navarro, did not comment, following the announcement by the central government to provide one hundred million euros to build a plant. Nothing ruled out "Nothing is being ruled out, we are studying which model will be implemented, which one will guarantee supply and irrigation," said Navarro and added that a new company has come forward. We have to consider it and this has slowed down the deadline we initially gave ourselves," she said. The Junta de Andalucia and the central government have now created a working group to develop the Axarquia desalination plant. In the lead up to the local elections in May, the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, at an election rally in Torre del Mar, committed to two desalination plants in the Axarquia; one private and the other public. Moreno promised that the private one would be awarded before the end of June and said that there were three companies interested: Aciona, Magtel and the alliance formed by Trops, Grupo Cobra and the University of Malaga. Sources from the regional government have explained that they are trying to "speed up the process as much as possible" but could not give more details. Technical work A meeting between the two administrations discussed possible advances "to be able to combine the technical work already carried out by the Andalusian regional government for the private desalination plant with the financing that, at the request of the Junta de Andalucia, has been established by the latest drought decree, as this would have advantages for the agricultural sector, in the future, as the water would be subsidised," the regional government argued. The Junta went on to say that "the logical thing is to establish a protocol between both parties to make a project a reality in view of the existing water deficit". Ampliar The meeting between the central government and Junta de Andalucia. SUR For the Andalusian government "it is important to take advantage of the technical knowledge that the private initiative has already advanced, on the viability and suitability of the desalination plant, as well as the existing alternatives in terms of treatment, capacity and the application of new technologies in order to combine the best option for the region. A group of high-profile Egyptian investors abroad will soon establish an investment company to engage the countrys expats in high-return national projects, Minister of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs Soha Gendy said. Expats will be able to buy shares in the company, whose name will be Egyptians Abroad for Investment, Gendy said. The minister made her remarks during the fourth edition of the Egyptians abroad conference that was held in Cairo on Monday to discuss economic, political, and social issues faced by Egyptians living abroad. An online form has been prepared to seek the opinion of the Egyptians abroad about the companys main fields of work, Gendy said. Also, a list that includes investment opportunities has been handed to the investors abroad, while another list of agricultural, livestock and tourism investment opportunities will be presented, she added. Gendy had previously stated in March that the government will not interfere in the companys management or its financial decisions, which will be fully managed by experienced expats. $1 billion issued capital During the conference, the founding investors revealed that they plan to offer shares of the company for $1,000 each. We seek that the company's issued capital be $1 billion with the paid-up capital by the founders being $100 million, businessman Hassan Al Jarrahi, chairman Al-Amal Printing Company in Saudi Arabia and a member of the companys founding board, said. The remaining [shares] will be offered in IPO for $1,000 per share and will be available to all [Egyptian expats], he added. Ebrahim Ezzat, an Egyptian businessman in Austria and CEO of Lacto Misr, said the founders will seek to make the company one of the biggest in Egypt and the region by offering it on the Egyptian and international bourses. Founding board The company is being established by ten well-known Egyptian investors abroad, Gendy said. They are coordinating with the ministries of trade and industry, public business sector, finance, agriculture and land reclamation, and tourism as well as the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRI), the Egyptian Exchange, and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to establish the company, she added. Also among the founding investors are Ashraf Doss, a businessman in the United States and founder of California-based Vernbro Global Investments; and Lord Naser Fouad, CEO of St George Healthcare Group and deputy lieutenant of Cheshire. The founding board also includes Tamer Hedayat, senior VP of global services at Texas-based Netsync; banking expert Wael Hassan, who is the founder and CEO World Environment Exports Company and senior home lending advisor at JPMorgan Chase Bank in New York. Adel Boulos, president of the Egyptian Canadian Business Network (ECBN) and CEO at Amira Enterprise in Canada; Omar Abdullah, CEO of Victoria Agritech Solutions in South Africa; and Karim Asaad, founder and CEO of Brooks & Kempton in the UK are also among the founders. Fields of work The company will be a joint stock company that operates in various fields, including agriculture, tourism, and industry, Doss said during the conference. The company plans to establish a four-star hotel, among other investments, he noted. Doss affirmed his confidence in the strength of the Egyptian economy despite the ongoing global economic crisis. For his part, Omar Abdullah highlighted the importance that the company places on cooperating with African countries in a way that boosts the Egyptian economy and relations with friendly countries. In March, Gendy said in a meeting with the founders that real estate investment is the top priority for investors abroad, followed by industry in technology and other fields, then livestock and agricultural production and fish farming. Foreign currency crunch The planned establishment of the company comes as Egypt is working on increasing foreign currency inflows amid the global economic crisis that has placed pressure on local currency and caused the country to suffer from a dollar crunch. Egypt has launched many initiatives to attract more foreign currency, including from expats around 14 million according to 2021 figures especially since the outbreak of the global crisis. Such efforts include a recent initiative that is set to allow Egyptian men living abroad with outstanding conscription status to apply online to settle the issue for $5,000, as well as an initiative that allowed expats to import tax-free cars, which garnered over $760 million in around seven months before expiring in May. Also, a government decision in May to exempt gold brought with Egyptian travellers from customs duties has allowed the entry of hundreds of kilograms of gold to the country. The decision aimed at stabilizing the gold market in Egypt, which was disrupted by shrinkage in supply due to the shortage in US dollars and ballooned demand. Search Keywords: Short link: Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A local group that sued to stop Syracuse from removing the Columbus statue says it will appeal a recent courts decision that would have paved the way for the city to move ahead with removing the monument. On Tuesday, the Columbus Monument Corp. announced that it planned to file an appeal of the state Appellate Divisions decision that overturned State Supreme Court Judge Gerard Neris decision to block the city from removing the statue. The appellate judges found that the groups lawsuit was premature because the decision to remove the statue had not gone through all the administrative steps needed for approval. The monument group said Tuesday that they found issues in that decision that need to be reviewed by the Court of Appeals, the states highest appeals court. The monument group did not detail what it believes needs to be reviewed and it has not yet filed the appeal. The group declined to elaborate at this time. The appellate divisions ruling was unanimous which makes it less likely for the Court of Appeals to pick up the case. Joe Heath, a lawyer who represents the Onondaga Nation, said Friday that the unanimous decision will make it more difficult for the monument group to have their appeal heard. The Onondagas filed paperwork with the court in support of the citys plans to remove the monument. This appeal is a continuation of a years-long legal battle after Mayor Ben Walsh announced he planned to remove the Columbus statue and redevelop the site into a heritage site in October 2020. The monument group first filed the lawsuit in May 2021. Neri ruled in the groups favor in March 2022. Shortly after, the city filed its appeal and made its argument that the lawsuit was premature. The appellate division released its decision to overturn Neris ruling Friday. Related Syracuse.com articles Court overturns judges ruling, paves the way for Syracuse to remove Columbus statue Syracuse argues to overturn judges ruling that it cannot remove Columbus statue Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh cant remove downtown Christopher Columbus statue, judge rules Walsh to remove Syracuses Columbus statue, rename downtown circle In Syracuse, the fight over a monument clouds Columbus Day events Syracuses Columbus statue debate: Why we should remove it and why we should keep it (video) Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. Join NY Cannabis Insider at our next industry networking event on Aug. 15 at Madame Mikettes in NYC. Tickets will sell out. Dr. Lynn Parodneck provides medical cannabis certification and patient care in New York and Connecticut. In the newest entry of NYs women in cannabis, Parodneck spoke about how she got started in the medical cannabis profession and how barriers to women leadership may be due to the reliance on connections in this industry. Women are vastly underrepresented in cannabis, and not just in New York. From 2019 to 2022, executive-level females have seen their industry wide status drop from 37% to 23%. Yet the MRTA makes things very clear: women-owned businesses are a key component of the states social and economic equity plan. NY Cannabis Insider is seeking to elevate women in cannabis through a hyper-focus on female story sourcing and balanced representation in articles. This series will last for as long as submissions come in. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: Why did you launch your career in the cannabis industry? Were there any women who inspired you to do so? How did you do it? I saw the results firsthand of what cannabis could do for sick people. Aashna Satija, the chief pharmacist at Vireo, worked with me when I first started. She spent a lot of time teaching me about products and stacking to give patients adequate coverage. She also taught me how to approach products for specific medical conditions. There is no textbook and in 2016, when I began, research in this country was quite limited. Aashna taught me how to think through patient issues and factor in how different each individual responds. What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry? As a new industry with complex legal issues, the cannabis industry is not for the faint of heart. Traditionally a male OG business, women were not involved in the business of cannabis and consumption was a male-dominated activity. With a change in societal norms and acceptance of cannabis in the health and wellness industry, more opportunities have opened up for women. The underlying social and business structure has kept women out. The barriers are different due to the reliance on connections in this new industry of regulated and safe products. Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis? I believe that cannabis is a business that involves ties, connections, and social activity. Right time and right place provide future opportunities. What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels? Hiring practices need to be examined. Adequate training and education is essential to break these barriers. Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry. Tribetokes Who/what are your favorite tools and resources in the industry? My attorney Matt Schweber has been a true ally. Smart, professional, and strategic in approach. I feel that he has the knowledge and skill to help me make the best decisions. Bill Downey of Massachusetts, a 30-year advocacy legend, has given me an amazing education and approach. Project CBD and Leafly are great websites for cross referencing information. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders? Do what you love doing. You may not get it right your first time out, but stay open and keep learning. Say yes. Is there anything we left out that youd like to add? I am a breast cancer survivor. If cannabis had been available to me in 2012 and 2013, my life would have been much smoother. I am fortunate to live and work in New York State where this is available. If youd like people to connect with you, please share your favorite methods of contact. drparodneck@gmail.com. 914-525-6536 The roving urban concert series Jazz in the City travels to the Old South Side of Syracuse, officially designated a historic district in the National Register, with a concert by The Blacklites, the legacy soul band now in its 50th year of music making, on Thursday, Aug. 3rd at Dunk and Bright. The three-hour event opens with a demonstration by the 1Accord Line Dancers, who invite all interested to learn with them on the spot and throughout the evening. This concert has become a true tradition for CNY Jazz, Dunk and Bright Furniture, and the Blacklites, dating back to their first performance here in 2007, said Larry Luttinger, organizer. Jim Bright, and now Joe Bright, are to be commended by the entire community for their dedication to our urban culture. There are so many reasons that this concert will be special. The band is celebrating 50 years of musicmaking, the 1Accord Line Dancers are a perfect opening act for the public health aspect of the series, and of course Syracuse Community Health will be offering screenings, giving out Lottery scratch-offs as incentives. Great neighborhood food and crafts vendors will be on hand, as well as over a dozen health care providers offering information about their services. I think this concert event defines the shared community goals of Jazz in the City perfectly. Longevity and good health is the theme. What better way to illustrate it than enjoying the health benefits of dancing to a band that has been a vital cultural resource here for half a century. That says it all. Dunk and Bright is located just a block off Exit 17 of route 81, and parking is free in their lot. If You Go What: Jazz in the City Where: Dunk and Bright Furniture, 2648 S. Salina St. Who: The Blacklites with opening act 1Accord Line Dance When: Thursday Aug. 3, 6 to 9 p.m. rain or shine Cost: Free The World Health Organisation will soon announce that Egypt has become the first country to eliminate Hepatitis C. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will soon officially certify Egypt as the first country to fully eradicate HCV. The certificate, to be presented to Egypt in September, is considered the first granted to a country for eliminating the virus. Egypt used to have the highest prevalence rate of the virus in the world. According to Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Egypt has developed a comprehensive plan where all bodies involved in screening, prevention and treatment of the illness were involved. The ministry has set up around 6,000 units to examine more than 60 million people over only seven months. This is in addition to 200 medical units to treat those who were proven positive for HCV, Abdel-Ghaffar said. During World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, the spokesman for the ministry, said that the presidential initiative 100 Million Healthy Lives formed the foundation for getting rid of HCV. The campaign was launched under the initiative and after the screening of 62 million Egyptians, we treated more than five million people in less than five years, the minister noted. He added that locally-produced drugs were used to treat patients, achieving a treatment rate of 98 per cent. According to the spokesman, African nations benefited from Egypts progress as, in accordance with the presidential plan, Egypt agreed to provide medical care for one million Africans. Additionally, Egypt took part in the global effort to eradicate HCV last year by helping to develop the first set of international standards for doing so. For the second year in a row, Egypt recently sent 11 medical aid shipments to Uzbekistan in an effort to eradicate HCV. The WHO has been providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Population, Ahmed Al-Kurd, a hepatologist and expert on gastroenterology, noted. WHO has served as an independent verification agency, visiting screening locations across the country and conducting extensive patient surveys to ensure compliance with WHO guidelines and high-quality services. Al-Kurdi pointed out that Egypt has the highest rate of Hepatitis C prevalence in the world. The government has made significant efforts to strengthen hepatitis prevention since the early 1990s with programmes aimed at eliminating schistosomiasis, a parasite carried by water snails and which is mainly responsible for the disease, and to end the unhealthy practice of sharing or reusing needles and syringes resulting in the accidental transfer of infection. It also focused on harm prevention activities and on increasing public awareness. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Seven stores in Central New York that sell marijuana products have been shut down for operating without a license and selling weed to underaged customers, state officials said Monday. The Im Stuck stores in Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties will be padlocked, according to a news release by the state Attorney Generals Office. The stores are in Auburn, Lyons, Macedon, Ontario, Williamson and Pulaski. Im Stuck owner David Tulley ignored notices and orders from the state Office of Cannabis Management to stop selling marijuana products, the AGs Office said in a news release. Investigators found store clerks were selling marijuana products to customers under the age of 21 multiple times, officials said. In a statement Monday, Joseph Bondy, Tulleys lawyer, said they believe the state violated its own cannabis law in pursuing the closures. We will defend against the efforts to further enjoin Mr. Tulley on a number of specific statutory and constitutional grounds, which will be made by public court filing, Bondy said. The AGs Office and the OCM were given more enforcement powers over unlicensed marijuana dispensaries under a new state law. The Im Stuck stores are the first to be closed under that new authority, the AGs Office said. In April, Im Stuck stores advertised an Easter egg hunt in Onondaga, Cayuga, Monroe, Wayne and Yates counties, officials said. Collected eggs could be redeemed for prizes, including cannabis products and toys, they said. An attorney generals office investigator brought numerous eggs to a store in Macedon and redeemed cannabis flower and seeds, edibles and other products, officials said. In May, and undercover investigator accompanied with an undercover under the age of 21 went to Im Stucks Auburn location. The underaged undercover was shown numerous cannabis options by a clerk without showing an ID, officials said. The clerk sold the marijuana products to the investigator and handed them to the underaged undercover, officials said. The AGs Office and the OCM are also seeking penalties against Tulley that could total millions in fines, the release said. New Yorks cannabis law requires stores selling marijuana products to be licensed by the states Cannabis Control Board. Unlicensed shops products arent lab tested by the OCM and could be unsafe, officials said. A cease and desist letter by the OCM was mailed to Tulley for operating without a license in February 2022, officials said. But he continued and more notices of violations were sent to his stores, they said. To the OCM, Tulley described his shops as a consulting business that informs customers of the effects of cannabis, officials said. In return, they were given cannabis products. After another cease and desist for seven of his stores, Tulley said he would remain open, officials said. The AGs Office then moved to permanently close the locations, they said. In June and early July, the OCM seized more than 47 pounds of cannabis flower, 244 pounds of cannabis edibles and 89 pounds cannabis concentrate, officials said. Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950. Syracuse, NY -- An Upstate hospital attendant who refused in 2021 to get a Covid-19 vaccine on religious grounds spent two years fighting to keep his job. Oleg Sidorchuk, 37, of Van Buren, lost that fight, and his job, in April. Then in May, the state dropped its vaccination mandate for workers at all hospitals. Upstate University Hospital has since allowed the hiring of non-vaccinated workers, a spokesman said. Now Sidorchuks union, the Civil Service Employees Association, is suing Upstate on his behalf. The union filed a lawsuit last week seeking to have a state Supreme Court Justice overturn his firing and award him back pay for the two years he was suspended without pay. Upstate says that unvaccinated workers can reapply for their jobs now that the vaccination mandate is over. However, the hospital said that the vaccine is still strongly encouraged. The hospital declined comment on Sidorchuks specific case. Sidorchuk, who now works in construction, told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard he enjoyed working at Upstate because he could help kids and got better pay and benefits than he had before. But after the two-year ordeal, hes not sure if hed go back even if Upstate offered his job back. Sidorchuks journey as an unvaccinated hospital worker offers a peek into the evolving rules during the Covid-19 pandemic that are still causing fallout today. His removal from the workforce comes during a hospital staffing shortage that has led Syracuses other hospitals, Crouse and St. Joseph, to actively woo back non-vaccinated workers who left or were fired during the pandemic. Sidorchuk had worked for 16 years as an attendant at Golisano Childrens Hospital, helping with basic patient care and safety. Hed received consistently favorable evaluations, according to court records, and said he had been looking forward to advancing his career at the hospital. He originally requested -- and received -- a religious exemption from the Covid-19 vaccine mandate in September 2021. The acceptance of vaccines on (my) healthy body is a betrayal of my faith, Sidorchuk wrote in his successful exemption request. I believe in Gods word (the Bible) to get me through life. In addition, Sidorchuk noted that he and his entire family had already been stricken with Covid-19 and had recovered. His religious exemption was approved Sept. 24, 2021, according to the lawsuit. But the state changed the rules less than two months later: his exemption was no longer valid. Upstate may grant an alternative religious accommodations, but only if it does not pose an undue hardship on Upstate, the Nov. 16, 2021, email to Sidorchuk said. After reviewing your job duties, it has been determined that no attentive religious accommodation can be provided. Unless Sidorchuk got the vaccine, he would be suspended without pay while the hospital sought his termination, the November 2021 email concluded. Sidorchuk made his intentions clear: under no circumstances was he going to get the vaccine. That led to a two-year standoff that culminated with an arbitration hearing in March of this year. Sidorchuk took the stand and reiterated that the vaccination went against his religious beliefs and that he also had doubts about its effectiveness. By that point, Syracuse-based Justice Gerard Neri had struck down the states vaccination mandate for hospital workers, but that ruling had been stayed pending appeal. The arbitrator in his April 29 decision ruled that the legality of the vaccination mandate in 2021 was beyond his purview, but that Sidorchuk had admitted disobeying the state mandate. That was enough to uphold Upstates decision to suspend and fire him, arbitrator Thomas Rinaldo ruled. That ruling made Sidorchuks firing official in April. But a lot had changed in two years of pandemic. Less than a month after losing his job, the state health department dropped its vaccination mandate on May 24 of this year. Sidorchuk answered the phone Thursday while sanding a ceiling during a construction job. He was surprised by the unions lawsuit on his behalf: after all, the firing was official. Hed gotten a text from the unions lawyer the night before, but hadnt really absorbed it. The unions lawsuit on Sidorchuks behalf seeks to have the arbitrators decision overturned based on Neris ruling that invalidated the mandate. That is likely meant to protect Sidorchuks rights going forward: an appellate court will ultimately rule as to whether the vaccination mandate was legal in the first place. If the mandate was never legal, than Sidorchuk and unvaccinated healthcare workers around the state will likely have their firings overturned and may receive compensation for the time they were not allowed to work. The lawsuit involving Sidorchuks case was assigned to Justice Joseph Lamendola. Hes scheduled to hear the case in early September. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070. Flash floods on July 25 swept through parts of Greene County, stranding eight hikers near Kaaterskill Falls who required rescue from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers. In one incident, a hiker got trapped by churning water below the falls. A ranger tied a rope to a tree and waded through strong currents in four feet of water to reach the hiker, whom he carried back across the creek to safety. The same ranger then headed to Fawns Leap off Route 23A where seven people were stranded on one side of fast-flowing Kaaterskill Creek. Joined by two other rangers and the Twin Cloves Technical Rescue Team, they set up a high angle rope rescue system and pulled two people to safety. Rangers along with state police and other rescuers organized a swift water rescue system to retrieve the remaining five people trapped on the other side of the creek. One by one, rescuers pulled each of them across the creek in an inflatable boat. No one was injured in any of the rescues. The following reports are excerpted from DEC: Rangers rescued a 28-year-old from Long Island who fell 20 feet while climbing a cliff at Fawns Leap, severely fracturing her ankle. One day after rescuing stranded hikers near Kaaterskill Falls, rangers returned to the area to rescue a 28-year-old from Long Island who fell 20 feet while climbing a cliff at Fawns Leap, severely fracturing her ankle. Rangers again worked with Twin Cloves Technical Rescue Team to pull her out of the streambed using a low angle rope system. Paramedics treated her ankle and arm injuries before she was choppered to the hospital. DEC asks visitors to Fawns Leap to avoid climbing the rocks there, especially without proper climbing gear. An 18-year-old from New York City fell on the Upper Falls Trail at Kaaterskill Falls while hiking with her family on Saturday afternoon. An assistant forest ranger provided first aid and helped her down the trail where another ranger took her to Scutt Road trailhead. The teens family sought further medical attention on their own. Rangers carry a 60-year-old Auburn woman who injured her ankle while hiking the Van Hovenberg trail in the Adirondacks. On the evening of July 24, a 60-year-old from Auburn injured her ankle while hiking the Van Hovenberg trail just below the junction with Phelps Mountain. Seven rangers reached the hiker about an hour later, stabilized her ankle, and packaged her into a backpack carrier. They carried her one mile to Marcy Dam, and then drove her in a UTV three miles to the intersection of South Meadows and Adirondack Loj Roads where she was met by her husband, who took her to the hospital. On the afternoon of July 26, a 33-year-old from Lafayette hurt her knee approximately 1.2 miles from the summit of Mount Marcy, the states highest peak. A New York State Police helicopter, with a ranger working the hoist, lifted the hiker off the mountain while another ranger helped from the ground. Rangers evicted a man and ticketed him for having two illegal camps on state land near the Village of Tupper Lake. Rangers on Sunday evicted a man and gave him ten tickets for having two illegal encampments on state land at Underwood Bridge and Big Tupper Lake. The tickets included camping for four or more nights without a permit, storing personal property on state land, cutting down trees, leaving rubbish, and leaving a fire unattended. Each ticket carries a maximum fine of $250. On the afternoon of July 28, a 13-year-old from Hurley hit her head on a rock and passed out at Peekamoose Blue Hole. When rangers came to rescue her, she was conscious and alert, but with blue lips, hands, and feet. She was also lethargic, lightheaded, and shivering due to dehydration and hypothermia. Rangers helped her out of the water, gave her dry clothes, snacks, and water. EMS transported her to the hospital. A 27-year-old from New Jersey suffered a severe allergic reaction on Saturday afternoon after a bee stung him on the Scutt Road trailhead near Kaaterskill Falls. A ranger contacted Green County Paramedics who provided epinephrine, relieving the mans symptoms. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: READ MORE Rescuers search overnight, find elderly woman who wandered away from Upstate New York home - newyorkupstate.com New Jersey hikers hauled chairs up Catskills highest peak, ticketed for leaving them - newyorkupstate.com Rangers find lost kid in ADKs, break up fight at Hamilton County campground - newyorkupstate.com Rangers reunite hiker with puppy lost overnight on Adirondack mountain - newyorkupstate.com Forest rangers fight multiple Upstate NY wildfires, aid injured hikers - newyorkupstate.com Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. Porfirio Brown, 14, was arraigned on a charge of first-degree murder, three counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of assault upon a peace officer in Taos District Court Tuesday (Aug. 1). He is accused of fatally shooting 13-year-old Amber Archuleta at his father's residence in Questa Friday (July 28). Brown's father, 39-year-old William Brown, has been charged with negligently making a firearm accessible to a minor resulting in death, a fourth-degree felony. TusharK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Pune Posts: 5,460 Thanked: 48,332 Times Hero Electric, Okinawa & others want customers to refund rebate money! The EV makers, represented by the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) have submitted a letter to M N Pandey, Minister of Heavy Industries, urging him to look into the possibility of asking customers to return the subsidies to the OEMs. Sanjay Kaul, Chief Evangelist, SMEV, argued that the money currently demanded from OEMs for non-compliance can be recovered from customers and returned to the government just like in the case of some OEMs over-charging customers were asked to return the amounts. He added that if a customer has received a discount over and above the correct price, it would be incumbent on him / her to return the excess amount. To facilitate this, OEMs are willing to share customer data with the ministry. The companies are also open to issuing a Public Notice asking customers to deposit back the excess rebates they had received as subsidies. The government has sought Rs 469 crore from seven electric 2-wheeler makers for wrongfully claiming subsidies under the FAME II scheme. These include Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Ampere EV, Revolt Motors, Benling India, Amo Mobility and Lohia Auto. Source: Link to Team-BHP News Several electric 2-wheeler manufacturers, including Hero Electric and Okinawa, want their customers to refund the excess rebate availed by them when purchasing the vehicles.The EV makers, represented by the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) have submitted a letter to M N Pandey, Minister of Heavy Industries, urging him to look into the possibility of asking customers to return the subsidies to the OEMs.Sanjay Kaul, Chief Evangelist, SMEV, argued that the money currently demanded from OEMs for non-compliance can be recovered from customers and returned to the government just like in the case of some OEMs over-charging customers were asked to return the amounts. He added that if a customer has received a discount over and above the correct price, it would be incumbent on him / her to return the excess amount.To facilitate this, OEMs are willing to share customer data with the ministry. The companies are also open to issuing a Public Notice asking customers to deposit back the excess rebates they had received as subsidies.The government has sought Rs 469 crore from seven electric 2-wheeler makers for wrongfully claiming subsidies under the FAME II scheme. These include Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Ampere EV, Revolt Motors, Benling India, Amo Mobility and Lohia Auto.Source: ET Auto Omkar Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,135 Thanked: 16,316 Times Exterior Design & Styling The Elevates styling can be described as distinctive. You most likely wont mistake it for any other car and it stands out on its own. The overall design language is clean and focuses more on straight lines rather than curves. And while some might deem it boring, the design will surely age well. The Elevate has a bold front look with a straight and squared-off face. Then you have the big grille which accentuates the bold look. In the side profile though, the Elevate does look like a stretched-out hatchback. Move to the rear and the straight lines continue here as well. Overall, the design is clean and would most likely not offend anyone. In terms of dimensions, the Elevate measures 4,312 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width and 1,650 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,650 mm and the front and rear tracks are identical at 1,540 mm. Build Quality, Fit & Finish Since the Elevate is based on the City, the build quality is similar. There is a bit of flex in the panels, while the gaps are consistent overall. All in all, the build is pretty solid and doesnt feel light and flimsy. The doors close with a reassuring thud and have a decent heft to them. Even in terms of fit and finish, various elements on the car are well placed and didnt feel misaligned. Wheels & Tyres The top-end ZX variant of the Honda Elevate is equipped with 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels shod with 215/55 section tyres. Lower variants are fitted with 16-inch wheels shod with 215/60 section rubber. Ground Clearance The unladed ground clearance of the Honda Elevate is rated at 220 mm which is more than enough for day-to-day driving conditions. For reference, the ground clearance of the Skoda Kushaq / VW Taigun is 188 mm, the Hyundai Creta / Kia Seltos is ~ 190 mm and that of the Toyota HyRyder / Maruti Grand Vitara is 210 mm. We took the car over some off-the-road patches and the car didnt scrape anywhere. Standard & Extended Warranty Honda hasnt revealed any specific information regarding the warranty of the Elevate yet. However, we can safely assume that like other Honda cars, the Elevate will also get 3 year / unlimited km warranty. You can also avail an extended warranty for 2 years. Also, with Hondas Anytime Warranty, you can get coverage of 1 year / 20,000 km additionally till the car has done 10 years / 1,20,000 km. As always, we strongly recommend you take the extended warranty without a second thought. Maintenance Details of the service intervals are yet to be disclosed. There havent been a lot of complaints from Honda owners regarding service bills being obscenely high, and you can expect the same to be the case with the Elevate. Honda has a very nice cost of Honda has partnered up with Allianz Assistance and Europe Assistance to offer roadside assistance packages that range from Rs. 1,842 for 1 year to Rs. 6,314 for 5 years (as of August 2023). Safety Crash test rating has become a deciding factor for many customers in India. The Elevate, however, hasnt been crash tested by GNCAP or Euro NCAP. While Honda seems confident that the Elevate will perform well at the GNCAP, it will be interesting to see the results. Honda claims that the Elevate uses optimized frame part placement that helps disperse front collision forces over a wider area. In terms of features, the Elevate is equipped with 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, hill start assist, rear parking sensor, lane watch assist, vehicle stability assist, and traction control. It is also equipped with Honda Sensing ADAS tech which uses a front wide-view camera that provides driving assistance. Note that the system isnt equipped with a RADAR and is only camera-based. It has features like collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist (72 km/h and above), auto high beam, road departure mitigation system (65 km/h and above), adaptive cruise control and lead car departure notification system. Interior Cabin Design & Quality Inside the Honda Elevates cabin, you are greeted by this black and tan interior which gives a great first impression. This shade of tan is on the darker side and manages to look subtle and classy. Similar to the exterior, the cabin design also has a lot of straight lines and is void of curvy elements. You will notice bits from other Honda cars in the cabin. Overall, the design is conservative and will age well. You wont find any soft-touch elements here, but there are plenty of tan leatherette inserts all over the cabin which feel good to touch. The quality of plastics is satisfactory and parts don't feel cheap. Unlike some of the modern cars where physical switches are being replaced by touch-sensitive controls or the functions are integrated into the touchscreen, the Honda Elevate gets switches for some of the basic functions. The switchgear feels good to use and should last for a good amount of time. Space & Comfort The Elevate's floor is set at a good height which makes ingress and egress pretty easy. You can walk into the car without much difficulty. On the inside, theres a good amount of space for 4 adults to travel comfortably for long distances. A fifth passenger would feel cramped in the rear seat. The leatherette-wrapped seats provide good comfort. Theyre broad and give good overall support and while the cushioning is a bit on the softer side, its not so soft that it will be uncomfortable over long drives. At 510, I found the under-thigh support to be good and the side bolstering also provided good support in the corners. Theres no adjustable lumbar support, but like some of the other Honda cars, some might the default lumbar support to be excessive (Vid6639 surely did). But apart from that, these are some nice front seats and give you a very cozy feel while driving. Driving Position & Ergonomics As you might have noticed by now, the Elevate has a high bonnet. You can see almost the entire bonnet from the drivers seat which is something a lot of the new drivers will appreciate. Overall visibility is good, but the rear visibility is just about acceptable and its best if you depend on the reversing camera. If youve been in a Honda car before, you wont take much time getting accustomed to the controls. You get a 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel which is nice to hold. The buttons on the steering wheel are easy to reach and so is the hornpad. The steering has height and reach adjustment with a decent range. Vid6639 who is 61 tall found the driving position to be tight. What Honda has done is limit the to & fro adjustment range of the front seat in order to optimise the rear legroom. So, while someone whos of my height (510) found it comfortable, Vid6639 had to push the seat all the way back and even then, he found it to be uncomfortable. Cabin Storage There are a fair number of storage spaces in the Elevates cabin. The door pockets are accommodating and the centre console can hold quite a lot of stuff too. There are a few open storage spaces next to the manual parking brake and you also have a small storage area underneath the centre armrest. The glovebox is average-sized but doesn't get a cooling vent or illumination. The rear passengers get seatback pockets with useful smartphone holders to keep their stuff. Air-Conditioning We got to drive the Elevate in Udaipur where the weather was quite pleasant given the monsoon season. During our time with the car, the A/C performed extremely well and managed to keep the temperature comfortable. We never had to use Hondas super effective Max Cool function. The Elevate gets an inbuilt PM 2.5 air filter. Features Unique & Noteworthy Features This is a segment in which manufacturers focus a lot on features. Weve seen Hyundai and Kia load their cars up to the brim with features. While Honda has done a fair job to equip the Elevate, it does miss out on a few features. You get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment head-unit with wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. You also get a wireless charging pad, auto LED headlamps, lane watch assist, frameless auto-dimming IRVM, 7-inch MID, Honda Connect (connected car features), 60:40 split rear seat and walk away door lock. While this list is good enough for most people, compared to what some of the other cars offer in this segment, there are many glaring omissions. Features like rain-sensing wipers, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, height adjustable front seatbelts, auto down windows for passengers, electric adjustment for driver seat, panoramic sunroof, 3-point seatbelt for the fifth passenger, onboard navigation, Type-C USB charging port, glovebox cooling & illumination and ambient lighting have been left out. Audio System & Sound Quality As mentioned above, the Elevate comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen is responsive and smooth to operate. Getting through the menus is seamless and the interface is very user-friendly. You also have physical buttons at the bottom for quick menus and audio volume control. The system is paired with an 8-speaker audio system (4 speakers + 4 tweeters) and is surprisingly good. You get clear vocals with minimum distortion even at very high volume levels. You can always set up the equalizer to your liking, but even in a flat setting, you will appreciate the sound quality. Rear Passengers Rear Seat Comfort & Space Just like the front, getting in and out of the rear seat isnt very cumbersome. The bench is placed slightly lower than wed have liked, but its not uncomfortable by any means. Once in the rear seat, you will notice that you have a slightly reclined backrest angle which is comfortable. Unfortunately, you cannot adjust the rear seat recline angle. The seat base offers a fair deal of under-thigh support, but I (510) would have liked some more of it. Talking about space, as mentioned earlier, Honda has limited the front seat range to optimise the rear seat space and it shows. Sitting in the rear with the driver seat adjusted to my driving position, I had more than enough knee room. Even with the front seat pushed all the way back, my knees werent touching the back of the front seat. Like in the City, the floor curves upward under the front seat giving a footrest-like feel. The headroom is plentiful even for tall passengers. Since the Elevate doesnt have a sloping roofline, the headroom isnt compromised. The wide headrests are adjustable and comfortable to use. Additionally, the rear passengers get a parcel tray, A/C vents and a 12V charging socket. Boot Space The Honda Elevate has a boot space of 458 litres. The boot opening area is wide and the loading lip is also set at a comfortable height. Overall, the boot space is very usable, and it can be expanded by folding down the rear seatbacks. For reference, the Hyundai Creta & Kia Seltos have a boot space of 433 litres, the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara have a boot space of 373 litres, and the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun have a boot space of 385 litres. Bag hooks on both sides and a single halogen light have been provided. The Elevates styling can be described as distinctive. You most likely wont mistake it for any other car and it stands out on its own. The overall design language is clean and focuses more on straight lines rather than curves. And while some might deem it boring, the design will surely age well.The Elevate has a bold front look with a straight and squared-off face. Then you have the big grille which accentuates the bold look. In the side profile though, the Elevate does look like a stretched-out hatchback. Move to the rear and the straight lines continue here as well. Overall, the design is clean and would most likely not offend anyone.In terms of dimensions, the Elevate measures 4,312 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width and 1,650 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,650 mm and the front and rear tracks are identical at 1,540 mm.Since the Elevate is based on the City, the build quality is similar. There is a bit of flex in the panels, while the gaps are consistent overall. All in all, the build is pretty solid and doesnt feel light and flimsy. The doors close with a reassuring thud and have a decent heft to them. Even in terms of fit and finish, various elements on the car are well placed and didnt feel misaligned.The top-end ZX variant of the Honda Elevate is equipped with 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels shod with 215/55 section tyres. Lower variants are fitted with 16-inch wheels shod with 215/60 section rubber.The unladed ground clearance of the Honda Elevate is rated at 220 mm which is more than enough for day-to-day driving conditions. For reference, the ground clearance of the Skoda Kushaq / VW Taigun is 188 mm, the Hyundai Creta / Kia Seltos is ~ 190 mm and that of the Toyota HyRyder / Maruti Grand Vitara is 210 mm. We took the car over some off-the-road patches and the car didnt scrape anywhere.Honda hasnt revealed any specific information regarding the warranty of the Elevate yet. However, we can safely assume that like other Honda cars, the Elevate will also get 3 year / unlimited km warranty. You can also avail an extended warranty for 2 years. Also, with Hondas Anytime Warranty, you can get coverage of 1 year / 20,000 km additionally till the car has done 10 years / 1,20,000 km. As always, we strongly recommend you take the extended warranty without a second thought.Details of the service intervals are yet to be disclosed. There havent been a lot of complaints from Honda owners regarding service bills being obscenely high, and you can expect the same to be the case with the Elevate. Honda has a very nice cost of maintenance calculator on their website and we hope that the details of the Elevate would be updated on it soon.Honda has partnered up with Allianz Assistance and Europe Assistance to offer roadside assistance packages that range from Rs. 1,842 for 1 year to Rs. 6,314 for 5 years (as of August 2023).Crash test rating has become a deciding factor for many customers in India. The Elevate, however, hasnt been crash tested by GNCAP or Euro NCAP. While Honda seems confident that the Elevate will perform well at the GNCAP, it will be interesting to see the results. Honda claims that the Elevate uses optimized frame part placement that helps disperse front collision forces over a wider area. In terms of features, the Elevate is equipped with 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, hill start assist, rear parking sensor, lane watch assist, vehicle stability assist, and traction control. It is also equipped with Honda Sensing ADAS tech which uses a front wide-view camera that provides driving assistance. Note that the system isnt equipped with a RADAR and is only camera-based. It has features like collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist (72 km/h and above), auto high beam, road departure mitigation system (65 km/h and above), adaptive cruise control and lead car departure notification system.Inside the Honda Elevates cabin, you are greeted by this black and tan interior which gives a great first impression. This shade of tan is on the darker side and manages to look subtle and classy. Similar to the exterior, the cabin design also has a lot of straight lines and is void of curvy elements. You will notice bits from other Honda cars in the cabin. Overall, the design is conservative and will age well.You wont find any soft-touch elements here, but there are plenty of tan leatherette inserts all over the cabin which feel good to touch. The quality of plastics is satisfactory and parts don't feel cheap. Unlike some of the modern cars where physical switches are being replaced by touch-sensitive controls or the functions are integrated into the touchscreen, the Honda Elevate gets switches for some of the basic functions. The switchgear feels good to use and should last for a good amount of time.The Elevate's floor is set at a good height which makes ingress and egress pretty easy. You can walk into the car without much difficulty. On the inside, theres a good amount of space for 4 adults to travel comfortably for long distances. A fifth passenger would feel cramped in the rear seat.The leatherette-wrapped seats provide good comfort. Theyre broad and give good overall support and while the cushioning is a bit on the softer side, its not so soft that it will be uncomfortable over long drives. At 510, I found the under-thigh support to be good and the side bolstering also provided good support in the corners. Theres no adjustable lumbar support, but like some of the other Honda cars, some might the default lumbar support to be excessive (Vid6639 surely did). But apart from that, these are some nice front seats and give you a very cozy feel while driving.As you might have noticed by now, the Elevate has a high bonnet. You can see almost the entire bonnet from the drivers seat which is something a lot of the new drivers will appreciate. Overall visibility is good, but the rear visibility is just about acceptable and its best if you depend on the reversing camera.If youve been in a Honda car before, you wont take much time getting accustomed to the controls. You get a 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel which is nice to hold. The buttons on the steering wheel are easy to reach and so is the hornpad. The steering has height and reach adjustment with a decent range. Vid6639 who is 61 tall found the driving position to be tight. What Honda has done is limit the to & fro adjustment range of the front seat in order to optimise the rear legroom. So, while someone whos of my height (510) found it comfortable, Vid6639 had to push the seat all the way back and even then, he found it to be uncomfortable.There are a fair number of storage spaces in the Elevates cabin. The door pockets are accommodating and the centre console can hold quite a lot of stuff too. There are a few open storage spaces next to the manual parking brake and you also have a small storage area underneath the centre armrest. The glovebox is average-sized but doesn't get a cooling vent or illumination. The rear passengers get seatback pockets with useful smartphone holders to keep their stuff.We got to drive the Elevate in Udaipur where the weather was quite pleasant given the monsoon season. During our time with the car, the A/C performed extremely well and managed to keep the temperature comfortable. We never had to use Hondas super effective Max Cool function. The Elevate gets an inbuilt PM 2.5 air filter.This is a segment in which manufacturers focus a lot on features. Weve seen Hyundai and Kia load their cars up to the brim with features. While Honda has done a fair job to equip the Elevate, it does miss out on a few features. You get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment head-unit with wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. You also get a wireless charging pad, auto LED headlamps, lane watch assist, frameless auto-dimming IRVM, 7-inch MID, Honda Connect (connected car features), 60:40 split rear seat and walk away door lock. While this list is good enough for most people, compared to what some of the other cars offer in this segment, there are many glaring omissions. Features like rain-sensing wipers, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, height adjustable front seatbelts, auto down windows for passengers, electric adjustment for driver seat, panoramic sunroof, 3-point seatbelt for the fifth passenger, onboard navigation, Type-C USB charging port, glovebox cooling & illumination and ambient lighting have been left out.As mentioned above, the Elevate comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen is responsive and smooth to operate. Getting through the menus is seamless and the interface is very user-friendly. You also have physical buttons at the bottom for quick menus and audio volume control.The system is paired with an 8-speaker audio system (4 speakers + 4 tweeters) and is surprisingly good. You get clear vocals with minimum distortion even at very high volume levels. You can always set up the equalizer to your liking, but even in a flat setting, you will appreciate the sound quality.Just like the front, getting in and out of the rear seat isnt very cumbersome. The bench is placed slightly lower than wed have liked, but its not uncomfortable by any means. Once in the rear seat, you will notice that you have a slightly reclined backrest angle which is comfortable. Unfortunately, you cannot adjust the rear seat recline angle. The seat base offers a fair deal of under-thigh support, but I (510) would have liked some more of it.Talking about space, as mentioned earlier, Honda has limited the front seat range to optimise the rear seat space and it shows. Sitting in the rear with the driver seat adjusted to my driving position, I had more than enough knee room. Even with the front seat pushed all the way back, my knees werent touching the back of the front seat. Like in the City, the floor curves upward under the front seat giving a footrest-like feel. The headroom is plentiful even for tall passengers. Since the Elevate doesnt have a sloping roofline, the headroom isnt compromised. The wide headrests are adjustable and comfortable to use. Additionally, the rear passengers get a parcel tray, A/C vents and a 12V charging socket.The Honda Elevate has a boot space of 458 litres. The boot opening area is wide and the loading lip is also set at a comfortable height. Overall, the boot space is very usable, and it can be expanded by folding down the rear seatbacks. For reference, the Hyundai Creta & Kia Seltos have a boot space of 433 litres, the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara have a boot space of 373 litres, and the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun have a boot space of 385 litres. Bag hooks on both sides and a single halogen light have been provided. Last edited by Omkar : 2nd August 2023 at 13:49 . Smart home manufacturers arent staying in their lanes anymore. Last year, video streamer Roku made its first foray into the home monitoring market, followed by smart light manufacturer WiZ back in May, and now Philips Hue is reportedly eyeing its first security products, perhaps including a camera. According to HueBlog, the CEO of Philips Hue parent Signify recently told listeners on a pre-IFA conference call that Philips Hue security products are on the way, and he also discussed the fusion (as HueBlog put it) of cameras and smart lighting. The idea here is also to use security for lighting and lighting for security, Signify CEO Eric Rondolat said during the call, adding that a camera could trigger flashing red lights when an intruder is detected as well as act as a traditional motion sensor that activates light scenes as home dwellers enter or leave a room, HueBlog reports. This news story is part of TechHives in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Reached for comment, a Philips Hue spokesperson told TechHive that as shared by Eric Rondolat, CEO of Signify, Philips Hue will extend its home security offering, but didnt offer any further details. New products or features are announced once they are ready to be launched, so keep an eye on Philips Hues channels and launch events, the spokesperson added. Philips Hue generally unveils new products in September during the IFA conference in Berlin. Word that Philips Hue may be prepping a move into the home security market doesnt come as a total shock. The brand already offers its own motion sensors, while a mimic presence feature is designed to fool would-be intruders by turning your lights on and off at random intervals while youre away. Philips Hue parent Signify also owns smart lighting manufacturer WiZ, which itself entered the home monitoring market earlier this year. The WiZ Indoor Camera (pictured above) arrived in May with 1080p video resolution, a 130-degree viewing angle, a motion-detecting and night vision-enabled sensor, a speaker and a microphone for two-way chat, and local and cloud video storage. More importantly, the WiZ camera can trigger light alarms intended to scare off intruders, similar to what Signify CEO Rondolat reportedly described during his recent conference call. Besides its new indoor camera, WiZ had previously unveiled its motion-detecting SpaceSense, which allows two or more WiZ lights to sense motion via nearby disruptions in Wi-Fi signals. Prior to the WiZ Indoor Camera, streaming video player maker Roku made its own home monitoring play, with assistance from Wyze. Roku debuted its first smart home devices last October, including such re-branded Wyze products as a video doorbell, a floodlight camera, a variety of indoor and outdoor cameras, indoor and outdoor smart plugs, and white and color smart bulbs. Roku followed up with a complete (and re-branded) home monitoring kit in May. A Salesforce executive is calling on coders to consider climate change when writing their software. Even something as seemingly disconnected from the environment, such as building or hosting a website and designing software, can have major climate consequences, Salesforce EVP and Chief Impact Officer Suzanne DiBianca wrote last week in Forbes. So far, she explained, the focus has been on reducing energy consumption in data centers and moving electrical grids away from fossil fuels. Now, she continued, coders and designers are ready for a similar push in software, crypto proof of work, and AI compute power. While many coders want their handiwork to be kinder to the planet, few know how to do it, she added. DiBianca cited a Salesforce survey of more than 1,000 technologists in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia that found 75% of UX designers, software developers, and IT operations managers want software to do less environmental damage. Still, half dont know how to mitigate environmental harm. Thats led to more than a third (34%) admitting that they rarely or never consider carbon emissions while typing a new line of code, she revealed. She maintained that convincing management to commit is one of the biggest roadblocks in achieving a sea change in how companies build software. According to the Salesforce survey, 76% of leaders dont believe sustainable software development is a must-have. Without commitment at the top, DiBianca wrote, technologists are left to adapt in a vacuum without the skills, training or mandate to make a difference. Lagging in Sustainability Making software greener isnt as well developed as sustainability in other areas of IT, observed Abhijit Sunil, a senior analyst with Forrester Research, a national market research company headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. There are a lot of good sustainability metrics that have already been put in place for IT in the data center and workplace, but application development and IT software sustainability has been very hard to achieve for many organizations, he told TechNewsWorld. A lot of the metrics are still evolving and hard to measure, he said. For example, how do we measure the carbon footprint of large enterprise applications? We are starting to see industry groups building out best practices and guidelines, Sunil continued. One example is the Green Software Foundation, which has been putting out guidelines and best practices, including ways in which we can measure software sustainability. A lot of clients at Forrester have said theyve looked to the Green Software Foundation as an organization for software sustainability, he added. Another organization is SustainableIT.org which earlier this year released the first-ever set of standards that measure the environmental impact of building, running, and managing information technology (IT) operations. The standards provide metrics and definitions for energy consumption, emissions, waste, and sourcing. The hope is that they will help organizations consistently and accurately gauge ITs environmental impact, set goals and track progress for improving the sustainability of technology operations. Greener Code With AI One way to write greener code is by using artificial intelligence, DiBianca asserted. Another recent report from Salesforce revealed that the power of AI is underutilized when it comes to green code, she noted. Sixty percent of leaders are not using automation or AI to make the software development cycle more energy efficient. The problem with AI is that it is one of the least-green forms of computation that there is, countered Dr. Crispin Cowan, a former computer science professor and startup founder and current staff engineer at Tanium, a maker of an endpoint management and security platform, in Kirkland, Wash. It is vastly compute-intensive, he told TechNewsWorld. AI-driven research may well discover new energy-saving techniques in the future, but for right now, it is going to cause a large increase in ITs electrical power consumption. It seems likely that AI will have a bigger impact on designing energy-efficient infrastructure than it will on improving code efficiency in a significant way, added Mike Parkin, senior technical engineer at Vulcan Cyber, maker of a cyber risk management platform, in Tel Aviv, Israel. There certainly are ways to make code more efficient, but it needs to be done without losing sight of important factors like security and usability, he told TechNewsWorld. Optimize Software With Emissions in Mind DiBianca also recommended designing software with emissions in mind. When building a new product or website, designers are capable of creating better, faster, and more sustainable user experiences, she wrote. Designers can choose the most sustainable option as the default choice, making it easy and desirable for users to act sustainability. Even small changes to image size, color, and type options can scale to large impacts, she explained. Parkin added that code optimization is an art, balancing efficiency, speed, memory footprint, and other factors to reach design goals. There was a time when code was highly optimized, but as compute resources have become more robust, the focus on high efficiency has diminished, he explained. We have gigabytes to work with and use high-level abstract languages, he continued. Its unlikely well see a return to the days of writing in assembler to squeeze the highest performance out of limited resources. To use less energy, code should be efficient, added Cowan. Turn optimization levels up, cut fancy graphics like shadows and animations down, [and] do polling as infrequently as possible, he recommended. Efficient code will just reduce the amount of power consumed by IT, he continued. However, that efficiency gain can be magnified a thousandfold or more by using those CPU cycles to find ways to improve business processes. Using a few milliwatts to compute what a truck can save on time, distance, and fuel consumption by changing a route is a huge win in reducing greenhouse gases and carbon footprint, he said. Examine Hardware Infrastructure for Green Gains DiBianca asserted that by equipping technologists with the right tools and partnering them with the right leadership, they can not only drive meaningful efficiencies and cost savings but also bend the emissions curve downward at the speed and scale the planet needs. Parkin, though, contends that while coding for a greener environment is fascinating, it misses a crucial piece that it needs to work: instrumentation. Efficient code will run faster and use less power than sloppy code, which is the one place where coders can have an influence on their energy footprint, he said, but if coders dont have any visibility into how different versions of their code perform from an energy use perspective, theres not much they can do to make their code energy efficient. And the reality is there are probably bigger and easier gains to be achieved in the hardware infrastructure their code relies on than in optimizing individual function calls to lower their power load, he continued. A few percent gained in, say, improving cooling efficiency in the data center is almost certainly less expensive and more effective than spending hours optimizing code for a half percent gain per transaction, he concluded. GPU Tweak allows you to optimize clock speeds, voltage and fan speeds on up to four graphics cards independently or simultaneously, you can also select between GPU Tweak's Standard or Advanced modes depending on your level of experience. Freeware Windows In context: So far, Sony has seemingly resisted paying Dolby the licensing fees required to incorporate its audiovisual technologies into the PlayStation 5. However, the console's latest beta OS update suggests a shift in the company's stance on the matter. In addition to this, the update also teases new user interface features and enhanced storage compatibility. Starting Monday, select PS5 owners in the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, and France can try a new system software beta that adds features like Dolby Atmos, various UI enhancements, and support for 8 TB SSDs. The update will be available globally later this year. Chosen participants will receive an invitation by email on Monday. Sony warns that it can't guarantee all features from the beta will make it into the final build. With the beta, audio using Sony's proprietary Tempest 3D AudioTech now supports HDMI-powered Dolby Atmos devices like soundbars, TVs, and home theater systems, including overhead channels. Beta participants can find the Dolby Atmos switch under Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Audio Format (Priority). The update adds Dolby Atmos support for games, but streaming apps need to receive patches from developers to support the feature. Sony hasn't indicated whether Atmos is a step toward including Dolby Vision a significant advantage that standalone streaming boxes have over the PS5. Microsoft's Xbox Series consoles already support Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision for apps and games but not for Blu-ray playback. As for internal storage, most PS5 owners are currently limited to a maximum of 4 TB (and most planning to expand their storage are probably looking at the plummeting prices on 1 TB and 2 TB drives), but the new beta raises the cap to 8 TB. Those willing to spend $1,000 or more on an 8 TB NVMe drive should remember that Sony suggests one with sequential read speeds of 5.5GB/s or better, which means a PCIe 4.0 model. Among the UI updates is a feature that lets players more easily join friends in multiplayer games and see exactly what activities they're engaged in. Other social features receiving changes include party invites, share screens, and tournament hubs. A new accessibility feature lets users assign two controllers as if they were one, which could allow collaborative play sessions. It could also expand the helpfulness of the upcoming PS5 accessibility controller for players with special needs. The option is located under Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Use Second Controller for Assistance. Furthermore, the beta introduces functions to add haptic feedback to the system UI, turn off the console's beep sound, search for games in your library, and more. Why it matters: During its journey through space towards the second Lagrange point, the Euclid telescope conducted its first test images to ensure everything was in order. Scientists are happy with the results and anticipate years of significant scientific observations ahead. Last month, the European Space Agency and the Euclid Consortium successfully launched the Euclid mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft carries a wide-angle space telescope equipped with a 600-megapixel visible-light camera. It is en route to its final destination at the second Lagrange point, 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. Although it has not reached its orbiting position, scientists have already commenced the month-long commissioning phase of the telescope by capturing the first test images with the two instruments onboard. Named after the Greek mathematician and "father of geometry," Euclid is equipped with the VISible instrument (VIS) and the Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP). Using VIS, the telescope can capture "super sharp" images of billions of galaxies and use the data to measure their shape. Additionally, NISP enables the imaging of galaxies in the infrared spectrum and the measurement of the light they emit at different wavelengths. European scientists designed Euclid to shed new light on dark matter and dark energy (pun intended), the two enigmatic substances believed to constitute up to 95 percent of the universe's mass. Researchers believe that dark matter, which cannot interact with ordinary matter without cataclysmic consequences, accounts for approximately 25 percent of the universe's mass. They also estimate that the recently discovered dark energy force comprises two-thirds of the remaining matter. The development and launch of Euclid by the European Space Agency required an investment of $1.5 billion over 11 years. The telescope features a 1.2-meter primary mirror, approximately half the size of the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. Unlike Hubble, Euclid's objective is to map vast swaths of the sky, charting about 36 percent of the visible universe. According to Alessandra Roy, Euclid's project manager at the German Space Agency, the first few testing steps of Euclid's commissioning phase are "progressing well," and the space telescope will soon reach its final position. After arriving at the second Lagrange point, the telescope will begin its scientific observations to hopefully "shed light on the dark side of the universe." Yannick Mellier, who leads the Euclid Consortium, said the first images obtained using Euclid's visible and near-infrared instruments opens a new era for "observational cosmology and statistical astronomy." While they aren't helpful for scientific purposes, as they are just unprocessed raw data full of artifacts and unwanted distractions, these images mark the beginning of a "quest for the very nature of dark energy." With more people using multiple monitors becoming commonplace compared to before, Microsoft is adding an upgrade that would allow for easier use of more than one screen. This comes with a Windows 11 update that would allow for better refresh rates. Microsoft Adds Windows 11 Update that Allows for Automatic Adjustment of Refresh Rates for Multiple Monitors According to the story by The Verge, refresh rates on the Windows 11 operating system will soon be able to adjust dynamically depending on the content that users are viewing. This applies to multiple screens. The company is making the process of using multiple high refresh rate monitors much more convenient with the help of its Windows 11. It was also noted that the software giant has already started to test out the update on Windows 11 which automatically adjusts the refresh rates for multiple monitors. GPUs' Fans Spinning Adjusts Depending on the Content Being Viewed on the Monitors The refresh rates were automatically adjusted depending on what type of content was being displayed. This would result in improved power usage which could eventually result in certain GPUs' fans spinning less often. Neowin reportedly spotted a Windows Insider blog by Microsoft that explained how they have been able to improve refresh rate logic. This would then allow different refresh rates when it comes to different monitors. Multiple Monitors Need Support for Higher Refresh Rates for Them to Run at Full Potential This is despite the different monitors having different refresh rates depending on the content seen on the screen. It was also noted that this solution would help a lot of people when it comes to refresh rate-dependent multitasking including activities like playing games or watching videos or doing both and more at the same time. For those that have multiple monitors needing to support high refresh rates, being able to run them at full potential would also increase the total power needed from the computer's GPU. For example, the Nvidia RTX 30 as well as the Nvidia RTX 40 series Founders Edition cards actually run on a zero RPM mode. Read Also: Sony Adds Dolby Atmos Support to Latest PS5 Software Beta-UI Improvements, 8TB Storage, and More Manual Way to Manually Adjust the Zero RPM Mode for Different Monitors This means that fans will be kept at zero despite the user watching video content on one monitor. This means that by adding another high refresh rate display, most of the time, the zero RPM mode would be disabled. The GPU will then start to spin its fans for users that have two monitors regarding high refresh rates. It was noted that Microsoft's addition should mean that the particular GPUs will be able to maintain its zero RPM mode. In this setting, the users would have the fans continuing to spin should they have high refresh rates for both monitors. It was noted that there is a workaround to keep zero RPM mode for different monitors and this is to manually lower the refresh rate of the secondary monitor. Related Article: AMD Announces Plan to Invest Approximately $400 Million Over the Next Five Years to Expand Research, Development and Engineering Operations in India 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New data reveals that Chinese consumers are increasing their spending on smartphones to unprecedented levels, presenting a promising outlook for Apple in a critical market for its high-end iPhones. (Photo : Getty Images) WUHAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 16: (CHINA OUT) Customers look at the new iPhone14 at an Apple store on September 16,2022 in Wuhan. Hubei, China Benefiting from Chinese Consumers The average selling price of smartphones in mainland China reached $450 last year and is projected to continue rising this year, as per CNBC. This trend signals significant potential for Apple, as it indicates growing interest among Chinese consumers in investing more in smartphones, particularly the premium offerings like the iPhones from the U.S. tech giant. Canalys research analyst, Lucas Zhong, anticipates a surge in Average Selling Price (ASP) for smartphones in the coming quarters. This increase will be driven by Apple's latest product launches and the high-end strategies adopted by Chinese vendors, providing consumers with a broader range of flagship options. The first quarter of this year witnessed a nearly 5% year-on-year growth in the average selling price of smartphones in China, reaching approximately $470. This marks the third consecutive quarter of year-on-year ASP growth, indicating a sustained trend of increasing smartphone spending in the market. Standing Out The resilience of the high-end smartphone market, as indicated by the rise in Average Selling Price (ASP), presents a positive outlook for Apple, which competes predominantly in this segment. Despite a nearly 12% year-on-year decline in the overall smartphone market in China, the $600 to $800 and $1,000 to $1,600 price segments recorded growth in the first quarter of the year. In the midst of this challenging market environment, Apple stood out as the only vendor among the top five in China to experience shipment growth in the second quarter. This favorable trend can be attributed to Apple's powerful ecosystem, featuring its iOS operating system and complemented by hardware innovations such as the Apple Watch. With its stronghold in the premium market, Apple's continued growth in China is a testament to the brand's enduring appeal and its ability to cater to the demands of discerning consumers seeking high-quality and innovative mobile experiences. Huawei remains Apple's primary competitor in the premium segment of the smartphone market, despite facing significant challenges due to U.S. sanctions that disrupted its access to critical technology and impacted its global business. While the international landscape remains challenging for Huawei, its focus on the high-end market in China indicates the company's determination to sustain its presence and remain a significant contender in the premium smartphone arena. Also Read: Apple's 2nd Check Signed by Steve Jobs and Woz is Selling at Around $50,000-Alongside Other Rare Antiques iPhone 14 Demands Analysts are optimistic about iPhone sales in China for the quarter, expecting a potential upside due to increased demand despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions. Apple Insider reported that the surge in demand is attributed to higher average selling prices and heightened overall upgrade activity, particularly for the iPhone 14 Pro. Despite the forthcoming iPhone 15 release, consumers in China continue to demonstrate a strong affinity for Apple's premium offerings, the sustained demand for the iPhone 14 and Apple's ability to gain market share in China indicate the brand's resilience and appeal in the highly competitive smartphone landscape. Related Article: Apple Q3 2023 Earnings Report: Here's What Analysts Expect 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Sunday, the northern Egyptian coastal city of New Alamein hosted a meeting of the secretaries-general of 11 Palestinian factions to discuss developments in the occupied territories and ways to end ongoing Palestinian divisions. According to a statement released after the opening session, the agenda included holding elections and forming a national unity government representative of all factions, along with other ways to end the longstanding Palestinian rift. An informed Egyptian source told Al-Ahram Weekly that Cairo, which sponsored the meeting, had taken great pains to ensure its success. During a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised Egypts role in supporting the Palestinian cause. It is a role Cairo will continue to play as it helps the Palestinian parties implement the outputs of the discussions. Before the meeting, the Palestinian Authority (PA) it was Abbas who had called for and chaired the gathering of factions had stated that the goal was to reaffirm recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and to promote the option of peaceful grassroots resistance and the principle of one authority and one army. Hamas said its aim was to address the escalation in Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, including continuous raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and to promote Palestinian unity in the face of occupation. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), for its part, said it would work with the other participants to reach an agreement capable of enabling the Palestinian people to confront Israels extremist government. In his keynote speech, President Abbas underscored the role of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and the need to abide by its charter and international commitments. He argued that peaceful grassroots resistance was the best way for the Palestinian people to continue their struggle and attain their national goals. We want to hold elections as soon as possible, provided that our people in Jerusalem can take part. The Israeli aggression compels us to rise to our national responsibility and order our national home accordingly, he said. We are at an extraordinary juncture in the history of our struggle against the enemy, one that compels us to think collectively and take exceptional decisions regarding how to confront and resist the enemys policies, said Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas political bureau. It compels us to devise plans to reinforce the steadfastness of our people stationed in Jerusalem and to support everyone active in the uprising and the resistance. Haniyeh called for a restructuring of the PLO, the creation of a democratically elected National Council and new Palestinian institutions in the West Bank and Gaza. At the end of the meeting, Abbas suggested that a steering committee be established composed of representatives of participant factions to follow through on outcomes and keep in touch with Cairo. He also proposed a national unity government of technocrats, representative of all factions, to manage administrative arrangements between the West Bank and Gaza, and stressed the need to move towards general elections as soon as possible. According to an Egyptian source, the Palestinian delegations will remain in New Alamein in order to form the steering committee. A Palestinian source told the Weekly that the aim of the national unity government is to deliver a message of hope to the Palestinian people that the 18-year-old factional rift is nearing an end, and to convey a message to international powers that Palestinians will unite to surmount the political, economic and security challenges posed by Israel. Palestinian news outlets reported that Hamas had insisted the Palestinian electoral system must be reformed before elections can be held. Hamas officials also said that there must be guarantees elections can be held in Jerusalem without Israeli obstruction. It is not the first time that Hamas voiced such demands, an Egyptian source told the Weekly. There are two possible reasons why it reiterates them whenever the subject of elections comes up. One is that Hamas knows the conditions especially the demand for guarantees that Palestinians in Jerusalem will be able to vote cannot be fully met. The second is to urge greater flexibility on issues, such as electoral reform, over which discussions have failed in the past. Though forming a national unity government is now a stated priority, some observers in Cairo believe the use of the term is a ploy to avert the nomination of names that could incur an international veto or refusal to recognise the government. The term technocrat may make it easier for the government to perform its envisioned bureaucratic functions, such as administrating the crossings, especially in Gaza which will require the stationing of PA representatives and coordination between the Strip and the West Bank. It may also help the government pursue its stated aim at the foreign policy level, i.e. to act dynamically in the international arena to counter Israeli threats and settlement expansion. As the meeting in New Alamein was taking place, demonstrations erupted in Gaza to protest against living conditions. The protesters wanted to deliver a message to the factions meeting in Egypt that they need to take definitive action towards ending their economic plight. It is premature to assume that Israel, which continues to withhold PA tax revenues, will agree to steps that might ease the blockade against Gaza. Israel, tellingly, is now using events in the West Bank as another excuse for withholding revenues. There are reports that the issue was raised during the meeting, occasioning arguments over the nature of resistance in the West Bank. Apparently, the PA urged the adoption of the term peaceful grassroots resistance to forestall a repetition of Israels deadly raid against Jenin which was one of the reasons Abbas had called for the meeting. It is a formula that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) oppose, not least because it restricts resistance to grassroots action. While the question of armed resistance has mostly been limited to Gaza, recently the idea has gained ground as a way to counter Israeli actions in the West Bank. Increasingly, Palestinian factions believe that grassroots resistance alone is not enough to halt the construction projects that Israels extremist government is pushing through. On the sidelines of the meeting there was a degree of give and take on how the factions manage the urgent challenges they face. While some held that general elections could resolve Abbas succession crisis, others worried that there are too many aspirants waiting in the wings to succeed him and that elections might not be enough to settle the power struggle between them. Egyptian sources believe the meeting reaffirmed the cardinal principles of the Palestinian cause, and that while the factions voiced different views on some issues, it still marked a breakthrough. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Binghamton University's School of Management (SOM) has conducted research that proposes solutions to combat the spread of fake news using a combination of machine learning and blockchain technology. Led by Thi Tran, assistant professor of management information systems, the study emphasizes the importance of addressing the potential harm caused by misinformation. Identifying the Scale of Harm The research aims to develop a systematic approach to identify the scale of harm that specific content could inflict on its audience, focusing on the most damaging offenders. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, false information about alternative treatments circulated, diverting attention from the importance of vaccines. "We're most likely to care about fake news if it causes a harm that impacts readers or audiences. If people perceive there's no harm, they're more likely to share the misinformation," said Thi Tran. "The harms come from whether audiences act according to claims from the misinformation, or if they refuse the proper action because of it. If we have a systematic way of identifying where misinformation will do the most harm, that will help us know where to focus on mitigation," he added. The proposed machine learning framework, a division of artificial intelligence (AI), aims to utilize data and algorithms to identify signs of misinformation and enhance the detection process. The system can accurately predict an individual's susceptibility to specific misinformation messages by considering user characteristics, including education level and political beliefs. This harm index will assess the potential severity of damage a person could experience if exposed to and influenced by fake news. Read Also: Computer Scientists Develop 'De-Stijl' Tool With Adobe to Help People Use Color Better in Graphic Design Vulnerability to Misinformation Tran underlines the significance of user characteristics in determining their vulnerability to misinformation. The machine learning system can personalize recommendations based on message attributes, the individual's personality, and background, providing insights into the likelihood of falling victim to particular misinformation. While blockchain technology has previously been examined as a tool to combat fake news, Tran's research delves deeper by investigating user receptiveness to such systems. The research model aims to discover the most compelling approach to persuade people to adopt blockchain technology in the fight against misinformation. Tran's approach involves surveys among two groups: fake news mitigators, consisting of government organizations, news outlets, and social network administrators; and content users who could potentially encounter fake news messages. Participants' readiness to adopt existing blockchain systems in different situations will be evaluated through these surveys. The traceability aspect of blockchain technology proves exceptionally beneficial in pinpointing and categorizing sources of misinformation, leading to enhanced pattern recognition and detection capabilities. Tran's research aims to raise awareness among individuals about recognizing patterns of misinformation and being cautious about sharing unverified content. Tran's work was published in two Disruptive Technologies in Information Sciences VI papers. Related Article: Vaijanath Rao Implements Complex Machine Learning Systems to Enhance the Customer Experience 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Royal Mail has launched the first batch of drones in Orkney that will help people deliver parcels and letters, especially in times of emergency. The permanent drone delivery service is also made possible with the help of Skyports Drone Services. With this, expect to see no delays when receiving mail on the coast of Scotland. Royal Mail Starts First Drone Delivery Service Off Scottish Islands With imminent weather patterns, it's hard to send a parcel to loved ones because of a big gamble in the risk. With Royal Mail's first drone system, users can achieve a more secure means of delivery towards Orkney and other islands. According to The Guardian, Royal Mail's head of drone trials Chris Paxton guarantees that the flight will be much "faster and more efficient" this time. Apart from that, he adds that it can also help decrease emissions of carbon. Royal Mail and Skyports confirmed that the operation will kick off and run for three months. However, they saw this project continue on a permanent basis. This is further supported by the frameworks imposed on Orkney, particularly about the proximity of each island. In another report by The Next Web, the drone delivery service is foreseen to roll out improved delivery times and service quality to Hoy and Graemsay. These two places are frequently visited by bad weather. Small planes and ferries often struggle to get through them. "Rural and maritime logistics are contingent on access, weather, and personnel - if one of these factors is compromised, so too is the ability to provide a safe and reliable service," Alex Brown, Director at Skyports Drone Services explains. Brown adds that Orkney is only one of many destinations that is hard to reach. Other remote areas will benefit from this drone delivery technology. As for Skyports, the Speedbird Aero DLV-2 will fly across islands. This aircraft can deliver goods from one place to another given that they weigh up to 6kg. Related Article: Zipline P2 Zip: New Machine for Precise Drone Delivery Debuts, to Bring Packages Better and Quieter 200 Drones Will Travel to 50+ Routes in the Next Three Years To ramp up the service and reach more remote locations in the UK, Royal Mail shares its plans to roll out the drone delivery service to over 50 routes. For the next three years, the British postal service and courier firm will aim to launch up to 200 drones for this ambitious flight. Brown thanked Royal Mail for the opportunity to join the project. He said that the drone delivery service will be useful to UK logistics, per BBC. In another drone-related report, Tech Times reported that China has announced that it will curb drone exports to other countries. Per Beijing's spokesperson, the country aims to restrict the exports of the technology to safeguard its national security against other countries including the United States (US). Read Also: Wing's New Drone Delivery Network Is Like Ridesharing 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In this column and elsewhere, I have spoken frequently about reform in the Arab region and how it was a response to the violence, anarchy and terrorist fundamentalism ushered in by the so-called Arab Spring. Theoretically, reform falls somewhere between revolution and preserving the status quo. All three reform, revolution and the conservative stance have to do with changing society. Revolutionaries want the change to occur all at once. They want to skip phases or to take the big leap forward, as Mao Zedong put it. Conservatives call that a leap into the unknown which would unleash unpredictable energies that could tear apart society and, perhaps, destroy the state or invite foreign military interventions. Reformists, by contrast, are very pro-change because that is what history and nature is about. But they believe that change should be undertaken gradually and in calibrated steps so as to absorb the concomitant shocks and mitigate the inevitable pains. I have also spoken of what I have termed the laws of Arab reform which are based on a set of central tenets: the centrality of the nation state, megaprojects that take progress to all corners of a given country, catching up with the times and advanced technologies, material and human sustainable development and renovation of religious thought in short, comprehensive modernisation. Externally, the process entails what some have called nullifying the problems surrounding the state and the Arab region in general. I believe this necessitates a new regionalism that fosters various forms of cooperation to promote self-dependence and stability in a region where stability has long remained out of reach. In other words, domestic reform should extend to foreign policy which should also undergo various types of reform to promote an end to violence, terrorism, and civil warfare, and to bring others who have lived under such conditions into the same embrace. It might be useful to bear in mind former US president Barack Obamas caution that nations sometimes do stupid things. The latest crisis in our region is in Sudan. To give them credit, Arab reform countries have spared no effort to rescue that country from its current plight. They offered material aid and took in refugees. They also tried to broker a lasting ceasefire through various formats. Riyadh worked towards this end with Washington, Egypt worked with Sudans neighbours, and all tried to communicate with the warring parties and with Sudanese civilian forces. Unfortunately, none of these efforts have paid off so far. Meanwhile, Sudan is deteriorating more and more with every passing day while the rest of the world has lost interest in the issue and turned its attention to other priorities. As occurred decades ago in the aftermath of the Palestinian nakba, people are crying out, why isnt the international community doing anything? The question is rhetorical. Everyone knows that there is no such thing as the international community. There are the composite wills of states, and these states are preoccupied with other concerns they believe are more important. However, reformists in the Arab region can not afford the luxury to look away. This is not just because the fire is nearby and coming from persons who care little where the sparks fly, but also because, as mentioned above, reforming the region is a prerequisite for securing internal reform in each of the regions constituent states. Besides, to put it bluntly, adding another Arab state to the list of Arab failed states would be a tragedy for the region and for the individual states. If the deterioration is not stopped soon, US President Bidens notion of forever wars will translate into forever crises in this region. This is all the more reason for the Arab reform countries to translate reform into a foreign policy that takes as its premise, first, the sovereign nation state founded on equality between all its citizens is the key to solving Arab crises. The sovereign state, by definition, must hold a monopoly on the right to legitimate recourse to arms. The state must, thirdly, have a national project for progress and the optimum utilisation of the countrys national resources. These three conditions are axiomatic for the Arab reform states. They are the key to these countries resilience and ability to progress. However, they are also the reason why they need to meet regularly to deal with the Sudanese crisis and other crises in the region. In fact, together with cooperation on joint projects and investments, and the need to adopt similar positions on global problems, this seems to call for a kind of reform alliance with a collective strategy for handling Arab crises of every sort, wherever they emerge. It is important to keep strategy and history apart. History tells us that the Arab world has always experienced rival political axes, the tensions between which can sometimes flare into conflict. The historian Malcom Kerr described the outbreak of an Arab cold war in tandem with the global Cold War in the second half of the last century. It pitted the Arab republics against the Arab monarchies, the progressives against the reactionaries, believers against sceptics and Arab nationalists against their ideological adversaries. It was fought mainly through the media of the antagonistic camps, which sharpened their tongues and pens, and let fly. Strategy, on the other hand, is not ideology. It is not a conjuring up of history with its various complexities. It is a way to respond practically and systematically to a given reality and to remedy pains and ailments that no one should have to endure or pay the price for. It involves systems and mechanisms planned, devised, and carried out by experts and other dedicated professionals who divide up roles and duties in order to attain concrete goals and targets in the framework of a greater end as defined by a principle or noble cause. In this case, the end is to rescue the region from crisis and achieve regional stability to the benefit of all concerned. Acknowledging this need and how reform fits into it will avert the descent into propaganda duals. Perhaps we should borrow from the philosophy of Camelot and the gathering of the noble knights around a circular table so there would be no identifiable head or leader. How about an Arab reformers roundtable? That might be our salvation. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Woman found in Forbach: at the heart of the case, a couple in full "social disarray" Fire in a home for the disabled in Alsace: at least 11 people "would be missing" Circumnavigation of the moon next year: Crew of the "Artemis 2" visits their spacecraft Nursing assistants trained as nurses in two years? "There is bound to be a skills gap" Covid-19: risks, characteristics... What you need to know about Eris, the new variant What is the story of the young Syrian whose incident sparked outrage on social media? The "poorest of the poor" in Egypt. 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Doctors, suspected of issuing too many sick leaves, in the sights of Social Security "Growth will continue until the end of the year": the share of non-cash payments in Russia reached 82% for the first time The FNP named the most popular notarial actions in the new regions of Russia Ex-intelligence officer of the US Armed Forces Ritter: Russia seized the initiative on the front line Over the past day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired 357 shells at the DPR UN official: Drought and high temperature in Iraq are a warning to the whole world China Group travel to Japan to be lifted on 10th Inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Security Council held an open meeting on the Sudan issue and China called for resolving contradictions and differences through dialogue He holds 3 nationalities, one of which is Arab. Noah Darwish is a new jewel in Barcelona Daniel Sancho admits his sexual link with Edwin Arrieta: what is known about the relationship between the chef and the Colombian doctor The butcher Daniel Sancho and his victim "were going to set up a business" and saw each other in Spain Typhoon Kanu continues to move north-west and will have heavy rainfall in Jilin, Heilongjiang and other places The cry of the sister of Edwin Arrieta, victim of Daniel Sancho: "I want this nightmare to stop" The daughter of the general director of "Piro-Ross" received messages from Ukrainian numbers after the state of emergency in Sergiev Posad German is said to have spied for Russia arrest in Koblenz Battles in Khartoum and Omdurman and a UN warning of the consequences of the continuation of the war in Sudan "The version of the drone is not confirmed": what is known about the explosion on the territory of the plant in Sergiev Posad L'Orient-Le Jour: UAE wants to organize a meeting between Putin and Zelensky at the UN conference Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. To my surprise Foreign Policy refused to publish an article by the official Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, responding to an article that appeared in the magazine on 2 July under the title, Lessons for the Next Arab Spring. The article, which was written by a fellow at the Brookings Institution called Shadi Hamid, fumes against the 30 June 2013 Revolution and calls on the US to intervene immediately should a similar event occur again. Surely Egypt has a right to respond to an article of this nature to rectify mistakes and misinformation. However, the magazine wrote back with an apology saying that it would not publish Ambassador Abu Zeids article. This is odd coming from one of the two best known foreign affairs periodicals in the US, cofounded in 1970 by the political scientist, Samuel Huntington, who gained worldwide notoriety for his clash of civilisations theory. The other magazine is the longer established Foreign Affairs, founded in 1922. Although it is a quarterly periodical, it publishes articles daily on its online website. It too refused to publish the Egyptian response to the article by the Brookings Institute fellow. Therefore, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry published its official spokespersons article on its official blogsite. It opens: As we, Egyptians, commemorate the 10th anniversary of the June 30th Revolution this year, we hail a landmark moment in our modern history. It was an epic moment, demonstrating massive popular will across all segments of the Egyptian society. It proceeds to narrate, from an Egyptian perspective, the events that took place between 30 June and 3 July 2013, which is to say, the revolution that the Foreign Policy article held that the US should have stepped in to stop or impose sanctions on Egypt immediately afterwards. Ambassador Abu Zeid explains how the events that unfolded after the 30 June Revolution have only proven the merit of all the underlying causes which constituted its very essence. He also discusses the progress Egypt has made since then to bring a better and dignified life to all Egyptians. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Proper knowledge and appreciation of the mother tongue are essential for the development of a secure cultural identity. Early childhood education is the right path for shaping a successful generation, for building peace in the minds of men, and for emphasising compassion rather than individualism. The early childhood developmental stage from birth to eight years old is crucial for shaping the mind, heart, and behaviour of an individual within his community and for making him ready for later life. Studies over several decades have given added weight to the importance of early childhood education, during which the childs brain is tuned in to his or her environment and ready to acquire key skills, basic building blocks, and foundational concepts. During these early years, the child is also immersed in an environment rich with language. This bestows primary vocabulary with basic spellings from the mouths of caregivers, parents, grandparents, and the wider community and includes expressions of happiness and sadness, a large variety of words, prayers, and wishes for blessings, among others. This language, called the mother language or mother tongue, is vocalised around the newborn and constitutes his gateway into life. Sociologists consider this mother tongue to be the backbone of the childs social and cultural identity as well as the matrix that defines thoughts and feelings. The mother tongue also helps to develop essential emotional skills like self-confidence, the regulation of emotions, self-expression, self-respect, and positive self-belief. These skills are essential for later activities like problem-solving and healthy risk-taking. Consequently, children that are raised in this way and speaking their own mother tongue stay attached to their roots and connected to their cultural identity and values. Speaking and expressing oneself properly in the mother tongue is a matter of self-esteem, pride, and confidence. Language is thus a primary means of keeping culture alive. Language loss intrinsically and extrinsically leads to cultural loss. This, in turn, leads to very real consequences on communities and social cohesion. Even a good translation, whether domesticated or foreignised, cannot convey the same essence compared to the original language. This could explain the fact that the best way to assimilate the depth of a countrys culture is to understand its peoples language, especially in the globalised world of today that is pushing young people to acquire multiple languages for better personal and professional growth. As a result, learning a foreign language has become essential for many people in order to secure wider professional opportunities. NATIONAL BRANDING: How many times have friends from the Arab countries surprised us in casual conversation by narrating excerpts from famous Egyptian films starring Ismail Yasseen or by quoting a TV series with Adel Imam or Fouad Al-Mohandess that they might have watched a hundred times and thus know better than Egyptians themselves? Such foreigners feel proud to pronounce Egyptian expressions as they are delivered by the actors in these films in the Egyptian dialect of Arabic, the most influential from the east to the west of the Arab world. Although Egyptian cinema is among the most important in the Middle East, and people often refer to it as the Hollywood of the Arab world, many young Egyptians, especially those born and raised at the beginning of the third millennium, do not really appreciate the priceless cultural value added by these iconic cinematic artists. Perhaps the languages sheer accessibility explains their loss of appetite for this facet of their native culture. Studies have shown that children who are taught to read and write in their mother language and grow up in a healthy educational environment can connect naturally with their culture through language. Such children are more likely to feel a sense of belonging, and they more easily develop a positive self-image of themselves and their homeland. Language is also a vital factor in a nations branding, and it is the carrier of the countrys intangible heritage. NATIVE AND FOREIGN: Over the last few decades, the Arab world has faced numerous unprecedented educational challenges due to the adoption of innovative strategies for emphasising multilingual education. This outward-looking policy reflects a strong desire towards openness and a sentiment of appreciation for other cultures and an innate acceptance of cultural diversity. It helps to break down the barriers of ignorance and to improve the cognitive capacity of students in schools and universities. In Egypt, a wide range of international schools emerged in the last decades of the last century, including British, French, US, Canadian and ultimately Japanese. Each of these schools brings to the market an educational curriculum that reflects the essence of its country of origin as an ambitious and promising product. It is also one that is wrapped in its own history and embedded within its own mother language. But what about Egypts history? And what about the Arabic language, which is the native language of this country? Many families pay for private tuition alongside that provided at school to teach their children Arabic and offer them the basics of religion. Other families, conscious of the importance of the past, insist on also tutoring their children in Egyptian history to raise their awareness and strengthen their ties with their countrys past. What I consider disappointing and even frustrating is that the native language is sometimes not counted in the final GPA of some students, which is entirely incomprehensible. Last week, I listened carefully as my friend Mohamed Abdel-Latif, a world-leading education expert, underlined the importance of the mother tongue and the crucial role it plays in shaping an individuals cultural identity and personal development. A child gets the native language when he is closely tied to family, community, and cultural traditions... Language and culture are so intertwined that one cannot survive without the other, Abdel-Latif said. In the Egyptian context, it is entirely unacceptable to exclude the native language from the panoramic cultural scene provided by international schools in Egypt and encourage only the acquisition of foreign languages. A foreign language is important in todays globalised world as it is of great benefit for better academic outcomes and attractive professional opportunities. However, at the same time it is a language learned outside of an individuals home and community and is not typically used as a primary means of communication. Let us close this debate by saying that both the mother language and foreign languages are a necessity in todays world and both are important and should be adopted according to circumstances. However, one should not exist at the expense of the other. * The writer is a member of the House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee and a researcher at the French National Centre CNRS-Sorbonne University. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Chinese premier meets with Georgian PM Xinhua) 08:23, August 01, 2023 Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to take the establishment of the China-Georgia strategic partnership as an opportunity to increase strategic communication and cooperation with the country in various areas, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Monday. Li made the remarks while meeting with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu. Li called on the two sides to focus on the Belt and Road Initiative, make good use of the intergovernmental committee on economic and trade cooperation and other mechanisms, and fully unleash the dividends of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement. Both sides should strengthen cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, infrastructure construction, special economic zones and industrial parks, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as digital economy and green energy, and strengthen cultural, tourism and sub-national people-to-people exchanges, Li said. China is ready to work with Georgia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and make due contribution to world peace and development, Li said. Garibashvili said Georgia attaches great importance to its friendship with China and is committed to strengthening cooperation with China, adding that upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership will benefit the two peoples. Georgia abides by the one-China principle, supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other initiatives, and is willing to cooperate more with China in terms of infrastructure, economy and trade, tourism and other fields, and strengthen the exchange of experience in state governance, Garibashvili said. After their meeting, Li and Garibashvili witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents. During Garibashvili's visit, China and Georgia issued a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Advertisement Review Eating outChippendale Each piece of Joys Korean triple-fried chicken is a golden meteorite of crunch Loyal fans visit Joy Korean Fried Chickens cheap and cheerful shopfront for its delicious flavours, including sweet and spicy, honey soy, lemon and parsley, turmeric and coconut and bulgogi. Plus a hot and zingy number for true chilli lovers. Lenny Ann Low August 1, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 6 Locals, tradies, uni students and office workers frequent Joy Korean Fried Chicken. Brook Mitchell 2 / 6 Go-to dish: A Joy Burger Box with bulgogi burger, sweet and spicy chicken piece, coleslaw, pickles, hot chips and drink. Brook Mitchell 3 / 6 Sweet and spicy chicken (left), original chicken, and honey soy chicken. Brook Mitchell 4 / 6 Bulgogi chicken (left), turmeric and coconut chicken, and lemon and parsley chicken. Brook Mitchell 5 / 6 Brook Mitchell 6 / 6 Boneless chicken with Fire sauce and tteokbokki. Brook Mitchell Previous Slide Next Slide Korean$$$ Joy Korean Fried Chicken is so named because biting into good, crunchy, deep-fried poultry is, for meat-eaters, something akin to bliss. Its just joy, says Kay Hwang, owner of this 10-month-old corner restaurant beside busy Abercrombie Street. He spent months experimenting and perfecting a precise fried chicken recipe and cooking technique before settling on a meticulous combination of spices, timing, heat and quality oil. Advertisement Go-to dish: A Joy Burger Box with bulgogi burger, sweet and spicy chicken piece, coleslaw, pickles, hot chips and drink. Brook Mitchell After marinating the chicken for three days in spices including ginger, white pepper, cinnamon and rock salt, Hwang uses a batter that is thinner and more liquid than the thick coatings used elsewhere. What Im doing is very old-fashioned, he says. Some restaurants still do it but its kind of disappeared. With thicker batter I feel like Im eating the batter not the chicken. With thin batter youre actually eating chicken. Fried chicken, or chikin, is a staple in South Korea, different from American-style fried chicken because of a crispy, spicy crust and far less grease. Hwang says if you pull the fried batter off most US-style fried chicken and squeeze it, oil drips out. Advertisement Mine, no, he says. Our chicken is very, very lean. I cook it three times. At the end, I cook it on the very high temperature. High temperature moves the oil very fast. So the oil is not staying in the batter. Not to say the batter is unnoticeable. Each Joy KFC piece is a golden meteorite of crunch, tongue-jiggling seasoning and tender plump meat. Served as individual pieces or in fat, bulging burgers with complementary house-made coleslaw and pickles, chicken flavours include original crispy, sweet and spicy, honey soy, lemon and parsley, turmeric and coconut and bulgogi. A wasabi special is available now. Hwang doesnt skimp on ingredients. The coconut and turmeric is steeped in nutty, earthy sweetness and the honey soy whoops with tang and fruity crystallised crunch. Sweet and spicy, the most popular item, kicks with chilli but the star is bulgogi, a deep, garlicky soy flavour peppered with sesame seeds. Advertisement Each piece is a golden meteorite of crunch, tongue-jiggling seasoning and tender plump meat. Hwang, a hot food fan, also offers Fire Joy Chicken, so ferociously red it resembles crumpled orbs of glowing lava. Eat it in a burger layered with house-made coleslaw and feel your beating heart inside your eyes. Joy KFC could be described as cheap and cheerful but Hwangs nuanced cooking and love for greeting customers lift it higher. Loyal fans locals, tradies, uni students and office workers teem in for lunch and dinner. Takeaway is popular but many dine in, sitting amid pot plants, pastel blue and green walls (painted by Hwang), South Korean posters and wide windows decorated with fairy lights and metal chicken ornaments. Photo: Brook Mitchell Advertisement On Friday and Saturday we are slammed, Kwang says, adding that he learnt English in restaurant kitchens after coming to Australia in 2003. He has worked in various high-end restaurants, including working for award-winning chef Sean Connolly. After spotting the premises last year Hwang signed the lease almost immediately, passionate to run his own business. His wife, a sommelier, had dreamt of a different kind of restaurant. She was, initially, furious. She didnt talk to me for days, Hwang says. But she is very supportive now. Everything at Joy KFC has been created by Hwang. He built the kitchen and pulled down an internal wall to open it up to chat with customers and show his cooking process. Advertisement Photo: Brook Mitchell I have nothing to hide, he says. Clean cooking is very important. The deep-friers are cleaned three times a day. Connecting with customers is paramount. One older woman, a regular fan of Hwangs chicken, was less comfortable on the wooden stool seating. Hwang understood and bought padded chairs with arm rests for every table. She was delighted. He even caters for pets, with bags of dehydrated chicken wings, and is regularly visited by mixed martial arts fighters who are keen to shed kilos to reach perfect match weight. Advertisement You would think, its crazy, Hwang says. Fried chicken and losing kilos? But, I eat five or six pieces every day and I keep losing weight. Its OK to eat sometimes. Its joy. The low-down Vibe: Korean-style fried chicken cooked with passion, precision and innovative spice and flavour mixes. Order Fire of the Joy chicken for a true chilli sojourn. Go-to dish: A Joy Burger Box with bulgogi burger, sweet and spicy chicken piece, coleslaw, pickles, hot chips and drink. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up In a few days, my social media feed will be milk-washed for World Breastfeeding Week overflowing with perfectly curated images of mothers, likely in a meadow, maybe wearing a flower crown. Theyre lovingly cradling their little nurslings, who gaze up adoringly at them as they fill their tummies with mothers milk. It is a lovely image, and Im all for celebrating a successful breastfeeding journey, as its now invariably termed. But what these images gloss over is the under acknowledged and damaging flipside. Breastfeeding is consistently promoted over formula, leaving many mothers feeling guilty. Mothers who cannot, or chose not to breastfeed are less than. They are bad mothers, and they have failed their duty to their child. This message is not solely confined to high-horse Insta influencers. It is routine from health professionals from the moment a positive pregnancy test appears. And for some new mothers, its a message that has the potential to cause lasting, and even lethal, harm. I know this because I have survived breastfeeding grief and postnatal depression when I couldnt breastfeed my firstborn. As I now approach 10 months of exclusively breastfeeding my third baby, Im realising that I am far from alone. An effective international response to the Sudanese refugee crisis is still lacking despite escalating humanitarian needs. Recent reports issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have urged the parties to put an end to the conflict in Sudan, notably because there are serious concerns about the increasing number of displaced individuals seeking safety amid the chaos and threats of the crisis. The UNHCR estimates that more than 740,000 refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic, where they are facing extremely challenging humanitarian conditions. Approximately 185,000 refugees who were originally hosted in Sudan have also been forced to move to safer areas within the country after the outbreak of clashes. They are now trapped in an endless cycle of continuous displacement. The UNHCR has recorded the staggering total of around 3.5 million people who have been displaced across the Sudanese borders and internally since the conflict began in April last year. While it appreciates those countries that have kept their borders open to receive these refugees, it continues to call for the removal of any barriers preventing civilians from seeking safety and receiving aid, including unregistered individuals. The humanitarian situation is grim, and neighbouring countries have been at the forefront of response efforts. However, the reluctance of international donors to provide the urgently needed $566 million for refugee assistance has hindered joint response efforts among aid agencies operating inside Sudan. Recent reports have highlighted the dangerous consequences of the escalating conflict in the Darfur, Kordofan, White Nile, and Blue Nile regions of Sudan, leading to widespread internal displacement and hundreds of civilian casualties. The crisis has also taken its toll on the newly arrived refugees, with nearly 300 South Sudanese refugee children dying from measles and malnutrition in White Nile State. The UNHCR is striving to provide essential relief materials and shelter to the newly displaced and refugees within Sudan and neighbouring countries. However, it faces significant challenges in delivering hot meals, clean water, and healthcare, especially as the border areas are overcrowded with a continuous influx of people. The impending threat of floods further complicates humanitarian aid delivery. Ironically, Sudan was already home to a substantial refugee population, ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 million people, mostly from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and South Sudan, even before the current crisis began. Moreover, there were over four million internally displaced Sudanese citizens across different regions and states. Yet, the effective international responses to address and alleviate this situation have been lacking. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has issued a desperate plea in this regard, saying that these numbers are staggering. It is distressing that civilians who have no involvement in this conflict are forced to flee their homes and lose their livelihoods everyday. Many displaced individuals within Sudan and those who have managed to reach neighbouring borders face tremendous challenges in preserving their lives. Some have tragically lost them despite the protection efforts. The situation calls for comprehensive responses that prioritise protection alongside aid and sustenance. All the parties involved, including those from outside Sudan, must realise that it is high time to put an end to this catastrophic war. In Egypt, the UNHCR leads joint coordination efforts with other UN agencies in collaboration with the Egyptian government to provide support and protection for those seeking international refuge by crossing from Sudan. The UN delivers aid, distributed by the Egyptian Red Crescent, to the incoming refugees. This system is a testament to success even in the toughest conditions, despite the increasing numbers arriving on a monthly basis. The international community, along with the Sudanese authorities, must pay attention to the urgency and gravity of the situation. The humanitarian dimensions of the crisis are evident, and they cannot be overlooked either by the naked eye or official statistics. * The writer is the general director of the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS). * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: A senior ABC journalist told a source he was being sued under Australias crazy defamation laws by former commando Heston Russell for suggesting he was involved in killing an Afghan prisoner even though he had never written about him, the Federal Court has heard. Russell, a former platoon commander, is suing the ABC for defamation over two articles published online by the national broadcaster in October 2020 and November 2021, and a related television broadcast. Heston Russell, centre, flanked by his barristers Nicholas Olson (left) and Sue Chrysanthou, SC, (right) on Tuesday. Credit: Rhett Wyman Federal Court Justice Michael Lee ruled in February that the articles, read together, conveyed a range of defamatory meanings, including that Russell as commander of November platoon was involved in shooting and killing an Afghan prisoner in mid-2012. Russell was only named and pictured in the second article, but the first referred to his platoon. Lee found the articles formed one large publication because the second article linked to the first. The year was almost over when Noel Ford packed his bags and jumped into his green-and-white 1965 Holden HD for an epic solo road trip along Australias east coast in December 1967. The Vietnam War was in full swing and Ford had seen the conflict firsthand. But now the father of three young children was back on home soil, with a 3100-kilometre journey ahead of him across almost the entire length of the country, to take up a new army posting in Townsville. Bondi Beach in the 1960s and, inset, a green-and-white Holden similar to Fords. As he set off, Ford had already mapped out the route he would take from his home at Queenscliff, on the tip of Victorias Bellarine Peninsula, to Townsville in Queensland. He intended to see in the New Year in Sydney with a five-night stay at the Rushcutters Bay Travel Lodge, before making his way back to his parents and brother in Mount Morgan, a gold-mining town near Rockhampton where Ford had excelled at the local high school and set records in athletics that stood unbroken for years. Two Australian men who were dramatically arrested at a Serbian hotel after a global police sting have been found not guilty of conspiring to import more than a tonne of cocaine into Sydney, but will be sentenced for their roles in a planned money swap for the drugs. Former nightclub boss Tristan Egon Sebastian Waters, 40, and Canberra businessman David Edward John Campbell, 54, faced a two-month trial in Sydneys Downing Centre District Court, five-and-a-half years after they were nabbed at the Metropol Palace hotel in Belgrade. Tristan Waters (left) and David Campbell faced a two-month trial in the NSW District Court for their alleged roles in a cocaine shipment from China. Border Force found 1.2 tonnes of impure cocaine, calculated by investigators as 917 kilograms of pure cocaine, hidden within steel beams in a shipping container from China on April 1, 2017. The court heard it had an estimated street value of up to $1.5 billion. What followed was a months-long operation, spanning multiple countries, as the Australian Federal Police pretended the container had been lost. Malvern residents and the local council are furious at a private hospitals decision to bypass the City of Stonnington and let the state government decide on its plans for a multimillion-dollar expansion in a residential street. A $220 million upgrade of the 75-year-old Cabrini private hospital in Melbournes inner south-east will include a new multi-level building on the corner of Coonil Crescent and Wattletree Road, with 88 single-bed ensuite rooms, consulting suites and a cancer research facility. Stonnington Mayor Jami Klisaris and Deputy Mayor Melina Sehr with concerned locals outside Cabrini Malvern. Credit: Luis Ascui The new building, proposed for a neighbourhood known for Edwardian-era housing, will be connected to the existing hospital buildings via a link bridge and include a 350-space underground car park. Extensive works will be carried out over the next 10 to 15 years and would require the removal of part of Coonil Crescent, along with the scrapping of heritage overlays on Cabrini-owned buildings. The founder of a secret Melbourne swingers network, which claims that safety and consent are paramount at its adult-themed events, has been charged with rape. Gary Broughton, 44, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court late last month accused of five rape offences and one count of sexual assault against a woman he had met on a singles website. Gary Broughton. Another man has also been charged with several counts of rape over the same alleged incident at a property in January last year. Last year, Broughton started a company called Private Society, which claims on its website to offer a playground for the curious and open-minded to explore connections beyond the norm. A Melbourne neo-Nazi leader will avoid facing trial after pleading guilty to a violent attack on a group of hikers at a Victorian state park. Thomas Sewell, 30, the self-proclaimed leader of the National Socialist Network, and co-offender Jacob Hersant, 24, fronted the County Court of Victoria via video link on Tuesday where they both pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder. Thomas Sewells National Socialist Network at a gathering in the Grampians. The pair had been due to face trial next week over an attack on three bushwalkers who filmed Sewell and Hersants group as they gathered at the Cathedral Ranges State Park at Taggerty on May 8, 2021. During an earlier hearing, the court heard that some members of the group were wearing balaclavas when the trio were set upon and terrorised at the Victorian camping spot, before demands were made for their mobile phones. A Pang of excitement Now even more know about the refreshing talent that is Sam Pang. Ian Macdonald, Traralgon Protect the Reef It is disappointing that the Labor government has pulled the wool over UNESCOs eyes on the plight of the Great Barrier Reef (Australia gains reprieve on threat to Great Barrier Reef World Heritage status, 1/8). As it reports, Labors climate targets align with over 2 degrees of global heating, risking 99 per cent loss of the reef. Another bleaching event looms with a hot, dry El Nino summer likely approaching. Senator David Pococks bill, calling for a duty of care to future generations to be applied to fossil fuel and large infrastructure project decisions, is timely. We should also have a legally binding duty of care to protect precious ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef. Amy Hiller, Kew The right tools Another Reserve Bank monthly meeting brings more frustration and hand wringing around how raising interest rates is the only tool available for the bank to fight inflation. However, we never hear any discussion around what could be done to provide the bank with additional tools to achieve its aims. In my shed a job is put on hold until all tools required are on hand and available for the task. Why not give the bank the ability to adjust the rate of GST? Plus or minus 2 per cent around the governments set rate would seem to give plenty of opportunity to impact spending patterns equally across the community. In that way the burden is not borne disproportionately by those struggling to pay off a mortgage on their home. That is only one idea, arising from one shed, in one backyard. Surely economists and bankers at the big end of town have more ideas on providing additional tools to fight inflation. Russell Ogden, Inverloch Reawakened I enjoyed reading the article My suburb could be citys happiest (1/8) and Im glad to hear that Tarneit is a thriving community. Both my grandmothers were born and raised there. The hill where the water tower stands was known as Cowies Hill. This was once owned by my great-grandfather James Cowie and his weatherboard farmhouse stood just in front of the tower. His farm sheds were built of the volcanic rock that was common in the area. My other grandmother grew up on the Davis farm and the ruins of that house have thankfully been preserved. Thanks again for awakening the memories. Peter Garfield, Echuca Things to fix Thank you Robert Redlich for describing the current situation in Victoria (Ex-IBAC boss slaps Labor on integrity, 1/8). Urgent reform is needed in this state. Anti-corruption laws need strengthening, IBACs powers need to be increased, there needs to be greater transparency with political donations, and property developers should be banned from making political donations. Yvonne Bower, Surrey Hills Different figures Your correspondents letter (1/8) is misleading in using a figure of 21per cent for Victorian renewables electricity generation and subsequently his classification of EVs as coal cars is incorrect. The annual rolling figures are currently 38 per cent for generation and 40 per cent for consumption. The Victorian government target of 40 per cent renewable generation by 2025 will readily be achieved. It is also a consideration that many EV owners use business or household solar for EV charging. This behind the meter solar use is not included in the NEM grid figures and is 100 per cent renewable. Perhaps your correspondent derived his figure from night-time generation? If so, then what might be gained from this discussion is to consider use of electricity during daylight when renewable generation is generally plentiful (50+ per cent). This use can include EV charging, computer charging, dishwasher use etc. Generally, the cheaper wholesale prices for electricity are during daylight. Households could select an electricity retailer that aligns with the wholesale price and has off-peak retail charging from 9am to 3pm. This will help reduce coal generation and emissions. Tom Maher, Aspendale Different worlds Truly Scott Morrison, enough is enough. So you thought that the royal commission found what you said was disproportionate, wrong, and unsubstantiated. Tell that to the face of a human who thought they were doing the right thing and were hounded by debt collectors, had trouble speaking to another human, who then said it was out of their control. Have you ever experienced that? Kate Read, Canterbury Take responsibility Its all very well for Scott Morrison to call the government hypocrites and to reject all adverse findings made against him by the royal commissioner but at some point will he address the issue of ministerial responsibility, and essentially, why shouldnt the minister or ministers in charge at the time be held accountable for the gross failure of robo-debt? Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South Failure to grasp I find it difficult to understand how former prime minister Scott Morrison can reject the findings of the royal commission into the robo-debt policy fiasco without any evidence to the contrary. Trusted with the highest political office, his failure to grasp the severity and gravity of his leadership is mind-boggling to say the least. Ray Cleary, Camberwell Whats going on? I have recently returned from a trip to Scandinavia, which prompted me to express my disappointment in a Melbourne that I dearly love. On a recent trip to Melbourne I was overwhelmed by the never-ending and ugly graffiti that marred my train journey from regional Victoria. My normally joyous walk up Swanston Street to Bourke Street was sad and upsetting as I observed the many homeless people lying on the street. The number of people selling The Big Issue was disproportionate to the number of sales they might hope to make on any given day. In contrast, Scandinavia was clean, safe, graffiti-free, and I rarely, if ever, saw the homeless on any street. What is going on? Julie Keeble, Warragul The wrong creation Oh yes, lets create jobs and build missiles here those things that cost so much money pre-blast, that kill and destroy. We should be creating jobs, preserving forests, making solar panels and wind turbines. Chris Hooper, Castlemaine Exercise is good Its only an anecdote, but I wake up most mornings with low back pain that makes me limp and makes it difficult for me to bend (Training your brain to beat back pain, 1/8). What helps is the series of exercises my physiotherapist gave me last year after Id fractured my hip. And using an assault bike in the gym, which gives my body an entire workout. I often go to the gym with back ache and leave completely pain free. Exercise has many benefits. Wayne Robinson, Kingsley Fair reflection What a captivating Ashes series. All four results were close and only the fourth Test looked to be heading to a convincing England win before rain intervened. A two-all result is a fair reflection of the two teams performance. Englands batting was revelatory, despite early Australian predictions that it would fail against our attack. That proved to be flat-out wrong. The only disappointments have been Englands poor reaction to the Bairstow incident, which was clearly out, and the whingeing from the Australian media and fans, from first Test to last, over all manner of things. Lets savour this as one of the truly great Ashes series. Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully Not term of endearment In terms of is the noxious weed strangling English. Propagated and fertilised by podcasts it spreads unchecked through the language, infecting even the most articulate commentators. Stop it, please! David Gleeson, Gold Coast A conversation starter According to the Odd Spot (1/8), the fur seal that wandered into Bunnings in Whangarei, New Zealand, was rescued by Department of Conversation rangers. How lovely that NZ has a Department of Conversation! Id love to see a transcript of their chat with the seal. Kristen Hurley, Seaholme AND ANOTHER THING Sport Full marks to Lance Buddy Franklin. What a champ. Brian Marshall, Ashburton What a Buddy delight it has been. Jerome Otton, South Melbourne Theres a Broad smile on English faces today. Ivan Glynn, Vermont But weve got the urn. Rod Matthews, Fairfield Lets be honest Pat Cummins. Proud to retain the urn? Lucky is the word. Lesley Black, Frankston Will somebody please explain to TV swimming commentators the difference between swam and swum? Andrew Quinn, Brighton Waltzing Matildas, wholl come a Waltzing Matildas with me. I could have danced all night. Myra Fisher, Brighton East Morrison No surprise at Scott Morrisons attack of the robo-debt royal commissions findings (1/8): After all, denial of reality is a strongly held Liberal Party value. Henry Herzog, St Kilda East You are right Scott Morrison; it is time to move on. Hans Paas, Castlemaine Four climate protesters were charged in Perth on Tuesday for targeting the home of Woodside boss Meg ONeill, with an ABC film crew documenting the incident. Lawyer Zarah Burgess, who represents activist group Disrupt Burrup Hub, said two members caught at the City Beach house had been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and had their bail refused. Woodside chief executive Meg ONeill has led Australias largest oil and gas company for two years. Credit: Trevor Collens When protesters arrived at Ms ONeills house, they were met by at least six police officers who stormed out from inside the property and immediately arrested them, she said. What this indicates to me as their lawyer is that police have stepped up their monitoring of the groups activity. The tallest of Hong Kong Islands three Tregunter Towers stretches more than 219 metres into the sky a front-row seat for viewing the citys verdant Victoria Peak and the sea of high-rise buildings below. For thrill seeking urban climber Remi Lucidi, it was a view to be seen first hand, but also one that would ultimately cost him his life. French daredevil Remi Lucidi had a history of climbing structures around the world. Credit: Instagram The 30-year-old French photographer plunged 68 floors to his death last week in a suspected extreme climbing escapade gone horribly wrong. An avid photographer and scaler of high-rise buildings and bridges a pastime also known as rooftopping or urban exploring Lucidi fell from the exterior of a Tregunter Tower penthouse in Hong Kongs affluent Mid-Levels neighbourhood on July 27. Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at 30th GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show TOKYO, Jul 31, 2023 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) will celebrate the global debut of an all-new compact SUV at the 30th GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show(1). Ahead of the world premiere, the company revealed the exterior design of the all-new compact SUV. The all-new model will be built at Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (Bekasi, West Java)(2), with delivery to start in November 2023.At the show, Mitsubishi Motors will also display the eK X EV, an all-electric kei-car(3), for the first time outside of Japan, along with the Minicab-MiEV, a onebox kei-car class commercial electric vehicle (EV) that is scheduled for local production in Indonesia. The company will also exhibit models sold in Indonesia, including the Xpander and Xpander Cross crossover MPVs, as well as the Pajero Sport mid-size SUV.Further, the Mitsubishi Motors booth will feature a special area where visitors can experience the new Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium sound system, which was jointly developed with Yamaha Corporation and will be adopted for the first time in the all-new compact SUV. Inside the all-new model, visitors can enjoy the sound system's characteristic, clear mid and high tones as well as lively bass."In this all-new model, we have further evolved the design to meet the needs of the compact SUV market, which has been growing in recent years," said Seiji Watanabe, division general manager of design, Mitsubishi Motors. "In addition to the robustness and powerfulness characteristic of Mitsubishi Motors, we have pursued a design that is more stylish, energetic, and distinctive than ever. At the upcoming GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show, we hope that even more customers will discover what Mitsubishi Motors has to offer and empathize with our design through this all-new compact SUV."Design of the All-New Compact SUV (World Premiere)Based on the design concept of Silky & Solid, the stylish yet powerful, authentic SUV design combines elegance and robustness, thereby realizing styling that creates a commanding presence in scenes from ASEAN cities to the great outdoors. The upper part of the body expresses an airy silkiness with a floating roof and a sleek surface that begins from the three-diamond emblem up front and flows along the side to the rear. The lower part of the body adopts the solid and powerful proportions of an SUV - the muscular fender flares express the agility of an athlete, while a top-class ground clearance of 222 mm(4) as well as 18-inch wheels and large-diameter tires enhance road handling on rough roads.At the front, the Dynamic Shield front face has been evolved in line with the design concept. Here, the design consisting of left and right bumpers that protect the front grille which symbolizes the performance of the powertrain, is three-dimensionally integrated to create a sporty front face with a sense of depth. The LED daytime running lights combine an L-shape with slitted accents to emit light in an iconic T-shape, making the SUV instantly recognizable as a Mitsubishi model even from a distance, while also emphasizing the wide stance.On the body sides, the rich, muscular surfaces combine with sculpted fender flares and character lines to express the strength and dynamism of the SUV. By adopting the same T-shaped design for the LED tail lights as the front, the rear attains a wide and stable look.Overview of the eK X EV (Indonesian Premiere)The eK X EV, an all-electric kei-car, is an EV variant of the eK X, a height-wagon kei-car. The eK X EV offers a spacious, pleasant cabin despite its small vehicle size, user-friendliness, the smooth and powerful driving unique to EVs, a quiet and comfortable ride, advanced driver assistance systems and connectivity.(1) August 10 is press day, and the show is open to the public from August 11 to 20. Mitsubishi Motors will hold a press conference at the Mitsubishi Motors booth in Hall 10 from 1:30pm (local time) on August 10.(2) Share owned: Mitsubishi Motors 51.0%, Mitsubishi Corporation 40.0%, Krama Yudha 9.0%(3) Kei-car is a vehicle category in Japan for microcars.(4) 18-inch tire models. Figure does not include under cover.About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation -- a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan--, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities around the world. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification -- launched the i-MiEV -- the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV -- the world's first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013.For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company's website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/ Despite recent claims to the contrary, there is little evidence that the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti is buried behind the walls of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Many questions have been raised lately about the idea that the tomb of Nefertiti is located behind the walls of Tutankhamuns Burial Chamber. The aim of this article is to investigate and examine this theory. I intend to focus on radar technology and its previous uses in locating tombs, referring to the opinions of scholars who have used radar technology in archaeological fieldwork as well as to general radar experts. I personally believe that it is highly unlikely that we will locate Nefertitis tomb using the recent study carried out with Japanese radar. Instead of relying on this study, I propose carrying out another radar study and appointing an expert committee to analyse and interpret the results. The hypothesis of British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves holds that there are chambers behind the walls of the Tomb of Tutankhamun that may house the burial of Nefertiti. Using shadowy lines that he imagines he can see in the high-resolution photographs of the burial chamber taken by the art conservation company Factum Arte, Reeves has constructed a theory that Tutankhamun took over several chambers within a larger tomb, that there is an undiscovered annex behind the west wall and a corridor behind the north wall of the tomb, and that these belong to the undiscovered tomb of Nefertiti. I believe that there is very little evidence for this theory and that the likelihood that there is another tomb beyond the walls of Tutankhamuns burial chamber is very low. Reeves has proposed that the northern and western walls of Tutankhamuns burial chamber conceal the tomb of Nefertiti. According to his hypothesis, KV62, the tomb now used for Tutankhamun, was originally made for her and was later converted into a tomb for Tutankhamun. He published his argument in 2015, and it may be summarised as follows. The furnishings found in KV62 include a group that was originally intended for the burial of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, and a larger group of items prepared for the use of Akhenatens coregent, Ankhkheperure Neferneferuaten, as attested by their inscriptions, iconography, and the feminine form of the human figure of the king. On the west wall of the burial chamber of the tomb, high-resolution scans made by Factum Arte for the creation of a replica of KV62 seem to show traces of straight, unnatural edges, specifically, from their matched heights, the twin jambs of a door frame. Natural traces in the wall seem to disappear exactly where the lintel of this hypothetical doorway would be. This shows that the original rock formation in the area of this doorway was no longer there, having been removed and replaced with artificial blocking. Traces of this sort exist elsewhere in the tomb, such as in the entrance from the burial chamber into the treasury, and also between the Antechamber and the annex. KV22, the tomb of Amenhotep III in the nearby Valley of the Monkeys, also has similar traces at the entrance to a room that archaeologists call Jbb. Reeves also proposes that the traditional orbital side rooms of 18th-Dynasty royal burial chambers were four in number, arranged at the positions of 2, 4, 8, and 10 oclock. KV62 features only two side rooms, not four. If one combines the burial chamber and the antechamber of the tomb into a single room, one of these orbital side rooms, the annex, is at the 8 oclock position, while the other, the treasury, is at 2 oclock. At 4 oclock is the entrance corridor. This leaves one room, that which should be at 10 oclock, missing. This happens to be exactly the position of the seemingly blocked and hidden door in the north wall of the burial chamber. The orbital side rooms were usually used for storage. However, that was not always the case, such as the example demonstrated in Amenhotep IIIs tomb, where one of the side rooms was enlarged... with the evident intention of receiving an interment that of Sitamun. Therefore, the hypothesised hidden 10 oclock side room in KV62 might have been made for the burial of additional members of the royal family. Reeves also noticed six traces of features on the western side of the north wall that line up precisely with the Antechambers west wall, suggesting that both the Antechamber and the burial chamber at one time were a single space in the form of a corridor. That these were once a corridor would mean that KV62 was formerly a corridor-tomb with a rightward axial turn, a feature of a queens tomb, such as tomb WAD, which was intended for Hatshepsut before she became king. Reeves suggests that the original KV62 corridor was narrow (about the width of the Entrance Corridor), and that it was widened to the current width of the Antechamber when Nefertiti became king so that a nest of large, gilded shrines, like those the British Egyptologist Howard Carter found around Tutankhamuns sarcophagus, could be brought into the tomb. When the tomb was used for Tutankhamun, the area now known as the burial chamber was further enlarged in a westward direction. Reeves explains that the north wall traces numbers 4 to 6 show the outlines of a doorway, including doorjambs and an approximate location of a lintel made evident by a rough layer of plaster applied in the area where he believes the lintel to be. He also cites the painted decoration of the burial chamber as evidence for his hypothesis. Based on analyses done by the Getty Conservation Institute in the US, Reeves says that the decoration on the north wall differs from that on the other three. On the south, east, and west walls, the base white paint layer was covered with a yellow background over which the ancient artists painted the figures. However, on the north wall, the artists painted the figures onto the white background. They then painted a yellow background around the figures. Also, unlike on the other walls, here the artists incised guidelines for the figures into the layer of plaster. The proportions of the figures on the north wall are also very different from those on the other three. More than three decades ago, Gay Robins of Emory University in the US compared the grids used to draw human figures in the Tombs of Tutankhamun and Ay with those in the Tombs of Horemheb and Ramesses I. This revealed that the figures on the north wall of KV62s Burial Chamber were done with a 20-square grid system that developed during the Amarna Period, rather than the traditional 18-square grid system. She interpreted this to indicate that the north wall and its decoration pre-date Tutankhamuns burial and were already in existence before the kings shrines were installed and the other walls were subsequently painted. Consequently, Reeves concludes, the purpose of the burial chambers north wall was as a blind to hide the existence of other chambers from robbers. The early 19th-century Egyptologist Giovanni Belzoni identified such a blind in the corridor of Seti Is tomb (KV17) in 1817. In a wall that looked like any other wall of the tomb, with painted figures of gods, he found a hole, beyond which the corridor continued. Such blinds concealed, and thus protected, the rest of a tomb and its precious contents. Based on the sum total of these many arguments, Reeves concludes that KV62 was originally intended for the burial of an Amarna Period queen. He sees evidence for this queen to have been specifically Nefertiti. PROBLEM OF IDENTIFICATION It is important to note that Carter worked in the Tomb of Tutankhamun for about 10 years, and it was then and is now common practice for archaeologists to investigate tomb walls in the hopes of finding hidden chambers behind them. Carter removed gypsum from five niches in the walls that contained magical bricks and would certainly have examined the northern and western walls carefully at that time. I find it very unlikely that Tutankhamuns tomb was put inside Nefertitis for a number of reasons. For one thing, it is more likely that the Tomb of Tutankhamun was originally a small tomb intended for Ay. However, because of Tutankhamuns sudden death, as demonstrated by the Egyptian Mummy Project, the Tomb of Ay might have been given to Tutankhamun because his own tomb was unfinished. One piece of evidence that supports this theory is the similarity between the scene on Tutankhamuns tomb western wall depicting the first hour of the night of the Imy-duat and the scene in Ays tomb in the Valley of the Monkeys. Other evidence is the floor level of the burial chamber in KV63. The doorway into the treasury was originally created at a height of 60 or 75 cm above the current floor level. It was lowered, along with the floor level of the entire room, to accommodate the height of Tutankhamuns shrines. The traces of the doorway in the north wall remain at the higher level. This indicates that the architect who prepared Tutankhamuns tomb, knowing that the shrines would have to fit here, changed the height of the room. If, as some scholars argue, these shrines had been made for Nefertiti, these should have fit in a tomb prepared for her. Lowering the floor (and widening the entrance corridor) would have been unnecessary, and the proposed doorway in the north wall thus would have been at the same level as the floor, rather than higher. I think that the tomb was originally unfinished and was never intended to hold any such huge funerary equipment. So, when the architect needed to adapt it for Tutankhamun, he naturally needed to adjust its dimensions for the enormous shrines made for the king. Reeves also suggests that the scene on the north wall of Tutankhamuns tomb showing Tutankhamuns successor Ay wearing the blue crown and the costume of a sem priest as he performs the Opening of the Mouth ritual on Tutankhamuns mummy originally showed Nefertitis ceremony, with Tutankhamun as the priest. He notes that the figure of Tutankhamun has the so-called ornamental groove, a line that extends downward on either side of the mouth. This is a feature found on sculptures of Nefertiti. The figure representing Ay in the Opening of the Mouth scene also has a double chin, a feature artists gave to Amarna children. Furthermore, Reeves observes that the image of Ay here differs from those found anywhere else. Thus, he deduces that the figure of Tutankhamun is actually an image of Nefertiti, and the figure of Ay is actually Tutankhamun, an Amarna child and Nefertitis successor. I do not find his reasoning at all convincing. If Reeves is correct, the names in the inscription above the figures would have been altered from Nefertiti and Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun and Ay. There is no evidence for such modification. We know that Tutankhamun, whose original name was Tutankhaten, was raised in Amarna, based on an inscription from two blocks found at Ashmonein that refers to Tutankhaten as the Kings Son of his Body, His Beloved, Tutankhaten. These blocks also seem to refer to Ankhesenpaaten, who became Tutankhamuns queen, as the daughter of the king. This title confirms that Tutankhaten was a direct descendant of a king and quite probably the son of Akhenaten, but there is no evidence that he was the son of the kings Great Wife, Nefertiti. It is also possible that Tutankhaten was married to Ankhesenpaaten before he ascended to the throne. It is strange that there is not a single scene of Tutankhamun at Amarna, although some scholars believe that the child held by a woman in a scene in the Alpha Room in Akhenatens Tomb could be Tutankhaten. Nefertiti appears at Amarna with her daughters, but never with Tutankhamun. DNA analysis carried out as part of the Egyptian Mummy Project indicates that the Younger Lady found in KV35 was the daughter of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye and was Tutankhamuns mother. There is no evidence that Nefertiti was the daughter of Amenhotep III and Tiye, and, as mentioned above, it is very unlikely that she was Tutankhamuns mother, since she never appears with him at Amarna (or anywhere else). We should also note that it is very unlikely that the priests of Amun would have allowed Nefertiti to build an elaborate tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Reeves also suggests that the holes in the ears of Tutankhamuns gold mask indicate that it was made for Nefertiti, because during that period ear piercing was only common among women. But in fact, the practice of ear piercing was very common among both genders, as shown by the fact that the mummy of Thutmose IV had pierced ears. There is no reason to assume that the earrings found in Tutankhamuns tomb (at least six pairs) were worn by Tutankhamun only when he was a child, as concluded by Reeves. In addition to the holes in the mask, which are used by Reeves to suggest that the mask was originally made for Nefertiti, there are holes, not just depressions, in the ears of the mummy. In addition, Reeves has attempted to confirm that the mask actually belonged to Nefertiti by arguing that the cartouche of Tutankhamuns throne name, Nebkheperure, was written over an earlier name, faint traces of which may be seen in high-resolution images. Reeves claims that he was able to see, merely from the high-resolution images of the mask, little traces of ankh, mer, and nfr signs. Thus, the erased traces of the name would only correspond to Ankhkheperure mr Neferkheperure, or beloved of Neferkheperure (Akhenaten), the predecessor of Tutankhamun. However, Christian Eckmann, who recently restored the mask at the Egyptian Museum, indicated in his talk at the annual Tutankhamun conference that took place in May 2016 that there are no traces of the name of Nefertiti on the mask. Another theory suggested by Reeves is that because Tutankhamuns Tomb is entered from the east and thus oriented towards the west, it was originally made for a queen, because in his opinion tombs belonging to queens are oriented towards the west. It is true that KV32, which belonged to a queen from the 18th Dynasty, is directed towards the west. However, in contrast KV42, which was originally made for Hatshepsut Meryet-Re, wife of Thutmose III, is accessed from the north, so oriented to the south, with her sarcophagus chamber oriented to the east. In addition, the tomb of Ay, KV23, is, like KV62, entered from the east, as is the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV 35). Overall, there does not seem to be any real consistency to the orientation of 18th-Dynasty tombs for either kings or queens, so this point does not provide convincing support for Reeves theory. RESEARCH RESULTS Let us take a look at the research results that have been assembled over the last few months. I agree completely with the recent statement by Khaled El-Enany saying that this matter needs more research, since none of the reports to date has confirmed the presence of anything behind the walls of Tutankhamuns burial chamber. So how can we compare this statement with previous accounts that assumed a 70 per cent chance of finding Nefertitis tomb behind the northern wall of Tutankhamuns tomb, and other more recent reports that have stated that there is a 90 per cent chance of a magnificent discovery? The latest press conference about the radar results from Reevess Japanese partners announced that the Japanese radar had found organic material and metal behind the north wall. This announcement cannot be considered reliable, because radar cannot distinguish organic material. This should raise questions concerning the accuracy of this result. Abbas Mohamed, who is a radar scientist and was present during the Japanese investigation, stated that the expert who designed the equipment is the only one who can interpret the data. As we know, scientific protocol requires that all data should be able to be read and interpreted by a number of specialists. Thus, from a scientific standpoint, the Japanese radar results cannot be considered to confirm any major discovery. I do not think that we have yet used any credible scientific method to prove or disprove Reeves theory. On the contrary, we have exposed the tomb to extensive photography and camera flashes, and many additional people have been in and out of the tomb, raising the humidity and endangering the decoration. Using this theory to publicise Egypt and promote tourism is not, in my opinion, a good thing at all. An incident that took place a few years ago in 2008 demonstrates how radar can create speculation. Reeves and the same Japanese radar expert who is working with him now in the Valley of the Kings had announced in 2000 that their investigation had located a tomb in front of Tutankhamuns tomb. Reeves put this on his personal website and called it KV63, and also identified another tomb that he called KV64. When we began working in the Valley of the Kings in 2008, we decided to excavate the area in front of the tomb of Tutankhamun. We excavated there thoroughly and what Reeves and his radar expert had assumed to be a tomb turned out to be a crack in the solid rock. When the late Otto Schaden found the actual KV63 in 2005-2006, Reeves announced that he had made the discovery earlier, even though the KV63 he had identified was not the KV63 discovered by Schaden. Unfortunately, Reeves claim that he had discovered KV63 was so widely disseminated that recently some antiquities authorities were able to be convinced that the discovery originally belonged to Reeves. These authorities did not consider any of Schadens publications, or the verifications that were given to him by the Egyptian Permanent Committee. The real KV64 also was later discovered in another location in the Valley, not where the Japanese radar had suggested. Back in Tutankhamuns tomb, the US radar that was used by National Geographic after the Japanese radar neither confirmed nor refuted the results of the Japanese radar study. The radar survey that was planned to be done from above the Tomb would have been pointless, since we already have data from radar operated by Glen Dash, who made a survey in this area from 2008-2009 and did not find anything new, although he surveyed about 10,000 km in the valley. Dash, who in 1996 established the Glen Dash Foundation for Archaeological Research, is an electrical engineer who applies remote-sensing technologies to archaeological problems. Regarding the present theory, Dash has emphasised that the best target for radar examination is not the proposed new annex or chamber, but the possible sealed doorways leading into them, which would produce distinctive images. Dash has published an academic article explaining the theory and the evidence provided by the recent Japanese radar survey. I will use two illustrations to demonstrate his point of view. The first is what the Japanese team put into the computer based on the theory that suggests that there is an annex behind the west wall of the tomb. If there is any sort of masonry making up a doorway or partition wall, the radar signal should be scattered. If Reevess proposed new annex and new corridor exist, they should be readily detectable. The best targets are therefore not Reeves proposed hidden spaces themselves, but the walls and doorways blocking them. The masonry in blocked doors and making up partition walls scatters the radar signal and leaves a distinctive signature. Walls one cubit thick should show up distinctly. No doorways or partition walls mean no hidden tomb. I think that we should also consider the opinion of Egyptologist Christian Leblanc and take his advice into consideration, as he has worked extensively in the Valley of the Queens and has advised us not to pursue hallucinations regarding Tutankhamun. Leblanc, who was excavating in the Valley of the Queens during his early career, found a shaft and inside it was a sealed door. When he opened it, there was nothing behind it. This should be a lesson for us, so that we do not unduly speculate before we carry out extensive archaeological work. Some people asked for my opinion before the radar investigation was carried out. I told them that we should test the Japanese radar by taking it to the tomb of Ramses II, where we know there are still sealed chambers, and only if the radar located hidden chambers there should we permit its use inside Tutankhamuns tomb. Then we should use a second radar for a second opinion. After that, we should appoint a committee of experts on the 18th Dynasty and other radar specialists, and only they should have a say on what to do next, either to end discussion on the subject or continue with research. Unfortunately, the antiquities authorities who permitted the investigation entered KV5 (the tomb of the sons of Ramses II) instead of Ramses IIs tomb. After one hour the radar was moved to KV62, and an hour later a press conference was held announcing a 70 per cent possibility of finding a chamber behind the north wall of Tutankhamuns tomb. Many people raised questions regarding how we should proceed if the experts agreed that there was a chamber behind the north wall. The antiquities authorities were granted permission from the Egyptian Permanent Committee to drill from the treasury but were told to keep this confidential. The authorities said that because Zahi Hawass had drilled in the Great Pyramid, they could do the same. However, there is a big difference between the Great Pyramid, where the Abbasid caliph Maamoun, son of Haroun Al-Rashid, moved thousands of blocks, and the Tomb of Tutankhamun, which has painted scenes that any drilling could damage. In fact, I think that before asking for permission from the Permanent Committee to drill, we should first be sure that the drilling would not affect the painted scenes in the Burial Chamber. After the Japanese expert Mr Watanabe delivered a presentation at the second Tutankhamun Conference, he conveyed his conclusions from his radar investigation. He believes that his scan has revealed an area of void. However, his radar data has not been made available for independent review and processing. On the other hand, the radar scanning that was conducted did not find any evidence for voids behind any of the tomb walls. The data of the second radar survey was made available to the international community. Because we have two contradictory results, I propose that further investigation be conducted to use a third radar system specially designed for archaeology and this particular site. A committee of both foreign and Egyptian experts in Egyptology and remote-sensing should review the new data and the future of this research project. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Ceramic and Traditional Handicrafts Centre 1 Al-Imam St, behind Amr bin Al-Aas Mosque, Al-Fustat, Old Cairo, Tel 02 2364 3103 Every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, 10am-4pm: The handicrafts courses of Jameel House of Traditional Arts Cairo, in cooperation with the Prince Charless Foundation School of Traditional Arts. Weekly from Sunday to Wednesday, 10am-4pm: The fourth edition of the presidential initiative Egypts Artisans. Diwan Bookstore Diplomats Village 3, North Coast, Alexandria Sat 5, 1pm: An open discussion with bestselling novelist Reem Bassiouny. ALEXANDRIA Bibliotheca Alexandrina Port Said St, Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999 Under the title Inheritance of the Ancestors, Bibliotheca Alexandrina offers, through its Museum of Manuscripts of the Cultural Communication Sector, a series of free lectures and workshops for children and school students aging from 10 to 14 years old. This is during the summer vacation from the 21 June to 30 August, at 10am. The lectures aim to introduce UNESCO, its objectives and role in preserving heritage and the number of sites registered in UNESCO. In addition to introducing the child and youth to the meaning of heritage and its types of tangible and intangible heritage, natural and cultural heritage such as temples, archaeological sites, popular proverbs, folk dance, and natural areas. It will also display the heritage of the Arabs which we still use in our daily life such as coffee, public baths, fountains, textiles, shoes, and chess. Please note that reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis through the website, and reservation will be confirmed by contacting the participants http://manuscriptsmuseum.bibalex.org/Presen.../Homepage.aspx * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 August, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Male infertility diagnoses have increased 2.5 times over the last 10 years, partly because of changing marriage patterns and partly because of growing awareness. The number of men diagnosed with infertility rose from 26,682 in 2008 to 67,270 in 2018, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Tuesday. But the number of women diagnosed with infertility dropped to 135,268 last year after peaking at 162,921 in 2015. Health officials attribute the increase to people getting married later and planning their families more carefully. The average age of first marriage for men rose from 27.8 years in 1990 to 30.1 years in 2003 and 33.2 years in 2018. "Men normally maintain peak fertility until their mid-40s, but it drops as they get older," said Prof. Choi Young-sik at Yonsei University's Severance Hospital in Seoul. Other reasons include stress and exposure to various environmental hormones. But growing awareness is also a factor. An increasing number of single men visit hospitals to check their sperm count or viability these days as infertility is now seen as a problem of both men and women. "In the past, many couples tended to assume infertility was the woman's fault and only found out that the man was the cause when they went to hospital for artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilization, but now men also consult doctors more actively," said Prof. Bae Woong-jin at St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also the military's commander-in-chief, appointed a new head of the armed force overseeing the nation's conventional and nuclear missiles, Monday, one day before the anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. Wang Houbin, former deputy commander of the navy, was named the new head of the PLA Rocket Force, and Xu Xisheng, its new political commissar, with both men acquiring the top rank of general, according to state media. Until his move to the PLA Rocket Force, Wang had been deputy commander of the navy since 2020. He was previously also the deputy chief of staff for the navy. In a statement released to TMZ, the cloud family honoured Angus with a message to his fans: "It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways." BJP workers hold meeting to discuss Assembly poll strategy Staff Reporter The Bharatiya Janata Party organized a party workers meet in Cantt. North and East Assemblies to discuss strategy for ensuing Assembly elections and other party affairs. Member of Parliament Rakesh Singh, Rajya Sabha member Sumitra Valmiki, City President, Prabhat Sahu and MLA Ashok Rohani addressed the party workers at the convention. Speaking on the occasion, MP Singh said the BJP-led governments, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the center and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the state have taken the country and the state on the path of progress. He expressed confidence that with the constant efforts of the party workers, BJP will form the government in Madhya Pradesh and the country. Expressing views on the occasion, MLA Ashok Rohani said our party is worker-centric and its on the strength of our workers that we win elections. He expressed confidence that every booth in the Cantt. Assembly is strong and in the coming times, we will fulfill the dreams of our senior leaders. City President Prabhat Sahu said that workers meets have been organized in all Assembly constituencies of Madhya Pradesh as per the State organizations call. Recently, such conventions were held in three constituencies of Jabalpur, where the party workers pledged to work together to ensure BJPs victory in the Assembly elections. Singh stressed that the BJP is a party built on the foundation of its workers, who are our strength and assets. He credited the hard work and dedication of these workers for the BJPs majority governments in the state and the country. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the sensitive governance of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who have implemented various schemes for the upliftment of poor, farmers, laborers, backward communities, tribals, dalits and women. President Yoon Suk-yeol will go on his summer vacation from Wednesday until next Tuesday. A presidential official said, "The president has suffered a heavy workload including overseas trips and needs a rest." He added Yoon "took advice from staff" to go on vacation. Collector asks MahaGenco to dump fly ash in stone quarries Staff Reporter In an effort to curb the regular breaching of fly ash bunds in Koradi and Khaperkheda areas due to the dumping of fly ash by thermal power stations, the district administration has asked MahaGenco to dump fly ash in the quarries that come under the jurisdiction of the administration. MahaGenco is bound for 100 per cent utilisation of its fly ash. However, it failed to utilise it completely, due to which the frequent breaching of ash bund takes place during monsoon, Dr Vipin Itankar told The Hitavada on Monday. A show cause notice has been served to MahaGenco after the recent Waregaon ash bund collapse in Khaperkheda. MahaGenco has replied that it has already floated a tender regarding lifting of fly ash and also signed an MoU with Indian Railway to transport fly ash through trains, said the Collector. District Administration is also ready to allow MahaGenco to dump its fly ash in stone quarries and other such quarries in the district to quick removal of fly ash from bunds, said Dr Itankar. Commission agents oppose entry fee on vehicles in Kalamna Market Yard Business Bureau THE Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Nagpur, Kalamna Market Yard has issued a notice dated July 26, 2023 to all the commission agents, traders, farmers and general public that it will be charging entry fee on large and small vehicles coming in the marketyard from August 1. According to the notice, APMC Nagpur will be charging a daily entry fee of Rs 10 and monthly fee of Rs 250 on large vehicles and daily entry fee of Rs 5 and monthly fee of Rs 100 on small vehicles, respectively. Kanda Batata Bazar Aditya Welfare Association President Gaurav Harde had demanded the APMC Nagpur to withdraw the new rule immediately as it will discourage farmers from bringing their agriculture produce to the Kalamna Market Yard. At present the agents are operating on lower volumes than normal, he said. Before passing such a notice the APMC Nagpur should have consulted commission agent and traders associations operating in Kalamna Market Yard. In this regard, the association has sent a letter demanding the withdrawal of the entry fee which is being imposed from August 1. He threatened, If the demands are not met all the commission agents and traders will go on strike in protest of the entry fee. Talking to a senior APMC official on the condition of anonymity, said that the entry fee clause is included in the by-laws of the APMC Act, but had not be implemented till now. This rule is being implemented to maintain the inward and outward vehicle information, and other relevant details which are not being properly maintained. APMC has awarded the responsibility to a third party on contract basis, he said without sharing the details of tendering process or name of the third party. Communal tension in Haryana GURUGRAM/CHANDIGARH, TWO home guards were killed and at least 15 others, including several policemen, were injured on Monday as a mob in Haryanas Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, police said. As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spreads, mobs in adjoining Gurugram districts Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, apparently belonging to people from that community. Protesters blocked a road for hours. About 2,500 men, women and children who had taken shelter at a Shiv temple in Nuh were evacuated by police, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said. Prohibitory order banning the assembly of people were clamped in Nuh and Gurugram districts. The Union Home Ministry said it is dispatching 15 additional companies of central forces to Haryana, as violence also erupted in Sohna in neighbouring Gurugram district, adjacent to Delhi. Another police officer confirmed that one of the home guards, identified as Neeraj, died due to a gunshot wound. Police said the vehicles set ablaze were part of the procession, or belonged to them. A video clip showed at least four cars on fire. Another purported video showed two damaged police cars. The clip contained sound of gunfire. Police lobbed teargas shells in an attempt to disperse the mobs. Mobile Internet services were suspended in Nuh district till Wednesday to contain the intense communal tension, the Haryana Government said. State Home Minister Vij said the State Government has despatched additional forces from neighbouring districts. We are also trying to send forces by helicopter, he told PTI. According to police, VHPs Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra was stopped by a group of young men near Nuhs Khedla Mod and stones pelted at the procession. Cars were then set ablaze. People in the procession also hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them, reports said. Govt derecognises two social work colleges Staff Reporter The Social Welfare Commissioner of Maharashtra Om Prakash Bakoria has withdrawn the recognition of two social work colleges of Nagpur region. One college is Kamptee Social Work College, Kamptee, district Nagpur and other is Aniket Social Work College, Wardha. The reasons for withdrawal of recognition of both colleges are different. But the authority noticed mismanagement in both the colleges. Kamptee College is being run by Lord Buddha Sariputra Dnyan Prasarak Sanstha, registered at Brahmapuri in Chandrapur district. The orders of withdrawal of recognition were issued on different dates. In case of Kamptee College, the orders were issued on July 27, 2023 and for Wardha on July 14, 2023. The enquiry committee that submitted the report mentioned 11 points and had recommended that Administrator should be appointed on the institution. The committee has pointed out that the college was being run by self-declared committees. Retired Registrar of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Dr Puran Meshram was the President of the education society that started the college. The other body had removed Puran Meshram when 9 members voted against him and Ratna Khobragade was made Working President. Accordingly, the Management had informed the changes to RTMNU with a request to stop the recruitment finalised under Meshram. The Secretary Santosh Ramteke levelled allegations against Meshram of manipulating the affairs. Govt to fill one lakh posts in one year: CM Staff Reporter Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that recruitments on one lakh Government posts will be done in the State in a year, out of which appointments on about 60,000 posts have been given. The people of the state are my family and I try to run the Government like a family. The poor and labourers are God for us. You have been selected in government service to serve them. It is our responsibility to provide social security to the poor and labourers, to provide them a healthy and safe working environment. CM was addressing the appointment letter distribution programme of Excise, Labour and Co-operative Department. CM Chouhan inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp at the residence office. He distributed appointment letters to the newly appointed government servants and extended best wishes. The CM said that on last August 15, I had talked about recruitment on one lakh posts in a year. This recruitment drive is going on continuously. So far, 60,000 people have been given appointments. Todays appointments are also included in this. It has been our commitment that recruitment in government service should be done on the basis of transparency, honesty and merit. All of you have been selected on the basis of merit, so you all deserve congratulations. After taking charge in government service, the departmental schemes and programmes will be implemented through you only. May you discharge this responsibility successfully, this is my blessing and best wishes. I expect you to discharge your responsibilities with the feeling that we are not only for ourselves, but for the people and the state. Government service means service to the public and the development of the state and the country. And the sense of responsibility should always remain in the mind. The progress and development of the state depends on you. The successful implementation of public welfare schemes and programmes also depends on you. Responsibilities of the Co-operative, Labour and Excise Department are important He said that the Co-operative Department is an important department related to social concern. The department is contributing to the development of the people and the state by providing financial services to rural and remote areas. Labour Department is important from the point of view of providing healthy and safe working environment to the workers. It is necessary to be vigilant, especially with respect to that the workers of the unorganised sector are not exploited. The Excise Department has a dual responsibility. It is necessary for the employees of the department to always be alert for drug control and to prevent sale of illegal liquor. The officers and employees of this department should take a pledge that they will not allow illegal activities to be carried out and will make every possible effort to safeguard the revenue of the state. In the new excise policy, a decision has been taken to close the Ahatats and its successful implementation has been done. To control addiction, the mindset of the people will have to be improved and work of raising public awareness will also have to be done. State is on the path of progress: Chouhan said that the state is moving on the path of development and progress. The per capita income which used to be Rs 11,000 in the year 2002-03 has now increased to Rs 1.40 lakh. GSDP is 15 lakh crore and the budget of the state is 3.15 crore. There has been a lot of improvement in the field of entire infrastructure including road, water, electricity. Along with this, activities are being conducted with sensitivity in the departments having social concerns. Appointment letters distributed to a total of 741: Appointment letters were distributed to a total of 741 candidates in the programme. Appointment letters were given to 340 excise constables in the Excise Department, 347 clerks and computer operators in the Co-operative Department and 54 candidates for the posts of Insurance Medical Officer, Pharmacist, Assistant Grade 3 and Safai Sevak in the Labour Department. Principal Secretary Co-operation Umakant Umrao, Principal Secretary Commercial Taxes. Deepali Rastogi, Excise Commissioner O P Srivastava, Managing Director Apex Bank PS Tiwari and selected candidates were present. IGNOBLE EVERY Indian should vehemently oppose the suggestion of Mr. Paolienlal Haokip, Kuki leader and Manipur MLA of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). For, his suggestion of dividing Manipur into three separate Union Territories is fraught with risk of sacrificing national integration at the altar of identity politics. The latest round of violence and unholy incidents in the jewelled land of Manipur is unfortunate. More unfortunate is the politics being played around it to fan the separatist sentiments. Even at the cost of repetition, it must be mentioned here that the clash between Meiteis living in geographically smaller valley area, and the Kukis and Nagas living in the geographically larger hills area, is not new to Manipur. In pre-British era history, the people of the prosperous valley used to pay Posa -- a sort of bargain under which the people of the valley used to give a share of crops to the tribals in the hills, who, in return, promised not to attack or loot the valley. The British viewed it as blackmail, but continued with it. Sadly, after so many years, increased level of awareness and a long distance progressive travel since those olden days of uncivilised existence, ethnic separation is far from over. Mr. Haokips statement indicates this spirit of separatism only. It is surprising that Mr. Paolienlal Haokip, who had made the statement from ignorant confrontation to informed co-operation his election slogan, forgot the co-operation part in the wake of conflict. Rather, he alleged complicity of State in violence. Thus, when it came to ethnicity, Mr. Haokip took the side of identity politics. This is unfortunate. As a legislator, its his duty to come forward to restore peace and not to further separatism. But, his suggestion of dividing Manipur into three Union Territories clearly reflects how deep is he into identity politics. More dangerous is his advocacy of political and administrative recognition to ethnic separation. Separation? So, clearly advocated! This is against the spirit of the Constitution of India that enshrines the principles of unity, integrity, and fraternity. The Constitution reminds the State to rise above petty identities and foster the spirit of unity. It has already specified the Union Territories formed with specific purposes. However, it does not lay emphasis on forming Union Territories on the basis of ethnic separation. Mr. Haokips suggestion indicates that he has become a part of the ignorant confrontation. Already, there are forces active in fomenting trouble in Manipur in particular and the North-East in general. Their interest in reaching out to identity groups is not to convince them for peaceful co-existence as responsible Indian citizens, but to utilise such groups for own political goals. Such elements are fuelling separatism in a subtle way. Mr. Haokip and the likes appear to be influenced by such divisive agenda. If his demand for recognition of ethnic separation is ceded to, it will have a negative impact on national integrity. For, thanks to divisive political forces, other such groups in different parts of the country will start raising similar demands pushing the country into internal turmoil. Enemies of a rising India may wish to take advantage of it. At this juncture, when Indias collective future is bright, she cannot afford to succumb to such separatist demands. Hence, Mr Paolienlal Haokips suggestion must be viewed with deserving disdain and as nothing but ignoble and part of a nefarious political agenda to divide the country into identities. This is time to pay heed to the leaders who speak the language of peaceful co-existence, mutual co-operation, trust, and confidence building measures while creating space for everyone to participate in the mainstream of development with national interest at the core. Lady doctor ends life in rented accommodation allegedly using anaesthesia Staff Reporter A 27-year-old doctor in Hamidia Hospital was found dead in her rented accommodation on Monday. The deceased Saraswati, was a post-graduate student in the Gynaecology Department at the Gandhi Medical college (GMC), said police. The cops found three empty injections, one of anaesthesia, around the scene. Police suspect overdose of anaesthesia behind her death. The Kohefiza police have begun a probe into the incident. Police said the medical reports found from the scene suggest she was also pregnant. Doctor Saraswati Bala lived with her husband Jaivardhan Chowdhary in a flat at Kahkasha Apartment. It was around 07:30 am Saraswatis husband Jaivardhan found her lying unconscious in their flat. He tried to revive her and raised alarm as she was not responding. Her husband rushed her to hospital where doctors pronounced her dead. The cops were informed and the body was sent for post-mortem. Police said that her PG was to end within six months. Her husband is a civil services aspirant, said the police. Kohefiza police said that doctor Saraswati was a resident of Andhra Pradesh and had shifted to the flat only six months ago. Their neighbours claimed to police that they did not hear anything that indicates she was in trouble. They said they never heard them fighting or even arguing in their statements to the police. On the other hand the cops also questioned her colleagues and batch mates. SHO Vijay Singh said that the doctor shifted in the flat only six months ago. She had come to Bhopal from her native state in 2021, added the cop. He said that only the couple lived in the flat. The police have called her relatives who will reach Bhopal. SHO Singh said that her family lives in Bengaluru and their statements are likely to throw some light into what drove her to take the extreme step. One of the doctors in Hamidia said that she had not been able to appear in exam and had not been able to complete her thesis this year. Liquor Scam: ED files FIR against 3 IAS, Raipur Mayors brother Staff Reporter Raipur, In a discreet move, which has now turned into a major development in Chhattisgarh, Raipur-based Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against three senior bureaucrats of Chhattisgarh Government, including two IAS officers, one ITS, a Noida-based businessman and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebars elder brother Anwar Dhebar, into alleged 2,000 crore liquor scam. The news of a fresh move by the federal agency surfaced from Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, where a local police station has registered an offence under multiple charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, against all the five persons. The fresh development took aback everyone on Monday morning, including the senior bureaucrats and police officers of Chhattisgarh. The FIR copy, which has been accessed by this newspaper, was lodged with Kasna police station, under the jurisdiction Greater Noida Commissionerate, Gautam Budh Nagar. The complainant in the FIR has been identified as Hemant, one of the Deputy Directors, posted with Raipur-based ED Office, which is investigating into the scam-linked with money laundering to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. The money-laundering case stems from a 2022 Income Tax Department prosecution complaint filed against Tuteja and 14 others before a Delhi court. As per the FIR, the five accused named in the case includes IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Arun Pati Tripathi, an Indian Telecom Service (ITS) cadre officer and Special Secretary in Excise Department, another IAS officer and Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das, Vidhu Gupta, Managing Director of M/s Prizm Holography, Security Films Private Limited and finally, Anwar Dhebar, elder brother of Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar and a renowned realtor of Capital city. It is pertinent here to recall that the ED had arrested Tripathi and Dhebar in the case earlier. The ED had claimed that Arun Pati Tripathi, who was arrested on May 12, through his direct actions at the insistence of Anwar Dhebar, had corrupted the entire liquor system of Chhattisgarh to maximise corruption in the department. Arun Pati Tripathi had played a crucial role in meticulous shaping, planning and execution of the scam, which took place between 2019 and 2022. Tripathi, basically an Indian Telecom Services (ITS) cadre officer, who had been working in Chhattisgarh for past over 7 years, was Managing Director of state body - Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) and also held the charge of Special Secretary, Excise Department, Chhattisgarh, the ED had maintained in its findings during the probe of the scam. In the FIR spanning to 10 pages, the complainant said that the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is investigating a money laundering case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) linked with the liquor scam in the State of Chhattisgarh (file No - ECIR/RPZO/11/2022. Investigation under PMLA has revealed that one company namely M/s Prizm Holography Security Films Pvt Ltd based at Noida was illegally granted a tender to supply Hologram To the Excise Department of Chhattisgarh. The company was not eligible to participate in the tender process, but in connivance with the companys owners, the senior officials of the State of Chhattisgarh namely Arun Pati Tripathi ITS (Special Secretary Excise), Niranjan Das IAS (Excise Commissioner), Anil Tuteja IAS, modified the tender conditions and illegally allotted the tender to M/s Prizm Holography Security Films Pvt Ltd Noida, he maintained. As a quid pro quo, they took commission of 8 paisa per Hologram and also took a commitment to supply unaccounted duplicate Holograms to carry out a sinister crime of selling illegal Country Liquor bottles from State-run shops in Chhattisgarh. The Hologram was in fact a safety feature to ensure that authenticated liquor is sold in the State. But the actions of M/s Prizm Holography in manufacturing duplicate Holograms at Noida, allowed the Liquor Syndicate to use the very same safety feature, to fool the gullible general consumers. ED investigation has revealed that tender was allotted to this company as part of a criminal conspiracy. M/s Prizm Holography Security Films Pvt Ltd (M/s PHSF from here on) was granted the tender in order to ensure smooth supply of duplicate holograms to the liquor syndicate. The Holograms were made at Noida factory, and then transported to Chhattisgarh as per the instructions from the Liquor Syndicate leaders. The syndicate as part of the arrangement allotted the contract of supplying 80 crore holograms in 5 years at a highly inflated price to M/s PHSF in return for on-demand supply of duplicate holograms, the complainant alleged while explaining the chronology. The complainant also referred to the statement of Vidhu Gupta, Managing Director of M/s Prizm Holography, Security Films Private Limited, recorded under Section 50 of PMLA, wherein he admitted has admitted to his role and admitted that both the original and duplicate holograms were manufactured in their Noida factory premises at A2/32-33,Site 5 UPSIDC, Kasana, Greater Noida, UP. As per his admission u/s 50 of PMLA 2002 (which is a quasi judicial proceeding) he supplied the original holograms to the Excise Office inserting serial numbers at their end whereas the duplicate holograms with pre-inserted were fully completed at their Noida factory premises and were later transported to syndicate operatives. The complainant also went on to add, Investigation conducted by the directorate also revealed that multiple companies challenged the allotment of hologram tender to M/s Prizm Holography Films Securities Pvt Ltd Noida. However, the complaints were brushed aside by active collusion of Arun Pati Tripathi ITS, Anil Tuteja IAS, Niranjan Das IAS and Anwar Dhebar. The complainant also revealed in the police FIR that ED investigation has found that the firm also supplied duplicate holograms to the state of Jharkhand as well. Based on the complaint, an offence under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 420, 468, 471, 473, 484 and 120 B, which amounts to criminal charges of cheating, forgery, making or possessing counterfeit seal for forgery, counterfeiting mark used by public servant and criminal conspiracy, was registered by Kasna police station of Greater Noida. Muslim side should accept historical mistake in Gyanvapi complex: Yogi LUCKNOW, AMIDST the controversy over the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that labelling Gyanvapi as a mosque complex will only lead to controversy and that the Muslim side should accept its historical mistake and offer a solution. If we call it a mosque, there will be a dispute. We should just call it Gyanvapi. I feel whoever has been blessed with sight by God, that person should see. What is a trishul (trident) doing inside a mosque? We did not put it there. There is security inside, there are Central forces. There is a jyotirlinga, dev pratimas (idols), Yogi Adityanath said in a podcast interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash aired on Monday. Adityanath, who is also the head priest of Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur said that physical, scriptural and other archaeological evidence inside the mosque should not be overlooked. You can twist history but not the historic evidence that the walls (of Gyanvapi) are screaming and saying, the Chief Minister said. I feel that a proposal should also come from the Muslim side accepting that there has been a historical mistake and that they should come up with a solution, Adityanath said. The Allahabad High Court is expected to give a verdict on a petition against a lower court order for a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India inside the mosque complex, except the wuzukhana (fountain). A ruling on the petition is likely on August 3. The matter took centrestage when on May 16, last year, during the court-mandated survey, a structure claimed to be a Shivling by the Hindu side and a fountain by the Muslim side was found in the premises. Meanwhile in the interview with ANI, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that he will appeal to the Muslims community that today we should be talking about development. We can all see the plight of Pakistan. Those who sow thorns for others will themselves suffer the pain. Whatever is happening in Pakistan today is the result of what they sowed. Today Pakistan is riddled with hunger and is battling its misdeeds. That is why we should not repeat our previous mistakes, Adityanath said. Meanwhile, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi has lashed out at Adityanaths remarks on the Gyanvapi issue stating that its a judicial overreach. The AIMIM chief, a staunch critic of Yogi said that despite knowing that the matter is sub-judice he is making such a controversial statement which is directly a judicial overreach. Chief minister Yogi knows that the Muslim side has opposed the ASI survey in Allahabad High Court and the judgement will be delivered in a few days, still, he gave such a controversial statement, this is judicial overreach, said Owaisi. Operation Black Thunder, Rajiv-Longowal Accord and withering away of militancy By Kartik Lokhande : The Khalistan Files -- V The bloody chain of events triggered by Khalistani separatism and actions to crush it continued even after Bhindranwale was eliminated. Some other Khalistan supporters in India tried to emulate Bhindranwale by occupying the Golden Temple Complex once again in 1988. However, this time, a well calibrated response and drawing right lessons from immediate history worked well for the country in general and Punjab in particular. This time, KPS Gill was Director General of Punjab Police. He advised Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister, against entering the holy precincts. Instead, he devised a brilliant Operation Black Thunder under which the Punjab Police, National Security Guards, CRPF, and other paramilitary units simply surrounded the precincts and played a game of patience while not allowing anyone to move in or out of the complex and not allowing food to go in. The terrorists tired out, and surrendered within seven days. Media was allowed to cover the entire thing. Mediapersons showed to the world the scenes of the holy precincts after the terrorists had surrendered. The scenes left many Sikhs disgusted and from this moment onwards, Khalistanis support base started dwindling. As the media had shown, the terrorists had misused the Golden Temple complex. As per one account, they had defecated at many places and the whole place was stinking. An important development came in 1985. Rajiv Gandhi and Sant Harcharan Singh Longowal signed The Punjab Accord on July 24, 1985. As per the accord, also known as Rajiv-Longowal Accord, the Government accepted the demands of the Akali Dal. In return, the Akali Dal agreed to withdraw its agitation. Most of the accord points saw implementation by the successive Governments, except for a couple of inter-State issues like river-water sharing. An incident a few years later, in 1992, also withered away sympathy for Khalistanis. It was the death of Sukhdev Singh Babbar, head of the Indian Babbar Khalsa, in an encounter on August 19, 1992. He used to speak the language of enforcing on Sikhs strict codes of conduct, but a large section of Sikhs was disgusted to find that he had a woman companion in his car that had a mini bar too. The contrast between what they preached and how they conducted themselves, weaned away support for Khalistanis in India. Still, some or the other way, Khalistanis continued with their activity. Their last dreadful act was assassination of Beant Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, in 1995. One must give full credit to Sikh community for coming out of the disturbing phase and engaging itself meaningfully and contributing constructively to Indias progress. In the words of iconic journalist and Sikh historian Khushwant Singh, By the end of 1995, Sikh militancy more or less came to an end. The overwhelming majority of Sikhs, who had never been sympathetic to the Khalistan call, were somehow able to put aside the bloodshed and bitterness, and return to the mainstream. That took courage of a different kind and showed that the bonds binding Hindus and Sikhs, though strained, had not been irretrievably broken. Dr Manmohan Singh rose to become the Prime Minister years later, and General J J Singh became the chief of the Indian Army. Incidentally, after 21 years in exile, Dr Chauhan returned to India in 2001 and died in 2007. He had formed Khalsa Raj Party, but failed to muster support of Sikhs who remained true to their Indian roots. This gave an impression that the dark chapter in Indian history was hopefully over. But, the Khalistan conspiracy kept brewing against India, in foreign countries. (To be concluded) The government plans to install drone defenses at 24 major installations including nuclear power plants, airports and refineries by the end of this year to thwart North Korean attacks, it said Monday. The automated systems will be able to stop smaller drones by spotting them on radar or radio frequency scanners and sending jamming signals that cause them to crash. The technology is already in use at some international airports. Parlt adjourned amid protest over Manipur NEW DELHI : THE Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day on Monday following protests by the Opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the Manipur issue. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday as the Opposition kept insisting on a discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the House. As the House reassembled at 3.30 pm after witnessing four adjournments earlier in the day, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the Government is ready for a discussion on the situation in strife-torn Manipur right now. He asked the Opposition members who were protesting in the House to return to their seats so that the discussion could be initiated. However, the Opposition members kept shouting over their demand for a discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267. Dhankhar said, We are not setting a good example for the nation. The entire nation is watching us. The Government is ready for a discussion on Manipur. Terming it as most unfortunate, the chairman said from July 20 (when the Monsoon session of Parliament started), the time of the House has not been utilised. People have to pay for this.... We are ridiculing ourselves, sending a very dangerous signal to the world outside, he said, adding that as the Upper House, the Rajya Sabha has to set an example for serving public interest. Appealing to the agitating members to take their seats, Dhankhar said, We are far from this at the moment. When the Lok Sabha met at 11 am, Speaker Om Birla announced that a parliamentary delegation from Malawi is visiting India and they are watching the proceedings of the House. He welcomed the foreign delegation and wished them a pleasant stay in the country. As he completed his speech, the Opposition members were on their feet demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on Manipur violence. Soon they came to the well of the House showing placards and raising slogans against the Government. The Speaker initially ignored their protests and continued the Question Hour, which was the scheduled business. Sahel Coups By Gwynne Dyer IF YOU are a democratically elected leader in one of Africas Sahel countries lets say, Niger and you suspect that the Army is plotting to overthrow you, whats the best counter-measure? Should you: A) Appoint all the Armys senior officers as ambassadors to distant countries (with lavish salaries), and replace them with more junior officers who will be loyal to you? B) Raise and arm your own party militia to protect you from the Army? C) Hire the Wagner Group (prop. Yevgeny Prigozhin) to keep your Army in line? Alas, there is no good answer. Shuffling the Armys officers around might buy you a year or so, but the new set of senior officers will soon develop the same ambitions to replace you that the old ones had. Setting up your own party militia will be seen by the Army (quite rightly) as an attempt to replace them, and will probably end up in a civil war. Bringing in the Russians may be the best short-term solution, as the Wagner Group are much tougher than your own soldiers and can be usually be paid in mineral rights. However, all Western aid will be cut off, and you can expect to have the French and US Intelligence services intriguing to overthrow you instead. Soon-to-be-ex-President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger didnt do any of these things, so he is now a prisoner in his own palace, overthrown by the head of the Presidential Guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani. (The latter now calls himself President, but most democratic countries in Africa still see Bazoum as Nigers legitimate President.) According to a leading local newspaper, LEnqueteur, Bazoum tried to remove Tchiani as his job without offering him some other desirable, well-paid post like ambassador. Head of the Presidential Guard was Tchianis one big chance to rise, so what would you expect him to do? Niger is not a land of abundant second chances. From the number of Russian flags that have appeared in the streets of Niamey, Nigers capital, since the coup, it seems likely that General Tchiani got in touch with the Wagner Group instead. Its the Great Game again, this time with the Russians on one side and the Americans and the French on the other. Most of Africa is not like this, and the African Union is really pushing back hard against this coup. It has given the coup plotters fifteen days to return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority. If they refuse, the African Union will take necessary action, including punitive measures against the perpetrators. What those might be remains to be seen, but why is it always the Sahel, the band of semi-desert land south of the Sahara running across Africa at its widest? In the first decades after independence in the 1960s there were occasional military coups elsewhere in the continent, but in the past quarter-century they have been concentrated in the Sahel region. Its getting even more extreme. Of the fourteen military coups and attempted coups in Africa in the past three years, twelve have been in what you might call the greater Sahel: Niger two, Mali three, Gambia one, Guinea one, Burkina Faso two, and Sudan three. These countries have a lot in common. They are all Muslim, and all former French colonies except Sudan and Gambia. They are very poor even by African standards: all but one have per capita GDPs of less than $3,000 per year. And all except Gambia and Guinea are mostly desert, with the great bulk of the population living along one big river. Being very poor means that the state is weak and most of the population is economically desperate. Revolt in the hope of something better is tempting, and there is therefore some support for radical Islamist movements like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Terrorist attacks militarise the societies and put more power in the hands of the military. The great powers are always attracted by conflict in regions like this, because a small investment of money (aid or arms) or a small number of foreign troops seems to promise a large strategic or financial return. The original Great Game was the 19th-century rivalry between the Russian and the British empires in the region of weak states and tribal territories between British-controlled India and Russian-ruled Central Asia. It was a complete waste of time and nobody won. In fact there was nothing there worth fighting for. The same applies to the mini-Great Game now underway in West Africa, and especially in the Sahel, between the Russians on one side and the French and Americans on the other. At the moment it looks like the Russians are drawing ahead but once again, it really doesnt matter. Go home, and let the African Union take care of it. If they can. SC terms offence against Manipur women horrendous NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court said it will not want the State police to probe the matter as they virtually handed over the women to the rioting mob THE Supreme Court on Monday termed as horrendous the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur and sought information about steps taken so far in the FIRs lodged, saying now it will not want the State police to probe the matter as they virtually handed over the women to the rioting mob. The top court said it may constitute an SIT or a committee comprising former judges to monitor the situation in the strife-torn State subject to hearing the law officers representing the Centre and Manipur on Tuesday. The bench, which listed a clutch of pleas on Manipur violence for hearing on Tuesday, said though the incident of stripping and parading these women came to light on May 4 why the Manipur police took 14 days to register an FIR on May 18. What was police doing? Why was an FIR in video case transferred to magisterial court on June 24, that is after one month and three days, asked the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. This is horrendous. There are media reports that these women were handed over to mob by the police. We also do not want the police to handle it, the bench said. When Attorney General R Venkataramani sought time for responding to the queries, the bench said it was running out of time and there was a great need for giving a healing touch to the State, for those who lost everything including their loved ones and their homes. The bench asked the State Government to provide the details about the number of zero FIRs registered in the State torn by ethnic violence and the arrests made so far. A zero FIR can be filed in any police station regardless of whether the offence was committed within its jurisdiction. We would also want to know the package for rehabilitation being provided to the State for affected people, it said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Manipur Government, said the apex court may have a fool-proof system which may be replicated everywhere. We cant develop a system which is fool-proof because they are all designed and operated by human beings. We can only try, the CJI observed. Mehta said the Government shares the concerns expressed by the apex court and the Union of India has no objection if the top court monitors the investigation into the violence. The arguments in the matter would continue on Tuesday. Cong workers held in Mumbai: MORE than 60 Congress leaders and workers were detained by the police while staging a candle march at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) here on Monday to condemn the Union Government's alleged inaction on violence against women in strife-torn Manipur, an official said. Around 300 Congress workers participated in the march organised by the Mumbai Congress Committee. Veterinary students oppose post Class 12 Diploma Staff Reporter Registering a protest against the decision of Maharashtra Government to start three-year diploma course to be opted for after Class XII in Veterinary Science, the students pursuing degree courses locked the gate of Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Sciences University office at Nagpur on Monday. According to the students, Government is already running two-year Diploma course to be done after Class X. These Diploma-holders are not expected to act as doctors. Unfortunately, most such diploma holders are working in rural areas, pretending as doctors. Students alleged that these diploma holders have become a menace, as despite lack of knowledge, people consider them as doctors. This is lowering the quality of veterinary sciences. Veterinary Council of India (VCI) failed to control bogus practices by these diploma holders, pointed out the agitated students. Students have also alleged that on one hand, the diploma colleges are producing the so-called doctors but on the other, those pursuing degrees are not getting jobs. Even if Government started diploma courses, the courses should have been called as Para-Vet. But Government did not pay heed to our demand. Once the Government gives approval to such courses, new colleges will be opened. Common public doesnt understand the difference between degree and diploma so these diploma holders will be treated as doctors. It may bring the life of livestock into trouble, cautioned students. The students also objected the move by Maharashtra Minister for animal husbandry Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to start new private college. Students feel that Government has already planned to start its own veterinary colleges. This will pave way to mushrooming of veterinary colleges. It will result in more unemployed veterinary doctors. Instead, the Government should prepare a plan for creating jobs for over 1,000 existing unemployed degree holders, demanded students. Around 100 foreign domestic helpers will be allowed to work in Seoul as early as this year. The aim is to make it more affordable for young married couples to employ maids and nannies, hopefully encouraging more Koreans to have babies. The Ministry of Employment and Labor on Monday said domestic help from the Philippines and elsewhere will only be allowed to work in Seoul for couples or singles in their 20s to 40s who have children or are expecting them. They must be paid at least Korea's minimum wage of W9,620 an hour, which translates into around W2.01 million a month if they work full time, the minimum being 30 hours a week (US$1=W1,275). Overtime during weekends or holidays will be remunerated 1.5 times. Their minimum employment contract will be six months. Korean domestic workers charge their captive market at least W15,000 an hour, so it costs between W3.5 million and W4.5 million to have a live-in maid. But foreign housekeepers will not be allowed to live in due to the lack of space in most Korean homes. Israels Supreme Court said Monday that a full panel of 15 justices would hear petitions in September against a contentious law that was passed last week by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and which has spurred mass protests. The law was one of a series of proposed changes to Israels judiciary put forward by Netanyahus government earlier this year that seek to curb the power of the Supreme Court. The judicial overhaul plan has been met with months of sustained mass protest against the legislation and drawn criticism from the White House. Critics of the overhaul say that the package of laws would concentrate power in the hands of the ruling coalition and erode the system of checks and balances between branches of government. Proponents say the measures are necessary to limit the power of unelected judges, who they say are overly activist. Netanyahu and his allies passed a law last week that removes the high courts ability to annul government decisions considered unreasonable. The reasonableness standard was implemented by the Supreme Court earlier this year to thwart the appointment of a Netanyahu ally as interior minister after he had recently pleaded guilty to tax offenses. The court said the hearing concerning the law striking down the reasonableness standard would take place on Sept. 12 with a full bench of 15 justices. The Supreme Court typically hears cases with smaller panels of justices, but appears to have opted for a full complement of judges because of the highly delicate nature of the matter. The Netanyahu administrations push to overhaul the judiciary has deeply divided an already highly polarized country and sparked the longest sustained protests in the countrys history. Netanyahu and his allies took office in December after the countrys fifth election in under four years, most of them referendums on the longtime leaders fitness to serve while on trial for corruption. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The inaugural Jeddah Construct, a key industry event that aims to propel the Saudi port citys rapidly transforming building and construction sector, will open its doors next year, attracting over 4,000 construction professionals and decision makers, according to dmg events, the organisers. The event, which caters to the kingdoms Western Province, is the most trusted construction exhibition in Jeddah and will run from September 29 to October 1, 2024 at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Centre, they stated. The expo, which comes as part of dmg events' phased expansion plan, is the newest addition to its list of trade exhibitions. The launch of Jeddah Construct expo (powered by Big 5 Construct Saudi, the largest construction event in the country running for the past 10 years), follows the successful introduction of other targeted shows in the kingdom by dmg events such as the Saudi Wood expo, the Saudi Warehousing and Logistics expo and the Saudi Hospital Design and Build expo that cater to the growing logistics, healthcare construction and woodworking industries in the country. The event will be supported by the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA) as a supporting partner. Established in 2015 the SCA, which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, aims to regulate and develop the contracting sector in the Kingdom. "Jeddah is experiencing a surge in its construction market. Serving as the gateway to Makkah and situated on the Red Sea coast, the city boasts an astounding total project value estimated at $100 billion, according to ABiQ," said Ben Greenish, Senior Vice President, dmg events. "In 2011, the inaugural Big 5 Construct Saudi took place in the coastal city of Jeddah. Although it later moved to Riyadh, the overwhelming regional demand from the kingdoms Western Province has now prompted us to embrace our shared history and launch Jeddah Construct, a dedicated event for the Western Province powered by Big 5 Construct Saudi," stated Greenish. "It will present an exceptional opportunity to unite construction professionals in the city and unlock business within this flourishing market," he added. According to him, Jeddah Construct expo launches with the participation of five prominent industry players, who have been confirmed as exhibitors and founding partners. These include Al Bawani, Saudi Services Company Limited, Madaar Building Materials, Al Yamama Group and Samnan. With a broad portfolio of more than 20 events the Jeddah Construct expo highlights dmg events remarkable progress and solid position in KSA. The new event also marks a significant milestone for the group, which has offices in Riyadh and Jeddah. "The dedicated trade event will help businesses tap into this booming market by connecting industry players with the key buyers and decision makers involved in the ongoing and upcoming construction projects in Jeddah," noted Greenish. According to its latest report, Knight Frank has revealed buoyant Jeddah residential real estate demand, with an increasing preference for high-quality, affordable residential communities. The city is set to become a world-class tourist and cultural destination following the announcement of the ambitious 15-year Jeddah Historical Rejuvenation Project by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman targeting the Historic Jeddah area (Al-Balad). The launch of Jeddah Construct expo next year will support the growing needs of an innovative, more sustainable construction landscape in Jeddah, which is cementing its position as the Red Seas main commercial hub and becoming an attractive city to live and work in, reinforcing the Quality of Life Program under Vision 2030, said the organisers. The event will also be a showcase of the latest digital technology and products to deliver sustainability within the construction ecosystem in response to Saudi Arabias commitment to cut its carbon emissions to net zero by 2060, they stated. The exhibitor line-up will cover a range of segments: building interiors and finishes, materials and tools, security and access control, HVAC-R, stone and surface, facilities management, offsite and modular construction, plant machinery and vehicles, solar and MEP services, they added. "Jeddah Construct expo will attract over 4,000 key decision makers, professionals and leaders from the citys construction sector including architects, developers, interior designers, project managers, consultants, contractors, regulators, specifiers, engineers, procurement and purchase managers, distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers," said Greenish. "The coming together of major players in Jeddahs construction market with international suppliers is expected to deliver a major local exposure boost for exhibitors, new business opportunities, an uptake in sector-wide technology adoption and a commitment to sustainability throughout the local and regional industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Francisco Sagasti, 78, was president of Peru for eight months and 10 days. Congress appointed him in November of 2020 as the successor to Martin Vizcarra impeached for reasons of moral incapacity to lead the country. This was after Manuel Merino the former president of Congress, who replaced Vizcarra for six days was forced to resign after widespread protests broke out. Sagasti, a respected congressman, was seen as a more acceptable interim president to govern the country until the 2021 election that gave power to Pedro Castillo (who was later impeached and imprisoned following a failed self-coup). A former manager of the World Bank with decades of experience in public policy, Sagasti was chosen precisely because of his career away from politics. Along with Valentin Paniagua who served as president from 2000 until 2001, following the resignation of Alberto Fujimori he is one of only two Peruvian leaders in the 21st century who were never marred by allegations of corruption. Sagastis management skills have also been lauded. The former president received EL PAIS at his residence in Lima. He has just published Governing in Times of Crisis: Politics and Ideas in the Transition and Emergency Government, Peru 2020-2021, a book where he analyzes his time in power during the Covid pandemic. In recent months, Sagasti has returned to playing the piano. Hes also been trying to pick up his camera again and capture the landscapes of his country, even if its impossible for him to walk the streets unnoticed. Hes also writing his next book. Hell turn 79 in October, but hes still not planning to write his memoirs. A member of the Partido Morado (the Purple Party), he continues to be active in politics. He has been criticized for not being tougher on the current government of President Dina Boluarte, Perus first female president. Francisco Sagasti. ANGELA PONCE Question. The fact that youre an ex-president who isnt in prison draws a lot of attention in Peru. Answer. Its normal, actually. The other [cases] are an aberration. Q. An aberration that has been repeated quite often A. But that doesnt mean that governing honestly, with integrity, is a miracle. Not even in this country. Weve had presidents like [Valentin] Panigua (2000-2001), [Fernando] Belaunde (1963-68, 1980-85), Jose Luis Bustamante and Rivero (1945-1948) who have given the office stature. Q. How do you explain the fact that the only two presidents who left office in Peru with high approval ratings you and Paniagua were transitional presidents that were not elected by the people? A. It has to do with how the system and political leadership work. A series of distortions are created in a campaign, because, in many cases, those who support [a candidate] expect something in return. Neither Paniagua nor I arrived by that route and, therefore, we had no debts to settle. Q. In your book, you write that you had five meetings with former President Pedro Castillo when he was already in government, You talked about leadership. Was Castillo lacking in that area? A. It was an effort to try to raise some ideas about how to exercise power. Apparently, there wasnt enough receptiveness on his part, or perhaps enough understanding of what he wanted to do. We made one last try I thought Id leave him some notes. Unfortunately, that meeting was delayed and we didnt have more than three-quarters of an hour. It was very brief and there I realized that no more could be done [to salvage his government]. Q. Could the early end of the Castillo government be seen at that time? A. I didnt expect it to come to this. Were in a country with so much distrust if one person doesnt grant a minimum of trust to the other, its practically impossible to establish a sensible and lasting relationship. I never expected the combination of inappropriate designations of unqualified people [to ministerial posts] and people involved in acts of corruption. Long before his incomprehensible coup, in March and April of 2022, I published two articles indicating that the most convenient way out [of the political crisis] was via early elections and a new transitional government. It had been clear to me for a long time that [Castillo] was not the right person. What surprised me was his total incompetence and a failed coup that made [no sense]. Q. Should early elections be the way out of the current crisis? A. I think so. Lets remember that moving up the elections was already raised in Congress I think the president of the Republic also raised it. Were not talking about an idea that came out of thin air it has been put on the table by various political actors. Q. You affirm in your book that you understood the character of a transitional government. A. Of course. I was very clearly aware that it was a temporary government, that we were in a tremendous health crisis due to the pandemic, that we didnt have vaccines or enough oxygen, that we hadnt organized a reasonable process to contain the spread of the virus. In addition to the fact that we were months away from an extremely polarized electoral process [and] in the midst of an economic crisis with the worst GDP decline in the region. Q. Why has President Boluarte not acknowledged the transitory nature of her government? A. As a former president of the Republic, I dont make judgements about who is currently holding office. Q. How is Peru doing around Independence Day (July 28)? A. [The country] is hurt, there are a lot of questions theres a certain degree of skepticism about the behavior of Congress, the executive branch and some authorities in other branches of the state. [Perus] spirits are slightly low. Q. Is the country more disunited than usual? A. I dont think were more disunited, but the political fragmentation is more clearly visible. Q. Have you ever wondered what your government would have been like if it had lasted five years and not eight months? A. Frankly, no. During the [administration], there was no time, [problems] had to be resolved. Today, Ive been more dedicated to seeing what we did and what lessons one can draw for the future. But let me make myself clear: if the house is on fire, youre not going to think about what color hose you want to put out the fire. What would have been different in a longer period? Obviously, much more could have been done. But, at the same time, the resistance would have been worse. Q. Have you considered joining the latest protests? A. Tell me: in which country in the world has a former president been seen marching for a variety of issues that have no consensus? I can contribute much more in other spaces than by taking to the streets. My role is to [see to it that there are] early elections, that theres no impunity in the cases of the people who died in the demonstrations and that theres a political renewal. Q. Your critics consider your position to be tepid. A. [My position] is one of radical moderation. I refuse to take one extreme or the other. If they consider it tepid to speak clearly, thats the way it is. I respect those who go out to march, call for a strike, go on hunger strike, those who tweet. But I refuse to believe that theres only one way to express dissatisfaction. Q. So you wont be running for public office again in the future? A. Im not considering it. The issue now is to see how this situation is resolved, how to get out of the political impasse. The Armed Forces of Ecuador take control of the Litoral Penitentiary on July 25 in Guayaquil. Fuerzas Amadas (Fuerzas Amadas/EFE) This is Patricias fourth day outside the Litoral Penitentiary, the most dangerous prison in Ecuador. She has not been able to raise the money to pay for a coffin to remove the body of her brother, one of the prisoners who was killed in a massacre on July 25. Im waiting for the residents in the neighborhood to help us so we can take him out and take him home, says the 58-year-old woman. After the massacre, the penitentiary and the morgue have become postcards of pain. No state institution is responsible for what happened and they deliver information in dribs and drabs, leaving the families to plead to find out where the bodies of their loved ones are. Many of them are severed or burned, making identification difficult. A tattoo, a birthmark, or some vestige of remaining clothing can provide clues but the identification process of the human remains, carried out via genetic analysis, will take more time. Only 11 bodies removed from the penitentiary have been identified, among them Patricias brother. She found out what happened from a friend who had a relative in the same cellblock number nine where her brother was being held. I had seen the news about the killings, but I never imagined that he was among the dead, she says, reaching for some photos in her purse. They show her brothers corpse, with machete wounds on his body, lying on the floor. Others show his face, arm, and leg, and in one he is wearing his security guards uniform. That one was just before they put him in jail. He worked for a company and they accused him of robbery. They gave him three years, and he had already done more than one here. Those who have been able to raise the necessary money have removed the corpses of their loved ones and discreetly buried them immediately. Gone are the days of watching over the dead for three consecutive nights, as tradition dictates. This is a mess, it is total corruption; everyone wants money, one asks for information and they do not give us any. They tell us straight out: how much [money] is there for the queues? says Patricia, who lives in Puerto Bolivar, four hours from Guayaquil. She arrived with $10 and survives with the help of other relatives who understand her position. The state has not even taken care of the funeral expenses of those killed in that hell, which is under its responsibility, says Ana Morales, spokeswoman for the Committee of Relatives for Justice in Prisons. Ana went through the same situation after the massacre of September 28, 2021, the worst in Ecuadorian history, when 123 prisoners at the Litoral Penitentiary were killed, including her 23-year-old son. Since then, there have been 10 further massacres in prison riots in Ecuador and there is still no protocol in place to attend to the families. After the latest massacre, she went to the morgue to help the relatives and found nothing had changed since 2021. There was no one from the state; the Ministry of Health was not there, there was no psychologist to help the fathers and mothers who were looking for their children. They had no information, there was no one to follow up. The treatment was the same. The macabre process of identification begins when a guard, list in hand, calls out the surname of the relatives, who are crowded under the only tree on the sidewalk, seeking shade from the intense heat. Grandmothers wipe away their sweat and tears with a towel. They all wait nervously as the names are shouted out. When the inevitable happens, they burst into tears and are called to identify the body or body parts of their grandchildren, sons, husbands, and brothers. The number of prisoners killed in what was the seventh massacre at the Litoral Penitentiary is still uncertain. The Prosecutors Office reported that 31 bodies were recovered, but the police later stated there were 11 intact corpses and 29 anatomical pieces. The Ecuador prisons service, SNAI, has not provided a concrete answer. The authorities claim to have taken control of the prison, publishing photographs of prisoners cuffed and subdued under armed guard, following the model implemented by Nayib Bukele in El Salvador. This is how Jessica realized that her son was alive: he was transferred from the cell blocks wearing nothing but boxer shorts, exactly as he appears in the photograph posted by President Guillermo Lasso on Twitter. Now I have to buy everything again; the mattress, clothes, his cleaning utensils, because they left him with nothing, says the mother. It was a war Detonations are still sporadically heard from inside the penitentiary, which has been militarized after the state of emergency decree signed by Lasso. Raids have turned up weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. What happens inside the Litoral Penitentiary is a permanent unknown. Only those who have been incarcerated there know the truth. Brian (a fictitious name to protect his identity), 27, served a four-year sentence in the prison and was paroled four months ago. During his time there, he witnessed the killings and is unsure how he survived. As soon as I heard a gunshot, I would run to the womens prison. There were a few of us and we had to break through the wall to hide and wait for things to calm down. It was a war. The Litoral Penitentiary is located within a complex that houses four other prisons, including the womens prison, a maximum-security facility called La Roca, where some gang leaders have been transferred, and the regional prison, which is under the control of the head of the Los Choneros criminal organization. In total, these prisons hold 12,300 inmates in infrastructures with a maximum capacity of no more than 9,500. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has on Tuesday departed Abuja for Cotonou to attend the 63rd anniversary of the Republic of Benin. Tinubu, who is going to the country on one-day visit, would be accompanied by six governors, who were categorically invited by President Talon, and his personal aides. The six governors including: Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Seyi Makinde of Oyo; AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara; Nasir Idris of Kebbi and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State. This platform understands that President Tinubu had first met with Talon on the sidelines of the summit on New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, later at the 63rd Ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Guinea-Bissau and more recently at the State House, Abuja along with leaders of three other West African nations, where the Benin Republic President invited him for the anniversary. President Tinubu had drawn the attention of the Beninese leader to the need to review and strengthen cultural, trade and economic relations between their two countries, highlighting joint border patrols by the Customs and harmonizing regulations on the frontlines. Nairobi, July 31, 2023Ugandan authorities should investigate and prosecute those responsible for assaulting, robbing, and harassing seven journalists at two separate news conferences, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 20, unidentified men punched and kicked at least six journalists at the headquarters of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in the capital city of Kampala and stole several of their mobile phones, according to media reports and five of the journalists, who spoke to CPJ. In a separate incident that day, John Xerxes Ogulei, a reporter with the privately owned Teso Broadcasting Services, told CPJ that a police officer insulted him and slapped his hand, knocking his phone and tripod to the ground and breaking them. The Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, a local rights group, tweeted a photograph of his broken tripod. Ogulei told CPJ he was among journalists waiting to cover a meeting held by Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi in the eastern city of Soroti when the officer accused them of harming the governments image through their coverage and assaulted him. It is unacceptable that violence has become an everyday hazard for journalists on the political beat in Uganda, said CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. The attacks on John Xerxes Ogulei and the journalists attending an FDC news conference in Kampala should be investigated impartially and those responsible held to account. The journalists should also be compensated for damaged and stolen equipment. Violence began at the headquarters of the FDCUgandas biggest opposition party until the 2021 electionsafter party chairperson Wasswa Birigwa invited journalists to a briefing but security guards barred them from entering the compound, according to media reports and the journalists who spoke to CPJ. Birigwa said he was held hostage at the FDC headquarters amid a power struggle inside the party. Following an hours-long standoff, about 10 people believed to be Birigwa supporters arrived, demanding his release and banging on the gate. Another group of men exited the party headquarters and started beating and punching the journalists and the Birigwa supporters, according to news reports and the journalists who spoke to CPJ. Charles Katabalwa, a reporter with the Catholic station Radio Sapientia, told CPJ that one assailant stole his phone while another kicked him in the back. Moses Waiswa, a reporter with the privately owned Busoga One FM radio station, told CPJ that one man slapped him, punched him in the face, and stole his phone. Joseph Balikuddembe of the privately owned station CBS FM told CPJ that he was punched in the head, sustained a cut lip, and his phone was stolen. Arnold Lawrence Kinsambwe, a reporter with the Christian station BTM TV and Radio Sapientia, told CPJ that he fell into a ditch while dodging a punch, and a man snatched his phone as he was trying to climb out. Another kicked him in the back and as he was running away. Nowamani Ainembabazi, an intern with the state-owned Urban TV, was punched in the mouth twice, according to its sister company New Vision and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. She told CPJ that the assailants snatched a mobile phone from her hands, and stole her bag which contained a second phone and money. She said that her lip was split, requiring stiches, and she has lost two teeth as a result of the attack. Ainembabazi told CPJ on July 31 that she needed further medical treatment for her injuries. Multiple media reports said that George William Katoloba of the privately owned Namirembe FM was also attacked and had his phone stolen, but did not provide specific information about that incident. When contacted by CPJ, Katoloba declined to comment, citing safety concerns. FDC President Patrick Amuriat referred CPJ to party communications official Norman Turyatemba for comment. In a phone interview on July 31, Turyatemba said the attack was regrettable, the party planned to compensate the journalists for their stolen devices, and was negotiating compensation for the journalists medical care. Birigwa told CPJ that he was disgusted by the incident and apologized to journalists for the attack. Both Birigwa and Turyatemba said that the party would carry out internal investigations and hold those responsible to account. In a statement sent to CPJ via messaging app on July 31, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said that investigations into the incident were ongoing and that police were analyzing CCTV footage and tracking stolen phones, but no arrests had been made. National police spokesperson Fred Enanga did not respond to a request for comment sent via text message, including about the assault on Ogulei in Soroti. CPJ has frequently documented attacks on journalists covering politics in Uganda. Last month, four reporters covering local elections in Uganda were also assaulted. Brazilian military police during an operation. Victor Moriyama The massacres that periodically stain the Brazilian news with blood appeared once again over the weekend. In Guaruja, a coastal city in the state of Sao Paulo, a military police operation left at least eight people dead. The operation was mounted following the murder of a police officer and there are indications that the deaths were retaliatory. The police ombudsman places the number of people killed at 10 and has ordered an in-depth investigation after receiving reports of alleged torture. On Thursday, July 27, policeman Patrick Bastos Reis, 30, was killed by a shot fired from the top of the favela where he was patrolling. According to official information, the perpetrator was an elite marksman who worked for a drug-trafficking organization. The suspect was arrested on Sunday in Sao Paulo but before he was apprehended the police launched a macro-operation in Guaruja to search for the gang suspected of attacking the officers. A total of 600 agents were deployed in a vast operation that specialists consider unusual in such cases. The so-called Operation Shield was orchestrated amid a climate of anger and thirst for revenge. In WhatsApp groups and on social networks, police officers with thousands of followers shared messages praising the operation. As the number of victims grew, they announced the count on Instagram stories. Balance in Guaruja: information that six little angels are already in eternal sleep, read a post by Military Police officer Diogo Ranieiri, whose account has 30,000 followers and promises to deliver the best police content. The police ombudsman, Claudio Aparecido da Silva, reported up to 10 deaths based on accounts from residents. Da Silva also cited witness accounts of abuses ranging from the torture of detainees to house raids without a warrant, which is illegal but also common practice when the Brazilian police enter the favelas. The ombudsman stated that he will request access to the images from the body cameras that agents carry. The Prosecutors Office has also announced that it will open an investigation. Body cameras were implemented in Sao Paulo in 2020 and have helped to reduce the number of police-related deaths. The Brazilian police forces are among the deadliest in the world. According to the recently published Public Security Yearbook, officers killed 6,430 people last year, an average of 17 a day. In the State of Sao Paulo, police lethality was reduced by half over two years, something that specialists attribute to body cameras. The state governor, the right-wing Tarcisio de Freitas, had previously announced that he would rescind the requirement to wear cameras but eventually backed down. On Monday, De Freitas closed ranks with the police. I am extremely satisfied with the action of the police, and extremely sad with what happened because nothing will bring back a father of a family, he said during a press conference. The Sao Paulo governor is the current frontrunner to succeed former president Jair Bolsonaro, who has been barred from running in the 2026 presidential elections. However, he has made some political moves that have failed to enchant his more conservative voters. The state government he has formed is not as radical as some would like and he recently backed President Lula da Silvas Economy Minister Fernando Haddad over tax reform. The most radical Bolsonaro supporters have not forgiven that detour from the party line. By sticking out his chest and allying himself unambiguously with the police, De Freitas is seeking a reconnection with a section of the electorate from which he had recently distanced himself. Pheu Thai bloc excludes Move Forward BANGKOK: The Pheu Thai Party is cobbling together a 302-seat government without the Move Forward Party (MFP) and will nominate property tycoon Srettha Thavisin as prime minister in the next round of voting scheduled for this Friday (Aug 4), according to sources. politics By Bangkok Post Tuesday 1 August 2023 10:05 AM Pheu Thai Partys prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin. Photo: Bangkok Post / File The Pheu Thai-led coalition comprises 10 parties that include five new partners - Bhumjaithai, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), the Democrat Party, the Chartthaipattana Party and the Chartpattanakla Party, the sources said. The four others are Prachachat, Pheu Thai Ruam Palang, Seri Ruam Thai and Plung Sungkom Mai, part of the eight-party bloc formed shortly after the May 14 general election, reports the Bangkok Post. MFP heavyweights are reportedly against this development, and the party does not have to vote for the Pheu Thais prime minister candidate if it is pushed into the opposition, according to the sources. The MFP also believes if Pheu Thai decides to bring in any of the uncle parties, the party should deal with the consequences of its decision, said the sources. The uncles are referred to the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate and the PPRP led by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. According to the sources, Pheu Thai has reached deals with the PPRP and the Democrat Party in which the two parties will get five and three cabinet seats each. Gen Prawit will not take a cabinet seat, but his younger brother and former national police chief, Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, will be part of the cabinet. Pol Gen Patcharawat, who is known to have ties with Pheu Thai, was appointed as the PPRPs chief adviser last weekend in what is widely seen as a move to pave the way for the PPRP to join the Pheu Thai-led government. The PPRPs new secretary-general Capt Thamanat Prompow, deputy leader Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn and MP for Kamphaeng Phet Pai Lik are tipped to be part of the cabinet. Democrat MP for Songkhla Dech-it Khaothong is tipped to be a deputy prime minister and agriculture minister, and Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat Chaichana Dejdecho is expected to become a deputy interior minister. Mr Dech-it assured Pheu Thai that his group has the support of 19 MPs and expressed confidence that the new party leadership would not oppose the move, according to the sources. The Democrats are scheduled to select a new leader and executive board on Aug 6, with Narapat Kaewthong speculated to become the new leader. According to the sources, the UTN has not been approached to join the bloc to avoid strong resistance from Pheu Thai supporters and its current partners - the Thai Sang Thai Party and Fair Party. This formula is hoped to bring the Senate to vote for the Pheu Thai candidate, said one of the sources. If Pheu Thai succeeds, the opposition camp will have 198 seats. Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said yesterday (July 31) the eight-party coalition partners will tentatively meet on Wednesday to review talks that his party has had with those outside the bloc and senators. He said those MPs and senators have so far remained firm that they will vote for the Pheu Thai prime minister candidate only if the MFP is excluded from the coalition. Thats what we have and will bring to the meeting before the party MPs meet on Aug 3, he said. Pheu Thai list-MP Noppadon Pattama said the country could not wait 10 months for the military-appointed Senate to expire and select the prime minister as suggested by some. According to Mr Noppadon, the party is expected to nominate Mr Srettha for the prime ministers post, and it is likely to inform its MPs of its decision on Thursday. Meanwhile, parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said the agenda for Fridays meeting remains unchanged, with the prime minister selection being the first item on the agenda and the proposed amendment of Section 272 to follow. If the prime ministerial vote cannot proceed, the parliament meeting will consider the proposed charter amendment seeking to remove the senates power to co-select the premier, he added. The Constitutional Court will meet on Thursday to decide if it will accept a petition involving the prime ministers selection. The courts decision will decide if the prime ministers vote on the next day will proceed or be put on hold. Phuket weather warning extended PHUKET: The weather warning for heavy to very heavy rain and strong wind waves in the Andaman Sea has been extended through to at least tomorrow, the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) announced this morning (Aug 1). weather By The Phuket News Tuesday 1 August 2023 11:17 AM The weather warning, the sixth consecutive notice in the ongoing spate of wet weather Phuket is experiencing, noted that a monsoon trough across the upper North and upper Laos has formed into a low pressure cell over upper Vietnam. Together with the rather intense southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand was expected to endure heavy rain during the period, said the warning, issued by Kosin Siangwattana of the TMDs Weather Division. The warning was endorsed by Chalalai Jamphon, Director of the Weather Forecast Division, and signed into effect by TMD Deputy Director-General Thanasit Iam-ananchai, who is currently serving as TMD Acting Director General. Continuous rain and heavy to very heavy rain in some areas in the North. Northeast, Central, Eastern and Southern regions were forecast. (Note: there are no other regions in Thailand.) People in the area are asked to be careful of the danger of heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rain, which may cause flash floods, especially in foothill slopes near waterways and lowland areas, said the warning, Be careful when traveling through areas with thunderstorms, he added. All provinces along the Andaman coast Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun were listed as to be affected by heavy rain. Wind waves in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are quite strong. The waves are 2-3 meters high, more than 3 meters in thunderstorm areas, and about 2 meters in the lower Andaman Sea, and more than 2 meters in thunderstorm areas, Mr Kosin warned. Be careful and avoid sailing in areas with thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand should refrain from leaving the shore until August 3, 2023, Mr Kosin added. People were urged to heed any emergency weather announcements and to follow TMD weather updates. Lifeguards at key beaches along Phukets west coast have posted red flags where it is too dangerous to enter the water. At some beaches red flags have been posted all along the beach to warn people to not enter the water. On the concept of Meitei patriotism : A perspective | Dr Mangsatabam Jitendra Singh Contd from previous issue From all these beliefs and from all these usages, it clearly follows that the religion of fire of the hearth and of ancestors taught the Meitei to appropriate the soil and assured them their right to the soil. The right of property having been established from the accomplishment of hereditary worship; it was not possible that this right should fail after the short life of an individual. The man dies, the worship remains; the fire must not be extinguished, nor the tomb abandoned. So long as the traditional religion continued, the right of property had to continue with it. This rule disappeared in the democratic age of the country. The appropriation of land for public utility was uncommon among the Meiteis of the olden days. Confiscation was resorted to only in case of condemnation to exile that is to say, when a man could no longer exercise any right over the soil. Nor was taking of property for debt known in the early history of Manipur. The body of the debtor may be held and his son/daughter may be sold for the debt, not his land, for the land is inseparable from the family. Then the debtor, having become almost a slave, still retains something for himself; his land is not taken from him. It is therefore a rule without exception that a property could be acquired without the family worship or the worship without the property. This little motherland of the Meiteis was the family enclosures with its burial places and hearths. The word motherland, eemaleipak, was no abstraction as they are among the moderns; they really represented a group of divinities with daily worship and beliefs that had a powerful influence over the soul. This explains the patriotism of the Meiteis an energetic sentiment, which, for them, was the supreme virtue to which all other virtues tended. Whatever a Meitei held most dear was associated with the idea of the country, his motherland, where the dead ancestors were buried. In it he found his ancestors, his property, his faith, etc. Losing their land meant the Meitei lost everything.It is their country that preserves them. Everywhere else, except his country, the Meitei no longer found for himself either a religion or a social tie of any kind. Everywhere else he was without God and shut out from all moral life. There, in his country, he enjoyed his dignity as a Meitei, as it is evident from the Meitei word loi-thaaba,meaning exile. In Kangleipak/Manipur, the land of the Meiteis, the ordinary punishment of crimes was exile.Exile was really the interdiction of worship. To exile a man was to cut him off from fire and ancestor worship. We can easily understand that, for the Meiteis of the earlier epoch, gods or ancestors were not everywhere. The exile, on leaving his country or motherland behind him, also left his gods/ancestors. He no longer found a religion that could console and protect him. All that could satisfy the needs of his soul was far away. The exile, therefore, lost all these in losing his religion and country. Excluded from the worships of the country, he saw at the same time his hearth and fire worship taken from him, and was forced to extinguish his hearth-fire. Having no longer a worship, he had no longer a family and property. He ceased to be a husband and a father. His sons were no longer in his power. His wife no longer his wife. When he dies, he has not the right to be buried in the tomb or burial place of his family, for he is an alien. Exile or loi-thaaba, in our opinion, did not seem to be a milder punishment than death. Eemaleipak, therefore, held the Meiteis of the early ages to it by a sacred tie. They loved it as they loved their religion, obeyed it as they obeyed a god. They gave themself to it entirely. In short, they loved their country, whether it was glorious or obscure, prosperous or unfortunate. To love the country is to be willing to sacrifice ones own good including ones life for the protection of common liberty. We know from the above description that the country Kangleipak or Manipur was founded upon an ancient religion and constituted like a temple. In a society established on such religious principles, individual liberty could not exist. Every Meitei was subordinate in everything and without any reserve to the country; he belonged to it body and soul. There was nothing independent in him; he was devoted to the defence of his country. The Meiteis like the Greeks, Romans and Spartans had a heritage of physical activities. Their physical training was for military purposes. Before the time of professional troops, it was the duty of every male between the ages of 17 (seventeen) and 60 (sixty) to place his services at the disposal of the state or country for 10 (ten) days in every 40 (forty) as a man of war, lan-mi. At Rome military service was due till a man was 50 (fifty) years old, at Athens till he was 60 (sixty), at Sparta always. In Manipur, physical activity was considered essential in order to be in good physical shape and ready to serve the country at a moments notice. An interesting fact in the physical culture of the Meiteis is the institutionalization of physical and military training of the Meitei youths as embodied in the political-cultural complex of lallup. Primarily, the lallup was a military organization. The Meiteis were historically a warrior nation. Fighting for honour and justice was in their blood. It reminds us of the quality of the Spartans. There is, in the history of Sparta, one trait, which a Greek moralist and biographer (46A.D. 120 A.D.) greatly admired. Sparta had just suffered a defeat at Leuctra, and many of its citizens had perished. On the receipt of this news, the relatives of the dead had to show themselves in public with gay countenances. The mother who learned that her son had escaped, and that she would see him again, appeared afflicted and wept. Another, who knew that she would never see her son, appeared joyous, and went round to the temple to thank the gods. As an example, it may not be wrong to say that it was the military ideology derived from the enculturation of physical culture that acted as an active force gearing up the Meiteis to campaign successful wars against the then neighbouring nations, particularly the formidable Burmese. It is said that old door of the eastern entrance to the Kaungmudaw pagoda, which had four doors, bore the marks made by Garib Niwaz (in the first half of the eighteenth century), with his sword, as a symbol of conquering Sagaing upto the time of World War II. As evident from the Meitei text Chainarol, fighting for honour and justice was in their (Meitei) blood. In conclusion, although we are unable to say anything with concrete historical evidence, I would like to say one thing that the Meiteis were morally and physically courageous people in the face of danger of losing their country because of their hearths and burial places, the tomb. Therefore, the piety of the Meiteis in the olden days was love of the land of their mothers. There is, in addition, a further point to make that patriotism and nationalism are often taken to be synonymous, yet the patriotism of the Meiteis had its origins, in our opinion, some 2000 years prior to the use of nationalism in the nineteenth century. The writer is Retired Professor of History, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal Throughout our lives, we all inevitably encounter moments that we want to do over again. For Fabio Perez, this happened in Venezuela, right on the border with Colombia. Perez is in charge of producing some of the finest honey in the world made by tiny, stingless bees no larger than a quarter inch. The Meliponini tribe cares for the stingless bees, of which there are over 120 species in Colombia Luca Zanetti Before telling us about his biggest failure, Perez, a tough-looking guy with a reassuring smile, looks at the surrounding indigenous community of La Ceiba near Puerto Inirida, the capital of Guainia department in eastern Colombia. To get here, we took an hour-long flight from Bogota, and then a 45-minute boat ride along the Inirida River. Under the shade of linden trees and magnolias are 195 wooden boxes measuring 10 x 10 inches (25 x 25 centimeters) painted green and blue. Theres a treasure inside, in this part of the Amazon jungle that just a few years ago was covered with coca bushes, the leaf that turned Colombia into the worlds biggest cocaine producer. Fabio delicately takes a lid off one of the boxes to show us bees doing what they have been doing since the species first appeared in the Lower Cretaceous period 145 million years ago when the continents separated. Thousands of bees are inside, transforming nectar collected from flowers and storing it as a golden, fruity smelling honey in perfectly structured hexagonal hives. And of course, they also play a crucial role in pollination. The Meliponas bee known as "little angels" have small or no stingers due to evolution. Luca Zanetti We depend on them to live, said Perez, and yet we spray them with pesticides, burn them, and destroy their nests when we deforest jungles for cattle ranching and agriculture. Theyre the most important living things on the planet, and 70% of the worlds agriculture depends on 20,000 bee species. Without pollination, the plants that millions of animals feed on could not propagate. Without bees, wildlife would quickly disappear. How does he know all this? Fabio Perez comes from Guainia, an area with one of the highest poverty rates in Colombia, almost four times the national average. Its the fifth largest department in Colombia (almost twice the size of Switzerland) and the least densely populated with only 53,000 inhabitants (70% indigenous), most of whom dont attend school past the fifth grade. They make a living from fishing, occasional handicraft sales, illegal mining and coca cultivation. Indigenous Piaroa children play in a mango tree. Luca Zanetti In 2007, Alexandra Torres, a chemistry professor at the University of Pamplona (Spain), and her husband, German zootechnician Wolfgang Hoffman, a bee specialist, came to La Ceiba with Colombian biologist Fernando Carrillo, the director of the Aroma Verde Foundation for ecotourism. They had an idea, a sustainable development project that meant teaching indigenous people to raise bees. It would be profitable, since they could sell their honey to visiting tourists, and also good for the world. Fifty hives can pollinate 123 acres (1,256 hectares) of forest. With $40,000 in funding from Swiss company Ricola, the three scientists spent four years teaching the people of La Ceiba how to extract beehives from tree trunks. They then transferred them into small wooden boxes to multiply. The outcome was stunning. As each individual bee gradually pollinated 2,150 linear yards (2,000 linear meters) of forest, mango, acai and araza trees began to flourish throughout La Ceiba. They used small syringes to extract the honey and fill jars that were shipped out on planes. Tourists dubbed it the Honey Route, and flocked to the area to buy up all the honey. Its a project that creates opportunities and promotes sustainability, said Carrillo, who followed his heart and came to live in Guainia with his wife and two children Tourism has been the driving force behind a project like the bees. Every time a tourist travels with the Aroma Verde Foundation, six dollars of their total purchase goes to support the bee project. Bees in Guainias La Ceiba Reserve.. Luca Zanetti Thats why Fabio Perez no longer worries about coca cultivation. He works with seven species of stingless bees, out of the 120 that exist in Colombia. Aware that 30% of Melipona bees have disappeared around the world, 34 local indigenous families formed an association led by Perez that produces over 1,153 jars of honey a year. Their success interested other communities like Morroco near La Ceiba, which established 47 box hives with the associations help. The bees saved me, said Perez. I am indigenous and supposedly know all about nature and how to protect it. How wrong I was. My biggest failure was to destroy my environment, but the bees healed my soul. It happened in Venezuelas Yarama National Park where he worked as a miner in 2004. He was told that to get enough gold for one ring, he had to dig up 20 tons of rock and soil. So I destroyed acres of pristine forest. Deforestation led to the disappearance of a once vibrant stream where Perez bathed and fished. He saw how a dense forest transformed into a desert of drifting white sand. He felt the emotional impact of chopping down a tree and seeing four delicate toucans fly out and leave their eggs behind. I cant believe I used to be that person, he lamented. How did bees conquer greed and transform people? Colombia comes second in terms of biodiversity, right after Brazil. Guainia, which means land of many waters in the Yuri language, is a true gem. Near La Ceiba is one of the worlds largest freshwater wetlands known as the Eastern Fluvial Star, formed by the convergence of the Inirida, Guaviare and Atabapo rivers. In 2014, UNESCO recognized its diverse waterfowl habitat. Along the banks of the Inirida River is the Mavicure hill ("mavi" means blowgun tip and "cure" means the poison applied to the blowgun dart). Luca Zanetti The Atabapo [River] is particularly delightful, wrote German scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who came here in 1800 to observe how these three rivers flowed into the Orinoco River, the third largest in terms of water flow rate after the Amazon and the Congo rivers. Humboldt called this area the eighth wonder of the world, where rainbows dance in a game of hide and seek, leaves unfold to greet the rising sun, and flowers twirl in the flickering light. This area of Colombia is part of the Guiana Shield, one of the oldest geological formations on Earth. It features high hills and plateaus known as tepuis, with steep vertical slopes. The Mavecuri, Mono and Pajarito hills that jut upwards from the banks of the Inirida River were immortalized in Embrace of the Serpent (2015), the first Colombian film to be nominated for an Oscar. The number of tourists traveling with Aroma Verde has quadrupled. In 2019, the area welcomed 400 visitors, and by 2022, that number had surged to 1,800. Here, I cant help but realize how incredibly tiny I am in this vast universe. I feel humbled and grateful, said a 28-year-old tourist who makes a living as a disc jockey. I totally forgot how amazing it feels to just sit back and quietly watch the sunset, said another tourist. Guainia is an ancient and serene world, untouched and innocent. The granite mountains boast white flowers with a sacred aroma, while the murmuring rivers offer solace to troubled souls. In Guainia, one can live peacefully, free from anger. Even the bees contribute their wisdom to this tranquil place. Cheap contraband fuel brought from Venezuela to Colombia is no longer available due to Venezuelan production shortages, making travel along the Orinoco River more expensive. Luca Zanetti Tourists discover that everything functions more effectively when people work together. Each bee is committed to fulfilling their designated role within the hive. Their society functions like a finely tuned clock, maintaining a precise rhythm to accomplish objectives efficiently, said biologist Rodulfo Ospina, who is in charge of a unique, 40,000 bee collection at Colombias National University. The one weakness of the hive is its own inhabitants. Its made of wax that will melt when the internal temperature rises above 98.6F (37C), so the worker bees soak themselves in water to keep the wax cool. The bees themselves work tirelessly to keep the hive alive, said Ospina. The BJP will provide legal support to individuals who were allegedly duped by a corporate entity where actress-turned-politician Nusrat Jahan, the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Basirhat constituency was an erstwhile director, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday. Majority of the individuals who were duped by the said entity were senior citizens. We have already approached the Enforcement Directorate with a plea so that the central agency takes up the matter. If they do, it will be good. Otherwise, we will be providing legal support to these duped senior citizens, the leader of the opposition said. Adhikari also alleged that these senior citizens paid hefty sums of money against promises of provision of residential flats. Advertisement These senior citizens were duped and have not been provided with flats till date. Instead, the money they paid was used by the directors of the corporate entity, including the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, to purchase their own flats, said the leader of the opposition. On Monday evening only, BJP leader Shankudeb Panda along with some of the duped investors filed a complaint at EDs Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata against Seven Sense Infrastructure Private Limited receiving around Rs 6,00,000 from each of the duped investors promising them residential flats at reasonable rates within four years. Interns of Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) staged an agitation demanding adequate security for their safety after a group of people allegedly assaulted more than five junior doctors and ransacked a unit of the hospital after sudden death of a snake bite patient today. MMCH authorities lodged a complaint against the irate mob with police. Medi Superintendent and Vice Principal Puranjoy Saha said: A group of 20 people assaulted junior doctors and even the security personnel after the death of a patient. Police did not come on time to prevent them from attacking junior doctors, who were on duty, despite they informed the police on time to save them. A junior doctor, Akash Datta said: We are nearly 100 interns here have staged sit in demonstration demanding adequate security for on duty junior doctors. We are also demanding that senior doctors will be on duty with us for our safety. Mr Datta also said: Five junior doctors, who were assaulted by nearly 20 people, are undergoing treatment. They are completely traumatized and some of them want to discontinue their studies here owing to a lack of security. Another lady intern also said: We always feel insecure when do our job at night. Our demand is authorities should provide adequate security especially at night to save us from such attacks. A snake bite patient was brought to MMCH from Naldubi village from Old Malda this morning. Advertisement According to relatives, the patient was stable and confident. One of them said: We tied a cloth above the wound. Patient died after junior doctors administered an injection and then untied it. After identifying the snake ( Chandrabora) blood sample was collected. Based on blood test report we administered an injection properly. But after that the patient suddenly collapsed, said Akash Datta The key government schemes Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) showed remarkable numbers this fiscal. As per the data shared by the government, under PMJDY, 6,01,328 inhabited villages were mapped out of which 99.63% are covered by a banking outlet through 1.71 lakh Branches, 7.70 lakh BCs, and 1.44 lakh India Post Payments Banks (IPPB). The scheme allows the beneficiaries with one Basic Savings Bank Deposit with OD limit of Rs 10,000. Also, they get a Free Rupay debit card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh. Advertisement As per the Ministry of Finance, as of 12/07/2023, 49.49 crore accounts were opened under the scheme holding deposits worth Rs 2,00,958 crore. Interestingly, it comprises 27.49 crore women beneficiaries. Launched in 2014, the scheme aims to provide universal banking services through the opening of zero balance bank accounts for every unbanked household, based on the guiding principles of banking the unbanked, securing the unsecured, and funding the unfunded (access to credit). On the other hand, the ministry informed that under another key government scheme, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), 6,23,10,598 loans were sanctioned. In a state-wise analysis, Bihar topped the list with 84,89,231 loans after Uttar Pradesh with 68,08,721 loans. In Southern states, Tamil Nadu led the race with 64,06,513 loans this fiscal. Under PMMY, collateral-free institutional credit up to Rs 10 lakh is provided by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday introduced the controversial Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha after Speaker Om Birla rejected various objections advanced by the Opposition against its introduction. The Opposition maintained that the House did not have legislative competence to pass the Bill and argued it was inappropriate to bring significant legislation as long as the government faced a no-confidence motion in the House. Members of the Opposition tore off some papers and threw them in the air as the home minister was about to rise to introduce the Bill. The Speaker told the slogan-shouting members how can you behave like this, and warned that he would be forced to name some members and take action against them. The House was then adjourned for half an hour. Advertisement Shah said the Constitution had given full authority to Parliament to legislate regarding any Union Territory and therefore Parliament can pass any law regarding Delhi. Referring to members objections in view of a recent Supreme Court judgement, the home minister said the judgement itself had clarified that Parliament could pass any legislation regarding NCT Delhi. This was mentioned by Mr Pinaki Misra (BJD) while supporting the Governments right to bring the Bill, Mr Shah said. Therefore, all objections to the Bill were politically motivated and had no Constitutional basis, the Home Minister said. Quoting the Constitution, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Parliament is fully competent to pass the Bill. The Bill seeks to replace the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, and seeks to empower the Central government to make all rules in connection with the affairs of the NCT Delhi government including functions, terms and conditions of service of officers and other employees. The Bill seeks to create a national capital civil services authority, consisting of the chief minister, chief secretary of Delhi, principal home secretary of Delhi which will make recommendations to the lieutenant governor (LG) regarding transfers, postings and vigilance matters of officials. Opposing the introduction of the Bill, leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Bill would be an infringement of the rights of the States and make a graveyard of federalism. Services are a State subject and the proposed law was anti-Constitution. Chowdhury said the law would be against the spirit of the Supreme Court judgement in favour of the Delhi Government. The Bill sought to expand the rights of the Lt governor of Delhi and negate the spirit of the Supreme Court judgement. Mr N K Premachandran (RSP) said he opposed the Bill and questioned the legislative competence of the Central Government to bring a law which is against federalism, which is the basic feature of the Constitution. The Bill would override the Supreme Court judgement. Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) said the Bill violates Article 123 of the Constitution on separation of powers. There was a Supreme Court judgement against it. The matter should be resolved through division of the House. Saugata Roy (Trinamul Congress) said the Bill would override the judgment of the apex court. Gaurav Gogoi (Congress) said the Speaker should give ruling whether a substantive legislation can be introduced during the pendency of the no-confidence motion. Shashi Tharoor (Congress) said the Bill would infringe upon the principle of representative democracy. If Delhis elected government does not have control over Services, how would they run the administration? T R Baalu (DMK) said since 1956, there has been no substantive matter brought by the Government till a no-confidence motion is disposed of. Pinaki Misra (BJD) said the Opposition had ignored a paragraph in the Supreme Court judgement which allowed the Government freedom to bring legislation to modify the existing provisions. The government was fully competent to bring the law, he said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached Green Valley Academy at Manjery in Keralas Malappuram district, which is allegedly controlled by the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). According to the NIA, the Green Valley was one of the oldest and largest arms training centres of PFI in Kerala. It was started during the period of National Development Front, a former organisation of PFI, in 1994. The NIA said that the training centre was spread over 10 hectares of land at Manjeri in Malappuram and operated under the cover of Green Valley Academy. According to NIAs claims, PFI utilized the academy for providing arms and physical training as well as ideological indoctrination in their divisive and communal agenda. The facility was also used to shelter PFI Service Wing members after they committed various crimes, including murders. Advertisement The PFI had been using the property for imparting arms training, physical training, and training on use and testing of explosives to its cadres, identified as part of their Service Wing. The facility was also used to harbour several PFI Service Wing members after they committed crimes, including murders, the NIA said in a press release. It said the PFI used the centre to impart radical and rabid ideological training in PFIs divisive and communal agenda and policies to its trained operatives, cadres and members. Offices of the PFI and its frontal organisations were functioning from these premises under the guise of imparting education and personality development skills. The big move has been made as part of the broader crackdown on terrorist activities linked to PFI across the country The NIA filed a Charge sheet against 59 accused, including PFI as an organization, in the case (RC-02/2022/NIA/KOC) on March 17, 2023. Following the ongoing investigations, the NIA seized the Green Valley Academy at Manjery. Prior to this, the NIA had attached five other PFI training centres in Kerala Malabar House, Periyar Valley, Valluvanad House, Karunya Charitable Trust, and Trivandrum Education and Service Trust (TEST). BJP Kerala president K Surendran said that NIAs confiscation of Green Valley Academy at Manjeri is a slap on the face of the LDF government in Kerala. He alleged that the Kerala Police took a soft approach to the PFI on the instructions of the CPI-M. Green Valley, the headquarters of terrorist activities in India, was not sealed by the police because of vote bank political interests, Surendran said. Surendran also said that it is clear that the CPI-M is supporting Speaker AN Shamsirs anti-Hindu remarks targeting the Popular Front cadres and Muslim votes. The death toll in the violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in the Nuh district of Haryana has gone up to five. Curfew was enforced in the district on Monday night after clashes between two groups. The police said that the clashes started after VHPs Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra was stopped and stones were pelted at the procession by a group of young men near Khedla Mod in Nuh. While two home guards were shot dead, 23 persons, including 10 policemen sustained injuries in the violence. At least 120 vehicles were damaged during the violence. Of these, about 50, including eight belonging to the police, were set ablaze. Advertisement The police said 11 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered and 27 persons have been detained in connection with the rioting. Police were conducting raids in Khedla village as villagers fled to the nearby mountains to escape arrests. Based on the videos doing the rounds, the accused were being identified and arrested, said superintendent of police, Narendra Bijarniya. Nuh Deputy Commissioner Prashant Panwar said no untoward incident was reported through the night. Flag marches are being carried out. Mobile internet services will remain suspended in the district till 2 August. Prohibitory orders were also put in place in the district a day after the clashes. The violence spilled over to the adjoining Gurugram district after a religious building was torched in Sector 57 at Gurugram. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gurugram (East) Nitish Agarwal said some miscreants resorted to arsoning and firing in Anjum mosque last night in which one person was killed and another sustained injuries. An FIR has been registered and investigations are on, he added. In all, the death toll in this violence has gone up to five. While four people, including two home guard jawans, were killed in Nuh, one person was killed in Gurugram. The district administration of Gurugram announced closure of all schools, colleges, and educational institutes for Tuesday. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is scheduled to hold a meeting with home minister Anil Vij regarding the situation in Nuh at CMs residence at 1 p.m. The chief secretary, Director General of Police and top administrative officers will also be present in the meeting. Meanwhile, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij alleged conspiracy behind the violence. The situation in Nuh is under control and curfew has been imposed in the district. Both communities have been staying in Nuh peacefully for a long time. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this. We will conduct a detailed investigation and take strict actions against the people involved in this, he said. The Haryana government has sought 20 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) from the Centre for a week to maintain the law and order situation in the Nuh district. Sources said while 13 companies of paramilitary forces have been stationed in Nuh, six more companies will be deployed soon. There is no curfew in Faridabad, Palwal and Gurugram, However, Section 144 has been imposed there to avoid any untoward incident. Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar made an appeal to the public of the district to maintain peace in the wake of the recent incident. He said all issues can be resolved through public dialogue. I appeal to all the people of Nuh to maintain peace and harmony. We are all one family, and we should not allow anyone to create differences between us. We should resolve our issues through dialogue and understanding, he said. One person was killed and another injured when a religious place was set afire by a mob in Sector 57 of Haryanas Gurugram, police said on Tuesday. The incident happened in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Nitish Aggarwal told IANS that one person was killed and another injured when a group of men attacked the religious place in the area of police station Sector 56. Several fire tenders were dispatched to put out the fire. Advertisement The attackers have been identified by the police and raids were conducted throughout the night, several of the attackers have been rounded up, the DCP said. He further said the security around the places of worship has been tightened in Gurugram. Officials from the police and administration are holding meetings with prominent members of both communities to ensure peace. Internet services were suspended in Sohna, Pataudi and Manesar areas, he said. At least two home guards of the Gurugram Police and eight other police personnel and several others were injured in the communal clashes that rocked Haryanas Nuh district on Monday. The violence broke out during a procession organised by the right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Nuh. The deceased were two home guards, identified as Gurusevak and Neeraj, and an unidentified person. The Nuh clashes later on Monday evening escalated to Gurugram, and mobs in Sohna set ablaze several vehicles and shops in the area. Protesters there blocked a road for hours. The Haryana government has already suspended Mobile Internet services in Nuh and Faridabad. Educational institutes were ordered closed on Tuesday in Faridabad, Gurugram, and Palwal districts as a safety measure. VHPs Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra was stopped by a group of people near Nuhs Khedla Mod and stones were pelted at the procession. People in the procession also hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them and set cars on fire. Later, many took refuge in a temple in Nuh. Over the Oppositions demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence in the Parliament for discussion on the Manipur issue, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav on Tuesday said that PM Modi is guilty so he is unable to face it. PM is guilty, so he is unable to face it RJD chief Lalu Yadav said. When asked about his reported statement that PM Modi will settle abroad after losing the 2024 Lok Sabha election, he said, He is getting a place outside. He will have to run away like Marcos (Ferdinand Marcos) Former President of the Philippines. He has committed so much of sin Notably, Opposition leaders have been continuously cornering the Central government over the issue of Manipur in the Parliament since the first day of the monsoon session. The Opposition MPs are also demanding a statement from PM Modi inside the Parliament on Manipur. Firm on the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday sought to know when he will discuss the serious issue. The Congress leader said members of the Opposition alliance INDIA were ready for a discussion on the Manipur situation, but only if PM Modi attends the session. Speaking to ANI ahead of the start of the ninth day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Venugopal said, We are ready for any discussion. We also told as much to the Rajya Sabha chairman. If the Prime Minister comes to the House and makes a statement (on Manipur), we are ready for a discussion. When is he going to discuss this serious issue in Parliament? Why is PM running away from a discussion? On whether the government should reach out to the Opposition to end the deadlock in Parliament over Manipur, the Congress leader said, You have to ask this question to the ruling BJP leadership. When are they going to speak up on these matters? For the past 90 days, Manipur has been burning. Unprecedented incidents (of violence) have happened there. Taking a dig at PM Modi over his brief statement on Manipur before the Parliament convened for the Monsoon Session on July 20, the Congress leader said, Prime Minister spoke merely for thirty seconds on the Manipur situation. The 21-member delegation of the grand Opposition alliance, on Saturday, arrived on a two-day visit to the state, which has seen ethnic strife and violence since May 3. The leaders returned to Delhi on Sunday afternoon. The violence in Manipur erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3 in protest against the proposed inclusion of people belonging to the Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Advertisement A library in Antalya, Turkey; October 28, 2022. frantic (Alamy Stock Photo) There is someone out there who knows our lives inside out. They keep memories that we have long forgotten. They are aware of our conversations, our whereabouts, our observations and the things that captured our attention every day for the last few years. This someone or something, in all likelihood, understands us better than we comprehend ourselves. Every click, every screen scroll and every keystroke adds to our real-time digital autobiography. It includes hundreds of WhatsApp messages, dozens of photos, social media interactions and even location and search history data stored every day. Its an unparalleled biographical trail that reshapes how human lives are documented and narrated. The very first biographies, such as Plutarchs Parallel Lives (probably written at the beginning of the second century AD) or the medieval hagiographies about the lives of the saints, were often based on long-ago testimonies and even mythological anecdotes. St. Augustines Confessions (398 AD) laid the foundation for the autobiography genre by recounting his life from childhood to his conversion to Christianity. In this book, St. Augustine engages in a conversation with God using the second person point of view, which interestingly resembles the approach of Vida de Arcadio [The Life of Arcadio], a recent memoir by journalist and author Arcadi Espada. Rather than relying solely on memory, Espada brings forth his life story using meticulously archived documentary material from train tickets and underlined news clippings to voice recordings. My book also represents a method, said Espada. I use the same approach in my journalism. When someone tells me what they remember about a specific day, I immediately cross-reference it with other available information. No doubt, many of our own memories are imperfect and inaccurate. Espada still holds onto a vast amount of information about his life, including almost 200,000 emails. As time goes on, it will become increasingly difficult to review all this content, so he now relies on technology for help. Now we have artificial intelligence for that, he said. Its a topic that has always been on my mind how can technology evolve writing? The sheer quantity of information we generate throughout our lifetime is incalculable, but evidence shows a daily surge in the creation of personal data. In one of his short stories, Jorge Luis Borges introduced a character named Funes el Memorioso [Funes the Memorious]. After falling off a horse, Funes suddenly possessed an extraordinary memory capable of recalling even the minutest details, like every hair of the horses mane. One cant help but wonder how long it would take for someone born in the digital age, or their biographer, to thoroughly examine and absorb the immense amount of information collected throughout 80 years of life. Contrary to what you might think, having more digital data doesnt actually make it easier to write biographies, said Viktor Mayer-Schonberger, a professor of internet governance and regulation at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. The most important thing for new biographers wont be the amount of material they have, but rather how much they can leave out because its not that relevant to the bigger picture, he said. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis technology are crucial for finding important topics or events in the vast amount of information left by individuals on digital media. Franco Moretti, a historian and literary critic, coined the term distant reading to describe a literary analysis methodology that uses quantitative and computational techniques to analyze extensive amounts of text. Biographers usually look for information about the typical biographical milestones early childhood, parents, school, career beginnings, accidents and such. The new abundance of data just adds some interesting color here and there, said Moretti. He thinks AI has the potential to create realistic stories based on data and human expectations, but realistic is not necessarily true. What scares me is the thought that artificial intelligence could flood us with plausible biographies that arent necessarily based on the truth. To illustrate how AI could be practically applied, imagine the hypothetical scenario of a writer working on a biography of environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who is poised to become one of the most influential figures of our time. In this hypothetical situation, the biographer gains access to all of Thunbergs WhatsApp messages in 2023. By utilizing natural language processing tools available online, the biographer can analyze things like word and emoji usage patterns, as well as the frequency and duration of conversations. This analysis would provide valuable insights and help the biographer determine how positive or negative words were used during specific periods of her life. It would also help identify the individuals who received more attention from Thunberg. New technologies will help verify the authenticity of internet data. Artificial intelligence will actually help us figure out things like who the actual author of a specific text is, said Mayer-Schonberger. This technology can be very helpful and might just help us answer the question of who actually wrote the works of Shakespeare. Ricard Martinez, director of the privacy and digital transformation program at the University of Valencia (Spain), says that writers must balance an individuals privacy with the need to gather information for the biography. Similar to personal diaries and correspondence, writers must obtain permission to access specific information. If the data is stored in private environments like emails or WhatsApp, a writer needs the owners consent. And if the person has passed away, consent is needed from the heirs or immediate family members, said Martinez. The dividing line between thorough research and an invasion of privacy in a digitally-based biography is extremely thin, says Martinez, and intrusion into private environments can be seen as a privacy violation and may even be against the law. Another concern is the uncertainty surrounding how long the digital information we leave behind will last. The majority of data losses are accidental rather than systematic. Biographers understand that they are piecing together a puzzle, with some missing parts. As long as these missing pieces are mostly random, the overall picture will not be significantly affected, said Mayer-Schonberger. If they rely solely on the information that people intentionally share on social media, where there is pressure to present an idealized life, biographers may encounter an inauthentic and unbalanced portrayal of the subject. Attempting to portray an ideal life is not limited to the digital age. Throughout history, individuals have tried to present themselves in a favorable light. This extends to written correspondence, diaries, speeches and similar forms of communication, said Mayer-Schonberger. In fact, the abundance of data gathered today makes it even more challenging to maintain a flawless facade. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a PIL challenging the Tamil Nadu governments decision to construct the 134 feet tall pen statue as a memorial to DMK patriarch and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. A bench of Justices S.K. Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia dismissed the public interest litigation as withdrawn, while granting liberty to the petitioners to approach any other appropriate forum for availing alternative remedies. If this is about environmental concerns, why cannot the NGT (National Green Tribunal) hear it? Why should everything come directly to the Supreme Court, the bench asked. Advertisement Senior advocate P Wilson, appearing for the DMK government, argued that the plea is politically motivated, having no public interest, and coastal regulation clearance has been obtained for the memorial. He submitted that there is no harm either to fishermen or to the Olive Ridley turtles and the PIL is shadow fighting initiated at the instigation of the opposition AIADMK. Notably, former Fisheries Minister and AIADMK leader D. Jayakumar has moved an impleadment application in the matter. The plea said the area in which the state government has carried out construction activities is part of the tidally influenced sea and the construction activities in those areas are strictly restricted under the provisions of the CRZ notifications. The plea sought direction from the apex court to cancel the Tamil Nadu governments decision to construct the 134 feet tall pen statue on the Marina beach. It argued that Chennai has enough land to build the memorial across the city but erecting a monument, estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 80 crore, on the beach will impact the marina ecosystem and marine life. In April 2023, the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Changes Expert Appraisal Committee gave its approval to construct the monument in memory of Karunanidhi. The Pen Memorial was conceived by the DMK government led by M.K. Stalin immediately after it came to power in 2021. There was stiff opposition from local fishermen and social and environmental activists against it. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that they think that this way we will be hassled and will cow down. But this is Mungeri Lal ke Haseen Sapne after Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets of Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family in a land-for-jobs case. What else can they do? They think that this way we will be hassled and will cow down. But this is Mungeri Lal ke Haseen Sapne. Nobody is going to be scared of them. We will fight and win, Tejashwi Yadav said. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 6 crore of many people linked to former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadavs family in the land for job scam, the agency official said. ED has attached six immovable assets having a book value of Rs 6.02 crore belonging to Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti (daughter of Lalu Yadav), Vineet Yadav (husband of Hema Yadav who is the daughter of Lalu Yadav), Shiv Kumar Yadav (father-in-law of Hema Yadav), the federal agency said in a statement. The agency further said that it has also seized the assets of AB Exports Pvt Ltd and AK Infosystem Pvt Ltd., both companies owned and controlled by family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the railway job for land scam. The ED started an investigation under PMLA, 2002 based on FIR registered by the CBI against the Ex-Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and others. In this case, seven land parcels were acquired by family members of Lalu Yadav (the then Minister for Railways during the period 2004-09) from the candidates irregularly appointed (as Substitutes) and their family members, as a quid pro quo for Group D jobs in Indian Railways, the ED said. The investigation by ED revealed that the family members of candidates gifted/sold land (at cheap rates/lesser than the circle rate) to family members of Lalu Yadav and associated companies in lieu of a job that was given in a malafide manner with undue haste and in violation of extant law and procedure. This criminal conspiracy to abuse his official position for the sake of seeking bribes led to the accretion of the land parcels by his family members at Mahuabagh (Danapur) and Bihta, Patna, in such a manner so as to consolidate the land holdings already in their possession. Earlier in this case, searches were also conducted at 24 locations by ED at various places in Delhi NCR, Patna, Mumbai and Ranchi including residences of Hema Yadav, Ragini Lalu, Chanda Yadav and residential and commercial premises of Amit Katyal, Navdeep Sardana, Abu Dojana and Suman Nayak. Searches resulted in the recovery of unaccounted cash of Rs 1 crore, foreign currency including USD 1900, 540 gms gold bullion and more than 1.5 kg of gold jewellery (worth Rs 1.25 Crore approximately) and several other incriminating documents indicating illegal accretion of huge land bank. Investigation under PMLA revealed that Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav sold four land parcels illegally acquired from appointees in railway to Meridian Construction India Ltd., a company related to Syed Abu Dojana, Ex-MLA of RJD and the proceeds of crime so obtained by Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav were further transferred through a maze of transactions to AB Exports Pvt Ltd and Bhagirathi Tubes respectively. Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav sold these land parcels in Rs 3.5 Crore against the acquisition cost of Rs 7.5 lakhs, thus deriving huge gains, the agency said. EDs investigation has revealed that AB Exports Pvt Ltd is a shell company owned by Tejashwi Yadav and Chanda Yadav, the daughter of Lalu Yadav and has its registered address at D-1088, New Friends Colony, Delhi. Bhagirathi Tubes is a partnership firm under the control of the father-in-law and husband of Hema Yadav, with its principal place of business at Ghaziabad (UP). A total of 6 immovable properties situated at New Delhi, Ghaziabad and Patna being proceeds of crime, have been provisionally attached under PMLA, 2002. The properties attached include the residential premise situated at D-1088, New Friends Colony, New Delhi owned by AB Exports Pvt Ltd. Two land parcels situated at Mahuabagh (Danapur), Patna of which one each is owned by Rabri Devi and AK Infosystems Pvt Ltd have also been attached. Further, one land parcel owned by Misa Bharti has been attached at Bihta, Patna, the agency said in a statement issued on Monday. Apart from this, a portion of two industrial plots, one plot each registered in the names of Vineet Yadav, husband of Hema Yadav and her father-in-law, situated in Ghaziabad have also been provisionally attached. Advertisement Monu Manesar, alias Mohit Yadav, is a member of the Bajrang Dal who was booked for the abduction and murder of two Muslim men in Haryanas Bhiwani in February. 21 others had been booked in the same case. Monu Manesar is now at the centre of the Nuh communal violence that erupted on Monday during a religious procession. According to the police, rumors that Manesar would be participating in the religious procession organized by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad caused the Nuh violence to break out. On Sunday, a video showing him was shared online, although he is at large. Three persons including two Home Guards personnel were shot dead by a violent mob in Nuh, Haryana, on Monday. 20 others were injured in clashes that broke out later between two groups. According to the police, a mob attempted to block the religious procession by throwing stones and setting cars on fire. The Home Guards were shot dead in the melee. The mob flung stones and set fire to automobiles, injuring seven police officers. To disperse the gathering, the police had to fire tear gas canisters and rounds into the air. Manesar is a polytechnic diploma holder and joined the Bajrang Dal in his second year of college. He is the leader of the Bajrang Dals cow vigilante branch in Haryana. Manesar has denied being involved in the murders in Bhiwani. The death of two cousins, Junaid and Nasir, whose burned bodies were discovered inside a four-wheeler in the Bhiwani area, is connected to the case. Their family claimed that Bajrang Dal members kidnapped and killed them. The group has refuted the accusations. Advertisement Manesar has been seen with bureaucrats and police officers in pictures that have appeared online. He had previously surfaced on YouTube, where videos depicted how the cow vigilante gang apprehended cow smugglers. Manesar obtained a silver play button from YouTube in October 2022 for reaching 100,000 followers on his channel. The channel has been blocked now. The Kargil war, whose anniversary was held last week with the defence minister and all service chiefs honouring those who sacrificed their lives at the war memorial in Drass, had brought to the fore serious shortcomings in Indias management of defence. On 24 July 1999, even before the war formally concluded, the government established the Kargil Review Committee under K Subrahmanyam, then head of the National Security Council Advisory Board. It submitted its report on 7 January the next year, and it was tabled in Parliament on 23 February. The report stated, An objective assessment of the last 52 years will show that the country is lucky to have scraped through various national security threats without too much damage, except in 1962. The country can no longer afford such ad-hoc functioning. It added, The Committee therefore recommends that the entire gamut of National Security Management be comprehensively studied and reorganized. Indian armed forces had always functioned in isolated cylinders with limited cooperation. Based on its recommendations, Groups of Ministers (GOM) were formed to scrutinize the national security system in totality. The task force on Management of Defence was headed by Arun Singh, former MoS, Defence. It comprised, apart from others, senior members of three services, including Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Arun Prakash, Lt Gen SS Mehta and Air Marshal TJ Master, all of whom throughout interacted with their service heads. Thus, service chiefs were indirectly part of the deliberations. Admiral Arun Prakash, writing for the IDSA stated, The underlying root of contention (impacting the task forces recommendations) was a sense of insecurity in the IAF, possibly engendered by the fear that some of their roles, or even assets were coveted by the Army and the Navy. He added, The civil services too, felt threatened by grant of any autonomy to the Armed Forces. One of the major recommendations of the Task Force was: Since the COSC (Chiefs of Staff Committee) has not been effective in fulfilling its mandate, it be strengthened by the addition of a CDS and a Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS). HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) was to be established as the HQ of the CDS. The CDS appointment was subsequently scuttled by backdoor lobbying by service HQs, senior veterans and the bureaucracy. Advertisement The service chiefs were unwilling to sacrifice power, while the bureaucracy feared losing control over the forces. Theatre commands were not addressed by the GOM, expecting it to be a continuation of the appointment of a CDS. Politicians were fed the line that making the CDS all powerful could be a threat to democracy (Musharraf had recently taken control of Pakistan). With no CDS, the VCDS nomenclature was changed to Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) and he continued to head the IDS. Two integrated commands, Andaman and Nicobar Command and Strategic Forces Command were raised. The system re-settled and major gains from a thought-provoking study, which could have transformed an archaic system, were scuttled. Change was to come two decades later. Prime Minister Modi announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15 August 2019 that a CDS would be appointed with the responsibility to integrate the forces and establish theatre commands. General Bipin Rawat became the first CDS, assuming the chair on 1 January 2020. This time around there were no screams of threat to democracy or loss of power. Most believed that the time had arrived for the system to be overhauled. There were demands from multiple quarters for rightsizing, right spending of the defence budget, pooling of resources and integrating war fighting capabilities. Lessons from recent conflicts proved that future wars would need integrated employment of forces and the current system must be overhauled. However, in India, disagreements and hesitation to share resources remained the same as they had been twenty plus years earlier. The air force refused to budge, claiming a shortfall of resources as also it would be against its concept of indivisibility of air power. It pushed forth the belief that air power would be employed in contingencies to meet operational requirements of theatre commands, implying that they had their own concept of operations. While many criticized the US system, which they believed India adopted, they missed the fact that US theatre commands have a base allocation of air power and additional allocations based on threat. Strategic airlift assets are largely centrally managed and allocated as per need. The size of the Indian theatre is far smaller than that of US theatre commands, enabling better coordination of resources even if allocated. The other services also have their own agendas. The navy hopes to gain control over the coast guard, while the army over all border deployed forces, including those under the Home Ministry, on their concept of one-border, one-force. The final structure which will emerge is yet to be announced. After intense debate and resolving disagreements, alongside a possible nudge by the political leadership (elections being next year), Indias first set of theatre commands were announced. Of the two land-based theatre commands, one would be established at Jaipur, for the western sector, and the other at Lucknow, for the northern. The maritime command would be located at Karwar. Other joint commands including logistics, training, etc. would follow. The two land-based theatre commands would be largely army with air power advisors, but no resources. Hence in reality they will not be integrated commands. They will possess a sprinkling of elements of other joint commands including logistics, cyber, space etc. Once this structure is established, it is unlikely to change. The end result will be theatre commands in name but not in form. How effective it will be is questionable. Air power allocation for operations will still be planned in Delhi, whereas it should have been in Lucknow, Jaipur and Karwar. It is distressing that the armed forces have not evolved to meet challenges of the future, solely because of a belief that assets are insufficient for permanent allocation. Shortfalls will always exist, countering challenges jointly, despite them, is a sign of efficiency and leadership. As Buddha had said, Change is never painful. Only the resistance to change is painful. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) Coups are not new to west and central Africa; the military takeover of power in Niger last week is the seventh such event in the region since 2020. But the latest, which saw the overthrow of Nigers President Mohamed Bazoum by the commander of his presidential guard Abdourehamane Tchiani, is important in that it is seen as a blow to Western efforts to tackle Islamic insurgency, and judging from some responses may emerge as another chapter in the proxy war between Western countries and Russia-backed mercenaries. While the European Union has announced a suspension of financial aid and security support to Niger, one of the worlds poorest countries, Russias Wagner mercenary group has hailed the coup as an ouster of colonisers. A statement attributed to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said, What happened in Niger is nothing other than the struggle of the people of Niger with their colonisers with colonisers who are trying to foist their rules of life on them and their conditions and keep them in the state that Africa was in hundreds of years ago. A few days before the coup, Prigozhin had told his men to be prepared for a new journey in Africa. The Wagner group is active in several parts of Africa, and seems to enjoy some popular support in Niger as well. Demonstrators who greeted the coup in Niamey, the countrys capital, were seen waving Russian flags and shouting slogans in support of Wagner. They later burnt cars and ransacked the headquarters of the ousted presidents political party. With Nigers armed forces having endorsed the coup, and announced a suspension of the activities of all political parties, it seems likely that it will take more than sanctions to restore the sort of democracy that the West would like to see in the country. The coup has been condemned by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations, the United States, France and other nations. Mr Bazoum was popular with the West because he had committed himself and his government to resist the ISIS insurgency in the country, and work with neighbouring Mali to put down the group. He had also promised to tackle corruption and resolve the countrys demographic problems by limiting family size and ensuring gender equality through education for girls. But it seems clear that he had failed to deliver on many of his promises, leading to increasing frustration in the country, and what Tchiani described as the gradual and inevitable demise of the country. With Nigers current leaders having asked ECOWAS and other regional partners to stay away from their affairs, and with Western powers having been left with few options in the matter despite the presence of some French troops in the country, the future seems uncertain. For the people of Niger, this is just another chapter in an existence marked by suffering. Advertisement When you are the longest serving Prime Minister of a democratic country, it is safe to presume that you have cracked the formula and are personally ambitious beyond normal imagination. History of democracies suggests that each of these longserving leaders increasingly became more illiberal, undemocratic and populist as time passed to perpetuate their stranglehold. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (18 June 1996-6 July 1999; 31 March 2009-13 June 2021 and now 29 December 2022 onwards) personifies the amoral template of an hyper-insecure, increasingly authoritarian and ambitious leader who will go to any extent to remain in power. Presiding over Israels most rightwing government composed of the ultra-right/religious politicians (including some convicted of racism), Netanyahu goes about hitting new lows towards selfpreservation. Netanyahus tenor and dark impact has already made the likes of Moshe Dayan, Menachem Begin or even Ariel Sharon, seem like relative doves. The entire edifice of Israeli democracy is set for a regressive transformation as it recants against its own official description of its political structure (embassies.gov.il): The system is based on the principles of separation of powers, with checks and balances, in which the executive branch (the government) is subject to the confidence of the legislative branch (the Knesset) and the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by law. It is this very predication of checks and balances, with the ostensible independence of judiciary that is getting attacked directly. Advertisement The surreptitious idea of weakening the judiciary in a democracy is not new, as many fringe elements in the past did posit such thoughts earlier ~ but it was always thought to be too revolutionary and counter-productive, even for right-wing parties. But like all ruthlessly ambitious politicians who can go to any extent over a period to normalise the possibilities of the absurd, Netanyahu has passed a bill that renders him and his politics impervious to judicial oversight, despite commitments of checks and balances. Accused of promoting crony-capitalism by extending favours to a select few tycoons in return for gratification and a supportive press, Netanyahu was facing judicial trials that could have evicted him from power, if convicted. Netanyahu used the ageold pretext of reforms as used by all authoritarians to diminish the power of checks and balance institutions, to justify his brazen steps that now virtually allow him a free and unchecked run in office. Through such means, the accused will gleefully override judicial pronouncements without any fear, and will also decide who can become judges in the future. Basically now, Netanyahu can appoint anyone, irrespective of propriety, deny a right or privilege, ride roughshod over constitutional precedent, implement any policy without restraint, extend terms or virtually do anything that suits his politics, as the only institution that could put a spoke in his wheel i.e., the judiciary, is now defanged and rendered ineffectual. The doctrine of reasonableness that was invoked to justify a judicial intervention whenever any perceived excess of partisanship, corruption or unconstitutionality was felt can no longer come into play, anymore. Essentially, Netanyahu can do as he likes with no limits as to where the buck stops, hereinafter. Netanyahu has changed the outlook of his Likud party, which though nationalist and conservative was given to inherent liberality, freedom of speech and the rule of law. Not anymore, as it increasingly resembles the hardline autocracies of Hungary or Turkey. The idea of Israel as a liberal, secular and democratic nation is in question with Netanyahu making cause with toxic and openly bigoted politicians like Ben-Gvir, whom the previous Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had described as a far bigger threat to Israel than a nucleararmed Iran! BenGvir has been made the Minister of National Security, a position of huge impact, but given to one who has been convicted earlier (of incitement to racism and supporting terror organisations) and never served in the Israeli Army. Nineteen-year-old Ben-Gvir had infamously appeared on a TV screen with a Cadillac car emblem (supposedly broken from the car of the then Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzak Rabin) and was heard exhorting, Just like we got to this emblem, we can get to Rabin. Three weeks later, a right-wing student shot Yitzak Rabin dead at a peace rally. Peace, societal harmony and secularism are an anathema for the likes of Netanyahu and his team whose politics can only thrive in an environment of hate mongering, polarisation and pandering to majoritarianism. Even by Netanyahus very low standards on inclusivity and secularism, in his third coming as the Prime Minister, he has upped (or lowered) the ante to its vilest and most despicable levels ever. Consequently, the two-state solution on Palestine (which is Indias official preference also) is buried for all practical purposes and the process of usurping more land, legitimizing the illegal settlements, and the project of diminishing the Israeli Arabs is sadly on track. Its not just politics but the delicate social-fabric of Jewish-Arab rapprochement that is at stake. Despite Netanyahus current bravado afforded by the numbers in Parliament, Israeli citizenry has rallied against him on the streets with an eclectic mix of intelligentsia, veterans, bureaucrats and even reservists voicing their fears. Polls indicate a two-third disdain for Netanyahu but his voluble supporters amongst the extreme-right wing and religiously fired constituents are drowning the dissonance. While snap polls indicate a loss for Netanyahu today. But with his latest move which frankly could lead to unprecedented possibilities and policy changes in the future, polls held at a later stage could give very different results, owing to legalized manipulations. The political rhetoric in Israel is getting fiery and extremely divisive and there is no clarity as to how far the agenda will go? The likes of Netanyahu may make for successful politicians who can win by hook or crook (and set records for longevity), but the impact of their unbridled machinations and vitriol can poison society for generations. Perhaps unbeknownst to Netanyahus frenzied supporters (even if in a minority now), he has not muscled the agenda of Israel as cavalierly claimed by them, but weakened the idea of a nation that was Israel and strengthened the arguments of those whom he routinely calls his enemies. Netanyahus electoral victory could be the irreparable loss of Israels character and therefore, future. The writer is Lt Gen PVSM, AVSM (Retd) and former Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar islands and Puducherry) In an incident on July 31, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawan named Chetan Singh shot dead four individuals. The incident took place on a train near Palghar railway station in Maharashtra. Among the victims was an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and three passengers. Chetan Singh has been serving with the railway protection force for a few years. His possession of a rifle became evident when the ASI asked Ghanshyam Acharya to hold the rifle temporarily, but Chetan insisted on having it back and took it forcefully after choking Ghanshyam Acharya. Coming from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, Singh got a transfer to Mumbai from the Bhavnagar division in March. After a recent visit to his hometown, he resumed duty on July 17. However, in the aftermath of the tragic event, authorities apprehended him under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, in addition to relevant provisions from the Indian Weapons Act and Indian Railway Act. Advertisement One of the victims, Tika Ram Meena, was from Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan and was due for retirement in 2025. He leaves behind his wife, a 25-year-old son, and two daughters aged 18 and 20. Ghanshyam Acharya, who saw the incident, stated that Chetan Singh was in agitation prior to the shooting and even choked him to retrieve his rifle. During that ill-fated day, Chetan Singh, aged 33, employed his automatic weapon to fatally shoot RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena (58) and three passengers, namely Abdul Qadirbhai Mohammed Hussain Bhanpurwala (62), Akhtar Abbas Ali (48), and Sadar Mohammed Hussain (48). This tragic incident occurred aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express at around 5 a.m. Chetan Singh was subsequently brought before the court by the Borivali police on Tuesday afternoon. Advocate Amit Mishra, representing the accused, maintained that Mr. Singh is innocent and did not commit the murders. However, the prosecution argued for 14 days of police custody and stated that Mr. Singh might be mentally unfit. Nevertheless, the magistrate granted the constable seven days in police custody. The court proceedings banned the entry of media. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has said that the armed clashes in a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon are unacceptable as they violate the countrys sovereignty. Armed clashes between members of the Palestinian Fatah Movement and Islamist militants in the Ain Al-Helweh camp intensified on Monday, with the death toll increasing to 11 and injuries to 37, Xinhua news agency reported. A statement released by the cabinet quoted Mikati on Monday as saying, What is happening is unacceptable as it places the camp outside the control of the state; every resident of the Lebanese territory must respect the countrys sovereignty. Advertisement Mikati added that despite the ceasefire agreed upon among Palestinian factions, some parties are constantly violating it. Clashes between rival Palestinian groups often occur in the Ain Al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated Beijings unwavering support to Islamabad, saying that no matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan. He made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the decade of CPEC celebration event held in Islamabad on Monday which was also attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is currently on a three-day visit to Pakistan, reports Geo News. Speaking about the bilateral ties, President Xi stressed that both countries will continue to improve overall planning and expand and deepen cooperation. Advertisement Pointing out that CPEC is an important pioneering project of the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said that China will work with Pakistan to further build the project into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Geo News reported. He added that both countries will work to aim for high-standard, sustainable and livelihood-enhancing outcomes. Since its launch in 2013, China and Pakistan have been advancing CPEC under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and have achieved a number of early harvests, he added. This has added new impetus to the economic and social development of Pakistan and laid a good foundation for regional connectivity and integration, he said, adding that it is a vivid testament to the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, and provides an important underpinning for building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Cyprus and Greece welcomed the moves by the EU and Turkey to engage in consultations for the promotion of their relations, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during an official visit to Cyprus. He was speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. Cyprus and Greece welcome the rapprochement between the EU and Turkey, but the process must be gradual and also reversible, Mitsotakis added. Advertisement Christodoulides said that a positive agenda by the EU in relation to Turkey is important for efforts to promote a Cyprus solution that could end the islands partition brought about by the Turkish military operation against the eastern Mediterranean island in 1974. He added that accepting a positive agenda by the EU in relation to Turkey was conditional on positive moves by Turkey over Cyprus and particularly on accepting a restart of the Cyprus peace negotiations along the lines described in UN Security Council resolutions. The two leaders also said that Cyprus and Greece were eager to help Turkeys efforts to promote its relations with the EU in several areas, including a visa concession for Turkish nationals visiting EU countries and an upgrading of an EU-Turkey customs union. They also spoke about the close relations of their countries, which will be further advanced at a meeting of a newly formed Supreme Cooperation Council of Greece and Cyprus, with the participation of the two leaders and Ministers from the two countries. Christodoulides announced that as a gesture of friendship and solidarity Cyprus will cover the cost of the reforestation of parts of forest land that was burned down by wildfires last week on the island of Rhodes in Greece. In a few weeks, Patricia will turn 40, so she has started to take stock. For a little over a year, she has had a contract as an IT specialist, the first stable job she has ever had in her life. She is saving to buy a house and still lives with her mother. She doesnt have a partner or any prospect of starting a family (nor does she want to). A midlife crisis? Not at all. I cant be tired of a stability Ive barely achieved. My parents did it when they were 25. Im taking much longer, Patricia replies. The only crisis that millennials may be able to avoid is the midlife crisis. The oldest members of this generation are just beginning to reach middle age, and they have no bourgeois stability to rebel against. Some economists and sociologists question the survival of a phase that has been sold to us as biological and universal, much like adolescence or old age, when it is really just a social and cultural construct. Culture has always been especially important in talking about the midlife crisis, from modern novels like Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina to authors from the Middle Ages such as Dante Alighieri. In The Divine Comedy, Dante recites the following poem: Midway upon the journey of our life/ I found myself within a forest dark/ for the straightforward pathway had been lost. The myth of the midlife crisis has survived to this point in its entirety. The success of series like Fleishman Is in Trouble and films like Not Such an Easy Life prove its survival, at least in pop culture. Reactions to Pantomima Fulls famous viral video about conformism confirm that the notion continues to fascinate and polarize. The midlife crisis is understood as a critique of conformity, the last adolescent rebellion before or after jumping through hoops and accepting adulthood. Ignacio Conde-Ruiz, a professor of economics and the co-author of the book La juventud atracada [Youth on the Hook] is 53 years old. Only now, with his daughters grown up and his career on track, is he beginning to feel something similar to a midlife crisis. Life phases have been slowing down, which is apparent among millennials. Its a generation that has been hit twice, at key moments in life, the economist points out. The first one was when they entered the job market amid the onset of the Great Recession. They saw their wages dwindle as rents and mortgages soared. The childbearing age was pushed back, and work was no longer stable. And then, just when there seemed to be the promise of stability, the pandemic broke out, Conde-Ruiz recalls. The economic context has shaped millennials, but the political and demographic contexts have also defined them. It is a generation that is already smaller than the previous ones, although it is not as small as the ones that follow, reflects the economist. That makes them almost invisible to politicians. Their problems arent the focus of attention in elections. For all these reasons, millennials have been slower to embrace adulthood. Moreover, adulthood has become richer and does not present a single monolithic model. Eighty-five percent of the silent generation (those born between 1928 and 1945) were living with a family in 1968, defined as a spouse, children or both. Only 55% of millennials were in that situation in 2019. Marriage rates have declined significantly in recent decades; those who do get married do so later. According to the Spanish Statistical Office (INE), the average age for getting married is 35 for women and 38 for men. In Spain, the average age for buying a house is 41 years old. Millennials become parents at rates similar to previous generations, but on average they have their children later: at 32.6 years of age. In 1980, they did so at 25. Given this data, the bourgeois life that supposedly suffocates those suffering a midlife crisis has barely even begun at 40 for millennials. The feminist origins of the midlife crisis The reductionist caricature of a midlife crisis is of a man who buys a convertible and takes a young mistress. But a woman helped popularize this concept. In the 1970s, Gail Sheehy rescued the ideas of psychologist Elliott Jaques (which he had articulated in Death and the Mid-life Crisis, 1965) and others. Sheehy reread them through a feminist lens. In so doing, she turned an obscure psychological theory into a social phenomenon. Passages chronicled maturity and sold very well. It became one of the most influential books of its time, and the concept of the midlife crisis took hold in society forever. According to Sheehy, it was a way of breaking the straitjacket of traditional gender roles, Susanne Schmidt says in a video call. The 35-year-old historian who has not experienced a midlife crisis herself set out to investigate the feminist origins of what has become an essentially male myth. The result was her book Midlife Crisis: The Feminist Origins of a Chauvinist Cliche. Gender roles played and continue to play a key role in this. At that time women were supposed to stay at home [and] take care of the children. Men were supposed to go to work, generate some family income and adhere to these ideals of masculinity. But, as they reached middle age, many people wanted to express the parts of themselves that they were unable to express outwardly because of gender roles, Schmidt explains. Thus, many housewives started or resumed their careers, while some men took a step back from theirs or asked for shorter working hours. But in addition to gender, race and class also inform this phenomenon. In 1995, the National Institute on Aging in the United States began collecting data on 7,000 adults between the ages of 25 and 75. The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study lasted for over 20 years. According to the results, older adults show higher levels of psychological well-being than younger and middle-aged people. But this study cast doubt on whether that was a universal feeling. It showed that only 10% of Americans suffer [a midlife crisis], notes Schmidt, who points out that in disadvantaged African American communities, the midlife crisis is anecdotal or nonexistent. Its a niche phenomenon that is presented as something akin to adolescence, as if everyone is going through this phase, and theyre not. Its mostly men, mostly white, mostly upper and middle class. This is a story about privilege, Schmidt argues. A philosophical approach Macarena is 41 years old and has a stable job as a doctor. She has a husband and three beautiful children. They live in a villa in Pozuelo, an exclusive neighborhood on the outskirts of Madrid. She is happy, but sometimes she wonders: Could my life have been different? Because there are not so many decisions anymore and because the most important ones (what to study, whether to get married, whether to have children, whether to buy a house, etc.) have already been made, Macarena admits. She adds that the midlife crisis is a mourning for [ones] lost youth, for the person you could have been [but] werent. That feeling of loss is inevitable, Kieran Setiya, a 47-year-old American philosopher, explains via video call. And its the side effect of something good. Its a way of appreciating the diversity of the world and our ability to choose, he adds. A decade ago, Setiya was relatively happy with his career and family. Things had been going well for him, but he began to feel overwhelmed. He experienced a midlife crisis and, to work through it, he wrote a book. In his work Midlife: A Philosophical Guide, he scientifically and philosophically reflects on an idea that science and philosophy have long taken as a joke. There is a caricatured idea of [the midlife] crisis, Setiya says. But it involves grappling with really deep philosophical questions about how to deal with the fact that life is necessarily finite. That no matter what we do in our lives, there are all sorts of things we wont get to do. Setiya does not believe that this feeling is conditioned by privilege. He supports that claim by pointing to a Dartmouth College study conducted in 132 countries. People living in developed countries experience the worst time of their lives at around age 47; that also happens in developing nations, around a year later. The happiness curve over time is U-shaped; or smile-shaped; childhood and old age are at the edges and our 40s are the lowest point. This kind of existential questioning may sound remote and incomprehensible to people in their 20s or 30s, but Setiya argues that everyone, regardless of age, recently experienced it firsthand. It happened three years ago, when Covid-19 confined us to our homes. The pandemic made us perceive life as limited and repetitive, which is basically what happens with a midlife crisis. It induced an experience in people who otherwise would not have had it so intensely or so early, he explains. It resulted in the Great Resignation: In 2021, 50 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs. They did so based on questions like, Is this it? Am I going to do this for the rest of my life? In the wake of this global crisis and its resonance in politics, Setiya began to wonder about the social structures that push us into a midlife crisis. Its a personal crisis, but the social and political structure in which we live tends to exacerbate those kinds of experiences. The obsession with failure, success and social achievement and the comparative structures on social media lead us to constantly measure our happiness with respect to others, explains Setiya. He refers to Instagram as a carousel of false emblems of happiness where no one changes diapers, no one works or rides the subway. He believes that, after observing others vibrant lives, it only makes sense that our own seem drab in comparison. Thats why Kieran Setiya defends the legitimacy of this type of crisis. He encourages individuals to take it as an opportunity to reflect on their own lives. But, on a social level, he advocates approaching the midlife crisis as a political project. It is about restructuring society to give us more space [and] valuing the process of what we do, not only [our] accomplishments Our lives are not totally consumed by the need to survive and deal with the problems around us. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Investigators say poor track conditions caused a 2021 Amtrak derailment in Montana that killed three A derailment of an Amtrak train in Montana that killed three people in 2021 was caused by a poor track conditions at the accident site, federal investigators said in a final report Larry Ruark is a Sun Chronicle columnist. His essays are published the first Tuesday of each month. Reach him at larryruark37@gmail.com . Unbeatable in the polls the most recent one, published on Monday, gives him a 37-point lead over Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primaries Donald Trumps judicial setbacks do not seem to be hampering his electoral prospects, although his legal defense has cost him over $40 million so far this year and about $56 million since he left the presidency. But his legal representation has not borne much fruit: Trump has not managed to avoid indictments in Manhattan and Florida, for the Stormy Daniels case and the confidential papers that he took to his Mar-a-Lago mansion, respectively; nor has he escaped judgments handing down millions of dollars in damages (for the Trump Organizations tax fraud, $1.6 million, and $5 million for his sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll). His lawyers billable hours can only increase in the future, if two other likely indictments are confirmed: one in Washington for the events that led to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol the Republican believes that the indictment could occur at any time, as he said today on his social media and the other case in Georgia for attempted electoral fraud. His defense teams primary strategy of using delay tactics has not worked and also failed in this latest case. On Monday, the judge presiding over the Georgia grand jury investigating him rejected the former presidents attempt to disqualify the prosecutor, Fani Willis, from handling the case and to block any accusation arising from the investigation. His lawyers also unsuccessfully tried to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James from her investigation into his irregular business practices. In the coming weeks, the Georgia investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 results in that state where Joe Biden won by a narrow margin of votes will conclude; it is expected that charges will be filed at that point. The ex-presidents defense team has also failed to get the judge to quash the special grand jury report with recommendations on the indictment. The document remains sealed pending the findings; Willis will ask the grand jury to vote for an indictment before Sept. 1. Most of her team is working remotely for security reasons, and police have already begun to install fences around the courthouse. Willis is a Democrat, Trumps usual argument for decrying his victimization. Indeed, the former president accuses all of the prosecutors in the cases against him of engaging in political witch hunts. This Monday he has reiterated this complaint in messages on Truth Social, his social media website, posting ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE! (in all capital letters) and I assume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his highly partisan gang of Thugs, pertaining to my PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech In the Georgia case, the primary evidence is the recording of the call Trump made to the Secretary of State, also a Republican, Brad Raffensperger, on January 2, 2021, asking him to find enough votes to change the election results. I just want to find 11,780 votes one more than the votes Biden won in that state Trump is heard saying in the audio recording. Still president at the time (Biden was sworn in on January 20), Trump rebuked Raffensperger, tried to flatter him, pleaded with him to act and threatened the secretary of state with vague criminal consequences if he refused to act. The latter rejected Trumps demands and explained that his claims were based on disproven conspiracy theories. Raffensperger made it clear to Trump that Bidens victory in Georgia by a margin of 11,779 votes had been fair. The data you have is incorrect, the senior official told Trump. Others are also implicated in the case in Georgia, one of the swing states that are decisive in the national electoral outcome. One such person is Rudy Giuliani, Trumps former personal lawyer. Last week, the former mayor of New York City put another obstacle in the way of Trumps reelection campaign by confessing that he had lied in his efforts to get his boss the votes he wanted. Under investigation in the case, Giuliani admitted to having made false statements about two election officials who have since sued him for defaming them when he claimed that fraud had taken place in Georgia during the 2020 elections. Georgia has become another thorn in Trumps side, despite his broad support among the Republican voter base in his bid for reelection, according to Siena Colleges latest poll for The New York Times, a survey that is generally reliable. Even if Trump is convicted, no law prevents him from running for election or even being re-elected president. But his wishes are no longer commands: in the November midterm elections, the ex-president wanted to exact revenge against the political figures in Georgia who refused to intervene in 2020, but Republican governor Brian Kemp, who also opposed Trumps chicanery, was re-elected as governor. Carlos de Oliveira, manager of Mar-a-Lago, arrives at the Miami courthouse on July 31. MARCO BELLO (REUTERS) The arraignment of the Mar-a-Lago manager The grand jury in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case added three new charges against Trump and a third defendant, Carlos de Oliveira, the manager of Trumps social club. De Oliveira appeared in court for his arraignment on Monday in Miami. The former president allegedly ordered the manager of Mar-a-Lago to erase the contents of the server that temporarily stores images from the mansions video surveillance cameras to obstruct the FBI investigation. De Oliveira was arraigned and summoned to appear in court on August 10 in Fort Pierce, about 124 miles (200 kilometers) north of Miami, where Judge Aileen Cannon who was appointed by Trump is presiding over the case. De Oliveira was released on $100,000 bail. Trump is handling the legal expenses for both De Oliveira and the other defendant in the case, Walt Nauta. De Oliveira, who was promoted to his position as manager of the Mar-a-Lago resort last year, allegedly asked a fourth unidentified worker to erase video footage that had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice and requested by investigators. He is charged with obstruction of justice, corruptly altering, destroying, mutilating or concealing recordings and evidence and making false statements to federal investigators. Trump and Nauta pled not guilty to the initial 37 charges and are expected to plead not guilty to the three charges that were added last Thursday. Those include withholding 31 classified documents containing national defense information. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 20. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Job Title: Risk and Compliance Officer Organisation: Uganda National Airlines Company Limited Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda About US: Uganda Airlines is the flag carrier of Uganda. The company is a revival of the older Uganda Airlines which operated from 1977 until 2001. It began flying in August 2019. Job Summary: The Risk and Compliance Officer involves working with SRO and First Line Risk Owners to develop and maintain the risk management framework including its infrastructure and to conduct research on specific issues. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Maintaining the risk register and developing/managing an analytical framework for assessing the severity of Uganda Airlines risks / deriving its Risk Profile. Providing technical and administrative support for scenario modeling exercises in relation to major risks and populating/maintaining a consistent dashboard that reflects the output from these exercises. Develop and compile any metrics to be used for risk management and socialize them with businesses and management. Maintain risk databases and methodology documents. Write risk policies as directed and provide supporting documentation to risk committees to secure their approval. Develop and maintain processes for monitoring developments in Uganda Airlines, the airline and transport industries, and the global environment and assessing their impact on Uganda Airlines risk profile. Define and conduct a process for having new risks or changes in existing risks captured in Uganda Airliness taxonomy Prepare papers and supporting materials for Executive Committee and Board Audit, Risk and Compliance Committees and ensure action items and requests from committee members followed up. Conduct deep dive research into specific risks, working with internal or external specialists, to provide briefings for risk committees and wider management. This research should be both relevant and thought-provoking and should contain firm recommendations. Build a network of informal contacts across the organization but with Safety and Audit departments, such as to be able to both gather intelligence and exercise soft influence. Work with Manager Risk and compliance to promote a positive risk culture within the Company, seeking to provide the materials and the environment for open discussion and debate Develop a reputation as a risk management expert to monitor, benchmark, and recommend best practices in large corporations in general and the airline industry. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant for the Uganda Airlines job must hold a Bachelors degree in any discipline At least three years of experience working in risk management, compliance, or internal audit at a major listed corporation or in the risk area of a global consultancy and/or Strong communication skills, both on paper and in person, able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders and to build strong relationships. Analytical mindset with an enthusiasm for learning new things, researching issues, and developing new insights on established and emerging issues. Numeracy and logic will be important attributes to support effectiveness. Presentation skills, the ability to write concise reports, organize materials, and prepare PowerPoint presentations all very desirable. Curious disposition, inclined to question and challenge and to seek understanding of issues while always maintaining the respect of stakeholders. Very customer-oriented, keen to work in partnership with Business Units to seek positive outcomes. Excellent Excel & PowerPoint skills How to Apply: All candidates who wish to join Uganda Airlines in this capacity should apply online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 7th August 2023 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline A brightly flashing gigantic X sign atop the San Francisco headquarters of the Elon Musk-owned company was removed abruptly just three days after it was installed. The move comes after San Francisco city launched an investigation into building code violations. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection said on July 31 that it received 24 complaints about the giant X's structural safety and intrusive lights over the weekend. The company, rebranded as X, had removed the Twitter sign and iconic blue bird logo from the building last week. Initially, the work was abruptly paused as the firm failed to secure necessary permits and the er at the end of Twitter remained on display for a while. Police said they hadn't taped off the sidewalk to keep pedestrians safe if anything fell. This morning, building inspectors observed the structure being dismantled. The property owner will be assessed fees for the unpermitted installation of the illuminated structure, a spokesperson from the city department of building inspection said by email accessed by Reuters. However, X said the removal was voluntary, according to the news agency. In April, Musk got the letter w removed from the Twitter sign installed outside the headquarters, making the logo read as 'Titter'. Musk had clarified back then that his firm was legally required to keep the w on. Hence, instead of completely removing the letter from the building, Musk got the blue w painted over in white that matches the background colour. Our landlord at SF HQ says were legally required to keep sign as Twitter & cannot remove w, so we painted it background color. Problem solved! Musk wrote on Twitter back then. In another post, he joked, They tried to muffle our titter. However this is not the first time that Musk's company is facing the wrath of San Francisco city. In December 2022, the city's building inspection department responded to complaints about Musk violating zoning regulations by converting rooms in the headquarters into hotel room and making employees sleep in their offices overnight. Responding to the allegations, Musk slammed the city, saying it was attacking companies for allowing "tired employees" to rest. Microsoft, on Tuesday, announced the appointment of Puneet Chandok as corporate vice president of Microsoft India and South Asia. Effective September 1, 2023, Chandok will assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari, the company said in a release. "Supported by a strong leadership team, Puneet will oversee the integration of Microsoft's businesses across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, further boosting the company's presence in the region, while deepening its focus on key industries through a customer-centric approach with generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) at its core," Microsoft said. "Puneet has a strong track record of building and growing technology businesses and leveraging technology to deliver impact and change," said Ahmed Mazhari, president, Microsoft Asia. Before his appointment at Microsoft, he was the AWS (Amazon Web Services) India president. He was with AWS for more than four years. Chandok was reportedly responsible for the expansion of AWS in India. His exit comes at a time when AWS announced a $12.7 billion investment to build cloud infrastructure in India. Chandok, who completed his MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, spent more than 11 years at the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. He was the deputy general manager, Asia Pacific, at IBM before joining McKinsey & Company. "I am inspired by Microsofts mission to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. As India expands its own digital public infrastructure, I believe that this mission is more relevant here than ever before, and I am thrilled to be joining the One Microsoft team to make this mission a reality, Chandok was quoted as saying. As many as 16 workers were killed after a giant gantry crane crashed on a girder during the construction of the third phase of the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra's Thane district on Tuesday. As many as six are feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue. "Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far, while three persons are wounded. Six more people are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure," the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) informed in a statement. The incident reportedly happened around 1 a.m. on Tuesday between Sargaon and Sarambegain. The workers were involved in the third and final phase of the 701-km-long Samruddhi Mahamarg between Nashik-Mumbai when the mishap occurred. The collapsed machine was a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction and to install precast box girders in highway construction projects, according to PTI. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a 701-km-long expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur. It traverses ten districts including Nagpur, Washim, Wardha, Ahmednagar, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Amravati, Jalna, Nashik, and Thane. The construction of the Samruddhi Mahamarg is being carried out by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences. "Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's office tweeted. "An ex-gratia of 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given 50,000," it added. The Delhi services bill which seeks to replace an ordinance that mandated the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. According to the revised list of business for Tuesday, Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce the bill while his deputy Nityanand Rai will make a statement on the reasons for bringing an "immediate legislation" by promulgating the ordinance. The ordinance has become a rallying point for opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA. According to The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, all transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the central government a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "With a view to give effect to the intent and purpose behind the provisions of Article 239AA of the Constitution, a permanent authority, headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi along with the Chief Secretary, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Principal Secretary, Home, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, is being constituted to make recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor regarding matters concerning transfer postings, vigilance and other matters, according to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill. The National Capital Civil Service Authority shall have the responsibility to recommend the transfers and postings of all Group 'A' officers (IAS) and officers of Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) officer (DANICS) serving in the Delhi government. It says that this would balance the interest of the nation with the interest of the Union territory of Delhi in the administration of the capital to the manifestation of the will of the people reposed in the central government as well as the government of National Capital Territory of Delhi. Justifying the move to bring the bill, the statement of objects and reasons says several important national and international institutions and authorities like the President, the Parliament, the Supreme Court, various constitutional functionaries, foreign diplomatic missions, international agencies, etc are located in Delhi and high dignitaries from other nations pay official visits to Delhi. The highest possible standards are required to be maintained in the administration and governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, it said. It said that any decision taken in respect of Delhi not only affects the residents of the city but the entire country and shall have the potential of putting the national reputation, image, credibility and prestige at stake in the international global spectrum and therefore, the entire nation is vitally interested in the governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party had opposed the ordinance saying the Centre had "deceived" the people of Delhi. "This is a deception committed with the Supreme Court and the people of Delhi who have chosen Kejriwal thrice as the chief minister. He doesn't have any powers but the LG, who has not even been chosen but forced upon people, will have powers and through him the Centre will keep tabs on the work happening in Delhi. This is contempt of court," AAP chief spokesperson and Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had said. Kejriwal himself, along with party ruled Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had visited most non-BJP-ruled states and met opposition leaders seeking their support to oppose the legislation. Donald Trump takes the podium to address his supporters at a campaign rally this Saturday in Erie, Pennsylvania. JEFF SWENSEN (Getty Images / AFP) Donald Trump as a Republican candidate is like those top athletes who accumulate victories without knowing defeat. Despite the series of legal setbacks he is facing, polls consistently show that the former U.S. president has a big lead over the rest of the candidates who will contest the partys primaries for the 2024 presidential election. The latest poll by Siena College/The New York Times confirmed his lead on Monday: with 54% support among the likely Republican primary electorate, he is 37 points ahead of second-placed Ron DeSantis, who gets 17% backing. A long way behind, three other candidates registered a meager 3% support (Mike Pence, who was Trumps vice president; Senator Tim Scott, and former Trump-appointed United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley). Respondents showed 2% support for former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The poll does not reflect the six other candidates who scored even lower. One conclusion can be inferred from the data: not even by adding the votes for the rest of the candidates, if they decided to withdraw from the race, could DeSantis prevail over Trump in the primaries. Support for the former president also increased considerably among the partys most conservative voters, giving him a 50-point advantage, or 65% compared to 15% for DeSantis. The governor of Florida scored poorly in decisive segments of the party, electorally speaking: he only obtained 9% support among voters over 65 years of age and 13% among those without a university degree. Blue-collar workers continue to be loyal to Trump, as they were in 2016. Other recent polls, such as the one by Morning Consult updated on July 25 give Trump an even greater lead: 59% support compared to 16% for DeSantis. As the Florida governors campaign forcibly undergoes a reboot to regain ground, each judicial setback (and Trump has had several so far this year) only seems to advance his candidacy. In the Morning Consult poll, Ramaswamy is in third place, with 8% of potential Republican primary voters backing him. Potential voters in the Republican Party primaries are 32% more likely to have recently heard something positive about the businessman, which is, according to this pollster, the highest level of expectation in the sector, a figure that some other surveys confirm but not so the Siena College/New York Times poll. In the average number of polls projected by FiveThirtyEight, an opinion poll analysis website, Trump obtained 52.6% on Monday, ahead of DeSantis (15.6%) and Ramaswamy (6.3%). Trailing in fourth place was Pence (third in the Siena/New York Times poll), with a slightly higher percentage: 4.3%. The YouGov poll for The Economist magazine roughly shows the same lead for Trump as the Siena/New York Times survey. Another reliable projection by IPSOS/Reuters gave Trump 47% support at the beginning of July compared to 19% for DeSantis, a bigger lead than the 44%-29% registered before the first indictment of the former president in New York in late March. According to the charts, Trumps popularity among voters has soared since a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict him in the Stormy Daniels case. His campaign registered a record number of donations after the news broke, while voting intention surged. Although 61% of Americans are in favor of renewing their political class Congress has a significant amount of lawmakers in their eighties Trump, 77, is aiming to be the challenger to President Joe Biden, who is 80. The charges that he faces, and those that might be added in the near future in connection with alleged attempts to overturn election results in Georgia in 2020, are no impediment to his running for office. Not even a conviction would disqualify him. A mob set on fire a restaurant and vandalised several shops amid religious chants in Gurugram's Badshahpur on Tuesday afternoon in a fresh bout of violence that came a day after five persons were killed and over 70 others injured in communal clashes in neighboring Nuh district. According to reports, a mob of around 200 people reached the area around 4 pm and vandalised several meat shops belonging to a particular community and set fire to an eatery. They also chanted "Jai Shri Ram" in front of a mosque in Badshahpur. A fire brigade team reached the spot and controlled the blaze, police said, adding that the Badshahpur market has been shut down. The rioters managed to flee the spot by the time the police reached, though some of the suspects have been detained. The violence erupted in the area on Monday after a procession of the Vishva Hindu Parishad came under attack by a mob. Five persons, including two security personnel and the cleric of a mosque, lost their lives as violence escalated by the evening. So far, 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people taken into custody, police said. Sixteen companies of central forces and 30 companies of Haryana Police have reached Nuh even as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the attack on the VHP procession seemed to be part of a big conspiracy and asserted that strict action would be taken against the culprits. Mobile internet services have been suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday. Educational institutes were ordered to remain shut on Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. Political parties condemned communal violence that engulfed Nuh and spread to parts of Gurgaon in Haryana. Five people including two home guard personnel got killed in the clashes as sporadic incidents continued on Tuesday. The violence started after Vishwa Hindu Parishad carried out a religious yatra in the region. The VHP said that it carries out yatra every year to visit temples during one of the Mondays of the Hindu Sawaan month. Within 15 minutes, its yatra was attacked with stones and shots were fired. The rioters started torching the vehicles and attacked the yatra. There were over 20,000 people in the yatra. The government should take strict action against them, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said. The VHP will carry out protests at the district headquarters on Wednesday. The VHP has announced nationwide protests against the attack on their yatra and the death of two Bajrang Dal activists. After the violence, the state administration clamped down on the internet and had shut down educational institutions to stop the spread of violence. Haryana CM M.L. Khattar alleged that the attack on the yatra was a conspiracy. According to some accounts, the violence had erupted over the suspected presence of a cow activist in the yatra, who is accused of killing two Muslim youth for which Rajasthan Police had registered a case. The Bajrang Dal activist had posted a video on social media saying that he would participate in the yatra as he exhorted others to participate too. Sources denied that the cow activist had attended the yatra. After the round of violence on Monday, there were incidents of violence in some parts of Gurgaon on Tuesday where shops and shanties of a particular community were attacked. As the region neighbours Delhi and Rajasthan, the atmosphere was tense if the violence could spread. The local authorities held peace committee meetings between the two communities in Nuh and Sohna. Internet has been shut in parts of Nuh, Sohna and neighbouring region, while section 144 has been imposed and educational institutions shut in several cities. President's rule should be urgently imposed in Manipur and a Supreme Court-monitored SIT be set up to probe clashes in the state, the Delhi Commission for Women has said in a report listing interim recommendations sent to President Droupadi Murmu. DCW chief Swati Maliwal was in Manipur last week to interact with survivors of the ethnic violence that has wracked the state since May. The commission has given 24 interim recommendations to the President on this pertinent issue. "Given the extent of violence and the polarisation between the two communities, President's rule, as per Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, should be urgently imposed in the state. The administration needs to be run by neutral persons whom both communities can trust," the report said. As part of the interim recommendations, the DCW has said Chief Minister N Biren Singh should resign from office and that a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up to probe ethnic clashes and the government's response. Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers should urgently visit the state, the report said. It has also called for probe into the circumstances under which "more than 4,000 sophisticated weapons were looted from the police forces and complaints received in the past three months against police inaction and/or collusion". The Commission has also sought two separate SITs headed by retired Supreme Court judges, one to monitor the investigation of all cases of murders, missing persons etc and the other to specifically look into cases of sexual assault. Further, the DCW has recommended that all cases of sexual assault should be handed over to the CBI, and trials should take place in a fast-track court outside the state, preferably Delhi. The survivors should be given an option for relocation and rehabilitation in the state where their trial would take place. They should be provided proper counselling, legal aid, housing, security, and livelihood opportunities. A compensation package of Rs 25 lakh should be urgently provided to the survivors and their families, the report read. The Commission has also recommended launching a helpline for reporting cases of sexual violence. It noted that "sexual violence is often used as a weapon to humiliate and terrorise vulnerable people in a conflict zone". "There is an apprehension that many such cases may have occurred in Manipur in the past three months. The administration should urgently establish a helpline encouraging women to report cases of sexual violence, if any". The Commission also has given recommendations for ensuring welfare of pregnant and lactating women as well as children who may have been orphaned during the violence. It also sought adequate assistance in relief camps. The DCW has recommended initiating online classes so that the education of students studying in schools do not suffer. It has stated that for college students who have been displaced, if need be, arrangements should be made to facilitate their admissions in colleges located in other states. It has also sought prohibition of civilian blockades on roads to allow the unhindered flow of relief material to all affected districts. The recommendations also include setting up relief camps in other states for Manipuri people and lifting ban on the Internet. Maliwal has also sought time from the President to meet her and discuss the situation in Manipur. At least 150 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3. The Patna High Court on Tuesday upheld the caste survey in Bihar by dismissing all petitions challenging the survey. A bench headed by Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran delivered the verdict on various petitions challenging the caste survey ordered by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Senior advocate Dinu Kumar, a counsel for one of the petitioners said that he will move the Supreme Court against the judgement. "We do not know the details of the order which comes barely a few months after the court had stayed the survey. In the open court, the bench said it was rejecting all the petitions," he said. "We will be able to say more once we get a copy of the judgement. Of course, the judgement implies that the state government can carry out the survey. We will move the Supreme Court, though," he added. Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav expressed his joy over the HC decision. "Our government's caste survey will yield authentic, credible and scientific data which will be of greatest benefit to OBCs, EBCs and the poor among all classes. It will be a huge and revolutionary step in the direction of economic justice", Yadav tweeted in Hindi. Though BJP had extended its support to the caste survey earlier, it has been accused by RJD and Kumar's JD(U) of trying to impede the same to appease its upper caste vote base. "We demand that the Centre undertake caste census. Why are those, who express false pride over having an OBC PM, do not want a headcount of the country's poor and backward majority", Yadav asked. The survey was decided to be held in two phases. The first phase started in January this year, while the second phase began on April 15 which focused on gathering data related to people's caste and socio-economic conditions. The survey was supposed to continue till May 15, however, the HC had stayed the survey on May 4. The stay was sought by social outfits noting that the survey was actually a census, which can only be carried out by the Central government. The matter had even reached the SC but it refused to interfere in the matter and referred them back to the HC. Bihar CM had made it clear that the state is conducting a survey only by collecting information related to people's economic status so that the government can serve them better. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared a stage with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Tuesday as he was conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune. This is a memorable moment for me, said Modi on receiving the award. Lokmanya Tilak changed course of freedom struggle...British called him father of Indian unrest, said Modi. He also added that he has decided to donate the Rs 1 lakh prize money, he received with the award, to the Namami Ganga project. I want to dedicate this award to 140 crore people of the country," he said. "The role of Lokmanya Tilak in India's independence, his contribution cannot be summed up in a few incidents and words," he said. While speaking at the event, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, "It is a matter of pride for us when leaders of other countries take his (PM Modi's) autograph and respect him. Some call him boss and some touch his feet." He also added that development impossible if there is mistrust. PM Modi says he has given Rs one lakh received with Lokmanya Tilak National Award to Namami Gange project. Modi shared a candid conversation with Pawar on the stage. Pawar's presence at the event was significant as it is his first appearance with Modi after the NCP split. The Opposition had said that Pawar attending the event would send a wrong signal to the people. #WATCH | Maharashtra | Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a candid conversation with NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Pune. (Source: Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis YouTube) pic.twitter.com/JPowJFgVWT ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 However, Pawar did not entertain requests from members of the opposition INDIA alliance to not share stage with Modi. The award was constituted in 1983 to honour the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak and is presented every year on August 1, Tilak's death anniversary. A joint protest was staged against Modi during his visit in Pune. Some social organisations and members of various political parties joined the protest. Prominent social activist Baba Adhav led the protest where the participants waved black flags. The alliance members held the protest at Mandai, around 300 metres from the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh temple where Modi performed pooja soon after reaching Pune. Leaders of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and members of various social outfits took part in the protest. As the Opposition parties rally against the ruling BJP government at the Centre, all eyes are on an award event in Pune on Tuesday that will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. Though it is Modi who will receive the award, the spotlight is on whether or not NCP chief Sharad Pawar, the prominent face of the state's opposition coalition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), will attend the event. Pawar has been invited as the chief guest for the event to be held at 11.45 am in Pune. Though the NCP leader has so far not commented anything about his attendance at the event, the trust's vice president Rohit Tilak's has stated that Pawar would be there. "There is no change in the programme. Pawar Saheb, who is the chief guest, will attend the event. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, and Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is also a trustee, will also be attending the event," Tilak told reporters. The MVA and the Opposition parties believe that Pawar attending the event may give a wrong message to the people. The leaders of INDIA bloc believe Pawar's presence was "bad optics for the alliance" considering how his nephew Ajit Pawar had revolted against him and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. While Congress has said that Pawar sharing the stage with Modi was "his personal decision", Shiv Sena (UBT), another MVA member, said that there could be confusion regarding Opposition's unity. "When a leader from the opposition coalition MVA or INDIA chooses to attend such a function, then confusion is bound to happen. Pawar is an experienced leader, we do not have to tell him all this, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said. Urging Pawar to clear the air, Raut said that the Opposition parties were together and both the MVA and INDIA coalition are stronger. However, many opposition leaders have urged Pawar in person to stay away from the event, including Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad and socialist and former MLA Dr Kumar Saptarshi. Opposition protest The members of the opposition bloc INDIA are also planning a protest against PM Modi's visit on Tuesday. The Congress' youth wing in Pune has put up posters with the message "Go Back Modi" in some parts of the city. Meanwhile, the Opposition leaders said they have been slapped with notices by the police for planning to protest. NCP city unit president (Sharad Pawar faction) Prashant Jagtap, who is going to take part in the agitation, said he has been served a notice by the police under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) section 149 (police to prevent cognizable offences). He added that that he was told agitations and rasta rokos (road blockade) where five or more people may assemble have been prohibited in public as well as private spaces as per the Maharashtra Police Act. "We are going to stage a protest against Modi. Since they do not want this agitation or black flags to be waved, we have been served notices," he said. Mohan Joshi, Maharashtra Congress vice-president, said he, too, has received a police notice, but asserted the protest will take place as planned China has reportedly cracked down on PLA's nuclear arsenal wing, replacing its chief over corruption charges. PLA Rocket Force chief General Li Yuchao and his deputy has "vanished" for months, and Wang Houbin, a former Navy deputy commander, is the new department head. Wang will be assisted by Xu Xisheng, who will move from Southern Theatre Command to become its new political commissar. Analysts consider the move one of the biggest unplanned shake-up in Beijing's military leadership in almost a decade. This comes soon after the country's foreign minister Qin Gang was replaced. The military's anti-corruption wing is reportedly investigating Li Yuchao and his current and former deputies Zhang Zhenzhong and Liu Guangbin, reported South China Morning Post. Though there have not been any official annoucements, the report added that the investigators have already "taken away" the men. An earlier report in the South China Morning Post said the investigation began sometime in March after Gen Wei Fenghe resigned as the country's defense minister. It added that though all senior generals in the Rocket Force had good reputations before their promotion, they became "immoral after moving to Beijing headquarters, allowing them to have more chances to engage with defence-related enterprises". According to regional analysts, the latest purge is significant. "China is undertaking one of the most profound changes in nuclear strategy in decades," Lyle Morris, a foreign policy and national security fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told BBC. Morris added that though President Xi Jinping has consolidated control of the PLA, it doesn't mean it's complete. "Xi is still worried about corruption in the ranks and has signalled that absolute loyalty to the [party] has not yet been achieved," Morris said. The President had pushed for strict discipline and anti-corruption efforts within the party "to a deeper level." Rocket Force is the key element of the countrys nuclear deterrence and is instrumental in ramping up military pressure on Taiwan. Over the last decade, the Rocket Force has deployed modern missiles targeting Taiwan. China had earlier too undertaken anti corruption campaign against its generals, at one point targeting hundreds of thousands of officials at all levels. Over 100 generals were punished through the drive, including the vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission. Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned in a junta amnesty of more than 7,000 prisoners to mark Buddhist Lent, state media reported. The civilian leader has been in detention since a 2021 military coup. Chairman of State Administration Council pardons Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced by the relevant courts," state media said. Suu Kyi will be pardoned for five offences. The leader currently is serving a sentence of 33 years for various offences. She is appealing the convictions for various offences ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption. She denied all of the charges, a Reuters report reads. The Nobel laureate will be pardoned for five charges, and the 14 offences will stay. Suu Kyi is the daughter of Myanmar independence hero Aung San. She was first put under house arrest in 1989 after huge protests against decades of military rule and was released in 2010. in 2015, she won an election that was held as part of tentative military reforms that were brought to a halt by the 2021 coup. Former President Win Myint also had his sentence reduced. On Monday, the military junta extended the emergency it imposed on Myanmar when it seized power from an elected government in 2021. this has delayed the elections the army promised when it took over. The state of emergency has been extended for six more months. The military junta said the emergency was extended because it needed time to prepare for the elections. The announcement amounted to an admission that the army does not exercise enough control to stage the polls and has failed to subdue widespread opposition to military rule, which includes increasingly challenging armed resistance as well as nonviolent protests and civil disobedience, despite the army having a huge advantage in manpower and weapons. The military said that it had taken over the government because of fraud in the last general election held in November 2020. The coup triggered non-violent protests, which the armed forces suppressed using lethal power, triggering a civil war-like situation. According to an independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 3,857 people have been killed by the security forces since the coup so far. The army-enacted 2008 constitution allows the military to rule the country under a state of emergency for one year, with two possible six-month extensions if preparations are not yet completed for new polls, meaning that the time limit expired on January 31 this year. Suu Kyi's parties and 39 others were in March by the election commission for failing to re-apply under a political party registration law enacted by the military government early this year. According to the MRTV broadcaster, coup leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told the military-backed National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) polls could not take place amid continued fighting in the Sagaing, Magway, Bago and Tanintharyi regions as well as Karen, Kayah and Chin states. We need for a time to continue our duty for systematic preparation as we shouldnt hold coming elections in a rush, he said. The US condemned the extension of the emergency, stating that extending the state of emergency would plunge Myanmar deeper into violence and instability. Since overthrowing a democratically elected government two and a half years ago, the military regime has carried out hundreds of air strikes, burned down tens of thousands of homes, and displaced more than 1.6 million people, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told PTI. --With PTI inputs The Australian Space Agency has concluded that the dome-shaped mystery object that washed up on a beach in Western Australia was from an expended Indian rocket. The agency said it is communicating with India's space organization ISRO to determine next steps. On July 15, the object was discovered near the beach in Green Head in Western Australia (WA) about 250 kilometres north of the city of Perth. The Australian Space Agency tweeted, "We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by @isro. The space agency also said, "The debris remains in storage and it is working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who will provide further confirmation to determine the next steps, including considering obligations under the United Nations space treaties." It added, The Australian Space Agency is committed to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation, and continues to highlight this on the international stage. According to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, countries are required to return any "foreign" space objects found in their territory to the owners, the BBC reported. "If the community spots any further suspected debris they should report it to local authorities and notify the Australian Space Agency via space.monitoring@space.gov.au," the agency tweeted. Space debris both man-made and natural has a habit of coming down in WA's vast outback, although it is rare for it to be found washed up on the state's 12,895 kilometres of coastline. Most famously, the Skylab space station came hurtling back to Earth in 1979, with pieces of the rogue station found in the most remote of outback locations in Balladonia, north-east of Esperance in WA's south. The local council hit NASA with a $400 littering fine, which reportedly remains unpaid. But scientists with their eyes trained on the skies have also recovered fragments of space rocks that have made it through the atmosphere and slammed into the ground in WA's outback. France is set to evacuate its citizens from Niger, the French foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Unrest continues in the country days after President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by members of his presidential guard. "In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey, and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an operation of evacuation by air from Niamey is being prepared," the French Embassy said in a statement, DW reported. The evacuation is expected to take place swiftly and very soon. Germany's Foreign Ministry, on Monday, said it was suspending bilateral cooperation with Niger, but added there were no plans to evacuate its citizens yet. Currently, about 100 members of the German army are present in Niger to assist in training local forces. On Sunday, supporters of Niger's new leader General Abdourahamane Tiani burned French flags and attacked the French embassy in the capital city of Niamey. The police used tear gas to disperse the attackers. Later, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a swift and uncompromising response if there were any attacks on French interests in Niger. Currently, there are about 500 French nationals and around 1,500 French troops in Niger. French troops have been helping to fight against Islamic insurgencies in the Sahel region for about a decade. Niger gained independence from France in 1960. The Italian foreign ministry too, has said that a special flight would be arranged to evacuate Italian nationals from the country. Neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso and Mali have said that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Niger and has said that it would employ military intervention if Bazoum was not reinstated by August 6. KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2023 - 17:06 | All, World, Japan Switzerland plans to lift on Aug. 15 import restrictions it has been imposing on food products from parts of Japan after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, the Fukushima prefectural government said Tuesday. Switzerland will follow in the footsteps of the European Union, which will remove the remaining controls requiring radiation tests on some agricultural and fishery products from 10 prefectures, including Fukushima, on Thursday. Switzerland is not an EU member. Swiss Ambassador to Japan Andreas Baum told Fukushima Gov. Masao Uchibori about the decision to remove the restrictions when they met at the Swiss embassy in Tokyo on Monday, according to the prefectural government. With the EU and Switzerland dropping the measures, the number of countries and regions imposing import restrictions on Japanese food products will be 10. In Asia, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau maintain import restrictions on Japanese food products. China and Hong Kong have intensified radiation inspections of seafood imports from Japan ahead of a planned release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. The water, processed through an advanced liquid processing system that removes radionuclides other than tritium, will be diluted to one-fortieth of the concentration permitted under Japanese safety standards before being released via an underwater tunnel 1 kilometer off the power plant around the summer. At one point, a total of 55 economies had placed restrictions on Japanese food imports due to fears of radiation contamination after the Fukushima disaster. The United States, Israel and Singapore lifted all of their post-Fukushima import restrictions on Japanese food products in 2021, while Britain and Indonesia lifted their measures in 2022. Related coverage: Food, beverage imports from Japan held up at Chinese customs China refuses to brief Japan on blanket seafood testing for radiation Hong Kong steps up radiation inspections of Japanese seafood imports The death toll from a suicide bombing in Pakistan has risen to 56, a government official said. The Islamic militant group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party. A bomber detonated a vest packed with explosives near the stage on Sunday on the outskirts of Khar in Pakistans northwestern Bajaur district, which borders Afghanistan. The rally was organised by a key member of Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharifs coalition, Fazlur Rehman. The toll from the attack could rise, Anwar-ul-Haq, the region's deputy commissioner told Reuters. The JUI-F is known for its close ties to the Taliban in Afghanistan. The attack comes as Shehbaz Sharif's government readies to step aside on August 13 and elections are expected to be held in the coming months. A suicide attacker from the Islamic State [ISIL] detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd, the group said via its Amaq agency. Reportedly, three suspects in connection to the bombing have been detained, District police officer Nazir Khan said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. "The Pakistani nation, law enforcement agencies and our protectors will never allow such cowardly tactics of the enemy to succeed," he tweeted. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) condemned the attack too. Authorities had indicated that the jihadist group IS in Khorasan province (ISKP) was behind the bombing. Pune Chapter 1 kick-started with a conference and Ed-Talk with principals from renowned schools This marks the beginning of BeyondSkool's journey in Pune after successful running of their programs in Mumbai schools PUNE, India, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bid to enhance this generation's proficiency with skills of critical thinking, communication, entrepreneurship and technology, BeyondSkool, India's No. 1 Skill Education company has launched the Education Leaders of India (ELI) initiative. The program is a tribute to education visionaries who are responsible for shaping our children's future. ELI strives to recognize and amplify the efforts of these leaders, equipping them with essential resources to make a significant impact in their schools. ELI aims to provide a platform for principals and owners to build a network for holistic development and create opportunities for rewards and recognition for their students. The program kick-started with a conference and Ed-Talk - 'Catering to Alpha Generation - how are schools adapting to it.' The session that was hosted at The Ferns, Pune saw the participation of over 50 school leaders from renowned educational institutions in the city. The discussion facilitated a collaborative platform where educational thought leaders shared insights and best practices in adapting education to the needs of the Alpha Generation. The Chief Guests for the afternoon were on-air presenter for Radio One 94.3 FM, RJ Tarun and Mr. S.S. Deshmukh, Chairman of the Vidya Group of Schools. The speakers included Siddharth Rajgarhai, Chief Learner and Director, DPS Varanasi (Nashik; Lava, Nagpur; and Hinjewadi, Pune); Zeenat Shaikh, Principal, MSB Educational Institute; Kanika Anand, Principal, Arise International School, Ravet; Sonali Balwatkar, Principal, Akshara International School; Dr. Mrudula Mahajan, Vice Principal, Akshara International School; Bhavana Narsingoju, Principal, Symbiosis Jr. College; Ram Raina, Director, Cambridge International School; Sunita Rai, Principal, Eon Gyanankur English School; Monica Arora, Director, Beacon High School; Vishakha Gupta, Principal, Beacon High School; and Mukesh Tilwani, Director, Academic Heights Public School, Chikali, Pune and Bachpan Play School, Shivtej Nagar, Chinchwad. The entire event was conducted in partnership with Dr. Kajal Chhatija, Director United International School Founder & CEO EduDrone Speaking on the launch of the ELI initiative, Payal Gaba CEO & Founder of BeyondSkool said, "We are excited to enter the vibrant educational landscape of Pune and contribute to the transformation of education for the Alpha Generation by equipping schools to deliver next-generation skills to our children. With the ELI initiative, our goal is to foster the exchange of best practices worldwide, professional development of our school leaders and enhance our school system and administration. Through professional conferences, Ed-Talks, newsletters, and referral programs, we aim to create a vibrant community of educational leaders dedicated to excellence." She further added, "At BeyondSkool, we firmly believe in the upskilling of all stakeholders in education, be it students, by setting up Skill-labs in schools, teachers through specialized training and school leaders through the ELI initiative. We are excited about the possibilities ELI presents and look forward to empowering and supporting educational leaders in their quest to provide the best education for our children." The Education Leaders of India conference marks the beginning of BeyondSkool's journey in Pune and showcases its commitment to fostering educational excellence in the region. BeyondSkool aims to empower schools with holistic and future-ready education solutions that enhance the learning experience for students and equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century. The company's comprehensive offerings encompass setting up skill-labs Communication, STEM and Financial Literacy labs and delivering research-backed curriculum, trained teachers and impact assessments. About BeyondSkool BeyondSkool is India's leading skill-education company. Its vision is to create new-age innovators, influencers, and problem solvers, through ingenious programmes that complement the current education system and equip kids to grow beyond the school curriculum. The Upskilling Education Company has launched Communication Labs, Design Thinking Labs, STEM Labs, Financial Literacy Labs and LogiMath Labs in schools across Mumbai and Lucknow. In merely two years, BeyondSkool has already delivered skill-based courses to 22,000+ students worldwide across 20+ international markets. Awarded the 'Most Innovative Solutions for 21st Century Upskilling' at ELDROK India K12 Summit, the platform was founded by two professionals who are parents, CXOs and MBA grads from top Indian and international universities with a combined rich industry experience of 45+ years, and led by a highly acclaimed academic team, researchers and advisors from across TFI, NYU, HKUST and IIT. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) The government is aware that municipalities and corporations are conducting animal birth control programmes for street dog management in an "unstructured" manner without following rules, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. The ministry had notified Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 on March 10 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 after superseding the ABC (Dogs) Rules, 2001. Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Parshattom Rupala, in his written reply to Lok Sabha, said, "there is information that the muncipalities and corporations are conducting Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in an unstructured manner without following rules." On whether the government was aware of the discrepancy between the reported decline in animal bite cases and the ground reality, Rupala said, "no, Sir". Information on dog bite cases are reported on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The data is collected through hospitals according to the declaration of the patient, he said. Asked if the government is open to reviewing existing policies regarding the permission to kill dangerous and aggressive dogs in alignment with scientific advancements, the minister said euthanasia is allowed for animals who are severely ill and are incurable as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960. However, the Act prohibits the culling of healthy animals and states that the only effective way to control or manage the stray dog population is through ABC programme. The Supreme Court, in an order dated November 18, 2015, directed that no innovative method or subterfuge should be adopted by the local authority other than those prescribed under the ABC (Dog) Rules, 2001 notified by the central government, which has now been superseded by ABC Rules, 2023. Any kind of laxity while carrying out statutory obligations is not countenanced in law, the minister said. He said the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is expeditiously processing the applications received for Project Recognition for conducting ABC programme so that the effective implementation of the programme can be carried out at local levels. Animal welfare organisations engaged by the local authority having requisite infrastructure, training and expertise for carrying out ABC programme are eligible to submit the online application through the AWBI portal for Project Recognition of each ABC Centre, he added. In a separate reply, the minister said Kerala government on July 13 wanted to operationalise at least one ABC Centre in a block for effective management of dog population. Mumbai, Aug 1 (PTI) The Reserve Bank on Tuesday said 88 per cent of the Rs 2,000 banknotes valued at Rs 3.14 lakh crore have returned to the banking system after it announced withdrawal of the high value currency notes from circulation in May. According to the data received from banks, the RBI said the total value of Rs 2,000 banknotes received back from circulation is Rs 3.14 lakh crore up to July 31, 2023. "Consequently, Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation as at the close of business on July 31 stood at Rs 0.42 lakh crore," the central bank said in a statement. As much as 88 per cent of the Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023, have since been returned. The total value of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation, which amounted to Rs 3.62 lakh crore on March 31, 2023, had declined to Rs 3.56 lakh crore as at the close of business on May 19, 2023. Out of the total banknotes in Rs 2,000 denomination received back from circulation, about 87 per cent came in the form of deposits and the remaining around 13 per cent has been exchanged into other denomination banknotes. The Reserve Bank has urged the public to utilise the next two months to deposit and/or exchange the Rs 2,000 banknotes held with them to avoid any rush in the last few days before September 30, 2023. New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) The Kerala government has sought more time to complete the process of land transfer to AAI for having a runway end safety area at Calicut airport that had witnessed a fatal aircraft crash in 2020, according to a senior official. The development comes a little over a month after Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia shot off a strong letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, saying that if the land was not handed over to AAI, the ministry will proceed with necessary action for curtailing the length of the runway for safe aircraft operations at the airport from August 1. Against this backdrop, the Kerala Chief Minister has informed the minister that the state government will need some more time to complete the process of transferring the land and sought a few more weeks, the official at the ministry told PTI on Tuesday. The state government has also told the ministry that a special rehabilitation package for the land owners, over and above the stipulated requirements, is being offered, the official said on the condition of anonymity. The airport at Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Currently, only narrow-body aircraft are operating at the airport. In the wake of the deadly crash of an Air India Express aircraft on August 7, 2020, at the airport, a central government-appointed expert panel recommended that the state government may be requested to provide filled-up levelled land for the provision of Runway End Safety Area (RESA). Besides, the panel had said that in case the required land is not made available, the runway length should be reduced to provide the required RESA of 240 metres from the ends of the runway strip for undershooting and overshooting of aircraft. With the delay in handing over the required land, Scindia, in a letter dated June 26, to Vijayan had expressed "deep anguish regarding the inordinate delay". "... the ministry is left with no choice but to proceed with the necessary action of curtailing the runway length for the safe aircraft operation at Calicut airport from 01.08.2023 unless the land is handed over to AAI immediately," Scindia said. The provisioning of RESA would take around three years after the land is handed over to AAI, he noted. In the August 2020 Boeing plane crash, more than 20 people were killed, including 2 pilots, and several others were injured. There were 190 people onboard the aircraft, coming from Dubai, that overshot the runway at Calicut airport amid light rain before breaking into pieces. Kathmandu, Aug 1 (PTI) Nepal and India will hold a Ministerial-level Joint Commission meeting here to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and also take necessary steps to work out a future course of action, a senior minister said on Tuesday. This will be the seventh meeting of the Joint Commission, the highest-level bilateral mechanism between the two countries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be visiting Nepal to participate in the meeting, according to Foreign Affairs Minister NP Saud. "During the recent BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Retreat held in Bangkok, I invited Indian Minister for External Affairs Jaishankar, to attend the meeting in Kathmandu for its Nepals turn to host the meeting," Saud told PTI in Kathmandu over the phone on Tuesday. Although the date of the meeting has not yet been fixed, Foreign Minister Saud said that the meeting will tentatively take place in October or November. The Foreign Minister-level Joint Commission is the highest mechanism that will review all aspects of bilateral ties between the two countries. The meeting will review the entire gamut of Nepal-India ties as well as take stock of the agreements and understandings reached between the two countries during the recent visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to India, foreign ministry sources said. Prime Minister Dahal was on an official visit to India from May 31 to June 2. The last meeting of the Joint Commission was held in New Delhi in January 2021. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday launched LEAP Coworks, a rebranded version of the Kerala Startup Missions (KSUM), which is aimed at adding a thrust to the innovation ecosystem in the state. Along with the launch of LEAP, which is short for Launch, Empower, Accelerate, Prosper, the CM also inaugurated the refurbished headquarters of KSUM in Thiruvananthapuram, a government release said. Besides that, Vijayan also inaugurated the first phase of the country's first Digital Science Park. In a tweet, the CM said the park would catalyse Kerala's progress as a thriving hub for digital technologies. "Kerala, which pioneered India's 1st IT park 3 decades ago, has once again set an exemplary model by founding the country's 1st Digital Science Park. Today, inaugurated the 1st phase of the park, which aims to catalyse #Kerala's progress as a thriving hub for digital technologies," he tweeted. Regarding the LEAP Coworks programme, the government said that the new KSUM headquarters at Technopark here has been rebranded as LEAP Coworks Space. "By this move, KSUM expects to provide standardised co-working spaces across the state for the startups," it said. After the launch of the LEAP membership card and inauguration of the LEAP Coworks, Vijayan went around the workspaces, complete with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the release said. LEAP aims to help empower startups and foster their culture of innovation, the release said. "The new space aims to create an environment that nurtures innovation, encourages networking and facilitates the success of startups and entrepreneurs," KSUM said. The LEAP Coworks space will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, well-designed workspaces and meeting rooms, besides high-speed internet connectivity and other essential amenities required for a productive work environment, it said. Even after the transformation into a coworking model, KSUM will continue to provide valuable incubation support services to startups, including mentorship programmes, business development assistance, access to funding opportunities and expert guidance. Through LEAP, KSUM will introduce flexible membership plans to accommodate the various needs of the startups, including hot desks, dedicated desks and private office spaces, it said. The exclusive LEAP Coworks card will give startups, professionals, angels and venture capitalists unparalleled access to KSUM's premium facilities and will also facilitate subsidised access to all LEAP centre facilities besides providing access to book Flexi Workstations and KSUM's partner incubation centres across the state, it said. "For registration, visit leap.startupmission.in, it added. KSUM is the nodal agency of the Kerala government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state. Mumbai, Aug 1 (PTI) The Indian film fraternity has welcomed the amendments to the cinematograph act mandating a maximum jail term of three years and a fine of up to five per cent of the production cost of the film for those involved in film piracy and circulation of such content. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023, which was passed by the Rajya Sabha last week, was approved by the Lok Sabha on Monday. The amendments have led to appreciation from several in the film fraternity including the Producers Guild of India (PGI), censor board chief Prasoon Joshi and producer Dinesh Vijan. "We welcome the passing of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023 by both Houses of Parliament and are especially grateful for the provisions prescribing stricter penalties against piracy. @ianuragthakur @MIB_India," PGI tweeted. This was the first substantial amendment to the Cinematograph Act 1953 since 1984 when the minimum punishment for an offence relating to a video film was introduced. The Bill also removes section 6.1 of the Act that granted powers to the Central government to revise the CBFC certification of a film and has provisions to introduce three age-based certifications under the 'UA' category, namely 'UA 7+', 'UA 13+' and 'UA 16+', and to empower the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to sanction a film with a separate certificate for its exhibition on television or other media. "The Cinematograph(amendment )Bill 2023 is a big step forward to stringently address the issue of film piracy. Holding firm the autonomy of #CBFCs certification the bill also introduces nuances in the certification process with the evolving sensibilities #CinematographBill," Prasoon Joshi tweeted. "Kantara" and "KGF" producers Homable Films said the Bill is a step towards better film certification, piracy prevention and harmonising laws. "Embracing positive change in the film industry! The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is a step towards better film certification, piracy prevention and harmonizing laws. We extend our gratitude to the government for their support and empowering the film fraternity!" the production banner tweeted. Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films, known for backing movies such as "Stree 2" and "Bhediya", said the film industry is heading toward a brighter future. A huge applause to the Lok Sabha for passing the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023! With age-based certification and robust anti-piracy measures, we're heading towards a brighter future for Indian cinema. Grateful to witness this positive transformation," the tweet read. "Kabir Singh" producer Ashwin Varde called the Bill a "great initiative". A historic day. A great initiative. A game changer for the entire film industry. Thank you @ianuragthakur and everyone who made it possible," he tweeted. London, Aug 1 (PTI) A 79-year-old British Sikh man, who walked into a London police station earlier this year to inform officers that he had killed his wife, has pleaded guilty to murdering her with a hard wooden bat used in the English game of rounders. Tarsame Singh appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday where he admitted killing his wife Maya Devi, 77, at their home address in Hornchurch, east London. He will be sentenced at the same court on September 29. This is a tragic case and one which has left the couples three children utterly distraught, said Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, who led the investigation. No one should ever lose their mother in this way and we will continue to think of, and support them, at this difficult time. Singh has never admitted what caused him to act in such a violent way that evening but we are pleased he has pleaded guilty and will now face a significant custodial sentence, he said. On May 2, Singh walked into Romford police station in east London and told the front desk that he had just killed his wife. Met Police officers immediately attended the house on Cowdray Way in Elm Park and found Maya Devi unresponsive on the living room floor. The wooden rounders bat was found nearby. The Met Police said significant amounts of blood staining were found on the carpet and nearby walls. Maya Devi was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be blunt force head injuries. Tarsame Singh was charged the next day and remanded into custody. Singapore, Aug 1 (PTI) A 32-year-old man who racially abused an Indian-origin woman in Singapore and kicked her in the chest in 2021 should be jailed between six and nine months, the prosecution has pleaded before a court here. Wong Xing Fong in May 2021 attacked Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, a complete stranger to him, in Choa Chu Kang amid the Covid-19 pandemic, The Straits Times newspaper reported on Tuesday. Nita, 57, had earlier testified that on May 7, 2021, she was brisk walking with her mask down to Choa Chu Kang Stadium when she heard someone shouting. Wong and his fiancee Chua Yun Han, whom she did not know, told her to mask up. At the time, people were allowed to remove their masks when engaging in strenuous exercise but had to put them back on once they were done. In their submissions, Deputy Public Prosecutor Marcus Foo said Nita explained to the couple that she was brisk-walking, and gestured to show she was exercising and sweating. The prosecution said: The accused instead scolded the complainant (and verbally insulted her). To de-escalate the matter, the complainant responded, God bless you. The accused, however, kicked the complainant in her chest area. He and (his fiancee) then jogged off. Nita testified that an eyewitness helped her to her feet and applied plaster to a wound on her left forearm. However, Wong had earlier claimed that she was sarcastic and aggressive, and had hurled vulgarities at him. He also claimed she spat at him and Chua, and he reacted by pushing her. While he accepted that he had used vulgarities, he denied they were racial insults. Describing Nita as a truthful witness, the Deputy Public Prosecutor told the judge: It is absurd to suggest that the complainant framed the accused, a stranger, out of the blue. Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan in June this year convicted Wong of one count each of assault and wounding the victims racial feelings. Deputy Public Prosecutor Foo urged the judge to give Wong a jail term on the higher end of the range. Stressing the importance of community and racial harmony, Foo said Wong had committed serious offences and strong deterrence was needed. The prosecutor added the case had caused significant public disquiet. Defence lawyer Sim Bing Wen, however, pleaded for his client to be given two weeks jail and told the judge that Wong was a kind, caring and devoted man who had acted out of character. Wong is expected to be sentenced on August 7. For assaulting another person in a racially aggravated attack, an offender can be jailed for up to four years and six months, and fined up to USD 7,500. KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2023 - 19:12 | World, All The Myanmar military junta said Tuesday it will pardon deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on five criminal offenses, reducing the 78-year-old's 33-year prison term by six years. A junta spokesman confirmed the six-year reduction. The decision is seen as amnesty amid the completion of a grand Buddha statue constructed by the junta. Since the military ousted Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in a February 2021 coup, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been detained and convicted on a total of 19 criminal charges. She has filed appeals with courts over the convictions. The junta also said it will reduce the prison sentence of Win Myint, the former president under Suu Kyi's government. Clemency was extended to some 7,900 prisoners, including foreigners, to mark the Buddha statue's completion. The junta did not mention a change of detention site for Suu Kyi, but the BBC's Burmese-language service reported on July 25 that she may have been moved from prison and put under house arrest in the capital Naypyitaw, citing a source close to the prison. The announcement of the pardons came a day after the junta said it had extended the country's state of emergency, which was due to expire Tuesday, for another six months, delaying a promised general election. The United States expressed deep concern about Myanmar's fourth extension of the emergency, saying it "comes as the regime plunges the country deeper into violence and instability." "The regime's widespread brutality and disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma continue to prolong the crisis," the State Department said in a statement, referring to the Southeast Asian country by its former name. Related coverage: Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, delays polls Melbourne, Aug 1 (PTI) Australia's space agency has concluded that the dome-shaped object that washed up on a remote Australian beach last month is most likely debris from an expended Indian rocket, amid speculation over the origin of the mysterious canister. On July 15, the object was discovered near the beach in Green Head in Western Australia (WA) about 250 kilometres north of the city of Perth. "We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by @isro," the Australian Space Agency tweeted on Monday. The space agency also said that "the debris remains in storage and it is working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who will provide further confirmation to determine the next steps, including considering obligations under the United Nations space treaties." According to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, countries are required to return any "foreign" space objects found in their territory to the owners, the BBC reported. "If the community spots any further suspected debris they should report it to local authorities and notify the Australian Space Agency via space.monitoring@space.gov.au," the agency tweeted. "The Australian Space Agency is committed to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation, and continues to highlight this on the international stage," the tweet read. Space debris both man-made and natural has a habit of coming down in WAs vast outback, although it is rare for it to be found washed up on the states 12,895 kilometres of coastline. Most famously, the Skylab space station came hurtling back to Earth in 1979, with pieces of the rogue station found in the most remote of outback locations in Balladonia, north-east of Esperance in WAs south. The local council hit NASA with a USD 400 littering fine, which reportedly remains unpaid. But scientists with their eyes trained on the skies have also recovered fragments of space rocks that have made it through the atmosphere and slammed into the ground in WAs outback. Washington, Aug 1 (PTI) The annual Langar on the Capitol Hill was hosted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) last week with prominent members of the Congress and community leaders in attendance. The event, supported by Senator Chuck Schumer's office, brought together nearly 150 attendees, including Congresswoman Judy Chu and Congressman Shri Thanedar. The event embodies the 500-year-old Sikh values of unity, equality, and food justice. With its profound message of eradicating segregation and promoting universal friendship, Langar on the Hill serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring principles at the heart of the Sikh American experience and their commitment to civic engagement, SALDEF said in a media release. It said with a 125-year history in the United States, Sikh Americans continue to face misconceptions, making Langar on the Hill an invaluable platform to share their rich heritage, values, and unwavering commitment to equality for all. As they deepen their civic participation and leadership, this event becomes a pivotal opportunity for the rising generation to express their vision for a united nation, the release added. London, Aug 1 (The Conversation) The release of the advanced chatbot ChatGPT in 2022 got everyone talking about artificial intelligence (AI). Its sophisticated capabilities amplified concerns about AI becoming so advanced that soon we would not be able to control it. This even led some experts and industry leaders to warn that the technology could lead to human extinction. Other commentators, though, were not convinced. Noam Chomsky, a professor of linguistics, dismissed ChatGPT as hi-tech plagiarism. For years, I was relaxed about the prospect of AIs impact on human existence and our environment. Thats because I always thought of it as a guide or adviser to humans. But the prospect of AIs taking decisions exerting executive control is another matter. And its one that is now being seriously entertained. One of the key reasons we shouldnt let AI have executive power is that it entirely lacks emotion, which is crucial for decision-making. Without emotion, empathy and a moral compass, you have created the perfect psychopath. The resulting system may be highly intelligent, but it will lack the human emotional core that enables it to measure the potentially devastating emotional consequences of an otherwise rational decision. When AI takes executive control Importantly, we shouldnt only think of AI as an existential threat if we were to put it in charge of nuclear arsenals. There is essentially no limit to the number of positions of control from which it could exert unimaginable damage. Consider, for example, how AI can already identify and organise the information required to build your own conservatory. Current iterations of the technology can guide you effectively through each step of the build and prevent many beginners mistakes. But in future, an AI might act as project manager and coordinate the build by selecting contractors and paying them directly from your budget. AI is already being used in pretty much all domains of information processing and data analysis from modelling weather patterns to controlling driverless vehicles to helping with medical diagnoses. But this is where problems start when we let AI systems take the critical step up from the role of adviser to that of executive manager. Instead of just suggesting remedies to a companys accounts, what if an AI was given direct control, with the ability to implement procedures for recovering debts, make bank transfers, and maximise profits with no limits on how to do this. Or imagine an AI system not only providing a diagnosis based on X-rays, but being given the power to directly prescribe treatments or medication. You might start feeling uneasy about such scenarios I certainly would. The reason might be your intuition that these machines do not really have souls. They are just programs designed to digest huge amounts of information in order to simplify complex data into much simpler patterns, allowing humans to make decisions with more confidence. They do not and cannot have emotions, which are intimately linked to biological senses and instincts. Emotions and morals Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage our emotions to overcome stress, empathise, and communicate effectively. This arguably matters more in the context of decision-making than intelligence alone, because the best decision is not always the most rational one. Its likely that intelligence, the ability to reason and operate logically, can be embedded into AI-powered systems so they can make rational decisions. But imagine asking a powerful AI with executive capabilities to resolve the climate crisis. The first thing it might be inspired to do is drastically reduce the human population. This deduction does not need much explaining. We humans are, almost by definition, the source of pollution in every possible form. Axe humanity and climate change would be resolved. Its not the choice that human decision-makers would come to, one hopes, but an AI would find its own solutions impenetrable and unencumbered by a human aversion to causing harm. And if it had executive power, there might not be anything to stop it from proceeding. How about sabotaging sensors and monitors controlling food farms? This might happen gradually at first, pushing controls just past a tipping point so that no human notices the crops are condemned. Under certain scenarios, this could quickly lead to famine. Alternatively, how about shutting down air traffic control globally, or simply crashing all planes flying at any one time? Some 22,000 planes are normally in the air simultaneously, which adds up to a potential death toll of several million people. If you think that we are far from being in that situation, think again. AIs already drive cars and fly military aircraft, autonomously. Alternatively, how about shutting down access to bank accounts across vast regions of the world, triggering civil unrest everywhere at once? Or shutting off computer-controlled heating systems in the middle of winter, or air-conditioning systems at the peak of summer heat? In short, an AI system does not have to be put in charge of nuclear weapons to represent a serious threat to humanity. But while were on this topic, if an AI system was powerful and intelligent enough, it could find a way of faking an attack on a country with nuclear weapons, triggering a human-initiated retaliation. Could AI kill large numbers of humans? The answer has to be yes, in theory. But this depends in large part on humans deciding to give it executive control. I cant really think of anything more terrifying than an AI that can make decisions and has the power to implement them. (The Conversation) MRJ MRJ Vatican City, Aug 1 (AP) When Pope Francis made the first foreign trip of his papacy, to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, he urged young people to make a mess in their local churches, to shake things up even if it ruffled the feathers of their bishops. As he embarks this week on another edition of World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal, Francis in many ways has taken his own advice to heart. After 10 years as pope, Francis is accelerating his reform agenda and making revolutionary changes in personnel and policy that are definitely shaking things up. Unencumbered by the shadow of Pope Benedict XVI, who died seven months ago, and despite recovering from a second intestinal surgery in as many years, the 86-year-old Francis is opening a frenetic second half of the year with his Portugal visit. He seems aware that he has a limited sweet spot of time to solidify the changes he believes are necessary for the 21st century church, and is looking to the next generation of faithful and leaders to execute them. The sense I get is that this is the consolidation phase of the pontificate, said papal biographer Austen Ivereigh. He's laying the basis now, laying the ground, for the future. And no better place to put it on display than at a World Youth Day. The international rally, which St. John Paul II launched in 1986 to galvanise young Catholics in their faith, is expected to draw up to 1 million people for the first post-pandemic event of its kind. Francis' perennial social justice concerns about climate change, social inequality and fraternity, as well as Russia's war in Ukraine, are expected to be major themes. Beyond Portugal, though, Francis' multifold strategy for laying the groundwork for the future is coming together and will hit significant marks in the coming months. His global canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics about their vision for the future comes to fruition this October with a big synod at the Vatican. The meeting is intended to give direction on such hot-button issues as the place of LGBTQ+ Catholics and women in the church, and for the first time will feature women and young people voting on proposals alongside bishops. I really think that for Pope Francis, he felt that OK, now it's mature' and it would be good really to involve all the members, all the people in the synod as members with the right to vote, said Sister Nathalie Becquart, who is one of the key synod organisers. To then implement the vision that emerges from the synod, Francis has been naming a slew of unusually young bishops for key archdioceses in his native Buenos Aires, Madrid and Brussels, among others. At the same time, he's elevated several cardinals in their 50s and in some cases their 40s including the auxiliary bishop of Lisbon who is organising World Youth Day. Putting such young clerics in such important positions ensures a generation's worth of likeminded leadership in the Vatican and archdioceses around the world. While not all are cookie-cutter proteges of Francis, many are seen as similarly pastorally minded and thus more game to implement his reforms, especially as the older generation of bishops and cardinals dies out. After Francis is gone, the youngest of these new cardinals will have some three decades' worth of local leadership and conclave votes to select future popes, suggesting a generational and ideological shift in the church leadership is very much underway. Francis' most important young legacy appointment was that of the Vatican's new doctrinal czar, Argentine Cardinal-elect Victor Manuel Fernandez, 61. Francis' theological ghostwriter ran into Vatican problems in the past over questions about his doctrinal orthodoxy, and his appointment sent shockwaves through the conservative and traditionalist wings of the church. Fernandez sees his appointment as part of Francis' longer-term agenda. He is proposing a more inclusive church, more respectful of different ways of living, even of thinking, Fernandez said in an interview. Portuguese Cardinal-elect Americo Aguiar, who is in charge of World Youth Day, is another young churchman who also understands his appointment as part of a generational turning point for the Catholic hierarchy. At age 49 he will become the second-youngest member of the College of Cardinals when he is installed Sept 30. He is just six months older than the current youngest cardinal, whom Francis elevated this time last year: Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, head of the church in Mongolia where Francis will travel at the end of August. My reading of it is that this has to do with young people, it has to do with youth, it has to do with Portugal, it has to do with World Youth Day, it has to do with all of that, Aguiar said in an interview. I think that his objective and his underlining was exactly to send a signal to the young people, to every young person who is preparing the day, whether in Portugal or in the world, to feel identified with this decision. Francis said as much in his monthly prayer intentions for August, this time dedicated to the Lisbon event. In Lisbon, I would like to see a seed for the world's future, Francis said. A world where love is at the centre, where we can sense that we are sisters and brothers. His wish in many ways echoed his words at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio, which now seem prescient in outlining many of the key pastoral messages Francis has emphasised over the past decade. Delivering a spontaneous, off-the-cuff exhortation to a gathering of Argentine pilgrims that was organised at the last minute, Francis urged the young to get out into the streets, spread their faith and make a mess. I want to see the church get closer to the people, Francis said then, speaking in his native Spanish. I want to get rid of clericalism, the mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in our parishes, schools or structures. Realising the radical nature of his message, Francis apologised to the bishops for what was about to come, even though in the 10 years since, he has only gone further than anyone could have imagined at the time. The true reform of the church, you know, is not a revolution bringing something completely from outside, said Becquart, the French nun, as she reflected on Francis' agenda. It's a path of change that is a way to unfold tradition, but in a very dynamic way. (AP) SCY SCY Tallinn (Estonia), Aug 1 (AP) Russian authorities early on Tuesday accused Kyiv of yet another attack on Moscow and its surroundings with drones, one of which hit a building in the capital that was damaged by a drone just days ago in a similar attack early on Sunday. Russian officials have claimed that the intensified attacks on the capital region reflect failures in Ukraine's counteroffensive, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over the weekend that the war is gradually coming back to Russian territory," but stopped short of taking responsibility of the attacks. The repeated drone strikes underscore Moscow's vulnerability as Russia's war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month. The Russian Defence Ministry said in the early hours of Tuesday that it it shot down two Ukrainian drones outside Moscow and jammed another, sending it crashing into a skyscraper in the Moscow City business district and damaging the building's facade. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone crashed into the same building that was damaged in a similar attack early Sunday. IQ-Quarter, located 7.2 kms (4.5 miles) from the Kremlin, houses a number of government agencies, including the headquarters of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Sobyanin said the Tuesday attack didn't result in any casualties. It wasn't clear why the same building was hit twice in a row. In both incidents, the Russian military said the drones that hit the skyscraper were jammed before crashing. Sobyanin said the drone that struck the building Tuesday hit the 21st floor, one of the floors housing the Economic Development ministry. Photos from the site of the crash showed several panels of glass missing, exposing charred insides of the building, and about a dozen more damaged. According to the mayor, 150 square metres of the building's glass facade was damaged. Zelenskyy's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted that Moscow is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war, which, in turn, will soon move to the territory of the authors of the war' to collect all their debts, without confirming or denying Kyiv's involvement in the attack. The Russian military also said that Kyiv's forces tried to attack two of its warships in the Black Sea overnight, using maritime drones. Three drones targeted two patrol vessels, Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov, 340 kilometers southwest of the Russian-controlled city of Sevastopol on the annexed Crimean peninsula, the Defence Ministry reported. All three drones were destroyed, the report said. The attacks on Moscow and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, follow a deadly Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine and Zelenskyy's hometown. Monday's strike partially destroyed a residential building and killed at least six people, wounding dozens more. (AP) PY PY Washington, Aug 1 (PTI) A 78-year-old Indian-American engineer was fired from his long-time job with a missile defence contractor in the US state of Alabama for speaking in Hindi with his dying relative in India over a video call, a media report quoted a lawsuit filed by him. Anil Varshney, a Senior Systems Engineer with Huntsville missile defence contractor Parsons Corporation, recently filed a federal lawsuit alleging systemic discriminatory actions that left him jobless in October last year. A white co-worker heard Varshney speaking in Hindi on a telephone call with his dying brother-in-law in India, AL.COM reported on Monday. Varshney on September 26, 2022 received a video call from his elderly brother-in-law K.C. Gupta, [who] was on his deathbed in India and called to say goodbye to Varshney". Knowing the dire situation and that he may never have the opportunity to speak to (Gupta) again, Varshney stepped into an empty cubicle and accepted the call, the suit said. Before doing so, he made sure there were no classified materials or anything else pertaining to MDAs (Missile Defence Agency) or Parsons work anywhere near him, said the lawsuit, which also names Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin as legal representative for the MDA. The two spoke for approximately two minutes in Hindi when another worker interrupted Varshney and asked whether he was on a video call, which he confirmed, according to the suit that was filed in June in the northern district of Alabama. (The other worker) told Varshney that the call was not allowed and Varshney immediately hung up. The call was the last time they spoke before Gupta passed away. The suit claims the other worker was intimidated by Varshney speaking in a language he did not understand and falsely and intentionally reported that the Indian-American committed a security violation by revealing confidential information and/or accepting this call during a confidential meeting or with confidential information in the background". "Varshney accepted the call from his brother-in-law in an empty cubicle and spoke to him for approximately two minutes, reads the lawsuit. Despite there being no policy prohibiting the call, and without any investigation, the defendants claimed Varshney committed a serious security violation and fired him. Worse, they blackballed him from future [Missile Defence Agency] work, effectively ending his career and life of service to MDA and the US government, the lawsuit said. The suit added that Parsons in a call informed Varshney that his privileges at MDA [had] been revoked and told him to meet the supervisor at the office. When Varshney arrived, (the supervisor) and MDA security personnel met him in the lobby, escorted him to his cubicle, and instructed him to pack up his personal belongings, the suit said. MDA security personnel opened and searched through every file in his cubicle and through his personal belongings. Varshney was humiliated and defendants were essentially accusing him of being a spy simply for speaking in a foreign language to a dying family member." Parsons in a response filed with the court on July 24 said it denies it engaged in any of the wrongdoing alleged by plaintiff or that plaintiff is entitled to any relief whatsoever. Parsons also asked for the suits dismissal with prejudice and demanded Varshney pay its attorneys fees and costs, the report says. Parsons representative Birmingham attorney Sharon L. Miller has not yet responded to a request for further comment from AL.COM. Varshney immigrated to the US in 1968 and settled in Huntsville where they became American citizens. His wife Sashi has worked at NASA since 1989. Varshney was once lauded as Contractor of the Year in systems engineering and received a letter of MDA recommendation for saving USD 5 million on the ground-based missile defense programme. The lawsuit said he provided engineering support for the development of integrated and layered missile defence systems which defend the United States and allied partner forces against ballistic missile threats". The suit says Varshney seeks reinstatement to a position comparable to his former position, the reinstatement of privileges, and the revocation (or removal) of any disciplinary records in his file. If he is not reinstated to his job level, Varshney seeks front pay including benefits. He also seeks compensatory damages for mental anguish and emotional distress, along with punitive and liquidated damages and attorneys fees, according to the report. Bangkok, Aug 1 (AP) Myanmar's military-led government has reduced the prison sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a clemency connected to a religious holiday in the Buddhist-majority country, state media said Tuesday. Former President Win Myint also had his sentence reduced as part of the clemency granted to more than 7,000 prisoners. But Suu Kyi, 78, still must serve a total of 27 years out of the 33 she was originally imprisoned for. The head of Myanmar's military council, Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, granted the clemency order to reduce the sentences in five cases against Suu Kyi in which she was convicted for violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition, according to a report on state MRTV. She was initially sentenced for 19 offenses that her supporters and rights group say were attempts to discredit her and legitimise the 2021 army takeover while preventing her return to politics. The separate statement said that former president Win Myint was also pardoned for two offenses he was convicted for, which were violating coronavirus restrictions and sedition, cutting four years from his 12-year combined jail term. Win Myint was initially sentenced for a total of eight offenses. The military's True News Information Team sent video footage to journalists in which the spokesperson for the ruling military council Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun can be seen answering reporters' questions and saying he has not received any information about the reports that Suu Kyi has already been transferred from prison to a residence in the capital Naypyitaw. I haven't heard anything about it, Zaw Min Tun told journalists on Tuesday. News of her transfer to house arrest was reported last week but not officially confirmed. The clemency was announced a day after Myanmar's military extended the state of emergency it imposed when it seized power from Suu Kyi's elected government 2 1/2 years ago, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over. Several of Suu Kyi's cases are awaiting final appeals. Min Aung Hlaing pardoned a total of 7,749 prisoners and commuted the death sentences of others to commemorate the day the Buddha gave his first sermon, the MRTV report said. The army leader also granted amnesty to 125 foreign prisoners and 22 members of ethnic armed groups, it added. The announcement said he dropped cases against 72 people connected to ethnic armed groups. It wasn't immediately clear if any of the released prisoners included the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing military rule. The justice ministry of the shadow National Unity Government, which views itself as the country's legitimate administrative body, called on the country's military rulers to immediately release all detained political prisoners including Suu Kyi, saying they were unjustly arrested and sentenced. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners a rights monitoring organisation 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. At least 3,857 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. MRTV quoted acting president Myint Swe as saying it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for an election. The United Nations on Monday called on Myanmar to return to democratic rule. The clemency also came three weeks after Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met Suu Kyi in prison, becoming the first foreign visitor to be granted access to her since she was detained. Don told journalists she was in good health and conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation. Suu Kyi has been unable to give her version of the July 9 meeting, said to have lasted about an hour and a half. Myanmar's military confirmed the meeting had been held, but said it had no details because it was one-on-one between the ousted leader and the Thai diplomat. Don revealed his visit to Suu Kyi during a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. ASEAN has been seeking to mediate an end to the violent conflict in Myanmar, which some members believe destabilises the region. (AP) SCY SCY Bangkok, Aug 1 (AP) Myanmar's military-led government reduced the prison sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a clemency connected to a religious holiday in the Buddhist-majority country, state media said Tuesday. Former President Win Myint also had his sentence reduced as part of the clemency granted to more than 7,000 prisoners. But Suu Kyi, 78, still must serve a total of 27 years out of the 33 she originally was imprisoned for. The head of Myanmar's military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, granted the clemency order to reduce the sentences Suu Kyi received in five cases in which she was convicted for violating coronavirus restrictions, illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and sedition, according to a report on state MRTV. She was initially sentenced for 19 offenses that her supporters and rights groups described as attempts to discredit her and legitimize the 2021 army takeover that removed her from office, as well as to prevent her return to politics. There were reports last week that Suu Kyi might be transferred to house arrest as part of the clemency, but the government did not confirm them. The military's True News Information Team sent video footage to journalists in which the spokesperson for the ruling military council, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, tells reporters he had not received any information about reports saying Suu Kyi already was transferred from prison to a residence in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw. I haven't heard anything about it, Zaw Min Tun said Tuesday. Win Myint, the former president, was pardoned for two of the eight offenses for which he received convictions: sedition and violating coronavirus restrictions and sedition. The pardons cut four years from his 12-year combined prison sentence. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reacted to the pardons by reiterating his call for the immediate release of Suu Kyi and Win Myint, the U.N. deputy spokesman said. The U.N chief also called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, an end to the violence and repression, and respect for human rights in Myanmar, spokesman Farhan Haq said. The clemency was announced a day after Myanmar's military extended the state of emergency it imposed when it seized power from Suu Kyi's elected government 2 1/2 years ago, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over. Several of Suu Kyi's cases are awaiting final appeals. Min Aung Hlaing pardoned a total of 7,749 prisoners and commuted the death sentences of others to commemorate the day the Buddha gave his first sermon, the MRTV report said. The army leader also granted amnesty to 125 foreign prisoners and 22 members of ethnic armed groups, it added. The announcement said he dropped cases against 72 people connected to ethnic armed groups. It wasn't immediately clear if any of the released prisoners included the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing military rule. The justice ministry of the shadow National Unity Government, which views itself as the country's legitimate administrative body, called on the country's military rulers to immediately release all detained political prisoners including Suu Kyi, saying they were unjustly arrested and sentenced. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners a rights monitoring organization 24,123 people have been arrested in Myanmar since the army takeover. At least 3,857 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. MRTV quoted Acting President Myint Swe as saying it was necessary to extend the state of emergency for another six months because there is still a lot of work to be done to return the country to normalcy and time is needed to prepare for elections. Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met Suu Kyi in prison three weeks ago, becoming the first foreign visitor to be granted access to her since she was detained. Don told journalists she was in good health and conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation. Suu Kyi has been unable to give her version of the July 9 meeting, said to have lasted about an hour and a half. Myanmar's military confirmed the meeting took place but said it had no details because it was one-on-one between the ousted leader and the Thai diplomat. Don revealed his visit to Suu Kyi during a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. ASEAN has been seeking to mediate an end to the violent conflict in Myanmar, which some members believe destabilizes the region. (AP) AMS AMS Washington, Aug 1 (PTI) The US has denounced the move of Myanmars ruling junta to extend a state of emergency for another six months, over two years after seizing power in a coup, and said the military regime has unleashed widespread brutality across the country. Myanmar's military-led government has officially postponed an election promised by August this year after extending a state of emergency it imposed in the aftermath of its 2021 coup. In a statement on state television on Monday, the military cited ongoing violence as the reason for the election delay and extension of emergency for another six months starting on Tuesday. The United States is deeply concerned by the Burma military regimes extension of the state of emergency, which comes as the regime plunges the country deeper into violence and instability, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday. Over the past two and a half years, since the overthrow of a democratically elected government, the regime has unleashed widespread brutality, conducting hundreds of airstrikes, burning tens of thousands of homes, and displacing over 1.6 million people, he said. "The regime's relentless disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar has prolonged the crisis," the US official said. To hold the regime accountable, the United States remains committed to collaborating with partners and allies, utilising political and economic tools, he said. Our steadfast call is for an end to violence and atrocities, the release of unjustly detained individuals, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, seeking justice for survivors, and engaging with all stakeholders to pave the way for a peaceful, just, and democratic future for Burma, Miller said. Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since the state of emergency was declared when troops arrested the country's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and top officials from her government and members of her National League for Democracy party on February 1, 2021. Suu Kyi, 78, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after being convicted in a series of cases brought mostly by the military government. The military takeover reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule. It unleashed a bloody crackdown on dissent that has sparked fighting across swathes of Myanmar while tanking the Southeast Asian country's economy. The military, which battles anti-coup fighters across the country, first announced that new polls would be held a year after its takeover and later said they would take place in August 2023. The emergency, which is being extended for a fourth time, allows the military-controlled government to assume all government functions, giving Min Aung Hlaing, who heads the governing council, legislative, judicial and executive powers. Niamey (Niger), Jul 31 (AP) Economic sanctions could severely hurt one of the world's poorest nations after a coup unseated one of the West's last democratic partners against Islamic extremists in West Africa's Sahel region. Niger's neighbours are also threatening armed intervention against the junta run by the head of the presidential guard, although analysts say there is only a slim chance of the regional body successfully sending troops. Both the United States and France have sent forces and hundreds of millions of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The French and the US train Nigerien forces, and the French military carries out joint operations in the north. Since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, people have been toting Russian flags and praising that country in pro-junta demonstrations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce USD 150 million in direct assistance, calling the country a model of democracy. France pulled out of Mali last year and has some 1,500 troops in Niger. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday over the coup and said they would use force if the coup leaders don't reinstate him within one week. Since the 1990s, the 15-nation bloc has unsuccessfully tried to protect democracies against the the threat of coups, with mixed success. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, the country's Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday. When people say there's an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it's extremely difficult for people ... Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community, he said. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in The Gambia to prevent the new president's predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission. If the regional bloc uses force, it could trigger violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. While this remains to be a threat and unlikely action, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic," said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank. Lyammouri also said he does not see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger. Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to defend constitutional order in Niger after the sanctions announcement, and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family. The military junta, which seized power on Wednesday when members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum's house and detained him, is already cracking down on the government and civil liberties. On Sunday evening it arrested four government officials, including Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, the minister of petroleum and son of former President Mahamadou Issoufou; Kassoum Moctar, minister of education; Ousseini Hadizatou Yacouba, the minister of mines, and Foumakoye Gado, the president of the ruling party. That's according to someone close to the president, who was not authorized to speak about the situation, and a Nigerien analyst who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal. The same night, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that all government cars must be returned by midday Monday and banned the use of social media to put out messages he describe as harmful to state security. He also claimed that Bazoum's government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum, allegations that were not confirmed. Bazoum has yet to resign. He is still being detained and believed to be in his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad's President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags and telling the international community to stay away. Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative. The nature of Moscow's involvement in the rallies, if any, isn't clear, but some protesters have carried Russian flags, along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin. The situation of this country is not good ... It's time for change, and change has arrived," said Moussa Seydou, a protester. "What we want from the putschists all they have to do is improve social conditions so that Nigeriens can live better in this country and bring peace, he said. (AP) NSA NSA Bahrains Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has signed a deal with Canadian training provider Think Tank Training Centre to train 72 Bahrainis in 3D visualisation and video game development. The training aims to provide the local market with qualified talent specialised in visual effects, sound engineering, animations and more in demand skills related to the field. This initiative comes in line with Tamkeens plan to train Bahrainis and upskill them in high potential sectors to enhance their competitiveness locally and internationally. The Bahraini trainees will attend an immersive 16-month programme to learn about character design and visual effects for films and video games, while also building various specialised skills in the field through a custom online learning management system and portal. Continuous training The Think Tank team will continue to work with the trainees after they complete the programme to identify training opportunities in prestigious international companies to implement the skills they learned through their training. Maha Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen emphasised the importance of developing the skills and competencies of the national workforce and providing them with quality training opportunities in the creative industries sector. She stated: This partnership with Think Tank will help us stay abreast of market changes and provide Bahraini talent with the skills required to compete within the creative industries sector both locally and internationally, especially in the rapidly growing gaming and film industry. She added: We continue our commitment of driving economic growth in the kingdom by focusing on upskilling the national workforce to help them become the first choice of employment for the private sector. Chief Executive Officer of Think Tank, Marty Hasselbach, said: According to a survey we conducted, we found 600 Bahrainis interested in training in the video gaming field such as 3D, animation, game development and sound engineering, which shows the readiness of Bahraini youth to establish careers in this growing sector.-- TradeArabia News Service KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2023 - 17:55 | All, Japan Okinawa on Tuesday braced for a powerful and large typhoon, expected to reach Japan's southern island prefecture the following day, forcing the cancellation of all flights from the capital as the weather agency warned of strong winds and storm tides. The city office in the Okinawan prefectural capital of Naha also urged around 315,700 people to evacuate due to the approaching typhoon. Typhoon Khanun has halted flights scheduled to depart from and arrive at Okinawa's Naha Airport on Tuesday, according to the airport operator. Some airlines have decided to cancel their flights for Wednesday as well. As the typhoon is expected to slow down in the East China Sea, the weather will likely remain stormy beyond Wednesday in Okinawa and Amami-Oshima Island in southwestern Kagoshima Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. As of 5 p.m., the typhoon was moving in a west-northwestern direction in an area south-southeast of Naha at a speed of around 15 kilometers per hour with an atmospheric pressure of 930 hectopascals at its center, packing winds of up to 252 kph. The agency has asked people in Okinawa to remain vigilant against mudslides and flooding and urged them to stay indoors. Related coverage: Powerful typhoon Khanun sets course toward Japan's Okinawa Washington, Aug 1 (PTI) The US has imposed sanctions on 20 individuals and 29 companies for providing financial support to operations of ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist groups in the Maldives. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday that the aim of these designations is to deter and disrupt financial and other forms of support for terrorist activities within the Maldives. Among those named in the sanctions are 18 ISIS and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) facilitators and two al-Qaeda operatives, along with 29 associated companies. The targeted individuals and entities have been linked to Mohamad Ameen, a key ISIS-K recruiter who was previously designated by the United States in 2019. Some of the designated individuals have been involved in planning and executing attacks against journalists and local authorities. The United States is steadfast in its commitment to counter the threats posed by these terrorist support networks, both locally and internationally, and to ensure they are deprived of funding and resources for carrying out attacks, Miller said. PTI LKJ MRJ MRJ Mumbai, Aug 1 (PTI) A 20-year-old man was killed and two others were injured in suburban Chembur after a group of four persons including a teenager attacked them, police said on Tuesday. The feud between the two groups arose after one of them took objection to another man talking to his girlfriend, an official of Trombay police said. The incident took place in Cheeta Camp area on late Monday night. The deceased was identified as Malik Sheikh while the two injured were identified as Mohammad Arman and Haider Khan. Kaif Shah, Abdul Kadir Kanan and Amin Sheikh were arrested while a17-year-old youth was also apprehended. Shah had an affair with a woman and he had objected in the past when one Afzal, Malik Sheikh's friend, spoke to her, the police official said. On Monday Shah had a spat with Afzal over the issue. The dispute escalated and the minor accused allegedly attacked Malik with a sharp weapon who died on the spot. Two others were injured in the melee. Police nabbed all the four accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections including 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and sections related to rioting and further investigation was underway, the official added. Mumbai, Aug 1 (PTI) Police has arrested two motorbike riders for racing on the Western Express Highway here and seized stolen motorbikes from their possession, an official said on Tuesday. The accused were identified as Salman Khan (29) and Ashfaq Iqbal Sheikh (20). Police recovered 11 mobile phones and four motorbikes including three sports-bikes from their possession. The duo has cases registered against them at different police stations including in Thane and Palghar districts, said police sub-inspector Vishal Palande. "They were arrested under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code including section 379 (theft) and produced before a court which remanded them in police custody. Further investigation is underway," the official added. Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 (PTI) Of the 295 people killed in the triple-train accident in Odisahas Bahanaga Bazar Railway station two months ago, 29 bodies are still awaiting identification, an official said. These bodies remain preserved in five containers at the AIIMS Bhubaneswar while the remaining 266 have been have been handed over to the relatives of the deceased people. Superintendent of AIIMS Bhubaneswar Prof Dilip Kumar Parida said that after the June 2 accident, they had received a total of 162 bodies from different hospitals and the accident site, of which 81 were handed given to their family members in the first phase. The remaining 81 bodies could not be identified initially as there were multiple claimants and a few other issues, Parida said. On the basis of DNA test results, 52 more bodies were handed over to their families and 29 still remained unidentified. The bodies which do not match the DNA of claimants would not be given to anyone according to the rule, he said. The central and state governments and the railways will decide on what to do with these bodies. AIIMS Bhubaneswar has no role. It is assigned just to preserve the bodies, Parida said. On July 29, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation cremated the mortal remains of two victims Dinesh Yadav (31) from Jharkhand and Suresh Ray (23) from Bihar after their family members expressed reluctance to take the bodies. Kailash Kumar, a relative of Hardev Kumar from Dumka area in Jharkhand has been awaiting the identification of his brothers body after submitting his DNA sample. But, he is yet to get any confirmation. I hope my brothers body will be identified in the last phase of the DNA sampling report. I will wait till the end, Kailash Kumar said. Three trains involving Chennai-bound Coromandel Express from Shalimar, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a stationary goods train, dashed with each other taking 295 lives and over 1200 others injured. Kolkata, Aug 1 (PTI) The health condition of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya improved and is maintaining oxygen saturation, doctors said. A few tests were conducted on the 79-year-old CPI(M) leader to ascertain whether he has developed any further infection, a senior doctor of the hospital where he is undergoing treatment said. He said the next course of the treatment will be decided based on the outcome of the clinical examination. "Bhattacharya's condition has improved much. He had a good sleep at night. He is responding to treatment and is conscious. By evaluation of his current health condition, it seems that the antibiotics administered to him have managed to arrest the infection," the doctor said. Bhattacharya was taken to a private hospital in Alipore area of Kolkata with breathing troubles, and he was diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection and 'Type 2' respiratory failure. He has been suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and other age-related ailments. He took over as the chief minister of West Bengal in 2000 from party senior Jyoti Basu. He remained in the post till 2011, handling a tenure marked by agitations over the acquisition of land for industries led by now Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As Bhattacharya lost the 2011 assembly elections to Banerjee's TMC, the CPI(M)-led Left Front's 34 years of rule in the state came to an end -- a loss from which it is yet to recover. Kolkata, Aug 1 (PTI) The health condition of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya improved on Tuesday and doctors treating him were considering to put him off non-invasive ventilation. Bhattacharya, 79, is likely to undergo a few tests to ascertain whether he has developed any further infection, a senior doctor of the hospital where the former CM is undergoing treatment said. He said the next course of the treatment will be decided based on the outcome of the clinical examination. "Bhattacharya's condition has improved much. He had a good sleep at night. He is responding to treatment and is conscious. By evaluation of his current health condition, it seems that the antibiotics administered to him have managed to arrest the infection. "We will conduct a few tests today to ascertain whether he has developed any further infection," the doctor, a member of the multi-disciplinary team treating the former CM, told PTI. Bhattacharya was rushed to a private hospital in Alipore area of Kolkata with breathing troubles, and he was diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection and 'Type 2' respiratory failure. He has been suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and other age-related ailments. Bhattacharya took over as the chief minister of West Bengal in 2000 from party senior Jyoti Basu. He remained in the post till 2011, handling a tenure marked by agitations over the acquisition of land for industries led by now Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As Bhattacharya lost the 2011 assembly elections to Banerjee's TMC, the CPI(M)-led Left Front's 34 years of rule in the state came to an end -- a loss from which it is yet to recover. Over the last few years, Bhattacharya stayed away from the public glare due to his deteriorating health, and remained confined to his Palm Avenue apartment. He was last seen in public when he surprised party workers by arriving unannounced at the Left's rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, with oxygen support. Bhattacharya had stepped down from the CPI(M)'s Politburo and Central Committee in 2015, and gave up membership of the party's state secretariat in 2018. New Delhi/Ranchi, Aug 1 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has arrested a Ranchi-based businessman in connection with its money laundering probe linked to an alleged land fraud case of Jharkhand in which it has nabbed a number of people, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, official sources said on Tuesday. Bishnu Agarwal was arrested on Monday night under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The businessman was called for questioning and recording of his statement following which he was arrested, the sources said. The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the state police that was filed against one Pradip Bagchi, based on a complaint of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. The alleged fraud pertains to a "racket of land mafia" that is active in Jharkhand, which used to "forge the legacy records" in Kolkata and Ranchi, the ED had said. It alleged that based on the forged land records, land parcels were sold to other persons. It said as many as 41 searches and five surveys were carried out by it as part of this investigation and its sleuths have seized "forged" seals of the land revenue department, land deeds, and records of distribution of the "proceeds of crime" apart from some photographs depicting this alleged forgery, "evidence" of giving bribe to government officials etc. The agency had earlier arrested about 10 people, including 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Ranjan, who earlier served as the director of the state social welfare department and as the deputy commissioner of Ranchi. It also arrested an employee of the land revenue department, Bhanu Prasad Prasad, in the case. New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu on behalf of the opposition parties to discuss the Manipur issue, sources said on Tuesday. They added that he has not yet got time from the President. The opposition parties have been demanding a comprehensive discussion on violence in Manipur in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with a statement from the prime minister in Parliament. They have now sought the President's intervention in the matter, claiming that the violence in the BJP-ruled northeastern state is continuing and many people have lost their lives. A delegation of 21 opposition MPs has visited the ethnic strife-torn state and apprised the leaders of the INDIA alliance about the situation there. The delegation visited the affected areas and met people in relief camps in both the hills as well as the valley. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the opposition delegation to Manipur, has described the situation in the state as "grave". New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Members of the INDIA bloc parties on Tuesday staged a walkout of the Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee, convened by Speaker Om Birla, to protest against the decision to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion on August 8. The Lok Sabha will debate the no-confidence between August 8 and 10, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to reply to the opposition-sponsored move on the last day. The decision was taken at the Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee meeting. Manickam Tagore, the Congress' whip in the Lok Sabha, said the Lok Sabha was adjourned after the parties of the INDIA alliance demanded the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he make a statement on the Manipur issue. At 12 pm, there was a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, he said. "In the Business Advisory Committee meeting as well, INDIA alliance parties demanded that the no-confidence motion be brought up earlier. We wanted that the no-confidence motion be taken up tomorrow (Wednesday) itself," he said. In the 16th Lok Sabha, Tagore said, when the Telugu Desam Party moved a no confidence motion, it was listed the following day. "Therefore, the delay is not proper. In protest of that, INDIA alliance partners walked out of the Speaker's Business Advisory Committee meeting," the Congress leader said. DMK leader TR Balu said they walked out of the meeting as the government wanted them to endorse its decision to start discussions on the no-confidence motion on August 8. The opposition leaders have been citing Lok Sabha precedence and rules that a no-confidence motion be taken up first after setting aside all other government business. The government has insisted that there are no rules or precedence which make it mandatory for the House to take up the no-confidence motion immediately. It has argued that rules state the motion should be taken up for discussion within 10 working days of being admitted. Congress member Gaurav Gogoi moved the no-confidence motion against the government last week. New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) A delegation of BJP leaders from Bihar met Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and urged him to call for a report from the Nitish Kumar government on the law and order situation in the state. The four-member delegation comprised BJP's Bihar chief Samrat Choudhary and MPs Ram Kripal Yadav, Gopal Jee Thakur and Ashok Kumar Yadav. "There is complete law and order failure in Bihar, be it incidents of clashes that took place in various districts of the state during Muharram or incidents of atrocities against Dalits in the state," Choudhary told reporters at the Parliament House Complex after meeting Shah. The Nitish Kumar government is indulging in appeasement politics and giving protection to criminals in the state, he alleged. "We met Home Minister Amit Shah today in this regard and requested him to call for a report from the state government," Choudhary said. On Saturday, a clash broke out between members of two communities at Bhabhua in Bihar's Kaimur district on Muharram, prompting the district magistrate and the superintendent of police to assume command. "Situation of clashes (between two communities) emerged in Bhaglapur, Kaimur, Gaya, Darbhanga, Motihari and Katihar and all over as the government was indulging in appeasement and no police force was deployed," the Bihar BJP chief alleged. KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2023 - 19:17 | World, All, Japan Fresh sashimi and sushi dishes made from seafood imports from Japan have vanished from Japanese restaurants in China after it introduced blanket radiation testing last month, leaving related businesses at a loss what to do. China's decision to keep imports of fresh seafood and other marine products from Japan at customs for up to one month before clearance has prompted some businesses in the country to seek alternative procurement sources. The testing measures are believed to have been adopted in order to apply pressure on Japan over its plan to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea around sometime this summer. China has voiced its strong opposition to the planned discharge. On a Sunday afternoon in late July, a male Japanese fish dealer called the owner of a Japanese restaurant in Shanghai, pondering the value of his presence if he cannot handle fish imports from the neighboring country. To help buoy the sales of the dealer, the owner purchased Australian tuna through his company, but found out that taste was not as strong as Japanese tuna and its color was not so bright. "It reminded me of how special Japanese tuna is," the owner said. The owner procured turban shellfish from a different country but could not use it as it was not as tasty as the Japanese variety. In an email to customers, the owner said the restaurant will "try to wholeheartedly examine ingredients" despite the damage from the total radiation testing on seafood imports from Japan, but told Kyodo News in an interview, "Can we offer authentic Japanese cuisine without using fresh fish from Japan?" Sales of another dealer's company have halved since the blanket testing was introduced. At one supermarket, sashimi items made from Japanese fish imports have disappeared. A business representative who has seen sales decline 15 percent said customers already refrain from buying those fresh fish products as the Fukushima water discharge draws near. In Shanghai, a plan to newly open a Japanese restaurant was canceled following the start of the total radiation testing, sources familiar with the bilateral relationship said. According to a Japanese fisheries industry official, a Chinese customs worker said "politicized Japanese seafood items" are not welcome around this time. Since marine product imports from Japan come to China with certificates of radiation testing conducted in Japan, a dealer expressed indignation, saying, "It is clear those items test negative when fresh examinations are conducted. (Chinese) customs are taking measures just for harassment." In 2022, Japan's seafood exports to mainland China stood at 87.1 billion yen ($610 million), accounting for some 20 percent of the total and making Beijing the top-ranked importer, according to the Japanese farm ministry. Tokyo aims to achieve seafood exports worth 1.2 trillion yen by 2030, but it would be a difficult goal if China continues with its tighter customs inspections. Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident triggered by a major earthquake and tsunami, China has banned food imports from Fukushima and nine other Japanese prefectures. If the water discharge begins, Beijing could further tighten controls on food imports from Japan. Related coverage: Food, beverage imports from Japan held up at Chinese customs China refuses to brief Japan on blanket seafood testing for radiation Noida, Aug 1 (PTI) The Noida Police have lodged an FIR and launched investigation into allegations of illegal export of chips of used smartphones in the garb of scrap from India to China and Hong Kong, officials said on Monday. The case allegedly pertains to fraud and evasion of tax as well as customs duty and is linked with a separate matter being investigated by the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police related to the arrest of Chinese nationals who were found living illegally in India last year. Two Chinese nationals and a Noida-based company have been named as accused in the case lodged at the Sector 63 police station of the city on the complaint of a sub-inspector of the UP Police's STF. The Chinese nationals named in the case have been identified as Liu Rui and Liu Yuan while the Noida-based company is Roshan Electronic, according to the FIR accessed by PTI. The complainant in the FIR claimed that used mobile phone chips were being exported in cargo boxes which showed them as scrap material and sent in free sample category under the non-commercial group. At least this firm alone must have exported goods worth Rs 2,000 crores, or 10,000-15,000 boxes and in each box, showing 15 to 50 kgs of goods as garbage, declaring them in the free sample category as non-commercial export, the complainant stated, adding that one kg comprises around 400 chips and in Indian terms, each chip is sold for Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 in markets of China and Hong Kong. The STF official also suspected re-routing of money through Hawala back to India with re-import of the same goods by big mobile companies alleging this is a very big international organised gang. A senior UP Police officer told PTI that the STF had been probing this issue for over two months and now the registration of the FIR was recommended in this case. The FIR has been lodged under the Indian Penal Code sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (all related to forgery), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 120B (party to criminal conspiracy). Charges under the Foreigners Act, 1946 have also been invoked in the case. An officer of the Noida Police requesting anonymity said they have launched an investigation into the case. Amritsar, Aug 1 (PTI) The SGPC has written to the Indian ambassador to the US, raising an objection to the reported decision of the New York Police Department (NYPD)for stopping a Sikh policeman from growing his beard. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex Sikh religious body, also sought intervention from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the matter, according to a statement. The SGPC cited certain media reports which suggested that state trooper Charanjot Tiwana, who is a Sikh and based in Jamestown, New York, had requested permission to grow his beard in March 2022 for his wedding but his request was denied on the basis that it posed a safety issue regarding the use of a gas mask. SGPC president H S Dhami said stopping a Sikh policeman from growing his beard on the basis of safety issues is not rational. Even if a Sikh trooper has a fully grown beard, the gas mask can easily be worn by tying the unshorn beard while serving on such a duty. An example of this is the Sikh soldiers serving in the Indian Army, one of the world's top military forces, said Dhami. Initiated Sikhs do not cut hair and keeping hair unshorn for a lifetime is one of the commitments towards the Sikh religion and the Gurus. By adopting such a discriminatory policy, the Sikhs are being forced away from their religion by the NYPD, thus also limiting employment opportunities for the initiated Sikh community in a democratic country like the USA. "As per the Sikh 'Rehat Maryada' (code of conduct) of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs at Amritsar in Punjab, an initiated or practising Sikh has to mandatory keep five symbols of faith 'kirpan' (sword), 'karha' (iron bracelet), 'kes' (unshorn hair), 'kangha' (wooden comb), and 'kachhehra' (prescribed shorts), said Dhami. Chennai, Aug 1 (PTI) Two youth, with alleged long criminal records, were gunned down after they attacked a police sub-inspector during a vehicle check on the city outskirts in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said. The two, armed with machetes, inflicted cut injuries on the police SI and made a bid on his life near Guduvanchery at about 3.30 am. "The SI managed to evade the lethal blow aimed at his head and shot at one of them, while the police inspector, Murugesan, who was also part of the team checking the vehicles, rushed to his colleague's help and fired at another man," a senior police official said. Two others who also attacked the SI fled from the scene. The police rushed the two injured persons to the Chengalpattu government hospital where the doctors declared them "brought dead," said police. The deceased have been identified as S Vinood alias Chota Vinood, 35, and S Ramesh, 32, both known history sheeters who have over 50 and 20 cases, respectively, pending against them. The charges against them include murders, attempt to murder and extortion, police added. The Sub Inspector of Police Sivagurunathan has been admitted to the Chromepet government hospital for treatment. Ghaziabad (UP), Jul 31 (PTI) Eight members of a gang allegedly involved in looting 1,000 kg of scrap from a godown located in the trans-Hindon area here have been arrested, officials said on Monday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, City, Nipun Agarwal said the miscreants looted the scrap from the godown located in Rajnagar Extension on the night of July 17. They were arrested on Sunday night, he said. Those arrested have been identified as Manish, Vivek, Chandan, Sachin, Sanjay, Babu Singh, Naubhar Khan and Umar. Agarwal said they told police that they held the guard of the godown hostage at gunpoint and hid the looted items in a fish godown on Meerut Road. Police have recovered scrap worth Rs 2.5 lakh, a countrymade pistol, ammunition, and three vans loaded with scrap material. Three others are on the run and efforts are underway to arrest them, Agarwal added. Amaravati, Aug 1 (PTI) Niti Aayog, the think tank of the union government, will set up State Institute for Transformation (SIT) for achieving the holistic development of Andhra Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday. A delegation from Niti Aayog led by additional secretary V Radha called on Chief Secretary K S Jawahar Reddy and other senior officials and discussed various issues. In the meeting, the officials discussed the holistic development of the state, including achieving higher growth rate and creating a strategy on developing various fields, said an official release. Radha said Niti Aayog will dole out Rs 5 crore for the state to formulate growth strategies in the next couple of years, including extending intellectual and financial support for achieving higher growth rate. Later, the delegation called on Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office, where they deliberated on welfare and development policies of the southern state. It is a welcome development that Visakhapatnam was among the four cities selected for urbanisation and industrialisation in the country, said Reddy. He noted that the state government was striving to place the port city on the global map by developing Bhogapuram international airport, Mulapeta sea port, Adani data centre and airport connectivity road among other projects. Olguens Joseph, left, is arraigned in West Roxbury Municipal Court in the Hyde Park section of Boston on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, for the fatal hit-and-run of a 4-year-old. This photo provided by the Office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro shows Connecticut U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, right, donning a tattoo, as she talks with interns, Friday, July 28, 2023, in Washington. DeLauro has stood out for years with her colorful clothing and hairstyle, but it took one of her six grandchildren to finally convince the 80-year-old lawmaker to complement her fashion-forward look with a tattoo. (Daniel Robillard/Office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro via AP) Westerly, RI (02891) Today Mainly sunny. High 84F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on. Low 62F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2023 - 15:08 | All, Japan Three men were arrested recently for allegedly blackmailing a person who they accused of secretly photographing a woman on a street in Tokyo, police said Tuesday, suspecting the offenders were acting as "perv hunters." Tsubasa Sasao, a 33-year-old resident of Tokyo's Toshima Ward, and the others are suspected of extorting 1 million yen ($7,000) from a man in his 30s in August last year. Another suspect, Kotaro Matsuoka, a 34-year-old from Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward, claimed to be acting as an agent for the woman who was photographed. They told the man near JR Ikebukuro Station that if he did not admit to photographing the woman they would take him to the police and then demanded money to settle the matter. The man borrowed money from a consumer credit business to make the payment, according to the police. The man later consulted the police, who suspect the three may have extorted money from other individuals. Senator Rand Paul announced an official criminal referral to the Department of Justice concerning Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and medical adviser to the president. The referral is based on an email exchange from February 2020, which Paul contends contradicts Faucis statements regarding COVID-19 gain-of-function research. In the email, Fauci detailed a call with British medical researcher Jeremy Farrar, expressing concerns about mutations in the virus that seemed unusual to have evolved naturally in bats. Fauci noted a suspicion that this mutation may have been intentionally inserted, especially considering gain-of-function experiments being conducted in Wuhan University, the city where the outbreak originated. Sharing a screenshot of the unredacted email, RealClearPolitics White House reporter Philip Wegmann highlighted Faucis acknowledgment of the concerns raised during the task-force call. Rand Paul took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to state, This directly contradicts everything he said in committee hearing to me, denying absolutely that they funded any gain of function, and its absolutely a lie. Thats why I sent an official criminal referral to the DOJ. This follows a heated exchange in July 2021 between Paul and Fauci during a congressional hearing. At that time, Paul reminded Fauci that lying to Congress is a federal crime, suggesting Fauci may have done so with regard to the NIHs funding of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. During the July hearing, Paul cited a journal article titled Discovery of a rich gene pool of bat SARS-related coronaviruses as evidence of NIH funding. Fauci denied that the NIH funded gain-of-function research, stating that the article in question had been deemed not to meet the NIHs definition of such research. However, Paul argued that the lab-created viruses in Wuhan were designed to replicate in humans, indicating gain-of-function characteristics. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A leading anti-abortion organization criticized Republican Ron DeSantis on Monday for not supporting a national ban on the procedure, calling the Florida governors position unacceptable as he seeks the GOP nomination for president. The president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an influential player in conservative politics, took issue with DeSantis statements in a recent interview in which he declined to back a national abortion ban. SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser said the anti-abortion movement and Americans across the U.S. deserve a president who will boldly advocate for a ban on abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy. A pro-life president has a duty to protect the lives of all Americans. He should be the National Defender of Life, she said. Gov. DeSantiss dismissal of this task is unacceptable to prolife voters. A consensus is already formed. Intensity for it is palpable and measurable. There are many pressing legislative issues for which Congress does not have the votes at the moment, but that is not a reason for a strong leader to back away from the fight. This is where presidential leadership matters most. DeSantis campaign called the statement unjustified. Governor DeSantis delivers results and acts, especially when it comes to protecting life. He did so in Florida by signing the heartbeat bill and will be a pro-life president, Press Secretary Bryan Griffin said. He does not kowtow to DC interest groups. This unjustified attack on him is another example of the DC political games that have seen conservatives falter in Washington while Governor DeSantis has produced unmatched conservative victories in Florida. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America was responding to a recent interview in which Megyn Kelly asked DeSantis if he would support a national abortion ban. The U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned Roe v. Wade, the roughly 50-year-old ruling that established a federal right to abortion. Susan B. Anthony has said it would not support any White House candidate in 2024 who did not at a minimum support a 15-week federal ban. In the interview, DeSantis noted he signed legislation in Florida to ban abortion at six weeks of pregnancy but suggested that individual states should decide the issue. He said he is pro-life but added that he is running on doing things that I know I can accomplish. Democrats say the Supreme Courts decision and Republicans focus on restricting abortion rights have helped motivate voters to favor more liberal candidates, and the party believes it will be a major factor again in 2024. Abortion rights were on the ballot in six states in 2022, and in every contest voters opted to protect them. In the battleground state of Wisconsin, a liberal candidate who made abortion rights a centerpiece of her campaign won an April election for a seat on the states highest court. A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that the majority of U.S. adults want abortion to be legal at least through the initial stages of pregnancy. About two-thirds of Americans said abortion should generally be legal, but only about a quarter said it should always be legal and only about 1 in 10 said it should always be illegal. About half of Americans say abortions should be permitted at the 15-week mark, though 55% of those living in states with the most restrictive laws say abortion should be banned by that point, the poll found. The criticism from a powerful organization comes at a tenuous time for DeSantis, who is seen as the top rival to former President Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, but who has been running a distant second to Trump in public polling. DeSantis campaign has been working in recent weeks to improve his trajectory and reboot his campaign, including cutting staff. He is not alone in drawing criticism from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, however. The group also was critical of Trump for not supporting the 15-week federal ban. Trump has defended that position, noting he appointed the Supreme Court justices who made it possible for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. Trump also has said that Republicans focus on restricting abortion Some other Republicans seeking the nomination support the national ban. Former Vice President Mike Pence said he would go further, endorsing a ban at six weeks of pregnancy, or before some women know they are pregnant. He told The Associated Press that abortion should be banned when a pregnancy isnt viable a standard that would force women to carry pregnancies to term even when doctors have determined there is no chance a baby will survive outside the womb. (AP) Five Israelis were injured in a shooting attack near the mall in Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem, on Tuesday afternoon. The terrorist opened fire at passersby with an M16 assault rifle. BChasdei Hashem, he was quickly neutralized by an off-duty Border Police officer who heard the attack and went searching for the terrorist. Two people were seriously injured and two were moderately wounded and received medical treatment at the scene before being evacuated to Hadassah Har HaTzofim and Shaare Tzedek Hospitals. The terrorist, who was wearing a neon yellow vest at the time of the attack, had a work permit and worked for the municipality as a cleaner. A large number of security forces are at the scene. The terrorists knapsack with ammunition in it was found near the scene. ": 4 ; : | https://t.co/16YrINRx1K pic.twitter.com/6YH7fegj1m ynet (@ynetalerts) August 1, 2023 This is a developing story. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In an unprecedented move, Supreme Court president Esther Hayut announced on Monday that all 15 justices of the court will deliberate the petitions against the reasonableness law passed by the Knesset last month. A hearing on eight petitions that have been filed against the reasonableness law has been scheduled for September 12. It will be the first time that all 15 justices will deliberate on one case, a case that has the potential to cause a major crisis in Israel as it involves a law that was passed as an amendment to a Basic Law. The sole fact that the Supreme Court is deliberating petitions against one of the Basic Laws, which are the equivalent of the US Consitution, is exceedingly rare. If the court chooses to invalidate the law it will send Israel into an unprecedented constitutional crisis. Some members of the Likud party have stated that they would accept a ruling that invalidates the law but others have already stated that they would not as the court has no authority to strike down a Basic Law. Likud MK Tally Gotliv stated on Tuesday morning that the Supreme Court has no authority to interfere with a Basic Law. I am sorry to disappoint you, judges of the Supreme Court, you are really not above the law. A ruling empty of authority is null and void. And just to illustrate a judge in a Magistrates Court who convicts a person of murder [an offense outside his jurisdiction] his verdict is null and void. Therefore I will not respect interference with Basic Laws. The leader of the Likud, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, has so far avoided answering the question. In a recent CNN interview, he said: What were talking about is in US terms is the equivalent of the US Supreme Court ruling that an amendment to the Constitution is unconstitutional. Thats the kind of spinning were talking about and I hope we dont get to that. The Likud issued a statement on Monday saying that Israeli governments have always been careful to respect the law and the rulings of the court, and the court has always been careful to respect the Basic Laws. These two principles constitute the basis of the rule of law in Israel and of the balance between the authorities in any democracy. Any deviation from one of these principles will seriously harm Israels democracy, which particularly during these days needs calmness, dialogue, and responsibility. Yair Lapid and other opposition leaders excoriated the Likud for the statement, claiming that the party is threatening the Supreme Court justices. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An Israeli citizen who was abducted in Ethiopia three weeks ago has been successfully freed and is set to return to Israel, Israels Channel 12 reported. According to the news report, Francis Adbabayi, a 79-year-old resident of Rishon Lezion, was rescued by Ethiopian special forces in a daring operation near the Sudanese border. The rescue mission reportedly involved a shootout with Adbabayis captors, ultimately resulting in his liberation. The Channel 12 report further revealed that Adbabayis family took matters into their own hands when they grew dissatisfied with the handling of the situation by the Foreign Ministry. They reached out to National Unity MK Pnina Tamano-Shata for assistance. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, the former immigration and absorption minister reportedly sought help from an Ethiopian-Israeli individual who had connections within the Ethiopian special forces and secret services. This collaboration proved instrumental in orchestrating the successful rescue of Adbabayi from his captors. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) BP missed City forecasts with a 70 per cent fall in profit in the last quarter due to a drop in energy prices, but the energy giant has still lined-up bumper investor payouts. The group has posted an underlying replacement cost profit of $2.6billion (2billion) in the three months to the end of June, down from $8.45billion (6.6billion) last year and below forecasts of $3.5billion. Despite the miss, BP will hand more cash to shareholders by raising its quarterly dividend by 10 per cent and buying back $1.5billion of shares in the coming three months. BP has completed more than 7.8bn of buybacks from surplus cash flow in the last year Investors cheered the news, with BP shares rising 2 per cent to 492.6p in morning trading on Monday. They have rallied by around a quarter over the past 12 months. Last week rival Shell also reported falling profit, but dished out a 15 per cent dividend hike. Both BP and Shell made record profits in 2022 thanks to a massive jump in energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With prices falling back from those highs in recent months, oil companies are seeing their profits reduced. Brent crude peaked back in June 2022 at $122 a barrel, but is currently trading at around $84. During the reporting period, the price was closer to $75. BP said the weaker performance reflected a significant decline in refining margins and more maintenance work. Gas trading results were 'exceptional' but lower than in the first quarter. The performance takes BP's total profits for the first half of 2023 to $7.5billion (5.9billion). Chief executive, Bernard Looney, said: 'Our underlying performance was resilient with good cash delivery - during a period of significant turnaround activity and weaker margins in our refining business. 'We're delivering our strategy at pace - we've started up two major oil and gas projects to help keep energy flowing today and we're accelerating our transformation through our five transition growth engines. 'And we're delivering for shareholders growing our dividend and announcing a further share buyback. This reflects confidence in our performance and the outlook for cash flow, as well as continued progress reducing our share count.' Over the last four quarters, BP has completed more than 7.8billion ($10billion) of buybacks from surplus cash flow. Pranesh Narayanan, research fellow at progressive think-tank IPPR, said BP was putting shareholders above society and the climate. 'Despite profits falling, the company is still making billions off the back of higher oil prices,' he said. 'But instead of investing those profits in the green transition, BP is transferring it straight to their shareholders through share buyback schemes. 'For every 1 BP spent on "low carbon investments" they gave shareholders 9 in buybacks.' Last month, BP won a 6billion contract to build two offshore wind farms off the coast of Germany, which it said raised its global offshore wind pipeline to 9.3GW. BP hopes to generate 50GW of renewable energy by 2030. But in February, the group rowed back on its climate pledges, saying it will cut oil and gas production by just 25 per cent between 2019 and 2030, instead of 40 per cent as previously planned. BP's update comes a day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted he wants to 'max out' developments in the North Sea and claimed Labour's refusal to support new oil and gas fields would be 'bad for the British economy'. The boss of Irn-Brus maker is stepping down after more than 21 years in the job. AG Barrs chief executive Roger White will resign as a director and retire from the company at a mutually agreed date within the next 12 months. The business said it would start looking for a successor immediately to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Fizzing out: AG Barr chief exec Roger White (pictured) will resign as a director and retire from the company at a mutually agreed date within the next 12 months White, 59, is thought to be one of the longest serving chief executives of a public company in the UK. AG Barr chairman Mark Allen said White had supported the transformation of the business from a regional soft drinks business into a highly successful multi-beverage, branded company. The announcement came as the business, whose other main brands include Rubicon, Funkin and Boost, saw revenues leap by a third in the first half of the financial year. Revenue at AG Barr which is based in Cumbernauld, Scotland for the six months to July 30 is expected to reach about 210million, up from 157million in the same period last year. A new consumer duty has come into force, setting a higher bar for financial firms and giving customers more certainty that the product they are taking out does exactly 'what it says on the tin'. Overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority, the Consumer Duty sets higher and clearer standards of consumer protection across financial services, requiring firms to put customers' needs at the heart of what they do. The impacts of the new duty will be far-reaching, weaving through the design of financial products through to the way firms treat their customers. Over time, it is hoped the duty will improve trust and confidence in financial services. It could help to prevent rip-offs, unexpected charges, and potential future mis-selling scandals from happening in the first place. The Financial Conduct Authority's new Consumer Duty is aimed at giving customers more certainty that they products they are buying will do 'what it says on the tin' Under the duty, firms will have to provide products which are fit for purpose, offer fair value and work as the customer expects. The duty could also potentially help prevent people from being sold unnecessary 'add-ons' to financial products, stopping them from wasting money. Firms should also be able to explain and justify their pricing decisions. Nisha Arora, director of cross-cutting policy and strategy at the FCA, said: 'People should know what they are paying and know what they are getting for what they pay.' Asked what consumers will see from the higher standards, Ms Arora said firms will have to actively support and enable their customers to achieve their financial objectives. 'It's about helping their customers, rather than just sitting back,' she told the PA news agency. 'If we translate that into practice and the whole consumer journey, if I want a product or a service, I will know that it's fit for me, it's fit for use, it's the right thing for me and it offers fair value, so I'm not being ripped off. 'I will also get communications at the right time, and that I can understand and can help me make decisions. 'It's really important consumers still shop around for the best deals, but firms need to give them the right information so they can make those decisions.' Firms will have to provide helpful and responsive customer service under the duty and be timely and straightforward in how they communicate. Processes for complaining, switching and cancelling products should also be straightforward. Ms Arora said: 'What we want (firms) to do is make it as easy to switch, complain, move product or service, as it was to come in, and not have to go through all those hoops and hurdles to make things happen.' There have been some recent signs of firms improving their savings offerings ahead of the duty, following criticism from various sources that rate rises were not being passed on quickly enough. The new rules overseen by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority are aimed at preventing rip-offs and unexpected charges Under the duty, the FCA expects firms to have a strategy to keep savers adequately informed of available rates across their products and how they may benefit from switching to an alternative. Together with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), it recently wrote to UK Finance and the Building Societies Association (BSA), clarifying that savings providers can inform their customers of the best rates available to them, even where they have objected to direct marketing. Ms Arora said: 'In all markets, including in the savings market, the consumer duty will require all products to be fair value. If there are different groups of customers, each of them have to get fair value. 'They might have different rates, but they all need to be fair value. And importantly, the communications need to be there to enable and support customers. (Firms) have to give them the right information. 'If someone is on a lower rate, they should point them to better rates that may be available. Now, it's up to the customer to decide what to do and they need to shop around.' Vulnerable customers' needs are also at the heart of the new duty. The FCA's financial lives survey previously indicated adults with characteristics of vulnerability were more likely to report that customer support services did not help them at all to achieve what they wanted to do. Ms Arora said firms will be expected to understand the needs of vulnerable customers, adapt and be flexible. She said: 'It might be around designing products that are suitable for the market, it might be around communicating in a particular way that's helpful and supportive.' Asked whether there might be a risk that firms could be more inclined to 'screen out' some customers for products, Ms Arora told PA: 'We've taken this very seriously because what we don't want is unintended consequences with products either being withdrawn from the market or customers being declined appropriate products. 'If a product, though, is unaffordable or not appropriate, then obviously we don't want it to be offered to the customer.' She said the regulator has already taken several steps, including being very clear and supporting firms, so 'actually these are higher standards, but they are achievable by firms'. Firms will be expected to keep their customers informed about the benefits of switching to different products under the FCA's new Consumer Duty Ms Arora also pointed out the communications requirements for firms under the new duty will help consumers to access products. Businesses have been gearing up for the new duty, and the regulator expects firms to have had clear oversight, from the top, of their implementation plans. The FCA has been supporting firms with guidance, webinars and letters. Ms Arora said: 'I'm really pleased by the progress that many firms have made in getting ready for this. But we will be ready to enforce if we see non-compliance that drives harm, and creates harm, for consumers. 'We have started our monitoring and we will be continuing to gather data from firms. We will be ready to supervise and enforce to make sure that the duty really is driven home.' Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: 'Whether you have a bank account, insurance policy, mortgage, credit card or want to take out a loan, the consumer duty is clear that firms should ensure that the product and service meets customers' needs, offers fair value and that customers have enough information to make an informed choice and are supported throughout. 'The duty should have wide-ranging consequences. In practice, it should mean that the terms and conditions of insurance policies are easy to understand, that banks alert customers of better savings rates, and that lenders proactively help any mortgage customers in financial difficulty with tailored support. 'Which? expects the regulator to take tough enforcement action should firms fall below the required standards.' Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) is scheduled to be issuing its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, August 3rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.25 per share for the quarter. Pinnacle West Capital has set its FY23 guidance at $3.95.4.15 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance at $3.95-$4.15 EPS.Individual interested in listening to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $944.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $808.33 million. Pinnacle West Capital had a net margin of 10.33% and a return on equity of 7.50%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 20.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.15 EPS. On average, analysts expect Pinnacle West Capital to post $4 EPS for the current fiscal year and $5 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Pinnacle West Capital Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE PNW opened at $82.82 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market cap of $9.38 billion, a PE ratio of 20.21, a PEG ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.47. Pinnacle West Capital has a 52-week low of $59.03 and a 52-week high of $86.03. The business has a fifty day moving average of $81.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.52. Pinnacle West Capital Announces Dividend Institutional Trading of Pinnacle West Capital The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be issued a $0.865 dividend. This represents a $3.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 31st. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio is currently 84.60%. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new position in Pinnacle West Capital in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Retirement Group LLC increased its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 600 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 235.5% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 718 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 57.3% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 752 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp boosted its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 1,726.1% during the 4th quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 1,260 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 1,191 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.46% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PNW. Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and set a $78.00 price objective (up previously from $73.00) on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $85.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. StockNews.com downgraded Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 20th. KeyCorp upped their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $55.00 to $61.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $84.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Pinnacle West Capital presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $78.11. Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report) Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortis (TSE:FTS Get Free Report) will post its quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, August 2nd. Analysts expect Fortis to post earnings of C$0.63 per share for the quarter. Fortis (TSE:FTS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.82 by C$0.09. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 12.85%. The business had revenue of C$3.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$3.02 billion. Get Fortis alerts: Fortis Trading Up 0.3 % Fortis stock opened at C$56.21 on Tuesday. Fortis has a 12 month low of C$48.45 and a 12 month high of C$62.00. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$56.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$56.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 127.94. The stock has a market cap of C$27.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.12, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.19. Fortis Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a $0.565 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 16th. This represents a $2.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.02%. Fortiss payout ratio is 76.87%. A number of research firms have recently weighed in on FTS. UBS Group dropped their target price on Fortis from C$54.00 to C$53.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. CSFB dropped their price objective on Fortis from C$62.00 to C$61.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 24th. CIBC dropped their target price on shares of Fortis from C$61.00 to C$59.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Fortis from C$58.00 to C$60.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Susquehanna Bancshares boosted their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$56.00 to C$57.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Fortis presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$58.46. About Fortis (Get Free Report) Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 443,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 102,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,328 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Peter Masheter, KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2023 - 13:06 | Feature, All, Japan Yoshinao Shimamoto, a 61-year-old living in Kobe, always knew his parents had been exposed to the effects of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in the final stages of World War II on Aug. 6, 1945, but he never had the chance to discuss it with them in detail. It was only after his mother died and his now 92-year-old father moved to a care facility that Shimamoto discovered his dad's application for atomic bomb survivor status at their family home in the western Japan city, complete with a detailed description of his experiences and the effect the weapon had on him. "It was my first time finding a lot of this out," Shimamoto said. Aware of his identity as a child of two people who survived the bombing, he decided to find a way to share his father's story. In Japan, atomic bomb survivors are known as hibakusha. "It's a testimony that shows he lived through that time, and I want to do my best by him," he said. The document is now the foundation of Shimamoto's studies as he trains to become a Hibakusha Family Member Legacy Successor, which he began in July. The initiative, launched in fiscal 2022 by the Hiroshima city government, comes as the number of living survivors who can tell their stories continues to shrink. It allows relatives to pass on their experiences -- provided they are living and still able to communicate. Those who finish the program, which is part of the city's peace promotion aims, go on to give talks at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, local schools and government events. Through a series of lectures and discussions with their relatives, those enrolled in the project produce a roughly 45-minute-long script. The final draft is checked for approval by the relatives and fact-checked by the city government, with trainees also undergoing significant practice in delivering its content. Although the program is supposed to take two years to complete, with time running short, the first seven family legacy successors completed it in just one year this April, with another 65 in training as of July. The program runs alongside a similar legacy successor initiative for nonrelatives, which since fiscal 2012 has operated a mentoring scheme that has trained hundreds in the art of passing on survivors' stories. Testimonial activism by survivors is central to peace advocacy efforts in Hiroshima. Notably, it featured in the Group of Seven major economies' summit in the city in May, when leaders met 85-year-old survivor Keiko Ogura during their visit to the museum. But with the few remaining survivors reaching their twilight years, such initiatives have only grown in importance as people race against the clock to document first-hand knowledge and experience of the bombing. At the end of March, the average age of recognized survivors exceeded 85, and their total number -- 113,649 people -- fell by 5,286, marking a continued annual downward trend. Mitsuru Nishida, who heads the city government's section for atomic bomb legacy successors, referenced the figures to emphasize that "handing down the experiences of survivors and their views on peace into the future is becoming more and more important." The number of survivors telling their stories under the Hiroshima government's initiatives, too, has waned from a 2015 peak of 49 people to just 33 by May this year. Conversely, there were 195 legacy successors and seven family legacy successors on the programs. Hiroshi Shimizu, an 81-year-old survivor who currently mentors around 20 people by telling his story with a focus on the history of fellow hibakushas' lives in the 10 years after the bombing, called the family system a "good thing." Recalling the effect the bombing had on those who survived, he said that "many survivors, like my older brother, avoided telling their children the stories because they're too painful. But with their grandchildren, it often just comes out when they start talking about the past." Kento Ogata, the youngest family legacy successor on the program at 32 years old, is a survivor's grandson. His grandfather, 94-year-old Shozo Matsubara, was 16 when he became exposed to radiation from the repeated expeditions he made into Hiroshima in the week following the bombing in search of his aunt. "For the last 20 years or so we never discussed it, it felt like a difficult thing to talk about," said Ogata, who had spoken to his grandfather about his experiences only once before for a school project when he was 9. Ogata recalled being afraid to press his grandfather further on the topic after seeing his usually cheerful expression harden when recounting his memories. In telling Matsubara's story, Ogata describes the horrors his grandfather witnessed, including corpses piled high cooking "like sardines" as they were cremated, and people so disfigured by the bombing that it was hard to distinguish their gender. Alongside recalling the horrors that his grandfather saw, Ogata also emphasizes Matsubara's wish for peace. But his desire to learn about his grandfather's story for himself was even greater than his wish to share it with others. "The biggest thing for me is that it was an opportunity to learn more about my grandfather. More than wanting to spread his story, I want to ensure it doesn't disappear," he said. Aware of the near future when no hibakusha will remain, and amid numerous legacy successors being forced to give up their studies mid-training due to survivors dying of old age, the government altered its rules in July to allow people to continue their training even beyond the death of their mentors. The change also applies retroactively to those who were forced to abandon the program following a death. The case of family legacy successor Takanori Mizuno, 65, underlines the sense of urgency among many in the city as time runs out. Mizuno told his mother's story for the first time in June, just before her death at the age of 90 in early July. "I was told she had cancer about a year ago, so I knew I had to become a family successor in one year," he said. With his mother in care and visits restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city government made concessions for them, allowing Mizuno to complete his training by letting him interview his mother over the phone. After years of telling the stories of other hibakusha, Mizuno, whose family included nine survivors, said it had been his wish to honor his mother's story once in her lifetime. "Most of the people training to become family successors, their parents are in their 90s. They might be healthy today, but you don't know what will happen tomorrow, so there's a tension," he said. And while many hoping to learn survivors' stories are aware of time passing, Mizuno said those concerns were emotionally charged for relatives. "It's your family, you feel it with your heart, not your head," he said. Related coverage: A-bomb survivors mixed on G-7 Hiroshima summit museum visit Hiroshima, Nagasaki: Apocalyptic Moments FEATURE: A guidepost to nuke-free world, Hiroshima museum awaits G-7 leaders Janus Henderson Group (NYSE:JHG Get Free Report) is set to release its 6/30/2023 earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, August 2nd. Analysts expect Janus Henderson Group to post earnings of $0.56 per share for the quarter. Parties that are interested in registering for the companys conference call can do so using this link. Janus Henderson Group (NYSE:JHG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $495.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $488.38 million. Janus Henderson Group had a return on equity of 9.07% and a net margin of 16.86%. Janus Henderson Groups quarterly revenue was down 20.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.75 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Janus Henderson Group to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Janus Henderson Group alerts: Janus Henderson Group Stock Performance Janus Henderson Group stock opened at $29.35 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.78, a PEG ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 1.42. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $27.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $26.99. Janus Henderson Group has a 52 week low of $19.09 and a 52 week high of $31.30. The company has a current ratio of 3.98, a quick ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. Analyst Ratings Changes Insider Activity A number of research analysts recently commented on JHG shares. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Janus Henderson Group in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Credit Suisse Group upgraded shares of Janus Henderson Group from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $22.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Janus Henderson Group from $26.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Janus Henderson Group from $25.00 to $24.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Janus Henderson Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Janus Henderson Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $25.09. In other news, CAO Brennan A. Hughes sold 1,874 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.69, for a total transaction of $50,017.06. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $121,973.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Georgina Fogo sold 5,043 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.35, for a total value of $137,926.05. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 123,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,374,360.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Brennan A. Hughes sold 1,874 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.69, for a total value of $50,017.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $121,973.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 18.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JHG. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Janus Henderson Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $218,000. US Bancorp DE increased its position in Janus Henderson Group by 5.7% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 10,109 shares of the companys stock valued at $354,000 after acquiring an additional 542 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in Janus Henderson Group by 100.1% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,194 shares of the companys stock valued at $392,000 after acquiring an additional 5,599 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Janus Henderson Group by 10.6% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,107 shares of the companys stock valued at $215,000 after purchasing an additional 585 shares during the period. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Janus Henderson Group by 7.4% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,695 shares of the companys stock worth $234,000 after buying an additional 459 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.58% of the companys stock. About Janus Henderson Group (Get Free Report) Janus Henderson Group plc is an asset management holding entity. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides services to institutional, retail clients, and high net worth clients. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also manages equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Janus Henderson Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Janus Henderson Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK Free Report) Wedbush upped their Q2 2024 EPS estimates for Shake Shack in a report released on Friday, July 28th. Wedbush analyst N. Setyan now forecasts that the company will earn $0.18 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.15. Wedbush currently has a Neutral rating and a $73.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for Shake Shacks current full-year earnings is $0.16 per share. Wedbush also issued estimates for Shake Shacks FY2024 earnings at $0.22 EPS. Get Shake Shack alerts: SHAK has been the subject of a number of other research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Shake Shack in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Shake Shack from $62.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Shake Shack from $62.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Shake Shack from $50.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Shake Shack from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $68.08. Shake Shack Trading Up 2.2 % Shares of NYSE:SHAK opened at $77.66 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a current ratio of 2.31. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $73.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.90. Shake Shack has a fifty-two week low of $40.83 and a fifty-two week high of $80.58. Shake Shack (NYSE:SHAK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.08. Shake Shack had a negative net margin of 1.63% and a negative return on equity of 1.19%. The firm had revenue of $253.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $245.84 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.19) earnings per share. Shake Shacks revenue for the quarter was up 24.5% on a year-over-year basis. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, COO Zach Koff sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $375,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 38,682 shares in the company, valued at $2,901,150. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 10.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in Shake Shack by 217.1% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 796 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Shake Shack by 260.3% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 825 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 596 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Shake Shack by 67.9% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 989 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in Shake Shack in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $85,000. Finally, Natixis acquired a new position in shares of Shake Shack in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.12% of the companys stock. Shake Shack Company Profile (Get Free Report) Shake Shack Inc owns, operates, and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks) in the United States and internationally. Its Shacks offers hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine, and other products. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in New York, New York. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shake Shack Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shake Shack and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investment analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a report issued on Sunday. The brokerage set a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Stock Performance THM opened at $0.41 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $78.94 million, a P/E ratio of -20.25 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $0.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.52. International Tower Hill Mines has a twelve month low of $0.37 and a twelve month high of $0.75. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines An institutional investor recently raised its position in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Virtu Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Free Report) (TSE:ITH) by 314.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 46,910 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLCs holdings in International Tower Hill Mines were worth $26,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. 55.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About International Tower Hill Mines International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board cut its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Free Report) by 2.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,150 shares of the companys stock after selling 300 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Boards holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises were worth $663,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in RCL. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 1.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,355,449 shares of the companys stock worth $1,956,721,000 after acquiring an additional 314,385 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,416,029 shares of the companys stock worth $217,880,000 after buying an additional 97,232 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 1,314.9% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,759,035 shares of the companys stock worth $231,152,000 after buying an additional 2,564,035 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises during the 4th quarter worth approximately $100,326,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,819,774 shares of the companys stock worth $89,951,000 after buying an additional 54,172 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.08% of the companys stock. Get Royal Caribbean Cruises alerts: Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Performance NYSE:RCL opened at $109.11 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $95.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $77.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.28, a current ratio of 0.20 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The firm has a market cap of $27.95 billion, a PE ratio of -340.96 and a beta of 2.47. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a 1-year low of $34.51 and a 1-year high of $112.95. Insider Buying and Selling Royal Caribbean Cruises ( NYSE:RCL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $1.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.24. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a negative net margin of 0.47% and a positive return on equity of 6.76%. The firm had revenue of $3.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($2.08) earnings per share. Royal Caribbean Cruisess revenue for the quarter was up 61.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 6.1 EPS for the current year. In related news, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $2,922,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,766,240. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Royal Caribbean Cruises news, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 318,325 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.97, for a total transaction of $24,819,800.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 20,167,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,572,460,520.79. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $2,922,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 147,078 shares in the company, valued at $11,766,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 729,861 shares of company stock valued at $58,020,180. Insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on RCL shares. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $100.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $82.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $113.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $88.00 to $92.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Royal Caribbean Cruises currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $104.00. Royal Caribbean Cruises Profile (Free Report) Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide. The company operates cruises under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands, which comprise a range of itineraries. As of February 13, 2023, it operated 64 ships. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantinno Capital Management LP lowered its holdings in shares of Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN Free Report) by 7.1% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 18,173 shares of the closed-end funds stock after selling 1,388 shares during the quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LPs holdings in Franklin Resources were worth $490,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Amalgamated Bank increased its position in Franklin Resources by 33.2% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 95,230 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $2,512,000 after purchasing an additional 23,760 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its position in Franklin Resources by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 328,149 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $8,657,000 after purchasing an additional 7,777 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin Resources by 32.9% in the 4th quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 540,715 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $14,264,000 after buying an additional 133,757 shares in the last quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources in the 1st quarter valued at about $376,000. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources in the 1st quarter valued at about $273,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 46.70% of the companys stock. Get Franklin Resources alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BEN has been the subject of several research reports. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Franklin Resources from $28.00 to $24.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $25.50 to $26.00 in a report on Thursday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $23.00 target price on shares of Franklin Resources in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Franklin Resources in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Franklin Resources from $24.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Monday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Franklin Resources has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.18. Franklin Resources Stock Down 0.9 % Shares of NYSE:BEN opened at $29.23 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $26.86 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.61. The stock has a market cap of $14.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.27 and a beta of 1.28. Franklin Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.24 and a fifty-two week high of $34.37. The company has a quick ratio of 2.09, a current ratio of 2.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The closed-end fund reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.50 billion. Franklin Resources had a net margin of 10.51% and a return on equity of 10.45%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.82 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Franklin Resources, Inc. will post 2.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Franklin Resources Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.11%. Franklin Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 75.00%. About Franklin Resources (Free Report) Franklin Resources, Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. It launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds through its subsidiaries. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BEN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Franklin Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franklin Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board cut its stake in shares of Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW Free Report) by 2.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,690 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 200 shares during the quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Boards holdings in Lamb Weston were worth $699,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Lamb Weston by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 2,964 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $310,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lamb Weston in the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in Lamb Weston by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 10,740 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,123,000 after buying an additional 284 shares during the period. Friedenthal Financial purchased a new stake in Lamb Weston in the 1st quarter valued at about $670,000. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Lamb Weston by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 46,896 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $4,902,000 after buying an additional 880 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.26% of the companys stock. Get Lamb Weston alerts: Lamb Weston Stock Up 1.5 % Shares of NYSE LW opened at $103.63 on Tuesday. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $74.91 and a 12-month high of $117.38. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $112.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30. The company has a market cap of $15.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.54. Lamb Weston Dividend Announcement Lamb Weston ( NYSE:LW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The specialty retailer reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.66 billion. Lamb Weston had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 84.65%. The companys revenue was up 46.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.65 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 3rd. Lamb Westons dividend payout ratio is currently 16.18%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently commented on LW. StockNews.com began coverage on Lamb Weston in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Lamb Weston from $97.00 to $107.00 in a report on Thursday, April 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Lamb Weston from $112.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Barclays increased their price objective on Lamb Weston from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Lamb Weston from $115.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.40. Insider Activity In related news, SVP Sharon L. Miller sold 4,350 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total transaction of $500,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 49,859 shares in the company, valued at $5,733,785. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock. Lamb Weston Company Profile (Free Report) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets value-added frozen potato products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. The company offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lamb Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lamb Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AGF Management Ltd. increased its stake in Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Free Report) by 126.8% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 84,181 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 47,071 shares during the period. AGF Management Ltd.s holdings in Medical Properties Trust were worth $692,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MPW. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 8.2% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 83,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,755,000 after buying an additional 6,318 shares in the last quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 147.1% during the first quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 21,434 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $453,000 after buying an additional 12,761 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 15.4% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 37,749 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $798,000 after buying an additional 5,046 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 11.3% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 38,588 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $816,000 after buying an additional 3,922 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 43.9% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 807,982 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $17,067,000 after buying an additional 246,411 shares in the last quarter. 74.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MPW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. KeyCorp reduced their price target on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $9.00 price target for the company. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Medical Properties Trust has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.08. Medical Properties Trust Stock Up 0.4 % Medical Properties Trust Profile Medical Properties Trust stock opened at $10.09 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.99. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $9.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.66. The company has a current ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.10 and a 1-year high of $17.36. (Free Report) Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 444 facilities and approximately 45,000 licensed beds in ten countries and across four continents. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MPW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AGF Management Ltd. grew its stake in Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (NYSE:SHO Free Report) by 9.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 76,467 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 6,620 shares during the period. AGF Management Ltd.s holdings in Sunstone Hotel Investors were worth $755,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 97,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $946,000 after buying an additional 992 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 190,263 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,329,000 after buying an additional 1,015 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 17,299 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $171,000 after buying an additional 1,180 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 9.4% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 14,914 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $148,000 after buying an additional 1,277 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 13,588 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $160,000 after buying an additional 1,291 shares during the period. Get Sunstone Hotel Investors alerts: Sunstone Hotel Investors Stock Performance NYSE SHO opened at $10.19 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firms fifty day moving average price is $10.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.08. Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. has a 1 year low of $8.60 and a 1 year high of $12.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.26. Sunstone Hotel Investors Dividend Announcement Sunstone Hotel Investors ( NYSE:SHO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.17 by ($0.09). Sunstone Hotel Investors had a return on equity of 5.22% and a net margin of 9.60%. The firm had revenue of $243.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $223.93 million. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. will post 0.94 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. Sunstone Hotel Investorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 52.63%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently commented on SHO. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $9.00 to $10.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors from $9.50 to $11.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sunstone Hotel Investors currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.57. About Sunstone Hotel Investors (Free Report) Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc is a lodging real estate investment trust ("REIT") that as of the date of this release owns 15 hotels comprised of 7,735 rooms, the majority of which are operated under nationally recognized brands. Sunstone's strategy is to create long-term stakeholder value through the acquisition, active ownership and disposition of hotels considered to be Long-Term Relevant Real Estate. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Sunstone Hotel Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sunstone Hotel Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.31, Briefing.com reports. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The company had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.26 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group updated its FY 2023 guidance to $4.89-$5.03 EPS and its FY23 guidance to $4.89-5.03 EPS. Altria Group Stock Performance MO opened at $45.18 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $80.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.53, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group has a 1-year low of $40.35 and a 1-year high of $51.57. The company has a 50-day moving average of $45.02 and a 200-day moving average of $45.61. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.32%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 120.90%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Altria Group Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,248,000 after purchasing an additional 6,324 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 5.2% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after buying an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after purchasing an additional 89,334 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Western Trust Bank bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth about $498,000. Institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. MO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.00. Altria Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Participants attend the meeting of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, July 31, 2023. Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) decided on Monday to extend the state of emergency in the Southeast Asian country for another six months.(Str/Xinhua) YANGON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) decided on Monday to extend the state of emergency in the Southeast Asian country for another six months. According to the council's statement signed by Acting President U Myint Swe, the emergency period was extended in accordance with the Section 425 of the State Constitution for six more months starting from Aug. 1. The acting president said in the statement that the extension was made based on the discussions and decisions made by all NDSC members attending the council's meeting on Monday. At the meeting held in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, the NDSC members agreed that it is still required to make extension to undertake the tasks for ensuring security to hold a free and fair election, citing that political parties preparing for election are facing security threats, the council's statement said. Those who attended the meeting also discussed matters related to conditions of preparation for the election, disturbances to preparation for the election, relief and resettlement being carried out after cyclone Mocha, and conditions for holding the election including security affairs, the statement added. At the meeting, the acting president declared the extension of the state of emergency, and handed over the state power again to Chairman of the State Administration Council Min Aung Hlaing, who is also Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, it said. Myanmar declared the state of emergency in February 2021 for one year before making three six-month extensions until July 31 this year. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Tuesday. The real estate investment trust reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.60 by ($0.01), RTT News reports. AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 9.17% and a net margin of 38.49%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.43 EPS. AvalonBay Communities Stock Up 0.1 % AVB opened at $188.92 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The companys 50-day moving average is $187.28 and its 200 day moving average is $177.87. AvalonBay Communities has a fifty-two week low of $153.07 and a fifty-two week high of $220.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.91, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.93. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: AvalonBay Communities Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a dividend of $1.65 per share. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. AvalonBay Communitiess payout ratio is currently 90.54%. Insiders Place Their Bets Hedge Funds Weigh In On AvalonBay Communities In other news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 4,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.10, for a total value of $704,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now owns 62,559 shares in the company, valued at $11,016,639.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Insiders own 0.42% of the companys stock. Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. SVB Wealth LLC grew its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 1.1% during the first quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 6,968 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,731,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC grew its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 3,780 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $945,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 25.1% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 489 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 1,485 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $369,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 4,395 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $739,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.85% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently commented on AVB. Piper Sandler raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $160.00 to $193.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $193.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $190.00 to $211.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. 888 restated a maintains rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $194.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $203.17. About AvalonBay Communities (Get Free Report) As of March 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 295 apartment communities containing 88,826 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 19 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atkore (NYSE:ATKR Get Free Report) is set to post its quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Tuesday, August 8th. Analysts expect Atkore to post earnings of $3.86 per share for the quarter. Atkore has set its FY23 guidance at $17.45-18.35 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance at $17.45-$18.35 EPS.Individual interested in participating in the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. Atkore (NYSE:ATKR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $4.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.60. Atkore had a return on equity of 66.55% and a net margin of 21.54%. The firm had revenue of $895.93 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $910.20 million. On average, analysts expect Atkore to post $16 EPS for the current fiscal year and $15 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Atkore alerts: Atkore Stock Up 0.7 % ATKR stock opened at $159.80 on Tuesday. Atkore has a fifty-two week low of $70.50 and a fifty-two week high of $163.18. The businesss 50-day moving average is $144.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $137.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a current ratio of 2.99. The company has a market cap of $6.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.17 and a beta of 2.22. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Insider Activity Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Atkore in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $161.40. In related news, Director Scott H. Muse sold 1,211 shares of Atkore stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $181,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,583 shares in the company, valued at $3,987,450. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, VP Leangela W. Lowe sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.09, for a total value of $480,270.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 25,585 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,095,902.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Scott H. Muse sold 1,211 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $181,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 26,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,987,450. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 2.11% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Atkore Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in shares of Atkore during the 4th quarter valued at $51,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Atkore by 85.6% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 607 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the period. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atkore during the 1st quarter valued at about $119,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of Atkore by 5,638.1% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,205 shares of the companys stock valued at $119,000 after acquiring an additional 1,184 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Tennessee Treasury Department acquired a new stake in shares of Atkore during the 1st quarter valued at about $209,000. 98.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Atkore (Get Free Report) Atkore Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of electrical, safety, and infrastructure products in the United States and internationally. The company offers conduits, cables, and installation accessories. It also designs and manufactures safety and infrastructure solutions, such as metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security, and cable management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Atkore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atkore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jump Financial LLC grew its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 600.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,757 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,792 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $1,645,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 9,666 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,024,000 after buying an additional 348 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 9,070 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,899,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 54.7% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,859 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $599,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its position in Illinois Tool Works by 9.9% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,407 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $504,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 70.7% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 746 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $156,000 after buying an additional 309 shares during the last quarter. 79.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Illinois Tool Works Price Performance Shares of Illinois Tool Works stock traded down $12.89 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $250.43. The stock had a trading volume of 346,405 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,081,734. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The businesss 50-day moving average is $243.26 and its 200 day moving average is $237.02. The firm has a market cap of $76.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.92 and a beta of 1.13. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12 month low of $180.27 and a 12 month high of $264.19. Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.10. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.27% and a return on equity of 92.13%. The business had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.98 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.11 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.64 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th were given a dividend of $1.31 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is 52.40%. Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works In related news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total transaction of $1,297,822.75. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,121,970.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ITW. 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $235.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $236.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Illinois Tool Works from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $234.92. Illinois Tool Works Profile (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (NYSE:SSD Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, July 31st, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 5th will be given a dividend of 0.27 per share by the construction company on Thursday, October 26th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 4th. Simpson Manufacturing has increased its dividend payment by an average of 4.2% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 3 consecutive years. Simpson Manufacturing has a payout ratio of 12.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Simpson Manufacturing to earn $8.86 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 12.2%. Get Simpson Manufacturing alerts: Simpson Manufacturing Stock Performance NYSE:SSD traded down $0.49 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $157.51. 25,167 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 165,892. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.85 and a beta of 1.25. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $135.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $119.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 2.14 and a current ratio of 3.45. Simpson Manufacturing has a fifty-two week low of $75.25 and a fifty-two week high of $166.02. Insider Activity Simpson Manufacturing ( NYSE:SSD Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The construction company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $597.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $553.23 million. Simpson Manufacturing had a return on equity of 23.45% and a net margin of 15.78%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.16 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Simpson Manufacturing will post 8.22 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, VP Kevin Lee Swartzendruber sold 6,783 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.45, for a total transaction of $884,842.35. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 5,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $722,562.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Simpson Manufacturing news, EVP Roger Dankel sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.31, for a total value of $258,620.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 34,659 shares in the company, valued at $4,481,755.29. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Kevin Lee Swartzendruber sold 6,783 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.45, for a total value of $884,842.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 5,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $722,562.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 12,783 shares of company stock valued at $1,635,222. Company insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. 1832 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Simpson Manufacturing in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $84,000. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 59.5% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 815 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $121,000. Institutional investors own 89.95% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SSD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Simpson Manufacturing from $176.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. DA Davidson boosted their price target on Simpson Manufacturing from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 25th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Simpson Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. About Simpson Manufacturing (Get Free Report) Simpson Manufacturing Co, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells wood and concrete construction products. The company offers wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and pre-fabricated lateral systems for use in light-frame construction; and concrete construction products comprising adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools, fiber-reinforced materials, and other repair products for use in concrete, masonry, and steel construction, as well as grouts, coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems, and asphalt products for use in concrete construction repair, and strengthening and protection products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Simpson Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Simpson Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, August 1st, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Friday, August 25th will be paid a dividend of 1.24 per share by the aerospace company on Friday, September 8th. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.15%. Huntington Ingalls Industries has increased its dividend payment by an average of 9.8% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 11 consecutive years. Huntington Ingalls Industries has a dividend payout ratio of 30.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Huntington Ingalls Industries to earn $16.42 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.96 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 30.2%. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Up 0.4 % HII stock traded up $0.89 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $230.56. 19,536 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 359,098. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Huntington Ingalls Industries has a 12-month low of $188.51 and a 12-month high of $260.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $219.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $213.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.20 and a beta of 0.66. Insider Activity Huntington Ingalls Industries ( NYSE:HII Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The aerospace company reported $3.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.23. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 17.41% and a net margin of 5.27%. The company had revenue of $2.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.50 EPS. Huntington Ingalls Industriess revenue for the quarter was up 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Huntington Ingalls Industries will post 14.51 EPS for the current year. In related news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.13, for a total transaction of $99,065.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 20,820 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,125,066.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,915,794 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $810,648,000 after purchasing an additional 30,355 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,958,318 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $612,431,000 after acquiring an additional 58,521 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 133.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,285,139 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $296,456,000 after acquiring an additional 735,356 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 880,599 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $181,911,000 after acquiring an additional 7,798 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 823,812 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $164,302,000 after acquiring an additional 47,891 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.80% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have issued reports on HII. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $238.00 to $250.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com upgraded Huntington Ingalls Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Huntington Ingalls Industries currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $245.86. Huntington Ingalls Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its holdings in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR Free Report) by 5.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 117,676 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,969 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned about 0.21% of Whirlpool worth $15,536,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 14.7% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 3,228 shares of the companys stock worth $557,000 after acquiring an additional 414 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Whirlpool by 19.4% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 16,019 shares of the companys stock worth $2,768,000 after purchasing an additional 2,599 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 3.5% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 7,894 shares of the companys stock worth $1,364,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its position in Whirlpool by 2.4% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 11,256 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,945,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 13.4% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 3,677 shares of the companys stock worth $635,000 after acquiring an additional 435 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.04% of the companys stock. Get Whirlpool alerts: Whirlpool Stock Down 1.0 % Whirlpool stock traded down $1.48 on Tuesday, hitting $142.78. 73,729 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 758,648. Whirlpool Co. has a 1 year low of $124.10 and a 1 year high of $178.05. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $144.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $140.83. The firm has a market cap of $7.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.92. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Whirlpool ( NYSE:WHR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 24th. The company reported $4.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.76 by $0.45. The firm had revenue of $4.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.81 billion. Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 8.13% and a positive return on equity of 29.70%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.97 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Whirlpool Co. will post 16.37 earnings per share for the current year. WHR has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Whirlpool from a neutral rating to a buy rating and reduced their target price for the company from $170.00 to $160.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $118.00 to $121.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Whirlpool in a research note on Tuesday, July 25th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $90.00 to $87.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $131.00. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Juan Carlos Puente sold 420 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.16, for a total transaction of $56,347.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,699 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,374,497.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CEO Marc R. Bitzer sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.18, for a total transaction of $2,863,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 138,583 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,842,313.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Juan Carlos Puente sold 420 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.16, for a total transaction of $56,347.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,699 shares in the company, valued at $2,374,497.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 26,420 shares of company stock worth $3,778,667. 1.85% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Whirlpool Profile (Free Report) Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Whirlpool Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whirlpool and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SAO PAULO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and several others were arrested in a series of anti-crime operations over the weekend in southeast Brazil's Sao Paulo state, authorities said on Monday. The dragnet was launched on Saturday, after a police officer was killed in a shootout Thursday at a favela in Guaruja, a popular tourism destination in Sao Paulo state, Governor Tarcisio Gomes de Freitas said at a press conference. The dragnet continued on Monday in Guaruja, one of the country's busiest seaside resorts. "We are going to continue the operations against organized crime and drug trafficking," said Gomes de Freitas. A higher death toll previously reported by Sao Paulo police was incorrect, said Gomes de Freitas, adding that all deaths would be investigated. by Wang Yidan, Wang Meng, Chen Siyi, Zhou Qianxian FUZHOU, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- One day before Typhoon Doksuri landed in Fujian on July 28, Zhang Haifeng, a grassroots cadre of a local fishery patrol in Dazuo village, held his post at the harbor as upcoming winds and rainstorms would threaten to wreak havoc. For the safety of fishermen, he demanded securing the boats with anchors and chains, and villagers were expressly forbidden from boarding their vessels. But in Dazuo, where the rhythm of life is inextricably linked to the ocean's ebb and flow, some steadfast fishermen fortified their boats as best they could. One boat owner, surnamed Zhang, said the typhoon was even bigger than expected. They worried that their preparations were not enough. "They believe the boat is as important as life," Zhang displayed a deep-seated understanding of their fears and adopted an alternative strategy. Tirelessly patrolling the harbor, he employed gentle persuasion and patient dialogue to draw the fishermen away from their vessels, advocating for their safety until the impending typhoon loomed overhead. "They're anxious about their boats while we're concerned about their lives," Zhang said. Upon receipt of the typhoon warning, he rallied a force of forty grassroots officials, directing a meticulous operation to safeguard Dazuo's over 14,000 villagers. They mapped the village, guided the fishermen to the harbor, reinforced boats, assessed homes for potential risks, and gently ushered the elderly and frail to safer zones. The fruits of their relentless endeavor started to manifest. The majority of villagers were securely relocated to safe zones. However, one particularly challenging case was an elderly gentleman battling the early stages of Alzheimer's. It was difficult for Zhang and his team to persuade him to relocate. After more than 20 visits and patient communications, the elderly man consented to relocate just as the storm was on the brink of landfall. With this triumph secured, Zhang turned his unwavering focus to the monumental task of assessing the storm's aftermath and orchestrating recovery operations. With scenes of toppled streetlights and uprooted trees filling his sight, Zhang actively coordinated with various departments to repair water and power supply facilities and solved issues where villagers were concerned. He told villagers who sustained property damage they could hope for aid as per specific policies once a thorough damage evaluation was conducted. Reassuringly, things are now back to normal in the village, said Zhang. The junta that seized power in Niger last week detained senior politicians on Monday, their party said, defying international calls to restore democratic rule, while fellow military rulers in West Africa expressed their support. The overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum has sent shockwaves across West Africa, pitting Nigers former Western allies against the likes of Russia and other junta leaders in the region. The African Union, the U.N., the European Union and other powers have condemned the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa that has undermined democratic progress in one of the worlds poorest regions. Regional bloc ECOWAS has imposed sanctions, including a halt in all financial transactions and a national assets freeze, and said it could authorise force to reinstate Bazoum, who is still locked in his palace. But the juntas of neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea all voiced their support for the coups leaders on Monday. Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, said a joint statement read on both countries national broadcasters. Nigers junta on Monday arrested the ousted governments mines minister, the head of the ruling party and the oil minister, among others. Meanwhile, a United States official on Monday said the coup had not been fully successful and that there was still an opportunity to reinstate Bazoum. France and Germany echoed those comments. RUSSIAN FLAGS Last Wednesdays coup has raised fears for the security of the Sahel region. Niger is the worlds seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer. The United States, former colonial power France and other Western states have troops in Niger and had been working with the government to overcome an Islamist insurgency by groups linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda. But attacks on civilians and soldiers persist, fomenting discontent and straining relations with Western powers. There have been four takeovers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso during the last two years, all of which have come amid frustrations about growing insecurity. Both countries have turned increasingly towards Russia as an ally. The coup leaders, who have named General Abdourahamane Tiani, the former presidential guard chief, as head of state, said they overthrew Bazoum over poor governance and discontent with the way he handled the Islamist threat. On Sunday, supporters of the junta burned French flags and attacked the French embassy in Nigers capital, Niamey, prompting police to fire volleys of tear gas in response. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russias Wagner mercenary group, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. The Kremlin said on Monday that the situation in Niger was cause for serious concern and called for a swift return to constitutional order. ECONOMIC PINCH ECOWAS appears to have taken a tougher stance towards Niger than its junta-led neighbours, which have been sanctioned but never threatened with force. Both the EU and France have backed the blocs response suspended their own financial support, while the U.S. has threatened to do so. The EU and Niger share deep ties developed over decades. The unacceptable attack on the democratically elected government puts these ties in jeopardy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. After days of turmoil, the International Monetary Fund said it was closely monitoring developments in Niger. But the IMF has not yet taken any specific actions in response to the coup. It has yet to disburse a $131.5 million loan to Niger that was approved on July 5, it added. The regional central bank has meanwhile cancelled Nigers planned 30 billion CFA ($51 million) bond issuance, scheduled for Monday in the West African regional debt market, following sanctions, sources said. SOURCE: REUTERS Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his wide-ranging efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in four months that the former U.S. president has been criminally charged even as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year. The four-count indictment alleges Trump conspired to defraud the U.S. by preventing Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election. Trump was ordered to make an initial appearance in Washington federal court on Thursday. The charges stem from Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into allegations Trump the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination sought to reverse his loss to Biden, his Democratic rival. In the 45-page court document, prosecutors allege a coordinated conspiracy across multiple states, in which Trump and his allies advanced claims of fraud they knew to be untrue in a desperate attempt to undermine American democracy and cling to power. After a fiery Trump speech, his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a bid to stop Congress from certifying Bidens victory. In a brief statement to reporters, Smith placed the blame for the Jan. 6 attack squarely on Trumps shoulders. The attack on our nations capitol on Jan. 6th, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the U.S. government, Smith said. Trump and others organized fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to submit their votes to be counted and certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6, the indictment said. The indictment lays out numerous examples of Trumps election falsehoods and notes that close advisers, including senior intelligence officials, told him repeatedly that the election results were legitimate. These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false, prosecutors wrote. When the push to certify the fake electors failed, Trump sought to pressure Vice President Mike Pence not to allow the certification of the election to go forward, and took advantage of the violence outside the Capitol to do so, according to prosecutors. During the violence, Trump rebuffed calls from his advisers to issue a calming message. The Defendant attempted to use a crowd of supporters that he had gathered in Washington, D.C. to pressure the Vice President to fraudulently alter the election results, the indictment reads. In a statement, the Trump campaign said he had always followed the law and characterized the indictment as a political persecution reminiscent of Nazi Germany. The indictment alleges Trump conspired with six other unnamed individuals. The description of one appeared to match former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, the former head of the civil division who tried to get himself installed as attorney general so he could launch voter fraud investigations in Georgia and other swing states. Another alleged co-conspirator appeared to describe attorney John Eastman, who erroneously suggested that Pence could object to certifying the electoral results. Both Eastman and Clark had their phones seized and searched in the investigation last year. The indictment also appears to refer to Trumps personal lawyer, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as someone who was willing to pursue a legal strategy that Trumps campaign lawyers would not. None of the three men immediately responded to requests for comment. MOUNTING LEGAL WOES Trump already had become the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. He has sought to portray the prosecutions as part of a politically motivated witch hunt. Tuesdays charges represent a second round of federal charges by Smith, who was appointed a special counsel in November by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Trump pleaded not guilty after a federal grand jury in Miami convened by the special counsel charged him in June in a 37-count indictment over his unlawful retention of classified government documents after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing justice. Prosecutors accused him of risking some of the most sensitive U.S. national security secrets. Last Thursday, prosecutors added three more criminal counts against Trump, bringing the total to 40, accusing him of ordering employees to delete security videos as he was under investigation for retaining the documents. The first charges brought against Trump emerged in March when a grand jury convened by Manhattans district attorney indicted him. Trump in April pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts accusing him of falsifying business records concerning a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she said she had with him. Trump has denied the encounter. Trump, 77, leads a crowded field of Republican presidential candidates as he seeks a rematch with Biden, 80, next year. Biden in April launched his re-election campaign. Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, has shown an ability to survive legal troubles, political controversies and personal behavior that might sink other politicians. Many Republicans elected officials and voters have rallied behind Trump, portraying the charges against him as selective prosecution and a Democratic plot to destroy him politically. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trumps leading rival for the Republican nomination, said on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that he had yet to read the indictment. But he vowed to end the weaponization of the federal government and argued that Trump should have the right to stand trial in his home state of Florida, rather than Washington. Strategists said that while the indictments could help Trump solidify support within his base and win the Republican nomination, his ability to capitalize on them may be more limited in next years general election, when he will have to win over more skeptical moderate Republicans and independents. Meanwhile, Trumps legal woes are growing. In addition to the three indictments, Trump faces a fourth criminal investigation by a county prosecutor in Georgia into accusations he sought to undo his 2020 election loss in that state. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated she plans to bring charges in that case within the next three weeks. Special counsels are sometimes appointed to investigate politically sensitive cases and they do their jobs with a degree of independence from the Justice Department leadership. Before being appointed by Garland to take over the two Trump-related investigations, Smith had served as the chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague, tasked with prosecuting war crimes in Kosovo, oversaw the Justice Departments public integrity section and worked as a federal and state prosecutor in New York. SOURCE: REUTERS BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday China will work with Pakistan to aim for high-standard, sustainable and livelihood-enhancing outcomes and further build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor celebration event held in Islamabad, Pakistan. Xi pointed out that CPEC is an important pioneering project of the Belt and Road cooperation. Since its launch in 2013, China and Pakistan have been advancing CPEC under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and have achieved a number of early harvests. This has added new impetus to the economic and social development of Pakistan and laid a good foundation for regional connectivity and integration, he said, adding that it is a vivid testament to the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, and provides an important underpinning for building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Stressing that China and Pakistan will continue to improve overall planning and expand and deepen cooperation, Xi said no matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan. Xi added China and Pakistan will continue to work hand in hand and forge ahead in solidarity to carry forward the ironclad friendship, coordinate development and security, pursue cooperation of higher standards, broader scope and greater depth, and take the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, so as to make even greater contribution to peace and prosperity in the two countries and the broader region. [August 01, 2023] Curative Expands Revolutionary No Copay, No Deductible* Health Insurance Plan to the Dallas Metro Area Tweet Curative Insurance Company, a pioneering healthcare services company, is excited to announce the expansion of its groundbreaking, no copay, no deductible health plan* to the Dallas metro area. This revolutionary health insurance offering will now serve employers in all of the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as extend coverage to their employees nationwide. Curative is committed to cost transparency and zero* out-of-pocket costs, aiming to improve the overall health and well-being of Dallas residents through its unique health plan. In addition, Curative recently commissioned a survey (conducted through Reservoir Communications Group) of residents in the Dallas metro area enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance plans** to understand how healthcare costs affect their choices in seeking care. The survey revealed the challenges faced by insured Dallas residents showing that affordability concerns are leading to delayed or avoided care, potentially impacting health outcomes. More than half (51%) say they can't afford out-of-pocket (OOP) costs, including 33% who say they would have to tap into savings or credit cards to cover the cost-sharing burdens placed on them by their insurer. A staggering 40% of respondents deferred seeking medical care in the last year due to financial concerns, while 48% did not adhere to prescribed medications because of out-of-pocket costs, despite having employer-sponsored health insurance. These troubling trends have motivated Curative to expand its fully-insured option to alleviate the financial burdens on Dallas residents seeking quality healthcare. "Our ambition at Curative is to provide a better choice in health insurance that genuinely supports the well-being of our members," said Fred Turner, co-founder, and CEO of Curative. "The survey results underscore the urgent need for change in the current employer-based health insurance landscape. We are proud to offer an inclusive solution with cost transparency and no out-of-pocket expenses, empowering our members to prioritize their health without financial constraints." The Curative health plan offers comprehensive coverage, encompassing wellness, preventive care, mental and behavioral health services, primary and specialty care, office and hospital visits, prescription drugs, and telemedicine, all accessible through a high-quality, PPO network. To continue to qualify for the extensive list of benefits without any OOP costs, members simply need o complete a baseline visit within 120 days of the plan's effective date, granting them $0 copays and $0 deductibles for all in-network healthcare services. This innovative approach eliminates financial barriers and ensures easy access to essential healthcare services. Employers headquartered in Dallas with 51 or more eligible employees nationwide can now take advantage of the Curative plan, which offers access to over 1 million providers nationwide, ensuring comprehensive coverage for their workforce. This expansion follows Curative's successful implementation of the fully-insured benefit in the Houston, Austin, and San Antonio metro areas, as well as the availability of a level-funded plan throughout Texas. Curative has already established one of the largest provider networks in the Dallas area, further supported by a broad nationwide network of healthcare professionals, offering extensive choices for members seeking care. Curative, known for its exceptional service and dedication to member well-being, has been a key player in the fight against COVID-19 as the largest testing company in the nation. With the launch of this pioneering health insurance plan, Curative enters a new phase of growth, solidifying its position as a leader in transforming the healthcare landscape. To learn more about Curative's revolutionary health insurance plan and how it can benefit employers and employees alike, visit https://curative.com/. ??*Every Curative member qualifies for the $0 deductible, $0 copay for in-network care and preferred prescriptions by completing a Baseline Visit within 120 days of the plan effective date. See https://curative.com to learn more. Curative Insurance Company PPO. **To ensure the representation of key demographic variables, quotas were applied when selecting the sample, and the final data was weighted using the latest Census data through a post-stratification, RIM weighting methodology across demographic variables. The sample included 401 insured adults aged 18 years and above residing in the Dallas MSA who voluntarily took part in the survey. About Curative Curative is a leading healthcare services company that has created and launched a first-of-its-kind employer-based health insurance plan with an AM-Best rating of A-. Co-founded by CEO Fred Turner and CTO Isaac Turner (no relation) in 2020, Curative is reengineering health insurance by providing unmatched simplicity and cost transparency with a competitive monthly premium and zero additional costs*. Curative is remaking our healthcare system into one that works for and supports members' whole health and well-being through every step of their personal health journey. Previously, Curative and its managed medical entities were national leaders bringing COVID-19 testing and vaccine-administration resources to bear in response to the pandemic. For more information on Curative, visit https://curative.com/, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801729164/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 31, 2023] DoubleVerify Extends Leadership in Independent AI Powered Campaign Optimization Solutions with Agreement To Acquire Scibids Tweet DoubleVerify ("DV") (NYSE: DV), a leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Scibids Technology SAS ("Scibids"), a global leader in AI-powered digital campaign optimization. The acquisition of Scibids is a cash and stock transaction valued at $125 million, with additional potential consideration based on certain performance metrics. The transaction is anticipated to close in the third quarter (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition expands DV's product leadership in real-time, campaign optimizations - and lets the company combine its trusted media quality and performance data that includes viewability, contextual and attention signals, with Scibids's proven AI technology and real-time optimization algorithms. This first-of-its-kind joint offering lets DV span the media transaction end-to-end, from activation to measurement, and provides advertisers real-time campaign optimization, without the use of third-party cookies. Importantly, the acquisition progresses DV from the realm of proxy for performance to actual ad KPI achievement and tangible business outcome - fully in line with advertiser goals. "The acquisition of Scibids is a decisive step in our journey to power superior campaign outcomes that started with developing and delivering the industry standard in media quality insights and has evolved into putting that data to work for advertisers," said Mark Zagorski, DoubleVerify CEO. "The combination marries DV's proprietary data with Scibids' AI-powered optimization technology, letting us empower brands with unparalleled insights and control over their advertising performance." Scibids builds AI that automates and optimizes an advertiser's programmatic buying of digital ad campaigns. Leveraging DSP impression level data feeds (including price), first party data and measurement data provided by the brands or their agencies, Scibids AI dynamically generates custom bidding algorithms for clients aligned with the advertiser's KPIs and desired outcomes. Scibids' clients include all major holding companies, independent agencies, and top global brands that include Allianz, Dell and Spotify. "DoubleVerify is a company that shares our commitment to independence, innovation and maximizing media performance, and we're thrilled to take our partnership to the next level," said Remi Lemonnier, CEO & Co-Founder of Scibids. "This partnership will amplify the capabilities of our customizable AI technology and expand its impact across the digital advertising ecosystem to strengthen the open web. We look forward to working with the entire DV team to deiver new opportunities and maximize campaign outcomes for our global advertisers and partners." The acquisition will provide advertisers with multiple benefits including: Maximize business outcomes and ROI across all addressable paid media bought programmatically, by incorporating DV's granular metrics in multidimensional dynamic optimization. across all addressable paid media bought programmatically, by incorporating DV's granular metrics in multidimensional dynamic optimization. Ensure continuous optimization through the integration of DV's impression-level media quality and performance data, and Scibids' proprietary AI technology in optimization algorithms. through the integration of DV's impression-level media quality and performance data, and Scibids' proprietary AI technology in optimization algorithms. Streamline manual efforts and drive operational efficiencies by employing automated bidding across leading DSPs, including Google's DV360, The Trade Desk, and Xandr, to name a few. DV recently announced an exclusive commercial partnership with Scibids together with the launch of DV Algorithmic Optimizer - a cutting-edge solution that supercharges attention metrics with customizable AI. In-market campaign tests with a number of Fortune 500 brands demonstrated the efficacy of DV Algorithmic Optimizer, with results on average showing a 63% increase in attention levels and a 95% increase in impressions won across several campaigns. The acquisition will expand DV's ability to deliver real-time campaign optimizations leveraging its comprehensive media quality and performance data. "Through our combination with Scibids, DV will lead the industry in dynamic campaign optimizations that drive real business outcomes," added Zagorski. "The acquisition lets us redefine the verification space and offer a continuous feedback loop between activation, measurement and optimization - powered by AI technology and the most trusted impression-level media quality and verification data in the space." DV has over a decade of experience building digital transparency and trust in the advertising ecosystem - protecting brand reputation and powering media performance. Core to this trust is DV's independence, offering solutions that advertisers can employ across environments, formats and devices to meet their specific campaign objectives. DV's combination with Scibids is a marriage of two best-in-breed, objective platforms - both of which are ad-server and media agnostic - offering advertisers trusted data and AI technology to help them maximize their digital investments. For additional information, please refer to the Scibids acquisition investor presentation in the Recent News & Events section of the Company's investor relations site. Terms and Financial Impact Under the terms of the agreement, DV will acquire Scibids for $125 million, subject to customary adjustments, consisting of approximately $66 million of the purchase price payable in cash and the remaining consideration payable in DV common stock. The terms of the transaction include potential additional consideration based on achievement of certain performance milestones. DV will discuss the acquisition in greater detail when it reports second quarter 2023 results today, July 31, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Scibids was advised by LUMA Partners. For more information about DoubleVerify, visit http://www.doubleverify.com. About DoubleVerify DoubleVerify ("DV") (NYSE: DV) is a leading software platform for digital media measurement and analytics. Our mission is to make the digital advertising ecosystem stronger, safer and more secure, thereby preserving the fair value exchange between buyers and sellers of digital media. Hundreds of Fortune 500 advertisers employ our unbiased data and analytics to drive campaign quality and effectiveness, and to maximize return on their digital advertising investments - globally. Learn more at www.doubleverify.com. About Scibids Scibids is the global leader in AI-powered digital advertising decisioning. Founded in Paris in 2016, our mission is to grow and scale the performance of digital marketing by helping brands achieve desired business outcomes through privacy-respecting practices. Scibids AI is designed for advertisers, agencies, and all media buyers who want to improve the effectiveness and scale of their advertising campaigns. Scibids' customizable AI auto-generates algorithms that fuel performance without relying on user tracking or profiling. Our AI is enabled within leading DSPs, unifies the ad stack by making planning and measurement data actionable within programmatic buys, and delivers measurable ROI. Learn more at www.scibids.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731724778/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 31, 2023] Graybar Achieves Record Net Sales in Second Quarter Tweet ST. LOUIS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, today reported that it set a new quarterly record for net sales in the second quarter of 2023. Graybar's net sales for the second quarter of this year totaled $.8 billion, an increase of 4.5% compared to the same period last year. Net income attributable to Graybar for the quarter finished at $124.2 million, a 2.7% decrease from the second quarter of 2022. For the first half of 2023, the company reported net sales of $5.5 billion, an 8.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Net income attributable to Graybar for the first six months of 2023 increased 8.4% to $249.0 million. "Thanks to the hard work of our employees, we continue to achieve positive results," said Kathleen M. Mazzarella, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. "We remain focused on providing exceptional service to our customers every day, while we make strategic investments to transform our business and strengthen our long-term position as an industry leader." Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 325 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network, automate and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR. Media Contact: Tim Sommer (314) 578-7672 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/graybar-achieves-record-net-sales-in-second-quarter-301889659.html SOURCE Graybar [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 31, 2023] Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Announces $1.75M to Fund Storm-Resistant Roofs Tweet The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) is pleased to announce it has allocated $1.75 million in grant funds to assist homeowners in replacing roofs with storm-resistant or "fortified' roofs. The new storm-resistant roofs are designed to withstand damage from hurricanes, high winds, hailstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes rated EF2 or lower. Several communities within FHLB Dallas' District, which spans Gulf Coast communities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, are often hard-hit by storms. The District includes Arkansas and New Mexico, which also can be impacted by tornadoes and wildfires. "Roof damage from storms is one of the biggest issues in our District, as many areas are subject to hurricanes, tornadoes and high winds," said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment for FHLB Dallas. "We think the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund is a great proactive approach to addressing these issues." FHLB Dallas' FORTIFIED Fund provides two grants - up to $15,000 to replace an existing roof and another that provides up to $7,500 for a newly constructed home. Income-qualified homeowners may only access the funds through a participating FHLB Dallas member institution. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning August 21 until funds are exhausted or December 31, whichever occurs first. To qualify for funds, the applicant's household must meet income requirements and the property must be located within Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico or Texas. Visit fhlb.com/fortified for complete program information and requirements. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $174 billion as of June 30, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731242754/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 31, 2023] Dahua Technology USA Introduces Game-changing AcuPick Search Technology Solution Tweet Dahua Technology USA, a world-leading, video-centric, provider of smart IoT solutions, has announced it is leading a new technological breakthrough with its game changing AcuPick Search Technology. AcuPick provides crucial search capabilities that will empower customers to put the pieces together quickly and accurately when it comes to finding people, vehicles and information. Utilizing front-end and back-end AI innovations, AcuPick can help reduce the amount of time spent finding a specific person captured on security footage. With a single reference image, even if crucial details cannot be identified, you can find and track a person or vehicle of interest. "Time is of essence when it comes to finding and tracking a person of interest. Thanks to Dahua's AcuPick Search Technology, you can find a person across multiple AcuPick-enabled cameras in just seconds, even if you don't have a face. The AcuPick algorithm focuses on the human body's shape, clothing color, and other differentiators to find where a person appeared on an AcuPick system," said Jennifer Hackenburg, Product Marketing Director at Dahua Technology USA. AcuPick directly locates the video clips of a human or vehicle target by filtering out unnecessary informatio; saving search time. The Smart Search by Intrusion function allows users to search for targets. By selecting the target type and drawing an intrusion area, AcuPick can help users pinpoint the targets and retrieve video clips of all the locations where the target has been. AcuPick features one-click extraction of targets. It allows searching in Live View and Playback by clicking "Pick Up" on a frozen and framed target, allowing the system to automatically retrieve historical videos that match the target. It eliminates the need for expensive servers; reducing the total cost of ownership. To realize accurate search results through comprehensive AI analysis, both deep-learning front-end IP cameras (N45F / N85F Series) and back-end intelligence (NVR N8 Series) are required to complete the AcuPick solution. The AcuPick-enabled 4MP (N45F) and 8MP (N85F) Series offers fixed and vari-focal options in eyeball, dome and bullet-style form factors. These cameras include advanced features that further maximize users ROI, such as Starlight+, WDR, built-in microphone, integrated IR, and Analytics+. The N8 Series AcuPick NVRs offer excellent security thanks to a high-power processor and Dahua's cutting-edge analytics, and offer features like AcuPick, Face Detection+, Perimeter Protection, and ePoE (select models). The NVR is compatible with third parties for ease of VMS integration. About Dahua Technology USA Dahua Technology USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Dahua Technology, a global leader of video surveillance equipment manufacturing, according to an IHS 2019 report. Dahua Technology USA brings high-value, total security solutions to the North American market by focusing on integrity and personal relationships to enhance the customer experience. Dahua Technology's surveillance solutions, from award-winning cameras to video management software, deliver unparalleled quality, reliability, and stability, providing sales and support throughout the U.S. and Canada. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731531160/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 31, 2023] Global Quantum Computing Market to Reach US$9.82 billion by 2028: German Government's Quantum Computing Initiative Boosts Market Expansion Tweet DUBLIN, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Quantum Computing Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global quantum computing market was valued at US$592.99 million in 2021 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 49.34% to reach US$9.82 billion by 2028. Quantum computing has a major impact on various industries, including security, banking, military intelligence, drug discovery, aircraft design, utilities (nuclear fusion), polymer design, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), big data search, and digital manufacturing. They can be utilized to improve secure information exchange or to increase radars' ability to identify missiles and airplanes. Increasing federal initiatives and innovative collaborations to support digitization Governments are spending heavily on quantum computing technology, which reflects the growing demand for the technology. For instance, the German government announced in November 2021 that, within the next four years, quantum computer prototypes based on several architectures would be created as part of DLR's (German Aerospace Centre) Quantum Computing Initiative. Through this procedure, DLR is asking businesses, start-ups, and other research organizations to work together to further the creation of quantum computer hardware, software, and applications. The growth of strategic collaborations may also encourage the creation of higher-caliber computing solutions. For instance, a high-level Finnish team visited the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, in December 2022 to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation on quantum technologies, HPC-quantum ntegration, and related applications. C-DAC has invented its motherboard, server, and connection in HPC. Stability and maintenance difficulties Quantum computers employ practical quantum bits that are prone to mistakes. Additionally, it is a difficult challenge to commercialize quantum computers. Since qubits are sensitive and quickly perturbed by fluctuations in the temperature, sound, and wavelength of their surroundings, retaining their quantum mechanical state for an extended length of time is challenging. Additionally, several blockchain-based solutions use the ECDSA, a digital signature method that is not yet quantum-safe. North American market is anticipated to hold a sizeable market share The main factor driving the expansion of the North American market is the presence of major technology companies like Google, Intel, and IBM Corporation, among others. In addition, the industry is primarily driven by established technological development centers spread in the region. The European quantum computing industry is anticipated to grow steadily in the forecast period. The large investments made by market participants are the main factor promoting the regional market's expansion. Additionally, it is anticipated that an increasing amount of projects and financing from governments across a range of European countries would impact the development of the local market. Further, the quantum computing industry is anticipated to expand the most in the Asia Pacific region. Numerous sectors, including medicine, transportation, finance, and chemicals, are growing, and countries like India, Japan, and South Korea have a thriving IT industry, supporting the market expansion. Market Segmentation: By Application Hardware Software and Service By Deployment On-Premises Cloud-Based By Industry Vertical BFSI Automotive Manufacturing Healthcare IT & Telecom Energy & Power By Applications Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Computational Chemistry Drug Design & Development Cybersecurity & Cryptography Financial Modelling Logistics Optimisation Company Profiles IBM Microsoft Quantum Computing Inc. Intel Corporation D-Wave Quantum Inc. Quix Quantum BV Alpine Quantum Technologies GmbH ORCA Computing Rigetti & Co, LLC. Google LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/b85bmo About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-quantum-computing-market-to-reach-us9-82-billion-by-2028-german-governments-quantum-computing-initiative-boosts-market-expansion-301889235.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 31, 2023] 1Bstories, Founded By Ex-Googlers, Secures $5.5 Million in Funding to Revolutionize AI Video Creation with Vidiofy Tweet SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 1Bstories, is a pioneering start-up founded by Anuvrat Rao, along with a team of esteemed ex-Google founding members, collectively having 23 years of experience developing and scaling products internationally, proudly announces its emergence from stealth mode. The company has successfully raised $5.5 million in a recent funding round from Northstar Group and 47 other VCs and angel investors to launch its breakthrough product, Vidiofy. Vidiofy is a cutting-edge generative AI video tool designed specifically for publishers and brands seeking to enhance engagement with their communities, expand their social following, and create new revenue streams. With Vidiofy, businesses can effortlessly create hundreds of high-quality videos every month, eliminating barriers traditionally associated with video production, time and manpower. "We are thrilled to officially introduce 1Bstories and unveil Vidiofy to the world," said Anuvrat Rao, CEO and Founder of 1Bstories. "Our mission is to empower publishers and brands to seamlessly create captivating videos at scale, leveraging generative AI technology. Vidiofy is set to disrupt the industry by revolutionizing video creation, allowing businesses to create content like never before." Vidiofy offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that streamlines the entire video production process. Leveraging the power of generative AI, the platform enables publishers and brands to generate an extensive library of video content effortlessly from scratch or from an existing article or web page. From captivating social media clips to personalized marketing messages, Vidiofy equips businesses with the tools to maximize their online presence and achieve unparalleled levels of engagement. Part of the team is Stacie Chan, ex-Googler, award-winning journalist, and Emmy-nominated actress. She was thrilled to join 1Bstories and bring her love of storytlling and technology into one bold vision. Alongside Stacie is the "godfather of tech" Ravi Hamsa, with an illustrious career of working with top tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, InMobi, and Yahoo. 1Bstories' growth has their investors showering them with praise. One high profile investor, Tom Blomfield, founder of Monzo said "1Bstories has an interesting vision for the future of AI video technology, and I'm thrilled to support their journey. With a talented management team at the helm, I'm excited to see what they do to online storytelling." Alongside Tom, was another prominent voice in the AI industry, Caesar Sengupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Arta finance who mentioned "Generative AI is going to transform most industries over the next few years. 1Bstories, with their cutting-edge AI video platform and a management team of industry veterans, is set to revolutionize the way we engage with video content. I'm excited to support their mission and witness their groundbreaking impact." Another high-profile investor, Ian Doody, co-founder of Powerhouse Capital also mentioned "Powerhouse is thrilled to partner with Anu Rao and the 1B team. We believe AI has the ability to drive personalized content at scale while delivering a better user experience. 1B's Vidiofy product is a powerful tool that arms creators with additional capabilities to deliver deeper engagement and relevance with their audiences. We are excited to support this team on the journey." "We believe deeply in 1Bstories and their pioneering product, Vidiofy. The revolutionary AI-powered video tool is destined to redefine the digital publishing landscape by enabling companies to churn out compelling, high-quality videos with unprecedented ease and efficiency. We foresee Vidiofy becoming the gold standard in AI video production, effortlessly bridging the gap between ambition and execution while creating new horizons of engagement and monetization." said Quentin Reyes, Managing Director of Alpha Praetorian Capital, another VC investor in 1Bstories. Other investors also include Tim Dattels who served as the Managing Partner for TPG Asia and Partner and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs. 1Bstories is already working with a wide variety of customers across verticals, from mainstream US news publishers to niche digital Australian publications to large telecommunication companies in Indonesia, and even real estate developers in Singapore. With the ability to quickly publish and translate content to over 20 languages, Vidiofy also helps their customers grow their brand internationally as well. The $5.5 million investment will accelerate product development, expand the team, and drive widespread adoption of Vidiofy in the market. To learn more about 1Bstories and Vidiofy, please visit www.1bstories.com . About 1Bstories: 1Bstories is a content technology start-up founded by Anuvrat Rao and other ex-Google employees with over 23 collective years of experience. The company aims to tell 1 billion stories globally with the use of its innovative technologies and products built. With Vidiofy, their flagship product, 1Bstories aims to enable businesses to create engaging videos effortlessly and leverage the power of generative AI technology. For more information, visit www.1bstories.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/1bstories-founded-by-ex-googlers-secures-5-5-million-in-funding-to-revolutionize-ai-video-creation-with-vidiofy-301889209.html SOURCE 1Bstories [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] TRIPOLI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Border Control Department on Monday found two bodies of illegal migrants near the Tunisian border, where hundreds more remain stranded after being expelled by Tunisian authorities. The patrols found the unidentified bodies of African nationalities in Al-Assa town (near the border), the department said in a statement. On Saturday, six bodies of the kind were found near the border, it said. According to Human Rights Watch, since July 2, Tunisian security forces have collectively expelled several hundred Black African migrants and asylum-seekers, including children and pregnant women to a remote, militarized buffer zone at the Libyan-Tunisian border. [August 01, 2023] Xoxoday's partnership with Kloudrac brings Rewards, Incentives, Payouts, Loyalty, and Commissions automation to Salesforce customers Tweet BENGALURU, India, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xoxoday, a leading global technology company that helps organizations digitize and gamify their engagement, incentive, reward, commissions and loyalty programs, has announced a new partnership with Kloudrac, a leading provider of Salesforce consulting and implementation services. This partnership will enable Xoxoday to extend its reach and offerings to a broader range of Salesforce customers while also providing Kloudrac's client's access to Xoxoday's innovative suite of engagement, incentive and rewards solutions. "We are thrilled to partner with Kloudrac and bring our solutions to their Salesforce implementations," said Ashwin Mandre VP of partnerships at Xoxoday. "We believe that our platform can help drive engagement and growth for organizations across the globe, and this partnership is a great step forward in achieving that goal." Xoxoday's platform offers a range of solutions that help organizations drive engagement, motivation, growth, and retention, including employee recognition and rewards, channel partner incentives, sales incentives, and more. With the new partnership, Kloudrac's clients will have access to these solutions and Xoxoday's expertise in engagement and incentive programs. "We are excited to partner with Xoxoday and offer our clients access to their innovative platform," said Aseem Gupta VP Sales, Global Captives at Kloudrac. "Xoxoday's solutions align perfectly with our focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business success, and we look forward o working together to help our clients achieve their goals." The partnership between Xoxoday and Kloudrac is expected to bring significant benefits to both companies as well as their customers. With a shared focus on delivering exceptional experiences and driving business success, the partnership is poised to help organisations across the globe achieve their engagement and incentive goals. About Xoxoday: Xoxoday is a leading rewards and incentive platform that provides a range of solutions for HR, marketing, sales, and customer success teams to help them create a culture of appreciation and recognition while getting them better ROI for their engagement spends. Its platform includes rewards and recognition programs, loyalty programs, consumer promotion campaigns, wellness initiatives, learning and development programs, and more. Xoxoday is headquartered in Bangalore, India, and has US, Singapore, and Dubai offices. For more information, visit Xoxoday.com or connect with us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xoxoday About Kloudrac: Kloudrac is a global Salesforce Consulting, Tech Consulting, and IT Solution organization that provides a 360 experience to our clients. We provides consulting, software development solutions through trending technologies. Our clients are based in India, UK, USA and Europe. We have a robust and resourceful team to produce scalable and innovative solutions. Our services and solutions are retained by small and medium businesses, startups and reputed companies. Kloudrac is headquartered in Noida, India, and has US, UK, and Dubai offices. For more information, visit kloudrac.com & wrocus.com or connect with us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kloudrac/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrocus/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1983226/Xoxoday_New_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/xoxodays-partnership-with-kloudrac-brings-rewards-incentives-payouts-loyalty-and-commissions-automation-to-salesforce-customers-301889183.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Pantomath Financial Services Group acquires 75% stake in fundgini.com, a global fund raiser and M&A ecosystem online platform Tweet ~ This strategic acquisition will enable Pantomath to mobilize its diversified investment banking service strengths and facilitate deal acceleration in the deal ecosystem ~ MUMBAI, India, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pantomath Financial Services Group, a leading financial service company, announced a strategic acquisition of a global marketplace for deal-making, fundgini.com. This marketplace is frequented by investors, fund seekers, investment bankers, and influencers for funding, and mergers & acquisitions. Since its inception, fundgini.com has emerged as a marketplace for dealmakers around the world. Over 50,000 experts across the globe interact on this platform for various deals including debt financing, equity funding, and mergers and acquisitions. Currently, more than 700 deals features on fundgini.com. Mahavir Lunawat, Group Founder & Managing Director, Pantomath Financial Services Group, said, "There exists a synergy between our extensive expertise in investment banking and the global marketplace for dealmaking - fundgini.com. We believe that through the online platform of fundgini.com we would be able to bring stakeholders together on a globally accessible platform." For deepening the entrepreneurial culture and deal acceleration, the fundgini.com team facilitates deal rooms, video pitches, web series, and awards. These efforts have contributed to increased activity in the deal landscape and the platform now strives to strengthen its global outreach. Lunawat added, "In the next phase, the Pantomath team will focus on strengthening the platform, creating more awareness about this platform in the ecosystem, help investors and fund seekers to network and accelerate the deals seamlessly, and increase overall deal volume and momentum." Shashank Pradan, Founder, fundgini.com, said, "We are glad to enter into strategic partnership with Pantomath Financial Services Group. We believe the partnership has the potential to take fundgini.com to the next level, we aim to create a digital AI-driven platform in deal-making landscape." Pantomath Financial Services Group is one of the fastest growing financial services groups with a presence in investment banking, fund management, M&A, and the Group recently expanded into wealth management, fin-tech, stock broking, and distribution by acquiring a significant stake in Asit C Mehta Financial Services Limited, a 40-year legacy created by Deena Mehta and Asit C Mehta. About Pantomath Financial Services Group: In less than a decade, since its incorporation, Pantomath Financial Services Group has become one of the fastest-growing merchant bankers backed by fund management and distribution verticals. The Group has recently expanded into wealth management, fin-tech, stock broking, and distribution by acquiring a significant stake in Asit C Mehta Financial Services Limited, a 40-year legacy created by Deena Mehta and Asit C Mehta. Pantomath Financial Services Group was founded by Madhu Lunawat and Mahavir Lunawat on December 5th, 2013. Mahavir Lunawat is an industry veteran with extensive expertise in capital markets & investment banking and Madhu Lunawat has over two decades of experience in investment management, corporate finance, asset reconstruction, and many other related financial services. For over a decade, Pantomath Financial Services Group has been reaching out to businesses at the remotest locations across the length and breadth of India. The team at Pantomath travels to small towns and villages, scans through the industrial clusters, and identifies high-growth businesses. Over the decade, the Pantomath Financial Services Group has emerged as India's largest private network having direct corporate connect with more than 7,000 growth stage business houses and industrial enterprises Co-promoter of Asit C Mehta Financial Services Limited: In December 2022, Cliqtrade Stock Brokers Pvt Ltd, a Pantomath Financial Services Group entity, acquired a significant stake in Asit C Mehta Financial Services Limited. Asit C Mehta Financial Services which was started by Asit Mehta and Deena Mehta on January 25th, 1984, in Mumbai. Deena Mehta was amongst the first women to enter the trading ring of BSE. The Company was listed on BSE in 1995. The Company is engaged in the business of stock broking, wealth management, mutual fund, distribution, PMS, advisory, fin-tech, and many other related financial services. Business Divisions: - Pantomath Group's lines of business consist of Investment Banking Mergers and Acquisitions Asset Management Stock Broking & Distribution Services Wealth Management Corp Gini: Corporate Connect Initiative for Start-up View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/pantomath-financial-services-group-acquires-75-stake-in-fundginicom-a-global-fund-raiser-and-ma-ecosystem-online-platform-301889953.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Equilibrium Energy Launches as Climate Generation Power Company Tweet Equilibrium Energy, a next-generation clean power company, today officially emerged from stealth backed with $33M in venture funding from top tier institutional investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Global Founders Capital, NJP Ventures, and a prominent university endowment. Founded in 2021, Equilibrium is combining its deep energy expertise and cutting-edge technology to build a Climate Generation power company, one that aims to accelerate society's transition to clean energy. The company recently announced the largest battery tolling agreement in Texas, a 100 megawatt (MW) battery it began operating last month on its state-of-the-art power volatility-centric technology platform. Today's generation will be defined by what it does in the fight against climate change. The fight is so large that it will require a nearly society-wide electrification powered by clean energy. The power grid is already the backbone of modern society, and now it must also serve as ground zero for the clean energy transformation. However, the sector is behind in the massive investment and innovation needed to enable the transition. Adding to the challenge is the complexity of managing an increasingly volatile power grid due to the exponential growth in renewable energy, the rapid increase in new electric loads like electric vehicles and heat pumps, and the continued escalation of extreme weather events. These factors are pushing the power industry into turmoil, a condition that threatens society's ability to mitigate the worst of what climate change may bring. Equilibrium is confronting these existential challenges by building a Climate Generation power company, one dedicated to the fight against climate change and tailor made to navigate the complexities ahead. To do so, Equilibrium is leveraging its unique combination of deep energy expertise, AI-centric technology, power grid fundamentals, and an innovation-obsessed culture. Equilibrium's first commercial efforts support the accelerated deployment of grid-scale batteries that balance an increasingly volatile power grid. Its first customer offering, tolling agreements for grid-scale battery developers offered in partnership with Hatch Renewables, provides the firm contractual offtake crucial for battery projects to gain much-needed project financing. Without such financing, widespread grid-scale battery deployments will struggle to be built. A similar financing innovation, the power purchase agreement (PPA), enabled the exponential growth of wind and solar deployments globally over the last few decades. Equilibrium's tolling offering functions as a "PPA-for-batteries," and the company expects that it will do for grid-scale batteries what the PPA did for wind and solar projects. In turn, the batteries Equilibrium manages will pave the way for ever more renewable deployments. Equilibrium and Hatch recently announced the largest battery tolling agreement in Texas, a 100 MW battery owned by leading battery developer Jupiter Power. Equilibrium began operating the West Texas battery last month using its power volatility-centric technology platform, a state-of-the-art platform leveraging cutting-edge AI and power grid fundamentals that is tailor made to navigate the increasingly volatile power grid and markets. "The climate crisis demands all that we can give. Equilibrium is building a next-generation power company to give just that. We have assembled a world class team that is building a company that the Climate Generation can be proud of, one that puts a serious dent in global carbon emissions," said Ryan Hanley, Founder and CEO of Equilibrium Energy. "Decarbonizing the grid is central to BEV's mission," said Carmichael Roberts, Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). "At BEV, we've got experts in grid technology, markets, and policy within our organization, and we are convinced that Ryan and his team are incredibly well positioned to bridge across the traditionally siloed domains of electricity infrastructure, digital technology, power markets, and financing to solve some of the grid's biggest challenges." Equilibrium Energy's near-term focus is on supporting its battery developer partners in financing their fleets of grid-scale battery deployments in Texas. To learn more or inquire about joining Equilibrium's growing team, visit their website at www.equilibriumenergy.com. About Equilibrium Energy Equilibrium Energy is building a Climate Generation power company to accelerate our path to climate and energy equilibriums. Founded in 2021, Equilibrium is combining deep energy expertise with cutting-edge technology to build a better power company. It operates at the intersection of AI, power systems, software, power volatility, innovative commercial structuring, and quantitative portfolio management across the power value chain. Equilibrium is composed of cross-disciplined experts and thrives on combining its experiences in holistic and novel ways in pursuing its climate impact ambitions. For additional information, please visit: www.equilibriumenergy.com. About Breakthrough Energy Ventures Backed by many of the world's top business leaders, BEV has raised more than $2 billion in committed capital to support cutting-edge companies that are leading the world to net-zero emissions. BEV is a purpose-built investment firm that is seeking to invest, launch and scale global companies that will eliminate GHG emissions throughout the economy as soon as possible. BEV seeks true breakthroughs and is committed to supporting these entrepreneurs and companies by bringing to bear a unique combination of technical, operational, market and policy expertise. BEV is a part of Breakthrough Energy, a network of investment vehicles, philanthropic programs, policy advocacy and other activities committed to scaling the technologies we need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Visit www.breakthroughenergy.org to learn more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801405602/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] IDnow receives ANSSI's security approval for PVID certification for its identity proofing services IDCheck.io and VideoIdent Tweet The PVID certifications issued by ANSSI for the automated IDCheck.io identity proofing service and the videochat-based VideoIdent mark a new milestone in the identity proofing service provider's desire to become the leading European player on the digital identity market. MUNICH, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IDnow, a leading identity proofing platform provider in Europe, has obtained the remote identity verification certification known as PVID (prestataire de verification d'identite a distance) on the level "substantial" for its IDCheck.io Identity Proofing Service and VideoIdent Qualified Electronic Signature. A symbol of the culmination of months of collaboration and involvement of all teams, this certification demonstrates the company's desire to offer its customers solutions that are safe, compliant, and fully in line with the regulations in France. PVID European leadership in digital and financial security In a society where transactions have become considerably digitized and are now mostly done remotely, the risk of identity theft has increased, particularly in the banking and financial sector. This is why the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (Agence nationale de la securite des systemes d'information, the ANSSI) established a new framework defining stricter requirements of identity verification providers. The new standard leads the way for select identity providers to effectively fight against fraud a singular goal across rigorous Anti Money Laundering (AML) laws in France and throughout Europe. PVID raises cybersecurity standards for traditional finance, digital finance, trust services, and beyond. Introduced in March 2021, PVID certifies providers the ability to offer identity verification as defined by Europe's Regulation on Electronc Identification and Trust Services, eIDAS Regulation. Where eIDAS establishes European levels of security to meet the equivalence of a face-to-face verification for various use cases, PVID implements these levels of security to enable compliant digital onboarding for banking and other financial services in France. The certification, issued for two years, allows highly regulated banking or FinServ players to access a robust, secure service offering, thus enabling remote identification while reducing the risk of identity fraud. France is the first country in the European Union to have established an effective policy for remote identity verification, and was followed by the work of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) on the ETSI TS 119 461 standard, which pursues a similar purpose. An undeniable competitive advantage in the digital identity proofing market As only the second private player to obtain the coveted certification, IDnow has a major advantage in the digital identity proofing market. The certified IDCheck.io Identity Proofing Service and VideoIdent Qualified Electronic Signature offer customers a trusted onboarding process that meets the security requirements of the ACPR (Autorite de controle prudentiel et de resolution) and supports the fight against money laundering and fraud. The solutions allow banks to offer flexible, simple, and fast digital paths to improve conversion rates through 100% remote identification, equivalent to a face-to-face process. "Obtaining PVID certification is a source of great pride and validation for IDnow and a real recognition of our expertise in the digital identity market in France," comments Rayissa Armata, Senior Head of Regulatory Affairs at IDnow. "As the regulatory landscape aims to extend its reach to additional digital services across Europe, PVID offers national regulators an example of a consistent framework that places privacy and security at its forefront. Beyond France, PVID represents one more step for IDnow in its ambition to offer its customers the most secure solutions certified by reference organizations, such as ANSSI. Standards like PVID or TS 119 461 have the potential to be building blocks for future onboarding regulations across geographies and applications, like digital identity wallets. The experience gained from PVID or our contribution to writing TS 119 461 will prove invaluable, and few companies will be able to advise customers as well as IDnow on navigating in this sphere," adds Rayissa. About IDnow IDnow is a leading identity proofing platform provider in Europe with a vision to make the connected world a safer place. The IDnow platform provides a broad portfolio of identity verification solutions, ranging from automated to human-assisted from purely online to point-of-sale, each of them optimized for user conversion rates and security. In 2021, IDnow acquired the French market leader for identity technology, ARIADNEXT, and the German identity Trust Management AG, enabling IDnow to offer its customers one of the broadest identification solutions through a single, integrated platform. The company has offices in Germany, United Kingdom, and France and is backed by renowned institutional investors, including Corsair Capital and Seventure Partners. Its portfolio of over 900 international clients spans a wide range of industries, and includes leading international players, such as Uni Credit, Telefonica, Sixt, Credit Agricole, BNP, and Munich Re, as well as digital champions like N26, Solarisbank, Younited Credit, Boursorama, Klarna and Tier mobility. Press contact IDnow: Katherina Riesner [email protected] +49 89 41324 6030 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1342896/IDnow_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/idnow-receives-anssis-security-approval-for-pvid-certification-for-its-identity-proofing-services-idcheckio-and-videoident-301889347.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] First of Many: Maritime Digitalisation Sets Sail with Starlink Satellite on Norstar Managed Vessel, More to Follow Tweet SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Norstar Ship Management (NSM), a pioneering force in the maritime industry, is proud to announce a groundbreaking step towards the future of maritime digitalization with the installation of Starlink satellite technology on one of its managed vessels, the Golden Curl. This strategic move marks a significant advancement in connectivity and communication at sea, addressing the growing demand for improved connectivity and bringing a host of benefits to vessel operations and crew welfare. The Growing Need for Maritime Digitalization in the Modern Era In an era defined by technological progress, maritime digitalization has emerged as a crucial aspect of modern shipping. As vessels traverse the world's oceans, reliable and high-speed communication is essential for seamless operations, crew welfare, and efficient logistics management. Recognizing this need, Norstar embarked on a journey to explore advanced connectivity solutions that could revolutionize the maritime industry. Introducing Starlink Satellite Technology Starlink, a project by SpaceX, is at the forefront of the global mission to provide internet coverage on a global scale. Leveraging a low-earth orbit satellite constellation, Starlink offers unparalleled advantages for maritime applications, overcoming the limitations of traditional maritime communication systems. Norstar's Bold Move: Installation of Starlink on Golden Curl Demonstrating their commitment to ship digitalisation, Norstar successfully installed Starlink satellite technology on the Golden Curl, one of their managed vessels. The installation took place on 12th May 2023 in Singapore and was met with enthusiasm from the cew onboard. Norstar's IT Manager, Albert Santiago, personally tested the system and was impressed with its capabilities, boasting speeds of up to 300MBPS. To showcase the system's effectiveness, a video conference was conducted between Albert Santiago and the Technical Superintendent in charge of Golden Curl, Aditya Budhraja. The crystal-clear communication and seamless data transfer during the video conference highlighted the potential of Starlink in transforming maritime communication. Furthermore, the crew members onboard shared their testimonials, with one crew member stating, "It is faster than our home internet in Yangon!" The improved connectivity not only enhances crew welfare but also optimizes various vessel operations. Transforming Maritime Operations with Digitalization The installation of Starlink on the Golden Curl has immediate positive implications for vessel operations, navigation, and real-time data analysis. This transformative digitalization enhances communication, boosts crew morale during long voyages, and optimizes logistics, supply chain management, and fleet coordination. Future Plans Norstar aims to extend the implementation of Starlink satellite technology to all its managed vessels, subject to owners' approval. Albert Santiago, the IT Manager at Norstar, expressed the company's dedication, stating, "We will do our very best to encourage our vessel owners to install Starlink on their vessels as it is a big step forward towards ship digitalization." This strategic move not only promises cost savings and operational advantages for Norstar but also reinforces its commitment to offer cutting-edge solutions that drive the maritime industry forward. For more information on NorstarShip Management, you may visit https://www.norstar-group.com/ . Norstar Shipping has selected Verz Design as its trusted partner for digital marketing. Established in 2009, Verz Design offers a range of digital marketing services, including search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and search engine marketing. With a proven track record of success, Verz Design has achieved top rankings on the first page of Google for keywords such as 'SEO Services '. About Norstar Ship Management Norstar Ship Management is a global leader in the maritime industry, offering comprehensive ship management, crew management, and commercial management services. With a strong emphasis on innovation and technology, Norstar continually seeks new ways to enhance vessel performance, crew welfare, and client satisfaction. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/first-of-many-maritime-digitalisation-sets-sail-with-starlink-satellite-on-norstar-managed-vessel-more-to-follow-301890086.html SOURCE Norstar Ship Management [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] SAINDEX: KEY TO SOLVING THE SME DILEMMA OF HIRING - GET STREETSMART AND PERFORMANCE-READY STAFF Tweet Practical Intelligence and Mental Well-Being Crucial to Employee and Employer Happiness and Performance; Saindex Helps Reduce Conflict and The Cost of Bad Hires Suss Out Best Fit Candidates For Every Business with Saindex's People Analytics Tool Based on a Global Database of 65,000 Analyses SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) constitute up to 99% of registered businesses in Singapore and hire 70% of the workforce[1]. However, in what Saindex terms the SME Dilemma - while SMEs are able to hire the majority of the workforce, the reality is that top talents are naturally attracted to Multinational Corporations (MNCs) or "recognizable brand names" as their preferred employers, leading to less talents applying for SME jobs, even though they may be better fit for the SME. Saindex revolutionizes hiring decisions and enhances workforces through its groundbreaking approach using practical intelligence and people analytics. Leveraging data from a database of over 65,000, the tool, adapted from research at Sweden's national defence research institute, assessing respondents' state-of-mind, readiness for work, and suitability across industries. Saindex currently runs 2 programs based on People Analytics: Group Flow (for optimization of current employees and teams with the company's vision) and StreetSmart Hiring (for recruitment). People Analytics On GroupFlow Optimizing and Aligning Individuals and Teams for Better Business GroupFlow, a strategic human capital measurement tool, empowers small and medium-sized businesses to outperform their largest competitors. GroupFlow gives decision makers insights into what makes team "flow" - knowledge that can guide business owners/ management with making decisions on expansion, retention, promotions, succession, employee well-being, and more. Aligning employees, teams, and management with the company's vision, GroupFlow derives insights from well-being, environment, personal development, and vision buy-in assessments. Decision-makers can shape company culture, foster effective teambuilding, and promote optimal business performance. By examining key aspects like aspirations, readiness, mindsets, and life situations, GroupFlow provides eye-opening insights and actionable approaches, resulting in innovative, harmonious, and productive teams. Increased motivation, purposeful communication, and a balanced environment further enhance business flow. GroupFlow's insights identify potential obstacles, such as quiet quitters and burnt-out individuals, enabling SMEs to stand out and outshine larger competitors. Investing in GroupFlow drives innovation, productivity, and profits, while boosting employee morale and growth a promising return on investment. Saindex, going beyond talent identification, supports employee engagement and retention. With GroupFlow, businesses revolutionize team dynamics, cultivating a highly engaged and talented workforce, where every member feels valued, motivated, and empowered. People Analytics on StreetSmart Hiring - A Contextual Intelligence (CI) tool for Recruiting Right Saindex purports to overturn the norm for SME hiring with their unique and proprietary talent identification tool, called StreetSmart Hiring, which incorporates Contextual Intelligence (CI). Recruitment is an ongoing cost for businesses that may cost as much as 3 to 4 times a person's salary[2]. This hidden cost, once recognized, puts immense pressure on companies, particularly time and budget-strapped SMEs, to address recruitment challenges and ensure they hire the right candidates from the start. Making the wrong hire can lead to even higher costs for the company, in addition to the expenses incurred during the hiring process, especially if the bad hire is going to cost the company even more on top of the cost of searching for him in the first place[3]. Saindex's StreetSmart Hiring helps companies make confident hiring decisions by assessing each candidate's Practical Intelligence. The unique reverse pitch function allows companies to present themselves to candidates, who are then scored based on Practical Intelligence Benchmarks. The open-ended questionnaire delves into candidates' personal lives, work, and future plans, providing valuable insights without suggesting right answers. Saindex then evaluates each candidate's readiness and overall outlook to determine their fit for the role, helping companies avoid soft quitting and hiring mismatches. Saindex's name is derived from "Situation Awareness Index", a slice of Contextual Intelligence, which refers to how a person makes sense, adapts, and acts in a given situation or context. In business terms, this is known as Practical Intelligence, and what the tool aims to uncover in every hire. Saindex customized GroupFlow and StreetSmart Hiring for Asia, considering Asians' reticence and language diversity[4]. The programs feature open expression methods (speech, text, visual inspirations) and multi-language support to capture accurate responses from all employees. "People are at the heart of every business and there is a company for every talent, every person. Which is why it is important to find talent that precisely matches what you need at each stage of your company's growth. Saindex is the only such tool in the world that is able to focus on how an individual make sense of the situation, current mental state and how it affects their readiness to perform at their level best for your organization. With the rightly optimised teams, cohesive teams could then achieve flow state to deliver peak performance," says Ruby Chia, Founder and Principal of Saindex. "Saindex will transform the future of talent acquisition." For more information on Saindex, visit www.saindex.com. [1] Department of Statistics Singapore [2] The Real Cost of Recruitment [3] The Cost of a Bad Hire [4] Notes: Multi-language support: Saindex is not constrained by the command of language, even when dealing with respondents. Their analytics have the ability to delve into conversations with a profound sense of listening, enabling them to learn and understand the true essence of individuals. This approach extends to the hiring process as well since many candidates may appear overly rehearsed during interviews, and existing employees might attempt to please their employers. The information shared during these interactions remains private and confidential, ensuring that it will not be disclosed to employers or managers. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/saindex-key-to-solving-the-sme-dilemma-of-hiring---get-streetsmart-and-performance-ready-staff-301890093.html SOURCE Saindex [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] FlowerAura Expands Boundaries with Seamless International Rakhi Delivery Tweet GURUGRAM, India, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FlowerAura, India's leading online gifting platform, is delighted to announce its hassle-free international Rakhi delivery service, allowing siblings across the globe to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with utmost convenience and joy. FlowerAura is set to redefine the gifting experience for customers worldwide. The brand's USPs lie in its commitment to ensuring a seamless gifting experience for everyone. With a solid international network of Rakhi delivery to USA , UK, UAE, Australia, Canada, and twenty-six more countries, along with the dispatch centers strategically located within the delivery country, the company guarantees efficient and timely delivery of Rakhi to destinations worldwide. FlowerAura has a comprehensive collection of 500+ unique Rakhi designs handpicked from various regions of India. Every Rakhi is carefully packaged to ensure safe transportation, reflecting FlowerAura's dedication to delivering joy in pristine condition. "We are proud to offer an unparalleled collection of handcrafted artisanal rakhis, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India. Our diverse range includes traditional designs like Zari, Zardosi, Meenakari, Pachi work, Kundan, along with divine Rakhis, bracelet Rakhis, personalised Rakhis, etc." shared Mr.Shrey Sehgal CEO of FlowerAura. He added, "We believe that Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the eternal bond between siblings, and we aim to make it extraordinary for everyone, no matter where they are in the world." With 10,000+ international orders fulfilled in 2022 for Raksha Bandhan, FlowerAura's success underscores the growing demand for sending Rakhi abroad, and the brand has projected a 50% growth. The diaspora of Indians residing abroad is a testament to the widespreadness of this auspicious festival, which strengthens family ties and transcends geographical boundaries. As international rakhi delivery gains prominence, FlowerAura's services, such as the delivery of Rakhi to Australia , Germany, Singapore, etc., emerge as the ideal solution for siblings longing to celebrate the festival together, even when separated by vast distances. FlowerAura provides a comprehensive Rakhi guide, helping everyone choose the perfect Rakhi, gifts, and combos for their beloved siblings, ensuring a memorable and personalised experience. With FlowerAura's commitment to bridging borders, siblings worldwide can now express their love, respect, and gratitude on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. The brand's website and mobile application allow everyone to select from a wide assortment of handcrafted rakhi's and gift options from the comfort of their home and send the chosen tokens overseas conveniently. About FlowerAura FlowerAura: When words are not enough! FlowerAura acknowledges the profound impact of gifting on relationships. Gifts go beyond physical exchange, fostering heartfelt connections and emotional bonds. In 2010, Mr Himanshu Chawla and Mr Shrey Sehgal spearheaded the company's establishment, with the first retail outlet in Gurgaon. With an extensive network of fulfilment centres, channel stores, and dark stores, we deliver gifts to over 600 cities in India and various international locations. FlowerAura is more than a brand; it promises to make your celebrations extraordinary, exceeding your expectations at every step. Our website, retail stores, and presence on popular e-commerce platforms ensure easy access to our vast collection of gifts. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/floweraura-expands-boundaries-with-seamless-international-rakhi-delivery-301889984.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Littera Education Now Offers the Delta Math RtI Program to Help Michigan Students Complete Unfinished Learning in Math Tweet While Michigan test scores declined sharply during the pandemic, the new MI Kids Back on Track program is working to tackle unfinished learning by providing $150 million for individualized tutoring and academic support. To help Michigan schools and districts get students on track in math, Littera Education has partnered with Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (ISD), the developers of the Delta Math RtI Program, to integrate the evidence-based Response to Intervention (RtI) curriculum with high-impact tutoring delivered through the Littera Tutoring Management System (TMS). "Now more than ever, districts need proven ways to support students who have fallen behind in math," said Justin Serrano, CEO and co-founder of Littera. "We're excited to welcome the Delta Math RtI Program to Littera's growing portfolio of curriculum partners." The Delta Math RtI Program focuses on high priority readiness standards from first grade through Algebra II to prepare students for success with grade-level content. Using the Littera TMS, Littera virtual tutors can deliver the Delta Math curriculum to students in 1:1 or small group tutoring sessions. As tutors log feedback in the Littera TMS, districts can monitor student progress in real-time. "Delta Math resources have been used with success since 2009," said Mike Klavon, who leads the development and implementation of Delta Math for the Ottawa Area ISD. "Through our partnership with Littera, I look forward to many more students benefiting from these materials in tutoring sessions with experienced, highly-trained professionals." About Delta Math The Delta Math RtI Program, developed by the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District with support from Alt+Shift, integrates accelerated learning strategies within an MTSS framework to help students complete unfinished learning in kindergarten through Algebra II. For information, visit https://www.oaisd.org/deltamath. About Littera We believe every child deserves the care and attention of a great tutor. Littera customizes high-impact tutoring for K-12 schools and districts by supporting any student, subject, schedule or staffing model. With our virtual tutors, curriculum partners, and the Littera Tutoring Management System, schools can reach every learner with individualized support. For information, visit www.litteraeducation.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801764463/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Firehouse Subs Canada Launches New App and Loyalty Program with Free Subs Tweet JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Firehouse Subs Canada is heating up appetites and making it easier than ever to order hearty and flavorful subs with the launch of its new app. To celebrate, any new Firehouse Loyalty members will get a free medium sub after their first purchase on the app or website for a limited time.* Available for download now in all app stores, Firehouse Subs guests can use the new app to find their nearest Firehouse Subs location and place an online order for pick-up through Rapid Rescue To Go. The app includes features that make it easy to reorder your favourite meals, and robust customization to make sure each hot and hearty sub is just how you like it. Firehouse Subs is also bringing its loyalty program to Canadian guests for the first time. Firehouse Loyalty members earn points to redeem on future visits, like more free subs, when they order through the app, website and in person, and are the first to learn about new menu items and promotions, including exclusive offers. "Our Firehouse Subs guests in Canada welcomed us with open arms when we opened our first restaurant in 2015 in Otario," said Elie Javice, Firehouse Subs Chief Digital Officer. "We're excited to make their experience more convenient and rewarding through exclusive access to new subs and great deals with our new app and loyalty program." Much like when guests visit their local Firehouse Subs in person, they have the option to donate to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada when they check out on the app. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $2.8 million in lifesaving equipment, training and funding to first responders and public safety organizations. Guests can also support their local communities through the Foundation when dining in Firehouse Subs restaurants by rounding up at the register, donating spare change and purchasing a recycled pickle bucket for a $3 donation. *Available to redeem in-app after first in-app purchase through October 15. Offer only valid through the app for pick-up at all Canada Firehouse Subs locations. Offer not valid through third party or delivery. About Firehouse Subs Firehouse Subs is a restaurant chain with a passion for hearty and flavourful food, heartfelt service and public safety. Founded in 1994 by two brothers and former firefighters, Firehouse Subs is a brand built on decades of fire and police service, hot subs, steamed and piled high with the highest quality meats and cheeses and its commitment to saving lives through the establishment of the non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. In 2015, Firehouse Subs expanded into Canada with its first locally-owned franchise restaurant in Oshawa. Since then, the brand has spread like wildfire across Ontario. In 2022, Firehouse Subs was ranked No. 58 in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, a comprehensive list that ranks the top franchise companies according to key factors such as unit growth and financial strength. To learn more, visit http://www.firehousesubs.ca Quick Facts: 60+ Firehouse Subs restaurants now open in Canada $2.8 million+ donated to public safety organizations in Canada via Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada via Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of More than 1,240 restaurants total in 46 U.S. states, Puerto Rico , and Canada SOURCE Firehouse Subs [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Light Up the Summer with Seed Talent: Blaze Your Trail to a Jamaican Getaway through Cannabis Education Tweet CHICAGO, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seed Talent, the cannabis industry's leading employee enablement platform, has partnered with GanjaVacations, the premier provider of cannabis-focused travel experiences, to introduce an exciting opportunity for registered learners! "Light up the Summer" with Seed Talent offers its users the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to a dreamy Jamaican resort, immersing themselves in tropical thrills and gaining new skills along the way! This highly coveted grand prize package includes a roundtrip flight to Jamaica for the winner and a guest, along with seamless airport transport services upon arrival. The lucky winners will be treated to an unforgettable experience at the 100% Ganja-Friendly Blue Hole Mineral Spring Resort. Participants have the chance to indulge in the finest island-grown strains from legacy growers and relax in the sun-drenched seas of this tropical oasis. "We are thrilled to partner with GanjaVacations to offer this incredible experience for our learners who go above and beyond to support patients and consumers every day," said Kurt Kaufman, Co-Founder & CEO of Seed Talent. "Dispensary employees are the tip of the spear in the evolving cannabis industry tasked with educating the whole country about cannabis as the industry scales. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to reward their efforts to stay educated on products and plant sciences through fun initiatives like this." Learners can start their educational journey on Seed Talent today! Registered learners automatically qualify for this extraordinary opportunity and can opt out if desired. Learners who take courses between August 1st and September 30th, 2023 will earn one contest entry for each course completion. The winner will be selected in early October from the entries! For more information and additional ways to enter, view the Official Contest Page. About Seed Talent: Seed Talent operates in more than 1,400 dispensaries across 23 states, providing unparalleled access to education and skill-building resources for cannabis professionals, brands & retailers. Founded in 2020, Seed Talent's mission centers on building mutual prosperity between employers and employees. About GanjaVacations: GanjaVacations is a premier provider of cannabis-focused travel experiences, offering unique opportunities for travelers to explore destinations where cannabis is legally celebrated. With an emphasis on luxury and relaxation, GanjaVacations curates unforgettable experiences that combine cannabis culture with breathtaking destinations. Contact: Kurt Kaufmann Seed Talent [email protected] 872.262.0743 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] KUNMING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- It's time for afternoon tea. Yang Niu, a female elephant, rushed over with excitement, making a sudden stop in front of visitors, and waiting to enjoy the feast. "Don't worry. Although Yang Niu does things with great haste, she would never crash against you," Chen Jiming, a ranger in Xishuangbanna Asian Elephant Rescuing and Breeding Center in southwest China's Yunnan Province, told tourists with a smile. Yang Niu is now 1.9 meters tall, 1.4 tonnes in weight, and is about to turn eight this year, the age of a juvenile human being. Watching the elephant contentedly eating freshly-cut carrots, it may be hard for one to imagine that it was once an "abandoned baby" rescued by the villagers. The calf was found abandoned on August 17, 2015, near a village in Pu'er city when it was not in good form. "Lying outside a warehouse, it was only 76 kilograms in weight," Chen recalled, adding that a healthy newborn calf is normally about 100 kilograms. Villagers gave the feeble calf water and food immediately before contacting the rescue center. Knowing that the calf needed milk, a villager brought three goats from 100 kilometers away. The elephant was born in the Year of the Goat, and fed with goat milk, so villagers called it dearly, "Yang Niu," which means "goat girl" in Chinese. Wang Bin, director of the protection and management center of Asian elephants, told Xinhua that Yang Niu was rescued thanks to the raised awareness of villagers in animal protection. The view was shared by Dai Zhenhua, a senior journalist with the Yunnan Daily who has reported on wild elephants for a long time. "The conflict between elephants and human beings here was serious more than a decade ago when the animal ruined crops and attacked people," Dai recalled. "Villagers dislike elephants and would chase them away or even injure them." Academic journal, the Issues of Forestry Economics, carried an article in 2020 detailing the great economic losses by elephants in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, putting the number of grain losses to about 44,530 tonnes between 1991 and 2004, while that of sugar cane to about 60,000 tonnes. From 1991 to 2008, more than 140 people were attacked by wild elephants, including multiple casualties. Asian elephants, a pivotal species in the rainforest ecosystem, are under first-class national protection in China. The elephants are mostly found across Yunnan. Although its population is declining worldwide, the population of the endangered species in China has grown from 150 in the 1980s to 360 at present, thanks to protection efforts over the past decades. Statistics showed that up to two-thirds of wild Asian elephants have wandered out of the nature reserve, leading to more contact with humans. In response to possible losses, Yunnan raised the compensation standard for the crops more prone to be consumed by elephants. Such compensation will help protect the interests of farmers. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), some 297 million yuan (about 41.6 million U.S. dollars) was paid in the province to cover the losses caused by wildlife, mainly Asian elephants. In 2010, Yunnan became the first provincial-level region in China to introduce commercial insurance for the damage caused by wildlife, with the entire province coming under insurance coverage by 2014. "With the compensation, villagers are no longer angered by the wild animals seeking food on farms, so that relationship between human beings and elephants is improved," said Wang Bin, adding that now villagers seeing injured elephants would call the rescuers, as what happened to Yang Niu, instead of chasing them away. The prefecture has also established a monitoring and warning system to inform villagers of the whereabouts of wild animals in the form of WeChat messages, text messages, and broadcasting. In Menghai County alone, nearly 60 possible conflicts between human beings and wild elephants were avoided. The wandering elephants in 2021 have caught global attention, which showed the harmonious coexistence of human beings and the wild animal. For Ranger Chen Jiming, such harmony is quite normal nowadays. A couple of days ago, they received a phone call from local villagers, who told them two elephant calves needed help in a muddy pond. They arrived immediately, only to find that the elephants were trying to cool down in the hot weather. "Although it was a false alarm, it showed villagers' love and care for elephants," he said. "We will continue spreading the knowledge about wild elephants to the public so that local people would know more about the animal." [August 01, 2023] AVPro Global, Inc. Acquires AudioControl Home Division, Accelerating Growth in Residential and Commercial Distributed Audio and Media Room Markets Tweet AVPro Global, Inc., parent company of AVPro Edge, Murideo, and Bullet Train audio/video distribution products, today announced the acquisition of the Home Audio division of AudioControl from AAMP Holdings, Inc., expanding the AVPro Global footprint in the residential, commercial distributed audio, and media room industry market segments. Through the deal, AVPro Global will assume ownership of the AudioControl Home business. AAMP will retain its AudioControl Vehicle Technology business with no change to its operations. "The acquisition of the AudioControl Home business unit, as an award-winning company with a 45-year history of designing and building superb audio equipment, complements our existing AVPro Edge, Murideo, and Bullet Train high-performance brand positions in both the residential and commercial audio/video distribution spaces, and provides AVPro with an additional growth platform while diversifying our penetration into distributed audio markets," said Jeff Murray, AVPro's CEO, and Founder. "We believe this transacton will provide truly unique synergies that create value for the customers of both companies and look forward to AudioControl's best-in-class management team, and skilled and experienced workforce joining the AVPro Global family." About AudioControl Home The AudioControl Home Audio Division product line will be rebranded to AudioControl Pro and includes award-winning power amplifiers, multi-zone amplifiers, network amplifiers, 70-volt amplifiers, single-zone amplifiers, subwoofer amplifiers, AV processors, AV receivers, and AV signal extenders. Recently, AudioControl received top accolades from the custom installation (CI) channel, recognized for having Best Customer Service, Best Technical Support, Best Dealer Protection Policies, and Best Supply Chain Mitigation with the CEPro Quest For Quality 2023 Award. About AVPro Global, Inc. AVPro Global is a privately held American company headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, with satellite offices in St. Petersburg, FL, Green Bay, WI, a European office in Bratislava, Slovakia, a Far East office in Shenzhen, China, and now through the acquisition of AudioControl Home, Seattle, WA. The three AVPro Global video-centric brands - AVPro Edge, Bullet Train, and Murideo - combine their respective strengths to create the fastest-growing AV signal distribution company in the residential and commercial systems integration spaces, perfectly complementing AVPro Global Founder and CEO Jeff Murray's vision, "To be recognized as the best AV signal distribution and control products and services company on the planet." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801657565/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Auron Establishes Premier Scientific Advisory Board to Support the Advancement of its AI-Powered Platform and Pipeline Targeting Cellular Plasticity in Cancer Tweet NEWTON, Mass., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auron Therapeutics, a platform-based, product-driven biotechnology company focused on developing novel cancer therapies that target cellular plasticity, today announced the members of its scientific advisory board (SAB), comprised of distinguished physician-scientists, clinical investigators, and research & development veterans from world-leading cancer centers and biopharmaceutical companies. The most recent addition, Charles M. Rudin M.D., Ph.D., is the Chief of the Thoracic Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The SAB collaborates with Aurons leadership to provide strategic guidance, as the company advances its proprietary platform and its research programs for both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Our scientific advisors are some of the most renowned international minds in oncology drug discovery and development, which speaks to the importance of our unique approach to cancer drug discovery and development, said Kate Yen, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of Auron. Together, they have an incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise that we can apply to maximize the power of our multi-omic platform and enable the potential of therapies targeting cellular plasticity in a range of cancers. This is an exciting time at Auron. We are honored to benefit from their expansive contributions to the field of oncology and appreciate their guidance as we advance our efforts to deliver transformational therapies for patients in need. Aurons proprietary platform is a multi-omic, AI-powered platform that combines computational and translational biology to understand the drivers of two hallmarks of cancer: cellular plasticity and dysregulated differentiation in cancer cells. Leveraging its platform, Auron aims to identify novel targets paired with patient selection and efficacy biomarkers, and ultimately, small molecule product candidates that target the drivers of altered cellular plasticity. We have seen tremendous innovation in oncology over the last decade, including the advent of personalized targeted therapies and immunotherapy. However, we continue to struggle with acquired resistance to these therapies, said Dr. Rudin, Chief of the Thoracic Oncology Service, Co-Director of the Druckenmiller Center for Lung Cancer Research, and Sylvia Hassenfeld Chair in Lung Cancer Research at MSK. I am impressed by the sophistication of Aurons platform, analyzing the plasticity of cancer cells as a key resistance mechanism. Auron is taking a distinct approach that is defining promising targets not previously identified or addressed. I am delighted to partner with the SAB, Kate and the Auron team, to maximize the full potential of this platform, with the ultimate goal of bringing forward more durably effective treatment options for our patients. Aurons Scientific Advisory Board Members Stephane de Botton, M.D. Dr. de Botton is a physician, clinical investigator and head of drug development in acute leukemias in the Department of Hematology at Gustave Roussy Cancer Center in Villejuif, France. He also belongs to the research unit UMR 1170 for novel preclinical research. He is a member of the executive board of the Acute Leukemia French Association (ALFA) that focuses on the clinical and translational research in adult acute myeloid leukemia. Richard Chesworth, Ph.D. Dr. Chesworth is an entrepreneur in residence at Third Rock Ventures, focused on building new drug discovery and development companies. He has contributed to the research and development of thirteen different compounds entering clinical trials, resulting in two FDA-approved new molecular entities, including TAZVERIK for the treatment of both epithelioid sarcoma and relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Dr. Chesworth previously served as chief scientific officer at Kymera Therapeutics, head of chemistry and senior vice president of researh at Epizyme, head of chemistry at EnVivo, and principal scientist at Surface Logix and Pfizer. Ross L. Levine, M.D., Co-founder Dr. Levine is a member of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and an attending physician on the Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, the Laurence Joseph Dineen Chair in Leukemia Research with Special Emphasis on Leukemia in Children and Young People, Deputy Physician-In-Chief, Translational Research at MSK, and a professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. His laboratory has identified myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) predisposition alleles and characterized somatic genetic and epigenetic alterations in MPN and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, which has led to new mechanism-based therapies. In 2011, Dr. Levine was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation and in 2018 to the Association of American Physicians. Dr. Levine is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Dameshek Prize from the American Society for Hematology, a Scholar Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Boyer Award for clinical investigation from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and an NCI Outstanding Investigator Award. Charles M. Rudin, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Rudin is a medical oncologist at MSK specializing in the care of patients with lung cancer. He is the Chief of the Thoracic Oncology Service, Co-Director of the Druckenmiller Center for Lung Cancer Research, and Sylvia Hassenfeld Professor and Chair in Lung Cancer Research at MSK. Dr. Rudin also has chaired the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Consortium since its inception in 2015. He directs a broad program of therapeutic research, including preclinical and clinical investigations to identify and test novel therapeutic approaches to small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Rudin is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including an NCI Outstanding Investigator Award, the NCI Directors Service Award, and the Paul Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Mikhail (Misha) Roshal, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Roshal is a practicing hematopathologist, associate attending physician, and Director of the Clinical Flow Cytometry Laboratory in the Department of Pathology at MSK. His major clinical expertise is in development of robust flow cytometry-based assays for assessment of treatment response of hematologic neoplasms. Dr. Roshals research interests are in molecular genetic characterization of treatment resistant and rare disease populations and in defining molecular genetic triggers of lineage infidelity and unusual differentiation pathways in acute leukemia. Kimberly Stegmaier, M.D. Dr. Stegmaier is a professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and the Ted Williams Chair at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and has advanced the application of genomics to drug and protein target discovery for pediatric malignancies. She is the Vice Chair for Pediatric Oncology Research, Co-director of the Pediatric Hematologic Malignancy Program, and an attending physician providing clinical care in Pediatric Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Childrens Hospital. Dr. Stegmaier is also an Institute Member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. She has served as a Council Member with the Society for Pediatric Research and as the Chair for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Pediatric Cancer Working Group. Dr. Stegmaier is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Joanne Levy, MD, Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement from the American Society of Hematology. Eytan M. Stein, M.D., Co-founder Dr. Stein is the Chief of Leukemia Service in the Division of Hematologic Malignancies, associate attending physician, clinical investigator and Director of the Program for Drug Development in Leukemia at MSK. He conducts novel Phase 1 clinical trials of compounds that target the genetic and epigenetic basis of myeloid malignancies and serves as the lead investigator at MSK for the BEAT AML master clinical trial. Dr. Stein led the clinical trials of IDHIFA and TIBSOVO, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitors, in patients with relapsed and refractory AML that led to their FDA approvals. Shin-San Michael Su, Ph.D. Dr. Michael Su is a pioneering biotech leader with deep expertise in drug discovery and translational medicine. He served as Chief Scientific Officer of Volastra Therapeutics and as Chief Scientific Officer of Decibel Therapeutics. Before that, Dr. Su was a Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Agios Pharmaceuticals, where he led the team responsible for identifying the oncogenic cause of IDH mutants in cancer and the discovery of IDHIFA and TIBSOVO, FDA-approved treatments for AML with IDH mutations. He served as General Director and Vice President of the Biomedical Engineering Research Laboratory at ITRI in Taiwan and spent 14 years in scientific leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, concluding his tenure as Program Executive and Vice President of the Novartis-Vertex kinase collaboration. George Thomas, M.D. Dr. Thomas is a professor of Pathology at the Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, and Associate Medical Director of the Knight Diagnostics Laboratory. His clinical area of expertise is in precision oncology of prostate and kidney cancers. Dr. Thomas directs a translational research program that studies treatment induced metabolic reprogramming in these cancers, with the goal of developing new combination therapies. Matthew Vander Heiden, M.D., Ph.D., Co-founder Dr. Vander Heiden is a professor in the Department of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Director of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. He is also an Institute Member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and an Instructor in Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. Using a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology and mouse models, the aim of the Vander Heiden laboratory is to understand how metabolism influences different stages of tumor biology with a goal to improve cancer treatment in the clinic. Paresh Vyas, MRCP FRCP FRCPath Dr. Vyas is a professor of Hematology at Oxford University, and a research-consulting Hematologist with a clinical practice in myeloid disorders (MDS, AML and MPD) and allogeneic stem cell transplant at the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford. He is Co-lead of the Oxford BRC Hematology and Stem Cells Theme, is on the Board of NHSBT, Vice-chair of the MRC Clinical Training Panel and Translational Lead for the UK Therapy Acceleration Program. About Auron Therapeutics Auron Therapeutics is a platform-based, product-driven biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that target cellular plasticity for solid tumor cancers and hematological malignancies. Auron has built a proprietary AI-powered platform that integrates large, multi-omic datasets to rapidly compare tumor tissue to normal tissues and enable a systems-biology understanding of the pathways that are associated with tumor plasticity, dysregulated differentiation, and treatment resistance. For more information, please visit www.aurontx.com. Contact: Monique Allaire THRUST Strategic Communications [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Comvest Credit Partners Provides Financing to Support Acquisition of I-Engineering by XDimensional Technologies Tweet Comvest Credit Partners ("Comvest"), a leading provider of flexible direct financing solutions to middle-market companies, is pleased to announce that it has acted as Administrative Agent and Sole Lender on a $42.5 million senior secured credit facility (the "Financing") for XDimensional Technologies, Inc. ("XDTI," or the "Company"), a Brea, Calif.-based provider of insurance technology backed by private equity firm Serent Capital. The Financing was used to refinance existing debt and fund XDTI's acquisition of I-Engineering, Inc., a Shelton, Conn.-based insurance software firm. The companies provide complementary insurance technology software with a broad range of applications that support the core business operations of customers. "The merger brings together two leading players in an attractive technology sector whose differentiated solutions together fulfill mission-critical operating functions for businesses throughout the insurance industry," said Joe Higginbotham, a Managing Director at Comvest. "Comvest was pleased to structure a tailored financing package to support a key strategic acquisition by XDTI." "XDTI marks Serent's second transaction with Comvest, and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with the Comvest team," said Kevin Frick, Partner at Serent Capital. "Comvest's deep experience in the technology sector and needs-responsive approach provided us with valuable speed and certainty to close." About XDimensional Technologies XDimensional Technologies, Inc. (XDTI) develops and markets the Nexsure Insurance Platform, a single, comprehensive platform that supports all players in insurance distribution, including retail agencies, wholesalers, agency networks, program administrators, MGAs, and carriers. For more information, visit www.xdti.com. About I-Engineering, Inc. Since 1999, I-Engineering has led the industry in customized P&C solutions that simplify how MGAs, Wholesalers, Program Administrators, and Carriers do business. For more information, visit www.i-engineering.com. About Serent Capital Serent Capital invests in growing businesses with compelling solutions that exceed customer needs. As businesses grow and evolve, the opportunities and challenges they face change with them. The principals at Serent Capital have firsthand experience navigating growth through their experiences as CEOs, strategic advisors, and board members to successful businesses. Serent leverages their expertise and capital to help growing businesses thrive. For more information on Serent Capital, visit www.serentcapital.com. About Comvest Credit Partners Comvest Credit Partners, the direct lending platform of Comvest Partners, focuses on providing flexible financing solutions to middle-market companies. Comvest Credit Partners provides senior secured, unitranche, and second lien capital to sponsored and non-sponsored companies in support of growth, acquisitions, buyouts, refinancings, and recapitalizations, with credit facilities up to $250 million-plus. For more information, please visit www.comvest.com/direct-lending. About Comvest Partners Comvest Partners is an operationally focused private investment firm that has provided equity and debt capital to well-positioned middle-market companies throughout North America since 2000. Through its private equity, direct lending and special opportunities investment platforms, Comvest offers tailored investment solutions across the capital structure, deep industry and operating expertise, a collaborative approach, and significant transaction experience as an active investor. Today, Comvest manages more than $9.3 billion in assets, and has invested over $11 billion since inception. Based in West Palm Beach, Comvest also maintains offices in Chicago and New York. For more information, please visit www.comvest.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731076958/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Marcone Launches First Open AI-based Triage Solution for Field Service Companies Tweet MarconeAI offers innovative troubleshooting for repair ST. LOUIS, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marcone, a leading North American distributor of home and commercial kitchen appliance, HVAC, plumbing and pool and spa repair parts and equipment, unveiled today an innovative new diagnostic tool designed to utilize artificial intelligence for repairs. MarconeAI provides repair technicians with solutions to even the most technical problems. Designed to help them make the right repair the first time, this new technology looks to improve customer satisfaction by introducing cutting-edge artificial intelligence into the appliance repair arena. "Marcone is a technology company that sells repair parts," said Marcone Chief Executive Officer Avichal Jain. "What sets us apart is the way we are using technology to improve speed, accuracy and customer satisfaction in the repair industry. It's tuly revolutionary." Marcone AI uses Open AI and ChatGPT to direct technicians through a range of solutions related to their specific appliance and issue. It connects them to the most likely repair needed, along with the parts required to complete it. With Marcone's 93% next-day and 100% two-day shipping, technicians facing even the most complex problems can have their customers up and running in as little as 24 hours. "We are pleased to offer this technology at no cost to our service community," Jain said. "It's our way of helping them make the quick, smart decisions that keep their businesses flourishing." About Marcone Marcone is the leading provider of premium solutions, parts and equipment for professionals serving customers on their appliance parts, HVAC, plumbing and commercial kitchen needs. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Marcone is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise operating out of 200 throughout North America. Offering unparalleled product breadth, know-how across our national footprint and ease of doing business via leading-edge technology, servicers prefer Marcone because we amplify what they do best: take great care of their clients with speed, reliability and accuracy. Learn more about Marcone at www.marcone.com. Media Contact: Elizabeth Davies Marcone HVAC Cell: 815.440.8768 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marcone-launches-first-open-ai-based-triage-solution-for-field-service-companies-301889894.html SOURCE Marcone [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Markaaz Joins the Small Business Digital Alliance to Bring Transformative Business Growth Solutions to Small Businesses Tweet AUSTIN, Texas, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Markaaz, a leading provider of digital tools for small businesses, is excited to announce its collaboration with the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA), an initiative co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Business Forward. This new relationship aims to unlock the growth potential of small businesses by providing faster and broader access to essential services and solutions. With its unwavering commitment to empowering small businesses, Markaaz is poised to reshape the landscape of entrepreneurial success. The Markaaz Dashboard empowers small business owners to take control of their growth trajectory and business data through a centralized, user-friendly platform. By offering a comprehensive suite of growth tools and unprecedented data insights, it enables entrepreneurs to track, grow, and optimize their businesses. The key highlights of the Markaaz Dashboard include: Data-driven Insights: Markaaz's proprietary data aggregation abilities and intuitive interface provide businesses with the most comprehensive and accurate view of their data. Having a complete business profile will help ensure service approvals, monitor finances and business scores, and make informed decisions that drive profitability. Financing Options: Various competitive financing options to fuel business growth and take advantage of new opportunities. Practical Solutions: Simple solutions designed to optimize operations, set up business protection, and drive efficiency based on specific needs and challenges. Growth Opportunities: Small business owners can discover new partners, reach new audiences, and access insurance and payment resources to foster business expansion. Fabi Hubschmid , Co-Founder and Chief Strategic Development Officer. "At Markaaz, we are establishing the new standard for small and medium-sized business data to unlock opportunities for all small businesses. Through our collaboration with the SBDA, we are confident that we can make a substantial impact in driving growth and creating thriving business ecosystems." Markaaz's joint effort with the SBDA showcases its dedication to transforming the way small businesses access services in an equitable and affordable manner through one integrated platform. By leveraging the power of data and connectivity, Markaaz is spearheading a new era of business growth and fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment where small businesses can flourish. About Markaaz: Markaaz sets a new standard for small and medium-sized business data, enabling enterprises and small businesses to work better together. With its robust Directory of over 300 million global business records, Markaaz equips enterprise businesses with the most complete and accurate business data available, improving onboarding and monitoring processes. Additionally, Markaaz provides small businesses with a centralized platform to update their data, gain financial insights, and connect with partners for financing opportunities. By unlocking opportunities for small businesses, Markaaz creates opportunities for individuals, families, and communities. For more information about Markaaz and its innovative business growth solutions, please visit www.markaaz.com. Media Contact: Christina Stenson / Michael Landau Gladstone Place Partners (212) 230-5930 [email protected], [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/markaaz-joins-the-small-business-digital-alliance-to-bring-transformative-business-growth-solutions-to-small-businesses-301890328.html SOURCE Markaaz [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Tetra and Figment Unite to Introduce Revolutionary Staking Services in Canada Tweet Tetra Trust Company (Tetra), a Canadian leader in digital asset custody, proudly announces its strategic partnership with Figment, the leading staking infrastructure provider. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in democratizing staking services for institutional clients while solidifying Tetra's position as the premier choice for digital asset custody in Canada. Since its establishment in 2019, Tetra has made significant strides as Canada's only trust company licensed to custody digital assets. Boasting an exceptional team of regulatory and business experts, as well as a Board of Directors with extensive trust company experience, Tetra continues to set the standard for digital asset custody in Canada. With the expansion of its product suite to include staking services, Tetra reaffirms its commitment to growth, charting a successful path forward in the dynamic digital asset landscape. Figment, renowned for its pioneering and industry leading staking infrastructure, serves over 250 institutional clients, including asset managers, exchanges, wallets, foundations, custodians, and large token holders. Through this strategic partnership, Tetra gains access to Figment's comprehensive staking services, unlocking unparalleled opportunities for institutional clients to earn rewards on their digital assets. "We are thrilled to partner with Figment, a proven leader in staking infrastructure, to bring our clients an outstanding staking solution," says Didier Lavallee, CEO at Tetra. "This partnership strengthens Tetra's position as the preferred choice for digital asset custody in Canada, proving our dedication to excellence ad innovation in our field of expertise." Ben Spiegelman, Head of Corporate Development at Figment, stated, "The collaboration with Tetra further demonstrates our commitment to the digital asset ecosystem in Canada. By combining Tetra's renowned custody offering with Figment's leading blockchain infrastructure solution, we plan to transform staking services in Canada by delivering unmatched value to institutional clients." The Tetra-Figment partnership opens up a world of opportunities for institutional clients seeking to actively participate in blockchain networks and earn rewards on their digital asset holdings. The partnership places a strong emphasis on broadening access to staking services by providing secure and efficient methods for institutional clients to maximize rewards on their crypto assets. Notably, Tetra's keys are securely located in Canada, and Figment's validators operate within the country, ensuring a strong foundation of trust and compliance within the Canadian regulatory framework. This joint commitment represents a transformative step in the digital asset landscape, further fueling the growth of the ecosystem in Canada and beyond. To learn more about Tetra's staking solutions, contact [email protected]. About Tetra Trust Company: Founded in 2019, Tetra Trust Company is the leading trust company licensed to custody digital assets in Canada. Backed by industry giants such as WonderFi, Coinbase Ventures, Canadian Securities Exchange and others, Tetra delivers the most advanced digital asset storage technology, setting the standard for digital asset custody in the country. About Figment: Figment is the leading staking infrastructure provider, with over USD $3 billion in total assets staked. We provide the complete staking solution for over 250 institutional clients, including asset managers, exchanges, wallets, foundations, custodians, and large token holders, to earn rewards on their digital assets. On Ethereum, we are the largest non-custodial staking provider, with nearly 5% of staked ETH on Figment validators. Figment's institutional staking service offers seamless point-and-click staking dashboard, portfolio reward tracking, API integrations, audited infrastructure, and slashing protection. This all leads to our mission to support the adoption, growth, and long-term success of the digital asset ecosystem. To learn more about Figment, please visit our website at figment.io. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801616740/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Metalert Signs Licensing and OEM Agreement with German Manufacturer Tweet LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metalert, Inc. (OTC: MLRT) (the Company) , a pioneer in location sensitive health monitoring devices and wearable technology products announced today it has entered into an OEM licensing agreement with Global Safe Tracks, a German based IT/GPS tracking company, to manufacture and distribute its GPS SmartSole technology in Europe. Global Safe Tracks under license will manufacture a modified version of the GPS SmartSole that includes 2G technology as a fall back to 4G technology for use where 4G coverage has not been fully built out in some European countries. The European version shall be marketed and distributed under the brand name of SafeSole however Global Safe Tracks will also continue to market and distribute the 4G Cat M1 GPS SmartSole plus version made in the U.S. As part of the agreement, Metalert shall also have the rights to distribute the OEM 4G/2G version under the GPS SmartSole trademark for its own distribution purposes across other countries that still do not have a fully robust 4G infrastructure. This licensing OEM agreement is part of the ongoing successful intellectual property licensing program that has generated the Company close to $1.4 Million in licensing revenues to date and builds upon the recent announcement of a new patent allowance issued by the European Patent Office for the GPS SmartSole. We are excited to enter into this new agreement with Global Safe Tracks who have been a long-term distribution partner of our GPS SmartSoles in Germany. The agreement is part of our strategy to increase our production capacity and ramp up sales and distribution on a global basis, said Andrew Duncan Metalert Director. We expect to continue to leverage our intellectual property in the growing $270 million Smart Shoe market and explore other OEM and licensing opportunities as we continue to roll out our SmartSole line of wearable technology. We believe that the time is right to expand our partnership and fulfill the huge pent-up demand for this life changing technology for the 15 million people in Europe afflicted by Cognitive Disorders. By offering our customers the choice of these two products, we can now bring a safe, reliable service anywhere in Europe in a cost-effective manner, said Markus Schlittenbauer, CEO of GlobalSafeTracks. Under the 3-year license agreement Global Safe Tracks will be manufacturing the SafeSole in Germany enabling a faster on demand delivery throughout Europe, while significantly reducing tariff and shipping costs across Europe, in addition to opening up new markets where 4G is currently unavailable. This agreement will expand our production capacity, reduce delivery time and costs for our European customers, and will provide us with sourcing and manufacturing redundancies. Now both companies and all our customers will have access to another manufacturing source and be able to tap into that inventory, stated Patrick Bertagna MetAlert CEO. To find out more how you can buy or become an authorized reseller or OEM contact [email protected] business development. Social Media: FB: https://www.facebook.com/metalertinc IG: https://www.instagram.com/metalert/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/metalertinc Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalertinc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlYP1WQoLdKkDzwhGkx40Q General information, investor relations, wholesale licensing, consumer purchase: Tel: 213.489.3019 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] website www.metalert.com MetAlert United Kingdom, London Nelson Skip Riddle Tel: +44 7785 364100 Email: [email protected] About MetAlert, Inc.: MetAlert (OTC: MLRT) and its subsidiaries are engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, and licensing products, services, and intellectual property in the GPS/BLE wearable technology, personal location, wandering assistive technology, and health data collection and monitoring. With over 20 years of experience and an extensive patent portfolio, MetAlert is a leading solution provider for consumers/patients afflicted with Alzheimer, dementia, and autism. This market represents approximately 2.9% of the worlds population. The company offers global end-to-end hardware, software, and connectivity solutions, in addition to developing two-way tracking technologies, which seamlessly integrate with consumer products, enterprise and government agency applications. Utilizing the latest in miniaturized, low power consumption GPS, Cellular, RF, NFC, and BLE technologies, enabling caregivers to track and monitor patients in real time. Known for its game-changing and award-winning patented GPS SmartSole -- think Dr. Scholls meets LoJack, the worlds first invisible wearable technology tracking device created for those at risk of wandering due to Alzheimers, dementia, autism, and traumatic brain injury. MetAlerts subscription-based business model is built around technology innovation with intellectual property protection. The company has international distributors servicing customers across the globe with subscribers in over 40 countries and is a U.S. Military Government contractor. Other customers include public health authorities, municipalities, emergency and law enforcement, private schools, assisted living facilities, NGOs, small business enterprises, senior care homes, and consumers. www.MetAlert.com About GlobalSafeTrack Systems GmbH, operating since 2014, specializing in worldwide tracking and emergency communication solutions, both serving GSM/4G and satellite networks. Markets products under the ProteGear and SafeSole brand names. Receiver of numerous awards including the iF Design Awards 2020, redDot Design Award 2020, ISPO Product of the Year award 2020. ProteGear.com [email protected] Tel. +4980363013182 Filzenweg 14 83071 Stephanskichen Germany Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. The terms and phrases expects, would, will, believes, and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by MetAlert considering its experience and perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that MetAlert believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause MetAlerts actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain risk factors that may cause actual results to differ are outlined in MetAlerts Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which may be obtained on the SEC Website). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not rely on MetAlerts forward-looking statements. MetAlert has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required. Disclaimer: MetAlert does not warrant or represent that the unauthorized use of materials drawn from this document's content will not infringe the rights of third parties who are not owned or affiliated by MetAlert. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] AITX's Subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Announces July 2023 as Its Largest Booking Month to Date Tweet Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (the Company) ( OTCPK:AITX ), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), today announced that July 2023 was the best order booking month in the history of AITX, with a total of 69 units booked. The orders consisted of a comprehensive range of RAD's stationary lineup, dominated by ROSA security robots, followed by RIO units, and included several AVA units. This diversity demonstrates a growing acceptance and trust in RAD's expansive product line across multiple industries, use cases, and environments. The Company noted that the orders booked in July are projected to generate roughly $50,000 in Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) or roughly $600,000 in annual revenue. RADs hardware and software solutions are generally deployed as a recurring monthly subscription, typically with a minimum 12-month subscription contract. "Our projections to reach positive cash flow included months like this so Im thrilled we achieved the first of what we hope will be many," said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. Well be working hard to normalize this order intake going forward and start aiming for $100,000 RMR months." The Company has also made significant strides in addressing its production backlog, successfully clearing the majority of it in June and July. This achievement will expedite the delivery of July's orders, most of which are scheduled to ship in August. "Our ability to clear the production backlog is evidence of our obligation to customer satisfaction, as well as our capacity to scale production in response to this growing demand," added Reinharz. AITX, trough its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these tremendous cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house. RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com, www.radgroup.ai, www.raddog.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz . CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price. ### Steve Reinharz 949-636-7060 @SteveReinharz [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Woolpert Acquires Cooperative Strategies, National Education Facility and Program Planning Firm Tweet Cooperative Strategies has assisted over 2,000 school districts across the country with assessment, planning, funding, and building services. DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Woolpert has acquired Cooperative Strategies, a multidisciplinary education facility and program planning firm that specializes in school facility management, assessments, educational program planning, demographic analyses and enrollment projections, capital planning, and community engagement. Cooperative Strategies has offices in Ohio, California, and Colorado, and serves schools, districts, statewide agencies, and school systems nationwide. "Our products and services complement each other nicely and support our shared focus on improving educational outcomes." Cooperative Strategies CEO Scott Newell said, after collaborating with Woolpert on projects in Ohio, North Carolina, and Rhode Island, joining the company was a natural next step. "We have seen Woolpert's dedication to providing tangible benefits for their K-12 clients firsthand, as well as their expansive expertise in consulting, planning, and design," Newell said. "We look at life through the same lens, which is focused on the client. This is an opportunity to drastically enhance and localize our current program management and service offerings to provide best-in-class deliverables, a greater range of resources and experience, and additional services for schools and districts." Woolpert Chief Corporate Development Officer Neil Churman lauded Cooperative Strategies' reliable client service to hundreds of school districts across the U.S. He said this acquisition strengthens and expands Woolpert's core architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG), and strategic consulting services. "We welcome this diverse group of dedicated and talented consultants, who support our nation's schools as they plan and operate their districts for the betterment of students and communities," Churman said. "Together, we will elevate and expand K-12 facility assessment, planning, funding, and program management for schools and districts across the country. We are very excited to have this outstanding team on board." About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG), and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company, a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm, earned six straight Great Place to Work certifications, and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity, and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,000 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. Visit woolpert.com. Media contact: Jill Kelley, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/woolpert-acquires-cooperative-strategies-national-education-facility-and-program-planning-firm-301889605.html SOURCE Woolpert [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Infleqtion's miniMOT V2 Named Silver Honoree by the 2023 Laser Focus World Innovators Awards Tweet AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infleqtion , the world's quantum information company, today announced that its miniMOT V2, a compact off-the-shelf trapped atom vacuum system, was recognized among the best by the 2023 Laser Focus World Innovators Awards. This recognition highlights the miniMOT V2's significance in advancing quantum research, education, and workforce development. Peter Fretty, Group Publisher of Laser Focus World, expressed his congratulations to Infleqtion, stating, "On behalf of the Laser Focus World Innovators Awards, I would like to congratulate Infleqtion on their Silver level honoree status," said Laser Focus World Group Publisher Peter Fretty. "This competitive program allows Laser Focus World to celebrate and recognize the most innovative products impacting the photonics community this year." The miniMOT V2 is equipped with an intuitive user interface, offering users greater control over critical system parameters, ultimately enhancing the flexibility of neutral atom experiments with rubidium (Rb) or cesium (Cs) atoms. Unlike traditional bulky vacuum equipment, the miniMOT V2 eliminates the complexities of setup, enabling researchers, students, and application developers to focus on their work and achieve results faster. Dr. Chuck Williams, Product Manager for Infleqtion's Quantum Cores business, underscored the miniMOT V2's significance in advancing quantum research, aying, "As the quantum industry matures, we continue to see the need for commercial products that enable researchers, scientists, educators, and application developers to quickly execute their experimental goals and meet their product development milestones. The miniMOT V2's new design and features provide users with even greater flexibility to create and control quantum matter within hours, not months." Beyond its impact on cutting-edge research, the miniMOT V2 is breaking barriers in education. Infleqtion has collaborated with undergraduate educators to develop experiments that introduce students to the exciting world of quantum physics. This visionary platform equips the next generation of quantum researchers and practitioners with essential skill sets, as quantum technologies become increasingly vital for industries and governments worldwide. To learn more about the miniMOT V2 and its cutting-edge capabilities, please visit Infleqtion's website at https://infleqtion.com/minimotv2. About Laser Focus World Published since 1965, Laser Focus World has become the most trusted global resource for engineers, researchers, scientists, and technical professionals by providing comprehensive coverage of photonics technologies, applications, and markets. Laser Focus World reports on and analyzes the latest developments and significant trends in both the technology and business of photonics worldwide and offers greater technical depth than any other publication in the field. About Infleqtion Infleqtion delivers high-value quantum information precisely where it is needed. By operating at the Edge, our software-configured, quantum-enabled products deliver unmatched levels of precision and power, generating streams of high-value information for commercial organizations, the United States, and allied governments. With 16 years of ColdQuanta's pioneering quantum research as our foundation, our hardware products and AI-powered solutions address critical market needs in PNT, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing. Headquartered in Austin, TX, with offices in Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; Melbourne, AU; and Oxford, UK. Learn how Infleqtion is revolutionizing how we communicate, navigate, and discover at www.Infleqtion.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infleqtions-minimot-v2-named-silver-honoree-by-the-2023-laser-focus-world-innovators-awards-301889640.html SOURCE Infleqtion [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), through its Dubai branch, PIS Middle East (PIS ME), has signed four business deals with global players worth $49.3 million, which will see the Indonesian major sail across 26 international routes. The global players are with Gas Walio, Gas Widuri, Gas Arjuna and Gas Ambalat. PIS ME signed the deals for 4 vessels owned by PIS - namely the Gas Walio vessel, Gas Widuri vessel, Gas Arjuna and Gas Ambalat vessels. The Gas Arjuna and Ambalat vessels are chartered by SHV Gas Supply & Risk Management, the Gas Walio vessel is chartered by Geogas Trading, and the Gas Widuri vessel is chartered by Vitol. New international routes The total transaction value for the four-ship deal reached $49.34 million, or the equivalent to Rp740.15 billion (dollar exchange rate of Rp15,000) with different contract durations ranging from 6 months to 3 years. The contracts also provided for new international routes and countries for the PIS fleet, including Chile (South America), Puerto Rico (USA), Dominican Republic (Caribbean), Tanzania, Poland, and Portugal. "The signing of this cooperation signifies the success of PIS ME's aggressiveness in increasing revenue in the international market, as well as proving the reliability of PIS's fleet which is qualified to sail in global scale waters," said PIS CEO Yoki Firnandi at the signing ceremony. Country Manager of PIS ME Andra Pelawi added that in addition to the successful commercialisation of the four vessels, PIS ME has broken new business ground which will add to the company's revenue potential. "Pertamina has, through PIS ME, entered Tankers International Pool, and a TC Syndication scheme with Scorpio for a Neptune VLGC vessel in the pool. PIS will have the potential for vessel rental at international market rates," he said. Through this breakthrough scheme by PIS, carried out initially during the second quarter of 2023 (since the VLGC vessel entered the pool in early May, through to the end of the quarter), PIS ME managed to realise a profit of around $865,000, or the equivalent to Rp12.97 billion.-- TradeArabia News Service NAIROBI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and three others injured after suspected al-Shabab militants attacked vehicles along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road in the coastal county of Lamu Tuesday morning. Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Gabriel Kioni told Xinhua over the phone that security forces from the Special Operations Group and the forest rangers responded to the incident and rescued the injured victims, who were taken to the local hospital for treatment. Several vehicles and buses heading to the coastal city of Mombasa were stopped along the way as a result of the attack, he said. The police and witnesses said the terrorists used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles to target vehicles on the Lamu-Witu route. The latest incident in Lamu County came days after al-Shabab militants killed a police reservist and injured two others outside Dadaab Refugee Camp in Garissa County. The terrorists have been attacking places near the Kenyan border by using guns and explosives, leaving dozens dead and many injured. [August 01, 2023] Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market Surges Amid Global Health Concerns: Key Players, Size, Share, Product, Method, Region and Growth Forecast Tweet New York, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new market research report titled, "Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market is Segmented by Product (Kits and Reagents, Instruments, and Others), Method (Molecular Diagnostics, Rapid Antigen Detection Tests, Immunoassays, Flow Cytometry, Chromatography), End User (Hospitals and Clinics, Clinical Laboratories, and Others) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America) - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2030" published by Delvens, the global respiratory syncytial virus market size was estimated at USD 1.05 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.2 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 10.4% during the forecast period 2023-2030. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market research report offers valuable proposals for new development that help organizations optimize their revenue structure and operations. Furthermore, the report also emphasized the issues that influence the global Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market including cost, market share, import, capacity utilization, gross margin, and supply. Moreover, the report also highlights the future scope of the global market for the upcoming period. Request Free Sample Copy of This Research Study: https://www.delvens.com/get-free-sample/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 The respiratory virus known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) attacks the lungs and bronchioles. The majority of children become unwell from it by the age of two, making it one of the prevalent causes of childhood disease. Adults can also contract RSV. Pneumonia and bronchitis are among the more serious RSV infections. One of the main drivers of market expansion is the rising sickness rate. Modern technologies like bio- and nanotechnology are helping to develop current RSV detection procedures including the western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA), direct immunofluorescence, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, government organizations from many nations provide funding for R&D initiatives to create novel treatments. An increase in the number of clinical vaccination studies, an increase in the need for in-vitro diagnostics, an increase in the prevalence of pediatric pneumonia, and an increase in the usage of molecular diagnostics are other factors anticipated to propel the market. When infants under two years of age experience severe respiratory symptoms, RSV infection is more risky. One of the major drivers propelling market expansion is this, together with parents' increasing attention on providing for the medical needs of their children. Moreover, variables that promote development include the high survival rates following early diagnosis and the accessibility to diagnostic tools. In addition, expanding healthcare infrastructure and favorable newborn hospital reimbursement policies are propelling market expansion. The prominent players in the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market are BIOMERIEUX Abbott F. Hoffman La. Roche Ltd Danaher Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Luminex Corporation BioCartis, Hologic, Inc. Fast Track Diagnostics Luxembourg S.a r.l. Beckman Coulter Inc. Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. DiaSorin S.p.A. Becton, Dickinson and Company AbbVie, Inc. AstraZeneca PLC Atea Pharmaceuticals Bausch Health Companies Inc. Celltrion Inc. Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc In April 2022, Allplex RV Master Assay acquired the European CE-IVD certification and clearance from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, according to a release from Seegene Inc. in April 2022. It can discriminate between two kinds of respiratory syncytial viruses and 21 targets for 19 distinct respiratory viruses. In March 2022, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, and Pandemic Response Lab (PRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Opentrons Labworks Inc., introduced a condensed respiratory panel in March 2022. (RSV). Scope of the Report: Based on medication type, Synagis held the greatest market share of more than 32% in the global market. A medication called Synagis is used to prevent the severe respiratory syncytial virus in vulnerable children and newborns. Furthermore, throughout the course of the projection period, Virazole is anticipated to see the quickest rate of growth. In the worldwide RSV market, the injectable dosage form category has the biggest market share. Also, during the evaluation period, the oral section is anticipated to increase at the quickest rate. Throughout the projected period, the category with the strongest growth is anticipated to be antiviral medications. The sector growth is anticipated to be supported by the rising hospitalization rate for RSV as a result of the rising illness prevalence. Based on distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies category has the largest market share globally. Hospital pharmacies are the ideal distribution route since all sorts of pharmaceuticals are easily accessible there. Throughout the study period, it is anticipated that the increasing product releases, research studies examining the advantages of quick antigen testing over other techniques, and significant government and industry-level initiatives will all contribute to the segment's growth. According to a study published in February 2022 titled "Performance Assessment of a Rapid Molecular Respiratory Syncytial Virus Point-of-Care Test: A Prospective Community Study in Older Adults," the positive percentage agreement of the rapid antigen test Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV compared to standard RT-PCR is high for RSV detection in older people who live at home. At the point of care, the assay is quick and simple to use. These Tremendous benefits will fuel the market's expansion. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnostic market is dominated by North America due to the rise in RSV infections. In the projected period of 2023 to 2030, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to develop at the fastest rate due to rising population densities and an increase in the prevalence of infectious illnesses. Additionally, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnostic market is anticipated to rise in the approaching years due to the region's developing healthcare systems and expanding number of government initiatives. North America to Dominate the Market The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnostic market is dominated by North America due to the rise in RSV infections. Also, the region's rising infant mortality rate and expanding number of key alliances. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnostic market will be driven by the region's expanding newborn population as well as the rising number of strategic alliances between pharmaceutical giants and in vitro diagnostic manufacturing firms over the course of the forecast period. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.delvens.com/Inquire-before-buying/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market Table of Contents: The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market is segmented into various segments such as Product, Method, End User, Drug type, Dosage Form, Distribution channel, and region: Based on Product, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Kits and Assays Instruments Others Based on the Method, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Molecular Diagnostics Rapid Antigen Detection Tests Immunoassays Flow Cytometry Chromatography Others Based on the End User, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Hospitals and Clinics Clinical Laboratories Others Based on Drug type, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Ribavirin Synagis Virazole Palivizumab Riba Tab Others Based on Dosage Form, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Oral Injectable Inhaler Other Based on Distribution Channel, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Hospital pharmacies Drug Stores Retail pharmacies Clinics Based on region, the respiratory syncytial virus market is segmented into: Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Vietnam New Zealand Philippines Thailand Malaysia Hong Kong Taiwan Singapore Indonesia> Rest of Asia-Pacific North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Sweden Austria Finland Belgium Turkey Russia Poland Hungary Czech Republic Switzerland Netherlands Rest of Europe South America Brazil Argentina Chile Colombia Rest of South America Middle East & Africa South Africa U.A.E. Saudi Arabia Oman Qatar Iran Egypt Rest of Middle East and Africa Directly Purchase of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market Growth Report (2023-2030) at: https://www.delvens.com/checkout/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What are the years considered to study Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market? The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market is studied from 2023-2030. What is the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market? The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market is growing at a CAGR of 10. 4% during the forecast period. Which region holds the largest market share in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market? North America holds the highest share in 2022. Which region is the fastest growing in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market? Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing region in 2022. Who are the major players in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market? BIOMERIEUX; BD; Abbott; F. Hoffman La. Roche Ltd; Danaher; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; Luminex Corporation; BioCartis, Hologic, Inc.; Fast Track Diagnostics Luxembourg S.a r.l.; Beckman Coulter Inc.; Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics; Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.; DiaSorin S.p.A.; Becton, Dickinson and Company; AbbVie, Inc.; AstraZeneca PLC; Atea Pharmaceuticals; Bausch Health Companies Inc.; Celltrion Inc.; Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc; F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG are the major players in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market study report provides an inclusive breakdown of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market size across the world as regional and nation level market size evaluation, CAGR estimation of market growth during the forecast period, revenue, key drivers, competitive background, and sales examination of the financiers. Along with that, the report clarifies the foremost challenges and risks to face in the forecast period. This Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market research report gives a helpful view regarding the economic outlook of the international market. It comprises detailed picture of the segment demonstration of the key universal players working in the market. The research analysis also prepares historical record with profits expectations during the estimate period and, the business producing of the prominent industrialists are also underlined with methodological records in the report. Read More About the Global Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market Research Report: https://www.delvens.com/report/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 For More Healthcare Industry Reports: https://www.delvens.com/industry/healthcare Delvens Additional Industry Insights: https://www.delvens.com/blog Explore Related Reports: Mapping Catheters Market : Mapping Catheters Market, by Product (Contact Mapping Systems, Non-Contact Mapping Systems), Indication (Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, AVNRT), End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Others) and region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America). 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The company holds expertise in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Delvens qualitative and quantitative data is highly utilized by each level from niche to major markets, serving more than 1K prominent companies by assuring to provide information on the country, regional, and global business environment. We have a database for more than 45 industries in more than 115+ major countries globally. We use AI and machine learning to make existing offerings quicker and cheaper, as well as to offer new services which couldnt have been dreamt of a few years ago. From creating concepts to implementing them, we have the best-proven strategies that will help the organization and are assisting the organization to overcome the prevailing challenges and recognize recent opportunities before their competitors. We are capable of providing tailor-made research services keeping because of your specific requirements. We assure to provide the best possible services for all our clients. Our analysts are available for your assistance and will perfectly understand your needs and demand. Delvens database assists clients by providing in-depth information on crucial business decisions. Delvens offers significant facts and figures across various industries namely Healthcare, IT & Telecom, Chemicals & Materials, Semiconductor & Electronics, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Goods & Services, and Food & Beverages. Our company provides an exhaustive and comprehensive understanding of the business environment. To find out more, visit https://www.delvens.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact Us: Varsha Chaudhari Delvens Private Limited Unit No. 2126, Tower B, 21st Floor Alphathum, Sector 90 Noida 201305, IN D: +44 20 8638 5055 | C: +91 9561827515 | P: +0120 4569 248 [email protected] | [email protected] Website: https://www.delvens.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] ThreatX to Host Multiple Presentations, Books Signings, and Demos at Booth #3028 During Black Hat 2023 ThreatX: What: ThreatX, the leading API and application protection platform, will be attending Black Hat 2023, located at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV from August 9 - 10. The company will host multiple informative presentations on topics including API Protection, Runtime API and Application Protection, and API Security Programs, open to all conference attendees. In addition, ThreatX will be offering live demos of key platform capabilities, including both edge-based API & Application Protection (inclusive of the new Botnet Console and API Catalog 2.0), and the recently launched Runtime API & Application Protection (RAAP) solution. They will also be distributing copies of their new report, All You Need to Know About Protecting Against Runtime Threats to APIs and Applications. ThreatX executives including CEO Gene Fay, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder Bret Settle, and Field CISO Jeremy Ventura will be on site and available to discuss the company's latest news plus trends and best practices in API and application protection. In addition, the company will host book signings with industry experts Bruce Schneier and Nick Aleks. Where: Booth #3028 (Business Hall Expo) When: Conference attendees can participate in the following activities, hosted by ThreatX: Book Signings at Booth #3028: Booth Presentations at Booth #3028: Wednesday, August 9 th API Protection by Sydney Coffaro, Senior Product Marketing Manager at ThreatX Time: 10:30 am, 1:15 pm, 2:15 pm, and 4:30 pm PT Runtime API and App Protection by Tyler Hill, Senior Product Manager at ThreatX Time: 11:00 am, 2:45 pm, and 5:00 pm PT API Security Programs by Jeremy Ventura, Field CISO at ThreatX Time: 11:30 am and 3:15 pm PT ThreatX Platform Demo by Bret Settle, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder at ThreatX Time: 12:45 pm PT Insights from ThreatX Protection-as-a-Service team by Neil Weitzel, Director, Security Operations at ThreatX Time: 12 pm, 3:45 pm, and 5:30 pm PT Thursday, August 10 th API Security Programs by Jeremy Ventura, Field CISO at ThreatX Time: 10:15 am and 12:45 pm PT Insights from ThreatX Protection-as-a-Service team by Neil Weitzel, Director, Security Operations at ThreatX Time: 10:45 am and 1:15 pm PT ThreatX Platform Demo by Bret Settle, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder at ThreatX Time: 11:15 am PT Runtime API and App Protection by Tyler Hill, Senior Product Manager at ThreatX Time: 11:45 am and 1:45 pm PT API Protection by Sydney Coffaro, Senior Product Marketing Manager at ThreatX Time: 12:15 pm and 2:15 pm PT More: Want to win ThreatX swag? Join ThreatX CEO Gene Fay's eXecutive Security podcast at Black Hat! ThreatX booth staff will be asking the following question to attendees throughout the event: "What's the one piece of advice you'd offer to someone trying to break into security?" Let the team record your answer to win a ThreatX hoodie and have the opportunity to be featured on the eXecutive Security podcast! ThreatX is managed API and application protection that lets you secure them with confidence, not complexity. It blocks botnets and advanced attacks in real time, letting enterprises keep attackers at bay without lifting a finger. Trusted by companies in every industry across the globe, ThreatX profiles attackers and blocks advanced risks to protect APIs and applications 24/7. Learn more at https://www.threatx.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801100606/en/ [August 01, 2023] IDS and CentralSquare Technologies Partner to Deliver Full Asset Lifecycle Management Tweet CentralSquare Technologies, an industry leader in public sector technology, announced today a partnership with IDS, an engineering consulting and technology provider specializing in decision analytics and infrastructure lifecycle planning. CentralSquare's Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solution will now integrate with IDS' Asset Optimizer, allowing agencies to reach beyond maintenance management into comprehensive asset investment planning. Today, more than 300 agencies across North America trust CentralSquare EAM to reduce costs and increase efficiency by managing public assets, understanding the health of those assets, and analyzing costs associated with replacement or repairs. CentralSquare's EAM covers 350+ different utilities, streets and traffic, parks, facilities, fleet, equipment assets and more. Asset Optimizer is a cloud-based AI-powered SaaS application that provides advanced, cross-asset planning optimization and decision analytics. With Asset Optimizer integrated directly into CentralSquare's EAM product, agencies will have the power of advanced insights to better predict asset depeciation over time. "One of the biggest challenges facing cities is the inability to predict the depreciation of bridges, water assets, sidewalks, etc. over time, leading to a waste of resources and poor planning and budgeting," shared Justin Murphy, VP of Product at CentralSquare Technologies. "By partnering with IDS and integrating Asset Optimizer into CentralSquare's EAM, we are bringing to market a better, more innovative way for our customers to manage their assets, understand how decisions will affect short- and long-term budgets, and smartly manage future costs. Our commitment has always been to create the most impactful solutions for government agencies, and our collaboration with IDS is yet another way we're excited to serve our customers and citizens." CentralSquare EAM users who leverage Asset Optimizer will benefit from features such as: EAM auto-populates asset inventory, condition and operational data into the Asset Optimizer solution. Asset Optimizer models the degradation of assets by any method and with any inputs. Users can leverage insights gained from prior maintenance costs tracked in EAM. Run scenario-based analyses using any number of influences to model current and future asset health, budgetary inputs, treatment maintenance options, and more. Selectively manage model outcomes and commit to whole projects or selective maintenance work. Model long-term financial strategies and generate highly detailed Capital Improvement Plans in Asset Optimizer, then execute and manage these maintenance projects in EAM. "Capital and operating expenses are intertwined. Planning and operations solutions are intersecting more than ever and this exciting alignment with CentralSquare EAM is merely the natural progression to guarantee levels of service objectives are consistently delivered at the least cost and risk," said Serge Vanasse, VP of Corporate Development at IDS. "Asset management is more than a set of transactional costs; it is viewed as an investment that plays a critical role in the urban realm. Asset Optimizer and CentralSquare EAM provide an integrated strategy and big-picture thinking to help drive the delivery of infrastructure services." To learn more about Asset Optimizer, visit IDS's webpage. About CentralSquare Technologies CentralSquare Technologies is the largest independent public sector software provider that powers all aspects of managing local government to build smarter and safer communities. Public sectors across North America use CentralSquare to enable efficiencies and a seamless end-to-end integrated experience by using innovative, cloud-based solutions and automation. CentralSquare's scalable technology helps state and local agencies thrive operationally, even during states of emergency in public safety when every second counts. Its intuitive enterprise software also includes user-friendly platforms to support public administration agencies with finance, asset, compliance, case management and much more to drive better public experiences. As the market driver for advancing safety and justice with innovative technology, CentralSquare serves 3 out of 4 citizens across North America. The company is headquartered in Lake Mary, FL and has locations in North Carolina, South Dakota and British Columbia. More information is available at CentralSquare.com. About IDS IDS is a global leader in infrastructure asset management optimization and decision analytics software. Its Asset Optimizer software helps infrastructure managers across multiple infrastructure sectors including transportation agencies, ports, airports utilities, and local governments, to optimize decisions and develop defensible data-driven asset investment plans to maximize assets performance and return on infrastructure investment. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801124445/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Metronet Named Moline's Fastest Internet Service Provider Tweet Metronet, the nation's largest independently owned 100% fiber optic provider, today announced it has been ranked the fastest internet service provider (ISP) in Moline. According to recently released data from Ookla Speedtest Intelligence, Metronet was ranked the "Fastest Internet Service Provider in Moline" with a median download speed of 323.9 megabits per second (Mbps) and median upload speed of 284.68 Mbps for Q2 2023. "Metronet has been on a mission to ensure that the underserved communities have access to ultra-high-speed fiber optic internet, further improving the way we keep in touch with friends and family, work and learn, and stream and game online," said Ben Ruzick, Metronet Government Affairs Director. "With access to a reliable, symmetrical fiber optic network, Moline's residents and businesses have the opportunity to scale to higher speeds on an infrastructure that will support the community well into the future." As a leading fiber optic internet provider, Metronet and its affiliates provide ultra-high-speed 100% fiber optic internet speeds to more than 250 communities throughout 16 states. With an expanded presence in Illinois, Metronet will continue to support more communities throughout the state with access to a 100% fiber optic infrastructure providing multi-gigabit speeds up to 10 gigabits with symmetrical upload and download speeds. City officials interested in adding their communty to Metronet's growing list of "Certified Gigabit City Powered by Metronet" may visit metronet.com/gigabit-city or contact Eddie Massengale, Metronet Sr. Director of Business Development & Government Affairs at [email protected] or call 423-280-9031. *Fastest internet claims are based on the analysis provided by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data for median download and upload speeds in Moline Q2 2023. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission. About Metronet: Metronet is the nation's largest independently owned, 100% fiber optic company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The customer-focused company provides cutting-edge fiber optic communication services, including high-speed Fiber Internet and full-featured Fiber Phone. Metronet started in 2005 with one fiber optic network in Greencastle, Indiana. Since then, Metronet and its affiliates have grown to serve and construct networks in more than 250 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Metronet is committed to bringing state-of-the-art telecommunication services to communities - services that are comparable or superior to those offered in large metropolitan areas. By offering XGS PON technology, Metronet can easily carry its communities into the future of multi-gigabit service. Metronet has been recognized by PC Mag as one of the Top 10 Fastest ISPs in North Central United States in 2020 and Top 10 ISPs with Best Gaming Quality Index in 2021. Broadband Now has recognized Metronet as the Top 3 Fastest Internet Providers and Fastest Fiber Providers in the Nation in 2020, and #1 Fastest Mid-Sized Internet Provider in two states in 2020. In 2020, Metronet was awarded the Vectren Energy Safe Digging Partner Award from Vectren. For more information, visit www.Metronet.com. *Editor's Note: Metronet serves many communities throughout Illinois, including Colona, Cortland, East Moline, Hampton, Le Roy, Milan, Moline, Rock Island, Silvis, and Towanda. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801498481/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Verizon's network recognized for exceptional performance and reliability in markets across the US Tweet Verizons network is undefeated in 96.8% of the metro drive tests they performed in the first half of 2023. Verizon is undefeated in the category of network accessibility in 85% of the tests. Verizon is also undefeated in 93% of the metro markets when it comes to network reliability. NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizons network is once again the network to beat for performance, accessibility and reliability in a majority of 125 metro markets tested by RootMetrics. In these rigorous and scientific network tests, Verizons network is undefeated in 97% of the metro drive tests (121 out of 125 markets) they performed in the first half of 2023. And if customers are interested in accessing the network quickly while on the go, Verizon is undefeated in the category of network accessibility in 85% of the markets tested (106 out of 125). Verizon is also undefeated in 93% of the metro markets (116 out of 125) when it comes to network reliability.* These tests, with data accumulated over several months, show a pattern of exceptional performance for customers who live and travel throughout the US. Customers rely on Verizons network everyday and we take that responsibility very seriously, said Joe Russo, EVP and President, Global Network and Technology at Verizon. Our engineers are maniacal about ensuring exceptional network performance, and our team works tirelessly to ensure our customers have a robust, secure, fast, and consistent experience with us when and where they need it. Verizon is not slowing down Throughout the first half of the year, the network team has made major upgrades in the metro areas tested. Engineers have deployed 5G Ultra Wideband service using Millimeter Wave (mmWave), its premium, high-band spectrum which allows fo extremely fast speeds and massive capacity as well as C-band spectrum designed for fast speeds, high capacity and wide coverage. Today more than 200 million people have access to Verizons 5G service and that number is growing everyday. Many of these deployments used Verizons recently acquired C-band spectrum, designed to provide wide coverage for 5G service. Last year, months ahead of schedule, Verizon received access to additional C-band spectrum which it has been deploying aggressively across the country. This year, Verizon will gain access to the remainder of the spectrum they purchased in the auction doubling, and in some cases tripling, the amount of bandwidth available to serve customers. That additional bandwidth will turbo charge the service, offering significantly higher speeds, much greater capacity to accommodate more customers and more robust services. spectrum, designed to provide wide coverage for 5G service. Last year, months ahead of schedule, Verizon received access to additional C-band spectrum which it has been deploying aggressively across the country. This year, Verizon will gain access to the remainder of the spectrum they purchased in the auction doubling, and in some cases tripling, the amount of bandwidth available to serve customers. That additional bandwidth will turbo charge the service, offering significantly higher speeds, much greater capacity to accommodate more customers and more robust services. Even as engineers provide wireless service in more places, they are also enhancing the service by deploying leading edge, modernized technology in many areas. In states across the country, Engineers have upgraded the hardware in many of the cell sites adding capacity for more data to be used by customers, providing power efficiency, and providing virtualization. This technology milestone allows Verizon to rapidly respond to customers varied latency and computing needs, and provides greater flexibility and agility in the introduction of new products and services. The move to a cloud-based, virtualized architecture with standardized interfaces in every part of the network leads to greater flexibility, faster delivery of services, greater scalability, and improved cost efficiency in networks. Lastly, the addition of 5G service and the many additional wireless solutions allow far more data to travel on the wireless network. That exponential increase in data carried into and out of the cell sites requires upgraded fiber optic cable links. Fiber optic cables are used to move data between cell sites and connect those sites to the rest of the network. Verizon has increased the capacity on the fiber connections across the nation so they can carry 10 times the amount of data. *Rankings based on the RootMetrics metro RootScore Reports for 125 metro areas: Tested with best commercially available smartphones on three mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of Verizon. MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Schulz 864.561.1527 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Weave Launches AI-Driven Email Marketing Tool for Healthcare Providers Tweet Weave (NYSE: WEAV), a leading all-in-one customer experience platform for small and medium-sized healthcare businesses, today announced the launch of Email Assistant, its second AI-driven engagement product. Now available to its 27,000+ customers, Weave's AI-driven Email Assistant provides an innovative way for healthcare providers to communicate and connect with their patients and clients. By simply inputting the themes that need to be covered in the email, Weave Email Assistant will generate the email text in a matter of seconds, which can then be edited before sending. This tool allows healthcare providers to quickly create, personalize, and automate email marketing campaigns, resulting in improved patient engagement and retention, a higher patient growth rate, and increased awareness of services offered by a practice. "With digital marketing becoming an essential part of running a healthcare business, it's important to provide simple and effective AI-driven solutions to our customers," said Branden Neish, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Weave. "With Email Assistant, we reduce both the time requirement and anxiety often associated with creating an email marketing campaign. By harnessing the power of AI, we aim to empower healthcare providers to deliver exceptional patient experiences that drive patient loyalty and business growth." Email marketing s an essential and often overlooked marketing avenue. According to one study, email marketing generates, on average, $36 of new business for every $1 spent, and 59% of consumers say that email marketing campaigns influence their purchasing decisions. To learn more about Weave Email Assistant, visit https://www.getweave.com/weave-email-marketing/. About Weave Weave is a leading all-in-one customer experience platform for small- and medium-sized healthcare businesses. From the first phone call to the final invoice and every touchpoint in between, Weave connects the entire customer journey. Weave's software solutions transform how local businesses attract, communicate with and engage customers to grow their business. Weave has set the bar for Utah startup achievement & work culture. In the past year, Weave has been named a G2 leader in Patient Engagement, Optometry, Dental Practice Management and Patient Relationship Management software. To learn more, visit getweave.com/newsroom/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801436162/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Eagle Point Software Acquires CADLearning Tweet DUBUQUE, Iowa, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ -- Eagle Point Software, creator of the Pinnacle Series e-learning solution, has announced the acquisition of CADLearning from 4D Technologies. On July 27, 2023, Eagle Point acquired the CADLearning businesses, including intellectual property and digital assets while assuming responsibility for supporting CADLearning clients. Eagle Point Software has acquired CADLearning from 4D Technologies, including intellectual property and digital assets. Eagle Point and CADLearning are recognized as industry-leading providers of learning and development experiences for architectural, civil, construction, product design, and manufacturing engineers. Initially, CADLearning clients will continue to leverage the CADLearning platform and content. Overtime CADLearning clients will have opportunities to access additional resources, content, and Pinnacle Series platform functionality like KnowledgeSmart skills assessments and personalized learning paths. Steve Biver, Eagle Point COO, shared, "We are thrilled to welcome CDLearning clients into the Eagle Point family, and we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. CADLearning has a very robust library of Autodesk resources which will match well with Eagle Point's own extensive offering of content. This acquisition will enable us to offer a more comprehensive and personalized learning experience to all CADLearning and Eagle Point customers and will certainly strengthen our overall business." Dan Dolan, President and Founder of CADLearning, shared, "This opportunity with Eagle Point Software helps ensure that our clients will continue to be successful. The team at Eagle Point has been an industry-leading company in the AEC and manufacturing space for more than 40 years. Eagle Point's commitment to the success of its customers was a key consideration and driving force behind this acquisition. We are confident that all CADLearning clients are in great hands with the support of the Eagle Point Software team!" Pinnacle Series is an AEC and manufacturing learning management solution that features a comprehensive library of videos, documents, and other development resources that enables long-term employee training, on-demand problem-solving, and digital transformation. About Eagle Point Pinnacle Series creator Eagle Point Software has helped AEC & manufacturing companies work more efficiently since 1983. Based in Dubuque, Iowa, the Pinnacle Series team is comprised of industry experts who deliver the leading development and productivity platform to more than 500,000 global AEC & manufacturing professionals. Pinnacle Series offers a robust library of on-demand software training content , plus knowledge capture and sharing capabilities that ultimately increase efficiency. www.eaglepoint.com ; +1 563.556.8392. Follow Pinnacle Series on LinkedIn , YouTube . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eagle-point-software-acquires-cadlearning-301890496.html SOURCE Eagle Point Software [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Lenovo's Work For Humankind creates lasting impact in communities across the globe Tweet RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leave the world better than you found it. It's a simple yet profound idea that plans for the future while allowing us to leave a positive impact on those who come after us. With this goal, Lenovo launched "Work For Humankind." The initiative started in a far corner of the world. In 2022, community volunteers brought Lenovo technology to residents on Robinson Crusoe Island in the South Pacific. It's a remote island 416 miles off the coast of Chile. For eight weeks, volunteers used a range of Lenovo's advanced technology to work remotely at their day jobs while simultaneously partnering with local leaders and residents on island conservation efforts. Together they created a WiFi-enabled technology hub allowing many businesses on the island to have an online presence for the first time and increased the community's internet connectivity speed to 200 mbs. The Work For Humankind island partnership also captured essential data on the Pink-footed Shearwater, a native bird whose ecosystem was threatened. Volunteers deployed AI-detecting models on Lenovo's AI Edge Server. Now a data collection process that once took weeks only takes days. That's leaving the world better than you found it. The island success prompted us to ask "What's next and where?" We landed on our home turf North Carolina, USA. For nearly two decades, North Caroina's Triangle Region has housed one of Lenovo's two global headquarters. In that time, we've earned a reputation for supporting education, diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Bringing Work For Humankind to North Carolina easily matched with our vision and values. So in April 2023, Lenovo partnered with Elizabeth City State University, a historically black university in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to demonstrate how students could use technology to complete their schoolwork from anywhere while giving back to the planet. Fourteen Elizabeth City State students embarked on a life-impacting trip across North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail the highest-elevation long-distance trail in the Eastern United States. The students traveled more than 2,780 miles in a Sprinter van utilizing resources such as Lenovo Go Wired Speakerphones, Yoga 7i Laptops, and tablets. They completed school work while also helping further key conservation efforts across the state. Every student experienced a part of North Carolina that he or she had never visited before. And they left the world in a better place along the way. Working alongside Lenovo employees and Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail, the students focused on three regions of the state: Outer Banks: The students spent a week doing a risk/hazard analysis for different ocean surges using cloud-based software Lenovo developed for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The work completed here will help to determine where new sections of the trail can be added. The students spent a week doing a risk/hazard analysis for different ocean surges using cloud-based software Lenovo developed for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The work completed here will help to determine where new sections of the trail can be added. Pender County : Using Lenovo technology, the students captured visuals, personal interviews, and other content to build a web page about the area's rich but near forgotten Black history. The information will be published on the Mountains to Sea Trail's inclusion page, "MST for All," and through a permanent digital trail marker in the center of town for all visitors to see. Using Lenovo technology, the students captured visuals, personal interviews, and other content to build a web page about the area's rich but near forgotten Black history. The information will be published on the Mountains to Sea Trail's inclusion page, "MST for All," and through a permanent digital trail marker in the center of town for all visitors to see. Cherokee Region: Students camped alongside the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. While there, students documented key characteristics of the trail to be translated via a mobile app into the Eastern Band's native language a near-extinct language that will be accessible to trail hikers. The North Carolina Trail success prompted us to ask "What's next and where?" So now, Lenovo teamed up with BirdLife International to create a one-of-a-kind 5G-connected super van a mobile tech lab and living space. As I type, these "citizen scientists'' are driving the van across the U.S. gathering essential birdsong data to support the organization's wildlife protection strategies. And later this year, our Work For Humankind initiative will extend to India where Lenovo employees and student volunteers will work with community members in Kanthalloor, Kerala, to improve the productivity, opportunities, and lives of millet farmers. There is no end to the positive world impact we can make one step at a time. It's my hope we leave a lasting legacy through the power of kindness and collaboration, fueled by technology, and embraced by people across the globe. What work for humankind can you do today? By Gerald Youngblood, Chief Marketing Officer, Lenovo North America CONTACT: Mary Cullen, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lenovos-work-for-humankind-creates-lasting-impact-in-communities-across-the-globe-301889410.html SOURCE Lenovo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] The Government of Canada invests in the renovation of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton Tweet EDMONTON, AB, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Tracy Cardinal, Vice President of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre (CNFC), announced a federal investment of more than $1.1 million and a CNFC investment of more than $560,000 to renovate the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton. Through this investment, the CNFC will create a safer space for youth and visitors of all ages to connect with each other through a welcoming place. The interior and exterior of the Centre will be completely renovated to bring new life to the historical building and meet or exceed building codes. Additionally, the interior renovations will include upgraded meeting rooms, kitchen and gathering spaces. Through these upgrades, the Centre will be able to continue to provide essential programs and services in a more accessible way while acting as a gathering place for the local Indigenous community. The renovated space will also provide a better working environment for CNFC staff. By upgrading this historical building to meet environmental standards, it will continue to be a familiar landmark and valuable resource to the community. These improvements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 54.6% and greenhouse gas emissions by 30.6 tonnes annually. The CNFC was created to support the Indigenous community by welcoming new residents to the city with referral services. Serving approximately 10,000 people annually, it is a hub for the community and hosts meetings, social events and local gatherings and strives to improve the quality of life of Indigenous people in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities. They also encourage equal access to and participation in the programming offered. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians. Quotes "The Canadian Native Friendship Centre retrofit project will improve the experience for the community, and will help move our country towards our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. This project will add energy savings, emissions reductions, and accessibility improvements for an essential community facility for the local Indigenous community in Edmonton." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "Reconciliation with Indigenous communities is a key focus of our government. This investment in the renovation of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre i Edmonton will serve the growing number of Indigenous people who call the city home. We are focused on building a more prosperous, more resilient, and more sustainable future for Indigenous people in Edmonton." The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages "On behalf of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Infrastructure Canada; the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, the Government of Alberta; Community Facility Enhancement Grant, and Employment and Social Development Canada; Small Project Component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund for their contribution supporting the renovation for the new home of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre. Their support allowed for the revitalization of a building originally constructed over 100 years ago that can now continue to be a part of the historic neighbourhood for another 100 years." Tracy Cardinal, Vice President of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre Quick facts The Government of Canada is investing $1,157,435 million in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB). The CNFC is contributing $560,563 , along with other funding from partners in the amount of $366,305 . is investing $1,157,435 million in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB). The CNFC is contributing , along with other funding from partners in the amount of . The GICB program aims to improve the places Canadians work, learn, play, live and gather by cutting pollution, making life more affordable, and supporting thousands of good jobs. Through green and other upgrades to existing public community buildings and new builds in underserved communities, the GICB program helps ensure community facilities are inclusive, accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping Canada move towards its net-zero objectives by 2050. move towards its net-zero objectives by 2050. At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres. The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan's first pillar through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of energy efficiency, and higher resilience to climate change. It is providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. Strengthened Climate Plan: a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan's first pillar through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of energy efficiency, and higher resilience to climate change. It is providing over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. For more information, please visit the Infrastructure Canada website. Associated Links Green and Inclusive Community Buildings: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ab-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Lystek International Surpasses Multiple Milestones for Fertilizer Production and Sales across North America Tweet CAMBRIDGE, Ontario and FAIRFIELD, Calif., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lystek International has responded to worldwide fertilizer shortages and demand for locally produced fertilizers with increased production of LysteGro. Over the last year demand for LysteGro has increased significantly as farmers traditional sources for chemical and synthetic fertilizers were either excessively costly or unavailable. Increased extreme weather events and a transition towards more sustainable agriculture is driving farmers awareness and interest in building soil health and climate resiliency with the application of organic matter. Using the patented technology, Lystek THP, Lystek converts municipal biosolids and non-hazardous organic residuals into a Class A quality fertilizer, LysteGro. This product is a concentrated liquid (13 16% TS) fertilizer and is sold for bulk application to local farmers. LysteGro is designated as a fertilizer by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) and is licensed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) as a bulk commercial fertilizer. LysteGro has proven performance as a commercial fertilizer replacement with predictable nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. It is an affordable source of micronutrients and includes valuable organic matter to improve soil health and resiliency to severe weather conditions. 2022 was a year of substantial growth for LysteGro sales as the company scaled operations to manage, sell, and apply 35% more fertilizer than the previous year, amounting to a total of 80 Million US gallons (>300,000 m3 per year). With increased wastewater flows and fertilizer demand outpacing supply, substantially higher product volumes were produced and sold across all facilities. Notable contributors were the two regional Organic Material Recovery Centers (OMRC) as well as the addition of another on-site installation in Michigan at the South Huron Valley Utility Authority. The OMRCs are owned and operated by Lystek and service the Southern Ontario / Greater Toronto and San Francisco Bay / Northern California areas respectively. The South Huron Valley Utility Authority commissioned the Class A Lystek THP technology in the summer of 2022, kicking off the first LysteGro application season in the state of Michigan with over 1.5 million gallons produced and sold to local farmers. Marketing for 2023 is well underway with local fertilizer demand continuing to increase. We expect substantial program growth to continue in Michigan with the addition of a second facility at the Commerce Township WWTP begining fertilizer production in fall 2023. This will continue to divert more nutrients from landfill and produce a biosolids fertilizer product to help local farms access these valuable resources affordably. Lysteks Canadian flagship facility, the Southgate OMRC, celebrated its 10-year operations anniversary in June 2023 while also surpassing a major LysteGro milestone in July with over one million cubic meters, or more than 260 million US gallons, produced, sold, and applied to local agricultural lands over the history of facility operations. More than 75,000 acres of land have been fertilized locally, enhancing the productivity and profitability of these agricultural operations. Weve continued to innovate to move more fertilizer and maximize the use of the product for our agricultural customers. LysteGro is helping farmers in the region make the most out of their acres with increasing crop yields Lloyd Brubacher, LysteGro Program Manager, Highland Custom Farms LysteGro is a useful and innovative solution for sustainable farming, and its exciting to see companies taking proactive steps toward environmental sustainability. Harvey Martin, Owner and President, Saugeen Agri Services LysteGro was first introduced to the California marketplace in early 2017 and has seen steady growth in annual sales each year. The extended drought over the last decade in California has driven the transition to more sustainable farming practices. Over the last year in particular, demand from farmers has increased significantly as their traditional sources for chemical and synthetic fertilizers either made costs excessively high or unavailable. In 2022 alone Lystek sold and applied over 30-million gallons of LysteGro to regional farmers and ranchers in need of a safe fertilizer alternative - a 30% increase over 2021. 2023 is well on track for a record setting year, with spring sales and application rates more than 150% greater than what was achieved in 2022. California ranchers know about sustainability. By using natural fertilizers, they are able to build up soil organic matter. This carbon improves soil health and in turn improves forage production, which equals higher average daily weight gains for cattle. By using locally produced products like LysteGro, ranchers are able to improve their bottom line. Jacob Collins, Product Coordinator, Lystek About Lystek Lystek International, a division of the Tomlinson Group of Companies, is North America's leading provider of Thermal Hydrolysis solutions for the sustainable management of biosolids and organics, servicing over 60 public and private customers. Lystek THP converts biosolids and non-hazardous organic residuals into a high-solids liquid, multi-use product for full cycle resource recovery. These products and processes include the LysteMize process for optimizing anaerobic digestion and biogas production; LysteCarb, an alternative carbon source for BNR systems; and, LysteGro, a nutrient-rich biosolids fertilizer. LysteGro is a high solids (13-16% total solids), Class A quality liquid biosolids fertilizer that is easily stored, transported, and applied using conventional liquid handling equipment and is regulated as a fertilizer product in Canada and the state of California. Lystek offers turnkey solutions including technology supply, design-build and installation services, regional processing solutions, and comprehensive LysteGro product management. For more information, please contact: Lystek Head Office 888-501-6508 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] VIENTIANE, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A celebration was held in the Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday to mark the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The event was attended by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath and representatives of relevant departments of government, military and police of Laos, as well as overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and military attaches in Laos. In his address, Defense Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Laos Li Bing reviewed the historical achievements made by the PLA under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the past 96 years. He said China is willing to work with Laos to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen practical cooperation in defense and security, continuously support each other, and make new contributions to the China-Laos community with a shared future and promotion of regional peace and stability. In recent years, the Chinese and Lao military cooperation has also extended to a wider scope, at a deeper level and by a higher standard, with fruitful results achieved from exchanges and collaboration in terms of joint military exercise and training, medical practice, personnel training and border security and stability, he said. In his speech, Chansamone highly praised the fruitful results of military exchanges and cooperation between the Lao and Chinese militaries, and commended the deepening traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries' militaries and the contributions made by both militaries in maintaining development of their respective socialist causes, and regional peace and stability. "I would like to extend my profound respect and heartfelt holiday greetings to the great People's Liberation Army of China on behalf of all officers and soldiers of the Lao People's Armed Forces," he said. The Lao military and people will remember the deep friendship with the PLA. "We sincerely thank the PLA for their selfless assistance and valuable support to Laos in various periods, and will continuously consolidate and strengthen the traditionally friendly relations between our two countries and two militaries," he added. [August 01, 2023] Boston Beer Company Releases 2022 ESG Report Tweet BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Beer Company, (NYSE: SAM), maker of iconic, high-quality brands such as Samuel Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Dogfish Head and Angry Orchard, today released its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. "This year was one of increasing momentum for The Boston Beer Company," said Jill Westra, senior manager of sustainability, The Boston Beer Company. "We made important progress towards formalizing our corporate sustainability strategy and priorities, including leveraging the results of our materiality assessment and the expertise of our newly formed Executive Sustainability Committee to establish new Cornerstones of Priority. This work will guide our ESG efforts on topics most important to our business and stakeholders in the years to come as we build upon the progress made in 2022 towards improving our company, protecting our planet, investing in our coworkers and contributing to our communities." Some of the key highlights of Boston Beer's 2022 ESG Report are as follows: Our Company and Governance Creted an Executive Sustainability Committee composed of executive and senior leaders from across Boston Beer. Established ESG "Cornerstones of Priority" to help shape how we direct our resources and energy on our sustainability journey in the years to come. Developed a supplier code of conduct that formalizes our expectations of business partners. Expanded our disclosures to report in accordance with GRI and SASB and began aligning our report with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Our Communities Spent more than $3 million on social impact programs across our brands. on social impact programs across our brands. More than 700 coworkers volunteered across 36 community service days. Hosted events to connect our drinkers with local businesses, including our first Brewing the American Dream Beer Bash in New York City . Our Planet Calculated our Scope 1 and 2 emissions for the first time. Revised product palletizing and warehouse standards to help reduce product damage rate by 30% compared to 2021 and minimize returns and waste. Saved 212,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy at our Pennsylvania brewery by replacing approximately 3,500 fluorescent light fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs. brewery by replacing approximately 3,500 fluorescent light fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs. Celebrated Earth Month with coworker volunteer opportunities and our first-ever innovation tournament and sustainability film fest. Our People Achieved 21% increase in hiring racially/ethnically diverse candidates compared to 2021. Logged 71,900 hours of coworker training and involved a record-high number of coworkers. Created the Value Four Council, a leadership council aimed at developing and amplifying DE&I initiatives. Implemented a digital safety observation system and new health and safety policies and procedures that helped reduce our recorded work-related injury rate from 1.59% to 1.21% year over year. About The Boston Beer Company The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head Brewery, Hard Mountain Dew and other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston-beer-company-releases-2022-esg-report-301890726.html SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Applications Open for the 2024 SPIE Prism Awards, Which Recognize the Photonics Industry's Most Innovative Products Tweet Applications are now open for the 2024 SPIE Prism Awards, an event which will celebrate its 16th anniversary on 31 January, during a gala evening at SPIE Photonics West. The awards, held annually by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, recognize and honor the most innovative products on the market across the wide range of optics and photonics applications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801922368/en/ Applicationsare open for the 2024 SPIE Prism Awards. The awards recognize and honor the most innovative photonics products on the market. (Graphic: Business Wire) For 2024, in addition to the regular slate of awards in areas ranging from healthcare and sensing, to lasers and quantum, SPIE is introducing the SPIE Catalyst Award. This new recognition honors for-profit companies with specific social or environmentally focused programs that have had significant positive impact, either within their workplace, on society at large, or on the environment. "The SPIE Prism Awards always offer an exciting showcase of the most innovative photonics technologies on the market," said SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. "Getting a product to market is the culmination of a significant amount of work, and well worth celebrating. I encourage all companies with a new photonic product to submit an application highlighting your team's accomplishments. And this year, I'm also looking forward to introducing our new Catalyst Award, a recognition that honors companies working to make a difference in their communities beyond their products, through targeted outreach and programs aimed at sustainability, EDI, or STEM." Last year's Prism Award winners - across categories that encompassed areas such as AR/VR/MR, lasers, imaging, biomedicine, sensors, and quantum technologies - were TriLite Technologies, Philophos, Metalenz, Kyocera SLD Laser, QuiX Quantum, Ocean Insight, Dotphoton, and Precitec Optronik. Winners from previous years have included newly emerging companies or startups such as Double Helix Optics, PhotoniCare, Luminar, Blackmore, and WaveOptics, as well as more established industry giants like General Electric, IPG Photonics, Edmund Optics, and Leica. Photonics Media is the media sponsor for the event. The deadline for applications is 15 September. For more information, qualification requirements, and to participate in the Prism Awards, please visit the Prism Award website. About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $22 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801922368/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] NORDEK, the Presenting Sponsor of the World Blockchain Summit, Set for a Thrilling Event Kickoff Tweet SINGAPORE, Aug. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NORDEK, a leading name in the blockchain industry, is thrilled to announce its role as the Presenting Sponsor for the highly anticipated World Blockchain Summit in Singapore. This prestigious event promises to gather the brightest minds and most innovative projects from the global blockchain ecosystem, creating an unparalleled platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and advancements in the world of decentralized technologies. NORDEK is a layer 2 blockchain that combines the advantages of a Delegated Proof of Stake (DPOS) network with the strength of an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compliant Network blockchain. The NORDEK blockchain is capable of processing faster and more cost-effective transactions than ever before, raising the bar for blockchain efficiency. At the time of writing, the total transactions for the blockchain stand at 459,284 with 176,797 registered wallet addresses and 88+ active validators. NORDEK also has a native token of its own called $NRK. There has been a total of 17,805,033 $NRK staked so far and has a market cap of $182,025,900 USD. For the widespread adoption of web3 payments, NORDEK is committed to developing the most business and consumer-friendly environment. NORDEK strives to close the gap between conventional and blockchain-based transactions with its technology and user-centered strategy. NORDEK also provides infrastructures for custom swaps, exchanges, bridges, NFT marketplaces, launchpads, and wallets. This comprehensive set of tools enables developers to deploy projects more quickly and reduce time to market. "We at NORDEK are truly excited to be the Presenting Sponsor of the World Blockchain Summt. This event brings together the best minds in the blockchain industry, and it presents an incredible opportunity to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and inspire innovation. As a firm believer in the transformative power of blockchain technology, we look forward to showcasing our innovations, said Raajessh Kashyap, CEO and Founder of NORDEK. NORDEK is on a mission to bring widespread adoption of web3 payments with its technology and comprehensive portfolio of services. In the spirit of innovation, NORDEK is set to unveil an exciting new blockchain product during the event. NORDEK is preparing for its launch of a crypto debit card to make it easier to spend crypto in daily life. NORPAY cards will support VISA and MasterCard and will be available in virtual and physical cards. The card will be widely accepted in over 170 countries, and 60M+ merchants globally and will provide support for 40+ crypto assets. Users of Norpay can utilize POS terminals, ATMs, and several other payment methods to complete transactions. Adding more products to its suite, Norflix, a Nordek crypto voucher service, gives users the ability to use the $NRK token to book flights, top-up airtime, bundle services, and create reward programs. By bridging the gap between Web3 and Web2 payments and disrupting the cryptocurrency market, these services enable the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies. The World Blockchain Summit Singapore 2023 is a major event that brings together global blockchain enthusiasts, industry experts, and thought leaders. NORDEK's involvement in this summit indicates its dedication to defining the future of blockchain technology and fostering industry collaboration. NORDEK is confident that WBS will be an exceptional platform for forging new partnerships and strengthening existing collaborations. About NORDEK NORDEK is a leading blockchain ecosystem dedicated to facilitating the mainstream adoption of web3 payments. Official Website: https://nordek.io/ Follow NORDEK on Twitter , Facebook , Linkedin , and Medium for the latest updates from the NORDEK ecosystem. PR Contact: Sonny Mohanty, [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/nordek-the-presenting-sponsor-of-the-world-blockchain-summit-set-for-a-thrilling-event-kickoff-301890732.html SOURCE NORDEK [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] University of Virginia Joins the BrainChip University AI Accelerator Program Tweet BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY), the world's first commercial producer of ultra-low power, fully digital, event-based, neuromorphic AI IP, today announced that the University of Virginia has joined the BrainChip University AI Accelerator Program, ensuring that UVA students have the tools and resources needed to establish the development of leading-edge technologies that will continue to usher in an era of intelligent AI solutions. UVA's computer engineering program gives students an opportunity to collaborate with top researchers in the country and participate in new research initiatives. The program is jointly administered by the Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The BrainChip University AI Accelerator Program equips UVA to incorporate neuromorphic technology - simulation of the brain's neural network - into the department's leading-edge curriculum. BrainChip's University AI Accelerator Program provides platforms, and guidance to students at higher education institutions with AI engineering programs training. Students participating in the program will have access to real-world, event-based technologies offering unparalleled performance and efficiency to advance their learning through graduation and beyond. "As technology evolves, we are constantly adding areas of research to allow our students every opportunity to experience cutting-edge technology firsthand," said Mircea Stan, director of the Virginia Microelectronics Consortium (VMEC) and professor of computer engineering at UVA. "As one of the leading institutions at the forefront of AI, we are excited to partner with BrainChip to share their approach to neuromorphic computing with the next generation of computer scientists by providing them an opportunity to learn and apply practical applications in the world of intelligent computing." BrainChip's neural processor, Akida IP is an event-based technology that is inherently lower power when compared to conventional neural network accelerators. Lower power affords greater scalability and lower operational costs. BrainChip's Akida supports incremental learning and high-speed inference in a wide variety of use cases. Among the markets that BrainChip's Essential AI technology will impact are the next generation of mart cars, smart homes of today and tomorrow, and industrial IoT. "The University of Virginia has developed a computer engineering program that focuses on several areas of research that give students a deep and meaningful learning experience across fields that are revolutionizing computing," said Rob Telson, VP Ecosystems and Partnerships at BrainChip. "Our University AI Accelerator Program continues to provide top educational and research institutions with real-world opportunities to learn more about neuromorphic computing and its applications. We are pleased to work with the University of Virginia on advancing their mission to provide cutting-edge tools and resources that help them achieve their objectives." The University of Virginia joins current participants Arizona State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the University of Oklahoma in the accelerator program. Other institutions of higher education interested in how they can become members of BrainChip's University AI Accelerator Program can find more details at https://brainchip.com/brainchip-university-ai-accelerator/. About BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY) BrainChip is the worldwide leader in edge AI on-chip processing and learning. The company's first-to-market, fully digital, event-based AI processor, AkidaTM, uses neuromorphic principles to mimic the human brain, analyzing only essential sensor inputs at the point of acquisition, processing data with unparalleled efficiency, precision, and economy of energy. Akida uniquely enables edge learning local to the chip, independent of the cloud, dramatically reducing latency while improving privacy and data security. Akida Neural processor IP, which can be integrated into SoCs on any process technology, has shown substantial benefits on today's workloads and networks, and offers a platform for developers to create, tune and run their models using standard AI workflows like Tensorflow/Keras. In enabling effective edge compute to be universally deployable across real world applications such as connected cars, consumer electronics, and industrial IoT, BrainChip is proving that on-chip AI, close to the sensor, is the future, for its customers' products, as well as the planet. Explore the benefits of Essential AI at www.brainchip.com. Follow BrainChip on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrainChip_inc Follow BrainChip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7792006 About UVA Engineering As part of the top-ranked, comprehensive University of Virginia, UVA Engineering is one of the nation's oldest and most respected engineering schools. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing future engineering leaders. Outstanding students and faculty from around the world choose UVA Engineering because of our growing and internationally recognized education and research programs. UVA is among the top engineering schools in the United States for the four-year graduation rate of undergraduate students and among the top-growing public engineering schools in the country for the rate of Ph.D. enrollment growth. Learn more at https://engineering.virginia.edu/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801566449/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Hagens Berman: Users of CapCut Video Editing App File Nationwide Class-Action Lawsuit Alleging Illegal Use of Sensitive Data Tweet Users of CapCut, a video editing app with more than 200 million monthly users, are accusing CapCut and parent company ByteDance of illegally profiting from their sensitive personal data, according to consumer rights attorneys at leading plaintiffs' litigation firm Hagens Berman. The class-action lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on July 28, 2023, alleges that CapCut and ByteDance, which also owns TikTok, illegally harvest and profit from user data including biometric information and geolocation. The lawsuit accuses the companies of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, as well as various state consumer protection and data privacy laws, and also alleges that CapCut and ByteDance make sensitive user data available to the Chinese government for surveillance and other purposes. Learn more about the lawsuit against CapCut and ByteDance for alleged user privacy violations. "Because ByteDance is a tool app, not a social media app, it has largely avoided scrutiny over how it handles user data," said Steve Berman, managing partner at Hagens Berman and the attorney leading the case. "That ends now. This is an app that is already banned in India, and TikTok, also owned by ByteDance, has been banned from U.S. government devices because of privacy concerns. ByteDance can't be allowed to continue with its unchecked, unscrupulous exploitation of private information." How CapCut Profits from Alleged Privacy Violations CapCut can be used to conduct highly sophisticated editing, and videos can be posted on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms. It is hugely popular, with global downloads of more than 400 million in 2022 alone, according to the complaint. Unbeknownst to users, the complaint states, the CapCut app also gains access to private videos, which often include close-up views of faces and private acts not intended for the public, even if users choose not to post them. Additionally, the app performs "pre-uploading" of content which sends the content to social media platforms even before the user clicks upload or post. The complaint states that by collecting and filtering user data including gender, location, operating system and interests, CapCut is able to improve its sophisticated targeted ad and marketing platform and allow its clientele to target demographics with precision. "This app is insidious," said Berman. "Through covertly collecting your location data over time, it can build a stunningly detailed picture of you and your children's private living patterns, including where you work, where your kids go to school, information about your health, religion, politics, intimate relationships - everything it needs to squeeze you for maximum profit." ByteDance's Ties With the Chinese Government According to the complaint, ByteDance also has a history of complying with the dictates of the Chinese government, and the company actively participates in the dissemination of state propaganda. Additionally, the complaint states, multiple employees of the company are concurrently employed by state media entities, and "the insertion of such communist party members into private enterprisesis a means by which the Chinese government and Chinese communist party issue direct control over nominally 'private' companies." The company is required, under Chinese law, to provide the government with the highly sensitive user data it collects. According to the complaint, TikTok documents demonstrate that "TikTok's 'messaging' strategy calls for company representatives to 'Downplay the parent company ByteDance, downplay the China association, downplay AI.'" Attorneys allege that this corporate strategy to downplay ties with China applies equally to the CapCut app. TikTok has been the subject of multiple class-action lawsuits, according to the complaint, which consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation which ByteDance recently settled for $92 million. The complaint brings claims of violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the California Comprehensive Data Access and Fraud Act, the right of privacy under the California Constitution and intrusion upon seclusion, among others. Find out more about the lawsuit against CapCut and ByteDance for alleged user privacy violations. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm's determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of "Most Feared Plaintiff's Firm," MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801268156/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Cincinnati Regional Chamber Launches New and Expanded ChamberHealth Program in Partnership with Medical Mutual Tweet Effective Aug. 1, 2023, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, in partnership with Medical Mutual, is offering an expanded ChamberHealth program to provide its member businesses - small, medium and large - with premium health insurance coverage. The new partnership is another high-quality addition to the Cincinnati Chamber's suite of cost-saving programs that save members money on everyday expenses and business necessities through group buying power. "After months of research and vetting on potential healthcare partners, it was obvious that Medical Mutual was absolutely the right choice for us and our members," said Thomas Deere, Vice President of Sales & Engagement, Cincinnati Chamber. "They have the health coverage know-how to serve our members well, and they have a deep commitment to the Cincinnati region, just like we do. We're excited to extend our ChamberHealth offering to more businesses through this partnership." Helping Employers and their Employees along their Health Journeys through a Premium Health Insurance Option with Big Benefits Cincinnati Chamber member companies with 50 or fewer employees will be served through the COSE Benefit Plan, a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) that currently provides health coverage to more than 8,000 small businesses. Medical Mutual partners with the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) to offer the COSE Benefit Plan to chambers across Ohio, now including the Cincinnati Chamber. Cincinnati Chamber member companies with 51 to 500 employees can also take advantage of custom wellness programs and premium tax savings through this partnership. Coverage options available to Cincinnati Chamber member companies in Ohio include traditional copay plans and high-deductible plans with health savings accounts (HSA). Prescription drug coverage, wellnes programs, dental and vision coverage, life and disability plans, indemnity plans, and stop-loss coverage to protect businesses from large financial losses are also available. Identity theft resolution and remediation services are offered at no additional cost. All plans include access to Medical Mutual's award-winning, Ohio-based customer service to answer questions and assist members with their healthcare needs. Providing Small Businesses and Sole Proprietors Access to Healthcare Coverage Typically Reserved for Large Employers Through ChamberHealth, small businesses and sole proprietors - a first for the ChamberHealth program - can partake in a self-funded insurance plan. Being self-funded has many benefits. The ability to keep costs low since MEWAs are not subject to some of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) mandated benefits and taxes. The cost of benefits reflects the unique health of the company and its employees, recognizing that a healthier team should create a better benefits cost outcome. All benefit options are tied to Medical Mutual's large network of doctors and hospitals, including TriHealth, the Christ Hospital Health Network, and Mercy Health "Medical Mutual is excited to be a strategic partner with the Cincinnati Chamber to offer their members benefits and programs that help employers keep their businesses running and help employees live healthier," said Dan Polk, Medical Mutual Vice President, Sales. "To us, small business doesn't mean small benefits." For more information and to request a quote, please visit cincinnatichamber.com/chamber-health. About the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber grows the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. It does this by serving as a bold voice for the interests of its 4,000-member businesses and their more than 300,000 employees. The Chamber is committed to expanding the region's talent base by attracting new residents and finding new ways to connect employers to skilled workers. And, by harnessing the power of Cincinnati USA's unique offerings, implementing regional vision, and through intentional inclusion in everything we do, the Chamber is on a path to help transform this region into the hottest city in America. For more information, visit www.cincinnatichamber.com. About Medical Mutual Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual is the oldest and one of the largest health insurance companies based in Ohio. We provide peace of mind to more than 1.2 million Ohioans through our high-quality health, life, disability, dental, vision, and accident and critical illness plans. We offer fully insured and self-funded group coverage, including stop loss, as well as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Individual and Family plans. Medical Mutual's status as a mutual company means we are owned by our members, not stockholders, so we don't answer to Wall Street analysts or pay dividends to investors. Instead, we focus on developing products and services that help people live healthier through all stages of life. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801224265/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Lumos Celebrates the Launch of Its 100% Fiber-Optic Internet in Mebane, North Carolina and Honors ECU Student Entrepreneur With Grant Tweet Lumos, a leading 100% Fiber Optic Internet and Total Home Wi-Fi service provider in the Mid-Atlantic, celebrated its launch in Mebane, North Carolina, with a ribbon cutting at the Mebane Historical Museum and co-hosted by the Alamance Chamber. The company's network will provide reliable, high-speed internet service to nearly 100% of homes within Mebane city limits. It will also be the first fiber-optic internet provider for many. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801203689/en/ Lumos celebrated its launch in Mebane, North Carolina, with a ribbon cutting at the Mebane Historical Museum and co-hosted by the Alamance Chamber. The company's network will provide reliable, high-speed internet service to nearly 100% of homes within Mebane city limits. It will also be the first fiber-optic internet provider for many. (Photo: Business Wire) Across Alamance and Orange County, Lumos is building an infrastructure that will pass nearly 70,000 homes, including those in Mebane, Burlington, Gibsonville and Elon. This expansion results from significant investment by Lumos and grant funding through the N.C. GREAT Program. "We are excited to launch our service in Mebane and proud to provide coverage for nearly 100% of households witin city limits," said Brian Stading, CEO of Lumos Fiber. "Fast and reliable internet is no longer a nice-to-have, but a necessity. Our 100% Fiber Optic Internet will provide residents with a network advanced and fast enough for their work, school, health, and life needs." At the ceremony, Lumos honored East Carolina University student entrepreneur Elizabeth LaFave with a $1,500 grant for her company, Invenire, to work with the Mebane Historical Museum. Invenire is a digital platform that organizes, digitizes and advertises archival content for rural museums and libraries. The platform connects museums with a broader audience, showcasing the internet's ability to educate and connect. "Our future goal is for Invenire to be viewed as a digital learning resource reinforcing the importance of small museums and libraries," said Lafave. "Our partnership with Lumos is a vital building block in our aligned mission for digital equality." Invenire will work with the Mebane Historical Museum to digitize its core exhibits to reach more North Carolinians and future generations. "Today reflects the bridging of time periods for the benefit of Mebane," said Mayor Ed Hooks. "We have Lumos Fiber bringing cutting-edge fiber optics technology to Mebane, but Lumos is also philanthropically partnering with Mebane Historical Museum by donating the Invenire App. This app will allow our historical museum to continue its mission of collecting, preserving, and exhibiting all manner of Mebane's cultural and historical past via a new web-based technological approach, thereby making our museum as close to you as the phone in our hands no matter what part of the world we are in." To check if Lumos' 100% Fiber Optic Internet is available at your address, please visit www.lumosfiber.com/builtforthefuture. About Lumos: Lumos provides 100% Fiber Optic Internet, whole-Home Wi-Fi, voice and streaming services, to more than 225,000 homes and businesses across North Carolina and Virginia. We believe that the possibilities of tomorrow cannot be built on the infrastructure of yesterday. That's why we're building a 100% Fiber Optic network from the ground up for families, small businesses and communities, backed by local, expert customer service. An Internet built for that most hopeful of all things - the future. Because whatever the future holds, we make it faster. Learn more at www.LumosFiber.com. LinkedIn: @LumosFiber Twitter: @lumosfiber View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801203689/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Sparrow Co., Ltd. Unveils Groundbreaking Application Security Solutions at Black Hat USA 2023 Tweet LAS VEGAS, Aug. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sparrow Co., Ltd., a renowned provider of application security testing services, is set to showcase its latest innovations in application security at Black Hat USA 2023. The highly anticipated event is scheduled to take place on August 9 and 10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparrow aims to revolutionize the industry with the introduction of two groundbreaking solutions: Sparrow On-Demand and Sparrow Enterprise. Sparrow On-Demand represents a paradigm shift in application security testing. This innovative API-based service enables companies to swiftly adopt and deploy new white-labeled application security testing capabilities. It streamlines integration into existing systems, providing a quick and efficient path to bolstering service offerings and overall competitiveness. With Sparrow Enterprise, users gain access to a comprehensive suite of application security tests, including SAST, DAST, SCA, and RASP, all conveniently integrated into a single platform. This advanced solution not only emowers users to selectively adopt and perform specific security tests but also offers workflow management and automation features, facilitating the seamless deployment of DevSecOps practices. In today's landscape, cybersecurity and securing applications have become paramount concerns for governments and organizations. The escalating sophistication and frequency of cyber threats have raised the urgency to adopt stronger security measures. Security testing vendors are taking proactive measures to stay ahead of the curve, expanding their service offerings to meet the rising demands for strict security policies and practices from governments and the market. Sparrow has been at the forefront of this movement, with various vendors seeking partnerships and integrations with its cutting-edge solution. Recognizing the challenges faced by companies in integrating security solutions, Sparrow developed Sparrow On-Demand. This application security testing API enables companies to effortlessly adopt new security testing services and integrate them into their existing systems, significantly reducing the time and resources required. For companies seeking comprehensive security testing solutions to secure their applications, Sparrow Enterprise allows organizations to align their specific requirements with the most suitable security solution, making decision-making easier for customers. Sparrow caters to diverse needs with its solutions available through various deployment options, including on-premises, cloud-based SaaS, and as an API. This flexibility and scalability empower organizations to enhance application security with unparalleled ease. Attendees of Black Hat USA 2023 are invited to explore Sparrow's cutting-edge solutions, Sparrow On-Demand, and Sparrow Enterprise at the Sparrow booth (#1068). Alternatively, to learn more about how Sparrow is setting new standards in application security, visit their website at www.Sparrowfasoo.com. SOURCE Sparrow Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] FREYR Battery Announces Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Release and Conference Call Schedule FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) ("FREYR"), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, will publish a press release detailing second quarter 2023 results and conduct a conference call on August 10, 2023. The second quarter 2023 press release will be issued by 6:00 am U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (12:00 pm Central European Time). The conference call is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am Eastern Daylight Time (2:30 pm Central European Time). To access the conference call, listeners should contact the conference call operator at the appropriate number listed below approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Participant conference call dial-in numbers: United Kingdom: +44 20 4587 0498 United States: +1 646 787 9445 Spain: +34 919 01 16 44 Germany: +49 32 221098334 Sweden: +46 10 884 80 16 Switzerland: +41 22 518 90 26 The participant passcode for the call is: 424929 A webcast of the conference call will be broadcast simultaneously at https://freyr.eventcdn.net/events/freyr-q2-2023-earnings-conference-call on a listen-only basis. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay of the webcast will be available at https://ir.freyrbattery.com/events-and-presentations/Events-Calendar/default.aspx About FREYR Battery FREYR Battery aims to provide industrial scale clean battery solutions to reduce global emissions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, FREYR's mission is to produce green battery cells to accelerate the decarbonization of energy and transportation systems globally. FREYR has commenced building the first of its planned factories in Mo i Rana, Norway and announced potential development of industrial scale battery cell production in Vaasa, Finland, and the United States. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801026564/en/ [August 01, 2023] American Equity Declares 3rd Quarter 2023 Preferred Stock Dividend Tweet American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), today announced that in accordance with the terms of its 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), which is represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock (the "Series A Depositary Shares"), the Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $371.8750000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (equivalent to $0.371875000 per Series A Depositary Share). The dividend will be payable on September 1, 2023 to Series A Preferred Stock shareholders of record as of August 15, 2023. Depositary receipts for the Series A Preferred Stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol "AELPRA". Additionally, American Equity Investment Life Holding Company today announced that in accordance with the terms of its 6.625% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), which is represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000h interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock (the "Series B Depositary Shares"), the Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $414.0625000 per share of Series B Preferred Stock (equivalent to $0.414062500 per Depositary Share). The dividend will be payable on September 1, 2023 to Series B Preferred Stock shareholders of record as of August 15, 2023. Depositary receipts for the Series B Preferred Stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol "AELPRB". ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY At American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, our policyholders work with over 40,000 independent agents and advisors affiliated with independent marketing organizations (IMOs), banks and broker-dealers through our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Advisors and agents choose one of our leading annuity products best suited for their client's 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 while partnering with world renowned, public fixed income asset managers. American Equity is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa with additional offices in Charlotte, NC, New York, NY, and Miami, FL. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801784305/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] PHNOM PENH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Official results of Cambodia's general election with the allocation of seats in the National Assembly will be announced on Aug. 4, said the country's National Election Committee (NEC) on Tuesday. According to NEC's temporary results, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has won an overwhelming victory in the July 23 general election. A total of 18 political parties contested the election, which was held once every five years to elect the members of parliament for the 125-seat National Assembly. The temporary results showed that the CPP won 6,398,311 votes out of a total of 7,774,276 valid votes, and the Funcinpec Party of Prince Norodom Chakravuth received 716,490 votes. Based on the NEC's temporary results, the CPP had calculated that it had won 120 parliamentary seats, while the Funcinpec Party gained the remaining five seats. Hun Sen, who has served as the prime minister of Cambodia for more than 38 years, announced last week that he would step down on Aug. 22 and transfer the reins of power to his eldest son Hun Manet. The 70-year-old leader said the newly elected National Assembly will hold its first session on Aug. 21, and a new cabinet led by Hun Manet will be sworn in on Aug. 22. Hun Manet, 45, is currently a member of the CPP's Standing Committee and a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. [August 01, 2023] Arevon Announces Leadership Succession, Appoints Kevin Smith as Chief Executive Officer Tweet Smith brings a proven track record and more than 30 years of energy expertise to continue Arevon's growth NEW YORK and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading clean energy company in the U.S., is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin B. Smith as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 11, 2023. Smith will take over leadership of the company from John Breckenridge, who served as Arevon's CEO since its inception. Breckenridge will continue in a senior advisor role for Arevon as he moves into retirement. " Kevin Smith's knowledge, experience, and track record make him an exciting addition to our talented management team." Smith joins Arevon with more than 30 years of experience in both conventional and renewable energy. Most recently, he was CEO Americas for London-based Lightsource bp, where he drove the company's expansion in the U.S. market, with more than $4 billion in assets entering operation or construction over the last four years, while building the development team and compiling a 20,000 MW development pipeline. Prior to leading Lightsource bp's expansion in the U.S., Smith was CEO for SolarReserve, Senior Vice President at Invenergy, LLC, President of Insight Energy, and Chief Operating Officer of London-based Rolls-Royce Power Ventures. Over his career, Smith has actively led the development, financing, and construction of privately-owned energy projects in 25 states in the U.S. and more than a dozen countries across five continents, focusing on solar generation over the last 15 years. He earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and his Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue Uniersity. In a statement, the Arevon Board of Directors said, "We are delighted to welcome Kevin Smith to Arevon. Kevin's knowledge, experience, and track record of success make him an exciting addition to our talented management team, which is leading Arevon's development of renewable energy across the U.S. Arevon is committed to growing its sizable operating portfolio of more than 2,600 MW of solar and 600 MWh of storage as well as its robust development pipeline. We want to thank John Breckenridge for his strong leadership in building the company and look forward to having him in an advisory role moving forward. We wish him well as he transitions into his retirement." Kevin Smith added, "I'm excited to join Arevon and continue the company's growth in the U.S. renewable energy market. This is a critical time in the world as we face dramatic challenges related to our climate and energy supply. I look forward to working with the Arevon team to continue to bring solutions for creating a sustainable energy future for the U.S." "When we started Arevon in 2021, I was committed to forming the company and positioning it for long-term growth as the last stage of my full-time career. I will deeply miss working day-to-day with the amazing team I have had the privilege to be part of at Arevon," John Breckenridge reflected. "I have known Kevin Smith for many years and cannot think of a better person to lead Arevon through the next phase of its growth. I look forward to helping him however I can during the transition," he added. Arevon recently announced the completion of construction on its 300 MW Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar Plant located on the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada, and completed a $386 million refinancing of debt related to a portfolio of operating solar projects in Arizona, California, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Arevon is actively constructing the Eland 1 solar-plus-storage plant in Kern County, California, and the Vikings Energy Farm in Imperial County, California. About Arevon Arevon Energy, Inc. is a leading renewable energy company, supplying clean energy to utilities and corporations across North America. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., and New York City, Arevon uses innovative approaches and leading-edge technology to finance and manage projects from development through construction to long-term commercial operation. Its financial prowess and industry expertise come together to improve the structure and performance of its platform of wind, solar, and energy storage power plants. Arevon was named one of Arizona's Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023. For more information, please visit: www.arevonenergy.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arevon-announces-leadership-succession-appoints-kevin-smith-as-chief-executive-officer-301890831.html SOURCE Arevon [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 01, 2023] Enghouse Systems Completes Lifesize Acquisition Technology Addition Enhances Cloud Contact Center And Video Businesses MARKHAM, ON and AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX: ENGH) announced the successful completion of its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Lifesize, a cloud communications company. The previously announced transaction was approved under a U.S. Bankruptcy Court process for a purchase price of approximately US$ 20.7 million, subject to adjustments. Lifesize's technology offerings are designed to empower enterprises in managing their hybrid workforces efficiently. Their cloud contact center solution, which includes workforce management capabilities, enables enterprises to elevate their customer experience delivering unified interactions across all channels. In the current era of remote work and hybrid work environments, video collaboration has become critical to modern enterprises. Lifesize's powerful video solution enables remote teams to connect with in-person teams. This capability harnesses the potential of video tools such as Teams, Zoom, WebX and Enghouse Vidyo, which are fully integrated with proprietary Lifesize conference room systems. These secure, high-quality communications experiences are delivered on scalable clod architecture. With Enghouse and Lifesize joining forces, businesses utilizing the combined technologies can provide seamless collaboration and superior customer experiences. Lifesize will be integrated within the Enghouse Interactive Management Group. "Both Lifesize solutions are an excellent fit with our existing businesses," said Steve Sadler, Chairman and CEO of Enghouse. "The Lifesize omni-channel contact center solutions expand our broad portfolio of omni-channel solutions for different customer types. Lifesize's cloud-based video collaboration solutions complement our existing Vidyo suite of products in the healthcare, technology, banking and general enterprise video market." About Enghouse Systems Limited Enghouse Systems Limited is a Canadian publicly traded company (TSX:ENGH) that provides vertically focused enterprise software solutions focusing on contact centers, video communications, healthcare, telecommunications, public safety and the transit market. Enghouse has a two-pronged growth strategy that focuses on internal growth and acquisitions, which are funded through operating cash flows. The company has no external debt financing and is organized around two business segments: the Interactive Management Group and the Asset Management Group. For more information, visit www.enghouse.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enghouse-systems-completes-lifesize-acquisition-technology-addition-enhances-cloud-contact-center-and-video-businesses-301890780.html SOURCE Enghouse Systems Limited [August 01, 2023] Direct Line Global, a global leader in ICT systems integration, expands its global footprint with new office in South Korea Tweet SINGAPORE, Aug. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Line Global, a leading global technology services company providing forward thinking design, integration, installation, maintenance and managed services for mission critical environments, is expanding its investment in the APAC Data Center market with the opening of a new office in Seoul, South Korea. "Expanding our presence into South Korea is a logical progression for Direct Line as we strive to meet the increasing customer demand for sophisticated and scalable solutions in the digital infrastructure space. Leveraging Direct Line's extensive global expertise in ICT Infrastructure deployment for data centers, we remain dedicated to growing alongside our hyperscale and MTDC's clients as they expand their operations and footprint into new markets," said William Nelligan, CEO & President, Direct Line Global. South Korea continues to lead in global digital adoption through its cutting-edge ICT infrastructure and investment in 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud and more. As the first country in the world to commercialise 5G networks in 2019, today just under half of South Korea's total moble connections is powered by 5G. The country's public cloud market is also set for growth, expected to show an annual growth rate of 17.18%, resulting in a market volume of US$13.72bn by 2027. Direct Line also welcomes newly appointed Country Manager for Korea, Harry Kim. Kim joins Direct Line from Tektronix where he spent the last 15 years taking the US business from starter in South Korea to a respected and profitable local enterprise. "I am excited that we are taking on the challenge to deliver our trademark services to a new market and have full confidence in our team's ability to deliver results for us in South Korea and make Direct Line the 'go to' partner for all data center ICT infrastructure needs," said Matthew Roberts, General Manager, APAC. Direct Line Current reach and expansion plans Our comprehensive geographical coverage (USA, Asia Pacific, and Europe) enables us to identify and react swiftly to new trends and opportunities. This is the sixth major addition to Direct Line's global network in recent months, taking the footprint to 12 office locations across 5 countries. Across APAC, Direct Line currently has offices with Accredited Training Facilities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Philippines with imminent plans to open new offices Indonesia and Malaysia. About Direct Line Global: Direct Line is a leading global technology services company, specializing in forward-thinking design, integration, installation, maintenance, and managed services for mission critical environments. For over 25 years we have been helping data center owners, developers and operators with their IT infrastructure challenges. With over 12 offices across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, Direct Line is the preferred mission critical IT Infrastructure deployment partner for global hyperscalers and MTDC's, globally. Website www.dl-global.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/direct-line-global-a-global-leader-in-ict-systems-integration-expands-its-global-footprint-with-new-office-in-south-korea-301890114.html SOURCE Direct Line Global [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Lots of items to consider for late night & early morning readers as we check police action, court cases, ALLEGED misdeeds and more public information . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Founder of KC nonprofit focused on preventing re-incarceration is charged with murder Na'im Al-Amin founded Swagg Inc. in 2019. He's received praise and support from across Kansas City in the years since. Missouri governor rejects mercy plea from man set to be executed for killing 6-year-old girl Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday that the state will proceed with this week's planned execution of a man who abducted and killed a 6-year-old girl nearly two decades ago. Family of Kansas City mass shooting victim pursuing legislation for stricter gun laws in Missouri The family of victim killed in a Kansas City, Missouri, mass shooting is now pursuing legislation for stricter gun laws. 15-year-old charged after Lenexa 16-year-old shot in face A 15-year-old is now facing charges after a Lenexa teen was shot in the face over the weekend near 91st Street and Pflumm Road. Alleged Olathe East shooter receives 2-week continuance in court Monday Jaylon Elmore, the 19-year-old accused of shooting a school resource officer and former assistant principal at Olathe East High School last year, appeared in court Monday. Family of Liberty man killed in hit-and-run asking for help Family of the 30-year-old Liberty man who died is asking for help in finding out what happened to their loved one, urging the person responsible to come forward. Kansas City area woman killed in pedestrian crash in Hickory County A woman from Raymore, Missouri, near Kansas City, has died after being hit by a car Monday afternoon in Hickory County. Missouri Gov. Parson signs bill providing 'first-responder' resources to 911 dispatchers Among legislation signed earlier this month by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is a bill that 911 dispatchers and telecommunication workers hope will improve their working conditions. Crime Stoppers looks to dispel misconception that its TIPS Hotline is a branch of the KCPD In 41 years, no one has ever been identified as one of the lines anonymous tipsters Some places have struggled to reverse the trend. Cleveland and Kansas City, Missouri, have both seen homicides spike more than 25% compared to last year. Memphis continues to grapple with a deadly surge. Homicides trending down in major cities across the country After seeing a spike during the pandemic, major cities across the country are starting to see homicide numbers fall but rates remain above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Developing . . . Follow-up and official statement as this sordid story that has sparked nationwide interest following deets of an alleged sex dungeon . . . A spokesperson for the prosecutors office said they requested the bond increase because of new details in the case that create a greater concern for the communitys safety . . . Our office is working closely with law enforcement to gather all evidence and information that is needed to build the strongest case possible and deliver justice for Jaynie Crosdale, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said. The prosecutors office believes it will retain jurisdiction on Hasletts case regarding this new development. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Per ushe . . . Our blog community predicted action against guns would dominate Mayor Q's agenda going forward. Here's news fact after TKC first word . . . The mayor will announce new gun violence prevention measures during his inauguration at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Prior to the inauguration, he will be joined by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Mom's Demand Action executive director Angela Ferrell-Zabala at a gun violence prevention roundtable and listening session. Lucas told Shively and Hemness that the city's proposals will aim to limit the transfer of ammunition to minors and ban the possession of switches, which are devices that can modify handguns into fully-automatic weapons. "Some of our more prominent shootings this summer that have been in clubs and others that have hit lots of people are a result of those types of devices," Lucas said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas discusses plan to curb gun violence with KSHB 41 News On the morning of his inauguration, Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas sat down with KSHB 41 News anchors Lindsay Shively and Taylor Hemness to discuss efforts to stop violence in the city. 'More work to do': KCMO Mayor Lucas announces gun violence, affordable housing policies during inauguration Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas addressed the city at his inauguration Tuesday morning, reflecting on his first term as mayor and looking ahead to what the future holds. Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas and City Council sworn into office for 2023-2027 term 13 council members and the mayor will all be sworn in Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Developing . . . Actually, we'd appreciate Rep. Sharice Davids taking a 2nd look at her position on community policing throughout her career . . . Here's a bit of promo and fair play criticism . . . She said the goal was to learn more about the daily duties of local law enforcement and what federal resources they need to keep the community safe. "Its just important, I think, for someone in a federal position, Im making decisions about resources and how federal resources are going to come back to our community," Davids said. Last year, Davids secured funding for the Olathe Police Department and announced federal resources to hire more officers in Wyandotte County. Remember . . . In 2021 a national GOP committee lodged this complaint . . . "(Rep.) Sharice Davids voted AGAINST condemning the radical Defund the Police movement and voted to make it harder for local law enforcement to protect their communities." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Social media braggadocio from Missouri progressives earned swift rebuke from the top ranking politico in the Show-Me State. Credit to Talker Pete Mundo and journalist John Combest for highlighting the debate. Pete noted this truism . . . "And Missouri Dems wonder why they are now irrelevant statewide..." Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap and tweet link . . . You decide . . . Here's the latest beach water quality report from Toronto Public Health as of Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. GUANGZHOU, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's leading express firm, YTO Express, announced that it will launch three air freight routes from the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou to India from Monday to Wednesday. The three new international air freight routes will link Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi in India. It is rare in the industry for cargo airlines to open international routes so intensively. It is also the first time for the Baiyun airport to launch three air routes operated by the same airline company in three consecutive days, which indicates the Guangzhou international air cargo market has ushered in a development period of acceleration, said the Guangdong Airport Authority (GAA). The three air routes will be operated by the B767-300 freighter, with one round trip scheduled weekly for each route. The full load of a freighter can reach about 50 tonnes of goods, and the flights will mainly carry cargo, including electronic products, auto parts, textiles, machinery, and equipment. The new air services are estimated to add about 8,000 tonnes to the Baiyun airport's annual international cargo throughput, which is expected to greatly facilitate the economic and trade exchanges between Guangzhou and South Asia. Previously, the air freight routes between China and South Asia mainly started from cities like Kunming and Nanning. The body of a man was found at the Port Mall in Scarborough this morning. The victim was sho From February 24, 2022 to July 31, 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 246,190 Russian military personnel, including 490 soldiers over the past day. This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published on Facebook. Moreover, the Ukrainian troops destroyed 4,211 (+6 over the past day) enemy tanks, 8,188 (+10) armored combat vehicles, 4,816 (+21) artillery systems, 699 (+1) MLRS, 460 (+1) air defense systems, 315 aircraft, 311 helicopters, 4,017 (+6) operational-tactical UAVs, 1,347 cruise missiles, 18 ships/boats, 7,292 (+17) vehicles and fuel tanks, 715 (+4) special equipment units. As reported, missile and artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit an enemy anti-aircraft missile system, eight artillery systems on firing positions, two electronic warfare stations, and two personnel clusters over the past day. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and BAYKAR MAKINA Turkish company signed an agreement to establish an UAV repair and maintenance service center in Ukraine. "A service center for the repair and maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles will be established in Ukraine. The document on its construction was signed today between the Ministry of Defense and BAYKAR MAKINA Turkish company. This was done in the development of the Ukraine-Turkiye framework agreement on cooperation in the field of high technologies, aviation, and space," the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine posted on Telegram. According to State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kostiantyn Vashchenko, the center will be established in the near future. "We are moving forward and it is important for us to create our own base to service drones in Ukraine. This joint project will lay the foundation of our systemic work. Special gratitude to the BAYKAR company for its contribution to boosting the capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression," the Ministry's press service quotes Vashchenko as saying. As reported, on July 10, Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin announced that Baykar started to build a factory for the production of Bayraktar drones in Ukraine. Belarus may be seeking to sign a contract with Iran for the production of Shahed drones on its territory. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said this in a new report, according to Ukrinform. According to the report, Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin arrived in Iran on July 31 and met with his counterpart, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and a bilateral military cooperation plan for 2023. "Ashtiani is primarily responsible for negotiating military acquisitions and sales in his role as Iranian Defense Minister, so Khrenin and Ashtiani likely discussed arms deals during their meeting. Belarus may have also been seeking to secure an agreement on Iranian production of Shahed drones on the territory of Belarus following initial reports that Iran was seeking to convert a plant in Belarus' Gomel Oblast into a Shahed production plant," the U.S.-based think tank said. The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that in the early hours of August 1, the Ukrainian Armed Forces tried to attack the Russian Black Sea Fleet's patrol ships Sergey Kotov and Vasily Bykov. The ministry reported this on its Telegram channel, according to Ukrinform. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the incident occurred in the southwestern part of the Black Sea, 340 kilometers southwest of the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol. Three sea drones were used in the attack and were destroyed, the ministry said. On July 25, the Russian military also blamed Ukraine for attacking the Sergey Kotov ship in the Black Sea. Two unscrewed surface vessels were allegedly used and the attack was allegedly repelled. The Sergey Kotov ship went on patrol to the southern part of the Black Sea shortly after Moscow announced its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. A train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway leaves the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A train coded C2551 slowly pulled out of the Beijing South Railway Station and headed for Tianjin Binhai New Area Tuesday morning, marking the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. Over the past 15 years, the daily frequency of trains running on the rail line has increased from 47 pairs to 128 pairs, and the shortest departure interval has been shortened from 15 minutes to 3 minutes, according to data from the China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd. Wang Manman, a resident of Wuqing District, Tianjin Municipality, takes the bullet train to work in Beijing every day. The quickest journey takes only about 20 minutes, and there are eleven trains for her to choose flexibly during the morning rush hour from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The operation of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in August 2008 was strong support for the hosting of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and has accelerated regional integration and development. It has also unveiled a fast-expanding modern HSR network in the world's most populous nation, coupled with its booming economy. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. High-speed trains have changed people's commute circle and lifestyle and greatly optimized resource allocation, noted Cheng Shidong, a transport official with the National Development and Reform Commission. Passengers wait to board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Tianjin Railway Station in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Passengers wait to board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Tianjin Railway Station in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Passengers are pictured aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) A passenger shows a ticket he bought on Aug. 1, 2008 when the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway started operation at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Passengers wait to board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2023 shows the waiting hall of the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) A train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway (L) waits for passengers at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) A conductor presents a 15th-anniversary souvenir to a passenger aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, it has carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) A conductor presents a 15th-anniversary souvenir to a passenger aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) A driver is on duty aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, July 26, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Passengers board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway leaving the Tanggu Station in north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway about to enter the Tanggu Station in north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) A trio of civilian cargo ships - one each from Israel and Greece plus one with Turkish-Georgian registration - ran the Russian blockade in the Black Sea on Sunday, July 30, and anchored at one of Ukraine's grain ports on the Danube Delta. That's according to Forbes, Ukrinform reports. According to the article, this is the first time that foreign ships arrived in Ukrainian ports after Russia's refusal to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative. According to Forbes, a flock of NATO aircraft carefully monitored the ships as they sailed toward Izmail. The vessels presumably will load grain in Izmail then sail back into the Black Sea and onward to foreign ports. The Israeli vessel with the ship-tracking handle Ams1, as well as the Greek vessel with the handle Sahin 2, sailed north from the Bosporus Strait, while the Turkish-Georgian Yilmaz Kaptan sailed west from northern Turkey. Overhead, no fewer than four NATO warplanes patrolled: a U.S. Navy P-8 patrol plane, a U.S. Army Challenger with a surface-scanning radar, a U.S. Air Force RQ-4 drone and an E-3 early-warning plane from NATO. None of the planes routinely carries weapons, but NATO fighters - including Italian Eurofighters and Romanian F-16s - were nearby in Romania. The three cargo ships made no effort to obscure their intentions. They all switched on their radio transponders, making their location and course visible to anyone with access to the internet and ship-tracking websites. "Reports of three civilian ships sailing to Ukraine unhindered may suggest that Russia is either unwilling or unable to enforce such searches at this time," the media outlet said, citing the Institute for the Study of War in Washington. On July 17, Russia announced the termination of its agreement with Turkey and the UN regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative. After that, the Russian Defense Ministry said it would consider all ships bound for Ukrainian ports as military targets. Photo: U.S. NAVY For the second time in a day, a missile danger was announced throughout Ukraine due to the takeoff of a MiG-31K. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine issued a warning on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. "The missile danger throughout Ukraine is related to the activity of the MiG-31K in the airspace of the Russian Federation," the statement said. As reported, in Kherson, during the shelling, the Russian military hit a medical facility, killing a doctor and injuring a nurse. The events in Niger show that Russia has a global scenario for provoking instability in the world in order to undermine the global security order. This was tweeted by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, according to Ukrinform. It is now absolutely clear that Russia is behind the so-called military coup in Niger. It is a standard Russian tactic: to divert attention, seize the moment and expand the conflict. The support expressed to the rebels by representatives of pro-Russian Mali and Burkina Faso (where the Wagner PMC plays an active role) only adds to the belief that Russia has a global scenario for provoking instability to undermine the global security order, Podolyak said In his opinion, It's time to draw the right conclusion: only the removal of Putin's clan and sending Russia to the political rebirth can guarantee the inviolability of rules and stability to the world. As reported, thousands of supporters of the military junta that came to government earlier this week in Niger marched in the capital Niamey on July 30, many of them waving Russian flags and shouting the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Before the coup, Niger was considered the West's most reliable partner in the fight against jihadists in the Sahel region. Ukraine has condemned the coup in the Republic of Niger. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejected any attempts at a violent, illegitimate change in the constitutional order. The UN recorded 748 civilian casualties in Ukraine in July, while total losses since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, according to the organization, are 9,369 killed and 16,646 injured. From 1 to 30 July 2023, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 748 civilian casualties in Ukraine: 143 killed (77 men, 56 women, 2 boys, 2 girls, as well as 6 adults whose sex is not yet known), and 605 injured (239 men, 221 women, 20 boys, 15 girls, as well as 8 children and 102 adults whose sex is not yet known), reads the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). As noted, 96% of cases out of the total number of killed and injured were caused by explosive weapons with wide area effects. Mines and explosive remnants of war account for 4%. In total, since the start of the large-scale armed attack by the Russian Federation to 30 July 2023, OHCHR recorded 26,015 civilian casualties in Ukraine: 9,369 killed and 16,646 injured. OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration. This concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk region), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (Luhansk region), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties. Ukraine's defense forces are destroying the enemy's defensive and offensive potential so that the enemy could not seize the tactical initiative. Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said this on national television, commenting on the destruction of enemy air defense systems that cannot intercept Ukrainian drones. "Our Ukrainian Armed Forces have the task of moving forward and liberating our territories, and the fulfillment of such a task is always linked to the need to destroy the enemy's defensive and offensive forces, so the enemy is trying to seize the initiative, because now we have the tactical initiative and we are advancing. But this is a shaky situation and it is constantly necessary to defend this status of the party that now has the tactical initiative. Therefore, our soldiers destroy their potential every day so that they cannot seize this initiative and put up as little resistance as possible. Because the resistance to our offensive actions both in the east and in the south is unprecedentedly high. And the fact that electronic warfare stations are being destroyed, weapon depots are being destroyed, enemy missile launchers are things that were supposed to fight against us, they were supposed to be moved here, but thanks to our Armed Forces, this will not happen," Maliar said. She added that enemy forces are suffering heavy losses in all directions where they are trying to advance. When asked about drones that attacked Moscow, she said: "The defense forces do not comment on this matter." In addition, she did not rule out that the situation in Russia would get more complicated. "The fact that the situation in Russia is becoming more complicated is predictable. You don't need to be an expert here that the state, which entered into such a serious war, destroys itself first of all from within," she said. Earlier reports said that several drones attacked the Russian capital early on August 1, one of them hitting the building of the Moscow City business center. On Saturday, July 30, explosions rang out in Moscow. The building of the IQ-Quarter complex in the Moscow City business center was damaged in a drone attack. Ukraine's defense forces are continuing an offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors, with 26 combat clashes recorded across the front line on Tuesday, August 1. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports. In total, throughout the day, Ukrainian aircraft carried out nine strikes on Russian troops, including seven strikes on personnel and equipment concentration areas, one strike on a command post, and one more strike on the enemy's anti-aircraft missile system. For their part, units of the Ukrainian rocket and artillery forces hit ten artillery pieces, four electronic warfare stations, four command posts, an area of concentration of weapons and military equipment, five air defense systems, three personnel concentration areas and two more important enemy targets. Today, the Russian army carried out one missile strike, 49 air strikes and 33 attacks using MLRS on the positions of Ukrainian forces and populated areas. Civilian casualties were reported. The General Staff said the probability of Russia carrying out missile and air strikes on targets across Ukraine remains high. On the Volyn and Polissia axis, the operational situation has not changed significantly. On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axis, Russian troops shelled more than 20 settlements with mortars and artillery, including Halahanivka in the Chernihiv region, Atynske, Basivka and Rozhkovychi in the Sumy region, as well as Udy, Kozacha Lopan, Petropavlivka and Nesterne in the Kharkiv region. On the Kupiansk axis, the settlements of Topoli, Kamianka, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kupiansk and Kyslivka of the Kharkiv region all came under artillery and mortar fire from the Russians. On the Lyman axis, the invaders fired artillery at Nevske and Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Verkhniokamianske, Spirne and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region. On the Bakhmut axis, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to recapture the positions they lost north and west of Klishchiivka, Donetsk region. More than ten settlements came under enemy artillery shelling, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske and Bila Hora in the Donetsk region. On the Avdiivka axis, Ukrainian defense forces successfully repelled enemy attacks near Avdiivka under heavy fire from Russian aircraft and artillery. More than ten settlements, including Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Karlivka and Novobakhmutivka of the Donetsk region, were hit by enemy artillery. On the Marinka axis, Ukrainian forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops outside the city of Marinka. The invaders carried out an airstrike in the Krasnohorivka area, shelling more than ten settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Pobieda and Hostre of the Donetsk region. On the Shakhtarske axis, the Russian army attacked the areas of Blahodatne and Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region. The enemy also made unsuccessful attempts to take back the positions they lost east of Staromaiorske, with artillery attacking more than ten settlements, including Vuhledar, Vodiane, Blahodatne, and Zolota Nyva of the Donetsk region. On the Zaporizhzhia axis, Russian troops are concentrating their main efforts on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian defense forces. More than 15 settlements, including Novodarivka, Bilohiria, Orikhiv and Kamianske of the Zaporizhzhia region, came under artillery fire from the Russians. The invaders carried out an airstrike near Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region. On the Kherson axis, Russian artillery attacked more than ten settlements, including Kherson, Sadove, Tokarivka, Antonivka and Mykhailivka. Russian occupiers will strongly feel the consequences of the work of Ukraines defense and security forces. The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The full text of the speech is provided below: I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! This day began with very informative reports from representatives of the defense and security forces of our country. Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Malyuk and Minister of Internal Affairs Klymenko on the liquidation of the consequences of Russian terrorists' attacks on our cities: Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Kherson, and our other cities. General Zaluzhny reported on the general situation in the defense. Generals Syrsky and Tarnavsky reported on the front and specific directions. Commander of the Air Force Oleshchuk reported on the results of the use of air defense. "We are constantly working with our partners on a daily basis to bolster our sky shield, step by step we are adding protection. There was also a separate detailed report by Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Budanov - the occupiers will definitely feel the consequences of our work. They will feel it strongly. We are preparing a number of international events - this week will be very important for Ukraine and our foreign policy. A month remains before the start of the new political season in our partner countries. And we will do everything possible to make this season as conducive as possible to our movement forward, to victory, to our desire to restore peace for the whole of Ukraine - without exception. More political support for Ukraine. More weapons for our warriors. Full responsibility of the terrorist state for everything it has done against Ukraine, against our cities, villages, and people. And today I would like to honor our warriors from the areas in Donbas and the south of our country more specifically, by name. Warriors whose bravery and courage are special. The story of each of them is a true heroism! Soldier Andriy Kalkutin, the 56th separate motorized infantry brigade of Mariupol. Soldier Pavlo Karasiov, the 28th separate mechanized brigade. Soldier Viktor Konstantiuk, the 30th separate mechanized brigade. Soldier Roman Sydorchuk, the 33rd separate mechanized brigade. Senior Soldier Andriy Hora, the 5th separate assault brigade. Senior Soldier Dmytro Humeniuk, the 214th separate special battalion. Senior Soldier Mykola Zaruchevskyi, the 55th separate artillery brigade. Senior Soldier Yaroslav Ilkiv, the 24th separate mechanized brigade. Junior Sergeant Taras Vozniuk, the 3rd separate assault brigade. Junior Sergeant Serhiy Savchuk, the 36th separate marine brigade. Well done, guys! Junior Sergeants Mykola Paytsan and Mykhailo Shcherban, Sergeant Ihor Apolitov - all three are from the 65th separate mechanized brigade. Junior Sergeant Ruslan Kryvalets, the 110th separate mechanized brigade. Sergeant Serhiy Datskiv, the 25th Sicheslav separate airborne brigade. Sergeant Oleksandr Pshenychuk, the 47th separate mechanized brigade. Senior Sergeant Andriy Samohalskyi, the 22nd separate mechanized brigade. Lieutenant Ihor Lytvyn, the 57th separate motorized infantry brigade. Major Yaroslav Volianskyi, the 44th separate artillery brigade. I thank you, guys, for the enemies you destroyed and for the brothers you saved! I am proud of your results! You are our pride, you are the pride of Ukraine. Glory to all our warriors! Glory to everyone who is fighting for Ukraine, who is helping us bring our victory closer! Glory to Ukraine! Photo, video: Office of the President of Ukraine Slovakia handed over two Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine as part of an assistance package financed by Denmark, Germany, and Norway. The handover of weapons took place at the Konstrukta-Defence enterprise in the city of Dubnica nad Vahom. The event was attended by Prime Minister of Slovakia Ludovit Odor, Minister of Defense of Slovakia Martin Sklenar, the ambassadors of Ukraine, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovakia reports. According to the Prime Minister of Slovakia, the project for the production of self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine is an example of how international cooperation works and proof of joint solidarity with Ukraine. "The protection of Ukraine and the ability to resist Russian aggression are in our common interests. A world in which rules have no effect and international rules are not respected is unacceptable to us. Our duty is to help where we can and how we can," Odor said. In total, the current assistance package includes 16 pieces of equipment, two of which will soon enter service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Such combat vehicles cost 92 million euros. As reported, in January, Slovakia sent the last of the eight Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers purchased by Ukraine. At the same time, the General Staff reported that after the fulfillment of this Ukrainian order, Slovakia will produce 16 more Zuzana 2 howitzers which will be financed by Denmark, Germany, and Norway. Zuzana self-propelled howitzer is equipped with a 155 mm howitzer with a 52 calibre barrel length and a maximum range of 41 km. It can fire up to six rounds per minute. Photos: Yaroslava Borzova The state budget of Ukraine received a grant of $1.25 billion from the United States through the World Bank's Multi-Donor Trust Fund. According to Ukrinform, Ukraine's Ministry of Finance reported this. "In 2023, Ukraine has already received $8.45 billion in direct budget support grants from the United States. Since Russia's full-scale war, the state budget of Ukraine has already received $20.4 billion in grants from the U.S.," the statement said. The grant was provided as part of the fifth additional funding under the Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) Project. The aim of the project is to partially compensate for state budget expenditures, including social and humanitarian expenditures not related to security and defense. The grant funding will be used to reimburse state budget expenditures, in particular, to pay salaries to government employees and payments under certain state social assistance programs (IDPs, people with disabilities, low-income families, housing and utility subsidies) and other social benefits. "The non-repayable financial assistance from the United States is an extremely important element in supporting the state budget of Ukraine in its resistance to Russia's full-scale war of aggression. Another grant will help the Government of Ukraine to reimburse the priority expenditures in the social and humanitarian sphere," Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko said. The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, together with the World Bank, is implementing the PEACE in Ukraine Project and ensuring the transparency of the attraction and use of funds provided by development partners. In cooperation with Deloitte Consulting, which implements the USAID SOERA project, the Ministry of Finance monitors the use of direct budget support from the U.S. Government. Finance Ministry with the auditing company PriceWaterhouseCoopers Ukraine conducts an audit according to agreed procedures to determine the eligible public expenditures made by Ukraine in 2022 under the Project. Currently, Ukraine is implementing a joint project with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) to support public expenditures for sustainable public administration in Ukraine for a total of $16.5 billion and 1.4 billion (IBRD loans, IDA loans, and grants from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund). As Ukrinform reported, on July 25, the state budget received the sixth tranche of 1.5 billion of large-scale macro-financial assistance (MFA) from the EU, bringing the total amount of funding under the MFA program to 18 billion. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman agreed on the use of Croatian ports for the export of Ukrainian grain. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reports, Ukrainian food exports became an important topic of the ministerial negotiations in view of the Russian Federations withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. "We agreed on the possibility of using Croatian ports on the Danube and the Adriatic Sea for the transportation of Ukrainian grain. We will now work on laying the most efficient routes to these ports and making the most of this opportunity. Every contribution to unlocking exports, every door opened is a real, effective contribution to global food security. I thank Croatia for its constructive assistance," Kuleba emphasized. The ministers also discussed Zagrebs security assistance to Kyiv. "The main topic of our negotiations today, as traditionally with other partners, was weapons. We discussed further support from Croatia and I also thanked for the assistance already provided. For obvious reasons, I will not share the details. I will only say that there are concrete agreements that will soon be implemented. Separately, I would like to note that the aid provided by Croatia is very solid if counting its share in the overall military budget of this country," Kuleba noted. The top diplomats focused on the preparation for the International Donor Conference for Mine Clearance in Ukraine which will be held in Zagreb in October. Kuleba expressed his gratitude to Croatia, which took on the role of one of the global leaders in demining Ukraine. The ministers devoted a significant part of the negotiations to the implementation of President Zelenskys Peace Formula. "The Croatian side confirmed its readiness to participate in the implementation of a number of points of the Peace Formula: on food security, energy security, restoration of respect for the UN Charter and territorial integrity of Ukraine, achieving accountability for Russian crimes, and preventing ecocide. We are very grateful. This is exactly the specifics that we expect from other countries and we continue to work together on implementing the Peace Formula and holding a relevant summit," said the foreign minister of Ukraine. As reported, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman arrived in Ukraine on Monday, July 31, and already visited Hostomel in Kyiv region. BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Central Military Commission (CMC) has released a guideline on fully enhancing Party building while centering on the goals set for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army. Stressing upholding absolute Party leadership over the people's armed forces, the guideline focused on the key tasks in building the military and laid out requirements for strengthening Party building in the military. The system of ultimate responsibility resting with the CMC chairman should be implemented by higher standards and stricter requirements, the guideline read. It called for efforts to regularize and institutionalize political education. The unified and collective leadership of Communist Party of China committees should be strengthened, and the work in planning and conducting combats should be deepened and solidified, according to the guideline. The guideline also asked Party members in the military to carry out solid work and assume responsibility. It underlined meeting the requirements for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance in the armed forces. In the last six months alone, Russia has imported $502 million worth of sanctioned Western chips, millions of dollars worth of machine tools for the defense industry, at least $171 million worth of spare parts for civil aviation, and $389 million worth of iPhones. According to Ukrinform, Verstka publication stated this. The journalists managed to calculate the volume of sanctioned goods imported to Russia for the period from January 1 to July 1, 2023, using closed customs statistics. They also found out how the illegal supply schemes work. Thus, according to the publication, despite the sanctions, Russia continues to receive dual-use chips that can be used for missile production. Over the past six months, the Russian authorities have cleared goods from American companies Analog Devices Inc. worth over $98 million, Xilinx - more than $75 million, Microchip Technology - over $42 million, Texas Instruments - at least $38 million, and Infineon, Germany's largest semiconductor manufacturer, - over $28 million. Marvell, Cypress Semiconductor, and Atmel products totaling about $18 million were also imported into Russia. In addition, products of the American Intel and AMD, including microprocessors, were imported to Russia for over $169 million and $35 million, respectively. Hundreds of companies import dual-use chips to Russia. In this list, journalists found that 11 out of the 25 largest importers are direct suppliers of Russian military-industrial enterprises. Sanctions were imposed on Analog Devices Inc. importers - VMK and Testkomplekt, which are suppliers to Rostec companies. The sanctions imposed in January did not hinder their operations. Year to date, they have imported components worth about $20 million. In addition, year to date, Unimatik has freely imported into Russia machines made by Italian O.M.V. and German Arinstein worth at least $5 million. Moreover, in some cases, the sender was the manufacturer itself. For example, in May, Unimatik imported milling machines that were shipped from Italy by O.M.V. Officine itself, despite the fact that this type of product is still under EU export control. One of Unimatik's main government customers is Plant No. 9, Russia's leading tank gun manufacturer, Verstka reports. In addition, according to the publication's estimates, Russia's four largest airlines - Aeroflot, S7, Pobeda, and Rossiya - have imported $47 million, $35 million, $13 million, and $15 million worth of aircraft parts into the country year to date, respectively. Almost all of the components are from Western manufacturers. Read also: Japan extends sanctions against Russia The key re-export destinations are China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Turkiye. The countries of the former USSR - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Uzbekistan - play an important role. According to Verstka, supplies from the European Union go through Italy, Germany, and Estonia (it is noted that the Estonian company Elmec Trade OU has already been included in the U.S. sanctions list). In the investigation, the journalists outlined a scheme for supplying Russia with sanctioned products: a company is registered in a third country, which either buys the required goods on the domestic market or orders them directly from the manufacturer and re-exports them to Russia. Overall, according to the source, it has become more difficult to import goods into Russia compared to last year. Suppliers have begun to deal with this, in particular by tracking deliveries through third countries. As Ukrinform reported, the day before, the EU decided to extend restrictive measures against Russia in connection with its war of aggression against Ukraine for another six months - until January 31, 2024. At the same time, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the State Department announced on Thursday additional sanctions against Russia. They limit primarily its military capabilities, as well as its revenue opportunities and access to high technology. The seizure and confiscation of Russian assets is one of the most pressing and complex issues for global politicians today According to Volodymyr Lugovskyy, an ethnic Ukrainian professor of economics at Indiana University, there are both real and fictitious risks of confiscation and seizure of $300 billion of Russian assets, which are located mainly in the EU, Japan, Germany, and the U.S. The most significant risk is Russia's counterclaims in the International Court of Justice, and the trial itself could take many years. The economic risks of confiscation of Russian assets are fictitious and are voiced mainly by Russia's supporters, who are numerous around the world. RISKS OF CONFISCATION OF ASSETS OF THE AGGRESSOR STATE - What are the actual risks of seizure and confiscation of Russian assets? - Russia has a domestic debt that is as large as the frozen assets, estimated at $350 billion. If Russia's frozen assets are confiscated, there is a risk that Russia will default in response. In other words, Russia may declare that if its assets are confiscated, it has the right not to repay this debt. All these countries the EU, Japan, Germany, and the U.S. - face the risk of not getting these funds back. The second risk is that the process takes a long time and the possibility of lawsuits from Russia. - Are there any precedents for such lawsuits in the world? - Yes, for example, we can look at the case of the seizure of Iranian assets by the U.S. In 1983, Iran attacked a military base in Lebanon, killing 241 American and 58 French servicemen. The U.S. court found Iran guilty only 20 years later, in 2003, and nine years later, in 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these assets should be confiscated for the benefit of the families of the victims of the bombing. Four years later, in 2016, Iran decided that it wanted some of this money back and filed a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice, the famous Hague court, that is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. In fact, quite recently, in March of this year, 2023, this court recognized that Iran is right, and part of this money should be returned to Iran. The vice-president of the International Court of Justice is a representative of the Russian Federation, Kirill Gevorgian, who has been doing all the publicity related to this case and has written why the US should pay. In addition, the court has representatives from China, Brazil, and other potential countries that may be associated with Russia. So, there is a risk that Russia will try to get its money back. Even though it is challenging from a legal point of view, there is a political will to confiscate Russian assets in favor of Ukraine. It is good news because sooner or later, Russia will sue to get this money back, with the countries where these assets will be confiscated, but not with Ukraine directly. - What about the risks to the global banking system? - The dynamics show that central banks prefer to keep reserves not in the EU or the U.S. but are beginning to move some of the reserves to their own countries, transferring them from currencies to gold. In terms of information warfare, Russia has resources and many supporters. Some of them have invested money in Russia and want to get it back, and they understand that seizing Russian assets will reduce the likelihood of this happening. Some voices are manipulated directly by Russia and encouraged to express these concerns. Russia is less than 2% of the world's GDP, so confiscating Russian assets would have a minor event for the global economy. Symbolically, the confiscation of Russian assets may frighten some dictatorships that already know that once they cross the line, their assets will be seized, so they accept that risk and still prefer to keep their savings in the EU or the U.S. rather than offshore in China or their own countries. I think the people raising these concerns are motivated by the Russian Federation, which has a massive network of representatives in many countries, including the EU and Asian countries. MECHANISMS FOR THE SEIZURE OF RUSSIAN ASSETS - Canada became the first Western country to legislate the possibility of seizing Russian assets under sanctions to help rebuild Ukraine. Should each country develop its own mechanism for confiscating Russian assets, or is it more reasonable to act together? - Canada has over 10% of its population of Ukrainian descent and is very sympathetic to Ukraine. In addition, some of Canada's actions are coordinated with the U.S., and the countries can act together as a bloc. No one wants to be the only country to seize Russian assets and face the Russian confrontation alone. Now, countries are trying to make a joint decision at the political level. If Russia decides to file a lawsuit, it will be suing several countries, making it politically difficult for Russia to win the case. - In June, members of the U.S. Senate introduced a bill to provide additional assistance to Ukraine using assets confiscated from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and other sovereign Russian assets. What are the political prospects of this document? - Next year, there will be a presidential election in the U.S., but most Republicans and Democrats support actions to confiscate Russian assets. I think the Senate will support this bill, but it is difficult to predict the decision of Congress. And it still needs to be approved by the President, which is a matter of time. The next U.S. presidential election may pose a risk, as preliminary polls suggest that Donald Trump may become the Republican candidate, and it is difficult to predict the course of the presidential elections. In any case, confiscating Russian assets will require legislative changes but lead to the final seizure of frozen assets for the benefit of Ukraine. Oleksandra Klitina, Kyiv The Government of Croatia donated 1 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to help Ukraine demine agricultural land. This is stated on the WFPs website. We highly value the support of partners who provide donor and international technical assistance for demining projects in Ukraine, particularly Croatia, which possesses significant demining expertise, said First Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko. The agreement on assistance was signed by Gordan Grlic Radman, Foreign Minister of Croatia, and Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Country Director in Ukraine, in the presence of Svyrydenko. As noted, the 1 million contribution is Croatias largest ever donation to the UN World Food Programme. The funds will support a collaborative project led jointly by the UN World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in conjunction with WFPs partner for mine action, the Fondation suisse de deminage (FSD). The project aims to survey productive agricultural land for the presence of mines and other explosives, demine it where necessary, and release it safely to restore food production and support the livelihoods of rural communities. The project will also extend support to farmers in rehabilitating soils and re-establishing their agricultural production once the lands are deemed safe. The work is already underway in Kharkiv region with plans to expand to Mykolayiv and Kherson regions. Newly appointed Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have discussed further support for Ukraine. Blair reported this on his Twitter account, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "The United States is our closest friend and ally and today, I spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. We discussed our work to modernize NORAD, support Ukraine, stand with our NATO allies, and promote a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific," the statement said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reshuffled his government last week, replacing the minister of national defense. Blair earlier headed the Ministry of Public Safety. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a combined organization of the United States and Canada that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for Canada and the continental United States. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and United Kingdom Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons have held a meeting and coordinated steps to enhance cooperation between the two countries. The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to the Prime Minister, the United Kingdom made a significant contribution to Ukraines stability in its struggle against the Russian aggressor. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the United Kingdom has been one of the leaders in terms of providing support for Ukraine. Shmyhal thanked Simmons for assistance and personal efforts in the development of cooperation. We appreciate the efforts to consolidate partners around Ukraines victory and restoration, Shmyhal stressed. In his words, the conference in London produced significant results that will help with Ukraines reconstruction and the implementation of reforms. The Prime Minister also thanked the Government and people of the United Kingdom for their solidarity. Photo: Denys Shmyhal, Facebook On July 31, Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman honored the memory of the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933. "I and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman honored the memory of the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933," Kondratiuk posted on Facebook. She thanked the Croatian government and parliament which recently officially recognized the Holodomor as the genocide against the Ukrainian people. Kondratiuk noted that the Parliament adopted the decision on June 28, 2023, on the Constitution Day of Ukraine, which, according to her, testifies to friendly Croatia's deep understanding of the importance of restoring historical justice for the Ukrainian people. "Today, with its aggression in Ukraine, Russia is also committing genocide, in fact, using the same methods. They seek to destroy the Ukrainian people, our language, faith and culture. They are destroying grain stocks and attacking our agricultural farms, trying to provoke a global food crisis and famine," said the Deputy Speaker. She noted that the genocide of 1932-33 remained without a real response from the international community, and some even questioned the artificial famine in Ukraine arranged by the communists and helped to hide the truth. "The world has no right to repeat its mistakes this time. The inevitability of punishing the Russian Federation for the present-day genocide against the Ukrainian people is a moral, legal and human obligation of the international community," Kondratiuk summarized. As reported, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman arrived in Ukraine on Monday, July 31. UNESCO has confirmed damage to 274 cultural sites in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. As of 26 July 2023, UNESCO has verified damage to 274 sites since 24 February 2022 117 religious sites, 27 museums, 98 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries, 1 archive, reads the statement on the UNESCO website. As noted, the organization is conducting a preliminary damage assessment for cultural properties by cross-checking the reported incidents with multiple credible sources. UNESCO is also developing, with its partner organizations, a mechanism for independent coordinated assessment of data in Ukraine, including satellite image analysis, in line with provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. In the report, the organization provides data on regions in which damage to cultural objects was recorded as a result of the full-scale war unleashed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. According to UNESCO, the largest number of such objects were affected in Donetsk (78), Kharkiv (55), Kyiv (38), Luhansk (33), and Chernihiv (17) regions. Also, damage was recorded in Zaporizhzhia and Sumy regions (12 objects each), Odesa and Mykolayiv regions (8 each), Kherson (6), Zhytomyr (3), Vinnytsia (2), Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions (one each). As reported, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, UNESCO and other international cultural institutions have launched a number of initiatives to protect cultural objects and values, in particular by creating a system of satellite monitoring of objects and historical monuments in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, 1,605 objects of cultural infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the full-scale invasion. ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least six soldiers of Yemen's government forces were killed in an attack carried out by al-Qaeda militants in the turbulent southern province of Abyan on Tuesday, a military official told Xinhua. "At dawn, units of the government forces, stationed in Wadi Omran and Mudiyah districts of Abyan province, were hit by a large-scale attack by al-Qaeda gunmen approaching from multiple directions," said the official who asked to remain anonymous. The assault continued for several hours, killing six soldiers and injuring five others, he said, adding that a number of al-Qaeda militants were also reportedly killed during the confrontation. He noted that the attack took place amidst a surge in al-Qaeda actions across key regions in Abyan over the past several weeks. Local residents reported the arrival of militants from neighboring provinces of Shabwa and Al-Bayda, where the terrorist group maintains strongholds. The military escalation highlights the persistent security threats posed by al-Qaeda's Yemeni faction, referred to as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). With peace talks stalled, the conflict between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition shows no signs of abating. The civil war and power vacuum in Yemen have allowed AQAP and other extremist groups to flourish, posing a severe security threat within Yemen's borders and beyond. COLOMBO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Sinopec, a leading international petroleum company which signed an agreement with Sri Lanka, brought its first cargo of fuel to be distributed in the local market, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said on Tuesday. The minister said on his Twitter that the second cargo would arrive on Wednesday. He noted that the entry of such suppliers into the domestic market would ease the foreign exchange requirements from the local financial institutions since they would bring stocks from their principal investors on a 12-month credit facility. Sinopec will start fuel distribution in Sri Lanka through 150 filling stations throughout the country under the agreement signed with the Sri Lankan side. Sri Lanka has taken steps to allow three foreign companies that intend to enter the fuel retail market in the country. Washington, Aug 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2023 ) :As mushrooming criminal probes threaten his political ambitions and his liberty, Donald Trump has been able to console himself with one encouraging constant: blockbuster polling numbers. "I'm the only person (who) ever got indicted who became more popular," the former president and 2024 Republican Primary frontrunner grinned in Iowa recently, an observation added to his stump speech in recent months. Trump has been indicted in two criminal cases, with felony counts in two further investigations seemingly imminent, yet his popularity among his ultra-loyal base has not been dented in the slightest. On Monday, a New York Times/Siena College poll of likely primary voters showed Trump crushing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis by a staggering 37 points. And the poll is hardly an outlier: the ex-commander-in-chief's lead has risen from 16 to 36 points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls since he was indicted in Manhattan four months ago for falsifying business records. During that period he has been found by a jury in a civil trial to have raped a writer in New York and has been charged with a further 40 Federal felony counts over his handling of national security secrets and alleged obstruction of justice. "By the time we get on the debate stage on August 23, the frontrunner will be out on bail in four different jurisdictions -- Florida, Washington, Georgia and New York," fellow Republican White House hopeful Chris Christie told CNN on Sunday. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Niamey, Aug 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Aug, 2023 ) :The first of three flights to evacuate French and European citizens from Niger lifted off Tuesday evening, six days after a coup toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel. "There are 262 people on board the plane, an Airbus A330, including a dozen babies," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told AFP. "Nearly all the passengers are compatriots" along with "some European nationals". Colonna said the flight would land at Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport during the night. In the region's third military takeover in as many years, Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by his own guard, sounding alarm bells in France, Niger's former colonial master and traditional ally. After hostile crowds gathered Sunday outside the French embassy and Niger accused France of plotting to intervene militarily, Paris said Tuesday it would withdraw citizens and offered to evacuate other Europeans as well. Paris blamed the "violence that took place against our embassy", and the risk of "closure of the airspace that would leave our compatriots without the possibility to leave". Two Airbus A330s as well as a third plane left southern France during the day heading for Niamey's civilian airport, the French army said. The initiative marks the first time that France has staged a large-scale evacuation in its former colonies in the Sahel, where there have been coups in Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020. However, the army chief of staff announced that a military pullout of France's 1,500 troops from Niger was "not on the agenda". In Berlin, the foreign ministry urged "all German nationals" to take up the French evacuation offer. It said that fewer than 100 German civilians were believed to be in Niger. - No immediate danger - In Washington, the White House said the United States was not joining European allies in evacuating citizens for now, citing a lack of immediate danger. About 1,100 US troops are deployed in Niger. The French foreign ministry said about 600 French nationals were in Niger. Around a hundred of them carrying only light luggage had gathered Tuesday afternoon at Niamey's Diori Hamani international airport, where Nigerien police and about 20 French soldiers were deployed, an AFP correspondent said. The French embassy said the evacuation was being staged "in coordination Nigerien forces". Several French citizens told AFP they did not want to leave Niger for now. "We don't have a problem with the French" or Europeans, said a Nigerien named Hamidou Ali, aged 58. "We have a problem with European governments." But student Mahamadou Issoufou Idi said, "The French should leave -- we no longer need them." "It's France that's behind our suffering," said Niamey resident Almoctar Boukari. - 'Declaration of war' - The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday slapped sanctions on Niger and warned it may use force as it gave the coup leaders a week to reinstate Bazoum. The following day, the junta accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily", a charge which drew a French denial, while junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso warned any military intervention in Niger would be a "declaration of war" against them. The events are unfolding in one of the world's poorest and most unstable countries -- a vast semi-desert nation that had already experienced four coups since independence in 1960. Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition of power. But his tenure was already marked by two attempted coups before last week's dramatic events, in which he was detained by members of the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani has declared himself leader -- but his claim has been rejected internationally, from ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN to France, the United States and the European Union. The coup has worried Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now overshadows fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. Countless numbers of civilians, troops and police have been killed across the region, many in ruthless massacres, while around 2.2 million people in Burkina Faso alone have fled their homes. The economic damage has been devastating. France had at one point 5,400 troops in its anti-jihadist Barkhane mission across the Sahel, supported by fighter jets, helicopters and drones. In all three Sahel countries, the disgruntled military intervened against elected presidents as the toll mounted from jihadist attacks. Passengers get on and off a train at Xuzhou East Railway Station in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 1, 2023. China's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. (Xinhua/Mao Jun) BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The nation's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. In order to better serve passengers during the summer travel rush, the company said that its various bureaus have optimized operation plans based on big data, while train stations in the nation's big cities, such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Changsha have increased staff in posts like security checking to expedite passengers' entry process and improve efficiency. The summer travel rush is usually a busy season for the country's railway system as college students return home for summer vacation, while family visits and tourist travels also rise during this season. This year's summer travel rush will last for 62 days and end on Aug. 31. Passengers pass through ticket gates at Xuzhou East Railway Station in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 1, 2023. China's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. (Xinhua/Mao Jun) A passenger visits an information desk at Xuzhou East Railway Station in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 1, 2023. China's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. (Xinhua/Mao Jun) Passengers wait to board trains at Xuzhou East Railway Station in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 1, 2023. China's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. (Xinhua/Mao Jun) Passengers wait for trains at the waiting hall of Xuzhou East Railway Station in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 1, 2023. China's railways recorded 406 million passenger trips from July 1 to 31, according to data revealed on Tuesday by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator. During this period, daily passenger trips averaged 13.1 million, while 10,169 trains were operating daily, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the company. (Xinhua/Mao Jun) Venice, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2023 ) :Venice's famed Rialto Bridge was jammed with tourists on Monday, the same day UNESCO recommended the watery city be put on its endangered list citing overtourism and other concerns. Taking selfies, licking gelato and wheeling suitcases, the hordes of visitors seemed happily oblivious to the possible downgrade UNESCO said was due to the risk of "irreversible" damage. New York tourist Ashley Park, 28, said she knew it would be crowded in Venice, but it wasn't ruining her vacation. "Obviously if we lived here with all these tourists it wouldn't be fun," she acknowledged. Among the crowds on the historic bridge was city worker Diego Nechifrovo, 23, wearing an #EnjoyRespectVenezia T-shirt, who was busy keeping an eye out for misbehaving tourists. "Sometimes I see someone throwing away his cigarette or walking around without a T-shirt," he said, noticing a bag of potato chips discarded on the doorstep of a jewellery shop. The worst? One time a family "sat down right in front of the Doge's Palace and started to set up a picnic." A few weeks ago, a distracted tourist fell into the water, Nechifrovo said. "He was trying to get a good photo". - Please don't come - Not far away, a seller of watercolours had a sign on his stand pointing to St. Mark's Square. "That's all they want to know," said the native Venetian, Claudio, who declined to give his last name. "They come to Venice because it's Venice. That's all. " The days of educated tourists visiting and enjoying the city's many churches and museums were over, he said. "Those who come now don't even know what a museum is. It's not cultural tourism," he said. "They need to go to the beach, or the mountains, but not here!" he lamented. "Please don't come anymore!" The list of Venice's challenges are many, from environmental damage to its lagoon to its fleeing residents -- with only about 50,000 left -- leaving what many critics charge is now a city without a soul. Two years ago, Venice narrowly avoided being placed on the same UNESCO list -- which is intended to spur governments into action to preserve places deemed of "universal value to humanity" -- after the city imposed a ban on massive cruise ships travelling past the centre. Environmental groups warned the ships, carrying thousands of day-trippers and sailing exceptionally close to shore, caused large waves eroding Venice's foundations and harming the lagoon's fragile ecosystem. But the rerouting of the ships to the more distant industrial port of Marghera did not address the issue of overtourism itself. Some 3.2 million tourists stayed overnight in Venice's historic centre last year, according to official data, a number that does not include the thousands of daily visitors who do not spend the night. "It's pretty beautiful -- it's a draw!" justified US tourist Mike McWilliams, 53, who had just arrived in the city for a two-day visit with his family. (@Abdulla99267510) The members of the UN Security Council expressed their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Pakistan. New York: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-August 1st, 2023) The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the recent suicide attack at a political meeting in Bajaur, which resulted in the deaths of at least forty four people. The members of the UN Security Council expressed their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Pakistan. The members of the Security Council reaffirm that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. The Security Council members reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. (@ChaudhryMAli88) At least 13 people have been killed in a police operation in Brazil launched after an officer was gunned down outside Sao Paulo, authorities said Tuesday, triggering calls for an independent investigation Sao Paulo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2023 ) :At least 13 people have been killed in a police operation in Brazil launched after an officer was gunned down outside Sao Paulo, authorities said Tuesday, triggering calls for an independent investigation. The crackdown on drug trafficking gangs on the southeastern coast was launched Friday, a day after a 30-year-old police special forces officer was shot dead while on patrol in the port city of Guaruja. "Since the start of the operation, 13 suspects have died after attacking security forces," the Sao Paulo state security ministry said in a statement, updating an earlier toll of 12. The state police force's internal ombudsman's office is investigating more deaths stemming from the operation, and estimates the total number could rise to 19, newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reported. TV channel Globo news meanwhile reported that locals have accused police of torturing suspects during the crackdown, dubbed "Operation Shield." Guaruja, located around 60 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Sao Paulo, is one of several port cities feeding Brazil's economic capital. The operation, which officials said would last at least 30 days, is targeting the entire region, known as the Baixada Santista. Authorities said they had arrested 32 suspects so far in the operation, including the policeman's alleged killer, and seized 11 weapons and more than 20 kilos (44 Pounds) of drugs. Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, an ally of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, said Monday all the deaths had occurred in clashes with police, and denied officers had committed rights violations. "It is unacceptable for criminals to attack a police officer," he told a press conference. "We don't want confrontations, but we won't tolerate aggression either." However, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's justice minister, Flavio Dino, criticized the operation, saying the police reaction "doesn't seem proportional to the crime committed."The Arns Commission, a rights group, called for an "immediate investigation" of the deaths, and Amnesty International criticized Freitas for "legitimizing police violence."Clashes between police and heavily armed drug gangs are frequent in Brazil, where accusations of abuses by security forces have sparked politically charged debates. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st August, 2023) France will start evacuating its citizens and other European nationals from Niger on August 1, the country's foreign ministry said on Tuesday, after protests near the French embassy in Niamey. "In view of the situation in Niamey, the violence that took place against our embassy the day before yesterday, and the closure of airspace which has left our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means, France is preparing the evacuation of its nationals and those European nationals who would like to leave the country. The evacuation will begin today," the ministry said in a statement. On Sunday, thousands supporters of the military coup in Niger took to the streets across the country to protest against actions of France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Among other locations, activists gathered in front of France's embassy in the country's capital of Niamey. Protesters were reported chanting slogans against former colonial ruler France and ECOWAS. President of France Emmanuel Macron said that Paris would respond "immediately" to any violence against French people in Niger and would "not tolerate any attack on France and its interests." Last Wednesday, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader. France's foreign ministry said that Macron had spoken to Bazoum on Friday and that Paris continued to recognize him as the only legitimate leader of the African country. On Saturday, France suspended all financial aid to Niger until constitutional order is restored. On the next day, ECOWAS gave Niger's coup leaders one week to reinstate the detained president to power saying that it could use "all measures," including military, to restore order in the country. The United States is still awaiting its European allies to finalize their plan for training Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets, CNN reported on Tuesday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st August, 2023) The United States is still awaiting its European allies to finalize their plan for training Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets, CNN reported on Tuesday. European officials have yet to submit a final plan to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, which the United States will have to approve before the program can begin, the report said, citing officials familiar with the matter. The United States is currently trying to decide whether to send US pilots to help train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 jets, but no final decision has been made yet. The State Department did not immediately respond to Sputnik for comment on this issue. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently said that training for Ukrainian pilots would begin in the coming weeks. Sullivan also said the United States was working with its European allies to determine the location and dates of the training. In mid-July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would lead to a further escalation in the conflict because the aircraft have a modification that makes them nuclear-capable and represent direct threat to Russia. Its huge, Lopez Ochoa said. Were going to be able to showcase and allow anybody to search neighborhood change pressures across the United States at the state and county levels. The 10-year census data will allow users to choose a period and see the trends. That will help us gain a more historical perspective on neighborhoods that have been stable but are now changing rapidly. San Antonio is a Sun Belt city, a term used to describe cities in the South and Southwest portions of the U.S. with warm sunny climates. These areas are experiencing rapid population and economic growth. San Antonios external appeal, however, poses a problem; the city already lacks space for its own occupants. One of the fastest changing areas of San Antonio is Census Tract 1919, which corresponds to the Dignowity Hill neighborhood on the eastside, Lopez Ochoa said. In 2015, the neighborhoods average median home value was estimated at $69,000. It grew considerably in six years to $271,000 in 2021. Similarly, the median income jumped from $26,000 in 2015 to $55,000 in 2021. The dashboard will allow local communities to identify areas of rapid change, understand what the drivers are and voice their concerns with hard numbers that were not readily available for them before, Lopez Ochoa further said. Theres not a problem with neighborhoods improving their socioeconomic conditions because we want neighborhoods to thrive. The problem is when that change happens at the expense of those with less resources to cope with it, especially when we have a tight market, that change comes with displacement. He added, We want to see how people can keep their businesses and flourish new businesses, but at the same time ensure that those residents are not getting pushed out because of higher forces at play. Weve been seeing that happen a lot in San Antonio across the years at different rates. The first step toward a solution is implementing the best method to track neighborhood changes, Lopez Ochoa explained. While the data provided by the Census Bureau offers a piece of the puzzle, Lopez Ochoa is filling in the gaps with complementary data sets containing demographic and socioeconomic information to develop a clearer picture of San Antonio. This additional data includes information at the micro-mobility level for about 85% of the citys population. Data points include estimates of incomes, ethnicity and how residents move across the city. There are a lot of socioeconomic characteristics that are helpful for tracking residential mobility. We can track mobility with the Census data and still miss whats happening within the variation. But we use other data that will help us create a better index, Lopez Ochoa said. We developed an algorithm to identify if residents moved in the last year, if they were replaced by a person with higher income or if theyre paying higher rent or making larger mortgage payments for that same house. This improved model will enable Lopez Ochoa and other researchers to distinguish between exact gentrification pressures, where residents are priced out of their homes and neighborhoods, and scenarios in which residents themselves received an income raise. If you were replaced by somebody else with a higher socioeconomic status, thats by definition gentrification. Small-business owners can learn about Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) opportunities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during a half-day virtual workshop Monday, Aug. 7. Jim Greenwood will lead the discussion during a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network webinar titled SBIR/STTR Opportunities at NIH from 8:30 a.m.-noon. The Wyoming SBDC Network is partnering with the University of Wyoming Health and Bioscience Innovation Hub for this workshop. To register, go here. Registration is free. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Greenwood will provide helpful tips and a recommended process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal. While material is relevant to all SBIR/STTR agencies, NIH will be emphasized. Stephen Hanlon, director of the UW Health and Bioscience Innovation Hub, will share program details and how small businesses can partner with experts at UW on their Phase I projects. Greenwood, co-owner of Greenwood Consulting Group Inc., is a nationally recognized trainer and proposal reviewer for the SBIR and STTR programs. He has taught SBIR/STTR workshops in 48 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., offering training through local and regional economic development groups, universities, federal laboratories, SBDCs and manufacturing extension partnerships. Small-business owners also will have the opportunity to meet with Greenwood one-on-one for strategy sessions during the afternoon. Preference for scheduling with Greenwood will be given to Wyoming small businesses. For one-on-one scheduling, email Kelly Haigler Cornish, Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative manager, at haigler@uwyo.edu. For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu. Ken Sims, a professor in UWs Department of Geology and Geophysics, recently received a $325,841 National Science Foundation grant to look at understanding the processes and timescales of basalt petrogenesis -- the generation of magma from the mantle -- and oceanic crustal construction at slow-spreading, mid-ocean ridges. (UW Photo) Mid-ocean ridges represent regions of the planet where volcanic activity is generating fresh oceanic crust and submarine mountain chains -- known as axial volcanic ridges -- as two tectonic plates spread apart. Seventy-five percent of Earths magmatic activity happens at mid-ocean ridges. Despite the importance of mid-ocean ridges, many essential details of their construction and genesis are still unknown or poorly understood. Ken Sims, a professor in the University of Wyomings Department of Geology and Geophysics, recently received a $325,841 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to better understand the processes and timescales of basalt petrogenesis -- the generation of magma from the mantle -- and oceanic crustal construction at slow-spreading, mid-ocean ridges. The three-year research grant is for a project titled Collaborative Research: Understanding the Processes and Timescales of Basalt Petrogenesis and Oceanic Crustal Construction at Slow-Spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges. The project was selected through NSFs Ocean Science Marine Geology and Geophysics Program. The grant began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2026. This project aims to measure the chemical characteristics of basalts -- the dominant volcanic rock produced along mid-ocean ridges -- collected from the planets largest extent of mid-ocean ridge, known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, to understand which components of the mantle are melting and the timescales of oceanic crustal construction, Sims says. These volcanic and tectonic areas offer critical insight into the composition of Earths mantle; how it melts to create fresh oceanic crust; and the rate at which this new oceanic crust is created. Sims, the principal investigator on the project, will work with other scientists from the U.S., U.K. and France. Cole Messa, a UW Ph.D. student in isotope geochemistry and igneous petrology, will assist Sims with the grant work. Messa, from Doylestown, Pa., already has obtained bachelors degrees in political science and geosciences, both from Penn State University. Additionally, Sims will work with Rick Aster, a professor of geophysics and department head of the Department of Geosciences at Colorado State University, who secured a $37,095 NSF grant of his own for the project. Described by Sims as a longtime collaborator and buddy, Aster will work with Sims to interpret the crustal and mantle structure beneath the mid-ocean ridge at 45 degrees N. latitude on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We will use seismic waves that travel through the earth due to earthquakes -- sort of like a CAT scan but, instead of using X-rays, we are using sound waves, Sims explains. These sound waves travel at different speeds to changes in the composition and even the presence of melt. The NSF grant requires a public outreach project. In this case, an interactive museum exhibition titled Earths Oceans: Now and in the Past will be created at the UW Geological Museum. Of the NSF grant, $20,000 will be used for this public outreach project, which will be part of the museums larger plan to update and build an interactive exhibition titled Wyomings Oceans, designed to speak to and inform preschoolers to senior citizens on Wyomings long-lived ocean environments, Sims says. Although now landlocked, Wyoming has a deep geologic history of existing as an ocean floor, and we have a rich marine fossil record, Sims says. For this proposals broader impact, we propose to augment the museums current exhibit by adding a component on the discovery and research of ocean floors today. The proposed exhibition component would be a map of the ocean floor after the classic Tharp and Heezen physiographic maps that would incorporate touch-button icons corresponding to various ocean features that, when tapped, would present specific scientific observations and details in the surrounding windows, including dive films, bathymetric maps and sonar maps. This would focus on several different ridge segments and other ocean floor features where NSF has provided considerable funding and effort on research. It also would provide an option where an individual could choose to look at important ocean features such as circulation and current patterns. By extending the exhibit of Wyomings Oceans into the present, this exhibit will not only highlight current research in the department and in the U.S., but it also will provide a more comprehensive view of marine geology and biology to a landlocked population considerably less familiar with ocean sciences, Sims says. This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows a street painted in red pigment in commemoration of the victims of the Beirut port blasts in Beirut, Lebanon. The explosion that rocked the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020 killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday received a request from envoys of 15 countries to speed up probes into the Beirut port blasts, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others. The diplomats expressed concern about obstacles facing the judicial investigations, according to the National News Agency. Foreign Minister Bou Habib responded by affirming "the Lebanese government's commitment to revealing the circumstances surrounding the port explosion," while stressing that "the responsibility belongs to the Lebanese judiciary, which must carry out its duties following the laws and principles that govern its work." The request comes three days before the third anniversary of the deadly incident, which destroyed a big part of Lebanon's capital Beirut in 2020. Lebanese Judge Tarek Bitar was appointed to lead the investigation in February 2021 but has since faced increasing obstacles and threats to carry out his work, leading to its suspension that December. In January, Bitar reopened the case. But soon after, Lebanon's top prosecutor halted the investigation while accusing Bitar of rebelling against the judiciary. This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows the Beirut port in Beirut, Lebanon. The explosion that rocked the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020 killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows the Beirut port in Beirut, Lebanon. The explosion that rocked the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020 killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows the Beirut port in Beirut, Lebanon. The explosion that rocked the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020 killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows the Beirut port in Beirut, Lebanon. The explosion that rocked the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020 killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This aerial photo taken on July 31, 2023 shows a view of a "container city" in earthquake-hit Malatya province, Turkiye. Nearly six months after deadly earthquakes devastated southern Turkiye, survivors have started moving to a "container city," a new settlement composed of prefabricated housing units resembling shipping containers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) by Burak Akinci KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkiye, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nearly six months after deadly earthquakes devastated southern Turkiye, thousands of survivors are still displaced, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised a rapid reconstruction. "We are living in containers, and it's certainly not like living in a proper home," said Recep Sayilgan, a 41-year-old survivor from Kahramanmaras, the worst-hit province and the epicenter of the massive earthquakes in February. The powerful tremors have claimed more than 50,000 lives and rendered over a million homeless. More than 227,000 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, according to government figures. Additionally, 3 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to the disaster, moving to safer cities in the center-west region, including the capital Ankara, which is 600 km away from the disaster zone. Despite the support provided by state institutions after the tragedy, Sayilgan and his family would like to return to normalcy "as soon as possible." "We were told that new homes would be delivered to us this year, and we are eagerly waiting because living in a container is difficult," Sayilgan said. He stressed that communities were distressed about temporary accommodation and hope President Erdogan would make good on his promise to rebuild the devastated cities "within a year." Turkiye has already launched construction projects of more than 180,000 new houses in the earthquake-hit region which spans over a large territory of 11 provinces, home to nearly 15 million people. The first batch of houses will be handed over by October, according to the government, while construction of new container camps for survivors is continuing in the quake-hit areas. The United Nations Development Program announced on July 27 the inauguration in Hatay, one of the provinces hard-hit by the earthquake, of a "new container city welcoming 1,500 displaced earthquake survivors." Despite a comprehensive mobilization of relief and rebuilding efforts nationwide, extreme weather, like sweltering heat waves, is exacerbating the suffering of survivors. "There is a chronic shortage of water supply here in Hatay," Mahmut Ezme, a survivor who lost relatives and his job in the disaster, told Xinhua. The authorities dispatched drinking water by trucks to address the water shortage in the province, which is baked by deadly heat with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. "We see that state and local authorities are working to address the water problem, but improvement is slow. We rely on filtered water or bottled water," he lamented, adding that electricity cuts are also witnessed. Meanwhile, the huge debris of collapsed or damaged buildings subsequently raised to the ground as they've been deemed unsafe is a real challenge for the authorities. Trucks carrying rubble from the destroyed buildings have become a daily sight on highways across the region. Although the debris removal would expose a large amount of hazardous asbestos waste, some survivors were still glad to see rubble trucks running, as it indicated that construction work is underway. "I like seeing trucks, because it makes me feel confident that we'll have a new home soon," Sayilgan added. This photo taken on July 31, 2023 shows a view of a "container city" in earthquake-hit Malatya province, Turkiye. Nearly six months after deadly earthquakes devastated southern Turkiye, survivors have started moving to a "container city," a new settlement composed of prefabricated housing units resembling shipping containers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Children play at a "container city" in earthquake-hit Malatya province, Turkiye, July 31, 2023. Nearly six months after deadly earthquakes devastated southern Turkiye, survivors have started moving to a "container city," a new settlement composed of prefabricated housing units resembling shipping containers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) A boy plays with a toy tricycle at a "container city" in earthquake-hit Malatya province, Turkiye, July 31, 2023. Nearly six months after deadly earthquakes devastated southern Turkiye, survivors have started moving to a "container city," a new settlement composed of prefabricated housing units resembling shipping containers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. Southeast Asian countries are warning about the long-term dangers of cluster bombs in Ukraine after the United States sent the explosives to Kyiv earlier this month for use in their drive to recapture territory seized during Russias invasion. Russia has been documented using cluster bombs against Ukraine since the beginning of its invasion. Ukraine asked Washington for the munitions, which break apart in midair and scatter smaller explosives, to target Russian troops on its territory. But Cambodia and Laos experts say cluster munitions should never be used because some of the small bomblets fail to explode and remain deadly for decades. From 1964 and 1973, the height of the Vietnam War, Laos was the victim of intense U.S. bombing campaigns, becoming the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. The raids included an estimated 250 million cluster munitions, about 30% of which failed to detonate upon impact, leaving many of them strewn across broad swaths of territory with the latent potential to explode unexpectedly. Titus Peachey, a member of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines Steering Committee, spent over five years in Laos between 1981 and 1994. These weapons cover a wide area and are difficult to target precisely, he told VOA. Many fail to detonate on impact but can still remain lethal for decades, he said. Unexploded ordnance makes everyday activity risky. Farmers in Ukraine will have to farm at their own peril until the bombs can be found and destroyed. Clearance work is expensive, painstaking, and tedious. In a rare statement earlier this month, the Laotian Foreign Affairs Ministry urged any state to refrain from use of any cluster munitions. "As the worlds largest victim of cluster munitions and a state party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Lao People's Democratic Republic expresses its profound concern over the announcement and the possible use of cluster munitions," the statement said. The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty of more than 100 international state parties, including Laos, that came into force in 2010 to prohibit all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. Russia, Ukraine and the United States did not sign the treaty. The position of the Lao government takes a moral stand, in that it not only wants to prevent the transfer of munitions to Ukraine, but to encourage other state actors to prevent the production and the stockpiling of these weapons, said Mark S. Cogan, associate professor of peace and conflict studies at Kansai Gaidai University. In the case of Laos, there is credibility in its early adoption of the convention, ratifying it very early, back in 2008, he told VOA. I attribute that to intergenerational trauma, where the lasting consequences of these munitions not only affect those born during and immediately after the war, but the psycho-social effects linger. Although there is no war in Laos today, the countrys 7 million population still lives in fear of more casualties. According to demining group Mines Advisory Group, more than 50,000 people have been killed by unexploded bombs in Laos, 20,000 of those since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Shui Meng, wife of renowned Lao activist Sombath Somphone, who disappeared in 2012, has lived in Laos for over three decades. She believes the small munitions will remain a threat for decades to come. I don't think Laos will ever be cleared, she told VOA. The bombing has been so widespread, and I think the country would have to live with this for a long time and maybe forever. Cambodia After almost three decades of civil war ended in 1998, the Cambodian countryside was left littered with an estimated 4 million to 6 million pieces of unexploded ordnance, according to demining advocacy groups. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who recently won Cambodias 2023 general elections, called for the cluster bombs not to be used. He spoke of Cambodias painful experience and said cluster bombs represent the greatest danger for Ukrainians. Cogan found that stance surprising. Despite being one of the most land-mined countries in the world today, Cambodia has still not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. While Cambodia doesnt have the same record of activism against cluster munitions as Laos, it is no less of a victim, which also traces back to its bloody conflict between the Khmer Rouge and the government of Cambodia, Cogan said. I find it odd that Cambodia has urged countries to avoid the use of cluster munitions, but has long delayed joining the convention, even though it is a party to both the land mine treaty and the Convention on Conventional Weapons. Cambodia has cited security related reasons for its decision not to join the convention. From 1979 to 2022, more than 65,000 people were injured or killed by unexploded bombs in Cambodia, according to the Cambodian Mine Action and Assistance Authority as reported in the Phnom Penh Post. Chhengpor Aun, a visiting fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies who focuses on Cambodian politics, said Hun Sen has been personally affected by the munitions. "Mr. Hun Sen himself was a former anti-West fighter in Cambodian civil war, a survivor of American bombing of Cambodia, unlike many who could not make it, and later a leader of one of the world's most mined and bombed countries, he told VOA. To him, this is personal. Meas Nee, a Cambodian political commentator and critic of Hun Sen, agrees with the prime minister. We are from a country where we suffer from the war and particularly the eyewitness of the danger of the cluster bomb, he told VOA. We don't want to see this used elsewhere. Biden administration national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN earlier this month that the White House decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions is a stopgap measure to alleviate a shortage of 155 mm artillery shells. President Joe Biden said he based his decision on the "recommendation of the Defense Department to, not permanently, but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians. The U.S. decision to use the controversial ordnance drew immediate criticism from domestic and international human rights groups, along with some congressional lawmakers. Supporters of the decision, however, have said cluster munitions are already being used in Ukraine, primarily by Moscow but also by Kyiv. Ukrainian forces have pledged to confine their deployment to non-civilian areas and track their use for postwar cleanup operations. White House national security coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Ukraine is already using the cluster munitions effectively. The French and Japanese air forces have conducted aerial exercises in Japan, the first of their kind between the two allies. But even as Paris seeks to build its military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, France has blocked proposals to open a NATO liaison office in Tokyo. The four-day joint drills are part of a larger French exercise, codenamed Pegase 2023, taking place across the Indo-Pacific in the coming weeks, including in French island territories. "It's natural that France, a resident nation of the Indo-Pacific, is particularly concerned by the geopolitical tensions felt in the region as a result of competition between the great powers," General Stephane Mille, chief of staff of the French Air and Space Force, told reporters at a July 28 news conference in Japan's Saitama prefecture. China tensions Those tensions are also felt by NATO, which describes China as a challenge to the Western alliance's "interests, security and values." China rejects that characterization. The NATO Strategic Concept cites Beijing's buildup of its armed forces, its "malicious hybrid and cyber operations," and its efforts to subvert the rules-based international order among its reasons for concern. Closer cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is in NATO's interest, says Michito Tsuruoka, a security analyst at Keio University and a visiting fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre in Canberra, Australia. "NATO's interest is very much affected by what takes place in the Indo-Pacific region. So that means that NATO has to be more engaged for its own interest," Tsuruoka told VOA in an interview on Saturday. "Another increasingly important pillar in NATO-Japan cooperation is about standardization and interoperability so standardization of equipment and interoperability between the forces," Tsuruoka said. NATO office At its July annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, NATO put forward the opening of a liaison office in Tokyo. However, French President Emmanuel Macron blocked the move. "It's pretty clear that President Macron wants to avert any sort of escalation, or dynamic that could lead to escalation, with China, said Fabrice Pothier, a former NATO head of policy planning and now the CEO of the consultancy group Rasmussen Global, in an interview with VOA on Tuesday. And he probably considers putting the NATO flag somewhere in the Indo-Pacific even though it's a very symbolic flag as a bit too provocative. China warned the opening of a NATO office in Tokyo would destabilize the region. There is no such danger, says analyst Tsuruoka. "Because what we are talking about, what NATO is talking about, is just a one-person office. So, it will never change the balance of power in the region, Tsuruoka told VOA. It's just a sort of technical innovation in terms of the way in which NATO deals with the Indo-Pacific region. It's not about NATO troops coming to Asia, or NATO now having responsibility to deter China. That's not the case. Bilateral relations For now, Paris is pushing bilateral relations with Indo-Pacific allies, Pothier said. "France is always keen on underlining that NATO is a Euro-Atlantic organization with somehow clear geographic boundaries and responsibilities. And that going beyond that is basically going beyond its core mandate." The idea of a NATO office in Tokyo could be revived, he added. "It could take some compromise and some time. But I think there could also be some alternative. You could consider the Japanese in a way offering to create and host a center of excellence with some other NATO countries," Pothier said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will chair a high-level meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that will highlight global food insecurity and the conflicts that worsen it. "We know this for sure: Where there is conflict, there is hunger," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters at a news conference Tuesday to kick off Washington's Security Council presidency this month. She said Blinken will have "announcements and deliverables" on Thursday, and she urged nations to sign on to a draft communique Washington plans to issue on the subject. Thomas-Greenfield, who has been the U.S. envoy at the United Nations since February 2021, said she will again use the rotating council presidency to push global food insecurity to the top of the councils agenda. She has helmed the 15-nation council twice before on behalf of the United States, and both times focused on the issue. The annual state of food security report released last month by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization found that the world is still recovering from economic setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic and coping with fallout of the war in Ukraine on food and energy markets. The FAO estimates that 691 million to 783 million people in the world faced hunger in 2022, significantly higher than in 2019 before the pandemic. Much of that hunger was at the regional level, with Africa, the Caribbean and Western Asia all seeing rising hunger levels. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned when Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17 that its decision would "strike a blow to people in need everywhere." Experts agreed, saying the deal's collapse would negatively affect the prices of commodities such as wheat, corn and soybeans, ultimately hurting poorer consumers. The U.N. has so far been unsuccessful in getting Moscow to reverse its decision. Thomas-Greenfield said Washington has seen indications that Russia might be interested in talks. "What we have been told is that they are prepared to return to discussions," she said. "We haven't seen any evidence of that yet." She said if the Russians want to get their fertilizer to global markets and continue to have some access to international financial transactions, they will have to return to the deal. Thomas-Greenfield said Washington would continue to highlight Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine during its August presidency. It plans a meeting to discuss the protection of civilians in Ukraine, including children, on August 24 Ukraine's independence day. Russia's deputy ambassador told reporters Tuesday that Moscow objected to the council scheduling any meetings on Ukraine this month. Thomas-Greenfield said that was "a little stunt" and would not stop the U.S. from conducting the council's business. Human rights The U.S. envoy says human rights guide the Biden administration's foreign policy and will also be a priority during the U.S. presidency in the form of invitations to civil society representatives and human rights organizations to brief the council on relevant topics. Some council members have opposed the idea of bringing human rights issues into the council, saying there are other U.N. forums such as the Human Rights Council, where such issues should be discussed. Thomas-Greenfield disagrees. "Human rights belong in the Security Council, because human rights are about peace and security," she said. "Places where human rights are being violated, we see situations of peace and security being destabilized." Botswanas parliament on Tuesday abandoned debate on a bill that if passed would decriminalize same-sex relations. In 2019, Botswanas High Court and Court of Appeal ruled that laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations were unconstitutional. But religious groups protested the attempt to amend the countrys laws. Minister of Justice Machana Shamukuni told parliament Tuesday that public concerns over introduction of the bill have necessitated further consultation on the matter. I therefore seek to satisfy myself that the views and concerns of all stakeholders pertaining to the interpretation of the constitution are considered and that the provisions of the revision of law act have been thoroughly interrogated and made clear," said Shamukuni. He said as a result the bill will be removed from pending debate in parliament but could be brought back at a later stage. However, this is not expected during the current sitting of the National Assembly, which concludes at the end of August. Mr. Speaker, it is on the basis of the above, that I beg to defer the Penal Code Amendment Bill 29 of 2022 to allow for intensive interrogation of the consultation issues raised with my ministry regarding the Bill, said Shamukuni. A coalition of mostly Christian churches under the Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana, or EFB, recently staged protests over any attempt to decriminalize homosexuality in the southern African nation. EFB chairman Pulafela Siele led a recent march to the parliament building. He said the church wants a referendum on the matter. EFB will continue monitoring and the whole church at large, developments on the proposed bill and shall deploy appropriate measures to preserve society against any anti-social behavior and practices, said Siele. The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS, known as BONELA, was part of the 2019 court case in support of the LGBTQ community. Cindy Kelemi is BONELAs executive director and said the matter should not be debated in parliament. We reiterate that this approach was not necessary. It was going to plunge our country into a constitutional crisis. As far as we are concerned, once the highest court in the land, the Court of Appeal, has issued a judgment, all that is left is for all people and all institutions to comply with such a law. We did not understand why Parliament would want to open a discussion on a matter that has been decided by our courts, said Kelemi. With the Court of Appeal reaffirming the lower courts ruling in 2021, Botswana became one of few African countries to legally allow same-sex relations. Several other countries most prominently Uganda have instead passed stiffer legislation against homosexuality. Thousands of refugees fleeing Darfur to neighboring Chad to escape fighting and ethnically targeted attacks in Sudan's western region are struggling to secure basic shelter and supplies as heavy rains and winds batter makeshift camps. The United Nations estimates over 300,000 fled from Darfur to Chad since April 15 when fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in the capital of Khartoum. Islam, one of the roughly 33,000 refugees in the camp in Chad's Ourang, pleaded for shelter from the relentless rain as she stood in front of destroyed tents. "Please provide us with a shelter as soon as possible. This is humiliating. Anyone in here lost three or four people and came here with nothing to eat or drink," she said as tears streamed down her face. Some now stay in flimsy tarpaulin tents brought down easily by the rain, others bundle themselves in blankets to stay warm. The onset of the rainy season makes it harder for aid agencies operating in Chad to provide for refugees arriving on foot or donkey carts, with each flare of clashes prompting more to cross the border. A recent attack on the west Darfur town on Sirba killed more than 200 people and made thousands more flee, according to the Darfur Bar Association. Those who fled Darfur reported shortages of food, electricity, and water supply amid violence in residential areas. "It was not safe to move around, there was nothing to eat in the market. So, we came with our kids and came here, and we found that the road is worse," Mohamed Ibrahim told Reuters. Cambodias July 23 election, which media described as a one horse race, ended with Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) winning by a landslide. Analysts correctly predicted that Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for 38 years, would pass the torch to his son Hun Manet, who heads Cambodias army. On July 26, Hun Sen officially announced he was stepping down, and that Hun Manet would take over in three weeks. Hun Sen said he would continue to control politics as the head of the ruling party. The government maintains the poll embodied Cambodias vibrant democracy. The voting process exemplified a genuine political pluralism, offering Cambodian citizens and their respective political parties with an equal and fair opportunity to engage in political contests within the confines of the law, Cambodias foreign ministry said on July 25. That is false. In the run up to the election, Cambodian authorities systematically sought to eliminate political pluralism. They banned the only viable opposition party, turned the judicial system against opposition political figures, shuttered one of the last independent media outlets and criminalized legitimate forms of political protest. The election resulted in anything but a pluralistic outcome, with the CPP capturing 120 of 125 seats in parliament. The National Front for an Independent, Neutral and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) won the other five seats. This royalist party has evolved into a tamed opposition force that rarely challenges the ruling party's actions, The Associated Press said. In the 2018 election, the CPP secured all 125 seats in the National Assembly (lower house) and all 58 elected seats in the Senate. That sweep occurred after the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved in 2017, allowing Hun Sen to run virtually unopposed. FUNCINPECs modest victory in the latest elections helped the Cambodian government put a formal end to what Luke Hunt, a Southeast Asia correspondent for The Diplomat, called Cambodia's unwanted status as a one-party-state. The U.S. State Department determined the elections were neither free nor fair. It imposed visa restrictions on individuals who undermined democracy and implemented a pause of certain foreign assistance programs. Beijing praised the election, with President Xi Jinping touting the strides Cambodia had made under the correct leadership of Hun Sen. The Bangkok-based Asian Network For Free Elections said it was particularly troubled by doubts about the independence and neutrality of the National Election Committee (NEC), noting the evidence suggests a clear bias towards the CPP. Freedom House, a Washington-based human rights group, said the CPP has complete control over the NECs nine seats. On May 15, the NEC disqualified the Candlelight Party, considered the countrys only effective opposition party, citing the partys failure to submit the necessary registration documents. Reuters described the Candlelight Party as a weakened reincarnation of the CNRP. The Candlelight Party had been allowed to contest earlier local elections, and had a letter from the Interior Ministry, tasked with registering political parties, confirming that it had been registered in 1998. The Candlelight Party said the original certificate confirming its registration was lost after police confiscated it during a raid. As Polygraph.info and others previously reported, Hun Sen had threatened physical violence and legal action against opposition members who criticized his ruling party or government. Candlelight Party members have faced both. After banning the Candlelight Party, authorities also sought to eliminate other means of protesting the election by amending the election law to penalize those who encouraged an election boycott. On July 15, two senior Candlelight Party members were arrested for allegedly inciting party members to cast spoiled or void ballots. Without a viable opposition party running, analysts said that low voter turnout would threaten the elections legitimacy. Amnesty International said the election occurred in circumstances where people felt they were being forced to participate in this election despite their party of choice not being on the ballot. Hun Sen warned those who did not vote would be socially ostracized. If 98 of 100 families in a village go to vote, the two families who boycott the election could be isolated and their act could be seen as anti-election and they could even be linked to the Third-Generation Traitor [exiled CNRP leader Sam Rainsy], Hun Sen said in June. Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation boasted of a high turnout, with an estimated 8,213,260 of 9,710,655 registered voters (84.58%) showing up to vote. An estimated 440,000 ballots were invalid. CPP spokesman Sok Ey San said not all the invalid ballots had intentionally been spoiled. Boycotting elections or spoiling ballots is a form of political protest. One resident of Siem Reap told U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia, a VOA sister news service, that she had been forced to vote by local authorities and spoiled her ballot in response. Despite the landslide victory, Cambodian police are tracking down opposition activists who spoiled their ballots. Prime Minister Hun Sen has demanded that those people who spoiled their ballots publicly apologize. The French and Japanese air forces completed four days of aerial combat exercises in Japan Saturday, the first of their kind between the two allies. But even as Paris seeks to build its military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, its government blocked proposals to open a NATO liaison office in Tokyo. Henry Ridgwell reports from Japan. UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes Kenya's willingness to lead an international force in the Caribbean nation of Haiti, his deputy spokesman said on Monday. "The secretary-general welcomes Kenya's positive response to his call for the urgently needed international non-UN security support to Haiti," Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, told reporters. According to reports by Kenyan media, Alfred Mutua, cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya, on Saturday said Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a multinational force to Haiti. Mutua also said Kenya's commitment is to deploy a contingent of 1,000 police officers to help train and assist Haitian police to restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations. Guterres values Kenya's consideration to possibly lead a non-UN multinational force, said Haq. "The secretary-general reiterates his call to the Security Council to support such a non-UN international operation and encourages member states, particularly from the region, to join forces with Kenya," the spokesman added. Guterres has repeatedly called for the deployment of an international armed force in Haiti. Some Security Council members said the fundamental solution to the crises in Haiti lies in advancing the political process, and the key to resolving the Haitian conundrum is in the hands of the Haitian people themselves. France said it would start an evacuation effort Tuesday from Niger for its citizens and citizens of other European nations, nearly a week after a military junta seized power. Frances Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the decision to carry out the evacuations was prompted by violence against the French Embassy in Niamey and the closure of Nigers airspace. The ministry said French citizens were unable to leave the country on their own. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on social media Tuesday that Italy is also offering its citizens in Niamey a special evacuation flight. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Washington is still assessing the situation before making a final determination about whether to pull its military assistance from Niger, a key counterterrorism ally in the region. Our hope, and what we are working on, is that the military will stand down and allow President [Mohamed] Bazoum to resume his authority, Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters. Ambassador of Niger in the U.S. Mamadou Kiari Liman-Tinguiri told VOA on Tuesday, President Bazoum is physically doing well and mentally strong. Im following the situation with sadness, as any Nigerien abroad. Military leaders put Bazoum under house arrest on July 26 and named General Abdourahamane Tchiani, commander of the presidential guard, as their new leader on Monday. Coup leaders said they were acting in response to what they described as a worsening security situation and the government's lack of action against jihadis. On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the reported arrest of several members of Nigers government. Guterres spokesman said the U.N. chief is urgently calling for the strict adherence to the countrys international human rights obligations and the prompt restoration of constitutional order. The secretary-general underscores the utmost importance of safeguarding civilians and ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need in Niger, spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. He added that the U.N. and its humanitarian partners are committed to remaining in Niger and continuing their work. More than 4 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. Regional tensions Guterres West Africa envoy, Leonardo Santos Simao, told reporters in a video briefing from Accra, Ghana, that the United Nations is not involved in any negotiations and is playing a supporting role to regional bloc ECOWAS. ECOWAS has imposed sanctions against the coup leaders and set a one-week deadline on Sunday for Bazoums return to power. Otherwise, it will consider the use of force. Unknown gunmen killed two police officers in southwestern Pakistan in an attack Tuesday on polio vaccinators. The deadly shooting occurred during a national immunization campaign in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. Area police officer Asif Marwat said that health workers were administering polio doses to children in the Nawa Killi area when two men riding a motorcycle opened fire on them and fled the scene. The shooting left two police guards dead, but the polio vaccinators escaped unhurt, Marwat said. He added that the polio campaign in the area had been suspended. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the deadly shooting, but militant attacks against polio teams are not uncommon in Pakistan. The violence has killed scores of health workers and security forces escorting them. Pakistan launched the latest polio vaccination drive Tuesday to eradicate the highly contagious virus in the country. A polio program spokesperson told VOA the weeklong campaign aims to immunize nearly 8 million children under five across 61 districts, including those in Baluchistan. He said the government had deployed around 65,000 front-line workers to administer polio drops to the targeted population. In conservative Pakistani rural areas, hardline religious groups have long opposed and viewed polio inoculation campaigns as a ploy to leave Muslim children infertile. Anti-state militants operating in Baluchistan and elsewhere in the country view polio vaccinators as government spies. The propaganda against the vaccine and the deadly militant attacks have set back Pakistans efforts to eradicate the crippling disease. The South Asian country of about 230 million people has detected only one case of polio paralysis in a child so far in 2023 compared to 20 victims last year. The highly contagious virus used to paralyze thousands of children annually in Pakistan until the 1990s when authorities launched internationally supported nationwide vaccination campaigns. Nearly a quarter-million migrants this year have crossed the Darien Gap, the dense jungle separating Panama and Colombia, already breaking last year's record, Panama's government said Monday. The Darien Gap, 165 miles (265 kilometers) long, has become a corridor for South American migrants heading to the United States via Central America, despite its dangers. As of Sunday, 248,901 migrants had walked through the treacherous route from Colombia, exceeding last year's record year by 600 people, Maria Isabel Saravia, Panama's deputy director of migration, told a news conference. Along the journey are wild animals, rivers and criminal gangs who rob migrants or demand money to guide them through the jungle. Panama Public Security Minister Juan Manuel Pino warned that the number passing through the Darien Gap could reach 400,000 by the end of the year. Just over a fifth of the migrants recorded so far this year are children and adolescents, half of whom are 5 years old or younger, Saravia said. More than 100,000 of the migrants were Venezuelans. Also passing through the route were roughly 33,000 Haitians, 25,000 Ecuadorians and 8,500 people from China. An Afghan branch of Islamic State claimed responsibility Monday for a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people at a pro-Taliban party's election rally, in one of the region's worst attacks in recent years. Islamic State in Khorasan Province made the claim in a statement posted on its Amaq website. It said the attacker detonated an explosive vest, and that the bombing Sunday in the northwestern town of Bajaur was part of the group's continuing war against forms of democracy it deems to be against Islam. Hours earlier, hundreds of mourners in Bajaur carried caskets draped in colorful cloths to burial sites following the previous day's attack at the election rally for the Jamiat Ulema Islam party. Officials said the bombing killed 54 people, including at least five children, and wounded nearly 200. The attack appeared to reflect divisions between Islamist groups, which have a strong presence in the district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. The Jamiat Ulema Islam party has ties to the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban. At least 1,000 people were crowded into a tent near a market for the rally ahead of fall elections, according to police. "People were chanting God is Great as the leaders arrived," said Khan Mohammad, a resident who said he was standing outside the tent, "and that was when I heard the deafening sound of the bomb." Mohammad said he heard people crying for help, and minutes later ambulances arrived and began taking the wounded away. Police had suggested in their initial investigation that Islamic State in Khorasan Province was a suspect. The group is based in neighboring Afghanistan's Nangarhar province and is a rival of the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaida. Pakistan security analyst Mahmood Shah also previously had said that breakaway factions of the Pakistani Taliban could be possible suspects, though the group distanced itself from the attack. The Pakistani military spent years fighting the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in Bajaur before declaring the district clear of militants in 2016. But the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman, has remained a potent political force. On Monday, police recorded statements from some of the wounded at a hospital in Khar, the district's principal town. Female relatives and children wailed and beat their chests at family homes Monday as the dead were taken for funerals, following local customs. Hundreds of men followed the caskets to mosques and open areas for special funeral prayers and then into the hills for burial. As condolences continued to pour in from across the country, dozens of people who had lesser injuries were discharged from hospital, while the critically wounded were taken to the provincial capital of Peshawar by army helicopters. The death toll continued to rise as some critically wounded people died in hospital, physician Gul Naseeb said. Gul Akbar, the father of an 11-year-old boy who was wounded in the attack, told The Associated Press that his entire family was in a state of shock after hearing about the bombing Sunday. He said he first went to the scene of the attack, and later found his son Taslim Khan being treated in a hospital in Khar. "What would I have done if he had also been martyred? Five children died in this barbaric attack, and we want to know what our children did wrong," he said. Rehman's party is preparing to contest elections, which are expected in October or November. Abdul Rasheed, one of the party's senior leaders, said the bombing was aimed at weakening the party but that "such attacks cannot deter our resolve." Rehman's party is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's coalition government, which came to power in April 2022 by ousting former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in the legislature. Sharif called Rehman to express his condolences and assure the cleric that those who orchestrated the attack would be punished. Khan condemned the bombing Sunday, as did the U.S. and Russian embassies in Islamabad. The Pakistani Taliban also distanced themselves from the bombing, saying that it was intended to set Islamists against each other. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, wrote in a tweet that "such crimes cannot be justified in any way." The bombing came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad, where he signed new agreements to boost trade and economic ties to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package under which China has invested $10 billion in Pakistan over 10 years, according to Sharif. "We will not tolerate any obstacles in the way of friendship with China," Sharif said, as he stood by He. But the government canceled a cultural event that had been arranged in honor of He, according to Sharif, while the nation mourns. Some Chinese nationals have also been targeted by militants in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere. Rehman, who has long supported Afghanistan's Taliban government, survived at least two known bomb attacks in 2011 and 2014, when bombings damaged his car at rallies. Sunday's bombing was one of the worst in northwestern Pakistan in the last decade. In 2014, 147 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar. In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a bombing at a mosque inside a high-security compound housing Peshawar police headquarters. Russian officials said Tuesday that a Ukrainian drone hit the 21st floor of a high-rise building in Moscow but that the countrys air defenses shot down two other drones on the outskirts of the Russian capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that the building hit was the same one struck during a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday. There were no injuries reported from the Tuesday attack. Ukraine does not usually acknowledge attacks inside Russia, but the attacks have become more frequent. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Moscow is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war. The glass-facade building that was hit houses the governments ministries of digital development, economy and industrial development. Russias defense ministry said Tuesday its forces thwarted an attack by three Ukrainian sea drones that targeted a pair of Russian patrol vessels in the Black Sea. Russia said the attack took place about 340 kilometers southwest of Sevastopol. Russian attacks Authorities in Ukraines southern city of Kherson said Russian shelling Tuesday hit a hospital, killing a doctor on his first day of work and wounding a nurse, an attack that was specifically condemned by the United Nations. The unacceptable attack that today damaged a hospital in Kherson is just another example of the horrific consequences of Russias invasion for civilians in Ukraine, U.N. humanitarian coordinator Denise Brown said in a statement. Not even those providing vital services to people whose lives have been torn apart by the war are being spared. Since Russia invaded in February 2022, the World Health Organization has verified more than 1,000 attacks on health care facilities in Ukraine, more than 60% of all attacks against health care in the world in that time frame. The United Nations said that in some parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, including Kherson, not even half of the hospitals or clinics remain functional. In the Kharkiv region, officials said Tuesday that Russian attacks using Iranian-made Shahed drones hit a building at an educational institution and a building at a sports complex. Russian attacks on Ukrainian towns have left a trail of dead and injured, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stress Ukraines need for long-range weapons. At least six people were killed by two Russian missiles that hit the city of Kryvyi Rih in southern Ukraine, Zelenskyys hometown, Ukrainian officials said Monday. During his nightly video address Monday, Zelenskyy said preliminary data show that the two missiles were fired at Kryvyi Rih from Russian-occupied Crimea, from the area of Dzhankoy. This proves again and again that for the safety of our cities, for the protection of the normal life of Ukrainians and our children, our military must have enough long-range weapons, enough means to defeat terrorists. The world's sanctions pressure against Russia deserves a significant increase, he said. Peace summit U.S. government officials will attend a summit on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced during a briefing on Monday, saying that he could not provide more details. The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major developing countries to the high-level talks. Saudi Arabias summit is reportedly scheduled to be held in Jeddah over the weekend to discuss implementation of Zelenskyys peace plan to end Russias war in Ukraine. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for an end to the "irrational" war in Ukraine and urged the upcoming peace talks in the Middle East to include representation from both Ukraine and Russia. Lopez Obrador said Mexico would only participate in the peace talks if both sides were present. The Mexican president has tried to keep his country neutral in the war, though his government has backed some major U.N. resolutions against Russia. Mexico has refused to send arms to Ukraine and has not imposed sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin said Monday it would "follow" the meeting but did not currently see conditions for peace talks with Kyiv. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. As World Breastfeeding Week got underway Tuesday, child advocates called for the promotion of mothers milk as the best way to get babies off to a healthy start in life and save lives. The World Health Organization and UNICEF said exclusive breastfeeding could save the lives of more than 820,000 children under 5 years of age every year. The U.N. health agencies said they are making inroads in getting across their message about the benefits of breastfeeding, noting, The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding rates has increased by a remarkable 10 percentage points to 48% globally over the last decade. They acknowledge, however, that the rate falls short of the 2030 breastfeeding target of 70% and are calling for greater family, communal and workplace support for nursing mothers. Breastfeeding is as important as breathing fresh air and eating nutritious food, said Nina Chad, infant and young child feeding consultant for the WHO. Protection from infectious diseases Speaking on Skype from Sydney, Australia, she told VOA that the way babies start eating in life is important for keeping them healthy throughout their lives. Breastfeeding is important because it protects babies from infectious diseases in infancy, such as diarrhea and pneumonia, that can be life-threatening, and it protects mothers from noncommunicable diseases throughout their life course, adding, Women who breastfeed are less likely to get breast and ovarian cancers. To achieve maximum benefit, the World Health Organization advises mothers to breastfeed babies exclusively for the first six months, then introduce nutritious solid foods and continue to breastfeed up to 2 years of age or beyond. Research shows such children are less likely to be overweight or obese, do better on intelligence tests and earn a higher income in adult life. The WHO said millions of children who miss out on the benefits of breastfeeding are at risk of stunting and wasting. It warned that undernutrition was associated with 2.7 million or 45% child deaths annually. Emergency situations Fatmata Fatima Sesay, a UNICEF specialist in infant feeding, said, In emergency situations and difficult circumstances, breastfeeding can make the difference between life and death for babies. She told VOA that mothers face increased obstacles in feeding their babies in situations of armed conflict such as in Sudan and in climate-driven droughts like in the Horn of Africa that have forced millions of families from their homes. Sesay, however, also said, Even in the face of difficult circumstances like this, babies who are breastfed have much more food security than those who are formula fed. She said babies in emergency situations who are formula fed not only lose the advantages of breastfeeding, but they are also at risk of contamination from inadequate clean water to make the formula and clean the utensils. Beyond those difficult situations, she said, many women have a whole host of other common challenges to overcome and need practical support to help them with the care and feeding of their infants. Criticism of formula industry She expressed disappointment at the exploitative marketing practices of the $55 billion infant formula industry that discourage mothers from breastfeeding. We know from research that these companies are using manipulative tactics to exploit mothers and parents, as well as exploiting their anxieties and aspirations. Sesay said governments can protect mothers and caregivers from aggressive, underhanded tactics by implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. There is strong evidence that shows that countries that are fully aligned with the code are able to reach the 70% breastfeeding goal by 2030, she said. In marking World Breastfeeding Week, the WHO and UNICEF agreed that greater breastfeeding support in workplaces would boost global breastfeeding rates. They urged governments to ensure that all mothers, even those who work in the informal sector, have access to at least 18 weeks of paid maternity leave. The agencies called for new mothers to be given regular breaks in the workplace, so the moms can continue to breastfeed their children once they return to work. Officials in Pakistan told VOA Tuesday the death toll from Sundays suicide bombing at a political rally in the northwestern part of the country has risen to 56. The blast happened during a workers convention of a religious political party, Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F), in the town of Khar in the tribal area of Bajaur near Pakistans border with Afghanistan. Mourners began holding funerals Monday for the victims. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack in a message Monday. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, his spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Monday. The secretary-general denounces all instances of terrorism and deliberate targeted attacks against civilians and stands in solidarity with the government and the people of Pakistan in combating this scourge, Haq said. The U.N. Security Council called the bombing heinous and cowardly and expressed condolences to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani government. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, the council said in a statement. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The United States has formally invited China's newly reappointed foreign minister, Wang Yi, to Washington, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said on Tuesday, after Wang's predecessor was abruptly removed from his post by Beijing. China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang as foreign minister last week, replacing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for more than month a mysterious absence after just seven months in the job that has raised questions about transparency. The ministry has only said Qin was off work for unspecified health reasons. The invitation was extended on Monday during a meeting at the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, Miller said in a news briefing. "In the meeting yesterday, we extended the invitation that had previously been made to Foreign Minister Qin Gang and made clear that invitation did transfer over," Miller said. He did not say if the Chinese side had accepted the invitation but added that this was Washington's expectation. "We certainly expect that it is something that they would accept and is a trip that we expect to happen, but we have not yet scheduled a date," Miller said. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment when asked about the invitation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Qin on June 18, on the first visit by America's top diplomat to China in five years. The U.S. State Department said then they held "candid, substantive and constructive" talks, and Blinken invited Qin to Washington to continue discussions. Qin, 57, a former aide to President Xi Jinping and envoy to the United States, took over the ministry in December but has not been seen in public since June 25 when he met visiting diplomats in Beijing. The Foreign Ministry's brief explanation that this was due to health reasons was later excised from official transcripts. Qin's successor, Wang, 69, was also his predecessor, holding the post from 2013-2022 as ties frayed with rival superpower the United States to a point Beijing described as an all-time low. Blinken subsequently met Wang on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Jakarta in Qin's absence. Nigerian labor unions held meetings with the government Tuesday to discuss the removal of fuel subsidies that have led to increases in fuel prices and the threat of strikes. The meetings come a day after the president announced a $650 million financial package to assist households hurt by economic reforms. During a televised address, President Bola Tinubu defended his decision to scrap the fuel subsidy, saying it only benefited a few so-called elites. Tinubu said he was aware of the hardships that the decision caused citizens and promised his government was working to help. The latest measures announced by the president include allocations for a review of the minimum wage, support for micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises, and the purchase of 3,000 gas-powered buses to reduce the cost of transportation. Tinubu also ordered the immediate release of 200,000 metric tons of grains to households, in an effort to lower prices, and 225,000 metric tons of fertilizers, seedlings and other inputs to farmers. "I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting major imbalances that have plagued our economy," Tinubu said. "Ending the subsidy and preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation." Upon assuming office in late May, Tinubu embarked on some of Nigeria's biggest reforms in decades, including floating of the country's currency, the naira. Fuel prices have more than tripled since the subsidy removal and the currency has weakened against the U.S. dollar. The developments increased pressure on the government to ease the suffering caused by the policies. Authorities say the decision will pay off in the long run. On Monday, Tinubu said the country has saved $1.32 billion since scrapping the subsidy in late May. "Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, health care, schools, housing and even national security," he said. But economist Isaac Botti said authorities should have implemented measures in advance to cushion the effect of removing the subsidy. "What the government ought to have done was to create the shock absorber, but trying to salvage a crisis after it has occurred for me is an afterthought," Botti said. "So what the president expressed in his speech were things he should have done or should have been out in place before the pronouncement of subsidy removal." Botti said Nigeria needs to consider local refining of oil if it is going to bring down soaring fuel prices. "What is the plan [including] short, medium and long term to address the issue of refining petrol in this country? Whatever measures the government is bringing on board should be able to address the realities on ground," he said. Last month, Tinubu announced plans to transfer $10 million to $12 million to poor households in a bid to ease the impact of the subsidy removal. Meanwhile, the labor unions met with government officials hoping to reach an agreement that will prevent workers from holding a planned protest on Wednesday. One Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces, Palestinian health officials said, after committing a shooting attack that wounded six Israelis outside a shopping mall in the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. Israeli emergency services said two of the six Israelis were in a serious condition and that one of the victims was 14 years old. "We went into the restaurant where we saw the victim lying fully conscious with gunshot wounds to his upper body," Israeli paramedic Oren Brill said of one of those shot in the attack. "We provided him with life-saving treatment and rapidly evacuated him to hospital in a serious condition. Following an initial assessment in the trauma room, he was transferred to the operating room." Footage circulating on social media, which could not be independently verified by Reuters, shows the shooter motionless on the ground, wearing a bright yellow vest, while blood seeps onto the sidewalk beneath his body. The Hamas militant organization, which governs the Gaza Strip, said the attack was a response to Israeli officials ascending to Temple Mount in Jerusalem last week. The legal status of the religious site, known to Judaism as Temple Mount and in Islam as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, is a recurring flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Israel's Channel 12 said the shooter was shot by an off-duty officer. Violence in the West Bank, among territories where the Palestinians seek to establish a state, has worsened over the past 15 months amid stepped-up Israeli raids, Palestinian street attacks and assaults by Jewish settlers on Palestinian villages. BEIRUT, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Syria has expressed its willingness to receive 180,000 displaced refugees from Lebanon at the first stage, said Lebanese Minister of the Displaced Issam Charafeddine on Tuesday. "We have reached an understanding with the Syrian government to resolve the crisis of the displaced safely," Charafeddine was quoted as saying by the Elnashra news website. "There is mutual trust with the Syrian side and a commitment to the understanding reached last year regarding the safe return of the displaced," Charafeddine said, adding that shelter centers have been ready to receive the displaced and provide them with facilities, health care, and education. The minister said he had proposed forming a tripartite committee with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Syria but was rejected on the ground of instability in Syria. The UNHCR reported that Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita and per square km in the world. According to statistics released by the Lebanese government, around 2 million Syrian refugees are living in Lebanon, a country with a population of more than 5.5 million. The Lebanese government insists on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country is facing its worst socio-economic crisis in decades and can no longer meet the growing needs of refugees. When Pope Francis made the first foreign trip of his papacy to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013 he urged young people to make a "mess" in their local churches, to shake things up even if it ruffled the feathers of their bishops. As he embarks this week on another edition of World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal, Francis in many ways has taken his own advice to heart. After 10 years as pope, Francis is accelerating his reform agenda and making revolutionary changes in personnel and policy that are definitely shaking up things. Unencumbered by the shadow of Pope Benedict XVI, who died seven months ago, and despite recovering from a second intestinal surgery in as many years, the 86-year-old Francis is opening a frenetic second half of the year with his Portugal visit. He seems aware that he has a limited sweet spot of time to solidify the changes he believes are necessary for the 21st century church and is looking to the next generation of faithful and leaders to execute them. "The sense I get is that this is the consolidation phase of the pontificate," said papal biographer Austen Ivereigh. "He's laying the basis now, laying the ground, for the future." SEE ALSO: Pope Urges World Leaders to Do More to Tackle Climate Change And no better place to put it on display than at a World Youth Day. The international rally, which St. John Paul II launched in 1986 to galvanize young Catholics in their faith, is expected to draw up to 1 million people for the first post-pandemic event of its kind. Looking ahead, involving everyone Francis' perennial social justice concerns about climate change, social inequality and fraternity, as well as Russia's war in Ukraine, are expected to be major themes at World Youth Day. Beyond Portugal, though, Francis' multifold strategy for laying the groundwork for the future is coming together and will hit significant marks in the coming months. His global canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics about their vision for the future comes to fruition this October with a big synod at the Vatican. The meeting is intended to give direction on such hot-button issues as the place of LGBTQ+ Catholics and women in the church, and for the first time will feature women and young people voting on proposals alongside bishops. "I really think that for Pope Francis, he felt that 'OK, now it's mature' and it would be good really to involve all the members, all the people in the synod as members" with the right to vote, said Sister Nathalie Becquart, who is one of the key synod organizers. To then implement the vision that emerges from the synod, Francis has been naming a slew of unusually young bishops for key archdioceses in his native Buenos Aires, Madrid and Brussels, among others. At the same time, he's elevated several cardinals in their 50s and in some cases their 40s including the auxiliary bishop of Lisbon who is organizing World Youth Day. SEE ALSO: Pope Francis Names 21 New Cardinals, Including Prelates Based in Hong Kong and Jerusalem Putting such young clerics in such important positions ensures a generation's worth of likeminded leadership in the Vatican and archdioceses around the world. While not all are cookie-cutter proteges of Francis, many are seen as similarly pastorally minded and thus more game to implement his reforms, especially as the older generation of bishops and cardinals dies out. After Francis is gone, the youngest of these new cardinals will have some three decades' worth of local leadership and conclave votes to select future popes, suggesting a generational and ideological shift in the church leadership is very much underway. 'A seed for the world's future' Francis' most important young "legacy" appointment was that of the Vatican's new doctrinal czar, Argentine Cardinal-elect Victor Manuel Fernandez, 61. Francis' theological ghostwriter ran into Vatican problems in the past over questions about his doctrinal orthodoxy, and his appointment sent shockwaves through the conservative and traditionalist wings of the church. Fernandez sees his appointment as part of Francis' longer-term agenda. "He is proposing a more inclusive church, more respectful of different ways of living, even of thinking," Fernandez said in an interview. Portuguese Cardinal-elect Americo Aguiar, who is in charge of World Youth Day, is another young churchman who also understands his appointment as part of a generational turning point for the Catholic hierarchy. At 49, he will become the second-youngest member of the College of Cardinals when he is installed Sept. 30. He is just six months older than the current youngest cardinal, whom Francis elevated this time last year: Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, head of the church in Mongolia where Francis will travel at the end of August. "My reading of it is that this has to do with young people, it has to do with youth, it has to do with Portugal, it has to do with World Youth Day, it has to do with all of that," Aguiar said in an interview. "I think that his objective and his underlining was exactly to send a signal to the young people, to every young person who is preparing the day, whether in Portugal or in the world, to feel identified with this decision." Francis said as much in his monthly prayer intentions for August, this time dedicated to the Lisbon event. "In Lisbon, I would like to see a seed for the world's future," Francis said. "A world where love is at the center, where we can sense that we are sisters and brothers." His wish in many ways echoed his words at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio, which now seem prescient in outlining many of the key pastoral messages Francis has emphasized over the past decade. Delivering a spontaneous, off-the-cuff exhortation to a gathering of Argentine pilgrims that was organized at the last minute, Francis urged the young to get out into the streets, spread their faith and "make a mess." "I want to see the church get closer to the people," Francis said then, speaking in his native Spanish. "I want to get rid of clericalism, the mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in our parishes, schools or structures." Realizing the radical nature of his message, Francis apologized to the bishops for what was about to come, even though in the 10 years since, he has only gone further than anyone could have imagined at the time. A man who was a Princeton University student when the FBI arrested him on charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot pleaded guilty on Monday to joining a mob's attack on police officers during one of the most violent clashes on January 6, 2021. Larry Fife Giberson was on the front lines when rioters attacked police officers in a tunnel on the Capitol's Lower West Terrace. Giberson, 22, of Manahawkin, New Jersey, waved other rioters into the tunnel and then joined in a coordinated push against officers guarding an entrance to the building, according to a court filing. Giberson tried in vain to start a chant of "Drag them out!" and then cheered on rioters using weapons and pepper spray against police in the tunnel, according to an FBI's agent affidavit. Giberson remained in the area for roughly an hour, the affidavit says. Giberson pleaded guilty to a felony charge of interfering with police during a civil disorder, court records show. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence him on November 1. The judge allowed him to remain free until his sentencing. Giberson was enrolled at Princeton as an undergraduate when he was arrested in March on riot-related charges. On Monday, a university spokesperson declined to answer questions about Giberson's enrollment status. Charles Burnham, an attorney for Giberson, didn't immediately respond to emails and a telephone call seeking comment. Giberson was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat and a Trump flag around his neck when he joined the January 6 attack, which disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory over Donald Trump. The FBI posted images of Giberson on social media to seek the public's help in identifying him. Online sleuths also posted images of Giberson using the "#DragThemOut" hashtag moniker. Investigators matched photos of Giberson from the Capitol to several images found on Instagram and Princeton University's website, according to the FBI. Also on Monday, a Florida man was arrested on charges that he assaulted several police officers outside the Capitol during the riot. Videos captured Marcus Clint Martin applying first aid to an injured rioter and then shoving two officers who tried to help, the FBI said. Other videos show Martin, 32, of Blountstown, Florida, piling onto an officer who was knocked over and removing metal barriers after chasing officers away from their positions in front of the Capitol, according to the FBI. Martin was arrested in Panama City, Florida, on charges including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding police. There was no lawyer immediately listed in the court docket for Martin. Approximately 1,100 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. More than 600 of them have pleaded guilty. Over 100 others have been convicted by judges or juries after trials in Washington, D.C. Security authorities in eastern Libya freed at least 385 Pakistani migrants who were held in trafficking warehouses in an overnight raid, a migrant rights group said Monday. Al-Abreen, a group which helps migrants in Libya, said the Pakistani nationals were released early Monday from smugglers' warehouses in the al-Khueir area, roughly 8 kilometers south of the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk. The migrants among them children were later transferred to a nearby police headquarters, it said in a post on its official Facebook page. Esreiwa Salah, an activist with al-Abreen, told The Associated Press the Pakistani migrants had arrived in Libya intending to travel to Europe but were detained by smugglers who demanded a ransom for their release. No further details were given. Several pictures posted on al-Abreen's Facebook page showed dozens of purportedly freed Pakistani migrants sitting outside of a warehouse. Libya is the dominant transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East trying to make it to Europe. The country plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Oil-rich Libya has been ruled for most of the past decade by rival governments in eastern and western Libya, each backed by an array of militias and foreign governments. Human traffickers have benefited from the decade of instability, smuggling migrants across borders from six nations, including Egypt, Algeria and Sudan. They then pack desperate migrants seeking a better life in Europe into ill-equipped rubber boats and other vessels for risky voyages on the perilous Central Mediterranean Sea route. A vessel that departed from Libya carrying an estimated 700 migrants, including about 350 Pakistanis, sank off the Greek coast in June. Only 104 people, including 12 Pakistanis, were rescued. Pakistan is experiencing an economic crisis that is driving thousands of mostly young men to seek work abroad. Many travel to Libya with the hope of eventually reaching European shores. Threats to Sweden have increased after recent Quran burnings, the country's government said Tuesday, adding that it would strengthen border and internal controls and give police wider authority to stop and search people as a result. Sweden and Denmark have seen a string of protests in recent weeks, in which copies of the Quran were burned or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage in Muslim countries and demands that the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings. More Quran burnings took place on Monday and both countries said they were examining ways to legally limit such acts in a bid to de-escalate tensions. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the security situation in Sweden was complex, not least because of its delayed accession to NATO. The government would temporarily ramp up internal security and border controls, giving police wider authority to stop and search people, he said. He also urged people to use the freedom of speech responsibly and respectfully. "In a free country like Sweden, you have a great deal of freedom. But with that great degree of freedom comes a great degree of responsibility," Kristersson told a news conference. "Everything that is legal is not appropriate. It can be awful but still lawful. We try to promote a respectful tone between countries and peoples." On Monday, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, convened in an extraordinary session to discuss the recent developments and strongly condemned the Koran burnings. The organization called upon member states to take appropriate action, whether political or economic, in countries where the Koran is being desecrated. Kristersson said sweeping changes to the Swedish freedom of speech laws were not on the table, but the government was looking into changes that would allow police to stop Koran burnings in public if they were a threat to Sweden's security. "We have completely different political systems [from some of Sweden's critics], completely different views on human rights, including freedom of speech," Kristersson said. "It is not the case that Sweden is adapting itself in the light of other countries' demands on Sweden. We are not." Iran on Tuesday declared a two-day holiday for government workers and banks nationwide as searing temperatures sweep across the country, state media reported. The decision came after the meteorological office forecast temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in many cities and hovering around 50 degrees Celsius in the southwest. State broadcaster IRIB has said many cities including in the provinces of Ilam, Bushehr and Khuzestan have seen temperatures rise above 45 degrees Celsius in recent days. "The cabinet agreed to the health ministry proposal to declare Wednesday and Thursday public holidays all over the country to protect public health," the official IRNA news agency quoted government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi as saying. IRNA said the decision was taken because of what it described as an "unprecedented" heat wave across the country. According to IRIB, Dehloran city in western Iran recorded the highest temperature of 50 degrees Celsius in Iran over the past 24 hours. It added that temperatures were expected to rise in the north as well, including in the city of Ardabil as well as at the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The health ministry has warned of the risks of heatstroke from overexposure to the sun, and urged people to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Health ministry spokesman Pedram Pakain described the number of heat-related illnesses in recent days as "alarming. In June, Iran changed summer working hours for government employees who now start earlier, in order to save electricity in offices when temperatures peak. The southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan has been among the hardest hit by the heatwave. Around 1,000 people have received hospital treatment there in recent days because of rising temperatures and dust storms, IRNA said. The region has long faced severe water shortages, which triggered protests on Monday over an upstream dam in neighboring Afghanistan restricting water flow, the Tasnim news agency said. Iran, with a population of more than 85 million, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and the rise in global temperatures. Like nearby countries, it has suffered extreme dry spells and heat waves for years, which are expected to worsen as climate change continues. It has also endured repeated droughts as well as regular flooding, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth. The British government on Tuesday recognized as genocide those crimes committed against the Yazidi minority by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq in 2014. The decision comes days before the ninth anniversary of the crimes that were perpetrated by the terror group also known as ISIS or Daesh. "The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago, and the repercussions are still felt to this day," Britain's minister of state for the Middle East, Tariq Ahmad, said in a statement. "Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated." Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking religious minority viewed as infidels by IS extremists. In August 2014, IS carried out a massive attack on Sinjar, once home to the largest Yazidi community in the world. At least 5,000 Yazidis, mostly men and boys, were killed during the attack on the northern Iraqi city. IS then kidnapped thousands of Yazidi children and women, who subsequently were used as sex slaves and child soldiers. More than 2,000 of them are still missing. Yazidi activists welcomed the move by Britain, saying this could help alleviate their suffering years after IS was militarily defeated in Iraq and Syria. "Thousands died, thousands more were enslaved and so many of us are displaced and traumatized. I hope this step brings us closer to justice," tweeted Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was kidnapped by IS in 2014. Zara Saleh, a London-based Kurdish affairs analyst, said the decision came after years of intensive lobbying by the Yazidi community. "This means the British government will dedicate more resources to try to hold ISIS criminals accountable for their crimes against Yazidis, Kurds and other ethnic and religious groups in Iraq and Syria," Saleh told VOA. A United Nations team in 2021 determined that IS atrocities against Yazidis constituted genocide. In 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution acknowledging that IS was perpetrating genocide against Yazidis and Christians. In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed the Iraq and Syria Genocide and Relief and Accountability Act. Ukraine and Poland called in the ambassadors from each other's countries on Tuesday as a dispute escalated after a foreign policy adviser to Poland's president said Kyiv should show more appreciation for Warsaw's support in its war with Russia. The adviser, Marcin Przydacz, also said the Polish government must defend the interests of the country's farmers - a reference to a ban on imports of Ukrainian commodities which will expire next month. Kyiv and Warsaw have been firm allies throughout the conflict that erupted with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But the exchanges reflected contentious issues. Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko said the Polish ambassador was told in the meeting that statements about Ukraine's alleged ungratefulness for Poland's help were "untrue and unacceptable." "We are convinced that Ukrainian-Polish friendship is much deeper than political expediency. Politics should not call into question the mutual understanding and strength of relations between our peoples," a Ukrainian statement said. Poland also called in the Ukrainian ambassador to Warsaw in response to the "comments of representatives of Ukrainian authorities," Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. The tweet did not specify what comments it referred to. Polish media had on Monday quoted Przydacz as speaking about the possible extension of Poland's import ban on Ukrainian agricultural produce. "What is most important today is to defend the interest of the Polish farmer," Przydacz was quoted as saying. He also said, "I think it would be worthwhile for (Kyiv) to start appreciating what role Poland has played for Ukraine over past months and years." The European Union in May allowed Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds. After the Russian invasion blocked Black Sea ports, large quantities of Ukrainian grain, which is cheaper than that produced in the EU, ended up staying in central European states due to logistical bottlenecks, hitting prices and sales for local farmers. The five countries want the ban on grain imports to be extended at least until the end of the year. It is set to expire on Sept. 15. Poland's prime minister said recently that it would not lift the ban on Sept. 15 even if the EU did not agree on its extension. Kyiv has described the Polish decision as "unfriendly" and urged Ukraine's partners and the European Commission to ensure the unimpeded export of all Ukrainian agriculture products to the EU. The Polish foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. WASHINGTON Washington added more China-based companies to a blacklist Tuesday, barring their goods from entering the United States as officials seek to remove forced labor especially involving minorities such as the Uyghur people from supply chains. Battery maker Camel Group, along with spice and extract company Chenguang Biotech Group, are the latest to be included in the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) entity list, according to U.S. authorities. The firms were targeted over accusations of working with China's government to recruit, transport or receive forced labor or members of persecuted groups such as Uyghur minorities out of the Xinjiang region. "Today's additions demonstrate the United States' unwavering commitment to eliminating forced labor, including by ensuring that goods made by forced labor are not imported into our country," U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement. The U.S. government and lawmakers in other Western countries have labeled China's treatment of the Uyghur minority in the northwestern Xinjiang region "genocide" a charge Beijing vehemently denies. Rights groups said at least 1 million people, mostly members of Muslim minorities, have been incarcerated in the region and face widespread abuses, including forced sterilization of women and coerced labor. In a separate statement on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said, "We will continue to work with all of our partners to keep goods made with forced labor from Xinjiang out of U.S. commerce while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade." The UFLPA, adopted by Congress with bipartisan support in 2021, bans the import of all goods from the Xinjiang region unless companies offer verifiable proof that production did not involve forced labor. Apart from Tuesday's additions to the entity list, two other China-based companies printer manufacturer Ninestar Corporation and chemical products firm Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co. were added earlier this year. Venice's famed Rialto Bridge was jammed with tourists on Monday, the same day UNESCO recommended the watery city be put on its endangered list, citing overtourism and other concerns. Taking selfies, licking gelato and wheeling suitcases, the hordes of visitors seemed happily oblivious to the possible downgrade UNESCO said was due to the risk of "irreversible" damage. New York tourist Ashley Park, 28, said she knew it would be crowded in Venice, but it wasn't ruining her vacation. "Obviously, if we lived here with all these tourists, it wouldn't be fun," she acknowledged. Among the crowds on the historic bridge was city worker Diego Nechifrovo, 23, wearing an #EnjoyRespectVenezia T-shirt, who was busy keeping an eye out for misbehaving tourists. "Sometimes I see someone throwing away his cigarette or walking around without a T-shirt," he said, noticing a bag of potato chips discarded on the doorstep of a jewelry shop. The worst? One time a family "sat down right in front of the Doge's Palace and started to set up a picnic." A few weeks ago, a distracted tourist fell into the water, Nechifrovo said. "He was trying to get a good photo. Not far away, a seller of watercolors had a sign on his stand pointing to St. Mark's Square. "That's all they want to know," said the native Venetian, Claudio, who declined to give his last name. "They come to Venice because it's Venice. That's all." Go to the beach The days of educated tourists visiting and enjoying the city's many churches and museums were over, he said. "Those who come now don't even know what a museum is. It's not cultural tourism," he said. "They need to go to the beach, or the mountains, but not here!" he lamented. "Please don't come anymore!" The list of Venice's challenges are many, from environmental damage to its lagoon to its fleeing residents - with only about 50,000 left - leaving what many critics charge is now a city without a soul. Two years ago, Venice narrowly avoided being placed on the same UNESCO list - which is intended to spur governments into action to preserve places deemed of "universal value to humanity" - after the city imposed a ban on massive cruise ships traveling past the center. Environmental groups warned the ships, carrying thousands of day-trippers and sailing exceptionally close to shore, caused large waves eroding Venice's foundations and harming the lagoon's fragile ecosystem. But the rerouting of the ships to the more distant industrial port of Marghera did not address the issue of overtourism itself. Some 3.2 million tourists stayed overnight in Venice's historic center last year, according to official data, a number that does not include the thousands of daily visitors who do not spend the night. "It's pretty beautiful - it's a draw!" said U.S. tourist Mike McWilliams, 53, who had just arrived in the city for a two-day visit with his family. UNESCO, the U.N.'s cultural wing, put Venice on its heritage list in 1987 as an "extraordinary architectural masterpiece," but it has warned of the need for "more sustainable tourism management." On Monday, it said progress had been insufficient while citing "a lack of overall joint strategic vision" by authorities. Critics say measures put in place to check tourism are ineffective and have come too late. A long-discussed plan to introduce a paid booking scheme for day-trippers has been repeatedly postponed, now until 2024, over concerns it will seriously dent tourist revenue and compromise freedom of movement. Back at St. Mark's Square, city worker Lorenzo Seano, 21, was struggling to keep tourists from sitting on the steps of the surrounding arcades. The problem of too many tourists invading cities went well beyond Venice, Seano said, but no one in government had tried to tackle the problem "on a structural level. "After all, there's a ton of money coming in," he said. Zhang Chunxiao, the wife of Chinese rights lawyer Lu Siwei, is calling for the release of her husband, who was arrested in Laos Friday morning while boarding a train for Thailand. Zhang told VOA Mandarin on Monday that Lu had been transferred from a local Vientiane immigration office to Laos' national immigration department. She said in Lu's last message to her on Friday night, he said three police officers were with him to take him away, and he might not be able to message her again. Peter Dahlin, the founder of the nongovernmental organization, Safeguard Defenders, confirmed to VOA Mandarin in an email that Lu has been taken to the immigration department's main office near the airport in Vientiane Monday morning, Laos time. "This shows that they are planning to process his deportation today, and one local source tells us Chinese embassy personnel are on-site as well. It may happen very soon, as it appears imminent unless pressure from other governments makes the Laotian government reconsider," he said. "His deportation will make them violate both their legally binding commitment under the U.N. Convention Against Torture, but also the general principle of non-refoulment, that is, to not send people back if they stand a risk of torture or maltreatment," he added. According to the Safeguard Defenders website, Lu held a valid visa for Laos when he crossed into the country earlier this month. "He planned to travel by train to Thailand along the route that starts at Thanaleng Station, southeast of the capital, Vientiane. The station is a short distance from the Thai-Laotian Friendship Bridge. Lu planned to fly from Thailand to the US to reunite with his wife and daughter" according to the site. Forced into car Two friends from North America were with Lu in Laos. The trio had arrived at the station around 8:35 a.m. to buy tickets for the 10 a.m. train on July 28, when local police confiscated the passports of Lu and one of the others, according to the NGO's website. Police returned and handcuffed Lu, the site said. One of Lu's companions said that about 10 immigration police were involved in the incident that ended with Lu being forced into a car and taken away. "As in China, the railways have their own separate police force. It is unclear if Lu is now being held at a railway police detention centre or is already at the immigration detention centre at the airport," according to the site. Laos maintains an extradition treaty with China but in the past "all known cases of Chinese nationals returned to China have been conducted under illegal or irregular operations or by having the Laotian government order their deportation," to China, according to Safeguard Defenders. VOA Mandarin contacted the Lao and Chinese embassies in Washington for comment. The Lao embassy did not respond. In an email, the Chinese embassy said "Unfortunately, we do not have anything to offer" on the reasons for Lu's arrest or what's going to happen to him next. The countries maintain a close relationship. On April 17, China's Wang Yi, now the foreign minister, met with Saleumxay Kommasith, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Laos. Wang said, "China and Laos are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. Bilateral relations have stood the test of changing international situation and even wars and are rock-solid and unshakable." Saleumxay Kommasith said, "The Lao people wholeheartedly appreciate the strong support and selfless help of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people. Laos is ready to work with China to strengthen exchanges and cooperation." Lawyer took on sensitive cases Lu had a history of taking on sensitive cases and defending people seen as political targets by Chinese authorities. He represented 12 Hong Kong residents, the so-called Hong Kong 12, after they were intercepted at sea by Chinese authorities as they tried to flee to Taiwan on August 23, 2020 China revoked Lu's license to practice law in January 2021. Two months later, he was banned from leaving China. Dahlin said Lu "will certainly be detained upon his return, possibly also for crossing the Chinese border illegally. Upon detention, his fate is, of course, sealed, and it's unlikely that he will not be arrested, prosecuted, brought to trial and convicted." Zhang said international society, including the U.N. and U.S., are pressuring Laos for Lu's release. In a social media video, she said, "If repatriated to China, my husband will be tortured and detained. I plea to the Laotian government to allow him to be protected by the U.N. as an international refugee." She hopes to reunite with Lu soon because their daughter hasn't seen her father for almost two years. VOA contacted the State Department for updates on Lu's case but didn't get a response by the time of publication. TIANJIN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At a newly opened indoor parent-child amusement park in north China's Tianjin Municipality, children find themselves immersed in interactive AR games, role-playing on the stage, and tailored doll making. NEOBIO, a popular chain brand, launched the new park in a bustling commercial shopping mall in downtown Tianjin in mid-July. "We received more than 5,000 customers in the first four days of its opening," said Chai Shen, head of the amusement park, noting that a parent-child consumption boom is expected during the summer vacation. Tianjin is known as one of China's international consumption center cities. The other four are Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Guangzhou. As China's economy continues to recover, Tianjin's consumption performance reveals the immense potential of the country's mega market. On May 27, a shopping complex was opened in Tianjin, reconstructed from four old buildings, with an investment of 2 billion yuan (approximately 280.48 million U.S. dollars). Featuring four different consumption themes including parent-kid, fashion, exhibition and night economy, the shopping complex quickly became a hot spot for consumers, welcoming 276,000 visitors within the first two days of opening. "Don nino," an Italian ice cream brand, opened its first store there in Tianjin. It has been flooded with over 10,000 orders over the past two months. The spacious rooftop area of one building of the complex has been transformed into a hub comprised of restaurants and bars. It offers guests the chance to savor delicious food and wine and enjoy the stunning night view of Tianjin's Haihe River, along with its iconic landmarks and skyline. Yang Hongchang moved his indoor bar to the rooftop and found that the monthly revenue grew rapidly with an increasing number of consumers. Data shows that 12 large shopping centers are set to open in Tianjin this year. Sun Jiannan, director of the Tianjin Commission of Commerce, said that focusing on the fostering and building of the international consumption center city, Tianjin will hold multi-field, multi-level, and diversified consumption promotion activities throughout the year. Thanks to the implementation of various consumer promotion policies, the total retail sales of consumer goods in Tianjin increased by 8.9 percent year on year from January to May 2023. Apart from Tianjin, various measures have been introduced to promote consumption across the country -- Hainan Province has issued 20 million yuan tax-free shopping vouchers; Shanghai initiated a summer consumption carnival; and Anhui Province plans to launch about 1,500 consumption promotion activities in the third quarter of this year. China's retail sales of consumer goods, a major gauge of the country's consumption strength, continued to expand in the first half of this year, reaching 22.76 trillion yuan, up 8.2 percent year on year, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). "In general, the consumption potential has been gradually released in the first half of the year, and consumption maintains a good momentum of recovery, giving a boost to the country's economic growth and people's living standards," NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui told a press conference. "As the society and economy fully resumed normal operations, the economy is recovering, consumption scenarios are expanding, policies to promote consumption are taking effect, spending by residents is steadily growing, and market retail sales are accelerating," Fu said. Bai Ming, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, emphasized that it is necessary to continue to enhance consumers' willingness to spend by creating more consumption channels and vibrant hotspots. As consumption promotion policies continue to take effect, consumption's impact on the economy is expected to further flourish. Latest developments: Britain added new sanctions Monday against Russia, targeting judges and officials involved in the trial of political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. A British-Russian citizen, Kara-Murza lost his appeal Monday of his 25-year jail sentence for treason and for spreading "false information" about Russia's war in Ukraine, the RIA state news agency reported. He was arrested two months after the war began just hours after CNN broadcast an interview with him in which he said Russia was run by "a regime of murderers." Ukraine's birth rate was 28% lower in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2021, marking the biggest decline since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the Ukrainian data analytics website Opendatabot reports. Ukraine's Defense Ministry signed an agreement with Turkish company Baykar to build a service center for the repair and maintenance of drones in Ukraine, a ministry official said on Monday. At least six people were killed by two Russian missiles that hit the city of Kryvyi Rih in southern Ukraine, hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian officials said Monday. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak announced a day of mourning in the city, saying that among the dead were a 10-year-old girl and her mother. Seventy-five others were wounded, including six children ages 4 to 17 years. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the missiles hit an apartment building and a university building. At the damaged residential building, nearly 150 of the building's residents managed to get out by themselves, and 30 were helped by rescuers, the governor said. Zelenskyy shared video of damaged buildings and rescue efforts on social media. "Regions of Ukraine are being shelled by the occupiers, who continue to terrorize peaceful cities and people," he said. "In recent days, the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centers, shelling civilian objects and housing. But this terror will not frighten us or break us. We are working and saving our people," Zelenskyy said. "This is already a kind of genocidal everyday reality ... Kryvyi Rih," Zelenskyy's adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "International law will never work if the aggressor does not see a real power behind it. The power begins with closing the Ukrainian skies with missile defense and air defense systems," he added. Ukraine drone attacks Three Ukrainian drones targeted the city of Moscow on Sunday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, which called the strikes an "attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime." This was the fourth such strike on Russia's capital region this month and the third this week, revealing Moscow's vulnerability as Russia's war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month. Two of the drones struck the capital's financial district. A skyscraper was damaged, and a security guard there was injured, Russia's state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials. Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency reported the building's tenants included several government agencies. FILE - A view shows the damaged facade of an office building following a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow, Russia, July 30, 2023. There was no extensive damage, but the attack on the Moskva-Citi business district, several miles west of the Kremlin, has caused nervousness among employers and employees there, who felt the war's reach to Russia's nerve center. Tech giant Yandex, which has offices around the Russian capital including in Moskva-Citi, asked employees to vacate offices at night when strikes on the Russian capital have tended to occur. Flights were temporarily suspended at Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport, and the airspace over Moscow and outlying regions was temporarily closed. Ukrainian officials did not acknowledge the attacks, but Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process." A Ukrainian air force spokesman also did not claim responsibility but said the Russian people were reaping the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine. Peace summit Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for an end to the "irrational" war in Ukraine and urged the upcoming peace talks in the Middle East to include representation from both Ukraine and Russia. Saudi Arabia will host a summit reportedly scheduled to be held in Jeddah over the weekend to discuss implementation of Zelenskyy's peace plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Lopez Obrador said Mexico would only participate in the peace talks if both sides were present. The Mexican president has tried to keep his country neutral in the war, though his government has backed some major U.N. resolutions against Russia. Mexico has refused to send arms to Ukraine and has not imposed sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin said Monday, it would "follow" the meeting but did not currently see conditions for peace talks with Kyiv. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy's presidential office, said Sunday the summit would bring together national security advisers for talks that follow an initial round held in Copenhagen in June. Yermak said Ukraine is "working hard to involve as many partners as possible from the West and the Global South." He did not confirm a date for the summit, but The Wall Street Journal reported it would take place August 5-6 and involve 30 countries. The Associated Press cited officials saying the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa would participate. "The Ukrainian Peace Formula contains 10 fundamental points, the implementation of which will not only ensure peace for Ukraine, but also create mechanisms to counter future conflicts in the world," Yermak said in a statement. "We are deeply convinced that the Ukrainian peace plan should be taken as a basis, because the war is taking place on our land." Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. A judge in the southern U.S. state of Georgia on Monday refused efforts by former President Donald Trump to block a prosecutor from pursuing an indictment against him for trying to illegally overturn his pivotal 2020 election loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump had claimed that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Atlanta had overseen an investigation that was "confusing, flawed and, at times, unconstitutional." Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled Trump's claims were "either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized." The judge said, "They are insufficient because, while being the subject [or even target] of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation." McBurney said the former president could raise legal challenges to the Georgia investigation if he is indicted and when a judge is assigned to the case. "Guessing at what that picture might look like before the investigative dots are connected may be a popular game for the media and blogosphere," the judge wrote, "but it is not a proper role for the courts and formal legal argumentation." With a grand jury considering the case, Willis has signaled she could soon indict Trump and a host of aides linked to his efforts to upend the 2020 Georgia election result. She told an Atlanta television station over the weekend, "The work is accomplished. We've been working for two-and-a-half years. We're ready to go." As he sought to retain power after losing the 2020 election to Biden, Trump focused his election challenges on several states he narrowly lost to Biden, including Georgia. In the U.S. system of electing presidents, the winner is not determined by the national popular vote, but rather through separate outcomes in each of the 50 states, with the biggest states holding the most sway in the Electoral College vote count that determines the national winner. In Georgia, Trump in early 2021 called state election officials and asked them to "find" him 11,780 votes, one more than Biden's winning vote margin, so that Trump could win the state popular vote and its 16 votes in the Electoral College. Trump is already facing criminal indictments in two other cases. The former president has said he also expects to be indicted in Georgia, as well as by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. Smith has told Trump the latter is a target of his national investigation of election interference and his role in fomenting the January 6, 2021, riot of Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers met to certify the 2020 election outcome. Trump has denied all wrongdoing in the several criminal cases and investigations. Despite his mounting legal peril, polls show that Republican voters overwhelmingly favor him for the party's 2024 presidential nomination to run again against Biden. In one of the other criminal cases, also brought by Smith, Trump is accused of illegally retaining 32 highly classified national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida rather than turn them over to the National Archives as he was required to do when he left office. In a superseding indictment handed up by a federal grand jury last week, Trump was accused of trying to get the property manager at Mar-a-Lago, Carlos De Oliveira, to erase security camera footage of boxes of classified material being moved in and out of a storage room at Mar-a-Lago. De Oliveira, also accused in the case, made his first court appearance on Monday, but he did not enter a plea. He was freed on $100,000 bond and ordered to not discuss the case with others linked to the investigation. On his Truth Social site Sunday, Trump assailed the allegation that he tried to delete the security camera video. "Mar-a-Lago security tapes were not deleted," Trump said. "They were voluntarily handed over to the thugs, headed up by deranged Jack Smith." "We did not even go to court to stop them from getting these tapes. I never told anybody to delete them," he said. "Prosecutorial fiction & misconduct! Election interference!" The European Union and the United States have called for the military junta that seized power in Niger last week to halt their coup and return President Mohamed Bazoum to office. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday expressed support for actions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which Sunday imposed sanctions on the coup leaders and gave them a one-week deadline to cede power or face measures including "the use of force." Borrell said in a statement that Bazoum must be returned to power without delay. He also said the EU rejects accusations of foreign interference and that it will hold the junta responsible for any attacks on civilians or against diplomatic personnel or facilities. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also welcomed what he called the strong leadership of ECOWAS to "defend constitutional order in Niger" and said the United States joins calls for the immediate release of Bazoum and the restoration of Niger's democratically elected government. Blinken's spokesperson told reporters Monday that Washington has not yet made an official determination as to whether the military's actions constitute a coup, as the situation is ongoing and fluid. "It is clear that there has been an attempt to remove President Bazoum from office," Matthew Miller told reporters. "It is not yet clear that attempt will ultimately be successful, so we are watching and monitoring the situation and trying to prevent President Bazoum from being removed from office." Separately, a senior U.S. official told reporters that initially the mutineers did not appear to have much support from the public or senior members of the military. "However, in subsequent conversations with some key military leaders, they've told us that they did not object to what was taking place, because they couldn't figure out how to get the presidential guard to stand down without risk to the life of the president and his family, because the presidential guard had surrounded the president's residence," the U.S. official said. The United Nations envoy for West Africa, Leonardo Santos Simao, attended the ECOWAS summit. A U.N. spokesperson told reporters Monday that he reiterated the U.N.'s condemnation of the seizure of power by force and the undermining of democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. He said aid deliveries continue. More than 4 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. Leaders of the coup have said they acted last week in response to what they described as a worsening security situation and the government's lack of action against jihadists. In a statement on state television Monday, the military junta accused former colonial ruler, France, of planning to use military action to free Bazoum. On Sunday, hundreds of coup supporters attacked the French Embassy in Niamey, breaking windows and burning the French flag. French officials disputed accusations from some Nigerien military leaders, saying Monday that "no lethal resources were used by the French security forces" during the embassy attack. Margaret Besheer at the United Nations and Nike Ching at the State Department contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. ECOWAS also imposed sanctions, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Niger and other ECOWAS member states. That kind of thing makes me cringe because even if its possible, its easy to imagine really bad things happening as a result and its hard to know how that would be a valuable thing, Shurkin said. Michael Shurkin is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and also the director of global programs at 14 North strategies, an Africa-focused business advisory group. He says he applauds ECOWAS determination but wonders how effective a regional military intervention will be. The group says all measures including the use of force are on the table to restore constitutional order. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has given Nigers coup leaders one week to return the country to normal or face possible military intervention. The deadline comes after Nigers democratically elected president was toppled by members of his presidential guard last week. There are no easy options and the few that are available come with their own regional consequences. Shurkin says sanctions in this case might not be effective, especially for a country as poor as Niger. There were ECOWAS sanctions against Mali, which proved to be completely useless. In fact, they were counter-productive, Shurkin said. "The Malian junta was able to use the so-called international campaign against Malian sovereignty to its advantage to try to rally people behind it and it helped a very illegitimate regime create for itself more legitimacy. And if anything, all the sanctions did was just hurt poor people. Last week, Bazoums supporters protested in the capital, Niamey, calling for his release. On Sunday, pro-coup residents attacked the French embassy as they held their own demonstration. Dr. Edgar Githua, an international relations and diplomacy expert teaching at the U.S. International University in Nairobi, told VOA that ECOWAS -- in conjunction with the United States, France and the European Union has a strategic imperative for restoring Bazoum to power. For the simple reason that geopolitically speaking, the U.S. doesnt want Russia to come to that region, Githua said. "If Bazoum is kicked out of power, the military junta that takes over will open wide arms. The Wagner group, dont forget, is still in Chad, is still in Libya, // they are around there; they will sweep in so fast. The U.S. knows if theres a power vacuum, Russia will move in to fill that power vacuum. France, the United States and other countries have troops in Niger and while some of these countries have the ability to do some targeted intervention, Shurkin doesnt think any of these governments would have an appetite in doing so because... It looks terrible. It seems to re-enforce everything that many people fear and say about the Frenchs role in the Sahel because here is France being a neo-colonial power, picking and choosing leaders and not letting Nigeriens sort things out; same thing if the U.S. did it. Its very problematic, Shurkin said. " Niger has been a key ally of the West in the fight against militant groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Sahel region, which has seen a number of coups in the past few years, including in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak announced a day of mourning in the city, saying that among the dead were a 10-year-old girl and her mother. Seventy-five others were wounded, including six children ages 4 to 17 years. At the damaged residential building, nearly 150 of the building's residents managed to get out by themselves, and 30 were helped by rescuers, the governor said. During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said preliminary data show that the two missiles were fired at Kryvyi Rih from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea from the area of Dzhankoy. "This proves again and again that for the safety of our cities, for the protection of the normal life of Ukrainians and our children, our military must have enough long-range weapons, enough means to defeat terrorists. The world's sanctions pressure against Russia deserves a significant increase," he said. "This is already a kind of genocidal everyday reality ... Kryvyi Rih," Zelenskyy's adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "International law will never work if the aggressor does not see a real power behind it. The power begins with closing the Ukrainian skies with missile defense and air defense systems," he added. Attack on Kherson Russian strikes in Kherson Oblast killed four people and wounded 17 others on Monday, among them a 16-year-old girl. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said that one of the people killed, as well as six of those injured, were working at a utility company when it came under fire. Five others injured were volunteers. Later Monday, Russian forces launched a new attack against Kherson, targeting the Korabel district; meanwhile, an attack on the city of Beryslav killed another man. Prokudin said the intense shelling is due to Russia replenishing its forces on the east bank of the Dnipro River. Peace summit in Saudi Arabia U.S. government officials will attend the Ukraine summit scheduled in Saudi Arabia, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced during a briefing on Monday, saying that he could not provide more details. The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major developing countries to the high-level talks. Saudi Arabia's summit is reportedly scheduled to be held in Jeddah over the weekend to discuss implementation of Zelenskyy's peace plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for an end to the "irrational" war in Ukraine and urged the upcoming peace talks in the Middle East to include representation from both Ukraine and Russia. Lopez Obrador said Mexico would only participate in the peace talks if both sides were present. The Mexican president has tried to keep his country neutral in the war, though his government has backed some major U.N. resolutions against Russia. Mexico has refused to send arms to Ukraine and has not imposed sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin said Monday it would "follow" the meeting but did not currently see conditions for peace talks with Kyiv. France said it would start an evacuation effort Tuesday from Niger for its citizens and citizens of other European nations, nearly a week after a military junta seized power. Frances foreign ministry said in a statement the decision to carry out the evacuations was prompted by violence against the French Embassy in Niamey and the closure of Nigers airspace. The ministry said French citizens were unable to leave the country on their own. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on social media Tuesday that Italy is also offering its citizens in Niamey a special evacuation flight. Separately, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern over the reported arrest of several members of Nigers government. Guterres spokesman said the U.N. chief is urgently calling for the strict adherence to the countrys international human rights obligations and the prompt restoration of constitutional order. The secretary-general underscores the utmost importance of safeguarding civilians and ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need in Niger, spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. He added that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners are committed to remaining in Niger and continuing their work. More than 4 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. Regional tensions The regional bloc ECOWAS has imposed sanctions against the coup leaders and said it could use force to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum if he is not returned to power. The United Nations says 19,000 refugees and asylum-seekers have fled to South Sudan since Sudan's military and paramilitary started fighting on April 15, and that those numbers are expected to more than double by the end of the year. Refugees and aid workers describe the challenges they're facing This guy. Photo: Getty/Getty Images Maybe this one wasnt Gods plan. Drakes Memphis show is officially canceled, a little more than a month after he first postponed it. The FedEx Forum said it would be logistically impossible for Drakes Its All a Blur tour, with 21 Savage, to stop at the venue, due to the magnitude of production, local media reported. Drake had been first set to play Memphis on June 29 to kick off the tour; even after that show was canceled, he still received the key to the city and reportedly filmed a music video there. The Memphis date was first rescheduled to August 6, before now being canceled only days out just the latest scheduling mishap on this tour, after Drake pushed the start of the tour earlier this year and later also rescheduled a Columbus, Ohio, date. On top of it all, now, hes also delayed his upcoming Milwaukee show by a day, from August 3 to 4. As for those logistical impossibilities: the big stage or the big balloons? At least we know its not the hologram. BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner on Tuesday unveiled a series of detailed measures including tax reductions and cutting red tape to boost the private economy after a general guideline was released last month. The measures ranging from fair market access to stronger financial support and better government services are designed to tackle prominent problems facing private enterprises and boost their confidence, according to a notice from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and several other government agencies. Private firms will be encouraged to participate in major national projects that are profitable and mature, issue Real Estate Investment Trust products for infrastructure projects, and lead technological programs in key areas, such as industrial software and artificial intelligence. "Green light" investment cases will continue to be published to promote the sound development of the platform economy. More efforts will be made to eliminate market access barriers for private companies, NDRC official Wang Shancheng told a press conference on Tuesday. Wang said the NDRC will start the revision of the country's fifth negative list for market access in a timely manner and make the list shorter to create a fairer environment. According to the notice, companies will enjoy an easier process of tax reduction in research and development spending, shorter time in export rebates, and strengthened inclusive financial support. China's newly-implemented tax refunds, as well as tax and fee cuts and deferrals, for micro and small private firms and self-employed households, reached 704.9 billion yuan (about 98.89 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2023, data from the State Taxation Administration showed. In terms of legal guarantees, regulations and official documents violating the principle of equality for enterprises of various types of ownership will be abolished to protect the development of the private economy, according to the notice. The government will improve its services to help private businesses solve difficulties, cut red tape in administrative approval, clear arrears owed to small and medium-sized enterprises, and actively engage with entrepreneurs during the policymaking process. The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued a guideline on boosting the growth of the private economy last month, promising to improve the business environment, enhance policy support, and strengthen the legal guarantee for its development. The private economy plays an important role in China's economic development as it contributes approximately 50 percent of the country's tax revenue, 60 percent of GDP, 70 percent of technological innovation, and accounts for 80 percent of urban employment. UNESCO says Italy not doing enough to protect Venice. Venice is at risk of "irreversible damage" from climate change and mass tourism, according to UNESCO which wants to declare the Italian city an endangered world heritage site. Venice is among the more than 1,000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites however it now faces being added to the UN cultural body's list of world heritage sites in danger, reports La Repubblica newspaper. Blaming Italian authorities for a "lack of strategic vision", UNESCO noted that corrective measures proposed by Italy are "currently insufficient and not detailed enough." Venice, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1987, avoided being added to the UNESCO blacklist in 2021 after Italy adopted several measures, notably the banning of large cruise ships. UNESCO experts will convene in September in Riyadh where they will review around 200 heritage sites and decide which ones to add to the endangered list. Venice authorities say they will discuss the UNESCO report with the Italian government. Share Comment on this story Comment NIAMEY, Niger A French military transport plane carrying Europeans from Niger arrived in Paris Wednesday, in the first such evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president nearly a week ago and shut its borders. Get a curated selection of 10 of our best stories in your inbox every weekend. ArrowRight France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals, concerned that they risked becoming trapped by the coup that won backing Tuesday from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers. About 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danish, French officials said. The first flight carried mostly French nationals, and officials hope to finish the evacuation flights by Wednesday. With Nigers air space closed, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the nations leader, but without withdrawing its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, diplomatic officials said. Advertisement The ministry cited recent violence that targeted its embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for its decision to offer evacuation flights to its citizens and other Europeans. Spains Defense Ministry announced preparations to evacuate more than 70 nationals, and Italy also said it was arranging a flight. The evacuations come during a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Bazoum. His apparent overthrow is a blow for Western nations that were working with Niger against West African extremists. In Niamey hotels, Europeans and other nationalities, including some Americans, packed bags. At the airport, hundreds of people lined up for hours waiting to leave on French evacuation flights. A former French military official who had been training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press that he was departing even though his job is not finished. Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, he said the military takeover took many people by surprise. Advertisement The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it could use force if coup leaders dont reinstate Bazoum within one week. The U,N, special envoy for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, held out hope that bloodshed could be avoided. He said during a virtual news conference Tuesday he expects ECOWAS to go ahead with the deployment of troops to Niger if Bazoum isnt restored to power. But I believe that other efforts are underway, so I hope the use of force will not be necessary, if everybody talks in good faith (and) wants to avoid bloodshed. The new junta got backing from the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Mali and Burkina Faso said in a joint statement that any military intervention against Niger will be considered a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. The two countries also denounced ECOWAS economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. Advertisement ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, also issued a statement in support of Nigers junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses. The evacuations followed violence Sunday that targeted the French Embassy, with protesters burning down a door and smashing windows before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Thousands of pro-junta supporters took to Niameys streets. Some waved Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. Advertisement There has been no clear explanation of the references to Russia, but some demonstrators regard it as a symbol of anti-Western feelings. Some may also reflect support for the Russian mercenary group Wagners reputation for ruthlessly suppressing militants. Share this article Share Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their coups, analysts say. Nigers coup could also embolden jihadi violence, some say. Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM, said the military overthrow is exactly what the jihadis want because it will distract and weaken the army. Jihadis are very supportive of this coup that happened in Niger, because it will allow them to become very strong, he said. Moussa, who spoke to AP in Niamey, is part of a nationwide program to bring back jihadis, reintegrate them into society and use their help in counterterrorism efforts. It was spearheaded by Bazoum when he was minister of interior and is intended as an alternative to a military solution to stem violence across the country. The AP cannot verify that Moussa actively fought for JNIM. Advertisement If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. Nigers prime minister, who was appointed by Bazoum and was out of the country when the coup took place, urged the international community to help roll back the coup in order to defend democracy in West Africa. For the ECOWAS countries, its a question of survival. For the international community too, its a question of credibility. Niger must remain a democratic state, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said in an interview with The Associated Press in France. Niger is a key country in terms of security for the rest of Africa, but also for the rest of the world, he said. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to try to mediate. Advertisement Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. In the capital, many people live in makeshift shelters and scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Niger was seen as the last partner working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. The U.S. will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. U.S. assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. ___ AP journalists John Leicester in Paris, Ciaran Giles in Madrid, Cara Anna in Nairobi and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed. ___ This story corrects the name order and affiliation of jihadi member to Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM. Australian tanning and skincare brand Bondi Sands will be acquired by Kao Corporation, a $26 billion Tokyo-listed chemicals and cosmetics giant. Bondi Sands, the countrys most recognisable self-tanning brand, was founded in Melbourne in 2012 and is now sold in more than 32 countries, including the US and the UK. Bondi Sands founders Shaun Wilson (left) and Blair James (right). Credit: Chris Hopkins Kao Corporation subsidiaries Kao Australia and Kao USA are set to own the Australian brand in a cash deal estimated to be worth $450 million, according to The Australian Financial Review. Bondi Sands co-founder and chief executive Shaun Wilson said his brand shared values and principles with the Japanese company, which would help it grow globally. As a first-time documentary filmmaker in Australia, youd struggle to pick a topic more on the money than the one Thomas Hyland settled on for This Is Going To Be Big: a bunch of kids with intellectual disabilities stage a high school musical about John Farnham. The 74-year-old singer who is recovering from surgery last year to treat cancer of the mouth was the subject of John Farnham: Finding the Voice, which broke all records for an Australian music documentary, taking $4.5 million at the local box office (eclipsing the previous record of $1.15 million taken by Mystify: Michael Hutchence during its cinema run) before drawing a national TV audience of 1.37 million when it screened on Seven just over a week ago. Chelsea is one of the stars of This Is Going To Be Big, a documentary about the making of a high school musical featuring the songs of John Farnham. Credit: MIFF The ABCs autism-themed series Love on the Spectrum, meanwhile, has drawn rave reviews, spawned a US version, found a berth globally on Netflix and won an AACTA award and an Emmy. In other words, the combined subject matter of Hylands delightfully uplifting film, which has its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival, should find a receptive audience. And yet, he insists, he set out to make neither a film about disability nor one about Farnham. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attends the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebration event in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 31, 2023. He on Monday attended the Decade of CPEC celebration event in the Pakistani capital, during which he read President Xi's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, called for an upgrading of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to promote a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. He made the remarks on Monday while attending the Decade of CPEC celebration event in the Pakistani capital, during which he read President Xi's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. In his congratulatory letter, President Xi fully recognized the positive achievements and great significance of the construction of CPEC, which provided strategic guidance for the development of the corridor and the practical cooperation between China and Pakistan, He said. Over the past 10 years, the construction of CPEC has adhered to the Silk Road spirit and yielded fruitful, mutually beneficial and win-win results, creating a successful practice of jointly building the Belt and Road, the special representative said. He called for earnest implementation of the spirit of President Xi's congratulatory letter, creating an upgraded version of CPEC, and jointly building a growth corridor, a livelihood-enhancing corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor and an open corridor. In his speech, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed his appreciation to President Xi for attaching great importance to Pakistan-China ties and CPEC, and for the support of the Chinese government and its people towards Pakistan. The remarkable achievements of CPEC's construction have profoundly transformed Pakistan's economic and social landscape, Shahbaz said. Pakistan is willing to learn from China's development experience, deepen cooperation with China in various fields, and pursue a path of self-reliance and strength, so as to better benefit the peoples of both countries, the prime minister said. On Monday, Pakistani President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shahbaz and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir met with He respectively. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on deepening traditional friendship and expanding practical cooperation, among other issues. Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (L), the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif attend the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebration event in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 31, 2023. He on Monday attended the Decade of CPEC celebration event in the Pakistani capital, during which he read President Xi's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) Pakistani President Arif Alvi meets with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (C), the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 31, 2023. He on Monday attended the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebration event in the Pakistani capital, during which he read President Xi's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) Labor has been accused of covering up the underperformance of Australias corporate regulator and risking the chance it will fail to identify wrongdoing by big corporations. The claims by Liberal senator Andrew Bragg came as Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was compelled to explain to the Senate why the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) failed to make public a set of documents about its governance and prosecution of white-collar crime. ASIC chairman Joe Longo at a hearing at Parliament House in Canberra on June 27. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The regulator has been under scrutiny since last year when a Senate inquiry led by Bragg began probing its governance and investigations, including into forensic data software company Nuix whose wrongdoing was exposed by this masthead and the laboratory giant ALS. The Senate committee in June demanded ASIC hand over documents after Labor, Coalition and Greens MPs opposed the bodys 13 public interest immunity claims in response to questions, saying disclosure of such material could harm its investigative methods, prejudice future investigations or prosecutions and damage the reputation of people of interest. SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export fell in double figures last month, keeping a downward trend for the 10th successive month on soft global demand for locally made products, especially semiconductors and oil products, government data showed Tuesday. Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, diminished 16.5 percent over the year to 50.33 billion U.S. dollars in July, continuing to fall since October last year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Import tumbled 25.4 percent from a year earlier to 48.71 billion dollars in July. Affected by the faster fall in import than export, the trade balance recorded a surplus of 1.62 billion dollars. The trade balance stayed in black for the second straight month, but it was a recession-style surplus due to reduction in both export and import. The export reduction was attributable to the still weak global demand for chips and oil products. Semiconductor export dipped 33.6 percent over the year to 7.44 billion dollars in July, continuing a downward trend for the 12th consecutive month since August last year on the back of lower memory chip prices. Shipment for petrochemicals and oil products dropped in double digits to 3.50 billion dollars and 3.69 billion dollars each amid the cheaper crude oil. Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, traded at 80.45 dollars per barrel in July, down from 103.14 dollars a year earlier. Steel products shipment retreated 10.2 percent to 2.96 billion dollars amid lower product prices, and mobile phone export dwindled 15.3 percent to 950 million dollars on the weakened global demand. Display panel export shrank 4.6 percent to 1.69 billion dollars last month on the delayed demand for mobile panels, and computer shipment plunged 33.4 percent to 720 million dollars. Automotive export gained 15.0 percent to 5.90 billion dollars in July, continuing to expand for the 13th consecutive month on strong demand for eco-friendly vehicles. General machinery shipment climbed 3.2 percent to 4.41 billion dollars, maintaining an upward trend for the fourth straight month on higher facility investment in the United States and the European Union. Auto parts export fell 0.5 percent to 2.02 billion dollars last month, and secondary battery export reduced in double digits to 740 million dollars. By region, export to the United States declined 8.1 percent over the year to 9.28 billion dollars in July, but it topped 9 billion dollars for the fifth successive month. Shipment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plunged 22.8 percent to 8.82 billion dollars, while export to the EU decreased 8.4 percent to 5.64 billion dollars. Those to Latin American countries and the Middle East slipped in single digits to 1.99 billion dollars and 1.48 billion dollars respectively. Meanwhile, the double-digit fall in import was caused by lower energy import costs. Import for crude oil, natural gas and coal dipped 45.8 percent, 51.1 percent and 46.3 percent each in July compared to the same month of last year. Local demand for imported chips, steel products and semiconductor equipment all declined last month. Import for lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, or materials necessary to produce secondary batteries, advanced in double figures. SYDNEY, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Australian Federal Police said on Tuesday that a former childcare worker was charged with 1,623 abuse offenses against 91 children. According to the police, the charges included 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10. Police confirmed that all the victims were pre-pubescent girls. Between 2007 and 2022, the 45-year-old man recorded his offending on phones and cameras while working in 10 childcare centers in Brisbane, one center in Sydney, and an overseas center. A special task force located images of the victims being shared on the dark web and launched an extensive examination. During the execution of a search warrant in August 2022, police arrested the offender in Brisbane's southwestern suburbs and seized electronic devices which contained child abuse material created by him. Australian Federal Police Northern Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said that the federal police and other agencies were providing ongoing support to parents and children. "This is a distressing time for families, carers, and the community broadly," Gough noted. With all 87 Australian children having been identified, the police are currently working with international authorities to help identify four kids recorded in child abuse material created overseas. SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nine people have died and six are missing in north China's Hebei Province as of noon on Tuesday as rainstorms continue, local authorities have said. Statistics show that rainstorms had impacted a total of 540,703 people in 87 counties and districts in Hebei by noon on Tuesday. The economic losses brought by the disaster are still being investigated. So far, the province has evacuated 847,400 people. Torrential rains have battered north China's Hebei Province since Saturday, with precipitation levels at 164 meteorological observatories in the province exceeding 500 millimeters, according to the main provincial meteorological observatory. A total of 61 national meteorological observatories in Hebei last month recorded their highest precipitation levels for a single day in July, and 10 of those observatories recorded their highest-ever daily precipitation levels, according to the provincial climate center. Zhuozhou City is an area in Hebei that has been severely affected by rain-triggered floods. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, a total of 133,913 people from 146 villages in Zhuozhou have been impacted by rainstorms, across an affected area of 225.38 square kilometers. By 5 p.m. Monday, 9,726 mu (about 648.4 hectares) of agricultural land had been affected, according to the city's flood control and drought relief headquarters. So far, 125,100 people from 124 villages in Zhuozhou have been evacuated to safety. Zhuozhou has organized 28 emergency rescue teams with a total of 8,755 members to cooperate with professional rescue teams, including the Blue Sky Rescue Team, a Chinese civil relief squad. Heavy downpours have drenched parts of north China since Saturday, with some regions seeing maximum hourly precipitation reaching 40 to 90 millimeters. Hebei has started using seven areas for flood storage and detention, said the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters. It is necessary to relocate residents in the areas in advance due to safety concerns, said sources with the headquarters. In Ningjin, a county in one of the areas, a professional rescue team of 160 people has been set up, and over 10,000 residents were relocated to resettlement sites with daily necessities. Amid the impact of Typhoon Doksuri, continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the Chinese capital Beijing, with particularly severe rainstorms in the western, southwestern, and southern parts. Eleven people have died, and 27 others remain missing during rainstorms in Beijing, said local authorities Tuesday. In Tianjin Municipality, which neighbors Beijing, more than 35,000 people have been relocated from areas prone to flooding by the Yongding River, which has swollen amid intense rainfall. The city on Tuesday also upgraded its emergency response for floods from Level III to Level I, the highest level, said Tianjin's flood control and drought relief headquarters. Hebei's neighboring Shanxi Province has also been hit by the heavy rain. As of 7 p.m. Monday, a total of 42,211 people in Shanxi have been evacuated, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters. Weber State recognized as national leader in sustainability August 1, 2023 OGDEN, Utah Weber State University is being recognized for its success in proactive efforts to become carbon neutral by 2040, a decade ahead of its original goal. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities selected WSU to receive the 2023 AASCU Excellence & Innovation Award for Sustainability and Sustainable Development. The university earned the honor specifically for its 5-point Carbon Neutrality Strategy initiative, selected by the awards committee for its outstanding results and potential to serve as a model for other institutions. Were extremely proud of this achievement, said Brad Mortensen, WSU president. Were 10 years ahead of schedule in reaching our carbon neutral goal, but were even more excited that our model is catching the eye of other institutions across the country who take sustainability seriously and are looking to replicate our success here in Utah. In 2007, Weber State formalized its dedication to sustainability by signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, aiming to eliminate emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050, now moved to 2040. As of last year, Weber has cut electricity consumption by 35%, natural gas consumption by 43% and total greenhouse gas emissions by 42%, saving over $21 million. By 2038, WSU anticipates having converted every building to all-electric systems. WSU has also incorporated sustainability across its curriculum, with key faculty and staff sharing the knowledge and skills students need to contribute to sustainable communities and providing opportunities to learn more, even outside the classroom. Weber also works with community partners to boost sustainable practices, helping residents reduce their emissions and carbon footprints by utilizing the same strategies implemented on WSU campuses. The university also hosts the Intermountain Sustainability Summit, and co-hosts Utah Climate Action Week and Solve Climate by 2030 events each year. Our sustainability work has garnered a lot of attention because weve significantly cut our greenhouse gas emissions, saved millions, and we have a detailed strategy for transitioning our campuses to carbon neutral by 2040, said Jennifer Bodine, WSU sustainability manager. We all win when we share best practices so we're thrilled to get the word out and see more people follow suit. AASCU will formally recognize WSUs achievements at a ceremony this November. Last month, Mortensen joined Justin Owen, WSU energy manager, and Jacob Cain, operations director, to present Weber States key successes at AASCUs Sustainability Solutions Symposium in Washington, D.C. Prisoners who have been granted pardons leave the Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, Aug. 1, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) YANGON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's State Administration Council on Tuesday granted pardons to over 7,000 prisoners and reduced sentences for former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and former president U Win Myint, according to the council's orders. Six years of sentences for Suu Kyi and four years of sentences for U Win Myint were also reduced, the council said. The council also remitted sentences for 7,749 Myanmar prisoners and 125 foreign prisoners, while commuting death sentences for some prisoners to life imprisonment, according to the orders. In addition, the council remitted the sentences for 22 members of the ethnic armed groups and also dismissed the cases related to 72 individuals who were in connection with ethnic armed groups, it said. The moves on the Dhammacakka Day, an important Buddhist day that falls on the full moon of second Waso lunar month of the Myanmar calendar, aims to please the public on the humanitarian ground, the council said, adding that the pardons were granted in view of ethnic unity and internal peace as well as in view of relations between the respective countries and Myanmar. On May 3, Myanmar also pardoned more than 2,000 prisoners in an amnesty to mark the Vesak Day. Prisoners who have been granted pardons leave the Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, Aug. 1, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) MT. PENN, Pa. At the Antietam School Board meeting on Monday, Superintendent Heidi Rochlin said a preliminary flood damage assessment at the Middle Senior High School is complete. "Lists our damages to the Middle Senior High School building in the area of $21.8 million," Rochlin said. She said certain agencies will have to evaluate it and decide if aid will be granted. The school year starts on Aug. 21. Rochlin said the district met with state legislators. "We talked about lobbying for funding, how to best work with our community partners and municipalities, and what the state can help us with as we deal with the immediate issue of reopening our schools for students," Rochlin said. Officials decided earlier in July that grades 4-12 will largely be housed at the Mount Penn Elementary Center this school year. Grades K-3 will be at the Mount Penn Primary Center. Rochlin said legislators suggested getting municipalities and police departments in the same room to talk to make sure they are all on the same page. It's a meeting she said is being arranged. "We don't want the kids to get lost in the conversation," the superintendent said. "We want them back in school. We want them to be safe. We want to make sure they have a really good in-person education." Rochlin said at this time, it has been decided to keep specialized instruction classrooms in the district. She said there is the possibility seniors will be able to take core classes, for which they could earn college credit, at Alvernia University and Albright College. According to Rochlin, the district is working with community organizations that may cover the costs. When it comes to traffic patterns this school year, Rochlin said the district is talking with police. "We will be strongly urging families to walk to school to help ease with traffic congestion," Rochlin said. One parent spoke about her concerns for the safety of students as they walk to classes between buildings. The school board did not address her comment specifically after it was made in this meeting. Volunteers are set to move items and get classrooms in the district ready starting on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through next Thursday. People interested in volunteering can sign up online. READING, Pa. - Reading's top cop is retiring. Monday marked Chief Richard Tornielli's last day at City Hall after more than three years in the role and over two decades on the force. The city announced that Deputy Chief Javier Ruiz will take over as interim chief. Tornielli announced his retirement over the weekend. Mayor Eddie Moran said in a statement that he decided to move forward with new leadership in the department, and that the city plans to conduct a nationwide search for the next police chief. The city says members of the department who meet the qualifications may apply as part of the process. "The charter requires that someone be presented to council," explained Reading City Council President Donna Reed. "It's the same with all the department heads, including fire chief, that the person is presented to council for verification." Reed says this isn't the first time several current members of council have gone through the process of searching for a new chief, but the current timeframe could complicate the process. "If this mayor is not reelected, then the next mayor may choose not to keep the police chief that's on," said Reed. She adds that police work is difficult, even more challenging in an urban environment, and leading a department like Reading is an important role. "We have a really strong and dedicated police force," Reed said. "Our numbers are not what they should be. Council stands ready, as budget comes, to fully fund the police department." EASTON, Pa. - Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana has been arrested in an alleged domestic assault, accused of hitting and punching someone living in her home. City police tell 69 News she was charged with simple assault and harassment. They say the charges stem from an incident of domestic violence Monday afternoon at her Vista Drive home. Officials say it involved a family member living in the home. A Police affidavit writes Sultana is accused of slapping, punching and headbutting the victim, leaving cuts on the victim's face and nose. She was arraigned Monday night, Easton police confirm. Sultana posted $20,000 unsecured bail Tuesday. She now awaits a preliminary hearing. Since joining city council, Sultana has become well known for outspokenness, and that's led to her butting heads with other officials. During a council meeting last month, she and other members were involved in a heated argument in which she claimed other elected officials were trying to silence her voice. That argument was sparked by a social media post from Sultana that expressed outrage over video showing the May 31 arrest of local constable Lance Wheeler. His arrest was related to alleged threats he made against three students in August 2022. +2 Easton councilwoman demands apology for being 'demonized' over arrest video Councilwoman Taiba Sultana alleges that Easton's mayor, police chief, and a fellow councilmember were trying to 'silence' her over a video showing the arrest of Lance Wheeler. Sultana was critical of police arresting Wheeler while he was collecting donations for victims of Easton's Ferry Street fire on Memorial Day. Other officials said Sultana unfairly criticized police for simply doing their job because there was a warrant out for Wheeler's arrest. The Easton Police Department is investigating the case. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - At former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski's invitation, I took the nearly four-hour drive from Allentown to the Maryland countryside to Federal Correctional Institution Cumberland, where Pawlowski has been housed for several years. When I arrived at the facility I was struck by how remote it was, tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. Looking at aerial photos of the Cumberland campus, you can see it's quite large. The FCI Cumberland website says the campus houses 911 inmates total. 690 at FCI and 221 at the camp, which is where I interviewed Pawlowski. I was told by prison officials that I was only allowed to bring a pen and paper to get quotes. I was taken into an empty visitation room, with a high arched ceiling and shiny tile floors. Quilts are mounted on the walls, presumably to help with the echo of visiting families. There is a small room on the side with vending machines and a sign at the entrance stating the area is for visitors only. Inmates are prohibited from entering. At the door to the visitation room there is a circular guard's desk, which made it hard to see Pawlowski when he first entered the hall. But after a few steps, I saw him, dressed in an olive-green jumpsuit and black sneakers. He greeted me with a smile and welcomed me to the facility. For the first few minutes I didn't write anything down. I was just taking in the moment. I had spent years attending news conferences where Pawlowski stood at podiums in a suit and tie talking about plans and initiatives. I even interviewed him one hot summer day when the Allentown pools opened. He was dressed in swim trunks and took great joy in nearly splashing me when he did a cannon ball into the pool for my live shot. I watched his physical demeanor and appearance change with the raid of city hall, the indictments, and throughout the trial. As inmate Pawlowski sat before me, I was thinking about the last time I saw him. It was March 7, 2018, a week after he was convicted of 47 counts of corruption related crimes. He looked pale, tired and defeated. The man sitting before me was not the same man. Pawlowski is noticeably thinner. "When I came in I was 240 pounds, Now I'm down 190 pounds," he told me. He looked healthier than I have ever seen him. He was tan, and the only thing pale about him was the skin under his wedding band. He attributed the tan to walking two miles every day on the track with a service dog he is training named Astra. Pawlowski said federal inmates: "try to teach them more substantial skills," like "opening doors" and "picking things up with their mouths." He said at FCI Cumberland, "Everybody has to have a job. I was looking to something I can do to make a difference." He now teaches GED classes and said that the "guys are excited when they pass tests." Pawlowski also teaches history classes and attends Bible study at night. Pawlowski maintains his innocence, saying he knows if he had pleaded guilty instead of going to trial, "I would have been home by now." For our interview, Pawlowski brought a thick binder jammed with papers. Throughout our discussion, he pulled out documents to illustrate his points. "I have respect for the jury, I have respect for the judge, but the sentence is severe," said Pawlowski. He said he tries "to do something everyday to advance" his "cause of getting home." That includes sending out letters to friends. He said there are roughly 100 people in his email list and he writes to others using regular mail. He recently urged his friends to start a letter writing campaign to President Biden seeking a pardon or reduced sentence. That request has taken root. I will talk more about that in part two of my series. We covered a lot of ground with Pawlowski during the interview, but some things, like his thoughts on the trial, his friendship with political consultant Mike Fleck and his family were topics that he said he's not ready to talk about on the record. On the legal front, Pawlowski said he is waiting for the outcome of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit involving the Department of Justice and the FBI seeking information he said he didn't have at trial. In court filings, the DOJ said there are so many documents, that providing him the information would take 238 years. The FBI cited 31 years. Pawlowski said that is unacceptable. Meantime, there's a growing number of people locally who are trying to help Pawlowski get out of prison. I'll have that story Tuesday night. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - People on Hamilton Street Monday night said it's unbelievable to think an escaped prisoner was hiding behind the old Banana Joe's nightclub just the evening before. "I've never heard anything like this happening in Allentown before," Ana Mendez, who lives in Allentown, said. "But it's just like, it makes me question." Jayshawn Flake Turner, 19, was being transported from Missouri to the Lehigh Valley. When he was about to enter the sally port that area that's supposed to be secure to go into the Lehigh County Jail, he somehow made a run for it. "I'm going to say, it's scary," Mendez said. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said Flake Turner was not a threat to the community, even when he was out. He tasted only about 10 minutes of freedom before Allentown police spotted him. Court papers say after hitting a dead-end of fencing, he was found hiding in high grass and debris. "I can't comprehend that in my head. Like how, like how he got out," Mendez said. "Something went wrong." "How did he get away?" said a man who goes by the name House. "Who knows? He's good, that's all I can say." Many want to know how it could have happened. "You can see this is like deserted, kind of. Like this whole neighborhood. So they were very, very lucky," Mendez said of the police officers who found the prisoner. Cpt. Tom Anderson with the Allentown Police Department said police quickly got to the area, where witnesses pointed out a couple of possible locations. Anderson says one officer looking behind the old Banana Joe's near the 300 block of Hamilton Street heard rustling in the grass. That's where he found Flake Turner, hiding in that high grass and debris, according to court paperwork. Allentown police officers found the suspect and brought him back to jail. "That's what we do every day," Anderson told 69 News over the phone. It was Bethlehem police who arranged the transport. An official with the Bethlehem Police Department says they filed the charges and hired a third-party transport company, PTS of America. Bethlehem police officials were not there at the time of transport. An official said the police department used this company in the past and never had an issue, and they're not sure what happened this time. Flake Turner was being extradited on charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property. Last October, he and another man, Eric Duessette, allegedly scammed Lowes out of $1,743.04, by taking Mastercard gift cards from the store and "deceiving" the cashier to select the cash option, when being rung up, which allowed them to make their purchases without spending any money. Now, Flake Turner is also charged with a felony count of escape. The third-party company, PTS of America, also known as Prisoner Transport Services, has not yet responded to 69 News' requests for comment. Flake Turner is being held without bail, as he's now considered a flight risk. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A 21-year-old man is facing criminal charges for an alleged threat that brought the bomb squad to a south Allentown bank. The Wells Fargo on South Fourth Street was evacuated late Monday afternoon after police say a customer said there was a bomb inside as he was leaving. The area around the bank was sealed off with police tape, while the K-9 unit searched. No explosives were found. The person who allegedly made the threat was identified as Elhame Hassan Basyouny. He was charged with terroristic threats. We're told the incident is continuing to be investigated by local and federal authorities. The Allentown Police Department is asking anyone with information to call Detectives at 610-437-7721 or the Police Desk at 610-437-7753 (ext. 1). Additionally, anonymous text tips can be sent via the Tip411 App available on the Allentown Police Facebook page or via the Allentown Police Department website. Gov. Josh Shapiro's office announced a program Monday to encourage farmers to be environmentally conscious. Farmers can now sign up for tax credits if they buy environmentally-friendly equipment. Officials want to encourage farmers to find ways to protect the environment and keep water safe while they grow and harvest their crops. You can find information about the program and how to get the tax credits on the state's website. EASTON, Pa. - Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure has not stopped promoting the idea of a health center for employees, almost two weeks after county council rejected the idea. The executive has struck back. "This project isn't dead yet," McClure said in a statement Monday. "I am utterly disappointed in our current county council," McClure said in the statement. "The Employee Health Center would have saved taxpayers $1.5 million - $2 million per year." McClure's plan was for a free health center for employees and dependents. He contended that the center would be a convenient and voluntary option for workers and provide primary care, lab tests, radiology and other services. The services would be provided more cheaply than at private facilities, and some expensive emergency room visits would be diverted to the center. The employees would keep their county-paid health insurance. The result, according to McClure, would be savings for taxpayers and better care for employees. Council voted 5-4 on July 20 against a resolution to award a five-year $3.72 million contract to Integrity Health of New Jersey to run the center. That works out to $744,000 annually. The contract included a performance guarantee. The site of the center was not disclosed, and the contract did not cover the costs of setting up a health center. Immediately after the vote, McClure said he had no next step in mind beyond seeing how council changes after the November election. He could still try to swing a vote this fall on another resolution. "Northampton County employees and residents have been seriously misled by certain members of council regarding this project," McClure said. McClure has objected to council comments that they did not have enough information. In his statement Monday, McClure reviewed polls of employees and presentations to council by Integrity Health. When the plan was first presented, McClure's administration had already selected Integrity Health, based in Hamilton, New Jersey. Council insisted that bids be sought. After bids came in, a committee that included councilmember Thomas Giovanni reviewed the proposals and selected Integrity Health as the finalist. Giovanni voted July 20 against the contract for the health center, saying preventive healthcare should be the focus. Also voting no were John Goffredo, who said government should not be expanding into health, and John Brown, who said the center would be a good deal for employees but not taxpayers. Other "no" votes included Council President Kerry Myers, who said he did not see a lot of employee support for the idea, and Lori Vargo Heffner, who said details such as the location and some costs were still not available. Voting in favor of the center were Council Vice President Ron Heckman, Kevin Lott, Tara Zrinski and John Cusick. WINDHOEK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) stated Tuesday that dwindling financial support and inadequate resources are posing significant roadblocks in the fight against malaria. Speaking at a meeting to review the progress towards achieving goals and targets, MoHSS Executive Director Ben Nangombe emphasized that the lack of funding and essential tools is creating a critical situation and threatening to impede the progress made so far in the battle against this deadly disease. Nangombe said that Namibia has made considerable strides in combating malaria, significantly reducing the disease burden on the country over the past decade, adding that efforts such as indoor residual spraying (IRS) and the introduction of new rapid diagnostic tools and drugs contributed to this progress. Nangombe, however, noted that the incidence of malaria in Namibia has recently plateaued, with sporadic outbreaks reported in some regions due to heavy rainfall which provides favorable breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Insecticide resistance and logistical challenges, including insecticide availability and delivery delays, have also posed additional hurdles, he said. He also stressed the need for reaffirming commitments, setting new targets and implementing interventions to achieve them for the country to meet its goal of eliminating malaria by 2027. Namibia's National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan had initially aimed for malaria elimination by 2022 but faced challenges that necessitated a revised goal of achieving elimination by 2027. The new plan prioritizes strengthening malaria surveillance, intersectoral collaboration, advocacy for resource mobilization, and capacity building at various levels. In 2022, Namibia saw positive progress in fighting malaria, with the number of cases reduced to below five per 1,000 people at risk in most health districts. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Plans are underway for the development of the old Allentown State Hospital site. The 195-acre property may be about to become the city's newest housing development. In 2020, the old Allentown State Hospital was finally demolished, but it took two more years and a state law to finally sell the 195-acre property to developer City Center Investment Corp. for just more than $5 million in November of 2022. Now the plan is to turn the land into Allentown's newest housing community. "It's just sitting there going wasted right now. I mean, nothing is being done with it. So you might as well bring some more revenue to the community," said Nicole Sukanick, who lives less than a block from the site. Sukanick was excited when we showed her the pictures on the company website. "I think it looks gorgeous from the pictures," said Sukanick. Sukanick said she's aware some of her neighbors are concerned about the added traffic the development could bring to nearby Hanover Ave., but she's not worried. "I think there's enough land there, so hopefully they'll account for the amount of people that would be moving and allot enough parking for that so it really wouldn't cause an issue," said Sukanick. The City of Allentown has not zoned the land for a housing development yet, but City Clerk Michael Hanlon said the city expects a zoning amendment and a map change to be submitted shortly. A public open house is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at the East Side Youth Center. Sukanick said she's looking forward to learning more. "I would love if there's more information online, because I'd go and look at it now," said Sukanick. Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has served a third of his 15-year prison sentence for a pay-to-play corruption scheme. After a six-week trial in 2018, Pawlowski was convicted of 47 felony counts that included conspiracy, bribery, extortion, and lying to the FBI. Now, there's a growing number of people who believe that after five years, it's time for Pawlowski to be released. People like David Kechel and his wife Janet. "The crime did not fit the sentence," said David Kechel. At Pawlowski's suggestion, his supporters have been writing letters to President Biden asking for clemency. "I think the sentence is way, way too harsh for this man to spend 15 years in jail when he could have got out in 3-5 had he pled guilty," said Allentown City Council member Candida Affa. Affa and former Executive Director of Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley Alan Jennings are among Pawlowski's biggest supporters. Jennings says Pawlowski also has health issues and should be serving the community, instead of serving time. "I don't know anybody, even people who hate Ed Pawlowski, who can't stand Ed Pawlowski, who think he went to jail and should have gone to jail, who think that his term is fair," said Jennings. Blogger/Journalist Bernie O'Hare has been one of Pawlowski's biggest critics, giving him the nickname "Fed Ed," often posting images of Pawlowski in a costume reminiscent of Henry Vlll. O'Hare says Pawlwoski's sentence is too severe when compared to other politicians convicted of corruption. "Vaughn Spencer, the mayor of Reading, he received eight years for his conduct," said O'Hare. On his blog Lehigh Valley Ramblings, O'Hare posted his letter to U.S. pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer. "According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, the average sentence for a bribery conviction varied from 26 months in FY 2017 to 23 months in FY 2021," said O'Hare. "The 15-year sentence imposed here is nearly 8 times more than usually imposed. It is three times the 60-month sanction imposed on Mike Fleck, who was Pawlowski's campaign manager and chief co-conspirator." Pawlowski's supporters point to other politicians like Congressman Chaka Fattah, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted in a $1-million racketeering scheme, or Sen. Vince Fumo, who was sentenced to five years for defrauding taxpayers and nonprofits out of $3.5 million. "The guideline range in Mr. Pawlowski's case was 150 to 188 months imprisonment. And he got a sentence at the high end of that guideline range," said former Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Weber. Weber says Pawlowski's supporters are cherry-picking cases to fit their argument. Weber points to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of similar crimes, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison. That sentence was commuted by President Trump after eight years. Retired FBI Agent Scott Curtis, who was the lead investigator on Pawlowski's case, says he got what he deserved. "People like Pawlowski are going to have to be that deterrent, that this is the ramifications of what could happen if you get involved in corrupt activities," said Curtis. Pawlowski has maintained his innocence. His supporters have not negated his guilt, but rather his sentence. Former Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party T.J. Rooney is among Pawlowski's supporters who wrote letters seeking clemency. "He did it, he should pay," said Rooney. "And he has." Rooney says Pawlowski is the epitome of the "Trial Penalty." It's a term used for the difference between the time sentenced for someone who pleads guilty to someone who exercises their right to a trial by their peers. According to the National Association of Defense Lawyers, "This penalty is now so severe and pervasive that it has virtually eliminated the constitutional right to a trial. To avoid the penalty, accused persons must surrender many other fundamental rights which are essential to a fair justice system." Weber says in cases with weak, circumstantial evidence, going to trial isn't held against a defendant because it's a close case. "But when you have beyond a reasonable doubt, tape recordings, cooperating witnesses, documents, photographs, just literally overwhelming and circumstantial evidence that's not holding anything over the person's head," said Weber. Weber says it's a matter of accountability and accepting responsibility for one's crimes. Pawlowski's supporters say in addition to asking for clemency, they are also considering a petition to try to expedite his release. While in prison, Pawlowski has started teaching history and G.E.D. classes. He also trains service dogs. With all that Pawlowski does, prison officials consider him a model prisoner. And for each activity he participates in, he is given points that reduce the sentence. Pawlowski estimates if he continues on the same path, it's possible with exemplary time served and being accepted into an older inmate program that he could be out in a few years. As far as presidential clemency goes, presidents have historically granted pardons and sentence commutations. According to the Department of Justice, President Biden has granted 5,869 acts of clemency, most of which involved drug-related offenses. Before that, President Trump granted 7,498 acts of clemency, President Obama 4,252 and President Bush with 2,223 during their respective terms in office. SHENANDOAH, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police say they are investigating after a bomb threat was called into a Turkey Hill mini market in Schuylkill County Monday. An unknown person called the store on the 100 block of South Main Street in Shenandoah from a blocked number and threatened to blow something up in the store before hanging up, according to a news release from state police. A state police bomb K9 searched the store and surrounding property, and the search did not turn up any explosives, according to the news release. State police say the investigation continues. Bracalente Manufacturing Group has purchased Millennium Manufacturing, a move that helps the acquirer expand into the aerospace and electric-vehicle markets. Trumbauersville, Bucks County-based Bracalente did not disclose the purchase price. "The acquisition of Millennium Manufacturing is part of our growth plan," Ron Bracalente, chief executive and president of Bracalente Manufacturing, said in a statement. Bracalente started in 1950 as a machine shop in a garage, according to the statement. The company now has locations in the U.S., India, China and Vietnam. It is still privately held. Bracalente's has a large product line, including manifolds, couplings, check valves, thumb screws, and more. The third-generation family company has been growing in the last few years. To meet demand, Bracalente is expanding its sales team and cross-training its more than 130 U.S. employees. "This deal strengthens our U.S. presence with additional talent that specializes in our unique manufacturing offerings," Ron Bracalente said. Dave Fricke, owner of Millennium, said the deal gives his staff "the opportunity to thrive" as part of Bracalente Manufacturing. Millennium has been operating for 25 years. Bracalente Manufacturing supports the Silvene Bracalente Memorial Foundation, which has contributed more than $250,000 to local trade schools, according to the company statement. By working with schools, the company can "help improve the image of manufacturing, attract new talent and work with our trade organizations and other manufacturers to ensure the pipeline of students coming into our trade is continuous," Dave Borish, Bracalente's vice president of operations, said. Bracalente, also known as BMG, provides components for the aerospace, agricultural, automotive, electronics, industrial, medical, oil and gas, recreation and tactical industries. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police in Lancaster County are trying to locate a missing Honey Brook man they believe may be in danger. A missing endangered person advisory was issued for 60-year-old Darryl Palmer Tuesday. Police believe he may be at special risk of harm or injury or may be confused. Palmer is 5'5", 150 pounds with great hair and blue eyes. He has a grey goatee and is possibly wearing jeans, boots and a flannel-patterned shirt. Police say Palmer was last seen July 30 in the 6200 block of Main Street in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County. Anyone with information on Palmer's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or State Police Lancaster at 717-299-7650. WHITE TWP., N.J. - New Jersey State Police say the rider of an e-bike was seriously injured after a crash in Warren County Monday afternoon. Police say a vehicle was traveling north on Route 519 in White Township shortly after 1 p.m. A man was riding his e-bike was traveling in the right shoulder ahead of the vehicle, state police said. In the area of milepost 38.5, state police say the e-bike turned left in front of the vehicle, and as a result, the e-bike hit the front right of the vehicle, causing the bicycle to overturn and eject the rider. The man who was riding the e-bike suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital, state police said. State police say the driver of the other vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Route 519 was closed for approximately two hours, resulting in moderate traffic congestion. The crash remains under investigation. BEIRUT (AP) The Organization for Islamic Cooperation urged its member nations Monday to take action against countries that permit public burning or desecration of the Quran, including the recalling of ambassadors. The Saudi Arabia-based group made the call in a statement following an emergency online meeting of its foreign ministers to discuss recent incidents in which the Islamic holy book was burned or otherwise defaced at officially permitted protests in Sweden and Denmark. The organization's 57 member countries should consider taking any necessary decisions and actions that they deem appropriate in their relations" with Sweden, Denmark, and other countries that allow such incidents, including recalling their ambassadors, the statement said. It encouraged civil society organizations in the member states to work with counterparts in countries where the Quran has been burned or desecrated to file local lawsuits before taking their cases to international judicial bodies, where applicable. It also called for more efforts at outreach to combat Islamophobia, praising Kuwait for commissioning the printing of 100,000 copies of the Quran translated into Swedish for distribution in Sweden. Many of the points in the final statement echoed recommendations made by Iraqs Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, who also called on the United Nations to take measures to prevent these incidents. Ahead of the meeting, two men who had previously burned a copy of the Quran in Sweden did so once again, in front of a crowd of a few dozen onlookers and about 20 counter-protesters. In both Sweden and Denmark, t here is no law against blasphemy, and freedom of expression is generally held in high regard. But as the recent Quran burnings have sparked angry demonstrations and diplomatic backlash in Muslim countries, officials in the Scandinavian countries have begun to consider whether there should be curbs on public defacement of holy books or other religious symbols. Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, said Sunday in an interview with Danish public broadcaster DR that the government is seeking a legal tool to prohibit such inflammatory acts without compromising freedom of expression. In Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday on Instagram that his government is analyzing the legal situation regarding desecration of the Quran and other holy books, given the animosity such acts are stirring up against Sweden. Before Mondays meeting, the OIC had already suspended the status of Swedens special envoy over the Quran burnings. Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in a statement that he spoke in recent days with counterparts in OIC countries to explain how Sweden's freedom of expression works and that police make independent decisions on protest applications. He added that the government is very clear in its distance from the Islamophobic acts carried out by individuals at demonstrations in Sweden. The Danish foreign minister said his government condemned and denounced the insult to the Quran and that it is studying this issue with great interest. Keyton reported from Stockholm. Associated Press staff writer Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report. Zhu Chunnan talks with her employer's child in east China's Shanghai, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) SHANGHAI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- After working as a housekeeper in Shanghai for nearly two decades, 49-year-old Zhu Chunnan finally realized her dream of getting an undergraduate diploma in July. As an experienced housekeeper with multiple skill certificates and honors, Zhu fondly admits that gaining experience as an undergraduate was a cherished aspiration in her life. Zhu is among the first batch of 95 graduates from Shanghai majoring in domestic service. She completed her junior college education and undergraduate curriculum at Shanghai Open University over a period of five years. The university started the undergraduate program in the study of domestic service in March 2021 in order to help domestic service employees upgrade their professional skills which can help boost their confidence and career prospects. "Unlike the focus on skill upgrading in junior college education, this undergraduate study offers in-depth courses covering a wide range of subjects such as nutriology, health management, consumption guidance, aesthetics, and laws and regulations," said Yang Wanling, an associate professor at the university. Data shows that the number of domestic service providers in China has exceeded 30 million, and the scale of the country's domestic service market is expected to reach 1.16 trillion yuan (about 162.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023. Long gone are the days when housekeepers only needed to do general cleaning tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors and making beds. Industry insiders revealed that an increasing number of Chinese families are demanding higher standards for domestic services, leading to a scarcity of high-quality housekeepers in the labor market. Statistics indicate that approximately one-third of the over 8 million families in Shanghai either avail of or require domestic services. Meanwhile, there is a shortage of about 30,000 employees in high-end domestic service in the metropolis. According to the head of a domestic service company, many families now seek housekeepers who possess not only the ability to perform basic housework like cooking and cleaning but also additional skills, such as caring for pregnant women, infants and young children. These evolving demands have raised the bar for housekeepers' professional standards and communication skills. Sensing the employer's significant emphasis on food nutrition, Zhu pursued studies in nutriology, health management and other related courses, and passed relevant vocational skill appraisals. Additionally, to enhance her ability to care for her employer's children, she diligently acquired parenting knowledge and skills. As an all-rounder in housekeeping based in Shanghai, Zhu has gained increasing popularity among employers. "Engaging in systematic college studies has granted me a profound understanding of my area, while the enhancement of my professional competence has instilled greater confidence and tranquility within me," Zhu said. She went on to add that only by expanding their skills can housekeepers keep up with the needs of social development, secure higher social esteem, and gain better career prospects. "Going to college has been my dream since childhood and I believe it may become a requirement for all practitioners in this sector one day in the future," she said. According to Wang Shuxia, the president of the China Home Service Association, the increasingly diversified service demands from different groups are promoting the adjustment of the supply side. Domestic service has been upgraded to a multi-format sector covering home education, housework arrangement and nutrition management, among others. In light of the limited number of housekeepers with a college degree or higher, Lu Qi, the dean of the university's school of public administration, believes that the solution lies not in training college students to become housekeepers, but rather in offering more housekeepers access to university education. "Learning is a lifelong process. I have benefited from it a lot and I hope my choice can encourage more young housekeepers," Zhu said. Zhu Chunnan prepares lunch at her employer's home in east China's Shanghai, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Zhu Chunnan buys vegetables for her employer's family at a supermarket in east China's Shanghai, July 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Zhu Chunnan selects fresh cut flowers for her employer's family at a store in east China's Shanghai, July 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Zhu Chunnan gives a lecture on closet arrangement at a community in east China's Shanghai, May 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Zhu Chunnan arranges a wall cabinet at her employer's home in east China's Shanghai, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) Zhu Chunnan reads a book with her employer's child in east China's Shanghai, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes Kenya's willingness to lead an international force in the Caribbean nation of Haiti, his deputy spokesman said on Monday. "The secretary-general welcomes Kenya's positive response to his call for the urgently needed international non-UN security support to Haiti," Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, told reporters. According to reports by Kenyan media, Alfred Mutua, cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya, on Saturday said Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a multinational force to Haiti. Mutua also said Kenya's commitment is to deploy a contingent of 1,000 police officers to help train and assist Haitian police to restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations. Guterres values Kenya's consideration to possibly lead a non-UN multinational force, said Haq. "The secretary-general reiterates his call to the Security Council to support such a non-UN international operation and encourages member states, particularly from the region, to join forces with Kenya," the spokesman added. Hardy Reed LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 12.9% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 8,780 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Hardy Reed LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $251,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BAC. Resolute Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 1st quarter worth $494,000. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in Bank of America by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC now owns 77,555 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,218,000 after purchasing an additional 2,171 shares during the last quarter. Requisite Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 1st quarter worth $257,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its position in Bank of America by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 3,172,061 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $90,721,000 after purchasing an additional 19,410 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Consolidated Planning Corp grew its position in Bank of America by 20.2% during the 1st quarter. Consolidated Planning Corp now owns 135,782 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,883,000 after purchasing an additional 22,852 shares during the last quarter. 67.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of America alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on BAC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 target price on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Bank of America from $36.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of America currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.26. Bank of America Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE BAC traded up $0.10 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $32.00. 28,949,454 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 52,089,512. The company has a market capitalization of $255.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.36. Bank of America Co. has a 52-week low of $26.32 and a 52-week high of $38.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $29.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $30.56. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.04. Bank of America had a net margin of 19.97% and a return on equity of 12.01%. The business had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.98 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of America Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.00%. This is an increase from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 25.29%. Insider Activity at Bank of America In related news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total value of $2,449,332.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at $11,143,007.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders. Bank of America Company Profile (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF (BATS:PBUS Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $45.75 and last traded at $45.74, with a volume of 4790 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.71. Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF Price Performance The business has a 50 day moving average of $43.62 and a 200 day moving average of $41.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.58 and a beta of 0.98. Get Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF during the first quarter worth $79,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP lifted its holdings in Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF by 75.0% during the first quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 53,357 shares of the companys stock worth $2,178,000 after acquiring an additional 22,865 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF by 84.9% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 625 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF by 6,210.9% during the first quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 887,632 shares of the companys stock worth $36,227,000 after acquiring an additional 873,567 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc lifted its holdings in Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF by 263.1% during the first quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 5,907 shares of the companys stock worth $241,000 after acquiring an additional 4,280 shares in the last quarter. Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF Company Profile The Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF (PBUS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA index. The fund tracks a market-cap-selected and -weighted index of mid and large-cap US stocks. PBUS was launched on Sep 22, 2017 and is managed by Invesco. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $44.75 and last traded at $44.75, with a volume of 2614004 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $44.50. iShares MSCI India ETF Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $5.13 billion, a PE ratio of 23.86 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $43.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $41.28. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI India ETF Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. ClariVest Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI India ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. CWM LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 190.8% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 977 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 641 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Key Financial Inc acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. About iShares MSCI India ETF The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report) by 49.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 570 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 565 shares during the quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $61,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MUB. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 132,338.1% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,393,745 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,096,748,000 after purchasing an additional 10,385,897 shares in the last quarter. Betterment LLC increased its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 37.8% during the 4th quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 9,668,221 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,020,191,000 after purchasing an additional 2,650,115 shares in the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 346.2% in the 1st quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 2,890,697 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $311,444,000 after buying an additional 2,242,851 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,927,059 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,469,583,000 after buying an additional 1,411,367 shares during the period. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 62.4% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 3,217,744 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $339,536,000 after buying an additional 1,235,805 shares during the period. Get iShares National Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares National Muni Bond ETF Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSEARCA MUB traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $106.52. The stock had a trading volume of 2,850,267 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,467,255. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $106.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.86. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $101.35 and a fifty-two week high of $108.82. iShares National Muni Bond ETF Profile iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seven economic cooperation projects worth 12.1 billion yuan (about 1.7 billion U.S. dollars) between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries were signed Sunday in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Shares of Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$29.00. Several research firms recently issued reports on CWB. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$30.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 29th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$27.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$28.00 to C$27.00 in a report on Monday, May 29th. Cormark dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$30.00 to C$28.00 in a report on Monday, May 29th. Finally, CSFB dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$26.00 to C$25.00 in a report on Monday, May 29th. Get Canadian Western Bank alerts: Canadian Western Bank Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of TSE CWB opened at C$26.35 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$25.19 and a 200 day moving average price of C$25.52. Canadian Western Bank has a 1-year low of C$21.21 and a 1-year high of C$29.11. The firm has a market cap of C$2.54 billion, a PE ratio of 7.96, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.64. Canadian Western Bank Increases Dividend Canadian Western Bank ( TSE:CWB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 26th. The company reported C$0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.78 by C($0.04). Canadian Western Bank had a net margin of 31.98% and a return on equity of 8.96%. The firm had revenue of C$264.41 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$269.27 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Canadian Western Bank will post 3.6081081 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th were issued a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.01%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 7th. This is a positive change from Canadian Western Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.88%. Canadian Western Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, notice, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; agriculture lending products; mortgages; lines of credits; registered retirement savings loans; consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Western Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Western Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 4,544,927 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 40% from the previous sessions volume of 3,256,025 shares.The stock last traded at $6.63 and had previously closed at $6.73. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently commented on ACHR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Archer Aviation from $5.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Canaccord Genuity Group began coverage on Archer Aviation in a report on Friday, June 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $9.00 price objective for the company. Get Archer Aviation alerts: Archer Aviation Stock Down 3.1 % The firm has a market capitalization of $1.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.46 and a beta of 2.28. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $3.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 7.28 and a quick ratio of 7.28. Insider Buying and Selling at Archer Aviation Archer Aviation ( NYSE:ACHR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported ($0.46) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.46). Sell-side analysts anticipate that Archer Aviation Inc. will post -1.69 earnings per share for the current year. In other news, major shareholder Brett Adcock sold 1,718,829 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.26, for a total value of $5,603,382.54. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,159,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,559,471.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Andy Missan sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.50, for a total value of $45,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 201,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at $905,197.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Brett Adcock sold 1,718,829 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.26, for a total transaction of $5,603,382.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,159,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,559,471.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 7,344,805 shares of company stock valued at $25,467,834 in the last 90 days. 27.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State Street Corp boosted its position in Archer Aviation by 1,667.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,964,137 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,450,000 after buying an additional 6,570,169 shares during the period. Nikko Asset Management Americas Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Archer Aviation by 40.5% during the first quarter. Nikko Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 7,141,005 shares of the companys stock worth $19,995,000 after purchasing an additional 2,057,901 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Archer Aviation by 40.2% during the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 7,125,147 shares of the companys stock worth $20,378,000 after purchasing an additional 2,042,043 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Archer Aviation by 31.9% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,464,734 shares of the companys stock worth $21,475,000 after purchasing an additional 1,079,978 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Archer Aviation by 10.7% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,713,248 shares of the companys stock worth $27,962,000 after purchasing an additional 1,037,250 shares during the period. 41.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Archer Aviation Company Profile (Get Free Report) Archer Aviation Inc, an urban air mobility company, engages in designs, develops, manufactures, and operates electric vertical takeoff and landing aircrafts to carry passengers. The company was formerly known as Atlas Crest Investment Corp. and changed its name to Archer Aviation Inc Archer Aviation Inc was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in San Jose, California. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Archer Aviation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer Aviation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRC Inc. (NYSE:BRCC Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $4.36 and last traded at $4.42, with a volume of 323123 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $4.58. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on BRCC shares. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of BRC from $6.50 to $5.50 in a research note on Sunday, May 14th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $10.00 price objective on shares of BRC in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Needham & Company LLC began coverage on BRC in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. They issued a hold rating on the stock. They noted that the move was a valuation call. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of BRC in a report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on BRC from $8.00 to $7.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, BRC presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $8.08. Get BRC alerts: BRC Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $5.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $5.64. Institutional Investors Weigh In On BRC BRC ( NYSE:BRCC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported ($0.08) earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($0.08). BRC had a negative return on equity of 2.57% and a negative net margin of 7.77%. The company had revenue of $83.49 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $81.36 million. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that BRC Inc. will post -0.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BRCC. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of BRC by 220.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,484,625 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,937,000 after acquiring an additional 2,396,808 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its stake in BRC by 119.4% during the first quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 2,000,000 shares of the companys stock worth $10,280,000 after acquiring an additional 1,088,523 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in BRC by 549.4% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 441,789 shares of the companys stock worth $3,605,000 after acquiring an additional 373,761 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in BRC during the first quarter worth $6,188,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp acquired a new stake in shares of BRC in the second quarter valued at $1,872,000. 14.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. BRC Company Profile (Get Free Report) BRC Inc, through its subsidiaries, purchases, roasts, and sells coffee, coffee accessories, and branded apparel in the United States. The company also produces media content; podcasts; and digital and print journals, as well as sells coffee brewing equipment, and outdoor and lifestyle gear. It supports active military, veterans, and first responders. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BRC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BRC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dearborn Partners LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report) by 5.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,319 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the period. Dearborn Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $309,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 158.9% during the 4th quarter. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 3,288 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $216,000 after buying an additional 2,018 shares in the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 29.4% during the 1st quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 5,441 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $389,000 after buying an additional 1,236 shares in the last quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $281,000. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 12.9% during the 1st quarter. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. now owns 23,870 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,707,000 after buying an additional 2,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Institutional investors own 78.99% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance Shares of EFA stock traded down $0.96 on Tuesday, reaching $73.50. The stock had a trading volume of 11,032,312 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,675,760. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 1 year low of $54.61 and a 1 year high of $74.74. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $71.76. About iShares MSCI EAFE ETF iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dearborn Partners LLC cut its position in shares of Equitrans Midstream Co. (NYSE:ETRN Free Report) by 42.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,498 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,600 shares during the period. Dearborn Partners LLCs holdings in Equitrans Midstream were worth $66,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 36.9% in the 1st quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 94,142 shares of the companys stock worth $544,000 after acquiring an additional 25,352 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 68.2% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 710,769 shares of the companys stock worth $4,762,000 after acquiring an additional 288,102 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama raised its position in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 570,418 shares of the companys stock worth $3,822,000 after acquiring an additional 3,829 shares in the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its position in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 117,887 shares of the companys stock worth $681,000 after acquiring an additional 13,365 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its position in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 384,300 shares of the companys stock worth $2,575,000 after acquiring an additional 18,100 shares in the last quarter. 89.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Equitrans Midstream alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Raymond James initiated coverage on Equitrans Midstream in a research report on Friday, April 21st. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Citigroup boosted their target price on Equitrans Midstream from $6.50 to $9.25 in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. US Capital Advisors upgraded Equitrans Midstream from a hold rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $14.00 target price on shares of Equitrans Midstream in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Equitrans Midstream from $10.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $9.69. Equitrans Midstream Stock Performance Shares of ETRN stock traded down $0.37 on Tuesday, hitting $10.00. The company had a trading volume of 4,153,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,320,613. The firm has a market cap of $4.33 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.92. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $8.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.81. Equitrans Midstream Co. has a twelve month low of $4.60 and a twelve month high of $10.48. Equitrans Midstream (NYSE:ETRN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.09. The company had revenue of $318.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $311.21 million. Equitrans Midstream had a positive return on equity of 18.92% and a negative net margin of 18.27%. Equitrans Midstreams quarterly revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.11 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Equitrans Midstream Co. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Equitrans Midstream Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 14th. Investors of record on Friday, August 4th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 3rd. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.00%. Equitrans Midstreams payout ratio is -83.33%. Equitrans Midstream Company Profile (Free Report) Equitrans Midstream Corporation owns, operates, acquires, and develops midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. It operates through three segments: Gathering, Transmission, and Water. The company operates dry gas gathering systems of high-pressure gathering lines; FERC-regulated interstate pipelines and storage systems; and water pipelines and other facilities that deliver fresh water from local municipal water authorities, the Monongahela River, the Ohio River, local reservoirs, and several regional waterways. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETRN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Equitrans Midstream Co. (NYSE:ETRN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Equitrans Midstream Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equitrans Midstream and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Genpact Limited (NYSE:G Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 833,970 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 25% from the previous sessions volume of 1,108,793 shares.The stock last traded at $36.46 and had previously closed at $36.09. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently weighed in on G. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Genpact from $54.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. TheStreet cut Genpact from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, June 9th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Genpact in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Genpact from $47.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Genpact from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $46.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $48.33. Get Genpact alerts: Genpact Trading Up 2.3 % The company has a 50 day moving average price of $37.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $42.55. The firm has a market cap of $6.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a current ratio of 1.84. Genpact Dividend Announcement Genpact ( NYSE:G Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The business services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.05. Genpact had a return on equity of 25.74% and a net margin of 8.27%. The business had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.10 billion. On average, research analysts expect that Genpact Limited will post 2.58 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a $0.1375 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $0.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. Genpacts payout ratio is currently 28.35%. Insider Activity In other news, SVP Heather White sold 12,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.72, for a total value of $509,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 40,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,663,208.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Heather White sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.72, for a total value of $509,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 40,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,663,208.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Piyush Mehta sold 41,062 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.02, for a total value of $1,520,115.24. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 135,703 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,023,725.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 175,644 shares of company stock worth $6,747,020. 2.62% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Genpact A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its position in Genpact by 3.3% during the second quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 429,104 shares of the business services providers stock worth $16,121,000 after purchasing an additional 13,686 shares in the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new position in shares of Genpact in the second quarter worth $5,029,000. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Genpact by 13.5% in the second quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 219,556 shares of the business services providers stock worth $8,132,000 after acquiring an additional 26,101 shares during the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Genpact by 2.1% in the second quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 4,337,693 shares of the business services providers stock worth $162,967,000 after acquiring an additional 90,975 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hahn Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Genpact by 23.8% in the second quarter. Hahn Capital Management LLC now owns 356,227 shares of the business services providers stock worth $13,383,000 after acquiring an additional 68,402 shares during the last quarter. 96.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Genpact Company Profile (Get Free Report) Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Genpact Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genpact and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glassman Wealth Services decreased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 49.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,289 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 2,279 shares during the period. Glassman Wealth Services holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $1,082,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Chelsea Counsel Co. acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Investors Research Corp boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 51.1% in the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 71 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.61% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of UNH traded down $1.63 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $504.74. The company had a trading volume of 2,104,425 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,641,596. The stock has a market cap of $469.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.66. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $482.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $485.32. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $445.68 and a fifty-two week high of $558.10. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.14 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.92 by $0.22. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.06% and a return on equity of 26.72%. The business had revenue of $92.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.57 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 15.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 19th were paid a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 15th. This is an increase from UnitedHealth Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.65%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades UNH has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $595.00 to $603.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $527.00 to $532.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Raymond James reiterated a strong-buy rating and set a $630.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $592.00 to $572.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 17th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $562.00 to $555.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $579.89. Insider Buying and Selling In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $506.19, for a total transaction of $2,024,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 78,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,772,866.87. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. UnitedHealth Group Profile (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Buy from the fifteen analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $47.47. HAL has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Friday, July 21st. StockNews.com cut shares of Halliburton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $48.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Capital One Financial initiated coverage on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They set an overweight rating and a $41.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Benchmark reissued a buy rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Get Halliburton alerts: Insider Activity at Halliburton In related news, insider Myrtle L. Jones sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.30, for a total value of $383,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 57,126 shares in the company, valued at $2,187,925.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Halliburton news, insider Myrtle L. Jones sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.30, for a total value of $383,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 57,126 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,187,925.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 271,283 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.25, for a total transaction of $8,206,310.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 829,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,084,207.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 363,623 shares of company stock worth $11,429,183. Company insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Halliburton Halliburton Stock Performance Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Halliburton during the second quarter worth approximately $2,379,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Halliburton by 8.7% during the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 336,490 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $11,101,000 after buying an additional 27,013 shares in the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of Halliburton by 8.9% during the second quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 49,308 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $1,881,000 after buying an additional 4,009 shares in the last quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Halliburton by 7.6% during the second quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,305 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $142,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alpha DNA Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Halliburton during the second quarter worth $1,149,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.79% of the companys stock. Shares of HAL opened at $39.08 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 2.13. The companys fifty day moving average is $33.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.37. Halliburton has a 1 year low of $23.30 and a 1 year high of $43.42. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The oilfield services company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.02. Halliburton had a net margin of 10.98% and a return on equity of 31.01%. The company had revenue of $5.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.49 EPS. Halliburtons revenue was up 14.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Halliburton will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current year. Halliburton Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 7th were issued a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 6th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.64%. Halliburtons payout ratio is 23.53%. Halliburton Company Profile (Get Free Report Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems; production solutions comprising coiled tubing, hydraulic workover units, downhole tools, and pumping and nitrogen services; and pipeline and process services, such as pre-commissioning, commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Community Capital Bancshares (OTCMKTS:ALBY Get Free Report) and Virginia National Bankshares (OTCMKTS:VABK Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and dividends. Institutional and Insider Ownership 33.4% of Virginia National Bankshares shares are held by institutional investors. 42.4% of Community Capital Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 12.6% of Virginia National Bankshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Community Capital Bancshares alerts: Dividends Community Capital Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.75 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Virginia National Bankshares pays an annual dividend of $1.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Virginia National Bankshares pays out 29.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Community Capital Bancshares N/A N/A N/A Virginia National Bankshares 32.16% 18.16% 1.48% Earnings & Valuation This table compares Community Capital Bancshares and Virginia National Bankshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares Community Capital Bancshares and Virginia National Bankshares top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Community Capital Bancshares N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Virginia National Bankshares $70.39 million 2.76 $23.44 million $4.53 8.00 Virginia National Bankshares has higher revenue and earnings than Community Capital Bancshares. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Community Capital Bancshares and Virginia National Bankshares, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Community Capital Bancshares 0 0 0 0 N/A Virginia National Bankshares 0 0 0 0 N/A Volatility and Risk Community Capital Bancshares has a beta of 0.49, meaning that its stock price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Virginia National Bankshares has a beta of 0.23, meaning that its stock price is 77% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Virginia National Bankshares beats Community Capital Bancshares on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Community Capital Bancshares (Get Free Report) Community Capital Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for AB&T that provides various banking products and services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various deposit products, such as checking, savings, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposits. Its loan products include commercial and residential real estate, commercial, financial, agricultural, consumer installment, overdrafts and other revolving credit, and educational loans. The company also offers money transfer, bill pay, remote deposit capture, ACH origination, and merchant services, as well as online, mobile, and text message banking services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Albany, Georgia. About Virginia National Bankshares (Get Free Report) Virginia National Bankshares Corporation operates as the holding company for Virginia National Bank that provides a range of commercial and retail banking services. The company operates through four segments: Bank, Sturman Wealth Advisors, VNB Trust and Estate Services, and Masonry Capital. It provides checking accounts, demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, and other depository services. The company also offers commercial and industrial loans, real estate construction and land loans, commercial real estate loans, and 1-4 family residential mortgages, as well as consumer loans comprising student loans, revolving credit, and other fixed payment loans. In addition, it provides automated teller machines, internet banking, treasury, and cash management services; merchant and debit card services; and wealth and investment advisory, brokerage, insurance, consulting, and related services. Further, the company offers investment management, corporate trustee, trust and estate administration, IRA administration, house investment management, and custody services. It serves individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations in the Charlottesville/Albemarle County, Fauquier County, Manassas, Prince William County, Richmond, and Winchester market areas in Virginia. Virginia National Bankshares Corporation was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. Receive News & Ratings for Community Capital Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Community Capital Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ellevest Inc. lifted its position in Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE:HUBB Free Report) by 13.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,157 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 257 shares during the quarter. Ellevest Inc.s holdings in Hubbell were worth $525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of HUBB. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Hubbell by 133.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,543,481 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $283,646,000 after buying an additional 883,272 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Hubbell during the 4th quarter worth about $90,375,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Hubbell by 13.2% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,582,249 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $606,003,000 after purchasing an additional 301,775 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Hubbell by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 597,030 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $140,111,000 after purchasing an additional 182,790 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in Hubbell during the 4th quarter worth about $32,168,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.67% of the companys stock. Get Hubbell alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have weighed in on HUBB. StockNews.com downgraded Hubbell from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Mizuho upped their price target on Hubbell from $300.00 to $370.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Hubbell from $287.00 to $318.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $265.17. Hubbell Stock Up 1.7 % Shares of NYSE:HUBB traded up $5.41 on Tuesday, hitting $317.41. 248,065 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 427,595. The firms 50-day moving average is $315.27 and its 200 day moving average is $270.00. The company has a market capitalization of $17.01 billion, a PE ratio of 25.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.02. Hubbell Incorporated has a 1-year low of $204.01 and a 1-year high of $340.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 2.06. Hubbell (NYSE:HUBB Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The industrial products company reported $4.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.63 by $0.44. The business had revenue of $1.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.37 billion. Hubbell had a return on equity of 29.48% and a net margin of 12.55%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.81 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Hubbell Incorporated will post 15.22 EPS for the current year. Hubbell Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 31st will be given a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.41%. Hubbells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.24%. Insider Activity at Hubbell In related news, Director Carlos M. Cardoso sold 560 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.16, for a total value of $152,969.60. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,711 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $467,376.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.66% of the companys stock. Hubbell Company Profile (Free Report) Hubbell Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells electrical and utility solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Electrical Solutions and Utility Solutions. The Electrical Solution segment offers standard and special application wiring device products, rough-in electrical products, connector and grounding products, lighting fixtures, and other electrical equipment for use in industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities by electrical contractors, maintenance personnel, electricians, utilities, and telecommunications companies, as well as components and assemblies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hubbell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hubbell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BANGKOK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's fruit exports are expected to experience a slowdown in the second half of 2023, with China identified as the primary source of growth, according to the latest report by the Bangkok-based Kasikorn Research Center. The report highlighted challenges in the latter part of the year, including the passing of the peak season, potential economic slowdown in major export markets, and climate change impacts affecting fruit quality and yield, which could lead to a decline in the total value of Thailand's fruit exports in the rest of the year. Driven by the recovery of trade with China, fresh and refrigerated fruits are expected to see growth in exports, while canned and processed fruits may encounter declining exports due to reduced orders from markets like the United States and the European Union, it said. In the first half of 2023, Thailand's fresh, refrigerated, and processed fruit exports achieved a total value of 5.5 billion U.S. dollars, showing a year-on-year growth of 10.3 percent, primarily attributed to the recovery from a low base in 2022 and the robust growth in orders from China, one of its major markets. With the challenges potentially lowering the value of Thailand's fruit exports in the second half, the report projected an estimated overall growth of approximately 2.3 percent, leading to a total export value of 7.8 billion U.S. dollars for the entire year. The think tank also warned about the potential persistence of the El Nino phenomenon from the rest of 2023 to 2024, posing risks to fruit cultivation as seawater intrusion in fruit-growing areas may lead to higher soil salinity, potentially causing variations in raw material quality, supply shortages, and price increases. Berenberg Bank restated their buy rating on shares of Inchcape (LON:INCH Free Report) in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has a GBX 1,085 ($13.93) target price on the stock. INCH has been the subject of several other research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,290 ($16.56) target price on shares of Inchcape in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Inchcape in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Get Inchcape alerts: Inchcape Trading Down 0.1 % LON:INCH opened at GBX 818.50 ($10.51) on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 214.66, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of 3.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,443.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.29. Inchcape has a one year low of GBX 666.50 ($8.56) and a one year high of GBX 1,086.62 ($13.95). The business has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 776.67 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 819.85. Inchcape Cuts Dividend Inchcape Company Profile The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 3rd will be paid a GBX 9.60 ($0.12) dividend. This represents a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 3rd. Inchcapes payout ratio is currently 5,087.72%. (Get Free Report) Inchcape plc operates as an automotive distributor and retailer. It engages in the distribution, sales, and marketing of new and used cars, and parts. The company also provides aftersales service and body shop repairs; and finance and insurance products and services. It operates in the Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Inchcape Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Inchcape and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interfor (TSE:IFP Get Free Report) is scheduled to post its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Thursday, August 3rd. Analysts expect Interfor to post earnings of C($0.01) per share for the quarter. Interfor (TSE:IFP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported C($0.68) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C($0.29) by C($0.39). The business had revenue of C$829.88 million during the quarter. Interfor had a net margin of 3.93% and a return on equity of 8.41%. Get Interfor alerts: Interfor Price Performance Shares of TSE IFP traded down C$0.02 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting C$23.58. The stock had a trading volume of 136,143 shares, compared to its average volume of 222,884. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.21 billion, a PE ratio of 6.96 and a beta of 2.55. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$23.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$23.13. Interfor has a 1 year low of C$19.75 and a 1 year high of C$34.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 2.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.42. Insider Buying and Selling Analyst Ratings Changes In related news, Senior Officer Richard Pozzebon acquired 3,000 shares of Interfor stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$23.10 per share, for a total transaction of C$69,285.90. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. IFP has been the topic of several research reports. CIBC raised their target price on Interfor from C$30.00 to C$33.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Interfor from C$35.00 to C$32.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Interfor Company Profile (Get Free Report) Interfor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells wood products in Canada, the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, and internationally. It offers decking, fascia and board, framing, v-joint paneling, paneling, and siding products, as well as appearance, structural, studs, timbers, and machine stress related products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Interfor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Interfor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commerce Bank lowered its position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP Free Report) by 4.8% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,176,524 shares of the companys stock after selling 110,583 shares during the quarter. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF comprises approximately 1.6% of Commerce Banks holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Commerce Banks holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $198,173,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 38.3% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 415 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 7,112 shares of the companys stock worth $715,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI now owns 2,310 shares of the companys stock worth $193,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC now owns 2,709 shares of the companys stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Howe & Rusling Inc. raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 22.3% during the 4th quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. now owns 889 shares of the companys stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA IWP traded down $0.53 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $99.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 635,668 shares, compared to its average volume of 657,864. The firm has a market cap of $13.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.03 and a beta of 1.10. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $75.88 and a twelve month high of $100.93. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $95.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $91.70. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Profile iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Get Free Report) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.96-$2.00 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.95. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Kite Realty Group Trust Stock Performance Shares of NYSE KRG traded up $0.04 during trading on Monday, reaching $22.88. 1,674,161 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,522,974. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.02 billion, a PE ratio of 764.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $21.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.13. Kite Realty Group Trust has a 52-week low of $16.42 and a 52-week high of $23.70. Get Kite Realty Group Trust alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on KRG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Kite Realty Group Trust in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They set an underweight rating and a $20.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Kite Realty Group Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Barclays increased their target price on Kite Realty Group Trust from $27.00 to $28.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $24.63. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kite Realty Group Trust Kite Realty Group Trust Company Profile Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 12.4% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 34,531,664 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $722,402,000 after buying an additional 3,818,524 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Kite Realty Group Trust during the 4th quarter valued at $44,198,000. State Street Corp boosted its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 15.0% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,205,735 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $300,695,000 after buying an additional 1,726,009 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust by 16.6% in the second quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 8,943,429 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $154,637,000 after buying an additional 1,275,585 shares during the period. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. raised its stake in Kite Realty Group Trust by 81.9% during the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 2,098,362 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $47,781,000 after buying an additional 944,981 shares during the last quarter. 94.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Free Report) Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Company's primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE:KTB Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,500,000 shares, a drop of 6.7% from the June 30th total of 2,680,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 473,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.3 days. Currently, 4.6% of the companys stock are sold short. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kontoor Brands Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Keybank National Association OH increased its position in Kontoor Brands by 17.5% in the second quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 10,999 shares of the companys stock worth $463,000 after buying an additional 1,638 shares during the period. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Kontoor Brands by 27.7% during the second quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. now owns 327,786 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,800,000 after purchasing an additional 71,066 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kontoor Brands by 32.9% during the second quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 7,446 shares of the companys stock valued at $313,000 after purchasing an additional 1,843 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Kontoor Brands by 3.3% during the second quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 67,696 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,850,000 after purchasing an additional 2,181 shares during the period. Finally, Olstein Capital Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Kontoor Brands by 2.2% during the second quarter. Olstein Capital Management L.P. now owns 46,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,937,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Get Kontoor Brands alerts: Kontoor Brands Stock Performance KTB traded down $0.84 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $41.52. 520,898 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 448,709. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.03 and a 200-day simple moving average of $44.58. Kontoor Brands has a 12 month low of $31.46 and a 12 month high of $53.83. The stock has a market cap of $2.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.77, a current ratio of 2.59 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Kontoor Brands Dividend Announcement Kontoor Brands ( NYSE:KTB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.02. Kontoor Brands had a return on equity of 102.91% and a net margin of 8.82%. The firm had revenue of $667.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $671.91 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.40 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Kontoor Brands will post 4.7 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.62%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 7th. Kontoor Brandss dividend payout ratio is presently 47.29%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Barclays reduced their target price on Kontoor Brands from $51.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $56.00. About Kontoor Brands (Get Free Report) Kontoor Brands, Inc, a lifestyle apparel company, designs, produces, procures, markets, distributes, and licenses denim, apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler and Lee brands. It licenses and sells apparel under the Rock & Republic brad name. The company sells its products primarily through mass merchants, specialty stores, mid-tier and traditional department stores, company-operated stores, and online. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kontoor Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kontoor Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lee Financial Group Hawaii Inc. reduced its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Free Report) by 21.6% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 7,992 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,202 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF accounts for 0.6% of Lee Financial Group Hawaii Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Lee Financial Group Hawaii Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $581,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,253 shares of the companys stock worth $646,000 after purchasing an additional 594 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 95,612 shares of the companys stock worth $7,417,000 after purchasing an additional 1,612 shares during the period. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 1,348,690 shares of the companys stock worth $104,618,000 after purchasing an additional 57,434 shares during the period. Founders Financial Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 27.0% in the 1st quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 88,779 shares of the companys stock worth $6,887,000 after purchasing an additional 18,853 shares during the period. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 12,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $975,000 after buying an additional 719 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Price Performance Shares of BATS:USMV traded down $0.14 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $75.22. 2,533,014 shares of the company were exchanged. The company has a market cap of $29.98 billion, a PE ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $73.53 and a 200 day moving average of $72.80. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 52-week low of $47.44 and a 52-week high of $55.45. About iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USMV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund bought a new stake in Owl Rock Capital Co. (NYSE:ORCC Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 8,977,919 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $116,174,000. Owl Rock Capital makes up approximately 1.4% of Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund owned approximately 2.30% of Owl Rock Capital as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Citigroup Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Owl Rock Capital in the 1st quarter valued at about $38,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Owl Rock Capital by 234.3% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 46,072 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $680,000 after acquiring an additional 32,290 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in shares of Owl Rock Capital by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 138,527 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,177,000 after acquiring an additional 15,015 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Owl Rock Capital by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 31,214 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $461,000 after purchasing an additional 1,791 shares during the period. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Owl Rock Capital during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 44.20% of the companys stock. Get Owl Rock Capital alerts: Owl Rock Capital Stock Performance Owl Rock Capital stock traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $13.48. The stock had a trading volume of 1,636,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,752,750. Owl Rock Capital Co. has a fifty-two week low of $10.18 and a fifty-two week high of $13.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The company has a 50-day moving average of $13.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.92. The company has a market cap of $5.25 billion, a PE ratio of 8.48 and a beta of 0.91. Owl Rock Capital Dividend Announcement Owl Rock Capital ( NYSE:ORCC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The technology company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $377.62 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $365.07 million. Owl Rock Capital had a return on equity of 10.49% and a net margin of 47.45%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Owl Rock Capital Co. will post 1.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.79%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. Owl Rock Capitals dividend payout ratio is currently 83.02%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Chris Temple acquired 5,900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $13.30 per share, for a total transaction of $78,470.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 36,000 shares in the company, valued at $478,800. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Owl Rock Capital news, Director Chris Temple acquired 5,900 shares of Owl Rock Capital stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The shares were bought at an average price of $13.30 per share, with a total value of $78,470.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 36,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $478,800. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Eric A. Kaye acquired 3,749 shares of Owl Rock Capital stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $13.34 per share, for a total transaction of $50,011.66. Following the purchase, the director now owns 19,144 shares of the companys stock, valued at $255,380.96. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders acquired 88,314 shares of company stock worth $1,168,194. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH cut their price objective on Owl Rock Capital from $15.50 to $15.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. Owl Rock Capital Company Profile (Free Report) Owl Rock Capital Corporation is a business development company. The fund makes investments in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and also considers equity-related securities including warrants and preferred stocks also pursues preferred equity investments and common equity investments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Owl Rock Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Owl Rock Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Global Investments lowered its holdings in Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:PBH Free Report) by 7.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 38,200 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,951 shares during the period. Summit Global Investments holdings in Prestige Consumer Healthcare were worth $2,392,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Natixis acquired a new position in shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare by 74.7% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 676 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. acquired a new position in shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare in the 1st quarter worth approximately $59,000. Finally, Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its stake in shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare by 86.8% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 1,128 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.96% of the companys stock. Get Prestige Consumer Healthcare alerts: Prestige Consumer Healthcare Stock Performance Shares of PBH stock remained flat at $65.21 during trading on Tuesday. 121,682 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 248,572. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 2.44 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The company has a market capitalization of $3.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -38.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.56. The businesss fifty day moving average is $59.06 and its 200-day moving average is $60.84. Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. has a twelve month low of $48.51 and a twelve month high of $67.45. Analyst Ratings Changes Prestige Consumer Healthcare ( NYSE:PBH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $285.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $280.58 million. Prestige Consumer Healthcare had a negative net margin of 7.30% and a positive return on equity of 13.38%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.91 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. will post 4.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several research firms have recently weighed in on PBH. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, June 24th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare from a b+ rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, 3M restated a reiterates rating on shares of Prestige Consumer Healthcare in a report on Monday, June 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $82.00. Prestige Consumer Healthcare Company Profile (Free Report) Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells over-the-counter (OTC) health and personal care products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, North American OTC Healthcare and International OTC Healthcare. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PBH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:PBH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prestige Consumer Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prestige Consumer Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resolute Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report) in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 5,680 shares of the retailers stock, valued at approximately $838,000. Walmart comprises approximately 0.7% of Resolute Wealth Strategies LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Walmart by 105.3% in the 4th quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195 shares of the retailers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 58.3% during the first quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 190 shares of the retailers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in Walmart by 387.8% during the first quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 200 shares of the retailers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSC Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart during the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 31.95% of the companys stock. Get Walmart alerts: Insider Transactions at Walmart In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.24, for a total transaction of $696,675.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 277,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,247,700.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Walmart news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.24, for a total value of $696,675.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 277,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $44,247,700.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 455,060 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.98, for a total transaction of $68,249,898.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 245,256,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,783,563,270.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 9,218,373 shares of company stock valued at $1,422,763,096 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Walmart Stock Down 0.0 % Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Gordon Haskett upgraded shares of Walmart from an accumulate rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $155.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $176.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. StockNews.com raised shares of Walmart from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $159.00 to $162.00 in a research note on Sunday, May 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $169.18. Shares of NYSE WMT traded down $0.05 during trading on Monday, hitting $159.86. 4,217,090 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,977,509. The businesss fifty day moving average is $153.89 and its 200 day moving average is $148.44. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $125.12 and a fifty-two week high of $160.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $430.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.44, a P/E/G ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.82. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Walmart Company Profile (Free Report) Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hengan International Group Company Limited (OTCMKTS:HEGIF Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 696,700 shares, a drop of 11.2% from the June 30th total of 784,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 224.7 days. Hengan International Group Stock Performance Shares of HEGIF stock remained flat at $4.22 during trading on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $4.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $4.59. Hengan International Group has a 12 month low of $3.90 and a 12 month high of $5.20. Get Hengan International Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Hengan International Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Hengan International Group Company Profile Hengan International Group Company Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures, distributes, and sells personal hygiene products in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company offers pocket handkerchiefs, box and soft tissue papers, kitchen towels/papers, toilet rolls, first-aid products, enema, garbage and food bags, preservation papers, table cloths and disposable toilet brush, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, overnight pants, wet tissues, maternal and child care products, adult and baby diapers, and cleansing products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hengan International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hengan International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia attracted some 268,130 Chinese tourists during the first half of 2023, up 771.8 percent from 30,754 in the same period last year, said a Ministry of Tourism report released on Tuesday. During the January-June period this year, China was the third-largest source of foreign visitors to the Southeast Asian country after Thailand and Vietnam, the report said. It added that 870,725 Thais and 463,487 Vietnamese people traveled to Cambodia, up 547.7 percent and 223.6 percent, respectively, year on year. Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said China's reopening earlier this year has injected vigorous impetus into Cambodia's tourism growth. "China is the most important outbound tourism market for the world, so China's resumption of outbound tourism is very beneficial not only to Cambodia but also to the whole world," he told Xinhua. According to the report, a total of 2.58 million international tourists from around the world visited the kingdom in the first half of this year, up 409 percent from 506,762 in the same period last year. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. The country is famous for its three world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archeological Park in the northwestern Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear temple in the northwestern Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk archeological site in the central Kampong Thom province. Besides, it has a pristine coastline stretching 450 km in the four southwestern provinces of Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep. Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON Get Free Report) issued an update on its third quarter 2023 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $1.25-$1.35 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $1.51. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Sonoco Products also updated its FY 2023 guidance to $5.10-$5.40 EPS. Sonoco Products Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of SON stock traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $58.64. 4,315,984 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 516,405. Sonoco Products has a 1 year low of $53.78 and a 1 year high of $65.96. The companys 50 day moving average is $59.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The firm has a market cap of $5.74 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.69. Get Sonoco Products alerts: Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.07. Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 29.17% and a net margin of 6.93%. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.85 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Sonoco Products will post 5.71 EPS for the current year. Sonoco Products Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 9th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.48%. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.40%. Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup cut their price target on Sonoco Products from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Bank of America cut their price target on Sonoco Products from $80.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Sonoco Products from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.67. Institutional Trading of Sonoco Products Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 483,820 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $29,512,000 after buying an additional 54,846 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 25.3% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 13,394 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $817,000 after buying an additional 2,707 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 26,370 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,608,000 after buying an additional 2,617 shares during the last quarter. Quilter Plc boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Quilter Plc now owns 250,970 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $249,213,210,000 after buying an additional 3,517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,229,928 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $502,026,000 after buying an additional 522,955 shares during the last quarter. 75.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Sonoco Products Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sonoco Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sonoco Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) is scheduled to be issuing its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, August 2nd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($0.79) per share for the quarter. Parties interested in participating in the companys conference call can do so using this link. Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The aerospace company reported ($1.69) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.31) by ($1.38). The firm had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.52 billion. Spirit AeroSystems had a negative return on equity of 365.67% and a negative net margin of 14.64%. The firms revenue was up 21.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.03 EPS. On average, analysts expect Spirit AeroSystems to post $-2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Spirit AeroSystems alerts: Spirit AeroSystems Price Performance Spirit AeroSystems stock opened at $31.83 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $28.92 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.91. Spirit AeroSystems has a fifty-two week low of $21.14 and a fifty-two week high of $38.55. Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of research analysts have recently commented on SPR shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Spirit AeroSystems from $36.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. StockNews.com cut shares of Spirit AeroSystems from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on shares of Spirit AeroSystems from $38.00 to $29.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Spirit AeroSystems from $50.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of Spirit AeroSystems from $44.00 to $37.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.71. Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Spirit AeroSystems by 0.7% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,384,185 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $458,793,000 after purchasing an additional 68,953 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in Spirit AeroSystems by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,077,397 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $244,384,000 after purchasing an additional 93,707 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in Spirit AeroSystems by 20.1% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 6,695,378 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $198,183,000 after acquiring an additional 1,122,570 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Spirit AeroSystems by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,222,548 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $214,865,000 after purchasing an additional 286,582 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its holdings in Spirit AeroSystems by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,270,982 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $71,731,000 after acquiring an additional 140,075 shares in the last quarter. 89.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Spirit AeroSystems Company Profile (Get Free Report) Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and fully functional and tested wing systems. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Spirit AeroSystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spirit AeroSystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Global Investments acquired a new position in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 135,929 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $4,747,000. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pacifica Partners Inc. raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 117.6% during the 1st quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 740 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 1,136.7% during the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 742 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 682 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Sittner & Nelson LLC raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Sittner & Nelson LLC now owns 900 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 68.35% of the companys stock. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Insider Transactions at Delta Air Lines In other news, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 3,350 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.43, for a total value of $162,240.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 27,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,330,129.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Delta Air Lines news, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 3,350 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.43, for a total transaction of $162,240.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,330,129.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 107,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,977,155.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Delta Air Lines Stock Down 2.1 % A number of research firms have issued reports on DAL. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $65.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Sunday, July 16th. StockNews.com raised Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, July 15th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Finally, TheStreet raised Delta Air Lines from a c rating to a b rating in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Delta Air Lines currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $56.88. NYSE DAL traded down $0.97 on Tuesday, reaching $45.29. 7,018,432 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,883,078. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.46. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $43.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.61. The company has a market cap of $29.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.77, a PEG ratio of 0.18 and a beta of 1.31. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12 month low of $27.20 and a 12 month high of $49.81. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.40 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $15.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.44 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 59.56% and a net margin of 5.36%. Delta Air Liness revenue was up 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.67 EPS for the current fiscal year. Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is 8.62%. Delta Air Lines Company Profile (Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Global Investments boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 15.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,612 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,401 shares during the period. Summit Global Investments holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $2,803,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Delta Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 0.5% during the first quarter. Delta Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,998,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 27.5% during the first quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 301 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 8,970 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,427,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 1,551 shares of the companys stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 7,886 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance Shares of NVO traded up $0.02 on Tuesday, hitting $161.12. The companys stock had a trading volume of 913,524 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,364,820. The company has a market capitalization of $361.52 billion, a PE ratio of 42.43, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Novo Nordisk A/S has a fifty-two week low of $95.02 and a fifty-two week high of $172.97. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $159.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $154.53. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.27. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 77.39% and a net margin of 32.53%. The firm had revenue of $7.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.86 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 5.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on NVO shares. HSBC started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Friday, July 14th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. About Novo Nordisk A/S (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tower Wealth Partners Inc. raised its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Free Report) by 71.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,707 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 1,130 shares during the period. United Parcel Service comprises about 0.4% of Tower Wealth Partners Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Tower Wealth Partners Inc.s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $525,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 15,176 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,638,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $666,000. DnB Asset Management AS grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 173,857 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $33,727,000 after purchasing an additional 1,024 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ARK Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 12,634 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,451,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock. Get United Parcel Service alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In UPS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $221.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $207.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $180.00 to $172.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $199.00 to $188.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $196.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $189.96. United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.4 % United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement Shares of NYSE UPS traded down $0.76 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $187.13. The stock had a trading volume of 2,322,448 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,322,607. The businesss 50 day moving average is $177.24 and its 200-day moving average is $181.18. The company has a market cap of $160.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.10, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.09. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $154.87 and a 52 week high of $209.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio is presently 52.43%. United Parcel Service Profile (Free Report) United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UPS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Parcel Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Parcel Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its holdings in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report) by 0.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,763,643 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 11,090 shares during the period. Coca-Cola accounts for 0.6% of Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $109,399,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Coca-Cola in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new stake in Coca-Cola in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Coca-Cola in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 62.5% in the 1st quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 507 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Group LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 51.5% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 550 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.61% of the companys stock. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Insider Activity In other news, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 50,000 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.66, for a total transaction of $3,133,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 143,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,984,378.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 50,000 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.66, for a total transaction of $3,133,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 143,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,984,378.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CMO Manuel Arroyo sold 734 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.40, for a total value of $46,535.60. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 114,580 shares in the company, valued at $7,264,372. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 320,786 shares of company stock valued at $20,369,724. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Coca-Cola Price Performance NYSE:KO traded down $0.69 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $61.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,221,854 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,458,326. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.28. The company has a market capitalization of $267.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.71, a PEG ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The Coca-Cola Company has a twelve month low of $54.01 and a twelve month high of $65.47. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.74 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 43.06% and a net margin of 23.81%. Coca-Colas revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.70 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 75.72%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently weighed in on KO. HSBC dropped their price target on Coca-Cola from $77.00 to $74.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Coca-Cola from $69.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup increased their price objective on Coca-Cola from $71.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Wedbush increased their price objective on Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Coca-Cola from $67.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $68.33. Coca-Cola Profile (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 400,059 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 5,130 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises 0.8% of Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $137,388,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $3,416,206,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock worth $1,992,374,000 after buying an additional 5,440,731 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock worth $4,411,740,000 after buying an additional 3,691,436 shares during the period. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2,882.6% during the 1st quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 1,765,702 shares of the companys stock worth $18,090,000 after buying an additional 1,706,502 shares during the period. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $445,944,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.25% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $5.22 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $453.26. 1,248,533 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,998,096. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $296.32 and a 12 month high of $469.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The firm has a market cap of $430.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.17, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $448.28 and a 200 day moving average of $390.23. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.62 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 71.86%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $360.00 to $525.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. StockNews.com downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 12th. 22nd Century Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $505.00 to $565.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $467.45. Insider Activity In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 194,354 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $442.62, for a total value of $86,024,967.48. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,473,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,914,337,782.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 194,354 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $442.62, for a total value of $86,024,967.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,473,810 shares in the company, valued at $44,914,337,782.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 746,556 shares of company stock valued at $334,342,879. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Eli Lilly and Company (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lessened its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 4.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 784,681 shares of the companys stock after selling 40,119 shares during the period. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Altria Group were worth $35,012,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,248,000 after buying an additional 6,324 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after purchasing an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in Altria Group by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after purchasing an additional 89,334 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $498,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on MO. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com raised Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 4th. Finally, Citigroup cut their target price on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.00. Altria Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE:MO traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $45.31. 5,888,760 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,720,800. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $45.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $45.61. The stock has a market cap of $80.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $40.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.26 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Altria Group Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 120.90%. Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Joseph Group Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 15.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,956 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the quarter. Joseph Group Capital Managements holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $924,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Chelsea Counsel Co. acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Investors Research Corp raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 51.1% during the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 71 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Finally, CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.61% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently commented on UNH. Loop Capital lifted their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $590.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $616.00 to $561.00 in a report on Thursday, July 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $592.00 to $572.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 17th. SVB Securities reduced their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $625.00 to $560.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $562.00 to $555.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $579.89. UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance Shares of UNH stock traded down $1.63 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $504.74. The stock had a trading volume of 2,104,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,641,596. The firm has a market capitalization of $469.93 billion, a PE ratio of 22.56, a PEG ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.66. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $445.68 and a twelve month high of $558.10. The stocks 50 day moving average is $482.82 and its 200 day moving average is $485.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.81. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.92 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $92.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.97 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.72% and a net margin of 6.06%. The companys revenue was up 15.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.57 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 19th were paid a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 15th. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 33.65%. Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $506.19, for a total value of $2,024,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 78,573 shares in the company, valued at $39,772,866.87. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. UnitedHealth Group Profile (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. See Also Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weave Communications (NYSE:WEAV Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Citigroup from $6.00 to $12.00 in a research note released on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Citigroup currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Several other brokerages also recently commented on WEAV. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Weave Communications from $6.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Weave Communications from $7.50 to $14.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Finally, Loop Capital raised shares of Weave Communications from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $5.00 to $13.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Get Weave Communications alerts: Weave Communications Stock Performance NYSE WEAV opened at $11.99 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $9.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.67. Weave Communications has a 1 year low of $3.74 and a 1 year high of $12.45. Insider Buying and Selling Weave Communications ( NYSE:WEAV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.15) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $39.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $37.71 million. Weave Communications had a negative net margin of 29.49% and a negative return on equity of 51.25%. On average, equities analysts expect that Weave Communications will post -0.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, CRO Matthew C. Hyde sold 5,353 shares of Weave Communications stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.30, for a total transaction of $28,370.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now owns 601,873 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,189,926.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Weave Communications news, CRO Matthew C. Hyde sold 5,353 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.30, for a total value of $28,370.90. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now directly owns 601,873 shares in the company, valued at $3,189,926.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Bessemer Venture Partners Ix L sold 8,541 shares of Weave Communications stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.13, for a total transaction of $95,061.33. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 7,434,055 shares of the companys stock, valued at $82,741,032.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 235,170 shares of company stock valued at $2,631,143 over the last quarter. Insiders own 41.86% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Weave Communications Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WEAV. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in Weave Communications in the 4th quarter worth approximately $62,000. Acuitas Investments LLC bought a new stake in Weave Communications during the 4th quarter valued at $492,000. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC bought a new position in Weave Communications in the 2nd quarter worth $152,000. Whetstone Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Weave Communications in the 1st quarter worth $565,000. Finally, Scoggin Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Weave Communications in the 1st quarter worth about $3,898,000. Institutional investors own 53.73% of the companys stock. About Weave Communications (Get Free Report) Weave Communications, Inc provides a customer communications and engagement software platform in the United States and Canada. Its platform enables small and medium-sized businesses to maximize the value of their customer interactions and minimize the time and effort spent on manual or mundane tasks. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Weave Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weave Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bintou Keita, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO), communicates with engineers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC, in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province in DRC, July 18, 2023. (The engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC/Handout via Xinhua/) Chinese peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have helped the Congolese people safeguard peace and development, said a Congolese governor. KINSHASA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese peacekeepers, which have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the last 20 years, have helped the Congolese people safeguard peace and development, said Theo Ngwabidje Kasi, governor of the Congolese province of South Kivu. In April 2003, coordinated by the United Nations, China sent its first contingent of blue helmets, made up of an engineering company and a medical company, to the South Kivu province. Since then, about 3,000 Chinese peacekeepers have made remarkable contributions to peace in the eastern part of the country, which has "serious security issues," said the governor in a recent interview with Xinhua in Bukavu, the provincial capital. Chinese peacekeepers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conduct construction work in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province in DRC, June 7, 2023. (The engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC/Handout via Xinhua/) "We appreciate their contributions," said Kasi, noting that the Chinese peacekeepers "are there for the maintenance of peace" and have reinforced relations between the DRC and China. In addition, several infrastructure projects and humanitarian missions carried out by the Chinese blue helmets, in particular roads and bridges, have promoted provincial development, he said, stressing that the Chinese peacekeepers are there "for peace and for development." The Chinese blue helmets stood out with their efforts to promote local development, which is essential to maintaining peace, he further said. "Peace and development must go hand in hand." The Congolese governor cited as an example a temporary bridge over the Luzira River in the territory of Kalehe, an area devastated by the torrential rains, which was recently built by the engineering company of the 26th Chinese contingent on a humanitarian mission. Chinese peacekeepers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conduct construction work in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province in DRC, July 5, 2023. (The engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC/Handout via Xinhua/) At least 438 people were killed and around 5,000 others went missing in areas hit by floods in May in Kalehe. The new bridge is essential to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the movement of the local population. The bridge showcases the "magic and intelligence" of Chinese peacekeepers, Kasi said. The DRC and China enjoy time-honored relations and are now engaged in cooperation at national and provincial levels, particularly in the field of infrastructure. "Where the roads go, development follows," the governor said. He expressed the wish for broader cooperation between the two countries after the recent "historic" state visit of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi to China, during which multiple agreements were made. He hoped the agreements "will yield results," and said, "We always cherish our partnership with China." Weather Alert .Multiple rounds of heavy rain are expected this afternoon and tonight, and this will cause areas of flash flooding to develop across parts of southeast Missouri, far southern and southwest Illinois, and the Purchase Region of western Kentucky. ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri, including the following areas, in southern Illinois, Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Union. In western Kentucky, Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken. In southeast Missouri, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne MO. * WHEN...Through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches can be expected through late tonight, with locally higher amounts possible. Given the very saturated soils from recent rains, it will not take much heavy rain to cause flooding to develop. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. && CHANGSHA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The water level of Dongting, China's second-largest freshwater lake, located in central China's Hunan Province, continued to decline in July due to low precipitation, local authorities said Tuesday. At 8 a.m. on Monday, the water level at the lake's landmark Chenglingji hydrological station was recorded at 24.43 meters, 1.59 meters lower than that on July 1, and 6.12 meters lower than the average level in the same period of many previous years. As of 8 a.m. on Monday, the accumulated precipitation in Hunan Province was 870.3 mm, which was 13.7 percent less than the average amount for the same period of many previous years, said the provincial department of water resources. Less rainfall directly leads to a decrease in the amount of water flowing into Dongting Lake. According to the forecast of the local hydrological department, the rainfall in Hunan Province will be less in August compared to the same month in many previous years, and a hydrological drought will occur in some areas due to high temperatures and little rainfall. Major rivers will maintain medium and low water levels, and the inflow of Dongting Lake will continue to be low. In 2022, Hunan suffered its worst drought since it started keeping meteorological records in 1961. Some areas experienced continuous drought in summer, autumn and winter, which meant that the dry season of the lake lasted 305 days and only ended in early June. Burger King has introduced a new burger in Thailand with a burger with no meat and as many as 20 slices of American cheese. WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense said Monday it has awarded a 17-month extension of contract to a subsidiary of General Dynamics, the fifth largest U.S. denfense contractor, allowing it to continue providing maintenance for the Abrams tanks, including those destined for Ukraine. According to a press release from the Pentagon, the extension was worth nearly 34 million U.S. dollars and was granted to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), which specializes in designing and manufacturing tanks and other armored fighting vehicles for the military. Among the vehicles are the Abrams main battle tanks, a third-generation American main battle tank. Work on providing technical support to the Abrams system will be performed in Sterling Heights, the U.S. state of Michigan, where the GDLS is headquartered, the release said, adding that the work is estimated to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2024. The U.S. Army Contracting Command based in Detroit Arsenal in Michigan will oversee the support program, the release added. Last week French President Emmanuel Macron conducted a five-day tour of the Southwest Pacific, taking in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia as well as Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG). He capped off the tour with a one-day stopover in Sri Lanka on the way home. French President Emmanuel Macron with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. [Photo: @EmmanuelMacron] Macron was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna who travelled to Fiji to meet with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and step-up Frances dialogue with the regions second largest island country. She also held a meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Esala Nayasi. The trip was designed to assert Frances imperialist interests as a Pacific power. It was the first time a sitting French president had visited any of the island states outside Frances Pacific territories. It coincided with a surge of diplomatic manoeuvres across the region, including visits by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, ramping up Washingtons escalating confrontation with China. While seeking to advance Frances global positioning, Macron is conducting a bitter war against the working class at home. The deeply unpopular president of the rich has this year unleashed a series of massive police operations to break strikes and protest movements against his pension reforms compounded by the recent police murder of a teenager. In a major cabinet reshuffle in July, in order to prepare for escalating attacks in France and beyond, Gerald Darmanin, a former member of the extreme right-wing group Action Francaise who supervised the police repression, was retained as minister of the interior and overseas territories. France has some 1.5 million citizens and 8,000 military personnel spread across the Indo-Pacificthe Indian Ocean islands of Mayotte and Reunion, and the Pacific Ocean islands of New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia. In 2016 New Caledonia and French Polynesia were granted full membership of the PIFinitially meant for independent countries onlyafter years of lobbying, thus boosting Frances influence in regional affairs. Macrons tour had a clear strategic-military purpose. In line with NATOs push into the Indo-Pacific, from July 22 to August 4 France is participating in the Talisman Sabre military exercise in Australia. Having been observers at previous iterations of the biennial exercise, France and Germany are contributing forces to high-intensity warfighting training, involving 30,000 troops from 13 countries, aimed squarely at China. Macrons primary objective was to cement Frances hold over New Caledonia, making clear that his government will not countenance further discussions about so-called independence. The issue has a bloody and turbulent history, culminating in near civil war during the 1980s. In 1986, the then French Socialist Party governments gendarmes massacred 19 indigenous Kanaks who had taken police hostage on Ouvea Island. The outcry over the killings ultimately produced the 1998 Noumea Accord under which France promised to gradually cede more political autonomy to the local territory. Three independence referenda over five years were held under the Accord. The results were between 53 and 57 percent in favour of remaining part of France in the first two ballots. The final referendum held in December 2021 was widely viewed as illegitimate. With a 40 percent voter turnout, it resulted in a 97 percent vote against secession after Kanaks boycotted the process amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Class struggles have repeatedly erupted. November 2020 saw riots and clashes with police over the sale of the Brazilian-owned Goro Nickel plant, which threatened the jobs of 3,000 workers. Broad sections of the working class, including miners, processing workers, truck drivers, airport workers and others have engaged in militant struggles over jobs and conditions, bringing them into conflict with both pro-and anti-independence factions of the ruling elite. At a public rally in the capital Noumea last week, Macron bluntly told those in favour of separatism they should accept the pro-France votes. After these three referendums, I do not underestimate the disappointed hopes of those who backed a completely different project, Macron said. But I say to them all, together we all have to have the grace to accept these results and to build the future together. Paris will now seek to introduce a new political statute for New Caledonia, replacing the Noumea Accord. Immediate reforms will unfreeze the electoral rolls for provincial and congressional elections to be held in May next year. That will allow thousands more French nationals to vote than are currently able to under the Accord. The Noumea Accord is entrenched in its own clauses within the French constitution, so a process of constitutional change will begin next year. France will not relinquish its hold over the strategically vital territory. The island is home to a French military base and holds nearly a quarter of the worlds reserves of nickel, essential in the manufacture of stainless steel and in the defence industry. Before leaving Noumea Macron announced measures to address a productivity crisis facing the nickel industry and to reinforce Frances military presence with another 200 troops, 18 billion CFP Francs ($US17 million) in funds and a new Pacific Defence academy. Macron used the remainder of his tour to posture as an independent actor in the region. His office claimed that the trip was not aimed at pressing an anti-China policy, but at encouraging regional powers to diversify their partnerships beyond Beijing and Washington. The trip was needed, the statement said, because of new, more intense threats to security, institutions and the environment. In Vanuatu, Macron denounced new imperialism in the Pacific and declared that France would defend the independence and sovereignty of smaller states, including the most fragile. The chief target of these statements is unmistakably China. As the US and its allies seek to counter Chinas influence, France offered an alternative, a presidential adviser said, with plans for expanded aid and development to confront natural catastrophes. Visiting Australia in 2018, Macron had called for a strategic alliance of France, India and Australia to respond to challenges across the region. Macron couched his remarks in terms of ensuring that no single power exercised hegemony. He said France would work with Australia, and was willing to use its frigates, submarines and aircraft to ensure that neutrality and freedom of circulation were protected. French relations with Australia soured in 2021 with the unilateral decision by the Australian government to scrap a $A90 billion submarine deal with France in favour of an agreement to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK as part of the AUKUS pact. The move, which has seen Canberra align much more closely with the US, caused fury in Paris, which described it as a stab in the back. In January, an Australia-France meeting of defence and foreign ministers in Paris lauded France as a Pacific nation. Australia pledged to extend military ties with France in the Pacific, with both countries agreeing to deepen operational and logistical cooperation to support their commitment to shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. Last month, the French government agreed to sell 26 Rafale fighter jets and three Scorpene-class submarines to India. While in Vanuatu and PNG, Macron set a French footprint in two island states which are at the centre of intense diplomatic pressure by Australia and the US to sign up to strategic and defence pacts, and, in the case of PNG, establish permanent military bases. Macron has, publicly at least, taken a more soft power approach, offering funding and private sector partnerships to promote green conservation projects, in a bid to appeal to deep concerns across Pacific Island states over climate change and rising sea levels. In PNG, Macron and Prime Minister James Marape signed an environmental initiativebacked by French and EU financingproviding backing to preserve the countrys rainforests. Statements continue to be sent to Sydneys Macquarie University in opposition to its anti-democratic refusal to affiliate the International Youth and Students for Social Equalitys (IYSSE) club on campus. Managements decision was based on the fraudulent claim that the anti-war, socialist IYSSE shares the same aims and purpose as the pseudo-left, pro-war Macquarie Socialists club. Though this claim has been thoroughly debunked, Macquarie University is refusing to reverse its decision , highlighting its political censorship of anti-war and socialist voices. Sign the petition to demand that the IYSSE be affiliated, and send statements to management, copied to the IYSSE. Below, we publish letters protesting Macquarie Universitys political censorship from the IYSSE in Germany and the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists (YGBL). The YGBL is a Trotskyist organisation in Russia and throughout the former Soviet Union that has declared its political support for the International Committee of the Fourth Internationalthe world party of which the IYSSE is the global youth and student arm. It fights for the socialist unity of workers in Russia and Ukraine against the war and all the governments prosecuting it. In Germany, the IYSSE is also fighting attempts by state- and fascistic-aligned forces attempting to silence its socialist opposition to the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. The IYSSE in Germany has led the fight against remilitarisation and the rehabilitation of the Nazis in the corporate media, political establishment and on the campuses, particularly among far-right academics deeply entrenched in the German state apparatus. *** Letter by the IYSSE (Germany): More than a month has now passed since you refused the affiliation of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) student club at Macquarie University. This is a scandalous act of political censorship directed against widespread anti-war sentiment among Australian students and constitutes an attack on the democratic rights of all students in Sydney and beyond. On behalf of the steering committee of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Germany, I demand that you immediately revise your anti-democratic stance and reaffiliate our comrades club at Macquarie University. IYSSE meeting in Frankfurt, May 12, 2023 If one considers the programmatic principles of the IYSSE against the backdrop of Australias spearheading role in the US-led war preparations against China, one can only determine that your refusal to reaffiliate a long-standing and popular anti-war student organization is politically motivated. In the course of more than a decade, the IYSSE at Macquarie University has held countless anti-war rallies and meetings which resonate among broad sections of students and engages them in the fight to end war once and for all. Your action, by contrastshould you continue as beforeconstitutes a capitulation to the Australian ruling classs attempts to subordinate the nations universities to its war effort. Speaking from Germany with an historically informed perspective, we know this process painfully well. Scholars of German militarism and the Nazis fascist dictatorship have come to denote it as Selbst-Gleichschaltungthe voluntary submission of academic and administrative elites to the military-intelligence apparatus. In the Third Reich politically unreliable professors were removed from universities and anti-war students such as Sophie and Hans Scholl were beheaded. As the IYSSE has documented, the current glorification of Nazi traditions and war criminals on display in the proxy war in Ukraine was ideologically prepared by attempts to downplay the crimes of the Nazis at German universities. We do not suggest an equal sign between the historical precedent and todays situation. It remains in your power to stop in your tracks and not go down this road. In that case, it should be a matter of course to reaffiliate our comrades club and refrain from any further action that infringes on the right of students to organize anti-war meetings, discussions and any other on-campus political activities. We confidently expect that you comply with this demand. Gregor Link International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) Berlin, Germany *** Letter from the YGBL: The Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists openly protests against the refusal to affiliate the IYSSE at Sydneys Macquarie University. This is a blatantly anti-democratic move based on a false claim. In this move, the university administration is not guided by sincere considerations about whether or not requirements were being met. A graphic designed by the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists to honor its 5-year anniversary. On the contrary, all the actions of the administration only indicate that this is a clear politically motivated move to suppress Trotskyist criticism of the international and domestic policies of the Australian bourgeois government. It has long been known that the university is closely linked to the state apparatus. By contracting and promoting the interests of the ruling class, the university is breaking with the principles of educationthe search for objective truth and the well-rounded development of the individual. The depths to which the administration has fallen is especially clear if we take into account that 27 years ago, in 1996, Macquarie University, hosted a lecture on Stalinism by the Russian historian Vadim Rogovin, who has written seven volumes on the struggle of Trotskyism against Stalinism (from the 1920s to 1940). The lecture was organized by the parent organization of the IYSSE, the International Committee of the Fourth International, as part of an international series. The subordination to the interests of profit is a characteristic feature not only of Macquarie University, but also of many other universities. This is a worldwide problem that affects not only Australia, but also Russia. Russian universities are also closely linked to the state and work for the military machine, and this cooperation has grown especially against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Government contracts have long been one of the main ways universities exist in the capitalist world. Now, we see, that, if is faced with the dilemma of protecting the rights of students or protecting the interests of profit, Macquarie University intends to take the side of profit. We demand that this decision be reversed. To youth we say that, in their struggle for democratic rights, they can only rely on themselves, and in their own independent movement that will fight for their rights in alliance with the working class, which, based on its position in capitalist society as wage laborers, has decisive economic influence. This is what the IYSSE is fighting for by promoting the positions of socialist internationalism throughout the world, and seeking to show that the best ally for young people in their fight for their future is the international working class. We call on all readers to support the fight to defend the IYSSE at Macquarie University by sending letters of protest over the rejection of the IYSSEs affiliation to the Student Engagement, Inclusion and Belonging division of university management at studentgroups@mq.edu.au , and CC iysse.macquarie@gmail.com . Get in touch with the IYSSE to find out how you can be involved: Nearly 4 million people on Medicaid, the US health coverage program for the poor and disabled, have been disenrolled as of the end of July, according to figures compiled by the Associated Press, the Kaiser Family Foundation and health advocacy groups. A pediatric patient prepared for a polysomnogram by a respiratory therapist, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri [Photo by Robert Lawton / CC BY 2.5 The latest data from 39 states and the District of Columbia tally 3,816,000 Medicaid enrollees who have been removed from the program as of July 28. Adding in the 11 states that have not reported their disenrollments will drive the figure well above 4 million, and possibly as high as 5 million. The process of disenrollment is taking place as a result of a bipartisan agreement between the Biden administration and congressional Republican leaders incorporated into the omnibus spending authorization bill that was passed by Congress and signed by Biden last December. That deal set a March 31, 2023, deadline for ending a freeze on Medicaid disenrollments imposed under the Trump administration because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and extended under Biden. States were not banned from reviewing Medicaid recipients and designating them as ineligible, but they could not actually proceed with the disenrollment. As a result of the freeze, Medicaid enrollments grew from 71 million in 2019 to 93 million in 2022, more than a quarter of the American population. This vast population is now subject to the renewal process, termed unwinding, from April 1, 2023, until July 2024. The number disenrolled could easily surpass 10 million. Five states began disenrollments on April 1, the first day they could legally do so, and 14 more states began on May 1. Of these 19 states, five have Democratic governors: Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania. By August 1, nearly every state had begun disenrollments, whether under Republican or Democratic control. The most noxious feature of this campaign against the poorest and most vulnerable sections of the working class is that the vast majority of disenrollments are not based on a determination of ineligibilitya child aging out of the system, or a low-paid worker finding a better jobbut due to paperwork errors. Nearly three-quarters of those disenrolled missed a deadline for submitting a form, or filled out the form incorrectly, or made some other technical mistake. Large numbers of those disenrolled did not receive the necessary forms from the state, or received them after the deadline for filing them had passed. In some cases, recipients were disenrolled because the state government mishandled their paperwork after they sent it in. Moreover, since many Medicaid recipients were rolled over automatically during the pandemic freeze, millions were entirely unfamiliar with the recertification process that began April 1, and many states made no effort to provide the necessary information. On the contrary, they counted on paperwork errors to boost the number of disenrollments from a program most Republican governors have long opposed, and which the Republican Party is committed to dismantling or privatizing. According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 72 percent of those disenrolled were denied because of procedural, i.e., paperwork, problems. This figure varies widely from state to state, from 96 percent of all disenrollments due to procedural issues in New Mexico, to 33 percent in Colorado. Both states have Democratic governors and Democratic Party-controlled state governments. While Medicaid recipients who make paperwork errors suffer cutoff of access to healthcare, a devastating and potentially life-threatening development, states that make similar errors, either deliberately or out of incompetence, suffer no such consequences. The only power the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has over states that miss deadlines or fail to file required data is to curtail or cut off their Medicaid fundingpunishing the recipients, not the state governments. States are allowed to provide for automatic renewals, termed ex parte renewals by Medicaid, for specific categories of recipients, such as the blind and the totally disabled, plus those suffering from incurable diseases like dementia. Many states, mainly those under Republican Party rule, have sharply limited ex parte renewals. The result is that in some states, the blind and totally disabled must prove they are still blind and disabled, even when their infirmity is itself a significant obstacle to compliance with the procedure. Texas, the second-largest state in the country, disenrolled more than 500,000 people, of whom 400,000 lost their benefits because of procedural issues, not actual ineligibility. Other states with large numbers disenrolled include Florida (400,000), Washington (230,000), California (225,000), South Carolina (120,000) and Georgia (96,000). Overall, of nearly 10 million recipients whose eligibility has been reviewed during the last four months, 62 percent have had their coverage renewed, while 38 percent have been disenrolled. Only eight states reported age ranges for those disenrolled, and children accounted for roughly one-third. Of the 1,037,000 disenrollments in those states, 329,000 were children. In Georgia, that figure was a staggering two-thirds, more than 67,000 out of the 96,000 who lost coverage. Last Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra sent a letter to all 50 state governors, as well as those in federal territories, urging them to do more to limit disenrollment, including cross-referencing with federal databases for food stamp eligibility and other indications of poverty. Medicaid is a vast social program, now covering more people than Medicare, the principal healthcare insurance program for the elderly. It pays for 41 percent of all births in the United States, covers half of US children, and is also the largest payer of long-term care for the elderly and the disabled. There are some severe limitations, however. People released from prison are ineligible without a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, part of the DHHS. Only two states, California and Washington, currently have such waivers. This means that released prisoners cannot get health coverage unless they immediately find a job with health insurance, not an easy task. An Inspector Calls by the National Theatre finished its run across the north of England recently at the Alhambra theatre in Bradford. The play is the best known of the 39 stories and plays by author, playwright and broadcaster, J.B. Priestley. His other works may have justifiably fallen from favour thanks to their inability to speak past their time, but An Inspector Calls (written and first performed in 1945) has a certain significance and is more enduring. An Inspector Calls In the fictional industrial town of Brumley, in 1912, the upper-middle class Birling family are celebrating their daughters engagement to the son of a rival industrial magnate. Factory-owning family head, Arthur Birling (Jeffrey Harmer), pontificates on self-reliance and looking after ones own, and the bright future ahead, including potential inclusion in the next honours list. The mood changes when the brooding, methodical Inspector Goole (an excellent Liam Brennan) arrives to investigate the suicide of Eva Smith, a former employee at Birlings factory. Birling eventually admits firing Eva after she led a strike of women workers for equal pay, but denies any responsibility for her death. This sets the pattern for Gooles other interviews. All the family had contact with Eva, they collectively ruined her life, but they deny responsibility for her death. An Inspector Calls [Photo: Mark Douet] Birlings daughter, Sheila (Chloe Orrock) had been served by Eva in a department store. After Smith smiled when Sheila was trying on a dress that did not suit her, Sheila and her mother intimated that if Eva was not dismissed, they would take their custom elsewhere. Eva, destitute, had turned to prostitution. Sheilas fiance Gerald (Simon Cotton) met her, gave her money and moved her into a friends empty flat. Sheila breaks off their engagement when Goole gets Gerald to confess to his relationship with Eva. Arthurs wife, Sybil (Christine Kavanagh), is patron of a charity for women in trouble. She had rejected appeals for help from Eva, now pregnant. Sybil blamed Eva for being irresponsible, telling her to seek help from the drunken young man who got her pregnant. Everyone but Sybil realises this must be Sheilas older brother, Eric (George Rowlands), who breaks down and confesses. After a drunken binge he raped Eva, then stole from the family business to support her. Eva refused the money. The Birlings descend into angry recriminations. They have a brief moment of hope on learning that no Inspector Goole is employed at the police station, and no suicide has been reported. Relieved that they are just victims of a hoax, Sheila and Eric suggest the family use the experience to atone for past sins. Their parents dismiss this as misplaced youthful idealism. And then the phone rings. A female worker has been admitted to the infirmary, and an inspector will call There have been various interpretations of Priestleys conclusion: either someone with inside knowledge was tipping the family off, or Gooles visitation was an almost supernatural warning to make amends before it is too late. One key element in the play is its hindsight. Written in the aftermath of World War Two, and set in the context of the development of World War One, the plays characters exemplify the political blindness of ruling class circles in Britain and across Europe when the evidence of social catastrophe is there to be read by anyone with eyes. Arthurs sermonising explicitly rejects the likelihood of a war Priestleys audience knew had occurredand had been repeated. An Inspector Calls, 2022 [Photo: Mark Douet] After his investigation, Gooles final and most significant speech refers directly to the coming war: But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gonebut there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and a chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives and what we think and say and do. We dont live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night. These are lines that would have reverberated even more powerfully when the play was first staged in 1945. With no suitable British venue apparently available, it received its premiere in the Soviet Union, at Moscows Kamerny Theatre and Leningrads Comedy Theatre. Its first British production was in 1946, with a young Alec Guinness playing Eric Birling. Priestley John Boyton Priestley (1894-1984) was born in the former textile city of Bradford and much of his later fiction bore the mark of his Yorkshire background. Priestley served in the army during World War One. Badly wounded in June 1916, when he was buried alive by a trench mortar, he later also suffered the effects of poison gas. After the war he built a reputation as an essayist and critic, becoming well known with The Good Companions (1929). More popular with readers than critics, his third novelabout a travelling music hall troupedated badly. It suffered by comparison, for example, with the work of the Angry Young Men playwrights of the 1950s. John Osbornes The Entertainer also used a vaudeville performer, but for a more direct portrayal of the state of society. During the Second World War, Priestley broadcast nightly the Postscript on the BBC. The broadcastswhich were variously credited with stiffening civilian morale during the Battle of Britain and popularising the need for a post-war welfare statereached a peak audience of 16 million in 1941 (second only to the addresses of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill) before the government pulled the plug. J. B. Priestley, 1940 [Photo: National Media Museum @ Flickr Commons] Priestley was widely condemned by other writers both for his popular success and for his middle class provincialism. Virginia Woolf called him the tradesman of letters, while George Orwell derided the Priestleyan assumption that real life means lower-middle-class life in a large town and that if you have packed into your novel, say, fifty-three descriptions of tea in a Lyons Corner House, you have done the trick. Graham Greene wrote that Priestley became in the months after Dunkirk a leader second only in importance to Mr Churchill. And he gave us what our other leaders have always failed to give usan ideology. In 1940, Priestley criticised his former friend George Bernard Shaws support of Joseph Stalin: Shaw presumes that his friend Stalin has everything under control. Well, Stalin may have made special arrangements to see that Shaw comes to no harm, but the rest of us in Western Europe do not feel quite so sure of our fate, especially those of us who do not share Shaws curious admiration for dictators. In 1942, Priestley co-founded the Common Wealth Party. Well within the safe confines of the parliamentary Labourite politics of the time, it called for public ownership of land, greater democracy and a new morality in politics. Even this was enough for Orwell to include Priestleys name on a 1949 list of artists deemed fellow travellers of the Stalinist Communist Party. Priestley lived through some of the most momentous events of the 20th century; two world wars, the Russian Revolution, the British General Strike, the hungry 30s and the rise of Fascism. His engagement with these colossal events and their social implications never seems to have risen above vague social democratic conceptions. Overtly political writings such as The Arts under Socialism (1947) express the most tepid reformism. His evident aspiration for something fairerhe was a founding member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, for examplenever went beyond that ideology identified by Greene, even though he was clearly interested in bigger artistic questions. Literature and Western Man (1960) was a 500-page survey of western literature up to the 1930swhich in passing does distinguish between the toleration of artistic innovation in the Soviet Union under Lenin and its bureaucratic suppression under Stalin. Priestley thought Lenin conservative in his literary taste but far more more tolerant than his successors: if he could not appreciate all the new experimental writing and theatre work, he did not dictate to the poets and producers what they should do. An Inspector Calls is essentially a morality tale, told within the strict confines of the prevailing morals of the presently existing bourgeois class society. But, as Trotsky explained, morals and morality are not absolute. They are informed by class interests. Gooles mission is to warn the Birlings to change their ways before it is too late, and resume their social positions with improved morals. Even reading Priestleys conclusion as implying a social reckoning does not stretch to upsetting the existing social structure. The working class is present throughout his work, but not in the foreground. Working class characters, like the Birlings maid Edna (Frances Campbell), are not there to express themselves but to be acted upon by a kind of paternalistic sentimentality. Gooles final speech is actually a cross-class appeal for sympathy for the pathetic downtrodden. Daldrys Production An Inspector Calls remains Priestleys best-known work. There was a notable 1954 film by Guy Hamilton, starring Alastair Sim. More recently, Aisling Walsh directed a decent 2015 television adaptation with David Thewlis as Goole. The play fell from favour for decades, having been identified as the type of middle-class drawing-room play that had been overtaken by the kitchen-sink dramas of the 1950s/60s. Its return to favour owes much to director Stephen Daldry, who in 1992 revived Priestleys dissection of class injustice under capitalism. Daldrys revival has been seen worldwide by more than 4 million theatregoers. There is evidently as receptive an audience as ever to hear confirmation that the wealthy in capitalist society are often also blessed with the characteristics of lying, cheating, hypocrisy and brutishness. With whatever limitations, Daldry has long been interested in historical and political questions. With his undeniable talents and consistently creditable casts, Daldry has created an often highly engaging production which has deservedly endured. Ian MacNeils clever set design powerfully contrasts the Birling mansion with the squalor outside it. Daldry has Goole at all times outside the mansion, addressing the audience directly and establishing a genuine connection. It is little wonder that the production has continued to strike a chord with audiences over the last 30 years. A significant proportion of the audience has been young people, as the play appears regularly on the GCSE syllabus for 15/16-year-olds across England. Many recent polls have indicated a leftward turn among this layer: one recent British poll found that 67 percent would like to live in a socialist economic system and at least 75 percent viewed climate change and Britains housing crisis as problems specifically associated with capitalism. The plays appeal is clear. An observant young viewer would be able to discern a half-articulated cry of despair at the present conditions of the world in the play, but one that is muted and soon stifled. Despite Daldrys commendable achievements with Priestleys play, is it not high time, someone might ask, to take this material into the modern world? There are now billions of Smiths, not millions, struggling to feed their families as their toil fattens the profits of corporate magnates who make the Birlings of yesteryear seem like impoverished upstarts, in a society offering no future to the youth, and on the precipice of another world war. Speaking in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken launched a full-throated denunciation of Julian Assange. Blinken branded the WikiLeaks founder a criminal and made plain that the Biden administration will proceed with the attempt to extradite Assange from Britain and prosecute him under the draconian US Espionage Act. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong prior to a bilateral meeting in Brisbane, Australia Friday, July 28, 2023. [AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher] The remarks had the character of an extraordinary outburst. But it was fairly clear that Blinken was not improvising or speaking merely off the cuff. His were the most explicit comments on the Assange case by a top US official since the Biden administration took office in early 2021. Previously the standard line, including from Blinken, has been to dodge questions on Assange. His attempted prosecution, the story went, was a matter for the Department of Justice, which was entirely independent of the administration. Blinken dispensed with that fiction. He provided a precis of the main arguments of the US prosecution, bringing forward all the lies that have been used to railroad the WikiLeaks publisher. The choice of location for this intervention was not accidental. Blinken decided to make his first comments on the case in Australia, where Assange is a citizen and has widespread support. The statement was a deliberate and provocative rebuke to any suggestion that deepening American-Australian ties would result in a let-up in the US-led persecution of Assange or even his freedom. The comments brought to a close the charade that the Australian Labor government is somehow pushing for Assanges liberty, through tepid statements that enough is enough and the case has gone on too long. Instead, Labor is giving the US everything it wants in the transformation of Australia into a base for offensive operations throughout the Indo-Pacific. Assange is to be extradited and prosecuted for exposing US-led war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. In breaking his silence and attempting to strike a blow against Assange, Blinken revealed the substance of the attempted US prosecution: equal parts defamatory slanders and authoritarianism. Blinken said he could understand the concerns and views of Australians in relation to Assange. The image of a beneficent mafia don comes to mind. But, as with crime bosses, there is always a sting in the tail. It was important that our friends here understand our concerns about this matter. Mr Assange was charged with very serious criminal conduct in the United States in connection with his alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of our country, Blinken declared. The actions that he is alleged to have committed risked very serious harm to our national security. The compromise, so described by military and intelligence agencies, is known in journalism as a leak. Such leaks have been the foundation of serious reporting since the very origins of the modern media. As for the claim that Assange risked very serious harm to our national security, the obvious retort is: so what? The claim that any journalist is responsible for protecting national security by concealing true and newsworthy information from the population, and presumably finking on the leaker, is straight out of the playbook of every dictatorship that has ever existed. That Assange was an Australian citizen, who always conducted his journalistic work outside the United States, makes the assertion of US government control of the press even more sweeping. Blinkens doctrine is one in which the US state is the ultimate arbiter of all journalism, reportage and commentary literally anywhere in the world. More generally, national security is code for the interests of imperialism, its military agencies and governments. Assanges actions, Blinken claimed, had been to the benefit of our adversaries. The same objections as above apply to this statement. But the absurdity of the charge is underscored by the publications for which the US is attempting to prosecute Assange. The US armys Afghan and Iraq war logs were significant because they showed that American imperialism was engaged in mass killings of civilians, torture and other war crimes. The Guantanamo Bay detainee files were of note because they demonstrated that the US government was unlawfully detaining innocent civilians, including children and the very elderly, as part of its war on terror dragnet. And the US diplomatic cables revealed by WikiLeaks exposed US meddling, coup plots, election interference and other criminal actions all over the world including against its formal ally, Australia. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange greets supporters from a balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. [AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File] The principal beneficiaries of all these publications were the worlds people. That includes, in the first instance, the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, whose criminal treatment at the hands of the worlds most powerful military was finally exposed. But it also encompasses the American population, the overwhelming majority of whom defend democratic rights and have an instinctive hostility to bullying militarism. No US administration or official, Democrat or Republican, has declared that the war crimes exposed by WikiLeaks should not have happened. Nor have they resulted in prosecutions. The objection is not that these atrocities occurred but that the worlds population were informed. Blinken, inevitably, repeated the claim that Assange had put named human sources at grave risk, grave risk of physical harm, grave risk of detention. Even if this were the case, it would not vitiate Assanges rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, established both in international law and under the American Constitution. But it is not true. As a consequence of the extradition hearings initiated by the US, there is now on the public record a vast body of evidence, including the testimony of authoritative journalistic witnesses, that Assange scrupulously redacted the relevant publications. He single-handedly removed thousands of potentially vulnerable names from the Iraq and Afghan war logs, and appealed to the US State Department to collaborate in a redaction process prior to the staggered release of the diplomatic cables. That request was summarily rejected. The US government and military, moreover, have acknowledged there is no indication that any individual, anywhere in the world, came to harm as a result of the WikiLeaks publications. That was admitted in US court hearings of Chelsea Manning, the courageous leaker of the documents, almost a decade ago. That is why Blinken used the cynical dodge of referring to risk of harm, not actual harm. Blinkens comments represent a throwing down of the gauntlet. With Assanges avenues of appeal almost exhausted in Britain, they underscore the urgency of a mass struggle against the extradition, with which the Biden administration is now clearly proceeding. Such a struggle must be based on drawing certain lessons, above all, about who is responsible for Assanges dire plight. In the front ranks stands Australias Labor government and all its representatives. Blinken made his comments standing alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. She did not differ with a single one of his lies or slanders. Wong had responded first to a journalists question about Assange. She repeated the governments line that the case has dragged on for too long and said our desire [is] that it be brought to a conclusion. Those comments were entirely compatible with Blinkens statements. The US too wants the case brought to a conclusion through Assanges rapid extradition, a frame-up national security trial and permanent incarceration. Wong said Australia was not a party to the legal processes involving Assange, i.e., the extradition attempt, so it could not intervene with them. This line, to the extent that there is any truth to it, is an evasion of the central point. Australian governments have frequently defended persecuted citizens in foreign jurisdictions. If there are legal obstacles to such an intervention, it takes a political and diplomatic form, including through public condemnations of the persecution, demands that it end and threats of tangible measures if it does not, such as sanctions. But Wong and the government as a whole spent the weekend fawning over Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. It would be a mistake to see Blinkens comments as some sort of setback for the Labor government. It never wanted Assange free. Its timid posturing was motivated solely by concern over the widespread public support for Assange. It is worth recalling that in 201011, when WikiLeaks published the documents for which Assange was then charged, the response of the Australian government was, if anything, even more rabid and hysterical than its US counterpart. Prime Minister Julia Gillard falsely accused Assange of having violated Australian laws, before being corrected by the Australian Federal Police. Then she tried to illegally strip him of his passport. This latter action was part of extensive collaboration between the government and US authorities, including the intelligence agencies that were spearheading the offensive against Assange. Gillard, of course, was a Labor prime minister. Most of the prominent members of the current government, including Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, were prominent representatives of the Gillard administration. They have been involved in the witch hunt of Assange for over a decade. Labor is a party of war and big business, which is overseeing a crackdown on democratic rights domestically, targeting social and political opposition from working people and mounting anti-war sentiment. The purpose of Assanges continued persecution is to intimidate other journalists and opponents into silence. The savagery revealed by Assange is not abating but accelerating with the advanced preparations underway by both governments to unleash far worse, including the possibility of nuclear war, against China. The venue of Blinkens statements again underscores this relationship between war and the assault on Assange. He was in Australia for annual ministerial talks. This years iteration further transformed Australia into a hub for these war plans, including through an expanded missile program, a secret space warfare deal and increasing rotations of US forces through the country. All this makes it plain that the fight for Assanges freedom is not only a struggle against the Biden administration, but also the Australian government. Such a struggle is inseparable from the fight to build an international anti-war movement of the working class, directed against the source of conflict, the capitalist system itself. CAIRO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian government announced on Monday that it would implement power load-shedding in various governorates starting Tuesday noon, official MENA news agency reported. In a statement, the cabinet said it will soon release the schedules regarding the towns and districts in each governorate that falls in the power-shedding plan. The plan comes as a result of coordination between the Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Wealth. Earlier this month, the cabinet announced that Egypt put in place scheduled, hour-long power outages to reduce the load on the national grid burdened by high electricity demands during sustained heatwave. Rationing electricity has been seen in several areas in Egypt's capital Cairo over the past week. Egypt hasn't faced a power shortage for years since it reached natural gas self-sufficiency and expanded the construction of power plants nationwide. Yellow Corp. trucks and trailers are pictured at a YRC Freight facility Friday, July 28, 2023, in Richfield, Ohio. [AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki] In the largest mass layoff event in the US since 2020, 30,000 workers at trucking firm Yellow Corp. were thrown into unemployment over the weekend, after the company announced it was ceasing operations on Sunday. Given the scale of the layoffs and the fact that Yellows largest creditor is the US government, the Biden administration has made a calculated decision to allow the bankruptcy to go forward, destroying the livelihoods of 30,000 workers and their families. The nominal reason for the bankruptcy is the companys debt burden of $1.6 billion, about half of which is owed to the federal government. But this figure is less than what the US spends every single week on the war in Ukraine. Indeed, the White Houses decision to allow the bankruptcy is deeply connected to the war. While the US government proclaims it will fund the war in Ukraine for as long as it takes, no resources are supposedly available to prevent tens thousands of working class families from being thrown into destitution in the largest trucking bankruptcy in US history. The ruling elite is engaged in an escalating war on two fronts. Abroad, American imperialism is seeking to subjugate and dismember Russia, while simultaneously preparing for even greater military conflict with China. At home, the ruling class is trying desperately to contain and suppress an increasingly combative movement of the working class and impose conditions of super-exploitation. In April, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Biden has a core commitmentindeed, his daily direction to us[is] to more deeply integrate domestic policy and foreign policy. War abroad is war at home. The White House sees the suppression of the working classespecially in key logistics and manufacturing industriesand the imposition of poverty wages as crucial to carrying out US imperialisms predatory foreign policy aims. The Biden administration, with the support of both parties in Congress, has been systematically expanding annual US military spending to record highs. Close to $1 trillion a year is now spent on the Pentagon budget, the costs of the war in Ukraine, preparations for war with China and the myriad US military-intelligence agencies. The Biden administrations response to Yellow stands in stark contrast to its actions in relation to the failures of First Republic and Silicon Valley Bank earlier this year, when virtually limitless sums were made available by the state to protect the wealth of their richest depositors, and that of the financial aristocracy more broadly. For Yellows top executiveswho have continued to draw multimillion-dollar compensation packages year after yearthe companys closure will ultimately amount to little more than an inconvenience. But for Yellows 30,000 truck drivers, yard workers and office staff, there will be a desperate scramble to find employment and avoid total destitution. The destruction of tens of thousands of jobs at Yellow is part of a broader ruling class policy, which entails the use of mass unemployment and the pro-corporate union bureaucracies to force workers into accepting poverty wages. The Teamsters bureaucracyfar from leading a fight against the assault on Yellow workers jobshas worked at every step to sow confusion and head off a strike, which it fears would galvanize opposition among UPS and other logistics workers. Over 340,000 UPS workers begin to vote on a sellout tentative agreement this week, which has already provoked widespread opposition. In a statement issued Sunday which sought to present the destruction of 30,000 jobs at Yellow as an accomplished fact, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien said, Todays news is unfortunate but not surprising. Adding insult to injury, OBrien claimed, The Teamsters are committed to ensuring members are protected and notified with all the latest information. Rather than mobilizing its hundreds of thousands of members at UPS, Yellow, TForce, ABF and elsewhere in an all-out combined strike to defend jobs and win substantial improvements to wages and working conditions, the Teamsters bureaucracy has sought to isolate workers from each other, using lies and intimidation to impose pro-corporate contracts one by one. There can be little doubt that the Teamsters top officials and the Biden administration collaborated closely over the plan for Yellow. OBrien has been a frequent visitor to the White House and played a key role in the betrayal of the struggle by more than 100,000 railroad workers last year. At UPS, Yellow and elsewhere, the Teamsters leadership kept workers in the dark on the details of the discussions with management. On July 23, the Teamsters called off a strike at Yellow set to begin the following day, knowingly giving the company the time needed to prepare to file for bankruptcy. Union officials likely sensed they would not be able to impose the companys demands for historic concessions themselves without triggering an explosion by workers and decided it would be more prudent to offload this task to the bankruptcy courts. Yellows bankruptcy and the treacherous role of the Teamsters bureaucracy are a warning to workers everywhere. The lessons are particularly crucial for the 150,000 autoworkers at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis who face a struggle against both the companies and the United Auto Workers apparatus as the September 14 contract expirations loom. Biden, the self-described most pro-union president in history, has sought to rely as much as possible on the union bureaucracies to block or isolate strikes. Where struggles have threatened to escape the grasp of the union officialdomas at the railroads last yearthe White House has not hesitated to deploy the powers of the state to impose the dictates of the corporations. The ruling classs increasing use of the state and the union bureaucracies is not limited to the United States. In Canada, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced late Sunday that it had reached another deal with port operators in the western part of the country, in a deal brokered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, defying widespread sentiment among dockworkers to renew their strike. The announcement came just two days after workers had voted down a tentative agreement backed by the companies, the ILWU, and the Trudeau government. Terrified by the growth of the class struggle, confronting a series of intractable social, political, and economic crises, American capitalism and its imperialist allies are desperately seeking to extricate themselves with all the tools at their disposal, including predatory wars for markets and resources and the use of military conflict to channel social tensions outwards. At the same time, the gargantuan costs of the rapidly escalating conflict in Ukraine and preparations for war with China are to be imposed on the working class, through cuts to social programs and the suppression of wages. Thus, the wars on both fronts are being waged for the same class interests and for the benefit of the same multinational corporations. The continued attacks on workers living standards, however, are already generating explosive anger and opposition, with strikes encompassing ever-greater numbers in the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and other countries this year. In every case, the chief obstacle workers face are union bureaucracies that claim to represent them but which in fact operate as enemy saboteurs, fifth column appendages of the corporations and the capitalist state. To break free of this sabotage, workers must develop their own strategy and organizational structures which can carry out that strategy. In increasing numbers in the auto industry, at UPS and elsewhere, workers are forming rank-and-file committees, with the assistance of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), in order to coordinate their struggles across different workplaces and industries. Capitalism is waging war on the working class, and the working class must declare war on capitalism. Latent opposition to the war in Ukraine exists, but it must be made conscious and given a political program. The struggle for workers rights and interestsfor higher wages, decent working conditions and the right to a good-paying jobmust be fused with the fight against imperialist war and for international socialism. The US announced last Friday that it will provide Taiwan with $345 million in weapons as the first tranche of an annual $1 billion in military equipment. The announcement marks another step to arm Taiwan to the teeth as Washington escalates its provocative confrontation with China. Two Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk" helicopters approach during the annual Han Kuang military exercises at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. [AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying] This provision of arms to Taipei is not an arms sale as in the past. Rather it is being carried out under a Presidential Drawdown Authority that was approved by Congress last year to bolster Taiwans armed forces. The military equipment will be drawn directly from US defence stockpiles. Significantly, the Biden administration has used the same provision to supply Ukraine with billions of dollars in US military equipment to intensify the war against Russia. Just as it goaded Russia into a conflict in Ukraine, the US is deliberately provoking a conflict with China over Taiwan. As cited by the Financial Times, a Chinese embassy spokesman in Washington, Liu Pengyu, stated: China is firmly opposed to USs military ties with and arms sales to Taiwan. He warned the US to stop selling arms to Taiwan, stop creating new factors that could lead to tensions in the Taiwan Strait and stop posing risks to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The US is intentionally undermining the One China policy, which de facto acknowledges Beijing as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan, and formed the basis of US-Chinese diplomatic relations established in 1979. Washington knows full well that China has long warned that it would respond with force to any declaration of independence by Taipei. The Biden administration has not only abolished longstanding diplomatic protocols limiting contact between US and Taiwanese officials but is boosting military ties as well. In 1979, the US ended its military treaty with Taiwan and withdrew all forces from the island. Now under the guise of military trainers, US troops are returning. Biden also has effectively ended the US stance of strategic ambiguityleaving open the option of coming to Taipeis aid in the event of a military conflict with Beijing. The ambiguity policy was not only aimed at restraining China, but also at preventing diplomatic or military provocations by Taiwan. Since taking office, Biden has repeatedly declared unconditional support for Taiwan in any war. The Biden administration has already sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan and now for the first time is directly supplying arms from US military stockpiles. In announcing the package, the White House gave no details of the military equipment but said education and training would be included. In an email cited by the Washington Post, US Defense Department spokesperson Sue Gough said: The drawdown includes self-defense capabilities that Taiwan will be able to use to bolster deterrence now and in the future. The military hardware would address critical defensive stockpiles, multi-domain awareness, anti-armour and air defence capabilities. The Financial Times reported in June that plans were underway in the US to sell four MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones to Taiwan to provide intelligence on Chinese naval movement, to be shared in real time with both the American and Japanese militaries. Real-time, shared intelligence of sea and air movements, or multi-domain awareness, is precisely what is required for modern warfare. In American military circles, there is open discussion of the need to draw the lessons from the Ukraine war and adopt a porcupine strategy to inflict maximum casualties and damage on any invading Chinese army. By providing arms and training, rather than just selling military equipment to Taiwan, the US will have a greater say over the orientation, tactics and strategy of the Taiwanese military. Last week the Taiwanese military carried out its annual, multi-day war games known as the Han Kuang exercises, focussed on repelling a Chinese invasion of the island. This years drills dealt more heavily than previously on threats to major infrastructure and transportation hubs, including the islands main Taoyuan international airport. The defense ministry reported that the airport exercise involved six helicopters and around some 180 soldiers in practising the repulsion of an enemy force that had seized control of air traffic control facilities. Top government and military officials, as well as representatives from the US de-facto embassy in Taipei, watched on. In the southern city of Tainan, disaster-response drills, which have in the past focussed on earthquakes and typhoons, were timed to coincide with the military exercises. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the simulation involved balls of flame exploding in front of two residential buildings Columns of firefighters rushed to the smoldering wreckage to extinguish the fire and start a frantic search for survivors. A commentary via loudspeakers for assembled onlookers declared: An assault carried by the Chinese causes a bus to overturn, several buildings to tilt and collapse, and many people are trapped. The city of Tainan suffers indiscriminate missile attacks. Speaking to the media, Taiwans premier Chen Chien-jen justified the exercises, declaring: Todays drills in Tainan, include the simulation of wartime scenarios, is not only because of the increased international sensitivity triggered by Russias war in Ukraine. Its even more a reflection of the constant threats and provocations from China directed at our country. The reality is that the US, not China, has upended the status quo in North East Asia, setting the stage for a conflict in the Indo-Pacific between nuclear-armed powers, even as it intensifies the war with Russia in Ukraine. Just as it has sacrificed countless Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, so it is prepared to do the same in Taiwan and is marshalling its regional allies including Japan, South Korea and Australia, for war. Far from defending democracy, US imperialism is recklessly setting in motion an international conflict aimed at destabilising and subordinating Russia and China, which it regards as the chief threats to its global hegemony. Only a unified anti-war movement of the international working class based on a socialist program aimed at abolishing capitalism and its reactionary system of rival nation states can prevent such a catastrophe. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 100-million-U.S.-dollar loan to help boost the caliber of Cambodia's labor force by addressing skills gaps and shortages. In its press statement on Tuesday, the lender said this will be done through reforms and investments in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) combined with private sector participation. The first subprogram of the Skills for Future Economy Sector Development Program will help transform Cambodia into a technology-driven, knowledge-based industrial economy by strengthening its human capital resources, the statement said. "Reshaping Cambodia's labor force and modernizing its economy requires the continual reform of the TVET system through comprehensive strategies and well-timed, successive investments," said ADB country director for Cambodia Jyotsana Varma. "These structural and institutional reforms in TVET are crucial in designing training programs that meet market demand, upgrade training facilities and equipment, and expand the Skills Development Fund," she said. An estimated 9 million workers make up Cambodia's labor market, with women accounting for 49 percent of the workforce, the statement said, adding that 54 percent of Cambodia's population was under 30 years old. NEW DELHI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and several others injured due to lightning in India's eastern state of Odisha, state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Tuesday. On Monday afternoon, heavy to very heavy rains accompanied by lightning strikes hit many parts of the state. "Capital city Bhubaneswar experienced very heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning and thunder, throwing life out of gear. The downpour was so intense that the rainwater was found flowing at knee-high in several areas for a long time," the broadcaster said. The rainwater inundated roads and entered many residential houses. Waterlogging also hit the movement of vehicular traffic for hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Odisha received significant rainfall in the past 24 hours, and that isolated very heavy rainfall is very likely to ravage the state until Wednesday. According to the IMD, the rainfall will take place under the influence of the well-marked low-pressure area over the North Bay of Bengal. NEW DELHI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 workers were killed and three others injured Tuesday after a crane collapsed at a road construction site in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, officials said. The incident occurred near Shahapur in Thane district, about 71 km northeast of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra, and India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the spot. "Our search and rescue operation is still underway," said Sarang V Kurve, a senior official of the NDRF. According to the NDRF, 17 bodies have been recovered from the spot. The three injured were moved to a nearby hospital. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the deaths and announced monetary compensation for the victims' families. by Zhang Juan NEW YORK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Biden administration's curbs on chip sales to China likely have impeded revenue growth of U.S. chips companies to some extent, a U.S. expert has said. "The U.S. chips companies, like any companies, are very interested in expanding market share, and selling to the China market is very important since China is now the biggest consumer of chips in the world," Victor Shih, associate professor of political science who also heads the 21st Century China Center at the School of Global Policy and Strategy with the University of California San Diego, told Xinhua in a recent interview. On July 17, CEOs from three major semiconductor giants, including Intel, Qualcomm and NVIDIA, met with top officials from the Biden administration. They urged the government to exercise restraint in implementing further restrictions on chip exports to China, pause and assess the current policies' impact on the industry. A recent Bloomberg News report indicates that chip equipment manufacturers like Applied Materials Inc. have experienced significant revenue losses since the Biden administration implemented the chip restrictions. They were compelled to slash billions of dollars from its revenue projections. With the increasing complexity of chips, the expenses related to their development have surged significantly. According to a report by the Semiconductor Industry Association, semiconductor sales worldwide were 556 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The meeting between chip industry executives and top Biden administration officials occurred amid growing speculation that the administration will soon extend restrictions on selling certain chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China. One central argument made by the chip industry is that they have greatly benefited from chip sales to China, their largest single market. The companies argue that revenue drops resulting from chip sales restrictions will harm their ability to further invest in R&D. The Biden administration has repeatedly cited national security concerns to justify its stance. The administration pushed through the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022" last October, allocating 280 billion dollars to boost domestic microchip production in the United States. On July 25, the Semiconductor Industry Association and Oxford Economics released a joint report stating that approximately 67,000 positions in the U.S. semiconductor industry, including roles for technicians, computer scientists and engineers, are projected to remain vacant by 2030. Besides the shortfall of skilled workforce, the high cost is another hurdle for the industry. "The higher cost basis in the U.S. will not change in the short run. In the medium term, it remains unclear whether the U.S. can set up an apprenticeship program to train sufficient numbers of technicians for semiconductor fabs," said Shih. The Semiconductor Industry Association revealed that the 10-year total cost of ownership of a new lab in the United States is 30-50 percent higher than in East Asian economies. On the same day that the chip industry CEOs sat down with the Biden officials, the association released a statement, warning that any steps to further "impose overly broad, ambiguous, and at times unilateral restrictions risk diminishing the U.S. semiconductor industry's competitiveness, disrupting supply chains, causing significant market uncertainty, and prompting continued escalatory retaliation by China." If the restrictions continue, "the segmentation of the global semi market potentially will create very capable Chinese chips competitors to U.S. companies since Chinese buyers now have no choice but to buy from domestic chips makers, giving them a large captive market," Shih said. "A balance between national security concerns and commercial concerns is possible. Not every chip sold by U.S. companies is cutting edge or has national security relevance. In those cases, the U.S. government should show some flexibility," said Shih. In case you missed any of the articles about new restaurants that TCPalm previously posted throughout this month, here's a roundup with links to that subscriber content. Click each READ THE FULL STORY link for the name, location, hours, photos, menu highlights, signature dishes and more information about the restaurants. Some articles include exclusive interviews with the chefs and/or owners. All things food: New restaurants, reviews, inspections & best bets Childhood friends open espresso bar Two childhood friends and Treasure Coast natives have opened a new coffee shop and cafe that features an espresso bar. Two Treasure Coast natives have opened a new coffee shop and cafe. One runs the bakery side while another runs the coffee side. They traveled the world and found the best coffee in New York City: Niccolo Coffee, which is roasted in Australia and received within a week of its roast date. Click here to read the full story. Greek cousins open restaurant Three Greek cousins have opened an authentic Greek restaurant with a fourth owner, a family friend from Greece. Three cousins, whose grandparents were from Kalamata, Greece, have opened a restaurant with a family friend from Pylos, Greece. Their restaurant serves traditional lamb and beef gyros, it puts a twist on the Greek wrap by offering them with shrimp, pork, steak, chicken or vegetables. Click here to read the full story. Thai restaurant has extensive sushi bar A new Thai restaurant, whose four owners hail from different regions of Thailand, has opened with an extensive sushi bar. The four owners hail from different regions of Thailand. Two previously ran a popular Asian restaurant on the downtown Jensen Beach roundabout. The chefs serve traditional Thai food, but put their own spin on some dishes, such as the lobster pad Thai. Click here to read the full story. Italian restaurant to serve deep-fried gelato An Italian restaurant that will specialize in deep-fried gelato has opened. The owner, who previously owned seven restaurants in Canada, named his new restaurant after his aunt who immigrated from Italy to Illinois. He serves classic dishes, but plans to add deep-fried gelato to the menu. He also plans to open a semi-fine dining restaurant with a pricier menu. Click here to read the full story. Popular ice cream shop lives on A popular ice cream shop has been sold and reopened with a new name. A popular ice cream shop has been sold and reopened with a new name. The former owner said it was too much running two stores. She left her recipes with the new owners, who continue to make all the ice cream homemade. Click here to read the full story. Story continues Which restaurants closed? Joy's Ice Cream on Darwin Boulevard in Port St. Lucie Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries on Port St. Lucie Boulevard in Port St. Lucie Pastaio Handmade Pasta & Pizza on Martin Down Boulevard in Palm City Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurants: 5 open in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that its Board of Governors has re-elected producer Janet Yang as president of the organization. Members elected new people to fill the majority of officer positions as well, with only Lynette Howell Taylor and Kim Taylor-Coleman returning to their posts. CEO Bill Kramer, who started his role around the same time as Yang last year, said in a statement, I am thrilled to welcome this years board officers. Under Janets esteemed leadership, these dedicated governors will guide the Academys ongoing efforts to elevate the work of our global membership and film community, highlight our industrys rich history, foster meaningful dialogue, and continue to build equity and inclusion in every aspect of our organization. More from IndieWire Yang will now be in her second term as president, and her fifth year as a Governor-at-Large, having made history as the first Asian-American, fourth woman, and second person of color (after Cheryl Boone Isaacs) to be Academy president. Though she and Kramer had weathered the storm well in their first year, delivering an Oscars ceremony that went up in TV ratings, and did not feature any unexpected slaps, Yang was central to the conversation about digital campaign reform, and more recently co-signed a note to Academy members affirming their commitment to diversity after several of the organizations Black executives exited in quick succession earlier this year. A member of the Academys Producers Branch since 2002, having worked on films like The Joy Luck Club, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Zero Effect, and recent Oscar-nominated animated feature Over the Moon, Yang was first nominated to be a Governor-at-Large by the sitting Academy President and elected by the Board of Governors in 2019 and 2022. Other positions she has had in the Academy Board of Governors include vice president and chair of the Membership Committee and prior to that, the Membership and Governance Committee. Story continues 2023 will be the first year fellow members Howard Berger, Brooke Breton, Tom Duffield and Howard A. Rodman serve as officers. Bonnie Arnold previously served as an officer in 2019-20 and DeVon Franklin in 2021-22. According to Academy rules, board members may serve up to two three-year terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), followed by a two-year hiatus, after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms for a lifetime maximum of 12 years. Officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive years in any one office. See the full list of governors elected to officer positions by the 55-member Board below. Bonnie Arnold, Vice President (chair, Membership Committee) Howard Berger, Vice President (chair, Museum Committee) Brooke Breton, Vice President (chair, Education and Outreach Committee) Tom Duffield, Vice President/Treasurer (chair, Finance Committee) DeVon Franklin, Vice President (chair, Equity and Inclusion Committee) Lynette Howell Taylor, Vice President (chair, Awards Committee) Howard A. Rodman, Vice President/Secretary (chair, Governance Committee) Kim Taylor-Coleman, Vice President (chair, History and Preservation Committee) Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Actor Angus Cloud had died. (Photo: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival) Angus Cloud's sudden death came as a shock, both outside and inside Hollywood. His family announced on Monday that the 25-year-old had died days after burying his father and following a struggle with his mental health. Cloud's name immediately trended on social media, as many expressed their sadness over the actor, whose first acting job was HBO's Euphoria, alongside Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Storm Reid. TMZ reported that Cloud's mother had called 911 just before noon to report a "possible overdose" at the family home in Oakland, where Cloud had been staying since returning stateside from his father's funeral in Ireland. The outlet cited a source close to the family as having told them that Cloud "had been battling severe suicidal thoughts" in the wake of the loss. He was reportedly staying with his family while he dealt with his grief. On Euphoria, Cloud played the drug dealer Fez, whose character became pivotal to the show's Season 2 plot. Although by season's end he suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen during a police raid, he was onboard for Season 3. However, filming was pushed back indefinitely due to the dual Hollywood strikes. The young actor also had completed roles in a trio of films, the thriller Your Lucky Day, the drama Freaky Tales and an untitled monster movie for Universal Pictures. On Tuesday, Euphoria's Emmy-winning star Zendaya took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post. "Words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty that is Angus," she wrote. "I'm so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (Im smiling now just thinking of it). ... I'll cherish every moment." Sydney Sweeney, meanwhile, shared a collection of photos and clips featuring Cloud and calling him "an open soul, with the kindest heart." "This is the hardest thing ive ever had to post," she wrote, adding that she was "struggling to find all the words." Story continues In a written statement, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson commented: "There was no one quite like Angus. He was too special, too talented and way too young to leave us so soon. He also struggled, like many of us, with addiction and depression. I hope he knew how many hearts he touched. I loved him. I always will. Rest in peace and God bless his family." As word of Cloud's death spread late Monday, other colleagues and fans turned to social media to share tributes. His name and the term "only 25" quickly began trending on X (ne Twitter), with users lamenting that he was so young and that his death came just hours after the equally sad news that Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens had died. Among the first to post was the HBO show account. We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/PLqkz5Rshc euphoria (@euphoriaHBO) July 31, 2023 Co-star Storm Reid, who plays Gia, superimposed the words "the tears just won't stop" on a video of Cloud singing via her Instagram Story. (Photo: Instagram) Javon Walton, who played Fez's younger brother, Ashtray, told Cloud to "rest easy brother" and called Cloud "forever family." (Photo: Instagram) Actress Katherine Narducci called Cloud "a gentle beautiful soul." Euphoria producer Drake shared a photo of Cloud, labeled "good soul." (Photo: Instagram) And there were many more. You will be deeply missed. Rest in Power @anguscloud pic.twitter.com/UtiFAkjgQx kerry washington (@kerrywashington) July 31, 2023 wow angus cloud gone too soon.. rest in peace angel Chloe (@ChloeBailey) July 31, 2023 please remember how loved you are. this world is so quick to make you feel otherwise. there are reasons to stick around. and this world needs you. oh, angus. we celebrate you. rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) July 31, 2023 Were saddened to learn that Angus Cloud, beloved actor and friend to many, has passed away. His family and loved ones are in our hearts during this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/Y6ixZqTfkg MTV (@MTV) July 31, 2023 Angus Cloud has died at 25. Thinking of and sending love to his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/eIzSAbHdEN iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) July 31, 2023 We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ijyxQidrF6 Max (@StreamOnMax) July 31, 2023 Editor's note: This story was originally published July 31, 2023 and updated on Aug. 1, 2023 with additional reactions. Sitting with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins as a guest on The Source Monday night, Republican 2024 presidential hopeful and former governor of Arkansas asserted that Donald Trump is losing steam in the primary race. Even though he has a grip right now on the campaign, on his candidacy, its a loosening grip, he said. Theres a growing, resurgent effort against the Trump GOP establishment, and that resurgent effort is growing. But unfortunately for Hutchinson, Collins didnt seem to be buying it, asking him point blank: What are you basing that off of, Governor? Were just were not seeing that in the numbers at this point, Collins said. Youre not seeing it when you go to Iowa, New Hampshire, and you talk to voters. I mean, you hear some concerns, but overwhelmingly, based on these new numbers, he is still the dominant force in your party, despite those indictments. The journalist also threw cold water on the idea that Hutchinson is a shoe-in for the Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23. Nodding to his current polling which is widely clocking in at less than 1% Collins asked, I mean, when you see those numbers, how do you why do you think you will be on that debate stage in just a month from now? It was a fair, if a little blunt, line of questioning that Hutchinson came prepared to answer, noting the Rasmussen poll, a very credible national poll, had him at 4%. So lets just look at a broad variety of polls there, he said. But in an argument of chicken-or-the-egg, the former governor then pivoted, saying that it was getting on the debate stage that will get him the greater recognition he needs to have a leg in the race. But, again, Im not as known as some others that are out there. I want people to hear my story, of being a federal prosecutor, head of the DEA, worked on border security issues in the Bush administration, Congress, a governor for eight years, he listed. I want them to hear that record of experience. And, as we get out there, I expect those numbers to change. Story continues Kaitlan Collins, telling Asa Hutchinson that he can't even hit 1% in the latest GOP poll: "When you see those numbers, why do you think youll be on that debate stage in just a month from now?" Hutchinson: "Well, the Rasmussen poll, a very credible national poll, had me at 4%!" pic.twitter.com/xIcS8Cot36 Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 1, 2023 As far as the gargantuan lead that Trump appears to have against the rest of his Republican presidential hopefuls in second is Ron DeSantis at a staggering 17-point deficit Hutchinson didnt offer much in terms of proof that the winds are changing. According to new a new poll from the New York Times, Trump remains far and away the overwhelming Republican frontrunner in the 2024 GOP primary, leading with 54% of the surveyed partys support. The post CNNs Kaitlan Collins Throws Cold Water on Asa Hutchinsons Claim That Trump Is Losing Steam: What Are You Basing That Off Of? appeared first on TheWrap. Queen Margrethe's grandson is embracing a new adventure as his dad, Prince Joachim, relocates to the U.S. Count Nikolai of Denmark/Instagram Count Nikolai of Monzepat and Benedikte Thoustrup. Count Nikolai of Monzepat is on the move! On Tuesday, Queen Margrethe of Denmark's eldest grandson posted photos of himself and loved ones soaking up the summer before he sets off to study abroad in Australia. My last days in Europe, he captioned the Instagram carousel, which showed him sitting on a boat in a picturesque harbor, with who appears to be his father Prince Joachim and stepmother Princess Marie relaxing at sea. Other shots included making a cheese plate with a friend, going out for drinks and his younger brother Count Henrik swimming in a lake. In May, a spokesperson for Nikolais mother, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, confirmed to Danish outlet B.T. that her 23-year-old son would spend next semester at the University of Technology in Sydney. Nikolai works as a model, attends Copenhagen Business School and is studying abroad with his girlfriend, Benedikte Thoustrup. The couple has studied abroad together before, spending a semester in Paris that Nikolai told Numero was fabulous. My experiences in Paris were fabulous. I was of course studying in the city, but I enjoyed that I could work with modeling simultaneously, he told the Dutch fashion magazine in a cover interview published July 23. RELATED: Queen Margrethe of Denmark Poses with Grandchildren After Stripping Some of Their Royal Titles The upcoming semester I will spend in Australia studying elective courses. It is an adventure I am stoked to begin and super excited to live abroad again, Nikolai said of the adventure ahead. The choice fell on Australia because it is very foreign for a Dane like me. I have never been that far away, and I believe seeing that corner of the world takes more than two weeks' holiday, hence I want to try and move there. According to B.T., Count Nikolai and Benedikte will study abroad from Aug. 1 to Nov. 30, and she might have gotten there first! New home," she wrote on her Instagram Story on Tuesday, posting a photo of a stone building with Australian flags. Story continues Her boyfriend has a special connection to the Land Down Under it's where his aunt previously called home! Crown Princess Mary is from Australia and met her husband Crown Prince Frederik, the future king of Denmark at a bar in Sydney in 2000. A father of four, Prince Joachim, 54, shares his two eldest sons, Nikolai and Felix, 21, with his first wife Alexandra. They divorced in 2005 after a decade of marriage, and Joachim remarried in 2008. He and Princess Marie, 47, went on to welcome two children Count Henrik, 13, and Countess Athena, 11. RELATED: Queen Margrethe Just Made History as Denmark's Longest-Reigning Monarch See the New Record Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images Prince Joachim and his family. Prince Joachim is the second son of Queen Margrethe, and all of his children inherited prince and princess titles at birth appellations they used until just a few months ago. In September 2022, the Queen unexpectedly announced that she was stripping Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena of their prince or princess and "His/Her Highness" titles. The Royal House of Denmark said that the siblings would retain their places in the line of succession and would be known instead by His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat starting on Jan. 1 of this year. Prince Joachim spoke out to the press about the way the situation was handled, claiming that he received five days' notice of the major shakeup and that his whole family was upset. "We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being mistreated like that," he told the Danish paper Ekstra Bladet at the time. "They find themselves in a situation they do not understand." Queen Margrethe later made another statement saying she "underestimated" how the news would affect her second son and his kids, but she maintained that the plans were long in motion and stripping the royal titles was necessary future-proofing of the monarchy. Tim Rooke/Shutterstock Queen Margrethe of Denmark. "In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision about the future use of titles for Prince Joachim's four children. That affects me, of course, Queen Margrethe, 83, said in the statement. "My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look ahead. It is my duty and my desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy always shapes itself in keeping with the times. Sometimes, this means that difficult decisions must be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment," she continued. "Holding a royal title involves a number of commitments and duties that, in the future, will lie with fewer members of the royal family. This adjustment, which I view as a necessary future-proofing of the monarchy, I want to take in my own time." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "I have made my decision as Queen, mother and grandmother, but, as a mother and grandmother, I have underestimated the extent to which much my younger son and his family feel affected. That makes a big impression, and for that I am sorry," Queen Margrethe continued. "No one should be in doubt that my children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren are my great joy and pride. I now hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation." The shakeup did not affect the four children of Crown Prince Frederik, heir to the throne, and Crown Princess Mary. Unlike their cousins, Prince Christian, 17, Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine retained their royal titles. In the initial announcement, the Royal House of Denmark noted that "the Queen's decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years." Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf announced in October 2019 that the young children of his daughter Princess Madeleine and her husband Christopher O'Neill as well as his son Prince Carl Philip and his wife Princess Sofia would no longer be official members of the royal house. They retained their titles of prince or princess, but the titles became personal and any future spouses or children will not have a right to them. Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Queen Margrethe and her grandkids. Putting any tensions aside, Queen Margrethes whole family came together to celebrate her 83rd birthday in April. The appearance on the balconies of Amalienborg Castle marked the first time the Queen was seen with her sons, daughters-in-law and all eight grandkids since the title strip shock. Count Nikolai isnt the only member of his family on the move. In the spring, courtiers announced that Prince Joachim and Princess Marie were moving to Washington, D.C. on Sept. 1. Crown Prince Frederiks younger brother is set to start a new job at the Danish Embassy under the Ministry of Defense, helping strengthen the defense industrial cooperation with the United States and Canada in the coming years. The announcement said that Prince Joachim and his "family" will make the move, with Henrik and Athena expected to join their parents. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Prince Joachim and his family. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The 'Baywatch' star, 71, posted a throwback photo with Reubens as he wrote a tribute post on social media Arnold Jerocki/WireImage; David Hasselhoff Twitter David Hasselhoff and Paul Reubens David Hasselhoff is remembering his former roommate Paul Reubens. The Baywatch star, 71, posted a black-and-white throwback photo of himself with Reubens as he praised the late actor whose death at the age of 70 was confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday in a tribute post on Twitter and Instagram. Paul Reubens was a great, great friend, Hasselhoff wrote in his caption. He gave me the muppets for my birthday and never forgot anyones birthday from our class. He was in my class at CalArts and room mates!" added Hasselhoff about their time together at the California Institute of the Arts. "He was always kind to me and to everyone. He will be missed. #paulreubens #peeweeherman." Paul Reubens was a great, great friend. He gave me the muppets for my birthday and never forgot anyones birthday from our class. He was in my class at CalArts and room mates! He was always kind to me and to everyone. He will be missed. #paulreubens #peeweeherman pic.twitter.com/FxI3H3COYL David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) July 31, 2023 Related: Paul Reubens, Best Known as Pee-wee Herman, Dead at 70 After Years with Cancer: 'A Treasured Friend' In the photo, Hasselhoff can be seen smiling next to Reubens as he's dressed as Pee-wee Herman in a suit and bow tie. A message written in pen over the photo reads, To my ol college buddy David aarrrrrrr! Your pal, Peewee Herman and David. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Arnold Jerocki/WireImage; David Hasselhoff Twitter On Monday, Reubens' rep revealed the actor had cancer for years before he died. Story continues "Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness," a statement from Reubens rep to PEOPLE read. Peewee.com Hasselhoff and Reubens had a decades-long friendship prior to his death "Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit. The news was also confirmed on Reubens' official Instagram page. Related: Joe Manganiello Posts Touching Tribute for Brilliant Paul Reubens: Best Friends Forever Director Tim Burton was among those to pay tribute to Reubens. The pair first worked together when the actor introduced Pee-wee Herman on film in 1985s Pee-wees Big Adventure, which Burton directed. "Ill never forget how Paul helped me at the beginning of my career," Burton, 64, wrote in an Instagram post, which stated that he was shocked and saddened at the news of Reubens' death. "It would not have happened without his support, he added. He was a great artist. Ill miss him. Actor Joe Manganiello, who appeared with Reubens in the 2016 film Pee-Wee's Big Holiday, also posted a tribute. Its so hard to say goodbye when you know youll never see someone again who meant so much to you, he wrote on Instagram. Someone who believed in you, and fought for you, and saw things in you that most people didnt. Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like that. Well, I did, and today I have to say goodbye. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Chinese-American actress Joan Chen has spent the last week watching Chinas brave and refreshing independent cinema, but she cautioned young filmmakers against what she sees as a current wave of correctness that she believes is stifling the art of filmmaking. Describing the movement as the enemy of art, Chen said she believed conformity to what society currently believes is correct has resulted in the scope of creativity and subject matter becoming narrower and narrower. More from The Hollywood Reporter Its happening in the U.S., said Chen. But I want [young filmmakers] to forget about what is correct and just tell us what they want to tell us. Chen was speaking on the sidelines of the 17th FIRST International Film Festival, hosted by the central highland city of Xining, where she has taken on the role of jury head. The festival which ends on August 1 is the leading event of its kind for independent Chinese cinema. Much like the Sundance Festival in Utah, to which it is often compared, the focus at FIFF is primarily on discovering emerging independent talent and providing these young filmmakers with a platform to introduce their films to both a domestic and, increasingly, an international market. So many of the films that I have seen, theyre brave, said Chen. They have been refreshing and I have seen real talent, real energy. Ive heard about FIFF through some of the young actors who have been coming here every year. They love the atmosphere here, the region, the relative freedom and the energy. The 62-year-old Chen was a child star in China in the 1970s, before breaking out internationally thanks to her role in Bernardo Bertoluccis Oscar-winning The Last Emperor in 1987. After moving to the U.S., Chen found further fame through collaborations with the likes of David Lynch (Twin Peaks) and Oliver Stone (Heaven and Earth). As a director herself, Chen won acclaim for the China-set drama Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl in 1998. Story continues Most recently, she was set to star in the Disney-backed detective series A Murder at the End of the World, which has had its August release on the FX network delayed by the SAG-AFTRA strike. But Chen said she had been inspired by her trip to Xining and by a festival that has an extremely enthusiastic and overwhelmingly youth-based audience. That love of cinema is refreshing for me, said Chen. Ive been doing this all my life and sometimes you lose sight, you lose that kind of energy you need. They remind me of when I directed my first film. They have given me a great deal of inspiration. I come here and it reminds me how beautiful films can be, actually how beautiful life can be. Within its overall program of 98 films, FIFF staged a special screening of Bertoluccis The Last Emperor. Chen was happy to see many in the audience given their first opportunity to see the film on the big screen, even though she believes that the era of such lush filmmaking has been consigned to the past. Its an enormous film, said Chen. Its one of the most beautiful films ever made. Its like Lawrence of Arabia and films like that. That style of filmmaking was just so luxurious, but its over. Its gone. I actually watch it as if its got nothing to do with me, like its a piece of history. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty Fox News star Greg Gutfeld, whose latest book debuted on Tuesday, is currently under fire over his recent observation that Jewish people had to be useful in order to survive concentration camps, prompting the Auschwitz Museum to rebuke his comments as an oversimplification of the Holocaust. Fox News staffers and insiders also told The Daily Beast that it was a disgusting thing for the networks resident comedian to say, adding that at any other place, his career would be over. On top of that, the White House condemned the Gutfeld! hosts remarks as an obscenity, while the Anti-Defamation League said it was unclear if he was spewing nonsense or arguing a well-documented point. In recent days, several Fox News personalitiesincluding Gutfelds new primetime colleague Jesse Wattershave rushed to defend Floridas new and controversial education curriculum, which teaches children that slavery helped Black people develop skills, thus providing them a personal benefit. Amid widespread criticism over the anti-woke lesson plans, meanwhile, Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has doubled down, while suggesting slavery was a beneficial experience for some slaves. During Mondays broadcast of Fox News The Five, which both Watters and Gutfeld co-host, the panel raged against Vice President Kamala Harris condemnation of the Florida curriculum as racist. Watters, for instance, blasted the veep for not wanting African-Americans and white Americans to know that Black Americans did learn skills despite being enslaved. The heated discussion, however, took an uncomfortable turn when lone liberal panelist Jessica Tarlov drew a parallel between slavery and the Holocaust, wondering if Florida schools would also teach that Jewish people received some benefits from the Nazis systematically murdering them in death camps. Gutfeld, referencing a famous book by Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, took Tarlovs challenge and ran with it. Story continues Did you ever read Mans Search for Meaning? Gutfeld wondered. Vik Frankl talks about how you had to survive in a concentration camp by having skills. You had to be useful. Utility! Utility kept you alive! A clip of Gutfelds remarks soon went viral on social media, sparking immediate backlash from media observers and journalists who felt that the acerbic Fox host had crossed the line, even for the right-wing network. Greg Gutfeld downplayed the horrors of the Holocaust by paraphrasing Viktor Frankl. "Jews survived by being useful." Gutfeld leaves out that millions died in concentration camps the day they got off the trains. Gutfeld said this to his Jewish co-worker Jessica Tarlov. pic.twitter.com/tSsrLW6nJe Decoding Fox News (@DecodingFoxNews) July 24, 2023 Gutfelds comments have not been well received by some at the conservative cable giant, which has long dealt with inflammatory rhetoric from its hosts and commentators that has sometimes been criticized as antisemitic. In fact, the ADL has repeatedly condemned the network for giving oxygen to racist and fringe commentary, such as the white supremacist Great Replacement theory. Obviously, it is a disgusting thing to say, same with Jesses remarks on the matter, one Fox News producer said. Just generally speaking, Im amazed that FOX has any ability to retain employees from multicultural backgrounds. Our workplace is shockingly diverse given the vitriol that often makes it to the air. Understand that theyre likely here for the same reasons I am, these jobs are scarce, but I cant help but feel awful for them because they undoubtedly see this nonsense and cant do anything to stop it. Another reporter merely told The Daily Beast yikes when asked to react to Gutfelds remarks, while a network insider suggested there was a lot of internal worry about the hosts latest controversy, especially since he just recently made the move to primetime. At any other place, his career would be over, the insider added. Outside the walls of the conservative media giant, the comments werent much better received. Everyone else at Fox fine with Gutfeld suggesting Jews sent to concentration camps could survive by being useful? How can any of his fellow panelists show up tomorrow to sit there next to him? neo-conservative pundit Bill Kristol, who is Jewish, rhetorically asked on Monday night. Trump impeachment whistleblower Alexander Vindman, who is also Jewish, was far more blunt than Kristol. This fucking imbecile @greggutfeld is beyond absurd. He argues that Jews honed skills in the Holocaust that allowed some to survive, he wrote on Monday night. More than SIX MILLION men, women, & children died because they werent useful enough. @FoxNews is complicit in this hateful tirade. #NeverAgain. Media Matters senior writer Eric Kleefeld, meanwhile, claimed that Gutfeld had unironically extolled the value of the infamous phrase Arbeit macht frei, which hung above the entrance of the brutal Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. It didnt take long for the Auschwitz Museum to weigh in on Gutfelds remarks, pointing out that the self-described King of Late Night didnt seem to have a full grasp on the horrors of the Holocaust. While it is true that some Jews may have used their skills or usefulness to increase their chances of survival during the Holocaust, it is essential to contextualize this statement properly and understand that it does not represent the complex history of the genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany, the museum wrote in a lengthy statement. Viktor Frankl's observation about the specific situation in Auschwitz, which at some point became a camp that connected the functions of a concentration camp and extermination center and where deported Jews went through the selection process, highlights how some Jews became registered prisoners and might have used their skills to gain favor or prolong their lives in that particular setting, the statement added. Yet, it never gave them complete protection. Noting that were no selections in extermination camps and being useful did not offer protection during the final stages of the Holocaust, the museum took Gutfeld to task for oversimplifying the horrific episode of history. Therefore, while it is accurate to acknowledge that some Jews may have survived temporarily due to their perceived usefulness, it is crucial to remember that the Holocaust was a systematic genocide with the ultimate aim of exterminating the entire Jewish population, the statement concluded. It would be more appropriate to say that some Jews survived the Holocaust because they were considered temporarily useful, and the circumstances of the Nazi regime's collapse prevented their murder. We should avoid such oversimplifications in talking about this complex tragic story. A spokesperson for the ADL, additionally, noted that while it wasnt exactly clear what Gutfeld was actually suggesting on Monday, it seemed apparent that he didnt have a full grasp of the facts. It is not clear from Gutfelds comments if he is arguing that Jews learned skills in the Holocaust, or that Jews who had skills had a better chance of staying alive. The latter is something that is well-documented, while the former is nonsense. That said, many millions of Jews, who, in Gutfelds words, had utility, were still murdered, the spokesperson told The Daily Beast. Moreover, the main argument in Frankls book was more about how those who had something to live fora relative they wanted to be with, a book they wanted to write, research they were in the middle of, etc.had a better mental chance of surviving because it motivated them not to give up, he added. Fox News has not responded to a request for comment. The White House, for its part, took issue with Fox News for not speaking out about Gutfelds remarks. What Fox News allowed to be said on their air yesterdayand has so far failed to condemnis an obscenity, deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates told CNN. In defending a horrid, dangerous, extreme lie that insults the memory of the millions of Americans who suffered from the evil of enslavement, a Fox News host told another horrid, dangerous, and extreme lie that insults the memory of the millions of people who suffered from the evils of the Holocaust, he added. Lets get something straight that the American people understand full well and that is not complicated: there was nothing good about slavery; there was nothing good about the Holocaust. Full stop, Bates concluded. Americans deserve to be brought together, not torn apart with poison. And they deserve the truth and the freedom to learn, not book bans and lies. While Gutfeld has relished taking on the role of Fox News edgy provocateur who is unafraid to take contrarian positions, such as defending Donald Trumps both sides equivocation after the Charlottesville riots, he also has blasted others for invoking the Holocaust in offensive ways. During a 2015 Fox News segment, Gutfeld lashed out at actress Shirley MacLaine for suggesting in her memoir that Holocaust victims could have been balancing their karma from ages before due to the possibility that they were previously Roman soldiers or crusaders in another life. Thats not just offensive but an example of imposter intelligence, for intellect without boundaries is mere stupidity, he exclaimed, adding, Shirley wasn't in a concentration camp, allowing her to use their hell for fun and profit. Gutfeld concluded: Did Shirley write this awful book as punishment for her being a horrible creep in a previous life? No, because she's a horrible creep in her present life. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. "Miss you breh," the 'Euphoria' star captioned a tribute to his late father two weeks before his own death Daniele Venturelli/Getty Angus Cloud struggled to come to grips with his fathers death in recent weeks. After confirming Angus's death in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Monday, the Euphoria stars family revealed that he intensely struggled with the loss of his father Conor Hickey. Before the 25-year-old actor was found dead in his home on Monday, the actor and his family had reportedly traveled to Ireland last week to bury their patriarch. Related: 'Euphoria' Star Angus Cloud Dead at 25: 'Immensely Talented and Beloved' Daniele Venturelli/Getty Angus Cloud "It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today, the family's statement read. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The statement continued, The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Daniele Venturelli/Getty Clouds family added that the actor was open about his battle with mental health and hoped that his passing can be a reminder to others who are struggling that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence. We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss," the statement concluded. Following his fathers death, the Things They Carried actor posted a simple tribute to Instagram that included a photo of his dad dressed in a red sweatsuit as he smiled and held out a pinky finger. Miss you breh, he captioned the post. Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023 Eddy Chen/HBO Angus Cloud in 'Euphoria' Never miss a story sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE's free daily newsletter According to a tribute posted by Hickey's former rugby team, he died on May 18 "after a short illness." Story continues Cloud launched to stardom after he became a breakout star on HBOs Euphoria. He took on the fan-favorite role of Fezco, a drug dealer, for two seasons. In a March interview with i-D, the actor recalled how he was discovered walking on the streets of Brooklyn and sharing, "I definitely thought it could be some kind of scam." Then they brought me back in and they showed me the role, and it made more sense," he explained. "Because in my mind I was like, they stopped me because I look like I could be a star? Then Im like, no, its because I look like I could be a drug dealer." Cloud noted how his peers on Euphoria had taken different avenues to find their fame and admitted he was surprised when the series went on to find such success. "The difference between me and everyone else whos famous its that they were trying to go get famous, for the most part," he continued. They were working hard, and they were like, Im going to make it to the top. For me, it was just like too good of an opportunity to say no to. I had no idea it would go this far." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Janet Yang, the film producer who a year ago was elected the 36th president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was re-elected to that post on Tuesday during the first meeting of the Academys recently reconstituted board of governors, the Academy has announced. Yang, 67, the Queens-born daughter of Chinese immigrants, broke into showbiz by connecting key players in the Chinese and Hollywood film industries to make possible films like Empire of the Sun before becoming a producer of films including The Joy Luck Club and The People vs. Larry Flynt. She is just the fourth female (after Bette Davis, Fay Kanin and Cheryl Boone Isaacs) and second person of color (after Boone Isaacs) ever tapped for the boards top job. More from The Hollywood Reporter A member of the producers branch since 2002, she has served on the board since 2019 as a governor-at-large. Three seats for governors-at-large were added to the board in the aftermath of the #OscarsSoWhite scandal, intended for non-white and/or non-male individuals who would be tasked with advocating for inclusion in the boards activities. They are the only governors who are not elected by the members of their branch, but are instead appointed by the president and approved by the board. And Yang is the first governor-at-large to ascend to the presidency. Known in Hollywood as the godmother of Asian-Americans in the industry, Yang, who earned a B.A. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University, has long devoted much of her extracurricular time to helping Asians and Asian-Americans break into and advance in the business. She became particularly active in the Academy after Chris Rock made Asian children the butt of a joke on the 2016 Oscars telecast, bringing together Academy members of Asian descent to lean on the organizations leadership to do better. Yang now chairs the boards Asian and Asian-American Affinity Group. Story continues Earlier this year, Yang candidly discussed her life and career on an episode of THRs Awards Chatter podcast. Also elected on Tuesday to serve as officers of the board: Bonnie Arnold, vice president (chair, membership committee), Howard Berger, vice president (chair, museum committee), Brooke Breton, vice president (chair, education and outreach committee), Tom Duffield, vice president/Treasurer (chair, finance committee), DeVon Franklin, vice president (chair, equity and inclusion committee), Lynette Howell Taylor, vice president (chair, awards committee), Howard A. Rodman, vice president/Secretary (chair, governance committee) and Kim Taylor-Coleman, vice president (chair, history and preservation committee). Howell Taylor and Taylor-Coleman also served as board officers over the past year, Howell Taylor as vice president (chair, awards committee) and Taylor-Coleman as vice president (chair, equity and inclusion committee). This will be the first officer stint for Berger, Breton, Duffield and Rodman. Arnold previously served as an officer from 2019-20 and Franklin from 2021-22. Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement, I am thrilled to welcome this years board officers. Under Janets esteemed leadership, these dedicated governors will guide the Academys ongoing efforts to elevate the work of our global membership and film community, highlight our industrys rich history, foster meaningful dialogue, and continue to build equity and inclusion in every aspect of our organization. Academy board members may serve up to two three-year terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), followed by a two-year hiatus, after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms for a lifetime maximum of 12 years. Officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive years in any one office. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. JINAN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- During the summer vacation, farms and orchards in Yinjiayu Village in the city of Linyi, east China's Shandong Province, have become popular destinations attracting tourists from far and wide. Among the many surprises that awaited them, new energy vehicle (NEV) owners were delighted to find three public charging stations installed in the area, easing their "range anxiety." The village, nestled in the Yimeng Mountains, was once considered an isolated area with limited transportation access. However, in recent years, the Chinese government has been actively encouraging the expansion of NEVs into rural markets, bringing these environmentally friendly vehicles closer to county-level consumers. "We have implemented a comprehensive action plan for charging facilities in towns and villages, bringing charging stations to rural areas to support eco-friendly transportation for the public," said Ren Yonghui, marketing director of State Grid's power supply company in Yishui County. The county has preliminarily established a charging service system covering both townships and villages, allowing electric vehicles to travel smoothly in the countryside. With improved rural transportation infrastructure and an increase in the standard of living of farmers, NEVs have gained popularity in the Yimeng Mountains, making their way into more rural households. Shuigou Village in Pingyi County has 150 households and a total of 35 NEVs. "Driving an NEV is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient," said Zhang Chao, a villager who recently returned from a road trip. During off-peak hours, it costs less than 30 yuan (about 4.2 U.S. dollars) to fully charge the car, and less than 10 cents per km, Zhang noted. As the charging demands increased, so more individual charging stations appeared in Shuigou Village, straining the local power supply. To address this, the local power supply company upgraded its transformer to cope with the growing demand. In addition to supporting individual charging stations, the city of Linyi is also actively promoting the construction of public charging infrastructure to bolster the expansion of NEVs into rural areas. Zhucun Village in Linshu County, well-known for its revolutionary history, is a popular tourist destination. In March, the village set up an NEV charging station, which integrates photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, and charging functions. Since it started operation, the integrated charging station has facilitated the addition of more than 20 NEVs to the village. "We're rapidly expanding the charging network, with plans to achieve full coverage of public charging stations in all towns by year-end," said Gao Zhenguo, deputy marketing director at State Grid's Linyi power supply company. The Australian shepherd puppy was born in July with a patch of white fur on its mostly black back that looks like the famous Massachusetts peninsula Garret Bentley Chowdah the puppy should become the new mascot for Massachusetts. The young pup, born in July in Falmouth, Massachusetts, garnered much attention online after the canine's breeder realized the Australian shepherd had a white patch of fur that looked quite familiar. The dog's breeder, Garret Bentley, told 7News Boston that Cowdah the second largest pup of Bentley's recent litter was born with a patch of fur on its back that looks like the Massachusetts peninsula of Cape Cod. "I'm sitting there with my sister, and she was just looking at the black one in particular," Bentley told the news outlet. "She was like, 'Oh my God! That looks like Cape Cod.'" "I was like, 'Oh my God, you're right, it actually does,'" he added. Immediately, the breeder said he knew he had to name the puppy something special. As an ode to the unique northeast landscape depicted on its back, Bentley named the puppy Chowdah. The days-old puppy has been a hit online ever since Bentley's mother posted the dog on social media, the man told 7News Boston. He added that hundreds of people have already reached out about wanting to take home the dog. Related: Skipper the Australian Shepherd Becomes Fast Friends with Humpback During Whale Watching Trip While the canine's Cape Cod marking is easy to spot now, Bentley told 7News Boston the mark's permanence is not guaranteed. He explained that Chowdah's coat could change as the dog ages. However, Bentley said he's seen other dogs' coats stay the same throughout their lives. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. As of Monday, the breeder said he's still deciding if he will keep Chowdah or find the puppy a forever home somewhere else. He has put a hold on taking applications but said making sure the puppy has the best home is what's most important, 7News Boston reports. Story continues Chowdah has eight siblings. Bentley told WCVB that he is looking forward to finding families for the puppy's adorable brothers and sisters. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. As has been the case since he first launched his first campaign for president with a speech that included attacks on Mexicans, Donald Trump remains very popular with Republican voters. According to new a new poll, Trump remains far and away the overwhelming Republican front-runner in the 2024 GOP primary. Which, MSNBCs Mehdi Hasan joked Monday night, is devastating news for every Republican candidate not under criminal indictment. The poll results could be considered funeral rights for the non-Trump, Hasan added while guest hosting Mondays episode of All In With Chris Hayes. (Hayes is still on vacation.) Simply put, its done, Hassan continued. If you had any doubts that this is Trumps race and Trumps race to lose, this poll will clear things up for you. I mean, heres the headline from the latest New York Times/Sienna poll, and it sums up everything you need to know: Trump crushing DeSantis and GOP rivals.' Among Republicans, the ex-president tops to DeSantis with 54%, [the] Florida Governor holding on to a mere 17%. That is a 37-point-lead that Trump holds over DeSantis. Nearly 40 points, Hasan said. And when the whole slew of candidates is put on the board against Trump, not one candidate besides DeSantis tops 3%, Hasan added. DeSantis even loses on fighting so called wokeness in this new poll. If youve been paying any attention to the 2024 Republican primary, you know that fighting the woke is very dear to Ron DeSantis heart. Hasan then played a super cut of various appearances where DeSantis has attacked the woke and wokeness, which Hasan dismissed as stirring psuedo-Churchillian stuff. But when it comes to Republican voters who want to fight wokeness however they define it Donald Trump again crushes DeSantis, Hasan explained. Donald Trump is also the fun candidate. Apparently 54% of Republican voters say he is more fun compared to DeSantis. Story continues Trump is also far ahead of DeSantis among Republicans who, quote, accept transgender people as the gender they identify with. And among those who do not. He beats Ron DeSantis on both fronts, Hasan said. Then he turned the topic to Trumps myriad legal problems. When it comes to Trumps criminal indictment on dozens of felonies, only 17% of Republican voters believe he committed a crime, Hasan elaborated, while 71% believe he has not committed any. But when that question is posted to MAGA voters, 0% zero believe he committed a crime. Oh, its not a cult, Hasan said with heavy sarcasm. Hasan then detailed just how bad the news is for other Republicans: That is the ex-presidents loyal base standing by his side no matter what. Simply put, Donald Trump owns this Republican Party, this GOP presidential race, and no one is even coming close to beating him for the nomination. In fact, no presidential primary candidate who has had this kind of lead in the polls at this point in the primaries has ever lost. Watch the clip from All In in the video above. The post MSNBCs Mehdi Hasan Calls Trump Lead Devastating for Any Republican Not Under Indictment (Video) appeared first on TheWrap. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will participate in a live town hall on NewsNation on Aug. 14 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, the candidates first of the campaign. The 90-minute broadcast, which will air live from NewsNations headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, will cover a wide variety of topics including the economy, crime, health care and immigration. The event, which will be moderated by the networks chief Washington anchor Leland Vittert, will see the biotech entrepreneur field questions from both a live audience as well as viewers in Iowa and New Hampshire. Vittert serves as anchor of the channels 7 p.m. primetime program On Balance and delivers special politics coverage for the network. His recent work includes helming coverage of the 2022 midterm elections, President Joe Bidens 2023 State of the Union address and the 2021 Russia-United States Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to NewsNation, Vittert was a weekend news anchor and correspondent for Fox News Channel from 2010 to 2020. Before that, he served as FNCs Middle Eastern war correspondent based in the Jerusalem Bureau. The announcement follows a recent bump in polling for the 37-year-old, who launched his campaign on Feb. 21. A Morning Consult poll released on Tuesday ranked Ramaswamy third among the primary field at 9%, behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 15% and former president Donald Trump at 58%. Ramaswamy has recently said he wouldnt join Trumps ticket as vice president if asked nor would he accept a role as a member of his cabinet. I will be helpful to this country in whatever way I can, but I would not be number two or member of an administration, Ramaswamy told The Clay & Buck Show. I just dont think thats the right way for me to make the maximal positive impact on this country. In June, NewsNation hosted the first town hall with Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Story continues The network has also interviewed several other Republican presidential candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, South Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Ramaswamys town hall will be followed by a special edition of Cuomo hosted by Chris Cuomo with contributions from political editor Chris Stirewalt. The post NewsNation Sets Live Town Hall With Vivek Ramaswamy appeared first on TheWrap. A Santa Fe judge today denied Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reeds request to have the charges against her dismissed over prosecutors recent statements to the media. In a virtual hearing, defense attorneys claimed that there were structural and jurisdictional problems with the states comments about Gutierrez-Reed allegedly trying to hide cocaine from investigators and likely being hung over on the day of the on-set shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. The lawyers argued that those comments could taint potential jurors in the case. More from Deadline New Mexico District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, however, said the defense did not show actual and substantial prejudice to warrant dismissal of the charges against the armorer. This is at the preliminary stage, Marlowe Sommer said. For you to say youve basically tainted a jury were not even there yet. She told attorneys on both sides to stay the course on the charges. Gutierrez-Reed and Rust producer-star Alec Baldwin who was pointing a gun when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza were charged in late January with two counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter. The charges against Baldwin were dropped in April, but prosecutors added an evidence-tampering charge against Gutierrez-Reed two months later, saying she did transfer narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of herself. Gutierrez-Reeds next hearing is set for August 9. In filing their motion to dismiss in May (read it here), defense attorneys Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion said: Because this prosecution was motivated by personal interests not the facts or the law it was shaped with the goal of prevailing in the court of public opinion, not a jury trial. As a result, corners were cut and the prosecution team committed other due process and ethical violations. Story continues The involuntary manslaughter and evidence-tampering charges against Gutierrez-Reed both are fourth-degree felonies that carry a maximum of 18 months to three years behind bars and about $5,000 in fines each. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The News Installations of solar panels are surging in South Africa as a growing number of households and businesses tire of recurrent power cuts. According to new data from the state-owned utility Eskom, the country added more than one gigawatt of solar in just the last two months, a 31% increase and more than it added in the preceding six months. What youre seeing in these numbers is households and the private sector taking matters in their own hands, said Wikus Kruger, director of the Power Futures Lab at the University of Cape Town. Its being driven not by government policy per se, but by desperation. Tims view South Africas solar boom shows how the falling costs of renewables have made them more viable as solutions to dysfunctional electric grids for those who can afford them. Multi-hour blackouts are still a daily reality for most South Africans, as Eskoms aging power network, which is heavily dependent on coal, drowns in debt and mismanagement, and cant keep pace with demand. There were more hours of load shedding in the first six months of 2023 than in all of 2022, according to research firm Rystad Energy. The traditional alternative for households, diesel-fuel generators, are extremely expensive, not to mention noisy and polluting. The countrys solar market, on the other hand, has been boosted by record low prices offered by Chinese exporters, new tax credits, and regulatory reforms that made it easier for developers of large solar farms to sell power into the grid. Imports of home batteries are also soaring. But the solar boom is also a story of inequality. Solar is still unaffordable for a majority of South African households, which means uptake is likely to level off soon, Kruger said. What were seeing now is the low-hanging fruit, he said. But Im concerned about how sustainable this is. At the same time, the mass abandonment of Eskom by higher-income households could subvert the utilitys traditional business model in a way that effectively causes low-income households to subsidize higher-income ones. Electricity bills include variable charges for power consumed, and fixed charges that pay for the use of grid infrastructure. A rich household that installs rooftop solar isnt off the grid (they still need grid power at night, for example). But because solar-equipped households pay less overall, low-income households are stuck paying for a higher proportion of the fixed infrastructure costs. Story continues The upshot, Kruger said, is that the government needs to do more to make solar accessible to all households potentially via higher taxes on fossil energy sales in addition to the longstanding need to resolve Eskoms litany of problems. For now, the solar boom is actually helping Eskom, which needs to generate that much less power as a result: They need more generation on the grid, and this way they dont have to pay for it, Kruger said. But longer-term, the loss of revenue will only exacerbate the utilitys financial woes, leading to more blackouts and more defections what experts call a utility death spiral. Room for Disagreement In the big picture of South Africas climate targets, all this new solar is still just a drop in the bucket. By 2030, the country is aiming to get 41% of its power from renewables, up from 11% today. But because total consumption is rising quickly, and because Eskom is still constructing massive new coal-fired power plants, the share from renewables will likely fall short of the 2030 target, according to Rystad. The coal and gas South Africa is building will nullify a lot of the renewable energy growth, Rystad analyst Nivedh Thaikoottathil said. The View From Beirut Solar has also come to the rescue in Lebanon, another middle-income country where the electric grid is in shambles. Generator costs can add up to nearly half of monthly income for many Lebanese households, according to Human Rights Watch, and solar is increasingly popular as an alternative, with an estimated 50,000 rooftop systems now installed. But as in South Africa, upfront costs are still beyond reach for many a rooftop system can run as much as $10,000, in a country where access to credit and foreign currency are extremely limited. Notable TikToker Megan Homme on her flight. Megan Homme/TikTok TikToker Megan Homme posted a clip showing her seating arrangement on a regional Swedish airline. The now-viral video shows Homme seated facing other passengers, their legs nearly touching. Commenters were baffled by the seating arrangement, with some calling it a "living hell." There are certain things that passengers have come to expect while traveling by plane: long security lines, a small treat after takeoff (if you're lucky), and seats that face forward. One influencer's viral TikTok, however, has flipped that expectation on its head, showing passengers sitting face-to-face, an arrangement more commonly seen on trains. "I've never seen this on a flight before," text on the video reads. "Seats facing each other??" TikToker Megan Homme said she encountered the backwards seats on a regional airline in Sweden. Homme did not respond to Insider's request for comment about which airline she was flying or to find out more about her flight experience. The video, posted July 13, has accumulated 7.4 million views and thousands of comments calling out the bizarre seat structure. "Absolutely not. Full refund," one of the top-liked comments said. Some viewers said they wouldn't know where to look and would feel uncomfortable facing another passenger for the entirety of a flight. "That's too much looking time for me," another person wrote. While the TikToker did not reveal which airline she was flying, it appears to be a Braathens Regional Airline plane, also known as BRA. Insider reached out to the company to see if this was indeed their plane, and if the seating arrangement was common, but did not hear back. A passenger in front-facing airplane seats, the industry standard. Andrew Merry/Getty Images It's not the first time the internet has been set ablaze by rear-facing airline seats. In 2015, Zodiac Seats France, an airplane seat manufacturer, patented a plan for a similar configuration and news outlets simply were not having it. Story continues Wired called the patent "a new form of hell" and "the most nightmarish idea for plane seating ever," while Conde Nast Traveler declared that the arrangement "will haunt you forever." While rear-facing seats may be an oddity today, Southwest Airlines had a similar seating structure for more than 30 years, according to its website. Called "lounge seating," the inward-facing seats were ideal for families or passengers conducting mid-air business meetings and were "considered the most sought-after, or avoided, seats on the plane," a Southwest blog post stated. The seats gradually disappeared starting in 1997, when the company transitioned to the front-facing seating arrangements passengers know today. According to Southwest, the reconfiguration was "primarily due to new Safety guidelines as well as advancements in technology." Read the original article on Insider The post Warner Bros. Apologizes to Japan for Barbenheimer Memes appeared first on Consequence. While Barbenheimer the combination of Barbie and Oppenheimer, which premiered in American theaters on the same day became a viral meme in the West, this giddiness didnt necessarily translate to Japan, where the real Oppenheimers atomic bomb killed thousands when America detonated it in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Backlash against the meme led Barbie distributor Warner Bros. to apologize to Japan in a statement. In one tweet, a Japanese fan criticized Barbies marketing team for making light of Oppenheimers actions, likening it to an advertisement drawing up the events of 9/11 in shades of hot pink. As such, Warner Bros. Japan took to Twitter to assure viewers said memes were not official, and chastised the American Barbie account for playing along, calling a since-deleted post inconsiderate and extremely regrettable. We take this situation seriously, and we are asking the US headquarters to take appropriate action, the company said, translated from Japanese. After posting the apology, the American Barbie tweet referencing Barbenheimer was deleted (per Vice). Check out the companys full statement below. Barbie is slated to premiere in Japan on August 11th, two days after the 78th anniversary of Americas attack on Nagasaki. Oppenheimer has no scheduled release date in the country. #Barbenheimer ?What do you Americans who use this tag to make jokes about the atomic bomb feel when they see this image? What you guys are doing is exactly the same as this. shame on you.#Barbie #NoBarbenheimer pic.twitter.com/ELqTmkNDwm Dorothy (@Dorothy35091534) July 31, 2023 Warner Bros. Apologizes to Japan for Barbenheimer Memes Carys Anderson Story continues Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. YouTube star MrBeast has sued his food-delivery service for his brand, MrBeast Burger, with claims that the company sent customers food that was inedible and low quality. According to court documents obtained by People, the philanthropist - whose real name is James Stephen Donaldson - has filed the lawsuit against Virtual Dining Concepts. He first partnered with the company in 2020, when he launched the MrBeast Burger, making his brand a delivery-only restaurant. However, in his lawsuit, MrBeast claimed that Virtual Dining Concepts hadnt been prioritising the quality of his companys food. Virtual Dining Concepts was more focused on rapidly expanding the business as a way to pitch the virtual restaurant model to other celebrities for its own benefit, it was not focused on controlling the quality of the MrBeast Burger customer experience and products, the complaint alleged. The lawsuit also claimed that MrBeasts complaints about quality control fell on deaf ears. The legal document noted that these complaints have ultimately impacted the YouTubers reputation. As a result, MrBeast Burger has been regarded as a misleading, poor reflection of the MrBeast brand that provides low-quality products to customers that are delivered late, in unbranded packaging, fail to include the ordered items, and in some instances, were inedible, the complaint continued. According to People, the lawsuit also includes the negative reviews that MrBeast Burgers items have received. Some of the thousands of reviews are about raw meat, cold food, and deliveries arriving in damaged packaging. The publication specified that one review in the lawsuit read: It is sad that MrBeast would put his name on this. MrBeasts complaint in the lawsuit also alleged that hes been the one who has borne the brunt of the (justified) attacks and criticisms, and not Virtual Dining Concepts. MrBeast made every effort to cause Virtual Dining Concepts to fix these significant quality control problems as soon as he learned of them, but they refused and/or were incapable, the lawsuit continued. Story continues The lawsuit also claims that, in the midst of receiving negative reviews, MrBeast Burger has still made millions of dollars. However, the YouTuber himself has allegedly not received a dime. In addition, the legal document alleged that Virtual Dining Concepts registered MrBeast-related trademarks, which they werent authorised to use, without consent or knowledge. Yeah, the problem with Beast Burger is i cant guarantee the quality of the order. When working with other restaurants its impossible to control it sadly And tbh I just enjoy Feastables 100x more. Making snacks is awesome and something Im way more passionate about MrBeast (@MrBeast) June 17, 2023 Two months before filing the lawsuit, MrBeast - who has more than 172m followers on YouTube - addressed some of the questions about his brand. After one fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, in June to ask if MrBeast Burger was done, the YouTuber responded: Yeah, the problem with Beast Burger is I cant guarantee the quality of the order. When working with other restaurants its impossible to control it sadly. He continued his post by praising his snack brand, Feastables - foundered in January 2022 - which is known for selling its own chocolate bars. And tbh I just enjoy Feastables 100 times more. Making snacks is awesome and something Im way more passionate about, he added. As part of its partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts, MrBeast Burger became a virtual brand, with items now available to order across the US for delivery only, according to the food companys website. MrBeast Burger operates out of existing restaurant kitchens, allowing restaurateurs to add a new source of revenue without impacting the operation, the site reads. Customers can only order MrBeast Burger via the proprietary app or through major food delivery service apps. Along with Beast Style Burger Combo, some of the menu items include the Karls Grilled Cheese, name after YouTube star Karl Jacobs The Independent has contacted Virtual Dining Concepts and Donaldson for comment. The body of a hiker who has been missing for 37 years has been unearthed on a thawing glacier near the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. A 38-year-old German mountaineer was reported missing after failing to return from a hike in Sept. 1986, the Valais cantonal police in Switzerland said in a press release. MORE: 3 'heavily decomposed' bodies discovered at remote wilderness campsite But last month on July 12, climbers who were traversing the Theodul Glacier near the Matterhorn in the southern Alps discovered human remains along with several pieces of equipment on the glacier, authorities confirmed. The entire discovery was transported to Sion, to the forensic medicine department of the Valais Hospital, to be examined there in collaboration with the forensic identification section of the Valais cantonal police, police said in their statement announcing the grisly discovery. A DNA comparison has established that it was indeed the mountaineer who has been missing since September 1986. PHOTO: The body of a hiker who has been missing for 37 years has been found when it was unearthed on a thawing glacier near the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. (Valais cantonal police / Kantonspolizei Wallis) Authorities did not disclose the identity of the man but did release a single picture of the scene where he was discovered of a wet, red-laced hiking boot next to several items of rusted hiking equipment. MORE: Woman killed by ice column after pushing fellow hiker to safety The receding glaciers are increasingly bringing in mountaineers, police said. It is unclear if the man still has any existing next of kin to be notified of his death. The investigation into his death is ongoing. Body of hiker missing for 37 years discovered in melting glacier originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China has earmarked 110 million yuan (about 15.43 million U.S. dollars) to support flood prevention and disaster relief work in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, according to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management on Tuesday. The funds will be used to support emergency rescue work and relief work for people affected by floods, the ministries said. The finance ministry Monday allocated 842 million funds for disaster prevention and mitigation of the agricultural and water resources sectors in 12 provincial-level regions, including Hebei. Chinese authorities have launched massive rescue and relief efforts in response to typhoon-induced torrential rains, which have left 11 dead in the national capital Beijing. House Republicans have launched an inquiry into the Justice Department's plea deal with Hunter Biden, which was put on hold after falling apart in court last week. Three Republican-led House committees -- the Judiciary, Oversight and Ways and Means panels -- sent a letter on Monday to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding information and documents related to the agreement struck by federal prosecutors and President Joe Biden's son. The letter was signed by the chairs of the three committees, Reps. Jim Jordan, James Comer and Jason Smith. "Given recent unusual events relating to the Departments plea and pretrial diversion agreements with Mr. Biden, we write to better understand the Departments decision to sign off on such apparently atypical agreements," the lawmakers wrote. MORE: What to know about the Hunter Biden federal investigations They singled out two provisions of the deal, which U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika deferred following an hourslong hearing in Delaware on Wednesday. The provisions highlighted in the letter included a paragraph that, according to the committee chairs, would have required prosecutors to get Noreika's permission in order to pursue charges if Hunter Biden were to breach the agreement; and, in the other paragraph, apparently could have extended some broader criminal immunity to Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden had originally agreed to acknowledge his failure to pay taxes on income he received in 2017 and 2018. In exchange, prosecutors would have recommended probation, meaning he would likely have avoided prison time. PHOTO: Hunter Biden departs federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, July 26, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Hunter Biden also would have agreed to a pretrial diversion on a separate gun charge, with the charge being dropped if he adhered to certain terms. However, at Wednesday's hearing as his deal was put on pause, Hunter Biden instead pleaded not guilty to the tax charges. In the courtroom, Noreika repeatedly criticized the plea deal's "form over substance." Story continues She ultimately requested additional briefing, giving the parties 30 days to resolve any outstanding issues. Under questioning by the judge, prosecutors confirmed at the hearing that Hunter Biden is still under investigation after a five-year probe. MORE: New details emerge in Hunter Biden plea agreement The House committees on Monday called on the Department of Justice to submit a generalized description of the nature of the Departments ongoing investigation(s) concerning Hunter Biden along with an explanation of why the Department originally agreed to a plea agreement if other investigation(s) concerning Hunter Biden are ongoing. The Departments unusual plea and pretrial diversion agreements with Mr. Biden raise serious concerns ... that the Department has provided preferential treatment toward Mr. Biden, the Republican chairs wrote. Federal prosecutors have previously pushed back on claims that they were constrained or acted abnormally in how they handled Hunter Biden's case. Representatives for Hunter Biden did not respond to a request for comment. House Republicans launch investigation of Hunter Biden's deferred plea deal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. We tested and found the formulas that will provide truly lasting hydration Shape / David Hattan If you feel like hyaluronic acid is in nearly every skincare product these days, including serums, youre onto somethingthe ingredient has become a go-to in formulas looking to add moisture to skin. The humectant is a sugar molecule found naturally in the skin and according to research, one gram of hyaluronic acid can hold onto six liters of water, making it one hardworking ingredient. Thats why hyaluronic serums, lightweight perfectors that go on after cleaning and before moisturizer, have become essential for those looking to add lasting hydration to their routine. But with a vast sea of them to choose from, how do you find the one that meets your needs? Shape set out to find out, testing more than 20 serums and consulting top dermatologists Karan Lal, DO, FAAD, double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic, in NYC, and Joshua Zeichner, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and an associate professor of dermatology and Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, to find the best hyaluronic acid skin serums that deliver results for any category you might be looking forat every price point. Best Overall: CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Buy at Ulta.com Buy at Target.com Why We Like It: Its ultra-hydrating, layerable, and developed with dermatologists. Its Worth Noting: It can take up to a minute to absorb into the skin. CeraVes Hyaluronic Acid Serum gets high marks for being a reliable, easy-to-find staple for those seeking a hydration boost. Dr. Engelman explains, It features a great combination of ingredients that work well together hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the skin, plus ceramides and vitamin B5 to fortify the skin barrier and keep all that moisture in the skin. This is an excellent serum that also improves the quality of skin in the long term. Story continues We found that it delivered plenty of hydration, lending a nice glow, helping out areas of dullness, and smoothing out textured areas. It also worked all day and helped makeup wear better. At 60 seconds, we found it took a little longer to sink in than some of the others out there but once it did absorb, it became invisible and tacky-free. Price at time of publish: $23 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, and vitamin B5 Best Overall Runner-up: ISDIN Isdinceutics Hyaluronic Concentrate Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Dermstore.com Why We Like It: With both low and medium molecular weight HA, this serum provides intense hydration as it softens. Its Worth Noting: Its a bit pricey, though the bottle will last you longer than you may think. This water gel serum from Isdin delivers in large part thanks to having different types of HA. Different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid sit at different places in the dermis, meaning that the hydrating effects vary slightly, explains Dr. Engelman. Lower molecular weights of HA are able to penetrate the skin more deeply for long-lasting hydration. Higher molecular weights of HA do not go as far into the skin barrier, instead providing quick hydration at the surface; higher weights of HA are what give skin a plumping effect. The runner-up in our testing trial, this formula checked every box we had when looking for an HA serum: It left no residue, yet softened skin and kept it hydrated from morning to night. The glow it leaves behind is lovely. Plus, its softening, improved texture, and helped even out combination skin. The price tag may keep some away, but since a little goes a long way with this serum, it may last you longer than you may think at first glance. Price at time of publish: $103 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: BioMarine, peptides, and lentil extract Best Priming: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Buy at Nordstrom.com Buy at Sephora.com Why We Like It: Its super hydrating but provides a clean finish that helps makeup wear all day. Its Worth Noting: The texture is a bit watery, and there was no noticeable benefit plumping. A darling of the HA-obssees on TikTok, The Ordinarys serum combines low-, medium- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with a cross-linked form that the company says helps hydrate multiple layers of your skin. Its also known for creating a great canvas for everything that goes on top, including makeup. We scored this formula high for doubling as a primer, providing all-day hydration (even after a day of sun and swimming), and even prompting someone to ask what we were doing differently with our skincare. The affordable price is a nice bonus that makes this a great starting point for anyone hyaluronic-curious. But the watery texture and lack of plumping benefits may leave you craving a little more (which will come with a higher price point to boot). Price at time of publish: $9 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Panthenol Best Budget: The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Sephora.com Why We Like It: This award-winning formula packs a hydrating punch you may not expect for such a low price point. Its Worth Noting: Although the product contains a peptide to support collagen production, we noticed very little impact on fine lines. No Best of list would be complete without the multi-award-winning INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum. With multi-molecule hyaluronic acid and peptides to support natural collagen production, it offers a lot of bank for very little bucks for a very large 3.4 oz. bottle (vs. most of the rest at 1 oz.) We found it helped skin texture (including rosacea-like patches) and eliminated stubborn dryness around the nose and cheek area without making the T-zone oily. And the results were long-lastingso much so that we even noticed the benefits when skipping a day of application. However, it didnt deliver on its promise to smooth over lines. And we wished the bottle had a different dispenser the free-flowing opening made it hard to get just the right amount every time. Price at time of publish: $10 Size: 3.4 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Peptide Related: Why Using Hyaluronic Acid for Hair Is a Game-Changer Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Dermstore.com Why We Like It: This serum combines HA with therapeutic thermal water to soothe finicky skin. Its Worth Noting: It imparts a glow that can read shiny and isn't the best under makeup. Touted as a must for sensitive types by dermatologists and beauty editors alike, this allergy-tested formula from LaRoche-Posay combines high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid with therapeutic probiotic thermal water to soothe. Dr. Engelmans take: Overall, the ingredients used in this product are gentle, hydrating, and protective to the skin barrier, making this serum especially well-suited for sensitive skin. We found it was indeed gentle; so much so that it didnt cause any flares in reactive or acne-prone skin. And it had a nice plumping effect that helped smooth skin texture. Unfortunately, because it left behind quite a bit of shine, it didnt wear as well under makeup as some of the others in the mix. Price at time of publish: $40 Size: 1 fl. oz | Other Active Ingredients: Madecassoside, glycerin, Vitamin B5, dimethicone, and prebiotic thermal water Best for Mature Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Glow Serum Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Nordstrom.com Why We Like It: This plumping gel serum immediately smoothes the looks of wrinkles and locks in all-day moisture. Its Worth Noting: It can feel a bit sticky on the skin. With an ultra-high 75 percent hyaluronic acid complex, ceramides, and HydraFence, an ingredient featuring a starch molecule and algae hydrocolloid matrix that boosts hydration levels, Peter Thomas Roths Water Drench gel serum is formulated with skin texture in mind. We found that to be true, helping deep wrinkles fade over eight weeks of use in before and after shots. Dr. Zeichner says thats not surprising, explaining, The formula contains ceramides, which provide emollient benefits to coat the surface of the skin, and soften rough cells. As for the texture, it can feel a little heavy and sticky on first contact which Dr. Zeichner says is likely due to the high concentration of HA. However, that feeling went away after it sunk in, which took about 30 seconds. Price at time of publish: $72 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: 5% ceramide complex, and 3% HydraFence Fastest Absorbing: Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Sephora.com Why We Like It: The formula is whisper-light and comes with no setting time. Its Worth Noting: This one is so lightweight, it may not deliver the intense moisture dry types are seeking. Farmacys Filling Good Serum Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum is another formula that offers full-spectrum hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights to penetrate all levels of the skin along with nourishing add-ins like amino acids and vegan collagen peptides to smooth fine lines. Overall this serum performed well it felt smooth, spread easily, and lasted throughout the day. It instantly dries down on the skin despite its thicker texture. However it left the skin a smidge tacky, and the lighter weight comes with the consequence that its best for combination (rather than dry) skin. Price at time of publish: $48 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Encapsulated thyme extract, amino acids, and vegan collagen peptides Best for Fine Lines: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum Buy at Dermstore.com Buy at Bluemercury.com Why We Like It: Its a hydrator that comes with big-time plumping benefits. Its Worth Noting: The dropper dispenser doesnt quite get to the very bottom of the bottle. This gel serum from dermatologist-loved SkinCeuticals offers smoothing benefits with a mix of 1.3 percent Hyaluronic Acid, 10 percent Proxylane (a patented molecule derived from beech wood that helps support skins matrix), and two percent licorice root extract and purple rice extracts to help seal HA into the skin. We loved that it absorbed very quickly with some instant plumping results that gradually improved the look of fine lines over the eight weeks of testing especially on the forehead and around the eyes. Although not a typical benefit of hyaluronic acid, we even noticed a reduction in breakouts in the chin area, even with no other changes in our routine. Essentially, this serum gave our skin new life. However, the dropper dispenser makes it hard to get to serum left at the bottom, disappointing considering at that price tag we wanted every last drop. Price at time of publish: $110 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: 10% Proxylan, 2.0% licorice root extract, 0.2% purple rice extract Related: The Best Non-Invasive Botox Alternatives, According to Dermatologists Best Drugstore: Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Serum Buy at Ulta.com Buy at Target.com Why We Like It: Its dermatologist tested and comes with a wallet-friendly price tag. Its Worth Noting: Its very thick and not as easy to spread or use with the included dropper as some others. Olays unscented Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Serum comes packed with good-for-skin ingredients like pro-vitamin B3 and amino acids that make this a great multitasker. But dont forget to always top with a face sunscreen in the daytime. First, the cons: We found it a little hard to get out of the dropper, and it didnt have much impact on fine lines or wrinkles. However, it scored high for its nice pillowy texture, immediate absorption, leaving a nice glow, and for wearing well under makeup. It also managed to help reduce postpartum dryness and redness. Its a simple serum that is easily accessible at the drugstore. Price at time of publish: $30 Size: 1.3 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, amino peptides, and pro-vitamin B3 Best Brightening: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Nordstrom.com Why We Like It: Time-released hyaluronic acid gives skin a brightening all-day glow. Its Worth Noting: When applying, remember a little goes a long way, it can be easy to take too much. Along with marine collagen and soothing evening primrose extract, this formula gets attention for its time-released hyaluronic chronospheres. Dr. Engelman explains, A time-release formula doesnt just provide immediate hydration, it sustains the hydrating benefits over time usually over the course of several hours to continuously moisturize the skin and help prevent transepidermal water loss. Read: The moisture that escapes from the top layer of the skin. It didnt have much impact on skin texture, but over time, we noticed it made skin more hydrated and brighter than it was before. It also left skin looking radiant, prompting an inquiry into whether wed changed something in our routine. It may feel watery and slick at first, which can make it easy to take too much at once. But you really only need a dab for your whole face. Price at time of publish: $72 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Saccharide isomerate, marine algae, and watermelon extract Related: The Best After-Sun Lotions for Your Parched Skin and Lobster-Red Burn Best for Redness: Kiehl's Ultra Pure 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Buy at Nordstrom.com Buy at Sephora.com Why We Like It: This simple serum contains only 7 ingredients, including soothing glycerin. Its Worth Noting: We expected a little more hydration for the price. With just seven ingredients in the bottle, this simple hyaluronic acid serum from Kiehls gets buzz for being a good, stripped-down hydrator. After using it, we saw a big improvement in the dryness around our eyes and around our nose area and it also helped the lines around our lids. But the biggest difference was in redness it was so effective at eliminating those unwanted rosy tones that days without tinted moisturizer were suddenly in reach. Had it been a touch more hydrating, it may have even been a contender for our top spot. Price at time of publish: $35 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Glycerin and citric acid. Best with Niaciamide: Fresh Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum Buy at Nordstrom.com Buy at Sephora.com Why We Like It: Its a nourishing serum that works for all skin types. Its Worth Noting: You may not love the sticky feel upon application, though that disappears as it dries. We picked Freshs Tea Elixir Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Aging Serum Adaptive for all it does to protect the skin barrier with adaptive phytocompound tea and niacinamide, which helps lock in its hyaluronic acid. That makes it very long-lasting, which we found to be true in our testing. We also found it left us looking refreshed, glowy, and overall perked up our complexion. But take note: While it goes on cool, it also feels a bit tacky, so you have to give it plenty of time to sink in before continuing on with your routine. Price at time of publish: $80 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Adaptive phytocompound tea, niacinamide, and Ceramide III Best HA with Peptides: Tula Triple-Hydra Complex Day & Night Serum Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Tula.com Why We Like It: With three molecular weights of HA and nourishing peptides, this serum imparts a serious glow. Its Worth Noting: It could be too lightweight for those with dry skin. This serum combines three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, plus another humectant, polyglutamic acid to deliver moisture to the skin on multiple levels. Over eight weeks, it delivered on that promise, even helping smooth over areas of acne. We also found that it helped skin look more radiant, healthy and uplifted (this last one possibly thanks to its firming peptides). The only area it didnt score a perfect five in is hydration, as we had expected a touch more of an impact overall, and leads us to recommend it for combination or oily types. Price at time of publish: $48 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Blend of prebiotics & probiotic extracts, polyglutamic acid, Peptides, squalane, and collagen Best HA Blend: Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Dermstore.com Why We Like It: It features ingredients to help HA work even harder. Its Worth Noting: The texture may take some getting used to. Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid caught our interest for not only having a blend of two HAs, but having additional skin-quenchers like algae extract, hydrating polyglutamic acid, and a blend of amino acids to help trap water on skins surface. In our testing, our skin felt less dry and tight throughout the day, and we even remained breakout-free longer. And after eight weeks, we could tell a difference in our fine lines, especially the ones at the corners of the mouth and along the forehead. It takes longer to absorb than others and its stickier than we would like. But we found that was helped by ignoring the directions (which say to apply after toner), and instead applying to a damp face directly after washing. Price at time of publish: $48 Size: 1 oz. | Other Active Ingredients: Algae Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, amino acids, and a post-biotic extracts How We Tested We narrowed our selection to 28 products that had the most advanced technology, are best-sellers, and have gotten a lot of industry buzz. Our testers then used them in their skincare routines one or two times a day per the directions, applied to wet skin directly after washing for eight weeks stopping any other hyaluronic acid products they were already using (if any). Then they described and rated their experiences. From their reviews, 14 winners emerged as the most effective and worthy of inclusion in our list. Then for background, we spoke with Dr. Lal to give some context on the ingredient and how its being used in products. And Dr. Engleman and Dr. Zeichner provided some feedback and insight into the winning formulas as well as tips to help anyone shopping for a hyaluronic acid serum to get the most out of it. All three of these experts have worked extensively with products containing the ingredient and are well-versed in how its used in various products and formulations. What to Know About Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it soaks up a lot of water to provide the skin with hydration, explains Dr. Lal. It occurs in the skin naturally, but he explains, We lose hyaluronic acid over time which gives our skin that dehydrated appearance which contributes to aging skin. So adding it topically can not only put some of that hydration back but have a plumping effect to smooth fine lines. Its an OG ingredient that should be a staple in your regimen, he insists. Types of Hyaluronic Acid There are three major kinds: hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and sodium acetylated hyaluronate. Dr. Lal explains, Hydrolyzed HA is HA that has been broken down into small pieces. This allows it to penetrate the skin better but it doesnt attract as much water because it enters the skin instead of sitting on top. Sodium hyaluronate allows for deeper hydration and lasts longer in the skin than Hydrolyzed HA. Sodium acetylated HA lasts even longer on the skin and allows for the best amount of hydration. Isdin Hyaluronic Concentrate and Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum both use several types of hyaluronic acid, including hydrolyzed and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate the skin at several levels. Our experts say there are no major side effects to be aware of, and you can use them once or even twice a day depending on how dry your skin feels. Skin Types Rare in the world of skincare, hyaluronic acid can be beneficial for all people. It is a light ingredient that can be used across all skin types, whether you are sensitive or even oily, says Dr. Zeichner. Dr. Engelman adds, It is especially beneficial to those with dry and/or aging skin, as it is lightweight yet incredibly hydrating." If you do have oily or combination skin, you may want to look for a thinner, lighter-weight formula, such as Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum. Whereas dry and mature skin may crave an especially thick formula, like Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Glow Serum. Sensitive skin would like La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Anti-Aging Concentrate, because the ingredients are gentle and protective to the skin barrier. Frequently Asked Questions Why is hyaluronic acid used so much in skincare? Hyaluronic acid is a lightweight, yet extremely effective humectant an ingredient that retains moisture and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It is gentle on the skin and pairs well with many other skincare ingredients, explains Dr. Engelman. These qualities make it an ideal addition to skincare products, which is why we see it so often in skincare. When should you use hyaluronic acid serums in your skincare routine? You can use it morning and night but if youre looking to start with just once a day, Dr. Lal says, I recommend using HA-containing products at night so when you wake up the skin appears more plump. How do you apply hyaluronic acid serum? A serum can deliver ingredients deep into the skin barrier due to its small molecular size, so this is a great way to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your routine, says Dr. Engleman. Some products specify to apply after toners, others have you do it right after washing while the skin is still wet, thereby helping it draw the water into the skin. Its worth noting that two of our testers who used the directions to apply after toner both saw better results when applying to wet skin. Why might this yield better results? This gives the product the extra water it needs to grab onto for optimal benefits, Dr. Zeichner says. But its important to note that no matter exactly where you use it in your routine theres one thing to keep in mind. Dr. Zeichner explains, While hyaluronic acid is good at grabbing onto water, it does not do a good job of keeping it there in the long term. For this reason, I recommend layering a hyaluronic acid serum beneath a traditional moisturizer. Why Trust Shape Beth Shapouri has been writing about beauty and wellness for two decades for top-tier publications like Allure.com, Glamour.com, Elle.com, HarperBazaar.com, and MarieClaire.com. She prides herself on digging deep into the science of products and technology and breaking down complicated topics to help consumers navigate the shelves and find their best buys. For more Shape news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Shape. This article originally appeared on Backpacker A United Kingdom court ruled on Monday that members of the public don't need landowners' permission to wild camp in Dartmoor National Park anymore. This decision reversed a lower court's ruling and restored the park's status as the only place in England or Wales where backpackers have the right to pitch a tent outside of the confines of a campsite. Where American national parks are protected public lands administered directly by the federal government, parks in England are mostly a patchwork of private holdings, and often contain working farms, residences, businesses, and even towns. A hiker's right to walk across privately owned land is governed by a 23-year-old law that allows hikers access to paths based on a history of public use. (At least in theory: As Brooke Jarvis reports in The New York Times Magazine, many landowners have taken questionably legal steps to prevent the public from accessing their property.) In most cases, however, visitors are limited to dayhikes, as the law doesn't allow overnight access. For decades, Dartmoor National Park was the exception, thanks to a 1985 law that allowed hikers to dispersed camp based on historic custom. This January, however, two of the parks' largest landowners, Alexander and Diana Darwall, sued to overturn that rule, arguing that camping fell outside of the protections of the law. High Court judge Sir Julian Flaux agreed, ruling that there was "no local custom of camping which [had] the force of law," and the Darwalls could legally ban campers from their 4,000-acre estate. While park authorities quickly reached an agreement with most of Dartmoor's landowners to continue allowing wild camping in exchange for an undisclosed payment, some advocates bristled at the deal, which they saw as paying tribute to the small number of disproportionately aristocratic property owners who hold much of England's land. Speaking to The Guardian, Guy Shrubsole, one of the leaders of the pro-access group Right to Roam, called it "a ransom note from landowners who will be allowed to revoke permission at any time." Story continues The country's National Park Authority and another nonprofit, Open Spaces Society, appealed the decision. At issue was whether sleeping inside a tent counted as an "outdoor" activity, with lawyers for the Darwalls arguing that erecting a structure, even a temporary one, fell outside the auspices of the law. On July 31, the court disagreed, with Lord Justice Nicholas Underhill saying that "the fact that a tent is closed rather than open cannot convert the wild camping from being an open-air recreation into not being one." With this, the right to dispersed camp without landowner permission returned to the public. While land-access advocates in England celebrated the decision, some said the ruling didn't go far enough in protecting backpackers' right to camp at large. In a tweet, Shrubsole said it was time for England to pass a Scottish-style Right to Roam law, which would create a presumed right for the public to access unbuilt, uncultivated land. On his own Twitter account, Luke Pollard, a Labour member of parliament who represents nearby Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, posted that his party would pass a Right to Roam bill if it returned to power, and challenged the current Conservative government to do the same. For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today. Netflix The last heir to the Italian throne, Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, went into exile in 1946 at the age of 9. The Italian people voted in a referendum to end the House of Savoy, and establish a republic. Decades later, Vittorio, "the king who never was," was living in island of Cavallo, on the south coast of Corsica, France. One night in August 1978, he fired his rifle twice, reportedly a warning sign to nearby tourists. A 19-year-old German tourist, Dirk Hamer, sleeping on a nearby boat, died of gunshot wound injuries months later. Vittorio was arrested for the shooting, but granted bail, and fled to Switzerland, where he still lives. This fateful evening is the subject of Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi's three-episode Netflix docuseries. And if her name sounds familiar, she belongs to a modern royal family, as she's married to Pierre Casiraghi, Princess Caroline of Monaco's son. And she has a personal connection to the story, which inspired her to make it: Dirk's sister, Birgit Hamer, was close friends with her mother, Paola Marzotto. "This story was part of my childhood because my mother, Paola Marzotto, was one of Birgits closest friends," Borromeo told the Hollywood Reporter. "It was a part of my family for as long as I can remember. It was an affair that was talked about at home, even with a certain feeling of helplessness about the facts, about what had happened, about the impunity that hovered around Vittorio Emanuele. I think it was one of the stories that made me choose to become a journalist." Vittorio was acquitted of murdering Dirk in November 1991, following 13 years of legal proceedings, and sentenced to six months for illegally carrying his firearms. His lawyers claimed that it couldn't be proven that it was his gun that fired the shot that killed Dirk, and introduced what Borromeo calls a "phantom shooter theory"essentially that there was a second shooter. Story continues Vittorio himself is interviewed in the documentary. "It took me ages to convince him to be part of the doc," Borromeo told Variety. "Creating a rapport with Vittorio Emanuele was probably the hardest part of this project. He had sued me after I had published a video of his [alleged] confession [in 2006]. It was a long legal battle that I eventually won. We had a terrible rapport. I started contacting everyone I knew who had a rapport with him. I bombarded him with emails and letters. So, exasperated, he said: 'talk to my son, Emanuele Filiberto.' I think Emanuele decided to participate in order to face this story once and for all, so that it would not taint his daughters, the way it had tainted him. And then he became a bridgehead with his father and the whole family." So though Vittorio was acquitted in 1991, nothing he said in The King Who Never Was could lead to a reopening of the case; the statute of limitations has run out. Birgit later became a supermodel, and fought for justice for her brother for decades. Now, Borrmeo says, Birgit just wants the truth. And she hopes she delivered in her Netflix series. "I think with this documentary, people will have all the elements to form their own opinion. Thats what I tried very hard to do. I think there has now been a deep closure about this incident on everyones part." The King Who Never Was is now streaming on Netflix. Watch now Watch the trailer: You Might Also Like The Salatim platter at MeeshMeesh Mediterranean restaurant in Louisville. What happens when a talented chef brings everything theyve learned throughout a career studded with some of the brightest stars in the Louisville food scene? Well, its a little bit like what happens when a variety of ingredients and cuisines come together on fertile land. You get something new and wonderful that showcases the abundance at hand. And luckily for us, were going to be able to experience the magic mingling of both of those things when Noam Bilitzers first restaurant of his own opens soon in NuLu at the former Wiltshire on Market space at 636 E. Market St., which closed after 14 years in late July. MeeshMeesh Mediterranean honors the food traditions of the eastern Mediterranean, encompassing flavors from Israel where Bilitzer is from as well as Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and more. And it benefits from the path Bilitzer has taken since studying at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. His career has included time as corporate chef de cuisine at 21c Musuem Hotel group, executive chef at Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher Shop, culinary director for Eternal Optimist (which includes Ryan Rogers restaurants Feast BBQ, Royals Hot Chicken, and bar Vetti), and a private chef, which led to a private events business and a pop-up series featuring Mediterranean street fare. That's when Louisville culinary icon Susan Hershberg reached out, Bilitzer says, about collaborating at Wiltshire on Market. Swamped at the time, he first didnt think hed do it, he says. But he quickly realized what an incredible opportunity it was, so he came on as acting executive chef and launched a chef-in-residency program where he was able to test out the MeeshMesh concept under the Wiltshire umbrella. Louisville-based chef Noam Bilitzer If that sounds like an amazing chance to get started without the massive investment and risk of starting a brick-and-mortar restaurant from scratch, well, it is. After 14 years at her NuLu location, Hershberg had decided to pass the torch to the next generation of restaurateurs, she said in a social media post. The tradition of inspired, locally-sourced, handcrafted cuisine will live on beautifully with this next generation, she wrote. I am proud to pass the baton. Story continues The stars and timing aligned. "After like 15 years of being in restaurants, I just got to the point where I had the confidence in myself to say 'it's time to do this for yourself and do it on your own,'" Bilitzer said. And going out on his own, he wanted to showcase foods from the Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean, a cuisine he feels is underrepresented here. "The food is very soulful," he says. "For me, it's very nostalgic and I just think it's undeniably delicious. Its also so far beyond the pita and falafel that many of us know and love, he says. The Levant is also known as the Fertile Crescent, he explains, with the biggest defining characteristic of the food of the region being the use of fresh vegetables and fresh herbs. Theres also a stunning array of ingredients. "That strip of the Levant region," he says, "has every climate, every type of terroir [which creates] a really diverse type of agriculture from seafood, coastal, mountainous and snowy and cold, and tropical and Mediterranean. It's really beautiful and unique." Freedom Run smoked lamb hummus featuring lamb smoked by Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher Shop at MeeshMeesh Mediterranean restaurant in Louisville. Adding to the plethora of the ingredients themselves is the range of influences the area has experienced over millennia. "So you've had Ottoman and Turkish presence there, and you've had British presence there, and you have influences from North Africa and influences from Europe," he says. All of these cultures "have all influenced the cuisine in so many ways." Drawing from such a rich wellspring of inspiration with the Levant, and with his own experiences, Bilitzer has created a vibrant menu designed best-experienced family-style, with a table full of gorgeous dishes shared among a group. While its seasonal nature means the menu will change frequently, some dishes we might see at launch include scallop crudo with lavash; whipped labneh and fava beans with lemon and mint; zaatar fries with garlic confit; grape leaf wrapped branzino with fennel, artichoke, and almonds; and vegetable tagine with couscous. His cant-miss recommendation? A Freedom Run Farm smoked lamb hummus. Bilitzer knows hes stepping into big shoes in the former Wiltshire location. And he knows how attached we tend to get to our favorite places and favorite dishes in Louisville. But the response from Wiltshire regulars has been good, he says, and with his aim to continue providing a welcoming space where diners can create beautiful memories, hes looking forward to a positive transition. The MeeshMeesh name of the restaurant means apricot in both Arabic and Hebrew and reflects the warm and inviting atmosphere diners can expect. Echoing what is hopefully a growing movement in this industry post-COVID, his sole emphasis isnt just making diners happy, Bilitzer says. "We're offering above market wages" for staff, he says. "There's tip pooling for all employees, there's health insurance, paid time off, and my favorite? Family meals the meal staff have together before service must be delicious and nourishing. "Its written into our policy," he says. MeeshMesh is expected to open by mid-August. Find more details at meeshmeesh.com. Tell Dana! Send your restaurant Dish to Dana McMahan at thecjdish@gmail.com and follow @bourbonbarbarella on Instagram. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: MeeshMeesh restaurant brings eastern Mediterranean flavors to NuLu Both Florida and California have 10 beaches with good air quality. Getty Images If theres one place where travelers should be able to kick back and take a deep breath, its no doubt at the beach. But with pollution, weather, and wildfires impacting air quality around the globe, monitoring Air Quality Index (AQI) has become as essential as checking the temperature even for a day on the sand. To get a sense of the American beaches where travelers can truly exhale, a recent report looked at a two-week period in July to compare the average AQI. According to the government agency partnership AirNow, an index of 50 or less is considered good and in the green zone. This means the air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk." Of the 120 beaches listed in the findings, 111 met that standard. Coming in on top were two Hawaiian beaches: Hapuna and Poipu Beaches, each with an average AQI of 10. These were followed by a trio of Alaskan sites: Home Spit Beach (11), Sandy Beach (14), and Kenai Beach (14). In the contiguous United States, both Florida and California secured 10 spots each in the green zone. For Florida, the top beach was St. Augustine at No. 26 (average AQI of 29), followed by Fort Lauderdale (32) and Key West (33). The Sunshine States Miami Beach, Siesta Key, Clearwater Beach, South Beach, Naples, Siesta Key Beach, and Panama City Beach were also noted for good average air quality. Cyndi Monaghan/Getty Images Californias lowest index was Carmel Beach in 10th place (average AQI of 16), followed by Santa Cruz (20) and Pismo Beach (25). Also included were Malibu, Newport, Huntington, Laguna, Coronado, Venice, and Santa Monica. Oregon and Texas each had seven beaches with an average AQI of 50 or less during the study period, while Hawaii and Washington each had six. Louisiana, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Maine notched five each, while Rhode Island and New Hampshire each had four. The study was conducted by MyBioSource and honed in on the data from July 3 to 17 using IQAir. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. The service is offered at resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts For neurodiverse travelers, going on a trip can often create a cascade of challenges. Since theres no one-size-fits-all solution, Karisma Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Autism Double-Checked to offer Autism Concierges to help guests traveling with a child with autism or adult guests with autism enjoy seamless getaways. The specially trained team will help families plan and execute their vacations at select resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic by being dedicated points of contact for questions and guidance both in advance of the stay and while they are on site. Additionally, every member of Karisma's staff has completed a training program with Autism Double-Checked, which aims to help families of all ability levels travel without hurdles or worries. "Inclusion is only possible if you truly understand the population you wish to include," Alan Day, Autism Double-Checked's co-founder and CEO, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. "It takes specialized training to understand and address the specific needs of travelers with autism, and were proud to help bring understanding and compassion to our travel industry partners. The Autism Concierge will be available at Karismas Mexican properties: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Cancun, Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun, Generations Riviera Maya, El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Casitas Royale, El Dorado Maroma, El Dorado Seaside Suites, and Palafitos Overwater Bungalows. It will also be at its Dominican Republic resorts: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana and Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana. Guests can reach the concierges by emailing the team at autism_concierge@karismahotels.com. "In addition to ongoing training, this added resource will assure guests that we take their concerns seriously and that we want them to feel at home at our resorts, Daniel Lozano, Karisma Hotels & Resorts' vice president of operations, said in the release. Additionally, Karisma properties will introduce temporary door alarms this year that families can request to ensure every member is safe and secure. Story continues In the U.S., one in 36 children and nearly 5.4 million adults are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, only 13 percent of families with members with autism actually travel, a survey by the Family Travel Association and International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards revealed. Travel companies have started to adapt their programming to accommodate families. Legoland has made every resort a Certified Autism Center and Quasar Expeditions offers Galapagos sailings specifically for families with children with autism. Learn more about the Autism Concierge program at karismahotels.com/austimdoublechecked. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. PARIS Kao Corp. has signed an agreement to acquire Australian sun care brand Bondi Sands, as the beauty category heats up. The Japanese beauty giant and owner of brands including John Frieda, Jergens, Cureal and Biore is making the acquisition of Bondi Sands Australia Pty. Ltd., and related Bondi Sands companies, through Kaos wholly owned subsidiaries Kao Australia Pty. Ltd. and Kao USA Inc. More from WWD Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The deal dovetails with Kaos strategy to make skin care one of its key growth drivers in the midterm. Sun care is a beauty category in high demand and growing swiftly today, due in part to global warming. The sun care market is estimated to reach $14.54 billion in 2023, up 8.8 percent on-year, and is projected to grow 7.4 percent between 2023 and 2024, then 7.3 percent between 2024 and 2025, according to Euromonitor International. Growing consumer awareness of skin cancer and other sun-related health problems is expected to drive value and volume growth for all sun care categories in the forecast period, said Brando Coleman, research analyst at Euromonitor. Bondi Sands, founded in 2012 in Melbourne, Australia, is a specialist in self-tanning, sun care, skin care and body products, which are sold in more than 32 countries, including Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Their high-quality, distinctive formulations combined with sustainable practices have gained a loyal consumer base, Kao said in a statement released Tuesday. In Australia, where sun care awareness is extremely high, Bondi Sands has a leading share of the self tanning-market, enabling consumers to achieve a beautiful, healthy tan without the damaging effects of the sun. Bondi Sands said its mission is to create easy-to-use products that give a natural-looking tan at an affordable price. Alongside sun care, its range includes skin care for after-sun use. Story continues The Bondi Sands acquisition will give Kao a bigger focus on the skin protection segment. By leveraging Kaos vast UV care technologies in the Japanese market and self-tanning technologies in the U.S. market, Kao will expand its global business portfolio an further accelerate its business growth, the company said. Bondi Sands is an incredible brand and a perfect fit for the Kao Consumer Care Business portfolio, said Karen Frank, president of Consumer Care Business, Americas and EMEA, in the statement. Quality, innovation, environmental responsibility, accessibility and community are at the forefront of everything [the brand] does, ideally aligning Bondi Sands to our own brand values and corporate philosophy, which we call the Kao Way, Frank said. The addition of Bondi Sands to our consumer family of brands will greatly advance our mission to be the preeminent leader in the global skin protection business and continue our journey of offering diverse products that promote a kirei lifestyle that is healthy, inclusive and sustainable for all, she continued. There are synergies between the two groups. Kaos values and principles match those of Bondi Sands, as we both share an unyielding commitment to delivering innovative products that protect the skin and enhance the lives of our valued customers worldwide, said Shaun Wilson, cofounder, chief executive officer of Bondi Sands. The integration of Kaos renowned scientific and technological resources into our operations is an unparalleled opportunity that will significantly contribute to the exponential growth of our brand, empowering us to further expand our product offerings and advance our research and development initiatives, he said. With this partnership, we can now confidently explore untapped markets, reach more customers around the world and continue to fulfill our company mission. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. The worlds of bourbon and Japanese whisky have met before, but the most synergistic collaboration has come from the most obvious sourceBeam Suntory, which owns both the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Kentucky (home of Jim Beam) and Japans House of Suntory. Their latest whiskey collaboration is called Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend, a bourbon distilled in Kentucky and blended in Japan. More from Robb Report Beam Suntory released Legent in 2019, and while that release was the inspiration for this new expression it was a very different whiskey. Seventh-generation Beam master distiller, Fred Noe, and fifth-generation chief blender for Suntory, Shinji Fukuyo, created both whiskeys, but the first Legent was a blend of Kentucky bourbon finished in wine and sherry casks that was distilled and blended in Clermont, Kentucky. Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend was also distilled in bourbon country, but the liquid was then shipped to Japan where Fukuyo finished and blended it. The base of the whiskey is an eight-year-old Kentucky bourbon. After that liquid arrived at the Yamazaki Distillery just outside of Kyoto, Fukuyo finished a portion of it in French oak wine casks and Spanish oak sherry barrels for a period of time. Then some of the whiskey was placed into sherry casks that were used to age Yamazaki single malt. Finally, all three of these whiskeys were blended together, along with some more of the eight-year-old bourbon, to become Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend. [Creating] this limited-edition release that is finished by the climate of Yamazaki Distillery, creating its unique matured aroma, and reimagined with our blending techniques has been an exciting endeavor, said Fukuyo in a statement. The result is a first-of-its-kind whiskey with new layers of rounded and complex flavors. Story continues This new release coincides with the celebration of 100 anniversary of Suntory, which was marked by the launch of some special limited-edition Yamazaki whiskies and a collaboration with filmmaker Sophia Coppola and actor Keanu Reeves, as we reported recently. Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend is bottled at a strong 57 percent ABV, and is available for a limited time throughout the U.S. for an SRP of $200 (it might be hard to find at the moment as it just launched). If youd like to try the original Legent to compare and contrast, you can find that available for purchase from ReserveBar. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. David M. Benett - Getty Images Items worn by Princess Diana during one of her final public appearances will hit the auction block in June. Diana wore a necklace, alongside matching earrings, to a performance of Swan Lake in June 1997, earning the jewelry pair the name "Swan Lake Suite". Owned by a Ukrainian family since 2008, the items are being sold to help the family rebuild in the wake of the war. The Royal Family has always been known for breathtakingly beautiful jewelry, but one gifted set, worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, at one of her final public appearances, is especially noteworthyand will soon be for sale. In June 1997, Diana attended a production of "Swan Lake" at London's Royal Albert Hall. As one of the last official engagements before her tragic death that August, the royal had anticipatedand even acquiesced tothe photo-hungry press, which captured not only the fashion icon's choice of attire, but her choice of jewels worn for the occasion. On this day, Diana sported a silver and pearl necklace gifted to her by her romantic partner at the time, film producer Emad Mohamed al-Fayed, known as "Dodi." The necklace, comprised of 178 diamonds and seven South Sea pearls, was intended to come with earrings, but the jeweler could not complete them in time. After the appearance, Diana returned the necklace to the jeweler to finish the earringsbut she would never receive the completed set, now called the Swan Lake Suite. On August 31, 1997, she and al-Fayed were killed in a car crash in Paris, pursued by paparazzi, in what the British Metropolitan Police's Operation Paget later declared an "unlawful killing." Due to their association with the final days of the princess, the Swan Lake Suite has since become a treasured item amongst collectors. Held by the same owner since 2008, the jewels will soon be hitting the auction block, where Guernsey's, the New York-based auction house that will handle the sale, has reportedly given them a pre-sale value of "4 million and 11 million," according to Yahoo! News . Story continues As for why the jewels so intertwined with a late 1990s tragedy are now being sold, the answer is due to a contemporary tragedy: the war in Ukraine. Now owned by a prominent Ukrainian family, the Swan Lake Suite is being sold by the family "after struggling to maintain their business in war-ravaged Ukraine, but have also vowed to donate a portion of the proceeds to the rebuilding of the country," according to Arlan Ettinger, Guernsey's president. The items are set to be auctioned at Pierre Hotel in New York on June 27 after going on show in London. You Might Also Like BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that further tapping the potential of Belt and Road cooperation serves the interests of both China and Italy. "The Belt and Road Initiative provides a new platform for practical cooperation between China and Italy, and Belt and Road cooperation has achieved numerous tangible outcomes in economy, trade and business cooperation," the spokesperson said when answering a relevant query. According to data by the Italian side, in the first five months of this year, Italian export to China surged by 58 percent year-on-year. Further tapping the potential of Belt and Road cooperation serves the interests of both sides, the spokesperson added. Cases of leprosy have been on the rise in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now suggesting that the historically uncommon disease has become endemic in the Southeast. In a research letter published last month, the CDC reported that cases of leprosy, also known as Hansens disease, have more than doubled in the southeastern U.S. over the last decade. Of the total cases reported nationwide, nearly one-fifth of them were in Central Florida, where 81% of the states cases have been reported, the CDC said. The federal health agency advised physicians to consider travel to Florida a potential risk factor for infection, even when an individual doesnt have other risk factors for the disease. Travel to this area, even in the absence of other risk factors, should prompt consideration of leprosy in the appropriate clinical context, the letter states. A Florida man who recently developed a painful rash from the disease on his face and body had no known risk factors for it, the CDC said. A Florida man who recently developed a painful rash from the disease on his face and body had no known risk factors for it, the CDC said. Its not clear why cases of leprosy are on the rise. The CDC did not uncover any traditional risk factors in the course of contract tracing for the infected patients it examined. Its also not fully clear how the disease is transmitted. It can take years before an infected person shows symptoms, the agency said. Prolonged human-to-human contact through respiratory droplets is the most widely recognized way leprosy is transmitted. The disease can also spread from contact with animals, specifically armadillos, though there have been several cases in Central Florida where there was no evidence of infection from an animal. Though the reasons for transmission are not fully clear, leprosy can spread through prolonged contact with an infected person. Cases have also been linked to handling armadillos. Though the reasons for transmission are not fully clear, leprosy can spread through prolonged contact with an infected person. Cases have also been linked to handling armadillos. In the past, people infected with leprosy in the U.S. had generally traveled from leprosy-endemic areas. The disease is widespread in some countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Story continues However, the CDC said that roughly 34% of U.S. infections reported from 2015 to 2020 appear to have been locally acquired in Florida, which first reported cases of the disease in 1921, according to the Florida Department of Health. The CDC cited a 54-year-old Florida man, who was recently diagnosed with the disease after developing a painful rash on his face and body, as an example of someone who had no known risks for infection. He denied any domestic or foreign travel, exposure to armadillos, prolonged contact with immigrants from leprosy-endemic countries, or connections with someone known to have leprosy. He has resided in Central Florida his entire life, works in landscaping, and spends long periods of time outdoors, the CDC said. The CDC concluded that its worth investigating environmental reservoirs in Florida as a potential source of transmission. It also said more physicians should be made aware of how to recognize and report the disease. By increasing local physician efforts to report incidence and supporting further research to assess routes of transmission, a congruent effort can be made to identify and reduce spread of the disease, the letter states. Floridas Department of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Leprosy can be cured with prolonged treatment. But if left untreated, it can cause the crippling of the hands and feet, paralysis and blindness. Globally, as many as 2 million people are permanently disabled as a result of the disease, according to the CDC. RalucaHotupan - Getty Images From secret bunkers to creepy messages under a layer of wallpaper, it seems as if everyone is finding the craziest (and coolest) things in their home. And, if you thought uncovering a sunken living room or indoor swimming pool was the ultimate too-weird-to-be-true, the internet just reminded us that a man found an entire city under his home back in 1963. (Yes, you read that correctly: A city.) According to a popular Instagram account called History Photographed, back in the early 1960s, a Turkish man was chasing his chicken in his basement during a round of renovationsand found a hole that lead to a series of intricate tunnels and shelters up to 280 feet deep. Upon further investigationand some serious excavation workthe area in question was identified as Derinkuyu, an underground city in Turkey that's large enough to house up to 20,000 people. While its origins are up for debatesome think it was built by the Hittes in 200 B.C., while others believe the Phrygians created it in 900 B.C.most historians agree that Derinkuyu was used as hiding place from enemies and conquerers. Regardless of who built it, it's worth noting that the infrastructure is top-notch. As Atlas Obscura points out, none of the city's floors have ever collapsed. In fact, many believe that the early Christian dwellers who eventually inhabited Derinkuyu added modern upgrades including stables, churches, and dedicated places to make wine and olive oil. (You know, the essentials.) It's been decades since Derinkuyu was excavatedtoday there are even public tours of the underground citybut it seems that the people who are just learning about it now would've had a very different approach to this discovery than the homeowner who shared his news with the archaeological authorities. "He should've kept quiet," one person wrote. "He would've had a great place to himself." "I wouldn't have told a soul," a second commenter added. "I would have spent my life loving that piece of ancient history in peace and quiet." Another person wished the owner had turned it into the ultimate bat cave. "So much potential," they added. A fourth commenter said that the owner should've listed it on Airbnband if he had, we would've booked a room so quickly! You Might Also Like Adam Mosseri was on a family vacation in Italy last November when he learned he'd have to go toe-to-toe with Elon Musk. The mercurial Musk had just taken over Twitter. Amid the ensuing chaos, Mosseri's boss at rival Meta smelled opportunity. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta executives wanted to woo creators from Twitter to their social networks. Mosseri, who runs Instagram, paused his holiday to take Zuckerberg's call. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. It was nighttime in Italy, and Mosseri spoke softly to avoid waking his sleeping wife. The group discussed Twitter-like features they could add to existing apps, including Instagram. Zuckerberg, however, had a different idea: "What if we went bigger?" By the time the call ended well after midnight, Mosseri had a mandate to build a stand-alone app to compete with Twitter - and a knot in his stomach. "Oh God, we've got to figure this out, because [Zuckerberg is] very excited about this," Mosseri recalled thinking. "Sometimes you can tell when he kind of gets his teeth into something." Just seven months later, Meta unveiled Threads, a project that has shocked even its creators with its instant success. Launched a week early to capitalize on Twitter's high-profile stumbles, including Musk's decision to cap the number of tweets users could view each day, Threads drew more than 100 million users in its first five days - making it, by some estimations, the most successful social media app launch of all time. Threads' long-term success is not assured. Weeks after its July 5 launch, analytics firms estimated that the app's usage dropped by more than half from its early peak. And Meta has a long history of copycat products or features that have failed to gain traction (along with a few, like Instagram Stories, that have thrived). Still, its promising start has reinvigorated a company battered by layoffs, scandals and competition from TikTok for younger users. And the story of Threads' creation, as recounted to The Washington Post by Mosseri and six other current and former employees, is being hailed by Meta leaders as a new path forward at a time when its ambitious, expensive push to build a virtual-reality-powered "metaverse" is sputtering and employee morale is flagging. Story continues With a mandate from Zuckerberg to take a big risk, Mosseri assembled a lean, engineer-heavy team of fewer than 60 people to hack together a bare-bones app on a breakneck timetable more reminiscent of a start-up than an entrenched tech giant. Speaking to investors this week after Meta reported strong earnings, Zuckerberg held up Threads as vindication of his "year of efficiency," in which he sheared tens of thousands of jobs in a bid for more agile teams that would ship products quickly. That Threads was created by such a small group in such a short amount of time has become something of a marvel inside Meta, according to current and former employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, as well as private messages viewed by The Post. Many see its quick rise as a reminder that well-executed product launches might not need all the bureaucratic trappings that a company with some 66,000 employees had grown accustomed to. "Quick execution. Nothing fancy," one person wrote on Blind, an anonymous workplace app. "Just solid engineering that most of our ICs [individual contributors] can do but unfortunately are shackled." Now that Threads' daily users have plummeted, the team behind it faces a new test: turning a bare-bones Twitter clone into a thriving social network with its own identity and staying power. - - - 'Do the simple thing first' Meta has long viewed Twitter as a competitor: Zuckerberg reportedly tried to buy the platform in 2008 for $500 million. But while Twitter captured the cultural and political zeitgeist, its business - with 237.8 million daily users and $5 billion in annual revenue - remained a fraction of Zuckerberg's empire, and never posed a serious threat. "They haven't been the business we thought they might," Mosseri said. But once Musk took over Twitter, embarking on what Mosseri called "high-risk" decisions like limiting the reach of posts for users who hadn't paid for verification, company executives inside Meta pounced. Zuckerberg wanted Threads up and running by January, less than two months after greenlighting it. Mosseri, who oversaw the work along with longtime product leader Connor Hayes, tempered the CEO's expectations, saying they first needed to assemble the right team. Over the next few months, the pair recruited an engineer-focused group, prioritizing people "willing to be scrappy, and sort of just crank through a bunch [of tasks] really quickly," Mosseri said. He drew workers from Messenger, Instagram and Facebook. Twitter attorney Alex Spiro earlier this month accused Meta of poaching Twitter employees to help create its "copycat" app so rapidly. But no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee, according to Meta spokesman Andy Stone. Initially, the team carried just two product managers and one or two designers alongside dozens of engineers - a flatter and more coder-dominated group than most Meta product teams, Mosseri said. (At launch, it had grown to three product managers, three designers and 50 coders.) Instead of 30-minute presentations on a single design decision, typical at Facebook and Instagram, "It would be like, 'Here are six things we need to go through this week.'" The process was a manifestation of what has been a divisive era at Meta, as it shed more than 20,000 workers in layoffs designed to return the business to what Zuckerberg has called "a more optimal ratio of engineers to other roles." To keep things moving, the Threads team punted thorny decisions and eschewed difficult features, including private messages and the ability to search for content or view the feeds of people you don't follow. The company also opted not to launch in the European Union, where regulators are preparing to enforce new rules next year requiring tech companies to provide more information to regulators about their algorithms. "You do the simple thing first," Mosseri said. "And I think that also helps reduce the scope, because often what happens is scope creep and you want to add all these things because they're all great." Threads isn't the first product Meta has hustled to market for competitive reasons. In 2020, it spun up a short-form video product, Instagram Reels, to vie with TikTok, said Sam Saliba, a former global brand marketing lead for Instagram. Meta launched its rival service at a moment when TikTok was politically vulnerable: President Donald Trump was seeking to ban the app or force a sale, citing national security concerns about the company's Chinese ownership. "They saw that as an opportunity to kind of launch quickly and get out the door and then build and iterate," Saliba said. "When it launched it was like a barely minimal product, like really thin." (Meta spokeswoman Seine Kim said the company worked on Reels for over a year.) Meta hopes Threads can steer clear of the political quagmires that have made Twitter and other social media platforms so controversial. Mosseri stirred debate earlier this month when he said Threads would not actively "encourage" politics and "hard news," because the extra engagement is not worth the scrutiny. Meta's president of global affairs Nick Clegg later elaborated in an interview that the company would likely not add specific news-focused product features, but would give more users control over what they see. Zuckerberg, for his part, has proudly welcomed some of his favorite mixed martial arts athletes to the platform. But if Threads takes off, the company might find it impossible to avoid the sort of politically charged decisions that have made operating Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp so challenging. Some of Threads' most influential early adopters were journalists and media organizations sharing the kind of breaking news that generates partisan reactions. Politicians such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and several Republican presidential hopefuls, including Mike Pence, were also quick to join the platform. Meta can't just "wish away" political discourse if it hopes to serve users fleeing from Twitter, said Yael Eisenstat, vice president at the Anti-Defamation League and a former senior Facebook policy official. She criticized the company's approach of prioritizing a rapid launch over careful consideration of the ways Threads could be exploited for hate speech, harassment or political misinformation. "I really at some point thought that we had finally moved on from this whole 'move fast and break things' mentality," Eisenstat said, referring to a famous internal motto from Facebook's earlier days. "If there's any company that should have learned the lessons of the real damage that can be done by not building in the proper safety mechanisms, privacy assurances, and integrity products, it should be Meta." Meta's Kim responded, "Our industry leading integrity enforcement tools and human review are wired into Threads." - - - 'Are we sure about these numbers?' When Musk announced July 1 that Twitter would temporarily limit the number of tweets users can read per day to combat an influx spam and bots, Meta took notice. Whereas new apps often face launch delays as the team works out kinks, Mosseri and company decided to move up Threads' launch date by about a week. (Two weeks later, Mosseri would announce a measure to fight an influx of spam attacks on his own platform.) After realizing the app would drop into some international app stores before it was live, Meta pivoted again, shaving another few hours off its launch. That night, a "core group" worked together at Meta headquarters while Mosseri and other team members chatted on an internal messaging forum, watching the sign-ups pour in. Mosseri recalled astonished team members asking, "Are we sure about these numbers? Can someone double-check that the logging isn't messed up?" As the number of sign-ups blew past the team's expectations, they started throwing out predictions of how high it might go, Mosseri said. Their giddiness was tempered when the avalanche of users triggered roughly a dozen severe technical glitches on the first day. Still, the aggressive timeline seemed to pay off: The next morning, Zuckerberg publicly touted the apps' early success, saying it "feels like the beginning of something special." For the first time in years, Meta had a viral hit on its hands - the first one built internally since the original Facebook app. Inside the firm, there was jubilation and perhaps relief, current and former employees said. Rank and file workers flooded Blind with analyses of the app's initial success in messages viewed by The Post. Still, getting users to log in to a Twitter alternative is one thing. Getting them to stick around is another - as Mastodon, Bluesky and any number of start-ups can attest. By the end of last week, third-party analytics services began reporting steep drops in Threads' engagement. On Google's Android platform, it was down from a high of 49 million daily users on July 7 - nearly half that of Twitter - to just 12.6 million on July 23, according to estimates from Similarweb. While Mosseri didn't confirm those numbers, he said it's normal to see a "novelty spike'" when a buzzy social experience launches. "I think things weren't as amazing as people were saying when we were at the peak, and it's certainly not as bad as people are saying now that we're stabilizing." Threads' unexpected popularity prompted Mosseri to cut short another Italian vacation last week to handle a deluge of requests and concerns from other Meta teams, such as communications and policy. He said he wants to keep the core Threads team insulated so they can focus on adding the features users expect from a full-service social app. Asked what he sees as the key to Threads' long-term success, Mosseri didn't offer the sort of big-picture vision he has become known for at Meta. Instead, he pointed to four short-term priorities: helping users build their lists of people to follow, improving the algorithms that decide what users see, giving users a way to see posts only from people they follow, and figuring out how to let people message each other. "Lots of basics like that really need to get fixed - and fixed quickly," he said. Five days after Mosseri spoke with The Post, Threads rolled out numerous new features, including a feed that shows users posts only from the people they follow. Meanwhile, the internal excitement about Threads has validated advice Mosseri said he received from Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom soon after Mosseri replaced him in 2018: Often, the best way to boost morale - even in a company battered by missteps and layoffs - is simply to deliver functional products. "You're focusing a lot on talking to everyone," Mosseri recalled Systrom telling him. "Just make sure you ship things that work and then everything will be easier, I promise." - - - The Washington Post's Gerrit De Vynck contributed to this report. Related Content No 'Oppenheimer' fanfare for those caught in first atomic bomb's fallout Doctors who put lives at risk with covid misinformation rarely punished Video shows 5 officers tackling mentally ill man. Experts question why. The launch may be visible from parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, carrying the Cygnus cargo spacecraft, launches from Pad-0A at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on August 10, 2021 in Wallops Island, Virginia. Space enthusiasts up and down the East Coast may be able to see NASAs next rocket launch with their own eyes. The agency plans to launch an Antares rocket to the International Space Station on Tuesday evening from Wallops Island in Virginia, and it will be potentially visible from a dozen different states, according to NASA. The rocket, which is a cargo resupply, is expected to launch at 8:31 p.m. ET. The launch may be visible from parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The evening launch may be visible, weather permitting, to residents throughout the mid-Atlantic region and possibly the East Coast of the United States, NASA wrote in a statement. The closer viewers are to the launch site, the faster they will see it. Anyone watching from Wallops Island, for example, will see the rocket for up to 30 seconds after it launches, while those watching from the southern part of Delaware may see it 30 to 60 seconds after it launches, and those watching from southern New Jersey may see it from 60 to 90 seconds after the launch. Fans who want to get a close-up view can head to the launch viewing area at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center, which will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Other prime spots to watch the launch are from nearby Chincoteague Island in Virginia, beachside viewing along Marylands Assateague Island National Seashore, from Ocean City, MD, along the Delaware seashore, and from as far south as Virginia Beach, VA. Those who prefer to follow the launch from home can tune in for live coverage and countdown commentary on NASA TV, NASAs website, on YouTube, Twitter (or X), or on NASAs App. Live coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET. Story continues People can also join the launch as a virtual guest by registering in advance online. They will then receive mission-specific information sent to their inboxes. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. After announcing plans nearly two years ago, defense alliance NATO has officially closed its first fund to back startups that are building technology strategic to NATO's own goals in defense and security. Member nations are collectively committing capital totaling 1 billion (around $1 billion at current rates) to the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), which plans to make both direct investments in startups, as well as indirect investments in other funds that in turn back startups focused on emerging and disruptive technologies that are "responsible and led by fundamental principles: safety, freedom, and human empowerment." Areas of focus will include AI and autonomy, biotechnology, quantum computing, space technology and hypersonic systems, energy, new manufacturing and materials, and next-generation communications. Modeled somewhat on In-Q-Tel in the U.S., the idea will be to keep the investments strategic, with some investments leading to services that its member states, or NATO, might use. The NIF will look mainly at early-stage investments -- that is from pre-seed through Series B -- and it might also make follow-on investments. Initial checks will be up to 15 million. The first investments will be announced in September, the organization said; none have been made so far. The aim is to operate NIF like a "classic VC." That is, there will be future funds, and it's been designed to exist in perpetuity, a spokesperson said. Many countries have notably set up sovereign funds that back technology startups and investors, both in their own countries and in other geographies and categories viewed as strategic; NATO says that its Innovation Fund will be the "first multi-sovereign venture capital fund," covering contributions from NATO members. The 23 countries involved in the first NATO Innovation Fund sub-fund 1 are Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Sweden will also be joining the group following its full accession to NATO, and that will add an additional 40 million into the pot, a spokesperson confirmed. Story continues NATO has long been a player in procurement, but this shifts its focus to working with businesses that might also have an indirect impact on the security postures of its member countries. That could include cybersecurity, but also deep tech, as well as technologies that can help countries develop better energy or other resource independence. Priorities like these have become especially stark in recent years. Russia's invasion and subsequent war in Ukraine has highlighted just how interconnected countries are economically in Europe, and how interrupting production and supply chains in one can have huge, detrimental impacts in others. Similarly, over-dependence on single technology companies for certain services is also especially risky, and so spreading bets and diversifying the markets and putting money into that effort also helps build NATO's security posture. At the same time, the adoption of newer technologies and innovations has clearly shaped up as a critical component of how nations -- or a consortium of nations -- defend themselves in the 21st century (and of course nations and states use innovation also for offense, not just defense). Given the role that startups and newer businesses are playing in that innovation economy, NATO taking bigger steps to capitalize on that is equally critical right now. The fund is being set up with a founding team that will take on an executive role, leading on sourcing and making investments. That will be complemented by a board of directors that will have more of a non-executive role, providing advice and helping to steer those decisions. The founding team will include managing partner Andrea Traversone supported by Kelly Chen, Thorsten Claus, Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky and Chris OConnor. The board will be led by Dr. Klaus Hommels (who founded Lakestar), Dame Fiona Murray and Dr. Roberto Cingolani. Given the layers of drawn-out bureaucracy -- or, in a more charitable light, checks and balances -- that NATO has had in place since its inception after World War II, it will be interesting to see how the Innovation Fund operates -- and specifically, whether it figures out how to move in a more nimble way to be more responsive to the startup ecosystem. In venture capital, the senior management team are the brains behind investment decisions," David van Weel, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, said in a statement provided over email. "I am confident that the NATO Innovation Funds Founding Team has the experience, drive and capability necessary to deliver the NIFs mission. Other questions that have yet to be addressed publicly are whether NATO will have any red lines in terms of what kinds of companies it would not back, and whether it will have restrictions on who it would co-invest with, and if so what those might be. Nor is it clear whether NATO will be transparent on every investment that it makes, or whether there will be some that remain undisclosed. Answers to questions we put forward on these subjects might be addressed in the update in September. The innovation fund is one part of a one-two punch that NATO is making to broker more engagement with startups and innovation-focused businesses in its footprint. It's also building out the DIANA accelerator to back and work more closely with startups that are building "dual-tech" solutions -- those that might have a very direct and obvious application in NATO's core activities, but also longer term applications that might not. Kevin said something really funny, Nina Westbrook a marriage and family therapist said of comedian-actor Kevin Hart. Hes like, Listen, your podcast is going to be great, because Im here and Im on it. The mother of three and wife of the Los Angeles Clippers Russell Westbrook tapped Hart to kick off the first episode of her podcast, The Relationship Chronicles With Nina Westbrook. Available on Spotify and Apple, the programs other guests include her husband, actress Gabrielle Union, chef Sophia Roe, clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula and author-intimacy expert Shan Boodram. More from WWD I was always very hesitant about launching or doing a podcast, said Westbrook. I feel like a lot of the common feedback you get is that its very oversaturated, and Is that really something that you want to be spending so much time on? A couple of years went by and I was like, I feel Im in a really good place right now where I have a very unique perspective and a very different voice to share. I feel almost kind of a responsibility to be able to share and spread positive realness, relatability when it comes to the true ins and outs of our human experiences. I felt like it was just a good time to share and try to use the podcast as a way to connect all of us through experiences and storytelling. Russell and Nina Westbrook Westbrook attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied English and psychology before pursuing a Master of Arts in clinical psychology with a specialization in marriage and family therapy. She went on to launch Bene by Nina, an online mental health and wellness community, and create Do Tell!, a conversation card game designed to inspire growth and connection. Shes also behind childrens apparel company Mini Brook. When people hear relationships they automatically skip to romantic relationships, but as a marriage and family therapist, the scope of my work typically is to figure out how one is operating and how they are fitting into the relationships in their lives, she said. We could be talking about our relationship with food. We could be talking about our relationship with money, our relationship with ourselves. And then of course, the more obvious, romantic partners, friendships and family members. But were basically connected to everything around us, and we do share relationships with all of the things around us. Story continues Surprisingly, Westbrook considers herself an introvert but the podcast has been the perfect outlet. Im not very extroverted, she went on. So, having conversations for me is a little bit more tricky than it may come off. I like to be in my house. Im a little bit of a hermit. So a podcast for me has been almost transformative, because it has really given me a space to be comfortable. Growing up in Southern California, Westbrook was in an environment where she wanted to be of service, she explained of her career choice. I always wanted to be helpful, she said. I also grew up with this mindset of fairness and justice as being at the forefront of everything that I do so that naturally made me a pretty non-biased listener. She continued, I can see any side or both sides of anything as long as were not talking about myself and my personal relationships, she laughed. Im pretty good about being a neutral person. And so naturally, everyone in my life would always come to me with all of their drama, and with all of their questions or hardships, or whatever triumphs. Whatever it is that they had going on in their lives, for whatever reason, they felt safe coming to me with that information. And that felt good. On the episode Becoming a Grown Ass Man With Kevin Hart, the actor and founder of Help from the Hart Charity shares thoughts on how he finds family outside of the traditional model (The older you get, you start to realizewho makes me better, and who am I helping become better? Where is my energy best used?); opportunity (When Im in those rooms around powerful peopleif I just start talking and dont allow these people to give me the gems and information they have, what am I taking from them, what am I taking and applying?); and fatherhood (There is an assumption that dad is the last to know. I have to pry information out of everybody.But you have to look at it from both sides, teenagers move fast) Look at the energy Westbrook says, as Hart admits he is getting hot talking about being out of the family-plans loop. Would anyone be nervous or scared to come to you? she asks. Thats why it makes me so upset, Hart says. Because they have no reason not to. Youve created the safe environment.You are asking for it, says Westbrook. She hopes that listeners of her podcast gain insight, that they take away that they are not alone in their experiences, theyre not alone in their challenges in their relationships. She added, My thought is that the quickest way to build connections with other people is through vulnerability. And that means that we have to share experiences. We have to share stories with each other because you never know how many people youre going to impact. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. If California had a theme song, it could very well be the OJays For the Love of Money. From 2019 through 2021, the number of Golden State residents bringing in more than $50 million jumped a whopping 158 percent, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. At the end of 2021, there were 3,182 of those ultra-wealthy California taxpayers, up from just 1,231 at the beginning of 2019. And in total, the state added a record-breaking 116,000 millionaires during those two yearsmore than were added in the previous decade combined. More from Robb Report Weve never seen an absolute growth in the number of millionaires like this data, Cristobal Young, a professor at Cornell University whos studied wealth migration, told Bloomberg. Ultimately, California is a great place to make money. In addition to that boost, California saw over 288,000 residents report more than $1 million in income in 2021. Compare that with New Yorks paltrier 80,000 millionaires that year. And Californians are still seeing their wealth increase: So far this year, when looking at Bloomberg Billionaires Index data, the states 113 billionaires on the list added an eye-popping $270 billion from January through July. (The index includes more billionaires in California than in any country other than China.) That growth occurred even though some high-profile billionaires have moved out of the state recently, such as Elon Musk and Larry Ellison. Others, however, cant quit all that California has to offer, including high-earning industries like Hollywood and Silicon Valley, elite colleges like Stanford and UCLA, andof coursethe beaches and year-round sunshine. For many, those benefits far outweigh any downsides, like the states high income tax rate. Story continues Theres no question Im paying a ridiculous amount of tax for many, many years now, but hey, thats my problem, if I dont like it I can quit, Dominic Ng, the millionaire CEO of East West Bancorp, told Bloomberg. The proliferation of ultra-rich residents has led to an influx of businesses catering to this elite set. For example, the members club Core is opening in San Francisco next year. With initiation fees of $15,000 to $100,000 and annual dues in the thousands, the space will offer a private bar, a restaurant, a gym, and more in the center of the NorCal city, despite recent headlines that hotels and residents were leaving the Bay Area. If people were telling us Im planning my exit, we wouldnt come here, said Francesca Giessmann, Cores membership coordinator. It sounds like a good deal of Californias ultra-wealthy, then, are leaving their heartsand their moneyin San Francisco. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Local Teamsters branches took another step toward making its new tentative contract agreement with UPS official. On Monday, Teamsters locals voted an overwhelming 161-1 to endorse the tentative agreement reached with the Americas biggest package carrier on July 25 and recommend its passage by the full membership. More from Sourcing Journal With the locals giving a nearly unanimous endorsement, all UPS Teamsters members will have the chance to vote on ratification from Aug. 3-22. The tentative agreement, which the union says includes $30 billion in new money over the five-year deal, will give both existing full- and part-time UPS Teamsters an hourly wage bump of $2.75 in 2023, and $7.50 over the length of the contract. Part-time workers got a boost in starting pay at $21 per hour, with part-timers seeing an average 48 percent increase in wage by 2028. The deal also includes the creation of 7,500 new full-time union jobs and 22,500 more open positions, and eliminates forced overtime for delivery drivers. The entire UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee stands behind this historic contract and our UPS local unions have resoundingly voted to endorse it, said Sean OBrien, general president of the Teamsters, in a statement. Our tentative agreement is richer, stronger and more far-reaching than any settlement ever negotiated in the history of American organized labor. The Teamsters are immensely proud of reaching agreement with UPS to improve the lives of our members, their families and working people across the country. Of the 176 local unions with UPS members, 14 affiliates failed to show up to the Washington, D.C. meeting to review the tentative agreement. TForce Freight ratifies five-year deal The Teamsters have been fighting labor battles on numerous fronts for their representatives at major logistics players, including TForce Freight, Amazon, DHL and Yellow among others. Story continues On Monday, TForce Freight union employees ratified a new national contract with 81 percent voting in support of the deal. The five-year master agreement, which was tentatively reached on July 14, provides roughly 7,800 members with improvements to wages and benefits, and is designed to implement safeguards against subcontracting. Drivers would be protected against subcontracting, with the union winning back 140 jobs that had been cut, as well as nearly 300 new driver jobs. While the maximum subcontracted miles driven by truckers is expected to be 45.8 percent by Jan. 31, 2024, that number will dwindle to 39.5 percent by July 31, 2028, at the end of the contract. Like the UPS deal, the TForce Freight contract saw the elimination of a two-tier wage scale, the addition of Martin Luther King day as a holiday and the mandate to install air conditioning in newly purchased vehicles. The Teamsters say the wage increases are the highest in the history of the national contract, with full-time local cartage and clerks seeing increases of $4.50 per hour over the life of the agreement. Road drivers will receive increases to their current mileage rate over the length of the deal, starting at $0.7557 per mile this month and increasing to $0.8257 per mile by January 2028. The contract further separates work between TForces truck drivers and dockworkers. Road drivers will only perform road work and cannot work the docks, except at the LTL companys mini-hubs. TForce must have the Teamsters approval for any other expansion of mini-hub operations. Additionally, the new deal prevents the company from using the outward-looking cameras in its vehicle fleet for disciplinary reasons. It also seeks to put employees at ease over automation concerns, prohibiting the use of robots, driverless vehicles, drones or other technology to move freight or replace drivers, clerks or dockworkers. Our members at TForce have spoken loud and clear, and they overwhelmingly agree this new contract will deliver massive economic gains and non-economic improvements, said John A. Murphy, Teamsters national freight director and co-chair of the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC). Former Amazon contractors represented by the Teamsters have extended their picketing to a 10th warehouse, this time in Newark, Calif., the union said. Eighty-four workers employed by Battle-Tested Strategies, a former Amazon delivery partner that the e-commerce giant cut ties with because of alleged poor performance, continue to hold the demonstrations and demand that it protects employees from extreme temperatures. The union also played a role in the recent collapse of Yellow, initially threatening a strike of 22,000 workers due to missed pension payments, and likely spooking retailers into diverting freight elsewhere. After Yellow committed to making the payment at a later date, the Teamsters called off the threatened strike. Yellow blames the union for preventing it from making the restructuring moves necessary to modernize its business. Click here to read the full article. aerial view of lake powell with low water level with desert surrounding and mountains behind Within the next 50 years, many of the freshwater basins in the United States could struggle to meet the population's water demands . Climate change is causing severe droughts and greater aridity extreme dryness that can affect humans and the natural systems they depend on, especially in western states. Greater aridity leads to more climate extremes, drier soil and greater stress on agricultural production and ecosystems. And water supplies could decline by a third by 2071, even as the population mushrooms to 404 million by 2050 , compared with 334 million today. So will America run out of water? The simple answer is no but freshwater will not always be available where and when humans need it. Water continuously circulates between Earth's surface and the atmosphere. Climate change intensifies this cycle : As air temperatures increase, more water evaporates into the air, causing more precipitation. "The issue is not about running out of water, it's about having water in the right place," Lis Mullin Bernhardt , an ecosystem expert at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), told Live Science. intake tower at hoover dam with water levels far below normal Water shortages are most severe in the American Southwest, especially near the Colorado River Basin, which provides the only large sustainable water supply to more than 40 million people across seven U.S. states . Related: Over half of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs are losing water "That part of the country is the food basket of not only the U.S. but many parts of the world," Bernhardt said. Climate change is already making the region more arid, but the situation has been exacerbated by chronic overuse of water resources for agricultural purposes, which puts "tremendous strain" on lakes, rivers and reservoirs. The Colorado River, for example, is facing an existential crisis due to decades of unsustainable withdrawals. The flow of the river has declined by about 20% in the last century. And since 2020, this region has been gripped by a "megadrought" that is believed to be the most severe the West has seen in 1,200 years . Story continues More than half of all water for irrigation comes from surface water, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey , with the remaining water obtained from groundwater sources. Surface water-fed irrigation is most common in the West, where many water-intensive crops, such as alfalfa , are grown. water sprinklers over a large lettuce filed in California In California, severe water shortages are a consequence of rising temperatures, groundwater depletion and the diminishing Colorado River. These shortages impact food production, the environment and the economy while exacerbating droughts and wildfires. A historic new deal was reached in April to protect the Colorado River Basin from dropping to critical levels over the next few years. Federal officials agreed to conserve at least 3 million acre-feet (370,000 hectare meters) of water from the river by paying people in California, Arizona and Nevada to use less water, officials wrote in a statement . An acre-foot fills 1 acre (0.4 hectare) of land with 1 foot (0.3 m) of water, or approximately 326,000 gallons (1.5 million liters). In the eastern states, the challenge is managing too much water. Although population density is much higher there than in the West, there is less farmland and so less need for irrigation. And eastern states get more rain and snow than western states and they have high humidity. On average, the eastern half of the country has experienced more rain over the last 30 years than it did during the whole of the 20th century, according to the New York Times. So the East is dealing with record-breaking rains that have caused devastating flash floods . In July, deadly flash floods hit several states in the Northeast, with New York governor Kathy Hochul calling downpours in the Hudson Valley "a 1,000-year event." a town in new york state damaged after flash floods with police tape cutting off a damaged area But of course, flash floods can affect many areas in the West too. "In California, we are at risk of having very significant flooding that could be catastrophic," Sandi Matsumoto , director of the Nature Conservancy California Water Program at the Public Policy Institute of California, told Live Science. "We have had floods that have filled the great Central Valley which is hundreds of miles long a massive area and then obviously we have droughts too." California's Central Valley, a drought-hit basin that is typically filled with pistachio and almond groves, was hit by historic rains in April, which drowned thousands of acres of farmland and brought the previously drained Tulare Lake back from the dead. This was due to an atmospheric river a narrow band of water vapor that carries moisture from the tropics to higher latitudes. RELATED STORIES Submerged human corpses rise from drought-stricken Lake Mead Yellowstone's geysers at risk of extinction from climate change, tree skeletons reveal Catastrophic climate 'doom loops' could start in just 15 years, new study warns "I think it's important to recognize that we have both problems," Matsumoto said. "Too much water at the wrong times and too little at other periods." Bernhardt believes that by changing how water is managed, U.S. supplies can be saved. "This involves changing the way we farm, the kinds of foods we're farming and how much water we use," she said. "We need to get much better at managing the extremes. When water floods or we get a lot of rain at once, we have to be able to store that water to use it in times when weve got less." The Canyons Village at Park City Mountain Resort is looking to enhance its lift capacity with an important upgrade. According to TownLift's report, on June 19th, the Canyons Village Management Association, Inc. (CMVA) made a decision to enter a joint funding agreement for the construction of a modern ten-person gondola. This gondola is projected to have a length of 6,512 feet and a vertical rise of 1,103 feet. If all the necessary permits are obtained, the new gondola will replace the current Sunrise chairlift, situated near the Pendry Hotel. The existing chairlift only spans a short distance, servicing a few trails, making it unappealing to most guests. The proposed gondola, starting from a similar location, will end near the top terminal of the Red Pine gondola. The estimated cost of the new gondola is approximately $27 million. To cover the expenses, CMVA is planning to contribute more than $9 million, while Vail Resorts will handle the remaining costs. As for the project timeline, details are yet to be disclosed. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging snow-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional rider or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SNOWBOARDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality snowboarding videos. Don't miss another headline from SNOWBOARDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of snowboarding. GAZA/RAMALLAH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian factions on Tuesday said the shooting attack that wounded six Israelis near Jerusalem is a "natural response" to the continued Israeli violations against the Palestinians. Earlier on Tuesday, a Palestinian gunman was killed after he opened fire at a group of Israelis in the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem. At least five Israelis were injured, according to Israeli medics. Local media reported that another man was also lightly hurt, citing hospital sources. The Israeli police said in a statement that an off-duty border guard officer returned fire and killed the Palestinian gunman in the settlement. Abdulatif Al-Qanou'a, spokesman of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza, said Hamas "blesses the shooting attack carried out on Tuesday afternoon near the Israeli settlement of Ma'ale Adumim near Jerusalem." "The operation was carried out in defense of Al-Aqsa Mosque and in response to the settlers' incursions and the performance of Talmudic rituals in its courtyards," he added. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a statement that the attack in Ma'ale Adumim "comes in response to the crimes of the occupation, and a blow to all Zionist security measures and barriers." The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement said in a statement that the group "commends the heroic commando operation" that was carried out by "a heroic Palestinian resistance fighter." Since January, 24 people, most of them Israelis, have been killed in a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians, and about 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers, according to official figures. The Alabama Department of Health said it is testing people in four counties after seven confirmed and suspected cases of tuberculosis were found there. File Photo by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention July 31 (UPI) -- Alabama health officials are testing for tuberculosis in four counties after seven confirmed and suspected cases have been identified among people working in poultry plants in those areas. The Alabama Department of Public Health is targeting Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence and Lauderdale counties for the disease, also commonly known as TB. On Monday, the department urged poultry workers in the region to be tested. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lungs. The TB bacteria, though, can attack any part of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain, and it can be fatal. "TB is a type of bacteria that is usually spread from one infected person's lungs to another's through activities such a talking or coughing," the Alabama Department of Health said in a statement. "TB is not transmitted in food. People who are infected with TB can be very sick or may have no symptoms. TB is treated using antibiotics and is almost always cured. People infected with TB can also be offered a preventive treatment." The department said anyone at any age can be infected and show no symptoms at times. It can be transmitted through activities such as talking or coughing. A Sacramento Superior Court judge sentenced a 46-year-old man to 149 years to life in prison for an October 2020 crime spree in which he used a handgun to rob a store and assault victims in two attempted robberies. Judge Shelleyanne Chang sentenced Russell A. James on Friday. A jury on Aug. 30 found James guilty of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of assault with a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest, the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. James conviction also included enhancements for using a semi-automatic firearm in the spree. Prosecutors said James previously had strike convictions for robbery in 1999 and 2014. On Oct. 3, 2020, James entered a Quick Shop Market, pointed a semi-automatic handgun with a red laser sight at the store clerk and demanded money, according to the District Attorneys Office. The clerk handed over cash to the suspect. Eight days later, a man was sitting in his parked vehicle outside of a Smart and Final store waiting for his wife. Prosecutors said James approached the vehicle and pointed the same semi-automatic handgun at the man while demanding money from him. The victim said he had no money or belongings to give. Then, James hit the man in his face before leaving, according to the District Attorneys Office. The second violent attempted robbery occurred Oct. 15, 2020, when another person was sitting in a parked car waiting for a friend. Prosecutors said James approached the car, flung the door open and began assaulting the female occupant while ordering her give him money and belongings. James again pointed a semi-automatic handgun with a laser at the victims head, before he hit her in her face with the butt of the gun and left, according to the District Attorneys Office. In each crime, James wore a hat and a neck gaiter, or mask, to conceal his identity, prosecutors said. The Sacramento Police Department received an anonymous tip indicating the robbery suspect was possibly James, who was a parolee, prosecutors said. Investigators conducted surveillance on James and officers tried to pull over a vehicle James was in. James, who was a passenger, got out of the vehicle and ran into a Walmart where he was soon apprehended. Prosecutors said investigators discovered that James hid a Taurus .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun inside a store shelf at the Walmart, and further inspection revealed the unregistered handgun was the same firearm used in all three crimes. On Monday afternoon, James remained in custody at the Sacramento County Jail where he awaits transfer to a prison. Deputy District Attorney Ryan Roebuck prosecuted the case. Ohio has nearly 1,000 battle flags and about half of them, including most of the pre-World War II flags, are curated and maintained by the Ohio History Connection, a statewide organization tasked by Ohio law with preserving and maintaining Ohio history. On a Civil War battlefield, the sight of a blue Union battle flag with an eagle seal flying in the wind meant you were surrounded by 1,000 of your closest friends. And in the midst of a battle with muskets cracking all around and thousands of men moving at once a regimental flag was essential for knowing where to go and when to retreat. The flags inspired pride and represented the unit, something men were prepared to die for. Men died protecting those flags, Sgt. Joshua Mann, historian for the Ohio National Guard, said. I dont think there's an object that identifies with a unit more than their flags ... When you think about the history of a unit, that's what draws you to telling the story. Today, in the era of mechanized warfare, the battle flag has taken on more of a ceremonial significance rather than a tactical one. For the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio History Connection, the retired battle flags are in a new battle: preserving their history into the future. The Ohio Adjutant General's Department, which is responsible for the command of the Ohio National Guard, owns nearly 950 battle flags going from the Mexican-American war to today. Over half of the flags, including most of the pre-World War II flags, are curated and maintained by the Ohio History Connection, a statewide organization tasked by Ohio law with preserving and maintaining Ohio history. Raising the standard of history Around a dozen preserved Civil War battle flags are on public display in the "Follow the Flag" exhibit at The Ohio History Center, with most being stored off site. Made of a delicate silk, the flags were produced in New York City, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, Ben Baughman, Ohio History Connection curator said. Many flags used by Ohio regiments were made in Cincinnati. Ben Baughman, a curator for the Ohio History Connection, sits in an exhibit of Ohio battle flags from the Civil War era. Battle flags were used by military regiments for unit cohesion and as a symbol of regimental pride. In battle, they would be carried by a soldier alongside the United States flag. Once assigned to a unit, a battle flag gained character as regiments emblazoned their service record onto their flags, sometimes stitching on the names of battles it had been at and sometimes painting them. Story continues One flag on display is the Fifth United States Colored Troops', which was formed in January 1864 as the 127th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Delaware, in Delaware, Ohio, one of the few in the country for training Black soldiers. The regiment saw service throughout the end of the war, including occupying trenches while the Union besieged the Virginia cities of Petersburg and Richmond (the Confederate capital), according to the National Parks Service. In December of 1864, they joined a campaign into North Carolina. "Imagine a group of African American soldiers, they're fighting in Wilmington, North Carolina, they're in the South that's really sobering," Baughman said. With the end of the war at hand, the men of the regiment witnessed the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and his army at Bennett Place, North Carolina, in April 1865, which was the largest surrender of the entire war. The regiment lost 249 men to wounds and disease during their 16-month service. Another flag on display at the exhibit is the 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI), known as the "governor's guard," a unit exclusively stationed through the war at Camp Chase in what today is Columbus' Hilltop neighborhood. The regimental flag of the 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, known as the "governor's guard," a unit exclusively stationed through the U.S. Civil War at Camp Chase in what is today Columbus' Hilltop neighborhood. The preserved 88th OVI regimental flag is one of nearly a dozen on display at the Ohio History Connection "Follow the Flag" exhibit. Camp Chase was one of the largest Union Army prisoner-of-war camp, housing thousands of captured Confederate troops during the Civil War. More than 2,000 soldiers are buried at the cemetery, most Confederate soldiers there died of poor conditions and disease while in prison. Eighty soldiers of the regiment also died of disease during the war. The 88th OVI's battle flag, like many others in the war, features a "swallowtail" guidon design, which some experts say was a key source of inspiration for the unique Ohio state flag, which debuted in 1901. Saving the flags Baughman said the Ohio History Connection has been working since the late 1960s to preserve the antique battle flags, many of which were on display in the Ohio Statehouse rotunda until 1970. Use in battle, and exposure to the elements over the years, have left some of the battle flags in tatters, and others in various states of disrepair. "Once it's gone, it's gone," Baughman said. Initial preservation efforts began with a commission authorized by the State Adjutant General, in consultation with the National Park Service, to glue the flags to nylon with a water-soluble glue. Now the Ohio History Connection sends flags to West-Virginia-based Textile Preservation Associates, which removes the nylon and glue and places the flag in a nearly invisible mesh before framing them. Ohio History Connection Curator Ben Baughman shows flags from the Civil War era that display moments of Ohio History from that time period. Only 28 of the over 500 flags in the Ohio History Connection collection have been fully preserved. Depending on the size and condition of the flag, the full conservation costs can run from $6,000 to $30,000. "It's not cheap," Baughman said. "Of course, we'd like to do all the flags, but it's cost prohibitive." Individuals or groups can contribute to the flag conservation fund in two ways: by donating any amount to go to the general flag conservation fund or they may adopt a specific flag. A minimum donation of $1,000 is required to adopt a flag. Unit flags are still a respected and revered tradition in the United States armed forces, Mann said. Still often made of silk to this day, the Adjutant General's Department wants to preserve current unit's battle standards from damage, theft and destruction so that future generations have connections to those who serve today. A Soldier from the 612th Engineer Battalion holds the battalion colors during a transfer of authority ceremony with units of the 1st Cavalry Division on Feb. 5, 2005, in Iraq. We have canteens, and helmets and boots in our collection that help tell a story, when you think about the flags it tells a better story, Mann said. From time to time, flags end up in the possession of families even though they are exclusively the property of the armed forces. If a family has a flag, Mann said, he wanted them to know that their "home is with the Army." My goal today is to collect those objects, preserve them, so that when someone is looking back at a flag in the war on terrorism (they) have that same connection that families have with a flag that was at Gettysburg, or Antietam or Chickamauga, Mann said. @Colebehr_report Cbehrens@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How Ohio preserves nearly 1,000 battle flags from Civil War and beyond A Palestinian woman cleans a street in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2023. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in southern Lebanon's Ain Al-Helweh refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. Some sniper bullets and shells crossed the outskirts of the camp into the nearby neighborhoods in Sidon city, and a "B7" shell exploded near a point where several photographers and media staff were stationed. No injuries were recorded. Many Lebanese soldiers were deployed in the area. Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi stressed that "the army is carrying out all its duties in this region, as in others, despite all the difficult circumstances." The armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in the refugee camp broke out Saturday night, which had resulted in 11 deaths and over 40 injuries as of Monday. Clashes between rival Palestinian groups often occur in the Ain Al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Photo taken on Aug. 1, 2023 shows damage in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Smoke billows from burning houses in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2023. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) A Palestinian man inspects the damage to his property in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2023. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Palestinians inspect the damage to their properties in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2023. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Photo taken on Aug. 1, 2023 shows damage in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) A Palestinian man inspects the damage to his car in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2023. Clashes erupted again on Tuesday in the refugee camp, hosting largely Palestinians, despite a cease-fire reached between rival factions late Monday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Horses train at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Racing during the spring meet has been moved to Ellis Park but training continues at the track. New filings with the Internal Revenue Service show that individuals and businesses in Kentucky have contributed more than $1 million this year to the Republican and Democratic groups blanketing the airwaves with TV ads in the state's 2023 race for governor. The Republican Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association are 527 groups that can accept unlimited donations from both individuals and corporations, then use that money to assist their affiliated PACs working to elect their gubernatorial candidates in those states. There are just three governor races in the country this year (along with Mississippi and Louisiana), though Kentucky's race pitting incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear against Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron is the only one expected to be very competitive. The RGA is funding and leading the PACs State Solutions and Kentucky Values, which have purchased at least $3.2 million of TV air time for their ads, while the DGA is funding and leading Defending Bluegrass Values PAC, which has aired more than $2 million of its TV ads. Most of these ads attack the record of the candidate in the other party. The RGA spent $9 million in Kentucky's 2019 gubernatorial race, while the DGA spent $5.3 million well more than the candidates' campaigns spent, and a total many expect to be topped in this race by the two groups. Several prominent Kentucky companies such as Churchill Downs, Sazerac and ResCare have sent substantial contributions to both of the governors associations, while both groups also received money from donors whose past contributions have raised ethical questions for both candidates. Here's a look at the contributors of both the RGA and DGA: Churchill Downs, Concord Fund, Pace-O-Matic among big RGA donors The Republican Governors Association received more than $280,000 in the first half of 2023 from individuals and companies with direct ties to Kentucky, along with nearly double that amount from two outside groups that boosted Cameron in his Republican primary win. Story continues Louisville-based horse racing giant Churchill Downs contributed $100,000 to the RGA in April, though the company also gave $25,000 to the Democratic Governors Association that month. ResCare, the Louisville-basedcommunity living services provider now known as BrightSpring Health Services, contributed $75,000 to the RGA this year, following up on the $101,350 the company gave the group in October of last year. However, ResCare also shared the wealth with the DGA this year, giving the Democratic group $125,000 in June. Louisville-based spirits maker Sazerac also gave $25,000 to both the RGA and DGA. The Concord Fund a "dark money" nonprofit that can shield the identity of its donors contributed $500,000 to the RGA. The group previously gave $2.25 million to Bluegrass Freedom Action, a PAC supporting Cameron with TV ads in the primary election, and gave another $750,000 to the same PAC after his May primary win. The RGA also received $50,000 from Pace-O-Matic after Cameron secured the GOP nomination, adding to the $50,000 it gave the RGA in December. The maker of so-called "gray machines" the slots-like games the Kentucky legislature banned in March was a heavy contributor to Cameron and Bluegrass Freedom Action in the primary, prompting the attorney general to recuse himself from the company's lawsuit against the state over that ban. Other big Kentucky donors of the RGA included Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline ($35,000), based in Owensboro, and Tompkinsville company Clearly Construction ($35,000). McCarthy Strategic Solutions, one of the largest lobbying firms in Frankfort, contributed $10,000 to the RGA, as well as the same amount to the DGA. The RGA raised $31.1 million in total in the first half of the year, while it reported spending nearly $10 million, much of that on ad placements. Humana, horse industry, Weddle give big to DGA The Democratic Governors Association brought in a larger portion of its $24.5 million in funding this year from people and companies based in Kentucky, totaling contributions of more than $1 million. One of the largest Kentucky-based contributors to the DGA this year was health care giant Humana, which has given $100,000 this year, after giving another $100,000 just before the end of 2022. Several companies from the horse racing industry also cut six-figure checks to the DGA, with the Lexington Trots Breeders Association and Revolutionary Racing Kentucky both contributing $100,000. One of the larger contributions was the $50,000 from the London Valu-Rite Pharmacy based in Louisa. It's the same company that also gave the DGA $85,000 late last year. Other notable DGA contributors were London Mayor Randall Weddle and his wife Victoria, who combined to give $75,000 on May 10. Those contributions came after the Beshear campaign and the Kentucky Democratic Party refunded more than $200,000 of donations to individuals they discovered had come from the credit card of Mayor Weddle. Cameron's office subsequently sent a letter to the FBI asking it to investigate the Weddle contributions. Other notable DGA donors tied to Kentucky include: John Moore, CEO of Atria Management Co. - $25,000 Douglas Wilburn, CEO of D. W. Wilburn - $25,000 Janet Edmison, retired- $25,000 W. Principles LLC - $25,000 Columbia Gas of Kentucky - $25,000 Bizzack (construction) - $18,500 ATS Construction (road contractor) - $16,000 HealthTech Solutions - $15,000 The Allen Co. - $15,000 Douglas Asher, owner of Asher Law Office - $15,000 John McConnell, president of McConnell Insurance Agency - $15,000 Todd Case, owner of Todd Case Trucking - $15,000 Pilgrim Energy Inc. - $15,000 Lexington Quarry Co. - $15,000 Jim Gray, Transportation Cabinet secretary - $15,000 Jack Dulworth, partner of Dulworth Group - $15,000 MBM Management - $15,000 The DGA reported spending $16.3 million in the first half of this year, with more than $3 million of that going directly to Defending Bluegrass Values. Large companies cover their bets Along with Sazerac, ResCare and Churchill Downs, several other companies gave heavily to both the DGA and RGA this year, especially health care companies who hold or have vied for Kentucky's Medicaid managed care contracts. California-based Molina Healthcare contributed $1 million to the RGA, while also giving $275,000 to the DGA. United Healthcare also gave $500,000 to both groups. Elevance Health Inc., formerly known as Anthem, recently lost its MCO contract with Kentucky after a long legal battle, but gave $500,000 to both groups this year. Sports Betting Alliance, a national advocacy group, also gave both the RGA and DGA $100,000 this year. More: FACT CHECK: GOP ads mislead by suggesting Beshear supports sex change surgeries for kids Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky governor's race 2023: Here's who is funding PAC attack ads A jury has found Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell guilty on all counts of killing her two children and conspiring in the murder of her husbands first wife. Vallow Daybell, who pleaded not guilty, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of conspiracy in the 2019 deaths of her children 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, as well as Tammy Daybell, the first wife of her husband Chad Daybell. She is facing life in prison when sentenced. A jury of seven men and five women began deliberating Thursday afternoon and reached a unanimous guilty verdict Friday afternoon. Vallow Daybell showed no visible reaction as the verdict was read. Lori Vallow Daybell whispers to defense attorney John Thomas during her trial. - Lisa Cheney/Pool She will be transferred from Ada County to Fremont County for further proceedings and sentencing. Judge Steven Boyce said sentencing will occur in about three months. As the jurors were excused, a cross-armed Vallow Daybell stood, briefly spoke to her attorney and quickly walked out of the courtroom as a bailiff escorted her. Among Vallow Daybells charges were grand theft on suspicion of changing bank accounts to collect Social Security benefits on behalf of her children after their deaths, according to a May 2021 indictment. Prosecutors said Thursday she didnt report her children missing to keep collecting the money, East Idaho News reported. Larry Woodcock, JJs biological grandfather, expressed gratitude for the jurors service outside the courtroom after the verdict was read, CNN affiliate KBOI-TV reported. Thank yall, thank yall, thank yall, he said with arms spread. What they went through, what they saw, is mind-boggling. Woodcock and his wife, Kay, offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the childrens return in January 2020. I hope that nobody ever has to go through this, he said Friday. I hope nobody ever has to see and hear the details of what happened to JJ, to Tylee and to Tammy. Chad Daybell, who also pleaded not guilty to his charges, will be tried separately. Story continues Tammy Daybell died in her sleep in October 2019 Vallow Daybell married Daybell weeks later. Law enforcement authorities discovered the remains of Daybells stepchildren in his backyard in Fremont County, Idaho, in June 2020. He is charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction; alteration or concealment of evidence; and two felony counts of destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence. Madison County prosecuting attorney Rob Wood urged the jury to convict Vallow Daybell on every count for which she is charged in closing arguments, which concluded Thursday after a monthlong trial. You must convict her, Wood said Thursday as the courtroom saw images of Vallow Daybells children and Tammy Daybell, East Idaho News reported. Wood and Fremont County prosecuting attorney Lindsey Blake said they were very pleased with the verdict in a statement Friday. We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell, the statement read. Lori Vallow Daybell's children, Joshua Vallow, 7, and his sister, Tylee Ryan, 16, went missing in September 2019, according to the Rexburg Police Department. - Rexburg Police Department Before resting their case Tuesday, the defense made a motion called Rule 29 seeking judgment of acquittal before the case is handed to the jury, on the grounds the case lacked sufficient evidence to warrant the charges, KBOI-TV reported. Judge Steven Boyce denied the motion on all counts Thursday. No one here thinks Lori actually killed anyone, thats why shes being charged with conspiracy, Jim Archibald, Vallow Daybells attorney, said Thursday. If you find her guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope. If you find her not guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope, Archibald said, according to East Idaho News. People familiar with the couple, who married shortly after Vallow Daybells children went missing, have described them as doomsday cult members with extreme religious beliefs, East Idaho News reported. The couple did endorse and espouse religious beliefs for the purpose of justifying or encouraging the killings of the children and Tammy Daybell, the May 2021 indictment stated. Their story was featured in a Netflix true-crime documentary last year. CNNs Lauren Mascarenhas, Eric Levenson and Emma Tucker contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MSNBCs Mehdi Hasan said a new poll should be considered funeral rites for Republicans hoping to defeat Donald Trump in next years presidential primary. And its especially bad news for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been the former presidents chief rival. Simply put, its done, Hasan said on Monday evening. If you had any doubts that this is Trumps race and Trumps race to lose, this poll will clear things up for you. The New York Times/Siena College poll released Monday shows Trump leading DeSantis by 37 percentage points and ahead by 31 points in a one-on-one matchup. No other candidate pulled more than 3% support. (The poll of 932 likely Republican primary voters was conducted July 23-27. It reported a margin of error of plus or minus 3.96 percentage points.) DeSantis has made fighting wokeness his signature issue, but Hasan noted that Trump polls ahead of him even on that topic. Not even close, Hasan said. The poll also shows that Trump has sealed his control over the GOP as most Republican voters are unswayed by the criminal charges against the former president. Overall, just 17% of Republicans polled said they believed Trump had committed a crime. Among MAGA Republicans, that number is 0%. Oh, its not a cult, Hasan said sarcastically. See his full analysis below: A memorial was held Saturday in Sunray, Texas, to honor the fallen firefighters from the community that died in the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion. A moment of silence is given at a memorial for the local firefighters lost in the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion, held Saturday at the Sunray Community Center. The memorial marked the 67th anniversary of the fire that killed 19 volunteer firefighters from the Sunray and Dumas communities who died in the line of duty. Members of the Dumas and Sunray Volunteer Fire Department, as well as members of the community, were in attendance to honor the sacrifice of these men to protect their community. Representatives from Valero also attended the ceremony. Each year, Dumas and Sunray alternate hosting the ceremony for the brave men who died in the disaster, considered the fourth worst firefighting disaster in United States history for a single fire incident involving industrial or structural fire protection, according to the Dumas Fire Department, or the sixth deadliest day for firefighters in US history. Dumas firefighter Kelly Davis tolls the bell at a memorial for the local firefighters lost in the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion, held Saturday at the Sunray Community Center. The fire caused many families and their descendants personal tragedy. Counted among those family members is Caed Mild, a Dumas Volunteer Firefighter whose grandfather Durwood C. Lilley was one of the Sunray firefighters lost in the Shamrock Fire. Mild never met his grandfather but carried the same servants heart for his community that his descendent had, which inspired him to follow in his footsteps. The fire service has been in my family for a while, with my dad starting his fire service when I was very young, Mild said. I was brought up around the firehouse; it became like secondhand nature to me. Both of my parents passed on a servants heart to me. It just felt right to carry on their service. Caed Mild, a volunteer Dumas firefighter, reads the names of the local firefighters lost in the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion during a memorial Saturday at the Sunray Community Center. Mild said that he was about 5 years old when his dad became a firefighter. James Walker, a volunteer firefighter in Sunray for the past eight years and a former worker at the Valero Refinery, said that while the event happened before he was born, the stories of the event made a tremendous impact on his life. I have heard so much about it, I feel like I knew those men; I felt like I knew what kind of people they were, Walker said. Story continues Memorials commemorating local firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty including the nine from the Sunray Volunteer Fire Department that battled the Shamrock Fire of 1956 are seen outside the Sunray Community building. Walker said that he was at the refinery when they formed their first fire department to deal with the type of disaster that took the lives of 19 community members. I am hoping that the community never forgets the sacrifice these brave men gave, Walker said. Kelly Davis, a firefighter for the Dumas Fire Department, tolled the bell at the memorial for the 19 firefighters and spoke about the reason for the memorial. Site of the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion, which took the life of 19 volunteer firefighters from Dumas and Sunray. Us doing this to honor these men is important, because none of us do this for money or fame, but to help people, Davis said. These men sacrificed their lives to save their community and others. John Owens, the emergency response team supervisor for Valero McKee Refinery, spoke at the memorial honoring the fallen firefighters. What hit this community so hard with this fire was that in 1956, the refinery did not have a fire department, so volunteer firefighters from the communities of Dumas and Sunray had to fight a fire well beyond their training, Owens said. For all these men, this was a part-time job to serve the community. These men, all with families, took the call on that day to protect the community. John Owens, supervisor of the Valero McKee Refinery emergency response team, speaks at a memorial for the local firefighters lost in the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion, held Saturday at the Sunray Community Center. Owens works with more than 70 employees who make up the emergency response team and train to take on the special types of fires that Valero could face and to prevent the loss of equipment and life. When you look at the names of the men that died that day, they were all very involved in the community, Owens said. The courage it took that day for those men as they left their homes is unimaginable. During the ceremony, Owens read the following: Courage is not living without fear; courage is being scared and still doing the right thing. Sixty-seven years ago, 19 men decided to respond to the call; as they responded they did not know that they would give the ultimate sacrifice that day. Their families lives were changed in the blink of an eye. Today, we give thanks for their sacrifice and courage. A memorial outside the Sunray Community Center marks the volunteer firefighters from Sunray who lost their lives in the 1956 Shamrock McKee Refinery fire and explosion in Moore County, along with those from the Dumas community. Each year, Dumas and Sunray alternate hosting the ceremony for the 19 who died in the disaster. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Sunray memorial honors 19 killed in 1956 Shamrock refinery explosion ROLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) Many were not just killed at home. They were killed by their homes. Angela Eason had visited Brenda Odoms' tidy mobile home before. It was a place where Odoms, who had many tragedies in her life, felt safe. In March, a tornado ripped through this small Mississippi town and people in mobile or manufactured homes were hit the hardest. Inside a mobile morgue, Eason, the county coroner, examined Odoms' gaping fatal head wound. Odoms was found just outside of her collapsed mobile home that was tossed around by a tornado. Blunt force trauma killed her. "The one place she felt safe she was not," Eason said. Fourteen people died in that Rolling Fork tornado, nine of them, including Odoms, were in uprooted manufactured or mobile homes. Tornadoes in the United States are disproportionately killing more people in mobile or manufactured homes, especially in the South, often victimizing some of the most socially and economically vulnerable residents. Since 1996, tornadoes have killed 815 people in mobile or manufactured homes, representing 53% of all the people killed at home during a tornado, according to an Associated Press data analysis of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tornado deaths. Meanwhile, less than 6% of America's housing units are manufactured homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While the dangers of tornadoes to mobile homes have long been known, and there are ways to mitigate the risk, the percentage of total tornado deaths that happen in mobile homes has been increasing. Part of the problem is that federal housing rules that call for tougher manufactured home standards, including anchoring, only apply in hurricane zones, which is most of Florida and then several counties along the coast. Those are not the areas where tornadoes usually hit. Auburn University engineering professor David Roueche called manufactured homes in non-coastal places "death traps compared to most permanent homes" when it comes to tornadoes. Story continues A deadly year The first tornado deaths this year were in Alabama in January, killing seven people, all in mobile homes. All but one were thrown at least 1,000 feet from their homes, with the seventh person thrown at least 500 feet, said Ernie Baggett, the former emergency management chief for Autauga County, Alabama. Less than 100 yards from where four of those people died was a permanent home that had little more than shingle damage, he said. When the wind hits the mobile homes, "it's like a house of cards. They just crumble," Baggett said. So far this year, at least 45 of the 74 people killed in the U.S. by tornadoes were in some form of manufactured housing when they died, according to NOAA data. Nine others died in site homes and the rest were killed in other places, such as in vehicles. The manufactured housing industry which disputes that there's any disproportionate danger insists on calling the structures manufactured homes if they are built after hurricane-based federal standards in 1976 and mobile homes if they are built before, saying age of the home matters. Federal housing officials use the term manufactured housing. Other people, including many researchers and residents, use the terms interchangeably. More than 70% of the 8 million manufactured homes in America were built after 1976. Because a big chunk were built in the 1980s and early 1990s, 60% of all those homes were installed before increased federal standards were adopted in 1994, the industry's trade group, Manufactured Housing Institute said. Tornadoes do not have to be deadly Tornado experts say most tornadoes should be survivable. "You just have to be in some structure that's attached to the ground. And then no matter what the tornado throws at you, you have really good odds," said NOAA social scientist Kim Klockow-McClain. But in manufactured homes, even the weakest tornadoes are killing people in large numbers when they shouldn't be, more than a dozen experts in meteorology, disasters and engineering told The AP. More than 240 people in mobile homes in the past 28 years have died in tornadoes with winds of 135 mph or less, the three weakest of the six categories of twisters, the AP analysis found. That's 79% of the deaths at home in the weaker tornadoes. It's only in storms with winds higher than 165 mph where most of the at home deaths are in more permanent structures. Auburn's Roueche not only studies what happens in mobile homes during tornadoes, he grew up in one. What he sees over and over are mobile homes that fail from the bottom up because they are not secured enough to the ground, like permanent homes are. What happens in a tornado "The whole structure is rolling or flying through air. You've got dressers falling on top of you. You've got the entire structure that's trying to crush you," said Roueche. That March evening in Rolling Fork, when the tornado roared through Ida Cartlidge remembered the air blowing so powerfully that she couldn't breathe, the sounds of windows shattering and then utter mayhem. "The only thing that's holding a mobile home down are the little straps in the ground," Cartlidge said. "It picked up the home one time, set it down. It picked it up again, set it down. It picked it up a third time, and we were in the air." The tornado hit Mildred Joyner's mobile home so hard she felt the mobile home shake, heard the cracking sound of what she figured was her home coming apart and then she woke up in the hospital and her mother who was in the mobile home with her ended up paralyzed from the waist down. The problem is worsening in the South because tornadoes have been moving more from the Great Plains to the mid-South in recent decades and will likely to continue to do so with climate change a possible factor, studies show. Alabama has the most tornado deaths by far. Unlike the rest of the country, which usually has most manufactured housing in parks, the South has mobile homes scattered about the countryside in ones and twos, making central tornado shelters less effective and likely to be built, said Villanova University tornado expert Stephen Strader and Northern Illinois meteorology professor Walker Ashley. The importance of anchoring One thing scientists, emergency managers and the manufactured housing industry agree on is that anchoring mobile homes to the ground is key. That requires expensive concrete or expensive tie down systems, said former Alabama emergency official Jonathan Gaddy, now a professor at Idaho State University. "Why does that matter? Well, it explains why we haven't fixed the problem with anchoring because nobody can fix the problem and still make money. That's the bottom line," Gaddy said. "Anchoring matters and has been shown to be the difference between life or death," Villanova's Strader said in an email. "However, the MH industry seems disinterested in addressing this because it would make their homes more expensive." Manufactured Home Institute Chief Executive Officer Lesli Gooch said the industry is "very clear" about the importance of anchoring. "We also talk about making sure that a professional checks your anchoring systems on your manufactured home, especially on mobile homes built prior to (19)76," she said. "We're very focused on making sure that there are minimum installation standards in the states," Gooch said. Northern Illinois' Ashley said lack of state regulations and inspections, especially in much of the South, is a big problem. Improvements in federal codes that went into effect in 1976, 1994 and 2008 make a big difference, Gooch said, arguing that the NOAA data the AP analyzed and that scientists use lump different ages of manufactured homes together and tar them with the problems of the oldest ones. "I wouldn't want your readers to misinterpret your data to suggest that living in a manufactured home is somehow more deadly than living in a site-built home because I would tell you that I don't think that the data bears that out," Gooch said. Gooch pointed to manufactured homes in Florida, where tighter federal Housing and Urban Development safety rules apply because it is a hurricane wind zone. "Homes in Florida that are manufactured homes are performing better than what you see in the site-built world," she said. It's not getting better Several scientists and engineers said data, and history, show the situation has not improved. "This is more of the handwaving- and misdirection-type statements that has come to represent the manufactured housing industry's take on tornado and manufactured home safety," Villanova's Strader said in an email, with Northern Illinois' Ashley agreeing. "Our study of the Lee County Alabama EF4 tornado found that 19 of the 23 deaths were in manufactured homes (all built after 1994)," Strader said. "All of those deaths were due to a lack of anchoring or a floor-to-wall connection. There have been many prior studies that have illustrated that these homes are failing at lower wind loads than permanent homes." If Gooch were right, the percentage of tornado deaths in mobile homes would be going down with time and they are not, NOAA National Severe Storms Lab tornado scientist Harold Brooks said, presenting data that goes back to 1975. His data showed mobile home deaths between 1975 and 1984 were 43.6% of all at-home tornado deaths and the same figure was 63.2% for the past ten years through the end of May. A contributing factor, Strader, Ashley and Roueche said, is that federal rules for anchoring only apply in hurricane zones, mostly in Florida. Those are not the areas where tornadoes usually hit. Instead, they hit inland where the weakest federal standards are, they said. Most of tornado-prone areas, including almost all of Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and Mississippi are in "Zone 1," where safety and anchoring of mobile homes have the most lax standards. "People are dying in new and old Zone 1 manufactured homes," Roueche said in response to Gooch's comments. Tornado homes throughout the country would be much safer if the coastal federal requirements applied everywhere, he said. Hurting poor people more One of the issues with mobile homes and tornadoes is that it is an intersection of risk and "different social vulnerability factors like poverty, even some issues pertaining to race, ethnicity, age," NOAA's Klockow said. And it makes it harder for people to leave their mobile homes and head for a permanent shelter. "I always think about the single mother who's living in a manufactured home. It's the middle of the night. She has three kids. Her car's not starting correctly and all of a sudden here comes a tornado," Strader said in an interview. Officials tell her "to get to a storm shelter because our manufactured home isn't safe," Strader said. "Well, the problem there is that there's all these factors up against them." Tornadoes pop down rapidly, which doesn't allow meteorologists to give much warning, maybe 10 to 15 minutes. In many cases, the National Weather Service warns days in advance that the conditions are ripe for tornadoes, but that isn't the same as warning that one has touched down. University of Oklahoma social scientist Justin Sharpe, who studies disaster warnings, said with poor and disabled residents the key is to avoid warnings that simply say "get out now" and nothing else. Instead, a couple hours before a tornado is possible, meteorologists should warn people to be packed up and ready to go at a moment's notice later, Sharpe and Klockow-McClain said. Finding safer places A relatively new law in Alabama could help provide more shelters and be a model for other states. The law gives liability protection to buildings like churches and stores that open up in an emergency as a shelter if specifically-built shelters aren't available. When this year's first deadly tornado struck just outside Montgomery, Alabama, Autauga County had about 30 minutes warning but no "safer places" to send people, the then-emergency chief, Baggett said. Seven people in mobile homes died. The tornado continued into neighboring Elmore County, which had already set off its 30 warning sirens, used a mass notification system to make 16,772 calls to phones in the danger area and opened up 16 churches and other safer places. People went into the temporary shelters. Homes were destroyed, but no one died. Associated Press photographer Gerald Herbert and video journalist Stephen Smith contributed to this report. Borenstein reported from Washington and Fassett from Seattle. Follow AP's climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment Follow Seth Borenstein, Camille Fasset and Michael Goldberg on Twitter at @borenbears, @camfassett and @mikergoldberg. Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: AP analysis: Mobile homes turn deadly when tornadoes hit, especially this year People evacuated from Niger arrived in Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning Flights evacuating Europeans from Niger have arrived in France and Italy. France began evacuating its citizens from Niger amid anti-French sentiment following last week's coup - 262 people arrived in Paris early on Wednesday. The coup has prompted demonstrations against the former colonial power, with the French embassy coming under attack. However, France says it has no plans to repatriate about 1,000 French soldiers stationed there as part of efforts to counter Islamist militants. Germany has urged its nationals to take up France's offer to help other Europeans as Italy organised a flight which arrived in Rome just after 05:00 local time on Wednesday with 87 evacuees. The plane was carrying 36 Italians, 21 Americans and one Briton, according to Reuters news agency. Juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have warned that any forcible attempt to restore the ousted president would be seen as a declaration of war. The two neighbours, also former French colonies, have both moved away from France and towards Russia, after staging their own coups in recent years. Their warning marks a significant twist that could escalate the volatile situation in a region battling an Islamist militant insurgency. West African military chiefs are meeting in Nigeria on Wednesday to discuss possible intervention in Niger. Niger's military government has announced the re-opening of its borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Chad. However, the land border with Nigeria remains closed. Niger, which is rich in uranium, has been a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist extremism in the Sahel. Both France and the US have military bases there. After Mali's military leaders chose to partner up with the Russian Wagner mercenaries in 2021, France moved the centre of its regional counter-terror operations to Niger. Story continues On Sunday, protesters outside the French embassy in the capital Niamey chanted "Long live Russia", "Long live Putin" and "Down with France". They also set fire to the walls of the embassy compound. France sent planes because the closure of Niger's airspace has made it impossible for people to leave by their own means. There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger and fewer than 100 Germans. Protesters displayed a sign taken from the French Embassy in Niamey on Sunday Italy's foreign ministry says there are about 90 Italians in Niamey out of a total of just under 500 countrywide, most of whom are in the military, the AFP news agency reports. According to the Reuters news agency, Spain is also preparing to evacuate more than 70 Spaniards by air. The UK is not organising an evacuation and has urged its nationals in Niger to stay indoors, while the European Union said it was not planning to remove its staff for the time being. The US also said it was not evacuating its citizens, seeing no immediate threat to them or its facilities, AFP reports. The situation in Niamey was reported to be calm. One of the French evacuees, Anthony Garcia, said he was packing as little as possible for the journey: "We were asked to take just a small bag with essentials, because we can't take the suitcase." Earlier, France had welcomed the ultimatum issued on Sunday by the West African bloc Ecowas, giving Niger's junta a week to reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey. Chad's President Mahamat Idris Deby was in Niger the following day, leading mediation efforts on behalf of the Ecowas and was pictured with Mr Bazoum. These diplomatic moves prompted Burkina Faso and Mali to issue a joint statement threatening that if Ecowas intervened militarily, they would withdraw from the bloc and go to the defence of their eastern neighbour. They said such an intervention would be disastrous and destabilising. Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea are all currently suspended from Ecowas following coups in recent years. Ecowas's last major military intervention was in The Gambia in 2017, when Yahya Jammeh refused to step down as president after losing elections to Adama Barrow. After West African troops deployed, Mr Jammeh went into exile in Equatorial Guinea. The regional body also sent troops to support Guinea-Bissau's government last year following a failed coup attempt there. Algeria, Niger's neighbour to the north, has also urged caution over any possible military intervention, saying it "would lead to an escalation of the current crisis". Niger's junta has not commented on the Ecowas demand, but vowed to defend the country from any "aggression" by regional or Western powers. It accused France of planning military intervention. But on Monday evening, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told French channel BFMTV the allegation was not true. She suggested the coup, which has been welcomed by the shadowy Wagner group, could be an seen as an opportunity for Russia: "I am not sure that everyone in Niger sleeps with a Russian flag under their pillow. "But it is possible that Russia tries to take advantage of the situation. It does it in other countries of the region. It's an hypothesis." At a briefing on Tuesday, the White House's National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US had no evidence that Russia was behind the coup. According to Reuters, the evacuation plans will not affect operations of French nuclear fuel company Orano in Niger, as it said most of its staff were Nigerien nationals. Analysis box by Frank Gardner, security correspondent There are no good options in Niger. The West looks set to lose its strategic counter-terror bases there and military intervention by Ecowas would almost certainly lead to a civil war. The current evacuation of French nationals is quite likely to be followed by the abandonment of US and French military bases and the departure of their 2,500 troops that have been engaged in helping Niger fight jihadist insurgents. So who benefits from all this? Certainly not the population of Niger. The presence of Western forces was far from universally popular, but the country was receiving hundreds of millions of euros in annual financial aid and military assistance. That has now stopped. Russian flags have appeared on the streets suspiciously quickly, so it is likely that Russia's Wagner group will be looking to fill in behind the departing troops. And for the jihadists of Boko Haram and the al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups active across the Sahel, all this disruption and uncertainty is a strategic gift. A man dressed in Russian colours In a sign of growing hostility towards the West since the coup in Niger, a businessman proudly shows off his outfit in the colours of the Russian flag in the traditional heartland of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Since the coup, there has been a war of words between the military and the West. Mr Bazoum was a staunch ally of the West in the fight against militant Islamists, and was a strong economic partner as well. Niger hosts a French military base and is the world's seventh biggest producer of uranium. The fuel is vital for nuclear power with a quarter of it going to Europe, especially former colonial power France. Since General Abdourahamane Tchiani overthrew the president in a coup on 26 July, Russian colours have suddenly appeared on the streets. Thousands took part in a protest in the capital Niamey on Sunday, with some waving Russian flags and even attacking the French embassy. It now seems this "movement" is spreading across the country. The businessman, based 800km (500 miles) away in the central city of Zinder, didn't want to give his name for safety reasons and asked that we blur his face. "I'm pro-Russian and I don't like France," he said. "Since childhood, I've been opposed to France. "They've exploited all the riches of my country such as uranium, petrol and gold. The poorest Nigeriens are unable to eat three times a day because of France." The businessman said thousands had taken part in Monday's protest in Zinder in support of the military takeover. He said he had asked a local tailor to take material in the Russian colours of white, blue and red and make an outfit for him, denying that it had been paid for by pro-Russian groups. Niger is home to 24.4 million people where two in every five live in extreme poverty, on less than $2.15 a day. The demonstrations in favour of Niger's military takeover have often featured Russian flags President Bazoum entered office in 2021 in Niger's first democratic and peaceful transition of power since independence in 1960. Story continues But his government was a target for Islamist militants linked to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda who roam across parts of the Sahara Desert and the semi-arid Sahel just to the south. Under pressure from the Islamists, the armies in both neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, also former French colonies with considerable French interests, seized power in recent years, saying this would help in the fight against jihadists. Like Niger, both these countries previously had significant numbers of French troops helping them but as the Islamist attacks continued, anti-French sentiment rose across the region, with people in all three countries starting to accuse the French of not doing enough to stop them. Once in power, the junta in Mali welcomed Russia's mercenary Wagner Group as they first forced out French troops and then pushed for thousands of UN peacekeepers to leave. Although Islamist attacks have continued in Mali, Burkina Faso's junta has also grown close to Russia and expelled hundreds of French forces. In Niger, anti-French protests were frequently banned by Mr Bazoum's administration. Several civil society groups began escalating anti-French protests in mid-2022, when Mr Bazoum's administration approved the redeployment of France's Barkhane forces to Niger after they had been ordered to leave Mali. Key among them is the M62 movement, formed in August 2022 by a coalition of activists, civil society movements and trade unions. They led calls against the rising cost of living, poor governance and the presence of the French forces. Russian colours are suddenly popular on the streets of Niger Various planned protests by the group were banned or violently put down by Niger's authorities with its leader Abdoulaye Seydou jailed for nine months in April 2023 for "disrupting public order". The M62 appears revitalised in the wake of President Bazoum's removal. In an unusual move, its members were quoted by state TV mobilising mass protests in support of the junta, as well as denouncing sanctions by West African leaders over the coup. It is unclear if the group is linked to the junta known as the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) or to Russia. But it was the umbrella group organising Sunday's protest, where smaller civil society groups such as the Coordination Committee for the Democratic Struggle (CCLD) Bukata and Youth Action for Niger were also present. Back in Zinder, the pro-Russia businessman is positive about how Moscow can help his homeland. "I want Russia to help with security and food," he said. "Russia can supply technology to improve our agriculture." But Moutaka, a farmer who also lives in Zinder, rejects this argument and says the coup is bad news for everyone. "I don't support the arrival of Russians in this country because they are all Europeans and nobody will help us," he said. "I love my country and hope we can live in peace." Get in touch banner Our experts on Outside Source radio on the BBC World Service will be answering your questions from 15:00GMT today about the situation in Niger. This is your chance to ask us anything and we'll answer as many questions as we can. You can send your questions about the Niger coup to: YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk You can also send your questions in the following ways: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. Julia wearing one of her grandmother's designs. A Chicago-based woman is set on making her grandmothers dream come true one garment at a time. Julia, or boringbb on Tiktok, is quickly capturing attention with more than 80 videos featuring recreations of her grandmother's old designs. Her videos have been viewed anywhere between 54,000 and 27 million times. In the last year, Julia, who asked to not use her last name for privacy reasons, has made 14 of her grandmothers imagined dresses from extravagant ballroom gowns to floor-length evening dresses. Exposure from social media lead to the two showcasing their work at New York Fashion Week in February. It was the first time Julia's grandmother Georgie got to see her designs on a runway. How it all began Julia took to social media like many did during the COVID-19 pandemic, to share about her life. It was during that time that she and her grandmother found some of Georgie's old design sketches from fashion school in the 1940s. Everyone in the family knew she'd pursued fashion for a time, but it wasnt a narrative she harped on often, Julia told USA Today. After the designs were found, Georgie told her granddaughter she was proud of the sketches and wanted them displayed at her funeral or sent to magazines so people will know that fashion was a big part of her life when she's gone. Well, that was pretty morbid. I was like why would we wait until your funeral? I was like can I go and take some pictures of those. And I made a TikTok post. It was essentially like a PowerPoint presentation, and it went viral overnight, Julia shared. A lot of the comments under the original post encouraged Julia to physically make her grandmothers designs. Though the extent of her sewing experience occurred in a middle school home ec class sewing a letter on a pillow, Julia decided to figure it out. Story continues She purchased a sewing machine nearly two years ago, learned the basics and started recreating her grandmother's designs. We've been doing this for a year and we have a good time with it. More: 'Where's the Barbie section?': New movie boosts interest in buying, selling vintage dolls Georgies dream Chicago in the 1940s Georgie was born in the 1940s to a big family in inner city Chicago and was the youngest of the lot. She was very frail, spending most of her childhood sick. Georgie graduated from high school but did not have the opportunity to complete higher education at the time. She wanted to go to fashion school, so she borrowed an exorbitant amount of money at the time $500 from her sister. As soon as she started going, she realized very quickly that this is a cutthroat industry, Julia said. Georgie felt like if she wanted to have kids, she wasnt going to be able to do both. It also wasnt an encouraged endeavor at the time, Julia shared. What really drove the decision was a combination of having to care for older family members and the desire to start her own family. So, she dropped out and she felt awful. She had to pay back the $500. It was a hard point in her life. It was kind of the moment where she had to give up something that she wanted for herself in pursuit of something else she wanted, Julia said. But Georgie never regretted choosing her family, which might be the reason why she didnt bring up fashion as much, Julia said. My grandma has always wanted to be a mom and has always wanted to be a grandma. It's her favorite thing in the world. Thats why she's so close to her kid and all of her grandkids so she's definitely happy that she chose this life path, Julia shared. After all, if it werent for her grandmothers initial push, none of this would have been possible. I am very happy I am going down this life path, but I dont know if I would be here without her initial push, Julia said. Whats next for the dynamic duo Julia and Grandma Georgie taking a closer look at their photographed design. Quite a few things have occurred since Georgie and Julia began filming their videos last year, but one thing that hasnt changed much is Georgies love for fashion. COVID-19 was really really hard on her, as it was for many elderly people. It was very isolating and took a toll on her mental health. You could tell like that being alone all day was really difficult for her because she always came over. I have probably seen her every single day of my life growing up unless I was at a sleepover or something. I think getting to do this, going back to sketching has helped keep her spirit in a better place. She seems to be really a lot happier than she was a few years ago, Julia shared. This hobby may have only become a full-time job a couple months ago, but Julia has dedicated countless hours to modernize her grandmothers sketches with elegance and flair. She can typically crank out one design a time, but it really depends on the design and the materials needed. Despite the massive interest her followers have in purchasing her grandmas designs, the looks Julia recreates are not for sale. Especially, since her grandmothers designs werent made to be sold in mass quantities. We have fun when we do these projects and we don't like to take this too seriously maybe one day that'll be in the cards, but right now we're just focusing on our videos and having a good time. If I really like them [the piece], I will save them to potentially re-wear, but the majority of them I break down and take the design apart. Then I either dye or repurpose the fabric. I try to reuse and be as resourceful and as environmentally friendly as possible, Julia shared. Right now, Julia is working designing bathing suits for a sustainable swimwear company launching next year. The biggest lesson she's learned from sharing this experience with her grandmother has been that it's never too late to pursue one of your interests. I think as women When we get older, we can fade into the background. And Ive learned that you dont have to do that. You can have interests and it's never too late to pursue something you want to pursue. You just have to go after it. Maybe it wont work out, but then the worst that happens is it didn't work out. But it could work out. I think it's worth taking that risk. You don't just have to fade out into the background, you can still have a new start and a new exciting thing in your life at any age, Julia shared. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women goes viral on TikTok recreating grandma's 1940s fashion designs Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in the town of Halhul near the West Bank city of Hebron, on Aug. 1, 2023. The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Tuesday said that Israel's daily attacks against the Palestinians undermine the opportunity to implement the two-state solution. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Tuesday said that Israel's daily attacks against the Palestinians undermine the opportunity to implement the two-state solution. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement that "the Israeli forces and settlers attack the Palestinians, their property and their sanctities, which dominate the daily scene of the lives of the Palestinians." The ministry listed the Israeli violations against the Palestinians in the West Bank on Tuesday, including the demolition of a commercial facility in Salfit, establishment of a settlement outpost west of Jericho, storming of the archaeological site in Sebastia close to the city of Nablus, as well as bulldozing and uprooting olive and fruit trees in Tarqumiya near Hebron. It said that the Israeli practices "are deepening the gradual annexation of the occupied West Bank by imposing more changes to close the door to the opportunity to embody the Palestinian state on the ground with East Jerusalem as its capital." The PA urged the international community to take necessary measures and practical steps to protect the two-state solution, the statement said. The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have stalled since 2014 due to differences on major issues including Israel's settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories and the establishment of a future independent Palestinian state. The Palestinians want to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in the town of Halhul near the West Bank city of Hebron, on Aug. 1, 2023. The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Tuesday said that Israel's daily attacks against the Palestinians undermine the opportunity to implement the two-state solution. (Photo bjavascript:;y Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) WASHINGTON Lawmakers on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle are pushing for a revival of the expanded child tax credit, but they are running into a familiar problem: They cant agree on how to do it. Democrats seek a complete return of the expanded child tax credit from President Joe Bidens COVID-19 stimulus bill, while Republicans are spearheading their own version of the child tax credit one that includes provisions for unborn children and expectant mothers and that has received the support of anti-abortion groups. Child tax credit works. I dont know what needs to be changed, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., one of the Democratic lawmakers leading the push for the tax credit, told USA TODAY. It worked beautifully: monthly basis, lifted 40% of kids out of poverty, decreased hunger by 66%. Why would we want to change it? But some Republicans who have said they would support expanding the child tax credit said any version that would earn their support would have to be more narrow. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told USA TODAY he also wants assurances a tax credit would be fully paid for. I think a child tax credit can work, but only if its fully paid for, Romney said. Any more spending without at least eliminating other programs, he added, is probably not gonna fly. Bringing back an expanded tax credit is one that garners support from voters on both sides. The expanded credit in 2021 under the Biden administration helped 5.3 million people including 2.9 million children out of poverty in 2021, according to a 2021 study by the Democrats' Joint Economic Committee. Republicans such as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told USA TODAY that a number of his GOP colleagues who did not support the child tax credit later went on to lose reelection to Congress. Some of them are not here anymore, but we got it done, he said. More: Stimulus update: Child tax credit gets a new chance for $300 a month and a $2,000 baby bonus Story continues What is the expanded child tax credit? Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Representative Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., with supporters during Press Briefing With U.S. House And Senate Champions, Impacted Families on Expanding the Child Tax Credit During Lame Duck Session on December 07, 2022 in Washington, DC. Biden signed the expanded child tax credit into law under the American Rescue Plan during the pandemic. The expansion raised the yearly credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children older than 6 and $2,000 to $3,600 for children younger than 6. The credit was fully refundable, which allowed children in families with little or no income to receive the full credit. The expanded credit also raised the age limit, which had been capped at 16, and distributed checks monthly. It expired in 2021. Since then, DeLauro and other Democratic lawmakers have pushed for its return. The expansion of the child tax credit has been the single greatest issue out of the Biden administration, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., said in an interview with USA TODAY. Torres has reintroduced the America Family Act with DeLauro and Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., which would make permanent the expanded and improved monthly child tax credit. He called the expiration of the expanded credit a tragedy for Americas children. The American Family Act: Makes the credit fully refundable, so it would be available to children in families left behind because of an earnings requirement. Continues the child tax credit of $3,600 a year for children 6 or younger. Expands the credit to $3,000 a year for children ages 6 to 17. Allows families to receive the credit every month. Expands the credit to U.S. territories. Child poverty is a plague on the soul of our country, Torres said. He said it lowers school attendance rates, test scores, graduation numbers and college admissions. In his district, which includes the Bronx, the expanded credit in 2021 helped cut child poverty by large percentages, he said. We have the tools to eradicate child poverty," he said. "What has been lacking for far too long has been the political will. Republicans pitch own version of expanded child tax credit US Senator and Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair, Marco Rubio, speaks during a hearing on worldwide threats, in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2023. One GOP version sponsored by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa., and Florida's Rubio would further expand the child tax credits payments to include unborn children and their expectant mothers. The Providing for Life Act, co-sponsored by Hinson and Rubio, would expand the refundable child tax credit to $4,500 per child under 6 and provide up to $3,500 for children under 18 for working families. The proposed Republican legislation also includes language to increase anti-abortion resources and support federally funded, faith-based organizations that provide social services. Democrats, however, are unlikely to support legislation that expands protections for anti-abortion groups. Torres said he would resist any attempt to make child tax credit about abortion. It strikes me that the attempt to inject anti-choice politics into the CTC is in bad faith, he said. How would revival of the child tax credit work for you? The current child tax credit prevents some children from receiving the full credit because a family's income may be too low or because their parents are out of work, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The America Family Act reintroduced by DeLauro eliminates the earnings requirement for families who were left behind specifically those with Black and Latino children, children in single-parent families, rural families, children in larger families and families with young children. Under the GOP-backed Providing for Life Act, working families would be eligible for the expanded credit. Lawmakers seek bipartisanship Rubio told USA TODAY he hopes there will be a bipartisan appetite in Congress for a revival of the credit, but he conceded lawmakers would first need to bridge disagreements between the two parties. Obviously, the differences will be some will want it bigger, Rubio said. And youve got people in my own party that fought me on this when we tried to do it the last time. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said he is a big fan of the child tax credit. In my view, the child tax credit should be targeted toward families who need the help and it should be targeted toward families in a way that actually promotes family stability, he said. But Democrats such as Torres are cautiously optimistic that some type of expansion of the credit can pass with bipartisan support. There is a potential for bipartisan compromise around the child tax credit, Torres said. The question is what form it takes. Will the tax credit be used as a bargaining chip during spending negotiations? U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters during a news conference after the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) at the U.S. Capitol Building on July 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. Torres said it's possible that reviving the expanded tax credit could be used in negotiations as Congress tees up for a spending fight this fall. He added that there may be other avenues, like tax extenders, that also could make the expanded credit permanent. How can we justify ending massive tax cuts to corporation or tax credits for corporations without expanding the child tax credits? he said. If Republicans want to improve tax credits for corporate America, Torres said, then there needs to be child tax credits for Americas families with children. It ought to be a permanent part of the social contract. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Child tax credit 2023: What this stimulus check would mean for you Regent Abby Crow asks a question while listening to a presentation during a meeting, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Levitt Center for University Advancement in Iowa City, Iowa. A $19 million research facility expansion is the top agenda item for a light State of Iowa Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, Aug. 2. This months gathering will begin at 10 a.m. at the Regents board room in Urbandale. The agenda contains just four items of note. The most pressing item is the University of Iowa's construction proposal. The school is requesting approval for a $19.75 million Biomedical research support facility expansion at the University of Iowas research park in Coralville. The project would add 17,200 square feet to the northwest portion of the current building. It would be funded by a National Institutes of Health Grant and the UI Carver College of Medicine indirect cost recovery funds. If approved by the Board of Regents Wednesday, construction will begin in the fall with an expected completion date by spring 2025. Adequate biomedical lab space is needed to recruit and retain top-notch researchers and their programs from a range of disciplines, the university said in an information packet provided to the Board of Regents. This proposed facility expansion is critically needed to address current and future needs for the important research performed at the University of Iowa. The universitys research facility supports research for several colleges and departments. The school said the expansion will provide more opportunities for future growth and compliments the UI campus master plan. ISU plans to name interim Title IX coordinator The board is also expected to appoint Mary Howell Sirna as interim director of equal opportunity and Title IX coordinator at Iowa State University. Her annual salary, if appointed, will be $164,554 beginning on July 31. Iowa Board of Regents members Sherry Bates, president pro tem, left, David Barker, center, and Abby Crow listen to a presentation during a meeting, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Levitt Center for University Advancement in Iowa City, Iowa. UNI bookstore proposes new ownership group Wednesdays agenda also includes the University of Northern Iowa requesting to enter an agreement with Follett Higher Education Group, Inc. to operate the UNI Bookstore, currently located at 1009 West 23rd St. The agreement would require Follett to pay UNI a percentage of all commissionable sales while the school is asking the company to invest up to $900,000 for building upgrades. Story continues Additional terms also state Follett would take over ownership of all sellable or rentable merchandise owned by the university and the bookstore. More: RAGBRAI concertgoers in Coralville take shelter as severe storm forces concert cancellation Board will consider approval of FY2024 operating budgets The board of regents will also consider approval of operating budgets for fiscal year 2024 Wednesday at each of the states public universities, which includes Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Brandon Hurley is editor of the Ames Tribune and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He also covers the State of Iowa Board of Regents. He can be reached at bhurley@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: University of Iowa proposes $19 million expansion of biomed research facility You are the owner of this article. Sheriff's deputy in Washington state shot, in serious condition at hospital Law enforcement officials say a sheriffs deputy in Washington state was shot while responding to a domestic dispute and is in serious condition at a hospital In a brief filed Monday, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office cited figures showing that Washington clinics have reported a 75% increase in Idaho patients between January 2022 and early 2023. Oregon and Nevada saw similar trends. (Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times) Obaidullah, 33, of Afghanistan, center, worked as a translator for the U.S. Army for five years. He was one of more than 100 migrants apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and said some had been stuck between the U.S.-Mexico border walls for up to seven days on April 12 in San Diego. JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A total of 231 rhinoceros were killed in South Africa for their horns in the first half of 2023, down 28 from that for the same period last year, a senior government official said Tuesday. The cooperation between government departments and private security led to the decline in rhinoceros poaching, said Barbara Creecy, minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, at a press briefing. "In the first six months of this year, our hard work with both the police and the National Prosecuting Authority has led to the conviction of 31 offenders," said Creecy. In Skukuza, the largest rest camp at the country's renowned Kruger National Park, one suspect found guilty of killing three rhinoceros and possessing unlawful arms and ammunition was sentenced to an effective 32-year imprisonment, according to the minister. South African cabinet approved the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking in May, which aims to break the illicit value chain of wildlife trafficking in the country and beyond its borders, Creecy said. Although currently, the main focus of the strategy is rhinoceros, it also aims to address the illegal trade in and poaching of other species that are threatened by trafficking syndicates, like abalone, she said, adding that the government has introduced cameras in the areas with a high concentration of rhinoceros. KIGALI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Delegates attending the Cybertech Africa conference in the Rwandan capital of Kigali on Tuesday called on African countries to build robust, secure digital infrastructure to tackle cybersecurity attacks and related crimes. They were speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, which has attracted more than 1,500 delegates from across Africa and beyond, including government officials, UN representatives, and cyber ecosystems experts. "As the world increasingly goes online, so do cybercriminals. There is a need for African countries to respond appropriately to safeguard the shared digital future," said Paula Ingabire, Rwandan minister of ICT and Innovation, at the event. She noted that coming together and sharing experiences are crucial for Africa to foster a collaborative approach to cyber governance. "Cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility. No one is immune to cyber-attacks, and the ability to share information is vital. There is an opportunity to drive economic growth and create wealth by building robust and secure digital infrastructure in Africa," Ingabire emphasized. With the cyber threat landscape continuously evolving, it is crucial for Africa to establish and implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect themselves and their citizens, said Lacina Kone, chief executive officer of Smart Africa. He highlighted different Cybertech projects Smart Africa is implementing across the continent. "This year in April, we inaugurated our first cybersecurity innovation center in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, where 60 young minds are undergoing six months of advanced training to become cyber geeks, and we intend to establish many more centers in all regions of Africa," Kone added. He emphasized the paramount importance of cybersecurity as a foundation for realizing a trusted African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying that it is a cornerstone of the continent's vision to transform Africa into a single digital market. Kone urged African nations and organizations to stay ahead of the evolving cyber threat landscape by implementing comprehensive measures to safeguard citizens, employees, and customers from potential cyberattacks. The event, which runs through Wednesday, was organized in partnership with Rwanda's National Cyber Security Authority, Rwanda Convention Bureau, and Smart Africa. The conference features fintech, IoT (Internet of Things) and 5G, AI (Artificial Intelligence), critical infrastructure, aviation and space cybersecurity, smart cities, capability building, and sustainability. The conference also includes an exhibition of innovative cyber companies from various fields, increasing exposure to international and pan-African markets, industry executives, and thought leaders, and encouraging participation in a rapidly growing innovative ecosystem. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. LIVE TEXT Razboi in Ucraina, 10 august - Rusii continua atacurile in doua valuri pe front Trei civili au fost ucisi, iar alte noua persoane au fost ranite in regiunea Harkov din Ucraina, in urma unui atac cu rachete rusesti asupra unui sat apropiat de Kupiansk. Initial, satul Kruliakivka a fost lovite [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Preturile pentru energie la Hidroelectrica. Presedintele Consiliului Director: Piata de energie s-a calmat Preturile pentru energie la Hidroelectrica. Presedintele Consiliului Director: Piata de energie s-a calmat Bogdan Badea, presedintele Consiliului Director al Hidroelectrica, a adus explicatii - Pretul final de oferta la Hidroelectrica a fost stabilit la 104 lei pe actiune, iar compania a anuntat ca va aplica pentru admiterea la listare si tranzactionarea actiunilor sale in categoria Premium a pietei reglementate a bursei. - Bogdan Badea, presedintele directoratului Hidroelectrica, a anuntat vineri in contextul listarii companiei ca interesul este foarte mare, dar statul va ramane actionar majoritar in continuare. - UDMR accepts energy, environment ministries, no other offer to be accepted. The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) has decided to be more flexible and to receive the Energy and Environment ministries, but if this offer does not materialise, another one will not be accepted, said Tuesday - President Iohannis: I hope teachers return to school on Tuesday; gov't met all their requests. President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that the education strike lasted "a bit long" and he hopes that the teachers will return to school on Tuesday, noting that the government gave them everything they - Takeover of Enel Romania by PPC to be completed in third quarter of 2023. The transaction through which PPC Group takes over Enel's assets in Romania remains on schedule to be completed in the third quarter of the year, according to a company release, told Agerpres. CITESTE SI UDMR's Kelemen - Forces from NATO member nations and other countries on Monday launched joint military exercises in Albania and other Balkan states, according to AP News. The two-week Immediate Response maneuvers the second of three such drills linked to the DEFENDER 23 multi-national joint exercise involves some - The National Political Council (CPN) of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) mandated on Tuesday the party leadership to ask the cut down of the number of ministries at negotiations for the future government, as well as a reduction in the number of secretaries of state and a reduction in the number of NEW DELHI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Four people, including two home guards and a Muslim cleric, were killed and dozens injured in a communal violence that hit the northern Indian state of Haryana, officials said on Tuesday. The clashes erupted on Monday during a rally organised by rightwing Hindu nationalist organisations Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in the state's Nuh district and then spread to neighbouring Gurugram district, where a mosque was set ablaze. While the home guards were killed in Nuh, the Muslim cleric was killed during an attack on a mosque late Monday night. Officials said the identity of the fourth man who was killed in violence was being ascertained. Home guards are a volunteer force raised to help the Indian police. According to the police, the injured included several policemen. During the clashes, many vehicles were set ablaze, and the agitated mob resorted to stone pelting. Authorities have imposed a curfew in Nuh town and suspended the mobile internet service in the entire district. Additional reinforcements of police and paramilitary have been sent to the state to prevent the violence from spreading further. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Polish pipeline operator PERN said it had halted pumping through a section of the Druzhba pipeline, which connects Russia to Europe, after detecting a leak in central Poland on Saturday, but it expects flows to resume on Tuesday, according to Reuters. PERN said there was no indication a third party - Romania are o rata de nereciclabilitate de 89%, ceea ce inseamna ca avem cel mai mare grad de mortalitate a resurselor din Europa, a afirmat Constantin Damov, presedintele Coalitiei pentru Economia Circulara si al Green Group, citat de Agerpres. S-a vorbit de colectare separata. Ca reciclator pot sa - Ciuca: PNL to vote for UDMR and PNL ceding Energy Ministry, and without UDMR. National chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Nicolae Ciuca said on Tuesday that PNL is willing to cede the Ministry of Energy to the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) and that two formulas will be voted - PSD's Ciolacu urges teaches to return to classes: We are speaking about the children's future. PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader Marcel Ciolacu urges teachers to return to classes in order to end this school year well, saying that the discussions on the "legitimate problems" in the system must - President Iohannis: I hope teachers return to school on Tuesday; gov't met all their requests. President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that the education strike lasted "a bit long" and he hopes that the teachers will return to school on Tuesday, noting that the government gave them everything they - Prison officers will be on Japanese strike on Tuesday, and on Wednesday they will refuse to go on duty for 2 to 4 hours, after which they will block the prisons by "excessive zeal", announced on Monday evening the Trade Unions Federation of the National Penitentiary Administration (FSANP)."Prison - Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Marcel Ciolacu said Tuesday that at the party's National Political Council meeting they did not discuss the withdrawal of any party from the current governing coalition.He was asked, after the meeting of the PSD National Political Council meeting, if he had - The deficit in the current account of Romania's balance of payments reached 5 billion euros in the period January-March 2023, down from 5.43 billion euros in the same period last year, according to data released by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) on Monday.In the first two months of this year, The first half of 2023 has been a strong period for Budapest Airport in all respects: the series of developments worth more than 100 billion HUF over the past 4.5 years and the outstanding quality of the airport ecosystem have been confirmed by numerous awards based on passenger feedback and the assessment of the airport industry. Budapest Airports PR activities, airline marketing and annual partner event have also received accolades and an international rating certified the safety of the airport. Meanwhile, passenger traffic continues to grow, with the annual number of passengers likely to exceed initial expectations. Budapest Airport's results in the first half of the year: rising passenger numbers and numerous awards In 2023, June was the fourth month in a row in which airport traffic exceeded one million passengers, and between January and June the airport handled a total of 6,683,524 passengers, which is 26.6 percent more than the same period of 2022 and more than the whole of 2021. As a result, total passenger numbers for the year to date are now only 9.4% below the record year of 2019, exceeding previous expectations. After a temporary global slowdown at the beginning of the year, cargo started to grow again in the spring, and cargo volumes handled at Budapest Airport in the first half of the year was 91 452 tons, which means that the annual target of 200 000 tons seems to be within reach in the near future. At the same time, thanks to a series of developments worth 100 billion HUF over the past few years, Budapest Airport and the entire airport community received numerous awards in the first half of this year. In addition to the awards for outstanding service and passenger experience, the airline marketing activities of the airline development team, which is the driving force behind passenger growth, and a major PR campaign that strengthened the companys reputation were recognized, while the event industry honored Budapest Airports Annual Awards Gala with several awards. The best airport in Europe and the region Ferenc Liszt International Airport and Budapest Airport have received an important, unprecedented recognition at the beginning of March. Airports Council International (ACI) has named Budapest Airport as the winner of the Best Airport of 15 to 25 Million Passengers in Europe Award. The ACI survey examines the quality of service at nearly 400 international airports based on 30 performance indicators and asks passengers, the most important target group for developments about their journey in person. The results provide a complex picture of the experience of arriving and departing passengers, from the moment they enter the airport, through their time spent there, to boarding. The next award was granted to Budapest Airport in mid-March, which also marked a jubilee for the airport community: Budapest Airport was named "Best Airport in Eastern Europe" by Skytrax for the tenth time in a row. The award is also based on passenger feedback: the World Airport Survey questionnaire is completed by people of more than 100 different nationalities over the eight-month survey period. Similar to the ACI survey, respondents rate the travel experience and airport services. After the passengers, auditors from the international aviation research organization Skytrax also examined the airports services and processes, and the organization upgraded the airports rating to four stars as a result of the three-day audit. Similar to hotel rankings, the independent experts rated Budapest Airport between 1 and 5 stars, but the process was tailored to airports: the rating analyzes all the areas that passengers may encounter, based on more than 500 performance indicators. This means that, following a number of prestigious awards this year, Hungarys gateway is now in a similar league to airports such as London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Barcelona and Vienna Airports, in terms of passenger experience. In addition, the companys cargo activities continue to be recognized by the industry: after winning the Cargo Airport of the Year award at the Air Cargo News Awards last year, Budapest Airport was again a finalist this year, alongside such prestigious competitors as Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Liege. Safe airport In April, Ferenc Liszt International Airport became the first airport on the continent to receive the international WELL Health-Safety Rating, which confirms that professionals are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and health of passengers and staff. During the certification process, independent experts examined five focus areas in passenger terminals: cleanliness, emergency preparedness, health, air and water quality, and stakeholder engagement. Outstanding campaign activity and high quality events Budapest Airports traditional Annual Awards Gala is usually a big hit with the company's partners. For the second time, the event won the UNICEO live communication solutions award in the category of B2B events with more than 150 participants, while the Hungarian Association of Event Organizers and Service Providers granted the Event Design of the Year Award to the event, organized jointly by Progressive Advertising Agency and Budapest Airport. The joint production of Budapest Airport and MediaFactory, Fly into Work - Stars at the Airport, has won the industrys biggest awards, the IPRA Gold Medal, also known as the international PR Oscars, the CMA content marketing award in the branded TV programs category and the Bronze Blade of the Golden Blade award in the PR solutions category. The entertaining and informative series was broadcast on TV2 at the beginning of this year, to showcase the colorful and varied jobs available at the airport and the complex, challenging and skilled tasks that can be found there. The show achieved outstanding ratings and attracted many applications for positions at the airport. Following the success of the award-winning first season, Budapest Airport and MediaFactory have started filming the second season, which will return to the screens in the fall with new stars and even more exciting challenges. At the Routes Europe Marketing Awards in Lodz, Poland, Budapest Airport won the award for the best airline marketing in the category of airports with 4-20 million passengers. The jury was impressed not only by the companys B2B marketing activities, but also by the growth in passenger numbers over the past year, with the airports passenger traffic again exceeding 12 million last year, i.e. 75% of the pre-pandemic level, despite the adverse economic climate. Last year, 13 routes were launched or resumed, and this year this number rises to 23. Thanks to outstanding marketing activities, a total of 121 destinations will be accessible from Ferenc Liszt International Airport in the summer season of 2023. I am proud of the airport community, as these awards are a testament to the work we do together, the dedication, energy and professionalism we put into running the airport every day. The recently received passenger satisfaction surveys show that passengers recognize the results of the continuous developments, and are happy to use the expanding services, said Kam Jandu, chief executive officer of Budapest Airport. He also added: We want to maintain this level of quality in the future, and keep our passengers satisfied by increasing the capacity in line with the growing number of passengers. Source: Bud.hu Starting on Monday, 31 July, the week-long Ozora Festival will be offering seven days of alternative entertainment to a loyal gathering of like-minded souls at Dadpuszta, near the village of Ozora south of Lake Balaton. The location is no coincidence. It was here in the summer of 1999 that many watched and celebrated the solar eclipse. Solipse was then revived as the Ozora Festival in 2004, and soon became one of the leading psychedelic trance events in the world, attracting tens of thousands to an otherwise little-visited part of Hungary. Still defiantly non-mainstream, Ozora transforms an attractive valley into an interactive creative zone for underground culture, combining hypnotic trance beats, art workshops, circus performances, Polynesian dance and orchard maintenance, to name just the tip of the iceberg. There are no day or weekend tickets, only admission for the whole event (290, cash only) which includes free camping and car parking. See here for details there are only a limited number available at the gate. For travel information, see here. Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com A 79-strong Hungarian delegation is travelling to Auschwitz-Birkenau to mark Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, and the March of the Living foundation will hold commemorations in Budapest, organisers told MTI. The Council of Europe declared August 2 the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day in 1972. Some 3,000 Roma prisoners killed that night in Auschwitz in 1944 are commemorated on that day. About 500,000 Roma are estimated to have been killed in Nazi death camps, 23,000 of them in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Phiren Amenca, a network of Roma and non-Roma activists working against discrimination, has been holding a series of events connected to the memorial day in Krakow and Auschwitz each year for a decade, the statement said. This year, 24 young Hungarian activists are participating in the event. Another 55 are travelling to southern Poland to participate at the commemoration on August 2, where the NGO will lay a wreath at the memorial of the Roma holocaust in the erstwhile concentration camp, the statement said. The commemoration in Budapest will be held at the organisations headquarters on August 2. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and eight others injured on Tuesday in a collision between a passenger bus and a car in Barkhan district of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, the rescue service reported. According to the reports, the accident took place early morning near the Rakhni area of the district, resulting in casualties. The accident occurred due to the overspeeding of the bus, said the rescue service, adding that the bus driver was among the injured. Upon receiving the information, rescue workers reached the site, within a couple of hours since the area had unpaved roads, and shifted the victims to a nearby hospital, according to the rescue service. Reportedly, the ill-fated bus was going from Balochistan's capital Quetta to Multan city in the south of the eastern Punjab province. New Delhi: A new GST threshold for businesses turnover of over 5 crore will kick in from today. A Ministry of Finance in May had issued a circular with regard to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. The circular had stated that Businesses with turnover of over 5 crore will be required to generate e-invoice from August 1. Starting on August 1, companies with a B2B transactional value of over Rs 5 crore will be required to produce an electronic or e-invoice. For all B2B transactions, companies must currently generate an electronic invoice if their annual revenue is Rs. 10 crore or more. E-invoicing was initially (2020) implemented for large companies with turnover of more than Rs 500 crore, and within 3 years the threshold has now been lowered to Rs 5 crore. E-invoicing for business-to-business (B2B) transactions was made mandatory under GST law for companies with annual revenues over Rs 500 crore starting on October 1, 2020, and then for those with annual revenues over Rs 100 crore starting on January 1, 2021. Companies that had a turnover of more than Rs 50 crore started producing B2B e-invoices from April 1, 2021. from April 1, 2022, the barrier was reduced to Rs 20 crore. The threshold was further reduced to Rs 10 crore as of October 1, 2022. Srivatsan Sridhar, Founder and CEO, Skydo, said, "By implementing e-invoicing, the government aims to combat tax evasion and facilitate real-time invoice matching between clients and vendors. This step ensures transparency and enhances compliance by modernizing the tax collection system contributing to a broader GST base. E-invoicing offers numerous benefits as it enables real-time validation and matching of invoices between buyers and sellers, reducing the chances of errors, duplication, and tax evasion." "However, there are also some disadvantages and challenges associated with its implementation. Initial set up costs can be a barrier for small businesses initially as implementing e-invoicing systems and processes requires an initial investment in hardware, technology, software, and training. It also involves the transmission and storage of sensitive financial data, which can be susceptible to cyber threats and hacking attempts," he added. Meanwhile, the GST council is likely to meet on tomorrow, i.e August 02, to finally decide the implementation of GST on online gaming. The council will also decide whether the 28% GST will be levied on the deposits or on every game. The revenue secretary yesterday had acknowledged that levying 28% tax on every game will lead to repeated taxation of the same rupee resulting in the effective tax rate going as high as 50%-70%. NEW DELHI: Former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is guilty and that is why he is not able to face the opposition on the Manipur issue. Lalu had on Sunday said that PM Modi will settle abroad after losing the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024. #WATCH | On Opposition's demand for PM's presence in the Parliament for discussion on Manipur, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav says, "PM is guilty, so he is unable to face it..." When asked about his reported statement that PM Modi will settle abroad after losing 2024 Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/c9KMuOYsuR ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 When asked about this statement today, Lalu said that PM Modi will have to run away like Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos. "He is getting a place outside. He will have to run away like Marcos (Ferdinand Marcos). He has committed so much of sin," he said while speaking to reporters in Delhi. Ferdinand Marcos, the tenth President of the Philippines, fled the country in February 1986 after ruling for 20 years. Lalu Yadav on Sunday took a swipe at the BJP-led Central government and said that the party will be wiped out in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. "Parties believing in the ideology of Baba Saheb Ambedkar are coming together...BJP will be wiped out. In the coming time, we (I.N.D.I.A alliance) are going to meet in Maharashtra where we will finalise the strategy ahead..." former Bihar Chief Minister said. Lalu Yadav joined a one-day RJD student wing meeting organised by Bihar Minister Tej Partap Yadav at his residence on Sunday. BJP and Narendra Modi are trying to destroy the Constitution. I am requesting all of you that leave everything and fight for the country, Lalu Yadav said. I.N.D.I.A. or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance is a group of 26 opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The first meeting of the Opposition parties was concluded in Bihars Patna on June 23 under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while the second such meeting was convened in Karnatakas Bengaluru and held by Congress on July 17 and 18. The next meeting will be held in Maharashtras Mumbai. It may be noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday attached assets worth Rs 6 crore of many people linked to former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav's family in the land-for-job scam. ED has attached six immovable assets having a book value of Rs 6.02 crore belonging to Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti (daughter of Lalu Yadav), Vineet Yadav (husband of Hema Yadav who is the daughter of Lalu Yadav), Shiv Kumar Yadav (father-in-law of Hema Yadav), the federal agency said in a statement. NEW DELHI: Amid intense chatter over Pakistani woman Seema Haider, who illegally entered India via Nepal to live with her Indian lover Sachin Meena a greater Noida resident - whom she met while playing the PUBG online mobile game, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given his first reaction to what is being called as cross-border case of love. Speaking to news agency ANI, CM Yogi was asked to respond to speculations that Seema Haiders case is a case of reverse love jihad'. Responding to it, CM Yogi said, It is a matter related to two countries. Security agencies are looking into the matter. Whatever report will be given by them, a decision will be considered on the basis of it. Seema Haider-Sachin Meena Love Story For the unversed, Seema Haider claims to have met her Indian partner, who she married in Nepal, in a private chatroom while playing the online mobile game PUBG in 2020. Their friendship over PubG and then over WhatsApp conversations blossomed into love to the extent that she crossed borders along with her four children and travelled to Nepal in March this year to spend a week with Sachin Meena in a hotel room in Kathmandu. Later, in May this year, she travelled from Karachi to Dubai and then to Nepal before sneaking into India illegally. Seema Haider and Sachin Meena were arrested by the authorities for an illegal stay in India on July 4 and were granted bail by a local court three days later. Since then, the Pakistani Bhabhi has been grabbing media headlines and has given numerous interviews to TV news channels dismissing claims of being a 'Pakistani spy'. Don't Want To Go Back To Pakistan: Seema Haider Speaking exclusively to Zee Media, Seema Haider claimed that she is an ordinary woman and not a terrorist and wants to live in India forever. She also claimed that she does not want to return to Pakistan where death is awaiting her. Amid all this, the owner of a hotel in Nepals Kathmandu, where the two stayed in March, claimed that the pair booked a room under fake names. The mystery surrounding Seema Haider, who is now being referred to as Pakistani Bhabhi, has further deepened in the wake of shocking revelations being made by the UP ATS and other intelligence agencies on the basis of her intense grilling regarding her undetected journey from Pakistan to India via Nepal. Seema Haider, who is under investigation for illegally entering India and staying with her Noida-based Indian partner Sachin Meena, has also filed a petition before President Droupadi Murmu, seeking Indian citizenship. According to media reports, in her mercy plea to President Murmu, filed through a lawyer AP Singh, Seema Haider has pleaded that she should be granted Indian citizenship on the grounds of her marriage with an Indian citizen Sachin Meena. I Am Indias Daughter-In-Law Now, Should Be Allowed To Stay Here Claiming that she is now the daughter-in-law of India, Seema Haider has sought permission from the government to stay in India. In her petition, she claimed that she is deeply influenced by Indian culture and traditions. She has also stated that she has fully embraced Hinduism and trying her best to learn the Indian culture, customs and traditions. Her petition to the President comes at a time when she is under investigation over her illegal entry into India and her suspected links with Pakistans spy agency ISI. IB Seeks More Info From SSB, UP Police Meanwhile, Uttar Pradeshs anti-terrorism squad (UP-ATS) and central agencies have intensified their probe against Seema Haider. The central intelligence agency IB has sought a report from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Uttar Pradesh Police on Seema Haider who travelled through Nepal to reach Noida from Pakistans Karachi. A senior official confirmed that the central agencies, which got alerted about Seema Haider, have asked for detailed reports from SSB and UP Police. New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission Latest update-- Lakhs of central government employees who have been waiting for the announcement of the Dearness Allowance (DA) raise have a good news. The optimistic outlook has been caused by the AICPI Index data computation. The final data for determining the calculation of Dearness Allowance and the foundation for determining the DA quantum will be the AICPI Index number for the month of June has come. The figures for June 2023 AICPI index have been declared by the government that shows that there has been a big jump in the index. The June index has reached 136.4 points as compared to the index number in May which was 134.7 points. A total increase of 1.7 points has been registered in June. According to the figures of May, the total DA score was 45.58 percent, which has increased to 46.24 percent in June 2023, depending on AICPI index figures. DA May Increase To 46 Percent Media reports are abuzz with speculations that now central employees will be paid Dearness Allowance at the rate of 46 percent. The announced regarding the same will be made by the government in the month of September, reports have added. The recognised formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, shall be followed in order to raise DA. The Dearness Allowance of central government employees is revised twice a year. The first is given from January to June, while the second comes from July to December. DA Hike May be announced in September Meanwhile, it must be noted that till the new DA rates are announced by the government, the employees will be paid DA at the rate of 42 percent. However, once the Government announces a hike in DA, the increased amount will be paid along with the arrears. The benefit of this increase in dearness allowance will be given to the central government employees, who are getting salary under the 7th Pay Commission. Atotal of more than 1 crore central employees and pensioners will be directly given the benefit of this increase. Dearness Allowance Hike March 2023 It may be recalled that te Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in March gave its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Governments employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners with effect from 01.01.2023. The additional instalment will represent an increase of 4% over the existing rate of 38% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise. The combine impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs.12,815.60 crore per annum. This will benefit about 47.58 lakh Central Governments employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners. BERLIN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Germany's largest gas importer Uniper, nationalized in the wake of the energy crisis, announced on Tuesday it would become "completely carbon-neutral by 2040." Uniper plans to invest more than 8 billion euros (8.8 billion U.S. dollars) until 2030 for its green transformation. This represents a threefold increase in annual investments compared to the average over the past three years, according to the utility. "Uniper will support the necessary transformation of the energy industry by offering flexible, balanced and bespoke forms of energy production," the company said in a statement. The "new strategy" includes the company transforming its power plants and facilities, as well as investing in "flexible, secure power generating units," Uniper said. This would include investments in solar and wind farms, a field where the company "aims for significant growth." (1 euro = 1.10 U.S. dollars) New Delhi: Although the last date (July 31) to file the income tax return (ITR) for the Financial Year 2022-2023 (Assessment Year 2023-24) was July 31, netizens have constantly been urging the Income Tax Department to extend the deadline. The hashtag "Extend ITR Deadline" has been trending on Twitter since the last couple of days with numerous taxpayers facing difficulties with filing their ITR. Users are either encountering login issues or utility issues while attempting to file their returns on the income tax official portal. People on social media are pointing to heavy rainfall in various parts of the country and technical problems with the ITR portal as the reasons for their inability to meet the July 31 deadline. Meanwhile there is no official word from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on the matter of extension of the ITR Deadline. Belated ITR Filing: Taxpayers Have This Option After Missing The ITR Filing Deadline? Filing ITR can be done both online and offline. Not filing ITR or late filing can attract penalty up to Rs 5,000. If you have missed the July 31 deadline for filing, you can still file a belated ITR. The last date to file Belated ITR is December 31. By paying the above penalties, you could still file your belated ITR for Financial Year 2022-2023 (Assessment Year 2023-24). A Step-by-step Guide To Filing Belated ITR - Visit the official website of the Income Tax Department of India i.e www.incometax.gov.in - Go to the 'Downloads' section. - Click on the 'Income Tax Returns' option. Download the appropriate ITR utility. - Unzip and extract the files in the desired location. - Fill out the form and generate the XML. - Log in using PAN Card. Go to the e-file menu. - Click on the 'Income Tax Return' option. - Verify yourself and upload the XML. - Click on the 'Submit' option. - Enter the OTP. ITR will be submitted. Monthly Horoscope: August is here and more than half of the year is gone! So how will this month be for the 12 zodiac signs - Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces? Gurudev Shrie Kashyap, the chairman and founder of the All India Institute of Occult Science and True Vastu, says, "Get ready for an incredible month ahead as stars align, offering exciting opportunities, self-reflection, and growth for the natives of all zodiac signs. Leo, seize confident chances; Virgo, nurture important relationships; Libra, use communication skills wisely. Embrace positive changes and new beginnings, regardless of your sign." So check out your monthly horoscope below, presented by Gurudev Shrie Kashyap. Aries August 2023 Horoscope Aries (March 21- April 19): August 2023, suggests moderate career growth for the natives of Aries due to Saturns reverse motion. Mars is in a steady position indicating strong work possibilities. Focus on improving your health and well-being. Financially, this month can be a little tougher, as the expenses may rise, but will improve later this month. Business personnel will see competition in their sphere of work. In love, thanks to weak Venus, there might be challenges. Avoid making impulsive decisions in personal relationships. Taurus August 2023 Horoscope Taurus (April 20- May 20): The placement of Saturn in the tenth house and Mercury in the first house may provide good career benefits. This month will provide promising returns to the business personnel. Financial gains and stability are on the horizon. You will get new opportunities for career growth, so keep your eyes and ears open. Take time for self-care and relaxation. Mutual adjustment may be necessary to deepen understanding and improve relationships. Gemini August 2023 Horoscope Gemini (May 21 - June 20): You will experience favourable results this month, but strong efforts are needed. Due to the impact of Jupiter, you may get new job opportunities and there are promotion possibilities. This month offers opportunities for financial growth and stability. In love and marriage, you may experience auspicious outcomes. Strengthen existing relationships through open communication. Be open to new perspectives and ideas. Cancer August 2023 Horoscope Cancer (June 21- August 22): Your good communication skills will play a crucial role in your success. Stick to a schedule for better business growth and avoid new business ventures for now. Due to Mars in the tenth house, chances of job change or promotion in the existing job is there. Focus on career advancements and skill development. Stay disciplined about your financial matters. You might need to spend money on your parents due to illnesses. This month your communication and sincerity will improve, leading to happiness for married individuals. Leo August 2023 Horoscope Leo (August 23- August 22): The movement of Jupiter to the ninth house and its aspect on the moon sign will bring favourable results and blessings. Leo may experience positive results in their career this month. Financial trouble may arise due to unnecessary expenditure, but youll find ways to handle it with care. You will get chances to focus on business strategies and make informed decisions to achieve success. You will experience positive results in love and married life. Due to the beneficial aspects of Jupiter over the moon, romance, and happiness will increase. Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Virgo August 2023 Horoscope Virgo (August 23- September 22): The presence of Jupiter may bring moderate results for Virgo individuals in their careers. Jupiter and Rahu may lead to increasing expenses and the need for loans. Business profitability may be moderate, and competition may be tough. Do strategic planning to manage finances effectively. Venus retrograde in the eleventh house may temporarily decrease charm, but understanding and patience can foster love and harmony. Love life may see moderate challenges due to Jupiter in the eighth house, but open communication can strengthen relationships. Libra August 2023 Horoscope Libra (September 23- October 22): Pending tasks will be delayed, which may cause trouble in your job. You are likely to face more challenges due to the placement of Rahu and Ketu. Maintain balance and harmony in all aspects. Career opportunities will come up through networking. Strengthen social connections by socialising. Venus in the tenth house encourages a focus on personal growth and career aspirations, while maintaining a deep emotional connection with your partner. Use this time to nurture your emotional bond, leading to a more profound and fulfilling love life. Focus on financial planning and budgeting. Scorpio August 2023 Horoscope Scorpio (October 23- November 21): Listen to your intuition for decision-making. Nurture relationships for emotional well-being. Career advancements are possible through hard work. Scorpio individuals can build strong and understanding love relationships, by focusing on open communication. Married couples can strengthen their bond through mutual adjustments, finding happiness amidst challenges. Sagittarius August 2023 Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22- December 21): Sagittarius individuals can expect excellent health this month with Saturn in the third house, providing adaptability and energy. Get over new adventures and opportunities. Strengthen social connections and friendships. Financial gains may come through diverse avenues. This is a happy time for love and marriages and love can lead to auspicious outcomes. Focus on personal growth and self-discovery. Capricorn August 2023 Horoscope Capricorn (December 22- January 19): Financial management will improve leading to a sense of stability and responsible spending. You will be inspired by spiritualism. Focus on career goals and ambitions. Strengthen relationships with loved ones. Accept new challenges with confidence. Financial planning and stability are essential. Aquarius August 2023 Horoscope Aquarius (January 20- February 18): The natives of this zodiac have a passion for research and creativity. Expenses may rise but during this time doors for new opportunities will open. Utilize your unique ideas and perspectives. Strengthen friendships and social circles. Financial gains through unconventional means are possible. Focus on humanitarian efforts and community involvement. Pisces August 2023 Horoscope Pisces (February 19- March 20): Your strong intuition will help you make wise decisions. You can overcome financial losses with your determination. Focus on spiritual growth and self-reflection. Strengthen emotional connections and intuition. Career advancements may require extra effort. Mars in the seventh house inspires better communication in relationships. Financial opportunities through creative endeavours are possible Friendship is a bond that knows no borders, transcending cultures, languages, and nationalities. Celebrated annually on the first Sunday of August, International Friendship Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring and cherishing the essence of friendship worldwide. This day offers a unique opportunity for people to express gratitude towards their friends, bridge gaps, and promote companionship among individuals from diverse backgrounds. By celebrating this day, people reaffirm their commitment to nurturing meaningful relationships, promoting peace, and embracing the diversity that enriches our world. Let's delve into the history, significance, and celebration of this heartwarming day. International Friendship Day 2023: History The origins of International Friendship Day can be traced back to the early 20th century. The concept was first proposed in 1919 by Hallmark cards' founder, Joyce Hall, who aimed to create a day dedicated to friendship and goodwill. However, the idea did not gain widespread recognition at that time. Decades later, in 1958, Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho, a Paraguayan psychologist, proposed the concept of an International Friendship Day. He believed that a day celebrating friendship could contribute to fostering a sense of harmony and understanding among people globally. The idea caught on and gradually gained momentum. The UN emphasized the importance of friendship in promoting peace and building strong cross-cultural ties. However, some countries, including India and the United States, celebrate it on the first Sunday of August each year. This year, the international friendship day will be celebrated on August 6, 2023 in India. Also read: Friendship Day 2023: 10 Ways To Surprise Your Best Friend To Make Them Feel Special International Friendship Day 2023: Significance International Friendship Day holds profound significance in today's interconnected world. It serves as a reminder of the value of friendship in promoting empathy, compassion, and mutual respect. The day encourages people to reach out to old friends, mend broken bonds, and create new connections. Friendship plays a crucial role in bridging divides and promoting harmony among individuals from different backgrounds. By celebrating this day, people are encouraged to put aside differences, embrace diversity, and build lasting relationships based on trust and understanding. Happy Friendship Day 2023: Celebration The celebration of International Friendship Day varies across cultures and communities. The day is marked by a wide range of activities and gestures that demonstrate appreciation for friends and loved ones. Here are some common ways people celebrate this special day: Exchanging Gifts And Cards Many people express their affection by giving thoughtful gifts or heartfelt cards to their friends. These tokens of appreciation serve as a tangible representation of their bond. Social Gatherings Friends often come together for social gatherings, parties, or dinners, where they share laughter, memories, and experiences, strengthening their camaraderie. Virtual Celebrations In the digital age, virtual celebrations have become popular, especially during challenging times when physical gatherings may not be possible. Video calls, virtual games, and social media shout-outs are ways people celebrate despite distances. Acts Of Kindness Some individuals use this day to perform acts of kindness for their friends or even strangers, spreading positivity and compassion in their communities. Community Service Friendship Day is an excellent opportunity to engage in community service activities as a group, promoting the spirit of togetherness and giving back to society. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday said the bill to replace the Delhi services ordinance will change democracy into 'babucracy' and termed it the most 'undemocratic' piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament. Union Minister Nityanand Rai tabled the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The bill seeks to replace an ordinance related to the control of services in the national capital. Raghav Chadha said the bill is 'even worse' than the previous ordinance and more against 'our democracy, the Constitution, and the people of Delhi'. Calling the bill the 'most undemocratic, illegal piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament', the AAP Rajya Sabha MP said it essentially snatches all powers from the elected government of Delhi and hands those over to the Lt Governor and 'babus'. "This is an assault on India's federal structure, democracy, and the Constitution. All members of the INDIA bloc will oppose this bill," Chadha said. This bill will replace democracy in Delhi with "babucracy" and has given overriding powers to the bureaucracy and to Lt Governor, he added. Bill : Audit Commissions LG ? Delhi pic.twitter.com/9Kp4jX7uNx AAP (@AamAadmiParty) August 1, 2023 The legislation, which has brought the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government and the Centre at loggerheads, empowers the Delhi Lt Governor to have the final say in recommendations regarding the transfers and postings of Delhi government officials. It received a Cabinet nod on July 25. The legislation reverses the effect of the Supreme Court verdict in May that gave the Delhi government power over administrative services. The Opposition has been protesting against the ordinance since the beginning of the Monsoon session of Parliament. The Kejriwal government has also challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court. In the past couple of months, Kejriwal toured the country and met several Opposition leaders to drum up support against the bill and get it blocked in the Rajya Sabha, where the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA is short on numbers. How the numbers stand for NDA in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha The NDA is comfortably placed in Lok Sabha to get the bill to replace the Delhi services ordinance passed with over 330 members. In Rajya Sabha also, with the support of BJD, YSR Congress and some nominated and independent members, it can cross the halfway mark. BJD and YSR Congress have already said that they are likely to support the bill. Around 109 MPs from the 26-member Opposition bloc INDIA and some Independents such as Kapil Sibal are expected to vote against the bill, a senior leader said. However, this will still be short of the halfway mark of 120 if all 238 existing members vote that day. The full strength of the House is 243 but there are some vacancies. Of the 26 parties from the Opposition grouping, at least 18 have a presence in Rajya Sabha and have 101 MPs collectively. Besides this bloc, the BRS (seven MPs) is also likely to vote against the bill while the YSR Congress (nine MPs) may back it. The ruling NDA has 100 MPs in the Upper House while it will bank on nominated members and Independents, as well as other non-aligned parties that have voted with them in the past on various issues. All about the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 According to The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, all transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the central government a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "With a view to give effect to the intent and purpose behind the provisions of Article 239AA of the Constitution, a permanent authority, headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi along with the Chief Secretary, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Principal Secretary, Home, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, is being constituted to make recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor regarding matters concerning transfer postings, vigilance and other matters," according to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill. The National Capital Civil Service Authority shall have the responsibility to recommend the transfers and postings of all Group 'A' officers (IAS) and officers of Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) officer (DANICS) serving in the Delhi government. It says that this would balance the interest of the nation with the interest of the Union territory of Delhi in the administration of the capital to the manifestation of the will of the people reposed in the central government as well as the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Justifying the move to bring the bill, the statement of objects and reasons says several important national and international institutions and authorities like the President, the Parliament, the Supreme Court, various constitutional functionaries, foreign diplomatic missions, international agencies, etc are located in Delhi and high dignitaries from other nations pay official visits to Delhi. The highest possible standards are required to be maintained in the administration and governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, it said. It said that any decision taken in respect of Delhi not only affects the residents of the city but the entire country and shall have the potential of putting the national reputation, image, credibility and prestige at stake in the international global spectrum and therefore, the entire nation is vitally interested in the governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday called violence in Nuh district 'unfortunate' and suspected a 'bigger conspiracy' behind the clashes that broke out between two groups on Monday and claimed five lives. "This is an unfortunate incident. A Yatra was being organised during which some people attacked Yatris and the police. Violent incidents were reported at several places. There seems to be a big conspiracy behind this," Khattar told the news agency ANI. He said that around 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people have been taken into custody. "Strict actions will be taken against them," the Haryana CM added. Four people were killed and several others injured in Nuh following violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession on Monday afternoon. A mosque was also attacked in the Sector 57 area of neighboring Gurugram, leading to the death of a cleric and taking the toll in the violence to five, police said on Tuesday. Nuh violence engineered by someone who wanted to disturb peace: Haryana minister Earlier in the day, Haryana home minister Anil Vij said that someone who wanted to disturb the peace in the state engineered the violence in Nuh. Speaking to reporters in Ambala, he said the incident in Nuh does not appear to have happened all of a sudden. "The level of violence that took place and also occurred at different points, the way stones were collected, the way weapons were brandished, the way shots were fired, it does not appear to have happened all of a sudden," he said. Both the communities live peacefully there, he added. Somebody who wanted to disturb peace in the state and the country engineered or masterminded this incident, Vij claimed. "I don't want to immediately reach any conclusion. Our primary objective is to bring the situation under control and maintain peace," the Haryana home minister said. He said a curfew has been clamped in Nuh and that forces from neighbouring Palwal, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar and Rewari districts were sent after violence erupted in the district. Haryana's Nuh clashes: Situation now under control According to officials, the situation is now under control in Nuh. Police conducted flag marches in Nuh and the district administration has appealed to the public to maintain peace. Peace committee meetings were also held in Nuh and Sohna districts with people assuring the administration to maintain peace. At least 120 vehicles were damaged during the violence in the district. Of these, 50, including eight belonging to the police, were set ablaze. As news of the violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread on Monday, mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, apparently belonging to people from that community. Subsequently, mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad till Wednesday. Schools and colleges were also ordered to remain shut on Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. Three people including two home guards were killed and at least 45 others, including several policemen, were injured Monday as mobs in Haryana's Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said. Shots were fired. The riots break out as mobs tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, officials said. Police said the vehicles set ablaze were part of the procession, or belonged to them. A video clip showed at least four cars on fire. Another purported video showed two damaged police cars. The clip contained the sound of gunfire. Authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Haryana's Nuh district where two home guards were killed and several injured following violence that erupted over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession. Curfew has been clamped on Nuh district, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said on Tuesday. The situation in Nuh continues to be tense. However, there were no reports of any fresh violence on Tuesday. Below are 10 key points we know so far: 1. Suspending mobile internet services in Nuh, the Haryana government said there was "intense communal tension" in the area. According to police, VHP's 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was stopped by a group of young men near Nuh's Khedla Mod and stones pelted at the procession. Cars were then set ablaze.People in the procession also hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them, reports said. Later, many took refuge in a nearby temple as police tried to evacuate them to safety. VIDEO | "There were attempts by a few people to do stone pelting in Sohna after the reports of Mewat clashes but the situation is under control now. Social media is being monitored and police have been deployed," said DCP Gurugram Nitish Agarwal. pic.twitter.com/mNvuoSEOT2 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023 2. Haryana government has sought 20 companies of the Rapid Action Force from the Centre for a week to maintain the law and order situation in Nuh district. In a communication to the Union home secretary, Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), T V S N Prasad, sought 20 companies of the RAF "urgently" for one week from July 31. VIDEO | "Situation is under control in Nuh. Internet is shut and curfew has been imposed. We have deployed sufficient police force in the area (Nuh). We have requested the Air Force to be on stanby in case their help is needed in airlifting more security forces. We are keeping a pic.twitter.com/9vgoBC0SyD Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023 3. The Union Home Ministry has dispatched 15 companies of central forces to Haryana, as violence also erupted in Sohna in neighbouring Gurugram district, adjacent to Delhi. These include the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force and Rapid Action Force. As news of the clash in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna pelted stones and set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, belonging to people from that community. Protesters there blocked a road for hours. VIDEO | A private car was overturned and burned as Haryana's Mewat was gripped by violent clashes between two groups earlier today. pic.twitter.com/9e1W8f7dak Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023 4. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that about 2,500 men, women and children at a Shiva temple in Nuh were evacuated by police. These apparently included devotees and those who had taken shelter there as the two sides clashed. 5. Prohibitory orders banning assembly of people were clamped in Nuh and Gurugram districts. Mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday. Educational institutes were ordered closed Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure. VIDEO | Police deployed in Haryana's Mewat after reports of clashes between two groups. pic.twitter.com/Sry6hJMmFu Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023 6. The yatra was flagged off from Gurugram's Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. A police contingent was deployed with the procession. According to some claims, the trigger for the clash was an objectionable video posted on social media by a Bajrang Dal activist in Ballabhgarh. 7. Nuh authorities said late at night that the situation was under control. Representatives from both communities held a meeting in which officials and local leaders too took part. Another meeting was slated for Tuesday morning, they said. 8. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed for calm in Nuh, invoking the slogan "Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek (Haryanvis are one). Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda asked people to maintain peace and brotherhood. Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed and former legislator MLA Zakir Hussain also issued similar appeals. 9. Union minister Rao Inderjit appealed to people of all sections to maintain peace, saying that the residents of Mewat have always set an example of brotherhood. He said that anyone who disturbs brotherhood will not be spared. Meanwhile, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav warned the public of strict legal action for any objectionable post on social media. 10. An alert was sounded in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district following violence in Nuh in neighbouring Haryana, officials said. Superintendent of Police, Bharatpur, Mridul Kachchawa said the vigil has been intensified in the district and social media is being monitored. All checkposts in areas sharing the border with Haryana are being manned, he said. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday attached the property of a terrorist operating from Pakistan in the Kupwara district of north Kashmir. The Police said the land measuring 6 Kanals and 3 Marla belonging to Adul Rashid Qureshi alias Farooq Qureshi, a resident of Kachama, Kupwara has been attached by the SIU following an investigation. Following extensive intelligence gathering and meticulous investigations in case FIR No.276/2022 of Police Station Kupwara registered under sections 120-B, 121, 121-A, 122, 123 IPC & 17, 18, 18-A, 18-B, 20, 38, 39, 40 of UA(P)A, the team of SIU Kupwara Police led to the identification and subsequent attachment of the terrorist's property of land measuring 6 Kanals and 3 Marlas located at multiple locations within the district at village Kachama," it said. This measure taken by the Police aims to disrupt his illicit network and restrict his ability to carry out further acts of terror. It is pertinent to mention that Farooq Qureshi has been a persistent threat to peace and security of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since the time he exfiltrated to Pakistan in the early 1990s. He is a member of the Al-Barq terror outfit and presently operating from PoJK as launching commander. Farooqs strategic involvement in numerous acts of terror has caused immense suffering and loss of innocent lives in the valley in the past," said the police. Police said the attachment of the property serves as a strong message to terrorists and their supporters that their actions will not go unnoticed or unpunished. It underscores the unwavering commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police to combating terrorism at its roots and dismantling its infrastructure. NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party in response to a hate crime on a moving train and communal violence in Haryana. The Gandhi scion stressed that "only love can extinguish this fire." The BJP, the media and the forces standing with them have spread the kerosene of hatred across the country," Gandhi said in his tweet. Only love can douse this fire in the country," he added. , Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 1, 2023 Rahul Gandhi's tweet came hours after five people were killed in the violence that erupted on Monday in Haryana's Nuh. Four people, including two home guards, died and many others were injured in Nuh, where mobs tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession, while a naib imam was killed at a mosque in Gurugram. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the attack on a VHP procession in Nuh seems to be part of a big conspiracy and asserted that strict action will be taken against the culprits. Khattar's remarks came hours after Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said someone who wanted to disturb the peace in the state engineered the violence in Nuh. On Tuesday, authorities imposed a curfew in the district after the previous day's violence. CM Khattar also held a meeting here with State Home Minister Anil Vij and senior officials, including the chief secretary, to take stock of the situation. Senior police officers, including the DGP, joined the meeting virtually. According to an official statement, Khattar said that every year, the 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' used to be taken out. This year too, this Yatra was being taken out when the incidents occurred at around 2 pm on Monday, he said. Some people hatched a conspiracy and attacked the procession, Khattar said, adding police personnel were also attacked. "Definitely, it looks like part of a big conspiracy," the CM said. So far, 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people taken into custody. After investigations, strict action will be taken against all those found involved in the violence, he said. Anyone who has indulged in this arson will not be spared, he said. After the incident, Khattar had dispatched the DGP, ADGP (CID) and ADGP (law and order) to Nuh while police force from neighbouring districts was rushed and the Centre was requested to send additional forces, the statement said. Sixteen companies of central forces and 30 companies of Haryana Police also reached Nuh and the situation in the district was normalised, said the CM. In neighbouring areas, including Gurugram, Palwal and Faridabad, some incidents of violence were reported and peace has been established now, the statement said. As a precautionary measure, a curfew has been imposed (in Nuh) and Section 144 clamped in some of the adjoining districts, Khattar said. He again appealed to all to cooperate and help maintain peace, saying what happened in Nuh on Monday was unfortunate. Earlier in the day, Haryana Home Minister Vij had said the incident in Nuh does not appear to have happened all of a sudden. "The level of violence that took place and also occurred at different points, the way stones were collected, the way weapons were brandished, the way shots were fired, it does not appear to have happened all of a sudden," Vij told reporters in Ambala. Both the communities live peacefully there, he said. Somebody, who wanted to disturb peace in the state and the country engineered or masterminded this incident, claimed Vij. ISTANBUL, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish anti-narcotics police have seized 8.5 tons of drugs and more than 2.5 million pills since January in Istanbul, the governor's office said in a statement on Tuesday. The police have carried out 24,539 anti-narcotics operations and detained 3,251 suspects since January, said the statement. It vowed to make unremitting efforts to counter drug-related crimes in Istanbul, the statement added. Turkish security forces frequently launch operations against drug dealers as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug use and trafficking. New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the "complete breakdown of law and order" and "constitutional machinery" in Manipur, particularly in the context of unbridled ethnic violence. The court harshly criticized the state police for their "tardy and lethargic" investigation and demanded the personal presence of the Director General of Police (DGP) during a hearing on a series of petitions related to the mayhem in the northeastern state. Supreme Court observes that one thing is very clear there has been a long delay in the registration of FIRs. Referring to an incident of a woman being dragged out of a car and her son being lynched to death in Manipur, Supreme Court says the incident happened on May 4 and FIR pic.twitter.com/KRv8icH6lF ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023 Court Seeks Details On Incident Date, FIR Registration Headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, the bench found the May 4 video showing two women being paraded naked to be deeply disturbing. It sought specific details from the state government about the date of the incident, the registration of both 'zero FIR' and regular FIR, and the number of accused named in the over 6,000 FIRs registered so far, as well as the actions taken for their arrest. Manipur's Troubling Ethnic Violence And The Delayed Response The tension in Manipur has escalated due to the persistent ethnic violence, exacerbated by the recent surfacing of the May 4 video. The court took note of the long delay in registering the FIR in connection with the video case. The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Manipur government, informed the court that the state police had lodged a 'zero' FIR in the case of the two women being stripped and paraded naked. The police have arrested seven individuals, including a juvenile, in connection with the video case, and they recorded the statements of the women after the video emerged. Supreme Court Intervenes to Prevent Further Victimization During the hearing, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) not to proceed with recording the statements of the victim women on the same day as the court scheduled a batch of petitions related to the issue. The bench, which also comprises justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, took note of the submissions by lawyer Nizam Pasha, appearing for the two women, that the CBI has asked them to appear and depose before it during the day. The top court had on Monday described as "horrendous" the video amid reports that the police handed the helpless women over to the rioting mob. The court also raised serious questions about the delayed registration of the FIR and proposed the idea of forming a committee of retired judges or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to supervise the investigation. New Delhi: It has been a long since the launch of the interesting and nail-biting teaser of 'Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire' starring Prabhas. As the audience finally had a glimpse of the world of Salaar, it indeed gave a glance at its existence in international territory. The teaser launched at 5.12 AM on 6th July, brought some glimpses that spoke volumes of its story dwelling in the international World. The teaser of 'Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire' has profoundly stated that Salaar will deal with the international mafia and will attempt an international level of crime that indeed broadens its canvas. It's profoundly seen in the teaser when Tinnu Anand addressed Salaar, he spoke English to make it understood to everyone as the goons standing around weren't Indian. The description, that Tinnu Anand gives about Prabhas's character, it presents him as the baddest in the world. As Salaar can be seen dealing with the international mafia, it would be interesting to see how Salaar will fight the international mafia. Coming from the house of the biggest action director Prashanth Neel, the 'Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire' teaser brought along some stirring visuals, a goosebumps-worthy background score, the maga canvas, and superstar Prabhas's never seen before avatar, that has framed well the most ambitious project of the director. Hombale Films, 'Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire' will star Prabhas along with Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, and Jagapathi Babu. Made under the direction of Prashanth Neel, the film will be released in theaters on 28 September 2023. KIEV, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian authorities removed the Soviet-era "hammer and sickle" symbol from the landmark Motherland monument in Kiev, Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne reported Tuesday. The Soviet emblem on the monument will be replaced by a trident, the official coat of arms of Ukraine by Aug. 24, when the country celebrates Independence Day, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy said in a statement. Experts have carried out some preparatory work and constructed the metal sculpture of the trident, said the statement on the ministry's website. The ministry also said it will consider a proposal made by local scientists to change the name of the Motherland monument to Mother Ukraine. Inaugurated in 1981, the 102-meter-tall Motherland monument is considered one of the architectural symbols of Kiev as well as Ukraine. by Julia Pierrepont III and Cheng Xu LOS ANGELES, July 31 (Xinhua) -- "I expected the film to help broaden people's understanding and compassion, and perhaps, it can bring some softness to the hard hearts," Joey Magidow, an attendee told Xinhua at the premiere of musical history documentary "Jewish Melodies Left in Shanghai." The event, held Saturday at Harmony Gold Preview House on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles to a capacity audience, invoked thoughtful discussions about historical events and cultural exchanges and how friendship can build bridges between cultures and across borders. Iris Mann, an American writer who attended the screening, praised the kindness and hospitality given to Jewish people in Shanghai in the early 20th century, saying, "The Chinese were very welcoming. And in return, it was mostly Jewish musicians who introduced China to classical music." "I think it's important that people know about the help China gave the Jews at that time when no one else in the entire world would," she said. The film recalls the stories of Jewish performers and composers who had immigrated or fled to Shanghai from the 1920s to 1940s. Shanghai, a bustling Eastern metropolis, received many groups of Jewish exiles from Europe, many fleeing Nazi persecution. These immigrants included over 400 Jewish musicians and composers, many quite prominent in their fields, who continued to expand their musical careers in China. The documentary focused on several top Jewish musicians who called Shanghai home then, including composer Aaron Avshalomov, violinist and conductor Arrigo Foa, composer Ernest Bloch, and others. David Avshalomov, the grandson of Aaron Avshalomov, told Xinhua that the premiere was an honor for his revered grandfather. "My grandfather loved the Chinese people and their music and devoted his life to composing classical music that honored both Chinese and Western cultural traditions." At the premiere, Jade Ellis, an IT executive who had lived with his family in Shanghai's modern Jewish community for six years, shared his experience, hoping to revisit their memories of Shanghai through the film. "When we saw in the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum all the Jews who were saved by Shanghai in that time period, I think that was a very positive, meaningful thing." Xu Shen, host of the film and an expert historian who helped initiate the project, credited Jewish musicians and composers living in Shanghai then with taking Chinese music to a higher level and being instrumental in introducing Chinese music to the world. Xu hoped to continue exploring and documenting the mutual influence between the Jewish and Chinese people in architecture, medicine and academia. Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun told Xinhua, "We hope that this film will help us share the story of the friendship between the Chinese people and the Jewish people and express the character of the Chinese nation as open, friendly and peace-loving." Mariupol commanders can return to the front to fight, there is no ban, says National Guard commander 31 July, 02:05 PM Azov regiment commander Denys Prokopenko meets with his soldiers after being released from captivity (Photo:Azov Brigade/Telegram) The senior officers of the former Mariupol garrison, including the commander Ukraines Azov Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Denys Prokopenko, are permitted to return to the front to fight Russian invasion forces. This was confirmed by the commander of the National Guard, Colonel Oleksandr Pivnenko, in an interview with NVs sister publication Ukrayinska Pravda. The Azov Regiment is a unit of Ukraines National Guard. "Denys defended Mariupol They are preparing (for battle) and will perform tasks, like everyone else," Pivnenko said. Video of day Pivnenko added that there was no ban on the Azov commanders returning to the front, and that they could be back in battle within a month. "It depends on the situation at the front. Maybe within a month. We'll see, let's see, time will tell," he said. The Mariupol garrison commanders were captured by the Russians during their seizure of the port city of Mariupol in May 2022. The five commanders were held captive by the Russians, and then held in Turkey under a prisoner exchange deal brokered by Ankara. Later, they werereleased and travelled back to Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian head of state visited Turkey on July 8. Russia then accused Ukraine and Turkey of violating the terms of the prisoner exchange deal. The five Mariupol garrison commanders who returned were: the commander of the Azov Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Denis Prokopenko, with the call sign Redis; the deputy commander of Azov Regiment, Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, with the call sign Kalyna; the acting commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, Captain 3rd Rank Serhiy Volynskyi, with the call sign Volyn; senior soldier of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhets, Oleh Khomenko; the commander of the 12th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, Colonel Denis Shlega. The Mariupol garrison commanders were held in Turkey "under the personal protection of President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan" after a large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place in September 2022. They spent more than nine months in the country after being released from Russian captivity. In total, on Sept. 22, 2022, Ukraine returned 215 defenders from Russian captivity. The five commanders of the Mariupol garrison were exchanged for 55 Russian soldiers, and in exchange for the rest, Ukraine sent Viktor Medvedchuk, a People's Deputy and Putin's best man, who was suspected of treason, to Russia. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News UK struggles to blacklist Wagner PMC as terrorist organization 31 July, 06:55 PM Wagner PMC (Photo:REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo) The United Kingdom has been forced to delay its plans to proscribe Wagner PMC as a terrorist organization as it is now under the full authority of the Russian military and is not a private army, The Times reported on July 30. As such, proscribing Wagner PMC would mean that the U.K. would be directly proscribing a branch of the Russian state. The legal case to formally proscribe the Russian mercenary group as a terrorist organization was launched in May. If approved, it would become a criminal offense to belong to Wagner, attend its meetings, encourage support for it, or carry its logo in public. Video of day This would place Wagner PMC on the same footing as other terrorist groups like Islamic State and al-Qaeda. The Times reported that the British government suspects Wagner PMC of helping Russia to avoid sanctions imposed on the countrys oligarchs and the allies of dictator Vladimir Putin. The Times said that the recent mutiny by Wagner PMC's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has changed the legal basis of proscription as the mercenary's ties with the state came to light. Putin acknowledged at a meeting with Russian military on June 27 that Russia fully funded Wagner PMC, despite previously denying its support. The Times said that this statement transformed an already complicated legal case into a quagmire. However, the U.K. is "still determined to find a way of proscribing the group," according to Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat, and Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Prigozhin halted his one-day-long mutiny against Putin and the Russian Defense Ministry on June 24 following negotiations with the self-proclaimed president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Ukraine has never attacked civilian ships Podolyak 1 August, 06:43 PM Advisor to the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak (Photo:REUTERS/Anna Voitenko) Ukraine has never attacked civilian ships in the Black Sea despite the Kremlin's claims to the contrary, advisor to the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak said in an interview with Reuters on August 1. His comments come as the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian patrol ships Sergei Kotov and Vasily Bykov were attacked by three unmanned sea boats in the Black Sea overnight on August 1. The ministry subsequently claimed that civilian ships came under fire in the engagement. "Undoubtedly, such statements by Russian officials are fictitious and do not contain even a shred of truth," Podolyak said. Video of day "Ukraine has not attacked, is not attacking, and will not attack civilian vessels, nor any other civilian objects." According to naval tracking imagery, three civilian vessels originated in Israel, Greece, and Turkey/Georgia successfully made it to Ukrainian grain terminals in the Danube Delta on July 30. Ukrainian news outlet Militarnyi reported that the first ship to defy Russias warning sailed under an Israeli flag, and entered the Ukrainian Danube estuary on July 25, followed by four more ships. Russia terminated its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, saying its decision was due to explosions on the illegally built Crimea Bridge. The aggressor country subsequently threatened vessels bound for Ukrainian ports. On the same day, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to extend the grain deal without Russian participation, jointly with Turkey and the UN. The Black Sea grain deal had allowed secure Ukrainian grain exports starting from August 1, 2022. However, Russia kept threatening and hindering the initiative. Russia announced on July 19 that it will consider all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports to be "military targets." In response, Ukraine's Defense Ministry warned that it would consider all vessels heading to Russian ports in the Black Sea, as well as to ports in the temporarily occupied territories, as "carrying military cargo with all the corresponding risks." A spokesperson for the Southern Ukraine Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, said they saw indications that Russia is gearing up to blockade the Black Sea. She also warned about possible Russian false-flag attacks against third parties' vessels in the Black Sea. The US State Department also issues a similar warning. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News To the joy of parents and the chagrin of students across the globe, back-to-school season begins soon. What better way to celebrate back to school than with a new book? Whether it is someones very first day of school or someone going back to school after a break, weve compiled a list of books to get everyone excited about school. First Day of School and Back to Elementary School Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney (2022) (Children) (Fiction) Llama has had so much fun over the summer: He camped in the backyard, went on family picnics and ate ice cream with his friends. He is NOT ready to go back to school. With some help from his mother and his friends, can he learn that going back to school can be fun too? Lessons Learned: The Kindergarten Survival Guide for Parents by Jeannie Podest (2014) (Non-Fiction) Sometimes the first day of school is harder on the parent than the child. Are they prepared for big school? Will they make friends? Am I ready as a parent to let them go? Podest, a veteran Kindergarten teacher and mother of four kids shares insight and wisdom for parents as they send their kids off to school for the first time. Middle School Awkward: Berrybrook Middle School #1 by Svetlana Chmakova (2015) (Young Adult Fiction) (Graphic Novel) Middle Schoolers (and those going to middle school soon) will love this graphic novel featuring Cardinal Rules such as Dont get noticed by the mean kids and Seek out groups with similar interests and join them. However, the main character, Peppi, learns you sometimes must break those rules. The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore (2017) (Young Adult Realistic Fiction) 12-year-old Lolly Rachpaul is having a hard time celebrating Christmas and navigating life after the recent gang-related passing of his older brother. His mothers girlfriend presents Lolly with a gift: two large bags of loose Legos. Lolly loves Legos and loves following the directions and skillfully building the kits. However, he is unsure how to proceed forward without directions (from his brother or Lego instructions). High School Does My Head Look Big In This ? by Randa Abdel-Fattah (2007) (Young Adult Fiction) School can be hard enough without doing anything extra to stand out. When 16-year-old Amal, decides to celebrate her devout Muslim faith and don her hijab full-time in a non-Muslim-majority area, she encounters plenty of curiosity, interest and, unfortunately, some prejudice. Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar (2005) (Young Adult Fiction) Scott is a high school freshman who has a new sibling on the way. What better way to help bring your sibling into the world than to give them a guide to high school? Scott documents diary entries to his unborn sibling on topics from bullies to classes, crushes and more. College The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College by Harlan Cohen (2005) (Non-Fiction Self-Help) This book is filled with tons of little tidbits and advice that Freshman Orientation may not cover such as Roommates do not have to be friends (thats a bonus), Talk to upperclassmen and discover the BEST jobs on campus and Do laundry at slow times, not on the weekends. I Was Here by Gayle Forman (2015) (Young Adult) (Mystery) (Fiction) Warning: *mentions suicide* When her best friend, Meg, commits suicide, Cody begins to question everything about life. She thought Meg told her everything, so how could she have missed whatever led to this? Meg travels to Codys college town to help collect her belongings and learns much more about Meg, and herself, throughout the experience. Going Back to School for Adults Never Too Late: The Adult Students Guide to College by Becky Klein-Collins and Rebecca Klein-Collins (2018) (Non-Fiction) (Education) More and more adults are making the decision to go back to school due to promotions, career changes, or simply fulfilling life-long goals. This comprehensive guide exists to help non-traditional students with admissions, multi-tasking work and kids, picking a major, financial aid and more. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (2005) (Fiction) Every Monday, eight students, including a widower, a struggling young mother, and a new Italian immigrant in America, gather at Lillians Restaurant for cooking lessons. These adults come for cooking lessons, but the students and teacher realize quickly that these lessons teach so much more. Charles Leclerc has taken as an encouraging sign Ferrari's reduced tyre degradation at Spa, although the Monegasque admitted that it was too early to know if the issue has been permanently ironed out. Leclerc relied on a two-stop soft-to-medium-to soft strategy in the Belgium Grand Prix to claim the final spot on the podium in the race behind the Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Leclerc conceded after the race that the sheer 22-second gap with Verstappen at the checkered flag proved once again that the Scuderia has work to do to significantly reduce that void. But inching closer to the bulls will only be possible if Ferrari succeeds in solving the tyre degradation troubles that have often undermined the team's efforts this season. And in Spa, there were signs that the Italian outfit is on the right track. "I think it's a bit too early to say but it's been two or three races where we are managing our tyres better," Leclerc said. "I think today, this was definitely not the reason why we finished so far behind the Red Bulls, I think they were just quicker. "But in terms of tyre management, we didn't have a huge degradation. And also looking at Mercedes behind, I was in control of the pace of my tyres. "So on that it looked good. We still need to keep an eye on that because sometimes, especially in very specific conditions, we sometimes get off the window of the tyres, the right window, and then we struggle quite a lot." Tyre degradation appeared to be a wide-spread issue at Spa, to varying degrees depending on the team. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur reckoned that the problem was mitigated on the SF-23 thanks to the car's strong pace in Belgium which also facilitated the team's race strategy. "Sometimes it's just that when you don't have the pace, you have to overpush," said Vasseur, quoted by Motorsport.com. "Everybody's managing, even Red Bull, they were managing a lot during the race. "And when you don't have the pace, you have to manage. Or if you push, you damage the tyres, but it's the main driver of the situation, like for the strategy. "It's much easier to have a good strategy when the pace is there than when you don't have the pace. When you don't have the pace, you can do whatever you want, you will be far away, and for tyre deg, it's almost the same. "When the pace is there, it's much easier to manage. When you don't have the pace, you have to push." Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter lucky-photographer / Getty Images The Great Migration that began during the pandemic, with people moving from major metropolitan areas into smaller cities or suburbs, continues. A new study from Redfin shows that 25% of homebuyers are seeking to relocate this summer. Im a Real Estate Agent: Buy Real Estate in These 10 Cities To Be Rich in 10 Years Read More: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 The real estate website looked at data from Redfin users who viewed homes for sale across 100 metro areas from April 2023 to June 2023. Year-over-year, the percentage of Redfin shoppers relocating is down by 7.5%, which the site attributes to higher mortgage rates. But even fewer users are opting to stay in their current metro area, with that figure down 18% in the past year. Where Are People Moving To? Although Florida towns like Tampa, Orlando, Miami, North Port-Sarasota and Cape Coral make up half the list, a new addition hit the number one spot for people seeking to relocate. Las Vegas is the number one city for homebuyers who are relocating, with 5,700 new residents. The majority of those settling in Las Vegas come from Los Angeles, California, where the average home price is nearly double that of Vegas, Redfin reported. The median sale price of a home in Vegas is $412,000, compared to $975,000 in Los Angeles and more than $1.4 million in San Francisco. Junes average mortgage rate of 6.7% drives the monthly mortgage payment for L.A. and San Francisco homes up to $6,439 and $9,281, respectively. Meanwhile, a similar house in Vegas will cost only $2,721 per month. Affordability Is Key Its no surprise people are purchasing less expensive homes. Roughly 20% of people relocating said they are doing so for a lower overall cost of living, according to a Redfin survey conducted by Qualtrics. Another 15% wanted a better deal on a house, and 13% said they couldnt afford to buy a house or afford the cost of living, overall, in their previous area. Nine out of 10 cities people are moving to are situated in the Sun Belt. Climate change, the risk of flooding and heat waves arent scaring homebuyers away. In fact, only 4% of homebuyers in the U.S. who relocated in the past year said they were concerned about climate change. The fear of flooding, hurricanes, and year-round storms, which can drive up home insurance prices or even make it harder to insure a home, seems to pale in comparison to affordability concerns. Story continues Top 10 Metro Areas Where People Are Moving These are the top 10 metro areas people are moving to based on Redfins latest research: Las Vegas, NV Phoenix, AZ Tampa, FL Orlando, FL Sacramento, CA North Port-Sarasota, FL Cape Coral, FL Dallas, TX Miami, FL Houston, TX More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 25% of U.S. Homebuyers Are Looking To Relocate Why Buyers Are Choosing Las Vegas AzmanL / iStock.com Some cities are magnets for young professionals based on certain characteristics. Specifically, young professionals tend to prefer cities that have good employment opportunities, that are desirable and exciting, and that remain affordable. To determine which were the best cities for young professionals to live in, U.S. News and World Report looked at the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. that had these characteristics, with the heaviest weighting being assigned to the job market. The top five cities are listed below, along with some of their most interesting characteristics. I'm a Financial Planning Expert: Here Are 5 Things You Should Never Spend Money on If You Want To Be Rich Find Out: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images Huntsville, Alabama Average Annual Salary: $61,140 Median Age: 39 Thanks to its high quality of life and affordable housing, Huntsville sits in second place of the U.S. News and World Report's overall rankings for "Best Place to Live" in America. When the publication tweaks these ratings by factoring in the needs of young professionals, Huntsville drops to No. 5 -- still a strong showing. If you're in the aerospace or defense industries, however, there may not be a better place to be, as Huntsville is the home of both the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Overall, residents of Huntsville only spend 19.62% of their income on housing costs, making it extremely affordable for those just starting out in their professional careers. See More: 15 Cheapest, Safest Places To Live in the US Warren Buffett's Financial Plan to Tackle America's Debt: 'I Can End the Deficit in 5 Minutes' Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto Colorado Springs, CO Average Annual Salary: $57,530 Median Age: 35 Colorado Springs has a very low median age, which may not be surprising, considering the active lifestyle that many in the high-elevation city enjoy. In fact, according to U.S. News and World Report, Colorado Springs ranks No. 2 in desirability out of the 150 largest metros in the country, thanks in part to its access to places like Pikes Peak, one of the highest mountains in the country. Story continues Interestingly, the city is also home to both the U.S. Olympic Headquarters and Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy. What's holding Colorado Springs back from scoring higher is its relatively low income, which is close to the national average, making it harder for young professionals to afford the higher cost of housing in the area. $10,000 Quarter: This 1999 Georgia Coin Is Worth Big Money Because of an Error MattGush / Getty Images/iStockphoto Boulder, CO Average Annual Salary: $73,360 Median Age: 37.2 Boulder shares many of the appealing outdoor lifestyle characteristics of its sister city, Colorado Springs. However, one of the advantages that Boulder has is an average salary that's nearly $18,000 higher. With nearly the same desirability score as Colorado Springs, this pushes the needle slightly towards Boulder for most young professionals. In terms of lifestyle, Boulder is more compact, so that may appeal to some more than others. But Colorado Springs and Boulder seem to continually flip-flop in the national rankings issued by U.S. News and World Report, so deciding between the two comes down to a matter of personal preference. Eloi_Omella / Getty Images San Francisco Average Annual Salary: $86,590 Median Age: 39.3 San Francisco, the "Paris of the West," is a city of "highs" -- high hills, high housing costs and high incomes. These days, companies and workers aren't rushing to San Francisco for gold but rather for cutting-edge jobs in IT, social media, biotech, international business and cleantech. The city's gorgeous, peninsular setting is the stuff of dreams, and U.S. News and World Report considers San Francisco the 12th-most desirable among America's largest 150 metros. While technically located slightly north of Silicon Valley, the city still has plenty of high-paying tech jobs available for young professionals, which in many cases are necessary to offset the city's sky-high rent and mortgage payments. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto San Jose, CA Average Annual Salary: $99,430 Median Age: 37.4 San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, is famously home to some of the brightest minds in the tech world, and it's an appropriate location for the Tech Museum of Innovation. Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive city in America, with one of the priciest housing markets as well. However, according to U.S. News and World Report, San Jose has the strongest job market of all of the largest 150 metros in the U.S., with an average salary of nearly $100,000. These high salaries can help young professionals manage the city's notoriously expensive housing costs. Coupled with the city's exciting nightlife and excellent cuisine at hotspots like Santana Row, it's a great place for young professionals. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Best Cities for Young Professionals To Live In Sakkawokkie / iStock.com Buying a used car can be a savvy move if you want a reliable vehicle at an affordable price. However, there are some used cars that arent great investments. Purchasing some of these cars means you might be stuck with transmission issues, questionable build quality or experience a higher likelihood of deprecation. More Bang for Your Buck: These 20 Cars Will Last You Twice as Long as the Average Vehicle Read: How To Save $200 on Your Grocery Bill Every Month GOBankingRates spoke to several automotive professionals about used cars that can turn out to be more of a financial hassle than a deal. Stay away from purchasing these six used cars. Fiat 500 Used Fiats have become such a regretted purchase among car buyers that the vehicle has its own unflattering acronym: Fix It Again Tony. Over the years Fiat has been in the United States, Carl Anthony, managing editor at Automoblog, said reliability and quality ratings from industry sources like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have been lower than expected. If youre shopping for a used Fiat, Leland Jones, founder and CEO of Ceramic King Coatings, said to steer clear of any 2012 through 2016 Fiat 500 cars. Among other issues to anticipate, Jones said buyers may experience clutch failure and high repair costs. Check Out: 9 Best Hybrid Cars Under $30K If Youre Unable To Go Fully Electric Ford Escape Buyers who see a used Ford Escape for sale might want to keep looking. Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing for CFR Classic, said used Ford Escape cars are plagued with transmission issues like shuddering and jerking. Another major issue with these used cars is the suspension which needs frequent maintenance. Volkswagen Eos Even after being discontinued by Volkswagen in 2015, the Volkswagen Eos is among one of the worst used convertibles to purchase. It is prone to mechanical problems, particularly with its power windows and convertible top mechanisms, resulting in high repair costs, Giranda said. Owners have also reported frequent suspension issues. Story continues Toyota Camry While the Toyota Camry is a reliable sedan, Giranda said the previous generation of this car has a reputation for having transmission problems, weak brakes and poor fuel economy. Giranda recommends buyers interested in a used sedan try out the Honda Civic or the Mazda3. These will be a little more expensive than a secondhand Camry but have qualities and features that make these used cars worth the extra cost. Chrysler 200 According to Cars.com, certain model year 2015 Chrysler 200 vehicles have been recalled by Chrysler. Some of the reasons why this particular model was recalled include electrical system wiring issues and power failures in the electrical system. Jones adds these used vehicles have engine issues and speed control problems. BMW You may feel like you can impress everyone with a used or secondhand BMW, but Jones does not recommend purchasing this used car no matter what year it is. The cost on those vehicles tends to be insane, Jones said. Theres a high cost of maintenance and repair expenses are through the roof. Not to mention if you wanted an extended service contract. In my experience, they just bring issue after issue. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Used Cars To Stay Away From Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/Shutterstock / Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Shopify, a platform for creating online businesses, has emerged as a trendy tool for side hustlers. It is the most notable and popular of the e-commerce platforms available today. Learn: How To Make Several Hundred Dollars a Month Selling Digital Downloads Also: 8 Passive Income Streams That Arent Worth It One of Shopifys main draws is that it can allow anyone to create a business with the click of a button. Of course, there are a few key pieces of information to know regarding using Shopify to its full potential. Here are six ways to build your side hustle on the worlds most popular e-commerce website. Also see how to start dropshipping. Find the Right Product Deciding what to sell on Shopify may be the most difficult part of creating your business. Some people come in with a clear idea of what to sell, whether its an original product or an item they are passionate about. Others may not know where to begin. It is important to try different things to discover what works for you. It could be a product that has been on your mind for years. Or, you could resell items from another website. Discovering the best product to sell may take some trial and error. Make Money With Google Bard and AI: How To Earn $3,000 a Month or More Offer Free Shipping Regardless of what you are selling, offering free shipping is an effective way to keep visitors coming back to your website. Create an online store that sells physical products for a lower price than other similar sites and offer free shipping on all orders, said Mac Steer, a business growth consultant and owner of an e-commerce business. This way, customers can get the same product at a lower cost and they dont have to pay shipping fees. Its a win-win situation. By allowing customers to avoid pesky shipping fees, they will keep you in mind when making their next purchase. One of the biggest annoyances regarding online shopping is the exorbitantly high shipping costs. If your business offers free shipping, your customers will appreciate you and may recommend you to friends and family. Story continues Include Affiliate Links on Your Stores Page You can still turn large profits even if your shops product list is small. Create an online store that sells one or two items at an affordable price, and then use the rest of your space to promote affiliate links for other products that you love and recommend, Steer said. By having a limited product list and taking advantage of that empty space for targeted advertising, you are increasing your earning potential through advertisements. To increase the odds of getting customers to purchase the products you are linking to, it is essential to find advertisers that are related to your product. Find out what kinds of products your target audience likes, Steer said, and cater your advertising toward those products. Try Dropshipping Dropshipping is another popular method that many side hustlers are using to make a profit on Shopify. Add products that arent your own called dropshipping in your online store so that when someone buys them, theyre actually buying from another company, Steer said. This will eliminate the need to brainstorm a unique business idea. Dropshipping is an effective method that many Shopify business owners are using to save time. The less time you spend thinking up an idea, the more time you will have to grow your business. Take Advantage of the Shopify App Part of the appeal of Shopify is that it is a mobile business that you can manage from any device that can access the internet. Many Shopify users check on their businesses during their lunch breaks or before bed. It is important to check your store regularly and answer any customer questions so you can build a positive reputation. That positive reputation will encourage customers to return to your business. Look for Ways To Scale Your Business When it comes to business growth, the sky is the limit in the industry of e-commerce. Utilizing other social media platforms to grow your brand is one way to help your Shopify business generate exposure and bring in new customers. Shopify is scalable, Steer said. You can grow your business as big as you want with Shopify alone or integrate with other platforms like Facebook Messenger or Instagram, which lets you grow your e-commerce empire beyond the walls of your online store. Of course, how big you grow your business depends on the work you put into it. Having your brand name on different platforms helps put your business on the map. Being diligent and maintaining an active social media presence can increase traffic to your Shopify store. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Ways To Make Money Using Shopify Costco If youre looking for a way to save money on groceries, household essentials and more, you probably already know you cant go wrong with a Costco membership. Good Question: Are These 8 Costco Items With Cult Followings Worth the Hype (and Money)? See: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases The warehouse club offers unbeatable prices on a wide range of products. But what are some of the best deals you can get for right around $100? GOBankingRates talked to retail experts to find out the very best Costco items you can buy for a Benjamin. So, grab your giant Costco shopping cart and get ready to add these hot items before theyre gone. True Innovations Task Chair Price: $74.99 until Aug. 21 Dont miss this opportunity to upgrade your home office with the True Innovations Task Chair. Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews, said, It has a more modern design and offers adjustable tilt tension and tilt lock-out so you can customize your position to boost your productivity. It comes in three colors, too, so you can find one to fit your aesthetic. Plus, its easy to assemble, comes in sustainable packaging and is Greenguard Certified. Discover: 10 Best Costco Items To Buy for Less Than $10 Capresso Coffee Grinder Price: $99.99 If you want to enjoy fresh ground coffee at home, consider the Capresso Metal Die-Cast Housing Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. This sleek and sturdy device has 16 grind settings, from fine to coarse, to suit your preferences and brewing methods. The all-metal body makes grinding quieter, and coffee aficionados know that conical burr grinders reduce heat and friction, preserving the aroma and flavor of your coffee. The Capresso grinder lists for $149.99. Buying at Costco will save you $50 on this premium appliance. Disney Halloween Village Set Price: $109.99 If youre a Disney fan who loves to decorate for Halloween, this Halloween Village Set thats available at Costco right now is perfect for you. This set features a musical haunted house with Mickey Mouse and his friends dressed up in costumes, along with haunting music and sound effects. Its a perfect way to add some Disney magic to your Halloween display. Story continues This 12-piece indoor set is perfect for anyone who loves the spooky season, Ramhold said. And, at this price, its far more affordable than shopping elsewhere; in fact, listings on other sites have it priced at $175 or more, making this an unbeatable deal for Costco members. Tiger Micom Rice Cooker Price: $99.99 The Tiger 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer is a handy appliance that cooks rice, oatmeal, soups, stews and more. It makes perfect rice every time, and it also has a keep-warm function that keeps your rice hot and fluffy for up to 12 hours. The inner pot is non-stick and removable for easy cleaning, and the lid has a steam vent to prevent boiling over. This model can be found elsewhere for $129 and up, making Costcos price a great deal. Cometeer Dark Roast Coffee Price: $99.99 for 56 frozen capsules Youll get 56 frozen capsules in this bundle that includes two different flavors and can be used in a variety of ways, Ramhold said. If you prefer a coffee machine, you can use the frozen capsules directly in your Keurig machine and brew a hot cup, but you can also peel open the capsules and put the frozen puck in a cup then melt it with hot water or milk. Or you can let a capsule melt and add it to your favorite cold milk to create a cold drink. The price works out to about $1.79 per capsule with this Costco deal, whereas shopping elsewhere you may spend as much as $2.62 per capsule. If youre interested in the brand, this is an excellent way to give it a try. Zwilling Vacuum Seal Food Storage Set Price: $99.99 Keep your food fresh and save money with Zwilling Fresh and Save 16-piece Vacuum Seal Food Storage Set. This set includes eight containers of various sizes, six vacuum bags and a vacuum pump. The pump removes air from the containers and bags, creating a tight seal that prevents oxidation, freezer burn and spoilage. The containers and bags are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe, and they stack neatly to save space. Beats Studio Earbuds Price: $99.99 until Sept. 2 Beats Studio Buds True Wireless Earbuds are designed to fit comfortably in your ears and offer up to eight hours of listening time on a single charge. Plus, they come with a charging case that provides an additional 16 hours of battery life. The Beats Studio Buds feature active noise cancellation, which blocks out external sounds and lets you focus on your music or calls. You also can switch to transparency mode, which lets you hear whats happening around you. While you may be able to find these on sale elsewhere at this price, Costco is currently including a $10 Apple gift card, making this an excellent deal. Disney Animated Holiday Tree Price: $99.99 Its also not too early to get a great deal on a Disney Animated Holiday Tree display for the Christmas season. It may still be summer, but you can look ahead to the holidays with this deal, Ramhold said. This animated decoration plays eight classic holiday songs and is decorated with Disney characters, plus it has a volume control dial. If youre interested, pick this one up soon once these seasonal items sell out, they arent typically restocked at Costco. And the retailer has the hands-down best price other places are charging $185 or more. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Very Best Costco Items You Can Get for $100 AlertMedia Travel Risk Management, now available in the SAP Concur App Center, enables joint customers to prepare, protect, and communicate with business travelers through a single interface AUSTIN, Texas, August 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AlertMedia, the worlds leading provider of threat intelligence, emergency communication, and travel risk management solutions, today launched an integration with Concur Travel. The integration allows joint AlertMedia and Concur Travel customers the ability to automatically sync travel data from Concur Travel into AlertMedia Travel Risk Management, providing travel risk and security teams a real-time view of employees locations while traveling for work along with a powerful suite of tools to prepare employees ahead of business trips, monitor emerging travel risks, and respond quickly to keep travelers out of harms way. "The volume of business trips continues to grow, and more trips mean more risk for organizationsfor the traveler and the business itself," said Christopher Kenessey, CEO of AlertMedia. "Our integration with Concur Travel provides organizations a seamless, unified interface designed to help minimize travel-related risks, rapidly communicate critical information, and protect their most valuable assetstheir peoplein a world that is constantly changing." Available to customers worldwide, the AlertMedia turnkey integration with Concur Travel drastically reduces the time required to identify, correlate, and respond to travel risks that may impact active trips or upcoming trips. Additional benefits include: Frictionless travel data management: Unify travel safety and risk management workflows within a single pane of glass to enable a faster, more consistent response. Accurate, non-invasive location monitoring: Know where your traveling employees are at all times and their proximity to emerging risks with the AlertMedia mobile app and powerful mapping features. Automatic, multichannel notifications to at-risk travelers: Accelerate response times to critical events with automated, multichannel notifications sent directly to impacted travelers or security teams. Story continues AlertMedia Travel Risk Management is now available in the SAP Concur App Center. To learn more about AlertMedia Travel Risk Management, please visit: https://www.alertmedia.com/products/travel-risk-management/. About AlertMedia AlertMedia helps organizations protect their people and business through all phases of an emergency. Our award-winning threat intelligence, emergency communication, and travel risk management solutions help companies of all sizes identify, respond to, and recover from critical events faster and with greater confidence. AlertMedia supports critical communication for thousands of leading businessesincluding DHL, JetBlue, Coca-Cola Bottling, In-N-Out, and Walmartin more than 130 countries. For more information, visit www.alertmedia.com. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801116485/en/ Contacts For more information, press only: Katie Goan Director, Content and Communications AlertMedia Press@alertmedia.com PRODROMOU, Cyprus - (NewMediaWire) - August 1, 2023 - AlphaCap.Io, a leading trading platform, is excited to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Bonus Program, designed to empower traders with even more excellent opportunities for success. The Bonus Program expresses gratitude to our valued traders, providing them with an added edge in their trading endeavors. AlphaCap.Io aims to reward dedication and loyalty with this innovative initiative, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the platform and its traders. The Bonus Program offers several key features that traders can take advantage of: 1. Competitive bonuses are available, which can boost their trading capital and increase potential profits. 2. Personalized offers are tailored to each trader's preferences and goals, providing a unique trading experience. 3. Activating these bonuses is simple, with no complicated procedures required. All of these features are accessible through AlphaCap.Io accounts. "We are thrilled to introduce our Bonus Program to show appreciation to our esteemed traders. We're dedicated to equipping our traders with the tools needed to succeed in the constantly evolving trading industry, and we take pride in doing so," Markos Valentinou, the Chief Marketing Officer, shared with us. Visit their website to learn more about the Bonus Program and explore its exciting opportunities. About AlphaCap.Io AlphaCap.io is a leading platform in decentralized finance (DeFi), allowing users to engage with Alpha Capital (ACAP), a distinctive deflationary cryptocurrency token. At the heart of ACAP's appeal is its innovative mechanism, wherein a portion of transaction fees collected by AlphaCap.io is permanently burned, reducing the overall ACAP token supply. One of AlphaCap.Io's key objectives is democratizing DeFi, making it accessible to a broader audience. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform operates outside the traditional financial system, providing greater financial inclusivity for individuals with limited access to conventional financial services. Story continues With a user-friendly interface and a commitment to transparency, AlphaCap.Io aims to cater to both seasoned investors and newcomers looking to explore the possibilities of DeFi. This platform's deflationary strategy and commitment to promoting a more diverse financial ecosystem make it a significant player in the ever-changing world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Company Name: AlphaCap.Io Email Address: support@alphacap.io Company Address: Regus - Nicosia Hadjikyriakeion Bld, Prodromou 1 121-1st Floor, Avenue 2064, Cyprus Company Website: https://alphacap.io (Reuters) - Amazon.com said on Tuesday it is planning to invest about $7.2 billion through 2037 in Israel, and launched its Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in the country. Amazon's cloud services in the region will allow the country's government to run applications and store data in data centers located in Israel. "The establishment of the Region will enable us to migrate substantial governmental workloads to the cloud, and we are confident that it will help us accelerate digital transformation in the public sector," said Yali Rothenberg, accountant general of Israel. AWS is Amazon's cloud computing platform, used by companies such as Netflix, General Electric and Sony, enabling storage, networking and remote security. With the expansion, AWS will be available in 32 geographic regions, the company said, adding that its investment in Israel will contribute about $13.9 billion to Israel's gross domestic product. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su. Getty Images What are the odds the CEOs of two leading U.S. companies in a global industry are relatives from the same tiny city an ocean away? Yes, there are the Dassler brothers (personal conflicts between two shoemaker brothers in early 1900s Germany led to the creation of Adidas and Puma), but what if the family members barely knew each other growing up, moved overseas with families, pursued different career paths, and eventually found themselves at the helms of two top rivals in a booming business? Thats the unlikely story of Lisa Su, the CEO of chip giant AMD (Advanced Micro Devices Inc.), and her counterpart at Nvidia, Jensen Huang. Su, 53, is a renowned electrical engineer and has been the CEO of AMD since 2014. Huang, 60, is the founder and CEO of Nvidia. They are both first-generation Americans from Tainan, a southern city in Taiwan with a population of 1.8 million as of 2019. Rumors that Su and Huang are related began circulating in the tech world in recent years as Huangs profile (and fortune) rose with Nvidias booming semiconductor business. In an interview during the 2020 CES, Su confirmed that she and Huang were distant relatives. Some complex second cousin type of thing, she said. In fact, they might be closer than that. According to Huangs family tree published by Wu Jia Jin, a family heritage expert in Taiwan, and widely cited in local media, Sus mother, Sandy Lo, is a cousin of Huang. Lo and Huang have the same grandfather. In Western family relationship terms, Su and Huang could be described as first cousins once removed. They might not have known each other very well, since the family is pretty large. Huangs grandfather (Sus great-grandfather) had at least 12 children, according to Wu, and their offspring are scattered all around the world. A shared passion for electrical engineering Sus family moved to the U.S. when she was three. Raised by parents who were statisticians and accountants, Su developed an interest in math early on and aspired to be an engineer when she was a kid. I just had a great curiosity about how things worked, she told SFGate in 2015. Su studied electrical engineering at MIT from 1986 to 1994 and obtained her bachelors, masters and PhD from the school. Her doctoral thesis was on silicon-on-insulator technology, a then-unproven technique for increasing efficiency in semiconductors. Story continues After graduation, Su worked for several chipmakers, including Texas Instruments and IBM, for nearly two decades. She joined AMD in 2012 as a senior vice president and was appointed CEO in 2014. Su is often credited for diversifying AMDs business away from personal computers into other segments like video gaming and embedded devices. Before founding Nvidia in 1993, Huang worked as a chip designer for AMD but had no overlap with Su. Huang moved to the U.S. with his parent at age four and settled in Oregon. He has a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and later obtained a masters in the same subject from Stanford University. Huang made the early bet for Nvidia to focus on developing artificial intelligence chips, also known as A.I. processors, in the early 2010s. A.I. chips are more advanced than traditional semiconductors used in personal computers and are used to power heavy-duty computing required for training A.I. algorithms. Huang is proven prescient as the A.I. boom took off late last year and sent Nvidias market value soaring. Nvidia is currently a clear market leader in A.I. chips and estimated to own 95 percent of the market of graphics processing units (GPUs), a popular type of A.I. chip. Huang is estimated to be worth $36.8 billion, according to Bloombergs Billionaires Index, making him one of the 40 richest people on Earth. Su, though not a billionaire tech founder, is the highest-paid female CEO in the U.S. Her 2022 compensation was valued at nearly $30 million. Trending Observer Stories Read the original story Are AMD CEO Lisa Su and Nvidia's Jensen Huang Related? and others by Sissi Cao at Observer. (Bloomberg) -- Creditors led by Apollo Global Management Inc. are nearing a deal to provide Yellow Corp. with fresh cash during a coming bankruptcy, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The investing giant is finalizing a deal to lead a debtor-in-possession, or DIP, financing for the imperiled trucking company, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. Apollo is well-positioned to provide the financing because it owns most of one of Yellows term loans, the people said. Talks arent final and plans may change, they added. Representatives for Apollo and Yellow declined to comment. The less-than-truckload carrier, which accepts shipments that dont fill a whole trailer, has been teetering in recent weeks and told workers Monday it was shutting down, according to the labor union that represents Yellows drivers. The company has more than $1 billion of debt maturing next year that it has struggled to refinance. Apollo is no stranger to Yellow: the investment firm was the lead lender on the companys $600 million term loan in 2019, when it was known as YRC Worldwide Inc. Yellows brush with bankruptcy is only the latest in a long history of corporate struggles. The Nashville-based shipper traces its roots to a 1920s Oklahoma City cab company. The name, emblazoned upon trucks across Americas roadways, is a callback to the firms origins. Some 80 years later, Yellow in 2003 bought trucking peer Roadway Corp. for over $1 billion a deal that would pave the way for a new identity as YRC Worldwide, along with the seeds of a debt burden that would eventually prove too much to handle. It grew further in 2005 with its purchase of USF Corp. for $1.37 billion. Story continues Yellow found itself flirting with bankruptcy in 2009 after posting nearly $2 billion in losses over the course of five quarters. Executives at the time worked to convince bondholders to swap their debt for equity in the trucking firm, a bid to avoid liquidation. The effort was successful, despite suggestions from the companys then chief executive of nefarious actors in the credit default-swap market. Yellow, once the biggest US trucker, had to restructure once again just two years later by issuing a huge slug of new shares. Much of Yellows current debt predicament stems from a now-controversial rescue loan it took on during the Covid-19 pandemic. The US government lent the company some $700 million in 2020, making up 95% of what was dispersed under a Cares Act program to offset losses for businesses critical to national security. That deal has since come under scrutiny. Congressional investigators concluded last year that top aides to former President Donald Trump pressured US Treasury and Defense Department officials to approve the loan even though the company was ineligible for it. Yellow owes about half its total debt load to the US Treasury, according to company filings. That means the US government will likely be Yellows biggest creditor, should the company file for bankruptcy. The loan has claims to the companys assets and is near the front of the repayment line. Yellow is the third largest less-than-truckload carrier in the US and has some 30,000 employees. Shippers of that kind rarely avoid liquidating when they file for bankruptcy, Bloomberg Intelligences Lee Klaskow said in a July 27 note. (Updates with corporate history beginning in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: Freight trucks are driven on the Fisher freeway in Detroit, Michigan (Reuters) - Creditors led by Apollo Global Management Inc are nearing a deal to provide Yellow Corp with fresh cash during a coming bankruptcy, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of Yellow were up 78% at $3.14 in afternoon trade. The U.S. asset manager, which owns most of one of Yellow's term loans, is well-positioned to provide backing and is finalizing a deal to lead a debtor-in-possession financing for the cash-trapped trucking company, the report said. Yellow declined to comment, while Apollo did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Yellow, formerly called YRC Worldwide, is the third-biggest U.S. trucking company. It transports goods from multiple shippers in single trailers and focuses on "less-than-truckload" (LTL) shipping, the transportation of goods that don't require a full truckload. It recently averted a threatened strike by 22,000 Teamsters-represented workers. Last week, the Teamsters union said Yellow had ceased operations and was filing for bankruptcy after failing to reorganize and refinance over a billion dollars in debt. The trucking firm, which bought companies such as Roadway in 2003 and USF in 2005 to strengthen its LTL offerings, posted a total debt of $1.54 billion last year, according to Refinitiv data. The company's struggles were compounded by a steep drop in e-commerce shipments from early pandemic highs and an industry-wide decline in freight volumes over the last year. Yellow has $1.3 billion in debt payments due in 2024, including a $567.4 million term loan due in June and a $729.4 million U.S. Treasury loan due in September. (This story has been corrected to remove a reference to $50 million payment in paragraph 6) (Reporting by Priyamvada C in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Devika Syamnath) (Bloomberg) -- Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc raised 216 million ($277 million) by selling new shares as the British luxury-car maker looks to pay back high-interest debt and raise funds for its electrification strategy. Most Read from Bloomberg The company placed some 58.2 million new ordinary shares at a price of 371 pence each, it said in a statement Tuesday. Major backers including Chairman Lawrence Strolls Yew Tree consortium, Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, Geely International and Mercedes-Benz Group AG had agreed to buy. The move will allow Aston Martin to redeem its most expensive debt and become sustainably free-cash flow positive, Stroll said in a statement late Monday. The manufacturer has been working to return to profit in a turnaround effort thats resulted in multiple capital raises. Last week, Aston Martin reported second-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations, but left its full-year guidance unchanged. Aston Martin declined as much as 2.9% in London trading. The price of the new share placement represented a discount of 6.2% to Mondays closing price. Aston Martin said in June it had agreed an electric vehicle technology tie-up with Lucid Group Inc., which is also backed by Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund. The manufacturers longstanding financial woes have made it increasingly reliant on partners for technology that other automakers consider core to their products. Read more: Aston Martin, Lucid Gain After Saudi-Backed EV Supply Pact Barclays and JPMorgan Cazenove acted as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners in the placement. (Updates with deal proceeds from first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. In 2021 GO Topeka announced it partnered with BioRealty Inc. to close on multiple properties in downtown Topeka as part of the multimillion-dollar effort to stand up an innovation campus. The center is expected to serve as the hub for Topeka's Plug and Play accelerator program and other innovative endeavors in the capital city. Located in the former Wolfe's Camera Shop while encompassing three storefronts on the block 635, 633 and 627 S. Kansas Ave. the center has been dubbed as ASTRA Innovation Center. ASTRA is an acronym for Animal Science Technology, Research and Agriculture. Here's what we know about the work that has been done so far on the Innovation center. Three former storefronts encompassing 635, 633 and 627 S. Kansas Ave. will soon become the Astra Innovation Center. The $14.5 million, 60,000 square-foot campus will house the citys Plug and Play Animal Health accelerator program, as well as startups, a rooftop event center and restaurant. Has construction work begun at the ASTRA Innovation Center? Much of the pre-construction work has begun, said Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation for GO Topeka. Preconstruction work includes a variety of such things as elevator inspections, structural engineering reports and more. So, although it's not visible from the street, there is activity going on as far as getting prepared for when construction can begin, Moran said. Preleasing of spaces within the building is now available. Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation for GO Topeka, flips through marketing materials and renderings for the Astra Innovation Center on Thursday afternoon. "With the developer, we need to have a pre-lease threshold of 50%," Moran said. "Currently, we're at about 30% either leased and or in negotiations. So, we're continuing to push towards that 50% pre-lease threshold." Moran said GO Topeka is also working on new market tax credits with the developer. "So, they're in the process of applying right now. Those would be awarded in Q4 of this year," she said. "If we were to receive those in Q4, that would actually help us to kind of jumpstart construction without having to meet that prelease threshold of 50%. Then, we can start construction probably late Q1 or early Q2 of next year." BioRealty a national real-estate development firm headquartered in California will be in charge of the center's buildout. Story continues How long will ASTRA Innovation Center construction take? Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation for GO Topeka, tours the empty spaces of 635, 633 and 627 S. Kansas Ave. on Thursday as she explains the renovation plans for the ASTRA Innovation Center. Moran estimated that construction within the building will take up to a year. "Obviously supply chain is going to have a big impact in that, but our goal would be wanting to have that space ready as soon as possible," she said. "I think a year is probably a realistic timeframe." Topeka's Joint Economic Development Organization approved the partnership between GO Topeka and BioRealty Inc. to develop the $14.5 million innovation campus. The building will be designed to "meet BSL-1 or BSL-2 requirements, accommodations for additional requirements such as USDA available." What amenities will be within the ASTRA Innovation Center? Former classrooms on the second story of 635 S. Kansas Ave. will be converted into office space for the new Astra Innovation Center. The center will be developed to take advantage of 20 global startups participating each year in the citys Plug and Play Animal Health accelerator program. It's expected to offer facilities, including wet labs, flexible work and meeting spaces. It will feature office space for business research and innovation, as well as a rooftop venue for events. The Innovation Center is marked to be a 60,000-square-foot project. Moran said plans will evolve as they gain tenants, but the idea is that it's a mixed-use space for innovation and entrepreneurship. Lab research space, co-working space, retail would be on the first floor. A coffee shop and other things that can support the people who work in the facility will be included. More: Shawnee County commissioners debate future of historic Agriculture Hall "We'd also like to see classroom education space where people could come in and hold webinars or tutorials on different types of innovation and technology," she said. "Startups could come in, not only have lab space, but could have office space. "The idea is as startups go through the ecosystem. They start in smaller spaces. They grow their businesses to where they're then ready to go out and work in a space in a larger space as their own. So, this is kind of that incubation space where it helps them grow and evolve so that they can then become a larger viable business in the community." What's the benefit of having an Innovation Hub in Topeka? High-tech laboratories, including wet and dry labs, will be included in the construction of the Astra Innovation Center. Innovators of startup companies are typically working from home or endlessly searching for new ways to expand their business. With lab spaces with available technology and equipment and the opportunity to be around others, allows for a space of growth. "When you talk about kind of true innovation, this really brings kind of the R&D components to where you can have these research and development labs," Moran said. "Whether they're wet labs, dry labs it could be biotech, it could be computer science, it could be partnerships with the universities where they come in and they're doing research projects." More: Heartland Motorsports Park in jeopardy after Kansas court sides with Shawnee County The center could be housed with different innovative businesses that may also include corporate partners in need of additional space or would like to work alongside a specific startup company, she said. Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: When will ASTRA Innovation Center open in downtown Topeka? The new Sephora on Alps Road in Athens. The wait is almost over as the first Sephora storefront in Athens is set to open its doors on Aug. 18, according to the locations website. Situated between the new REI Co-op and The Fresh Market, this Sephora comes as the latest addition in a slew of new shops to the Beechwood shopping center. Previously, those looking to get a refill on their favorite Sephora products were forced to drive 40 miles away, as the closest location to Athens was located in Buford at the Mall of Georgia. While there is a Sephora counter in the Kohls at the Epps Bridge, it does not offer the stores full range of products, leaving many residents stuck ordering online or making the trek to Buford. Until recently, there's been a huge vacuum in the market for mid- to high-end beauty products in Athens, especially considering the high demand that a college town has, said Julia ONeal, Rouge Magazine beauty editor and makeup artist. The new Sephora on Alps Road in Athens. Feeling fit: UGA grad student opens new gym in Athens featuring group HIIT training Mother Lode: Athens hits the Mother Lode with opening of vintage and handmade market As the news of the Sephoras grand opening spreads, the Athens beauty community continues to buzz with excitement. As a MUA [makeup artist] for several organizations on campus, I've seen just what makeup can do for people. I've seen it be a creative outlet, a confidence booster, a source of gender euphoria, and an inspiration. Opening a store like Sephora so close to campus is a big step towards makeup being taken more seriously, said ONeal. Beginning in the 1970s as a perfumery in France, Sephora is now one of the worlds leading beauty and cosmetic retailers, offering high-scale products in makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Sephora Beechwood will offer Sephoras full range of in-store products as well as various beauty services such as lessons and treatments. Members of the free Beauty Insider rewards program will also be eligible to pick up their free birthday gift in-person when the month rolls around. Story continues This location will come as new competition to Ulta Beauty, one of the only other large-scale, national beauty retailers in Athens. Although both beauty giants, Sephora contends a wider selection of luxe products as well as exclusive sales of certain brands such as KVD Beauty. Details surrounding the grand opening have yet to be announced, but residents can subscribe to the Beechwood Athens newsletter to stay up to date on the event and promotions. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Sephora to open Athens store in Beechwood AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region allows customers to run workloads and securely store data in Israel while serving end users with even lower latency The new AWS Region is estimated to support an average of 7,700 full-time equivalent jobs annually through a planned investment of $7.2 billion (approx. ILS 26.6 billion) in Israel through 2037 Active customers in Israel include Aidoc, Bank Hapoalim, the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority, Migdal, Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, Tnuva, Wiz, and many others innovating on AWS SEATTLE, August 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon Web Services (AWS), today announced the launch of the AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region. Starting today, developers, startups, entrepreneurs, and enterprises, as well as government, education, and nonprofit organizations, have an even greater choice for running their applications and serving end users from data centers located in Israel, using advanced AWS technologies to drive innovation. AWS also released an economic impact study highlighting that the company is planning to invest an estimated $7.2 billion (approximately ILS 26.6 billion) in Israel through 2037 via the new AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region. For more information about AWS Global Infrastructure, visit aws.amazon.com/about-aws/global-infrastructure. "The launch of the AWS Region in Israel provides customers with the ability to build the most advanced cloud technology-based applications and achieve the highest levels of security, availability, and resilience," said Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS. "Israels strategy to promote technology innovation, along with its abundance of talent, has created a thriving global hub for entrepreneurs, e-governments, and multinational businesses. Cloud technology is at the heart of any digital transformation program, and AWS is proud to support Israels efforts to enhance citizen services for many years to come." Story continues In 2021, the government of Israel announced its selection of AWS as its primary cloud provider as part of the Nimbus contract for government ministries and subsidiaries. The Nimbus framework provides cloud services to Israeli government ministriesincluding local municipalities, government-owned companies, and public sector organizationswith the aim of driving innovation and enabling new digital services for the citizens of Israel. "We are excited to welcome the new AWS Region to Israel as part of project Nimbus and we congratulate AWS for its commitment and hard work in building the Israeli Region," said Yali Rothenberg, accountant general of Israel. "The establishment of the Israeli Region reflects the long-term commitment of AWS to Israel and to the continuation of their large investments in the Israeli market. The establishment of the Region will enable us to migrate substantial governmental workloads to the cloud, and we are confident that it will help us accelerate digital transformation in the public sector, leverage technology to drive innovation in the government, improve customer experience, and further the development of the technological ecosystem in Israel." With the launch of the AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region, AWS has 102 Availability Zones across 32 geographic regions, with announced plans to launch 12 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand. AWS Regions are composed of Availability Zones that place infrastructure in separate and distinct geographic locations. The AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region consists of three Availability Zones, each located far enough from the other to support customers business continuity, but near enough to provide low latency for high availability applications that use multiple Availability Zones. Each Availability Zone has independent power, cooling, and physical security and is connected through redundant, ultra-low latency networks. AWS customers focused on high availability can design their applications to run in multiple Availability Zones to achieve even greater fault tolerance. The launch of the AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region enables customers to securely store data in Israel while providing customers with even lower latency across the country to drive greater productivity, more efficient business operations, and enhanced real-time application performance. Customers also have access to advanced AWS technologies to accelerate innovation, including compute, storage, networking, business applications, developer tools, data analytics, security, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). AWS released an economic impact study estimating the companys projected spend on the construction and operation of the new AWS Region, which will support an average of more than 7,700 full-time equivalent jobs at external businesses annually, with a planned $7.2 billion (approx. ILS 26.6 billion) investment in Israel through 2037. The construction and operation of the AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region is also estimated to add approximately $13.9 billion (ILS 51.7 billion) to Israels gross domestic product (GDP) through 2037. Customers and AWS Partners welcome the AWS Israel (Tel Aviv) Region Israeli organizations are among the millions of active customers using AWS in more than 190 countries around the world. Large and small enterprises in Israel choose AWS to innovate, drive cost efficiencies, and accelerate time to market. Customers in Israel using AWS include Amdocs, Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Harel Insurance, ICL Group, Ituran, Migdal, Netafim, Paz, Phoenix, and Tnuva. Public sector organizations that use AWS to transform the services delivered to Israeli citizens include Ayalon Highway, Government of Israel, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority, and Weizmann Institute. Israeli startups, including Aidoc, AI21 Labs, AppsFlyer, Armis, CyberArk, Gong, Jfrog, Logz.io, Monday.com, SentinelOne, TytoCare, Wix, and Wiz, are building their businesses with the use of AWS to rapidly scale nationally and around the world. Aidoc is a pioneering force in clinical AI. The company aids and empowers health care teams to optimize patient treatment resulting in improved economic value and clinical outcomes. Aidocs exclusive aiOS analyzes all types of medical data, including computerized tomography (CT) scans, medical records, and more, to flag acute abnormalities, prioritize life-threatening cases, and expedite patient treatment to improve the quality of care. "Our utilization of AWS infrastructure and services has been pivotal in driving our operational agility and development velocity. What truly sets AWS apart is the constant access to cutting-edge computing technologies, amplifying the effectiveness of our model training," said Guy Reiner, vice president of Research and Development at Aidoc. "With the new AWS Region, health care providers can now achieve a milestone in data privacy within hospitals and care facilities. AWSs unwavering commitment to offering HIPAA-eligible services locally, along with its wide array of features and services to support General Data Protection Regulation requirements in cloud environments, instills our unwavering trust." Founded in 1921, Bank Hapoalim is one of the largest financial institutions in Israel and offers a broad range of banking and financial services to millions of customers in the country. "AWS enables us to speed up innovation and quickly bring new products and capabilitiessuch as our FinTech Zone business platformto market," said Eti Ben-Zeev, head of Information Technology, chief information officer, and deputy CEO at Bank Hapoalim. "FinTech Zone makes it possible for fintech startups to work together with the bank efficiently and securely, leveraging the benefits of AWS to bring new offerings to the market faster. The new AWS Region will make it easier for us to offer innovative solutions to our customers while continuing to accelerate our digital transformation and meet the strictest regulatory requirements." The Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority is an independent government agency that is responsible for ensuring legal compliance and consumer rights. The Authority established a new national "Do Not Call" database that is aimed at curbing the problem of unwanted marketing calls in Israel. "The Do Not Call database project was a technical challenge that required us to develop a service that was secure, accessible, and simple to use for all users," said Peleg Shafir, chief technology officer at the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority. "AWS helped us create a scalable solution that meets the needs of every citizen, regardless of their language or digital literacy. With the opening of the AWS Region in Israel, we will have even more possibilities to provide our users with the fastest access to our services and an exceptional digital experience." The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety is responsible for the planning, development, and regulation of infrastructure and integrated transport systems in Israel. "Public Transportation has moved to AWS to increase efficiencies in the collection, management, research, and processing of public transportation data in Israel," said Ortal Niv, chief information officer at the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety. "We use AI services to accelerate information processing, provide accurate prediction of transportation needs, improve traffic management capabilities, and help reduce traffic jams. The new AWS Region will also allow us to securely deploy new applications, increase efficiencies, improve performance, and meet data residency requirements." Cloud security leader Wiz is a pioneer in the rising Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) security market. "Our customers, which include 35% of the Fortune 500, rely on Wiz to help create secure cloud environments that accelerate their business by scanning 230 billion files daily on five million protected cloud workloads," said Roy Reznik, co-founder and vice president of Research and Development at Wiz. "Building on AWS has helped our business scale during hyper growth and allowed us to maintain high levels of service to our customers, regardless of their location. The new AWS Region in Israel will allow us to replicate our development environments locally, delivering faster product iterations and reducing time to market, and now, we will be able to offer our solutions to local data-sensitive customers, enabling them to consolidate their cloud security programs to a single platform." The AWS Partner Network (APN) includes tens of thousands of independent software vendors (ISVs) and systems integrators (SIs) around the world. AWS Partners build innovative solutions and services on AWS, and the APN helps by providing business, technical, marketing, and go-to-market support to customers. AWS ISVs, technology partners, SIs, and consulting partners help enterprise and public sector customers migrate to AWS, deploy mission-critical applications, and provide a full range of monitoring, automation, and management services for customers cloud environments. For the full list of AWS Partners, visit aws.amazon.com/partners. Upskilling Israels workforce AWS Educate and AWS Academy provide free resources to accelerate cloud-related learning and prepare students in Israel for the jobs of the future. Numerous Israeli universities and business schools participate in AWS Educate and AWS Academy programs, including Bar Ilan University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, MTAThe Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Reichman University (IDC), TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, and University of Haifa. AWS also offers a full range of training and certification programs to help those interested in the latest cloud computing technologies, best practices, and architectures to advance their technical skills and further support Israeli organizations in their digital transformation. A free full-time, classroom-based skills development and training program, AWS re/Start, prepares individuals for careers in the cloud and connects them to potential employers. AWS GetIT, an initiative designed to encourage 12- and 13-year-old girls to consider a career in tech, challenges long-standing gender stereotypes. The program now operates in more than 25 schools across the country, mainly in disadvantaged and rural communities. To help grow the next generation of Israeli enterprises, AWS began supporting startups in Israel in 2013 through its AWS Activate program. This program gives startups access to guidance and one-on-one time with AWS experts, as well as web-based training, self-paced labs, customer support, third-party offers, dedicated events, and up to $100,000 in AWS service creditsall at no charge. Commitment to sustainability Amazon is committed to becoming a more sustainable business and reaching net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement, as part of The Climate Pledge. Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge and became its first signatory in 2019. As part of its Climate Pledge commitment, Amazon is on a path to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years ahead of the original 2030 target. See Amazon's public methodology for more on its approach. In 2022, Amazon set a new corporate record for the most renewable energy announced by a single company in one year and remains the largest corporate buyer of renewable energya position its held since 2020, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Amazon now has 401 renewable energy projects in 22 countries. Additionally, AWS will be water positive by 2030, returning more water to communities than it uses in its direct operations. About Amazon Web Services Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the worlds most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment, and management from 102 Availability Zones within 32 geographic regions, with announced plans for 12 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand. Millions of customersincluding the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agenciestrust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earths Most Customer-Centric Company, Earths Best Employer, and Earths Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731044074/en/ Contacts Amazon.com, Inc. Media Hotline Amazon-pr@amazon.com www.amazon.com/pr A lifetime of travel couldnt keep Marcus Wang away from Baltimore County. I was born and raised here. Ive been all over the world, all over the country, but I keep coming back, Wang, 41, said. Theres something about this county that really attracts me. Wang said his parents both doctors raised him with an emphasis on giving back and serving. On Monday, Wang stepped into his new role as the acting director of Baltimore Countys Department of Economic and Workforce Development. Hes the first Asian American to lead a Baltimore County department, according to a news release from the county. To take the job, Wang left ZytoGen Global Genetics Institute, which he co-founded. Its based in the county and specializes in preimplantation genetic screening for IVF embryos. He was appointed to his new position by County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. in mid-July, and will serve in an acting capacity while awaiting confirmation from the County Council. He will make $203,000 annually. When he [Olszewski] asked me to come on board, to leave the private sector, it wasnt something that I had actively considered in the past, Wang said. I talked to my wife [Stephanie]. She said, If you care about giving back, about serving, then take the opportunity, go into public service and do what you can for all the people of Baltimore. And thats why Im here. But the public sector isnt entirely new for Wang. Since 2020, he has served as the chair of the Baltimore County Economic Development Advisory Board. He described the role as a link between the business community and the county, giving input on policies that shape economic development. Wangs work in that role made it easy for Olszewski to tap him for this new venture, the county executive said. Marcus brings a wealth of private sector business and legal expertise to both local and international levels to Baltimore County, Olszewski said. I sort of view this ... as a continuation of the work hed already been doing for the county. Story continues Wang said he plans to support entrepreneurship and innovation while promoting businesses at home and abroad. He wants to support spaces like Towson Universitys StarTUp at the Armory to raise the next generation of entrepreneurs. Its not just about going to work and coming home. Its about enjoying your life, about ensuring that Baltimore County is a place where you want to live and work, Wang said. Yes, [theres] Silicon Valley and Austin, Texas. But I think were gonna build innovative, billion-dollar companies right here in Baltimore County. Olszewski also named Horacio Tablada, the former secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, to lead the countys Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, making Tablada the first Hispanic American leader of a Baltimore County department. Tablada and Wangs appointments contribute to the most diverse administration in Baltimore Countys history, according to Olszewski. Diversity is our strength and it makes us better at the work that we do, Olszewski said. Marcus is another barrier-breaking appointee. But thats not what drove the appointment. Marcus, like all of our leaders, they deserve to be here in the first place. Wang didnt realize his appointment was historic until it was announced, but he called it a tremendous honor. He added that as a Chinese American, hes always felt he has the best of both worlds. Ive always found my heritage to be tremendously inspirational. You know, Chinese culture embraces inclusivity, tolerance, and the ideal of harmony without conformity, Wang said. We all have the responsibility to participate in making our community better. For my appointment, I want to show that. And I hopefully will encourage other people who are Asian American and not Asian American to say, We also want to be part of this. The explosion of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic led Wang to serve on former Gov. Larry Hogans Asian American Hate Crimes Workgroup. Wang attended Gilman School for 12 years before obtaining a bachelors degree at Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. He received a full ride through the Samuel and Anne Hopkins Scholarship Fund and was mentored by Henry H. Hopkins, who helped establish the fund and formerly was chief legal counsel for T. Rowe Price. Hopkins said Wang emailed him to tell him he was taking the county position. Hopkins, who was impressed by Wang upon their first meeting, said he will do a magnificent job. Hes an immensely capable and hardworking young man. I dont think he needed much mentoring because hes a lot smarter than I am and just a real gentleman, Hopkins said. He wants to give back the same way he was given to. Before founding ZytoGen, Wang expanded Baltimore-based Under Armour into the Chinese market. Wang wants to use his international experience to tell Baltimore Countys story to the world and bring direct investment to the area. Marcus understands the local community, Olszewski said. He came back to raise a family here after traveling the world. Wang met his wife while performing karaoke in Shanghai; shes originally from London. The couple have two young children, who Wang gets to watch go to the same libraries and parks he frequented growing up. It really makes me think that we, were all of us here today, were benefiting from the hard work that the generation before us in the county, the work they did for us, Wang said. When I look at my children, other peoples children, I think: thats our responsibility, too. Were gonna work hard and leave something behind. They wont remember who we are, but the work we do will live on for them. This article is part of our Newsmaker series, which profiles notable people in the Baltimore region who are having an impact in our diverse communities. If youd like to suggest someone who should be profiled, please send their name and a short description of what they are doing to make a difference to: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Editor Kamau High at khigh@baltsun.com. Guyana willing to negotiate with China to sign BRI cooperation plan: joint statement Global Times) 08:36, August 01, 2023 China and Guyana released a joint statement on Monday, stating that two sides will commit to further deepening and expanding bilateral relations and promoting bilateral cooperation in multilateral fields. Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games and visit China from July 25 to August 1. On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Guyanese President Ali, and the two sides held in-depth exchanges on bilateral, regional and international issues of common concern. They expressed their commitment to further deepen and expand bilateral relations and promote bilateral cooperation in multilateral fields Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Ali in Beijing on Sunday, saying that China is willing to work with Guyana to promote relations between China and Caribbean countries, and to jointly safeguard the common interests of developing countries. According to the joint statement, Guyana highly appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China. Recalling that the two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding between China and Guyana on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative on July 27, 2018, the Guyanese side expressed its willingness to negotiate with China to sign the BRI cooperation plan. The joint statement showed that the two sides reaffirmed that, on the basis of the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, they respect each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support each other's people in choosing development paths suited to their national conditions. Guyana reiterated its firm support for the one-China principle. Ali thanked China's support for Guyana's economic development, including infrastructure construction. Both sides are committed to deepening economic cooperation, including expanding trade and investment, and expanding cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, health, energy, education and other fields. China expressed appreciation to Ali for Guyana's constructive role in regional and international issues, especially in the areas of food security, regional integration and China-Latin America cooperation. Ali expressed to the China his firm belief that both developed and developing countries should focus on promoting food, climate and energy security to advance sustainable development. Both sides recognize that global development initiatives contribute to this goal, said the joint statement. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, and pledged to deepen cooperation in areas including forest conservation, biodiversity conservation and promotion of renewable energy, according to the statement. The two sides recognize the important value of trade and investment in deepening economic cooperation and are committed to creating a sound business environment and promoting bilateral trade and investment activities. The two sides agreed to explore cooperation in agriculture, energy, minerals, manufacturing and services. Ali thanked China for supporting Guyana's successful election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. In view of the global challenges posed by climate change, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue advocating for climate change and sustainable development at the international level. To this end, the two sides are committed to expanding cooperation in renewable energy, climate resilience and adaptation. Also, in order to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, the two sides decided to support cooperation between educational institutions of the two countries, promote student exchange programs and promote cultural cooperation. The two sides agreed to promote health cooperation between the two countries by sharing experience and technology. Ali highly appreciated the medical services provided by the Chinese medical team to Guyana for the local people. Separately, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Chinese foreign minister, met with Hugh Todd, minister of foreign affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on Friday in Chengdu, the capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Wang called on both sides to make joint efforts to deepen cooperation in various fields and push for sustained and in-depth development of bilateral relations under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. Todd, who is accompanying Guyanese President Ali for the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Universiade, believed that China will continue to show global leadership, promote solidarity among developing countries and promote the South-South cooperation. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Loeb, founder of Third Point LLC, participates in a panel discussion during the Skybridge Alternatives Conference in Las Vegas By Nell Mackenzie LONDON (Reuters) - Billionaire investor Daniel Loeb has reduced the size of short bets on single named companies to limit the vulnerability of his hedge fund, Third Point, to short squeezes, he said in a letter on Tuesday. "The short-selling environment is much more challenging than it has been historically," said Loeb in the letter. Analysing a company's economic prospects has taken a backseat to watching Reddit message boards and options expiries, the letter said. A short squeeze occurs when a stock price rises so much that bearish bets become too expensive to hold and investors are forced to buy them back, sometimes at a loss. Loeb, who runs Third Point - which had around $12.6 billion in assets under management at end-February - said his top five winners this quarter included utility Pacific Gas and Electric, tech companies Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet as well as and plumbing and heating product Ferguson. Loeb said his worst-performing stocks for the quarter were the tech Alibaba Group Holding, bioprocessing company Danaher, Catalent, International Flavors & Fragrances and an undisclosed private position. The nine companies did not immediately return a request for comment. The Third Point Offshore Fund returned 1.1% for the quarter but was still down 3% for the year through June 30, according to the letter. Almost half of Loeb's net long exposure includes companies that will benefit from developments in artificial intelligence, the letter said. AI will need more plumbing to power programmes like Chat GPT4 as it gets better at gathering and learning on data and then, spitting out answers, the letter said. This will benefit the biggest providers of cloud-based software which outsource servers and storage like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform, it said. Elsewhere at Third Point, Loeb's corporate credit team returned a net 8.7% for the quarter after market instability in the March banking crisis created opportunities for the fund, Loeb said. Loeb's residential mortgage and structured credit portfolios are both up a net 3.2% and 4.1% for the year so far, the letter said. (Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; Editing by Amanda Cooper) (Bloomberg) -- Atos SE has begun exclusive discussions to sell a legacy division to a private equity firm run by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, taking another step toward an overhaul that will split the European software firm. Most Read from Bloomberg Atos is in talks to offload the Tech Foundations business to Kretinskys EP Equity Investment, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. As part of a deal under negotiation, Atos will get 100 million ($110 million) in cash and transfer 1.9 billion in debt to the buyer, it said. The proposed deal follows months of struggle for the French company after its IT outsourcing business was slow to adapt to the cloud. A series of setbacks and profit warnings has sent Atoss market value plunging to about 1.1 billion at Mondays close from 8.2 billion at the end of 2020. Shares of Atos gained as much as 14.3% in Paris and were up 6.5% at 12:20 p.m. Bonds issued by the company also rose on the news. The company announced plans a year ago to split into a legacy IT services unit that will keep the companys name and Eviden, which is made up of its cybersecurity, cloud and supercomputing businesses. It said the two are now fully operational as separate entities within the Atos Group, ahead of the listing of Eviden planned later this year. Post this transaction, Eviden should be free of the drag (top line, margin and FCF) from Tech Foundations, which should be a relief for investors, wrote Stifel analyst Chandramouli Sriraman. As part of the proposed deal with EPEI, the company said it plans to raise 900 million, including 217.5 million from Kretinskys group. Kretinskys investment, which includes a reserved capital increase at 20 per share, will give him a 7.5% stake in Eviden. Story continues EPEI said it had confidence in Chief Executive Officer Nourdine Bihmane and the current management of Tech Foundations. It added that Fimalac, the holding company owned by French billionaire Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, could take a minority participation in the acquisition and Eviden capital increase. BNP Paribas SA and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have agreed to provide standby underwriting for the rights issue, excluding the amount that EPEI has committed, and Atos said it is very confident that its bank syndicate will grant the necessary loan waivers. The Eviden business will also seek to extend its loan maturities to reduce its debt load, the company said. Kretinsky made his fortune buying power plants with his group EPH, and is on an investment spree to diversify his assets. The planned acquisition is the third major deal for the Czech billionaire this year in France. With other investors, he is set to take control of the debt-laden French supermarket operator Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, and also agreed to buy publisher Editis from Vivendi SE. We are confident in the value and prospects that Tech Foundations and Eviden bring to the market, Kretinsky said in a separate statement. We will continue to develop the Atos brand, which ranks among the strongest in the market. The deal is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year, the company said. The proposed sale has the unanimous approval of Atoss board. (Updates with additional details throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. BlackRock, MSCI draw scrutiny from US House Committee on China FILE PHOTO: The BlackRock logo is pictured in New York City (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional committee on China is investigating asset management giant BlackRock and index provider MSCI, saying they were facilitating investments into blacklisted Chinese companies, underscoring how tense relations between the two countries are rippling out into corporate America. The firms have facilitated the flow of American capital into companies the U.S. government had found guilty of fueling China's military advancement or human rights abuses, the House of Representatives' Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) said in letters dated Monday and seen by Reuters on Tuesday. BlackRock denied any wrongdoing. "With all investments in China and markets around the world, BlackRock complies with all applicable U.S. government laws. We will continue engaging with the Select Committee directly on the issues raised," the firm said on Tuesday. Shares in BlackRock were down 0.8% in mid-afternoon trade, underperforming the main stock indexes. MSCI said on Tuesday it was "reviewing the inquiry" from the committee. In emailed comments to Reuters, a spokesperson from Chinas embassy said that overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing economic, trade and investment issues runs counter to the principles of market economy and international trade rules. The probe is another example of the far-reaching effects of tensions between the U.S. and China on U.S. companies, as the world's two largest economies clash over a range of hot-button issues such as Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Last month, China curbed exports of some metals widely used in the semiconductor industry, in a move it said was aimed at protecting national security. Analysts saw the move as a response to escalating efforts by Washington to rein in China's technological advances. Republicans formed the Select Committee when they took control of the House in January, as part of an effort to convince Americans why they should care about competing with China. A hard line toward China is one of the few policies with bipartisan support in the deeply divided U.S. Congress. Story continues The committee does not write legislation, but makes policy recommendations. It also has the power to subpoena executives and officials, something that it has not done until now. But Representative Mike Gallagher, the committee's Republican chair, said in April he will issue subpoenas for executives who do not cooperate with its investigations. "Companies are not going to disrupt their business model on their own. They're going to have to be ordered," said Leland Miller, chief executive officer at advisory firm China Beige Book. The committee's action against BlackRock and MSCI was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. An initial review by the committee had found the companies allow for investments into dozens of blacklisted companies. "The true scale is likely much larger," the committee wrote. Other asset managers, including Franklin Templeton, VanEck and WisdomTree, also have funds or exchanged-traded funds with Chinese assets, according to their websites. The firms did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Niket Nishant and Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru, Michael Martina and Don Durfee in Washington, and Carolina Mandl in New York; Editing by Ira Iosebashvili, Jonathan Oatis, Matthew Lewis and Deepa Babington) (Bloomberg) -- The largest single investor in IdeaForge Technology Ltd. is doubling down on Indias drone-making sector after an early bet on the Mumbai-listed company generated a return of almost 600%. Most Read from Bloomberg Florintree Advisers Pvt. this month bought a 15% stake in BotLab Dynamics, an Indian drone maker that specializes in light shows, for about 200 million rupees ($2.4 million), according to Mathew Cyriac, the investment firms founder and a former Blackstone Inc. dealmaker. The transaction values BotLab at about 1.2 billion rupees, he said. We had evaluated at least 15 drone makers in India before this investment, Cyriac said. BotLab is a deep tech company which brought electronics, control systems and hardware together, he added. BotLab was established in 2016 at the technology business incubator unit at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, according to its website. Three years later, the countrys Army Design Bureau asked the startup to demonstrate its drone swarm technology with 10 drones. In 2022, BotLab put on a light show with 1,000 drones that formed images and transitioned from Mahatma Gandhis image to showcasing the 75th anniversary of Indias independence. BotLab will use the fresh capital for product development as well as getting into applications in defense and surveillance, Cyriac said. It plans to export to other Asian countries and the Middle East later, he added. The bet on BotLab came about a year after Florintree invested around 1 billion rupees in IdeaForge at a valuation of 8.5 billion rupees. IdeaForge earlier this month went public after an initial public offering that raised about 5.7 billion rupees. Its shares have risen nearly 70% from the IPO price, giving the company a valuation of around 47 billion rupees. Story continues Read More: Worlds Biggest Market for Sub-$100 Million IPOs Booms in India Florintree didnt sell any shares in IdeaForges IPO and remains its single largest shareholder with an 11% stake. The investment generated a return of over 570% based on its latest market value, Cyriac said. Cyriac joined Blackstone as its second employee in India in 2006 and eventually became the firms co-head for private equity in the country. He bought precision engineering firm Mtar Technologies Pvt. from Blackstone in 2017 when he left the buyout firm. Mtars shares have surged more than 270% since their debut in 2021. Three other companies that Florintree is backing could go public in the coming year, Cyriac said. They are in the digital and precision engineering sectors, he added. (Updates IdeaForge valuation in sixth paragraph and Mtar share appreciation in eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: The Robert Bosch logo at the company's research and development centre in Renningen BERLIN (Reuters) - Robert Bosch has opened a new test centre for chips and sensors in Malaysia for 65-million-euro ($71.62 million) and plans to invest a further 285 million euros by the middle of next decade, the German technology group announced on Tuesday. Up to 400 jobs will be created by the mid-2030s, it added. Bosch currently carries out most of the final testing of its semiconductors from its factories in the German cities of Reutlingen, Germany, Suzhou, China and Hungary. Those locations will be joined by the new test centre in Penang, for which Bosch is receiving funding from Malaysia. ($1 = 0.9075 euros) (Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Riham Alkousaa) A sign facing I-16 welcomes the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, which is currently under construction on the Bryan County Megasite in Ellabell, Georgia. Hyundai's 8,100-employee automobile assembly plant and EV battery factory opens soon, and the Savannah regions training centers and school systems are creating workforce pipelines for the South Korean automaker and its suppliers. Talent needs to be flowing through the labor conduits early, say Hyundai officials and school administrators. Heres a look at some of the long-term strategies the areas education centers have in place or are implementing. The programs emphasize a range of skills from technical certificates to higher-level engineering and computer science knowledge, all of which aim to boost the local workforce pool. K-12 schools School administrators from Chatham, Effingham, Bulloch and Bryan counties jurisdictions part of the Savannah Joint Development Authority that brokered the Hyundai deal all point to their schools existing career pathway programs. CTAE or Career Technical, Agricultural Education are pathways designed to prepare students for the workforce through targeted classes, certificates or articulated college credit. Each countys school district provides different pathway offerings across their K-12s. In the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, students can choose from 17 different subjects or clusters, including those in collision repair, computer science, engineering and technology and manufacturing, all areas geared toward the EV manufacturing industry, said Angie Lewis, executive director of the district's Office of College and Career Readiness. More: Thousands of jobs are on their way to the region, are we making sure our students are competitive? A lot of the cars they will be building are computerized so computer science is huge, said Lewis, who noted that computer science programs are offered at each high school. It depends on what the student wants to focus on, it can be general computer science, or cybersecurity or computer networking as well as gaming. But that particular pathway will prepare students to work for the Hyundai plant. Story continues Chatham County public school students also have the option to apply for a choice school, allowing students who live outside of a school's attendance zone to attend their choice program. Savannah elementary, middle and high schools all have programs centered around STEM education. Fifteen-year-old Brenda Rodriguez, left, and Kyleigh Kestner, 15, work on building a prototype for the dream invention challenge as part of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) event at Jenkins High School. Savannah-area K-12 schools are ramping up their STEM offerings as the region adds more advanced manufacturing jobs, such as those at the Hyundai Metaplant. Jenkins High School, for example, offers an engineering program geared towards producing graduates who want to pursue a degree or certificate in the field by offering dual college credit and real world experience. We have a strong partnership with the technical colleges and dual enrollment offerings at Armstrong and Georgia Southern University, said Lewis. It just depends on the interest of the student and what they want to do.Lewis said administrators are planning to meet with Hyundai and workforce development officials to create more specific pathways that would serve the Hyundai plant. According to Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns, the General Assembly has a study committee that is actively looking into aligning workforce needs with school curriculums. That could mean a new pathway specifically geared toward EVs, according to some school officials. Todd Wall, director of CTAE at the Effingham County School District and CEO of the Effingham College and Career Academy, said discussions on creating a dual enrollment program between high schools and Savannah Techs Electric Vehicle Professional certificate are already taking place. More: 'I've really grown here': Effingham College and Career Academy providing employment pathways Weve been talking with the frontline folks at these companies and asking, Hey, what are you looking for in employment? We want to start prepping our students and tailor our curriculum to fit your needs,' said Wall. The Effingham College and Career Academy is adding advanced manufacturing and engineering courses to its curriculum. Wall said the potential partnership, which schools are hoping to roll out this fall, will allow high school seniors to graduate with the certificate in hand. Savannah Tech serves Chatham, Effingham, Bryan and Liberty schools. Bulloch Countys regional technical college is Ogeechee Tech. Hyundai plans to expand EV certificate programs to technical colleges across south Georgia. Wall points out that Effingham Countys College and Career Academy, a public high school, is specifically prepared to serve the needs of Hyundai. The school, which opened in 2010, offers programs in logistics, engineering, automotive and computer science among other subjects. The jobs in the state of Georgia are booming so we want to make sure were preparing students for whatever career pathways they choose, said Wall. In addition to CTAE career pathways, the Bulloch County School District has a Career-Workforce Steering Committee that is working to accomplish a three-year career workforce development plan. The aim is to increase employability, enlistment or enrollment by bolstering CTAE pathways, dual enrollment opportunities and work-based learning, according to the plans website. Leadership in Bulloch County has been working collaboratively over the past 10 years to develop a plan for workforce development that has positioned us very well to meet the needs of industry expansion in the region. These efforts will lead to improved quality of life and opportunities for our community, wrote Charles Wilson, Bulloch County Schools' superintendent. Wilson said that the steering committee is hoping to engage with Hyundai and other industry representatives as the plant ramps up towards opening. Savannah Tech already offers specialized courses for other large Savannah employers, such as aviation-related continuing education for Gulfstream. Technical colleges and universities Hyundai representatives are focused on creating strategies to grow long-term talent in both technical skills and the high-level engineering and computing fields. So far, Savannah Tech has announced the Electric Vehicle Professional certificate program and a training partnership with a Hyundai supplier, Sewon America, as well as a certificate for EV repair technicians. More partnerships with area technical colleges are in the works, according to Brent Stubbs, senior manager of learning and development for the Hyundai Metaplant. More: Savannah Tech, Hyundai team up for workforce development training program for EV factory Officials from Hyundai supplier Sewon, Savannah Tech and the Effingham County Industrial Authority were on hand to celebrate a partnership to provide job-specific training courses. According to Stubbs, Hyundai's most immediate priority is to fill the gaps in the local high-level engineering pool. The automaker is in discussions with Savannah State, Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern about adding an EV component to their curriculum. This is a first-in-the-world smart factory with automation, said Stubbs, So thats going to require computer scientists, software engineers, so were looking at building relationships for that talent. Georgia Southern University currently offers six different types of undergraduate engineering degrees and six graduate-level engineering degrees. This fall, the Statesboro-based school will add two engineering doctorates, a Ph.D. in applied computing degree and a Ph.D. in engineering with concentrations in civil, electrical, advanced manufacturing and mechanical engineering. Mohammad Davoud, dean of GSU's Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, said the university has been planning these programs for about 10 years in anticipation of Georgias growth. STEM programs such as engineering and applied computing are extremely attractive to these industries, said Davoud. The programs directly provide an employee pool of highly trained engineers, computing professionals and problem solvers resulting in a trained state and regional workforce with B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. Davoud points out that adding advanced degrees will result in high-quality post-secondary educators to support the next generation, bolstering the entire ecosystem of engineers and computer scientists. Stubbs describes a symbiotic relationship between the metaplant and the areas universities.Before, weve had a lot of young talent leave this community, go to college, go to UGA or Georgia Tech, and then move away. But now, people can go home to a great job and company that shares their values, said Stubbs. Quick Start Training Center The final piece of the workforce training puzzle is Quick Start, a division of the Technical College System of Georgia that provides customized workforce training for companies. To support the Hyundai workforce, the Technical College System is building a $62.5 million Quick Start Training Center on the metaplant site, which will prepare Hyundai employees as well as those of relevant suppliers. Rodger Brown, left, shows Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty Kemp equipment used in training workers at the Quick Start Facility in Pooler. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Economic Development will request more than $10 million in funds from the Georgia Legislature to expand the existing Quick Start Advanced Manufacturing Center in Pooler. More: Hyundai EV plant in Bryan County to be 3x size of Montgomery and other updates from SEDA Stubbs describes Quick Start as having two major goals. Training new employees, or what Hyundai calls metapros so that theyre ready to hit the plant on Day One," and building relationships with the community by providing training for the incoming technical college programs and building interest in EV manufacturing. What they experience in that training center is going to be a scaled-down version of everything that they're going to experience in the plant from welding, stamp, paint, and general assembly, as well as quality. So, theres going to be things in there that are proprietary to us, said Stubbs. Quick Start is working with Hyundais subject matter experts right now to customize that curriculum, he adds. It's not teaching them how to build the car because we're going to do that once we hire them as much as teaching them about automotive electric vehicles and safety, said Stubbs. Were trying to create a new talent pipeline thats excited about electric cars. Hyundai plans to hire 500 employees this year and another 700 by the end of 2024, with the majority of those coming from the local labor pool. The pipelines being created today will be feed a gradual workforce buildup, with Hyundai projecting the full workforce - 8,100 - to be on the job by 2031. Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann. About this series To better understand the challenges ahead, Savannah Morning News journalists Nancy Guan and Latrice Williams examined the local workforce landscape from two perspectives: Labor pools and training programs. The research offers glimpses into how Savannahs economy is already evolving, where officials expect newcomers to move to Savannah from, and the scale of the workforce development programs being put in place. The five-part series explores: This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hyundai EV assembly plant Savannah creating local labor pipelines (Bloomberg) -- Chinas State Council called on cities to introduce policies to ensure the healthy development of their property markets, adding to the chorus of top policymakers stressing the importance of targeted measures for economic growth. Most Read from Bloomberg Cities should roll out measures that meet their own needs, a cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang decided on Monday, according to China Central Television. While there were no details on those plans, the state broadcaster also reported the meeting discussed the need to optimize policy properties and step up research and construction of a new industry development model. Chinese authorities have stepped up efforts to stabilize the property market, which along with related industries accounts for about 20% of the economy. After a short-lived rebound this year, the real estate sector is declining again, stifling the nations recovery and fueling expectations for the government to take steps to revive demand. Chinas home sales tumbled 33.1% in July, the most in a year as the property crisis continued to weigh on the economy. Last week, Chinas top housing official urged financial regulators and lenders to strengthen efforts to revive the countrys ailing property sector. And the ruling Communist Partys 24-member Politburo its top decision-making body led by President Xi Jinping signaled more support for the real estate sector alongside pledges to boost consumption and resolve local government debt. Investors are betting that regulators will act swiftly on the Politburos promises of support after weeks of disappointment over a lack of execution. Thats boosted by optimism over long-awaited policies targeting the countrys biggest cities though the impact to the physical market will take time. Story continues The stronger sentiment is helping a push to invigorate capital markets. For foreign investors, continued robust support for the yuan is increasing the attractiveness of Chinese assets and is redirecting stronger flows to equities. The government still isnt likely to roll out any large-scale stimulus, as they are mindful of debt risks and over-stimulating the economy. Instead, officials have emphasized the importance of targeted measures like when the Peoples Bank of China last month flagged that real estate policies would be tailored to cities. Beijing has also announced steps to boost consumption as spending growth loses steam and household confidence remains muted. The National Development and Reform Commission Chinas top economic planning agency on Monday released a wide-ranging policy document focusing on removing government restrictions such as car purchases, along with improving infrastructure and holding promotional events like food festivals. --With assistance from Kari Lindberg, Rebecca Choong Wilkins, James Mayger and Philip Glamann. (Updates with additional details and context.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Employees work on a production line manufacturing metal parts for furniture at a factory in Hangzhou BEIJING (Reuters) - China's factory activity swung to contraction in July, a private sector survey showed on Tuesday, with supply, demand and export orders all deteriorating as firms blamed sluggish market conditions at home and abroad. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 49.2 in July from 50.5 in June, missing analysts' forecasts of 50.3 and marking the first decline in activity since April. The 50-point index mark separates growth from contraction. The data was in line with the government's official PMI on Monday, raising challenges for policymakers seeking to revive momentum in China's post-COVID recovery amid high youth unemployment, mounting local debt pressure and weak demand. The Caixin survey showed manufacturing output shrank for the first time in six months while new orders saw the quickest reduction since December. New orders remained unchanged at makers of investment goods, but fell at producers of consumer and intermediate goods. New export orders contracted at the steepest pace since September 2022 amid weakening global demand. Employment across the manufacturing sector fell for the fifth straight month in July, although the pace of job shedding eased from June. Lower payroll numbers were attributed to reduced sales and cost-cutting by factory owners. After five months of improvement, supplier performance worsened slightly. Firms said a lack of stock at some vendors had impacted lead times as they adopted leaner inventory policies in response to softer demand. Competitive market conditions and price negotiations with clients led to a further reduction in Chinese factory gate prices at the start of the third quarter. Manufacturers overall remained optimistic regarding the 12-month outlook for output, but the degree of positive sentiment was below the long-run series average. Top policymakers at a Politburo meeting pledged to step up support for the economy and strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments in the second half of this year. Story continues But Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group, said current monetary settings would only have a limited effect on boosting supply. "An expansionary fiscal policy that targets demand should be prioritised." The country's top economic planner released measures on boosting consumption and private investment last month, with many measures aimed at improving the supply of goods. While markets and investors are expecting more stimulus to spur demand, the housing minister recently called for more property easing measures. Some of the biggest cities including Beijing and Shenzhen said over the weekend they would implement measures to better meet the needs of homebuyers. (Reporting by Ellen Zhang and Ryan Woo. Editing by Sam Holmes) Property projects under go construction in downtown area on July 9, 2007 in Chongqing Municipality, China. China Photos/Getty Images The Chinese property sector can't seem to catch a break at the moment. Shimao Group stocks took a beating Monday after the developer reported crushing losses. The property sector makes up around one-fifth of China's GDP and its decline has been a drag on the economy. China's property-sector woes continue to mount with Shimao Group, one of the country's many developers that have defaulted on their debt, announcing crushing losses. A protracted real-estate downturn in the world's No. 2 economy has seen property firms grapple with heavy debt burdens and sluggish demand for new property, with potential homebuyers prioritizing savings in a slowing economy. Now Shimao Group has released its financial results after a 16-month delay and various threats to delist the company. It posted a 48.6 billion yuan loss ($6.8 billion) over two years of trading, and today after trading in its stock resumed for the first time since April 2022 shares in the troubled firm fell by 67%. Shimao's stock price decline is its biggest on record and is symptomatic of a wider crisis facing the sector. Last month, Evergrande, China's largest developer, announced a whopping $81 billion two-year loss a figure almost triple the GDP of Iceland. The firm hit the headlines back in 2021 when it defaulted on its debt pile an event that reverberated through global markets and had wide-ranging consequences on the Asian nation's property sector. Mass defaults and abandoned projects have become a headwind for China's struggling economy, with the property sector leading the slump. Property sales by floor area fell 28.1% in June from a year ago, marking the largest drop of the year and even worse than May's 19.7% decline, according to a recent report by Reuters. A fall in house prices, a drop in construction starts, and a fall in real-estate investments have all heaped misery on the homebuilding industry. The property sector makes up around one-fifth of China's GDP and its decline has dragged down second-quarter growth for the country, which rose 6.3% from a year ago. This was well below the 7.1% forecast among economists. The Asian country has struggled with a weak post-pandemic rebound, and pressure has mounted on Beijing to introduce measures addressing the slump. Read the original article on Business Insider Tankers carrying liquid natural gas. ConocoPhillips It costs traders more than $200,000 a day to ship liquefied natural gas in the Atlantic basin, per Bloomberg. Daily charter rates to ship LNG for October and November are at $206,750 and $284,750, respectively. A growing number of traders have been using ships as floating storage, crimping tanker supply. It costs traders more than $200,000 a day to ship liquefied natural gas in the Atlantic basin as the use of ships as floating storage facilities reduces tanker supplies. Daily charter rates for October and November are at $206,750 and $284,750, respectively, according to Spark Commodities data cited by Bloomberg. That's more than double from current levels. The surge in freight rates comes amid a drop in the availability of tankers, many of which are being used by traders as floating storage to hoard the commodity following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Just last month, a cluster of Saudi Arabian oil tankers were seen floating in the Red Sea, boosting the amount of crude oil being stored at sea globally to a two-year high. After the Ukraine war broke out, Europe rushed to pad out its energy reserves as Russia a key supplier of natural gas began cutting flows in retaliation to Western sanctions. Europe was also preparing for a harsh winter that never came, with the continent experiencing its third warmest January in 2023. It's meant the region now has more gas than it needs. Meanwhile, Russia has been using ships to store its unwanted diesel, further squeezing tanker supplies. Despite selling huge amounts of its crude oil and products to countries like India and China, Moscow is still having trouble finding buyers for its energy products dumping its diesel into floating storage. With sky-high charter rates, the risk is that they could push up gas prices before winter. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Covestro AG said full-year profit is expected to come in at the lower half of its guidance range because of waning global demand, potentially weighing on hopes for a higher takeover offer from Abu Dhabi Oil Company. Most Read from Bloomberg Covestro still projects earnings before certain items to be between 1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) and 1.6 billion in the full year, the chemical maker said Tuesday. This followed a drop in demand and lower sales prices during the second quarter. We currently still do not anticipate an economic recovery in the remainder of the year, Chief Financial Officer Thomas Toepfer said in a statement. German chemicals firms BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG and Lanxess AG all have in recent weeks warned of a worsening outlook for the rest of the year, blaming subdued global industrial output and slow demand for consumer products. Adnoc earlier in July boosted its takeover offer for Covestro to around 11 billion as the energy group hopes to convince the German manufacturer to enter talks. The Leverkusen-based company in June rejected Adnocs earlier proposal as too low. Covestro didnt provide details on the Adnoc discussions in its earnings release. We expect a muted share price response, Jefferies analyst Chris Counihan said in a note to clients. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization are expected between 240 million and EUR 340 million during the third quarter, the company said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The conflicts and confusion around regulations in the digital asset industry in the U.S. have prompted policy makers and Web3 developers in other parts of the world to stand up and take note of an emerging opportunity. No more so than in Asia, where governments in a number of jurisdictions most notably Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan are drawing up new rules of the road to attract investment and jobs from these emerging industries while the U.S. is distracted by arguments and lawsuits over cryptocurrency definitions. Circles Yam Ki Chan, vice-president of strategy and policy at the Boston-based issuer of the worlds second largest stablecoin USDC, said it is too early to sound the death knell for the U.S. digital asset market. But he added that Asias ongoing shift from Web2 consumer to Web3 creator offers opportunity for the region to play a central role in developing the global digital asset industry. Chan spoke with Forkasts Will Fee at the WebX conference in Tokyo on July 25-26. This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Will Fee: You arrived at Circle in April this year from Google in Hong Kong, and prior to that, as a U.S. government economic policy lead focused on Asia during the Obama administration. How are you finding the switch into the digital asset industry? Yam Ki Chan: Im learning a lot. It is a very vibrant industry, as you can see here at WebX. As Ive seen at all the various conferences Ive attended since I joined, theres a real excitement in the community overall. Its still a very nascent industry and I think it lends itself to, for the most part, the ecosystem trying to work together. We all want to see this ecosystem work. We all want to see it prosper. And then were all also working on ways to improve transparency, consumer protection and stability for the industry as a whole. Fee: Corey Then, Circles vice-president of global policy, said during a previous interview that the regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. will prove to be a long-term positive for the development of the digital asset industry. Do you agree with that view? Story continues Chan: Absolutely. Prior to all of this, I was a crypto skeptic. I was about as TradFi [traditional finance] as you can come. My first job out of college was with an investment bank in Silicon Valley. A tech focused one, but an investment bank nonetheless. And then Ive worked at hedge funds, Ive worked at microfinance institutions, Ive worked at the U.S. Treasury Department. So pretty traditional finance. And theres a lot of legitimate skepticism from folks outside the crypto industry to really wonder and question what does this thing do? And the industry hasnt helped itself, with a lot of the bad behavior from various actors weve seen over the past 12-18 months. Now the industry is cleaning out its bad actors, policy makers are coming in and really setting some clearer rules on how they want to see this industry work. I think there was a hesitation with policy makers in the past because they werent sure if this was going to be real or a flash in the pan. Weve seen now several cycles in the crypto industry and with every turn, its equilibrium state grows a little bigger. Were also seeing traditional finance companies seriously looking into this space, such as Citadel Securities backing a decentralized exchange and BlackRock filing for a Bitcoin exchange traded fund. So we are seeing an inflection point where the bad players are cleared out and traditional finance institutions start to have products that you can see and touch in this space. Then, the final piece we believe were about to see is a move from the speculative phase to the utility phase of digital assets, and legislation and policies will only help with that transition. Fee: You were quoted when you joined Circle as believing the companys role as a stablecoin issuer and Web3 developer is to raise global economic prosperity. Youre based now in Singapore. How do you see that stated mission taking effect in the wider Asia region? Chan: We are now seeing the use of stablecoins for payments, which is extremely interesting, and in particular its very applicable for Asia. Asian economies have a higher trade to GDP ratio than the US or Europe when you exclude your intra-European trade because thats one monetary system. So Asian businesses are essentially paying a higher share of their revenue in terms of costs. This impacts them on not just cost, but also settlement time. Within Asia, there are lots of companies that operate across different countries within the region. You may be a business sitting in Osaka, while your customer is in Taipei or Seoul, so youre taking New Taiwan dollars or Korean won. And then your vendor and producer may be in Vietnam or Thailand and you pay them in Vietnamese dong or Thai baht. And all of these transactions are costly for an average Asian business. That isnt the case if you are producing in Germany and selling to France or producing in Oklahoma and selling to Colorado. So those costs really impact businesses here and disproportionately so. Another aspect is trade financing. The Asia Development Bank estimated that there is a US$500 billion financing gap in Asia. These are businesses that want to be able to do exports but cant because they cant find the financing. And that might be working capital, loans, insurance, or any other type of financing thats needed for them to produce their goods and move those goods overseas before they receive payment for it. So stablecoins can be a way to help close some of that gap. Then another aspect is related to cross-border remittances. In Asia, there are a lot of migrant workers. They have to pay to move their money home to their families and they face high transaction costs of around 5.9% per transaction for the average US$200 remittance. So we see stablecoins as a digital native way to help lower transaction costs, shorten settlement time and make it safer also for the users. And thats not just by being fully reserved and transparent and regulated, but also by existing in users mobile phones, which are now ubiquitous all across Asia and around the world. No longer do you have to take money and walk it to a bank and wait in line hoping to not get mugged and deposit the money, hoping the bank is solvent so that it can then move that money halfway around the world and to your family. Now, I can just with a few clicks send money to my family home. So thats really intriguing. Fee: Considering the regulatory stalemate in the U.S., there is a narrative developing that Web3 firms may choose to leave the West and the U.S. in particular to move to Asian jurisdictions more favorable to their activities. Do you buy that? And if so, where is the evidence of it happening? Chan: An intelligent person can hold two things to be true that are contradictory. So yes, its happening. And no, it isnt, because at the end of the day, the U.S. is still a very important market and extremely vibrant. Its a large market, but its one that doesnt yet have the regulatory clarity. But its getting there. Theres now legislation on Capitol Hill that will provide that clarity. Were extremely supportive of that. At the same time, countries out in Asia are not standing still. Theyve seen this play out before. If you were to take a step back and look at the development of the internet, the development of Web1 and Web2 were largely US companies who then took their products and expanded overseas. And Asia was the consumer of that. So Google creates a search engine, they put it online. Anyone on the Internet could use it. It wasnt until the latter half of Web2 where three things came together that made creation in Asia possible and Asia became a creator. Those three things were cheap and powerful smartphones, cheap and accessible broadband, with high bandwidth and third, a very important part, was the emergence of developers. This region benefits from a generally younger population who came of age with the internet and understand very innately that this is their big global opportunity. And this has prompted them to begin building. There are countless companies across Asia that are not yet global companies, but certainly regional players and leading players in their own countries. And whats interesting is, as we look toward Web3, these companies and also policymakers say, wait a minute, we have a chance to leapfrog other regions and actually take the lead here. The question then becomes, how do we harness the talent that we have, the technology thats open source and the market size thats developing here to really build on our own so that were not just a consumer, but also the creator and the owners of the technology? And I think that, because of that attitude, countries out here in Asia have been leading the effort to establish some of the new rules for the industry. Theres going to be some more harmonization work that will have to happen. But they are ready. They want to be there ready to go, especially once theres greater clarity from the US. But even in the absence of that, theyre going to do what they can to support the growth of the industry. (Bloomberg) -- A tumble in the native token of key decentralized cryptocurrency exchange Curve Finance sapped sentiment toward digital assets on concern that the episode could trigger cascading liquidations of positions throughout the embryonic sector. Most Read from Bloomberg Curve Finance is one of the largest liquidity providers in DeFi, especially for stablecoins. A hack that took place in the project over the weekend has led to sharp declines in both the total amount of funds deposited on Curve and price of CRV, the token used to facilitate transactions on the protocol. The as much as 30% drop in CRV has put more than $100 million worth of loans of Curve Finance founder Michael Egorov at risk of being liquidated. Curve Finance, like other decentralized projects, relies on blockchain-based software known as smart contracts, rather than Wall Street-style middlemen, to facilitate trading activities. DeFi projects in general are run by so-called decentralized autonomous organizations, or DAOs, with members using their tokens to vote on key changes to the projects. Advocates praise the transparency of DeFis design, but the incident reveals a key flaw of DeFi that decentralized decisions dont always lead to the right ones. There are rules in traditional finance around these sorts of super concentrated insider positions, said Leo Mizuhara, founder and chief executive of DeFi institutional asset management platform Hashnote. Its important to note how interconnected many of these DeFi protocols can be, a liquidation on one protocol or chain could have ramifications on the others. Egorov told Bloomberg News that hes working on reducing the sizes of his loans. Crypto investors such as Justin Sun said theyre also supporting the protocol. Story continues I cannot comment much about contagion effects apart from saying that we, and I personally, work on minimizing or eliminating the impact, Egorov wrote in an email on Monday. In any case, I think that we and all DeFi will come out stronger surviving this event. Sun told Blooomberg News that he has purchased roughly 5 million CRV tokens for about $2 million, or well below the current market price. Chinese billionaire Jihan Wu, the founder of Bitmain Technologies Ltd., wrote on the platform formally known as Twitter that he bought CRV as well. Clara Medalie, director of research at blockchain data firm Kaiko, pointed out that Curve Finance is mostly used by large investors who need to trade stablecoins. Since at least 2021, the average trading size on Curve has ranged between $200,000 and $1 million, according to Kaikos data, whereas on all other crypto exchanges, the average size is just a few thousand dollars. The episode also raises comparisons to the FTT tokens that served as the native cryptocurrency of the now bankrupt FTX exchange. FTT didnt appear to be problem until it was revealed that not only were the tokens one of the main assets that made up FTXs balance sheet, but they also were used as collateral on loans by FTXs sister trading firm Alameda Research. In DeFi lending, when a position is liquidated, the underlying collateral, in this case, CRV, will be sold in a market that already saw steep price declines. A series of liquidations of Egorovs loans would leave bad debt for some lending protocols, Medalie said. The amount of crypto using the Curve Finance service, once second-largest decentralized or DeFi digital-asset exchange, is down to $1.7 billion from $3.6 billion since the hack was revealed on Sunday, tracker DefiLlama data shows. (Corrects the spelling of Jihan Wu in the seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Stocks of crypto companies fell Tuesday after a US judge said digital currencies can be considered securities when sold to the general public, contradicting an earlier ruling from a judge in a separate case. The decision bolstered the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is the plaintiff in both cases. The US regulator has argued certain cryptocurrencies are securities and therefore should be overseen by the SEC, using that assertion as the basis for several lawsuits against major industry players. US crypto exchange Coinbase Global (COIN), which faces one such lawsuit from the SEC, dropped as much as 8.5% Tuesday. The price of bitcoin (BTC-USD) also fell below $29,000. The new decision that upended stocks came from US Judge Jed Rakoff in the Southern District of New York, who opposed an earlier ruling from Analisa Torres, another judge in the same US district court. Torres had concluded in mid-July that the XRP digital token issued by Ripple Labs was a security only when it was sold to institutional investors, and not when it was purchased by the general public. Rakoff disagreed with that specific view in his case, in which the SEC has alleged stablecoin issuer Terraform Labs sold unregistered securities. "The Court rejects the approach recently adopted by another judge of this District," he wrote. Jed Rakoff, a US judge in the Southern District of New York. (Yana Paskova for The Washington Post via Getty Images) The disagreement was a blow to some in the crypto world who had hailed the earlier ruling from Torres. "Well, it was a fun few weeks," said Gabriel Shapiro, general counsel for digital asset research and consulting firm Delphi Labs. The chief legal officer of Ripple Labs, Stuart Alderoty, said in a tweet that the new ruling from Rakoff "changes NOTHING about the Ripple ruling that XRP is not a security." well, it was a fun few weeks, gg https://t.co/WsCr7EdKeY _gabrielShapir0 (@lex_node) August 1, 2023 The contradictory rulings makes the regulatory clarity surrounding most cryptocurrencies as murky as ever, according to Stephen Palley, a Washington, D.C.-based legal partner with Brown Rudnick who co-chairs the firms digital commerce group. Story continues Expect to see more disagreement between courts, and less clarity, until Congress acts, Palley said Monday over Twitter. Neither opinion from the US District Court in the Southern District of New York will set a binding precedent, he told Yahoo Finance Tuesday. "As we see here, even within the same judicial district ... one judge isnt required to follow another judges holding." In another crypto case in the Southern District of NY, Judge Rakoff specifically declines to adopt Judge Torres reasoning in the Ripple case. Expect to see more disagreement between courts, and less clarity, until congress acts. Link to opinion: https://t.co/BMywIrxm6e pic.twitter.com/uFdytfRHcG Palley (@stephendpalley) July 31, 2023 The SEC has brought 17 enforcement actions against crypto investors and businesses since the beginning of January. That includes cases against Coinbase and Binance, the world's biggest crypto exchange. Its most recent case came Monday when it alleged that Richard Heart, founder of crypto token project Hex, misappropriated millions of dollars from investors. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the first to deploy IntelliSep to support early detection of sepsis in at-risk patients Sepsis is a leading driver of death and hospitalization costs in the United States SAN FRANCISCO, August 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cytovale, a pioneering medical diagnostics company focused on advancing early detection technologies to diagnose fast-moving and immune-mediated diseases, announced today the U.S. commercial launch of the IntelliSep sepsis test following FDA 510(k) clearance in December 2022. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the first U.S. medical center to adopt IntelliSep for emergency department (ED) use. The test aids in the rapid diagnosis of sepsis for adult patients with signs and symptoms of infection, providing results in under 10 minutes. "Sepsis is one of the most common conditions impacting emergency departments in the United States, and there has not been a timely test to identify sepsis early until now," said Hollis ONeal, MD, Medical Director of Research at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Critical Care Physician at LSU Health Sciences Center. "With the IntelliSep test, we can deliver the right care to the right patients at the right time and we are excited to be the first hospital in the country to implement this technology. Im really excited for what the future brings." The IntelliSep test is a groundbreaking diagnostic tool that categorizes patients into three bands according to their probability of sepsis based on a standard blood draw. The results may equip providers with a tool to optimize clinical outcomes and empower hospitals to improve resource utilization and achieve operational excellence. IntelliSep may also support hospital efforts to meet guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for timely sepsis treatment, known as SEP-1. Story continues Sepsis is the leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for more than 350,000 deaths every year in the United States alonemore than opioid overdoses, prostate cancer, and breast cancer combined.1,2 Quickly recognizing sepsis is critical to saving lives because the risk of death can increase by as much as eight percent each hour the condition is undiagnosed and untreated. As many as 80 percent of these deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment making early detection critical to improving clinical, operational, and financial outcomes.1 "The launch of the IntelliSep test is a huge moment in our fight against the devastating impact of sepsis," said Cytovale co-founder and CEO Ajay Shah. "We know early detection and diagnosis is key, and were proud to have a partner in Our Lady of the Lake and look forward to seeing IntelliSeps impact at other Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) hospitals." Our Lady of the Lake Health is part of FMOLHS, which includes 10 hospitals across Louisiana and Mississippi. Cytovale is working to launch IntelliSep across the broader FMOLHS network and an expanded clinical network through the health systems partnership with Louisiana State University. The company is also in discussions with additional hospital systems across the U.S. so that the impact of IntelliSep on early sepsis identification and patient risk stratification may be extended to additional emergency departments seeking such a solution. About IntelliSep Cytovales flagship diagnostic tool, IntelliSep, helps providers recognize sepsis and supports critical time-sensitive clinical decisions through its efficient 10-minute testing period, ease of use, integration into established care processes, and low-cost structure. IntelliSep is pioneering a new way of quickly and accurately analyzing white blood cells to assess a patients probability of sepsis. The test is designed to simply and clearly determine probability of sepsis using a biomechanical evaluation of white blood cells collected from a standard blood draw. About Cytovale Cytovale is committed to improving human health by pioneering early detection technologies powered by insightful assessment of immune activation. Made up of an extraordinary team of life scientists, engineers, clinicians, and dreamers, Cytovale intends to accelerate the time it takes to get from triage to life-saving therapies. For more information, please visit www.cytovale.com. For updates, follow Cytovale on LinkedIn and Twitter. This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract number 75A50119C00072. About Our Lady of the Lake Health Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Childrens Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all Gods people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com. 1. What Is Sepsis?, Sepsis Alliance (2022) 2. Sepsis Awareness Study Summary Report, Radius Global Market Research (2019). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801800143/en/ Contacts Will Johnson Weber Shandwick 212-603-4025 wjohnson@webershandwick.com Daimler Truck reported greater than 10% return on sales in the second quarter for the first time since becoming a standalone company. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Daimler Truck reported higher second-quarter profits and revenue, but like OEMs reporting earlier, the market leader saw incoming orders fall. The German truck and bus maker said net profit rose to 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) from 946 billion euros in the second quarter of 2022. Revenue increased to 13.88 billion euros from 12.1 billion. Rivals Paccar Inc., Volvo Group and Traton SE reported similar trends based on their size. All the companies have strong backlogs of unbuilt trucks, so accepting more orders now would push out delivery dates. Tratons Navistar specifically mentioned that strong orders at the end of 2022 delayed the opening of order books. 1st time to hit double-digit return on sales Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes climbed 41% to 1.43 billion euros. Adjusted return on sales (ROS) was 10.3%, the first time Daimler Truck has achieved a double-digit ROS since splitting off from Daimler AG in December 2021. ROS a year ago was 8%. The 10% ROS was a goal for 2025. This is an important milestone proving our commitment to uplift profitability, CFO Jochen Goetz said in a news release. An improved supply chain performance, strong pricing and a growing service business all contributed. All four operating units raised ROS goals for the year: Trucks North America (Daimler Truck North America): 11%-13% from 10%-12%. Mercedes-Benz (European-branded trucks): 8%-10% from 7%-9%. Trucks Asia: 4%-6% from 3%-5%. Daimler Buses: 3%-5% from 2%-4%. Unit sales grew 9% to 131,888 from 120,961 in the same period a year ago. Daimler Truck North America sold 50,618 units, up 14.7% from 44,124 a year ago. Incoming orders declined 13% to 96,936. Earnings per share fell slightly to 1.11 euros from 1.12 euros. Daimler affirmed end-of-decade projections shared with analysts during its Capital Market Day in Boston on July 11: Our strong figures for the first half of this year underscore our positive momentum, CEO Martin Daum said. Daimler Truck keeps going strong. Our entire team is determined to make 2023 another record year. Story continues Related articles: Daimler Truck flexes financial muscle a year after going solo Paccar price hikes propel Q2 profit surge Volvo Group surges to Q2 profit record amid signs of a cooldown Click for more FreightWaves articles by Alan Adler. The post Daimler Truck follows OEM pattern: Revenue up, orders down appeared first on FreightWaves. David Rosenberg. Rosenberg Research & Associates David Rosenberg is sticking with his recession call, despite many other experts backing down. In a client memo, he shared some of the extreme pushback he's received for his gloomy forecasts. The economist has been mocked and insulted, threatened with firing, and had objects thrown at him. Whether it's Michael Burry in "The Big Short" or Warren Buffett during the Internet bubble, it takes extraordinary conviction to stick to your guns when virtually everyone says you're wrong, and dismisses your contrarian stance as stubborn foolishness. David Rosenberg, a leading economist who called both the dot-com and housing crashes, remains fully convinced the US economy is headed for a recession. He doubled down on his forecast in a client memo titled "No, I'm Not Turning Soft" on Monday and shared a bunch of colorful anecdotes about previous pushback he's resisted: I was asked all through 2007 when I was at Merrill, "where is this recession you've been calling for, Rosenberg?" and the same salespeople on the equity desk who refused to take me to see clients that year became my best friends in 2008 (they know who they are). I almost got fired twice for my calls in 2007 but my Institutional Investor All-Star rankings saved my skin. In the summer of 2007, I had a CIO at a famed Houston-based mutual fund storm out of a meeting I gave and he scolded me as he exited the boardroom ("you have no clue about the housing market or the economy for that matter"). I had the head of Merrill's fixed-income sales physically throw my presentation package at me at an internal meeting and told me in front of about 30 people that I was the worst Fed-watcher he ever saw. One time, when I was walking around the trading floor, this guy called me over and handed me the phone and I thought it was a client but it was his wife on the line, and she said: "My husband asked me to ask you why it is you are so useless." I have one client, who shall remain nameless obviously, who hurls insults at me every single day. I was called the "skunk at the picnic" and the "class clown" in 2007 (and in 2000 as well when I was called a "Luddite" because I didn't understand how the Internet defeated the business cycle) Story continues Behind the recession call Rosenberg explained in his memo why he's not caving in to peer pressure and buying into the market narrative. Here are the key points he made: US GDP may have climbed 2.4% in the second quarter, but the economy grew by a similar percentage in the quarter preceding both the 2001 and 2007-2009 recessions. The Federal Reserve's interest-rate hikes will have delayed, negative impacts on the economy. Recession indicators including the inverted yield curve, The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index, and the New York Fed's recession model are still flashing red. "We are still well within the ranges of the past for each indicator," Rosenberg said. Americans are still spending the savings they accumulated during the pandemic, and the Biden administration's fiscal packages have shored up the economy. Those factors have delayed the recession's onset. There's a big gap between the Conference Board's coincident and leading indexes, which has reliably been the case prior to previous recessions. The stock market's rally this year isn't surprising, as bear markets often start with a sharp fall, then stage a short-lived rally, before embarking on a protracted decline. Refusing to back down Rosenberg underlined in his memo that he isn't cowed by the opposition to his recession forecast, as it's nothing he hasn't seen before. "The smugness and complacency are ubiquitous," the former chief North American economist at Merrill Lynch said. "All I can say is that this isn't the first time I have been early on the call, and certainly not the first time to face the wrath of 'haters' out there." "The impatience and tempestuousness out there do not surprise me, either, having called the markets and the economy for nearly 40 years," he continued. "Resolve is clearly being tested, and this isn't the first time nor will it be the last time." "I've been around the track enough times to know that." Read the original article on Business Insider VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company"; (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) is pleased to confirm that it has engaged Hatch Ltd. ("Hatch") and SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. ("SRK") as principal consultants for the completion of a preliminary feasibility study ("PFS") regarding its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Project located near Prince George, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Defense Metals Corp.) SRK is one of four key consultants chosen by Defense Metals to facilitate the PFS and will take the lead role as overall coordinator of the National Instrument 43-101 PFS report, as well as handling the mining and tailings scope of work with support from APEX Geoscience Ltd., Defense Metals' exploration, geology, and resource consultants. Hatch will focus on rare earth element ("REE") concentrating and hydrometallurgical processes and plant facilities, and both capital and operating costs. One-eighty Consulting Group Inc. ("One-eighty") will be responsible for the environmental studies, permitting, and social or community impact scope. Hatch and SRK, as directed by Defense Metals, have agreed to a partition of responsibilities that allows each group to focus on their strengths. SRK is uniquely positioned to advance the Wicheeda Project given their prior involvement in both an extensive scenario analysis evaluation conducted in 2021 and the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") completed by them in 2021 and published in 2022. SRK will build upon the knowledge gained in these studies and improve upon the analyses completed then, to create an optimal development plan for the Wicheeda Project. SRK will focus on resource estimation, geotechnical engineering, mining engineering, tailings management, and economic analysis. Added scope for SRK in the PFS includes the project lead, risk assessment, surface water management, contact water treatment and environmental geochemistry. Story continues Hatch will be responsible for the process design including the concentrator and hydrometallurgical plants as well as the infrastructure for mining, tailings, and other processing areas. SRK and Hatch both have extensive experience and knowledge of working in the REE sector. About Hatch Ltd. Hatch is an employee-owned, multidisciplinary professional services firm that delivers a comprehensive array of technical and strategic services, including consulting, information technology, engineering, process development, and project and construction management to the Mining, Metallurgical, Energy, and Infrastructure sectors. Hatch has served clients for over six decades with corporate roots extending over 100 years and has project experience in more than 150 countries around the world. Find out more on www.hatch.com. About SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. SRK Consulting is an independent, international group providing specialised consultancy services. Among SRK's clients are many of the world's mining companies, exploration companies, financial institutions, EPCM and construction firms and government bodies. Formed in Johannesburg in 1974, the SRK Group now employs more than 1600 staff internationally in over 45 permanent offices in 20 countries on 6 continents. A broad range of internationally recognised associate consultants complements the core staff. SRK provides specialist consulting services in the areas of geology, resources and exploration, geotechnical services, mine waste management, environmental, water management and mining and project evaluation. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Wicheeda REE Project has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (B.C.), Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, Alberta, who is a director of Defense Metals and a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101. About the Wicheeda REE Property Defense Metals 100% owned, 6,759-hectare (~16,702-acre) Wicheeda Project is located approximately 80 km northeast of the city of Prince George, British Columbia; population 77,000. The Wicheeda REE Project is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is near infrastructure, including hydro power transmission lines and gas pipelines. The nearby Canadian National Railway and major highways allow easy access to the port facilities at Prince Rupert, the closest major North American port to Asia. The 2021 Wicheeda REE Project Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report outlined a robust after-tax net present value (NPV@8%) of $517 million and an 18% IRR1. This PEA contemplated an open pit mining operation with a 1.75:1 (waste:mill feed) strip ratio providing a 1.8 Mtpa ("million tonnes per year") mill throughput producing an average of 25,423 tonnes REO annually over a 16 year mine life. A Phase 1 initial pit strip ratio of 0.63:1 (waste:mill feed) would yield rapid access to higher grade surface mineralization in year 1 and payback of $440 million initial capital within 5 years. __________________________________________ 1 Independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, British Columbia, Canada, dated January 6, 2022, with an effective date of November 7, 2021, and prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. is filed under Defense Metals Corp.'s Issuer Profile on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca). About Defense Metals Corp. Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the development of its 100% owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Deposit located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "DEFN", in the United States, trading symbol "DFMTF" on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under "35D". Defense Metals is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: http://www.discoverygroup.ca/ For further information, please contact: Todd Hanas, Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd. Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: (778) 994 8072 Email: todd@blueskycorp.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release contains "forwardlooking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements relating to advancing the Wicheeda REE Project, the expected completion of the PFS, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its project and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of rare earth elements, the anticipated costs and expenditures, accuracy of assay results, performance of available laboratory and other related services, future operating costs, interpretation of geological and metallurgical data, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration and metallurgical results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration, metallurgy and development and cost estimates, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather and climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of personnel, materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating to inaccurate geological, metallurgical and engineering assumptions, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 and other viruses and diseases on the business of the Company, the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, loss of key employees, consultants, or directors, increase in costs, delayed results, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/defense-metals-engages-hatch-ltd-and-srk-consulting-canada-inc-for-wicheeda-rare-earth-element-project-preliminary-feasibility-study-301889890.html SOURCE Defense Metals Corp. SINGAPORE, Aug. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Line Global, a leading global technology services company providing forward thinking design, integration, installation, maintenance and managed services for mission critical environments, is expanding its investment in the APAC Data Center market with the opening of a new office in Seoul, South Korea. "Expanding our presence into South Korea is a logical progression for Direct Line as we strive to meet the increasing customer demand for sophisticated and scalable solutions in the digital infrastructure space. Leveraging Direct Line's extensive global expertise in ICT Infrastructure deployment for data centers, we remain dedicated to growing alongside our hyperscale and MTDC's clients as they expand their operations and footprint into new markets," said William Nelligan, CEO & President, Direct Line Global. South Korea continues to lead in global digital adoption through its cutting-edge ICT infrastructure and investment in 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud and more. As the first country in the world to commercialise 5G networks in 2019, today just under half of South Korea's total mobile connections is powered by 5G. The country's public cloud market is also set for growth, expected to show an annual growth rate of 17.18%, resulting in a market volume of US$13.72bn by 2027. Direct Line also welcomes newly appointed Country Manager for Korea, Harry Kim. Kim joins Direct Line from Tektronix where he spent the last 15 years taking the US business from starter in South Korea to a respected and profitable local enterprise. "I am excited that we are taking on the challenge to deliver our trademark services to a new market and have full confidence in our team's ability to deliver results for us in South Korea and make Direct Line the 'go to' partner for all data center ICT infrastructure needs," said Matthew Roberts, General Manager, APAC. Story continues Direct Line Current reach and expansion plans Our comprehensive geographical coverage (USA, Asia Pacific, and Europe) enables us to identify and react swiftly to new trends and opportunities. This is the sixth major addition to Direct Line's global network in recent months, taking the footprint to 12 office locations across 5 countries. Across APAC, Direct Line currently has offices with Accredited Training Facilities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Philippines with imminent plans to open new offices Indonesia and Malaysia. About Direct Line Global: Direct Line is a leading global technology services company, specializing in forward-thinking design, integration, installation, maintenance, and managed services for mission critical environments. For over 25 years we have been helping data center owners, developers and operators with their IT infrastructure challenges. With over 12 offices across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, Direct Line is the preferred mission critical IT Infrastructure deployment partner for global hyperscalers and MTDC's, globally. Website www.dl-global.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/direct-line-global-a-global-leader-in-ict-systems-integration-expands-its-global-footprint-with-new-office-in-south-korea-301890114.html SOURCE Direct Line Global Workers assemble vehicles at the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama. In addition to recruiting laborers for the Hyundai Metaplant near Savannah, the automaker will hire several hundred engineers. Jason Chambless is an engineer, and he's witnessed a troubling trend since the start of the 2008 recession: A steady decline in the number of professionals in his industry. Now, those outside the tech world are taking notice, too. The engineer and high-tech worker shortage is being felt locally by the region's newest employer, Hyundai. The Korean automaker's electric vehicle and EV battery plant doesn't open until early 2025 and Hyundai's hiring pros already have come to realize they'll have to recruit competitively for experienced engineers and lean on young talent coming out of colleges and universities for their technical know-how to operate the region's first smart factory. Thats going to require computer scientists, software engineers so we're looking at building those relationships for that talent for a lot of the automation that's going to happen inside the plant, said Brent Stubbs, senior manager of learning and development for the Hyundai Metaplant. More: 'The hottest subject in Savannah right now.' Hyundai hiring challenges local labor market More: Savannah Tech, Hyundai team up for workforce development training program for EV factory Finding that kind of highly educated talent poses a difficult challenge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for industrial engineers (manufacturing engineers) will grow 10% between 2021 and 2031. Job growth in computing and information research will grow 21% for the same period. Of the 8,100 employees Hyundai is looking to hire, the EV manufacturing plant will hire 2,600. Approximately 15% will be professional engineers, according to Hyundai spokesperson Bianca Johnson. Savannah-area employers such as Gulfstream sponsor programs to encourage youth to consider engineering careers. Talent is a supply issue In order to operate the factory, Hyundai needs more engineers and workers who can navigate the high-tech space. Savannah is home to few advanced manufacturing facilities, and talent is already in demand at existing manufacturers such as Gulfstream and JCB. Story continues We already know theres not enough in terms of engineers because there was no automotive industry here. Thats why were creating more opportunities and developing these programs with technical colleges, said Daniel Park, chief administration officer for the Hyundai Metaplant. The dearth of technical expertise is more painful in the short term, Park says, because recruiting from outside of the region is more expensive as Hyundai has to compensate those employees with relocation and other incentives. Thats one reason why Hyundai is working with local agencies to create a homegrown workforce. Inevitably we have to hire engineers from the outside, but our priority is hiring from Savannah, Bulloch, Bryan and Effingham counties, said Park, If theres good candidates, we try to hire them as a priority. More: Hyundai supplier to build manufacturing facility in Dublin Youth movement is on in engineering Chambless's employer, Savannah-based engineering firm Thomas and Hutton, has found success recruiting recent engineering school graduates to fill openings. One reason for that is the Savannah region sells itself. It's a nice value proposition to say you can come to beautiful Savannah, Georgia and work on really cool projects, said Chambless. Georgia Southern University is becoming a main player in developing talent for Hyundai. Glenn Gibney, GSU's associate vice president for career readiness, and his team offer students support in networking skills, professionalism, interview skills and more. Glenn Gibney is associate vice president for Career Readiness Office of Career and Professional Development at Georgia Southern. The university is starting post-graduate engineering degree programs. The school has partnered with Hyundai to supply a pipeline of talented engineers and business professionals. The two organizations began talks in October and held an information session that same month to help familiarize students with Hyundais brand and introduce them to job opportunities. As of May, Hyundai has made nearly a dozen offers to Georgia Southern students. We want to make (Hyundai's) job easy, said Gibney. More: EV battery factory to be built next to Hyundai assembly plant in Bryan Co. What to know. Longer-term efforts to grow the engineering workforce are also getting started at Georgia Southern. The university recently announced the addition of two new engineering doctorates, a Ph.D. in applied computing degree and a Ph.D. in engineering. The proposed engineering Ph.D. program will have concentrations in civil, electrical, advanced manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Ph.D. in applied computing degree program will enable students to solve advanced technical problems in computing foundations, cybersecurity and machine learning. The advanced degrees will serve to increase the computing and engineering pool locally. Mohammad Davoud, a professor at Georgia Southern's Allen E. Paulson College, said the faculty and staff have been planning for these new Ph.D. programs for a decade in anticipation of this regions economic development needs. Mohammad Davoud, Georgia Southern University. Hyundai is also recruiting from other local universities, including Mercer, Savannah State, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Kennesaw State. The automaker is also looking across the Savannah River at talent from Clemson and the University of South Carolina. Earlier engagement needed Starting the pipeline early will be key to creating a true homegrown workforce. According to Savannah-Chatham School Board Member Michael Johnson, engagement needs to begin as early as possible. We need more kids to be able to learn about robotics and art ... in a deeper way, said Johnson at the June board meeting, And I dont mean in middle school. We have to start in pre-k. More: Not just an ugly industrial site: Hyundai officials unveil site design for EV factory According to Angie Lewis, the Savannah school district's executive director of the Office of College and Career Readiness, existing career pathways in secondary schools are already preparing the workforce for those high-level engineering jobs. High school students Patrick Zealy, 15, Jalen Davis, 16, Carter Johnson, 16, and Dylan Barnhart, 14, work on building a prototype for the dream invention challenge as part of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) event at Jenkins. The Savannah high school offers a choice program geared toward students with an interest in engineering fields. A lot of the cars they will be building are computerized, so computer science is huge, said Lewis. We offer computer science programs at each high school right now and middle school. In 2019, the Georgia General Assembly passed a law that mandates a gradual increase in the availability of computer science offerings in middle and high schools. By the 2024-2025 school year, all high schools must offer a computer science course. Middle and elementary schools are also directed to offer computer science instruction. The legislation aims to increase the number of computer science graduates across Georgia. In 2019, the Georgia Department of Education stated that there are close to 20,000 open computing jobs in the state, but just 1,200 students graduate from Georgia colleges each year with computer science degrees. More: Hyundai supplier Sewon America to bring more than 700 jobs to Effingham County Savannah high schools offer different concentrations in computer science, including general computer science, cybersecurity, programming and networking, as well as gaming. At elementary schools, skills are taught at a much simpler level. An approach called "unplugged coding" teaches elementary school students the basic concepts of coding through games and puzzles. Of course, when were seeing gaps in the workplace and follow that down, youre at K-12 and that comes down to exposure, said Stubbs. We have that responsibility to be that partner with K-12, to plant those seeds to build those relationships. The plant gives students the opportunity to see it, tour it. As programs become available at universities and colleges, that will impact the recruiting at high schools. And thats going to impact what young people aspire to, said Stubbs. Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com. About this series To better understand the challenges ahead, Savannah Morning News journalists Nancy Guan and Latrice Williams examined the local workforce landscape from two perspectives: Labor pools and training programs. The research offers glimpses into how Savannahs economy is already evolving, where officials expect newcomers to move to Savannah from, and the scale of the workforce development programs being put in place. The five-part series explores: This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Engineers, tech pros in short supply for Savannah Hyundai EV factory By Divya Rajagopal and Gilles Guillaume TORONTO/PARIS (Reuters) - French-based Automotive Cells Co (ACC) is in early talks with officials in Canada and the United States on setting up a battery manufacturing plant in North America, an ACC spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday. ACC is a joint venture between Stellantis, Total Energies and Mercedes-Benz Group. Its representatives met with officials from the Quebec government in Canada, from the mayor's office in the city of Mirabel in Quebec, and with representatives of the federal government in the province in May this year, according to the provincial and federal government lobby registry. The lobbying efforts were to enquire about direct funding, incentives and grants related to site selection, development and construction of a new battery processing facility in the province of Quebec, according to public documents. "ACC is conducting simple exploratory studies, without commitment. We are focused on executing our already very ambitious European industrial and technological roadmap," a company spokesperson told Reuters in a statement. Canadian government officials were not available for an immediate comment. Officials from Invest Quebec declined to comment. ACC said it was exploring plans in North America but gave no details on talks it has held in the United States. The federal and provincial government lobby registry showed that the talks have terminated. According to a person familiar with ACC's thinking, the discussions are still under way, "but they may be complicated in the light of what happened between Stellantis and LG and the Canadian government." The source was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity. Last month , Stellantis resolved a dispute with the Canadian government over subsidies to build an EV plant with its South Korean LG Energy Solution, under which the project could receive incentives up to C$15 billion ($11 billion). ACC, which was launched in 2020, has announced electric-vehicle battery plants in Germany, France and Italy with a 7 billion-euro ($7.7 billion) investment. Global auto companies and EV battery makers have been eying the North American market to set up new manufacturing plants, as Canadian and the U.S. governments roll out incentives to manufacturers, in an effort to lower their reliance on China for critical minerals. In Canada, the provincial government of Quebec is hoping that its proximity to the U.S. port cities will help it gather some investments in the EV battery space to its province. The government has been funding lithium explorers and battery manufacturers. (Reporting by Divya Rajagopal in Toronto and Gilles Guillaume in Paris; Additional reporting by Giulio Piovaccari in Milan and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Denny Thomas, Hugh Lawson and Matthew Lewis) AP Exxon Mobil is in talks with car manufacturers to become a lithium supplier, sources told Bloomberg. That includes Tesla, Volkswagen, and Ford. Battery manufacturers such as Samsung are also involved. The oil giant is putting effort into joining the EV race, already drilling for lithium in Arkansas. Exxon Mobil is in early-stage talks to provide lithium to car manufacturers that include Tesla, Ford, and Volkswagen, sources told Bloomberg on Monday. It's part of the oil giant's effort to boost its participation in the electric vehicle market, as demand for the cleaner cars threatens its core oil business. Neither of the named automakers responded immediately to Insider, while Exxon declined to comment. The talks also include battery manufacturers Samsung and SK On, according to Bloomberg. Lithium is a key component in EV batteries, and Albemarle is among the lithium producers that Exxon is also talking to, the report added. The chemical company told Bloomberg in a statement that, "given Albemarle's leadership role in the market, people routinely want to speak with us especially when looking at potential resources." Last month, the International Energy Agency predicted global oil demand will peak before the end of the decade. Meanwhile, Exxon has previously set sights on extracting 100,000 tons of the metal per year. In late June, the company reached a deal with Tetra Technologies to mine 6,100 lithium-bearing acres in Arkansas, and has already begun drilling. It's yet to be determined whether the firm aims to produce the metal in partnership or on its own. The land deal was the second major move the company has taken this year to secure lithium. Exxon has also indicated that it is considering extracting lithium from underground saltwater, through a process that could save money and be less environmentally damaging, Bloomberg reports. Read the original article on Business Insider The family of Henrietta Lacks agreed Monday to settle its lawsuit against Thermo Fisher Scientific, a Massachusetts-based biotechnology company that sold products derived from the Baltimore County residents cells, according to civil rights attorney Ben Crump. The terms of the settlement are confidential, Crump said in a statement shortly before midnight Monday. The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of Court and will have no further comment about the settlement, said Crump, who was hired in 2021 by Lacks family to explore litigation against biotech companies that profit from HeLa cells an immortal cell line derived from a sample taken from the Turner Station resident over 70 years ago at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Thermo Fisher sent an identical statement Tuesday morning to The Baltimore Sun. The case was sent to Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson last week and was scheduled for a settlement conference Monday morning. The hearing was closed to the public and ran until late in the evening. Lacks grandchildren and other descendants gathered Tuesday morning at Canton Waterfront Park with Crump and other members of the legal team to celebrate the settlement and mark what would have been Lacks 103rd birthday. The fight isnt over against those who profit from the HeLa cell line, the attorneys said. Those who choose to sell, mass produce, without their permission or consent, without compensation to the family well, well see them in court, said Chris Ayers, Crumps co-counsel and a partner at the New Jersey-based law firm Seeger Weiss. Lawrence Lacks, 86, Lacks last living child, couldnt come to the news conference on Tuesday because of health issues. But Ron Lacks, his son, and the author of Henrietta Lacks The Untold Story, said he told him about the settlement when he got home early Tuesday morning. I took my jacket off and said, Its done, Lacks said. And he was so proud. Story continues Lacks surviving family members filed suit against Thermo Fisher in October 2021, arguing that the Massachusetts-based biotechnology giant unjustly profited from cells taken from Lacks in 1951 while she was being treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Thermo Fisher tried twice to dismiss the case, arguing that the Lacks family hadnt filed their claim in a timely manner. Under Maryland law, a person has to sue for unjust enrichment within three years of first learning of something that might be grounds for a lawsuit. The company also has argued that the familys complaint doesnt provide any proof for their assertion that Thermo Fisher is not a bona fide purchaser for value a phrase that describes someone who buys property without any reason to suspect irregularities in the transaction. But Lacks family and their legal team led by Crump said the multibillion-dollar company continues to unjustly profit from the cells every time it cultivates, sells and is paid for newly replicated cells in the line. Thermo Fisher, the family alleged in their complaint, is treating Lacks cells as chattel to be bought and sold. Lacks, a Black tobacco farmer and mother of five who lived in Turner Station, died shortly after her diagnosis, at 31 years old. But her cells which Johns Hopkins doctors took from her without her knowledge or consent lived on, becoming the first to survive outside a body in a laboratory. The cells, known as HeLa cells, are still replicating in laboratories today, some seven decades after Lacks death. HeLa cells, the first immortal cell line, have been used in countless biomedical breakthroughs. They helped doctors eradicate polio and map the human genome, as well as develop HPV vaccines, in vitro fertilization and more recently COVID-19 vaccines. The cell line also was the first to be commercialized, becoming the building blocks for a multibillion-dollar industry based on buying and selling tissues and cells and patenting genes. Lacks legacy went without much public recognition for decades until journalist Rebecca Skloot chronicled the story of her cells in the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which Oprah made into a 2017 movie. Crump, who also has represented the families of Tyre Nichols, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Trayvon Martin, and plans to represent victims of child sexual abuse, said the legal team and the family intend to sue as many as 100 defendants mostly pharmaceutical companies that have made fortunes off medical research with the HeLa cell line, and possibly Johns Hopkins Hospital. Johns Hopkins Medicine says it has never sold or profited from the discovery or distribution of the cell line and doesnt own the rights to it. Instead, the institution offered the cells freely and widely for scientific research, according to its website. We are proceeding forward on a well established legal principle of unjust enrichment, Crump said. The plan moving forward is to make these pharmaceutical companies do the right thing. I mean, its not a very difficult ask, when you think of the massive amounts of wealth that they have accumulated from using and studying and researching vaccines and medicines based on this Black womans genetic materials. The Lacks familys mission is to make sure their ancestor is recognized for the contributions she made to science and to the world, said Lacks granddaughter, Kimberley Lacks. She highlighted pending federal legislation filed by Baltimore Rep. Kweisi Mfume and U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin to posthumously grant Lacks a Congressional Gold Medal. Lawrence Lacks, Rons brother, got emotional when he described what the settlement meant to him. My grandmother gave the world a gift seventy years ago, he said, and were here today to give her a gift of justice. At the end of the news conference, the family brought out a birthday cake decorated with plastic butterflies and dragonflies. Led by Lacks grandson, Alfred Lacks-Carter, they sang Stevie Wonders Happy Birthday song to her. Say her name! Lacks-Carter called when they had finished. Henrietta Lacks! they answered. ------- EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third in an occasional series that addresses the high cost of becoming an independent adult in New Jersey. The expenses of housing, dining, entertainment, paying back college loans and more make it difficult for new college graduates to leave home. Have a good idea for a story for this series? Email: Sportelli@northjersey.com. Looking for a place to rent is stressful at any level, but it is even more so when it is your first time doing it. What area should I live in? How much can I expect to pay? What usually comes with an apartment rental? Theres an endless list of questions new renters may have when considering a place to live. Before getting locked into a lengthy lease, youll want to make sure you know what to expect. Brian Haydon, a real estate agent with Prominent Properties Sothebys International Realty, helps us break down what first-time renters need to know before searching for and committing to their first rental. Car insurance: Why the high cost in New Jersey keeps going up | Adulting Moving back home after college? In NJ you're not alone. Here's some advice | Adulting There's a lack of inventory Model kitchen in Noma apartments at 48 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood North Jersey is the second-most-competitive rental market in the nation, leaving about 14 prospective renters for a single apartment. I cant exactly speak to every single market, but in this particular general market, its slim pickings, Haydon said. As an agent with experience managing listings on behalf of landlords, he said he knows the side of renting that tenants dont experience. AI for renters: This chatbot Max has answers for those new to the market Its easy to get lost in the sea of things. Within the first hour, you could have gotten 30 or 40 emails already asking if its available, but you just went live with the listing, he said. Or youre having an open house because you want to make sure that as many folks as possible have a shot at checking a unit out. This competition means that landlords really have their pick of the litter, so its important to stand out and be prepared. Story continues Standing out as a prospective tenant Knowing the basics of what landlords are looking for is the first thing. Theyll be looking for someone that is an adult, someone that is going to be responsible and not impossible to deal with and get their rent from, Haydon said. Overwhelmingly, my experience is that they just really want someone thats able to appreciate the property and be respectful of it. He said that to ensure youll be that responsible tenant, you want to make sure you have a full understanding of your finances and a manageable budget. Is your salary enough to cover every single expense? Have you factored in utilities? Do you have other big bills you are responsible for, like a car payment and car insurance? Especially if moving to a new area with unfamiliar costs of living, Haydon said, you should know how delicate your budget is. Our priciest neighborhoods? These North Jersey ZIP codes are the most expensive this year If you are living with a roommate, the combined annual salary might not meet the minimum income requirements a landlord has to rent their property. Haydon said it is also good to recognize whether youll need a parent or relative to act as a cosigner to help you meet that requirement. Once all of that is straightened out, he said, make sure to have all your documentation prepared. Getting together income tax forms and credit reports ahead of time, for example, will help you stand out when applying. Another way to stand out, especially because of the regions competitive rental market, is being persistent and making yourself known. I would definitely call. If I had to, Id leave a voicemail and a follow-up text, because youre one of 35 otherwise, he said. You have the opportunity to introduce yourself because, to some degree, youre lending credibility that youre not a kook. Instead of blindly mass-applying to listings in hopes of getting a real estate agent or landlord to bite, Haydon said to make sure to reach out directly and follow up. Understanding deposits and additional fees Also consider the fees and deposits you will have to pay when applying for an apartment, and when signing your lease. Depending on the type of unit this is most common among bigger apartment complexes with a greater influx of applicants you may have to pay an application fee. These fees are usually used to cover the costs of screening potential tenants through background and credit checks. New Jersey does not have regulations that set how much landlords or listing agents can charge for an application fee. The fee is sometimes refundable if you do not get the apartment, so make sure you ask ahead of time if that is not made clear in the listing description. Units that are managed by a professional are usually subject to broker or agent fees. North Jersey: Halfway through 2023, these are the most and least expensive homes sold Its typical that theres a one-month commission thats paid in the event that theres a broker thats representing the property, Haydon said. In other circumstances, if a listing is handled by a private landlord, then there is usually no additional fee to pay. The security deposit is another fee you will have to pay, but this one is almost always refundable. According to Haydon, tenants cannot be charged more than 1 months rent for a deposit. These deposits are held by the landlord until the end of your lease in case you cause the need for any major repairs to the unit. If you leave the unit the way you found it once your lease is over, you can expect to get that deposit back in full. If a unit allows pets, there may be a monthly pet fee or pet rent for your furry friend. Make sure you always ask if this is included in the terms of the lease, if necessary, and how much it may cost. Beware of scams There are some bad actors out there, and scams, so it does come down to common sense, Haydon said. But I also understand that we want to believe in things that are very important to us. Basically, if something seems too good to be true, it just might be. When it comes to the safety aspects of scams, make sure you research the area and the landlord before agreeing to meet somewhere. Also, always be sure to let someone know where youll be, or even bring a friend with you, when going to tour a unit. You also should never be asked to pay anything before viewing or applying for a unit that is listed for rent. Additionally, you should never be asked to pay with or send gift cards for any sort of rental transactions. If youre a first-time renter, typically speaking, youre a younger person, you have the internet, Haydon said. Its your strongest resource in making sure that you are as up-to-date as you can be, to make sure that youre protected and that you can be successful. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New to renting? Things to know when considering your first rental Fitch Ratings has downgraded U.S. credit from the highest rating, citing the nation's growing debt and its eroding political stability. "In Fitch's view, there has been a steady deterioration in standards of governance over the last 20 years, including on fiscal and debt matters," the ratings agency said Tuesday. "The repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions have eroded confidence in fiscal management." The ratings agency also cited the U.S.' "complex budgeting process" and its lack of a medium-term financial planning, relative to its peers, in explaining the downgrade to AA+, from the U.S.' previous AAA level. These factors, combined with the fiscal shocks from the pandemic, new spending and tax cuts, have brought the debt to 113% of the national economic output, well above pre-pandemic levels. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen decried the new rating, calling it "arbitrary and based on outdated data." "Fitch's decision does not change what Americans, investors and people all around the world already know: that Treasury securities remain the world's preeminent safe and liquid asset, and that the American economy is fundamentally strong," she said in a statement that touted the U.S.' economic recovery from the coronavirus recession and the administration's plans to reduce the budget deficit. The U.S. last faced a debt downgrade in 2011, when Standard & Poor's cut the nation's rating one notch after prolonged wrangling in Congress brought the U.S. close to default. Despite the downgrade, Fitch noted several positives the U.S. has going for it, including "its large, advanced, well-diversified and high-income economy, supported by a dynamic business environment" and the U.S. dollar's status as the world's reserve currency, "which gives the government extraordinary financing flexibility," the ratings firm said. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 19% in the last month. But over the last half decade, the stock has not performed well. After all, the share price is down 46% in that time, significantly under-performing the market. While the stock has risen 5.4% in the past week but long term shareholders are still in the red, let's see what the fundamentals can tell us. View our latest analysis for American Eagle Outfitters While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, American Eagle Outfitters moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. In contrast to the share price, revenue has actually increased by 5.8% a year in the five year period. So it seems one might have to take closer look at the fundamentals to understand why the share price languishes. After all, there may be an opportunity. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). American Eagle Outfitters is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. Given we have quite a good number of analyst forecasts, it might be well worth checking out this free chart depicting consensus estimates. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for American Eagle Outfitters the TSR over the last 5 years was -39%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective It's good to see that American Eagle Outfitters has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 18% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. Notably the five-year annualised TSR loss of 7% per year compares very unfavourably with the recent share price performance. The long term loss makes us cautious, but the short term TSR gain certainly hints at a brighter future. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for American Eagle Outfitters you should know about. But note: American Eagle Outfitters may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Workers dismantled a flashing "X" sign atop the San Francisco headquarters of the company formerly known as Twitter on Monday, just days after it was installed. The old Twitter sign, featuring a blue bird, was removed from the building last week over the course of several days after Elon Musk announced the company's rebranding on July 24. While "Twitt" was quickly removed, "er" remained up by itself for a brief period because the company did not have the necessary permits for the sign takedown. The social media company similarly had permit issues with its new "X" sign. San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection launched a complaint against the company on Friday, saying the "X" sign was installed without a permit. The city agency said that an inspector "spoke with Tweeter [sic] representatives and Building maintenance engineer representatives," who declined access to the sign but said that it was a "a temporary lighted sign for an event." Inspectors returned Saturday and Monday, but were denied access, according to San Francisco's complaint tracker. During Monday's visit, the inspector met with building management before being denied access. The inspector saw that the "X" was being dismantled. Workers dismantle a large "By the time I left the entire structure had been removed, I explained to Building management that a building permit was still required to remove the structure," the inspector wrote. San Francisco residents were frustrated with the "X" sign during its brief time atop the company's headquarters. Video from San Francisco resident and digital journalist Christopher Beale shows the lights in the sign pulsing brightly across the street of his home. He added, "this is my life now." At another point, the lights of the giant "X" were seen strobing. "It's hard to describe how bright it made this intersection," he said in a video shared by CBS News Bay Area reporter Betty Yu. "But it's way up off the street and it's still just like a flash of lightning going off. We came home and tried to watch a movie and it was flashing through this window so bright that even with the shades down, it was so distracting that we had to leave the room and go to the side of the apartment that doesn't face their building." Story continues U.S. to face Portugal at Women's World Cup group-stage finale EPA may change "chasing arrows" recycling symbol for plastics Polls show Trump far ahead of rivals for GOP nomination Ford said Tuesday it has restarted assembly of its F-150 Lightning electric truck and is now driving to triple the production rate, setting up a multibillion-dollar test of whether mainstream U.S. truck buyers are ready to switch to an EV. Ford officials said Tuesday the Dearborn, Michigan, assembly operation that builds Lightnings could hit a 150,000-vehicle annualized production rate by October, the end of the current quarter. Ford has added 1,200 workers to the Lightning assembly system and plans to run it on a three-shift work rotation. As the Lightning factory ramps up, Ford and its dealers will be under pressure to boost monthly sales by three-fold or more from the roughly 4,000 a month the automaker sold earlier this year. The acceleration of Lightning output comes as U.S. EV market leader Tesla is ramping up output of its electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, and Detroit's General Motors is slowly launching production of its Silverado electric pickup, a direct rival to the Lightning. Startup Rivian is also accelerating deliveries of its electric pickups. Boost demand As one of several new moves to boost demand, Ford said individual retail customers can now order the least expensive F-150 Lightning Pro, a $49,995 version of the truck originally designed for commercial customers only. Half of new orders for the Lightning are for the XLT model, the middle of the vehicle's lineup starting at $54,995, Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer for Ford's Model-e electric vehicle business, said during a conference call. To support increased Lightning production, Ford will focus sales efforts on "attracting more traditional customers, or the early majority," Gjaja said. Challenges remain Challenges still remain around customer awareness and acceptance of electric vehicles among mainstream buyers, he said. Ford said last week its electric vehicle operations are on track to lose $4.5 billion this year, a 50% wider loss than previously projected. Chief Executive Jim Farley told investors the automaker will slow the pace of EV capacity expansion overall. But he did not back away from plans to triple the production pace of the Lightning to 150,000 vehicles annually by the end of this year. (Reporting by Joe White; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Genesis Digital Assets (GDA), is expanding its U.S. operations, having announced the opening of three new Bitcoin mining data centers in South Carolina. One of GDA's new data centers is located near Anderson, and another two are found between the towns of Union and Lockhart. The three sites all began operations this year and have a combined total capacity of 33 megawatts (MW). Additionally, last year GDA broke ground on a 40-megawatt (mw) mining data center in Texas. One of the world's largest Bitcoin miners, GDA operates mines across Europe, Asia, and North America, and reportedly accounts for about 2% of the Bitcoin network's total hash rate. Asked about GDA's strategic interest in the state, CEO and Founder Andrey Kim told Decrypt, "Given its abundance of clean electricity from hydro and nuclear energy sources, we consider South Carolina one of the country's most exciting states." He added that it's among the most "pro-innovation states." New Texas Senate Bill Seeks to Slash Bitcoin Mining Incentives GDA employed 150 local workers to construct its three new data centers. We were impressed to see how these local communities welcomed us so warmly as an opportunity for their economy, Ankit Joshi, GDA's Head of North America said. As opposed to the state's neighbor to the north, where a county-wide Bitcoin moratorium was enacted this year, interest in the sector appears to be growing in South Carolina. Last year a South Carolina delegation, including State Treasurer Curtis Loftis and members of the South Carolina Emerging Tech Association Inc., took an exploratory trip to El Salvador to learn about the country's adoption of Bitcoin. One of GDA's newest mining sites, the Pacolet data center, is located very close to a Lockhart Power hydroelectric plant. Kim told Decrypt that GDA strives "to place our data centers near sources of clean energy to ensure our operations run on the most environmentally friendly energy possible." Story continues Batteries or Bitcoin: Is Mining the Best Use for Excess Green Energy? However, asked about the specific energy mix powering the Pacolet center, he said, "we currently do not have accurate load flow studies to determine which nodes receive hydropower." Bitcoin mining critics argue that due to Bitcoin's proof-of-work consensus mechanism, even renewable-powered data centers amount to further fossil fuel use because additional mining power increases the difficulty of mining across the system. Kim maintains that GDA's goal is to "show the world that Bitcoin mining can be very ESG-friendly. (Bloomberg) -- An often impenetrable logjam of trucks laden with coal at South Africas crossing with Mozambique has brought chaos to a sleepy border town. Most Read from Bloomberg Elephants escaping from the nearby Kruger National Park often caused the biggest commotion in Komatipoort. These days residents check their CCTV cameras on their phones at barbecues on the weekend. The congestion created opportunities for criminals who saw drivers stranded in the queue for days on end as easy targets after nightfall. Robberies, theft and assaults spread from the highway to the town. Road accidents increased. The trucks began trundling through in ever greater numbers on their way to Maputo port, where their cargos are loaded onto ships and sent around the world, after South Africa became one of Europes main alternatives to Russian coal following Moscows invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The procession continues even though European fears of an energy crisis have faded for now. Suppliers are finding new buyers in India and China. And miners of chrome, used to manufacture stainless steel, are increasingly using the same routes. Its worse than its ever been, said Jan Engelbrecht, who heads Komatipoorts business chamber, of the traffic, adding that he expects it to increase by more than 1,000 trucks a day to 3,000 a day by the end of 2024. Residents want their quiet life back, and for companies including Glencore Plc, Sasol Ltd., Thungela Resources Lttd. and Exxaro Resources Ltd. to move exports from pit to ports entirely by freight trains. Thats not possible. Like the majority of state-owned companies in Africas most industrialized nation, Transnet Freight Rail is crumbling. Volumes transported on its network have declined by nearly a third over the past five years because of issues that include poor management and idle locomotives, cable theft and aging tracks. Miners have no choice but to use trucks to cash in on record demand. Story continues President Cyril Ramaphosa described the rail constraints as a crisis of catastrophic proportions in a meeting with key exporters in April and created a task force that includes private companies to look for solutions. They will take time to find, his spokesman said in response to questions in late July, adding this is not a challenge you can resolve overnight. South Africas coal industry is the worlds fifth largest. In all, about 15 million tons of coal last year arrived at ports by road and another 50 million tons by train, earning its miners 227 billion rand (nearly $13 billion) after prices reached a record high of $450 per ton. That boosted South Africas economy and for the first time, coal came close to rivalling platinum as the countrys most valuable export. But the failures of Transnet resulted in lost opportunities. Shipping by road costs about 40% more. And if the rail network had been running at full capacity, the miners would exported more than 100 billion rand worth of minerals, according to the chief economist of Minerals Council of South Africa, Henk Langenhoven. Its more costly and it affects the roads. It creates accidents. Its bad for the country, said Vuslat Bayoglu, managing director at coal miner Menar, of using trucks at a conference in July. Coal producers are funding security operations for the rail lines and are eager for private companies to be allowed to run their own trains. Even South Africas trucking lobby group agrees coal should be transported in rail wagons, not on roads. They were not designed for that, said Gavin Kelly, chief executive officer of the Road Freight Association. Trucks have another disadvantage: they produce three times more CO2 emissions than trains, according to calculations by Bloomberg. Not far from the other main regional port, Richards Bay in South Africa, Pongola is also suffering. Once a small sugar-cane farming community where tourists would gather to spot lions in nature reserves, the town now resembles a giant truck stop. The excess traffic is ripping up roads. Drivers swerve to avoid the deepest potholes as they bundle over a mangled mess of tarmac. A truck plowed into a pickup in the oncoming lane at the bottom of a surrounding hill last year, killing at least 20 people, mostly children an accident that came to symbolize local anger with rising traffic. The truck was torched and residents began staging regular protests. The mayor is still of the view that the community of Zululand is not safe, said Zanele Mthethwa, spokesperson for the municipality said last month. Six years ago, when Bertus Koekemoer, a private security company manager, moved to Komatipoort, he would sit on his porch and watch buffalo wallow in a river overlooking Kruger National Park. It was heaven, he said. This year, he helped secure the release of two drivers who had been kidnapped by a gang of criminals. Common assaults almost tripled in the first quarter year-on-year in the town while thefts from vehicles doubled. Neels Pohl, who works for a local bus company, said in July that he was seeing more collisions a week than during his entire six-year career as a traffic officer in the area. Tourism numbers, meanwhile, have dropped, especially for Mozambicans who would travel to South Africa for shopping or medical treatment, with their government last month warning them to only make the journey if urgent. Nathi Mathebela said he was driving a minibus carrying 13 people, including Dutch tourists, in June when men armed with machetes, guns and hammers attacked them in a traffic jam, smashing the windows and taking all their possessions, even their shoes. After that, the minibus association, seeing a collapse in passenger numbers crossing the border, decided to send its own wardens to restore order. Read more: Chaos, Dysfunction Force South Africa to Lean on Private Sector Where before there were gnarled knots of vehicles stretching as far as the eye can see, is now a neat queue inching forward. Drivers who try to jump ahead are sent back by the wardens who police the congestion with sjamboks, long rubber whips. Residents are relieved they can move freely once more. But tensions have flared between the wardens and truck drivers, who accuse them of smashing truck windows and deflating tires of vehicles suspected of jumping the queue, actions they deny. If the government doesnt find solutions soon, Engelbrecht, the business chamber head, said he fears cut-throat chaos is around the corner. --With assistance from Demetrios Pogkas. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Did you know there are some financial metrics that can provide clues of a potential multi-bagger? Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after investigating Globe International (ASX:GLB), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger. 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 Globe International, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.11 = AU$10m (AU$135m - AU$46m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022). So, Globe International has an ROCE of 11%. That's a relatively normal return on capital, and it's around the 9.8% generated by the Luxury industry. See our latest analysis for Globe International roce While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you're interested in investigating Globe International's past further, check out this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us In terms of Globe International's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 16% over the last five years. And considering revenue has dropped while employing more capital, we'd be cautious. This could mean that the business is losing its competitive advantage or market share, because while more money is being put into ventures, it's actually producing a lower return - "less bang for their buck" per se. Story continues In Conclusion... We're a bit apprehensive about Globe International because despite more capital being deployed in the business, returns on that capital and sales have both fallen. Since the stock has skyrocketed 127% over the last five years, it looks like investors have high expectations of the stock. In any case, the current underlying trends don't bode well for long term performance so unless they reverse, we'd start looking elsewhere. Globe International does have some risks though, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Globe International that you might be interested in. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here After a series of setbacks this year, HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital is under new leadership. CEO Regina Temple is stepping down after 4 years as leader of the Hudson hospital, HCA Healthcare officials said Tuesday. Sally Seymour, CEO of HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital since 2022, will take over as interim CEO at Bayonet Point, the company said. The switch was first reported by NBC news. Seymour, who has 20 years experience in health care, previously served as chief operating officer at HCA Florida Trinity and HCA Florida Fawcett hospitals prior to her promotion to CEO. The change comes after a troubled 2023 at Bayonet Point. In March, congressional lawmakers Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Gus Bilirakis wrote to Temple demanding to know what the company was doing to fix problems there. The letter cited an NBC news report that found doctors and other medical staff at the Hudson facility had reported safety concerns to management for more than a year. Those problems included cockroaches in operating rooms, unsanitary surgical instruments, inadequate monitoring of intensive care patients and people waking up during surgery. One month earlier, a National Labor Relations Board investigation found that the hospital interrogated employees about their union activity, threatened them with termination or other reprisals and created the impression that workers discussing unionization were under surveillance. The hospital resolved the allegations in a settlement with the federal agency requiring it to post notices on bulletin boards for at least 60 days stating workers have the right to unionize and that hospital management will not threaten or carry out surveillance on employees. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in April also placed the hospitals internal medicine residency program on probation. The agency declined to provide information on the reason for the decision. We are working diligently to resolve the issues, which are not related to patient care, and help ensure our internal medicine residents continue to have a good educational experience, said Bayonet Point spokesperon Jennifer Brake in an email. Story continues A publicly traded company, HCA is the nations largest health system with about 180 hospitals including more than 40 in Florida. In 2021, it reported earning $58.7 billion in revenue with profits of about $7 billion. Temple, a board-certified hospital administrator with more than 27 years experience, joined Bayonet Point in 2019 from San Antonio, Texas, where she held executive leadership roles with the Baptist Health System, including president of Mission Trail Baptist Hospital. She will continue to be a HCA employee serving in an advisory capacity, said spokesperson Deb McKell. We are grateful for her dedicated service to our hospital including her leadership in expanding and renovating our emergency department, the opening of a new inpatient rehabilitation program, construction of a new patient tower and a multi-year patient room modernization project that is now underway, she said. Avis Budget Group (CAR) reported $3.12 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2023, representing a year-over-year decline of 3.7%. EPS of $11.01 for the same period compares to $15.94 a year ago. The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.21 billion, representing a surprise of -2.67%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +12.46%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $9.79. While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health. As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately. Here is how Avis Budget performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Per-Unit Fleet Costs - Americas : $168 per unit fleet cost per month versus the three-analyst average estimate of $205 per unit fleet cost per month. Per-Unit Fleet Costs - International : $219 per unit fleet cost per month versus the three-analyst average estimate of $233.1 per unit fleet cost per month. Per-Unit Fleet Costs - Total : $182 per unit fleet cost per month compared to the $212.6 per unit fleet cost per month average estimate based on three analysts. Rental days - International : 11504 Days versus the three-analyst average estimate of 12219.08 Days. Rental days - Total - Car Rental : 44212 Days versus 45140.51 Days estimated by three analysts on average. Average rental fleet - Americas : 506232 versus the three-analyst average estimate of 515305.4. Average rental fleet - Total - Car Rental : 689483 compared to the 705648.2 average estimate based on three analysts. Revenue per day - International : $60.47 versus $60.75 estimated by three analysts on average. Rental days - Americas : 32708 Days versus 32921.43 Days estimated by three analysts on average. Revenue per day - Americas : $74.23 versus $73.71 estimated by three analysts on average. Geographic Revenue- International : $695 million versus $741.64 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +2.7% change. Geographic Revenue- Americas: $2.43 billion compared to the $2.43 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -5.4% year over year. Story continues View all Key Company Metrics for Avis Budget here>>> Shares of Avis Budget have returned -2.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Following a closure announcement by Yellow Corporation, it appears Holland Freight has shuttered. HOLLAND After 99-years in the trucking industry, Yellow Corporation has announced it's shutting down and headed for bankruptcy. Once considered to be a leader in the transport industry, the company has fallen on hard times. The move impacts over 30,000 workers including, it seems, many at Holland Freight. Those doors are officially closed and are likely to remain closed unless somebody comes and acquires those assets out of bankruptcy, said Mike Regan, chief of relationship development at TranzAct Technologies and an expert in the logistics field. I would be surprised if it came out of bankruptcy proceedings and began operations again. Holland Freight, when contacted by The Sentinel, refused comment, except to say the company isn't receiving new freight at this time and is working to connect customers with freight the company was already moving. According to Regan, employees were informed of the closure Friday. Holland Freight, also known as USF Holland, was founded in 1929. It was acquired by TNT in 1985 and became USF in 1996. The company joined Yellow Corporation, also known as YRC Worldwide, in 2005. Regan said the move by Yellow was years in the making, and comes in the wake of ongoing negotiations with the Teamsters union, which represents about 22,000 drivers and dock workers at the company. A sign posted outside Yellow Corp. in Richfield on Sunday, July 30, 2023. According to CNN, the union threatened to strike only a week ago, after Yellow failed to contribute to employee pension and health insurance plans. In the end, they gave the company extra time to make payments. Todays news is unfortunate but not surprising, said Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government. This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry. Regan said it appears both sides are to blame. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Story continues The Teamsters are alleging that Yellow was mismanaged, Yellow is alleging the Teamsters refused to negotiate, Regan said. No one comes out of this with their hands clean. The Holland Freight closure comes just one month after news broke it would pay $490,000 and provide $120,000 in scholarships to settle a sex discrimination suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. According to the EEOC, USF Hollands terminal in Mississippi failed to hire any female drivers, except one, who was hired and fired before she could complete her first route. Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Freight among subsidiaries shuttered by Yellow Corp. Buyers must earn 13% more than a year ago to afford the typical US starter home, a new study found. Nationally, entry-level buyers had to make an annual salary of at least $64,500 in June to afford the typical starter home, according to real estate brokerage Redfin, up from $57,300 a year ago. Redfin defines affordable as no more than 30% of a buyers income going to a housing payment. The dismal affordability conditions reflect the increasing prices and elevated mortgage rates in the housing market, along with such economic factors as inflation and wages not increasing as quickly as shelter costs. "Buyers searching for starter homes in todays market are on a wild goose chase because in many parts of the country, theres no such thing as a starter home anymore," said Redfin senior economist Sheharyar Bokhari. "Thats locking many Americans out of the housing market altogether, preventing them from building equity and ultimately building lasting wealth." Buyers, Realtors, and brokers tour a 1920's California bungalow in Highland Park, which is listed for $379,000. (Credit: Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Stuck between a rock and a hard place The typical starter home sold for a record $243,000 in June, up 2.1% from a year earlier and more than 45% from before the pandemic, according to the study. Higher mortgage rates in June, which averaged 6.7%, werent much help for price-stung buyers either. Read more: What the Fed rate hike means for mortgage rates and loans A big contributor to rising prices is the dearth of homes for sale because many homeowners would rather forgo selling their home than lose their existing ultra low mortgage rate. For instance, new listings of starter homes for sale plunged 23% in June compared with a year ago, Redfin found, the largest drop since the start of the pandemic. Overall, the total share of starter homes on the market was down 15% also the biggest drop since the onset of the Covid-19. The lack of previously owned homes on the market suppressed sales, which fell 17% in June versus a year ago, Redfin found. Real estate investors were partially to blame for the lack of affordable homes on the market. In the first quarter, a record 41% of investors purchased small homes defined as those spanning 1,400 or fewer square feet up 37% from a year earlier, Redfin noted. Story continues Other economic factors have also played a role in eroding affordability. For instance, a buyer of a starter home in June would have a monthly payment of $1,610 again up 13% from a year earlier and nearly double the payment needed prior to the pandemic. At the same time, average US wages have increased 4.4% over the past year and roughly 20% from before the pandemic. As if that werent bad enough, rising rent has also eaten away at many first-time buyers budgets. Many prospective first-time homebuyers are between a rock and a hard place because rents remain elevated, too, the Redfin analysts wrote in the study. The typical US asking rent is just $24 shy of the $2,053 peak hit in 2022. Few markets see relief in home prices Realtor Steve Bremis (left) talks to house hunters Makayla Gavitt and David Harris during an open house at a condominium unit in Somerville, Mass. (Credit: Brian Snyder, REUTERS) Just a handful of metros analyzed by Redfin were more affordable than last year. In San Francisco, Austin, and Phoenix, buyers could earn less than last year to afford a starter home, according to the analysis. For instance, a homebuyer in San Francisco had to make at least $241,200 a year to afford an entry-level home, down $11,300 or 4.5% from a year earlier. Austin buyers had to earn an average of $92,000, down 3.3% from a year ago, while Phoenix homebuyers had to bring in $86,100, down 1% from a year prior. On the other hand, some markets are still running hot. Homebuyers in Miami needed to make at least $79,510 annually, or 25% more than last year to afford starter homes priced at $300,000 in June. Those seeking a home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., needed to make 27.6% more, or an average of $58,308 annually to afford a home priced at $220,000. In Newark, N.J., buyers needed to make $88,800, up 21.1% from a year ago, to be able to afford a $335,000 home. According to Redfin, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Newark also experienced the largest year-over-year increase in starter home prices, with prices up 15.8%, 13.2% and 9.8%, respectively. According to Luis Padilla, CEO of Oceanside Realty & Investment Inc./Padilla Team in Florida, more starter homes need to be made available in these areas or folks may be forced to leave. "Our market has seen a shift in population over the past three years of people coming from California, Chicago, or New York and thats pushed prices of rent and homes higher," Padilla told Yahoo Finance. "First-time buyers in Miami, most of the time they only qualify for a $200,000 or $250,000 home and they cant afford it. So they have to move north of Orlando or out of the state." Padilla added, "Its just getting expensive, especially with few homes available for that entry-level buyer pool." Gabriella Cruz-Martinez is a personal finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @__gabriellacruz. Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Customers walk at a shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui district, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Hong Kong Hong Kong June retail sales up 19.6%; outlook seen favourable Customers walk at a shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui district, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Hong Kong HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's June retail sales rose 19.6% from a year earlier in the seventh consecutive month of growth thanks to a tourism recovery and positive consumption sentiment and the outlook is favourable, the city government said on Tuesday. Sales increased to HK$33.1 billion ($4.25 billion). That compared with a revised 18.5% rise in May and 14.9% growth in April. The government launched a promotional campaign in March called "Hello Hong Kong" after lifting all strict COVID-19 restrictions in the city, to bring back tourists and businesses. It launched a "Happy Hong Kong" campaign in late May to boost local spending and the economy. "The outlook for retail sales remained favourable," a government spokesperson said, adding that visitor arrivals should increase, while an improved labour market and government measures to boost the recovery should render support to consumption demand. In volume terms, retail sales increased 17.5% year-on-year in June. That compared with a revised 16.6% growth in May and 13.1% growth in April. The Hong Kong Retail Management Association launched "Happy Hong Kong Shopping Festival" from July 1 to Aug. 31 with about 6,000 stores offering discounts and other retail promotions to boost consumption. However, the city's economic growth slowed to 1.5% in the second quarter from a year earlier, and compared with 2.9% growth in the previous quarter. The government has maintained an economic growth forecast of between 3.5% and 5.5% for 2023. Preliminary visitor arrivals for June were 2.75 million, bringing the total for the first half of 2023 to 12.88 million visitors, according to Hong Kong Tourism Board data, compared with 76,004 in the January-June period in 2022 and 41,112 in June last year. Among the arrivals, the number of mainland Chinese visitors eased slightly to 2.16 million in June from 2.29 million in May, the tourism data showed. That compared with 35,348 mainland visitors in June last year. Story continues Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Sunday the consumption patterns of residents and tourists had changed after three years of pandemic curbs. Not only have residents reduced their spending at night, but Hong Kong people's consumption in the mainland, such as the nearby city of Shenzhen, had increased significantly because of smoother cross-border travel and emerging tourist attractions, Chan wrote in a blog. "We need more distinctive and creative marketing strategies and activities, better products and services, create new growth points for consumption," Chan said, adding that he had full confidence in the development of Hong Kong in the medium and long term. In June, sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts, which before the pandemic were mostly to mainland tourists, surged 64.3% from a year earlier as compared with a 51.8% jump in May, data showed. ($1 = 7.7926 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Donny Kwok and Twinnie Siu; Editing by Robert Birsel) A digital billboard along I-16 near Old River Road advertises job openings for the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, currently being built in Ellabell, Georgia. Hyundai Motor Group is now hiring, and the South Korean automaker is hiring local - for better and worse. Hyundai's automobile assembly facility and neighboring electric vehicle battery plant will directly employ 8,100 workers, and suppliers have already committed to hiring nearly 5,000 more to make bumpers, consoles and more. Hyundai officials are determined to hire locally as much as possible, and with competitive wages and compensation packages, the automaker will attract workers away from existing employers. However, state officials envision this labor cannibalization being offset in the long term, as the demand for and breadth of jobs coaxes more Savannah young adults stay in the market to work rather than move to Atlanta or other employment centers. More: 'The hottest subject in Savannah right now.' Hyundai hiring challenges local labor market More: Hyundai supplier Sewon America to bring more than 700 jobs to Effingham County Duc Pham rivets the inside of the tail section of a Gulfstream IV airplane. Gulfstream is the Savannah area's largest manufacturing employer. The workforce The Hyundai Metaplant site will be home to multiple Hyundai affiliates - the EV assembly plant, the battery factory and onsite subsidiaries that make key parts and materials. Hyundai's logistics arm, Hyundai Glovis, will operate from the Metaplant as well. The assembly facility will employ 2,600 workers, including 2,000 hourly and assembly line employees. Georgia House Rep. Ron Stephens, who represents parts of Savannah's southside, West Chatham and South Bryan county, said Georgias Workforce Ready Career Pathway and Georgia Quick Start is well positioned to produce a significant number of local laborers over time. Per an incentives agreement with the state, Hyundai must create 8,100 jobs by December 2031. This is going to take several steps, said Stephens. Nothing is going to happen overnight but I do believe that people will be here." More: Not just an ugly industrial site: Hyundai officials unveil site design for EV factory Workers assemble vehicles in the weld shop at the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama. The assembly facility at the Hyundai Metaplant will employ an estimated 2,600 workers. Cannibalization of existing industries Hyundai hiring is already having an effect on the local workforce. The automaker intends to hire its first 500 employees before the end of this year and another 700 in 2024 ahead of the assembly plant's opening in early 2025. Story continues To retain employees, existing Savannah employers are beefing up their compensation packages and offering new incentives, said Maria Whitfield, director of workforce for the Savannah Joint Development Authority. More: EV jobs on the way: Savanah Tech to offer repair certificate; Hyundai now hiring for plant She says laborers are free to choose where they want to work. Companies cannot discriminate, said Whitfield. We have free will to apply wherever we would like to apply. If Hyundai has an open position and somebody from Gulfstream would like to apply, they cannot prevent that and would want to hire the best talent. Tal Loos, vice president of economic development at Savannah Tech, said companies may entice workers to stay on board by promoting flexible work hours or other incentives. Each person is going to have a different fit, said Loos. The more you can market what your niche is and why you're the place to go to work, then individuals can start to see what fits them better. Rep. Stephens, a retired pharmacist, remembers when chain drugstores were offering tens of thousands of dollars in signing bonuses. Existing industries may not be that aggressive but some companies may consider additional incentives to keep talent flowing through the door, he said. Hyundai's Park said he hopes his company's hiring will have a limited impact on other local manufacturers, such as Gulfstream. He noted differences between the automobile and aviation industries. We can hire some good engineers from them but the reality is aviation expertise and automotive expertise is quite different, said Park. As you can see, there is no cannibalization between these two big companies. However, Georgia House Rep. Jesse Petrea, who represents Chatham's islands and coastal Bryan County, has a different outlook. More: Health care on site: St. Joseph's/Candler to open medical clinic at Hyundai Metaplant If someone has worked in a particular industry, they've developed skills, have a great work ethic and then all of a sudden they have a new opportunity, maybe that opportunity provides them with even more economic opportunity to raise their children and be independent, said Petrea. That is what's best for the communities and what's best for society - for society to have good jobs. Savannah Tech offers industry-specific courses to train the local workforce. The trickle-down effect Small businesses are also likely to feel the effect of Hyundai as blue collar workers find jobs in new sectors. Forbes.com reported that almost half of all employees working in the U.S. are employed by a small business. Entrepreneurs and existing industries know there is a good chance their workers may opt to work at the Hyundai plant. In other cases, workers who leave jobs at other manufacturers or in warehousing to move up will create openings for others employed in hourly jobs, such as those in the hospitality and retail sectors. Whats next? Hyundai's Park stressed the significance of hiring locally, saying it promotes a sense of community within the workforce. The collaboration, cooperation and close communication with each other is very important, said Park. If they are great together and living together in this community, it will be much better than [people] coming from outside the state. Brent Stubbs, senior manager of learning and development for the Hyundai Metaplant, is leaning on the companys creative strategies to find talent in the state. Our efforts are 100% focused here locally and we'll do everything in our control to make sure that this community is the beneficiary of [those jobs]," said Stubbs. Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com. About this series To better understand the challenges ahead, Savannah Morning News journalists Nancy Guan and Latrice Williams examined the local workforce landscape from two perspectives: Labor pools and training programs. The research offers glimpses into how Savannahs economy is already evolving, where officials expect newcomers to move to Savannah from, and the scale of the workforce development programs being put in place. The five-part series explores: This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hyundai officials detail Savannah hiring efforts and cannibalization FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen in Bern By Nikunj Ohri, Shivangi Acharya and Aftab Ahmed NEW DELHI (Reuters) - As Tesla examines building a plant in India, officials have asked the company to emulate Apple in finding local firms to partner with any Chinese suppliers involved, according to three government sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Tesla has been in talks with India for weeks about setting up a factory which will potentially build a $24,000 car for local sales and exports, however strained India-China ties threaten to complicate Tesla's plans for bringing in Chinese suppliers. Tesla founder Elon Musk is seeking to expand beyond the company's biggest foreign base of China where regulatory approvals for expansion are slow to come. But Chinese suppliers could be critical if Tesla were to establish a plant in India and keep costs in check for a cheap EV. India does not have local suppliers for components such as battery cells, with even India's largest EV maker, Tata Motors, importing them from China. In meetings with officials in New Delhi, Tesla executives informed the Indian government that it would like to have some of its vendors from China set up base locally to boost its supply chain, three Indian officials with direct knowledge of talks said. In response, officials told Tesla that granting approvals for wholly-owned Chinese companies in India could be difficult due to intense scrutiny of Chinese firms since a 2020 border clash between the two countries. Instead, the Indian officials said they had suggested a workaround in which Tesla would emulate the approach of Apple. The U.S. smartphone giant in recent months has obtained approvals to bring Chinese suppliers to India after they found local joint-venture partners. Tesla, the spokesperson of the Indian government and the trade ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Apple has a fast-growing supply chain in India which includes Taiwan's Foxconn assembling its iPhones. New Delhi in recent months has been approving some Chinese suppliers' JV partnerships with Indian companies on a case-to-case basis, one of the government sources said. Story continues India remains hesitant about allowing Chinese companies, especially automakers, to expand in the country, however. Last month, China's BYD told its Indian partner it would shelve a new $1 billion investment plan to build EVs there after its investment proposal faced scrutiny from New Delhi. Without specifying Chinese vendors, a fourth source with direct knowledge of Tesla's discussions in India said the U.S. company is looking at supply chain partners for its India factory. One of the Indian officials said pairing local and Chinese players could work for Tesla. "Tesla has been demanding a separate ecosystem for their (Chinese) vendor base ... those approvals can be granted on a case-to-case basis if there an Indian joint venture partner," the official said. (Reporting by Nikunj Ohri and Shivangi Acharya and Nikunj Ohri; additional reporting by Aditi Shah; editing by Aditya Kalra and Jason Neely) Generally speaking, investors are inspired to be stock pickers by the potential to find the big winners. But when you hold the right stock for the right time period, the rewards can be truly huge. Take, for example, the Ewein Berhad (KLSE:EWEIN) share price, which skyrocketed 392% over three years. It's also good to see the share price up 102% over the last quarter. So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. Check out our latest analysis for Ewein Berhad While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. Over the last three years, Ewein Berhad failed to grow earnings per share, which fell 92% (annualized). This means it's unlikely the market is judging the company based on earnings growth. Given this situation, it makes sense to look at other metrics too. You can only imagine how long term shareholders feel about the declining revenue trend (slipping at 52% per year). The only thing that's clear is there is low correlation between Ewein Berhad's share price and its historic fundamental data. Further research may be required! You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Ewein Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About The Total Shareholder Return (TSR)? Investors should note that there's a difference between Ewein Berhad's total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price change, which we've covered above. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Ewein Berhad's TSR of 501% for the 3 years exceeded its share price return, because it has paid dividends. Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Ewein Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 300% over the last year. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 14%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Ewein Berhad (including 1 which is potentially serious) . For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Drill Rigs Currently Active at the Santa Cruz, Tintic, Hog Heaven and Lincoln Projects Typhoon Technology Deployed at the White Hill Project PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2023 / Ivanhoe Electric (NYSE American:IE)(TSX:IE) Executive Chairman, Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer, Taylor Melvin are pleased to provide an update on current exploration activities at the Company's U.S. electric metals exploration projects. Ivanhoe Electric's experienced exploration teams are operating eight diamond drill rigs at its projects: In addition to exploration drilling, Ivanhoe Electric recently completed a three-dimensional induced polarization geophysical survey, using our proprietary Typhoon technology, over 25 square kilometers at the White Hill Copper Project in western Nevada. Mr. Friedland commented: "The amount of exploration activity underway at our US projects is impressive. Our team of talented and experienced geologists and geophysics specialists have been hard at work this summer and will remain so well into the fall. We look forward to providing additional updates on our progress as we advance our important exploration activities in the United States." Mr. Melvin commented: "It is exciting to see our experienced exploration teams simultaneously advancing multiple projects in the United States. We are combining the talents of our teams with our proprietary TyphoonTM geophysical surveying technology to search for the next generation of electric metals supply. In addition to work on our robust exploration portfolio, we are finalizing the Initial Assessment for our Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona. We continue to expect that study to be complete by the end of Q3 2023." Exploration Programs Underway at Multiple U.S. Electric Metals Projects Santa Cruz Drill Core Being Inspected by Arron Jergensen, Exploration Manager - Santa Cruz (foreground left), Nansen Olson, Ph.D., Senior Geologist (foreground right) and other members of the Geology Team (July 2023) Ongoing Exploration Drilling at Tintic in Utah Tests the Typhoon-Identified Geophysical Anomalies At Tintic, our exploration program is focused on identifying porphyry, skarn and carbonate replacement-type mineralization, potentially containing copper, gold, silver and other critical metals. Ivanhoe Electric's exploration efforts have been guided by the three large-scale geophysical anomalies identified by our 72 square kilometer three-dimensional induced polarization survey completed using Typhoon. The current drill program is testing new areas of the historic Main Tintic Mining District that have yet to be explored by modern exploration techniques and will look for the potential porphyry copper-gold systems that may have been the source (or sources) to the significant past-producing silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc mines. The drill program at Tintic is being conducted on Ivanhoe Electric's private patented mining claims, located near the towns of Eureka and Mammoth, Utah, and 40 miles south of Rio Tinto's Bingham Canyon Porphyry Copper-Gold Mine. Exploration Diamond Drill Site at the Tintic Copper-Gold-Silver Project, Utah (July 2023) Exploration Drill Program at Hog Heaven in Montana Designed to Test for High-Grade Extensions of Historic Mines and the Potential Porphyry Source The historic Flathead Mine, located within the Hog Heaven Project area, previously produced high-grade silver with associated lead, zinc, copper and gold. Mineralization is believed to continue below previous mine workings, remaining open to depth. Ivanhoe Electric's current drilling campaign is designed to search for potential porphyry copper mineralization located at depth, which may represent the heat and fluid source to previously mined mineralization; and for additional silver, gold and copper-rich high sulfidation epithermal mineralization, which was the focus of previous mining activities by Anaconda Copper Mining Company who direct shipped high-grade silver ore to their Butte smelter. The Hog Heaven Copper-Gold-Silver Project is operated through a joint venture, where Ivanhoe Electric may earn up to a 75% ownership of the Project by completing a combination of cash payments and work expenditures. Hog Heaven is located on private land approximately 50 miles south-southwest of Kalispell, Montana. Exploration Diamond Drilling Underway at the Hog Heaven Copper-Gold-Silver Project, Montana (July 2023) Exploration Drill Program at Lincoln in Utah Designed to Test Typhoon-Identified Geophysical Anomalies The Lincoln Project area encompasses numerous historic small underground workings with little record of past production. It is thought to be the oldest mining district in Utah. Prior to Ivanhoe Electric's involvement, almost no modern exploration occurred on the project. Following the completion of a Typhoon survey in the Fall of 2022 and the inversion of the data into a three-dimensional model by our subsidiary Computational Sciences Inc., Ivanhoe Electric has commenced drilling on the large-scale geophysical features including chargeability, resistivity, magnetic and density anomalies identified below the historic mine workings, which could represent skarn and/or porphyry-style mineralization. The drill program at Lincoln is being conducted on a combination of private patented mining claims and unpatented mining claims, located near Minersville, Utah, and 160 miles south of Rio Tinto's Bingham Canyon Porphyry Copper-Gold Mine. Drillers Processing Diamond Drill Core at Lincoln Copper-Gold-Silver Project, Utah (July 2023) Typhoon Survey Completed at White Hill in Nevada Ivanhoe Electric has recognized the potential for buried porphyry, skarn and carbonate-replacement mineralization at the White Hill Project and potential extensions to areas of known copper-skarn mineralization. The recently completed 25 square kilometer three-dimensional induced polarization Typhoon survey will help to identify any geophysical anomalies potentially related to sulfide-bearing skarns, carbonate replacement deposits and/or porphyry copper systems, located at depth and will be used to help pinpoint future exploration drilling. Ivanhoe Electric operates the White Hill Copper Project through an earn-in and joint venture agreement, where Ivanhoe Electric has the right to earn up to an 80% interest through a combination of payments and work expenditures. The White Hill Project is located approximately 20 miles east of Hawthorne and 100 miles southeast of Reno, Nevada. Ivanhoe Electric's Proprietary and Powerful Typhoon Geophysical Survey System in Action at the White Hill Project, Nevada (July 2023) Infill Drilling at Santa Cruz to Support Technical Studies Current infill drilling activity at Santa Cruz is focused on increasing the geological confidence of identified mineralization in the three known deposits: Santa Cruz, East Ridge and Texaco. In addition, the drilling is also testing the hydrogeological characteristics of the host rocks to help determine the quantity and movement of water within the subsurface. This activity is essential as Ivanhoe Electric furthers its technical studies of the Santa Cruz Project and works to complete the Initial Assessment by the end of Q3 2023. Qualified Persons Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature included in this news release with regard to the Tintic, Hog Heaven, Lincoln and White Hill Projects, including the sampling, analytical and technical data underlying the information, have been reviewed, verified and approved by Charlie N. Forster, P.Geo. and Shawn Vandekerkhove, P.Geo, each of whom is Qualified Persons as defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Both Mr. Forster and Mr. Vandekerkhove are employees of Ivanhoe Electric. Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature included in this news release with regard to the Santa Cruz Project, including the sampling, analytical and technical data underlying the information, have been reviewed, verified, and approved by Glen Kuntz, P.Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Kuntz is an employee of Ivanhoe Electric. Ivanhoe Electric has had prepared an independent technical report summary for the Santa Cruz Project prepared under SEC Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 and an independent technical report prepared under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The reports are available on the company's website, on EDGAR and on the company's SEDAR profile: The technical report summary and technical report include relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Santa Cruz Project, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. Ivanhoe Electric has prepared an independent technical report summary for the Tintic Project prepared under SEC Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 and an independent technical report prepared under Canadian Instrument NI 43-101. These reports are available on the company's website, on EDGAR and under the company's SEDAR profile: The technical report summary and technical report include relevant information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. About Ivanhoe Electric We are a U.S. company that combines advanced mineral exploration technologies with electric metals exploration projects predominantly located in the United States. We use our accurate and powerful Typhoon geophysical surveying system, together with advanced data analytics provided by our subsidiary, Computational Geosciences Inc., to accelerate and de-risk the mineral exploration process as we seek to discover new deposits of critical metals that may otherwise be undetectable by traditional exploration technologies. We believe the United States is significantly underexplored and has the potential to yield major new discoveries of critical metals. Our mineral exploration efforts focus on copper as well as other metals including nickel, vanadium, cobalt, platinum group elements, gold and silver. Through the advancement of our portfolio of electric metals exploration projects, headlined by the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona and the Tintic Copper-Gold Project in Utah, as well as other exploration projects in the United States, we intend to support United States supply chain independence by finding and delivering the critical metals necessary for the electrification of the economy. We also operate a 50/50 joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma'aden to explore for minerals on ~48,500 km of underexplored Arabian Shield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Website: www.ivanhoeelectric.com. Contact Information Investors: Valerie Kimball, Director, Investor Relations 720-933-1150 Follow us on Twitter Ivanhoe Electric's Executive Chairman Robert Friedland: @robert_ivanhoe Ivanhoe Electric: @ivanhoeelectric Ivanhoe Electric's investor relations website located at www.ivanhoeelectric.com should be considered Ivanhoe Electric's recognized distribution channel for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation FD. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable US and Canadian securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Such statements in this news release include, without limitation: timing and results of drilling operations, including the ability to continue drilling as planned, at Santa Cruz, Hog Heaven, Lincoln and Tintic Projects, results of the Typhoon survey at White Hill, the timing of the completion of the Initial Assessment for the Santa Cruz Copper Project and other planned or potential developments in the businesses of Ivanhoe Electric. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including changes in the prices of copper or other metals Ivanhoe Electric is exploring for; the results of exploration and drilling activities and/or the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations; the final assessment of exploration results and information that is preliminary; the significant risk and hazards associated with any future mining operations, extensive regulation by the US government as well as local governments; changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; and the impact of political, economic and other uncertainties associated with operating in foreign countries, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economy. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risk factors described in Ivanhoe Electric's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Ivanhoe Electric cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, and Ivanhoe Electric expressly disclaims any requirement to do so. SOURCE: Ivanhoe Electric Inc. Story continues Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Thursday, July 6, 2023, Press release picture Two drill rigs are exploring the Tintic Copper-Gold-Silver Project, located 60 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. Two drill rigs are exploring the Hog Heaven Copper-Gold-Silver Project, located 50 miles southwest of Kalispell, Montana. One drill rig is exploring the Lincoln Copper-Gold-Silver Project, located in southern Utah. Three drill rigs are actively supporting technical work at the Santa Cruz Copper Project, located west of Casa Grande, Arizona. Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Press release picture Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Press release picture Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Press release picture Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Press release picture Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Press release picture Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Press release picture "Mineral Resource Estimate Update and S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary for the Santa Cruz, Texaco, and East Ridge Deposits, Arizona, USA," authored by Nordmin Engineering Ltd. ("Nordmin") and Met Engineering LLC ("Met Engineering"). Current to December 31, 2022 and dated February 14, 2023. "Mineral Resource Estimate Update and NI 43-101 Technical Report for The Santa Cruz, Texaco, and East Ridge Deposits, Arizona, USA," prepared by Nordmin and Met Engineering with an effective date of December 31, 2022 and an issue date of March 14, 2023. " SEC Technical Report Summary, Exploration Results Report, Tintic Project, Utah, U.S.A." prepared by SRK Consulting U.S., Inc. ("SRK") with an effective date of May 5, 2021. "NI 43-101 Technical Report: Mineral Project Exploration Information, Tintic Project, Utah, USA" prepared by SRK with an effective date of May 5, 2021 View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/771394/Ivanhoe-Electric-Provides-Update-on-Drilling-Programs-Underway-at-its-US-Electric-Metals-Exploration-Projects Jack Ma started off as a school teacher and built Alibaba. But 3 years after Beijing cracked down on his tech businesses, Ma has turned to farming. Zhang Yazi/China News Service/Getty Images Jack Ma, a cofounder of Alibaba, has invested in a new agrotech company in China. Ma largely vanished from public view since angering Beijing with a critical speech in October 2020. During his disappearance, Ma traveled the world and studied agrotech. Jack Ma, a cofounder of Alibaba, is leading an active retirement. After landing teaching gigs in Hong Kong and Tokyo, the 58-year-old recently invested in a new farm-technology company, according to a Monday report from the South China Morning Post, citing information from Tianyancha, a company-information-data provider. The agrotech startup, 1.8 Meters Marine Technology (Zhejiang) Co, was incorporated on July 20 in Hangzhou the city is also home to Alibaba, China's answer to Amazon. One of Ma's investment-holdings companies, Hangzhou Dajingtou No. 22 Arts and Culture Co., has a 10% stake in the startup, per the SCMP. This new venture comes almost three years since Ma vanished from public view. He angered the Chinese authorities after an October 2020 speech in which he criticized China's financial-regulatory system and accused Chinese banks of operating with a "pawnshop" mentality. His words prompted intense regulatory scrutiny of his businesses and a wider crackdown on tech firms in China. During his yearslong disappearance, Ma appeared to be traveling the world while studying agrotech. In October 2021, Ma was in Spain learning about agriculture and technology related to environmental issues, the SCMP reported at the time, citing an unnamed source familiar with Ma's schedule. He has also traveled to the Netherlands, Japan, and Thailand to study agrotech, per SCMP. In May this year, Tokyo College announced that Ma would be taking up a teaching position while researching sustainable agriculture and food production. Ma retired from Alibaba in 2019 and sits on the board of the Jack Ma Foundation. The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Yucatan Cantina Concession Areas to Feature Yucatan Guacamole and 505 Southwestern Hatch Valley Green Chile JACKSONVILLE, Fla., August 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver-based Flagship Food Group are proud to announce that fans craving authentic Mexican fare during the 2023 season will have four new exciting concession offerings when the team kicks off at EverBank Stadium. New menu offerings will include premium tacos, nachos and a variety of items featuring innovative and on-trend ingredients such as 505 Southwesterns famous roasted green chile and Yucatan hand-scooped guacamole. The newly branded "Yucatan Cantina" is in the general concession area and will be operated by EverBank Stadium foodservice partner Delaware North, with this flagship location in the north end zone near section 125. "Mexican food is a popular request among our fans, and were thrilled to be partnering with Flagship Food Group to bring the Yucatan Cantina to EverBank Stadium," said Scott Massey, Jaguars senior vice president of corporate partnerships. "We know fans are going to love this upgrade to our concessions offering." Based outside of Denver, Colorado, and with facilities across North America, Flagship Food Group is a global purveyor of premium Hispanic and Southwestern ingredients and food products. Its fast-growing 505 Southwestern brand is the largest green chile brand in the United States, and it flame roasts all of its chile in the world-famous Hatch Valley region of New Mexico. Its Yucatan Guacamole brand is one of the leaders in the prepared guacamole space, and all its products are hand scooped in the heart of the avocado growing region of Mexico where Flagship also operates a large facility. In addition, Flagship also owns La Tortilla Factory, the number one nationally distributed tortilla brand that is focused on organic and better-for-you products. Locally, Flagships products are available at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts and other retailers. Story continues "We are so excited to be partnering with the Jaguars and their concessionaire, Delaware North, to innovate and elevate the food offerings for Jaguars fans," said Rob Holland, Executive Chairman of Flagship Food Group and a Jacksonville native. "This partnership is special for me and for the entire Flagship organization." Flagship is no stranger to stadium partnerships. Its green chile has been featured as far away as Wembley Stadium in London and at Empower Field in Denver, among others. 505 Southwestern is the official green chile, salsa and dip brand of the Denver Broncos, PRCA Rodeo Circuit, Arizona State University and Steamboat Springs Ski Resort, and its products are used by thousands of local and national restaurant chains across the country. The growth of its brands into the Southeast has been a priority for the company as more people demand premium, innovative Southwestern flavors and products. "Were dedicated to infusing our EverBank Stadium hospitality program with authentic flavors and products," said Marcus Snead, Delaware Norths general manager at EverBank Stadium. "This partnership with Flagship and Yucatan will undoubtedly satisfy fans cravings with its diverse range and exceptional quality." Flagship has partnered with Jacksonville-based Wingard Creative to develop the Yucatan Cantina concept, which it plans to spread nationally. About Flagship Food Group, LLC Through its subsidiaries Flagship Premium Food Group and Desert Premium Group, the Company has leadership positions in tortillas, tortilla chips, salsa, green chile, and frozen Mexican handheld. Its brands include 505 Southwestern, the largest jarred green chile brand in the USA; La Tortilla Factory, one of the nations largest tortilla brands that is focused on health and wellness; Hatch Kitchen and Lilly Bs, leading brands in the frozen burrito and quesadilla space; and Young Guns, a leader in food service Hatch Valley green chile. Other brands include TJ Farms, Mama Lupes, and Select New Mexico. The Company is also a valued partner with retailers and food companies, providing private label, brokerage, and freight and warehousing solutions. Flagship is headquartered near Denver with operations and offices in Idaho, California, Minnesota, Kansas, New Mexico, and Mexico. About Yucatan Foods, LLC Yucatan Foods, through its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and sells premium guacamole, salsa, and dips. The Yucatan brand dates back over three decades and was a pioneer in the fresh, retail guacamole space. Yucatan also sells products under the Cabo Fresh brand and is a valued private label partner with premium retailers. The company operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Silao, Mexico. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801905607/en/ Contacts Courtney Lis, VOCA Public Relations, courtney@vocapr.com Nomura Holdings Inc on Tuesday reported a jump in first-quarter net profit as a strong Japanese stock market helped the country's biggest brokerage and investment bank attract money from global investors. Renewed investor interest in Japanese stocks, driven by hopes for an end to deflation and a corporate drive for better capital use, boosted Nomura's assets under management as well as its retail client assets to record highs. Market tailwind "We had a market tailwind," Chief Financial Officer Takumi Kitamura told a media briefing. "The Bank of Japan's policy tweak, a rise in corporate action and a new tax exemption scheme for individual investors together are likely to keep the momentum going in the Japanese bond and stock markets," he said. Investors stand in front of a screen showing the logo of Nomura Holdings during Nomura Investment Forum 2015 in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2015. Japan's biggest brokerage Nomura Holdings Inc said it will invest further in its Americas operations over the next two to three years, seeking to strengthen its M&A advisory and primary equity and debt businesses in the region. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Nomura's April-June profit came in at 23.33 billion yen ($163.42 million) versus 1.696 billion yen a year earlier, when fears of slowing global economic growth hit financial markets and forced investment portfolio writedowns at the Japanese firm. But the quarterly profit is a small fraction of Nomura's core pretax income target of 288 billion yen for the year to March 2025, a bullish goal for CEO Kentaro Okuda who has faced three years of profit declines since taking the top job in 2020. Pretax profit In contrast to the strong gains at the retail business, Nomura's wholesale division, which houses its investment banking and trading businesses, posted a pretax profit of just 2.1 billion yen, down sharply from 25.3 billion yen a year earlier. Fixed income trading slowed amid lower market volatility. Meanwhile, the investment banking business saw signs of recovery with some major deals including Pattern Energy Group's 300 billion yen sale of its Japanese assets to NTT Group and JERA. Kitamura said Nomura's plans to cut 50 billion yen of costs by March 2025 were on track, expecting to achieve about 60% of the total by the end of March next year, mainly by streamlining administrative and systems operations. Story continues The Bank of Japan's relaxation of its cap on bond yields last week could also be "a major tailwind" to its business, as it is likely to increase market volatility, he said. ($1 = 142.7600 yen) (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Mark Potter) Low-cost carrier JetBlue (JBLU) says airline fares are heading back towards pre-pandemic levels as pent-up COVID demand for domestic travel normalizes and travelers opt for longer, international destinations. On Tuesday, JetBlue cut its annual earnings forecast and issued third quarter guidance below Wall Street expectations. The stock fell as much as 8% during the trading session. Year-to-date shares are up about 9%. As we head into the third quarter, we continue to see many of the same trends, including strong demand during peak periods. However, during off-peak periods, we are now seeing demand trends normalize, Joanna Geraghty, chief operating officer of JetBlue, said during the companys second quarter earnings call on Tuesday. We have seen fares normalizing back to 2019 levels, she added. The airline also noted a greater-than-expected shift of pent-up COVID demand to long-haul international markets, which is pressuring demand for domestic travel during the peak summer travel period. JetBlue logo on an Airbus A321LR at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. (Benoit Tessier/REUTERS) Alaska Air (ALK) echoed similar commentary last week, noting domestic leisure airfares coming off their peaks along with traveler preference for longer flights to international destinations. As a primarily domestic leisure carrier, this summer presents a unique situation with the unprecedented surge in international demand, not dissimilar to the domestic surge last year, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said during the companys earnings call last week. We believe pent-up international demand has had the effect of a larger pull from would-be domestic travelers than has historically been the case, he added. Alaska Airs stock is up about 10% year to date. On Tuesday shares fell 1% in sympathy with JetBlue. Airlines with more international exposure have outperformed their domestic peers year to date. United Airlines (UAL), Delta (DAL), and American Airlines (AAL) are up 40%, 36%, and 26% respectively. "The preference for longer international flights bodes well for carriers such as UAL, AAL, and DAL who dedicate a larger percentage of their fleet/routes to international flights," Christopher Raite, senior analyst at Third Bridge, told Yahoo Finance in an email. Story continues He added, "Declining domestic fares hurt all U.S. carriers, but those more domestically focused are likely to be disproportionately impacted given the resurgence in international travel" and lagging business travel recovery. JetBlue also noted it is facing near-term headwinds from a challenging operating environment in the Northeast and the termination of a revenue-sharing agreement in the Northeast with American Airlines as it looks to close on the purchase of Spirit Airlines. Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @ines_ferre. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance In a high-stakes ruling for the crypto industry, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff on Monday denied Terraform Labs' motion to dismiss the securities fraud lawsuit filed against it by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The decision allows the SEC's case against Terraform Labs and its founder Do Kwon to move forward, rejecting defense arguments that the agency lacked jurisdiction and that Terraform's TerraUSD stablecoin did not qualify as an unregistered security. Crucially, Rakoff declined to extend reasoning from a recent court decision in favor of Ripple Labs to the Terraform case. In the Ripple case, a different judge found that Ripple's XRP token sales to retail investors did not violate securities laws because those buyers purchased on secondary markets. But Rakoff said this "distinction between purchasers" does not apply under the legal Howey test that governs whether crypto assets are securities. "Howey makes no such distinction between purchasers, and it makes good sense that it did not," Rakoff firmly stated. "The court declines to draw a distinction between these coins based on their manner of sale." Indeed, the judge said the pitch from Terraform Labs was bold and broad. "The defendants embarked on a public campaign to encourage both retail and institutional investors to buy their crypto assets by touting the profitability of the crypto assets and the managerial and technical skills that would allow the defendants to maximize returns on the investors coins," he wrote. "Simply put, secondary-market purchasers had every bit as good a reason to believe that the defendants would take their capital contributions and use it to generate profits on their behalf." SEC Asserts Ripple XRP Case was 'Wrongly Decided', Signals Appeal Judge Rakoff's 50-page opinion represents a significant victory for the SEC as it ramps up enforcement actions against crypto companies it alleges engaged in unlawful token sales. The judge held that the collapse of TerraUSD, which lost its dollar peg and plunged in value last year wiping out $40 billion, made it "plausible" the token was a security that should have been registered. Story continues Rakoff also rejected Terraform's argument that the SEC lacked authority to regulate stablecoins without explicit Congressional authorization, asserting that crypto qualified as a significant enough issue to warrant application of the "Major Questions Doctrine." While acknowledging the doctrine limits agency overreach into major political issues, the judge ruled it does not apply to the crypto asset markets. "The crypto-currency industry, though certainly important, falls far short of being a 'portion of the American economy' bearing 'vast economic and political significance,' Rakoff wrote, noting that industries like energy and tobacco do have special protection. On the fraud charges, Rakoff said the SEC provided enough evidence Terraform and Kwon "had a motive to mislead investors about the utility of their crypto-assets" on allegations they fabricated adoption data. Likewise, on the securities registration issues, Rakoff ruled the SEC "pled sufficient facts" to plausibly allege Terraform unlawfully offered and sold unregistered securities. The SEC contends the UST token and related protocol constituted an unregistered investment security. "Crypto lending platforms and other intermediaries need to comply with our time-tested securities laws," SEC Chair Gary Gensler has previously said. "Doing so best protects investors. It promotes trust in markets. Its not optional. Its the law. The lawsuit now proceeds to the discovery phase unless dismissed on appeal or settled. The SEC is seeking disgorgement of ill-gotten investor funds in addition to civil penalties. Editor's note: This story was drafted with Decrypt AI from sources referenced in the text, and fact-checked by Ozawa. Just as important as electricity or water': Biden said the US will spend $42B to give 'every person in America' access to the internet by 2030 here are 3 stocks to pounce on The definition of Bidenomics recently expanded to include a new concept: universal internet access. In late June, President Joe Biden announced a new program that would deploy $42 billion to get every person in America online by 2030. Dont miss Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds Worried about the economy? Here are the best shock-proof assets for your portfolio. (Theyre all outside of the stock market.) Commercial real estate has outperformed the S&P 500 over 25 years. Here's how to diversify your portfolio without the headache of being a landlord In his remarks at a White House briefing announcing the program, Biden called access to the internet just as important as electricity or water. The funds will be deployed under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was authorized by the Biden administrations $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure package. Funding will go to all 50 states, with the two most populous states, California and Texas, receiving the largest sums. States with large rural areas that lack connectivity (such as Virginia, Alabama and Louisiana) are also among those set to receive top-level funding. "It's the biggest investment in high-speed internet ever, Biden said. Here are three top stocks that could see growth behind this new push for universal internet access. Comcast With 31.7 million subscribers, Comcast is already the largest cable broadband provider in the U.S. That puts it in a strong position to benefit from the Biden administration's recent push for universal internet access. Comcast has already benefited from the 2021 Affordable Connectivity Program, a $14-billion federal fund that has provided over 19 million households with a monthly subsidy of $30 or more to help cover broadband bills. Comcast, whose Xfinity cable and internet service is dominant nationwide, was one of the main beneficiaries. Story continues Comcast stock is up 27% year to date. AT&T AT&T is another company that could benefit from the Biden administration's push for internet access. The company already operates the nations largest network of fiber-optic cables. These cables are hooked up to 19.7 million consumer addresses, 750,000 corporate buildings and more than 3 million business customer locations across 100 U.S. metro areas. Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how Maintaining this network is expensive let alone expanding it and government subsidies could ease the burden. During the White House press conference, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo specifically mentioned that part of the newly announced BEAD grant would be earmarked for manufacturing fiber-optic cable in America. AT&T stock is down 22% year to date, giving contrarian investors something to think about. Charter Communications With 28.9 million wired broadband customers, Charter Communications is the second-largest wired internet provider in America. Like Comcast, the company saw a windfall of government-backed income thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program, and it remains in a strong position to capitalize on the new BEAD program. Meanwhile, the company is already investing over $5.5 billion to supercharge speeds across its network over the next few years. "We are targeting that over 85% of our footprint will be capable of an up to 5 gigabits per second service by end of year 2025," Charter President of Product and Technology Richard DiGeronimo said during an investor presentation in late 2022. Charter stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 13 and the stock price is up 19% year to date. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Kite Realty Group (KRG) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.51 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.48 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.49 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an FFO surprise of 6.25%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this real estate investment trust would post FFO of $0.47 per share when it actually produced FFO of $0.51, delivering a surprise of 8.51%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus FFO estimates four times. Kite Realty Group , which belongs to the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, posted revenues of $208.76 million for the quarter ended June 2023, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.54%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $202.61 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future FFO expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Kite Realty Group shares have added about 8.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 19.3%. What's Next for Kite Realty Group? While Kite Realty Group has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's FFO outlook. Not only does this include current consensus FFO expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Kite Realty Group: favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus FFO estimate is $0.48 on $201.17 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.97 on $816.5 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, REIT and Equity Trust - Retail is currently in the top 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. One other stock from the same industry, Regency Centers (REG), is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2023. The results are expected to be released on August 3. This shopping center real estate investment trust is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +1%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.2% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. Regency Centers' revenues are expected to be $313.32 million, up 3.7% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Kite Realty Group Trust (KRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Regency Centers Corporation (REG) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The new "lazy girl job" trend has been widely shared on TikTok. Gabrielle Judge/TikTok Having a "lazy girl job" may put employees' longtime career progression at risk, an expert says. Marc Cenedella, a careers expert, told Insider that companies are on the lookout for the trend. "The problem with having the lazy girl job is that they're the first ones to get laid off," he said. Having a "lazy girl job" may put employees' longtime career progression at risk, a careers expert says. The new "lazy girl job" trend, which has been widely shared on TikTok, is workers' latest revolt against corporate America. The term generally refers to a low-stress job that still pays well and was popularized by TikToker Gabrielle Judge back in May. However, as more workers took to the platform to brag about their low-key jobs, some started to worry about backlash from employers. According to Marc Cenedella, a careers expert and founder of the job search site Ladders, companies are already wising up to the trend and on the lookout for workers in roles that are too lightweight. "It was on the front page of the Wall Street Journal," he told Insider. "So emails and memos are going around corporate America right now saying, hey, let's make sure we don't have lazy girl jobs in our companies." He added that supervisors are noticing the trend and could be looking more closely at teams: "Companies are getting smarter and they're measuring output and productivity." Cenedella said the trend is likely a direct consequence of how employees have been treated over time. "This idea of not having so much loyalty to your employer is the natural consequence of everything that American business has done the last 50 years," he said. "This is just a tit for tat." But it's not just a company bottom line the TikTok life hack might be hurting, Cenedella said that workers could also be sacrificing their own futures. "The problem with having the lazy girl job is that they're the first ones to get laid off when tough times come," he said, adding that these workers are also only "cheating themselves" because they're not developing skills at work, which then stunts career progression. Story continues Instead, Cenedella advises committing to your job somewhat superficially and not giving or expecting too much loyalty from your employer. "It's far better to say I'm only going to give six hours a day to this company. And I'm going to be realistic about what that means for me in terms of how loyal they're going to be," he said. "It's okay to be lazy in your heart and not make an emotional commitment to your employer," he added. "But you shouldn't be lazy on yourself, you should always be trying to make yourself better." Read the original article on Business Insider ManTech International Corporation Acquisition Expands ManTechs Digital Transformation Consulting and Technology Solutions Matt Tait, ManTech CEO and President Definitive Logics differentiated consulting and tailored technology solutions will further advance ManTechs mission-focused strategy Bringing Digital to the Mission. We are very pleased to welcome their highly talented team, sophisticated capabilities and valued government customers. HERNDON, Va., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ManTech International Corporation today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Definitive Logic, a leading provider of digital transformation consulting and technology solutions to defense, homeland security and federal civilian agencies. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, Definitive Logic leverages its more than 20 years of experience in providing advanced digital transformation services and technologies to drive successful mission outcomes with next generation innovation and technology. Definitive Logic is recognized as a trusted advisor to government customers and a leader in financial management, human capital, logistics and other mission support transformations. The acquisition will add more than 330 highly skilled and cleared employees to the ManTech team, expand ManTechs suite of differentiated capability offerings in cloud, cyber, DevSecOps, data engineering and AI/ML and provide a distinguished set of technology partnerships. Matt Tait - 7312023 With mission expansion and technology cycles accelerating at speed, our government customers rely on ManTech to bring our mission knowledge with our mastery of high-tech, high-end engineering, cyber and data solutions to solve their toughest security challenges, said ManTech CEO and President Matt Tait. Definitive Logics differentiated consulting and tailored technology solutions will further advance ManTechs mission-focused strategy Bringing Digital to the Mission. We are very pleased to welcome their highly talented team, sophisticated capabilities and valued government customers. Definitive Logic Co-Founder and CEO Paul Burke said, For more than 20 years, Definitive Logic has earned its reputation as a trusted partner of government change agents. We are proud of the transformation outcomes we have consistently delivered for the warfighter and taxpayer and are thrilled to double down on innovation and expand our capabilities as part of ManTech. We are very excited to join ManTech, a recognized leader with shared passions, values and commitment to customer missions and employee advancement. We look forward to capitalizing on the significant growth that both our company and employees will enjoy as part of a combined platform with enhanced scale, breadth, resources and career opportunities. Story continues The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and is expected to be completed by early fall. About Definitive Logic Definitive Logic (DL) is a Federal leading Digital Transformation consultancy with 20+ years and an 88% success rate leading Federal transformation programs in our history. DL fields automation, analytics and integration solutions that save time, money and manpower and consistently delivers positive return on investment (ROI) for the warfighter and taxpayer. DLs culture of innovation, collaboration and caring is consistently recognized as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post (8-time winner, #1 Midsize 2021) and Virginia Business Best Places to Work (10-time winner, #1 Midsize 2019). About ManTech International Corporation ManTech provides mission-focused technology solutions and services for U.S. defense, intelligence and federal civilian agencies. In business more than 54 years, we excel in full-spectrum cyber, data collection & analytics, enterprise IT, systems engineering and software application development solutions that support national and homeland security. Additional information on ManTech can be found at www.mantech.com . Media: Sheila Blackwell VP, Enterprise Marketing & Communications (301) 717-7345 Sheila.Blackwell@ManTech.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48b7c820-16e3-47d0-adad-d8e725489377 From one hotel giant's perch, a hard economic landing at the hands of the inflation-fighting Fed seems off the table once and for all. Marriott International (MAR) CFO Leeny Oberg said in the company's earnings call that she believes "it now seems more likely that the US economy could have a soft landing." "What youve seen lately is still really strong employment numbers, increased expectations for GDP growth," Oberg told Yahoo Finance Live on Tuesday. "Youre also seeing that inflation is calming down, which I think ... helps everybody think, 'Okay, you know what? We could actually have kind of a soft landing without a huge downfall.'" A soft economic landing is viewed by market watchers as a gradual slowing of an economy brought on by a series of interest rate hikes. On the flip side, a hard economic landing is when growth plunges, as a too-high level of interest rates stalls the economy. Marriott's forward US bookings and spending trends inside hotels signal as much, Oberg added. The company also continues to see a strong outlook for new hotel room development. Tulips decorate the River Market area of downtown Little Rock in the spring, including in front of this Marriott Hotel. (Getty Images) Marriott's second quarter performance and outlook also support the economic bullishness. The purveyor of the Ritz-Carlton brand saw second quarter revenue per available room in the US and Canada rise 5.2% from a year ago. At the same time, occupancy levels rose 1.2% and average daily rates improved 3.4%. The company's more budget-centric Westin and Sheraton brands saw the best performances in terms of revenue per available room and average daily rates. Overall, net sales increased 14% year over year to $6.08 billion. Analysts had expected $6.02 billion. And adjusted earnings per share gained 26% from the prior year to $2.26, ahead of forecasts for $2.15. Marriott lifted its full-year profit forecast to $8.36-$8.65 a share from $7.97-$8.42 previously. Analysts were modeling for earnings of $8.33 a share. Marriott stock advanced 1.5% during Tuesday's trading. Story continues "There was nothing really in todays results or outlook to change the narrative on the stock, in our view," JPMorgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote in a client note. "Demand trends are normalizing, and domestic deceleration is well-known to investors at this point (based on our incoming investor calls), with international growing more significantly (particularly in China)." "Bulls can point to (still) healthy overall trends, with upside in domestic incentive management fees (IMFs) and, to a lesser degree, in China IMFs," Greff added. Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com. Click here for the latest economic news and economic indicators to help you in your investing decisions Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Reed Jobs (left), the son of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs (right), is starting Yosemite, a venture capital firm that will invest in new cancer treatments. Reuters; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Reed Jobs, the son of Steve Jobs, launched Yosemite, a VC firm that will invest in cancer treatments. The 31-year-old started the the fund after his dad died from complications with pancreatic cancer. Yosemite will build off the work Jobs did with his mother's Emerson Collective. Reed Jobs, Steve Jobs' oldest son, is striking out on his own. Jobs, one of three children of the Apple cofounder and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, is launching Yosemite, a venture capital firm that will invest in new cancer treatments, according to a press release. The 31-year-old was inspired by his father to start the fund after Steve Jobs died from complications of pancreatic cancer in 2011, he told The New York Times. So far, Yosemite has raised $200 million dollars through investments from medical institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, and M.I.T, as well as from venture capitalist John Doerr, according to the Times. Jobs plans to raise $400 million for his firm's initial fund, The Information reported, which is just about 10 times the average fund size of new venture capitalists last year, according to Pitchbook. The VC firm will incorporate a dual structure model of a for-profit business and a donor-advised fund, which will provide grants to scientists, according to a press release. Scientists can use the grants for their research and then go back to Yosemite for venture funding. Jobs' latest business venture will build on his previous work as a managing director at the Emerson Collective, the mission-driven corporation founded by his mother. While he was leading Emerson's health care space, the company invested in healthcare enterprises like ElevateBio, a gene therapy startup, and GetLabs, an at-home diagnostics collector, according to Emerson Collective's website. He is bringing at least three high-ranking members from Emerson with him to Yosemite, The Information reported. Story continues While Jobs told the Times that starting a venture capital firm was never one of his career goals, he said that his new role will help scientists build and focus their research. "I had never ever wanted to be a venture capitalist," Jobs said. "But I realized that when you're actually incubating something and putting it together, you can make a tremendous difference in what assets are part of that, what direction it's going to take, and what the scientific focus is going to be." Jobs attributes his interest in the healthcare space, at least in part, to his father's death. "My dad succumbed to cancer when I was in college at Stanford," Jobs told the Times. "I was pre-med because I really wanted to be a doctor and cure people myself. But just completely candidly, it was really difficult after he passed away." Even though Jobs didn't study business or medicine he ended up graduating with both a BA and master's in history, according to Stanford's website he may have learned a thing or two about business by time spent with his father. Before college, the Apple cofounder took his son on a business trip to Hawaii so he could "be in the room" with leaders like Apple executives and other high-level tech moguls, according to "Steve Jobs," a biography by Walter Isaacson. Yosemite didn't respond to Insider's immediate request for comment before publication. Read the original article on Business Insider Mercosur meets on counterproposal for trade talks with EU European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels By Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) -South American trade bloc Mercosur officials met on Tuesday to agree on their counterproposal to a European Union addendum on a long-awaited trade deal before meeting with EU negotiators in August in the hopes of closing the accord by year-end, Brazilian diplomats told Reuters. The four-nation Mercosur will seek to unify its positions on Wednesday and Thursday to respond to the EU on environmental additions the European body made to the trade deal, said Brazil's foreign ministry, where the talks are being held. Brazil felt targeted by a "side letter" the EU added early this year to the 2019 deal, requiring environmental guarantees by the signatories, they said. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has made bold pledges of environmental stewardship in contrast to his predecessor, has taken its time to come up with a response. One diplomat with knowledge of the negotiations said Brazil would seek compensation for the side letter in the form of increased quotas for exports to the EU or reduced quotas for European products sold to Mercosur. The sources said Brazil would also seek new exceptions to opening government purchases for foreign firms in the health industry, public-sector construction and green technology. Brazil's Foreign Ministry and the EU declined to comment. The Europeans drafted the side letter in response to Brazil's far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who undercut environmental protections, allowing deforestation to soar. While Lula has overhauled Brazil's environmental policy, European diplomats say the EU still needs guarantees against a relapse. Brazil fears the addendum could lead to trade sanctions. Its diplomats complain that the new rules go beyond the Paris climate agreement that their country is complying with. "There are new obligations that are unacceptable. If sanctions are applied, we want other concessions to compensate," the diplomat said, requesting anonymity ahead of sensitive negotiations. Story continues The EU recently passed a law banning six imported products if linked to deforestation, which Brazilian exporters and government officials saw as a protectionist move. One of the Brazilian diplomats said that new law had muddied the waters by failing to distinguish between legal and illegal deforestation in Brazil, making it more difficult to conclude the trade talks by year-end. The EU has warned against trying to renegotiate parts of the trade agreement, given that it took two decades to reach an initial deal. Brazilian diplomats say they are seeking to tweak concessions and quotas, so as not to reopen chapters that could stall the whole deal. A European diplomat in Brasilia said the EU hoped to resume talks in August with the Mercosur counterproposal on the table. He said a "re-balancing" of concessions, however, would be difficult without reopening chapters of the trade deal. "The government procurement chapter is not very comprehensive and already includes a lot of exceptions, but OK, let's look at this," he added, noting that the defense industry was already excluded, along with Brazil's state and municipal governments. On the environmental guarantees irking Brazil's new government, the European diplomat said the EU recognized what Brazil is now doing to protect the Amazon forest. "But we still need guarantees going forward because we conclude agreements with the country and not with the government that is in office," he said. For Welber Barral, a former Brazilian foreign trade secretary, there is a window to finalize the accord, which has never had so much support from Brazil's private sector. But ironing out remaining differences could take time. "To be realistic, concluding it by the end of the year is a very optimistic goal," he said. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Brad Haynes, Mark Potter and Richard Chang) A sizzling summer for Meta stock (META) could extend into the fall as Wall Street rallies around the notion that shares of the Mark Zuckerberg-led tech outfit are still cheap. "How could a stock that is now up 165% year to date possibly be one of our Top Picks?! 1) Because valuation is still cheap," said Mark Mahaney, a veteran tech analyst at Evercore ISI. "Meta remains much closer to a trough than a peak multiple, and we believe the Street woefully underestimates the EPS potential here," Mahaney added as investors digest an 11% move in the stock in July. The widely followed analyst isn't wrong in calling out Meta's relatively cheap price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple, which looks attractive relative to the broader market given the company's projected future growth rate. Meta's stock currently trades on a P/E multiple of 19.2 times estimated calendar 2024 earnings, below the S&P 500's level of 21. Yet, Meta is expected to grow profits significantly higher than the broader market in 2023 and 2024. Analysts are projecting Meta's profits will increase by 30% in 2023, accelerating to 31% growth in 2024. Earnings for the S&P 500 are expected to fall slightly in 2023 and only rise 12.5% in 2024, according to Yardeni Research. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg walks to lunch at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 08, 2021, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) The Meta as a "cheap" stock narrative is also supported by a peek at valuation versus recent historical norms. Meta's current forward price-to-earnings multiple is relatively in line with its median three-year average of 19.8 times as calculated by Mahaney. But again, Meta has the drivers in place to support better earnings growth than the 29% average over the past three years. And the tentacles of the Meta fundamental story explain the more upbeat profit estimates by the Street. The debut of Threads in July is being viewed as strong. Sign-up demand seems to be slowing from the initial excitement, but having millions of people engage with a new product when a formidable entrenched competitor is in the market in this case, Elon Musk's Twitter is a win for the Meta bull case. Story continues Meta will likely look to monetize Threads in 2024, execs hinted on the company's second quarter earnings call last week. Meanwhile, Meta joined forces with Microsoft (MSFT) to introduce its next-generation open-source large language model, Llama. Meta is right in the heart of the AI discussion, opening the door to greater profit potential. And this innovation is coming amid a significantly streamlined cost base for Meta. The company has fired a lot of people in the past year. This aggressive cost-cutting has freed up teams to move quicker. Meta's CFO Susan Li told Yahoo Finance Live (video above) the company's "year of efficiency" has set it up "to be in a good place from a cost structure perspective" and that, as a result, the business is a "faster, nimbler company." Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance London, UK --News Direct-- MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE:MXC, OTC:MGCLF, ASX:MXC) CEO and managing director Roby Zomer speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the Europe-based plant-inspired medicine company announced it has secured permission to import 200g of psilocybin mushrooms into Slovenia for analysis. The news is significant because its the first time the company has been granted permission to import the naturally-occurring psychedelic compound into the country. Zomer explains that MGC Pharma has been contracted by a pharmaceutical company based in Southern Africa to import psilocybin mushrooms grown in the region to MGC's facility in Slovenia. As a certified pharmaceutical company in Europe, MGC Pharma will provide the necessary support and infrastructure to help their partner gather essential data for obtaining marketing approval for the product in other countries. Despite this new collaboration, Zoma emphasized that MGC Pharma's primary focus remains on their existing treatments for refractory epilepsy and immune modulation. However, they recognise the potential of psilocybin as an innovative medicine for the future, particularly in palliative care and post-traumatic treatments. MGC Pharma aims to stay at the forefront of this emerging sector and provide services to other companies interested in exploring psilocybin-based therapies. Looking ahead, MGC Pharmaceuticals awaits the arrival of the imported mushrooms in Slovenia with a view to commencing the testing and development processes. Additionally, updates are expected on their cannabinoid treatments in the UK, as well as their relations and expansion in America. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/mgc-pharmaceuticals-receives-permission-to-import-psilocybin-mushrooms-into-europe-759517443 Bud Lights decline is benefiting one of its biggest rivals. Molson Coors, brewer of Miller Lite and Coors Light beers, reported Tuesday its single best quarter of revenue since its 2005 merger, as drinkers continue to shift their allegiance away from the Anheuser Busch-made beer. In a release, Molson Coors (TAP) said that combined US sales of its two flagship beers outsold Bud Light by 50% in the second quarter and were 30% higher than Modelo Especial, which overtook Bud Light sales in May and June. Thats a drastic change from the same quarter a year ago, when Bud Light sales were higher than Coors Light and Miller Lite sales combined. Net income for the second quarter grew to $342 million, up from $47 million in the same period a year earlier. Sales also rose 11.8% to $3.3 billion, but that came in slightly below analysts expectations, resulting in shares sliding more than 2% in premarket trading. Molson Coors also hiked its full-year guidance to reflect the continued strength we are seeing in our core brands in the US. Changes in the beer industry Beer sales have been completely upended following Bud Lights decision to send a customized can to a transgender influencer, which sparked transphobic backlash and alienated the companys core customer base. But A-Bs lack of response to the hate also drew criticism from some members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Since then, sales of Bud Light have been consistently falling by more than 20% every week (compared to the same week prior) since April. In May, the seemingly unthinkable happened: Modelo Especial displaced Bud Light from its top-selling spot in the United States for the first time, ending a roughly two-decade run for Bud Light. The trend continued in June. Modelos parent company, Constellation Brands (STZ), also recently reported strong earnings. Its beer business, which also includes Corona, posted an 11% increase in sales for the first quarter. Last week, A-B announced layoffs across its US corporate staff, amounting to just under 2% of its employee count. The beer giant is set to announce earnings which will fully cover the Bud Light sales slide on Thursday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Key news highlights: Mowilex made Deloitte's list of Indonesia's Best Managed Companies for the second year in a row. The honour recognizes privately-owned Indonesian companies for their organizational excellence, industry contributions and economic impact. Mowilex is an industry leader making significant sustainability, technology and governance investments. JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 1, 2023 /CNW/ -- Paint manufacturer PT Mowilex Indonesia (Mowilex) won a 2023 Best Managed Companies in Indonesia award from Deloitte, marking its second consecutive year as an honouree. The company, which produces premium paints and coatings, was recognized for industry leadership, management quality and economic success. Mowilex made Deloittes list of Indonesias Best Managed Companies for the second year in a row. "The Mowilex management team balances the complicated and often opposing interests of shareholders, customers and employees, while also implementing environmentally responsible practices. We operate in a very competitive industry which demands that we continuously innovate and strive for efficiency," says Niko Safavi, CEO of PT Mowilex Indonesia. "We don't set out to win awards. Instead, our vision is to be Indonesia's most trusted paint brand. This recognition by Deloitte, an organization with tremendous integrity and credibility, demonstrates that Mowilex is on the right track." Deloitte Indonesia presented Safavi with Mowilex's award during a July 27 ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Jakarta. Private companies honoured by Deloitte are independently evaluated against a framework applied to 1,300 Best Managed Companies worldwide. Assessments explore strategy, capabilities and innovation, culture and commitment, and governance and financials. Mowilex distinguishes itself with noteworthy sustainability efforts, including four consecutive carbon neutral certifications, major solar investments, and the recent planting of 50,000 trees that will protect coastline and capture carbon. In early 2023, the company opened a new factory designed to reduce carbon emissions by up to 7%. The green building features innovative technologies and a zero-waste water treatment system that cleans and repurposes all water used in the production process. Story continues Mowilex also stands out for its exceptional organizational approach. "We're succeeding thanks to our flat management structure, which encourages risk-taking guided by sound analysis; our investments to improve skills and technology; our stance on environmental responsibility; and our pursuit of excellence in governance," says Safavi. "One of the most gratifying aspects of the Best Managed Companies award is that it recognizes management, including the dozens of talented Mowilex managers and team members who support our executives." Roy Tedja, Best Managed Companies Leader, Deloitte Indonesia said, "We welcome eleven winners to the Indonesia Best Managed Companies awards program this year. They joined the elite global community of Best Managed Companies across 46 countries, and are at the forefront of their industry, contributing to their business community and the Indonesian economy. I'm confident they will continue to strive for greater success in the years to come. My heartfelt congratulations to the 2023 winners." Best Managed is a flagship program presented by Deloitte Private, a division of Deloitte exclusively focused on serving private clients of all sizes. Visit Mowilex.com to learn more about the company's products and sustainability programs. About PT Mowilex Indonesia PT Mowilex Indonesia (Mowilex), a subsidiary of Asia Coatings Enterprises, Pte. Ltd., is a leading producer of premium paints and coatings. Since launching the first Indonesian-made, water-based paints in 1970, the company has expanded its commitment to environmental ethics, equality, community and innovation. PT Mowilex is Indonesia's only certified carbon neutral manufacturer, producing zero and low VOC paints in modern colours, and the company regularly wins awards for its corporate social responsibility and sustainability efforts. media@mowilex.com About Indonesia Best Managed Companies program Best Managed Companies is a global awards program that recognises organisational excellence, success, and entrepreneurial spirit in privately held companies. This program provides a distinct framework for management teams to challenge themselves and benchmark against some of the best private companies in the world. In its 30th year, the Best Managed Companies program has expanded to 46 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, with a global network of over 1,300 outstanding companies, and these companies come together as a community to build alliances and share insights. For more information on the awards program, visit the Indonesia Best Managed Companies. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mowilex-wins-second-consecutive-best-managed-companies-award-from-deloitte-301889197.html SOURCE PT Mowilex Indonesia Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2023/01/c2251.html MrBeast Top YouTuber Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson is suing the company behind his fast food chain, and says fans called the food "revolting". Donaldson, the biggest YouTuber in the world with 172 million subscribers, opened MrBeast Burger in 2020. He claims Virtual Dining Concepts - the company behind the burger - is hurting his brand and reputation by serving a subpar product. He is asking a judge to give him the right to terminate the arrangement. Donaldson is known for his philanthropy, as well as videos featuring huge prizes and cash giveaways. The legal action, filed in New York on Monday, accuses Virtual Dining Concepts of not ensuring the quality of the burgers, claiming they were at times "inedible". "As a result, MrBeast Burger has been regarded as a misleading, poor reflection of the MrBeast brand," the lawsuit claims, going on to say it "has caused material, irreparable harm to the MrBeast brand and MrBeast's reputation". It also claims Donaldson "has not received a dime" from the partnership. The BBC has approached Virtual Dining Concepts for comment. Donaldson has previously apologised to fans on Twitter who were disappointed by their food, and said he "can't get out of" his deal with the company. Yeah, its impossible to guarantee the quality of orders with virtual restaurants. Hurts my soul to see orders messed up. Sadly I cant get out of my deal with BB Hence why Im never giving up control of Feastables so I can always do whats best for my fans. Harsh lesson to MrBeast (@MrBeast) July 20, 2023 MrBeast Burger delivers from more than 1,000 so-called "ghost kitchens" worldwide. Also known as dark kitchens or virtual restaurants, these are food delivery services which operate out of the kitchens of other businesses. Story continues For example, in early 2022 fans in London could have a MrBeast Burger delivered to them from Shoreditch, in the east of the city, where it was made in the kitchen of a different burger joint - Dirty Bones. It drew national media attention in September 2022, when Donaldson filled a shopping centre in the US with thousands of fans for the opening of his first bricks-and-mortar burger restaurant. Fans queued for hours for a burger, and a chance to meet him at the location, in New Jersey. Donaldson has the second-largest YouTube channel in the world, and is the most-subscribed individual creator on the platform. The only channel bigger than his belongs to Indian record label T-Series, which features thousands of Hindi-language music videos. In 2021, he launched a separate philanthropy-themed YouTube channel, which itself has more than 10 million subscribers, and he has a licensed charity that functions as a food bank to feed communities across the US. (Bloomberg) -- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.s brokerage venture said it handled sales of Credit Suisses riskiest debt properly for the most part as it continues a review more than four months after the bonds turned worthless. Most Read from Bloomberg We feel that we have mostly properly done our work in handling transactions in terms of whether there were any procedural issues, Shinjiro Yamamoto, managing executive officer of Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., said at an earnings briefing in Tokyo. Still, there are differences among our customers as to whether they have taken it that way or are satisfied with it. The firm is continuing discussions with customers, he said. The wipeout suffered by clients of the joint venture with Morgan Stanley who bought the AT1 bonds made up the bulk of losses in Japan and amounted to 95 billion yen ($667 million). The debacle hit just as officials were trying to cajole households to invest more, prompting regulators to check whether institutions properly explained the risks associated with the debt to investors. In April, Yamamoto said Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities was examining the way its staff sold the bonds to 1,300 individuals and 250 corporate accounts. The company began selling the debt to help customers diversify their investment portfolios, he said at the time. Switzerlands decision in March to write down the bonds as part of a government-led rescue of Credit Suisse left global investors with about $17 billion in losses. MUFGs approach on the AT1 sales contrasted with several major financial firms in Asia. Nomura Holdings Inc. said it decided against selling the bonds to individual retail clients because they could become worthless under some conditions, while United Overseas Bank Ltd. in Singapore said it advised clients to get out of the Credit Suisse debt last year. Story continues Net profit at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities rose 44% from a year earlier in the three months ended June 30 to 11.8 billion yen, according to its earnings presentation. (Updates with earnings detail in final paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. 'A myriad of concerns': China is no longer America's top trading partner as the relationship continues to worsen here's why the new number-one country is a big deal for the US The United States has a new top trading partner and its much closer to home. Mexico officially replaced China in the first four months of 2023, the two North American countries having achieved total bilateral trade of around $260 billion, Census Bureau data shows. Over that period, Mexican imports to the U.S. were around $154 billion and U.S. exports to Mexico around $106 billion. Don't miss 36% of millionaires say itll take a miracle to retire amid rising costs and a shaky market here are the best shock-proof assets to grow your nest egg Are you ready for your first year of retirement? Here are 4 things you might not expect but definitely need to prepare for Want to invest your spare change but don't know where to start? There's an app for that This marks a shift in the global economy away from a focus on low prices and greater efficiency (through fragile supply chains) to a more complex dynamic, according to Luis Torres, senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Todays global economic relationships encompass a myriad of concerns, among them national security, climate policy and supply-chain resiliency, Torres wrote in a recent explainer. Heres why Mexico pushed past China and what that change means for U.S. consumers and businesses. A deteriorating relationship with China U.S. relations with China have been wobbly at best in recent years. After joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China quickly became a top trading partner of the U.S. pushing Canada from the top spot in 2014 but it wasnt long before critics started questioning Chinese trade practices and the countrys huge trade surplus with the U.S. Within a decade of its admission [to the WTO], critics increasingly accused China of flooding the world with cheap exports while limiting foreign access to its market, Torres explained. The situation finally came to a head in 2018 when the Trump administration imposed restrictive tariffs on Chinese imports, justifying the move in part by pointing to longstanding allegations that China had been stealing intellectual property and coercing American companies into sharing their technology. Story continues China clapped back with retaliatory tariffs, and trading between the two superpowers began to slow. The strained trading relationship took another blow a few years later when pandemic-driven border closures and stay-at-home orders put a plug in global trade and ground supply chains to a halt. This made countries, including the U.S., reconsider ideas like nearshoring, whereby companies transfer part of their production to countries that are close by, preferably within the same time zone(s), in order to minimize the effects of supply-chain disruptions. Chinese imports to the U.S. both as a percentage of total imports and as a percentage of GDP are now at the lowest theyve been in 20 years, according to Axios. Over a four-month period from February to May 2023, total trade of manufactured goods between China and the U.S. reached nearly $180 billion, Census Bureau data shows, with Chinese imports to the U.S. totaling $130 billion, down 25% from $175 billion a year earlier. Read more: The US dollar has lost 98% of its purchasing power since 1971 invest in this stable asset before you lose your retirement fund Mexico solidifies rank as top trade partner Mexico has long enjoyed a strong trading partnership with the U.S. thanks to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and, subsequently, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced NAFTA in 2020. But the rise of nearshoring during and after the pandemic and declining U.S. relations with China, have helped make Mexico the top U.S. trade partner. At the heart of the countries trade relationship is manufacturing. Bilateral manufacturing-based trade between Mexico and the U.S. represented 16.5% of all U.S. manufacturing trade in the first four months of this year, according to Torres, followed by Canada-U.S. at 13.5% and China-U.S. at 12.5%. Torres also points out that transportation-related manufacturing, which includes the automotive sector, has accounted for almost a quarter (24.5%) of total bilateral manufacturing trade between Mexico and the U.S. in the past two decades. Over the same period, computer and electronic equipment have accounted for 22.4% of bilateral trade, followed by electrical equipment, appliances and components at 8.5% and machinery (excluding electrical) at 7.7%. In a typical manufacturing supply-chain arrangement between the two countries, intermediate goods are produced in a U.S. plant and then exported to Mexico where it becomes part of the assembly process before a final good is shipped back to the U.S. The impact on U.S. consumers While Mexico benefits from increased trade with the U.S., the impact on U.S. producers and consumers has been mixed, Torres wrote. To the extent that frictions with China account for Mexicos ascension in the trade rankings, the higher profile comes at a cost to U.S. firms and consumers through higher input and purchase prices. There also seems to be cultural factors. During a webinar hosted by international lawyer Dan Harris and supply chain expert Andrew Hupert earlier this year, the duo discussed Mexicos business culture, which is described as being more risk-averse and less open to newcomers. This means that U.S. companies may find it harder to source suppliers and negotiate agreements compared to doing so in China. Simply put, when companies reshore or nearshore their supply chains, costs typically increase for U.S. consumers. Thats why U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tried (unsuccessfully) to get the Biden administration to roll back some of the Trump-era tariffs in May. It seems as though they impose more harm on consumers and businesses and arent very strategic in the sense of addressing real issues we have with China, whether it concerns supply chain vulnerabilities, national security issues or other unfair trade practices, she told reporters in Bonn, Germany. Some relief could come from cutting some of them. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. National Bank Holdings Corporation DENVER, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a cash dividend to shareholders. The quarterly cash dividend of twenty-six cents ($0.26) per share of common stock will be payable on September 15, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 25, 2023. About National Bank Holdings Corporation National Bank Holdings Corporation is a bank holding company created to build a leading community bank franchise delivering high quality client service and committed to stakeholder results. Through its bank subsidiaries, NBH Bank and Bank of Jackson Hole Trust, National Bank Holdings Corporation operates a network of over 95 banking centers, serving individual consumers, small, medium and large businesses, and government and non-profit entities. Its banking centers are located in its core footprint of Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico and Idaho. Its comprehensive residential mortgage banking group primarily serves the banks core footprint. Its trust and wealth management business is operated in its core footprint under the Bank of Jackson Hole Trust charter. NBH Bank operates under a single state charter through the following brand names as divisions of NBH Bank: in Colorado, Community Banks of Colorado and Community Banks Mortgage; in Kansas and Missouri, Bank Midwest and Bank Midwest Mortgage; in Texas, Utah, New Mexico and Idaho, Hillcrest Bank and Hillcrest Bank Mortgage; and in Wyoming, Bank of Jackson Hole and Bank of Jackson Hole Mortgage. Additional information about National Bank Holdings Corporation can be found at www.nationalbankholdings.com. For more information visit: cobnks.com, bankmw.com, hillcrestbank.com, bankofjacksonhole.com, or nbhbank.com. Or connect with any of our brands on LinkedIn. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contain words such as anticipate, believe, can, would, should, could, may, predict, seek, potential, will, estimate, target, plan, project, continuing, ongoing, expect, intend or similar expressions that relate to the Companys strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements involve certain important risks, uncertainties and other factors, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the Risk Factors referenced in our most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the SEC. The Company can give no assurance that any goal or plan or expectation set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law. Story continues Contact: Analysts/Institutional Investors: Aldis Birkans, 720-554-6640 Chief Financial Officer ir@nationalbankholdings.com or Media: Jody Soper, 303-784-5925 Chief Marketing Officer Jody.Soper@nbhbank.com Source: National Bank Holdings Corporation Arrivals at the "Tech for Good" Summit in Paris By Krystal Hu (Reuters) - Nile, a networking startup co-founded by former Cisco Systems executives John Chambers and Pankaj Patel, has raised $175 million in a new round to fund its efforts to build a Cisco competitor, the company said. The new round, co-led by March Capital and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, Sanabil Investments, also attracted corporate investors including the venture capital arms of Saudi Telecom Company and Liberty Global. Nile, which has previously raised $125 million, did not disclose its valuation, but said it had doubled since the last round. Data from PitchBook pegged the company's valuation at $395 million in 2020. San Jose-based Nile provides network-as-a-service (NaaS) solution focusing on secure wired and wireless products, offering an alternative in building corporate Wi-Fi, which has been dominated by players including Cisco, Juniper Networks, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Wireless. Since its technology became available last May, Nile has signed customers such as Stanford University and startup Carta. Pankaj Patel, chief executive at Nile, said the young company can challenge the incumbents by offering ease of use at lower cost and advanced security features in its network. Niles services-only offering could save clients 30% to 50% at each location, partly because it is a consumption-based model, so users don't have to pay upfront fees on equipment or spend on maintenance, Patel claims. "We really equate this very much like a utility, that customers are really looking for something which is invisible. That is the level of ease and reliability and simplicity that people need and that is what we have done," Patel told Reuters. With 185 employees, the company now plans to expand its sales and marketing team, targeting mid-sized enterprises from 500 to 5,000 employees. "I think the ambition is to be global and that's why you have the kind of entities that have invested in this round as good partners for the company's expansion plan," said Sumant Mandal, managing partner at March Capital who led the investment. (Reporting by Krystal Hu in New York; Editing by Nick Macfie) (Bloomberg) -- Nomura Holdings Inc.s profit rose less than analysts estimated in the fiscal first quarter, as soft wholesale results and another loss abroad overshadowed a rebound in retail business. Most Read from Bloomberg Net income climbed to 23.3 billion yen ($163 million) in the three months ended June 30 from 1.7 billion yen a year earlier, the company said in a statement Tuesday. That missed the 34.3 billion yen average of three analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Chief Executive Officer Kentaro Okuda is trying to revive profitability after net income fell in his first three years in charge of Japans biggest brokerage. The countrys stock market rally provided a tailwind in the quarter by boosting business catering to individual clients, but the company continued to struggle with high costs and lackluster performance in its global operations. It was a disappointing quarter given the strong markets in Japan and some rivals better results, said Michael Makdad, an analyst at Morningstar Inc. in Tokyo. Okuda announced plans in May for a major review across the company in a bid to achieve a return on equity of 8% to 10% over the medium term. The gauge of profitability stood at 2.9% for the quarter. Net revenue at the core retail division jumped 29% from a year earlier, thanks to strong growth in trading and sales of investment trusts, Nomura said in a presentation. Japanese stocks are trading at a 33-year high. But Nomuras overseas operations posted a pretax loss of 23.9 billion yen, its second straight quarterly deficit, led by the Americas and Europe. The Japanese company has lost money abroad in 10 of the past 12 years. Story continues The wholesale division, which runs investment banking and trading, saw revenue drop 4%, fueled by a 9% decline in the global markets business. Fixed income revenue fell 14%, not as bad as similar trading operations at some US peers including Goldman Sachs Group Inc., but in contrast with gains at local competitors including Daiwa Securities Group Inc. and Mizuho Securities Co. Some international market participants stayed on the sidelines due to economic uncertainty, although credit had a strong quarter globally and the Japan equities business did well on inflows from abroad, Nomura said. It is a fact that the trading volume in the market has decreased considerably because of uncertainty over when the Federal Reserve will stop raising interest rates, Chief Financial Officer Takumi Kitamura said at a news briefing in Tokyo. But I honestly dont think this environment will continue forever. Investment banking revenues climbed 29%, led by equity underwriting. The Tokyo-based firm is trying to trim expenses to remain competitive while making a renewed push into areas such as European equities business in search of revenue abroad. Nomura is targeting 50 billion yen in cost cuts by March 2025 and should be able to achieve 60% of those by the end of the current fiscal year, Kitamura said. The wholesale division returned to profit on a pretax basis, from losses in the previous two quarters, as the ratio of costs to income improved to 99% from 108% three months earlier. Still, that remains too high and must be dealt with immediately, Kitamura said. We have managed to secure profit at our wholesale business, but the level isnt necessarily satisfactory, he said. In its investment management division, revenue surged and assets under management climbed to a record 76.1 trillion yen. At the same time, it booked a mark down in valuation related to its stake in American Century Investments. Shares of Nomura closed 1% higher before the results were released. The stock has gained 21% this year, versus the benchmark Topix Indexs 24% advance. (Updates with comment from analyst in the fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Proposed rule regulating how vessel space is allocated is unlawful, carriers assert. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) WASHINGTON Revisions made to a proposed rule aimed at curbing the ability of container ship carriers to refuse to provide vessel space to their customers has delved into the dangerous area of price regulation, according to the carriers. In a rulemaking proposed last year, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission attempted to define what is an unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate the vessel space that carriers provide for their customers containers. After both carriers and shippers took issue with the agencys effort to modify the regulations with carriers calling the proposal overly burdensome and their import and export customers contending it didnt go far enough the FMC revised the proposal through a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) issued in June. But carriers say the revised proposal strays even further from what they consider to be reasonable modifications to improve customer protections. They point to a provision that would allow the agency, in evaluating whether an ocean carriers refusal to deal or negotiate on vessel space is reasonable, to consider a list of factors that includes when carriers quote rates that are so far above current market rates they cannot be considered a real offer or an attempt at engaging in good faith negotiations. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), which represents ocean carriers and marine terminal operators at U.S. West Coast ports, said such a provision would make it hard to ascertain where the FMC intends to draw the line such that it does not act as a pricing regulator, stated PMSA Vice President Mike Jacob. The commission has no authority to regulate prices, asserted the World Shipping Council (WSC), which claims to represent 90% of the worlds liner vessel services. There is no scenario under which an agency that does not have authority to regulate rates can permissibly use rate levels as a measure of reasonableness, and that legal reality is the end of the matter. Story continues Clear law aside, the commissions proposal cannot work as a practical matter, WSC added. How high is too high, and on what basis is the commission to decide? Carriers also pointed to what they consider to be another dangerous revision proposed by the FMC, which would require carriers to file with the agency an annual export policy. The policy, according to the revised proposal, would include submitting the carriers pricing strategies, services that it offers, its strategies for providing container equipment, and descriptions of the markets it serves. The carriers want the provision removed. Revealing intricate details of a companys strategies to the greater public can put businesses at a significant competitive disadvantage, according to container ship operator Hapag-Lloyd (America) LLC. In the global market, companies must safeguard their trade secrets, market research, pricing structures, and supply chain information to maintain their edge over competitors. If any of this critical information becomes publicly accessible, it may be exploited by rival companies, leading to a loss of competitive advantage and potential market share erosion. As a result, ocean carriers may become hesitant to innovate or invest in export strategic initiatives if their proprietary data is not adequately protected. Container ship operator Maersk warned that having to create an export policy would not only add costs, but would not support the goals of the FMC. The regulation should not transform the Shipping Act into a loaded gun pointed at ocean carriers for each difficult negotiation with individual customers about vessel space in a tight demand market, stated Douglas Morgante, Maersk Agency USAs vice president of government relations. We are not aware of any comments that identified shipper-ocean carrier contract practices as unreasonable and the root cause of shipper capacity problems. Shippers support changes In contrast, carrier customers, which pushed the FMC to make the proposed rule more restrictive toward ocean carriers, were mostly happy with the changes. Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), said that providing a broader basis for determining if a carriers refusal to provide vessel space is reasonable is one of the most important revisions made by FMC. Specifically, AgTC supports the FMCs revision replacing carriers pursuit of profitability and compatibility with business development strategy with transportation factors in determining if they are reasonably rejecting exports. Such factors include vessel safety and stability, weather-related scheduling considerations and other factors related to vessel operation outside the vessel operators control, according to the proposal. Fortunately, the supplemental rule now rejects pursuit of maximized revenue as a reasonable justification for export cargo denial, Friedmann said. The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), whose members account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales and include nine of the 15 largest importers in the U.S., wants the FMC to go a step further by including an import policy as well as an export policy. Importers have also been negatively impacted by unreasonable carrier conduct schedule changes with no or insufficient advance notice, receiving inaccurate and unreliable information, quotation of unreasonable rates, etc. and not just during the pandemic, commented Sarah Gilmore, RILAs director of government affairs. Requiring carriers to submit and follow an annual documented import policy would allow the commission and interested stakeholders to examine whether a carriers behavior is fair and reasonable across all types of transactions, and otherwise consistent with the [U.S.] Shipping Act. Similarly, whether or not a carrier adhered to that policy should be added as a consideration for the commission when it considers whether the carriers conduct is unreasonable. Related articles: Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Ocean carriers warn FMC against regulating prices appeared first on FreightWaves. Mordor Intelligence Hyderabad, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new market research report titled Oman Construction Market Report (2023-2028) , the market is estimated at USD 6.60 billion in 2023. It is expected to register a CAGR of 3.30% during the forecast period. Oman's real estate market is estimated to move forward strongly and favorably as a result of the shifting trends that indicate investors are paying attention to the market. The real estate market has had an upturn since the third quarter of the previous year, supported by a strong structural base and an increase in demand after the pandemic dampened demand. The Oman government's new ownership plan, which permits foreigners to buy properties outside of integrated tourism complexes (ITC), along with a plethora of choices and actions, is anticipated to draw capital investments in the real estate market. Report Summary: Report Attribute Details Market Size (2023) USD 6.60 billion Market Size (2028) USD 7.76 billion CAGR (2023-2028) 3.30% Study Period 2018-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD billion) Report Scope Market Dynamics, Revenue Forecast and Segmentation, Competitive Landscape, and Recent Developments, Market Growth, Future Opportunities, and Trends Key Market Drivers Oman government's new ownership plan, which permits foreigners to buy properties outside of integrated tourism complexes (ITC). Increasing interest of investors. Who are the Top Companies in the Oman Construction Market? The Omani construction market is fragmented and highly competitive, with the influence of major international players. The market is expected to present opportunities for growth during the forecast period, which is expected to further drive market competition. The noteworthy players holding the Omani construction market are: Bechtel Bouygues McDermott Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd Larsen and Toubro Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons Petrofac Ltd Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd SNC-Lavalin Inc. VINCI Bahwan Engineering Group United Engineering Services Al Hassan Engineering Co. SAOG Galfar Engineering and Contracting SAOG Khalid Bin Ahmed & Sons LLC Oman Gulf Company LLC Ray International Group Story continues Other Reports That Might Be of Your Interest: Egypt Residential Construction Market Report - The Egyptian residential construction market size is estimated at USD 17.47 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 24.90 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.34% during the forecast period (2023-2028). UK Residential Construction Market Report - The UK residential construction market size is estimated at USD 181.45 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 202.90 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 2.26% during the forecast period (2023-2028). Key Highlights from the Oman Construction Market Report : Sultanate's Economic Diversification Plan (Vision 2040) Boosting Market The Omani government is focusing on pursuing market objectives by boosting the contribution of the five target sectors in the Ninth Five-Year Plan, including logistics, manufacturing, tourism, fisheries, and mining, as well as going forward with key strategic projects. The Sultanate of Oman is fulfilling a successful model of economic diversification, remarkably the countrys trade liberalization in goods and services. The Omani tourism and hydrocarbon industries are the main components of the governments economic diversification strategy. Tourism is Expected to Drive the Commercial Construction Sector in Oman Extensive marketing initiatives and trade fairs held have increased Oman's attractiveness abroad. By 2040, Oman plans to diversify its economy away from oil and expects to generate more than OMR 9 billion (USD 22.5 billion) yearly from tourism. One of the economic goals of Oman's 2040 Economic Vision is to get more money from tourists. What are the Latest Developments in the Oman Construction Market ? In September 2022, Sembcorp Industries announced selling Tanweer Infrastructure Pte. Ltd 100% stake in its Indian subsidiary, Sembcorp Energy India Ltd (SEIL). In July 2022, Veolia and TotalEnergies (NYSE: TTE, LSE: TTE, Paris: TTE) agreed to build one of Oman's largest solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to power a desalination plant in the city of Sur. Mordor Intelligence has Segmented the Oman Construction Market Based on Sector: By Sector Commercial Construction Residential Construction Industrial Construction Infrastructure (Transportation) Construction Energy and Utility Construction In a nutshell, the Mordor Intelligence market research report is a must-read for start-ups, industry players, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who are looking to understand this industry. Get a glance at the Oman Construction Market Report (2023-2028) . Mordor Intelligence constantly tracks industry trends. Some relevant market reports from the analysts that might be of interest to you: Building and Construction Sheet Market Report During the time frame of the forecast, the building and construction sheet market is expected to register a CAGR of more than 4% per year. Japan Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market Report The Japanese Third-Party Logistics (3PL) market size is estimated at USD 65.72 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 85.43 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.39% during the forecast period (2023-2028). Japan Commercial Construction Market Report - During the time frame of the forecast, it is expected that the market for commercial construction in Japan will register a CAGR of more than 6.7%. About Mordor Intelligence: Mordor Intelligence is a market intelligence and advisory firm. At Mordor Intelligence, we believe in predicting butterfly effects that have the potential to change or significantly impact market dynamics. Our market research reports are comprehensive and provide exclusive data, facts and figures, trends, and the industrys competitive landscape. Attachment CONTACT: Company Name: Mordor Intelligence Email: info@mordorintelligence.com Phone: +1 617-765-2493 Location: Hyderabad, Telangana Country: India Orient Telecoms (LON:ORNT) Full Year 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: UK463.4k (down 24% from FY 2022). Net income: UK40.3k (up 16% from FY 2022). Profit margin: 8.7% (up from 5.7% in FY 2022). The increase in margin was driven by lower expenses. EPS: UK0.004 (up from UK0.003 in FY 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Orient Telecoms shares are up 5.0% from a week ago. Risk Analysis What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Orient Telecoms you should know about. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed. So, the natural question for Oxford Nanopore Technologies (LON:ONT) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. Check out our latest analysis for Oxford Nanopore Technologies Does Oxford Nanopore Technologies Have A Long Cash Runway? A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. In December 2022, Oxford Nanopore Technologies had UK357m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through UK92m. That means it had a cash runway of about 3.9 years as of December 2022. There's no doubt that this is a reassuringly long runway. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below. How Well Is Oxford Nanopore Technologies Growing? At first glance it's a bit worrying to see that Oxford Nanopore Technologies actually boosted its cash burn by 9.0%, year on year. The silver lining is that revenue was up 49%, showing the business is growing at the top line. It seems to be growing nicely. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years. How Hard Would It Be For Oxford Nanopore Technologies To Raise More Cash For Growth? While Oxford Nanopore Technologies seems to be in a decent position, we reckon it is still worth thinking about how easily it could raise more cash, if that proved desirable. Companies can raise capital through either debt or equity. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations. Story continues Since it has a market capitalisation of UK2.2b, Oxford Nanopore Technologies' UK92m in cash burn equates to about 4.2% of its market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. How Risky Is Oxford Nanopore Technologies' Cash Burn Situation? As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about Oxford Nanopore Technologies' cash burn. For example, we think its cash runway suggests that the company is on a good path. Although its increasing cash burn does give us reason for pause, the other metrics we discussed in this article form a positive picture overall. After taking into account the various metrics mentioned in this report, we're pretty comfortable with how the company is spending its cash, as it seems on track to meet its needs over the medium term. Its important for readers to be cognizant of the risks that can affect the company's operations, and we've picked out 1 warning sign for Oxford Nanopore Technologies that investors should know when investing in the stock. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here President of the Central Bank of Paraguay Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos speaks during an interview with Reuters in Asuncion Paraguay courts Taiwanese investors, warns against China reliance - finance minister President of the Central Bank of Paraguay Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos speaks during an interview with Reuters in Asuncion By Daniela Desantis and Lucinda Elliott ASUNCION (Reuters) - Paraguay is seeking more Taiwanese investment to diversify its farm-driven economy focused on exporting raw materials to China, incoming Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos said in an interview. Paraguay remains the only South American nation with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. As Paraguay prepares for the Aug. 15 inauguration of the next government, it has reinforced its 70-year friendship with the democratic island, even as China ramps up diplomatic and military pressure. "We are very good at producing soybeans and meat, but we must diversify," Fernandez told Reuters on July 28 at his temporary office in Asuncion. "We ask Taiwan to help us with that, through investments from its private sector." A Taiwan delegation including business leaders will travel to Paraguay in August for the inauguration of conservative President-elect Santiago Pena, he added. CHINA "IS NOT CONVENIENT" FOR PARAGUAY Paraguayan farmers who support switching ties to China to boost the landlocked country's agricultural exports "are not seeing the risks" that Beijing presents, Fernandez said. China, as a buyer of raw materials from Paraguay with no added value, "is probably convenient for some sectors," Fernandez said. "But as a strategy for the economic and social development of Paraguay, it is not convenient for us to continue betting solely and exclusively on the main export sectors." Paraguay's cattle ranchers had been pressuring officials to gain access to the lucrative Chinese market for their beef before the April 30 election, which Pena won by a sizeable margin. Big meatpackers say they can get better prices elsewhere, as demand for more specialized cuts and processed foods grows. "China has lowered prices for beef cuts and we see the immediate effect of that across the border in Brazil and Uruguay," said Jair Antonio de Lima, founder and president of Paraguayan meatpacking firm Concepcion, in an interview. Story continues Volume sales of Uruguayan beef in the first half of this year to China have fallen as much as 39.9% from the year-ago period. "Taiwan is still an important market for us, prices there are better than in China," Lima said. Paraguay hopes this year to conclude a lengthy certification process to export beef to the United States, which could also pave the way to other attractive markets such as Japan and South Korea, Fernandez said. ANOTHER SOVEREIGN BOND Paraguay is planning to issue close to $1 billion in sovereign bonds in international markets, possibly as soon as January, Fernandez said. Proceeds will be used primarily to finance the 2024 budget and settle debts inherited from the outgoing administration which issued $500 million in 10-year sovereign bonds as recently as June. The bond offering is subject to congressional approval. Congress will debate whether to return the debt ceiling to 1.5% of Gross Domestic Product. The annual target had been raised since 2020 to ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other factors. Paraguay's fiscal deficit ballooned to 3% of GDP last year. "By 2026 or if possible sooner, we hope to reach 1.5%," said Fernandez. (Reporting by Lucinda Elliott and Daniela Desantis; Editing by Richard Chang) Peru economy shrinks for two straight quarters, minister denies recession FILE PHOTO: A money changer holds Peruvian Sol bills at a street in downtown Lima (Reuters) - Peru's finance minister said on Tuesday that preliminary data showed the country's economy shrank in June, marking two consecutive quarters of contraction, which is a common definition for a recession. Finance Minister Alex Contreras told reporters he expects economic growth to return in July after preliminary data showed that the economy shrank by about 1% in June. That followed official data showing that the South American country's economy contracted by 0.43% in the first quarter. In April, it expanded by 0.31%, but shrank by 1.43% in May. Despite the data, Contreras asserted that the economy is not in recession while heaping blame on "obsessed" analysts who root against the government for any suggestion to the contrary. "The economy isn't in a recession and it hasn't entered into a recession," said Contreras, adding that economic recessions typically involve "prolonged periods" of downturn, though he did not provide a specific definition. "The main point is that our economy has suffered two high-impact shocks," he noted, citing adverse weather that has hurt farming and fishing linked to El Nino weather phenomenon, as well as social conflicts tied to political protests that kicked off late last year. The protests, which affected the country's key mining sector, followed the ouster and jailing of former President Pedro Castillo last December. "There's a group of economists who are obsessed with this subject," added Contreras, accusing them of seeking to undermine the eight-month-old government of President Dina Boluarte. The minister also pointed to billions of dollars worth of "ambitious" private sector investments he sees coming online during the third quarter, in addition to significant government spending plans. (Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Sandra Maler) Infor CloudSuite Automotive to underpin Croatian start-up, which has recently secured 179.5m EU funding for new project to build autonomous EVs LONDON , Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infor, the industry cloud company, today announced it has completed the first two stages of a multi-tenant cloud ERP deployment at Croatian mobility company Project 3 Mobility (P3). The project has been launched to produce urban autonomous mobility services for the European market. P3 is a start-up organisation connected to Croatia's Rimac Group, dedicated to urban mobility services based on fully autonomous electric vehicles. P3 is in a unique position to prioritise the user experience and personalisation as part of its proposition. Infor was selected by P3 from a shortlist including SAP and IFS. The decision was based on Infor's credentials, the commitment of its people, industry expertise and out-of-the-box functionality. Following a successful go-live for human resources capabilities earlier this year, P3 has also gone live with finance and procurement in Croatia and the UK, following a migration of balances, open invoices, and budgets from its legacy technology environment. Once the factory is built, P3 will deploy Infor CloudSuite Automotive's manufacturing capabilities. "Infor stood out based on its dedication, commitment and ethos, and we were impressed with the breadth of expertise, and the professionalism of the consultants involved," comments Lee Clayton, head of IT at Project 3 Mobility. "Its partnership approach, flexibility and experience of our industry and our project goals, and the necessary flexibility that comes with working with both start-ups and scale-ups was invaluable, and the expertise the team has brought to the project so far has been impressive." "P3 is one of the most exciting developments in our modern way of living in an increasingly digital age. Boldly, P3 will revolutionise mobility services in the European Union, and we are proud to support such a sustainable venture," comments Andrew Kinder, Infor SVP of industry strategy. "We have an incredibly tight relationship with the P3 team, which has been intrinsic to the project's success. We look forward to seeing the vehicles on our roads in the future as the facility goes live." Story continues P3 CEO Marko Pejkovic said: "We are developing a whole new ecosystem for urban autonomous mobility that consists of three key elements: the urban autonomous vehicle, specialized infrastructure, and a complete service platform. The realization of our project will increase efficiency and safety in traffic and will achieve a positive impact on the environment and city infrastructure. We are convinced that this project will create significant benefits for Zagreb, where we will launch our first service, and numerous other European cities that are following." Learn more about Infor CloudSuite Automotive: https://www.infor.com/products/cloudsuite-automotive About Project 3 Mobility Project 3 Mobility is a Croatia-based company developing a new ecosystem for urban autonomous mobility. The ground-breaking ecosystem consists of three key elements that P3 is creating: the urban autonomous vehicle, specialized infrastructure, and a complete service platform. This will significantly improve transportation in urban areas and revolutionize the way we move in our cities. Given the innovative solution, the project has attracted multiple experts from all around the world. Currently, Project 3 Mobility has a team of 200 people and plans to increase that number and open new positions in both of its offices in Croatia and the UK. Visit p3m.com. About Infor Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. We develop complete solutions for our focus industries. Infor's mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. Over 60,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infor's 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure, and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit Infor.com. Media contact Richard Moore Senior PR Director, EMEA Richard.moore@infor.com +447976111243 Copyright 2023 Infor. All rights reserved. The word and design marks set forth herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Infor and/or related affiliates and subsidiaries. All other trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners. www.infor.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/project-3-mobility-deploys-infor-to-support-urban-mobility-project-301889875.html SOURCE Infor When you see that almost half of the companies in the Media industry in Canada have price-to-sales ratios (or "P/S") below 0.8x, QYOU Media Inc. (CVE:QYOU) looks to be giving off some sell signals with its 1.3x P/S ratio. However, the P/S might be high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified. View our latest analysis for QYOU Media What Does QYOU Media's P/S Mean For Shareholders? Recent times have been quite advantageous for QYOU Media as its revenue has been rising very briskly. Perhaps the market is expecting future revenue performance to outperform the wider market, which has seemingly got people interested in the stock. If not, then existing shareholders might be a little nervous about the viability of the share price. Although there are no analyst estimates available for QYOU Media, take a look at this free data-rich visualisation to see how the company stacks up on earnings, revenue and cash flow. What Are Revenue Growth Metrics Telling Us About The High P/S? In order to justify its P/S ratio, QYOU Media would need to produce impressive growth in excess of the industry. Retrospectively, the last year delivered an exceptional 60% gain to the company's top line. This great performance means it was also able to deliver immense revenue growth over the last three years. So we can start by confirming that the company has done a tremendous job of growing revenue over that time. Comparing that to the industry, which is only predicted to deliver 4.7% growth in the next 12 months, the company's momentum is stronger based on recent medium-term annualised revenue results. With this in consideration, it's not hard to understand why QYOU Media's P/S is high relative to its industry peers. It seems most investors are expecting this strong growth to continue and are willing to pay more for the stock. The Final Word Generally, our preference is to limit the use of the price-to-sales ratio to establishing what the market thinks about the overall health of a company. Story continues We've established that QYOU Media maintains its high P/S on the strength of its recent three-year growth being higher than the wider industry forecast, as expected. Right now shareholders are comfortable with the P/S as they are quite confident revenue aren't under threat. If recent medium-term revenue trends continue, it's hard to see the share price falling strongly in the near future under these circumstances. And what about other risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for QYOU Media (of which 2 are concerning!) you should know about. If strong companies turning a profit tickle your fancy, then you'll want to check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings). 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. If you had to guess which countries have the highest rate of remote work, what would your assumption be? If youre not sure, thats okayeven the experts are scratching their heads. Nicholas Bloom, Stanford University economist and cofounder of WFH Researchthe preeminent group thats been tracking remote work attitudes and statistics across dozens of countriesis the authority on the matter, but even he doesnt know. He guessed that countries with the highest density of knowledge workersoften high earners and remote-capablewould have the highest share of remote work. But when he set out on his latest round of research, he discovered he was wrong. In his latest working paper, titled Working From Home Around the Globe, Bloom and his team found an even odder indicator of remote work occurrence: national language, which plays a bigger role than national income. And countries speaking one language in particular, English, lead the charge. Rates of remote work are above average in English-speaking countries. While the average employee across the 34 countries WFH Research observed works remotely 0.9 days per week, that figure jumps to 1.4 days in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Workers in each of these countries work from home in greater numbers than in other similarly wealthy countries where English isnt spoken, such as Germany (one remote day per week) and South Korea (0.4 days). But as to why this is the case, Bloom and his fellow researchers are perplexed. While theyre continuing their investigation, he told Fortune on Monday, he does have a few conjectures, from infrastructure to apartment size. Why (we think) the English-speaking world leads the WFH charge Blooms best understanding: The unique management and culture in the U.S. and wealthy English-speaking nations fosters a strong, remote-capable environment. More to the point, he said, English-speaking countries skew wealthy. As prior research has found, wealthy countries and their wealthy inhabitants tend to work jobs more amenable to flexibility. But then again, he pointed out, Japan is wealthy, too, and remote work is fairly rare there. So thats not all of it, he said. Story continues Another potential factor is infrastructure. Residents of English-speaking countries often live in larger apartments or houses, which makes remote work doubly appealing compared with cities with less space per person. And while that could be a major factor, Bloom noted that the U.K. has a pretty high population density, similar to Northern Europe, yet a much greater incidence of WFH. Also hard to overlook is New York City, the financial capital of the world, where apartments are notoriously cramped, yet office buildings remain half-empty. Then comes the question of lockdowns. Many Asian countries emerged from the total lockdown phase of COVID quickly, and thus spent fewer months toying with different remote work arrangements. As a result, returning to the office in full force is less of a surprise. On the other hand, many English-speaking countries had more intense lockdown experiences, which pushed more people into adopting WFH. This may have been signified by more home office investments or improved WFH management practices by employers. Again, an asterisk: China, Bloom points out, had aggressive lockdowns and not much WFH now. That brings Bloom back to management and culture, which he ultimately thinks is the deciding factor. Countries with ample remote work tend to have strong performance management cultures and decentralized practices, he said. This is critical for a successful remote work arrangement, which requires trust and communication in equal measure. Indeed, Blooms research from back in 2012 found that better managed firms have more decentralization, or no boss to watch you all the time. For better or worse, the U.S. tends to be a harbinger of workplace trends, wrote Pilita Clark of the Financial Times. English-speaking countries tend to mimic the way U.S. companies conduct business quickest, and non-English-speaking countries follow along a bit later down the line. Thats why Bloom expects most of them to reach levels similar to where the U.S. is now, despite their paltry WFH figures. Per data Kastle Systems provided exclusively to Fortune, the average office in the top 10 major U.S. metro areas was 49.2% full last week. For bosses, that looks half empty, but workers who are insistent on maintaining their flexibility would argue its half full. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com More from Fortune: 5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home Looking to make extra cash? This CD has a 5.15% APY right now Buying a house? Here's how much to save This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home Expanding Premier MDR Services to Enhance Cybersecurity for Organizations HONG KONG, August 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sangfor Technologies is a leading cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure provider and has deployed the most advanced integrated security platforms to ensure the best solutions and IT architecture for growing organizations. Sangfor is excited to officially launch its Cyber Guardian MDR (Managed Detection and Response) service to make cybersecurity more efficient and cost-effective for companies within the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Having established Cyber Guardian MDR as a robust and formidable cybersecurity solution in Malaysia in July of 2021, Sangfor is now expanding its reach by empowering all businesses throughout APAC. Sangfors Cyber Guardian MDR is a leading Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service leveraging advanced purpose-built AI technology, extensive incident response experience, and proven methodologies to deliver the most relevant response recommendations and ensure accurate threat detection. Sangfor understands the growing dangers organizations face daily in a modern digital world. Sophisticated and rapidly evolving threats are constantly working to undermine and destabilize infrastructure. Sangfors Cyber Guardian MDR services provides continuous and consistent protection, monitoring, and response. This service ensures real-time notifications about threats, vulnerabilities, and indicators of cyber-attacks. We keep you updated on relevant cyber threats while providing regular remediation recommendations and solutions. These advisories help your company overcome security incidents while improving overall cybersecurity. At Sangfor, we know that teamwork makes a successful company. Thats why weve applied the same philosophy to our services. While Cyber Guardian MDR is a stellar service offering by itself, when integrated with other Sangfor solutions, your company will enjoy 360-degree cybersecurity. Story continues Enhance your ransomware protection with Cyber Guardian MDR by integrating Sangfors Next-Generation Firewall and Endpoint Secure using Sangfors XDDR Security Framework. For even more robust cybersecurity, combine Sangfors Cyber Command with Cyber Guardian MDR for elite threat detection and simplified threat analysis. If youre a small to medium-sized business, simply choose Sangfors Endpoint Secure with the Cyber Guardian MDR services for cost-effective and efficient cybersecurity. Dont worry, you can expand quickly and easily because Sangfor makes Your digital transformation simpler and more secure. Cyber Guardian MDR is based on Sangfors core patented innovations in network and endpoint protection and detection that have made Sangfors Cyber Command, Next-Generation Firewall, and Endpoint Secure solutions global leaders. Sangfor is proud to release this advanced service offering to the APAC region and beyond so Your organization can transcend the current digital threat landscape. Cyber Guardian MDR leverages our vast team of battle-tested security experts to respond to Your needs quickly and effectively. The service is uniquely designed to provide more than just threat detection and mitigation by making sure Your organization is prepared for future threats as well. Look towards the future of cybersecurity and IT infrastructure. Look to Sangfor Technologies. For more information about Sangfors Cyber Guardian MDR service and other Cyber Guardian security services, please visit this link. About Sangfor Technologies Sangfor Technologies is an APAC-based, global leading vendor of IT infrastructure solutions specializing in cybersecurity and cloud computing. Visit us at www.sangfor.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731795212/en/ Contacts Media Sunny Sun Marketing Manager sunny.sun@sangfor.com Saxa Vord on the Scottish island of Shetland is awaiting a licence for the UKs first vertical launch - Cpl Trish James/RAF Scotlands first rocket launch will probably blow up but there might be a customer prepared to take the risk, the boss of Shetlands spaceport has said. Saxa Vord is awaiting a licence for the UKs first vertical launch and hopes to host its first test launch on the island later this year. I fully expect the rocket to blow up, chief executive Frank Strang said when asked how Shetlands first launch will compare to Virgin Orbits failed attempt from Cornwall. He added: You never know, there might be a customer out there thats prepared to take the risk. Mr Strang compared the company to NASAs Cape Canaveral, but explained that Saxa Vord is prepared for early problems. He said: If you look at SpaceXs first three launches, they were all what people would deem as failures but they werent. The Government says the UK space sector is worth 14.8bn a year, with the introduction of domestic space launches set to boost that figure. Earlier this year the industry hit a stumbling block, however, after Virgin Orbits attempt to launch a space rocket from a modified Boeing 747 in January ended in explosive failure. Virgin Orbit, which operated from Cornwalls Newquay Airport, ended in explosive failure - Ministry of Defence/PA Media Virgin Orbit, which operated from Cornwalls Newquay Airport, collapsed in May after Virgin supremo Sir Richard Branson pulled his support. Its remaining assets were sold for just 29m. Industry sources have said the failure of Virgin Orbit caused a huge bottleneck in global space launch capacity as companies raced to buy up available launch slots from rivals such as Elon Musks SpaceX. The Telegraph understands that there are no new launch slots available anywhere in the world until the last few months of next year. Saxa Vords first commercial launch will see a rocket from German company Rocket Factory Augsburg blasting into space, Mr Strang said on Tuesday morning. Space regulators from the Civil Aviation Authority are set to issue a spaceport licence in the next four to six weeks, he predicted. When asked how Shetlanders had reacted to the building of a spaceport on the quiet Scottish islands, Mr Strang joked: We always said were not building Cape Canaveral. But actually we are. Story continues And you need to remember that the customer base weve got, theyre all international and theyre coming to us. Saxa Vord says it will be carrying out 30 launches a year by 2028. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Round-the-World Solo Flight Will Raise Funds for Home Suite Hope to Help Single-Parent Families Overcome Homelessness LADERA RANCH, Calif., August 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. ("SmartStop" or the "Company"), a self-managed and fully integrated self-storage company, announces its sponsorship of Flight for Hope, a remarkable initiative led by Callum Wallace, advisor at Engel & Volkers Oakville. Flight for Hope will take off on August 1 at noon EST from Burlington Executive Airport in Burlington, ON, Canada. Wallace will embark on a daring round-the-world journey in a small single-engine aircraft to raise awareness and generate substantial contributions for Home Suite Hope and other aligned charities worldwide. The flight path of this extraordinary journey encompasses destinations including Quebec, Iqaluit, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Christmas Island. The journey will culminate in Burlington, ON, Canada, on October 14, before the Home for Good Gala, scheduled for November 10. Wallace will pilot a modified V35B Beechcraft Bonanza, equipped to fly up to 18 hours at a time. The customization includes additional fuel storage, making the aircraft and its cargo heavier than usual, resulting in an even narrower margin for error, particularly during ocean crossings. Wallace will become the fourth Canadian to take on this extraordinary challenge. In expressing his enthusiasm for the initiative, Wallace said, "Home Suite Hope offers single-parent families the opportunity for a second chance and to get back on their feet Im incredibly grateful to be able to use my passion for flying to fundraise and give back to the community. The proceeds from this event will go towards purchasing multi-unit buildings to help more families." "We are proud to embark on this incredible Flight for Hope alongside Callum and the inspiring organization, Home Suite Hope," said H. Michael Schwartz, CEO of SmartStop. "This flight symbolizes our collective determination to help single-parent families overcome homelessness, empowering them with the tools and resources needed for financial independence and long-term stability, bringing hope, support, and lasting change to the individuals and communities we serve." Story continues Flight for Hope aims to raise awareness for the admirable work carried out by Home Suite Hope and other aligned charities worldwide. SmartStop Self Storages support as a plane sponsor will play a crucial role in advancing the organizations mission to empower single-parent families and provide them with a chance at a better future. About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop): SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. ("SmartStop") is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of approximately 500 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. As of August 1, 2023, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of 192 operating properties in 22 states and Canada, comprising approximately 135,000 units and 15.3 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 33 operating self-storage properties in Canada, which total approximately 28,700 units and 3.0 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at www.smartstopselfstorage.com. About Home Suite Hope Home Suite Hope is a non-profit organization that supports low-income, single-parent families across Halton. Its five programs unite a network of vital wraparound supports for families as they journey from poverty to stability, permanently changing lives for the better breaking the cycle of generational poverty one family at a time. Home Suite Hopes programming is based on the successful replica of Torontos WoodGreen Community Services Homeward Bound model a four-year, employment-based program with a two-year scholarship. It offers housing, wraparound support and opportunity for single parents to secure employment by earning a post-secondary education in programs highly employable for graduates through Sheridan College. Home Suite Hope is currently among 29 applicants across Canada participating in the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) led Housing Supply Challenge. homesuitehope.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230731575267/en/ Contacts David Corak VP of Corporate Finance SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. IR@smartstop.com zamrznutitonovi / iStock.com One of the main financial challenges facing retirees is learning to live on a fixed income especially for those who depend on Social Security to pay most of their bills. When an unexpected bill comes up, you might not be able to pay it until the next Social Security payment arrives. A fintech called Charlie aims to fix that problem by offering advances on monthly Social Security payments. Social Security 2023: Recent Study Shows Quarter of Americans Underestimate Their Benefits By $5,000 Discover: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement Charlie customers can get Social Security payments up to four weeks early, the company said on its website. The first step is to open an online Charlie account and then move your Social Security direct deposit into that account. When your first Social Security payment arrives, Charlie gives you the option of receiving future payments as soon as the first of each month with no fees or interest. Im a Financial Planning Expert: 9 Things You Should Never Buy If You Want To Retire Early Banking services on Charlie accounts are provided by Sutton Bank, an FDIC member. The FDIC insures your money up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category. Charlie launched nationwide in May with the goal of giving seniors faster access to their Social Security checks. Accountholders can earn 3% interest on average balances, with no monthly fees or minimums. The company also touts U.S.-based customer service designed to make it easier for customers to have their questions answered. In the United States, the 62+ community has never had financial services designed for their unique needs. Charlie was created to change that, Charlie co-founder and CEO Kevin Nazemi said in a press release. Charlie is designed to meaningfully address the challenges retirees and soon-to-be-retirees face financially: shifting from accumulating assets to deaccumulation, the struggles regarding transparency and trust in the financial services world, and a lack of options to help them make the most of their limited resources to enjoy life. Story continues Charlie provides a unique service that should prove particularly useful to the 40% of U.S. seniors who, according to CBS Los Angeles, live exclusively off of their Social Security checks. For most Social Security recipients, payments are made once a month on the same schedule, according to the Social Security Administration. Those born on the 1st through the 10th get their payments on the second Wednesday of the month; those born on the 11th through the 20th get payments on the third Wednesday; and those born on the 21st through the 31st get payments on the fourth Wednesday. In addition to giving seniors quicker access to Social Security checks, Charlie aims to make the entire banking experience easier through a user-friendly online banking platform that features font sizes, color contrasts and navigation tools designed for seniors. The company also emphasizes transparency on fees, charges and options, while giving users multiple settings to tailor services to individual needs. In addition, customers have access to fraud protection geared toward the spending habits of seniors, CBS Los Angeles noted including 24-7, real-time monitoring that looks for changes in where customers buy gas, shop for groceries and leave town. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security: Get an Advance on Your Monthly Payment With No Additional Costs Through This Online Bank Bet_Noire / Getty Images/iStockphoto Federal stimulus payments distributed in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have become distant memories in 2023 following the end of the pandemic emergency. However, many states issued their own tax rebates and other stimulus programs to provide further help to households. Stimulus Update: Child Tax Credit Expansion Still Achievable by End of 2023 Where Issue Currently Stands in Congress Learn: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS Although most of the deadlines to file for state-issued stimulus payments have passed and most of the money has been distributed a handful of states are still issuing payments. This is either because they recently authorized new stimulus packages or have yet to distribute all of the money they originally allocated. Heres a look at states where stimulus payments are ongoing in August 2023. Idaho Idaho sent out tax rebates and Special Session Rebates in March and September 2022. Most of the 2022 rebate payments have already been sent, according to the Idaho State Tax Commission, though the agency continues to send more as taxpayers file their returns and become eligible. You can track the status of your rebates using the Wheres My Rebate tool at tax.idaho.gov/rebate. Illinois Oct. 17, 2022, was the last date to submit information to receive the Illinois Income Tax Rebate and Property Tax Rebate, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Most of those payments have already been made. However, the state Comptroller has indicated that payments will continue until all have been issued. Massachusetts Massachusetts began paying state tax refunds in November 2022, and those payments are essentially over. Eligible filers were entitled to a refund of 14.0312% of their 2021 Massachusetts state tax liability. If you have not yet filed your 2021 return, however, you are still eligible if you file by Sept. 15, 2023, according to Mass.gov. If eligible for a refund, you should receive it about one month after you file. Story continues Montana Montana residents might qualify for a property tax rebate of up to $675 and/or an income tax rebate equal to the lesser of $2,500 for joint filers ($1,250 for other classifications) or their state tax liability. The state began issuing individual income tax rebates in July 2023, according to the Montana Business & Income Tax Division. These rebates will be issued in the order that they were filed and will be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. Taxpayers can claim the 2022 property tax rebate online through the agencys TransAction Portal or by paper form beginning Aug. 15, 2023. The claim must be filed by Oct. 1, 2023. The state will begin accepting claims for the 2023 rebate on Aug. 15, 2024, and the claim must be filed by Oct. 1, 2024. Find Out: 7 States Considering More Stimulus Checks in 2023 Warren Buffetts Financial Plan to Tackle Americas Debt: I Can End the Deficit in 5 Minutes New Mexico New Mexico is offering two types of rebates to residents in 2023 one for taxpayers and one for those who are not required to file tax returns. The income tax rebate amounts to $1,000 for joint filers and $500 for single filers and those who are married and filing separately. Eligible residents have until May 31, 2024, to file the 2021 personal income tax return if they have not already done so, according to the New Mexico Department of Taxation & Revenue. Relief payments of $500 or $1,000 are also being issued to New Mexicans who dont qualify for the above rebates. A total of $15 million has been appropriated for these payments and were distributed based on an application process with the states Human Services Department. Applicants can use this link to check their status. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Stimulus Payments Are Coming to These States in August 2023 One week ago, UPS and Teamsters, the union representing roughly 340,000 rank-and-file UPS workers, avoided what would have been the largest single employer strike in U.S. history by reaching a tentative agreement on a full labor contract. Now, one day after the current contract has expired, Teamsters are taking the next steps toward ratification of the new contract. On Monday, the Teamsters local union barns, including Teamsters Local 89 in Louisville, "voted 161-1 to endorse the tentative agreement reached with the delivery giant on July 25 and recommend its passage by the full membership," according to a press release from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The lone union barn to dissent the tentative agreement by voting not to endorse it was Local 89, an International Teamsters source confirmed to the Courier Journal Tuesday. Now that the majority of local unions have endorsed the tentative agreement, all rank-and-file UPS Teamsters will have the chance to vote on ratification between Aug. 3-22. UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023 "Our tentative agreement is richer, stronger, and more far-reaching than any settlement ever negotiated in the history of American organized labor," International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean OBrien said in the release. "The Teamsters are immensely proud of reaching agreement with UPS to improve the lives of our members, their families and working people across the country. The new five-year tentative agreement covers U.S. Teamsters-represented employees in small-package roles and is subject to voting and ratification by union members, Jim Mayer, a UPS spokesperson, previously told the Courier Journal. Ratifying the contract could take about three weeks, according to previous statements from O'Brien, and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. Of the 176 local unions with UPS members, 14 did not show up for a meeting in Washington, D.C., to review the tentative agreement. Monday, the 162 Teamsters locals that were at the meeting discussed the more than 60 changes to the UPS Teamsters National Master Agreement, the largest private-sector collective bargaining agreement in North America. Story continues "Teamster labor moves America. The union went into this fight committed to winning for our members. We demanded the best contract in the history of UPS, and we got it, OBrien previously said. UPS previously described the deal as a "win-win-win" for union members, customers and the company. Avral Thompson, President of Teamsters 89, at the a UPS workers rally "This agreement continues to reward UPSs full- and part-time employees with industry-leading pay and benefits while retaining the flexibility we need to stay competitive, serve our customers and keep our business strong, UPS CEO Carol Tome said. Teamsters said the new tentative agreement is "valued at $30 billion" and provides higher wages for all workers, the end of two-tier wages for drivers, installation of air conditioning in new vehicles, raises for part-time workers, Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for the first time, no more forced overtime on days off and more. "This agreement is a testament to the power of employers and employees coming together to work out their differences at the bargaining table in a manner that helps businesses succeed while helping workers secure pay and benefits they can raise a family on and retire with dignity and respect," President Joe Biden said previously in a statement. Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UPS Teamsters to start voting on new tentative agreement this week Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - (NewMediaWire) - August 1, 2023 - SurgeGraph, the leading provider of AI-powered SEO tools, is thrilled to announce its recent recognition in a few SEO case studies. The recognition comes after two case studies conducted by SEO influencer Julian Goldie, where SurgeGraph's AI SEO tool outperformed competitors in terms of search ranking. In the case studies, SurgeGraph's AI-generated long-form articles consistently ranked on the first page of Google SERPs within the first 24 hours. Astonishingly, these articles proceeded to secure multiple number-one spots after 7 days, setting SurgeGraph apart from other tools that either didn't manage to rank all content or experienced a drop-off in performance over time. In the first case study, SurgeGraph managed to rank its written articles on the first page within 24 hours. View the case study here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf9xc-gOrrk In the second case study, which took place 7 days after, SurgeGraph extended its lead by ranking number one for multiple keywords. View the case study here: https://youtu.be/qnlo-FVkFO4 These case studies highlight the effectiveness of SurgeGraph in helping businesses scale up their SEO content production through the power of artificial intelligence. The recognition further solidifies SurgeGraph's position as a thought leader in the industry and demonstrates the company's commitment to revolutionizing the way businesses approach SEO. SurgeGraph's AI-powered SEO tool incorporates state-of-the-art AI, NLP, and machine learning to generate highly optimized and engaging long-form articles. By leveraging this technology, businesses can effortlessly create content that not only resonates with their target audience but also performs exceptionally well in search engine rankings, ensuring maximum visibility and reach. The recognition received by SurgeGraph underscores the company's commitment to empowering businesses of all sizes and industries. Moving forward, SurgeGraph plans to introduce more upgrades to its AI SEO tool and expand its capabilities to cover a wider range of use cases. By doing so, SurgeGraph aims to provide even greater value to its existing and prospective customers, helping them stay ahead in the competitive online landscape. "We are continuously working to refine our AI SEO tool to cater to the evolving needs of our users," added Sara, spokesperson of SurgeGraph. "Our goal is to continuously innovate and provide solutions that address the challenges faced by business owners, marketers, and content creators in optimizing their online presence." For more information about SurgeGraph and its AI SEO tool, please visit their website at https://surgegraph.io About SurgeGraph: SurgeGraph is an AI-powered SEO writing tool that strives to help users grow their traffic fast by accelerating content velocity. Other than the successful Longform AI, SurgeGraph also includes advanced tools like the Content Writer, Keyword Research Tool, and Planner. For more information about SurgeGraph, visit their website at https://surgegraph.io. Media Contact: Sara Salim Phone: 0351312663 Email: sara@surgegraph.io (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp.s quarterly profit exceeded estimates as improvements in supply of semiconductors and a weak yen helped it capitalize on a global rebound in demand for vehicles. The stock closed at a record high. Most Read from Bloomberg Operating profit for the three months through June was a record 1.1 trillion ($7.7 billion), the worlds No. 1 carmaker said in a statement Tuesday. That compared with 880 billion projected by analysts. Toyota kept its outlook for operating income for the fiscal year at 3 trillion. Demand for automobiles is robust following the pandemic downturn, prompting carmakers to boost production and raise prices. Toyota made and sold a record number of vehicles in June. It is also on track to increase production between August and October, according to recent reports. When considering exchange rates, production and the market environment, Toyota keeping its outlook was a bit of a surprise, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida said. Net sales for the fiscal first quarter rose 24% to 10.6 trillion, topping the prediction for 9.8 trillion. For the full year, Toyota kept the revenue outlook at 38 trillion. The companys shares rose 2.5% in Tokyo, building on Mondays 3.3% gain to reach 2,445.5 a record based on data compiled by Bloomberg going back to 1974. The share price reflects a five-for-one stock split in October 2021. Toyota said it was able to command higher prices for vehicles, helping to reduce the impact of the sharp rise in materials prices. Japanese carmakers sales in 2023 could rise 19% domestically and 18% in the US, but fall 4% in China, according to Yoshida. Toyotas declining business in China is a point of concern, Yoshida said. The impact is industrywide but concerning for a company like Toyota. Story continues Toyota on Monday announced plans to strengthen its competitiveness in China by, among other things, accelerating the development of an electric powertrain with its two biggest suppliers, Denso Corp. and Aisin Corp. As pressure builds on manufacturers to phase out fossil fuels and embrace the shift to electric vehicles, Toyota has promised to expand EV production while continuing to offer a broad selection of hybrid and gasoline cars. Soon after former Lexus head Koji Sato became chief executive officer, the company pledged to sell 1.5 million battery EVs annually by 2026. Further out, it has promised to sell 3.5 million by 2030, halve its carbon dioxide emissions by 2035 and become carbon neutral by 2050. In May, Sato said Toyota would produce 200,000 BEVs this fiscal year. He also said it would invest 3.1 trillion on sustainable growth, including efforts to decarbonize and electrify. Toyota sold 29,000 battery EVs during the last quarter, mostly in Asia and Europe, a fivefold jump from a year earlier. Toyota will increase BEV sales heading into the second half, according to a spokesperson. (Updates with share price in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By Max A. Cherney (Reuters) - Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC has developed the most expansive arsenal of patents surrounding advanced chip packaging, followed by Samsung Electronics and then Intel, according to data from LexisNexis. Advanced chip packaging is a crucial technology that squeezes the most horsepower from the latest chip designs, and is crucial to chip contract manufacturers vying for business. The data from LexisNexis, released last month, indicates that TSMC and Samsung have steadily invested in advanced packaging technology for years, as Intel did not keep pace with its own filings. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) has a cache of 2,946 advanced packaging patents and also has the highest quality, a measure that includes how many times they are cited by other companies, according to data and analytics company LexisNexis. Samsung Electronics, which ranks second in terms of quantity and quality of the patents, has 2,404, according to the LexisNexis data. Ranked third, Intel has 1,434 patents in its advanced packaging portfolio. They seem to be the ones that pulled the field forward, and set the technology standard, said LexisNexis PatentSight Managing Director Marco Richter in an interview, referring to TSMC, Samsung and Intel. Intel, Samsung and TSMC have been steadily investing in advanced packaging technology since around 2015, when all three began to add to their patent portfolios, according to the data. The three businesses are the only companies in the world that have or plan to deploy the technology to fabricate the most complex, advanced chips. Advanced packaging is crucial for improving semiconductor designs as it becomes more difficult to pack more transistors onto a single piece of silicon. Packaging technology enabled the industry to stitch together several chips called "chiplets" - either stacked or adjacent to one another - within the same container. Advanced Micro Devices' chiplet technology helped its server chips gain an advantage over Intel's. Story continues Samsung has been investing in advanced packaging for years but the South Korean chip giant established a dedicated team to pursue advanced packaging in December 2022, Moonsoo Kang, the unit's chief, said in a statement. Intel disputed the idea that the size of TSMC's patent portfolio indicated that it had developed more advanced technology. The company's patents protect its intellectual property rights, and its patent investments are carefully selected, Intel's vice president of intellectual property legal group, Benjamin Ostapuk, said in a statement. TSMC declined to comment. (Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Editing by Matthew Lewis) By Radhika Anilkumar (Reuters) -Britain's Domino's Pizza Group said on Tuesday it does not expect to raise its product prices further at the moment because the cost of cheese and pizza boxes is starting to stabilize, and forecast its full-year profit would beat market expectations. Shares in the company rose as much as 9% at 380 pence in morning trade. The group, which had raised prices over the last year to offset surging inflation in the Britain, does not to plan to hike prices "right now", interim Chief Executive Elias Diaz Sese said in an interview with Reuters. The franchisee of U.S.-based Domino's Pizza Inc also announced a 70 million pound ($89.78 million) share buyback programme following the disposal of its German associate in June. While the costs of some ingredients have consistently declined in the last few months, high meat prices still pose as a challenge for the pizza group, Diaz Sese said. A recent fall in the price of ingredients such as cheese and avocado has helped drive up profit margins at major U.S. fast-food restaurant chains like Domino's and McDonald's. Domino's Pizza Group now expects an underlying core profit of about 132 million pounds-138 million pounds for the year, excluding about 9 million pounds from investments in its technology platform. Analysts on average expect a profit of 127.6 million pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus. In the first half of the year, the group's total orders increased 2.8% to 35.4 million pounds, helping underlying core profit rise by 8.2%. The group, which operates in Britain and Ireland, said its market share in those two markets combined increased to 7.3% in the second quarter from 6.6% a year earlier. ($1 = 0.7797 pounds) (Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Susan Fenton) (Bloomberg) -- US and European officials are growing increasingly concerned about Chinas accelerated push into the production of older-generation semiconductors and are debating new strategies to contain the countrys expansion. Most Read from Bloomberg President Joe Biden implemented broad controls over Chinas ability to secure the kind of advanced chips that power artificial-intelligence models and military applications. But Beijing responded by pouring billions into factories for the so-called legacy chips that havent been banned. Such chips are still essential throughout the global economy, critical components for everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to military hardware. Thats sparked fresh fears about Chinas potential influence and triggered talks of further reining in the Asian nation, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. The US is determined to prevent chips from becoming a point of leverage for China, the people said. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo alluded to the problem during a panel discussion last week at the American Enterprise Institute. The amount of money that China is pouring into subsidizing what will be an excess capacity of mature chips and legacy chips thats a problem that we need to be thinking about and working with our allies to get ahead of, she said. While theres no timeline for action to be taken and information is still being gathered, all options are on the table, according to a senior Biden administration official. A US National Security Council spokeswoman declined to comment, while a European Commission spokesperson said the agency will take necessary measures to preserve its interests and was working to reduce the regions dependence on foreign firms for both mature and advanced chips. Story continues The most advanced semiconductors are those produced using the thinnest etching technology, with 3-nanometers state of the art today. Legacy chips are typically considered those made with 28-nm equipment or above, technology introduced more than a decade ago. Senior EU and US officials are concerned about Beijings drive to dominate this market for both economic and security reasons, the people said. They worry Chinese companies could dump their legacy chips on global markets in the future, driving foreign rivals out of business like in the solar industry, they said. Western companies may then become dependent on China for these semiconductors, the people said. Buying such critical tech components from China may create national security risks, especially if the silicon is needed in defense equipment. The United States and its partners should be on guard to mitigate nonmarket behavior by Chinas emerging semiconductor firms, researchers Robert Daly and Matthew Turpin wrote in a recent essay for the Hoover Institution think tank at Stanford University. Over time, it could create new US or partner dependencies on China-based supply chains that do not exist today, impinging on US strategic autonomy. The importance of legacy chips was highlighted by supply shocks that roiled companies at the height of the Covid pandemic, including Apple Inc. and carmakers. Chip shortages cost businesses hundreds of billions of dollars in lost sales. Simple components, such as power management circuits, are essential for products like smartphones and electric vehicles, as well as military gear like missiles and radar. The US and Europe are trying to build up their own domestic chip production to decrease reliance on Asia. Governments have set aside public money to support local factories, including the Biden administrations $52 billion for the CHIPS and Science Act. But domestic producers may be reluctant to invest in facilities that will have to compete with heavily subsidized Chinese plants. The Biden administration and its allies are gauging the willingness of Western companies to invest in such projects before they decide what action to take. While the US rules introduced last October slowed down Chinas development of advanced chipmaking capabilities, they left largely untouched the countrys ability to use techniques older than 14-nanometers. That has led Chinese firms to construct new plants faster than anywhere else in the world. They are forecast to build 26 fabs through 2026 that use 200-millimeter and 300-mm wafers, according to the trade group SEMI. That compares with 16 fabs for the Americas. Heavy investments have allowed Chinese companies to keep supplying the West, despite rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. Chinas chipmaking champion, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., got about 20% of last years sales from US-based clients, including Qualcomm Inc., despite being blacklisted by the American government. When you think about electrification of mobility, think about the energy transition, the IoT in the industrial space, the roll-out of the telecommunication infrastructure, battery technology, thats all thats the sweet spot of mid-critical and mature semiconductor, Peter Wennink, chief executive officer of Dutch chipmaking equipment supplier ASML Holding NV, told analysts in mid-July. And thats where China without any exception is leading. --With assistance from Jillian Deutsch, Gao Yuan, Jane Pong, Katharina Rosskopf and Peter Elstrom. (Updates with EUs comment from the fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. There wouldn't be many who think Virgin Wines UK PLC's (LON:VINO) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.3x is worth a mention when the median P/S for the Consumer Retailing industry in the United Kingdom is very similar. While this might not raise any eyebrows, if the P/S ratio is not justified investors could be missing out on a potential opportunity or ignoring looming disappointment. See our latest analysis for Virgin Wines UK How Virgin Wines UK Has Been Performing Virgin Wines UK hasn't been tracking well recently as its declining revenue compares poorly to other companies, which have seen some growth in their revenues on average. One possibility is that the P/S ratio is moderate because investors think this poor revenue performance will turn around. However, if this isn't the case, investors might get caught out paying too much for the stock. Want the full picture on analyst estimates for the company? Then our free report on Virgin Wines UK will help you uncover what's on the horizon. Is There Some Revenue Growth Forecasted For Virgin Wines UK? There's an inherent assumption that a company should be matching the industry for P/S ratios like Virgin Wines UK's to be considered reasonable. Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 16% decrease to the company's top line. Regardless, revenue has managed to lift by a handy 9.9% in aggregate from three years ago, thanks to the earlier period of growth. So we can start by confirming that the company has generally done a good job of growing revenue over that time, even though it had some hiccups along the way. Shifting to the future, estimates from the lone analyst covering the company suggest revenue should grow by 0.7% over the next year. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry is forecast to expand by 5.4%, which is noticeably more attractive. With this information, we find it interesting that Virgin Wines UK is trading at a fairly similar P/S compared to the industry. It seems most investors are ignoring the fairly limited growth expectations and are willing to pay up for exposure to the stock. Maintaining these prices will be difficult to achieve as this level of revenue growth is likely to weigh down the shares eventually. Story continues The Key Takeaway Typically, we'd caution against reading too much into price-to-sales ratios when settling on investment decisions, though it can reveal plenty about what other market participants think about the company. Our look at the analysts forecasts of Virgin Wines UK's revenue prospects has shown that its inferior revenue outlook isn't negatively impacting its P/S as much as we would have predicted. At present, we aren't confident in the P/S as the predicted future revenues aren't likely to support a more positive sentiment for long. A positive change is needed in order to justify the current price-to-sales ratio. It is also worth noting that we have found 2 warning signs for Virgin Wines UK (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) that you need to take into consideration. If these risks are making you reconsider your opinion on Virgin Wines UK, explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here FILE PHOTO: Wells Fargo Bank branch is seen in New York NEW YORK (Reuters) -Wells Fargo said on Tuesday it expects to pay as much as $1.8 billion to help replenish a government deposit insurance fund that was drained of $16 billion this year after three banks collapsed. Under a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) proposal, Wells Fargo estimates it will face a pretax "special assessment" of up to $1.8 billion, which it will set aside to pay when the FDIC finalizes the rule, the bank said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. Banking giants are likely to bear most of the costs of replenishing the fund, the FDIC said in May. Wells Fargo also said that separate proposals on U.S. capital rules could lead it to rejig its balance sheet. In one of the first public comments from a major U.S. lender since the proposals were released last week, Wells Fargo said the new guidelines would alter its risk gauges for lending, trading and internal operations. "The company expects a significant increase in its risk-weighted assets and a net increase in its capital requirements based on a preliminary assessment of the proposed rule," the bank said. If the norms are fully implemented, they would result in an increase in capital requirements for large banks by an aggregate 16% from current levels, with the largest and most complex firms being most affected, regulators said. Wells Fargo also said in Tuesday's filing it was in talks to resolve investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission over employee communications on unapproved messaging channels. In September, U.S. regulators fined 16 financial firms a combined $1.8 billion after workers discussed deals and trades on their personal devices and apps. Wells Fargo authorized a new share buyback program of up to $30 billion after its second quarter profit jumped 57%. The lender also raised its dividend after passing the Federal Reserve's annual health check. (Reporting by Nupur Anand in New York; Editing by Lananh Nguyen, Cynthia Osterman and Jamie Freed) WildBrain Ltd. (TSE:WILD) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 13% in the last quarter. But at least the stock is up over the last three years. In that time, it is up 46%, which isn't bad, but not amazing either. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. See our latest analysis for WildBrain To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During three years of share price growth, WildBrain moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd expect the share price to be up. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It is of course excellent to see how WildBrain has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time. A Different Perspective WildBrain shareholders are down 26% for the year, but the market itself is up 5.3%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 7% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for WildBrain you should know about. Story continues Of course WildBrain may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. With the federal farm bill set to expire soon, Rep. Abigail Spanberger continues to make the rounds with Virginia farmers as the member of the House Agriculture Committee gathers information for the five-year update of the program. Last updated in 2018, the farm billlegislation focused on farms, conservation, rural development, forestry, nutrition, and agriculture research and educationis set to expire on Sept. 30. Spanberger, whose district includes Fredericksburg as well as Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Culpeper, Orange and King George counties, started a tour of five farms Tuesday morning at the picturesque Newmarket Plantation in Caroline. She was joined by her staff and representatives with Colonial Farm Credit and the Virginia Farm Bureau. The congresswoman said she was visiting the farms to get a better idea about what should be in the updated farm bill. Spanberger also visited numerous other farms earlier this year, along with hosting the Farm Bill Summit in Caroline. The farm bill covers a wide range of important aspects of farming and nutrition in the U.S. The package of legislation arising from the farm bill impacts how food is grown and what kinds of food are grown. The bill also determines such things as crop insurance for farmers, training and sustainable practices. During her visit to Newmarket Plantation, Spanberger spent more than half an hour talking with Robby Caruthers, who runs the family farm. He and his wife, Ada, have owned the plantation since 1998. They grow a wide variety of vegetablesincluding corn, tomatoes, squash, broccoli, cabbage, greens, pepperson the 450-acre farm. The 60-year-old Caruthers said hes been farming all his life and pointed out that being able to adapt has proven crucial to surviving in an already tough industry, one that has been hit by rising costs to do business in recent years. The Caruthers farm is part of a program that delivers vegetables to Virginia stores. He said his vegetables are sold at grocery stores, such as Food Lion and Kroger, and restaurants, mostly in the Richmond and Virginia Beach areas. Caruthers told the congresswoman he can compete in a local market, but not in a global market where vegetables can be grown in Mexico and exported to the U.S. and sold for less because of that countrys low wages and costs. Spanberger asked Caruthers what he thinks are keys to the farm bill. He believes conservation programsaimed at utilizing more environmentally friendly practicesshould remain voluntary. Spanberger agreed. Caruthers said he follows the conservation programfiling a nutrient management plan annually, using cover crops, buffer zones to keep soil from washing into the river basin, and recently the farm started using bees as pollinators. Spanberger asked why he continues to work in the federal conservation program. The benefits, Caruthers said. He said the conservation program includes techniques that improve the farms approach, such as the use of cover crops. Farmers who use the cover crops can take part in a federal cost-share program through the farm bill. Caruthers said the cover crop approach improves fertility and youre cutting your erosion pretty much to zero. Youre harnessing some nutrients that you lost over the winter. Caruthers said crop insurance is another important aspect of the farm bill. A big player for us, the farmer said of the insurance program. He said they had a good year in 2022, with good weather. If things had gone poorly, though, it wouldve been bad because the insurance wouldnt have covered the increase in costs to run the farm. He said costs are coming down, but are still too high. He added that the supply chain continues to be horrible. Crop insurance is really important to us. Really important factor in the farm bill, he said. Agriculture lending is also important to farmers, Caruthers said. The farm bill includes a program that makes it easier for farmers to borrow money. This is not a game anymore, Caruthers said. He noted that his fertilizer bill, as we speak, is a half-million dollars. And were not a giant operation. There is a lot of exposure. This is a serious business. He also pointed out the use of technology, which is expensive and overwhelming. After the talk with Caruthers and a short tour, Spanberger said in an interview that this is the first time she has gotten a chance to work on the farm bill, and she highlighted the importance of meeting farmers and others who use the federally funded programs to learn what works and what doesnt. Hearing really specific stories, seeing how these programs are actually implemented on the ground, helps me do my job on Capitol Hill, she said. Its more than text on a page in the legislation. Its real programs implemented to support and help real producers who use these programs. Welcome to Free Republic! Established in 1996, Free Republic is one of the earliest and largest online gathering places for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America. And we always have fun doing it. Hoo-yah! Jump right in! Most visitors to Free Republic are attracted to our very popular (and, warning: addictive) conservative news and discussion forum which can be found by clicking here or following any of the forum links in the sidebars. Support Free Republic: Free Republic is a privately owned web site funded solely by donations from our readers and participants. Donations and official correspondence should be mailed to: Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794 Support Free Republic via our secure server link for Credit Card or PayPal. Donations to Free Republic are NOT tax deductible. 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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.-- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." -- The Declaration of Independence, In Congress, July 4, 1776 "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." -- The Ninth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." -- The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?" -- Ronald Reagan, January 20, 1981 ~ Free Republic Memorial Wall ~ Former Fremont police officer Payton L. Boston, 31, has pleaded not guilty to three different criminal charges filed against him in Dodge County Court. Boston, whose address is listed as being in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is next scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29, according to court documents. Defense attorney Steven M. Delaney appeared in court on Bostons behalf on July 21 and entered his plea of not guilty to all three charges. Boston was charged on July 11 with three Class I misdemeanor charges: suspicion of third degree domestic assault; and two separate counts of suspicion of child abuse. Attempts to contact Boston for comment were unsuccessful. According to the court filings in the case, Boston is accused of the following alleged crimes: - Threatening an intimate partner in a menacing manner, the alleged victim a 33-year-old woman. - Negligently cause or permit a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangered his life or physical or mental health and did not result in serious bodily injury, the alleged victim a 7-year-old boy. - Negligently cause or permit a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangered his life or physical or mental health and did not result in serious bodily injury, the alleged victim a 5-year-old girl. The Tribune does not identify by name alleged victims of domestic violence or child abuse. Because of Boston is a former Fremont officer who at times possibly dealt with prosecutors from the Dodge County Attorney Office, a Lincoln-based State of Nebraska prosecutor was appointed to the case. Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins filed papers with the court stating it would be a conflict of interest for her office to prosecute Boston. According to the citation filed with the court, the alleged incident occurred at 2 p.m., Friday, June 16, inside a home in Fremont, and was investigated by officers with Troop A of the Nebraska State Patrol. The three charges in Dodge County Court are the latest legal troubles for the former Fremont officer who resigned from the department on April 24, 2023. His resignation came weeks after his April 2 arrest in Missouri Valley, Iowa, on a suspicion of driving under the influence charge. Boston was visiting family relatives in the small town across the Missouri River in Harrison County at the time of his arrest. Boston pleaded guilty on July 12 to the DUI, first offense, charge which is a serious misdemeanor in Iowa and was sentenced by Iowa District 4 Court Judge Amy Zacharias to a suspended two-day county jail sentence in lieu of participation in the Iowa Second Chances program. As part of his sentence, Boston is required to complete the Second Chances program at Family Services in Logan, Iowa. The program involves sentenced attendees being present for a total of 48 hours of in-house substance abuse treatment on weekends. The substance abuse counseling is done in 12-hour increments over four weekend visits normally. He was ordered by Zacharias to complete the program no later than Aug. 25, 2023. The Fremont Fire Department has two new faces on the staff after the Fremont City Council on July 25 unanimously approved the hiring of two new firefighters. The two new firefighters/EMTs for the Fremont Fire Department are Tyler Mutlu of Bellevue and Nathan Hubbard of Lincoln. On Monday, July 31, Lt. Rick Schutt said he, Fire Chief Todd Bernt and the entire department were excited to have Mutlu and Hubbard join the department ranks. With the addition of the two new firefighters, Schutt explained, the department now has 28 total firefighters on staff, which is one more than their old staffing level of 27. The city of Fremont recently approved funds in future budgets to hire six more firefighters. (The new positions) have been approved, but we have not been able to hire them all yet, Schutt said. Were still trying to hire five additional firefighters. The Fremont Fire Department operates three shifts in which firefighters are on duty 24 hours before having 48 hours off work. With the two new hires, Schutt said, two shifts are comprised of nine firefighters each and one shift has 10 firefighters. A third candidate put forth as an eligible fire department hire on July 25 by the citys Civil Service Commission Joseph Essi, of La Vista was not hired, said Mayor Joey Spellerberg due to Essi withdrawing his interest for unknown reasons. Broad Street residents upset at truck route situation The future use of Broad Street between Military Avenue and 23rd Street appears to be headed toward a lengthy debate after multiple residents of the several-mile segment of residential street spoke at the July 25 meeting during the pre-meeting public comment period. On July 12, several local business owners spoke out against a proposal to ban heavy trucks and semi-tractor trailers on the section of Broad Street, telling the city council members such a move would harm their businesses. On July 25, four different residents, three of whom said they lived on Broad Street, spoke to the council about the proposal to ban semi-tractor trailer and heavy truck traffic on the section of Broad Street now that the Fremont Southeast Beltway bypass is open. The group advocated for a ban of some sort to be put in place as had long been discussed in the past more than 10 years. A resident of the section of street, Ellen Lund, told the council the segment of Broad Street between Military Avenue and 23rd Street has at least 100 homes and 400 residents. Broad Street is primarily a residential area, Lund said, while also advocating for the cessation of heavy truck traffic on the street. She also said she understands the concerns of local businesses reliant on heavy truck traffic, but allowing those vehicles compromises the safety of residents. Another resident, Loretta Meister, said she also understood the concerns of the truck-centered business owners, who had complained about a possible ban on the heavy trucks on the section of Broad Street during the July 12 council meeting. Meister also added that since discussion of the Southeast Beltway began years ago, and the idea that heavy truck traffic would be banned from Broad Street once it was finished, the city had a duty to local residents to follow up on promises of banning heavy trucks. The fate of heavy truck traffic on the section of Broad Street is currently unknown, as the proposal to ban heavy trucks on the street have been put on hold indefinitely while city officials investigate all aspects of the proposal. Somethings right in America today. We are all safer and can rest assured President Joe Biden and the Pentagon prioritize National Defense. Biden and the United States Air Force chose to leave Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, rejecting a basing decision made on politics rather than pragmatic tactical concerns. Colorado won this important battle with business, community, military and political leaders working together for an apolitical, bipartisan result in the entire country's interest. We have long trusted Biden to do the right thing, often wondering why it was taking so long. The command will generate billions for Colorados economy over the years, but economics was a distant second thought for most. Of highest importance was national security. Without it, Colorado has no future. Anonymous sources close to the president say Space Commands leading Gen. James Dickinson told Biden moving the headquarters would jeopardize military readiness as the U.S. races to compete with China in space. Sound familiar? Consider a few excerpts from editorials that began in 2020, one of which Trump read and discussed to no avail with former Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado. We have no time to spare in obtaining and maintaining a lead in space-based national defense... Our adversaries, most notably China and Russia, continue gaining an advantage with anti-satellite and other space-based capabilities. China, North Korea and Russia are all in a race to militarily dominate space. Each would be delighted to see Space Command packing boxes, moving desks and traversing the country to start all over Space Command should reach full capability making relocation a dangerous, expensive and ignorant choice. Trumps proposal would put Space Command nearly 700 miles from the nearest Space Force base It would detach the militarys space brain from its body and appendages. President Biden could and should put a stop to this before things get more out of hand. We repeated these arguments with every development, from before and after Trump announced the move, and explained how no place matches Colorado. Space Command is surrounded by 110 leading Springs-based aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics Mission Systems, SpaceX, Ball and too many others to list. Colorado hosts more than 300 other aerospace companies in the Colorado Springs orbit. Keep it near the United States Air Force Academy, the premier institution for preparing leaders of aerospace ventures today and into the future. Space Force (based in Colorado) is the service component of the Springs-based U.S. Space Command The command and service (Space Command) have never been more important, as China, Russia, North Korea and other countries openly jeopardize the United States. We predicted in 2020 that Trump would try moving Space Command if he didnt get Colorados electoral votes. The editorial board met with Trump and during another visit he told a packed assembly and then-Mayor John Suthers he would decide after the election. Later, after losing, he boasted on Alabama radio of single handedly ordering the move. Colorado trounced Trump, just as Alabama supported him more than 48 other states. Complicating matters was Bidens friendship with former Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, a Democrat-turned-Republican, who reportedly saw the Space Command move as a perfect retirement swan song. We applauded Trump slashing regulations and taxes, but the Space Command call stands as the prime example of his personality undermining sound judgment. Trumps desire for revenge took priority over doing what was clearly, obviously as argued by multiple Air Force Generals the right thing for national defense. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, called Trumps decision corrupt. Like Bennet, Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, has been steadfast in working to keep Space Command in Colorado. So has Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn and all other members of Colorados Congressional delegation. Other important mentions include former Springs Mayor John Suthers. Like Suthers, Mayoral successor Yemi Mobolade recently visited Washington to talk about Space Command and other Colorado issues. Best of all, this ruling cinches Colorados standing as a major and booming leader in aerospace technology. As we have written: Our states aerospace companies and the synergistic culture make Colorado the Silicon Valley of military space technology Gazette editorial, April 7, 2022. Public- and private-sector aerospace ventures, combined with leading-edges space programs at institutions of higher education make Colorado Springs and the surrounding area the Silicon Valley of space technology. Gazette editorial, April 23, 2023 The wait is over, so off we go into the wide blue yonder like never before from Colorado. Be assured enemies of freedom rue this day we chose peace through strength. They should know we have only begun to soar. Sallie Clark, a longtime community advocate and former El Paso County and Colorado Springs elected official, is heading back to City Hall. On Tuesday, Clark will begin her new role as the city's government and military affairs adviser, filling an existing vacant position and completing the new Mayor's Office of Community Affairs team. During the first week of July, Mayor Yemi Mobolade previously announced he appointed Danielle Summerville as the office's cultural and community outreach programs manager and Thomas Thompson as its community affairs adviser. The office will serve as a bridge between Mobolade's office and the community. "As Colorado Springs continues to grow in both its footprint and prominence, it's critical for our city to have a voice at the table where important decisions are being made and continue serving as a trusted partner for our military community," Mobolade said in a Monday news release. "Sallie's extensive experience serving at varying levels of government, plus her unwavering dedication to our local military community, including military families and veterans, make her an ideal leader to focus on and champion these efforts. I'm excited to bring her many talents to the city, and we look forward to the work ahead." Clark is a longtime community advocate who most recently worked at the federal level as the Colorado director for rural development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She is a former Colorado Springs councilwoman, a former El Paso County commissioner and a businesswoman, the owner of the Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast Inn. Also a military spouse, she has volunteered extensively with military organizations like the Home Front Military Network. Last fall, Clark announced her run for Colorado Springs mayor in the city's April election and emerged as a close third in the race. Now, she takes up a new role in which she will engage local, regional, state and federal government partners and will lead the city's engagement strategy around military and veteran affairs, the release said. The position also expands on a blueprint Mobolade laid out just before he was officially sworn in that is guiding his first 100 days in office, Clark said Monday. The document lists several of the mayor's top priorities, including improving communication and transparency. "I'm excited to take this position and I'll look to those who kind of laid that groundwork," Clark said in an interview downtown Monday, after she watched, with reporters, Mobolade and other elected and business leaders in Colorado Springs and El Paso County share their excitement over the Air Force's announcement that U.S. Space Command headquarters would remain in Colorado Springs. The decision came more than two years after former President Donald Trump announced the command's headquarters would move to Huntsville, Ala. Over that time, elected officials and business leaders in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., rallied to ensure Space Command remained in Colorado Springs. Clark said part of her work as the city's government and military affairs adviser includes "continuing to nurture those relationships we've built in the whole process." She committed to maintaining Colorado Springs' "military strength and support of our armed forces" in the role. Additionally on Monday, Mobolade announced that Bob Cope will retire as the city's economic development manager, a role that serves as a bridge between the local business community and new companies and business opportunities looking to come to or expand in Colorado Springs. Cope's last day with the city is Sept. 2. He leaves after 15 years of employment, starting in 2008 as a senior analyst for economic development. Cope has led Colorado Springs' economic development division since 2011, and was Mobolade's supervisor when he worked as the city's small business development administrator from 2019-2022. "(Cope) has brought wisdom, positivity and constancy to the role and has seen us through a period of prosperity and record job growth and development," Mobolade said in a city news release. "His dedication to the City for Champions initiatives was vital to the success of these five game-changing projects. There were long hours, many presentations to City Council and the community, and a lot of hard work and community-building efforts to bring these projects to life. We wish him the best in his next adventures." Mobolade said in an interview Monday the city will replace Cope in the role, but he is "not going to rush" the process. "I want to find the right person suited for the future of our city and the needs of our residents," he said. In the meantime, Colorado Springs' senior economic development specialist Shawna Lippert and Travis Easton, the city's former Public Works director whom Mobolade recently promoted to his deputy chief of staff overseeing infrastructure and development, will fill in for the position as needed. "I'm confident we aren't going to miss a beat," Mobolade said. Mission Medical Center, a Christian-based clinic that provides free physical, mental, dental and vision health care for low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents of El Paso and Teller counties, closed its doors as of Monday. An email sent Friday afternoon to supporters issued a Miracles for Mission Medical appeal, announcing services were ceasing and that a fundraising campaign is underway to help reopen its center at 2125 E. La Salle St. Mission Medical Center is facing a crisis. Help us save our beloved clinic, reads the email. Mission Medical opened in 2004, and at the beginning of this year, new leadership discovered our organization was on the brink of financial disaster, the correspondence said, forcing the closure. The latest available 990 tax filing recorded in 2021 for the fiscal year 2020 shows an annual budget shortfall of nearly $144,000. However, in 2018, the organization posted a budget deficit of about $154,000. Phone calls to the interim executive director, the board president and the former executive director, who retired in February after more than a decade of heading the organization, were not returned on Monday. Unopened mail lay scattered inside the front doors of the clinic on Monday, and a sign on the door says the center is under a temporary shutdown. Also, no one answered the door at a separate office for dental and vision treatment. The environment for health-related nonprofits has been difficult coming out of the pandemic, said Dr. Meagan Jones, medical director for SET Family Medical Clinics, another local clinic for uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid recipients and indigent populations. Services for our underserved in Colorado Springs need to be supported, she said. During the pandemic a lot of that support was lost, and its been very difficult since then to re-establish those connections and find supporters who are willing to donate. SET has seen a growing demand for its services since the pandemic, she said, and with Mission Medical's status is bracing for the possibility of receiving an influx of requests from patients needing care. We have a very successful and thriving community, and I wish people would re-establish support for medical and social services for people who are experiencing difficulties, Jones said. Supporting them can decrease our rates of homelessness and crime. SET operates under a different model than a community health center, such as Peak Vista, which receives government funding, and Mission Medical Center, which has been run as a private charity. SET was started as a free clinic by the Sisters of Charity more than 30 years ago. It's been under the Centura Health network in recent years and now is affiliated with CommonSpirit. Funding comes from the health care network, revenue from sliding-scale payment for people able to contribute to their care, and grants and donations. Still, a planned expansion of an existing walk-in SET clinic at the Marian House soup kitchen, which is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, has been put on hold because of a lack of funding, Jones said. Funding has been extremely challenging, and we have not been able to increase service at Marian House yet, she said. Wed also like to expand to the Westside, but being able to do is so expensive. To donate to Mission Medical Center, go to missionmedicalcenter.org, or mail a check to 2125 E. La Salle St., Colorado Springs, 80909. To donate to SET Family Medical Clinics, call 719-776-8850. President Joe Biden's decision to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs will preserve high-paying jobs, protect national security, and save more than billion in taxpayer dollars on a move, but it's unclear if Peterson Space Force Base will get a new headquarters building. The president's announcement on Monday probably is the final word on a yearslong political fight between Colorado and Alabama over the command, although Alabama lawmakers have vowed to keep pressing the issue. The decision was a reversal of President Donald Trump's decision to move the command to Huntsville, Ala., and lawmakers from both states have claimed the decision has been politicized. Here are key things to know about the command: What is Space Command headquarters? Space Command headquarters employed about 1,230 people across the military branches in Colorado Springs who protect and defend assets in space. It is expected to eventually employ 1,870 personnel, according to Air Force environmental assessments done for a future permanent headquarters building. The command is focused on the area 62 miles above the Earth, above the realm of spy balloons, but in an area beset with space junk and a rapidly growing number of satellites, particularly from political rivals such as China. The command supports 680 organizations flying 7,500 satellites, Dickinson said in written testimony to Congress. Why is the decision remarkable? Military commands dont move very often, so the permanent basing choice likely a once in a lifetime decision, said Kaitlyn Johnson, recently the deputy director and fellow at the Washington D.C-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. She spoke to The Gazette for an earlier story on Space Command. What tipped the scales for Colorado Springs? The Associated Press and other outlets reported Monday, Biden was convinced by the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness. According to officials, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who ordered his own review of the matter, leaned toward Huntsville. The officials said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin presented both options to Biden. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Numerous other factors may have played in Colorado Springs' favor, the town's existing space infrastructure and civilian workforce. There are 100,000 national security professionals employed in Colorado Springs, according to a news release from Rep. Doug Lamborn's office, R-Colorado Springs. How much money could it save? An analysis by two retired generals in 2021 showed moving the command could cost more than $1.2 billion and take years of work, The Gazette reported previously. What investment could Peterson Space Force Base see? Space Command is housed in buildings that are 30 years old on Peterson and in off-base buildings that have been leased, Dickinson said in congressional testimony. He said the buildings have had power, communication and technology upgrades and would support full operational capability, a key milestone in setting up a new command. However, the Air Force completed environmental assessments for a new 464,000-square-foot headquarters building for the command and associated parking at all the proposed locations. The assessment examined 2.8 acres along the northern side of Vandenberg Street on Peterson for the new building. It is unclear if the Air Force will build the headquarters envisioned in the assessment. "We will work with the U.S. Space Command staff over the next several months to determine the detailed support requirements associated with their permanent headquarters," said Ann Stafanek. a spokeswoman for the secretary of the Air Force in a written statement. "Once those details have been ironed out, we can progress forward with planning efforts, to include compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and policy." Outraged Alabama lawmakers promised Monday to fight on for Space Command after the Air Force announced it will stay in Colorado Springs. U.S. Space Command employs people from across the military branches to protect U.S. space assets and, if necessary, defend them. It is separate from the Space Force. Prior to Monday's announcement, the command was slated to move to Redstone Arsenal, an Army Base in Huntsville, Ala., that is also home to the Marshall Space Flight Center. One Alabama lawmaker with firepower to bring to the fray, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, pledged to use his powerful role as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee to investigate the decision. The committee had been looking into the delay around moving the command and changes to the mission requirements that had not gone through civilian oversight. Rogers appeared to double down Monday on X, formerly called Twitter. "I will be continuing my investigation into Biden's deliberate, political, taxpayer-funded meddling in this decision," the Alabama lawmaker said. "This is not over, and Colorado Springs will not be the permanent location for US Space Command." U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, said in an official statement the administration has refused to answer the House Armed Services Committees questions as part of the investigation. "If they think this will go away ... they are wrong," he said. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. In addition to the investigation, Rogers backed legislation to withhold 50% of the Secretary of the Air Force's travel budget and all spending on a Space Command building until a report on Space Command was completed. He also quietly put a hold on a routine spending reallocation request for the DOD that held up numerous projects and spending on Air Force personnel. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., was among those who felt the process wasn't objective. Even though Space Command will become fully operational faster in Colorado Springs, as many Colorado lawmakers have said. As soon as Joe Biden took office, he paused movement on that decision and inserted politics into what had been a fair and objective competition not because the facts had changed, but because the political party of the sitting president had changed, Tuberville said, according to reporting from The Washington Examiner. Tuberville has been waging a crusade on the DOD, holding up all military appointments because he disagrees with the military's policy of allowing service members to take leave to obtain abortions. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle was a bit more conciliatory in his comments, calling the decision demoralizing and disappointing, but pledging to work with the military. "No matter where USSPACECOM resides, Huntsville will move forward and continue to be a good neighbor with our national military partners, he said. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) continued to criticize President Joe Biden and take shots at Colorado after Monday's announcement that Biden had decided to keep Space Command's headquarters in Colorado Springs rather than permanently move it to Alabama. Tuberville was among those who felt the process wasn't objective. Even though Space Command will become fully operational faster in Colorado Springs, as many Colorado lawmakers have said. On Tuesday morning, Tuberville tweeted: "Huntsville won on the facts. Colorado didnt even make the top three. "Once again, Joe Biden is injecting politics into the military. "This sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are to be used as rewards for political support rather than for national security." Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Tuberville has been waging a crusade on the Department of Defense, holding up all military appointments because he disagrees with the military's policy of allowing service members to take leave to obtain abortions. As soon as Joe Biden took office, he paused movement on that decision and inserted politics into what had been a fair and objective competition not because the facts had changed, but because the political party of the sitting president had changed, Tuberville said, according to reporting from The Washington Examiner. The Tuberville move has blocked the nominations of nearly 300 general and flag officers over the policy, which pays for the travel costs and time off of service members who must travel out of state to receive an abortion due to restrictive laws. Gen. James Dickinson, the head of Space Command, urged Biden to keep everything in Colorado because moving would jeopardize military readiness, according to a senior administration official. U.S. Space Command headquarters will achieve "full operational capability" in the coming weeks while moving it to Alabama would result in its opening in the early to mid-2030s, which Biden determined to be an "unacceptable" risk, the official added. Tuberville also vowed to keep fighting to get SPACECOM moved to his home state, though he has yet to offer specifics on the next steps. A Tuberville spokeswoman did not have further updates when reached by the Washington Examiner beyond his Monday statement on the matter, in which he said, "This is absolutely not over. I will continue to fight this as long as it takes to bring Space Command where it would be best served Huntsville, Alabama." DOD nominees who require Senate confirmation are typically approved in batches, usually without objection, to avoid a severely prolonged process. While Tuberville lacks the power permanently to block the nominees, he can significantly delay their confirmations. The first-term senator has vowed to continue his effort until the Pentagon reverses its policy, sparking bipartisan concern over the implications of leaving so many high-level positions unfilled. Starting Aug. 7, Colorados drivers have to move over a lane or slow down for any disabled vehicles stopped on roadsides, according to a law passed this year in the states legislature. The legislation expanded the requirement to apply to any vehicle stopped on the side of a road with its hazards flashing, beyond law enforcement and emergency responders. Drivers must slow down at least 20 miles per hour below the speed limit if they cant move over a lane, according to the law. You will let the person on the side of the road know that you acknowledge them, you see them, and that they don't have to worry about the threat posed by your car, said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a news conference Monday. Failing to move over or slow down for a stopped vehicle is a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic violation, carrying a potential $150 fine and a 3-point license violation. All states have a Move Over law to protect emergency responders, and 19 besides Colorado have laws covering all disabled vehicles, according to a news release. Towing is one of the deadliest types of work in the U.S., according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data cited in the news release. In 2022, 51 emergency responders were hit and killed in the U.S. while working on roads: 17 law enforcement officers, 18 tow truck operators, four mechanics and 11 firefighters and EMS workers. Each year, about 350 people are hit and killed while outside disabled vehicles, the release says. Earlier this month, two drivers hit separate State Patrol cars on the same morning while the troopers investigated a crash on the side of Interstate 270 in Adams County. Trooper Kevin Bagley fell over a bridge barrier trying to get out of the way of the second crash, tumbling 30 feet down an embankment of the South Platte River. He survived but suffered serious injuries. In 2016, Trooper Cody Donahue was hit and killed by a trucker who drifted over on Interstate 25 in November 2016 as Donahue investigated a crash. The driver was convicted of careless driving while passing an emergency vehicle, resulting in death, and failure to maintain a single lane. The move to Florida for the mother of convicted Club Q shooter Anderson Aldrich presents potential problems for her misdemeanor criminal case, attorneys said in court on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Laura Voepel was found to be incompetent to stand trial after mental health professionals completed a court ordered evaluation. Voepel is facing misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after police told Voepel on Nov. 20, 2022 that her child had been arrested in connection with a murder. Aldrich, who killed five people at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub in November, pleaded guilty to 51 charges and was sentenced to 2,208 years in prison as part of a plea agreement. At a hearing on Tuesday, attorneys raised concerns regarding Voepel's new residency in Florida due to the fact that the state of Colorado can't provide her with restoration treatment while living out of state, and may not be able to conduct further sanity evaluations. Voepel's defense attorney Carrie Thompson stated to the court that she wished for a 90 day set-over to allow for Voepel to get on Medicaid in Florida, which she believes would allow Voepel access to court approved restoration services. Prosecutor Andrew Vaughan argued that Voepel's residency in Florida would make it impossible for her to partake in mandatory state evaluations, regardless of if she can get court approved restoration services, and as a result should be brought back to Colorado. "It's regrettable, but I don't see much of a choice other than the court bringing her back (to Colorado) to be given restoration services," Vaughan said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Thompson argued bringing Voepel back to Colorado would be counterintuitive since she would be homeless if brought back, and is currently being taken care of by her parents in Florida. Vaughan also went on to express concerns about Voepel being in the community at all, stating that Voepel has been threatening her former landlords since moving. Vaughan also reminded the court of what proved to be a catalyst for the sanity evaluations, when Voepel was removed from the virtual courtroom following a series of verbal outbursts in which she interrupted the June hearing multiple times before she was kicked out for calling the judge an expletive term. Both sets of attorneys expressed frustration with the lack of communication from the state regarding if Voepel can be given restoration services through Medicaid in Florida, and if her required sanity evaluations can be conducted remotely. In an attempt to gather more information before making any further rulings, Fennick set for a new court date on Tuesday, Aug. 8, in hopes that Thompson will have more information regarding if the state will do the sanity evaluations remotely moving forward. Until Voepel is restored to sanity, which Thompson acknowledged may never happen due to the severity of her mental illness, her criminal case will be put on hold. A New Mexico man with an extensive criminal record who ended up in Colorado Springs by chance is accused of killing his girlfriend with a stolen gun after she threatened to leave him, an affidavit obtained by The Gazette detailed. On July 20, the Colorado Springs Police Department announced it had arrested 51-year-old Gilbert Lopez Jr. on suspicion of first-degree murder in the killing of 48-year-old Nancy Mascarenas in the early morning hours of June 23. According to an affidavit obtained by The Gazette, hours before Mascarenas' body was discovered, police responded to a call about shots being fired at a bus stop near the 1400 block of East Boulder Street in Colorado Springs, and that police found Lopez when they arrived. During the interaction with police, Lopez claimed he had heard the shots, but said it wasn't him who had fired a gun. After police conducted a search of Lopez and didn't find a firearm, the affidavit states police released Lopez and left. A few hours later, at approximately 3 a.m., police responded to a second call reporting gunshots in the same area. When they arrived at the scene, according to the affidavit, they found the body of Mascarenas, as well as Lopez screaming for help. The affidavit states police attempted life-saving measures, but Mascarenas was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy conducted by the El Paso County Coroner's Office later determined Mascarenas' cause of death to be a homicide caused by a single gunshot wound to the head. Lopez was arrested at the scene, but when police attempted to interview him, it was determined that he was under the influence of a controlled substance, and he was taken to the hospital for a medical emergency, the cause of which was redacted from the affidavit. Two days later, after he was released from the hospital, Lopez told detectives that, due to being intoxicated on drugs, he did not remember the events that led up the death of Mascarenas, who was his girlfriend at the time, according to the affidavit. Lopez informed detectives, according to the affidavit, that he and Mascarenas were on their way from Portland, Ore., to Clovis, N.M., where the couple were from, via bus until they were kicked off in Colorado Springs. The affidavit states this claim from Lopez was likely true, due to a call for service being placed by a Greyhound bus driver on June 20, three days before Mascarenas' death, reporting that a male passenger was smoking a redacted substance in the bathroom of the bus, and that she was attempting to kick him off the bus. Lopez went on to inform detectives that he and Mascarenas were stranded in Colorado Springs as a result of having no money, and were trying to figure out how to buy another bus ticket to New Mexico, according to the affidavit. The affidavit goes on to detail that, while no gun was found among Lopez's belongings and no shell casings were found, a holster for a revolver was found in Lopez's suitcase, and security footage of part of the incident acquired by law enforcement showed that Lopez was the only other person besides Mascarenas who was present at the bus stop that evening. The security camera footage did not capture the shooting. When detectives informed Lopez that they believed he was a suspect in Mascarenas' death, he denied any wrongdoing, began to sob and said, "No, no, no, I would never hurt her," according to the affidavit. Lopez was placed in custody at the El Paso County jail because of an unrelated out-of-state warrant, but wasn't charged with Mascarenas' death. However, as the investigation progressed, detectives said it became increasingly clear to them that Lopez killed his girlfriend because she was threatening to leave him. The affidavit states that detectives would go on to speak with a homeless man who was sleeping near the area where Mascarenas' body was discovered, and he informed police he heard a man and a woman arguing before the shooting. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "I thought some poor girl was getting shot," the homeless man told police, according to the affidavit. "She wanted to leave him." The homeless man went on to tell detectives that, after hearing the gunshot, he heard a man say, "Oh, my god," and, "I can't believe I did that," and that, hours earlier in the evening, he heard the same man say "gang s---" and "that's a real gun," immediately after hearing gunshots come from the same bus station. During the investigation, detectives said it also became clear to them that Mascarenas was being abused by Lopez, and that she had been attempting to leave him, according to the affidavit. "I came out here with my boyfriend, but it just turned out to be a disaster. He started hitting me worse then before," Mascarenas said in a text to a friend approximately a month before her death, according to the affidavit. "This is Nancy. Cain (Lopez's alleged street name) got out of jail and made me come back with him so I'm on my way back but he won't leave me alone and he's been beating the f--- out of me," Mascarenas sent texted another friend just three days before her death and hours before she was kicked off the bus in Colorado Springs. An additional text, sent by Mascarenas to her friend just hours before her death, was discovered by detectives, in which she wrote, "I'm leaving your s--- here I'm not responsible for you anymore I got $ and I'm headed back home." The affidavit states law enforcement believes Mascarenas meant to send that text to Lopez, and not her friend. Perhaps the most important piece of evidence came when detectives searched for revolvers that were reported as stolen in the days leading up to Mascarenas' death. The affidavit states that detectives discovered that a Colorado Springs man had filed a report on June 22 claiming several items had been taken from his home, one of which included a loaded revolver and its holster. The holster found among Lopez's belongings was determined to be the one stolen from the man's home. Lopez was also in possession of other items reported stolen from the man's home, including a duffel bag and some clothing, according to the affidavit. Lopez now faces three charges in connection to Mascarenas' death: first- and second-degree murder and second-degree burglary. Court records obtained by The Gazette detail that in March Lopez failed to appear for three different court cases in Curry County, N.M. Lopez failed to appear for a criminal case, where he is accused of resisting arrest and driving while his license was revoked and a second criminal case in which he faces charges of trafficking a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a felon and receiving stolen property, according to court records. Lopez also failed to appear for a traffic-related case, where he faces charges of driving without a license and insurance, according to court records. Lopez has an extensive criminal history in New Mexico, with convictions dating as far back as 1990 and as recently as 2021. Court records show Lopez has been convicted on charges and served time in at least 11 different cases in New Mexico. Some of the charges Lopez was convicted on include numerous battery charges, numerous burglary charges and numerous drug possession charges, among many more. Lopez, who is being held on $10 million bond, is scheduled to make his next appearance in 4th Judicial District Court on Sept. 22. Local community members will play a key role in forging their schools paths forward this November during school board elections. The publicly elected board members hold consequential decision-making power, like setting school policy, approving budgets and spending initiatives, hiring superintendents and crafting an overall vision for the district they govern. In districts with notable divisions among current school board members and/or the communities they serve, this years election could mark dramatic shifts in priorities and governance. Terms are staggered, so every board member wont face re-election in the same year. Some years, however as is the case for most local districts this election season a majority of terms will end at once. Voters should pay especially close attention to those elections, according to Colorado Association of School Boards Executive Director Jubal Yennie. When multiple seats are up for together or under a closely shared vision, Yennie said, major shifts can follow should those blocks of candidates be elected. During the 2021 election, for example, a slate of candidates that campaigned on conservative views toward hot-button issues triumphed over its competition. Nine candidates in the regions three most populous districts Colorado Springs School District 11, Academy School District 20 and School District 49 won the election after receiving $57,500 in financial support from Springs Opportunity Fund, a group with Republican ties. The candidates promised to improve test scores by refocusing on the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Following a marked shift from a more progressive board in 2021, D-11 soon dissolved its Department of Equity and Inclusion and later parted ways with Superintendent Michael Thomas, whose stated goals were to address equity and close achievement gaps. More recently, the board shifted D-11 to an opt-in system for surveys that collect data on students personal thoughts and experiences, including the Healthy Kids Survey, which seeks to address health problems and to track behaviors and trends. A majority of the board also expressed support for a district-wide regulation that would prohibit faculty and staff from asking students their pronouns. The final version of the regulation was far less specific, however, and made no explicit mention of pronouns. D-11 will have four of seven board seats up for election this year. Stark changes in district priorities are not necessarily a bad thing, Yennie said. Rather, they are often reflective of a communitys changing interests. When you start having those pivots from those standpoints, what we try to teach and CASB doesnt take a position other than we want effective governance we would teach folks to make sure you are working from the values of your community, and oftentimes that gets translated at the ballot box, Yennie said. A majority of school board seats will be up for election in Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, Colorado Springs School District 11, Ellicott District 22, Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Hanover District 28, Lewis-Palmer School District 38, Manitou Springs School District 14, School District 49 and Woodland Park School District RE-2. Candidates have until Septem- ber 1 to file their written intent to run for the school board. The exact makeup of a districts candidate pool will remain murky until that date. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Yennie notes that although the school board is a nonpartisan body that does not ascribe to a particular political party, it is not unusual for individual candidates to shirk that nonpartisan identity. Its gonna happen, Yennie said. How we value things and how we frame those things, people cant just totally dismiss those, but we try to encourage folks to work as bipartisan and collectively as possible. Voters shouldnt automatically dismiss candidates who run their campaigns with stated ties to political parties, he said, since many issues that come before a board are bipartisan. That is, both parties check their personal beliefs at the door in agreement for what is best for all students. You want folks that are learners. We want people with open minds to be able to learn, Yennie said. Were in the business of learning. Teaching, learning and helping students grow the best they can. In one notable display of politics, four self-defined conservative candidates in 2021 took control of the five-person Woodland Park School District RE-2 board. The district has since catapulted into the national spotlight following rapid changes in alignment with its stated conservative values. In the span of five months, the board twice appointed controversial interim Superintendent Ken Witt, who in 2015 had been recalled from his position as school board president in Jefferson County; became the first to adopt new social studies curriculum standards known as American Birthright, which were created by a conservative advocacy group; implemented a gag order preventing staff members from speaking publicly about the district without prior superintendent approval; and chose not to reapply for grant funding that would retain mental health workers. Whereas the board maintains its actions have been in the bipartisan interest of its students, some staff and parents begged to differ. Protests ensued: Students and parents protested in front of schools and at school board meetings, and dozens of teachers conducted a sick-out this spring in opposition to some of the boards plans. In response to concerns about Witts one-year extension as interim superintendent, Board Vice President David Illingworth said the board still plans to deliver on its promise of a proper search for a permanent leader following Novembers election. How the community votes in Novembers election will determine whether the board will continue on its current path. Several opponents have already stepped up to challenge the three incumbents whose seats are up for re-election. The community will get their input on one of the most important decisions that we make as a school board, which is choosing a superintendent to lead these schools, lead these teachers and professionals, and lead our kids to a successful future, Illingworth said at the May board meeting. They will get that opportunity. They deserve that opportunity. China and Pakistan celebrate 10th anniversary of CPEC, laud benefits Global Times) 08:37, August 01, 2023 Photo taken on October 24, 2020 shows an Orange Line metro train pilot test run in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore. The Orange Line Metro Train project is one of the CPEC early-harvest projects. Photo: Xinhua China and Pakistan are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and also the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a BRI flagship project, and analysts said that the CPEC, which has helped with Pakistan's economic and social development, will bring more benefits to local people as the two countries further deepen cooperation. Special Representative of President Xi Jinping and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng continued his visit in Pakistan on Monday. China and Pakistan on Monday signed six agreements for the promotion of bilateral cooperation under the witness of He and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. "I have no doubt that we are entering into the second phase of CPEC. Today, we have signed some important documents which will enhance our economic cooperation, and we will undertake the second phase under a new mode," Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif told the gathering on Monday, local media Pakistan Today reported. A series of celebration events have been held in recent days to mark the 10th anniversary of the CPEC. The country's landmark building - the Pakistan Monument - was decked on Saturday with the colors of the Chinese and Pakistan national flags to mark the anniversary. From July 24 to 25, an international seminar on the CPEC and the BRI was held in Islamabad with senior officials, scholars and representatives from businesses and trade from Pakistan and China attending. Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, also attended the celebration event, during which she said that under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the CPEC has achieved fruitful results and made great contributions to the economic and social development of Pakistan, according to a release from the website of the Chinese Embassy to Pakistan. He's visit to Pakistan showed that China has attached great importance to China-Pakistan relations and the CPEC. Moreover, He may also discuss with the Pakistan side about the development plan for the next decade, Zhu Yongbiao, executive director of the Research Center for the Belt and Road at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times. As the CPEC and other BRI projects between China and Pakistan have focused on major infrastructure, more "small but beautiful" projects would be set to boost income fast and increase employment and benefit local people, said Zhu. Analysts further noted that ensuring the safety of the CPEC and BRI projects are also a task for both China and Pakistan, given the threat of terrorism. At least 44 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a bomb blast that targeted a rally held on July 30 in Bajaur, a tribal district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, media reported. It is undeniable that the CPEC projects have brought concrete benefits to Pakistan, and both China and Pakistan will further improve the building of BRI projects despite external attempt to undermine it or some Western countries' hyping of the "debt trap" rhetoric or security issues, analysts said. Zhu said that financing problems, a thorny issue in Pakistan that the West has never been willing to help with, can be solved only by investment and development, which is what China and other countries are trying to do. Some Western countries' smearing of the CPEC and BRI projects is unfair and ill-intentioned. Zhu said that Pakistan has a clear understanding of this hype and also attaches importance to the development of the CPEC. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A house fire in Old Colorado City displaced eight residents and sent three people to the hospital, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department. CSFD spokesperson Ashley Franco said crews responded to the fire at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday. Firefighters saw flames on the second floor of the home, where three people were trapped. Four other residents were rescued from the homes roof, where they went to try to escape the blaze. Franco said three people were hospitalized because of smoke-related injuries. Two people were taken by ambulance, and the third was driven for treatment in a private vehicle. Firefighters brought the blaze under control just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, with one unit and at least two investigators on the scene late Tuesday morning, Franco said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Red Cross was on the scene Tuesday morning to assist displaced residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation. This article will be updated once more information is received. The El Paso County Coroner's Office has identified the woman who was on foot on Interstate 25 southbound on July 22 when she was hit and killed by a vehicle. Skylar Christensen, 22, was brought to an area hospital by first responders with "serious life-threatening injuries," according to a Colorado Springs police blotter entry. Christensen, from Colorado Springs, died from her injuries the next day, according to a news release Monday from police. According to public obituaries and social media, Christensen was born in Colorado Springs in 2001, and was a graduate of Manitou High School. "What a beautiful girl she was, both inside and out," Christensen's mother Dena Kuffel said when asked if she wanted to say something about her daughter's death. "And how broken-hearted we all are and that our lives will never be the same without her." There have been no arrests or charges related to this case. The police report that neither excessive speed nor alcohol are considered factors in the crash. This was the 26th fatal traffic crash in Colorado Springs in 2023. At the same time last year, Colorado Springs had 26 fatal traffic crashes. In the past 365 days, Colorado Springs has had 56 fatal traffic crashes. For the second straight year, UCHealth Memorial Hospital has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the top hospital in Colorado Springs and No. 4 in the state. University of Colorado in Aurora and Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland were ranked as the top two in the state, with SCL Health St. Joseph Hospital coming in third. This makes Memorial the top-ranked hospital in southern Colorado, officials said. This recognition for our hospitals is a testament to the hard work of UCHealths dedicated staff and providers who go above and beyond every day to ensure our patients receive the best care, said Elizabeth B. Concordia, UCHealth president and CEO. Quality, safety and an unmatched clinical experience are always UCHealths top priorities. Each year, the national publication releases national and regional rankings after compiling and analyzing patient care data for more than 4,500 hospitals across the U.S. The annual rankings are designed to help patients and their physicians choose the most suitable hospital for their individual needs. University of Colorado Hospital was listed as sixth-best in the nation for pulmonology and lung surgery, and was ranked 26th nationally for diabetes and endocrinology treatments. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Memorial Hospital was ranked high performing among the top 20% in the U.S. in 10 adult procedures or conditions, including stroke treatment, cancer care, cardiac procedures and hip replacements. Our excellent patient outcomes are a result of our teams commitment to delivering the highest levels of care each and every day, said Lonnie Cramer, president and CEO of UCHealths southern Colorado region. We are dedicated to serving our community and are honored that more people in southern Colorado are choosing our hospitals for their care. UCHealth was also recently recognized by the Lown Institute, a health care organization that gives annual report cards to the most socially responsible hospitals in the U.S. The Colorado hospital system received an overall A in social responsibility, garnering high marks for value, outcomes and pay equity. For the full list of rankings, visit health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. By Yew Lun Tian BEIJING (Reuters) - Hours after China's top legislature convened a special meeting last week to remove foreign minister Qin Gang, photos and mentions of the 57-year-old started disappearing from his former ministry's website. While some of this information reappeared days later, Qin does not feature on the website's list of "former ministers", and for several more days a search for his name had been turning up: "Sorry, Qin Gang is not found". In fact, he has not been seen in public for more than a month. The foreign ministry's brief explanation weeks ago that this was due to health reasons, a remark later excised from official transcripts, has failed to stem a swirl of speculation not just about his fate but on how the whole saga reflects on the man that supported his meteoric rise, President Xi Jinping. China named veteran diplomat Wang Yi to replace Qin, but gave few further clues on the reason for the change. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday said Beijing will release information in a timely matter regarding Qin and opposes "malicious hype". She was responding to a reporter who asked about transparency around Qin's removal, one of more than 25 questions mentioning Qin at press briefings in recent days that the ministry has ducked. SPECULATION SWIRLS China's Foreign Ministry and the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of the party and government, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story. Qin's unusually long and unexplained absence, his abruptly cut-short tenure, as well as other strange happenings like the ministry's website, mean speculation will continue to swirl. "The truth will eventually come out - it usually does in China, although it sometimes takes months or years - but the way he was dismissed makes it unlikely that it was for health reasons," said Ian Johnson, senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Beijing-based political analyst Wu Qiang said he could "almost certainly rule out health as the real reason". If that was the case, the state could have assigned a deputy to fill in for him rather than officially removing him, Wu said. Qin lasted barely half a year in the role after becoming one of the country's youngest foreign ministers in December 2022, a position with a five-year tenure. There are precedents for officials disappearing and being scrubbed from the collective memory in China. Industry minister Xiao Yaqing vanished for nearly a month last year before it was revealed he was being investigated for corruption. The foreign ministry removed all online traces to its former chief protocol officer Zhang Kunsheng who was found guilty of corruption and using his position of power to obtain sex in 2016. Such erasures go back decades in China. A state-commissioned painting depicting the historic moment when Mao Zedong stood on top of Tiananmen Gate to announce the founding of the people's republic was altered three times between 1955 and 1972 to erase officials that subsequently fell foul of Mao. 'ONE-MAN POLITICS' But other observers say, in Qin's case, it is far from clear cut. The National People's Congress Standing Committee that convened on Tuesday did not remove Qin's other title of State Councillor, a cabinet member who ranks higher than a minister, despite having the power to do so, experts say. And despite the omissions from the foreign ministry's website, a portrait of the former U.S. envoy remained hanging prominently on the wall of the Chinese embassy in Washington on Thursday, according to a Reuters witness. Analysts also point out that Qin would have gone through a rigorous vetting process to take the role just months ago. Communist Party regulations say leaders are vetted based on their ideologies, work performance and adherence to party discipline, while they also have to declare details about their family, including whether they have lived overseas and what assets they have. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has put in place a slew of regulations to combat corruption and enforce party discipline in a bid to address corruption in ways that analysts say have consolidated members' loyalty towards him. But this also raises the stakes for Xi if Qin's removal is about something more than just health, especially given his meteoric ascent through the ranks has been partly attributed to his closeness to the president. Qin came to Xi's attention when he served as chief protocol officer during Xi's first term, a job that would give him direct access to Xi whenever the latter meets with foreign leaders. He then made a triple jump from director of protocol to U.S. ambassador and then to foreign minister and state councillor in five years, bullet-train speed by China standards. The final leadership lineup for Xi's precedent-breaking third term in office revealed earlier this year consisted mostly of officials he worked with before and trusts, analysts say. Xi ditched a traditional process of allowing current and retired top leaders to vote on potential candidates before finalising a list for a wider group of party delegates to formally endorse. Instead, the names were decided under Xi's "direct leadership" after he personally met with potential candidates and consulted with others, according to state media Xinhua. "This Qin saga exposes the vulnerability of Xi's one-man politics," said Alfred Wu, associate professor at the Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. (This story has been corrected to say that 'not found' search result continued for several days, not that it was still occurring, in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Editing by John Geddie and Lincoln Feast) By Layli Foroudi and Zhifan Liu PARIS (Reuters) - France began the evacuation of hundreds of French and European citizens from Niger on Tuesday, a day after neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso said any outside intervention to restore the ousted government would be seen as a declaration of war. A military junta overthrew Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his government last Wednesday in the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa. The coup has sent shockwaves across West Africa's Sahel region, one of the poorest and most unstable in the world, where Niger was considered the West's most stable ally in the fight against a fast-growing Islamist insurgency. West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to use force to reinstate Bazoum, while neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso - also ruled by military juntas - said they would come to Niger's defence. With the risk of conflict escalating, Spain said it was preparing to evacuate more than 70 citizens by air and Italy said it would organise a repatriation flight. Germany urged its citizens to join the French flights. The recent coups in the region have come amid a wave of vitriol aimed at former colonial power France that resulted in its troops being kicked out of Mali and Burkina Faso this year and last. Many of those soldiers are now stationed in Niger. The United States, Germany, and Italy also have troops in Niger on counter-insurgency and training missions. There has been no announcement of troops being evacuated so far. Niger's new military leaders have arrested senior politicians and warned against any foreign attempts to extract Bazoum, who is still shut in his palace. "Considering the ongoing coup in Niger and the fact that the situation continues to be worrying, we decided to make sure that the French citizens who want to leave Niger can do so," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told France's LCI TV. She estimated that hundreds of French citizens and hundreds of other EU citizens wanted to be evacuated on flights she hoped would be completed over 24 hours. Flightradar showed a plane registered to the French armed forces left the airport of the capital Niamey on Tuesday evening. Earlier, a crowd of expats gathered outside the terminal with their suitcases, photos shared with Reuters showed. "I never thought we would leave like this," said a French woman who was waiting to depart with her family and sent messages to Reuters by phone. "It's a scene worthy of a war movie." 'DECLARATION OF WAR' West African bloc ECOWAS has taken its hardest line yet on Niger, after struggling to persuade the military rulers of member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea to restore democracy. A declaration by Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday night suggested a new alliance may be forming in opposition to the rest of the 15-member-state bloc. "Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," said a joint statement read on both countries' national broadcasters. They said that they would withdraw from ECOWAS and adopt "measures of legitimate defence" to support Niger's army and people if ECOWAS intervened. Guinea's military leaders also expressed solidarity with Niger. It is not clear what help Mali and Burkina Faso would provide, given that their under-equipped armies are already failing to contain domestic Islamist insurgencies that have killed thousands. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group which operates in Mali, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order. The Kremlin called for a swift return to constitutional order. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer. (Reporting by Michel Rose, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Layli Foroudi, Blandine Henault and Charlotte van Campenhout; Writing by Ingrid Melander, Nellie Peyton and Edward McAllister; Editing by Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson and Hugh Lawson) By Viktoria Lakezina TYLIHUL ESTUARY, Ukraine (Reuters) - Kite surfers bounce along the gentle waves. A speedboat pulls children on an inflatable raft. Families soak up sunshine on a narrow beach. With most of Ukraine's Black Sea Coast either occupied by Russian troops or in their line of fire, families seeking respite from life in a war zone are flocking to the inland shores of the Tylihul, a river that widens into a broad estuary bordered by grassland. In the summer sunshine you could almost forget that the front line is a few hours drive away. Visitors say the respite is a desperately needed relief. But authorities and some residents worry that the crowds could damage an important and delicate natural habitat. "There are two sides of a coin. On one hand, we understand that there is no access to the sea and people still want to relax somewhere. On the other hand, we know that estuary will not survive such amount of people," said Petro Kalinchuk, on a sandy spit dotted with beach umbrellas and tents. Inna Tymchenko, deputy head of the Mykolaiv regional department of the National Institute of Ecology, said the problem was not so much the people as their tents and cars. "They are placed in chaotic order, tourists don't know where it is alright to leave a car and where it is not, so they park wherever they want. That's how vegetation cover is being destroyed," she said. "Noise affects the birds. They partially got used to the noise, but loud noises are unusual for them this year. It will lead to grave consequences in this area." There was hope that birds could find refuge here from the Kinburn Spit, a vast Black Sea nature preserve destroyed by flooding after the Kakhovska Dam on the Dnipro River was blown up nearly two months ago. More birds could die if there is no hospitable sanctuary for them here. Kalinchuk said his family had been coming to the river for nearly 50 years. They used to see birds nesting and brooding eggs on the beach. Now, with the larger crowds, all the birds were gone and there were fewer fish, too. But as long as the war goes on and there are few other places to rest, families say they will keep coming. "Access to the rivers and the sea is closed. So this is the only place where we can relax after two years of war against Russia," said resident Viacheslav Natalenko. (Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Alex Richardson) OTTAWA (Reuters) -Meta Platforms has begun the process to end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada, it said on Tuesday, in response to law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers. The Canadian government quickly denounced the move as "irresponsible," and said the world is watching the process play out in Canada. The Online News Act, passed by the Canadian parliament, would force platforms like Google parent Alphabet and Meta to negotiate commercial deals with Canadian news publishers for their content. "News outlets voluntarily share content on Facebook and Instagram to expand their audiences and help their bottom line," Rachel Curran, Meta's head of public policy in Canada, said. "In contrast, we know the people using our platforms don't come to us for news." Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, who is in charge of the government's dealings with Meta, said in a Tuesday statement: "This is irresponsible." "They would rather block their users from accessing good quality and local news instead of paying their fair share to news organizations," St-Onge said. "Were going to keep standing our ground. After all, if the Government cant stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will? she added. In a campaign against the law, which is part of a broader global trend to make tech firms pay for news, both Meta and Google said in June they would block access to news on their platforms in the country. Canada's public broadcast CBC also called Meta's move irresponsible and that it was "an abuse of their market power." The Canadian law is similar to a ground-breaking law that Australia passed in 2021 and had triggered threats from Google and Facebook to curtail their services. Both the companies eventually struck deals with Australian media firms after amendments to the legislation were offered. But on the Canadian law, Google has argued that it is broader than those enacted in Australia and Europe as it puts a price on news story links displayed in search results and can apply to outlets that do not produce news. Meta had said links to news articles make up less than 3% of the content on its users' feed and argued that news lacked economic value. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said in May that such an argument was flawed and "dangerous to our democracy, to our economy." (Reporting by Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru and David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Aurora Ellis) Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) said Devon Archer's testimony makes the case that Hunter Biden's plea deal was "designed to cover up the corruption surrounding Joe Biden and his family." Archer testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee's staff on Monday that the Biden family, specifically then-Vice President Joe Biden, was key to Burisma staying afloat. During his testimony, Archer noted that President Joe Biden once attended dinners with the younger Biden's business partners as well as spoke to them over the phone. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT FORMER HUNTER BIDEN BUSINESS PARTNER DEVON ARCHER "That plea deal was designed to cover up the corruption surrounding Joe Biden and his family," Donalds told The Ingraham Angle. "Especially when you look at the facts that the [Foreign Agents Registration Act] violations were buried into this gun charge. And now what Devon Archer has come forward and said, he confirms the fact that not only was Hunter Biden operating as an unregistered foreign agent but that his daddy Joe Biden was always on call." "This stinks to high heaven. It is influence peddling. It is public corruption," he added. Donalds blasted Democrats for going after former President Donald Trump when Republicans "have way more [on Biden] than they wish they had on Donald Trump, and they're going after him using the Department of Justice, which is corrupt, in my view." Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER As additional charges and indictments against Trump are expected, Donalds said they will only support public opinion regarding "two-tiered justice." "The American people are already there," Donalds said. "They see this for what it is. This is the Biden administration and his hit men Merrick Garland and Jack Smith going after their political rival, and they don't like it because it stinks of two-tiered justice. This is un-American, in my view. We don't do this in our country. This happens in third-world countries. It's wrong for our country." Original Location: Archer testimony shows Hunters foiled plea deal was designed to cover up' Biden corruption: Donalds Washington Examiner Videos A president once defended himself from an impeachment inquiry by claiming to have made a "perfect phone call" concerning the Bidens and Ukraine. We may not be there quite yet, but we are entering that territory once again. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT FORMER HUNTER BIDEN BUSINESS PARTNER DEVON ARCHER President Joe Biden spoke multiple times on the telephone to his son's business associates, a former Hunter Biden business partner told a House panel. This was said to have occurred when the younger Biden was affiliated with a Ukrainian energy company and his father was vice president and an Obama administration point man on Ukraine. One congressional Democrat who heard the testimony more or less confirmed the particulars but said this was nothing untoward. The elder Biden didn't talk business, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) assured reporters on Monday. Instead Biden engaged in "casual conversation, niceties, the weather, what's going on" when his son put him on speakerphone for his friends and business partners. Approximately 20 perfect phone calls. This falls well short of proving the worst allegations against the president, though it doesn't exactly refute them either. It does suggest that the wall of separation between Hunter Biden's business dealings and his father's public life is rather less robust than originally advertised long before the father's donors and commission appointees were purchasing the son's artwork. Much like the gradual shift from the Hunter Biden laptop going from not real to not a big deal, the White House goalposts have slowly moved from the Bidens never talking shop to them never being business partners. Congressional Democrats are left insisting, perhaps correctly, that Hunter Biden was simply creating the illusion of influence derived from his father's name and power. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. But prior to Devon Archer's testimony, it was easy to argue that the worst thing the elder Biden could be accused of was not being forceful enough in telling his son to knock it off. It was also possible that Biden was simply not sufficiently aware of what his wayward son was doing. The phone calls suggest that Biden was at least somewhat aware of his son's activities. They also indicate that Biden played a role, unwittingly or not, in helping his son create the illusion of influence in the first place. Making himself available for these calls, even if only the weather was discussed, would help Hunter Biden make claims of influence that went beyond his surname. And Hunter Biden, at least, was paid handsomely for it. House Republicans are now going to set out to prove that it wasn't an illusion and that there was real access being sold. This could turn into another impeachment, or it could simply leave the same handful of committees pressing for answers. All this is happening against the backdrop of Hunter Biden's plea deal for tax and gun crimes falling apart, while his father is gearing up for a possible rematch with former President Donald Trump, who will surely use these revelations to further rehabilitate his own Biden-Ukraine phone call. Trump will also use any questions swirling around the Biden family to lessen perceptions of the justice and severity of his own legal problems. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER And it is indeed difficult to imagine the Democrats now defending Biden singing the same tune if the president's name was Trump. But Democrats who once seemed confident there was no there there with the Hunter Biden saga now sound like they are phoning it in. Original Location: Joe Biden's perfect phone calls Washington Examiner Videos Memphis police officers prevented a "potential mass shooting" when they shot and detained a gunman attempting to enter a Jewish school in the city on Monday, the department's police chief said. Police said they received a report shortly after noon that a white man was at Margolin Hebrew Academy and shot his handgun outside the school. No one was injured from the shots fired, and the suspect drove away before police got there, according to the Memphis Police Department. TIM SCOTT'S MESSAGING AND STRATEGIES COULD SHIFT DESANTIS OUT OF SECOND PLACE Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents and Memphis Police Department officers respond to a scene near the intersection of McCrory Avenue and Gary Street in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, July 31, 2023. Memphis police said officers shot a suspect after he attempted to enter a Jewish school with a gun and fired shots after he couldn't get into the building. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal via AP) Chris Day/AP After a broadcast was sent out to look for the suspect's vehicle, a maroon Dodge pickup truck with California plates, officers were told he might be in Bartlett, Tennessee. That information proved to be accurate. Police said they pulled the suspect's car over, and he exited the car with a handgun, prompting a police officer to shoot him. The suspect is in the hospital in critical condition. "I am proud of the vigilant and quick response of MPD officers who mitigated a potential mass shooting situation today," Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis said. "Many thanks to our neighboring jurisdictions for also providing critical information to stop the suspect's actions." The flag of Israel flutters in the wind above crime scene tape outside Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South after a man attempted to enter the Jewish school with a gun and fired shots after he couldn't get into the building, on Monday, July 31, 2023, in Memphis Tenn. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal via AP) Chris Day/AP Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Memphis Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe commended the school for its safety which thwarted the suspect's efforts. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure and process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene," Crowe said at a press conference, per Fox News, which added that while the suspect's name has not been released, a state congressman revealed that he is a former student of the school. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Original Location: Memphis police arrest gunman outside Jewish school and prevent 'potential mass shooting' Washington Examiner Videos DES MOINES, Iowa Prospective Iowa Republican primary caucusgoers are pointing to Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) policies, rather than his personality, as another reason he is not connecting with the electorate. The feedback coincides with DeSantis's decision to focus more on policy, including with an economic address in New Hampshire on Monday, amid a slump in early polls compared to nomination front-runner former President Donald Trump and problems with small dollar fundraising. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT FORMER HUNTER BIDEN BUSINESS PARTNER DEVON ARCHER Before a Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) town hall in Ankeny, retired Grand Junction independent Dean Lyons, 58, queried DeSantis's strategy to run to the right of Trump as his campaign reconsiders its tactics, such as being more nationally oriented, granting more traditional media interviews, and participating in his first bus tour of Iowa before last week's Iowa Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser. "He's in trouble," Lyons told the Washington Examiner of DeSantis. "I think it's his message. I think he's almost too far that way. And I'm going to be honest with you: If they elect Trump, [President Joe] Biden will be in again. And I think DeSantis, he was supposed to be the man, and he just hasn't caught fire." Earlier that day, Kathy Harvey, 66, who could caucus for DeSantis, also expressed concerns about the governor being too right-wing after attending the launch of his two-day five-stop bus tour organized by his super PAC Never Back Down in Chariton. "I'm very conservative. I know I am," the Chariton musician said outside the Iron Horse bar and restaurant. "The majority of people to me, it's unfortunate are going to the Left ... and that's why I think then he might not be as popular with some people today." But before DeSantis's meet-and-greet with about 30 people, Brad Reece, 61, encouraged the governor to "stick with his conservative values" and "not vary away from that" after he rose to prominence, in part, because of his cultural, anti-woke policies. "He needs to stand up for what he believes in and convince the voters that if he is the elected candidate ... he will do what he says he's going to do," the Chariton farmer said. "Between now and early next year when they have their primaries, in politics, that's an eternity," he added. "A lot of things can happen." The following day before another DeSantis meet and greet, this time in Oskaloosa with about 50 people, Jenna Belcher, 49, dismissed criticism regarding the governor's retail politics skills hours after he told a child at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Corydon that her slushy ice drink must have "a lot of sugar" in it and another it was "good to see" them. "I haven't even noticed that," the Oskaloosa assistant said at the town's Smokey Row Coffee. "The whole pandemic is really what caught my eye." John Bandsta, 67, and Leanne Hessing, 66, who were at the meet-and-greet as well, voiced their confidence that DeSantis could, in Bandsta's words, "get our country back on track." Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "We need somebody new with some new ideas, and I like what DeSantis has done in Florida," Hessing, a Pella home school teacher, said. "He has proven that he can change things for the better. Being president would be a much bigger job to do that, but I know he's going to definitely try to make the change." Bandsta, an Oskaloosa farmer, additionally attributed DeSantis's inability to break through to Trump, whom he describes as "overshadowing" the primary as the media simultaneously homes in on the governor after reporting on the former president for eight years. "If Trump was not there, I think that DeSantis would do well," he said. "There's a lot of people that have not given up anything on Trump. Trump is their man, no matter what, and they're not willing to look at other candidates." Bryan Person, 50, who is likely to caucus for Trump again, acknowledged the challenge with which DeSantis must contend to persuade supporters of the former president to back him instead because people have "mostly made up their minds." "It's all based off of what he's done. Nothing he says now will matter," the Adel technology representative said of DeSantis. "Both with him or Trump, it doesn't matter. He can't say any more. Well, to me, it doesn't mean anything." Trump averages 54% support in early national primary polls to DeSantis's 18%, according to RealClearPolitics. Although the former president has a 36 percentage point advantage over the governor, the pair's closest rival, biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has 5%. DeSantis announced his "Declaration of Economic Independence" policy in Rochester, New Hampshire, on Monday, a 10-point plan that he is adamant will counter the "decline of our nation's struggling economy" and advocate the middle class by taking on "the elites, D.C. bureaucrats, and Communist China." Two weeks ago, the governor released his "Mission First" military position. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "You better ask an on-topic question because I'm not answering anything that's not about the economy," he told reporters afterward. As of last week, DeSantis let go of about 40% of his original staff, and while campaign manager Generra Peck was retained, digital director Ethan Eilon was promoted to be her deputy. Though the governor raised $20.1 million during the second quarter of this year, about two-thirds came from donors who cannot contribute any more money, and $3 million can only be used during a general election. He has already spent $7.9 million. Original Location: Personality or policies: Iowans are split on what is tripping up DeSantis Washington Examiner Videos Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) blasted Hunter Biden for his artwork on Monday, comparing the paintings to those of his children. DeSantis dismissed the first son's artistic career in an interview with Fox News's Bret Baier. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT FORMER HUNTER BIDEN BUSINESS PARTNER DEVON ARCHER "Hunter, he's selling paintings for over $1 million? My 6-year-old daughter does better paintings than him. Maybe we'll put ours up and see what kind of things she can fetch. I don't think you're going to get a million dollars on it," the Florida governor said. His comments come after House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) asked for documents stemming from a purchase of Biden's art pieces by Elizabeth Hirsch Naftali, a Democratic donor. Naftali purchased the piece for as much as $500,000 from the Georges Berges Gallery. Comer is seeking any documents and communication between the White House, Naftali, and Berges, who served as Biden's gallerist. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Biden is the focus of several Republican-led investigations into his foreign business dealings and his connection to an "alleged criminal scheme" that involves President Joe Biden and the Biden family. Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's former business partner, testified before the House Oversight Committee behind closed doors on Monday about Hunter Biden's business dealings. He testified that Joe Biden would be dialed into business meetings but only to "sell the illusion of access to his father." Original Location: Ron DeSantis blasts Hunter Biden painting sales: 'My 6-year-old does better paintings' Washington Examiner Videos Devon Archer's testimony left Democrats and Republicans with different opinions, as the former Hunter Biden business associate offered evidence into the House GOP's investigation into President Joe Biden and the first son's business dealings. Archer testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee as Republicans attempt to link Joe Biden to his son's foreign business affairs in a broader effort to investigate the Biden administration. TIM SCOTT'S MESSAGING AND STRATEGIES COULD SHIFT DESANTIS OUT OF SECOND PLACE Here are the takeaways from Archer's testimony and what comes next for the key players. Conference calls give insight into President Joe Biden's involvement Archer testified that Hunter Biden put the president on speakerphone nearly 20 times when he was speaking with business associates to give the "illusion" that he had access to his father. The 20 occasions occurred over a 10-year period back when Biden was serving as vice president. Archer said Hunter Biden and Joe Biden would engage in "casual conversation, niceties, the weather, what's going on" and that there "wasn't a single conversation" about any of Hunter Biden's business dealings, according to Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY). Republicans vs. Democrats Republicans and Democrats viewed Archer's testimony through different lenses. GOP lawmakers said the testimony shows Joe Biden "lied" about his knowledge of his son's alleged misconduct. The president and White House spokespeople have made repeated statements that he was not involved in his son's work, particularly Hunter Biden's connection to Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) told reporters that he believed Archer's testimony "implicate[s] the president." Biggs said Archer testified that "Burisma would have gone out of business sooner if the Biden brand had not been invoked. People would be intimidated to legally mess with Burisma because of the Biden family brand." Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Democrats, on the other hand, say Archer's testimony proves that the House Oversight Committee does not have a case against Joe Biden. Ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said in a statement that Archer confirmed that "President Biden was not involved in his son's business affairs, and that President Biden was never asked to, nor did he, take any official actions in relation to those business matters." What's next for Hunter Biden and Devon Archer? Off of Capitol Hill, Archer is battling with the Justice Department over the prison time that he has yet to serve. Archer was convicted in July 2018 on two felony charges for his role in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. Despite being sentenced in 2022, he has avoided prison time due to a series of appeals that his defense has filed. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York asked a judge to set a reporting date for Archer, which Republicans decried as interference in Archer's testimony before the House GOP-led committee. Archer's attorney is expected to issue a formal reply to the U.S. attorney's demands by Wednesday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Meanwhile, Hunter Biden recently pleaded not guilty to federal charges, despite having an original plea deal with the DOJ. He was set to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors to avoid a felony gun charge, but the judge overseeing the plea deal raised concerns that ultimately led to a delay in the case. Prosecutors and the defense have less than 30 days to come up with new terms for the plea deal. However, the judge's deferral does not mean the original plea deal between Hunter Biden and prosecutors is dead. Original Location: Three takeaways from Devon Archer's testimony on Capitol Hill Washington Examiner Videos Super PACs supporting Sen. Tim Scott's (R-SC) 2024 White House bid hauled in large donations recently from a cohort of influential business leaders, records reveal. The pro-Scott committees Opportunity Matters Fund Action and Trust In The Mission, which can accept unlimited sums of cash though they cannot coordinate directly with the South Carolina Republican's campaign, disclosed Monday that they received $6.1 million combined from seven billionaires between March and June. UNDERDOG NO MORE: SENATE REPUBLICANS LINE UP BEHIND SAM BROWN IN NEVADA The donations underscore how Wall Street is trying to evaluate which Republican hopeful could garner enough support to take on President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. A New York Times/Siena College GOP primary survey released Monday found former President Donald Trump with 54% support, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) with 17%, ex-Vice President Mike Pence, Scott, and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley at 3%, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 2%. "Tim Scott is the one candidate in this race that has shown movement and momentum," Nathan Brand, the communications director for Scott's presidential campaign, told the Washington Examiner. "His consistently conservative record, positive message, and ability to connect with voters everywhere is why Tim Scott is resonating. This is why he's the candidate that Democrats fear the most." Opportunity Matters Fund Action notably pocketed $80,000 from Nelson Peltz, an investor who is the non-executive chairman of the Wendy's Company, $600,000 from business magnate Jeffrey Yass, and $150,000 from former hedge fund manager Stanley Druckenmiller, according to campaign finance disclosures. Absent from the latest contributors list was billionaire and former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who poured over $35 million between 2020 and 2022 into another Scott-affiliated PAC. Peltz in 2020 hosted a fundraising dinner to support Trump's presidential bid, though he later soured on the former commander in chief after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The 81-year-old Trian Fund Management founder was cited in a late July Financial Times story as "rethinking" his prior support for DeSantis, whom Peltz said was "too severe" on his anti-abortion policies. The governor signed a bill into law in Florida in April that banned abortions following six weeks of pregnancy. Yass, who co-founded the Philadelphia-based Susquehanna International Group and is estimated by Forbes to be worth $28.9 billion, has taken other steps in the past to support efforts in the GOP to fight a Trump nomination. He gave $15 million combined in February and June to Club for Growth Action, which is opposing the former president, according to campaign finance disclosures. As for Druckenmiller, he is also co-hosting a ritzy fundraiser on Aug. 9 in the Hamptons to support Scott, according to an invitation. Druckenmiller, who between 1988 and 2000 was a managing director at Soros Fund Management, where he managed investments directly for George Soros as chief officer, is being joined at the Hamptons event by ex-Gov. Bill Haslam (R-TN), who is said to be worth $2.5 billion. Haslam contributed $300,000 in June to Trust in the Mission PAC, disclosures show. The PAC also received $25,000 each from the married billionaire couple Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam, who own the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. Meanwhile, Trust in the Mission raked in $5 million in June from South Carolina businessman Ben Navarro, the founder of Sherman Financial Group, the owner of Credit One Bank, according to disclosures. Navarro made headlines in 2021 upon gifting $1.25 million to the College of Charleston. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is seen as he participates in a photo op with President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett prior to their meeting in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2020. (Bonnie Cash/AP) While Trump has so far dominated his GOP challengers in polls, Scott could see an opening to gain traction, given the DeSantis campaign's recent pitfalls related to overspending, low fundraising, and letting go dozens of staffers. The pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down reported $97 million in cash-on-hand on Monday, and it plans to raise another $100 million by March 2024. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner on Monday that it's clear "voters from all backgrounds are clearly standing with" the former president. "The fact is that President Trump will be the nominee and will beat Crooked Joe Biden because he's the only person who can supercharge the economy, secure our border, safeguard communities, and put an end to unnecessary wars," Cheung said. "Americans want to return to a prosperous nation, and there's only one person who can do that President Trump." Original Location: Tim Scott receives major boost in White House bid from these seven billionaires Washington Examiner Videos A Denver employee of the U.S. Postal Service failed to show her employer retaliated, discriminated against her or otherwise refused to accommodate her disability, the federal appeals court based in Colorado ruled last month. Melissa M. Goodson held a variety of jobs within the Postal Service since 1997. After she suffered an on-the-job injury in 2000, she received permanent medical restrictions. Goodson, who is Black, claimed the Postal Service did not accommodate her disability, reassigned her based on discrimination, and subjected her to a hostile work environment because of her disability, sex and race. Initially, a trial judge sided with the Postal Service, finding it had legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for assigning Goodson to certain tasks. Further, not all of the conduct Goodson complained about was subject to a legal challenge. Case: Goodson v. DeJoy Decided: July 27, 2023 Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for Colorado Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Scott M. Matheson Jr. (author) Harris L Hartz Timothy M. Tymkovich For example, in 2012, Goodson and the Postal Service reached a settlement in which she received $7,000 and agreed not to sue over a recent job reassignment. Consequently, "Ms. Goodson is barred from relitigating in this Court her failure to accommodate claim arising from her removal from her Tour III modified clerk position," wrote U.S. District Court Senior Judge Christine M. Arguello in August 2022. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Alternatively, Goodson argued the Postal Service "fraudulently induced" her to settle by representing that two employees had bid on the job she desired and, under the terms of the union contract, she could not "bump" them from that assignment through her disability accommodation. Goodson claimed in her lawsuit that neither employee had actually bid on the job, but Arguello found no evidence supporting Goodson's version of events. Finally, Arguello did not believe Goodson was treated differently from other employees when the Postal Service attempted to reassign her to a new position in November 2013, shortly after Goodson filed a discrimination complaint. In reality, Goodson did not pass the exam for the new position and the Postal Service returned to her to her existing job with the same salary, benefits and hours. There is "no evidence that Ms. Goodsons disability was a motivating factor for the November 2013 reassignment letter," Arguello wrote. "Under these circumstances, no reasonable jury could find that the November 2013 reassignment letter constitutes actionable conduct for a hostile work environment claim." Goodson, now representing herself, turned to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. She reiterated that the Postal Service's decisions to reassign her amounted to a "pattern of harassment" based on her protected characteristics. Further, a key witness's shifting explanations suggested a jury should decide whether the Postal Service acted discriminatorily. A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit waved aside Goodson's concerns. As Arguello found, the Postal Service provided credible reasons rooted in the union contract and the bid system for assigning Goodson to various positions. Further, inconsistencies in witness testimony were "irrelevant," especially in light of the decade-old events underlying the lawsuit. "There is no dispute that USPS met its burden ... to provide a legitimate and nondiscriminatory reason for its actions the labor contract required USPS to place unassigned regular employees like Ms. Goodson in available jobs," wrote Judge Scott M. Matheson Jr. in the panel's July 27 order. A federal judge agreed last week that Jefferson County, two sheriff's deputies and the operators of an assisted living facility may be held liable for the death of a man in crisis who drowned in a nearby reservoir. On New Year's Day 2021, Graham Hebert twice wandered away from Berry House in Littleton, a supervised home for adults with brain injuries. The first time, Jeffco deputies brought Hebert back after finding him outdoors in subfreezing temperatures wearing only underwear and slippers. The second time, Hebert walked onto an icy reservoir in Blue Heron Park, only to fall through and drown. Michele Bourgeois, Hebert's mother, filed suit for the wrongful death of her son. The county, along with Rocky Mountain Care and Consulting which operates Berry House moved to dismiss her claims, arguing they acted properly in addressing Hebert's mental health crisis. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney disagreed. "The Amended Complaint contains numerous allegations that the Rocky Mountain Care Defendants failed to call an ambulance or Mr. Heberts psychiatric provider or any other individual to address Mr. Heberts crisis despite the obvious signs of his mental distress," she wrote in a July 25 order. As for the two Jeffco deputies who returned Hebert after his first disappearance, they allegedly "discouraged Mr. Hebert from seeking psychiatric treatment and, crucially, misrepresented the severity of his condition to a Berry House employee," Sweeney added. According to Bourgeois' lawsuit, her son suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2009 and had "dementia-like symptoms." Rocky Mountain Care and Consulting accepted him as a Berry House resident in July 2020. The company allegedly knew he had a history of hospitalizations stemming from psychiatric crises. On Dec. 31, 2020, Hebert was reportedly in need of hospitalization, but Berry House did not secure an emergency evaluation. Instead, Hebert wandered away from Berry House the next morning wearing practically no clothes in the freezing weather. Deputies Aaron Fosler and Jeffrey Pederson located Hebert at nearby Blue Heron Park and returned him to Berry House. Relying on body-worn camera footage, the lawsuit alleged the deputies and the operators of Berry House knew Hebert was in crisis. "Based on the facts, Defendants had a legal basis to involuntarily hospitalize Mr. Hebert under an M-1 hold due to his being obviously gravely disabled and a danger to himself," Bourgeois' attorneys wrote. Instead, Pederson allegedly discouraged Hebert from seeking hospitalization by saying, "If I were in your position, I would want to be in my house, chilling in my room." Pederson also told the only Berry House staff member on duty that "if he was actively talking about hallucinations and things like that with me, I would take him to the hospital." Hebert had, in fact, told the deputies he was hallucinating. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Later that day, Hebert left Berry House a second time and returned to the park. He stepped out onto the frozen water in the reservoir and fell through. Rocky Mountain Care and Consulting allegedly did not inform police he was missing until hours had passed, nor did it inform Bourgeois for weeks about Hebert's earlier disappearance. More than a month later, on Feb. 6, law enforcement located Hebert in the reservoir, dead at age 30. Bourgeois alleged that Jeffco's lack of crisis intervention training for deputies was responsible for her son's death. She also claimed Fosler and Pederson were liable through a 2020 police accountability law Colorado legislators enacted to address violations of rights under the state constitution. Finally, she accused Hilary and Teddi Samuel, the leaders of Rocky Mountain Care and Consulting, of neglecting their duties to keep Hebert safe, monitor him and adequately staff their facility. Jefferson County moved to dismiss the lawsuit by arguing Colorado law did not require the deputies to transport Hebert to a hospital. Despite Pederson seeming to dismiss the idea of hospitalizing Hebert, the full body-worn camera footage showed Pederson was open to "get(ting) you some help." "Deputies affirmative conduct locating Mr. Hebert at Blue Heron Park in his underwear and slippers and driving him home benefitted him. It certainly did not put him at substantial risk of serious, immediate, and proximate harm," wrote the Jefferson County Attorney's Office. Rocky Mountain Care and Consulting offered one reason why it should not be held liable: The only thing it could do was call for emergency assistance, which it did. Nothing more was required. Sweeney rejected the idea that the lawsuit's claims were not viable. Even though the deputies knew Hebert was in distress, she observed, Pederson appeared to minimize the need for crisis intervention. "Defendants Fosler and Pedersons conduct shocks the conscience," she wrote. The deputies "allegedly discouraged Mr. Hebert from seeking necessary psychiatric care and hospitalization despite having actual knowledge of his distressed mental condition as well as the dangers it posed and misrepresented the severity of that condition to a Berry House staff member." Further, Sweeney agreed the allegations, if true, indicated Jefferson County's own protocols for deputies contributed to Hebert's death. As for Rocky Mountain Care and Consulting's insistence it had no obligation beyond calling law enforcement, Sweeney noted that state law required Berry House to protect its residents. "Defendants duty included more than simply a duty to call 911 twice, monitor Mr. Heberts 'general whereabouts,' or simply 'monitor' him on the premises," she wrote. For about 11 years now, the Brownsville Art Association has been selling its members often brilliantly colored and multimedia artwork out of about 1,485 square feet attached to City Hall. Along with the Linn County Historical Museum, Pioneer Picture Gallery and the Moyer House, the associations Art Center & Gallery is all part of the picturesque charm that attracts outsized interest in the Linn County town of about 1,700 people. And for 11 years, the Linn County Assessment and Taxation Office has paid no special attention to it. But now, the sales, through which the artists pay for their membership, have caught the countys eye, with an appraiser recently writing the city to say it cant enjoy tax-exempt status for that portion of the city-owned building. Art guilds do not qualify for exemption when displayed art is also held for sale, according to a July 11 notice from Linn County Commercial Appraisal Natalie Bauer sent to the city. In other words, the city now has to pay property taxes on that section of City Hall, which represents about 25% of the city-owned building, according to Linn County spokesperson Alex Paul. Had the city been forced to pay last year, it would have cost Brownsville $1,350, City Administrator Scott McDowell told the City Council at its meeting Tuesday, July 25. But theres no way to know how much the tax liability will be this year. Thats because Linn County does not have certified values or tax rates set at this time, Paul said. We do not certify values until Oct. 5. We would be able to give them a more accurate tax amount at that time, Paul said by email. The city is not waiting though. The council voted to direct McDowell to appeal the decision through the Oregon Tax Court. Paul said its not unusual to excise the square footage devoted to commercial activity in government buildings from tax-exemptions. For example, the space occupying the diner at the Linn County Courthouse is taxable, he said. Another example, Paul said, is a vendor set up at Fire Station 13 on Three Lakes Road Southeast in Albany. The portion of that city-owned facility allotted to a commercial enterprise is taxed. According to Matt Harrington, spokesperson for Albany, Springfield-based Hughes Fire Equipment operates out of Station 13, servicing Albany Fire Department and other departments equipment. The lease agreement has the company covering the cost of property taxes. Back in Brownsville, its not like the gallery is new, McDowell said, his resentment obvious to the council on Tuesday. I think I find it a little bit funny, the state and county, they put out grants to support the arts, he said, calling the Brownsville Art Associations gallery of rock em, sock em quality. When current acting President Lori Garcy first moved to Brownsville in 2009, the Brownsville Art Association was operating out of old elementary school to hold meetings and offer art lessons to children and adults, she said by email. When the new firehouse was built and part of the old firehouse front was remodeled, the council was discussing what to do with the space that was created, Garcy wrote. BAA approached the council and requested that it become an Art Center that would be run by BAA. To prepare for a July 2011 opening, the organization painted the space, cleaned the cement floor and built cabinets, she said. The Brownsville Art Association is now in its 12th year at 255 N. Main St. Each member who sells at the Art Center sets their own prices. The sale of art is not a money-maker for either our members or BAA, Garcy wrote. We make enough to cover our few expenses and that is all. It is totally run by volunteers and we have no paid employees. The association is organized, for tax purposes, as a social club, Garcy added. Its hard for Garcy to view the associations activity as commercial. We do not just focus on selling art. Before COVID, we provided free art classes to students on a weekly basis and had many adult classes. Some of our instructors came from far away to teach here because they liked the feel of the Art Center. We held writing workshops that were well attended. We provide a place for our local authors to sell their books. Other civic groups have held their meetings in the Art Center, she wrote. Councilor Michael Humphreys shared McDowells umbrage: It looks like the county has grabbed at low-hanging fruit. A Mason City man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in May was sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday. According to court records, 29-year-old Dominick Daniel Degner was facing life in prison after being charged with first-degree murder in December 2021. The charges were filed after he allegedly killed 24-year-old Tonette Wolfe of Mason City via blunt force trauma and then set fire to Wolfe's body and the residence located at 123 N. Tennessee Ave. in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime in September 2021. Degner will be required to serve at least 70% of his sentence due to the charge being a forcible felony. Degner is also required to pay $150,000 restitution to the victim's estate. A second-degree arson charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Cerro Gordo County Attorney Carlyle Dalen responded to an inquiry about why the state decided on offering the plea agreement. "As in every major case in our office, we sat down with law enforcement and the victims family to discuss whether there was an appropriate offer that would respect the death of Tonette Wolfe and also hold the defendant responsible for his horrific actions. We unanimously decided that Murder in the second degree was a fair offer. This is a class B felony of 50 years in prison with a minimum of 35 years before he is eligible for parole. He is 29 years old and will be almost 65 when he even becomes eligible for parole. At sentencing today, family members gave heartfelt statements in court. Hopefully sentencing today can allow the family some closure and the opportunity for healing." Degner made a statement prior to sentencing on Monday. "I just want to say I don't expect any forgiveness at all, and I do want to say I'm sorry for what happened," he said. Two victim impact statements were given at the sentencing hearing. Wolfe's biological mother Laura Snyder directed her comments to Degner himself. "Dominick, yesterday would have been Toni's 26th birthday. You took that away from her. When I first started communicating with you when you were dating Toni you said you would treat my daughter Toni like you would want someone to treat your daughter. Is this how you would want someone to treat your daughter? To take their life?" she said. The other victim impact statement was read by Kathy Miller of Crisis Intervention Service on behalf of Wolfe's adoptive parents Jerry and Lin Wolfe. "I now know how it feels to lose a child who you've given a large portion of your love and support to," she read. "She was such a joyful child. Very headstrong, but a pleasure to be around and with. She always had a smile on her face. I prayed for her safety toward the latter part of her life. She thought she had everything under control, but she didn't." Celebrity Birthdays: July 31 B.J. Novak Bill Berry Dean Cain Dirk Blocker Eve Best Evgeni Malkin Evonne Goolagong Cawley Lil Uzi Vert Mark Cuban Rico Rodriguez Sherry Lansing Wesley Snipes Zac Brown A Des Moines care facility with a history of care violations that includes maggot-infested wounds has been cited for repeatedly failing to give residents their narcotic pain medications. According to a report from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, Genesis Senior Living Center, 5608 SW Ninth St., Des Moines, has repeatedly failed to administer residents pain medications as ordered by a physician, posing an immediate threat to residents health and safety. Four of the homes 62 residents were not given their prescribed narcotic painkillers for prolonged periods of time, inspectors reported. Nurses and medication aides reported that because the drugs were often not available in the facility, the staff would initial the patient records and medication charts and then draw a circle around their initials signaling to other workers that the drugs they were to administer werent actually being given. One resident who had cancer of the larynx went eight days without receiving his three-times-a-day order of Percocet, an opioid pain medication. The man told inspectors he was fully aware he wasnt receiving his prescribed painkillers because the facility didnt have them in stock. When asked if he was in pain during that time, his eyes widened and he nodded a definite yes, the inspectors reported. Three other residents, including one in hospice care, did not receive their prescribed fentanyl, a potent opioid commonly delivered via a patch applied to the skin. Over one 22-day period, the three residents with orders for fentanyl did not receive the drug for 11, 12 and seven days, respectively. One of those three residents told inspectors she was in pain, hurt everywhere, and rated her pain as a nine on a scale of one to 10. Another of the three rated her pain as an eight, and the inspector reported both women appeared to be in pain and were grimacing. One of the homes certified medication aides told inspectors that with regard to the home not having prescribed medications on hand, it happened more often than she cared to admit. The homes director of nursing told inspectors she was looking into the shortage of fentanyl patches. But when asked by an inspector what she could say about the situation, the director of nursing remained silent and just shook her head no, according to the inspectors report. A registered nurse allegedly indicated the problem was tied to the lack of a working fax machine for the previous six months, which complicated the process of ordering medications. Two nurses reportedly told the inspectors they didnt think workers were diverting the narcotics for their own use and that the problem was more likely due to sloppy nursing or laziness on the part of the staff. One worker told inspectors that when she assessed residents pain levels, she sometimes didnt ask the residents and simply wrote down a zero if they appeared comfortable. She said one resident rated their pain at eight, but said if she didnt see any facial grimacing she would typically mark that down as a two instead. As a result of the inspection, the facility was cited July 19 for 12 state and federal violations. DIAL proposed a $9,500 state fine, but held that fine in suspension to let federal officials determine whether a federal fine is warranted. Maggots in residents wounds: It was horrible. The states most recent previous visit to Genesis Senior Living Center was in April, when they went there to investigate a backlog of nine complaints, cited the owners for 15 violations, and held in suspension a proposed $15,750 state fine. At that time, inspectors noted that residents of the home had complained the second-shift aides did little work, hid in closets and talked on their personal phones. After one resident complained to an aide about the length of time she had waited to have her undergarments changed, the aide allegedly threw a pair of briefs and a glove at her, saying, Fing change yourself, and walked out. The aide was fired for the offense, according to the inspectors report. The home was also cited for failing to address a residents bed sores, which worsened and then developed into a serious wound that resulted in exposed bone, a dangerous bone infection and a prolonged hospitalization. A nurse told inspectors that when she walked into the residents room, it smelled like gangrene. The nurse told inspectors the lack of care provided for residents of Genesis Senior Living Center was the reason she no longer worked there, describing the level of care as horrific. In December 2021, the state cited Genesis for 45 state and federal violations an unusually high number. A nurse aide at the home told state inspectors that she had found open sores on a male residents legs that were dripping with fluid and maggots, telling inspectors, It was horrible. According to the inspectors reports, the aide said that when she removed the mans socks, maggots fell out of his heel, and they were coming out of the sores on his legs. The man complained of a burning sensation in his legs. A nurse was summoned and was so upset she took photos of the mans legs before having the man transported to a local hospital by paramedics, the aide told inspectors. According to the inspectors, the care facility staff reported the man had sores and maggots on his right leg at the top of the calf, right shin, left shin, and the majority of maggots came out of his left heel. The maggots were in various colors brown, white, and tan. There were dead ones, live ones, little ones and big ones. The man had been admitted to the home in July 2021 and, according to inspectors, the homes subsequent failure to provide adequate care over the next 10 weeks led to him being hospitalized on three separate occasions for conditions that included maggots in his wounds, a urinary tract infection and sepsis. The man died on Sept. 30, 2021, one week after his third and final transfer to a hospital. Genesis Senior Living Centers current administrator, Tami Little, did not return a call seeking comment. The home is owned by DSM Healthcare Management, a for-profit company owned in part by Judah Bienstock of MGM Healthcare, a St. Louis company that manages seven Iowa nursing homes and 18 facilities in Missouri and Oklahoma. Photos: Missing children in Iowa Alexandra Storm Hailey Coleman Jamira Debose Osbourne Breasia Terrell Julian Murray Daniela Salinas-mejia Jade Colvin Fredrick Workman Benjamin Roseland Erin Pospisil Marc Allen Eugene Martin John Gosch Kimberly Doss Colleen Simpson Caleb Williams Xavior Harrelson Alyssa Dluzak Fatima Conteh Daniela Vera-Ortega Xerxes Blaesing Jorge Peneda Castillo Anya Pritchard Desirae Gifford Daquan Nelson Diomarix Crespo Alivia Beeding Hunter Kenyon Caydence Roberts OTTUMWA As a result of an investigation into the Ottumwa Fire Department, the City of Ottumwa has dismissed three firefighters for misconduct. Firefighters Derek Fye and Dillon McPherson, as well as captain Bill Keith, were separated from the city "effective immediately," the city said in a press release Monday. The Courier has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the city for more specifics on the firefighters' dismissal. McPherson resigned in lieu of termination, while Fye has been terminated. Both were relieved of their duties for "actions and behaviors that violated department rules, safe practices and the values and standards of the city of Ottumwa," the press release added. Keith was terminated for "failure to adequately lead those under his command and further displaying an attitude of indifference toward holding employees accountable to the values and standards of the department and the city of Ottumwa." In its press release, the city said it did not make the decision lightly. "We take all instances of misconduct very seriously. We expect all employees to adhere to our city's policies and maintain the highest standards of conduct and professionalism," the city said. "We are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the city remains a safe and ethical environment of our staff." The city also said it aims to fill the positions as soon as possible and appreciates the community's support during this time. "We are committed to a continuity of public service as we work through the staffing changes and will contact relevant staff to discuss the temporary distribution of responsibilities related to the departure of these individuals," the city said. The investigation into the fire department, which was conducted by Dentons Davis Brown PC, began in May. Best-performing Iowa stocks last week Best-performing Iowa stocks last week #2. Principal Financial Group Inc (PFG) #1. Casey`s General Stores (CASY) A 32-year-old Danville resident was arrested last week in a deadly shooting outside a night club in Caswell County, North Carolina. On Monday, authorities announced that Lawan Jamar Terry was taken into custody Wednesday on one count of first-degree murder in the Feb. 6, 2022, homicide of Daren Lorenzo Hairston, 21, of Danville. It was sometime in the early morning hours from 1:45 to 2 a.m. that Hairston was shot in the parking lot of Luckys bar, authorities reported to the Register & Bee last year. When deputies arrived responding to a call of a shooting, they found Hairston dead of a gunshot wound. At the time, officials said multiple shots were fired in the incident. While in Caswell County, Luckys located at 268 Gatewood Road in Providence, North Carolina is only a few feet from the Danville city limits. Terry was arrested by the Alamance County, North Carolina, Sheriffs Office on a felony fugitive warrant from Caswell, authorities wrote in a news release. Alamance is the county located directly south of Caswell. Terry was placed in the Alamance County Detention Center with no bond. His first court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday. The arrest comes after several pleas for the public to step forward with information in the death. The Caswell County Sheriffs Office is requesting assistance from the public for persons or persons who may be responsible for the homicide, authorities wrote in a news release in May. Last year in another attempt to get information from the public police upped the cash reward for information in the homicide that leads to an arrest or identification of a suspect to $2,500. This marks the second homicide at the bar near Danville. In March 2020, Keith Hayes, of Danville, was killed at the establishment. The Triads three main hospitals combined for one national specialty-care listing in the high-profile U.S. News & World Report rankings. The magazine released its 34th annual Best Hospitals ranking for 2023-24 early Tuesday at health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. For the 17 North Carolina hospitals reviewed, the state rankings for the three main Triad hospitals all dropped from the 2022-23 report: Moses Cone went from tied for third to tied fifth; Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist went from eighth to ninth; and Forsyth Medical Center from tied for 14th to 16th. Cone was ranked No. 36 nationally for rehabilitation services. Cone also was listed as high performing nationally in gastroenterology and GI surgery, orthopedics, and pulmonary and lung surgery. For the consumer, it is gratifying to know that nationally ranked, high-quality health care is available right in your own neighborhood, says Dr. Marlon Priest, chief clinical officer at Cone Health. Meanwhile, Baptist and Forsyth had no high-performing national listings. Baptist did not provide comment ahead of the posting of the report. There were no North Carolina hospitals listed on the national top-22 honor roll. U.S. News said its procedures and conditions methodology are based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, patient experience, level of nursing care and how successfully each hospital helps patients get back home. U.S. News reviewed about more than 5,000 hospitals nationwide in 15 adult specialties and 21 surgical procedures. For the second consecutive year, only 164 hospitals nationwide were ranked in at least one national top-50 specialty. US News defines a high-performance specialty ranking as being outside the top-50 nationally, but was significantly better than average and typically in the top-10% in the category. The number of individual procedures and conditions has been expanded from 20 to 21 in the latest report. In those categories, Baptist was ranked in 11, Cone in 10 and Forsyth in eight. To keep pace with consumers needs and the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, several refinements are reflected in the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, U.S. News said. These include the introduction of outpatient outcomes in key specialty rankings and surgical ratings, the expanded inclusion of other outpatient data, an increased weight on objective quality measures, a reduced weight on expert opinion and more. Hospital profiles on USNews.com feature refined health equity measures, including a new measure of racial disparities in outcomes. How it works As has been the pattern for U.S. News for several years, the rankings tilted again toward academic medical centers in North Carolina and nationally. However, U.S. News made a significant change in 2019 in how it measures the hospitals performance in the 15 specialty categories. The methodology change enhanced the way we account for differences in patient populations, and how those differences affect hospitals performance, and incorporated additional patient-centered measures reflecting patient satisfaction and how often patients go directly home from the hospital, U.S. News said. The 2019 change left Baptist without a top-50 specialty listing in the last four reports after achieving a specialty category ranking annually for more than a quarter-century. Wake Forest Baptist has touted in its marketing for years that the top-50 specialty rankings were a key verification of the quality of its services and patient care. Novant said in a statement regarding the U.S. News rankings that ranking systems are intended to help patients make health care decisions. But, the wide variability of data sources and evaluation processes make it difficult for patients to know which system is most relevant to their care experience. There are at least four separate methodologies for U.S. News & World Reports various Best Hospitals rankings, some of which incorporate subjective measures, such as voting. Duke University Hospital remained first in the state, nationally ranked again in 10 adult specialties, down one from the 2022-23 report. However, Duke was not ranked among the nations top-20 hospitals for the fifth consecutive year. UNC Hospitals remained No. 2 in the state, nationally ranked in three adult specialties, down one from a year ago. Carolinas Medical Center, the flagship hospital for Atrium Health, was ranked third. Atrium is the parent company of Wake Forest Baptist. Of the 13 non-academic medical centers in N.C. reviewed by U.S. News, only Cone had the nationally ranked adult specialty. Mixed response The release of the annual U.S. News report stirs discussion about the value of hospital rankings as more groups produce listings. Some advocacy groups, such as the American Hospital Association, complain that academic medical centers get lower quality scores on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Compares, in part because they treat the sickest of the sick, along with a significant number of low-income patients without insurance. There are many organizations evaluating health care with U.S. News being among the most prominent, Priest said. Medicare officials say the rankings are risk-adjusted to take into account the kinds of patients a hospital serves, and that hospitals with more stars have tended to have lower death and readmission rates. Other hospital ratings include www.leapfroggroup.org, www.ahrq.gov, www.healthgrades.com and www.drscore.com. Healthcare systems tend to cite the rankings that put them in the best light. For example, Novant has said Leapfrog is the rating system that we particularly measure ourselves against ... for safety, quality and patient experience. In the latest Leapfrog semiannual report released May 3, Baptist, Cone and Forsyth were all rated at the A level for patient safety. Leapfrog assigns letter grades from A to F to hospitals based on their ability to prevent errors, injuries, accidents and infections, and improve patient satisfaction. Leapfrog researchers said they have determined that when compared with a hospital rated an A, patients face on average a 35% greater risk of avoidable death at a B hospital, an 88% greater risk at a C hospital and a 92% greater risk at a D or F hospital. Last week, the latest Hospital Compares ratings were released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Cone received five stars in its overall rating, but just three from the patient survey. Forsyth received three stars in its overall rating and from the patient survey, while Baptist received two stars in the overall rating and three from patients. Even the objective measures offer an incomplete picture, as they exclude the general population and are only based on inpatient outcomes for Medicare patients, Novant said. These inconsistencies, along with the trend of care being shifted to the outpatient setting, are why hospital rankings are unable to fully capture the dedication and expertise of our care teams. The two sides presented opening arguments Tuesday in the trial of Brandon Michael Beckman, accused of the methamphetamine- and money-fueled slaying of 39-year-old Michael Anthony Biggs in January 2022. Beckman, 36, and Robert John Harvel, 32, are both charged with felony deliberate homicide, and both men are said to be implicating each other. The two are alleged to have driven Biggs to Moose Creek Campground near Rimini under the false pretense of a meth deal, then shooting and killing Biggs and taking his money. Youre going to hear from Robert Harvel, the driver of that car, who became acquainted with Michael and with Brandon Beckman somewhere within the few hours to few days before Michael died, Lewis and Clark County Deputy Attorney Kathleen Jensen told the jurors Tuesday morning in the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, calling Harvel no angel. Jensen stated Harvel has not been offered or promised anything for his testimony and that his trial has yet to occur. His time for accountability is coming. This week, were here for Brandon Beckman, she said in the states 21-minute opening argument. Lewis and Clark County Attorney Kevin Downs is prosecuting Beckman by two alternative theories, that Beckman shot and killed Michael Biggs, or that Beckman is accountable for his death because it occurred during the course of a robbery. The prosecution painted Biggs as a man who was kind, generous and loving, but someone with a drug addiction and mental health issues. Upon leaving the Great Falls Transition Center at the start of 2022, Biggs was given a check totaling about $13,000 he earned while working during his time at the pre-release center. The prosecution said Biggs was largely alone. Michael didnt have a lot of family, Jensen said. What passed for his family were some friends he had made mostly in the criminal justice system. She said Michael was walking around with $13,000 in cash with an addiction problem and mental health issues. He was a deeply vulnerable man. An old high school girlfriend from Townsend introduced Biggs to Beckman, and the two began spending Biggs money, buying drugs and gambling in casinos, according to the prosecution. Defense attorney Samuel L. Martin III said Biggs later moved into Beckmans East Helena house. Shortly before Biggs death, Harvel was introduced to the group. The prosecution stated that within a couple of weeks, the group spent most of Biggs money, at which point Beckman presented the plan to buy a large quantity of methamphetamine from a fictitious connection from Washington. The deal was to occur at Moose Creek Campground. Jensen told the jurors that Harvel said when they reached the road to the Moose Creek Campground, Beckman asked Biggs to trade places with him and shot Biggs once they were out of the vehicle. Michael Biggs, always obliging, gets out of the front seat of the car. Brandon Beckman gets out of the back and shoots him in the head at close range, Jensen told the jurors. Robert Harvel will tell you that while this was going on, he was doing an intravenous shot of methamphetamine. Like I said, hes no angel. Martin said despite the states significant amount of evidence, the idea that it meticulously built its case against Beckman is just frankly false. He said the state never found a murder weapon nor a large sum of money. The state isnt going to be able to actually tell you who shot and killed Michael Biggs. They arent able to confirm or not if he was shot at that location. They are unable to confirm when he was shot, Martin said. As you listen to all the testimony, youre going to hear those critical pieces are just flat not shown. He pointed to the old girlfriend and Harvel, claiming the two communicated about the murder and solicited help from others. Martin told the jurors he is confident that when they weigh the states evidence presented, you will have questions, and you will have doubt. According to Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo Dutton, Biggs body was found by people traveling on Rimini Road about 4.5 miles off U.S. Highway 12 west of Helena. The body was frozen and had a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. The prosecution alleges Beckman and Harvel got their 2002 blue Saturn sedan stuck in the snow at the Moose Creek Campground after killing Biggs, and court documents say someone called law enforcement shortly after authorities announced the body was found. The caller reported helping two males in a blue sedan who were stuck in the snow near the area where the body was found. The caller said the two people in the car were acting nervous and provided descriptions that matched Beckman and Harvel. The vehicle involved was impounded at the time of the call, as Harvel had been arrested by the Montana Highway Patrol in an unrelated matter. Beckmans trial is expected to last the week. District Court Judge Christopher Abbott presides. This is a rare opportunity to own a 1903 Victorian masterpiece curated to its stately half-acre in the heart of Helenas historic Upper West Side. The main home contains 5 large bedrooms (+1 bonus), 3.5 bathrooms, and features original wood finishes, updated windows, and abundant natural light. With its timeless charm, ample living space, functional floor plan, and convenient amenities, you can showcase this Golden Era mansion as an integral part of your best Helena life. Looking for versatility as well? Housed above the detached garage youll find a cute 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment complete with laundry and a full kitchen. Use this space for guests or as an income-producing unit. Or, capitalize on investment potential by seeking a lot line adjustment with the City of Helena to split the seven-lot parcel into two, each with its own paved driveway access into this corner parcel. Call Ryan Stavnes 406-465-3830, Michelle Johnson 406-461-9685, or your real estate professional. As you step through the grand front entryway and pass through the antechamber, you are greeted by a classic Victorian foyer that opens across to a grand staircase. Three sets of French doors line the foyer, each leading to large inviting spaces. Nearest the entrance, the bright front room currently serves as an office. Additional French doors connect it to the expansive living room which walks through a small enclosed porch attached to a much larger sun porch which was added in 2006. Opposite the living room, the formal dining room sets the stage for memorable gatherings. The last door off the foyer discretely holds the main floor half bathroom. Moving further into the main level, youll pass into the back hall which accesses the kitchen, basement, or second entry to the large sun porch. The kitchen continues the functional layout with an adjoining butlers pantry complete with a formal swinging door connecting it to the dining room. From the kitchen, you can also pass through the large laundry room to a back door or ascend the back-of-house stairs to the second landing. The second floor is a haven of comfort and privacy. Four generously sized bedrooms provide ample accommodation for family and guests, while two full bathrooms offer convenience and style. This level lends itself to modern comforts featuring a new ceiling fan, updated windows, and large closets. A versatile bonus room can be customized to suit your needs, and a second sun porch provides a delightful spot to bask in the sunlight and enjoy the fresh air. The attic of this Victorian gem is complete with a wet bar and entertaining space, multiple storage areas, an enclosed porch, a large bedroom, and a full bathroom offering endless possibilities for personalization. With a full basement providing additional storage and utility space, this house caters to all your practical needs. Outside, the property spans half an acre and encompasses an impressive seven city lots. This property already has two access driveways and two separate dwellings making it simple to apply to the City to split this half-acre into two residences each on their own large lot. Mature landscaping includes shade trees, fruit trees, bushes, and flowers. Excellent location - close to shopping, amenities, schools, downtown, trails, and Hwy 12. 801 Stuart St. presents an exceptional opportunity to own a piece of history in one of Helena's most sought-after locations. View More Members of the 131st Civil Engineer Squadron from Missouri recently have begun working with the 219th REDHORSE Squadron to build a storage facility for M1 Abrams tanks at Fort Harrison for the Montana National Guard. The project consists of six, two-week rotations with different squadrons every rotation. The 131st CES from the Missouri National Guard at Whiteman Air Force Base took over from the previous unit and will add doors and electrical facilities to the building. The construction will focus on improving technical proficiency through engineering design, planning, estimating, construction execution and project closeout. This training mission is designed to incorporate as many Air Force specialty codes as we can into a construction project, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Drew Gallucci, 131st CES commander. As a Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force we are expected to go anywhere in the world and support the construction, maintenance and repair of an airfield. This type of building is something that we may find out on an airfield, so that gives our airmen the opportunity to practice it here and on their skills so theyre prepared down range to employ their skills. The tanks were previously stored in an open, outdoor environment leaving the tank exposed to the elements, which results in higher maintenance requirements. The new storage facility will significantly save taxpayer dollars in reduced maintenance needs and time. The new building will be 200 feet long by 60 feet wide and able to store the unit's tank inventory, officials with the Montana National Guard said. The Montana National Guard has told us that these tanks have a deficiency when it comes to storage, said U.S. Air Force Capt. Dylan Bender, 219th REDHORSE Squadron project engineer. This (project) will help lower maintenance cost by providing the M1 Abrams shelter during the Montana winters, therefore reducing the cost in repairs and maintenance. The 131st CES contribution to the project is scheduled to be completed Aug. 5. The project is expected to be finished by mid-August. REDHORSE Squadrons, also known as Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadrons, are the U.S. Air Force's heavy-construction units. Staff writer Phil Drake contributed to this story. He can be reached at 406-231-9021 or phil.drake@helenair.com. Adding a second United Airlines flight to Denver has brought about an increase of 110% in outbound passengers at Helena Regional Airport since it started in June, an airport official said. They did very well, said Director Jeff Wadekamper about the return of Uniteds afternoon flight to Denver. He said 2,676 United Airlines passengers took the outbound flights in June, with the aircraft flying at a 70% load factor. He said it was a 110% increase in passengers from June 2022, when there was one United flight to the Mile High City. During that month there were 1,273 passengers to Denver. Wadekamper said it was also a 15% increase in passengers from June 2019, when United last had two flights a day out of Helena prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a good success and we are happy its doing well, Wadekamper said. He said United started the second flight offering a 76-seat aircraft and then moved down to 50-seat plane. Wadekamper said it was not because of a lack of a passenger load, but was a matter of aircraft availability. He said the morning flight departs about 7 a.m. and the afternoon flight arrives about 1:20 p.m. and goes out at 2 p.m. He said it arrives at 9:45 p.m. The airport now has five daily arriving flights and five departing flights: two with United to and from Denver; two with Delta to and from Salt Lake City and one with Alaska Airlines to and from Seattle. He said overall the airport had about a 17.5% increase in outbound passengers from June 2022. United Airlines began serving the Helena/Denver route in 2008. The service was operated as two flights (50-seat jet) per day initially, then cut to one 50-seat jet daily until 2018 when it was expanded to two flights/day (also 50-seat jets), Helena airport officials said in a previous email. The service was cut to one daily flight following the COVID-19 pandemic and has been operated with a single 50-seat jet each day since, officials said. The Denver airport is a large hub with hundreds of daily connections to a wide selection of domestic and international destinations. Having a second daily flight will provide greater connectivity and access for travelers, Helena airport officials said. Wadekamper said he has heard from Helena-area residents that they like having another choice for flights. He said people have appreciated getting more options and it has helped with connections departing and flying into Helena. Its always good news when you add seats to a market, Wadekamper said. Russell Carlton, corporate communications manager for United, said they do not provide insights into specific route performances or metrics about demand. However, he said, "We are pleased to be able to offer more connection for customers between Denver and Montana this summer." The airport offers a tab on its website that outlines efforts by the airport and the Helena Air Service Alliance and how the community can help the airport be competitive with other airports/cities seeking the same flights. Posters appear on poles: The circus is coming. One morning a large tent is erected. There are exotic animals. People in costumes appear. Some in coveralls, others in tight pants, red top coat and hat. Women in tights and sequenced regalia. A few days later the tents are down, the animals caged. The performers return to ordinary dress. The circus is gone. The community is left with the residue. Some missing property. Bad checks. Trampled grass where the big tent once stood. Posters to take down. A mess to be cleaned up. The Legislature has left town. Now what? The citizens of Montana have been left with the harm done to this state, its reputation and its culture. The problems identified going into the last session were never addressed. New problems were created. Women have fewer choices to control their own bodies. There is a ban on abortion, 10 weeks, since the only method of abortion after 10 weeks had been banned. Ultrasound scans are also required of everyone seeking an abortion, for no medical reason, raising the costs for the poorest of citizens. Montana has banned the sale or use of the app TikTok, supplied by Google, Apple and Microsoft. Go figure how to enforce this ban. This is a federal issue our Legislature has decided to waste taxpayer money on. Montana is open for business. Not quite. The constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment has simply been ignored. The citizens now have to live with this action, pay the costs to try to defend the unconstitutional legislation and also live with its consequences, dirtier air and water. This is the residue. With circuses, a way to prevent this turmoil in the future is to not allow circuses to return. This is not an option for Montana, however. We must have a Legislature to pass a budget and keep government functioning. Now is the time to reduce the impact the Legislature has on citizens in future years. The state Republican Party follows the dictates of the national party. Instead of focusing on important subjects, the national party is turning to culture wars as a distraction. Women face the dilemma of being unable to obtain medical treatment for their pregnancies and other health needs. All citizens are impacted by the decisions denying climate change. Our summers are getting hotter, wildfires are more prevalent. The air is smokier. As the air warms, the snow and glaciers melt. The waters in rivers and streams warm. Fish die. We have legislation about transgender children, banning treatment, defying medicine, denying parents the right to make scientific decisions about the well-being of their children. The larger problem is numerous unconstitutional bills have been passed. The Legislature will spend millions defending litigation challenging their work. What we need are legislators who understand and will abide by and defend our constitution, as they are sworn to do. What we need are legislators have read the constitution. We must find candidates who want to restore Montanas reputation. Who believe in science, who support constitutional rights. Who will use common sense in making decisions. Who will work for the common good of all citizens, not just the wealthy few. Once these candidates are identified, work to support them. Give your time. Knock on doors. Host gatherings so voters can meet them, ask questions and support them. Give them financial support. Evaluate the incumbents. If they have spouted lies during the last session, confront them over these distractions. Dont vote for them. Tell everyone why the Republican incumbents are bad for Montanas future. We are only 15 months away from the next election where we will have both national races for the president and Senate and also a contest for governor, for all of the state House seats and half of the state Senate. If we reelect the current incumbents, a supermajority of Republicans, the very integrity and spirit of Montana will be lost. The circus has left town and we have to clean up the mess left behind. It is time for concerned citizens to rise up against the ultra-conservatives holding office in Montana. CHICAGO The 15-year-old Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which makes most indoor public spaces off-limits for smoking, now governs electronic cigarettes as well after Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that was approved with bipartisan support in the spring legislative session. "Illinoisans deserve to enjoy public spaces without being exposed unwillingly to secondhand vapor and other electronic cigarettes byproducts," Pritzker said in a statement. "Now, e-cigarettes and vapes will qualify under existing anti-smoking laws, reducing air pollution and making a more accessible, healthy Illinois." The act bans smoking in public spaces including a "portion of any building or vehicle used by and open to the public." There are limited exceptions, including an exemption for the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont during meetings of tobacco manufacturers and suppliers. Until Friday, these restrictions did not apply to electronic nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs or vape pens. E-cigarettes have become especially popular with young people for many reasons, including the variety of flavors and the lack of stigma associated with the product. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, "most e-cigarette users do not consider themselves to be smokers." While "cigarette smoking has declined dramatically among Illinois high school students," between 2016 and 2018 "e-cigarette use in Illinois increased from 18.4% to 26.7% among high school seniors," the IDPH reports. "E-cigarettes pose a significant health risk," IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. "Banning indoor use of these devices sends a strong message that e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking." While e-cigarettes, with their sleek design and the fact that they do not require a flame, are often seen as less offensive to smoke e-cigarettes in public, the smoke still threatens the respiratory system of bystanders. "Secondhand smoke from e-cigarettes has been linked to everything from asthma attacks to heart and lung disease," Joel Africk, president and CEO of Respiratory Health Association, said in a statement after Pritzker signed the legislation. "The governor and General Assembly should be congratulated for expanding the Smoke-Free Illinois law and protecting the health of everyone in Illinois." Anyone who is caught using an e-cigarette in a public place in violation of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act can be fined $100 for the first offense and $250 for the subsequent offenses. The owners of the place where the person violates the law could be on the hook for a $500 penalty at first and $2,500 for all subsequent violations for the 00 next year. 1 SAVOY As Sen. Dick Durbin reached the podium, located outside on a patch of grass just south of Curtis Road, a southbound Amtrak train whisked by on the nearby railroad tracks that run parallel to U.S. 45. "I want to thank my staff for timing this just perfectly," Durbin joked. The cameo appearance of the country's national passenger rail service was fitting as Durbin, along with U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, state and local officials, welcomed U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Central and Southern Illinois on Monday to highlight federal infrastructure investments. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana and a onetime presidential candidate before he was tapped for President Joe Biden's cabinet, made two stops in the Champaign area before he was set to attend an event in East St. Louis later in the evening. In Savoy, Buttigieg highlighted a recent $22.6 million federal grant for a grade separation project on Curtis Road just east of U.S. 45. The long-awaited project will raise the tracks 15 feet and lower the road five feet to create a new underpass at what's currently a major bottleneck. "Everywhere I go, especially in smaller and midsize communities, but even in our biggest cities, there are these railroad crossings," Buttigieg said. "Everybody knows about them, they're a community headache, they're a quality of life issue and they're a safety concern." "And when we can act to improve the signaling or the safety around a crossing, or even better, as in this case, to eliminate it entirely, we know that's going to be a win for the community," he said. The Savoy project was one of 162 across the country to receive a combined $2.2 billion through RAISE, a competitive grant program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by Biden in 2021. The law also funded the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, a $570 million initiative that will address more than 400 at-grade crossings in an initial round of funding that was announce announced in early June. Receiving $16 million from that batch of federal dollars was the Brush College grade separation project in Decatur, an $83 million initiative that will create an overpass to carry traffic over Faries Parkway and the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks in the city's industrial corridor. The tracks are notorious for traffic jams caused by trains working in and around the Archer Daniels Midland Co. plant and the Midwest Inland Port. Federal funds from other U.S. Department of Transportation programs have aided in Springfield's ambitious rail project, which aims to alleviate rail congestion in the city's downtown area by consolidating train traffic from Third Street to 10th Street and through building a series of overpasses and underpasses along the corridor. Through these funds, Buttigieg said the country was on the cusp of an "infrastructure decade," a nod to the running joke that "infrastructure week" became during former President Donald Trump's administration. Illinois has experienced an infrastructure boom of sorts in recent years. In 2019, lawmakers approved Rebuild Illinois, the largest capital construction program in state history. The most recent version of the program, which is updated annually, would invest nearly $41 billion into the state's transportation infrastructure over the next six years. State funding for the program largely comes from the motor fuel tax. But Illinois has also been able to leverage more federal dollars. In a brief interview with Lee Enterprises, Buttigieg said "there is no question that Illinois benefits from being a state whose leadership has put their money where their mouth is in terms of the importance of infrastructure." "Not only does that mean a lot of projects are being done with state dollars, but it means there's more likely to be a state match to help win federal dollars. And that local alignment is important too," Buttigieg said. Buttigieg was also asked by reporters about a recent Washington Post report that revealed Illinois to be one of 38 states that shifted a combined $755 million from two programs focused on tackling carbon emissions and protecting roads from climate change into general purpose highway construction accounts. Illinois, according to the report, shifted more than $39 million. Buttigieg noted that "the law as written provides a lot of flexibility for states, even in programs that have a specific intent." He suggested that the funding could be balanced out in later years "as a project or set of projects that's more aligned with the intent of the program becomes shovel ready." "So I don't want to prejudge based on what any one state is doing," Buttigieg said. "But what I will say is we urge all of the states to do everything they can to meet the desired goal of these programs." Buttigieg also addressed the February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which exposed gaps in federal safety regulations. The train carrying hazardous chemicals passed through Central Illinois just one day before it went off the rails, forcing thousands to evacuate. "Well, they've taken some steps and I think there's more work to do," Buttigieg said of Norfolk Southern. "Look, there needs to be a deep overhaul in terms of safety culture across this country. And part of that is the responsibility of the administration to make sure investments are happening, like this one, to make every part of our railroad network safer." After the event, Buttigieg greeted some of those gathered and did a handful of quick media interviews before heading to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a "fireside" chat with engineering students and faculty. Buttigieg, Budzinski and Durbin were then set to travel to East St. Louis to tour a rail management facility operated by MetroLink, the mass transit system serving Greater St. Louis. Buttigieg last visited Central Illinois in February 2022, when he toured Heartland Community College's advanced training academy in Bloomington. The facility is designed to train students in the manufacture, diagnosis, service and repair of electric vehicles. Photos: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Bloomington-Normal 021322-blm-loc-4Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-1Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-2Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-3Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-5Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-6Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-7Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-8Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-9Buttigieg 021322-blm-loc-10Buttigieg Partisan primaries are one of the main causes of government dysfunction. They disenfranchise voters, promote division and gridlock legislatures. Recognizing this problem, Alaska, California, Louisiana and Washington have eliminated partisan primaries. While each states system is slightly different, the evidence so far suggests nonpartisan primaries are decreasing polarization and improving governance. Yet the tide wont fully change until a critical mass of politicians are freed from partisan primaries at the state and national level. Even politicians in states liberated from partisan primaries are still affected by the behavior of the vast majority of lawmakers who arent. Recent developments in Washington, D.C., on the debt ceiling and in Nebraska on hot-button social issues help demonstrate this dynamic. On the surface, it appears that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., along with other Republicans from nonpartisan primary states, were equally as guilty as any for bringing the nation to the brink of default and economic calamity. If nonpartisan primaries are such a force for moderation and good governance, youd think McCarthy and other Republicans from these states would have been less combative in the negotiations. But Republicans from nonpartisan primary states still have to govern with colleagues elected through a partisan primary, and McCarthy is tasked with leading them. Because he needed to appease the far-right Freedom Caucus all of whom are from states that use partisan primaries he was less compromising than he might have otherwise been. Ultimately, McCarthy and lesser-known Louisiana Republican Rep. Garret Graves marshaled enough GOP support for the deal. In the final vote, 95% of Republicans from the nonpartisan primary states voted for the bill, in contrast to 65% from partisan primary states. Despite this clear statistical difference, representatives from nonpartisan primaries acted more ideological and partisan than they might have otherwise, in an effort to maintain solidarity (and win over) more partisan colleagues elected under the traditional primary system. Now consider the rightward lurch of Nebraska Republicans and the resulting dysfunction in the state legislature over hot-button issues. Nebraska instituted nonpartisan primaries in 1934 when it began holding elections for its unicameral state senate without party labels. From 1996-2020, Nebraska was the fourth least polarized state government in the nation. So up until recently, Nebraskas unicameral Senate was held up as a model of civil deliberation and good governance. But in recent years, the Nebraska Senate has become as partisan as other states. The same measures that show Nebraska was generally less polarized in recent decades also show that Nebraska has nonetheless been the most rapidly polarizing state over the last decade. This rapid polarization crescendoed earlier this year when Democrats filibustered Republican legislation restricting abortion and treatment for transgender young people, grinding the government to a halt for several weeks. Similar to the congressional debt ceiling example, outside forces were at play in Nebraska. While the state legislature has nonpartisan primaries, the gubernatorial primaries are partisan. In 2014, now-Gov. Pete Ricketts won a very competitive Republican primary for governor with just 26.6% of the vote. He then defeated his Democratic opponent in an uncompetitive general election. Unsurprisingly, Gov. Ricketts behaved like a politician who had to worry much more about being outflanked on the right in a primary than about losing to a Democrat in November. When moderate Republicans in the state senate opposed his far-right agenda, Gov. Ricketts who is a multimillionaire recruited and funded conservative challengers. Despite the Nebraska Legislature's nonpartisan primary system, the wealth and involvement of the states most powerful politician was enough to sweep these conservative insurgents into office. These Rickets-supported Republicans introduced conservative legislation this year, including an abortion ban at six weeks. On their own, nonpartisan primaries appear to enhance meaningful participation, reduce polarization and improve governance. But in the United States complex tapestry of election systems, nonpartisan primaries do not operate in a vacuum. In the debt ceiling and Nebraska cases, conservative Republicans who took office through a partisan primary created incentives for more moderate Republicans to act more partisan and extreme. As more states do away with partisan primaries, the benefits of such reforms should become larger and more evident. HICKORY Kelly Swindell, executive director of the Western Piedmont Symphony, is among an international cohort of 36 orchestra and arts professionals selected to participate in Essentials of Orchestra Management, the League of American Orchestras premier leadership development program. The 10-day program, which continues through Aug. 4, is presented in collaboration with Juilliard Extension and is taking place in New York at Juilliards Lincoln Center Campus. Creating pathways for future leaders is central to the leagues work, said League of American Orchestras President and CEO Simon Woods. But Essentials is so much more than just a learning environment its a place of highly creative thinking where the leaders of today and the future can tackle together some of the challenges and opportunities orchestras are facing. And when we add in the great faculty and Juilliards inspiring location, were guaranteed to get some really thought-provoking conversations. Kellys selection for such a prestigious opportunity is commendable and well deserved, said WPS Board President Ida Clough. Because of her demonstrated resourcefulness in her role with Western Piedmont Symphony, both the Symphony and the communities it serves will be beneficiaries of this national recognition. Americas flagship program for early- and mid-career orchestra and arts professionals, Essentials of Orchestra Management offers a pathway to future leadership and career success. Since its inception in 2000, more than 550 individuals have participated in the program. Now in its 23rd year, Essentials connects, inspires, and challenges tomorrows leaders, providing them the knowledge they need to enhance their careers. This years seminar is taught and directed by a faculty comprised of expert leaders of the orchestra field and beyond. The 2023 Essentials of Orchestra Management cohort is comprised of professionals working at American, Canadian and Danish orchestras, conservatories and arts organizations, as well as career-changers interested in exploring orchestra management positions. Essentials of Orchestra Management is made possible by grants from Trish & Rick Bryan, 25th Century Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. EDEN Gwendolyn Lavonne Riddick, an OB-GYN at UNC Womens Health, in Eden was fatally shot at an Eden park Sunday afternoon, and police have charged the father of her child with first-degree murder. Officers with the Eden Police Department were dispatched to the park with a report of a shooting in progress around 2:30 p.m. They arrived to find John Michael Powell, 35, of Newport News, Va., fleeing the scene in a black Chevy Avalanche and promptly arrested him. Riddick, 40, had been shot multiple times and lay in the parking lot next to her red Ford Mustang, police said in a news release. EPD officers rendered first aid to Riddick until EMS staff arrived. She was taken to UNC Rockingham Health Care where she was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. Police said they determined the shooting was an isolated incident between Powell and Riddick. Powell has been charged with one count of discharging a weapon into occupied property, in addition to the murder charge. He is being held without bond in the Rockingham County Detention Facility, and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court in Wentworth on Aug. 8. This is a senseless and tragic loss of life; the family and work family are in our thoughts and prayers,'' EDP Chief Clint Simpson said in the release. "Unfortunately, this incident occurred at Freedom Park in the parking lot. Even more senseless, was to commit this act of violence in a location with numerous families and children nearby." Riddick joined UNC Womens Health in Eden in October 2021. A friend from residency had recommended the medical practice and the small Rockingham County city as ideal for Riddick. She treated around 25 patients daily and delivered around 10 babies per month. I wanted to be in a place where I could give back to the community, Riddick said in a 2022 interview. I want to be involved with teenagers when it comes to mentoring on a level outside of the office, so that is what attracted me to Eden. Born in Gates County in the northeastern part of the state, Riddick grew up the middle child of six in a home where money was scarce, but achievement was celebrated and support from her parents was abundant. I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor, Riddick said in the interview. You know when you ask little kids what they wanna be in life? Thats what I always said because I wanted to help people. I didnt know what kind of doctor. Ive always been inspired to help others. Its just something Ive always had in my heart. Growing up with two sisters and three brothers, money was tight when it came to the familys own medical care. My family were financially disadvantaged, so we didnt have a lot of luxuries when it came to having our own doctor, per se. So, a lot of our health care was actually at the health department, Riddick said. School was a place where Riddick found she could define herself and plan for a life that would lift her family economically, she said. There were challenges along the way. Riddick gave birth to a daughter, Aniya, during her high school years. She took only a three-week maternity leave from school. I really was inspired because I really wanted not to become a statistic. I wanted to achieve success academically. that was at the forefront of my mind and being a mother, too. She graduated as the Gates County High School valedictorian with major scholarship offers. My parents were very supportive of me, she said. They wanted to help me with my daughter so that I could go on and do what I wanted to do in life as far as going to college, Riddick said. They pushed me to stay in school and to do well. My parents were able to help me raise my daughter while I went to college, said Riddick, who began studies on a full scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill but transferred ultimately to East Carolina University in Greenville so that she could more easily commute home every weekend to be with her little girl. Aniya would ultimately follow in her moms steps as a pre-med biology major. Riddick graduated early from ECU in December 2004, and attended medical school at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va. She worked at several locations in Virginia before her move to Eden. She also had a second child, a boy named John Michael, with her partner John Powell of Eden. In Eden, the practitioners welcomed me with open arms, Riddick said. I enjoy working with Dr. (Nigel) Buist and Dr. (Dionne) Galloway, as well. And I enjoy working with the staff here. Theyve been very warm. Her most critical focus was in fulfilling her personal promise to give patients the comfort of unconditional acceptance and compassion, along with a big dose of patient education. My patients are very thankful to me that I relay information to them in a manner which they understand, Riddick said. I think thats why Ive always had a large following with patient care because I want for my patients to understand exactly whats going on with their health. Her commitment to her patients and helping those in the community facing challenges is truly inspiring, said UNC Rockingham Health Care President and CEO Steven E. Eblin. Anyone with information concerning the Riddick's death is asked to contact Det. Tyson Scales or Lt. Andrew Kenyi at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. To leave an anonymous tip, call Rockingham County Crimestoppers at 336-349-9683. Stephen Boerigter The Hope College Board of Trustees has elected two new members in addition to reelecting several members. The new Trustees, elected to three-year terms, are: Debbi Jarvis of Potomac, Maryland, and Brett Vander Kamp of Holland. Trustees reelected to serve second four-year terms are: Victoria Brunn of Seattle, Washington; Thomas Gordon of Grand Rapids; Tim Long of Ada; Jim McFarlin of Champaign, Illinois; Leslie Schoon-Monday of Kirkland, Washington; and Carol VanAndel of Ada. Trustees reelected to serve second three-year terms are: Rev. Eddy Aleman of Caledonia; Rev. Michael Pitsenberger of Rock Valley, Iowa; and Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton of Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Matthew Wixson of Ann Arbor was elected to a second two-year term as vice chair. Dr. Stephen Boerigter of Los Alamos, New Mexico, is continuing to serve as chair, and Sandra Gaddy of Grand Rapids is continuing to serve as secretary. In addition to Boerigter, Gaddy and Wixson, the boards six-member Executive Committee includes Victoria Brunn, chair of the Protecting the Mission Committee; Thomas Gordon, chair of the Sustaining the Mission Committee; and Andrew Ohm of Seattle, Washington, chair of the Living the Mission Committee. The Trustees who have concluded their service to the board are: Brian Gibbs of Bad Homburg, Germany; Douglas Conant of Chicago, Illinois; and Margaret Miller Willit of Grandville. Jarvis is vice president and chief communications officer with AltaGas, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is responsible for all corporate communications functions, focusing on the design and execution of a multifaceted communications strategy to promote Washington Gas, in Washington, D.C., and the broader AltaGas enterprise. Leading both internal and external communications, her role encompasses media relations, enhancing brand recognition, advancing environment, social and governance (ESG) reporting, and supporting the overall vision, mission and values of the enterprise. She previously served as senior vice president corporate relations at Howard University, where she was recruited by the HU president to serve on the cabinet and create the HU Office of Corporate Relations to focus on corporate relationship building. Prior to joining Howard in 2018, Jarvis spent 14 years with Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI), an Exelon Company, serving in many capacities during her tenure, including as vice president corporate communications, vice president corporate citizenship and corporate social responsibility, and vice president corporate relations. Before joining PHI, she had 20 years of experience in TV and radio news, advertising and working on numerous charitable campaigns. She began her career in sales, marketing and advertising in the Midwest and along the East Coast before moving into broadcast news. She has served on the boards of several charitable organizations in the Washington area and beyond, and handled emcee duties for dozens more. Jarvis holds a Bachelor of Arts, international business degree from Hope. She pursued graduate studies in broadcast journalism from American University, and other executive education courses at Harvard Business School and Howard University. Vander Kamp is the owner and chief executive officer of New Holland Brewing Co., which he co-founded in Holland in 1997 with Hope classmate Jason Spaulding, who is now owner of Brewery Vivant. Today, New Holland is Michigans largest independently owned brewery and recently celebrated its 25th year anniversary. New Hollands beers are available across the county and around the globe, and its flagship brand, Dragons Milk, is the number-one American-brewed stout. The companys retail presence continues to grow and includes three full-service restaurants and two spirits tasting rooms in Michigan. New Holland has more than 400 team members and has won Best and Brightest awards for West Michigan and nationally as an organization that displays a commitment to excellence in its human resource and employee enrichment practices. Vander Kamp was named an Ernst and Young Regional Entrepreneur of the Year for Michigan and is a co-author of Art in Fermented Form: A Manifesto, published in 2013. Vander Kamp is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Samaritas, a faith-based, non-profit social service organization. He is a founding member, as well as the past president and Government Affairs Committee chair, of the Michigan Brewers Guild, a trade organization for more than 100 Michigan brewers. He has also served on a variety of other boards, including as chair of Jubilee Ministries, and on the Public Policy Committee of the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from Hope in 1994 with a major in geology/environmental science. He also holds a diploma through the Siebel Institute of Technologys short course in brewing. Security vendor Norton is applying AI to scam detection, and its new Norton Genie app is now available to the public in an early access program. According to Norton, we are being collectively subjected to 3.4 billion phishing emails a day, let alone all the other types of scam. While some are easy to spot (surely nobody thinks they have won a million dollars in a lottery they didn't enter, or that a well-known and extremely rich person has randomly chosen them to share their wealth!), others are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot, perhaps in part because generative AI is being used to help craft messages without the spelling, grammar, punctuation and other mistakes that many of us have been using as clues. So Norton Genie applies AI as well as the company's expertise to the task of determining whether a text, email, website or social media post is a scam. It can be used via the Norton Genie web page or through an iOS app. General availability, along with an Android app, is expected later this year. Messages can be copied and pasted into Norton Genie, or screenshots can be uploaded for processing. It then gives an opinion such as "This message contains signs of an Advance Fee Scam." It optionally explains the key indicators that led to the decision, eg "Scammers will claim one of your accounts needs immediate action or updates, hoping you'll share personal info without thinking twice", and can provide advice for action such as "Do not engage with the sender." There's also a an "Ease my mind" button that starts a conversation about what you have already done. For example, if you answer "Yes" to "Did you pay the scammer?", Genie suggests "Call your bank to see if you can stop the transaction." In very limited preliminary testing by iTWire, Genie couldn't be sure about the 'business proposal' emails pulled from a spam folder: "I can't tell whether the message you uploaded is a scam or not" but "It looks suspicious". That was the case even when an email purportedly from a big-name multinational asked the recipient to "to source the product and supply to us." It did a generally good job of detecting likely advance fee scams, but apparent phishing attempts were either labelled as "Nothing suspicious" or mischaracterised as advance fee scams. Norton said "While Genie gets better and better with scam detection in messages, emails and social media posts, we will be hard at work developing additional ways Genie can protect people from other types of scams they could fall victim to." "Every day, we're inundated with messages and scams that have become so believable that anyone, even the savviest of us, is just one wrong tap from becoming a scammer's next victim," said Gen (Norton's parent company) president Ondrej Vlcek. "We want to give people digital freedom the freedom that can only be achieved when you're safe and empowered online. Genie is an always on, easy-to-use, trusted advisor that helps you stay ahead of highly convincing scams. By bringing together best-in-class scam intel from Norton with advanced AI, we can empower people to take full advantage of the digital world safely, privately and confidently." Norton Genie is initially available free of charge in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the US, and is compatible with iOS 14.0 or greater, Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Dunedin City Council has adopted contract and supplier management platform provider Portts lean agile procurement approach to reduce the time spent on procurement process from three months to three days. Dunedin City Council (DCC) represents 114,347 citizens that live in Dunedin, the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. Procurement in local government with a cumulative value of over NZ $100,000 requires an open and competitive procurement process. The procurement of a contract lifecycle management (CLM) solution was expected to be over that threshold. A complex software systems sourcing project would take an average of three months for DCC. The council had previously encountered problems procuring complex SaaS technology solutions and chose to leverage lean agile procurement as the sourcing tool to better identify the type of software partner they wanted to work with. A two-day LAP off-site event was held in Dunedin where Portt understood DCCs desired outcomes and then framed their recommendations accordingly. This involved healthy exchanges between the two teams and both used the LAP process to scope the requirements to the ultimate solution to reach DCC's objectives. The importance of using the face-to-face agile process to allow for an honest up front conversation on scope and having Portt challenge and test our thinking was essential to getting the right outcome for this critical project for the Council, cannot be underestimated, said Dunedin City Council general manager Robert West. We came away from a two-day intensive process with all the terms of the deal agreed, a signed contract and a working relationship between the Council and Portt staff already established. What more could we ask for? A great result, continued West. Portts procurement process gave DCC confidence that their working style would complement to the way its own team operated. Both DCC and Portt leaned into the two-day event even before the contract was awarded and this approach has allowed for open communication and problem-solving, resulting in a collaborative and trusted environment where both parties could build a strong relationship, said Dunedin City Council procurements and contracts manager Serge Kolman. The Portt CLM implementation started in January and was completed by end June. Portt leveraged the lean agile process, reducing public tender by 40%. Enterprise sales cycle was also reduced by half. "From the supplier side, the significance of the investment required to input into the LAP process versus the more traditional way of running a tender process was far less. To put into context, the process took days, not months, to complete and as we were able to work closely with the project team and stakeholders, this resulted in an immediate clear direction on which we could all move forward with," said Portt head of growth for spend management Mark Reddy. COMPANY NEWS: ConnectWise brings core and advanced network monitoring and management capabilities to its ConnectWise RMM product, seamlessly integrated and leveraging a strategic partnership with Auvik. This will give TSPs complete visibility, proactive monitoring, and real-time alerts to maintain optimal performance across client networks. Today, ConnectWise added an all-new solution within its Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) product built on the ConnectWise Asio platform. ConnectWise Network Monitoring and Management harnesses the power of Auvik, a cloud-based network management software provider, with the ConnectWise award-winning RMM tool to deliver unmatched network monitoring capabilities to IT solution providers (TSPs) and their clients. Organisations depend on their networks to maintain connectivity and productivity. Any network issue can lead to substantial interruptions in their workflow. With Network Monitoring and Management, ConnectWise's partner community is empowered to proactively detect and resolve network problems before they evolve into major business disruptions, ultimately improving their clients' uptime and efficiencies. Here are the benefits of ConnectWise Network Monitoring and Management within ConnectWise RMM: Complete network visibility Automatically detect and capture details for every device on your networkproviding essential insights into the relationships between network assets. You can quickly plan network upgrades and capacity with accurate, real-time documentation. Holistic view and topology mapping of your network Centralised network monitoring lets you visually see your entire network through topology mappingproviding broader visibility to navigate your network, identify vulnerabilities and attack surfaces that require further investigation, and manage potential issues proactively before they disrupt business operations. Real-time network alerts Instant notifications of unusual activity and critical network alerts in ConnectWise RMMallow you to catch and efficiently troubleshoot issues before they affect your clients' business operations. Advanced network management TSPs can seamlessly upgrade their network management capabilities within ConnectWise RMM to include remote and configuration management with ConnectWise Advanced and network flow analytics, geo IP tracking, and centralized syslog collection with ConnectWise performance as their needs evolve in the coming months. "We're excited to expand our partnership with Auvik to seamlessly integrate aspects of their technology in our comprehensive RMM product to provide our TSP community with an unparalleled end-to-end Network Monitoring and Management solution," said ConnectWise unified monitoring and management general manager and executive vice president Ameer Karim. "Network Monitoring and Management inside ConnectWise RMM, with Auvik DNA, is a next-generation solution that allows our partners to easily and effectively monitor and manage their networks, maintain optimal performance, and ensure business continuitygiving clients peace of mind and allowing them to focus on providing other valuable services." "ConnectWise is an RMM market leader and understands that the visibility of networks is critical to TSPs," added Auvik CEO Doug Murray. "We are excited to expand our partnership and work closely to seamlessly embed our solutions in ConnectWise RMM. Together, we enable TSPs to provide their clients with the best proactive managed IT services. This is all achieved via a single pane of glass that addresses the complex problem of managing everything from security devices, network devices, and endpoints." About ConnectWise ConnectWise is the world's leading software company dedicated to the success of IT solution providers (TSPs) through unmatched software, services, community, and marketplace of integrations. ConnectWise offers an innovative, integrated, and security-centric platformAsiowhich provides unmatched flexibility that fuels profitable, long-term growth for partners. ConnectWise enables TSPs to drive business efficiency with automation, IT documentation, and data management capabilities and increase revenue with remote monitoring, cybersecurity, and backup and disaster recovery technologies. For more information, visit connectwise.com. GUEST OPINION: Over the past year we've witnessed dramatic strides in AI development and huge shifts in public perceptions of the technology. Chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 have demonstrated remarkable abilities to communicate fluently and perform at or near the highest level on a broad range of cognitive assessments. Companies that are integral to the AI ecosystem (like Nvidia) have seen their market caps soar. Talk of an AI arms race among tech giants like Google and Microsoft is ubiquitous. Despite all the excitement surrounding AI, there has been no shortage of consternation, from concerns about job displacement, the spread of disinformation, and AI-powered cyberattacks all the way to fears of existential risk. Although it's essential to test and deploy AI responsibly, it's unlikely that we will see significant regulatory changes within the next year (which will widen the gap between leaders and followers in the field). Large, data-rich AI leaders will likely see massive benefits while competitors that fall behind on the technology, or companies that provide products and services under threat from AI are at risk of losing substantial value. There will be winners and losers in the AI race, but AI pessimists are discounting the creativity and productivity that the technology will unleash. Yes, job losses are inevitable, but so are job gains. The most successful companies won't fight the tide of change they will figure out how to take part in one of the greatest technological revolutions we have ever witnessed. Innovation will counteract dislocation There's no doubt that AI will replace many existing roles such as data entry clerks, content creators, paralegals, customer service agents, and millions of other workers may discover that their careers are about to take an unexpected turn. Accenture expects 40% of all working hours to be affected by LLMs alone, as "language tasks account for 62% of the total time employees work." The World Economic Forum's 2023 Future of Jobs Report projects that the proportion of tasks done by machines will jump from 34% to 43% by 2027. That said, it's always wise to bet on human creativity and resilience. As some roles become redundant, there will be increased demand for AI auditors and ethicists, prompt engineers, information security analysts, and so on. There will also be surging demand for educational resources focused on AI. PwC reports that a remarkable 74% of workers say they're "ready to learn a new skill or completely retrain to keep themselves employable" an encouraging sign that employees recognise the importance of adapting to new technological and economic realities. Perhaps this is why 73% of American workers believe technology will improve their job prospects. Companies should take advantage of these sentiments by focusing on talent mobility and professional development, which will simultaneously prepare their workforces for the AI era and improve retention in a stubbornly tight labour market. Beyond internal training, we're seeing the emergence of third-party educational services focused on AI, data science, cybersecurity and many other forward-looking subjects. This trend will likely pick up momentum in the coming years. Amid all the dire headlines about AI-fuelled job losses, it's important to remember how adaptable human beings can be. Managing AI risk will be a core priority On top of the economic shocks that will be caused by AI, the technology poses many other dangers that companies and consumers will need to account for in the coming years. AI-powered cyberattacks, problems with bias and transparency, copyright infringement, and the large-scale production of inaccurate information are all risks that are becoming increasingly urgent. The ways we manage these risks will have sweeping implications for the deployment and adoption of AI in the coming years. Consider the potential role of AI in cyberattacks, for instance. According to Verizon's 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, almost three-quarters of data breaches involve a human element, which is why cybercriminals often rely on social engineering attacks such as phishing. LLMs are capable of producing limitless quantities of coherent and compelling text in an instant, which could potentially give cybercriminals a powerful tool for scaling up phishing attacks (these attacks are dependent upon convincing victims they should click on malicious content with realistic-sounding text). Check Point Research has already identified "attempts by Russian cybercriminals to bypass OpenAI's restrictions." Companies will increase their cybersecurity investments to keep pace with these developments, and we will likely see major AI-enabled cyberattacks in the near future. It will be necessary to update approaches to cybersecurity training to account for the threat posed by AI. Phishing attempts, for instance, will be harder to spot because cybercriminals will use LLMs to produce convincing (and less error-filled) text. Companies in the best position to succeed during the AI revolution are the ones that are considering the risks now and updating their compliance protocols, HR policies, and cybersecurity platforms to account for the dangers of AI while leveraging its benefits. AI will fundamentally transform the business environment ChatGPT soared to 100 million monthly active users in just two months, which makes it the fastest-growing consumer application of all time. While large tech companies with access to enormous amounts of data and leading minds in the field will have significant first-mover advantages, many startups will develop innovative implementations for AI in the near future. The economic impact of AI will go far beyond the development of the technology itself. For example, the fusion of AI and robotics, as well as new collaborations between mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, will shrink innovation cycle times, error rates, and costs dramatically. Over the next year, AI-led disruption will pick up momentum swiftly: workforces will shift, there will be drastic fluctuations in market share and valuations, and slow AI adopters will lose traction quickly. There will also be many false starts: while some companies will generate staggering returns, others will fall for misdirected hype and run into dead ends. The most successful startups will find a way to capitalise on network effects around data acquisition and partnerships with first movers. It's impossible to know exactly what the business landscape will look like as AI rapidly improves and proliferates. But one thing is certain: forward-thinking companies are right to focus on AI now they just have to be cognisant of the risks along with the potential rewards. Leading Australian green aviation company AMSL Aero is pleased to announce that it has appointed renowned aviation leader and military veteran Chris Smallhorn as its inaugural Chairperson. Mr Smallhorn will advise and support AMSL Aeros experienced executive team led by Co-founders Andrew Moore and Siobhan Lyndon as it prepares Vertiia, the worlds most efficient long range zero emissions electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, for commercial launch in 2026. Mr Smallhorn is a retired Navy Commodore and former Commander of the Navys Fleet Air Arm, former CEO and VP of Coulson Aviation Australia, an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Sydneys renowned Business School, the current Vice Chairman of the Board of Safeskies Australia, and has been acting as an advisor to AMSL Aero since early 2022. A qualified Experimental Test Pilot and Aerospace Engineer, Mr Smallhorn said he was attracted to AMSL Aero by its innovative and pragmatic engineering culture, a deep desire to improve the planet for tomorrow, the gravitas of its people and the leadership and quality of its founder and investor base, which includes IP Group Australia, Telstra Super Hostplus, and the St Baker Energy Innovation Fund. He said: I knew I wanted to be part of this endeavour as I walked into the AMSL Aero hangar in Bankstown. I saw a group of truly brilliant young engineers from diverse backgrounds, all educated and trained in Australia, doing innovative work to create the first Australian-designed certified aircraft in many years. Sitting in the hangar was the advanced prototype of Vertiia, which immediately impressed me with its efficient aerodynamic design, safety and redundancy-based configuration, and practical hybrid power plant design. This is a world beater. Mr Smallhorn added: In AMSL Aeros husband and wife founder team I saw the beginning of a great Australian story: Andrew Moore is a brilliant engineer with deep aviation experience and Siobhan Lyndon a lawyer and former executive from Google. They are the foundation of an impressive team that truly cares about having a significant measurable positive environmental effect on future generations. Together they form a unique pairing creating vital sovereign capability for Australia. AMSL Aero has the clear potential to become a highly successful Australian company exporting Vertiia to the world. In creating a zero-emissions aircraft that can travel 1,000 kilometres, further than any other eVTOL design, AMSL Aero is leading a revolution that will disrupt the global aviation industry, and its happening right here in Australia. Whats not to like about that? AMSL Aero CEO and Vertiia inventor Andrew Moore said: Chris has the unique background that is well suited to steering the future of AMSL Aero in this key stage of growth and development. He is a highly astute leader and adviser and will provide significate strategic value and counsel to the company in this next phase of growth. AMSL Aero COO Siobhan Lyndon said: We are delighted to have Chris Smallhorn join our Board of Directors and be appointed Chairperson. As a highly accomplished leader, aerospace engineer, test pilot, with experience spanning both the private and public sectors, Chris brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and counsel that is highly valuable to the long-term sustainability of AMSL Aero. In February 2023, AMSL Aero completed the maiden test flight of Vertiia, the first by an Australian-designed and built eVTOL, the new generation of aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but flies like a plane. Vertiia has zero carbon emissions and can carry four passengers and a pilot at a cruising speed of 300kph. AMSL Aero recently deepened its partnership with CareFlight to refine and test the aeromedical fit-out of Vertiia. (from left) AMSL Aero Co-founder Andrew Moore with inaugural chair Chris Smallhorn and joint co-founder Siobhan Lyndon Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. The past few months have seen the battle of Trump vs. Biden reach epic proportions. With the elections still a year away, each side has taken a withering fire from the other calling into question not just their programs and policies but their fundamental personal characters. So, who has come out the victor in this gladiatorial combat and who has lost? So far, Trump is winning. Throughout Bidens presidency, polling consistently showed that he had a higher personal favorability than Trump. The job rating for Trump, however, has always been better than for Biden. Voters saw Biden as the better man but think that Trump was the better president. Until now. In my national poll taken on July 24-27, 2023 of one thousand likely voters in the coming general election for president, Trump still leads in job approval, but Biden no longer has a better personal favorability. Voters break even on Trumps record as president (50-50) but disapprove of Bidens record by 44-56. But what is new is that Bidens personal popularity has now dropped to slightly below Trumps for the first time. Voters give Biden a negative 41-55 personal favorability while Trump gets a 42-54 rating. So, in the exchange of accusations and indictments, Biden has suffered more than Trump has. Why? I think that those who like Trump for his record and issue positions have become used to his personal negatives. But for the grand-fatherly Joe Biden, personal negatives and doubts about his integrity are relatively now. Trump has acquired more antibodies against personal negatives than his opponent has ever had. Neither man can claim to be unscathed by the charges against him. Whether they are aired in a courtroom, or a hearing room makes little difference. They are both hurting. But Trump and his supporters are more accustomed to the pain of hearing their candidate defamed and slandered. They read it every day in the media. The charges against Biden, on the other hand, are new. Voters have always suspected that Trump would do anything to win and, if they vote for him anyway, largely forgive him his take-no-prisoners attitude. But the evidence that the Biden crime family is up to its neck in bribery, extortion, and shady deals is relatively new. While Republicans may lament the ceaseless negative media coverage of Trump, they must concede that it has left Trump with a lot of antibodies in his system. As more charges pile on, voters say its like the media is crying wolf once too often. But, by laying off Biden and never investigating his scandals and those of his family, the media has done him no favors. The charges against Biden go right through him, finding no antibodies to resist them. And the fact that the bribes Biden is alleged to have taken come from two of our worst enemies China and Russia lead inevitably to more serious questions than just dishonesty. Now voters can pick apart Bidens failure to stem job losses to China and can ask if he was just incompetent or ill-informed or if he was really repaying the people who had paid him off. Ditto for Bidens failure to take China to task for COVID. Is the presidents refusal to act indicative of dishonesty or just of bad judgement? A heck of a choice for an incumbent president going into an election against Trump! (COMMENT, BELOW) Dick Morris, who served as adviser to former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and former President Clinton, is the author of 16 books, including his latest, Screwed and Here Come the Black Helicopters. The contrast between the two men is stark. While Harding was extremely popular with voters, later revelations doomed his presidency to the bottom rungs. Scandals included paying hush money to cover up extramarital affairs (sound familiar?), an out-of-wedlock child, and criminal activity by cronies. In the tiny hamlet of Plymouth Notch, Vermont, where the "hold button" seems to have been pushed in 1923, people have gathered to commemorate Coolidge's ascendancy to the presidency. Because of a family relationship to first lady Grace Coolidge, I was invited to narrate a re-enactment of events leading up to the oath of office administered in the middle of the night by Coolidge's father. Coolidge was untouched by scandal because he first developed qualities as a boy that are increasingly lost in contemporary politics. As David Schribman wrote in The Wall Street Journal: "What most endures about Coolidge is his character. His modesty would be unimaginable in the modern era, when so much of politics has turned into noisy theater, constant self-promotion and the demonization of opponents." But enough about Donald Trump. Schribman quotes former Vermont Republican Governor James Douglas: "(Coolidge) refused to criticize his political adversaries and reached across the aisle regularly, plying members of Congress with griddle cakes and Vermont maple syrup." That likely wouldn't work today, but the point should not be lost. Treating adversaries as equals and with respect can open the door for conversation, compromise, even agreement. Who is to blame for the corrosive nature of today's politics? Some blame the media. Others fault politicians, who often appear more interested in perpetuating their careers and fundraising than promoting the general welfare. The real blame lies with voters. Polls show majorities in both parties prefer presidential candidates other than Donald Trump and Joe Biden and yet polls also show both men are - as of now - headed to re-nomination by their respective parties. When did character cease to matter in our political leadership? The answer is when it stopped mattering to a substantial number of voters. The scandal of evangelicalism is especially disturbing. People who follow the Christian faith have traditionally been arbiters of right and wrong, their principles drawn from Scripture. But now, like those false gods worshiped by the ancient Israelites, so many appear to have exchanged the principles they once claimed to hold dear for the modern version of the false god of politics. Perhaps a re-reading of this verse might remind them of what should be their priorities: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:15-17) Donald Trump and Joe Biden are reflections of what is wrong in contemporary culture. They also reflect voter priorities. If voters care less about character and integrity and more about the economy and what has come to be known as the "woke" agenda, that will be reflected in leadership. It's easy to blame externals for what is rotten within. Coolidge would have none of that. In 1926, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, he said: "Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments. This is both historically and logically true ... their source by their very nature is in the people. The people have to bear their own responsibilities. There is no method by which that burden can be shifted to the government. It is not the enactment, but the observance of laws, that creates the character of a nation." Take note modern voters. If we elect bad leaders we have no one to blame but ourselves. Shame on us. (COMMENT, BELOW) Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books. MATTOON Lake Land College student Rebecca Becky Ennis earned the 2023 Illinois State Paul Simon Scholarship Award for her essay on how community college changed her life. She also received the 2023-2024 LLCFA Foundation Scholarship. Since enrolling at Lake Land College, I have learned that I have what it takes to get my degree, Ennis said in her essay. I connected with instructors who wanted success as much as I did. I received a quality education and found missing pieces of myself. Lake Land College has changed my life, and I will be eternally grateful. Ennis is a nontraditional student who returned to college after years of being out of school. With five children at home and while dealing with family health problems, Ennis decided to enroll at Lake Land College. Though she said she felt overwhelmed at the very idea of enrolling in college, Ennis said her academic advisor met her worries and emotions with kindness and compassion. Ennis is currently working towards an associate degree in psychology and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. Q: Several years ago, I found a North Carolina state list of prices for various services for funeral homes. I am sure it was from a state government website. This would be a great way for readers to compare prices for planning ahead for a funeral. Would you be able to locate that? S.F. Answer: The N.C. Board of Funeral Service does not maintain any centralized price list for licensed funeral establishments in North Carolina. To my knowledge, we have never generated any kind of statewide price list for funeral goods and services that consumers may purchase from a licensed establishment, said a spokesman for the N.C. Board of Funeral Service. The NCBFS is the state agency that licenses and oversees funeral directors and funeral homes. The purpose of the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service is to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare of North Carolina citizens by ensuring that those individuals and entities licensed for the practice of funeral services in this state are duly qualified, according to its website. Members of the funeral service board are appointed by the governor and the general assembly. Another organization does have a price list on its website. The Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina put together a price list and posted it on its website (funeralsnc.org). It has listings of funeral homes and prices for cremations and basic funerals. The alliance is a nonprofit, volunteer association that educates and advocates for consumers on funeral services. Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina (FCANC) is a grassroots, all volunteer, 501(3) nonprofit organization focused on funeral consumer education and advocacy. Clarification On Friday there was a question about a recently renewed drivers license that had Not For Federal Identification on it. The statement means that the license is not a REAL ID license and therefore cannot be used to board airplanes or gain access to federal facilities. A reader pointed out that the start date for the REAL ID is May 7, 2025. The licenses that are currently being issued are good for five to eight years, depending on the age of the driver and would therefore be valid after the REAL ID start date. The statement on the license is an easy way to tell that it is not a REAL ID. VFW honor guard needs volunteers The Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Honor Guard needs volunteers to help render military honors for deceased veterans from all branches of the military. The honor guard also is active with color guard missions at schools, churches, retirement centers and other civic events. Uniforms and transportation are provided. Members must be honorably discharged from military service. For more information or to volunteer, call Cliff Harris, quartermaster, at 336-403-8756, or email clifhar@windstream.net. The N.C. Department of Labor has issued citations against Herc Rentals Inc. in the aftermath of a worker fatality that occurred on Jan. 25 on the Wallace Farm composting business property in Advance. The Labor Department is proposing penalties totaling $203,125 as a result of a safety inspection that began on the day of the accident. On that day, William Andrew Drew Bledsoe of Trinity was working on the hydraulic system of a Volvo LH70 front-end loader when he was fatally injured. Bledsoe was a field service mechanic for Herc Rentals and worked out of the companys north Charlotte branch. The loader had been rented from Herc by a customer and was being repaired while it was at the composting business. The Labor Department said the employee was injured when a sudden loss of hydraulic pressure caused the raised boom of the loader to fall on him. Regulators said the employee worked around and underneath the boom without using lift supports and stabilizing it to prevent the boom from falling. The Labor Department called this a willful serious violation on the part of the company that comes with a proposed penalty of $156,250. The remaining parts of the total proposed penalty are for three serious violations with penalties of $15,625 each: That employees were not given a specific outline of steps to follow for properly shutting down and securing the equipment; That the company had not checked at least annually to make sure that the proper steps were followed, having last performed that check in 2020; and That employees were not trained to recognize and control the dangers they faced while working on the equipment. The Labor Department said the recommended penalties against Herc Rentals are the maximum amounts for each type of violation. Erin Wilson, speaking for the Labor Department, said in an email that the penalties are in no way designed to make up for the loss of life. Money collected through civil penalties like these are distributed to the public school system. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to request an informal conference with the Labor Department, to file a notice of contest with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission of North Carolina, or to pay the penalty. After the accident, Herc Rentals officials said people at the company were heartbroken over the death, and described Bledsoe as a loving husband and devoted father of two young children. Bledsoe had been employed by Herc Rentals since October of 2021. HOLDREGE A vote that would have put the merger of two major power districts back on track failed Friday during a packed meeting at Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District headquarters in Holdrege. Today was a day when local politics worked, said Gary Robison, a Bertrand irrigator who led the Citizens Opposed to the Merger organization that stopped Centrals consolidation with Dawson Public Power District based in Lexington. During a special meeting Friday of the Central Board of Directors, the intent was to vote to amend Centrals charter and fix the technicality that sidetracked the merger in April when the matter went before the Nebraska Power Review Board for approval. On Friday, the Central board voted 7-5 in favor of adopting the amendment; however, under state law, eight votes in favor were required. We worked hard to get people to that meeting on Friday, Robison said. We wanted people on the board to see their constituents when they voted. Robison said two Central board representatives from Kearney County who voted in favor of the merger in October 2021 flipped their votes on Friday, and it was enough to kill the measure to fix the technicality in Centrals bylaws. I dont think its dead. If it comes back, its because theyll feel like they shored up the vote and are ready to make another try, Robison said. One day before Fridays vote, descendants of George Kingsley who was instrumental in making Lake McConaughy, the Kingsley hydro and the vast network of irrigation canals a reality announced they opposed the merger. Four great-grandchildren of Kingsley, Tim Kingsley, Liz Mattson, David Kingsley and Nancy Oertle, urged the CNPPID Board to vote against the merger at Fridays special meeting. Our great grandfather, George P. Kingsley, gave his time, money, and the last 20 years of his life to the formation of what is today Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, the grandchildren wrote in a letter to CNPPID directors. His dream was to bring irrigation to the fertile lands of the tri-county basin (Kearney, Phelps and Gosper). Those farms are the heartbeat of the communities within, and their sustainability is dependent upon agriculture. Efforts to merge Central and Dawson began when they announced plans to study a potential merger in November 2020. A consultant was hired to review finances, assets, board governance and the benefits for the customers. The study process was divided into four levels, with each one being more detailed. Both Central and Dawson boards voted on each stage of review, having the opportunity to end the process at any time. In addition to news media coverage, press releases and newsletter articles, public open house events were held to share information and listen to concerns. The expenses for the study and legal consultation have been shared by Central and Dawson PPD. A spokesman for Central said that whether the power and irrigation district attempts to salvage the merger at this point would be up to the Board of Directors. Both the Central and Dawson boards had voted to merge in October 2021, but irrigators organized the Citizens Opposed to the Merger group to fight the proposed consolidation. The group has 100 members and $400,000 to fight the proposed merger and said water users in Phelps, Kearney and Gosper counties might lose control of the water that fuels crop production in south-central Nebraska. More specifically, it claimed that south-central Nebraska would be under-represented on the new board of directors for the merged districts. The 10 best beaches in Nebraska ... no, really! Lake Mac Calamus Reservoir Wagon Train Lake beach Niobrara River Branched Oak Lake Pawnee Lake Box Butte State Recreation Area Brick's Beach Swanson Reservoir Two Rivers State Recreation Area Lake McConaughy The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the recovery of a Trenton woman or to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for her disappearance in 2019. On April 20, 2019, Sunny Sramek, then 18, left Trenton with a male allegedly for a trip to Omaha, according to a news release from the FBI Omaha office. Her mother reported her missing to the Hitchcock County Sheriffs Office the next day. According to the FBI, Sramek was last seen riding in a 2004 white Ford Explorer with Iowa license plate HGJ-341. No one has seen or heard from her since. She would be 22 now and is described as 5-foot-8 and 183 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes and tattoos on her left shoulder of a feather with the letters FLY and on her right ankle of a tribal sun in red ink. Anyone with information about Sramek is asked to contact the Omaha Division of the FBI at 402-493-8688. Who are they? NE children reported missing as of July 29 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). The Lancaster County Sheriffs Office says it found $103,194 in suspected drug money and arrested a 25-year-old North Carolina man in a traffic stop on Interstate 80 west of Lincoln shortly before 10 a.m. Friday. Capt. Ben Houchin said Brandon Montoya, of Charlotte, was stopped in a westbound Toyota Tundra for following too closely and driving on the shoulder. During the stop, Houchin said, the deputy developed suspicions Montoya was involved in illegal activity. A search turned up the money, which was sealed and in a suitcase, and a ledger. Houchin said deputies reached out to law enforcement in Charlotte, where Montoya lives and rents a storage unit, believing that there was a strong possibility they would find a large amount of narcotics there. He said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department took the information, got search warrants and found 1,290 pounds of marijuana and THC edibles in Montoya's storage unit and at his home, tens of thousands of empty and loaded bottles of THC oil, marijuana cigar tubes and THC vape cartridges, 10 pounds of THC wax, 40 pounds of marijuana, packing materials, a 9mm Glock handgun and $90,000 in cash. Houchin said the drugs added up to 1,831 pounds. A reprieve appears to be coming for trailer owners faced with removing their summer cabins from alongside two southwest Nebraska reservoirs. After a group of about 20 people traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month, Nebraskas congressional delegation pledged to introduce legislation that would allow about 181 mobile homes to remain at Swanson and Red Willow reservoirs. Counties would assume management The legislation would transfer management of the two concession areas that hold the trailers from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the reservoirs, to Hitchcock and Frontier counties, where the two reservoirs are located. The two county governments would negotiate leases with concessionaires at the two reservoirs, who, in turn, would manage leases with the trailer owners, allowing them to remain. Local, as opposed to federal control, is best, and community members have indicated they support transferring the land to the relevant county entities, said Nathaniel Sizemore, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer. Fischer, along with U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, met July 12 with about 20 southwest Nebraskans, who argued that removing the two trailer communities would hurt local businesses and end a tradition of allowing the mobile homes that stretched back 50 years. A win-win Its a win-win for sure, for us and the counties, said Dawna Vap, whose family has operated the concession at Swanson Reservoir near Trenton, the Good Life Marina & Restaurant, for 13 years. The concessionaires lease their sites from the Bureau of Reclamation and manage leases with 110 trailer sites at Swanson and 71 at Red Willow. The bureau, as part of an improvement plan, had announced that the trailers needed to be removed by November 2024 to make way for construction of new campgrounds, rental cabins, playgrounds, picnic areas and walking trails. But local officials balked at the plan. Hitchcock County Commissioner Paul Nichols, who was among those who traveled to Washington, said that during summer months, the two trailer areas are among the largest communities in the area, pumping dollars into the local economy. Last week, Nichols said he was encouraged by the response of Nebraskas congressional delegation. 19 acres transferred At Swanson, he said, a transfer would involve Hitchcock County assuming management of about 19 acres of property. Nichols said the county would receive a portion of the gross sales generated by the concessionaire the portion that now goes to the bureau. He said no county tax dollars would be expended. The trailer owners and concessionaire would handle road maintenance, as in the past, Nichols said, adding that the county would need to adopt a process to award trailer lots if someone gave up a lease. Frontier County would act in the same capacity with the concessionaire and the trailer area at Red Willow Reservoir. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would continue to operate campgrounds at both reservoirs. Nichols said if the Bureau of Reclamation wanted to build new facilities, it still could. We have hundreds and hundreds of people who support us on this (land transfer), he said. Sizemore, the spokesman with Sen. Fischer, said that the entire Nebraska congressional delegation would work on the land transfer legislation. He did not have a timeline for when it would be introduced. Top Journal Star photos for July 2023 Three Florida men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a multimillion-dollar theft ring that targeted beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska and five other states. The initial investigation started into the theft of several semi-trailers and loads of frozen beef in the Lincoln and Grand Island areas. A semi loaded with more than $232,000 worth of beef had been stolen in Grand Island on June 26, 2022, and found empty in Emerald, a small town west of Lincoln. The next day, a semi without a trailer was stolen in Emerald and found later southeast of Lincoln, along with a trailer reported stolen from Grand Island loaded with $157,000 of beef. The investigation that followed by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigation in Omaha tied the men responsible to 45 others an estimated $9 million loss since June 2021 in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. It resulted in the arrests of Yoslany Leyva Del Sol, 39; Ledier Machin Andino, 38; and Delvis L. Fuentes, 40, for transportation of stolen goods and money laundering, and to the recovery last year of three semis with stolen merchandise valued at $550,000. They later pleaded guilty to possession of stolen goods. Last week in Miami in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the three men were sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. They also were ordered to together pay more than $206,000 in restitution. Getting away with murder: Nebraska cold cases Patricia Webb Tina McMenamin Ali Saleh Al-Saidi Gina Bos Ann Marie Kelley Carl Bittner K.K. Kody Christi Nichols Donald Bennett Ernestine Ruschy Eugene McGuire Jay Durnil Mary Heese Gregory Moore Irvin Settje Jason Remsen Jason Vesper Brian Walker Arthur Morley Jay Blockson Jeanne Kassebaum William, Bernice and Barbara Peak Jeffrey Snoddy Joy Blanchard Demetrius Simpson Julie Derrick Leah Rowlands Letha Harley Mary Cabral Mary Cronin Merlin Mosel Mitchell Simon Patrick Vostades Rebecca Williams Richard Chadek Richard Lessley Robert Beaudoin Robert Heelan Rudolfo Flores Russell McKnight Sandy Green Sarah Neal Tyrone Banister Waddell Robinson Charles Hanks Invited testifiers at an interim hearing of the Legislatures Education Committee told state lawmakers on Monday they welcomed more involvement from parents in Nebraskas K-12 education system. But state and local school board members, educators and a prominent member of a political action committee seeking to elect conservative school board members diverged when it came to addressing the biggest challenges to public education. The hearing on a trio of legislative resolutions was called by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil to gather information that could lead to legislation limiting what educators teach and boosting parents influence in the activities of the school. Murman introduced a bill (LB374) earlier this year that would have required school districts to make learning materials available for public inspection through a public portal and to create a process that allowed parents to object to school library books. Parents need to be able to blow the whistle about inappropriate materials making their way into the classroom, Murman told the committee. The Education Committee chair said he was also concerned about social-emotional learning, commonly referred to as SEL, saying it was an attempt to inject critical race theory into public school classrooms. Social-emotional learning teaches students how to manage their emotions and improve their social interactions. All 50 states have standards related to social-emotional learning in preschool, while only about half Nebraska does not have standards for K-12. Critical race theory, which is nearly a century old and is typically taught at the graduate school level, examines how systemic inequities have stemmed from race and racism. Murman, answering questions from Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad, alleged that Nebraska teachers were using critical race theory in their K-12 classrooms, and were encouraged to do so by the Nebraska Department of Education. In 2022, Murman and a handful of other state senators said the Launch Nebraska website curated by the state education department had links for teachers professional development that promoted critical race theory. The links were taken down after it was brought to the departments attention. On Monday, Education Commissioner Brian Maher said the department was revamping how training materials appear through Launch Nebraska, including monitoring links that take users to other websites a challenging task, he said. But Maher, as well as school board members from large and medium-sized districts in the state, said the focus on issues that have been flashpoints in the culture war like critical race theory and social-emotional learning are not priorities. Maher said he hoped to improve assessment scores for all students, address a teacher shortage and help schools navigate resources to ensure they can help students succeed. Sen. Tom Briese of Albion asked Maher what strategies Nebraska could deploy alongside investing more funding to solve its teacher shortage. Maher said Nebraska needed to do more to encourage those interested in becoming teachers. If we can get out of our own way in the profession, I think that will go a long way toward making teaching more fun, Maher said. I think it can be very fulfilling; we need to make sure we create the conditions for our staff to be fulfilled. Mike Pate, a 27-year member of the Millard Public Schools board, said he believed parents in the states third largest district had wide access to and input on the curriculum materials used by teachers. Millard also has a process for parents to exclude their students from participating in certain lessons, Pate told the committee, and added many if not all of the proposals from Murman to ensure accountability were already in place. I dont think were an outlier, Pate said. We stay in our lane, we try to focus on whats important which is the education of our kids. We do a pretty good job of giving academic performance at the lowest cost to taxpayers. And Lisa Wagner, president of the Central City Public Schools board, told the committee districts are already required to have parental involvement policies, along with policies related to the review of library and curriculum materials. That runs counter to the national narrative, which Wagner said Nebraska should avoid falling into. We do not need additional mandates dealing with parental involvement, Wagner said, adding parents who have concerns should reach out to teachers, administrators and local school board members. Several testifiers, including State Board of Education member Kirk Penner, and Sue Greenwald of Protect Nebraska Children Coalition, said that the use of social-emotional learning was a way to inject critical race theory and Marxism into schools. Penner, who spoke in his personal capacity and not as a representative of the state board, told the committee he saw non-school organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center and liberal senators in Nebraska as influencing what was going on in the classroom. While he agreed developing self-awareness and self-management were good things for students, Penner said without evidence that schools that did so under the most common frameworks were teaching it through the lens of a critical race theorist. Greenwald, meanwhile, said social-emotional learning was part of a global effort to give your children a social credit score, pushed by Bill Gates and the World Economic Forum comments she admitted were conspiratorial in nature. She also said the proposal to give parents access to curriculum material did not go far enough, adding parents needed to be able to watch changes made to curriculum in real time online. Other educators also told the committee they disagreed with the increased focus on diversity and inclusion in school curriculums after 2020 and believed it interfered with teachers abilities to focus on topics like reading and math. Lori Samuelson, a school psychologist in Hastings, said diversity programs do not allow teachers to focus on the whole student, and said when she raised that point in a Facebook group she was punished. Mondays hearing, which only featured invited testimony and did not allow Nebraskans to testify, did not have any immediate outcome, but it did spark a competing public forum that ran concurrently in another hearing room at the Capitol. Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, who does not serve on the Education Committee, and several other senators, heard from teachers, parents and others opposed to Murmans bill, which they said would limit how students learned about controversial topics and would censor teachers and librarians. Top Journal Star photos for July 2023 Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has told state lawmakers he would not seek medical records to prosecute women who obtain abortions in other states. In a response to questions from state senators about his opposition to a proposed rule blocking states from accessing private health records related to abortion, Hilgers explained he wants to keep existing privacy laws intact. Lawmakers had asked last week what the state's motivation was for joining 18 other attorneys general who signed a letter from Mississippi's attorney general opposing the federal rule change. "To be clear at the outset: our office is defending the status quo on patient privacy, not narrowing it," Hilgers wrote. "(O)ur office follows Nebraska law, which does not hold women criminally responsible for having an abortion procedure." Hilgers' response comes a week after nine senators, led by Omaha Sen. Machaela, asked the first-year attorney general to clarify his position on the matter. The Biden administration put forward the plan in April to change HIPAA patient privacy rules in response to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last year, putting the question of whether or not to restrict abortions back in statehouses across the country. The proposed rule change would block states from accessing health information about residents who obtained lawful abortions or other reproductive health care "for criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or proceedings." The attorneys general, who like Hilgers are all Republicans, submitted a comment opposing the change in June saying the proposal went too far and potentially infringed upon states' abilities to prohibit abortions. Democrats have criticized the proposal for not going far enough to protect women from having their private health records related to abortion or reproductive health care shared without a court order. In their letter, the state senators asked Hilgers why he wanted access to private medical records and if he planned to use those documents to prosecute individuals who seek abortions in states where it is legal or those who aid others in doing so. Hilgers, in his response, echoed the comment letter, stating if the rule takes effect, the broad provisions would make it more difficult for law enforcement or agencies to conduct criminal or administrative investigations into a wide range of incidents. He said a series of botched cesarean sections or reports of a doctor being impaired could result in an investigation, for example, or law enforcement could seek health records from victims of human traffickers or sexual predators coerced into abortions. "Far from applying to a narrow class of abortion-related procedures, the proposed rule chills investigative efforts into serious criminal wrongdoing and other misconduct," Hilgers wrote. "In doing so, it undermines our ability to keep Nebraska citizens and in particular Nebraska patients safe." The letter outlines Nebraska's support for the existing HIPAA patient privacy laws enacted by the Clinton administration, which recognizes the need to "balance individual privacy interests against the legitimate public interests in certain uses of health information." The proposed change creates two different standards for what private health information is accessible through the legal process, he added, one for reproductive health care and another for other types of health information. Under the existing rule, Hilgers said law enforcement agencies will still be required to obtain a subpoena, court order, discovery process or some other legal process to obtain those records. "Our office seeks to maintain the status quo that has been in place for over 20 years, through both Republican and Democratic administrations," he concluded. Cavanaugh said Monday evening she appreciated Hilgers' response, but said the attorney general had not taken a formal position on a bill (LB391) introduced in the Legislature this year. The legislation from Sen. Jen Day of Gretna would provide criminal and civil immunity to any woman whose pregnancy does not result in a live birth. The bill was heard by the Judiciary Committee in March, but was not advanced to the floor for debate. "Nebraskans don't need their elected officials to be exchanging letters in the press," Cavanaugh said in a text. "They need their officials to be working on protecting medical records and medical decisions of Nebraskans." Top Journal Star photos for July 2023 RACINE Kristi Walsko listened as a middle schooler proudly described a recent shopping trip. The student explained that she stayed well under her $20 budget, spending $11 and putting $9 in savings. Walsko was glad to hear the story, which directly related to the personal budgeting lesson students were learning at Gifford K-8 School. To see that they were actually using the stuff that we were teaching is really one of those things that sticks out, said Walsko, a Gifford sixth grade teacher. Walsko taught the personal budgeting lesson in a seminar class last school year that is part of the middle school academy model at the Racine Unified School District. The 2022-23 school year was the first to have academy courses at three RUSD middle schools: Gifford, Jerstad-Agerholm and Mitchell. Three RUSD high schools have offered academy classes since 2016. Academy courses are intended to provide students with practical, hands-on learning and inform students of potential career opportunities. It opens their eyes to a bigger world of what a job could be, said Brandon Tristano, Jerstad-Agerholm sixth grade teacher. Middle school topics include financial literacy, graphic design and cyber awareness. Students need to correctly answer at least 70% of the questions on unit quizzes to earn a certification. The accumulation of certifications recently led to RUSD earning an EVERFI Empowered Seal. EVERFI modules were part of the middle school academy curriculum created by RUSD. Most of the certifications were earned by middle schoolers and a few were earned by high school students. The seal means Racine Unified is in the top 10% of school districts in the country for EVERFI certifications earned, according to Alex DeBaker, Racine Academies executive director. RUSD was one of 11 Wisconsin school districts to receive the seal, and by far the largest district that did. Teachers like Walsko and Tristano tried to provide as much hands-on work as possible, such as designing a sneaker or creating a music playlist. There were also several guest speakers from area businesses. Instructors often used personal examples during lessons, like Walsko talking about her first credit card. Last year was the first time middle school educators taught academy courses. There were constant adjustments, but they feel better about instructing classes in the upcoming year. We were kind of creating the curriculum as we went, Tristano said. Thats something thatll go smoother this year. Additions in 2023-24 include sections on nonprofits and careers in technical education. Were not just preparing (students) for college; we want to prepare them for whats going to fit them best, Walsko said. The best part is viewing students excitement about potential jobs. Seeing the world open up to them is the biggest benefit to me, Tristano said. DeBaker mentioned a Mitchell student who, on a field trip to Gateway Technical College in Racine, saw Lake Michigan and the college campus for the first time. The student was thrilled and said he wanted to attend Gateway. Youre opening their eyes to opportunity and how to get to that opportunity, DeBaker said. For middle school students like the one who spent below her budget, the academy courses help them learn practical skills and more about potential careers, both of which will benefit students going forward. 10 colleges where women graduates earn more than men 10 colleges where women graduates earn more than men #10. Viterbo University #9. Marymount Manhattan College #8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University #7. American International College #6. Talladega College #4. Cumberland University #3. San Francisco Art Institute #2. Hampton University #1. Holy Names University Yes. Killeen has already committed $100,000; if funding is halted, it will all be for nothing. Yes. It's important for the city to follow through on its obligation to voters on this issue. No. The city has already spent too much taxpayer money on this. Cut off the funding. No. The ordinance is illegal. The city should have repealed it and adjusted city policy instead. Unsure. It's hard to say. There are some valid points on both sides of the argument. Vote View Results Sen. Deb Fischer secured more than $20 million for water infrastructure projects across Nebraska in a bill that was unanimously advanced Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Fischers office announced. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, advanced out of committee on a 28-0 vote Thursday, includes $10 million earmarked for the Cedar Knox Rural Water Project in northeast Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen in May vetoed $7 million in state funds that the Legislature had earmarked for the same project, saying the state already had put significant money into the project. The projects defunding at the hands of the governor was part of $119 million Pillen vetoed out of the state budget bills. State lawmakers overrode one of the governors line-item vetoes restoring $1.1 million to the state auditors office. Now, Fischer, the states senior Republican senator who sits on the bodys Appropriations Committee, has secured the sought-after funds for the construction of a water source, treatment plant and distribution system that will serve residents in Knox and Cedar counties along with funds for a dozen other infrastructure projects. This funding bill will keep Nebraskans healthy and safe by investing in crucial water infrastructure projects across our state, Fischer said in a news release Monday. I fought to secure measures that support the construction of water treatment plants, the replacement of aging water towers, and the continued removal of dangerous lead pipes throughout our state, she added. The bill, which still needs Senate and House approval, also includes $360,000 to replace lead service lines and water meters in Denton, along with $72,000 to replace water meters in Malcolm. The bill also includes $1.5 million to upgrade and rehabilitate the existing wastewater treatment plant and collection system in York. Jennie Edmundson Hospital is partnering with a Tennessee-based behavioral health care company to build a 96-bed, state-of-the-art behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs, officials announced Monday. The hospital will include 24 beds for children and adolescents and also will provide outpatient behavioral health services. Jennie Edmundson is an affiliate of Omaha-based Methodist Health System. Acadia Healthcare, its partner in the joint venture, is the largest stand-alone behavioral health care company in the United States. Together, the partners will invest more than $55 million in expanding behavioral health resources in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, describing the new facility as a center of excellence that will help address the growing, unmet need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services in the region. According to American Hospital Directory data, they said, Nebraska and Iowa have a shortfall of more than 300 inpatient behavioral health beds. David Burd, Jennie Edmundsons president and chief executive officer, said patients of all ages in the region will have access to the specialized behavioral health care in a carefully designed environment. This hospital will be a tremendous resource, and this partnership will help strengthen our level of expertise and implement proven best practices while enhancing the quality and number of behavioral health services available to patients throughout the area, he said in a statement. Jennie Edmundson and Acadia are in the process of securing land for the hospital, which would open in 2026. The location, which will be a site separate from Jennie Edmundson, will be announced at a later date. Construction will begin once the partners obtain all required regulatory approvals, specifically a certificate of need from the State of Iowa. According to a project website, the 29 licensed behavioral health inpatient beds in Jennie Edmundsons behavioral health unit would move to the new facility as part of the project. Plans call for the new facility to include large treatment rooms for group therapy sessions, centralized nursing stations to provide open lines of sight to all common areas, high ceilings and large windows to capitalize on natural light, serene outdoor spaces and high-tech features. Dr. Pat Ahrens, Jennie Edmundsons vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, said the hospital will provide a centralized, regional referral center, creating a single point of care for all mental health and substance use disorders. Burd said the partners believe the facility will be the largest inpatient behavioral health facility in the area, outside of government facilities in Lincoln and Norfolk. However, he noted that dynamics in behavioral health are fluid. The hospital would be the latest among several planned expansions in behavioral health care in the area. Last fall, a nonprofit group called the Mental Health Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit group led by Omaha philanthropist Ken Stinson, and Childrens Hospital & Medical Center announced plans to build a 38-bed inpatient behavioral health facility for children on Childrens campus near 84th and Dodge Streets in Omaha. At the time, the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Childrens Hospital was expected to measure 103,500 square feet and cost $89 million. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced in late June that the project had expanded to 107,250 square feet and had a new budget of $110 million. Community Alliance is building a new 127,000-square-foot Center for Mental Health at 71st Street and Mercy Road that will house all of the nonprofit organizations nonresidential services, now spread across three locations, under the same roof. That project is backed by a $65 million campaign. As of late March, Acadia Healthcare operated a network of 250 behavioral health care facilities with approximately 11,100 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. It provides behavioral health services in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, specialty treatment facilities, residential treatment centers and outpatient clinics. Top Journal Star photos for July 2023 Three generations of women from a Wisconsin family will be setting out on a hike through Yosemite Valley this month to raise money for disaster relief. The intrepid trio includes Bristol resident Frances Wargolet, 77, Katrina Wargolet Kyne, 49 and Sophie Kyne, 13, who will begin their journey on Aug. 13. For three days the trio plan to climb Yosemites iconic North Dome and summit the nearly 11,000-foot Mount Hoffman. They are hiking for international disaster relief organization ShelterBox USA, a global nonprofit that provides emergency shelter and other lifesaving supplies after disasters and in conflict zones. Frances Wargolet said she was drawn to ShelterBox because it seeks to address one of the biggest challenges in the world. According to ShelterBox, currently more than 110 million people have been forced from their homes. Frances Wargolet became more involved after the war in Ukraine broke out last year. There are more displaced people in the world than ever before, she said. I was astonished by Russias attacks on Ukraine last year and the recent earthquakes that devastated areas of Turkey and Syria. I thought, What can I do to help? She responded by becoming an ambassador for ShelterBox. Wargolet will be joined by her daughter Katrina, a 22-year Army veteran. After serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, Wargolet Kyne has seen firsthand the devastation caused by conflict in those countries. The trio has experience hiking together, frequently hiking in Oahu when Katrina was stationed there. ShelterBox was founded in 2000 by a Rotary Club in England with the goal of providing families what they need immediately after disasters. It remains Rotary Internationals official project partner for disaster relief, and Frances Wargolet is a local Rotary Club member. Since its founding, ShelterBox indicates it has helped millions of people, responding to hundreds of crises across the globe. Known for its iconic green box, ShelterBox works with disaster-struck communities to provide customized aid packages that can include tents, cook sets, solar lanterns, mattresses, mosquito nets, water filters and other items. We are so grateful for supporters like Fran, Katrina, and Sophie, said ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray. They are personifying so much about ShelterBox by translating their passion and determination into a project that will help those who need it most around the world. More information about the hike and the trios fundraising goals can be found on the ShelterBox USA website fundraising page. The Chicago man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire in a Salem Lakes residence early Sunday allegedly threw a flammable liquid on her as she was lying in bed before she was burned. Myron Faith Bowie, 36, was charged Tuesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, a Class A felony. A felony warrant has been issued for Bowies arrest and multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for him. The charges indicate that on Sunday, July 30, shortly before 5 a.m. Kenosha County sheriffs deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 24500 block of 86th Place in the Village of Salem Lakes in Kenosha County. Dispatch indicated that there was a male subject who set his girlfriend on fire. The caller, who was the victim, had stated that she was set on fire and was in pain before the 911 call was disconnected, according to the criminal complaint. Dispatch reported they could hear a smoke detector sounding in the background while on the call. A deputy who arrived on scene made contact with the 33-year-old woman who said [H]e threw something on me and set me on fire, according to the complaint. The woman reportedly said she was in bed when the incident occurred and appeared to suffer severe and possibly life threatening burns to her head, face and upper arms. These burns, according to the complaint, seemed to be in several small patches on her upper chest and arms consistent with the splashing pattern of a flammable liquid. The deputy expressed concern the womans upper airway had been burned because she was having difficulty breathing and speaking. Emergency medical services were called and Flight for Life was dispatched. The woman reportedly said that her boyfriend threw alcohol on her. She said they were fighting over her cousin. She also said that he burned her in the past but that they were small burns. Deputies also found four young children in the home who were crying saying to the effect their dad did this, according to the complaint. The male suspect was identified as Bowie, and his wallet and photo ID were found in the residence. Two of the children, according to the complaint, said they heard the smoke alarms and when they left their rooms, all on the second floor, they saw Bowie exiting their mothers room, saying that hes sorry, and that they may never see him again. Bowie reportedly then left. A child also reportedly told a deputy that before the incident they were all driving home from a family reunion when Bowie began to drive fast and said he was going to kill all of them. The woman was transported to Ascension Columbia St. Marys Regional Burn Center and was in critical condition. According to court documents, about 13% of her body, mostly her head, upper chest and upper arms, were covered in second-or third-degree burns. The woman was chemically sedated and intubated. The Kenosha County Sheriffs Department issued a media alert about Bowie over the weekend and news of the incident sparked headlines across the region. Bowie is believed to be driving a black Cadillac SRX with Illinois license plate DQ46996, according to the sheriffs department. He is considered armed and dangerous. Bowie has been known to stay in the Chicago area at Logan Square and Wicker Park, according to authorities. The sheriffs department is seeking the assistance of the public. As for the suspect, he is still on the run. Our detectives are following several citizen tips in locating him and working with area agencies to bring the suspect into custody, said Kenosha County Sheriffs Department Sgt. Colin Coultrip on Tuesday. The woman remains in critical condition but is receiving the best medical care possible, Coultrip said. Anyone who knows where Bowie is or has seen his vehicle is asked to contact Kenosha County Sheriffs Department Detective Bureau at 262-605-5102 or Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333 or 800-807-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1,000. Celebrity Birthdays: Aug. 1 Adam Duritz Chuck D Demian Bichir Elijah Kelley Giancarlo Giannini Jason Momoa Jennifer Gareis Joe Elliott John Carroll Lynch Roy Williams Sam Mendes Suzi Gardner Tempestt Bledsoe A 41-year-old former La Crosse pediatrician accused of sexually assaulting children has been sentenced to 5 years behind bars. Joseph A. Poterucha learned his fate during a sentencing hearing Monday in La Crosse County Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of second-degree sexual assault of a child and two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual assault of a child. Judge Todd Bjerke imposed a sentence of five years in state prison on the felony count followed by 14 years of supervised release. The provisions of his release include no contact with anyone under 18 unless authorized by the state and no internet access. State law mandates Poteruchas lifetime registration as a sex offender. Poterucha, who has resided in Rochester, Minnesota, since being charged, will also serve six months in the La Crosse County Jail for one of the two misdemeanor charges. He originally faced three charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13 before entering a plea agreement May 26. Bjerke made reference to Poteruchas work as a pediatrician before issuing the sentence. At the time of his arrest, Poterucha was chief of pediatrics at Mayo Health in La Crosse. Bjerke said someone with Poteruchas background and training should have recognized he had a problem. You should have known where to find help before crossing that line, Bjerke said. The one sentence that means the most in this case is, Do no harm. None of Poteruchas victims were patients from his workplace. Prior to the sentencing hearing, five of Poteruchas victims addressed the court, supported by several dozen supporters wearing T-shirts with a sexual assault awareness ribbon. The girls described anguish and trauma they suffered. One victim, who struggled to deliver her testimony while sobbing, said she continues to live in fear. I still feel like he is still being there watching me, the victim said. Hes done so many bad things for so many years. Another victim said, Joe is a pedophile and a rapist, even if he wont say it. Joe put a life sentence on us, and we did nothing wrong. He deserves the same life sentence. Assistant District Attorney Susan Donskey asked for a seven-year sentence. Today is the day for the children in his life to get justice for the immense trauma that hes inflicted on them, Donskey said. She described Poterucha as a skilled liar and manipulator who still hasnt fully come to terms with his actions. She told the court that Poterucha feigned innocence and confusion to police after he was arrested in October 2021. He essentially called (the girls) liars at that point, which only added to their trauma, Donskey said. Defense attorney Jennifer Lough asked for probation. She disputed the assertion that Poterucha has been unrepentant. She said he immediately admitted guilt and said he didnt want any of the girls to go through a trial. He has taken responsibility for his actions from day one, Lough said. Poterucha addressed the court and apologized to his victims. As much as I miss my career and my opportunities for healing and learning, my biggest regret is committing this crime and the pain that I brought upon the victims who I really loved and cared about, he said. I take responsibility for my actions and know I need to understand why I did this to them and how I made them feel. Poterucha was dismissed from this job at Mayo shortly after his arrest and was stripped of his medical license. La Crosse police are investigating the discovery of a womans body found along a hiking trail Saturday morning. Police responded to Cunningham and Harvey streets at 9:05 a.m. to meet with a person who said they discovered the body while walking their dog near the Bud Hendrickson Trail. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. Police said the investigation is in its preliminary stages and no additional details were released. Terri Stott doesnt believe it takes a professional to ride a bicycle 84 miles in two days, especially if the rider believes in the cause. Stotts cause is military veterans. On Saturday, she and three others will head from La Crosse for the 39th annual Heroes Ride Bicycle Tour. The cyclists will depart at 8 a.m. from the La Crosse River Trail on Highway B and arrive at The Highground Veterans Memorial in Neillsville the following morning. Its a welcoming ride, Stott said. People arent turned away because they cant keep up. Its really manageable, and the support truck is there for anyone who needs help. The La Crosse tour is one of five that will travel through western Wisconsin this weekend. There is also a 3-day western route that starts in River Falls and stops in Menomonie and Osseo before arriving at Neillsville. Stott said the La Crosse ride began in 2017 and is the newest of the five routes. The route follows the DNR bike trail through West Salem, Bangor and Sparta before turning north to Black River Falls, where the riders will spend the night. The following morning, the cyclists will pedal northeast through Hatfield before ending at The Highground. One of the riders is Christoper Pundzak, who has cerebral palsy. Stott described him as steady and sure and said shes inspired by his energy and enthusiasm. I met him in 2015, and hes the reason I ride a bike, Stott said. Weve been biking all over Wisconsin since then. Stott said a big motivation is her husband, Jim Stott, a Marine and Army National Guard veteran who served a combat mission in Iraq. They live in Coon Valley. He supports veterans like nobody Ive ever seen, Stott said. One of her concerns is the suicide rate among veterans who suffer from PTSD. She said the Heroes Ride is a way to raise awareness. PTSD is real, Stott said. The wounds are real, and The Highground is where the healing begins. Its a beautiful, quiet place. The Heroes Ride began in 1985 with Tom Miller riding 1,244 miles across Wisconsin to promote awareness and recognition for Vietnam veterans. The 1,244 miles represent how many Wisconsin servicemen and women were killed in action during the Vietnam War. Millers fundraising efforts helped lay the foundation of The Highground, located on 155 acres four miles west of Neillsville. The event is The Highgrounds largest and longest-running fundraiser and raised over $93,000 in 2022. The funds are used for veterans programming, including social programs and restorative retreats that help veterans and their families overcome emotions associated with military service. Stott looks forward to the ride and meeting friends along the way. She said theres an especially large reception when the cyclists ride through the small community of Hatfield. We have stop-off points along the way, she said. They kind of expect us. They know us now. MEXICO CITY Four months after a fire at an immigration detention center near the United States border, eight badly burned survivors are stuck in their rooms at a Mexico City hotel. They eat in the hotel restaurant and have regular medical check-ups and make calls home. The Mexican immigration agency covers the daily costs and medical care for survivors of the fire that killed 40 migrants. Advocates call that a conflict of interest for an agency whose officials now face criminal charges, including negligence and even homicide, in Mexicos worst migrant detention center fire. Before the fire, some migrants incurred large debts to the smugglers who were supposed to deliver them to the United States. There, the migrants were supposed to immediately begin working to pay off the debts and support their families. The survivors of the March 27 fire now feel trapped, with no money to move. Seeking U.S. asylum is a lengthy process but the migrants say that none of them want to return to home. They have humanitarian visas from Mexico, but their injuries don't allow them to work. Among the eight survivors is a 25-year-old Guatemalan former security guard. He requested anonymity because he fears the Mexican government could cut off his assistance. He had been picked up by immigration agents as soon as he arrived to Ciudad Juarez on the day of the fire. Packed into a large holding cell with dozens of others, a small group of migrants began to protest the conditions. Two have been charged with lighting the highly flammable foam mattresses in the cell and security video showed that the area filled with thick smoke in a matter of seconds. Despite their cries for help, the guards fled and no one opened the cell. Authorities have also filed criminal charges against Mexican officials and a private security guard over their involvement in the case. It looked like it was out of a movie, the young Guatemalan said, a mask covering part of his burned face, and bandages wrapped around his right forearm. His hand was amputated. From one moment to the next your life was changing, he said. He tried to escape the smoke and flames with other migrants in the bathroom. The trickle of water from the shower didnt allow them to fill even a bucket to fight the fire. He only managed to wet his shirt before he saw the ceiling ignite and felt flames touch his face. Firefighters eventually opened a hole in the wall where he was. He remembers seeing the opening and running toward a man with a mask who was pulling someone else out, but then lost consciousness. Thank God, I fell in front of him, he said. He only remembered the sound of sirens and not being able to breathe. He was hospitalized for a month and half, intubated for some of that time and fighting an infection. He regained consciousness in Mexico City. His father had come and was relieved to see him even in that state, because initially his sons name was on the list of fatalities, and he thought he was coming to recover his remains. The head of Mexicos immigration agency, Francisco Garduno, is among eight officials charged in relation to the fire. He has remained in his post pending the outcome. The Guatemalan and some, but not all, of the other survivors from Honduras, El Salvador and Venezuela have been called to give statements to prosecutors. Garduno and another high-ranking agency official were charged with illicitly carrying out their duties and not protecting those in their custody. Others, including guards at the facility, face homicide charges. After the fire, the agency closed a number of its detention centers and transferred migrants out of others. While there was early talk of reforming how the agency operates, nothing else concrete has happened. Eduardo Rojas, a lawyer from the Foundation for Justice, which is providing legal counsel to the survivors said it is a blatant conflict of interest because, the same institution connected to the crime is the one directly in charge of attending to the victims. The migrants could leave the hotel, but they felt like they were under constant surveillance, Rojas said. Some survivors were pressured by authorities to not accept representation from NGOs like his, warning them in front of lawyers that they would lose compensation for their injuries, he said. In total, the agency has provided 21 humanitarian visas to survivors and 26 more to their relatives. About $5 million has initially been budgeted for reparations to the victims and their families, but that could be increased. Rojas' Guatemalan client avoids criticizing anyone. Now the young Guatemalan waits for a prosthesis and practices writing with his left hand. Not being complete changed my life, he said. He worries that he wont be able to find work in Guatemala and that it would be difficult in the United States too, even though he still wants to try. He wants to see his wife and their 9-month-old daughter, whom he left behind in April. He had quit his job as a security guard and paid $19,000 to a smuggler who promised to get him to Chicago without any problems. When you leave your country you know about the dangers in the street, the kidnappings, but not the dangers from the people guarding you. I never, never imagined that, he said. He keeps replaying the last conversation he had with his mother before the fire. He called her from the detention center to tell her he had been caught, but told her not to worry because he was in immigration custody. The most mistaken word in my life was to say I was OK there, he remembers. Photos: 39 killed at migrant detention center near US border After winning the most expensive judicial election in American history, Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz will formally join the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday, creating a liberal majority on the states highest court. She joins the court as its expected to rule on abortion, redistricting and the legality of absentee ballot drop boxes cases many liberals are confident will go their way given Protasiewiczs often-partisan rhetoric on the campaign trail. Based on the election campaign, you would suppose that she would be a pretty reliable ally of the other liberals, said Alan Ball, a Marquette University history professor who analyzes the court. It may be the case that there are certain really specific narrow issues where she might break with the other liberals ... but I dont know what those would be, Ball said. But some liberals are cautioning the public against assuming Protasiewiczs ascension will be transformational. The antithesis of right-wing activism on the court, which is what weve seen for a number of years, is not simply left-wing activism. Its returning the court to a more humble role in our process, said longtime Democratic operative Sachin Chheda, who advised Protasiewiczs campaign. For folks who are progressive activists who want to see radical changes in how our government operates, I dont think that comes from electing a more progressive court, he said. I think that comes from electing a more progressive Legislature. Jeff Mandell, a partner at Stafford Rosenbaum who often represents liberals in appellate cases, said anybody who thinks the court will be radically more liberal immediately after Tuesday doesnt understand how courts work. Still, Mandell said hes more trusting of the upcoming court and hopeful that we have a court for the first time in quite a while that I think is going to be looking at each case on its own merits and considering the law fully anew, and not dominated by an ideological, knee-jerk, conservative majority. On the trail, on the bench While Protasiewicz espoused many liberal views on the campaign trail, she said she would bring fairness and impartiality to the court. She ran a campaign in which she went further than judicial candidates often go in telegraphing the way she would decide cases, said Rick Esenberg, the founder of the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty. But if Protasiewiczs intention is to be fair and impartial, Esenberg said, I applaud that. ... Lets see if it can be demonstrated. But many conservatives arent buying Protasiewiczs promise to be fair. Wisconsinites should brace themselves for an era of hyper-partisanship brought on by Protasiewicz and her allies as they use the courts to implement their partisan policy agenda, Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Rachel Reisner said in a statement. During her campaign Protasiewicz repeatedly embraced abortion rights and called the current legislative maps rigged. Experts have attributed Republicans near-supermajority in the Legislature both to gerrymandering and the states political geography, with Democrats at a disadvantage because theyre clustered in the states biggest cities but in the minority in most other places. She expressed her opposition to former Gov. Scott Walkers Act 10 legislation from 2011. It effectively eliminated collective bargaining for most public employees and is a law that liberals may seek to overturn. Open questions Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, who will be speaking at Protasiewiczs investiture Tuesday, said she has known Protasiewicz professionally as a very grounded and pragmatic person, and was taken aback a little bit at the nature of the race and how that evolved. Its challenging when you have such an expensive, people-involved kind of race, and clearly Janet talking about abortion and rigged maps and things didnt help that, continued Geske, whos also a member of the Wisconsin State Journal Editorial Board. I think shell have to rise up to somewhere where I think shell be, which is to be much more balanced on the particulars of any given case, she said. Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler said Protasiewicz will put people above special interests and give everyone a fair shake. One open question is whether Protasiewicz will split from her past rhetoric as Justice Brian Hagedorn has occasionally split from his. Hagedorn has become known as a swing vote whose opinions sometimes appear to contradict the conservative political views he expressed in the past. I think he is conservative ... but he also is not afraid to deal with a political issue in a way that the conservatives dont win, because thats his analysis, Geske said. Thats the way the court ought to be acting. Hagedorn aside, I would guess Protasiewicz will vote more frequently with the other liberals, Ball said. Protasiewiczs ascension to the court gives it a 4-3 liberal majority. Milwaukee native Born and raised in Milwaukee, Protasiewicz, 60, received a bachelors degree in history from UW-Milwaukee in 1985. She graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1988. After that, she was a Milwaukee County prosecutor for more than two decades. She first ran to be a Milwaukee County Circuit judge in 2013, losing to the conservative now-Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley. She then won a Milwaukee County Circuit judge seat in an uncontested election in 2014. In April, she beat conservative former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly by 11 percentage points, securing a 10-year term on the states highest court. She told the Wisconsin State Journal Editorial Board that shed likely only serve one term. Shes replacing former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack, who retired after finishing her second term at the age of 83. Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said Tuesday that he wont run for U.S. Senate in 2024 against Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, leaving an open GOP field with no declared candidates in the swing state a year before the primary. Tiffany said he will run for reelection representing northern Wisconsin rather than take on Baldwin, who is seeking a third term after an 11-percentage point win in 2018. His decision not to enter the race comes just under two months after fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher also declined to run. Tiffany, who has been in Congress since winning a special election in May 2020, said in a phone interview that he wants to remain focused on issues hes been dealing with in Congress, including natural resources, forest management, energy independence and serving on the judiciary committee. Baldwin is viewed as a formidable opponent due to her strong showing six years ago, her high profile across the state and her ability to raise money. If we stay focused on the issues, I believe she is beatable, Tiffany said. I dont pretend, it is not going to be easy. Tiffany said Baldwin should be cast as a career politician and rubber stamp for Joe Biden. Baldwins campaign declined to comment. Democrats, including Baldwin, are defending 23 seats in the U.S. Senate in 2024, including two held by independents who caucus with Democrats. Thats compared with just 10 seats that Republicans hope to keep in their column. Wisconsins other senator, Republican Ron Johnson, narrowly won reelection to a third term in November. Baldwin will be on the ballot in a presidential year in a state where four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by less than a percentage point. Other Republicans considering a Senate run are Madison businessman Eric Hovde, who lost in a Republican primary for Senate in 2012, Franklin businessman Scott Mayer and former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who backed false claims of fraud after the 2020 election. Tiffanys decision not to run leaves Republicans staring down a messy and chaotic Senate primary with two self-funding millionaires and Sheriff David Clarke ready to enter the race, said Democratic Party spokesperson Arik Wolk. Wisconsin wildlife officials would maintain a gray wolf population of about 1,000 wolves under the latest version of the states proposed wolf management plan. The revised plan, released Tuesday, will come before the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Board in October. While the plan does not include a specific statewide population goal for wolves, it does recommend ongoing monitoring to determine what actions are necessary to help maintain, grow or reduce the states wolf population within the states six wolf management zones. Changes in statewide wolf abundance and distribution would be the result of both natural wolf population dynamics as well as varying levels of regulated public harvest of wolves designed to help balance public preferences at the zone level, Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist, told reporters Tuesday. The updated plan aims to maintain a statewide population of about 800 to 1,200 wolves a level comparable to recent years. Fewer than 800 wolves would guide efforts to grow the population, while a statewide population of more than 1,200 wolves would lead to efforts to reduce the population, according to guidance in the plan. Between 800 and 1,200 wolves would largely be considered a stable population, though efforts could be made to bring the statewide population closer to 1,000 wolves. A draft of the plan notes that strictly defined upper population limits are often ineffective and unnecessary and the revised plan recommends striving to balance public population preferences at the zone level, including possible population growth and reductions, as warranted, while maintaining a healthy and sustainable population of wolves in Wisconsin. While state law mandates a wolf season, a federal judge last year restored endangered species protections for gray wolves across most of the country, including Wisconsin. The decision prohibits hunting wolves. A survey released in September estimated the statewide wolf population at 970, but the states current wolf management plan, created in 1999, called for capping the population at 350 wolves, a number used by hunters to justify a season on the animals. A GOP-authored bill introduced earlier this year by Rep. Chanz Green, of Grandview, and Sen. Rob Stafsholt, of New Richmond, would require the state to establish a new population goal for wolves as part of the management plan. Senate Bill 139 was introduced in March, but has yet to come before committee. Green said Tuesday hes hopeful the bill will be taken up yet this fall. Green said he still needed to go over all the details in the more than 200-page plan, but added he does want to see a hard set goal on the states wolf population. That population goal was one of my biggest priorities, Green said. I want to make sure that we have all our ducks in a row here in Wisconsin and have a good, proper wolf management plan in place. Stafsholt could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The DNR in April released about 3,500 comments related to the wolf management plan that ranged from advocating wiping the animal off the face of the Earth to asking that wolves be fully protected. The submissions came from the public from both inside and outside the state, and from the states Native American tribes, state lawmakers, county and town boards, hunting organizations, scientists and even a group of 9- and 10-year-old junior Girl Scout members. The publics interest and passion towards wolves and wolf management showed in the comments the DNR received, DNR Secretary Adam Payne said in a statement. This plan comes from years of dedicated effort and careful consideration, is flexible, actionable and, most importantly, outlines a path toward responsible and sustainable wolf management. The revised plan maintains plans to reduce the window for registering wolf kills from 24 hours to eight hours. DNR officials have said the lengthy grace period slowed its tally of February 2021 kills and led to zones staying open too long. It would also require zone-specific licenses. Right now, wolf licenses are valid in any of the states six wolf hunting zones. In photos: Wisconsin DNR releases Chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River Releasing chinook salmon into Root River China, UAE to hold 1st joint air force drill, eye cooperation boost 08:38, August 01, 2023 By Liu Xuanzun ( Global Times China announced on Monday that its air force will for the first time hold a joint exercise with its counterpart from the UAE, which is expected to further enhance military cooperation after the signing of a warplane deal between the two countries earlier this year, analysts said. In accordance with an annual schedule and the consensus reached by the two sides, the China-UAE Falcon Shield-2023 joint air force exercise will be held in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in August, China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on Monday. It marks the first time China and the UAE will hold a joint air force exercise, as the move aims to deepen practical exchange and cooperation between the two countries' militaries and boost understanding and mutual trust, said the Chinese Defense Ministry. The first China-UAE joint air force exercise is a good start to enhance military exchanges and cooperation with countries in the Middle East, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Monday. The joint exercise is a natural development after the UAE procured Chinese military aircraft earlier this year, marking the deepening of the relations between the two countries' militaries, Fu said. In February, China announced that it had sealed a dealto export the domestically developed L15 advanced trainer jet to the UAE. In 2022, the Defense Ministry of the UAE said it intended to buy 12 L15s from China, with the option for 36 additional aircraft of the same type in the future. As the new generation of light attack and combat trainer jet independently developed by China, the L15 can be used to train pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, or it can also carry out air-to-air combat and land attack missions. The Chinese People's Liberation Army also fly the L15 under the designation JL-10. As military ties between China and the UAE continue to develop, there could be more joint exercises and arms deals, analysts said. The air force of the UAE is coming to China for the first joint exercise, and the air force of China could visit the UAE for the next, Fu said. China is not planning to fill the so-called power vacuum left by the US in the Middle East, but is enhancing cooperation with countries in the region, respecting their independent development, and helping safeguard regional peace and stability, Fu said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Humanity for Peace Statement: Scientists Call to Stop a New World War July 31, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The following is a new statement issued internationally today by scientists on behalf of Humanity for Peace. It is intended for rapid circulation to scientists (primarily). Please circulate and organize many more signatures. Consider circulating it with one of the Steve Starr videos on the horror and finality of nuclear war. Scientists Call To Stop a New World War: Shall We Put an End to the Human Race, or Shall Mankind Renounce Nuclear War? July 31Almost seventy years ago, Albert Einstein and 11 other Nobel Prize winners issued this warning: Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce nuclear war? Today, in Ukraine, the U.S., NATO, and Russia are moving towards a direct military conflictand a U.S./NATO-Russian war will almost inevitably result in the use of nuclear weapons, because neither side will be willing to back down if a conflict begins. The U.S., Britain, France, and Russia keep 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads at launch-ready status. Each strategic warhead is 7 to 53 times more powerful than the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. Once the order to launch is given, these warheads will hit their targets in 35 minutes or less. Submarine launched ballistic missiles can hit their targets within 15 minutes of presidential authorization. Russia has three hundred and forty 800-kiloton nuclear weapons at launch ready status (800,000 tons of TNT explosive equivalent). The detonation of this warhead creates temperatures of roughly 200 million degrees Fahrenheit (about 100 million degrees Celsius), or about four to five times the temperature at the center of the Sun. To detonate a nuclear weapon over a city is like igniting a piece of the Sun, which will create solar temperatures that vaporize anything beneath it and set fires for many miles/kilometers in all directions. This creates a massive nuclear firestorm. The detonation of a single 800-kiloton warhead over a large city, on an average weather day, will ignite a nuclear firestorm that will cover 152 square miles (389 sq. km). In a matter of tens of minutes, air temperatures within the fire zone will be above the boiling point of water. Anyone within the fire zone will be confronted with a hurricane of fire. No living thing within the fire zone will survive. In a full-scale nuclear war, it is likely that in less than one hour, significantly more than 1,000 nuclear firestorms would be created by burning cities in North America, Europe, and Russia (and quite possibly China). These firestorms would cover tens of thousands of square miles. Peer-reviewed studies estimate that up to 180 million tons of black smoke and soot, created by these firestorms, would rise above cloud level into the stratosphere, where it would form a global stratospheric smoke layer. The stratospheric smoke layer could not be rained out and would remain for ten years or longer. The smoke layer would block enough sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere to quickly create average surface temperatures colder than those experienced at the height of the last Ice Age. For one to two years, temperatures would fall below freezing every day in central North America and central Eurasia. It would be too cold to grow food crops for many years. Most humans and large land animals would perish from starvation. We must not allow this to happen. It is time to act, before it is too late. We must speak out against a new World War, which will destroy mankind. If you are a scientist, an artist, a religious or political or military leader, please join with us to call upon the United States, NATO, and Russia to stop any further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. NATO members must not send military forces into Western Ukraine that can come into direct conflict with Russian forces. This is a direct pathway to World War 3 and nuclear oblivion. Recall the words of Einstein and his colleagues: We are speaking on this occasion, not as members of this or that nation, continent, or creed, but as human beings, members of the species Man, whose continued existence is in doubt.... There lies before us, if we choose, continual progress in happiness, knowledge, and wisdom. Shall we, instead, choose death, because we cannot forget our quarrels? We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death. RESOLUTION: EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 1, 2023 The Old Order vs. Irrepressible Moves for a New World System July 31, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)On the world strategic stage, there is underway an open, brutal and needless fight between the expiring, old neo-imperialist order trying to remain hegemonic, and the Global Majority making irrepressible moves for a new system. That is the issue we all face, not the seemingly separate individual issues of Ukraine, Taiwan, democracy, the rights of women and girls, and certainly not a climate emergency. This is the framework put forward today in a briefing by Schiller Institute founder and leader Helga Zepp-LaRouche. She called for going all out this week to build the many events around the world, timed with the August 6 and 9 anniversary dates of the wrongful 1945 nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is the time when powerful mass demonstrations can have historic impact to bring about talks on Ukraine, economic development initiatives, and ending the nuclear war threats. As of midday today, there are reports there will be 7 demonstrations in the United States, in addition to the rally at the United Nations on August 6, at 1-4 p.m.; and 14 rallies in other countries, from the Americas and Europe to Southeast Asia. Meantime, on the side of the old order, there are blatant geopolitical deployments, absolutely against economic benefit, and for war alignment. Africa. U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria (Maidan) Nuland is on a junket to Africa from July 29-Aug. 4, which will take her to South Africa, Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her first stop is South Africa, where in about three weeks, the annual BRICS leaders summit will take place in Johannesburg. Nulands purpose, whatever her formal agenda, is to bully nations against Russia and China, both BRICS member states. Asia. U.S. State Department Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West has been in Kazakhstan at the Central Asia+1 conference, and in Doha, Qatar, today, over July 26-July 31. His purpose is also to bully nations against Russia and China, to continue harsh conditions in Afghanistan, and to further instability in the heart of Eurasia, especially against the Belt and Road Initiative, and in particular, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which Russian President Putin just forecast will soon reach to East Africa. West has at his side Rina Amiri, the State Department Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls and Human Rights, to ride her high horse about womens economic empowerment, while promoting conditions leaving millions forced to needlessly suffer and die for lack of food, water, and healthcare. The opposite approach is outstandingly embodied in the new commitments signed today in Islamabad, between top officials from Pakistan and China, to further activities in the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The six agreements involve memoranda of understanding for such things as a skilled workers exchange mechanism, food trade, highway design, and other concerns. Afghanistan also is set to become a part of CPEC. The efforts we make now, to build this weeks public rallies, to issue public statements, and to take any other kinds of actions can literally make all the difference in the world, to shift events away from their present doomsday course, which if not stopped, leads only to nuclear holocaust and economic chaos. Zepp-LaRouche stressed that these demonstrations and actions are not a tactic, but an intervention into what is a tidal wave of change in the world. Our mobilization helps people of good will grasp the common interest between peace groups and the Global Majorityaction in the common interest of all humanity. Watch Harleys Updates with Harley Schlanger on Tuesday August 1, 2023: Every weekday morning on The LaRouche Organization, Schlanger will give you the strategic briefing you need to start your day. Young people are leaving Bhutan as Australia has reopened its borders to international students after the pandemic. Young people from Bhutan are seeking opportunities outside the country as more are becoming unhappy with the South Asian kingdoms economy. The number of students arriving in Australia from Bhutan has increased sharply. Over 12,000 arrived during the 11 months ending in May. That number represents about 1.5 percent of the small South Asian countrys population. The country has a youth unemployment rate above 25 percent. Most of the recent arrivals have settled in Perth, Western Australia. They are taking classes in fields like childcare, hospitality, and accounting. Tashi Kipchu is 25 years old. He is one of many who came to Australia last year in search of better opportunities. "Right after COVID, everything died," said Kipchu, who studied marketing at the University of Western Australia. He said he did not see any opportunities at home. Bhutanese students did not start going to Australia until 2017. The number sharply increased after Australia reopened its borders in 2022. Australian government data shows that the number of Bhutanese students asking for visas increased by five times in the financial year ending in June. The increase of student arrivals has made Australia home to one of the largest Bhutanese communities outside of South Asia. Bhutanese students represent just a small part of Australias 600,000 international student population. But the increase of students comes as the $27 billion education industry in Australia tries to make up lost ground from the decrease during the pandemic. Students from China, for example, are returning at a slower rate than Australian officials had hoped. Phil Honeywood is Chief Executive Officer at International Education Association of Australia. He said Australian universities want to diversify. Honeywood said they got the message from the former and current government that they should not depend too much on China, India, and Nepal. Sonam Tobgay is Bhutans ambassador to Australia. He said students want to go to Australia for a less costly education and visas that permit students dependents to work for unlimited hours. Bhutans mostly closed economy is dependent on hydropower and tourism. Its economy has more recently been hurt by high energy costs and limited trade. Government reforms have added to the number of working professionals leaving. Found between India and China, Bhutan reopened its borders last September. But higher taxes on tourism have slowed the countrys recovery. Youth unemployment hit 28 percent last year. Bhutan might be most famous for its Gross National Happiness index. It is a measure of citizens happiness rather than the countrys wealth. Kipchu trained as a chemical engineer in Bhutan. But he saw a business opportunity soon after arriving in Perth and started an education consultancy to help students from Bhutan. Now, his company employs 40 to 50 people in his home country. "I came to Australia to study but somehow this country gave me an opportunity," said Kipchu. He predicted that the increase of people moving to Australia would continue. "The job opportunities and the flexibility for students to work here makes it more attractive." Im Caty Weaver. And Im Gregory Stachel. Stella Qiu and Gopal Sharma reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story hospitality n. (business) the term to describe the industry of providing hotels, restaurants and places of interest for travelers opportunity n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be don diversify v. to change (something) so that it has more different kinds of people or things tourism n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure consultancy n. a company that gives professional advice to other companies for a fee flexibility adj. able to change or to do different things attractive adj. having a feature or quality that people like ___________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. At about summer's halfway point, scientists say the worlds record-breaking heat and weather extremes are both unprecedented and unsurprising. American and European meteorologists also expect a hotter-than-normal August and September. Gavin Schmidt is a NASA climate scientist. He told The Associated Press, The heat waves that were seeing in the U.S. and in Europe, in China are demolishing records left, right and center. This is not a surprise. Were going to be seeing this pretty much this year and into next year," Schmidt said. Along with human-caused climate change, there is also the natural El Nino warming of the Pacific Ocean. Here is a look at what has happened so far this summer: Record-breaking heat The month of June this year was the hottest June on record in the world. Scientists say July has been so hot that even before the month was over they could say it was the hottest month on record. In some places, the heat has been deadly. In Phoenix, Arizona, the last day of June and each day of July has been at least 43 degrees Celsius. The area also set records for the longest period with temperatures at 32 and higher. El Paso, Texas, had 44 days of 37-degree heat. Schools closed in Nuevo Leon state in northern Mexico a month earlier than normal as temperatures reached 45 degrees. Beijing, China experienced 27 days of 35 degrees in July. That came after three 40-degree days in June. Heat records fell all over southern Europe. Sardinia, Italy, hit 47 degrees. Palermo in Sicily broke a record that goes back to 1791 by 2 degrees. Spain reported nearly 1,000 extra deaths from the heat by mid-July, mostly among older people. Too much rain More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated in central Hunan province in China. Heavy rainfall there caused at least 70 houses to collapse. In Yichang, rain caused a landslide that buried a construction site and killed at least one person. Australias Queensland desert got 13 times its normal monthly July rain in just one day. Thousands of people were evacuated from Delhi in India as rains caused floods and landslides. Heavy rain and flooding caused several deaths in northeastern states of the U.S. Wildfires and smoke Too little rain in Greece and Spain worsened wildfires. In the Canary Islands, a fire caused 4,000 people to evacuate and 400 firefighters battling it. Hot and dry conditions caused about 160 wildfires to break out in Israel in early June. In northern Quebec, Canada, wildfire smoke spread to create the worlds dirtiest air in cities like New York and Washington, D.C. As of late July, more than 600 wildfires were out of control in Canada. A record 123,000 square kilometers burned, and fire season is not nearly done. That is an area larger than North Korea. Water temperatures Water temperatures in the Florida Keys and off the Everglades hit the high 30s. The North Atlantic had hot spots that alarmed scientists. The worlds oceans as a whole were the hottest ever in June and got even hotter in July. In Antarctica, sea ice broke record-low levels. Ocean temperatures take a long time to warm up and cool down, said Victor Gensini who teaches meteorology at the University of Northern Illinois. He added that it does not look good for the rest of the summer. A hot forecast U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Rosencrans expects above normal temperatures for the next three months. The only possible relief he sees, especially in the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, is if a hurricane or tropical storm moves through. But the height of hurricane season in September has not even started. With the summers weather extremes so far, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann had one question: How on Gods Earth are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this? Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. ___________________________________________________ Words in This Story unprecedented adj. not done or experienced before meteorologist n. a scientist that deals with the atmosphere and with weather demolish v. to damage so that it cannot be repaired evacuate v. to remove from a dangerous place hurricane n. an extremely large, powerful, and destructive storm with very strong winds that occurs especially in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean fossil fuel n. energy in the form of gas, coal and oil that is taken from the ground and comes from the breakdown of old matter The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) announced yesterday that it was aware of calls to members of the public impersonating the authority. In the calls, the call recipients were told that they had an important document for collection at the AMCM. The authority clarified that it would never contact members of the public by phone for collection of important documents or for personal information. It has called on the public to exercise additional caution. Meanwhile, if they have any doubts, they can contact the AMCM at 2856 8288 or the Judiciary Polices anti-scam hotline at 8800 7777. Related The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dogs neck and chest. Kim says hes proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children. Its more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and well mobilize all our means to resist it, Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul. Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. Its neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. Theres increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Koreas international image. The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the countrys first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade. Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption, said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month. Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people dont eat dog meat anymore. Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria. Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International. South Koreas dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers association. During a recent visit, Kims farm, one of the countrys largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born. Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists. Its difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seouls bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside. I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people dont come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch, said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seouls Kyungdong traditional market. I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before its banned. Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span. Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks thats a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it. Quite honestly, Id like to quit my job (as a farmer) tomorrow. We cant confidently tell our children that were raising dogs, Son said. When my friends called me, they said Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isnt it illegal? The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers association. Some activists argue that the farmers estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy. In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasnt reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues. Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus. In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods. Han, the lawmaker, said she highly positively appraises influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption. Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said. Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s. Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesnt make sense, Seo said. (Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth, said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul. HYUNG-JIN KIM, PYEONGTAEK, MDT/AP European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Monday that Europe wont tolerate aggression in Ukraine or the Indo-Pacific as she reaffirmed the EUs recognition of a 2016 arbitration decision that invalidated Chinas expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea. Von der Leyen spoke at a joint news conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after holding talks in Manila that aimed to bolster trade, economic and security relations. The leaders announced the 27-nation bloc would resume negotiations with the Philippines for a free-trade agreement that stalled in 2017 under Marcoss predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. She stressed the need for security cooperation, citing Russias invasion of Ukraine, which she said shows how authoritarian leaders are willing to act on their threats. Russias war of aggression against Ukraine shakes the foundation of the international order. It is in violation of the U.N. charter and the fundamental principles of international law, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty, she said. This is why Europe supports Ukraines brave fight against the aggressor because the illegal use of force cannot be tolerated, not in Ukraine, not in the Indo-Pacific, von der Leyen said. Security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific is indivisible. Challenges to the rules-based order in our interconnected world affect all of us. This is why we are concerned about the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, she said, adding that the EU backs a free and open Indo-Pacific because an Indo-Pacific free of the threats of coercion is key to all our stability to our peace, and to the prosperity of our people. Her veiled rhetoric echoed that of U.S. leaders, who have raised alarms over Chinas increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea. Without naming China, von der Leyen underscored the EUs recognition of a decision by a U.N.-backed tribunal that invalidated Chinas territorial claims in virtually the entire waterway on historical grounds. China has rejected the arbitration decision as a sham and continues to defy it. The award is legally binding and provides the basis for a peaceful resolution of the disputes, she said. The European Union is ready to boost cooperation with the Philippines to foster regional maritime security by sharing information, carrying out threat assessments and bolstering the Philippine coast guard, she said. China has warned the United States and its allies from meddling in what it says is a purely Asian dispute. It has turned seven disputed reefs into missile-protected island bases in the last decade, further alarming Western governments and rival claimants, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Von der Leyens visit to the Philippines is a sign of improving ties after a stormy period between the EU and Duterte over human rights. Its the first such top-level visit in nearly six decades of relations with the Philippines. JIM GOMEZ, MANILA, Philippines, MDT/AP The indirectly elected lawmaker, Ho Ion Sang, representing the Macau General Union of Neighborhood Associations, commonly referred to as Kai Fong, has expressed concerns over the idea of removing vehicle traffic from the Rua da Felicidade (Happiness Street) in central Macau. In a spoken inquiry delivered yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL) in the period before the agenda, Ho noted that the implementation of such a measure would inevitably increase traffic pressure in the surrounding areas, affecting the movement of residents and the loading and unloading of goods by traders in the area. The lawmaker called on the government, before advancing such an idea, to communicate with the interested parties and find a balanced way to convey the interests of both sides. Implying that the residents and shop owners in the area are not happy with the governments decision, Ho asked the government to consider experimenting first, implementing the measure as a trial before considering full implementation. Such a phased implementation should also follow a plan to be disclosed in advance to all interested parties so that reorganization of traffic and contingency plans to respond to emergencies, among others, could have proper planning as well as reduce the perceived impacts on the public. Ho noted that currently the number of tourists is already quite high when compared with the pandemic times, and so implementing such a measure, as occurred before with the trial project of making the Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro a pedestrian zone for some time, could increase the agglomeration of people, instead of spreading of the visitors to different areas of the city. In the same inquiry, the lawmaker also called on the authorities to improve the transportation and the general environment at the recently created tourist attractions, such as the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Taipa, the Village of Our Lady of Ka Ho, and the old Shipyards of Lai Chi Vun in Coloane, so that tourists will be motivated to visit such places. I hope the government will continue to improve transport to these attractions, and introduce new elements to increase the attractiveness. Itineraries need to be reviewed and optimized within the scope of the Taking a Walk through the Streets of Macao and Feel Macau step-by-step initiatives. New routes need to be defined, and publicized and general promotion needs to be strengthened, he remarked. The announcement of the idea of turning the street into a pedestrian zone came at last weeks meeting of the Cultural Development Committee. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to protecting yourself from financial scams is thinking youre too smart to be duped by one. Were all vulnerable we can all fall for a scam given the right set of circumstances, says Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides advice and assistance related to identity theft. Keeping yourself safe starts with accepting that fact, she adds. You look at the profiles of victims who filed complaints and it runs the gamut from highly educated, high-income people all the way down to the most vulnerable people in our population, says John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at the National Consumers League, a nonprofit advocacy group that speaks out about consumer concerns. While there isnt a foolproof solution to stay safe from all scams, as Breyault puts it, there are strategies you can employ to reduce your risk. Here are four of the most important ones: HANG UP AND GO TO THE SOURCE If youre contacted by anyone claiming to be your bank or other familiar company, end the conversation and call the institutions verified number yourself, Velasquez says. We always say, If you did not initiate the interaction, then you need to go to the source, she adds. Otherwise, you dont actually know whos on the other end of the line, she says, especially because scammers can spoof the number that shows up on your caller ID so it might look legitimate. In some cases, you might want to pay your bank a visit in person to get clarification. When Thorn Roberts, owner of a small business in Elizabeth, West Virginia, received a payment request he didnt recognize, he went to his bank to ask about it. They knew it was a scam, he says. As a result, he immediately canceled his accounts and created new ones. Thanks to his quick action and the banks help, his money was safe. SECURE AND MONITOR YOUR ACCOUNTS Basic online security practices can also help protect you, Velasquez says. She recommends enabling multifactor authentication on your financial accounts, creating unique passwords and not sharing personal details such as your birthdate online. Jason Zirkle, training director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and former fraud analyst with law enforcement, suggests checking your financial accounts at least once a week and investigating any unidentified charges immediately. Even one small erroneous charge could suggest someone has access to your account, signaling the beginning of a larger problem. GET FAMILIAR WITH COMMON SCAMS The Federal Trade Commission reports that the top scams of 2022 include people impersonating institutions like banks, phony sweepstakes and fake job postings. You dont have to become an expert in each one, but you need to understand the hallmarks of most scams: They contact you first, dangle some sort of bait in front of you and create a sense of urgency, Zirkle says. Then, they ask for either money or personal information, which they use to access your money. Thats what happened to former government executive and security expert Ken Westbrooks mother earlier this year. A fake tech support window popped up on her computer, which likely came from a malicious ad. It connected her to criminals who persuaded her to call them and send gift cards and cashiers checks under the guise of protecting her bank accounts from being hacked. My mom knew gift cards were a red flag, but she did it anyway because they scared her, says Westbrook, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area. Eventually, Westbrook discovered what was happening and put a stop to it, but only after his mom lost thousands of dollars. These scammers sound like the nicest tech support people that youve ever dealt with, says Chris Pierson, founder and CEO of BlackCloak, a cybersecurity firm. They install remote management tools to see whats on your screen and then can suck out your files and extort you. REPORT SCAMS AND BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE Reporting fraud to government agencies and private organizations allows for better fraud tracking. While theres no centralized source for fraud tracking, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission, your states attorney generals office, the FBI, your local police station, your banks fraud department, the Better Business Bureaus Scam Tracker and the Identity Theft Resource Center, among others. Most people who lose money to scams never see it again. The first thing you need to do is accept your money is probably gone and you wont get it back, Zirkle says. He suggests being your own advocate with your bank and police. In some cases, your financial institution or law enforcement might be able to help you recover some or all of it. Still, some losses are harder to quantify. In addition to a financial crime, its an emotional crime, Westbrook says. People are affected by this for the rest of their lives. What I tell everyone, and tell my mom, is, Its not your fault. The thieves work for organized crime gangs who are very good at what they do. KIMBERLY PALMER, NerdWallet, MDT/NerdWallet. The lawmaker, Lei Chan U, affiliated with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), wants the government to enforce a salary rise for civil servants to boost their morale and promote efficiency, remarking that in doing so, the executive would be also setting an example to be followed by the private sector. Leis comments were made yesterday at the Legislative Assembly during the period before the agenda of the plenary session. In a spoken inquiry, the lawmaker noted that with the arrival of the pandemic, the government froze all salary raises for civil servants, a situation that has lasted for over three years. Making a direct comparison with the system in force in the neighboring region of Hong Kong, Lei noted that the government of Hong Kong has recently announced that civil servants wages would be increased this year by 2.87% and 4.65%, according to different levels. Although noting the differences between the two regions, Lei noted that considering the perceived situation in Macau and the level of economic recovery, it would be sensible to proceed with a wage increase for next year, to ease on their pressure, keep their purchasing power at a reasonable level, boost their morale and serve as an example for the salary update of workers in private companies. The inquiry was one of several delivered yesterday that seemed to be oriented to the Policy Address for 2024 (LAG24), which the Chief Executive said was the start of hearing the civil society on the topic. With the fast-approaching legislative vacations to start in two weeks, several lawmakers, namely the directly elected ones, are turning their attention to the LAG24 to be announced around mid-November. In a separate inquiry, also linked with FAOM, lawmaker Ella Lei also called on the government to resume the suspended benefits to the population, namely in the transference of funds to the pension funds of older adults, something that has not happened since 2020, as the funds are tied to the government accounts surplus. The School of Business at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) has earned an international accreditation, signaling its position in the worlds top 6% of business schools. The accreditation was conferred upon the business school by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB accreditation recognizes institutions that have demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curriculum development and student learning, said Stephanie M. Bryant, Executive Vice-President and Chief Accreditation Officer of AACSB. The chair of the Peer Review Team of the AACSB concluded that the School of Business presented evidence of continuous improvement and high quality in its academic programs, activities, teaching, research and assurance of student learning. The school successfully met or exceeded the requirements for the Accreditation Standards. MUST is honored to receive the prestigious AACSB accreditation for our School of Business. This honor is a recognition that the MUST School of Business provides high-quality business education and impactful research that has a positive societal impact, said President Joseph Hun-wei Lee. Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators and businesses worldwide. Less than 6% of the worlds schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation. AL Hundreds of mourners attended funerals in Pakistan yesterday after a suicide bombing killed at least 54 people at an election rally for a pro-Taliban cleric, carrying caskets draped in colorful cloths to burial sites in the hills. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Sundays bombing [early yesterday, Macau time] in Bajur that killed at least five children and wounded nearly 200 people. The attack appeared to reflect divisions between Islamist groups, which have a strong presence in the district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. It targeted the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which has ties to the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban. At least 1,000 people, according to police, were crowded into a tent near a market for the rally ahead of fall elections. People were chanting God is Great as the leaders arrived, said Khan Mohammad, a local resident who said he was standing outside the tent, and that was when I heard the deafening sound of the bomb. Mohammad said he heard people crying for help, and minutes later ambulances arrived and began taking the wounded away. Police said their initial investigation suggested that the Islamic State groups regional affiliate, a rival of the Taliban, could be responsible, while a Pakistan security analyst pointed to breakaway factions of the Pakistani Taliban as possible suspects. The Pakistani military spent years fighting the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in Bajur before declaring the district clear of militants in 2016. But the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman, has remained a potent political force. Yesterday, police recorded statements from some of the wounded at a hospital in Khar, the districts principal town. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province, which police identified as a suspect in the attack, is based in neighboring Afghanistans Nangarhar province and is a rival of the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaida. Pakistani security analyst Mahmood Shah said some TTP members have been known to disobey their top leadership to carry out attacks, as have breakaway factions of the group. Shah said such factions could have perpetrated the attack to cause confusion, instability and unrest ahead of the elections. Yesterday, female relatives and children wailed and beat their chests at family homes as the dead were taken for funerals, following local customs. Hundreds of men followed the caskets to mosques and open areas for special funeral prayers and then into the hills for burial. As condolences continued to pour in from across the country, dozens of people who had lesser injuries were discharged from hospital, while the critically wounded were taken to the provincial capital of Peshawar by army helicopters. The death toll continued to rise as some critically wounded people died in hospital, physician Gul Naseeb said. Gul Akbar, the father of an 11-year-old boy who was wounded in the attack, told The Associated Press that his entire family was in a state of shock after hearing about the bombing Sunday. He said he first went to the scene of the attack, and later found his son Taslim Khan being treated in a hospital in Khar. What would I have done if he had also been martyred? Five children died in this barbaric attack, and we want to know what our children did wrong, he said. Rehmans party is preparing to contest elections, which are expected in October or November. Abdul Rasheed, one of the partys senior leaders, said the bombing was aimed at weakening the party but that such attacks cannot deter our resolve. Rehmans party is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs coalition government, which came to power in April 2022 by ousting former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in the legislature. Sharif called Rehman to express his condolences and assure the cleric that those who orchestrated the attack would be punished. Khan condemned the bombing Sunday, as did the U.S. and Russian embassies in Islamabad. The Pakistani Taliban also distanced themselves from the bombing, saying that it was intended to set Islamists against each other. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, wrote in a tweet that such crimes cannot be justified in any way. The bombing came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad, where he signed new agreements to boost trade and economic ties to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package under which China has invested $10 billion in Pakistan over 10 years, according to Sharif. We will not tolerate any obstacles in the way of friendship with China, Sharif said, as he stood next to He. But the government canceled a cultural event that had been arranged in honor of He, according to Sharif, while the nation mourns. Some Chinese nationals have also been targeted by militants in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere. Rehman, who has long supported Afghanistans Taliban government, survived at least two known bomb attacks in 2011 and 2014, when bombings damaged his car at rallies. Sundays bombing was one of the worst in northwestern Pakistan in the last decade. In 2014, 147 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar. In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a bombing at a mosque inside a high-security compound housing Peshawar police headquarters. MDT/AP CATHOLIC CHURCH While the Catholic Church in the U.S., Australia and some other countries began coming to terms with their clergy sexual abuse legacies years ago and set up mechanisms to compensate victims, the hierarchy in Portugal has only recently offered an account and bungled its initial response to victims. Pope Francis will meet with abuse survivors during his upcoming trip to Lisbon for World Youth Day, and will likely hear complaints that the Portuguese hierarchy initially refused to entertain compensation options for victims outside court. Here's a look at the countries that have articulated plans for providing financial reparations to victims beyond legal judgments or settlements. Germany The German church has been making voluntary payments to abuse survivors for over a decade, though the amounts offered haven't satisfied groups representing victims. A system that took effect in 2021 provided for payments of up to 50,000 euros ($55,400) per victim replacing a previous program under which payments averaged about 5,000 euros. Pressure for higher payments was increased by a court's ruling in mid-June that the Cologne archdiocese must pay 300,000 euros in compensation to a former altar boy who was repeatedly abused by a priest in the 1970s. An independent payment-setting body that decides on claims subsequently said it expects the Cologne ruling, if it stands at the end of the legal process, to have an "influence on the financial payment framework" for its own decisions. Under the church program, abuse survivors are advised to contact independent commissioners for individual dioceses or orders, who can help them fill out an application form which they then forward to the decision-making body that sets the payments. According to the commission's annual report for last year, it approved 1,809 applications with a total value of 40.1 million euros in 2021 and 2022. Taking into account deductions for previous payments, that meant a total payout of 32.9 million euros. The system allows for payments of above 50,000 euros in "particularly severe hardship cases." In its first two years, the commission set 119 payments of between 50,000 and 100,000 euros, and 24 of more than 100,000 euros. Survivors can file objections to the panel's decisions. A church-commissioned report in 2018 concluded that at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy in Germany between 1946 and 2014. France The French bishops conference created an independent body to assess claims for reparations to victims after a church-commissioned report in 2021 estimated that some 330,000 children in France had been sexually abused by church personnel over 70 years. The bishops conference launched a solidarity fund to help pay the compensation, which in 2022 reported it had raised 20 million euros (about $22 million). The independent review body, known as the Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation, or INIRR, handles claims of abuse by diocesan priests and personnel. It reported in March that more than 1,180 victims had come forward to claim compensation, 404 of whom had received support while the rest were waiting for their cases to be examined. INIRR chief Marie Derain de Vaucresson has acknowledged delays in processing the cases. At a briefing in March, Derain de Vaucresson said 80% of the sums granted so far topped 20,000 euros, including 40 people who received the maximum amount, set at 60,000 euros. A separate mechanism, the Recognition and Reparation Commission, receives claims by victims of members of religious orders. In its 2022 report, the commission said it had reviewed 277 claims and decided 112 warranted compensation. It has paid out 4.161 million euros to date, with an average recommended payout of 37,000 euros. United States After the abuse scandal exploded publicly in the U.S. in 2002, with the Boston Globe's "Spotlight" investigation, U.S. bishops drafted a "zero tolerance" policy for abusers and comprehensive child protection policies that are now considered the gold standard by the Vatican. Decisions about compensation are far less unified, crafted by individual dioceses and religious orders, and pale in comparison to the enormous costs the church has paid out as a result of lawsuits and settlements. According to the U.S. bishops' 2022 annual report, U.S. dioceses spent $95.9 million last year in settlements and $6.3 million in other compensation to victims. U.S. religious orders spent $30.7 million in settlements and $553,000 in other forms of compensation last year. Since 2014, the combined payouts to victims via settlements and compensation from both dioceses and religious orders tops $1.4 billion, with the vast majority of that outlay, $1.1 billion, coming out of legal settlements. Those figures don't include legal fees. Australia Australia's Royal Commission, the highest form of inquiry, spent four years investigating and documenting child sexual abuse in Australian institutions, religious and not. In 2017 it reported that between 1980 and 2015, 4,444 people reported they had been abused at more than 1,000 Catholic institutions across Australia. Among the report's key recommendations was the creation of a national redress mechanism for victims. The National Redress Scheme, which compensates victims of all institutional abuse, not just Catholic, reported that as of July 14, 12,145 payments had been made totaling approximately $1,077 billion Australian dollars (US$727 million). The organization provided no breakdown for Catholic reparations. Spain As in Portugal, Spain's Catholic Church is a relative newcomer to reckoning with its abuse legacy, reporting in June after its first investigation that some 927 victims had identified 729 abusers in the church since 1945. But there is no uniform policy for compensating victims. In its most recent update to its norms for handling cases, Spain's Catholic bishops conference said in May that individual bishops "may" propose compensation "from those who are responsible for causing them." Anne Barrett Doyle, of the online resource BishopAccountability.org, notes that such a formulation shows the Spanish bishops "don't recognize an institutional obligation to compensate victims." While some dioceses and religious orders have negotiated settlements on a case-by-case basis, officially speaking "they believe that damages should be paid by the perpetrator," she said. Poland Poland's Catholic Church also is a reluctant newcomer to atoning for abuse. After devastating television documentaries showed the scope of abuse and cover-up in the Polish church, the Polish bishops conference created the St. Joseph Foundation to "support people harmed by sexual abuse in the church environment and their relatives by providing therapeutic, medical and educational assistance." But high-ranking church officials have been adamant that they don't pay "compensation" per se to victims, and the church has vigorously fought lawsuits seeking to hold it liable for harm, according to Polish media. Once again, a developer is seeking to demolish two of the city's beloved but aging establishments Downtown's Essen Haus German restaurant and adjoining Come Back In this time for a hotel, housing and parking. JCap Real Estate of Eau Claire is proposing to redevelop the properties at 506, 510, 514, 516 and 518 E. Wilson St. and 134, 140, 148 and 150 S. Blair St., which also include a large surface parking lot, for a six-story, roughly 104-room hotel along East Wilson Street and an eight-story residential building with roughly 150 units, including some lower-cost ones, on South Blair Street. The landmark Hotel Ruby Marie, 524 E. Wilson St., and its Up North Bar would be remodeled and remain as a separate structure. It's the fourth redevelopment proposal for the block since 2000. None of the previous three came to fruition. "We are very much aware of the housing shortage in Madison," JCap CEO and President Brian Johnson said. "We would like to generate affordable housing for the city of Madison. We believe Williamson Street and Downtown Madison could thrive with another hotel." The Essen Haus and Come Back In are filled with countless items of memorabilia including the famous hanging beer steins at Essen Haus as well as brickwork and tin ceilings. Robert Worm has owned the buildings and the popular establishments since 1983. The landmark building at the corner of East Wilson and South Blair streets, built in 1875, was renovated and reopened in September 2000 as the Hotel Ruby Marie named after Worm's mother and has 15 rooms and first-floor commercial space. The Up North Bar with its northern Wisconsin decor is also part of that structure. Worm could not be reached for comment. Worm would keep some of the memorabilia and JCap is "very open to ideas" on how to remodel the hotel and bar, Johnson said. Ald. Marsha Rummel, 6th District, who represents the site, is scheduling an online neighborhood meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 9. Login details were not yet available. Rummel said that instead of pursuing one large building across multiple parcels that are both inside and outside the First Settlement Historic District an approach that's been problematic in the past JCap is instead offering two buildings, with housing essentially in the historic district and the hotel outside it. A new alley or promenade between the buildings offers a chance to create a sense of place for hotel guests, residents and Up North Bar patrons, she said. "Overall, I think it's a positive thing," she said of the proposal. "Maybe the fourth time is the charm. I'm really excited about the affordable housing. I want to devote myself to affordable housing when I can. We need it." But Rummel has concerns about congestion and access at South Franklin Street and how the new buildings would fit in with shorter condominium buildings on South Franklin. She also broached the possibility of saving the two-story Come Back In building, which was built in 1875 and remodeled in 1990. The First Settlement District of Capitol Neighborhoods Inc., the area's neighborhood association, has not had an opportunity to meet on the project, chair Juli Wagner said. New hotel, housing The proposed hotel and its pedestrian entrance would be next to the three-story Hotel Ruby Marie and could include a cafe serving both hotels and the neighborhood, Johnson said. The proposed apartment building would have townhouses along South Blair Street to match the scale of nearby homes, plans show. The structure would step down in height along South Franklin to respect the scale of existing condos there. Some of the new housing units would be lower cost, but the exact number and any income restrictions are still to be determined, Johnson said. The city's Downtown Height Map limits development along the front of Blair and Wilson streets to six stories, with the rear of the site limited to three stories, city planner Tim Parks said. The project will be seeking approval to exceed the height limits in return for providing affordable housing an approach that became possible under a zoning code amendment in March, he said. The alley or promenade would run behind both the new hotel and Hotel Ruby Marie, plans show, and there would be rooftop open spaces and parking. Three of the parcels involved in the potential redevelopment are located in the First Settlement Historic District, so Landmarks Commission review will be required in addition to review by the Urban Design and Plan commissions and approval by the City Council of a zoning map amendment, Parks said. Multiple proposals The venture is at least the fourth shot at redeveloping the roughly two-acre property. In 2019, McGrath Property Group had a contract to purchase three buildings in the center of the 500 block of East Wilson Street, a large parking lot behind them and four duplexes from 110 to 118 S. Blair St. for housing and commercial redevelopment. Under preliminary concepts, McGrath would have demolished the Essen Haus building, preserved and renovated the Come Back In building and a small building at 518 E. Wilson St., and razed the four duplexes for a six-story, 340,800-square-foot structure. The new building would have had three levels of parking with 343 spaces, four commercial spaces and four floors of housing with 230-250 units. McGrath wasn't buying the Hotel Ruby Marie or the tiny vacant lots at 502-504 E. Wilson St., where the former O'Cayz Corral bar stood before it was destroyed by fire in 2001. After meeting with neighbors, McGrath revised plans to still demolish the Essen Haus and reuse the neighboring Come Back In but preserve four rental houses on South Blair. But after getting a mixed response from the neighborhood and city officials, McGrath dropped the project. In 2016, Worm and a partner shared preliminary plans to demolish the Essen Haus and Come Back In and raze the four duplexes but preserve the Hotel Ruby Marie and Up North Bar. The project would have reestablished the bars in a redevelopment that could have included a new hotel, housing, commercial space and a parking structure. The plans were never pursued. In 2004, developers were seeking to buy the land from Worm and offered a 16-story mixed-use project that was withdrawn amid protests from residents and city officials. A scaled-back, eight-story redevelopment with condominiums, retail space and parking fell through in 2005. "We understand the challenge previous developers have had," Johnson said. "We think we have addressed them." If land-use approvals are secured, JCap would hope to start construction in the spring of 2024 and complete work in 16-18 months, he said. Photos: Take a visual tour of the historic Madison Club's recently renovated third floor Madison Club Madison Club Madison Club Madison Club Madison Club Madison Club Madison Club Madison Club A Madison felon was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on a gun charge stemming from a shooting investigation, authorities reported. Zendel Rolack, 26, also was sentenced Thursday by Judge William M. Conley to 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon, a charge he pleaded guilty to on March 1, U.S. Attorney Timothy OShea said in a statement. Fitchburg police executed a search warrant at a residence in the village of Oregon on Oct. 5, 2021 as part of an investigation into a shooting in Fitchburg on Sept. 29, 2021 and arrested Rolack and the shooting suspect, Alexander Jefferson-Cooper, OShea said. During a search of Rolacks bedroom, officers located multiple guns, extra ammunition, firearm magazines, and controlled substances. DNA testing confirmed the presence of Rolacks DNA on three of the guns, and the packaging material of some of the controlled substances. And a search of Rolacks phone found photos of him with additional guns and text messages consistent with drug distribution, OShea said. One of the other seized guns was found to be the firearm used in the Sept. 29, 2021 shooting, OShea said. At the time, Rolack was prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of multiple felony convictions, including a 2016 conviction for armed robbery and a 2019 conviction for strangulation and battery, OShea said. At sentencing, Conley stated a substantial sentence was warranted in light of the Rolacks history of gun offenses and crimes of violence, and noted that Rolack had not responded well to prior sentences of probation, OShea said. Jefferson-Cooper was charged for the shooting in Dane County Circuit Court and sentenced to 6 months in jail on Nov. 29, 2022, and charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and sentenced to 5 years in prison by Conley on Jan. 19, OShea said. The charges against Rolack and Jefferson-Cooper were the result of an investigation conducted by Fitchburg police, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted the case. After nearly a decade of debate and study, Madison is one City Council vote away from testing body cameras for police officers, spelling a possible end to a longtime policy that puts the city at odds with modern policing and most other communities of its size. On Tuesday, the City Council will vote on whether to authorize a three-month body camera pilot program at the Madison Police Departments North District. The council will consider guidelines for the pilot program put forth by Police Chief Shon Barnes including when cameras are to be turned on, when and how footage will be shared with prosecutors and the public, how long footage is stored and more. Some in the City Attorneys Office have raised concerns that the guidelines dont comply with earlier city recommendations for the use of body cameras, though they have not said the council should vote down the program. Madison stands out as the only Dane County law enforcement agency not to use body cameras. Madison is also by far the largest community in the Midwest to not use body cameras, according to a recent analysis of 71 Midwest law enforcement agencies by Lee Enterprises. Of the eight agencies that did not have cameras, most were small-town police departments. Either were the only one thats right or we need to move toward what is right, Barnes said in an interview Monday. City officials tasked with police oversight have also come out in support of the pilot program. Independent Police Monitor Robert Copley, who has the authority to investigate the department, threw his support behind the program at a meeting Monday night of the Civilian Police Oversight Board. The board voted 6-2 to urge the City Council to support the pilot program. Board Chair Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores and board member Michelle Miller voted against it. Despite a nationwide embrace of the technology, outfitting Madison officers with body cameras has long been a contentious issue. Proponents have said it boosts transparency of MPDs policing of communities of color, which are disproportionately arrested and incarcerated in Dane County. Those against cameras have warned that prosecutors will use camera footage to bring even more criminal charges against marginalized groups. Cameras have split support among the City Council. In April 2022, a council debate dragged on until 4 a.m. before an 11-9 vote to allow MPD to draft the policy for the pilot program. A final vote on the pilot program will be the first time the current council weighs in on the policy since eight new members were sworn in in April. City Council leadership President Jael Currie and vice president Yannette Figueroa Cole did not respond to requests for comment Monday. Policy differences On Tuesday, the council will weigh warnings that MPDs guidelines for the pilot program diverge from 2021 recommendations issued by the citys Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee. When the City Council gave its initial blessing to the pilot program in April 2022, it said MPD has to comply with the committees findings about what a model body camera policy would look like. In a memo to the council last month, City Attorney Michael Haas said it appears MPDs guidelines for the pilot program are not completely in compliance with the committees model policy. But Haas said his office lacks expertise in policing and body cameras to determine whether MPDs pilot program meets the standards for compliance. Some of the committees recommendations themselves do not comply with state law or are already covered by MPDs code of conduct, Haas said. For example, the committees model policy called for storing body camera footage for at least three years if it involves an officer using force or a similar complaint. State law allows body camera footage to be stored for 120 days. MPD will only share body camera footage with Dane County District Attorneys Office if requested. The model policy called for all body camera footage involving a criminal case to be given to prosecutors. Under the MPDs proposed guidelines, an officer can watch body camera footage prior to writing an initial report. The committee wanted to ban that. Barnes said the guidelines allow officers to review footage so that their reports can be accurate. Officers suspected of bad behavior or use of excessive force can be barred by the police chief or their designee from reviewing body camera footage while writing a report, the chief noted. MPD will not release camera footage related to criminal activity until the related investigation is complete, under its guidelines. That complies with state law but not with the committees model policy. If an outside agency, such as the state Department of Justice, is investigating a police shooting or other high-profile incident, the police chief will still be able to release body camera footage. It was not my path to fully adopt their policy, Barnes said of the committees model policy. We generally do not allow committees to write policies for police departments. Final approval needed Barnes stressed that once the pilot program is finished, a final draft of MPDs body camera policy must be approved before a departmentwide deployment of cameras. Even with the differences, those who drafted the model policy back the pilot program. UW-Madison Professor Keith Findley, who co-chaired the Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee, said despite the pilot programs differences, it largely reflects the committees recommendations. Its taken so long to get to this point we cant keep dragging our feet on this, Findley told the Civilian Police Oversight Board on Monday. I think Madison has fallen behind on the times. Elder members of the Ho-Chunk Nation are some of the last vessels of the Ho-Chunk language, whose known speakers were last estimated at fewer than 40 individuals. Once its lost, a vital part of the Nations identity risks being lost as well. The history, the prayers, the poetry, the art, all of that is expressed in a very unique Ho-Chunk worldview in the language, said Wilhelm Meya, chairman and CEO of the Language Conservancy, which seeks to protect and revive endangered Indigenous languages. Its a language thats tens of thousands of years old, passed down generations. It represents one of the oldest languages in North America. It represents Wisconsin. In hopes of preserving Hoocak, as the language is known, and making it available for future generations, the Nation and the Language Conservancy recently brought several elder members together in Black River Falls, the administrative center for the Ho-Chunk Nation, to record samples of the language. The recordings are part of a decadeslong effort by the Ho-Chunk to develop learning materials to sustain the language.The Nation has developed speakers in an Eminent Speakers program in which members of the community teach the language, assist with curriculum development, and work with apprentices to preserve the language. Some Eminent Speakers offer community classes, providing people of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to learn the language. There are other language enrichment opportunities available, as well. Baraboo High School, for instance, began offering Hoocak in the spring semester of the 2018-19 academic year. In 2022, an online and mobile dictionary was created, offering more accessibility to the language than ever before. It includes nearly 12,000 entries and over 9,000 example sentences. It opened the door to many potential new learners, Meya said. With many of the languages remaining speakers now over 75, Nation officials thought it vital that they record as much of them as they could, capturing voices and dialects. The new recordings will be uploaded to the online dictionary and added to the app that students of the language can download and use as a resource.The Ho-Chunk Nation has more than 7,800 members. According to one measure of language endangerment known as the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale, the Ho-Chunk language falls under the level of moribund, a level that teeters on extinction. Dictionary, app available online To download the Ho-Chunk language app, visit apps.apple.com and search for "Ho-chunk.". To view the online dictionary, visit dictionary.hochunk.org. To learn more about the Ho-Chunk language visit www.hoocak.org. Under that designation, the only remaining active users of the language are members of the grandparent generation or older. At one time, there were more than 300 distinct Indigenous languages spoken in the United States, according to the Administration for Native Americans. Approximately 175 remain today. Without restoration efforts, experts estimate that by the year 2050 only 20 languages will still be spoken. In 2009, Bemidji State University surveyed the Ojibwe (Chippewa) and found fewer than 1,000 members who had the Ojibwe language as a first language. There are approximately 320,000 Ojibwe tribal members. In 2013, as part of a UW-Stevens Point project, just six or seven people were found to be conversant in the Menominee language. In 2021, Bodwewadmimwen, the language of the Potawatomi, had only eight people who learned it as their first language. At the Black River Falls event, native Ho-Chunk speakers recorded around 1,000 phrases and sentences. The recordings will be used in the development of an upcoming e-learning platform called Hoocak Woiperes. We want to make sure that the language is continued on for generations into the future, Meya said, so Ho-Chunk people can continue to be Ho-Chunk and express their culture and their identity in positive ways that contribute to the larger world in a meaningful way. A 41-year-old La Crosse pediatrician who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his daughters and stepdaughters has been sentenced to 5 years behind bars. Joseph A. Poterucha learned his fate during a sentencing hearing Monday in La Crosse County Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of second-degree sexual assault of a child and two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual assault of a child. Judge Todd Bjerke imposed a sentence of 5 years in state prison on the felony count followed by 14 years of supervised release. The provisions of his release include no contact with anyone under 18 unless authorized by the state and no internet access. State law mandates Poterucha's lifetime registration as a sex offender. Poterucha, who has resided in Rochester, Minnesota, since being charged, will also serve six months in the La Crosse County Jail for one of the two misdemeanor charges. He originally faced three charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13 before entering a plea agreement May 26. Bjerke made reference to Poterucha's work as a pediatrician before issuing the sentence. At the time of his arrest, Poterucha was chief of pediatrics at Mayo Health in La Crosse. Bjerke said someone with Poterucha's background and training should have recognized he had a problem. "You should have known where to find help before crossing that line," Bjerke said. "The one sentence that means the most in this case is, 'Do no harm.'" None of Poterucha's victims were patients from his workplace. Prior to the sentencing hearing, five of Poterucha's victims addressed the court, supported by several dozen supporters wearing T-shirts with a sexual assault awareness ribbon. The girls described anguish and trauma they suffered. One victim, who struggled to deliver her testimony while sobbing, said she continues to live in fear. "I still feel like he is still being there watching me," the victim said. "He's done so many bad things for so many years." Another victim said, "Joe is a pedophile and a rapist, even if he won't say it. Joe put a life sentence on us, and we did nothing wrong. He deserves the same life sentence." She also said that Poterucha told the girls if he were reported to the police, the family would lose his income and face economic hardship. "Joe was in this for the long game," she said. Assistant District Attorney Susan Donskey asked for a 7-year sentence. "Today is the day for the children in his life to get justice for the immense trauma that he's inflicted on them," Donskey said. She described Poterucha as a "skilled liar and manipulator" who still hasn't fully come to terms with his actions. She told the court that Poterucha "feigned innocence and confusion" to police after he was arrested in October 2021. "He essentially called (the girls) liars at that point, which only added to their trauma," Donskey said. Defense attorney Jennifer Lough asked for probation. She disputed the assertion that Poterucha has been unrepentant. She said he immediately admitted guilt and said he didn't want any of the girls to go through a trial. "He has taken responsibility for his actions from day one," Lough said. Poterucha addressed the court and apologized to his victims. "As much as I miss my career and my opportunities for healing and learning, my biggest regret is committing this crime and the pain that I brought upon the victims who I really loved and cared about," he said. "I take responsibility for my actions and know I need to understand why I did this to them and how I made them feel." Poterucha was dismissed from his job at Mayo shortly after his arrest and was stripped of his medical license. As governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis reopened his state quickly after COVID-19, limited economic damage and managed to reopen schools by the fall of 2020, reducing learning loss. Florida also had an impressive vaccination rate and a lower age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate than most American states. Debates over COVID-19 policies and their consequences will continue for decades, but a growing number of nonpartisan historians are arguing that DeSantis was far more right than wrong. His environmental record, including protection of the Everglades, is better than many Democratic strongholds. He raised pay for public schoolteachers, and he offers most Floridians school choice. Cranes are a prominent part of the skylines in cities such as Miami and Tampa, places that are booming as many Americans move south to find lower tax rates and cities that feel safer and friendlier to new businesses. And DeSantis won reelection in 2022 by a stunning 19 percentage points. So why has DeSantis presidential campaign melted down faster than a soft-serve cone in Miami Beach? One reason, of course, is that Democrats and the partys media surrogates have pummeled DeSantis. Democrats know that Donald Trump, indictments and all, cannot beat Joe Biden in a head-to-head contest, whereas an unbloodied DeSantis represented far more of a threat. But thats politics, not an excuse for DeSantis failures. So far, the Florida governor has run a bloated campaign organization that has had none of the efficiency or effectiveness of the government in Tallahassee. On the contrary, it has been amateur hour. Politico recently reported DeSantis had fired more than one third of his campaign staffers in part due to concerns about overspending. But the main problem in DeSantis world has been DeSantis himself. Instead of running on his record in Florida, hes embroiled himself in an absurd fight against Disney, which just happens to be one of Floridas most important employers. He failed to stand up for the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ community, which just happens to be one of Floridas most important populations. And he found himself on the wrong side of an argument over Floridas teaching of the history of slavery, of all things. The most egregious elements of that curriculum may have been cherry-picked by Democrats for political advantage on social media, but DeSantis should have predicted and had an answer for that. ... Were hardly done: DeSantis signed into law a bill that bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, an absurdly draconian policy that might as well be a total ban, given that many women dont know they are pregnant at that point. Given the widespread support among Americans for abortion rights, at least in the first trimester of pregnancy, that decision was destined to infuriate legions of women whom DeSantis could potentially have won over. A plurality of Americans believe that discussions of gender and sexual identity with young children should be age-appropriate and involve their parents, at least wherever possible. But DeSantis decided to parlay that into a crude banning of those topics in the classroom, thus turning him into a censor of open discourse and making him look squishy on the importance of free speech. And dont get us started on DeSantis calling Russias invasion of Ukraine a territorial dispute, even if he tried to walk it back. See how well that would go over in Odesa. It should not have been this hard. Take, for example, the carefully worded statement handed out by Citadel hedge fund founder and former Chicagoan Ken Griffin in recent days after journalists asked him about his apparent step back from DeSantis. Griffin, as Illinoisans know, was burned by the disappointing campaign run by Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin in the Illinois gubernatorial race last year, and he clearly doesnt intend to find himself there again. I care deeply about all children having access to a high-quality education, preserving American competitiveness, Griffin said, guarding personal liberties, ensuring our communities are safe and secure, fiscal prudence, and maintaining Americas leadership role on the global stage. I am committed to America being the greatest democracy in the world. If ever there was a coded message for DeSantis, the ever-shrewd Griffin was giving him one. Campaign on that, Griffin was saying, and you might even win the Republican nomination along with my financial support. DeSantis meltdown further increases the likelihood of Trump, with all 71 of his felony charges, being at the top of the ticket of a major presidential party. Mitt Romney recently raised the alarm over the number of minor candidates vying for the Republican nomination, perhaps for the personal benefits that accrue merely from running, and thus splitting the vote and paving the way for Trump. Our party and our country need a nominee with character, driven by something greater than revenge and ego, preferably from the next generation, the Utah senator wrote in the Wall Street Journal, rightly arguing it is critical that the Republican primary soon become a two-person race if Trump is to be stopped. The remaining question is the identity of the vital second candidate. President Joe Biden has established a national monument honoring Emmett Till, who was just 14 years old when he was abducted, savagely beaten and shot in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Though the commemoration comes 68 years after his murder, it seems to suggest a nation finally reckoning with its vicious racial past. Is that happening, though? Look to the other side of the split screen, where another powerful political figure is waging a ferocious campaign to deny that brutal history of violence against Black Americans. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered new history standards for public schools in his state. Those standards will, among other things, teach that slavery was beneficial for Black people. Unbelievable. DeSantis has invoked the worst excuses of plantation owners and their defenders, who insisted that their vicious system of chattel slavery was to the benefit of their helpless victims. In fact, wealthy Southern whites indeed, the entire nation grew rich off the unpaid labor and horrific treatment of enslaved human beings, whose children were born into the same unspeakable institution. The nation was finally moving to shake off that fictional version of history, which remained in textbooks through my southern Alabama childhood. After centuries of lies that cast slavery as a benign institution bestowing civilization and Christianity on lesser beings, a more accurate history was being recounted in the classroom, museums and popular culture. Lost Cause mythology was being erased. Then the backlash began. The nation now stands on the precipice of a neo-post-Reconstruction period, with reactionary forces determined to crush Black progress and halt even faltering steps toward a more perfect union. This slavery was beneficial nonsense is a leap back into the days of the Confederacy. In this crazed political environment, its easy to forget that just 15 years ago, the nation elected its first Black president, Barack Obama. It was clear, even then, that the historic moment didnt herald a post-racial society, but the ferocious spasms of reaction have been more hostile than I would have believed possible in those heady days. Of course, Obamas tenure quickly attracted the complaints of bigots, many of whom were birthers insisting that Obama was not born in the United States and therefore his presidency was illegitimate. Despite his reluctance to invoke the specter of racism, his more subtle critics insisted that Obama had somehow worsened race relations and deepened racial wounds. It seems the first Black presidents most incendiary act was his mere presence, which reminded whites of shifting demographics. Obama was elected with a substantial share of white votes, but also with the overwhelming support of every voting bloc of color Black Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Latinos. Suddenly, white Americans were aware of the precariousness of their status as the clear political majority. That sense of dying white hegemony fueled a volcanic burst of white resentment that propelled Donald Trump into office. It has become common to blame Trump for the current state of the Republican Party, which has fallen in thrall to white nationalism and its antidemocratic tendencies. But the GOP spent several decades pandering to the anger and misplaced anxieties of white voters unhappy about the changes wrought by the civil rights movement. No Democratic presidential candidate has won a majority of white voters since Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. That includes Democrats as different as George McGovern, Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Certainly some Republican voters stick with the GOP because of its skepticism toward government intervention and its reflexive support for tax cuts, but pandering to racial antagonism is clearly part of the partys magic formula. The Biden presidency has, for now, staved off the worst of the reactionary forces that would take us backward, but those forces are still busy in GOP-led statehouses, passing legislation that restricts the teaching of Black history, that prohibits diversity initiatives, that bans books that might give schoolchildren reason to question an unjust status quo. The two white men who murdered Till were tried but not convicted of their crime, to which they proudly admitted in Look magazine in 1956. Powerful groups are agitating to take us back to those times. Public schools in Wisconsin and across the country in recent years have come under intense scrutiny. At issue are some of the most politically engaging, high-stakes issues of our time: What we teach children about race, gender and identity. How we police the line between free speech and anti-discrimination law. The role of parents in shaping their childrens world view. These are political questions. But they also are highly personal, reaching into the most intimate details of childrens and families lives. That puts schools in a significant bind. On the one hand, the public has a right to know how public schools act, meaning that schools have a duty to be transparent. On the other hand, students have special rights to privacy enshrined in both state and federal law. How do schools balance the transparency they owe the public with the confidentiality they owe their students? Schools across Wisconsin are approaching these challenges in wildly different ways some reasonable, others nonsensical and legally insupportable. In my work as an attorney representing students and families in school matters, Ive encountered a grab bag. For example, at one extreme, I recently filed a public records request asking a school district to provide records showing the districts disciplinary response to incidents where students used racial slurs. Essentially, I asked the district to search its disciplinary record-keeping system for incidents coded as involving racial harassment (about 50 for the requested time period, I believe). I also asked the district to redact any information that could identify individual pupils, and to provide a document showing the schools response (detention, suspension, counseling, etc.) in each case. The district refused to provide those records, claiming it would violate student privacy. At the other extreme, I have represented parents whose childrens highly sensitive information has been made public through open records requests. The recurring pattern goes something like this: A parent emails a school administrator highly sensitive information for example, asking that a child be barred from accessing library books with sexual content, or notifying the school that the child is navigating issues related to gender identity. Another community member (often politically motivated) files an open record request asking for all emails to the district addressing issues of library book access or student gender identity. The school then releases the highly sensitive email sometimes with no redactions, other times just deleting the childs name but leaving in enough detail to easily discern which student it applies to. These examples are extreme, but theyre also not uncommon. They speak to the lack of coherent understanding in Wisconsin of how school district transparency can be reconciled with student privacy. Fortunately, we have a workable solution. Under federal law, schools are prohibited from releasing personally identifiable information about students. That means that schools can share records, data and information with the public, so long as they make sure to redact any language or details that can be tied to an individual student. Wisconsin school districts that diverge from this standard claim to be acting based on differences between the federal and state student privacy laws. But the federal approach strikes the right balance. It would, for instance, allow districts to redact identifying information from the racial harassment disciplinary records while showing what (if any) discipline was applied. This shared understanding of the requirements of state student privacy laws will restore consistency between school districts, ensure that sensitive information about individual students is kept confidential, and give communities the big-picture information they need to understand whats happening in their schools. NIAMEY, Niger (AP) A French military transport plane carrying Europeans from Niger arrived in Paris Wednesday, in the first such evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president nearly a week ago and shut its borders. France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals, concerned that they risked becoming trapped by the coup that won backing Tuesday from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers. About 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danish, French officials said. The first flight carried mostly French nationals, and officials hope to finish the evacuation flights by Wednesday. With Niger's air space closed, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the nation's leader, but without withdrawing its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, diplomatic officials said. The ministry cited recent violence that targeted its embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for its decision to offer evacuation flights to its citizens and other Europeans. Spain's Defense Ministry announced preparations to evacuate more than 70 nationals, and Italy also said it was arranging a flight. The evacuations come during a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Bazoum. His apparent overthrow is a blow for Western nations that were working with Niger against West African extremists. In Niamey hotels, Europeans and other nationalities, including some Americans, packed bags. At the airport, hundreds of people lined up for hours waiting to leave on French evacuation flights. A former French military official who had been training the Nigerien army as a civilian told The Associated Press that he was departing even though his job is not finished. Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, he said the military takeover took many people by surprise. The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it could use force if coup leaders dont reinstate Bazoum within one week. The U,N, special envoy for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, held out hope that bloodshed could be avoided. He said during a virtual news conference Tuesday he expects ECOWAS to go ahead with the deployment of troops to Niger if Bazoum isnt restored to power. But I believe that other efforts are underway, so I hope the use of force will not be necessary, if "everybody talks in good faith (and) wants to avoid bloodshed. The new junta got backing from the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Mali and Burkina Faso said in a joint statement that "any military intervention against Niger will be considered a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali. The two countries also denounced ECOWAS' economic sanctions as illegal, illegitimate and inhumane and refused to apply them. ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, also issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to come to its senses." The evacuations followed violence Sunday that targeted the French Embassy, with protesters burning down a door and smashing windows before the Nigerien army dispersed them. Thousands of pro-junta supporters took to Niameys streets. Some waved Russian flags along with signs reading Down with France and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. There has been no clear explanation of the references to Russia, but some demonstrators regard it as a symbol of anti-Western feelings. Some may also reflect support for the Russian mercenary group Wagner's reputation for ruthlessly suppressing militants. Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which saw protesters waving Russian flags after their coups, analysts say. Nigers coup could also embolden jihadi violence, some say. Boubacar Moussa, a former member of an al-Qaida linked group known as JNIM, said the military overthrow is exactly what the jihadis want because it will distract and weaken the army. Jihadis are very supportive of this coup that happened in Niger, because it will allow them to become very strong, he said. Moussa, who spoke to AP in Niamey, is part of a nationwide program to bring back jihadis, reintegrate them into society and use their help in counterterrorism efforts. It was spearheaded by Bazoum when he was minister of interior and is intended as an alternative to a military solution to stem violence across the country. The AP cannot verify that Moussa actively fought for JNIM. If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. Niger's prime minister, who was appointed by Bazoum and was out of the country when the coup took place, urged the international community to help roll back the coup in order to defend democracy in West Africa. For the ECOWAS countries, its a question of survival. For the international community too, its a question of credibility. Niger must remain a democratic state, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said in an interview with The Associated Press in France. Niger is a key country in terms of security for the rest of Africa, but also for the rest of the world, he said. Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to try to mediate. Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. In the capital, many people live in makeshift shelters and scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. Niger was seen as the last partner working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. The U.S. will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is very much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country, said department spokesman Matt Miller. U.S. assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger. AP journalists John Leicester in Paris, Ciaran Giles in Madrid, Cara Anna in Nairobi and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed. ELKO, Nev. After months of complaints, the City of Elko has launched a formal investigation of alleged nuisance violations at the Elko Inn. The investigation, once completed, will be presented to the City Council within the next few weeks for a final decision on whether to pursue legal action at what was once a luxury motel. Further action could help ease the minds of residents and business owners who live within blocks of the motel and have seen an increase in thefts, trespassing and attempted break-ins. Some residents said they were weary of making visits to the police department to report criminal activity that they witness on a daily basis, including indecent exposure, stealing water, and suspicious people wandering in and around their homes that they considered simple trespassing. Elko Police Chief Ty Trouten implored anyone who witnesses a crime or trespass to make a report on the police departments website, no matter how insignificant it might seem. Quote We are frustrated, as well. I wish we had the tools to immediately solve the problem. Ty Trouten, Elko police chief Every single thing that goes on indecent exposure, people stealing water at the bare minimum, would you please do an online report, he said. Everything helps us in the documentation to show the frequency. Trouten says the Elko Inn has become a one-property high crime area due to the increased number of calls and arrests made at the location over the past several months. He added that due to the Legislature initiating 48-hour bail reform laws, police can no longer make an arrest for misdemeanor crimes that might be classified as attempted break-ins. Only repeat misdemeanor offenders can be arrested and booked into jail. It mitigates what can be charged. We have to show first they had been previously arrested, cited and warned on each incident. Once they have been cited, now we can come back and arrest them, Trouten said. But bail reform can also result in the release of offenders as soon as they are booked. We are frustrated, as well. I wish we had the tools to immediately solve the problem, Trouten said. Over last weekend, law enforcement dealt with man allegedly brandishing a firearm during a fight. Trouten said the incident pulled most of his officers from patrols and calls for several hours. That single incident tied up the entirety of my patrol shift plus two others on overtime for six hours, he said. That means every other business, every other residence within the City of Elko, did not have law enforcement coverage during those six hours. A public nuisance? Thats a very kind description with what this location is, Trouten said. A rash of complaints The city began to receive complaints about a year ago regarding the Elko Inn and Studio, located at 837 Idaho St. The ensuing months saw trash pile up near the building, profane graffiti spray-painted on the wall, and reports of trespassers entering nearby homes and businesses, stealing items or attempting to break into buildings. Police calls ranged from disturbing the peace and suspicious events taking place, to theft, domestic violence, harassment, drugs, and assault and battery. The city also received reports of unpaid sanitation and water bills that were compounding the issue. An inspection of the property on April 19 by City Building Department officials discovered to the exterior and interior of the Elko Inn, including loose or unattached railings, exposed electrical wiring, removed ceiling panels and HVAC units that had been removed leaving gaping holes between rooms or to the balcony. On April 25, Elko Inn owner Keith Warburton, representing Ville 837 LLC, spoke to the City Council, explaining his business buys hotels in very poor condition and turns them into low-income housing. He said the motel was in the proper zone to turn it into apartments. Warburton said at the time the property was purchased, people who were still inhabiting it had broken through the drywall unit to unit, locked the doors and basically made it their place. On that day, Warburton said two people out of the initial 25 were still on the property. Window drapes had been pulled back to see who was in the unit. Weve never moved a tenant in. Since weve owned it December, weve only moved people out. Anybody who gets moved in is somebody elses criminal friend, he explained. Warburton reported to the City Council that the graffiti had been removed and trash had been cleaned up. He pointed to a slow response from the locksmiths to change the locks and also blamed the squatters for threatening previous managers and keying their vehicles. He also stood by his intention to rehabilitate the property into either workforce or transitional housing while it was being renovated for apartments. He agreed with city officials that he and his business partners inherited a drug haven and called their first months in operation a false start that didnt begin in time and use the force needed fast enough. Several community members who operate business or own residential property within blocks of the Elko Inn, mostly along Court Street, spoke to the City Council on April 25. They said they were concerned for the safety of residents living near the motel and questioned whether it was a good idea to have low-income housing so close to homes and blocks from schools and other businesses, considering the criminal activity at the Elko Inn. One property owner showed a video to the City Council of an attempted break-in at a Court Street residence and asked the City to pursue the complaints as a nuisance. Another resident said they had lived in their home along Court Street for three years and we have had nothing but problems. A decision looms A few months after Warburton addressed the City Council, complaints have been filed to conduct a public nuisance investigation by the city managers office. Since the last update to the City Council on June 13, it appears the property continues to be poorly managed, allowing a transient population to create potential public safety issues and place an undue burden on the citys public safety resources, the City reported. City Manager Jan Baum said the initial investigation was launched on July 24. Once it is complete, well bring it to the Council for action. One business owner reported she had been dealing with trash and theft, and had to ensure that clients were escorted from their car to their business. She also reported observing that more people were living in the bottom half of the back building at the inn. Curtains get drawn, people are living there 24/7 more than ever. My concern is what happens when this is not a Council problem and where does the safety lie? she asked. She also noted the issue is escalating with the drugs and violence weeks before school resumes. Another resident asked the City Council about a rumor that the city had given a break to Elko Inn owners on unpaid water bills. Baum explained the Ville 837 property owners paid their past due bill in full on their own and that City water crews were on hand when the water was turned back on to ensure no leaks occurred. We dont want to do them any favors, Mayor Reece Keener said. Theyre not in a position to be asking for anything. City Planner Cathy Laughlin said the owners confirmed during a development meeting two weeks ago that they were still considering Section 8 or low-income housing. When asked if the squatters were in the process of being removed, City Attorney Dave Stanton said he was unsure of the status, citing the owners claims that an eviction was in process. One business owner who has been in her location for about 30 years told the City Council that they and their employees were afraid to work after dark or on weekends and older clients asked for someone to walk them from their car to the business. The owner said they observed people parking in the Green Acres Apartments or on Court Street and walk over to the Elko Inn. Were afraid of them. We dont confront them at all, the owner told the council.I feel like something has to be done. Its just not safe. The severity keeps worsening there every week, another resident said. The property owner who showed the video of the attempted April break-in said he reported another attempted break-in. When he showed the footage to the police, they told him the alleged perpetrator breaks into houses all over the place. We know her. I implore you to pursue this as a nuisance, and if the city can take action to get these squatters removed from the premises. I implore that to happen, he said. I would appreciate your support in this and make something happen. Stanton said the city has options to abate the nuisance, but added due process could take time because it affects constitutionally protected property interests. A male's body has been recovered from the popular Lincoln County recreation spot known as "The Drops, police say. The Twin Falls County Search and Rescue personnel were called Sunday evening to assist the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office after a report that someone had drowned. Rescue personnel stayed until about midnight searching for the body, and water levels were reduced to assist with the search for the male. The body was found Monday morning, with the assistance from Air St. Luke's. The sheriffs office didnt state the males age or hometown. The Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office reminds people that the area is a dangerous area to swim, especially if swimmers don't get out at the takeout point. Personal flotation devices are also recommended if swimmers are in swift-moving water. Discovery of elevated levels of a cyanotoxin a harmful algal bloom at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir has prompted the South Central Public Health District to issue a public health advisory. Recent tests from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality shows levels of a cyanotoxin, microcystin, are now at unhealthy levels in the reservoir. Exposure to this toxin can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock. When recreating at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir the public is advised to take the following steps to protect their health: Avoid exposure to water in reservoirs under a Harmful Algal Blooms health advisory. Make sure children, pets, and livestock are not exposed to the water. Do not drink water with a HAB advisory. Boiling and disinfecting do not remove toxins from water. Do not allow pets to eat dried algae If you choose to eat fish from HAB water, remove all fat, skin, and organs before cooking. Toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues. Wash hands after handling. In a press release, the public health district said that these toxins can cause acute health effects in humans such as eye, ear, and skin irritation as well as gastrointestinal distress, and they can severely affect neurological systems. Children and pets are especially at risk, the release said. Cyanobacteria are a natural part of Idahos water bodies. When temperatures rise, their populations can bloom and toxic chemical compounds, or cyanotoxins, can be released into the water. Harmful Algal Blooms are not unusual in warm summer months and typically shrink quickly as the water temperature drops in mid to late fall. The public health district will issue another press release when tests show toxin levels at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir are at safe levels again. More information is available online at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare website or the Department of Environmental Quality's website. Idaho Gov. Brad Little created a new advisory council that is charged with recommending projects to increase camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreation opportunities in state parks. On Wednesday, Little signed an executive order creating the new Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council. The council will be made up of officials from state agencies such as the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Department of Lands, along with state legislators and representatives from the recreation, hunting and fishing, business and agriculture communities. Idahos 30 state parks faced record usage with 7.4 million visitors in 2020, 2021 and 2022, which represents a 27% increase compared to the previous five years, Littles office said. The new advisory council will be charged with recommending projects that expand opportunities for camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreational activities in the state parks. Our state boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and much of that beauty is captured in our wonderful state parks, Little said in a written statement. That is why expanding and improving outdoor recreation opportunities in our state parks was such an important priority. In conjunction with the executive order, Littles office issued a press release touting $150 million in outdoor recreation improvements and projects funded so far during Littles tenure via his Idaho First and Leading Idaho plans. Those projects include the following: $11 million for an RV campground at Eagle Island State Park. $3 million for the Peterson Campground at Farragut State Park. $3 million for wastewater and waterline upgrades at Heyburn State Park. $2.5 million for renovations to Kokanee Cove at Ponderosa State Park. $2 million for water and sewer upgrades at Harriman State Park. $1.2 million for electrical and water upgrades at Bear Lake State Parks east beach. $1 million for the water line replacement at Ritter Island in Thousand Springs State Park. For the new fiscal year 2024, the advisory council will be able to make recommendations utilizing $5 million of funding provided through Senate Bill 1196. The outdoor recreation projects are designed to respond to the record usage of state parks by expanding capacity and enhancing accommodations, Littles office said. Im proud of the significant investments weve made in outdoor recreation following record attendance at our state parks several years in a row, Little said. The executive order calls for the advisory council to present projects to Little for consideration. The projects Little accepts will be presented to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board for final approval. Portuguese companies expressed interest in investing in the Philippine renewable energy industry, the Department of Energy said Tuesday. Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho, in his courtesy visit to Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla on July 27, said Energias de Portugal and EDP Renewables were interested to invest in the countrys RE projects. Portuguese electric utilities company EDP generates 74 percent of its energy requirements from RE and aims to be 100-percent green by 2030. It is the worlds fourth largest wind energy producer and is a global leader in onshore wind farms. Meanwhile, EDPR was established to manage, operate and invest in the renewable assets portfolio of EDP. Cravinho said both companies planned to expand their presence in Southeast Asia through investments in the Philippines. He said potential areas of cooperation include RE development and alternative fuels. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the possible areas for cooperation with Portugal such as offshore wind and floating solar development, hydrogen and ammonia production using RE, liquefied natural gas importation and improvement of transmission and distribution lines in the Philippines to support its economic development and energy transition agenda. Portugal, as an early starter in RE, has similar challenges with the Philippines and is interested in DOEs approach in developing and utilizing the countrys RE sources. Lotilla expressed interest in the experience of Portugal in repurposing and incentivizing the transition of coal power plants by using other alternative fuels such as co-firing with hydrogen or ammonia. Portugal decommissioned its two-remaining coal-fired power plants in 2021. The EDP coal-fired power plant in Sines closed in January 2021, while the Tejo Energia Pego coal-fired power plant closed in November 2021, which gave signals that coal exit is possible through a combination of carbon pricing, renewable energy investment and just transition planning. The Foreign Minister said he would communicate the outcomes of the courtesy visit to the Portuguese Minister for Environment and Climate Action Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes to further discuss it with Lotilla in the forthcoming COP28 Meeting in December in Dubai. The Foreign Minister, along with the members of his delegation, was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Portugal,ACelia Anna Feria and Ambassador of Portugal to the Philippines Maria Joao Falcao Poppe Lopes Cardoso. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. More Japanese firms are preparing to invest and expand their projects in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. PEZA director-general Tereso O. Panga said in a statement Tuesday the recently-concluded investment fora in Osaka and Tokyo yielded new and expansion project applications from Japans big-ticket investors and small and micro enterprises including Ichijo Corp., ShinEtsu Corp., OB Kogyo Ltd. and NEC Networks & System Integration Corp. Panga sid Ichijo plans to increase its annual housing delivery capacity from 15,000 units to 20,000 units in 2024. Ichijo is poised to contribute significantly to local employment with an additional 3,000 to 4,000 new jobs to their current 23,000-strong manpower complement, creating new opportunities for skilled workers. OB Kogyo Ltd., a die and mold company, also expressed intent to reinvest $3 million in their Philippine plant over the next three years, bolstering local manufacturing capabilities. ShinEtsu Corp., a global industry leader in the production and research of high-performance rare earth magnets, informed PEZA of its possible expansion plans which are dependent on the growth of the global electronic vehicle sector. These recent big-ticket investments prove that trust and confidence in investing in the Philippines, particularly from our long-standing trade partners such as Japan, are at an all-time high, Panga said. PEZA recently approved three big-ticket Japanese investments this year including Green Energy with Torrefaction Technology Inc., Asian Transmission Corp. and Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. The three investments would bring in P20.591 billion with a projected 1,973 direct workers. Japan is one of the countrys leading sources of foreign investments. There are 881 Japanese companies registered with PEZA, bringing in P766.550 billion worth of capital, annual exports of $5.362 billion and generating 340,601 direct jobs for Filipinos. Co-organized with the Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates and the Philippine Trade & Investment Centers in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, the Philippine-Japan Investment Fora in Osaka and Tokyo offered the prospects of investing in the Philippines to several sectors such as manufacturing, IT-BPM, agro-processing and the academe. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Nigers new junta on Monday accused France of seeking to intervene militarily to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, as tensions soared with the former colonial power and its neighbours. France hit back in the evening with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denying the charges and adding it was still possible to restore Bazoum to power. And in a sign of escalating regional tensions, the junta-led governments of Mali and Burkina Faso warned late Monday that any military intervention in Niger would be considered a declaration of war on both their countries too. Bazoum a western ally whose election just over two years ago marked Nigers first peaceful transition of power since independence was toppled on July 26 by the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself leader but his claim has been shunned internationally and the West African bloc ECOWAS has given him a week to hand back power. Bazoum is one of a dwindling group of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, where since 2020 a jihadist insurgency has also triggered coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. Bazoums PNDS party on Monday warned Niger risked becoming a dictatorial and totalitarian regime after a series of arrests. On Monday morning, the oil minister and the mining minister were arrested, the party charged. The head of the PNDSs national executive committee was also arrested. The party said the junta had previously arrested the interior minister, the transport minister and a former defence minister. The European Union condemned the arrest of ministers from the ousted government on Monday and demanded they be freed immediately. Extremely dangerous The putschists took aim at Paris on national television, saying: In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien National Guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorisation. Colonna told Frances BFM news channel the allegation was wrong and that it was still possible to return the democratically-elected president to power. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed immediate and uncompromising action if French citizens or interests were attacked after thousands rallied outside the French embassy in Niamey. Colonna said the demonstration had been organised, not spontaneous, violent, extremely dangerous, with Molotov cocktails, Russian flags appeared, anti-French slogans (that were) an exact copy of what you can hear elsewhere. Macron has spoken to Bazoum several times as well as to regional leaders, the presidential palace in Paris said. On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sounded a tough warning. The bloc demanded that Bazoum be reinstated within a week, failing which it would take all measures to restore constitutional order, which may include the use of force. Its time for action, said ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria Nigers southern neighbour and the regional superpower. Niger became the third Sahel country in less than three years, following Mali and Burkina Faso, to be shaken by a military coup. In all three nations, a jihadist insurgency strained fragile governments, stoked anger in the military and rained economic blows on some of the worlds poorest countries. The overthrow of elected presidents has been accompanied by anti-French, pro-Russian demonstrations. On Monday Burkina Faso and Mali warned of the disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, which could destabilise the entire region. Crucial ally Protesters supporting the junta say France, the countrys traditional ally, has failed to shield them against the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally. In Mali, a 2020 putsch led to a bust-up with France which last year withdrew its troops as the junta brought in Russian paramilitaries. France also quit Burkina Faso after two coups last year brought in a junta that adopted a nationalist line. The withdrawals prompted France to reconfigure its decade-long anti-jihadist strategy in the Sahel, concentrating on Niger, where it fields 1,500 troops with a major air base near Niamey. The latest coup, according to the putschists, was a response to the degradation of the security situation linked to the jihadist conflict, as well as corruption and economic woes. International critics have ratcheted up pressure, targeting trade and development aid. ECOWAS has suspended all commercial and financial transaction. France, the European Union and the United States which has 1,100 troops in Niger have either cut off support or threatened to do so. Germany suspended financial aid and development cooperation on Monday, and UN humanitarian operations have also been put on hold. Niger has seen four coups since independence from France in 1960 and numerous other attempts, including two previously against Bazoum. The 63-year-old is a former interior minister whose election marked Nigers first peaceful transition of power since independence. The arid landlocked state, which frequently ranks at the bottom of the UNs Human Development Index, is struggling with two jihadist campaigns. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. A powerful typhoon sweeping towards southern Japan on Tuesday triggered the cancellation of hundreds of flights, with officials urging hundreds of thousands of people to seek shelter. Typhoon Khanun was packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 180 kilometres (112 miles) an hour as it crossed the Pacific Ocean towards the Okinawa region. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the storm, which it described as very strong, was about 170 kilometres southeast of the regional capital of Naha at 0600 GMT. The centre of the typhoon was expected to brush past Okinawa late Tuesday or early Wednesday before crossing to eastern China later in the week. Cities across Okinawa advised more than 760,000 people to leave their homes as the weather agency warned waves of up to 12-metres (39-feet) high could pummel the group of islands. The typhoon was expected to bring fierce winds and heavy rain. Many people stay at home because their houses are concrete, a disaster management official at the Okinawa regional government told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. But we are asking people who live alone or in wooden houses in low-lying areas to consider seeking shelter before the typhoon gets bad. More than 500 flights were cancelled on Tuesday, while regional ferry and bus services were suspended ahead of the typhoon, national broadcaster NHK reported. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said more than 74,000 passengers in total would be affected by flight cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The Bureau of Customs donated 4,000 metric tons (80,000 bags) of forfeited Thailand white sugar to the Department of Agriculture on Tuesday. The donated sugar arrived at the Port of Batangas on Jan. 12, 2023 on board M/V Sunward without the required notice of arrival. Consequently, the Port of Batangas immediately issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the subject sugar and the vessel which were later ordered forfeited in favor of the government on April 14, 2023. Under the Sugar Regulatory Administration Memorandum Circular No. 4. seized sugar with commercial value and capable of legitimate use may be disposed of by the Bureau of Customs through a donation to government institutions. On July 21, 2023, the Secretary of Finance approved the proposed donation of the 4,000 MT refined sugar to the DA. The deed of donation and acceptance was signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and DA senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban yesterday. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the DOF, DA, and SRA for your invaluable contributions, guidance, and unwavering support to BOC, which made this donation possible, Rubio said. Rubio said through DA, the donation will reach various local communities and enable several individuals to conveniently access sugar. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The human rights environment has become much better under the Marcos administration, according to visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen on Tuesday said the government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has become more cooperative with the United Nations and other groups regarding human rights. The government now is much more cooperative with the United Nations and other international organizations. This is very important. Therefore, we see progress, she said in an interview with CNN Philippines. As I said, theres much improvement [there are] still topics that we have to discuss, issues that are raised in the constant dialogue that we have with the Philippines. But the environment is much better and this is important for us that theres improvement in the steps forward, she added. Mr. Marcos, in his bilateral meeting with Von der Leyen, described the Philippines and the European Union as like-minded partners. The Philippines and EU are like-minded partners through our shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights, Mr. Marcos said on Monday. The continued exchanges between Her Excellency and myself, which started in Brussels last year, is a testament to our joint desire to bring our bilateral relationship to greater heights, the President added. Von der Leyen is the first European Commission president to visit the Philippines. In February, visiting European Parliament members had a constructive and fruitful discussion with Philippine senators on various human rights issues, especially the International Criminal Courts (ICC) investigation into former President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs. Senator Francis Tolentino and Hannah Neumann, the head of the European Union delegation, shared this in a press conference after their dialogue. As you are all aware, the EU has been quite worried about the war on drugs and the extrajudicial killings happening in the past. We were discussing this, and we are also very relieved to hear that right now the Philippines is working more towards rehabilitation and prevention, Neumann said. We have also discussed other human rights issues and I think it has been a fruitful and constructive meeting that makes me believe that we are moving towards a more constructive engagement for the future, she added. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. As Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) continues to foster inclusivity and support diverse families in the workplace, the leading consumer finance company now includes domestic partners as dependent in its medical benefits program for eligible employees. Home Credit Philippines Chief People Officer Alpha Omega Aquino noted that this new policy is aligned with the companys commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its employees. With this initiative, we hope to create an environment where every employee feels supported and valued. We want to help promote a caring and nurturing work culture that feels like home to empower our employees further, said Aquino. With this new policy, qualified employees can now extend their HMO coverage to their domestic partners if they meet certain criteria. The employee and domestic partner should be both single and never married and not related by blood, whether legitimate or illegitimate. The partner must also be of legal age and not more than 65 years old. If eligible, the employee can enroll the partner by submitting the following requirements for the medical benefits program: barangay certification of co-habitation, the partners Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) certified copy of birth certificate, and PSA certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR). By extending our medical benefits program to domestic partners, we aim to enable our employees to build strong and healthy families, regardless of marital status. The coverage will encompass inpatient and even outpatient services, including checkups, laboratory tests, rehab, therapy, emergency care, dental, mental health care, and pre-existing conditions, Aquino added. As a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), this initiative complements the Same-Sex Partner HMO Coverage that Home Credit started to offer its employees in 2021 to provide medical benefits to LGBTQIA+ partners. Currently, the company already has several employees enjoying this benefit. At Home Credit, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. We remain committed to fostering a workplace that promotes DEI, allowing us to embrace different perspectives and backgrounds to make every employee feel welcome and appreciated. We will continue enhancing our programs for our employees as we believe our success will not be possible without them, Aquino remarked. As a testament to Home Credits commitment to upholding DEI practice, the company recently received another Gold Stevie for the Innovative Achievement for Diversity and Inclusion category during the tenth annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards last June. To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see whats new in the Marketplace. Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. A Morganton man has been charged with sending unsolicited obscene images of himself to a woman. On Friday, July 7, a female victim reported to the McDowell County Sheriffs Office about a man who sent unsolicited private images of himself to her on multiple occasions. An investigation led to the charges against Milton Scott Clay, 31, of Morganton, according to a MCSO news release. Detective Billie Brown with the McDowell County Sheriffs Office charged Clay with four counts of felonious disseminating obscenity. Clay was issued a $60,000 secured bond, according to the release. In March, Clay was convicted of misdemeanor cyberstalking in McDowell County and received a suspended sentence and a year of probation, according to a search on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website. He also was convicted in Burke County in 2011 of felony larceny after breaking and entering, the search showed. This is an American history educational moment of those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served our country. John Stark was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, on Aug. 28, 1728. He had a limited formal education because of Johns parents, as they lived a nomadic lifestyle on the American frontier. However, his upbringing allowed John to learn agriculture, hunting, and trapping, making him self-reliant. While a young man, John, his brother, and two others were returning from a hunting trip in the mountains of New Hampshire when they encountered a problem the Abenakis tribe kidnapped Stark, while the others escaped or were killed. Johns bravery was shown by running the gauntlet of the Abenaki men. Stark caught them off guard by running toward the gauntlet line, hugging the Bravehearts, and yelling, Ill kiss all your women. As punishment, John was put to work hoeing the fields. In retaliation, he cut down their corn and beans, leaving only weeds. Ironically, Johns eccentric actions impressed the Abenakis, who accepted him as one of their own. After John was set free, his acquired survival skills led him to be commissioned as an officer in Rogers Rangers. With continued experiences and achieved leadership expertise, Stark was promoted to colonel and assigned to lead the efforts at the battles of Bunker Hill and Bennington, a transition time in the Revolutionary War. Stark and Gen. Washington combined their forces to set the stage for the attack on the Hessians at Trenton (just) before their (troops) enlistments expired. This decision led Stark and his men to be among those who crossed the Delaware River with George Washington on Dec. 25, 1776. This action allowed Stark to oversee victories at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. John Stark is known for developing many military tactics, including having his soldiers be battle-ready in several ways. One was to tell his men they were worth more than the Hessians and other enemies. Another was not to make Mrs. Stark and their wives battle-torn widows. Stark also introduced the patriots to camouflage to blend into the environment and discern themselves from their combatants. He also had an uncanny ability to choose when to battle and how best to prepare. Those who did not heed his advice often paid the ultimate price. Stark was one of the longest-lived generals of the Revolutionary War, reaching the age of 93. He is recognized for attacks that cost the British a thousand lives and bestowed all British forces surrender by Gen. Burgoyne. Stark was also a court member that sentenced the British spy John Andre to death. Gen. John Stark was an American hero and patriot in every sense of the word. His remarkable leadership skills led to victorious battles and convinced other sovereigns to join America in its struggle for independence. In later life, John Stark originated the axiom of Live Free or Die Death is not the worst of evils, which became New Hampshires motto (Humphries, 2019). At his funeral with military honors on May 8, 1822, three cannon volleys were fired, surrendering his arms to his God. About the Charters of FreedomVisit the Charters of Freedom setting at the McDowell County Courthouse at 21 S. Main St., Marion. Teachers are welcome to contact Streater at david.streater@mymail.barry.edu for information and complementary student education materials to enhance experiential field trips to the settings. A Charters of Freedom setting consists of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They are on permanent display analogous to the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives, Washington, D.C. Visit our website, FoundationForward.com, to learn more about our existing settings. Vance and Mary Jo Patterson are the benefactors of Foundation Forward, a 501(3) nonprofit educational organization that sponsors every Charters of Freedom setting. The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, on Monday July 31 dismissed Mr Edmundo Mendes from his duties as Attorney General of the Republic and reappointed Mr Bacari Biai to the post, according to presidential decrees released to the press. Edmundo Mendes had been appointed to the post in November 2022 to replace Bacari Biai, whose resignation had been demanded by Civil society in Guinea-Bissau to investigate his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking case. At issue was an alleged diversion of cocaine, seized in September 2022 by Interior Ministry officials, and whose investigation process leaked to social media with the release of audios and reports of the investigation with the alleged involvement of the highest hierarchies of the Interior Ministry and the Attorney Generals Office. Bacari Biai always denied any involvement in drug trafficking or illicit activity, but the Head of State eventually replaced him in November 2022. A former director of Guinea-Bissaus Judicial Police and former president of the Public Prosecutors Union, Bacari Biai also served as Attorney General during the presidency of former Head of State Jose Mario Vaz. The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo has presented on Monday July 31 the project to modernize the port of Bissau, which he considered essential for the countrys development. The ceremony marks a decisive moment in the construction and development of Guinea-Bissau. It is the launch of the largest harbor project ever undertaken in our country, said the Guinean Head of State. The project to rehabilitate the infrastructure and modernize the equipment of the port of Bissau is co-financed by the West African Development Bank, the Bank of West Africa and the Guinea-Bissau Ports Administration. The financing agreement, worth 23 billion francs (35 million), was signed in November 2022 in Lome, Togo. This is an example of sub-regional cooperation. Indeed, it is thanks to this dynamic of South-South cooperation that it has become possible for us to launch this project, the development of which is crucial for the development of the country, emphasized Umaro Sissoco Embalo. The project provides for the extension of the berth, dredging of the port, the maneuvering basin and access channel, maritime signaling, as well as the acquisition of modern equipment for port operations. I have no doubt about the added value, that is, the socio-economic impact of this project, not only by increasing the volume of imports and exports, but also by gaining efficiency in services, as well as by creating jobs, the Guinean President stressed. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Distance to the nearest fast food outlet (1A: top left) and nearest supermarket (1C: bottom left) in 2015 and relative percentage change in distance to the nearest fast food outlet (1B: top right) and supermarkets (1D: bottom right) for Christchurch from age 30 to age 40 years (the darker green shades in 1B and 1D represent the greatest proportional change towards shorter distance to food outlets from 2005 to 2015). Credit: Health & Place (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103078 Living close to fast-food outlets may be bad for your waistline, while living closer to a supermarket may be slightly better for your health, a new University of Canterbury study suggests. Working with the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) birth cohort, Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Public Health Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of the GeoHealth Laboratory, Dr. Matthew Hobbs and team investigated impacts on health around change in access to both fast food and supermarkets. He says the findings are important for population health. "We know that fast-food vendors locate in more deprived areas, and we know that more deprived areas have a higher prevalence of people living with obesity. We are hoping we can use this evidence to advocate for healthier food environments," Dr. Hobbs says. Relative to those who lived further away, people closer or with better access to supermarkets had the smallest increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), the study found. The results are published in the journal Health & Place. "A global rise in obesity since 1980 is too rapid for genetic or biological factors to be the root cause. While individual risk factors such as genetic makeup explain some differences between individuals, it was reasonable to suggest the rise in obesity seems to be fueled by the coincidental increased supply of cheap, palatable, energy-dense foods that are accessible, convenient, and effectively marketed," Dr. Hobbs says. The CHDS is a birth cohort study using a group of people born in 1977, with data collected until they turned 40 in 2017. "Living with obesity is known to lessen life expectancy markedly and what happens during early- to mid-adulthood has profound and long-lasting implications for future health. We looked at details about each person's change in BMI and waist circumference from age 30 to age 40 years. We wanted to know how a change in people's 'food environments'either changing residential address, or a new fast-food outlet or supermarket moving closer to where people livewould affect waistlines." The study found evidence that people who lived closer to fast-food outlets over the ten-year period had slightly larger increases in BMI and waistlines. This study only measured change in geographic access to food outlets and did not look at other important aspects of the food environment including for example price, quality or actual use of facilities. "Recent U.K. documentation shows around half of the country's local government areas had a policy specifically regulating proliferation of fast-food outlets through urban planning using such means. I guess the key 'takeaway' is that public health authorities and planners should be giving some serious thought to where fast-food outlets and supermarkets can be located to improve population health," he says. More information: Matthew Hobbs et al, Change in the food environment and measured adiposity in adulthood in the Christchurch Health and development birth cohort, Aotearoa, New Zealand: A birth cohort study, Health & Place (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103078 Journal information: Health & Place This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain It's easy to imagine that growing up in a neighborhood with safe and clean parks, little to no discrimination, and where people are not struggling financially makes for a lower-stress childhood. In contrast, neighborhoods with few community spaces, violence, and poverty create a higher-stress environment for a child to live in. Unfortunately, systemic and structural issues such as wealth inequality, residential segregation, barriers to home ownership, and environmental injustice in neighborhoods where Black American adolescents disproportionately reside make it more likely that Black American adolescents will grow up in this second scenario. A new study by Assistant Professor of Social Work Melissa Villodas provides evidence that the stress of neighborhood poverty and community violence negatively affects Black American adolescents' mental health. This could be a contributing factor to Black American adolescents experiencing higher rates of suicidality than any other racial or ethnic group and the growing incidence of mental health challenges among racial minority youth. "We need initiatives that build healthy neighborhoods and local resources to support adolescent stress reduction and mental health so that we can improve the lives of Black youth living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods," said Villodas, who reviewed the existing research about the neighborhood environment's contribution to stress among Black American adolescents. The review found that four distinct aspects of the neighborhood environment have been examined in relation to Black American adolescent stress: perceived neighborhood environment, such as perceived levels of trust and safety; built neighborhood environment, such as parks and community centers; exposure to community violence, such as gang activity and drug use; and neighborhood disadvantage, such as poverty, racism, and discrimination. The study also highlights opportunities for mental health interventions to address neighborhood-based stressors through community revitalization in spaces where Black American adolescents experience minimal stress, including parks, community centers, and libraries. The work is published in the journal Youth & Society. More information: Melissa L. Villodas et al, Examining the Influence of the Neighborhood Environment on Stress Among Black American Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Youth & Society (2023). DOI: 10.1177/0044118X231179243 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Producer Gary Goetzman (L) and Oprah Winfrey (R) attend the premiere of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" in New York City. A US biotechnology company has reached a settlement with the family of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose cells were used for groundbreaking medical research without her consent. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who filed a lawsuit in 2021 on behalf of the Lacks' estate, announced on Tuesday that the family had agreed a confidential deal with Massachusetts-based firm Thermo Fisher Scientific. "The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of court," Crump said, noting that Tuesday would have been Lacks' 103rd birthday. Crump, who has represented the family of George Floyd and other Black victims of US police violence, said the settlement provides "some measure of justice for Henrietta Lacks, 70 years later." The 31-year-old Lacks, a tobacco farmer from Virginia and mother of five, died of cervical cancer in 1951 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. During attempts to cure her shortly before she died, Lacks' abnormally resilient cancer cells were removed from her tumor and were used for decades by researchers without her family's knowledge. The cells, dubbed HeLa for the first letters of her first and last names, were the first-ever human cells to grow endlessly in the laball others harvested up to that point died. Nobel Prizes Research using the cells led to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, and laboratories worldwide used them to develop vaccinesnotably against polio as well as in cloning, in-vitro fertilization and many medicines, fueling an industry now worth billions of dollars. The family knew nothing of Lacks' role until the 1970s, and only came to understand its full scope thanks to the work of Rebecca Skloot, author of the 2010 bestseller "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." Lacks' story was also the subject of an HBO movie starring Oprah Winfrey. "They treated her like a specimen, like a lab rat," her grand-daughter Kimberly Lacks said in 2021, describing the cell theft as racism. Thermo Fisher Scientific confirmed the settlement, using the same language as the family lawyers Crump and Chris Seeger. In filing the lawsuit in 2021, Seeger said that Thermo Fisher was the first of many companies that could face legal action for having "profited from the use" of the HeLa cells. On its website, Johns Hopkins Hospital said that it has never sold or benefited from the discovery or distribution of HeLa cells, and does not own the rights to them. "HeLa cells were offered freely and widely by Johns Hopkins for scientific research," it said. "Johns Hopkins has worked in close coordination with several members of the Lacks family over the past decade to recognize and honor Henrietta Lacks, including scholarships, engagement with local schools and annual symposia," it added. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Screenshot of the evaluation web application. Each rater selects a response from the drop-down menus and then advances to the next question. Credit: Journal of Medical Internet Research (2023). DOI: 10.2196/48966 When you need accurate information about a serious illness, should you go to Google or ChatGPT? An interdisciplinary study led by University of California, Riverside, computer scientists found that both internet information gathering services have strengths and weaknesses for people seeking information about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The team included clinical scientists from the University of Alabama and Florida International University. Google provides the most current information, but query results are skewed by service and product providers seeking customers, the researchers found. ChatGPT, meanwhile, provides more objective information, but it can be outdated and lacks the sources of its information in its narrative responses. "If you pick the best features of both, you can build a better system, and I think that this is what will happen in the next couple of years," said Vagelis Hristidis, a professor of computer science and engineering in UCR's Bourns College of Engineering. In their study, Hristidis and his co-authors submitted 60 queries to both Google and ChatGPT that would be typical submissions from people living with dementia and their families. The researchers focused on dementia because more than 6 million Americans are impacted by Alzheimer's disease or a related condition, said study co-author Nicole Ruggiano, a professor of social work at the University of Alabama. "Research also shows that caregivers of people living with dementia are among the most engaged stakeholders in pursuing health information, since they often are tasked with making decisions for their loved one's care," Ruggiano said. Half of the queries submitted by the researchers sought information about the disease processes, while the other half sought information on services that could assist patients and their families. The results were mixed. "Google has more up-to-date information, and covers everything," Hristidis said. "Whereas ChatGPT is trained every few months. So, it is behind. Let's say there's some new medicine that just came out last week, you will not find it on ChatGPT." While dated, ChatGPT provided more reliable and accurate information than Google. This is because the ChatGPT creators at OpenAI choose the most reliable websites when they train ChatGPT through computationally intensive machine learning. Yet, users are left in dark about specific sources of information because the resulting narratives are void of references. Google, however, has a reliability problem because it essentially "covers everything from the reliable sources to advertisements," Hristidis said. In fact, advertisers pay Google for their website links to appear at the top of search result pages. So, users often first see links to websites of for-profit companies trying to sell them care-related services and products. Finding reliable information from Google searches thus requires a level of user skill and experience, Hristidis said. Co-author Ellen Brown, an associate professor of nursing at the Florida International University, pointed out that families need timely information about Alzheimer's. . "Although there is no cure for the disease, many clinical trials are underway and recently a promising treatment for early stage Alzheimer's disease was approved by the FDA," Brown said. "Therefore, up-to-date information is important for families looking to learn about recent discoveries and available treatments." The authors of the study write that "the addition of both the source and the date of health-related information and availability in other languages may increase the value of these platforms for both non-medical and medical professionals." It was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research under the title "ChatGPT vs. Google for Queries Related to Dementia and Other Cognitive Decline: Comparison of Results." Google and ChatGPT both scored low for readability scores, which makes it difficult for people with lower levels of education and low health literacy skills. "My prediction is that the readability is the easier thing to improve because there are already some tools, some AI methods, that can read and paraphrase text," Hristidis said. "In terms of improving reliability, accuracy, and so on, that's much harder. Don't forget that it took scientists many decades of AI research to build ChatGPT. It is going to be slow improvements from where we are now." More information: Vagelis Hristidis et al, ChatGPT vs Google for Queries Related to Dementia and Other Cognitive Decline: Comparison of Results, Journal of Medical Internet Research (2023). DOI: 10.2196/48966 Journal information: Journal of Medical Internet Research This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain When assessing the skills and competencies or "human capital" of long-term care registered nurses in the United States, studies often focus solely on years of experience and traditional educational backgrounds. However, a new study conducted by a nurse scientist now at University of Missouri found that by incorporating additional criteria, such as ability to speak multiple languages, additional certificates or trainings and licenses to practice in multiple states, immigrant nurses often represent far more human capital than their American-born counterparts. Roy Thompson, a postdoctoral fellow in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing who immigrated from Jamaica to earn a doctoral degree in nursing at Duke University, analyzed demographic data of more than 1,800 nurses working in nursing homes or long-term care rehabilitation centers in the U.S. Incorporating his additional criteria, Thompson and his research team compared the human capital of immigrant nurses to American-born nurses and found that immigrant nurses were far more likely to speak multiple languages, have additional certificates, years of experience, and had licenses to practice in more states than American-born nurses. "By incorporating the additional criteria, we get a much better model for comparison, and I wanted to show that immigrant nurses often have a wealth of transferrable skills, are more mobile and adaptable given their experiences practicing in different long-term care settings," Thompson said. "Immigrant nurses are crucial for diversifying the nursing workforce, as they bring a different cultural lens, a different racial lens, and a different linguistic lens." Thompson said most immigrant nurses belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups migrate to the U.S. from the Philippines, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the English Caribbean. While they might have a significant amount of human capital, they are often hired for underpaid, entry-level positions and forced to work their way up after arriving in the U.S. "Previous research shows immigrant nurses experience discrimination, racism, exploitation, inequitable pay, and unfavorable treatment at work. I wanted to study the impact immigrant nurses have on long-term care," Thompson said. "For example, there was some evidence that immigrant nurses were more likely to be assigned to COVID-19 units in long-term care during the pandemic. In fact, about 30% of nurses who died from COVID-19 were from the Philippines. While most nursing research focuses on hospitals, clinical research, patient populations and patient health outcomes, nursing homes and long-term care facilities tend to be an understudied, yet overregulated sector. I wanted to look deeper into the nursing home workforce itself." The long-term goal of Thompson's research is to eventually improve immigration policies that currently typically restrict nurse migration to the US. "Immigrant nurses are highly qualified, highly skilled and come to the U.S. with knowledge that the nursing workforce needs to improve health outcomes," Thompson said. "For example, previous studies have shown that in nursing homes with higher proportions of immigrant nurses tend to improve health outcomes such as decreased rates of pain, use of physical restraints and falls." While Thompson became the first Black male to ever earn a doctoral degree in nursing from Duke University, he hopes to see more highly skilled immigrant nurses working in nursing homes going forward. "As the median age of Americans continues to rise, we are starting to see more diverse patient populations receiving care in nursing homes," Thomson said. "So ideally, we would want a more diverse workforce to better reflect the patients they are serving." The study is published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation. More information: Roy A. Thompson et al, Examining Human Capital Among Foreign- and U.S.-Educated Nurses in Long-term Care, Journal of Nursing Regulation (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2155-8256(23)00088-1 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Millions of Americans with tobacco-related lung disease have symptoms that do not fit any existing tobacco-related disease criteriaincluding the most common of those, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)according to a new study led by researchers at UC San Francisco. In a study published Aug. 1, 2023, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a research team found that half of the participants with extensive tobacco exposure had a persistently high level of respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, daily cough and phlegm, and decreased ability to exercise, but performed well in the breathing tests used to diagnose COPD. COPD assessment was an essential part of the "SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study" (SPIROMICS)a multi-center study of 1,379 people 40 to 80 years old who had more than 20 pack-years of tobacco exposure (smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 or more years). The study also included control participants who had never smoked cigarettes and did not have airflow obstruction. COPD is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is frequently associated with long-term tobacco exposure. In 2020, an estimated 12.5 million Americans reported having been diagnosed with COPD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet previous studies indicated that more than 18 million had evidence of impaired lung function, a sign that millions more might be suffering without a clear diagnosis. COPD is assessed with spirometry, a lung function test that measures how quickly and effectively a person can fill and then empty their lungs at maximum effort. It is diagnosed when the test shows airflow obstruction, indicating a problem with getting enough air out in the normal amount of time. Evidence of airflow obstruction is medically defined as an abnormally low ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of an exhalation to total forced vital capacity (FVC). "We found that many people who have a lot of primary tobacco exposure have the same symptoms as people who have COPD, but can't be diagnosed with COPD, because their FEV1/FVC ratio is considered normal on spirometry," said William McKleroy, MD, a former UCSF Pulmonology Fellow and first author of the study. "This demonstrates a major gap in effective and compassionate care for tobacco-exposed persons and highlights the need for further study to find ways to help them." Participants were enrolled in SPIROMICS I from November 2010 to July 2015 and followed through July 2021 in an extension study, SPIROMICS II. They underwent spirometry, six-minute walk distance testing, assessment of respiratory symptoms, and CT scans of their lungs, at yearly visits for three to four years. Many of these participants then completed another round of testing five to 10 years after their original visit. Some of the study participants were found to have COPD after undergoing spirometry, while others had "preserved spirometry," meaning they did not have COPD. The researchers found that the vast majority of the participants with tobacco exposure and preserved spirometry (TEPS) and pulmonary symptoms at the beginning of the study continued to have symptoms through more than five years of follow-up. They also had high rates of respiratory exacerbations and shortness of breath that limited their ability to be active over the course of the study. Additionally, participants with symptomatic TEPS did not have increased incidence of COPD compared those with asymptomatic TEPS (33.0% among participants with symptomatic TEPS vs. 31.6% among those with asymptomatic TEPS), or a faster rate of lung function decline, as measured by the decline in FEV1 over time, compared to asymptomatic TEPS participants. By contrast, participants with COPD did have a more rapid rate of FEV1 decline compared to symptomatic TEPS participants. "These findings suggest that a large proportion of tobacco smoke-exposed persons without airflow obstruction have a persistent, symptomatic non-obstructive chronic airway disease that is distinct from COPD," said Prescott Woodruff, MD, MPH, UCSF division chief of Pulmonology and principal investigator for SPIROMICS. "Although tobacco-exposed persons with preserved spirometry are currently categorized as having pre-COPD by the COPD guidelines, the data from the current study emphasize that the definition of smoking-related lung disease needs to be broadened so new treatments can be developed." The study found that many individuals with a history of smoking have respiratory symptoms and increased risk of exacerbations that persist over several years, added James Kiley, Ph.D., director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. "Even in persons with no respiratory symptoms and normal breathing tests, smoking continues to harm their lungs," Kiley said. "The study results highlight the importance of smoking cessation, underscore the need for regular follow up of smokers with and without symptoms, and call for more research to treat respiratory symptoms due to smoking." In addition to the findings related to symptomatic TEPS, the study also found a higher proportion of black individuals in the study had symptomatic TEPS compared with white participants. They also found an increased risk of progression to COPD in black participants as compared with white participants in this study. The authors suggest an evaluation of the contribution of occupational and environmental exposures, socioeconomic status and structural racism to the development of these symptoms. In addition to Woodruff, additional UCSF authors include Mehrdad Arjomandi, MD, and Stephen C. Lazarus, MD. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain An interim safety analysis of the first randomized controlled trial of its kind involving over 80,000 Swedish women published in The Lancet Oncology journal, finds artificial intelligence (AI)-supported mammography analysis is as good as two breast radiologists working together to detect breast cancer, without increasing false positives and almost halving the screen-reading workload. However, the final trial results looking at whether the use of AI in interpreting mammography images translates into a reduction in interval cancers (cancers detected between screenings that generally have a poorer prognosis than screen-detected cancers) in 100,000 women followed over two yearsand ultimately whether AI's use in mammography screening is justifiedare not expected for several years. "These promising interim safety results should be used to inform new trials and program-based evaluations to address the pronounced radiologist shortage in many countries. But they are not enough on their own to confirm that AI is ready to be implemented in mammography screening," cautions lead author Dr. Kristina Lang from Lund University, Sweden. "We still need to understand the implications on patients' outcomes, especially whether combining radiologists' expertise with AI can help detect interval cancers that are often missed by traditional screening, as well as the cost-effectiveness of the technology." Breast cancer screening with mammography has been shown to improve prognosis and reduce mortality by detecting breast cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. However, estimates suggest that 2030% of interval cancers that should have been spotted at the preceding screening mammogram are missed, and suspicious findings often turn out to be benign. European guidelines recommend double reading of screening mammograms by two radiologists to ensure high sensitivity (to correctly identify those with disease). But there is a shortage of breast radiologists in many countries, including a shortfall of around 41 (8%) in the UK in 2020 and about 50 in Sweden, and it takes over a decade to train a radiologist capable of interpreting mammograms. AI has been proposed as an automated second reader for mammograms that might help reduce this workload and improve screening accuracy. The technology has shown encouraging results in retrospective studies using AI to triage examinations to either single or double reading and by providing radiologists with computer-aided detection (CAD) marks highlighting suspicious features to reduce false negative results. But robust evidence from prospective randomized trials has been lacking. Between April 2021 and July 2022, 80,033 women aged 40-80 years who had undergone mammogram screening at four sites in southwest Sweden were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either AI-supported analysis, where a commercially available AI-supported mammogram reading system analyzed the mammograms before they were also read by one or two radiologists (intervention arm), or standard analysis performed by two radiologists without AI (control arm). This interim analysis of the Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence (MASAI) trial compared early screening performance (e.g., cancer detection, recalls, false positives) and screen-reading workload in the two arms. The MASAI trial will continue to establish primary outcome results of whether AI-supported mammography screening reduces interval cancers. The lowest acceptable limit for clinical safety in the intervention group was set at a cancer detection rate above three cancers per 1,000 screened women. This was based on the premise that the cancer detection rate might decline because the majority of screening examinations would undergo single reading instead of double reading. The baseline detection rate in the current screening program with double reading is five cancers per 1,000 screened women. In the AI-supported analysis, the AI system first analyzed the mammography image and predicted the risk of cancer on a scale of one to 10, with one representing the lowest risk and 10 the highest. If the risk score was less than 10 the image was further analyzed by one radiologist, whereas if the AI system predicted a risk score of 10 then two radiologists analyzed the image. The system also provided CAD marks to assist radiologists in accurately interpreting mammography images. Women were recalled for additional testing based on suspicious findings. Radiologists had the final decision to recall women and were instructed to recall cases with the highest 1% risk, except for obvious false positives. AI failed to provide a risk score in 0.8% of cases (306/39,996) that were referred to standard care (double reading). The recall rates averaged 2.2% (861 women) for AI-supported screening and 2.0% (817 women) for standard double reading without AI. These were similar to the average 2.1% recall rate in the clinic six months prior to the trial starting, indicating that cancer detection rates had not fallen. In total, 244 women (28%) recalled from AI-supported screening were found to have cancer compared with 203 women (25%) recalled from standard screeningresulting in 41 more cancers detected with the support of AI (of which 19 were invasive and 22 were in situ cancers). The false-positive rate was 1.5% in both arms. Overall, AI-supported screening resulted in a cancer detection rate of six per 1,000 screened women compared to five per 1,000 for standard double reading without AIequivalent to detecting one additional cancer for every 1,000 women screened. Importantly, there were 36,886 fewer screen readings by radiologists in the AI-supported group than in the control group (46,345 vs. 83,231), resulting in a 44% reduction in the screen-reading workload of radiologists. Although the actual time saved by using AI was not measured in the trial, the researchers calculate that if a radiologist reads on average 50 mammograms an hour, it would have taken one radiologist 4.6 months less to read the roughly 40,000 screening examinations with the help of AI compared with the roughly 40,000 in the control arm that were double read. "The greatest potential of AI right now is that it could allow radiologists to be less burdened by the excessive amount of reading," says Lang. "While our AI-supported screening system requires at least one radiologist in charge of detection, it could potentially do away with the need for double reading of the majority of mammograms easing the pressure on workloads and enabling radiologists to focus on more advanced diagnostics while shortening waiting times for patients." Despite the promising findings, the authors note several limitations including that the analysis was conducted at a single center and was limited to one type of mammography device and one AI system which might limit the generalizability of the results. They also note that while technical factors will affect the performance and processing of the AI system, these will likely be less important than the experience of radiologists. Because the AI-supported system places the final decision on whether to recall women on radiologists, the results are dependent on their performance. In this trial, radiologists were moderately to highly experienced, which could limit the generalizability of the findings to less experienced readers. Lastly, information on race and ethnicity was not collected. Writing in a linked Comment, Dr. Nereo Segnan, former Head of the Unit of Cancer Epidemiology and past Director of Department of Screening at CPO Piemonte in Italy (who was not involved in the study) notes that the AI risk score for breast cancer seems very accurate at being able to separate high risk from low-risk women, adding that, "In risk stratified screening protocols, the potential for appropriately modulating the criteria for recall in low-risk and high-risk groups is remarkable." However, he cautions, "In the AI-supported screening group of the MASAI trial, the possible presence of over diagnosis (i.e., the system identifying non-cancers) or over-detection of indolent lesions, such as a relevant portion of ductal carcinomas in situ, should prompt caution in the interpretation of results that otherwise seem straightforward in favoring the use of AI...It is, therefore, important to acquire biological information on the detected lesions. The final results of the MASAI trial are expected to do so, as the characteristics of identified cancers and the rate of interval cancersnot just the detection rateare indicated as main outcomes. An important research question thus remains: is AI, when appropriately trained, able to capture relevant biological featuresor, in other words, the natural history of the diseasesuch as the capacity of tumors to grow and disseminate?" More information: Kristina Lang et al, Artificial intelligence-supported screen reading versus standard double reading in the Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence trial (MASAI): a clinical safety analysis of a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority, single blinded, screening accuracy study, The Lancet Oncology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00298-X , www.thelancet.com/journals/lan (23)00298-X/fulltext Journal information: Lancet Oncology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Image of chart comparing type of practice/policy data included in the GALH. Credit: Digital Health Hub RMIT University. The Global Atlas of Literacies for Heath. 2023. Barcelona: RMIT Europe/IDEAHL Project. Researchers at RMIT University have helped map European health and digital health literacy, in an important step towards informing health policy and practice across the region. From the humble pedometer to smartwatches that warn of heart problems, we've been using digital technology to help make health decisions for decades. But despite its enormous potential in addressing health care challenges, an accessible overview of people's understanding of health information and digital health tools has been lacking. Now an international team working with researchers from RMIT University in Australia and its European-based innovation hub have consolidated and visualized the complex data into an easy-to-use atlas. RMIT's Digital Health Hub Director, Professor Kerryn Butler-Henderson, said the freely-accessibly atlas paves the way for better, evidence-backed, decisions. "We've taken a magnifying glass to a myriad of existing studies into health literacy and digital health literacy levels and unified them so they can be compared against each other," she said. "With a better understanding of these literacy levels, work to improve them can be better targeted towards the often-marginalized groups who need it most. "By shining a light on best practice evidence, the atlas will become a critical tool in literacy reform." The Global Atlas of Literacies for Health (GALH) is one of the first online tools displaying interactive data visualizing levels of health literacy and digital health literacy from evidence-based studies conducted with citizens, patients and health professionals across the globe. The international team working in the research program Improving Digital Empowerment for Active Healthy Living (IDEAHL) analyzed more than 12,000 studies and best practice examples. After engaging with groups across the health and technology sectors, they narrowed the sample to 450 best-practice examples from the last five years. Researchers at RMIT then worked with the geospatial mapping company dMap, to consolidate and visualize the complex data in an easy-to-access interactive map, with raw data download capability and a best practice and policy resource list. Improving health and digital health literacy Health literacy is about having the ability and skill to obtain, comprehend, evaluate and utilize trusted health and well-being related information, so people can play a greater role in their own care. The World Health Organization sees improving health literacy as a crucial step in realizing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aimed at ending poverty in all its forms. RMIT Europe Digital Health Research Fellow Dr. Gabriela Irrazabal said although some websites provide links to health and digital literacy studies, extracting and collating data from multiple sources is time-consuming. Image of chart comparing monitoring scale levels data per country and target populations contained in the GALH. Credit: Source: Digital Health Hub RMIT University. The Global Atlas of Literacies for Heath (GALH). 2023. Barcelona: RMIT Europe/IDEAHL Project. "Our atlas does this for the user, presenting the information in a way that can be quickly and easily accessed," she said. "Data can be compared across Europe or filtered across countries and demographics, enabling informed decisions on policies affecting health. "The atlas makes health and digital health literacy evidence visible to the public, government, health organizations, policy makers and educators." Enabling research and evidence-based policy making The atlas will make it easier for policymakers and educators in the health sector to benchmark health and digital health literacy performance targets against other populations, something the sector lacked until now. It also aims to facilitate more studies by improving access to quality studies covering large groups of people, allowing researchers to spend more time solving problems and less time finding data. Irrazabal said the studies included in the atlas shine a light on where access to digital health tools could be improved. "Digital health is a growing area of the health sector and we're slowly learning more about how different levels of access to digital health methods impacts a population's overall well-being," she said. "Our literature review showed health literacy, particularly in digital health, was severely under-researched in several countries. "Of the studies, even fewer considered young people or elders. This is concerning, considering we could be dealing with a generational gap in effective health management." RMIT is a leader in digital health, hosting the Melbourne Digital Health Ecosystem in partnership with the European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance). This latest European collaboration through the IDEAHL project sets the foundation for future researchButler-Henderson and her team are applying for funding to replicate the study in Australia. While initially focusing on Europe, the RMIT team is now working with the IDEAHL consortium to plan the expansion of the atlas globally and to include other literacies for health, such as mental health literacy and financial literacy. One bite into the freshly baked French baguette transported me back to our Paris trip in March 2022. The crispy crust was a beautiful shade of golden brown, and tucked inside the buttery interior was ham and brie. Simple, but so delicious and filling. The baguette is just one of the French-inspired varieties of bread, pastries, croissants and desserts available at Vienne Cafe, located on the east end of Bozeman. The bakery is the brainchild of Anna Mendoza and her husband, Daniel Mendoza. Anna grew up on a ranch near Fairfield, where at a young age, she developed a love of cooking and baking alongside her mom. Her passion led to training as a pastry chef at the culinary school, Gastronomicom in Le Cap DeAgde, in the South of France. Back in the U.S., she worked in several restaurants and bakeries in New York and then San Francisco, where she met her husband, Daniel, a certified sommelier. The couple moved to Bozeman in 2020 with a dream of opening a bakery. They found the ideal location on Wallace Avenue, with a bank of windows to let in natural light, and set about creating a welcoming interior in colors of black and white. The name Vienne, translated in French, means to come here and accurately describes the warm ambiance infused with the smell of freshly baked bread inside their cafe. Anna is the CEO and executive pastry chef, while Daniel brings his wealth of experience in the hospitality business to their operations. Current plans call for creating a wine and cheese component inside the cafe, expanding options for customers to enjoy another side of French goodness. Anna has perfected the art of crafting croissants (butter, almond, and pain au chocolat) and a variety of bread, including baguettes, grains and seeds, Pain de Mie, Pain au lait, sourdough, and ciabatta. Anna and Daniels newest creation is their adorable daughter Luna, 7 months old. Luna often curls up in a snugly attached to Mom as she works her magic in the kitchen, or sits in a booster seat, watching Moms every move. Across the street from Vienne sits the Lockhorn Cider House, where French chef Olivier Pheulpin is busy making crepes, a new addition to the offerings at the Cider House. My hubby Ed and I stopped in for Sunday brunch and learned that crepes and cider have a 700-year-old French love affair. According to Olivier, This perfect union started mostly during religious celebrations along the coastal region of Brittany. At that time, cider was still called apple wine and was used by fishermen as a vitamin source designed to battle scurvy. This Festa Candelorum became less religious with time, but crepes and cider remain a perfect marriage of flavors in France. Olivier attended culinary school in Dijon, Burgundy, when he was 18, then became a chef in Paris at 22 before realizing he was too young for that kind of life. He re-launched as a journalist and traveled the world, but he never lost his love for cooking. Most recently, Olivier was a chef and partner in a Texas restaurant. He was looking for a place to relocate and develop a creperie when he discovered Lockhorn Cider House. He connected with owner Anna Deal, proposing the potential of pairing crepes with cider, and with Annas blessing, he moved to Montana in May of this year. Olivier is passionate about crepes, which he describes as simple food, yet the fillings he creates are scrumptious. I dont have to eat them. The smell alone is so fantastic for me, he said enthusiastically. His savory varieties include Cordon Bleu (ham and melted cheese with a dash of bechamel), chicken Provence (chicken, onion, mushroom and feta, with a tarragon creamy pepper stew), and Le Grand Southwest (sauteed potatoes, sausages, tomato, corn and onions cooked in a Southwest sauce). On the sweet side, crepe choices include lemon lavender, apple caramel, and pear au chocolat. Olivier is constantly experimenting with new flavors. His newest is a peach Melba crepe, a combo of peach, raspberry coulis, caramel drizzle and vanilla ice cream. Ed opted for Cordon Bleu paired with Flathead Cherry Cider, and I chose the lemon lavender with a non-alcoholic sweet cider. Brunch was delightful, enhanced with enjoying the crepes on Lockhorns patio in the warm summer sunshine. The ciders produced at Lockhorn are based on an old-world French tradition of fermenting pure, fresh pressed cider with French wine yeast and free of added sweeteners or artificial flavors. Blending sharp and bittersweet apples results in a traditional cider thats not overly sweet, so the subtle and distinct flavors of the apple varieties can be detected and enjoyed. Not to be missed in Bozemans French Quarter is La Chatelaine Chocolat Co., just two blocks west of Lockhorn Cider and Vienne Cafe. Crafting award-winning artisan chocolates are owners Frenchman Wlady Grochowski and his wife, Shannon. When I stopped by, the couple had just returned from Burgundy, France, where they offer culinary retreats in an 11th-century abbey a few times during the spring and fall. I want to sign up it sounds heavenly! Their summer visits to Paris have allowed Shannon to train in Paris kitchens with renowned chefs. For now, its back to their small kitchen where hand-crafted chocolate production is in full swing, using European confectionary methods. Three tempering machines are churning dark, white and milk chocolate. Staff is hand-painting some of the European molds before being filled with chocolate. The result will be dainty flower decorations on top of the chocolates. The chocolate used to craft their 50+ varieties comes from France, Switzerland and Belgium. A lifelong obsession with chocolate, and French-inspired food runs deep with this delightful couple. At age 10, Wlady was asking for a cookbook and experimenting with chocolate. He studied management at the Sorbonne before moving to the States in 1993. His first wife was from Montana, which led him to settle in Bozeman. Shannon grew up near New Orleans and moved to Bozeman to attend MSU, where she studied English. The couple met through their kids violin classes. At the time, Wlady was working for an engineering company, while Shannon was working as a writer for an investment firm, but a desire to delve into culinary arts tugged at her heartstrings. When the only chocolate shop in Bozeman closed, they decided to open a chocolaterie in 2006, moving to their current location on South Rouse Avenue in 2013. Customers can also pick up the chocolates at a second location inside the lobby of The Baxter on Bozemans Main Street or order online and have the chocolates shipped. La Chatelaine has established itself as a well-respected business in the world of crafting chocolates. Wladys formula for their success is a life lesson for any entrepreneur. Put your head down and work hard, and let people trust you. Dont expect it to happen overnight. A visit to Bozemans Le Petite France presents the opportunity to savor the best of French-inspired food and sweets, where the creators constantly experiment and learn new methods and techniques for perfecting their craft. Treat yourself to crepes, cider, pastries, bread, and chocolates, and youll be saying, Cest delicieux. Close At La Chatelaines storefront on South Rouse Avenue in Bozeman, customers can pick and choose their favorite chocolates. Sweet crepes include this lemon lavender version, filled with a tart lemony cream and served with a dollop of whipped cream. La Chatelaines Orange Box can hold 13, 26 or 39 assorted handmade chocolates and includes a chocolate map that describes the flavors of each. Assorted chocolates destined for the signature orange box tied with chocolate brown ribbon include "Pralines," "Desires," and "French Marigolds." A Belgium candy mold is filled by hand with white chocolate. Frenchman Wlady Grochowski (left) and his wife, Shannon, owners of La Chatelaine, offer culinary retreats in the French countryside in the spring and fall. Freshly made pain au chocolat (French for chocolate croissant) is just one of the decadent pastries offered at Vienne Cafe. Vienne Cafe opened its doors in May 2021, offering locals and visitors a trendy space for early morning coffee drinks and pastries. Lockhorns ciders have a distinct clean and crisp style, resulting from using fresh all-natural fruit ingredients free of added sugars, sulfites or chemical stabilizers. French chef Olivier Pheulpin has joined forces with Lockhorn Cider House to produce his tasty crepes, in sweet and savory varieties. The Cordon Bleu crepe is filled with ham, melted cheese and a dash of bechamel. Anna Mendosa and her daughter Luna make a great team in the kitchen, creating all sorts of breads, pastries and desserts for their customers. House-made dainty macarons come in many flavors at Vienne. The first known written macaron recipe dates back to 17th-century France. Customers can find an assortment of artisan breads, pastries, croissants and light lunch options made daily (except Mondays) at Vienne Cafe, located at 101 S. Wallace Avenue in Bozeman. Vienne Cafe At La Chatelaines storefront on South Rouse Avenue in Bozeman, customers can pick and choose their favorite chocolates. Sweet crepes include this lemon lavender version, filled with a tart lemony cream and served with a dollop of whipped cream. La Chatelaines Orange Box can hold 13, 26 or 39 assorted handmade chocolates and includes a chocolate map that describes the flavors of each. Assorted chocolates destined for the signature orange box tied with chocolate brown ribbon include "Pralines," "Desires," and "French Marigolds." A Belgium candy mold is filled by hand with white chocolate. Frenchman Wlady Grochowski (left) and his wife, Shannon, owners of La Chatelaine, offer culinary retreats in the French countryside in the spring and fall. Freshly made pain au chocolat (French for chocolate croissant) is just one of the decadent pastries offered at Vienne Cafe. Vienne Cafe opened its doors in May 2021, offering locals and visitors a trendy space for early morning coffee drinks and pastries. Lockhorns ciders have a distinct clean and crisp style, resulting from using fresh all-natural fruit ingredients free of added sugars, sulfites or chemical stabilizers. French chef Olivier Pheulpin has joined forces with Lockhorn Cider House to produce his tasty crepes, in sweet and savory varieties. The Cordon Bleu crepe is filled with ham, melted cheese and a dash of bechamel. Anna Mendosa and her daughter Luna make a great team in the kitchen, creating all sorts of breads, pastries and desserts for their customers. House-made dainty macarons come in many flavors at Vienne. The first known written macaron recipe dates back to 17th-century France. Customers can find an assortment of artisan breads, pastries, croissants and light lunch options made daily (except Mondays) at Vienne Cafe, located at 101 S. Wallace Avenue in Bozeman. CLINTON Three weeks ago, rancher Angela Campbell was on the verge of shutting down her retail meat business, after confronting whats been a consistent obstacle since starting: meat processing. While Angela had the pigs and cows already primed for butchering and the demand was there for the meat itself, the facilities she looked at already had waitlists scheduled through December. As her last reserves of the packed meat her family sells at local markets and to subscribers dwindled, she luckily found a place roughly 90 miles away in Helena that was able to squeeze in some of her livestock. It was one of those situations where its like the animals are ready, Angela said, gesturing to the herd of roughly 35 red Hereford cows grazing at the sixth-generation Old Medicine Ranch. But its finding the butcher thats continually been our biggest challenge. That delay in processing results in the additional feeding of cows that would otherwise be ready for butchering. In an already low-profit industry for small-scale meat producers like Angela, those months of delay can be costly. The price of feed has increased drastically in the past couple years. For the Campbells, hay has gone from roughly $110 a ton to $300 a ton, affected by previous years of drought. And pig feed has gone from $300 a ton to $650 a ton in the past two years. For local producers across Montana, long waitlists at meatpackers have become common, with some ranchers learning to schedule years ahead as the bottleneck prevents them from maintaining and expanding their businesses. One of the largest processing plants in western Montana, Superior Meats in Superior, is already fully booked for the rest of the year. It currently processes 240-250 animals a month. The increase in demand started during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kali Stroot, who operates the retail storefront at Superior Meats. There was a huge boom right at that time, Stroot said. I think its just the combination of people wanting to buy local and support local and wanting to know where their meat is coming from. In the past three years theres been a huge, huge influx. Stroot also attributed recent demand increases to higher costs for ranching. Just the cost of basic fertilizer, hay, the things it takes to take care of animals, thats going up substantially, too, Stroot said. So, I find people to be in the position where they cant really afford to have the cattle anymore. They need those processed as they cant afford to feed them anymore. Angela started selling meat to consumers in 2021. She and her daughter Kaitlyn Campbell both have autoimmune diseases. They found the grass-fed organic meat raised on their ranch helps with their existing health conditions. With a growing herd, they wanted to share their product with consumers who want to know where their meat is coming from and that its healthy, too. Ive seen a huge change in the people we sell to where its more than we want local meat and its now we want meat that we know is going to be healthy, Kaitlyn said. Theyre seeing how food affects your health, whether thats through veggies or meat. Concentration Four companies process roughly 85% of all beef in the nation. Less than 5% of beef grown in Montana is processed here. Instead, it is shipped out of state, typically first to feedlots in places like Iowa, Kansas and Colorado. It is then ultimately processed there, where it might return back to store shelves in Montana. Last year, the Missoula City-County Food Policy Advisory Board helped the county apply for a feasibility study of potential new meat processors. The application wasnt successful, but that hasnt stopped them from looking at potential options for market analysis in the future. It really hits on a lot of the key goals of the board, Board Chairwoman Erika Berglund said. From a sustainability perspective, just having producers go to local meat processors, so that it can be consumed locally, is really valuable. And then of course, theres the economic development component of the community better supporting local producers. Ranching is a very difficult business endeavor for a variety of reasons, and its especially difficult economically. And so, if producers were able to process locally, logistically and financially it could be a boon for them. Berglund said decades ago in the 1980s when meat processors were more plentiful in Missoula, roughly 70% of food consumed in town was locally produced. Over the past few decades, thats changed drastically, yet the demand for more locally produced food is on the upswing. I think right now there is a desire to shift back for so many reasons, Berglund said. Like economically, environmentally, and just building a community that knows where their food comes from and being able to support the rancher down the street. Inadequate availability In the Flathead Valley, rancher Mark Siderius of Siderius Family Farms has experienced wait times for meat processors as a consistent problem. During the pandemic, for his farm, wait times went from 12 months to 18 months, with him now setting dates in place for 2024 and 2025. Siderius estimated that meat processors are probably only meeting 50% of the current demand in the region. Its pretty relatable across western Montana, said Siderius, who is president of the Flathead Local Chapter of the Montana Farmers Union. I know there is a huge shortage of capacity for people to go directly to the market and get processing done right now. So, when a Kalispell meat processing plant owner was planning to shut down and be sold, Siderius helped spearhead an effort to keep it open as a cooperative model called Glacier Processing Co-op, instead of having the property lost to the rapid pace of development in the area. None of us really wanted to be the owners and managers of a meat processing facility, Siderius said. So, a co-op was the obvious way of doing that. With this system, it will be able to operate in perpetuity and continue to grow. Siderius said new processing plants just havent developed in the region to go alongside increases in demand. Additionally, expansion proves costly for many locally owned processing plants. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has dedicated funding to help meet the current demanding environment faced by local meat processors, according to USDA Public Information Officer Mark McCann. Additionally, in 2022, USDA added Montana to the Cooperative Interstate Shipment agreement intended to expand market availability and supply chain issues. The agreement allowed for shipping and retailing of meat from state-inspected plants across state lines. Before that, producers would have to go to specific USDA-inspected plants if they planned to ship out of state. Angela said she avoids shipping out of state, although the demand proves to be there nearly every week. Profit margins are even lower and it is often time-consuming just preparing packages. It requires dry ice to be used in specific packaging, sometimes adding $130 in shipping costs to the bill. She said her neighbors who sell processed Highlander cows found shipping to be a nightmare. The only way they could afford to ship was to put it in a cooler and have it transferred via Greyhound bus instead. Funding has been provided by the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program, which could contribute to a tribal meat processing plant in Ronan, and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program. In the last two years, the USDA has provided grants totaling more than $33 million to Montana meat processors as part of its Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program. $15 million of that went to Montana West Economic Development in Kalispell for expansion of processing operations for four counties in the Flathead Valley. This investment is a perfect example of our role in supporting both the local and regional food economy as well as our regional lending partners, USDA Rural Development Montana Director Kathleen Williams said in June. We are honored to help in this way and many others to build rural and Tribal stability and prosperity. A passion project July wasnt the first time Angela considered closing down in the meat retailing business. Driving over an ice patch in November, Angela and Kaitlyn ended up in a rollover, leading them to sell livestock to pay for expenses from severe injuries. The furthest Angela has driven since then has been to the freeway exit a mile from their ranch this July. It was a long winter, said Lisa Campbell, Angelas mother, who helps make meat-related products on the ranch. Lisa and her husband were the first to arrive at the car accident. Angelas parents helped maintain the ranch as well as neighbors who now helped them with things like borrowing a trailer when they will take some of their cows and pigs to be processed later this August. They restarted the business late in the winter after pausing it. Also in the year before, meat processing prices went up by 50% for them, threatening to put them out of business. Angela attributed the price increase to the demand meat processors continue to see. Nonetheless, it could be Old Medicine Ranchs first year of making a profit in the meat retailing business. Even though Angela said prices are on the higher end compared with other retailers, they still end up only earning enough to manage expenses, with a profit of roughly $500 on a pig and $1,100 on a cow. Its definitely a passion project, Kaitlyn said. You dont get into this to make money. Angela echoed her comments on the ranch full of chickens, geese, goats, pigs and cows. The animals are my sanity, Angela said. They keep me grounded. It really is a passion, when I see how much our quality helps. And so, I really just want to provide that to our customers. A Spokane man was convicted in Missoula court of three felony drug charges stemming from accusations he was trafficking fentanyl, meth and heroin to the Flathead. Alejandro Flores-Reyes, 46, was found guilty last week in Missoula County District Court of three counts of criminal possession with intent to distribute, according to a Missoula County news release. The county lauded the case as one of the largest drug trafficking investigations it has prosecuted. Flores-Reyes is in custody at the Missoula jail awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 8. Each count carries up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison. According to court documents, a Missoula police officer was patrolling a casino parking lot in June 2022 when they scanned a license plate and learned the car was stolen. The officer contacted the car driver inside the casino, who reportedly had gang affiliations. He was arrested and identified himself as Flores-Reyes. A search warrant served on the car returned 2,085 suspected fentanyl pills. Officers also found black tar heroin and methamphetamine. According to the news release, Flores-Reyes brought the drugs over from Spokane and was planning to sell them around the Flathead Indian Reservation. Our office is satisfied with the verdict and is reassured that the sentiment towards eliminating dangerous drugs is shared with members of our own community, Missoula Deputy County Attorney Brandon Zeak said in the release. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency assisted Missoula law enforcement with the investigation. The final tribal water rights settlement in Montana, the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) Water Settlement, cleared the U.S. Senate Thursday, July 27. Its the first time any version of that water settlement has cleared the Senate despite four past introductions just since 2012. The FBIC Water Settlement would determine tribal claims to water in an area that has been stricken with years of severe droughts in the Montana Hi-Line, and provide $1.3 billion to the reservation for infrastructure projects such as irrigation and drinking water. The settlement would pay to improve the efficiency of the more-than-century-old Milk River Project. That irrigation system furnishes water for about 121,000 acres of tribal land including the Blackfeet Reservation along with non-tribal land. Additionally, the settlement would restore 37,582 acres of state and federal land to Fort Belknap tribal management. The Fort Belknap reservation has been working on settling its water rights for more than three decades. The settlement would ratify the FBIC Water Rights Compact that was agreed upon with the state of Montana in 2001. Sen. Jon Tester. D-Montana, has sponsored versions of the settlement in past introductions in 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2021. With the 2023 introduction, the settlement received first-time bipartisan support from co-sponsor Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana. As a third-generation Montana farmer, I can tell you firsthand that water is critical to the success of everyone from farmers and ranchers to families and small businesses, Tester said in a statement. After decades of work with the Fort Belknap Indian Community, ag producers, and a wide array of Montana stakeholders, we are one step closer to giving water users in north central Montana the certainty they need to thrive. Todays strong bipartisan vote on Montanas final Indian Water Rights Settlement is great news for the FBIC, and great news for folks all across the Treasure State. The Fort Belknap Water Rights Settlement is the last Indian water rights settlement in Montana, and I worked hard to get it included in the must-pass defense authorization bill, Daines said in a statement. This critical bill codifies existing water rights, prevents costly litigation, provides clean drinking water and invests in irrigation for farmers and ranchers who provide food for the whole country. Its supported by our governor, the Fort Belknap Community, all locally affected counties and our farmers and ranchers. It is a win-win-win for Montana, and I am grateful it passed. The settlement passed out of the Senate as part of a unanimously approved amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA will now head into the reconciliation process as the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives seek a compromise between each body's passed version of the NDAA. Both Rep. Matt Rosendale and Rep. Ryan Zinke have expressed support for the settlement. Missoula's five mayoral candidates squared off regarding homelessness, city funding and property taxes Monday night, but perhaps the most divisive question of the debate pertained to their favorite Big Dipper flavors. On pressing issues like tax reform, first-responder services and short-term rental regulations, the candidates mostly echoed one another. Only when it came to individual backgrounds and approaches to solving Missoulas issues did Brandi Atanasoff, Andrea Davis, Jordan Hess, Shawn Knopp and Mike Nugent diverge. Atanasoff cited her background in financial aid and public relations. Davis pointed to her Montana upbringing being raised by working class parents and her 22-year career with the housing nonprofit Homeword. Mayor Hess also drew on his working-class roots, highlighting his childhood with parents who ran fast food restaurants in North Dakota, along with his 10 years in local government. Knopp discussed growing up in Polson and working in the construction industry. And Nugent keyed in on his Missoula roots and experience working in real estate and nonprofit work. Housing Homelessness and affordable housing stood out as some of the most salient topics of Monday's debate hosted by the Missoula Democrats. As for homelessness, everyone agreed Missoula needs short-term solutions now and a long-term plan for the future. Nugent was the most strident in his criticism of the current administrations approach to homelessness, saying: Whats going on right now, we shouldve been planning for last November. Nugent didnt mention his various proposals, but he has brought ideas for addressing homelessness to City Council including designated camping spots and a tiny house/RV community. Hess, meanwhile, maintained his team has been forward-thinking about homelessness, despite recent upticks in the citys unhoused population. Weve been planning for this for years, Hess said, and weve been working on this for years and were getting better and better and better. He pointed to his state-of-emergency declaration in May, efforts to reopen the Johnson Street shelter on a year-round basis and long-term sheltering conversations going on with the provider community. Davis, for her part, wanted the city to set up a designated camp spot with access to water and other resources, which she said would provide dignity to campers and predictability for other Missoulians. Hess and his staff have maintained such a campsite would not be a viable option for the city because of last years failure to operate the Authorized Camping Site. Knopp and Atanasoff emphasized personal approaches to homelessness. We give and we give food, we give clothing and stuff, said Knopp. They dont respect it because they dont have to earn it. They dont have any self-respect left with a lot of these people. They get everything taken care of, Atanasoff agreed, and they prefer to panhandle for the soda and the relief things that they need. Both Atanasoff and Knopp wanted more accountability from the homeless community. As for affordable housing solutions, Hess pushed a multi-tiered strategy that incorporates land banking and code reform. Davis and Nugent each trumpeted their housing backgrounds, Davis as a nonprofit leader and Nugent as a real estate executive and government official. Davis said as mayor, she would advocate for changes at the state and federal levels. Nugent said he would like to see land use decisions become less clunky at the city level for steps like securing building permits. Knopp pointed to a deed-restricted condo project hes working on. At the end of the day, we dont want to see people we love end up unhoused in this town, Atanasoff added. Climate change Hess named climate solutions as the single area the city should fund more heavily, and he announced a clean-energy pilot project through the U.S. Department of Labor and the National League of Cities as one of the options the city is pursuing. The project focuses on workforce development for clean-energy jobs targeting single mothers with the help of Mountain Home. Davis suggested using green techniques in homes to reduce the cost of living, and Nugent turned his attention to Missoulas potential for composting. Knopp, however, who drives an electric vehicle, pointed out that Missoula doesnt yet have the infrastructure for a green overhaul. Atanasoff said she would serve as a hub as mayor, bringing together other experts in their fields to address issues like climate change. The mayor, she said, is not responsible for everything. Marginalized communities Regarding people of color and LGBTQ+ members of the Missoula community, most of the candidates wanted substantive changes to make the city more inclusive. Im ashamed we still have to talk about this issue, said Knopp. Hess advocated for better government-government relations with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and condemned anti-trans discrimination in the Montana Legislature this year. What the Legislature did this year around silencing the voices of trans individuals was absolutely shameful, said Hess. It has no place in our politics. It came from a place of hate and it came from a place of distraction from not being willing or able to deal with the actual issues that are important to Montanans. Davis said shed like to see more employment and more marginalized community members represented in elected offices. We absolutely have this problem, said Nugent. It is real. I think the first big step for us is making sure were not just checking the box. Were actually doing things that matter. Atanasoff voiced the lone dissenting opinion when she urged voters to move away from identity politics. There are people that are getting their feelings hurt, she said, and it is making it worse. Private sector One of the defining debates of the night surrounded private sector involvement in government. Atanasoff said she supports business in politics in a consultant capacity, while Knopp decried all business involvement. Davis advocated for public-private partnerships, as did Hess, who cited many benefits the private sector brings to the Missoula community. But Hess also took the opportunity to speak out against perceived dark money in the Missoula mayors race, a reference to a third-party Realtor group spending $125,000 to support Nugents campaign. I understand its not coordinating with a candidate, he said, but it is a problem in our politics and we need to move away from it. We will regret the day when we return to essentially a Copper King-type era in Montana. Nugent, however, emphasized his campaigns local roots: We are very proud to be running a local election. We have more individual donors from Missoula than any other candidate. Weve raised more money from Missoula than any other candidate. I think its important to recognize everybody gets a voice in local elections. And when it came to ice cream, Davis favored cardamom, Atanasoff preferred white mint chip, Hess went with white mint Oreo, Nugent said vanilla Reese's and Knopp's favorite was Jamocha almond fudge. Voters might see a mill levy on their November ballots geared toward bolstering Missoula firefighters capacity for getting to emergency scenes more quickly. On Tuesday, city officials announced theyll be pitching a resolution to city council that would put a $7 million levy on Novembers ballot. The levy is multifaceted. If passed, it would pay for needed staffing increases at the Missoula Fire Department and also provide a permanent funding source for the Mobile Support Team. The job is not getting any easier, the call volume is not getting any lighter and the work is not getting any less complex, Missoula Mayor Jordan Hess said. So we need to desperately expand the Missoula Fire Department as our community grows, just as we expand other services. Missoula Chief Administrative Officer Dale Bickell said the levy would cost Missoula taxpayers $54 per $100,000 of their home value. A house thats the median assessed value in Missoula, listed as $413,200 for 2023, would pay about $223.13 per year. Static staffing numbers create ripple effects throughout the city, hindering call response times when fire staff are already on a scene, and limiting the resources that can be deployed to subsequent emergencies. We have seen an expansion in the calls for service and the population of Missoula, but we have not seen a subsequent addition to full-time firefighters, Ward 5 Councilor Stacie Anderson said. So this levy would help produce that. Missoula Fire Chief Gordy Hughes said his departments response times have been lagging about two minutes behind the national standard of four minutes. The departments arsenal of firefighters has remained at 80 personnel since 2008, though call volumes have increased roughly 78%. Its for these reasons that we are seeking city council support in a passage of a resolution to approach the voters this fall for a mill levy to increase fire department staffing and provide for our mobile support team, Hughes said. If it passes, the levy will raise $7 million per year, $1.2 million of which would be funneled to the Mobile Support Team for sustained funding. The rest of the money would be split between hiring 20 new firefighter positions, wage increases and training, operations and new equipment. The MST is a specialized group that sends out a licensed therapist and medical technician to crisis situations for residents dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. Since its inception in 2021, the teams money has come from one-time sources, including grants and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. The MSTs call number has skyrocketed from 1,303 calls in 2021 to 2,130 in 2022, but its funding is drying up. Its been successful for the city, Missoula Police Captain Matt Stonesifer said, and has alleviated call volumes for officers. Money for Missoulas emergency services comes from the general fund right now. If the levy fails, the general fund, which is limited by state law, is what city officials will rely on to keep the fire department going. Requests for the fire departments 2024 fiscal year budget also centered on getting staffing numbers up and a new station built for the citys fire services. Last November, Missoula voters shot down the crisis services levy which would have in part funded the MST. The levy passed in city limits, but failed among county residents, according to Hess. Were at this inflection point where were going to need to decide if we, as a community, want to continue these important services, Hess said. A lot of the work that were doing thats funded through the pandemic relief funds is going to require voter-approved funding. This is the permanent source. The levy request will be sent to the City Council Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. The full city council will vote on Aug. 7 whether to put it on Novembers ballot. Missoulians awoke Monday to a scene reminiscent of last September, when for a couple weeks smoke from around the West choked the air and turned the sun red. Except this time it was only late July, with two months of fire season left. And this time, the smoke came primarily from a swath of fires burning locally in western Montana and Idaho, one of which burned in Libby's notorious Asbestos Forest. Another closed the main fork of the Salmon River. Many of those fires were sparked by lightning as storms passed over northwest Montana Sunday. And at least five more fires were discovered in western Montana on Tuesday. Some quickly exploded to hundreds or, in some cases, thousands of acres within a few hours. Meanwhile, Sunday's 20-acre fire in a Lolo residential area smoked out Lolo as it burned through mobile homes, campers, sheds and vehicles. According to fire investigators, it was human-caused, but an accident. Other fires that started before Sunday saw significant growth, powered by the same winds and dry conditions that provided conditions ripe for the new starts. Those included Seeley's Colt fire, Arlee's Big Knife fire, Hamilton's Bowles Creek fire, and the Hayden and Elkhorn fires south and west of Salmon, Idaho, respectively. One fire that didn't see much growth but prompted a particularly aggressive response was the Tub Gulch fire just northeast of Libby. The fire, which ignited Sunday, was only about 2 acres as of Wednesday but it was burning in the so-called Asbestos Forest around the former Libby vermiculite mine, known as Operable Unit 3 of the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site. The forest is laden with deadly asbestos in the soil, in the duff, even in the trees left there by the same mining operations that killed hundreds and sickened thousands in Libby. As of Tuesday night, according to the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency, the fire had been fully contained by the 20-or-so firefighters trained to work in OU3, who wear special respirators and must undergo a multi-hour decontamination process after each day's work. Firefighters were continuing to address hot spots within the perimeter. The Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program set up air monitoring stations in Libby and the surrounding area, but results of asbestos concentrations will take a few days to process, the agency stated. A 2012 study suggested that an average of 90% of the asbestos in the toxic forest would remain behind in ash if the forest were to burn, meaning that only about 10% would be carried elsewhere in smoke. But no amount of asbestos exposure is safe for humans. And some of the few specialized firefighters trained and equipped to fight fire in the Asbestos Forest worry that the laboratory tests used in the study underestimate the amount of asbestos that could be spread by an intensely burning wildfire the type becoming more common as drought and hot temperatures intensify across the region over time. "The amount of organic material, period, thats liberated from a large fire is extraordinary," Don Whittemore, incident commander on a previous 71-acre fire just outside OU3, told Columbia Insight in 2021. "Now, throw into that a cancer-causing material. To me, thats really, really scary." Meanwhile, south of Libby along Highway 2 just west of Loon Lake, the Gravel Pit fire Tuesday scorched 50 acres near where Silver Butte Road meets the highway. Farther east on Highway 2, over on the Rocky Mountain Front south of Glacier National Park, the Sidney fire burned an estimated 30 acres of timber along the South Fork Two Medicine River. The fire, discovered Tuesday, was burning about 7 miles southeast of Summit and Highway 2. Triple L fire Other fires in less infamous places than the Asbestos Forest caused more immediate damage. Missoula Rural Fire Chief Chris Newman said that Sunday's Triple L fire near the 12000 block of Triple L Lane in Lolo burned one mobile home and damaged another. Four shops and garages were lost, along with 12 outbuildings and sheds and 11 vehicles (including RVs) that were totaled or damaged by the fire. The Missoula City Fire Department, Florence Rural Fire District, East Missoula Rural Fire District, U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation deployed resources to help battle the Triple L fire. A Neptune BAe-146 large air tanker made several retardant drops along the northeast side of the fire while helicopters ferried buckets of water to the open flames between Triple L Lane and Austin Drive, between Mormon Creek Drive and Highway 12. The fire was contained a few hours later. It burned about 20 acres. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation and a firefighter injured his knee on scene, according to a news release. An evacuation order was issued and subsequently lifted by the Missoula County Sheriffs Office for residents in close proximity to the burn. Heavy wind on Sunday evening affected the fires movement and severity, Newman said. He said the cause of the fire was unknown as of Monday afternoon, but rural fire officials and Forest Service agents were investigating the cause. Flathead fires Also Sunday, three new fires on the Flathead Reservation started and went big, powered by strong winds. The Communication Butte fire north of Dixon burned 1,423 acres of timber and grass and was 30% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire. It jumped the Flathead River late Monday night into Tuesday. The National Bison Range was temporarily closed because of the fire but reopened Monday. Farther north, the Middle Ridge fire between Hot Springs on the west and Ronan on the east exploded to about 13,000 acres and was 20% contained on Wednesday morning after starting Sunday. The fire was most active on its north side, and the south end had been secured around Little Bitterroot Road, according to the Division of Fire. To the northwest of Middle Ridge, the Niarada fire had burned more than 8,400 acres about 11 miles west of Elmo by Wednesday morning and was 0% contained, according to the Division of Fire. That fire, which also started Sunday, closed Highway 28 as it ran primarily northeast, toward last year's Elmo fire burn scar. The highway was open with speed restrictions and possible intermittent stops on Wednesday. Immediately west of that fire and the highway, the Mill Pocket fire had burned about 2,000 acres and was 80% contained. The Big Knife fire southeast of Arlee exploded Sunday from around 700 acres to what officials estimated that night to be about 3,000 acres. The extreme burning sent a massive plume of smoke skyward that loomed over Missoula, 22 miles to the south. A Division of Fire update Tuesday reduced the fire's size to about 2,000 acres. More than 100 personnel were working the fire. A containment line on the blaze's western side, nearest private property, was "holding well." A national-level Complex Incident Management Team was set to take command of the fire Wednesday, the Division of Fire stated. Swan and Mission fires Mountains east of the Flathead were also hard-hit by weekend fire starts, and another on Tuesday. The Ridge fire just southeast of Martin City had burned 50 acres just north of the South Fork of the Flathead River by Tuesday morning. The Kah Mountain and Sullivan fires, located near Branch Creek and Sullivan Creek on the east slope of the Swan Range between the southern ends of Swan Lake and Hungry Horse Reservoir, burned 521 and 160 acres respectively by Wednesday morning. The Bruce fire, burning just southeast of those two fires and in the upper Stony Creek drainage, torched 791 acres by Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, those three fires and the 0.25-acre Con Kelly fire nearby had been combined into the Tin Soldier Incident, at a total 1,472 acres. The three larger fires were 0% contained. The Woodward Incident, burning on the east side of the Missions just east of Finley Point, burned just over 7 acres just west of the intersection of Fatty Creek Road and Highway 83. On Tuesday, the Holmes Creek fire was discovered burning high in the Missions directly east of Polson. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was an estimated 36 acres with no containment. Colt fire The Colt fire northwest of Seeley Lake had burned 6,860 acres and was 19% contained by Tuesday morning, with 630 personnel working the fire. The fire has exhibited "prolific spotting," according to fire managers from Northern Rockies Team 1, a CIMT, but relatively mild winds prevented more extreme burning. Firefighters are working to hold the fire west of Forest Road 646 stopping it short of Rainy Lake and Lake Alva north of the West Fork Clearwater River and south of Forest Road 906, so it doesn't reach Lindbergh Lake. The fire's eastern edge, roughly paralleling Highway 83 from Summit Lake on the north to the north end of Lake Alva on the south, is contained, fire managers stated Wednesday. Bowles Creek fire The Bowles Creek fire east of Hamilton and south of Skalkaho Pass, just east of Skalkaho Rye Road, was 3,213 acres Wednesday and 3% contained, burning around old burn scars and in a wilderness study area. Crews totaling 228 personnel Tuesday were continuing to build containment lines around the blaze. Cardwell A new fire atop Doherty Mountain immediately north of Interstate 90 as it traverses the Cardwell Hill between Whitehall and Three Forks prompted a massive aerial firefighting response Tuesday afternoon. A DC-10 very-large air tanker (VLAT), one of only four in the nation, and five large air tankers (LATs) responded along with multiple helicopters as the fire quickly grew to more than 100 acres, burning in timber on the northeast end of the mountain. By Wednesday morning, ground crews and helicopters were working to contain the Doherty fire, which was much less active at that time. Rogers Pass Also Tuesday afternoon, a new fire atop Rogers Pass quickly grew to an estimated 60 acres just north of Highway 200 and the Continental Divide Trail, the latter of which has been closed from Flesher Pass to Rogers Pass. Idaho fires The Elkhorn fire west of Salmon, and about 40 miles east of Riggins, Idaho, had burned 23,940 acres on both sides of the main Salmon River by Wednesday morning, between where the Middle Fork and South Fork flow into the river. Officials closed the main Salmon River from Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek through at least Wednesday. The fire's cause was under investigation, and a CIMT had been requested to oversee firefighting efforts. South of Salmon and east of Challis, Idaho, the Hayden fire was 21,977 acres Wednesday morning with firefighting objectives at 47% completion and 701 personnel working the fire under Great Basin Team 7, a CIMT. Completion percentage is different from containment. Completion percentage reflects the amount of overall firefighting objectives that have been completed, which could include containment lines, back-burning operations, direct suppression and other activities. Air quality Despite the haze, Missoula's air quality was moderate Wednesday morning the second-lowest of six levels, but worse than the past week of good air quality. Seeley's air was also moderate, with some area stations indicating unhealthy for sensitive groups one step worse than moderate due primarily to the Colt and Big Knife fires. Kalispell's air was unhealthy for sensitive groups due primarily to Flathead region fires. Libby and Hamilton had moderate air quality Wednesday. Public confidence in science is split by an extreme partisan divide. Results from the General Social Survey conducted in 2022 by the National Opinion Research Center indicate that 53% of Democrats had a great deal of confidence in science, compared to just 22% of Republicans. This partisan divide has increased dramatically since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, 45% of Republicans had a great deal of confidence in science. This polarization of our political system threatens the continued well-being of our country and the world. We face many challenges (climate change, COVID-19, the next epidemic of an infectious disease) that require scientific understanding to resolve. According to the National Center for Scientific Education, science is an objective way of understanding the natural world that is based on observations. Rejecting science is rejecting the primary method to learn the truth about the world in which we live. The split between political parties is driven by their leadership. For example, Donald Trump has said many times that scientists say that sea level will rise 1/8 of an inch in the next 250 years. This statement is not true and is wildly inaccurate. Global mean sea level already has risen over 10 inches since 1880, and it is predicted to rise 10-12 inches by 2050, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The ongoing sea level rise is having devastating effects on coastal communities. For the first time in its 175 years, the magazine Scientific American endorsed a presidential candidate. In October 2016 its editors wrote The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the US and its people because he rejects evidence and science. We cannot address the harmful effects of climate change if we ignore reality. Our recent legislature passed a bill (HB971) that prohibits the state from considering climate change in its review of large projects, such as coal mines and power plants. These facilities produce carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Similarly, North Carolina passed a law in 2012 that banned the state from basing coastal policies on scientific predictions of how much sea level will rise. We can see the effects of climate change all around us this summer. The eastern United States has been blanketed by smoke from unprecedented wildfires in Canada. This 4th of July was the Earths hottest day on record, according to the University of Maines Climate Change Institute. Montana politicians have expressed alarm that Flathead Lake has reached historic low levels and have requested that additional water be released from Hungry Horse Reservoir. The current low level has no simple cause, but increasingly warm temperatures and earlier spring runoff are major contributing factors. The one-time release of additional water upstream would be only a stop-gap measure because it is predicted that these lower levels will become the new normal due to climate change. Restoring public confidence in science is an overwhelming challenge. Nevertheless, it is necessary if we as a society are going to survive. We do not have to agree on solutions, but we do have to agree to accept the truth about the world in which we live. The online money order business is a volatile industry. There are a few websites offering online money orders, but most of them are in other countries beside the U.S., and both you and the recipient must be in the country in order to use these services. Other companies advertise online money orders, but actually offer money transfers, which are not the same thing, though they can accomplish the same purpose. During a money transfer, the sender sends money online using his bank account or credit or debit card to a recipient's bank account, mobile wallet or to a nearby agent. For instance, if you're transferring the money via Western Union, the recipient could pick it up at a Western Union agent (located at many grocery stores, convenience stores, etc.), or get it sent to their mobile wallet or bank account. This transaction can be done online. The fees for the money transfer depend on the amount of the transfer, as well as which country it's going to. Advertisement But if you wanted to purchase a money order, Western Union would require you to go in person to an agent and buy it. You could then give or mail the money order to the recipient. The cost of a money order via Western Union is around $1.50 for up to $1,000. In general, buying a money order is cheaper than doing a money transfer online. Be aware that using a credit card to buy a money order or do a money transfer can result in high fees, because it's treated as a cash advance. Some places don't even accept credit card payments for money orders. Money Gram works in a similar way to Western Union: Transaction fees for online purchases vary depending on where the money is going, the amount sent and whether the person is picking it up or it's being sent to their mobile wallet. Walmart will also cash a Money Gram money order. Many banks will sell a money order which you need to purchase in person. The cost is around $5. You could also use an app like Xoom to send money, but you would need to use a bank account, credit or debit card in order to do this. A global company with a plant in Morganton celebrated more than 20 years of its local operation this month. Seiren North America, which has a plant on East Union Street in Morganton across from Kirksey Drive, celebrated the milestone two decades in the making with a lunch and ceremonial tree planting. Seiren leaders, staff and retirees were invited to the event along with local leaders. The Morganton plant produces upholstery materials for vehicle interiors, including for manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Ford and Tesla, said Jeff Kale, executive vice president of Seiren North America. I have enjoyed seeing our company grow and persevere since its inception, said Hajime Yamauchi, president of Seiren North America. As our company motto states, we must dream to change the world. He said the companys future includes plans to expand its production capabilities, technology and product offerings. Since it first moved into the old Coca-Cola plant on the hill, Seiren has undergone about seven expansions and doubled the buildings footprint, said Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy. In early 2001, I was with a group of people, several of us, who visited this empty Coca-Cola plant in hopes that it would turn into something that would be part of our community, and boy did it do that, Sandy said. That visit was the beginning of a relationship and a partnership, something for which the city is very grateful. She said the company has always stepped up to support the community. Ive been doing this now for 30 years, I started as a mere child, Sandy said. When youre negotiating for an economic development deal theres a lot of talk, and theres a lot of promises, and theres a lot of indication about what s going to happen in the future and what you can expect. Its part of the process, its part of the deal-making. (Seiren) made a lot of promises and committed to a lot of things, and they have honored every single one of those commitments and every single one of those promises. And in my 30 years experience, this is the only local company that was recruited here that has done that. She said Seiren has proven its commitment to the community, its employees and the world. You have proven your commitment in your expansions, your capital investments, your investments in your employees, your friends and family, Sandy said. You have proven it when you partnered with the city and did the very first large solar array on the ceiling here, over 2,400 panels, and you doubled-down on that later. She said the respect and the relationship Seiren has allowed local leaders to nurture is priceless. The company employs around 200 people at the Morganton plant and has openings available. Visit www.seiren-na.com for more information. MCDOWELL COUNTY As of Tuesday, the Dobson Knob No. 2 fire in northern McDowell County is now estimated at 10 acres. Hot, dry afternoon weather has increased fire behavior, allowing the fire to slowly grow along the rocky slopes below Dobson Knob. The fire remains 25% contained, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. The Dobson Knob No. 2 fire was reported the afternoon of Friday, July 28. The fire began from a lightning strike and is burning in McDowell County on the north side of Dobson Knob near the North Cove community, north of Marion, and west of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. On Monday, firefighters continued establishing contingency fire lines to the east and south of the fire area. On Tuesday, firefighters continued to improve these lines, refreshing areas established in the Bald Knob fire from 2015 as well as along neighboring prescribed fire units. Three prescribed fire units border the fire area, which have helped firefighters with access and containment. In order to protect public and firefighter safety, trail closures remain in place for the Mountains to Sea Trail from the north fork of the Catawba River to Dobson Knob Road (FSRD #106) on the west side of Linville Gorge. Residents in the North Cove, Woodlawn and Linville Falls communities may experience smoke. The smoke is expected to be heaviest overnight and in the morning areas as it settles in low-lying areas. Travelers along U.S. 221 North should use caution, according to the news release. The fire is burning primarily on USFS lands with a small portion on private. Twenty firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management and the North Cove Volunteer Fire Department are responding, according to the news release. Butte-Silver Bow might go old school at the Uptown parking garage by installing entry and exit gates and staffing a ticket booth for payments and presence during the day. A kiosk payment system installed soon after the parking garage opened in 2018 isnt working well now, and county officials say the potential changes could also reduce illicit activity thats dogged the building for a long time. Theyve penciled in money for the moves in the upcoming county budget, though options are still being explored and the annual spending plan has not been finalized or approved by commissioners. But a gateless, ticketless garage seems likely to be on the way out. People are not paying at the kiosk on the walk-up system, J.P. Gallagher, Butte-Silver Bows chief executive, told The Montana Standard on Monday. There have also been safety and security issues at the garage, in part because of its open access. Those issues and health concerns became more pressing after making headlines last September. That happened when James Dolan, an attorney who works at an Uptown law office, told commissioners that the parking garage on West Park Street had become a hazardous health concern and blight on the city. There were often human feces and urine in the building, as well as discarded needles, trash and people who were sleeping or passed out, Dolan said. He listed 12 problems, including a pervasive smell of urine and vomit around the bus stop area, entry doors and stairwells, and an elevator that appears to have been converted into a public toilet because urine and human feces are often on the floor. County officials responded with more patrols by police and parking officers, increased power washes and cleanings, and other moves. But they had other things in mind then too, including an attendant station and a new system for parking and paying. The changes, including a staffed presence, will hopefully keep illicit activity down, Gallagher said. We have some kids that are using the top floor to meet up and party and we need to monitor that activity, he said. We are also seeing people camp in there overnight. These are some of the things that we are trying to improve at the garage. He has earmarked expenses for the changes in the preliminary budget. The plan includes $65,000 for gates and $33,000 for a parking booth. Some of that funding might come from the Urban Revitalization Agency. Its board oversees the Uptown tax-increment financing district and used tax dollars to fund construction of the $7.4 million parking garage. The county installed electronic kiosks, touted as easy-to-use stations, soon after the garage opened. People who park hourly are supposed to go to one after they park, punch in their license plate number then pay with cash or card. A lot of people arent doing that, as Gallagher noted, so a station with an attendant is planned. It would be staffed by people already employed in the parking division. They would rotate in and out of the booth during the day, so it would not be an increase to the budget, Gallagher said. Commissioners are likely to approve a new county budget later in August. If things go as planned, a new Highway 55 Burgers, Shakes and Fries will open in Butte by late September, becoming the chains second location in Montana and only the fifth west of the Mississippi River. The board overseeing a young but growing tax increment district along Harrison Avenue in Butte approved a $98,253 grant Tuesday to help developers finance a second and final construction phase. The grant will cover 20% of $491,266 in final costs. The overall cost of the project exceeds $2 million, county officials say, and the board previously approved a $150,000 grant. Much of the building, including its Highway 55 sign, has been completed. The new restaurant is located at 3228 Harrison, north of Staples and south of Silver Bow Pizza, on the east side of the road. It is accessible only going northbound on Harrison. Highway 55 features a retro look and touts fresh, never frozen and hand-pattied burgers at 135 locations in eight states, most in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. There is one in Helena, two in Louisiana and two in Texas, according to the company. Its menu includes the John Boy and Billy BBQ Bacon Burger and Carolina Burger both with chili on the patty and the latter with slaw, too as well as cheesesteaks, platters and floats and shakes. David Carpenter, a developer for Highway 55, said the company was pleased to get the grants, especially given construction costs in Butte. The cost of building in Butte blows my mind, he told board members for the Harrison Avenue Urban Revitalization District. Its very expensive. Its a 100% union project. Ive built restaurants for 50 years now. Ive built a lot of restaurants through the years, union, in New York, Chicago, a lot of different places, and this one is very, very expensive, he said. Numbers for the project didnt work after seeking initial bids, Carpenter said, but he was able to get the grant funding, found a very good contractor in Jay Fortune Construction and was able to proceed. Highway 55 was recently considering a location in Great Falls, too, but Carpenter said it did not work out. So were excited about this one getting close to completion in Butte, he said. Highway 55 is excited about that and looking forward to it. Remaining construction should be completed soon and the restaurant should go operational on Sept. 7, meaning hiring and training employees can take place. It could open toward the end of September, Carpenter said. Construction started last fall, and he said there have been no real hiccups, except I was told it was the worst winter you guys have seen in years. I chose not to come over, especially the day it was 38 below, he said, drawing laughs from board members. I didnt come during the course of the winter. When I came, it was nice. But I plan on coming back to do a turnover and make sure this project is put to bed properly as far as construction goes. Like other tax increment districts, the one for Harrison Avenue captures property taxes stemming from new developments in the area so the money can be reinvested in projects and infrastructure in that district. It was established in 2019. Karen Byrnes, who oversees the TIF for Butte-Silver Bow, said it generated about $60,000 in revenue the first year but it is now up to about $500,000 annually. The grant approved Tuesday comes from that revenue. We have seen quite a bit of interest in in development along that corridor, she said. The causes of the decline in wild trout numbers in the states fabled sheries of the southwest are known. We just need the political will to deal with the issues. In The Tragedy of the Commons (1968), famed ecologist Garrett Hardin explained a concept that is widely discussed in ecology and other sciences. In short, if numerous independent individuals enjoy unfettered access to a nite, valuable resource they will tend to overuse it and may end up destroying its value altogether. This is a perfect description of the sheries in our state. They are nite, valuable resources that are being overused particularly by outtters and guides that are proting from these public resources. A quick look at the numbers reveals an incredible increase in angler use of these rivers over the last 15 years. The Tragedy of the Commons precisely describes what is happening to our sh populations. The magazine Angling Trade a publication specically dedicated to covering the business of y shing, states in a recent editorial, The truth is that angler days have doubled since 2008 going from 60,000 to 120,000. Meanwhile, trout numbers have plummeted. The Big Hole used to sport 3,500 sh per mile; now it is less than 1,000. Thats really hard to consider a coincidence. It goes on to say anglers are kicking the s**t out of the sh. And if we dont get smart about how to manage pressure for sustainability, the situation will self regulate when nobody want to come sh parts of Montana because the shing is a mere shell of what it once was. Garrett Hardin could not have said it better. Catch and release shing is often cited as a tool to limit sh mortality. Even with catch and release shing using barbless hooks, at least 10% of the sh caught die and the number would have increased with the increased angler days over this time period. A contributing factor is the stress placed on sh populations by low ows and higher water temperatures brought about by climate changes. These factors make it more difficult for sh to recover from the stress of being caught and released and thus harder for them to ght disease and infections. During my 20 years at FWP, I often heard from anglers to keep politics out of biology. In this case, the answers lie with the politicians. They are the ones who can limit angling pressure and take steps to address climate changes. By Alex Pologruto | Aug 1, 2023 Pictured during the delivery of the final donation to get the fund to the endowment level are (left to right): Ms. Manna's grandson, Robert Manna of Lexington, Kentucky; Murray State University director of development for the College of Education and Human Services and University Libraries, Brandon Anderson; and Ms. Manna's son, Justin P. Manna of Lexington, Kentucky. MURRAY, Ky. Murray State University has announced the Augusta Perdune Manna, R.N. Memorial Scholarship Endowment. The scholarship fund was established by gifts from family and friends of Manna with intent to memorialize her loving and caring spirit, and to assist single-parent students at Murray State in obtaining an education to prepare them for a career of their choosing in order to support their family. Manna began her collegiate career at Murray State in the fall of 1984, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). At the time, she was a 35-year-old single mother of two. While raising her two boys and providing for them, she worked diligently through the BSN program. She completed her degree with honors in May of 1990 to the amazement of her sons who watched her achieve her dreams of becoming a nurse. During her nursing career, she specialized in psychiatric nursing and assisting patients who were battling substance abuse. At the time of her passing in 2011, her son Justin Manna sought to commemorate her legacy as a single mother, diligent student and compassionate nurse. The generosity of Manna's family made this possible, through their donations to the Augusta Perdune Manna, R.N. Memorial Scholarship Endowment fund in her memory. It is a privilege to support Murray State University's outstanding School of Nursing and Health Professions through this scholarship honoring my mom, said Justin Manna. I hope this scholarship helps single parents achieve their professional goals and improves the lives of their families for many years to come. We are grateful to the Manna family for their generosity and are honored to play a small part in honoring Ms. Manna's legacy, said Brandon Anderson, Murray State University director of development for the College of Education and Human Services and University Libraries. The next application period for the Augusta Perdune Manna, R.N. Memorial Scholarship Endowment will open in September 2024, with funds available for the first scholarship recipient in the fall of 2025. For more information on how to apply for the scholarship or other scholarships at Murray State, contact the Scholarship Office at 270-809-3225 or 800-272-4678 or contact the office by email at msu.scholarships@murraystate. edu . Contributions to the Augusta Perdune Manna, R.N. Memorial Scholarship Endowment fund can be made by contacting the Murray State University Office of Development at 270-809-3001 or by making a secure gift online at murraystate.edu/give. WASHINGTON Donald Trump's political operation entered the second half of the year in a strained financial position with its bank account drained by tens of millions of dollars that were directed toward defending the former president from mounting legal challenges as he seeks the White House again. Trump took in over $53 million since the start of 2023, records show, a period in which his two criminal indictments in Florida and New York made his fundraising soar. Yet the Republican presidential front-runner burned through at least $42.8 million this year, much of it used to cover costs related to legal costs Trump, his aides and other allies face, leaving him with $31.8 million cash on hand. That was after receiving a lifeline from a pro-Trump super PAC that agreed to refund millions of dollars in contributions that Trump's operation previously donated to it. New campaign finance disclosures made public ahead of Monday night's filing deadline showed Trump's network of political committees spent roughly $25 million on legal fees. But according to a person familiar with the situation who insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter, the number is considerably higher: $40 million this year alone. An analysis of campaign finance reports shows Trump's political committees paid out at least $59.2 million to more than 100 lawyers and law firms since January 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. It's a familiar position for Trump, carrying an echo of the 2020 presidential contest when his massive cash advantage over Joe Biden evaporated amid his campaign's profligate spending. Though Trump dominates the Republican primary field, a lack of cash could force his campaign to make difficult decisions as he braces for the possibility of two additional indictments, which could come as soon as this week and are related to his efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election. "I've never seen anything like it," said Paul S. Ryan, a longtime campaign finance attorney in Washington, referring to the sum Trump's operation spent on legal fees this year. "There's no legal issue. It's really just a question for his donors: Do they want to be funding lawyers?" Trump is not alone in his money struggles. His top rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis raised over $20 million after launching his much-hyped candidacy in May. But DeSantis, who trails Trump in a distant second place, hemorrhaged cash in his first six weeks as a candidate, burning through $8 million in a spending spree that included more than 100 paid staffers, a large security detail and luxury travel. Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting him that can raise and spend unlimited amounts, reported raising $130 million in a filings submitted before Monday's midnight deadline. It also spent roughly one-quarter of that money, much of it going to cover operations, such as voter turnout, typically paid for by a candidate's campaign, filings show. The group was financed with $80 million left over from DeSantis' successful 2022 gubernatorial reelection campaign. Most of the other cash was raised from several dozen corporations and donors, who gave over $100,000, including Robert Bigelow, a Las Vegas-based businessman, who gave Never Back Down $20 million, records show. DeSantis pledged to trim expenses, laying off more than a third of his staff. Trump does not have the same luxury. Trump's allies are launching a new fundraising effort. The Patriot Legal Defense Fund is intended to defray costs for those "defending against legal actions arising from an individual or group's participation in the political process," according to a filing last month with the IRS. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is leading the federal investigations of Trump. His team expressed interest in the payment of legal fees for Trump-aligned witnesses in the investigations and sought information about it, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Trump's PAC requested that his super PAC, MAGA Inc., return some money it transferred to seed the group. Filings show Trump's PAC, Save America, received $12.2 million in refunds from the group in May and June. A spokesman for the super PAC did not respond to a request for comment. Campaigns routinely pay attorneys to manage their electoral and campaign finance matters but legal experts say Trump's staggering legal spending is unprecedented. Most top recipients represented Trump and his allies in investigations. Attorney Alina Habba, a Trump legal spokeswoman who worked on the civil sexual assault brought by writer E Jean Carroll, collected $3.5 million for her firm since 2022, records show. The firm of Evan Corcoran, a lawyer in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, collected $3.4 million. Entities established by Stefan Passantino, a former Trump White House ethics lawyer who advised Trump world figures in the House's investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, received $3.1 million. Trump launched Save America after the 2020 election, which he lost to Biden. The group bombarded supporters with a stream of text messages and emails that purported to raise money for an "election defense fund" that would be used to contest the election's outcome. The $170 million the effort raised in less than a month was not used to contest the election, records show. Instead, it was used to pay down campaign debt and replenish the coffers of the Republican National Committee, with Trump stockpiling another large chunk for his future political endeavors. Last year, the Justice Department issued a round of grand jury subpoenas that sought information about the PAC's fundraising practices. Photos: Donald Trump's arraignment A psychologist is testifying in a Michigan court where a judge must decide whether the Oxford school shooter gets life in prison. Colin King says Ethan Crumbley was like a feral child, raised by parents who neglected him and didn't give him the care he needed. The 17-year-old killed four students and wounded others in 2021. His attorneys are asking for a prison sentence that would give him a chance for release. The psychologist says the teen can be rehabilitated. But prosecutors say he should spend the rest of his life behind bars. An immediate decision isn't expected. The Azimio coalition has named its five members who will represent the Opposition in the upcoming discussions with the Kenya Kwanza government. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will lead the delegation that includes Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, Eugene Wamalwa, Okongo Omogeni, and Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi. The delegation team was agreed upon during a meeting at Raila Odingas Karen residence on Sunday, July 30, attended by the Azimio council chairman and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Our position remains that no party to these negotiations can claim a right to determine for the other what to raise and what not to raise. Azimio will respect Kenya Kwanzas right to bring all its issues to the table. We expect Kenya Kwanza to do the same with our issues, Azimio said in a statement on Monday. The issues, which the team has instructions to put on the table are: High Cost of Living, Audit of 2022 elections, Bipartisan Reconstitution of IEBC, Inclusivity in national affairs and Respect for Political Parties in line with the constitution. The opposition coalition has stated that they will respect the issues raised by the Kenya Kwanza side during the talks and, in turn, expect the same consideration for their own issues. The talks will be facilitated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Azimio is keen on a time-bound programme that should take one month beginning from August 1, 2023, Azimio added. A primary school teacher was charged with manslaughter following the death of a pupil whom he struck on the head in the classroom. Lawrence Muthini Kasivi was last Thursday charged at the Makadara Magistrate Court for causing the death of Emmanuel Muiruri, an 11-year-old, in Dandora, Kamukunji Sub County, Nairobi, on May 17. According to court documents, on May 16, the child mistakenly took a classmates school bag, thinking it was his due to their similarities. The pupil returned the bag the following day upon realizing the error. However, Mr. Kasivi, who was his class teacher at Wangu Primary School, struck him on the head as a form of punishment, causing the child to lose consciousness. After the incident, one of Kasivis colleagues informed the parents of the minor that their child was very sick and required their presence at the school. Upon reaching the school, they discovered their son unconscious and, along with teachers and Muiruris classmates, immediately took him to a nearby dispensary for medical attention. The doctors referred them to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Embakasi, where they rushed him while he was still unconscious. He received treatment at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and was discharged two days later. However, he was further referred to Kenyatta National Hospital and Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital for additional medical care. Despite continuous efforts to seek medical treatment for Muiruri, his health showed no improvement and continued to decline. He developed complications at home, prompting his family to rush him back to Mama Lucy Hospital. Tragically, Muiruri passed away on July 3. Following a post-mortem examination, it was determined that Muiruris cause of death was due to remote traumatic brain injury. Based on the findings of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) recommended that Mr. Kasivi be charged with manslaughter. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Francis Kyambia, the teacher denied the charges. He was granted release Sh100,000 bond with an alternative cash bail of the same amount. The case is scheduled for mention on September 28, with the trial set to commence on January 15. A teacher at the school and three of Muiruris classmates who witnessed the assault, have provided statements to the DCI and are listed as witnesses. A pathologist who conducted the post-mortem examination and several health workers who attended Muiruri at Dandora Dispensary and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital are also listed as witnesses in the case. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu unveiled a new funding model portal for higher education, aiming to benefit students enrolling in universities and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions. The CS announced the new Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal during the release of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) selection results on Monday. He said HEF Portal will enable students to apply for scholarships, loans, and bursaries. It is now my pleasure to announce that the scholarships, loans and bursaries application platform is now ready for use, Machogu said. President William Ruto recently unveiled a new funding model that aims to direct higher education assistance directly to individual students, using meticulously crafted criteria for eligibility. Among the 2022 KCSE graduates, more than 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students, classified as vulnerable and extremely needy, will receive full funding through Government scholarships and loans. CS Machogu said such students will not be required to make any payments for the program costs, and in addition to the funding, they will also receive financial support for their upkeep through the loan. For the first time, students whose households are at the bottom of the pyramid shall enjoy equal opportunities in accessing university and TVET education through 100 per cent government funding, Machogu said. Students in need of funding must submit formal applications through the Higher Education Financing portal via www.hef.co.ke. CS Mchogu also instructed tertiary institutions to release admission letters to candidates no later than August 2, 2023. This will enable students to begin applying for loans and bursaries starting from August 3, with a deadline set for August 27. I urge students to ensure they stick to the set timelines to ensure speedy processing of scholarships and loans since most Universities are preparing to admit First Year students in September, Machogu said. Sean Andrew, the grandson of late President Mwai Kibaki, has weighed in on the police raid at the residence of John Jomo Kenyatta, the son of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. Speaking during the grand opening of Chateau 254 Cellar Gastro Club, which is owned by Akothees daughter Vesha Okello, Sean Andrew opined that Jomo and his grandmother, Mama Ngina, were innocent. Jomo is someone I know personally and I think he was unfairly targeted. I am not gonna pick sides politically or anything but I think Jomo is innocent so is Mama Ngina, they should not have targeted anyone unrelated to what their disagreements are, Sean told vloggers. He added: I think these are grown men and they should talk it out. They should not involve us in protests or anything. We have real issues as human beings as people of Kenya. Sean at the same time ruled out ever joining politics saying it was too dirty for him to handle. I dont think in Kenya you need to be a politician to serve people publicly. I think you can help a great number of people without being a politician. And that is the way it should be. Politics is an ugly business unfortunately they have made it even uglier and I am not interested in that. I can serve people in my own way privately, as a private citizen, he said. A man was Monday charged for fraudulently collecting Sh120,000 by falsely presenting himself as capable of arranging the burial of the late son of former Narok Governor Samuel Kuntai Ole Tunai. Enock Kipngetich Lagat was charged with the offense of obtaining Sh120,000 from Joseph Kibere Njoroge between April 21, 2023, and April 30, 2023, at an undisclosed location within the country, allegedly in collaboration with others not before the court. Lagat is alleged to have pretended that the money he obtained was intended to help a victim of an accident and cover the funeral arrangements of Samuel Kuntai, a fact he was aware to be untrue. The accused is reported to have made multiple calls to various individuals, soliciting donations for the burial arrangements. Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi in Nairobi, the accused denied the charges. In his plea, Lagat requested lenient bond terms, citing his humble background. The court granted him the option of a Sh 30,000 cash bail or a bond of Sh 100,000. The case is set to be mentioned on August 7. Information, Communication, and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has emphasized that no Kenyan citizen will be forced to acquire the new Digital Identity cards. During the release of his Ministrys one-year status report on Monday, CS Owalo clarified that the Digital Identity is distinct from the Huduma Number. When we talk about digital identity people start thinking about the Huduma Number. I want to clarify that the Digital Identity cards we are talking about is not the same as the Huduma Number both in terms of objectives and context, CS Owalo said. He added: We have embarked on the process of pursuing Digital Identity for all Kenyans. It is not the same thing as the Huduma Number. We need a virtual means through which the government can confirm that you are who you claim to be. Owalo explained that Kenyans will decide among themselves on whether they prefer to use the digital IDs or not. Let me also clarify that when it comes to pass, we will not force any Kenyan to take a digital identity. No, the onus will be on you to decide whether or not you want to get government services through your digital identity based on your bio-data or you want to physically visit government offices, he said. CS Owalo mentioned some of the key initiatives undertaken by the ICT Ministry in the past year, including the implementation of the fiber optic cable, the establishment of free public Wi-Fi hotspots, digitization of government services, the revitalization of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, and addressing the recent cyber attack on essential government services. Regarding the fiber optic cable, Owalo announced that the Kenya Kwanza administration had exceeded its target by laying 5,280 kilometers, which is 280 kilometers more than the goal set for June 2023. On the roll-out 100,000Km fiber cable, our target for June 2023 was 5,000km. Im happy to announce we have surpassed that target and managed to realize 5,280km, the CS said. Owalo also noted that over 420 Wi-Fi hotspots are already operational in markets and bus termini nationwide. He added: Our target was to operationalize two hotspots per county by June 2023, weve surpassed this target and we are at a total of 421 free public Wi-Fi hotspots as at 31st July. UDA (United Democratic Alliance) has taken steps to reward lobbyists who campaigned for President William Ruto in Nairobi before the August 9, 2022 elections. On Monday, Secretary-General Cleophas Malalah announced that the ruling party will provide financial empowerment to the lobbyists. He said approximately 20 groups will be receiving a few million shillings to kickstart their businesses. During his address at the party offices, Malalah assured the groups that President Ruto had not overlooked them after assuming power. It is important that we return the favour. I am aware that most of you were getting bitter with the government because you have not gotten what you expected, Malala said. I know that if we do not manage your anger, we will have problems in our party, he added. Malala said the lobbyists would need to register their companies in order to access the funds. Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja has offered to pay registration fees for all the 20 companies. He has also committed to give contracts to the groups, he said. The UDA Sec-Gen also assured that the reward scheme would be expanded to other regions of the country. We will give you some money, a few million shillings, and get you contracts and after getting paid, you proceed on your own. We will provide the initial capital, he added. Malalah mentioned that the President has made a considerable effort to incorporate as many individuals as possible who actively campaigned for him during the elections. Let us not complain about being forgotten. Lets be solution-oriented, he said. Suddenly, Californias 2024 Republican presidential primary looks like its positioned to give Donald Trump a major boost, even as the former president faces a new indictment connected to the last election. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. The states GOP executive committee changed the rules over the weekend so that any candidate getting a simple majority 50% plus one wins all of the states 169 delegates. If no one gets a majority, delegates would be awarded according to candidates vote percentages. A Republican presidential candidate needs 1,234 delegates to be nominated. The previous system awarded delegates according to who won each of the states 52 congressional districts. There were also 13 at-large delegates allocated according to the statewide vote total. In theory, that could have meant Trump alternatives in less conservative areas think San Francisco, Los Angeles or Sacramento could have had a better shot at more delegates. The rule is also a self-inflicted wound, as candidates now have no incentive to organize and spend money at the district level. Very disappointing, said Dave Gilliard, a Rocklin-based GOP consultant. Matt Rexroad, a Yolo County-based strategist, said that the congressional district allocation method was designed to encourage presidential candidates to campaign all over the state. That is lost with this change. It may be good for Trump but it is bad for the Republican Party. Of course, Trump does not care about the party at all except as a funding vehicle, said Rexroad. Trumps campaign had enthusiastic praise for the change. President Trump looks forward to working with the California Republican Party to Make America Great Again as he continues to dominate statewide polling by over 50%, said spokesman Steven Cheung. He chided Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who reportedly had hoped to gain ground on Trump in the primary, calling the California Republican decision a humiliating defeat as they tried to manipulate the party rules. At Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis Super PAC, founder Ken Cuccinelli was highly critical of the revision. Smoke-filled back rooms do not reflect the will of or benefit voters in any state. Yet across the country games are afoot to enhance the potential outcome of primary elections for one former president who half of the Republican electorate no longer wants as the party leader, he said, noting that other states have adopted delegate selection rules that could favor Trump. Even with these asinine primary rules changes, we remain confident Governor DeSantis will become the Republican nominee and 47th president of the United States, Cuccinelli said. Trump and the primary California Republican chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said the change, approved by the partys 100-member executive committee Saturday, was needed to comply with national party rules. If the state did not comply, it would lose half its delegates. She was upbeat about what the rules mean for the state. Republican presidential candidates will not only be encouraged to spend real time campaigning in our state and making their case to voters, but Republican voters will equally be encouraged to turn out to support their chosen candidate to help them win delegates, Patterson said in a statement. California politicos had high hopes that its primary would be consequential this time. In 2016 and 2020, the states June Republican primary was virtually meaningless, since the nominations had been decided weeks or months earlier. Next year, though, California will be one of at least 14 states voting on Super Tuesday March 5, just weeks after the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada vote. Under the previous system, with his rivals able to pick off delegates in less Trump-friendly areas, they would have a decent shot at picking up blocs of delegates. So far, Trump is ahead by almost any measure, despite three criminal indictments and the likelihood of a trial starting next spring. The latest indictment, filed Tuesday in federal district court in Washington, D.C., alleges three counts related to attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his loss to Joe Biden. Trump was the preference of 50% of Californias likely Republican voters in the June Public Policy Institute of California poll. Next was DeSantis at 24%, followed by former Vice President Mike Pence at 10%. Another June California poll of registered Republican voters, conducted by Emerson College, had Trump with 53% and DeSantis with 19%. Trump also leads the money race. He has raised $3.1 million in contributions of over $200 in California since November, when he announced his bid for a second presidential term, according to the nonpartisan OpenSecrets, which analyzed the data for McClatchy. DeSantis, who announced in late May and held a June fundraiser in Sacramento, has received $2.1 million from donations of over $200. Smaller contributions do not need to be reported as part of the Federal Election Commission campaign filings. At the moment, said John Pitney, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College, Its just hard to see any outcome other than Trump getting the nomination and clinching very early. Drive around Napa Valley long enough and youll see a white pickup truck with a green logo and black letters that spell out Renteria Vineyard Management (RVM). Renteria Vineyard Management is known around town as one of the companies that manage Napas most precious resource: grapes. Today, Renteria is a behemoth responsible for over 30 vineyards spanning 2,200 acres while simultaneously selling grapes to over 50 winemakers. The story of RVM, however, has humble beginnings. The journey dates back to 1962, when a young immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, named Salvador Renteria, a barber by trade, set out to follow in his older brother Carlos footsteps, moving north to work in California vineyards. Salvador got his first taste working with grapes at Sterling Vineyards in 1964. He planted over 500 acres, cleared the land where the winery was built, and learned the difficulties of a harvest season, picking grapes by the ton. Salvador spent 10 years at Sterling and absorbed everything he could about vineyard development and management. He then moved to Walsh Vineyard Management, where he gained exposure to various clients and vineyards in the Valley. He developed a reputation for his hard work, passion and perfectionism. As he excelled, his family knew the Valley was now their home. Salvadors son Oscar said, My mother tenaciously prioritized our assimilation, education and learning English. While education was the priority, Oscar was on a parallel track, learning his fathers business and working in the vineyards by the age of 13. Salvador retired from Walsh in 1987 and set out on his own by starting RVM. A few years later, he was managing vineyards for some of the most prestigious wineries in Napa Valley. Oscar joined RVM full-time in 1989 after he graduated from college. His father stated that he would have to earn everything he got. Oscar added, He was tough. Back then, I drove the equipment and wasnt earning money. He continued, Thats where I fell in love with vineyard management. Over the next six years, Oscar learned the ins and outs of the business and helped grow RVM. He noted there were ups and downs working with his father: My mother helped a lot to keep the peace. At times, I wanted to quit, or he wanted to fire me, Oscar added. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. Ultimately, his father retired again, this time for good. However, RVMs succession plan wasnt straightforward. Oscar explained, He built the brand from a reputation of hard work. He didnt want the industry to assume that me taking over was automatic. He said his father was overly cautious and skeptical about how Oscar would carry on the family name and reputation. Ultimately Oscar did succeed Salvador, and RVM has had significant growth since. Oscar attributes the success to surrounding myself with the best and most hardworking people. Taking what my family built and wanting to be the best at what we do. Oscars initial vision was to Create a place where everyone comes to work with a smile and embolden our values of respect, care, integrity and family. Today, RVM has approximately 632 employees, some of which are part-time, working together to provide end-to-end vineyard management services. We want to own and be responsible for all of the success and challenges without anyone else having to think about it, said Oscar. Simultaneously, while RVM grew, the family used decades of vineyard knowledge to create their own wine. The original idea dates back to 1995 when Oscar and a friend made a batch of wine in a garbage can. In 1997 Oscar and Salvador partnered and released their first vintage, Renteria. Years later, the name and direction have changed. Oscar said, Our focus is a very limited-release wine and competing with the best, both locally and abroad, with a direct-to-member model. Salvador created the name Tres Perlas, representing Oscar and his wife Denise Renterias three children and three generations of the Renteria family. Their winemaker, Kirk Venge, comes from a lineage of winegrowers himself. Venge grew up in the vineyards of Rutherford. His father, Nils Venge, worked as the winemaker at Villa Mt. Eden (now Plumpjack Winery). Venge said, Its Oscar and Denise who set Tres Perlas apart from other wines. They bring energy and enthusiasm into every aspect of the business and are 110% committed to the product. Sparing no expense. The wine previously scored a 95 by Robert Parker, but Oscar said, We ultimately decided our best judges will be the consumers, our staff and winemakers. He added, There is an immense pressure to create truly fantastic wines because of our reputation in vineyard management. Miguel Gonzalez, head of consumer sales, believes the thoughtful mentality of RVM benefits Tres Perlas. We care for our vineyards as deeply as we do our members. The personal relationship is everything Brand Director Harry Oranges added, We are humbled to witness our membership grow into a family that shares conversations about wine culture, innovating traditions and generational wisdom both around the table and in the vineyard. In addition to desired wine, Tres Perlas hosts yearly events created from the demand club members had to connect with the brand and culture. One of which has RVM employees cook off throughout the year until the top two chefs compete at the annual carnitas tasting, where attendees crown the champ. To share food with someone you love in Mexican culture is everything, said Oscar. Beyond wine, Oscar noted that there are plans to create a vino de mezcal. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Napa Valley Farm Work Foundation, where Oscar serves on the board. Hes also a board member of Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, and most recently joined Trellis to push the boundaries of innovation. He added, With climate and whats ahead of us, there is a huge opportunity and necessity to innovate. I want to be at the forefront anywhere we can. We need to do better for the planet. PHOTOS: Scenes from Napa Porchfest 2023 Rockin' out on the streets of Napa Porchfest 2023 18 Porchfest 2023 19 Porchfest 2023 20 Porchfest 2023 21 Porchfest 2023 22 Porchfest 2023 23 Porchfest 2023 24 Porchfest 2023 25 Porchfest 2023 26 Porchfest 2023 27 Porchfest 2023 28 Porchfest 2023 29 Porchfest 2023 30 Porchfest 2023 31 Porchfest 2023 32 Porchfest 2023 33 Porchfest 2023 34 Porchfest 2023 35 Porchfest 2023 36 Porchfest 2023 37 Porchfest 2023 38 Porchfest 2023 39 Porchfest 2023 40 Porchfest 2023 41 Porchfest 2023 42 Porchfest 2023 43 Porchfest 2023 44 Porchfest 2023 45 Porchfest 2023 46 Porchfest 2023 47 Porchfest 2023 48 Porchfest 2023 49 Porchfest 2023 50 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 Porchfest 2023 ST. HELENA The crowd that packed the Cameo Cinema came not for a "Barbenheimer" double feature or another Hollywood blockbuster, but for a discussion of the future of local news in St. Helena. Napa County is becoming an increasingly competitive space in the news business, with the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa recently launching a Napa-focused section. In addition, Highway 29 Media's chief executive Marc Hand said Monday night his company is looking into starting a competitor to the St. Helena Star. Hand spoke during the panel discussion, along with Dan Evans, the executive editor of the Napa Valley Register and Star; Terence Mulligan, president of the Napa Valley Community Foundation; and Joaquin Alvarado, formerly with the Center for Investigative Reporting and an expert on local news business models. The discussion was moderated by Dana Cronin, a freelance radio journalist. Highway 29 Media formed last year to save two Upvalley weeklies, the Calistoga Tribune and the Yountville Sun, from the threat of closure when their owners retired. The Community Foundation, as part of its Media and Democracy fund, has contributed $500,000 to help the Tribune and Sun gain their footing under the new owners and upgrade their digital presence. Mulligan said he was particularly concerned about the financial health of the Register and Star, both founded in the 19th century. He noted said the Star had 13 employees when he moved to the Napa Valley 19 years ago. Now the Star has only one, Jesse Duarte, the editor/reporter. Just like fire protection and health care, robust journalism is vital for a healthy community, he said. For advice on how to channel additional philanthropic dollars into local papers, the Community Foundation has commissioned Alvarado to assess local needs. When he delivers his report later this summer, Alvarado said he will suggest that the foundation fund additional reporters to broaden news coverage, including greater focus on the Latino community. Traditional newspaper chains are an endangered species, he said. Much of the advertising revenue needed to support them has been siphoned off by the likes of Facebook and Google. Everything is hard about newspapers, Alvarado said. Printing costs have gone up 40% this year. A more sustainable model, he said, are public-private partnerships, with philanthropy helping to provide essential funding for expanding journalism. Alvarado envisioned a day when the Community Foundation funds four or five reporters at local news organizations that would otherwise be strapped to do more than cover the basics. A $10 million endowment might generate enough income to pay for these reporters, he said. Evans acknowledged the challenges, but said the Register and Star remain the largest news-gathering operations in the county. He stressed there are no plans to change the focus or staff of the Star, praising Duarte for his incredible work over the years. Three weeks ago, the Register began printing the paper three days a week instead of seven, with delivery through the U.S. Postal Service, while continuing to maintain a website that is updated daily. Evans said the one consistent comment he has heard in his year-and-a-half tenure at the editorial helm is that readers want to see more local news, written by local reporters, in the paper. The benefit of the three-day-a-week schedule, he said, is that the Register is now overwhelmingly local in print. Although Duarte is the Stars only full-time employee, Evans said he is supported by the news team at the Register, which contributes stories of Upvalley interest to the weekly. The Star has about 900 subscribers, a remarkable number for a small town of 5,800 people, he said. There is an upside to having more news competition in the valley, Evans said. It makes us sharper. It makes us responsive. One of Napas longest-lived congregations will welcome a new spiritual leader on Sunday. The Rev. Genesis Auste will be installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church, the congregation recently announced. He will replace Rev. Joanne Martindale, who had been the churchs interim pastor since 2020. A native of Manila in the Phillippines, Auste previously served as the associate pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, a southern area of Los Angeles. During eight years with Calvary, he has worked as its youth pastor for high school and college members, while also serving with the Christian nonprofit groups World Vision International and the International Justice Mission, First Presbyterian said in a news release. Auste and his wife Joy will move to the Napa area as he takes the helm of First Presbyterian, while their grown children will remain in Southern California. I'm very excited that God has called me to serve in a place where I'll always be reminded of Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine, Auste said in the churchs statement. We have a God of transformation water to wine, mourning to dancing, death to life. And God loves to surprise us, too! Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. First Presbyterian in April marked the 170th anniversary of its foundation in 1853 just three years after California was promoted to statehood when a missionary board in Philadelphia assigned the Rev. J.C. Herron to preach in Napa, initially in the county courthouse. The church has worshiped in its current neo-Gothic sanctuary at Third and Randolph streets since 1874 and will mark the buildings 150th anniversary next year. Austes first service as First Presbyterian pastor will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. Photos: Anniversaries for a Napa church, and its bell First Presbyterian 2 First Presbyterian 3 First Presbyterian 1 First Presbyterian 4 First Presbyterian 5 First Presbyterian 6 First Presbyterian 7 First Presbyterian 8 First Presbyterian 9 First Presbyterian 10 First Presbyterian 11 First Presbyterian 12 First Presbyterian 13 Those who hoped to cruise the Napa River, traveling to and from Sacramento by luxury riverboat, will need to adjust their calendars. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. American Cruise Lines Inc. has suspended its Napa Valley River and Bay cruises until after 2024. Were taking a pause, said Alexa Paolella, public relations manager for American Cruise Lines. However, we do hope to offer the cruises, or a similar itinerary in the region, again in the future, she wrote. Its not unusual for a specific specialty cruise to operate on a limited schedule, she added. Paolella said that it is typical for the cruise industry to add and create different itineraries, testing them and seeing how our guests like them. After announcing the new cruises in September 2022, American Cruise Lines hosted a total of four Bay cruises, all during March. Bay cruises were scheduled for future months, but in June, those dates were removed from the companys website. The cruises in March were a success, Paolella said. There were obviously some logistical issues worked out in the beginning but the guests loved the cruises and we received a really warm welcome in the whole region. One logistical detail revolved around the exact itinerary of the cruise, the spokeswoman said. At first, the Bay cruise was to start and end in San Francisco. However, the March cruises started and ended in Sacramento. The Bay cruise made headlines because it was reportedly the first time in 80 years that this type of cruise ship had traveled on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The March excursions took place aboard a new riverboat, the American Jazz, which accommodates 190 guests. It is 345 feet long and 60 feet wide. Prices were higher than a traditional ocean or budget cruise. Fares for the eight-day, seven-night voyage were originally listed at $11,280 per person for a grand suite and $5,695 for a single room. All rooms offered private balconies. The American Jazz might not be in California anymore, but its still in operation, Paolella said. Currently, its cruising the Columbia and Snake rivers in Oregon and Washington state. Located at 1014 Clinton St., Napa, Azur Tasting Lounge is now open for the community and visitors while providing a space for Azur members and wine enthusiasts to enjoy the wines, according to the press release. The lounge is intended to be a community gathering place to highlight local businesses and artists and will display local art and photography and host pop up events for jewelry makers and the like. There will be monthly gatherings for book clubs or nonprofit fundraisers that support the Napa community as well. Wines will be available by the glass, in bottles or flights. The design of the space features warm lighting, velvet chairs and natural accents to create a naturally soulful atmosphere, as per the press release. The lounge will be available to rent for special events or private parties. Food will be prepared offsite by licensed caterers or restaurants and brought in for your enjoyment. Tasting bites such as cheese and charcuterie will be available for purchase in the same manner. A private speakeasy room will be open to club members and for group reservation and will create a more intimate experience. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Tuesday. Visit Azurwines.com for more information. Distinguished Vineyards names Dai Deh vice president of marketing and Lindsey Eddy-Cort vice president of consumer sales and hospitality Effective immediately, Dai Deh will oversee the brand management and trade marketing for the Distinguished Vineyards portfolio and Lindsey Eddy-Cort will lead the sales and marketing in the direct-to-consumer channel, according to the press release. Deh has 15 years of experience in marketing and management, and most recently worked as vice president of marketing at Mezzetta, a specialty foods company. Prior to that he was brand director at Clif Bar & Company and served on their equity advisory council. The press release describes him as an accomplished brand builder known for his strategic thinking, his empowering leadership style and his belief that businesses can serve as a force for positive change. Im excited to learn about how our customers and consumers engage with our portfolio of luxury wine brands and to create long-lasting relationships based on our shared values, wrote Deh in the press release. Eddy-Cort brings 12 years of wine industry experience to her position, and previously served as senior director of consumer sales and hospitality at E. & J. Gallo Winery, where she led the brand to receive honors for their tasting experiences. She has been an ardent advocate for promoting diversity and inclusivity throughout her career, as per the press release, and will bring that focus with her to Distinguished Vineyards. I am thrilled to be representing such an amazing portfolio, and to help further elevate these iconic wineries and their acclaimed DTC and hospitality programs, Eddy-Cort wrote in the press release. I am proud to join a company with such strong values in the areas of sustainability and inclusion areas that I am deeply passionate about. Distinguished Vineyards was formed in 2008 and now includes Argyle Winery in Oregons Willamette Valley, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma County, Markham Vineyards and TEXTBOOK in Napa Valley, Wither Hills in New Zealand, and Dough Wines, the companys partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Visit distinguishedvineyards.com for more information. A toxic red tide has returned to San Francisco Bay, raising fears of a reprisal of last summers unusually large fish die-off. Experts report that swimming algae was detected last weekend in rust-colored water samples from Emeryville, the Berkeley Marina, Albany and Marin Countys Richardson Bay and Muir Beach. While no fish deaths are yet reported, authorities advise against people or pets entering the water. This type of red tide is not known to cause illness, but out of an abundance of caution, we always encourage people and pets to avoid contact, said Eileen White, the executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board at a Monday afternoon media briefing. The teams are monitoring the Bay with field work and satellite imagery. Harmful algal blooms are not uncommon. But last summers incident was unusually large and deadly, killing thousands of fish and other marine creatures. It killed everything from tiny yellowfin goby to sharks and bat rays, according to reports submitted to San Francisco Baykeeper, an environmental group focused on water conditions in the bay. Foul-smelling corpses littered Bay Area beaches from San Pablo Bay to the South Bay. The algae, called Heterosigma akashiwo, kills marine life by depleting the oxygen in the water that they need to survive. Its still unclear why this particular type of algae which has long been a part of the bays ecosystem started blooming again. A combination of nitrogen runoff and warm water is the likely culprit, according to White and David Senn, a senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute. In the short term, theres not a lot we can do, said White. Wastewater utilities remove some nitrogen and other nutrients during the secondary step of wastewater treatment. But last summers die-off showed that more needs to be done, White said. But she said that the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board is working with the regions 37 different wastewater utilities to plan, design and construct improvements to treatment facilities to reduce the discharge of nitrogen into the bay. Last summer was a game changer, when we saw the massive fish kills in the bay, she said. So that triggered us wanting to act as quickly as possible. We know that nutrient reduction is something thats going to need to happen in order to mitigate these events occurring again, she said. This years outbreak is detected in different locations than last year, which started in Alamedas Oakland estuary and expanded into the deeper waters between Alameda and San Francisco, then grew through the entire system, including the Central Bay and South Bay, said Senn. Experts worry that this summers bloom will also spread and turn deadly. Last years bloom ended in early autumn, as days shortened and waters began to cool. Scientists had hoped that last winters fierce rainstorms would dilute and cool the water, reducing risk. But the organism deposited abundant seeds after last years bloom and overwintered in the bay mud, setting the stage for this summers bloom, said Senn. It seems as though were catching the very early phases of this, said Senn. We dont yet know, at this point, what the trajectory will be. Last month's tussles between state officials and a pair of Southern California school boards may have died down, but theyve thrown a spotlight on deeper tensions over who makes decisions for local schools a rift thats likely to grow as the culture wars escalate. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. Both incidents, which garnered national attention, centered on LGBTQ issues and the states ability to rein in local boards that it says may have violated Californias education and civil rights laws. We can expect to see more of this as these right-wing groups now follow a scripted playbook and theres a new level of organization, said Bruce Fuller, a UC Berkeley professor of education and public policy. And certainly as long as we have an ambitious governor, we can expect to see these battles repeated. On July 20, Chino police escorted the states top education official, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, from a school board meeting after he urged the board to reject a plan he viewed as harmful LGBTQ students. The plan, based on a stalled Assembly bill, called for school staff to notify parents if a child identifies as a gender they werent assigned at birth. The board ended up approving the proposal 4-1. Earlier in the month, Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened to fine Temecula Valley Unified $1.5 million for rejecting a state-approved textbook that included a supplemental lesson on Harvey Milk, the former San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated in 1978. Newsom said the state would order the new textbooks on its own and bill the district. Last week, the board relented and agreed to purchase the new textbooks but review the material related to gay rights, replacing it with a curriculum that reflects the boards commitment to exclude sexualized topics of instruction from the elementary school grade levels. Enforcing the education code State officials have several enforcement options when they believe districts have run afoul of the education code. Those include fines, like the one Newsom threatened in Temecula Valley; publicly voicing disapproval, such as Thurmonds comments in Chino Valley; and investigation and litigation, which Attorney General Rob Bonta said he would pursue in Temecula Valley. The California Department of Education also has a complaint process, which anyone can use if they believe their district isnt complying with state law. Napa school board vetoes attempt to block future mask requirements NVUSD trustees unanimously blocked a motion that would have prevented the district from re-imposing a masking requirement it lifted in March. Theres also legislation. Recently, Thurmond and Newsom have thrown their support behind Assembly Bill 1078, which would raise the threshold for school districts to ban books, from a simple board majority to a two-thirds majority. The bill would also strengthen the FAIR Act, a state law that requires districts to include the contributions of African American, Native American, Mexican American, LGBTQ and other under-represented groups in history and social studies curriculum. The bills author, Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson of Moreno Valley, said legislation like AB 1078 is more important than ever as the state seeks tougher tools to punish districts that stray from civil rights laws. These culture wars are being used to generate anger to achieve political goals, Jackson said. We have to close as many loopholes as possible. The crux of the issue, Jackson said, is local control, the decade-old policy that gives school districts a large degree of autonomy in how they operate. Put forth by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, the Local Control Funding Formula was meant to decentralize state education, allowing districts to tailor their spending policies to the unique needs of their students. In some cases, Jackson said, local control has gone too far. I know my history too well to have faith in local control, Jackson said. If a school district discriminates against students, puts politics ahead of education, I honestly dont have any limits when it comes to limiting local control. Once you start creating a climate that is not welcoming to all students youre mandated to serve, districts need to know: We are coming for you. Nuances of local control Under the previous funding system, schools received money through grants earmarked for specific programs. Under local control, district funding comes through a formula based on how many low-income students, English learners and foster youth are enrolled. School boards, not the state, decide how to spend the money, allowing them a degree of autonomy they didnt have previously. But some districts fear that with bills like Jacksons and other recent moves, the state might be taking back some of that control. Recently, the state has added several categorical grants and mandated programs and increased its interest in local school board matters, such as in Temecula Valley and Chino Valley. Thats one reason the California School Boards Association has so far opposed Jacksons bill, saying it would pose an unnecessary hardship for the vast majority of school districts that comply with the law, and that the state already has adequate safeguards. We are greatly concerned with how (the bill) is drawn from the experience of two or three school districts to apply statewide, the association wrote to the chair of the Senate Education Committee, noting that California has nearly 1,000 school districts. Troy Flint, the school board associations spokesperson, said districts are hoping that the trend does not continue, even as the culture wars intensify. There has been increased encroachment on local control from a budgetary, policy and administrative perspective, he said. School districts and county offices of education believe that their knowledge base and relationships, as members of the community, are essential in developing and implementing policies that make sense for their particular student populations. So naturally, they are very protective of local control. A spokesman for Newsoms office said that the governor is committed to local control, and the incident in Temecula Valley was an isolated, egregious example of a district flouting the law. Local control is not and has never been a license to willfully violate the law, said Ben Chida, the governors chief deputy cabinet secretary and senior education policy adviser. Steve Zimmer, Californias deputy superintendent for student support services, reiterated the states support for local control. The superintendent and I are both former school board members. We believe strongly in local control. Local control is a core value of the California public education system, Zimmer said. But there have to be checks and balances. Increasing vitriol Regardless, school boards are likely to remain an epicenter of conflict, especially as the presidential election nears, said Julie Marsh, professor of education policy in the Rossier School of Education and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. I dont think its going to die down. School boards have become a pawn in a broader national campaign, Marsh said. All of this is bringing to a head a classic conflict in education whats the role of the state? Local control has to be for everyone, but in some districts were now seeing a need for guardrails. She worries about the growing lack of civility and threats of violence. In his response to Temecula Valley, Newsom described three of the board members as radicalized zealots and extremists. In Chino Valley, board president Sonja Shaw accused Thurmond of proposing things that pervert children. Some of the vitriol began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when angry parents in some parts of the state protested school closures, mask mandates and vaccines. For some parents, the anger grew to encompass how schools teach subjects related to race, sex and other culture war issues. Capitalizing on some of the dissatisfaction, the state Republican Party last year launched the Parent Revolt campaign, urging frustrated parents to run for their local school boards. Shaw, the Chino Valley board president, was elected as part of that wave. Angry rhetoric undoubtedly plays a role in the high turnover rate among superintendents, and the fact that some school boards cant fill their vacancies, Marsh said. It also deters members of the public from speaking out, for fear of threats or intimidation. This is not unique to California and its not unique to school boards, she said. Were very concerned about the extreme emotion, the tone, the polarization, the personal attacks. We need some kind of legislation to protect civility in public meetings. Fuller agreed that the rhetoric can have a corrosive effect on schools and other institutions. While the governor and state superintendent were right to step in, perhaps they could have settled the conflict behind the scenes, instead of drawing more attention to the matter. They could have deployed their influence to expand understanding and engage people with whom they disagree. Instead they became antagonistic to gain political attention, Fuller said. They could have settled the issue quietly, rather than spurring it on. There are compelling reasons for the state to intervene in some cases, but why not first try to negotiate an agreement? Meanwhile, the battle over the rights of LGBTQ students is likely to continue. Zimmer said the state is looking at various options to pressure Chino Valley to overturn its policy related to LGBTQ students. The state is also urging students in that district to seek help if they need it. The states Department of Education offers numerous resources for LGBTQ students, families and schools. Were very clear that their dignity and humanity matters, and they have a right to a welcoming, safe school environment, Zimmer said. Superintendent Thurmond stands behind them and will continue to fight for them. After historic declines in math scores, schools look to bolster summer programs to help kids catch up After historic declines in math scores, schools look to bolster summer programs to help kids catch up Food insecurity and shortages of medical supplies in Nagorno Karabakh are very troubling, Samantha Power, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, wrote on her X/Twitter page. She presented the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's recent tweet, in which Blinken expresses deep concerns regarding the humanitarian crisis created in Nagorno Karabakh. Samanta Power stressed that the Lachin corridor is critical for getting lifesaving supplies to the people of Nagorno Karabakh. I join Secretary Blinken's call for the free transit of commercial and humanitarian supplies through the corridor, she wrote. Azerbaijan is holding Nagorno Karabakh in blockade for seven months now, depriving its 120,000 residents of necessities. Armenia sent 360 tons of humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh last week, but Azerbaijan would not allow it to pass through the checkpoint it has set up in the Lachin corridor. The humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh is deteriorating on a daily basis. Earlier, Matthew Miller, the official representative of the U.S. State Department, said in the July 31 briefing that the U.S. continues to believe in the possibility of a peace treaty and for this to happen Armenia and Azerbaijan will have to make difficult compromises. He also informed that Anthony Blinken is personally involved in the negotiation process to encourage the leaders to reach the signing of the peace agreement. American politician Sam Brownback argues that sanctions should be applied to Azerbaijan for violating humanitarian law in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Armenpress, Brownback expressed fear that the situation could worsen. It is getting progressively worse for Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Lanchin [sic] Corridor is closed, in spite of an agreement to keep it open. Azerbaijan must be sanctioned for their humanitarian abuses before it gets even worse. #SaveKarabakh, the former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback tweeted. Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations. The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has released a statement on Twitter calling on the United States and its allies to exert pressure on Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev amid the ongoing, life-threatening blockade of [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenpress reports. The ICRC has served as a lifeline to Nagorno Karabakh. Then Azerbaijan cut off its last remaining source of essential food & medicine. More than 7 months into Azerbaijan's blockade, the time is now for the US & its allies to exert pressure on Aliyev. Lives hang in the balance, the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a tweet. [Berdzor] Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations. Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus of the European Parliament, Andrey Kovatchev, Standing Parliament Rapporteur on Armenia, and Zeljana Zovko, Standing Parliament Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, issued a joint statement on the serious humanitarian situation in [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh. We are deeply worried by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijans ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor in violation of its commitments under the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020 and of the legally binding ruling of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023, reaffirmed on 6 July 2023. For almost eight months already, the local population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been suffering the consequences of the blockade, surviving only thanks to local production and to essential humanitarian supplies, notably by the ICRC. Azerbaijans extension of the blockade to humanitarian supplies in recent weeks has now led to the scarcity of basic foodstuffs, lifesaving medical products and other essential goods, while the shortage of fuel has disrupted local production and distribution. Medical evacuations by the ICRC have been disrupted as well. The estimated 120 000 inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention from the international community. We fully support and subscribe to the statement of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell of 26 July 2023. We condemn the ongoing blockade of humanitarian supplies and the politicisation of humanitarian access, which further aggravates the already dire situation in the region. Azerbaijans offer of providing aid via Aghdam is separate to its existing obligations regarding the Lachin Corridor which must be respected. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to the region and any impediment to access constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. Opening additional routes can only be encouraged, but it is a separate issue, which should be mutually agreed in the context of direct negotiations between Baku and Stepanakert. We fully support diplomatic efforts by President of the European Council Charles Michel to find a sustainable and long-term solution to the decades-long conflict and the ongoing crisis in the region by facilitating negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. During the latest meeting held in Brussels on 15 July 2023, both sides agreed, along with other pressing issues, to facilitate humanitarian access to the region in order to alleviate human suffering. Sadly, the ongoing blockade runs contrary to the objective of peace negotiations and much-needed confidence-building efforts. We recall that on 15 March 2023, the European Parliament called on the Council, if the International Court of Justices order of 22 February 2023 is not immediately implemented, to impose targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani government officials. We also recall that, at the European Parliament plenary sitting of 13 June 2023, the EU High Representative committed to raising in the Council the option of imposing such sanctions. We reiterate our call on Baku to end the blockade immediately and commit to the respect of international obligations and norms in order to prevent a humanitarian disaster, says the statement. According to the data of the first 6 months, the number of newly opened companies in Armenia is 5400, most of the founders are citizens of Armenia, followed by citizens of Russia, and after that Iran, Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan told reporters. I see that the cooperation is going very well. They produce different items - both food and building materials, Kerobyan noted. "Communications with India are not yet established, and logistics are challenging. I agree that trade with India has great potential. As per our proposal, the Prime Minister has ordered the formation of a working group to explore possibilities of creating a new high-speed cargo corridor from India to Europe," the Minister continued in response to the comment about the potential for significant trade volumes with India. There have been similar attempts before. I am the head of the group, and our goal is to make sure that goods from India to Armenia and from India to Europe through Armenia pass as quickly and cheaply as possible. I think by the end of the year we will have a clear proposal on how to create a high-speed cargo transportation corridor from India, from Armenia to India, and even to Europe, he concluded, adding that it will pass through Iran.